It's official; Inuyasha: The Story Continues has reached 100K! Oh my gosh! What do you guys think I should to landmark this historic milestone? Let me know in the comments. Please enjoy!

Izayoi's POV

I couldn't believe what Tsuyo had done for me. It was something else. I felt like the most special girl in the world. Koga was very proud of Tsuyo for sticking it to Daichi and showing that little punk for.

A few days later, we made our way back to Kaede's village, where my friends and parents agreed to meet up at when the gathering was all over. Tsuyo took me all the way to my hut, where I expected my parents to be. "So, this is my stop," I joked, getting off Tsuyo's back. "I could've ran some of the way though." 

"I just wanted to make sure you made it straight home, you know, since the whole thing with Naraku," Tsuyo stated. 

"Right, right." To be honest, I had completely forgotten about that during the whole gathering of the wolf demons. It was time to get down to business now, time to put together a strategy against Naraku and take him out before him or one of his incarnations got to me. 

"Welp, home sweet home," Tsuyo commented, making me chuckle. 

"Yep, where my angry Father is probably ready to shout at the top of his lungs at me for running off like that." 

"Well, if you make it through, I'll drop by with some flowers to congratulate you on survival." 

I play-punched him in the arm. "You're a jerk." 

He then looked me in the eyes and smiled. We both leaned in to kiss each other goodbye when the curtain that covered the entrance to the hut parted and revealed my angry Papa on the other side of it. "What do you think you're doing you mangy wolf?!" He shouted at Tsuyo. 

"Well, that's my cue to split," Tsuyo said, quickly backing out of Papa's range. "See you Izayoi!" Tsuyo then turned tail and ran as fast as he could out of the village while Papa shouted at him. 

"Try anything like that again and I'll choke the life out of you!" He threatened. 

"Papa!" I scolded. 

When Tsuyo was out of sight, Papa smiled and then busted out laughing like he had heard the funniest joke in the world, which confused me. 

"Uh, Papa? Are you okay?" 

"Man, he fell for it!" He laughed, holding his sides before looking at me. "You fell for it too Izzy!" 

"What are you....wait a minute." I stopped upon realizing that he had called me Izzy, which was something Papa rarely did. He always called me by my full name. I crossed my arms over my chest and smirked. "You got me, Shippo. You're getting better at your transformations." 

Shippo chuckled and changed back into his real form. "Thanks Izzy. I've been practicing. Anyway, Kagome and Inuyasha are inside. Kagome's resting up right now." 

That caught my attention. Why would Mama be resting in the middle of the day? She wasn't one for afternoon naps. "Is she sick?" I inquired. 

Shippo didn't answer. He just gestured me to go inside, as if he were silently telling me to go have a look for myself. I listened to the silent heed and went into the hut to find Papa in his and Mama's bedroom, with Mama fast asleep on the mattress on the floor. Papa hovered over like a dog watching- you know what, I'm not even going to make that analogy. You get the point though; he seemed worried. When he finally noticed my presence, he quietly got up off the floor and went over to hug me. 

"Sorry for being gone so long," I apologized before looking over at Mama. "Is Mama okay?" 

"She just needs to get rest is all," Papa stated. "The doctor came by earlier and said she just needed to rest for a bit." 

"Did she get sick?" I questioned. 

Papa kinda clamped up when I asked, making me very suspicious. I was about to press for me questions when I noticed Mama sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. 

"Hi Mama," I greeted, getting on my knees and hugging her. 

"Hi Izzy," she greeted back, letting out a yawn after she had stopped hugging me. "How was your trip?" 

"It was good. What about you though? I heard a doctor came by to check on you. Is everything all right?" 

Mama sleepily smiled. "Yes, everything is fine."

"Then why did a doctor come over?" 

Mama chuckled and ushered Papa over. He went to the opposite side of the mattress and sat next to Mama, wrapping his arm around her shoulder lovingly. 

"Okay, what's going on?" 

"Izayoi, how would you feel about being a big sister?" Papa asked. 

My jaw dropped to the floor. Right away I knew what Mama was going to say next but she said it anyway; "Izayoi, I'm pregnant." 

Once the initial shock had worn off, a huge grin came to my face. I had wanted a little brother/sister for the longest time now. I had asked my parents a billion times prior if I could have a baby brother/sister and they would always be busy and would say that the timing had to be just right before they thought about having another kid. "H-How long have you've known?" I asked Mama. 

"A month or so," Mama answered, placing a hand to her stomach. (A/N: Hamilton reference. :) You're welcome!) "At first I thought it was the stomach bug, but then I started having the signs. Izzy, you're going to be a big sister." 

I wanted so badly to jump around and do cartwheels all over the place. I was finally going to be a big sister! I was finally going to have a baby brother/sister!....Then realization hit me; "Mama, what are you going to do now? What about Naraku?" 

Mama lowered her head.

"She's not going to fight," Papa stated. "She'll go back to the present and wait there until the fight's over." 

While I was concerned over the protection of Mama and my unborn sibling, I was also concerned with the fact that Mama was an important asset to the battle. Her spiritual powers were not something that could be easily replaced. While Arrosa, Mochigo, Miroku and I could manage, it was still a major blow to our team. 

Noticing the now tense feeling in the air, Mama suggested that we eat. She planned to leave the next day for the present. The meal was warm but quiet. I didn't want Mama to have to leave just after getting her back from Naraku, but I didn't want her or my unborn sibling to be put in danger either. But what choice did we have on the matter? One thing was certain; things weren't going to be as easy without Mama. 

**********

The next day, everyone came to wish Kagome off. 

"Stay safe you guys," Mama told us. 

"We will," Sango assured Mama. 

"You stay safe as well Kagome," Miroku told Mama, who nodded. 

"We'll beat Naraku as soon as possible and get you back here," Shippo told Mama. 

"I know you will Shippo," Mama smiled. 

"We'll do our best Kagome," Ayuma said. 

"And bring you and the baby home soon," Kayuma finished. 

"You can count on us," Mochigo added. 

"Naraku will be vanquished; you have my word on it," Arrosa promised. 

"Thank you guys," Mama smiled before looking at me and Papa. She went up to me first and wrapped me in a tight hug. "Izayoi, you be careful. You make sure that you and your Father don't do anything rash. And if you ever need anything from me, just come get me, okay?" 

"Okay," I nodded, hugging Mama tightly. "You be careful too Mama. And take care of my baby brother/sister." 

"I will." 

"I love you." 

"I love you too Izzy." 

Tears silently ran down my cheeks and they did so for Mama as well. She then turned to Papa, who had a few tears in his eyes but didn't let them fall. Mama smiled and then the two embraced each other. No one else heard what they whispered to each other; 

"Please Inuyasha, keep our daughter safe. And please take care of yourself as well." 

"I'll keep her safe," Papa told Mama. "And then once this is all over, we'll both come get you; that's a promise." 

"I love you Inuyasha." 

"...I love you Kagome." 

They both hugged each other for a long time before Papa let Mama go. She turned and made her way to the well. As she got on the edge, she stopped and looked back at us one last time. The tears were visible as she waved at us before sliding down the well and disappeared into the future. 

Will Naraku take advantage of Kagome's absence? Will the group be all right without the priestess' aid? Tell me what you think and comment below and let me know what I should do to celebrate reaching 100K reads. Until next time!