Epilogue

Sesshomaru stepped out of the hut, flicking a glance back at it, frowning as another scream and curse emitted from within. He growled to himself irritably. He'd intended to be there when his child was born as was expected. Or at least he had until his wife started shrieking at him and both she and his brother's wench chased him out.

"What's going on in there?" Sesshomaru's gaze shifted at his half brother's voice and for a moment felt a burst of irritation that he hadn't noticed him sooner but it disappeared as another scream cut the silence.

"She's giving birth Inuyasha."

Inuyasha smirked at him. "So she kicked you out, huh."

For a second Sesshomaru contemplated a retort or even an attack, certainly that would relieve his tension for the time being. However instead of either he murmured, "She said she hated me."

Inuyasha was silent as he eyed Sesshomaru warily. He'd expected his brother to try and exact some kind of vengeance for the remark. However Inuyasha, no matter how much he disliked Sesshomaru, could recognize the worry he felt and, for the moment at least, sympathized.

"She probably didn't mean it. Kagome can get really nasty some times, is all." Inuyasha offered peacefully.

"She said she didn't want to see me until it was all over."

"Well you can't blame her. I wouldn't want to be seen either if I had something coming out of my…feh…never mind." Inuyasha's ears twitched with embarrassment and Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow at him with amusement. There was a long moment of silence before Inuyasha spoke again. "So. What are you gonna do now."

Sesshomaru's eyebrow went up again. "I'm going to wait for her to finish."

"Not that!" Inuyasha snapped. "I mean afterwards."

"She wants to stay for your's and the Kikyou woman's ceremony."

Inuyasha's mouth quirked into a strange smile. "I suppose she would."

Sesshomaru flicked him a dangerous look. "Keep your mind on your own wench, Inuyasha. Or I might rethink my decision not to kill you."

Inuyasha grinned eagerly, having been uncomfortably with the fragile truce they'd been tossing back and forth. "Bring it, Sesshomaru."

Kagome's voice cracked through the controversy, scream mingle with the very audible 'sit' command, both brothers slammed downward, not having expected the lashing out. Sesshomaru growled, and tugged at the necklace. He'd forgotten about it.

"Better get use to it." Inuyasha growled as he pushed up from the ground. "She's not gonna take it off."

"I, unlike you brother, can control her."

Inuyasha sniggered. "And that's why you're out here with me, huh?" ignoring Sesshomaru's scathing look.

Light broke the dark curtain of night as the flap of the hut was tugged back and the Kikyou woman stepped from the hut and walked over to Inuyasha, who jumped down from the tree he was perched in to meet her. She stepped into his arms and flashed him one of the quiet looks that two shared often before she looked towards Sesshomaru and inclined her head gentle.

"You can go in now." Resting her cheek against Inuyasha's chest after she'd spoken and murmured towards the half demon quietly.

Sesshomaru paid no more attention to either of them, slipping inside the hut. Kagome was sitting up on a thick pallet, her back braced against the wall. Her dark hair was messed and lovely falling about a face that shone beautifully with pride and happiness and even if the child hadn't been his Sesshomaru would have loved it then just for the look it brought to his wife's face. As it was as he drew nearer the tiny creature wrapped in the wool blanket captured his heart all on it's own. A light prickle of white hair already adorning her head, soft human features, save for the pale white canine ears. Her deep eyes weren't clear gold though but a golden brown that looked swirled with soft strawberry, a color that seemed a blend of his, Kagome's, and something uniquely hers.

"Did you and Inuyasha bond." Kagome lifted her head to smile at him tenderly, dark eyes dancing.

"That's why you sent me out there." Sesshomaru tried to produce a reproving tone but couldn't do it. She laughed.

"Of course. You didn't really think I was mad? Well, okay, maybe a little." Kagome cuddled the tiny bundle against her. "She so beautiful. And she looks a bit like her uncle, doesn't she?" Kagome teased.

"My brother is not beautiful." Sesshomaru growled irritably which made Kagome giggle again.

"Of course not. You're much prettier. And she has your nose." She added to appease him and sighed happily as he moved next to her, resting her head against his chest.

"Her name?"

"Name? Oh! I thought I'd leave that up to you." She snuggled her nose into his chest sleepily. "I'll name the next one."

Sesshomaru cast her a look but her eyes were closed and he assumed she was sleep. He lifted his daughter from her arms carefully, as if she were made of glass.

"Rhapsody."

"Mmm?" his wife questioned dreamily.

"Her name's Rhapsody."

Kagome's lips quirked slightly. "A song of love."