As Rins due date loomed closer Sesshomaru stayed with Kagome more. She could tell he was anxious and even nervous. He had every right to be, this was uncharted territory and Rin was very precious to him.

"I don't want her to bare pain." He said to Kagome as they talked about the new arrival.

"That's unavoidable. She can take herbs and drink tea to alleviate some of it if she wants but there's going to be pain." Kagome stated matter of factly. "And that's totally normal, natural...poor Rin."

"Indeed."

"I need you to promise me that whatever happens, whatever you hear or smell or sense that you will just stay put."

"This one would not interfere with such a matter." He said.

"Even if Rin is in there crying, screaming bloody murder and bleeding everywhere?" Kagome watched as he processed the information with his eyes slightly wider than usual.

"This one will attempt not to interfere with that."

"I'll be there with her, Sango will be there; she'll be alright. Honestly I think you're more nervous about this than Kohaku is."

Sesshomaru took a sharp intake of breath. "This is out of my range of experience." Kagome leaned into him taking his hand in hers.

"I know. We will all get through this, together, and when it's all said and done we will have a new addition to our little family." She chimed. Sesshomaru held her hand tightly and was quiet.

"Okay so I can't not promise that Sesshomaru will not come barging in here." Kagome said as Rin laid on her futon in the grip of labor.

"I just managed to get Kohaku out of here, honestly these men just need to learn their place." Sango said irritated.

"They're worried." Kagome said. "How you holding out Rin?"

"It's a bit different being on the giving end than than the receiving."

"I hear ya'." Sango said with smile in agreement. Kagome knelt down next to Rin and wet a cloth for her forehead. She wouldn't know.

She had yet to give birth and probably never would as long as she were with Sesshomaru. It was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

Besides, her friends would just have babies around her and that would be enough, even though she knew it wouldn't be.

After long grueling hours of intensive labor and birthing Rin had her first born laid down next to her once the newborn girl was given her first bath.

"Great job Rin." Kagome whispered running the cloth over her head.

"Can you please bring in Kohaku and Lord Sesshomaru." Rin requested weakly. Kagome stood smiling at her friend and walked over to where the two stood.

"Is everything okay Kagome?" Kohaku asked nervously. "What's taking so long?"

"It's over. Rin is fine and the baby is healthy. You can both go in if you like." Kohaku smiled widely and nearly skipped into his hut. Sesshomaru stood straight staring at the sky. "Are you okay?"

"Hn."

"Do you want to go and see Rin?" Kagome asked slowly uncertain of what exactly was going through his mind. Sesshomaru brought his gaze down to Kagomes and nodded his head once.

She led him into the hut where he stood in the doorway as Kagome knelt down next to Rin again. Sango held the infant close to Kohaku as he was afraid to hold her himself.

"Lord Sesshomaru." Rin smiled at him which made him move closer to her. He knelt down and cupped her cheek with his hand.

"Are you well Rin?"

"Oh yes my lord." She replied weakly. "Just tired. I want you to meet her, to meet my daughter." Sesshomaru glanced up at the swaddled infant and reached over taking her out of Sangos arms.

"Wait, you know how to hold a baby?" Sango asked stunned.

"Yes." Sesshomaru hummed softly as he ran a claw down her red cheek.

"Lord Sesshomaru, if it weren't for you then Rin and I wouldn't be alive. You cared for us and protected us when no one would or was able too." Kohaku said. "My lord, we request that you name our daughter."

Kagomes eyes went wide and she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. He stared at the infant intently. He closed his eyes as he brought her closer to him and smelled her, inhaling her scent deeply to imprint it into his memory.

"Kimi." He said assuredly. "This little one will be called Kimi."

"That's a wonderful name." Rin said. "Thank you my lord." Sesshomaru gave a slight nod before placing her down next to Rin.

Quickly he exited the hut while Kagome stayed a while longer seeing to Rin to make sure she was comfortable and well.

As Kagome made her way to her own home she felt a sadness creep into her. She would never have children. It had simply never happened with Inuyasha and, not for the first time, she thought that maybe if they had had at least one it would have kept them together.

It was a stupid thought but still a prevalent one. Sesshomaru sat near the hearth with his back against the wall. Kagome suddenly felt exhausted and took out her futon to sleep.

"Will you be staying here with me tonight Sesshomaru?" She asked extending her hand out to him. He gave a curt nod removing his armor and swords before laying next to her.

She folded against him as he buried his face into her hair. Kagome loved him, she knew that she did, and the fact that they would never have a child wrenched her heart painfully.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru whispered. "Why are you crying?" Her breath hitched as she began to sob. He turned her over onto her back and held her close to him. She cried into his fine silks and didn't care.

"I just...everyone is having babies and...and..." She sobbed trying to catch her breath. "And we won't ever have any."

"Elaborate."

"You'd never have half breeds!" She blurted out. Sesshomaru took a deep breath before exhaling completely.

"I, Sesshomaru, chose to court you in the hopes that one day you would be my mate." He said. "There will no other who would bare my heir Kagome, if you would choose to do so."

She stilled and sucked in her breath. "But everything...everything you've said, about Inuyasha and his mother and your father..."

"My father." Sesshomaru held Kagome closer to him. "The last thing he asked me was if I had something to protect. I didn't understand it, what that meant, until I came across Rin. She was small, defenseless, and fragile. She is what I found myself protecting. From her I let go of my obsession with the Tessaiga and I was able to reach my full potential."

Kagome relaxed in his arms feeling the tears dry on her face.

"It is because of Rin that I was able to see you, to be able to appreciate you, and eventually...love you." Kagome looked up into his eyes seeing them soften in a way she had yet to see. He was bearing his soul to her.

She reached up a hand to cup his face and stroked his cheek. "I love you too Sesshomaru. I want to be your mate, your wife, yours always."

He kissed at her hand removing it to lace his fingers through hers. "My Kagome. I will make you my mate tonight if you will let me." She squeezed his hand and nodded her head.

"Yes, yes Sesshomaru." She exhaled as he nuzzled against her neck. "Make me yours."