Chapter 16

Hakuuyo's plans

Naraku lifted his head from the pillows and gazed down at Surreal, his eyes searching her sleeping face for any sign that she might wake soon. Satisfied that she was happily dreaming, he left the bed, intent on finding out exactly what Hakuuyo was truly after. The half Blood, half wolf demon man was outside of Surreal's cottage, staring angrily into the darkness of the woods.

"Her warmth wasn't sufficient to hold you tonight, Naraku?" Hakuuyo snickered, his eyes closing.

"What exactly are you after here?"

"Why are you so concerned, Naraku? Don't worry, you'll get your chance to defeat Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, and I might even let you have a little bit of fun with their women."

Naraku glowered at Hakuuyo's back. As if I need his permission!

"But if you must know, I'm after power. And it will come from the combined powers of that Miko bitch and the Blood whose strength surpasses my own,"

Naraku's eyes lowered. "Inuyasha will not let you near the Miko bitch,"

"Of course not, which is why I will go after the Blood first. Besides, her powers are no good to me while they're suppressed by the vile life she created with Inuyasha,"

"She is pregnant then?" Naraku inquired, watching a malicious scene play out in his mind. He'd love to be the one to rip the baby from Kagome's arms and slice it into tiny pieces, just to hear her scream and see Inuyasha die inside. And then he would tear into Inuyasha's mate and destroy her. Inuyasha would be forced to watch and then he would kill the hanyou.

"Yes, she is pregnant," Hakuuyo growled. "Which makes my plan fall behind nine months. Until that pup is out, her power is useless to me. And the males around her will be increasingly more difficult to deal with," Hakuuyo finally turned to face Naraku. "So in nine months, on the night of the new moon, I shall go after the Blood. Should the Miko bitch intervene, then I will take her as well."

"Why on the night of the new moon?"

Hakuuyo laughed lowly at his unknowing servant. "Because, on the night of the new moon, Inuyasha will be rendered powerless by his human self."

"What?" Naraku growled, almost unbelieving. All this time, all he really had to do was attack the vile demon during the night of the new moon? I could have killed him years ago!

Hakuuyo's hand came to rest on Naraku's shoulder, angering the demon greatly. "Don't fret, my friend. Nine months isn't too far away,"

"Are you sure that you're all right, Lady Kagome?" Marian asked, her hands coming to rest around the woman's waist.

"Yes," Kagome gasped, smiling. "Yes, I'm fine,"

"But..."

"It's ok, Marian, I promise. It's really ok," Kagome let Marian guide her away from the trees and back to the bench where Kagome's arms wrapped around her stomach. "Everything is perfect,"

Marian studied her for a moment. She studied Kagome's gentle smile, the way her arms were wrapped around herself and the dreamy look in her eyes. "Oh, lady Kagome! That's wonderful news!"

Kagome nodded, giggling at the older woman's mirth. "I promised him that we'd have a pup by the spring," Her smile grew. "Jaenelle dragged me to the doctor in town yesterday and he said that the baby should be born in April! It's so perfect...!"

Marian hugged Kagome and smiled happily. "I remember when I got pregnant with Daemonar. Oh it was a wonderful day indeed when I found out for sure. And Lucivar...I had never seen such a smile on his face. Oh, Inuyasha is going to be greatly pleased when he comes back from the Keep this weekend."

"He was reluctant to leave," Kagome said dreamily. "I think he already knows, Marian. But at least when he gets back he'll know for sure. Oh! So excited...!"

"What's going on?" Lucivar asked as he came into the garden. "Ladvarian said Kagome was sick,"

"She's fine," Marian glared into the woods where she knew Ladvarian had been standing guard over them. The women understood the need for escorts because of Hakuuyo, but sometimes couldn't they have just a tiny bit of privacy? "She's more than fine, Lucivar! Oh, Kagome, I can't get over this,"

"Just you wait until Inuyasha gets back," Kagome laughed, rising to face Lucivar. "I'm going to have a pup in the spring!"

Lucivar's expression changed drastically. "A p-pup?" He choked, shaking his head. "Well, that is good news. But you realize that your escort is going to be doubling now?"

Kagome sighed heavily. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I already have Sango and Miroku tailing me wherever I go, as well as Inuyasha, I don't need anyone else."

"Well, get over it, because Saetan just made me part of your little group of escorts."

"WHAT! Erg..." Kagome folded her arms over her chest, annoyed and sputtering about how she didn't need another male questioning her about everything she did all damn day long. "Remind me later that I'm going to have to have a few words with your father about this,"

He gave her an arrogant smile and let her pass by him with Marian, both women sputtering about the males and their snarly attitudes.

"As if Inuyasha won't be enough once he gets back and catches my scent," Kagome grumbled under her breath. They entered the hall and headed straight for the dining room where lunch was being served currently. The second she stepped into the room, all eyes turned in her direction, a growl of distaste following one of those looks.

Rin, annoyed, stomped on her Lord's foot to quiet him. "Oh be happy for your brother for once. Besides, how am I supposed to have pups for you if all you do is bitch about Inuyasha?"

"Ouch," Lucivar smirked, ushering a grinning Kagome over to a chair. "Now, little witch, you're going to get some food."

"And let the fussing begin," Jaenelle announced happily. The males seemed to swarm around her at that moment and Kagome had the sudden urge to flee the scene completely. Unfortunately, Lucivar was holding her firmly in place, his hands on her shoulders, his intimidating muscles rippling.

"Fun for me...eh..."

Daemon glanced over at Inuyasha from the corner of his eyes and caught the pride resonating from the hanyou. Something has to have happened for him to be swelling like that. Is Kagome pregnant after all?

"What the hell are you smirking at?" Inuyasha demanded as he and Daemon continued down the corridor that would lead them back outside to the coach that waited to take them back to the hall.

"Nothing, Lord," Daemon said pleasantly as he allowed Inuyasha to climb into the coach.

"Inuyasha!"

They turned to face Draca who stood at the top of the stairs.

"Yeah, what is it?" The hanyou asked impatiently, ready to get back to his mate and cuddle her for a while. The scent he'd caught just before he left was tugging at him and he wanted to get back to catch the full extent of it. He hoped, prayed, wanted, and needed Kagome to be pregnant.

"There is something you must know before you go,"

"Well?"

"In order to win, you must be able to work together,"

"Feh, the hell is that supposed to mean?" But Draca turned and headed inside, the double doors closing behind her. "That was pointless! Feh, let's go!"

Daemon's eyes narrowed at the Keep and then watched as the hanyou disappeared into the coach. What did she mean by that?

"Hurry up, Daemon!" Inuyasha growled. "I want to get back to the Hall before the sun sets!"

"Coming,"

"We should be arriving at the Hall in an hour," Daemon sat down across from the Hanyou who was brandishing the Tetsuseiga with the sleave of his haori. "What is it about that sword that Sesshoumaru wants it so badly?"

Inuyasha glanced at Daemon, sheathing the Tetsuseiga, his amber eyes glittering. "It was forged from my father's fang in order to protect my mother. It's a very powerful blade. You saw my Kaze no Kizu, but you haven't seen what it can really do. Sesshoumaru wants it so badly because I'm half demon and he hates me. But Sesshoumaru also wants power, it's all he's ever cared about."

"And Rin?"

"Feh," Inuyasha shook his head. "She's human, he won't be able to stand her for too much longer. He kills most of the humans he comes across. It's a wonder he hasn't killed her yet, but she must not annoy him as much. Not that it matters, once he gets tired of her he'll find someone else to warm his bed. Besides, even if he is in love with Rin, he'll marry another Youkai to get his heir. If he has any pups with Rin it will be his last attempt at getting my Tetsuseiga." Inuyasha scowled slightly. "He'll never get this blade, it will belong to my son or even my daughter when I pass. He can't even touch it because of the spells my father wove around it. And if he does wield it the burns alone would drain him physically."

"Experience?"

Inuyasha's face shadowed. "There was a problem about a year ago where I was taken over by another sword my father commanded. It was inhabited by the spirit of a demon and was able to gain control over me. Sesshoumaru used the Tetsuseiga to stop me, but it only provoked Sounga into using his ultimate attack. But it drained him and I regained control for a little while. But I finally got free of it. It's a long story, and it isn't one I care to repeat. I'm not fond of what happened..."

"Understood," Daemon said simply, his interest in the blade diminishing. "You seem awfully eager to get back to the hall, any particular reason why?"

For a moment, Inuyasha smiled, his eyes shining with pride. "Getting home is something I'm always eager to get back to,"

Home, Lord Inuyasha? Have you given up hope at ever getting back to your world? It's only been four months since your arrival...Or do you mean Kagome?

"Yes, I can see why. Kagome is a wonderful woman. Which brings up another topic I'd like to discuss,"

Daemon's tone became dangerous, and it startled Inuyasha. Amber eyes narrowed, he glanced at the black jeweled Warlord Prince sitting across from him and noticed the worried look in his eyes. Was it worry over an enemy or worry a male usually feels when he senses a threat to his family? Inuyasha had seen that same look in his own eyes before, and it usually came when Koga was around, which made him chuckle.

"Miroku?"

"Yes," Daemon hissed, eyes glazing. Inuyasha laughed a little harder, full of mirth.

"You have nothing to worry about when it comes to that lecherous monk. He gets it from his grandfather. To be clear, he asks every beautiful woman he sees, including Kagome when I'm not in ear shot, to bear his children. He can't help it, it's like a curse."

"I've yet to hear him ask that of Sango,"

"Well, he wouldn't, would he?" Inuyasha asked, smirking. "Asking the women to bear his children is a habitual request for casual sex that he can't keep himself from asking. He doesn't ask Sango because he loves her. Remember the other day? When she slapped the hell out of him?"

"He was groping," Daemon insisted.

"Yes, of course, but has he groped any other women that you've seen?"

"No,"

"See?" Inuyasha laughed again, shaking his head. "Miroku is the least of your concerns, Daemon. You've nothing to worry about,"

"So I can call off the boyos?"

Inuyasha laughed again. "Yeah, I don't think you'll have any problems with him. And if he touches Jaenelle in anyway, I doubt it will be less than chivalrous. I think you've pretty much staked your claim anyway. He knows his limits, and he respects the territory of others. Of course, when it comes to Kagome...well he does that to keep me on my toes."

Daemon nodded, satisfied. "Tell me something else, Lord Inuyasha,"

"Hm?"

"Have you sensed anything that might signal danger?"

"Twenty four seven, but I'm in a different world than my own, so of course I'll treat everything I scent as a threat until I get used to it. But, no, nothing that would indicate that Naraku is on the rampage or that Hakuuyo is near. I haven't caught his scent since the ball a month ago,"

Daemon nodded, inhaling deeply.

"Why? Have you?"

"It's a subtle disturbance in the abyss," Daemon said quietly. "Jaenelle sensed it long before I did, but it's still there. Something bad is going to happen, I just know it,"

"Well, even Shippo could have told you that. Look, we just have to keep our eyes open for anything and everything. Especially now..." That smile was tugging at his lips again.

"Is there something I should know? Just in case..."

Inuyasha's face wrinkled for a moment, as if debating in case he was wrong and then he smiled, shining with pride. "Kagome promised we'd have a pup by the spring, and she was right. I caught her scent just before we left two days ago. It was faint, but getting steadily stronger. She's pregnant, and this time she'll stay that way,"

"She's not going to like your fussing,"

"She'll get over it," Inuyasha scoffed. "Besides, I'm entitled. She fussed over me more than I cared for, so now it's my turn."

Daemon smiled, feeling a little happy for the hanyou and his oncoming family. He deserved such after the life he'd lead.

"What do you miss the most about your home, Kagome? I mean, other than your family of course," Jaenelle asked, lounging lazily on the couch opposite of Kagome who was doing the same thing. They both occupied the informal study in order to give Saetan some alone time with Sylvia, and were very grateful for the lack of male attention, other than their escorts of course, but they were all outside or in the hallway. Either way, Kagome and Jaenelle didn't have to deal with them. Besides, the shields around the room that Jaenelle had created would keep them comfortably safe, and if anyone did sneak onto the grounds, they would know. The shields protecting SaDiablo Hall were strong, very strong, and had just been strengthened even more. They would be fine.

"Hmm...I don't know," Kagome's eyes narrowed in thought, pondering the many different things that she could possibly miss about her home just as much as her family. Then she giggled. "Pizza, and potato chips, and movies." She moaned adding, "Jones Soda...!"

Jaenelle giggled, shaking her head. "They all sound wonderful,"

Kagome nodded, smiling, and then sighed quietly. "You know, even if I had the chance to have all of those things back, I wouldn't go..."

Jaenelle's soft understanding smile brought herself and Kagome that much closer because she did understand why Kagome had said that. "You wouldn't give up the life you have with Inuyasha,"

"Not for anything in the world," She smiled, her hands stealing down to her stomach. "It's strange how love happens, isn't it? When we first met all he wanted was the Shikon no Tama, and then he inherited the Tetsuseiga from his father. After that I noticed how he acted, the way he looked at me. I endured Kikyo because of the way he looked at me, the way he protected me."

"You knew, didn't you?"

"I think everyone did, really," Kagome chuckled. "Kikyo included, which I think is why she stopped caring so much about their past."

"What happened between them?" Jaenelle asked curiously, remembering all those months ago when Kagome had thought that her friends had died and that it was because of her. Inuyasha had said she was acting just like Kikyo and Kagome had obviously taken offense, but Jaenelle could remember the flavor of the air at the mention of Kikyo. It wasn't a pleasant one.

"Naraku," Kagome murmured.

"Ah, say no more," Jaenelle waved it off. "So, what do you think, Kagome? Boy or girl?"

"You want the truth?"

"Shoo,"

"I think it will be a boy,"

"Really?" Jaenelle looked over at her, grinning. "Well, if Inuyasha's nose is as honed as his arrogance, he should be able to scent the gender after a while."

"That's what I'm thinking," A knock on the door brought the women's attention to it, and their moods slipped into an uncomfortable annoyance. If that was one of the boyos coming to check in on them again, so help her, Kagome was going to beat them all into a pulp.

"What?" Jaenelle called, sitting up on the couch as she waited for the answer.

"May I join you?" Sango poked her head into the room and the women smiled brightly. "Of course!"

"And me?" They giggled at the sight of Rin, nodding with smiles that reached their eyes.

"Miroku and Sesshoumaru?"

"Stupid hentai..."

"Fussy youkai,"

The girls giggled and began their long winded stories about their annoyances with their males.

End of chapter. I'm pretty satisfied with this one. The conversation between Daemon and Inuyasha I was very happy with. Those two are going to play very important parts here later in the fic, not that they're not important as it is, but I mean...well...you'll see.