Chapter 23

InuYasha

I looked over at Kagome and narrowed my eyes. I noticed her acting weird earlier, and now that I was closer, I could tell her scent was off. Something wasn't right and I was determined to figure out what. She was no longer mine but she was still my friend, and I wanted to protect her.

"Kagome, can we talk?" I asked, glad that Father was off with Sesshomaru and Kai, scouting the area. At least this way, I could speak to her without Pops getting in the way.

"Yea. What's wrong?" She asked, looking nervous. It was then that I realized she was hiding something. I motioned for her to follow me and we made our way away from the others. Since I was the only real protection left at the moment, we didn't go too far.

"Tell me what you're hiding." I demanded. She flinched immediately before trying to school her features into a mask.

"I'm not hiding anything." She lied.

"Keh, you're not Sesshomaru, Wench. You can't hide behind a mask." I stated, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring down at her. She will tell me this day.

I watched as she wrapped her arms around her stomach and looked down at the ground. Her face had gone white as if she was going to be sick, and I realized she was terrified. But what could she possibly be scared of?

Then it hit me. The way she had her arms wrapped protectively around her abdomen. The way her scent had changed slightly and got stronger every day. It all became clear. She knew that we would never have let her leave the shiro if she told us so she has been keeping it a secret.

"You're pregnant!" I gasped, shocking even her. She held up her hands and shushed me, asking me to keep my voice down.

"Yes. I didn't know when we left, but I put two and two together a few days ago." She admitted, looking at me worried. "Please don't tell anyone, especially him."

"He has every right to know! Plus we need to get you back to the shiro so you can be safe!" I angrily whispered, not understanding why she wouldn't tell him. Knowing Pops, he would be ecstatic that she was pregnant.

"That's one of the reasons I wouldn't tell anybody. I don't want to be locked away as if I'm some fragile creature." She argued. I could tell she was trying not to cry, and I knew then that keeping this a secret from Pops was hurting her.

"You need to tell him, Kagome. Let him hear it from you instead of finding out some other way." I countered.

"What if he's not happy?" She asked, her true fear surfacing.

"Why wouldn't he be? Haven't you talked about spawns before?" I asked, beginning to get uncomfortable with this conversation.

"Yes, and he said he wanted to wait a few years. I know he never meant to get me pregnant. I'm not even sure how it happened, but I have a feeling it has something to do with Naraku's 'gift'. If it wasn't for that, he never would have gotten me pregnant." She whispered, clutching at her stomach again.

"You're being stupid. Tell him, Kagome, or I will." I threatened. I didn't care if it got me sat. This was something Pops needed to know.

"InuYasha, you wouldn't." She cried, looking as if I had hurt her.

"I would. Tell him, or I will. You have three days." I stated, no longer giving her an option.

Her reasons for keeping this a secret weren't worth the risk of what could happen. Before she had a chance to say anything else, the three males walked back into camp. Kagome gave me a look of betrayal before walking over to her mate.

I watched her leave before going to Sesshomaru. He was about to sit down with Rin when he noticed me. I gave him a look that said I needed him to follow me, and I was glad when he did so without question.

I took him farther than I did Kagome so that Father wouldn't hear. I gave her three days and that's how many she would get. In the meantime, I needed someone's help in watching over her. Unfortunately, the best person for that is the one who knew her the longest.

"What is it, Half-breed?" He asked, making me close my eyes and pray for patience.

"Kagome's pregnant. She refuses to tell Pops. I gave her three days before I tell him myself." I said quickly, not really wanting to go into detail. His eyes widened for a moment before he lifted his nose to the air. His head snapped towards me the moment he caught her scent.

"How can Father not know?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulders before answering.

"The same way you and I didn't. Sure, we can smell the difference in her scent, but none of us thought it was because of a pup. Father most likely assumes she is becoming fertile again. She said that she thinks this is somehow Naraku's 'gift'. I just don't see why he would do that."

"His worst enemy is a miko, one that he has tried to kill numerous times but failed. What better way to get her out of the picture than by getting her pupped? She is a miko, pregnant with a yokai child. She can no longer use her reiki without possibly harming the pup." Sesshomaru offered before sighing. "I assume she has overthought Father's reaction and that is why she will not speak of what has happened."

"You assume correctly." I mumbled, crossing my arms.

"Three days." He repeated, agreeing with the timeframe I set. "Until then, we keep her safe. We make sure she doesn't fight. She cannot use her reiki. I will keep my knowledge of the subject unknown for now, otherwise it would draw too much attention."

"Yea, I guess that will work for now. I hope she tells him because I really don't want her to be mad at me." I whispered, slouching slightly.

"She will forgive you, Little Brother. You did well. This is not something that should be kept a secret. The miko is now defenseless, and Father has every right to know." Sesshomaru soothed, catching me off guard.

I could only watch as he turned and left, silently walking back to the group. I was too shocked at his compliment to even move at the moment. He had never talked to me without hatred before, and I wasn't sure how to take it.

Mattaki

It has been almost two months since the attack and so far, nothing has happened. We began traveling as planned and have found a good chunk of the jewel shards. Souta and Hitomi's training had gone very well and they have even helped to kill a few rogue yokai.

Kagome still worries over me and what could have possibly happened with Naraku's 'gift', just as everybody else did. However, this past week, she has been acting worse. She hardly leaves my side, which I have no problem with, but I can feel the worry and fear flowing through our bond.

I have continuously tried to get her to calm down but nothing seems to work. Normally, I wouldn't be suspicious of her and trust her completely, but just a few days ago, I caught her and InuYasha in a heated argument. The two were whispering about something that I couldn't make out and stopped the moment they realized I was there.

That alone tells me something was happening, and no one was telling me. This, of course, angered me. First, it has to do with my mate, and second, I am alpha, yet my pack is keeping secrets from me. But I would find out soon enough.

Just before I walked towards my youngest son, an arrow shot out of the woods, landing just in front of my feet. I looked up to see everyone in battle formation. I was surprised to see both Sesshomaru and InuYasha crowding around Kagome and Rin. I could have sworn Sesshomaru and Rin had been on the other side of the group.

"Ah, the little group that just keeps growing." Kikyou laughed as she walked out of the woods, Izayoi following behind. I growled viciously the moment I saw them, knowing that the 'gift' was probably about to be announced.

"What do you two want now?" Kai asked, looking as if he was bored while making his way to stand in front of Hitomi, Kanna, and Souta.

"Well, you see, Izayoi is such a poor shot, I came to make sure she delivered Naraku's 'gift'. By the way the mutt and overbred dog are guarding her, I assume she did." Kikyou laughed while Izayoi flinched. It was easy to see Izayoi no longer wished to follow behind Kikyou but couldn't leave.

"What is that supposed to mean? You attacked me, not her." I growled, taking a step forward. I would not tolerate anyone threatening my mate.

"True, but what we did to you affects her." Kikyou stated before throwing her head back and laughing. "It is quite disgusting how yokai can choose when to impregnate a female. It's unnatural. That blue powder simply…made you more natural."

I turned to look towards Kagome the moment Kikyou's words sank in. When she couldn't meet my eyes, I knew what she had been hiding. She was pregnant and didn't tell me. Looking at my sons, I realized they knew as well.

All of them had betrayed me, and I was hurt. Kagome should have told me the moment she knew, but she didn't. How far along was she? Did she know when it happened? Was she planning on ever telling me?

"Aww. It looks like I have created trouble in paradise. Look, Izayoi, your gift is causing a rift between the demon you love and the woman keeping him from you. Aren't you happy?" Kikyou asked, looking down to my ex-wife who looked away in anger, causing Kikyou to laugh again. "You see, I am not only cruel to all of you. My dear Izayoi tried to leave my grasp, and I proved to her she could never leave. What better punishment than to make the woman shoot the demon she loves so that he impregnates another woman? It's brilliant."

"What happened to you, Kikyou?" InuYasha asked, receiving a glare.

"You happened to me. That copy happened to me. And, when I am finished, none of you will survive!" Kikyou screeched before calming herself. She looked towards Izayoi before turning and leaving.

"Mattaki…" Izayoi started, but I held up a hand.

"Do not." Was all I said as I looked away.

"At least let me say this: the pup won't be harmed. The only thing the powder did was make you fertile, nothing else." She whispered before turning to leave and follow the deranged woman.

I turned to look towards Kagome who had tears in her eyes. She was clutching on to the back of InuYasha's haori as she searched for my reaction. At the moment, I couldn't even look at her or my sons. This was something I should have been told of immediately.

"Let us continue. We will search for a place to camp, then discuss our options." I ordered, turning and walking away.

I wasn't upset that Kagome was pregnant. I was upset that she didn't trust me enough to tell me. She kept it a secret and told my sons before me. Did she still feel they were closer to her, even after everything that has happened between us?

I could understand Sesshomaru. He had taken her into his pack and protected her for five years. She was his first friend and they trusted each other. While I still believed I should have been told first, I can somewhat admit that I could see her reasoning with him.

However, InuYasha baffled me. After everything he did to her, she still runs back to him the moment something happens. I couldn't think of any reason for her to do this to me. It's not like I said I didn't want pups. The day after we mated, I told her I wanted a family with her. So why did she do this to me?

We walked for another few hours before finally finding a spot to make camp. InuYasha was carrying Kagome who had fallen asleep in his arms after crying for so long. I hated hearing her cry, but I had needed time to think and I still wasn't sure I was ready to talk to them.

I watched as InuYasha gently set Kagome on a patch of soft grass before walking towards the rest of us. Kai, after putting a bunch of sticks in a pile, spat his venom on it, causing the wood to catch on fire.

I could see Hitomi looking towards Kagome with worry, and I was thankful she was staying out of it. I would deal with Kagome when I was ready, but for now, there were other things that needed to be discussed.

"Let's get this over with." I stated, leaning against a tree as the others sat around the fire. "First, why did neither one of my sons tell me my mate was pupped?"

"I gave her three days to tell you when I found out." InuYasha answered, making my eyes land on him.

"Found out?" I asked.

"Keh. As if the wench would tell me. I noticed something was off about her and questioned her before realizing it myself. I told her to tell you within three days or I would do it for her. After that, I took Sesshomaru to the side and told him. She needed to be protected until you found out." InuYasha informed, making me look towards the woods. It made me feel slightly better knowing that she hadn't gone to another before me. Still…

"I should have been told immediately. Now we have to figure out what our plans are from here. I will not have my pupped female running around Japan fighting an evil hanyou." I said, looking towards my sleeping mate.

"We could take her back to the shiro and leave her there." Kai suggested, making InuYasha laugh and Sesshomaru roll his eyes.

"The miko would not stay. The moment we left, she would leave. Pupped or not, she will not sit on the outside looking in." Sesshomaru argued.

"She can't very well fight Naraku while pregnant!" Hitomi added, a slight bit of anger in her voice.

"I agree, but Sesshomaru is correct." I replied.

"What about the West?" Rin asked, making us all look at her. "It could work. Let's face it. We aren't going to find any more jewel shards without going to the other side of japan. Even if we did, Kagome isn't going to be able to walk like that while pregnant. The last time I asked her, she said we have about half of the jewel. Let Naraku build his army, but let's force them to come to our own. The West has thousands of warriors. Why not sit back and relax and make the enemy come to us?"

"It could work. The miko is well known at my palace and will be protected by all." Sesshomaru added, looking at his mate proudly.

"Then that is our plan. At first sunlight, we head to the West, though I had hoped to never set foot in that place again." I agreed, causing a few uneasy laughs to echo between us.

At that moment, Kagome began to stir. She rubbed her eyes of the sleep before sitting up and looking around. When her eyes met mine, she turned away quickly and I could feel the guilt radiating through our bond.

With a sigh, I walked towards her and picked her up in my arms. She let out a tiny squeal as I took off running away from the others. When I came across a pond hidden by trees, I stopped running and set her down to her feet. She didn't even look at me as she knelt by the water and stuck one finger in, watching the ripples she made.

"Why, Kagome?" I asked, unable to keep the hurt from my voice.

"I didn't have any control over it either, Mattaki. It's not like I could stop myself from getting pregnant, just like you couldn't." She whispered, making my anger spike.

"Is that what you think my problem is? That you're pupped?! Kami, Kagome, I have no problem with creating a family with you! I have told you this! Yes, this pup is a little earlier than we both expected, but it's here. And I can tell you right now that it is loved greatly!" I shouted, unable to keep my temper in check.

I turned away from my mate and attempted to calm down. I didn't want her to think I was mad at her because I wasn't. I was hurt that she would keep this a secret. Small arms wrapped around my waist, connecting in the middle. My shoulders slumped and I placed a hand over hers.

"Tell me why you kept it a secret." I demanded softly.

"There were two reasons. First, I didn't want to be locked away. I know I can't use my reiki, but I'm not useless. Second, I was worried you would be angry with me. You said you wanted to wait and that option was taken from us." She replied, her voice muffled by my back.

I turned in her arms and looked into her blue eyes. I knew she was telling the truth, and I felt myself beginning to calm down. Her reasons, while wrong, screamed her. These were things only she would worry about.

"Did you not think we would take your wants and needs into consideration? We knew you would never allow yourself to be locked away, and that was a major deciding factor on what our next move is. And as I said, yes, I would have preferred to wait to have this pup, but it's here and it's accepted. I will love this pup just as much as I love my others." I said. I placed a hand on the side of her face before pushing my lips to hers gently. "Do not keep something like this from me again, Kagome."

"I won't." She agreed, smiling at me.

I pushed her away from me slightly before kneeling in front of her. I untied her robes and opened it to reveal her flat stomach. Gently, I laid my cheek against her soft skin, listening for our pup. The moment the tiny heartbeat hit my ears, I couldn't keep the smile from my face.

"How long?" I asked, not moving away from her. Her hands began to run through my hair, loosening it from my topknot.

"I don't know. I've only known for about a week that I was pregnant." She admitted, looking down at me as I listened to our pup.

"When we arrive at the West, I will have Nora look at you. She birthed Sesshomaru and she is the only one I trust." I informed, pulling my ear away from her stomach and kissing it. When I was done, I fixed her robes and stood back to my feet.

"The West?" She asked, somewhat excited. I sometimes forget that the West had been her home before I came along.

"Yes, the West. If Naraku wants a war, that's what we will give him. Sesshomaru will use his army. Instead of us walking around searching, we will make Naraku come to us." I informed, watching as a grin grew on her face.

"That means I get to see Emma! She was my personal servant while living there, and we grew really close. We used to prank Sesshomaru all the time. I bet you she thought of a bunch of new things we could try!" Kagome explained excitedly.

"Woman." I interrupted, making her look at me. I placed both hands on her face and kissed her deeply. I showed her everything I wanted to say while pouring my feelings through our bond. Love and happiness. "You will not do anything to put you, or my pup, in harm's way."

"I love you, too." She giggled, making my eyes narrow.

"Although I would like to hear about some of these pranks." I continued, loving the way she suddenly glowed. She, of course, wasted no time in jumping on the chance to speak of a thoroughly-pranked Sesshomaru.

No, our pup had not been expected, but it was a welcomed gift. It was something I would have to thank Naraku for when I finally meet him. My family was growing, and I had no problem with that. I would have to talk to Kagome though. Now that we have started, I didn't want to stop.

-sSs-

Well, I personally like this chapter. What all do you guys think. I also want to thank everyone for the support I received when it came to the lemons. I try my best to accommodate all of my readers, so having one tell me that he or she refuses to read my story because of how many lemons I write was kind of a blow. This is why I ask how all of you felt, for if the majority of you agreed I would have cut back, if not stopped completely with lemons. So I thank you.

Shout outs:

HisSecretLover: Thank you for both following and Favoriting this story. I am glad you like it so much.

RedDrake323: I'm glad you like my chapter. You have always enjoyed my lemons, and I did know you wouldn't want me to cut back. I am glad that you feel that way. I like writing lemons because it's a way for two characters to become closer.

Guest: Thank you for your review. I had thought about posting up an alternate story, that didn't contain lemons, but that would be a lot of work. I definitely wouldn't do it until after the story was completed.

Decadenceofmysoul: Thank you for your review. I am glad you liked it.

Slvrphoenx: I believe I will have something happen between Kai and Hitomi. They are completely different, but at the same time I feel they would make a cute couple. I am glad you feel that way about my lemons. I really didn't want to cut back, but I would if that was what my readers preferred.

LADY SILVERFOX: In a way you guess correctly. Lol. Although it didn't make him want to have sex, it only made him fertile. But I definitely agree with your review. That would have been funny.

Whovian212: Thank you for your review, and your support with the lemons.

Jj(Guest): I hate Izayoi in my story, but soon she will turn around. I won't say how though.

Gooberdee(Guest): Thank you for your support on the lemons. I am glad I have another who likes them.

DarkAngel8605: Thank you for your review, and letting me know that you like my lemons. I am glad you do.

I do not own InuYasha.