Sesshomaru was exhausted.

When the pups eventually found them and woke them up from their nap, he felt as if he had only just closed his eyes.

Both his mates had needed his affection and care. And as willing as he was to give it, he still had the feeling that this was going to be too much for him if he wasn't careful.

He yawned and stretched. Gathering up Ame, and then eventually Katsu once the boy was done torturing his poor mate's ears. "Why don't you go outside and play. We will join you in a while; we have something to discuss." He murmured, setting them down and shooing them out the back door with his tail. Sesshomaru's tone was unusually low; and the scratchiness of that fire had temporarily returned. Not to mention, the awful pangs of pain that were coming from the soon-to-be-born sword in his arm.

Diaozuan recognized the tone of his mate's voice immediately.

"Okey dokey!" Ame nodded, her tail giving a little flick.

They happily complied; running out the back doors and down the stairs at top speed. With every step transitioning into their Foo-Dog forms. They were bigger now; their shoulders about up to Sesshomaru's thigh. He had no doubt that as they grew each one of them would become fearsome demons in their own right.

Inuyasha followed after them, ruffling their fur. Rolling and grappling with them in the long grasses. Even though she was a hanyou, she still kept up with them well. A little less rough than usual, though.

The fox stopped Sesshomaru as he was about to head out.

"Stay. And rest." He whispered. Nuzzling along Sesshomaru's cheek and dragging a canine along his neck affectionately. Leaving a long, pink, tingling mark on his otherwise snow-white skin. His clawed fingers curiously tracing Sesshomaru's' forearm and elbow; the place he'd seen the Foo-Dog gripping in pain.

Sesshomaru shied away from the touch.

"I will be fine. I need-"

"You need rest, orchid." Diaozuan said with enough sharpness to get Sesshomaru's attention. His purple eyes going from their soft lavender shade to jagged splinters of amethyst as he held out a hand. " What's wrong? Let me see. I might be able to help."

After a moment Sesshomaru reluctantly offered him his arm. Diao rolled up the sleeve to his shoulder, gently tracing and pressing the skin in places. Sniffing curiously at his mate's skin.

A sword.

He smelled a sword inside Sesshomaru's flesh.

Flames. I require flames.

The sword whispered to the fox demon. His seven tails flicked nervously. Oh, a very dangerous sword indeed.

"Did you hear it?" Diao murmured, looking into those yellow eyes.

Sesshomaru nodded; "But… I am afraid to comprehend its meaning."

" This one seems to have an interesting requirement for coming out." Diao murmured almost to himself. Rolling Sesshomaru's sleeve down gently and folding it just the way he knew the Foo-Dog preferred. His father Sadao had birthed a sword in a similar matter.

"Coming-? You mean-." Sesshomaru said, his voice soft and unsure. Maybe Diaozuan had been right. He felt as if he were growing weaker by the minute.

"It's a life- drainer, and it wants to be bathed in fire. That's why it hasn't come out of you yet. I can do it for you; but you're going to need to find Bakusaiga's handle." Diao said softly, rubbing his hands a little and sighing. "No wonder you've been so tired. Until you take it out it's going to keep draining you. It's corrosive, like your saliva. Also- it's probably going to hurt a lot, so apologies in advance."

Of course. Just my luck.

Sesshomaru thought with no small degree of sarcasm. Why couldn't it just be a normal sword? Though, he supposed he should have been grateful. Mostly he was just annoyed.

As he and Sesshomaru watched Inuyasha, they both looked at each other, and sighed once more.

She is playing way too roughly.

Do you think she's going to-?

Oh, definitely. Most assuredly.

And of course, they were right. Within a few minutes Inuyasha had to hold her hand up for a moment. The pups curiously stopping their play, licking her fingers and tugging lightly at her sleeve. Whining. Only to jump back with barks of surprise as she started throwing up.

Ame darted to Sesshomaru's side while Katsu stayed watching in gross fascination.

" 'Maru, Inuyasha's throwing up! Is she okay?" Ame whimpered, morphing back to her humanoid form and clinging to his side. He petted her head and draped an arm over her shoulder.

"She will be fine. If you want to help, you can get her some water." Sesshomaru murmured, giving her shoulder the tiniest squeeze. She liked to feel useful. Ame sped off at top speed.

"Did you learn your lesson Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru called with some amusement. Her reply was to lift a very particular finger high into the air. Her back leaning against Katsu as he propped her up, whimpering softly.

" I'm okay, lil' bud." She murmured when she was finished, patting Katsu's ribs gently and ruffling up his thick neck fur. He didn't seem convinced though, just tucking his head in her lap and giving another low whine. His big, yellow eyes looking up at her with concern.

"Don't gimme those eyes." She huffed, avoiding his gaze as her hand moved to his ears. They were a bit more like hers; more triangular, less long and flopped like Sesshomaru's.

Katsu barked a few times at Sesshomaru. The Daiyokai tilted his head a bit and said softly, " Well, I think that is Inuyasha's decision. You should ask her first."

Katsu transformed back into his human self, leaning up against Inuyasha as she sat on the ground and grabbing her ears." What's wrong with you, huh? Why are you so sick? You hardly ever get sick!"

She peeled her ears free of his grip, growling lowly " Ain't none of your business, pup. Maybe you should make yourself useful and-" They both paused as Ame came barreling back, thrusting a cup of water at Inuyasha in record time.

The hanyou took a long drink, wiping some excess off the back of her hand before continuing, " Now, where was I? Oh, right—"

Ame made a little circle around Inuyasha, shifting back into her Foo-Dog form and sniffing her curiously. Paying particular attention to her belly. Inuyasha bristled, and pushed her snout away gently. A pinkish blush rising in her cheeks.

"Hey. Gimme some room little princess."

She whined. Very slowly, Ame climbed into Inuyasha's lap, glancing up at her every few seconds for permission. Being careful not to put pressure on the hanyou's belly. Her lower legs and tail spilling out onto the ground as Ame cuddled her. Katsu stood watching his sister's behavior, confused by her actions.

"Well, if you're not sick, then- can we get back to playing?" He asked, tugging lightly on Inuyasha's sleeve.

Only to fall on his butt in surprise as his sister growled at him. And not in her usual, playful way.

Something low in her gut; snout all the way wrinkled, and showing him every one of her teeth behind the black curtain of her lips. Her ears slicked back so far that they disappeared against fur as white as bone.

"Ame, no." Inuyasha said gently. She whined again, burying her face under Inuyasha's arm. Katsu sat in stunned silence. And very quietly, Inuyasha admitted in almost a whisper, "I've got a pup in me, Katsu. That's why she's so angry."

He seemed even more shocked. "You what? But- but- "trailing off. After a moment whimpering himself and laying out in front of Inuyasha. For once quiet, accepting Inuyasha's little pets of comfort around his ears and ruff. Returning to his Foo-Dog form as he processed.

His fur was so beautiful; just like his father's. So white that even the shadows on the fur were a brilliant blue, not a dull grey or black.

"Hey, it's all right. And we can get back to playing in just a minute. I just gotta rest a bit. Okay?" Inuyasha assured him. Scratching his chin a bit and tracing the stripes that were near his mouth with fondness.

The jagged, dark marks that now adorned her cheeks as well.

Her baby boy.

Katsu grumbled under his breath, giving Inuyasha's hand a gentle lick of apology.

Sesshomaru and Diaozuan watched them quietly. Their tails entwined in a braid of black and white. Sesshomaru giving a low sigh when he felt Inuyasha tell them the truth of her little ailment.

Let's make sure they're okay.

Diao murmured, his tails squeezing Sesshomaru's gently.

They both checked in with the rest of the family; making sure Inuyasha really was all right and getting the pups back to their usual playful selves before quietly slipping back inside the house. Listening to the faint sounds of their barks and yips as they played, as well as the exclamations and occasional curses from Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru went hunting for the Bausaiga's handle while Diaozuan laid out a fire-rat tarp in one of the spare bedrooms. It was the same one he'd used when his father had needed his sword removed. The fox yokai's method was probably a cruder, more painful method than Totosai could devise… but this was a sword that needed to be removed days ago.

He would not let Sesshomaru suffer needlessly.

Sesshomaru wandered for longer than he would have liked among the graves outside of the Foo-Dog palace. His chin lifted and his eyes glassy as he concentrated, trying to find any hint of what was left of his poor Bakusaiga.

It had not deserved to die so wretchedly.

Ah! There.

He started zeroing in on that scent.

Eventually, finding it buried deep within the earth, close by another grave. Sesshomaru rolled up his sleeves and dug it out in about seven long strokes, cleaning his nails of dirt and looking at the handle with a sigh.

Even the handle had barely survived so warped and melted from Ryuu's wretched swords. But perhaps Totosai would be able to fix that along with giving him a sheath for the new sword.

It's good to see you again old friend. I am so sorry. He thought. Running his dirty claws gently over the Bakusaiga's melted, twisted form. It still fit his hand like a glove, though. He walked to the moat and started washing both it and his arms free of the mud he'd had to dig through. Giving a low rippling growl to the yokai demons that lived in the water when they tried to surface.

They disappeared back into the depths; more than recognizing Sesshomaru's voice.

When he was finished, he dried the handle as best he could and carried it back to Diaozuan.

The fox was waiting for him, his purple eyes looking at the handle with sympathy. " Ah. Well, at least there's enough of Bakusaiga left to support your new sword. Poor thing." His claws went over the metal gently and his tails gave a few low flicks over the ground.

Sesshomaru nodded, a little saddened himself. Then, stiffened as another wave of pain shot down his arm. His golden eyes wandered to the tarp nervously. " And… you've done this before?" Joining Diaozuan as the fox settled on the ground just outside of the tarp.

They sat on opposite sides of the tarp; that way, the fire would be somewhat contained.

"Yes. But every sword is different. I'm not even sure your will accept foxfire instead of dragonfire; but there's not anything I can do about that."Diao said thoughtfully, pulling his hair into a ponytail and then rolling up Sesshomaru's sleeve gently. A low purple flame blooming about a half-inch from the center of his palm. Casting its glow on his claws and the side of his face.

"You will have to hold your arm as straight as you can. It's in two different pieces, and I have to fuse the joint before I can pull it out." The fox explained, propping up Sesshomaru's arm just so with his free hand.

"Luckily, you're my mate; so you have some protection from my fire. I'll be as quick as I can." He mused, taking a deep breath. The flames in his palm became suddenly larger, pink and maroon at the center and black at the edges.

Sesshomaru looked away, gritting his teeth and bracing himself. " Just do it, Diao." Watching their two shadows on the wall.

Shocked as he saw those purple flames encasing his arm entirely. He could feel their heat; sweat gathered on his brow, and he fought the instinct to yank his arm back as the pain began.

Inuyasha stopped mid-play, feeling Sesshomaru's faint, blocked distress.

Sesshomaru? You okay?

Diao pressed down hard on Sesshomaru's elbow. His flames turning the skin a shining, brilliant pink as he fused the two sides of the sword.

Sesshomaru felt the change almost immediately; now, instead of two smaller problems, there was a shard of glass embedded in the bones of his arm.

Perfectly fine. Diaozuan is removing the sword from my arm.

And with not a small amount of effort, he blocked his own pain from their connection so Inuyasha wouldn't feel it. Much to the hanyou's confusion and anger.

It was for the best, though; Sesshomaru was reeling.

It burned; it burned so badly. White hot around the edges of his vision. He could smell his own flesh searing a bit.

"Please, hurry." Sesshomaru whispered. Panting quickly now, his arm trembling as he struggled to stay conscious.

So this is what mother must have felt when she died, he thought in a dazed way.

Diaozuan was snarling and cursing lowly under his breath as his fingers pressed and squeezed at Sesshomaru's shoulder and bicep in growing panic. He'd been able to squeeze the other sword out just fine- this one was being unusually stubborn.

"Damn it." He whispered, switching tactics. Quickly, he sliced open Sesshomaru's palm- wincing at his mate's low yelp- and grabbed on to the point of the sword.

It was as sharp as a needle, and as clear as an icicle.

In one single yanking movement he managed to pull out the sword in one piece. Blood splattered across the tarp, across Diaozuan; across the wall in a pretty blue arc.

And Sesshomaru screamed in surprise as pain ripped through his arm. Too shocked to even pull his arm back right away. Flashes of light twinkled in his vision and his skin felt far too tight. Shiny with a new burn.

Diao moved his fire from Sesshomaru's arm to the blade itself, using the heat to fuse the new sword to Bakusaiga's melted handle. Carefully rotating and blasting it with an even layer of his flames, ignoring the smell of melting metal.

Finally, it was over. Sesshomaru's new sword smoked lightly on the tarp, cooling.

It was very beautiful; made of the same material as Sesshomaru's new scales and horns. And very dangerous. Even Diaozuan had felt uncomfortable handling it; and it had been none too pleased to be handled by the fox demon, either.

His own right palm was a deep, angry red, peeling skin in some places.

Sesshomaru curled his arm back, cradling it with the other arm and trembling. Diao made his way to him; pulling Sesshomaru into his lap gently. Earning a hostile snarl and a crackle of green magic before Sesshomaru finally calmed.

" I'm so sorry love. Are you all right?" He murmured in Sesshomaru's ear. Taking Sesshomaru's injured hand and licking the deep wound there. The skin slowly pulling together and closing.

The Daiyokai just winced. His breathing still labored and the occasional trembles still seizing his frame. He tucked his head underneath Diaozuan's chin and muttered, " I am so tired." His eyes glazed with pain.

And through their connection Diao could tell he didn't just mean with the sword.

I know, my love. I'm here.

They both watched the sword with muted interest. Sesshomaru was too tired to really get excited about the sword. But he knew he'd be excited to see everything that it could do soon. Just… not yet.

This is too much for me. Sesshomaru whispered, his eyes beginning to redden despite his best efforts. It wasn't just the sword that was sapping his strength.

Taking care of his two mates when they were going through so much was taking absolutely everything out of him. He had no energy, no kindness, no patience left for everyone else.

It will get better. It's.. unusual for two mates to be going through something so traumatic at the same time. Diao assured him, nuzzling Sesshomaru's maroon stripes and purring lowly to help soothe his injured mate.

I cannot. I don't know what to do. I have to be there for both of you, but I have nothing left for myself. Sesshomaru whispered, his eyes closing and pain rippling through Diaozuan's chest as he felt his mate. So tortured. Poor Sesshomaru was unintentionally, being torn apart by how much they needed him.

And if Diaozuan was honest with himself- he knew it would get better, but he didn't know how long that time frame would be.

And he didn't want Sesshomaru running himself ragged in the meantime. As with the sword, he didn't think he could bear to see his mate suffering as he was now.

There is a way I can ease this for both of us. A way I have brought up before.

Diao murmured, pressing a kiss to the swan-white neck of his mate. Sesshomaru was enjoying the attention so much that he forgot to answer for a moment. His yellow eyes getting hostile.

I'll not compete with her, Diaozuan. I cannot bear it.

Diaozuan's gaze was soft. That's not how it works, Sesshomaru. Every bond is different, and we could all support each other when one or the other gets to be too much.

Sesshomaru's lip lifted, showing fang. He knew that! He knew all of it. Worst of all, he knew all the advantages to it. And he'd seen that look in Diaozuan's eyes when he looked at the hanyou.

But still.

The idea of him having her? Him kissing her, mating her? His smell on her skin and her knowing every inch of him as well as Sesshomaru did?

It drove Sesshomaru near insane with jealousy. He clung to Diaozuan and admitted,

I do not want to lose you. Or have to compete with her; have her know you a well as I.

And the fox purred lowly. Pressing his cheek to his mate's and murmuring softly, Taking another mate does not devalue the other. Did taking Inuyasha decrease my importance or value in your eyes?

Sesshomaru was shocked, and a little offended. " Of course not! In fact, it only increased your value tenfold- you are my refuge when her fire exhausts me, my-"

The Daiyokai paused when he saw the rather smug look on Diaozuan's face. Huffing angrily. A little poof of his hair moving with his breath.

And you think it will be so different with the hanyou because?

Sesshomaru gave a low, exasperated growl. I do not want to share.

And Diaozuan's eyes were soft and gentle. " I know, my love. And I won't bring it up again. But please know that it would ease some of your weariness if your little hanyou had someone else to vent to."

Sesshomaru nodded and closed his eyes. So tired. Reaching out and slipping the new sword to his belt and feeling its tingling, terrifying power. His other sword rattled faintly, and outside, Inuyasha's sword gave another rattle as well.

Sesshomaru looked up at Diaozuan, his yellow eyes pale as sunrise. A dark circle under each eye from weariness. Will you stay with me, when I become old and feeble and useless?

And Diao smiled that sweet half smile that showed the tiniest bit of his perfect right canine.

" I will stay with you until we perish." He whispered, setting his forehead against Sesshomaru's and pressing a light kiss to his lips. " And when we do, I will find you. And fall in love all over again."

You stupid bastard.

Sesshomaru whispered, yet there was a smile somewhere on his lips. Something weak and sweet. Never had such words been spoken to him before.

Diao carried Sesshomaru to bed despite the Foo-Dog's angry growls and crackles of magic. And his assumptions about the Foo-Dog's levels of exhaustion were proven correct when his beautiful orchid mate fell asleep almost the instant he was tucked in.

He was pleased to see that the pups were being much gentler with Inuyasha now, though they were still having plenty of fun. He dragged Toshi from his hiding spot and eventually coaxed the fox into playing as well.

Exhausted, Inuyasha soon admitted defeat and crawled up to the porch. Flipping her legs off the edge and leaning against the hilt of the Testaiga as she caught her breath.

"Too much for you, hm?" Diao said, sitting beside the hanyou and folding his own legs criss-cross. His tails flicking around him and a few dangling out into empty space. Inuyasha huffed, scooting over a bit and making sure one of Diao's tails was between them.
" No. I'm fine. Just need another break, that's all." She said in a huff, bristling and growling lowly. Diao leaned back with some amusement, crossing his arms behind his head and leaning against the wall.

How similar the two of them were, without even realizing it.

They watched the pups and kit play in the long spring grasses. Popping up and down, their little yips and growls as they played bouncing off the structure of their home. Splashes of white and black among a sea of neon green.

She was glad to see them back to their old playful selves for a little while.

Somehow, (boredom? Instinct?) her eyes wandered over to him. Diao was dozing; his eyes mostly closed and his tails spread in messy, glittering tentacles all around the porch. Like someone had dropped a pot of ink all over the red wood and left it there, shining in sinful glory.

Actually, sinful glory was an accurate description of Diaozuan in general.

Inuyasha glanced away, her cheeks slightly pink and her ears twitching with irritation. Damn fox. Why the hell was he even sitting so close? Didn't he understand personal space?

She scooted a little farther away from him and leaned her on the black sheath of the Tetsaiga, gripping it lightly with her clawed right hand.

She tried to get her eyes back on the pups; she really did.

But some terrible force kept her eyes wandering back to the fox.

He wasn't wearing his armor today; just some kind of black half-kimono similar to Sesshomaru's, but in a completely different color pallet. It was black; but patterned with silver flying cranes up the side and across the shoulders.

Around the sleeves and hems was a beautiful fade of pink to maroon, to purple, that accented the blood red marks on his cheeks and his purple-black hair wonderfully. It was up in a ponytail like usual and today, he was letting it drape down one side of his chest and collarbone in a frothy wave.

Sesshomaru's mark gleamed at the base of the yokai's neck; a Daiyokai, once Sesshomaru's paperwork for placing the fox's back into the Zodiac Tribes was finished. And to her surprise, she felt…. A twinge of something unpleasant.

Jealousy, maybe?

Stop it. He belongs to Sesshomaru. You're going to get both your asses kicked.

Something inside her warned.

She ignored the feeling, her gaze drifting up. His sleeves were bunched up around his biceps thanks to gravity, exposing most of his arms. She ignored the way his triceps were gleaming lowly in the sunlight and most importantly, ignoring the way that made something hot twinge in her body.

Freezing when their eyes suddenly met.

And the fox gave her a slow and deliberate wink.

Inuyasha reeled back, her face beet red as she snarled, "I wasn't – shut up!" scooting all the way to the other side of the porch and leaning against one of the lacquered railing posts, growling lowly.

"Nothing wrong with looking, Inuyasha." He assured her with amusement, stretching a bit and curling his legs up. His many tails flicking before settling around his legs like long warm caterpillars.

" I wasn't!" She spat, insisting, "I just happened to be looking that direction, bastard. You were in the way."

"Mm hmm." Diao purred, stretching out onto his belly and propping his head up with his arms. " Here; I'll try to be less distracting for you, hm? Now come sit; I wanted to tell you something."

He patted the empty space on the porch next to him with one of his tails. After much hissing and swearing, Inuyasha eventually came to sit next to the fox once more. Albeit still quite a ways away. She eyed the fox with much suspicion, and he smiled at her in mirth.

"You are so very much like Sesshomaru, you know." He leaned his chin onto the palm of his hand and she could see the glint of his claws.

"We are nothing alike." The hanyou huffed, lifting her chin and giving another low growl. Her ear twitching when she heard him murmur,

"I am here for you, Inuyasha. If you ever need my support. After all- we're essentially going through the same … grief."

She turned back to him in surprise. Jarred and a little saddened to see all the amusement gone from his face as their gazes met.

"You were a fine father to Inukezi. He would have grown up to be a good man." Diaozuan murmured and her breath caught in her throat. She looked down quickly to hide the tears in her eyes and her clawed hands clenched into fists.

The wound from Inukezi's death was more raw than she had expected.

Say something nice back, you stupid hanyou. He's being nice. Practice being nice back.

"Thank you. You- were a good dad to the twins, too. I'm sure they would have been as strong and smart as Toshi." Inuyasha murmured back, glancing out at the black fox demon. There was no doubt in her mind that any child born between Sesshomaru and Diaozuan would grow up to be a legend in their own right.

"Perhaps. But it won't make either of us happier to concentrate on what could have been."

Inuyasha curled up, crossing her arms over her legs and tucking her forehead against them. Nothing but a ball of red fire rat robes, and silken silver fur.

Diao sat up a little in concern. And with his excellent yokai hearing, heard her mutter, "Does it…. Does it ever stop hurting, Diaozuan? I dunno how many more days of this I can take."

He very gently, put an arm over her shoulders. Feeling the way she tensed at first and them slowly relaxed just a little.

"Do you want a comforting lie, or the truth?" Diao asked, looking out at the pups. His own eyes hard and steely as he thought of them. His children. Killed by an assassin of Ryuu and aided by a betrayal of people hired by his own hand.

There should be two more pups, playing out there in the grass. But now there never would be.

Inuyasha's head lifted warily. Her ears folding back as she finally said, "The truth."

"It will never not hurt." Diao whispered. His eyes like jagged chips of glass. Hard and sharp and so different from his usual demeanor that Inuyasha was a little thrown off. Clearly, the deaths of his children had effected the fox more than even Inuyasha had realized. And she felt guilty.

" But over time, it will lessen. And there will be room again for joy without the feelings of guilt for experiencing happiness without them." He continued, giving a little noise of concern when Inuyasha wiped her eyes as hastily as she could.

"I should'a come to you first. I should've said that I was here for you, I mean, fuck, you had two, and at least I knew Inukezi, you barely even got the chance to-" Inuyasha stopped her shaky rambling, gritting her teeth. Her ears pinned in anger and frustration at herself.

"Hey." His voice was so very calm. And low. And warm. It set goosebumps on her arms and the back of her neck.

Damn it, damn it.

She was trying to comfort but it felt like Inuyasha was just making everything worse, and she didn't know how to fix it. It was Sesshomaru who had the gift with words, not her. She wanted to cry or rant or push him away with the sheath of the Tetsaiga. This was all too much for her and she couldn't stand one more minute of it.

She looked over, a little afraid he was going to be angry.

Surprised when he opened his arms to her. Angered when her first instinct was to dive into him.

"Are… Are you mad? I'm sorry, I was trying to help but… I always make things worse." She whispered, her large yellow eyes red around the rims with stress and pain.

"I'm not mad. You're sharing how you feel , and so am I. You're not doing anything wrong. Come here." He said. His voice so small and gentle that second time that she could hardly resist. With a wary look at the field to make sure the pups weren't watching, she cuddled up to his side. Angrily wiping her face a few more times with a red sleeve to make sure there were no tears.

" Comparing your pain to mine isn't going to lead you to happiness, Inuyasha." He murmured, his arm wrapped lightly around her shoulder and his tails wrapped around her bare feet and legs.

"But you have it worse off than I do. I should be over it, right?" She whispered angrily.

"Oh I'm sorry, is there a specific timeline for the time it takes to get over the death of a child?" Diaozuan said, gently, but with enough force to make her look up in surprise. " This is going to be a messy process Inuyasha. There are no right answers, no right ways to do this. That is why I wanted you to know that I'm here because…" He looked out and admitted, "I'm… frustrated too. And scared. And… I feel it is unfair to make Sesshomaru deal with all of my grief, when I can gain some comfort being with you."

She made a little huff of disbelief. "Comfort? Me? I think you've got the wrong hanyou."

A thin smile came upon Diaozuan's face. "Mm, I'm sure you'd like me to be wrong. But I don't think so. Seeing the way you feel- how angry you are , how lost- makes me feel better. Because I feel the same way." His gaze went to her ears and then back out at the fields again. Raising a brow in amusement when he saw them all cuddled together in a huge pile, taking a nap.

"I wish this pup could have waited a little while longer. I feel like I'm being pulled in two directions at once. I feel so… thin." Inuyasha murmured, her hand going over her abdomen as she looked out at the pups. On one hand, she was being hurled helplessly into the future. On the other hand… her arms still remembered the feeling of Inukezi's body, and her nose still remembered him. And the smell of his grave.

" Stop putting so much pressure on yourself." Diao murmured, resisting the sudden and overwhelming urge to nuzzle her cheek. " Let yourself grieve, and let Sesshomaru's pup grow. I think the two will balance each other out with time."

Her gaze dropped and this time, she did relax just a little. Maybe Diao was right. Maybe somehow, she'd manage to appreciate the pup and get over Inukezi's death in the right amount of time.

"I didn't mean to shove this in your face. I feel awful." She admitted, and Diao hummed, "What do you mean, wildfire?"

Inuyasha paused, a very pink blush rising in her cheeks. "How, when- did you?" And Diaozuan blinked, " Oh. Right. I think I overheard Sesshomaru's little nickname for you. Sorry." leaving the hanyou with slightly pink cheeks for some time before she finally managed to speak again.

" I mean… we both just lost kids, and here I go, getting pregnant again. It's … awful." She muttered, slumping again and pressing her face deep into the folds of his clothes. Wanting to disappear.

"Any pup of Sesshomaru's feels like a pup of mine. I'm not upset." Diao assured her with mild and bittersweet amusement. Truth was, it did hurt just a little; mostly, because he wished he'd had a chance to have a kit with the hanyou. But that was just a fantasy. Once this pup was born, he felt almost sure that Inuyasha would return to his male form forever.

" I would be." Inuyasha muttered angrily. The fox huffed in amusement and leaned a little closer, " You're a tad hotheaded, Inuyasha, in case no one has informed you." His hand hovering curiously over her belly.

"May I?"

She looked uncertain at first, and then nodded. His hand was warm and heavy like Sesshomaru's, though his claws were slightly longer and thicker. Her ears went back uncertainly and trembled a little. And she was loathe to admit it but… it felt nice. It was reassuring. She knew that he would never harm her or the pup inside her, and so she wasn't scared in the slightest.

"Heh. I remember this warmth." Diaozuan said very softly, and Inuyasha whispered, " I'm sorry, I-"" starting to get wound up once more. Only to pause when she felt a finger to her lips.

"Stop. This pup is one of the few things I have to look forward to. It gives me hope; something both of us need right now." He said, and his eyes were back to their usual softness; the purple like the fat petals of an African violet instead of those terrifying shards. He removed his hand and Inuyasha shivered slightly.

Looking up at him, her eyes wide and uncertain. Something was happening between them right now, and it sure as hell wasn't just grieving. Whenever he touched her she felt… something beyond just comfort. It left her tingling.

When his hand left she felt cheated.

She wanted more of his warmth.

"I am sure it is going to be beautiful, and strong, and extremely bullheaded just like its mother." He teased gently. The angrily blush now returning to her cheeks and her ears twitching.

"S-Shut up." She squeaked, angered even more by the low rumble of purrs coming from his torso.

"One day Inuyasha, you and I are going to be more or less, okay again. And that certainly is something worth looking forward to." He whispered into her ear. The warmth sinking into the fur and making her ear twitch and flatten for a moment to be rid of the sensation. Goosebumps raising on her arms once more, and a funny, fluttery feeling settling into her chest.

Gods, I hope so. I need to believe that. I can't go on without some glimmer that things are gonna be okay again.

She blinked away any remaining tears. "Careful with my goddamn ears. They're sensitive you know." She warned, as she had to Sesshomaru a thousand times. Debating moving way from him, but… he was so warm. Some yokai had a slightly higher body temperature than humans; it helped stave off all manner of diseases.

She felt almost as if she could fall asleep against him. Her left thigh was resting lightly against his right, and her head was tucked up close to his bicep and shoulder.

Had she ever been this close to him before? She wasn't sure. But she did know that being around him was making her stupid, weak female body act very strange indeed.

Act like-

She paused.

Like how she'd felt when Sesshomaru had been courting her. Like how she'd felt flirting with him in the woods. All fluttery and jittery and lightheaded. His touches burned into her skin, leaving her desperate for more.

Uh oh.

" Consider that I whisper into your ears precisely for that reason, Inuyasha." The fox smirked, then pressed a kiss to the jagged blue stripe on her left cheek; unable to help himself.

She sat in stunned silence for a moment. Her eyes wide and dazed and her heart pounding like a drum.

She finally stood, cracking her knuckles.

The fox smiling, jumping out of the way of her claws and leaning against the railing in amusement as she threatened, "The fuck was that, huh? You wanna die from Sesshomaru's hand you stupid fox?" Angry as he dodged all of her attacks with the smooth ease that all of the fox tribe possessed.

Leaving her swiping at empty air and him laying flat on the railings, his tails flicking and curling in amusement. " I don't think he'd be so rash. Besides, you hardly seemed to be pushing me away."

Katsu chimed in from the bushes he'd been hiding in, "Ooh, he's got you there, Inuyasha." And the hanyou's face turned red once more. Spotting three little faces in the bushes behind Diaozuan. Two sets of golden eyes, and one set of purple eyes.

They'd been hiding there for some time.

"You- eavesdropping little punk! I'll kill you!" She snarled, leaping past Diaozuan to go after Katsu( and Ame, and Toshi, in that order). And the fox watched them go, his seven tails swishing in contentment and no small degree of happiness.

She liked him back.

Maybe she didn't want to admit it yet, but her body certainly wasn't lying to him. Those little trembles, those reactions to his touch. She could have slapped him away, gotten up and left at any time but she didn't. He'd seen her look of discontent when he'd removed his hand from her cute little belly.

He gave a long happy sigh. The warmth of the sun playing on his skin and fur.

And for the first time in a long time he was content.

Even if just for a few seconds.

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EatEmUp-You're welcome ! I have more time on my hands now that I'm back to substitute teaching lol. Only bad thing is more money issues, but ah well. Writing this makes me feel better so I'm gonna keep doing it until this story is finished. Aand… how do you like where things are going hm? :D I thought you might be happy with this chapter. Im going to do my best not to rush anything between the two but yeah.

DMaduks- Awe, thank you so much ! I really hope you like it. I have one or two extra surprises in store, but not too many lol. Hope you liked this chapter!

Empress Tatiana- :D Uhhm, *cough cough* We'll see ~

Guest- thank you so much ! And thanks for leaving such a nice review. I'm glad you like it!