Finding Completion

Chapter Four


Kagome blushed at the gesture of compassion, unsure of what to do. Humilation was in full force now, why couldn't she have waited. Screams turned her attention away from the redhead and to the backseat. "Shippo," She walked back to the door in time for the kit to jump in her arms.

"Are you okay? Why do you stink Kagome?" He sniffed around her and cringed. She smelt like vomit again, when would she stop throwing up all the time? Kikyou had said it was common for females that were expecting. How was the babe suppose to grow if the mother couldn't keep any food down? He'd have to make sure she took better care of herself from now on.

"He's so cute, is he yours?" Keiko looked at the little youkai, it was adorable. Where had she gotten it from? Her eyes went back to the girl and smiled. She was very pretty, it was the first thing that was noticed. Seemed she wasn't the only one to take note of the fact. Kurama was staring at her once more, showing interest. So this was the girl Koenma had asked them to protect for now and she was pregnant.

"Yes, he kind of adopted me a few years ago." Kagome felt her nerves kick up again being so close to the other girl. So that was his wife, Kagome felt like kicking herself. She'd been hoping that his wife wouldn't be anything special. Go figure, she'd turn out to be very pretty and nice to boot. Why couldn't she have come out in curlers, sporting a bottle of jack? Yusuke had mentioned that she was in school, so she was also smart. It made the miko want to shrink, atleast small enough so she could crawl under the car. No wonder Yusuke had gone through with the wedding. He had his perfect girl that he loved, he wouldn't want to lose a good thing.

It caused a sinking feeling in her chest, ending up at her empty stomach. So what if she'd enjoyed that night just a little too much. It had been one night for him, nothing more. He'd moved on with his life, she would have to respect that decision and not interfere. The last three months she'd kept telling herself that same fact over and over again. Truth was she'd been hoping to come back and find him single. Not just to jump in bed with him again but maybe a chance to get to know him better. Now that would never happen, no need to create dreams while awake.

"I'm feeling better, if you are ready to leave." Kagome needed to put some space between her and the other female before she puked again. Not to mention guilt was starting to ride her. She also felt that little green monster trying to make his way to her heart. It unnerved her to see the way they stood so close to each other. It stated clear as day, that they were an unbreakable couple. Yusuke had told her of how long they'd been together, bestfriends turned to lovers. She didn't stand a chance at winning him. Not that she'd try to steal another woman's man.

"Yes, Yusuke and Keiko can sit in the back while you and the kit can take the passenger seat. Just let me know if you feel sick again so I can pull over." Kurama took her arm holding her steady, she was begining to shake like a leaf. Her complexion was very pale, even the kit noticed. Maybe the stress was taking it's toll on her body. So much for such a fragile person to take on, he was surprised she hadn't broken down yet.

Kagome felt his hand on her elbow and tried to pull it together. She was coming with them, could it get any worse? 'Okay Kagome pull it together. How many times did you deal with Kikyou being around Inuyasha? You got through that, this isn't as bad as that. Snap out of it before anyone notices you acting like a spaz.' The two climbed in the car as she took several deep breaths willing herself not to dry heave. This wasn't worse than seeing Inuyasha and Kikyou together. Well, it was in a way but she could deal. She was a strong person, she wouldn't let this break her.

Shippo moved so she could buckle up then made himself comfortable on her lap. Tension mounted against her temples, nothing like a migraine to top off her pleasant evening. Her nerves were officially shot, maybe she could plead insanity and start offing people. Her brow lifted as a few names came to mind, Hojo would be the first on her list. Then that cocky captain guy that was at the shrine earlier. Maybe he'd be first, Hojo could wait. Atleast with living somewhere else he wouldn't be around to bother her. The boy had moved out last year, setting out on his own. He'd been constantly coming around asking her out, talking about settling down. She was sure that was a hint of some sort but tried to ignore the obvious. Sometimes it worked best to act ignorant.

"You look pale, how are you feeling?" Kurama glanced over her for a brief second. She was staring out the window with a sorrowful expression on her face. The change would be hard on her, he'd do what he could to help out. Blue eyes turned to gaze at him, a smile tried to reassure him.

"Don't think I'll puke again if that's what you are worried about. I'm sure it will wait until I eat again." Kagome placed her head against the back of the seat, trying to ignore the eyes looking at her from the backseat. She was fighting the urge not to look around and meet the brown eyes she'd dreamt about for months.

"Are you sure you're okay Kagome? Is your wound still bothering you?" Shippo gazed up at his adopted mother, he was looking for reassurance of her health. He couldn't lose her, she was the only one he had left. Kagome meant everything to him, he'd be lost without her.

"What wound?" Kurama almost slammed on the brakes at that piece of information. He didn't smell any blood, he didn't see her get injured earlier. Was she ill from something besides her pregnancy? If so then he needed to know before it got out of hand. Why would she keep something like that to herself?

"It's nothing, it's just taking time to heal. I'm fine, it was just a little scratch. I recieved it in a battle about two weeks ago." Kagome suddenly felt like spanking the kit. Sometimes he didn't think before speaking. She didn't need to give them another reason to feel sorry for her. Let's make them think she was incapable of taking care of herself.

"That was more than a scratch. After all, you were peirced through the chest by Naraku. A scratch only grazes the skin, his whole tenacle went through your chest and out the otherside." Shippo thought he needed to remind her, leave it up to his mom to play it off like it was no big deal. "Kaede said it should have killed you so it wasn't a scratch. Why must you always try to make things seemed less than what they are?"

"Okay, that's enough Shippo." She wrapped her hand around his mouth. Time to start reinforcing motherly rights! He was too mature for his own good and needed to learn not to be so blunt. Little hands were trying to pry her fingers away, "I'm fine, I just need some rest." She gave a lopsided grin, okay he wasn't buying it.

"Just the same, I want to take a look at it once we get to my place. You need to be careful in your condition." Kurama's voice left no room for arguement on the subject. He was going to make sure that it was indeed just a scratch. Children had a way of exaggerating at times. Surely if she'd been stabbed in the chest she'd be dead. Just the same he'd make sure whatever wound she carried was taken care of properly.

"I agree with Kurama, you need to make sure to take care of yourself." Keiko spoke from the backseat adding her say in the matter. "If it makes you feel better, I can take a look at it if it isn't too serious." She was sure the girl didn't want a complete stranger looking at her chest if it was nothing more than a flesh wound.

Kagome nodded, anything to get off the subject. Maybe they would forget about it after getting there, one could hope. The rest of the ride was made in silence. It was just as well, she had nothing else to say. Shippo kept moving around in her lap not liking the motion of the vehicle.


The miko was ordered into the bedroom by Kurama, Keiko followed him with the first-aid kit in hand. Kagome grumbled to herself preparing herself for what was about to happen. She'd be up to her ass in explanations in a few minutes. She didn't want them gawking at her either. The urge to scream loudly filled her suddenly, the tension mounting.

"I'll leave the door cracked Keiko, call if you need anything." Kurama nodded at both girls and left them alone to join Yusuke in the hallway.

Kagome sighed and braced herself for what was to come. The girl opened the kit, like that would help. The miko almost laughed at the small box but refrained from doing so. Shippo was sitting on the bed watching eagerly, waiting to prove his point to everyone. She almost snapped at him for being right. "Okay, don't scream." Kagome pulled the shirt over her head, to stand there only in a bra. Her eardrums protested at the girl's shout of horror. "Told you not to scream."

"Told you it wasn't a scratch, it's not a scratch when you can see through a person." Shippo stated as both men came running in to stop in the doorway. He almost hid when Kagome turned to glare at him. "Don't get mad at me, I'm only speaking the truth. You have a hole in your chest, it's not a scratch."

"Thanks Shippo, like I didn't already know that." Kagome felt herself blush at being gawked at while in nothing but a bra. They were staring at the hole and not her breasts but that didn't help matters. Disbelief was on all their faces, it really wasn't that bad. "Okay, you can stop staring now. It's healed up alot, it's almost closed now."

"Are you saying it was worse than that before?" Kurama stared at the hole the size of a half-dollar in the girl's chest. If one did look carefully you could see out the otherside. How was she still alive much less walking around? "Explain now."

"Don't you order me around. There is no need for you to try and help. It was the size of a fist at first, another week and it will be completely healed." Kagome saw that they weren't buying it. "Don't look at me like that. Don't believe me you can always ask Shippo there or one of the others. During the last fight with Naraku, he managed to get the last few shards of the jewel. With it complete and tainted he was almost too much for all of us. Everyone else was wounded from the fight except Shippo and myself. I didn't plan on sitting back and watching my friends die, so I interfered. Naraku didn't like it to say the least. I ended up with one of his tenacles through my chest but I managed to get ahold of the jewel. I was able to purify it and him but not before he injected some of his miasma into my body. To keep from dying my powers focused on keeping the miasma centered around the wound. So it's taking some time to heal, due to the poision being slowly purified as I heal. End of story, I'm fine. That little black mist you see inside is what's left of the miasma."

"That doesn't explain why you aren't dead from the piercing itself. It should have killed you instantly." Kurama could see the miasma, the aura swirling around the mist was pure evil. What had the girl been up against? Maybe she wasn't as fragile as he'd first assumed.

"Guess I'm one tough bitch to kill, not that I'm complaining. Don't ask me why cause I don't know. It's been healing slowly but it has closed up a good bit." Kagome was through with explaining to the trio. They were youkai, they should be use to wounds such as hers.

"I want to take a look at it. That is a form of poison, I might be able to help you heal faster. If you will allow me to try, using your energy to keep it contained while healing must be draining you greatly." Kurama saw her begin to chew on her bottom lip, thinking about what he'd said. When she gave her consent, he turned to Keiko and Yusuke. "Keiko will you go into the kitchen and see about dinner. Yusuke if you would be kind enough to go fetch her belongings and bring them in here."

Kagome took a quick second to look up into Yusuke's face, having avoided any eye contact until now. His eyes spoke volumes and made her flinch. He was beyond pissed and was letting her know it. She got the message he was speaking, they'd be having a long talk the first chance they got. That suited her fine, it would help her nerves to get the confrontation over with. She waited for him to leave before looking back at Kurama. "Okay, get it over with please. I don't know you well enough to be sitting in front of you in nothing but my bra."

"Sorry about that, but I'm afraid I'll have to touch you in order to help." He blushed admitting it. His eyes landed on the wound, placed almost directly between her breasts. There would be no way around them either, they were large enough to be in the way. "I'm going to place my hand over the wound. I can summon a plant that will remove the poison, allowing you to heal in the process."

"Just don't enjoy it too much." Kagome tried to joke about it, the need to run strong. Shippo watched them with a huge smile on his face. "Don't get any ideas Shippo." She saw his deflated look before glancing down at the graceful hand. Part of her was expecting some kind of reaction from his touch. A small part was disappointed when there wasn't one, stupid Yusuke! The same thing had happened with Inuyasha. Before her one night of passion, Inuyasha's touch use to have a small effect on her body. After going back it had been gone, he'd no longer been able to entice her senses. Seemed it was the same with the handsome fox now feeling up her chest.

The touch was gentle, his fingers were smooth and very delicate. She winced when she felt the plant enter the hole, he apologized at the sound. "Keep going, I'll be fine." The vines worked their way to the miasma and almost recoiled at the touch. Kurama's brow lifted in question, not expecting that to happen. Kagome could feel the plant pulling at the remainder of the hanyou.

Yusuke stood in the door with her bag, his eyes watching. He tried to hold onto the anger that welled inside him. His nose was picking up on two things. One was the strong spike in Kurama's scent, it was more huskier than before. He was no fool, with the scent and the way the fox was staring at Kagome; anyone could see that he desired her. The only thing that kept him from tearing that hand off her was knowing he was trying to help her heal. Not to mention Keiko was in the kitchen and would want to do why he was tearing their friend's ass apart. The urge was strong, jealous was back in full force now. He willed it to go away, it wouldn't help things. She didn't belong to him, he was married to Keiko. He loved her and would never leave her. Yet he couldn't help the strange yearning for the girl Kurama was touching. All the feelings from that night were back in full force.

To make matters more complicated, she was carrying his child. How the hell was he going to deal with that? Maybe Keiko would forgive him for cheating on her months before the wedding. Somehow he doubted it, not that he could fault her for it. A one-night stand was one thing but another girl was going to give him his first child. Kikyou's words came back to him, she'd said something about the babe's aura. Saying it was like his, was that possible? Since the youkai gene usually skipped generations or some shit like that. Yet the girl was a miko, was it possible for his youkai blood to kick in at birth or at time it was concieved? How would Enma and the Reikai take knowing that the child was his?

Koenma and the others had said something about the gene passing on along the generations, the carrier needing to be strong enough for it to become active. He hadn't been strong enough for it until he'd died the second time around. Was it possible for the child concieved between the two of them to be strong enough already so that the gene wouldn't need to be dormant? It was the most likely possibility, hell he would hear it from Koenma for sure. They didn't care if he had a child with Keiko or they would have said something before he'd gotten married. Keiko was a normal human, so a child carried by her wouldn't be strong enough so the gene would be dormant.

It made him wonder how powerful Kagome was, she wasn't normal. Then he'd figured that much out their one night together. She'd told him she was a miko but he hadn't really understood what that meant. Yet, during their time in bed he'd used some of his youkai strength and speed while taking her. She had been able to handle it, never complaining about it. Keiko had complained everytime, telling him to slow down or he was hurting her. It had felt good to be able to loose control, he couldn't do that with his wife.

What had made him volunteer to protect her? He hadn't been thinking of the child when he'd spoken up. His thoughts and feelings had been focused on her, the need to make sure she was safe. He hadn't wanted anyone else to do it, it had to be him. Part of it was it would give him a reason to spend time with her. Now he'd gotten what he wanted, how the hell was he going to be able to handle it? Being around her was already having an effect on him.

"This Naraku must have been a very strong youkai to leave such strong poison behind. You are very lucky, an average person would be dead from the poison alone." Kurama looked into her face trying to keep his eyes from dwelling on the creamy tops of her breast. His body was being affected regardless of the situation. He knew Yusuke had to smell the change in him, which would explain the growl he just heard. His friend need not worry, he wasn't the type to take advantage of a woman in distress.

He couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't pursue her after the wound was healed and the situation taken care of. He'd never thought to date a human while living in the Ningenkai. His plan was to remain while his mother was alive then eventually return to the Makai. No human female had ever caught his interest before now. Most tended to flock to him, this one was different. She was stronger than most youkai, he could sense she was more than worthy of him. Time would tell if they were compatible and if there was anything there. There was also the child to consider and the father.

While working on the wound he could feel her aura but not the child's. If it weren't for the sickness and her words one wouldn't know of her condition. His attention went to her abdomen, there was a strong barrier in place. A large amount of energy was centered around her womb. He wouldn't be able to tell anything about the child until it was born. "Mind if I ask if it was a youkai or human that fathered your child?"

Kagome almost flipped at the question. She had to force her eyes to remain on the fox and not stray to the man standing in the doorway. Why would he want to know? Was he merely curious or did he have a reason for asking. "Why do you want to know?"

"Curious, I guess. Plus, there is a good chance you will remain here during your pregnancy and for the birth. We can be better prepared with this knowledge. A human birth will be easier than a youkai one, I'm afraid. Not too mention if it is youkai you won't be able to give birth at a human facility. Arrangements will need to be made, so leaving us in the dark could prove fatal for you and the child." Kurama hoped she was satisfied with his explanation for now. All of it was true but he planned on taking her to Genkai's for the delivery anyways.

"I see," Kagome knew he had a point. "The father is youkai, that's all I will say." Kagome saw he accepted her answer for now. Would they start probing about the father? Hopefully, she'd figure something else out before the child was born. She wouldn't be able to conceal who the father is once he was born. She didn't see them thinking some other youkai like Yusuke had knocked her up. She could always lie and say she got pregnant in the past. Yeah that would work, have her say he is dead. "The father is dead, he was on the other side of the well."

"Sorry to hear that, I think I'm done here." Kurama removed his hand to examine the wound. He watched as the hole began to close itself. "Is that regeneration natural or due to the effects of the jewel?" He let his gaze linger until nothing but smooth skin could be seen.

"Beats the hell out of me but whatever works." Kagome smiled at him, his eyes widened. Her stomach growled between them, proclaiming it was time for more food. She blushed at the noise, she could only imagine how much she'd eat at seven months along. The fox would have to be rich or she'd eat him out of house and home. Shippo laughed behind her, ready to eat as well.

"Lets head out and see how dinner is coming along shall we?" Kurama turned to come face to face with Yusuke. The boy wasn't looking at him but at the girl with a worried expression. "Come on Yusuke, we can talk during dinner."



Kagome had to admit that Keiko was a decent cook, better than her. Not that she'd had much time to practice her skills. Instead of planning her life as a housewife and mother she'd been too busy trying to fight for her life. It made her realize how much she'd missed all those years. Her life had been exciting yet unfulfilled. All those years and nothing had come from it. That wasn't really true she knew but it felt that way. She'd been able to save Miroku from his fate and gave two people she cared for a new chance at love. She was the only one that had come out the whole ordeal empty handed. The only thing she had to make her not regret it was Shippo.

"So Kagome, do you mind if I ask about your trips to the past?" Kurama tried to start up a conversation. The place was too quiet for his liking, he didn't like the tense atmosphere. Maybe some talk would help things go a bit easier on everyone. The miko looked to melancholy to him.

"What do you want to know? I got over three years invested in it, that's a lot to tell?" Kagome knew what he was trying to do. There was somethings she didn't mind talking about, others left better left unspoken. So much had happened to her in that short of time. She was lucky she didn't need to be strapped in a jacket.

"Start at the begining," Keiko joined in also curious. "It must have been wonderful to be able to see it. To find yourself in a new place, new things to see."

"Well when you are fifteen and completely ignorant it doesn't work like that. Try being dragged in a well, climbing out and find everything you've ever known gone. Then being shot at by a bunch of local villagers that think you are a youkai. Then having a twenty foot pissed off centipede bitch chasing after you. And when you think you are safe having some arrogant hanyou calling you names. Then to top it all off having said worm grab you in her mouth hard enough to remove a jewel from your body. Instead of being thankful that she'd finally gotten the jewel she'd been after, she slams you against the foul mouth boy that's pinned to a tree. Do you have any idea what it feels like to be squeezed like you were tube of toothpaste?"

"How did you manage to survive?" Kurama was already interested in what she had to say. It must have been something for her to experience so young. It would explain a few things about her.

"Well, since it was Kikyou that had pinned Inuyasha to the tree I was able to remove the ward placed on him. He broke us free, he killed the centipede. He was ungrateful as well, he turned around and demanded the jewel and tried to kill me. Isn't love grand!" She smirked in her plate, telling the tale brought back memories. "But that's just one of the many memories I have. That was probably the easiest fights we went through. Guess being smashed is better than having your soul sucked out."

"I didn't like it either way." Shippo spoke from his seat, which was a couple of books piled on a chair. "Glad no one wanted to steal my soul. I don't think I could call mine back like you did. Shame you didn't get the rest back from Kikyou, she doesn't deserve it."

"You shouldn't say such things Shippo, it isn't nice." Kagome scolded him gently. She knew the kit didn't care for the other woman. They both had to accept that Inuyasha loved her and that they were together now. Shippo had always been the one to see how much pain she was going through. The boy had always been there for her, there to vent the anger she'd been unable to.

"My father told me to always speak the truth. If we are telling them might as well say it all, she didn't deserve it. If it wasn't for that witch stealing your soul she wouldn't have been able to come back. To make matters worse you saved Inuyasha by taking your soul back and all he had been worried about was Kikyou. Then the second time, your soul was stolen because Kikyou gave Naraku your jewel half that she stole when she tried to kill you. If it hadn't been for her doing so, he never would have been able to make offspring." Shippo pointed out, like she needed to be reminded. It still bothered him that after Inuyasha and Kikyou had done to his adopted mother, she'd still put their happiness before her own.

"What made you befriend the woman?" Kurama wanted to know. Depending on her answer he wouldn't allow the other woman near the girl again. He didn't know Kikyou and had no reason to trust her and Kagome was now in his care.

"I guess over time she became less bitter. Plus, we were all after Naraku. We both loved Inuyasha and decided to put everything aside on our common goal." Kagome took a bite of her food, not sure really the reason for befriending the woman. Most people didn't come close to someone that had tried to take their life.

"Kagome also saved her a few times at the risk of her own life. If you ask me Kikyou feels indebted to her for everything." Shippo put his final thoughts in before turning his attention back to his meal. Kagome would probably yell at him later for being so outspoken but she wouldn't be too harsh.

"What were the youkai like back then?" Keiko changed the subject, wanting to know more. The other subject seemed to be a sore spot for the girl.

"Well, I'm not sure if I can answer that. There was only a small amount that we ran across that we didn't kill. Most of them that came around were usually trying to kill us. There's Shippo here, let's see who else. There was Sesshoumaru, he was Inuyasha's older half brother. He was very cold, silent and ruthless but had a small soft spot. He was also very nice looking, a girl's wetdream actually. Oh, sorry guess I was getting off track there. There was Kouga, a wolf youkai, he was arrogant, rude, crude and couldn't take no for an answer. There was some others that weren't bad and easy to get along with. I don't think this barrier was up then either because there was a lot of youkai running around." Kagome saw the looks both men were giving her and smiled. Well, Lord Sesshoumaru had been very attractive to the eye. Not to mention all that pretty hair he'd been sporting. He'd also had the attitude most women found hard to resist. Why should she lie about him? Maybe Shippo should teach her some morals.

"Really, where is this Sesshoumaru now?" Keiko asked getting the attention turned on her. She flushed under the stares but didn't retract the question. She was curious, they could deal with it.

"The last time I saw him was right after the battle. He was going back to his lands with his human ward, Rin. Think she was the only human he cared about. Which is why I said he had a small soft spot somewhere under that cold demeanor. Wish I could have braided his hair just once. It takes one hell of a man to be able to have hair that long and get away without looking like a pansy." Kagome heard Kurama clear his throat and almost laughed. "Oops, I wasn't refering to you. Just saying that most men don't look right with long hair in my opinion. He had to be close to seven feet and his hair went to his knees. Just imagine what it would have looked like spread out under him. I mean, he had pretty hair."

"Sounds like it," Keiko saw Kurama flush at her statement and grinned. "How did you manage your life here while going back and forth?"

"I didn't. At first Gramps started coming up with excuses why I was absent from school so much. Everyone believed the wild diseases and illnesses he thought up. Eventually I dropped out knowing there was no way for me to finish while I was going back. Stopping Naraku and saving my friends was more important than school. There was no choice for me, I knew what was more important." Kagome put her fork down unable to eat anymore.

"But school had to be important also. What about your family, you didn't feel bad about leaving them to worry about you?" Keiko asked now that the subject was brought up.

"No, I didn't feel bad about it. First, my family loved me enough to understand how I felt. They accepted what I was and who I was. They never asked me to choose between them and my family on the other side of the well. As far as my future it didn't matter. The life of my friends and all those that could have been hurt or killed by Naraku were more important. What good would a happy life married with children as a high paying doctor would have done for me knowing that I had left those I cared about for my own selfish dreams? I would still give up everything to help them, that's my way. When you love someone you want them to be happy. You love them for who they are not who you think they could be. Merely accepting them isn't enough. I did what was needed for my family and for those I didn't even know. My family here knew this, they never tried to hold me back. One thing I did learn from my experience, never try to change someone to make yourself happy." Kagome spoke while looking at the table, she couldn't see everyone's expressions so she continued. "If you need to change someone to be happy then are you really happy? Inuyasha couldn't love me in the way I wanted because I wasn't Kikyou, I was Kagome. Even if I was her reincarnation, I wasn't her. I couldn't nor would I have changed myself to be someone I'm not. He knew this and he wouldn't ask it of me. He eventually figured it out and so did I. You don't accept someone you love and settle, cause in the end you will always be left unfulfilled."

"Such wisdom for one so young." Kurama spoke knowing the other two wouldn't. The girl was correct in her speech more than she knew. It was one of the reasons he didn't want to acquire a human lover during his time in the Ningenkai. Acceptance wasn't enough to make a relationship last, not and it be a happy one. He was afraid Keiko and Yusuke would learn that lesson one day as well. He knew they loved each other but Keiko had always had a problem with Yusuke's life. It was worse now that he was a youkai. She was trying to accept it and was doing so for now. A day would come when it wouldn't be enough he was afraid.



Kagome woke up when the sound of an alarm clock was heard going off in another room. She'd gone straight to bed after dinner last night. Keiko had Yusuke help her with the dishes giving her the escape needed. A quick shower had been taken then it was off to bed. No one had bothered her all night, for that she was thankful. It had taken her time to fall asleep knowing that once morning came Keiko and Kurama would be leaving. They'd be gone for most of the day, leaving her alone with Yusuke. Shippo wasn't really a factor, she knew Yusuke would demand to talk to her alone.

The kit was balled up on a pillow sleeping peacefully. He'd sleep for a few more hours before getting up. Voices were heard in the hall, Keiko and Kurama's to be exact. She didn't get up, not wanting to speak to either. Her stomach was already upset, it was protesting due to nerves. She needed to get her talk with Yusuke over and done with before she ended up bald. The wait was killing her for some reason. Part of her wanted to be alone with him to see what would happen? She just needed to know how he felt about everything. Whatever he decided, she'd deal with it.

Minutes ticked by, over thirty in total until the apartment went silent once more. Deciding to take the chance, she got up pulling on her robe. Looked like both had left for the morning. Coast clear she made her way into the kitchen, to see about some breakfast. Mornings were usually when she had no trouble keeping down food. Her feet stopped when she spotted Yusuke standing in the kitchen with a cup in his hand.

"Morning," She walked past him to fix herself a cup of coffee. It made her nervous the way he was staring at her. Her hands were shaking as she stirred in the sugar. Hopefully, things wouldn't get too loud and wake up Shippo. He wouldn't understand what was going on. Seconds passed but he didn't speak, what was he waiting for?

"Would you have told me?" Yusuke wasn't sure how to start the conversation. He really didn't feel like talking but knew what he had in mind wasn't possible. She'd bring that mug over his head before allowing him to touch her again. All night he'd lain awake telling himself he should be angry at her. He couldn't bring himself to stay mad any better than he could make himself not want her. Keiko had gone straight to sleep once more, not that he could have done anything. Which made him realize something else that was missing in his marriage. When they went to sleep at night it was always apart from one another. That night with Kagome, he'd held her while sleeping. He'd woken up because he'd sensed that she was missing. With Keiko, she was gone for hours before he rolled over and then his stomach woke him up.

"I don't know, I just got back yesterday. I'm not sure what I would have done." She turned around to face him, trying to keep her emotions in check. There wasn't much she could do now. Everything was up to him, she wouldn't ask him for anything. "I won't ask you for anything. I know you weren't expecting to ever see me again or anything to come from it. No matter what happens I plan on keeping the baby. I haven't told anyone who the father was. If anyone finds out that will be entirely up to you. Whatever you decide I'll agree to it, I have no wish to cause problems between you and Keiko. I'm sure we can work something out where you could have a part in his life without letting her know."

"No, I can't accept that. Look, I know it's going to cause problems between me and Keiko but I won't run away. I'm going to tell Keiko today, I've thought about it. My dad was never there for me, he was a deadbeat that left my mother. I won't do that to my child. I'll handle Keiko or try but I'm not going to make you go through it alone. No matter what I'm going to be there for you." Yusuke put the cup down on the counter, "If that's okay with you. Unless there is a reason you don't want anyone to know it was me."

"Why would I care? Well Inuyasha might try to attack you when he finds out but I can just sit him." She smiled for the first time in days, some of her tension leaving. "I'm sorry this happened, I never wanted to cause you any problems. Maybe I should have let your mom search for her horse that night."

"Huh?" Yusuke wasn't sure what she was talking about. "I don't regret it, I wouldn't change it. Keiko is going to kick my ass but I can't bring myself to regret that night. I'm kind of glad it was you that took my virginity to be honest."

She felt the hot liquid lodge in her throat and began to choke. Tears filled her eyes as he leaned over to gently pat her back. He was asking if she was okay, all she could do was nod. Hearing him say that had been too much, she started laughing. She hadn't known he'd been a virgin, he'd left that information out that night. Not once had she believed that, not with everything he'd done. She'd known he hadn't slept with Keiko yet but had assumed he'd tried it with someone else. "Sorry, kind of surprised me with that. I didn't know that."

"I told you I hadn't done anything with Keiko."

"Yeah but I just assumed you being a guy you'd been with someone else. Plus, with as good as you were I assumed you'd had experience at it." She blushed realizing what she'd said. So did he from the grin on his face, someone was about to get a big head. "You know what I meant by that."

"Actually, yes I do and that's the problem." He leaned in closer to her, he could feel the heat coming off her body. His blood was stirring at having her so close. For months he'd wanted to be near her again deep down. Everytime he'd realized the want, he'd pushed it aside telling himself a lame ass excuse. Having her there made it come back, the want was back. Right now he wasn't even thinking about the sex. His hand went for the cup still in her hand, placing it on the counter next to his. She didn't speak as he pulled her closer to him. This was what he wanted to hold her close, to be near her.

Kagome thought about pushing him away, knowing it was wrong to be so close. His arms went around her bringing her against his chest. Her head rested on him, her arms went around his waist. She let herself enjoy the feeling that settled over her. The same feeling of contentment and being where she belonged. It lightened her heart to have him hold her. It was more than she could have hoped for.

Yusuke couldn't push her away, he needed this. What was it about her that had this effect on him? Would he be able to stay with Keiko if Kagome was going to be a permanent fixture in his life? Sharing a child meant having to see each other. How was he going to be able to deal with her being so close?

The front door swung open causing them to turn around. Kurama stood there with a shocked expression on his usually calm face. It lasted for several seconds before he collected himself. "I think you two have some explaining to do. I find it hard to believe you were merely comforting her."

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