Last time: Kakudan flinched as his father's incarnations murdered the inhabitants of their ninth village. "Father, how much more of this will we do?"

Naraku looked down at his son, stating lowly, "Until your mother come out of hiding. It-" A slow smile spread on his face, and he stood more straightly, beckoning for his son to do the same. "It would seem that she is here." He observed as she and Sesshomaru landed mere yards from him, seconds later accompanied by the rest of their team. "It's been so long since our last meeting, miko."

"Naraku." Kagome squared her shoulders. Ashi had reinstated herself somewhere along the 4 ½ hour long journey. "I'm sure you know the cause of that."

"Why have you come, Naraku?" Sesshomaru inquired with narrowed eyes, stepping in front of Kagome a bit.

"Sesshomaru-sama…You've been nothing but a thorn in my side since the day we laid eyes upon each other. First, you were actually on my side, in a way, but then…then you tried to kill me…Now, my mate," Anger screwed up his face, " You took my mate, fucked her, and pupped her!" He smirked. "I will stand for this no more. You will die, and you, Kagome, you shall return to my side as intended."

Kagome retorted, "Sorry to bust your bubble, pal, but it ain't happenin' that way!"

Now…

Naraku continued gazing at her for no more than three seconds before raising his right hand up. Suddenly, a thick cloud of lesser youkai spread across the sky. Saimyosho zipped around the battlefield, eagerly awaiting the instant when Miroku would unleash his cursed wind tunnel. Ogres emerged from the forests, imps, gremlins, and trolls tunneling up from the ground. "I am sorry," his voice was cold, "that it must come to this, Kagome. You will see in time, that this was all for the best."

Kagome unsheathed her single sword, clenching it tightly. Eyes taking in their opponents, she snarled as her eyes landed on Kagura. 'Sleep with my Naraku, and suffer the consequences!' She made to attack Kagura, but Naraku cut her off. "Get out of my way! I'll deal with you later!" She howled as she saw, over his shoulder, that Kagura was battling Sesshomaru.

"This entire battle is truly only between me and you, mate." Naraku met her sword with his own when she swung at him. "I must admit that I don't understand what I see in that dog."

"I don't know what I ever saw in you!" Even as she shouted this, hurt shown in her eyes. Ashi briefly checked on Junsei, who was huddled in a corner, silent. It only made her angrier. Her beloved Naraku was no good! Junsei's precious Sesshomaru was almost equally as bad, as she saw it. "You're despicable, Naraku!"

Naraku smirked broadly, but there was no emotion behind it. "I know. I realized such when I decided that I would not go easy on you, my beloved!" A tentacle shot from his side, grabbing her waist.

Kagome wasted no time slicing the slimy appendage from her body. "Enough talking, Naraku! Fight me!" She clutched her sword tightly, eyes glowing green. "You know, Ashi returned to me."

"Did she?" Naraku questioned, though he very well knew.

"And she told me quite a few things on the way here. Like for instance, the swords I wielded came from you. That snake demon was sent by you."

He stilled, then jumped back to dodge her sword. "S-she told you that?"

Kagome laughed. "She told me you were using the two swords to control me a little, and planned to use them in this battle! And then," she laughed harder, "then, she told me that you couldn't do it if I only had one sword. Thank goodness I got rid of the other! But, I still get to keep the benefits of that snake's powers. So, I'll show you what you created, Naraku! A terrifying enemy! I shall crush you!"

With a hiss of a taunting laugh, she darted around him, circling quickly.

"Dance of Wind!" Kagura laughed as she sliced her fan through the air, her attacks just barely missing Sesshomaru. "Ha, that once-human wench drag you here, Sesshomaru? Don't bother denying it. Kanna showed us all! Do you bow to your master's every whim?"

Sesshomaru didn't allow her taunting comments to strike him. He'd never be goaded by such a weak, foolish wench. "Do you, considering you reek of that foul Halfling and sex?"

Kagura's eyes widened, her lips parting in horror. Surely, he could not smell her! She'd bathed furiously to rid herself of the scent of that bastard, who forced himself on her several times, calling her 'Kagome' as he pounded into her. "Don't speak of what you don't know of! Dance of the dead!"

A brief smirk gracing his lips, Sesshomaru reflected her attack with the butt of Tokijin's blade. "His pathetic still clings to your womb. You must have catered to him not long ago."

"Augh!" She shrieked hatefully, tossing her fan aside. She would kill the damned, cocky dog with her own to hands. Leaping down from her feather, lifted her hands up, whipping them around through the air as she avoided his whip, dancing, "Tatsumaki*!"

Sesshomaru's eyes widened marginally as a circle of wind began to rise at his feet, in a funnel shape. Kagura cackled loudly as the tornado consumed him, wrapping tightly around his form. Cupping her hands over her mouth, she blew small, frozen blades of wind at the tornado, enjoying the sound of them slicing into his skin.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as he attempted to free himself. He felt no pain at the cuts to his flesh, but slight discomfort at the tightness of the tornado itself. Shifting, he lifted his hand as high as he could to cut free.

"Give it up! This tornado is going to get tighter and tighter until the vortex chokes you to death and slices you to pieces. It's really a shame. You're too sexy to turn into sushi. But, ah well." Kagura sneered, weaving her hands through the air.

Takeshi, yards away, faced off with Kiyoshiyuki. "I've head a bit about you from Kagome. She speaks highly of you, although I don't know why."

"Ah, kind words from a whore's mouth?" Kiyoshiyuki scoffed, "they hold no value."

"Whore, how dare you-"

"So, she's dragged you in too? Just like a Siren, that woman is." He tsked and shook his head. "She managed to capture Inuyasha, Naraku, myself, that wolf, Sesshomaru, and now you. It is sad, truly it is." He narrowed his eyes when Takeshi grabbed him by the throat.

Takeshi hissed, "Don't you dare speak such words of that woman. Kagome is kinder that you shall ever know. She is gentle, loving-"

Kiyoshiyuki laughed loudly, cutting him off. "Loving?! Has she fooled you so terribly?! I loved that woman with every fiber of my being, and she abandoned me! This is my first time seeing her in quite some times, and she shows me no love, her affections trapped on Naraku."

"She's over there trying to kill him!" Takeshi nodded toward Kagome, who was ripping her sword out of an angry Naraku's shoulder.

"Because she loves him. She's mad at herself for still loving him, so she is fighting to get rid of him, not caring that I shall perish with him. I hate her." His eyes glazed over with tears. "I hate her! I shall kill that whore!"

"I will not allow you!"

Kiyoshiyuki fumed, planting his hands on Takeshi's chest, "And I will not allow you to interfere! Koori no Arashi*!" Ice broke from his hands, incasing Takeshi's chest and spreading, holding him frozen in place. Satisfied, he turned heated eyes to Kagome, taking off at top speed. She had something coming to her.

And something, she did. Kagome didn't realize what hit her when Kiyoshiyuki lunged at her, tackling her and sending them both rolling to the ground. Her eyes snapped open when they stilled, and she looked up into his, breathing, "Kiyoshiyuki…let me up."

He slammed her to the ground when she tried to sit up, blowing cold air into her face. Cheeks red with rage, he hissed, "I loved you." His voice shook. "I l-loved you!"

Ashi resisted the urge to vomit as Junsei started to rise. 'What are you doing?!'

'Kiyoshiyuki is hurt. We have to make him feel better.'

'No! He's nothing but an extension of Naraku.'

'He's different.'

'He's not, stay down!'

"I'll kill you, damnit!" Kiyoshiyuki shouted, raising his hand, only to have it caught by Naraku. "Let me go!"

"You will not kill my mate."

"I am not your mate." Kagome hissed hatefully, kicking Kiyoshiyuki off. "And whatever your problem is, I'm sorry. But I've done nothing to you. This is between me and Naraku!" She grabbed her discarded sword and, kicking Kiyoshiyuki aside, sliced at Naraku's neck.

He hissed, touching the small laceration on his throat. He was lucky he'd drawn back in time, but now he knew, Kagome was definitely out for blood.

Kiyoshiyuki started after them, letting out ragged, shuttering breaths. "I'm not going to let her live!" He paused, eyes widening as he looked down at his stomach, finding Takeshi's striped hand shoved through his gut. "H-how did you?"

"You honestly thought that a little ice could stop an inu?" He snatched his hand back, licking the blood from his fingers. "No."

Growling, Kiyoshiyuki splayed his hand over his stomach sealing the wound with ice. "Then I'll need more than just a little ice, won't I?!"

Kikyo and Inuyasha fought both Hakudoshi and Kanna, standing back to back. Kikyo fired reiki filled arrow after reiki filled arrow at Kanna's mirror, seeing as it was the only defense the girl had. Briefly, she thought to herself what a waste this was. Kanna was hardly trying anything, simply avoiding arrows. A glance over her shoulder told her that Hakudoshi, however, was out to kill.

"What, Inuyasha, tired already?" Hakudoshi taunted. "Poor half human fool. Couldn't defeat me if you wanted to."

"I have a sword here that says otherwise! Windscar!" Inuyasha brandished his sword, scowling when Hakudoshi dodged. He ducked quickly when Hakudoshi fired a small attack at him. "Ha, missed!"

"Did I?"

Inuyasha stilled when he heard Kikyo cry out. Hurriedly, he rushed to her side, gaping at the wound in her shoulder, in the same place Naraku had struck while masquerading as him. "W-what happened?"

Kikyo panted, clutching her shoulder, "Kanna absorbed and redirected his attack- ungh."

"Kikyo! Kikyo!" Inuyasha howled as she fainted in his arms. "Ah-un!" When the two headed dragon trudged over, he rested Kikyo on his back. "Take her somewhere safe." He patted the top of their heads. Once they were gone, he smirked. "You two think you're pretty slick."

Kanna lowered herself to Hakudoshi's side. The latter chuckled, "We know we are, Inuyasha. Now, to finish this. Kanna, release the last of the attack."

"Yes, Hakudoshi." She held her mirror tightly, releasing the full force of the attack.

Jagged markings upon his cheeks, but eyes still clear, Inuyasha searched for the clashing of auras, then shrieked, "Backlash Wave!"

Kanna made no move to leave, but Hakudoshi cursed, preparing to take off. It was too late however. The attacked washed over them both, burying Kanna's torn, dead body in rubble, and leaving Hakudoshi's barely breathing form in the dust.

"Now," Inuyasha smiled maliciously as he towered over him, "Let's finish this!"

Sesshomaru hissed upon finding that he'd had enough of the vortex. Tetsusaiga rattled at his side, and he clutched the hilt tightly, unsheathing it as far as he could. Eyes closing as a bright, pure light erupted from the sword, he felt the immediate effects. The vortex widened a few inches before bursting open, hitting Kagura as it thrust from him. She cried out in pain as she hit the ground. Wincing and panting as Sesshomaru stood over her.

"Foolish wench," he was no longer in the mood to prolong their simple fight. He unsheathed Tokijin, and prepared for descent.

Eyes wide, Kagura reached for her fan, only to here, "Wind Tunnel!" Her precious fan was whipped away from her by her own force, the wind, wielded by the monk.

Sesshomaru inclined his head in gratitude, then glared at Kagura. "Your death shall be far more painful for your attempt."

Trembling, Kagura clenched her eyes shut in fear, and Sesshomaru smirked.

"Hiraikotsu!" Sango slung her bone boomerang over Kohaku's head, eliminating the sword of demons that had hovered above his head. She smiled when he nodded his head in thanks. She had imagined Naraku with far more demons, but it seemed he had gone lightly, considering that they were over 75% gone. Or maybe that was thanks to all the extra help that came in Koga and Ayame.

She leapt up to catch her Hiraikotsu, only to stumbled when she dropped back to the ground, which started to shake. "Miroku!" She cried when he wrapped his arms around her waist. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure. But stay close."

"Kohaku!"

"I'm here." Kohaku called as he dragged Akane over. His girlfriend, upon hearing that he was coming, had argued him down that she would go as well.

Kagome shoved her sword into the ground to keep from falling over, stunned to feel Naraku wrap around her. "Get off me!" She swatted at him when her sword, stumbling back and falling to the ground when he let go to avoid her blade.

All eyes turned to the center of the battlefield when a thin crack began to run through, before the ground parted, sending everyone falling over. A figure rose up from the ground, unseen due to the bright light that surrounded them. When it dispersed, Tsubaki drifted to the ground. "The Gate of Waiting!" She announced. "As you asked it, Naraku."

Seeing the woman, Kakudan came from his hiding in the bushes to shiver between his parents, who rested upon the ground. "F-father, that woman," he whimpered.

Naraku placed a hand upon his head, standing. "Very well, Tsubaki." Without warning, he shot out a tentacle, piercing the woman in the heart and sending her spiraling down into the whole she had opened. "Does that please you, Kakudan?" Looking back to his son, he found him cradled in Kagome's arms. Eyes softening, he kneeled beside them. "Look at our son, Kagome, what we've made. Isn't he precious?"

"So precious," she whispered. At their son's presence, Junsei had easily triumphed over Ashi, taking control of the body. She looked up when Naraku cradled her cheek.

"We are meant to be a family." This made her still, and even though he'd noticed, Naraku pressed on. "I will forgive your sins against me, and you will forgive mine. I will love you as you wish you be loved, and you shall love me as I long to be loved."

"I love Sesshomaru," she whispered meekly.

Eyes hardening, Naraku bit, "He is nothing. I was made for you. And I will not lose you. Down in that whole is the last Shikon shard." He withdrew his half from his kimono. "I will take this, that shard, and yours, and I will wish that you loved me and that I had supreme power."

"A selfish wish-"

"A selfish wish will work just as well as an unselfish one. What you have heard is a lie."

She grimaced. "You can't force me to love you."

Naraku snarled, "I can. And I'll kill your pathetic mate and pups to do so."

"Father, please," Kakudan whimpered, sensing his mother's growing rage.

"You'll do no such thing!" Kagome shouted, outraged. "You won't lay a hand on them."

"Mother, he's sorry. He doesn't mean it," Kakudan tried.

Naraku grabbed her wrist, "I will have you at all costs." He thrust forward, planting his lips onto hers.

Kagome fought against herself, Junsei unsure of what to do, and Ashi eager to return the kiss and return to Naraku. For a moment, she kissed back, tangling her hands in his hair, but Junsei realized when they parted for a second, that this wasn't what she wanted, this back and forth between them. "I- I can't do this!" Hands igniting with energy, she forced him away with a flash of energy.

Naraku hissed as he was thrown back, sent stumbling into the chasm. His hand snatched hold of a root. The combat zone was stunned into silence. That is, until Kiyoshiyuki broke it.

"Brother!" He blast Takeshi far from him, rushing to Naraku's aid. "Brother! Are you alright?!"

"Brother?!"

Naraku looked down to the seemingly bottomless pit beneath him, then up at Kiyoshiyuki, who was reaching out to him. Reaching up, he grabbed his hand. As Kiyoshiyuki tried to pull his 'brother' up, the ground beneath him began to crumble, and he found himself falling. He expected to meet his death, only for Naraku to tighten his hand around his and hold him up.

Kagome decided to come out of her shock then. She scrambled to the chasm, peering over, "Naraku! Kiyoshiyuki!" Tears sprang to her eyes, "Hang on, okay." There was no doubt in her mind that even with her newfound youkai strength, she was still only a woman. "Someone help me."

The others averted their gaze, and Sesshomaru spoke to her, "He deserves death, as does his 'brother'. Come from the edge before you harm yourself, miko."

"I can't just leave them…Takeshi?"

Forcing himself up, Takeshi looked at her, cursing himself for doing so when he saw her tear-filled eyes. He couldn't deny those eyes. Bowing his head, he muttered, "I'm sorry, Kagome."

"Please, help my papa!" Kakudan pleaded tearfully. "Please!"

Seeing no response from Takeshi, Kagome looked back to Naraku. "I don't mean to hurt you," she whispered, head hanging so that her bangs shielded her eyes. "I love you both so much. You have your sweet side, Naraku, and you, Kiyoshiyuki, are simply wonderful. But Sesshomaru…Sesshomaru's mine, and I wouldn't give him up for the world. I love him and my pups too much for that."

Naraku smiled sadly at her, "Onigumo wanted love, Kagome. He died wanting to feel loved, so I will forever long for love until I die."

Kiyoshiyuki sniffed, "I never hated you, Kagome."

'Ashi, there must be something we can do.'

'Junsei, you know we're too weak.'

'Alone. But together…'

'We can't.'

'Let's try.'

Leaving no room for argument, Junsei closed her eyes and concentrated. After a brief glowing, in Kagome's spot sat Junsei and Ashi. "Okay, Ashi, you grab them, and I'll grab you."

"Wait!" Takeshi sighed. "You," he pointed to Junsei, "sit back. I'll help her."

"Oh, thank you!"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at his mate, for multiple reasons. Had she known that her other half was back and simply hadn't told him? Did she realize that once Naraku was pulled out, he would kill him?

Takeshi once again sighed. 'The things I do for love.' Once Sesshomaru had moved Junsei far enough away, he moved to assist Ashi. His body stiffened as he realized, once Naraku and Kiyoshiyuki were halfway up, that the ground around them was cracking. "No one move."

"What?" Ashi asked, alarmed.

"The ground is cracking. Sit still."

"Nothing you think of," An ominous sounding voice echoed, "will stop your destiny. If you fall in, then you must fall." With that, the ground spread wider. Ashi shrieked as fell in. The men, however, fell silently.

Kagome screeched as she fought against Sesshomaru, who held her tightly. Kicking and scratching, she shoved away for him, lunging to grab Ashi's hand, only to be dragging down by the same blue, sparkling magic that had snatched her into the dry well.

Sesshomaru watched in disbelief as the ground slammed shut, nearly knocking him from his feet. "Kagome," he whispered. "Kagome," his voice became hysterical. "Kagome!" He knelt where the crack had been, digging at the ground, terrified at the thought that he might have just lost his mate.

Xxx

Kagome flinched as she looked out into the darkness surrounding her. She was alone, unable to see Ashi, Naraku, Takeshi, or Kiyoshiyuki. She'd been crawling around, crying out for them for what felt like hours. She lifted her head when she bumped into something, but didn't see anything.

"Open your eyes, little one." A deep voice cooed, seeming oddly familiar.

Absently, she wondered when she had closed her eyes, and opened them. She fell back on her haunches, gaping up at the man. This, this man couldn't be her, her, "Papa?"

"Kagome, oh, my little bird." He laughed warmly, scooping her up off the ground and hugging her. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't have cared less. "I've missed you so much!"

"But what are you doing here, papa?"

"Well, I managed to pull a few strings, don't thank me too much," Inutaisho smirked as he approached.

Kagome beamed, "Inupapa!" She embraced him warmly.

Kenji scowled. "Replaced me, have you?"

"Of course not. Inupapa's my father-in-law."

"But a father nonetheless." Inutaisho held Kagome to him. "Jealous, my friend?"

"I don't have to be jealous! She's my daughter! Came from my seed!"

Inutaisho snorted, "Yes, but my blood runs within her."

"Ha, only beneath mine! Seed trumps blood anytime!"

Kagome laughed nervously. "Let's put it this way. Papa, you're Papa. Inupapa, you're Inupapa. There's a difference."

"Acceptable. Kenji?"

"That's fine. Since I'm papa. So, to the point of why I'm here, Tori*. I wanted to talk to you, tell you how proud I am, but it would seem your mate and friends are up there getting hysterical. So, here's the break down. I love you, and I want what's best for you, so I must warn you. Things will happen in the future that will test you and your mate, not to mention your family, and even Ayumi, Sota, and your grandfather. I can't tell you what, but I can give you some hints. When the force arises, you will need all the knowledge you can get about the late 1600s, okay?"

"Okay, but what does that have to do with anything? Will I actually live here that long? And the well, will the portal close?"

Kenji smiled sadly, "If only I could tell you, but-" He looked up as the ceiling began to rip open, "Damn, Inutaisho, your boy is stubborn. Honestly, trying to reach my Tori so hard that he tears the fabric of a dream-like state."

Inutaisho shrugged, "He got it from his mother."

"One last thing, Tori. Here." Kenji handed her the last shard and Naraku's half.

"B-but where is Naraku?"

"My precious little girl, that Naraku fellow was no good for you. You must let him go. The longer you hold on to that pinch of love you have for him, the harder things will be."

Kagome furrowed her brows, "Nothing will ever make me stop loving him. I won't stop loving Inuyasha."

Inutaisho cut in, "But your love for Inuyasha is different. You love him more as a brother. Loving Naraku while you love Sesshomaru is not fair to him or the pups."

"But what of Kakudan? I want him to know that he wasn't the spawn of a tainted relationship. I want him to know that Naraku and I loved one another as well as him."

"And you can tell him that, but you must let go."

"And the others? Kiyoshiyuki, Ashi, and Takeshi?" She asked guiltily.

Kenji brushed her bangs from her face. "This was meant to be, Kagome. God meant it so. Now, close your eyes, and return to your mate."

Kagome whimpered, "But I-"

Knowingly, he pecked her lips in a fatherly kiss, "You don't have to worry about leaving me. I have business here. However, you'll have a…shall I say- a piece of me in the present. Now, close your eyes." When she did as told, he whispered, "And return to your mate."

XXX

Inuyasha looked at his brother sadly. It didn't look like digging a deep hole in the ground would get him any closer to Kagome. The chasm itself had looked never ending. Sesshomaru's whole was hardly a mile deep. "Sesshomaru, come out of that thing. Kagome's gone."

His brother was before him in an instant, eyes glowing ruby with hate. "She is not gone. She will never be. Kagome-" He paused at the slight rumble beneath his feet. The ground shook harder, much as it had before, cracking open wide. Out of the chasm, he expected Kagome to leap out, but instead, and he was shocked to see, his father float out, carrying Kagome's unconscious form in his arms.

He was even more shocked to see that his father was not slightly transparent as he had always been, but opaque with a lively glow. Inutaisho crossed the distance to his son with a smile, "I believe she belongs to you."

Gratefully, he took his mate from his father with wary eyes, "You are…living?"

"Why yes, yes I am. It would seem that God decided that I wasn't truly done here on earth. I have two boys to help, a precious daughter," he brushed Kagome's hair from her face, "and a heap load of grandchildren!" He winked at Kikyo and Inuyasha, one of whom looked shocked beyond reason, and the other who blushed and bowed his head.

Kagome adjusted in Sesshomaru's arms, snuggling deeper into his chest. "Sesshomaru."

Leaning to nuzzle the top of her head, he whispered, "You gave me quite the scare, mate. I'll have to punish you somehow."

"Shall we return home, then?" Inutaisho smirked, walking ahead. "Oh, and Sesshomaru?"

"Yes, father?"

"I so claim that I want nothing to do with reigning over the west. I believe you and your brother can handle that."

"Hn." Sesshomaru brought his mate closer to him. "We shall discuss this tomorrow morning."

Inutaisho marched on with the other's before pausing, smacking his forehead. "How foolish. I forgot a family member. Let me count," He pretended to take note of who was there and who was not. "Oh, yes," He pushed through the crowd back to Kakudan, who sat dejectedly on the ground. "Cannot forget me eldest grandson."

Kakudan looked up with wide, sorrowful eyes, pointing at his chest. "Me?"

"Of course you. I can't believe I almost forgot. And Kagome would have had our heads, leaving her precious baby boy."

"Mother wouldn't care," he whimpered. "She hates me…because I remind her of him. She told me that I was my father's son. She doesn't love me, because she doesn't love him anymore."

"I beg to differ. She loves you more than you think. Let her decide when she awakens. Once she clears this up, your can start getting to know your brother and sister, as well as your father."

He and Sesshomaru looked equally shocked. "My father?"

Inutaisho chuckled, scooping the boy up, "I can think of no one better than Sesshomaru to take up where your father left off. You don't have to call him father right now, but after you cry for your late father, Sesshomaru will be there, won't you, my boy?"

Sesshomaru eyed Kakudan, easily spotting Kagome within him, and nodded. "I shall take you as my own."

Kakudan lowered his eyes. "I won't cry for father. He said that strong men don't cry."

"Well, I cry a hell of a lot, I'll tell you now. So cry if you will. Whether happy or sad, allow your emotions to show. It takes a real man to control his emotions. Only a coward hides them." Inutaisho smirked. "Come now. We must get your mother out of the night's cold. Onward, tachi."

XXX

"And now," Sesshomaru announced over the silent hall, "This Sesshomaru presents to you his mate, Kagome of the Edo Village, Shikon miko, his heir and daughter, Oyo Banai and Kakegae of the West, his adopted children, Shippo of the Eastern Foxes and Kakudan of the Edo village, and the reborn power of the Inutaisho." He paused for applause, taking in the pride he felt. It had been 1 winter since the final battle with Naraku, a year as Kagome called it, and he had finally taken precautions to announce his mate, children, and father.

Upon returning home, he had placed the completed jewel in a vault low beneath the castle. He and his father had negotiated about the workings of the castle. He would remain lord. Inuyasha would remain general, and Inutaisho would be treasurer.

Sango and Miroku, free of his Wind Tunnel, had been married that spring. Inuyasha and Kikyo had married and mated that summer. And Kohaku and Akane had begun courting, by youkai standards, that autumn. Also, in autumn, had been the birth of Inuyasha's first pup, a boy by the name of Isamu, heir to the Western army's general. And at the very beginning of winter, Kagome and he had conceived another pup, this one a girl.

Yes, the palace was livelier than ever before, and Sesshomaru could honestly say he liked it. Not always, definitely not always. The monk could be too forward toward Kagome. The hanyou could be too loud. The miko could be too sure of her knowledge. The slayer could be too extravagant in punishing her husband. Kagome good be too quarrelsome for her own good, but he liked the concept of a family, especially since it had his mother away more often than before.

He would have never in a million years thought himself to be a family man, but now, looking back on the times when he would tickled Kagome's stomach, laughing as she laughed, or allow his children to win a round of tag, he found that he was…how had Kagome but it? Born to be a father!

Xxx

So, that is the finale before the sequel, which is about the eradication of all youkai... or the attempt if Kagome and Sesshomaru can pull it together long enough to fix things.

Sorry about the delayed, um, update. It's been almost a month, huh? Or just over a month. Anyway, thanks for reading and reviewing! Keep posted for the sequel!

Tatsumaki: Japanese for "tornado"

Koori no Arashi: Japanese for "ice storm"

Tori: bird