Chapter 30

Kagome sat under her favorite sakura blossom tree, rubbing her very large belly. Ami sat beside her, reading one of Kagome's books. The mother to be watched the morning sun rise into the sky. She thought back to the terrifying night that happened a few weeks ago. Sesshomaru barely left her side now. If he couldn't be there, Ami was glued to her.

'Flashback'

Sesshomaru sat in the infirmary with his mate in his lap. His eyes were still rimmed red. Kagome had not awoken yet, though Genji assured him she passed out from stress, he was very worried. He berated himself for leaving his mate unprotected. He should have known better. His guards and maids we're currently cleaning up the mess in his room. His general and a few of his spy's were out looking for his housekeeper, who must have fled when things did not go his way. 'When he is found, he will suffer.' Sesshomaru thought.

Kagome stirred, frightened, making Sesshomaru tighten his arms around her and growl low in his chest, soothingly. "You are safe mate." Sesshomaru spoke. "Mmm, Sess? What happened? Where is Masaki?" Kagome asked, confused and scared. "This Sesshomaru disposed of her, she will not harm you again." He spoke, firmly. Kagome relaxed and rubbed her stomach, her pups were kicking and moving around restlessly. Kagome looked at Genji who stood nearby. "Are my pups okay?" She asked worriedly. "Hai, milady. They are restless because you are. You need to try and rest. The stress isn't good for any of you. Please try and sleep." The healer said, then left them alone.

Kagome sighed and tried to calm herself and her pups. Sesshomaru placed his hand on her belly and rubbed small circles, letting his chest rumble to sooth his family. "I apologize for leaving you unprotected, mate. It will not happen again." Sesshomaru said. "Sessho, it wasn't your fault, she had a vendetta. It won't happen again." Kagome soothed. "It will not." He agreed.

'End flashback'

Kagome sighed, her mate blamed himself and still did. He seemed down lately and she wanted to cheer him up and knew exactly what to do. The young woman heaved herself up with the help of her friend. "Thank you Ami, could you have the cook prepare a fruit platter along with some rice, fish, and sake then have it all put into a basket with a blanket to sit on then bring it to me?" Kagome asked. "Of course milady." The fox demoness said, while she escorted Kagome inside, then left to do her tasks.

Kagome walked slowly to her mate's study, she wasn't the fastest these days but that was alright with her. Servants bowed as she passed and she smiled back. When she made it to her mate's study she walked in without knocking. Upon entering she noticed two demons talking with her lord. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I'll go." Kagome said anxiously, turning to leave. "Stop." Sesshomaru said sternly. Kagome turned around and looked at her mate. He in turn looked at the men in the room. "Leave." The daiyoukai spoke seriously. The demons stood and left immediately. "I'm sorry Sess, I didn't mean to"- she said but was interrupted. "Come here." He said intensely, holding a hand out to her. Kagome walked to him and sat on his lap. "You will never feel inferior to any in my presence, this is where you belong." He said then kissed along her neck. Kagome moaned then pressed her lips to his in a heated kiss. The two fought for dominance and Kagome had to squeeze her thighs together to relieve the pressure. Breaking apart to breathe, Kagome looked at her mate with hooded eyes. "What is it you needed?" Sesshomaru asked her. "I would like to have lunch with you, outside." Kagome said as she stood. "Once you're done with your meeting, I'll be waiting in the garden. There will also be dessert." She said with a wink as she walked to the door, hips swaying. Sesshomaru growled and leapt after her. He pulled her into his chest, one hand on her throat the other traveling down her waist. He pressed his nose into her hair and licked her neck. "Until lunch, Koneko." He said huskily, then let her go. Kagome blushed with a smile and quickly left the room.

An hour later Kagome waited deep in the gardens for her mate to arrive. A few guards stood nearby. Laying out the blanket, Kagome then sat with her basket and waited. She felt her mate's aura nearing, signaling the guards to leave. Sesshomaru appeared around a large hedge then stopped in front of her. "Please have a seat mate." Kagome said as she poured some rice wine for him. Sesshomaru sat down and took the wine. "I wanted to spend some time alone, and have a nice meal together." Kagome said excitedly as she took out all of the food. "I'm my time, we called this a picnic. Couples would go on one together as a way to wind down and connect." She explained. "Hn." Sesshomaru replied as he watched her work.

Kagome laughed and talked with Sesshomaru. She loved spending time with her mate. She was now sitting in his lap while they talked about this and that. "I think these little guys might be coming along soon. They feel so big." Kagome said fondly as she rubbed her stomach. "They are strong. It will not be long now." Sesshomaru confirmed, also rubbing her stomach. Kagome looked at her mate with a big smile, then got lost in his eyes for a moment. She leaned in slowly and they shared a passion filled kiss. Things began to heat up as Sesshomaru laid Kagome down on her back. She moaned and wrapped her leg around her mate the best she could with her belly in the way. Her mate's hand tangled in her hair and she wrestled with his clothes. It was time for dessert.

Later that evening, Kagome and Sesshomaru got ready for bed. Kagome was still laughing at Rin's newest tactics for staying up a little longer. "Mate." Sesshomaru said. "Yes love?" Kagome asked. "The southern and eastern Lords will arrive tomorrow. The demons you saw in my study were their vassals." Sesshomaru said. "Oh, what will they be coming for?" Kagome asked. She remembered vaguely of Jaken telling her why a few days ago, but forgot. Pregnancy brain, she figured and giggled to herself. Sesshomaru raised his brow but did not comment any further. "When a lord mates, he does not present her until she is pupped." He replied. "It is required that I now formally introduce you to all of the lords." He finished. "I see, why isn't the northern Lord coming then?" She asked. "The dragons of the north have never seen eye to eye with the west." Was Sesshomaru's reply. "He was invited and that is my only requirement." Kagome just shrugged and thought about it no more.

In a dark cave high in the mountains, the northern lord sat on his throne. "You will leave immediately, do not fail me my slaves." The dragon lord commanded as he smirked evilly. He also would be leaving soon. He had plans for the little miko and Lord of the west.

Kagome was getting ready for the Lord's arrival. She and Sesshomaru would receive them with tea, Sesshomaru would make his introduction and then they would be free to leave when they pleased. Though these things didn't usually go that smoothly. Kagome hoped they would like her. She was nervous because she was weakened right now and wasn't able to prove she was a powerful and worthy mate for her lord. They would have to go by her mate's and her word.

"There you are milady, you are ready and you look beautiful." Ami, her servant said. "Thank you my dear friend. I just do not feel it. I'm absolutely huge!" Kagome said, frowning at herself in the mirror. "Oh Kagome, you are pregnant, not huge. You are growing the heirs to our land. It is a beautiful thing. You are beautiful." Ami said, kindly. "Alright, I believe you." Kagome said with a smile. A knock on the door had Ami rising to answer it and nearly getting pushed over by a panicking toad. "Milady! You must hurry, the Lords are arriving," screeched Jaken. "Yes Jaken, I'm ready, we can go now." Kagome said, half running out of the room. "Carefully milady if you are hurt, I could never forgive myself." Jaken cried. Kagome laughed but slowed down.

When Kagome entered the throne room where they would receive the other lords, she smiled at her mate as he held a hand out to her to help her sit down. "I apologize mate, all of these layers plus two babies takes a long time to manage." Kagome said, with a smile. "You need not apologize, koi." Sesshomaru said, squeezing her hand.

Sesshomaru looked at the servant standing near the door, he felt the auras of the two lords waiting outside to be announced. "Proceed." Sesshomaru spoke. "Lord Nao of the East and Lord Hideo of the South." The servant spoke loudly. Sesshomaru stood and waited as the other lords sat down on their cushions on the other side of their table.

The first to sit down was an old Tengu demon, he gave off a proud and arrogant aura. He looked to be a mix of raven and bat. He had long black hair tied up into a top knot. His wings stood as tall as he was. He wore a black fighting kimono, red armor and three swords at his waist. He was very intimidating, Kagome thought.

The second demon looked much more kind though equally old. He was a panther demon. His fur was a cream and brown color and he wore an elegant green and golden fighting kimono. His brown hair was pulled up into a warrior's bun. He had no armor and only one sword. He smiled at Kagome as he walked towards them and she decided she liked him right away.

"This Sesshomaru welcomes you to his home. May I present my mate, Kagome, miko of the shikon no tama and Lady of the West. She carries my sons and heirs to my throne." Sesshomaru spoke highly, then sat down. Kagome bowed her head but said nothing.

"It is an honor to meet the woman who could capture the heart of this cold demon." Lord Hideo spoke, bowing slightly in return. "The honor is mine milord." Kagome replied with a smile. Before she could say anything else she was interrupted by the other lord. "This human is who you have chosen to mate?" Lord Nao spat at Sesshomaru. "Hold your tongue in my home, Nao." The dai of the west spoke. Lord Hideo sighed. "Do not mind that old demon Lady Kagome, he is stuck in the old ways." Lord Hideo said, waving off the rude comments of the tengu demon.

Lord Nao slammed his fist onto the table making Kagome jump and Sesshomaru growl. "This is no joking matter, we Lord's are held to a higher standard and a human for a mate to a lord is a dishonor against us all." He spat. Sesshomaru growled loudly and was about to speak when Kagome placed a small hand on his thigh. "May I speak, my lord?" Kagome asked. "Hn." Sesshomaru said while glaring at the angry tengu. Kagome turned and smiled at Lord Nao. "I can understand your concern for your kind and status. Though I am a humble human, make no mistake of my strength. I may be weakened at the moment but I can and will defeat anyone who stands to harm those I love." Kagome said, making her eyes flash white for a moment. She had enough power to do that. The lord of the East looked shocked while the lord of the south laughed. "She is no ordinary human Nao, it is plain to see." Hideo said with a smile. Nao scoffed and stood, "I do not approve of this pairing." He said and turned to leave but stopped with his back to the others to say, "the East still stands with the West," then left. Hideo chuckled, "I think he likes you." Kagome giggled and began drinking her tea, all tension now out of the room.

"Well my dear Lady Kagome, it was wonderful to meet you. I do hope we can see each other again soon." Lord Hideo said with a bow to Kagome. "I look forward to it, Lord Hideo." Kagome said with a bow. "Lord Sesshomaru." Hideo said respectfully with another bow. Sesshomaru bowed his head slightly then watched the panther demon walk through the gates then fly away on his yuki cloud.

The ruling couple were just turning around to go back inside when Sesshomaru felt the aura of a dragon. Growling, the inu demon turned towards the gates and looked beyond the trees in the surrounding area. "The Northern Lord approaches." Sesshomaru spoke. "I thought he wasn't going to come?" Kagome said, confused. "As did I." Sesshomaru replied, pulling his mate behind him, he did not trust the dragon.

Kagome peeked around her mate's shoulder to see a tall demon walking towards them. His evil aura rivaled that of Naraku's. He had long, greasy, black hair that was pulled together at the end with a black ribbon. He wore a simple crown that had thorns on it, and seemed to be made of a dark wood. He had black stripes on his cheeks and red eyes. His skin was very pale and his fangs yellow. He wore a black kimono with shoulder pieces that pointed outward and heavy black armor with red symbols on the stomach. He looked very intimidating and Kagome found herself stepping closer to her mate.

The dragon lord stopped about ten feet away from them and just glared. "So this is your filthy mate. Pathetic." He seethed. Sesshomaru growled. "Lord Mazoku, you will refrain from insulting my mate on my lands." The dragon daiyoukai laughed. "No matter. She is below me to even insult. I have come to rid her from you. I think I may kill you as well." Mazoku said, then pulled his sword and charged forward.

Kagome watched on as all hell broke loose. Sesshomaru grabbed her and jumped backwards. Leaving her near the entrance where guards now spilled out of. Her pups immediately surrounded her in their green barrier. Sesshomaru bellowed out Taiyo's name then connected his sword with his opponent's, forcing him back. Mazoku jumped far into the sky and pulled out what looked like a circular whistle from his sleeve. A sharp, piercing sound rang out and immediately everyone covered their ears, even Sesshomaru. The dragon lord smirked as many shadow creatures came out of nowhere and attacked the guards. Kagome screamed as she watched many get cut down. "Why do they not fight back!" She thought. At that moment Taiyo appeared in front of her at the ready. Kagome watched as a shadow creature was about to attack her general and he seemed to be oblivious. "Taiyo to your left, block quickly!" Kagome yelled. She realized quickly the others couldn't see these creatures. Taiyo did as he was told and held a face of shock when his sword met another. Kagome was about to instruct him on the next move of the shadow thing when the whistle blew again making the creatures disappear then Lord Mazoku roared mightily. Transforming into his dragon form he flew off, quickly without a word.

Sesshomaru sheathed his sword as he watched the dragon disappear then quickly went to his mate. The green barrier dropped at his arrival and Sesshomaru grabbed his mate to check her over. "I'm fine. The shadow creatures didn't touch me." Kagome reassured. Sesshomaru looked at her confused. "Explain." He commanded. "When Lord Mazoku blew that whistle these things came out of the shadows. I don't think anyone else can see them. No one was able to protect themselves." Kagome explained, sadly. General Taiyo sheathed his sword and said, "hai, I saw nothing. I have heard of a being that milady is describing though. They are called shadow people. It is a rare ability to be able to see them. I am not surprised, our Lady is very powerful." The general finished with a smile. Kagome wasn't listening to the two friends talking though, she was off trying to help the injured get inside to Genji.

Later that evening Kagome was undressing for the night, she and her mate were retiring early due to the eventful day. "Mate, you are sure you are well?" Sesshomaru asked her for the third time. "Yes love, though exciting it was, I am well." Kagome said from behind her changing screen while removing her last layer of kimono, and dressing in her sleeping yukata.

"I am happy to be going to bed though, I am pretty ti"-

Sesshomaru stopped removing his armor and turned around to face the changing screen. He couldn't smell or hear his mate. Immediately he was on the other side of the screen and found no trace off his mate.

All across the land the furious roar of a scorned mate could be heard.

Kagome felt like she was being pulled through mud. It felt wrong. She could barely see, sounds were muffled, and her head hurt. Suddenly she was thrown to the floor, thankfully landing on her back. Her head throbbed. She looked around and noted she wasn't in the west anymore, but some sort of large, poorly lit, cavern. She felt her pups kicking restlessly. It hurt too. She knew her sons were trying to use their barrier but it wasn't working. Their distress was thick to her and she desperately wished to ease their fear. Looking to her right she saw the feet of those shadow creatures just before they disappeared. She groaned as she rolled to her side attempting to sit up. What she saw terrified her, chilling her to the bone.

Lord Mazoku sat on his throne smiling widely as the miko at his feet shook with terror.

~End Chapter 30~

Lord Nao Of the East (Demon-Tengu)Pronounced (Nah-Oh) Meaning-Honest (Tengu demon is an elevated status demon of mixed species)

Lord Hideo Of the South (Demon-Panther) Pronounced (Hee-deh-Oh) Meaning Excellent male child

Lord Mazoku Of the North (Demon-Dragon) Pronounced (Ma-Zoh-koo) Meaning- Devil king

I'm sorry guys for doing this to you. 3

Also so sorry for things taking longer than normal. I have a wrist injury.

'Til next time!

Ja ne, Peach