Author's Notes—

Sorry for the long wait all!! Last year was one long pain for me. Ended with a nice little computer virus too. Oh well. Been very busy what with school and all. Glasgow is a blast though. I have pics up at angelzash. myphotoalbum. com, just remember to take out the spaces…

Anyway, looked back at the previous chapters. Dang I must have been tired when I wrote them! So many mistakes and so much bad writing. If I had the time I'd take them down and rewrite this puppy! ::sighs:: Maybe later this year? But it'll take me a while to wade through all my own original stories and have been neglecting my other fanfics too… Oh well, I hope this chapter is better than the last.

And just to let people know, I write a lot faster when there is motivation. So feel free to IM me. AIM: Tsuhana or AngelZash and Yahoo! Messenger: Angelzash

Enjoy the long awaited chapter! Sorry for the wait Aja…

Story Start

"Mama? Is she better yet?"

Kagome glanced over Rin to where Shippou sat crushing herbs for another salve. "Yes, her fever's broken anyway. We just have to be careful it doesn't come back."

"You healed her quickly."

"Of course she healed the human quickly. She wouldn't like the consequences if she hadn't." Jaken dropped a load of sticks next to the fire and began adding to it.

Kagome shot the youkai a glare. "She must not have been that bad, just didn't have anyone who knew how to care for her illness properly. And Kaede is a good teacher."

"Are you saying Sesshoumaru is incompetent, human?" Jaken sounded gleeful.

Kagome sighed, "No. I'm saying he's not used to how fragile human children can be. And you're neglectful from what I can tell."

Jaken snarled, "How dare you!" He lunged at Kagome only to find himself dangled by his collar face to face with Sesshoumaru. The greater youkai glared at Jaken for several long moments and Kagome pulled Tsutaki closer to her in her lap. Then, with a neglectful toss by Sesshoumaru, Jaken flew in an arc over the campsite and disappeared into the trees. Tsutaki, who had watched his flight with the fascinated rapture only a baby could manage, squealed and clapped her hands.

"Her fever has broken," Kagome told Sesshoumaru, wrapping a hand over Tsutaki's. As long as it doesn't come back, she should recover in a few days. I don't think she should be moving around a lot for another week though. She'll still be weak."

Sesshoumaru didn't reply, just stared eerily at the young girl.

"You also need to make sure she eats properly: well cooked meat or fish every now and then, rice, vegetables, maybe some fruit… And that she drinks plenty of clean water."

Now the youkai lord had turned his attention on her. Kagome flushed and reached out to nervously fiddle with the blankets covering Rin.

"Human children are very delicate, much more so than youkai ones, I suspect. She needs a lot more attention from both you and Jaken."

"Kagome…" Shippou whined, fear laced liberally through his voice.

Sesshoumaru's gaze remained on her. Kagome swallowed and wondered if she'd gone too far. Then he bowed his head in a quick nod, turned and left.

Suddenly she found her lap occupied by Shippou as well as Tsutaki and patted his back gently as he buried his face in her stomach.

"Were you scared, Shippou-chan? I'm sorry…"

"I thought he was gonna kill you! Why'd you tell him those things?"

Kagome sighed. She seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. "Because if he is going to take care of Rin properly, he needs to know how." She looked up the clouds that were beginning to darken the sky. "I probably should have mentioned ensuring she stayed dry…"

She jumped and screamed as a THOCK sounded behind her. She spun around to see Sesshoumaru driving a tall wooden stake into the ground.

"This Sesshoumaru can take care of his own, human." He stared at her a moment more before moving on.

"G-gomen nasai," Kagome acknowledged and watched as he drove three more stakes deep into the ground before disappearing.

"Shippou-chan." She nudged the kitsune still burrowed into her stomach. "Shippou-chan, have you finished grinding those herbs for me?" Shippou shook his head, not releasing his tight grip on her in the slightest. "Could you please do so now?"

He glanced up at her and she smiled before leaning down to kiss his nose. He wrinkled it in return and blushed. "Don't do that!"

Kagome laughed, "You're more like Inu Yasha than you know!"

Shippou looked affronted and crossed his arms in a huff before grinning. "Least I'm not like Miroku!"

"Thank God for that!"

The little youkai-boy laughed and jumped back over Rin to his chore.

Tsutaki reached up and patted Kagome's cheek. "Mama genki?"1

Kagome smiled down at her. "Hai, kara Shippou-chan wa genki desu."2

Tsutaki looked over to stare at Shippou as he ground the herbs. "Tsutaki to nii-chan asobu?"3

"Shippou, almost done?"

"Think so. Just a little more?"

"Let me see it."

Shippou hopped back over to her with the mashed contents of the bowl.

"I think that'll do. Want to play with Tsutaki for a little while?"

Shippou wrinkled his nose as he stared at the little girl now reaching for him and emitting happy squeals. "I'm not a baby."

"No, but she is. And I know you'll be careful with her. Besides, I need to finish this salve."

Shippou sighed but reached out to take Tsutaki from her. Kagome gathered up a couple more herbs and began mashing them into the ones Shippou had just finished before adding a bit of water to the mixture. She smiled over at the pair as Shippou made impersonations of the different people he knew. He didn't do Inu Yasha, however, which Kagome mourned as she pulled down Rin's blanket and kimono to rub the newly-made salve on her chest. The little girl shifted but remained as still as ever.

Kagome wondered how the hanyou was. Was he still angry with her for bringing Tsutaki? Had he even realized she was missing yet?

Of course he had! Sango must have told him and he was on his way here now.

Unless she hadn't been able to find him…

No, he was on his way. He always knew and came for her. She couldn't say she was looking forward to this particular rescue, however. She couldn't have Rin disturbed.

Sesshoumaru returned to throw what looked to have been a large tent over the stakes, which had been set closely enough that the tent trailed and folded over where it met the ground. She decided she didn't want to know where he got it and covered her patient back up. Maybe he'd leave and wouldn't be around when Inu Yasha got here. Then she could get him to take the baby back while she and the others waited here for Rin to become well enough that Kagome could leave.

No, Inu Yasha was too mulish for that to work. So what was she going to do then?

"Sess...shou...maru…sama?"

She looked down to see Rin weakly fumbling to sit up. Her pale face was sweaty and she shivered from her efforts.

"Rin-chan! Sesshoumaru isn't here, he might be outside though. Let me go see. Shippou-chan, watch Rin for a minute!" Kagome stood and picked up Tsutaki, not wanting her to be a distraction to Shippou.

Rin flopped back just then, her arms giving way beneath her.

"And keep her laying down, please, I don't think she should exert herself too much."

It took her a moment to find the flap that opened the door, but then she rushed outside. She immediately regretted doing so, however. A harsh wind gust nearly blew her over and she looked automatically into it. Standing there, long hair streaming in the wind stood Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! She's awake!" Kagome fought the wind and stumbled as it subsided.

"Mama…" Tsutaki buried her head into Kagome's shoulder and sniffled. Kagome bounced her higher up on her hip as she ran to stand beside the youkai lord.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin's awake!"

He didn't look down at her, just stared straight ahead. Kagome turned and saw Kouga standing there, snarling menacingly at him. She moved closer to Sesshoumaru, hoping she could hide the baby behind him. If Kouga saw Tsutaki, she'd only think Inu Yasha had overreacted.

"Kagome," Kouga cried, finally seeing her. "Don't worry, Kagome! I'll have you away from here in a minute!"

Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru, who continued his silent staring. She rolled her eyes: no help there. "I'm fine, Kouga. You can go back to your pack now."

Kouga's eyes narrowed, "What are you doing to Kagome to make her say that, bastard?"

"You watch your language," Kagome screamed back. Her eyes flashed as she stepped out from behind Sesshoumaru. The wind blew a lighter gust at her and she stumbled back into the youkai.

"Ahh! Sumimasen!"

She began to turn for an apology bow, but stopped when she heard a vicious growl coming from Kouga.

"Whose baby is that, Kagome?"

Kagome's eyes opened wide as Sesshoumaru stepped in front of her. "Leave, wolf."

Kouga snarled and lunged for Sesshoumaru. Kagome screamed and turned to shield Tsutaki with her body. But then nothing happened, save a sickening crack from the far left. She looked over and saw Kouga sitting stunned and bleeding beneath a toppled tree.

"Could have told you that would happen."

Kagome peeked around Sesshoumaru to see Inu Yasha walking briskly towards them, Kirara with Sango and Miroku landing just behind him.

Sesshoumaru spun around and entered the tent, surprising everyone into a moment of silence.

Inu Yahsa finally snorted, "Looks like he's not in the mood to fight today."

"Rin's sick. He's going to see her," Kagome answered him. She stumbled back again as another burst of wind pummeled against her. She gasped as she straightened, trying to catch her breath the wind had stolen.

She caught the movement of something red from the corner of her eyes and then of something brown. Looking up, she found Kouga and Inu Yasha snarling into each other's face.

"Why didn't you tell me she had had Sesshoumaru's baby!"

"Because she didn't! And what business is it of yours?" Inu Yasha swiped at Kouga.

Kouga jumped back, evading the hit, and snarled. "Whose is it then? Yours?"

Another gust of wind picked up Kagome's hair, but this time she moved closer to the side of the tent and used it to steady herself. She bounced Tsutaki gently, hoping to calm her. Goosebumps that had nothing to do with the cold chill of the wind rose on her skin. "Well, she's certainly no one here's!"

"Kagome," Miroku called, sidestepping the two bickering youkai along with Sango. They stopped next to her, one on either side, and Sango reached out to brush back some of the baby's hair.

Tsutaki looked up at her shivered and burrowed further into Kagome. "Mama, tsumetai."4

Kagome rubbed the baby's back as another gust blew against her. Man, but it was windy today.

Miroku steadied her with one hand against her back, not daring a grope with Sango so near and two over-protective youkai not much further away. "Why did you bring a baby with you then?"

"It wasn't my idea," Kagome sighed. "Souta lost the stupid cat again and…" She shrugged.

Miroku's hand tensed and Sango gasped, her eyes opening wide. Inu Yasha and Kouga exploded, "NANI!"

"WHO," Inu Yasha demanded. "WHO DID THIS? WAS IT THAT HOUJOU YOUR BROTHER WAS TELLING ME ABOUT?"

Kagome's eyes opened wide as she tried to get her brain to function again after the unexpected assault. What she thought was worse was the murderous look in Inu Yasha's eyes. It was reminiscent of when he turned full-youkai. "N-nani? I-I don't—"

Realization caught up with her then, just as rain started pouring down.

Tsutaki screeched, "Mama! Kirei!"5

"Inside! We'll talk there," Kagome called to the others, turning to rush back inside. Only before her stood another youkai, barring her way.

Miroku shot in front of her as she screamed and then he was being thrown aside as the youkai snatched her up. She screamed again as the demon drew a katana and used it to sweep both Inu Yasha and Kouga into the trees before knocking Hiraikotsu away on the back swing.

The youkai laughed as he pressed the sword to Kagome's throat. "What do you think Inu Yasha? Would you like to see your woman's head roll in the wind and rain? I wou— WHAT?"

Kagome didn't scream this time as she fell, instead she rolled to avoid landing on Tsutaki and the falling body behind her. She lay in the mud afterwards, listening to Tsutaki cry and staring as Sesshoumaru let the rain wash the blood from his claws, back onto the dead youkai below him.

"You're disturbing Rin."

"Gomen nasai," Sango said, moving cautiously towards Kagome.

"D-doumo arigatou gozaimasu," Kagome finally managed, juggling Tsutaki in her lap as she sat up.

Sesshoumaru looked down on her, his face expressionless. "She wants you."

Kagome nodded, stumbled to her feet and rushed inside.

After Notes

I'm trying to get back into learning Japanese. Not much more time than before, but… yeah. Anyway, here are translations for my few usages.

"Mama happy?" direct translation would be more like, "Mama energetic?" though.

"Yes, because Shippou is happy." Chan means little and in this sense is simply an affectionate term.

"Tsutaki and Big Brother play?" Deliberately destroying the language here in an attempt to mimic baby speak. Sorry to all those in the know if I failed miserably.

"Cold."

"Don't like."

Other words: Sumimasen-Excuse me!, gomen nasai-I'm very sorry. (formal), Doumo arigatou gozaimasu –Thank you so much! (very formal for being very grateful and his being very powerful), youkai-demon (as close to a translation as you can get for the word anyway), hanyou—half-demon.

If I forgot any words and you wanna know what they mean, ask me, I'll tell.

Next Chapter: Explaining Baby (probably last chapter, unless my muse decides to hit)