Disclaimer: Wow, what a great idea. I could own Inu Yasha. Shoot, Rumiko Takahashi already does.
A/N- Sorry for the wait! o Please don't eat me! Ahhhh!
Review Responses
Silverwind89 – as always I really appreciate your reviews! Thanks bunches!
LittleSuteinu – glad you like it
Michi4 – thanks I appreciate that, I like yours too
Hearii – glad you like the unexpected, just wait, there'll be more
MaddyCat2000 – Oh, believe me Kagome is exhausted. She did get some rest right after the birth though for a few hours. But she really is quite tired. Ishimaru was merely surprised by the attack. She'll be back in force.
Yautja Jedi Marine – No, the well has been sealed for more than three and half years, since the jewel was purified. I'm kind of continuing a plot from my other fanfics "The Rain" "The Gift" and "Wedding of the Century". Check them out if you got time. But as always my stories can stand on their own two legs apart from the rest.
Aria-wolfstar – Sango and Miroku will show up soon – in this chapter as a matter a fact
Child of the Silvery Moon – don't cry! I'm not that cruel! 'sob'sniffle'
Suppup17 – Really? I don't know that. Oh well, hope you like it anyways! Oh, and can you give me a reference?
Butthead24 – thanks for the review and I intend to as long as y'all are willing to read.
In the Rain
Chapter 3 – The Best Laid Plans
"Inu Yasha, please?" She began to weep softly.
He didn't open his eyes, for fear she would see the true pain in them. "It's all right…just enough…poison to paralyze…me…She wanted…me to watch…you die."
Kagome gasped. 'How cruel could some one possibly be to want such a terrible thing?' She was about to ask more questions, but the rain was coming down harder now. As exhausted as she was, she wasn't about to leave Inu Yasha in the rain like that. Ignoring her fatigue, she slipped her arms under him and drug him gently the few feet to the hollow. She paused and pulled down the sutra. She wasn't certain that it would hurt him in his human form, but she didn't want to take the chance.
After laying him down inside and covering him with the spare fur, she turned to Shippo. "We need a fire, to keep him warm."
"I got it." Shippo gathered together what little bit of dried wood and roots he could find and set it ablaze with his fox fire. With the light from the small flame, Kagome examined Inu Yasha's wounds more closely. They were small gaping wounds in the shape of claws. Each wounds seemed seethed as poison boiled from each one.
Kagome could not hold back her tears any longer. She buried her face in Inu Yasha's chest and wept. "Why? Why did you do it? You promised me." She wept harder and still Inu Yasha remained deathly still. This only served to trouble Kagome more. "Shippo…"
Shippo was curled up next to the baby, keeping the child warm. He lifted his head in response. "Yes?"
"You have to help me again. Pleas, I know it's hard. But you must go to Miroku and Sango, and bring them here." Kagome could feel her body giving out on her. The birth and then the fight had drained her of all strength. She had been running on pure adrenaline for the last hour and now that its effects were wearing off, her body couldn't fight the exhaustion any longer. She rested her head on her mate's chest. "Please Shippo…"
The little fox trembled. Outside it was thundering and lightening. He dug for the courage down deep inside him. His adoptive family was in trouble. He had no choice, he had to help. "O…okay, but you have to replace the sutra while I'm gone. I'm not leaving you unprotected with that crazy demon running loose."
Kagome gave him a small grunt of agreement as she forced herself to her hands and knees, and crawled to the entrance. "Go." It was a near whisper in the night.
Shippo hugged her warmly. "I promise, I'll bring them back as fast as I can." Kagome did nothing but nodded as he disappeared into the darkness. She replaced the sutra and crawled back to her mate and child. Taking her son in her arms she curled up against Inu Yasha's side.
She pleaded softly in his ear. "You can't die. You haven't even named our son. Please, please, don't leave me alone. I can't live without you." She wept softly, trying not to frighten the babe.
To Kagome's utter surprise, there was a response. "I'm sorry." His voice was raspy and held little strength. "I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you."
She clutched at his shirt as she stained it with tears. "You did all you could."
"I love you, Kagome. If…"
"No! Don't say it! Don't even think it! You're not going to leave me! You're not!" Kagome was nearly wailing. The child in her arms began to truly cry for the first time since its birth.
"Shhh, you'll frighten Inu Denkou."
Kagome blinked in the dying light of the embers from the fire. "Inu Denkou?"
"Our son. Now sleep, it is all that either of us can do."
She shushed their son and curled closer to him, silent tears still streamed from her eyes. "I love you, Inu Yasha." The last thing Kagome clearly remembered before sleep overwhelmed her was Inu Yasha's arm wrapping around her waist.
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Miroku moved slowly through the entrance of the hollow, having to half crawl. It was about an hour till dawn and the rain had finally stopped. He examined the situation before him. Inu Yasha was still human and he had deep claw marks on his neck. 'They don't seem to be as serious as Shippo made them sound.' Indeed, the wounds had stopped seething and were now merely flesh wounds. Inu Yasha was curled slightly to his right, where Kagome lay. His eyes widened as they caught sight of something moving in Kagome's arms. 'My gods, she must have given birth last night as well.' He went to remove the child from her arms.
Kagome shrieked and scrambled away, clutching her child against her chest. Inu Yasha snarled and took hold of Miroku's arm. Miroku noted that the hanyou's strength didn't match his usual, even his usual in his human state. He also noted that he normally couldn't get within ten feet of Kagome when she slept, but today he'd almost been able to touch her. After the slow glaze of sleep and pain drained from the hanyou's eyes and recognition dawned, he released the monk.
"Kagome…"
Kagome was at his side in less than a second. She stroked his hair. "How do you feel?"
He lifted his hand and stroked away a tear from her eye. "I'll be fine." He suddenly buckled and pulled away from her. Crawling to the entrance he vomited the vile poison from his stomach.
Sango, who'd been standing guard outside, ran to his side. "Inu Yasha, are you all right?" Miroku helped Kagome out of the hollow, pulling down the sutra on the way. Sango's eyes went wide when she saw the small bundle in her friend's arms. "Kagome?"
"Sango, will you please hold Inu Denkou for me?" Sango took the bundle gently as Kagome went to Inu Yasha, who was still purging himself in a bush. At last he collapsed backwards into Kagome's arms, panting. His body ached in places he didn't realize existed until today. He was sore in places he never would have thought possible. Kagome stroked his hair. "Just hold on a little longer, the sun is about to rise. Miroku, will you find me some herbs for the poison?"
The monk nodded and headed off into the forest. Sango looked down at the tiny baby in her arms. He opened his eyes and blinked up at her. She felt her heart skip a beat. "His eyes are so beautiful."
Kagome stroked Inu Yasha's hair comfortingly. "I know. He has his father's eyes." Inu Yasha stirred in her lap, where his head rested. Kagome could have sworn she saw a flicker of a smile pass across his features. That made her smile inside. 'At least he's keeping his spirits up.' She swept away a little of the sweat from his brow. Kagome looked over at Shippo and Kirara. "Shippo, thank you for bringing Sango and Miroku." The little kitsune beamed. "We should really get him home, but I don't want the poison to spread. Could you light me another fire, Shippo?" The fox was more than happy to oblige and built a quick fire out of anything that would burn.
"Kagome…" She put a finger to Inu Yasha's lips.
"Quiet now, the sun's almost up and Miroku will be back soon."
About that time the monk broke through a bush and head for them, a bundle of herbs in his hand. He handed them to Kagome. "There should be plenty. I forgot how plentiful this forest is."
Kagome took just a few in her hand. "Will you boil the rest for me?" He nodded and went to the little fire to begin the process of making the herb into a tea. She looked down at her mate. "Do you think you can swallow these?"
Inu Yasha opened his eyes and looked skeptically at the plant. His throat felt like it was full of gravel and his mouth was as dry as dirt. He stared for a long moment, before shaking his head no. There was no use. The mere thought of trying to force the plant down, made his stomach turn. Kagome sighed and bit the leaves off one of the plants. She chewed them into a small ball and placed them against his wounds. He tensed as the herbs juices seeped into the wound. Kagome stroked his hair, trying to calm his pain.
"So, Kagome, what happened?" Sango sat beside the fire to keep the infant out of the chill spring morning air.
"We were attacked by a demon. It's strange but she seemed familiar."
"How? Did you know them?"
"She had facial marking like Sesshomaru and white hair as well."
Inu Yasha groaned at the name of Sesshomaru. Sango watched him with concern. "So, you didn't know her?"
"No, but maybe Inu Yasha can tell us more, when he's feeling better."
Miroku moved to her side. "Here." He handed her a warm canteen. Kagome helped Inu Yasha sit up a little. Inu yasha made a disgusted face at the canteen.
"Pleas, just try, for me." Kagome pleaded. The truth was that the sun would probably heal him, once he turned back to his half-demon state. But Kagome wasn't going to wait that long and she watched him pleadingly. Inu Yasha nodded and took the canteen and chugged the hot liquid. He gagged slightly but was able to keep most of it down.
"Why don't you rest now, Inu Yasha? Sango and I will take care of Kagome." Still not much for talking, he allowed Miroku to lead him to the fire and where he laid down. Kagome sat down near him as Sango offered the child back to her.
"So where is Shinkuha?"
"Oh, we left her with Kaede. She'll be fine. How are you feeling?" Sango sat beside her and watched the fire dance in the growing light.
"I'm okay, just tired. I feel like I've been up for two days." The baby whimpered hungry again. Kagome wasn't about to feed the child in front of Miroku. Inu Yasha would beat the crap out of him, poison or no poison, if he even glanced her way. The baby, however, would not be put off so easily and whimpered even louder. Inu Yasha looked over at her. She gave him a weak smile and tried to shush the babe.
"What's wrong?" He asked with a worried expression.
She sighed and rose. "It's nothing. I'll be right back." Kagome disappeared into the hollow and Inu Yasha frowned after her.
About ten minutes later the sun had risen and met Inu Yasha. His body healed as it transformed to its natural hanyou condition and demonic energy immediately came back. Sitting up, he rubbed at his neck and twitched his ears. Sango watched him for a long moment. "Well? Who was she?"
"That bitch was Sesshomaru's mother. She wanted to kill my son and Kagome." He closed his eyes the rage surging to the surface. "If I ever see her again, I'll kill her on the spot."
"How did you two get all the way out here away from your cave?" Miroku had been surprised when Shippo had insisted that they were not there.
"This is Kagome's hiding place. When Ishimaru came, I sent her here." He frowned. 'If I'd only remembered any demon can follow her scent. That was stupid to leave her alone like that. She could have been killed!' Inu Yasha continued scolding himself internally.
Mirolu was watching the hollow. Kagome had been gone for some time. He stood as if to approach the hollow, Sango jerked him back down. "Are you crazy?" She hissed.
He blinked in slight confusion. "What? I was merely concerned for Kagome's welfare. She's been gone some time now." Kagome had looked near exhaustion, and he was genuinely worried about her. Even Sango had needed rest after Shinkuha's birth.
She smacked him on the head. "You, baka, don't you get it. The baby was hungry and she didn't want you to get beaten to a pulp."
Miroku looked towards the entrance. "Really? Maybe I should check on her anyways."
Inu Yasha snarled. "If you move one inch, I'll break both your legs."
Miroku didn't move, but whispered to Sango. "He's a bit testy today, don't you think?"
Sango sighed and decided to change the subject. "Inu Yasha, we've told you before, you should come stay with us on the new moon. We have plenty of room and you probably could have avoided this entire mess."
Inu Yasha frowned into the fire. "Hide? No, I'm no coward. This is my home and I'll be damned if some demon is going to run me out." He sighed. "Besides, what kind of man am I, if I can't even take care of my own mate and pup?"
He felt Kagome as she approached from behind him and sat next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder. "You're a good man, husband, mate, and father. And more importantly, you're the man I love."
He sighed, the wall around his heart crumbling once again. He slipped his arm around her and placed a soft kiss in her hair. "I could live a million years and never deserve the love you give me."
Miroku cleared his throat. "There are children present."
Sango chuckled. "You know you two could always come stay with us."
"Oh, yeah, Sango that's a brilliant idea. Why don't we just leave Ishimaru a note inviting her to dinner and lay all the villagers out on a platter for her slaughter."
Kagome sighed inwardly. 'Geez, he still doesn't know the meaning of tact. However, he does have a point.' "Sango, maybe you and Miroku could come stay with us a while, just until Ishimaru makes her move again. She threatened last night that she would come back." Kagome trembled and clutched a little tighter to her family. The memory of that woman's icy voice still chilled her bones. "With all of us together, she won't stand a chance." She tried sounding hopeful, and even gave a weak grin.
"Kagome, last night when you attacked Ishimaru, you didn't even have your bow. I've never seen you use your power like that before." The thought had troubled Inu Yasha in his restless sleep.
"Oh, that. Kaede has been teaching me to use my powers better for over a year, but I never had the opportunity to use them. A part of me hoped I never would, but when she threatened you and our son I had to do something. I'm just glad it worked." Inu Yasha marveled at his little miko's strength and bravery, but another part of him wept for her foolish desire to protect him. He wasn't worth her death.
Miroku and Sango had been discussing Kagome's proposal. "We'll stay with you. This can't take more than a few more days. If Ishimaru was as determined as she sounds, she won't take long to return."
"Yes, and I'm sure Kaede won't mind watching Shinkuha for a few more days. She's taken quite a liking to the little imp." Sango chuckled. Her daughter was quite the little trouble maker at the rip age of two.
Kagome joined her chuckle. "I can just image old Kaede chasing around Shinkuha. We'll all have to do something very nice for her when this is over." Kagome could just picture Kaede passed out from exhausted with the daughter of a demon slayer and lecherous monk jumping up and down on her stomach.
Miroku stood. "We'll go tell Kaede and met you back at the cave. If we're not back in a few hours, Kaede's probably sealed us in our hut with the terrible-two." Inu Yasha laughed and Miroku gave him a fake frown. "You just wait till that one there reaches Shinkuha's age. I'm sure you'll have your hands full."
Kagome feigned shock. "This little angel? I don't think he has it in him."
Sango feigned shock as well. "Oh, of course not!" She chuckled. "We'd better go, met you at the cave." She and Miroku mounted Kirara and they took to the air.
Inu Yasha put out the small fire and helped Kagome to her feet. As they walked back to their cave, Shippo trotted ahead picking up acorns along the way. Inu Yasha was silent. He still felt guilty about the whole incident. Kagome and his son had almost been killed, while he was human. 'Damnit, why did she have to come on that night, when we were both so weak? Sango's right, we could have avoided the whole thing, if we stayed in the village for just that one night.'
"Inu Yasha, it wasn't your fault." Kagome's voice broke through his thoughts. He looked down at her, his arm protectively wrapped around her waist in case she tripped. He frowned at her. 'It is my fault though.' "Inu Yasha, I'm not going another step until you listen to me." She stopped abruptly causing him to have to step back, so as not to pull Kagome over.
"I'm listening, but it's not true what you say. It is my fault. I'm supposed to protect you. You're my mate and this is my child. But when I'm human-"
He was cut off from his rantings as Kagome pulled him to her for a deep passionate kiss. The kiss spoke to his very soul. She loved him, she believed in him and she would never leave him. "Silly, dog-boy, don't you get it? I don't care what form you take. I still love you and trust you with everything that I am."
Inu Yasha hugged her tightly. "Kagome…." She always knew exactly what he was thinking and exactly what to say. It was amazing that he'd been able to spend so many years without her.
They took up the path again with Inu Yasha's confidence restored. Suddenly he stopped and sniffed the air. The smell of fresh blood filled his lungs.
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Sorry, me little chums, another cliffy. –evil grin-- HAHAHA!