Author's note: Okay, I've been receiving several reviews and PMs, on all of my stories, from different people saying that all of my stories were 'boring' or 'shared the same story line' or my favorite 'impractical.' And to these people, firstly, I say, "Why waste your time reading if you don't like it? Why waste even more time telling me that you don't like it as though I'll say, 'OH NO! LET ME CHANGE MY WHOLE STORY THEN!' Obviously, I know I need improvement, especially with time lines. And I need to better review the grammar and spelling, but otherwise, I can't help it if you don't like the plot. Besides, I think I'm ten times better than when I started. Some of my first stories were pure CRAP. Lol. I can't help it if you think it's impractical. These stories are FICTION, meaning, they are what I want them to be, not what could really happen. Fiction is made up of what we'd like to see, but would rarely happen in the same chain of events. Also, if you're going to bother to review, at least have the courage to put your name, not anonymous or anything else. Thank you, and may you be blessed.  Now anyone who WANTS to read, read on!

Last Time: "Lord Sesshomaru will want to see you, after your attempt to murder the Lady of the West and the heir to the throne."

"Oh…whoa, when I what?!"

"Please breathe, milady. Try to stay awake." The servant whispered to Kayo as she stared through Kayo's stomach with her wide silver eyes. "Milord, the sword is not in the pup, but it cut through her side. She's bleeding profusely."

Sesshomaru's entire form was rigid and hunched over Kayo's body as he gently touched the sword. His beast was yelling for him to rip the sword out, to ignore Kayo's pain and save their pup, but the rational side of him realized that if he wasn't careful, he could very well harm the pup. "What is it that you suggest, servant?"

The woman looked to him in shock of his question, then turned her eyes back to Kayo, whose face was contorted in pain as she let out short, panting breaths. 'It must be so very painful.' "You must withdraw the sword. I will watch to be sure that you do not harm the pup."

Tying his hair back to keep it out of the way, Sesshomaru flexed his fingers and carefully grabbed the sword. Slowly, he began to draw it out, shifting to the left or right whenever the servant spoke it so. Once he'd extracted the sword completely, he tossed it to the side, where it clattered to the floor. "Kayo, you must hold on, for the pup."

"Y-yes, milord." She winced, her hand darting out to grab his.

Startled, Sesshomaru had to fight not to snatch away, telling himself that it would soothe her pain and in some way, the pup's. The servant, noting her lord's displeasure, gently pried Kayo's hands away, bringing attention to herself. "Lady Kayo, I'm going to have to induce your labor."

Kayo's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "N-no, that could kill me."

"It will not, milady. I assure you."

"Kayo, you will think of our pup." Sesshomaru said sternly. "You will be greatly rewarded when this is over."

"And you will get rid of that menace, that whore?"

Sesshomaru furrowed his brow, bowing his head. "She did not do this. You will believe that."

"I saw her face."

"There is no chance that Kagome did this, and you will not utter another word about it." Sesshomaru turned to face the servant, "Do what you must to induce labor."

Kagome struggled to free herself from the guards. "I don't want to purify you! Let me go! I'll tell Sesshomaru! He'll fire you for hurting his mate!"

The guards froze there, the one to the left throwing her aggressively into the wall. "Say that again!"

"I-I'm his mate." She whispered meekly, shrinking away from him.

"You hear this, Monita?" He laughed loudly. "This once human whore calls herself our lord's mate!"

"I am his mate!" Kagome protested harshly, bearing her mating mark to him. "See, he left his mark! He did!"

The other guard, known as Monita, who had been standing back smirked broadly. "Well, don't you look at that, Kono," he winked slyly, "Milord christened her a shared concubine." 'This human knows nothing of markings! She will believe whatever we tell her."

Eyes wide and round, Kagome flinched as Kono's hand grabbed the back of her neck, his thumb stroking around the mark, careful not to touch it. "W-what are you talking about? Sesshomaru would nev-" Her body lurched forward when he brought his knee up to her stomach.

"You will address our lord with respect, human wench." Monita barked sharply, silencing the annoying sound of her gagging with his hand. "I've waited a long time for you to slip up, ever since you got here. You do not deserve our lord's interests, and we shall show you your place now.

"SHEMSHAO!" Kagome shouted through his hand, gasping sharply when he grabbed her by the neck, gripping with pressure just shy of crushing her windpipe. Clawing at his hands, she fought, fingers coming to life with her reiki. Just as soon as ignited, however, the energy was suppressed. 'Wah?' Her eyes glowed with fear.

"You see this powder on our hands?" Kono laughed as he followed Monita, who was dragging Kagome down the hall. "It protects us from miko energy. You have nothing to use against us but mangy, jagged claws and fangs. I'm going to enjoy this."

She shrank into herself. "Thms?" She questioned meekly.

Monita bared his fangs, running his tongue along them. "We're going to show you your place, remember, concubine?"

'No.' She began to struggle as they carried her deeper into the halls. 'No! No! Sesshomaru! Sesshomaruuuu!' "SEHMESAOOOOO!"

Takeshi sighed against the glass, swinging his long legs up onto the seat before the mirror. "She really did bare his children, and she mated him…but she did such for her daughter. The young girl would have died without a father being united to her mother." The latter made him smile. "It only makes since. Kagome is a selfless person. She'd sell herself to protect her children, and that is what she did. Sesshomaru means nothing. So, even if I cannot yet be her mate, I could still be her lover."

His smile warmed with longing. "Oh beautiful Lady Kagome." Definitely, she was something special, someone who saw through the faults and issues to see to the pure, loving core. And their conversations, he'd never had any so deep with a woman, especially not a human woman. And then there were her physical attributes: a womanly muscular, yet still with soft curves, round, luscious hips, bright, expressive eyes, and her smile! 'My, does she have a beautiful smile.' There was nothing better than seeing her happy, but she made melancholy appear sexy. "My beloved Kagome, something in my heart tells me you love me. My head tells me that you need me. My groin tells me that you desire me."

His cousin was a lucky demon, had been since birth. Whatever he wanted, Sesshomaru had before he ever had a chance, and was then ungrateful about it. Takeshi had wanted a parent who cared, at least one, and Sesshomaru had gotten that, and then had the nerve to curse his father! He'd wanted another sibling, sick of being an only child. Sesshomaru had been blessed with Inuyasha and had cast the poor hanyou aside. He had craved Kagome since the moment he'd laid eyes on her form, sitting wistfully at the gala, and Sesshomaru…Sesshomaru had her. What was he supposed to do?

'TAKE HER.'

'W-what?'

'Sesshomaru no deserving. Take her.'

'I cannot take she who is unwilling.'

'YOU SEE THE WAY SHE SMILE AT US. BEAUTY WANT US. BEAUTY LOVE US FOR US.'

'B-but-"

'NO BUTS, YOU FOOLISH PUP! GET MATE NOW.'

Takeshi wasted no time in standing, hurrying from the room he resided in. Slowly, he made his way through the halls, sniffing the air for her scent. 'Just wait until I have you in my arms. I can imagine it now. I'll hold you, and you'll look up at me with that twinkle in your eyes and whisper your love for me. And I'll do the same for you.' Just the thought of it set his soul on fire, and he sped up his pace anxiously, unable to place his mind on anything else. He flitted from corridor to corridor, like a rat in search of cheese, until he came to a hall in the EL. "You must be here somewhere, Kagome."

A sudden burst of youki shot through the halls, nearly knocking Takeshi to his feet. 'S-sesshomaru?' Someone had pissed off his baby cousin, apparently. He shrugged it off. 'Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with me.' "She's not behind this door." He sniffed as he passed. "Or this one. Or th-" He paused in horror before the door, scared to inhale again, because he knew he'd take in the scent again. 'No.'

'He dared! He dared! Kill! KILLLL!'

And without a fight, Takeshi relinquished the reins on his beast and set it forth. His eyes dilated and tinted a bright maroon. Fangs and claws lengthened, he shoved through the door and set forth.

Sesshomaru flinched unconsciously at the sudden ache at his head, the sudden pounding of his nerves. He could barely see for the pain of it all. Eyes unfocused, he tuned into his other senses for support, but as his sight, they all left him one by one, until all he could hear, see, smell, feel, and taste was Kagome. She was screaming out to him, semen that belonged to one other than him sprayed across her chest. The scent of her fear enveloped him, beckoning him. He could practically feel her grabbing him as she tried to get his attention.

Tossed back into reality, he ignored the look he received from the servant. Kagome was obviously in danger. Could he rely on another to save her? He did have a pup on the way. But there was Kagome. This was finally his chance to show her that she was his top priority. Standing, he called to two other servants, "See to it that she is well, as is my pup. I will return."

"Lord Sessho-" But he was already out of the room, racing down the halls.

Kagome looked to the door, expecting to see Sesshomaru, when Takeshi shoved through, gazing hatefully at the guards. "Lord Takeshi!" This was a side of him she had yet to see, but she could not be afraid, in fact, she was excited. She looked behind him when Sesshomaru entered the room, beast released as well. "Sesshomaru." She whispered. 'So he did hear me.'

"What have you done?!" Takeshi and Sesshomaru boomed, not bothering to glare at each other.

"Mi-milords." The guards quivered with fear. Kono made to pull his pants up, but Takeshi was upon him in an instant, shredding viciously.

Sesshomaru wanted revenge as well, his body aching for it. But Kagome came first. Making quick work of Monita, he freed Kagome from her bounds and held her in his arms. "Mate, are you well?"

Kagome shuddered, thinking of what could have happened. 'How can I still be so weak?' "Oh, Sesshomaru!" She flung herself into his chest, sobbing as he did his best to comfort her.

Takeshi turned away from the pitiful demon he'd mutilated at the scent of her tears, and immediately resumed his logical state, hurrying to her side. Leaning to see her face, he whispered, "Are you alright, Lady Kagome?"

"I'm," she looked up from Sesshomaru's chest and smiled weakly, "fine, now that you're both here." Gently, as though afraid to break him, she embraced Takeshi. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome." He ignored Sesshomaru's disgusted glared, and smiled down at her soothingly. "Can you tell me what happened."

Kagome nodded weakly, withdrawing from him to settle back into Sesshomaru before revealing her tale of how the guards had cornered her, dragged her off, then relieved themselves on her. She decided, at the sight of their livid faces, to leave out the part where they'd whispered their disturbing plans as they kissed her in various places. "But I'm safe now."

Takeshi looked away from the sight of her cuddling Sesshomaru. "I still yet to understand why they cornered you."

"Huh? Oh!" Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru. "They claimed that you wanted to see me because I tried to kill Kayo, or something to that measure."

"Kayo." Sesshomaru muttered. "Takeshi, will you take my mate to our chambers? I must check on my pup."

"I want to come. Maybe I can help deliver the pup."

"It would not be best if-"

Kagome cut him off. "You think I did it."

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the accusation. "I know you did not, for I know you miko. She simply claims that it was you, and appears afraid. I assure you, whatever fool used your image to harm her will be killed a thousand times over."

"I don't care what Kayo says, I'm helping. I helped your father, a mere ghost, to deliver our pups. There's no reason that I wouldn't be able to help with yours. Please."

"Very well."

"GET HER OUT!" Kayo screeched, arching her back in pain. "GET HER OUT! GET HER OUT!"

Sesshomaru pushed Kagome behind him. "Kayo, stop this nonsense. I don't know who attacked you, but it was not Kagome. We will figure that out in time. Kagome is highly skilled when it comes to healing. She will assist, and you will not object."

Kagome stepped out from behind him, and whispered soothingly, "Kayo, I won't hurt you. I swear. I just want to help. I don't even have to touch you, if you like."

"Yes, you stay away from me, vile human!"

"Alright." Kagome nodded with a weak smile. Truthfully, the moment she'd entered the infirmary, her eyes had flickered red, her beast barking inside her at the thought that someone could attack a pregnant woman, and pretend to be her. She could barely stand the sight, and this was why she wanted to help. "Alright, Mizumi," she nodded to a servant girl, "would you mind getting some Kiseni herbs? They'll take away the pain. Aoi, a blanket please? And Tsumo, a bowl of warm water would be nice. Don't worry, Kayo. I'll do my best."

Kagome paced after the pacing Sesshomaru, who looked ready to bite someone's head off. "I'm sure they'll get her to breathing in no time, Sesshomaru. Don't worry."

"Miko, unlike in your time, in this era, if a child is stillborn, they often remain that way."

"I'll s-" They both turned quickly to face the door when the servant girl came out, holding a bundle in her arms.

"Lady Kagome, please, try something. I brought your strange sack." She shrugged the bag from her shoulders and handed the child to Kagome, who was already kneeling on the floor.

Kagome fought against the tears in her eyes as she looked at the small, pale child. 'Kayo really did give him the perfect little boy. He's handsome.' Saving that for another time, Kagome swiftly dumped out the contents of her bag until she found the small nose pump she'd used when Kakudan was born. Carefully, she placed it into the infants mouth, sucking out as much of the fluid as she could. 'Please, let this work. If this child is meant to be, let this work.' Cuddling the child closer to her as Sesshomaru leaned anxiously over her shoulder, she continued.

Sesshomaru watched closely as his mate handled his pup, the pup he'd birthed with another woman, with compassion and love as though he were hers. Only she. He believed that if anyone could save his pup, it was her. Just as he leaned to nuzzle her cheek in encouragement, she slumped into him and he felt to mourning howl rattle in her chest before she let it out, and followed soon after. There simply was no helping his pup.

Kayo rolled over to face the shoji when she heard it slide open, stunned to see Kagome enter. Her face instantly contorted. "Get out."

"Kayo, what happened? I'd been gone for hours. It couldn't have possibly been me, so tell me the truth."

"What do you mean? That is the truth. I say you, it was your sword in my stomach. You k-killed my pup out of jealousy and spite."

Kagome growled for a quick moment, before she decided that anger wasn't the way to go about this. "Kayo, I want the truth. Sesshomaru's mind is to clouded with anger and pain to see that my scent was only on my sword, not on your body. Besides that, I notice you don't seem to be in as much pain as your were in before."

Kayo stiffened, then huffed. "I'm a demon, wench. I heal."

"Not so quickly." She sighed. "Tell me, and be truthful, did you do this to get back at me for taking Sesshomaru?"

"What's it to you?"

Oh, that was the last straw. Tossing up a barrier, Kagome grabbed Kayo by the collar of her kimono and shouted, "You despicable creature! That was an innocent child you killed! He never even had a chance at life because you decided that getting back at me was more important than me! That was stupid, childish, immature, ignorant, and a whole bunch of other things! Now, you or going to tell Sesshomaru that you are the cause of his pain, or I'll make your life miserable."

Kayo chuckled, shaking her head and shoving Kagome away. "I'd like to see you try, ningen. Besides, you can't prove a thing. I stabbed myself in the stomach with a sword for you? Don't flatter yourself." She laid back comfortably on her bed and smirked as Kagome left. 'Stupid wench, think she can get me to confess? He'd kill me in three seconds flat. Besides, if all goes according to plan, I'll birth him more pups, enough to make him get over this little fall. Lord Sesshomaru, you are mine, and this is your comeuppance for not taking care of me the proper way to begin with.' She laughed softly. And that weak ningen thought to harass her? Ha!