I ended up wandering around the rest of the village. The night was cold and there was still snow on the ground. I made sure to wrap Kyou tightly in his blanket to keep him from becoming too cold. After about fifteen minutes I finally got my son to quiet down and fall back asleep. I myself was tired, but still wasn't ready to go back into the guest house.

Thinking back to the argument I had with Sesshomaru, I became even more enraged. Is that really all he thought of me as? Someone to carry his babies? If that was all he needed me for, then why choose a human? His whole life he hated hanyou, especially his younger brother. He could have just found himself a beautiful dog demoness to carry all the children he wanted.

I shook my head at myself. I knew that that wasn't what he really thought of me as, but what he said was still incredibly insensitive. Don't get me wrong, I wanted more children, but I don't think I could handle that many. He needed to realize that I was still human and that our bodies are different from those of demons.

Sighing, I sat down on a large stone on the outskirts of the village. In his sleep, Kyou snuggled up against my chest and I smiled down at him, stroking the soft black hair on his head.

"You're both going to catch a cold out here," a voice said from behind me.

Recognizing the voice as none other than my husband, I refused to turn around and greet him. I didn't feel like seeing him right now after the ridiculous argument we had.

I felt him lay his heavy kimono over my shoulders and wrapped it around Kyou and me. The fabric was soft and warm and I silently reveled in the relief from the cold.

"Come back to the house," he commanded in that cold, monotone voice of his.

I stood up, letting the kimono drop from my shoulders. Kyou shivered a little in his sleep and I held him closer to my chest. "I do not wish to have you in my presence at the moment," I told my husband stonily. Even without turning around to see his face, I knew shock flashed in his amber eyes if only for a moment. This secretly pleased me.

"This Sesshomaru refuses to let you stay out here all night with my son. You will go back to the guest house right now," his voice was so low and strong, I could feel it resonate within me.

He was right and I knew it. Keeping Kyou outside in the freezing air. I was being selfish. I was risking my baby getting sick because I had gotten in a petty argument with his father.

"Fine, I will go back for Kyou's sake. You need to find somewhere else go to."

With these parting words I made my way back to our cozy housing. The fire was still burning lowly, just enough to keep the two of us warm. The bedding was still crumpled from our sudden leave. I straightened them out and Kyou and I nestled into the soft material.

He deserved it, I thought to myself as the wind whistled through the crack in the wall. Most would think that making him sleep outside was harsh, especially in this weather, but I knew he could handle himself fine. Sesshomaru was the Lord of the Western Lands after all, sleeping outside on a cold wintery night was nothing to him. It was more about keeping him away from Kyou and me. Even though he would never admit it, I knew it hurt him just a little to be pushed away from us. Somehow I enjoyed that little pain of his. It reminded me that he does actually have feelings and isn't just the stone-cold inu youkai he was known to be. Although I will admit that his pain also causes me pain most of the time. I guess that's what it meant to be in love.

Just as I was about to drift into sleep, there was a distinct thump of something landing on the roof above us. With it came a strong, possessive aura in which I knew all too well.

"Goodnight Sesshomaru," I murmured as I fell into sweet, blissful unconsciousness.

The next morning I went to Kagome's hut to check on her and the baby. It seems Sango and Kaede had the same idea because they were already there.

"Ohayou!" I greeted, slipping my shoes off and then sitting next to Sango who was preparing breakfast for everyone.

"Ohayou, Rin, Kyou," Kagome greeted my son and me. She was on the other side of the room, sitting in Inuyasha's lap with their new daughter in her arms. Inuyasha was looking down at his daughter and smiling down at her softly from over his wife's shoulder. His gaze was soft and loving, already he was wrapped around the little girl's finger. Sometimes I wished Sesshomaru was just a little bit more like his younger half-brother.

Setting Kyou over my shoulder, I smiled at the loving couple. "So have you two thought of a name yet?"

They both smiled at each other and then look back at me. "Yes," Kagome replied. "We decided to name her after Inuyasha's mother, Izayoi. She was born on the sixteenth of the lunar month, it must be fate."

I grinned at the two of them. "How beautiful."

Sango started handing out bowls. "Breakfast is ready."

"Arigatou, Sango." I took the bowl into my hands. It smelled so good!

After we all finished, Inuyasha decided to go out for some fresh air, leaving us girls to ourselves. Not long after, Kaede joined us as well. We all greeted her good morning.

Kyou began to whimper and I knew it was time for his breakfast as well. I gently pulled my kimono open just enough to let out one of my breasts. As soon as I brought him close enough, Kyou latched on and began suckling greedily. I winced as he did though. His fangs were already starting to come in and I could feel them puncturing my sensitive skin.

The room was quiet until I spoke up. "Sesshomaru and I had an argument last night."

Kagome scoffed lightly. "That doesn't surprise me. He's such an ice-cube with his cold demeanor."

I glared playfully at her. The other girls always teased me for marrying the emotionless, human-hating, cold hearted Lord of the Western Lands. I could see where they would get that impression , but they didn't know the real Sesshomaru.

"Oh, you're so funny," I replied sarcastically. Kyou finished his meal and yawned. I covered myself and positioned the now full infant on to my shoulder to burp him. "He wants more babies. I would be fine with that, except he wants them now."

Sango rolled her eyes. "How many does he want you to have?"

I sighed. "He expects me to bear 12-15 of his children. That's a total of like eleven years of pregnancy!"

Kaede spoke up at this. "Ye need to put him in his place. Bearing half-youkai babes is difficult."

I laughed darkly. "If only I could make him realize how difficult it is to bear his pups. If only there was a way to force him to understand how painful it is."

The old woman slowly smirked. "Indeed, there might be a way…."

Kagome raised her eyebrows, "What are you getting at Lady Kaede?"

"Aye, indeed there is a way for the Lord of the Western Lands to understand the struggles of child bearing. That is, ye must let him experience it himself."

"Experience it himself?!" Kagome, Sango, and I exclaimed.

"Aye, child. If he must have another babe, he must have it himself."

"How is that even possible?" I questioned her.

The village priestess smirked wider and crossed her arms in her large sleeves, much like InuYasha often did.

"Aye, long ago while my elder sister Kikyou was still the priestess in this village, she was called to a neighboring village, not far from here. As a priestess in training, I followed her. As we arrived, we noticed a large mob of angry villagers surrounding an old, run-down hut. Assuming this was what she was called for, we hurriedly pushed through the crowd and made our way to the door. My sister gently rapped on the door.

"Please open up. It is I, Priestess Kikyou, who you requested upon from the neighboring village."

The door slid open the slightest bit, just enough to let a young woman peek out her head. Once the woman examined the priestess and her sister, she nodded and allowed them entrance, quickly shutting the door against the angry mob when they were fully inside the room.

The small child gasped in shock and Kikyou's brown eyes widened. Though there were no specifics of why they were called to this village, what they witnessed was the last thing they expected.

Sitting on a futon with his back against the wall was a man. His face was scrunched up in pain as beads of sweat rolled down his face.

The man's arms were wrapped around his belly. His belly that was large and perfectly round. He looked fit to burst.

The woman hurried over to the man and wrapped her arms around him.

"Priestess Kikyou, this is my husband, Akito. I know this sounds absurd, but he's pregnant. He's been having pains for the last few days…"

Kikyou knelt down next to the woman and her husband. "Pregnant, you say?"

The woman nodded. "Yes. We have been trying for a baby for years, but to no avail. I was so upset that he eventually went to the goddess of our village, who is known for blessing us with prosperity. She said I was unfit to carry a baby, but that she would bless us with a child on one condition. Her condition was that Akito himself carried our child and gave birth to it."

Akito raised his hand to stroke his wife's cheek. "I knew how much Makoto wanted a baby, as did I. I told the goddess I would do anything to make her happy and she blessed us with a child." With those last words, he gently rubbed the underside of his tummy affectionately.

The priestess quickly regained her composure and gestured to Akito. "Do you mind if I take a look?"

The couple shook their heads. Kikyou gently removed Akito's haori and lowered his hakama to below his stomach. She gently wiped the taut skin with a cold, wet rag prepared and given by Kaede.

After gently probing his tummy with her gentle hands, she leaned down and pressed her ear right against his bellybutton. Listening for a moment, she nodded and then sat up.

"Luckily, you are not in labor. It is too early for that. Right now you are experiencing false labor pains. You'll notice that the pains are mostly in the front." She pressed her hand on the front of his tummy. "If you shift positions and relax for a while, they should go away soon. I am surprised that it has lasted this long. Normally false pains only last up to a few hours. Then again, this doesn't exactly qualify as a normal pregnancy."

Despite his pain, Akito chuckled at the last comment. "No, I suppose it doesn't."

"Kaede, please go to the local healer and retrieve a bottle of lavender oil," Kikyou requested of her younger sister, handing her a few coins.

The girl bowed and ran out of the back door of the hut so to avoid the mob outside.

Kikyou helped Makoto help Akito into a more comfortable position. "So would you mind explaining all of the angry villagers outside?"

The couple looked at each other and then back at the priestess. "We have been keeping the baby a secret for a while now," Makoto began, cupping the underside of her husband's rounding belly and rubbing softly. "Unfortunately some of the villagers found out recently. They are convinced our baby is a demonic parasite. The villagers had noticed the slow growth of his stomach but ignored it at first. Eventually they became suspicious and began asking questions and whispering amongst each other. The other day someone spoke up and claimed that a demon had taken possession of Akito's body. He said that the demon was eating my husband's insides, gradually growing until his belly can't stretch any more, and then bursting out, killing him. Now all of the villagers are alarmed and saying they should kill the 'demon' residing inside my husband before it finds another host." Akito was now lying in his wife's lap. He reached up and wiped a tear that had escaped as she retold the story.

"I see…"

"Sister Kikyou, I've come back with the lavender oil," Kaede announced as she entered the hut.

"Very good, Kaede. I appreciate the help."

Kaede beamed with pride at being praised by her older sister. The priestess-in-training thought very highly of her sister- just like everyone else- and continually did her best to gain her approval.

After a brief moment, Kaede returned back to the matter at hand. She eyed the man and his wife warily. She couldn't seem to get past the fact that there was a very pregnant man lying there right in front of her. It defied everything she had been taught about bringing life into the world, and that didn't sit well with her.

Kikyou applied the oil to Akito's swollen belly, massaging it in gently. It seemed to be working because he sighed and relaxed into his wife's lap. Eventually Akito fell asleep. Kikyou continued to rub the oil into his taut belly, making sure all of his muscles were relaxed.

Makoto sighed in relief at her sleeping husband. "He hasn't been able to sleep in days, he's been so uncomfortable. What is that stuff?"

Kikyou smiled. "It's lavender oil. It helps relax the muscles and soothes the skin. The scent relieves stress and anxiety. I often give it to pregnant women in my village for them or their husbands to massage the belly with."

She moved her hands from his sides and gently began rubbing the front and underside of his belly. There were some soft rolling movements from within until the baby seemed to find a comfortable position and fell asleep.

"The baby also seems to be enjoying this, it just fell asleep," Kikyou smiled. She continued to massage Akito's swollen belly until she felt all of his muscles relax.

Kaede offered a bowl of water for her to rinse her hands with that the priestess took gratefully.

It was about an hour until Akito woke up again. Makoto was stroking his hair as he opened his eyes. He looked up at her and smiled, receiving a smile in return. With his wife's help, Akito sat up more but remained propped up against her.

Kikyou walked over the the expecting couple. "Akito, how are you feeling?"

Akito smiled and rubbed the underside of his belly. "Wonderful. I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. The baby also seems to be very comfortable."

"I'm glad to hear that. Now, I think I've come up with something that will help the villagers change their minds about your baby," Kikyou announced.

Both Makoto and Akito looked surprised. "What do you have in mind?" Makoto asked. She slid her hands down to Akito's belly and cupped the gravid mound. She rubbed circles with her fingers nervously. Akito placed his hands over hers in reassurance.

"Well, I believe the only way anyone will believe that you really are carrying a child is by witnessing that what's inside of you isn't evil. Unfortunately you're not due to give birth for another two months, so we'll have to show your baby's true nature while it's still inside of you," Kikyou explained.

Akito's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "How will we do that?"

Kikyou lifted a bowl filled with clear orange liquid. "I made this while you were resting. It's a remedy that will project your baby's innocent aura, anyone who makes contact with your baby will immediately feel it. No one will be able to deny that what's growing in you truly is just a child."

"But you said they would have to make contact with Akito and the baby. If we let any of them in here, they're going to try and hurt the baby," Makoto countered.

"Don't worry. We will be guarding you while this happens. Kaede." Kikyou looked over at her younger sister who was sitting in the corner of the hut watching silently. Kaede nodded and picked up her bow and arrows.

"Yes, sister Kikyou."

Makoto and Akito looked into each other's eyes, a silent conversation passing between them.

"Alright," Akito said. "Let's do it."

Kikyou looked at Makoto who still seemed unsure. After a moment, Makoto nodded. "Okay."

"Okay. Makoto, if you would, please take the remedy and massage it into Akito's belly," Kikyou ordered, handing her the small bowl. " Also, Akito, it would be helpful to wake the baby up, get it moving. I'll go speak with the villagers."

Kikyou left the hut, closing the sliding door behind her. Makoto rubbed the oil into the front of her husband's tummy while he poked at the sides. There was still no movement so he gripped his sides and shook his belly. "Come on, baby, wake up for Daddy."

A few moments passed until Akito felt the baby start to move. "I don't think he's very fond of being woken up like that," he said as he felt the baby roll and kick in agitation.

Makoto giggled, feeling her baby move as she finished up with the oil. She was rinsing her hands in the water when Kikyou stepped back in with the head of the village close behind her.

"Eiji," Akito greeted the man.

Eiji eyed his swollen form with disgust. "Look at you, being eaten from the inside out by a demon."

"I assure you, that's no demon. He's carrying a baby," Kikyou said. She took his arm and led him to Akito who remained lying against his wife. He held her hands in his and squeezed them nervously.

Kaede sat to the side, her bow at the ready.

"Feel the child, there's no denying that it is an innocent human."

Eiji reluctantly knelt down in front of Akito. He stared at the bulging roundness, as if waiting for it to attack. Then, finally, he placed his hand just above Akito's stretched navel.

"Kami..." Eiji breathed.

Makoto and Akito looked at each other in confusion, then back at the head of the village.

"Do you feel that? It's the innocence of a child. There's no mistaking it," said Kikyou.

Eiji stood up. "Although I still don't understand it, you were right. That is undeniably a child," he turned to the priestess. "However, it is going to be difficult convincing the rest of the village."

Kikyou smiled. "Let them in, have them witness this miracle like you did. Are you alright with some more visitors, Akito?"

The swollen father-to-be smiled and rubbed the underside of his belly. "Of course."

The rest of the village came in, crowding the small hut, each of them taking turns feeling Akito's stomach. The men came in first, not wanting their wives to be subjected to the presence of the demon they still believed in. However, one by one their minds were all changed. Once the men left, the women and children were allowed to enter. They were less reserved than the men and flocked around him. They rubbed his belly excitedly, asking questions and congratulating him and Makoto.

"Your skin is so smooth, there's not one stretch mark!"

"Oh the baby is awake!"

"Makoto, you're so lucky to have a husband that would carry a child for you himself," one of the women said.

Akito smiled up at his wife who was beaming herself. "I'd do anything for her."

A collective "aww!" filled the room upon Akito's declaration.

One of the women had brought in their four year old daughter who gazed at Akito nervously. "Mommy," she said, tugging at her mother's yukata. "Why is that man's belly so big?"

The mother smiled down at her daughter. "Remember when mommy had a big belly because she was carrying your baby brother?"

The child nodded. "Well, this man is caring a baby of his own."

The little girl looked at Akito and then back at her mother. Then, she walked over to him and threw her arms around his belly. "Hi baby!"

Everyone in the small room laughed at the little girl's greeting. She pulled back in surprise when she felt a kick. "What was that?"

Akito smiled. "That was the baby saying hello."

The women stayed for a few more minutes until Kikyou ushered them out, claiming that the expectant father needed his rest.

"Kikyou and I checked on the couple for the next two months until the child was born. He gave birth to a healthy baby boy," Lady Kaede concluded her story. "Over the years he bore more children, and the other men of the village followed his example. Now, I believe it is a common occurrence in that particular village for the men to carry their unborn children, due to the blessings of their goddess."

Kagome, Sango, and I all gaped at the priestess in disbelief.