Chapter 22

Silent Secrets

Disclaimer: Nope, nothing, just the plot and some manga/anime

Kagome's eyes opened as Inu-Yasha began to move backward, pulling her along with him. The female again tried to pull away, but a fix of growl and laugh met her ears as he still held her close. The sound of water was growing with every step the hanyou's took.

"I will never let you go now; you alone are who I need by my side." There was a playfulness to her mate's voice, and she didn't know if she liked it.

Inu-Yasha finally stopped his movement. His head turned and his lips brushed her hairline softly. He let his hot breath caress her cheek, sending shivers down her spine. Her mate let out a deep growl as he stepped back one more step.

Kagome gasped silently as both she and Inu-Yasha were suddenly completely submerged in the river. Her eyes fell on Inu-Yasha's. She growled at the laughter there, before pushing back and swimming to the top of the water. Breath rushed into her lungs as she gasped for air.

Once her breathing was normal again, she turned to look around darkly for her mate. He had to come up sometime. Something grabbed her ankle and pulled her under again. When she came back up, Inu-Yasha was above the water not very far away from her, laughing hysterically.

"Inu-Yasha!" Kagome yelled, grabbing his shoulders and pushing him back under. The Inu-hanyou jumped and swallowed water as his head went back under the blue liquid. Kagome laughed as a bunch of bubbles splashed her face. Her mate came back up, splashing water at her.

Inu-Yasha laughed and began to swim away from Kagome. "That was just a lucky move." He taunted. She growled and went after him.

"You wish! I'm going to get you for this!" She shouted back with another laugh.

"What was that?" He asked, stopping and again throwing water at his mate.

"I said—!" Kagome gasped as she realized that she had opened her mouth! …but, nothing had happened… 'Maybe not this time, but what about next time?' She snapped at herself.

"Kagome?" Inu-Yasha's question broke into her thoughts. The female looked up at him, her lips again tightly sealed. He moved back to her, his golden orbs serous again. "I don't know why you didn't speak before, but now I know you can." Inu-Yasha moved his face closer to hers. "Don't be afraid, there is nothing to be afraid of." He whispered.

The Inu-hanyou could smell a mix of fear and sadness coming from his mate, but he didn't know why. He could feel her rough breath on his cheek as salt again met his nose.

"I—I—I killed you Inu-Yasha… I opened my mouth and ripped—ripped out you throat… Your blood filled my mouth… stained my…stained my fangs." Her breath became gasps as he body became limp. Kagome collapsed into her mate's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Inu-Yasha was shocked with Kagome's response and confession. "What? How could that…?" He let his thought go as he carried the still weeping hanyou out of the river.

"Inu-Yasha… I… love you, but you have to get away… I could hurt you." Kagome gasped, still clinging to her mate. Inu-Yasha slowly sat down on the river bank, pulling Kagome with him and onto his lap. He rested one clawed hand on the back of her head, pulling her cheek to rest on his chest.

"I will never leave you… No one could make me, not even you, Kagome." Inu-Yasha assured her. The female hiccupped, but stayed silent at his words. How she wished she could stay with her mate, but could she trust herself like he did? At lease she could stay like this for a little while.

The warm sun wrapped around both of them, and time seemed to stop for the hanyou's alone.

((View Change))

Sango suddenly looked to her left. "Miroku," she started. The monk, his eyes still closed with his head rested against the tree, smiled again.

"Aye, Sango, I heard." He said to her unspoken question.

"Shall we leave them?" The slayer asked, turning back to Miroku. The monk nodded slowly.

"They seem to be alright, let's stay here until they need us." He replied. Sango nodded and turned to look at Kirara as the youkai climbed onto her lap.

"Hello Kirara, are you worn out already?" The demon slayer asked as she rubbed her friend's ear. The little cat mewed in reply.

"Hey Miroku, is Kagome better now?" Shippo asked, sitting down in front of the monk. Miroku opened his eyes and sat up so he could look at the kitsune.

"I think so, Shippo, but nothing is ever definite with wome—er I mean, Kagome. She has had a rough time after all." The monk winced as Sango elbowed him in the ribs for his comment. "What?" He questioned innocently. The demon slayer only glared as a reply.

(( View Change))

Kagome's eyes were closed, her body was warm, and something strong was holding her close. "Inu-Yasha," she breathed. Her mate seemed to appear in front of her. "Don't leave me…I'm sorry… I'm not strong enough…" Her eyes filled with tears. The silver haired hanyou smiled softly as he moved toward her.

"I will never leave, you don't need to be strong, with you by my side, I will be strong enough for both of us." The Inu said, wrapping her in a hug.

"And the pups?" Kagome breathed, resting her head against his chest.

"What pups…? What are you talking about…? Pups…?" Inu-Yasha's voice echoed in her head. "Kagome? Wake up, please wake up Kagome." The male's voice was stronger now.

"What? Inu-Yasha?" Kagome's eyes opened again. She smiled. "Hey."

"Hey yourself. What happened? What were you talking about?" Golden eyes were filled with question as they blinked.

"What? What was I talking about?" The female blinked even with her mate.

"You just said pups, what pups?" Inu-Yasha expanded.

"I don't know, what did I say, exactly?"

"You asked if I was strong enough to protect the pups too. Kagome, you aren't—"

"No, of course not! ... I don't think…" Kagome's voice faded. She could be pregnant, after all, she had been with Inu-Yasha. He was silent for a second.

"Would that be a bad thing…?" He whispered. Kagome's head snapped up at his words.

"I—no—I guess—" she tried. The look of slight fear in her mate's eyes made her smile softly. "No, Inu-Yasha, that wouldn't be a bad thing." Kagome slowly leaned up to press a kiss on the hanyou's lips. "You would be a great father, Inu-Yasha." She said as she slowly pulled back.

"And you a great mother, Kagome, just ask the runt." Inu-Yasha replied with a smile, pulling his mate back to him.

((Author Notes))

That's' the end. Make it up from there. I'm joking, I already did that once. Though, this is close to the end. But I'm going to bed now, so I will see you in the next chapter,

Myst