Month Ten- December

With Kagome

Hojo smiled gently as he set the timer on his camera to 40 seconds. Rising, he rushed to the living room's doorway. "Kagome, I need you!"

"What's wrong?"

"Kakegae is waking up," He lied with a knowing smirk, for within mere seconds Kagome was racing down the hallway. Sticking an arm out, he caught her, "Gotcha."

Kagome scowled. "So not funny, Hojo. I was…busy." She trailed off, not wanting him to know just yet that she was packing up a few of her small things.

The chestnut haired male simply chuckled lowly. "Yes, busy. Look up, Kagome."

Tilting her head back, she arched a brow at the mistletoe that hung in the archway. "Hojo, I-" But before she could finish, he'd kissed her, deeply, eagerly, passionately. Kagome melted into his warm, muscular arms despite her own will, and the camera flashed as it took a picture of her failure to remain strong. When he finally withdrew, she cursed herself. "W-wow."

"I know." He breathed, gazing into her eyes. A sigh heaved, he turned from her and picked up his glass of eggnog, sitting on the couch beside Kakegae and Oyo-Banai's sleeping forms, careful not to wake them. Kakegae was beginning to prove his father, who'd said she'd only live a year, a very sick year at that, wrong. She was healthy, energetic, wild. "They're beautiful, positively precious."

Kagome nodded weakly, sitting beside him and thanking him when he poured her a glass of eggnog, with extra Brandy. "Yes, they are, aren't they? And Kake is proving to be a little miracle." She leaned over Hojo's lap to give her daughter a kiss.

Sitting back, he watched sadly as she tucked the blanket closer around their…her children. His eyes darted to the Christmas tree. "How do you think they enjoyed their gifts?"

"They're children, Hojo. There isn't much for them to enjoy. But I think you did just fine with shopping for children, considering you've never been around any."

"Yes…" He took a sip to cover the pain he was feeling, "So, when will you be leaving?"

The miko sat back quickly, looking at him with a startled expression. "W-what do you mean?"

"I know that you've been slowly packing your things. And if you are not happy here, then I will not force you to remain here."

"Hojo-kun," Her smile was melancholy, "you've got it all wrong. I'm happier here than I've ever been…and that's part of the reason why I have to leave. I found myself staring at you as you slept the other night, just gazing fondly. I'm going to fall in love soon, and I can't do that to you or myself."

Hojo frowned, folding his hands together in his lap. "You cannot do what to us?"

She sighed. "When I love, it usually ends in pain, for both parties. I refuse to harm you any further. And I simply can't take heartbreak many more times."

So, she was afraid that she was feeling for him? Was that it? "Kagome, I promise you that-"

"Don't promise anything. That will only make it worse. I've made up my mind."

"So you are not even willing to try?"

Kagome cast a glance at her daughter, "I need to find their father."

Hojo's eyes widened. "W-why? I said that I would take care of them! I- I already love them very much, Kagome. I'll be a good father to them, I swear that I will be!"

"Shh." Kagome placed a finger against his lips, looking into his wide, worried brown eyes. "I know that you will be the perfect father to your own children Hojo, but not to mine. They need their true father. I'll explain everything. Grab the eggnog and meet me on the roof." Rising from the couch, she left the room, traveling up the stairs to the small attic, and out of a tiny window onto the roof.

Moments later, Hojo sat beside her. "Please, tell me everything. I knew that you were hiding something, but I wasn't sure what."

She leaned against him, nuzzling her nose against his neck. "You smell like cinnamon, apples, and a hint of lightening."

"Scents have nothing to do with- Hold on a moment. Did you say lightening?"

"Yes."

"And what, pray tell, does lightening smell like?"

She giggled softly. "You."

Hojo deadpanned, "Kagome."

The miko sighed. "You know those miko and youkai and hanyou my grandfather is always mumbling about?"

"Yes. There are some rather interesting tales he tells."

"Do you believe in them?"

"Of course not, Kagome. They are just that, tales, myths."

"Real…or at least, they were, about 500 years ago."

Hojo sighed. "Yes, of course. What does this have to do with anything?"

Kagome closed her eyes. "Would you believe me if I told you that I was youkai and miko, and that my kids were youkai-miko, and that their father was a youkai?" When Hojo remained silent for too long, she opened her eyes and found him covering his mouth. "Are you laughing?"

Removing his hand, he tossed his head back and laughed a loud, deep laugh. "Kagome-chan, my kanojo, you actually had me going for a moment."

"I was serious."

"It's even funnier when you back it up like that."

Kagome took his hand, pulling him back into the house. Once inside, she chanted a small cantation and allowed her true humanoid form to show.

Stunned, Hojo stepped back, tripping over a box and falling back on his butt. "Y-you look-"

"Strange?"

"Y-yeah, but beautiful…B-but how is this possible?"

"Do you know that creepy old well behind the shrine? The one we used to tell Sota he came from?" Kagome asked, helping him up.

He smiled nervously at her claws, then nodded. "Yes."

"Well, it is a portal for me to go into the past, 500 years to be exact. To make a long story short. I fell in love with a hanyou, but it didn't work out, Inuyasha."

"Oh, that fellow."

"Yes, and then I fell in love with another hanyou, Naraku. Also didn't work out. So then I dumbly managed to fall for the ice prince, Inuyasha's older half brother, Sesshomaru. He's the father."

Hojo's face hardened. "A demon abandoned you?"

Kagome shook her head. "No. He didn't know that I was pregnant. And neither did I until I was here. I wanted to raise my pups without him, but I can't. They need their father to grow healthy and strong."

"Pups?"

"Inuyoukai children."

"Oh."

"How are you digesting everything so far?"

Hojo smirked. "Well, I'm a little lost, a little confused. But it makes sense to me. You never were sick, instead your were healthy as a horse traveling around the feudal era and meeting 'hot' guys I assume. That also explains why our dates were often either canceled or cut short."

Kagome blushed. "Yeah. Inuyasha was the jealous type."

"Were you always…youkai?"

"No. Actually that is due to my pups' father, Sesshomaru's father, who just so happens to be a freaking ghost who likes to haunt me when you're not around. Believe it or not, he basically delivered the pups."

Hojo blinked. "A ghost?"

"Yes, a ghost."

"My. How strange you are, my Kagome." He smiled at her blush, taking her hand and leading her down the stairs. "May I see the pups' youkai faces?"

Kagome beamed, unable to resist embracing him. Only Hojo would accept something like this with open arms and an open heart. She whispered another cantation, erasing the human forms of her children, and leaving them youkai.

Hojo gasped, kneeling beside them. "They're even more beautiful. Look at that curly silver hair, and those markings. What do they mean?"

"They're of royalty. Their father is a lord."

"My, what tiny claws." He tapped their noses. "They're wet and cold like a puppies.'

"I know."

"Is yours?" He asked, smiling devilishly.

Kagome frowned at him, playfully glaring. "Don't even think about it." A moment later she was on her back, a full grown man rubbing her nose with his own. "Hojo-kun." She whined.

"So cold and moist." He simply replied, sighing softly. "This feels heavenly."

"Get off."

Hojo drew back, but continued to straddle her waist. "And their eyes are like yours?"

"Yes."

"Wow. I bet that's simply adorable."

"Not if Oyo-Banai's the one looking at you. It's intimidating, that gaze just like his jackass father's."

Hojo scowled at her, spanking her hand lightly. "You shouldn't curse around sleeping children, Kagome-chan. They remember everything."

Kagome snorted. "Says the baka who tried to bed me with them beside me."

He blushed, turning away as he got off her. "Hm. One time…since you turned me down."

"I understand that you're a man, Hojo. I wouldn't have been upset if you wanted another girl to-"

"That's just it, I didn't want another girl. I want you."

Kagome's face flaming with blush, she nodded at him, then stood. "Um, I'm going to take the pups to bed, then I'm gonna hit the sack. Um, we're leaving for home tomorrow night."

Hojo's face fell, but he nodded in reply. "So let's make tomorrow one we'll not soon forget."

"I agree, but you can visit, you know. I won't be going to the feudal era for about a week, maybe two. Oh, and Hojo-kun, come here." Kagome called from the living room's entry way.

"Hm?" He asked once he stood before her. His eyes widened when she leaned up to kiss him.

"Mistletoe. Thank you, for everything." Higurashi Kagome then took her children to the bedroom she shared with Sukido Hojo and eventually drifted off. Hojo, however, spent the entire night ensuring that Kagome would indeed know just how much he did care in time.

With Sesshomaru

Sesshomaru sighed heavily as he sat in his Inumimi's cottage. He could ever so slightly catch Kagome's warm, spicy scent. How he missed her, and his pups. He'd yet to meet them, and yet his heart yearned for them, ached for them. His father had told him how beautiful they were, describing every single trait, but it was not enough. He wanted to see them for himself, hold them, interact with them. But he could not.

He scowled. No. He could not be there for his pups, but instead, a human male took care of his pups, or so his father said. Upon being told that the ningen fool was catering to Kagome and his pups, he'd nearly gone into a chikaku no ketsueki, or blood rage.

Kayo was beginning to worry about him. She was always at his side, clinging to him. And at night she attempted to force herself on him in hopes of bringing him back to his old self. Sesshomaru knew she cared nothing about him, only wanted his title, his body, and his money. Many youkai were like that, but his Kagome was not. The only issue was that his Kagome was 500 years ahead of him. Sighing once again, he furrowed his brow, considering possible ways to bring her back.

"Oh, Sesshomaru!" His Inumimi squealed as she materialized at his left, and her son, Inutaisho, appeared at his right. "You'll never believe what Inumaru brought you!"

'My mate,' the daiyoukai thought sarcastically, not bothering to look up at them.

"This strange type of scroll thing, he says it's called a photo album."

Sesshomaru's attention peaked, he looked up. "A photo, a more advanced version of a painting. What is in this album, father?

Inutaisho beamed, happy that his son was interested. "Pictures of your family. This red book is filled with pictures of Kagome and the pups. I borrowed it as she slept. I'll have to get it back before she wakes up. I figured that you didn't want to see the human that was with her, so I took those pictures out."

Silently, Sesshomaru thanked his father. Eagerly, though it did not show on his stoic face, he accepted the album, opening it to the first page, a large picture of a round, pregnant Kagome, smiling broadly. 'Her eyes are so happy and full of life.' He found himself smiling gently as he traced a hand down her form, tapping her stomach.

Inumimi leaned over him to flip the page, smirking at the picture of Kagome yelling at a teenage boy. "He resembles her."

"Her brother Sota, I assume." Sesshomaru whispered, also smirking at the photo of his feisty Mikoyoukai. On the next page, there was one of her slightly larger, squinting her eyes and sticking out her tongue, then one of her pouting, then one of her in a yellow maternity sundress, twirling. "So childish."

"She's getting larger. I assume the pups will come in a few pages."

Indeed, Sesshomaru flipped through the pages slowly, passing two before he came to a large picture of his twin pups. He couldn't silence the gasp that escaped his mouth. They were perfect, so small, but so perfect. "My pups." His son was the splitting image of the painting of himself as a pup and his father that hung in the entry way. And his daughter, he'd be a fool to say she wasn't the most beautiful onna he'd ever seen since her mother, youkai or human.

Their hair looked so thick, so curly, and their small, squinted eyes shining golden. Their little mouths, his daughter scrunched up as she prepared to wail, and his son's in a tight line. And his markings, he'd never seen his markings look as wonderful as they did on his pups. And they both had his nose, long, precise, and aristocratic. "They are utter faultlessness."

"Aren't they, though?" Inutaisho whistled. "Simply precious the way they act."

Sesshomaru's tiny, hardly noticeable smile broadened a bit as he came to a decision. "I am keeping this picture."

Inutaisho's eyes widened. "Y-you can't, Sesshomaru. Kagome will notice her favorite picture missing!"

"And she will simply find out. In fact, I wish to keep this entire book."

"Sesshomaru, I'm sorry. But I can't allow that." He reached for the book, halting when his growled harshly at him.

Sesshomaru clutched the book to him, eyeing his father with fearsome red eyes. "Touch it and die again, father. It is mine."

"Sesshomaru, Kagome will be furious when she finds it gone. She'll blame me."

"Then blame you she will."

Inutaisho growled. "She will blame you. She will be furious."

He arched a brow. "Enough to return to take her book back?"

"…I doubt that."

Sesshomaru's face hardened. "I will keep this. Nothing you can say will change my mind. If I cannot have my mate, my pups, I assure you that I will have them in picture."

Inutaisho looked to his mother for help, and she sighed, laying a hand on her grandson's bicep. "Sesshou, please allow you father to take it back. You can have it all night, but he needs to return it by morning." She whispered in a soft, caring voice.

"She is keeping them from this Sesshomaru. The least that she owes is a photo."

"Okay, then. Take one."

"Two. I would like one of her as well."

Inutaisho smiled gently. "If you flip toward the back, there are more recent photos with all three in them. I don't think she'll much mind to one of those being missing."

Sesshomaru flipped to the back as his father instructed, and, as he'd said, there were photo's of his whole little family. He immediately found his favorite. Kagome was sleeping peacefully, holding the twins, both also asleep, in her arms. Her mouth was slightly agape, and the moonlight hit her face just right. His eyes twinkled as he pulled it out. He would take the photo, and keep it until his little miko decided to return to him.

"Nice choice." Inutaisho congratulated, stiffening as he felt Kayo approaching. Taking the book carefully, he whispered, "I will return this now."

"Not yet." Sesshomaru replied in a low growl. "I did not see the entire thing."

"I wish I could leave it, but Kayo is coming. I'll see you tomorrow." Inumaru vanished, taking the book with him.

Inumimi looked to her grandson, taking note of the heartbreak in his eyes. "It will be alright in time, my pup. It will." Kissing his forehead, she too vanished as Kayo walked through the door.

"Lord Sesshomaru, there you are."

Sesshomaru tucked the photo into his sleeves. "We are not rutting tonight, and I am sleeping here. I told you not to disturb me." She'd ruined his moment to see his pups grow through photo.

Kayo blinked at his hostile tone, then sighed. "Is this still about that Kagome wench? Everyone else has gotten over her, why can't you get over the whore?" Instantly, she found herself slammed against a wall.

"Call her a whore again and…" He trailed off. With the miko gone, he'd found a part of him missing, his self control was weaker than usual. Inhaling deeply, he drew back from her. "The miko has done very much for This Sesshomaru. I respect her, so you are to as well."

She embraced him, pressing herself against him. "B-but I'm your mate-to-be, Lord Sesshomaru. She shouldn't be of higher rank than myself. If she called me a whore-"

"Then she would be punished." Sesshomaru lied easily. He would probably shake his head in amusement at the miko's ability to judge one's character so quickly.

Kayo, hardly believing it, nodded against his chest. "Do you care for her, Lord Sesshomaru?"

He stiffened ever so slightly. "No."

"Hm. Do you wish for her to return?"

"If she wishes, that is fine. But if she does not, I will not be affected."

"I heard the hanyo-" She hesitated at his glare, "your younger half brother speaking of a well as her way here. If I destroy-" She winced as he grasped her arms in a vice-like grip.

Sesshomaru growled. "DO NOT touch the well or you are a dead woman, my lady," he spat the term with venom.

Shuddering in fear, she cringed as he pushed her roughly, causing her to hit the wall with great force. Her eyes narrowed. "You do care for her."

"We mate in less than half moon cycle, Kayo. You become the Western Lady. Do not ruin things for yourself. I could find a replacement. Go to our chambers. If you leave that room anytime before I say so, you are dead."

"You're banishing me to the room?!"

"Yes. Now, be gone."

Scowling, she whipped around. It wasn't fair. She'd thought that the Inuyoukai lord would do anything to mate her, simply to get out of the hassle of looking for a mate. But that miko was a threat and she wasn't even there. She'd deal with her if she ever returned.

Month Eleven- January

With Sesshomaru

Sesshomaru looked in the mirror as he tied his pure white obi. He was dressed in a pristine white haori and matching hakamas. His boots were also white. Grabbing the comb from his vanity, he combed it straight through his lengthy, silken silver hair. Pulling a white ribbon from a drawer, he tied his hair into a high ponytail. Eyeing himself in the mirror, he narrowed his eyes at the look of defeat drawn on his face. He looked worn, tired, fed up. He wanted to wait, but he couldn't postpone the mating ceremony again, not after he'd put it on hold from half a moon cycle previously.

Kagome would not be returning as he had hoped, and he'd just have to grow to accept the fact that she wasn't there. "It is time. Kagome or no Kagome, I must continue living. I am The Inuyoukai Western Lord, needed by my land. I have duties. I cannot allow myself to fall apart over a once-human." He convinced himself. Nodding firmly, he cracked his shoji to look out. The people were gathering in the gardens for the mating ceremony, he could see Inuyasha standing proudly in his spot, which was to the right of where Sesshomaru, himself, would stand.

The music began to play, his cue to take his position. He inhaled deeply before sliding back the shoji and gliding straightly, regally to his spot. He locked eyes with Inuyasha, before averting his gaze and forcing himself not to sigh. A softer version of the song played at his turn, and he turned to the left as Kayo walked to her spot to the left of him.

She was pretty, beautiful even, but she wasn't the Kagome he longed for. She wasn't his little Mikoyoukai. 'Silence! The miko is gone and is not coming back!'

'But master-'

'No buts! Kayo will be my mate.' Over her head, he spotted his father and Inumimi watching him sadly. Narrowing his eyes, he looked away. 'It must be done.'

The monk, dressed from head to white silk, cleared his throat. "Today we join, both youkai and human, to witness the union of one Western Lord, Sesshomaru, and one Eastern Hime, Kayo. If there is anyone who wishes to object, they may do so now."

Sesshomaru felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He wished someone would stand up. Truly, he wished Kagome would return and claim him as hers. But all was silent.

Miroku sighed. He'd hoped that their favorite miko would show up as well. "Lord Sesshomaru, would you recite the Mating Oath?"

'The oath.' "I, Lord Sesshomaru, hereby give my word to protect and honor Lady Kayo for as long as she is the Lady of the Western Lands."

"Lady Kayo?"

Kayo smiled. "I, Lady Kayo, hereby swear to honor, respect, and obey my Lord Sesshomaru for the rest of my life."

"Lady Kayo, do you take Lord Sesshomaru to be your lawfully mated male?"

"I do."

"Lord Sesshomaru, do you take Lady Kayo to be your lawfully mated bitch?"

Sesshomaru lowered his gaze to Kayo, then lifted it to the sky. Was he ready to give up on Kagome? 'Just because I am mated lawfully to Kayo does not mean that I cannot have Kagome. We will not be physically until I am ready.' He nodded then and spoke, "I do, "completely unaware of the broken woman hiding behind a bush.

"You may kiss your bitch."

And Sesshomaru did, only he imagined that she was someone else.

With Kagome

'H-he's mated to her by law?' Kagome's eyes misted. 'I knew that I shouldn't have returned.' Clutching her children to her, she turn and fled, keeping her scent masked as she ran. 'How could I have been so foolish?! I can't go to him now, especially not with two pups! He's mated now! My children will be cast aside like Inuyasha! I refuse to have that!'

She looked down at her children as they slept in her arms. 'But Oyo-Banai needs his father to grow, and Kakegae to live period. I'll go to him when Kakegae needs him. I can't face him just yet.' She traveled onward until nightfall, when she came to a human village. Masking her and her children's youkai auras, and leaving the miko auras, she placed a disguise on herself and her family. Their hair became raven, and their eyes green. Kagome used her invisible claws to scratch herself in various places before, continuing into the village to be met by its leader.

"And who are you?" The old man wheezed.

"Please, could you help me? My village is to the east. It was attacked by youkai. I hardly managed to get out alive! I had to protect my children, and-"

"Say no more." He smiled gently. "There was a hut built recently for visitors. You may stay there until we can have you a hut built."

Kagome beamed, false tears streaming down her face. "Thank you."

He shook his head. "It's quite alright, miko-sama. All that we ask in return is that you use your powers when you can to assist us."

"I will."

"Daughters!" he called, and two young teen's rushed to his side. "Kiko, see to miko-sama's wounds. Mari, see to her children while her wounds are cleaned and bandaged. Make sure you remain by her side with the children."

Bowing, they nodded and set to work, "Yes, father."

Kagome allowed Mari to take her children before slowly following after her. Pausing, she looked back and whispered again, "Thank you."

He smirked. "It's not every day that a Mikoyoukai shows up in my village."

Her eyes widened. "You knew?"

"Of course. I am a seer. I knew that you were coming. Now, off with you. See to yourself inflicted wounds." He said softly. "And in time, your inner wounds will heal as well."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you." She hurried after the girls. 'Thank you.'

Month Twelve- February

With Sesshomaru

"Lord Sesshomaru, a census has been taken as you asked." Sesshomaru's first advisor, a Raven Kitsune, looked down to his scroll. "They are as such: In the Dai village-19, in the Chou- 23, in the Midori- 21, in the Hitori- 27, in-"

"Hitori has 27 villagers? Are you certain?"

"Yes, milord."

"And they know that I have a limit of 26?"

The Raven Kitsune nodded. "They said these are special circumstances that they will only tell to you face to face, for fear of spies." He had to admit, he'd been a little suspicious. Something didn't sit well with that village, but at the same time it warmed his heart.

Sesshomaru growled. He didn't have time for this. Especially not when Kayo was feeling ill and getting on his nerves. He was beginning to worry that she was pregnant. They'd only slept with each other once since the legal mating, and they hadn't physically mated, but she'd been ill ever since. "Fine. I will be going as soon as possible."

"Your brother, Prince Inuyasha, will wish to go as well. I am sure, milord."

"Then tell the fool to ready his troops and his comrades." Sesshomaru replied, using fool as a small term of endearment.

"Yes, milord. Whatever you wish."

Once the Kitsune was gone, Sesshomaru went back to what he had been doing before he was interrupted. He pulled the photo he'd stolen from Kagome's album out of his drawer and studied it. The pups would be a year in mere months, according to his father, who'd also said that he could get in touch with her anymore. Something had changed. He prayed that she wasn't dead, or worse, in a coma, fighting for a life she probably wouldn't have.

Shaking his head, he sighed. Such thoughts shouldn't have been thought in the first place. And he shouldn't have been so worked up. He was supposed to be getting over her, but he eyed that picture repeatedly. He hardly slept anymore, instead sitting on the balcony and gazing from face to face. He should have been beside her. 'I should be beside her now.' "Hn. Perhaps I will work through this in time."

Sesshomaru tried to restrain from barking at Kayo, from harming her. She'd insisted on following him to the village, and he was moments from killing her. She babbled too much, and she clung to his arm like a leech. But there was a chance that she was carrying his pup. Oh, he nearly shuddered at the idea. Kagome and only Kagome could carry his pups. Shaking her off again, he sent her a swift glare, "Do not touch my person, and remain silent in the village. Do not speak unless I allow you."

Kayo frowned, but nodded, crossing her arms over her chest and willing the urge to vomit to vanish. "Yes, milord."

Inuyasha would have laughed at one point, but found himself unable to. 'Kagome, how could you do this to me? To us? We're all so lost without you.' He smiled quickly at Kikyo when she grabbed his hand.

Sesshomaru approached the leader of the village, "Michio, what is the meaning of this? A village's limit is 26. You know this very well, for you were at it during the last census."

"There was a special case, Milord Demon. I will show you to her." He headed to the back of the village, where a lone hut stood. "She should be in there with her children. I will leave you to talk to her."

"Woman." Sesshomaru said as he stood before her hut.

From inside, Kagome cursed. 'Play it cool, Kaggy!' Hurrying outside, she smoothed out her dirty yukata. "Milord Demon." She bowed. 'Dear God, he looks delicious.' Rising, she saw Kayo behind him, and anger rose in her. 'Calm down.'

The daiyoukai arched brow at the young woman before him when he saw anger flash in her eyes. Ignoring it, he questioned, "Why are you here, forcing the village over its limit? The limit's are in place to keep famine away."

"I was attacked by demon's, milord. My entire small village was burned to the ground. I ran all the way to the west and eventually came here. It is only temporary."

"Temporary or not, you will leave now. Pack your things quickly." He turned away from her.

Kagome clenched her fists. "I'm not going anywhere." She said stonily, then almost covered her mouth. 'Shut up!'

Freezing, Sesshomaru turned slowly to face her. "What did you say?"

Kayo snarled. "She disrespected you. Allow me to handle this human, milord."

"Kayo, do not-" But he was too late. Kayo had already slapped the human roughly across the face, causing her to stumble. "Kayo!" Sesshomaru grabbed her arm, jerking her to him. "I said to remain silent and still. You will be punished."

Kagome pulled away from Miroku as he helped her up. Glaring at Sesshomaru, she snapped, "Keep your wench in check."

Sesshomaru fumed. "Watch your mouth, human.'

'H-he's defending her?' "Why should I?" She continued to egg him on, not on purpose, but it was in her nature.

"Wench," Sesshomaru grabbed her wrist roughly, forcing her to the ground and earning a cry, "You know not to whom you speak."

"I know who you are." She snarled.

"Sess, lighten up." Inuyasha whispered. 'I-I mean, think about Kagome.' He muttered through their brotherly connection, which had finally be forged just before his mating Kayo.

'Kagome.' Sesshomaru released the girl instantly. Kagome would hate him forever if she saw him treated anyone this way. "I apologize." He said lowly, helping her up.

Kagome's eyes widened. H-he's sorry. "I am sorry for disrespecting you, milord. I'm been told that I'm way too outspoken for someone of my time."

"Yes. You are." She reminded him vaguely of Kagome. He looked over her shoulder when two small babies rolled out of the hut. It seemed the little things couldn't crawl yet. They were quite small, but very cute. Sesshomaru nearly shook his head. 'I've listened to Kagome speak far too often. Cute.'

"Kakegae, Oyo-banai!" Kagome cried, coming to her knees. "You can't crawl so you roll out of the hut after me?! Naughty babies!'

They looked up at her with wide eyes, the girl smiling, the boy refusing to do so, despite his urge. Sesshomaru's eyes flew to the woman. 'Kakegae and Oyo-Banai?' Those were the names his father said Kagome had given their pups. He took her hand, pulling her to her feet and leaning close, studying her face.

Kagome blushed a bright red. "W-what are you doing, milord?"

"Kagome." He said incredulously.

"Kagome?!" Inuyasha asked, pushing Sesshomaru away and eying the girl, who shook her head furiously. "Would you sit still, wench?! I can't see your face!"

"Wench?!" Kagome cried. "Sit!" Her hand shot to her mouth as he fell to the ground. She stepped back as all eyes turned to her. 'Feign stupid, or run?' Her eyes darted to her pups. Quickly, she scooped them up, preparing to run when Inuyasha popped up before her.

He grabbed her by the shoulder's and growled, "Drop the act, Kagome."

Defeated, Kagome reluctantly dropped her disguise, but held it on her children. "Hello, Inuyasha."

His eyes widened, before they narrowed. Drawing his arm back, he punched her as hard as he could. "Damn you, Kagome!"

"Inuyasha!" The tachi cried as Kagome hit the ground.

Sesshomaru snarled. "Inuyasha, you fool!"

"Get up and take your beating like a woman, wench!"

Kagome snorted. "My beating! You're the one getting beaten!" She leapt into the air, kicking him hard in the chest. She sat her foot on top of him as he laid on his back. "Ha, stupid han-"

Snarling, Inuyasha lunged, forcing her to the ground and punching her in the cheek. Kagome kicked him in the stomach, forcing him off. She wiped the blood from her mouth before running at him. Inuyasha bared his fangs as she jumped again, preparing to kick. He grabbed her leg, tossing her against a tree. "What did you leave for?!"

"I was tired of the pain, Inuyasha!" Kagome flew at him, punching him twice in the stomach, before sending a harsh jab to his face. "Couldn't you be a friend and be happy for me, you selfish prick!?"

"You swore that you wouldn't leave! No matter what!" The hanyou tackled her to the ground, pushing their noses together. "Do you know how lost we all were?!"

"Do you know how lost I was remaining here?!" Kagome flipped their positions, crying out when she was kicked in the chest and sent flying into a tree.

Sesshomaru wanted to interfere, but he knew they needed this to move on. He instead turned all of his attention to his pups, scooping the up in his arms to keep them out of harm's way. Even as humans, they were precious. But he couldn't wait to see them as youkai.

"So you ran?!" Inuyasha raced at her.

"This is one hell of a way to make me believe you missed me!" Kagome ran at him.

"Of course I missed you, you wench! If I hadn't, I wouldn't be doing this!"

Kagome cocked her head to the side. "What? I-" She cringed as his head smashed into hers. "Agh!" She cried, clutching her head. "You hardheaded bastard!"

Inuyasha clutched his head, stumbling from side the side. "Jeez, your head his hard, kagome!"

"You probably cracked my skull."

"Oh man!" Inuyasha fell to the ground unconscious with a THUD.

"Moron." Kagome mumbled, collapsing on top of him.

Miroku cocked a brow. "I assume this proves that Kagome has the harder head? Inuyasha fell unconscious fist, and he's only a hanyou while she's a youkai."

"I think it proves that his head is harder." Sango looked to Sesshomaru, who held Kagome's children. 'He's holding them like…Oh my God! Kagome had Sesshomaru's pups!'

With Kagome

"Ow." Kagome winced as she sat up. She glared at Inuyasha still unconscious body. "I hope you never wake up, idiot!"

Startled by her loud voice, Inuyasha shot up. "What's happening?!

Kagome crossed her arm. "Your lack of direction and coordination got us both cracked skulls."

"Oh fuck." Inuyasha rubbed his head.

"Indeed." Sesshomaru crossed his arms as he stood in the doorway. "Miko, Inuyasha, come to the kitchen."

The pair followed him to the kitchen, holding each other up. "Pretty nice place you got here, Kagome. Big enough for a kitchen."

Kagome beamed. "Thanks, Inuyasha. I built most of it, with a little help from the villagers."

"You're getting stronger, you know. You're pretty accustomed to your youkai strength."

"Yeah. Practiced a lot in my era." She sighed, turning to him and embracing him tightly. "I'm sorry if I hurt you. I needed that for me. It helped, a lot."

"I'm glad you're alright." Inuyasha whispered, nuzzling his nose into her hair. "And I'm glad you've returned to us, Kagome."

Sesshomaru frowned as the hanyou cuddled his miko. He sat back as she embraced the others, and bowed before him, before sitting next to her babies.

Kagome smiled as they tumbled around on their blanket, looking simply adorable. "Hello, my babies. Did I worry you?"

They mewed, as if knowing what she was talking about.

"I'm sorry." She pouted. "Do you forgive me?" They didn't make a sound, so Kagome sighed. "Alright. I understand. These things take time. Forgive me when you're in the mood." She watched with delighted eyes as they continued to roll around on each other.

"Were you going to tell me?" Sesshomaru asked lowly. He had sent Kayo on her way to ensure that she did not hear this conversation.

Kagome stiffened, but tried to hide it by stretching. She asked nonchalantly, "What?"

"You know what, miko. Your babies, the pups are mine."

"And how do you know that? I did sleep with Naraku before I left."

Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze at her. "Inuyoukai can only have Inuyoukai pups. I am sure that they are not Inuyasha's. Father is merely a ghost. Takeshi is impossible. Your pups are indeed our pups."

Kagome didn't reply, instead erasing the spell she had on her children, and bearing Sesshomaru's real pups to him. After a moment of the tachi staring in awe, she asked, "Their names? How did you know them?"

"…My father."

Kagome hissed. "Ugh, that fucking apparition is dead! The nerve of him, telling me I could trust him! I should have known! I time traveling ghost doesn't just find out your secret and hold it. Damn fucker." She muttered, crossing her arms. "Inutaisho, I'm sure you hear me. You're dead."

"He had no choice. I was in pain, which told me that something important was occurring with you that involved myself. Father simply allowed me a painless moment."

"He's still dead."

"Hey, Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked, scooting closer to her.

"Touch me, and I'll rip your heart out, monk. I let you cop a feel when we hugged, don't think it will happen again."

Miroku sighed. "Of course. But what is that ring on your finger?"

Kagome gazed at her hand, a sad smile playing on her face. "I was engaged."

"To what?"

"To be married."

The tachi eyed her in shock. Sesshomaru nearly scowled. 'Father did not tell me of that, only that the male was taking care of them.'

Inuyasha arched a brow. "Married to who?"

Kagome stood, shuffling over to the bag she'd brought with her. She withdrew a brown photo album and sat back in the circle. She flipped to the first page, a picture of Hojo and her at the beach that July. Kagome was wearing a teal two piece bikini, and Hojo was wearing a pair of shorts, both stretched out of the blanket with her pups. "Him."

"Hobo?!" Inuyasha asked incredulously.

"Sukido Hojo." Kagome snapped, tracing the page with a finger. "A descendent of Akitoki Hojo."

"He looks at you with love." Miroku whispered.

"Yes." She replied softly. "But I didn't love him back, and I still don't. He just wanted to be there, to take care of me and my children. He was a good friend." A tear drop his the page.

Sango bit her lip, before asking, "Is he dead?"

Kagome jumped. "Oh no! Hojo-kun is well alive. I just left him to avoid pain for the both of us."

Kikyo flipped through the pages. "You two make a beautiful couple."

"Yes, people were always saying that. Hojo-kun is perfect. He's handsome, intelligent, outgoing, caring. And one day I know, he'll find someone else to love. And one day, "She flipped the page to one where Hojo was holding the twins in his arms, tears in his eyes. It'd been taken right after their birth, "He'll be able to hold a baby and say that he made it…Well, that's all the picture's…wait, no it isn't." he flipped the page, expecting to see a picture, but instead she saw an envelope that reeked of Hojo and a large, sparkling diamond ring. "What in the world?"

"That's so beautiful, Kagome-chan." Sango gushed. "What is that?"

"An envelope." She ripped it open, taking out the letter. "He wrote me something."

Dear Beautiful Kagome,

You are reading this now, so then you must be in the feudal era. I was on the computer, looking up a little about demons. You should live to this time! So, if things don't work well with your demon, perhaps we could give us another go? Does that sound nice?

I know you want me to move on, but you're my first love, my perfection, my world. I'll never stop loving Kagome Higurashi, and I'm sure some part of you will never stop loving Sukido Hojo. And I know that you loved me, because otherwise you wouldn't have cared about me getting hurt if you stayed.

Is the feudal era treating you well? Are you wounded, ill? I don't know what I'd do if you left this Earth. I'd rather you be here and not with me, than be gone. After I wrote this, I probably cuddled deep into your side, just to feel you against me. Your scent is the sweetest thing I've ever smelled, your hot, supple flesh the most fragile I've ever touched, even if it was only your hand, your taste, when we kiss, the most powerful, remarkable thing! So breathtaking, and yet it gives me life!

I will probably love after you. I will probably marry and have children. And I will love that woman, though she is not Kagome Higurashi, no, she will not be my Kagome Higurashi. And yet, I will love her, but not the way that I love you. She will only be my second love, absolutely nothing compared to you, my first.

Her scent will be the second sweetest thing I'll ever smell, her warm, soft skin the second most fragile I'll ever touch, even though I will touch her in places I will probably never be able to touch you, her taste, when we kiss it will only be the second most powerful, amazing thing! It will only leave me panting, not breathless, and it will not give me life, but spirit, like that of a ghost, living, but not living.

You will haunt me Kagome, but don't feel bad, because I want to be haunted by your scent, your feel, your taste, your presence. Forgetting is out of the question. I want to swaddle myself in it.

As I lay next to you tonight, I will dream of the marriage which will never be, hence the ring. I will dream of touching you like I want to, hence the condom wrapper you probably looked over. We wouldn't be using one anyway. I'll suckle your breast like OURnewborn children. And indeed, I do say our. I will dream that we grew old together, hence the dying rose.

Promise me that you will remember me, that you will hold on to a fourth of a fourth of a fourth of a fourth of a fourth of a fourth of a fourth of a fourth of a fourth of a meter of the love you have for me. All else can be placed upon your demon. But keep that for me, please.

Forever yours, and dreaming of you,

Sukido Hojo.

Kagome covered her mouth with her hand, suppressing a sob. Inuyasha growled. "What'd he say?" Inuyasha snatched the note from her hands, reading it quickly. As he continued reading, his face grew red from embarrassment and slight jealousy. "Oi, wench, what're you cryin' over that for?"

"It's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me-e-e!" Kagome wailed, burying her face in his chest.

Patting her back, unsure of what to do, Inuyasha replied, "Keh, it was alright."

"It's so passionate. I felt every word."

"What does it say? Read it aloud!" Sango said eagerly.

Inuyasha tossed her the paper. "Feh, you read it aloud."

Kagome, too busy crying, didn't seem to care as the entire thing was read aloud. Miroku whistled lowly. "I must borrow some of that sometime. You found quite the young man, Lady Kagome."

Sesshomaru growled lowly, crossing his arms. The fool wasn't even there, and he was taking her attention. When he lived to her time, he would track him down and kill him. The final straw for him, though, was when Miroku held up the condom wrapper, and Kagome told him, face red, what it men. Quickly, before she could move, he'd pried the paper from her hands, tossed it to the floor, and embraced her. "Let us get something straight, miko. You are to be mine, so he will not have you."

"S-Sesshomaru?"

"I've waited far too long for you to return to lose you again."

Her eyes wide, Kagome fisted his kimono and laid her head against his chest, unsure of what to say. It was unexpected. She wasn't even sure if she was supposed to reply. So, she didn't.