a/n: Hey yall! Sorry it's been such a super long time since I've updated but I've been pretty busy moving since the last time I updated. Not to mention college prep and applying for colleges and now the 4th of July. That's no excuse for not updating in forever but I honestly have barely had a chance to get on for more than fifteen minutes for the last few weeks as we've been moving and everytime I sat down at the computer I got yelled at. -.-... Anways, I wrote a super long chappy for yall and I hope that you enjoy!!! ON TO THE LONG AWAITED CHAPPY!!! ^-^

DISCLAIMER: I SURE AS SHOOTING DON'T OWN INU BUT I DADGUM WISH I DID! GET 'ER DONE!!! ^-^(Just decided to stick that in there ^.^)

Chapter 23- The Beloved End

Sango awoke to the first rays of morning light peeking through the eastward window and reaching her tired eyes. Moaning, she brought one hand to her head and held in lightly in pain.

'Stupid throbbing headache,' Sango thought as she clenched her eyes shut in an effort to block out the sun.

Something shifted beside her and her eyes immediately shot open as the realization that her mate had returned hit her. After a moment of adjusting to the sunlight her big brown eyes landed softly on the form of her mate whose beautiful golden eyes were staring back at her and emanating such powerful emotions that she felt she could melt at any second.

"Oh Sesshomaru! I've missed you so much!" Sango sighed as she wrapped her arms around his broad chest and kissed him gently.

"As I, you Sango. You worried me greatly while I was away," Sesshomaru said as he sat them both up, "I was afraid I was going to loose you again yesterday."

The golden eyes that had once been so cold and emotionless now held a colorful array of emotions ranging from worry to guilt, concern to anger, and she could never cease to be amazed that it was her that had brought such a change in him. Their intense emotional moment was broken by little Kohaku crying softly from the pillow on Sesshomaru's other side. Sango merely smiled and held her arms out for Sesshomaru to hand him to her.

"He's just hungry. I haven't fed him since before lunch yesterday," Sango said as she moved her kimono top aside and Kohaku immediately began to eat his fill.

Sesshomaru watched his pup latch on so naturally that he was once again amazed by the miracle that he and Sango had created. His mind wandered slightly as he watched and soon his thoughts led him to the dilemma of where they were going to stay since their mansion was burned to the ground.

'We could stay with Rin and Shippo until the new house is completed but I would have to be there to oversee the construction and I doubt that Sango would allow me to leave her behind a second time,' Sesshomaru thought with a sigh, 'Since the new house will be built closer to Inuyasha's village perhaps she would stay there until it is finished and I can return to her at night. Yes, that should work.'

Returning from his rather long train of thought, his eyes refocused on his mate's form to see that Kohaku had finished eating and had fallen asleep in Sango's arms; the woman herself was merely sitting there looking at him.

"You seemed very deep in thought Sesshomaru," Sango said with a smile, "What were you thinking so extensively about?"

He calmly told her about his plans for rebuilding their house and that she could stay with Inuyasha and Kagome while he was away during the day. After finishing his rather long statement he cautiously scrutinized his mate's expression for a sign as to what she was thinking. As usual, however, he was unable to accurately pinpoint what she was thinking and he was surprised when she narrowed her eyes dangerously and her aura flared.

"So you want to leave me behind AGAIN!? This time with absolutely NO chance of danger!" She hissed in a voice just above her normal tone; she may be angry but that didn't mean she wanted to wake the baby.

"No Sango! That isn't it at all. I merely want you and Kohaku to be in a secure environment until a new house can be constructed and we can move in," Sesshomaru said as he quickly tried to soothe his mate's flaring aura.

"Oh…Ok."

If he'd been anyone but the great lord of the west his jaw would surely have hit the floor at the drastic swing in his mate's mood. She had, not two seconds ago, been omitting a killing aura that would have sent even the fiercest warrior running and now she was contently humming as she stood and made her way to change into her traveling kimono.

'Dear kami… It seems the post pregnancy hormones have finally begun to kick in,' Sesshomaru thought in horror.

Sango, who was completely oblivious to her mate's weary stare, hummed a quite tune as she shed her slayer's suit and grabbed her kimono from the place she'd thrown it the day before. It was slightly wrinkled but since they'd be traveling it wasn't something she worried about as she slipped it on and tied the obi in place. Turning back towards her mate she noticed that he hadn't moved from his place on the floor and was currently staring at her strangely.

"What? I know it's a little wrinkled but since I'm going to get it dirty traveling there's no point in washing it right?"

Sesshomaru merely sighed in exasperation and stood with Kohaku in his arms. He shook his head at his mate and headed out the door of their room to tell Rin and Shippo that they would be leaving today. As soon as he was sure he was out of earshot he lifted little Kohaku and looked him right in his big, golden eyes.

"Your mother is a scary woman Kohaku. You can never be too careful around her," Sesshomaru said with a slight smirk as he thought of all the times his mate had threatened him with bodily harm; of course he wasn't afraid of her, he was the great Lord of the West after all, but he knew well enough to be wary of her temper and wanted to let his son in on the fact.

Kohaku merely giggled happily at his father and reached his tiny arms out towards Sesshomaru's smiling face. Sesshomaru allowed him to run his little, chubby hand across the purple stripes on his cheeks as he made his way toward Rin and Shippo's room. His pup seemed to marvel at the stripes that he was unaware were mirrored on his own cheeks.

Nearing his daughter's room he allowed the smile to fall off his face and donned his subdued mask; a habit that he was slowly trying to rid himself of and one that only Sango was able to truly quell. Acknowledging that he had donned his mask he allowed it to slip off just as easily and smiled slightly as Kohaku grabbed a hold of a strand of his long silver hair. Knocking politely he waited for Rin to answer.

"Oh Daddy! Is there something you need? I was going to prepare breakfast shortly," Rin said happy that her father had sought her out for something.

"No Rin. I simply wanted to tell you that Sango and I shall be returning to Inuyasha's village and beginning construction on our new home after breakfast today," Sesshomaru said, watching her face fall slightly but not missing the acceptance in her eyes.

"Ok Daddy. I knew you'd be leaving soon anyway. Are you sure we can't get you to stay just a few more days?"

"You know that the sooner we leave the sooner construction can begin and Sango and Kohaku need a stable home right now. You can come visit anytime you like Rin but we must leave today."

Rin merely nodded, slightly sad, and watched as her father turned to head back towards his and Sango's room. Little Kohaku peered over his father's shoulder and waved one of his little hands at her before Sesshomaru turned a corner and they were both out of sight. Rin stood in complete shock that her week old little brother was already waving at her; what else could the little tike do already?

Shippo came up behind her and wrapped his arms softly around her waste.

"Come on Rin. We may as well get breakfast started."

Smiling at her mate she nodded and happily made her way towards the kitchen dragging Shippo behind her with a secure hold on his hand.

"Ok! But you're going to help me today Shippo! You get breakfast made while I get some supplies together for Mamma and Daddy!"

Shippo do nothing but try to keep on his feet as his wife dragged him unceremoniously through their house and towards the kitchen. Just like her mother, when she was like this it was best to just agree and do what she says.

'At least she's not as violent as Sango,' Shippo thought fleetingly as his mate cheerily drug him behind her.

------------------------------------After Breakfast----------------------------------------------

Sesshomaru and Sango stood in the clearing in front of Rin and Shippo's house. Kohaku was back in his mother's traveling sling and was happily playing with Hiraikotsu's strap that ran across his mother's chest beneath his sling. The bento boxes that Rin had packed for them were in a cloth bag slung across Sesshomaru's back and he looked slightly strange carrying anything other than his swords and the clothes on his back.

Rin had somehow been able to repress her tears and was happily saying goodbye to her parents. Shippo, who had cleaned the clearing of the bloody massacre Sesshomaru had caused the day before, was also saying his goodbyes to his second mother and father-in-law.

"You'll have to send word as soon as you get the new house built and we'll come stay for a little while," Rin said happily as she hugged her mother for the fifteenth time since she awoke this morning.

"Of course Rin. I'd love for you to help baby-sit Kohaku some time so that Sesshomaru and I can have some time to ourselves," Sango said as she caught the sadness hidden in her daughter's brown eyes.

"Yes! I'd love to! I can't wait until the new house is built!" Rin yelled excitedly as any trace of her former sadness left her eyes.

After a few more goodbyes and hugs, the three were finally off. Sesshomaru once again offered to carry Sango bridal style so that they could arrive faster but she refused saying that she needed to travel so that she could work off the fat she'd acquired during pregnancy. Sesshomaru shook his head and eyed his mate's form; she looked just as lithe and thin as she had before she got pregnant and he was sure that she hadn't gained an ounce of extra weight during or after pregnancy.

They'd been traveling a while and were nearing the edge of the forest when both of them stopped and sent each other wary looks. Both had noticed the demonic auras that had been following them since they'd left the children's house and had been wondering when the demons were going to confront them. Sango had removed Kohaku's sling and released Hiraikotsu from its position on her back. She held the giant boomerang with one hand while shifting her baby in the other. Sesshomaru was none too pleased that his family was once again being targeted by a group of demons; this group was far smaller than the bear demons that they'd battled before but would still prove to be a nuisance.

The two sprang apart as a large shadowy figure leapt from the top of the trees and crashed into the ground between them. Sesshomaru quickly returned to his mate's side as the rest of the demons showed themselves by emerging from the thick undergrowth of the forest. He was incredibly annoyed to see that the demons that attacked them were five large bear demons that had apparently fled from the last attack and were now back for revenge.

He looked to Sango expecting to see a worried look on her face but was met with an amused smirk. His brows came together in slight confusion as his mate handed Kohaku to him and strode forward.

"It's about time you five cowards showed up! I've been waiting for a good workout since I woke up this morning and my muscles were sore," Sango yelled bravely at the five bear demons that stood at least two feet taller than her, "Now Sesshomaru I don't want you to interfere with this little skirmish ok? I haven't been able to let loose in a while and I don't want you ruining it for me by killing them off in one hit."

He very nearly sweat-dropped at his mate's statement. He knew that she was slightly angry about having to be saved from a bear demon the last time but he didn't think she'd have sensed their demonic aura and insisted on walking just so that she could confront them. Of course he knew that now was one of those times that he should simply agree with her and get out of her way; that is, as long as she didn't get hurt.

"Of course Sango. Just try not to take too long."

He didn't miss the smirk on her face as she turned to face the demons. Her traveling kimono was off in an instant and she was running forward with Hiraikotsu swinging dangerously. Sesshomaru watched as she let it fly and it sliced through the throat of the demon that had first tried to attack. His gaze did not leave her for an instant as her graceful movements mesmerized him.

Sango, herself, was having a great deal of fun beating up the pathetic bear demons. She only slew the first one that had tried to hurt her little Kohaku, the rest were merely punching and kicking bags. Her Hiraikotsu stayed in her hands to block the strikes of their blunt claws, those that she didn't choose to avoid, but was not swung to kill the ignorant demons.

Instead of all four attacking at once they seemed to each take turns running at her and resulting in being kicked or punched back violently. After about five minutes of stupidly taking turns one of them seemed to figure out the problem and roared for the other three to attack from all sides. Sango was not overly worried but she did shift her Hiraikotsu into a more defensive position and decided that it was time to stop playing around.

As the bear demons came at her, each from a different side, she swung her Hiraikotsu over her head in a deadly circle that sliced through whatever limb that was struck forward to try to hit her. She was not ready for the leader's foot to come from underneath her swinging weapon and connect squarely with her stomach. Flying backwards she slammed into the bear demon behind her and sent it reeling back as well.

Luckily her swinging Hiraikotsu had sliced through the bear's torso and killed it before she'd landed on it coughing up blood. She heard Sesshomaru yell her name from somewhere behind her but ignored it as she grabbed her weapon and threw it at the remaining three demons. One of them was sliced in half by the deadly weapon but the other two had managed to avoid it's deadly arc and were quickly running towards her to try to get to her before her weapon returned.

She cursed inwardly but drew her katana from her side and prepared herself for the harsh blows of the bear's claws against the thin steel of her blade. She had almost forgotten that her mate was there at all until his broad, white clothed back appeared in front of her and he sliced his Tokijin forward and sent a powerful Dragon Strike that obliterated the last two bear demons. He turned and was by her side instantly, checking her over and worriedly eyeing the blood that had trickled from her mouth.

"I'm fine Sesshomaru. I didn't expect that stupid demon to pull such a sneaky trick and I let my guard down. My demon blood's already begun to heal it," Sango said, choosing not to tell him that one of the bear's foot claws had pierced her stomach when he'd kicked her; it would heal and she didn't want him to worry.

Kohaku was staring wide eyed at the blood that was beginning to soak through her slayer's suit around her stomach. Apparently his mommy didn't realize the extent of the injury or that her blood had now completely soaked through the black material of her suit. Surely she didn't think that his daddy would miss that?

Apparently she did as she turned to make her way back to where she'd discarded her kimono. Sesshomaru growled slightly and followed her, very much aware of her injury but also taking note of his brother and brother's mate's scent that was close by. As Sango leaned down to pick up her kimono the bloody injury seemed to get the best of her and she collapsed to her knees clutching her stomach.

"Sango!" three voices yelled at once.

Sesshomaru, who was already by her side, looked up to see Inuyasha and Kagome running towards them from the edge of the forest. They arrived moments later and Kagome immediately began to see to Sango's injury.

"What the hell happened Sesshomaru? Surely five bear demons wasn't something you couldn't handle!" Inuyasha half yelled as he eyed the blood pooling around his sister's body.

"I could have easily had Sango allowed me to," Sesshomaru hissed back, angry that his brother was implying that he let his mate get hurt unnecessarily.

Inuyasha's angry gaze immediately shifted to Sango and he set off his tirade on her instead. Sesshomaru merely sighed and ignored his brother, choosing instead to focus on the strange glow of the priestess' healing magic. He was relieved when the smell of injury disappeared from his mate's scent and she sat up with a glare towards Inuyasha.

"So what if I wanted to kick those bear demon's asses myself Inuyasha? I can do what I want!" Sango yelled as she stood, swaying slightly but placing her hands stubbornly on her hips.

"Whatever Sango! I can't believe Sesshomaru allows you to do some of the things you do. I'd never let Kagome do something stupid like that!" Inuyasha yelled but trailed off as a chilly aura shot up behind him at his last statement.

"What…Was…That…INUYASHA!" Kagome yelled angrily as she enunciated each word slowly; making the pup that she'd taken from Sesshomaru giggle slightly and bare his tiny fangs.

"Uh…Kagome, I…"

"SIT BOY!"

Sango merely watched in satisfaction as she clearly won the argument without even needed to say the last word. Sesshomaru came up behind her and slipped his arms around her and pulled her back against him.

"Inuyasha's right Sango. You should be more careful," he whispered into her ear as he breathed in her scent to try to assure himself that she was no longer injured.

"Hmmm…. I know Sesshomaru I just love to argue with my brother," Sango said quietly with a small smile as leaned into her mate and watched as Inuyasha pulled himself out of the hole his body had made in the ground.

He nuzzled her neck gently and kissed her sweetly as she turned her head towards him. She turned in his arms and they kissed once more before Inuyasha and Kagome's yelling broke through their romantic moment.

"What was that for wench?!"

"You know full well what that was for and how dare you call me wench! You want to sit you again?" she yelled, letting the word slip and sending him into the ground regardless.

"GAH!"

"Come on Sesshomaru. Let's go brake it up before Inuyasha makes a hole so deep that he can't get out of it," Sango said, as she looked up at her mate with a smile, no longer angry with her dog-eared brother.

Sesshomaru merely smiled as she turned and marched towards the quarreling couple without letting go of his hand, pulling him along behind her; the only reason he was able to keep up with her quick pace being that his stride was the length of two of hers.

'I have the strangest mate out of all of the Lords the West has ever seen. She has thawed this demon's frozen heart and allowed me to feel things I never thought myself capable of. I love my strange human woman and I'll never allow anything or anyone to take her away from me,' Sesshomaru thought fiercely.

He stared at the sight of Inuyasha and Kagome's bickering, little Kohaku giggling loudly from his Aunt's arms seeing his Uncle's dirt covered form, and his beautiful mate's long ponytail swinging wildly as she jogged towards the crazy group that he was now proud to call family. His demonic heart had definitely softened due to the light touch of his beloved mate but he was sure now that he was much stronger for it and was no longer ashamed to show the scars that were and could be left on even a demon's heart.

a/n: Whew... That was like 8 pages long and my longest chapter so far ^-^! As you can probably tell this is the last chapter that I'm planning on writing unless I write an epilogue which I may at the request of my reviewers ^.^ ...I'll leave it up to yall if I write one more chappy or just leave it at that. But for all intensive purposes this is the end... *Tear* I promised a super special reviewer that I would write a prequel story to this one but it'll be after I finish my other story and may take a while to get up, we'll see. However, there will be a prequel sometime so all you awesome and dedicated reviewers keep an eye out for it! I love you all and appreciate all your loyal reviews!

READ AND REVIEW for the last time... *sob, sob sob!* -----Yours truly, Texascowgirl-13 ^-^