Chapter 18: The Challenge of Pregnancy

Morning was rough for Kagome and Sango the next day. They were still in the process of teaching, according to Kaede and it was beginning to get even more annoying.

Kagome tried her best to take care of Ai, but having to do that with the weights, headaches and nausea it was a royal pain in the rear.

The men tried to keep their distance as best as possible, but Inuyasha couldn't stand it anymore, so once they finally all got settled in for lunch, he opened his big mouth…

"We really don't have time for this," he growled as he stood over Kaede, "do you want Naraku to find us first you ole' hag?" he directed at her a little roughly, more than usually under the circumstances.

Kagome had had enough of his complaining, she was the one in pain and throwing up, she wouldn't mind actually doing it on him, if she had that option, "Inuyasha," she gritting her teeth, "don't make me say it," she threatened.

Inuyasha quickly sat back down and crossed his arms agitated; he couldn't even be the voice of reason around here at the moment.

"You should know better than that right now Inuyasha," Miroku whispered, but Sango heard him, "What does that supposed to mean, monk?" she glared at him with flaming eyes.

Miroku gulped and sipped his tea as to avoid any pain, staying completely silent, "You don't have to be like that I was only stating the obvious," he mumbled in his tea, hoping she didn't hear him, wrong again.

Soon two arguments broke out in a battle that had no lucky winner.

Shippo winced and looked up at Kaede, "Can't you stop from your teachings Lady Kaede; it seems to make them arguing a whole lot worse."

Kaede smiled down at him after drinking some of her tea, "I'm afraid not, the four of them are consumed with their own thoughts and not the most important issue and that is how to be good parents, when they realize that then I shall have no need in teaching them, you will understand someday child."

Shippo sighed and looked back at the feuding group, was this the fate that awaited him when he grows up?

Sango stopped arguing and put her hands on the fake stomach she wore.

Miroku's face softened, "Are you ok Sango?" he asked about to put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me," she snapped and took off out of the hut.

Miroku looked over at Kaede as to silently ask her advice, he was smart when it came to spiritual things or the world itself, but he had not expertise when it came to this sort of thing.

"Ye need to stop arguing with her and picking fights," Kaede started and Miroku frowned, he didn't pick a fight with her, but let her continue, "the more ye two argue the more upset she will get, thus strengthening her nausea, maybe ye should be more sensitive to her feelings at the moment, both of ye," she turned to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha snorted, he hated when he was centered and lectured, it made him feel inferior.

He then looked over at Kagome who looked sad, what was her problem anyway?

Miroku took the words that Kaede had said at heart and left the hut without a word to anyone else.

Kaede stood and grabbed a basket, "Shippo, will ye come and assist me in picking more herbs?" she asked and then winked at him.

Shippo caught on quickly, "Oh sure Kaede, I would love to," and both him, Kaede and even Kirara went outside towards the outer edge of the village.

Inuyasha eyed Kagome for a bit, hoping she would actually say something, but when she didn't he took a deep breath, "So what's the matter with you anyway?" he asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

Kagome turned to face him, she was still pretty mad with him, but to see him try and make an effort calmed her nerves, she also took a deep breath and as she began to exhale she yelled, "You're so selfish Inuyasha," so much for calmed nerves.

Inuyasha was taken back, he was trying to be nice, he watched as she folded his arms and turned away from him, "Hey, I'm the only one around here that seems to care about Naraku."

Kagome turned back to him and Inuyasha was shocked to see tears from her eyes, "You don't get it Inuyasha," she sobbed, "ever since I started taking care of Ai I've imagined having a real baby like that, but it's really hard, I didn't think how hard it would actually be," she sobbed harder, she wasn't one to just gush out her feelings like that, well not on purpose, she made a note to ask Kaede later if she had put something else in their tea.

"K-Kagome," Inuyasha stuttered surprised, he didn't know she felt that way, "but you seem so good at being a mom," he said trying to cheer her up now.

Kagome shook her head, tears still coming fresh, "I know how to take care of a doll, but a real baby would be a lot harder and I don't even know if I can get through pregnancy, it's complicated," she lowered her head, now he would never be with her, he was better off with that certain dead priestess…no what was she thinking?

"Hey," Inuyasha said and as Kagome looked up at him, he turned away in a blush, "I think you could do it," he simply told her.

Kagome smiled widely, "Thank you Inuyasha," she said fully sincere.

Meanwhile…

Miroku looked up from the ground at the pale Sango and blinked, "Sango…are you ok?"

Sango turned to him breathing miserably, she didn't like being sick all the time and certainly was tired of having this thing strapped to her, why did she have to go through with this, it wasn't her project to begin with and she wasn't even sure she would have kids, Miroku was certainly having enough to do with other women still, great now she was thinking about his flirting as well.

Miroku didn't like seeing her in this state one bit, he would have gladly switched places with her if he could, maybe they shouldn't go through with something as pointless, no, it wasn't totally pointless, they needed something to teach them to work together.

Sango shakily got up from her kneeled position on the ground and walked slowly to Miroku, keeping her eyes on the ground, it was a little embarrassing being so vulnerable in front of him.

Miroku saw something was wrong with her, "Tell me, what's troubling you dear Sango," he said in a sweet tone.

Sango looked up at him amazed, why was he acting so kind all of a sudden, "What makes you think something is wrong," she tried covering up, the way she always did in these situations.

Miroku chuckled, "I know this is hard, but you've got it in you, I know you do, and that's what I love about you Sango, your determined to keep something precious and sacred to you alive, you've already proven to be a dedicated sister and a really loyal friend, you will do fine," he smiled at her and she gulped nervously, but smiled too, his words were a huge comfort.

Miroku took her hand, "I promise," he ended his statement with much compassion.

Sango let go of some tears that surfaced, "Thank you Miroku, I needed to hear that."

Inside they could hear Ai crying loudly, but soon quieted into soft babbles.

Sango smiled, not even minding the slight headache, she was at least over her queasiness.

"You know," Inuyasha laughed, hoping not to sound like a wimp, "I'm going to miss that doll."

Kagome smiled at his words as she changed Ai's diaper, she was thinking the same thing, she was getting used to having the doll around and someday she would get used to having her own around and when that day come she hoped that Inuyasha was right there beside her admiring like she knew he was doing at that very moment.

After coming back in from picking herbs Kaede was happy to know that Inuyasha and Kagome, Miroku and Sango were being much nicer to one another and the men were taking care of the worn out women.

Kaede smiled, "I am glad to see that ye are not baring grudges and communicated like couples should do in a peaceful way, which is the true secret behind being able parents, respectfulness…"

"Yeah yeah, does this mean you can stop with the lessons already," Inuyasha went on, tired of it all.

"Inuyasha," Kagome frowned, "SIT."

Kaede shook her head, 'Well at least they stopped for a while anyway.'

Miroku and Sango sighed, but then Sango felt a hand grope her, "Are you kidding me," Sango yelled at Miroku then slapped him clear across the jaw, "This is hardly the time," she crossed her arms furious, "PERVERT!"

"Jeez, Inuyasha, you're so rude," Kagome stuck her nose in the air as she turned from his sprawled body, if only he could control himself, "And you're still selfish, hmph."

"Well things are back to normal," Shippo said as he shrugged.

A/N: ok, so that's it for this chapter, hope it was ok, I know it wasn't my best, but I seem to get writer's block every other chapter or something, lol, I was hoping to have 20 chapters, I know I'm just weird that way, but I'm afraid the next might be the last, anyway, please review, thanks;)