Jessica was up early the next morning. She sat on Kagome's couch sipping coffee while lazily watching Kagome's large television screen without really seeing it. Kagome was still sleeping, exhausted from last night's events, while Sesshomaru had gone to his office because he had gotten a call late the evening before requesting that he be there for a meeting. She could hear Inuyasha shuffling upstairs. He came down just as she was about to change the channel.
"You're up pretty early." He stated tying his red robe around his waist. "Where is Sesshomaru?"
"He left early. Said he had work to do. He'll be back in a while. I got up with him." Jessica answered curling her legs to her body pulling the skirt of her night gown down more.
"Oh. I see." Inuyasha disappeared into the kitchen reappearing with a plate of oatmeal cookies. He plopped himself on the couch next to her before taking one of them into his mouth.
They sat in quiet for a while unsure of what to say staring blankly at the television. Inuyasha glanced over at her from the corner of his eye. She had a glow about her that Inuyasha had never seen before. She seemed happy, more alive, than he'd seen her in days. His intense staring must've made her uncomfortable because she looked over at him.
"Okay over there, Inuyasha?"
His golden eyes averted her green ones a moment before locking back with them, "I was just noticing how radiant you look this morning that's all."
Jessica blushed a bright pink and looked away trying to cover up her embarrassment by taking a sip of coffee. "Thank you, I think." she finally replied regaining her composure.
"So, when exactly did Sesshomaru leave?" Inuyasha tried to change the conversation. Talking to Jessica was always a bit awkward for him. He had a small infatuation with her a short time after his journey to the present, but it didn't last long because of his love for Kagome. But ever since then talking to her alone like this was still a bit uncomfortable.
"About four or five I don't exactly remember. I ended up falling asleep on the couch soon after he left. I woke up about an hour ago."
"Oh." Was all the young half demon could reply.
About an hour later, Kagome came sleepily down the stairs. She greeted the two with a good morning before going in the kitchen to get a pot of coffee started.
"Kagome, could you grab me a yogurt from the fridge please?" Jessica called back to her.
"Sure thing!"
A few minutes later Kagome came back in the room holding a mug filled with coffee and a small container of strawberry yogurt for Jessica. She took the yogurt gratefully thanking Kagome who sat down next to Inuyasha. They relaxed in each other's company making small talk for a few minutes before Inuyasha excused himself to go get ready for the day leaving the two women in the living room.
"Did you sleep good, Jess?"
"Very. You?"
"Not too bad. Inuyasha kept tossing and turning all night. I think Sango's and Miroku's announcement got to him a little bit."
Jessica lowered her spoon full of delicious strawberries to look sympathetically at her friend. "You guys aren't having any luck?"
Kagome shook her head sadly, "No. I've done everything I could think of, even tried some remedies from the feudal era, but nothing seems to help. The doctors say my reproductive system is normal and there shouldn't be anything wrong with Inuyasha."
"You starting to think its just not meant to be?" Jessica set the container on the coffee table with the spoon and moved over by her friend to clasp her hands in hers. "I'm sure eventually it'll take. You just have to let time take its course."
Kagome returned her friend's confidence with a smile, but her eyes said that she had given up hope.
"Hey, I'm out of the shower, Jess, if you want to go ahead and start getting ready." Inuyasha came downstairs trying to dry off his long white hair with a towel.
"Okay, thanks." Was her reply after she got up from her spot next to Kagome. She was about to head upstairs when an idea tugged at the back of her brain.
Jessica turned back to Kagome who was watching her curiously. Inuyasha trotted into the kitchen not noticing the intensity of each of the women's gazes. Jessica knew it would be risky to use her powers to help Kagome and Inuyasha. For one, Jessica didn't have a whole lot of magic since she hadn't been back to the feudal era in over fifteen years. But the most important reason the task was a risky one was that Darien would almost automatically sense her magic as soon as she used it and would then know her whereabouts.
Of course he would have to be in range. He obviously knew where she lived although he hadn't bothered her since that night. It still made her uneasy. Sesshomaru had offered her to bring Luna and come live with him, but Jessica still had her doubts. What if it was too soon? She shook her head. She had to focus on Kagome right now.
Kagome was still puzzling over Jessica's odd behavior. She could tell the obvious. Jessica was busy trying to find a conclusion to something. But to what? Her brown eyes locked with her green ones and almost shot back. She could see a vision of what Jessica wanted to do in the depths of her green eyes. Before Kagome could utter a sound, Jessica bent down to eye level with her friend and placed two fingers just above her navel. Kagome could feel a warm sensation pass through her body, but it was gone as quick as it had appeared.
Jessica got up with a smile whispering something in Kagome's ear turning away to head up the stairs giving Inuyasha a guilty wave.
"What just happened?" He asked Kagome after Jessica had left. He had been standing there long enough to see Jessica bend down over Kagome and then run up the stairs.
Kagome stared at the spot where Jessica had been a moment ago for a few minutes trying to make it all make sense herself then slowly looked up at Inuyasha a smile forming over her face.
"Jessica just gave us a gift."
