Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me

Chapter Six: Inuyasha Changes a Diaper

Day Eight –

Sometimes it feels like you are all alone and that there's no way you can possibly make it through, especially with this assignment. It isn't like people are knocking down doors to take care of a screaming baby after all.

But sometimes people surprise you.

Smiling, Kagome let her attention wander from her project to the sleeping hanyou. Taking the all too rare opportunity she softly stroked his ears.

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She can barely keep her eyes open. I've never seen her this tired before. Maybe Kaede has some herbs that will help. Inuyasha stole a glance at the girl who he had been carrying piggy back for the last few hours. She's going to make herself sick.

Shippo was walking beside Inuyasha carrying Mikomi. The hanyou was also beginning to worry that the fox kit was getting too attached to the doll. It wasn't a real little sister for him after all, but he was acting like it was. It was almost scary. But Inuyasha knew he wasn't good at talking about delicate subjects. If it was up to him he would toss the stupid plastic electronic thing and be done with it. All it does is cause problems. Like we really need any MORE problems. But… if is THAT important to Kagome…

With Miroku and Sango 'scouting' up ahead, though really everyone knew they just wanted a break from the crying plastic baby, the trip was more pleasant than usual. Excluding the crying of course. The two annoying humans weren't there to make their nosy remarks on his relationship with the live miko and the not-quite-dead-anymore miko. They weren't there to eavesdrop on his conversations with Kagome (though admittedly there wasn't much to listen to since the girl was either sleeping or trying to quiet Mikomi down). And they weren't there to do their best to embarrass him in front of Kagome either.

Shippo was being curiously quiet as well. He spent the majority of his time fussing over Mikomi or begging attention from the walking zombie adopted mother of his. The rest of the time he walked quietly beside Inuyasha or sat on his shoulder. The kit wasn't making fun, playing tricks, or trying to get him mad. He seemed… content. Inuyasha wondered if the little fox finally understood what Kagome was trying to tell him.

Remembering the conversation brought a blush to Inuyasha's cheeks. She was assuring me of my place too. But I already knew where I belonged. He glanced back again. The first day he and Kagome had met with Jinenji, another half demon, Inuyasha knew that he belonged with the dark haired girl he was carrying on his back. He knew his path in life had changed. She said she loved this family… that she will always come back to us. He shook his head, not wanted to consider what she might have really meant.

Of course he knew that she loved him. She had told him a million different ways. Once she had even said that she loved him as a half demon. Plus there was the time that she had kissed him. Okay, it was to bring back his human half of his soul when he was a full demon, but it was still a kiss. It counted. There were other things too. She always brought his favorite noodles from the future. She held his hand. She comforted him with a hug when things seemed unbearable. She risked her life to save his. She would almost literally burn with jealousy when Kikyo's name was mentioned. Oh yes, he knew she loved him.

But thinking about it meant that he would have to examine his own feelings. Sure he knew he loved her and belonged with her, but what would happen if he told her? Then it would become real. Really real. Then they would have to deal with it. Things might change. And those three nosy companions of theirs would never give them a moments rest. Having to explain it to Kikyo would be excruciating too, though he suspected the undead miko already know. All that AND there was the threat of Naraku still looming over them.

Besides, she still has school. Maybe when this is over… Inuyasha frowned and shook those thoughts away. He didn't want to think about when it was over. Kagome wouldn't leave him on purpose, he knew that. But what if she didn't have a choice? He would follow her if he could. But what if he couldn't? What if the magic of the well wouldn't let him through? What if the well took her away from him forever?

"Oi, wench," Inuyasha called over his shoulder softly. "We're almost to the well."

Ah, the well. The hanyou had a love-hate relationship with the inanimate object. When Kagome was on the other side of the well he hated it for keeping her so far from his protection. He would wait by it until it brought her back. When Kagome was on this side of the well he hated it for being the object that would soon take her away from him.

Come to think of it, it was more of a hate-hate relationship. The only good thing it ever did was bring her to him in the first place.

"Wake up, Kagome."

The group had decided that Kagome should go straight home, that there wasn't a need for them to make the extra trip to Kaede's village. He would come back for the old miko's herbs to relax her once Kagome was safe in her mother's home.

His ear twitched as she yawned. He didn't miss the light giggle as his ear moved. Inuyasha wasn't certain what her fascination was with his ears. She should be repulsed by them, not amused by them. And certainly not obsessed with stealing a touch when she thought he was sleeping. He rolled his eyes, humans are so hard to understand.

"Thanks," she said as she stepped down to the ground.

"Keh."

She giggled again, this time she didn't try to hide it. "I'll take that as your way of saying 'you're welcome'." Inuyasha watched as she gently took the doll from Shippo. "It's time for us to go now. But we'll be back in a few days. Make sure to mind Sango and keep an eye out for Miroku."

"Okay. Come back soon!" He gave her a hug then walked off towards the village. He had only gone a few steps before he turned around and waved. "Don't forget the pocky!"

Kagome laughed again and waved as the kit left, her smile faltered. With as quickly as she turned from him, Inuyasha knew that she was trying to hide something. She was sad, he could smell it, even if there weren't any salty tears yet.

"What's wrong, wench?"

She sighed. "Nothing. Are you ready to go?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" She glared at him with her bloodshot eyes. Inuyasha tried not to flinch. He couldn't help it though, sometimes Kagome could be scary!

He watched her as she watched Shippo disappear into the trees.

"You don't like leaving him, do you?" He smirked when she looked at him in surprise. I was right! He looked away from her. "Then don't leave him. Just stay here."

When she didn't answer right away he looked back at her. She's actually considering it! Why didn't I think of using the brat as an excuse before?

She bit her lip. "But school… I have to graduate, Inuyasha."

"You graduate soon though. You said you did. You said you wouldn't have to go to school anymore soon. You said that." He knew he was starting to talk in circles and snapped his jaw shut. "Not that I care," he added.

"Stay… here?"

"Yes."

"For good? You mean forever."

He took a deep breath that wasn't as calming as he hoped it would be. "Yes."

"Because of… Shippo…?"

Inuyasha shrugged. The conversation was beginning to get uncomfortable, so he did what he always did when that happens. He got grumpy and changed the subject.

"We don't have all day, wench. I'm hungry."

She smiled at him with a thoughtful smile. "Maybe Mama will have some Ramen in the house. Want me to cook you some?"

"You better."

He knew that she knew that he was just trying to get out of the conversation. He was also grateful that she didn't push the subject. Probably because she's too tired to. And it was true. The girl couldn't go a whole minute without yawning and her eyes were bloodshot with disturbing bags underneath.

When is the last time she slept for more than an hour? It bothered him that she was looking so worn. If she doesn't get some rest soon, some real rest, then she could get sick. She could get sick and die. Or she could make a fatal mistake in battle and die! Or Miroku might grope her and she wouldn't be able to stop him! Or… The possibilities all seemed horrific, and Inuyasha began to feel sick to his stomach. Kagome was getting sleep if he had to slaughter every loud breathing thing in town.

He scooped up his suddenly fragile looking companion, her bag, and the baby doll and jumped down the well. In a few leaps he was out of the well and at her front door, five hundred years in the future.

When he first came to her era he hated it. He hated the smells and the sounds. But most of all he hated feeling stupid and out of control. It was more difficult protecting Kagome here, there were so many rules about what he had to do and what he couldn't do. But over time he started liking a few things about it. The Ramen, of course, was the best thing of all. The television was interesting sometimes. The stove was nice. Oh, and the microwave! It could make his noodles in just minutes!

He also liked Kagome's room. Okay, so he wasn't too crazy about the color, but other than that it was his favorite place to be. It smelled like her. The whole room smelled like Kagome. And the bed was comfortable. Plus it was fun to torment the cat, even if he got yelled at for it. The dinners her mother made were also good. The kid wasn't too bad either once you got used to him, though he was just as nosy as his annoying friends on the other side of the well. The grandfather throwing those useless wards on him did get irritating after awhile, but nothing he couldn't live with.

He stopped suddenly. When did I start thinking about living here?

Before he could reach the door, a woman who looked like an older version of Kagome answered the door. It was her mother. Inuyasha suspected she had psychic powers but kept them well hidden.

"Welcome home," the woman said as she patted Inuyasha on the cheek and opened the door wider to let him through.

"She needs sleep," he brusquely told her as he took Kagome straight up to her room.

After setting her on her bed and tucking the blanket around her body, he took Mikomi and quietly stepped out of the room. He went downstairs with his little bundle to look for Kagome's mother. As usual, he found her in the kitchen. She had two cups of tea, one, he knew, was for him.

"Uh… Mrs. Kagome's Mom… I have a question…."

"No," she said without losing her smile, sipping the hot tea. "Not for three more months, Inuyasha. We had an agreement."

The hanyou blushed and staggered back.

"No! It's not about THAT!"

Ug, THAT is a conversation he wished he could erase from time. Two years ago he came to her mother to ask her if Kagome could be his mate. She had told him no without even a moment's hesitation.

He had been angry, of course. Luckily he hadn't bolted and stolen Kagome down the well, which had been his first instinct, before the woman explained herself. Kagome had to finish school first. When she graduated she would be able to marry, or be mated, or whatever demons did to bind themselves to the other. But not one day before and it had to be for life. No breaking her little girl's heart.

Inuyasha was grateful, at least, that she wasn't making him wait until the miko turned eighteen. The extra two months just might kill him.

To make matters worse, during the conversation her mother talked to him about love and sex and responsibility and birth control and more topics that the hanyou hoped he would never have to hear about again. Talk about embarrassing! She made him promise to wait to pursue a more intimate relationship, he really hated how she emphasized the word 'intimate'. She didn't outright make a death threat, but he knew it was there. That was very clear. And frankly, the woman could be scarier than Kagome at her angriest. The woman could strike fear in your heart without ever losing her smile.

"It's about this!" He shoved the cloth wrapped bundle at Kagome's mother. "It won't let Kagome sleep. Can you take care of it for a couple of days so she can rest?" He thought for a moment before adding a grumbly sounding "please". He didn't fully understand the magic in the 'magic word', but it usually seemed to work with this woman.

With a smile the woman took the object. "Of course, Inuyasha. But I don't know how this operates. Do you know how it works or should I go ask Kagome?"

"Let her sleep!" He growled as he snatched the electronic baby back and peeled off the blanket. He turned it around to show her a series of buttons on the back. "She pushes these buttons and they make it shut up." As if on cue, the baby began to cry.

"Which buttons do what?" She patiently waited for the answer. And waited. Then she realized that the half dog demon likely didn't know and was simply randomly poking at the buttons. "Perhaps we should wake Kagome for a few minutes, just long enough to explain about the buttons."

Do not kill mate's mother… do not kill mate's mother… "No," he said more firmly than he intended. "No one disturbs Kagome. She needs to sleep." Do not destroy mate's school project and make her go to school for an extra year… Do not destroy mate's school project and make her go to school for an extra year… How do you shut this stupid thing off?

None of the buttons were working. By the blank look on Kagome's mother's face, the woman wouldn't be of any help. He put one clawed hand over the wailing baby's mouth as he listened for Kagome. Still sleeping. But for how long with this stupid thing screeching? He put the baby up against his chest and began to bounce up and down.

"What are you doing?"

Inuyasha looked at the woman, who was staring at him with an odd expression. "Kagome does this sometimes to make the baby be quiet. Sometimes it works." Awkwardly he began to pat Mikomi's back. He was mystified by the tears that began to shine in the woman's eyes in front of him. What brought that on?

But as quickly as the tears came they were gone. Replaced by an amused smile. I'll never understand women. Ever.

"And if that doesn't work?" she asked as the baby continued to wail.

Inuyasha thought back to all the things that he saw Kagome do with the child as he started pressing all the buttons all over again. Food! He shoved the baby at his mate-to-be's mother and ran to the hall where he dropped her bag. After a few moments of digging he found the special baby food. He popped open the lid and started shoveling food from the jar to the baby's mouth with the little rubber spoon.

But alas, that didn't work either. He was getting a little annoyed, not just with the electronic screaming baby, but with the overly amused looks of Kagome's mother. What was so funny about this evil computer chip that was determined to not give him a moment's rest?

"And if that doesn't work?" she asked again as the now messy baby continued to wail.

Inuyasha cursed his luck and the fates. There was only one thing left after all. With a head hanging low he trudged back to the bag. Since half the contents were on the floor form his previous searching, it didn't take him long to find what he was looking for. Once he found it he went back to Kagome's mother and took the baby away from her again. He sighed heavily.

He set the baby on the table and sighed again. The he began peeling away diaper. The synthetic baby had indeed made a synthetic mess. Kagome had tried explaining to him once how the food that they fed the baby would make its way through the baby, but he had only half listened to her. Luckily it didn't smell as bad as it would have had this been a real baby.

Ignoring the woman who was studying him from across the table, he took a cleaning cloth and cleaned the baby's bottom, making a face at the awful color of the mess. Did they have to make it look so realistic? He grabbed the bottle of powder that he often saw Kagome use on the baby and tapped the sides to get it to sprinkle out. His taps must've been a wee bit more powerful than the miko's because suddenly Mikomi was covered in white powder. Taking a deep breath he blew most of it off. It still looked a bit dusty… but oh well. It was powdered wasn't it?

Quickly and efficiently he rolled the used cleaning wipe into the diaper and used the tape to turn it into a ball. He threw it over his shoulder into the waiting trashcan. Just as quickly he put the new diaper on the baby and secured it. Just as he taped it closed, Mikomi stopped crying and gave one of its contented gurgles.

"Can you do that?" he asked Kagome's mother seriously.

The woman actually smirked! "Yes, I believe I can."

"Will you watch the baby? Please? Just let Kagome sleep."

Once he got her agreement to watch over the baby, he showed her where the food was, how to feed the baby, and where the diapers were. He then gave her instructions on what she was to do if she needed help. She was NOT to go to Kagome's room and disturb her, she could simply call for him quietly at the stairs and he would hear. He repeated several times that no one was to disturb Kagome. Thank included her little brother.

After wrapping the baby back up in the blanket Inuyasha turned to Kagome's mother. Suddenly he knew what the look in her eyes was. It was longing. She wanted to be a grandmother. She wanted to hold Kagome's baby. And… his own.

He looked down at Mikomi. What would it be like to have a pup of his own? He hadn't thought past officially making Kagome his mate. But a family? A family of his own? Pups of his own? Do I want that? Will people hate my pups because they will be hanyous? Will they treat them like they treated me? Inuyasha didn't realize he was growling. I won't let them!

Unconsciously he took a step back away from the woman who looked so much like Kagome. Suddenly she was a potential threat to his pup. At her quizzical look he realized he was being as silly as Shippo. This thing isn't real. With a blush he handed the bundle to her mother and ran up the stairs.

As soon as he stepped into Kagome's room he felt more at peace. He sat beside her bed and watched her sleep.

For the first time, Inuyasha contemplated being a father. Really being a father.

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Yesterday I knew that I was going to fail. I was going to fail the assignment and I was going to fail as a mother. I was too tired to see straight, much less make good decisions. All I wanted to do was cry, and I've done more than my share of crying over this assignment already. I don't want to fail. It's more than the grade though.

Should you really be handing out assignments that completely shatter a person's self confidence? Isn't that a little cruel?

For the first time since the assignment began I was finally able to get some sleep, thanks to an overzealous and overprotective friend. I realized then that I didn't have to do this alone. I have people who love me and help me. I have people I can depend on.

I know that getting a baby-sitter isn't cheating, that many parents get sitters for their kids. Now I know that it is to keep them sane. I may live through this assignment after all.

It's amazing what twelve hours of sleep can do to change a person's disposition.

Kagome Higurashi