A small note about this chapter: I was encourage to write another mythology story like in one of my previous chapters. Therefore the story that follows the bold xXx is of my own creation and I would like to point out that is not intentionally meant to link to any historical facts, or scientific findings it is all my own imagination. With that in mind please enjoy.

Disclaimer: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me and I make no profit from this story

Scroll Thirty Six: Birth of a Jewel

Once again the cold forced the Western habitants to occupy the warm walls of their homes. Sesshomaru loved this time of year. It was rare for anything to occur while snow threatened to fall. However he knew his mate's distaste to stay inside would put her in a foul mood. So rather than lock himself away, the inu lord took this last warm afternoon to spend in the gardens with his pack. Rin currently chased Shippo around in circles, determined to catch the growing kit. Though it was Sesshomaru's will to see Rin act more ladylike, he let the girl have the day to do what she wanted to please his mate.

"Sesshomaru," Kagome placed a hand on his shoulder, "tell me another of your stories."

The Western Lord took a moment to stare at his lady in disbelief, as if to ask what she was thinking. Or perhaps to tell her she was crazy to think that he was going to give into her random whim.

"Since when did you become a child?"

"Don't be silly," she chuckled, "adults can enjoy a good story just as much as a child."

"What would you like to hear?"

"The history of your clan," Kagome explained without hesitation.

"I thought history didn't interest you," he replied.

"But I want to understand you so I can understand where our pup comes from."

Sesshomaru though about the request for a moment before he decided that he would grant his mate's wish. In an instant the miko bounced from her seat beside him and placed herself between the inu's legs, her back firmly against his chest. She enjoyed the way his chest vibrated as he spoke and it soothed the near constant movement of the pup.

"As you know there are many ages to Earth. There is one particular age that few know and fewer speak of."

xXx

In the beginning there was the Mystic Age, a time when the earth was ruled by ancients. These powerful elders ruled by instinct and soon they grew greedy. It was preordained under these circumstances that war would break out, but the power each elder had was enough to not only destroy their society and race but also the earth. So the ancient elders that remained were forced to leave to inhabit other realms where the planet matched the power they held. However one ancient remained, lingering on the planet that had been his home for more than a lifetime. A single shadow was left to watch as Earth evolved through its different ages.

As much as the shadow watched it remained hidden in the very material it was made from. But then one creature caught the beings attention. Of course it had birthed many creatures and beast over the centuries, but the inu was not born until the shadow altered the way it viewed the world and interfered for the first time. Taking what could be considered pity upon humans the first dogs were created. By nature these dogs shifted into two groups, those loyal to its companions, and those more wild and driven by instinct. The wolves took to its dens to fend for themselves, while the dogs remained beside the humans. The first inu were companions that warded off loneliness, hunting partners, and an aid in protection. But the shadow soon witnessed that humans had the same weakness as the ancients and eventually they took advantage of their four legged friends.

It was no surprise that the inu left. The small pack ran into the wilderness to fend for themselves, much like the wolves had. Away from the humans the first inu pack was able to manifest into a larger pack, grow stronger and evolve as time pass in order to defend themselves from the new and ever growing dangers of the world. Of course some of the dogs had decided to linger with the humans despite the abuse. They became nothing more than domestic dogs, dependent yet independent. They sought human company for their own benefits just as humans needed them. They never learnt of the ability suppressed in each inu because of the heritage linking to the shadow parent for there was no need for it. But those who abandoned humans began to grow in power as this power shifted into play.

Memories were the first to take effect. Though a specific memory could not be passed, a specific instinct was embedded into the minds of the next generation. Then lifespan changed, at first by just a few years, then decades, then centuries. During this time a center of focus was discovered. From this each inu was able to discover its own power. But then the shape of the inu changed. They began to grow as the territory they reigned over grew larger. To compensate for the large size and long life the number of pups decreased, making breeding and mating more important to each inu, and adding another instinct that was added to the library of memories to pass on. In time the inu began to shape shift, cloning the shape of the same humans that mistreated them in the past. But the measure was one taken only to walk upon the earth surface more easily than in their true form for in their hearts the hate for humans was still felt even after centuries.

xXx

"They say, although it may not be true, that the shadow still lingers in the dark, hiding away watching and choosing not to interfere in the destiny of earth unless absolutely needed."

"But that's like saying this ancient shadow is Kami himself."

"In the minds of inu he is our parent so therefore that makes him our god."

"But if he gave birth to creatures and such why do you place it as male? Would the shadow not be female?"

"Females do not rule or govern over such power," the retort slipped through his mouth before he even had a chance to think about how his mate would take the comment.

"Hm," she crossed her arms and shook her head. "You say that, but you tell me all the time I have just as much power as you. Therefore, using the definition of ruling as you do, I would clearly be able to rule as you do because I have the power to force those below me to obey."

"Females are still considered the weaker gender. You would not be as respected even with the power you have. Although you should know that at the same time females with power are respected in our societies own ways, or else males would rule over the household duties instead of handing them over to a female."

"I don't agree with your logic."

"It is not my logic, it is the reasoning of many generations before me. I personally respect you far more than any other being in this world. Regardless of the fact that you are female."

Although a heavy sigh escaped her, his mate carefully curled herself further against his chest. She was content at the moment and someone his words had not upset her. But she had pointed out something that he had never really thought of before.

What if the shadow ancient really is female? The chain of authority in our clan would based on false assumptions.

You fret over the impossible.A voice spoke from the back of his mind.

Has anyone ever wondered that same thing before though? Is there any proof that our parent is male? And if so how did he birth the inu?

It is obvious that the shadow is male... he... well he has power... and he... he is what he is...

But the inu was unable to find any prove in any of the telling of the story that the ancient was indeed male.

"Kagome," Sesshomaru mumbled.

"Yes?"

"What proof would you have that the shadow is female?"

Kagome took a moment to gather her thoughts before she began to speak. "Well the shadow would have had to give birth, and that is not something a male can do. If she was indeed female it would explain the sudden compassion felt for the new human race and why she decided to interfere. After all, you are always explaining how important motherhood and protection of pups is to a female inu. Taking care of the humans was an act that could be seen as motherly and giving away her newest creation ensures protection. The way she watches without a word shows the same idea that a female has over her household. All good mothers do not interfere with their children unless they absolutely have to."

Sesshomaru waited in his thoughts, but Kagome forced him to concentrate on her once again.

"Look if it is really a big deal to him or her, then don't you think the shadow would have come out and exposed his or her gender. Perhaps it doesn't matter to it whether it is female or male."

Never one to admit it, the youkai determined the miko was right. It mattered not if the shadow ancient was female or male. Either way they respected the one who created them and that was not a matter that would change in the times to come. So his fretting was worthless, and no matter what he determined now, it wouldn't change that fact that he would never be able to prove his hypothesis with concrete evidence.

Yet a new thought itched for attention as his realization was grasped by another idea. His mate had once again managed to manipulate him into one of her weaknesses. As his mind wandered freely over an unnecessary topic, he was reminded that in the past such an issue would not have been important enough to stray upon. The probability of any such matter...

"Sesshomaru!"

"What is it mate?" he countered.

"I want to go to the lake," she mumbled. "Will you take me?"

"Seria wouldn't approve," the inu opposed with a clear sigh of aggravation.

Kagome giggled in response, her light laughter filling his ears like a song. "Since when were you one to follow the rules," she challenged.

There was a brief moment of silence as Sesshomaru averted his line of sight to the pups. Souta sat reading a scroll under a tree. Rin had taken to a small flower bed; she picked the dead leaves and flowers a small task Kagome had shown her to help the flowers bloom more often. Shippo had run off only moments earlier with Jeri, Sesshomaru suspected that the young kit was practicing magic with the a private tutor, something the inu lord had set up in order for each pup to have the training they needed for their own individual powers.

The light hold around the miko's waist tightened possessively, the inu immediately jumped into the air as soon as he grasp was secure. No longer fearful of the heights as she was before, the miko clung to the safety and the warmth of Sesshomaru's chest.

"Why the lake?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Because the sound of the waterfall is relaxing, and I since I can't bathe in the water I would at least like to watch it for a while, before the cold months keep us all locked away."

The crystal clear lake of icy blue water was undisturbed except for the cascading falls along the furthest side of the water source. The second Kagome was place on her feet she hobbled over to the lake and threw off her shoes, much to Sesshomaru's dismay, and sat along the water's edge dipping her aching feet into the cool water. The inu, fearing for the well being of his female, instantly directed his attention to persuading her against such actions.

"I'm fine Sesshomaru... I won't catch a cold."

"Kagome I beg you to please abide by my word this once, I do not wish to see your health deteriorate because you do not care for yourself like you do others."

"But my feet hurt," she complained, it was one of the usual things that she suffered from.

The lord closed the distance between them and grasped the woman under her arms to pull her up and back on her feet. He carried her to the place she kicked off her shoes and began the task of redressing her. But the miko had different plans. As soon as her shoes were on she leaned over and stole a quick kiss from her lover. Fainting innocent she pulled away, a small smirk on her face, and began to rise to her feet again. Sesshomaru response was instantaneous. His fingers wrapped around the tender flesh of her wrist and gave a quick pull. The center of balance was already off because of the stage of pregnancy, meaning there was no need to put effort into his endeavour. As soon as she began to fall he caught her and monopolized the opportunity that had been set like pawns on a chest board.

But his kiss was interrupted by the sound of pain, rather than pleasure. Fearing that his teasing had gone too far, the inu pulled away.

"No, its nothing, just a little pain but nothing out of the ordinary. Don't worry okay?"

"We should return to the castle just in case. I shouldn't have taken you away in the first place; you are too near your due date."

"But I hardly get time with you... and it's so nice after that week of freezing cold. Please... can't we stay a little longer?"

At moments like this it was clear he had one weakness that Kagome was able to hold over his head, so long as they were alone. Puppy eyes. She had the uncanny ability to achieve the wet gazed look in less time than it took to blink. Each time he feared she was on the brink of tears and he could never deny her. Yet in public she was always careful to act as a proper lady. Asking rather than begging, or reasoning instead of pleading.

"A little longer I suppose, but we return before dinner."

Kagome's smile blinded any possible guilt or second guesses he had at that moment about his decision. They spent the next half hour exchanging a few words and kisses. If the female was indeed in pain then she was very good at hiding the fact. Sesshomaru didn't see anything amiss until he felt a warm wetness upon his lap. He didn't dare shifted his mate who hadn't made a sound but changed face immediately.

"Kagome... if you were in pain you should have said something."

He didn't take any time to argue with her, his form shifted as he took to the sky and headed back to the castle. He didn't bother with the gardens, choosing the balcony connected to their bedchambers as a landing pad instead. He growled out a warning, signalling that he required assistance, the first person to respond was a nearby guard.

"Healer and mid-wife," the orders were barked.

It wasn't until the moment Sesshomaru placed his mate down their bed that he became aware of how severe the situation was. The angry red glare of blood hadn't flooded his scent of smell until he stared at it with his own eyes. By this point his mate screamed and whimpered in pain and he knew very well that he was useless. The logical side of his mind told him to leave before he was unable to. The side driven by beast-like instinct begged to comfort the crying female.

The first forms entered the room to find a crimson-eyed inu lord in a semi shift between forms. His claws elongated and flexed before taking out the nearest object. The small night table was coldly introduced to a far wall before splintering. The females in the room were unable to reach the lady s long as the male stood protectively close by. The women eyed each other silently debating with one another what could be done. Their death was meaningless if they couldn't reach the lady to aid her first.

"Lord Sesshomaru... I challenge you," a voice broke the chaos of growls and roars. "The prize will be the life of your mate."

"Souta!" Seria cried out, "What are you doing?"

The teen boy said nothing as he turned tail and ran. The inu took a glance at the intruders, then to his female before chasing the possible threat that had come forth.

As soon as the inu stepped out of the room to pursue the challenger the healer, midwife, and Seria were able to begin the process of determining Kagome's state. It wasn't long before their fears were confirmed.

"Still born?" Seria asked.

The midwife simply nodded sadly.

"But why?" Seria replied, "and so late in the pregnancy."

"Perhaps because she is miko," the midwife responded, "but we must worry about the other."

"Another pup?"

The confirmation was yet another simple nod.

"May I suggest educing the labour," the healer remarked, "for the health of mother and pup."

The midwife agreed and the healer left the chambers to gather the roots required.

xXx

"Milord, this is silly. The child is one you consider pack. He is your mate's brother and..."

The remark was cut short as a ball of poison cut through the air and barely missed the target. Sesshomaru continued his stalk forward. He could smell the boy. In fact he was certain he was in this room... but he couldn't seem to find him. Either way he threatened his mate and had to die. He vowed the deed had to be done swiftly too to ensure that he would return to Kagome's side once more.

His aura lashed out, colliding in violent clashes with the jyaki of the many youkai who spoke out their own words of wisdom, all which implored for a steady hand against the threat. However, the one who challenged him had a different aura than that of the others around him. He could feel the barrier hiding the boy away preventing him from seeing him. The ballroom was likely the worse place to hide, but would minimize the damage cause to the palace. The vastness of the space gave Sesshomaru the chance to shift into his full form to manifest his full power.

With the natural sight he could clearly see that which he couldn't before. A sphere of pale yellow before him in one of the half a dozen corners of the room was the location of the hiding boy. But a glance around proved that the adolescent was crafty indeed. Each corner was an identical barrier. A total of six, all the same size and colour as the one he was standing in front of.

The game of cat and mouse had begun, and it was only a matter of time before he found the mouse's hiding hole.

xXx

"But the pup will be okay right?" the young mother to be asked with a worried crease in her brow.

"It is so close for the pup to come anyway, it won't be harmful in the least," the healer assured her while pouring a small cup of strong tea.

The midwife had already gathered supplies knowing very well that the time for the tea to take affect wouldn't be long.

xXx

The first barrier hadn't taken long to diminish. Sesshomaru wrapped his jaw around the ball like form and crushed it, ignoring the burning sensation of purity. He hadn't expected an inner way of energy to crash against him like the small ball had been filled with a liquid core. Being unprepared caused him to lose a little dignity as he pawed his face while letting out a growl of pain that shook the western castle. This time around he was prepared and it was his intention to attack from within a barrier.

xXx

"Push Milady," the midwife insisted over and over again, "You must push."

"It hurts," the miko screamed.

"The more you push the sooner this will be all over."

xXx

The overhead screams redirected the inu's attention for a brief moment. It only took a flare from the third sphere to congregate his attention once more.

xXx

Over an hour had passed since the body of the stillborn had slipped from the mother. She was cradle for a second by Seria before the bat folded a thin sheet around the child. Unlike those of other societies, the inu clan did not recognized unnamed children. She was a stillborn, fated to be never named and it was destined that she be buried in an unmarked grave. Seria was uncertain how the miko mother would react, she only hoped that the pup still alive and well in the womb would be enough for the woman to find some peace. Losing a child was never easy. A last glance covered figure was all that was spared before Seria placed her upon a spare table and returned to her lady's side.

xXx

Four down. Two to go. The previous barrier had taken more time than he liked. In fact as each ball was burst and broken into, he found the following one was harder to get into. It was almost like the stupid boy was learning and correcting his mistakes as he went along. Yet at that moment he had a fifty percent chance that it would be over right here and now. The only thing was: which ball to choose? Lingering beside the ball to the right with his steady gaze he trailed over to it and began the process of deteriorating it. In the corner of his crimson eyes he dutifully noted that the second ball collapsed within itself, showing that it was indeed empty. So after a long hunt he had finally found his prey. His full attention was on creating small fissures in the shield followed by widening them. But as soon as he was able to break away the outer resistance he was confronted by yet another bubble. A second barrier had been place within the first. The technique was quite familiar to him, but it didn't register with him where he had seen the stunt used. His only awareness was on taking out the threat.

"Milord, you must come quickly!" a voice shouted through the commotion.

Sesshomaru merely turned to look over his shoulder and determined that ignoring the blue haired female would be for the best. But a second voice caught his attention, one he could not overlook.

"Lord Sesshomaru," little Rin peered from around one of the guards, "the little prince is born."

This time Sesshomaru's gaze lingered upon the one who spoke. His eyes seemed to take a moment to taken the words in before the large dog demon began to shift into his humanoid form once more. The last few hours were little more than a blur. He couldn't recall his fury, or the instinctual need to protect, but he did remember that his mate had been in pain. Swiftly he marched out of the room, material flooding the air around him. Seconds passed and he was entering his bed chambers. The light scent of the crimson liquid barely noticeable to even his nose meant that the women had cleaned up. But the inu lord was more interested in the little bundle cradled in the tired arms of his woman.

"Sesshomaru... you better have not hurt Souta, or I will never forgive you."

His reflection of memories made note that the boy had challenged him... a stupid move, but one that saved his mate and perhaps even his pup.

"He is untouched," the inu stated with lowered eyes.

Kagome beckoned him, patting the side of the bed. He obeyed.

"Seria... she says I lost one."

Sesshomaru was surprised to hear that there had been two pups. He was only able to sense the one. Yet he didn't think much about it, his attention was taken over by the sight of that collected slowly in the corner of Kagome's eyes. The scent of salt warned of the threatening waterfall. There was not much he could do for the woman except offer her his shoulder and allow her to mourn the loss of her pup.

Meanwhile his eyes fell upon the sleeping son. With the child no longer hidden beneath his mother's power he could feel the power of both youkai and miko running through in. In particular he could sense the power of each soul that had once been trapped in the little pink jewel his mate had carried for so long. It was clear the young pup would be more powerful then both mother and father. He would have to be watched carefully for the power he held could corrupt him. But at that moment Sesshomaru doubt the child would be much trouble. It would be the others around him.

"Sesshomaru... aren't you going to name him?"

"Kisho," the inu stated... not sure why he didn't stick to the original name he had chosen weeks ago should the pup be male.

Ja ne
Angelic Memories
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