A/N: Ugh, homework piles up fast. I miss being able to sleep in too.

School sucks, especially if you hate getting up.

Edit: Okay, I changed a little bit on the end here, to give it a better effect. The ending is still...the same, just the details of it are tweaked.


Chapter 37: Regrets and Goodbyes

What more can I say about the first day I looked upon our child? The experience left me nearly on the verge of joyful tears whenever I thought about it. There it was—our child really was growing inside me…there was no more second guessing.

They always said that the only way to know how a mother feels was to be one…and I understood. Each day knowing that I was going to bring a life into this world, to raise a child…it was almost overwhelming.

By the time I was in my third month, our late winter had begun, and it had gotten much colder. A year ago I could remember playing in the snow with Inuyasha, and the day he admitted he loved me. Now we were mates, and I was already pregnant with his baby…Some may call that fast, but I preferred to say otherwise—we just loved each other, very much.

Once I was around twelve weeks, my mother scheduled my "official" first trimester appointment. Like the first, it was a check up on my pregnancy, but a little more thorough. This time I got a full physical exam, and another ultrasound, which Inuyasha insisted on coming to see.

This time, I actually began crying when they put that grey blob—our baby—on screen. It was a little bit bigger than before, and there was a faint vibration on the screen…the ultrasound could pick up its heartbeat. When the technician told me that, I began to cry. Our baby was there, and alive…it seemed like every time I was reminded of this, I felt the joy fill me once again.

The doctor told me that within a month, I would be able to feel it begin to move. I was in anticipation of this, because these feelings I had whenever I was reminded of our child, that I was going to be a mother, they were addictive.

Inuyasha, too, seemed to be suffering from what I had. He was constantly holding me, pulling me close and, when we were alone, wrapping his arm around me and feeling my stomach, our child. His eyes seemed to have a permanent happy look to them, one that made my heart melt with love for him whenever I noticed. I had fulfilled the purpose I had wanted in life, making him happy.

And now, I had fulfilled a purpose I had wanted as well, living happy with him.

But the happy world of our dreams would soon be shattered, though we did not know it at the time. While we had spent our time with our love, Naraku had been plotting our demise, and though we hadn't seen him in a long time, that didn't mean he wasn't still out there. And the threat was far from removed.

Inuyasha and I planned our life with our baby, and Naraku plotted how to see us all dead. It seems both of our plans would be foiled, in the end…


The air was frigid around Kagome, her breath coming in clouds, as she sat next to the hot spring. Though this winter had given them no snow except for small flurries every once in a while, it was still cold enough that she had to wear several layers of clothing. For once, Sango had declined bathing with her, knowing that she didn't want to freeze to death the minute she got out of the spring.

Is it worth it? Kagome wondered, glancing back at the steaming water again. But her hand running through her greasy hair was enough to convince her of its necessity. Even though she had gotten used to the Sengoku Jidai by now, she didn't think she'd ever be able to live without a decent bath whenever she could get one.

Standing up, she began pulling off her green sweater, wanting to relax in the hot spring for a while—

When her hand grazed her belly, and her thoughts ceased instantly.

Her breath caught in her throat. Oh, no…

And she screamed.

Inuyasha burst into the clearing in less than a second, glancing around for the threat that had scared his mate. "What is it, Kagome?" he asked frantically. But he saw the hand that was on her stomach, and instantly paled. "What's happening? Is something wrong with the baby? Do you feel pain? Is our child going to be—"

Kagome cut him off before he got too worried. "Just look at me, you baka!" she screamed, stamping her foot in frustration. "Look at me!"

The hanyou stared at her. He couldn't see anything wrong…and her scent was normal, too. His eyes narrowed, "Look at what?"

"Look here!" she snapped, pointing at her belly. "Just look at it! I thought my clothes were getting too small or shrunk, but no! I'm getting fat, and it's all your fault!"

One eyebrow still raised in skepticism, Inuyasha leaned forward and looked at her. Sure enough, her stomach was starting to poke out and become slightly noticeable, but besides that… "You're not getting fat."

"What are you, blind? Of course I'm getting fat!"

Sighing, and rolling his eyes, Inuyasha muttered, "Look, I thought you knew about this pregnancy stuff. You're supposed to get fat, idiot."

"I know that!" she snapped, looking like she was on the verge of tears. "But I'm starting to get fat now! I'm not supposed to get like this now!"

The hanyou rolled his eyes once more. He was more inclined to believe that Kagome's hormones were acting up again, since the last time she brought this up she had laughed about it. "You were the one who wanted the baby; you can't have it without getting fat as a hippo. Besides, this is nothing, just wait a few months and then you'll really look like a pig youkai—"

"Sit!" Kagome yelled, and Inuyasha slammed to the ground again. "Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! You rude, uncaring baka!" Angry tears fell from her eyes. "Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit!"

Kagome, grabbing her sweater and pulling it back on her to cover her stomach, ran off back towards the camp, leaving Inuyasha imbedded in the ground. When he could finally move, after a few swear words, he muttered, "I'll never make it through seven more months…"


"Kagome-chan, we heard Inuyasha being sat a few times. May we assume he said something that offended you again?" Miroku asked, the minute Kagome marched into camp, with a look that rivaled the fires of Hell.

"That rude bastard!" Kagome yelled, making everyone stare…she hadn't sworn in front of them before. "After all I've been through, he had the nerve to tell me to my face that I'm going to be fat! I can't stand him!" After she finished her tirade, she stood there shaking in fury, making her friends quite afraid.

"What a baka!" Shippou exclaimed, jumping from Sango's shoulder in to Kagome's arms. "How can he call you fat? You're probably the skinniest person I—" the kitsune stopped, staring at her. It was then Kagome realized in horror that he was nestled right up against her growing stomach. "Kagome…are you gaining a bit of weight?"

Dropping the kitsune on the ground, Kagome gave a nervous laugh and covered it up, "Just a little too much ramen, I think! Maybe I should start eating healthier!" With one last laugh, she darted towards her backpack, her heart racing in fear.

While she pretended to be looking for food, and while Inuyasha marched back to apologize (though he only did it because he felt a bit guilty for putting her in this position), the other three gathered to whisper about what had occurred. "Is it just me or has Kagome and Inuyasha been acting odd lately?" the monk asked, leaning next to Sango.

Her heart fluttered when he came near, but she tried not to notice it. "It's not just you," she replied.

Miroku glanced over at Kagome and Inuyasha, who now had made up and were hugging. "I think they're hiding something…that much is obvious."

The exterminator said nothing, hoping she would not be questioned. She knew what Inuyasha and Kagome had been hiding, but she wouldn't give up her friend's secret now. But she knew that trying to divert the conversation would only seem more suspicious.

"It's odd, though," Shippou piped up. "First Kagome gets sick, and now her scent is funny."

"Funny?" asked Sango, unable to help herself. "What do you mean?"

The kitsune jumped up on Miroku's shoulders. "Before, she smelled like herself and Inuyasha. But now, it's like there's another scent on her…one that I've never smelled before…"

Sango instantly paled. No…it can't be…can it?

Neither of her two companions seemed to notice. "Perhaps it is her illness?" Miroku wondered. "You said that scents do change when they get sick?"

Shippou nodded. "Yeah, but its different this time…it's not like a regular illness…it's just different…"

After pondering this for a moment, the monk shrugged. "Whatever it is, I'm sure Inuyasha's aware of it. He doesn't seem alarmed, so its probably taken care of."

"Yeah…"

The topic changed, and Shippou and Miroku continued talking, but Sango turned and looked back at the couple, who were still hugging, though she knew for sure she saw Inuyasha slip his hand over her belly. She gasped. It's…it's true…but…Oh, Kagome…

With Naraku, you know what this means, don't you?


Inuyasha rolled over and tossed in turned in his sleep that night, caught in a dream which he wanted desperately to escape.

Naraku laughed as he attacked, sending his tentacles for their friends. He was powerless…trapped in a single spot as the fast green tentacles whipped through the air and hit each of his friends, rendering them useless in the fight. The evil hanyou laughed as he saw them struggling to get up, but not before turning to the side and seeing another figure. Naraku smirked; it was Kagome.

Her stomach was fully round now, and she gasped as Naraku turned on her. With a laugh, he sent the tentacles once more, aiming straight for her stomach…

When all of a sudden, a pink light burst through his vision. He saw a blurry outline of Kagome, screaming in fury, and of Naraku as he dissolved into the light, but as he died, succumbing to her miko powers, a smirk was on his face.

The pink light died down, but as it left, Kagome fell to her knees, clutching her belly. The whole world turned red, the color of blood, as Inuyasha heard a baby's wail ring in his ears. A black outline of a newborn vanished as the baby's cry suddenly turned into a piercing scream of pain—

Inuyasha gasped as he sat up, waking himself from the dream. As he breathed deeply, he noticed he was covered in sweat, his heart beating at a frantic pace. He glanced around his surroundings as his panic died down. A dream?

His eyes scanned the camp until he came upon Kagome, lying in her sleeping bag. Needing her comfort, he walked over to her, sitting down. His heart dropped into the pit of his stomach as he remembered the dream, his eyes looking at her lower belly. If she uses a lot of her miko power, then the baby will die…he remembered, feeling even worse.

If this hadn't happened while Naraku was still around…Now, more than ever, even more than the wonderful feelings he had felt when he learned he was going to be a father, he wished he wasn't. He didn't want to leave Kagome behind. But he didn't want a risk towards her or the baby, either.

If the baby dies, she'll never forgive herself. This, he knew. She'll never be happy again…I can't put her through that!

Just as he was thinking, Kagome stirred and opened her eyes. "Inuyasha?" she asked, sleepily.

"Kagome," he murmured, his eyes revealing his feelings of worry, which Kagome instantly recognized.

"What is it?" she asked softly, sitting up. "Is something wrong, Inuyasha?"

He looked away sharply. "No, it's nothing."

He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Inuyasha…" she said softly. "What's wrong?"

Sighing, Inuyasha turned back to her. "I'm worried," he admitted.

Kagome leaned her head against his chest, holding him. "About what?"

"You." His arms hesitantly wrapped around her back, pulling her back into his embrace.

Kagome shook her head. "Don't worry about me, Inuyasha. I know I'm young, but I promise you, I'll be fine."

"No, that's not it." Inuyasha grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her away slightly, so he could look into her eyes. Even through the darkness around them, he could see the confusion on her face. "Kagome…I'm worried about you…and the situation with Naraku."

She gulped, her eyes darting away. "Oh…" She had to admit, he had a point.

"Kagome, I…I wish this didn't have to happen now." Inuyasha's voice was strained; he was hurting. "I mean…I want this, but…now, with everything—"

"I understand, Inuyasha," she cut him off. "Sometimes I…I wish it wasn't right now, too." She looked away for a moment, feeling terrible that she was admitting that in a dark portion of her heart, she wished she wasn't having her baby.

"But before you start twisting my words around, woman," Inuyasha's hand covered her growing belly. "I don't regret this…what we made. I could never regret it. But…" He didn't finish, and they sat in silence for a moment.

"What, Inuyasha?"

Looking back in her eyes, with a face full of determination, Inuyasha spoke, "I promise you, Kaogme, no matter what it takes, I won't let our child be born into a world where Naraku still exists."

She gasped for a moment. "Inuyasha…"

Inuyasha's fingers gently touched her cheek. "And this is one promise that I won't break, I swear to you."

Kagome's own hand covered his over her belly as she smiled back up at him. "I believe you…" she whispered, before he bent down to give her a gentle kiss, sealing his promise.


Kohaku leaned against the wall, hoping that he wouldn't be seen by the many saimyoushou throughout Naraku's castle. He had come because his Shikon shard had been pulsating, responding to a call Naraku was sending out. More than that, he felt the evil from Naraku's almost complete Shikon no Tama, mixed with a deeper, more ancient feeling that he couldn't quite place. But the meaning was clear—Naraku was up to something.

Kohaku had to follow this feeling to a village in the north, and as far as he could tell, Naraku had only come because it was the village the miko Midoriko had been born to. But what purpose he had with the village where Midoriko was originally from, he didn't know.

But if something is going on, he thought, I have to warn Ane-ue!

He was surprised when he had been trying to sneak into the castle, and the guards had just let him in. Perhaps it was because he had once been one of Naraku's minions himself; he didn't know. But he was glad of it, since he could feel that he was very close to Naraku…something that sent chills and a shiver of excitement up his spine.

One hand rested on his chain sickle, in case of an emergency, when Kohaku took a deep breath and peered into the crack between the two sliding doors, into Naraku's room. The evil hanyou was in his fully human form, sitting on the floor with the Shikon no Tama, emitting a deep purple glow, in his hand, gazing into Kanna's mirror. Suddenly, Naraku smiled. "I should have known before; it seems that Kagome is now pregnant."

"Her miko powers are weakening," Kanna said in monotone, not even blinking.

Naraku's hand curled up around the Shikon no Tama, and he smiled. "Then it is time, or very near it, but there is still the problem of a life taken for the Curse to be ready."

"The Curse…may turn on you," Kanna reminded him, but instead of getting mad, the hanyou merely smirked.

"So be it then, but if it does, there is one thing I hope to accomplish beforehand…"

Kohaku's eyes got wider as he heard exactly what Naraku was planning, his heart pounding forcefully in his chest. I can't…I can't stay here! They're in trouble! I have to warn Ane-ue!

As silently as he could, Kohaku sprinted and ran away from Naraku's room, dashing through the castle and out of the door, into the woods beyond; but he didn't notice the single saimyoushou on his way out.

The poison insect flew towards Naraku, who stayed and listened only a moment before his smile widened. "I think I may have found a worthy sacrifice for the curse, Kanna."

Kohaku ran as fast as he could towards the village, with one goal in his mind, Get to Ane-ue! He didn't care how far it was; he would run all the way! As long as it kept his sister alive…

He felt his shard begin to respond to an evil presence. Naraku was coming! He probably knew he was there the whole time! I can't let him get me! he thought, continuing to run as he passed an old man from the village, who stared at him.

"What are you running for?" the man asked, but Kohaku didn't stay and respond.

He yelled to him just as he felt his energy being to wear, and slow down, "I have to! I have to tell Ane-ue—!"

There was a loud boom as Naraku suddenly appeared in front of Kohaku's path. The villager screamed and ran, throwing his basket into the air, while Kohaku gave a small gasp and stumbled back.

"Kohaku," Naraku smirked. "You have come back to me…is this a sign that you want to work for me again?"

"Never!" shouted Kohaku, grabbing his sickle and moving into a fighting position. "I never want to work for you again! You hurt Ane-ue, and you want to kill the others! I hate you!"

"Such a disappointment," Naraku replied, looking like he was ready to fight as well. "But I needed your shard to complete the Shikon no Tama, Kohaku, so perhaps it is better that I kill you now sooner than later."

A small, sad smile came on Kohaku's face. He knew he wouldn't survive. I'm sorry, Ane-ue…Father…everyone…But I'll die doing what I should have done before, fighting him instead of fighting for him!

Naraku's tentacles flashed as Kohaku threw the chain sickle, rolling out of the way. To his surprise, the sickle buried itself in Naraku's flesh—it seemed he didn't even use his barrier, just to toy with him.

Another tentacle darted towards him, and Kohaku pulled on the chain, retrieving his weapon and throwing it against the tentacle, knocking it away. Another tentacle came, and another, and he was barely fast enough to block them. One more darted out, hitting him and knocking a piece of his armor off as Kohaku stumbled back, falling on his knees.

I don't want to die like this! he knew, he wanted to die trying to do what he had wanted to do for years, defeat Naraku. If I only knew where the Shikon no Tama was…

As soon as he thought that, he felt his shard begin to twinge again. Glancing back at Naraku, he suddenly was able to see where the shard lay—on his left side, near his heart. Grabbing his sickle, Kohaku stood up once more, feeling a small amount of confidence. It's now or never...

"Oh, why do you look so happy, Kohaku?" Naraku asked, chuckling. "You are about to die, don't you want to beg for mercy, or even better, mercy unto your sister?"

The young exterminator clenched his teeth, "Don't you talk about her!" he roared, sending the chain sickle where he felt the shard. Naraku didn't know what had happened when he felt the sickle being pulled back…and noticed that something came with it. Kohaku had pulled out the Shikon no Tama; the jewel falling to the ground with a plink.

The Shikon no Tama's gone! Kohaku's eyes widened, he threw the sickle once more, If I can hit him in the heart without the jewel, then he might die! Please, let me be able to—

He was cut off in his thought, as he felt the worst pain he had ever felt in his life…blood trickled out of his mouth, and he looked down to see his fate…Naraku had impaled him. Already, his life was fleeing before his eyes

Naraku smirked, "You are too naive, boy, if you think I will be killed by a simple thing like that. I take back what I had given you." Tears came to Kohaku's eyes and he yelping in pain, while another shard impaled his back, removing the shard, while the other tentacle lifted him high into the air, showing all the world what become of those who opposed him.

Kohaku's vision blurred, as he saw his blood drip onto the dirt, the Shikon no Tama becoming drenched in it. He closed his eyes, knowing the end was soon. But even as he felt his spirit leave his body, his face was at peace. I'm sorry, everyone…and…

Goodbye for the last time, Ane-ue...