Chapter 36 Expecting

Kagome excused herself from the brothers to take a trip to the bathroom, she had not overheard Sesshoumaru's whispered aside to Inuyasha or taken note of her mate's dumbfounded expression. Sesshoumaru was finding it all quite amusing when all of a sudden he found himself with an armful of hanyou. Inuyasha had forgotton about the ignominious treatment he had just suffered at the hands of his brother, not even realising that he had put himself in a position of danger should Sesshoumaru decide that a repeat was warranted.

He could easily have made Inuyasha release him and in the past his poison claws would probably have dripped onto the wrists of the arms now clasped around his neck; but he could not; his brother's joy was almost contageous and Sesshoumaru remembered how hard it had been for the hanyou to reach this point.

"Sesshy, Sesshy, is it really true? I'm going to have a pup? I never thought I'd have a pup." Inuyasha finished in a whisper.

"Well technically Inuyasha, you are not going to have the pup; Kagome is and you smelt it in her yourself. She is about six weeks along I should think. What can you mean 'never thought you'd have a pup'? You are hardly old enough for that sort of thinking. I was considerably older than you when my first pup came along and I was still considered rather young by many to start my family.

Inuyasha didn't answer; he suddenly realised that all the worries and concerns that were still so recent to him, had happened a long time ago to this time's Sesshoumaru. He made to pull away from his brother, realising that he still was gripping him, huggged round the neck; but he was prevented from doing so by Sesshoumaru.

"I am sorry Inuyasha, I was forgetting for a minute the difficulties you have faced. I suppose Myouga did not encourage you to think along the lines of a family for yourself?"

"He tried to make me think that a solitary life was the best way of living, saying I would have no one to answer to but myself; he did try, usually when I was feeling particularly lonely and didn't want to hear it. I learnt the truth when he thought I'd fallen asleep one time; after I had been depressed. He sat by me and he said talking to himself 'how do I tell you that no one will ever love you, a hanyou my Lord?'

"I have never forgotton those words and I thought them true for the longest time. They and other things made me wary of any affection. Ask Kagome; I think she nearly despaired of me."

Before he could get maudlin about it, he felt Sesshoumaru's fingers caressing his ears making them perk up.

"Hush Inuyasha, that is no longer true in your case and your mate is waiting for you." Sesshoumaru was firm and told his brother that he would appreciate a cup of tea; dealing with his younger brother's emotions that night had drained him far more than any of the times he had physically fought with him. Plus looking at Kagome, he was not done yet. She had come back from the bathroom and was watching her mate with his brother with a tight expression on her face.

Sesshoumaru knew she had not heard about the pup and it was not for him to say; then Inuyasha had shot off downstairs to make some early tea for them all.

"You have something that troubles you Kagome?" He watched her with an open but expressionless face. He thought he knew what the problem was having had to deal with it several times in the past.

"You have a lot of influence with Inuyasha, sometimes more than I do. He is still always looking for your approval." Sesshoumaru recognised the slight hint of jealousy from Kagome's scent. "I had to share him with Kikyou; I do not wish to share him with you as well." She felt her brother-in-law turn his gaze fully on her and felt the comfort from the unfamiliar warmth that was now in his eyes.

"Kagome you have no reason to be concerned, Inuyasha is very young still, not any older relatively than you yourself. Because of his blood and mate mark you will age with him and not at the normal human rate. That being so, he was without parental guidance most of his life. In youkai terms, he is still very much a pup. When my father died, I was still considered a pup not nearly grown. I missed my father dreadfully; I still do, so I understand what it means to Inuyasha to find someone he can relate to as such."

"But you are his brother, not his father, Sesshoumaru." The older one sighed, he was still quite young himself in youkai years although obviously now mature, he too had had a lot of responsibilities entrusted to him as a whelp. Where his brother was concerned, these had gone to his head and his advisors who should have helped him to rule had been afraid of his power and seduced by his high intelligence. Sesshoumaru was so capable on many levels that his emotional immaturity was overlooked.

He had since learned through his mistakes. Now Kagome was in need and she was family and pack; besides she had proved she was deserving of his attention.

"Of course, but what he has not told you is that the first time he met me here, he was so distraught with me in the past and found that because I was so understanding of him now, he wished to stay here as my son, my child rather than my brother. He does, I know, put me in that position still. Having my own pups, I also find it hard not thinking of him in the same way as I do my twins. That is why I must limit my contact with him now."

"I understand some of this Sesshoumaru, but it just seems strange to me." Sesshoumaru pondered, looking at her.

"Would it seem quite so strange to you if I really was his father and he came to me for advise, reassurance and love Kagome, all the things that he has not had? He does not find it strange and neither does anyone that you still ask for and seek all these same things from your mother. It is natural. For him I am the nearest thing to a father he has known. Inuyasha's brother is the Sesshoumaru of the past not me. I am an anchor, nothing more; I am certainly no threat."

Kagome felt relieved and more secure, Sesshoumaru's words had helped her, she was not failing in her relationship with Inuyasha, but he also needed older male affection, thirsting for that sense of belonging. She would not deny him that. It made sense now to see this Sesshoumaru as a father figure to Inuaysha, in the same way that she had her own mother. They stopped talking as Inuyasha came bounding back up the stairs with a tray, cups and teapot, he was so excited that Sesshoumaru could only smile shaking his head. Kagome scolded him.

"Be careful, Inuyasha; you're going to drop everything. What has got into you?" With his eyes glowing he whispered in her ear as his hands cupped her face lovingly:

"Nothing's got into me my love, but it has got into you." Watching her eyes widen as his meaning became clear she looked at the grin splitting his face, "You are going to have our pup." Now she understood his jubilation at Sesshoumaru and she could not wait to tell her mother going straight into Mama's bedroom and despite the early hour, she awoke her with the news.

Mama came in to the room not a bit surprised to see Sesshoumaru and took charge. She ushered them all downstairs for an extremely early breakfast and coffee this time. Then to everyone's amazement, she got out a bag that she had had put away and gave it to Kagome. Inside were baby clothes, some bought and some made by herself. Laughing at everyone's expression she said:

"Well, I've been waiting for my dog-eared grandchildren to start to make an appearance." Even Sesshoumaru smiled. "I think you must have forgotton your last 'shot', Kagome and I am very glad." Kagome blushed at her forthright mother who smiled back. The news didn't stay secret for long; Souta heard everyone downstairs and so did grandpa and soon there was a full scale breakfast party going on. Not that Souta was let off going to school; no matter how much he pleaded tiredness or family matters.

Later Inuyasha and Kagome needed to grab a couple of hours more sleep and went to bed after Sesshoumaru had said goodbye; he had taken one of them in each arm and hugged them, then he carefully and deliberately, licked their pack marks and told them to go to bed. Feeling safe and loved the pair curled up close on the bed and fell asleep instantly; Kagome enfolded in Inuyasha's arms and watched over by the Taiyoukai who stayed in the tree, guarding his 'pups'.

Their guardian had left when they had awoken; but once again when the couple appeared for breakfast, guests in the shape of the twins were already waiting for them. Kentei's grin was beaming over his face and he was practically dancing with delight. His twin was much more decorous, her smile was warm not maniacal and her congratulations were warm and genuine.

"I guess you and Pop are brothers after all Little Uncle, although it's funny to think that this little one is really older than any of us in real terms. Gah! I can't think around all this time stuff very easily."

"It is better not to do so my brother; just think on what we know now, Kagome and Inuyasha are going to have a pup. That's all that is important."

"Yeah you're right as usual, I s'pose." Suki just put her head down and smirked to herself and Kagome thought how like Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru these twins were; even though one was of course a girl. There was a lot to do that day now that Kagome was pregnant and Mama went with them all and surprisingly Sesshoumaru came along, as they went shopping in the mall.

A trip back through the well would need all sorts of things bought. The usual gifts of sweets and crayons etc for the children, ink cartridges for Sesshoumaru's pen in both times. Sesshoumaru still had the pen that Inuyasha had got him; a point which warmed Inuyasha's heart. Kagome thought she would take some more comfortable under garments with her as if she was now six weeks she would start to show soon or at least to herself and she didn't want to have to come back here all the time.

Sesshoumaru also introduced them all to a special maternity unit at the local hospital that specialised in youkai. It was disguised; but she would need it to deliver a hanyou baby. An appointment was made for her next trip home and then they went for coffee. Mama was speculating already on whether her grandchild would have dog ears or not, after all it would only be one quarter youkai.

Sesshoumaru had the answer.

"The baby will be full hanyou; our father's blood is very strong and Inuyasha's is true to that, his blood is easily as strong as a full youkai. Combined with the strong Miko blood, it cannot help but be hanyou. I am afraid the ears will be the same as Inuyasha's." But he smiled as he said this and ruffled his brother's hair so that Inuyasha would realise there was no insult intended, just a little bit of teasing.

That evening Sesshoumaru took them all out to a fancy restaurant as a celebration and they had a wonderful time. It would be the last time that Inuyasha would see Sesshoumaru for a while he was told. Soon his hands would be full once again with a pair of twins; but he would see Inuyasha and Kagome from a distance as usual. Inuyasha tried to be nonchalant about this and even though they all by now knew it was a pretense, they helped him come to terms with it once again.

Mama made them laugh by warning Inuyasha about 'mood swings', then seriously took him aside and told him that he really mustn't take anything harsh that Kagome said to heart because sometimes she wouldn't realise what she was saying. Her temper might be a lot shorter; he was just glad that she had removed the rosary. He thought he understood anyway, he knew that Kagome loved him and he would trust her. Sesshoumaru was nodding,

"I spend a lot of time in my study when my mate is expecting; I find it the safest place to be." His children laughed at him, trying to imagine the Lord of the Western Lands reduced to living in his study, out of sight of his mate.

In the morning when it was time to leave, Sesshoumaru appeared again drawing Inuyasha aside to speak to him.

"You are growing up little pup, you are actually the first of us to have children don't forget. Make the most of it, this time of your pup's childhood; it goes by very quickly even for us who mature so slowly." Once again Inuyasha found himself in a tight embrace and this time Sesshoumaru kissed him on the forehead, before he left quickly; calling goodbye to them all.

They jumped down the well, ready to share their news with their other family. The flash of the light caught them as normal; only this time as they jumped out, Inuyasha holding onto Kagome they were met by Sesshoumaru. Putting Kagome down gently, Inuyasha snuffed at the air to see if there was danger or any other reason why his brother would be in the clearing. Sesshoumaru was amused, and said.

"I just happened to be patrolling here when I saw Ah-Un and then the flash of the well magic." Sesshoumaru lifted his head exposing his neck slightly, his action eliciting the response he wished. Inuyasha came to him and pushed his head under his brother's chin and licked the mark quickly then let Kagome do the same. At first this had seemed so strange to her but now the security of family that she received from such action she would not swap and it still made her angry that Inuyasha had been denied this all his life.

Sesshoumaru picked up on her wave of anger and swiped across her neck a few more times until she calmed down. He could tell that her scent had changed and so had her taste slightly. Widening his eyes he took a deeper breath around her neck. She might have been a bit alarmed if it was not for the sight of Inuyasha grinning at them.

Lifting his eyes to his brother, Sesshoumaru noticed the pleased expression and chuckled.

"You have both been busy, my congratulations to you. Do you know how long before my nephew makes his appearance?"

"Feh! We think Kagome is about six weeks pregnant. You can tell it's a boy?"

"I can, the scent is quite clear and definate, that is why I can agree that the pregnancy is over one month. This is good news, you will be able to add a nursery to your suite as there are plenty of spare rooms adjoining. It will be easy to replace a wall with a door. I will sort that out as soon as we get home. Stay here, I shall retrieve

Ah-Un to carry you to the village. I am sure you wish to inform your friends."

Kagome nodded and then in a flash of inspiration she flung her arms around his neck surprising them all and thanked him for his kindness to them. Sesshoumaru blushed, he recognised the sincerity in her words but he did not understand the motive.

"There is no special kindness involved; the rooms are your's by rights Kagome as Inuyasha's mate. I could offer no less."

"Never mind me, I understand." She said cryptically, really these two brothers became more alike the longer she knew them, neither would admit to any form of kindness, Sesshoumaru was still worried about Inuyasha wanting to stay on the other side of the well and Inuyasha didn't like leaving the older Sesshoumaru on the other side either. Really they were a sad pair sometimes.

"Kagome you were angry when you came through the well; had I upset you?"

"No; not really, I was just cross when I realised how comforting the pack mark is and how long Inuyasha was without it. Do not worry, the anger passed quickly."

"I too have regrets about all his life Kagome, I would not wish you to think I do not."

"Don't worry Sesshoumaru, it will get worse I think. It's all to do with pregnancy causing over emotional feelings."

"Very well Kagome, I shall send for my midwife when we get back."

"You have a midwife?"

"I try to cater for all my own and my staff's needs. There are many who reside at the Palace, many are mated pairs. You have not noticed the children before? The Weasel who had charge of Inuyasha's education for the year, taught in a little school for them. He has since been replaced." Kagome nodded and looked at the rigid back of her mate; remembering all he had told her of the episode.

They reached the village soon and Kaede had already been alerted to the strange sight of Kagome riding the dragon led by Sesshoumaru with Inuyasha striding ahead. Her eyebrows raised to her hairline in amused puzzlement until all was revealed. She understood that Kagome had matured herself when she had not objected to the two Inu's treating her like she could break. It was not worth the argument, she could always get excercise when she arrived at the Palace.

Kaede noticed how proud Inuyasha stood now, his mate carried not just his child but the first grandchild of the Great Inu no Taisho and even Sesshoumaru was treating his sister-in-law as if the baby was his. In a way the baby was, it would be pack; the first of the new generation and born into a united family. She was pleased for them all. It was not long before there was a joyful reunion with Miroku and Sango. They too looked blissfully happy and were also expecting their first child. She was about four months along, but had really only just had everything confirmed.

Soon it was time to leave, they wished to get to the Western Palace before dark to see their adopted son Shippou. He would be excited at their news and Kagome had missed the little kitsune as she always did when she went away. Back on the dragon she leaned into Inuyasha who didn't mind riding when it came to keeping her safe and comfortable. Sesshoumaru flew on his youki cloud ahead of them as always alert for any danger and soon the Palace came into view.

It was a relief to arrive and to have a welcome hot bath and meal. Once they were relaxed and presentable, they alerted the foxcub that they were home. He'd been in the school when they first came back and they would not disturb him. Kagome took him in her lap after giving him his presents and told him about the baby. As expected he was overjoyed at the prospect of being a big brother, leaping off her lap and giving both of them a hug before rushing off to tell Rin his news.

It did not take long for the information to travel the length and breadth of the Palace and by bedtime the congratulations were ringing round their heads. Inuyasha was bemused, not long ago he was despised and now he was a hero on the verge of fatherhood with eveyone pleased. It was too much to think about so he decided he wouldn't and took Kagome off to bed.

At first he was afraid to approach her even though he knew he wanted her and he shook with an unresolved passion. Noticing his confused aura, Kagome inquired what was wrong. She put her arms round him and moved her body against him, gyrating in a slow dance designed to arouse. It had the desired effect she could tell but still he did not take the next step. Kagome was confused, what was the matter with him? She knew him well enough to know that he was desperate to make love to her.

"What is it Inuyasha? Don't you want me?"

"Silly girl." He growled and she felt him tremble with his suppressed desire. "I will not hurt the baby by not having self control Kagome." She smiled.

"The baby is fine, you will not hurt him by showing your love to me, he is well protected. The only time you could hurt him is if he was already not safe and we know that he is well."

"Truly Kagome?" At her nod, he fell into her arms and let himself enjoy their mutual passion. Later that night, Inuyasha awoke to the sound of sobbing. It was not Kagome and it came from the room behind theirs. Creeping in quietly, Inuyasha sat down on the futon and lifted the little kitsune into his lap. He patted his back and stroked his hair calmly and then asked what the matter was. After a few shuddering hiccups Shippou answered in a choked voice.

"You will still love me when the new baby comes won't you? I'll still be your son?" Inuyasha hugged the kit close to him and instead of brushing his concerns away with scorn, he remembered being in exactly the same position with his older Sesshoumaru and understood the real fear of being pushed aside.

"You are just as important to us Shippou, we adopted you; love is able to spread around. You and me, we have both found safety here and we will not lose it. You will always be Kagome's and my son." Inuyasha knew now how his older sibling had felt towards him when he'd reassured him that his new babies would not stop his love for his little brother. "Now go back to sleep runt." He settled Shippou down again and that was how Kagome found them in the morning, tucked up together.

TBC