InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ En Famille ❯ Of Kids and Men ( Chapter 14 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

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For all their strength, men were sometimes like little children.

- Lawana Blackwell

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"Where is the wedding at?"

Inuyasha and Miroku sat in the living room, the latter dressed in a simple black tux, waiting for Kagome to head out. He smiled at the humming coming from the bathroom they shared, Kagome was in one of her silly moods again.

"Ceremony's at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Reception's at the Candela," he replied, taking a sip of his coke and checking his watch. "Half an hour left!"

"Ready!" Kagome came out wearing a bright smile, hair and makeup done lightly, her pink chiffon dress simple but elegant, as was her style.

"Isn't that material a bit thin?" Inuyasha asked, standing and helping her into her coat.

"We'll be indoors most of the time," Miroku pulled his coat on, looking out at the snow. It had barely begun when they'd left for DC, but over the week they'd spent away the city had gradually been blanketed in white. Scanning his date, he frowned at her shoes for a moment but eventually gave a shrug. He knew better than to mess with a fashion designer about something like what shoes to wear at a wedding.

"We'll see you later," Kagome thanked Inu with a peck on the cheek before grabbing Miroku's hand and dragging him to the door. "Roku's got his cell if you need to contact us!"

"Have fun!" Inuyasha waved and gave Miroku a 'good luck' grin before shutting the door.

Twenty minutes later they were at the cathedral and Kagome shivered in the cool December air while waiting for him to descend from the car. He took hold of her elbow very lightly and led her inside, making sure to remove her coat and hand it to one of the clergymen standing nearby. "Did I ever mention how gorgeous you look in pink?"

Kagome smiled over her shoulder, "As a matter of fact... you didn't."

"How remiss," taking a quick glance around them for signs of anyone they knew, he took the opportunity while the coast was clear to tuck her close and give her a quick kiss behind her ear. Her shiver was one of pure delight and with a grin, he scraped his teeth along the ridge of her ear for just a second before releasing her and guiding her into the aisle and towards their pew. The ceremony itself was beautiful, both the bride and groom's family had come, plus friends and some business acquaintances, with a guest list of over 150.

Sitting beside Miroku, Kagome watched with bright eyes as the nervous groom fidgeted with his tux, his tie, his gloves, anything he could think of.

(- He must be so nervous! -)

Smiling fondly, her attention was diverted as the first bars of music began to play, signaling that the bride was on her way out. Turning in her seat, she leaned against Miroku's shoulder a little to be able to see more closely. Desiree absolutely glowed as she walked down the aisle on her father's arm. Eyes locked on Nate's, she was oblivious to the world and the others.

Kagome watched with a mixture of joy and a little sadness. She found herself happy for Des and Nate, but uncertainty, no matter how hard she tried to push it back, knotted her belly and nearly brought tears to her eyes. Luckily many others were crying, so if she did get watery-eyed it wouldn't be too uncommon or surprising.

A touch averted her attention suddenly, fingers gently urging her hand to release it's grip on her skirt, twining about hers. Glancing up at the violet eyes watching over her, she smiled and gave his fingers a squeeze. The look in his eyes was reassuring, he always reassured her, but somehow they held more this time. Their gazes held for a moment longer until the music stopped and the real ceremony began.

They held hands through it, squeezing ever so slightly, Miroku's thumb tracing idly over her wrist every once in a while. The drive to the hotel was short and comfortably quiet. Desi and Nate welcomed them with warm hugs and smiles, beaming as they congratulated them and wished them well.

"Sango and Sesshomaru are sitting with Duo and Hilde at table two, just to the right of ours," Desi pointed them in the right direction. "We've got to greet a few other folks but we'll catch up with you in a bit."

"Of course," taking Miroku's hand, Kagome led the way over to join their friends. She was delighted to find Kanna sitting there as well, accompanied by her older sister Kagura, who thanked her for the light blue dress she'd designed for the young girl.

"It was my pleasure," Kagome examined her and nodded in approval, "It suits you."

"It's the most gorgeous dress!" Kanna beamed and thanked her again before being brought into a conversation with Hilde. Sessh and Sango asked about their trip and if they had any trouble on their way home.

Miroku waved off their worries, "None at all, there was no storm or anything so the flight went just fine."

"No worries Kags?" Sango asked.

Kagome shrugged, "Nope, I was too tired, ask Miroku."

"She passed out as soon as her seatbelt was on."

"Totally zonked"

"It was boring"

"It was your fault."

"Mine?"

"If you hadn't insisted on..."

"Ahhh... but I recall you were the one who benefited from that little experience." Miroku reminded her, grinning when she gave him a glare and turned back to the others watching in amused speculation. Something here didn't quite seem as innocent as it used to.

Kagome snapped back to the main topic, "So anyways, I was exhausted and fell right asleep."

"I did the same," Miroku signaled for the waiter and asked for two ginger ales.

"Ginger ale?" Sessh raised an eyebrow, knowing the man to be more of a vodka person.

"I'm not in the mood," Miroku shrugged.

While the girls discussed the bride's dress and the overall decor of the room, the men shared a few comments about the news and work. It wasn't long until their attention was brought to the front table when the toasts were begun. Desiree's brother gave an amusing one about never thinking Nate would live to see the day, what with their arguments and his sister's sweet temper.

"My advice- watch out for the right hook- I taught her that one."

Amidst the laughter, Nate gave a skeptical look, "This coming from the guy who hopped on a chair when he saw a spider?"

A gasp caught Miroku's attention and he watched in amusement as Kagome held her stomach and wiped tears from her eyes. He missed the raised eyebrow of a member of the table when he silently slipped his hand over hers. Three more toasts and much cheering later, the meal was brought out and the guests settled down to eat. Kagome ordered some water to go with her meal, abstaining from the wine taken by everyone else at the table. Asking for another ginger ale, Miroku ignored the looks shared by his sister and her husband.

"Are you sure you don't want some wine m'am?" the young server asked her again.

"Quite certain, thank you," Kagome smiled, "I already had all the champagne from the toasts and getting tipsy doesn't sound very appealing today."

"All right," with a nod, he excused himself and went on to serve the others.

"What's with the sudden aversion to alcohol?" Hilde teased.

Neither spoke, giving a vague shrug instead, Kagome quickly turning the topic of conversation away from them. The rest of the meal went by with laughs and jokes. Desiree came over to chat and thank Kagome again for agreeing to work on her dress.

"It's so beautiful! I'll never be able to repay you!" Desi's eyes were teary.

Kagome's filled with tears too and she tried to laugh and cover up a small a sniffle, "It was an honor Des, really, stop thanking me."

Sharing a tight hug, the pair was dragged off to a table where the bride's mother and grandmother waited to meet the young designer. Miroku wanted to keep an eye on her but was soon led another way by Nate and a few of his friends. Sesshomaru watched as the other two stole glances around the room to make sure the other was still nearby.

"No wonder her stalker burned Miroku's pictures," he mumbled to himself, shaking his head when Sango asked if something was the matter. "Nothing important."

A few moments later, Kagome returned to the table, explaining that the couple was going to have their first dance soon. Miroku joined them a bit later and they watched the newlywed couple dance, then joined them once the floor was open. The night was magical, thanks in part to the old-fashioned orchestra that had been brought in to play. The older couples mingled, many danced, everyone from their table danced and traded partners.

The bouquet and garter were thrown, neither caught by any of them, but they all did laugh when a woman was tackled down by the bride's youngest sister. A cameraman came by, taping a video for the couple and they all took a turn at the microphone, giving the couple a few tips, jokes and well wishes. Kagome was finishing her small message when Desiree surprised them all by calling for their attention.

"As many of you know, we have an especially talented guest amongst us tonight. Having loved her work since her debut, imagine my surprise when I learned that not only is she a gifted designer, but also... a gifted signer!"

"Oh shit," Kagome paled and audibly gulped, "No way."

"Being the geek that I am, I had to have karaoke tonight, cheesy yes," Des laughed and rolled her eyes. "But its my day, so deal with it!"

Laughter and grins met that statement and she continued, "And to save you all from my horrendous singing- I thought I'd give you a reprieve by having someone with actual talent start things off right."

"Oh no way!" Kagome squeaked, "Please tell me she's not planning what I think she's planning?!"

"She is," Sango sipped her wine with a wink.

"You told her!" Kagome pointed accusingly.

Sango remained cool, "Yep, not to mention all the singing you do when you're working, one can't help but notice your voice Kags."

"Unfortunately she's incredibly shy so I need your help everyone!" Des continued, "What say you Miss Higurashi? Sing for us?"

Kagome blanched, turning and blinking as the bright spotlight was turned in her direction. "Oh god!"

The room cheered, shaking her head slightly, she bit her lip and turned when she heard Miroku's smirk. He was giving her a very smug, amused smile and suddenly her nervousness was replaced by annoyance.

(- Smug are we? We'll see how smug you are in a few minutes buster! -)

Standing, she agreed and was rewarded with cheers and applause. Surprising her closest friends, she calmly took hold of the microphone once she reached the floor.

"I'm only doing this because it's your wedding," Kagome informed Des while she took it. "So you'd better appreciate it and have the camera rolling, 'cuz this not likely to happen again."

"We will!" the photographer assured her with a big thumbs up.

"Great," Kagome mumbled, much to the crowd's further amusement.

"Now wait a moment folks, you can't expect me to do this all by myself right? Lil' ol' me?"

Looking back at her table, she saw Miroku's eyes lit up with suspicion and grinned. "Seeing how I would never have met Des and Nate if it weren't for a certain friend's introduction, thus finding myself in this predicament, I really must insist that the dear pal responsible suffer along with me. Miroku?"

Stricken, he shook his head and glared at her from across the room. After an especially loud guffaw from Sesshomaru, who shocked even himself at the sudden burst of laughter, Miroku bit back a curse and stood. Nodding in acknowledgement to the cheers he received, he came up to Kagome's side and graciously accepted the second microphone that had been set up for him.

He leaned over her shoulder to peer at the song list brought up, using the moment to mumble a threat. "Just wait 'till I get you home brat."

Seeing her grin widen, he lifted the microphone just a bit so he could be heard. "What will it be Kags?"

"I dunno," she shrugged, "You pick. Since it's my fault you're up here, I'll be gracious enough to let you choose."

"Geez thanks, so sweet of you."

She gave him an innocent smile, "I know."

The crowd laughed, enjoying their playful interaction. Scanning the book with their choices, he closed it and slipped over to the smaller group of musicians that was taking over for the larger orchestra that had been playing earlier. He came back to her side a moment later and winked, looking up to explain to the crowd.

""I'm sure most of you won't find the piece familiar but some of you might, if you were as fond of the show Ally MacBeal as we were." Glancing at the newlyweds nearby, he gave them a wink, "Here's to finding that special someone where you least expected it."

Knowing how long Des and Nate had been just friends, he saw Des wipe a tear from her eye and Nate take hold of her hand. He took a seat on one of the stools that were brought up for them and cleared his throat before giving the pianist a nod. Singing to the girl beside him, he took advantage of the playful atmosphere to cover up for the truth behind his words. It was only logical that he sing to her when they were doing a duet. No one would read between the lines.

Chances are you'll find me
Somewhere on your road tonight
Seems I always end up driving by

Ever since I've known you
It just seems you're on my way
All the rules of logic don't apply

I long to see you in the night

His voice cracked the tiniest bit, making him blush and quickly mumble an explanation, "Tough note there."

The audience chuckled, Kagome did too and poked him teasingly in his side.

Be with you 'till the morning light...

Straightening, Kagome lifted the mic as her part began, finding it easy to put feeling behind the words.

She could have written them herself.

I remember clearly
How you looked the night we met
I recall your laughter and your smile

I remember how
You made me feel so at ease
I remember all your grace and style

And now you're all I long to see
You've come to mean so much to me...

Sliding an arm about her waist and resting her head on his shoulder, they finished the song together, perfectly at ease, unaware of the surprise that flickered in a few of their observer's gazes.

Chances are I'll see you
Somewhere in my dreams tonight
You'll be smiling like the night we met
Chances are I'll hold you and I'll offer
All I have

You're the only one I can't forget
Baby you're the best, I've ever met.

A surprising round of applause broke the couple's concentration.

Having finished the piece with their eyes locked on one another's, they blinked and turned to smile at the audience. After a quick bow, they quit the stage and made their way back to the table after a hug from Des and Nate. While the next victim was chosen, Miroku held out Kagome's chair for her and took his seat, ignoring Sango's questions about his learning to sing.

"Since when can you hold a tune?"

"I never had a problem with music," he watched Kagome gulp down the ginger ale brought for him and frown. "Something the matter?"

"It just tasted a little funny," setting his empty glass down, she pushed it aside and asked for a water instead.

After a few more questions, Sango gave up and relaxed in her seat once again. Sessh remained silent as ever, but there was something in his eyes that was bothering Miroku. Ignoring it for now, he focused on watching the rest of the guests make fools of themselves as he and Kagome had.

Barely halfway through the second song, both men noticed Kagome blinking away sleepiness and with a silent nod in agreement, stood and urged the girls up. They wished the others at the table good night. Kagome went without a struggle, Sango argued a bit but didn't get much other than a pointed brow raised from her husband. With a sigh and yawn, she gave up and let him lead him over to the couple, busy thanking a few other departing guests.

It was another ten minutes before they were finally slipping into their cars and heading home. Kagome lay curled on the passenger seat, dozing lightly when an annoying buzzing sound woke her up. Lifting heavy eyelids, she saw Miroku check his cell phone with a dark expression. In a matter of seconds he went from slightly displeased to visibly shaken.

Sitting up in her seat, seeing their building ahead, she was surprised when he snapped the phone shut and drove faster. "What is it?"

"I have to leave for LA," pulling up in front of their building, he climbed out and practically dragged her upstairs, instructing the doorman to watch his car while he dropped her off. He always had a bag packed in the trunk, ready to leave at any moment, a must in his business.

Kagome saw the worry in his eyes and felt her own stomach knot, "Why? What's the matter?"

"Sarah's back in the hospital, something went wrong," Miroku rushed her to their apartment and opened the door for her. "I have to get back there and see what I can do to help, I promised."

Seeing him so shaken up, Kagome wished she could do something to help but knew there wasn't. Giving a nod, she glanced inside, remembering that Inuyasha was going out that night and relaxed. Slipping her arms around his neck, she stumbled a little while trying to get on her tip-toes, feeling oddly numb.

"Hey you ok?" Miroku held tight for a minute, worries doubling when he saw the glossy look in her eyes.

Kagome nodded, "I'm fine."

She didn't look fine, now that he really focused on her, but then she distracted him and his worries ebbed. If she could still drag his head down for a kiss like the one she was giving him, she must be ok. Knowing he had to go, she pulled back quickly, "Let me know when you get there."

"Lock up," Miroku set her down and gave her a quick smile while shutting the door. As was his and Inuyasha's habit, he waited for the lock to click before heading off. Stifling a yawn, Kagome hung up her coat, kicked off her shoes, and dragged herself into the kitchen for some tea.

(- Hope everything turns out ok... man I'm tired... soo tired... -)

Blinking against the heaviness in her lids, she gasped when her legs wobbled and her vision blurred. Leaning against the counter, she felt her body slide down a little and fought against a wave of panic.

(- What's wrong with me?! -)

Feeling her body weaken, she looked up and focused on the phone less than two feet away. She had to try, lunging forward, she felt her fingers brush against it for a brief second. Unfortunately, she miscalculated the distance and her body, trembling as it was, didn't quite have enough strength left for another attempt. Sliding onto the cold floor, she tried to cry out for help, praying he’d remember something he’d forgotten to pack in the seconds before the darkness overwhelmed her.

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"Damn clubs are so loud," Inuyasha grumbled quietly, not wanting to wake up Kagome.

Miroku had called him half an hour earlier to let him know that she was home alone. He was going to LA for some emergency, not surprising. Having been bored at the club anyways, he'd decided to just call it a night and head home.

Needing something to kill his headache, he left the lights off and tossed his jacket onto the sofa. Heading into the kitchen, he was going for the fridge when an oddly shaped object behind the center counter caught his attention. Stepping around it to pick the item up, he stopped short with a shocked gasp.

Lying before him, face-down in her thin evening dress lay an unconscious Kagome.

"Shit!"

Dropping to his knees beside her, he checked for a pulse and let out the breath he didn't know he was holding when he felt the light pumping against his fingers on her neck. Whipping out his cell phone, he checked her for broken bones or serious injuries while giving the police directions to the apartment. After hanging up with the cops, he stood and walked over to turn on the lights, speed-dialing his brother's cell.

"This had better be good," Sessh's normally stoic tone showing annoyance added emphasis to his words.

"Are both your nannies there to watch the kids?"

"Yes, why?"

"Let them know you're going out and get over to Mount Sinai."

He heard Sessh drop something that sounded suspiciously like his wife, if Inuyasha was to go by the sudden scolding coming from the background.

"Enough!"

That curt tone directed at her served its purpose, but he'd be paying for it later and they both knew it.

"Why should we get to the hospital?" Sesshomaru demanded over the phone.

"I've got an ambulance coming for Kagome, I found her passed out on the kitchen floor." Inuyasha kneeled beside her again, her upper body covered by his coat for warmth. He'd followed the phone operator's instructions, checking for a pulse again, her breathing, her eyes. It was her eyes that had given it away.

"I think she's been drugged," Inuyasha quietly admitted, his head snapping up at the sound of voices at the door. "Ambulance is here, gotta go."

Snapping his phone shut, he explained to the EMT's while they lifted the young woman away and onto the stretcher, checking her stats and rushing her out. He barely remembered to lock the door as he rushed out after them. Briefly remembering to call Miroku, the idea quickly slipped his mind as one of the EMTs began drilling him during the ride to the hospital.

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(- Oh god... what is going on? -)

A beeping woke her, voices drifted nearby, hands touched here and there. A lot of hands at first, gradually receding, leaving her alone in the oddly bright room. She couldn't open her eyes, the were too heavy, her limbs felt numb too. Nothing hurt, she was just extremely weak.

How long she lay there, she couldn't be sure.

Unfamiliar people kept coming and going, checking her arms, her mouth, which admittedly had a fuzzy feeling in it. After an endless period of feeling like she was floating in a dream, a very direct touch broke straight through the haze for a minute. Unlike the others touching her, this person wasn't touching her quite right.

Fingers trailed up her side, quickly, yet lingering, outlining her hips, ribs, her breast.

No, this touch was not a good one.

She struggled to call out, scream, move... anything. Her body just wouldn’t respond, why was she so weak?

They continued on their way up, tracing her collarbone, the scoop of her neck, finally cupping her cheek. A figured loomed over her, a light wind, a breath, fanned her temple, touched her ear. A voice whispered- It should have been him -a kiss, on her ear, her jaw, her lips. Outlining, nibbling, slipping in, tasting her.

Inwardly trembling, she heard the beeping speed up, felt the hand leave her cheek, the lips lifted and touched her forehead, then the figure was gone. Steps, a door opening, closing- and he was gone.

(- A dream... just a dream... -)

But even in her hazy state Kagome knew it wasn't a dream, he'd been there, he'd kissed her, and he'd meant for this to happen- to Miroku.

Someone walked in, checked her arm again, did something to it that had her feeble control over the haze slip and fade away.

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"I want to go home," Kagome insisted, urging the doctor to say she could go.

She'd woken up around mid-morning the next day to learn she'd been drugged, pumped, and sleeping for hours. Still weak, she was also terrified and determined to leave. Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Sango had spent the night at the hospital. None had seen anything suspicious during the night, she didn't want to tell them about her visitor.

(- Maybe it was a dream? -)

Something told her not.

That something was confirmed when a nurse came in with a small bouquet of flowers for her. While Sesshomaru and the doctor discussed her condition, she feebly managed to take the card from the holder, giving Inuyasha a smile when he took the vase and set it aside for her. Kouga had called while she was unconscious, detained by Sango who asked him to keep an eye on Rin. He was really good with kids, much to the girls' amusement. The flowers were probably from him.

Managing to pull the card from the unsigned envelope, she read it and closed her eyes with a sigh.

"She's not well enough to go, just look how such a small activity drained her," the physician waved to the pale girl on the bed.

When her eyes snapped suddenly open with a look of utter panic, the man's eyes widened with surprise.

"I have to go home," Kagome all but begged, flinching when Inuyasha leaned down and cupped her cheek. "He was here."

"Here?" Inuyasha had dropped his hand and taken hers, "We were here all night Kagome, he couldn't have been."

"He was!" Kagome handed him the note, which he read and then cursed.

Purple Hyacinth - Please forgive me
Pink Camellia - Longing for you
Pink Rose - Please believe me
Single Red Rose - I love you
Stephanotis - Come to me

Seeing her agitation, the doctor demanded to know what was going on. Sesshomaru led him outside, leaving the others to calm the girl down. Kagome took comfort in Sango's hold as she lay down and hugged her. Inuyasha kept her hand in his, squeezing her fingers in an attempt to offer comfort.

Tired and afraid, Kagome gradually calmed and was able to smile when the doctor announced she was being released.

"But we'll have to get a statement from you about this visit you had, I'll have security up here to take down your account of what happened. It's likely that you might have dreamt this visit, but we can't take any chances in a case like this. I'd also like to speak to you in private for a moment"

"Thank you," with a tired smile, she propped herself up against the pillows and waited for the others to leave them expectantly.

Three hours later, she was draped across Inuyasha's lap, sleeping in the limo on her way home.

Her flowers resting in the hospital trash can, arms curled around her stomach.

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"Miss Higurashi, about that thread..."

"We just got a call from..."

"The design for..."

"Kagome"

Head snapping, she raised her hands to silence the people around her.

It had been two days since he'd left her at home. He didn't know about her visit to the hospital, he'd called and left a message at the apartment while they were gone, he hadn't called back since. She’d tried to call but his phone was always off. She'd missed him terribly, hoping he'd call so she could tell him about what had happened, about the visit.

One look and she forgot about everything, everything, the man in the middle of her office was about to drop.

Bleary-eyed, hunched over, he held a bag in one hand with a white-knuckled grip. He hadn't shaved, his eyes were rimmed with black, and he stood there looking worse than she had while leaving the hospital just the day before. After sleeping a day away, she’d decided to go to work and distract herself, promising everyone she’d take it easy at the office. Shooing Hilde and her other assistants out, she locked the door behind them before coming to his side.

"Roku?"

Touching his rough cheek, she turned his head down and started at the pain in his eyes. "Roku what happened?"

"I failed," his whisper almost too soft to reach her.

Dropping his bag, he shocked her breath from her, falling to his knees, burying his face into her stomach. "I failed!"

Feeling the shaking of his arms around her, Kagome lightly touched his shoulders and hair, realizing in that moment just what he'd failed in.

Sarah had died.

Recognizing the shuddering of his body, she bit her lip and gently tugged his arms away. When they gave no quarter, she tried a different tactic, pushing him back a little so she could slide down to kneel also. As soon as her knees touched the ground, his arms were about her, face buried against her throat. She tucked him close, curling around him protectively and feeling her neck and shoulder moisten as the minutes rolled by. Cooing soothingly, she rocked him, eventually feeling his shudders die down.

If anyone had told her someday she would be witness to Miroku breaking down, she would have waved them off with a laugh. Miroku didn't break down, yes he was kind, he was sweet, but he was tough.

She forgot, he was also human, just as easily broken as any other.

She'd never imagined him broken.

"She was so little," Miroku whispered, still tucked into her chest, still clinging to her warmth. "Eight years old, we played with her dolls, she was the mommy, I was the daddy."

"We played with my dolls too," Kagome reminded him.

He gave a sigh, "She wanted me to wait for her to grow up, so I could be the daddy for real someday."

(- Oh no, she had a crush. -)

Kagome said nothing, merely kissed his wet temple and ran her fingers through his hair. Keeping her lips on his skin, she felt him shudder and turn his head to return the gesture, his lips pressing against the upper swell of her breast, just over her heart. "You remember her? Black hair, big brown eyes, big happy smile."

Giving a nod, she smiled as he kept speaking and kissing along her throat. "You were eight when your parents died, such a solemn little thing, so sad. She reminded me of you, of how you'd been just the day before the accident, bright and cheerful, playing dolls and reading Charlotte's Web."

Reaching her chin, he stopped, nuzzled it, and lay his head back down on her shoulder, "The last thing she spoke to me of was you, how pretty you are."

Gulping, Kagome felt him tense and tears sting in her own eyes, "Really?"

"She asked me if I thought she'd grow up to be as pretty as you," Miroku took a deep breath and sighed, "I promised she would."

Two tears slipped, falling onto his hair and making him lift his head, looking her in the eye. "She made me promise that I would let you know of our plans, so you wouldn't get your heart broken."

Leaning forward for a kiss, he stole her breath away before letting go, "And she made me promise, if she wasn't ok, that I wouldn't let you go. She didn't want me to be alone, so she said..."

Swallowing thickly, he took a moment to regain himself and close his eyes, forehead resting against hers. "She said, if anything happens to me, take care of your pretty friend like you would me. Don't stay sad and lonely, you're too nice to be... alone."

As his voice cracked, Kagome whispered his name, tears slipping down her cheeks at his loss. Moving out of instinct, she leaned forward and captured his lips. His kiss was raw, hungry, and needy. They'd shared needy kisses, but nothing like this. This was more than physical- this was his soul. Raw, hurt, and exposed like she'd never seen him before.

It was always for her, all their previous times together, always for her, to heal her, teach her, please her.

This time was for him.

He'd never needed her before- she wouldn't, couldn't, let him down now.

Forgetting about everything save that, she set out to soothe him, heal him, pleasure him as she'd never dared before. They were, rough, they were gentle, neither cared about ripped clothes, cold floors, soft carpets. The world, the pain, all eased away, leaving them in a world all their own. A world of touch, kiss, skin and sweat. As their bodies crested and joined again, they shared more tears, more kisses, more of themselves than they had before.

How long they went on neither could know, lying sated at last, twined together in a tangle on the sofa resting against the wall.

Curled tenderly around her man again, his head at her breast, arms tight around her waist, she felt his breathing slowing and his lips kiss her chest once more. He kissed down along her sternum, to her navel, suckled there for a moment and froze when her whisper reached his ears.

"What?"

"I said if it's a girl, we could name her Sarah," Kagome repeated, eyes widening when he slid back up and met her eyes.

Miroku saw the joy shinning in hers and sucked in a breath, "You're sure?"

"The doctor told me, it showed up in the hospital’s tests," Kagome trailed a finger across his lower lip. "He says I'm about two and a half months, that not all women lose their periods right away. My nausea from the past few days makes sense now, and my cramps haven't been so bad these past two times. I shouldn't be surprised not to have it this month."

"A baby," Miroku looked down at her flat abdomen and shook his head. He'd studied everything there was to know about the human body, every doctor did, but it still amazed him to believe there was a life beginning in there.

Kagome's worries sprang up suddenly.

What now? What would it mean for them?

"Roku I..."

"Shhh..." Cutting her off with a kiss, he switched their positions, cradling her instead of the other way around. "No worrying, leave that to me, just rest love."

"But I... love?"

"Hmm..." Half-asleep, Miroku kissed her and tucked her head into his chest. "Go to sleep baby."

"Good night then, Roku," Kagome whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks again. “Love ya.”

Chuckling, he nuzzled her hair and slipped one arm further around her back, cupping her bottom with the other.

"Love you more."

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:D

Finally an update!

Sorry about that wait, I’ve had some severe writer’s block with all my stories. Hope it was worth the wait though! More M/K fluff, a bolder stalker, what will happen next?

K.C.Converting /tmp/phpnV7ykQ to /dev/stdout