HELLO! See, I told ya I would update quicker on Spring Break. Thank you all for your kind reviews, I am touched that so many of you like my story. Thank you as well for those who made suggestions. To GeminiWind, thanks for your thought, I'm thinking of doing something like that:) Well, enough of my babbling, I'm sure you all want to get on with this most totally awesome story! Oh, and Koga is the Lord of the Northern Lands in this... just so you don't get confused in a little while.

Disclaimer: Nope, Still don't own Inu-Yasha ... maybe one day, when I rule the world!

Chapter 10-Crossing Paths

Instead of continuing her track, Kagome had decided to stay in the small village she had stumbled upon when she went into labor. Kaede, the kind midwife/village healer, had given her temporary residence in her home until the men of the village could build her a home of her very own. This village was very warm and welcoming of Kagome and her newborn children. They never asked her any probing questions into her past, for which she was very grateful for, and seemed to accept her as she was. Kagome smiled. Yes, this was the perfect place for her to raise her babes. Kagome was pulled out of her reverie by Kaede calling her name. Kagome looked up.

"Yes, Lady Kaede?" Kaede flashed Kagome an exasperated, yet affectionate gaze.

"Now, Kagome. How many times must I tell you that I am not a noblewoman, just a village healer. There is no need to call me Lady Kaede. Kaede will be just fine, my child. We are all equal in this village." Kagome smiled brightly, glad she finally found a place that she could be an equal with everyone else.

Miyoko began crying, which snapped Kagome out of her thoughts. She walked over to the young child, lifted her in her lap, and began feeding her. The boys were still asleep, which was fine with her.

After feeding Miyoko and rocking her back to sleep, Kagome left the hut to stretch and get some fresh air. As she exited the hut, she came face to face with a set of golden eyes. She paled quickly, before realizing that it was not Inu-Yasha's golden gaze, but his brother Sesshomaru's.

Kagome stepped back a step.

"How did you find me here? What are you doing here, Sesshomaru?" Kagome inwardly cringed at the tremor she heard in her voice. She hoped he had not heard it, but of course he did.

"You show much disrespect, low born. Even though I am not on, shall we say, the best terms with my half-breed brother, I have only this to say. Inu-Yasha has some sense when he decided to marry Kikyo. At least she is worthy of marrying into this family. She has a respectable bloodline, unlike yourself. You were there for my half-breed brother's amusement until the time in which he had to wed. Baring his pups got you nothing except another worry, remember that. You are nothing but a low class whore. Inu-Yasha, even as the hybrid he is, is more than you. Remember your place, which is far below myself and Inu-Yasha. Being with child by a prince means nothing."

With one last look of disgust, Sesshomaru turned and left a pale and drained Kagome standing there, her knees threatening to give out on her. Only the loud wails of her boys got her moving into action, Sesshomaru's stinging remarks about her station in life swirled in her mind for the rest of that day. Upon later thinking, Kagome had to admit that Sesshomaru's words explained a lot to her. Why else would Inu-Yasha so willingly leave her to marry Kikyo? She was just a servant, and willing to warm his bed until he had to get married. She thought he loved her. She thought they were friends. Apparently not, she was just entertainment for him. Kagome cried herself to sleep that night.

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Her scent was getting stronger, he was close. Inu-Yasha sighed a deep breath of relief. They were close to the Northern Lands, Koga's lands. A deep growl worked its way into the back of his throat as Inu-Yasha recalled the things Koga had done to Kagome. A comforting hand came to rest on his shoulder, making him turn to Miroku.

"What?" Over the time they searched, Inu-Yasha had become irritable and snappish to Sango and Miroku. No matter how close he had gotten to Kagome, he still hadn't actually found her. He could tell from her scent that she had given birth, which worried him more. She was alone and defenseless with pups to take care of. Yes, he had said pups, with an s. She had three pups, by the scent of them.

"Inu-Yasha, you must relax if you wish to find Kagome and bring her back. She is more than likely quite upset with you, and scared so she might leave quicker, especially if you are so irritable.

"Feh." That was his only response as he began sniffing the air and following Kagome's scent.

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Koga had been smelling the scent of Kagome for quite some time now. He knew where she was, and was thinking of going to claim her again. The only thing holding him back was the fact that she was with child. Inu-Yasha's mutts. Koga grimaced distastefully, then shrugged. He would dispose of the pups when he took Kagome back with him.

A small hand caressed his arm, and he turned. Kura stood there, wearing not one stitch of clothing. Koga grinned, pale blue eyes twinkling with lust. Kura looked enough like Kagome to allow him to pretend she was as he took his pleasure in her. Koga pulled her close to him, looking down into her chocolate eyes.

"You're mine, Kagome." Before Kura could protest about his use of Kagome's name, Koga slanted his lips over hers and pressed them hard against her own. Any thought flew out of her mind as he used his lips and tongue to melt her. Kura filed her complaints in the back of her mind while relishing in the ecstasy Koga was giving her mouth and body.

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Inu-Yasha, Shippo, Sango, and Miroku arrived at the small village that held Kagome and the pups. It was nightfall, so the village was asleep. Inu-Yasha sniffed his way to a small cottage, the sweet smell of vanilla and jasmine that marked Kagome's scent distinctively was like a nectar to Inu-Yasha's senses.

By then, the village men had built Kagome her own hut, and Kagome had moved herself and the triplets into the new place. Kagome had cried heartily as they finished the building, unable to thank them all enough for what they had done for her.

With Kagome's scent, came the smell of tears. They were fresh, as though she had just begun to cry. Inu-Yasha's heart twisted painfully within his chest. No doubt those tears were his fault as well. After signaling the trio that accompanied him to leave, he silently made his way inside the hut. Kagome was laying on her small cot, curled into the fetal position, obviously attempting to stop her sobs from being heard by anyone.

Before walking to Kagome, Inu-Yasha looked around the small room. There were no real decorations. Only a small bed for herself, three crib-like beds for the babes, and a fire pit in the middle furnished her house. Inu-Yasha felt even more terrible than before for being the cause of her new lifestyle. He cursed himself a million times a fool as he made his way to Kagome.

"Kag... can you hear me? Are you awake?" Inu-Yasha watched as Kagome stiffened with his whispered words. She turned red, puffy eyes to him, widening them as she saw that it was, indeed, Inu-Yasha. She scrambled to her feet, looking to him wearily.

"Why are you here? Does Kikyo know that you are here?" She spit out Kikyo's name with all the disgust she could muster. Inu-Yasha's ears flattened to the sides of his head as he winced at her comment, but Kagome wasn't done. Keeping her voice as low as possible she the children didn't wake up, she glared at Inu-Yasha.

"I realize that I am not worthy of being with you, Your Highness. I am only sorry I didn't realize it sooner. I might have been able to prevent the pain I feel inside every time I think of you or look at the three children I have by you. The only think I don't regret is having those babes. I thought that perhaps you didn't care about what society thought of our union, but I thought wrong. Don't worry about some low born wench and her children. You didn't bother before, don't start now. Now, if you don't mind, your majesty, I'd like for you to leave."

Inu-Yasha stood there silently, taking the verbal lashing that he knew he deserved. Even though he knew how much he deserved it, it still hurt like hell to hear it. Before he was able to get a word in edgewise, Kagome began pushing him out of the hut. She didn't even make it halfway toward the exit when Mitsu woke up and began wailing, waking up his brother and sister. Kagome quickly let go of Inu-Yasha in order to calm down her crying children. Inu-Yasha stood, fascinated at he picture Kagome made with the children. She was the perfect idea of mother... and wife. Inu-Yasha felt a pang of longing in his gut, but pushed the feelings aside as he went to look upon his three children.

"What are their names?" Kagome looked to him guardedly, but couldn't refuse to tell their father their names.

"The only girl is Miyoko, and these to rapscallion boys are Mitsu and Matsu." Inu-Yasha looked to the three, warmth spreading throughout his body. He had helped create these three perfections, and he'd be damned if he lost them and their mother because of his idiocy.

"Can I hold them?" After nibbling upon her lower lip, Kagome decided there was no reason not to allow him that one request.

"Please, you can hold them, but do not take them from me. They are all I have." Inu-Yasha winced as she spoke. Did she really think him so terrible? He nodded and looked down tenderly to the little girl Kagome placed in his arms. He could instantly tell that she was his. From her silver/white hair and ears to the golden gaze that stared at him in rapt attention. Inu-Yasha smiled in pride slowly, producing a giggle from the tiny Miyoko.

Miyoko lifted her tiny hands up and grabbed the locks of hair that hung on the sides of his face, pulling at them. Inu-Yasha grunted and attempted to pull his hair back. Kagome couldn't help but laugh as she gently disengaged Miyoko's hands and placed her back in her crib before handing him Mitsu, the reason the three were awake.

Inu-Yasha grinned as he looked between the boy he held, and the one Kagome held. They were identical. These two would be a handful when they grew up, he could already tell. As he thought of that, he smiled, knowing he wanted to be there when these pups grew up.

A sound resembling a laugh drew Inu-Yasha from his musings to look down at Mitsu, whose chocolate eyes danced in merriment. Matsu responded with a similar noise, his own chocolate eyes twinkling. Inu-Yasha looked up at Kagome, and for the first time her eyes were not guarded. He could see clearly the love that flowed freely in her eyes. They shared a knowing look that said those to were going to be difficult in the years to come.

After holding all three, and helping put them back to sleep, Inu-Yasha slowly drew a sleepy Kagome into he circle of his arms.

"I am so sorry Kagome. I will get you back. We will get married and have twelve more Mitsu's if you wish for them." Kagome only responded with a sleepy grunt. When he looked down, Inu-Yasha noticed that Kagome was already in a deep sleep. Laying her down on her cot, Inu-Yasha kissed her forehead gently. He stood and left the hut, sitting in front of the doorway, keeping guard. In the morning, they would have much to discuss.

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I had to end it there, and I hope you all liked it! I already started writing the next chapter, so it should be up soon. R&R as always, and thanks again for the kind comments!

TK