Just a reminder, this fic was originally intended to be a pretty canonical continuation of InuYasha before Yashahime came out. As a result, my fic has become canon-divergent, so while I may use some elements of Yashahime here and there, the story is going to be ignoring a lot of what is happening in the Yashahime timeline.


Two months into Kagome's pregnancy…

"Uughhh…" her groans of sickness hadn't passed. By now, Kagome had been hoping her morning sickness would've faded.

The gentle soothing strokes on her back from Inuyasha, along with his help keeping her hair out of her face, kept her from completely losing her senses. He was being so supportive and attentive, it physically warmed her heart… or maybe that was just the heartburn.

As she felt another wave of nausea come up, she bemoaned, "What I wouldn't give for some Gravol right now."

"What's that?" Inuyasha asked curiously, brushing her bangs quickly back into place.

Kagome slowly leaned back onto their bed, Inuyasha looking up at her from the floor he'd been kneeling on beside her. She let her eyes slide closed as she willed herself to forget the nausea as she explained, "It's a medication from my time. Supposed to help with feeling sick like this. Not sure I would've been able to take any while I'm pregnant, but there must've been something I could've used; maybe some ginger, at least."

"Ging—her?" he tried to mimic the word she'd used, unsure of what she was talking about.

"Uh, never mind," she said, not wanting to have to explain at the moment.

It'd been a few weeks of this. Every morning, waking up to Kagome head first in a bucket they'd set up beside their bed in case of an emergency.

Kaede didn't any kind of remedies for this and it was simply something that was to be tolerated as a part of motherhood. And because they were waiting to tell their friends and other villagers the news of their conception until Kagome felt comfortable it was progressing well, they didn't want to ask Sango or Jinenji if they had any possible remedies. He remembered when the slayer was sick at the beginning of her pregnancies. But they were nothing like this…

"Guess it just goes to show that human women are stronger than I thought," Inuyasha tried to joke. Though Kagome appreciated his efforts, for the time, she just wanted to be on her own. She knew how he might take this request, but she wanted to be honest with him, and she wasn't in a great mood to appease his ego when she was in so much anguish. Ultimately, he'd understand and respect her wishes, she knew he would.

"Inuyasha, would you do me a favor?" she started.

"Name it," he answered, his ears flickering attentively towards her.

"If you could leave for a bit… I'd like to be alone for a while, if that's alright," she replied, her voice sounding unsure.

Inuyasha was quiet at her request, his ears falling and his eyes widening a bit as he watched her curl up on her side, holding her stomach in pain.

"You… don't want me around?" he asked quietly.

Kagome took a deep breath as she cracked open her eyes to respond, "It's not about that. I promise. I just don't want to see anyone right now."

"Idiot… I'm not gonna to leave you like this," he answered. His reply lacked his brashness or bite.

"Inuyasha, I'm not asking anymore. I'm telling you!" she pushed back sternly, "Please…"

Another bout of nausea hit her, and Kagome was up once again, pulling the bucket up to her as she could only dry heave, nothing left in her to give.

Inuyasha watched helplessly, his hands itching to touch her, to let her know he was still there. He reached out to caress her knee, but as soon as she felt his touch, she spat a bit harshly, "Don't touch me!"

Inuyasha's hand recoiled, as if she'd lit it on fire, and he backed away.

He'd never felt so dejected, which was saying something for him.

After a moment, he watched as Kagome shivered, holding the bucket against her like it was her only lifeline. She was starting to cry…

He could smell the salt of her tears, even if she was trying her best to hide them.

"Kagome…" he breathed out softly. His mind was racing with what to do. Should he ignore her pleas for him to leave and stay with her? Or respect her wishes and go?

"Please…" she repeated almost soundlessly, "I just want to be alone."

He lowered his gaze to the floor, his hands balled up at his sides, "Fine…" he said mutedly. There was no anger or venom in it. Just simple.

He turned and took his leave, unable to look back at her as she laid back on their bed.


For being the middle of winter, the weather was decent. Though not balmy by any means, it was certainly warm enough that the villagers were still out and about during the day.

Inuyasha wandered his way through the village aimlessly, unsure of what he could or should do.

It had been literal years since he'd heard Kagome speak to him with that tone in her voice. Not since before they'd destroyed Naraku and the Shikon Jewel. When she told she hated him…

'I hate you!' he recalled how she'd said it to him then. And though she didn't use those words, it stung all the same, 'Don't touch me!'

He flexed his jaw, uncomfortable thinking that maybe Kagome had started to regret her decision to have a family with him. If it was causing her this much pain and discomfort, maybe she was starting to resent him? After all, if it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be suffering.

However, in the back of his mind, he understood that she wanted to have a family with him, just as much as he did with her. But making the initial decision was different than living with your choices.

As he meandered, watching various families engage in daily chores, or children playing with each other, he spotted the three kids of whom he considered his nieces and nephew. The twins were watching their younger brother and all playing together while Miroku was talking with one of the other villager men.

'Miroku!' Inuyasha realized.

In a flash, Inuyasha dropped down beside his friend, only mildly startling them as he appeared, "Oh! Good morning, Inuyasha!"

"Hey Miroku, can I talk to you?"

"Uh, but of course, "Miroku pardoned himself with the other man and moved alongside Inuyasha, "What seems to be the matter? You look not quite yourself today."

Inuyasha, quickly looked around to make sure there were no on-lookers or eavesdroppers, "Listen… I need to ask you something. But you can't let anyone know about this, not even Sango."

Miroku gave him a quizzical look, "I mean… I'll try my best, but there's little I can keep from her these days. Her powers of persuasion are—"

"Promise me, or I'll gut you and throw you in the river," it was a mild threat, but enough for Miroku to take him seriously.

Addressing him with a nod, he replied, "You have my word."

Inuyasha's eyes shifted uncomfortably as he stated quietly, "Kagome's pregnant."

Miorku's eye lit up immediately, "That's wonderful! My congratulations and many blessings!"

Inuyasha tried to shush him, "Keep it down!"

"Oh, right. So, why are keeping this a secret? You've already told us you both were trying to start a family. There's nothing to be ashamed of."

"It's not out of shame," Inuyasha explained, "Kagome and I wanted to keep it quiet until she was passed her first three months… until we were sure the pup was coming along alright."

Miroku nodded, "I understand. So… what can I help you with then?"

Inuyasha's eye sunk a little as he asked, "I know that… when Sango was first coming along, she was sick in the mornings. Seems like that's common with women early on, and it's been affecting Kagome for the last few weeks. But… Kagome's seems worse somehow."

Miroku remembered back to when Sango was carrying, "Well, I can't say I've ever seen Sango as sick as she was then. Perhaps it's because you've never seen Kagome be sick like this and you're being overly cautious?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure of anything anymore…" Inuyasha replied listlessly.

Miroku picked up on it immediately, "This doesn't just seem to be about Kagome being sick. What's going on?"

Inuyasha struggled, "She… when she was sick this morning, she asked me to leave her alone. I thought maybe she was trying to spare me in some way, but when I reached for her… she was angry with me… angry in a way I haven't seen in a long time. And then she started to cry, asking me to leave her alone."

There was a quiet beat before he continued, "I'm starting to wonder if she is regretting making this decision."

Miroku sighed, raising a hand to his friend's shoulder, "Inuyasha, sometimes, the best thing you can do for your wife is to just leave her be."

That hadn't been what he was expecting to hear, "What?"

"Think about it, Inuyasha. When you and Kagome first started your travels together, you pushed her away when you needed her the most. People tend to push those closest to them away when they feel as though they are burdening them. I imagine that with how she's feeling, Kagome must feel like she's causing you strife, and wants to spare you her discomfort… so you don't have to watch her suffer."

"But then why should I stay away? Shouldn't I be there with her?"

Miroku shook his head, "Give her the time she's asking for. Sango had her moments when she just wanted to be alone as well, not because she resented me or regretted her choice, but because her body was changing, her way of life was changing. Sometimes, you need a moment alone to reflect on that change and embrace it.

"If she wishes to be alone, the best thing you can do for her is respect her wishes, and let her know that when she needs you, you're still there for her."

"When?" he asked, "What if she never wants to see me again?"

"Women are truly magnificent creatures, my friend. She will need all the support in the world to accomplish what she is about to endure. And the fact that she's willing to do that... you'd best be ready to follow every demand she makes of you, even if that means leaving her alone for a short while."

Inuyasha thought about what he was saying, "So… you don't think she'll… cast me aside?"

Miroku could see how badly this was affecting Inuyasha. After a lifetime of rejection and isolation, of course, there would always be a voice in the back of his mind telling him he wasn't worthy. That he didn't deserve this amazing, beautiful, smart woman who'd gladly taken the responsibility of carrying their child.

"Kagome is going through something you and I will never fully understand. The best you can do is be there when she needs you, and try to not let what she says in the heat of the moment get to you personally. I promise you, she doesn't mean it."

"How do you know that?" Inuyasha asked.

"Because that was how Sango explained it to me. When women are pregnant, their emotions can get the better of them, and they can sometimes say things they don't mean. Don't let it hurt your ego, and just talk about what you're both thinking and feeling… which, I know will be hard for you," Miroku joked, hoping to lighten his friend's mood.

Inuyasha scoffed a little at the jab, "Keh."

After feeling a pull on his robes, Inuyasha looked down to see the twins, one attached to each leg, "Uncle Inu! Can we touch your ears?"

He tossed a smirk to their father. He was impressed they were starting to ask if they could touch his ears, and not just attack him like they used to. The monk must've been teaching them about how it's respectful to ask first, a lesson he himself had somehow yet to learn.

Pulling each girl up and into his arms, he replied, "Alright, but don't go tellin' anyone I let ya. Otherwise, they'll all be askin'."

"Yaaaay!" they both cried joyfully as they reached up to gently rub their uncle's ears that flicked around under their touch, giggling as they watched. Miroku picked up their brother as he asked, "Would you like to join us for lunch, Inuyasha? Sango should be finished shortly."

"Sure," he answered, the girls soon dropping their hands away from his ears as they made their way back to the other side of the village.

As they walked through the middle of the village, thy passed the small market that was beginning to bring travelers. There was one small stand where a woman who was dressed in clothes from the mainland was welcoming other villagers, "Spices! Come and get freshly imported herbs and spices! Straight from the mainland!"

Inuyasha slowed his pace as he walked by, getting a scent of some of the herbs and spices she was selling. She noticed him staring and invited him, "Can I interest you in anything today sir?"

"Oh, ugh, no, thanks" he replied, shifting the girls in his arms to sit easier against him.

"Alright, have a good day!" the woman replied.

As the two began to walk further away, another of the village women walked up and asked, "Excuse me, but would you happen to have anything that may help with my stomach? I've been feeling quite ill."

Inuyasha's ears immediately spun around, listening acutely to their conversation.

"Yes! I've got just the thing!" The seller answered. Inuyasha paused in his stride and looked over his shoulder, watching as the woman pulled out a bizarre looking beige root and offered it to the villager, "It's called ginger. Not only is it delicious to eat, but it's helpful for an upset stomach. Should do just the trick."


As the day drew on, Kagome started to feel more like herself. And the longer she waited for Inuyasha to come back, the more she started to worry she may have been too harsh with him.

'He was only trying to help,' she argued with herself, 'And you yelled at him. Great job, Kagome. He's probably off sulking somewhere, wondering what he did wrong.'

After he'd left, Kagome had a full-blown meltdown. She couldn't stop crying. Not because she was upset or sad, but because she was a bundle of emotions that she herself couldn't fully get a hold of. She'd always known that being pregnant came with a host of hormonal changes and mood swings. But how do you explain that to a half-demon who barely could articulate his own complex feelings?

She had never anticipated that being pregnant would be this hard on her mentally. The physical changes she could deal with, but every hour, she felt like she was out of control of where her emotions would take her next… and she didn't want Inuyasha to get caught in the crosshairs.

'Too late for that…' she berated herself. She wanted to talk to him — to explain herself, and apologize for yelling at him when he was only trying to help.

At the very least, she'd managed to get some extra sleep, and woke up feeling more rested and less sick. After having some water and rinsing out her bucket, she got dressed in her priestess robes and her fur before making her way outside and toward the village.

It was nearing sunset when she made it to the edge of the village where Sango and Miroku's hut was. As she approached, she could hear their children laughing, along with the gruff shouts of her husband's voice. She chose to peer around the side of their hut, and spotted the small group of children, attempting to tackle the half-demon to the ground, though Inuyasha would easily roll them off of him as he continuously evaded capture, "Too slow!"

He looked… happy. Like as if nothing at all had been amiss.

Seeing him there, playing with Miroku and Sango's kids… It reminded Kagome that she knew that Inuyasha was going to be a great father. While she never doubted it for a second, it was a healthy reminder.

She stood there for a few moments, her smile delicate and peaceful as she watched them, her presence unknown to all of them.

When Inuyasha managed to pin all three youngsters to the ground, giving them a moment to catch their breaths from laughing so hard, he lifted his gaze and immediately spotted Kagome peeking out from the side of the hut. As she caught his amber-eyed gaze, Kagome's gut suddenly dropped, worried that she'd ruined the moment, and Inuyasha would be reminded of how she treated him earlier. She assumed he'd go cold in an instant.

And then, he surprised her…

"Hey Kagome, you feeling alright?" he asked with a warm smile, his voice full of genuine concern.

"Uh… yeah, I'm feeling much better," she replied meekly.

He nodded, "Good, cuz I could use some help wrangling these troublemakers up!"

With another rush, the kids tried again to tackle their uncle, and Kagome couldn't help but feel all her worries suddenly melt away as she joined in the fun.

They stayed long enough to have dinner with their friends before they took their leave, saying goodnight to the kids on their way out.

As they made their way back to their home in the forest, Kagome slowly threaded her hand through his folded arms, wrapping around his bicep as she leaned into him, "I'm sorry, Inuyasha."

"What for?" he asked nonchalantly.

"For yelling at you. For telling you to go… I know you were just trying to help, but I…"

Inuyasha took her hand in his, which stopped her rambling, "Kagome, it's alright."

Her hair whipped around in a flurry as she questioningly looked up at him, "Okay… who are you, and what have you done with my husband?" she asked jokingly, earning a small scoff from him, before saying, "Seriously though… I never meant to hurt you. I've just been a basket case, and I don't know how to handle any of this."

He let them come to a stop as he said softly, in a tone meant only for her, "I know. I just… want to give you what you need right now. And if what you need is to be alone, I understand."

"It's not that I need to be alone. I'm just… so… all over the place. I have no idea what's happening to me… and I'm scared."

"Scared about what?" he pressed lightly.

She thought for a moment, "Everything's going to be different. Our lives, our home…"

And just like that she could already feel herself tearing up again.

"Kagome…" he whispered, pulling her into his arms and she shuddered to hold back her emotions, "This changes nothing. At the end of the day, it's the two of us together. And as long as I'm alive, you will have whatever you need from me."

She sniffled against his chest as she asked, "And… if my body changes? Will you still love me then?"

Kagome hesitated to say the last part, but it was honest. She was scared what her body would look like after she had their baby. Would Inuyasha still find her attractive after she had stretchmarks and loose skin?

"Of course I will! Your body is carrying our pup. How could I ever not love you for that?" he answered openly.

Kagome let out a chortle of a laugh and a cry, "I feel so stupid."

"Well, join the club," he joked, kissing her forehead as his hand his hand through her hair, massaging the back of her neck. Inuyasha thought back on his conversation with Miroku earlier in the day, "Listen, Kagome. I may not fully understand what you're going through, but I promise, I'll do whatever you ask. If you want to be alone, I'll piss off for the day to leave you be. If you need me to run to the edge of the earth to find some rare food you want, I'll do it. And if you need me to be a punching bag because you're upset or angry, just give me some heads up, and I won't take it personally."

Her arms circled around his waist as she hugged him, "How did I get so lucky?"

Inuyasha was quickly reminded, "Oh! That's right! I found that 'ging-her' thing you were talking about earlier."

Kagome looked up at him in shock as he started to dig around in his suikan sleeve, pulling out the root she was so familiar with in her time, "Inuyasha! How did you find that?!"

He inspected the item curiously before showing it to her, "We passed by a merchant in the village who was from the mainland that had it."

"You… you…" Kagome stuttered, unable to grasp the level of thoughtfulness he'd just bestowed upon her.

"Uh, is it alright? I mean, I hope I got the right one," he started to say, but Kagome swiftly cut him off, grabbing him by his collar and with an elated press of her lips against his, she expressed her absolute gratitude.

As she pulled away, Inuyasha was left a bit dizzy as he asked, "I'll take that as a yes?"

"Inuyasha, you've just made managing my morning sickness a whole lot easier!"


Just a cute little side story of a scenario I thought up early last year. It's been sitting in my drafts for a while, and I only recently got back to this story.

I'm still mostly working on "Come Out of Ashes", but I've also been writing other one-shots for series like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Suzume. Feel free to check those out if either of those series are interesting to you!

Until Next Time…