Chapter 11

Last Time…

"I would like to see them." Daiki stated. He hadn't seen his daughter's offspring and he wondered if any of them would look like his Akemi.

Now…

Kagome awoke to noises nearby, her barrier fell, upon her opening her eyes, she was still exhausted and wasn't sure what was going on. The pups were whining, she looked towards the shoji window and noticed, that it mid to late afternoon. She looked down at the pups smiling, as they attempted to crawl on her. Her hand absently stroking their fur.

"No wonder you're whining. You guys must be starving." Kagome said with a smile, that is until she looked up and saw that someone was repairing the shoji door and the wall on the other side of the hall.

Before she had a chance to call for Mimi, she felt Sesshomaru and another youkai coming towards her, though he wasn't nearly as strong as Sesshomaru, he was still strong enough to be on guard, she had pups to protect.

Picking up Hisoka as he started shaking, she held him close. She would have to ask if some of the stronger youkai could reign in their aura's and powers as it was effecting the pups.

-SP-

Sesshomaru and Daiki had left Sesshomaru's study and walked down the hall and up a flight of stairs, that was Daiki started feeling something that he didn't like. He took a discrete sniff of the air and had to bite back, not only the growl that wanted to escape, but to keep his temper under control.

Somehow there was a miko in the palace, it worried him that Sesshomaru wasn't reacting to the threat. His pups weren't far from the miko, bitch. Well if Sesshomaru didn't sense her, then he would make sure that he disposed of the bitch, himself. He wouldn't allow her to harm his grandpups.

Sesshomaru didn't say anything, as they continued walking, though he was on guard. He could feel and scent the rising ire of the Northern Lord. This meeting was going to be interesting. He had given his word to the miko, that he would protect her in exchange for her aid and he was a youkai of his word. Honor above everything. That is why he never killed his brother, while he slumbered under the arrow of lover.

He had wondered often if it was Kagome, that was the miko, whom had freed InuYasha. Meaning she had to be just as powerful, if not more so, in order to break the seal on the arrow. He would have to ask her… later.

Now he had other things to worry about, mainly how Daiki would handle Kagome. He would not allow him to harm her. She was the only one keeping his pups alive and she was the one that found the parasite and destroyed it.

Turning the corner, both lords saw the guards and servants working to repair the damage caused by Goro, when he entered his room unannounced. He highly doubted that the miko was sleeping through the noise.

Well at least it should make this meeting less complicated. Though Daiki's ire was rising steadily the closer they got. The guards and servants bowed upon seeing them. Sesshomaru didn't feel the miko's barrier, so he knew that she had to be awake and knew that he was approaching.

Turning into Sesshomaru's personal rooms, the first thing Daiki noticed, was the young female sitting on the futon holding one of the pups in her hands, that was when he realized, that she was the miko, though her clothing differed from the norm.

Rushing past Sesshomaru, raising a clawed hand to strike the miko. He watched as she turned to give him her back, as she curled around the pups, as if to protect them. He knew better, no miko worth her soul, would ever willingly protect youkai.

Before his claws could connect with the miko's exposed back, he was stopped, by the strong hand of Sesshomaru's gripped tightly around his wrist, stopping him cold.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! How could you have such a disgusting creature within your home?! How could you, let her near your pups?! You know that she will kill them.?!" Daiki bellowed, gaining most of the palaces attention, with how loud he was being, along with rise of his powers and aura.

Kagome felt the other males powers crash into her, searing her, causing her own body to shake. She fought her powers, that wanted to protect her and the pups, they were now all shaking violently and whining, it was taking everything in her to not fry the male, that was harming the pups.

"You will calm yourself, while within this One's home. You and This One, both owe this miko for saving the lives of this One's pups. If not for her the pups, would have most assuredly all have perished."

"How can you say that? How do you know, she is not the one, that has harmed them?" Daiki said, forcefully removing his wrist from Sesshomaru's grip, he had noticed that Sesshomaru now stood in front of the miko and his pups, shielding them from the angered Northern Lord.

They heard the female gasp at the accusations, being slung at her. They both could smell the beginnings of tears. Sesshomaru knew that the miko was still exhausted, she had gotten very minimal sleep, required by ningen.

"She is not. Since it is clear, that you have not taken notice, that same miko you accuse, gave you, her back, thus clearly shielding this One's pups from any harm, that you would have visited upon her or the pups. Furthermore that same miko has not only destroyed the parasite, but has been using her own body to nourish, those pups, regardless of her own prior duties." Sesshomaru stated. He could hear his pups whining over the distress, that their mother was feeling. Her tears were even affecting the pups. They didn't like it either.

Seeing the Northern Lord finally calm enough. "This One would like to formally introduce you to the Shikon no Miko, Kagome, adopted mother of this One's pups." Again Sesshomaru heard Kagome gasp.

Kagome didn't know what was going on or even is she was in the twilight zone, but this was all crazy. She didn't know what to make of all of this. Of course she cared for the pups, that is just the way she is, but did that mean that the pups considered her their mother. Well that would explain a lot.

A choked gasp again left the miko, Sesshomaru turned in time to see Kagome place the pup in her arms gently on the bed, picking up a different pup. Sesshomaru recognized it as his first born daughter.

"No, no, no." Kagome kept repeatedly, but both males watched on silently as the miko started crying. "Don't go. Please. I promise I will find a way. Please."

Daiki was about ask what she was talking about, as he watched the tears start to pour down the young ningens face, then he knew that the pups was gone.

Sesshomaru watched the pain on Kagome's face and knew that Akiko was going to pass. He watched as Kagome opened her hand. Pulling Tenseiga from its sheath he watched through the blade as the soul of his daughter rested in her open palm, while the other held the limp body.

"I will, I promise." Sesshomaru heard Kagome whisper to the soul in her hand, the tears never stopping, just before the soul entered her body. His eyes widened.

"Miko." He demanded, he couldn't take his eyes off of the miko, still holding his now dead daughter in her arms, kissing her head. When she turned to face Sesshomaru, he couldn't help himself, sheathing his sword, he knelt in front of the girl, as she gently held the pup out to him, the sadness clear, not only in her eyes, but everything about her, screamed sadness and yet hope and love was there.

"She asked me, to use what I could of her soul, to save her family." Kagome whispered, feeling the pups soul settle next to hers, where it would be safe, until she could find a way to divide and give it her siblings. "She thanked me for trying, she called me momma." She couldn't stop the tears if she wanted to. She hurt so bad and yet she felt so loved.

Sesshomaru didn't know what to do with himself. He had never been in these kinds of situations before, so he gave a slight nod of his head, as he stood. He watched as the miko lay down again, curling around the whining pups, giving them comfort and receiving it as well. He knew that the miko would grieve for the both of them, though it tore at his heart to lose another pup. This now made five pups gone and five remaining. He hoped that she could save the rest. He knew for a fact that Kazu was just as weak as Akiko. Would she be able to save them before it was too late.

So with a heavy heart he stood. "Lord Daiki." He called, they had much to discuss, before he was able to return to Kagome and help her with the remaining pups. Even as he walked away, his beast wanted to turn back and comfort their young and female, that thought alone almost made him trip. He ignored the beast. He had more pressing matters to attend to at the moment. He would think on what his beast wanted… Later. He was thinking that a lot lately.

Leaving his chambers, they made their way to his healers rooms. Without a word, he handed the pup over to Yoshi. He knew that the healer knew what to do. He would see that it was done. "See to it that she is recorded."

"My Lord?" Yoshi asked. He wasn't sure of the pups name. He wasn't informed. He hated learning after the fact what was going on. He was the healer after all.

"Akiko, first daughter." Was all Sesshomaru said, as he turned to leave. He needed to deal with the silent, but fuming Northern Lord.

Daiki was pissed, beyond belief. How could Sesshomaru allow the bitch to handle his grandpups, let alone the fact that the pups were calling her there mother. Their mother was dead and they needed to learn that fact and reject the female, regardless of whom she claims to be.

The walk to Sesshomaru's study was a silent one. Both lost in their own thoughts. Sesshomaru would have to make this meeting quick. He wanted to get back to Kagome and his pups. He wasn't sure how it was happening, but his own heart went out to the miko. She felt everything. He had never met a creature like her.

Upon entering his study, he went to the window again, he was in no mood to sit casually, for the discussion.

"You will not harm the miko." Sesshomaru stated over his shoulder.

"She has no right!" Daiki yelled, his eyes flashing. His beast wanted to rip the miko to shreds.

Sesshomaru turned to face Daiki, his brows drawn, his own anger rising. "The miko is under this One's protection. You will do no harm." Sesshomaru growled out, his own eyes flashing red. No one was going to harm the miko, she was saving the lives of his pups, at great sacrifice to herself and her own quest.

"Why would you, The Great and Powerful Dai Youkai of the West, protect an insignificant ningen, let alone that fact that that same ningen is a miko. She claims to be the Shikon no Miko. Ha. That is a joke. She will kill those pups the first chance she gets, and you know it."

"She will not. Are you aware, that she has even adopted a youkai kit and has been raising said kit for the past four years, as though he was her own." Sesshomaru watched in satisfaction as Daiki's eyes widen with this knowledge. "Are you also aware, that she is also the miko that released this One's brother from the seal." He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling it was true. "Are you also aware that that same miko, was the one to pull the Tessiaga from its resting place." He didn't want to go into detail, but Daiki needed this information.

"Are you aware that she also has been hunting the Shikon Shards and to destroy Naraku. Her traveling companions as I know that you are aware are: This One's hanyou half-brother, a monk, a slayer, a fire nekomata, the kitsune kit mentioned previously. That same miko has also survived a full dose of this One's Dakkoso. Are you also aware that she is the one, spoken of that is currently missing a piece of her soul and that that piece walks the lands." Sesshomaru was highly satisfied that not only did he make his point, but the other Lord was astounded by all this new information. He didn't want to have to divulge most of what he did, but Daiki needed to know. "Further more, the damage you saw being repaired, was caused by the miko, defending the pups, while she was still sleeping."

"How...?" Daiki didn't know how to respond. He had heard rumors.

"It was suggested that a miko, may be able to help this One's pups, as even their own healers and scholars were of no help. This One knew of only one miko willing to assist. The miko is here of her own free will. This One attempted to have other females tend to the pups, they were all rejected. The moment the miko approached them, the pups claimed her. She has mourned for the loss of every pup, she has never birthed a pup of her own, but has been nursing this One's, again of her own free will. This One has yet to force her compliance. It was not this One's intention for the miko to become their mother it was theirs."

"I need time to think, on all you have told me." Daiki stated. He indeed had much to think on.

"A servant will see you to your chambers." Sesshomaru dismissed the other Lord. He wanted to get back to the miko. He needed to insure that she was handling the loss and to insure the welfare of the remaining pups.

-SP-

Kagome had gathered all the pups to her, burying her face in their fur covered bodies, she wondered if her tears wold ever stop. She didn't know how long she cried for as apparently she had cried herself to sleep. She woke to the strangest feeling, a sucking sensation to her breasts and a rumble at her back.

When she opened her eyes Sesshomaru was behind her rumbling quietly, holding a pup at each breast, with his nose buried into her neck. She would have gotten angry, but she knew that the pups must have been starving and she was too distraught earlier to do what needed to be done.

Raising her hands she took one of the pups from Sesshomaru and started to pat and comfort the pup. "Thank you and I'm sorry." She whispered.

"It is understandable." Sesshomaru intoned briefly, before going back to what he was doing. He was glad that she had slept so long. It had given him the time he wanted to not only deal with Daiki, but to heal her breasts, before setting behind her to feed the pups. He would never tell anyone, but while healing her breasts he had taken the opportunity to taste her milk and blood.

It was a no wonder why his pups, enjoyed feeding. Both her both and milk were much sweeter and desirable than a youkai female. There milk was tart almost bitter. If she had woken while he tended to her, he would have had to explain that his saliva while in humanoid form would be able to heal. Though that same saliva mixed with the corrosive toxins that leaked from his fangs were deadly and melted everything, but then again she knew that, as she is one of the few humans to have ever see his beast and live.

When he first walked into his rooms, he noticed that there was yet again a barrier surrounding the futon, it dropped quickly at his presence and when he looked down at Kagome and the pups, the site was endearing. The remaining pups were all curled up around her throat and chest. Akihiko and Jiro were both nudging her breasts, demanding food.

"You know, I should be angry with you, for taking such liberties with my body, but in this case I am glad. I was too upset earlier to be much good. I actually cried myself to sleep. I didn't even feel when you came back or even moved me."

"You are exhausted and not accustomed to tending pups. Were you aware that you had placed a barrier around the pups and yourself in your sleep. You dropped the barrier as I entered."

"I did?" Kagome asked shocked, she knew she could produce barriers, but not while she slept, that was definitely new.

"Indeed. You have, twice. The first was when a guard barged into the room, while we were resting with the pups. You threw him through door and into the wall. Did you not see the damage." He inquired, a brow raised in mild confusion.

"I..I thought you did that. You are known for your temper. I just thought someone upset you. I was going to ask Mimi, but I didn't get a chance. You and the other Lord showed and then, he tried to attack me. I had to protect the pups and then… then..." She couldn't finish what she was going to say or she would start crying again, as it was she could feel the pinch in her eyes as the tears started to form.

"Indeed. It was you, that threw a guard and protected the pups."

"Wow. I didn't realize I could that yet. I have been practicing. I know I still have a long was to go, but still. Wow." Kagome rambled, she was amazed that she was getting good at being a miko.

"Agreed. Practice and training will be key in your development."

Kagome smiled, she was so happy, even with the loss of another pup. Sesshomaru complimenting her in her achievements was something that she never expected. "I want to thank you as well, for protecting me from the other Lord. I take it he doesn't like ningen or miko's?" Kagome asked as she switched out the pups that were now sleeping with two more that wanted to be fed.

"Indeed. His hatred for your kind is understandable. He lost his heir to a miko attack. His mate has been unable to whelp another. I have given you my word. I will protect you, you are doing me a great service." Sesshomaru stated, as he again ran his nose up and down the column of her neck, his fangs tingled with want to sink into her flesh, to claim the female he was wrapped around. He was also still trying to figure out, what was different about her scent and aura. It was on the tip of his tongue, but it kept eluding him.

Until Next Time…

Daiki has much to think on… what will his next move be?

Sesshomaru is fighting with himself as to why his beast wants to claim Kagome…

Well another pup is gone… I wasn't sure which one it was going to be until I wrote it. (my fingers did the walking…)

AN: Dakkoso – poison claw – or he could shoot it out in mist – destroying everything it touches… toxic flower attack, corrosive poison claws – melt his opponents. InuYasha has some immunity to it.

I must say again and again research is a wonderful thing, too bad some people don't want to put the time and effort into to make a story great, with just a little reseach.