The hollow earth that marked the grave of Miroku's father was even more somber in the daylight. Inuyasha crouched on the edge of the perfectly spherical pit where the gravestone had rested for ten years. Saving Miroku had been the first time he had realized the full power of the Tetsusaiga, the power that came from protecting humans like his mother.

Kilala was chasing bugs through the grass with her tails waving. The little yellow cat crouched down in the weeds before bolting at a buzzing dragonfly. Miroku had gone to the waterfall to 'purify' himself while they waited for the old drunkard to wake up.

The famous monk had known about the signs marking the return of Kagura, the moon princess who could stop time. It was only through Kagome that they had stood a fighting chance with her weird medical supplies from the future and his girly gift of friendship.

If Miyatsu really could see the future in partial visions, could he have left a note about Kagome? The young miko had a knack for sensing bad things before they happened. Maybe it was inherited. The ancestry scroll in his hands recorded it plainly. The first few generations of her noted family tree were in the monk's handwriting. It even listed a son yet to be born, Hisui. Sango's father's name.

Miroku was sitting on the outside stairs when he returned to the Temple. Inuyasha claimed the step below him. Mushin was muttering to himself from inside the main room with the Buddha. His friend was staring at his own palm.

"So Kagome-sama is going to bear my child after all?"

"Kagome IS your child, bouzu."

"Miyatsu left a note for the descendant who defeated Naraku. I suppose that was actually Kagome-sama. Pity." The man ignored him. Most of his metaphysical questions went over his head, just like Kagome's rambling conclusions about time-loops. It was one of many reasons he had left her in her mother's care. His wife needed time to process what it all meant. For fuck's sake, the first time she met Miroku, he kidnapped her, stole our piece of the Jewel and her bike, then felt her up! The bastard has seen her naked.

"Look, Miroku…"

"I have asked many women to bear my son and fate brought me a granddaughter who did all I asked and more." Miroku only half-acknowledged his presence. A scarred palm was flashed in his vision. "Do you know what this means? Naraku's curse never returns. The Wind Tunnel will not afflict Sango's children. Isn't that wonderful? Kagome-sama saved my girls."

The laughter was a bit manic. It hurt to consider the twins' fate born with voids in their sweet hands. He forced himself to imagine the sweet, troublesome toddler following Kagome round the garden with a Wind Tunnel. Perpetually afraid of hearing the wind. Miroku had separated himself from Sango to face his terrifying death alone. It had tortured three generations of men daily.

"That was some curse Naraku put on your grandfather."

"It makes a man wonder. If Naraku had not cursed Miyatsu, would Kagome-sama have been born? Was she always destined to save us? Maybe only through a trial of darkness could a soul as bright as hers be challenged? 'All who live, suffer. There is a reason for our suffering. There is an end to our suffering.'"

"At least you remember something." Miyatsu stepped onto the platform. Inuyasha drafted behind the monks. They paid him no attention in the back of the room while they made a grand offering to the Three Jewels. Confirmation that his family was free of Naraku's blight seemed to have lightened Miroku's heart. His girls were safe.

What about mine?

The god of evil still wanted Kagome's child. Only the spelled jade bracelet hid her from his sight. The moment his daughter was born, the spell would lose its power. How was he going to protect them? Where could he hide his family?

"Grandfather kept a history of his predictions? Well, where is it?"

"Now, Miroku. You know how eccentric Miyatsu could be. His prophecies were mostly sake-inspired nonsense. The more he drank, the clearer his visions became. The Master loved women and oft spoke in mixed metaphor. One of his nicknames was the Drunken Master."

Look who's talking!

The high monk eventually surrendered the half-mad meanderings of the late Monk Miyatsu. Inuyasha was glad that Kagome was absent. Some of the illustrations were entirely too graphic depictions of a man and woman coupling. In bushes. Behind a tree. In a hot springs while the woman's daimyo husband searched for her.

What kind of perverted bloodline is this?

"Even the wisest men have their follies," Mushin sighed.

Miroku passed him a disturbing illustration of a familiar demon. Two torsos grew from the top of a distorted bird demon with claws. It was a decent rendering of the Birds of Paradise who had been at war with the Wolf Demon tribe. The one Kouga had faced in duel to claim possession of its Jewel shard. Fifty years before its time, Miyatsu had a premonition.

"Are these poems?"

"Haiku."

Inuyasha glared at the copied image of what seemed like a house of prostitution in a city. Every window held a different vulgar image.

"So your grandfather was a pervert?"

"He greatly admired the female species. But he was powerful enough to trap Kagura in the Mirror of Life and spell the moon itself. Here." Miroku finally looked up from his own pile to hand him an illustration with another poem on the side. A beauty sat in a grassy field looking down with love at a dark-haired girl, no more than five years old, reaching for a colorless butterfly. It shook his confidence in Miyatsu's erratic taste in art. Those were Kagome's curls on a child. His daughter.

"She who walks in light / Daughter of Heaven be safe / Never shall we meet." Miroku sighed.

"Your grandfather could see the future?"

"Years of meditation gave the Master insight into the world. The drink made him open to receive great knowledge." Mushin scratched his rotund belly. The man looked ready for another nap.

"Anything about a crow or a shadow or a - " Miroku held up a jagged dark ink circle. It did not turn color like Kagome's ink but he recognized the ensō. For a short while the girl had been obsessed with the simple figure.

"Kagome has been drawing those things for months! What the hell does it mean? Mirokuuu!"

"The ones Kagome-sama draws turn black ink golden."

"I know. She thinks the child is affecting her reiki. Why is she drawing damned circles at all?"

"It is a meditative practice, a physically simple one, which suits her condition." Miroku closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose. The painting of his wife and child alone bothered him. Why wasn't he in the fucking picture? It was his own family. I would never abandon my girls. The child in Miyatsu's picture was a bit fuzzy but he could envision them together in the Meadow. Of course Kagome would teach her to chase butterflies.

"The ensō is a symbol which captures the perfect cycle of enlightenment and the void. All things that end have a beginning. All that begins must end." Mushin barely stifled a yawn. His jowls wobbled with the effort. "I suggest a decent night's sleep on the subject. Perhaps an old man could even trouble you for a hot bath?"

Inuyasha hauled water for the monk's tub only at Miroku's behest. The young one wanted peace to meditate on the subject on his own while the elder splashed around in his wooden tub on the other side of the temple grounds. He sat on the bench outside to stare at the Meadow drawing. Fifty years ago, five hundred years before her birth, her grandfather had a vision of a girl who had premonitions of her own. Kagome who could draw the ensō. The 'little dancer' who attracted every curious kami on the island. Higurashi Kagome.

She who walks in light.

There was a cool stone on the edge of the compound where he could stretch out to watch the stars appear in the twilight sky. Kagome would be having dinner with her family and preparing for bed. At least the stubborn girl had finally agreed to take 'maternity leave' from school to rest for her health so she would no longer be running through the streets in a blind frenzy. A promise echoed through his memory.

I will be home before my baby is born. It is all Kagome asked.

Kaede had made his responsibilities very clear. His bride was very young and nervous about giving birth in a different era than her mother. If his presence in the village soothed her fears, he would stand guardian. Kagome could not be be allowed to jump through the Well but she was stubborn so it would be his responsibility to keep the Higurashi family updated on their family's health. Then there was the baby herself. Seven days after her arrival, the father was obligated to publicly announce her name.Their neighbors were strictly forbidden to call on Kagome during her postpartum convalescence so they might try to interface with him. Anything to lighten the new mother's burden so she could bond with Baby.

How does Miroku do it?

Inuyasha did not return to the temple until daybreak when the sun was already breaking over the trees. Mushin had prepared a simple breakfast of rice, fish and steamed vegetables in smaller portions than he preferred. Months of access to Kagome's excellent home cooking left him feeling unsatisfied. It was certainly less ideal to wake up to two monks than a long-legged girl with hotcakes and sticky syrup. His ears depressed while he contemplated playing sexy breakfast games with his wife. Mushin burped.

"Your clever wife is trying to fatten you up, young one. It is a sneaky tactic to make you unattractive to other women. Do not fall for that trick!"

Miroku stayed silent through the meal but smirked at his master's assessment.

At least my wife can cook, bouzu.

Miyatsu's papers were released from a leather binding so that Miroku could share his findings. The charcoal sketches had been separated into two piles. One contained Miyatsu's fascination with women. The other contained anything the rest. His brow couldn't stop twitching when he held up a drawing of a woman who was almost Sango in her demon-slaying gear with extreme emphasis on her bottom. Miroku shrugged.

"What? She does have an attractive - "

No wonder Souta is so obsessed with bosoms and bottoms. The poor kid never stood a chance!

A giant, shadowy version of Naraku's spider form was almost accurate. It was on a tree branch rather than flying through the air but the general shape was present. Of course the deranged pervert had drawn Kagura. The moth-demon Hyouga. The demon horse Entei.

"For a while I sat in the bosom of the Goshinboku to contemplate my fate for the tree is known to hold the memories of many ages." Miroku passed him another illustration. There were no words. The demon on the page could have almost been an older version of himself. The bastard wore three swords at his waist. The handle of the third was none other than Sō'unga, the blade possessed by an evil dragon of Hell.

"Tōga." Miroku read. "The Fighting Fang King. Supreme Demon Lord of the Western Lands."

Father.

"My father died before Miyatsu was born. Do you think this is accurate?" Sesshomaru would never confirm the likeness. If his elder brother even knew a portrait existed, he would probably destroy it to spite him. Where was Myouga when you needed him? I can show Kagome my father's likeness. I can show my daughter the Dog General of the West.

"Kagome-sama has the Sight. Perhaps Miyatsu did too. Though I do not understand all of these predictions." A larger drawing showed a warrior spinning a sword at the base of the unmistakable Tree of Ages like an improvised axe. Why would anyone want to chop down the Goshinboku? "Miyatsu studied for many years before he met Naraku but her powers are intuitive. Emotional."

"And?"

"Kagome-sama is the most powerful priestess I have ever encountered. So powerful that the Shikon Jewel wanted to claim her soul to replace Midoriko-sama in battle. But why?" Miroku flexed his own cramped fingers. "What if the soul of Kikyo-sama was reborn into a similarly cursed family so we could both take vengeance on the Naraku? Turning the darkness of the spider's generational curse on him? Three generations of monks drawing demons into the void..."

"Kagome doesn't have any darkness!"

"Correct! She could purify the impure Shikon Jewel shards by simply picking them up. There is seemingly no darkness that can reach her heart." Miroku held up both palms to mimic Kagome. "What if she turns dark into light?"

"Huh?"

"Kagome-sama matched your brother's power at Obon, did she not?"

"She broke the bastard's arm."

"And her powers healed her broken wrist? Her scars?"

"You know what's happening to her?"

"Perhaps, but I will need to confirm my theory. Let's get home to the girls, shall we? No time to waste." The monk flashed him a smile but he knew better. There was no sincerity. His friend was well-versed in auditing the truth to smooth his path. "Thank you for your hospitality, Master. May I send your well wishes to Sango?"

"Of course, son. Don't make her too angry."

"Mirokuuu..."

"You promised Kagome that you would be home for the birth. We can talk on the road. After you," Miroku gestured for Kilala to exit first. The fire-cat transformed on the grass for a good stretch. Miroku clambered on with no hesitation. They were down the steps on the main road before conversation began. The monk seemed eager in his own way to reach Kagome.

"Tell me what's happening with my wife!"

"It is only a thought."

"Cough it up! What do you know? Is it about the Crow?"

"...perhaps! The Crow wanted your cousin Kiyohime-sama until he met Kagome-sama when she was already with child. Why does it want an infant when he could have a woman? Why is her child special?"

"Because Kagome's special?"

"What if Kagome-sama is not healing herself. What if your child is healing her mother?" Miroku leaned closer to Kilala while they passed through a particularly narrow mountain pass. The distinction made his head spin. Kagome was creating their child. Blood, bones, organs – the pamphlets from the female doctor even listed the baby's progress by month. If ordinary women could build new humans from nothing, it wasn't such a logical leap to imagine Kagome's body rebuilding itself too.

"How does that work?"

"I'm not certain. Maybe your daughter's demon heritage is sparking a reaction in Kagome-sama and the reiki is healing her old wounds. Or your mother's lineage mixing with demon AND human energies - "

"What does my mother have to do with anything? She was a normal human."

"I assumed you were exaggerating when you claimed so many spirits were being drawn to Kagome-sama. Why would they take such interest in a human, even one as extraordinary as your wife? But then Kamimusubi-sama protected the women within the Tadasu no Mori. One an Imperial princess, the other the Shikon Miko carrying a Daughter of the Blood."

"What are you saying?"

"You really don't know. Inuyasha. Your mother was a member of a family who hailed from the first emperor. Descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu herself. Combine the blood of a reincarnated priestess with a drop of blood from the kami and so is born a 'Daughter of Heaven'."

Dust flew up from the road when he skidded to a stop. Kilala circled back around to check on him. Miroku looked entirely serious.

"If my mother was descended from the kami that would mean I am! Give me a real theory."

"Presently that is my best conclusion, friend."

"How is a mortal girl supposed to have the energy to give birth to a god? What if the baby kills her?" There was no shock in Miroku's grim jaw...which meant the monk had already reached the same conclusion. Panic struck him so hard in the chest he couldn't breathe. It was their first year of marriage. Kagome was only twenty years old.

"That is why I suggest we make haste."

Inuyasha ran. The faster Kaede's village was in his vision the faster he could reach the Well. Kagome should be at her mother's house with all its modern amenities. Her mother had great faith in modern hospitals' magic. Kaede knew the whole truth. The doctor from Kagome's era could make medical pictures of her insides. Miroku would be able to write protective sutra for her postpartum.

What can I do? Where will Kagome be safe? I cannot lose her!

Inuyasha flew past Kaede's hut without stopping. The path from the village to the Bone Eater's Well had never seemed so long. Miroku called out but he was already through. His feet touched the cold stone at the bottom which never saw the sun. Dry bones snapped under his heel. Kilala mewed when his feet touched the grass.

"Inuyasha - "

There was no time to waste on the monk. He slapped his palm on the warm wood before throwing his legs over. Gravity caught up with him when he refused to brace for impact. The bones rattled at the bottom in the dark and the cold. A shadow above gave him hope. Miroku leaned over the edge instead of Kagome. A perfect blue sky shone past his shoulders. No wooden roof.

"Now Inuyasha, if we simply remain calm - "

"Calm? Kagome needs me! What if that bastard comes for her? What if she dies thinking I abandoned her? I can't give up!" Inuyasha climbed out of the Well. Miroku could not identify a single thing wrong with the structure on their end. The monk rattled on and on but he knew. The Well was blocked.

And Kagome is in danger.

Miroku left him to guard the Well while he sought Kaede's council. Kilala tried to provide comfort but he was too afraid. What if the impasse was permanent? It would be torture to wait another five hundred years to find Kagome again. Could a half-demon live that long? Would he be an old, weak man by the time his daughter was born? But if it was the only way…

He raised his gaze up to glare at the branches of the Goshinboku.

"What was the point in letting her come back if you were going to choose to separate us? Open the damn portal. Open it!" His feelings were too much to handle so he faced the Tree square on. The Well was made with wood taken from the Goshinboku's trunk. "You messed with Kagome's life when you sent her through time. Now you want to sit on the sideline? Quit playing games and send me to Tokyo, you bastard. My wife needs me to be there. Open the fucking gate!"

The illustrations in his coat gave him inspiration. He withdrew Tetsusaiga from its sheath. The vortex of energy around the Tree was enormous. If necessary, he would cut through the energy to reach Kagome.

"Inuyasha, don't!"

Ignoring the monk's voice, he swung the red Tetsusaiga. The backlash nearly leveled him but he stood his ground. Through the tear in the barrier of space and time colors swirled. For just a moment he saw the Higurashi house. It was his only chance.

Kagome, I'm coming!

Magic washed over him when he ran forward. Time stretched strangely in the gap between the two worlds. He ran and ran through the melting watercolors on either side to reach Tokyo and Kagome. Nothing in his existence mattered more than reaching his family. It was like running through water but he breached the barrier on the other side of the infinite corridor.

"Kagome!" The moment his feet touched grass and his lungs inhaled air, he raced for her window. Empty. He dropped back down to the courtyard to look through the kitchen. The frenzy began. Where were his humans? The phone in the kitchen made noise when he picked it up. Kagome's mother kept important information posted to the fridge. Wherever she was, Kagome would have her portable telephone.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha stared at the phone's speaker. "Kagome!"

"Inuyasha dear, is that you?"

"Higurashi. Why do you have Kagome's telephone? Where is she?"

"How wonderful that you have returned from your trip! I brought Kagome to Tokyo Sunshine. Would you like to speak to her?" There was fumbling and movement noises. There was a ding somewhere. But then he heard her breathy voice.

"Inuyasha?"

"Kagome, I am here at the house. Where are you?"

"Oh, Inuyasha. We're at the hospital. Can you write down the address? I love you."

"I love you too, wench." He closed his eyes. "Do you hear me? I love you."

Kagome gave him the address and directions to the modern hospice. She asked him to feed Buyo before he left the house. He got frustrated and left the phone hanging while he hurried. An entire bag of brown nuggets overfilled the cat's bowl. His wife wanted clothes so he raced upstairs to stuff supplies into one of the kid's sports bags. Every heartbeat was a heartbeat too long.

The private hospital took time to find because it looked more like a hotel than an office. The women at the front desk seemed unconcerned with his need to find Kagome. They refused to speak to him until he showed them his plastic identity card. He followed a young lady in pastel pink clothes down a hallway lined with glass windows and expensive paintings. There were other pregnant women being wheeled around by servants.

"Ten minutes, do you understand? Your wife needs reassurance and rest. Suite 115." The nurse stopped outside a room with a silver handle. There was a rectangle with 'Takahashi K.' listed on the door. He burst through.

"Kagome?"

"Inuyasha, you're here!" The most beautiful girl in the world was lying propped up in a pink cloud bed. He nearly ran into her mother on the way to her side. For the first time in hours, he could breathe. Relief nearly brought him to tears so he hid his face. "She is a little early so the hospital said to come in. Dr Akiyama is with another patient but she's on her way!"

Her voice rang with excitement. He gripped her soft hand.

Kagome's alive.

"I started labor yesterday but I couldn't get through the Well. So Mama called the hospital. What's wrong?" The idea of Kagome, in labor, jumping into the Well made him ache. The girl would have been sitting helpless at the bottom with no way to climb out. Easy pickings for a demon.

Is that why you blocked me from crossing over? To protect Kagome from herself?

"Stupid, brave girl."

"Stubborn dog-boy." Kagome pouted. A hat descended over his head from behind. Her mother's gentle hands squeezed his shoulders before returning to a luxurious gray chair. She appeared to be absorbed by the magazine in her lap. Kagome finished securing the dark knit cap over his ears with plenty to say. He pretended to care about wearing it just to argue with her over the beeping machine in the background.

"It shouldn't be too long, Inuyasha. The nurses think the baby will be born by morning. Will you stay the night?" Bright blue eyes blazed with so much love it was impossible to refuse her. He kissed the soft skin on the inside of her wrist in agreement. The sweet girl blushed. No demon is getting past me. I'm here to stay.

The men's suite was down the white hall in an entirely different wing. The servant-woman left him in a room with a blaring television and a miniature refrigerator stocked with drinks. There was even a small bed if he wanted to sleep. He sat in the bay window to get a view of the grounds. Kagome's mother assured him privately in the hall it was a top notch facility. She promised to come get him as soon as the baby was born. It took considerable effort to silence the magic viewing device offering him discounts on kitchen gadgets. In the meantime, there was a thick menu on the table offering a wide variety of foods. A kitchen boy delivered his meal on a rolling tray.