Kagome had a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year's. She was sad, yet happy. She said her good-byes to her mom, Aiko, Grandpa, and Souta, and of course, the fat and lazy cat, Buyo. Aiko bought a lot of convenient things for Kagome like prenatal vitamins and the like. Also Ramen for Inuyasha. Rin and Shippo got a few toys for Christmas. Kikyo was really pleased that the shrine thrived throughout the 500 hundred years after her second death. Sesshomaru was really shocked to find that the modern Japan wasn't ruled solely by an emperor. Kagome told him that it was better for the people of Japan and such. Sesshomaru only 'hm-ed'. All-in-all, it was a good Christmas and New Years for Kagome and her family. Kagome made certain to take and developed pictures for that year. Inuyasha had to take Kikyo, Shippo and Rin back to the Feudal Era and returned to the Modern Era. He gathered some bags to take back to the past. Whenever, Inuyasha returned to the Modern Era, he was exhausted that Sesshomaru had to carry him and his lady and jumped through the well and jumped out of the well. Kagome wished to walk to Kaede's, so Sesshomaru gently put her down as he dropped his little brother unceremoniously on the ground. Kagome said to Sesshomaru, "Really, Sesshomaru? You can't put him down like you did me."

Inuyasha groaned as he stood up from the ground, "You are still a bastard, you know that, Sesshomaru. Ice bastard."

"And you will always be a half-breed, half-breed."

Kagome sighed, "Yep, that's never going to change." She walked to the well and touched the railing. She thought, "Well, I don't sense the well's magic anymore."

Kagome was a little depressed that she can't go to her birth era anytime that she wanted now. Sesshomaru sensed her depressed mood.

"Omae, you will see them again," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and placed a hand on her swollen belly. She looked up at him and smiled. "I know. I'll miss them as they will miss me."

Inuyasha yelled, "Hey, Ice bastard and Kagome! Hurry up before I'll leave you here!"

Sesshomaru stoically said, "Then leave, half-breed."

Inuyasha growled, "Kagome, I don't know what you see in this... this... high and mighty bastard, but I am glad that you are happy."

Kagome chuckled because she could tell that in their own way they do love each other. "Well, let's go. I can't wait to see Kaede, Sango, Miroku, and the children." As Kagome began to run, she tripped over a big rock. She would had fell on the ground if it wasn't for Inuyasha catching her before she could.

"Geez, Kagome. Ever the clutz, huh. I guess that part of you won't ever change." Kagome glared at him at first, then laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right about that."

Sesshomaru sighed in relief when he saw Inuyasha caught her. He walked up to them and said, "Omae, please be careful. Remember, you're not just carrying yourself, but our pup as well."

Kagome sighed. "I am sorry. I guess I am just so excited coming home." Sesshomaru hm-ed as Inuyasha keh-ed.

Then they stayed in Edo for a couple of days. Sango, Miroku, and their children were at Kaede's hut to greet them. The children said in unison, "Welcome home, Auntie Kagome and Lord Sesshomaru!" Sango and Miroku gave Kagome a hugged and say a 'welcome back' to Kagome. Kagome chuckled and said, "Thank you, we are happy to be home."

The old miko said, "Lady Kagome and Lord Sesshomaru, I am glad to see ye back home. I hope the stay at ye home was pleasant."

"Oh, Kaede. It was wonderful to be with them. I will miss them as they will miss me. I look forward to the rest of my life with you, my friends and my growing family."

She rubbed her swollen belly while she said, 'my growing family.'

Sango gasped, "Kagome... you are with child... I mean with pup!" Kagome nodded. Sango squealed in excitement as she herself announced that she too was pregnant. They both jumped up and down squealing.

The next morning, Kagome, Sesshomaru, Rin, and Shippo were getting ready to return to the West. Inuyasha and Kikyo decided to stay in Edo. Kagome asked, "Are you sure, Inuyasha?"

"Yeah, I am not use to being catered to. Every time I turned around a servant would ask me this or that. It was getting on my nerves. Besides, I am used to getting things on my own. I am not like that Ice Bastard over there."

Sesshomaru 'hm'-ed. Kagome chuckled. "Well, you know you and Kikyo... well all of you are always welcome there."

Inuyasha grinned. "I know." He paused and stared at Sesshomaru. "You better take good care of her, Lord Cold Asshole or you have me to deal with."

Sesshomaru inwardly rolled his eyes before he retorted, "Oh. It's not like you are a challenge for me, Half-breed."

"Oh, yeah?"

Inuyasha was going to pull his sword when Kikyo hit him on the back of the head. "Hey, what's that for?!" He thought that Kagome did it. However Kikyo answered before Kagome could. "Inuyasha, Kagome didn't do it. I did. You were starting a fight when they were trying to leave. Can't you see that Kagome is tired? She doesn't need the stress in her condition."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. "Oh, Kagome. I'm sorry. I forgot about your pregnancy."

Kagome chuckled as she shook her head. "It's alright, Inuyasha. Don't be a stranger. I know that I would want our pup know his uncle."

Both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru retorted, "Half-uncle!"

"Uncle... Half-uncle... Whatever! Look just don't be a stranger, either of you. I'll try to visit as much as I can."

Sango said, "I know, Kagome. We make sure that Inuyasha will visit even if we have to drag him there. He will go one way or another. Right Miroku?"

"Yes, my dear Sango. We see you soon, Kagome. I promise."

Kagome smiled and gave them a hug before getting on Ah-Un, who was waiting for them since they left a month ago.

Meanwhile, at the palace, the palace's house servants were very busy to get the 'Welcome Home' party ready before Kagome and Sesshomaru, and their pups arrived from their little vacation. InuTaisho was very glad whenever Sesshomaru returns to resume his lordship duties, quite frankly, so was Inukimi. Jaken couldn't wait to see his master again. He hated Inuhime. She'd maybe his lord's twin, but she could be more violent than his lord could, especially, during that time when every female goes through.

Inuhime missed her brother. She helped her father and mother with their duties, that was all good until they assigned Jaken to help her. She would rather done them herself, but she didn't fret over it. She just mostly take it out on Jaken, because... well Jaken just gets on her nerves. Akihiko was bored as hell without Shippo and Rin, so was Zoku's young ward. Zoku was on a mission to spy on the Southern Lands, since it was confirmed that they were indeed enemies. So far, it just seemed too quiet. That was one reason Zoku wanted to spy on them. All of them just hope that they weren't planning anything especially while Kagome was pregnant. It could risk her pregnancy.

Whenever there were shouts coming around the palace that their lord and lady had returned. Everyone went to the front entrance and await for their arrival.

InuTaisho came up to them and hugged his daughter-in-law, his son, and his grand-pups. "Welcome home, Sesshomaru, Kagome, Rin, and Shippo."

Inukimi repeated the same action as her mate had. "We are glad that you're home. Safe and sound. Rin... Shippo... I believe Akihiko is awaiting for you in the playroom."

The pups squealed in excitement and ran inside that palace. Sesshomaru was suspicious about their behavior. "What happened?"

InuTaisho looked at Sesshomaru. "Nothing extremely bad." Sesshomaru gave his father like 'you better tell me or else' expression. That was when Inuhime walked in and hugged her little twin brother and her sister-in-law.

"I am happy to find you safe, my brother and sister. Please, lets talk inside as the maids will put your luggage and things in their proper places. Also, I am certain that Kagome wishes to sit down." Sesshomaru helped Kagome off of Ah-Un. Inuhime called for Jaken.

"Yes, milady," he responded as he waddled his way to her.

"I am surprised that you hadn't beat me here to welcome your lord and lady back."

Jaken's big eyes gotten bigger. "You're the one to tell me to stay behind or you would skin me alive."

Inuhime chuckled. "Oh, yes, I did say that, didn't I?" Jaken crossed his arms and stick his impish nose up in the air. How Jaken didn't noticed his lord was beyond her, but it was hilarious to watch.

Sesshomaru said in his deadly, cold voice, "Jaken."

Jaken squaked. "Milord! That devil of a woman purposely made me late!" He said as he point his green finger at Inuhime behind him. "Please, milord, don't kill me! I am always your one and loyal servant."

Sesshomaru looked at his twin. She shrugged innocently. "Jaken." Jaken kept pleading until he felt Sesshomaru kicked him in the face, which sent him flying across the main entrance. Inuhime and Kagome couldn't help to laugh at the scene. Sesshomaru said, "Well, lets go to the study and reiterated what happened while we were gone."

InuTaisho said, "Very well, son." He escorted his mate to the study as Sesshomaru did the same with Kagome.

Inuhime bend down to Jaken, "Jaken, you should know when your lord is speaking you should be quiet. Now go attend to your lord."

Jaken scoffed and said, "Like I need a wench like you telling me what to do."

"You better hurry to catch up with my brother or you'll find more than just your body on the ground." Jaken squealed as he hurried to his lord. Inuhime chuckled as she made her to the study. She liked giving him hell. She had no idea why either.

-

Once they were in the study, they sat down in a circle on cushions. Sesshomaru looked around to see his father and mother sitting next to each other, Inuhime sitting next to his mother, Kagome next to Inuhime, and then himself. Jaken was serving his lord and lady green tea, then he went to his lord's parents. He asked in a snobby way, if Inuhime waited some tea. She declined politely. Jaken grunted and walked out of the room. Sesshomaru began, "Father, I want you to reiterate to us what happen while we are gone."

InuTaisho said, "Well, nothing really happened until Inuki caught some traitors trespassing. She called for the guards and had them put into the dungeon. You know what would happened next, we put them on trial. We gave them a gave to redeem themselves. Only one person did. Inuhime killed them all except for one. Not only that, but they needed to be stopped and executed because of the fact that they were supporting Kenryokuyoku and Akira, who I remind you mated to Akuokaesu."

Kagome looked at Inuhime with questioning eyes. Inuhime said, "I had to kill them. They would had told Naraku and his 'son' that I am alive. They believe me to be dead." Kagome nodded in understanding.

Sesshomaru quirked his eyebrow. "You killed them all, sister, and didn't save one for me."

Inuhime chuckled. "I would have, but you would had been gone too long and it would had gave them plenty of time to send word to Akira. We didn't need that."

Sesshomar shook his head. Kagome knew that every once in a while that his beast needs to shed blood. "Is there anything else? Have you hear anything from Naraku and his son?"

InuTaisho said, "No, it's been too quiet. I suspect that we will hear from him soon enough as soon as winter is over. Spring will be here soon."

Inuhime changed the subject. "Kagome, how was your stay with your family? You didn't have any trouble."

Kagome smiled. "No trouble other than one of my friends named Hojo wanted me. I told him that I was married and with child. I couldn't say mated and with pup to a human. That's why I said that. It seemed like he didn't care. Thank Kami that my love and Inuyasha came when they did because who knows what would had happened."

"The pup? How the pup fairing?"

"Oh, she's find."

InuTaisho noticed that someone... well two people were missing. All of the excitement about them returning home. InuTaisho didn't realized that Inuyasha was not around. "Uh, Sesshomaru, where's Inuyasha and his mate?"

"The half-breed and his mate decided to stay in Edo."

InuTaisho looked like he wanted to pout. "Father, I imagine we could or they come to visit," said Inuhime as she tried to cheer her father up.

"I hope so, because I missed that boy."

Kagome and Inuhime chuckled. "Oh, he'll be here in time for the war or the birth of the pup, whichever comes first. If not then I'll drag his ass here. Family should stick together, no matter if they are an hanyou, human, or a different youkai."

Sesshomaru said, "Your right, sister."

"You know, Sesshomaru. I'd never thought you would agree with me on that."

Sesshomaru looked at his mate and then back to his sister, "A youkai can change his mind." Inuhime chuckled. "Yes, he sure can."

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari