AN: I am very sorry for the very late update(s). So, for those who wait patiently for them, I appreciated your patience and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys very much.

Let the story continue...

It really didn't take long for them to get to the main palace. The horses that they were riding weren't normal... well abnormal to humans. These horses were the counterparts of the horses that humans rode. With just subtle differences like the youkai-horse are faster and sturdier than the mortal horse. Other than that, they could pass for a mortal horse, unless if a person has reiki or youki.

Zoku wanted to go through a secret way to go into the estate, but Inuhime refused. Zoku being stubborn argue about it. She also got her point about across why they should. However...

Inuhime sighed. "Zoku, you do have valid points. However, we mustn't... or should I say. We couldn't because we passed the entryway about an hour ago."

"What?! Why you didn't tell me?"

There was silence, except for Inuhime's smirk. Zoku pouted. Obviously, Inuhime didn't tell her when they were around that area.

Akihiko whispered in Rin's ear, "For adults, they are acting rather childish."

Rin snickered. "You'd be surprised that they aren't the only ones who acts like a child... or in our case, a pup."

Akihiko smiled. He thought, "They really are totally different from that bastard and his wanna-be son. I just hope that my uncle will forgive me."

Inuhime announced to the pups, "We are nearly there. Do you want to surprise them? Or what?"

Rin said excitedly, "Lets surprise them."

"Inuhime, could we eat before we go to the gate?"

"Hmm, what do you, pups, think? Should we or shouldn't we not?"

Akihiko wanted to stop before they entered, because he wanted to ask his mother a question. "I think we should."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Because..."

Around that exact time Rin's stomach growled.

Rin giggled. "Rin's tummy is hungry."

Inuhime giggled. "Alright, we'll stop. Besides, the horses would also like to stop and eat."

They signaled the horses to stop. When the horses stopped, they got off the horses.

Inuhime said, "I'll go hunt. Anything in particular?"

"Rabbit!"

"No deer,"

shouted one of the pups.

"Zoku? How about you?"

"It doesn't matter. Just don't take long."

Inuhime giggled until her best friend gave her a 'I'm serious' face expression.

"Okay, I promise that I won't. Rin, why don't you go gather some berries? Akihiko, go with her."

"Okay, auntie."

"Okay. Um... mother I need to ask you something before we get to the palace."

"Okay, son."

With that said, Inuhime was gone.

"You, pups, should get to it. It won't be long for her to hunt and return. I'll make the fire, while you are out."

They nodded in agreement and took off themselves as Zoku went somewhere to gather some wood for their campfire.

Meanwhile, at the palace...

Jaken waddled his way to InuTaisho's door. He heard a female giggling and some whispering.

"... ahem... Milord, Lord Sesshomaru requested your presence immediately."

InuTaisho sighed and said sweet nothings to his mate, which made her giggled like a teenage girl.

"Alright, Jaken! I'll be out just a second!"

'Just a second' was literal. He was there as soon as Jaken even thought about turning around waiting for his master's father.

InuTaisho said, "Alright, Jaken. Lets go see what my son wants, hmm."

At the moment that InuTaisho spoke, Jaken jumped from surprise. InuTaisho noticed it.

"Did I... scare you, Jaken?"

"Uh... um... no milord."

InuTaisho smirked because he knew that the toad was lying.

He shook his head and thought, "Lesser youkai always tried to size themselves bigger than they really are. At least, Myoga and Totosai knew their strengths and weaknesses. Speaking of the devils, I wonder where are they? Hmm... I summoned them later. Right now, Sesshomaru wants me. No wonder, what it would be?"

Kagome was also in the study laying on a bunch of cushions that looked a lot like a makeshift chaise, what was laying next to the wall opposite of her mate. She had been fatigue after she found out that she was pregnant. She wondered when will her pup be born. For that matter, why Sesshomaru or the healer never really told her anything about inuyoukai pregnancies. They should know something, right? Kagome sighed. She felt like she was suffocating. She tried to get up on her own but...

"Sesshomaru, can you help me?"

Sesshomaru looked up and across the room, where Kagome was sitting. He sighed. Not that he was complaining, but he vaguely remembered Izayoi's pregnancy with Inuyasha. Of course, at the time, he really had no intention of caring for a pregnant human female.

He thought, "How ironic? I'd paid never mind to Izayoi's pregnancy. Now I wished I did because I would know what to expect. The only ones that really know was my sister, father, and the healer."

Sesshomaru stood up from his desk. He walked to Kagome to help her up when...

"Sesshomaru, my boy!" He said as he barged his way inside the study.

Sesshomaru, as always, ignored his father's antics and helped his mate up off the cushions.

"Thank you, anata."

Sesshomaru didn't want to let her go, yet.

"Are you leaving?"

That question surprised Kagome.

"No, anata. I just want some fresh air." She pointed towards the balcony.

Sesshomaru nodded and let go her. InuTaisho witnessed the interaction between the couple. It was sweet. He never thought he would ever see Sesshomaru caring for anybody... well in flesh anyway.

"Did you want to see me, son?"

At that time Jaken came in...

"Milord, forgive this lowly servant..."

"You're excussed Jaken. Now go."

"Yes, milord!"

"Yes, father."

He motioned to his father to sit as he made his way to his desk to sit in his chair.

"I believed that I have been overprotective over Kagome as of late."

InuTaisho chuckled. "Son, it's perfectly normal for you being protective of your mate, especially now since she is pupped."

"Father, I know this. I meant by being overprotective is that I was keeping her isolated to a point of not letting either one of you being around her. She also wanted to see her family. I couldn't deny her request. I am nervous, father. Truth be told. I..."

"Sesshomaru, it is perfectly normal for you being nervous. After all, this is your first pup and my first grand-pup."

After his father said that, Sesshomaru thought, "Actually, father, your second grand-pup."

"Well, if I include, Rin and Shippo, the pup would be my third."

Sesshomaru thought, "No, your fourth, father. Oh Inuhime, I wished that I could tell father, but it isn't my place to tell him, but yours. Father would be delighted to know that he had two grand-pups and two adopted grand-pups."

"Father, Kagome wants to take us to her home for this Christmas that she was talking about."

"Oh? Well, I'll be delighted to meet my daughter's family."

"Father, her family isn't from here. Specifically speaking, this era."

"I know, son."

"How did you know?"

"Son, the Afterlife has no time. Past, present, and future are intertwined together. So, I watched her during the time she was traveling with your brother..."

"Half."

InuTaisho rolled his eyes. "Whatever. The point is... I had always known of her unique travel route to her home. I even met her father. Such a terrific human. I say. You know he was the one who came to talk to me, first."

"Hm."

While Kagome's mate and father-in-law talked, she was at the balcony. The view was incredible. It oversaw the whole estate and beyond.
She smiled. She felt like a queen looking over her whole kingdom. She mused that perhaps she was like a queen, since she's now the Lady of the West. She frowned then. Inukimi had been wanting to teach and show her the ropes. She remembered the last time that they talked about it. She wasn't feeling too well then, either.

"I need to let Inukimi know that I am ready for her instructions."

Suddenly, Kagome felt something. It was just over the estate's boundaries. She closed her eyes and concentrate on the presence that she was feeling. Her eyebrows furrowed.

She thought, "There's not only one aura that I feel, but four. They all seemed familiar. One of the four was familiar, yet I couldn't remember who or when I may encountered it... *she focus on their auras a little more, then she gasped realizing who they were*... Could it be? Can't be..."

"Momma, it is."

"Who's there?"

"Silly momma...

*the pup giggled*... I am your daughter. Remember?"

"Oh. But how? I mean, I am happy. It's just..."

She opened her eyes quickly. She ran out of the study. Sesshomaru and InuTaisho were surprised about her sudden and unexpected departure. So they followed her. Sesshomaru called out her name, but she kept on going. She seemed to pick her pace.

Sesshomaru tried to stop her before she ran out of the palace. He noticed that there was a hand on his shoulder. He glared at his father.

"Why are you stopping this Sesshomaru?" He was very agitated.

"Sesshomaru. Don't you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

InuTaisho didn't gave him an answer. Sesshomaru was now very annoyed.

"Father, answer me."

"You don't feel it, then."

Sesshomaru went from annoyance to impatience.

"Father!"

"Come, my son. I believe all our questions will be answer if we follow Kagome."

Sesshomaru was now confused. He never heard his father talked as if he was in a trance. Perhaps he should follow them, now that his curiosity went from zero to hundred. As they continued to follow Kagome, who was now walking calmly, much to Sesshomaru's relief, Sesshomaru's eyes widen when he just now understood what his father was saying. There were 4 scents that filled his nostrils. Two were familiar and the other two were very familiar to his own scent. That was when it clicked.

"Inuhime? Rin? Zoku, now when did she left? And what is this new, yet very familiar scent. Who is it?"

As Kagome, Sesshomaru, and InuTaisho was going towards the little camp that consisted of two inuyoukai, an inu-kumoyoukai, and a human child.

They are eating their meal, while Inuhime's nose picked up three familiar scents.

She thought, "Well, there goes the surprise. Oh well."

Akihiko looked at his mother. He knew that she knew that there were three auras coming their way. He was waiting for something from her. Anything, however, she made no announcement. Zoku knew who the three were; so she did what Inuhime did. Nothing. Akihiko took the lack of alertness that those three weren't enemies.

Then they, excepted for Rin, heard footsteps coming closer. Akihiko took this opportunity to ask his mother before they came any closer.

"Mother?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think that uncle will forgive me?"

Inuhime looked at him after he said that.

"I am uncertain, Akihiko, but I will make sure that he will hear your story. Abduction is a crime, especially, if the victim happens to be a member of the family. Don't you worry, my son."

Rin just heard what they said. She was going to say something, but a voice interrupted her...

"Rin?!"

Rin looked towards the place where she heard the voice. Her eyes widen...

"Momma?!"

Kagome, who was oblivious to her surroundings, ran towards Rin with opened arms. Then she fell to her knees when Rin came and embraced her.

"Oh, Thank Kami! You are alright! We were so worried about you!"

Kagome was panting heavily because she was tired. Now, that she ran to her.

"Momma, I'd miss you so much." Both females were tearing up.

Inuhime cleared her throat. That was when Kagome looked up towards the other three. She smiled again as tears were still flowing down her cheeks.

"Inuhime?"

Inuhime nodded. "Oh... Wait how do I know you are... well you?"

"That's what I was thinking. How do we know that you came willingly without the influence of Naraku,"

asked Sesshomaru

Zoku rolled her eyes. "Look at her eyes."

The three looked at Inuhime's eyes. They were indeed golden-yellow instead of midnight black, like they were before. Kagome and Sesshomaru apologized for doubting.

"I don't blame you."

Inuhime's eyes were tearing up when she saw her father alive again. Yes, she'd seen him on the Other Side, but this is different.

She sobbed, "Oh, daddy!"

She ran towards InuTaisho. He had his arms wide open ready to embrace her.

"Oh, daddy! I am so sorry!"

InuTaisho was taken aback. "Why are you apologizing to me?"

"It's because I broke your heart last time I'd seen you. It was the only way."

"Only way for what, Inuki?"

"I'll tell you later. However, I want you to meet my son, Akihiko."

She turned. She saw her son was frighten. "Although, I believe that he wants to make this right. Go on, son."

He nodded and walked to Sesshomaru and Kagome. They were baffled to what they were seeing. They'd just waited to see what he wanted to say.

Akihiko knelt down and bowed his head on the ground. He wouldn't look at them.

"Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome, I wished to beg for your forgiveness. You see, what I did was unforgivable. I won't blame you if you wish for my head. Please before I tell you of my crime. Please... Let me tell you the reason."

Kagome and Inuhime looked at Sesshomaru pleading. He sighed.

"Very well, pup. You have my word that I won't kill you until after I hear your reason. After that, I will kill you if I found that your reason for this crime is unacceptable. Is that understood?"

Akihiko nodded in understanding, while still not looking at him. "Very well, pup. Continue."

He nodded. "I was the one who abducted Rin. I'd done it because I wanted to see my mother."

Sesshomaru thought, "I knew this was regarding the abduction of my Rin."

He looked at Inuhime, who was pleading, and at Rin, who was pleading for him not to kill him. Then he turned to Kagome. She smiled and nodded. He sighed and then turned towards the pup.

"Stand up, pup." Akihiko obeyed. "I found your reason true and acceptable. You are pardon... My nephew, Akihiko."

Akihiko inwardly thanked the Kami when he heard that he was pardon from his crime of abduction. Then when he heard his uncle said his relation to him and his name. He looked up at his uncle and looked into those eyes so much like his own. He couldn't help, but smiled and teared up. He, then gave his uncle a hug.

Sesshomaru was taken a back by his nephew's hug. At first, he stiffened, then he returned the hug. Kagome couldn't help, but get emotional.

"Oh, that's so sweet. Come here, my little nephew. Give your aunt a hug."

Akihiko pulled away from his uncle. He stepped towards his aunt, but he turned to look at his uncle as if he was asking permission. That action alone pleased Sesshomaru. He nodded to him. Akihiko then stepped toward his aunt and hugged her. Rin squealed in excitement that she hugged her father as if she approved if his actions.

Zoku was amused at the scene. Inuhime cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Akihiko, come and meet your grandfather."

Kagome let go of Akihiko, so that he could meet his grandfather for the first time.

"Come closer, pup. Let me see you. Oh my Kami, you looked exactly like your uncle."

Sesshomaru turned after he heard his father's statement. He, too, looked at his nephew closely.

"Hn."

Inuhime spoke up, "Yes, well, he has my... our markings, father."

"Oh, yes, now that you mentioned it. He does."

Zoku said, "Forgive me for interrupting this reunion, but I believe we should be on our way."

Inuhime nodded. "Father, why you, Sesshomaru, and Kagome go on ahead. We will be behind you."

InuTaisho nodded. "Very well, Inuki. You know, your mother missed you very much, as well as Rin. I believe she'll be thrilled that she has a grandson. Please don't take too long. We want to hear all the details."

Inuhime nodded. "Very well, father."

InuTaisho, Sesshomaru, and his mate left as Inuhime and the others got on there horses along with the 'guards' that attacked them earlier.

Once InuTaisho, Kagome, and her mate returned to their palace, they summoned some of the servants to tell the others to meet them in the throne room as soon as possible. Inuyasha, with Kikyo in tow, came in the throne. He was furious.

"Why the fuck did you call me here?! I have nothing to do with this bull shit! I ain't no lord!"

Kagome answered his question, "We didn't called you here for anything, except for good news."

"Keh! You could just wait until later to tell me! Me and Kikyo were going to mate. Until that damn servant over there practically dragged me here." He said that while point his figure to said servant who notified him.

Kikyo was now embarrassed said in a calmly voice, "Inuyasha. I understand that you are upset and so am I. You don't see me making a fuss. I imagined that they wouldn't interrupted us if it weren't necessary. Perhaps if you be quiet they will explain this."

Inuyasha stared at his mate-to-be and sighed. "Well, what is this supposed 'good news' that you just have bring us here?"

InuTaisho couldn't believe the language that his youngest son had spoken. He mused that it had something to do with his upbringing. Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He, too, didn't like his attitude. He was going to retort but...

Kagome, although very annoyed, calmly said, "Inuyasha, we are sorry to interrupt your... nuptials, however, we couldn't tell you, yet. Everyone isn't here. So, you should just sit down and relax until then."

Inuyasha shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine, but this better not take forever."

So, Inuyasha and Kikyo sat down next to InuTaisho... waiting. Waiting for what, he had no damn clue. He was frustrated... sexually frustrated, that is. Kikyo looked at her mate-to-be. She knew that he wanted to mate her. Yes, she was frustrated, too. She was curious what was this meeting was about.

InuTaisho and Sesshomaru... well more like InuTaisho was impressed with Kagome by quieting his son down. He looked at his eldest son. He knew he wanted to say something to infuriate his half-brother, which would probably bring keep this argument going, even more. He looked at his daughter-in-law.

He thought, "Yes, Sesshomaru made a correct choice making Kagome his mate. She will be a great Lady of the West."

Jaken came in the throne room to announce the Lady Mother...

"The Lady Mother is entering, milords and milady."

Inukimi with Kimiko came in with a worried expression on their faces.

Inukimi coughed to clear her throat and said, "Have either of you seen Zokushi?"

Both lords lift their eyebrows. Sesshomaru asked, "Why are you asking if we'd seen her, mother?"

"Uh... you see, we sort of have an argument."

"What kind of argument?"

"Uh... well, she told us that there was no use looking for the hoju because..."

Kimiko finished the sentence. "Because she said that she was going to save Rin and Inuhime."

Inukimi added in a whiny pout, "And she didn't even let us follow and help. The nerve of her! I mean, they are my family."

Kimiko then added, "However, she insisted that she didn't need our help. We argued and then she left. We hadn't seen her since then."

"We will talked about this later, ladies. Now, my mate and Kimiko, would please sit by my side? We have a surprise for all of you," InuTaisho said in a calm tone.

Nanami, Naomi, and Gina came in with Shippo and Zokushi's ward.

The young ward asked Inukimi if she still hadn't seen or heard of her guardian. Inukimi answered her in a negative and apologized to the young child.

Kagome said, "Both of you come and sit in front of me. We have a surprise for the both of you."

Sesshomaru ordered Jaken to wait at the main gate to await for their arrival.

Inuyasha whined, "Do I really have to be here?"

Suddenly, they felt familiar auras coming from the gate. Kagome, Sesshomaru, and InuTaisho smirked at each other knowing anytime now that the family would now be whole once again.

Jaken appeared at the entrance with a shocked expression on his face. He tried to calm down and relax a bit to gather his thoughts. He cleared his throat and announced...

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back... Miss Zokushi with Lady Inuhime, Miss Rin, and Master Akihiko."

They made an appearance while their names were called upon. Everyone, except for Sesshomaru, his mate, and his father, had a shocked, yet happy expressions on their faces. They also saw a new addition to their family.

Inukimi was very curious of who this young pup was. She, first, ran and hugged her pup and her grand-pup, Rin. She looked at Zokushi as if she was saying, 'thank you'. Then she looked at the much younger version of her son, her new found grand-pup, Akihiko. She saw that he looked mostly like Sesshomaru, but had Inuhime's and his grandfather's markings. She sniffed, then her eyes widen. She looked at her daughter as if she was saying, 'you better explain or you are in deep trouble, missy'.

Inuhime cleared her throat. "Everyone, I want to introduce you to my son, Akihiko. Akihiko, this is our... your family... *she pointed at each person as she called their names out to her son*... Here's your great-great grandmother, Kimiko. Your grandmother, Inukimi. Your grandfather, InuTaisho. Your cousin, Shippo. Your uncles, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. Your aunt, Kagome and soon-to-be aunt, Kikyo. Here are Nanami, your aunt's personal assistant; Naomi, the Healer; and Gina, the miko-youkai. Here's Zoku's ward and that toad over there is Jaken."

Jaken muttered something like he was an imp, not a toad, which earned a death stare from both his lord and Inuhime. That said death stare sent chills go up and down his little spine.

Akihiko couldn't even believe, in his wildest dreams, that he would meet his mother much less the rest of her family, too.

He bowed and said, "It's nice to meet all of you."

Inukimi couldn't believe that she had a grand-pup. She walked up to him and embraced him like there was no tomorrow.

"Grandmother... I... can't... breathe..."

"Inuki, why you'd never told me that you'd had a son?"

"Well, it's sort of complicated, mother."

"Is he full inuyoukai?"

Inuhime giggled, "No, mother, he isn't. He's half inu and half kumo."

Inukimi was flabbergasted. "He's half?"

Inuhime nodded. Inukimi took another looked at Akihiko.

She thought, "He looks like a full inuyoukai to me. Well, not only look like one, but also smell like full inuyoukai, instead of being half."

Inukimi spoke out loud, "Inuki, who's the father of my grandson? Is he someone that I know?"

Inuhime knew that her parents and her grandmother would want to know who's the father of her son.

"I rather not talk about that right now, mother. I bet you are wondering why Akihiko smells and looks like a full inuyoukai, hmm?"

Kimiko said something before her granddaughter, "Very well, Inuki. Yes, we were wondering why that is."

"It's because of my reiki. It purifies the other half making himself full inuyoukai, which is why you couldn't smell his father. It made it seem like my son has no father. However, I am not certain if he inherited any of his father's abilities."

Shippo said, "I am glad that you and Rin are back."

"Yes, I am, too. Plus, you three gain another playmate. The more the merrier, right?"

All four pups nodded. "Why don't you show Akihiko around the palace, so that he could get familiar with the palace."

"Yes, auntie!"

After the pups left, everyone in the throne room was looking at Inuhime.

InuTaisho began. "Since the pups are out of the way. Do tell us how in the hell did you ended up with a puppy?"

Inukimi added, "Especially, that you are not a mated female. You know how this looks like?"

They kept on and on about this and that until Sesshomaru couldn't take it anymore.

"Mother! Father! Please, for Kami's sake, let her explain before you assume on anything!"

Then there was silence. Inuhime knew that this would happen. Yes, she knew how that would look like and blah, blah, blah. However, she doesn't give a crap about the Youkai Society and the Western Court would say about it.

Inuyasha and Kikyo, (well more likely Inuyasha) were interested to hear whatever Inuhime had to say. Inuhime knew that they would not like what they want to hear. So there was no sense in sugar coating it.

Inuhime took a deep breathe and looked at them straight in the eyes. "Before I say anything, I want you to know. I love my son, no matter who his father is. He's mine and none of you will take him away from me! Kami forbid if you even think about it, as Kami as my witness, I will make all of you wish you were never been born!"

All of them had a shocked expression on their faces because they (well those who had known her) knew that it was really horrible. InuTaisho couldn't help, but to ask...

"Inuki, what makes you think that we will take your son away?"

Kagome knew only half the reason, but Sesshomaru knew why she made that threat.

"Oh, you know full well, father," Sesshomaru said that obviously unhappy thinking that his own twin would think he would ever do that to her.

" Inuyasha. Grandmother. Mother. Father, I was..."

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari