Heyyy everyone! So I have good news and bad news. The good news is I'm out of school for the month! Which means I will hopefully have more time to update :) the bad news is I'm actually going to be really busy now though because I get married at the END of this month! So maybe nothing will change actually? Haha we'll see!

Thank you sooo much to everyone who reviewed! I'm almost to 200 reviews guys! You exceeded my expectations and I'm SO happy! :) You're all wondering about the baby though huh? Patience...

Special shoutout to inuyashas-numberone-girlfriend for reviewing almost every chapter...glad you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for all the lovely reviews you left :)

Anyways, on to the story! Sorry for the long A/N. Enjoy!

Chapter 17: Rue

Kagome felt frozen, as if every limb was resisting movement. Her brain told her legs to stand and her arms to move but nothing happened. She simply stared at the baby in the basket, who had closed it's eyes once more and drifted to sleep.

Okay, she told herself, taking a deep breath. Don't panic. Just get the baby inside where it's warm. Then panic.

The temperature was certainly dropping, and she knew getting the baby warm was the first priority. Who knows how long it had been sitting out here...blankets could only do so much. Her legs finally obeyed, and she stood, lifting the basket with her and unlocking the front door. It was surprisingly light, which she was grateful for as she carried it to the chair by the fireplace. She quickly set to work starting a fire, and when it was going strong she focused her attention back on the baby.

"Who are you little fella?" she whispered, sitting on the arm of the chair and studying the baby. She knew she wouldn't get a response, but for some reason people always talked aloud to babies. Maybe it worked?

Kagome noticed the edge of something white poking out of the blankets, and she carefully sifted through them until she was grasping an envelope. Curiously, she used her thumb to open it and remove a letter, one addressed to no one in particular.

I'm sorry to leave my baby like this. Please know it is not what I wanted, but if the father knew of his child, he would reject it. And I can not bare to see that happen. You are the only family my child has now. Take care of my sweet baby. - K.

Kagome reread the letter before lowering it and staring into the fire. The only family left? Who was the father? Could he really be so coldhearted as to reject his own child like that? Kagome didn't understand any of it, but the most important thing remained: finding a solution to taking care of this baby.

There was only one problem...

xXxXx

InuYasha muttered to himself as he closed the front door behind him. It was supposed to be spring, yet the weather wasn't improving. He loved riding his motorcycle, but he always had to wear so many layers due to the cold winds that blew against him that it was becoming a hastle. He tried to ignore the thought as the warmth of the house engulfed him and he smiled. Seeing Kagome today at school had made it so hard to focus. All he could think about was the kiss they had shared the previous night, and how much he had wanted to do it again. He had been looking foward to coming home to her all day, to seeing her beautiful face and eating her delicious cooking.

Speaking of Kagome, he wandered into the kitchen and was surprised to find she hadn't started dinner yet. He checked his watch. 5:30. That was odd...she usually started dinner by 5.

"Kagome?" he called, walking down the hall. "Where are you?"

He came into the living room and saw Kagome sitting on the couch, absentmindedly staring at the television, which was muted. When she saw him enter, she grinned somewhat nervously and stood up to give him a hug.

"Hey," she said. "I was wondering when you'd get home."

Although he loved the way her body felt against his, he gently held Kagome at arms length and looked into her bright eyes.

"Is everything okay?" he asked seriously, searching her face. "Are you too tired to cook tonight? Cuz we can order take out."

"Cook?" Kagome asked, furrowing her brow. Then she gasped. "Oh, I completely forgot dinner! I'm so sorry, you must be hungry-"

"Kagome," InuYasha shook his head. "Don't worry about that. Is something going on?"

The raven haired girl closed her mouth and looked away. When she didn't reply right away, InuYasha sensed something was wrong. He suddenly remembered the way he had instigated the kiss, and maybe she hadn't even liked it...

"I'm sorry if I was too forward yesterday," he apologized, letting go of her. "If you don't feel that way about me, I understand."

Kagome lifted her head to stare at him. "What? That's not it at all," she told him, taking his hand. "That kiss meant a lot to me. I'm glad you did it." She smiled, which caused InuYasha to smile back. But then Kagome's expression changed and she looked away again. "It's just...there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" InuYasha asked hurriedly, growing more concerned. Kagome sighed and shook her head.

"Maybe it's just better if I show you," she said, leading him out of the living room. He followed her up the stairs and down the hall, until they stopped outside of her room. The door was open for once and the lights were on. InuYasha looked over at her, but she just pulled him carefully inside the room and towards the bed.

"Kagome, what's going on?" InuYasha asked curiously, following her gaze to the head of the bed, where there was a pile of blankets, some pillows and a...a...

"Is that a...baby?" InuYasha asked, dumbfounded, his jaw dropping. For a moment, he thought he was seeing things. It had been a long day after all. And Kagome couldn't have a...baby. It was impossible.

But she was nodding, looking weary. "Yes. I found it on the doorstep today, just lying in a basket. I don't know who left it. All I know is what's written in this letter." She reached into her pocket and produced a folded up piece of paper, which she handed over to InuYasha. He read it a few times before looking from the letter, to Kagome, to the baby, and then back to the letter.

"I don't get it," he said slowly, "we're the only family it has now? The father? What's going on?"

"Those are the same questions I asked myself," Kagome said in a tired voice, sinking onto the bed. "And I have no clue how to answer any of them."

InuYasha looked intently at the baby's sleeping form, so many things going through his mind. He was confused, and exhausted and hungry. This was not the time for this.

"Does it remind you of anyone?" he asked, lifting a finger to his chin. "It looks familiar."

Kagome gave him a look as if to ask are-you-serious? "Um...InuYasha. The baby looks exactly like you!"

InuYasha looked taken aback by her statement. "What? No it doesnt..." He studied the baby, his expression focused.

"Yes, it does. The silver hair, the amber eyes," Kagome told him, nodding towards the baby.

"The complextion," InuYasha offered, sounding fascinated.

"Not to mention the thick eyebrows."

"And the nose," InuYasha said proudly. When Kagome gave him a weird look, he said defensively, "What? I've always thought I have a good nose."

"Whatever," Kagome shrugged, resting her chin in her palm. "So what are we going to do about it?"

InuYasha looked completely in the dark. "Don't ask me," he shook his head, "I ain't it's parent."

The statement hung in the room, and although each knew the other was thinking the same thing, neither commented on it. Parent...

"What is it anyway?" InuYasha suddenly asked, looking at the baby.

"Huh?"

"Like a boy or a girl? Which is it?"

"Oh," Kagome replied, looking dazed. She felt like a total idiot. She had been so caught up in all the other aspects of the baby, she had completely forgotten to check it's gender. "I don't know."

"You don't? Well we can't just call it an 'it' can we?"

He had a valid point. Kagome nodded and said, "So then go ahead and check."

InuYasha looked horrified. "Me? Check...under there? To see it's...thing? No way." He folded his arms across his chest. "Not happening."

"But I've been watching it this whole time! It's your turn to do something!"

"So? You're the woman, not me."

Again, he had a valid point. Kagome knew it was senseless to argue, so she glowered at him and scooted along the bed over to the baby. The movement caused it to open it's shining eyes, shaken from it's dreams.

"Oh, hey there little guy," Kagome smiled, stroking it's cheek softly. "I'm just gonna peek under here real quick, mmkay?"

The baby giggled back at her, and gave a smile that melted her heart. She tried to discern whether it resembled InuYasha's smile but now wasn't the time for that. She had a mission. Carefully lifting up the blankets, she pulled down the diaper a little ways and checked.

InuYasha waited impatiently until she had put the blankets back in place and settling in next to the baby. "Well?" he asked. "What's the verdict?"

Kagome sat up a little straighter, looking proud. "Girl," she smiled, running her hands through the silver curls of the baby. "Looks like you're outnumbered," she joked.

"Yeah, yeah," InuYasha scoffed, leaning back against the wall. "So what do we call it then? I mean her."

Kagome bit her thumbnail. "Oh, I hadn't given much thought to that either."

"Well it -she - has to have a name right?"

"Probably. But the letter didn't say. Oh!" Kagome exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "I know. I'll give her one! I have so many lovely names I could use," she grinned and pulled the baby onto her lap, who happily complied.

"Name her whatever you want," InuYasha shrugged.

Thinking for a moment, Kagome finally suggested, "How 'bout Ayu?"

InuYasha made a face. "Nah. I don't like it."

"I thought you said whatever I want?"

"To some extent. I live here too, ya know."

Kagome sighed and thought some more. "Kisa?"

"Kisa? Might as well brand the kid for getting made fun of later on."

"Okay, smart guy, what do you think we should name her?" Kagome huffed.

InuYasha grinned. "That's easy. Clifford."

Kagome's mouth fell open. "You're joking right? The name you always wanted for your dog?"

"Yeah, but I never got one so it's perfect right?" he said hopefully.

He was serious.

"We are not naming her Clifford!" Kagome said hotly, pulling the baby closer to her chest as if to protect her from InuYasha. "Right?" she looked down at the baby, who was contentedly letting her eyes droop.

"Fine," InuYasha grumbled, crossing his arms.

Kagome thought some more. What was a good name? One they both would like?

"What about Rue?" she suggested, glancing at InuYasha to judge his reaction. Surprisingly, he didn't look opposed to the idea, although he didn't look overly excited either.

"I guess," was his simple response. "As long as it's not Kisa."

"It's settled then," Kagome said happily, ignoring his last remark. She smiled at the baby. "Hear that? We're going to call you Rue now." The baby laughed cheerfully and grabbed a lock of Kagome's long hair, as InuYasha stretched and scratched the back of his neck.

"So...you don't think she's mine do you?" he asked cautiously, sounding unsure. "I would know if I had a baby right?"

"I'm not sure," Kagome replied, not meeting his eyes. "Did you and Kikyo...?"

"Well...yeah, we dated for two years after all."

"Then maybe there's something she's not telling you."

"There's no way," InuYasha said, a little too quickly. "We broke up last June. Girls are pregnant for 12 months right? I would have noticed something."

Kagome raised an eyebrow at him. "You should get a refund for whatever sex ed class you took," she said. "Girls are pregnant for 9 months. And didn't Kikyo disappear right after you two broke up in June anyway?"

InuYasha considered her question for a moment, then counted something on his fingers. His face paled. "But...we broke up 9 months ago then."

Kagome didn't say anything, just rocked gently back and forth on her bed with Rue. Neither of them knew what to say.

"She cheated on me with someone though," InuYasha said, sounding a little hopeful. "It could be his baby?"

"Who else do you know with silver hair and amber eyes?"

He swallowed and pretended to study the carpet on the floor. "Well, can't we take her to a doctor to do a DNA test? Or just ask Kikyo?"

"No," Kagome said quickly, watching Rue sleep. "I don't want to ask Kikyo. I have a bad feeling about her. What if it's not even her baby?"

"But the letter said K."

"Still..." Kagome shook her head. "I think we're on our own for a little while. Or we could ask your dad what we should do?"

"No," InuYasha said, just as quickly as Kagome had before. "He would be furious at me. Can you imagine?"

Kagome got a mental picture of Mr. Takahashi throwing InuYasha out on the streets. You got someone pregant? That will not be tolerated! You no longer live under my roof!

"Maybe we can just watch her until we think of what to do," InuYasha agreed.

"Not for too long, just until we form a plan," Kagome said. She looked down at Rue and smiled. "We're going to be your mama and papa for awhile k? If that's alright with you?"

Rue blinked her eyes open and smiled up at the two of them. She chirped happily and wiggled out of Kagome's arms to crawl across the bed towards InuYasha. He quickly scooped her into his arms before she could fall off the edge. Holding her awkwardly, InuYasha adjusted himself until he was holding her the same way Kagome had been. Then a small smile spread across his lips.

"Papa," Rue cooed, the word coming out giggly and high pitched.

Kagome and InuYasha exchanged a look, neither knowing what to say but feeling content to just be in silence for the rest of the night.

xXxXx

Being in silence for the rest of the night, however, was impossible. They knew they had to get supplies for Rue, so later on they sat at the kitchen table discussing it.

"I ain't gonna stay here and watch her alone!" InuYasha said defiantly.

"How else am I gonna go out and get her food and diapers?" Kagome asked impatiently. "She needs things InuYasha."

"I can't stay here."

"Okay. What if you go and I stay with Rue?"

"No! I can't risk someone I know seeing me buying...baby stuff." He said the word as though he was swearing.

Kagome sighed. "How about we both just go?"

And so InuYasha finally agreed and they hopped into one of his father's cars to drive to Babies R Us. They decided it was best to buy a carrier, as well as a car seat and a high chair. They even bought some toys she could play with and clothes she would need.

"It's probably cheaper if we go to the grocery store to get baby food and diapers though," Kagome suggested, as they were finishing up at Babies R Us. InuYasha shrugged, feeling indifferent, as he drove the three of them to the local grocery store where Kagome usually bought dinner. Rue was becoming fussy from moving around so much and Kagome assured her they wouldn't be long.

"Just hang in there, k Rue?" she smiled as she set her carrier into a shopping cart. Unsure of what kind of food to get or formula to buy, or even what size diapers, they found a sweet clerk who was willing to help them. She commented on how adorable Rue was, and Kagome told her that it was InuYasha's cousin's baby.

"We're watching her for the week," she explained, hoping it sounded believable.

"How kind of you. It must be fun hanging with this little one all week," the clerk grinned, looking down at Rue, who was eating it all up. She smiled and giggled and called out random baby words.

When the cart had a good amount of products in it, Kagome thanked the clerk for her kindness and followed InuYasha to the register. The store was fairly uncrowded, and she felt as though she could breath a sigh of relief that they hadn't run into anyone the knew. And then, of course...

"Kagome?" a voice came from behind them. They both turned to see none other then Koga coming their way, a box of energy bars and a powerade in his basket. He smiled at her, until he noticed who she was with. His expression immediately darkened. "Oh. You're here with him?"

"Hey Koga," Kagome said, hoping the old lady in front of them in line would hurry up. She was heaving bags of cat food onto the conveyor belt at a snails pace. "Fancy running into you here." She laughed nervously.

"Yeah..." Koga trailed off, noticing their cart. "What's all that for?" He indicated the cans of baby food, diaper boxes and formula bottles.

Before Kagome could think of a good excuse, the clerk from earlier appeared behind Koga looking apologetic. He stepped aside to let her pass him and approach Kagome.

"Since you're not all that sure on her age, I was thinking it might be best to also try the 6 to 8 months baby food. Just in case," she smiled and handed the products over to Kagome. "You might be able to judge her reaction to the taste and it could help you."

"Thank you," Kagome smiled gratefully, waving as the clerk headed off. Koga gave them both a shocked look.

"It's not our baby!" InuYasha immediately exclaimed, looking defensive.

"It's his cousin's," Kagome lied. "We're watching her for the week. Well, I mean, he asked me to help since he's not very good with babies." She punched him playfully in the shoulder.

"Whatever," InuYasha scoffed.

Koga still looked shocked. "What cousin was idiot enough to trust you with their child?"

"Watch it," InuYasha growled, taking a step towards Koga.

"Ma'am?" the cashier asked, and Kagome turned to see that it was their turn in line. She gave Koga an apologetic look.

"It was nice seeing you. Have a good night Koga," she smiled, turning away to focus on unloading the cart and keeping Rue occupied.

There was no time to dwell on the fact that Koga had seen them together, with Rue. She could only hope and pray he wouldn't tell anyone about it, especially anyone who might tell Kikyo. She had to stay focused on keeping Rue safe, and just figuring out where to go from here. Luckily, she thought to herself, as she watched InuYasha putting items onto the conveyer belt, she wasn't alone. She had InuYasha, and with him, she could do anything.

xXxXx

Sorry it's kinda short, I'm so tired from work! Review please :) Once again, thank you for all the great reviews!