A/N: Hey, sorry this one took a while. I was ill for a bit and it was hard to write, but I finally got it done.

Mentions of child rejection in this chapter, though as always it's fairly non-explicit in nature. The characters' views on the event are purely their own and don't necessarily reflect mine either way. (Probably obvious, but I may as well say it to be safe.)

The trek back into the mountain was arduous and tense. Inuyasha had been convinced to let Kagome accompany them only on the point that he'd be there to protect her, whereas the Kakuen could potentially escape to the village otherwise. He didn't know why she was so adamant on coming, anyway. It wasn't really like her to insist on fighting where she was a possible liability.

The girl in question was several paces behind him, likely keeping distance to avoid setting off his mood and being told to go back after all. He sighed. This was supposed to be a happy time for them and it had turned into a situation where they had to argue. He was going to murder this stupid monkey as quickly as he could.

That village worried him as well. It wasn't like he'd ever met any happy hanyou – they were always exploited and tormented in some way, yet this cycle was unique. If it were up to him, they'd have gotten the women out of there already, but Miroku had calmly explained that they too had families and husbands at stake here. If they were willing to let the village be destroyed and have to live in hiding, they would have done it already. His head understood that, but his heart was roiling against the entire idea of it. What kind of families and husbands let their women become martyrs for their home to be built on? The whole situation was sick.

"There," Miroku pointed, "There's a cave over that ridge that's said to be the Kakuen's home."

Inuyasha let the irritation plaguing him take over and channel into a need to beat something up. "Not for long. He dies today." With that proclamation, he picked up the pace, knocking branches and brush out of the way until the cave finally came into view. His ears flicked this way and that, trying to determine if the creature was around.

"Kagome-sama, perhaps it would be best if-..."

"I know," she answered the monk. "I'll use a masking spell and wait here."

Miroku nodded before turning his attention back to Inuyasha. "Shall we go in?"

"Yeah. I can't sense it in there right now, but maybe we can figure out a way to ambush it."

The cave looked like any predator's. Rank with the smell of old carrion and with bones littered around – though Inuyasha noticed several of those bones belonged to humans, unlike a bear or wolf's would have. A few smaller ones crunched underfoot as Inuyasha and Miroku explored the cave, but neither paid it any heed. There were scraps of clothes scattered around some areas, and Inuyasha really hoped they didn't belong to any of the villagers.

…

Kagome had set up her ofuda and was practicing clearing her mind while she waited for the two men. It was proving as difficult as always – she was prone to worrying and she knew it. She trusted Inuyasha to be able to kill the Kakuen, but the fact that it wasn't at its home right now meant they could potentially be waiting for a long time, or it could even be at the village while they were off trying to slay it.

She really was bad at this clear mind thing, wasn't she...

However, her senses were not diluted enough to miss the approaching youkai aura. She was sure Miroku and Inuyasha would be sensing it soon, too. Hastily she double-checked her ofuda placement and tried to calm her racing thoughts. The dull shuffle of footsteps over foliage approached, sounding closer than she had anticipated. Inuyasha had to be hearing this, but it seemed he was either cooperating with the plan or being somehow restrained by Miroku.

Forcing herself to keep calm and still against the presence just behind her was hellishly nerve-wracking. She'd never had to put this into proper practice before. Why couldn't she clear her mind properly?! She was a miko, wasn't she? At least the masking spell seemed to be working, because the thing had not detected her by sight or scent yet. The thunder of heavy footsteps was still getting closer. Breathe... Have confidence... Breath on the back of her neck.

"I know you are there," came a guttural voice that Kagome almost couldn't make out.

She did not answer. She forced herself to take deep, calming breaths and quiet her mind. For several moments the Kakuen groped around the area, unable to find her, and Kagome believed she may have fooled it into doubting itself and giving up. But then a large hand gripped her arm and yanked, sending her yelping and sprawling outside of her barrier. Kagome cringed, sure that her arm had just been dislocated. Looking up, her eyes met the yellow ones of what appeared to be a monkey, its youkai status made obvious by how much it towered over her and how human-like its gaze was.

It happened within seconds. While she was still reeling from the pain in her limb, her mind was taken from her. It was a surreal experience, knowing what was happening but losing her will to move her limbs or speak. She'd been in similar situations – having her soul removed came to mind – but rather than emptiness, this felt like an oppressive force holding down her volition. She collapsed. In that moment, nothing mattered.

Weathered and rough hands lifted her almost reverently. She knew what would happen if it managed to take her away. Flashes of poor Shiranami played behind her eyes. This had happened to her, too, and nobody was around to protect her.

Then as if her thoughts had called him forward, Inuyasha surged through the underbrush, teeth bared, ears flat, and looking almost feral. Tessaiga was drawn and gleamed in a deadly arch, aimed right for the Kakuen's head. Her captor screamed and dropped her in his rush to back away. She hit the ground with a dull thud, right on to her dislocated arm, but it hurt only distantly. With its focus off of her, the beast was easily able to dodge all of Inuyasha's swings, supernatural in the way it read him.

Miroku was not far behind, though he obviously did not have the hanyou's speed. Quickly taking in the situation, the monk rushed to Kagome's side and brandished his staff in a defensive posture. Now that the Kakuen had broken its spell on her, Kagome felt lightheaded as if she'd drank too much. She leaned away from Miroku and emptied her stomach into the greenery beneath. She couldn't focus on the battle anymore, but she still heard the Kakuen's jeers to its hanyou opponent.

"Hihihi! Bride of a hanyou, worth less than dirt! She's dirt too, now! Never be a miko – defiled by a dog!"

To his credit, Inuyasha said nothing back and seemed to keep his cool, but Kagome knew that had to have struck a raw nerve. The Kakuen knew it too, by the way it continued cackling in that way that reminded her of a hyena. It seemed it knew better than to stick around, though; whether Inuyasha was scaring it on an instinctual level, or it had simply lost interest. Before long it had run off, and rather than go after it, Inuyasha sheathed Tessaiga and came to her side.

"Kagome, look at me. Are you okay?" His voice was a little shaky, and Kagome couldn't be sure if it was from exertion or worry. Maybe both. The warmth of his hand on her shoulder brought her back to herself a little bit.

"I'm okay... Just disoriented."

He wasn't satisfied. "Let me see your face, you smell really sick."

Kagome obliged, letting him inspect her sweat soaked brow and pale complexion. "I promise I'm okay. You should be going after the youkai. Now that it knows about us, it might try punishing the villagers."

Miroku chose that moment to speak up. "I'll escort Kagome-sama back. Inuyasha, you go on ahead and make sure they're okay."

"But-..."

"Don't argue," Kagome said more fiercely than she'd intended. "Don't let what happened to Shiranami-san happen to anyone else."

…

Inuyasha cursed as he sprinted back the way they'd come. The Kakuen's scent trail was unmistakable, headed straight for the village. No doubt to try and grab the sacrificial maiden before making an escape to hide for a while and wait them out. Inuyasha had seen the white fletched arrow still embedded in one of the roofs, though they hadn't been introduced to the girl who lived there.

Cresting the treeline, the village came into view, and with it the vision of chaos unfolding there. Villagers were rallying up, trying to form a wall between the Kakuen and the homes. Their expressions were feeble, however, and the youkai towered over most of them. The few who struck out with oars or pitchforks were easily thwarted. A woman screamed as her husband or son was knocked forcefully to the ground and did not get up. The Kakuen was unleashing that creepy 'hihihihi' laugh all the while.

Cursing again, Inuyasha bounded in, hurtling himself sword-first at the youkai that seemed to be taking great pleasure in tormenting the villagers. With a growl the Kakuen flung itself away from him just like it had before, obviously reading his movements. Still, Inuyasha wasn't dissuaded and placed himself between his opponent and the group of hanyou.

"Take one more step into this village and I'll skin you like the vermin you are."

"Hihihihi! The guard dog! Left your bride again, huh? She's used to it though, isn't she? Being second best to you."

Inuyasha's mind exploded in a burst of emotion at that, though the only outward sign he showed was a ticking vein from how hard he was clenching his jaw. The triumphant look on the Kakuen's face pissed him off more, but he tried desperately to cool himself down.

"If you can read my mind that much, then you know she's not alone right now – and how hard she'd kick your ass for a remark like that if she were here. Now keep your mouth shut unless it's to say your prayers."

With that, Inuyasha lunged forward again, surging his sword in a crescent-shaped swing. He didn't dare use Kaze no Kizu or Meido Zangetsuha this close to the village, but his role was just to keep it busy until Miroku got here, anyway. The arcs of his swings were always close enough to bate his breath for them to connect, but dodged so deftly that it was obvious they weren't going to work.

Until his opponent screamed and collapsed in a heap. Behind it stood Miroku, more ofuda ready in hand, brows furrowed in what Inuyasha had come to recognize as an expression he made when meditating. The Kakuen wasn't moving, seemingly fully restrained by the exorcism spell.

"Where's Kagome?!" he demanded, hopping over the prone body to come to Miroku's side.

Just then, like a trance had been broken, the villagers crowded forward, swinging their weapons and fists down on the Kakuen. Their pent-up rage was obvious and fierce now that it had been unleashed. Inuyasha and Miroku had no reason to stop them at this point, and the beating continued until the monkey youkai was lying facedown, battered and bloody. Only then did a flash of light zip by, leaving an iridescent trail like spider's silk. The light disappeared before it could hit any of the startled villagers, only to reappear pinned to the Kakuen's back. The creature screamed, before it was cut short and its body evaporated into cleansing light. A white fletched arrow was all that was left behind.

Inuyasha looked up to see Kagome standing sweat-streaked but firm atop the roof that had previously housed the arrow. He didn't know when or how she had gotten up there amidst the chaos, but seeing her there, lonely and magnificent, pulled at something in his chest. It was the first time he'd seen her looking so exhausted yet determined since inside the Jewel, and it suddenly felt wrong for her to be up there by herself.

Clearing the distance in two bounds, Inuyasha stood in front of her, unsure what to say in either praise or admonishment for her going off on her own, but feeling better for it. Kagome only sighed and lowered her bow to rest partially against the thatch roof. She still looked pale and tired.

Inuyasha swallowed, trying again. But of all the things he wanted to say, the only one that came out was, "Where were you?" It was a stupid question, but she seemed to catch his real meaning.

"I left my arrows back where we were attacked, so... I had to use this one. Miroku-sama agreed to go ahead with the plan and subdue it while it was focused on you."

His eyes dropped to her trembling hand. "Were you hurt from before? I could have-..."

"I know. But it was easier for me to do it, since my bow won't hit the villagers." She paused then, before addressing the part he was actually upset about, "I just dislocated my arm a little. Maybe even just sprained it. It's not a big deal."

Inuyasha spared a glance behind him to see Miroku talking to the villagers, so he turned his attention back to Kagome. As tenderly as he could, he lifted her bad arm to feel the damage. She flinched. "Dislocated," he confirmed quietly. "I have to pop it back in, okay?"

She was quieter than he'd expected when he'd forced the joint back into place after her nod. Still, he rubbed her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. "You did a good job," he said.

"Thanks," she smiled back.

"Shiranami? Shiranami! How long have you been having pains?" It was the voice of one of the village women, carried higher than the other voices in alarm.

"Oh, it's probably nothing..." Shiranami's voice insisted. "I'm just not feeling well after all that..."

Kagome instantly brushed past him in concern, trying to see the situation. She squeaked a little when he lifted her gently to bring them both off the roof. The miko approached Shiranami, her medical side taking over. A vaguely sweet smell hit Inuyasha's nose just as Shiranami hugged at her belly, and he was able to guess what was going on rather quickly.

"Shiranami-san..." Kagome said gently, "has your water broken yet?"

The other woman looked pale, and suddenly resembled a scared young girl rather than a mother-to-be. "I'm... I don't know... I think, maybe..."

"Okay," Kagome said just as calmly. "Do you have a midwife?"

"I..."

Another woman spoke up, then, "I usually do it. But a second pair of eyes is always welcome if you can, miko-sama."

Inuyasha looked at Kagome, remembering how she had reacted to a birth before. She did look grim, and her teeth worrying at her bottom lip gave away her anxiety, but she also looked determined. "Of course I'll help."

…

Inuyasha paced a nervous line into the dirt in front of where Miroku sat, the monk purifying where the Kakuen had fallen with salt and prayer. Kagome and the midwife woman had both disappeared into a hut that he could only presume was Shiranami's, and muffled cries of pain had just started coming from it, always followed by soft assurances. It made Inuyasha more nervous than he'd like to admit – and it wasn't even his baby. But his Kagome was a part of it, and so much could go wrong that he knew she would take to heart.

"Making a ditch won't rush the birth, Inuyasha. Kagome-sama will be okay. She's compassionate and quite resourceful under pressure. I'm sure she can handle this, especially with help."

Inuyasha sighed in frustration, but plopped down into a sitting position instead. "I know that. It's just-..."

A piercing wail echoed throughout the village. Inuyasha's ears flattened against the harsh sound, before springing forward to try catching any trace of Kagome's voice.

"Shiranami-san... Are you sure you don't want to hold him...?"

A quiet sob was the only answer Inuyasha could hear, and his heart thumped in his chest with the knowledge of what must be going on inside. Him. A son. A Kakuen boy.

There was silence for a long while, the only noise the baby's fussing. Eventually Kagome emerged from the building, looking extremely listless. Inuyasha stood, and she quietly made her way over to them.

"The birth... went well," she said. Miroku smiled and nodded, none the wiser, but Inuyasha gave her a look she seemed to recognize. Her face went white, but she shook her head at him, pushing the subject away until later.

"Well it's getting late," Miroku chimed. "We've been offered room and board for the night, and I think it's best we accept. I was told you two can share a separate room for wedded couples, if you wish."

His tone was teasing and Inuyasha didn't appreciate that, but also genuine, letting them know there were no hard feelings if they wanted to be alone. It was Kagome who responded, though, her voice trying not to sound defeated. "I think... I'd like that."

Inuyasha knew she needed to talk to him, so he agreed.

…

The quiet chirp of crickets surrounded the room. All other sounds had faded out, even the lonely wailing of Shiranami's son. It made the creaks of the floorboards feel loud as Kagome went about unfolding the bedroll. Inuyasha hadn't joined her, and she wasn't sure he would until she explicitly asked, so she subtly patted the mat for him to sit beside her. He did.

"How's your arm?" he asked, and she smiled wryly. She'd honestly forgotten about that, despite the constant dull ache.

"It's fine. I just need to rest it from here on."

She let him inspect it until he was satisfied it hadn't dislocated again, and then he spoke. "That was a good thing you did... You didn't have to, considering you were hurt."

She laughed, but it was without humor. "Of course I did. This is my job." He was waiting for her to come out and say it, she knew. So she did. "She didn't want the baby. Once he was born and she saw his tail and fangs, she just... shut down. The midwife said it actually happens a lot, and that they had surrogates for these kinds of situations, but I guess I wasn't ready to see it..."

"Yeah," was Inuyasha's only response, but she could hear how his voice seemed tighter than usual, and looking at him revealed his eyes looking far away and thoughtful.

"Part of me understands, and I can't judge her situation, but all I've been able to think about is how I could never imagine not wanting my baby because of youkai heritage... Does that make me a bad person, here? To be feeling that in spite of Shiranami-san's pain?"

"No," he answered immediately, "but you're one of the few exceptions. You may not be able to understand it, being from where you were, but here being a mother is already often a struggle, and hanyou are... well, they're generally unwanted. If not by the parents, then their community. This kid is lucky enough to have a village willing to raise him."

Kagome was silent at that, though her fists balled up, bunching the fabric of her hakama between them. She felt the sting of tears pooling in her eyes in her frustration and sadness at the whole thing.

"Don't... Don't cry..." Inuyasha tried, starting to reach for her if she needed him to.

"I'm sorry... It's just not fair. If we ever have children, I want to love them with everything I have. I want them to know they're wanted."

If Inuyasha was still flustered in his feelings over becoming a father or not, he didn't show it now. Instead he gave her a soft look that seemed strikingly vulnerable. She was pretty certain she knew why – though Inuyasha was born out of love, he'd had no one to actually love him for most of his life. Because of what he was. His insecurities about parenthood aside, hearing that she would not only want his children, but make sure they always had what he hadn't probably meant more to him than she could guess.

Reaching out, Kagome took Inuyasha's hand and squeezed. She leaned against his side and felt him shift to accommodate her. "I'm glad your parents wanted you, Inuyasha," she said softly. His only response was to pull her in tight. "Will you stay here with me?"

"Okay."

Though it took her longer than usual to fall asleep, the damp feeling of Inuyasha's nose buried against the back of her neck, leaving rhythmic puffs of warm air, was strangely comforting. He had veritably molded her to him, one hand looped just under her breasts, and the other pressed firmly against her abdomen. His knees were glued to the backs of hers where they were folded slightly forward, and she didn't know if it was possible to feel any more safe and warm than she did then.

Inuyasha turned out to be a little disoriented in the morning, not used to sleeping lying down unless he was injured, but after another check of her arm and a brief but very gratuitous goodbye to Yamabiko and the other villagers they were ready to head back, Miroku in tow. The monk was clearly anxious to see his wife and kids again, and Kagome was honestly just as eager to go home. She didn't see the baby again, but Yamabiko had assured her he was in good hands and doing well on the supplement milk made from rice. His birth mother was apparently recovering well too, for which she was grateful.

She never did get to get any hiking practice in on the way back. Inuyasha insisted on carrying her the whole way.

~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Next chapter they will be home again. Will they get married immediately or give it a few days to sink in and tell their friends and village the plans? We'll see. Either way, we should be back to some more fluff and overall InuKag focus - though I hope this event still developed them in some way, whether it was Kagome showing she is still capable in a crisis, or the affirmation about how much they would love their potential babies.