InuKagLover 1992 : Good to hear from you! Thought I had lost you there for a while! Yeah, there is more to that problem that will be revealed in this chapter. The group never seems to get a break. And love the comparison! That means that I am keeping you on your toes! XD

Talawolfgirl : You never know with the Queen. She does seem to have Naraku by his balls, pardon my French, and while she might allow him to do what he pleases with Kagome, as she did mention that they could create more heirs, something tells me that as evil as she is there might be other ways that she would use him that might not be so pleasurable for him. And thank you! Glad to know that I am keeping you on the edge of your seat and I agree. Inuyasha might say that he would want that to be nice, but I double that he would ever take that role from her and not for the fact that it would make him look weak. XD

Kagome sat in the dark room, her grey blue eyes watching out the window that was semi-barred with the stone from the castle that twisted down over the view outside the room. She could only see thru the small slits of it, but even then it felt so strange, the feeling that while she was locked away she was captive and yet at the same time... she felt secure. Was that strange to think that way? She was a captive, a willing one in a strange way. She hadn't wanted to be captured, not when she had been with her friends and yet she felt that somewhere, down deep in her heart she had also felt the need to get away from them. They were her friends and yet she felt that they would never forgive her for what had happened. Kagome was in a time where it was frowned upon to give yourself to a man if you weren't wed and it wasn't any better in her time either. It was also frowned upon and while she knew her mother hadn't thrown her out over having sex, she didn't know if her mother truly was okay with it. Sure, she had said that it happened to lots of people, but that didn't mean that as a mother she found it okay.

Her mother didn't even know that she was pregnant, no one knew on her side of the well. Her grandfather would be upset, not at just having premarital sex, but having a baby out of wedlock and once he found out that Inuyasha was the culprit behind both he would try to force the Hanyou to marry her! As much as she loved Inuyasha she would never force him to be with her out of obligation, if anyone could force him to do anything that he didn't want to. No, he would be even more upset that she had taken advantage of him when both of them had been drunk. She hadn't been that drunk, knowing that the weird feeling she had felt after a few drinks had stopped her from drinking much more.

He wasn't the victim in this, Miko. He was just as capable of saying no, but did he? Did he even think of what he was doing when he laid with you? The voice was right! She wasn't the only one culpable in this! It took two to tango, as the old saying went. She didn't get herself pregnant! But what was she going to do? There was a pain in her heart and she didn't know what it was from! Was it because of her dark thoughts? Was it the darkness that she had allowed in her soul or was it because she was away from Inuyasha? Sango hadn't had much information on the mating to tell her why she felt so off, so not like herself lately. Sesshomaru would have known, hell, his mother would have had the answers! Why hadn't she asked more questions? Because you were afraid and rightfully so! Who would want to bind themselves to someone who would never love them? Not like you wanted to be loved! This voice knew so much and she knew it wasn't her own thoughts that were echoing around in her skull. No, this was the Queen. She was telling her all of this and she was partly right. Why bind yourself to someone who had already given up their heart to another, someone who was dead and gone, but had remained in a clay doll form still stalking their lover?

Well, it hadn't been stalking in the beginning, had it? No, Inuyasha had run after her while Kikyo had been waiting for him. She hadn't even planned to go after the one that had truly killed her, no, she had been content to just kill the one that had loved her long after her betrayal, long after her passing. He had even been ready, slightly upset that she had stopped him or had he been upset that she had been there to witness his weakness. After all, the Hanyou had never liked looking weak, no that was a human emotion and he hated his human half. Maybe she should have just let him have the jewel in the beginning, before she could have shattered it. Maybe it would have been better to let him have his wish to be a full bloodied demon.

No, it would have been easier that way, then she would have just gone home and none of them would have met each other, but that was a sad thought in itself. Sango would have lost her family either way, right? Miroku would have died in a battle against Naraku or by the wind tunnel that his family had been cursed with and Shippo, he would have been alone, possibly killed by the Thunder Brothers... She would have missed out on having a wonderful group of friends that she had come to call a family.

How do you know that would have happened? How do you know what their futures would have been? For all you know Abyss, Naraku, wouldn't have still gone after the slayer or maybe he would have let her be, after all YOU shattered the shards so she ended up with some that he wanted... The monk would have lost his life either way, but that was his grandfather's fault not his and not yours and the fox kid, well, again the shards that YOU created with that thoughtless action caused that! And your Hanyou, he would have been fine left on that tree, dreaming of his lost love, waiting for the day they would have been reunited. She was right. It had been her own thoughtless action that had caused all of this! If only she hadn't fallen down the well and then to top it off she had released him, opened his wounds and rubbed the salt in when Kikyo had been brought back to life.

Stiffening her resolve she closed her eyes to the light outside the shuttered window, to the outside and hardened her heart to the misery that she felt. She had caused so many deaths by being here, but coming back and continuing to fight alongside her friends. She had hurt them so could she even call them that anymore? Another part of her soul darkened, the jewel that was in a basket in a small hut became even blacker as she allowed herself to force her companions out of her heart. They were on their own. She had only her babies to care about and to do that she would have to kill Naraku and escape from this place. More death. She would be causing more death and even though the ones she wanted to kill were evil that didn't mean that she wouldn't have more blood on her hands. She wasn't pure, hadn't been in a long time and so, she no longer could be a Miko. Her powers, her being here, all of it had been a curse of the Shikon no Tama.

The sun began to set as the group ran down the path toward a silhouetted area, the trees lacking any color, almost blackened like a fire had rampaged thru this area recently, but a closer inspection would show that this was not true. This was like that village and like the others that were sure to match this, the ones that hadn't yet seen, but because of Niko they were sure they existed. The ground wasn't much different, even the feel of it was off, like it was still there in form, but that the ground was cold like ice as the night grew darker around them. They would have to camp soon, though they had hoped to get closer to their destination before the sun set it didn't appear to be what would be happening and the worse part was that not only did they not know where this place was, but what it looked like. How did one find something that they had no idea of its location much less its appearance.

"Hopefully the men of that village will be back sooner than later," Sango stated. Miroku nodded.

"I feel bad about leaving them in such dire straights," the monk replied, his mind, like the others, still on those left behind after the attack by the monsters and Kagome. That was what had made them leave so late, after helping the ones they could they urged them to head to safety, another village or even to a large castle that might take them in for the time being, but none of them had wanted to leave. The bodies of those that had died had yet to be buried, another thing that they had stayed for longer to complete. The dog demon lord of course just stood off to the side, watching them as they did this while observing the carnage left behind. When they had made sure that they were all taken care of and that they couldn't convince them to leave their home they headed off. They needed to get to Kagome before more harm could come to her or before the babies were born, whichever came first. Seeing as she was three months along, judging by the timing from that night they might have a few more months or even less time to get to her.

"Did she say that you were her mate?" Sango asked, turning toward the Hanyou while clinging to Kirara's fur. "Wouldn't you have remembered that night?" Inuyasha said nothing, still in his own thoughts about the night in question. Was it possible that Naraku had been able to infiltrate them that easily? He knew he hadn't been that drunk and neither had Kagome so how had the dark Hanyou been able to come into contact with them without anyone being the wiser? It made no sense! "Inuyasha?" Blinking he turned to her, looking lost and she repeated her question.

"Yeah, she did, but I don't remember that night any better than sh- well, I don't recall that night at all to be truthful." Honestly that was what bothered him the most about that night now that he was aware of the truth. He would have wanted to be able to recall something that he had been yearning to do for what felt like forever. Kagome had been someone that he could see himself with, someone that he loved as much as he loved his late mother. She, like his mother, had accepted him and she didn't even have to. Sure, his mother could have thrust him away or had killed him, but his mother had loved his father even knowing that he was a demon in the end. She had wanted to have him, but Kagome, Kagome should have hated him! Not just because he was a half demon. That was only the half of it. He had tried to kill her, had belittled her at every turn and then had gone after the one that had tried to kill her in a romantic sense. He had loved Kikyo, but it was nothing like the love he had for the young Miko that had awakened him all those years ago.

"Could be because you're half demon," the monk said thoughtfully, holding tightly to Sango's waist as they sped up. As the path was too narrow and the trees around it too close there was no place to really camp, not that anyone was tired. They should have been after the day they had had, but for some reason knowing that their friend was being used to commit horrible acts made them all the more intent on finding her.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" the Hanyou yelled out angrily. Sure, he didn't like his human half at one point had even hated it because it was a weakness to him on a regular basis, but even more so on one night of the month that made him emotional and unable to properly fight.

"Well, your human half is emotional, right?" Without waiting for an answer he continued on, "It would stand to reason that your human half would refuse to remember it as easily as your demon half, which is more instinctual." Sango nodded in agreement. "Your demon half made a claim on her a long time ago that your human half also wanted, but was either still confused by your affections for Kikyo or just was afraid of what she would think."

"Oi, that still doesn't make sense monk," Inuyasha stated, turning his attention to the pair on the fire cat. "My human side might be weaker than my demon side, but that should have no affect on my memory!"

"Inuyasha, your demon side did claim Kagome, right? No confusion, it knew what it wanted?" He nodded, turning back to look forward, still confused as to what his human side had to do with a missing memory. "Well, your human half might see this act as a betrayal of the feelings you have for Kikyo, even though you yourself obviously love Kagome way more than Kikyo." His face turned red at those words. He had thought that he had been hiding his feelings so well from the others, though he had hoped that in some way Kagome herself could read him. Maybe she had, but hadn't liked him like that and rather turning him down had decided that acting like it was all the same between them that he wouldn't be hurt. That was just how she was, kind to a fault.

"I don't think that's what happened, monk," the Hanyou stated bluntly. "I believe that Naraku and even that bitch who is controlling Kagome said that it was because of him and something he did to make us forget, but I just can't figure out how he did it and when he would have had the chance." They all fell silent. It was true that both enemies had claimed that Naraku had made them forget, but it was just so unlikely that he would have been able to get near enough to do it. Not just because they could sense him, but because they had been in a crowded house so how had he come onto the grounds without being noted. Not like his appearance had changed during that time and he didn't have any incarnations that could have doused them or anything.

"Well, until we talk to Kagome we don't even have a clue of where you two were when you engaged in sexual relations," Miroku stated, the pair watching as Inuyasha burned redder that that term. Both were sure that the couple had both been virgins before that night, even if Kagome had more graphic items in her time. Sango could recall the book that Kagome had brought with her one time... Sex Education. It had been pretty graphic, the slayer growing red at remembrance of the pages in that book and some of the words that she had never heard of, but that Kagome had explained to her. The Miko had brought the book because of her classes that she had missed, but also for Sango since she was also a virgin and a little bit nervous about her wedding that would be taking place after Naraku was killed. Now they had another villain to worry about. Did that mean she would have to wait longer? She shook off those thoughts. They were selfish and she had no right to think about something as petty as having to put off her wedding when her friend, no her sister was in such danger.

"Water," Sesshomaru stated. They all looked at him in confusion. "It would be the only thing that he could taint without being there at the time you two were around it." That's when it struck Sango.

"The hot springs," she said, almost excited that she had remembered where she had found her friend. Maybe she hadn't been there until that moment, but where else could the pair have gone that would be private, as the rest of the guests and household were in the main hall drinking in celebration to the evil being cleansed from their home? Blinking at that as it struck him that indeed there had been a hot spring at that home! Had he gone into that hot spring? Whenever one was available Kagome always wanted to use it, no matter what was happening! He could swear that even if they were in a battle the Miko wouldn't hesitate to jump into it following the battle.

"Yeah, there was one, but even if there was something in the water I can't recall going int-" A throb in his skull robbed him of speech, his steps faltering as an image appeared, almost like a clip of something playing in his head.

**Flashback**

Inuyasha stepped out of the crowded hall, his lunges inflating with the fresh air that burst into them after being in a room full of people that were creating too much heat and a mixture of sweat and perfume that just made him sick. The sake had helped him relax for a moment, enjoying Kagome's scent under his nose, the smell of her so strong and sweet that he could handle being in that room. The moment she had stepped out he had been left with just those annoying smells and all those people... those men that had been eyeing his Kagome! Looking around he noticed Kagome standing at the edge of the veranda, her eyes turned upward to look at the stars in the sky. She was always so excited about the nighttime here and after going to her time he could see why. To him they were something you saw every night before bed, but for her, that was a rare treat that happened only when there was a blackout as she called it.

He could always see it in her face, but now she lowered her eyes, something all the more enjoyable for her just behind some doors across the lawn. As she walked off he thought of just staying close to keep an eye on her, even if there were so many others around he just didn't trust them to protect her. No, he was the best choice for that, but instead of staying where he was he found himself walking after her, watching the sway of her hips as she progressed to her destination. There was just something different this time. He always admired her frame, the slender form of her that wasn't skinny and tense like Kikyo had been. Kagome had a beautiful body that went with that bright and beautiful soul of hers. She wasn't just a pretty face, no, she had the whole package and for some reason tonight he felt the urge to claim her pushing at him, his demon screaming at him that this was the night!

There's mate, looking so pretty and perfect for the pouncing! It had goaded him on, pushing him past the point he had always stopped himself. Had it been the sake or had it been like it was for most demons. Instinctual? He wasn't sure, but after reaching the door the Miko hesitated, but only for a second as she removed her shoes, leaving them at the small stoop in front of the hot spring. After she had entered he had followed her, her scent seeming to lead him by the nose and another more insisting part of him that only seemed to harden as he followed after her, the door opening as she finished removing her clothing...

*End of Flashback*

He had done it! He had followed behind her like a horney dog, watching her as if she were a prime piece of meat, just waiting to be devoured! Had she wanted it? He hadn't raped her had he?! After what he had thought of the dark Hanyou doing just that, feeling so much anger at the other male and his plans for the Miko, he found that he was even more upset with himself for doing just that! With his mind inward, cursing himself for the situation that he had put the Miko in. She was angry at him for claiming her! She hadn't wanted it, that was obvious!

"Inuyasha?" Sango called, her hand moving in front of the Hanyou's face, but he couldn't see it.

He had forced himself on the one that he claimed to love, had vowed to protect! He had taken her purity and she hadn't wanted to give it to him, but he had obviously had forced her down, kept her from fighting him as he violated her and then to top it off he had marked her, keeping her from ever giving herself to another. For all he knew she wanted to be with that Hojo guy or maybe another human boy from her side!

"Inuyasha!" This time Miroku tried to get the silver haired male's attention, but he wasn't any more successful than the slayer.

He could have fucked her up even more than that! She was a Miko and he had heard that they lost their powers once they lost their virginity! He was lucky that that was just a rumor and now proven unfounded, but that was just a small break. Kagome had told her mother that she had had sex, that was obvious, but now she would have to tell her mother that she was pregnant and the child would never lead a normal life. Those pups would possibly never get to leave their home save for once a night when they could pass for a human, but even then Kagome would be the one hurt. In his time an unmarried woman was bad enough, but an unwed mother?! That was a trial in itself. You were looked down upon, treated with very little respect and now she had that in spades. She wouldn't just be an unmarried mother bu- PUNCH!

Inuyasha looked up, his hand resting on his throbbing cheek as he glared at his brother. "Oi! What the fuck, bastard?!" he growled.

"You remembered something, bastard brother of mine," he stated, looking coolly down at his brother, his golden eyes staring coldly at him. Those words seemed to strike a cord with the male because his white ears disappeared into his silver mane, his eyes going down and his scowl was replaced with a frown.

"Yeah, I'm a bastard," was his response that even seemed to surprise the stolic male. "I just fucked Kagome up so badly." It was spoken so softly that if they hadn't been standing so close to him they wouldn't have heard. Sesshomaru frowned at his brother's final words.

"What do you mean?" Miroku inquired, raising a brow in confusion before it hit him. "You did have sex with Kagome!" Sango's mouth dropped open at the words. She had kind of figured it out, but to hear the way he had described it, she reacted without thought and struck him on the other cheek.

"You fucking horse's ass!"

Now's it's all out there, but so many wrong perceptions of what that night truly was! Sango thinks that Inuyasha is being hateful toward the woman she sees as a sister, while Inuyasha is thinking he screwed Kagome over when as we all know she really does love him! Can it get any worse? Stay safe!