Chie: I got this far. My very first fanfic. –sniffle, sniffle- It's the end, people.

Chapter twenty five – Ode to my family

Six years later

Everyone was there, as they should be. Familiar faces all over. Kirara was there also, the only remaining member of the Inutachi besides the Lady of the West. On Kirara's head was Myoga, dressed in fine clothes for the festivities. Doctor Usugi Kira, the otter demoness was standing in the crowd. A bit to her left was standing Yameko Kagura with her mate Hojo. There was also, much to everyone's surprise Tadachi Shizuki, mated with a kind human male named Akio. Kagome's family was there, naturally, her mother, grandfather and brother Souta, together with Aunt Shaere. Takane-san was there also, the busy vice-president had managed to take some time off from his work, just to be there.

And then there was the Shirakawa-family in all of its glory, the royal family of the North. Kouga, Ayame and Kayade, her younger brother Hiroshi and the twin boys along with the youngest one, the shy little girl Keiko, whose hands were tightly grasping the silk fabric of her mother's kimono. She was a year older than the prince of the West, but a quiet and shy girl. There were rumours moving around that the Northern Lady would be pregnant again. Well, as Sesshoumaru had told his mate, getting many children was the way of the wolves.

The Lady of the Eastern lands still stood alone in her green kimono. They would have to start to look for a mate for her sooner or later.

The little family of the Southern lands was there also. Hitachi's and Rin's eldest son Kiyoshi, who was five years older than Kayade, had finally returned back to Japan from China. Rin was carrying in her arms the younger son, born only three months ago.

Kagome stood beside her mate, who was glancing around the crowd, preparing mentally for his speech. Small light talons brushed against the skin of her palm. Kagome turned her head to the side and smiled down at the barely four year old prince of the Western lands, who was the reason they all had gathered here. The demon pup was an image of his father. Kagome was rather proud of herself that she had been able to produce a full-blooded demon heir for the throne of the West, although, the Shikon no Tama was in fact the reason for it.

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat and the quiet chatter of the crowd immediately ceased.

"First, I have to thank you all for being here. Friends and family, everyone alike. The road to here was long, and I believe we all have changed quite a lot on our way. But here we all are now, and I have to say that at least I am very content and happy this way, two feelings I once thought that I'd never feel. There once was the taiyoukai of the Western lands and there once was a miko who travelled in time. They met several times in the past, drifting from hardship to another just to survive and to meet one another five hundred years later. They weren't quite fond of each other in the beginning but slowly, little by little, they started to get to know one another better and the feelings deepened and warmed up. There were dramatic turning points like their accidental mating and the pregnancy following that event, ending up in a miscarriage. But the dramatics served to show just how deep their love was and together they survived. They got mated only to get some new hardships... But together they survived. Time healed everything. Three became one."

Flashback

"I'm starting to fade more and more," the blue eyed miko-Kagome said quietly as she lay in his arms. "The pull is stronger and the healing is faster now. Very soon there'll only be one left."

Sesshoumaru held her protectively, tangling his hand in her raven hair.

Kagome would get crying-fits and depression would occur every now and then, but it was much more seldom than earlier. And all of her sides had accepted Sesshoumaru as her mate.

"I came to say goodbye to you, Sesshoumaru," the miko said, smiling slightly. "This might be the last time I have enough strength to push the other two aside."

"So you will be leaving me then," Sesshoumaru said, a bit disappointed. The miko-side of Kagome was more serious and mature. He had really enjoyed their long conversations.

The woman let out a melodious little laugh.

"Now, Sesshoumaru. I won't be leaving you for good. I'm fading because I'm fusing with my non-priestess side into the Kagome we both used to be. The girl from modern day Tokyo and the girl who fell into Sengoku Jidai shall be now one. Finally. It's not a thing you should be sad of. You should be happy. We will be one and whole again. Soon.. We are healed. I will still be there."

"But it's not the same thing," Sesshoumaru said quietly.

"No, it's not," the miko admitted. "But it's even better that way."

Few days later when Sesshoumaru woke up, his mate were already up, watching him with her blue eyes.

"Good morning," she greeted him softly.

He rose into a half-sitting position, cupping Kagome's cheek with his large hand, examining her closely.

"What?" she inquired.

"You seem different this morning," Sesshoumaru answered, still trying to find out what exactly was off.

"Well I feel better than I've felt for a looooong time," she smiled.

And then he finally registered her eyes. They were blue, not as sapphire blue as her miko side had had, and not completely blue either, there were hazel touches in there. No more mismatched pair of eyes.

The healing had stopped for there was nothing to heal anymore. She was one again.

He pulled her into his embrace, burying his face into her hair.

"I love you, Kagome."

"Yes darling, I know," she laughed merrily. "And I love you too."

flashback ends

"And after that I was happier than I ever thought that even was possible. I want to thank you all for it meant a lot to both of us to know that you were there, supporting us when it was difficult," Sesshoumaru continued with his speech.

"Mommy," a soft voice called as the small hand tugged her bigger one.

"Yes, sweetie?" Kagome asked glancing at her son.

"Why daddy speaks so much? How long it will take? I'm hungry."

"Sweetheart, you're the prince of the Western lands. Little princes do not complain, they behave. And they certainly do not openly show their boredom," Kagome scolded lightly.

"But I am bored and tired and hungry and – "

"Dear, look at the northern princes. Do they look bored?"

"No, but I'm sure they are anyway."

"That's probably true but the thing is that they don't let it show. Now, you can't be worse than the princes of the North?"

"But – "

"One more word and I'll tell your father how pitifully you complained in the middle of the ceremony and his speech."

The young demon prince straightened his back and fell silent, every slight hints of boredom vanishing from his face.

Kagome inwardly laughed. That threat always worked.

"And then I found out that my mate was pregnant," Sesshoumaru told.

Flashback

She had doubted it for some while already. After all, she had experienced this before and the symptoms were the same. Now she only needed to be sure.

Concealing this all from Sesshoumaru was very difficult. She cursed his high demon senses for tenth thousand time. Luckily she had her miko-powers. Without them she'd have no chance hiding the secret from her mate.

She was almost sure, but needed to be absolutely positive.

"You're spacing out again, Kagome-chan," Kayade pointed out with a small smile. "What's bothering you? I hope all's well with you and 'Uncle Sess'.."

Kagome smiled briefly at the nickname. It was not Kayade's doing but the twins' idea. The youngest sons of Ayame and Kouga were very lively and Kagome couldn't see how on Earth Ayame could survive with them.

"No, it's not that. Everything's great with Sesshoumaru and me.. It's just... Uhh. Promise to tell no one?"

"I will not tell a soul."

"I think I might be pregnant."

"OH! That's wonderful! Congratulations! How did Sesshoumaru take the news?"

"I'm keeping it a secret from him."

"You are? Trying to keep a secret like that from a taiyoukai is nearly impossible."

"Tell me about it."

"Then why?"

"I figured it would be worth the surprise."

"Ohh, Kagome-chan... You're evil!"

"Thanks," the miko laughed, going back to work.

"Hello, doctor. Do you have some time today? ... Well, I just got from work, so ... Yeah ... Oh, that's great! I'll take the subway then ... Good. Okay, bye!"

She tucked the cell phone back into her pocket and resumed her walk.

"Well, well, well! The Lady of the Western lands! Welcome!"

"Oh, stop the formalities, Kira-san, please."

The otter demoness smiled warmly.

"As you wish, Kagome-san. Now, what brings you here?"

"I think I might be pregnant."

"Is that so? Well then, let's find that one out, shall we? This way.."

After a quick check-up the truth was found out.

"Well, your assumption was correct. Congratulations, Kagome-san! You may borrow my phone if you want to tell to the Lord..."

"No need to, thanks. I'll tell him later, after all, I've kept it a secret from him ever since the thought first occurred me."

"As you wish."

"Thank you, Kira-san. For everything."

"You're welcome dear. I'm glad that our lord will finally have an heir."

"I hope he will appreciate it."

"Surely he will! But unfortunately I'm needed elsewhere now, Kagome-san."

"No matter, I should get home now anyway."

"We'll see soon. Come back in three or four weeks. I'll check then better how things have started, okay?"

"Sure. Bye for now, Kira-san."

"Bye," the doctor replied, watching the leaving woman with affection.

"What is this? You hardly ever take seconds, Kagome."

"Well your cooking tastes divine, darling."

"Be careful though, if you make a habit of this, you'll gain weight," Sesshoumaru teased.

"Oh well, I'll be gaining weight soon anyway, so I better start early," Kagome replied lightly.

Sesshoumaru quirked his eyebrow in question.

"Besides, all the food is not going to me anyway. I have to feed the little one too."

"The little one?" Sesshoumaru blinked. At least three different emotions flashed on his face.

"What? It was one of the promises in the mating ceremony too, right? I'm supposed to give you an heir."

"You ... You're ... Our ..."

"Your mouth's agape, darling, you'll attract flies."

flashback ends

'Yeah. All the trouble I went through trying my best to hide it really paid off at that reaction of his,' Kagome laughed in her mind. After Sesshoumaru had got past the first surprise he had been adorable. The dinner there ended as he had dragged her out of the whole apartment, to finish their meal in one very fancy restaurant.

They had told the others the next week, to her family, to Rin and Hitachi, to Abi, to Kouga and Ayame. Everyone took the news with enthusiastic squeals and everyone was so happy for them that it nearly made her heart ache for being just so content.. So happy. Everything was perfect. Though there were times of sadness as well.. Times when her past still had haunted her... Now she had got over it. All thanks to Sesshoumaru.

guess what?

"I think it is time to give this back to you. Hang it on your wall, give it to whom it truly belongs." Rin was smiling as warmly as always, handing him the painting. Sesshoumaru took it, examining the lines his brush had made so long time ago.

With a nod he accepted the gift from her.

"Good. I'll get going now."

"Kagome hoped you would have time to come over for a dinner the day after tomorrow," Sesshoumaru said, remembering how his mate had proposed inviting them over while they were eating breakfast.

"We'd love to," Rin promised. "Bye, Sesshoumaru." She had finally dropped the formalities after Kagome had told Sesshoumaru to tell Rin to stop.

"Bye, Rin. See you tomorrow." He watched her go and then closed the door. He turned and walked into the living room. Few moments later the painting was hanging on the white wall. He watched his handiwork and nodded. Good. Then he walked over to the bookshelf, running his finger on the backs of the books until he found the one he had been looking for. A blue covered notebook. He set it onto the table and went to kitchen.

About fifteen minutes later Kagome got home. She had been out with her old friends, Eri, Yuka and Ayumi. She took off her shoes and her coat, and then heading to living room.
"Sesshoumaru? I'm home! The movie was good and – "her voice died out. There was a painting hanging on the wall see had never seen before. Her hand rose instinctively to cover her mouth as her vision momentarily blurred, one single involuntary tear sliding down the side of her face. Like in a trance she walked up to it, tracing the figures with her finger. Sango and Miroku... Shippo... Inuyasha...

It still hurt her deep. Reluctantly she tore her eyes from the painting. It pained too much to see them all like that, this abruptly.. Her gaze landed onto the little notebook on the table. Her diary. She took it into her hands and fell onto the couch as her weak legs failed her.

"They belong to you, it was time to give them back to you," Sesshoumaru spoke out. Kagome turned her head and saw him standing leaning against the door frame, holding two tea cups in his hands. He had probably been watching her the whole time.

"Them..." she whispered hoarsely. "You mean that the painting is mine as well?"

"I made that painting," Sesshoumaru said softly. "And it's you who inspired me into doing it. Hence it belongs to you."

Kagome's lip trembled slightly as Sesshoumaru walked to her. He placed the cups onto the table and then sat sown next to her. She wrapped her arms around him, crying weakly against his shoulder.

He returned her embrace.

"Even if you forgot, I still remembered. Everything."

From those words softly whispered into her ear she finally found peace and comfort from the painful memories.

flashback ends


"We grew anxious as the months passed until we finally were blessed with a healthy, full-blooded demon child," Sesshoumaru told in his speech.

Kagome stole a glance at her son from the corner of her eye. Oh how she still remembered the moment...

SURPRISE!

"You may come in now, my lord," Kira called from the door way.

Sesshoumaru stopped his pacing around.

"Is she all right?"

"Yes. And so is your son."

"Son?"

In a flash Sesshoumaru was standing next to the bed where exhausted but utterly happy Kagome was lying, holding their child.

Kira smiled, pulling the door shut, leaving the little family into their own peace. Kagome had agreed with her not to let Sesshoumaru into the labour, seeing how he had panicked the last time...

The baby was contently dozing in his mother's arms. A small fluff of silver hair gleamed on the top of his head. His face bore the same markings as his father, save for that he had only one stripe per cheek and that they were lavender instead of Sesshoumaru's magenta twin-stripes. He had perfect little hands with all five fingers, each of which ending with a sharp tiny claw.

"How are you," he asked softly, moving his gaze to the mother now.

Kagome smiled.

"Tired, very tired but more than pleased."

Sesshoumaru sat down onto the edge of the bed.

"He's full-blooded," Sesshoumaru pointed out.

"Yes he is," Kagome replied proudly.

"You did a very good job, my love," Sesshoumaru congratulated, gently tracing the side of her face with his hand.

"Here," Kagome said smiling, "hold your son."

Sesshoumaru hesitantly closed his large hands around the little form. He was a bit afraid that he might break the baby for it was so small and fragile.

"You're doing just fine," Kagome assured. "Now play dad for awhile, I'm taking a little nap."

Sesshoumaru's hold of his son grew more secure after a while and he bent to place a kiss on his mate's forehead. Then he leaned back, taking a good position on the edge of the bed, watching both his son and his mate sleep safely. He would protect them both.

flashback died


"And now, nearly four years later we've come to see this day, to be present in this ancient ceremony," Sesshoumaru finished his speech.

Kagome took their child into her arms and took a step forward.

"Behold, this is Yoshiro, son of Sesshoumaru," Kagome spoke as she held out the pup in her arms to the crowd to see. She turned to face her mate.

"Behold, my lord, here is thy son to whom I have given birth."

Sesshoumaru took the child from her.

"Here is my son Yoshiro. I have accepted him and now announced that he is my true son. After me, he will rise and rule over all the Western lands for in his veins runs my blood and the blood of my clan which has ruled over West since the beginning of times."

"Hail Yoshiro, the future lord," the gathered people cheered.

Sesshoumaru set the pup down and wrapped his arm loosely around Kagome's shoulders, placing a soft kiss onto her cheek.

"Now the ceremony's over but I'd like to have your attention for one more second, for there is yet one announcement to make."

Soft murmur of voices erupted in the crowd of people.

"It has come to our knowledge that the West shall be blessed with another child. My lady Kagome is pregnant yet again."

The crowd broke into cheers and squeals and people started to swarm in closer and closer, to congratulate the pair.

Young prince Yoshiro sneaked away from his parents when nobody was looking, to play with the wolf-twins.

"Now this is what I've been waiting for Kami knows how many years," Mrs Higurashi said when she had finally made her way towards the Western lord and lady. "Keep the grandchildren coming, you two."

Kagome gave a merry little laugh and hugged her mom tight.

"I'm SO happy," Rin declared, hugging Sesshoumaru loosely with one arm for the other one was holding the little Kenta. Hitachi patted the father on the shoulder.

"Congratulations, cousin."

"You still have a long way to go, Sesshoumaru and Kagome," a gruff voice sneered.

"Ah, the wolves who mistake themselves into rabbits," Sesshoumaru teased dryly.

Kouga's grin widened and he stepped up to Sesshoumaru, patting his shoulder with much more force than Hitachi had. Ayame went to hug Kagome who had been chatting with Rin. Kayade came to congratulate with Kiyoshi, Hitachi's son.

"Well done, Uncle Sess. Soon you've got as much as my parents."

"Kami save me from that," Sesshoumaru chuckled.

"Well, there's no chance you'd be able to keep your hands off from your mate," Kiyoshi said, his face grave. "Besides, demons are outnumbered by humans. You should do your best to populate. Otherwise the demon race shall be vanished after years of inbred and humiliation."

"Kiyoshi, we missed you," Kayade breathed out, giggling. She loved the boy, as if they were cousins. They had always played together when they were little.

"Kagome-chan, congratulations," Kayade said as she hugged her friend.

"Congratulations," Kiyoshi nodded.

Kagome smiled at the wolf princess and the hanyou.

"Thank you."

"That's amazing news, Sesshou-kun. I'm happy for you," a soft voice spoke as its owner hugged Sesshoumaru briefly.

"Thank you Shizuki."

"Kagome-sama, take care of everything," the dog-demoness wished, bowing her head.

"Sesshy, you old dog, that's awesome!"

"Cease your squealing, if you please, Kagura."

"Well done, Kagome," the wind-demoness grinned.

"Congratulations," Hojo said, hugging loosely Kagome.

"Thank you."

Kagome turned her head and met Sesshoumaru's golden eyes on her form. He smiled briefly and she sighed. It was a happy, content little sigh.

Yet two years later

She pulled the blanket over the two forms. The twins were so inseparable that they could sleep unless they shared a bed. Who was she to separate them? They were so cute together. Two pairs of black soft doggy-ears twitched in sleep.

"Good night, my dears," the woman whispered gently and walked into the next room.

"Mommy, tell me a bed-time story."

"It's so late already, Yoshiro," the woman pointed out. "You have to get to sleep right away."

"But I want to hear more about Uncle Inuyasha and your adventures when you were young," the boy pouted.

Kagome laughed softly.

"Tomorrow's a long day, my dear."

"I know, I know... Abi-san's and Susumu-san's mating ceremony."

"Right. So now you should be off to sleep."

"Will you tell me a story tomorrow?"

"I'll tell you two," Kagome promised with a small smile.

"I still don't believe that daddy tried to kill you."

"Well, that was then. A lot happened after that."
"So he's not trying to kill you anymore?"

"Of course not."

"It seemed like that last night."

"What do you mean," Kagome asked, raising her eyebrow.

"He was biting your neck. I woke up last night and went to kitchen to have a cup of water and – "

"Oh," Kagome blurted out, blushing slightly. "That. Well... Ask your dad about it."

"I already asked. He told me to ask you."

'Sesshoumaru, you coward,' Kagome accused in her thoughts.

"Well, Yoshiro, ask again when you're a bit older."

"Mom – " he started.

"Now off to bed you go, young man."

He pouted, but Kagome didn't mind. She bent down to place a kiss on his cheek.

Then she turned around and walked out of the room, switching off the lights.

"Hikari and Mizuki are fast asleep. Yoshiro was a bit of problem though," Kagome told as she was undressing herself.

"You could handle him just well, darling."

"Kami know how many times," Kagome answered with a sigh. She walked over to the bed and snaked under the covers, snuggling as close to him as possible. He let out a purring sound.

"He saw us last night."

"I know."

"You didn't explain," she said in a blaming tone.

"Nor did you," he pointed out.

Damn demons and their hearing abilities. She forgot her small peak of anger as Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around her and nuzzled the side of her neck.

"You're tired as well, my love. Sleep."

"I will," she replied, yawning. Kagome closed her eyes.

Sesshoumaru stayed awake until her breath had evened and she was sleeping soundly. Then he watched his sleeping mate, affection and love written all over his form. With his demonic hearing he could also hear the low snuffling sound from Yoshiro's room and the soft breathing of his twin daughters. The taiyoukai of the West felt content – and was purring like a cat. Slowly, pale lids fell to cover the golden eyes as he allowed the sleep to claim him.

The End