Chapter 14 – The Children of the West

SesshoMaru blinked his eyes open and tested the sound in the palace. Everything seemed all right, he wasn't sure what was wrong, and his instincts were going off. Everyone who lived within the palace were all sleeping soundly, their heart beats thrummed softly, making a soft humming noise only audible to the most sensitive eared youkai.

Still, something was off, he started to sit up, careful to not wake up his mate, who were heavily pregnant with their pups, almost ready for birth. It was then it hit him, he felt the wetness steeping toward his side of the bed and the scent of birth water hit his nose. However, the scent of blood mingled with the birth water alerted him. He immediately went to Kagome and shook her awake. He saw that she was still sleeping and the moment he woke her, she blinked and yawned, asking, "What is it?"

He was quizzical as he asked her, "Didn't you feel the labor pain?"

Kagome shook her head, not moving her body except for her head to glance at him with sleepy eyes. "No, why should I? Mm… Let me go back to sleep."

His eyes widened, "No! Your water broke, and there's blood!" he said and leapt out of the bed and went to the door; he called down the hall for the servant to fetch the physicians and the midwives. He returned to the bed and knelt beside Kagome's side of the bed and threw off the cover, he could already see in the dim light that the water had mostly steeped out and was tinged red. "Kagome! Can you sit up?" He asked, worry was starting to steep in his voice. She was now fully awake, confused and tried to sit up but failed.

"I… I can't feel below my waist." She finally said panic was evidence in her voice. He helped her up slightly, adding pillows to her back.

Yuri came in, she paused and her eyes went wide as the scent of the room hit her nose. "Lord SesshoMaru, please!" She said as she rushed to the bed and started to shred Kagome's robe from her body while SesshoMaru explained what had happened and turned to him, "You will have to stay out of the way. She is in labor but the pups must have pressed onto her spine, causing her to lose feelings in her legs."

Yuri moved about, pulling several things out of her bag she had brought wit her. Several midwives had finally arrived and she barked order while SesshoMaru sat on the bed, holding Kagome's hand. She inspected Kagome's vagina and told them that she was fully dilated but for some reason, she was also bleeding, she could see the head already beginning to crown. But with Kagome's lack of feelings in her legs, she wasn't able to push.

"SesshoMaru, I must… forgive me my lord, I must ask you to leave the room and let us take care of your mate and your pups." Yuri said as she bowed to SesshoMaru, fearful of him.

SesshoMaru nodded and hesitantly left Kagome's side, his eyes locked on her, silently telling her that she must stay strong and everything will be all right. He finally left the room and closed the door, sinking to the floor with his back to the door.

"Father! What is happening?" A handsome young InuYoukai almost identical to SesshoMaru asked, kneeling beside the Taiyoukai.

SesshoMaru looked from his hands to his eldest son who was sixteen years old, "Inu'Daichi, your mother's having some difficult birth right now."

"Will she be all right?" A young female youkai, also identical to SesshoMaru and Inu'Daichi asked with concern in her voice. "She had been bed ridden the entire pregnancy… we smelt blood."

SesshoMaru turned his head to meet his eldest daughter, also twin to Inu'Daichi. He was proud of his children and gave a weak smile, "Your mother is strong… She will make it… she will." His voice cracked and he buried his head into his hands once again.

"Chiyo…" Inu'Daichi looked over his father's head to his twin sister with concern in his eyes. She shook her head and stroked her father's hair.

Inu'Daichi, which SesshoMaru had proudly named him the First Son of Inu, were a tall youkai, almost alike in every aspect of his father, proud and arrogant, very strong and resilient. He is also very loyal to his mother and sister, protective of them while his father wasn't around. He had long silver hair and golden eyes and he is the rightful heir to the Western Land.

Chiyo, his twin sister, a beautiful silver InuYoukai, the first female in over thousands years born to the Silver Inu Clan. Her name meant Thousands Years, or Eternal. Her birth had shocked the elders and she became the most precious to her family, being the first female Silver Inu. She had her mother's kindness and sweet personality, enchanting her true beauty.

SesshoMaru relaxed slightly under his daughter's stroking of his hair. He recalled the twins' birth. He remembered when they were born, he was overjoyed when Inu'Dachi was born, and he had immediately taken Inu'Daichi into his arms and studying his tiny features. Then, few moments later, Chiyo was born, a blissful gift. He was astounded to have a girl, a daughter and he took her the moment she was wet and still gray from birth, nuzzling her face with his nose, taking in her sweet scent, mixing with her mother's afterbirth scent.

Chiyo, a tiny pup had grasped his nose in her tiny claws, yawned and latched onto the edge of his nose, thinking it was a teat. He had laughed right there, tears falling out of his eyes, openly showing emotions for the first time to others. He had discovered the true meaning to love at first sight. He was reluctant to let her go to return to her mother to feed. He never left Kagome's side, always keeping watchful eyes over his pups, helping out every way he could. He was rather overprotective of his pups, his firstborn son and his precious daughter.

They had grown into young adults, making him proud every step of the way. Then he heard his other son's voice scowling, "Why is father out here? He should be in there with mother!"

He looked up to meet his second son's stormy blue eyes. He rose to his feet and regained his stoic composure. "Takehiko." His voice cut cold in the air, causing the young solider prince to stiffen, "Only one another command this Taiyoukai, is the palace physician. Yuri asked me to leave the room so she'd help your mother. There are risks and we all need to be patient and wait."

Takehiko, nodded silently and leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms, "Very well, father." He had darker silver hair and he lived up to his name, he loved to dabble in warfare, always trailing Inu'Daichi everywhere, almost as if Inu'Daichi was the Taiyoukai, Takehiko was the General. He was also very protective of his mother and sister as well like his elder brother. SesshoMaru was also proud of him, knowing Takehiko would not part from his elder brother and knew in the future, he would become a fine General for Inu'Daichi, a trustworthy and loyal one.

The three elder children, when one was present, the other two were always nearby. It was almost impossible to find three of them apart from each other, they were close in age, and Takehiko was a year younger than Chiyo and Inu'Daichi. Many had mistaken thinking they were all born at the same time, being from one litter.

SesshoMaru glanced around the hall way and saw nearly everyone was present. He nodded toward InuYasha who were comforting Shiroginko, who was shaken up. His young half-brother, being the Lord of the Central Kingdom remained to live at the West Hold with SesshoMaru and his family, allowing his children to grow up with SesshoMaru's children. His three children were also present. The eldest son, Toga born around the same time as Takehiko was also helping to comfort his mother. Toga was named after SesshoMaru and InuYasha's father, with silver hair and golden eyes. His personality was very much like the former Toga, strong and regal with soft heart.

InuYasha's second son, Shoujun, named after the former Northern Lord, with gentle nature much like his mother were standing with his two sisters, Izayoi, who had gray hair and violet eyes, being conceived on New Moon and Yuki, the youngest with pure white hair and pale blue eyes, named for she was born on a horrible blizzard night and taking appearance of the snow woman, Yuki-onna.

Shoujun were born two years later after Toga, Izayoi followed a year later and Yuki two years after. InuYasha children were close to SesshoMaru's children. All of InuYasha's children were born full blooded hanyou, thus creating first new set of race.

SesshoMaru had investigated and found there were no other hanyou coupling in the history, due to many hanyous never surviving to adulthood because of discrimination from both human and youkai sides. InuYasha and Shiroginko were the first and documented hanyous to survive to adulthood and coupled with one another. SesshoMaru had set a new law not long after InuYasha had moved into the palace, setting protections for all the other Hanyous in the kingdoms. In the end, many hanyous of all kinds flocked to the Central Land because InuYasha was the lord.

"Father, will mother be all right?" His young eleven years old son, one of the other set of twins asked.

SesshoMaru rested his hand on Shiro, his fourth son, the younger of the two and tilted his head down to meet Shiro's blue eyes. "Like I've told your brother Takehiko, your mother is strong. We all need to be strong and lend her our strength as we wait here."

Shiro's almost identical brother, with exception of golden eyes sighed, "How can we lend mother our strength while we are out here?"

SesshoMaru gave the other boy a small smile, "Akira, in the family, when love is strong and united, we share strengths. She knows we are concerned for her and stand strong for her."

"Will the pups be all right?" Akira asked.

"Of course!" Shiro nudged his brother a bit roughly. "Mom's strong; the pups should be strong too!" He knocked his own chest with his fist, "We're of the InuTaisho line, we're the best and strongest, right, Papa?" He looked up to his father for approval.

SesshoMaru nodded and nearly rolled his eyes when Akira scowled, "Shut up, Shiro! I know that and I was just asking!"

SesshoMaru sighed inwardly and gripped both boys' shoulder a bit tightly, giving them silent warning to not start a squabble. They were nicknamed 'Hellhounds' by their mother, always having knacks of getting into troubles, being full of life and mischievous nature. They were always unpredictable and often surprising the entire palace with something new every day. They never allowed a dull moment pass by.

Letting the twins go, he turned to find Shippo, who was comforting a frantic Rin, who fidgeted and twisting her robe hem. Shippo had grown into a handsome young man, about twenty five summers old. He grew out his childish nature and became a young man with intense intelligent and ambition for life. He also mated Rin, who became into a beautiful young woman with long wavy brown hair and bright eyes. They had not yet had their own pups and SesshoMaru had looked forward to their pups for they would become his and Kagome's grandchildren. He knew with kitsune nature, they would have a whole litter full and Rin is lucky to be in a large and loving family, for everyone would help them out with their brood of kitsune pups.

He found Miroku and Sango, sitting on the bench down the hall. Miroku was in prayer while Sango sat next to him, in conversations with her children who sat on the floor around them. SesshoMaru had come to accept them as part of his pack mate, finding intelligent conversation with the former monk. They were appearing older, the whites were appearing in their hair and Kagome had long accepted their fate of mortality, knowing one day, she would lose them to time. They had come to live at the palace, serving their parts to SesshoMaru, giving him assets to their skills.

They had three children as well, all of them young. The eldest son, fifteen years old, Mamoru who took after his father was training to become a Buddish Monk, thankfully did not inherit his father's lecherousness gene. He has his mother's feature, brown hair and brown eyes. Their second child, Hanami, surprisingly also took after her father, is also training to become a Miko, she had brown hair and violet eyes and is thirteen years old. Lastly, their last son, named after his uncle, Kohaku, he had black hair and violet eyes as well, nine years old and he took after his mother, training in the art of taijiya. Sadly, he took his father's lecherous gene to Sango's dismay. He was always a flirt since he was a babe.

He then found his eight years old twin daughters who had made their way over to Shiro and Akira. Miya and Kaya are identical in every way, silver hair and light blue eyes, they were bright and full of life, yet sweet with innocent that filled their eyes like Rin once had when she was younger. He often had found himself protecting the girls from the likes of young Kohaku because they were often the boy's favorite target. He suspected Kaya had taken liking to him and feared for her in the future.

He felt three little paws grabbing his pants and looked down to find his triplet sons, two years old, Yoshiro with silver hair and golden eyes, Hikaru who had darker silver hair and golden eyes and finally Sorasho, with pure white hair and crystal blue eyes. They were different from each other completely, Yoshiro is not very intelligent but his heart was large enough to make up for what his brain lacked. Hikaru had bright personality, always happy and cheerful, nothing ever fazed him and he had talent of bringing smiles to the most broody person. And finally, Sorasho had an affinity for night sky, which he was named so. SesshoMaru often take him out soaring during night just to calm him down and get him to sleep.

SesshoMaru couldn't help but smile at the triplets and scooped them up in his arms. They nuzzled tiredly in his chest, making soft purring sound. They had woken up from the commotions going on and wandered into the hallway, finding everyone awake.

"Papa?" Sorasho asked sleepily. "Okay?"

SesshoMaru nodded and nuzzled Sorasho's head. "Yes, everything is okay. Your mother is having pups now."

Yoshiro wrinkled his nose and grabbed hold onto SesshoMaru's hair, "Pups? We pups?"

Before SesshoMaru could explain, Hikaru bopped lightly onto Yoshiro's head, chirping, "No! More pups, not us!"

SesshoMaru gave weak chuckles and carried them to their bedroom which was next door and placed them in bed, "You boys stay in bed and go to sleep." He covered the blanket over them and stepped away. Sorasho gave a soft whining noise and pointed to the window. SesshoMaru moved and drew back the curtain for Sorasho to view the night sky. He saw that his boys were falling asleep once again and left the room.

"They're asleep again?" Chiyo asked as she met with her father.

"Hai. For now." He said and moved to the door where Inu'Daichi and Takehiko had taken up to guarding. He gave them a nod and they moved apart and SesshoMaru leaned back on the wall next to the door. He glanced around the hallway, filled with his children and pack mates. He felt his heart swell, knowing they were there, no matter what. In the last twenty years, the palace filled with life and voices and he knew it was because of Kagome, she was the one who brought the light into his heart and brought blessing and joy.

The thought of his mate behind the door, he felt weary and worried, it had been a long while since Yuri had banished him from the room. The sun was staring to rise, giving the entire palace a soft glow.

The first pregnancy was easy for Kagome; she had no problem giving birth to Inu'Daichi and Chiyo, giving him pride and happiness. The second pregnancy was not really much of a surprise, in fact, SesshoMaru knew about it and Kagome didn't at the time. She was almost enraged when she found out a month later, but came to accept it quickly, becoming excited once again.

The third one was also unplanned and they both were ready and prepared to accept more children. The fourth one was also unexpected and full of surprises; they had not expected any more girls but were blessed with set of twin girls.

The fifth one, with the triplets, Kagome was starting to feel empty armed and asked to become pregnant again. SesshoMaru readily agreed, however, through the pregnancy, Kagome was starting to experience some difficulties and was more sicker often than usual. The birth was hard and laborious for her, giving way to three boys. The boys were born large and healthy, also full of energy, which nearly drained her.

The sixth pregnancy was totally unexpected to both of them. Kagome's scents did not change when she became pregnant and SesshoMaru didn't notice. It wasn't until Kagome was feeling weak and ill in the first month, throwing up often and not eating enough. She became frail and thin and SesshoMaru decided to have her checked and Yuri announced she was pregnant again. Yuri found there was complication, Kagome wasn't taking enough needed vitamins and nutrients for the pups and herself and ordered her to be bed ridden for the rest of the pregnancy, which meant remaining three months in bed. Kagome was thankful that it was just four months of pregnancy instead of the normal nine.

SesshoMaru became more and more worried as Kagome's belly did not become bigger as it usually should and she became more weary and pale. He feared for her life with the pregnancy and told her that it would be the last one, which is if she survived. Yuri had told them there was little chance for her and the pups to survive. It would be most likely her or the pups that would survive.

SesshoMaru grieved in private, away from Kagome so she wouldn't know it was also getting to him. He did not want to lose Kagome or the pups, but if choices had to be made, he rather to lose the pups because he had plenty and Kagome was irreplaceable to him. Though, he rather to not lose any of them at all.

Yuri had discovered the reason why Kagome wasn't able to handle the pregnancy. Her body, based on mortal humans was also frail as mortal human's body. She only was immortal for she was bound to SesshoMaru's life through their mating, but it was possible for her to die easily as a mortal. And with the pregnancy, her body was built to handle nine months, slow growth of the fetus, often one child per pregnancy. But with youkai fetus, they grow faster and her body wasn't able to accommodate the growth quickly and with twins and triplets, it was too much for her. The triplets had taken more tolls to her body and her body had not fully healed from the birth to them.

The blood scents were becoming stronger and SesshoMaru was becoming more worried, starting to pace back and forth in front of the doors. He wanted to burst into the room and see what was happening to his mate but InuYasha and his two elder sons held him back, trying to calm him down. InuYasha had to retort to threatening to knock him out and SesshoMaru finally calmed down, a bit.

SesshoMaru knew he would give up the entire kingdoms to keep his mate and pups alive, he prayed to the hundred and eight deity out there and many other gods in the world. Even to the Christian God he had heard from the far western world and the God's only begotten son. It was his breaking point, just knowing he was inches from losing his mate and his last pups.

As the sun sunk over the horizon, the door opened and a midwife came out looked bedraggled. She gave a single nod and SesshoMaru, without a second thought rushed into the room and went to the bed, stopping before the end, staring at Kagome. He felt his heart stilled. Kagome looked frail and pale, almost still, and he feared for she was dead.

Yuri softly spoke to him, "I had to perform a surgery on her." SesshoMaru turned to her and frowned. "She wasn't able to give birth to the pups, so I had cut them out. Her inside was pretty messed up."

SesshoMaru's eyes widened as he saw the bowl behind Yuri, bloodied and from the scent he could tell they were the sac and a part of bloody mass of muscles. "What did you remove?" He asked, panic laced in his voice.

"I removed her womb. It was scarred and damaged. She will never be able to have any more children. Give her time to heal, she should be able to return to normal and live a normal life. But no more children for her." Yuri explained and gestured to the bed. She then blushed, "after she healed fully, you two should… be able to… uhm…" she waved her hand offhandedly.

He nodded, giving a weak smile. He moved to the bed and sat down next to her. The bed once was white now soaked through with blood. She looked pale and thin, breathing shallowly. He brushed her black hair away from her face. He knew she was doused heavily with opium to kill the pain from the surgery. He could see her abdomen sewn together, it looked like an ugly cut but he knew she would heal and the scar will fade away over the time. He was thankful that in their mating, she was able to heal faster than normal human and should be on her feet in no time. What was important that she was still alive.

"What of the pups?" He asked. The room was thick with scent of blood that he could not detect any other scents.

"The pups are alive, but frail." Yuri explained as SesshoMaru turned to her. A midwife handed him a bundle.

SesshoMaru held his breath and removed the blanket from his pup's face. To his surprise, the bundle was so light, almost weightless. He saw his son, tiny and frail, with wisp of white hair and dull golden eyes. He was so tiny, a premature. He gave a soft hiccoughing sound and he realized, it was his son's feeble cry. He felt his heart wrench as he brought the pup to his face, nuzzling his son, taking in his scent. He spoke softly in InuYoukai language, telling his son that everything will be all right and he is welcomed to the world. The pup gave a soft mewl.

The other midwife brought the second bundle, placing in SesshoMaru's empty arm, taking the blanket away from the pup's face. Like the first one, his daughter was also tiny and thin, with same hair and eyes. He nuzzled her face, feeling her tiny hands butting his cheeks. It was then he realized he was crying. He told her that she is blessed and has a large family who will love her.

He looked to his sleeping mate and whispered, "Thank you, Kagome. You've given me more than enough. You've blessed me with many children and I ask of no more." He looked to his son, "Kenshin, you will grow and be a strong InuYoukai." Then he glanced over to his daughter and smiled, watching her face scrunch up into a tiny yawn, "Kohana, beautiful flower, you will be loved, always."

He rose from the bed and gave Yuri a silent thanks. He moved to the door and paused there, whispering to the sky, "Thank you, Lord, whoever you are…" and he exited, to show his family the new additions.

AN:

Thanks to Crystal for betaing this chapter for me. Apparently, she found only one mistake. I worked on the rest myself and improvised it.

Whoo, that's a lot of children! Thought I would give you the first twin's birth? Nah, I went to the last one! I wanted to give you all the children here and some drama!

Confused? Here's the list of the children and their ages. Also the meaning of their names.

SesshoMaru/Kagome

Shippo (Tails/7Treasures), Rin (Companion)– 25/24 years old

Inu'Dachi (First Son of Inu), Chiyo (Thousand Years/Eternal) – sixteen years old

Takehiko (Soldier Prince) – fifteen years old

Shiro (Fourth Son), Akira (Intelligent) – eleven years old

Miya (Three Arrows/Temple), Kaya (Rested Place) – eight years old

Yoshiro (Good Son), Hikaru (Shining Light), Sorasho (Thriving Sky) – two years old

Kenshin (Modest Truth), Kohana (Little Flower) – newborn

InuYasha/Shiroginko

Toga (General -not quiet sure)– 15

Shoujun (Soar/Pure-)–14

Izayoi (Pause in Moon's Climbing - dont ask)–13

Yuki (Snow)-11

Miroku/Sango

Mamrou (Protector) – 15

Hanami (flower viewing)– 13

Kohaku (color of red) – 9

I put them all almost the close age to one another, it happens often in families where women would get pregnant around the same times with each others. I got pregnant around the same time with my best friend, and her daughter and my son are practically best friends, growing up together. They make the cutest couple.

Anyway, one more chapter to go and I'm done with this story. No sequel, sorry! I don't think I can handle it. I hope you don't misunderstand my comment in the last chapter about a sequel. I did not mean for Seven Days, I meant for Rin's Waiting. I had so many requests for Rin's Waiting sequel and I needed some ideas so I'd try to write a sequel for that story, not this one. Thank you!

Love your reviews. I love you all! You guys had really encouraged me through the entire story and it is really credits to you all for supporting me! Hugs!

One more chapter to go!