AN: Sorry for the long wait. I've been busy with my book release. ARC signups are live and available to everyone. If you'd like to read Motor Girl before it releases then head to my Tumblr or Insta (OG) for the link!

Inuyasha had barely left her sight when Kaede pulled Kagome back from the door, holding out a small knife to her. "Seal the door."

Kagome didn't need any more than that, carefully slicing open her palm and squeezing the blood that spilled out along the edge of the small hut. Once finished, she slowly sat beside the old Priestess, who stirred a pot of rabbit stew for the two of them. Inuyasha had been the one to speak to Kaede about her sister going dark. He had told Kagome that the old woman hadn't believed a word of it, so now it was awkward, sitting in silence.

"I know ye feel that Kikyo is responsible… but my sister would never…."

It was hard for Kagome to fight her; Kikyo was Kaede's blood. But, in a way, Kagome was too. If Kaede wasn't her elder, Kagome would say something on the matter. As it were, time would tell. If they killed Kikyo, would she turn to dust? Would Kaede ever get peace from all of this? Even if Kikyo hadn't gone dark, it was hard to imagine an ending in which Kaede had closure. Her beloved sister (who died too young in the first place) was brought back to life and cruelly flashed in front of the woman's face fifty years later! If that happened to Kagome with Souta… she would stand up for him every chance she got too.

"I understand, Kaede," was all Kagome would say on the matter.

They spent a better part of the evening waiting in silence. Kagome was too tense to speak and had to force herself to eat. It was probably why the 'change' was felt so strongly, even by Kaede who wasn't nearly as strong as Kagome was.

The two Priestess got to their feet just as the curtain to Kaede's hut was blown back. Kagura stood a short distance from the hut, looking in through the hole she'd made. The grimace she wore faded quickly at the sight of Kagome. "So the rumors are true?"

"What are you doing here, Kagura?" Kagome yelled across the void.

The demon sneered, "I'm under orders to bring you to Naraku, dead or alive."

The usual bite to Kagura's tone wasn't there. Instead, she sounded sad. "That's not what you want to do, though. Is it?"

Taking a dangerous step closer, Kagome eyed the woman carefully. She could feel it, the lack of will in Kagura. It reminded her of when she'd been captured by Kagura. She had smiled at Kagome when Inuyasha came for her. And Kagome could have sworn she told her to go to him. It didn't make sense why she would be here now to take her away from Inuyasha… unless Kagura was here by force?

"What will Naraku do to you if you fail?"

Kagura's lips twitched at one corner but that was the closest she got to a smile. "There is no failure for me. If you don't fight me, I won't hurt you."

It was a nice offer, it really was. But Kagome had no intention of giving herself over to Naraku. Forget what he did to her and her child, it would kill Inuyasha. Literally. Because there was no doubt Narkau would kill her slowly if he got his hands on her. A shiver ran up her spine at the thought of what he would do to her baby.

No, Kagome had as much choice as Kagura. Failure was not an option.

"I refuse your offer. I can't just leave with you, Kagura."

Kagura shook her head and frowned bitterly. "I know you can't."

She was trying but even Kagura knew it was impossible. It was between the two of them who would survive tonight. And Kagome was determined for it to be herself; more than just one person depended on her survival now. There was one other option. "You won't be able to get past my barrier. Why don't you… run away? Leave Naraku behind and be free?"

Kagura's answer was to slowly shake her head and advance towards the two Priestesses. Kaede grabbed Kagome and pulled her back behind her, threatening the demon with burning sage. "Have ye been watching us? Following Kagome and the babe to know when to strike? How did ye know Kagome's mate was away??"

"Because Naraku's mate went out and distracted him. Inuyasha is a fool, chasing around Kikyo. She's lost now. One of Naraku's many minions."

"YOU LIE!"

Kagome grabbed Kaede now, gripping her shoulders tight to keep her from fighting or fainting. Kaede had held onto hope that Kikyo was still good. That she hadn't gone dark even with all they had told her. But even Kagura was telling Kaede the truth so all sides were telling her the same story. It was hard to deny and Kaede began to crumble with it. It was the worst time too, Kagome wasn't sure she could take on Kagura alone in her current state. Just putting up the barrier had tired her out.

Kaede fell to a knee and Kagura flew at them. She struck the barrier hard and bounced off. It kept Kagura out but Kagome could see the cracks that formed. Kagura was bleeding but undeterred. She would be able to make many more strikes before losing her strength -but not before Kagome's barrier lost its strength.

When Kagura ran at them again, Kagome decided not to wait for the barrier to fail. Instead, she flung out her hand and pushed her strength out through her palm. The light that emitted from it flared outward, setting the dry ground before them on fire. Purple flames that licked at the wind demon. Kagura screamed but Kagome didn't know if it was in pain, fear, frustration, or all of the above. When Kagura flicked her head up, showing Kagome her angry red eyes, she figured it was an angry scream, Kagura was pissed!

Any other time, this would have made Kagome laugh. Pissing off demons was her specialty. But now was not the time, she needed to figure out a way to survive. Kaede was still on her knees so Kagome needed to determine how to get both of them out of there. There was one thing that was for sure, Kagura was there for her, not Kaede.

Before Kagura could recover, Kagome sent another blast her way, unsure what this one would do other than distract. She really needed her bow, which was outside the house, leaning against it. Also outside the barrier but that wasn't really helping at the moment anyway. The demon distracted, Kagome ran out of her blood line and grabbed her bow and quiver along the way. She was far from fast before and now with the extra weight, she was even slower.

And she was racing against a demon.

There was nothing to save her really, so Kagome raced/waddled as quickly as she could to get Kaede out of harm's way before turning with her bow loaded. The tip was millimeters from Kagura's nose but the woman didn't flinch. "I'm sorry, the last thing I want to do is separate mates. Especially ones that are expecting. But when it comes to my life and others, I will choose my life every time."

"And that's why you're in this mess in the first place." Kagura blanched and Kagome's arm went numb. "If you had ever thought about someone besides yourself, then you wouldn't be in Naraku's palm now."

An ugly grimace grew on Kagura's face, and in a blink, she knocked Kagome's arrow way off target. The arrow flew (Kagome releasing it in shock) and Kagura wrapped her clawed hand around Kagome's neck. "Then, maybe, what I should do is talk Naraku into letting you live so I can have your baby?" Kagome felt sick and it had little to do with the stress on her swollen body. "It would still be a hanyou but at least it would be a quarter dog demon. Maybe it will be strong enough to survive in our world?"

If Kagome was going to die, there was comfort in knowing that her child wouldn't. Kagura was threatening her but Kagome didn't feel it, she just felt relief. "I'm sure you... would take great care… of… her."

Kagome managed to get a few words out and they caused Kagura's grip to lessen. None of it mattered though, as Kagome was released completely. The sudden release and rush of air to her lungs had her on the ground. But so was Kagura, blood pooling from her back. She was clutching at the ground, trying to sit up. Whatever/whoever slashed her had cut through her pretty kimono and now Kagura sat, bloodied and half naked.

Searching, Kagome knew it wasn't Inuyasha that had saved her. Forget their bond, she would already be in his arms if he was here. Kagome swallowed hard and fast when she found Sesshomaru standing a few inches from her. "I followed Naraku's scent and found yet another distraction."

Sesshomaru's lips curled into a snarl. If he was so put out by Naraku's tricks, then why did he save her? He could have kept going and left Kagome to die. But he didn't, hence the torn demon across from Kagome. "Sesshomaru?"

He passed her a glance but nothing more, stepping up to Kagura. The wind demon shivered before the dog demon, but said nothing, sneering up at Sesshomaru. "Only a coward would attack a woman in her condition. Have you no shame?" Bending down, Sesshomaru grabbed and lifted Kagura harshly off the ground. "This Sesshomaru will be the one that kills Inuyasha and your master. And he won't do it by petty means like killing a pitiful mate."

Sesshomaru was growling, angier than Kagome had ever seen him. And that included when Inuyasha cut off his arm.

Tucking her under his remaining arm, Sesshomaru turned with Kagura in his hold like an errant child. He didn't pause as he passed and didn't spare Kagome a glance either. But Kagome openly watched, in shock that wore off just before Sesshomaru disappeared. "Thank you, big brother."

Sesshomaru huffed and disappeared, taking Kagura with him. Kagome sat in a daze, the events playing over in her head. Just how close she came to dying? The life inside her moved around and reminded her she had survived. Her ankles hurt when she got to her feet, hearing her name being called in the distance. Sango and Inuyasha were screaming, probably why (after a heartbeat) concerned, golden eyes blocked all other sights.

His finger traced her neck and it was then Kagome noticed the ache in it, Kagura had squeezed it pretty tight. She must have left marks that Inuyasha was now inspecting. "What happened?!"

His claws dug into her hair at the back of her neck, tracing upward until he had her caught in his fingers. "Kagura came to take me to Naraku."

"What?" A flustered and red faced Sango asked, huffing at Inuyasha's side.

"How did he…" Inuyasha blanched and gripped Kagome tighter, "Kikyo was a trap?" Kagome nodded, tears beginning to form in her eyes as the reality set in. Inuyasha gently pulled her in closer and put his free hand on the side of her belly. "Are you two alright?"

One thumb brushed her neck where she had been marked while the other brushed over swell. "I… I think so?"

"Miroku says Kaede is in shock!' Shippo screamed, coming up from behind Kagome. "Kagome? Are you okay?!"

"We got her runt, go help Miroku!" Inuyasha glared over at Sango. "You too." The demon slayer didn't protest, rubbing Kagome's shoulder as she passed. Leaving her alone with her mate. "How did you survive? Did you use a lot of your power?"

Kagome huffed and it hurt a little, Inuyasha's thumb rubbing her throat a little more after. "No. I didn't use much at all. I didn't have much in the first place. Sesshomaru came…"

"Sesshomaru?!"

Inuyasha was shocked. Not angry or upset. Kagome was a little shocked too and she had witnessed it all. "He took Kagura away. He saved me."

He didn't say anything more on the subject, nodding silently while a frown grew on his face. "Kagome… you have to go home. Now. No more waiting, no more fighting. And you can't tell me that you need to be here or that you need to fight. I know that. I know that Naraku fears you and that you're the key to killing him. But… you're… so much more than that, Mate. Tonight proves that you're important to the mission but you're essential to me! So, please, go home where you and the baby will be safe!"

He was right and she knew it. Kagome had nothing to stand on and would have to go home now. "Will you… come with me?"

It was selfish, so selfish. But if anyone killed Naraku while she was on the other side of the well, Kagome was sure it would close and part her from Inuyasha forever. He would never meet his child and that killed her more than anything else. Inuyasha deserved to have a family. A real, loving family of his own. Kagome wanted to give that to him more than anything.

Inuyasha moved his hand from the side of her belly to rest on the top of it. "I will come with you and stay until after the baby is born. But, as much of a risk as it is to keep you from the fight, it is not enough to risk you. I won't leave our pup all alone like I was."

Now Kagome grabbed Inuyasha, cupping his cheeks tenderly and ignoring the tears that slipped down her face. "I don't want to raise our child without you. What if the well closes after Naraku…."

"Then I will find another way back to you. I promise."

It wasn't good enough, not for Kagome. But it wasn't up for debate -for now. She would wait. Wait until after the baby was born and she could handle the fight that was before her. The fight to keep Inuyasha out of the fight unless she was right by his side. For now, all she could do was let him take her home.

oOo

It was bittersweet, leaving the others behind for what would be a long two and a half months. Especially for Shippo, Miroku, and Sango. Kagome felt guilty leaving them behind to fight on but she had no choice and they supported the move. Even Shippo, who cried into her neck but didn't ask for her to stay nor ask when she would return.

Inuyasha carried her mostly empty backpack and Kagome, lifting her bridal style to jump through the well to her side. He still held her as they crossed the small distance from the well to her house, only setting her down to open the door. Inuyasha hesitated until Kagome looked back at him, tilting her head and smiling with confusion clear on her face. "Your family isn't going to… hate me are they?"

Kagome snorted with her laugh but when Inuyasha continued to frown, she quickly wrapped her arms around his middle and pulled him inside. "My family has and always will love you, Inuyasha."

It was sudden and brief but Inuyasha caught it and Kagome as she had a small dizzy spell. "Are you alright??"

It was nothing but Inuyasha was in full freak out while Kagome pulled herself from his grip. "I'm fine. Just tired."

She had just gotten his hands off her when Kagome's mother rounded the corner. "Kagome?!" More arms were around her and Kagome welcomed it, even while her fatigue grew. Pulled back, her mother inspected her. "My you've gotten so big!"

Kagome would have taken offense but her mother had tears in her eyes. It had been a while since she had been home and a lot had changed since then. Kagome was fully mated to Inuyasha now. It was like she had moved away and came back with a husband and baby on the way without any warning. Except, they knew about the baby already and who the father was.

Gramps came around the corner too, following behind her mother. Her mother left her to him so she could greet Inuyasha with a hug as well. Kagome wanted to stay and chat but she really needed a nap or something. It didn't take much to get her freedom, released almost instantly when she mentioned being a little bit tired. Inuyasha carried her up the stairs, something she normally would have protested against but Kagome felt so ragged.

Inuyasha laid her down as if made of glass. It was the first time back in her bed with her big belly; Kagome rolled onto her side and grabbed a pillow to support it. That was the last thing she remembered, practically blacking out after that.

When she woke, it was dark in her room. She had slept all day? "How are you feeling? Are you hungry?"

Her eyes struggled in the dark but Inuaysha was getting to his feet from his spot on the floor, the one he always kept when they stayed at her house. Kagome could tell he had spent the entire time she slept there because she felt desperate for him. As soon as Inuyasha sat, she grabbed him hard, pulling and yanking at him. Kagome had missed him in her sleep. Inuyasha caved instantly to her greediness, letting her scramble into his lap and press her face into his neck.

"I don't want to sleep without you ever again."

Inuyasha chuckled and not from her tickling him. "Such a needy Mate."

She pulled out of his neck to glare up at him. "Wasn't it you that told me you feel what I feel? I'm only as needy as you are, right?"

He was brushing wild hairs off the side of her face, making Kagome realize just how crazy her hair was. But she didn't pull away. She couldn't, not with how deeply Inuyasha was looking into her eyes. "I need you more than anything in this world, Kagome."

She broke away from his stare to lean in and press her needy mouth to his. Inuyasha proved he matched her desire with his lips, sucking hard on hers and nipping harshly. He slowed to a stop, lowering her back to the bed. His fingers traced her neck again, a growl escaping his chest. He refused to put any weight on her, putting his hands next to her head to hold himself over her. Then he licked and kissed her neck with blind affection. Inuyasha wanted to take away the marks, the deep purple color of her skin was already beginning to fade but not fast enough for him.

Kagome lifted her head back as much as she could to give him more access. It wasn't long before he was pulling open her robes (falling asleep in them straight from the 'trip') and continuing down her skin. She arched as much as her body would allow but it wasn't much and she couldn't hold it for long. Falling back to the bed, Inuyasha's mouth followed, getting to her belly and pausing. He placed a long and sweet kiss to the spot above her belly button, running his hand tenderly over her for a moment before returning to her.

He was quick to undress her. Something she should have done before her nap, marks left on her from the ill fitting clothes. Inuyasha rose from the bed to strip himself and Kagome watched his every move. It was nostalgic, causing her to grin wickedly. And Inuyasha noticed, lying over her carefully with his hips between her legs. "What?"

She slowly shook her head, trying to contain her smile and failing. "Nothing. This just reminds me… of something…"

"You mean of our first time?" Kagome gasped softly and Inuyasha blushed, "damn demon showed me everything, remember?" Then Inuyasha leaned in close, his cheeks glowing with what he was going to say already. "Especially the part where you lifted your ass so high it was practically in my face."

Covering her face with her hands wasn't enough but it was all she could do. "Oh god, I thought it was a dream!"

"I'm not sure how you could mistake that for a dream. The dreams were nice but nothing like the real thing."

Kagome ripped her hands back so fast, she would have smacked Inuyasha in the face if he wasn't a demon. "You had them too?"

"Of course I did!" His flush traveled down his neck. "It's why I came to… check on you. To see if you were having them too." Inuyasha ducked his head, his strands tickling her naked breasts. "I didn't know if it was my head, wanting you so damn much that I dreamed about mating with you or if it was real. Then I came here and found you, moaning my name one night…" Kagome covered her face again but after a few seconds, Inuyasha pried her cover away. "I'd rather have the real thing any day, Mate."

He purred the last line and she leaned up just to catch his lips. Lifting her knees, Kagome reached down to grab his shaft, rubbing it a few times before placing his tip at her pink ring. As soon as their skin touched, Inuyasha pressed inside. Her moan was in rhythm with his slow slide, entering her at a gentle pace until his balls pressed to her ass. Her walls stretched deliciously around his large dick and it wasn't too hard to imagine it was their first time all over again.

Save for the baby growing inside her to contradict those thoughts.

Inuyasha moved slowly but with purpose, pulling in and out at a slow tempo. His thrusts were still hard, showing once again how much he craved her, needed her. It matched Kagome's needs perfectly, reaching down and grabbing his ass hard with her nails. She wanted him pressed as deeply as possible in and on her but that was impossible now with her swollen belly. Kagome tried lifting her legs to help but in the end, Inuyasha sat back and rubbed her needy clit with his fingers.

Turning her head, she bit her pillow as she came to keep from screaming. It was one thing for her family to know she and Inuyasha slept together and to know they were doing it currently in their home. Her entire body felt languid as if sex ate up whatever energy she retained from her nap. Inuyasha was still pumping into her, gripping her hips while slapping wildly into her a few more times. He softly groaned, holding himself over her for a few more seconds to flop to his side next to her.

She was trying to catch her breath but just couldn't seem to. Inuyasha was pulling his pants back on while she still struggled. Kagome didn't want to freak out the hanyou so she tried to dress herself. The most she could manage was a shirt, getting a nightgown out and pulling it on before collapsing back to the bed. Inuyasha wrapped his sulkan around her shoulders and got to his knees before her as she sat on the edge, panting.

"Are you okay?"

Kagome got a weak smile on her face but it ripped away when pain seared through her. Stemming from her belly, it rippled out to her legs and chest. She was clutching the baby beneath, tears clouding her vision as a blurry Inuyasha filled her eyes.

"Kagome?!"

There was so much panic in his voice and she wanted to reassure him. But that would be a lie. "Something is wrong…"

Inuyasha hopped to his feet and disappeared. Agony raged in her body, weakening Kagome even more until she fell back to the bed. It passed and she opened her eyes (squeezing them shut to try and survive) to find a purple haze before her.

"Kagome!"

Inuyasha had returned with her mother, both of them standing back. Inuyasha approached first and ignored Kagome's calls for him to stop. Just as she feared, the barrier her body put up knocked him back and into her dresser hard, breaking the furniture to shreds. "Inuyasha!"

Mother stepped up next, touching the barrier and watching mystified as her hand passed through unscathed. Now with her hands on her, Kagome's mother tried to calm her and hold her as more pain rocked through her. She knew she was screaming but could do nothing about it, the pain so intense that she couldn't stop her mouth and throat.

"Kagome, darling, you have to calm down."

Her mother was stroking Kagome's hair and trying to hold her while she twisted on her bed. Kagome tried to focus on something else, looking around her room. Still through her purple bubble, Inuyasha looked grey as he paced, his eyes a deep purple from being red. Souta and gramps were in the doorway, looking pale.

"God, it's my fault… we just… I shoulda let her rest more!" Inuyasha was raging, close to going full demon.

Kagome took deep breaths and waited for a break in the pain. "No… Inuyasha, this isn't… your fault…"

"Dear, you're in labor. We should get you to the hospital."

"Labor?!" Inuyasha squeaked with fear and excitement.

Kagome pushed her mother back and slowly sat up, her bubble flickering and then fading. As soon as it was down, Inuyasha grabbed her up, ready to go. "It's… too soon…"

"The sooner the better. Then you and the baby will be safe here on this side…"

"No, Inuyasha, it's WAY too…. Soon."

Kagome was only seven months along. It wouldn't be a safe delivery or a healthy baby if she had it now. As another contraction rocked through her, Inuyasha still holding her tight, fear joined her pain. Kagome couldn't have this baby now.

Her mother was rattling off the deficiencies the baby would be born with at this age and Inuyasha nodded blindly, waiting as patiently as he could before growling. "Then what the fuck should I do?!"

Everyone was silent except Kagome, whimpering through another contraction. They were really close together and getting worse. "Everything was fine before you came here?" Her mother asked and Inuyasha nodded. "Then… perhaps… it's the time difference?"

"You have to take her back, Inuyasha!" Souta screamed.

Kagome gripped Inuyasha's collar and breathed in and out as best she could. He cradled her to his chest, desperate. "She's not safe there. The whole reason we came here…"

"She's not safe here, either! Her body can't handle the switching of time and the baby is confused! You have to take her back to the past now!" Gramps yelled.

There was no more hesitation. Inuyasha gave a quick bow and goodbye, racing back to the well with her in his arms. They left everything behind but neither cared at the moment. Inuyasha jumped through and they both held their breath. Standing at the bottom of the dark well back in Inuyasha's time, they waited. Kagome waited for the pain and Inuyasha refused to blink until he was sure. Nothing happened, no contractions or tensing of muscles. It all stopped now that they were back in the past.

Kagome wept without care while Inuyasha fell to the ground, keeping Kagome in his arms. She pressed her face into his neck just as she had moments before they made love. It comforted her then and it worked again now, wiping her tears off on his skin. Placing her legs across his knee, Inuyasha used his freed hand to stroke her wherever he could. "Looks like… you're stuck here?"

She nodded hard into him and they remained like that long after they had both calmed.