A/N: And we're back! Disclaimer goes to uhhh…Kaede-baachan!

Kaede: Aki does not own Inuyasha, thus, ye cannot sue her for what she does not own. Aki owns only what is hers, and all others are the rightful property of Takahashi Rumiko, Kishimoto Masashi, George Lucas, and Arthur Golden. Thus ye have all been credited, so ye cannot have a reason to cause Aki any trouble. Aki also wishes to give special thanks to Dragon Man 180 for the inspiration, support, and awesome beta-reading. And now, to the chapter with ye! Go!

Now hold onto your hats minna-san! Here it is! The earth-shattering Chapter 23!


Chapter Twenty-three: The Threads That Bind Us Together

Kyo carefully slid open the shoji and stepped briskly inside, not caring to shut the door. His eyes darted about frantically looking for someone to help him when at last he spotted Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha!" He yelled.

The hanyou turned, staring at the kaze ryuu boy quizzically. Then he noticed Mei Lhi in the boy's arms. "What's wrong with Imouto-chan?" he asked, now concerned.

"The pup is coming…" Mei Lhi answered, turning her head so she could look at her brother. "Get Kagome-chan and Hana-chan, alright? And hurry up, because this is no picnic!" she growled.

Inuyasha didn't need to be told twice. After hearing his sister's first sentence he was already halfway down the hall.

-

"So Sesshoumaru-sama, how should we proceed? We've got this border covered, the local daimyou have agreed to help guard it as well with their armies. But your north border remains very vulnerable to attack, seeing as the only youkai tribes up there are the last few remaining inhabitants of the Northern Yamainu tribe, and the Ryuuyoukai. And we can't exactly ask help from our enemies." An advisor said in a rather speculating tone.

"Sesshoumaru, if I may…" Hana interceded politely, wishing to discuss a strategy.

The taiyoukai's interest was piqued at what plan his mate would have, seeing as she always came up with better plans than any of the idiots he had as advisors. "Hai, you may." He said, making sure that everyone else was paying attention.

"I would propose that we ask Ryouji-sama to assist us with his armies. He did volunteer this after all, since this was in the agreement in Mei Lhi's marriage. So, our northern border would be secure, and I'm sure Ryouji-sama would pick troops he knew were not against us. Thus, our problem is solved."

The door slid open and a servant appeared in the doorway.

"Gomen nasai Sesshoumaru-sama, I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen." The servant apologized with a low bow, only to find himself knocked to the side, only to be replaced by Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, I'm in the middle of an important meeting. Please come back later." The taiyoukai said irritably.

"Baka! I'm not here to talk to you! Hana, I need your help." The hanyou retorted angrily.

"What's wrong, Inuyasha?" Hana asked, now alarmed, seeing as the hanyou never asked her for anything until now.

"It's Imouto-chan. She says it's her pup."

Hana nodded in understanding. "Gomen Sesshoumaru, I seem to have an urgent matter to address." She said, also apologizing in a bow.

Sesshoumaru nodded and then turned to his advisors. "I think we shall conclude this meeting and discuss it another time. Dismissed." The moment he gave the order, the taiyoukai rose to follow his mate and brother.

"Why are you coming?" Inuyasha grumbled.

"I missed the birth of your son. Seeing as I'm here now, I see no excuse for myself to be unable to attend." Sesshoumaru replied calmly.

Inuyasha scoffed before giving the two a look. They both followed where they met up with Kagome who was waiting for them outside in the hall with Aijii in her arms. Together they all took off to come to the aid of the hanyou girl.

-

Hana knew at once why Sesshoumaru was going. It wasn't completely to see his sister's child, but it was so he could ensure the girl's safety. Hana recalled the meeting with the youkai clan heads when they were first discussing marrying the hanyou girl off.

'"Hai, he's right! And besides, wouldn't the high ranking of her husband also affect her health? You're insane, Sesshoumaru! You're condemning the girl to death before she even has a chance!"'

He was going simply to be there to save her if need be. The first of their worries was over. Kyo hadn't turned violent in the first mating, but their second worry was now resurfaced. The girl could die in childbirth.

Hana started to pray silently as she rounded corner after corner, following after Inuyasha, her mate at her side.

'Please, Kami-sama. Don't make him use Tenseiga…'

-

At last they'd arrived. Kyo let out a sigh of relief.

"They're here, Mei. Don't worry, it'll be alright now. They'll take care of you." He whispered into her ear.

Mei Lhi nodded and bit her lip as another wave of pain hit.

"When did they start?" Hana asked briskly, getting straight to business.

"Fifteen minutes ago at least." Kyo replied.

"Have you been keeping count of how close together they are?" The miko-youkai inquired.

"Anno…I think somewhere around four minutes to three and a half…"

"Alright. Kagome, go get all the things we'll need. We can use this room here. I don't want to move her very far." Hana instructed.

Kagome nodded, then turned to Inuyasha. "Gomen Inuyasha, but you'll have to watch Aijii for me." She said as she handed the infant off to him. The hanyou nodded, and watched his mate disappear down the hall.

Hana slid open a nearby door and rolled out the bedding and prepared it so the girl would be comfortable. She then motioned for Kyo to come inside and lay the girl down.

A few minutes later, Kagome reappeared and the two women set the supplies where they'd need them, at last shutting the door, the room's only occupants Hana, Kagome, Kyo, and the hanyou girl.

Mei Lhi was dressed into a short kimono; the two women were rushing and bustling about and Hana pulled out a ribbon and tied back her hair. The miko-youkai was already feeling the pressure, and it had only just begun.

"Oh Kami-sama…" The youkai woman whispered.

"Anno…daijoubu ka, Hana-chan? I can take it from here if you're too tired." Kagome offered, concern reflected in the girl's eyes.

"Iie, I'm fine. On her next contraction start counting. Kyo, I'm sure you can figure out why you're here." The woman said in a firm voice, obviously now having regained her composure.

Kagome and Kyo both nodded, understanding completely.

Hana turned to the hanyou girl. "Now Mei-chan, I'm going to have to take a look inside and see how far along you are, so try to relax, ne?" The miko said calmly.

The hanyou girl nodded, her hand frantically searching for Kyo's. The boy grasped it and laid a kiss upon it. It calmed the girl enough to allow Hana to proceed with a more thorough examination. The calm didn't last long. Mei Lhi let out a small whimper of pain and at once Kagome started counting.

"Time?" Hana asked the miko once the next contraction hit.

"It's around a minute right now." Kagome replied. "Are we going to wait for them to be forty seconds apart or have her start pushing now?" the miko asked imploringly.

"We'll wait for them to get closer together."

"So you're going to prolong my agony, Hana-chan? How sweet of you." Mei Lhi said sarcastically.

"Well if you can manage sarcasm in this state, my dear, I think that you're not in that too great a deal of pain." Hana replied with a small smirk.

-

"Are you going to tell me what you're going to do or not?" Toji asked urgently as he watched Reika gathering objects she'd need.

"No. It's something that I need to do, and if I tell you, you're only going to hold me back. I can't have you as a distraction." Reika replied rather unnaturally coldly.

Her tone shocked Toji so much that he had been frozen for almost a near minute. Reika ignored him, grabbing a dagger with a sharp silver blade and black handle that had a single large upside-down teardrop-shaped ruby set into where the handle connected to the blade.

"What's that for?" Toji asked immediately, now recovered from his surprise, only to be overcome with anxiety and apprehension.

"Its purpose is not your concern." The girl said flatly, tucking the dagger into a sheath. She then grabbed her book, placing it into the pocket of the dark robe she wore.

"Reika! Tell me what's going on!" The boy yelled, frustrated.

The girl froze and turned. To hear him yell, sounding so angry, so demanding, so forceful, it racked her to her core. His face bore an angered expression, and for the first time, Reika looked upon him with fearful eyes. Toji saw this and his expression softened.

"Oh Kami-sama, Reika, I'm sorry…I-I didn't mean to yell. I'm sorry…I-I didn't mean it, I promise you. I'm so sorry. I-it just came out like that…I'm just worried. You're keeping me in the dark; I just want to know what that woman told you." He apologized instantly, his voice soft. Inside, Toji felt awful. He had almost become Reika's greatest fear. It was enough to make him hate himself. He looked downward, unable to bear staring into his beloved's frightened face.

Reika took a small step towards him and several more small steps followed. At last she reached out and touched his face, tilting his head upward to look at her. His eyes refused to meet hers. She sighed.

"Toji…look at me." She said calmly.

The boy reluctantly gazed into her deep violet orbs.

"It's okay…it's okay to get angry sometimes. I understand…but I'm sorry that I can't tell you what I'm going to do. But you're just going to have to trust me on this, alright? And promise me, you won't go when I have to do my duty. I-I don't want you to see me become what I do…when…well…when people die…It's awful. I…I don't want to you to see it…I don't want you to see her…" she trailed off, before at last resting her head on his chest, choking back sobs.

He took her into his arms and held her tight. Together they kissed away tears, doubt, and fear. And soon, their reassurances led to something much greater: the promise of trust and love created by the bond of physical unity. (A/N: Wow. I had no idea I could say 'And they did It.' in such a nice and illustrative way… o.o Even I'm in shock.)

-

"Mei-chan! Now!" Hana said, the tone of urgency quite evident in her voice.

The hanyou girl nodded, gritting her teeth, silently asking Kami-sama to give her the strength to bring the child into the world. She took a deep breath and started to push.

"Come on! You're doing great, Mei-chan!" Kagome exclaimed encouragingly.

"Stop!" Hana said suddenly. "Rest, breathe. I'll have you start again when you're ready." She explained.

"How considerate of you…ungh…Hana-chan…" Mei Lhi muttered in an almost bitter tone.

Her words caused everyone to laugh, but immediately the small moment was interrupted as everyone got back to business.

"Alright Mei-chan. Push!"

The girl nodded, bearing down, praying that it would all be over soon. All the while she held Kyo's hand tightly, and he in return whispered occasional words of encouragement or comfort, or from time to time he would place kisses upon her slender hand. Just knowing that he was there for her to support her all the way, it was enough to give her the courage to keep going. Mei Lhi at once understood why Kagome had wanted to give up. Inuyasha wasn't there for her to be the support and encouragement in her time of need. The hanyou girl realized at that moment, everything in life changes the moment a child is brought into the world. It's a difficult and confusing time, and if someone isn't there to stick by your side until the end, well, you'd just give up, and you'd hate yourself in the end for it. This made her realize at once how grateful she was to have Kyo here with her now. With a silent prayer, she thanked Kami-sama for everything and wished for her changed life to be a good one.

-

Reika found herself rushing to prepare her things once more. She glanced out the window and saw that the afternoon sun had sunk considerably lower than it had been before.

"Kuso…" she muttered.

"What's wrong?" Toji asked, obviously curious.

"I'm going to be late…it's almost sunset."

"What's happening at sunset?" The boy questioned, his interest piqued.

"Mei Lhi's death. And if I'm late, well, let's just say someone else will be collecting her soul, and I won't have the chance to save her." The girl answered, feeling considerably stressed with the matter. "Shit. I've got five minutes. I've got to go."

"I see…"

"Just trust me, alright? Don't follow me. Stay here."

He nodded and sighed, watching as she vanished into a swirl of ashes.

-

"Not much longer now. There! I see the head! Push a little harder this time, but don't overdo it. We don't want to give the poor thing brain damage." Hana said matter-of-factly.

Mei Lhi did as instructed, growling slightly as she strained to gather the strength to push. Kyo kissed her hand again and he whispered a few words, and she found her strength renewed.

"One more push like that should clear the shoulders. Again!" The miko-youkai said firmly.

The tears came to the girls eyes as she bore down once again, the whole time her lip quivered as tears spilled from her golden eyes, until at last when the pain was unbearable, she broke down and cried out, begging for it all to end.

"It hurts! Please…please stop!" she sobbed.

"Mei-chan! It's over now!" Kagome exclaimed, reaching out to lightly touch the hanyou girl's shoulder.

Hana wiped the sweat from her brow and grabbed a nearby blanket, cleaning up the newborn and doing all the little things that needed to be done.

"Congratulations, Mei-chan, Kyo, you have a son." Hana announced with a warm smile.

Mei Lhi smiled and fell back onto the pillows to rest. She was so exhausted. She just wanted to sleep and sleep until she could sleep no more. Perhaps it was the weariness she felt, but she found it difficult to keep her eyes open. Actually, she found it difficult to do anything at that point. Her fluttering eyes saw the sky outside, the sunset was beautiful, she mused. Turning away from the fading light, she started remembering her early childhood. The day she met Kyo and Hakaru, the day of the fire, the day she received her inheritance, the years spent training with Hana, the day she was sealed…Her memories, her life, were flashing by. Then realization hit her like a brick. Her life was flashing before her eyes. She was dying. Only, it didn't hurt, like she thought it would. She felt peaceful and free, almost happy to let go. Then, when she saw the day she had first fallen in love, the tears came, and she became aware of what she was leaving behind. Her wedding…she sobbed more. That same night when she and Kyo became mates, the overwhelming sense of love and cherishment she had felt that night…

It was starting to get harder to breathe, and she looked to Kyo with sad eyes. At once, Kyo seemed to understand what was happening. The hanyou girl felt her breath slip away and in her dying breath, she whispered, "Kago…his name…is Kago…" The final tear that clung to her eyelashes slid down her cheek, and at last, the girl's eyes closed, never to open again. Kyo gathered her into his arms, resting his head on the girl's chest.

"No…you-you can't be dead…our son, Mei. Live for him…live for us…Kami-sama, why?" he sobbed quietly.

And then the door slid open, and Reika appeared. Kyo whirled around in rage, ignoring the tears of hot anger that he felt fill his eyes.

"No! God damn you! No! You're not taking her from me!" He yelled, the tears making their way down his face.

"Move." Reika replied, ignoring him.

"No! I won't move! I won't let you take her from me! God damn it, Reika! You can't do this to me!" The boy shouted, his voice filled with pain and anguish.

The girl stared at him, pulling out her dagger from the sheath. "Move right now or I'll take her from you so fast you won't even get the chance to say goodbye." She said icily.

"No way in hell am I moving! I'm not going to just step aside and let you take away the woman I love! You can go to hell Reika! Find someone else to kill! Mei can't die. She has so much to live for! We have a family now, god damn it!"

"You knew the risks when you married her. You knew that she could die giving birth to your child! If anything, you condemned her to her fate! Not me! Now MOVE!"

Kyo refused to move, and Reika shoved him aside, standing next to the futon, almost lovingly patting the hanyou girl's head, brushing her silver locks away from her face. Reika looked to the nearly-set sun, her violet eyes turning crimson. (A/N: Naruto-style Kyuubi eye color change, not IY youkai bloodlust eyes)

"I told you not to follow me, Toji…" Reika said quietly.

A small swirl of pure white feathers solidified and Toji appeared in a small flash of white light.

"Sorry…" The boy apologized.

"Since you're here, just try not to interfere…" The girl instructed.

Toji nodded, now curious as to what Reika had planned.

"Dear Fates, I prepare to deliver to you the soul of Oda Mei Lhi, the Daughter of the West and Lady of the North. Oda Mei Lhi, born to Inutaisho-dono-sama and Izayoi-hime-sama, sister to Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru-sama, loving wife and mate of Oda Kyoshima-sama, son of Oda Ryouji-dono-sama and Megumi-sama. She leaves this plane as a beloved wife, friend, sister, and mother. She leaves behind all those who love her, and the lessons she has taught everyone shall never be forgotten. The lesson that she preached daily without even knowing it, is that there is in fact kindness still left in the world for the people who are usually outcast from society. Being a hanyou herself, she understood this better than anyone. She loved and befriended everyone she knew for who they were, not what kind of blood they had. Oda Mei Lhi-sama has taught this lesson to me as well, and I owe her my utmost gratitude for being one of the few precious people that I have. That is why I cannot allow her soul to be delivered to you, dear Fates," The girl said in a somber voice.

Upon hearing her last sentence, Kyo's eyes softened, and his expression became slightly hopeful. All others present, looked at the girl with hopeful eyes. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had arrived, curious as to what all the commotion was, and together the two brothers took in the scene, sadness filling them. Immediately, Sesshoumaru gripped the hilt of Tenseiga.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, that sword will not help any…" Reika said, sensing the taiyoukai's movements.

The demon lord's eyes widened slightly, before reluctantly, he released the sword hilt, letting his hand fall to his side.

"Dear Fates, I request an exchange: the soul and life of another in order to return and restore Oda Mei Lhi-sama, so that she may be able to live again. I wish to transfer the life energy of the sacrifice to Oda Mei Lhi-sama, and ask that you take this sacrifice as payment and replacement of Oda Mei Lhi-sama. This sacrifice will be of much higher standing than Oda Mei Lhi-sama, and I am certain that you will find this sacrifice suitable to repay the debts of the life that Oda Mei Lhi-sama has lived. I am also certain you will find the sacrifice much more of a greater soul to gather than Oda Mei Lhi-sama. Wise Elders, Dear Fates, the sacrifice…is me. I, Ikari Reika, take upon myself to return the life from which was taken, and thus restore Oda Mei Lhi-sama, who has become one of my precious people. I owe this favor to Oda Kyoshima-sama and his family for the kindness and compassion that they have shown me these past years. I find that I must repay their kindness by giving the gift of a new life to this girl who has taught everyone she has ever known true kindness. Oda Mei Lhi-sama, I give to you, my life…"

Reika knelt down, pressing her mouth onto the hanyou girl's as if breathing life back into her. When the child of the anti-life pulled away, she shuddered, pain filling her as she strained to fight the overwhelming force of life around her. The living world hurt, for someone as dead as she was. Grabbing the dagger, she raised it above her head with as much ceremony as she could muster with her weakening strength.

"I sacrifice myself in place of Oda Mei Lhi-sama. My will is done." And with these words, she brought the dagger down, her body becoming its new sheath. She felt herself going limp, her strength and all sense of anything lost, she could no longer stand, and at last in a graceful slowness, she fell to the floor, her final sight was Mei Lhi's eyes opening again. Reika smiled and a single tear worked its way down her face. Her last breath was a happy and contended sigh.

'Free…'

-

Toji moved to gather Reika in his arms, not saying a word, he disappeared. The wounds were still raw in his heart.

'"Promise me, you'll trust me, alright?"'

He understood. She knew that she would have to sacrifice herself, and she didn't have the heart to tell him that she was the one that would die. He buried his face into the girl's hair, crying openly, not caring who saw him or heard him. He didn't care. He had just lost the woman he loved.

'She died saving someone else; someone she believed needed life more than she did.' His thoughts told him, as if trying to give him some comfort.

But even still, that thought provided little to no solace. He couldn't help but curse himself for standing there and letting her die. Toji cried probably just as she had done over him so long ago, when she screamed and cried out for him. Now it was he who screamed and cried out for her.

-

The day that Tsukimisou found out that her aunt had nearly died and her geisha idol sacrificed herself was a saddening day indeed. In one moment of agony, all of Tsukimisou's hopes and dreams shattered. There would never be a day that she would become a geisha. She would never get to dress in that beautiful kimono or paint her face. She would never dance and twirl her fans again. There would never be a night where she would sneak out of her bed and catch her idol practicing her dance or song. Like glass, all these hopes and dreams had fallen to pieces, remaining nothing more than broken dreams, broken promises, and broken hopes.

The girl had cried that day, ready to let go of everything she had hoped for, but then and idea came to her: she wouldn't need to give up. All she'd have to do is perfect her song and dance she already knew.

On that day, Tsukimisou made herself a promise. She would become a geisha, somehow, someday, and she would honor Reika's memory by becoming exactly what the two of them had hoped for.

-

"What are your intentions?" The Fates asked.

"I am simply delivering to you the…b-body…of Ikari Reika-sama, the Spirit of Anti-Life…" Toji began, biting his lip to prevent the tears from falling once again.

"We appreciate your gift, dear child. You may go now. She will rest in peace and happiness from this day forth. We thank you."

Toji nodded, gently laying the body before the platform that the Fates stood upon. With a bow, he turned and left.

"Ame-san, take the girl. Prepare her for purification, so that she may be promoted to jyuu. She is Ryuuyoukai no more. She is the full spirit of anti-life now. The half-dead has died and is now full dead." A male voice said once the boy had left.

"Hai, Hiro-san. What shall I do after she is purified of the Ryuuyoukai blood?"

"Begin the reawakening."

"It will be done."

Ame, the silver-eyed Fate called for assistants who carried Reika, and together they filed out of the main room to a large chamber off to the side, where they cleansed the dagger and placed the girl's book off to the side before they placed her into a pool of clear water. Reika's eyes opened slightly, revealing violet orbs for just a split second before the water drew away the Ryuuyoukai blood within her, leaving the crimson eyes instead that stared blankly into nothingness. The crimson eyes of one who is death in all its entirety, so powerful that even life cannot hinder it.

"We are ready to start the reawakening. Ready the altar."

"It will be done, Ame-san."

-

Three years had passed, and since then, a lot had happened. Inuyasha and Kagome had their second child, a girl this time, Satsu, who was now two years old. Mei Lhi and Kyo also had a daughter, Yuriko, now a year old. Kago, their son, was four, and true to his own name, he was quite protective of his little sister. (A/N: Kago means 'divine protection') To be quite honest, there were quite a many new children frolicking about. Miroku and Sango even had a daughter, Tsuyu.

The young children all got along quite well with one another, even the older ones, Rin, Shippou, and Kohaku, now all well into their teen years were together constantly. Everyone played happily together, well all, but one. Tsukimisou, now six, would often sit alone and isolated from the others, refusing to play. Of course her brother Tsurugi would try to make her join in, but every single offer was turned down. Tsukimisou would always be seen reading. (A/N: Holy shit, this is the official 246 pages in Microsoft Word! 246 pages is the length of this fic's predecessor! This means that this fic is LONGER in content, but shorter in chapters! Woo! Yay!)

In fact, it was on a day that she was reading so intently, she didn't even focus on where she went. She ended up walking right into someone.

"Now, now, we should watch where we're going next time, ne? Stories are interesting to read, but I think that they should be put away for when walking." A familiar voice said warmly.

Tsukimisou couldn't believe her ears. She looked up slowly and sure enough, she was staring into the face of her geisha idol.

"Reika-sama!" she cried.

"Shhh…I'm Haruka-chan right now, silly. I'm working. Come little Tsuki-chan. You've missed a lot of training time since I've been away. Don't ask how I've come back…I'll tell you in due time, Tsuki-chan. But I must ask you, have you seen Toji-san?" The geisha said intently.

Tsukimisou nodded fervently. "Hai! He's actually here today. Shall I go get him?" the Inu child asked excitedly.

"Iie, I think I'll let him think that he's imagining things again…before I go and speak with him…" The girl replied.

That day forward, Tsukimisou's broken dreams became whole again, and she knew that she'd be able to keep her new promise along with her old ones. Looking forward, the two of them walked together through Kaede's, now Sango and Miroku's village, stopping to chat with the villagers on the way.


A/N: Alright everyone, that's the end of this chapter, and now I have a depressing announcement. This story ends next chapter, and naturally comes with an epilogue, just as before, so two chapters more and it's all over. I had intended this fic to be much longer, but I just got into the habit of writing really, really long chapters, thus so much of my plot which should have lasted 3-5 chapters worth, all got mashed into one long chappie, thus dramatically shortening the length of the story. But anyways, I haven't got any real big plans for this fic for any other later events. But I think Ch. 25 is a good stopping point for a story so long. Anyways, I've got other reasons for stopping it at 25 chapters. For one thing, school is bloody murder right now, and I'm slowly running out of free time to work on this fic. I've got exams coming up…The dreaded Exit Exam and on top of that, my AP World History test. Fun. Anyways, I really just need the time to study and stay focused on school, because being a sophomore, this year of high school is the one that actually counts for when I want to get into college. And next year, my junior year, I'll be dropping a few classes, so hopefully the workload should lighten then and I'll have my free time back. But I assure you by senior year, I'll be free for good. That year's the whole "woo I'm almost out of here!" year. Anyways, I'm rambling, and like I said before, this fic is 246 pages now! It's the same length as the first one! Yay! And seeing that this has 2 more chapters to go before it's done, well, it's obviously going to end with a higher page count. XD Anyways, ja ne until the last chapter! Thanks for reading! XD