Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Props to Rumiko Takahashi for being such an inspiration.

Chapter 7

"Uhg, this week has been hell." Kagome sighed as she and Sango settled into the hot spring closest to Edo. For the week, the young miko's body had been catching up on the progress already made by the pregnancy before, making her sick and unpleasant to be around. Kimiko had already been 3 months along and there was another 3 left, if Izayoi's pregnancy for Inuyasha was anything to go on. Hanyou pregnancies were always different, the duration depending on the growth of the pup. Sango was about 8 months along and Kagome was about half as round with child as she was. The prospect was scary.

"Well, you have caught up on 3 months within a week. The sickness and mood fluctuation is expected." Sango tried to tell her sister as they passed around the bottle of organic shampoo. It was sunset and Inuyasha had gracefully accompanied them to the spring, made a fire so they could still see once the sun set and then left them until they finished, waiting for them to call from hearing range yet where he could not see them. Inuyasha was a steady support for the pregnant females, more so than even Miroku for Sango at times.

"But it sucks! And Sesshoumaru's just been avoiding me since I made the deal! Like I get that I made a choice without asking him first but come on, he could at least let me explain or something. I would apologize if I could." Kagome huffed in irritation and focused on lathering her obsidian hair in the sweet, lily scented shampoo she'd brought for them from home. It was safe to say that her mother was happily surprised of the pregnancy, ji-chan…not so much. He wanted to purify whichever 'disgusting dog' that had planted his seed in her. He certainly did not believe that she was still a virgin.

"It's understandable to some level, Kagome. He's going to be the father of a child he never actually sired in the first place. How would you feel? His power and genes will be passed down to a being he didn't help make in the least…" Kagome sighed before they both ducked down to rinse their hair. Once they resurfaced, they got to work on carefully applying abundant amounts of conditioner onto each other's manes, Sango first because it would take her longer to get it out.

"So what? I'm the one who will be giving birth to it while actually never having had sex before! Don't get me wrong, I'll love that baby with all of my heart but I didn't participate in making it either yet you don't see me brooding about it!" Sango shook her head and heaved a sigh. Her motherly instincts were surfacing and all she wanted to do was hug Kagome and pet her hair. Too bad Kagome was in a 'nobody touches me' sort of mood the whole day.

"Don't worry, you guys will figure it out. Just give him some time. He is fathering a baby that was originally supposed to be his sibling…actually, that's weird to say. Pretend I didn't say that." But it was too late; Kagome was laughing. Her mood swings ranged from laughing at the worst moments to crying over the smallest incidents. Even Shippou was keeping his distance from her hysterics.

The women finished their calming bath and called for Inuyasha to escort them back once they were dressed and the sun had set. They made it all the way to Sango and Miroku's hut before Inuyasha split to go eat with Kaede and the twins. Sango was about to go in and rest her tired feet when she realized something.

"Kagome, I forgot my obi by the spring…" A worried look crossed the taijiya's face and Kagome quickly threw her hands up with a soft smile on her face.

"Don't fret, Sango, I'll go get it for you. I'll be back in a few. You just go inside and rest; you need it with the babies so close to coming." Before Sango could object to the miko wandering to the spring alone in the dark and call upon their half-demon friend to go retrieve it, Kagome was going. She was barely a silhouette in the pitch background when Sango gave up and went inside to wait.

Kagome happily sauntered the way they'd just come from while steadily singing a quiet tune to herself. Feeling a little reminiscent, she found herself singing the choir song she'd sang at the school festival her friends had roped her into that one time. That hadn't ended so well, what with Inuyasha destroying their auditorium with his Wind Scar…

The closer she got, she started to notice things. Like the fact that their little fire had been rekindled and the small flames were bathing the scene it faint light. She thought it strange since they had definitely put it out correctly. Upon further inspection, she found there was a reason it was lit back up. Once she'd passed the large rock that shielded the water from initial view, she found that a certain someone had his haori open and was untying his armour, his fur pelt already at his feet. And finally, when she could make out his face, she saw that he was looking straight at her for the first time in a whole week. They had been getting close before all of that too.

Trying to ignore his smouldering gaze, Kagome looked around the ground where their stuff had been but found no trace of Sango's rolled-up obi. She turned her eyes to the flat rock where they had spread out their kimono earlier and her glare zeroed in on the forgotten piece of fabric. Ah ha! She thought in triumph, thought you could escape me you stupid little roll of deception? She'd almost lunged for it when a wall of fair flesh wassuddenly in her path. She looked up into Sesshoumaru's eyes; his surreal golden eyes that spoke of betrayal and mixed with a sort wistful look; so emotive for someone usually so uninvolved. Her eyes locked regretfully on his, her hand lifted to rest on the skin right above his heart so she could feel its steady rhythm. Maybe it was past judgement but she was almost surprised when she felt the strong beat under her palm, as if she thought he didn't have a heart before. Her mood swings got to the miko and tears welled in her eyes.

"I…I'm so sorry, Sesshoumaru. I've forced you into fatherhood for a child you didn't make and it was wrong of me to not ask you before agreeing to the deal." Unable to withstand his intense eyes, she dropped her head and let her forehead rest against his hard chest. He felt way more muscular than he looked and she almost stopped crying to remark on it. Almost.

"I think you've not been released from your insanity, little miko." Hesitantly, in a way that contradicted his firm voice like their hair colours contradicted each other, he set his hand on the back of her head and gently stroked her hair with his thumb. He'd heard it was not good for a pregnant woman to get worked up and searched to soothe her. "I am not bitter of becoming a father or of being thrust into the role without consent. This Sesshoumaru is only upset that we are not tied together except as pack mates in doing this. Parents are supposed to be mates if the pup is not birthed for political reasons. It is how I was raised." He could admit to himself that he'd been avoiding her but he could not fathom why. He'd always been one for confrontation, usually not inclined to run from his problems. Not that she was a problem to begin with.

"In my time, lots of people have kids without being married or even in a relationship so I guess I never thought of that. Truth be told, I haven't even tried to understand how you could feel about this because I was focused on my own problems. I mean, pregnancy? I'm only 17 and I'm still a damn virgin yet I'm having a baby. It's not uncommon to have children so young but it's still a scary thing…I don't know where I'm going with this. I should shut up. I'm sorry." He calmly listened to her rant, his soothing motions not stopping for a second. As alpha of his pack and father of her child, he would protect her from anything while she carried the baby and even after it was born, seeing it as his duty to protect her until her death anyway. Or perhaps…Perhaps I want to protect her. Perhaps, despite her humanity and the fact that she is pupped, I want to be with her. When she described what a soul mate was…It makes me think of her. But she had put the term 'friend' in there too so how am I to know? What does it truly feel like to find your soul mate? Father never explained what he felt like when he was with Izayoi.

"If I had it my way, we would be mates. I never intended to have a child simply for it to fill the role of a strong heir. I take pride in my lands and my people but never would I subject my child to the kind of childhood I had. My pup would be smart and strong but he would be happy and allowed to adventure beyond the castle walls. He would be born of love and raised with it. He would not be a simple pawn in my life." The taiyoukai explained softly, his eyes fixated on an empty spot in the distance. So Inuyasha had followed her to make sure she wasn't attacked while giving her the freedom of thinking she was alone in her task. So be it; she didn't need anyone to hold her hand.

"You keep saying he as if you're sure it'll be a boy but I have a feeling we're having ourselves a little girl." Kagome mused, her tears having dried already. Just his embrace felt secure and she thought it a pity that the only other being to have experienced it was Rin. He needed to comfort more people; it really took away from his scary and untouchable persona.

"And you ignore the fact that I have basically asked you to be my mate," here she gasped, quite bewildered that he would even propose such a tie to be formed between them. He almost chuckled, taken aback himself by the proposal. Was he softening up? "Besides, I would enjoy having a girl as much as a boy. I will take what life gives us without argument or bitterness." He finally admitted, reluctantly pulling away from her so he could finish taking his haori off. His whole reason for being there was to take a bath and she probably had other things to do, too.

"You talk about being mates, Sesshoumaru, but do you even love me? I am not going to be one of those girls who marry a guy simply because I'm having his child and I won't be the girl who is with a guy who doesn't love her because I deserve better than that." Kagome tried to look away as she spoke but she was entranced by his exposed torso and the feel of his embrace that continued to blanket her despite his distance.

"You are correct; you do deserve a man that loves you. And no matter how…confused…I am by my own feelings at the moment, it changes nothing if you do not love me also. It would be the same situation." With his back toward her, he turned his face so she could see his expression over his shoulder and let a barely noticeable smile grace is habitually stony features. He still looked like the perfect statue that he was. Was it possible for her to love him in the way a mating bond calls for; to love him for what he is underneath all of that ethereal beauty? Yes, she decided, I am capable of loving Sesshoumaru in a way that I was not able to love Inuyasha. I can love him because from the start I've known that he sees me for who I am and I know he never lies. I know that having a baby would change nothing in the way he feels for me and that he would never simply give up on me. He's smart, he's strong, he's tenacious and he's reliable. His emotions are hard to pinpoint and his past is mostly kept in the shadows but it takes time and trust for those things to change. Maybe I would mate him if we only got to know each other and ourselves better. Like dating, or courting as they'd say in this era.

"I might not be in love with you but I do love you. And I'd be willing to spend the rest of my insignificant life with you if I knew you; the real you that hides behind that straight face and unemotional countenance. The question is: would you sacrifice some of your time to get to know me too? Instead of proposing a mating right away, would you court me and then decide if we're fit to mate?" He considered her words in silence, thinking of all the advantages courting the little miko would bring. It would build trust and give them both a better understanding of the other. Maybe, just maybe, he could figure out if he loved her or if he'd simply been infatuated with her for the past few months. Maybe he could figure out just why he'd become interested in her that way in the first place.

"Yes, I believe courting may be the best course of action for you and I. We could begin tomorrow, after you've had a good night's rest and after I've washed the smell of my mother's castle off of my skin." He hinted at his yet to be taken bath, eager for her to go so he could take off his hakama and fundoshi and finally get cleaned. What did it take for an inuyoukai to take a bath around here?

"Oh, ah, yeah, of course. I'll just grab the obi and go…" Heat rose to Kagome's cheeks as she rushed around him to pick up Sango's forgotten piece of clothing and leave, her baby bump suddenly feeling like it belonged there instead of just being a reminder of the deal she made. She felt like she would no longer toss and turn at night, occasionally feeling her rounded stomach because she'd forgotten it was there and tried to roll onto her stomach to sleep. However, she paused with the purple obi in her hand, turning back to the majestic inuyoukai who was untying his own obi. "Wait, you were at your mother's castle?" He also paused, looking up at her with eyes that seemed to border both blankness and curiosity. Look at that, she thought with an inward smile; he's already trying to let down his physical walls. What a guy, she mused with just the barest hint of sarcasm. I have to remember that he isn't really a guy; he's a dog demon with a humanoid form. A taiyoukai.

"Yes, I have been there for the past two days. There was an uproar about her death, though she was not technically ruling over my subjects ever since father died. She was quite literally the lady of nothing but the fact that she was stable made them look to her in times of need. Unlike with me since I roam freely like a traveler, only visiting when I am called upon or when I feel restlessness among the land or people. They usually have to search for me whereas she was always sitting right on her throne of pretense." His explanation was quite forward and she got the gist of it and nodded with an embarrassed lowering of her eyes. And I thought he was avoiding me when really he was taking care of whatever good lords take care of…I am so self-centered.

With a final gentle smile, she left Sesshoumaru to his personal business and made her way back to Sango's with a bit of a pep to her step. She realized that it had taken her longer than was normal and hoped that Sango hadn't worried too much but was just too excitedly anxious to actually care. Starting tomorrow she would be courting Sesshoumaru and she just couldn't wait to uncover who he was underneath that bravado he was covered in when he walked around and did this and that. Actually, it was there even when he was doing nothing. Just how much practice had he put into that "I don't care" show of attitude of his? Was he raised to be like that? Surely not…

Pushing aside the mat that lead into the hut, Kagome stopped and stared fondly at the pregnant slayer curled up to her husband. Miroku looked up and caught Kagome's stare with his own, He smiled and not knowing what to do but not wanting to speak, she held up Sango's rolled up obi. Miroku pointed to the shelf to her right and she set the fabric there without a sound. Before she left, the two friends waved to each other and Kagome made a heart with her hands, trying to communicate just how lovely he and Sango looked. He accepted it with a grin and a nod and she left, making her way to Kaede's. The children would be asleep but maybe she could catch Inuyasha, have a relaxing conversation before she too went to sleep. Kagome hadn't eaten much that day so she knew her best friend would force some food into her before she actually got any type of rest. She had to stay as healthy as possible for the baby—or pup as the inu brothers and any other respectful demon would call it. Hell, she was doing all that she could to stay healthy so she could have a safe delivery and hold her child. It had nothing to do with the threat of her curse returning if she failed and everything to do with being a good mother. She was already worried about not being apt and she'd only been pregnant for a week. She'd be one hell of a mama-bear.

She found her hanyou friend waiting outside of Kaede's hut with his dog ears aimed her way and a smile on his face, his fangs showing teasingly from between his lips. She sat beside him and let him thrust a bowl of rice and fish along with chopsticks at her that had been concealed behind the sleeve of his red kimono. She gratefully took the food and started eating, her hunger making a wild appearance.

"So, d'ya get some answers outta the bastard?" He playfully asked in that gruff voice that was just as attractive as his brother's yet so unlike it that they were easily discernable. She smiled at herself, shaking her head. Now I'm comparing them, but she didn't feel bad about it. In fact, she felt quite serene in the moment, a weight having been lifted off of her shoulders a while earlier. She was peaceful with the fact that she might end up with her best friend's brother, even if she'd loved him first. And he was all for it, which made her happy.

"Yeah, I got what I needed. And be careful with your words, Inuyasha. He is your brother and the father of the 'pup' currently growing in my womb." She winked at the inuhanyou and resumed her meal, catching the weirdly accepting look on his face.

"I'm really gonna be an uncle, huh? I hope the pup comes out with ears like mine, just to spite Sesshoumaru. Oh how funny it'd be to see him coddle a little mini-me." And with the thought, Inuyasha laughed. It would be priceless, especially considering the look his older brother had always given him in the past. But there would be none of that hate or disgust on his face when he looked at his pup and there no longer was any of it when he looked at Inuyasha now. That was all in the past.

"I hope it has your ears too. I've always loved your ears, y'know? There's just something about them that's so…" As stealthily as she could, Kagome took the advantage of him looking away and set her food down, reaching her hands up and snatching his soft ears between her thumbs and index fingers. "Touchable. So, so soft and furry and fun to play with." Her voice turned to a goofy voice you'd use with a pet as she made a rubbing motion on his ears, enjoying their texture. They twitched every-which-way to try and free themselves from her hold as Inuyasha glared at her, a joking growl aimed her way. He didn't really mind her affections, though his ears were sensitive and touching them for an extended amount of time hurt. Kagome had always seemed to understand that, never holding onto them longer than necessary. He was grateful for that.

The friends laughed and continued to enjoy each other's company until the young priestess finished her food and was ready to sleep, having taken a good half hour to digest so she wouldn't get cramps. After settling down for sleep in a hut that was lent to her and her friends until they could build one of their own, Kagome lied in a half-awake, half-asleep state and continued to make senseless talk with her best friend as he sat inside, next to the door as guard. His Tetsusaiga propped up against his shoulder, he fiddled with his necklace as he gave her replies just as senseless as her own words. Their conversation was meaningless but held such meaning to the both of them that they didn't want to stop. Inuyasha could barely believe he'd ever hated her, seeing how close they were now. If it wasn't for her, he'd be dead ten times over by now and as unhappy as can be. She was a beacon of light in the darkness that had formed around his heart and mind. She saved him in more ways than one and he was grateful that she stayed, grateful that she patiently waited for him to come to his senses. Likewise, she would be nothing without him at her side. A protector, a pick-me-up, a best friend and a gem was what he was. He was a diamond in the rough when she first met him and now he was just sparkling the way he should have always been. She trusted him and loved him like no other, glad to have him in her life. So they talked and laughed and ignored when silence was needed to tease each other like they'd always done and always would do. The pregnancy and possible mating with Sesshoumaru would change absolutely nothing and he would be a big part in their child's life. A good uncle and play mate.

"I could take those off, you know. You don't need them. Haven't really needed them in a long while." Kagome whispered as she cracked her eyes open for a second to catch a glimpse of his silver hair and golden eyes. He shook his head and she giggle softly. "I may have abused of them quite a bit over the past year two years. Forgive me?"

"Keh," He let go of the necklace and crossed his arms. "There's nothing to forgive ya for, idiot." He haughtily claimed before opening his eyes and smiling at her, uncrossing his arms from over his chest and stuffing his hands in his sleeves in a calmer way that fitted him much better. "Tough, ya gotta admit, a lot of those 'sit' command were unjustified." He winked. She rolled her eyes and closed them, not quite willing to go to sleep but knowing that she had to get some rest soon.

"And a lot of your words were uncalled for and mean. Deal with it, jerk." She teased right back as she settled in a comfier position on her back. Then, she was asleep as fast as a light-switch flipping off and as hard as a rock. Inuyasha stayed and simply closed his own eyes, keeping his ears and nose as sharp as ever. He would watch over her and protect her until his last breath, not ready to lose her for at least another fifty years. She was here to stay, whether she liked it or not. And she did so that made it all the more enjoyable. Most could only hope for a friendship like theirs.

Outside, Sesshoumaru sat at the base of a tree near the hut, listening to the exchanged words distractedly while wondering what they could do tomorrow. He wanted to include Rin, since he hadn't seen her in the past two days either, but was not looking forward to a day of flower picking. He knew Rin wanted to go swimming too but he didn't know if it was wise for a pregnant woman to swim in a river. He'd have to ask the miko about it; she knew more when it came to women and any type of situation that involved them. If it was accepted as an activity, he'd bring the girls to a part of river where current wasn't an issue and let them have fun, perhaps joining them if he felt it appropriate to do so. If a swim was declined, he could always bring them flower picking or even for a walk if they so pleased. Tomorrow promised great weather and truly, he didn't care what they did. As long as he could form a bond with Kagome and get to bond with Rin too, he would be satisfied. Seeing Kagome and Rin interact was always a pleasure; proof that they could make a great family together. He'd bring the kit too if he wasn't leaving for kitsune school in the morning but that couldn't be helped. Oh well, he'd take what he could get and try his best to know Kagome better, even if she was already an open book.

Maybe he could love her after all. It couldn't be so different from what he felt when he looked at his little Rin, could it? If that was what it felt like to have a daughter and be proud and love her, then he assumed he wasn't so far off from loving Kagome like a mate would. She could help him better understand the feeling in his chest, he knew.

"Jeez, your aura is just a ball of confusion isn' it, ya bastard?" Sesshoumaru heard Inuyasha's voice mutter from beyond the walls of the small hut and resisted the urge to go down there and pound him a good one on the head. What was stopping him? The little miko that slept five feet away from the half-demon. And maybe even the small speck of affection he was starting to hold for the whelp, despite their hard past. Hn.

Author's note:

Hey, I'm back with a new chapter! If anyone's ever wondered what I listen to when I write "fluff" scenes, wonder no further! I've basically been listening to Inuyasha OST while writing this whole chapter, songs like "Futari no kimochi" and "Kagome and Inuyasha I and II". I don't understand Japanese quite that much yet but those three just calm me and make me feel at peace and happy. Anyway, that's all I didn't need to yet wanted to say to y'all! Have a good night, eh? Or day, whichever you're taking part in! haha love ya and thanks for all the nice reviews. ^.^ -Nat :)