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Eighteen months later…..

Horrifying screams and shrieks of pain reverberated through the halls, bouncing of the walls and echoing into the eardrums of all who were in range of the splitting cries. The inu demoness Seira had once again gone into premature labor for the third time in two years.

All her babies had died shortly after birth. Lord Ryoma stood aside and watched as his offspring was expelled from his mate's passage in a body of blood and placental fluid. The image it presented although natural was disturbing. He never desired children, and least of all from this female, but after watching the first birth in which his son was born too soon and had lived a mere minute, he was saddened by the misfortune and had hoped that the baby would have survived.

The dragonling was a female this time born in its natural form with tiny wings, naked and devoid of any scales or feathers. Siera hardly looked at it as it was weak and barely moving. Ryoma shook his head and walked away, because once again his mate failed to deliver a healthy offspring, his hatred for her sizzled and grew darker.

Raising her tired, sore body from the dais she gazed at the barely breathing baby and hissed her teeth in annoyance and hatred; the latter she felt for her cruel and cold-hearted mate because he never let her enjoy one moment of pleasure. All their sexual encounters had only one purpose and that was for conception, he was harsh and brutal, and had used his cock as he would a whip to lash out at her. How she hated him? And it was a bit unusual, but she felt sorry for herself, and pitied all the little creatures that she and the ryu created that died at birth.

The dying baby opened its eyes and they were hers, her heart rate quickened because the sight was just too pitiful, she waited because soon it would be all over, she had lived this reality twice before. She made no move to hold it or even to console it before it died like any mother would do.

"Throw it in the pit," she said as soon as the baby took its last convulsing breath.

The mid wives did as they were instructed and took the baby dragon away, casting it into the fiery pits of the furnace where it would burn till nothing remained but smoldering ash.

The embittered lord Ryoma took to the skies in a whirlwind of dust and smoke. Containing his rage was not going to be possible, he needed to let loose in privacy. The hurried rush of air beneath his wings urged him on just as much as the seething anger of his loss and hatred.

Atop a lonely hillside he perched; the anger, the resentment, his lost pride from sleeping with the bitch, and finally the hurt from losing another child swirled, trembled and quaked inside his gut. It felt like the beginnings of an earth shake that convulsed his body as though he was afflicted with a fever, and delirium had him shaking with a seizure as bitterness formed bile that choked him.

The wretchedness he felt and the sensations of an illness manifested itself as an ear shattering screech that expelled acidic fires from way down into his belly. The shaking continued; screeching louder he belched fires of despair burning to cinders trees and plants in his path.

The storm passed and he quieted. He had only one solution to his mate's inability to carry their offspring to full term and to deliver a healthy baby. She would die, but the means justified the end. Having an empire without an heir to carry on his line was meaningless.

Yuki had three more cycles alternating from hanyou to full demon by the time she was two years old. Today was her birthday and the family had gathered to celebrate her birth. They all waited anxiously for Shippo's return with the birthday cake. Inuyasha and family came to join in the fun after they were invited by Shippo at Kagome's request.

The doll like face of the child was glued to the stuff toys in the corner; she wanted to cuddle the large one shaped as a panda, but was reprimanded by her mother. It was a gift from Inuyasha's mate, and until it was presented to her she was not allowed to touch it.

The other children were outdoors flying kites shaped like dragons and birds; they were making use of the windy atmosphere until the festivities started. It maybe their sister's birthday, but they were well aware that after today they would leave the comfort of their home and would become missionaries in a cause to save their species. Today they would have fun, tomorrow their pilgrimage would begin.

They'd become diligent students learning from Shippo, he taught them to perform tricks, and from Kagome they learned kindness and respect for all life forms. From their father they learned to defend themselves with their natural weapons, swords and cunning. They would never be totally vulnerable if they were to be left alone.

The party commences with Shippo's arrival. Sesshomaru stood to the side and watched as his little princess blew out the candles. She was hanyou again but with immense holy energies that would someday rival her mother's. And although she was still young and her powers untapped, Kagome had started to train her to control those energies; she was very bright and mature beyond her two years.

The party was fun and the food eaten with exuberance, Kagome was a great cook. Yuki took a piece of half eaten cake and approached her father, staring up at him she said.

"Eat."

Sesshomaru took up the child and brought her close to his face.

"Daddy," her little voice crooned. "Eat."

He studied his child with an unblinking gaze, and wondered about her strange abilities, because even in this form she could transform into a pup like his other children. This ability came to his attention two weeks ago when he was out training his older pups. She sat close by his side quietly while the others played. Surges of demonic energies built up and the children transformed into dogs galloping away. Yuki's eyes widened and then she laughed with glee at such fun and frolic.

The hairs on his body were brushed by lightning charged wind causing him to look in the direction of the disturbance. His daughter's youki had intensified lifting her hair away from her face and body. He watched the spectacle stunned, and in a few moments she had built up enough energies for the transformation.

"Eat father," the child repeated and it took him away from his thoughts.

But already she had her tiny fist filled with the soft sugary treat and was aiming for his mouth. His head descended and his mouth opened, the child placed the cake at his lips.

"Yeah," she squealed as her father ate the small morsel of cake.

Kagome smiled, Sesshomaru was a wonderful father, and he couldn't be anything but perfect at whatever he did.

The celebrations continued way into the night before it was finished. Kagome was relieved having Reika, Inuyasha's mate around to help with the cleaning. With the party over it was time to gather the children for bed.

"Can we have a party too?" Misora one of the twins asked as Kagome tucked her in.

"Of course you can, but I will have to talk to your father first." Kagome responded with a smile and kissed the child's cheek.

On her way out the door she wondered about the child's request, they weren't human and were not socialized as thus, but from her influence the pups had started to enjoy many human customs. She will just have to ask their father and see what his reaction would be.

Later that night after Yuki fell asleep and Kagome nestled comfortably in Sesshomaru's arms, with one hand down the front of his hakamas stroking his shaft. A habit she'd acquired after they'd grown in intimacy, and it was the most natural thing in the world, and besides, Sesshomaru loved the feel of her dainty hands on his manhood as she stroked him.

The action wasn't merely sexual because he knew that sex wasn't on her mind now, it comforted him, and Kagome liked the feel of him and had found a strange sense of security in the habit.

The wind blew colder as it got later in the night, causing Kagome to snuggle closer to Sesshomaru's side and sighing in contentment.

"Sessh, we depart from here soon and I am anxious…Are we doing the right thing putting ourselves out there to mend fences that some have no desire to see fixed?"

He held her closer and kissed the tops of her head, hearing those words coming from her lips as well as her heart was understandable, because what they were embarking on would be difficult, they had to be very careful.

"Kagome we have to, the lives of not only our children depends on our success." There was silence after that, but before she slept she spoke.

"I know...I just wish it was over already."

Reika – Lovely petal

Dragonling – baby dragon/ryu