All At Once: Chapter 4

Summary: Overcoming the loss of the ones she loves, rape, and an unexpected pregnancy finds Kagome just barely holding on. Will Inuyasha be there for her? Or someone completely unexpected? Or will she be alone to watch her world start to crumble all at once?

Disclaimer: I own nothing

'Thought'

Flashback

"Talking"

Sango was pacing back and forth, waiting for Kagome and Inuyasha to get back from their talk. Fingers were gripped tightly together in anticipation. The shuffling of her padded feet and swish of her clothing were the only sound inside the small room.

Miroku was in the corner watching her with a dazed off expression. It was true he felt that Sango held something special, but he did not wish to make a move. Their friendship was something extremely precious to him, but he couldn't help but think, "What If?" He felt as though he had nothing to offer her and that she could do better.

'How degrading! Of course you have a chance with Sango, I mean look at you.' The monk smirked to himself. Maybe one day he would gain the courage and confidence to further his and Sango's relationship.

"Sango, it will you do no good to pace like that. By the time Inuyasha and Kagome return you will be too tired to question Kagome." Sango shot a look at the monk then sighed. She sat down next to him, admitting to herself that she was fairly tired.

"You're right; I just want to know how things went." Sango yawned a little before bringing her knees up to her face and resting her head on top of them. Miroku grinned to himself and slowly reached his hand to below her backside.

Sango's reflexes were nail sharp as she punched Miroku. "Hentai!"

Kagome's eyes held disbelief and shock. Her jaw hung slack as his words tried to sink in. Inuyasha's ears clung to the top of his head at her expression. How he wished he could just take it back, or say it was just some sick joke.

Kagome stood up and before thinking shouted, "No, Inuyasha, that's impossible, I can't be pregnant! I haven't had sex-Oh my god! No…no…it couldn't be! No! Inuyasha!" She collapsed into his lap and began to cry. Inuyasha, not having any clue as to what to do, said nothing. Kagome sobbed and embraced Inuyasha. He small hands clung to his red material, twisting it in her anguish. Inuyasha looked down at her shrinking form. He embraced her back and picked her up lightly. His long fingernails worked circles on her back, trying to calm her down. Sobs racked her body, causing her do to slight convulsions. Finally, Inuyasha stood and rearranged Kagome so she was comfortable. He walked slowly back to the rest of the gang, letting Kagome regain her composure.

When they finally reached the little hut Kagome had fallen asleep. As Inuyasha entered the room Sango stood up immediately. Inuyasha laid Kagome down and covered her with a blanket. Sango looked at her friend and noticed her tear streaked face. She turned on Inuyasha and glared.

"What did you do?" Her voice held so much threat that Inuyasha cowered back. Then, realizing he did nothing wrong he planted his feet and stood strong.

"Ya wanna wake her up? Shuddap! I didn't do anything. Ask her when she wakes up." He then turned and went of out the room. Although he hated to leave Kagome, he trusted Sango and Miroku to watch over her. The past events had come so suddenly and had wreaked so much havoc he needed to think. He sprinted to the God tree, his safety.

Sango slept by Kagome that night, but slept rarely. Was Kagome mourning her family more or did something else occur? Her curiosity was killing her, but she would never wake Kagome just to satisfy her curiosity. Sango sighed and once more tried to get back to sleep, tomorrow was going to be eventful, she could tell.

Kagome woke up while it was still dark outside. She sat up and cradled her belly, her baby. A tear worked its way down Kagome's cheek and landed on her stomach. 'Mother, I need your guidance. I wish so much that you were here.' Kagome heaved her body erect and walked outside. Maybe going for a walk would help her thinking; she had a lot to think about.

Of course Kagome knew she would have the baby, aborting it was not an option, even if her child was created on account of rape. Two wrongs didn't make a right. Was this baby a sign? Was someone higher trying to convince her to stay in Feudal Japan? If she were to return to her era with a baby she would be looked at with scorn. Unmarried mothers were looked down in Kagome's society and she knew it.

Then again, her baby would have more options in her era. If they were to stay in Feudal Japan her baby would be at the risk of numerous demons. Kagome sighed, "Ugh! This is impossible. Hey, you! Up there! Can't I have a break? Haven't I suffered enough? Help me! Give me a sign!" Kagome had, without thinking about it, found her way to the well. Was this her sign?

She gave up on signs and gave an extra loud huff. She fell on the grass beside the well and looked to the sky. Billons of stars stared back down on her. She shut her eyes and cleared her mind. She began to think of calming words. Her hands reached from her body and grasped the grass beneath her. Kagome's mind began to wander to a child running around outside.

Would her baby be running outside here? Or would it be running outside 500 years from now? If Kagome brought her child up in her era she would be alone. She needed help raising a child; her knowledge was limited when it came to babies. Maybe her best choice was staying here, where Sango, Kaede, Miroku, Shippou, and even Inuyasha could help her. What about Souta?

'He belongs in our era,' Kagome decided. He would live with their family friend and she could visit him on weekends, or whenever she found time away from shard hunting. She was determined to keep her life in Feudal Japan as normal as she could. She didn't know if she could take anymore change. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Walks really did help. Shutting her eyes, as if confirming her decision, Kagome breathed in the night air.

She was surprised at herself at how calm she was. Then again, she had to be calm now that she held all this responsibility. Was that even a fair excuse?

'I shouldn't be calm. My mother and grandfather are dead!'

After recalling this Kagome felt horrible for feeling so calm and peaceful. How could she feel that way when they were gone! Kagome wished for her mother's embrace and even for her grandfather's far-fetched stories. She began to cry, and prayed for their peace in the after-life.

"Whadda think you are doing out here?" The sudden voice made Kagome jump in shock and scream, images of that night flashing in her mind. She began to cry uncontrollably.

"No, no! Get away!" Kagome curled up into a ball as Inuyasha made his way over to her. What was she talking about? Did she think he was that guy? The one who raped her? He felt her pain and wished he were able to make it go away. He picked Kagome up and tried to explain that he was Inuyasha. She eventually calmed down and went to sleep in his arms, for the second time that night.

When Kagome woke up it was finally morning. She rubbed her eyes and noticed that no one else was in the room. How late was it? She grabbed her head as a wave of uneasiness passed through her head. When it was gone she remembered the events of earlier that morning. She sighed at how she acted. Inuyasha must think she was so unstable.

Kaogme got up and got dressed. Venturing outside landed her face to face with her hanyou.

"I was just coming in to wake ya up." Inuyasha said before looking away from her. He then added quietly, "How…um…do you feel?" Kagome was surprised by the question. Did Inuyasha just ask her how she was feeling?

Kagome smiled, she was surprisingly feeling very good. "I'm doing fine Inuyasha, thank you for asking. Look, I'm sorry for last night. I think I was just a little tired-," she was cut off, as Inuyasha said, "Don't worry about it, and just don't wander off like that again." Kagome nodded her head and Inuyasha turned around and walked away. Kagome stared after him for a while before taking a seat along side Sango by the fire.

It took Kagome a while to realize that Sango was nearly staring holes in her. It reminded Kagome that she didn't have a chance to tell Sango Inuyasha's news. She didn't know how to tell Sango. She tried to find the right words in her head but something like, "Hey Sango, guess what? I'm pregnant by my rapist. Neat, huh?" just didn't seem to cut it. So instead she grabbed Sango's hand and placed it on her stomach.

When Sango saw Kagome walk out of the hut she wanted to go and talk to her straight away. She was half way out of her seat when she saw Inuyasha beat her to Kagome. She sat back down to let them have their talk and then she would talk to her. After the two were done talking she watched as Kagome made her way over to her. She then watched as she sat down beside her and didn't say anything! Sango was about to say something when Kagome finally looked at Sango.

Sango noticed that Kagome was thinking, probably trying to think of how to say what she wanted to say. Then Sango became confused when Kagome grabbed her hand. What was she doing? When she placed it on her stomach Sango felt even more confused.

"Kagome, I don't understa-" She stopped herself when she finally figured it out. She looked down at Kagome's stomach and then to Kagome.

"Are you trying to tell me you're pregnant?" Sango knew she must be mistaken but when Kagome didn't say anything Sango just gasped. The first person she thought of as the dad was Inuyasha, but then her mind hit a road block. Didn't that intruder rape Kagome?

"Oh, Kagome, I'm so sorry. It was that man wasn't it? Is that what Inuyasha told you last night?" Kagome just nodded her head. She hugged her friend and started crying softly, although not as intense as the last couple of days.

Miroku had heard the whole conversation and so had Souta, who was sitting right beside Miroku. Miroku was thoroughly shocked at this new information. He looked at Souta who looked just as shocked. Miroku stood and motioned for Souta to do the same. Together, they walked away soundlessly.

After Kagome had stopped crying she told Sango the discussion between her and Inuyasha, and her late night walk. She explained what she planned to do next, which was for her to stay in Feudal Japan and for Souta to go back to their era. Sango agreed to it and told Kagome that she would be more than happy to help her with the baby. Kagome smiled weakly and hugged her friend before explaining that she had to go talk to Souta. Kagome squeezed Sango's hand for support before she got up and took the same path Souta had only moments before.

"Souta?" Kagome called as she walked into the room. She noticed Souta sitting in a corner, doing nothing. "Are you ok?"

Souta looked up at his sister but instead of looking at her face, looked at her stomach. He didn't hear his sister's question, unable to comprehend what was going on.

"Kagome, are you really pregnant?" Kagome was quiet for a while before sighing. She walked over to her brother and sat down beside him. She looked at him for a moment, and at how much he had grown. Had she really missed so much being in Feudal Japan? How had she not noticed the inch or two he had grown? This alone almost brought her to tears. It was a small reminder of how little she got to spend with her family before they were completely taken away from her.

"Yes, Souta, I am." Kagome looked him straight in the eye; she wanted to see his expression. She smiled when he smiled, although not sure why he was smiling.

"I think its funny how new life is created when other life is taken away." Kagome stared at her brother, amazed at what he had just said. His comment was so far beyond his years. She couldn't help but agree with him.

"Oh, Souta! Please don't be mad at me, but I think it would be best if you were to stay in our era." Kagome had been holding Souta's hand but he grabbed it away. She had expected this kind of reaction.

"Kagome, why? You are all I have left! Why don't you want to be with me"? Kagome cringed as Souta's words hit her full on. She wished he wouldn't look at it like that. She didn't mean for him to be hurt, she just wanted what was best for them; meaning Souta and her baby.

"No, Souta, of course I want to be with you! But if I go back to our era I don't know what I would do. I have a baby to support now. If I got a job, who would watch the baby?" Kagome saw that Souta was still hurt so she thought fast. "Souta, what if I stayed with you for a couple of months?"

Souta looked at his sister and then nodded. So it was decided, she would go and stay with Souta at their family friends house for a couple months, or until he was ready to be on his own, then she would come back here to stay. The last part almost made her pale. She breathed in deeply. This is what she needed to do. Deep down, she knew this was for the best. Now she had to tell Inuyasha.

Inuyasha was sitting on a high branch in his favorite tree when he smelled Kagome below him. He looked down and saw that she was looking up at him. He jumped down to her level and waited for her to say something. It was then that he noticed she looked kind of nervous.

"Um…Inuyasha, I decided that I'm going to stay with Souta in our era for a little bit. Just until he gets comfortable without me there. Then I will come back here, to stay…for good." Kagome had been watching a group of ants on the ground while she told Inuyasha her plan. After a while of silence she looked up at him. She couldn't exactly read his expression so she waited for him to say something.

"What about the jewel shards? When you come back to this era you are going to be huge! How are you going to be able to hunt jewel shards then?" Kagome's eyes widened at what Inuyasha had just said. Her eyebrow began to twitch as she tried to control her bubbling anger.

"What did you just say?" Kagome's voice held a deadly poison that Inuyasha obviously missed, because he was about to repeat himself. Kagome stopped him by stepping a few feet away and saying, "Sit," a number of 5 times.

"Go to hell, Inuyasha." Kagome turned and walked away. How could Inuyasha be so insensitive? Kagome fumed all the way back to well, where Souta was already waiting for her.

Yay! Sorry this update took so long, even though it's quicker than I used to update in the past. I'm on spring break. Once more: Yay!

Please, please, please review! -mel