A Gift From The Past

It had been a few weeks, and the rift between Inu Yasha and Kagome only seemed to grow. He was constantly off with Kikyo, spending quality time with her, and Kagome was trying to heal her emotional wounds from the attack. She had been so wrapped up in her anguish, she had not even noticed that she had not started her monthly cycle. It was when she began to get sick that she realized that she was late. Very late.

"Kaede, could I ask you a question?" Kagome asked, when it was just her and the elder miko.

"Yes, child. What do you have to ask me?" Kaede replied, her tone patient. She watched as Kagome fidgeted nervously before taking a deep breath.

"Can you, well that is, ummm, can you tell me if I am pregnant?" Kagome asked quickly. Her face buring, she quickly bowed her head down in shame.

Kaede looked over at the young woman. She had seen the signs of pregnancy in the little miko, but had kept her thoughts to herself. "Yes, I will have to examine you, but if you are pregnant, you will be far enough along to tell for sure. Is that what you wish?"

Kagome nodded. "I have to know. I can't have this on my mind as well as the other things. You know, Inu Yasha and Kikyo."

Kaede chuckled. It had suprised her to hear the girl speak the hanyou's name. Ever since their fight, she had avoided him like death, and he had done the same. She motioned for Kagome to take her clothing off and lie down. After a quick exam, she patted Kagome's hand and told her to dress and then to come and sit by her.

When she was fully clothed, Kagome did as she was told. Once seated, Kaede took her hand. "There is no doubt in my mind. You are pregnant. And from what I can gather, you are almost out of your first month."

Kagome turned pale. This was not how her life was supposed to be. She was only seventeen, she was supposed to meet the love of her life, thank goodness it was not Inu Yasha, marry, and then have children. Now, here she was, raped and impregnated by a youkai who not only hates her, but hates hanyous as well. She could only imagine what his reaction would be when he found out. Or was that 'if' he found out.

"How long do youkai pregnancies last?" Kagome whispered.

"Usually six months. The pup grows so quickly and doesn't require the time within the womb that a human infant does." Kaede explained. She watched as Kagome took in this new information.

Kagome felt her body go icy cold. Was it shock? She didn't know. All she knew was that she had to get the hell out of that village before Sesshomaru comes back and finds out that he fathered a hanyou.

"Kaede, please don't be angry with me, but I am leaving the village. I will come back when the time for the birth nears, but I can't stay here." Kagome said sadly.

"Where will you go?" Kaede asked. Now she was worried. Kagome could not defend herself properly, and would be a target for other youkai.

"I will go to Kouga. I will ask him if I can stay with his tribe, and I know that he will protect me. I have a small favor to ask." Kagome muttered, her voice soft.

"And what would this favor be, child?" Kaede replied.

"Please, don't tell anyone that I am pregnant. Just say that I went back to my own time and won't be back for a while. Tell everyone that I said that when I come back, I will have an explanation for them." Kagome said.

"But child, you cannot pass through the well anymore. You know this." Kaede said.

"I know that, you know that, but they don't. I can't have them following me. Please Kaede. If Sesshomaru finds out that he fathered a baby with me, he will try to kill us. Please." Kagome begged.

The old miko sighed and nodded. She watched as Kagome gathered her belongings. "Remember, child. In five months, if you don't return, I will tell them and send them out after you." Kaede threatened, her eyes narrowed.

Kagome gave her sad smile and leaned down to place a kiss on the old woman's head. "Deal. I will see you in five months, Kaede."

Kaede watched as Kagome walked out of the hut and into the horizon. She prayed to every god that she had ever heard of to keep the child safe. Little did Kaede know, that someone was listening, but it was not the god she had anticipated.
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Kagome walked for a good while and finally stopped near a hot spring. She laid her stuff on the ground and began to gather twigs for a fire. She lit the twigs with the matches that she had in her backpack and took out the ramen that she had with her. After her meal, she took a nice hot bath and finally was able to relax. She thought about the pregnancy, and even though it was created out of hate, she could not help but feel the stirrings of love for the tiny pup within her womb. She began thinking of names, and finally settled upon the names she would use for her pup, should it be a boy or girl. Kagome giggled, and then lifted herself out of the springs to get dried off. She went over to her pack and unrolled her sleeping bag. Before going to sleep, she erected a barrier around her. Her last thought before sleep hit her, was about how the pup would look.

The next morning, she awoke and instantly threw up. Being pregnant sure had its downsides. After rinsing her mouth out and cleaning up, she continued on her journey. She was soon halted by the sounds of fighting. Kagome grabbed her bow and arrows and took off for the sounds. When she got there, a woman was lying in a heap, badly wounded. A youkai stood over her, about to do to this woman what had been done to Kagome. Kagome felt a strong hatred and notched an arrow, and then, let it fly. The youkai screamed in agony at being hit, and blew apart. Kagome let out a sigh of relief and ran to the woman. After rolling the woman over, Kagome's hand raised to her mouth in suprise. The woman was no other than Kagura.

After pulling Kagura into the forest, Kagome took her out of her ruined kimono and cleaned all of the female youkai's wounds. When she was bandaged to Kagome's satisfaction, Kagome pulled out a clean kimono and slipped it on the wind witch. She sighed, and sat down across from her, and watched. She could only imagine what the witch would do when she woke up.

It was nearly nightfall when Kagura opened her eyes. She knew that she had been badly injured, but she was not clear how she survived. When her eyes focused, she saw the miko that had helped destory her master, her tormentor, watching her. Kagura tried to sit up, but the pain was too great, and she screamed. Kagome rushed to her side, and helped her back down.

"You are going to reopen your wounds, if you are not careful, Kagura." Kagome said gently.

"What do you care, bitch. I am your enemy. Why did you help me?" Kagura spat, her eyes narrowed in silent challenge.

"No, Kagura. Naraku was my enemy. You were only a pawn. Much like Kohaku. Except, instead of a shikon shard, he controlled you by your heart. So, you see. You were never our true enemy." Kagome explained. She had decided to let the bitch comment go. Besides, that was a pet name that Inu Yasha liked to call her, so its novelty had worn off long ago.

Kagura glared at the miko. "So, where is the half breed, and your companions? Surely you can't be out here all by yourself. Or did the hanyou finally get tired of saving you and left you for a real woman?"

Kagome looked away. "He was never with me, so he could not leave me. But yes, he is with someone else, and I believe you know who it is. As for being by myself, well, I am going somewhere, and I didn't want my friends to follow."

Kagura looked down at herself. She was not wearing the same kimono that she had on this morning. This kimono smelled of the miko. The girl had also bandaged her wounds. Kagura felt a bit of remorse. But then, the wind shifted, and Kagura caught a scent on the air.

"You are pregnant. Who is the father?" Kagura asked, her natural curiosity now perked. She stared at the miko and waited for her reply.

Kagome looked up, startled. She then hung her head and tears slipped down her face. "Is it really that obvious?"

"What happened to you?" Kagura demanded., knowing all too well the signs of forced intercourse. Of course, being on the receiving end of it herself, she could understand the miko's sad reaction.

"If you must know, Kagura. I was attacked and raped. I would rather not say who the father is." Kagome replied.

"Is it that mutt?" Kagura pressed, and watched as the miko shook her head.

"No. It is not Inu Yasha. He doesn't know." Kagome answered.

"I see. Too busy with Kikyo to protect you. Well, you are better off. He was an ass, and a giant one at that." Kagura offered. She didn't really know why she wanted to make Kagome feel better, but after what the girl did for her, she could at least help her out. "Where are you going?"

"Well, I am headed to the eastern mountain. I am going to see if Kouga will allow me to stay with him for a few months until I get ready to give birth. After that, you got me." Kagome shrugged.

"Ugh. I can't believe that a miko as powerful as you would want to go to a filthy wolf cave. Myself, I would rather be pregnant in a palace. Much like the one Sesshomaru has." Kagura said. She took note when Kagome winced at Sesshomaru's name. 'Ahh, I do believe I know who fathered your child, miko.' she thought.

"By tomorrow, I will be fully healed. Since you saved my life, I have no other alternative but to come with you and help you. Call it a debt of gratitude. Until I am able to repay you for my life, my life belongs to you, miko." Kagura announced. Kagome stared at her.

"No, really. That is ok, Kagura. I don't want to impose on you." Kagome said quickly.

"Unfortunatly, you don't have a choice. You sealed the debt when you saved my life. Youkai law says so." Kagura smirked. She was interested how this was all going to play out and did not want to miss a single second.

"Oh, then I guess I have no choice." Kagome muttered, her tone one of utter defeat. She took a towel and rolled it up into a pillow for herself. "Goodnight, Kagura."

"Goodnight, Kagome." Kagura replied. She watched as the miko fell asleep, a small smile forming on her lips. She had always wanted a friend. Perhaps, she would find one in this small human.
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Kaede had a headache. She was sitting between a screaming hanyou and a sobbing exterminator. Inu Yasha was bellowing that she was an old witch for allowing Kagome to go home when there were jewel shards to find, and Sango kept asking why Kagome had not said goodbye. Kaede had answered their questions calmly, but could feel herself grow agitated.

"Inu Yasha, if the shards mean that much to you, why not ask Kikyo to help locate them?" Kaede asked.

Inu Yasha stopped yelling and took on a thoughtful look. "Yeah, that would work. Maybe you are not such an old crone after all."

"You are too kind, Inu Yasha." Kaede said dryly.

She reached over and patted Sango's hand. "Give her some time, she will be back. She just needs to figure things out."

Sango nodded. Both she and Inu Yasha walked out of the hut, and in different directions. Both had some thinking to do.

"Yes, monk?" Kaede asked, when she noticed that the handsome young man had not left with the others. Instead, he was staring at her with soft eyes.

"Kagome is pregnant, isn't she?" Miroku asked. Of course, he already knew the answer, but he needed to know what else Kaede knew.

Kaede gave him a hard look. "Yes, she is. It was her wish that noone be told. Were you spying on us earlier?"

"No, Lady Kaede. But I am not blind. I have seen her get sick. I also can see that she is beginning to swell around her middle. It won't be long before she starts to feel the pup move." Miroku explained.

"I am afraid that Kagome had very valid concerns and that is the reason she left." Kaede told him.

"Her main concern was Sesshomaru." Miroku replied. He watched as the old woman nodded. He let out a deep sigh. "Did she really go home?"

"No, she has not been able to pass though the well for some time. She has been telling Inu Yasha that she has been going home to ease his guilt about leaving her. She is not stupid, Miroku. She knew about him and Kikyo. She would walk to the well, and then to the godstree. She has spent many hours sitting there, and she also sits by that old well, sometimes praying for the safety of her family and sometimes hoping that one day it will reopen for her. Something happened when Naraku was killed. The well lost its magic." Kaede explained.

"So that is why she never comes back with supplies anymore." Miroku said out loud. "Where did she go then?"

"I will not say. She told me in confidence." Kaede replied. She got up and moved towards the door. "Please repect her wishes, Miroku. She will be back for the birth of the pup. But until then leave her alone.

Miroku nodded. His thoughts ran wild as he thought about everything Kagome had lost. First it had been Inu Yasha, then Kouga told her that he would release her from his claim and be her friend only, then she lost her innocence to Sesshomaru in a violent manner and now, it seems that she has lost her family. 'Poor Kagome. Please be safe. I only want you to come home to us. Sango and I will be your family and help with your pup.' Miroku thought. Never again would he allow Inu Yasha to treat her so badly. Decision made, he squared his shoulders. He needed to talk to Sango. After all, family doesn't keep secrets from one another.
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Kagome awoke to find fruit lying beside her, and an impatient wind youkai hovering abover her.

"Eat up. We have ground to cover, and your pup needs the food." Kagura instructed as she pointed at the fruit.

Kagome sighed. Great, she went from a bossy hanyou to a bossy youkai. But she did as she was told and when Kagura was satisfied that she had eaten enough, the women began to walk. They had not gone far when Kagura suddenly stopped.

"What is wrong, Kagura?" Kagome asked.

"I sense a demon coming closer. Well, two of them actually, and they are getting close. We will find them over that hill." Kagura said, pointing.

Kagome nodded. "Well, lets go take a look."

Kagome and Kagura walked to the top of the hill and looked down. Kagome squealed when she saw who it was. She made her way quickly down the hill and ran to the old man.

"Lord Totosai! How are you?" Kagome exclaimed, a smile crossing her lips.

"Lady Kagome. What a nice suprise. Inu Yasha didn't break my sword again, did he?" Totosai asked, suspiciously.

"No, Lord Totosai. Tetsaiga is fine." Kagome sighed. She noticed that the old youkai was now looking behind her and saw him jerk his head towards Kagura.

"And who is this lovely young woman?" Lord Totosai asked, his eyes trained upon the new female.

"Oh, forgive me. Lord Totosai, this is Lady Kagura. She is my friend and companion on my journey." Kagome said.

Kagura's eyes widened. The miko thought of her as a friend? Really?

Totosai gave a slight bow and then turned his attention upon Kagome. "Where are you headed, girl?"

"Well, I am headed to Lord Kouga's domain to see if I could stay with him for a while." Kagome explained, as she pointed in the direction of the eastern mountains.

"I see. Well, change in plans. You are to come with me. There is someone who would like to meet with you." Totosai said, his tone firm.

"Me? Why would they want to meet with me?" Kagome asked, a look of confusion maring her features.

"Well, you are carrying the heir to the western lands, are you not? He wants to meet his heir and his mother." Totosai replied.

Kagome swallowed hard. "I am not going to go see Sesshomaru. And who told you that I was pregnant?" She demanded, mentally scolding Kaede for blabbing.

"Sesshomaru? I would never allow that youkai in my home. And as far as who told me that you were pregnant, well, you just did." Totosai replied and turned to check on his beloved bull.

Kagura stifled a giggle as she watched Kagome raise her hand to her forehead. Totosai has this unique ability to make headaches come on fast. "Lord Totosai, you said that the person who wanted to meet me claimed that my pup was his heir. Sesshomaru is my pup's father." She calmly explained.

"Ahhh, but I never said that it was Sesshomaru that wanted to see you, now did I." Totosai said, and turned back to his three-eyed bull.

Kagome had to stop herself from kicking the old man in his backside. She glared at Kagura when she heard the chuckle. "You are not helping." Kagome hissed.

"He is just too funny." Kagura snickered, pleased that the journey so far had been entertaining.

"Are you two ready?" Totosai asked. He had mounted his bull and was now looking at them with wide eyes.

"Yes, we are. Anything is better than that stinky wolf and his smelly den." Kagura said as she whipped a feather out of her hair. She and Kagome followed Totosai to his home. Kagome's heart began to beat faster as they neared the cave where totosai resided. "Ok, now I am thinking maybe we should have gone to the wolf." Kagura muttered once she saw where they would be going.

Once they landed beside Totosai, he looked at Kagome. "Are you ready?" He asked.

Kagome nodded. Just who was it that thought her pup was their heir? If it was not Sesshomaru, then who could it be?

When they walked in, Totosai walked over to a wall and picked up a large sword. He calmly walked back over to Kagome, placed the sword in her hands, and said, "Lady Kagome, mother of the heir of the western lands, I would like you to meet your child's grandfather, Lord InuTaisho."

Kagome stared at the sword in her hands and then back to Totosai. 'He said what?!' she thought.