Chapter 17

Author's note: This one came to me while I ate a twinkie. I have to say, it was one hell of a twinkie.

Inuyasha wasn't sure if he felt safe. He stood in front of the small hut, seeming almost similar to the one Kaede owned. It wasn't like his hut though, bigger in size. For its simple outside appearance, inside it was grand. It had a large futon, seeming almost bigger than the hut he saw outside. Sesshomaru read his confusion.

"It has a spell cast on it, anybody would think it's just a normal hut." Inuyasha looked to Sesshomaru, the demon shedding his armor as he walked over to a shoji. The inside had three different shojis, Inuyasha guessing each one probably leading to another large room of some sorts.

"It will also hide our scents. The humans around the area will throw off any suspicion."

"How did you find this place?" Inuyasha wondered aloud, Sesshomaru turning to him and giving him a small smile.

"It was fathers." Inuyasha was in shock, looking around the spacious room. Though he didn't remember his father, he imagined him walking through the many rooms, or simply sleeping on the futon. Inuyasha wondered if he read to pass the time, or if he practiced his sword skills in the silence of the world.

"It was where he came when he wanted to get away from the castle. He spent more time here than his castle." Inuyasha slowly moved himself down to the futon, resting his aching feet as he relaxed back onto the bed. He couldn't smell his father, though he almost wished he could as he inhaled the small of fresh furs.

"Why don't you stay here?" Inuyasha asked curiously, Sesshomaru getting on the futon with him after he had shed most of his clothing. He just wore his hakama now, his chest bare and his hair pulled over his shoulder. Inuyasha was hit with the sudden urge to cry.

He was breathtaking.

"I spend more time monitoring my lands. I do not rest often." Inuyasha frowned at that, realizing a key flaw.

"You have barely left since I got pregnant." Sesshomaru nodded once, resting on an elbow, holding his head up with his palm. He was the visage of relaxation.

"I can't even think of leaving your side." Sesshomaru looked away from the hanyou, swallowing thickly. His eyes betrayed his mostly stoic facade, showing pain Inuyasha had never seen before.

"Now I understand why father never wanted to leave your mother." Inuyasha lowered his eyes, sighing softly as he rose up into a sitting position.

"Since we're stuck here till I deliver, when will Kaede join us?" Inuyasha asked, Sesshomaru looking back to his face once he seemed to get his emotions in check.

"She has returned to the village for now. The well has fully awoken." Inuyasha frowned at that, standing up with a small grunt.

"Let's go."

"Where?"

"To the well."

Sesshomaru growled softly in warning.

"No."

"Why not!"

"Because I don't want that bitch near you!" Inuyasha was once again caught off by Sesshomaru yelling, though this time he wasn't as willing to back down.

"The well's power is getting stronger. That means it will be any minute something comes through. And what if it's not Kagome? What if it's a demon?" Inuyasha knew it was a bit of a stretch, but he pointed out that mistress centipede had rose from the well when its power was awakened. Sesshomaru frowned at Inuyasha's stubbornness, halfway tempted to make him submit through sheer will.

"You can seal it after I investigate." Sesshomaru frowned at his mate, standing up from the futon and glaring down at him.

"We are not going. That is final." Inuyasha frowned up at his mate, pursing his lips before crossing his arms over his chest.

"Fine, then what are we going to do about food?" Sesshomaru relaxed some, though for some reason he felt the issue was not as closed as Inuyasha made it seem.

"The area outside of the hut is a small garden. I will pick some food and create a broth for us." Inuyasha tilted his head slightly.

"Won't people see you?"

"The entire area is an illusion. They will think I am a human." Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at that, surprised by the amount of magic surrounding the area.

"Father thought this through, didn't he?" Sesshomaru nodded, putting back on his haori and kimono before heading back outside. Inuyasha waited patiently for him to return and cook the broth, the scent of food filling the hut.

"I didn't realize you could cook," Inuyasha pointed out thoughtfully, Sesshomaru glancing to him before pouring his mate a bowl of vegetable broth.

"Father felt it best I learned how to cook." Inuyasha nodded and accepted the bowl, sipping the broth. It was very different from Kagome's noodles, though the feeling it left in his stomach made him involuntarily close his eyes with a smile.

"It's good."

"Thank you." They sat in a comfortable silence, sipping the hot broth as they enjoyed for once, complete silence. Inuyasha didn't realize how much he missed the hut he woke up in till this, the remembrance of complete silence creating a tugging feeling in his chest. He held back the sudden onslaught of emotion, his pregnancy hormones wanting to reduce him to a pile of muck.

"What's the matter?" Sesshomaru questioned, Inuyasha shaking his head as he tried to push the onslaught back a little harder. The last thing he needed was for the flood gates of his tears to spill out and ruin their lovely moment.

"Nothing, it's just really good." Inuyasha made his words slightly clipped when he felt the ball of emotion rise in his throat, closing his eyes to will away the burning of tears. Sesshomaru obviously did the kind thing and put down his bowl, moving over to Inuyasha and touching a hand to his cheek.

Inuyasha stopped fighting it, taking in a gasping sob. Sesshomaru took away his bowl and placed it down, pulling him into his lap. Inuyasha pressed against his chest and sobbed violently against him, unable to even voice it was all just his stubborn pregnancy hormones. Sesshomaru ran his fingers through Inuyasha's hair, staying quiet as he tried to calm his hysterical mate.

When Inuyasha's sobs finally started to slow down and become shaking inhales Sesshomaru scratched behind his ears, the act calming Inuyasha some.

"Forgive me, I shouldn't have raised my voice." Inuyasha shook his head, wiping his tears and snot on his mate's kimono. He felt Sesshomaru flinch just slightly in disgust, but he didn't pull away.

"Stupid," Inuyasha whispered, rising up from the warm embrace and wiping his eyes.

"It's just the pup," he clarified with a sharp inhale, releasing his breath shakily.

"It's just the hormones. I'm just happy." Sesshomaru reached over and helped wipe away Inuyasha's tears, placing a chaste kiss on his forehead.

"Eat then sleep. You'll feel better." Inuyasha nodded, taking in another sharp inhale as he took his bowl from Sesshomaru's hand. They continued to eat, the soup slightly cooled but still very satisfying. Inuyasha finished and placed his bowl next to the dwindling pit, standing up and moving to the futon. Sesshomaru added some more wood to the fire after moving the pot off from the fire, heating up the room. Inuyasha snuggled against him when he slid under the furs, rubbing his nose against his collar bone.

"Sleep Inuyasha."

He did not sleep.

Inuyasha listened to Sesshomaru's breath even out, listened to him give a small growl as he fell into deep sleep. It was only the late afternoon, but they had been on the move since early that morning. The hanyou rose up when he was sure Sesshomaru was in a deep sleep, slowly untangling their bodies. Sesshomaru stirred but Inuyasha gave him a lie of that he needed to use the restroom.

The hanyou did not use the restroom. It would be a new moon tonight, and he needed to get to the well. Inuyasha exited the hut and turned his nose to the air, closing his eyes and sniffing. He couldn't really smell anything, which he realized was part of the hut's blind. He ran away from the hut till he could smell something, realizing with slight horror he was far away from anything. His father really thought it out.

He turned towards the small amount of wind there was, sniffing in hopes of finding a familiar scent. When he located the scent of his forest he began to run towards it, speeding through the trees as he hoped to get there before the sun fell.

He really hoped Sesshomaru didn't wake up any time soon.

He needed to go to the well.

He couldn't explain the urge, the urge to return to the well. It was nearly suffocating in it's intensity, though he couldn't fight it. He was able to ignore it in the castle, but now…

He needed to get to the well.

Inuyasha reached his forest just as the sun began to fall, not stopping in his running as he slowly turned into a human. His senses became sluggish, his movements slowed as he tried to follow through with his human body. It grew increasingly weak however, the weight of his pup slowing him down.

Inuyasha was reduced to jogging, his breaths coming out sharp and weak. Inuyasha reached his tree, leaning against the large trunk and trying to calm his breathing.

"Hello?" Inuyasha looked around the trunk, suddenly stuck in place.

Kagome.

She stood right in front of him, though her usual school uniform was replaced by a warm sweater, pants and boots. Her long hair was put in a pony tail, her youthful face aged with the years she had been gone.

She looked more…

Like a woman.

"Is somebody there?" Inuyasha stepped from behind the trunk, Kagome's face twisting with confusion. Inuyasha's heart dropped to the ground.

Did she not remember him?

"Hi miss, do you know a half demon named Inuyasha?"

Miss!

So she didn't forget who he was, but she was obviously blind. Inuyasha opened his mouth to respond but then looked down to himself, horrified to see he in fact, looked like a woman. His stomach was even more pronounced like this, and his usually flat chest was replaced with full breasts. Inuyasha looked back to Kagome, the woman he had loved so devotedly.

He suddenly realized, he didn't want her to see him like this. He looked down to the ground, nodding his head as he fought back his own tears.

"He left due to his human night." Kagome was silent for a minute, taking in that information. Inuyasha hid the wince at hearing his feminine voice, sounding nothing like himself.

"I guess he really did forget." Inuyasha looked up at that, seeing the serene calm of Kagome's face. He wanted to slap it off, wanted to yell at her. He wanted her to know all the shit he went through because she made him forget. He felt the tears burn his eyes, forcing them away.

"Why did you make him forget?" He asked, his voice weaker than he had expected. Kagome met his eyes, something in her own hurting.

"I never thought I would return. I had hoped forgetting me would have made him happy. But the well… It started working suddenly. I've been… I've been wondering if I should return. If only to see him one last time."

It's me Kagome. This is me.

Inuyasha ached to tell her, to tell her this was really him. He felt some form of shame though, shame that he couldn't be there for her. Inuyasha grit his teeth, his hands fisting at his sides.

"Do you know Sango and Miroku as well?" She asked, Inuyasha nodding his head silently. He spoke when he was sure he wouldn't start crying.

"They are doing very well, they have five children now." Kagome chuckled softly, the sound seeming sad.

"I'm happy for them."

It's me. Me, Kagome.

"I…-" Kagome bit her bottom lip, releasing her breath.

"If Inuyasha remembers, tell him I love him." Something hurt in his chest.

"It's m…-" Inuyasha stopped, taking in a deep breath.

"He knows." Kagome looked closely at him, narrowing her eyes just slightly.

"It's funny, you almost look like him." Inuyasha released a sad chuckle, shaking his head.

"You should return home." Kagome swallowed thickly, looking down to the ground and closing her eyes briefly.

"Tell Inuyasha, if he remembers, that he has a son."

Silence fell between them.

"He can't pass through the well, but tell him he is healthy. He doesn't have white hair or golden eyes, but he has his attitude." Kagome laughed softly, turning her eyes up to the sky.

"He's so s-strong." Her voice broke, Kagome closing her eyes.

Inuyasha had stopped breathing.

"He loves to climb trees, even though he's so small. And I wish every day Inuyasha could have seen him grow."

Inuyasha wanted to puke at the idea that he was a father . Inuyasha fell to his knees, clutching his stomach as sobs tore through his body. Kagome came to his side, putting a hand to his shoulder.

"Are you okay miss?"

It's me!

Inuyasha looked up, meeting Kagome's eyes.

What had he done?

"W-Who's raising him?" Inuyasha managed to get out, Kagome giving him a sad smile.

"My husband, Hojo." Inuyasha felt bile rise in his throat, absolute terror and disgust and relief rushing through him at once.

"Why did you come back?" Inuyasha grit out between sobs, Kagome's eyes becoming downcast.

"I had wanted him to know." Inuyasha fisted his hands, rising up and punching her shoulder. Kagome was taken aback, rubbing her sore shoulder.

"Why did you make him forget!" He yelled, his voice carrying in the wind. Kagome seemed stuck, Inuyasha feeling something dark inside of him rise. Kagome had taken away his right to be a father, had whisked away his memory without his knowledge. Only to feel guilty and return?

Inuyasha felt sick.

Kagome's eyes suddenly seemed so tired, turning away from the crying human.

"I didn't know I was pregnant. I wouldn't have wished for it if I had known." Inuyasha took in a sharp breath, grabbing handfuls of his hair as he tried to breathe.

"Miss…-"

"This is his child. Inside of me." Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, Inuyasha meeting her eyes with deep hurt and malice.

This is what you left of me.

"He gave me a child. He loved me, so why did you have to come back?" Kagome's eyes filled with tears, the hot trails slipping down her cheeks.

"Leave. Kagome." Inuyasha spat out her name, his heart twisting in his chest. Kagome took a step back, her body shaking as she let the words fully sink in. Inuyasha ran at her, pushing her to the ground.

How dare you leave me like this!

"Leave!"

Kagome rose to her feet shakily, Inuyasha wanting to scream at her that this was him. He hid behind his own pain though, needing to make her feel some of it. Instead of running though, Kagome hugged him tight to her chest.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for hurting you." Inuyasha closed his eyes, his chest hurting as he sobbed violently against her. He held her back, her embrace so warm and comforting he wanted to never leave.

"I'm so sorry Inuyasha," Kagome whispered on a soft sob, the hanyou feeling something in his mind finally find peace. Inuyasha slowly pulled away from the embrace, wiping away the tears on his face. He needed this goodbye.

"I'm so glad he found you," Kagome sobbed softly, Inuyasha thinking of Sesshomaru. Inuyasha felt another onslaught of tears at the thought of his mate, and how the demon loved him. He didn't fight the next onslaught of tears, but still wiped them away stubbornly.

"I'll leave," Kagome whispered, taking a step back as she wiped away her tears.

"Continue to make him happy. For me, please." Inuyasha nodded, Kagome finally turning away from him.

"I hope for us both, he never remembers. I don't think the well will ever awaken again." Inuyasha nodded, unable to voice anything without sobbing hysterically.

"Just know no matter what, I'm sorry." Kagome finally left with that, leaving Inuyasha utterly alone. The hanyou looked to the sky, the clouds having finally separated to show the stars. He watched them for a long while, realizing for the first time just how small he felt. His tears dried and his chest rose and fell softly when the other's approached, having felt the pulsing of power when she left.

Inuyasha hid behind his tree, unable to face any of them. He instead began to walk to the middle of nowhere, knowing eventually Sesshomaru would find him. After about thirty minutes of walking he felt the ground shake, his human senses barely able to pick up the angered demon.

Inuyasha stopped walking, looking up and meeting the red eyes of his mate. The large demon form was intimidating to see in his weak human form, but Inuyasha wasn't scared. He walked up to his growling mate, pressing himself against a large leg. Sesshomaru stopped growling at that, Inuyasha rubbing his face against his fur.

What Kagome told him would go with him to his grave.

For now, all he wanted his mate and his pup.

"I'm sorry," Inuyasha whispered, the demonic form reverting back to a human. Inuyasha met the scowl of his mate, pressing himself against his chest. Sesshomaru caught him when he became limp, Inuyasha seeing his worried gaze before he closed his eyes.

Finally, he slept.