Greetings Everyone! I am so sorry for the delay on this chapter, however since finals are coming up soon they have been giving us huge assignments. I know this chapter is a bit short, but the next chapter is the start of the battle!

Everlasting Love

Chapter Twelve

Rin's ears twitched softly as the wind started to howl as the storm outside became more and more violent. At first it had just been snowing really heavily at the beginning of the evening, but now it had turned into a blizzard. A soft hand clawed hand on her bare arm caught her attention as she turned slightly to stare into Sesshoumaru's eyes, a soft smile on his lips as he lowered his head to kiss her gently on the lips. Rin closed her eyes as Sesshoumaru's lips caressed her own as he pulled himself on top of her, his hands lightly caressing her body.

"Sesshoumaru . . ." Rin whispered softly.

"Hmm?"

"Have you . . . uh . . . are we . . ."

Sesshoumaru pulled his head back to stare down at his mate, his eyes searching hers, "What is it Rin?"

"After the war is settled . . . do you . . . are we . . . ever going to have pups?" asked Rin, the last part coming out in barely a whisper.

A soft smile spread on the demon lords lips as he leaned down to lightly kiss Rin before replying "Yes . . ."

Rin smiled back and lightly pushed Sesshoumaru so she was on top, resting her head in the crook of his neck, "So the training starts tomorrow?" she asked, deliberately changing the subject.

"Yes, and Inu-Yasha will be meeting with Bunrakuken's daughter to plan a date for the official battle,"

Rin nodded softly, her eyes slowly drifting closed as the sound of Sesshoumaru's heart beat soother her into a deep sleep.

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January 20th, 1553

Inu-Yasha sighed softly as he stared out the window of the small temple, his eyes almost half closed.

"Sure is taking her time," sighed Miroku, rubbing his eyes softly, "We've been waiting for almost two hours now,"

"You sure this is the temple we were supposed to meet Sakurako?"

"Yes, I followed Sesshoumaru's directions perfectly,"

Inu-Yasha snorted, "Then she's probably being late on purpose,"

Miroku nodded, closing his eyes momentarily, "In a week it's going to be Natasha's birthday,"

"Yeah . . . she's growing up so fast,"

"How old is she going to be? Five?"

"Uh huh, same age as the twins. So have you heard from Kohaku at all?"

"Didn't Sango tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

Miroku sighed softly, "You know that girl he likes, Saya?"

"Of course I know, you told me before that she didn't want to leave the village so he stayed to protect her,"

"Well by tomorrow he should be here at the castle,"

Inu-Yasha's eyes widened momentarily, "Really? He managed to convince her it was safer here?"

"No . . . he's coming alone,"

"What? You mean he's just going to leave her?"

"Apparently what happened is he found her cheating on him,"

"Oh . . ."

"When he confronted her about it, I guess she's been doing it for years," Miroku glanced over at Inu-Yasha.

"Hey don't look at me; I didn't smell anything when I saw her,"

"In any case, he's going to joining us for the war,"

"Too bad for Kohaku though,"

"Indeed, I was thinking for sure that she was the one for him,"

Inu-Yasha nodded and glanced back out the window, "So is Sango still pretty pissed off at Kuranosuke?"

"She won't even look at him, so what does that tell you?"

Chuckling softly Inu-Yasha took a spot on the floor to sit, "That she's never going to forgive him . . . but I'm a little bit confused. At first he said he wanted Sango's daughters,"

"Yeah,"

"But Sesshoumaru said that Kuranosuke only has daughters as well,"

Miroku nodded, "I think what he was trying to say that once he does have a son he would like for an arranged marriage for one of our daughters, but if he doesn't it will be one of our sons,"

"That really sucks for you two,"

"Tell me about it,"

"I'm surprised that Sango didn't kill Sesshoumaru when he made the bargain,"

"As was I, but then Sesshoumaru talked to us in private after all of you went to bed,"

Inu-Yasha's ears perked up, "Oh really? And just what did he tell you?"

"I'm not allowed to discuss it with anyone else,"

"Oh really? Well when I shove Tetsusaiga up your ass will you be thinking the same thing?"

Miroku sighed softly, "Okay, okay . . . Sesshoumaru said that if we went through with it, he would do everything in his power to get Misa out of the first arranged marriage with the headman's son,"

"You're dead serious?"

Miroku nodded.

"I see . . . was Sango happy?"

"Kind of . . . because at least one of our daughters would be out of an arranged marriage,"

"Keh, I don't see why people believe in that shit, makes better sense to fall in love with someone on your own,"

"True . . ."

Inu-Yasha's ears twitched as he heard someone approaching the door, "Seems we have company,"

Miroku faced the door, making his way closer to Inu-Yasha, "About time,"

The door slowly opened as Sakurako stepped through with two servants behind her, "Been waiting long?" she asked childishly.

"Keh, let's just get down to business," said Inu-Yasha, getting to his feet.

"Very well . . . the first question is where should the battle be held?"

Inu-Yasha tossed a piece of paper at Sakurako, "This where Sesshoumaru thinks the battle should be held. It's quite large and away from human villages,"

"Oh, does Sesshoumaru not want any humans killed?" hissed Sakurako.

Inu-Yasha ignored her comment, "Do you agree or not to the place?"

Sakurako unfolded the paper and looked it over carefully, "It is very big . . . perfect for a battle . . . yes I do agree with this place,"

"Okay, next . . . how does the beginning of February sound?"

Sakurako shook her head, "No . . . but around the middle would be good,"

Inu-Yasha smiled, "Alright, and one more thing,"

Sakurako watched as the half demon pulled something bloody out of his robes and tossed it at her.

"Tell your father that if he sends someone else to kill the pups a fate much more horrible then what your brother went through will happen to them,"

Sakurako's eyes widened as she stared at the blood stained shirt that her brother had worn, "You bastards killed him?"

"Weeks ago we did . . . have you not noticed that he's missing? Fortunately for him Sesshoumaru went easy on him since he could only hear his screams for three days," commented Miroku.

"You will pay for what you have done to my brother . . . but I have promised my father not to lay a hand on you,"

"The same goes for us," said Inu-Yasha.

Sakurako smirked, "Very well, we shall meet again at battle,"

"I look forward to killing you," snarled Inu-Yasha.

With a final smile Sakurako turned and disappeared out the door with the two servant's right on her tail.

"Well I suppose that went well," sighed Miroku.

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Kagome watched silently as her two children played in the snow, trying to tackle their father down. Sango was sitting close by, also silent as she too watched her children, both women lost in their thoughts.

"I don't like this . . ." whispered Sango.

Kagome turned her head, knowing clearly what Sango was talking about, "I agree . . . but you know how stubborn Sesshoumaru is . . ."

Sango nodded softly, "Is he really expecting Miroku to fight? If he still had the wind tunnel I would understand but . . ."

Kagome patted Sango's shoulder, "Miroku is a skilled fighter, Sango, and you know this. Even Inu-Yasha finds him a challenge when they fight,"

"I guess that's true . . ."

"I'm worried too Sango . . .but . . ." her eyes shifted back to her husband who was still rolling around in the snow with their pups, "It's not like the fight against Naraku . . . they won't be reckless like last time since they have their families to consider . . . and what we would go through if something happened to them,"

"I take it you and Inu-Yasha have already talked about this?" asked Sango.

"We have, and he's promised me that he will return . . . and I do believe, and have faith in him,"

"I have the same feelings with Miroku . . . but . . . I'm just so scared he's . . . not going to come back . . . I've almost lost everyone in my except Kohaku . . . if he were to die I don't know what I would do . . . raising our five children by myself . . . I don't know if I could do that . . ." whispered Sango.

Kagome sighed softly patting Sango's shoulder again. She opened her mouth to try and comfort her friend, but stopped as she heard soft footsteps approaching them to see Miroku standing in front of them.

"Kagome, Inu-Yasha and your pups are wondering if you would care to join them,"

Kagome nodded and stood, heading towards who mate who was now occupied with all six children. Miroku took a seat beside his wife on the cold stone bench, "Would you care to go for a walk with me?"

Sango lifted her teary eyes to her husband and nodded softly, wrapping her furry kimono around her tighter before standing up. Wrapping an arm around his wife, Miroku lead Sango towards the garden.

Unbeknownst to the two couples and their pups they were being watched by Sesshoumaru who was accompanied by Hikozaemon.

"Everything so far has gone according to plan . . . your sister truly believes your dead,"

"Am I supposed to say that's good news?" asked Hikozaemon.

"Unlike your father, I take it that you like your sister?"

"Well she hasn't done anything to piss me off . . . so I can say that I do like her,"

Sesshoumaru nodded softly, "So why is it that you wanted to meet with me?"

"I would like to ask a favor . . . I know our bargain is that you'll let me live if I fight on your side . . . but I also ask for another favor . . ."

"Which is to keep your sister alive?"

"Correct,"

Sesshoumaru sighed, "I suppose I can let that one slip . . . however she did try to kill my mate,"

"I know . . . I heard from Inu-Yasha what happened . . ."

"Then you know what happened between Sakurako and I?"

"I do . . . she told me the afternoon that you left, however she some how managed to hide it from father,"

"How did she manage that?"

Hikozaemon shrugged, "I have no idea . . . but back to business . . . so will you let her live?"

"Perhaps . . . I'll have to think about it . . . now please leave me . . ."

Hikozaemon bowed and left the balcony, leaving Sesshoumaru alone; the dog demon lord's golden eyes going back to watching his brother playing with his and the monk's children. Pointed ears twitched softly as he heard Miroku talking to Sango in the garden, telling her that he would return safely and that she wouldn't have to worry about him. Sighing, he slowly closed his eyes, vaguely remembering the night he and Sakurako had been together. It was something he didn't want to recall . . . and only thought of it when he was reminding himself of all the stupid things he had done in life.

He felt relieved that Rin had forgiven him, and she was now a full demon since she had finally accepted the blood flowing through her veins. Now the only thing that worried him was the upcoming war and whether or not his plan would be a success.

Toran and her siblings were currently with the human army seeing how well they could hide themselves using Shunran's magic. Akikazu was currently heading back to the East and North to gather to armies that would be helping him, and Kouga was currently training the wolf demons along with his soldiers. The battle would soon arrive and even he, the great Sesshoumaru had slight doubts about winning. If his plan failed . . . it would be a great blood bath, mainly of his own army.

His eyes suddenly opened as a different scent caught his attention, one he had not smelled in a very long time. He watched as Kohaku walked through the front gate, waving at Kagome and Inu-Yasha before the monk's children tackled him to the ground screaming 'Uncle Kohaku!' He was rather happy to know that the boy would be fighting since he was a very skilled fighter.

"It's good to see you again Kohaku," smiled Kagome, giving him a quick hug.

"It's good to see you all too . . ." said Kohaku returning the hug.

"Everything going okay in the village?" asked Inu-Yasha.

"I suppose . . . except that the headman's youngest son passed away,"

"What?" cried Kagome and Inu-Yasha.

"He caught pneumonia and just couldn't get better; Kaede did everything in her power to help him,"

"So has anyone else died?" whispered Kagome.

"A few of the older villagers have, but that's to be expected this time of year,"

Inu-Yasha nodded, "Yes that is to be expected with how cold it's been getting lately . . . and Kaede is doing well?"

"Since she's been staying at your house she's doing exceptionally well,"

"Good to hear. So we heard about what happened with Saya . . ."

"I would rather not talk about it," interrupted Kohaku.

"Would you like to see Sango? I think she's in the garden somewhere with Miroku," said Kagome, changing the subject.

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January 27th, 1553

Sesshoumaru watched impressively as the panther demon tribe disappeared before his eyes and he couldn't even catch a whiff of their scent. For his eyes it really did only seem that Kuranosuke's army stood in front of him.

"Very impressive," said Sesshoumaru, turning to Toran, "I wouldn't have expected anything less,"

"When Bunrakuken tries to attack he won't know what hit him," said Inu-Yasha.

"We have practiced many times with the wolf demon tribe. When Bunrakuken sends his first line down to attack he won't have a clue what happened to them, it will appear to him as if they have disappeared," commented Toran.

"Then when he sends another line down you'll attack again and reveal yourselves," said Sesshoumaru, "Excellent, you may all head back to the castle now,"

Toran nodded and walked down the hill to tell the others. Sesshoumaru turned and headed back towards the castle with Inu-Yasha on his heels.

"We should be able to win this battle with no problem now," smirked Inu-Yasha.

"I wouldn't be getting cocky just yet," said Sesshoumaru.

"True, but I would rather stay positive about the situation,"

"Tomorrow is Natasha's birthday isn't it?"

"Yeah . . . were going to throw a small party right?"

"Yes, of course we will,"

"You know, I find it hard to believe that were really about to go into a war soon, it just seems too peaceful," commented Inu-Yasha, staring up at the dark sky.

"True . . . but that is because demon wars are far different from human wars. We don't try to attack our opponent off guard or at any time and any place. We fight honorably,"

"Well that's a load of bull with how 'fair' Bunrakuken is fighting,"

"At least he's sticking to some of the rules," Sesshoumaru replied softly.

TBC . . .