Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. But I will one day.

Chapter 4: Awakening and Arrival

Kita slowly opened her eyes, wincing at the sudden light and the sharp pain that ran through her body. Everything ached. She thought back, trying to remember why she felt so bad. She bolted to her unsteady feet when her memories finally came back to her, the pain in her leg sending her back to the wooden floor. Wooden floor? Kita took her first look around at her new surroundings. She was in a room in a hut, a sliding door to the left and a window to the right the only exits, and the window was too small for her to fit out of. She found that she was lying on a futon, half way covered with a soft blanket and dressed in a green kimono that matched the color of her eyes. Her throbbing leg was in a splint, and her wounds wrapped in bandages. How had she gotten there? Where was she?

Kita decided not to stick around long enough to find out. Odds were, her master was looking for her already and if she wasn't found, he wouldn't hesitate using the subduing spell on her at all. She shivered. That's exactly what she did not need right now, not with all the injuries she already had. She took another glance toward the sliding door, her wolf-like ears swiveling this way and that trying to pick up any sound that would suggest she was not alone. There was none. Slowly and carefully she eased herself to her feet, wincing as the pain shot up her leg, but ignoring it long enough to stand. Kita hoppled over to the door, opening it slightly to take a glance out. The next room was considerably larger. A small fire was casting a dim glow from the fire pit, a pot of water boiling over it. Dried herbs of all kinds were hanging from rafters.

Kita opened the door enough to squeeze through, looking again for any sign of movement. There were two other doors, one had to be the way out. She tried the one to her left, only to be lead to another bedroom, with a strange looking heap on the floor covered by a flowing golden cloth instead of a futon like the other room. She closed the door again and held on to the side of the wall, feeling suddenly very weak and exhausted. Kita guided herself along to the other door that had to be the one out of the hut. She was close, so close to getting out, when she heard footsteps and smelled fresh animal blood coming from behind the door. She scrambled into the nearest corner and made herself as small as she possibly could with the splint still on her leg.

An inu-hanyou with flowing silver hair with black stripes and stunning golden eyes pushed open the door carrying a wild boar over one shoulder and a canister of fresh water on the other. He didn't seem to notice Kita at first, plopping the skinned animal meat down beside the fire, using his claws to slice it into strips and putting it into the boiling water. He used a deep wooden spoon to dip water out of the canister and take a drink, drying his mouth on the sleeve of his haori. I…I've seen him…somewhere…I've seen him before. Kita thought to herself, sinking even deeper into her corner. One of her claws scraped against her leg and she let out a gasp. The strange inu-hanyou stopped what he was doing, his ears standing at attention on the top of his head.

Slowly his head turned, his golden eyes laying on Kita. Her palms were now flat against the wall, as was her back and her head, trying to get as far away from the stranger as possible. What will he do now? What does he want? Kita asked herself as her eyes started to water. She started to growl deep in her throat as the stranger approached. He stopped his advances, but made no move to back away. Instead he sat where he stood, crossing his arms in his haori and occasionally stirring the pot over the fire. Kita sniffed. Her stomach growled, not going unnoticed by the inu who smirked out of the corner of his mouth. She had to admit, she was starved, and whatever he was cooking smelled good.

A sudden movement caused Kita's eyes to look back up. The inu had moved, carrying a bowl of food to her. "Its stew. Not as good as okaa makes it, but its pretty good just the same." He said, taking another step forward and holding out the bowl in his hand. Kita sunk back and growled, but with less force. "I'm not going to hurt you or anything." She showed no sign of accepting the offered food. The inu shrugged and placed the bowl back next to the fire, taking his own in hand and eating a few big bites. It…it really wouldn't hurt. Just one bowl of food wouldn't hurt. She was staring at the bowl on the floor, letting out an involuntary whine. The inu cocked his eyebrow and grinned. "If you want it, you'll have to come and get it." He replied.

Kita looked from the bowl, to the hanyou, and back again. Should she trust him? He did mend her wounds and he could attack her at anytime with the condition she was in. Maybe he was alright. She slowly stood, letting her weight fall on one side, and took a step forward. The inu smiled and went back to his own bowl of food. Kita didn't take her eyes off of him as she stooped over and picked up the bowl, instantly recoiling back to the wall. She sniffed at the contents of the bowl. A mixture of herbs, meat, and other things Kita couldn't identify, it smelled good. She took a cautious bite. It tasted even better than it smelled. Either that, or she was just plain hungry. Within a few moments the entire bowl was empty and Kita sat it down next to her regretfully. She was still starving.

"You can have more if you want." The inu offered. He motioned for her to sit across from him on the other side of the fire; the side away from the escape door. Kita sighed inwardly and sat at the fire, pouring more of the stew into her bowl. The inu was completely ignored as she ate her fill. "What's your name, anyway?" he asked.

Kita argued with herself before deciding to play along, for now. "Kita." She replied simply. Her heart beat was racing as she wondered what was to happen next.

"Kita?" she nodded. "Well, I think I should take a look at that leg to make sure it's healing straight." He made a reach for the bandages but was stopped short by a fierce growl and scared snarl. "Fine." He shook his palms in front of him and mumbled under his breath. "Ungrateful she-wolf, they're all the same." He looked back to Kita and sighed. "You look beat. Go back into the room and get some sleep." Kita reluctantly stood and went back into the bedroom, leaving the door slightly cracked to peek out. The inu stretched himself out by the fire, guarding the exit door. Kita shut the door the rest of the way and went back to the futon. As long as she was here, and couldn't get out, she should make the best of it. Her eyes drifted closed as she fell into a much needed sleep.

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Makoto threw the skinned boar meat over his shoulder, taking the container of water he had retrieved from the stream and slinging it across the other, wiping the sweat off his forehead in the process. It had been a good day for him. No one around bugging him about Akina, the storm clouds had dispersed in the early morning leaving behind a clear and sunny day. He was a little worried about the others having to travel through that horrible weather, but it didn't concern him too much. His oyajii and Shippou were there to guard the others and lead them somewhere safe from the storm. Makoto slid open the door, throwing down the meat and water and settling down by the fire. He started stripping the meat with his claws and dropping it into his stew. He casually took a drink of the water and was about to settle himself down for a short nap when as sudden gasp from the corner caught his attention. His ears swiveled around to the wolf-hanyou in the corner.

As he turned his head to face her, she cowered away into the corner ever further. Makoto got to his feet and made a move to approach the girl. She started to growl deep in her throat and he stopped his advances, but made no move to back away. Instead he sat where he stood, crossing his arms in his haori and occasionally stirring the pot over the fire. Makoto smirked as he heard the faint sound of the she-wolf's stomach growling. I'd bet she's starved, by the looks of it. He thought to himself. He took a spoonful of the stew in the pot and tested it. Satisfied, he proceeded to pour two bowlfuls. As he stood and made his way toward the girl she cringed.

"Its stew. Not as good as okaasan makes it, but it's pretty good just the same." He said, taking another step forward and holding out the bowl in his hand. The she-wolf sunk back and growled, but with less force. "I'm not going to hurt you or anything." She showed no sign of accepting the offered food. Makoto sighed to himself and placed the bowl down next to the fire. If she wanted it, she was going to have to get it herself. He ate his own bowlful and watched as she stared at the bowl on the floor, letting out what could only be a regretful whine from her lips. Makoto cocked his eyebrow and grinned. "If you want it, you'll have to come and get it." He replied.

The girl seemed to be debating with herself before slowly making her way to the fire, grabbing hold of her food, and recoiling back to the wall. She sniffed, and started to eat. Makoto watched as she dug in, emptying the bowl in moments. "You can have more if you want." He motioned for her to sit across from him on the other side of the fire. Reluctatly she sat and started eating again. Despite how much he tried to clean her, Makoto couldn't help but noticed the dried blood and dirt that hid her features. He would have to get some water from the hot springs where she could clean herself properly later. "What's your name, anyway?" he asked.

"Kita." She replied simply.

"Kita?" she nodded. "Well, I think I should take a look at that leg to make sure it's healing straight." He made a reach for the bandages but was stopped short by a fierce growl and scared snarl. "Fine." He shook his palms in front of him and mumbled under his breath. "Ungrateful she-wolf, they're all the same." He looked back to Kita and sighed. "You look beat. Go back into the room and get some sleep." Kita reluctantly stood and went back into the bedroom. It was obvious to Makoto she wanted to leave, but he had promised Kagome that he would keep the wolf there until she had a chance to look over her. Two weeks. That's how long the others would be gone. Two weeks he had to put up with the she-wolf. Kita. Keh. She probably deserved what she got. Makoto's thoughts came to him half-heartedly. He had no reason to be mad with Kita; it was Akina he was furious with. Makoto gave one last sigh before spreading himself in front of the door and falling asleep.

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InuYasha held Kagome tightly wrapped in his arms as they continued toward Sesshomaru's castle. His fear had come true and during the night Kagome had developed a high fever. He was able to break it just before dawn and they all continued their journey. He just wanted to get to the castle where Kagome could have a nice, warm, dry room instead of the cold air laying in his lap all night. Miroku and his family came out of the storm unscathed, though Sango was a little irritable, and Yumi was slumbering on Kirara's back. Kagome stirred and yawned in his arms.

"How long till we get there, InuYasha?" she asked faintly.

"Not much longer. We'll make it there before nightfall." He nuzzled her cheek and gave her a quick kiss.

"Aren't you tired? I can walk for awhile."

"Keh! You'd just trip all over yourself." He grinned. "Pathetic human wench."

"Baka."

"Wench."

"Ba-," Kagome was cut short as InuYasha gave her a quick kiss on the lips. His smug smirk grew as his silencer worked yet again. She sighed and placed her hand over her stomach as the unborn pup kicked. "Maybe we should just go back to the village, InuYasha. I'm really worried about Makoto."

"Keh. Makoto can take care of himself, Kagome. He's old enough to make his own decisions now; he's not a pup anymore."

"I know, I know, but he's always so reckless, like you use to be. And now he has that poor girl there to care for on his own." She paused. "I should have just gone back with him. I can't believe I let him go back with her on his own."

"Oba, Makoto may be a little reckless at times, but he does know how to keep his priorities straight." Mai chipped in. "The mutt can be useful at times." She added with a bright grin.

Kagome sighed. "You're right. I guess it's just hard for me to believe my baby isn't a baby anymore." She looked to Shippou. "Same goes for you! You were never supposed to grow taller than me!" she slapped angrily at the full-grown kit.

Shippou let out a soft cackle. "Sorry, Okaa. I promise I won't do it again." He grinned. The group fell silent as they trudged along the path to Sesshomaru's castle. Just as the sky started to darken, the sun hiding itself in the horizon, they made it to their destination. At the door stood a couple of inu-youkai, who reluctantly stepped aside to grant their visitors passage as they were ordered. In the main hall, Rin wasted no time running up to the group and hugging them each in turn. InuYasha set Kagome down on her feet, keeping one arm wrapped around her waist for support.

"Rin is so glad all of you have come!" she exclaimed. "Lord Sesshomaru will be down in a moment. Please, sit. I will bring drinks." The young woman bowed to her guests as she left down a corridor for the drinks. She came back moments later with freshly brewed warm tea; handing out the cups and settling herself down beside Kagome. "Rin has noticed Makoto did not come."

Kagome took a sip of her tea. "We ran into a bit of trouble on the way and he had to go back to the village. I'm sorry he couldn't make it."

Rin frowned. "It wasn't anything serious, was it?"

"Oh, no. We just met someone who needed a bit of help, that's all. Nothing to worry about."

"Oba! Oji!" a little inu-youkai with long silver hair and the trademark stripes on his cheeks ran and jumped into InuYasha's lap, making him knock over his hot tea all over himself. The boy paid no mind to InuYasha's slight discomfort and started groping at his uncle's haori sleeves. "What did you bring me Oji!"

"Keiji. That is quite enough." A stern voice came from the stairs. Sesshomaru and his mate, Usagi, walked to the head of the table arm in arm. Keiji frowned and looked at his mother, who smiled back.

"I think I've got something, Keiji." Kagome said, reaching down into her small pouch. Her hand came up holding three sugar sticks. Keiji wasted no time in grabbing up the prize and stuffing one in his mouth with a muffled "Thank you!" to follow. It always amazed Kagome and InuYasha how affectionate the pup was despite his father's rough outlook. Usagi left her mate's side to join Kagome.

"Kagome-san." She said with a slight bow. "I see you are well in your pregnancy. How far along are you now?"

"Only three months. I still have two months to go before we'll be seeing this pup. Not that it's going to let me forget about it being there anytime soon. The pup kicks worse than Makoto ever did."

"Keh. Pup's gotta learn that his Okaa's just a human." A quick look at Kagome and InuYasha's ears flattened. "What!" Kagome shook her head and sighed. Shippou and the others knew that he would most likely get 'sat' for that comment later.

Miroku stood from his position on one side of the table, Sango following suit. "I think I should get my wife and daughters to bed. It has been a long journey and we all can do with some rest."

"Oh, of course!" Rin exclaimed standing and motioning them to follow her. The girls followed right behind their parents, Shippou and Tani behind them, and finally InuYasha helped Kagome to her feet and helped her up the stairs. He gave Sesshomaru a small glance as they passed, his brother not acknowledging him but instead leading his mate and pup down the hall to their own room.

Rin lead the group to three rooms on the second floor, passing by other inus within the castle. A few seemed to feel indifferently about the humans and hanyou, others scowled and made cold remarks loud enough for all of them to hear. Despite that the jargons were also aimed at her, Rin kept a bright smile on her face as she silently showed them into the rooms. The rooms themselves were quite nice, though not as nice as the bedrooms InuYasha had built in his own hut, but way better than the room in the tower he and Kagome had been shoved into the first time. Each room was equipped with the proper number of futons for each of the families, InuYasha and Kagome's room being the room with opened windows and closest to the stairs.

Sesshomaru must have known InuYasha would be more protective and prefer an easy out if push came to shove. Within minutes he could hear the sound of shallow breathing from the room next to theirs, signaling that his nieces had already drifted off. Kagome had already changed into a more comfortable sleeping outfit and was rolling out one of the futons by the windows. InuYasha snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, letting out a low growling sound which tickled Kagome's ear and made her giggle. "What's so funny, wench?" he replied in a husky voice, taking the moment to lay chaste kisses on the back of his mate's neck.

"Slow down, dog-boy." She turned in his arms and laid her head against his shoulder. "This pathetic human wench is too tired to play games tonight. Which reminds me…sit." 'THUMP!' "That's for that comment earlier."

InuYasha didn't mind the sitting too much, as he was expecting it, and that the close vicinity they were in when he was 'sat' left his head in Kagome's lap. He sighed and nuzzled her stomach with his nose, kissing it softly. The still-growing pup chose that time to kick hard against it's Okaa.

"Oi pup!" InuYasha pulled back and rubbed his hand against his cheek. "This pup's already gonna be a handful." His ears flattened. "It doesn't hurt when the pup kicks, does it Kagome?"

She smiled at her hanyou's sweet care of her. "Sometimes, but not that much." InuYasha gave a solemn nod and helped his mate onto the futon, taking off his haori and covering her before slipping in behind her.

A/N:

Augh…. Website link .

Anyway, here it is again, maybe it'll work.

www dot freewebs dot com / kachiki(underscore)Tsucasa

Review and tell me what you think. I need to know if you like it so far.