A/N: Sorry about the long wait, I haven't been in the mood for typing lately… . Hope you enjoy and disclaimers!

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Inuyasha was pissed.

He'd Marked his mate. She should've been safe, she should've been fine to go around normally again. Just as long as Magatsuhi couldn't get near her, she should've been perfectly okay.

But she wasn't.

And Inuyasha was quickly growing beyond rage.

His blood was boiling, his demon side threatening to take over and Mark her again to see if it helped. And he would do that if he had to, he knew he would.

But it would hurt like nothing else could possibly hurt. He'd heard stories of mates who marked the other more than once, and in every single one he'd heard, the mate who'd been Marked twice had killed themselves to escape the insanity. He wouldn't do that to his mate.

Inuyasha cursed quietly, his ears drooping and flattening against his head.

He was a terrible mate. He'd been unable to protect Kagome. Less than twenty four hours of being mates, and he'd failed miserably. He whined softly at the thought, shoving a clawed hand through his thick silver mane.

He would give his life up in an instant if it meant saving her anymore pain.

"Hey! Inuyasha!"

The half-demon glanced up, startled at the sight of Miroku, who wore a small smile on his face as he carried one of his daughters and walked beside his wife, who carried the other half of their duo of children. Sango wore a concerned expression on her face at the sight of the man she considered to be part of her family, noticing the anguish on his face. "Are you alright, Inuyasha?" Sango asked softly.

Inuyasha flicked an ear as he caught her question, his golden eyes snapping with sudden anger. "No, I'm not alright," he spat, scowling at her. She knew better than to think he was mad at her though. "Does it look like I'm alright?! I made Kagome my mate, and when I finally do, she forgets me! Again! My Mark didn't stop Magatsuhi from doing it again! She's not supposed to be under his control still!"

Sango frowned, and Miroku copied her, demanding, "Slow down and tell us what happened. Maybe it's not as bad as you think-"

"My mate," he hissed, "forgot me, Sango. What do you mean that maybe it's not as bad as I think? My mate, my mate, can't remember a single thing about me or any of us. "You think I'm going to stay calm?!"

"Kagome's memory has been erased again?" Miroku murmured, eyes becoming soft with affection for the woman that loved his best friend. "I can see if maybe I can go through her mind. I have spiritual powers, nowhere as powerful as Kagome's, but I can try and search her mind for any blocks."

Inuyasha looked surprised. "Is it possible to do it without hurting her?" he asked softly.

Miroku gave a dry smile. "It won't hurt her. It'll knock her unconscious for hours, maybe a few days, but I know for sure she'll wake up. But the problem is you need to make sure nobody touches her while we're doing this. A single touch could send her mind into something she can't come out of. Something that's not a coma, but not death either. Her body is dead, but her soul will be trapped."

"Like a ghost," Sango murmured.

"Like a ghost," Miroku agreed. "But ten times worse. The man I grew up with told me that these ghosts are the spirits we end up exorcising. They become so cold and lonely that they go insane, and attack people."

Inuyasha growled softly under his breath. "If it works…"

"But you'd have to do it again a few days later when Magatsuhi figured it out," Sango pointed out, frowning. "You'd risk her life over and over again for that?"

"That's the thing," Miroku replied, a smile spreading across his face as the twin he carried yawned, snuggling into his neck. "I can block any pieces of him from her mind, too. But she has to be willing, or it'll kill her."

"I'll convince her," Inuyasha said firmly, "I know she'll-" he was interrupted when his phone rang.

He glanced at Miroku, who grinned. "Go ahead, answer the phone. It might be Kagome."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at his friend's suggestive grin, and then answered the phone.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome's face was pale as she sat nervously outside on a bench outside of the bridal shop, her phone pressed to her ear as she waited for the man that was supposed to be her husband to answer his phone.

"Hello?"

She swallowed, then rasped, "I need…I need to talk to you. Could you…would be able to…?"

"Keh. 'Course I'll come and get you." Kagome was startled by the warm amusement in his tone. "You okay? Are you hurt or anything?"

"No, I'm alright," Kagome reassured, "But I have to tell you something, that's all. It's important."

"I'm on my way. You still at the bridal?"

"Yes," Kagome answered, biting her lip. "I'm sitting outside. Hurry up, okay?"

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine," Kagome reassured, smiling warmly at the concern in his tone. "I'm just…nervous is all." She touched her flat stomach, eyes softening. "I'm just nervous about what you'll say to what I have to tell you."

She knew the half-demon was immediately wary of what was to come. "You're not planning on purifying me, are you?"

Kagome giggled. "No, no. I promise I don't plan on purifying you. Just…come and talk with me."

"Alright, alright. I'm coming, chill out, wench. I have something to discuss with you anyways. I'm on my way." She heard him pause before he said softly, "Kagome?"

Kagome blinked. "Yes?"

"I love you."

Kagome stiffened, startled by his words, unsure of how to reply. "…I…"

Disappointment lined Inuyasha's tone as he said, "I'm on my way. See you in a bit."

He hung up.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Inuyasha pursed his lips as he turned his car off, climbing out of the car with a curious look on his face. What in the seven hells did his mate want? He needed to discuss the fact that Miroku would bring her memories back with Miroku, find out more about it.

But that came second to whatever his mate needed.

And he was becoming quickly concerned.

Kagome had gone pale, and she kept shifting nervously on the bench outside her workplace. "Kagome?" he said, tone urgent as he darted over.

Kagome smiled faintly. "Hello, Inuyasha-san. I'm sorry to have bothered you, but I needed to talk about something important that someone pointed out to me…"

Inuyasha ignored her, gently feeling her forehead with a clawed hand. "You sure you're alright, Kagome?"

"I'm fine," Kagome huffed. "Now sit down, shut up, and let me talk."

Inuyasha snickered, raising an eyebrow at her as he sat down on the bench to her, both ears swiveling towards his mate and locking on her voice. "Speak then," he told her.

"First, before I tell you," Kagome said, smiling slightly at his impatient gaze. "Don't freak out, alright? You have to promise that you won't be crazy about it."

"Alright," he sighed, tapping his foot. "I won't. Now tell me, wench."

Kagome bit her lip nervously, squirming. "And you promise you won't be angry or upset?"

"I won't be angry or upset," he replied with a huff. "Are you going to tell me or not?"

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and preparing herself. Then she said softly, "I didn't know until a woman who was ordering a dress and I were talking. I didn't even consider it, okay? So don't think I'm keeping anything from you."

"Okay. Tell me, damn it! Or I'm going to go have an important talk with Miroku that we need to have." Inuyasha snapped, growling now.

"Okay, okay," Kagome said, and then told him softly, "I'm pregnant."

Inuyasha went stock still, his ears pressing against his head and his eyes snapping wide. "You're…?" She nodded, and he gaped at her for a few moments. Then his eyes softened and a rumbling escaped him as he leaned over to happily kiss her.

Kagome stiffened, uncomfortable, but allowed him to, uncertain when he pulled back to lower himself to the ground so that he could reach her stomach. Grinning, the half-demon leaned closer and gently nuzzled her belly, murmuring, "I get to have a pup, too."

When he pulled back, Kagome relaxed, and he said softly, "I'll make sure you are both okay. I'll make sure Magatsuhi is gone before the pup is born, Kagome. I'll make sure he stays away from you, too."

Kagome hesitated, and then gently touched his cheek so that he looked up at her. "You're not upset?"

He shook his head, grinning again as he buried his face in her stomach, breathing in her scent. I'm more than just not upset. A while ago, I thought you were dead and I had to watch Miroku and Sango start a family. Now, you're here, and I get my own family…I'm happy."

A slight smile appeared on Kagome's face at his enthusiasm. "I'm glad," she breathed, "I was worried you'd be unhappy or mad about it."

He snorted in amusement, shaking his head as he pushed himself up slightly, lovingly kissing her again. Instead of not responding, Kagome returned the kiss this time. "I could never be unhappy or mad about being able to have my own pup, wench."

Kagome giggled as he playfully nipped at her cheek. "My mate," he whispered. "My mate, my pup, my family. All mine."

Kagome's eyes softened as he continued to happily murmur to her. "Inuyasha-san," she said softly, snapping him out of his happy moment, "If you're going to be like this, can we go home and do it?" She nodded at one of the large windows, where Jakotsu was watching, beaming at the duo. "If Jak sees anymore, he'll explode, and I don't want to be teased when I'm at work tomorrow."

Inuyasha chuckled, giving her an amused look. "Alright, let's go home then. You can tell Rin and Sango while I talk with Miroku. You should tell Shippo when he gets home from school, too."

Kagome blinked, furrowing her brow in confusion. "I don't…don't know who…" she stammered, flushing in embarrassment.

"Oh," he mumbled, "right. Uh…Sango will help you, I'll show you who she is when we get back, alright? Let's go."

Kagome nodded her agreement as Inuyasha stood, smirking with a proud look on his face, offering her his hand.

She smiled, taking it and letting him pull her to her feet.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Upon reaching the Takahashi's place, Inuyasha re-introduced Kagome to Sango, sending her off with the mother of his best friend's twins before going to hunt down said friend. When he found him, working on a laptop in the study, Inuyasha took only a moment to growl at him. "Put that thing away. We need to have a discussion."

"Did you convince Kagome?" Miroku asked cheerfully. To his disappointment, Inuyasha shook his head. "What happened then?"

Inuyasha smirked, taking on a proud look again, replying simply, "Kagome's pregnant. We're gonna have a pup."

"Congrats, my friend," Miroku said with a warm smile. He remembered Inuyasha's dark times after Kagome had "died". He had mourned that nobody would be willing to have a family with him like Kagome had, and the human was glad that he would now have that family.

"What I want to know," Inuyasha said slowly, "Is how this foraging around in her brain will affect my pup."

"As long as the instructions I gave you earlier are followed, nothing," Miroku reassured, "If she agrees, and isn't touched until she wakes up, the child and Kagome will both be fine. Unless you'd rather wait until the child is born…?"

"No," Inuyasha said grimly, "I know that the secret to beating that bastard is going to require Kagome's spiritual powers. I will not put her in any more danger by waiting."

"Alright," Miroku said with a sigh. "Go get her. We can do it right now…"

He trailed off as Inuyasha jerked his head around, curious at the sound of confusion of startled voices coming from the main room. "What's going on out there, Inuyasha?"

"Some lady's showed up," Inuyasha said gruffly, tilting his head curiously and closing his eyes to focus. He sighed, standing up again. "Come on; let's go see what she wants." Without another word, he grabbed the Tetsusaiga and stood up, ducking out of the room.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

After being left with the woman known as Sango, Kagome watched after Inuyasha with a nervous look before turning to face Sango, biting her lip.

"Hello, Kagome," Sango greeted warmly, "Long time no see."

Kagome couldn't help but smile at the happy look on her old friend's face. "Hello, Sango-chan."

"Come on, we're going to go relax in the living room while you and I take care of Miki and Hotaru, okay?" Sango said with a bright smile. "Rin's already in there keeping an eye on them. It'll give you practice for when you have children of your own." She winked when Kagome looked questioningly at her. "Kags, you'll never hide things from me. The way you put your arm when you walked in the door gave it away."

Kagome flushed slightly. "Let's go play with the babies, then," she said softly, giggling at the sound of piercing laughter coming from the room ahead. "They sound like fun."

"Oh, they're not fun," Sango sighed, "They've just learned to crawl. They're insanely fast, and I struggle when I try to keep up with them."

Kagome giggled. "Let's go play with them and tire them out, shall we?"

It was only a few minutes of playing with them later when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Rin said cheerfully, dragging Kagome with her to see who was at the door.

When Rin opened it, she was stunned. Flushing immediately, she greeted, stammering as she politely bowed her head, "Midoriko-san! Why are you here at our home?"

Midoriko's gaze was determined, her smile faint. "Ah, I am here to visit with Kagome-chan and Miroku-kun again. And perhaps to meet the famous Inuyasha-kun."

Kagome peered curiously at Midoriko over Rin's shoulder and Midoriko smiled at her. "Hello, Kagome-chan."

"Hello," Kagome said eyes curious. "Should I go get Miroku-san and Inuyasha-san?"

Midoriko frowned at the formal words that the other miko was using, but gave a nod. "Anyone you want may hear what I have to say. Sango-chan. Rin-chan. Sesshomaru-kun." Rin giggled at hearing her mate and husband's name being said with an honorific, and Midoriko smiled warmly. "Anyone."

"I'll get all of the adults," Kagome decided with a frown. She walked off to fetch Sango, and then made her way to the study, where she knew Inuyasha was with Miroku, only to discover that Inuyasha had already heard that someone was here. "Inuyasha-san," she said hesitantly, "Midoriko-san is here to talk with everyone."

"Oh, really," Miroku said, a grin spreading across his face. Inuyasha shot him a bewildered look and he explained quickly. "If Kagome agrees to what we've been discussing, it would be safer for Midoriko to do it. She has more experience and is far more powerful. She could perhaps shorten the time of danger for Kagome."

"What are you two talking about?" Kagome demanded when Inuyasha's face lit up with relief. "If I agree to what?"

"Miroku wants to search your mind," Inuyasha explained, "Find your memories again; block Magatsuhi from your mind." He spoke quickly, and in a rush to where he could barely understand his own words. "You'd be safe from Magatsuhi, and there's no way in hell you'll be fighting if we have to."

Kagome pursed her lips at this, crossing his arms. "And what if I don't want to?"

"If you don't want to," Miroku said gently, "Then Magatsuhi has control over you. He could ultimately get to the child, Kagome. My suggestion is to go with it."

Inuyasha clenched his jaw. "Please, Kagome," he said gently, moving over and gently kissing her head. "At least let him, or Midoriko if she's willing, block Magatsuhi from your mind."

Kagome hesitated, and then shook her head, her voice hitching. "I don't want to."

"Kagome-"

"No," Kagome replied, shaking her head, "No, I'm not going to do it. I don't want someone searching through my mind."

"You wouldn't be alone," Miroku told her gently, "Inuyasha would stay by you throughout the whole thing. And I promise I won't go digging through your thoughts. I'd just unlock your memories and move on to setting up a barrier within your head."

Kagome bit her lip and shook her head, "No," she rasped, "I don't want to and you can't make me."

"We won't make you, Kagome," Inuyasha replied, ears flicking as the others began to catch wind of Kagome's rising voice. He kept his tone calm in an attempt to keep them away. "I just want you safe, wench."

Kagome just shook her head, glaring at him. "No, I don't want to." Then she turned and stomped away, snapping angrily, "I'll tell Midoriko-san you don't want to know then."

"Hey!" Miroku whined, "I never said that! Kagome, hold on!" he scrambled after her, and Inuyasha growled softly as he did the same.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

"You're going to tell us how to defeat Magatsuhi?" Sango said softly as soon as everyone was settled down to listen to Midoriko. In the other room, Shippo kept Miki and Hotaru busy, promising he'd keep them safe and wouldn't let them run off.

Midoriko nodded her expression grim. But it flickered to amusement for a brief moment when she glanced from Kagome to Inuyasha, who was sitting on the completely opposite side of the room along with Miroku. "Yes. I have decided that Magatsuhi is beyond helping," she sighed softly. "I hoped it wouldn't come to this, that he'd understand his ways are evil, but he only has grown worse. But first…he has removed your memories again, hasn't he, Kagome-chan?"

"He has," Inuyasha answered for the miko, angrily. "Keh. And we have a pup to worry about, too, what if he gets his hands on my pup?"

Midoriko contemplated quietly for a few moments, and then said, "We need to free Kagome-chan from his grasp then. Have you discussed going into her mind?"

"Not happening," Kagome said firmly.

"Kagome has something against it," Miroku explained to the startled Midoriko. "We asked her about it and she went kind of crazy about not letting it happen."

Inuyasha snorted angrily, huffing from where he sat.

"That would be Magatsuhi that doesn't want it to happen," Midoriko replied thoughtfully. "He hears you two, through Kagome's ears, and he knows what will happen. You can do it by force if necessary."

Kagome glared at Midoriko. "No," she snapped, "I don't want to."

Inuyasha exchanged a glance with Midoriko, and then said hesitantly, "Midoriko-san…" He startled even Midoriko by speaking pleadingly, politely, and formally, "Would you do it? Miroku said it would be safer."

Midoriko smiled warmly. "Of course I'll do it. Where and when?"

"Here and now?" Miroku said hopefully, a grin spreading across his face as Kagome gave a furious wail of "no".

"Here and now it is," Midoriko agreed. "You'll need to hold her still, Inuyasha-kun. I need to touch her to begin."

Inuyasha nodded, darting over to scoop up his mate, but Kagome darted for the door, slipping out of it. Inuyasha scrambled after her, growling under his breath about "stupid unreliable women".

And then, before his very eyes…

…Kagome vanished.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

A/N: Not proud of this one bit, but it is what it is. Hope you all enjoyed, and I believe I will be finishing this fanfiction up in the next few chapters! ^_^