She looked at him, a smirk on her face. She had calmed down her breathing, calmed down the rapid beating of her heart. Maybe that was her first mistake. And maybe she knew, and had known for a long time, that Naraku was more than just half-human, and half-demon. But he took advantage of his race. He liked to think he was full demon, maybe. She wasn't sure. But when she looked in his dark eyes, she saw pride. Pride in all of the horrible things he'd done, pride in all of the people he'd killed, and pride in his insubstantial strength. She looked in his eyes and she knew he was nothing.

Still, she bowed in his presence. "Naraku," she said simply, the name leaving a bitter taste on her tongue and she had to calm her heart again. She wasn't supposed to be feeling trepidation. He'd surely sense it.

"Kagura," he said back, a smirk on his face, too. He began going over his plans, his plans to kill more people who had no right to be harmed. And she hoped that he couldn't see what her eyes were saying. She couldn't do this anymore. "The child will stay alive. Kagome must not be harmed in anyway. You'll watch over her. She's going to be getting some attention soon since the jewel's been tainted. Keep her safe. Like I said, we need that child. If Inuyasha gets in the way, stop him. Patience, though. No one dies until I say so. You remember that, Kagura."

For a second, she was dumbfounded. However, she kept herself calm and composed, refusing to show anything. No confusion, no fear. "Of course." She said, her voice soft and slow. She gave him a nod, still keeping herself composed.

He nodded back, and hesitantly, she began to walk away. But she panicked when she felt his cold hands on her throat, close to choking her. But she didn't dare fight back, and ignored her first and natural instincts to attack. This was Naraku she was dealing with. "Also," he said, grinning, "remember this. You are mine," she felt his claws on her back, tearing into the fabric of her kimono and she growled, unable to stop it. And then, his sharp claws were tracing that thing that was tattooed on her back, maybe permanently. He was laughing in her ear. "This mark proves it all. You're mine. And there isn't much you can do about that."

His claws were suddenly covered in her blood, and for the first time, she felt what Kikyo felt. And you must believe her, she never wanted to. And when he pushed her to the ground, you had to believe that she never wanted to sound so weak, feel so weak. But her back was sore and the sight of her own dark blood terrified her. And the smell of it burned through her nostrils and made her sick and she watched him, horrified.

"Understand this, Kagura," he told her quietly. "I can make every step you take away from me be your own hell. Because you are mine. You are my child and none of them will turn on me. Understand that, Kagura."

Please, you had to believe her.

Believe that she never wanted to feel like Kikyo.

And in that moment, she did. Especially when all she could do was simply nod, ignoring the pain, the throbbing, nearly unbearable pain that pulsed through her body as she bowed for him, called him master.

Because he was. He made her so that meant he could break her. He could definitely break her and for the first time, she wasn't so sure about this plan. It could cost her the only life she had. But sometimes, she wanted out of this more than anything.

XXXxxxXXX

He sprung his legs in the air and launched himself at Sesshomaru, sweat raining down into his eyes, dampening his hair and making his body slick. The look on his half-brother's face just made him hotter, crankier, made his blood run hot in anger and boil over, growls spilling from his melt and his claws scratching into the elder's body effortlessly, the smell of his blood and the sight of it covered in his hands making him feel some sort of sick fucking pride.

They were still fighting. He could fight all morning, all day, and all night with his brother and not lose any of his vehemence or passionate hate.

Inuyasha cracked his neck, wincing at the sound. He could kill this bastard and not lose one night of sleep. The same went for his father.

There was information. It wasn't much, but it was something that he desperately need. There were no whereabouts of Naraku, that bastard. Fuck him and his barriers and his schemes and fuck him for trying to take away his kid and his Kagome. And fuck everyone and fuck everything and all he cared about was seeing more of Sesshomaru's blood flow freely.

"That's enough for today, Inuyasha." Inu no Taisho said quietly. As if he wanted to listen. But something made him back away anyway, as usual. His fist froze in mid-air and he gave Sesshomaru a scowl before pulling away quickly, turning his attention to the man that was supposed to be called father. He growled to himself quietly. Sesshomaru's eyes were cold on him, but it didn't matter. The bastard loafed him and the feeling was definitely mutual.

He just wanted out of here. Anything could be happening to Kagome. And she deserved the truth. And he was sure that his kid, even if he was still in the womb, had become accustomed to him and it probably hurt his kid more than it hurt Kagome for him to be away. And he felt bad. He felt absolutely horrible. Kagome didn't know what she was in for but she had every right to know. He could only hope that she was learning, that she was understanding.

Just a few more days.

He swore he'd make it back to her.

"He's getting stronger and stronger," his father spoke suddenly, his voice still quiet. "Inuyasha, I wish I knew more of his plans. We're trying. But this isn't only for you. Your child is strong and Naraku will take everything away from you. We need you strong. Can you understand this?"

He winced at his words, but really, all he could do was nod. He felt Sesshomaru's eyes on him, judging him.

"I need to meet her soon, Inuyasha. We need her strong and she needs to know the truth behind everything."

So tonight, he'd be away from her again. And also, once again, it would feel like she was a thousand miles away and so unreachable. And he'd think about her eyes again, too. He'd think about how they'd look at him once the week was up. But she'd forgive him. She had to and he knew she would, because it was simply to late for her to be out of all this shit. He could've changed that. He wished he had.

So he wanted no more arguing with Inu no Taisho, not even Sesshomaru. He was angry as fuck, but he wouldn't speak a word. He needed to be strong. Not for himself, but for Kagome and that kid.

Both had to be the best things he'd have in his life. And she couldn't walk away from him.

XXXxxxXXX

Her mouth opened, and then it closed. It opened again, closed again. Kagome's strange, hazed, and almost hurt eyes were making her feel unsteady and unsure. Her eyes were expecting, they had fire in them and she knew that Kagome wanted to know now. Because after all, she didn't deserve to go through all of this. She deserved to be sure and understand what was going on before her unknowingness put her and kid's life in more danger.

She didn't know what to say. She knew what she wanted to say, but she didn't know how to. So she kept her mouth closed, and let a strange repose fill the room, but it was anything but tranquil. She smiled softly at Kagome, her eyes speaking magnitudes of apology.

Kagome didn't seem to mind. Maybe she was scared of the truth. After all, it was too much for her to worry about at the moment. And while Kagome rested her head back, her eyes closing and her lips parting slightly, Sango thought about what she would do if she was in Kagome's shoes.

'This is so fucked up,' she thought. 'So fucked up.'

And her thought were true. She reached forward, brushing Kagome's dark hair off her slightly damp skin. Gently, she felt her forehead and cursed when she realized that the fever had only intensified. She was about to stand, but then she felt Kagome's hand on hers.

"I'm okay, Sango," she said quietly, her voice hoarse and her eyes opening slightly. Kagome swallowed, opening her mouth again. "I'm fine. I'd really like the truth, but I know you and I know it's hard for you to tell me, even though months ago, you had no problem telling me Inuyasha was wrong for me. But you were wrong and I know he'll be back." Sango watched her, almost horrified, as she took her hand and moved it down to her stomach.

"Kagome-" she started, trying to pull her hand away.

"It's fine," Kagome said, a small smile tugging her pale lips upward.

So Sango sat there awkwardly, her hand still on Kagome's stomach. And when Kagome opened her mouth to speak again, she listened intently and eagerly, hoping that her actions would prove to Kagome that she was here to stay. "They're right about one thing. He's so strong, just like Inuyasha. I almost feel like I know him, and he protects me. I can feel it, and it's the strangest thing. But it's beautiful."

Sango shifted a bit, still uncomfortable with this. It was something new for her. Kagome was right. The kid in there was strong, and she almost wanted to pull her hand away at what she felt. Instead, she stayed there and watched her best friend, not even thinking about leaving her alone through all of this bullshit. No one deserved to go through these things alone, after all.

"He misses Inuyasha, too," Kagome told her. "It hasn't even been long. But he's used to him, I guess. He trusts him, just like I do. Sometimes, I think he moves around in there, just like Kagura told me. She said he's not like normal babies. I'm scared, Sango. Anything can happen. I don't want to lose him or Inuyasha. I don't want to lose anyone else I love. Hell, Sango, I'm terrified. My kid deserves a better life than this."

"He will," Sango told her simply, taking the hand that was on Kagome's stomach and moving it up to her face to wipe away the tears that Kagome didn't realize were running. "He'll have a great life. After all, he has the best parents around, even if they are a little fucked up," she smiled a little. "And Inuyasha will be back soon. I'm not sure when, but I know he's out there defending his family. He'd die for you guys, but he wouldn't leave you or his kid alone. Remember that, Kagome."

Things were quiet for a while, and Sango at least hoped that she was taking her words in, absorbing them and also absorbing the truth behind all of this. So Sango closed her eyes, too, thinking that things would be peaceful and nice for once, and then it hit her so hard, almost like a gunshot, that there were these huge doubts in her best friend's head, in her best friend's heart. And she desperately wanted to get rid of them, but she knew that her trials would be worthless.

"I'm here," Sango told her, her voice a whisper. "You're not getting rid of me. I was here and I always will be and I love that kid just as much as you and Inuyasha, and I hope you know that whoever he or she will be, they're apart of my life now. And I do anything I can possibly do to protect the ones that I love. You can talk if you have to. You can ask all the questions you want, because you deserve that."

She opened her eyes when she heard Kagome sigh heavily and unevenly, only to realize that her eyes were still closed. Sango winced, realizing that Kagome almost looked like she was in pain. But before she could protest or ask if she needed anything, Kagome's mouth opened and unsure, trembling words were left wavering in the air for a few seconds.

"A miko, you say?" Kagome gulped, eyes still closed. She felt Sango's hand on her stomach, her hand on her cheek, but she didn't want to see and she didn't want to believe the truth. But she opened her eyes anyway, locking hers on Sango's completely honest ones. And she almost wanted to close them again, doze off and never awake until all of this was over.

"It's the truth," Sango said simply.

Kagome sat up immediately, fire in her brown eyes. "That's bullshit," she spat out, shaking her head. "I knew my father. Mama, she would have told me. And wouldn't Souta have been affected, too? Wouldn't my kid be affected? It's all bullshit. Inuyasha…he would have told me. He would have been able to tell. He's a fucking dog demon, after all. He would've stayed away from me, Sango!"

"Kagome-" Sango started, only for Kagome to interrupt.

"Get your fucking hands off of me, Sango. Don't fucking touch me, right now." Her head was spinning, her body hurting and her heart steadily aching. Everything seemed to make the nausea worse, the headaches worse, and she wondered how she'd survive. She sat up a little too quickly. The room was hot and sweat steadily rolled down her face, forming at her brow, too. "It's not true. It's not."

Sango stood, defensively raising her hands and looking at Kagome, suddenly angry. "You've got proof all around you, Kagome. Don't tell me you've never laid a hand on your stomach. You feel that kid's power everyday and every night. You feel it inside of you, and it's something great. You're an idiot if you don't realize why Inuyasha never stood away. If I knew what you were, I would have tried harder to keep him away and tell you all the bad things. But you love him, and he loves you. You couldn't be broken apart."

"But Mama-" Kagome started, tangling her fingers in her dark, damp hair.

"-loves you, and didn't think you could handle it. She didn't think you would believe it, and I guess she was right. She had no idea what the kid would be. She was just like you. The truth is difficult but we have to believe it, even if it feels so wrong."

Kagome seemed to be shaking, and Sango looked at her worriedly, suddenly scared of what would happen and what was to be. And maybe Miroku was right. Maybe for the first time in his life. Kagome fought her away half-heartedly when she reached both hands out to lay on her shoulders. She took her by her arms and pulled the fighting girl close to her, knowing that it wasn't what she wanted, but what she needed.

Kagome didn't make a sound, but finally, she gave in and slumped almost lifelessly into Sango's arms, her heart beating fast and her brain trying to come up with some kind of lie that would at least help her through the seemingly long night.

"You wanted to know what you were," Sango whispered into her ear, arms still wrapped around her. "I can't lie to you, Kagome. I'd never lie to you. You needed to know, you deserved it. If you didn't know, your unawareness could put your life- and the baby's- in more danger. So you pull yourself together and accept it, or risk losing everything and everyone that you've ever loved."

"Being happy with Inuyasha and bringing new life in the world was never supposed to be this difficult, Sango," she heard Kagome murmur into her shoulder, and it was hard to pick up on, but she decided that Kagome definitely and undeniably sounded broken, so she pulled her closer, hugged her tighter.

"I know. But it was never supposed to be easy, either," she told her, honesty in her voice and worry in her eyes. "But remember that you're more than what's hurting you tonight."

XXXxxxXXX

A void girl. Shattered, but not completely broken.

A void girl.

Or rather a void demon.

None of this was simple, nor was it easy. But Naraku was her master and escaping him was impossible. So when those thoughts easily filled her head, they left just as easily. They were not to be pondered or wondered on.

None of it was easy. Ruining people's happiness, making mothers swear to the heavens for the loss of their children, for their disappearance, or making friends, lovers, sisters and brothers swear to the heavens, too, for the loss of the people they love, it wasn't easy.

Naraku thought it was. But it was never easy and it never would be. And while her younger sister Kagura lay there, still bleeding and completely worn and worried, she was to be of no help, of no comfort.

It all hurt. Could he see? Could he understand?

So tomorrow, he'd use her to her advantage again. She'd try to take another one's soul, keep it and use it, abuse it and throw the person away like they were nothing. Things were never supposed to be this way.

XXXxxxXXX

Her tears could drown him, her sorrow could bury him six feet under. He felt what she felt, and they weren't even completely connected just yet. Nothing wore him out like caring about her.

All of the battles were for her. All of the punches he took from his half brother, all of the lecturing his father gave him. He became her. His heart was aching, but he guessed that was a good sign. It meant he was still trying for her, still trying to make it back to her.

He disappeared into her, she became the air he breathed and the only thing he needed. She had his everything and it wasn't supposed to be like this. She had his absolute devotion, his time, the bit of money that he had, even his whole body belonged to her. He carried her pain around, too, and it was never something that was foreign to him. He gave her all of these things and he'd never stop until he was nothing but dust, a particle, matter that fell apart and dissolved into her.

He hissed as his father continued to dress his wounds. They were deep, but these new scars were all for her. They weren't so bad, and life wouldn't be so shitty forever.

Inu no Taisho's hands were rough against his skin, all calloused and cut and worn. His eyes were cautious, his strong fingers hesitant. When he hissed again because his father's hand unintentionally brushed against one of the deep cuts, he looked up to him. Inuyasha was captivated by the eyes that looked so much like his own. His father's expression was stoic, and he grunted, giving a slight shake of his head before continuing on with his ministrations carefully.

The cut Sesshomaru had given him was deep, and it hurt. God, it hurt. But he'd take a million more, just like them or worse, if that meant getting back to Kagome soon so she'd know that she wasn't alone and she'd never ever be alone.

"Tell me about this girl," his father spoke suddenly, interrupting the stillness of the tenebrous room.

For a while, he wasn't sure what he'd say. He closed his eyes, carefully laying down on the futon. He let a complacent smile take over his mouth as he thought about her, pictured her in his mind. He thought of the dark hair that rained down her back, the smile that always calmed him and made his world a bit brighter than it already was when he was with her. And then, he thought of her stomach, full with the child he'd die for.

"She's…she's a nice girl, I guess," he grunted. Did Inu no Taisho really expect him to trust him after all the shit he'd put him through?"

"She must be a bit more than a nice girl," Inu no Taisho said. "I can sense it. She's on your mind every second, and I know for a fact she's your mate. Like I said before, it seems that she's changed you."

Inuyasha groaned, turning away from his father. "She has. I'm a better man, and I'm a better father than you could've ever been. Anyway, I'm not supposed to talk to you about these things. This is what mothers are for. After all, I'm old enough to handle myself and I know exactly what I'm doing with Kagome and my kid."

He hoped his words would scar him, cut him up and make him see that all of the shit he's put him through for all of the wrong reasons. He wanted his father to see, to understand. To understand that some things were worth bruising for, that his hands were accounted for. He hope that his words would make him see that his father was worth nothing.

"Inuyasha-" his father tried, but he interrupted. He sat up a bit too quickly, and he hissed once more from the throbbing pain that emanated from his wounds.

"Fuck you, Taisho. Mom died because of you. There was no one to protect me when everyone looked down on me for being a hanyou. And mom, she was tired. She was tired of me crying everyday and she was tired of living without you. And just like that, she let herself wither completely away because she gave you her everything and you didn't give her shit-" and he never got to finish the words that he wanted to hurt his father so badly with.

He was up against the wall again, moaning in absolute pain as his father's extremely strong figure pressed up against his wounds. He was hoisted high up, his father's strong hand around his neck. Inu no Taisho was breathing harshly out of his nose, and his eyes were on fire.

"I gave her my everything, too, Inuyasha. I did exactly what you did, but just in a different way. I had to walk away or else I'd lose her. You're fighting for Kagome. You act as if I fought for nothing. Well, I fought hard, son, and in the end, I'd lose her anyway so I left. And it was the best thing to do. She would have died if I stayed, too. I couldn't walk around knowing I was the cause of her death. Knowing that it was all because of my actions, because of how much I cared for her. You use your brain before you speak again, Inuyasha." His father growled at him, his voice low and dangerous and deadly and he found himself gulping.

He dropped to the floor, groaning in pain.

"But-" he started, only to be interrupted.

"I loved you, and I still do. And I always will. You and your brother, Inuyasha. I wanted to be there everyday. I went to hell and I went back for all of you, for all of my family. Izayoi didn't raise my hanyou to be an idiot. We're family, and Kagome and that child will soon be family, too. Can you understand, Inuyasha?" His father asked, eyes still on fire.

He gulped and nodded, and then he told his father everything he could about Kagome. He told her how amazing she was, how she accepted him, half-demon and all. And he told his father he was sorry.

He told his father everything.

A/N: I know this chapter could've been better, but I was rushed and school is the most important thing in my life right now. I hope to see you guys again soon.

Tell me what you think and what you'd like to see coming up. Feedback is lovely, and thanks for all of the reviews. (: