Summary: It has been said that when a half-demon and a human produce a child, darkness will let free what it stole from their word. However, when Miroku becomes a captive of this darkness, Sango asks InuYasha and Kagome to do the unthinkable.

Disclaimer: I didn’t own InuYasha when I wrote my first story and I still don’t.

“Miroku!” Sango was frenetic, her hair a mess and her eyes glossy with tears. It had been four hours. She collapsed onto her knees, sobbing profusely. “That’s it then, isn’t it?” she whispered. “I’ll never get to see him again.” She lightly caressed the vast stone in front of her, though her fingers were dented with the horrible scratches from the constant striking she had induced on the rock. She took in her surroundings; it was dreary and dark. She felt so alone as she stared around the cave, before looking back to the looming stone that had trapped Miroku in darkness.

They had been fighting an enormous demon that contained three jewel shards. Its hide was thick and seemed impenetrable as all of their attacks failed to even create a small incision. The demon had fled, though at the time it seemed completely bewildering. Sango and Miroku followed it through the winding paths of the forest they had been in out to an open field. There they saw the demon make its way into a cave on the mountain ahead of them. The couple continued after it, landing them at a dead end. That was when they had first seen the stone, its immensity astounding them.

The battle had seemed endless, extending well past what either Miroku or Sango could have predicted. After so long they began to become fatigued; that’s when it happened. The demon grabbed Miroku, holding him tight in its clutches. Sango, in her exhausted state, was unable to reach him in time.

‘Now that demon has him,’ Sango thought, recalling the penitent inability she had suffered. She couldn’t even bear to think of it. The demon simply disappeared behind the stone with Miroku still in its grasp. She slid a hand across her face, wiping away her tears.

“Sango!”

She turned around, seeing Kagome standing there, looking apprehensively at her. “Hey,” Sango said weakly.

Kagome glanced around the cave. “Where’s Miroku?” she asked. She frowned, seeing Sango’s grave expression. “Is everything all right?”

“What’s going on?” InuYasha and Shippo trudged beside the two girls, eyeing them with perplexity.

Sango explained Miroku’s vanishing thoroughly, choking back tears. “I just don’t know anymore,” she admitted as her hands touched the stone again. “I don’t want to leave him, but I just can’t…” Her voice faded away; her hope did as well.

“What’s this?” Shippo questioned, staring curiously at the left side of the rock. “There’s something written here.”

Sango glanced up, striding slowly toward the young fox demon, ruffling his hair as she knelt down to get a better look.

When half-demon and human come together to form another, then darkness will let free what it took from their world.

“What do you think it means?” Shippo sat down, thumbing his chin, his eyes engulfed with oddity.

Sango’s thoughts plagued her mind. ‘Form another? I don’t understand. Does that mean that a human and half-demon would have to…’ Her eyes widened, as she comprehended the situation, finishing her thoughts aloud, “…Have a child?”

“What are you goin’ on about?” InuYasha demanded, raising his eyebrow at Sango, arms folded. “Let’s just move the damn boulder!”

Sango watched in anticipation as InuYasha inflicted countless attacks on the stone. Her eyes averted back to the engraving, rereading it carefully. ‘That has to be the only way,’ she determined as InuYasha’s next attempt proved futile.

“Damn it! This thing won’t budge!” InuYasha roared, infuriated. “How the hell are we supposed to get Miroku back now?”

“Read this,” Sango suggested quietly, gesturing at the message. “It might explain things.”

(0000000000000000000)

“I don’t understand, though,” Kagome said, leaning closer to the stone, tracing her fingers over the words. “What would a half-demon and human have to-”

Sango cut her off. “I think…” She paused, eyeing her friends intensely. “I think they would have to produce a child.”

“Keh! There ain’t no way that’s gonna happen!” InuYasha furrowed his brows, his gaze moving to the stone ground. “Half-demons are rejected all together. No human would ever even consider becoming that intimate with one, so this whole thing is impossible!”

Sango stared at him. He was right. They would never be able to find anyone who would…

“Why can’t Kagome and InuYasha just have a baby?” Shippo asked suddenly. “I mean, she’s a human and he’s a half-demon, right?”

There was an abrupt silence among the group, creating an unnatural sense about them.

Sango looked toward InuYasha and Kagome with a pleading gaze, immediately regretting it. ‘I can’t ask them to do that,’ she rationalized, turning away. ‘But…’ Her gaze altered back to the stone. ‘What about Miroku? We can’t just sit here and do nothing.’ She flinched, feeling a hand touch her shoulder. She tilted her head to see Kagome looking at her with concern.

“Sango,” Kagome started. “I’m sorry I-”

“It’s okay, don’t apologize.” Sango let out a feeble laugh. “It was stupid of me to even think about it.”

Kagome felt a shower of guilt wash over her. She had an opportunity to save her friend’s life, and she wasn’t taking it. Worse, Sango clearly believed that the entire thing was her own fault. ‘I can’t have a baby, though!’ her mind screamed. ‘I’m only fifteen!’ She sighed faintly, glancing at InuYasha, who was glowering at Shippo. ‘InuYasha doesn’t seem that keen on the idea either.’

(0000000000000000)

The camp had a perturbed atmosphere hanging over it that night. The group sat around a fire they had lit in the cave, feeling awkward, each of them timidly glancing at one another every so often.

“I think I’ll go gather more firewood,” Sango offered, standing up to leave.

“I’ll go with her,” said Shippo, bounding after Sango.

InuYasha and Kagome watched them leave without a word.

Kagome coughed, clearing her throat, attempting to break the uncomfortable silence. She laughed nervously. “So…”

InuYasha threw her an icy glare. “What?” he demanded. He crossed his arms defiantly. “If you’re going to ask me about what Shippo said, then you can forget it!”

“I wasn’t going to! Jeez, what’s your problem?”

InuYasha jerked his head sideways, letting out a slight growl of aggravation.

‘He must feel guilty,’ Kagome recognized. ‘Just like me.’

“It’s not like we really could help anyway,” InuYasha said suddenly. “They can’t really expect us to…” He trailed off. “Never mind. Just forget it.”

Kagome nodded. ‘I know how you feel, InuYasha,’ she thought to herself. ‘But what would it be like if we agreed to help? I just can’t help but wonder if it would be so bad.’ She shook her head. ‘What am I thinking? We can’t do this. My relationship with InuYasha is constantly on and off, what with Kikyo and all, and he already gets jealous enough as it is. If I were pregnant, it would only make things worse. Besides, we haven’t even kissed yet! How are we supposed to have child?’ She sighed lowly as Sango and Shippo entered the cave. She glanced back at InuYasha, knowing that they would need to talk about it eventually, unaware that he was thinking the same thing.

(0000000000000000)

Kagome let out a heavy sigh. The early morning sun danced across her face as she relaxed against a tree. It had been three days since Miroku was taken, and she still couldn’t bring herself to discuss it with InuYasha. He seemed equally as anxious for some reason. His glances were now lingering, seeming almost eager at times, and he had tried to get her alone on several occasions.

‘Maybe he really is considering it,’ she reasoned, pulling her arms up over her head, stretching them. That thought, however, tugged at the back of her mind. Why would he even give the slightest bit of thought to the idea of having a child? He seemed completely against the whole thing the last time she brought it up. ‘InuYasha doesn’t even really like kids that much, does he?’ Kagome shook her head. ‘I just don’t understand him sometimes.’

She brought her knees up to her chest, resting her head on them. ‘I really should go back,’ she decided. ‘I don’t want everyone to wake up and worry about me. Besides, InuYasha hates it when I wonder off. The last thing I need is for him to get upset.’ She stood up to leave, brushing off her skirt.

“Kagome, what are you doing all the way out in the forest?”

Kagome looked at Sango with a weary expression. “I’m just trying to clear my head, that’s all.”

Sango nodded understandingly. “I already told InuYasha that we were headed off to take a bath. I told him you went on ahead of me,” she said. Sango handed a large yellow backpack to Kagome. “I brought your stuff for you.”

The two reached a hot spring after strolling through the forest in silence. The clear, steaming water beckoned them in. Kagome undressed, another sigh meeting her lips. She slowly lowered herself into the comfort of the spring. ‘This is strange,’ Kagome thought as Sango slipped into the water. ‘She looks so uneasy. I wonder why.’

“Kagome, you have to have that baby!” Sango blurted out unexpectedly, making it a point to avoid her friend’s eyes.

Kagome was taken aback. She stared at Sango incredulously. “What?”

“I need you and InuYasha to have the baby! I know that it’s a lot to ask, and it’s totally unfair, but I just need you to!”

“Yeah, it’s unfair!” Kagome shrieked, shooting Sango a fierce glare. “It’s already bad enough that Miroku’s gone, and now you’re putting the whole thing on my shoulders!”

Sango groaned, trying to regain composure. “I’m sorry, okay? It’s just so frustrating! You and InuYasha could help—you could save Miroku! There’s no one else! You two are already in love, so why is it-”

“Wait a minute!” Kagome cried, cutting her off. “Don’t just go assuming things about my relationship with InuYasha! It’s a little more complicated than that!” Her tone softened as a small tear crept down her cheek. “Look, I’ve tried to think about it, I really have. I just don’t know if I can do that.”

“Yes you can!” Sango reassured her. “Please? I want to see Miroku again! Maybe you don’t understand what it’s like to lose someone that you love!”

Kagome sunk low into the water, looking toward the sky. “I don’t understand? Sango, I don’t even know what it’s like to have someone I love. You’re asking me to have a child with someone who is still…” She lowered her gaze, finishing her thoughts in her head. ‘…In love with someone else.’

Sango mentally hit herself. ‘How could I have been so horrible? I shouldn’t have mentioned it at all.’

Standing up, Kagome wrapped a towel around herself, gathering up her things. “I’m going back to camp,” she said quickly. She concealed herself behind the nearest tree, throwing on her clothes. ‘I was way too hard on her,’ Kagome figured, straightening her shirt. ‘She just wants to have Miroku back, and I just lashed out at her like it’s some kind of crime.’ She slung her backpack over her shoulders, heading back to the cave.

InuYasha watched Kagome from the branch of a tall tree close by. ‘Why is she crying?’ he wondered. He leapt down in front of her, giving her a suspicious look.

Kagome jerked back, startled. How long had he been watching her?

“What are you cryin’ about?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

Kagome inhaled sharply as she fought back tears. Everything was just so hard right now. She had to make this horrible decision that she wasn’t even approaching being ready for, her friend was captured, Sango was making her feel incredibly culpable, and he was asking her why she was crying?

InuYasha huffed. “Fine then, don’t answer my question!” He turned away, inwardly feeling concerned.

“Don’t do this right now,” Kagome whimpered. “I just can’t handle it.” She pushed past him, running back toward camp, as if running away from her own problems.

InuYasha watched her go, fighting with his own conscious. ‘Damn it! I didn’t even do anything, and she got upset!’ Though his mind was compelled to think that, his conscious proved different. It argued that perhaps he should have just left her alone instead of interfering.

(000000000000000)

“Are you still mad?” InuYasha asked as he and Kagome sat together in a field beneath the stars. She had wanted to get away from the cave for a while, after sending constant, indignant looks at Sango. He followed her when she left, hoping to evade any kind of danger.

“I was never mad at you, InuYasha,” Kagome said calmly. “I’m sorry. I was just having a hard time.”

InuYasha jerked his head away from her gaze. “It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize.” He glanced back at her with a hint of concern in his expression as he saw her distant look. It was odd, seeing her like this. She was usually so alive and full of emotions, but all of this seemed to be drowned out by something that he couldn’t quite grasp. “Kagome,” he started, but stopped himself, realizing that he couldn’t find the words.

Kagome’s eyes met his.

It was like an alarm going off inside his head. He had noticed that she had been down recently, but seeing her empty eyes was overwhelming. It was like they were asking him to do something. How could something be so empty and yet so full at the same time?

“Kagome, what happened? Why…why were you crying?” He tried his best to not sound harsh or demanding, knowing that it may cause the same reaction he had gotten earlier.

She looked away. “It was Sango. She just started insisting that you and I had to…” Kagome stopped herself, trying not to scare him off by mentioning the word ‘baby’. “I just feel so guilty,” she admitted. “Sango made it seem like that I was to blame because I wasn’t doing anything.”

InuYasha just stared. There was nothing he could say to make this better, and about a million things he could say to make it worse.

“I don’t want to feel so helpless anymore,” Kagome continued. “But there’s no way that we could…” Her voice grew quiet as her thoughts came alive. ‘I can’t ask him to do this. It would only make him feel trapped. If we were to have a baby, I know that he would feel obligated to stay with me. I don’t want to hold him back like that.’ Still, a part of her longed to go through with it so she could have that hold, one that Kikyo never would. She gasped at her own notion. How could she ever think something so selfish?

‘It wouldn’t be right,’ InuYasha thought. ‘I can’t stoop so low as to ask her to have my child. I want to save Miroku just as much as she does, but we just can’t do that. She would be putting herself and her body through more stress than she should have to handle right now.’

It wouldn’t be right to feel so trapped.

Disclaimer: Yeah, I don’t own squat

InuYasha changed positions again; he had been so restless ever since the incident with Kagome. He sat up, staring around the cave, feeling completely frustrated. ‘What the hell is wrong with me?’ he asked himself. He closed his eyes, leaning against the stone wall. ‘Damn it all! There must be some other way to fix this!’ He slammed his fists into the ground, cursing himself. He looked up hearing footsteps reverberating around him, watching as Kagome entered the cave.

“Hey,” she said, forcing a smile. “I really want to talk to you.”

InuYasha nodded. “Sure.” He eyed her carefully as she settled next to him. Her face appeared less weary than before; she had regained color.

Kagome took a deep breath. “I want to know…” She paused to take a longing glance at him. “What do you think about our situation? I mean, is it completely out of the question, or what?”

InuYasha didn’t speak for a long while. ‘What the hell am I supposed to say? Yeah, why don’t we just have a kid, Kagome, because that won’t change anything! Or, maybe she wants me to say no. Then again, if she wanted that then why would she even ask?’

“Are you…going to say anything?” Kagome questioned nervously as she twiddled her fingers.

“Feh! I think that we should try to consider other options before we make any rash decisions!”

Her eyes widened. ‘He’s actually thinking about it,’ she realized, stunned. She pushed the thought aside, turning back to InuYasha. “What other options are there? We can’t just leave Miroku and we’ve already tried to move the rock. I don’t know; it doesn’t seem like we have much of a choice.”

InuYasha stood up, facing her. “I don’t think you really understand what this would do! A baby would get in the way! What about the jewel shards? Is our mission not important anymore just because Miroku’s gone?”

“I never said that!” Kagome alleged, her expression turning angry.

“You weren’t even thinkin’ about it! You just feel guilty! I don’t want to change our whole lives just because of guilt, Kagome!”

“Are you telling me that you don’t feel guilty? Miroku is our friend and we may be his only hope!” Kagome’s voice was cracking as spoke. She could feel tears building up, threatening to fall.

InuYasha sighed, lowering his voice. “It’s not that I don’t feel bad about it, it’s just that I don’t want this now. I’ve got enough to worry about already.”

Kagome’s heart sank. Hearing those words directly from him made it all clear. I’ve got enough to worry about already. He didn’t say ‘we’. She noticed that as the words left his lips, his voice seemed to grow softer, almost as if he didn’t want her to hear them. ‘He must be talking about Kikyo,’ she thought gravely. ‘How could I have been so stupid? Of course he doesn’t want to do this. He knows that if we went through with it he would be stuck…with me.’ She hastily got up, hurrying out of the cave.

“Where do you think you’re goin’?” InuYasha inquired in his usual, mocking tone.

Kagome didn’t answer; she didn’t even look back.

“Kagome?” Shippo stood outside the cavern watching his friend storm out. He shot a defiant stare at InuYasha. “Idiot.”

(0000000000000000)

“This is all my fault!” Sango cried, slapping the water in the river in front of her, unable to endure her own reflection.

“Cheer up, Sango!” Shippo smiled brightly in an attempt to encourage Sango to do the same. “It’s not your fault at all. You can’t control what Inuyasha and Kagome fight about.”

“I was the one who couldn’t save Miroku!” She reminded him. “If he hadn’t been captured they wouldn’t be in this mess right now!” Her voice grew quiet as she placed her hands on her chest, as if she were attempting to stifle her heartache. “I shouldn’t have ever asked them to do this. They barely make eye contact anymore. Every time they talk it ends up turning into a fight.” Her gaze fell; she recalled the changes in her friends. Kagome was now very timorous around InuYasha, and he refused to say anything unless spoken to first. They had isolated themselves from one another. “I’m ruining their relationship.”

(000000000000000)

“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” InuYasha’s fist collided with the boulder, once again failing to break it. He rushed to the side of the rock, pressing his back up against it. He put as much pressure as he could on it. He stayed that way for the longest time until his body gave way. “It’s no use,” he admitted acrimoniously to himself as he sunk down onto the gravel. “There’s just no way to move this thing.” He turned his head slightly to take a glimpse at the message. InuYasha scowled resentfully at the words. Why couldn’t things just be simpler?

His thoughts turned to Kagome. ‘Why did she run away?’ he cogitated, absentmindedly running his fingers over the memorandum. ‘I guess this whole thing is just too much for her, but, I mean, come on! She can’t really expect me to agree to have a child! Why would she want to put herself through that, anyway? Why isn’t she the one insisting that we need to find another way to get Miroku back?’ He could only come to one conclusion. ‘She really wants to have this baby, but…’ He heaved a sigh out of aggravation. ‘I don’t want this, not now. There are too many things I have to get done before we get all settled.

He shuddered at the word. Not once in his life had he been settled, although he had come close once before with Kikyo. This whole thing with Kagome was completely different, though. He had never even thought about children, much less about having a family so early in his relationship with her. They were both, after all, unbearably shy and self-doubting around one another already.

InuYasha felt a blush creeping across his cheeks. ‘I can’t go that far with her! Besides, it’s not like it’s a guarantee that it’ll work after only one try.’ He was definitely blushing now. Sure, he had thought about sex before, but now, the idea of actually going through with it was completely new. He wouldn’t have a clue about what he was doing. It would be awkward and nerve-racking, and he was sure that the “first time” was not supposed to be that way.

“That’s it!” he screamed, standing up. “This whole thing is just too hard! I don’t want to make this choice!” He knelt down, slamming his fists into the ground consecutively.

“You seem angry,” Sango said meekly as she stepped in the cave.

InuYasha glared at her. “What the hell did you say to Kagome to make her so damn persistent about this?” He was on his feet as he waved a hand at the message on the stone.

Sango bit back a cry of remorse. ‘I guess I’ve shoved you two into a corner, haven’t I?’ She let a meager sob escape her. “I know that it won’t help if I apologize, but I am sorry. I don’t want to force you to do anything. This is my fault; I should be the one making the sacrifices.”

InuYasha couldn’t say anything to her. Just seeing her so upset made him feel like he should do something; he felt so accountable.

“We should all just go.”

InuYasha looked up at her. What was she getting at?

“There’s nothing we can do to save Miroku. I don’t want to hold back our mission any longer, and I know that he wouldn’t want that either. Being in this place just makes it harder for me, anyway. I need to get away for awhile,” she told him. Her voice seemed to be straining as she spoke.

“There’s no way we’re just going to give up like this!” InuYasha shouted with an indomitable tone. “We’ll just have to find another way, and if we can’t…” He took a deep breath. “I guess Kagome and I will just have to have the child.”

Sango watched in disbelief as InuYasha strutted outside.

‘What was I thinkin’?’ InuYasha asked himself as he continued out of the clearing, into the forest. ‘I shouldn’t just go making promises like that. I don’t even know if Kagome is ok with this.’ He reached a small circle of trees. He bounded onto a branch with it the leaves of one of them, plopping down to lean against the trunk.

(00000000000000)

Kagome lay on her bed. It felt so good to be back in her own era. She had borrowed Kirara from Sango after her fight with InuYasha. ‘He wants so much for things to be back to normal,’ she thought sadly. ‘I shouldn’t be compelling him to do this. I don’t even want to-’ She stopped herself. ‘Why do I feel like I’m lying to myself? I don’t want this, do I?’ Her mind drifted back to her earlier thoughts. ‘I felt happy about the thought of having something with him that Kikyo never had.’ She had tried to erase that feeling from her head, but she just couldn’t.

Kagome sat up. ‘I should really get some advice,’ she decided, nervously making her way downstairs to the kitchen where he mother was washing dishes.

“Oh, hello Kagome!” Mrs. Higurashi said smiling as she turned around to meet her daughter’s gaze. “I didn’t realize you were home!”

“Mom, can I ask you a question?” Kagome sat down at the table, staring down at it as she tapped her fingers on its surface.

“Of course.” She dried her hands off with a dishtowel, folding it up and placing it by the sink. She joined Kagome at the table. “What is it?”

“If your friend asked you to do something that normally you wouldn’t even consider doing, but it was to help someone, would you do it?”

Mrs. Higurashi eyed her daughter intriguingly. “That depends on what my friend was asking me to do,” she said. “You just have to remember that it’s not your job to fix everyone else’s problems. I know it may seem like it sometimes, but you can’t just give in and help every time.”

“What if your friend’s life depended on it?” Kagome pried.

Her mother folded her hands, placing them on the table. “As I said, it depends on what I’m being asked to do.” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Kagome avoided her mother’s gaze, trying to look as innocent as possible. “Well, what if they were asking you to have a baby?” She closed her eyes as she waited for a reaction.

Mrs. Higurashi nearly fell out of her chair. “Kagome, what is going on?” She asked, wide-eyed. “Someone’s not asking you to do this, are they?”

“Ok, Mom, try to keep an open mind.” Kagome proceeded to explain Miroku’s disappearance and the strange writing on the stone “I know it seems crazy,” she said. “I just feel like it’s something I have to do. I’m not just going to let Miroku die. He’s my friend.”

“I know you want to help him, but there’s got to be some other way. I don’t think having a baby right now is a very good idea.”

Kagome groaned. “Now you’re starting to sound like InuYasha.”

“Well, InuYasha is right! You still have school and you’ve got your quest over in the other time. I don’t want you to put all of this stress on yourself. You’re just too young. Really, neither or you are ready for something like this.” Mrs. Higurashi clasped her hand to her daughter’s.

Kagome turned her head away. “He had other reasons,” she muttered.

Her mother looked at her sympathetically. “I know that this is your decision, but I just want you to make the right one. You need to think about the consequences before you agree to something like this.”

Kagome nodded, pulling her hand away. “I’m going to my room.” She stood, heading back upstairs. “I might as well sleep on it,” she said to herself. She opened her door, gasping. “InuYasha! What are you doing here?”

He was sitting on her floor giving her a curious look. “What do ya think? I came to take you back! You can’t just leave without telling me and expect to stay!” He got up, moving toward her to grab her hand. “Let’s go!”

Kagome jerked her hand free. “I’m not going back now! There’s no point! We’re not even looking for jewel shards, so why does it matter?” She stared up at him impertinently, waiting for his response.

He growled. “We’ve got to go so we can find another way to get Miroku back!” His tone softened as he looked away from her. “I also told Sango that if we couldn’t find another way, then…we could…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Kagome was in astonishment. “So, are you’re saying that you’re willing to have a baby?” she questioned.

“Do you even have to ask?”

She smiled, bringing him into a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered.

InuYasha reluctantly put his arms around her. Something didn’t feel right. ‘I really don’t want to do this. Why the hell am I agreeing?’ He could’ve told her that he had changed his mind. He could have simply left, but instead, he kissed her.

Disclaimer: *sighs* As much as I want to, I don’t own InuYasha.

‘What the hell am I doing?’ InuYasha thought, jerking away from Kagome. His eyes were wide as if filled with his own doubts and insecurities. He couldn’t understand it. Where did that come from? ‘I need to get out of here.’ He quickly moved to Kagome’s window, sliding it open and leaping out of it.

Kagome could barely breath. ‘That was…’ Words couldn’t even describe what she felt when he kissed her. It was like a fire was ignited inside of her the moment his lips brushed across her own. It was divergent to anything she had ever imagined. Her expression darkened. ‘Why did he run, though?’ Self-conscious thoughts began to flood her mind. ‘What if it wasn’t what he expected?’ She didn’t want to think about that. She just wanted to relish in the knowledge that they had finally passed the hugging stage. Still, whether he had kissed her or not, the fact remained that he ran from her.

Was he scared of what it might have led to? She let out a deep sigh. ‘InuYasha is so hard to read sometimes. I wish he would just talk to me about it.’ A feeling of loneliness began to slowly ensnare her in its overpowering anguish. ‘He’s been so distant lately. It feels like I can’t reach him anymore.’ She extended her arm out, and then pulled it back, as if acting out her thoughts. ‘He must be so afraid. This would have a huge impact on our lives, and I get the feeling that he’s secretly wishing that it wouldn’t.’ False hope. Why is it that people try to force themselves to believe something that they know is not true? Perhaps it was to create a sense of security. Do they not understand that they would soon wake up to realize that all they believe is just…false?

Kagome shoved the thought away. She could never quite grasp why people would do that to themselves, or why InuYasha would.

(000000000000000000)

InuYasha leaned against the well, looking disgruntled. He took in the quiet surroundings of his era, reliving his mistake. ‘What was I thinking?’ Not only had he confused himself, but he was sure he had left Kagome in a state of uncertainty as well. Had he subconsciously wanted to kiss her or was it simply a momentary lapse? As he questioned his own motives he began to ponder hers.

After all, he was the one to pull away, not Kagome. She had even said “thank you” after he had finally agreed to fulfill the prophecy, as if that was the answer she was hoping for.

“Why does she want this so much?” InuYasha wondered aloud. It just didn’t make any sense. Why did she want to put herself through that? How could she possibly benefit from it?

He stood up, facing the well, hesitating for a moment. He knew that he needed to talk to Kagome; that he wanted to; but he couldn’t think of the first thing to say to her. He shook his head. Why couldn’t things just stay the same? InuYasha leaned over the well to gaze inside of the only thing that connected him to Kagome. To them, time was meaningless, and easily overcome.

He sighed. ‘I can’t face her, not now.’ He was aware that avoiding the situation would get him nowhere, but it seemed like that was all he could do. ‘It’s like Kagome said, what choice do we have?’ He sunk down, propping up his elbows on the lip of the well. When backed into a corner all you want to do is run, to take quiet steps away from your problem, unnoticed. InuYasha couldn’t help but feel this way.

‘I can’t run forever,’ he realized, rising to his feet again. He drew in a deep breath and forced himself to pass through the boundaries of time. InuYasha brushed off his shoulders as his feet touched cool ground in Kagome’s era. He leapt out, sliding open the well-house door. ‘What should I say to her?’ He wanted more than anything to understand why Kagome wanted this baby so much, but he couldn’t just come out and ask her.

InuYasha groaned slightly as he stepped inside Kagome’s house, looking up to meet the eyes of her curious mother.

“Hello InuYasha!” she said cheerfully, tossing him a grin. “It’s good to see you again.”

He glanced around the room, his hands tucked in his sleeves. “Is Kagome here? I need to talk to her about somethin’. It’s kind of important.”

“Actually, she’s not.” The woman gave him a stern, unwavering look. “I would like to discuss something with you, though.” She motioned for him to follow her.

InuYasha gulped, taking a fleeting look back at the door as he was led to the kitchen. ‘What could Kagome’s mother have to say to me?’ he thought, fearing the answer.

Mrs. Higurashi stared at him intensely as she sat with him at the table. “Kagome told me about your situation,” she said. “I want you to do something for me. Can you try and convince her that this is a bad idea?”

InuYasha was taken aback. He was not expecting this.

“I’ve already tried talking to her, but she seems to have her heart set on doing this. I think she’s only reluctant because you are. She listens to you, so that’s why I’m asking you to do this for me.” She paused, looking at him pleadingly.

“I…I…” InuYasha couldn’t grasp the words. She was asking him to go against something he had already agreed to. He finally was able to strain a smile. “I’ll try.” He stood to leave, but quickly turned back to Kagome’s mother. “Do you know why she wants the baby so much?” he asked diffidently.

Mrs. Higurashi shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea.” She raised an eyebrow questioningly at him as he left the room.

(000000000000000)

Kagome stroked her stomach for the tenth time that day. ‘I’m not even pregnant yet and I already feel like I’m gaining weight,’ she thought, moaning softly. She turned her attention back to her friends who were chattering about something or other around her desk. ‘Wait! I can’t go to school if I’m pregnant!” Kagome realized suddenly. ‘What will everyone think?’

“What’s with you, Kagome?”

She glanced up at her friend Eri, who was giving her an intriguing look. She laughed nervously, her hand moving back to her stomach.

“Seriously, what’s wrong? You’ve been doing that all day!” Eri pointed out.

Kagome quickly moved her hand away. “I’m fine, really. It’s nothing.” Her gaze lowered.

Nothing

For the rest of the day, Kagome’s mind was restless, plagued by anxiousness. She couldn’t quite understand why she had to strain so much to concentrate on anything, or why she felt so uneasy. She walked indolently down the streets of the city as she made her way home, feeling slightly awkward. ‘I must be tired,’ she decided as she climbed the steps leading to her shrine.

“Hey.”

Kagome let out a long, exaggerated sigh. “Hey, InuYasha.” She brushed right past him, continuing toward her house.

He growled. “Feh! Fine, ignore me! I was going to talk to you!”

“Ok,” she said, placing her stuff on the ground. “I’m listening.” She turned back to him, waiting for his response.

He crossed his arms, avoiding her eyes. “I don’t want to do this.”

It took a moment for the words to sink in. He was taking it back? He said that he was willing, and he took it back. All Kagome could do was stare in utter disbelief. “What?” she finally managed to get out.

“I don’t want this, Kagome! I never did…I…” His voice trailed off as he watched her expression grow hurt. What was he doing? This is not what he had intended to say to her, but it just came out. He couldn’t stop it and it was tearing him apart.

Kagome backed away from him. “If you hated the idea so much, then…why—why did you agree?” She could feel herself choking on the words, but retained a hard stare in spite of it. She spoke again, barely above a whisper. “Why didn’t you just save me from…this?”

“I don’t know, damn it! I didn’t want to agree! I hate this and I’m tired of feeling guilty about it!”

‘He’s unhappy,’ she thought. ‘The one thing I wanted more than anything was for him to be happy and now I’m making him miserable.’ She cut herself off, meeting his eyes. “I feel the same way, InuYasha. I-”

“Stop lying!” InuYasha caught her in a harsh glare; his anger was rising. “You don’t hate this! You’re the one who wants it so bad! I don’t know what kind of fantasy you’ve got goin’ on in your head, but this isn’t a game, it’s real life! I don’t want to throw everything away for nothing!”

“It’s not for nothing! What about Miroku? At least we would have him back!”

“It wouldn’t be worth it.”

Kagome took a step back as reality hit her. ‘Our friend isn’t worth it? Does he really find the idea of having a baby with me so appalling?’ She tore her gaze from him. “Right,” she murmured. “I understand. So…our baby would mean nothing to you?”

He let the words escape his lips before he could even think about what he was saying. “I don’t want that with you.”

In that instant, Kagome felt every insecurity—every self-conscious thought she had ever had, engulf her. ‘He doesn’t want that with me? Does that mean he would rather…’ A tear lightly caressed her cheek as she began to grasp the meaning of what he had said. ‘He would rather me be…someone else.’

InuYasha was bombarded by a wave of immediate penitence. He didn’t even know why he’d said it. “Kagome,” he started. “I’m…I didn’t…” He stopped himself, knowing that nothing he could say would mend this.

Kagome just wiped away her tears, shaking her head. “Don’t apologize. It’s not like this is some big surprise. I should’ve known.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” InuYasha insisted weakly. “I just-”

“Now who’s lying?” Kagome cried, her voice quivering. “I don’t want to hear you make excuses anymore, InuYasha! I know what you meant, so just save it!” She grabbed her stuff, turning away from him.

“Hey!” InuYasha reached out, clasping a clawed hand onto her shoulder, forcing her to face him. “Don’t assume you know me that well!”

Kagome tried to pull away from him. “InuYasha, let me go!”

His eyes flashed a dangerous glare, one that Kagome had never seen before. He jerked his hand away, storming back to the well house.

She watched him leave as she placed a hand on her aching shoulder. A harsh wind blew over, creating an almost dream-like atmosphere. Kagome collapsed onto her knees. Everything felt so out of place. How did it turn out this way?

Kagome gave in to tears. Everything she had had with InuYasha seemed to be deteriorating right in front of her eyes.

I don’t want that with you.

“InuYasha,” she whispered.

(000000000000000000)

‘I could’ve said anything…anything else!’ InuYasha’s mind screamed out as he climbed out of the well back into his own era. He couldn’t get the painful look on her face out of his head; it was haunting him. However, it wasn’t the look itself that disturbed him so, it was the fact that it felt like she had worn that expression before. ‘Am I really hurting her that much?’

InuYasha felt so helpless; he didn’t even seem to be able to dictate his own life. He knew that this wasn’t how it was supposed to be. He didn’t want to fight with Kagome like this. ‘Damn it! There has to be some other way to move that rock! I can’t go through this with Kagome right now! She’s probably angry with me…’

He paused as he realized what he was doing. ‘I’m throwing everything away…for nothing.’

Forgive my double posting. I wasn't sure how much I could fit in one post.

Disclaimer: -runs from hordes of men in black suits- Alright! Alright! I don’t own InuYasha!

It was dark. Though the room was slightly illuminated by the iridescent moon, Kagome saw no light. She stared aimlessly out her window, envying the rain that blanketed the world outside. It was free to cry without feeling so alone and isolated. She stifled a sob. All she had to comfort her were the shadows that danced across the wall. Why did she feel so empty? It wasn’t as if she had lost InuYasha forever.

‘Maybe, but things will never be the same again,’ her mind pried. That thought scared Kagome more than anything else. She missed the silly fights they used to have, and the sweet sentiments that would come from them every so often. That was by far better than the awkward silence that had now nestled itself between the two—better than the intense feuds they had in their rare moments of conversation.

“I thought this would bring us closer,” Kagome whispered softly within the stillness of her room. She knew she was wrong—that this was tearing them apart. Her thoughts returned to the look InuYasha had given her. “He’s never looked at me that way before.” She let out a small cry of distress. “I wish this had never happened, that things could just be the same again.”

Kagome tore her gaze from the window, staring around her room. She heard voices coming from downstairs. Her heart lurched as she took a quick glance at her clock. Who would be talking at three in the morning? She narrowed her eyes as she moved toward the door, trying to pick up the discussion.

“That’s absurd! How could she even consider something like this?”

“I don’t know! I tried talking to her, but she wasn’t listening! I even talked to InuYasha about it!”

Kagome gasped at the mentioning of the hanyou’s name. She slowly turned the handle on the door, cracking it open to listen more intently.

“Please tell me that InuYasha has a little more sense than Kagome,” she heard her grandfather say.

There was a brief pause before her mother spoke. “I think he’s just confused about the whole thing. Kagome said he was totally against the idea, but when I asked him to convince her not to go through with it, he seemed reluctant.”

Kagome slammed her door shut, backing away from it. ‘So, it’s all her fault?’ Kagome questioned herself incredulously. ‘If she hadn’t talked to InuYasha, then he may have never said those things to me.’ She felt betrayed. Why would her mother do this?

She inhaled sharply, seeing a figure pass through her vision. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt something graze her shoulder.

“Kagome.”

Lightning flashed outside, creating just enough brightness for Kagome to catch glimpse of a very wet InuYasha standing behind her. Realizing that he must have been out in the rain, she let out a relieved sigh and turned to face him. Even through darkness, the moment her eyes met his was a defining one. Her breathing became shallow as she continued to stare at him. His form was captivating, the moonlight softly touching his dampened skin.

InuYasha remained silent, holding his penetrating gaze almost curiously so, to see what her next action would be.

Indignant and bitter towards her mother, Kagome had a sudden urge to go against her. In that instant when all coherent thoughts had vanished, she turned around, her fingers slowly touching the lock on her door. She made up her mind and turned it.

InuYasha maintained his perplexed stare. What was Kagome doing? “Wha-” was all he could muster out before her lips collided with his. He was in utter shock. Where did this come from? He regained his composure and pulled away from her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he hissed.

“Don’t say anything,” she whispered, quickly brushing her mouth across his. “Please, InuYasha?”

His body was giving in quickly; his hands began to run down the length of her body, but his mind was screaming for him to stop. Still, he felt himself being pushed against a wall. His lips were trailing down her neck and his hands were tugging at her clothes. ‘Damn it,’ he thought. ‘This shouldn’t happen now, but…’ He let out a deep groan as Kagome removed the two layers of his kimono, lightly caressing his chest with her fingers. ‘I don’t know if I can stop.’

Kagome was in pure bliss. For once she didn’t care about school or exams. She wasn’t thinking about what her mother thought. Everything about being stuck in Kikyo’s shadow flew out the window. For her, it was only this moment, every kiss and every touch. She pulled him closer, leaning in to capture his lips once more.

“Wait,” he said huskily, turning his head away from her. “I don’t think…”

“Don’t think, then.” She placed her hand on the side of his face, giving it a gentle stroke. Tossing him a playful smile, she kissed his chin, continuing this action down the side of his neck.

InuYasha pushed against her, despite his better judgment. His mind turned with ponderings. Why was she all of a sudden pushing him into this? Wasn’t she still mad about what he had said to her? His lips brushed against hers quickly before he pulled back. “Kagome.”

“What?” she breathed, sliding her hands down the sides of his arms.

He moved his head closer to her, nibbling her earlobe affectionately. “I thought you were mad at me.”

His statement startled her. She hadn’t even been thinking about what happened earlier. How was it that she had gained the nerve to start this? “InuYasha…I…” She couldn’t think of what to say to him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she decided to change the subject. “Did my mother talk to you?”

InuYasha hesitated for a moment. “That’s not important,” he said.

“No, I want to know. Did she say anything to you about our situation?”

It was at that time that the pieces began to fit together. ‘Kagome must know what her mother said to me. Is that why she’s doing this? Is it just spite?’ His expression darkened as he realized this. He moved her hands off his shoulders, pushing her away. “Yeah, she might of said somethin’. Why does it matter?”

Kagome glared. “It matters because I know that she’s the one that convinced you to say that you didn’t want this!” Her anger was rising. Why was he avoiding this?

“No, I said that because I wanted to! She had nothin’ to do with it!”

“What?” Kagome bit her lip, knowing that her voice had been a little louder than she intended. She could hear her heart pounding against her chest in the momentary silence that the room was infused with.

There was a knock at the door. “Kagome?”

‘Now I’m done for!’ she thought, groaning inwardly. “Just a minute, Mom!” She turned toward InuYasha, or where she thought he was. Kagome blinked. He had already left.

“Kagome,” her mother called again.

Kagome quickly straightened her clothes as if trying to brush away all signs of her encounter with InuYasha. She slowly opened her door, trying her best to give the appearance of being tired. “What’s going on?” she asked listlessly as she gave a rather exaggerated yawn.

Mrs. Higurashi looked at her daughter austerely, her gaze unwavering. “Would you mind telling me what all the noise was up here?” Her voice was strangely calm, but somehow Kagome got the feeling that there was a raging storm going on inside of her.

“What noise?” Kagome laughed nervously, trying to pull off the innocent look.

“I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. There were some interesting sounds coming from here, not to mention the yelling, and I could’ve sworn I heard InuYasha’s voice. Can you tell me what that was about?”

There was no good answer. She could either go into complete denial, or confess and beg for mercy. No matter what she said, she was doomed.

Her mother softened her eyes. “Kagome, what exactly were you and InuYasha doing up here?”

“We were fighting,” she replied coolly. “What did you expect after what you said to him?” Kagome tried to keep her tone at ease; she hated talking back to her mother.

Mrs. Higurashi sighed. “I suppose you heard your grandfather and I talking, then? Look, I want you to know that I understand this is your decision, but-”

“Then why are you trying to make it for me?” It was obvious that Kagome was trying to suppress her anger as her voice quivered. She fixed her gaze on her mother, waiting for her response.

“I’m not trying to decide anything for you! I just want what’s in your best interest, that’s all! You’re too young! This would ruin your life!”

“You told InuYasha to convince me that this was a bad idea!” she pointed out, still maintaining her stare. “How is that not deciding for me? You can’t just interfere with my life like that, Mom! Do you even have the slightest idea of what this whole mess has been like for me?”

“I’m sure I don’t, but…” Her mother took succinct glance at her. “I know that you’re not ready for this. I’ve seen you around InuYasha, and I can already tell that you’re both too insecure to take such a huge step in your relationship. It’s not right to try and force yourselves into this just because of your friend.”

“I’m not forcing…” Kagome trailed off. She knew that she was lying. ‘I was the one trying to make InuYasha have sex with me just to get back at my mother. It’s not fair to him.’ There was nothing more she wanted to do right now than apologize to him.

Mrs. Higurashi looked at her daughter inquisitively. “Kagome?”

“Mom, I know it’s late, but there’s something I need to take care of. I need to go back to the other era for a while.” She spoke faintly as if trying to make up for her earlier screaming.

Her mother nodded. “Just don’t make any reckless choices while you’re there. Promise you’ll think about what I said.”

(0000000000000000)

Kagome climbed out of the well. She yawned, stretching her arms and brushing off her skirt. ‘Please be awake, InuYasha,’ she prayed. Kagome ambled forward, heading for Kaede’s village. She caught a small glow out of the corner of her eye. ‘What was-” She stopped herself, watching the snake-like figure fly past. ‘Kikyo’s soul stealer…’ Her heart sank. She knew where InuYasha was now.

Though she didn’t want to see what was ahead, she felt compelled to follow. It was a strange feeling, like she somehow knew that this was something she had to do. Kagome continued after the shining figure. She listened absorbedly, hearing Kikyo’s voice.

“It seems Naraku has hidden himself again,” she said. “I’m not completely sure of his whereabouts, but I’ve been feeling a strong demonic aura passing back and forth throughout these lands.”

“You don’t have to look for him,” InuYasha told her. “I’ll get revenge for both of us, I made that promise. You shouldn’t be the one going after him.”

“It is our revenge to make, InuYasha, and I intend to assist in some way.”

He nodded, taking a pleading look at her. “I know, but…I don’t want you to get hurt again. I want to protect you.” InuYasha moved closer to Kikyo, putting his arms around her. “I made that promise too.”

Kagome turned away. ‘I don’t think I can watch this.’ She quickly began to walk away, fighting the urge to run. ‘They were just talking,’ she tried to convince herself. ‘There’s nothing wrong with that.’ She shook her head. No matter what they were doing, the fact that he was with Kikyo still inflicted an internal pain that just wouldn’t cease. She couldn’t help it; sinking down by the nearest tree, she cried.

(00000000000000000)

‘I can smell her tears,’ InuYasha thought, as he made his way through the forest he was secluded in. He hadn’t even realized Kagome was back. Then again, he didn’t realize much of anything these days. ‘I can’t believe it! I haven’t even thought about Naraku since this whole thing with Miroku started! Now he’s somewhere out there and I’m not even doing anything to stop him!’

InuYasha mentally cursed himself. He was losing track of everything. Looking up, he saw Kagome. She was crouched down beside a tree, her head resting against her knees.

“Hey,” she said softly, not even taking a glance at him.

“Kagome I…why are you crying?”

She stood up slowly, turning to face him. “I saw you with Kikyo,” she said. “I know you were just talking, but it hurts me to know that…”

InuYasha stared, waiting for her to continue.

“…You would go so far with me and still…” She choked on her words. She didn’t know why she was doing this. She came here to apologize to him and now it seemed expecting him to do so.

“Hey, you forced yourself on me!” he alleged. “You can’t be upset about that!”

“I know, I’m sorry! I don’t want to be mad at you, but I just can’t help it!” She took a deep breath. “I just thought that since you gave in…that maybe you were changing your mind about having the baby, or that you actually felt something for me.”

“Even if I did agree, you would have to get it through your head that we would be doing it to save Miroku! This is not for us, it’s for him!”

He really didn’t feel anything. Kagome couldn’t help but avoid his eyes. She didn’t want him to see her disheartened expression.

“Is that what this is about?” InuYasha asked, trudging over to her, grabbing her chin to make her face him. “You want this to make us closer?”

“I just want to have something with you that is mine, ok?” she cried. “I know it’s selfish, but I just hate…being second best.”

InuYasha glared. ‘She only wants something that Kikyo never had? So, she’s trying to make me choose her?’ His anger built up to a point where all of his self-control was lost. The strike was quick and swift, so unexpected that even InuYasha gasped at his own actions. ‘I…I hit her!’

The update is on page 3.

INUYASHA!!! HOW COULD YOU!!! BAD DOG, BAD!!!!!!!!!!! KAGOME THINK!!!!!! YOU ARE BOTH A DISCRACE!!!!!!!!

HEY!!! I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO CALLS POOCHIE A DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XD!!! Who really cares.......wait, I DO!! j/k UPDATE SOON!!!!

update soon, I realy can't stand suspence, especeily when it's this good.

oh my lord! this is exxxxcellent *gives a manical laughter then chokes*

AWWWW please UPDATE!!! i think this is the best Fan Ficcy i've ever read. InuYasha is a bad boy tho..... :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7:

This is so good you have to update!!!!!!!! :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :hellokitty08: :hellokitty08: :hellokitty08:

PLEASE

ya, updaties!

Update soon please, I'm tired of being polite to everyone so hurry up and update, I can't stand suspence, I need to know what happens next, so update or I'll drink everyones blood :angelstar22: blood taste very good.

UPDATE! UPDATE! I'm DYIIIIIIIIIIING! Sorry about that... I love your fanfic, please update it!

Please update soon. i love your fanfic :angelstar7:

more please!

YOU MUST LISTEN TO ME WHILE I HYPONOTIZE YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR STORY PLEASE ITS GETTING REALLY GOOD!

SIGHENED,

~*lordsesshomaru5678*~

I gonna drink everyones blood now, I'm getting thirsty. *starts drinking everyones blood* :angelstar22: blood is so yummy, if only I could have it more often.

NO SUCKIN MY BLOOD! THATS MY BLOOD! IM SACRED!

ok, I won't drink your blood, but I'll drink everyone elses :angelstar22:

You gotta pass for me too! No one is coming near my blood!!!

Nooo not my blood no...


UPDATE!!!!!! :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7: :angelstar7:

Only drink Kikyophobia's blood cause they won't updatie!!!

EEK! *runs* I don't want my blood to be sucked! I'll update soon, I promise. Of course, I need to start the chapter first.

Don't worry, I just robbed a blood bank, now I'm full, so I won't be drinking anyones blood for now *evil laughter*

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!

You're the first to go now *evil laughter* starts to chase Inuyasha<.>.

O_o *runs and hides* :...:

Awww, my momma said no more drinking blood, oh well back to robbing the blood bank, I'll be back.

OMG!!!!!! he hit!!! i want to see whats going to happen. please come back and update!!!! it's so good. this cliffhanger is like going to kill me if i have to wait

Update please, I would like it

Update PLEEEEEEEAAASSSESEEE im going crazy over here!!!!!!!!!!

InuYasha...you MONGREL!

HITTING A LADY! WHERE DO YOU GE OFF WITH THAT!

Very nice story.

update or I will drink your blood, everyone else can go free, so unless you update you are dead Kikyophobia,

Sincerly, Ki a fallen angel/vampire

You have till DAWN..or ill send my evil cat army......beware..... :fightnow: :expl: :shifty: :spooky: :neko:

yes.... and I will send my army of RABID SESSHY FANGIRLS after you.

yeah and i'll send my evil dog army after you :spooky:

ya and forgot about your blood, I'm getting hungry over here and I can't find a blood bank.

*twitch* evil....your evil
:pinkusagi08:

PLZ UPDATE!!!!!

I'm working on chapter right now, actually. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before I update. I try and make my chapters long. I've noticed that some people on here only make their's a few paragraphs, but I don't do that. If I did, my chapter would be done by now.