DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha. I'm just a fan of the show. All rights to the character belong to its creator Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter hasn't been proofread.

NOTE: Please remember that all italicized paragraphs at the beginning of the chapters refer to past events. That's how most chapters in my story will begin.

CHAPTER 6: TELL ME WHEN WILL I SEE YOU SMILE AGAIN

It was late in the afternoon. The sun was shining down on all the inhabitants of Daigon County. The clouds were fluffy and white and the skies were clear and free from rain. It was an absolutely beautiful day. The abundance Life was thriving at full force.

Everything seemed too peaceful. Well, except for Kagome Mei'Lin Higurashi. She was kneeling down in front of her home planting flowers in her mother's garden.

It had been nearly two and half weeks since she walked, no ran away from her job as Kenshin Ishikawa's baby-sitter. After she threw herself at Inuyasha and made a fool of herself, there was no way she could face him again.

Not only did she humiliate herself, but she also embarrassed him and put him in an uncomfortable situation. It wasn't like he'd never told her that they couldn't have a relationship, because he had, but she constantly and openly flirted with him all the time.

When she kissed him, he hadn't been the least bit discouraging. He did kiss her back, which he shouldn't have done, because it only gave her false hope, and she certainly didn't need any of that. Every kiss, touch and caress she'd given was accepted and given right back with equal fervor.

She sighed and wiped sweat from her brow before looking skyward. Why did she always have to screw up everything? She never meant for things to happen the way they did. How could loving somebody as much as she loved Inuyasha hurt so much? Everything fell apart way too soon.

She brought her gaze down and stared at the blue-jean shorts that she wore. They were very short. She smiled briefly before tugging on the end of her sleeveless peach belly shirt. No wonder she always got unwanted stares. She showed too much skin, but it wasn't to get attention.

It was really hot in Daigon County at this time of the year. Half the time guys stared at her she was oblivious to it. In many ways she was innocent of her appeal to the opposite sex. She may've had the body of an adult but she was a whole lot greener than most believed. She gave new meaning to the word naïve.

The sound of squeaking bikes brought Kagome from her thoughts and she looked to the left of her just in time to see her younger brothers riding their bikes in her direction. She smiled as they emerged from their bikes, letting them fall to the ground.

"Hey guys. Getting into any mischief today?" She joked.

12 year Sota rolled his eyes at his sister before tapping their adopted brother, 11 year old Shippo on the shoulder. They smirked at each other before whispering something that their sister couldn't hear.

"What are you two whispering about?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Shippo announced with a wide grin.

Kagome rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever! I don't have time to joke with you imbeciles."

Shippo smirked at Sota and then whispered something else to him.

Kagome ignored them and bent down to finish working in their mother's garden. She heard her brothers snickering and thought about saying something to them, but all her thoughts fell short when she felt a tug on her ponytail. She reached behind herself to see which one of brother's was trying to rip her hair from her skull and ended up losing her footing. She tumbled to the ground with one her brother's beneath her.

When she heard him wail, she knew it was Sota that had been grabbing her hair. She groaned loudly and before she had a chance to get up Shippo launched himself against her body. He pressed his mouth against her belly and began blowing raspberries against it. Then Sota brought his hand to her side and began tickling her.

Before she could get angry, she broke out into a wide grin and then laughed and laughed until it fell like she'd burst from the sheer joy of it. She hadn't felt this giddy since she and Ayame played a joke on their biology instructor three years ago.

Shippo lifted his face from her belly and stared down at her face. There was a crooked grin on her lips and tears were spilling from her eyes. There was a look of utter contentment on her face. He knew immediately that the tears she shed weren't tears of sadness. They were tears of joy and mirth and he for one was ecstatic to see them.

"Did we get her?" Sota mumbled to his younger brother from beneath Kagome.

Shippo nodded happily.

Kagome frowned and lifted up as Shippo moved away from her body. Within a few seconds all three of them stood and stared at each other.

"Why did you guys do that?" Kagome asked, her laughter finally subsiding.

"Because you needed it." Sota replied.

"I needed it? What makes you say that?"

"Because you did need it Kagome." Her youngest brother replied before moving closer to her. I don't know what happened to you, but lately you've been depressed about something and I don't like it when you're like that."

"Shippo?" She whispered.

"We don't like it when you're like that." Sota corrected him. "I don't know what happened with your job sis, but please don't ever get down in the dumps like you've been these past few weeks. Even if you don't have a job, you'll always have Shippo and me."

Shippo nodded. "And mom and dad and Kikyo. Don't forget about them."

"Is that why you guys tickled me?" Kagome asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We just wanted to see you smile again sis. That's all. Just wanted to see you smile." Sota said before laying a hand on Kagome's shoulder.

Kagome pressed her lips together as a single tear slid pass her left eye. She was so touched that she nearly broke down then and there and bawled like a baby. She pulled her younger brothers close to her and squeezed them tightly. Then she placed a kiss upon both of their foreheads.

"I love you guys!"

They both pushed against her and wiped their heads.

"Yuck sis! No need to get all sentimental." Sota said before walking back to his bike.

"Keep your kisses to yourself." Shippo joined in.

Kagome watched them hop back onto their bikes and ride away down the sidewalk. She watched them until their slim bodies pedaled away and was no longer in view. They might've been annoying but she had the sweetest brothers in the whole world, and they were right.

Just because things went sour with Inuyasha, didn't mean she had to get down in the dumps. Heck, she wasn't a bad looking girl. She could easily get a boyfriend if she wanted one. Of course she was gonna have to get over Inuyasha first and that wasn't gonna be easily done.

The slamming of a car door deterred her from her current situation and just like déjà vu, her gaze landed on a familiar pair of amber eyes. A startled gasp emerged from her lips. Why was he here? It was bad enough he invaded her thoughts constantly. Did he really have to show up now?

Inuyasha took a brief glimpse at his sleeping son, whom he held in his arms. Then he focused his gaze on Kagome before leaning against his red pick-up truck.

Kagome stared at him before swallowing a lump in her throat. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. What was he doing here? And why was he staring at her like that? There was no way she could handle him looking at her the way he was right now.

"Kagome?"

She blinked when she heard her name being spoken, but it wasn't Inuyasha that spoke it. It was Sango. She hadn't even realized Sango was with him. The only person she'd noticed was Inuyasha. She felt the stirrings of intense emotions gathering in her belly and immediately she made the rash decision to step away from them.

Sensing that she might've been attempting to run, Sango reached out and touched her arm.

"I'm sorry." She whispered before looking away from Inuyasha.

"No, no, no! Honey don't apologize." Sango said before gathering Kagome into her arms.

Kagome trembled for a moment before staring at the ground. She felt her heart beating erratically. It was just maddening the way Inuyasha's presence affected her.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. Nobody's mad at you, not me nor Inuyasha."

"But I kissed him!"

"I know. He told me about it and he's really sorry for the way he handled things. He wants to apologize to you."

"He doesn't have to. It was my fault anyways."

"No Kagome! It was a misunderstanding and you're both sorry about it. So let's just forget about it. Okay?"

Kagome nodded quietly, her head pressed against Sango's chest.

"We liked having you around."

Kagome smiled and wiped at her eyes.

"I know things got out of hand with you and my brother, but we can all get past that."

Kagome nodded.

"Would you be willing to come back and take your job? I promise things will be much different."

Kagome gasped and leaned out of Sango's embrace. "You want me to be Kenshin's baby-sitter again?"

Sango nodded. "He misses you Kagome."

"Really?" She asked, slightly confused.

"He's been asking about you every day since you left. It's been kind of hard to get him to sleep."

"Really?" She asked again.

Sango smiled at Kagome's innocence. "Believe me Kagome, cranky, crying hanyou children are extremely difficult to get to sleep."

Kagome's eyes glittered with unshed tears. She had a feeling her abrupt departure from little Kenshin's life was going to be difficult for him to handle. She moved a few spaces away from Sango and forced her teary gaze towards Inuyasha and then to Kenshin.

His black, furry ears began to twitch and he wrinkled his nose. He rubbed his eyes and twisted about in his father's embrace. Then he opened his eyes and focused them on the one person he wanted to see more than anything in the whole world.

"Aunt Kagome!" He screamed before jumping from his father's arms. He scurried his little body over to her and threw himself into her awaiting embrace. His tiny, clawed hands went around her neck and he buried his face into her shirt.

Kagome trembled and squeezed the little boy with all her might.

"Why did you leave? Why did you leave me Aunt Kagome?"

"I'm sorry." She said, her voice overcome with emotion.

"I still love you. Please don't stop loving me!"

Kagome shuddered as her barely constrained tears came cascading down her face. This little boy was her heart. He had to know that. She loved him like he was her own child.

"Please! Don't leave me again."

"I'll never leave you again Kenshin. Never. I love you and that'll never change."

Kenshin shuddered against Kagome's chest and tightened his hands around her neck.

"I love you munchkin. Don't ever forget that."

Kenshin nodded his head as Kagome stroked his wild, black, tangly hair.

"I love you munchkin. I'll always love you."

She squeezed him tightly to her chest. An emotional thank you was whispered to Sango and Inuyasha. After that day, she knew without a doubt that she was meant to be a part of this family.

Kagome grabbed her purse from the couch and pulled out her cell phone. She had another missed call from Sango. That made her sixth missed call from her this week. She tossed the phone back into her purse and released a shaky breath. She couldn't avoid Sango forever.

Kagome knew she was generally concerned about her well being, but she also knew that her calls had a lot to do with her brother Inuyasha, whom she had no desire to see any time soon. After that heated argument that they had eight days ago, she wasn't sure she could ever look at him again.

He yelled at her and she yelled at him and from there things just went from bad to worse, and the sad thing about it, was the fact that her nieces and nephews were right in the middle of their constant bickering.

She closed her eyes and leaned back against the couch she currently sat upon. Although she said she hated Inuyasha that was farthest from the truth. In fact, one of the main reasons why she called him out about his feelings was because he saw so easily through her own and made fun of her for still crushing so hard on him.

Who was she kidding?

She wasn't crushing on Inuyasha. She hadn't had a crush on him for years. What she still felt for him was way more intense and serious than a teen-age crush, and she cursed herself every day for never getting over him.

It wasn't like she didn't try. She even moved far away from him to a different city, but nothing seemed to work. She came all the way to Furigana to test that theory and she failed miserably. Just one look into her psyche and a touch from his hand and those familiar stirrings of desire came slamming against her heart again and again and again.

She groaned in irritation and stamped her feet onto the floor. It just wasn't fair to feel that way about someone and know that they'll never have the capacity to love you back the same way. After all, Inuyasha wasn't capable of such love. The only thing he was capable of was breaking down waterbeds, and he certainly wasn't gonna break hers down, no matter how much she wanted him.

"Is everything okay Kagome?"

Her eyes flew open and rested upon Koga. He was wearing a pair of black jogging pants and a white tank top. He had his hair in his usual ponytail and he looked as though if he'd just got done working out.

"Kagome?"

"I'm fine Koga. I just have a lot on my mind."

"I know the feeling." He replied to her before sinking down onto the couch next to her.

"Where's Ayame? Surely it doesn't take this long to change a baby." Kagome giggled.

"She's asleep." Koga smirked.

"Asleep? I wanted to finish talking to her."

"You can talk to me Kagome."

"You're a guy." She pouted.

"So, last time I checked we were good friends. Besides, she finally got the baby to go to sleep and she was pretty tired herself."

"Poor Ayame."

"Yes poor Ayame." Koga reiterated Kagome's words. "I told her taking care of babies was a lot of work. I remember how difficult it was when your sister gave birth to the twins."

"Me too." Kagome said before looking away from Koga. "Ayame has her work cut out for her with little Amaya. With your genes and her genes, I can tell that little girl is gonna be a handful."

Koga shot Kagome a cocky smirk. "I can't wait to see what your kids will be like when you have them."

Kagome folded her arms across her chest as she began to feel a bit uncomfortable. Sure she wanted children, but because of her drawbacks regarding relationships, she sometimes wondered herself if she'd ever become a mother. Only time would tell.

"You do want kids, don't you Kagome?"

"I don't know. I suppose I'd like to have one or two in the future."

"I bet you'd make a great mom."

"You're just saying that because your wife's my best friend."

"No I'm not. I mean it Kagome."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Koga, but I've never been a mom. So, how great I may or may not be as a mother can't really be determined until I cross that bridge."

"Kagome you may not have physically mothered any children, but I know you'll make a great mom."

Kagome sighed in disbelief. "And what are you basing that answer off of Koga?"

"Your relationship with Kenshin. You have to know that he's always looked at you like a mother."

"Don't you mean aunt?"

"No! I mean mother. You mean a lot to him."

"Please don't make me out to be something special Koga."

"You know it's the truth Kagome. Kenshin's mother died after she gave birth to him. He never knew her. Besides Inuyasha's sister, there was no other female for him to connect with until fate brought you along nearly seven years later. Whether you want to believe it or not that boy loves you like a mother and I think you feel the same way about him."

"He did have my sister you know."

"Yes he did and I think in his own way, he loved her, but it wasn't the same way he loved you."

Kagome bristled in annoyance. "Please don't tell me that my sister didn't care about Kenshin. She wasn't a bad person."

Koga cleared his throat and looked directly into Kagome's eyes. "I wasn't gonna say she was a bad person."

"But you thought it. I saw the way your eyes changed when I mentioned her. My sister wasn't a bad person and she did love Kenshin. I don't know why you and Inuyasha are so dead set on her making her out to be such a horrible person."

"I don't think your sister was a horrible person Kagome, but if I did, wouldn't you at least want to know why I felt that way."

"No I wouldn't because you're Inuyasha's best friend. You'd believe anything he told you anyways."

"That's not fair Kagome."

"And bad-mouthing my sister is? It's bad enough Inuyasha is always making her out to be the biggest slut to have ever walked this earth. I don't need to know that one of my best friend's thinks she was a bad mother as well."

"I don't think your sister was a bad mother Kagome. From what I witnessed between her and her children, she was a phenomenal mother. However, there had to be a reason why Inuyasha believed she made a difference in the way she treated her children."

"He only believes that because of her alleged affair."

"It has nothing to do with that, and believe me it wasn't alleged. Now, I'm not saying your sister did make a difference between the children. Maybe she did it without realizing it, but that doesn't mean she didn't love her stepson. Because in the short time that I knew her, she did seem like a very loving person."

"But she was such a big whore that it's hard for you to believe that she gave a crap about anybody other than herself."

"Stop putting words into my mouth Kagome."

"Why should I? I'm sick of you and Inuyasha telling me what a liar and adulterer my sister was. You cheated on Kaguya when you were married to her, and I know Inuyasha cheated just as much as Kikyo supposedly did. You two really got me twisted with your self-righteous attitudes."

"Whoa! Hold on now! You need to know what you're talking about before you start judging. I can't say the same for Inuyasha, but I never cheated on Kaguya."

"Yeah you did. Ayame told me that you and her were having sex when your wife was still alive."

Koga groaned in irritation. "I did not cheat on Kaguya! I only told Ayame that because I was still in love with Kaguya when Ayame and I began messing around. I wasn't looking for anything serious then and neither was she. Neither one of us were really ready to start a new chapter in our lives."

Kagome stared at Koga belligerently.

"My wife had been dead for two years and I know it was crazy for me to pine after her for two years, but I couldn't help it. I'd never loved anyone as beautiful, crazy and maniacal as Kaguya. I thought we were going to be together forever. I'd never loved anyone like I loved her. I thought she was it for me, but then she got sick with that disease and that was it for us."

Kagome shifted closer to Koga and reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Koga flashed her a toothy grin. "I lied to Ayame. I told her my wife was still alive, and I guess in a sense she was, if you counted my heart, but physically she was gone."

"And your baby boy too."

Koga nodded quietly. "I think if he would've at least made it, then I wouldn't have clung to Kaguya's memory so much."

"Oh Koga! I can't begin to imagine how terrible you felt after losing both of them that way."

Koga sighed as his eyes shifted away to a far off distance. "Those were the darkest days of my life, but as I live and years continue to pass by, it hurts less and less."

"Time heals all wounds." Kagome murmured quietly.

Koga nodded before shifting his gaze to Kagome. "Thank Kami I found Ayame though. She'd just lost her fiancé. We'd both lost someone special to us. I guess that's why we clicked so well."

"You both got a second chance at love Koga. I know it hurt when you both lost your significant others, but I can't imagine a better pair than you two. My best girl friend and my best guy friend, going against all odds to find each other. I love you two to pieces."

"We love you too Kagome."

"Actually, I envy what you guys have."

"Why is that?"

"Because I can tell that you guys genuinely love each other, and no matter what obstacles stood before you, you found a way to be with each other."

Koga narrowed his eyes as he began to get an inkling that Kagome was no longer talking about he and Ayame. He was almost certain of it.

"Are you referring to her age?"

"What?"

"Are you saying that her age was an obstacle?"

"Was it?" Kagome asked, eager to hear his answer.

"Why would her age be an obstacle?"

Kagome hunched her shoulders as if she didn't know why she was asking him this question.

"Kagome, yes Ayame is younger than me, but we are both adults. The six years between us never mattered."

"To some people it does." Kagome mumbled.

"Do you mind running that by me again?"

"No. Forget I said it."

"Why?"

"Because it's not important." Kagome bristled.

"Apparently so or you wouldn't be getting worked up."

"I'm not getting worked up!"

Koga smirked and folded his arms at his chest. "Does this have anything to do with that big fight you had with Inuyasha?"

"Oh God!" Kagome groaned in frustration. "My life does not revolve around Inuyasha!"

"I never said it did Lin."

"Don't call me that!" Kagome yelled, intense emotions seizing her heart that she never knew she possessed.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you calling me that!"

"Inuyasha doesn't call you that anymore."

"Would you stop talking about him?" Kagome roared. She was really ticked. She hadn't been called that name in years, and just hearing it now left a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Whoa Kagome! What's with the 180?"

"I'm tired of you talking about Inuyasha. I don't want to hear anything about him. I don't want to think about him. I don't want to hear his name."

Koga leaned closer to Kagome and gathered her into his arms.

"Get your hands off of me!"

"No. You're hurting."

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are."

"Let me go Koga!"

"No! You've got some emotions bottled up inside of you and they need to be released."

"I don't need anything but for you to leave me alone!"

"Kagome?"

"I mean it Koga! I don't need you to comfort me! I'm fine."

Koga shook his head, feeling the tension in his friend's shoulders.

Kagome pushed against him but he refused to release her.

"It's okay Kagome. I understand."

"No you don't! I wish you and your stupid best friend would just leave me alone!"

"You don't mean that."

"Yes I do, especially about him. God! I hate him!"

"Don't say that Kagome."

"Why shouldn't I? It's the truth. Inuyasha is the rudest man I've ever had the displeasure of meeting and I curse the day he and I crossed paths."

Koga patted Kagome on her back much like he use to do when she was teenager.

She pushed against him, his body stiff as a board as he refused to release her.

"Let it go Kagome! It's okay."

"I don't have anything to let go of!" She nearly screamed, on the verge of tears.

"Yes you do! You're angry and you're hurt and extremely vulnerable."

She shook her head in disagreement as a single tear slid down her cheek.

"It's okay. Just let it go."

Kagome trembled in his arms as her defenses began to crumble.

"Let it go. You'll feel much better once you do."

She went still in his embrace as her will to fight slowly faded away and finally gave in to her conflicting emotions. Koga continued to pat her back before sliding her hair from her eyes.

"I miss him. I miss him so much."

"I know you do."

"I miss that stupid smirk of his and I miss his cocky attitude. I even miss him flirting with me, but most of all, I think I miss that innocent smile people rarely get to see."

Kagome shuddered and surrendered to the broken and empty feeling overwhelming her and cried onto Koga's shoulder. She let it all out. She'd held her feelings for Inuyasha at bay for far too long and she just couldn't hold them in any longer. She'd battled with her inner turmoil day after day after day but right now, they were in dire need of release.

"You'll be okay, just wait and see. Everything will turn out fine."

"How so? I mean, I thought I was over him. I did everything in my power to forget about him, but the moment I set foot into his house, all those old unforgettable feelings came rushing back to me at full speed."

"That's not a bad thing Kagome."

"Yes it is! I'm in love with a stubborn man and one that's too proud to share his feelings with another person."

"You make it sound like he's an ogre." Koga joked.

"He may as well be one. He's practically a robot on the inside."

"Kagome, that's just plain cruel."

"He is! He doesn't know what love is. He doesn't even know what loves about." Kagome sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "He even made fun of me for feeling…..for still wanting him after all these years. God I feel so stupid!"

"You're not stupid Kagome."

"Yes I am! Because if I had any brains in my head I'd fall in love with someone who was capable of reciprocating my feelings."

"Then change him Kagome."

"Fat chance! In case you've forgotten there's an icebox where his heart used to be."

"So now he's Omarion?"

"You know what I mean Koga."

He smiled before replying to her. "Do you honestly believe him to be incapable of love?"

"He doesn't know how to love anybody Koga. You know that yourself."

"I don't know anything besides what you believe to be true about him."

"Then trust me he's incapable of loving another individual."

"What about his children? Can you say that you honestly believe he doesn't love them?"

Kagome leaned away from Koga's chest to peer into his face. That was a good question. Could she honestly say that she didn't believe he loved his children? She pondered that thought for a moment. He seemed to care deeply about his children. He certainly was protective of them. Maybe he could love children, just not adults, or women for that matter.

"Do you honestly believe that he's so cold on the inside that he doesn't know how to love his own children?"

"That's different."

"How so?"

"Because it's easy to love a child Koga."

"Just not easy to love a woman?"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what are you saying Kagome? Either he knows what love is or he doesn't."

"It's different with him."

"You already said that. I'm trying to help you figure out what so different about him. You said he's incapable of loving someone. I want to know what you think he feels for his kids."

"Children are different. They come into the world innocent and defenseless. We're obligated to take care of them."

"I see." Koga replied to her before scratching his head. "So, you're saying that what he feels toward his children is more of an obligation than real love."

"Koga!"

"I'm only repeating what you said to me."

"Well it sounds funny coming from your mouth."

"Well I wish it wouldn't because I'm honestly just trying to understand how your think Inuyasha loves people."

Kagome blew out her breath and pressed her lips together.

"Can I be honest with you Kagome?"

"Knock yourself out."

"I think you don't have a problem with the way Inuyasha feels about his children. I think you have a problem with the way he feels about you."

"What?"

"You're in love with him."

"Please don't remind me."

Koga smiled at her. "You've always been in love with him, and he's never reciprocated your feelings. Even though years have passed and there really isn't anything in the way of you two being together, nothing has really changed between the two of you."

"I can't argue with you there. He only wanted me for sex then and that's all he wants from me now." She mumbled.

"Kagome, I don't believe Inuyasha is only after sex from you."

"Yes he is and he's not subtle about letting me know, and it's not gonna happen. I'm not gonna let him use me. I don't care how I feel about him. I refuse to be his sex toy."

"Are you certain that's all he wants from you?"

"Yes! I'm not stupid Koga and I'm certainly not blind. I see those smoldering hot stares he casts my way. He just doesn't seem to know that I notice him doing it, but I do. Heck even Kenshin notices them."

Koga chuckled.

"It's not funny. If anything it's hurtful. I'll never be anything but an object of desire to him, and no matter how strongly I feel about him, that'll never be me. I can't be that for anybody."

"Oh Kagome. I'm sorry you feel that way."

She blinked her eyes as her tears threatened to resurface but she quickly brushed them away. She'd done enough crying for today, but just like life, her heart seemed to have a mine of its own. She closed her eyes trying to force away her uncontrollable emotions.

"I hate feeling like this. Why does that man affect me the way he does? I don't want to feel this way about him."

"Why?"

"Because it's pointless. He doesn't want to have a relationship with me. He never did. He only wants to use me and because I refused him, he won't let me see his children. So, whatever I agree or disagree to I'm screwed either way."

Koga reached for Kagome's hand and her eyes fluttered open. She stared at him briefly before leaning her head down. He felt really bad for her. Her emotions, her feelings and her desires for his best friend were plainly written all over her face, just as raw and blatant as they'd been when she was a teen. For everyone else, time had passed, but not for Kagome, because if it had she wouldn't be as deeply affected as she was.

"Kagome?"

"I just want to love him! Is that such a bad thing Koga?"

Koga leaned closer to Kagome and she threw her arms around him again and crushed herself in his embrace. He knew then that her emotional rampage was far from over.

"I just want to love him."

"Shh, it's okay Kagome." He whispered.

"I just want to love him."

"It'll be okay Kagome." Koga replied because he honestly didn't know how else to respond to her. He certainly wasn't gonna give her false hope.

"God help me! I just want to love him. I swear that's all I want. That's all I ever wanted."

Pressing her face beneath Koga's head, she rested her cheek against his chest. Her body shook as she sobbed quietly, angry at herself for still being weak to Inuyasha. There was nothing she could do about it though. She loved him and as much as she wished that it wasn't so it was. She knew eventually that her loving him would ultimately prove to be her downfall.

Sango pressed her back closer to the green park bench upon which she sat and stared down at her round abdomen. In just three more months she'd be giving birth to her second child. She didn't know the sex of the baby, because that didn't matter to her or Miroku. Whether a boy or a girl, they both considered it as a blessing and a miracle in itself.

She looked down at her watch. It was after six o' clock and definitely time for everyone to be getting home. Her son Miatsu had been bugging her to take him to the park for the past five days and she finally decided to give in to him. Inuyasha and his family was also at the park with them, but they both drove separate cars. Neither he nor Miroku wanted her moving about much or being alone. So they both decided that he and his children should come along with her to the park.

She smiled warmly. She had two of the greatest men in her life, four if you counted her son and her nephew. She brought her gaze to the left of her and watched as Miatsu and Kara pressed their small bodies up and down on the see-saw upon which they sat. Their boisterous laughter tickled her ears.

Little Kagome, whom everyone affectionately called Kay squealed in contentment as her older brother Kenshin pushed her higher and higher upon the swing in which she sat. They looked like a brightly colored Norman Rockwell painting being brought to life.

Sango blushed as her heart swelled with pride. She had such a beautiful family and it seemed everyday she just wanted to be around them all the time. That was probably the hormones currently raging out of control inside of her kicking into over-drive.

"Is that smile for me or are you missing the husband?"

Sango flashed the intruder of her thoughts a big smile before patted the empty space next to her on the bench. "I was wondering where you'd gone little brother."

"You and this whole little brother routine. I swear Sango. You act like you don't realize I'm a grown man."

Sango smirked and elbowed Inuyasha. "Well, you are my little brother."

"Only by five years, and we haven't been children for years."

"I know, but in my eyes you'll always be my little brother."

"Keh."

Sango giggled at his common retort. "So, where are you just coming from?"

"I had to drain the lizard."

"I'm not talking about that and do you have to call it a lizard?"

Inuyasha smirked at his sister. "Well, you asked."

"I was referring to after you came from the bathroom and please tell me you actually used one and didn't relieve yourself in the woods."

"No, I didn't relieve myself in the woods. I did by my car."

"Oh God! You're disgusting."

"What? I had to go really bad."

"Just tell what happened after you relieved yourself."

"Numb-Nutts called me."

"Sesshomaru? He never calls you."

"Yeah I know."

"What did he want?"

"To tell me he heard about the fiasco that happened on South Street."

"So what. It's not his first time hearing about you getting into a fight."

"I know. He says I'm an unfit parent and I'm not gonna be satisfied until my children are taken away from me. Like that'll ever happen."

"I don't know Inu, maybe you shouldn't take your brother so lightly. He is a prominent Demon in both demon and human communities. You might not want to get on his bad side."

"Please! Numb-Nutts is all bark and no bite. I'm not afraid of his empty threats."

"I'm just saying Inuyasha. Sesshomaru is a pretty intimidating guy, financially and physically. Don't give him a reason to come after you."

"I'm not afraid of my brother Sango and I don't care who he has connections with I'm not gonna back down if he challenges me."

"Could you at least try to ignore him? You've got enough going on in your life as it is."

"I hope to Kami you're not about to bring up the Wicked Witch of the West."

"Well it's not like you can actually tell me you've forgotten about her."

"Farthest thing from my mind."

"Who are you fooling?"

"Neesan I've got 99 problems but Higurashi ain't one of them."

"Yeah right."

"She ain't!"

"Inuyasha! This is me you're talking to. I know everything about you."

"So what! That doesn't mean you know what's going on inside of my head and weren't we talking about Sesshomaru anyways?"

"Not anymore. Kagome's more important."

"I don't want to talk about her."

"Why not?"

"Because she's off limits when it comes to you."

"Why me?"

"Because you're always trying to be her defender and you're always taking up for her."

"That's because most of the time when you two argue it's your fault."

"It is not always my fault. Sometimes it's hers."

"Otouto, from the moment Kagome got into town you two were at each other's throats."

"That's not my fault. As soon as the Wicked Witch of the West blew into town she jumped on my back. I told her back down and she refused to. So I'm not blame for everything that has happened between us."

"You certainly haven't made it easier."

"And she has? The girl's no angel. What the heck Sango? Does she have everyone fooled?"

"I'm not being fooled Inuyasha. If anybody's being fooled it's Kagome. She wants something from you that she ain't ever gonna have."

Inuyasha flexed his fingers and bristled in annoyance. He so was not in the mood for one his sister's speeches because in the end it would yield the same result.

"Are you pressuring her?"

"What?" Inuyasha nearly yelled. How dare she accuse him?

"Well are you?"

"You're joking right?"

"No I'm not Inuyasha. I know how you are about sex."

Inuyasha turned a cold stare towards his older sister. Is that all people thought he wanted?

"Regardless of what you think you know about me Neesan, that's not the only thing that occupies my mind."

"Well you can't blame me for asking. You told me yourself that's it's the only thing you seem good at."

Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest in anger. It was bad enough people looked on him in disgust. Did they really have to perceive him to be an even uglier monster?

"I guess you think I'm an iceman too."

"Now what are you talking about?"

"Oh you know. I'm robot. I don't have any feelings. I'm just a waste of both human and demon existence. The only thing I'm good for is a rut in a dirty alley or the back woods."

"What are you talking about?"

"Go to hell Sango!"

"Inuyasha!"

"Don't you Inuyasha me! I'm tired of people talking about what I feel and what I want or don't want. I knew people looked on me in disgust but I didn't think my own sister did as well."

"No! That's not true!"

"You're no different from everyone else Neesan."

"That's not true Inuyasha. You know that's not how I see you."

"Then why are you always so quick to defend Kagome?"

"Because she's a nice girl and she doesn't deserve to be used by you."

"You don't know what I want to do to her. But for the record, if I did want to screw her until she couldn't walk straight ever again I don't see how that's any of your business!"

"Would you listen to yourself?"

"I am listening to myself. Kagome is a grown woman. What we do or don't ain't your business or anyone else's. So what if I want to have sex with her. It's not like the world is gonna come to an end if that happens."

"And you wonder why people think you have a one track mind."

Inuyasha unfolded his arms and pounded his fist onto the bench, drawing the attention of their children.

Sango looked upon him with weary eyes and tried to touch him.

He flinched and glared at her. "Don't you dare touch me! I'm sick of you and I'm sick of Kagome and I'm sick of this stupid conversation. You two have got me all figured out. I don't know why you're even making a big deal about it. I haven't done anything to Kagome that she hasn't wanted me to do."

"I know how she feels about you Otouto."

"So do I. I know she wants me. I know that better than you do."

"Then try to understand that it isn't just about sex with her. She wants a relationship with you Inuyasha but she knows that's not what you want from her."

"And how do you know that? Are you psychic?"

"You know what I mean Inuyasha. You and she both want different things from each other and I don't think it's fair of you to cut her out of your children's lives because she won't comply with your demands."

"I'll do whatever I want to with my children."

"That's not fair Inuyasha." Sango pleaded, her heart beginning to accelerate inside her chest.

"I don't care. I won't have you or Kagome telling what I can or cannot do with my own children. They are mine and I'll do whatever I want to do with them!"

"Even if it hurts them? I know you've noticed how depressed they've been since she left your house."

"That's just too bad, because I don't want that woman back in my home again."

"But she's their aunt Inuyasha. She's Kikyo's sister. You can't cut her out of their lives. She's the closest thing they have of their deceased mother. You can't do that to them. You even named one of your daughter's after her."

"That was Kikyo's idea."

"It doesn't matter who's idea it was Inuyasha. She loves those children. She loves you. Can't you understand that's those are the reasons why she doesn't wanna be a plaything for you. If she agrees to be with you on your terms she'll just end up far worse off than she already is."

"You don't know what you're talking about Sango and I'm tired of explaining myself to you." Inuyasha snapped before rising from the bench.

"Please don't turn a deaf ear to me little brother."

"I've had it with this Sango! I don't want to hear anything else about Kagome! If I hear her name again I swear I'll pluck both of my eyes out with my own two hands!"

"Stop talking like that Inuyasha!" Sango yelled before gripping the arm of the bench tightly. Her heart began to beat even faster than it was before. Something inside of her told her to calm down, but she couldn't. When it came to throwing a tantrum she could do it just as well as her brother.

Things went from bad to worse. She and Inuyasha became engaged in a heated argument, both of them yelling at each other word from word. Inuyasha wouldn't back down and neither would she. They both were so upset that they didn't notice that their children had stopped playing moments ago and were silently standing in the background watching their parents verbally attack each other.

"Don't talk to me about that woman again! I don't want to hear that she loves me! I don't want to hear that she's afraid of me and I certainly don't want to hear that she loves my children because it's all a lie."

"That's not true and you know it!"

"It is, especially about my kids. She may feel something for my girls, but she doesn't feel anything for Kenshin. She probably thinks he's a monster like that whore sister of her's did!"

The sound of crushed branches interrupted Sango and Inuyasha's argument and they both looked up to find their children huddled under a tree. Kenshin stood in front of his sisters, his hands fidgeting and his eyes wounded as though if he'd lost his best friend.

Sango raised her hand and slapped Inuyasha hard across his face. "Don't talk about their mother like that! God! I had no idea you were so cruel!"

Inuyasha felt the anger inside of him boil. He hadn't meant for his children to hear him degrade their mother. He felt really bad for saying it, but it was the truth. It wasn't fair that everyone treated Kikyo as a saint and him a monster when she behaved just as immorally as he did, but he was tainted. That's how everyone saw him.

"Kenshin?"

"Yeah dad?"

"Get your sisters. It's time to go home."

"Wait Inuyasha!"

"Back off Sango! I'm done arguing with you."

Sango growled and slapped her hand against her thigh. Her brother was a brick wall. Nobody could reason with him no matter what angle they came at him from.

"Why are you always trying to run away? That doesn't solve anything."

Inuyasha ignored his sister and turned his attention to his son. "Kenshin, let's go!"

Kenshin wasted no time collecting his sisters. He held Kara with his left hand and her twin Kay with his right one. Then he headed to his father to retrieve the keys to his car.

"Inuyasha, don't do this! Don't turn your back on me. You know I'm all you got."

"I know you think you know what's best for me San, and I appreciate you for looking out for me, but you are not gonna run my life. I'm gonna live my life the way I want to live it and I don't care who doesn't like it."

"God! Inuyasha! What is it gonna take to get through to you?"

Inuyasha stomped his feet against the ground and lifted his hand and slammed it against the bench he and Sango had both moved away from. In one fluid movement the bench cracked into two large pieces and then fell completely apart.

Sango stared at the broken bench in shock as a single tear slid from her eye. Then she moved her body closer to Inuyasha until they stood face to face. Before she could open her mouth he silenced her.

"Don't you dare say another word! I mean it!"

"Are you threatening me?"

No! I'm not, but don't give me a reason to cut you out of my life."

Sango folded her arms in frustration as she began to double over in tears. "What is the matter with you? I knew you were rough around the edges and insensitive, but I had no idea you were so heartless too."

Kara and Kay stood behind their brother trembling, afraid of the heated argument ensuing between their father and aunt. Kenshin felt the anger boiling inside his father. He had to stop him and Sango from fighting with each other. The situation was already way too out of hand.

"Dad! Stop it! Let's just go home!"

"We'll go home when I say it's time for us to go home!"

"Dad please!"

"Kenshin! Shut up!"

"Stop yelling at him Inuyasha!"

"Don't tell me what to do! Bothersome wench!"

"Don't you dare call me a bothersome wench, you stupid half breed."

The moment the words flew from her mouth, she clamped her hand over it. She saw Inuyasha recoil and look away from her his hanyou ears flattening against his hair. Beyond him stood his three children. His two daughters were fidgeting nervously behind their brother who was trembling and fighting hard to keep his composure.

Sango placed a hand over her chest as her whole body began to shake. She felt like garbage. She was utterly ashamed of what she'd just said, and to her own brother no less. She started to heave as feelings of intense anger suddenly turned to remorse.

Everyone was quiet. The only sound that could be heard was that of the twins sniffling behind Kenshin and young Miatsu who was driving his toy car up and down his arm. He'd somehow managed to get next to his mother, and despite all the arguing that had gone on, he remained oblivious to everything unfolding around him.

Without another word spoken between the siblings and their children, Inuyasha kept his eyes on the ground and walked away from his sister. His children quietly followed behind him. They walked away in search of Inuyasha's vehicle.

Sango watched silently as they walked away, her heart being torn into a thousand little pieces. She wanted to run after them and apologize. She wanted them to know she didn't see them in a negative light. She wanted to be forgiven, but she stayed where she stood.

They both had said enough to each other today and needed time to cool off. She coughed as a huge wave of emotions seemed to come at her full throttle and before she knew it, she was gasping for breath. It felt like someone was squeezing her heart and refused to let it go.

Her knees quickly grew weak as she reached out to grab something to hinder her fall, because she knew one was coming. Her eyes scanned the grounds for her brother but she couldn't see him. Panicking, she forced her body forward, as it suddenly became too heavy.

4 year old Miatsu stared up from the ground at his mother. Something was wrong with her. His young mind couldn't comprehend what but he looked upon her in fear. He watched as she tripped over her own leg and when he saw the way her body jerked forward he released an ear-piercing, blood-curdling scream.

Inuyasha, who was getting ready to step into his car, twitched his ears at the sound and immediately he backed away from his car and began running back to the park bench where he last saw his sister. He looked ahead just in time see her falling hard to the ground.

"SANGO!"

Immediately his heart pumped at full speed inside his chest as stamina he never knew he possessed sent him right next to her crumpled form as she lay down upon the ground.

Miatsu was pulling on her shirt and her eyes were closed.

Inuyasha stared at his older sister dejectedly. She was lying on her stomach. He plopped down on the ground next to her and turned her body over. Her face and hair was full of dirt and her mouth was half open. He could tell from the rise and fall of her chest that she was still breathing. She looked as though if she was sleeping.

His nose twitched. He smelled blood, Sango's blood, and he also smelled Miroku's. He frowned and before he had a chance to ponder where it was coming from, he saw a large crimson stain on the front of her jeans.

Oh No!

He looked around hoping he could find someone to get help, but the park was practically deserted. Most of the families who'd come to visit left nearly an hour ago.

He quickly stood up from the ground with his sister's limp form in his arms. She was injured and if he ran with her, there was a possibility that he could harm her worse. He had no idea what to do.

"Daddy!"

Inuyasha turned around at the sound of his Miatsu's voice. He saw him run past him and into his father's embrace. He blew out his breath in relief. Miroku had just arrived.

He anchored Miatsu on his right hip and moved closer to Inuyasha, only now realizing that he was holding his wife close to his chest and she wasn't moving.

"What's the matter with Sango?"

"We have to get her to a hospital. She just had a nasty fall."

"What? How?"

"Never mind that! She's hurt really bad."

Miroku stared at his wife lying against her brother's chest as her head fell backwards. He saw blood pouring from her clothes and onto the ground. He could tell she was in serious trouble.

"Where's your car? Mine's is full. We need to get her to the hospital as soon as we can."

Miroku pointed to a distance not far from where they stood and Inuyasha soared passed him to his car. Miroku along with his son quickly followed behind as they all raced to save Sango and her baby's life.

Finally, I got another chapter finished. I hope I didn't make you guys wait too long. These past few months have been really busy for me, especially with work and school. I'll try to have my chapters finished sooner. My chapters tend to get longer, the further I go into my stories. So, please forgive me if it takes a while. I desperately need to finish new chapters for my other two stories "Repairing The Wings Of A Broken Butterfly and "In Every Stranger's Face."

I know InuYasha has been a major league jerk for most of this story but that's how I envisioned him, but don't worry. He won't stay that way for long. There's plenty of unfinished business between he and Kagome. They'll be facing each other again soon.

If you've enjoyed reading this chapter, then please don't forget to leave a review. Feel free to ask questions as well. Hope you'll enjoy. Until next time.

~ASIAN*DELICACY~