CM: Yeah, I know most of you want to kill me or you have completely forgotten what this story is is about… *cough* finally the story finally continues.

Chapter 28: The bonds we share

Humans were never interesting to Sesshomaru. To him humans were ants, small and insignificant. They would be lucky to reach a measly 50 years of life. They reproduced like rabbits and were able to start at least three wars in their lifetimes. Yes humans all in all were utterly pathetic creatures that were hard to die out like cockroaches.

Speaking of cockroaches, there was one crawling on the wall to his right. How disgusting. With a whip of his hand it was no more. It looked like a baby roach, meaning there're defiantly more. Sesshomaru twitched his nose in revulsion. Human's hygiene habits haven't changed a bit in the last 500 years.

"So he asked you out?"

"Yeah! I was like woooow! I totally couldn't believe it!"

"Yeah Renjiro is cute! Not as hot as Hojo though—"

"No, Renjiro's the cutest!"

"You're just saying that because he's your boyfriend now!"

"No I'm not—hey give my notebook back!"

"Then what's all this? 'Hojo and Chiyo' forever in a heart? All on this page, the next and oh the one after that—ow!"

"Baka!"

"You're the love sick baka! Two timer!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Yes you are and you know it!"

Sesshomaru didn't even resist the urge to roll his eyes. Humans couldn't seem to hold a decent conversation. He was starting to appreciate Kagome more and more by the day. She was more intelligent and substantial than the average female he had observed in the modern age. Though he still hated to share his bloodline with humans, he was grateful his father's spell had picked the miko over anyone else.

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

'I must resist the urge to kill… I must resist the urge to kill…' Sesshomaru mediated to himself.

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!"

"Are too!"

"I'm not!—"

"Hey, why don't you ladies get to class?" suggested a gruff voice.

The girls turned their noses up in disgust as they saw the school janitor, Ryo come up. "I guess so…" they agreed as they moved away from the doorway of janitor's closet and went about their way. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he heard the old man take out his keys and began unlocking the door.

As soon as Ryo opened the door he felt a gush of wind blow pass him. "Huh?" he blinked stupidly, looking wildly around him. He could have sworn he saw a white streak fly passed him. He looked inside his supply closet but found nothing unusual so he shrugged it off and got back to work.

Following Kagome to her school was rather pitiable of Sesshomaru. He could just hear the mockery of demons ringing in his ears, he the Dai-youkai of the west, was creeping around a school filled with humans like a cockroach in the cracks. Oh how the mighty have fallen…

Sesshomaru knew which building his bitch was in but he was still curious and tried to explore the campus but these close calls of discovery kept happening. If it wasn't for his puppyhood training and his gifted speed, he would have been caught. Deciding he had seen enough, he went to check on Kagome.

When he arrived the girl looked like she was in the middle of a lecture. Every minute or so she would scribble down a note or two. Fifth-teen minutes later Kagome lazily averted her eyes to window were she saw Sesshomaru standing in all his glory. She squeaked in dismay. Hastily rose from her desk and left the room. Some of the children giggled watching her clumsily go.

Kagome cursed her luck as she marched down the school hallway. Honestly! Did it run in the family or something? Having dog youkai brothers stalking her at school was a nightmare! She came to a sudden halt when chest armor materialized in front of her.

Kagome let out a shriek of surprise. "I thought I've told you not to sneak up on me like that?" she demanded. Kagome then shoved Sesshomaru into the nearest room, which happened to be the teacher's lounge. Luckily no one was in there at the time.

Kagome looked up in frustration at Sesshomaru. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"Observing" Sesshomaru answered with a raised brow as if asking 'why are you upset?'

"You were supposed to meet me at the well!" Kagome snapped.

"This Sesshomaru has changed his mind"

Kagome pulled on her hair as she released a strangled cry.

Sesshomaru observed her quietly. "Don't upset the pup"

"Then don't upset me! Argh! You are worser than InuYasha, you know that!"

"That remark is rather offensive"

"Like I care!" Kagome said heatedly. "Get out of my Middle school and go home! I'll meet you there!"

Sesshomaru glared at her, and Kagome glared right back not relinquishing.

"Oh a lovers' quarrel" an amused voice said. "I'm sorry to intrude but my teacher's mailbox is here"

The duo turned to see a 4 foot tall man with fiery orange hair, smiling bemusedly at them. "S-Sensei!" Kagome yelped.

Mr. Kitsunehi gave Kagome a cheerful smile.

Sesshomaru growled softly. He didn't even hear him come up. "Who are you?" he questioned.

"I am Kitsunehi Tsuyoi" the man replied with a bow.

Sesshomaru didn't look charmed. "Your real name, fox"

"W-what are you talking about, Sess?" Kagome said, nudging Sesshomaru in the arm. She bowed apologetically to Kitsunehi. "I'm really sorry Kitsunehi-sensei! My boyfriend is a bit of a skeptic so don't mind him!"

Mr. Kitsunehi crossed his arms. "Kagome…" he sighed. "You don't recognize me at all?" a hint of sadness in his voice. "I've missed you…"

"Uh…um…" suddenly Kagome gasped. She recalled Shippo from the feudal era but there's no way… "You're a demon in the modern in the age…Shippo?"

Mr. Kitsunehi's eyes sparkled. "Ah, it's good to be called that again; especially from you, nee-chan"

Kagome smiled. "Shi-Shippo!" she exclaimed. "It's really you?"

Mr. Kitsunehi nodded feverishly with a cute foxy grin. Kagome looked at him really hard. "Wow…you grew up…wow!" she pinched his cheek. "And so handsomely too!" she teased.

"Argh!" Shippo whined. "Kagome, I'm a grown up now! No more cheek pinching!"

"Well in my book you'll always be my little kit" Kagome said sweetly as she pulled him into a bone crushing hug.

Sesshomaru felt jealous. Even though it was only sibling affection Shippo was still a male touching his unmated bitch. Shippo felt Sesshomaru's aura flare and gently pulled out of Kagome's embrace. He patted her hand.

"Shouldn't you be getting back to class? Remember no matter our relationship, we must act the part. Teacher and student"

"Oh yes, sorry!"

"It's okay. If you need something please contact me. I'll help with your schooling—oh by the way" Shippo reached into his brief case and pulled out a stack of stapled papers.

"Here"

"Wh-what's this for?" Kagome asked.

"Study guides, next weeks assignments and quizzes, open book of course" Shippo answered with a smile. "I have a feeling you'll be leaving again for a while. No need to get behind. I really want you to do well Miss. Higurashi"

Kagome was closed to tears. "Yes, thank you, thank you, Ship—Mr. Kitsunehi" she cried happily as she hugged her assignments to her chest. She turned to Sesshomaru with a wide smile that made the tai-youkai nervous.

"Let's go home now, Fluffy-kun"

Sesshomaru raised his eyebrows. There was no tease or scorn in his given nickname but he still didn't like her tone of voice. It sounded just too…too happy?

"Don't call me Fluffy" Sesshomaru ordered.

"Okay, doggie-chan"

"Call me by my name woman"

"Sesshy"

"…" Close enough Sesshomaru presumed.

The happy mood continued even after the pair had arrived back at the Higurashi shrine. Kagome was currently sitting at her desk going over several different subjects at once. There she remained for the rest of the afternoon. Sesshomaru sat motionless on her bed behind her. He admired her diligence. She was studying geography, mathematics, science and some sort of business course. It had something to do with a thing called a computer. Sesshomaru didn't know what it was but he assumed it must have been about some sort of man-made technology.

Kagome leaned back into her seat as she popped her spine. "Ohhhh! I'm so stiff…" she groaned aloud.

Sesshomaru then got up from his resting spot and began to speedily poke certain places on Kagome's back.

"Ow!" Kagome said at the unexpected jabbing. "What are you doing?"

Sesshomaru didn't answer. He continued his jabbing for the next 20 seconds before coming to a sudden halt a moment later and moved back. Kagome's eyes widen. Minus the raw feeling on her tender flesh, the stiffness and pain in her back was completely gone! Not only that, she felt reenergized!

"Wow…that felt great!" Kagome said. She turned to look at Sesshomaru. "What did you do?"

"Simple acupuncture shoulder massage" Sesshomaru answered. He sat back down on Kagome's bed.

"Can you do that every morning for me?" Kagome half-joked.

There was a knock at the door. A second later it opened to reveal Ms. Higurashi smiling. "Kagome, Sesshomaru-sama, dinner is ready" she informed them said pleasantly. Looking to Sesshomaru pleasantly she asked kindly, "Is there anything in particular I can make for you, Sesshomaru-sama?"

"No" Sesshomaru answered.

Kagome blinked back at Sesshomaru. "Aren't you coming?" Kagome supposed she was used to InuYasha beating her to the dinning room table. As Kagome was about to say 'nevermind' when suddenly Sesshomaru slid by her and walked down stairs. Kagome stared after him for a moment before following. After sitting down with her family at the dinner table, Kagome began gobbling up everything within arms length. Souta even eased his own food away from his ravenous sister.

Sesshomaru watched for a little while before he got up to leave the premises. That's when Kagome called out to him. "Hey where are you going?" Kagome demanded in-between bites of chicken.

Reluctantly Sesshomaru answered. "…Hunting"

"What for?" Kagome asked. "Mom cooked! And it's pretty darn decent if I might add!"

"Why thank you, Kagome" Ms. Higurashi thanked her daughter.

"Then you eat it" Sesshomaru said dryly.

Kagome was about to shout but Sesshomaru cut her off. "I don't eat human food"

"…Then what do you eat?" she asked.

Sesshomaru flicked his eyes over to the raw meat Mrs. Higurashi was cutting up for a stir fry.

"Ewww! Please tell me you don't eat it raw!" Kagome picked up a dish. "Look human food tastes great! Try some!"

"This Sesshomaru refuses"

"Try it"

"No"

"TRY IT"

"Leave me be woman—"

"DOWN BOY!"

Sesshomaru happened to collapsed by the dinning room table. Kagome happily trotted to a nearby chair and sat down. Scoping up some egg she said sweetly, "Open wide"

Souta watched the unbelievable scene unfold before him with his mouth hanging open.

"Woman—"

"Open, Sesshy. One little bite and I'll leave you alone" Kagome said sweetly.

Sesshomaru wanted to snort out, 'Oho I bet' but being a dignified youkai Lord as himself, he simply glared.

"Open" Kagome said again.

The last of Sesshomaru's pride had died a cruel painful death. It was no surprise Sesshomaru was more than happy to leave the household the next morning only for his bastard half-brother to meet them on the other side of the well. Sesshomaru felt himself getting a mirage already.

"I will go collect my pack" Sesshomaru said before leaving the clearing but not before sending InuYasha a warning look. InuYasha scowled back at him as if he was offended about something.

Kagome was glad Sesshomaru had excused himself. It made it less awkward anyway. InuYasha was the first to break the silence. "Hey…"

Kagome sighed with relief. Usually it was her but this time it was a little too awkward. Their last words to each other were not good. "Hey…" Kagome answered back bit awkwardly. Lacking her usual cheer, she asked. "…how you doing okay?"

InuYasha's dog ears perked up a little bit. "I'm okay…you?"

Kagome nodded. "Oh, I'm fine….So how's Kikyo?" she asked.

InuYasha flinched back a little bit. He knew how sensitive Kagome could be about her past reincarnation. "She…She's okay… yeah…okay"

Kagome smiled a little. "That's good. By the way, congratulations…on becoming a father soon"

"…Thanks" InuYasha said. 'I think…'

There was silence.

"…And how's everyone else?" Kagome asked next.

"Feh!" InuYasha scoffed. He began to feel a little more comfortable as he ranted. "The same as usual: annoying as hell! First it's Shippo! He's been flirting with some girl in the village. Been watchin' that monk too long if you ask me!"

Kagome giggled behind her hand. "Well I think it's sweet!"

InuYasha snorted. "Yeah right! That's what they ALL say until the hanyous are born-"

"InuYasha, he's only a kid!" Kagome chided.

"Riiiiiiight, for now he is" InuYasha remarked knowingly.

Kagome didn't know how to respond on that one. She had seen Shippo as an adult in her current time. Indeed. Even the little cuties grew up into handsome men.

"So how's Sango and Miroku?" Kagome asked instead.

InuYasha pulled a face. "That woman is driving me insane! 'I'm hot, I'm cold, my feet hurt, do this, do that!' she complains constantly and that monk isn't helping! He went from rubbing her butt to squeezing her breast!" he sighed in exasperation. "I swear he's even more attracted to her since she got pregnant—"

"WHAT?" Kagome asked surprised. "Like when did that happen!"

InuYasha looked at Kagome strangely before recalling, "Oh yeah. You where gone with that bas—I mean Sesshomaru before it happened. Well you knew Kikyo was pregnant right?"

"Yeah"

"Well, Hayato kidnapped my pup in an enchanted orb. Sango was the only one who could break it. And the one who broke it got the kid, got it?"

"….Soo your saying, Sango is pregnant with yours and Kikyo's baby because she broke the curse on the orb…so the baby went into her?" Kagome said. She looked to InuYasha to confirm.

"That's what I said, stupid" InuYasha said. "I guess you're not as dim-witted as I thought"

"St-stupid?" Kagome said enraged. "Well excuse me if I couldn't comprehend the weirdest situation I've ever heard!" ironically… Kagame was experiencing one herself.

InuYasha waved her off. "You're excused" he said.

"THAT'S IT: SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!"

InuYasha sent Kagome a pained smile he was able to climb out of the hole Kagome had 'sat' him into. Kagome was a thrown off at the look. InuYasha then said, "It's good to have you back, Kagome" he remarked honestly. "Even with that bastard's scent all over you"

Kagome froze. Ignoring the last comment said. "Did you just openly admit that you are glad to have me back?"

InuYasha sighed. "Geeze is it the pregnancy or you are really slow!" he complained.

"Stop calling me stupid you, jerk! SIT!"

InuYasha fell to the ground again.

From the bushes he was hiding in, Shippo shivered as he jerked back. "Geeze that's their idea of a reunion? How violent!" he said.

"That's Kagome and InuYasha for you…" Sango said flatly.

"True to the 'T'" Miroku said. "Maybe things can start getting back to normal around here—

"Get your hand off my breast, Miroku!" Sango said enraged.

"Sorry, it does that on its own—"

SMACK

"OW!"

Kagome looked up from InuYasha and into the thick bushes nearby. "What was that?"

InuYasha rolled his eyes as he got up. "You know who" he snorted.

"Who what?"

"…"

"…?"

"Yeah, just blame it on the pregnancy, Kagome"

Kagome was about to retort but InuYasha gently grabbed her arm and began to lead her toward the village. "That old bat Kaede wanted a word with you, as soon as you got back" he explained.

Kagome nodded as she allowed herself to be dragged away by her friend.

TBC…

CM: sorry for being away so long. I will make a sincere effort to finish this up.

'Role Switch' is a new fic I am starting. It will be a Minato/Kushina story.

Summary: The Elders had discovered Kushina's pregnancy and demand her to abort the child in fear of the Kyuubi's seal weakening during childbirth. Minato is determined to save their unborn child even if he has to carry it himself! Mpreg, NO yaoi.

Genre: Romance/humor and drama.

So if you want to read the adventures of a pregnant Yondaime and his fiery jinchuriki wife, keep an eye out for it!

And if there are any spelling/grammar errors, please tell me! I don't have an editor and this chapter was written up pretty fast. Till next time, farewell.