With the season turning to autumn the small family ventured out together to walk along the many mountain trails admiring the foliage that had turned vibrant reds and oranges.

"We can press these." Kagome said as Rin presented her with her favorite leaves she had found. "When we get back home we can put them in a book you like and save them."

"Yes! I would love that Lady Kagome." She gushed handing her the leaves to run ahead with Shippo. Twirling one of stems between her fingers she caught Sesshomaru staring at her.

Smiling she put them in her kimono pocket letting her hand linger on her stomach.

"I'm getting bigger." She said rubbing at herself.

"I noticed." Sesshomaru replied.

"Oh? Hmm. Well thanks for acknowledging the fact that I am getting fat." Pouting she turned her head from him pretending to be upset.

Turning her face to him with his hand against her cheek he held her gaze with his. The unfathomable gold held her blue orbs relaying more than words ever could.

She felt him in her mind, his emotions; pride, love, and happiness were all directed towards her and all of their children. Taking his hand in hers she brought it to rest where their child was growing.

Sesshomarus head suddenly twitched to the side before he turned fully in a protective stance.

"Rin, Shippo." He called to them. They were already running back as they seemed frightened of something.

"What is it?" Kagome asked not sending anything.

"It's…it's Sango." Shippo said shaking as he jumped into her arms. Rin stood beside Sesshomaru her face drawn down in a scowl reaching for her bo staff she had harnessed to her back.

As a figure came to view Kagome felt herself tense. Sesshomaru put his hand to his blade, Bakusaiga, growling audibly in warning.

Sango stopped glancing up at them from the wide brimmed hat she wore and collapsed to her knees on the ground.

"What are you doing here Sango?" Kagome fired at her first with her tongue.

"Lady Kagome, Sesshomaru…" Sango said hoarsely.

"Lord Sesshomaru." Rin nearly hissed out.

"You, you're alive…" She whispered her eyes wide as if she were seeing a ghost.

"What do you want Sango?" Kagome demanded again.

"I…penance. For penance and absolution." Lowering her head she removed the hat. Her former long hair was nearly shorn off with clumps missing, from the sight of it her hair had been ripped from her scalp.

"Forgiveness." Sesshomaru snarled.

"Not from you, any of you. From whatever deity or god there may be." She replied. "I would never ask or expect forgiveness for what I hsbe done to anyone but I…I…should atone."

"Worried for your soul?" Sesshomarus tone took on that of mocking her. Kagome didn't like how it sounded coming from him.

"Sesshomaru, lets bring her to the monastery. We can let the master monk figure out what he wants to do with her." Kagome appealed knowing full well that if he decided to deal his own judgement she didn't have it in her heart to stop him.

Glancing back at her slightly she put a hand lightly to his back. "Husband, please." Watching as he took deep breaths before he finally removed his hand from the hilt of his sword.

"Fine." He relented. "Stand." Making her walk in front of them with him between Sango and his family he brought her into the monastery. "Rin, Shippo; stay with Kagome."

"Yes Lord Sesshomaru." They said in unison as he led Sango to Master Mushin. To say her appearance did not go well with Koga was an understatement.

"You're out of your damn mind!" He shouted. "We should have killed her at the compound. There's no way that woman is looking for spiritual guidance."

"If she tries anything it is very simple; I will kill her." He replied turning to walk away leaving it at that.

"We're leaving, if she's staying." Koga replied angrily.

"Do as you please." Sesshomaru glanced back at him walking to his room. Kagome had set the children down for bed and sat up brushing out her hair. Placing the comb down when he walked in she frowned.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes." Sitting beside her he offered her a reassuring smirk. "All is well." Moving to her knees she took his hand and put it on her stomach.

"Can you feel that?" Smiling widely he shook his head.

"Not yet."

"I don't know how you can't. This baby is very, very active." Leaning forward to kiss him gently pressed his hand more firmly against her and that was when he felt the movement from within her body.

The palm of his hand was pushed on and kicked in a flurry of movements.

"You're right. Our pup is strong."

"Mhmm." Resting her forehead to his she closed her eyes. "I am so happy Sesshomaru."

"Me too." Wrapping his arm around her waist he sighed contently.

Under Mushins guidance Sango underwent solitude and fasting to start. Intense meditation as well as an oath of silence followed as the winter began to bring its chill.

Ayame had forced Koga to stay as she didn't want to leave Kagome due to her pregnancy, begrudgingly he did.

Rin ran through snow drifts in the courtyard with Shippo while Kagome watched from the outside deck that led inside.

Sipping a saucer of tea that helped with her morning sickness she couldn't seem to be rid of she saw Sango come out of the main hall.

Her hair was starting to grow back but she kept it hidden under a cloth tied securely at the nape of her neck. She wore a simple brown kimono and a light cloak. Seeing her she looked to be an entirely different person.

Watching her closely as she went out in to the courtyard to walk across Rin stilled as Shippo stood beside her defensively growling.

Rin stood staring at her for a moment before walking closer to her. Sango stopped looking at her curiously.

"Rin, what are you doing?" Shippo asked nervously shaking. Kagome held her breath as the little neko came to a stop in front of the woman.

Tilting her head up to look at her she suddenly wrapped her arms around Sangos waist holding her tightly.

"I forgive you Lady Sango." She said sincerely. Kagome saw Sangos eyes widen before blinking a few times tears falling down her cheeks.

Wrapping an arm around Rin she wiped at her face with the back of her free hand. Sniffling as Rin let her go she ran back to Shippo.

Turning Sango met Kagomes gaze. Lowering her head to the ground she began to shuffle off in the opposite direction.

"Sango." Kagome called. Glancing at her she took a breath before moving closer to her. Bowing her head slightly Kagome sighed. "I know you can't talk but I just want you to know that from here on out everything that happened before is in the past."

Bringing her head up to look at Kagome she listened intently. "From this day on it's a new start." Sango gave a slight nod before moving off.

Kagome knew she couldn't speak for Sesshomaru but hoped that with time he would be able to forgive her as well, not for Sango but for himself.

Sesshomaru was an impressive figure clad in white and bearing red insignias that he explained were from his clan. He had taken to wearing a full chest plate as well as spiked shoulder and chest guards that Totosai had assisted him in forging.

He looked every bit the regal lord he was but Kagome didn't always like it. It made him feel unapproachable and untouchable, more so then when they had been kept apart.

That was why she loved the night when he removed the armor and dressed in just a yukata to hold her.

Cuddling against her he rubbed his nose to her swollen stomach kissing and licking at where their child moved under her skin.

Running her fingers through his hair she brushed his bangs aside. It was only a matter of days, maybe a week at the most.

"Rin is getting excited but I think Shippo may be getting a little jealous." She said with a soft laugh.

"I will have a talk with him." Fixing her yukata he tucked the blanket in around them as he settled next to her.

"I get it. The poor kids been an orphan longer than he can remember but this is a good thing. I've tried explaining that to him but no matter what I say he just is so worried."

"Once you have given birth it will soothe his worries."

"I hope so." Settling next to him she felt the discomfort in her back as she swung her leg over his. "I'm so uncomfortable."

"I know my little one. It will be over soon."

"Yes and we will have our baby. I wonder what we'll have." Kagome muttered as she began to doze off. Rubbing his nose against her hair he breathed in her scent wondering himself.