The afternoon grew late as the two walked leisurely along the lane. The dirt, packed and hardened from regular travel, crunched beneath the woman's sandals as she strolled beside her husband.

At the invitation of their companions, they were headed in the direction of the monk's house for the evening meal. Kagome wanted to get there a little early to offer Sango help, and hopefully get some tips on a dish that Sango always made particularly tasty.

One could hear a distinct uptick in the twittering of birds which had tired under the afternoon warmth. A silver ear flicked as a dragonfly buzzed by, aligning its flight just inches from the tip.

In the distance, Rikichi could be seen coming in from the fields. Recognizing the red-clad man and his priestess wife from afar, he raised an arm overhead in greeting, bending his elbow in a broad and lazy wave.

Inuyasha lifted an arm in kind, raising a flat palm with a quick wave, before curling clawed fingertips and resting his fist back within his sleeve.

Drawing closer to the village edge, the sound of children's chatter and giggles became louder; and as they crested one final low hill, half a dozen heads swiveled in their direction. The couple was soon swarmed by a handful of children. Two girls, who had been chatting together, presented Kagome with little token bouquets of wildflowers, blushing and regarding her carefully.

Kagome recognized one of them by name. "Oh! Thank you, these are lovely." she smiled. "What are you all up to, Ayime?" Kagome inquired. Lifting the floral bunches to her nose, she took in their gentle perfume.

The girl didn't seem to hear the question, but glanced hesitantly back at her friend, who hid a grin behind a soft yet grubby hand and nudged Ayime in the small of her back, nearly bumping her right into Kagome.

With a giggle she then span on her heels, wiping dirty hands upon her skirt while darting off.

Watching her retreat, Kagome waited, her face curious. Then looking down, she saw Ayime's eyes bouncing as they carefully observed her face. Seeming to have plucked up some courage, the girl blurted out a question, "Are you really going to have a baby, lady Kagome?"

Stunned at this remark, a light flush of color spread over the priestess's face. Of course, Inuyasha and Kagome had told their inner circle of friends, but to their knowledge Kaede had not informed Rikichi or any other villagers yet. They had thought it best to leave the timing of spreading the news to the discretion of the elder priestess. Just behind her, Kagome could hear Inuyasha's puff of surprise.

Kagome searched the girl's face, "What's makes you ask that? How did you know, Ayime?" her stun quickly melted into happiness. "As a matter of fact, I am." the priestess beamed.

"Chisai has been saying you look extra-bubbly or somethin'. Even though you're already so pretty, we both thought you looked… different somehow." the little girl began her sweet discourse. "I told her I bet your gonna have a baby but she says it's just the sunshine can make people look that way..." Her voice trailed off, her confidence ebbing a bit.

The girl paused, thoughtful, and then continued bashfully, "Chisai said I wouldn't ask you even on a dare; so I had to show her I wasn't afraid." Her eyes narrowed at the ground and her countenance morphed from shy to self-assured as thoughts flickered across her bright face. She fidgeted, digging her toes around in the dust, making tiny circles.

Lifting her chin again, her eyes scanned every inch of the priestess before her. She giggled after a moment, suddenly confident again. "But see, my mama looked so much the same - just like you, lady Kagome - when my brother was coming. With her skin all glowy and everything." Animating her arms to emphasize her words, she wooshed them around, forming one big circle. Her brown eyes bounced with excitement. "I was sooo excited when mama and papa told me!" she finished.

"I bet you were", Kagome cooed. "You make a wonderful big sister, Ayime. Your little brother Toru is lucky. I remember being just as excited when my mama was carrying my baby brother."

Kagome got caught up in some particular memory and laughed. A hand covered her mouth, shoulders bouncing with a giggle at the recollection. "Some days I would hardly even let my mama steal him away enough to take care of him!" she exaggerated.

Ayime's face held sweet awe as she regarded the expecting priestess. Suddenly, her smile turned somber and her eyes empathetic, "Do you miss your brother, lady Kagome?"

The question caught her off guard. Kagome's face held a gentle strength; a little sad, yet peaceful and unregretting. "You know… I do. But we'll always have each other in our hearts. We'll keep thinking of each other all the time and stay in each other's lives that way. I'm sure that someday, he'll even have his own babies to love and care for" she said cheerfully.

Leaning down, she gave the girl an endearing pat on the shoulder, as if to reassure Ayime of the peace and serenity she had with her new life in the village.

The little girl's face became studious for a moment, dubious; looking the priestess square in the eye, "Lady Kagome… boys can't have babies..." she chided pointedly.

At which Kagome sniggered; she could even hear Inuyasha give a good chuckle just behind her where he stood quietly, soaking in the conversation. Much amused at the little girl's tease she crouched with one knee on the ground, her forearm resting on the other. "Of course not, Ayime. I meant the way your papa gets to have you!" she grinned.

The girl turned a keen eye toward her friends, making sure she hadn't accidentally been abandoned in their excited games. Kagome leaned back, letting her forearm slide off her knee, to rise.

Before she could, Ayime halted her, gripping one little hand on her arm.

Her tiny round face was flushed and a bit sheepish, but her eyes held their sparkle "Lady Kagome, do you think I…uh…", she paused, "…Could I feel it?"

Kagome's face was blank, trying to figure out exactly what she meant. And then it dawned on her.

"The baby." Ayime continued.

Kagome gave her the warmest of smiles and gingerly took her hand. "Of course, Ayime". Resting the girl's hand tenderly upon her abdomen, she covered it with her own. "The baby's not quite grown enough to kick yet, Ayime" she advised, "but I can still feel it moving around. More every day." Kagome was beaming again.

Ayime's little frame was overcome with delight, awe, and just a hint of apprehension, being cautious not to press any deeper on Kagome's belly or dance around; though her eyes made it clear that she wanted to.

She stood still as could be for a few moments before yet another giggle erupted. Hair dancing about her cheeks, she threw a beaming grin up at Kagome. "Ohhh, it's so exciting!", withdrawing her hand she gave the tiniest bounce as Kagome rose to her feet.

As soon as the priestess was up Ayime threw her arms around her legs, tipping her a bit off balance. Noticing, Inuyasha took a small step forward at this. His hands steadying her at elbow and shoulder.

"Congratulations, lady Kagome!", she squealed, "Every time I see you, I'm gonna come check to make sure you're doing good, ok? The baby, too! Please, let me know when he or she starts kicking!" Grinning, she stepped back, clapping her arms at her sides with glee.

The girl's bubbly nature was contagious, "I look forward to that, Ayime!", Kagome laughed.

Glancing back over her shoulder, Kagome met the gaze of Inuyasha, who seemed surprisingly relaxed. And rather amused, actually.

He held her gaze for a moment with a gentle smirk. Something else was in his eyes, too... something wonderful that she couldn't quite place.

Just before dashing off to regroup with the other children, Ayime stopped short as though she'd remembered something.

Turning on her heel she was on Inuyasha in two bounds, clutching him around the legs just as she had Kagome. "Congratulations, mister Inuyasha!" she cooed out, loud and sweet. Her eyes shut tight as she squeezed him with all her might.

Beaming up at him, she added with a hearty giggle, "Good job!" And prancing off with another bound, she called after her friends.

Kagome could see the bright blush creep over Inuyasha's face, making her break into a chuckle.

"How sweet of her to say that. Although, I'm not sure she realizes just how it sounded…" Kagome countered a bit lamely. Her amused flush turned to endearment, "Such a precious little girl".

"Keh. I know that." Inuyasha huffed, still flattered at the girl's sweetness but embarrassed at his involuntary blush.

Kagome gave the hanyou her best smile. Then, arranging her little bouquets carefully beside the herbs in her basket, she took his hand.

The two continued to their companions' home.

As the night grew on, laughter could be heard erupting from a certain monk's house as Kagome finished recounting the little tale, being sure to include the final comments.

In spite of himself, a certain hanyou's face turned even redder than before as the firelight danced upon his blush.

"Shut up, monk. It ain't that funny", he retorted.

But only half-heartedly.

l

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