gincitri: Well, actually, she mentioned she was immortal before but I don't think he quite got it. I mean, it's impossible for a human to gain immortality, unless they die and transform into an ayakashi. But, oh boy, oh boy will he be surprised! Naturally, since I have an incessant need to follow canon… well, there'll be a wait to find out exactly what happens.

riridreaheart:Hmm, something Nura-chan has in mind? Nah, whatever gave you that idea *wink* Thank you, for both your reviews and the time you take to tell me you love this story!

Guest Reviewer: I wish so badly I could have Otome have children, but then where would Wakana come in? Rikuo would be totally changed and did I mention my need to write as close to canon as possible? I mean, I wish I could write Rikuo with a sister, but how would that fit in?

Royiah: They'll be leaving tomorrow (story-wise). Yes I am from the South. Originally I was born in Texas, I moved several times and ended up with Georgia. 'Course then I moved to Tennessee, but that's still south. Ish. OMG, your voodoo doll worked!

CORN!

Yoruko Rhapsoods: You are absolutely brilliant. I mean, seriously. That's like totally awesome! Why the heck didn't I think of that?! You rock!

Kimori Takahashi: Wasn't it awesome?! I was like fangirling and when the kiss~ OMG my heart stopped!

Halley Vanaria: Still working on that, but yup! From what I figure a half-human pregnancy lasts about 6 months. We'll say she's about a month along, so five more months left. So excited!

Yohime was finishing with her meal, when one of the soldiers who was stationed under Masaru ran in. His gaze darted around the room until it landed on Sesshomaru.

"My lord, a band of youkai are approaching the castle. General Masaru has determined they are those under Lord Shippo, and requests they be allowed to enter the gates."

Sesshomaru turned his eyes to said kitsune who promptly displayed a fanged grin indicating the soldier was correct.

"They are granted permission. How long until their arrival?"

"Two hours at the least, my Lord."

"Hn."

Fisting his clawed hand against his heart, the man bowed his head and exited the room. Yohime smiled at her son.

"Have you told them anything about me, Shippo-chan?"

He shrugged and gestured vaguely with his hand.

"And that's supposed to mean?"

"Well, you see I spoke often of my mother, but I didn't say that she was human. Or the Great Lady, or a miko, or the fact that I was adopted. There are only a few who know that my mother was human, and even fewer that know which human. Like Mai and Mei."

Yohime's face lit up.

"I almost forgot! I get to see my nieces!"

She quickly stood and darted towards the door, only she stopped dead in her tracks. Rotating her head, she glanced to Nurarihyon. Her hesitation was clear, and the ayakashi rose smoothly to his feet. Making his way around the table, he came to his woman's side and set his hand on her head.

He softly kiss her forehead, and placing his hand at the small of her back tossed a lazy smirk to the audience.

"We'll take a stroll through the gardens, send a message when they arrive."

Shippo rolled his eyes.

"Sure, sure! Go have fun, okaa-san, tou-san."

Yohime managed to stick her tongue out, rather immaturely too considering her age, before Nura applied gentle pressure and lead her out of the room. Walking down hallway, passing the servants (who all bowed properly) into the receiving room and out the side door, which let out into the garden adjoining the courtyard.

And there was a gorgeous sakura tree in full bloom.

Yohime caught her breath as Nurarihyon's hand lifted hers and pulled her towards him as he walked backwards. Taking a seat among the roots and petals, he tugged on her hand until she fell into his lap, his arms reaching around her to rest on her tummy.

She was flush against him, fingers splayed together and his nose in her fragrant hair.

"As much as I am happy to see my family once more, I find myself more eager to return home than I thought I would be," she spoke in a hushed voice, unwilling to break the stillness of the garden.

The wind quietly rustled the fragile flowers, a stream trickled over a small waterfall and the sound of bamboo hitting stone echoed out.

Butterflies flitted around as the birds sang their songs, and the sounds of palace life was faded to an almost inaudible hum.

"This place, in a way it is home, but it's a home of the past. One filled with memories when I was young. Now that I am older I have found that my home lies with you."

Nurarihyon's chest rumbled, either from agreement or something else entirely, she did not care. She had been surrounded by faces from her past, and she wanted some time with someone from her present.

She closed her eyes as she felt warms lips glide over her suddenly bare shoulder, that then moved on to her neck. One hand slid up her side to gather her hair and cradle her head to allow Nura access to more creamy skin.

Slender, firm fingers clenched in her hair and against the side of her head as he pulled her back to land a tender kiss on her soft mouth.

Her body sunk down, in a position that was leaning almost fully on the ayakashi behind her, his legs on either side on hers.

"My Yohime," Nurarihyon whispered possessively, his arm tightening around her stomach.

"Your Yohime," the miko answered back, eyes opening and gazing deeply into swirling amber.

A perfect pink flower drifted down in the breeze that danced through the branches of the tree, and landed on the palm of Nura's outstretched hand.

"Our child," he said a smile curving into his face.

"Our child," she repeated as their fingers laced together over the small bump, the sakura resting carefully on the top.

In that state they remained, basking in the feel of one another, their auras so vastly differnet, mingling and entwining with ease.

Gold laced with black, tanned skin to ivory, and dark brown to black and blonde.

In the passing years and centuries, after mikos, ayakashi, demons and youkai faded into myths and legends, there appeared a painting of remarkable art.

All who gaze on it couldn't not help but marvel at the vivid colors, and at the figures depicted on it's canvas.

A man and a woman sitting under a beautiful sakura tree, one gently cradling the other, hands resting on the woman's stomach indicating her condition. Flowers were bent slightly and pink petals dotting the surface as if a breeze was blowing. A garden of this state was only present of wealthy men, and the telltale structures in the far background that confirmed it.

The look of love, joy and peace portrayed on these people's faces was something that brought smiles to they that saw. And the way the woman shown with a soft light, and the man radiated a slight darkness was a clue to those who knew of the Old Days who this couple was.

Although no one knew the artist, some said he was of nobility, a ruler of lands, painting his wife.

Some said he was a cold and ruthless warrior, seeking power and frightening to come face-to-face in battle, yet this was his daughter.

Others imagined a man who loved his family dearly, and this painting was a tribute to his female family members, perhaps a sister.

Not one would quite believe who it was if they knew who had painted this work of breath-taking art. Especially with the title that brought about these speculations.

The title of the most well known painting in the world of artists.

His, Forever More.

A/N It's a fluff chapter. I didn't intend for it to turn out this way, but I felt it was needed. Btw, if anyone if confused about the 'Gold laced with black' it's her reiki (which are gold in color) and his Fear (which is black in color).

Thank you for reading, I love my readers dearly! Drop a review if you have time.

IF YOU LOVE THIS STORY PLEASE IGNORE THE FOLLOWING

To the reviewer who flamed: If you're going to review to crit my writing, feel free. Language, insults and racial slurs are UNACCEPTABLE. I'm a Christian, and I will not tolerate my God's name taken in vain.

I'm aware that my writing isn't the best, I have conflicting facts, misspelled words as I've said before, feel free to PM me with suggestions. I would have sent a PM addressing this, but it was a 'Guest Review'. SERIOUSLY? You man enough to throw out words like that, insult me in such a disgusting way but you don't have the guts to use your account?

Pathetic, spineless coward.

Normally, I wouldn't bother to waste my time with scum like you, but what you said about me, my readers and my God has prompted me to reply. I write for myself and my readers, the very same readers you so crudely insulted.

Your review has been deleted, any other such as it will also be deleted as it's against my personal policy to waste brain cells on odious fellows like you.

Thank you for reading, have a nice life.