Chapter 47

Sesshomaru kissed Kagome's neck, his hand pressed over her belly. There was no hiding her bump now with how quickly she was growing. She was five months pregnant, but was larger than Izayoi, whose bump was still relatively small. Sesshomaru didn't mind, but he had noticed that it was becoming difficult for her to do everyday things. He worried for her as their children continued to grow. He hadn't let her out of his sight to begin with, but now that she was growing larger, her balance was beginning to wane, he refused to leave her side for anything. He knew that he was being a little overbearing but with his instincts in overdrive, but he couldn't help it.

"Have you felt them move yet, Kagome?" Sango asked, leaning back against a cushion that had been provided for her. She only had a few weeks left to go and seemed to be in constant pain. Kagome had called them Braxton hicks, and Izayoi had agreed. Sesshomaru paid close attention to Sango and Izayoi's pregnancy journey, that way he can be prepared for when Kagome begins to experience the same things.

"I feel little flutters a lot, but it's not strong. Sesshomaru can't feel them yet." She placed her hand over his, lacing their fingers. He hated to admit that he pouted anytime Kagome could feel the twins and he couldn't. He wanted to feel them move, to know that they were in there, safe and healthy.

"In due time." Sesshomaru was impatient, but he would hide that for Kagome's sake. He knew things like this couldn't be rushed. Sesshomaru noticed his father staring at him, a proud light in his eye. Touga didn't hide how proud he was of Sesshomaru, and every time Sesshomaru saw it, it made him feel… good. He liked knowing he made his father proud, even with how old he was. He wasn't a child, and yet he still wanted to do right by his father.

"I for one, can't wait to have all four of them running around the shiro." Touga chuckled, leaning back. Izayoi was perched between his legs, Touga's hand resting on her belly like Sesshomaru's was with Kagome. Touga looked up to the night sky, staring at the moon for a moment. It was late at night, InuYasha already in bed.

"We won't ever get a break." Miroku grumbled, but held a soft smirk on his lips.

Looking up at the sky, Sesshomaru registered how late it was. They would need to return home soon, and he didn't want to tire Kagome out by keeping her out later than necessary. "Perhaps we should return home, Kagome. It is getting late."

"I am getting tired." Kagome admitted, giving him a sleepy smile. Gripping her waist, he helped her stand, then stood behind her, grasping her hand in his. Opening his mouth to say his goodbyes, he froze as a fissure of awareness struck his spine.

His head snapped to face Touga, his father tensing as he stood slowly, stepping around Izayoi protectively. They both looked up to the sky, eyes narrowed at the figure that was coming towards him. The last thing Sesshomaru ever expected was seeing his mother again after their last encounter. When he had left her in China, he wasn't sure he would ever face her again. He wasn't sure if he had even wanted to.

Sesshomaru stepped forward, his father coming to stand beside him. The rest merged towards the back, giving the three involved room, but close enough that they could listen. When Satori landed in front of them, the three looked at each other, regarding one another for the first time in months and years.

"Satori." Touga narrowed his eyes, agitated. He didn't trust Satori. Not after what she had done to spite them. "You really are alive."

"I am sure Sesshomaru told you." Satori flicked her eyes between the two, chin raised. "I have come to the realization that I should not have done what I did. Despite you going back on your promise-"

"No!" Touga held up a hand, shaking his head as he laughed at her poor apology. "I will not apologize for choosing Izayoi, Satori. I will never regret that."

"I expected as much from you. I-"

"Do not stand here and patronize me, Woman." Touga snapped with a growl. He took a step towards Satori, and she leaned back, away from his anger. "You would dare to come back after all this time? You stand here, spouting your half-assed apology and expect any of us to give you the time of day?"

Touga was angry. Something that was rarely seen from the older demon. He was normally calm and collected, but as he spoke to Satori, his voice rose, his eyes narrowed. "I gave you everything. I pulled you up from the ground and built a castle around you. I loved you, even cared for you. I made you a promise that I should not have made, but I honored it for over a hundred years. When Izayoi came into my life, I did not throw you away. I built you another castle, made sure you would have anything and everything you needed, and yet you cast it aside."

"I didn't want your castle, I want-"

"You will let me finish, Satori." He snapped, voice thundering. They were sure even those outside of the garden could hear and feel his wrath. "To thank me for all that I did, you faked your own death. You led me to believe that my love for Izayoi caused your death. You chose to spite me, caused me to hold on to that guilt for over fifty years. You were selfish." Reaching out, Touga grabbed her shoulders, giving her a single soft shake. "I could forgive all of it. What you did to me? It would be forgotten if you hadn't brought Sesshomaru into it. He found the body you left behind. He grieved the loss of his mother. It destroyed him, and you did it all to spite me." Touga paused, his hands falling to his sides. "He was not the son you know. He was… lost. He walked down a path that was not good. You caused that because you wanted to hurt me. You left our son wounded and broken. That I cannot forgive. I will never forget what you did to him, Satori. Never."

"I'm sorry." Satori whispered, and this time it sounded sincere. "For all of it. I should not have acted as I did." Head lowered, she kept her gaze on her feet. "You saved me, Touga, from…" Pausing, her hands clenched into fist before she finally looked up at him. "I was hurt, but there is no excuse. You gave me the world when all I knew was chains."

Swallowing, she looked towards Sesshomaru, taking three steps so she was standing in front of him. "What I did to you… I should have thought about your feelings, Sesshomaru. I am your mother. I care for you as such. No matter what was happening between your father and I, I should have thought about you. I failed you."

"Why are you here?" Sesshomaru wasn't sure what else to say. He had never seen his mother as anything other than proud. This pathetic and apologetic Satori was new and foreign.

"I wanted… I'm alone, and I don't like it." She gripped at her wrist, claws biting into her skin. They saw the name there, and while she didn't say it, they knew she was thinking of her soul bonded rejecting her. "I also realized that I cannot fault Touga for choosing Izayoi. I am not sure how anyone can reject their soul bonded. When I realized that, I could no longer be angry with him and I knew that I had made a mistake with faking my death. I understand that you may never forgive me, but I wanted to try."

It was eerily silent, tense as everyone processed what she was saying. She was sorry for everything she had done, and she wanted somewhere to call home, somewhere she had family. In the end, it wasn't Sesshomaru or Touga who spoke first, it was Izayoi. She walked up to Touga, gripping his wrist and making him look down at her. With a bright smile, she nodded. Touga sighed, rubbing his face, his shoulder's slumping. "I will leave the decision up to Sesshomaru, but should he agree, I suppose I can spare a room."

"What of your dislike for humans?" Sesshomaru didn't give anyone a chance to wonder what he will say. "Mother or not, I will not have you insulting my mate."

Satori looked back at the group behind Sesshomaru and Touga, frowning slightly. "Many things have come to my attention. I will not deny that a part of me still dislikes human's, however, it is not as it once was. My view on them is… changing. A lot of things about me are." She looked up at Sesshomaru, eyes sincere. "I will not bring harm to any human. Verbal, physical, or otherwise. This I promise."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, and they all waited patiently. "One chance, Mother. If you fail…"

"You kick me out?" Satori nodded thankfully, her shoulders slumping. After a few seconds, she looked up, back to the proud demeanor she normally carried. "However, I do have a question. Should I avoid the water, because clearly there is something in it?" She motioned towards all the pregnant women with a wave of her hand.

Kagome scoffed before laughing loudly, Sango and Izayoi joining in with her. Miroku smirked proudly while Sesshomaru and Touga rolled their eyes. This was the Satori Sesshomaru knew, and he couldn't help but to be glad that he was seeing that way her again. Perhaps things between his mother and the family can prosper from here. If she truly meant to make amends, this was the chance to do it.

"Would you like to meet my mate? Officially?" Sesshomaru held out his hand, and Kagome walked towards him, leaning into his side and pressing a hand against his chest. He nuzzled into her hair, pressing a hand against her swollen belly. "And these are my children."

"Hello, Satori." Kagome bowed with a smile, nearly toppling over. Sesshomaru caught her, growling when she chuckled. "Sorry. I'm getting top heavy."

"Twins?" Satori looked down at Kagome's belly, then back towards her son. "Potency runs in my line, Sesshomaru. It is no surprise you sired two in one go."

Kagome spluttered, cheeks flaming while Miroku and Sango nearly choked on their laughter. There was a slight dusting of a blush on Sesshomaru's cheeks and tips of his pointed ears. Touga rolled his eyes once again, deciding then that he was ready for bed.

"Goodbye for now, Mother." Sesshomaru grabbed Kagome, and not looking back at the woman that had just utterly embarrassed him, he flew off towards his home. The last thing he heard, nearly had him groaning in exasperation.

"What did I say? He should be proud of himself and his seed."

Kagura paced the floor of her bedroom, furious. She had decided to pay a visit to Sesshomaru. She knew because of her father that she couldn't announce her arrival, so instead, she snuck her way onto the West, and headed straight towards the Shiro.

However, she never made it. Before she did, she heard distressing news. News that had her returning back home and in the heated mess that she was. Sesshomaru was mated and expecting twins. It's all anyone could talk about. Twins. They were rare for demons, and the entire West was excited for the newest members of the royal family.

Letting out an aggravated yell, Kagura kicked over a bench, panting as it slammed into the wall on the other side of the room. Sesshomaru was hers. He had been for years. It was no secret that Naraku was vile. He hurt anyone that got in his way, including Kagura.

It was years ago that Kagura had gotten a break from Naraku's punishments. Sesshomaru had come to realize what Naraku did, promptly threatened Naraku, and for the longest time, Naraku didn't touch Kagura anymore. However, when Sesshomaru cast Kagura aside, the first thing Naraku did was punish her with his miasma. He hadn't held back, made up for the years he had missed.

Sesshomaru meant everything to Kagura. She loved him and wanted him for herself. But more importantly, he kept her father at bay. That was why Kagura needed Sesshomaru back. He belonged to her. She had him first, and she wouldn't let him go that easily. One way or another, she was going to get Kagome and those damned twins out of the way. Sesshomaru would be hers again.

...

Sorry I was late again. I ended up getting three new ghostwriting jobs at once, and I will be adding a forth in a few days. I am having to learn how to manage my time, but I think I am coming up with a system that will work. Hopefully I don't keep missing updates for ya'll. I feel really bad every time I do. Thank you to everyone who sticks around with me while I figure this out. Ya'll are the best.

Now, on to the chapter. Satori is back, and she truly does want to make amends. It won't be easy. What she did was cruel and selfish, and hurt not only her ex, but her son. She has a lot to make up for, but she understands this will be a long road ahead of her. We also have Kagura that is plotting like always. I wonder what she will do?

Don't forget to go to tumblr and look up Fuedalconnection's page. There are two days left for voting, until the 12th. This story was nominated for two categories, and I want to thank whoever nominated it. You will never know just how much that meant to me. I was in a funk and questioning my writing skills. You brought me out of it. Forever one else, head on over and vote, and lets see if this story is good enough to place and win. See ya'll next week!