*Sighs, and turns to reviewers* Is it just me, or can my computer get screwed up even more?  I was reading over my newest chapter after a few reviews of typo's and some how my computer changed them on me, argghhhh!  Anyways though, I changed my mind on ending my story so soon, because I want to reach over 2000 reviews.  Anyways I sat down in Drama class and came up with an outline for my story.  It stands at 53 chapters at this moment.  So unless I come up with another twist or plot, it will be 53 chapters. Although the ending I'm still not sure whether to make it sad or happy . . . but we'll have to see.  Anyways onward with the story!

Winter Wonderland

Chapter Forty

  "Kaze no Kizu!" screamed Inu-Yasha.

  "Hiraikotsu!" cried Sango.

  All was silent for a moment before the rumble of trees falling down echoed through out the sky.  Kagome, Miroku, Shippo, and Kohaku had to cover their ears from the loud crash.  Miroku than ran forward so he could catch Hiraikotsu when it came flying back since he didn't want Sango trying to grab it. 

  "Alright, now we just need to cut the branches off," said Inu-Yasha.

  Miroku set Hiraikotsu on the ground and grabbed his staff while Kohaku grabbed his weapon.  The girls and Shippo watched amusingly as the guys ran over the logs, cutting the extra branches off.  Kagome sighed and slowly brought herself down into the lush green grass.  Sango soon followed her friend's actions, and then Shippo and Kirara went to go play.

  "So Kagome, how are you feeling? You looked a little pale this morning,"

  "I just didn't have enough to eat, but I'm fine now,"

  Sango smiled and tried to lay down carefully with out hitting her stomach, "I can't believe I'm four month's pregnant,"

  Kagome smiled softly and tried to lie down as well, "Yeah, time is flying by so fast,"

  "How far along are you?" asked Sango.

  "Almost three month's now I think.  The doctors told me I was pregnant about a few weeks after . . . after . . ."

  "It's okay, you don't have to mention it . . . I know,"

  Kagome nodded and closed her eyes, feeling the warm summer sun beating down on her.  She could hear Kirara and Shippo laughing in the distance, and the small cracks from Inu-Yasha and the others still cutting the branches off.

  "You know, it's going to be a while before our homes will be built," sighed Sango.

  "Yes it will, but we can wait,"

  Sango turned her head, "Is Sesshoumaru coming to help at all?"

  "Rin said she would come sometime to help, and she would try to bring Sesshoumaru along,"

  "Just as long as Jaken doesn't come,"

  Kagome giggled, but stopped as she felt a slight pain on her neck.  She waited a second before slapping her hand down, "Well . . . if it isn't Myoga,"

  "Myoga the flea?" asked Sango, sitting up slightly.

  Kagome sat up as well, staring down at the squashed flea in the grass.

  "Finally I have found you!" cried Myoga, jumping onto Kagome's shoulder.

  "Where have you been all this time?" asked Sango.

  "Were you hiding out at Totosai's again?" questioned Kagome.

  "How rude!  That makes me sound like a coward!"

  Kagome and Sango both sighed.

  "So what brings you all the way out here?" asked Sango.

  "I heard that the mer people lord, Maru was almost brought back to life again.  I feared that you might of all been killed, but it seems I was wrong . . .what a relief,"

  Kaogme sighed and turned her head to the side, holding back her tears.

  "Kagome . . . what's the matter?" asked the flea.

  "Uh . . .uh . . . so Myoga, how long do you plan on staying?" asked Sango, trying to drop the subject.

  "Well I did hear rumor that you and lady Kagome are pregnant . . . how far are you two?"

  Before Sango could answer Inu-Yasha interrupted, "Well if it isn't our favorite coward Myoga,"

  "Stop calling me that!" grumbled Myoga.

  "So what the hell are you doing here?"

  "I came to see how you were doing master Inu-Yasha,"

  "Were working on our houses at the moment," said Miroku, walking up to Inu-Yasha's side.  Kohaku had gone off to play with Shippo and Kirara.

  "Did you cut enough trees done?" Kagome asked.

  "Plenty, we'll have to use some for fire wood too," said Miroku.

  "We managed to cut them into boards, now we just have to wait for the wood to dry and then we can start building," added Inu-Yasha.

  "Lord Inu-Yasha, is it also true that you and your brother are getting along?"

  Inu-Yasha growled, "I don't want to talk about it!"

  "But my lord!" cried Myoga, jumping on the half demons shoulder.

  "I said drop it okay!"

**********************************************

  Sesshoumaru growled softly and tossed yet another scroll to the floor.  The library still needed to be sorted through, and it seemed to be taking forever to do it.  Rin dropped another pile of scrolls in front of Jaken who was burning them with his staff.

  "Well . . . were almost done . . ." sighed Rin, going back to her spot, "Just three more shelves to go through,"

  "Don't remind me," whined Jaken, dusting the ashes into a barrel.

  The lord of the western lands smiled slightly before standing for the first time in hours, "Jaken, go to the kitchen and get us some food,"

  "But my lord . . ."

  Sesshoumaru glared at the imp who gave off a small 'eep!' before disappearing out the library door.  Jaken ran as fast as his legs would carry him as he ran down the corridors.  Turning a corner he ran straight into Jarlarg, both of them falling into the floor.

  "My goodness Jaken, where are you heading off to?" asked the old demon.

  "To the kitchen,"

  "Do you know where Sesshoumaru is?"  

  "In the library . . . why do you ask?"

  "There is a human here to see him,"

  "A human?  Here?"

  "Yes, he's from Natasha's village,"

  "Natasha's village!  Why the seven hells did you let him in?  You know Sesshoumaru doesn't like those villagers!"

  "He just wants to talk with Sesshoumaru,"

  Jaken sighed, "Alright, but you're the one who has to tell him,"

  Jarlarg simply smiled and headed towards the library where Sesshoumaru and Rin would be.  Jaken on the other hand headed towards the main entrance first to see who this human might be.  Staring around the corner, there was a young man standing by the doors, looking at the paintings hanging on the walls.

  "Jaken, I thought I sent you to the kitchen,"

  The imp almost jumped out of his skin when he heard his master's voice.  Bowing to his lord, Jaken ran back towards the kitchen.  Sesshoumaru walked towards the young man with Rin by his side.

  "What do you want?" asked Sesshoumaru, getting right to the matter.

  "My lord, we are in great need of you and your brothers help," said the villager, his voice slightly shaky with fear.

  Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, "I have no desire to help you or your people.  Leave my castle now,"

  "But my lord please listen to the situation!"

  "Maybe you should ask your elders why I don't want to help your village, then you'll understand,"

  Both Sesshoumaru and Rin turned to leave, but stopped when they heard the man starting to laugh.

  "Oh I know why . . . it's because that half breed brother of yours grew up in our village with his whore of a mother.  My grandfather was actually a servant of hers . . . and one who set her house on fire . . . I'm actually happy she died . . ."

  The boy was cut off as Sesshoumaru suddenly moved and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him high into the air, "What did you say?"

  "You heard me . . . but I think your brother will be quite interested in what is happening to his old village,"

  "And why would that be?  Inu-Yasha despises your village . . . he would rather see you all die than help you . . . in fact you have angered me as well . . . maybe I should send you back in a bowl with you in pieces . . ."

  Rin sighed and turned to leave.

  "I suppose you could do that . . . but . . . gawk . . ."

  Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on the mans throat.

  "Please . . . hear me out . . ."

  "Why should I?"

  "Because . . . it . . . involves . . . involves . . ."

  "Better say it quick, because my grip is not going to loosen,"

  "It . . .involves . . . Natasha . . ."

  Sesshoumaru dropped the man.

***************************

(Okay, this next scene is dedicated to a famous fan artist by the name of Druihd and I picture that I saw of hers.  You can see it at )

  The stars shined brightly in the sky, but it was rather dark with the moon not shinning tonight.  The wind softly blew through the trees, cooling off the summer time air.  Inu-Yasha lay on his back, his skin tickling against the cool grass.  His dark locks rested on his shoulders while his head rested on Kagome's yellow bag for support.  The human Inu-Yasha shivered and winced slightly from the wind, and wound on his stomach.  However, most of his body was warm as he stared down at his mate who was lying on his chest.  Inu-Yasha smiled, his hands lightly tracing Kaogme's bare back.

  "How's your injury?" whispered Kagome.

  "Fine,"

  "Now you not you can't really climb trees in your human form,"

  Inu-Yasha chuckled and watched as Kagome sat up slightly, her hand resting on his chest.  Smiling Inu-Yasha leaned up and kissed Kagome softly before lying back down, his left hand resting on her wrist.

  "Do the others know were out here . . . I don't want to get caught . . ."

  "I told the monk . . ."

  "You did what!"

  "Relax, he said he'd make sure we were left alone,"

  Kagome smiled and lightly kissed her mates chin.  Inu-Yasha shifted slightly to put his Fire Rat top on Kagome's shoulder, "Cold?"

  "Just a little," whispered Kagome.

  Inu-Yasha pulled Kagome back down to his chest, staring back up at the stars. 

  "So . . . are you going to finish working on the house tomorrow?" asked Kagome.

  "Of course I will, I should have it done in a few days,"

  "Well, in that case, I think I'll head home and get some furniture for us,"

  "Like what?"

  "Well . . . some chairs . . .hmm . . . how about some silver ware, oh and do you want a futon or a real bed?"

  Inu-Yasha smirked and rolled over so he was lying over top of Kagome, "Oh I don't know . . . I would think a bed . . . their more comfortable for nights like these . . ."

  Kagome giggle and leaned up to kiss her husband, "I must say, for being injured you seem to have more energy tonight,"

  "Well that . . . but my human emotions has a part to play as well . . ."

  "Inu-Yasha!  Inu-Yasha where are you?" called a voice.

  "Oh god damn it!" cried Inu-Yasha, quickly wrapping his fire rat top completely over Kagome, "What the hell do you want monk?"

  Miroku stepped out of the trees into the open field, "Don't get mad!  I swear I didn't see anything!"

  "Then why are you here?"

  "It's your brother, he's here to see you,"

  "Tell him I'm just a little busy right now,"

  "He said it's important,"

  Growling in frustration Inu-Yasha replied, "Alright, just give us a minute okay?"

  Miroku nodded and headed back to the village.

  "Why that son of a . . ."

  "Calm down Inu-Yasha, it's okay.  Do you want me to wait here?"

  "No, we'll both head back to the village, but I swear if he ever does this again I'll kill him,"

  Grabbing her PJ's Kagome and Inu-Yasha headed back towards Kaede's village.

  "What do you think Sesshoumaru wants?" asked Kagome.

  "I don't know, but it better be really important or I'm really going to get mad,"

  Kagome sighed and moved closer to her mate, "You shouldn't get so mad,"

  Inu-Yasha just grunted and wrapped an arm around Kagome's waist as they passed by the bone eaters well, and down the familiar path back to the village.  Sesshoumaru was waiting patiently outside of Kaede's hut, leaning against the doorframe.

  "What do you want Sesshoumaru?" asked Inu-Yasha, getting straight to the point.

  "It's nice to see you again too little brother,"

  "I'll wait for you inside," whispered Kagome, kissing Inu-Yasha on the cheek before disappearing into the hut.

  Sighing, Inu-Yasha turned his gaze back on his brother, "So what is so important to interrupt a private night with me and wife?"

  "Let's go somewhere were we will not be heard or disturbed," said Sesshoumaru, starting to walk to the bone eaters well.

  Shrugging his shoulders, Inu-Yasha followed after his brother, "So . . . how's Rin doing?"

  "She's fine.  Her and Jaken are cleaning out the library while I'm gone,"

  They reached the well, and Inu-Yasha took a seat on the rim, "So, what is this urgent news you need to tell me?"

  "A human from one of the villages visited me today, asking for yours and my help,"

  "Which village?"

  "The one you and Natasha lived in.  He . . ."

  "No!  I refuse to help anyone from there, I would rather kill them myself than help them!" screamed Inu-Yasha.

  "My feelings as well little brother, I almost killed the bastard, but the trouble in their village caught my attention,"

  "I don't give a damn what troubles their having!  You wasted your time coming to ask for my help, maybe you can help them, but I will not!"

  "Shut up and listen for once!  I know exactly how you are feeling, but you need to listen!"

  "Alright, but I'm not agreeing to anything,"

  "There have been a number of disappearances in the village,"

  "So it's some demon eating people, I don't care if he devours them all,"

  "It's not a demon,"

  "So why is it so special that I help them?"

  "It's the reason for the disappearances . . . a monk went to the village and said it was a unrested spirit that was causing it,"

  "Unrested spirit?  I don't care!  Why did you think I would care about that?"

  "Because it's the soul of your mother, Natasha,"

  Inu-Yasha slowly turned around to face his brother, "What?  What did you say?"

  "It's Natasha's spirit.  The disappearances have been happening by your old home.  I don't give a damn about the villagers who have been caught up in this, but I do care about Natasha's spirit not being at rest,"

  Inu-Yasha looked into his brother's eyes, "This had better not be another joke.  I wanted to kill you that time you made me believe my mother was alive again,"

  "This is no joke, I went to the village myself and I could smell her scent,"

  "So, what are we going to do?"

  "We'll head over to your old village, and try to put Natasha to rest, then you may do as you wish,"

  "Alright . . . I'll go, but only for my mothers sake, and if any villager pisses me off, don't try and stop me,"

  Sesshoumaru chuckled, "And the same goes for me,"

  "Alright, we'll leave first thing tomorrow,"

TBC . . .

  I got a car people!  I finally got my first car!  A 1987 Thunder Bird!  Sweet eh?  Anyways back to the story.  Just review and tell me what you think?  If you think this is a bad plot, I'll change it, and we'll go straight back to the cabin in later November.