The woods surrounded her as she rushed through the lower limbs away from the castle as fast as she could, but it wasn't fast enough.

Sesshomaru, who had recovered and rushed after her, caught her underneath a large oak tree. He grabbed her around the waist and held her tightly. There was no way he was going to let her go to that damn Naraku.

"Don't do it, Serenity," he whispered gently in her ear. She stopped struggling suddenly at his words. The sincerity in his voice threw her off.

"Stay with me," Sesshomaru said surprised at his own voice.

Serenity could feel the internal struggle. The jewel shard was pulling her toward that damn half-demon Naraku, but her heart was keeping her here next to Sesshomaru.

Her eyes were still demon red, but her voice was her own. "Why do you want me to stay?"

The question slipped out without her able to stop it. She didn't know why she desperately wanted to know the answer, but she did.

Sesshomaru didn't answer at first. He didn't know what to say…he didn't know what she wanted to hear…he didn't…

"What is in your heart, Sesshomaru?" Within seconds she was struggling again. The jewel shard was taking control again and it was taking almost all of his demonic strength to keep her in his arm.

She wants to know what's in his heart? Sesshomaru didn't understand what he could do to show her…what could he say?

"You are in my heart, Serenity," he said causing her stop struggling again. Her red eyes were changing back to green. She lifted her right hand to her left arm and sank her claws into her flesh.

She screamed in the combined pain because of labor pains and her claws in her own flesh.

Sesshomaru saw what she was doing and tried to stop her. "Serenity! What are you doing?"

He grabbed her arm and yanked it away from the self-inflicted wound. He looked down into her face.

Her eyes opened and they were now the original green from before. "Why are we in the woods Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes before looking to her right hand. There, clutched in her claws, was the jewel shard Naraku had placed in her arm.

Sesshomaru quickly ripped his sleeve and wrapped her arm when she screamed again.

"Sesshomaru…the pup is coming…NOW!"

His eyes widened in shock. What was he supposed to do? "I will carry you back to the castle," he said trying to lift her up. Serenity shook her head sharply.

"No time."

"What do you mean by that?" Sesshomaru said tightening the bandage on her arm.

Serenity screamed again. She grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and held on tight.

"I mean that this pup wants to see his father…right now," she said breathing heavily. "All that running must have hurried along the labor process."

Serenity looked over at Sesshomaru…and almost laughed. The usually stoic lord, who never showed his emotions, was actually pale now and looking like he swallowed something extremely hot. It was an expression she would not forget anytime soon.

However, another labor pain caused her to shut her eyes in pain.

"Sesshomaru…when you are finished looking shocked…could you do me a favor and help me bring our pup into this world?"

Sesshomaru sat there holding a small full demon pup. Despite the fact that his mother was a half-demon, little Kouki looked like his father, with his mother's eyes.

He was small, wrapped up in his father's over shirt. He was sleeping now. Sesshomaru had never seen anything like it before. He looked over at Serenity.

The birth had taken a lot out of her and she was almost asleep now.

"He's beautiful," she said. She looked up into her mate's eyes and smiled.

"He is, my mate, he is," Sesshomaru said leaning down next to her. Serenity smiled up at him before yawning quite loudly.

"I am so tired," she said sleepily. Sesshomaru sat next to her rocking the small pup. Kouki was sleeping in his father's arm.

"What are we going to do about Naraku?" Serenity asked quietly despite how tired she was.

As the sound of the half-demon's name, Sesshomaru instantly tensed up. Kouki mumbled a little before settling down. At the sound of his son's mumbles he loosened up a bit, but still remained alert.

"I will help my half-breed brother and rid the world of this pest for all time," he said.

Serenity listened to him speak again of his brother in such a way. Her heart clenched up at the sound of those whispered words, "half-breed."

It was then she realized that he would never say the words she wanted to hear from him. He had said that she was in his heart, but that didn't mean that he loved her, at least not the way she loved him.

"I see," she said before closing her eyes and falling asleep there on the forest floor.

Sesshomaru turned to her and watched her sleep. For some reason, he had a feeling she was mad at him.

Sesshomaru sat there with his son in his arm and his mate beside him all night, but he didn't bother with sleep. He didn't need to sleep right now and he knew that he couldn't leave them unprotected, especially with the stench of blood in the air. Already several demons had come in this direction only leaving after catching sight of the stoic lord sitting there silently.

As the sun rose over the horizon, Serenity's eyes fluttered open. She started to sit up, but a low growl next to her stilled her movements.

Serenity looked up at her mate. He was holding Kouki close and glaring at something in the distance. Finally he stopped and relaxed and leaned back against the tree they were next to.

"Sesshomaru?" she said quietly. He turned his gold eyes on her. Serenity half expected him to smile, but she knew that would never happen. Lord Sesshomaru never smiled, especially at her.

"Are you feeling better this morning?" he asked with concern in his voice. Serenity sat up with some work, but she was able to sit next to him and look at their pup.

"I'm fine," she said. "I think that I could walk back to the castle now."

Sesshomaru nodded, handed her Kouki, stood, and then offered her his hand. Serenity took and allowed him to help her up. Together the three of them headed back to the castle in silence.

They reached the castle just as the sun was rising over the trees.

The minute they arrived Jaken rushed out to them.

"My Lord Sesshomaru," he said rushed and bowing. "Your brother and his companions have engaged Naraku sir and request your help."

Sesshomaru looked over at his mate who was looking at him with fire in her eyes.

Sesshomaru wasted no time. He turned to head out with Jaken, who had Ah-Un and his swords. Just as he was leaving, he felt something grab his shirt.

He turned around and saw Rin looking at him with tears in her eyes.

"Why are you crying Rin?" he asked.

"Lord Sesshomaru is leaving Rin to go fight. Rin doesn't want anything bad to happen to Lord Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru looked over at his mate, who had her back to him. He picked Rin up and walked over to Serenity. He stood in front of her and pulled back the cloth covering Kouki's face and showed him to Rin.

"This is your nephew Rin," he said calmly before looking up to his mate's face.

Serenity had her eyes closed and was breathing deeply, almost like she was trying to keep from crying.

Sesshomaru put the smiling Rin down and took a step toward Serenity. He took several moments to just look at her there with her eyes closed and so peaceful before he leaned forward and kissed her gently.

Serenity's eyes shot open at the surprised contact. Sesshomaru pulled away from her, walked around her, and started to leave.

"I love you," Serenity said suddenly. The words caused Sesshomaru to stop and turn back to her. She still had her back to him, but he noticed how tense she was.

Sesshomaru watched as she took Rin's hand and walked back to the castle, until she was within the castle walls. It was then that he realized he hadn't said anything in response to her declaration.