Hello everyone! **LEMON** Chapter is finally done! I've been working very hard on fixing the last chapters. I know I said I would wait until the end but I just couldn't. I'm done now, and all the new revised chapters are up. One (Five I think) was even completely replaced, so you should check it out if you want! I wanted to give you the new chapter ASAP! I only decided to update today because I SAW YOUR REVIEWS! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I'm not exaggerating at all when I say they MADE. MY. DAY! YOU guys are the BEST!

Chapter 13: Life

The moon glittered over the rushing waters of the river. Kagome walked slowly along the shore, watching the petals of the cherry blossoms glide over the glassy surface. The cool night air was making her feel calm and serene. After Sesshomaru had gone, Inuyasha had asked her to take the longer walk home. She was glad he had, marvelling at her beautiful surroundings. The world was returning to life after the long winter, filling every part of the forest with new growth. The cherry blossoms were her favorite, blooming the same time here as they always had in her own time. It made her feel happy, knowing her mother and Sota would probably go on a long trip to the ocean like they did every spring. She missed her family dearly, but Inuyasha was her family now. She turned to him, smiling softly at the way his hair reflected the moon, making him look ethereal, like a daydream come to life.

"What are you smiling about, wench?" He asked, a small smile on his lips. He pulled her close, gathering her up in his arms and relishing in her scent. Kami, he loved this woman. As he brushed his fingers through her dark hair he wondered if he had ever loved her more. Now seemed like the perfect moment to ask her the question that had been on his mind since sunset. "Kagome…" He started slowly. His voice was low and serious, even though his heart was full of nothing but eternal love for Kagome. She stared up at him, her eyes glittering just like the first time they made love.

"What is it?" She was a little worried at his tone. He was calm, and looking at her with those perfect amber eyes. She felt her heart flutter under his gaze. He was always able to have an affect on her, especially when he looked at her like that.

"I was wondering if you've noticed… with the new moon only two days away…" He took her small hand in his, holding it to his chest, making her blush a little. He loved that he could still make her blush even after a year and a half of marriage. He smiled at his beautiful wife, who loved him despite everything. Despite his past, his demon blood, his bullheadedness… She was more than he'd ever dreamed of having, and he would give her everything he could in this life to make her happy. Anything, for that soft smile, those sparkling eyes, that heart that beat for him alone. "Kagome…" He said softly, his smile spreading. "You're late." His voice held a small bit of laughter as he said the words. She looked a little confused before the realization dawned, her eyes going wide. Neither of them moved as she seemed to mentally count, over and over, wondering if there was some mistake. Ten days, ten whole days! How had she not realized before?

"You're- You're right… I hadn't even noticed… Do you think… Could I be?" He laughed, pulling her into another tight hug, scenting her tears and beginning to feel his own about to break. Her hands clutched at his back, holding their chest together as their hearts each raced. "Inuyasha!" She cried, pulling at the fire rat, terrified and overjoyed all at once. She'd dreamed of this, giving him a real family, having one of her own. Neither of them knew if it was even possible, as they'd been trying for at least a year. It could still be a fluke, there had been one or two before, but never for as long as ten days. Something in her told her he was right, and this was real. He picked her up bridal style to sit with her in the grass.

"I think so… I think… you're going to be a mother Kagome…" He talked through his voice hitching, trying not to sound overly emotional but failing as the laughter broke through his words. He was so excited, but had also dreaded this day from the moment he realized he was in love with her. He knew what a curse he would be passing down to his children. It was never an easy life, being a half breed. He prayed that they would look more human than he did, being only a quarter. If they didn't, he would love and protect them from the world for as long as he could, the same as his mother had done for him. He looked at Kagome, wiping away a few tears on her face as she did the same for him. The smile on her face was so filled with love and joy as she giggled softly at his reaction to the news.

"And you're going to be a father!" The word echoed in his head, making his heart sink like a heavy weight in his chest. What did he know about being a father? He'd never even known his. Kagome saw his smile fading and knew at once what he was thinking. He'd already had this talk with her, years ago, during the shard hunt. He didn't want kids back then, and had told her all of his many reasons why, only changing his mind once they were wed, after she had practically begged. Even then, it was still tentative for him. He was terrified of the life he knew any children of his would lead, and thought it cruel to bring them into it already knowing what they would suffer. She had reminded him of the happiness he'd found, and the fact that he was born for her. If he'd never existed as he'd sometimes wished, she would have lived her whole life without her soulmate. A fate worse than death, she'd said. She seemed to be repeating the lesson now, silently communicating it with her eyes.

He kissed her, letting all the love he had for her surface as he pressed against her soft lips. She was his mate, his wife, his world, and soon… the mother of his children. At least, they hoped. As they parted he stood, still carrying her as he headed home, not wanting to revisit all of his fears at this moment. She seemed content to lie in his arms for the time being, her head dizzy with the news. "You're going to be an amazing father, Inuyasha." She murmured reassuringly. She meant it. "I know you will be." He smiled, but remained unconvinced.

"How do you know?" He asked quietly. It was an honest question. Kagome was kind, but she was also smart as a whip, and he took her wisdom whenever it was offered. He knew she wasn't lying when she said that, but he wanted to hear her explain to him exactly why, knowing it would make him feel better. She laid her head on his shoulder as she spoke, smiling up at him as he watched the path.

"Because you are kind, and loving." He smirked at his sentimental wife.

"I am also mean and a jerk, when I want to be." He joked, reminding her of the first word she'd ever taught him from her time. 'Jerk.' He had surely deserved it.

"Yes, but you are kind and loving to me, so you will be to her as well." He was about to argue when his ear twitched at her words.

"Her? You've already decided it's a girl?" She nodded against his shoulder.

"It will be a girl, and her name will be… Itsuki." Inuyasha smirked at her confidence. He considered the name carefully, repeating it over and over in his mind.

"That name… is it for the Goshinboku? The tree of ages?" He asked, still not sure if it was right for his daughter, if the child would even be a daughter.

"Yes, it is… To tell you the truth I've liked that name since I was a child, and the tree of ages deserves the honor for helping to bring us together, don't you think?" He nodded, deciding she was right. "With that name, the Goshinboku will watch over her, the same as it did for me growing up."

"Keh… I'm not so sure the tree and me are as good of friends." he scoffed, making her look up at him with concern.

"But it brought me to you… I recognized it right away, even here… I think it wanted me to free you all along." She was happy to see his smile return at that.

"Itsuki…" He murmured, rounding the final bend to their home in the forest. "I like it... I think it's perfect." Kagome smiled happily, nuzzling his neck. "But if it's a boy-"

"She won't be." She said surely.

"But if it is, I get to pick the name." He set her down at the door. She smirked at him, curious to know his top pick.

"And what would you name our son?" She asked curiously, entering through the door and going to light the lamps. He thought it over.

"I dunno, something tough." She laughed quietly as the light returned to the room. He continued his musings as he set his sword against the wall and pulled off the fire rat robe. " What about… Takeo… InuTakeo... I like that!" She laughed outright as he sat at her side, pulling her close once more. "What? What's wrong with Takeo?" She giggled out a quick 'nothing!' as he nuzzled her neck, tickling her. He huffed at her giggling fit, but couldn't help but smile with her. "Well… It's better than my name." Even though he was only kidding, Kagome stopped laughing.

"I love your name!" She protested. He rolled his eyes at her.

"It's not bad, but not very creative… 'Dog spirit'… Keh…" He wandered over to their shared bed. He'd built it himself at her request, raised off the ground with a real mattress, just like the one from her time. He had to admit it was more comfortable than the ground or a tree, like he had been used to before her. He pulled off his kosode, untying his hakama as Kagome walked up behind him, tracing her fingers down the scars on his back, making him shiver.

"It is 'tough,' though, isn't it?" He didn't answer her as she continued to drag her fingers down over his stripes, remembering how they got there. "And you don't seem to mind your name when I say it… Inuyasha…" She murmured softly, giving his name a little desire filled flourish as it left her lips. Her tone made his ear twitch in her direction. She had an excellent point. He did love the sound of his name when she said it, especially late at night, breathy and panting... He wore a wicked smile when he turned to her, immediately pulling one of the ties of her hakama loose as his own fell away. He kissed her with a little extra heat, dropping hers to the floor, leaving her barely covered in only her white kosode. It was open down the front, giving him access to her perfect breasts. He picked her up under her thighs and around her back as though she weighed nothing, licking one of her nipples as she wrapped her legs around him. She moaned softly at the way he licked her, sending little shocks of pleasure through her body. She used her angle to her advantage, petting his ears. They were truly his weakness, turning him on instantly when she touched them. She had known this little trick for years, often using it to tease him when he couldn't do anything about it. He groaned at the trick, turning to to set her lightly on her back in the center of their bed and crawling over her.

Her arms wrapped around his neck as he kissed her again, letting his knuckles trace a line down her chest, giving her goosebumps as he went. Her breathing hitched for the first time as he found the sensitive spot between her legs, rubbing it slowly. He broke away from her lips to study her face. She was blushing again, and already beginning to pant in just the way he loved. "Say it again, Kagome…" He growled. She whimpered as he used his hand to bring her close to the edge. He was very, very good at pleasing his wife, making it his personal mission to learn every one of her weaknesses. He could bring her to orgasm in about 45 seconds flat on a good day, but she liked being teased, and he liked teasing her. "Say my name." He whispered, watching her eyes lose focus and close, enjoying her scent as she became more desperate.

"Inuyasha!" She cried, tilting her head back as she came. Kami, he was good at that. He was better than she was at making her come, however that was possible. He didn't stop, giving her no chance to gather her thoughts as he continued making her moan for him. She twisted her fists in the sheets, reveling in the ecstasy he was giving her as her body tensed to his touch, coming again. He finally relented for a moment as he positioned himself and pushed inside her, making her gasp. "Kami, Inuyasha!" She cried again. He gave a few quick thrusts before slowing to a more tender pace. She couldn't stand the way he teased her with his slow deep thrusting, holding her thigh to push her legs open wide, achieving just the right angle to keep her gasping with every movement.

Everything would push her over when he teased her like this. Every gentle nip at her breasts, every movement of his tongue over her neck, even the way he said her name, it was like torture. She was completely at his mercy, begging him to release her again and again, which he happily did, enjoying the feeling of being inside her each time she came for him. The way her nails ran hard down his chest as she moaned his name made a dangerous look appear in his eyes, enjoying the little sting of pain mixed with the intense pleasure. He finally picked up the pace as he neared the end, thrusting into her just hard enough to make her voice hitch each time he hit her hips. The soft sounds she made for him always drove him insane, but he decided he wanted to hear her really scream before he would be satisfied tonight. He sat back, pulling one of her legs to his shoulder and holding her thigh to pull her down hard again and again. He felt himself slipping from control as her voice soared, just as he'd wanted, but he wasn't done with her yet. He used his free hand to rub at her sensitive pearl, giving him the real screams he had been waiting for. With her loud desperate cries filling his ears he continued to thrust, letting his head tilt back as he waited for her to come again, following as soon as she did, groaning her name as he emptied into her.

He let her leg fall from his shoulder, looking down at his mate as he panted, always impressed with how she satisfied him. She was like nothing he could have imagined, even in his wildest dreams before he'd met her, and he told her so, often. Tonight he only rolled over to lay by her side, staring at the ceiling with her as they both tried to remember how to function. He broke the silence first when his fingers touched his chest, finding raised marks there. He sat up on the edge of the bed to better look at her claw marks down his chest. She could really do a number on him when she wanted, and she didn't even have real claws.

"Kami, Kagome…" He said, a teasing smile on his lips. "The things you do to me…" A satisfied shiver ran through him as he shook his head at his new stripes. He wished for a moment they'd stay for a little longer than an hour, though he already had some permanent love-stripes on his back.

They'd become his 'mark,' a symbol of his mating to her. It was mostly an accident, though a happy one. She wore a small, very small stripe from just above her navel to just below for the same reason. He hadn't known her mark would stay on him, or even that human females could leave mate marks on their men, otherwise he would have asked her to do it on his chest where he could see them. Even so, he was happy they stayed at all, wearing them proudly and loving to show them off any time he could. The two groups of stripes, close to his spine running straight up and down had excited him when Kagome had told him they were there, happy he would always carry that reminder of his wife's love. He even wore his hair up if he ever took his shirt off to do chores. He'd thought long and hard about his choice of mark, placing the simple and traditional single stripe where only he would see it, unless she wanted to show someone, but he liked his much better. They were a statement about the ferociousness of his little wife.

"Me? What about you? I… I lost count again…" She admitted happily, exhausted and satisfied as always. Seeing him inspecting her scratches she blushed. She knew he liked it, a lot, but she still felt a little bad about hurting him. She almost never did it on purpose, but he had ways of making her do what he wanted. She ran her finger over the line that ran straight down the center of her stomach, about one inch above and two below her belly button. It wasn't like a regular scar, but more like a tattoo. It was darker than her skin, and perfectly straight, made by Inuyasha's claw on the night she'd become his mate. She loved it. Not only was it a symbol of her union with him, but it was also, just… cute! She smiled at the idea that soon, a baby would be stretching her belly. She hoped it wouldn't destroy the mark, but knew from what Inuyasha had told her that her body would go back to normal faster than a regular human from any injury she might have, thanks to their mating. Additionally, she would always look like she did now for the most part, aging alongside him. She didn't even scar anymore.

"Sorry… for the scratches." She said softly, hanging off his shoulder to look, running her palm over his chest. They were already fading. He smirked at her.

"You know I love it." He said, kissing her once before standing up to grab the lamp. He put it out before returning to his bed to cradle his wife in his arms. He couldn't remember a time he had ever been more content, letting one hand rest on her stomach over her mark. It was the same way he had laid with her for many nights, but the first time he had done so knowing a new life was beginning to form under his touch. "I love you, Kagome." He said softly into her hair.

"I love you too, Inuyasha." She replied, already sounding half asleep. Her hand rested on top of his as they drifted off.