Chapter 20-Conclussion: Life and Loved Ones

Darkness surrounded Inuyasha for what seemed like an eternity as he heard faint voices that seemed to argue about something he could quite understand. Something else he couldn't quite hear properly was being said, but he blocked it out because he believed it to be of unnecessary importance. His mind wandered around the thought of ever seeing Sango as well as Kohaku again and wondered if being too honorable to Tsubaki was a crime. "My dear sweet Sango how I wish to hold you in my arms one more time and tell you I love you with all my heart," said Inuyasha in the dark recesses of his mind.

At that moment images of Sango's and Kohaku's face's appeared before him like he was staring up into a lake in the air. He tried to move his right arm to grab them, but his body wouldn't respond to his wishes causing him to frown. Inuyasha felt not only was his body not responding, but also he was being held down by an external source outside of his own being. He tried again only harder this time commanding his body to fight this unknown external source as well as obey his command to move on its own. Once again he failed, but not before felt his hand move and grab something hard that wasn't their, but he could clearly feel. It was then Inuyasha heard mumbled words floating around him, but he just barely managed to hear something or someone call to him. He couldn't understand what they were saying at first, but he aught several words despite them being severely muffled. "Gen...eral...Inuy...asha...sir…pl...stop," said a voice that sounded familiar to Inuyasha.

(In the Living World)

Shinn along with several of Inuyasha's fellow soldiers including Ryoushin carried their esteemed general back to Kaede's village as fast as inhumanly possible with Kilala, Kikyo, Kagome, Miroku, and even Sesshomorru trying hard to catch up. When they arrived at Kaede's village Kaede herself motioned them where to place Inuyasha so she could tend to his wounds. "It seems every time I see thy Inuyasha he is more wounded and near death then before," said Kaede as she motioned the loyal soldiers to leave so she could tend to Inuyasha's injuries.

Shinn stayed for a moment to look at a wounded Inuyasha then to old priestess Kaede who was currently bandaging the general's arms. "Perhaps old priestess, but if I know General Inuyasha as I think I do he will survive this and become stronger for it," said Shinn as he left to wait for the remaining demon army to come back.

Almost immediately after Shinn left however, Kaede was disturpted from her healing of Inuyasha by none other then Inuyasha's mate that was Sango. She had come running or rushing if you will into the house to see Inuyasha in his current condition. Sango could only gasp as to see him like that as did Kohaku who came in a moment later with a worried look on his face along with Sango. "Will...will he survive Priestess Kaede?" said Sango in a very worried voice.

"His injuries are the greatest I have ever seen Inuyasha ever receive from any fight he has ever returned from. He has a chance of surviving this Sango, but I don't want to get ye hopes up child for there is more then enough of a possibility Inuyasha will die," said Kaede who felt a little bit disheartened in saying that.

"General Inuyasha will live through this I know he will Lady Kaede. He may have taken a lot of abuse from Tsubaki, but all things that life has thrown at him made Inuyasha stronger then what he has received from Tsubaki," said Kohaku confidently.

"I hope ye are right child for I fear for Inuyasha almost as much as ye both do," said Kaede as she, Sango, and Kohaku saw Inuyasha's blood covered chest barely rise due to his shallow breathing.

(In Inuyasha's mind)

Inuyasha seemed to float around in the even more as he saw the vision of Sango and Kohaku fade away into the shadows of the darkness. "I...I can't take this vast darkness anymore! I want to see my mate again if only if I were to die moments afterwards. I want to see her if only for a moment and I'll be damned if something or someone tries to stop me," said Inuyasha as he stared at the continuation of the darkness as he fought his way out of the darkness and into the light.

(In the Living World-Hours later)

"How bad are his injuries Lady Kaede?" said Miroku as he along with Kagome and the others entered the room seeing Inuyasha's broken, bleeding, and bandaged body.

"Inuyasha has lost a lot of blood, has a massive amount of broken bones on all parts of his body, and has suffered serious internal organ damage," said Kaede as she took a cold wet towel and dabbed it gently over Inuyasha's burning up head.

"Does that mean...Inuyasha will...die?" said Shippo who found just enough courage to say the last words in his sentence.

"Ye do not know much about half-demon physiology little Shippo, but I know enough that Inuyasha will survive if he himself chooses too," said Kaede

"Inuyasha...please don't...leave me," said Sango who was sitting next Kaede and was practically crying her eyes out.

"San...go," said Inuyasha as his eyes started to open as his one good hand reached out to the sound of her voice and grabbed her hand with his clawed and bandaged one.

"Inuyasha you're alright! I'm so happy your alive I was worried so much," said Sango who was about half a second away from hugging him when she realized how fragile he was in his current condition he was so she increased her grip gently on his bandaged hand affectionately without hurting him too much.

"I refuse...to...die like this. It's not befitting...for someone such as...myself to die...this way and besides...it would dishonor you...as well. Something...I would...never want...to do," said Inuyasha who gave a very weak smile.

Sango could only smile at Inuyasha's comment though she knew it was alsoinflating his ego a little and yetit was also...somewhat romantic when he directed ittowards her. "You're too sweet you know that," said Sango as she kissed affectionate on the lips and ignored some of the blood that left his mouth and wiped off some of the blood that was somewhat smeared across hers.

Inuyasha couldn't help, but laugh at that despite it causing him some minor discomfort it received in the process. "So Kaede how...how long am...I going to...be stuck...in...this room...for?" said Inuyasha who could wait to heal.

"Knowing ye Inuyasha you will be out of here in less then a week, but then again you were always were impatient with the healing process so it will probably be sooner," said Kaede as she finished bandaging the right side of his body.

"Don't worry Kaede I'm sure I can find SOME away to keep Inuyasha contained long enough to heal properly," said Sango giving a mischievous smile as Kaede walked away and Inuyasha raised a questionable eyebrow at Sango though clearly knew what she was talking about.

It was Kohaku's turn to speak now. "By the way Inuyasha I spoke to Ryoushin and he said that he convinced Kikyo to give Tsubaki a proper burial that she had in fact requested to you before she died. It took some convincing according to Ryoushin since Kikyo didn't want to do it and neither did Kagome or the monk. However, when we told them it was a direct order from you and that they were going to do it or else they gave in knowing that they were no match for us. Even Sesshomorru was supporting it saying something about 'showing respect to your enemies' or something like that," said Kohaku who shrugged at the last part remembering what Ryoushin had told him

Inuyasha laughed at that and once more winced under pain, but he endured it and smiled a little to compensate for cutting off his laughing. "Thanks Kohaku...for telling me that. Please...go outside and...wait for the...the others and tell...tell them I'm all...right and do...do not wished to be...disturbed under...any circumstances," said Inuyasha as he looked briefly to Kohaku then back to Sango as he gave her his own mischievous smile.

"Yes sir!" said Kohaku who saluted Inuyasha as he immediately sensed something was up with his sister and Inuyasha so he decided to respect their privacy with each other and left with a courteous nod.

(Four days later)

Inuyasha awoke next to Sango who was gracefully covered by his fire rat clothing considering she wasn't wearing much else under it. Despite all of his injuries Inuyasha was able to move within reason by the second and third day and Sango was able to show what she meant by "contained" when Inuyasha was able to move again. Needless to say everyone got the meaning of that word when they heard sounds coming from the little house. Inuyasha imagined poor Shippo in his mind probably thinking he was in here suffering from his injuries when the fox demon was more further from the truth. "If Shippo knew what was going on in here he would be traumatized for life," said Inuyasha who couldn't help, but laugh slightly if only a little as to not disturb Sango from her sleep.

Sango however, woke up regardless of his laughing because she finally had her strength back after nearly burning it all away the past two days. It was only because of her skills as a demon slayer that she was even able to keep up with Inuyasha even in his weakened condition. Pretty soon she would have to toughen up a lot just to keep up with Inuyasha when he was at full strength as well as fully healed. "Hello Inuyasha I trust your MUCH better now?" said Sango in a somewhat her muffled, tired, and happy voice, but she emphasized the words much all too clearly.

"I feel MUCH better my loving mate. Want to go again?" said Inuyasha who emphasized 'Much' as she did and gave her a very mischievous smile.

Sango was a little shocked that he could goagain so quickly, but then again he was a half-demon after all so it was only natural for him to have more stamina then her. "Not right now Inuyasha you kind of...wore me out from last night and I still haven't recovered fully," said Sango in an apologetic like voice but still managed to kiss his chest affectionately as a way to say she was sorry.

"Sorry Sango I didn't mean for you to overexert yourself too much. Can you forgive me?" said Inuyasha in a half apologetic half humored toned of voice as he kissed her forehead.

Sango looked up at him and gave a small mischievous smile as she rubbed her hands around his well muscled chest. "I suppose...IF you make it up to me," said Sango letting the smile increase.

Inuyasha more then understood what she meant and smiled as well only he showed more teeth as he let out a small laugh. "Of course my dear sweet Sango and I know just what I have to do to make it up to you. But first...let us rest a little while longer so we can save our energy for that," said Inuyasha and Sango nodded in agreement since Inuyasha still had one more say of healing left before Kaede said it was all right for him to come out of the hut.

(One day later)

Inuyasha was now wearing his fire rat clothing and Sango had on her usual traveling kimono that you wore when she wasn't wearing her demon slayer outfit. When they both walked outside with her arm rapped around his they heard praising cheers from the demon troops who had waited near the house watching over their general who had in turn watched over them after many battles. Inuyasha couldn't help, but smile at the overwhelming crowd of demons both full and half as they all yelled out "GENERAL" over and over again with weapons in the hand and over their heads. Kagome along with Miroku, and Kikyo were in Inuyasha mind as far away from him as though he were a diseased animal that was infecting everyone.

Only Kohaku, Shippo, Kilala, and even Sesshomorru it finally seemed were the only ones that respected him as what he had become.No surpise thatKoga was nowhere in sightsince his sent was old meaning he had left the shortly after he had arrived here originally after betraying Tsubaki. Inuyasha raised his hand and the cheering slowly stopped as he stared at them all with a smile on his face. "My fellow soldiers as well as good friends I am pleased that you have made it back here after the battle to join me in celebrating, possibly our greatest battle and victory TO DATE!" said Inuyasha as the screams jumped up again another level at the acknowledgement Inuyasha gave them.

Inuyasha raised his hand again for silence and the crowd of demon troops immediately obeyed. "However, this doesn't mean we can let down our guard for second. Now that our...former sanctuary is gone, we will have to locate an area where we can build a newer, stronger, and more powerful sanctuary where those who seek sanctuary may receive it in open arms. That dream that brought us together is still with us because we still believe in it and I refuse to see it die because of this unfortunate set back. In fact I was hoping that we could rebuild here...in this village and grow as we did once more!" said Inuyasha and the crowd roared once more.

Sango and the others were a little surprised by this, especially Kaede who was more shocked then the others. Inuyasha raised a hand once more and walked over to Kaede who now looked up at the seemingly tall half-demon who had a kind and dare she think it...gentle smile on his face and in his eyes. "That is of course...if you would grant me this great honor...Lady Kaede," said Inuyasha who surprised Kaede even more by bowing his head in front of her as a sign of respect to her.

Kaede looked at Kagome and the others who were motioning her to say no. Especially Kagome she notice who was basically waving her arms in a way that said no without the words so Inuyasha wouldn't hear. However, when she looked at those who were all in favor she realized that it wouldn't be just a sanctuary for full and half-demons, but for humans as well who were entranced bydemons like Sangowas with Inuyasha. Kaede knew Sango would one day be with Inuyasha while baring his child and she had to think of the childs safety as well. "Inuyasha...you have my permission and my support to build the sanctuary here in this village" Kaede finally said causing a major cheer from everyone of the army in front of her.

Inuyasha smiled and gave respectful nod and Sango did as well before kissing Inuyasha with a passion. Even Sesshomorru was pleased as he stared at Inuyasha and Sango and chuckled noticeably if only for a little bit as he let out brief half smile that was barely noticeable. 'I think...Father would be pleased by this if he saw Inuyasha now andwith what his half-demonson has accomplished...like I am with him. Congratulations my little brother you finally outdid even me and have earned my respect,' thought Sesshomorru who silently nodded to his brother and left without a word coming out of his mouth on such a subject.

Inuyasha only saw half of Sesshomorru's face however, as he was currently distracted by Sango who he was kissing with a passion equal to if not greater to her own. Shippo's eyes were once more covered by Kilala this time and used her cat tails to prevent Shippo from seeing just how passionate the two lovers were being. Shinn did the same with Kohaku who in his mind as well as the others was still too young to understand the meaning of love and how to 'properly' express itin the way Inuyasha and Sango were doing it in. Of course it didn't matter since almost everyone was happy with this and nothing was going to change it. "Inuyasha I'm so happy right now I don't know what there is that could make this day more happier then I currently am," said Sango as she looked into his pure golden eyes that seemed to scream happiness to her.

"Oh? What about...THIS!" said Inuyasha in a small whispery voice as he gently placed his demon clawed hand on her belly and it was then they both felt something stir deep within her that they both knew was another life.

"Inuyasha is that...?" said Sango with surprise as she felt the little life now stirring inside her.

"Yes. It's OUR child. I can already tell he's going to be strong like his mother, but powerful and handsome like his father," said Inuyasha with an affectionate smile.

"Don't you mean SHE is going to be strong?' said Sango questionably at Inuyasha as she snuggled her head into his chest.

"Well that is a distinct possibility, but till then lets just call the baby a he for now until the baby arrives," said Inuyasha in an even lower voice so no one could hear them.

"For now I suppose, but I'm still every once in a while get to call the child a she," said Sango trying to agree to something along the lines that the baby was a girl.

Inuyasha just smiled and laugh slightly as he then looked into Sango's eyes before saying the one word that possibly brought them together in the beginning. "Deal," said Inuyasha as he kissed her once more as they were absorbed into crowd of demon soldiers as a new celebration was taking place.

The End