Inuyasha was beginning to notice something different about his mate that he just couldn't put a finger on what it was. He sure as hell seemed much more feminine, which was no surprise, but there was…something else…

Inuyasha didn't want to ask though because he didn't know what he would be asking for. One day, Koga came to him, claiming that they had finally finished the battle plan against Naraku. Sesshomaru didn't want his mate to leave without him, but he knew it had to be done. He was eight months along now, and he wouldn't bring his pups into the world with the spider still breathing.

They all stood at the door as they prepared to say goodbye. None of them knew who would come back, but they refused to think like that. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha looked into each other's eyes for the longest time. No matter how much he wanted to, the youkai wouldn't let Inuyasha see him cry. The hanyou held on tightly to his mate's hands.

"Come back, Inuyasha," he said this almost as an order. Inuyasha smiled slightly.

"I will Sesshomaru, I promise. I love you," They kissed passionately for a moment before someone tugged at Inuyasha's sleeve. He looked down to see Rin holding Shippo, who they were forcing to stay. He knelt down next to the two kids.

"Be careful, Inu," Rin whispered. The hanyou smiled and winked at the little girl before leaving. He didn't look back at Sesshomaru, afraid that he wouldn't be able to leave.

When Inuyasha was safely over the hill, Sesshomaru burst into tears.

Sesshomaru had hidden it from Inuyasha, afraid he would worry more than ha already was, but the youkai was changing. In order to birth his pups, he had to grow a certain appendage. The process of said growing was very painful and kept Sesshomaru in bed a lot, but he didn't want to worry Inu. Now was one of those times he needed to lie in bed. The birthing canal that had been forming these past months was a pain, but Sesshomaru knew it would go away after the pups were born. If he were to get pregnant again, it wouldn't hurt as much.

Now the youkai stared out the window. Renge watched him anxiously, but didn't say a word. She knew her lord was worried for his mate. He wasn't the only one. Shippo worried for all of his friends, especially Kilala whom he was closest to. He loved the cat demon to death and would hate if something were to happen to her. Rin worried for Inuyasha, who had become an older brother to her. She also knew Sesshomaru would never live without his mate. Sometimes, the girl was too smart for her own good.

(With Inu)

Inuyasha tracked Naraku to a large clearing in the woods, where he stood as if he expected them. He turned to the little army and smirked. He had none of his incarnations with him, and no one-especially Sango- trusted it.

"So, finally come for me? How is my bitch holding up after losing his bastard pups?" he chuckled. So, the idiot thinks he killed our pups…fool. Inuyasha thought to himself. Everyone was still for a moment, not sure who would start the battle to end all. It was Inuyasha, who drew his blade and roared loudly. He used the wind scar as his first attack. Koga grinned at his foolish friend and joined next, going for the spider with his claws. Sango and Miroku held hands as they drew their weapons. Ai hesitated for a moment, unsure about attacking someone she had feared for so long. Then, she remembered her daughter. The little girl that she had loved with all her life, stolen from her. This enraged her. She drew her bow from her back and shot with deadly precision.

It felt like days that they were fighting the cursed hanyou. No one had been injured too greatly, except for Miroku who had been hit pretty hard. He now struggled to get up from the ground. They could see Naraku weakening, and they tried even harder to finally defeat him. Inuyasha and Koga fought side by side, a strange sight for everyone. They were working together when they were both slammed into the ground. Sango was ready to collapse from exhaustion, but she continued to fight. Their defense was weakening, just as Naraku was. They were so close.

Just when they though the battle was lost, Ai did something that shocked everyone. She kneeled down and clasped her hands together. She started to chant and the air seemed to shimmer around her.

"Oh spirits of the underworld, hear me! All the souls that this wreched man has taken from this earth, Arise! Come join us in his final fight and find peace! Come destroy the man who destroyed you!" All around Ai, it was snowing. Not that icy, cold stuff, but beautiful white orbs. They realized that each orb was the spirit of a person Naraku had killed. Only few of them seemed to take any shape as they ghosted to Naraku. The spider hanyou looked terrified and he tried to flee, but was unable. The white orbs engulfed him, and with one final combined blow from Inuyasha and his friends, he was reduced to ash. Naraku was finally dead.

The orbs began to disappear, but a few stayed. Sango was in tears as she looked into the eyes of her father. The spirit embraced her lovingly.

"I am so proud of you, daughter. I will forever live on in you," he said to her before glancing over to Miroku. "Do not let this one get away, stubborn girl. I promise you can tame him," Everyone in hearing range laughed.

Miroku shook hands with both his father and grandfather. His hand was finally free of the wind tunnel.

"In my heart, I knew it would be you to break the curse. Thank you, my son,"

Inuyasha looked at Kikyo impassively. Now that he was freed of her bond, he no longer felt pain for her.

"I am so sorry, Inuyasha. For everything. I am glad that you are happy," she was the first to disappear.

Koga was knelt to the ground surrounded by shimmering wolves. They were his lost comrades' true spirits. He held one of them in a very brotherly manner. None of the spirit animals spoke.

Finally, Ai was still knelt down when she felt a tug on her fur pelt. She looked up into her own eyes, the eyes of her daughter. Ai held her tightly, and Etsumi embraced her back.

"I miss you so much, baby," the wolf demon woman sobbed. The little girl stroked her mother's hair.

"I miss you too, momma, but I'm okay now. I have another family taking care of me until we meet again," She glanced back and Inuyasha gasped. There stood his father and mother, beckoning for little Etsumi. Inuyasha went to his mother hesitantly. How would they react to him being mated with Sesshomaru?

Izayoi turned to her son and smiled. She held her arms out for him just like she had when he was a child. He ran into her arms.

"Oh, how proud I am of you, Inuyasha," She whispered. Inuyasha lowered his head.

"You aren't disappointed or discusted in me, mother?" she looked at him, concerned. Inuyasha's father startled him with his booming laugh.

"Of course we aren't, Inuyasha! you did what was right for you and the tribe. You found love, it doesn't matter who it is. I will always be proud of you, my son. Let Sesshomaru know how proud I am of you both," he smiled at his youngest son. All of the spirits came together.

"I love you," was the last thing Inuyasha heard his mother say.

Yay! Ch. 9! Rate and review. Me loves REVEIWS!

(Chapter 9 epilouge)

Sesshomaru laid in his bed, struggling to go to sleep. He was so worried about Inuyasha that it was difficult. He felt a sharp pain through his abdomen. He cringed and stroked his huge belly. He wasn't sure what that pain was, but it was gone now. Suddenly, the pain came back with a vengeance and the youkai cried out. He felt a warm liquid come from him, almost reminding him of blood. Oh no…he thought before more pain came. He screamed right as Renge rushed into his room. She yanked the blankets off of him and gasped.

"What's…what's happening!?" Sesshomaru panted. Renge was preparing for something but Sesshomaru had no idea what. Then, it hit him.

"The pups are coming!"