A/N: Yes, this is where it all goes downhill…if it hasn't gone downhill since the very first chapter...anyway, this is where the…LOOOOONNNNNGGGG battle begins. Yippee.(God, I hate fight scenes…then why the hell do they always end up so damn long?)

Chapter 20: Why Did It Go So Wrong?

Suki went back to the village that night in darkness. She hadn't intended to stay long with Kuro, but time had seemed to fly. The hours had melted away; what had only seemed like a few minutes was in fact a few hours. Oh, how Suki wished time would have stopped.

Yet, regrettably, she needed to leave. She had to go back home before she was discovered. Besides, she had a lot of things to think about, including how to tell her sisters and Shippou the truth.

When she walked into the hut, Kirara was there waiting for her, like she always did. The nekomata would always be up and waiting for her, even if she was asleep when Suki left. Out of everyone, only she knew that Suki had been sneaking off at night.

She tiptoed past the mats her sisters and Shippou were sleeping on, to the back room where her parents used to sleep. She didn't want to go to bed right away, she had to think.

Suki sat down and leaned against a wall, looking up in the ceiling, lost in thought. Kirara jumped into her lap. She absent mindedly petted her, and sighed.

So…she thought. I'm…pregnant… She placed her other hand over her abdomen, closing her eyes. A child…I'm having Kuro's child…

Suki remembered how ecstatic he was after she told him. I never saw Kuro so happy… She supposed it was because he was a hanyou. She knew of what trouble he had growing up, how only his family and close friends respected him. And now he was getting a family of his own. Yes…he would be happy…

The question was if she was happy. She wasn't sure. She and Kuro had just started out as mates, she hoped that she could have spent more time before the child came. But according to Kiri-chan…the baby had to have been conceived…the night we became mates…

Kirara was purring, and Suki started petting the neko youkai again. I don't know if I'm happy…I want Kuro to be happy, but…

A tear filled her eye as she thought. I'm not ready…

This new life, that Kuro and I created…I just don't know…it's all too sudden…

But suddenly, a smile found her face, she looked at the scar on her left hand. I promised Kuro we'd be mates, that I'd start a family with him, even if its early…he's happy.

And as long as he's happy…then I am happy…

I can be a mother…for him…

The next day, Suki tried to put off telling her sisters the truth as long as possible. Even though she knew it had to be done, it would be hard, telling them everything.

With the exception of…this…she thought, putting a hand over her lower belly. She was not going to reveal she was pregnant right away. For one, it would be way to embarrassing, and she knew her sisters would talk about it for ages. For another, she wasn't even planning on revealing that she and Kuro were mates. There's no point in telling them things they don't need to know…

She absent mindedly watched Yume and Hana play with Shippou. She didn't know why, but she felt dizzy all of a sudden, and she had been getting headaches all day. I suppose its just my nerves…she thought, and tried to calm herself down. But it didn't work.

Suki started feeling hot, like she had a fever, and all of a sudden, felt very nauseated. She realized what was going on almost too late. Oh no…not right now!

She immediately dashed outside, covering her mouth, her sisters crying, "Onee-san!" When they followed her, they found their eldest sister retching up her breakfast into the nearest bush.

"Onee-san?" they asked, coming over to her. "Are you okay?"

Suki wiped her mouth with a shaky hand. The morning sickness…its already started…we have to get out of the village right away…I don't want anyone else finding out… "Yume…go get some water from the stream, all right? Hana, come on, we need to get back inside…there are some things I need to talk to you about."

As she turned around, she noticed Shippou giving her a funny look. She wondered how much he had guessed about what was going on. He already knew about the mating, and now with this, he had probably figured it out. Well…at least I don't need to explain in detail…she thought.

Suki closed her eyes, It's time…

"Onee-san?" the twins asked.

She opened them, and sighed. "There's something I've been keeping from you all."

Yume and Hana looked in wonder, but Shippou perked up, as if confirming a theory.

I was right…he does know… She took a deep breath. "Kuro's back."

The kitsune didn't look at all surprised, but her sisters gasped. "Kuro-kun? He's been back? For how long?"

"About a month." Suki replied.

Yume demanded, "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Kuro told me not to tell anyone." She said. "He was afraid if someone found out…that it might get complicated…"

"Why hasn't he gone back into the village?" Hana asked.

"Listen, there have been a few things happening that make it so he can't come back…and these things make it hard for us to stay as well…"

"What do you mean, Onee-san?" they asked.

Suki sighed. She didn't want to explain the whole story. "We have to get out of here. It's dangerous. Tonight, at midnight, we're going to meet Kuro in the woods, and he's going to get us out of here."

They stared at her in a stunned silence. "We're…we're leaving?"

She nodded. "We can't stay anymore. Not with Mother and Father…we have to leave…"

Hana sniffed, "But Mother and Father…they're here…I don't want to leave them!"

Suki looked at her with sympathy. She also felt the same way. "I know…we'd be leaving behind Mother and Father…Aunt Kagome-san and Uncle Inuyasha-san…but they know it's for the best."

All three of them looked dejected, but they couldn't argue with her. They knew she knew what she was talking about.

"Pack your things." She said. "We're leaving at midnight."

It was close to midnight, and Suki waited in her parent's room. Her sisters and Shippou had gone one last time to see their parent's graves, and she wished she could have gone, but she felt another wave of sickness come upon her, so they decided it was best if she stayed home.

Her hands were clasped in front of her now flat stomach. She knew, in a few months, it would soon start to stretch out with the growing baby. She had drunk some water, and felt a little better, but she could not get the headache to go away.

I hope I can travel in this condition…she thought. I don't want to be a burden…and I don't want Kuro to stop because of me…

"You're a lot of trouble, you know that?" Suki said to it. "But, I guess its worth it…You're just like your father…" That brought on a tiny smile.

She patted her stomach. "Yes, just like Kuro…Though, I hope you'll be a bit smarter than him…" She grinned. "My baka…"

"Hey, who's a baka?" Suki turned around; Kuro was standing outside the window, apparently just arrived. He climbed through the window and stood in front of her. Normally, she would have been angry at him for coming into the village like this, but at the moment, she didn't care.

"You are." She said, as he put his arms around her.

"Who were you talking to?" he asked.

Suki grinned. "No one…"

Before she could reply, he kissed her, being more forceful then he had ever been. And Suki didn't care. She willingly gave into his demands, letting him touch her and kiss her where he wanted. For her, this was bliss. Every time he touched her, she was in heaven.

"Kuro…" she murmured, as they broke for air. "Why did you come to get me?"

He smiled. "Because I couldn't wait to see you." Kissing her once more.

"Kuro," she said, looking up into his chocolate eyes. "I didn't tell them about the…you know…" She absent-mindedly put a hand over her stomach. He didn't notice.

He blinked at her, as if confused, and then said, "Oh, right." He bent down to kiss the nape of her neck.

She gave a small gasp while he kissed her, and she said, "I thought you wouldn't want me to tell them right now."

"Right…" He grunted, obviously not wanting to talk right now. He kept on kissing her, his lips touching every bit of skin he could reach.

"Kuro, please," she said, backing away from his touch. "We need to talk about…this…right now."

"No we don't." he replied, grabbing her once again and kissing her. "We can talk about it later…"

It was as if he wove a spell around her, making her not wanting to talk about anything. She only wanted to be here, with him. She didn't want to talk about anything else, ever.

She felt Kuro gripping her hands a little bit too tightly. "Kuro...my hands, you're hurting them…"

Suddenly, he twisted her around so he was behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist. His other hand grabbed a damp cloth and pressed it against her mouth and nose. Suki had no time to think. When she tried to breathe, she felt extremely tired.

The last thing she remembered was crumpling into Kuro's arms…

Kuro paced around Goshinboku. She's late…It was already a quarter after midnight, and Suki was no where to be found. He started worrying.

Something's not right here…something must have happened to her…Maybe I should go and get her…

"Kuro?" Her voice asked. He turned around. She was there, having finally arrived.

"Suki!" he ran up to her, wrapping his arms around her. "You had me worried for a bit."

She hugged him back. "Don't worry Kuro, I wouldn't worry you."

Kuro cradled the top of her head, kissing it. "Where are your brothers and sisters?"

"There coming." She replied, with a moment's hesitation. "They wanted to give us a little time alone."

"They thought right." He said. He kissed her sweetly, holding her like a precious object worthy of tender care. "Suki…I love you." He whispered, before meeting her lips again.

"I do, too." Her hands wrapped around his neck, bringing him closer.

"How's the…" he said, his hand resting on her lower abdomen.

It took Suki a second to figure out what he was talking about. "Oh, its fine. We're both fine…"

He hugged her once more, his head resting on top of hers. "I'm glad." He sniffed letting her sweet scent wash over him.

But there was something not right.

He sniffed again. It's like there's something missing from her scent…something's not there…

His eyes snapped open. The baby!

Kuro pushed her away. "Who are you!" he demanded.

Suki looked hurt. "What do you mean?"

He growled, grabbing her arm and twisting it. She cried in pain. "You're not Suki! Where's the babies scent?"

She stared, and then smiled maliciously. "Of course, it's impossible to replicate two scents…" She grabbed one of his arms. "But you'll soon forget all about it…"

"Kuro! Watch out!" Suddenly, an arrow glowing pink came through the courtyard, pinning the imposter to a tree by her arm. She cried in pain. She tried to remove the arrow, but only received a shock by touching it.

Kiri lowered her bow. "I knew it wasn't her."

"I know." Kuro said. "The scent was changed." He walked over to the fake Suki. "Who are you!"

She glared at him, and then her false appearance as Suki melted away as she transformed into a woman they had never seen before.

"A shape-shifting youkai…" Kiri gasped.

Kuro yelled, "WHERE'S SUKI? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER?"

Tai scoffed. "I haven't done anything with her. I was just under orders from my brother."

Kiri stared. "Your brother…?"

"He wouldn't like me to tell you this, but you'd better hurry. He's planning on taking her back to the mountain hideout." She barely finished her sentence, when Kuro ran off towards the village, with Kiri in tow.

Once they were gone, Tai transformed into a snake, freeing herself from the arrow. Once she fell on the ground, she turned back into a human. "Well, Henka's not going to like this…" but she rolled her eyes. "Not that I care."

"Suki!" Kuro cried, bursting into their hut. What he saw was Yume, Hana, and Shippou, all looking terrified. Kirara was mewing loudly, looking worried. "Kuro-kun!" the twins said.

"What happened?" he asked quickly, his eyes searching the hut. Suki was no where to be found.

"A strange man ran out of the back room carrying Onee-san!" Yume said.

"A-and she looked like she was asleep!" cried Hana. They hugged each other as they cried,

Kuro's eyes were wider then they had ever been. He was too late, she was taken.

But he wasn't going to let her stay kidnapped. "BASTARD!" he roared, dashing back out following the direction of the scent.

Kiri knew her brother was already far ahead of her, she'd never be able to catch up with him now. Out of the two, he was the faster runner.

"Kiri…" Shippou whispered, still looking scared. "Suki…she was Kuro's mate…she was having a baby…" he looked terrified at that prospect.

"Yes, I know." She said. "Shippou-chan, you stay with Yume and Hana. Transform if you have to; just make sure they're safe, got that?"

He nodded, still looking scared.

Kiri looked over at Kirara. "Kirara, follow Kuro, make sure you help him out if he gets in any trouble, all right?" Kirara understood, and jumped out of the hut, transforming and taking off after Kuro.

"I'll see you later. Take care of them." She told Shippou. When she started running into the woods, her first intention was to chase after her brother. But then she got an idea…

If they are more powerful then we think…we might need help… She slowed to a stop, and proceeded in another direction.

Towards the den of the wolves.

As Kuro was running after the trail of the scent, he had one thought on his mind. Suki…I'll find him…and I'll kill that bastard, no matter what!

A/N: Ah yes…why do I always have a kidnapping? Why?

Anyway, this chapter turned out longer than I expected…oh well. Lots to be said…Anyway, next chapter will start the never ending battle!