Note: Forgive me for being so late in this, but my computer had broken down again. Everything whipped clean...except this time yes the guy was able to keep all our files so I lost nothing, but well here's the big problem. I have no microsoft word, so I can't write the story. I have absolutely no writting tool what so ever. I've asked my dad to install it, but he has an old version and my damn computer wouldn't accept it. So now my dad has to ask a guy from work...only problem is my dad is a procrastinator. It's taking so long for him to ask. I'm bugging him, I really am. I'm hoping you'll be able to read this cuz I haven't been able to fix it up really. So forgive this chapter for any screw ups. It's not my fault.

Chapter twenty nine- The Special News

Kagome and Sango were busy watching Rin and Shippo play with Jaken in the beautiful early morning air in the gardens. But hardly anyone noticed that; everyone was curious as to what was going on at the battle field. It had been two months since the men left to fight and if it were not for catching the odd person speaking of a large battle every now and then involving the taiyoukai lord of the western lands, the group stuck at the castle would have left long ago to make sure nothing bad had happened.

Though what worried Kagome was that the battles seemed to have been occurring in different places, which made her wonder why the battles were moving around. She frowned 'what is going on?' she wondered 'it worries me not to know, I have to know'

"Kagome?" called Sango when she noticed her friend's face. She seemed distracted lately, no doubt worrying about the others. She placed a hand on her shoulders "Kagome?"

Kagome blinked "huh?" she then looked over at demon exterminator "I'm sorry Sango, did you say something?"

"I said it's getting a bit cold out, maybe we should get the kids in?"

Kagome nodded "okay" she stood up and paused "Sango?"

"Yes?" she asked worriedly when she saw her friend staring at the ground.

"Can you and Jaken bring them in?"

Sango nodded in confusion "of course, but what's wrong Kagome? Are you alright?"

Kagome turned towards the doors "no, actually…I think I'm going to be sick" and then she broke into a dead run.

"Sango?"

Sango turned and looked down at the kitsune "yea Shippo?"

"What's wrong with Kagome?" he asked.

Rin came up behind him "yea, she's been sick every morning for the past few days"

Sango frowned for a moment as she stared off in the direction Kagome had ran before a slight smile came to her face "if I'm right, she's going to be perfectly fine" she looked at them "come on, let's go in I need to speak with Ecaro"

Once inside, Sango got Jaken to watch the kids, much to his dismay. She then left for the study, knowing that Ecaro was doing some of Sesshoumaru's work for the lord. The young future eastern lord had mentioned he needed the practice and also reasoned that it would mean less work for the taiyoukai when he got back from the battle. Sango then turned a corner and halted at the doors before knocking.

"Come in, Sango"

Sango opened the door with a look of surprise "how'd you know it was me?"

Ecaro looked up from a scroll he was writing on and smiled "I am a dog youkai remember? I could smell you"

She blushed "oh yea, sorry"

"No harm done, what can I help you with?" he asked.

"Uum, I was wondering..." she took a breath "since you have an excellent sense of smell…can you smell when a girl is pregnant?"

"Of course, though they have to be about 2 or 3 months" he raised an eyebrow as he leaned the chair back "why do you wish to know? Cause I can tell you you're not pregnant"

Sango shot him a glare "not me, I want you to see if Kagome's pregnant"

Ecaro blinked just as the chair tipped all the way over and he landed on the floor with a thud. He was quick to stand and regain composer of himself "K-Kagome? Why would you think her pregnant?"

"Because she's been getting sick in the mornings recently" she replied "so, will you go check?"

He gave her a curious stare "you're not going to leave me alone until I do, are you?"

Sango smirked "hey you are smart, you just might make a good lord yet"

Ecaro laughed "alright, alright, let's go find her"

Both walked out of the study and down some halls. Ecaro sniffed to find out where Kagome's scent was the closest. He eventually found her trail, but it smelt normal to him.

"Ecaro?"

He turned and looked at the exterminator "yes?"

"If she is, don't tell her just yet" she spoke seriously before looking up at him to show she actually meant it.

Ecaro frowned "but she deserves to know; besides if she is then she will find out anyways"

"I know that, but I think if we tell her now she might begin to panic" she answered.

He was confused as they turned a corner and realized they were headed for the children's room "what do you mean panic? Why would she panic over something to be joyous about? She'll be giving birth to the western lord's child"

Sango frowned and looked up at him "that's exactly why she might panic. Sesshoumaru isn't here and this is her first child, she'll start to get scared because she won't know what to do even if we're here to help. She'll worry herself sick, literally, wondering if her husband is coming back alive and will see their child. It will only be putting more stress on her and will only build the longer he's gone. Why let her worry herself sick so soon?"

Ecaro nodded "I understand. We'll keep this from her for as long as we have to, for the sake of the child, hopefully Sesshoumaru will be back in time and we won't have to tell her ourselves"

"Perhaps we should send a note to Sesshoumaru to let him know, it might give him the incentive to hurry up and return"

Ecaro smirked "if she is pregnant, then yes we should"

Together they stopped at the doors of the children's room. Knocked once and then entered. There they saw Rin and Shippo playing a marble game with Jaken while Kagome was sitting on one of the beds and watching them. Shippo was the first to look up "hi Ecaro"

Ecaro smiled at the kitsune "hi Shippo, what are you doing?"

"Playing marbles" he replied.

Ecaro gave Kagome a confused looked "marbles?"

She smiled "they're balls as hard as rocks"

"Oh" he replied and took a seat next to her "sounds interesting, what are the rules of this game?" while she explained he began to scent the air around her. The odd time he would nod to show he was paying attention. She smelled normal with the faint scent of Sesshoumaru on her. It seemed she was not pregnant, until he caught the scent of both the taiyoukai and hers mixed together. He unnoticeably took a bigger sniff and was quick to realize that indeed the mixed scent was strongest around her stomach. He then focused more on what she had to say once he had confirmed the news.

"…and that's how it's played" she finished.

Ecaro stared at the game "seems a little difficult for me"

Kagome laughed "you'd get the hang of it if you gave it try"

"Perhaps another time" he replied.

She then blinked "oh, I'm sorry, is there a reason you're here?"

Sango could see Ecaro glance over to her for assistance. Apparently he hadn't thought he excuse through "we just came to see if you were going to come to lunch? I was thinking maybe we could have a picnic or something"

Kagome grinned "that sounds like a wonderful idea, okay I'm in"

Ecaro then stood up "great, then Sango and I will get the chef to prepare a picnic meal" he looked at the kids "are you in as well?"

Both looked at him with a wide grin "hai!"

"Very well, then I'll get him to prepare a meal for 5" he then looked at Jaken "unless you'd like to join us Jaken"

The toad just crossed his arms "I will do nothing of the sort"

Ecaro gave a nod "very well then, I have an assignment for you anyways if you'd follow me"

Sango, Ecaro and Jaken left the room and walked back to the study. Once she was sure Kagome could not hear her…she cracked "well?" she asked excitedly.

"Patience is a virtue Sango" he spoke.

Sango shot him a death glare "being a youkai exterminator I have nothing, but patience" she said stressing the word 'youkai'

Ecaro simply looked at her with amusement in his eyes "are you threatening me, Sango?"

"No, but if it will make you tell me, I will"

Jaken watched the two. Something was up, what was it the exterminator wanted to know? It must be highly secret if they kept it from the lady of the west. It was normally and news was to be reported to the lord and lady of the castle unless it concerned her welfare or his were they to be kept from it if it would keep them safe.

The minute they were in the study Sango quickly glared as the dog demon "okay, spill it, is she or isn't she?"

He sighed "yes, she is indeed" he then smiled and Sango started to jump for joy.

Jaken glared, he was getting irritated by the way they were talking and he didn't have a single clue as to what was going on "Enough!" they both looked at him in surprise, almost as if they forgot he was there "tell me what is going on right this instance!"

Ecaro smirked "why of course Jaken you will be told, after all you will have to tell Sesshoumaru-sama"

The toad blinked there for a moment "you want me to go to lord Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Yes, that is your assignment" Ecaro paused to make sure the toad was listening "you are to inform the lord of the west that his mate is with child" he watched as Jaken's eyes became wide as saucers and his mouth open wide to the point it almost touched the floor "go, go find Sesshoumaru and tell him the news"

Jaken nodded numbly "r-r-right away e-Ecaro-s-sama" and with that he walked out of the room, but was paused on the way out

"Oh and Jaken" called Ecaro "Kagome does not know she is pregnant nor will she know until I deem the right time, do you understand?"

"Hai" replied the toad before he left.

Sango watched the toad through all this "wow, if Sesshoumaru's servant is like this I wonder how Sesshoumaru is going to act"

"Well, my cousin hardly ever shows facial expression….except anger, that's an easy one to see" he sighed and folded his arms "such a pity though" he turned his head and looked at Sango with a grin "because I bet when Sesshoumaru hears the news he's definitely going to be showing noticeable facial expression and it won't be anger" he chuckled "what I would give to see his face when he learns the news"

Sango did a little laugh herself "it would be a sight"

"That it would" agreed Ecaro.

…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…-…

Inuyasha plopped down onto the ground. He hated to admit it, but…he was tired. They had been fighting off and on as they walked. He growled, remembering what the cat fish had said

"hehe, " the cat fish breathed as he looked down at everyone "you'll just have to find him, haha, like he'd make it that easy for you to defeat him, that is, even if you could. Even as we speak Naraku is growing stronger and stronger"

After that he and Sesshoumaru had used their most powerful swords to destroy the youkai before wondering off in search of where Naraku might be. Even as they walked they often were caught up in a large battle with demons and yet humans amongst them. The hanyou was starting to grow tired of all the fighting and just wished for it to be over like it should have been 2 months ago.

Many others felt the same way. Most were ready to go home and some were growing more and more scared of losing their lives as the days wore on into weeks and months. Some had even given up and left saying that they valued their lives more than anything.

Koga too was worried about losing lives. Mainly his tribe; he couldn't afford to lose too many people for he still had to rebuild what was lost. He even sent some home that had families and kept the single males to fight. He glanced over at Sesshoumaru who was standing by a tree, watching everyone as they rested. He knew the taiyoukai was getting tired, but didn't mention it. The youkai was still pretty mad when he learned why the cat fish demon and so easily knocked them to the earth. And the taiyoukai was quick to order them to stop squabbling and to work together as a team. Koga glanced over at the hanyou who was laying on the grass "me work with him…yea right, when pigs fly"

Sesshoumaru gazed at all his allies that had come together to help defeat Naraku. His blood was boiling with anger when he learned that the stupid vile hanyou was sending him on a wild goose chase. He was not happy about it. He even hated the fact that they had been gone so long. He desperately wanted to get back home to be with his mate, though he did not show it on his face, it was what his heart yearned to do. He was starting to grow more and more uptight as time passed.

Jaken scurried around. It had taken him a few days to find where the group was resting. All he had to do was follow the fields that had been destroyed from the battles, though he did notice that they seemed to have been heading towards the southern lands. He quickly shook his head "stupid Jaken, remain focus, you must give Sesshoumaru-sama the message" even though he was quite surprised himself when he was told the news. Hopefully his lord would approve of a human baring his child. He quickly shook his head from that thought 'of course he would, he took the human for his mate!' he screamed in his head. He approached the site where the men were resting and was quick to locate the wolf prince "wolf! Tell me were Sesshoumaru-sama is!"

Koga turned and glared at the toad "and why should I do that, toad?"

"I have a message to deliver from Ecaro-sama, it's important that he receives it"

Koga was instantly at attention. He had heard the eastern lord's son was watching over the lord of the west's home while he was gone and was also watching over Kagome. He knelt down next to the toad "oi, toad, what is the message?"

Jaken glared "it's for Sesshoumaru-sama to know and decided if he wishes to tell the likes of you"

"You're wishing for an early grave, aren't you?" said Inuyasha as he walked up. He then looked at the wolf "what does he want?"

Koga smirked "to talk with Sesshoumaru, apparently he has some message for him and it's very important he gets it"

Inuyasha blinked and suddenly became worried. Jaken was ordered to come only if there was trouble at the castle. He looked at the toad "is everyone alright at the castle?"

Jaken glared and nodded "yes, yes, everything is fine, but I must speak with Sesshoumaru-sama!"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and pointed to a tree "he's over there" and watched as the toad scurried off.

"This sounds like the perfect chance to see what has brought Jaken all the way out here" said Miroku, seemingly to pop out of no where.

Both Koga and Inuyasha jumped at the monk's sudden appearance. The hanyou growled "Miroku, what the hell is with you just showing up like that?"

"Inuyasha" Miroku started calmly before he spoke bluntly "I've been here since the toad arrived"

Inuyasha growled, but said nothing and they made their way towards the tree where Inuyasha and Jaken were.

Sesshoumaru stared at Jaken and instantly wondered if there was trouble back home and if he should leave right away "Jaken, why are you here?"

"Forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama" he spoke as he bowed on the ground "but Ecaro-sama sent me to bring you some news"

"What news was important enough to bring you out here?" questioned the taiyoukai as he looked at the sky.

"I was sent to tell you that Kagome-sama is with child" he blurted quickly.

Sesshoumaru immediately spun his head towards his servant. Did he just hear right? Kagome was pregnant? That meant he'd be a father. Quickly his nose picked up 3 different scents and he growled "Inuyasha, if you and your friends are going to spy, next time I suggest you hide in a spot down wind where I can not smell you"

It took a moment, but the 3 finally showed themselves. Inuyasha had a slight grin on his face "so Kagome is going to have a baby, which means you're going to be a father. I'm sorry, but I find that hard to see since you show no facial expression besides anger. The kid is probably going to think you're always mad atthem or something"

Miroku whacked the hanyou in the head with the back of his staff "forgive him Sesshoumaru-sama, but you know as well as most, that he isn't the brightest when it comes to thinking before you speak" he then looked at the taiyoukai and nodded his head "congratulations, I wish you and Kagome the best"

"Arigato, houshi" replied the taiyoukai.

Koga gave a nod "yes, congratulations, hopefully this battle with Naraku will be over shortly so you may return to spend time with your mate"

Sesshoumaru gave a nod of agreement "indeed" he looked down at his servant "Jaken, does Kagome know of this?"

He shook his head "Ecaro-sama thought it was best she did not know"

The taiyoukai gave a nod. He understood perfectly why he cousin would not tell her. For one she would panic and for another she might worry herself and do something that might in danger the child. He glanced that the toad "return and tell Ecaro that Naraku has failed to show at are original meeting ground, we are now searching for him and that I will be back soon after. I also want him to include Kagome's progress in his reports"

Jaken gave a nod "hai, Sesshoumaru-sama" and with that scurried off as fast as he could.

Sesshoumaru watched before looking back up at the sky. So in a few months he was going to be a father. Another reason why Naraku had to be found and destroyed quickly, for he did not want that vile creature around when his child was born. He looked at the others "let's get going"