DISCLAIMER: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

The Sword Smith's Secret

By MissKatt

Chapter Eighty-Two: We Are Stronger Together

"He's stronger now," Kagome murmured as Menoumaru began to gather energy at his forehead, readying another beam to attack with.

"Indeed," Sesshoumaru replied, scowling at the moth as he leapt back with Kagome in his arms once again. "What did he do to gain this power?"

She frowned at her own weakness. "He had me break the barrier that surrounded his father's grave so he could absorb his power." He said they would talk about it later, but it spewed out past her lips before she could stop it. "H-he used our pup against me. I didn't have a choice, Sessh. I couldn't risk another hit."

Another hit. Had Menoumaru struck her in the stomach? His beast snarled within him, begging for bloodshed.

He glanced back down on her, making his amber eyes stay on her face instead of traveling down to her stomach. "You chose to protect our child. I will never fault you for that."

She nodded once, but didn't feel relieved in the slightest. Her pup had suffered and Menoumaru had gained power, both of which were her fault. "How do we beat him?" She asked quietly, making them turn back to the current threat.

"Bakusaiga can stop things from regenerating, but I do not know if I can get close enough to him in my human form. But, in my true form, I cannot wield the sword." He answered, his brow creasing in frustration.

"My reiki defeated Naraku," she reminded him. "And repelled the barrier holding in Menoumaru's father's power. What if I'm the one to use Bakusaiga and imbed my reiki in the blade? You can get me close to him while in your beast form."

"No," he growled. "You have been in danger too much lately, Kagome. I will not risk you again."

"You agreed we would do this together!" She reminded him, latching her arms around his neck when he grabbed her and jumped away from another one of Menoumaru's attacks. She just barely bit back the wince the sudden movement caused.

Sesshoumaru pursed his lips tightly together. "I did, yes, but that does not mean I am going to put you and the pup at risk once again." When she went to argue, he pressed her body tighter against his. "I cannot lose you again, Kagome."

Her eyes softened. "You won't lose me, Sesshoumaru. You know we have to stop him. He's this way because of me, and is going to target the West because of your family. We can't let that happen. We have to protect our people."

He stared down at her, selfishness and obligation warring within him. She was right, of course she was, but she was already in pain and it stemmed from where their pup was nestled within her. If there was any chance their pup was okay, he wanted to keep it that way. Still, he knew better than try to convince her otherwise. Knew it was their duty as Lord and Lady. With a sigh, he nodded. "I will shift back into my true form and get you closer to him."

She felt his arms tighten around her before they fell away. She watched as he unsheathed Bakusaiga and held out her hands for it. The blade jolted in her hold before warming, almost as if remembering its creator. She looked up when she felt Sesshoumaru grasp the back of her neck and kissed him back when he pressed his lips hard against hers. "I love you." She whispered against his lips when they parted.

"I love you, too." He replied before stepping back from her. He held her gaze for a moment longer before he relinquished control to the eager beast within him.

Kagome watched him transform and gave the beast a loving smile when he looked down at her with his turquoise pupils. He lowered his body to the floor, helping her onto his back. When she clumsily climbed on, she stroked his fur. "Love you, Beast."

He rumbled happily under her before snapping his head towards Menoumaru when the moth shot at them again. With a vibrating snarl, he leapt away and into the sky, dodging the golden beam.

Kagome fisted his fur in her free hand as he ran towards their opponent. Her legs spread on either side of his wide neck, and the movement of his running, did nothing to ease the pain in her abdomen. She didn't want to believe the worst, but couldn't help but think it. Sesshoumaru said he didn't blame her, but she that stop her from blaming herself.

Her eyes burned once again, but she quickly shook her head again. No, she couldn't think about it now. She would have time to dwell and cry and feel guilty after they killed Menoumaru. With a forced nod of confidence, she focused on their opponent as they drew closer.

"Fool! You think your tiny human wench will make any difference?" Menoumaru cackled before swinging at them as he gathered his youki into his forehead once again.

Sesshoumaru swerve away from the massive hand that swatted at them, but had to quickly jerk in a different direction when Menoumaru's remaining wing swung at them. He felt Kagome's weight shift, the feel of her slipping making his stomach twist. He banked the opposite way he felt her weight fall and stayed that way until she situated herself back in the center of his neck.

Her heart was racing from her near fall, her adrenaline filling her veins with fire. "I'm okay," she told him and patted fur beneath her when he huffed angrily. "It's just hard to hang on with one hand." She watched the golden energy as it flittered to Menoumar's forehead, gathering in a ball until it was ready to fire. "I have an idea, Sessh."

He grunted, telling her he was listening.

"His power stems from his forehead and it takes him a while to attack again afterwards. I think after he shoots, we strike. We'll need to get within distance of the beam, though." She felt his vibrating growl and knew exactly what he was saying. "I know it's dangerous, and I know it's risky, but we can do this. Together we are stronger, remember?"

Another rumble throughout his body and she nodded, "Let's do it." With a huff, he began running straight towards the giant moth youkai. Kagome tightened her grip in his fur, squeezing her thighs as tight as she could as he gained speed.

Menoumaru laughed in delight at their stupidity. Maybe they finally realized that they had no chance. That he, now in possession of his father's legacy, was the true ruler of the West. Was the greatest youkai ever! Of course they would succumb to his will and power! Everyone would eventually!

Once they were close enough, he threw his arms back and thrust his head forward, amplifying the size of his attack. He heard Sesshoumaru snarl as his form disappeared in the golden light that was his youki. He smirked in triumph, but it faltered when a streak of white appeared above him right as his attack finished. He had dodged it? From that close?

Barely recovering, he flung his arm out and smirked once again when he made contact with Sesshoumaru's body. The Western lord yelped at he was smacked, his body flying off to the side. A laugh bubbled up in Menoumaru's throat until he realized too late that the miko was falling towards him, a green and pink blade poised to kill. His body couldn't react in time, couldn't stop the metal from jabbing into the crest of his head and slicing down his forehead towards his nose.

Kagome's downward decent was stopped when his hand wrapped around her, his brain still functioning despite the wound. Feeling his hand struggling to squeeze around her, she gripped Bakusaiga's handle tighter and flared her reiki as much as she could. Bakusaiga's power expanded with hers, the sheer brightness of the two making her eyes squeeze shut. She flinched when he screamed, his voice ringing in her ears, and then it was abruptly cut off as his body disintegrated. Her scream replaced his in the night sky as she began to plummet towards the ground, Bakusaiga gripped tightly in her hands.

Sesshoumaru heard his mate's scream as he tried to get his legs under him again. His eyes honed in on her falling form, and felt his heart seize in his chest. He began to rush toward her, but he knew he wouldn't get to her in time. He couldn't. His mind flashed to when he wasn't fast enough to stop that knife from stabbing into her neck. A wave of nausea washed over him as fear consumed him.

His father's words rang in his head, "She has escaped death twice; there will not be a third time."

No. No, no, no! Not again. He did not want to lose her, did not want to exist in a world without his mate.

Kagome felt fear and panic fill her with a weight that was heavier than her own. It was her mate's feelings. It felt like she was falling in slow motion as she looked towards his direction. He was racing towards her, but he wouldn't reach her before she hit the ground. She opened her mouth to tell him she loved him, but almost bit her tongue off when someone grabbed her before she hit the ground.

"I have you, Miko," Inukimi purred, holding her daughter and grandpup close.

Kagome blinked and they were touching down on the floor. Take and Tekkan rushing to their side. She had only fallen for a few seconds, but it had felt like longer. "Thank you," she said when Inukimi set her on her feet. She straightened, but immediately keeled over with pain. She stabbed the sword in the ground, trying to use it to brace herself.

"Kagome?" She reached out to steady her, concern furrowing her brow.

"It's the pup," Sesshoumaru said, landing next to them in his human form. He sheathed Bakusaiga and then carefully swept Kagome up in his arms, letting a soothing rumble echo in his chest when her breath hitched in pain, body going rigid. "Hold on, Kagome." Without sparing the others a glance, he rushed them home.

Taku saw Inukimi hesitate with the mess around them. "We'll make sure everything here is handled." He jerked his chin towards the West. "The girls are dead and we just need to check on the villagers. Go with them, Inukimi-sama. We have this handled."

She gave him a thankful look. "We will see you back at the shiro." She nodded at the twins before following after her son.

*~~~SSS~~~*

"Ah!" Another spasm hit her and she fisted Sesshoumaru's haori as he ran down the hall of the Western palace.

"We are almost there," he told her, keeping his voice calm despite his racing heart. "Jinenji will know what to do."

"I'm sorry," she whispered through gritted teeth.

He gently shushed her. "I told you not to apologize. It is not needed." They got to the medical wing and he kicked open the door, worrying about repairs later. He saw the horse hanyou jump at the crash, a scroll flying from his hands.

"S-Sesshoumaru-sama, Kagome-sama," he began, bowing low at the waist.

"Help us, Jinenji," Sesshoumaru ordered, but he could hear the cold bite of panic in his tone. "The pup—" The words got caught in his throat. He didn't want to say what he thought it might be. "It is causing her pain."

Jinenji's eyes widened and he urgently ushered them to the nearest cot. "Lay her down while I get some tools."

Sesshoumaru obeyed, setting his precious mate down on the white bed. When he went to recline her fully against the padding, she cried out. He bent over her, taking her hand in his and squeezing it. "I am here, Kagome."

She looked up at him, cerulean eyes brimming with tears. "Forgive me."

His brows creased together as he pushed her bangs back from her face. "I am the one who should beg for forgiveness. I wanted to keep you safe by keeping Menoumaru's threat a secret from you. I thought I was protecting you, but instead I put you and our pup at risk."

She shook her head. "I should have trusted you, but I was insecure."

"We should have trusted each other." He corrected in a soft tone.

"We're stronger together," she whispered as the tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes.

"And we will only become stronger," his moved his hand from her hair to lightly touch her stomach. "No matter what may happen, Mate."

Her bottom lip trembled and more tears fell. "No matter what." She echoed.

Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder when he heard foot falls and saw his brother and mother hurrying towards them. He tried to put his stoic mask in place, but knew he didn't quit achieve it when his mother frowned with worry. He turned his attention back to his miko, not wanting to see her pity. Still, he silently found comfort when Inukimi placed a hand on his shoulder.

Jinenji wasn't fazed by the rest of the pack gathered around the miko when he returned. He kneeled down next to his patient, setting down the herbs and bowl of water he had gathered. Looking up at his lord, he held his palms up nonthreateningly. "Sesshoumaru-sama, I must look at her stomach," his voice dropped "And possibly her groin."

"Do what you must, Jinenji." He kept his eyes on his mate, petting her hair when she flinched.

Inukimi turned towards her stepson as the healer started loosening the miko's haori. "Inuyasha, go wait in the hall."

The hanyou startled at the command. "But—"

Her amber pools softened. "I know you want to be here, Beta, but it might be best if it is just us," Seeing him about to protest, she continued. "You do not need to see your Lady naked."

Inuyasha's cheeks flushed red and his crossed his arms haughtily. "Fine. I'll be in the hall."

"Thank you," Sesshoumaru said in a low voice, taking in Kagome's milky skin as her haori was parted. "And for catching her when I could not."

Inukimi blinked at the gratitude. That was the second time he ever thanked her. Yes, the miko was definitely changing her son, and it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. "You are always welcome, my precious pup."

Jinenji tugged her shirt from the confines of her hakama and winced when he heard the deep growl from his lord. Oh, but he didn't blame him, no. Kagome's lower stomach was red, blotches of purple already forming in the bruise. He gently prodded her skin, feeling for anything broken or ruptured. "What happened?"

"Menoumaru," Kagome rasped out. "Kneed me."

There was another angry growl from their lord, but Jinenji didn't flinch this time. He just dipped his head in a nod and began working on the ties of her hakama. Once they were free, he lightly touched the area between her hips, slowly applying more pressure until she hissed in pain. Still, he smelled no blood.

"I need to bend up your knees, Kagome-sama," he said his usual soft, gentle tone. She shifted to do as asked and he assisted her until they were bent.

Sesshoumaru's lip lifted in a snarl when Jinenji's hand move towards the center of his mate's thighs. "Jinenji." He warned in a gravelly voice.

Inukimi squeezed her son's shoulders. "Calm, my son. He is doing what he must, just as you told him." Not feeling him relax, she continued. "I had complications when I was pupped with you. So, trust me when I say that this is a normal part of checking on the child."

Jinenji took the silence from his lord as permission to continue. He felt uncomfortable doing this, but he would do what he must to make sure his suspicions were correct. He dipped a finger into the water and then slowly eased it between the miko's thighs. Sesshoumaru growled, but made no move to stop him. The healer put his other hand flat on Kagome's groin while prodding the inside of her channel.

Kagome squirmed on the cot, eyes squeezed shut at the discomfort. "Sessh." She breathed, squeezing his hand again.

"It will be over soon." He returned her grip, wanting nothing more than to take away her pain.

The horse hanyou removed his digit from the miko and studied it, looking for any discoloration. Not seeing any, he cleaned his hand in the bowl and dried it off. He carefully straightened her legs and retied her hakama in place, moving on to her haori afterwards.

Sesshoumaru stared at him, heart thrumming hard against his ribs. "Speak, Jinenji."

Jinenji gave them a small smile. "I do not believe the pup is lost."

Kagome let out a heavy breath she didn't know she had been holding. Her next breath in was rattled, tears pooling in her eyes again. "R-really?"

"There is no blood that almost always accompanies a miscarry." He explained.

"Almost?" Sesshoumaru echoed.

Jinenji's smile faltered. "Correct, my lord."

There was a suffocating silence, the unasked question hanging heavily around them.

"So, there's still a possibility the pup is not alive?" Inukimi broke the silence, being the one to finally ask.

"Yes," Jinenji replied solemnly. "Normally the body will try to expel it, but there is always a chance otherwise."

"H-how do we know?" Kagome's lip trembled.

"By the heartbeat. You are approximately a moon cycle into your pregnancy. Normal youkai pregnancies last four months, hanyou pregnancies about six. If it were a full blooded youkai, you would have heard the heartbeat already. Assuming it is a normal hanyou pregnancy, you should hear the heartbeat by next week." He explained.

"Assuming?" Sesshoumaru asked, glaring at the hanyou.

Inukimi squeezed her son's shoulders again. "Not only is she a miko, Sesshoumaru, but she is your mate. She is tied to your soul by your youki in two ways. She carries your youki within her, even if it has not physically manifested."

He held Jinenji's timid gaze. "What does that mean for our pup, Jinenji?"

"I-I believe you should hear the heartbeat any day now."

"And if we don't?" Kagome whispered, clutching her mate's hand.

"I would give it an extra week, Kagome-sama." The hanyou answers.

"And after that?" She pressed.

Jinenji frowned and looked down at her covered stomach. "Then I am afraid the pup has perished."

She closed her eyes tightly and leaned into her mate's touch when he cupped her face. "No matter what?" She whispered.

"No matter what." He echoed softly.

A/N: -blows off dust- Umm, hi? How's it going? Do my precious readers still exist? If you do, awesome, here's an excuse for you: I've been working on my own novels, pushing on getting published. So, I'm sorry this was put on the backburner. Also, my writing style has changed a bit, so getting back into the flow of SSS was a challenge. I plan on completing this because, like damn, it's overdue. It won't be much longer (maybe another chapter or two), so please bear with me! -Katt