***Hello my loyal readers! I know I have been MIA for a few months but you can blame my morning sickness. Which is really all day everyday sickness lol. I also had to switch internet companies and so I finally have internet in my home again after weeks of nothing. I am also moving to finally wrap up this story. I think maybe two more chapters to go. I know that I have had this story strung out for a while and I am loosing track of all the details so I feel like it needs to be ended. I promise to try to give it as good an ending as possible and make the story feel complete. Thank you all for the reviews and support you have given me. Enjoy!***

Chapter 17

Lord Tomo stood in the middle of an open field where the note he held in his hand said for him to meet his informant. He had received the note passed to him through a network of his men and said note had more than peaked his interest. Had he finally found his way into Akemi's home?

Tomo's guards stood at attention ready for any sign of a trap. But Tomo knew that Sesshomaru hadn't set this up and no one else had the balls to try to ambush him and it just wasn't the damn pups style. He may be gaining in years but his instincts were still as sharp as ever.

So with a stoic face he watched and waited for the person that was going to help him get rid of Sesshomaru. The poor pup had made a dangerous enemy by choosing Akemi as his mate, and this time it was not him. He wondered if Sesshomaru would realize his mistake before it was too late or would he spend his final moments agonizing over letting a viper into their home?

Tomo was going to get inside Sesshomaru's compound and take him out before he even knew what was happening. Then he would sit back and laugh as Akemi's world crumbled around her. The stupid little bitch should have just mated him and she would have saved herself a lot of heartache. And Tomo would be more than happy to point that out to her soon.

The sounds of someone approaching the clearing drew him out of his musings. The tall slender figure was cloaked and a large hood covered the travelers face. Two large guards hung back behind the figure clearly ready to take out anyone who dared harm their leader.

The figure made its way across the clearing and stood before him. Tomo smiled and bowed. "Ahh Sesshomaru's mother how good it is too meet you."

The regal lady's lips quirked up in an evil smile. "Lord Tomo I have heard so much about you! Let us walk and talk."

Tomo matched her wicked look with one of his own. "Of course my lady lets!"

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Akemi stretched her lithe body and cuddled in closer to her mate's warm body. With all the work they had been putting into her home it had not left them with a lot of time together. But now that the outer wall was repaired and the castle had been scrubbed head to toe, they finally had time to enjoy summer in the Northern Lands.

Grinning to herself, she knew the perfect way to start the day. She slipped under the covers and proceeded to wake her mate up with her very naughty little mouth.

After her very pleasurable morning tumble with her mate Akemi felt like nothing could bring her down. Matter of fact she had a mind to drag her mate down to the nearby lake and have a fun swim. Maybe even make love under the warm sun as their bodies dried.

Now that was bound to be an amazing day. Pleased with her herself she sat down at the table next to her mate and let the servant place her breakfast before her. Thanking the staff she dug into her meal. Sex seemed to make her ravenous afterward.

After a few minutes she noticed her mate smiling at her. Swallowing her mouthful she asked him, "What do I have something on my face?"

Sesshomaru shook his head. "No little wolf you are as lovely as always. You just seem to be glowing this morning." The last part was said with a knowing smirk. He knew he had contributed to her glowing this morning.

Akemi blushed even as she smiled in pleasure. "Well when I have everything I could ever wish for its hard to not be blindingly happy."

Reaching over, Sesshomaru took his mates hand and kissed the top of it. "It makes me happy to hear you say that. As your mate it is my job to see to your happiness."

"Well if you truly wish to make me happy mate then you should take me to my favorite lake to go swimming."

"My darling Akemi your wish is my command."

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Sesshomaru sat back and watched his lovely little mate strip down to her bare skin and dive into the lake before them. He had been true to his word when he said he would do anything to make her happy. Even skipping a morning with the castles advisors.

No one could have been more shocked then himself that he had done so. Everyone saw him as a coldly logical demon who had no need for the frivolities that others indulged in. And most of the population would have been right about it until he had battled Naraku with his brother.

After that battle something had changed in him. He no longer hungered for his brothers' death or his silly little sword. He openly acknowledged his brother. And most importantly he had kept his ward with him and safe.

Sesshomaru had assumed taking a mate would complete his life and allow him to leave behind a legacy. What he had not counted on was finding Akemi who melted the ice around the rest of his heart. He had not known he could feel so complete.

Yes he had more weaknesses now but in turn he had more power and friends at his back. Which was why Lord Tomo was an idiot if he really thought he could take anything from him. Inu demons were notoriously protective of what was theirs. And make no mistake Akemi was his.

His beast purred in agreement, making Sesshomaru almost smile. Shifting his gaze back to his mate, he gazed at her as she moved through the water languidly as though she hadn't a care in the world. It made him happy. She had carried far too much on her shoulders for far too long. It was nice to see her just happy with no shadows in her eyes.

Carefully he slipped out of his own clothes and dove in. The water was cool and fresh against his bare skin. When was the last time he had done something like this? It had to have been when he was a pup.

Catching sight of his mate he swam up behind her and engulfed her in his strong arms. She turned happily toward him smiled. Her graceful limbs wrapped around him as she leaned in to kiss him.

Sesshomaru nipped at her lips as he kissed her back. And that is when he smelled the subtly shift in her scent. How had he missed it this morning? No doubt her talented little mouth was the reason but still it surprised him that he had been that distracted.

His heart filled with joy at the thought of watching his mate grow round with his pups. With a tight grip on his little wolf he made his way out of the water and toward a large bolder sitting next to the water. Sitting her on it he leaned in to sniff her stomach carefully.

Yes his mate was pupped. There was no mistaking the scent coming off of her. Leaning in he pressed his ear to her still flat stomach and could just make out the twin heartbeats.

Akemi's confused expression at his actions quickly turned into surprise as he moved back and cupped her face in his large hands. "Akemi my darling mate you are giving me the most precious gift I could ever ask for."

Tears sprung to her eyes at his words and she leaned in to kiss his lips with all the passion she possessed. "And you my lord, have given me more than I could have ever hoped for."

Softly Sesshomaru kissed his mate and caressed her smooth flat stomach. HIS pups were in that smooth flat stomach. Leaning her against the bolder he laid kisses down her stomach. A sense of pride and possession rode him hard. His beast demanded that they have her. That they show their mate just how happy they were.

Sesshomaru slid long silky legs over his shoulders and dipped his head down to taste her. His little wolf was so sweet. He had to have more of her. His tongue delved into her soft folds and he lapped at her clit. He stroked her slow, then fast, then slow again drawing out her pleasure. Enjoying the gasps and moans as he drove her higher and higher.

Locking his lips around her clit he sucked her hard causing her to cry out. He gentled his suckling and licked her before delving his tongue down lower. He fucked her mercilessly with his tongue until her fingers were clenching at his hair begging him to give her completion. But still he played with her and kept her on the edge of pleasure.

Sesshomaru then slid her legs off his shoulders and down to his hips. She took the hint and locked them around him. Staring down at her he swore the gods had gifted him with more than he deserved. Her breats heaved with every breath she took. Her pert nipples stood ready and waiting for his mouth. And her sweet center was wet and ready to be taken.

Growling he gave into his beast and feasted on his mates breasts. Licking and suckling her nipples until her ability to form words was gone.

His hard erection rode between her hot wet folds rubbing her clit even as her wetness coated him. He swore he could have come from that feeling alone. But he wanted still more.

Lifting he mouth from his mate's breasts he stared at her with red eyes. "You are mine. You are this beast's heart." And with those words he took her there beneath the sun on the edge of her favorite lake.

He was neither rough nor gentle. He took from her and yet gave everything he had. And when they finally came apart together neither doubted that even death itself could never tear them apart.

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That night the castle celebrated. Wine flowed and food was abundant. Laughter and music rang through the halls. Everyone in the keep had been invited to come and celebrate in the conception of the heir of the Western Lands.

Akemi smiled and danced and enjoyed seeing everyone so happy. It had been years since a party had been held here. Especially one where the castle got to enjoy it. And now everything shined and surfaces gleamed in the lantern light. It was a far cry from the dilapidated mess her uncle had left it in.

Looking around at the joy on her people's faces it warmed her. Sesshomaru had made this possible. For that alone she would always be grateful to him for. But he had also given her so much more. A second chance.

The hall doors opening drew her attention from the gaiety in front of her. The woman that walked in accompanied by guards looked familiar but Akemi knew that she had never met this women.

Then it hit her. The silvery hair the marking on her face, she could only be Sesshomaru's mother. Looking over the crowd in the hall, she tried to spot Sesshomaru. It did not take long to find his tall form standing impressively straight. Apparently she was not the only one who had noticed their new guest.

Akemi watched her mates face slip into its normal mask. He intercepted his mother and her guards and took them to a small sitting room. And she wondered why she had never met his mother and what was she doing here now?

Her mate certainly had more than a few questions to answer.

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What was his damn mother doing here? Sesshomaru was surprised to say the least. His mother rarely left her home these days. She had fulfilled her duty of raising her pup and helping him become a Daiyoukai.

Best he intercept her and find out what she wanted before she ran into his mate. The thought very nearly made him shudder. Walking across the hall everyone moved out of their lord's way. It did not take him long before he stood before her. "Mother."

Cool eyes looked up ate him. "Hello son. We have much too talk about."

Sesshomaru merely nodded and led her to a sitting room where they could talk privately. With a look, he had his mother's guards standing by the entrance as he followed his mother inside. Silently he watched her settle into a padded chair near a small fireplace.

Choosing a spot on the other side on the fireplace Sesshomaru waited for his mother to tell him her reason for the unexpected visit. He knew this wasn't a motherly visit. They had never been particularly close. But they did have a mutual respect for one another.

It did not take long for his mother to get to the point. She was not one for idle chit chat or pleasantries. "I have been hearing disturbing rumors concerning your new mate. That her uncle tried to sell her off to a Lord Tomo. And that that particular lord is not very happy with you at the moment. It would not be good for the Lord of the West to be poisoned in his own home or have his mate taken from him." The last was said with a sleek arched brow.

Calmly Sesshomaru took in that particular bit of information. His mother always liked to make him analyze her words. If Lord Tomo thought he could slip poison into his home he was sadly mistaken. Everyone in his keep was fiercely loyal to their new lady and lord.

"So mother please tell me how he expected to accomplish this task?"

His mother let out a humorless laugh. "He managed to get an odorless poison from someone who is not quite happy with your choice of mate. It could kill with contact to skin or by ingesting it. Then he realized he had no way into your keep much less into the castle. That is when I decided to play devils advocate. He wants a way in and I swore a blood oath to let him in. I also swore to not tell you when it would happen. So darling I need a room and for you to be on your toes."

Sesshomaru could only stare at his mother for a long moment. Then he did something he never thought he would do with his mother. Laugh. A deep rolling laugh that bounced off the stone walls around them.

"I am glad you find this situation so amusing Sesshomaru," his mother said disdainfully.

"Mother I have been looking for this fool for weeks and here you are practically giving him to me. And I thought you did not care."

His mother shot him another disapproving look. Where had her cold calculating boy gone? This laughing man before her was not the solemn pup she remembered. "I helped you when you needed me to with Naraku, why would I not do so now? Even if you did not invate your own mother to your mating ceremony."

Arching his elegant brow Sesshomaru looked his mother straight in the eye. "If I thought you would have actually come down from your mighty cloud I would have invited you. As it is you made it in time to celebrate with the castle about the announcement of an heir coming in a few short months."

"Well in that sense you are much like your father. He didn't take long to pup his women either."

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Akemi stood staring at Sesshomaru in shock. "Your mother is going to let him into our home. You do not know when it will happen and he has a poison that can kill you and I am supposed to be ok with this?"

Akemi's shock was quickly turning to fury. She trusted her mate but this was just too much. "Sesshomaru Lord Tomo has no regard for life. He won't care who he harms as long as he gets what he wants. How can you let him into our home after everything these people have been through? After everything I have been through?"

Sesshomaru watched his mate carefully. "I would never allow anyone to harm my mate or my people. My mother made a blood oath and it must be kept. The fact she even told me about his plan is walking a very thin line. We will be prepared and ready for his attack. I promise you he won't leave this castle alive."

"Sesshomaru I would never doubt your strength or ability to keep me or my people safe but this scares me. If something goes wrong…" she broke off her breath catching.

Sesshomaru stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "I would storm the very gates of hell to keep you and our child safe little wolf. Trust in me your mate to eliminate the threat against us. I never want you looking over your shoulder wondering if you are truly safe. I will make you safe."

"My mother is a very smart woman little wolf. She has seen a way I had not yet thought of to draw out Lord Tomo. She would not have set this plan into motion unless she had the up most confidence that I could handle it. And you forget I am a Daiyoukai. I have earned my strength and skill through battle. Tomo does not stand a chance at defeating me."

Akemi buried her face in her mates shoulder, clutching him to her tightly. "But he doesn't want to fight fairly he wants to poison you."

"And that is his stupidity. I am a poison wielding youkai. Most poisons do not even phase me. It takes a strong poison to even slow me down. Have faith little wolf that your mate knows what he is doing. I have every intention of watching my mate swell with my child. I want to watch our child come into the world and I want to watch it grow."

Leaning back so she could see his face, Akemi gave her mate a small smile. "I have nothing but faith in you and I know you will keep me safe. I think I have had enough of this serious talk. Let's run tonight Sesshomaru. I want to feel my beast settled and she wants to run with her mate."