Title: The Depths of Your Love

Summary: Inuyasha and Kagome are faced with a life changing decision. It will test the depths of their love. 'Yet, she always came back to him when she fled. And he'd always be waiting.'

Pairings: InuKag, MirSan, and a few more -

Disclaimer: 'Tis not today, nor tomorrow, nor the day after. But maybe oneday I shall own Inuyasha. But sadly, I only own the plot.

Chapter One

"Women."

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It was a beautiful mid summer night. Millions of stars were twinkling in the midnight sky. Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo all sat in a circle around their camp fire. It was a peaceful setting as everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

Shippo had fallen asleep ages ago: he now lay bundled up in Kagome's sleeping bag lost in his very own dreamland.

Kagome smiled fondly at the small kitsune. Without realizing it, she had become quite attached to the little fox demon. More often than not, she found her maternal instincts kicking in. It must have been hard; losing his parents at such a young age.

Kagome glanced at Inuyasha. He had lost his parents around Shippo's age too. He hadn't had anyone to look after him or to give him love that every child needed. Was that why he never trusted anyone? Is that part of the reason that he never showed his emotions? Her eyes started to well up with unshed tears as she thought about her hanyou growing up alone.

Inuyasha felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up; he felt as if he was being watched. And without a doubt, he was. He glanced up to meet Kagome's sorrowful gaze. Why is she looking at me like that?

"What?" he asked.

Kagome seemed to snap out of a daze. "Hmm? Uh, nothing Inuyasha," she said quickly, averting her gaze.

"What the hell were you looking at me like that for?" he asked irritably.

"I said that it was nothing, Inuyasha," she stated firmly.

"Miroku and Sango exchanged knowing glances. They knew what was about to occur.

"No, it wasn't nothing. Why were you pitying me, wench?"

"I was not!" she defended.

"Yes you were!"

"No, I..." she was cut off by Sango.

"Guys!" she whispered loudly, "Shippo is sleeping!"

Kagome glanced at Shippo and noticed him starting to stir. She threw one last glare at Inuyasha and scooted over to the small boy. She started stroking his head and humming a soft lullaby. Shippo smiled softly and curled up to Kagome.

Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha watched this scene before them. Smiles played on two of their faces, but Inuyasha just watched Kagome's every move.

She'd be a good mother, he thought.

She'd be a wonderful mother of your pup, a voice that eerily sounded like Miroku said inside his head.

'Whoa, whoa, wait just a minute. Where the hell did that come from?' Inuyasha thought. He returned his gaze to Kagome. Shippo was fast asleep again, and she was lightly running her fingers through his hair.

Kagome glanced up at Inuyasha and smiled. She couldn't stay mad at him for long. Well, unless he really upset her. She sighed and looked over at Sango.

"Sango?" she asked.

"Hmm?" Sango replied.

"I was wondering if I could borrow Kirara for a while?" she asked cautiously.

"How come?" Sango asked in confusion. All ears were listening to Kagome attentively. Especially a certain hanyou.

"I need to go back to my time for a bit." She replied.

Inuyasha sat up straight as a board. "No way in hell, Kagome."

Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice even. "Inuyasha, I am going home whether you approve or not."

"You can't tell me that you're going home because we fought about your fucking mood swings?!" he exclaimed.

"Inuyasha! Shh!" she whispered. "As a matter of fact, no, that is not why I'm going home. I'll be back mid morning."

"Why? What do you need to go home for?" he asked.

"Inuyasha, just trust me will you?" she pleaded.

Inuyasha stared at her. After a few moments of consideration, gruffly he said, "Fine, but if you aren't back by noon, then I'm coming to get you," he warned.

"I know, I know, Sango can I borrow her?" Kagome asked again.

"Sure, Kagome."

"Thanks, Sango." she said, standing up. She walked over to her bag and slung it onto her back. Kagome walked over to the now transformed Kirara, and climbed onto her back.

"Bye guys," she called as Kirara flew in the direction of the bone eaters well.

After she was out of sight, Inuyasha stood up and slowly walked toward the direction Kagome had just left.

"Inuyasha, where are you going?" Miroku called.

"Feh!" was his answer.

Miroku shook his head. "Some things never change."

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Inuyasha decided to head back to the well and wait for Kagome. Why had she wanted to leave all of a sudden? If it hadn't been because of the fight, then why? She could have at least told him the reason why she was leaving. But no, she just had to say 'Just trust me will you?'

Sometimes that girl infuriated him. One minute, she stares at him all depressed, then she bites his head off, and then she smiles at him like they had never fought, and then she decides to go home for some unknown reason.

"Women." he mumbled.

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Kagome jumped off of Kirara's back. She petted the demon's head. "Thanks Kirara, I owe you one."

The demon nudged her hand in reply and flew into the evening sky.

Kagome sighed as she walked over to the well. 'The things that I do for Inuyasha' she thought as she jumped into the well.

Kagome flew through a dimension of time and space. A multitude of colors surrounding her. She felt whole.

But then she plopped into the well once more. Kagome sighed. She just couldn't explain it, but traveling time was one of the most unique experiences. Kagome stood up and climbed up the rope ladder, pulling herself out of the well. She dusted her clothes off and walked outside.

She noticed how quiet it was, it must have been really late.

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It was very dark. A foggy mist surrounded the three figures. The vapor chilled the air with an unpleasant presence. It spooked many small animals away from the clearing.

"I'd like to make a proposition..." a masculine voice said.

"What kind of proposition?" a slightly old female voice asked.

"Have you ever heard of a half demon by the name of Inuyasha?" the man's voice said darkly.

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Kagome quickly walked down the highway until she came to the city park. There had been many residential complaints about not having any type of secure area where their children could play. So after a few boycotts and protests; the city officials gave in and built a forty acre park smack dab in the center of Tokyo.

Kagome had only been nine at the time, but her memory was as sharp as ever. She remembered helping her mother make signs and buttons. Such as 'Work and no play makes a very dull child. Work and unsafe play makes a very dead child', or 'I want a park! Or else!'

Kagome smiled, that had been her sign.

She had held a pout the whole time. But it had been so much fun, especially since all of her friends had been there.

Kagome walked over to a set of swings. Someone was swinging back and forth very lightly. Kagome sat down on the seat next to the figure.

"Hey, Kagome," the figure said.

"Hi, Shippo, do you have the gift?" she asked.

"Sure do." Shippo said.

Kagome had accidentally bumped into someone when she was rushing home from school the last time she had returned to the future. All of her books had scattered everywhere, and the man helped her pick them up.

"Sorr..." Kagome had started to say. But when she looked at the man she was in complete shock. He had long red hair tied back into a ponytail, with sparkling blue eyes. The man was quite tall; several inches taller than Kagome. He wore blue jeans with a black light jacket. When he smiled at her, she had seen a set of fangs.

Kagome had gasped. "Sh...Shippo?" she stuttered; her eyes wide.

When she had said his name, the man had looked equally shocked. "Kagome? Dammit! I should have realized that it was you!" he exclaimed, giving her a hug.

"But...how...wha...why?" she managed.

"Kagome, I'm a demon, look at me, I hardly look over 28," he smiled.

Realization hit her. "Is Inuyasha here?! What about the others? What happens to us?" she asked frantically.

Cautiously he spoke, "Kagome, I really don't think that it would be very wise to tell you those things. What if it changes something? I'd never be able to live with myself," he said worriedly.

Slowly, she nodded her head. "Yea, I guess. Well, this is so strange. I just saw you drawing pictures as a seven year old five hundred years ago. And now, I'm looking at you as a full grown demon," she smiled softly.

He laughed. "I bet that it strange, Kagome, but when have our lives not been?"

She joined him in laughter. "Hey Shippo? Do you want to get something to eat?" she asked.

"Now that you mention it, I'm starving. And buying," he added with a smile.

Kagome yawned. "I am stuffed Shippo. I can't believe that you ate that much!" she exclaimed as they walked down the street.

"Hey, I'm a growing boy..." he mock defended.

"Oh yes, a five hundred and seven year old is definitely a growing boy," she said.

"You make it sound as if I'm old," he said, rolling his eyes.

Soon they arrived in front of the Higurashi shrine. "So this is where you were always running off to. Do you mind if I see the well?" Shippo asked.

"Not at all."

Kagome lead him into the well house. Shippo whistled. "Wow. This sure brings back the old times," he said.

Kagome smiled at the now not-so-little kitsune.

Shippo sighed. "Okay, well, I'll give you my cell number, and be sure to keep in touch."

While he started to write his number down, she had burst into a fit of giggles. He raised an eyebrow. "What?" he asked.

"I'm s...sorry, its j...just th...that I never thought that I'd ever hear you say 'I'll give you my cell number'."

He chuckled. "I bet you didn't. Okay well, here it is, and come back next Friday so that I can give you Inuyasha's gift."

"Gift?" she had asked.

"You know? Birthday gift? His birthday is next Saturday."

"It is?! I finally know when it is! That damn hanyou can be so secretive. I need to get him something!" she fretted.

"Kagome, I have to go now, but meet me at the first swing set in the park next Friday around midnight. I'll have to sneak away from something important, but I think that I can manage."

"Alright Shippo. I'll see you then," she had said.

Shippo handed her a red wrapped box and a card. "Tell him that I said 'hi', Kagome." He said.

Kagome nodded. "If Inuyasha is still around," she smiled, "then tell him that I said 'hi', as well."

"Will do."

"Okay, Shippo, I have a few last minute things to do. Is dinner every first of the month okay with you?"

"Sounds good. I have to go too, bye Kagome," he said; giving her a hug.

"Bye Shippo.

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Sango glared at Miroku. That monk had gone and done it again. Why, oh, why couldn't he be polite and courteous? She knew that she had some type of feelings for the guy, but these were the times when she seriously doubted her sanity for ever falling in love with the lecher.

Across the fire, Miroku sat rubbing his now red cheek. "You know, that on hurt, Sango, he said.

"Good," was all that she had to say.

"Your words hurt me deeper than you think, Sango," he said seriously.

She looked up at him. What was he doing? Was he being sincere?

"Sango, why don't you like me?" he asked.

Sango raised her eyebrows. "What gave you that idea?" she asked.

He didn't answer.

Sango stood up and walked over to him. "Miroku, I like you, I have absolutely no idea why, but I do. But you're always going after other women." She said sheepishly, staring into the fire.

Miroku looked at her. "I don't really have a choice in whom I have a child with. If for some reason I die before or during my battle with Naraku, I have to have a child to carry on. I've told you before, I fear for my life every day. There is no telling when the wind tunnel will suck me in, which is why I am in great haste, Sango."

Sango sighed. "I understand that. But did you ever think that if you took your time with a woman, then you'd get what you wanted?"

"What are you saying, Sango?" he grinned impishly.

She blushed. "N...nothing. I just meant that no woman likes a womanizing lecher who is likely to go have an affair with any new beauty he lays his eyes on. No woman would be able to trust that type of man with her heart, let alone to have children with him," she said.

Miroku never knew that was how she felt. He felt a pang of guilt.

"Really? So I've been approaching the situation all wrong?" he whispered, scooting closer.

Sango shivered.

"And I should take things slowly with only one demon slayer?" he spoke softly into her ear.

She gulped audibly and didn't dare look at him.

But then, she felt the hand.

Sango closed her eyes in anger. He blew it. Again!

She spun around and slapped him on the face. Hard. She stood up and walked over to her sleeping bag.

Miroku stared after her. "Women," he mumbled, rubbing his cheek for the second time that night.

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And there you have it! Until next time...