Sesshomaru held Kagome tighter to his form. There was no way that he would release her, not now that he had her with him again. He would be damned if he let her run off to the future again. Brushing his nose against her ear, he growled, "You will never leave again, nor will you ever separate me from our pups."

"About the pups, Sesshoma-"

"There is much planning to be done. It will take a moment to prepare the pups' nursery. I will have to get Jaken straight to that. Then there is the matter of our room. Much editing will have to be done. A larger futon is unquestionably in order, ne, miko?" He trailed his hand from her back to her round bottom and sat, stunned, when her hand flew across his cheek. The tachi were equally surprised, and hardly restrained from jumping to Kagome's rescue when he growled angrily at her. "What was your point in that?"

Kagome looked away from his eyes, which were bright gold with anger and hidden hurt. Her palm stung, as did her heart. Striking him was the last thing she'd wanted to do. "You've forgotten something."

"I forget nothing."

"You, Sesshomaru, are legally mated, and I am no one's whore." She stood and regarded at him with cold eyes that nearly rivaled his own. "Besides that, I did not return for you or any other person in this era."

Sesshomaru gazed at her with narrowed eyes. "Then why have you come?"

Kagome smiled over at their daughter sadly. "Oyo-Banai needs a father, as done Kakegae. In addition to that, Kakegae is supposed to be dead right now."

"Is my girl pup ill?" Sesshomaru asked instantly, fearing the worst.

"Kake's heart is weak. According to Inutaisho, it's because I wasn't near you during her growth with me. That's also why Oyobanai is so small. I never planned to return. But I refuse to allow my daughter to die, or my son to grow up weak just because my heart hurts. I will provide the best life for them that they can possibly have even if it kills me to do so." Lifting her pups into her arms, she carried them to Sesshomaru, offering them.

Eager to get his hands back on his pups, Sesshomaru took them from her, pondering her words at the same time. "So, you do not still desire this Sesshomaru?"

Kagome stiffened, and then glared at him. "I never desired you, Sesshomaru." Her gaze lowered. "Like a fool, I managed to fall in love with you. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go find something to eat so that I'll be nourished when the pups wish to be fed." She left quickly, the flap over her doorway flapping in the breeze.

Oyo-Banai grabbed his father's finger, gumming at his skin. Kakegae reached down and grabbed her feet, giggling as she showed her father and alpha her newest trick. Sesshomaru rewarded her with a brief Eskimo kiss. He flared his aura, allowing it and his scent to wrap around his pups, letting any who came within proper distance of them knew that indeed they were his. Now all that he needed to do was do the same to Kagome, without her knowledge of course. Rising, he carried the pups to the nearest female, the born again miko. Glaring down his nose at Inuyasha, he growled, "Should anything happen to them on your watch, you are a dead fool. Understood?"

"Hey, the kids are my niece and nephew, ain't they?" Was all the hanyou said.

"Here here, little boar." Kagome whispered in a sing song voice. "I won't eat you," she continued, before adding softly, "until after I fry you up over the fire." Hearing a shuffling in a thrush, she tiptoed toward it. "Gotcha!" Pushing the brushed back, she let out a startled scream when Sesshomaru stood, the boar she'd been hunting dead in his arms. "Jeez, give me a heart attack, why don't ya?"

"A heart attack?" He asked curiously.

She sighed. "Future term. Now, whaddya want?"

Sesshomaru held out the boar, offering a tiny smile. "You were hunting this."

"Yes. Erm, thanks." Carefully, she grabbed the boar from him and began on her trip back to her hut. When she noticed that he was following, she stopped and waited for him to catch up before walking off again. "Was there something you needed?"

"You are angry with me."

"No. It's not like you've given me reason to be." She remarked sarcastically.

Sesshomaru sighed silently. She just wouldn't allow him a chance to explain. "Miko, allow me to make you understand."

"Make me understand, Sesshomaru. Enlighten me, because I'm confused."

"Even with the body of a youkai, you are human. The very thought irked me in ways that you can never imagine. A human killed my father. A human took my father from me. A human bore my father a new son because his old one was just that, old." His eyes hardened. "A human brings pain into my life, and yet, she brings me happiness. With humans come trials, and I was not ready for such. However, I quickly realized that human or not, you are all that I've ever wanted."

Kagome halted, dropping the boar. "Don't say that."

Sesshomaru touched her shoulder. "I say what I feel. You are my beloved."

"Don't say that to me, Sesshomaru! I'm not your doll! You can't just take Kagome out and play with her!"

"I assure you that I am serious."

"You're mated."

"I will have you, whether I must kill Kayo in order to have you or not."

Kagome cursed loudly at him. "She doesn't deserve to die, Sesshomaru."

He nodded. "Indeed, she does."

"Look, I came back for the pups. I don't want you."

"I scent your foul lie on your breath."

Kagome scowled. "You're unbearable." She turned to storm off, tripping over the boar. Closing her eyes, she awaited the ground, but surprisingly never met it. She was instead pressed against a tight, firm chest. "Th-thank you." Her eyes opened wide before fluttering shut when Sesshomaru kissed her. Pressing up into him, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Sesshomaru coated her body with his scent as they rubbed their bodies together, breathing through their noses as they kissed, both in ecstasy. Slowly, he lowered her to the ground, straddling his waist. They parted for air for a split second before diving right back into it.

Kagome tossed her head back as Sesshomaru fluttered gentle kisses against her neck. It was when he ground his erection into her lower stomach that she began to slowly come down from her high and comprehend what was going on. Startled, she pushed Sesshomaru off and crawled away. "You're mated. I won't be the other woman." She said, disgusted with herself for going so far.

"You are the only woman I love." He extended his hand to her.

"No. I'm sorry, Sesshomaru." She turned to walk off.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru called lowly.

Kagome shook her head, speeding up.

Sesshomaru rose, starting after her. "Miko, listen to This Sesshomaru."

"You hurt me, Sesshomaru! You hurt me and you're mated! I don't want to hear your sweet talk." She burst into a rapid, demonic sprint, zooming into her hut and into her bedroom.

Inuyasha blinked, then looked to the door when Sesshomaru walked in, his clothing a bit dirty, and his once perfectly straight silver hair ruffled. "So, you tried to seduce her, and she didn't fall for it?"

Sesshomaru growled warningly. "I did not try to seduce her. Everything I said was true…I simply could not control myself when I had her in my arms after longing her presence for so long."

"Well, leave her alone for a sec, at least until the pups get hungry. She'll probably cry herself to sleep in there, and then wake up right on time. But know this, Sess…" Inuyasha met his eyes with a level glare, "Harm her again, and I mean, period- whether she's only a little hurt, or she's hurt enough to leave again- I'll shove your head so far up your ass, you'll be able to see your heart as I stab through it with my claws."

"Hn."

"My ass."

WITH NARAKU

Kakudan knocked hesitantly on the wood of his father's shoji. When he heard his father speak, he slid the door back and stared in wonder at the mark on his father's back. There was one on his that was fairly similar. It'd begun to appear when his father had. When he heard his father speak, he slid the door back and stared in wonder at the mark on his father's back. There was one on his that was fairly similar. It'd begun to appear when his father had taken him away from his mother. 'My mother…'

"Kakudan, my son, was there something you needed."

"I miss mother." He said softly, kneeling behind his father and touching his back. He smoothed his small palm over his father's burn mark. "Are you done punishing her yet?"

"No. Not yet." Naraku clenched his face. "She will suffer." She would indeed suffer for all the pain she caused him, going back and forth between him and that pesky Daiyoukai. Perhaps that was why, because he was a Daiyoukai, while Naraku himself was merely hanyou. He was inspired now more than ever to grab the entire Shikon no Tama. Kagome would love him when he was the only one left and a Daiyoukai.

Kakudan frowned, his claws lengthening and nicking his father's skin. "I don't want mother hurt. I want us to be a family. She loves me. She loves you. And we love her too. Why can't we just be together?"

Naraku scowled. "Because Sesshomaru is in the way."

"So it's his fault that you have to make her suffer and hurt?"

"In a way."

Kakudan glared at his father back. "She's probably crying, and it's his fault."

"No matter. He will be dead soon enough. If you continue improving in training as you have, perhaps I will allow you to end him."

A small smile came to Kakudan's face as his claws retracted. With Sesshomaru gone, their family would become complete again. His lips thinned into a straight line. But he didn't want Sesshomaru did. In fact, he cared for him. Sesshomaru had taken up the role of his father when his own father could not. Then there was the matter of Kagami.

His father had attacked the tachi many times since finding out that his mother was gone. Many of those time, Koga, Ayame, and Kagami had been with them. He hated watching his father, Kagura, Kanna, and Hakudoshi attacking and endangering his friends, especially his Kagami. He blushed, touching his cheek. He missed her too.

"What are you thinking of that has you blushing?" Naraku asked with a smirk, now facing his child.

Kakudan flushed further as he was brought to reality. Meekly, he answered, "Kagami."

"Oh, you care for the girl, do you?" He petted his son's hair. "As handsome, strong, and humorous as you are, it would come as no shock if she felt the same."

"I'll take her as my mate when we're old enough."

"And a nice bride she will be for you." Naraku whispered softly. Her parents would be dead, for no doubt they would deny serving him, and he would have to kill them. Perhaps she would begin to harbor hatred for his son, and that would not do. Things were becoming confusing. He found himself battling more each day with Onigumo within him. Prior to Kakudan, prior to Kagome, he'd never had any trouble controlling his emotions and Onigumo. But then Kagome had come, and things were out of whack. Kakudan was born, and all other control flew out the window. He sighed. 'But he is my little spiderling. He is worth losing my control over.'

Kakudan beamed. "Thank you for approving. She doesn't like you much because Koga and Ayame don't. But when mother comes back, maybe we could make things different."

Naraku nearly cringed. Kagome wasn't coming back. He feared this. He knew this. He'd taken things too far: Sleeping with Kagura, taking their child out of her life. He'd ruined everything, and he didn't believe it could get better. Even if he killed Sesshomaru…The only way would be to wish that she were his instead of becoming a powerful Daiyoukai. He could see himself making the wish, and Kagome flying into his arms. And he would be happy with that. But another part of him would still crave that power, and he feared that it would even harm Kagome to get it.

"Father?"

"Yes, Kakudan?"

"Your eyes…they have tears in them. Why are you sad?"

The hanyou frowned, his brows furrowed. Touching his eyes, he withdrew his hand at gazed at his moist fingertips. "The smoke in this room is beginning to get to me." He replied simply. Rising, he stomped the fire out with his foot and laid down. "Come, Kakudan. Sleep with your father."

Happily, Kakudan scurried onto the bed, curling up against his father. "Good night, father." He mumbled tiredly.

"Good night, my son."

Sesshomaru nodded as the last bag was loaded onto Ah-Un. He'd managed to persuade Kagome to bring the pups to the castle. Granted, and much to Sesshomaru chagrin, Kagome had disguised their pups as dark haired, dark eyed humans. It didn't do his pups justice, but Kagome was worried for them, thinking that someone might attack them, should they know who their father was, or something along those lines.

"Kagome, you got everything?" Inuyasha asked, rubbing at the lump on his head as he suppressed a grin. He knew that his friend didn't want to join them in Sesshomaru's castle, but he, for one, was happy that she was returning.

"I see that smile, mister. Wipe it off." Kagome stuck her tongue out at him when he openly beamed. Sighing, she handed her pups to their father, who nestled them into his chest. "Just let me run over to the Village Leader, then I'll be ready." She walked away from the group to find said man, and smirked when she found him in the woods. Sneaking up on him, she tapped his shoulder.

Startled, the old man whipped around, then breathed. "You nearly killed this old man."

"You nearly got me killed. You knew who I was, who my children were, who their father was. You wanted him to come here."

"As did you, deep within."

Kagome grimaced. "As if. I would have found him in time."

The old man nodded, stretching and popping his back. "Hm. So, tell me, how is your little girl?"

"Looking healthier the more time she spends with Sesshomaru." The miko whispered grudgingly. This was why she didn't like talking to old people. They somehow managed to know everything, and they had a habit of making you feel ashamed of yourself. "I know that I should have went to him immediately, but when I saw that she improved just by coming to this era-"

"When you saw him mating that demoness, you decided against it. Say your daughter had died."

Her eyes narrowed in anger, annoyance, and guilt. "She didn't."

"She could have."

"As much as I do thank you for allowing us to stay here, there is no way that I will allow you to treat me this way or speak such things. My daughter did not die, and for that I am grateful. I made a mistake, but you have absolutely no right to say so."

He bowed lowly. "I did not wish to upset you, miko-sama. I simply wanted you to understand."

Kagome sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I wasn't this snappy until I returned. Sesshomaru just puts me in a bad mood."

"May that which summons thee at night bring you together."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Take it as you feel you should." Turning swiftly, the cryptic old man continued down the path he'd been taking prior to her arrival.

Scowling, Kagome stormed back to Ah-Un. She grouched lowly about creepy, all knowing old seers. Setting on the back of the beast, as Sesshomaru had asked, more like demanded, Kagome pouted as it took off into the air. 'What in the world did he mean by that? May that which summons thee at night bring you together. Please don't tell me that Sesshomaru's going to do that hair thing again. I don't want to be tied to him.' Her musings were interrupted by Sesshomaru's sudden floating beside her when he'd been at the head of the pack moments before. "Hm?"

Sesshomaru carefully placed their boy pup into her arms. "Oyo-Banai is beginning to teethe. He is fussy and hungry."

"Oh." She nodded in understanding. "Mind getting me something to cover my chest while I feed him." Without looking up when he wrapped something around her, she pulled out her breast and allowed her little pup to suckle, despite the fact that she was sore. She'd deal with the pain for him. Lovingly, she teased his curls, smiling warmly when he grabbed her finger. 'Just like Kaku used to do.' Her eyes swelled with tears, and she grabbed what Sesshomaru had wrapped around her shoulder to wipe her eyes. 'H-his Haori?' She recognized the pattern anywhere. Looking up, she saw that indeed, he was without his outer shirt. 'And without taking off the armor.'

Feeling her eyes bore into him, Sesshomaru slowed his cloud to return to her side. "Was there something you needed?"

Kagome looked to his haori, then said, "I meant a blanket."

"That should prove sufficient. My scent will calm the pup and soothe you."

"Who said I find your scent soothing?"

"You mumbled such in your sleep." He replied smugly.

She blushed and stuck her lips out in a pout. "I see your eyes flashing. You're laughing at me on the inside."

Sesshomaru smirked. "Of course I was not."

"Liar." She hissed playfully, before catching herself. He was a baka, an insufferable baka. She didn't need to get caught up in him. She was only going for the pups, and yet, she could not convince herself of that. "So…Kakudan-"

"We have not seen him in one moon cycle. Since you vanished, Naraku has attacked often, and Kakudan is always behind him, watching silently."

Kagome bit her lip. "Does he fight?"

"No. And there is pain in his eyes when he sees us battle."

"Good. He hasn't changed my baby."

"Wrong, miko." Sesshomaru corrected, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He has changed your son a great deal. His eyes are the only source of emotion on his face."

Her eyes widened. "He's become cold, indifferent? Like you?" When he nodded, she fought back the tears as best she could, but she was not strong enough.

Coddling their sleeping daughter in one arm, Sesshomaru wrapped the other around Kagome and pulled her to lean against him as she sobbed mournfully for her son.

The tachi, running on the ground below, looked up at their friend sympathetically. None of them, save Inuyasha, had heard what Sesshomaru had said, but they could all see that she was wailing into his shoulder, and they felt for her.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you've returned! We have important news to announce. Lady Kay-" Sachio paused when he saw Kagome. A large grin nearly split his face in half. "Lady Kagome, you've returned to bless us with your presence!" The guard launched himself at her, but before he could get a good grip, he was ripped off and looking into the eyes of a very angry Daiyoukai. "I take it that she has returned as your courtesan." He felt Kagome's miko energy burning at his skin and shivered. "I don't mean that!"

Kagome nodded firmly. "Good. Now, Sesshomaru, drop him."

On command, the Daiyoukai released the guard, smirking when he hit the ground hard. "Next time, I suggest you watch how you touch her. Come, Kagome. The children should me waiting in the dining hall." Placing a hand on her lower back, he gently directed her to the dining hall.

The second she was through the doors, Rin and Shippo were clinging to her. "Momma, you're back!"

"Shippo, Rin." Kagome whimpered, kneeling and embracing them. "Oh, you two have gotten so big."

"Don't leave again."

As much as the miko wanted to say that she wouldn't, nothing was guaranteed. She couldn't promise anything, so she replied with a gentle, "I'll try."

"Kagome," A deep voice called to her, "is that you?"

Looking up, she smiled, "Kohaku." 'And he's holding hands with Akane.' "Congrats on the relationship, guys."

Blushing, Kohaku rubbed the back of his head. "Thanks." Walking up to her slowly, he embraced her, "We've all missed you so much, Kagome. Never really realized just how much happiness you brought into our lives." He released her, giving Akane a chance to hug her. Kagome was still as attractive as ever, but his love for her had passed. Akane was all he needed now.

"Welcome back, Kagome-sama."

"You know its Kagome, Akane." Kagome rubbed the girl's ear, giggling when she purred. "Cute as ever." Sighing, she looked around the room. "I've missed this place a little. The fighting, the laughter, the games, the good times. Everything was so perfect. How did it go so wrong?"

"Let us not dwell in the past." Sesshomaru touched her arm gently, nearly sighing aloud when she flinched. Turning to Sachio, he inquired, "Something important to announce?"

Sachio grunted. Wasn't that important now. "Well, Lord Sesshomaru, K-"

The doors flew open and Kayo squealed. "Lord Sesshomaru! I'm pregnant!"

Kagome started at the announcement. 'P-pregnant.' "W-wow. Um, congrats, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru was at a loss for words. This couldn't be happening. Kagome had just returned, and with his pups. Kayo simply couldn't be pregnant. "Kago-" He started, but she was already out the door. He was about to follow her, when Kayo grabbed his arm.

"Aren't you happy?"

He followed the Taijiya out with his eyes. "We needed an heir."

"Yes, and now we have one."

Kagome covered her face as she stumbled out of the castle. She couldn't faint. She just couldn't. But her eyesight blurred. Blinking in an attempt to fix her sight, she failed to see the rock before her. Her foot caught, and she went tumbling down, her head smacking hard against the ground.

Sango stiffened as she heard a crash. Speeding up her search, she swiveled through bushes to find Kagome. She spotted her best friend face first on the ground, an accumulating puddle around her head. "Kagome. Oh, Kagome, sweet heart, get up." Kneeling, she shook her. Tossing Kagome's arm around her shoulder, she managed to drag the woman back to the castle. "Inuyasha! Sesshomaru! Kagome fell!"

"Fell how?" Inuyasha asked, exiting the dining hall. His eyes widened when he saw the miko's bleeding face. "Sesshomaru, send for a healer!" He took Kagome from Sango and sat on the ground, sitting her in his lap. "Man, that wound is huge."

Sesshomaru pushed Kayo back in his hurry to see Kagome. He cringed at the sight of her blood. She'd probably been running to get away, and she'd hurt herself. "Jaken, send for Jin! NOW!"

"Sesshomaru, didn't you hear me? I'm pregnant! We should be celebrating, not taking care of this little whore." Kayo complained angrily.

"Watch your mouth, Kayo! You are fine. She is wounded. Go to our chambers and remain there."

"Ugh! I'm so tired of that wench coming between us! Even when she wasn't here."

"Go!" Sesshomaru hissed, nudging her shoulder roughly. "Jin," he called as the male healer rushed to him, "attend to Kagome."

He nodded. "Hai, milord."

Sesshomaru glared over his shoulder. "Go, Kayo."

"UGH!!!" She stormed off, her hands clenched at her side. There were too many things she had to deal with: the kid in her stomach, the miko wench, and her father's upcoming arrival at the castle. She'd deal with them one at a time. And first on her list, was the human whore out to get her man, title, and wealth.