Convergence

A/N: Here it is at long last. No lemon in this chapter but ther ewill be one in the next. I have already started the next chapter and I assure you it will be out quicker than this one.

~ * ~

Kagome showed up for her doctor’s appointment accompanied by both her mother and InuYasha. After the doctor preformed her check up, which included measuring her growing belly, they were able to listen to the heartbeats. Everything was routine until it was time to schedule her next appointment.

“I think it would be best if I transfer your care to a physician that specializes in high risk pregnancy, and multiple births.” the doctor told her. “I know of an excellent doctor who happens to have an opening.”

Kagome looked to her mother and then InuYasha before nodding. “If you think that would be what’s best for my babies.”

“I do.” She assured Kagome. “I’ll send over your records this afternoon and you can call to schedule an appointment.”

They left the office with the other doctor’s information and headed back to the shrine. “So dear when should I make your appointment for?” Asami asked.

“I was thinking two weeks.” Kagome offered. “That way we have time to go look for shards.”

Both women looked to the hanyou who nodded his agreement.

~ * ~

InuYasha and Kagome returned to the past and were surprised to be met by Kouga just outside the well. InuYasha growled in annoyance at the ookami youkai. “What do you want?”

Kouga ignored the temperamental hanyou. “Ah, Kagome you’re looking well. Being with cubs suits you. That’s too bad since I was hoping to have a reason to kick mutt face’s sorry ass.”

“That’s pups asshole.” InuYasha reminded the wolf. “My pups.”

“InuYasha has been taking good care of me.” Kagome told Kouga taking InuYasha’s hand to soothe his irritation. “So why did you come?”

“I caught wind of Naraku east of here.” Kouga informed them. “I figured that you’d want to know and I thought I could travel with you all.”

“Fine.” InuYasha agreed. “Let’s get the others and head out. The sooner we kill that bastard the better.” He headed toward the village leaving a stunned Kagome and Kouga staring at his back. InuYasha noticed after several steps that they weren’t following him and turned back. “Oi wench, what are you just standing there for?”

“Fine?” Kagome questioned. “Just like that? No yelling or wimpy wolf we don’t need your help?”

“I gotta admit dog breath, I wasn’t expecting you to agree so easily.” Kouga added. “I was looking forward to Kagome using that rosary of yours.”

InuYasha snorted. “Kagome is my mate, carrying my pups. You ain’t nearly as annoying now that you aren’t calling her your woman anymore. Besides I know you’ll protect her and if Kagome is that much safer, I can tolerate your stench for a while.”

“Well mutt I gotta give you credit.” Kouga said with a laugh. “I didn’t think you had it in you, but if I can’t have her then it’s good to know Kagome is in good hands.”

Kagome’s mouth opened and closed several times as she looked back and forth between InuYasha and Kouga. She finally pinched herself. “Ouch!” She cried.

“Baka.” InuYasha chided gently. “What’d you do that for?”

“You two aren’t fighting. In fact you’re almost being nice to each other. I was sure that I had to be dreaming.” Kagome explained.

Again to her surprise and extreme confusion, both men laughed. “Come on wench, we need to get moving.” InuYasha said taking her hand and leading her away.

~ * ~

The addition of Kouga, Ginta and Hakkaku, who had finally managed to catch up to their leader while the others prepared to leave, was accepted with little fuss, but no little amount of shock.

They traveled through the morning breaking when the three adult youkai and one hanyou, stopped and turned to Kagome. They could all smell that she was tired and hear the soft rumbling of her stomach. It was then that Kagome realized that she wouldn’t be able to hide anything from anyone on this trip.

Kagome sat and stared the fire, and began pulling out supplies to cook lunch with. Shippou led Sango to a small stream to get some water.

“I’ll get some meat.” Kouga offered glancing at Kagome. “You two come with me.”

“Yes Kouga.” His two ookami brothers said.

“Oi, wolf.” InuYasha called. Kouga waited for InuYasha to reach him. “Gut and skin whatever you get before you come back. Kagome won’t eat it if you don’t.”

Kouga nodded and he managed to find a wild boar. He knew humans cooked their meat so he gave the entrails to his wolves and cut off a slab of meat for his brothers.

After lunch Kagome rested her head in InuYasha’s lap to take a nap. Once she was asleep he called Kouga over. The ookami youkai sat beside the hanyou and waited for him to speak.

“If my brother shows up I want you to protect Kagome.” InuYasha said. “That bastard has to pay for what he did but when he’s around she attaches herself to me like a second skin and won’t let go.”

“What did he do?” Kouga asked.

“She was bathing and he touched her. That bastard had his hands on her, inside her.” InuYasha growled through gritted teeth. In his lap Kagome whined and he forced himself to relax as he began to smooth her hair. “I returned his life to him in exchange for information to help Kagome whelp my pups, but I’m still going to kill him when I get the chance.”

“No one will harm her.” Kouga assured the hanyou.

“Also... If he manages to kill me, make sure Kagome gets my clothes and my sword.” InuYasha added.

“I will.” Kouga swore. “And know that both she and your children will be under the protection of me and my tribe. You may be a hanyou mutt, but I owe you both for saving my life.”

~ * ~

Kagome had been sleeping about an hour when all the youkai stiffened and lifted their heads as Naraku’s scent drifted into camp. In her sleep Kagome began to mumble softly. InuYasha nuzzled her neck and encouraged her to wake.

She sat up and her eyes settled on the distance. “InuYasha, there are shards coming this way, three I think.”

InuYasha stood and helped her to her feet. “Oi Shippou, you go with Kagome and hide. If this things has three shards and Narkau’s scent we’re going to need you monk.”

“You two go with them and protect her.” Kouga ordered.

“Yes Kouga.” The two wolf youkai said. “Come on sister.”

Kagome looked to InuYasha and he gave her a nod. “Be careful. All of you.” She told them and let the three youkai lead her back into the trees.

Looking into the mirror of the void, Naraku gave a pleased sneer. The foolish hanyou and his miko whore were acting just as he had hoped. Now with only the weakest members of their party to defend her she would be vulnerable. He kept his distance from the battles, though he was sure not to miss a moment.

Once he had the girl’s portion of the jewel he would have enough to create more incarnations, and then it would only be a matter of time before he would possess the whole thing.

InuYasha covered his nose with his sleeve as an enormous red oni very much like the one Sesshomaru had commanded, when using the un-mother to try and get the location of his father’s tomb, lumbered towards them. Sango took to the air on Kirara and Kouga got into a fighting stance several feet away.

InuYasha drew his sword. It would be harder to find the shards without Kagome to point them out, but the risk of having her near was too great, so they would do what they had to. Sango struck out with her Hiraikotsu only to have the hand that she severed reattach itself.

Miroku slapped a soutra onto her weapon and she threw it again. Meanwhile InuYasha leapt into the air as Kouga drew the youkai’s attention and removed the right arm. Kagome’s power flowing through his sword purified the appendage. Sango with the aid of Miroku’s power managed to take a one leg at the knee and the huge beast fell.

“Everybody get out of the way!” InuYasha yelled. He drew back and used his Kazo no kizo, laced with spiritual power to destroy the youkai.

Naraku’s poison insects swooped in to retrieve the three glistening shards. Kouga prevented them form getting one and Kirara saved the second, but the third was carried away.

Kagome sat holding Shippou on her lap with Ginta and Hakkaku standing nearby looking very nervous. She could understand why since she too felt the ominous presence that was drawing near, but was definitely not the youkai the others were currently fighting.

“Kagome?” Shippou said quietly.

“It’s okay.” Kagome whispered. She set the young fox down beside her and reached for her bow and arrows. “You both should come stand beside me so I have a clear shot. Shippou go back to the others and tell InuYasha that I think he’s fighting a diversion.”

The two ookami moved to flank her and the kitsune headed off through the trees.

“Sister, maybe we should flee.” Ginta suggested.

Kagome shook her head. “InuYasha will come. We can manage until then. Can either of you give me any idea about what it is. I can smell it but I don’t recognize the scent, except for the blood.”

“It is human blood sister and some sort of serpent.” Hakkaku told her. “Two of them and they may be poisonous.”

“Okay.” Kagome said with a nod of her head. She drew back and arrow.

They came at her from both sides, fast and with deadly intent. She released her first arrow and it hit the mark. Behind her she heard a grunt as Ginta was thrown into a tree. Hakkaku was laying on the ground a large hold in his leg made by a dripping fang. To make matters worse the serpent had disappeared.

Kagome kneeled down and tried to wake up the unconscious wolf.

InuYasha turned as Shippou came bounding out fo the trees. “Oi, runt where’s Kagome?”

The young fox skidded to a halt in front of the hanyou. “It’s a diversion... Kagome needs you.”

“Fuck!” InuYasha roared and he raced off in the direction of his mate.

His heart nearly stopped as he saw Kagome kneeling beside one of Kouga’s brothers trying to wake him up, totally unaware of the youkai about to attack her back. It was going to be close. He threw himself in her direction and laded behind her just in time to take a pair of fangs meant for Kagome into his stomach and chest.

Kagome’s eyes opened wide as a feeling of dread washed over her. Behind her she head a male grunt and turned her head.

“No... Oh kami, no!” She cried. “InuYasha!”

Without thinking or anything but getting her beautiful hanyou out of the jaws of the snake she plunged and arrow into its head with a scream. The youkai was purified and InuYasha fell lifelessly to the ground. She didn’t notice that the others had joined them as she pulled his head into her lap and placed her hands over the two bleeding wounds.

Her tears fell onto his face. “Don’t you die on me.” She sobbed. “Oh kami... Please, somebody help me!”

Sango raced over to where Kagome lay while Kouga went to tend to his fallen brothers. Shippou ran over with Kagome’s bag. They worked quickly, stripping the hanyou of his hoari and undershirt. Sango poured water over the devastating wounds and noticed the sickly green tint of the skin around the holes. She wrapped his injuries and then gave InuYasha a large dose of the anti-venom Kagome kept in her bag in case Miroku took in any poison insects.

Kouga carried Hakkaku and Kirara carried InuYasha as they went to look for a suitable place to camp. They managed to find an empty cave near a small stream that would be easily defended and Miroku could even seal if necessary.

Kagome couldn’t stop crying as she wiped a damp cloth across InuYasha’s brow. He was sweating profusely even though his body was wracked with tremors as he shivered. His skin was an unhealthy shade of green and his face was flushed.

She stroked his cheek and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Please be all right. I need you and our babies need you.” Kagome whispered. “I love you so much. I’m so sorry for everything, all the times I said the word when you really didn’t deserve it and for thinking you would actually take our babies from me... Just be okay and I promise I’ll be a better mate to you. I’ll practice with Kaede everyday and get stronger, so you never have to get hurt because of me again. Please don’t leave me.”

Kagome jumped as a hand fell on her shoulder. She looked up to find Kouga sitting beside her. She cried against him.

“Hey mutt face is going to be okay.” Kouga soothed. “He’s too stubborn to die.”

~ * ~

The first and second night passed and InuYasha continued to hang on. Hakkaku woke up on the dawn of the third day. His first concern was Kagome. He went to her in the rear of the cave where she sat attending to InuYasha.

“I’m sorry sister.” He said softly. “If I had protected you better...”

Kagome shook her head. “It isn’t your fault. I’m just glad you’re going to be okay.” Kagome closed her eyes and winced.

“Sister are you okay?” Hakkaku asked. Kagome stifled a cry of pain. “Kouga!”

“What is it?” Kouga called coming over to join them. He noticed as he drew near that Kagome’s scent had shifted and she was in pain. He bent down and put his hand to her belly. “You need his youki don’t you?”

Kagome bit her lip and nodded. “What am I going to do?”

“Just stay here. We’ll figure something out.” Kouga assured her. He went to where Miroku and Sango were sitting by the small fire. He sat down and lowered his voice. “We have a big problem. Kagome needs youki from and inu youkai soon or she’ll lose the pups and mutt face can’t spare any since if we’re being honest he shouldn’t even still be alive.”

“What can we do?” Sango asked.

“Short of finding and inu youkai and convincing him to give his youki to her, nothing.” Kouga replied. “Even if we could there is no guarantee it would work unless the youkai was related to the mutt.”

“But that would mean-” Miroku began.

“It means I’m going to go find Sesshomaru.” Kagome finished. She winced as she placed a hand over her belly.

“No.” Kouga said. “Absolutely not. Dog breath would kill me if I let you go near that bastard.”

“Kouga is right.” Sango offered. “You can’t and he wouldn’t help you anyway.”

“He will.” Kagome said determinedly. “He will or I’ll purify him...Ahh... I have to go. I have to be strong and save our babies. I can do this and I’m going to whether you help me or not. Will you let me use Kirara or not?”

The fire cat mewed and transformed, offering herself.

“It would appear Kirara has already decided to help.” Miroku stated.

“I’m going with you.” Kouga told her.

“Sango, will you take care of him for me?” Kagome asked. “And if he wakes up tell him that I love him, but I had to do this. I had to try and save our babies.”

Sango gave her a sympathetic look. “Of course I will Kagome, but please be careful.”

~ * ~

Kirara landed as night fell. Kagome was in constant pain and Kouga had to carry her into the clearing where the stoic youkai stood. His retainer and ward were both laying several meters away sleeping by a fire. He didn’t even acknowledge their approach.

Kagome was trembling and Kouga could smell her fear but she urged him to set her on her feet. Gritting her teeth she approached Sesshomaru.

“Why have you sought out this Sesshomaru?” He asked. “Has my half brother left you for the dead one so soon?”

Kagome closed her eyes. “He was poisoned by a serpent youkai protecting me and he might even die while I’m gone, but I had to try... ahh Kami... I came to beg for your help, to save my babies.”

“Why would this Sesshomaru aid you in tainting further my father’s noble blood with your half breed off spring?” Sesshomaru questioned.

“Hanyou or not my children are of your blood....” Kagome fell to her knees in pain but forced herself to continue. “I had hoped you would help me willingly but I swear to you if you refuse and my babies die I will kill you myself.”

Sesshomaru finally turned to look at the human miko, on the ground, clearly in pain and yet he had no doubt that she was serious in her threat and if the power surrounding her was any indication, she would be able to carry it out. Casually he waved is his and sent behind it a measure of his youki.

Kagome sagged in relief and Kouga came to her to help her to her feet. She looked at the youkai lord. “Thank you and I want you to know that I won’t forget what you’ve done.”

“Let’s go Kagome.” Kouga prompted.

“Wolf, I would speak with you.” Sesshomaru said.

Kirara appeared and took Kouga’s place with Kagome. The wolf youkai followed Sesshomaru a short distance away out of Kagome’s hearing range.

“Make it quick.” Kouga growled.

“Will he die?” Sesshomaru asked ignoring the wolf’s rudeness since apparently his brother had informed the ookami what he had done to the miko.

“He should have died the first night.” Kouga said. “I don’t think a full youkai could have survived the amount of poison and the wounds he suffered. I don’t know if it’s the human in him or her, that’s keeping him alive. He may be a hanyou, the blood of your father bred true in him. If he does die, then it will be me who assumes care of his mate and children and I will be the one to face you for your actions against her.”

“Seek me out again if she requires youki before he wakes.” Sesshomaru told him.

Kouga rejoined Kagome and they headed back to the cave.

~ * ~

Kagome resumed her care of InuYasha who seemed to be getting a little better at last. His fever had lessened a bit and the tremors that had been constant for nearly two days had all but ceased. For the first time she let herself hope that he would recover.

Another two nights passed and Kagome woke to the whisper of her name. She lifted her head thinking she had imagined it only to be met with slightly sunken and flat amber eyes. She caressed his cheek and then lifted his head into her lap. Kagome held a bottle of water to his lips and he drank greedily.

“I was so worried about you.” She said quietly. “I love you so much.”

InuYasha’s head was pounding and even his Kagome’s soft words seemed far too loud, but as he gentle fingers began to stroke his ears the pain eased. He nuzzled her belly taking comfort in her and that she was safe. Slowly he drifted off to sleep, free from the nightmares that had been plaguing him as he fought to stay alive.