A/N: Here it is, after ten years! Great job me! Haha, just kidding. I am happy to have come to the end of a story that's been stuck in my brain for years.

Thank you for the reviews and honesty. I hope to improve in the future.

Sari and Yoru sat backwards in a carriage facing her parents. They had been married and mated for about a month now. The ceremony was beautiful. Sari was dressed in pure white, a bit of makeup accenting her features and brightening her mismatched eyes. Yoru had felt his chest swell with joy as she walked up to him with a soft smile and a flush of happiness across her cheeks. He couldn't wait and kissed her sweetly, earning a round of applause and cheers from their families and a quiet giggle from Sari.

After the marriage ceremony, Yoru had decided to stay with Sari at her parents castle while his parent left to start on the prep for their new home. He had not wanted to pull her away from her family so soon after mending their bonds. Sesshoumaru was grateful for it, coming to appreciate the young wolf even more for respecting the importance of their family staying connected. He was also grateful that Yoru had taken Sari away for a weekend trip to mate her rather than using Sari's bedroom. That was something he never needed to accidentally overhear.

Now they were traveling, Kagome insisting they take their time and go by carriage to enjoy the view of their country. Sari had a fairly good guess as to where they were going, but her mother would neither confirm nor deny as they continued on.

"I could still pretend to be surprised if you told me," Sari tried, hearing her mate and father chuckle at her efforts.

"Or I could spare you having to act so that you're truly surprised when we get where we're headed," Kagome said and giggled as Sari softly snorted and sat back to look out the window once more.

"It will be well worth the wait. Patience is important for a Princess."

"I am patient when it's a matter of state. This is just cruel and unusual punishment," Sari stated, hearing Kagome out-right laugh at her this time. Sesshoumaru smirked and Yoru kissed her hair to hide his smile.

"Is it much further?" Yoru asked, wrapping his arm around her.

"Not at all," Sesshoumaru answered, cuddling Kagome close as she all but vibrated with excitement.

"I think now would be a good time for these," Kagome said, reaching into a bag by her side and pulling out two scarves.

Sari pouted as she folded the scarf and placed it over her eyes. She saw Yoru doing the same and felt a little bit better that he had to endure the same treatment.

It wasn't very long after they put the blindfolds on that the ride came to a stop. Kagome and Sesshoumaru guided them carefully out of the carriage and stood them together.

"Are you ready?" Kagome teased, seeing the young couple nod quickly.

"You may remove the scarves," Sesshoumaru spoke, Sari whipping it off and bringing her sleeves to her face as she gasped.

Sari's internal guess was right. She and Yoru were standing before their families as they stood at the gate to their newly built home. It was ample in size, though not as big as her parents castle, and she could already see a maze of hedges in the courtyard garden. Sari glanced up at Yoru, emotion clogging her throat as she saw he was looking down at her to watch her face.

"Welcome home, kids," Koga said with a grin.

"How did you get this done so fast?" Sari asked as she looked around in wonder.

"We wolves don't do anything slow," Ayame said and heard Koga chuckle. "This is the first of many Western and Southern land cooperative projects. This palace is your new home but also proves the power of our lands united is great!"

"So," Seiya grinned at his sister. "Do you want to take a tour of your new place?"

The tour was grand and Sari clung to Yoru's side to keep herself from bolting off and running around. Their family had furnished the palace, stuffing the library with books and scrolls, filling the armory with weapons to train with, and filling the guest chambers with beds and other necessities so that the families could visit whenever. They prepared a grand feast for the joint family and Sari and Yoru headed the table as their official hosts. Sesshoumaru sitting off to the side while she hosted was strange to Sari, but she supposed it was something else to get used to.

What she hadn't expected was for their families to leave that night.

"You could stay. We have the rooms ready since you made them that way," Sari said at the gate where they gathered to say goodbye.

"You two need your privacy and to adjust to your married life," Ayame said, moving to give her a hug.

"Mother is right," Yoru said gently, his hand on her back in support. He could feel her stirred emotions through their mating mark and it tugged at his heart. "There will be an adjustment period for both of us, but this is our time to make ourselves a new life, together, as mates."

"I'm going to miss you, Mama," Sari said as Kagome embraced her.

"I'm gonna miss you, too. But we're not far and you'll be seeing us very soon, I'm sure," Kagome smiled at her and kissed her cheek.

"Take care of my daughter, Yoru," Sesshoumaru said quietly, shaking his hand as the young wolf nodded.

"I intend to. Thank you for everything, Lord Sesshoumaru."

"Under the circumstances, I believe just Sesshoumaru is fine," he said and saw Yoru grin.

"Hey Yoru," Seiya came up to him and gave him a rough pat on the back, wrapping his arm around his shoulder as he leaned in. "Sari is still my little sister. So if she's not happy, you won't be either. Got it?"

"'Nii-san, leave my mate alone," Sari said, walking up to him and poking his side. He jumped back with a yelp of surprise, making the group laugh.

"I'm just doing my duty," he said and moved to squeeze her. She squeezed him back before pulling back and giving him a smile.

"Thanks for being a good big brother, Seiya."

He hugged her again, this time even harder. She chuckled before she pulled away entirely and saw him grinning down at her.

"If you need anything, come to me. I've always got your back, Sari." She blinked back a wave of emotion as she nodded.

Sari stepped up to her father and looked up at his face. She had a dozen things she wanted to say but the knot in her throat made it impossible to start. Sesshoumaru could see the struggle of emotions on his daughter's face and his features softened. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before petting her hair.

"This isn't goodbye. You're my pup. We will see each other soon. Until then, do not forget that you are a Taisho and nothing could ever break our bond."

Sari nodded, swallowing hard to center herself.

"Thank you, Papa. I'll never forget that again."

Standing together, the newlywed couple watched their families leave in opposite directions. They waiting until they were far out of sight and the sun was low to walk into their brand new home. Yoru could feel the mix of emotions coming from his mate. Excitement for their new home and life, anxiety of the unknown, sadness to see their families leave... He felt much of the same feelings himself. But he knew that this was just the beginning and he smiled at his wife and mate.

"I love you, Sari," Yoru said, seeing her smile and move into his arms, her head tilted up for a kiss.

"I love you, too, Yoru. I'm being a downer," she gave him an apologetic look.

"No, you're being a good daughter. But right now, I think it's time to start practicing being a good mate," he said with a grin, enjoying the pink that settled into her cheeks as he scooped her up into his arms.

"I'm certain I don't know what you mean," Sari spoke, her face turning more red as he looked at her with every bit of love and lust he felt for her.

"Then allow me to show you," he spoke, dashing them off to their new bedroom, startling a giggle from Sari.

"You certainly don't need any practice, my love. You're an amazing mate already, Yoru," she said, looking up into his eyes as he laid her back on the bed.

"Sari," Yoru hovered over her body, looking back into her eyes as he cupped her cheek.

She smiled softly at him and easily wrapped her arms around his neck. It amazed him how free she was with her love for him. She was still shy and inexperienced, of course, but no matter how many times he took her in his arms, she always provided the love and comfort he was searching for. It moved the very core of his being, touched something deep inside that seemed to have been waiting for her for forever.

"I couldn't have asked for a more perfect mate than you to start the rest of my life with. Thank you for loving me," he spoke softly, capturing her lips in a slow and sweet kiss as she gasped softly at his words.

Sari's response was to hold him tightly to her as his mouth ravished hers, the truth of his words pouring into her with each caress of his tongue, with each stroke of his thumb against her cheek. When he pulled back, he saw the dampness of emotion glistening beneath her lashes. He kissed both of her eyes, her smile returning again as her pet her hair back.

"I'm just glad that you never changed your mind about me," she said quietly, her fingers massaging his neck and shoulders as she continued to cling to him. "Thank you for being stubborn," she said, a giggle escaping her lips as Yoru laughed.

"That's probably the only time I'm going to hear you speak positively about my stubbornness," Yoru said and saw her nod softly.

"Probably, indeed."

"Anyways," he started, lowering his forehead to hers and staring into her mismatched colored eyes. "It's time to start our real honeymoon," his voice was low, almost a growl, sending shivers down her spine of anticipation.

A Few Years Later...

Sari reached beside her to grab her mate's hand, smiling as she gave it a squeeze before returning her attention to her brother. Seiya was sitting beside his mate, a rabbit demoness named Haya, retelling the story of how they'd met. She had short brown hair that matched the fur of her ears that flopped beside either side of her head. She had big, pink eyes, a white, fluffy tail, and was petite, but her soft appearance was nothing but an illusion, Sari had come to know. She was a well disciplined warrior, bringing a kind of structure to her brother's life that neither of them knew he'd needed, until Haya.

Seiya recalled how he had been sent to a distant village upon request for assistance with a poisonous snail demon that was wiping out the crops and tainting the soil. After sending several soldiers to handle the matter and receiving no updates, Seiya took it upon himself to intervene. It's where he found Haya, leaping high into the air, only to bring her leg down in a swift kick that shattered the snail demon's shell, sending him skittering away in terror.

"As soon as she stepped back from landing that blow, she turned to look at me and I knew that she was my mate," Seiya said, lifting Haya's hand to kiss it.

"Enough about us, Seiya," Haya scolded, a blush crossing her face s she took her hand back. "We're here to celebrate your sister."

"There's no reason we can't do both," Kagome spoke from across the pair, leaning against Sesshoumaru's arm as she smiled toward the pair.

"I'm not due for almost two months," Sari spoke, rubbing her swollen stomach as she felt the life inside of her stir. "We're not going to spend every month of my pregnancy celebrating. It's much more fun to hear about life out there."

Since Sari had become pregnant, Yoru had been fiercely protective of her, making it difficult for her to leave the estate. She didn't mind, most of the time, but his mother hen act was just a little bit over-bearing at times.

"'Out there'...You make it sound like I'm holding you hostage," Yoru frowned at her, hearing her chuckle in response.

"It's natural for a demon to become protective of their mate during pregnancy," Kagome added, Sesshoumaru nodding to confirm. "Your father was just as bossy for both of my pregnancies."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to protect what's important to you," Sesshoumaru raised a brow at his wife, hearing her chuckle as she pat his arm.

"I understand. It's why I don't hold it against him... mostly," she added, making the table chuckle before standing. Yoru stood with her, steadying her with his arm around her. "I'm fine. I'll be right back, Yoru."

With an obvious emotional struggle, Yoru sat back down. Sari leaned down to kiss his forehead before walking around the back side of his chair and out of the room. As soon as she was out of sight, her smile dropped and she clutched at her stomach as she took a slow breath. She'd been feeling some light cramping all day, but it was starting to get worse. Her back ached more than usual as well. It seemed like what the midwife had talked to her about when she described the labor and birthing process, but... It was way to soon for that, wasn't it?

Bracing herself, she turned back and walked into the room, ready to finish out the dinner. She didn't want to gather too much attention on what was likely nothing. She moved to sit, feeling Yoru's arm around her to support her as she lowered herself. The moment she touched the chair, she flinched with another cramp. When Yoru didn't react, she took a slow breath, grateful that her family was here to distract him.

Kagome had been watching her when she saw the subtle twinge. Sari had been rubbing her stomach and slightly fisting her robes all night. She remembered doing the same thing when her labor had started with both of her kids. Hiding it from Sesshoumaru until she was sure it was labor had been a trick, but she managed to do it fairly well with Seiya. Once her labor had started for Sari, Sesshoumaru had already been onto her tricks and wasn't about to fall for them again.

Sari locked her smile back in place as Seiya and Yoru started a back and forth discussion about a sparring session from years before. She tuned out and took some more slow, calming breaths as she felt the cramping intensify. Her wince was enough to confirm what Kagome suspected, making her stand up.

The conversation dropped as she walked around behind Sari and rubbed her back gently.

"You're in labor," Kagome stated, rather than asking.

"Maybe?" Sari's brow furrowed a bit as she looked up to her mother, rubbing her stomach. "But it's too soon, isn't it?"

"Hanyou children tend to come early," Sesshoumaru spoke softly, cutting some of the tension.

"You're having our baby tonight?" Yoru asked, stunned.

"It could take longer, but it's definitely starting tonight. Come, Sari. Let's get you to bed and call on your midwife," Kagome said calmly, helping her to stand.

Sesshoumaru watched the young wolf pace back and forth in the hallway, over and over, for over two hours. Yoru had started in the infirmary with his mate but proved to be far too aggressive with the midwife as Sari's contractions came closer together. He'd been banished to the nearest drawing room several hours before. He'd made it a little over an hour there before moving to the hall. Sesshoumaru could feel the concern coming off of him in waves and didn't blame him. Not being able to help your mate in the delivery room was agonizing.

"Yoru! Has she had the baby yet?" Ayame rushed up to him, enveloping him in a hug.

Sesshoumaru had brought Ah Un with them on their visit to see his daughter and mate. When Sari had gone into labor, he sent Seiya and Haya to fetch Yoru's parents so they wouldn't miss the birth of their first grandchild. Their arrival had taken a few hours but it seemed Sari's labor was long enough for the dragon and imp to fetch them in time.

"I don't think so. I haven't heard anything and they won't let me in with her," he all but growled out as he released her from the hug, seeing Seiya and Haya running up behind Yoru's parents.

"I'll go check. Stay calm and stop wearing a hole in your hallway floor," Ayame scolded before slipping quietly into the infirmary, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Koga slipped an arm around Yoru's shoulder and gave him a fatherly squeeze.

"It's hell to wait. But women are better off surrounded by women for these things. They seem to know how to manage it all better," Koga said, seeing Yoru sigh in frustration.

"Maybe. But I'd rather be in there with her," he whined, moving from his father's grasp to pace the floor once more.

Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow slightly as the infirmary opened and Kagome stepped out.

"Mother, how is she?" Seiya asked, feeling Haya put a gentle hand on his arm to soothe him.

"Sari's doing fine. She's almost ready to push. It shouldn't be much longer," she said with a smile toward Yoru before stepping up to her mate. He wrapped his arms around her and comforted them both in his arms.

The idea of his pup having her first child was exciting and terrifying for the Lord and Lady of the Western Lands. It was, of course, a joyous occasion, but hanyou births were often very difficult on the mothers, especially when they were human. Sari being a half-demon giving birth was unfamiliar ground for them both and it was anyone's guess as to how the night would end.

"Go take care of our pup and grand-pup, Baaba," Sesshoumaru spoke quietly, kissing his mate on the head before releasing her.

"Baaba!" Kagome said, a wide smile on her face. "I'm gonna be a Grandmother!" He chuckled and watched her turn to Yoru, stepping toward him to give him a reassuring hug, just as his own mother had done. "You're almost a Papa!"

Yoru's heart thumped at the idea, a wolfish grin splitting his face as she stepped back to look at him.

"And she's almost a Mama," he said, his grin softening as he thought of their child in her arms.

Kagome pat his arm and hurried back into the room to her daughter, leaving the group with no choice but to wait for word of the new arrival.

It seemed like hours more, but was less than one, when the infirmary door opened again. Both Ayame and Kagome opened the double doors with shared smiles, beaming with love and pride.

"Yoru, we have a surprise for you," Ayame said, Kagome giggling in response.

"Sari-"

"-Is fine. She did a wonderful job and is resting. We'll give you two a few minutes alone before everyone else comes in," Kagome said, beckoning him inside.

Yoru rushed through the doors and to his mate. When there was no pup, his heart jumped, sitting slowly beside her on the bed and taking her hand. She looked tiredly up at him as he stroked her cheek.

"It's okay, Yoru. The midwife is cleaning the babies in the next room," she said, chuckling softly at how his eyes widened.

"Did you say..." he trailed off as the midwife and her assistant came back into the room, each with a cooing baby in their arms.

"Say hello to your children, Papa," Sari said, reaching her arms out to take one as Yoru took the other. "Two healthy baby boys."

Looking down at the baby in his arms, then over to the one in Sari's, Yoru was as a loss for words. In his arms was a pale, silver haired hanyou child. His ears were pointed and elven like his parents and the only flush of color he could see was in his cheeks as he cooed and whimpered. Shifting his head to gaze over the other infant, he saw the familiar color of his bangs atop the fluffy pup ears that sat atop his head, much like Inuyasha's. The baby had Yoru's toned skin with a single magenta swipe across each cheek that matched the light purple crescent that both pups shared.

He kissed the squirming bundle in his arms, then the one in Sari's arms, and finally Sari, his chest swelling with a whole new jumble of emotions.

"My sons," he started, seeing Sari's eyes dampen as she looked between the babies, over and over. "How are you feeling?"

"Nervous but, the good kind of nervous. The excited kind," she said, her finger stroking her newborn's cheek over and over. It was so soft and warm and amazing.

"We didn't prepare names for twins," Yoru said, bringing his head to his son's and breathing in the unique scent of him.

"Asahi for this little guy," Sari said, stroking the fuzz of the red wolf ears that said baby adorned. "I've always liked that name." Yoru nodded.

"What about Kairi for his brother?" Yoru asked, seeing Sari carefully scoot over in the bed, petting beside her so they could cuddle with both of their babies and each other.

"I like it," she said, resting against him as she couldn't help but look over her children. She could stare at them for hours and be content.

"Are you up to letting our family in to meet Asahi and Kairi, Mama?" Yoru asked, seeing her smile widen as she nodded.

"Yeah. Let's show them our cute pups, Papa," she said, seeing the midwife, who had stayed quietly in the corner move to the doors.

As the room flooded with the remainder of the family, Sari watched her sons be held and coddled by each family member. All were careful and complimentary, gushing over their cuteness and the surprise of a second infant. Even though they were premature and small, Sari was grateful that they had been more ready to come out than she'd thought they would be as her labor started.

Sesshoumaru allowed Kagome to gently place the first twin, Kairi, in his arm. They were so small, one arm was more than enough to craddle the pup as he brought him closer to inspect. Kairi gurgled a bit before sighing, a soft whistle escaping from his nose as he breathed out, falling deeper into slumber. Sesshoumaru felt his heart tug in that moment as he lowered his forehead to meet Kairi's.

Kagome felt her own heart tug at her mate's reaction to their grandchild. It was a rare show of emotion from him in such a public spot, but she was encouraged to see him connecting witht eh first twin, just as he had each of his children. She gave him a moment before taking Kairi out of his arms and trading babies with Ayame. After a few minutes of loving Asahi for herself, she shared him with her mate, seeing him do much of the same with the younger twin.

"Sari," Sesshoumaru spoke, quietly as not to disturb the pups anymore than they already had been with the family intruding.

"Yes, Papa?" she asked, her voice small and tired as she rested against Yoru and watched carefully over her pups from afar.

"Congratulations, pup. Kairi and Asahi are wonderful additions to our family."

Sari's eyes dampened once more as she smiled at her father. Her family was bigger and closer together than ever before. It was all she'd ever wanted. Her father praising her pups caused her eyes to over-flow and she felt Yoru turn her head, his thumbs wiping her tears away as he gazed over her with a gentle face.

"I love you, Sari. Thank you," Yoru spoke, taking Asahi as Kairi was also returned to Sari's arms.

"I love you, too. All of my boys," Sari said, looking back over her babies.

"Do as the midwife instructs and take care of yourself so that you can take care of your pups," Sesshoumaru instructed, seeing his daughter nod.

"Of course, Papa. I'm a Mama now. I have to be responsible," she added, kissing Asahi's head once more.

"Alright everyone, let's go so the new family can rest. Twins aren't going to be easy," Ayame said, sending her son a wink as she pulled her mate away.

"Good job, kids," Koga called over his shoulder.

"We'll check on you later, Sari," Seiya said, feeling Haya dragging him away as well.

Sesshoumaru and Kagome stood together in the doorway, looking over their daughter and her family, cuddled up together on the bed, happy. Sari looked open and bright and fulfilled, things that the dog demon and his mate weren't sure would ever come to be with the lonely road she'd tried to walk down. Sesshoumaru deciding to hold a Gala for his daughter to find a mate turned out to be both the worst and best thing they could have done to help Sari. And here she was, a new mother of adorable twin boys.

"We love you guys," Kagome said, Sesshoumaru nodding in agreement as Sari looked up at them.

"And we love you, too. All four of us, now."

The end.

Thank you!