Only nine months ago had Inu-yasha asked Kagome to be his mate. She accepted, and now here she was, bearing his child. He was not allowed to look in, it was forbidden by Kaede and the other midwives of the village. Sango, however, was allowed in. Must be a 'women only' rule, as Miroku had also been forbidden.

"Inu-yasha, you may enter now." Kaede appeared from the doorway, and beckoned the hanyou inside. It was very messy; the scent of blood was all over the hut, despite the fact that the midwives had cleaned most of it. Sango was wiping the sweat off of Kagome's forehead, as his mate held a small bundle of cloth. Hm? It moved slightly…was the baby in it? Inu-yasha knelt down next to her, as she smiled up at him wearily, but happily.

"Congrats, Inu-yasha. You're a daddy." They she held the bundle so that he could see what it contained. It was a sleeping little girl, with amber eyes and a little bit of silver hair. A golden butterfly, the largest Inu-yasha had ever seen, flew down and landed on the baby's forehead, not waking her.

"Tsk, that thing's been flying about the entire birth. 'Tis an omen." Kaede said as she and the other midwives continued to clean up, but Inu-yasha paid her no mind. He was looking down on his new daughter, and hugging his mate close to him.

"What should we name her?" He asked, in a slightly hushed tone. Sango and Miroku were standing above the new parents, smiling in a knowing way.

"How about…Kochou, for the butterfly." Kagome said, and Inu-yasha agreed.

Kagome, Inu-yasha, and Kochou, family for the first time.

7 years later…

Kochou had grown up to be the spitting image of her father. Her eyes stayed amber, her hair long and silver. She even had the same bangs that hung over her shoulder. Generally she wore a small red kimono, with a darker red obi. When her teeth started to come in, her canine were slightly pointed, and her nails were sharp.
In personality, she was almost exactly the opposite. Gentle, almost timid, she acted very much like a butterfly. She was very fast, but not strong, and often flitted from place to place. Like her father, she didn't trust very many people, only her parents, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Matsu (Kirara, being a demon cat, didn't count). Not to mention she was a daydreamer, often found sitting and staring into space. Her name fit her better then she knew.

Matsu grew to have black hair, like his dad, but it was still too short and wild to be pulled back. His eyes were a rich and warm brown like his mom. So far he hadn't shown any sign of being a pervert, but he did have a fiery spirit, like his mom. It seemed like he would grow up to be a lot like her. Normally, he wore loose, dark pants and white shirts that quickly became dirty. He liked to play with Kirara and Kochou, and sometimes Shippo (though he had grown a lot and acted more like a teenager).

Shippo was much bigger, almost as tall as Inu-yasha. His orange hair had become much more red, and longer. It was pulled into a ponytail with a simple green string, instead of a bow. He still loved to tease Inu-yasha, and his shape shifting had gotten much better as well. Often when become another human, his tail still showed.

The others hadn't changed much. Inu-yasha was very protective of his mate and daughter, but he had become more playful with them (not with anyone else, though). Kagome made an excellent mother, and she and Inu-yasha had a home right by Sango and Miroku's (it was on the other side of the pond the waterfall ended in). Sango's fire had not vanished or lessened, but she had settled down fairly easy. Miroku occasionally groped her, but not very often, and never around Matsu.

"Daddy, can I go out and pick flowers with Kirara? I already asked Auntie Sango if I could borrow her." Kochou asked Inu-yasha as she started to head towards the door. He always said yes, the flower field was very close to their houses. He could easily hear her if something was wrong.

"Only if you promise to be back before dark." Her father responded as she agreed and headed out the door. This was always the same condition he gave her every time she wanted to go to the flower field. Sometimes he went with her if there was a scent of demon in the air, simply because he couldn't refuse his daughter. Today, however, it was a bright spring morning with no hint of demons anywhere near.

Kochou skipped over to Kirara, who was waiting outside in her big form. "C'mon Kirara, let's go!" She said happily, climbing onto the cat demon's back. Giving an approving growl, Kirara started to run in the direction of the flower field. Upon reaching it, Kochou gave a happy, "Kya!" and ran into the field. Kirara usually turned into her regular form and ran after her, but today she was content to lay in the sun, still in her big form, and look after

But unlike most days, an odd thing happened. A butterfly, large and golden, flew over to Kochou, landing on her outstretched finger, never even flinching when she drew it towards her.

"Hello pretty butterfly. What's your name?" She asked, off in her own world again as she looked at the butterfly with growing interest. She even thought that the butterfly was talking back to her.

I am the messenger of Amaterasu, but I have no name.

"Then I'll name you! Your name can be…Taiyou!" Kochou said happily, and the butterfly almost seemed to nod.

Very well, I am Taiyou, the messenger of Amaterasu, goddess of the sun.

Kochou's eyes widened and she smiled. "Wow! A goddess! You're the most amazing butterfly I've ever met!" Then she tilted her head a little. "But why are you here? Do you have a message or something for me?" This was an exciting thought.

Yes, I do. Amatsu Mikaboshi, the god of evil, has sent his own pawn out into the world. My mistress believes that he wishes to take the Shikon Jewel. Pretty soon you will need to defend it, like your mother does right now.

Kochou was a little confused and upset by this, but continued to listen closely to Taiyou.

But that is not all he wants. He wants the power you harbor in your soul, and he will use you as a weapon if he ever gets his hands on you. You must be strong when that happens, and don't let him use you. He will come after your friends and family, so you must protect them. Don't tell them about this, it would be too dangerous for them. And don't worry, I will be there if you ever need help.

The butterfly flew off the little girl's finger, flying towards the sun. After a moment of shock, Kochou ran back to Kirara, who was looking a little worried. Apparently, the talk had been longer then Kochou remember, for the sun was beginning to dip in the sky.

"Come on Kirara, we have to go now. I don't want Daddy to worry." She said, as she got back onto the cat demon, who paused for a moment before running back to home. Kochou remembered everything Taiyou told her, and looked worried as she hugged Kirara so she wouldn't fall off.

Next Chapter- I don't have much of an idea what I want to do with the next chapter, but there will be some more information on Amatsu Mikaboshi's imp, and maybe something on Sesshomaru. To all my reviewers, you guys rock! Thanks for all your support! Finally, if I see anyone copying Kochou or my plot, I will bite your head off! Then I'll use Sesshomaru's Tensaiga, and do it until you stop using them!