InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever a Shadow ❯ Countdown ( Chapter 29 )

29. Countdown

 

 

With the pride normally achieved by men, an inner strength granted by her ancestors, and beauty to rival Helen of Troy, even if she did not acknowledge it herself, that was Inuyasha's Kikyo, the woman he loved beyond all others, the woman he hurt like no other, but he would be damned to give up on her or their marriage because of his folly. Let her rage at him, he knew he deserved it, Inuyasha knew that truly he warranted more, Kikyo could verbally bash and bloody his soul for all eternity if she would once again love him like she used to.

 

 

 

“You are an insensitive bastard Inuyasha.” Kikyo murmured with anger trembling her voice violently. “But I guess I knew that, I knew that when you changed right after thanksgiving I was simply too much the fool to allow myself to think what my heart knew what was happening.” She spoke to herself, feeling the tears threaten to overtake her eyes. “How can you have the gall to simply walk back in this room and think everything would be alright!” Kikyo huffed regaining her senses, and marshalling what strength she could to push her husband from the hospital bed.

 

 

“Kikyo let me explain.” Inuyasha regained his balance from the shove standing at her bedside in shock of the ferocity of his wife. “You don't understand Kikyo.”

 

 

“I understand that I loath you with all my heart and soul Inuyasha, you have gone too far, no you went to far, now just keep on going with your little bitch and get the hell out of my life!” Kikyo was becoming enraged, even though tears were falling from her eyes; the hard, glistening glare from her was a look Inuyasha rarely saw yet in more recent times he saw more often than not. She struggled with the wedding rings on her slender finger, finally removing them throwing the rings across the room, tinkling as they bouncing off the door. “Just get out!”

 

 

Dejected Inuyasha gathered the rings, placing them on his pinky finger, taking a deep breath trying to gather his wits before he said something out of misplaced emotion like he always did in situations such as this. “You don't mean that Kikyo, if you would only listen, I had no intention of abandoning you again, but my unborn was at risk, still is at risk. Would you have me simply stand aside to let an innocent child be slaughtered?”

 

 

Kikyo fell mute, her hands covering her face as she silently wept, she hated to hate him, and hated to love him as well. Her heart was aching again, she loved him, and she told him to bring the adulterous woman home, yet she could not help but feel the revulsion of the situation. Of course she wanted Inuyasha's child to be safe, but he ran off leaving she and the girls to the whims of a madman that he knew was coming.

 

 

“Onigumo was here…right next to me…he could have killed me and you were no where to be found. How could you walk out on me again?” She choked out through her tears. “It just hurts so much Inuyasha.” Kikyo's thin frame was racked with the force of her tears. “I hate that I could still love you.” Kikyo whispered, trying to voice her agony, she pushed the heels of her palms to her eyes in a vein attempt stop the insistent flow of tears from her eyes with little result, other than adding to her frustration and hurt.

 

 

Inuyasha knelt down beside the bed, he could profoundly feel the anguish coming from his wife and he despised himself for putting Kikyo in a position like this, if they lived through this he would make it his life long goal to make Kikyo feel secure and happy forever. Yet he had said those words before, how could she ever believe what seemed an empty promise in her eyes? Nowhere in his mind did he ever once believe himself capable of such treachery toward someone he loved so completely, yet he did, and, it was his entire fault. Watching his family going through all of this was too much for him to shoulder, but deep down Inuyasha knew he had to continue, it was all he could do. He would give his life in an instant thought he could just end Kikyo's pain, however with this monster Onigumo, wanting his wife and Kouga after his mistress and unborn child Inuyasha doubted he would come through this all unscathed.

 

 

Inuyasha ran a hand through his silver strands sighing, as he gently pulled Kikyo's tear tainted hands from her face, kissing the salt slick skin tenderly. “I promise you Kikyo, never again.”

 

 

Kikyo felt crushed; surely death would be easier than this. “You can not keep that promise and you know it Inuyasha, why make a promise you have no intention of keeping? What will you do when that illegitimate child of yours gets hurt, sick or something happens with that woman, can you honestly expect me to believe you would not run to them?” Kikyo once again pushed him away, watching him stand shoulders hunched in defeat, turning from her sight.

 

 

Kikyo was flustered beyond imagining, yes, she knew what she told him on the phone that night was more of what he wanted to hear at the time, but now the woman was home, and far to close for Kikyo's comfort. Kikyo wished the harlot was a world away once again never to be found, deep within her heart Kikyo silently wished the wolves had found her, then at least that problem would be solved, yet it was not the unborn's fault that its mother was of questionable morals.

 

 

“I can not simply forget that a child of my fathers bloodline, my blood is out there in the world, my child, Kari and Suki's brother or sister. Do you really want me to forget?” Inuyasha muttered in a beaten tone. “If that is what you want, if that will make you happy, or change things between us, I will do whatever you wish.” Inuyasha slinked to the window, his back still to his wife as he gazed out into the morning with tearful eyes himself.

 

 

The hanyou looked like Kikyo had ripped out his heart, one thing everybody, friend or family knew about Inuyasha was his selfless devotion to his children, no Mother could ever ask for a more doting Father, and his girls knew him no other way. Kikyo hated the tactic Inuyasha so often used, he had just flipped the situation on her, now it seemed she was becoming the bad guy and it was a feeling she was trying hard not to acknowledge. She was not the one screwing around, yet she felt like such a bitch at the moment and Kikyo detested it with every fiber in her entire being. If the shoe were on the other foot, how would he react? Alright that was easy, Inuyasha would kill the guy and happily walk out of her life, then again it seemed the past six months he had been changing little by little everyday, now the man before her with defeated posture, and a tired voice was not the man she had married, here was a man who wanted desperately to keep his family, even going so far as to desert a child he hadn't even met, let alone held in his arms.

 

 

“Damn you Inuyasha.” Kikyo whispered to herself in a low voice, yet he heard, turning his head back toward her voice. “You're right, the baby will be a part of our family whether I like it or not. If we are destined to live through this then…” Kikyo tried to steady her tone, she felt heartsick thinking of the situation. “I will receive your child with love, if that bitch, that woman…I mean Kagome will allow.” Saying the whore's name aloud felt like acid was eating away at her insides, Kikyo would die happy if she never had to speak the name from her lips ever again. “Inuyasha?”

 

 

He turned toward her, clearing his throat, and wiping at his eyes as Inuyasha walked toward her bedside once again, the fight obviously leaching out of his beloved Kikyo. Standing over her with a heavy heart, Inuyasha returned the wedding rings to Kikyo's trembling hand, kissing her lovingly, and hugging her to him. “Thank you.” He spoke into her ear in a breathy whisper, his own tears trailing down her neck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kouga pulled up to the office building across from Inuyasha's complex that favored a modern design, the edifice looking more of an art museum rather a location for a home. The slacks and tailored shirt he wore would draw no attention from those working in the building, not that he was going into any office, which was occupied. The infiltrator in Sesshomaru's ranks was waiting for him in a boardroom suite that was waiting to be occupied. With a polite wave to the fellows at the security desk Kouga stepped onto the elevator seeming like be belonged in the building, the camel attaché case at his side destined for the gentleman he would be meeting on the fifteenth floor. The newly opened complex was only a quarter of the way filled, so the alpha did not have to worry about anybody seeing him step out into the vacant fifteenth floor, even the new security system was not fully up and running, another plus of the rendezvous.

 

 

Stepping off the elevator, the wolf followed his nose to the human waiting for his arrival. With silent footfalls Kouga believed he would ambush the man, yet the second his contact came into view, Kouga found the man targeting him instead, staring directly at him with dark piercing eyes as Kouga rounded the corner. Surprised Kouga smiled to the man in the black suit, with a sniper rifle on the tripod stand next too him.

 

 

“Guess you're not so easy to sneak up on huh?” Kouga spoke with the fake smile still on his lips, as the glass door silently shut behind him.

 

 

“Sesshomaru would never have hired me if it was easy to do so.”

 

 

“You're nothing but a pup.” Kouga mused hoping to get some sort of emotion from the youth with cold eyes.

 

 

“I've been training since I was able to hold a blade, most little boys get cars and trucks I received weapons training at five. Enough of the pleasantries I am on a schedule, do you want to see her or not?” Kouga nodded spanning the gap between the two. The young man gestured to the powerful scope mounted on the rifle. “Third floor from the top.”

 

 

Kouga hesitated a moment then peered through the scope looking directly into the condo's balcony doors. “All I see is some redheaded kid watching TV.”

 

 

“Move to the left about thirty feet, you'll see a window.”

 

 

The alpha did as instructed. “There you are my love.” Kouga could not help but smile when his affianced came into view curled up on a bed in a loose sweater and blue jeans oblivious to the spying eye on her as Kagome lay reading a magazine. “She is still so beautiful, even with the pregnancy progressing, what a waste.”

 

 

“It should be a shame to kill one so pretty. I can take her out right now and no one would be the wiser. Trying to get into that building is really not an option unless you have the passkey. My way is simpler and just as effective.” Kouga stood back from the rifle looking into the sharp eyes of the hired gun, a frown in response to the statement on the alphas lips.

 

 

“No, I will do it myself, key or not.” Kouga growled but with no real force behind it. “This woman is far to precious for a bullet behind the ear. It doesn't have that personal touch I strive for, I am a hands on kinda guy by nature.” Kouga bared his fangs at the adolescent; the kid didn't even flinch, only stood his ground with that annoying, determined glint in his eye.

 

 

“You run a higher risk of being apprehended if you stick with the hands on approach. I by no means get my hands dirty unless it is a last resort. I find it senseless to do it in person when you can do it from afar.” The subtly of the cutting remark took Kouga off guard, this kid was good, no wonder Sesshomaru liked him around, too bad he would have to die shortly.

 

 

“I'm not paying you to think for me or worry about possible incarceration, I wanted you to locate her and you fulfilled our agreement.” Kouga coolly stated, looking back out the window to his quarry exposed across the street, his eyes needed no help with their keen vision of the seemingly relaxed Kagome, Kouga swore he could almost catch her scent from across the street, over the stink of the city street below its exhaust fumes and chemicals so foul to his susceptible olfactory sense.

 

 

“Do not mistake my statement for concern, I am wholly apathetic to your situation, all I care about is if my payment is in full.”

 

 

Kouga switched hands with the camel attaché case. “Nice working with you Kohaku, you'll find the funds have already been wired. I'll keep you in mind if I require one with your particular talents again.” Kouga offered out his hand in a proper gesture between two businessmen.

 

 

Kohaku simply nodded, ignoring the outstretched hand, then turning his back removing his blackberry from the inside coat pocket no doubt checking to see if his fee was in the desired account as promised. Kouga slid his hand into the case removing a MK IV with a large suppression attachment on the barrel.

 

 

“No manners what so ever, what on earth was Sesshomaru thinking hiring such a unrefined child.” Kouga pulled the trigger, the soft thump as the bullet entered Kohaku's skull was the only sound made until the assassin pitched forward taking out the tripod with the high-powered rifle attached, already dead before making contact with the unfinished floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inuyasha felt somewhat relieved leaving Kikyo's room, she was having a difficult time dealing with the entire situation, she was facing the state of affairs with as much tact as any woman in her position would be able to do, maybe even more so. At this point he was glad to see Ayame appear with a cocktail designed to ease pain both mental and physical. However Inuyasha was keeping one small bit of information hidden from his wife. This moment in the game as it has come to be to not only himself, but he guessed Sesshomaru as well, Inuyasha felt if would do no one any good if Kikyo knew that he had Kagome held up in the floor below their own. That tidbit of information would do nothing but add to Kikyo's already stressed body and mind, yet keeping such a thing from her would no doubt come back on him, but what choice did he really have. He stood outside Kikyo's door completely exhausted, not only physically, Inuyasha was emotionally drained, and his face reflected it noticeably.

 

 

“Pleased to see you thoroughly miserable once again Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru stood partially leaning on the nurses' station haughtily leering at his brother.

 

 

“Oh Christ Sesshomaru give it a rest already. I'm exhausted and I don't feel like getting into it with you right now. Can't we continue the banter later, like after I get some sleep? Not to mention I am missing an appointment.” Inuyasha deeply sighed walking toward his brother, if there was something Sesshomaru wanted to get out there would be no way for him to stop him. “Listen I have an appointment to keep with Dr. Nguyen, I really don't have time for this, can we talk tomorrow? I have to get some semblance of sleep after this meeting.”

 

 

Inuyasha walked directly past Sesshomaru making his way to the elevators. Unfortunately he also could not help but hear Sesshomaru's unmistakable footsteps following him. Inuyasha sighed raking his hand through his hair stopping in the middle of the hallway exasperated.

 

 

“I see you're not going to let me leave with out saying your peace are you brother.” Inuyasha's timbre was low, even his voice betrayed how exhausted he was physically but more so mentally his reserves were on `E'. “Alright lets get this over with quickly.”

 

 

“Where is she Inuyasha?” Inuyasha laughed at the question. Sesshomaru felt his grip on his self-control begin to slip inch by inch, which was something Inuyasha could draw from his with such ease. “You laugh? I am so fed-up with your childish conduct; it is past time you grow up, take responsibility for your actions.”

 

 

“I thought that's what I've been doing Sesshomaru, sorry if I am not as perfect as you. You know what brother this is truly none of your concern…fuck off.” The words slid out bile thick from the hanyou's mouth, Inuyasha waved Sesshomaru off continuing off down the hall pushing the button to call the elevator.

 

 

Sesshomaru's grip let loose, and a torrent of rage washed over the InuTaisho. The doors opened and as Inuyasha reached to push the button for the first floor, he felt himself being lifted off the ground slamming head first into the mirror in the back of the elevator, the glass spider webbing out to all four corners. A trickle of blood ran into the Inuyasha's left eye as the doors closed behind his back.

 

 

“Haven't we danced this before Sesshomaru?” Inuyasha glared at Sesshomaru's fractured visage in the shattered mirror, forcefully shrugging off Sesshomaru's hands from his shoulders, turning to face his older brother. “Don't touch me. Am I not the screw up little brother you've always hated? You should be used to this.” Unabashed, Inuyasha grinned.

 

 

“You continue to disrespect me Inuyasha, sidestepping my people to get to the Higurashi woman, I am left to clean up your mess, and I am tired of it. I will no longer be challenged by you little brother. You must respect my position in the family, or cut ties between us completely.” Sesshomaru grabbed Inuyasha by the shirt collar pulling him up to his face, the smell of blood thick in the air as crimson droplets trickled down off the hanyou's chin soaking into his shirt, the low growl rumbling in the back of Sesshomaru's throat intensified, and his xanthic eyes began to faintly shift between hues of gold and crimson. “I will ask again, where is your mistress?”

 

 

“Do you hear yourself? God your arrogance knows no end!” Inuyasha glared directly into Sesshomaru eyes. “As I recall you're people were being slaughtered by Kouga. What is your problem? Kagome is in a safe place. I will be watching out for her since your men have the bad habit of getting themselves killed.”

 

 

Sesshomaru roughly released Inuyasha forcing him back into the splintered mirror. “I see,” Sesshomaru gained control of his anger stepping back from Inuyasha with closed eyes and even deep breath. “you do not even have a brain rattling around in that head of yours do you? Do you really think she will be safe in your home Inuyasha?”

 

 

“What? How did you—“ Inuyasha felt the fool, of course Sesshomaru would always be three steps ahead of him.

 

 

“You never think ahead do you? Your home would be the first place I would look, actually I sent Kohaku to check out your building a few hours ago.” The doors opened on the first floor foyer, Sesshomaru stepped aside allowing Inuyasha to leave the confines of the elevator. “I refuse to apologize, however I will not allow any harm to come to my family be they attacked by the uncouth wolf clan of your wife's stalker, so take care of your little problem at home Inuyasha.” Sesshomaru stepped out-of-the-way from the doors as they closed, however hard he tried Inuyasha always extracted the InuTaisho's anger out of the deep recesses he kept it hidden in, this time he nearly lost control and Inuyasha had no idea how razor thin of a line he was treading toward danger. “Like it or not Inuyasha I have to protect my family.” Sesshomaru inwardly spoke to himself, now wondering why Kohaku had not checked in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Mr. Chinkara? Are you alright?” Inuyasha turned to see the obstetrician he was supposed to meet walking toward him from the comfort of the lobby chairs. “What happened to your head?”

 

 

“I just tripped in the elevator, it's no big deal. Are you ready Dr.?”

 

 

The little man nodded walking back to retrieve two large cases beside his seat, Inuyasha beat him too them carrying the bags for the aging doctor. “I've got this, shall we go?”

 

 

“Oh yes. By the way how is Kikyo and the twins? I was surprised when you called me, is there another baby on the way, is that the reason for all the secrecy?” The obgyn happily smiled following Inuyasha to his car.

 

 

“Well sir, there is a baby on the way, but it's kinda complicated. I'll explain at the house.” Inuyasha paused at his car setting the cases in his trunk then opening the door for the man who delivered Kari and Suki.

 

 

 

Inuyasha realized Kikyo probably would not approve of her doctor delivering the baby of his mistress, but Inuyasha had to find someone, and Dr. Nguyen was the only one on the list he knew, he was after all a man, and these sorts of things were way out of his comfort zone, Inuyasha felt proud of himself for even making the call.

 

 

The car ride to his building could not go fast enough for the hanyou, the doctor was incessant in his questioning, which was making Inuyasha feel more and more embarrassed, how was he going to explain Kagome to the man who knew he was married to Kikyo? Never in his life had he been happier to see Matthew as he pulled into the private parking facility. Inuyasha jumped out of the car taking a deep breath in preparation for seeing Kagome and her sidekick Shippo.

 

 

“Matt please take Dr. Nguyen to my place, I'll be there after I make a stop on the way up.” Inuyasha spoke as he was making his way to the elevator, leaving the doctor in Matthew's capable hands for the moment.

 

 

Matthew nodded, he was paid for discretion, not to mention he could put two and two together, especially since the misses was in the hospital and Mr. Chinkara comes home with a pregnant hottie. Secluding her and a friend on the guest floor, and now a doctor coming in? His boss was indeed burning the candle at both ends.

 

 

“Sure thing Mr. Chinkara.” Matthew spoke but Inuyasha had already disappeared on the elevator.

 

 

Connor the security chief for the building entered the parking garage holding out his passkey. “He always forgets doesn't he?”

 

 

Laughing, unloading the doctors' equipment Matthew walked to Connor. “Yea, he seems rattled today, he knows only three people have those.” Matt eyed the computerized card, the doctor blankly looked at the two making his way to the elevator seeming to be getting impatient. “Sorry sir, its just security is tight around here.”

 

At that Connor stopped Dr. Nguyen. “I need a copy of your ID sir, standard procedure when entering the building if your unaccompanied by a resident.”

 

 

“But I just arrived here with Inuyasha Chinkara, he saw us together?” The doctor pointed at Matthew.

 

 

“Yes sir, but he left you in our hands for a moment. It will only take a second, we can never be to careful you know.” The security chief warmly smiled trying to set the man at ease, it probably didn't help that he was a seven-foot youkai who could break the five-foot doctor in half like a dry twig.

 

 

The old physician sighed removing his wallet handing over his driver's license, now he remembered why he hated making house calls for the youkai elite in the city.

 

 

 

 

 

Nervously Inuyasha got off on Kagome's floor, unlike his own which opened directly into the house, you actually had to walk down a short hallway to reach the front door. He of course had a key, but knocking seemed the more polite thing to do. Inuyasha's mind was racing, what if she refused to be checked out by the doctor, more pressing what was he going to tell the doctor? The man thought he was coming to see Kikyo, how would he react if he knew it was his mistress? Inuyasha knocked his head on the door feeling a shock of pain, forgetting about the cut to his forehead given to him by Sesshomaru.

 

 

“Ouch.” Inuyasha tenderly touched the gash, realizing it was beginning to bleed once again. “Great.”

 

 

“What's so great?” Shippo flung open the door frowning when he saw Inuyasha bleeding, and wearing a sanguine soaked shirt.

 

 

“It looks worse than it really is.” Inuyasha stepped into the residence, with his palm pressed to the wound.

 

 

“What's worse than it looks?” Kagome came down the hallway, her eyes meeting Inuyasha's. “What did you do?” Her pace quickened to him, her hand gently touching the side of his face, she leaned in on tiptoes trying to get a look at the gash. “This may need stitches. Shippo get a towel out of the kitchen.”

 

 

The kitsune grumbled marching off to do Kagome's bidding. “I'm not a fucking errand boy you know.”

 

 

“Thank you Shippo.” Kagome led a mute Inuyasha into the living room in Tuscan decor, sitting him on the couch. “So who did this?”

 

 

“It doesn't matter. Listen Kagome, I need you to come with me okay?” Inuyasha forlornly gazed into her eyes looking as pitiable as possible.

 

 

It was those giant molten-gold centered hanyou eyes that just unstitched Kagome's heart, she fought to make a simple sentence, let alone deny him anything at the moment, he just looked so damned adorable sitting on the couch bleeding, looking like a lost puppy.

 

 

“I…a… sure Inuyasha.” Alright she would blame it on the hormones, not to mention she was already on cloud nine, Kagome waited all day to let him know she felt the baby kick for the first time this morning.

 

 

“But you don't even know what I want you to do?” Inuyasha took her hand in his, he could hear her heartbeat quicken at his touch, it didn't matter what happened before, and he knew at this moment she still loved him. It broke his heart that he would be unable to reciprocate. “Come upstairs with me, there is someone I want you to meet alright?”

 

 

A dish towel flew into Inuyasha's face, breaking the trance Kagome put herself in, turning over her shoulder she saw Shippo glaring Inuyasha's way. “Oh yea, the cut…thanks Shippo.”

 

 

“Whatever. I'm going to lay down, I can't take this crap anymore.” The kit stomped out of the room behaving like a child who didn't get the toy he wanted.

 

 

Kagome dabbed at the cut fighting hard not to gaze into his eyes. “Whom are you taking me to meet?”

 

 

“Just come with me, I promise it will be a good experience.” Inuyasha stood to his feet, the rag dropping to the floor out of Kagome's hand, reluctantly she followed. “We just have to go upstairs.” Inuyasha was yanked to a halt as Kaogme stopped in her tracks. “Kagome?”

 

 

“I am not stepping one foot into your wife's house, are you crazy? It's bad enough I am even in the building, but her house hell no!” She dropped his hand stepping back from him. “Oh no, not on your life!”

 

 

Inuyasha took one step toward her scooping her up in his arms, she immediately began to kick and hit his chest. “Listen to me Kagome I want this done with some semblance of privacy, and your little boy scout in there has nothing to do with this!” Kagome paused her wriggling only momentarily until the elevator doors opened. “Damn it Kagome stop! Come on, you are being ridiculous, no one will be there but you me and Dr. Nguyen.” Inuyasha entered the elevator; he struggled to insert his key, as Kagome continued to fight.

 

 

“Doctor? What doctor Inuyasha?” Panic hinted in her voice. “I don't need a doctor.”

 

 

“Well I want to see our baby Kagome, and this guy is wonderful.” Inuyasha placed Kagome on her feet as the door closed and the car began to move upwards.

 

 

“This is not fair Inuyasha, you just ambushed me!” Kagome glared at him, angrily crossing her arms across her chest, biting at her lip, Inuyasha had always found it endearing.

 

 

The doors opened and Inuyasha literally had to drag Kagome out, thankful for the first time that Kikyo had Italian marble put in the entryway. Kagome's sock covered feet slid well to Inuyasha's amusement and Kagome's stubbornness not to move an inch.

 

 

The OBGYN watched the two from the living room wondering who was this woman and where was Kikyo? “Mr. Chinkara?”

 

 

 

“Dr. Nguyen this is Kagome, she is, she is,” Inuyasha couldn't think at the moment, he knew full well that he should have come up with an alias earlier. “this is Kagome, Kikyo's cousin.”

 

 

“I'm what?” Kagome eeped out looking completely shocked, and disbelieving what her ears heard, and her mind refused to process. “I'm her what?” Kagome harshly whispered at Inuyasha.

 

 

 

Inuyasha turned on her, his voice low and flustered himself. “Sorry it's all I could come up with at the moment. Just go along with it.”

 

 

“Oh, alright then, please miss come sit down, I have some questions to ask you, and then we'll take a look at that baby.” The doctor smiled motioning to the couch across from him, reluctantly Kagome sat where instructed, her eyes boring holes into Inuyasha's skull, he had never seen her so angry.

 

 

“Inuyasha are you going to join us?” The doctor questioned with a raised brow as the man put on his glasses.

 

 

“I'm afraid she might castrate me.” Inuyasha whispered, as he hesitantly sat beside a fuming Kagome.

 

 

The OBGYN pulled out a file, and readied a pen. “Last menses?”

 

 

“Last what?” Kagome's brow furrowed, first question and she had no idea what language the man was speaking.

 

 

“Period my dear, when was your last one?”

 

 

All right that was information Inuyasha did not wish to hear, no man wanted to hear, as if he had been electrocuted Inuyasha shot up from the couch excusing himself from the two, trying to ignore the angry look radiating from Kagome. “I'll come back when you're ready for the sonogram.”

 

 

“Inuyasha.” Kagome flatly spoke as he drew himself deep into the condo and away from the two sets of eyes watching his retreat. Kikyo never would have made him subject to such personal things, but then again he was all Kagome had, beside a love struck fox.

 

 

 

He could not help his excellent hearing however and Kagome's answer stunned him to paralysis in the middle of the hallway toward his room, she had to have gotten pregnant right after thanksgiving, she had known for so long and never said a word. His blood was boiling, why would she keep such a secret? Staggering he made his way into the solace of the vacant bedroom he shared with Kikyo, her scent still permeated the place, the memories of better times assaulted him viciously, and his heart felt heavy remembering the happy times spent together in this room. In the more recent months however the memories became tainted because of him. However the fact that his mistress was in the other room was probably a bad idea that Inuyasha knew for a fact would come back and bite him in the ass, but what was he supposed to do?

 

 

“What am I going to do?” He spoke aloud flopping like a rag doll to the bed. “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” The saying that was his mothers mantra when she would catch him in a white lie as a child when he was still learning right from wrong, only now as an adult did he fully understand the old saying.

 

 

“All through college I never got pregnant, so I figured there was something wrong with me, I never really thought about it, till I took the test in January and low and behold.” Kagome turned off the way Inuyasha shambled; a coy smile overtook her lips. “I guess his guys are just potent.” Kagome giggled to herself, here Inuyasha was forcing her to see the doctor, but now he was just as uncomfortable, hiding out in the other side of the house cursing the heredity that gave him such plight at the moment.

 

 

“He? He who? The father?” The doctor seemed unfazed by the hanyou's odd departure; then again he was here for the mother and baby not the husband of her cousin.

 

 

“Inuyasha of course.” The sound of Inuyasha coming down the hall with colorful curses preceding his arrival, Kagome could not help but smile a bit. “Yes, Inuyasha is the father.” Kagome smirked as Inuyasha rounded the corner his eyes fixed on Kagome.

 

 

“You slept with your cousins husband?” The physician was now the stunned one, yet not nearly as much as Inuyasha, this was not the first time he had dealt with the other woman, he was just surprised it was this family. “Never mind.” The doctor shook the surprise out of his head. “Alright I need some blood and -“

 

 

“Excuse my rudeness doctor but fuck the blood test. Let me see my pup, we can do all that other things at another time correct? I mean it is not detrimental to the baby if we wait a few minutes on blood work and urine samples, am I correct in assuming that?” Inuyasha sat on the arm of the enormous sofa which Kagome was beginning the lay out on, a smile still on her lips the slip of Inuyashas dirty little secret was completely on purpose.

 

 

“Um, alright then, you are correct the other tests can come afterwards or at another time. I am presuming I will not be seeing the young lady in the office.” Inuyasha nodded in response, he'd be damned that Kaogme would step one foot out of the building until the birth.

 

 

Dr. Nguyen opened up a large rectangular case; a flat 15” screen was presented, below a keyboard and trackball. Kagome lifted her sweater, revealing a perfectly rounded belly. She jumped in surprise when the doctor squeezed out the cold gel on her belly.

 

 

“I'm so excited, but am I already supposed to be so big?” Kagome met the ob's eyes, which calmly smiled back.

 

 

“You must remember my dear this is not a human baby, the quarter of youkai blood accelerates the growth tremendously. How far along was Kikyo when the twins came Inuyasha?”

 

 

“Um in human growth I guess about six months. If I remember correctly.” Inuyasha inched toward Kagome, his anger fading being replaced with tempered excitement to see his child for the first time. He lifted Kagome's head placing is upon his lap he began out of habit stroking her raven hair away from her face beaming as the ultrasound screen came to life.

 

 

Running the wand to one side to the other the doctor taking measurements and waiting a split second for the computer to calculate the numbers, the wand pausing on the child's beating heart racing at near 184 beats per minute, way above the human baby's normal 120 to 140 range, another gift of youkai genetic. “Well the baby weighs about 5pounds and 11 ounces and is around 16” long, and if it would stop mooning us at the moment I will have the sex for you.” The kind physician manipulated the wand putting pressure slowly manipulating the child to rotate. “Well your baby is perfectly healthy, for 20 weeks gestation, if born now he would survive, with a little help, but the fellow is in a transverse position, that's something we'll have to watch each week from now on okay?”

 

 

Kagome nodded, amazed her eyes spilling tears watching the baby kicking and seemingly sucking his thumb. Wait a minute he said he! “It's a boy?” Kagome's smile broadened and her tears increased tenfold, she was ecstatic. A son, I'm going to have Inuyasha's son!! “Did you hear that Inuyasha, a boy?”

 

 

The hanyou sat dumbstruck, and mute, his eyes misting up as well. A son, finally a male heir to the Chinkara family, god this was going to burn Sesshomaru's ass. “Were going to have a boy.” Inuyasha whispered, leaning over and absentmindedly kissing Kaogme fully on the lips, before he could stop himself.

 

 

“A son, thank you Dr. Nguyen.” Inuyasha felt like kissing the man himself, he just couldn't believe it, a son. Then it struck him, how was Kikyo going to handle this, after Halloween they had begun to talk about another baby, hoping for a boy, this would once again hurt her, that realization took the smile from his face.

 

 

 

 

 

Sesshomaru sat in Kikyo's room watching the emotionally tormented woman sleeping peacefully for the moment. The anger caused by his little brother still fresh in his mind, fueling his wrath that was now becoming directed to the wolf alpha Kouga, whom he knew, not from evidence, but his youkai intuition that he was in league with the bastard after Kikyo. The InuTaisho gently held Kikyo's hand as she slept.

 

“I promise you Kikyo, I will not fail you, and I have sworn to protect this family with my own spilled blood and my final breath, as it is my duty as InuTaisho. I will rip that bastard Onigumo apart, and my pledge to you the wolves will be shedding tears or scarlet when I and finished with them. Let them come, I challenge them to try and harm my family again.”

 

 

Sesshomaru whispered in his controlled rage. His phone vibrated in his pants pocket, removing the blackberry there was a text from the operative he sent out to check up on Kohaku who was two hours late in reporting in. The text only one brief three word sentence, stunning enough to snap Sesshomaru to his feet, with a growl growing deep within his chest. Kohaku is dead.

 

 

 

A/N: I must apologize to you all about the lateness of this chapter. May 4, my husband and I were in a catastrophic car accident, leaving my husband still in intensive care, and me in a wheelchair for who knows how long. We need and prayers we can get, I am trying to get back to writing to keep my mind occupied, yet I find myself doing it in the small hours of the night when my mind refuses to stop worrying me about my present situation. I hope you like the chapter, the story is coming to a close, and next I am going to try to finish “Blood”, on another sleepless night. As always reviews are welcomed and needed. Thank you so very much for your patients, Pandora.