Hello people. I'm all done except for the epilogue now! Yayness. Anyways. Review Please. I love my reviewers. 

Suzaku looked up as the group walked back into the woods. Miroku walked up to her and gave her a hand up. Inuyasha smiled roguishly and Shippou was looking from Miroku to Suzaku with a wary frown. An awkward silence enveloped them as no one spoke immediately. Then Miroku cleared his throat.

"Err… Let's get going." Inuyasha walked forward and passed Miroku, Kagome quickly followed with Shippou. The three of them took the lead and Miroku, Suzaku and Mekia followed behind.

"Where are we going?" Suzaku leaned towards him to speak softly.

"I think back to the bone-eater's well."

"Where?" She asked skeptically.

"The bone-eater's well. Err… Kagome," he pointed at Kagome's back. "She goes through the well to get to her own time."

"Own time?" Suzaku furrowed her brow. "I don't understand. Isn't this her time?" Miroku smiled and shook his head.

"No…" he began to try to explain about Kagome's time travel to Suzaku.

For the remainder of their traveling that day, Miroku answered Suzaku's various questions about their group. When they stopped their traveling for the day in a small clearing, Kagome immediately set to setting up her sleeping area and Miroku began a fire. Suzaku sat against a tree trunk and closed her eyes.

What am I doing? She sighed and opened her eyes. Kagome had pulled five bowls and a small pot out. She set these in front of her and reached back into her pack and pulled out a colored packet with strange figures drawn on it. Suzaku stared as Kagome went to the stream that ran next to the clearing and filled the pot then came back and set it on the fire. Kagome sat down and tore the top off the packet then poured its contents into the water. Then she sat back and Suzaku sighed. How did I get with such a strange group? A monk, a dog demon, fox demon and a mortal girl who travels time? I never should have left home.

She looked back up at Kagome who was now taking the steaming pot off of the fire and pouring it into the bowls. She reached back into her pack and pulled out 5 sets of chopsticks that were tied with twine. Then she passed a bowl and chopsticks to each of them.

Suzaku looked down into her bowl and saw that it was full of a dark broth. Taking the end of her Chopstick she stirred it and noticed that mein noodles were at the bottom. She followed the others suit in using her chopsticks to lift the noodle out of the bowl. Taking a bite she smiled, Hmmm… I could get use to this.

She finished eating and handed her bowl back to Kagome who gathered them all and walked to the stream to clean them. Mekia stood and stretched, she then quickly nuzzled Suzaku's shoulder and disappeared into the trees in search of a hunt.

Suzaku leaned back against the trunk of a tree and sighed contentedly, the warmth of the fire causing her to become drowsy. Miroku subconsciously smiled as he watched her head bow onto her chest as she dozed off. Taking his staff in hand he stood to lean against a tree.

Kagome came back from the stream and sat next to Inuyasha, she quietly laid her head on his shoulder. Inuyasha turned to look at her for a moment then looked back into the fire.

Miroku smiled when, after a few minutes, Kagome's head fell from Inuyasha's shoulder to his lap. Kagome's eyes snapped open and she quickly sat up. She told them both a quick good night and climbed into her bedroll. Inuyasha sighed softly and leaned back against the trunk of a tree and closed his eyes. Miroku stayed standing as he watched the fire dim and go out.

The next morning dawned and they began their traveling again. It only took them half a day to reach the Bone-eaters well. Kagome hurriedly told them goodbye and swung her leg over the edge of the well.

"Oh, Miroku, If Sango comes back, could you keep her here. I need to talk to her." With that she jumped into the well.

Inuyasha then walked up to the well and quickly jumped in, Kagome had agreed that he could come with her.

Miroku turned abruptly and sat down at the edge of the clearing, Suzaku followed him.

"Who's Sango?" She asked. Miroku turned to her.

"A demon Slayer."

"She is in your group?"

"Yes, but right now she is off looking for her brother."

"Oh." Suzaku glanced around. "Is there a stream or something nearby?"

"Yes, why?"

"I need to bathe." She stood up. "Will you show me where it is?" Miroku stood and stretched his arms.

"There's a hot springs you could use. It's a little farther but better than the cold." She shrugged and taking that for consent, turned and led her into the trees.

After about a quarter of an hour they reached a small outcropping of large rocks. In the center of these rocks was a small hot spring. They walked through the rocks to the edge of the water and Miroku turned to Suzaku.

"I'll wait over there." He pointed to a clearing on the other side of the rocks, out of sight. Suzaku smiled.

Not if I can help it.

Quickly she stepped onto the rock in front of him and leaned backwards. As she had hoped he quickly dropped his staff to the rocks and grabbed her, losing his balance. This caused them both to plummet into the spring.

Suzaku surfaced and then Miroku, Suzaku smiled and covered her mouth at the bewildered look on Miroku's face. Then standing up she untied her wrap and tossed it onto a rock that was sitting in the sun. Miroku was still sitting in the water in his water logged robe with a bemused expression on his face. Suzaku smiled and went over to him, straddling his knees in the shallow water. She untied his robe, pulled off his breeches and stood in front of him to toss them onto the rocks. She knelt back down in front of him and smiled.

"Why, pray tell, did you do that?" He indicated the rock where his staff now lay and smiled.

"Hmm" she said mockingly and pushed his wet hair out of his face. Pushing his head to one side she dipped in and kissed his neck, down to his chest. Her hand reached down to his groin and he gasped when she met her target. Moving her lips to meet his she moved her hand along the shaft. He moaned into her lips and she left them to go back to his neck. Then she felt Miroku's lips on her neck and smiled, throwing his head back to give him more room.

She let go of him as he sat back up and turned so that she was under him. He kissed her again then taking himself in one hand bent over her. In one quick stroke he took her. She gasped at the strange feeling the water created and wrapped her arms around his back, her legs around his own. She closed her eyes as he moved faster, his mouth sucking at her breasts in the water. He came back up for air and she leaned forward where his neck was exposed and began to kiss his neck.

The familiar feeling was pressing at his groin but he did not move to do anything about it. Both their breathing was heavy and their bodies were slippery in the water. Miroku wrapped one arm around her hips and the other around her back as she cried out. Miroku thrust once more before releasing himself. He quickly turned over so that he was seated on the stone and her on him.

Her head was resting on his shoulder as they both rode out the last of their orgasms. She kissed his neck before getting off of him and dunking under the water. She came back to him and sat in his lap, smiling he wrapped his arms round her.

They sat there for a while until Suzaku raised her hand to her face. The ends of her fingers were wrinkled.

She stood quietly and gave Miroku a hand up. Carefully easing out of the water, Suzaku knelt and kissed him softly before going to the rock that held their clothes. Miroku raised himself onto the rock ledge and stood. Turning around he faced a very surprised female.

"Sango?"

"Sango?" As Miroku faced the stunned demon slayer, Kirara mewled in greeting and he watched as she quickly looked him up and down, from his dripping hair to well, other parts of his anatomy. Miroku was just beginning to reach down to cover himself when Mekia and Suzaku appeared from around the rock where their clothes lay. She looked in shock from Sango to Miroku before stepping straight in front of Sango, shielding Miroku from her view.

"Who are you?" she asked, a sliver of ice finding its way in her voice. Miroku quickly pulled his breeches from the rock and began to pull them on. Sango meanwhile, stared at Suzaku as if she was a lunatic.

"I'm Sango." She crossed her arms across her chest. "Who are you?" Miroku watched as the two woman glared icily at each other.

"What do you want?" Suzaku asked coldly.

"I should ask you the same thing." Sango glared at Suzaku for a moment than looked past her to Miroku,

"Do you know her?"

"Yes"

"What is she doing here?" Silence. Miroku looked from Suzaku to Sango who were both looking at him intently.

"She's traveling with us." Sango raised her eyebrows.

"Since when?"

"It's a long story."

"Fine" she said absently, she looked at Suzaku and finally noticed that her hair was just as wet as Miroku's. She smiled benignly before shaking her head.

"You truly have no hope, Miroku, running off with every wench with long legs and a pretty face" She had no time to react before Suzaku had slapped her soundly across the face.

Sango staggered back a couple steps with her hand to her face. Suzaku's eyes were set in a cold glare.

"How dare you?" She stepped towards Sango who straightened quickly. "You fucking Bitch." Suzaku slapped Sango hard across the face, Sango tried to retaliate but Suzaku leaned back from the blow. Suzaku smiled coldly and quickly grabbed a handful of Sango's hair, pulling her face level with her own.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" She let go of Sango's hair and the demon slayer fell to the ground. Suzaku stayed where she was and turned to look at Miroku, who had been watching the two women with interest.

"You didn't tell me that she was such a bitch." He smiled slightly but otherwise said nothing. Suzaku turned back to Sango who was now standing but looked like she was not done with Suzaku. Suzaku smirked and shook her head.

"I suggest you back off before you get hurt." Sango's face blazed crimson and Suzaku smiled wickedly. Miroku looked over to Mekia who was now sitting next to Kirara, both of which were watching the two women with fading interest and smiled slightly. Turning back to Sango and Suzaku he saw that Sango was still glaring at Suzaku and her hand was reaching up to grab her Haraikuotz. Miroku quickly stepped forward and grabbed her hand. Sango looked up at him with murderous eyes and Suzaku gave him a look that said, just let her try.

Sango pulled away from him and walked stiffly over to Kirara, who, in a flash of fire, took on her larger form. Sango climbed onto her back and looked over back at them, she looked somewhat hurt and when she spoke her voice trembled slightly.

"When you see Inuyasha and Kagome, tell them I said hello." With that said, Kirara reared up and they disappeared through the treetops.

Suzaku turned to Miroku and crossed her arms.

"Were you two ever…?" She paused for a moment then said. "Together?" Miroku raised an eyebrow.

"No." he said bluntly. Suzaku looked skeptical.

"Than what is her problem with me?" Miroku looked heavenward before answering.

"I had feelings for her." Miroku looked back down at Suzaku who looked at him doubtfully.

"Had?"

"She never returned my affections." Suzaku smiled and shook her head slightly. Miroku quietly walked up behind her and pulled her to his chest. Suzaku smiled and leaned her head back; the sun was beginning to set. Miroku softly let her go and gathered his robe and staff and together they walked out of the woods.

The next two days were uneventful, other than that Suzaku and Miroku became closer. On the morning of the third day after Inuyasha and Kagome left and Sango had appeared, Miroku and Suzaku were awoken by a chipper fox demon. Suzaku lifted her head off of Miroku's chest and swatted at the kitsune, missing terribly.

"Go away." She said grumpily. "The sun's barely up."

"But, Kagome and Inuyasha are back, look." Miroku opened his eyes to see Inuyasha and Kagome standing above them, both of them smiling oddly.

"Aren't you two cozy?" Inuyasha smirked at him. Suzaku was still sleepily laying her head on his chest and Miroku was wearing only his breeches, his robe was under the two of them. Suzaku turned moodily to Inuyasha.

"I'm sure you two were cozy enough all by yourselves." Kagome quickly turned a deep shade of pink and Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. Kagome quickly recovered though and said,

"Is anyone hungry?" she held up a paper bag that was steaming in the cold of the morning.

Over a breakfast of steaming buns, Miroku told Kagome that Sango had been bye but that he couldn't keep her, leaving off the part about the two women's quarrel.

"I wonder if she is any closer to finding him." She passed the bag to Inuyasha who took one and gave it to Miroku.

"Not likely, I mean, Naraku is not likely to release him anytime soon." Inuyasha said this with his mouth full so that Kagome had to ask him to repeat himself. Miroku nodded solemnly and passed the bag to Suzaku.

"No, thank you." She gave the bag back to Miroku.

"Suzaku, are you all right?" He leaned towards her. "You look pale." Suzaku shook her head.

"I don't feel well is all." She smiled faintly, her smile quickly faded as she covered her mouth and headed into the woods. Miroku glanced worriedly at the others before quickly following her.

After a moment he found her leaning over a bush with her hand braced against a tree, retching. Miroku quickly walked up behind her and pulled her hair from her face. She finished and straightened, smiling benignly at him.

"I don't know what's wrong with me." She spit to get the taste out of her mouth. "I felt perfectly fine when I woke up, but now I have a headache and my stomach hurts."

"Maybe we should talk to Kagome." She nodded solemnly and let him lead her back to the rest of the group.

Soon Kagome was asking Suzaku questions about her symptoms and rummaging through her medicine kit. She pulled out a small bottle and opened it pouring two of its contents onto her palm. She held these out to Suzaku who eyed them warily before picking them up.

"What are these?" she asked while holding one up for a closer look.

"Pills." Suzaku dropped her hand and looked at Kagome questionably.

"To get rid of your headache."

"What do you do with them?" Suzaku looked suspiciously at the small white discs.

"You eat them." Suzaku frowned for a moment then, before Kagome could stop her, put them in her mouth.

After a moment a grimace came over Suzaku's face and she pulled the pills out of her mouth. Trying not to smile, Kagome corrected herself.

"You are supposed to take them with water." Suzaku scowled at her.

"How is something that tastes like that supposed to make you feel better?" Miroku smiled and looked at Kagome.

"Maybe, we should go see Kaede." Kagome nodded and gathered up her things. When they were all ready to go, Inuyasha and Kagome led them to Kaede's.

When they had reached the old woman's house, they found Kaede outside hanging up clean sheets. Shippou automatically ran up to the old woman and started chattering. Kaede turned when she noticed that Shippou was not alone.

"Why, Kagome, Inuyasha and Miroku. How are you?" She looked at Suzaku and frowned slightly. "Who is this?"

"This is Suzaku." Miroku said smiling. Suzaku nodded in greeting. "She's actually the reason we came by." The old woman smiled,

"I see. Well come in and tell me what's troubling you."

"You felt fine this morning?" Kaede took a drink from the cup of tea in front of her.

"Yes, perfectly fine and then I just felt terrible."

"Are you feeling well now?"

"Yes, my head ache is gone and I don't feel nauseous." Kaede smiled slightly at this last answer and stood.

"Come with me." Kaede walked to a door behind the table at which they sat. Suzaku looked at Miroku who nodded and then stood to follow her.

After several minutes, Suzaku came back out of the room looking pale and anxious. She was followed by a smiling Kaede whose eyes flashed in the direction of Miroku and who was carrying a small leather bag and a corked bottle. Miroku looked warily from the pale Suzaku to Kaede.

Kaede set the bag and bottle on the table before bustling out of the room again, coming back carrying a larger bundle and leather pack similar to Kagome's. She filled the pack with the items she had brought out earlier and handed it to Suzaku.
Suzaku thanked her softly, glanced at the group and walked outside. Miroku could see her through the door, seated on the porch.

"Kagome, can I speak to you alone for a moment." Miroku looked over at Kaede who was beckoning for Kagome to follow her through the door. Kagome got up and left the three males sitting at the small table. Miroku stared at the back of Suzaku's head through the door and fingered the prayer beads thoughtfully. They only had to wait a few minutes before Kagome came back out, still talking softly to Kaede. Miroku strained his ears to hear what they were saying and caught the end of their conversation.

"Yes, just bring it back and tell her how to use it. When you find the answer, please come tell me." Kagome turned away and Miroku noticed that she was smiling impishly.

"Let's go." Inuyasha turned to her and raised an eyebrow.

"Where?" Kagome glanced quickly at Miroku before answering Inuyasha.

"I'm going through the well." Inuyasha stood.

"I'll come w..." Kagome cut him off.

"Not this time."

"But…"

"No." Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and Miroku smiled at the now familiar feuding between the two. Standing up he nodded goodbye to Kaede and Shippou, who was going to stay with her for a while, and went outside. Inuyasha and Kagome were right behind him, still fighting about Inuyasha coming with her.

Miroku stepped off the porch and stood in front of Suzaku. Leaning over he moved to her eye level.

"Are you okay?" She lifted her head out of her hands and smiled quickly. But not before Miroku noticed the worried look on her face.

"Fine." She said quickly.

"What did Kaede tell you?" She frowned slightly and looked back up at him.

"I have a stomach irritation, it'll pass soon." She smiled as if laughing at a morbid joke and he frowned skeptically. She noticed and gestured towards the bag. "She gave me a bag of herbs to make into tea and a tonic mixture, for stomach pain." Miroku nodded stiffly and straightened up.

"No, not this time. I have my reasons." Kagome was still standing on the porch half yelling at Inuyasha who had his arms crossed.

"Then tell me." Kagome scowled.

"No."

"But…"

"Not another word or I'll say you know what." Inuyasha glared at her for a second more before stalking off the porch and back towards the well. Kagome sighed audibly and passed Miroku to follow Inuyasha. Miroku watched them cross the clearing and walk into the woods. Miroku smiled and looked back down at Suzaku, who had her head back in her hands again.

"Suzaku?" Suzaku lifted her head from her hands and looked up. "We should go with them" Suzaku nodded and stood. She pulled the pack onto her shoulder and they walked back to the clearing with the bone eaters well.

Back at the well a pissed off Inuyasha was standing next to a satisfied Kagome. Kagome turned when she noticed them and smiled slightly.

"I'll be back really soon, Maybe an hour or two." With a final wave, she swung her leg over the edge and jumped into the well and out of the feudal Era.

In her own time, she quickly opened the door to the well room and left. Greeting her family and telling them that she was only here for another hour or so to pick something up, she left her pack on the floor of her room and grabbed a small coin purse. Heading back downstairs she went through the gate and into to town, headed for the small necessity shop. Once there she gasped as the familiar rush of air conditioning hit her face.

With a determined stride she walked straight past the cashier and into aisle seven. Sadly enough she had already been down this particular aisle and went straight past the familiar packages of condoms. Instead, she stopped at the end of the aisle and searched the shelves.

No…. no…wait…no…Yes. She pulled a small blue box off of the shelf and walked directly up to counter. She set the box on the counter and the cashier eyed her oddly. Cursing silently, she recognized the cashier as the one who had wrung her up for the dare her friends had given her. She handed her money to the cashier and waited for her change.

At least Hojou is not here this time. As soon as she thought it a familiar voice behind her said,

"Hello Higurashi!" Kagome quickly grabbed the plastic bag and change and ran out of the store leaving behind two very stunned people. Hojou shook his head and turned to get back to work. The cashier stared at the door she had just left through and raised an eyebrow. I guess the condoms didn't work.

Back in the Feudal Era…

"Kagome had better get back soon." Inuyasha was seated on the edge of the well and still looking rather sulky.

"I'm sure she will." Miroku was leaning against a tree next to Suzaku who was seated at the base of it. No one said anything for a moment and then Suzaku stood.

"I'll be right back." She gestured at the woods behind Miroku and he nodded. Suzaku was just turning when Inuyasha's voice cut across the clearing.

"Are you getting fat?" Miroku looked at Inuyasha incredulously, Suzaku turned back towards him with a glare that caused Inuyasha's hand twitch towards the Tetsuaiga's hilt.

"What did you say?" she said scathingly. Inuyasha noticed her hands clenching at her sides but seemed unfazed.

"I asked if you were getting fat, you look bigger than you did when I first met you." Miroku's mouth fell slightly open and Suzaku took a step towards Inuyasha, whose hand moved to the Tetsuaiga hilt. Suzaku was about two feet away from Inuyasha when there was loud whooshing noise and Kagome was standing next to the well where Inuyasha had been. Suzaku was confused for a moment before she saw that Inuyasha had fallen off the well in Kagome's return and was now seated in the dirt. Kagome glanced over at him before turning to Suzaku.

"I have something for you, Kaede asked me to get it." Suzaku had now temporarily forgotten about Inuyasha and her attention was solely on Kagome. Kagome held up the bag and smiled warily.

"Okay…err…I need to do something."

"It can wait a moment, trust me." She turned away from Suzaku who looked a little nervous. "You two stay here; we will be back in a few minutes." She turned away from Inuyasha and Miroku and led Suzaku into the woods. Inuyasha and Miroku glanced at their retreating figures between the trees and turned to each other. Inuyasha had wiped off most of the dirt from the fire rat coat and looked considerably miffed.

"What is that about?"

"Probably something for Suzaku's stomach." He said doubtfully.

"If it's that medicine crap, then why couldn't they stay here?" Miroku shrugged and looked down at his palm.

"About, that comment you made about Suzaku." He dropped his arm and looked back up at Inuyasha, who was surprised at the look on Miroku's face. The monk rarely got angry, even at him.

"It was a fact, she looked bigger than she did when she began traveling with us." The angry look on Miroku's face deepened. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow than smiled wickedly.

"You're in love with her aren't you?" Miroku's expression quickly changed to surprise at Inuyasha's bluntness. Inuyasha grinned and crossed his arms across his chest. "You are, aren't you?" Miroku didn't answer him and instead said,

"Where are they anyway?" Inuyasha smiled benignly and then turned to the forest. "There you are."

Kagome and Suzaku had walked out of the trees and Miroku was surprised at the look on their faces.

Kagome was smiling and Suzaku looked as if she was going to pass out. Kagome walked over to Inuyasha.

"We need to go see Kaede." Inuyasha looked at her in disbelief.

"What are you so happy about? You didn't even say you were sorry for knocking me off the well."

"Fine, I'm sorry but it was your fault. You were sitting there. Now come on." He sighed and walked past Miroku and Suzaku, Kagome following.

"I need to speak to you." Suzaku said once, Inuyasha and Kagome had gone out of earshot. "Sit down." Miroku sat down at the base of the tree frowning slightly and Suzaku knelt down in front of him. She bit her lower lip and frowned at him as she tried to decide what to say. Miroku cocked his head to one said with a questioning gaze. Suzaku smiled at this innocent gesture and lost what she was going to say completely. She leaned forward quickly and caught his lips. He gasped slightly at the suddenness of the kiss and she wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms caught her waist and one hand went to the back of her neck. After a quick movement, she was sitting in his lap and kissing him. After a few minutes they separated and she sat in his lap with her head against his chest. She frowned as she remembered what it was she had to tell him.

He smiled and placed his chin to rest on top of her head. He wrapped his arms around his waist and frowned. Inuyasha was right he thought anxiously and frowned.

"What is it that you wanted to tell me?" he asked as calmly as he could. She Bit her lip and closed her eyes than turned with a faint smile. She looked up at him from his lap and he raised an eyebrow. She moved so that she was straddling his lap and leaned towards his ear. She paused slightly before speaking, when she opened her mouth her lips softly grazed his ear.

"I'm bearing your child." She said softly.

She leaned back to see his reaction to this. He looked confused for a moment then the realization sunk in.

"Wait, did you just say, no…" He cut off and looked at her. She nodded while biting her lower lip. He furrowed his brow, not knowing how to react.

"My…?" He raised his eyebrows. "How do you know?" She frowned and sat in front of him.

"When we went to Kaede's, she told me that it was a chance that I was. Then she told me that Kagome might something in her time that might tell us for sure. Kagome got it, I tested it and I am.

"My child?" he asked bewildered.

"Who else?" she smiled at him. He looked from her face to her stomach and smiled. Leaning forward he put one hand behind her head and kissed her, his fingers tangling in her hair. Suzaku smiled into his lips, after a few moments they broke apart. Miroku looked at her worriedly.

"You're not leaving, are you?" She raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"Am I supposed to?" Miroku smiled and caught her lips.

Suzaku leaned back against Miroku. It was too early to get up and the warmth of his chest ensnared her. She rolled over into his chest and moaned in frustration, the baby was kicking. It was hard to believe two and a half months had gone by since she had become pregnant. It seemed so much longer.

The baby began to kick more insistently, she sighed and sat up, pulling the looser clothing Kaede had given her around her. Stretching her arms and legs, she reached over to her left and scratched Mekia between the ears. The wolf opened one eye at her then closed it, yawning and stretching.

Suzaku smiled and stood carefully, she still was not used to being so out of balance. If I look like this now, what will I look like after the baby? She sighed and shook her head. Then, with Mekia beside her, headed off in the direction of the nearest stream.

Reaching the water, she knelt next to it and splashed water onto her face. Standing, she turned sideways and stared at her reflection in the water. I'm huge! My mother did this sixteen times? She imagined sixteen pups running around her.

"I don't fucking think so." She muttered softly kicking at the water and distorting the image. Sighing she sat next to Mekia, who had curled up on the bank, and stroked her fur. With all the weird dreams, huge ankles, always being tired and getting sick every morning, I am never doing this again. She smiled to her self. What with taking care of a baby and all that. How would Miroku and I ever have time to try?

With the thought of Miroku, she decided she should head back. Carefully standing she began to head back towards where the others were still sleeping. As she neared the camp, she heard shouts. Raising her eyebrows she moved as fast as she could towards the noise.

As she entered the clearing her mouth opened in shock. A giant scorpion was in the middle of the clearing, she could here the others on the other side of it. She stood in shock for a moment, not knowing what to do, that is until Miroku saw her.

"Suzaku!" he screamed from behind the Scorpion. "Get out of here!" Suzaku took a step backwards but not before the scorpion had turned. The Scorpion lost interest in the others and what he must have considered too tough of a meal. Instead the scorpion advanced raising it's stinger above its head. Suzaku stumbled backwards and fell. With no weapon, she was defenseless against the demon. It arched forward and Suzaku could see venom dripping from the tip of the stinger. She closed her eyes against the inevitable.

A yell sounded from the other side of the Demon. Suzaku opened her eyes and it was as if the scorpion was being dragged away. She sat up and past the retreating form of the scorpion she could see Miroku, his right palm faced towards her with the wind tunnel. When the scorpion had totally disappeared, Miroku recovered his hand. Suzaku smiled and started towards him. Miroku collapsed, his left hand wrapped around his wrist.

"Miroku." Two female voices shouted his name. Suzaku began to run towards him. She reached him first and knelt beside him, pulling his head into her lap. Softly shaking him, she frantically tried to wake him up.

"Miroku, wake up. Oh please wake up." A tear slid down her cheek. "Don't do this to me."

Kagome and Inuyasha arrived; Kagome knelt on his right side and pulled back his sleeve. A dark miasma had already started to spread up his wrist.

"He needs to see Kaede." Kagome looked up at Suzaku, who had a tight hold on his robes. She softly pulled them from her grasp and turned to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, can you?" Inuyasha silently lifted the monk onto his shoulders and began to run in the direction of Kaede's. Suzaku quickly stood and followed as quickly as she could, Kagome right behind her.

Pain tore across her stomach, blurring her vision. She stumbled sideways and Kagome quickly caught her.

"Are you okay?" Suzaku gasped and didn't answer. The pain subsided for a moment than tore across her again. She swore loudly and put a hand on her stomach.

"Shit." She gasped. "Not now. Please." She said to no one. She looked at Kagome, who looked anxiously back at her.

"We need to go to Kaede." Kagome nodded and they made their way through the trees.

Inuyasha was seated on the porch when they approached Kaede's house. He stood when they came into view and walked towards them.

"What's wrong with her?" he said as he noticed the pained expression on Suzaku's face. Suzaku didn't answer, instead,

"Where's Miroku?" she gasped.

"Inside with Kaede." Suzaku immediately went across the porch and into the house. Walking swiftly across the kitchen she moved the curtain and entered. Glancing quickly across the room, she saw Miroku lying on a pallet with Kaede next to him, rubbing a dark paste onto his wrist. She hurriedly knelt next to Kaede.

"What can I…" she gasped as pain tore across her again. Kaede stopped rubbing Miroku's wrist and turned to Suzaku.

"How is Miroku?" She asked through the pain.

"He'll live. Now, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Suzaku said through clenched teeth. "Will he be alright?"

"He'll be fine. He should be waking up soon. The infection didn't spread." She said, rubbing the last of the paste into his arm. She wiped her hands on her skirt and turned to Suzaku. "Now, lie down." Suzaku glared at the old woman for a moment before sighing and lying down on another pallet. Kaede held a hand over Suzaku's stomach and closed her eyes. Suzaku watched as she furrowed her brow and opened her eyes wide.

"I don't understand. You're not due for another two weeks." She glanced at the unconscious Miroku. "Unless…" Suzaku looked at Miroku.

"Unless what?" She gasped as pain spread across her stomach again and she put an arm over her stomach.

"It may be that the shock from Miroku's collapse caused you to be premature."

"You're going to have this baby…Today." Suzaku sat up quickly.

"What?" she said loudly. Kaede ignored her, instead she went to the door and called for Kagome. After a moment, Kagome and Inuyasha both entered the room. Kaede turned to them.

"Kagome, I need your help for a moment. Suzaku's going to have this baby." Kagome frowned.

"I thought she wasn't due until the end of this month." Kaede walked across the room to a small table and rummaged through several bottles.

"The shock from Miroku's miasma caused her to go into labor sooner. I would like the full explanation of what happened afterwards, I got a confused version when Inuyasha came in." She handed a small bottle to Kagome. "See if you can get this to Miroku. Even if he won't wake up, pour some in his mouth." Kagome nodded and Kaede turned to Inuyasha. "I'm afraid you'll have to leave. Birthing rooms are forbidden to men other than the father." Inuyasha shrugged.

"I don't want to see this anyway." Suzaku sent him an icy glare and he left the room. Almost immediately afterwards Suzaku cried out as a particularly nasty pain shot through her. Suzaku reached a hand up to wipe the hair out of her face and was not surprised that she had broken into a cold sweat. Kaede came back to where she sat with several bundles of white cloth and a bowl of strong smelling herbs. She sat crossed legged next to Suzaku and began busying herself with one of the bundles. Suzaku leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes.

She opened her eyes as another painful spasm hit her, she cried out softly. She relaxed for a moment breathing hard.

"Kaede, these pains are getting harder and quicker." Kaede nodded and looked up from the bundle of cloth.

"They will until the baby is born. They're contractions; they help the baby be born." Suzaku sighed and looked over at Miroku. Kagome had not been able to wake him but had given whatever was in the bottle to him. Fuck. This is his baby too. I can't do this without him. She leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes as another painful contraction tore through her.

A cough from her right startled her to look up. Miroku was on his side coughing heavily. When he had stopped he was immediately smothered by Suzaku.

"Suzaku?" he said into her shoulder. "Suzaku, I can't breathe." Suzaku let go of him and he looked at her oddly. "Where are we?"

"Hello, glad to see you're awake." Miroku looked past Suzaku to see Kaede. He closed his eyes in thought, and then shook his head. Kaede than walked over to Suzaku and handed her the bowl. Suzaku looked up to her in disbelief, wrinkling her nose at the strong smell.

"You expect me to drink this?"

"If you want the pain to die down." Miroku looked from Suzaku to Kaede.

"What's wrong with Suzaku?" Kaede smiled.

"She's in labor." Miroku's eyes widened.

"What? How long have I been out?" Kaede smiled again and took the bowl from a grimacing Suzaku.

"About an hour." Suzaku said hoarsely. Miroku furrowed his brow.

"Then how…?" Suzaku blushed slightly.

"The shock from your collapse caused me to go into premature labor." She gasped as a dull pain caught in her stomach. Miroku frowned and sat up completely. Kaede walked over to him and handed him his robes, which he hadn't notice he wasn't wearing before then. He thanked her and set them next to him then examined his wrist. The purple had started to fade and now looked like a minor bruise. Kaede looked over at him.

"Why you decided to suck in a demon when you knew it contained a miasma, I'll never know." Now it was Miroku's turn to blush.

"What did you do to my arm? I can barely feel it." He was experimentally prodding the purple spots on his arm.

"An herb paste to stop the infection. It contained several numbing agents." She said absentmindedly, she was busy hanging a large piece of cloth from hooks in the ceiling, making a curtain. Kagome left the room.

Miroku looked over at Suzaku who was ignoring their conversation completely. She was breathing heavily and her eyes were closed, sweat was collecting on her brow. She cried out. Kaede quickly moved aside the makeshift curtain and stepped inside. He quickly moved to kneel next to Suzaku, she seemed to have forgotten that anyone else was in the room and her breathing was labored. Kaede moved to kneel next to her on her other side.

"Suzaku?" she said quietly. Suzaku opened her eyes slowly with a pained expression. "We have to do this, now." Suzaku nodded and Miroku grabbed her hand. Kaede moved to sit below Suzaku. "Lie down."

Suzaku obliged, lying down and looking up at Miroku, still breathing heavily. Miroku didn't watch what Kaede was doing and instead watched Suzaku's face. Kaede looked up at the pair and smiled.

"Suzaku, I am going to need you to push when I tell you. Okay?" Suzaku nodded and gripped Miroku's fingers somewhat tighter.

"All right Suzaku, I need you to push…now." Suzaku seized Miroku's fingers and Miroku could feel her strain. Miroku inhaled sharply at the pressure of her fingers. When she stopped, Miroku smiled. Suzaku looked over at him.

"What are you smiling about? I'd like to see you try this." Miroku winced at the thought.

"No, thank you."

"Then shut up." She said.

"Now." Kaede said and Miroku's fingers were once again under assault. Suzaku gasped as she finished pushing.

"You know what?"

"Hmm?" Miroku said softly.

"I might just have to cut it off, so this never happens again." She said in such a tone that Miroku had to make sure she was joking. Suzaku clutched his fingers as a contraction tore through her.

Suzaku had to push several more times before Kaede said,

"Almost there, one more." Suzaku looked up at Miroku and smiled wearily. Miroku locked eyes with Suzaku and smirked at her expression. Sweat was making her hair become plastered to her face and her eyes were dilated.

"Now." Kaede's voice came from below Suzaku and she pushed. She stopped abruptly and Kaede sighed happily. Suzaku exhaled and leaned backwards with her eyes closed.

"We are never doing this again." She said softly.

All was quiet in the room and Miroku had the fleeting thought that something was wrong. Then a high pitched cry filled the room. Miroku sighed in relief then leaned down and kissed Suzaku on the forehead, smiling happily. Kaede came up beside him with a small bundle in her arms; the crying was coming from the bundle. Miroku looked from the baby to Suzaku. Kaede softly knelt and handed the bundle to Suzaku.

"A boy." She said softly before leaving them to go to her original perch.

Suzaku looked down at the small creature wrapped in the bundle. A tiny shock of black hair covered the small head. Tiny ears stuck out against his hair. He was still wailing so that she couldn't see his eyes. She looked up at Miroku who was eyeing her oddly. She smiled and handed the bundle carefully to Miroku. Miroku had just enough time to glance at the baby before a startled voice made him turn.

"Suzaku? I need you to push again." Kaede said anxiously.

"What?" Suzaku looked at Miroku.

"Now." Suzaku was caught off guard, but immediately pushed anyway. She gasped as pain shot through her abdomen. Miroku looked worriedly from the Suzaku to the now quiet bundle. Suzaku gasped as she fell into a rhythmic pattern. Miroku quickly held the bundle in one arm and grabbed Suzaku's hand. She responded with surprising pressure. Kaede was quietly urging her on.

"Almost there." Suzaku exhaled deeply and closed her eyes. There was no crying and Miroku looked down at Kaede with a frown. Kaede was smiling and wrapping something in cloth. Miroku raised an eyebrow at the priestess as she stood and came towards Suzaku with the bundle in her arms. Suzaku still had her eyes closed and Miroku had to softly nudge her with his free arm. When she did, Kaede carefully set the bundle in her arms.

Suzaku carefully sat up and looked up at Kaede.

"A girl." Kaede said, her eyes twinkling. Suzaku eyes widened and looked down at the bundle. The baby hadn't cried since it was born, instead bright blue eyes stared at her and tiny ears stuck out of a shock of black hair. Suzaku smiled and looked over at Miroku and the bundle he held in his arms.

Miroku's eyes were bright and he leaned forward, careful of the tiny bundles they held and kissed her sweetly.

Kagome anxiously waited in Kaede's kitchen with Inuyasha. Although Inuyasha looked more bored then anything else. Inuyasha watched as Kagome tapped he fingers on the small table and then quickly leaned forward and grabbed her hand. She looked up at him and pulled her hand from his grasp.

"Calm down, it's not like you having a kid." Inuyasha leaned back in his chair. She smiled wickedly and he opened his eyes wide and tried to sit up. Instead he threw the chair off balance and it fell over. Kagome was thrown into a fit of giggles and stood up quickly. He glared at her suspiciously.

"You're kidding right?" Kagome covered her mouth and nodded through her mirth. Inuyasha glared icily at her and fixed the chair. Kagome resumed staring at her hand on the table.
A loud wail from the other room caused both of them to look over at the curtain partition. Kagome smiled and Mekia came trotting in, looking around warily around the small room. Inuyasha muttered something that sounded like 'finally' and looked up at the ceiling. All was silent for a while then the curtain parted and Kaede came out with a large bundle of cloth. She said nothing, but smiled and went outside. Kagome looked across the table at Inuyasha who was still staring at the curtain. Mekia whined softly.

The curtain moved as Miroku came through it with a bundle in his arms. Kagome's smiled and stood. Suzaku came behind Miroku, wearing a large, loose kimono, with a similar bundle. Kagome looked at them, confused, then her smile widened. Kaede came back in the door behind Kagome.

"So?" Kagome said. Suzaku smiled.

"A girl." She nodded to the bundle in her arms.

"And a boy." Miroku looked down at the bundle. Kagome looked down as something brushed her leg and saw Mekia going towards Suzaku. Suzaku sat in an unoccupied chair and leaned to show the bundle to her. Mekia automatically leaned forward and sniffed the bundle. The baby sneezed and Mekia pulled back, looking up at Suzaku, plainly confused. Suzaku smiled.

"What are their names?" Kagome asked softly.

"Reika"

"Musheen" they said together. They looked at each other for a moment and seemed to come to an agreement. Kagome moved next to Miroku to peer into the bundle. Her eyes widened in surprise then she smiled, laughing at herself. Miroku stared at her.

"I'm sorry." She said quickly, composing herself. "I had forgotten that with Suzaku being a wolf demon and you being human that your children would be half-demons." She glanced at Inuyasha who, if surprised by this revelation said nothing about it. Miroku looked at Suzaku and smiled. He sat down and looked into the bundle. Little Musheen had fallen asleep, his small ears drooping. The he looked up at Inuyasha.

"I heard a crash out here. What happened?" Inuyasha sighed, irritated.

"I fell off the chair." Miroku looked from Kagome to the ticked off Inuyasha. Not hiding his amusement well,

"Why?" Inuyasha looked at Kagome.

"Just something Kagome said." Kagome looked up at him with a guilty smile.

"About that…"

Now all you have to do is wait for the epilogue. See you soon.

Nanda

p.s. that was the ending (except for the epilogue) how many times have I said that today?