The next morning, Zokushi, Rin, and Akihiko woke up and got ready for the day. There was something nagging Akihiko's mind, since last evening.
He thought, "How does Zokushi knew my name? No one knew my name, but my mother, Rin, and myself. Hmm, there's no harm in asking." He spoke up, "Zokushi..."
"Zoku. Call me, Zoku. Now, what were you going to ask me?"
"Okay... um... Zoku, how was it that you knew my name? I mean, I know that you weren't there when my mother named me."
Zoku chuckled. "I knew what it was long before you were born. One day, I came to visit your mother, when she was imprisoned in a cave. Despite the fact that Naraku rapped her, she fell deeply in love with you. I remembered her, rubbing her swollen tummy with a smile on her face. She was glowing like the moon glows when it's in its full phrase. She looked absolutely beautiful. She said, 'I'll name my son, Akihiko, because he is my bright prince.'"
Akihiko was glad that his mother had never had any animosity towards him because he was that bastard's son.
"Zoku, why was she imprisoned for?"
"Now, that, Akihiko is a very long story. Your mother should be the one telling you, not me."
Akihiko stopped what he was doing, which was putting firewood in the newly lit fire.
Rin spoke up, "Zoku, did you realized what you just said? You spoke as if auntie was alive."
Zoku's eyes widen and then she sighed.
She thought, "Might as well, tell them the truth." She spoke aloud, "Yes, I realized what I said... *she stopped and knelt down her knees*... Before I tell you anything, I want you to promise me that you will not say anything to anyone... *she'd put up a sound-proof barrier around them and the campsite*... I'd put up this barrier just in case there are unwanted ears listening... *they nodded in understanding before she took a deep breath and exhaled*... Okay, your mother came to me in a dream one night..."
FLASHBACK BEGINS...
One night after Inuhime's abduction, Zoku was in a dream. The place, where she was at in the dream, was beautiful and peaceful. Zoku noticed a huge tree, that looked a lot like the Goshinboku near the village of Edo. The weather was warm and breezy. She saw Inuhime laying on one of the wide and thick branches up in the tree.
She said, "Inuki? Is that you?"
Inuhime opened one of her eyelids and glanced down at her best friend. She smiled.
"Of course, it's me, silly."
She leaped out of the tree and landed gracefully on the ground by her friend. Zoku then knew that it was indeed her best friend. She gave her a huge and long hug.
"Zoku... *she was gasping for air*... I... can't... breath!"
"Oh... *she laughed nervously*... I'm sorry. I just miss you, you know."
"Yes, as do I. How is everyone doing?"
"Well, they're doing ok, considering that you aren't there."
"Is my father and mother getting along with each other? How about Inuyasha and Sesshomaru?"
"Well, they seemed to be doing alright, as far as I could tell. As for Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, well... they are brothers after all. They are bound to fight. If not physically, they would fight verbally."
"How are Kagome, Rin, Shippo, and your ward doing?"
"My ward is growing fast. Soon, she'll be mated off to somebody, someday. As for the others, they're doing well."
"And Kagome's pregnancy?"
"From what I understand from Naomi, she's doing fine."
Inuhime sighed. "Well, that's good. I need to tell you something, Zoku. It's the upmost importance... *she waited until she nodded in understanding*... You see, I communicated with the goddesses, Izanami, Amaterasu, and Benzaiten. They, too, wanted to stop Naraku..."
Zoku's eyes widen. "Naraku?! You... you mean, that bastard is alive!"
Inuhime sighed and nodded. "Okay, go on."
"As I was saying, the goddesses, too, wanted to stop Naraku and his son, Akuokaesu. They believed that they are, too, after the heavenly realm. So, they and I made up a plan that we believed would be fail-proof. However, there will be sacrifices to be made."
"What kind of sacrifice?"
"My life."
"Inuki, no! You can't! Everybody misses you at home. You should saw the look on your father's face. It was..."
"Zoku, I am aware of what goes on at the palace. You don't think I just stay around my body, don't you? That would be too boring."
"Uh... no."
"I must die to regain my strength. Waiting until my family getting the hoju and come here to the Southern Palace is undesirable."
"You mean to tell me that you have to die to regain your strength... *Inuhime nodded*.... That's the most... stupidest idea I ever heard. One must think that coming from the gods that it would be incredible!"
"I was skeptical, too, at first. However, when I thought about it. It made sense to me."
"It made sense?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Inuhime sighed. "Okay, think about this. I mean really think Zoku. When I die, Izanami will give me my life back. Of course, there's a catch."
"Figures."
"May I finish, please... *Zoku nodded*... thank you. I need three lives that are willing to give their lives for me."
"I'll do it! I bet if I asked the others, they would do it too."
"No! No one at the Western Palace will be sacrifice. Besides, those three spots had been taken by Kagura, Kanna, and Hakudoshi. They were all mistreated by Naraku, his son, and Akira."
Zoku's face looked as if she was disgusted. "Akira? That bitch must be desperate."
"Desperate, she may be, but that's not the point. Naraku will believe me gone. The blow will be by the bastard, himself."
"Oh, I get it, now. Very clever, indeed. Here I was doubting the Kami. I hope they'll forgive me."
"They will and already did."
"Do you know when this will happen?"
"Unfortunately, no. However, Benzaiten-muchi told me to tell you that she'll come to you in your dreams."
"Oh."
A few weeks later...
Benzaiten came into Zoku's dream like Inuhime said that she would.
"Zoku, child, it is time. I will tell you what you will need and be doing. However, you need to go to the Southern Lands to prepare for the upcoming events."
Once she was there, Zoku was told to duplicate herself to sneak around. Once she had the estate's layout memorized in her mind, she cast a spell that would disguise herself as a palace guard.
It wasn't long after that, she had to take action. She was there to help the pups escape from the palace and fled to the Western Palace, hopefully in one piece.
FLASHBACK ENDS...
Akihiko said, "Wow. So, do you know if the goddess, indeed, revived my mother?"
"Yes, I know for certain that she did. Your mother will reveal herself when the time is right."
Rin asked, "When would that be, Zoku?"
She shrugged. "Sorry, Rin. I really don't have any idea when it will be. I wished that I did, but I don't."
"Oh."
Rin had her eyes cast downwards. Zoku lift her head with her index finger below Rin's little chin.
"Rin, dear child, you will see your auntie again. And you, Akihiko will see your mother again. We just have to be patient. Your mother had always told me that: 'there's a time for everything'."
Both pups smiled at the reassurance and nodded.
Zoku said, "Now lets eat breakfast and head home."
The pups said in unison, "Yes, lets!"
-
Meanwhile at the Western Palace, Sesshomaru had Jaken to go to his father's chamber to give him a message to go to the study, as soon as possible.
Earlier that morning...
Sesshomaru was getting ready for the day as Kagome was sitting up on their futon.
"Sesshomaru?"
"Yes, omae."
"I'd been thinking that... I mean, I am only suggesting that... ugh, why can't I just say it?"
Sesshomaru noticed that she was so nervous. He knew whatever she wanted to say wouldn't please him one bit. He took a deep breath and went to sit by his lovely mate.
"Tell me, Kagome. I promise that I try not to be displeased to what you want to suggest." He said that with a gentle tone.
"Sesshomaru, I was wondering how this will work."
He lift his perfectly shaped eyebrow. Then she elaborated, "I mean to say... *she bit on her bottom lip*... how you will work on your lord duties and protecting me at the same time."
He chuckled. "Easy. You will accompany me."
She groaned. She was displeased with his short explanation. Sesshomaru noticed right away... well, actually, his beast did and demanded to his other self to explain in depth. He sighed.
"Kagome, my beast and I couldn't let you out of our sight. You must stay in my presence at all times. I know how it seems like you won't to be able to get any privacy. However, as long as I could smell your scent or feel your presence near, then I am content. Kagome, I know that you could defend yourself and our pup. However..."
"I know, what you mean. I am not offended in the least. Don't you trust your family to help to protect me?"
He sighed. He should have seen this coming, especially since what happened between him and his parents.
"Kagome, is this really about what happen between me and my parents?"
She nodded. He just not noticed that her aura and scent had sadness in them.
"Yes. It was just a touch to feel the pups moving or to hear the pup's heartbeats. Plus I trust them, anata. Do you really think that I would purposely bring danger to our pup?"
He smiled. A real smile. "Omae, I have no doubts in your capability of protecting our pups. Honestly, I am nervous. This pup will be my... no our first pup together and it will be my heir. Right row, I am merely running on instinct. My beast, also, demanded that I had to be by you at all times. He tells me that the early stages of the pup's development is crucial. If someone is stupid enough to bring any harm towards you. You will miscarried. My mother once was pregnant before she was pregnant with me and Inuki. By her ignorance and stubbornness, she went for a walk outside of the estate. She, completely, ignored my father's warnings not to leave the estate. It was rumored that one of my father's enemies sent an assassin to either kill her or made her miscarried, somehow. Father had warned me countless of times about it, whenever I would find a mate. Kagome, that threat still exists now as it was then."
Kagome understood the reasons and the seriousness of it, but does it include family or pack, which brought up another question...
"I understand, anata. What about our family or pack? Are they too to be mistrusted? What about Kaede, Sango, Miroku, their children, Kirara, and Kohaku? Are they included as well? What about my family? I mean you and your beast hadn't meet them, yet. And I wanted to go to see them for Christmas this year. I have a feeling that once I returned here, then I won't be able to go back. Plus, I want them to meet you, Inuhime, Inukimi, Inupapa, Rin, Shippo, Miroku, Sango, and Kaede. Oh, there is Inuyasha. As far as they are concerned that he'd died. I want to tell them that he's been resurrected by the Kami, themselves."
Sesshomaru thought, "Oh I see why she's concerned. With my beast never met Kagome's family. He won't recognize them as pack."
His beast spoke, "Master, ease our mate's mind. As long as they have her scent, even if it's a little, I will know that they are part of her pack."
"Oh, yes. How could I forgot about that? I guess, with all the stress of this new foe, Inuhime's and Rin's abduction are heavily on my mind. We were unable to think clearly."
He spoke aloud, "Omae... I'd just now realized how ridiculous I had been acting. Since I'd encounter you and your friends, my beast knew that they are part of your pack. Regarding your family, as long as they have your scent, even if it's a little bit. He will recognize them as your pack as well. As for my family, I guess I was a little bit overprotective. I will talk to father, later about it. So, omae, fret no more."
Kagome lit up when so heard what he said. She was so relieved to hear that. She instantly glomped on him and kissed him deeply. The sudden movement surprise the hell out of Sesshomaru. Not that he'd mind, he loved kissing and touching his mate. So much so, that he'd gotten lost into her embrace.
Sesshomaru found himself disappointed when she broke the kiss.
"You need to attend to your duties, my lord-mate."
She giggled when she saw him pouting. Yes, pouting. She'd never thought, in a million years, that she would see a pouting faced Sesshomaru. It was priceless. It was adorable. A precious memory just between them. She would never tell anyone this, not even her sister-best friend. She wanted her mate to appear as stoic, emotionless, indifferent lord, that she came to love since the day she met him.
Sesshomaru disrupted her thoughts by...
"Oh? I can manage to do them after..."
He suddenly pulled her down where she was beneath him and started to kissing and licking his mating mark. She giggled at his antics.
"Sesshomaru! I don't think we should... Oh, Kami... I think you should... Oh my..."
After that she gave into him. She couldn't resist him any longer.
"Oh, Sesshomaru!"
He and his beast growled a purr-like growl, which, of course, made Kagome a little more excited. Sesshomaru loved the way she say his given name with such pleasure and passion. Hell, he, even, loved how it sounded when she was angry with him.
"Oh, Sesshomaru, anata, I love you!"
He smirked. "Oh, Kagome, omae, as do I! As do I!"
-
In the southern part of the Western Lands, Zoku, Akihiko, and Rin were on their way home, while a couple of guards, who came out of nowhere, leaped out of the bushes.
Zoku thought, "These guards are not from the palace. They must be from the minor lord, who governs this part of the Western Lands."
One of the guards said, "Do you know that you are trespassing on the Western Lands?"
Zoku quirked her eyebrow. "We are under the protection of our Lord Sesshomaru. I suggest that you let us pass or..."
"Or what, wench?!"
"Or else, I'll kill you."
Both guards laughed. One of them spoke, "An onna killing us?! That's truly laughable! I haven't laugh like that in years!"
Zoku shook her head and thought, "They should never underestimate a female's strength. Stupid, dumbass bastards."
"Tck, tck, tck... You shouldn't underestimate your opponent."
The guarding duo was still laughing as Zoku got off her horse. As soon as they noticed her, she'd already beheaded them. The duo's last face expression was of shock and fear. The attack was so quick that their heads didn't fall off until their bodies drop forward.
"hmm, maybe in your next life, you won't underestimate a female's strength."
She turned. She saw the expression of the pup's of awe and fear. She sighed and walked towards them.
"I am sorry that you had to see that, pups."
Rin was the first to recover from it. "That's alright, Zoku. I am no stranger to that. I am used to it."
Akihiko said, "Don't worry about it. I'd seen worst."
Suddenly, another guard came out, then another and another, that Zoku was clearly outnumbered.
One guard said, "Drop your weapon, now! You are under arrest for murdering two of our guards."
"Zoku, what will we do now?" Rin spoke with a shaky voice, obviously afraid.
"It's alright, Rin." She thought, "Inuki, please if you could hear me. Please come and help us. We're trapped."
Inuhime was heading for her room when she heard her best friend's voice in her head.
She muttered, "Well, I just get it when I return from helping them."
With that she quickly ran out of the palace. While she was running, she sniffed the air to find Zoku's scent. Mother Nature was on their side that day, because the wind made her scent very easy to find.
Once she'd arrived, she saw the foolish guards disarming her friend as the others were getting the pups. Rin was screaming for 'help' as her son tried to help her, but some of the guards were holding him down. She noticed that those guard who was with Rin was going to defiled her in the worst way that a girl or woman could have been.
Inuhime growled ferociously. Everyone stopped what they were doing. Then they looked to see who or what was making the angry growl.
At first, Rin thought it was her father, but when she saw who it was she yelled, "Auntie! Please! Help us!"
Rin didn't even have to plead because once she finished. Inuhime knocked all of them out using her claws. Whenever her claws made contact with flesh, the poison would paralyze them. It also knocks them into unconsciousness rather quickly.
Akihiko stared at his mother clearly shocked because he didn't expect her to show herself so soon.
Afterwards, Zoku said, "You heard me?"
Inuhime said, "Obviously... or I wouldn't been here, now would I?"
Zoku ran to her and gave her a tight long hug with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, Kami, Inuki. I missed you so much! I thought that I wouldn't ever see my best friend again!"
Rin also ran to her with relieved and happy tears rolling down her cheeks. "Auntie. Thank you so much for saving me. At first, I thought you were father, because of the sound of your growl. I missed you so much!"
"I missed both of you, too."
Inuhime turned to look at her son. Clearly, he was shocked from her sudden appearance.
"Akihiko?"
By the sound her voice, he snapped out of it. He ran to her as she knelt down on the ground with her arms wide open. As soon as he wrapped his arms around her neck, she embraced him lovingly. She gave him a comforting purr-like growl to calm her son down.
They also immediately took in each others scent.
"Oh, kami! Thank you!" Inuhime said that with tear overflowing.
"Mama, I thought that I wouldn't ever see you again."
Inuhime sniffed, "As do I, my son."
She pulled away from him and looked at his features. She immediately noticed that he had her golden-yellow eyes, whitish-silver hair, her crescent moon on her forehead. The only thing that was different between them was the coloring of the marking on his flesh. They were the same as Sesshomaru's colored markings on his cheeks, wrists, and ankles. She smiled.
She thought, "Oh my kami, he's a miniature sized version of my twin."
"Inuki, I would hate to ruin your reunion with your son, but... *she pointed to the guards that were unconscious*... what are we going to do with them?"
"They will come home with us. They should know who you are, since all guards were trained at the main palace. Besides, my brother would love to know why they nearly raped his daughter."
"That's all good and all, but how are we going to take them?"
Inuhime sighed. "We will carry them on their horses over there."
She was pointing where the horses were tied up. Zoku suddenly felt stupidand embarrassed.
"Come on, lets get a move on."
Everyone nodded. The pups got on their horse while Inuhime and Zoku tied them up with a rope... well what looked like a rope but it was made from their reiki. Whenever finished tying them up, they loaded them onto their horses' back. Then they went on towards the main palace.
Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari