Disclaimer: I do not nor shall I ever own InuYasha and Co.

(A/N: Ok here goes I want to thank all of you who have stayed with me throughout this whole story. However, this is going to be the last chapter to this story. So I hope you enjoy and take the time to read and review at the end. To Inuyasha's mistress: Shemeeko and Shimiko are the same half demon, at the beginning of the story I was unsure what spelling I wanted to use. Since then I haven't changed the spelling in the first chapter, that's all. )

Chapter 22: Wondering What Lies Ahead

By Tainted InuShemeeko

The cool fall air ruffled Shimiko's now very long wavy bronze hair. Her amber-green eyes danced as she watched as her one year old son Kisho tried to toddle after his three, older sibling Suki, Amaya, and Iasha who were now three years older then him. Shimiko loved Kisho with all her heart; he had been the first one of their children to show no sign of being half demon. The only part of him that gave it away was his bronze colored bangs; the rest of his hair was the same jet black of his father's, as well as the same warm brown eyes.

Somehow in between caring and raising her first the children, she, Kiyoshi and Yori and managed to find the missing half to the Ruri no Tama. The bright emerald jewel, now sat on a pedestal, in a protective tower over looking the small village that Shimiko's mother Hoshi had once protected. Kiyoshi had been the one to place a protective barrier around the jewel; he had decided it would be best if he stayed in the feudal era. That however, did not keep him and his family from stepping through the temples altar, which transported them back to his original time period.

Though the jewel that Shimiko was a guardian over was complete, she had failed to do the one thing she wanted the most, to destroy Yukio and make him pay for her mother's death and quite possibly her father's. His evil still lurked out there much like Naraku's. The thought of Naraku made Shimiko wonder about Inuyasha and the others.

Inuyasha's and Kagome's daughter Mika was growing as fast and as strong as her first three. Shimiko had also learned that both Inuyasha and Kagome had decided to hold off on having any more children for right now. Mika sometimes was more then enough energy for the both of them to handle. She giggled to herself as she remembered the time Mika had tried to out run Inuyasha. In the end she managed to trip him causing the two of them to fall into a giant mud hole.

Then there were her two new human friends Sango and Miroku. The last time she had seen them they had decided to marry and Sango had been four months along, that had been four and a half months ago. By now Shimiko was sure that she had given birth by now, or else she was indeed very heavy with child.

"I do hope everything went well with her delivery. Both Sango and Miroku will make wonderful parents."

Thinking about the wonders of parenthood, Shimiko placed a hand on her abdomen un-subconsciously. She wasn't sure but she wasn't about to rule it out yet, Shimiko however knew there was a good chance that she was once again with pup again. Thinking about her family growing even bigger, caused a small pain in her chest. Her brother Yasahiro, and Leiko had been trying for two years to have a pup and had failed. Leiko just couldn't get pregnant; they were starting to think that perhaps it was meant to be.

"Someday soon Yasahiro, you and Leiko will have great news to come and tell me, as will I."

A voice suddenly spoke to her from behind, causing her to turn on her heel as the gentle scent of rainwater drifted

"Having four young children to look after, I would have thought your guard would have been up better."

Recognizing the voice the minute she heard it, a soft smile graced her lips as Yasahiro appeared before her. Yasahiro's long billowing bronze and white hair, swaying gently in the breeze as he walked toward his little sister. The same golden bracelets with emerald gems in them adored both wrist as well as, a large belt like one around his waist. He worn the same periwinkle colored shirt that each side of the sleeve was opened, a tawny colored pair of hakama, pants covered his legs. That's when Shimiko noticed the one thing that was different about her brother. His feet wear no longer bare, yet were inside of a golden colored pair of soft slipper like shoes.

"I see that my big brother has given up living in the forest. Does that mean you have decided to take Saki's offer of living in her palace with her?"

Yasahiro's eyes glittered with a strange sadness yet there was so thing joyful as well. It was a few minutes before Yasahiro looked away from the horizon and decided to answer Shimiko's question.

"Yes, it does my little sister. However, it does not mean that I spend more time with Saki. It is her palace yet she is hardly ever home. She prefers to keep her distanced from me, for what reasons I do not care to go into right now."

He then turned his attention to his two nieces and nephews, as the three oldest took turns playing with the youngest one. There was no stopping the smile that had found its way on to his lips. Suki was the leader of the group there was no doubt about it, not only was she a leader in action but in looks as well. With her long bronze and white striped hair, pointy demon ears and the violet stripes that graced the sides of her neck as well as her wrist., were the key points in showing of her demon blood; Suki's violet eyes were so bright and breath-taking that Yasahiro was sure that she would steal the hearts of many men some day.

"It would seem that my nieces and nephews have grown much since the last time I have seen them."

Shimiko smiled as Kisho, her youngest toddled over to her brother with his little stubby arms up in the air, as if Yasahiro was suppose to read his mind, which he could have indeed have done but didn't.

"Uuu...ppp. Kisho up."

Yasahiro bent down and lifted him into his arms, which caused Kisho to giggle in delight. He then twirled around causing the toddler to giggle even more.

"Fun, Fun!"

Both adults giggled at the boy as he waved his arms into the air. Shimiko then looked thoughtfully at her brother, as he turned toward her. She had to ask, she just had to find out the true reason for her brother to be here.

"Yasahiro, is there any true reason that you came to see me? When I haven't seen you since Kisho was born which was a year ago."

A pained expression was painted on Yasahiro's face as he looked into Shimiko's amber-green eyes, with his own deep bronze ones. Yet there was still that same happiness that she had seen earlier.

"I apologize, my little sister; I should have come and told you sooner. However, we were unsure if it was really happening. Leiko would have liked to have come with me to see you today. Unfortunately, she is not yet it the best condition to travel."

Shimiko became worried over Yasahiro's words. She didn't understand had Leiko become ill some how. Yasahiro must have sensed her worry for he let out a hearty laugh.

"That look is not that becoming on you. Don't worry so much Leiko is fine, in fact she is the reason I am here. You see Shimiko, Leiko couldn't join me here for she has just recently given birth to my first son."

Shimiko couldn't believe what she was hearing. Yet in many ways the news was very welcome.

"Oh, Yasahiro I'm so happy for you. Does Saki know as well?"

She watched as her brother nodded a yes to her.

Knowing that Saki was a sore subject for the both of them Shimiko decided it was best to change the subject.

"So does my new nephew have a name yet? What does he look like?"

Yasahiro smiled at Shimiko as he placed a now wiggling Kisho back down on the ground, and watched once again as he toddled off after his older siblings. He then placed a hand on his thigh as he pulled himself off the ground.

"No, he does not as of right now. We have tried many names yet none seem to suit him. As to what he looks like, he has his mother's bright green eyes, an eight point green-blue star rest in the center of his forehead. Much like my quarter moon does, his hair is a bronze color with streaks of orange in them, and each strand is tipped at the ends with white. One day I am sure he will grow into a stunning young man."

Shimiko laughed and shook her head after hearing her brother's words.

"He does sound adorable; however before you worry about him becoming a stunning young man you need to give him a name first."

Both siblings laughed at one another when Yasahiro realized that he were rushing things with his newborn son. Laughing good-naturedly he spoke.

"Yes I can see where you could be right. Our on problem is in finding a name that tells just how special he is to us."

Giving it some thought for awhile, Shimiko then came up with a name that she knew that both Leiko and her brother could agree on.

"Well what do you think about naming him Mareo?"

The older demon let the name roll around in his head for a bit, and then he tested it on his tongue.

"Mareo, Mareo yes I believe that will be the perfect name for our son. For he is indeed rare, I do not believe we will ever have another child like him."

Both siblings turned their heads toward the east as three familiar scents drifted to their noses. Causing Shimiko to smile as Suki, Iasha and Amaya took off toward the dirt path. Little Kisho toddled back over to Shimiko so she could pick him up in her arms. Yasahiro turned to look at his sister.

"It seems I am not the only guest you're going to have today, it appears as if Inuyasha and his family are coming to visit you."

Yasahiro then decided to comment on the fact that he had not seen Kiyoshi or Yori since his arrival.

"Kiyoshi is not in the village I see, is he perhaps at a neighbor village and Yori is she with him as well?"

This time it was Yasahiro who saw a look of pain and sorrow filled his sisters eyes.

"Shimiko what is it, what happened?"

Three months ago, Kiyoshi and I took the children to his time to see their grandfather, great- grandmother, aunt and their uncle. When we arrival Kiyoshi found out that his grandmother was very ill. There was no way I could spend three months there with him. So we both decided that it would be best if I brought the children back here with me so I did.

"What about Yori where is she?"

Shimiko smiled at the questioning glare he was giving her.

"Yori spends most of her time at Lord Iasha's castle. She's not a pup any longer she's sixteen. She and Lord Iasha, come every night to check on the pups and I."

A giggle fell from her lips as she watched Yasahiro raise an eyebrow at her.

"So Yori is staying with Lord Iasha is she, and you're all right with it?"

Shimiko shifted Kisho to her other hip as she continued to speak with her brother.

"Yes its fine with me, Iasha and I are just friends now. What we had in the past is simply that."

Yasahiro was about to question about her about the one thing he was sure was still a secret from Kiyoshi. The daughter that she and Iasha shared, however he decided that now was not the time.

"You have guest now, I shall speak with you soon. I will give Leiko and Mareo your love. Take care, little sister."

Shimiko and Kisho then watched, as Yasahiro seemed to vanish into the air. She then smiled as a cocky and all too familiar voice drifted to her ears.

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"Hey, Shimiko which one of these squirts belong to you?"

Kagome and Suki tried their best not to laugh at Inuyasha, however with the extra weight he was dragging along he looked rather comical. Amaya had a firm hold on his neck, while Iasha held onto Inuyasha's left leg and his daughter held on tightly to his right arm.

There was no stopping the laughter as it poured from inside Shimiko. It was just too funny to resist. Inuyasha looked like a duck crossed with a mule that was trying to pull something too heavy. Willing the pain in her side from laughing to go away, Shimiko righted herself as she found the two of her children who where using Inuyasha like a tree.

"Amaya, Iasha let go of Inuyasha now. Can't you see he's tired?"

Both pups listened to their mother and let go. Which only left Mika whom; Inuyasha swept into his arms and started tickling. After a few minutes Inuyasha stopped his attack on his daughter and turned to look at Shimiko.

"Man, if anyone looks like they need sleep it's you Shimiko you look like hell."

Shimiko sighed as she set Kisho down on the ground; she then looked back at Inuyasha as she spoke.

"Why thank you Inuyasha for you kind words."

Inuyasha just shrugged his shoulders as he watched Kisho has he toddled over toward Kagome. Once he had reached Kagome he squealed in delight causing Kagome to giggle, while the others covered their sensitive ears in fear of going deaf. Inuyasha then pointed over to the little one that was now in his mate's arms.

"So he's the youngest right?"

Shimiko just nodded her head in response. Why was she so tired all a sudden, then the thought came to her.

'You're tired stupid because you haven't been able to sleep without Kiyoshi, and you can't sleep because you're worried about him. Though the possibility of the fact that you might be with pup again doesn't help, then you have the village you watch over.'

This time it was Kagome who spoke next, as she walked up to stand beside Inuyasha and Shimiko as the four older children ran off to play.

"Shimiko, I haven't seen Kiyoshi yet."

Taking in a breath Shimiko then answered Kagome's question.

"That's because he's not here. He hasn't been for almost three months. See we all went back to his time to visit his family there and that's when we found out that his grandmother was very ill."

Without letting Shimiko finish Inuyasha butted in.

"So he just left you here to watch or the village and your four kids?"

Shimiko jumped into defend her mate.

"We both agreed that it would be better for the pups if they were in a time they were more comfortable with. So don't snap and try to tell me that he's not doing his job, because he does. We just never expected anything else to come up while he was gone."

'Anything else to come up, what kind of other things could she be talking about?'

Inuyasha then caught something on the wind just as he saw Shimiko start to sway on her feet. One thing Inuyasha knew was that her body really needed some rest. Especially, if Shimiko's body was as fatigued as he guessed it was. Sure hanyou's could go with out sleep, however carrying a pup could take a lot out of a female, more so when she has other pups to take care of.

He then placed a firm hand on Shimiko's shoulder.

"You should go and get some sleep you won't help you or your pups if you're too tired to stand. Especially the one inside trying to grow inside of you, Kagome why don't you and Kisho walk with Shimiko to their hut, while I go round up the rest."

Inuyasha was startled when a bright red glow came out of nowhere. Once the light started to fade, he could see Amaya, Iasha as well as Mika looking straight at him.

"Well would you look at that. Hey you guys where's Suki?"

He then felt a tug on his pants leg. When he looked down he was greeted by a pair of bright violet eyes. Inuyasha then listened as Suki spoke to him in a soft gentle voice.

"Um...will you catch mommy now?"

Inuyasha turned to watch as Kagome, Shimiko and Kisho walked toward the hut. That's when he saw Shimiko's knees start to give out on her. Moving as fast as he could he rushed to aid Kagome who had saw Shimiko starting to fall.

"Inuyasha."

"Don't worry I got her."

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He was about to go nuts the pulling in his chest was too much to stand. He was sure that Shimiko needed him, like she was in danger in some way. Kiyoshi's grandmother must have sensed how antsy he was becoming. She just smiled up at him as she patted his hand.

"If you're that worried about her then go, I was sure that you were going to leave six weeks ago. Don't you worry about me I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm sure I feel even better once you've gone to check on your wife and my four wonderful great grand-children."

Smiling down at his grandmother he placed a kiss on her left cheek as he squeezed her hand and turned to leave.

"Thanks grandma, I'll be back as soon as I check on them."

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Shimiko slowly started to open her eyes, and take in her surroundings. It was then that she realized that someone was watching over her.

"You're finally awake, I'm so glad."

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Kiyoshi was here, he was really here but did that mean that his grandmother had passed away?

"Kiyoshi, your grandmother is she...?"

Kiyoshi stopped her before she could say another word.

"Don't worry she's fine, besides she's the one who sent me back."

Shimiko turned away from him; right now she knew that if she were to look at him. That her walls would start to crumble, she was so tired right now yet all the same she didn't want to appear weak. Kiyoshi then watched as she placed a hand down on her abdomen, as she spoke to him.

"So I guess you already know about the little surprise we have on the way?"

Kiyoshi nodded to her. Yes he knew that they were expecting another little one, and it scared him to death. There was still so much more evil out there that they had yet to get rid of. Demons always seemed to flock to the auras of infant pups, and worse of all he feared what Yukio or Naraku would do. The thought of them using their children against them was sickening yet he knew it was a possibility. They would just have to be ready for what ever lay ahead of them.

THE END

(A/N: Well guys and gals that bring this story to a close sorry if it sucked that's just how things are. As for a sequel I don't know there might be, you never know.

Ja ne!

Tainted InuShemeeko)