Author's Note: Ok, I hope none of you get all snippity at me for the late chapter. I have been trying my hardest to keep ahead of this story by at least a chapter so that I can post as regularly as possible, but I ended up hitting a writer's block/Rachel was stressed out of her mind. School has just finished basically and I am still recovering from that stressful time. As well as writing this story, I am trying to write others, attempting different themes and styles. Hopefully you will like them when I finally finish/post them!

g2fan: yes I must agree that he is a S.O.B. and thank you

inulover614: I try to keep it interesting! Hopfully this one will be full of explanation as well, and if not, hopefully the next one!

seshomarusgirl: thanks

inulover227: Thanks for the great review! I'm so glad that you enjoyed my story, or at least what I? have written so far! Send me a message or something, if the link didn't work. I would really like it if everyone could see the general idea of what I meant by the mate mark. Sorry for the late update though ;;

sexymamita2007: I'm glad it's Inuyasha's as well!

InuyashaKagome4lyfe: Your first question should be answered in this chapter! Hopefully, after the trouble with Kouga is over, I will figure out some way to incorporate Naraku and Kagome's mood swings into the mix.

maire53: Next chapter's right here!

Skyheart92: thanks!

Ayani-chan: I loved how he fell out of the tree like that too! I love making him do the things I have always wanted him to do in the anime (I am currently reading my way through the manga). Kouga definitly can go to hell

RelenaPeace: Thanks for the review!

animenianshizuka1264: Wouldn't the M rating be for graphic details? Almost lemon like stories are included in that category I believe. But, if you think I should change the rating, please say so!

Chapter Five:

Groaning slightly, Sango rolled over. She didn't want to have to get up today. Inuyasha would just push them hard again, as though moving through the countryside at a speed that was inhuman – for most of them – would make them find Naraku faster. She snorted softly. That was unlikely. Naraku had disappeared with out a trace – once again – and there were no rumours about him at all – once again.

Irritated that she couldn't go back to sleep, Sango sat up and groaned. Looking over at the half-demon perched in a tree, she shot him an evil glare before finally getting up. Miroku was just stirring as was Kilala and Shippo. Oddly enough, Shippo was sleeping curled up next to Kilala instead of Kagome.

Frowning, Sango turned to look at Kagome. When she and Miroku had come back from the stream last night, they found Kagome and Inuyasha hugging each other tightly. Odd enough, when they entered the clearing, the couple hadn't jumped apart blushing and coughing like usual. Instead it was like they didn't even notice that someone had walked in on their little get together.

Miroku, being the pervert he was, got a reaction out of Inuyasha when he asked innocently whether or not they should leave and give them some privacy – after all, Kagome wasn't wearing a shirt. Of course, he didn't quite use those words or that polite, inquiring tone. Which caused Inuyasha to chase after him, threatening to tear his guts out through his nose – and Inuyasha definitely wasn't using a polite tone. She snorted softly.

Sango continued to stare at Kagome as Miroku got up and made a small fire to cook breakfast over. Usually Kagome was one of the first up, no matter if she was extremely tired the night before or got no sleep what so ever – like on the nights of the new moon. She was always bubbly, cheerful and had a smile for everyone. But today was different.

Today Kagome was still snuggled into her sleeping bag, oblivious to the world around her. Inuyasha was even up as he had jumped to the ground in front of the tree he slept in, when Miroku had awoken. Sango frowned, trying to figure out what was wrong, and if they should wake her. She had seemed really tired lately after all…

"Oi! Sango!" She was shaken out of her reverie as the short tempered half-demon literally shook her. She looked up at him, and noticed the briefest flash of concern in his eyes. No matter how much he would deny it, Inuyasha cared for them all, even Shippo who tended to get on his nerves the most.

"Yes, Inuyasha?" she asked softly, not wanting to wake Kagome.

"Breakfast won't make itself!" he snapped before softening his tone, when he looked over at Kagome's form. "I want to let her sleep as much as possible today…"

Sango just nodded numbly, a little shocked. Turning towards the fire, she noted that Miroku and Shippo appeared shocked as well. What was going on? If this was a regular day, Inuyasha would be snapping at Kagome trying to get her to feed him ramen. But this was no regular day apparently.

Inuyasha had lost his usual gruff tone and was looking at Kagome with a soft emotion in his eyes. Miroku, not needing to be told twice by Inuyasha when he was in this weird mood, was rummaging through Kagome's bag as quietly as possible. Even Shippo was quiet, looking at Inuyasha with thoughtful eyes.

Inuyasha knew that they were looking at him as though he had grown three heads. He was acting differently, but he couldn't help it. Kagome needed the sleep. That and the fact that she was carrying his pup kept nudging any mean words from his mind. If his friends weren't around to report back to Kagome, he would be jumping up and down with a silly grin on his face.

With a last glance at Kagome, Inuyasha snapped out of his thoughts and turned back to the rest of the group.

They were sitting patiently around the small fire, waiting for him apparently. They were already eating, and Sango handed him his portion of the ramen. Her eyes were full of questions, but she knew – as did the others – that he would explain himself in due time. If he didn't, well, they would have to just suffer.

Slurping down half of his ramen, and with a quick glance back over at Kagome, he turned his attention to his four friends in front of him. All of them looked at him, waiting. They had already finished eating, and were ready for travel.

He looked down at his claws as though he had just acquired them. Miroku, ever the nosy one, began the conversation, when it appeared that Inuyasha wouldn't.

"Well, Inuyasha?" he asked, making his tone soft and un-challenging. It wouldn't be good for them at all if Inuyasha was in an annoyed mood when they asked him questions – particularly if they were personal questions.

Inuyasha thought a bit about how he was going to say this. He decided to take a page out of Kagome's book and decided to dive right in. Without looking up at his friends, Inuyasha asked, "Do you guys remember when that bitch Karasumai popped up?"

Well, his wording wasn't the same as hers, but it was certainly effective.

Glancing up, he saw Shippo looking sad and mournful, Miroku looking up expectantly around him and Sango blushing like she was a damned tomato.

He grinned. He might just enjoy talking to them about this if they had experienced weird things as well.

Sango spoke, breaking the uncomfortable silence around them.

"What about Karasumai, Inuyasha?" she asked, not looking towards him or the others. She seemed incredibly embarrassed and sad over the topic and didn't want to catch any ones eyes with her own.

"I assume you went under her spell as well?" he inquired, lifting an eyebrow. They all nodded, though Miroku grinned at the same time. Inuyasha didn't even want to know about what had happened with the monk when he was under the spell. Inuyasha shuddered a little as his imagination took over.

"Well…" Inuyasha paused, unsure of how to tell them this without getting extremely embarrassed. "Kagome and I were together at the castle I told you about when it happened….we happened to fall under the spell and got the same…result…from it…"

He blushed, remembering what he had seen when he had woken up.

Miroku, who was enjoying the blush rising across Inuyasha's features, merely raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?" he asked, "What ever do you mean, by 'results'?"

Inuyasha lifted his head from where it was staring at his claws and growled menacingly at the monk, "What do you THINK I meant by 'results' you pervert!?"

Sango, for the first time since this conversation had occurred, looked over at the hanyou and gasped.

"You…you mean…?" she stuttered out, unsure if what she was thinking was actually what had happened.

Inuyasha just nodded, looking off into the forest to the side of his friends. He really didn't want to go through the details of that night. It was very…uncomfortable…for him. After all, he didn't remember anything about that night.

Miroku just snorted. Finally these two stubborn friends had realized their love for each other, even if they were under a spell to do so.

Inuyasha glared at him, all but spitting fire out of his eyes.

"What are you guys talking about?" Shippo whined, tugging on Miroku's robes. He was so lost and confused. What results were they talking about? And why would that cause Kagome to sleep in longer and Inuyasha's change of heart?

"Well," Miroku began with a twitch of his lips, "When a man and woman deeply ca – "

He was cut off suddenly as Sango's boomerang crashed onto his head, effectively knocking him out. Inuyasha just shook his head and snorted, wondering when the monk would finally learn.

Sango, who put away her weapon when finished with it unorthodox use, glanced over at Inuyasha. "What does this have to do with Kagome sleeping still, Inuyasha?"

She was confused as to why this should really change anything. After all, they had been placed under many a spell before, and had always been forced to get up at the crack of dawn the next morning – injuries or not.

Inuyasha blushed again, turning a nice fire hydrant red. He took a long glance at Kagome and then muttered out something that even Shippo couldn't pick up.

"What was that Inuyasha?" Shippo asked, wondering what had the half-demon so quiet. He was usually annoying and loud.

"I said, Kagome's pregnant," he all but whispered, his eyes trained on his claws once more. Sango gasped in surprise, and then squealed and hugged the man before her. Not Miroku of course. You couldn't hug him without placing yourself in direct line of fire from his lecherous hands.

Inuyasha was taken back as he felt Sango tackle hug him. Sure he expected that from Kagome, but never from the stoic slayer she had befriended. He was truly thrown off balance.

"Oi! What's the deal?" he ground out, looking at Shippo puzzled. The kitsune just shrugged. He had no idea either what had gotten into her. Miroku, who was just getting up and rubbing his head, looked surprised when he saw her in Inuyasha's arms.

"Inuyasha! You sly dog!" Miroku ground out, shooting him a grin that was underlined with extreme hurt should he take Sango from him.

Inuyasha got the message.

He pushed Sango from him, sputtering and turning a nice light pink. He wasn't used to so much attention, particularly the nice kind.

"Oi! What's the big deal?" he gruffly said, standing up and crossing his arms. "It's not like we've defeated Naraku or anything…"

Sango just looked at him like he was crazy, and Miroku hit him over the head with his golden staff.

"Oi!" Inuyasha growled, clutching his head where the heavy staff had fallen. What had he done now?

"Is that all you can think of, Inuyasha?" Sango forced out, her eyes going dark and threatening, "the jewel and killing Naraku? What about the fact that Kagome is going to be bringing another life into this world?"

Inuyasha just looked at her, with his mouth open and gaping. When he realized that it was open so that flies could come in, he swiftly snapped it shut.

"It doesn't matter now does it?" he ground out, as though he was in pain. He wasn't looking at his friends, but rather off into the forest. "If we meet up with Kouga any time soon, it won't matter if she is bringing new life into this world or not."

"Kouga?" inquired Miroku, with a puzzled frown. What did Kouga have to do with Kagome being pregn – oh. Kouga was vying for Kagome's attention as well after all.

Miroku's thoughts seemed to have made their way into Sango's head too, and she looked murderous. She was ready to track down Kouga and skin the hide off of his bones.

Looking at Sango and noting the dangerous 'I'm-going-to-kill-something' look, he placed a calming hand on her shoulder and spoke.

"Is she pregnant with Kouga's child," Miroku stopped hearing the low menacing growl coming from the half demon and then continued, "Or is it your child she is bearing?"

Sango's body was tense under his hand, ready to spring up into action. Kouga. If he had done this….Ooh she couldn't begin to imagine the painful torture she would inflict on him. He had done this to Kagome – sweet, innocent Kagome!

"It's mine," Inuyasha mumbled, loud enough for them to hear.

"Thank the Buddha," whispered Miroku, letting go of his hand on Sango's shoulder.

Sango's body visibly relaxed when Inuyasha uttered those words. Inuyasha would take care of Kagome. There was no doubt about that, considering he kept shooting glances over at her prone body with a soft smile on his face.

'Ok,' Inuyasha thought, 'Time to keep up appearances.'

"Ok, we need to plan for the mangy wolf who will be showing up in the next few days. He told Kagome he would be coming back around now to check if she carries his child," Inuyasha all but spit out the last part, an angry look coming on his face, "and he told her that if she wasn't, he would fucking do it all over again. And I can't let that happen, now can I?"

Miroku and Sango got a serious look on their faces. "We'll do anything in our power to keep Kagome safe, you know that," replied Miroku.

"Tell us what to do." Sango spoke with a slight edge in her voice, looking straight into his eyes.

"Here's the plan…"

A/N: Please review if you can and tell me what you think of this chapter!

If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please do drop me a line and I will get back to you!