Month One- February
"Mom! Kagome's throwing up again and complaining about heart pains!" Sota cried loudly, holding his sister's hair from her face as she wretched into the toilet. "Ew, and it smells disgusting!"
"Shut it! Or I'll vomit on- Augh!" She sputtered some more. "you. God, my head hurts."
Ayumi entered the bathroom, taking over for her son. "What could be making you feel this way? When was the last time you felt so ill?"
"W-when I- Augh! - ew, disgusting!" Kagome scowled at the mass of puke in the toilet. "When I was pregnant with Kakudan, except I didn't have the heart burn then."
"Oh…oh my." Ayumi smiled dreamily, a faint blush on her cheeks. "We're going to be having a baby in the house soon!"
Startled, Kagome drew back from the toilet, screeching, "What?! You're kidding, aren't you?!"
"I can't think of any other explanation! Oh, I can't wait to hear the pitter patter of little feet on the floor! It's been fifteen years since a baby was in the house."
"A baby?" Kagome whispered softly. 'Kakudan.' She missed her little boy terribly, longing to hold him, to kiss him. But Naraku had taken that away from her; he'd taken her child away. Scowling, a swirl of venomous green circled in her eyes. 'He will pay. I swear that he will.'
Ayumi blinked, startled by the anger she could practically feel coming off her daughter. "Kagome, are you well?"
She growled. "That bastard took my child from me."
"Oh." She nodded in understanding. "That Naraku fellow. You could always return and take your child back."
"No. If Naraku doesn't want to be found, he will not be found. He is in control. My son…my son is as good a lost to me forever."
Ayumi beamed, her hands on her hips. "Higurashi Kagome! I did not raise you to quit, did I?! I'm sure you'll manage to track him down and get my grandson! Until you're ready to return, I'll just have to help you train!"
Kagome paled. "Mom, you can't train me! I know ten times more than you could ever teach!"
"I'll have you know I was a black belt!"
"Hand to hand combat would get me killed!"
"How about a javelin?"
"Mom, that's like a Scottish weapon or something!"
Ayumi frowned. "Well, sour puss, shoot down all of my ideas. I'll be downstairs waiting. Get dressed as quickly as you can. We are going to get you a pregnancy test." Humphing, her mother swiveled on her heels and left.
Kagome grunted. "I'm only being practical!"
With Sesshomaru
"Gone." Sesshomaru whispered to himself, staring out at the small brook that the bridge crossed. "She is truly gone." He still could not believe it, even though it had been two weeks, the equivalent to half a moon cycle as she had once said. "Miko, what are you attempting to prove to me?" He growled out, gritting his teeth as a sudden pain flared in his heart. "What is this?"
"What, that aching you feel?" Inumimi asked as she and Inutaisho appeared at his side. "That's what you deserve for letting her go. You will feel that pain either until you die, or until she returns."
Sesshomaru shook his head. "I will not stand for it." Another wave hit, and he leaned over the railing, holding it tightly. "What does it take to make this disappear?"
His father sighed softly, patting his son's back. "Her presence."
The daiyoukai fought not to cry out. He didn't understand. It wasn't nearly as bad as the pain he'd felt upon having his arm sliced off, or the time he had had a sword thrust into his stomach and twisted. But it felt as though his nerves were being numbed until they ached. "No other way?"
"A feminine aura can calm it ever so slightly, but otherwise, no."
Sesshomaru open his mouth to retort, but was cut short by the hot bile that suddenly rose in his throat. Leaning over, he emptied his stomach. Wiping his mouth with his hand, he scowled, "Does she feel this pain as well?"
Inumimi's brows knitted. "She should, just not as badly. But we wouldn't know. We aren't with her."
"No. You aren't." He smirked then."But you are apparitions, meaning you are not overwhelmed by time, yes? You can find her. You can persuade her to return."
"It isn't that simple, Sesshomaru." Inutaisho shook his head. "How I wish it was."
"You will make it that simple, father." Sesshomaru bit, hunching over again. "You will do all you can to locate and reach her."
Inutaisho grunted. "If I hadn't planned to do that already, I would show you a thing or two, pup."
Inumimi huffed."Shut up, Inutaisho…Oh, Sesshomaru, your to-be-mate is approaching."
Kayo slowly approached the bride, moving right through Inutaisho, whom she couldn't see. "Lord Sesshomaru, are you alright?"
"I am fine."
"Is it about that miko girl? Everyone has been so worked up about her being gone. To be truthful, milord, I did not like her. She seemed rather whorish if you ask me." She was not looking to notice Sesshomaru's heated glare, or low growl. "You will be fine without her, milord…When do I begin breeding for Lady?"
Sesshomaru lowered his eyes. If Kagome didn't return in another half moon cycle, he would begin to groom Kayo. "Half a moon cycle."
Kayo nodded. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru. I will be waiting in the chambers." Turning she walked off, pausing when Sesshomaru began to speak.
"Be dressed. I do not wish to rut tonight."
To say she was stunned was an understatement. Again, he was denying her. Inuyoukai were supposed to be sex maniacs, and he hadn't touched her since their one night together. She knew it was the miko! She must have been throwing herself at the lord. 'Well, now that she's gone, I'll just have to do what I must to keep her off his mind…or perhaps find out where she is and end this.'
Month Two- March
With Sesshomaru
"My, that kimono fits all wrong!" The elderly servant scowled, analyzing Kayo. The kimono, which had been made by a seer's measurements for Sesshomaru's mate only, hugged the demoness's breasts too tightly, hung too loosely around her hips, and bunched around her stomach.
"Listen, servant, it would serve you well to know your place. All you have to do is have it altered." Kayo spat angrily, crossing her arms.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. What had happened to the submissive bitch he'd met? "Be careful of your words, my lady. She was only stating the truth. The kimono does not fit your form."
The servant shook her head, mumbling, "Not at all like when Lady Kagome-sama wore it."
Kayo's spine went rigid. Turning slowly to face Sesshomaru, she asked incredulously, "That miko wore this kimono."
"Yes, Kagome did." The lord replied, putting an emphasis on his miko's name.
"W-well, why, milord?" She asked, clenching her fists at her side. "Kagome was never your intended, was she?" She spat the name with disgust.
Sesshomaru's upper lip curled in a snarl. He wished she was now. "No. An unknowing servant gave it to her to where."
Kayo crossed her arms, cocking her hip to the side. "Well, if it fit her so well, why aren't you mating her?"
He rose from his chair and stepped toward her, nearly smirking when she stepped back in fear. "I will allow your tone to pass, seeing as Your tribe is known for an even more intense jealousy than other Inuyoukai. However, I do not wish for it to occur again. Watch yourself. Understand?"
"Understood, milord." She scowled at the servant when she felt a pin prick her skin. "Watch it!"
"I'm so-"
"Daita made a mistake, my lady. Watch your tone with her as well."
Kayo growled, nodding and storming out of the room.
Daita smiled graciously. "Thank you, milord, Sesshomaru. I thought she would strike me."
Sesshomaru frowned. "If she does, you report it to me instantly, Daita." He left with that. He wouldn't let his grandmother's favorite servant be mistreated.
"Come on. Let's get this over with." Inuyasha grumbled as the tachi headed into Sesshomaru's study, closing the door behind them. It sounded like he was in his next door library.
"Father, get your hands off of me!" They heard him growl harshly. "I am fine."
Sango touched her mouth. "Is he alright, Inuyasha?" She frowned when silence sounded afterword. 'Maybe he put up a barrier so we couldn't hear.'
The hanyou shrugged. "My father pops up at our sides sometimes." His ears twitched as he heard something crash. "Whoa, what's he breaking?"
"Breaking?" Miroku asked. He couldn't hear anything, but apparently Inuyasha could.
"You said that you would find her. Why have you not?!" Sesshomaru glared at his father in hatred.
"I've tried, Sesshomaru. There is only so much that I can do. She lives 500 hundred years in the future. I haven't given up, so don't you."
The Daiyoukai hunched over his library's desk in pain. "Can you do nothing right? You never could do anything right by me."
Inutaisho snarled. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Your promises are always broken! You swore to prepare me for lord, but instead you concerned yourself with that human and Inuyasha!"
"Are we back to that?! I'm sorry I couldn't be in two places at once, Sesshomaru!"
"Yes, we are back to that! You died for them! You've never laid your life down for me!"
"I have! You just can't remember!"
Sesshomaru snorted, rolling his eyes. "You lie. You don't give a damn about me. That is precisely why you won't find my mate. Does it mean nothing to you that I am in both physical and emotional pain?"
Inutaisho sighed. "My son, I will let you have this moment to vent your anger. You're stressed."
"I am not stressed! I am angry. I am worried. I could be losing her forever, and you are doing nothing. You could not assist me in life! Make yourself useful in death!"
WHAM!
Sesshomaru resisted the urge to grab his cheek. His father had never truly struck him when he was leaving, but as a ghost, he'd done so twice. His cheek ached from the force of his father's fist. "I am tired of you striking me."
Inutaisho sniffed. "And I am tired of your mouth. I wasn't there, Sesshomaru, and I'm sorry. I died, and I am sorry that I put you through that. But I am not sorry for loving Inuyasha and Izayoi."
"I am not looking for you to be sorry for loving them, father. Inuyasha is not…he is not horrible. Had you taken my advice, had you been there when I needed you…I could have assisted you in saving them. You would not have been killed." He narrowed his eyes further in annoyance, because he was spilling his heart out to his father. "Did you not trust me? Did you think I would harm Izayoi if you had allowed me to meet her, to speak to my little brother, to read to him as you did?"
Inutaisho's eyes widened. "I never thought you wanted to."
Sesshomaru frowned. "It would have been easier to deal with…the fact that you had left to start another family, if you had allowed me to be a part of that one as well. That was what I felt at the time of your death."
"And now?'
"I couldn't care less."
"Liar." Inutaisho patted his son's head, earning him a glare. "Sesshomaru, you are my pup, and you're growing. You're hardly a pup anymore. That saddens me greatly. I remember when you were first born…I held you in the palm of my hand, Sesshomaru. You were so tiny. We didn't think you would make it, and I was devastated. But over the years, you began to grow a little."
Sesshomaru's brows rose on his forehead at the unheard tale. Trying not to make it so obvious that he was interested, he looked down at his scroll.
Inumaru smiled, chuckling a little. "I remember once, you were hungry. That damned mother of yours was supposedly too busy to feed you so I did what I had to. I'll spare you the details. Anyway, I put the milk into a small bowl, bit off my fang, dipped my finger in, and let you suckle the milk from my finger." He sighed warmly. "You bit me as hard as you could the first time."
Sesshomaru smirked. "Believable."
"But your mother started to do that more often, so I had to feed you more often. After a while, that was the only way you would take it. You clawed a deep slash down your mother's left breast when she tried."
That definitely explained the five scars on his mother's bosom. He'd wondered about those since he was a tiny pup, bathing with her.
"At a year, you were still only the size of a two month old human child. And that was when the castle was attacked. They were trying to kill you as well as me, to leave the west without a ruler. I wouldn't let them. I fought with all I had, nearly died, my pup. I met a woman then who healed me, as reimbursement for my saving her village a few times. Also, she promised her granddaughter from a later generation to me."
Sesshomaru arched a brow. "Izayoi?"
Inutaisho smirked. "Yes. I wasn't going to go through with it, but then I met the lovely little thing…and before long Inuyasha was on the way. I tell you, those human women are amazing in so many aspects."
Smirking, the living Lord chuckled lowly, "That they are."
"We'll get her back, Sesshomaru. I'll make it so. If I do nothing else right by you, this I will, even if it kills me."
"A ghoul?"
"Ghosts can die too, my boy. Then we get downgraded to mere spirits. Can't even take on our forms. It's pure hell."
"I assume so, father."
Inutaisho sighed. "I'm going to start searching again, might meet up with my mother concerning your little miko. Do not lose hope, Maru." He disintegrated into thin air.
Sesshomaru lifted his eyes to where his father had once stood. "I will not, otou-san." Rising, he crossed over to his study, surprised to find his brother and the tachi still there. He'd thought they would leave once they could hear no longer. "Was there something you needed?" He asked in a surprisingly gentle tone, standing before them.
Inuyasha frowned slightly. He had come to tell the jackass that he was leaving, but then he'd heard the conversation. His brother didn't hate him. In all actuality, he had wanted to be a part of his family. Shaking his head gently, he bowed and looked to his brother with warmer eyes than usual. "Never mind. I'm going to go train my army, aniki-san."
The tachi blinked, stunned. Had they heard right? They turned to look at Sesshomaru, who, by the slight widening in his eyes, was as surprised as they are. Sesshomaru smirked a bit. 'So, little brother, you heard, ne?' "You are all dismissed. Inuyasha, stay."
The tachi shuffled out, carefully closing the door behind them. Inuyasha arched a brow. "What?"
"You managed to hear the entire conversation, no?"
"Y-yeah." He blushed a bit at being caught.
"Do not read too much into it." Sesshomaru said haughtily. "I meant not a word."
Inuyasha smirked. "Of course you didn't, Sesshomaru."
The daiyoukai stood, permitting his brother with the tiniest of smiles. "Hn. You may go."
The hanyou turned to leave, pausing when his name was called. "Keh?"
"We leave in search of Naraku tomorrow evening. Have your tachi, and a small troop of your three best men, ready. That is all…otouto-san."
With Kagome
"I'm coming!"
"Higurashi-san?"
"I knew I should have gone with mom, Sota, and Gramps. Hold your horses!" Heading to the shoji, Kagome slid it back, revealing Hojo. "Oh, hi, Hojo-kun!" The two had been talking quite often since she'd returned, and he turned out to be quite the friend. And he wasn't as perfect as boring as she had initially thought.
Hojo's eyes trailed down to her round stomach before lifting. He still couldn't believe that Kagome was pregnant, or that the father had abandoned her. She was so beautiful, so intelligent, so interesting. It just didn't make since for any man to impregnate her, then leave instead of marrying her. "Hi. Kagome! How are you this morning? Any morning sickness?"
'Still a health freak though.' "No, no. I'm fine. Come on in." She led him up to her bedroom and flopped onto the bed. "So, what's up?"
"Nothing much. Oh! I'm going to visit a cousin of mine in America! He said we're going dirt bike riding."
"Awesome." Kagome beamed at him. After high school, Hojo had started getting into a lot of athletics, and the proof showed in his muscled body. She almost wished she had have kept at least one of the date's she'd made with him in the past.
Hojo smiled at her, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. "I was hoping you could come with."
Kagome frowned slightly. She couldn't. She was pregnant with a demon child, meaning her baby would be born within the next few weeks. "Actually, the baby is due soon." She hadn't told him when she'd gotten pregnant, but by looking at her, he'd automatically assumed about eight or nine months.
"Oh…You know, Kagome, it's awful hard to raise a kid on your own. I could help. We could get married, and I could adopt your…"
"Son...and daughter." She'd hated that when the doctor had told her that one of her children was a boy. It was like she was replacing Kakudan when her precious child had only just been taken away from her.
"Yes! Your son and daughter. See, I've always wanted a little boy, and a little girl will be just wonderful. I could help you, Kagome."
Kagome lowered her eyes. "You couldn't. They aren't your responsibility."
Hojo touched her hand, causing her to look up at him. "I'll make them my responsibility."
A small, but painful shock flew through Kagome's system, and she pulled her hand away, gazing at it.
"Are you alright?" He asked, having not felt it.
"Y-yes." Kagome sighed. "But I don't love you, or at least, not in a romantic sense."
"Could you? In time?"
She stared into his eyes, and again felt a zap in her body. "I think I could."
Hojo smiled. "Then why don't you? Let me take care of you, Kagome. We'll stay engaged for a while. If you don't come to love me, you may leave."
Kagome's eyes filled with tears. A man actually wanted to love her, to take care of her…even though she didn't love him back just yet. Perhaps she could, in time, fall in love with Sukido Hojo. Nodding numbly, she whispered, "Alright. Let's get engaged."
"Oh thank you, Kagome." Hojo leaned forward, pressing their lips together. He flinched as a sharp pain stabbed at his heart, before he fell unconscious, slumping against Kagome.
She paled. "Hojo? Hojo!" She shook him. "That shock I felt must have caused this! What was that?"
"What was what?" Came a deep voice from behind her.
Whirling around, she paled further. "I-Inutaisho?
Month Three- April
"Go away. I've told you a thousand times to vanish," Kagome grumbled as she unloaded the box that contained her clothing. After much convincing that she'd be alright, her mother had permitted her to live with Hojo and marry him eventually. Ayumi wasn't fond of the fact that her little girl did not love the boy, but was still living with him, she knew that Kagome was a big girl and would make her own mistakes.
"I am not leaving until you hear what I have to say." Inutaisho replied softly as he laid on the bed. He wished he had lived to see this era. Everything was so convenient. They had boxes that showed people talking, or playing strange sports. There were other boxes that warmed food, and those that cooled it. And there were bowls that got rid of your waste at the push of a button. It was paradise!
"Grrr. Talk then!"
He closed his eyes and exhaled. "You don't love this boy."
Kagome shrugged. "Okayyyyy, what's your point?"
"You shouldn't be living with him, or engaged to marry him."
"I'll grow to love him, okay? In due time, I will love him."
Inutaisho quirked a brow. "How can you be so sure? I mated Setsuki with the hope that one day we would come to love one another. And while I did have the slightest of feelings for her, it was never love and she never returned it."
"Hojo loves me. He's a good friend, and he wants to take care of me. It's not like I'm a parasite. There will be mutual advantages. He's gets my presence, the cash I'll bring in, and my baby. He's looking forward to playing the father role."
"Hnk."
"What is with you and your sons and those odd noises?" Kagome asked, annoyed. She slammed the last drawer, then went to the next box, which was filled with shoes.
The daiyoukai apparition sighed. "That shock you felt was because you were in contact, both physical and emotional, with another man while you are pregnant with youkai children."
Kagome shrugged. "Makes sense, damn demons."
Inutaisho gazed intently at her large stomach. He noticed a spot bulge out and noticed Kagome hiss. "Kicking?"
She cursed. "Clawing. I hate youkai. Kakudan didn't do this." A melancholy look spread on her face. "But then again, my baby boy was soulless."
"Ahem," Inutaisho prepared to change the subject, noting her pained and angry eyes, "Speaking of the babies in your stomach, what would you like to name them?"
"Oyo-Banai Higurashi for my boy and Kakegae Higurashi for my girl."
The dog demon analyzed the name. "Oyobanai for unattainable and Kakegae for irreplaceable."
Kagome nodded. "Naraku will not be able to take these children away from me."
Inutaisho frowned. "And why would he?"
"They're his children." She jumped when he let out a loud, thunderous laugh. "What's so funny?"
"These aren't his children. Inuyoukai are only able to carry Inuyoukai children."
Kagome considered what that meant, her eyes growing wide. "No! Sesshomaru?"
"Of course."
"You didn't tell him, did you? I swear if you did, I will kill you! I am not above murdering a ghost!"
"I did not tell him. He only knows that I've found you. He's depressed, you know? He wants you to return to him."
She snorted. "As what, a concubine? Like hell will I! The arrogant bastard has another thing coming if he even thinks for one second that he can make such of me. I am no once whore."
Inutaisho sat up, one leg extended forward while the other was drawn back, propping up his arm. "No. But you are to be his bitch. He's realized that he loves you. If you return, he will drop Kayo like a scalding bowl of miso soup."
"Riiight." She hesitated, pausing in her unpacking. "How are Rin, Shippo, and Akane?"
"Missing you terribly, as are they all. Rin has a small crush developing on Shippo though, but it seems the little kit is taken with Kitsune Hime of the East, named Metsuki. And Akane and Kohaku are starting to form a slight relationship."
Kagome smiled. "I'm glad…but isn't Kohaku too old for her?"
"Kagome, she is 125 years old, dear. She only looks 15. And he is 16. Besides, age is merely a number. You are aware that Inuyasha is 204 and Sesshomaru is 489?"
"Um, wow."
"Wow? Try me. Were I living, I would be 721."
Her eyes scanned him slowly before she smiled slyly. "You look good for your age."
Inutaisho smirked. "What do you mean by that, little one?" He knew very well, but decided to enjoy the compliment.
"Your face hardly looks a day over 21 to Sesshomaru's 19 and Inuyasha's 16/17. And, I've never seen you without the bulky armor, but I can only assume." She replied, saying the latter sentence with an innocently curious tone.
"I look better than you'll ever know, miko." He purred. "If only I were alive…"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Flirting with your son's beloved?" Kagome rolled her eyes, going back to unpacking.
The daiyoukai frowned. He'd been captured in the little minx's unconscious spell. "You are a vixen."
"Guess that's why your son considers me his weekend slut." She replied airily, standing up and stretching. "I listened to you, won't you leave now?"
Inutaisho's eyes skimmed her form. He wished his boy could see her now, swollen with his pup yet still as beautiful and sexy, if not more, as she had ever been. 'Bad thoughts, Inumaru! She's your son's beloved. Do not think about how beautiful she is…She almost resembles Izayoi.' He gazed at her, his eyes glazing over.
Kagome frowned as she felt him staring and faced him. She stiffened at the look on his face. "No." She said firmly.
"W-what?" He asked, snapping back to reality from his day dreams.
"Don't even go there. I'm so sick of it."
"Of what?"
"I've seen that look before. Inuyasha would always look at me that way when he was imagining Kikyo in my place. I won't stand for it. I know how to do an exorcism, and I will if I must to get you out."
Inutaisho cringed at the pain that flashed in her eyes, which were beginning to tint a forest green. "Kagome…"
She crossed her arms. "Who were you comparing me to? Because I know you were."
He averted his eyes, guilt rising in him. "Izayoi."
"And what were you imagining, Inutaisho?" She spat his name. "Were imagining the things we could do, with Izayoi in my place?"
He nodded numbly, having to admit that he had. He'd imagined hugging her, and kissing her, stroking her round stomach as Inuyasha rested inside, untouched by the world; but it wasn't her, or her pups. No. It was his Izayoi, his beautiful, precious human bride, and their son. "I'm sorry…You remind me so much of her. Your attitude, your appearance now. It reminds me of the short time where she bore my markings, my hair color, my eyes before she found out that I had a mate and a son and cast me aside."
Kagome laughed bitterly. "You sound just like Inuyasha." She turned and stared in the mirror. "It seems almost as though I could never be me, but always someone else." She stormed over him, grabbing his chin tightly. "Look at me, who am I?"
"Calm down. You'll hurt the pups."
"Who. Am. I?!"
"Kagome, calm down." He grabbed her hands.
The green melted from her eyes and tears began to drip down her face. "I'm sorry." She buried her face in his shoulder.
He stroked her hair gently, nuzzling her. "It's alright, musume. It's my fault. You are Kagome, and I have no right to imagine you as someone else." After a moment, her soft crying became occasional yelps, and her body jerked against him. "Kagome, are you alright?'
"N-no. I'm having contractions again."
"Again?"
"I've been having them on and off since yesterday morning…My water broke a few ours ago, and ever since I've been having occasional contractions…but these are worse. Much worse. Ahhhhh!" She arched her back in pain.
Inutaisho panicked. According to Kagome there were no youkai in this time, so she couldn't have the children at a…what did she call it? – hospital. He'd only delivered one child in his entire life, and that had been with much assistance from a servant.
Kagome clutched his hand tightly. "H-Hojo isn't going to be home until tomorrow. These babies aren't waiting…so hand me my bag. I'll call mom. Until she gets here, I'll coach you."
His eye brows show up when she cried out. 'A ghost isn't supposed to be delivering babies!'
"My, these are two of the most beautiful pups I have ever seen in my life." Inutaisho commented as Kagome nursed the small babes. He leaned over the pups, running large fingers through the small things' silver curls. "He's small, but larger than Sesshomaru. She's pretty average sized."
"Why is he so small?" Ayumi whispered to the ghost. She'd been shocked when he'd let her end, but after much questioning, and a cry from Kagome, she'd decided to put that aside for the time being.
"Perhaps because his father was not near during his time of growth. Boys need fathers."
Kagome shrugged. "I don't care how small he is, he's magnificent, my Oyo Banai. And she's perfect as well, Kakegae."
Inutaisho sighed. He only wished he could tell his pup that he'd had a gorgeous little boy pup. He needed to persuade her to return to the feudal era but how? He heard the front door fly open and, after giving Kagome, Kakegae, and Oyo caring, fatherly kisses, he vanished into thin air, with a whisper, "Your male is approaching."
Hojo rushed into the room just as Kagome placed a spell on her pups, leaving them raven haired with sparkling hazel eyes that were hidden behind their eye lids as they slept. "I hopped into the car the second you called. I've been driving nonstop, bulldozing through red lights, cutting corners, making u-turns, and I still missed their birth!" He groaned.
"That's alright. You tried." Kagome replied softly. "Would you like to hold them?"
Unable to answer, Hojo just nodded, accepting the babies with a sharp intake of break. "Wow."
"Oh, support his head, Hojo, dear." Ayumi whispered softly.
He just laughed softly, placing a hand behinds the tot's head. "Wow, you're both so perfect…These little beings; they came from you, Kagome."
"I know." She beamed. He looked so good holding them. Maybe one day he would hold one of his own, though she doubted the baby would be from her. Something told her this wouldn't work.
"W-what're their names?" He asked softly. He was so happy, so surprised, so amazed. Tears clustered in his eyes.
Kagome let her eye lids lower, her dark lashes fanning over her cheeks. "Oyo Banai and Kakegae." She passed out of the bed.
Hojo smiled. "Oyo Banai and Kakegae. Would you call an ambulance, Mrs. Higurashi? We'll need to have the babies checked, as well as Kagome."
Ayumi hurried to the phone.
With Sesshomaru
Pain shot up Sesshomaru's spine, causing him to rise from his bed as he fought back a howl. He fisted the sheets. Something was happening. Something important was happening without him. He rose, trying to walk to the door, but another series of shocks dizzied his mind and blurred his vision. He whimpered lowly as he stumbled around the room, crashing into his wardrobe, then his vanity, then his swords which hung on the wall and sending everything crashing to the ground. Clutching his aching head, he tripped onto the balcony, falling to his knees. He pulled himself up by the rail. "Why do I feel this pain?"
Inutaisho and Inumimi appeared at his side. "Sesshomaru? Sesshomaru, are you alright?!"
"S-something! Something important is happening…with Kagome! I should be there! The pain tells such! B-but what is happen-" He shut his mouth, biting his tongue to suppress a cry.
Guiltily, Inutaisho took a step away from him. He couldn't tell. He had promised Kagome. He looked away regretfully. Inumimi looked over to him, then back to Sesshomaru. "I don't know, Sesshou. Inutaisho, you've found her time. When was the last time you spoke to her?"
He cringed. "Today."
"Did something happen?"
"Yes." He muttered lowly.
"What?"
Sesshomaru clenched his teeth in pain, turning to his father with blood red eyes. "What happened?" He forced out through his teeth.
Inutaisho shook his head slowly. "I wish I could tell you."
"What do you mean, you wish?" Inumimi asked, her hands on Sesshomaru's face. "Your son is in pain."
"I swore to her. My word is my honor."
"Forget your honor! You're dead! Help your son."
Inutaisho lowered his eyes. He didn't know what to do. He had sworn to Kagome, his daughter, his blood daughter. But Sesshomaru was his son, by blood, by seed. He looked to Sesshomaru after whispering an apology to Kagome. "When she left, she was pregnant…with two of your pups."
Sesshomaru's eyes widened as the pain subsided for a moment. "Two of my pups?"
"Two of your pups, simply gorgeous, Sesshomaru. One is a bit small, but he's perfect."
"He," Sesshomaru smiled slightly. He had a boy pup, an heir.
"And your little girl will be a little heartbreaker."
"A girl." Sesshomaru's smile grew. "And their power?"
Inutaisho grinned brilliantly. "Mikoyoukai plus Most Powerful Daiyoukai equals unbelievably powerful pups. Their auras are so wild, yet so tame. I can't wait…for you…to see them." His face fell, and he turned away.
Sesshomaru's heart broke. He might never see his pups. A howl of loss rose in his throat, and he did nothing to hide it, falling to his knees and clutching the rail, he howled his loss to the entire Western Land."
Kayo rushed into the room, having left for a midnight snack. Inuyasha and his companions hurried in after her, staring in shock as the strong western lord howled to the sky, his bare shoulder's shaking, his back muscles tense, and two ghosts at his side.
With Kagome
"K-Kagome, I have bad news." Hojo whispered, stroking her hair gently.
"What is it?" She rasped tiredly.
"Um, my dad's going to come tell you in a minute. Just…be strong." He held her hand, flashing a weary smile.
Kagome frowned, not liking his tone or facial expression. "Be strong for wh-"
There was a knock at the door, and when permitted to enter, Hojo's father, Dr. Sukido, entered, "Hello, Kagome."
"What's wrong?' She asked immediately.
"Well…dear, and be calm, everything happens for a reason. Kakegae's heart is not very strong. The tissues didn't band together well. It looks as though she won't live for more than a year."
Kagome's eyes widened, her breathing growing labored. "W-what?"
Hojo rubbed her back. "Kagome, stay calm."
"M-my my b-baby." She started to cry softly, continuing to hyperventilate.
"Hojo, calm her down, please." His father said softly, worry apparent on his face.
"Kagome, please stop crying and slow your breathing relax."
"I-I c-c-cant!" She cried out, taking deep, heavy, shallow breaths. Before long, her chest began to ache. She clutched Hojo's hand as her eyes rolled back and she fainted.
The next chapter will be months 10-12. Hope you enjoyed!
