Chap 11 The Holidays in Canada Family Reunion

The secret between Sesshomaru and Steven and Keiko was much bigger than Inuyasha realized. Inuyasha' comment at the clinic about the older brats not calling or visiting had burrowed in Sesshomaru's mind. He didn't really mind that the older pups were gone. That was the way of demon dogs, but it wasn't the way of human families and Inuyasha was still part human even if they had been mated for so long. So Sesshomaru had pulled Steven and Keiko aside when Keiko had first arrived one month ago and told them he needed them to call their siblings and arranged a family reunion. The cabin on the lake was a perfect location as far as he was concerned. It was remote from prying eyes, big enough for him to transform and teach the younger ones to shift to their demon forms, and had game enough to hunt. The icing on the cake was Steven and Keiko's mating. It was a perfect excuse to pull everyone together.

It was easy to get a hold of Kenichi because he was at the Japanese ancestral home when he wasn't in Tokyo at the University teaching history. The students were always trying to get his class because rumor had it that Professor Takahashi's class was easy. In truth it was far from it. After reading the same essays for over 200 years he had figured a different way to give grades. Kenichi took the students out at the museum and had them dress in cosplay two weekends a month role playing various stories from history that they had to research and write as a team. He lived in Japan his entire life and "lived the history" so his students couldn't get away with anything. Kenichi had already been working an exchange teaching position with a British Columbia University so he could be a bit closer to his sire and birther. The family get together just gave him an excuse to come visit the facilities.

Ryuu was a bit more challenging to contact. He loved animals. While he respected his parents' choice of medicine he felt closer to his animal side and studied veterinary medicine. Ah-Un was his best friend as a child and he was determined to protect animals. He was often in Africa but was also in the South American jungle. Currently he was on an expedition to Tibet to find dragons. Some nomads had claimed they had seen a "flying snake" and Ryuu was convinced it was a dragon. Steven had left messages for him on social media as well as with his personal secretary. He hadn't responded yet but Keiko hadn't given up on him.

Kyo and Yuki were in Europe, but they were sure they could get a flight to Canada in time. So the nine Takahashi siblings were in on the surprise.

Each sibling made their way to the Canadian cabin and surprised their dad. Inuyasha would get them settled and immediately get all the news and updates followed by their favorite meals. All the pups knew Dad got first dibs, after that it was a free for all with everyone vying for everyone else's attention. All celebrated Steven and Keiko's mating and all were excited that dad was pregnant again. Sesshomaru surveyed his brood, satisfaction on his face.

Kenichi stood back with his father after one meal. Getting his father's attention he asked, "Father, I always assumed you would return to the Western Lands. Why haven't you moved back to Japan?"

All heads twisted to watch the interaction between Sesshomaru and his oldest son Kenichi. The younger ones were particularly interested in the answer.

"Come let's sit down in the fire place room. All your siblings appear to be interested in the same question. Inuyasha, join me please."

Inuyasha walked in from the kitchen with a dishcloth in hand. He sat on the arm of the chair Sesshomaru rested in but Sesshomaru pulled him into his lap wrapping his arms around his middle.

Sesshomaru started the story, sparing glances at his husband. "Kagome had come from the future and told Inuyasha of some disasters that would occur in the future. She also mentioned to him that they had seen no evidence of demons in her time. She tried not to contaminate the time line but she did want to make sure he was safe and would survive. He shared these things with me. I was in disbelieve for many years until I started seeing what were then "modern" inventions—guns, and motorized chariots for example. I asked him to tell me the stories again and this time they didn't seem so implausible. She said there would be a time when other languages like Chinese, English, Arabic would be wide spread and open the world to us. She asked Inuyasha to avoid Nagasaki and Hiroshima during the Second World War. The hardest part for me was when he said that were would be an end to time of the samurai and swords would be out lawed. But all those things were true. The population density has made it difficult to get away from people. We discovered life in rural Canada to be soothing to the soul and we came here. Your younger siblings are named English names so that they could blend in a bit easier in school here. Your dad and I found the meanings to be honorable and true.

There will be a day when we may return to Japan but we haven't stopped exploring and traveling yet. At some point we will have to move because the humans will realize that we aren't getting older and they are. We will move and then we can return 50 years later pretending to be our own children."

"What do all our names mean?" Yuki asked her dad.

"Keiko's name means blessing. Your father and I didn't know that I could get pregnant. We thought we were the last of the shiro inus. But the Princess was conceived several hundred years after we mated. We were very nervous with our first child. No one knew what to expect. We had my friend Jinenji move to the castle to help take care of me during the pregnancy. Your father made him nervous. It's kind of funny when you consider Jinenji is twice his size. Jinenji was an herbalist though and male pregnancies were not something he knew anything about. It was about that time your father decided to learn medicine. He delivered Keiko. In fact he has delivered all of you." Inuyasha smiled at his mate.

"Kenichi's name means healthy strong first son. You should have heard his first cry. He had the best lungs of all of you! Ryuu's name means dragon spirit. No reason at the time, I just liked it but it seems especially fitting now since he is chasing dragons in Tibet. Steven was next. His Japanese name is Suteiibun and it means garland or crown.

Yuki, you and Kyo were our first set of twins. I could tell there was more than one inside me because I saw three feet kick. You brought a sense of happiness and cooperation and were so named."

"Then we moved to Canada. Keiko and Steven came with us. There was a dance troupe here that she followed and Steven wanted to attend medical school here. The rest of you declared your independence and off you went to discover your destinies. Steven adopted his anglicized name to ease in to medical school easier. As your father said your younger siblings are named English names so that they could blend into school here. They are welcome to adapt them as they see fit when they get older. Bobbie's name means famous or bright shining. Barbie's name can mean traveler from a foreign land but it's also a female version of Bobbie. I think it fits our smarts ones well. Suzy is our graceful lily. Aren't you, Baby girl?!" Inuyasha pulled Suzy to him and hugged her.

"Rin is returning and will be here in the spring. Her name means self-assured and energetic"

On the next to the final day Ryuu showed up at the cabin riding a dragon. What an entrance and impression he made on the three youngest ones! That evening Sesshomaru took the time to tell the pups of his dream and the plans of extending the family.

Prior to the trip Sesshomaru took the opportunity to shop for an "Ever Us" band with a guard. The ring had a diamond for every child. It was a beautiful ring. On the last evening of the holiday at the cabin he gathered all the children and presented a haiku and the ring to Inuyasha.

"You are my best friend.

I cannot live apart from you.

You are my true love."

My love," he continued, "It's that irresistible combination of friendship and love that keeps us together. You truly are my best friend and my true love. There will never be another. Please wear this token as proof of my unending love for you."

Inuyasha was speechless. All around him were the smiling faces of his brother and their children. He reached out his hand and Sesshomaru slipped the ring on his finger. He slowly lifted it and admired the sparkling stones. Reaching out with his ring hand he rested it on his brother's chest and then wrapped himself in his lover's arms, tears of happiness streaming unchecked down his cheeks.