AN: AN: ^_^ Oh yeah, I don't own Inuyasha *sigh* BUT I DO OWN an Inuyasha notebook with pictures from the second movie, and I DO own the Inuyasha PSX game!! *giggles happily*

Review Comments:

wing ZER0 angel: LOL zero!! Here's your epilogue ^_^ As for the citrus *pours you a glass of OJ* I'm working on the lemon.I've never written one before, and now I seem to have a lot of RL friends who are DYING to read it *blushes deeply* but I promise to try and have it out soon. Thanks to the wonderful holiday today (Patriot's Day) I have an extra free day to write :^_^ I promise that I will deliver, as my friend George wants to call it, "A salt, tequila, and lemon." LOL.still not sure if I can write THAT good ^_^ When I do put up a lemon, I will probably just post a link under my profile to where it can be found, so you'll know.

forsaken1: LOL Cat, you're a biased review, you know that, being my oniichan ^_^. I hope you've finally gotten to downloading some of those episodes, and I'll see if I can't find more pictures of Sesshoumaru for you.*laugh* Who knows, maybe I'll draw one.

kawaii monkey hanyou: For you and anyone else who noticed my little note to myself in the middle of 17 *laugh* Here's the explanation. My friend George, poor guy, who works an insane amount of hours during the week, calls me every night after he gets home. He has only seen 2 episodes of Inuyasha and loves my stories. So I read each new chapter, or at least, what I have written, each night. He's my proof editor, cause he'll tell me if something doesn't make sense in a paragraph, or he'll tell me if something needs better clarification, cause as a writer, I tend to not be descriptive enough in my rush to get the plot out. So that was my "marker" to remember up until where I had read the other night ^_^. I fixed it though.

*********************That autumn*******************************

Life had settled into an almost peaceful rhythm. Inuyasha and Kagome were married shortly after the work on their house was finished, and they even managed to bring her family through the well. Jiisan didn't quite take well to the fact that he had to let a demon carry him, but he was happy to be able to see his granddaughter happy and wed.

Mama brought her wedding kimono for Kagome to wear, and Souta was simply happy to see his friend again. Mama cried, and Jiisan felt slighted by not being asked to perform the ceremony. Miroku of course had that honor, and Kaede presided over the formalizing ceremony that pronounced Kagome a full miko herself. The most surprising moment of the ceremony was the arrival of Sesshoumaru, who Jiisan tried to seal with one of his scrolls, and who Mama asked perhaps a little too loudly, "Where are his cute ears?" He brought Rin, who rejoiced in having a new kimono to wear, and the excuse to throw flower petals everywhere. Inuyasha seemed slightly uncomfortable with the whole ceremony, after all, they were already married in his eyes, but it was important to Kagome, and to the villagers, and of course her family, so he obliged them.

As a gift to the newlyweds, he presented Inuyasha with a trunk of items that had belonged to their father, from his time with Inuyasha's mother. Sesshoumaru claimed to have come across them in his rare walks around his estates in the Western Lands, and thought that perhaps they could find use for them. Though not to be soft he did add, " I doubt they will be of much use, human belongings are so frail and after almost 80 years, I doubt they will stand a breath of air." The couple simply exchanged a knowing look, and bowed their acceptance.

Kagome made regular visits home, sometimes with Inuyasha or Shippou to accompany her. She continued to take over more and more of Kaede's duties, in the village, till Kaede was able to remain in her hut, and work on her herbal remedies, which was fine by her. Inuyasha still carried a wandering spirit, and traveled, though not as far as he once did. He took pride in the fact that he was now the official protector of the village, and dealt with the youkai who continued to come for the Shikon no Tama.

Summer turned quickly to fall, and just as quickly into a bitter cold winter. The snow fell early that year, and Kagome was grateful for the boots her mother had packed for her, the last trip home. It made getting around much easier. The harvest that fall had been plentiful and the villagers had plenty of provisions to last the whole miserable winter.

Sango's pregnancy progressed quite normally, and as the time grew nearer, Sango grew more and more weary. She was swollen all over, walking had become very painful, and she often spent most of the day inside the hut, sleeping. Miroku remained strong for her, but felt as helpless as most men in the face of an untouchable enemy.

One very brisk winters day, Kagome went to visit Sango and Kaede. Miroku and Sango had taken up living with Kaede, only because their own hut was on the other side of the village, and Sango felt more secure with Kaede nearby. They would have stayed Kagome, but Sango refused to become such a burden on the new couple, despite Kagome's instances. It became a good decision when the snow began to build up to such a level that climbing the hill became very difficult for most people, let alone a very pregnant Taijiya.

Kagome had come down from the house, with a few gifts from the future from her mother for Sango, and came to make her regular rounds around the village. Inuyasha and Shippou were out on some training. Inuyasha had taken in the kit like his own son, and had taken his hunting and fighting training into his own hands. Miroku had offered to help some of the villagers clear some of the newly fallen snow from the paths of the village.

Poor Sango sat propped up against the side of the hut, stomach greatly extended and was preparing a hearty soup for lunch when Kagome entered with Kaede. They removed their snow covered hats and cloaks and moved quickly towards the fire to warm.

"It's horribly cold out there today," Kagome noted and leaned closer to the fire, feeling the heat trickle slowly up her arms. Sango nodded and slowly rose to her feet, moving very very slowly towards the fire to stir the soup. She cringed and a hand flew to her stomach.

"Ugh, this child is going to be the death of me," she said softly, and Kagome smiled, moving towards her friend with warmer hands to gently press them against her stomach. She felt the child move, which was still an experience that amazed her still. It was like liquid water moving beneath her hand, and it tickled her palm.

"He or she is very active today, that's for sure, perhaps they know something we don't," she said with a smile and Sango sighed. "I hope so, I am so very tired of being this large." Kagome laughed softly and rose to her feet, to get her friend a bowl of soup. Kaede had seated herself near the fire and was getting drowsy from its heat and Kagome placed a blanket over the older woman's shoulders. She returned to Sango's side with some soup and the exterminator smiled gratefully.

"Thank you Kagome-chan" she said softly. It was a relief to Kagome's ears to hear the familiar 'chan' attached to her name, rather than the more regular 'sama'. She didn't feel any more important than anyone else in the village, and knew it was a title of honor, but all and all, it did still feel strange.

Sango leaned back against the wall of the hut, and closed her eyes. Her breathing slowed to a quiet pace and Kagome knew she had drifted off to sleep again. She cleaned up the bowls from the meal, and pulled the rest from the fire, so it wouldn't over cook. The snow had begun falling again, and she expected Miroku to be returning soon, so she pulled out a clean bowl for him. Sango sighed in her sleep, and suddenly sat up, her hands clenching her stomach.

Kagome was at her side in an instant, and Sango stared at her frightened, "That wasn't a kick!" Kagome rose and quickly reached for her kit, pulling out the stethoscope and placing it to Sango's stomach. She listened for a moment, "The baby sounds fine," she said softly, and Sango let off a soft cry, "Perhaps, but the mother isn't!"

Kagome nodded, "Remember what we talked about Sango, just take deep breaths, try to relax your body." Sango nodded and forced herself to start breathing deeply, when a large cry escaped her lips, and she bent forward. Kaede's eyes flew open, and she quickly sat up. Sango began to cry softly, and Kagome gently rubbed her friend's back, pressing gently along her spine to help with the pain. Sango took deep shaky breaths, until the pain passed, and suddenly looked up at Kagome, fear in her eyes.

"Kagome-chan," she whispered, and Kagome smiled, "Don't worry Sango, I promised to take good care of you, and I will." Sango's eyes got large, and she began to look around nervously, "Where is Miroku, where is my husband?" Kagome placed a hand to her forehead, "Shhh, I'm sure he'll be back soon, its started to snow again." Sango nodded and began to take slow breaths. Kagome knelt behind her friend, and took the cold rag that Kaede had brought her, gently wiping off Sango's forehead.

"I will go fetch Miroku" she offered and reached for her cloak when the covering to the door blew open and a very snow covered Miroku came in. Kaede helped him remove his wet coverings and he sighed.

"Tis another storm, I fear, and a larger one at that," he said softly. Sango groaned from her spot on the floor and he hurried to her side. She opened her eyes and smiled faintly, "It would be your child to come during a snowstorm," she whispered and his eyes widened. "Now?!" Sango nodded and Kagome echoed the nod. Her eyes glanced towards the door. She could hear the wind picking up outside, and she felt the first twinge of worry. Shippou and Inuyasha were still out in that mess.

'Come home soon,' she thought to herself, 'This is Inuyasha, he has faced the worst demons in the land and beat them, he can make it back in this.' She turned to tend to her patient.

Time painfully crept by, night had fallen and Sango was still very pregnant and very much in pain, and Kagome felt the first twinges of worry strike her heart. Sango was already tired when her labor started, and hours later, she was even worse for wear. She had managed to swallow a little bit of soup, and not much water. Miroku never left her side, gently wiping her brow dry or holding her hand when a contraction hit. Finally she dropped into an exhausted sleep, and Kagome rose, walking to look out the doorway. The snow had slowed to a slow light fall, but the snow on the ground reached mid calf on her. She stared out into the white, and closed her eyes. She was scared, scared that she was going to lose her friend, and was truly powerless. She felt her breath catch in her throat and she turned her head from the rest of the group, so they couldn't see the worry in her eyes.

'Inuyasha, I need you here, I need your strength,' she thought, willing her feelings to reach out to him. Then she returned inside, and curled up to get some rest herself.

She woke to the sound of Sango's cry, and was quickly at her side. Sango was whiter than the snow outside, and her breathing was getting more rapid. Miroku looked so lost, and even Kaede seemed at a loss. Kagome felt the panic rise in her skin. She couldn't do it, Sango was going to die, and she was too incapable to stop it.

"Miroku, stand her up, I have an idea, but it's a long shot." She stepped up to place Sango's arm over her shoulder as Miroku took the other side, and they carefully raised the woman to her feet.

"Please, Kagome, please just let me lie down," whispered the weak woman, and Kagome grunted, helping her move forward," Come on Sango, just walk with me a little bit, that's all I'm asking, and then you can lie down again. We have to help this baby figure out which way to go." Sango rolled her eyes to look at her husband, "Than this is most defiantly a boy, he has your sense of direction." Kagome laughed softly, and took it as a good sign that Sango's sense of humor had returned. Sango bore the weight of walking well enough it seemed, till another cry shook her, and she clutched her stomach.

A blast of cold air filled the hut and Sango fell to her knees. That's when Kagome smelled it. She carefully helped Miroku lay her back down, and he looked down at his weight.

"Kagome!" he announced and she nodded, "Yes, I see it," she said as calmly as possible. He shook with fear, and grabbed her shoulder, "She shouldn't have walked!" he almost screamed in her ear, and she stared up at him. A large clawed hand fell on his shoulder, and Kagome sighed with relief, to see Inuyasha's face appear over Miroku's shoulder.

"Come monk, lets leave them to their work," he said calmly and Miroku looked to Sango. "I can't, " he said and Inuyasha growled softly, "Damnit, listen to me. You can't do anything for her, give the women their time." He grabbed a firm hold of his friend's arm and dragged him outside, Shippou taking the same hint and following them outside.

There was a clear path carved out of the snow outside the hut and Inuyasha nearly threw his friend out into the drifts of snow.

"Damnit Inuyasha, she needs me in there!" he cried and the hanyou narrowed his eyes, "No, if she truly needed you Kagome would have told you, but getting this upset in front of her takes away her energy. Do not worry, Kagome promised her protection and she has never promised something she could not keep."

Miroku glared, "You don't understand, its not your wife, its not your child!" he took a swing at Inuyasha who deftly dodged it. Miroku came after him with his fists clenched, needing a target and taking it out on the still snow covered Inuyasha. Shippou stood near the doorway, his eyes wide. He hadn't seen Miroku this angry and trying to hurt Inuyasha since the first time they met. Inuyasha simply stepped out of the path of the fists.

"You're right, it's not my wife or pup, but if it were, and Kagome told me to leave, I would, because I trust her judgment. Besides, Kaede is there as well, and between the two of them, everything will be fine. We are men, we don't know the first thing about birthing, and frankly I'm glad I don't. You cannot do anything for her but be strong and pray."

There was a scream that echoed through the night air and Miroku's face went white, and he tried to rush back into the hut, but Inuyasha grabbed his arm, and swiftly delivered a hit that did knock him back into the snow. Shippou's nose twitched nervously and he kept glancing at the door, but didn't have the courage to actually look in there.

The night grew still and very quiet, painfully quiet. Inuyasha could smell a great many things in the air, but never told that to Miroku who simply stood under the sky, praying with every ounce of strength he had.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kaede came outside, wiping her hands, and looking serious. All three men turned to face her, and Miroku's face crumpled at the look on her face.

"Oh please Kaede, don't." he began, the colors in his face matching the snow around him.

"Come inside Miroku, and see your children," she said softly, and his eyes widened. "Children?!"

Inuyasha stepped to the side, as the monk ran inside, and he slowly followed. Sango lay propped up with a great many futons, looking pale, and very tired, and holding two tightly wrapped bundles in her arms. Miroku fell to his knees beside her and she smiled faintly.

"I was right, your son had a bad sense of direction," she whispered, "Good thing his sister told him which way to go." Miroku stared at them in pure amazement, and leaned over, kissing Sango softly.

"Twins?" he asked curiously, and Kagome nodded, looking up from her work. "Hai, it seems that they were so close together that I couldn't hear the different heartbeat."

Sango smiled, "I know we picked Kohaku for a boy, but we weren't planning on the other one. I kind of like Yukiko, its fitting," she said softly.

"Hai, she is defiantly a "snow child"," he nodded. He stared at the two small wrinkled faces, red and sleeping, and looked at Kagome.

"They don't look like either of us," he asked and she laughed, "Give them a day to recover, and then you'll be able to see," she said good humouredly. "After all, they've had the worse time of things today, next to Sango, they're not at their best looking."

"I don't care, they're the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen, next to their mother," he whispered and kissed each small forehead gently. Kagome rose, and took that as her cue to give the new family time to themselves. Without a word, she walked out of the hut, and promptly fell into the snow with a sigh. Inuyasha carefully picked her up and she smiled, allowing herself a moment of weakness, and let him bear her weight.

"I was scared," she admitted and he nodded, "Hai, I could smell that on the wind, which is why we returned instead of sleeping in a cave for the evening." She bowed her head, "I thought I would lose her, I can't believe that I didn't see the twin."

"You are a human Kagome, of course you don't know everything," he said gently and she stared up at him, before laughing. "You say that so calmly, and if it wasn't you, I think I would have to take offense." He held her close.

"I'm glad it was Sango, and not you," he whispered hoarsely in her ear, "I don't think Miroku could have held me back, if it were your screams I heard. It makes me think that having pups is too dangerous."

Kagome shook her head, "No, the benefits far outweigh the consequences," she sighed and closed her eyes. He held her under that winter sky, as she slept, and dreamed of the day when she too would know the joys of motherhood.

Kagome was true to her word, and the next day the whole village heard about the miracle the night before, as Miroku joyfully announced it to everyone. Of little Kohaku who had midnight black eyes and no hair, and his younger sister of less than a minute Yukiko, with dark blue eyes and very fine black hair on the top of her head.

Shippou was ecstatic that he had two new playmates to look forward to, and even Inuyasha seemed enthralled with his 'niece and nephew' as Kagome was calling them, holding little Yukiko in his large hands, who simply stared up at him fearlessly, the awe in her face very evident.

"Fearless child, just like her mother," Inuyasha pronounced and Sango smiled. "Hai, let's hope Kohaku doesn't take after his father." Everyone laughed, and as the new additions to their extended family slept, the adults enjoyed the sun finally breaking through the clouds, a good sign. A very good sign indeed.

AN: YAY, I finished it!! I hope you all enjoyed this epilogue, since so many of you were asking about Sango and the baby. LOL..I couldn't decide on a boy or a girl, so I decided on both. Poor Sango though :P This was also partially influenced by my nieces, who will be turning 1 at the end of the month, and who are the greatest joys of my life. I was kind enough to Sango, and didn't put her through the 4 ½ days of labor that my poor friend had to go through. Twins are wonderful to watch grow and develop into their own personalities, and its amazing to see two of the same faces do such completely different things. I think I'll have fun seeing how Kohaku and Yukiko grow in the sequel. Arigato minna for all your support, and I hope you'll keep reading!!!