Disclaimer: R-U-M-I-K-O! T-A-K-A-H-A-S-H-I! Now! What does that spell? RUMIKO TAKAHASHI!!!!!! And she owns the show Inuyasha…Not me…Arigatou.

Love Me as I Am

Chapter 38- Winter's Coming

Five months later winter had come around and the temperatures had dropped dramatically. It had not snowed though and Suki was glad. She was planning a visit to Shippo and Karlie now that Kuno could crawl. She thought he would have more fun playing with the kits now.

She smiled as Kuno crawled over to her, trying to climb her leg. She picked him up and cradled him in her arms as he laughed boyishly. She smiled again and gave him an Eskimo kiss.

After saying goodbye to her parents she walked outside to where Yasuo stood waiting, holding Asako, his other hand on Tobi's head.

"Hold on a moment. I'm going to stop and see how Miroku's doing on the house."

Yasuo nodded as Suki handed Kuno to him, running off to go see Miroku.

Not too far from the cabin Miroku was working on his own house. It was nearly finished and he had only the roof to finish off on one room.

A very round Sango sat cross-legged on top of a rock watching. She was too big to do much of anything but oversee his work.

"Hey Suki." said Miroku from the top of the roof as he sent her a friendly smile.

Suki waved.

"I was just wondering if Trinity and Kanaye wanted to come with us to go see Shippo and Karlie."

Miroku shrugged.

"She's inside. Go on in."

Suki nodded and went in. Trinity and Kanaye's wedding was in a week and she figured maybe they could use a vacation from planning. Their house was finished as well but they had decided they weren't going to move in until after they were married.

Suki found Trinity in the kitchen sitting at the table eating lunch. She was almost through though.

"Trinity. I was wondering if you and Kanaye would like to go with Yasuo and I to see Shippo. It has been a while after all…about over a year. I suspect they'd be glad to see us."

Trinity smiled and nodded.

"We have lots to tell Karlie and him. Sure. I'd love to go. Where's Kanaye anyway?"

Suki shrugged.

"Come to think of it…I was going to take Kuneau with us also…but she wasn't with mom or dad. She must be with him."

"I bet you anything he's out back trying to make the most of the nice weather before it snows."

The two walked outside and around Miroku and Sango's house to the backyard where they found Kanaye on his back with his arms behind his head and his little sister laying across his stomach fast asleep.

Trinity smiled and knelt down beside his head.

"Love, Suki wanted to know if you would like to go visit Shippo and Karlie. It's been a while for us and even longer since you went."

Kanaye shifted a bit.

"Sure thing. Are we takin' munchkin with us?"

Trinity blinked and looked to Suki who shrugged.

"Munchkin?"

"Lil' sis I mean. I've decided her nickname will be munchkin…at least to me."

"Why is that?"

"Because she acts like one."

He pushed himself up off the ground with his right hand until he was in a sitting position, Kuneau in his lap.

"I think I'm going to have to get used to this."

"Used to what?"

"Having a child in my lap."

Trinity smiled and kissed the side of his head before standing up.

Kanaye stood also, carrying his sister.

"You think she'll sleep till we get there?" he asked Suki.

"You can count on it."

~*~*~

Standing side by side, Tobi nuzzled the side of Kilala's head. He had quite enjoyed having a companion to hang out with and Kilala was just that.

Since they had first been introduced 5 months ago they had seen each other numerous times and thus become very fond of each other.

Kilala licked Tobi's head as he purred deeply and licked her in return.

Yasuo smiled.

"You two need to get working if you're planning on giving up a litter soon." he joked.

Both Tobi and Kilala mewed.

Yasuo held out his arm to help Suki onto Tobi then handed her the two babies and climbed on. Meanwhile Kanaye did the same and helped Trinity onto Kilala. When everyone was situated Tobi and Kilala flew off side by side.

~*~*~

Inuyasha sat around and listened to the silence.

"Seems strange…to not have anyone else here other than the two of us and Miroku and Sango."

Kagome nodded as she was pulled into his lap.

"It's just like the old days."

"Not quite."

Kagome blinked as Inuyasha pushed her down onto the futon and got on top of her, looking into her eyes.

"Because in the old days you woulda 'sat' me a million times, probably all the way to Hell if I did this." he explained as he began to kiss her neck, quite enjoying the constant giggles.

Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You got that right." she said before blowing softly on his left ear and watching it twitch.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and tried his hardest not to make any sounds of pleasure. It was hard because Kagome knew his ears were his weakness so she started rubbing them with her thumbs if only to hear the sounds he made.

'Dangit…why does she have to be so good?' he asked himself.

"No…fair…" he managed to say.

Kagome giggled and brought his face closer to hers, planting a kiss right on the tip of his nose.

~*~*~

Suki snuggled closer to Yasuo's back.

He smiled.

"You told me he's a fox demon with many kids…is that the place?" he wondered, looking down and seeing lots of little dots scurrying around and playing outside…or at least it looked that way.

Suki looked down and nodded as Tobi headed down. Kilala followed close behind.

Reaching the ground and getting off of Tobi still holding the two babies Suki looked around, half expecting to be tackled again. There must have been twice as many kitsune youkai (demons) as there were last time. Karlie was most certainly doing her job…but she couldn't have had ALL of them…could she?

Suki pondered this as she led everyone else inside and to the main chamber.

Karlie was seated in the middle of the room with at least 7 of her children lying across her asleep. The newest arrivals everyone guessed.

Shippo stood directly behind her and sat down, just then noticing everyone.

"Good Lord…you brought the whole crew this time didn't you?"

Suki nodded as everyone took a seat on the floor. Trinity sitting in Kanaye's lap and Suki in Yasuo's.

"Now. You must introduce us to the young ones. Who is the one Trinity holds?" Karlie wondered, though she could sense a lot of Inuyasha's blood in her.

"That is our younger sister Kuneau. I guess I hadn't told you mom was expecting when Trinity and I came to visit. That's because I didn't know then."

Karlie nodded understandingly.

"I see. And the boy you hold is yours. I can tell because he's got your nose…and your eyes and you've got your fathers golden eyes."

Suki smiled at the compliment.

"Yes. His name is Kuno, and this is Asako. She is Yasuo's daughter."

Shippo smiled.

"Nice to make your acquaintance. I can tell by the way you hold Suki that you two are fond of each other."

Yasuo nodded.

"Yes…" he said, blushing the slightest bit.

"Well if you ask me…" said Karlie.

"I think you two look very sweet together. And you also." she said, nodding in Trinity and Kanaye's direction. She didn't mention the blank look she saw in Kanaye's eyes, knowing it would be a sore topic of conversation.

Trinity gasped.

"That's reminds me…our wedding…is to be in a week. I'm really very sorry I didn't say anything about it sooner. We should have stopped by a month ago to tell you ahead of time."

Shippo waved his hand.

"Don't worry about it. We could stand to do something different for a change…now that I'm free as a bird…for the moment being." Karlie said, patting her stomach lightly to indicate she wasn't pregnant.

"Where are you planning on having it?"

"Um…we have yet to choose a place."

"How about you have it here?"

"Oh…no. I don't want to impose upon your--"

"Nonsense. We insist. Don't we Shippo?"

Shippo nodded.

"We'd love to have you."

Trinity grinned and turned to Kanaye.

"Did you hear that?"

Kanaye smiled.

"There's no way I couldn't have."

"Arigatou." said Trinity gratefully.

"No problem dear."

~*~*~ Some cute Rin and Sesshomaru stuff coming soon for all you loyal R/S fans! I had so much fun writing it. It'll be sometime within the next two chapters I think. Just thought you'd like to know cause, I had it planned all along…even before you guys requested it ^_^ Lucky you. Sayonara! ~*~*~ Miyu