Disclaimer: I do not own 'Inuyasha' or any of its characters.

A/N: Lime towards the end of this chapter.

And thank you so much to those who nominated this story for Best Canon Divergent at the Feudal Connection awards (you can find more about it on their Tumblr page). This is my first attempt at writing a fic and I appreciate it a lot.

Chapter Forty-One: Aftermath

After arguing with Inuyasha some more and making sure the situation was under control compared to their arrival, Koga decided to leave. There was no need for him anymore; he would have preferred to go back to the village to control the situation since Inuyasha was still stuck in the west. He would retrieve Ginta and Hakkaku on his way home and update Kagome on the situation at the castle, only then he would go back to his den; he had been missing for a couple of days already and Ayame was probably getting worried. He did however let the half-demon know that if anything else happened, he should just call him and he would come running.

Inuyasha had nodded and said nothing more, but in his eyes, the wolf demon had clearly read his gratitude for his help. Now everyone was waiting for Jaken and Sesshomaru to come back and without his brother here, the hanyou couldn't go back home.

The fact that he could not be near his mate and children at this time, especially after the attack, made him even grumpier and soldiers and Commanders were giving him the wide berth because of his raging aura. He couldn't even kill that bastard dog because he needed the cat who was still in the village to prove his guiltiness. For now, no one was aware of who was behind the attack, apart from Katsuro, the two guards and Kimi; Inuyasha intended to keep it this way until they could finally slay the traitor. His hands were itching to embed his claws into Noboru's throat and slit it, enjoying the blood pouring from those gashes and the life leaving him.

The fury currently clouding his vision was absurd, it was as if he hadn't even spent hours killing traitors, satisfying his thirst for revenge. It had all been for nothing because as soon as he thought back to that damned Noboru all the anger came flooding back, especially if he was reminded of the plans he had for Kagome. They absolutely need to kill him before she had to come West for Rin's introduction at court, and they needed to do it fast because he damn well required his mate next to him to calm his raging blood.

Rin's introduction was another big issue.

Given the destruction caused by the attack, they would have to deal with quite a bit of trouble to ensure that life returned to normal in the valley that was the centre of control of the Inu-no-Taisho. How on the seven hells were they supposed to fit Rin into all that mess? It wasn't safe and it wasn't for his whole family either. The mating of Sesshomaru with a human was already a big problem per se when the life in the castle seemed rather quiet and there was no risk of sneak attacks. But, now, it seemed even more like they were fumbling in the dark.

What had little Rin just been sentenced to? Would she be able to survive the next month without too many injuries? It wasn't the physical ones that worried him; the half-demon knew his brother wouldn't let anyone hurt her. But the emotional ones were another matter altogether.

The years Inuyasha and his family had spent in the palace had not been enough to melt the hearts of much of the opposition. of course, they had stopped whispering under their breath or commenting on how much the presence of half-breeds and humans within those walls disgusted them because they had learned what both he and Kagome were capable of. However, with Rin's arrival, they would find new prey, possibly even more vulnerable and Sesshomaru would never be able to stay with her all the time. Add to that the fact that sooner rather than later it would come out that the reason the dai-youkai had disappeared for two weeks leaving them almost defenceless... Rin would be even more hated.

All hell would break loose.

Inuyasha was pacing back and forth, occasionally running a hand through his silver hair, and completely lost in his thought that he didn't notice Katsuro came near him until the dog demon called him a third time.

"Inuyasha?"

"Uh?" he turned to look at Katsuro, "oh, it's you. Sorry, it's that this whole situation is making me go crazy and then... Fuck!" he scrubbed a hand across his face. "I need to come back and make sure Kagome and the pups are fine; I need to see with my eyes they are not hurt or..."

"I know, your instincts are going wild," Katsuro nodded laying a hand on his shoulder and interrupting his babbling, "it's normal seeing that your mate and pups come always first. It's actually unbelievable that you're still here."

"Even my human side is screaming at me to leave this place and go back home. The only thing that is keeping my feet firmly on the ground is the shred of rationality that I have left. And, believe me, up until a few years ago I wouldn't have even believed it possible either."

"I suppose then, it's not the right moment to go talking with Noboru?" he asked tentatively. "You seem ready to kill someone and I don't know how good it will make to you if we go down the dungeons and you have to refrain yourself from attacking him. You already know you can't."

Inuyasha clenched his jaw and tried to take a big breath to calm down or, at least, regain a modicum of self-control, but to no avail. "No, it's ok; I want to hear what his poisonous tongue has to say," he growled. "That bastard is dead set on destroying my family, if I rile him up enough he could let slip something important."

When the two reached the dungeons, Shinichi and Arata, the guards who had previously accompanied Katsuro, were now guarding the cell where Noboru was imprisoned. The demon sat calmly with his back to the wall and his eyes closed as if his current position didn't bother him in the slightest. Even though only a few hours ago he had yelled, threatened and struggled with the treatment he had been given. As soon as he felt the flaming aura that was Inuyasha opened his eyes and sneered at the newcomers.

The cells had a barrier that could be activated whenever someone was imprisoned, but depending on the demon, it was also decided whether to assign him guards or not. Because of said barrier, when they finally arrived they didn't enter but stayed outside, looking at the prisoner through the bars.

Inuyasha locked his eyes with the bastard's in front of him, but before he could even think of opening his mouth, Noboru preceded him. "Release me, half-breed." The guards next to him stiffened and were about to scold him but a hard glare from Inuyasha stopped them. They didn't want to be at the mercy of his anger, after all.

"I will if you tell me why should I," Inuyasha cooly replied. It was a mystery as to why he was able to maintain such a controlled and serene facade, his facial features perfectly schooled, not giving away a minimum of what he was thinking if, at the same time, his aura radiated immense rage and bloodlust. It was as if, momentarily, both brothers were residing within the same person: the cold lethal Sesshomaru and the feral unpredictable Inuyasha.

"What does that mean? You ordered them to keep me locked up in here. You think of yourself as God right now because you're the one in charge, don't you? But as soon as my nephew came back you'll have to answer him on why you imprisoned me without reasons," Noboru growled. "Even your late father had been always cautious with me; Sesshomaru is no exception. They don't want to cause family problems, after all. But now that you had bitten off more than you can chew..." he trailed off.

Noboru knew well how it worked with the silver bastards; he had always been careful to carry out his plans of conquest in the dark and away from prying eyes and he had never given them the opportunity to point the finger at him. And even though there was no love lost between him and Toga, then Sesshomaru, and they knew he would have gladly dethroned them, they had never been able to do anything. Without a shred of evidence against him, their hands were tied. Just like when he had tried to kill that damned pup, but the incompetent one had failed and gotten herself killed, a pup! How fucking hard could it be to eliminate a pup?

He knew that if they had killed his sons, the half-breed would have been more reluctant to come back to the West. And Noboru needed him away. But now that he had dared to throw him into the dungeon without any proof, he had the upper hand. Even though the attack had wretchedly failed, this misstep of his would give Noboru a chance to counter it somehow.

Just as those thoughts graced his mind, a wicked loud laugh reached his ears and Noboru hardened his gaze as soon as he realized Inuyasha was laughing at him. It seemed amused, why in the hell should he be?

"Oh, that's rich, really; I needed that," Inuyasha commented offhandedly. "You spoke with such confidence that one could almost believe you." He leaned over the bars but was careful not to touch them. "I think you miscalculated, Noboru. I've done everything I need to secure the safety of my lands. You on the other hand..." he looked at the claws of one hand absentmindedly, removing imaginary dirt then raised his gaze again toward the dog demon, "are currently deemed as a threat and when my brother will return and learn of the events of the last few days I'll finally be able to indulge in my great desire and use these same claws to slit your throat," concluded nonchalantly as if they were discussing simple topics such as what clothes to wear to the next council.

"You? Slit my throat? Don't make me laugh! There are no accusations, you can't keep me here. It's an insult! I've lived here for centuries and the first half-breed who comes along thinks he can afford to talk to me like that? What will become of us at this rate? We'll see when I get out of here who will be the last one to laugh," Noboru bellowed enraged. He came closer and grabbed the bars with both of his hands, forgetting for a moment that they were enchanted and a hiss followed his actions. Inuyasha snickered quite loudly. "Your glory days in this castle will soon be over as soon as I'm done with you and those little brats you call sons. You're all abominations, monstrosities that shouldn't have even drawn their first breath. Maybe then I will finally have fun with that cute ningen you call mate; that's what humans are only good for, after all," he sneered. "Tell me, half-breed, how fun is it to fuck one of holy blood? Do you think your sullied miko will beg me as well?"

Inuyasha clenched his fists, his body stiffened at the umpteenth threat the dog demon made to his pups and mate but refused to let the bastard goad him. In a deadly voice that caused chills to run through everyone's body, he spoke. "Yes, it will be an immense joy to sharpen my claws on your skin." He turned on his heels and left the dungeons without adding anything else.

Katsuro remained alone with the two guards and the traitor. His gaze landed on the latter; everything from the expression in his eyes to the posture of his body betrayed the disgust the First Commander felt for Noboru. He let the silence settle over them for a couple of minutes before he spoke. "You will currently remain in this cell until you are granted a trial. You are charged with high treason against the Inu-no-Taisho and his family, as well as for the attack on his army and castle. It pains me to remind you, moreover, that the constant threats made against Inuyasha-sama's family do not help your situation. Enjoy you're staying here, Noboru-san," he concluded, then inclined his head towards Shinichi and Arata and left.

"I thought you had more honour than this, Katsuro," Noboru's words followed him while climbing the last stairs, "but apparently since you were very good at licking old Toga's boots, you don't even find shame in submitting to his half-breed son."

The sun was about to set when Muteki while playing quietly in front of the house carefully watched by Osamu, looked up at the sky and noticed a black cloud coming closer and closer to them. He quickly stood up and signalled to his companion to watch as well, but as soon as Osamu made to draw his sword and get into attack position, the cloud came closer, revealing itself to be a two-headed dragon demon.

The seven-year-old quarter demon started jumping up and down waving his arms up in the air. "Ah-Un, Ah-Un! It's Ah-Un," he exclaimed excitedly. The dog demon next to him laughed at his antics, while Kagome reached them outside attracted by the noises with Toga by her hand and Kichiro following them.

"Wha-" she tried to say but she was stopped by the shriek of the child next to her.

"Mommy, mommy, It's Ah-Un!" Toga cried out, pointing at the sky too. Kagome gasped following his gaze, now clearly distinguishing the figure of the dragon with Rin and Jaken on its back.

"It seems Jaken finally found them," Kichiro offered. "We can hope Sesshomaru-sama is already at the palace by now."

Kagome nodded. "Inuyasha, are you coming home soon too then?"

The dragon gracefully descended into the clearing that was in front of the priestess' house; Rin hurried off its back and ran towards Kagome.

"Kagome-chan, Kagome-chan," the young mother was suddenly engulfed by two thin arms, while Toga left her hand to go greeting Ah-Un along with his older brother. Kagome cupped Rin's cheeks and started checking her all around her body to ensure she was okay.

"Rin, oh my Gods, Rin. I was so worried; we didn't expect Sesshomaru to keep you away for so long, how are you? Nothing bad happened?" She frantically asked. Rin shook her head, and a warm smile graced her lips. "Then come, you'll tell us everything inside while I make you something to eat," she said curtly, wrapping her arm around the girl's shoulder. "Boys, come inside, you'll play with Ah-Un later."

"But Mom!"

"NO, Mommy!"

Two different cries reached her ears.

"Actually, Kagome, I need to leave with Ah-Un immediately," Jaken interjected with an air of importance; Kagome turned to him. "Sesshomaru-sama entrusted me to bring Rin to you but now I am required to go West," he concluded.

"I understand, Jaken," Kagome complied. "Refer to Sesshomaru that we will take care of Rin until the time comes for us to go West too," she instructed, "and to -"

"I will tell your mate you're safe too, Kagome," Jaken preceded her, then promptly climbed back on the dragon and signalled him to depart westward, leaving two pups pouting behind.

Osamu shouldered the smaller of the two and said, "Don't worry, you'll see your friend again sooner than you think."

The pup didn't seem mollified by his answer and with a very Inuyasha-like pout, he shouted, "I wanna play now." He stomped his foot to reiterate his words, hoping he could the something out of it even if he had seen the dragon leave the village. He was grumpier than usual, he missed his Daddy and now that his Mommy was fussing over Rin-oba, she would forget about him too and...

Suddenly he felt a pair of arms grab him and throw him into the air. He let out a shriek that normally would have made his father's ears flatten on his head and instinctively closed his eyes, expecting the worst. Two seconds later, he found himself wrapped in an embrace and opening his eyes he met Osamu's dark, smiling ones. Next to him, his older brother was again jumping up and down and shouting "me too, me too." Kichiro complied and promptly threw it in the air, enjoying the child's crystal clear laughter.

Toga watched his ponytail waved in the wind and the way his golden eyes shone. Turning again to the one who was still holding him, he raised his own arms and demanded a second round. Osamu grinned and internally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had just avoided another one of his endless tantrums.

As was often the case with children, in fact, it took very little, a game that seemed more interesting at the moment, to make the pup momentarily forget his worries. The guard, however, was not naive: he knew that soon, Toga would start asking about his father again and monopolizing his mother's attention, demanding more cuddles from her, as if she had to compensate for the missing parent's ration as well. At the moment, though, he enjoyed the peace and the children's laughter, while Kagome, turning to see what the noise was about, watched them with a smile on her lips before escorting Rin inside to begin her third degree.

Sesshomaru arrived West definitely long before Jaken brought Rin to the village, and the scene that lay before him was worse than he had expected. Who had dared to attack his lands? How was it possible that in such a short time someone had assembled an army capable of causing such disaster?

However, if the dai-youkai had arrived even a few hours earlier the situation would have seemed even direr to him. But demons were people who acted quickly and didn't let themselves be taken by despair. That's why, as soon as they had received orders to get to work, they had started the reconstruction, starting from the disposition of the bodies of the enemies – most of them had already been burned – and the management of the losses.

It was expected that within ten-day, with the help of some specialized demons, they would be able to return the valley to the splendour of a few days ago. The next step would be rebuilding all the destroyed homes and repaying the civilians who had been affected by the destruction.

The few remaining traitors, those who had attacked from within and were not part of the groups recruited from foreign lands, had been taken into custody, bound and denied any right while waiting for their sentence to come. Inuyasha had decided to wait for his brother to establish what to do. No one of them seemed inclined to tell them about the plan or whoever was behind it, so he didn't believe Sesshomaru would have spared them. It seemed that they were being extremely loyal to Noboru and that had irked him a lot; the bastards knew that they were going to die anyway and weren't going to say a word. That's why the half-demon had given up for the time being; his brother would have been more convincing.

When Sesshomaru finally landed in front of the main castle's walls everyone at work stopped waiting for his first reaction. The dog demon's body was still, his aura radiated rage, fury and blood lust; his gaze was menacing and no one dared to approach. He would have likely struck whoever came closer, so they waited for the fury to be unleashed and for the worst to come.

However, none of that happened. After a couple of minutes of silence, Sesshomaru retreated his aura, recomposed himself and marched without hesitation towards the main entrance. All who stood between his feet hastily cleared the way for him so as not to incur his wrath; they knew that a cold and impassive Sesshomaru was even worst.

He headed towards his private chambers and almost immediately he was reached by his mother and his half-brother whose aura was out of control. Sesshomaru could not recall ever having seen him so angry except when his youngest son had been targeted, and not even when at the time he had gone to seek an alliance and it had ended badly between them had he seemed so enraged. Apparently, a lot more had happened than what his senses were communicating to him, and Sesshomaru would find out sooner rather than later.

"Sesshomaru," the half-demon roared, as soon as the three of them were alone, "where the hell have you been? Why have you not warned us you were going to stay away for so long? Fuck! I could have come here sooner, assure that nothing like this happened and look around you now! Innocents young demons have died because of your reckless behaviour! I'd never expected a stunt like this from you." He was pacing the room restlessly, his hands moving frantically, tugging his hair, his posture stiff and, at the same time, shaky.

Sesshomaru's mother was, instead, calmer but the dog-demon could easily detect the anger radiating from her body too. Inuyasha wasn't the only one blaming him for his foolish behaviour. He mentally snorted; he was just assuring himself a descendence, he had done nothing wrong. Sesshomaru hadn't predicted Rin's heat to start so late, and for this reason, he couldn't have warned anyone.

"We took a bigger risk than you think son," his mother cooly started. "Inuyasha was only able to arrive a few hours ago and without him, leaving your soldiers to fight for two consecutive days, losses were inevitable, considering that the enemy had prepared a bigger army than you think. Rogue demons kept coming and we were attacked on every front. Even if our army was stronger, their numbers were higher. Whoever was behind the attack had been planning it for years probably and was just waiting for a misstep. There was a rat between your servants; it has already been cared of but she was able to inform her master of your plans and that you wouldn't come back soon. At that point, it was only a matter of a couple of days before they gathered their forces and attacked us," Kimi summed up.

"Stop your stammering Inuyasha; I don't need you to lecture me," Sesshomaru finally spoke. His tone suggested that Inuyasha shouldn't dare to continue with his accusation. However, the hanyou wasn't in the mood for his high and mighty self and didn't heed him a bit.

His gaze was blazing and reserved just for Sesshomaru. "My stammering, Sesshomaru? What the fuck do you think you're doing coming here after I had to care for everything that happened while you were having fun fucking your mate on all fours? Those fuckers went to attack my kids because you weren't here because you didn't warn me!" he bellowed enraged. "They have waited for them to be alone to attack and if my seven-year-old son hadn't been studying how to erect a barrier during the last month they would have succeeded and who knows what they could have done then, what would have been of my sons! They planned to kidnap my mate, have their way with her and then kill her and you even have the guts to tell me to shut up?"

"The village has been targeted too?" Sesshomaru answered back, now he understood well the reason behind Inuyasha's fury and he couldn't blame him after all. His brother probably had been forced to come to West and remain here waiting for him, while his instincts went haywire because they were screaming at him to come back to his family and don't leave before the threat had been annihilated; even after that, they probably wouldn't have settled. Inuyasha's bloodlust wouldn't settle soon; he could have killed hundreds of demons and still be enraged; he needed his mate to calm down and he needed now. "Hn," he murmured, "I understand, Inuyasha."

"That's the only thing you're going to say?" Inuyasha spat out bewildered. "You understand?"

"I cannot go back in time, can I? The only thing I can do is fix this situation and kill whoever was behind the attack. Am I correct in my suspicion, little brother?"

"Yeah, the fucker is behind bars right now. I have proof he's the mastermind behind this fucked-up plan. Noboru really thought he would have succeeded, as if," he snorted.

Sesshomaru raised his brow, but before he could form his question, his mother interjected him. "They were able to capture the demon who threatened the pups. He's currently at Inuyasha's village under the old priestess's custody; he confessed everything."

"Very well, we will only need to retrieve him then, won't we? Inuyasha, go back to your mate; I cannot focus on my tasks with your aura flaring all over the place. Stay there for as long as you need, I don't care what you do, but then I want you to come back here completely in control of yourself. I will handle the situation here while you are away; there is no need for you to remain, but avoid being away for too long. When you return take that demon with you, and we'll get him to confess again, in front of more witnesses, and then kill the traitor." He hissed at the mere thought of his mother's brother doing all of this. But they finally had something against him, Sesshomaru could finally destroy him after all these years.

Inuyasha noticed the murderous intent in his eyes and spoke up, "Oh, don't go there brother. I don't care how long you have been waiting for an opportunity like this, but I'll be the one to slay his throat. The fucker was the one to order Kagome to be brought to him, he even tried to strike at my pups when they were just newborns. I have the right to kill him, no matter what you say." His tone left no reply.

Sesshomaru gazed at him for a moment and then complied. "I will let you win this time, little brother. But that does not mean I will not have my fun with him before you gave the final blow," he stated. "Now go, I cannot stand this raging aura of yours."

"What about Rin?"

"Obviously, now I cannot bring her here to the palace or in the presence of the council. It will have to wait until the threat is completely removed. You will have to care for her safety until then," he instructed.

Inuyasha didn't answer him, not that he was expecting something different and there was no need for Sesshomaru to tell him he had to care for Rin; as if he would have done something different. Quickly, Inuyasha left the royal wing and headed outside, where Kirara could transform in her battle form and bring him back home.

They arrived at the village that it was late night and Inuyasha felt a little sorry for the efforts he had forced Kirara to make during the last few hours. As soon as she landed in front of his house, Inuyasha climbed down and patted her affectionately. "You did very well, girl," Kirara nuzzled him in response, "you need your rest now, go home. If we are lucky Sesshomaru will send Ah-Un here as soon as I need to come back to West and you can go back at Kohaku's side."

Kirara reversed back to her kitten form and proceeded to go back to Miroku and Sango's hut after another little cuddle with the half-demon, and Inuyasha hurried inside. Probably, everyone was sleeping.

He was quickly intercepted by Kichiro and Osamu who were silently guarding the inhabitants of the hut. He inclined his head and then gave them instructions: one was to stand outside and the other in front of the pups' room. Focusing on their auras, Inuyasha could detect Shippo's presence too and that made him feel slightly better. But his kids were currently sleeping with their mother like every other time he was missing from home and he was welcomed by the heartwarming image of them cuddling against Kagome. Silently he took Toga and Muteki in his arms to carry them to their room; the children were so tired that they did not move at all and immediately snuggled up in their father's arms. Inuyasha made a sign to Kagome that he would be back soon when she woke up afraid and brought the pups next to Shippo, making sure they were well settled and had everything they need. He tucked them in and place a kiss on each of their foreheads. Kagome had quietly followed him to the kids' room and was now silently crying at his display. They had been missing Inuyasha so much that it didn't take much for her to be moved.

Inuyasha turned to her as soon as he smelled her tears and quickly scooped her up in his arms, bringing her back to their room. When they finally were again on their futon he started kissing her all over her face, on her nose, her cheeks, her brow, the jawline and then stopped under her ear. "Shh, it's okay," another kiss on the shell of her ear. "Shh, I'm okay, I'm here now."

Kagome kept sobbing in his arms, and he tightened his grip on her. "You don't have to fear anymore, I'm here; I'll protect you and our pups. Nothing will happen to them." His mate nodded, unable to say something and he waited for her to calm down.

They stayed for a few minutes snuggling like this, enjoying the contact and the embrace and yet, it wasn't enough.

The truth was that even though he had finally been able to lay eyes on his family, to see that they were all okay, even though he was currently holding Kagome in his arms, he needed to feel her closer to him, to stake his claim on her again, be united with his mate in the most intimate way. Inuyasha needed to touch every part of her, search for everything that could be wrong, hear her soft pleas in the night, her arms and body clutching at him while she was lost in pleasure. His inner demon was raging after all the threats that have been made to her... after more than one demon had dared to think they could take her as they please. His instincts were screaming at him to show everyone whom she really belonged to, scent-marking every inch of her skin over and over until her own scent was drowned in his. He was too riled up to let her fall asleep again, his erection already at attention poking her belly.

Gently, Inuyasha started grinding himself against her, his lips nibbling at her pulse point and his hands went under the folds of her clothes, searching for bare skin, grabbing hold of her breasts, pinching her nipples firmly to elicit a reaction from her.

She sighed lightly, tilting her head to grant him more access. "I-Inuyasha... I'm tired," she said half-heartedly.

"Shh... Kagome," his hot breath was hot against her neck. "I need this..." with his knee he spread her legs and started pushing his hard-on more firmly against her core. "I need you." His lips went up again to catch hers with such a hunger it almost frightened her, while one hand went down to untie the knot of her nightgown so that he could easily reach her sex; her scent had already spiked despite what she was saying. Inuyasha's moves had already aroused her, and he was sure that caressing her labia he would find them already slick.

When Inuyasha had brought her to bed again, Kagome had imagined he would let her fall asleep in the warmth of his arms, she hadn't expected him to start arousing her, taking advantage of every little weakness she had. He knew she couldn't resist when he started kissing and licking on the spot between the shoulder and the collarbone, when his fangs scraped her skin decisively or when he rolled her bud firmly between his clawed fingers. Unable to resist his advances, she arched her back and pushed her hips back to feel his hardened manhood pressing against her now aching core.

Kagome was left at her mate's mercy and couldn't have opposed very much.

Quickly Inuyasha freed her of the clothes and then got up to remove his as well, while his eyes never wander off from her body, taking in everything she was, the beauty he was about to make love to. He descended upon her and adjust himself between her legs, his erection trailing up and down her nether lips to catch as much possible of her wetness, teasing her clit with it, knowing that she wouldn't last long if she was stimulated this way. He smirked when she began to breathe more heavily, her lips parted and her body shivered. He stroked her more firmly and watch her come undone, her moans and whimpers raising dangerously in volume.

"Shh," Inuyasha repeated against her lips, "you don't wanna wake the pups." Without waiting for her to stop trembling, he entered with one hard thrust. Her walls immediately clung to him, almost suffocating him and he stilled fighting against the urge to take her wildly. No, he wanted their joining to be slow and more tender this time; he wanted to watch her as she rolled her eyes back wrapped tightly in his arms. He pulled back and thrust into her earning more pleasured cries that he swiftly swallowed pressing his lips on hers. With her tongue, Kagome pushed past the edge of his lips and licked his fangs, before biting down and then pushing herself even further into him. His arms clamped around her quivering body and brought her almost in a seated position while still pushing into her.

They made love that night more than once, Inuyasha tireless emptying himself in her again and again, coating her in his scent, exploring her body as if this was the first time he had her and feeling calmer only each time he felt the warmth of her skin under his hands or lips. When he recognized the smell of her exhaustion he let her go; Kagome snuggled in his arms as his fingers tenderly stroked her back, lulling her back to a dreamless and comforting sleep. Finally, he kissed her on the top of her head. "You are everything I have, Koibito," he murmured when her breath started evening out and he was sure she was one step away from falling asleep completely. A lonely tear threatened to fall down his cheek while he uttered those words. "I won't lose you."

Inuyasha raised his eyes to the ceiling and sighed; he was home again, his family was safe. He buried his face in Kagome's hair and sniffed quietly; the room smelled of their unions but his mate was coated in his essence, the smell so strong he felt himself hardening again. There was no way he would wake her up, so he focused on other matters, like how life was going to be hard in the next few weeks. The half-demon took a deep breath and he held her even tighter in his arms; his family was safe and he would make sure it would stay that way, as it had been for the past few years from the moment he had made Kagome his. He had nothing to worry about.

A couple of hours later and earlier than he would have liked, Inuyasha was woken up by two small bodies jumping on him and the soft laughter of his mate next to him.

"Daddy!"

"Dad, you're back!"

Muteki was hugging him by his waist and Toga clung to his neck, his grip so tight as if he was trying to choke him; he recognized the relief and the fear coming in waves from them. Inuyasha quickly moved in a sitting position and then scooped them up, placing both in his lap, focusing on their baby scents and the happiness that was now replacing the previous emotions. "Did you miss me, pups?" he softly asked while nuzzling their cheeks.

Muteki nodded, not leaving the comfort of his arms, his head leaning on his hard chest; Toga raised his watery eyes at him. "Daddy, I was so afraid because the bad demon wanted to hurt you, but mommy told me that you would come home soon and you did!"

Inuyasha wiped up his tears with his thumb. "I'll always come home, Toga, no matter what," he reassured him nuzzling him again.

Kagome stood up smiling, adjusted her nightgown and then informed them she was going to prepare breakfast while they spent some more time in bed. Inuyasha gazed at her, noticed her dishevelled look and the robe that clung to her every curve like a second skin, then raised his brow. "You're going to exit this room dressed like that?" his hard tone made her clearly understand what he thought about her decision.

Kagome huffed. "So what? I never had time to wash and dress before you puppies started demanding food."

Inuyasha closed his eyes, took a deep breath – the air still smelled heavily of sex and he found comfort in their mingled scents – and tried to reason that there wasn't anyone who would threaten his mate outside the sanctity of their bedroom. Yet, his demon inside was chafing at him, demanding he wouldn't let their mate go outside so scantily clad where any other male could see her. His rational mind knew that the two guards outside weren't a danger, but still, they were unmated and in their prime. "I... Kagome, I..." he fought the urge to swear in front of his kids because he knew what expected him if he did that. "I'm sorry, but I don't feel comfortable with you..." he trailed off.

Inuyasha suddenly felt a warm hand rubbing his right ear, trying to soothe him. "It's ok," Kagome murmured, understanding what he was trying to convey. "I'll put something other on and then later we can go all wash together, what do you say?" she proposed. Inuyasha mumbled something and she left the room after giving her men a quick kiss on their forehead.

"Where is Rin?" Inuyasha asked later while they were quietly having breakfast. Toga was still in his lap and, since he was equally incapable of eating neatly and cleanly, it was more the food he left on his father's clothes than what he could put in his mouth.

Their table was a little crowded that morning with Shippo that was not away for his exams and the two guards eating with them; there was little space for everyone. Kagome was currently stirring some more rice in the pot on the firepit. Much to Inuyasha's relief she had put on his fire-rat robe, knowing what it would mean to him. "She wanted to spend the night at Kaede's; she said the house was a little overcrowded," she explained.

Inuyasha stiffened. "What? But the fuc-" a death glare from Kagome made him stop and rethink the way he was wording his question, "the cat demon was in Kaede's custody; you left her to sleep within the same hut?" he panicked; they shouldn't even let him look at Rin.

"Relax, Inuyasha, of course not."

"Then what?"

"The demon had been moved to another currently empty hut and ofuda were placed against it to avoid him getting out; men are also guarding him," Kichiro offered.

"Is that safe? I don't want him to hurt any of the villagers," Inuyasha continued.

"We thought about that, don't worry, koi. Miroku and I took care of everything and you can go check on him after we went to visit Rin. We will all go together, isn't it true children?"

"Yes! Mommy told us that Rin-chan is now our Oba-sama," Toga piped up, turning to his father and accidentally throwing at him some sticky rice, some of it even got stuck in his ear. Inuyasha twitched it to try and remove it but to no avail; Kagome giggled and went to help him.

"Will this mean that Rin-Oba will move to the western castle with Sesshomaru-Oji, dad?" Muteki inquired while sipping his green tea next to Osamu.

"Not right now, Muteki. Your uncle will have to prepare the place to welcome her," Inuyasha answered and they didn't even know how much longer it will be.

"So she can still play with us when mommy is busy with Kaede-obaa-chan, 'Teki!" Toga squealed happily, jumping while in his father's lap. This time the waving chopsticks throw some rice into Kichiro's eyes and he hastily wiped them to remove it. This pup was really a handful; the fox couldn't imagine when he would grow up. Shippo's laughter next to him reached his ears.

"It's nice to see someone else be Toga's victim for once," he murmured while the family kept eating and laughing at the youngest of them's antics. "Besides, maybe he and Sango and Miroku's kids will stop harassing me for once, you have more tails than me," he snickered. Kichiro gulped.

Inuyasha locked his eyes with his mate and smiled warmly; yes, he would have made sure things remained this way.

An hour later, when everyone was feed and washed, and every grain of rice had been removed from hair, clothes or other difficult places, they headed towards Kaede's hut to greet Rin. Kagome had told Inuyasha that they had already visited her and she seemed to be fine. However, as soon as the half-demon moved the curtain that served as a door and his eyes rested on Rin, he received a shock and couldn't hold back the gasp that came out of his mouth. Her fresh scent, now highly covered with Sesshomaru's, held within a thinner one, one he had learnt to associate with the start of a new life and pregnant women.

Rin was already pregnant.

Inuyasha ignored everyone's quizzical looks and, clenching his hands, he wasn't fast enough to stop the words that were out a moment later: "That fucker!"

A/N: How will Inuyasha and Kagome handle the news of Rin's pregnancy knowing what's in store for them? Will Inuyasha confront Sesshomaru?

The next chapter will be posted in a week. Meanwhile, for those who haven't read it yet, I posted a One-Shot about little Toga's birth. Be sure to check it out!

Review as you like and be safe!