Inuyasha noted the same protective behavior in Sesshomaru as they walked back. She supposed she shouldn't have been surprised- he'd acted the same way when Diozuan had been carrying his pups.

The thought brought a twinge of pain to her heart. Diaozuan. She'd have to be sure to be kind to him. For she understood all to well the pain of losing a pup. Inukezi's death was a dagger in her side that occasionally, was twisted.

She wasn't sure what to think of the protective behavior. One on hand, it irritated her- made her feel like Sesshomaru didn't trust her to take care of herself. Or that she needed to be babied.

On the other hand… her ears tilted back slightly. Something inside her was enjoying it.

Enjoying the extra attention. The care. The affection. It made her feel needed, wanted. Special.

Being doted on was not something Inuyasha was used to at all. But she'd be lying if she said that she hated every part of it. Yokai chatted in a friendly way with Sesshomaru on the way back, and more than once engaged her as well.

Though she was usually left flustered and sputtering at their compliments. Glad to see that their Foo-Dog leader had taken another mate, and one so beautiful and skilled with a sword.

Apparently, word had spread like wildfire about their little kiss, and now everyone knew.

As Sesshomaru chatted quietly with a spotted female Foo-Dog, Inuyasha zoned out slightly. Ears flicking in no particular direction as she concentrated on the warmth in her body.

The warmth of Sesshomaru's pup.

Nice and warm, huh? You're lucky. It's cold out here.

Are you a hanyou? Do you have your daddy's stripes? I'm partial to the moon myself, but it's not like I've got any choice in the matter.

I wonder if this is how mom felt, when she was carrying me around. The only pup of the great Dog demon of the West, Inu No Taisho.

Inuyasha thought of her human mother, her ears going down a bit. Surely, she must have been just as scared. Just as unsure. But despite everything, Inuyasha was still grateful for life. Because finally, she felt like she was starting to live it.

Besides… you're not the last one, not anymore.

There was Katsu, Inuyasha's fierce little firecracker. Born of Gao and Sesshomaru's bond. And poor, beautiful, sweet Ame; she too carried the blood of the great Foo-Dog demon. So much so that it had destroyed Kagome from the inside out.

Inuyasha felt a strange mix of nausea, and hunger, and leaned her cheek into Sesshomaru's bicep gently. Can we go? The pup's making me nauseous.

Even as Sesshomaru finished his conversation, he assured her, Of course. His arm going so gently around her waist. Careful not to press down too much on her very sensitive abdomen.

His touch was reassuring, and his arm warm. She felt a little better though she'd taken no potion.

Sesshomaru still smelled very faintly of wood smoke and dew. And as they walked, she was unusually quiet. Lost in her thoughts but also trying to concentrate on not throwing up.

Why do I feel this way?

I suppose… I need to feel needed by him. And I need it more than I let on.

She thought, sneaking a glance at him. His perfect, poreless skin. Those silvery white lashes, long and thick, almost like a woman's. But the sharp, cruel sculpt of his cheeks and the thickness of his jaw told his gender quite clearly.

He saw her gaze and raised a brow a little in amusement. Charmed when she glanced away, a flush growing in her cheeks.

His eyes were a bit glassier today. Millions of golden and yellow shards, pointing inwards to his pupils. Each a different shade of yellow- the leaves of autumn, a butterfly wing, dandelions, the summer sunset. A god made flesh. And what right did she have to be next to him? What right did she have, with his pup inside her?

Did Izayoi feel the same? Damn it, why hadn't Inuyasha asked when she had the chance?

Are you well?

His voice was unusually gentle inside her head. Sensing some kind of vulnerability in her just then.

I'm fine. She snapped back, but her expression told otherwise. Her ears were down and she looked… irritated. But not at him, for once. Some inner conflict that he would probably get in trouble for delving too deep into. His little spitfire of a mate. Sesshomaru sighed just a little.

Perhaps she would tell him, when she was ready. He leaned down, placing a kiss in the area just between her furred ears, where the part of her hair was. Her ears went up with surprise, then down again with shame.

She was getting snappy with him, and he was for once being kind.

Sorry. I was thinking about my mom. And Inu No Taisho.

She admitted, feeling relief when their home came into view. Thank goodness. Now she could get away from the smells of food and animals and other yokai and things that were making her stomach worse.

I see.

Sesshomaru was a little surprised but did not push her, his tail flicking on the ground thoughtfully. He had learned that sometimes it was better with her to decide if she wanted to give information or not.

I was thinking about… how similar all of this is. She said, so quietly he almost didn't hear it.

How inadequate she probably felt next to him.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed a bit, his hair shifting in the wind. And the minute the door shut he was suddenly upon her.

She gasped in surprise and gave him a little warning snarl- only to soften a bit when she realized he was holding her princess-style. Her legs over one of his arms, and her torso and head tucked to his chest.

He was so goddamn tall.

" I think… father was very lonely, for a long time." Sesshomaru said very quietly, his claws petting over her ears and down her hair. Detangling and smoothing as they went.

"Perhaps she felt inadequate. Perhaps she didn't realize how he felt next to her. Wanting so much to keep her happy, to please her, that it hurt.' He said, giving Inuyasha a pointed look. The hanyou's ears slicked down and sideways in surprise.

"Perhaps he was scared of being inadequate, in a different way. Needing a guide to learn how to love again, to trust. Things which come as naturally to humans and hanyou's as breathing." He said as he walked down the hallway, lifting his chin slightly. Diaozuan was around.

Good. He needed to check in later and make sure the fox was okay. No doubt, he was stifling his grief as much as Sesshomaru was.

He slipped Inuyasha into her bed, pulling the covers up to her waist and then pressing a kiss to her ear. Earning another growl; though, this one was confused and soft. That flush from earlier darkening as he deliberately whispered into the cotton-like hair of one of her triangular ears;

"Perhaps at some point, she realized her place was at his side. No matter what society, her own mind, or any other yokai told them."

Her face was beet red. Her ears off to each side, trembling faintly. Her little claws dug deep into the fabric of the blanket he'd pulled over her.

" I'm going to send for some ginger tea for your stomach. And some food. You will probably be hungry in an hour or so." Sesshomaru added softly, straightening up a bit. Only to pause when he felt her claws in the bright red sleeve of his kimono.

"Wait." She whispered. Her other claws kneading the bedding. She didn't… well. She wanted something, she just didn't know what. But she felt like she needed to say or do something to thank him. Right?

But as she was thinking, there was a slight knock on the door.

Sesshomaru said softly, " It's Diao. Do you want him to come in?" and Inuyasha huffed, a little annoyed.

"Sure, whatever."

The fox came in, shutting the door behind himself and sitting next to Sesshomaru, looking down at Inuyasha with a little concern.

"Are you well? I was worried."

Inuyasha crossed her arms, huffing and throwing her self down into her pillows. " Why is everyone so damn worried? I lived in the wilds for years, I am fine-" but she was unable to finish her rant. Going quiet as her stomach churned uncomfortably.

Could you have them bring her ginger tea? And some yokai jerky? Sesshomaru asked Diao, brushing some of that long, wine-colored hair behind one of the fox's pointed ears. He nodded, heading out.

Inuyasha squinted. " What did you tell him." It was weird for him to come and go like that.

" He's just going to get you some tea. You should think about a nap. It has been a long day, and the pups are going to want to see you when they are through with classes." Sesshomaru murmured, looking out Inuyasha's window to the gardens.

"Hm . Yeah yeah." Inuyasha huffed.

This was the same window they'd cuddled next to when she'd had her first blood-cycle. The same window that had warmed him with sunlight, the morning after their first mating.

His eyes went soft.

Perhaps the pup would be born here, in this very room. That'd be nice. To be able to get a nice breeze and the warmth of the sun on the newborn's skin.

He scooted a bit closer, nuzzling Inuyasha's cheek gently. "If I could ease this for you, I would." Inuyasha went a little soft herself, her expression going mild as she pressed back against him. Enjoying his touch.

" Well you should feel bad, it's your fault." She teased.

Sesshomaru blinked, then huffed a little himself. " As I recall, you were a participating party, also."

He then gave a little annoyed sound when he saw her expression, realizing she was teasing.

"Boy or girl?"

"Hm?"

Inuyasha looked out the window, her eyes reflecting the yellows and oranges of the garden.

"If you could choose, which one would you pick?"

Sesshomaru sat back for a moment, his tail giving a few twitches. " I think… I would be partial to a girl."

Inuyasha looked over at him with no small measure of surprise. Getting a rather warm, fuzzy feeling somewhere in her gut. That was not at all what she'd expected him to say.

Sesshomaru looked almost shy as he murmured, " A beautiful little girl." Nodding almost to himself as he arranged his sleeves to fall just so.

" Fuckin' sap." Inuyasha teased, shoving Sesshomaru lightly in the shoulder. Sesshomaru bristled a bit, " You-"only to pause as Diaozuan returned. Setting the tea and jerky over on Inuyasha's nightstand. The hanyou gave the fox a small grateful look before taking the tea, sipping it slowly and looking relieved.

Sesshomaru saw a little emotion in the fox's eyes, then. That kind of look that he gave Sesshomaru sometimes when he thought he wasn't looking.

Full of care.

Full of love.

Oh, dear. The poor fox was falling for her, too.

He didn't quite know how to feel about it. Diao then leaned over, taking advantage of Sesshomaru's daze to nibble on his pointed ear. Inuyasha's ears were pricked- but the fox had been so fast she hadn't seen it.

"Diao-" Sesshomaru warned, bristling. The fox chuckled, his tails moving in beautiful black ripples as he sat on the other side of the bed. Asking, "So, safe to assume the court went well?"

Sesshomaru sighed a little, " I have won the people of the court, at least. But as of the rest of the Foo-Dogs or the representatives, time will tell."

Inuyasha huffed, " It'll be fine. You should'a seen the way everyone crowded around him. They really do like him." And Diaozuan seemed relieved, setting a hand on the bed.

"That is good news. I'd like to not have any more drama for a while."

Inuyasha snorted. " Yeah you and me both." Taking a few more gulps of tea before looking over at the fox with curiosity.

"Did you… need something?"

The fox looked slightly ruffled. " Ah, no. Just checking in. Is it all right if I borrow him for a moment?"

Inuyasha rolled her eyes, "Please, do. He's a little too cold for my taste." Smirking at Sesshomaru, who gave a little growl.

"In a moment." Sesshomaru murmured, and the fox nodded, standing and stretching his arms before going to wait for the Daiyokai to join him. The Daiyokai waited for the door to close before beginning to speak.

" A note for you to consider, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru said softly, looking out of the window himself. " Daiyokai pups grow fast. You will not be bound to them forever; in fact, as with human children, they will at some point need that separation to mature. When that time comes, if you wished to leave I certainly would not stop you. And I would make sure Diaozuan did not either, if that was your desire."

He looked down at his mate, his eyes unusually honey-like.

"I… regret that there are parts of our relationship that were forced faster than I think, either of us would have preferred." He murmured, his hand wandering to the mark on his neck. Inuyasha mirroring the motion in an unconscious way.

" I would only want you to stay if that was what you wanted. Not out of any variety of obligation."

And Inuyasha surprised herself when her first thought was;

I don't wanna go without you.

Inuyasha remembered all too well being alone. And then, Kagome and his little fake-family. Yet even then, there had been a sense of fear.

For after all, they were ever only human.

And by the sword or the slow decay of time, they would die.

And Inuyasha had just had to…. Be with them, and deal with that fact.

She leaned forward and pressed their foreheads together, her ears back and lit faintly by the morning sunlight. The fur sleek and shimmering and clean. Having been washed just the night before by the beautiful mate right in front of her.

Right against that crescent moon. That mark she'd always envied and simultaneously, hated.

"M' not goin' anywhere without you, you stupid asshole." She whispered, tucking her head to his neck in embarrassment.

This time it was his turn to flush in surprise. And after a moment he wrapped his arms around her gently. Purring up a storm and tucking his head close to hers. His tail wrapping lazily around them both.

They stayed like that for a time.

And when Sesshomaru did leave, he made sure that Inuyasha was well on her way to a nap.

The Diayokai made sure that the door was closed before looking over at the fox, the yellow of his eyes gentle for this mate, too.

The fox was looking at the door with a kind of far-off affection. " I'm getting protective of her, too. Like with you when you were carrying Katsu and Toshi." Sesshomaru blinked a little in surprise.

"Mm. Well, you're hiding it well. I don't think she has noticed any difference in behavior."

The fox huffed in amusement. "She will when I'm dropping giant boars over the wall for her." And Sesshomaru smirked, " I think I will beat you to it." Then got quiet, seeing the unusual change in expression in the fox.

As if… it was taking quite some effort from him to joke around, as he usually did. And his eyes had that same terrible blankness he'd seen in Rin's.

He set a hand on Diaozuan's cheek. So tan, with those handsome blood-red stripes.

Are you… hurting, too? Sesshomaru asked, cautiously. He saw his mate's armored shoulders go up with tension, then… down and trembling.

I'm- I'm unravelling at the seams. Diaozuan admitted, his eyes filling with tears as he suddenly clung to Sesshomaru. His claws deep in the soft cottons and silks of the Daiyokai's outfit as he yanked him close.

Diao… Waves of the fox's grief mixed with his own. Causing him to have to clench his teeth to avoid crying out with pain and anger. Somehow, he managed to get them both back to his bedroom before they collapsed onto the floor.

Sesshomaru, leaned against the back of the closed door. His eyes blankly staring into nothingness as Diao sobbed in his lap. His long, pretty claws petting that wine-colored hair. The same hair that their son had possessed.

I am here.

It was funny… even though he wasn't the one crying, it hurt him to hear it. And see it. Feel the way the sobs were ripping through the fox in uncontrolled waves, leaving him trembling and weak when they were finished.

I would have never brought them into the world if… If I'd known this was their fate.

Diaozuan whispered, sitting up enough to bury his face in the juncture where Sesshomaru's neck met his shoulder. Sesshomaru could feel the hot tears there, and realized with surprise that he was crying as well. Silent, hot tears drying in several streaks down is face.

You couldn't have possibly known. No mother does. The Daiyokai murmured back, pressing a kiss to maroon locks with such tenderness.

And what a terrible one I've been. Diaozuan snarled, his claws tightening in Sesshomaru's outfit. I promised you I would protect them. I promised! Diaozuan slammed a fist against the wall. His flames licking along the flesh of his palm and wrist, blackening and burning the door. Rivulets of bright purple embers bleeding into the wood.

It smoked faintly.

You kept your promise. There is no yokai on earth who could have saved them that day. You did not lie to me, and you did not disappoint me. Sesshomaru grabbed his wrist, gently bringing that clenched fist to his face. And to the fox's surprise, kissing his knuckles, which were blackened from a mix of splinters and soot. Not to mention still quite hot from his foxfire.

Their eyes met. Diao's brimming with tears, the whites flickering to blue as his demon writhed. Screeching in agony over the loss of the twins he had carried. His babies. Their babies. The ones he'd carried just for Sesshomaru. The greatest gift he'd had to give.

It was so difficult to believe they were gone. His heart still jumped when he heard the pups playing; their little mewls and purrs and barks.

His stupid heart wanting to believe that he'd turn a corner and they'd be there. Tucked in blankets safe and sound.

The only way you would have failed me is if you did not return.

Sesshomaru whispered, cupping the man's cheek and pressing in a sweet, loving kiss. Rather wet, too, tasting of tears.

" I-I wish it would've been me. Me." He stuttered, sobbing once miserably. His teeth gritted and his grimace showing a long fang.

"No, sweet thing. No, my heart. My dearest one." Sesshomaru whispered, pulling him closer. Pressing a kiss to his jawline, his neck, his temple. " I would be so lost without you. Do you know that? This is a pain we will never recover from… but time will numb it. After all-I still have my heart. Right here." He said, laying a hand on Diao's chest plate. Right over where the fox's heart beat out a slow rhythm.

Their eyes met once more. Both heavy with tears, and red from crying. But there was a shared pain too. And a love so intense that Sesshomaru was surprised he was capable of such a feeling.

"Right here." Sesshomaru whispered again, tracing a red stripe on the cheek of the one he loved with a delicate claw. And smiled weakly.

Diaozuan choked, "I love you." And buried his face once more. Sesshomaru felt claws in his clothes so deep that he could feel the warm points on his bare skin, but he didn't much care. He wrapped his arms around his mate, nuzzling, kissing, doing everything he could to comfort.

"You are the greatest gift I've been given, Diao, and I love you so. More than all the stars in the sky." Sesshomaru leaned down and murmured into his pointed ear, and the fox cried harder into him. His cries slightly muffled by all the fabric.

Eventually Diao managed to cry himself out, reduced to some weak panting and the occasional hiccup. Sesshomaru picked him up and carried him to bed. Gently undoing the leather straps under his arms and around his torso that held his armor on. He hung it on the stand on the wall before following suit. Then cuddled up with the fox. Whispering sweet things into his pointed ear.

He could feel him trembling all over.

His gaze drifted to that crescent moon on Diao's chest, nestled in that area just under where the collarbones met. Blue and precise and perfect. Instinctively he leaned down, pressing a kiss to the mark. Diao blushed just a little, glancing down at Sesshomaru with pleasant surprise.

Marks were sensitive- it was not often that Sesshomaru laid his affections there. The Daiyokai was not fond of the idea of unfairly taking advantage of a mark's sensitivity.

But… he would make an exception just this once. Sesshomaru's eyes suddenly shifting to gold and silver as his yokai bloomed under his skin. That dragon blood in him sparking and glittering.

Sesshomaru leaned up, eyes half-closed in a daze as he whispered into the fox's ear, "Sleep." In the softest, gentlest of voices. So loving. One could hardly imagine that it was laced with the same power that had called Mai-Zei from the depths of the abyss.

"Sleep, and have the most beautiful of dreams."

The fox yokai fell asleep almost immediately. Sesshomaru sat up in surprise… and realized with some dismay that he and his yokai had used the mind-trick on his own mate. Yet- he had not been susceptible to it before, so why did it seem to work now? Was it his weakened mental state? Or perhaps the power that Youshi had been training inside him?

Either way, he vowed that he would never do it again. Not even to comfort his mate. For that was a barrier too easily breached.

He was about to leave when he heard a slight knock at the door. In his half-yokai state, he immediately went feral; crouching over his mate's sleeping form and arching his back in anger. His fur and hair bristling like icicles in the low light as he growled a low warning.

In the low light, he was nothing but bristling spikes of fur, and furious yellow eyes.

Mine. You stay away.

Only to stop immediately when he recognized the scent. Inuyasha walked in cautiously.

"Fuck. Never seen the business end of you like that before." Inuyasha whispered as she slid the door closed behind her. Forcing the grip her hand had on her sword to lesson. Forcing her ears back to their normal position, rather than pinned back in fear.

The Daiyokai relaxed immediately and laid out next to Diao, propping himself up with one arm.

" Apologies." Sesshomaru murmured as his gaze drifted back to Diao. Of course he'd be protective of his mate after that. He was vulnerable after all.

" Is he okay?" Inuyasha asked, looking the fox over with mixed curiosity. Sesshomaru's mate. The beautiful, powerful, unobtainable yokai prince.

Rather small he looked, in bed all curled up like that. More like a pup.

No more okay than you. Perhaps worse. Sesshomaru admitted after a moment. Sighing as he rested his cheek on the curve of Diaozuan's bicep. Then raising a brow when Inuyasha seemed to linger.

Messing with her long, red sleeves and avoiding his gaze. Her cheeks slightly red. Too prideful to ask for what she wanted. But obviously she needed something- he just had to figure it out.

After a moment it clicked.

He patted the space between himself and Diaozuan. His mate felt left out, alone. Inuyasha let out a curse, followed by a snarled, " Keh." before climbing up.

Very carefully curling up, making sure not to jostle Diaozuan too much. Not that she needed to worry. Sesshomaru relaxed, settling in himself and rolling his shoulders. His tail dripping over the side of the bed like a cattail in full, frothy, white bloom.

Then watched in amusement as Diaozuan's arm snaked around Inuyasha's waist and pulled her close.

She squeaked in surprise. Sending Sesshomaru a pleading look. He just snorted, You got yourself into this predicament, Inuyasha. Even more amused when she cursed him silently. Slowly but surely being buried as Diaozuan's tails draped over her form as a kind of organic blanket.

He's scent-marking her, isn't he. Sesshomaru thought. Remembering the first time he'd done it to the Foo-Dog, the heaviness of those tails and their tempting warmth. It seemed to work the same way with Inuyasha. Soon enough, she was in a deep sleep.

The Daiyokai didn't know how to feel about it.

On one hand he wanted the fox all to himself.

But on the other… he could see that there would be benefits for Inuyasha and Diaozuan having a stronger bond. Not to mention that preventing something that was inevitable might cause both of his mates a lot of pain.

He made a soft, annoyed sound in the back of his throat and pressed his head deep into the pillows.

Slowly drifting into a very light sleep. From above, it was clear that the two more powerful yokai were curled up around the hanyou in an almost perfect oval.

She was perhaps in the safest place in the world.

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EatEmUp; Yeah lol. I never said he was the smartest… but , I still think Koga has to be at least a little smart to be the leader of the wolf demon tribe, so I tried to play that up a little more here. Awe! I don't want you to feel that way. Hell, I'm the loser out of the two of us- who even writes fanfiction anymore lol. But, I feel like its still good practice for writing an actual book, so whatever. And it makes me happy when I get feedback from people. Especially people who actually like it and don't just write 'lol this sucks' or something xD

DMaduks: Hmm, maaaybe… :0 : ) Imma let you figure that one out. And yeah… I think Sesshomaru's first instinct was to brutally murder everyone in his way, as it always is lol. But , I'd like to think that as he matures, he's coming to realize that isn't always the best way to win people over. And I'm going to keep pushing that envelope with him a little, at least until the end of the story. I do hope you guys like it, I'm a bit worried, but I've had it in mind for too long not to pull it off so xD