Chapter 67- Epilogue

Nine months later.

Sesshomaru paced the floor, waiting. It had been hours. Four painstaking hours with no update. Of course, he could feel Kagome through their bond, knew she was in pain. She was trying to sooth him, remind him that she was okay. It wasn't the first time she had done this. But that didn't change how he felt. He couldn't see her. There was a wall between him and his mate, and all he wanted was to tear it down.

"Sit down, Boy." Touga laughed, shaking his head affectionately. "Last time, she gave birth to twins, in the middle of the woods, and managed to deliver both babies herself. This time she has help and is in a controlled setting."

"It changes nothing." Sesshomaru glared at his father, then went back to pacing. Kagome was in labor. Exactly nine months after she had conceived their son, she was bringing him into the world. Life was birthing death.

That was what worried him. He wasn't sure if her birthing death would have any adverse effects. She reassured him, told him that life and death worked in harmony. She was positive nothing negative was going to happen. To her, this was how it should have been all along. A cycle. Life gives birth to death, then death gives birth to life.

If Kagome were to die, then their son would sire life on whatever woman he chose to be with. It made sense. Sesshomaru could admit that to himself, but that didn't mean it put him at ease. Until his son and mate were healthy and in his arms, he wasn't going to be able to calm down.

"Perhaps you should go visit Kazu and Miyuki." Hiroshi offered with a shrug of his shoulders. "Miroku has all the kids with Satori. Satori is heavily pregnant, and I doubt she is much help. You could lend him a hand."

"I will not leave my mate. Perhaps it is you that should be with my mother, not here." Sesshomaru snapped, and Hiroshi lifted up his hands in defeat.

"She's currently mad at me." Hiroshi admitted, slumping. "I ate the dried boar she had been saving." Touga groaned at Hiroshi's expense, and Hiroshi gave him a knowing frown. Touga had been there with Satori's anger during her pregnancy with Sesshomaru. "Shut it. You could have warned me, you bastard. You knew she was going to be volatile. She chased me! She transformed into her true form, chased me down, and tried to eat me!"

"Been there, done that." Touga shrugged, chuckling. "Next time, transform yourself, and mount her. It worked for me."

Hiroshi gave Touga an offended and bewildered look. Sesshomaru could only stare at them. They had grown close, becoming friends over the past few months. Anytime Hiroshi was having trouble with Satori, he came running to Touga asking for advice. Sometimes Touga helped him, others Touga gave him the worst advice ever just so someone else could experience Satori's haughty pregnancy hormones. It was both amusing and horrible.

"I don't know if I should believe you or not." Hiroshi grumbled, rubbing his face.

"Try it and see." Touga grinned, and Hiroshi rolled his eyes. Touga shrugged again, still amused. "I did tell you not to get her pregnant, didn't I? Worst nine months of my life. No offense, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru blinked slowly, annoyed with both his father and stepfather. "Don't you two have work to do?" Anything that would get them away so Sesshomaru can fret in peace.

"Of course, but you know how it goes, family first. Plus, Japan has acclimated nicely to being under one ruler. We are prospering. I think I can be allotted a few hours to meet my new grandson, don't you?" Touga scoffed, as if Sesshomaru had offended him by suggesting that he go and work.

Sesshomaru was about to open his mouth to argue when Hiroshi interrupted him. "You know? It seems like all the women get pregnant at once. Kagome first, then Satori. Now Yumi and Calthal are expecting, and Sango just announced her pregnancy a few days before. All that's left is Izayoi and Nakoa."

"We are going to be overrun by children." Touga grinned. "What a wonderful thought! Perhaps I should talk to Izayoi about another, but I am not sure she would agree. Yona is still young and will be for some time. She may want to wait before we add another." He was pouting now, and Sesshomaru was tempted to throw them both outside.

Before he could, a rush of love flowed through him, a mother's love. "My son is born." Sesshomaru breathed, and he turned to the door, anxious to be allowed in. It seemed like it took hours, but finally Sango and Izayoi stepped out of the room, both of them with tears in their eyes.

"He is a strong and beautiful baby boy. Go meet your son." Izayoi hugged him quickly, then let him go so he could rush inside. He stopped just after the doorway, letting the door shut softly behind him.

First his eyes went to Kagome. She was looking down at their son. Her hair was matted to her forehead, her face flushed, and her cheeks wet with happy tears. She was gorgeous, but then he looked down at the small bundle in her arms. Half and half. That was the first thing that came to mind.

The left side of his son had black hair and an amber eye. The right had silver hair with a blue eye. It was as if he was split down the middle. It was the most unique thing Sesshomaru had ever seen. "He's perfect."

"He is." Kagome didn't look up from her son. He was staring at her, each of them memorizing the other.

Sesshomaru finally walked up towards them. He knew he only had a few minutes before their family barged in. He wanted to hold his son before he was snatched away. "May I?" He sat beside her, anxious to meet his newest child. When Kagome handed him over, Sesshomaru cradled his son in his arms. With a purr, he introduced himself, and the infant purred back. With a tender smile, he kissed the top of his child's head. "Welcome, Tadaaki. Soon you will meet the rest of your family. They are annoying, I warn you now."

"Sesshomaru." Kagome warned affectionately, gently slapping his arm. "I was able to heal myself. These new powers seem to be coming in handy." She was tired, but after a good night's rest, she would be fine.

Both looked up when a light caught their eye. A soul orb had come through the wall. Normally they went to Kagome, but this time it was heading straight towards Tadaaki. She reached out, directing the soul to her, and then sending it to be reborn. "The souls are going to naturally gravitate towards him. I will have to be vigilant. It will be a very long time before he is old enough to take on his new role."

"He will be a child before he is death. He will be loved and cherished." Sesshomaru looked back down at his son, smiling. The sound of the door swinging open brought a sigh from his chest. The rest of the family came barging in, children and all. "See, son, they are annoying." Tadaaki curled his lips in a smile, as if he could understand what his father was saying. Yes, his family was annoying, but he wouldn't change it for the world. Sesshomaru loved his family, no matter what. Looking at Kagome, he silently thanked her. She had brought this family together. She was their glue. And with her, they would never fall apart again.

THE END

...

This is it, the final chapter. It's all wrapped up in a pretty little bow, and I thank everyone for coming along on this journey with me. It took months to write this story, and even longer to post it and all of you were there with me every step of the way. I can never thank any of you enough. I'd also like to thank my editor, Didithereaper. She made this story more readable, because I can't stand editing. lol.

As always, I hope you all enjoyed. I will be posting chapter 1 of the new story, Called Siren's Song. So when you finish this chapter, head on over to check out the new story and let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and starting another story adventure with you guys!