The new parents were physically exhausted due to their infant-pup. There was so much to get done, typically, the new parents would just stay together with their pup to create a strong bond between them. However, they didn't have that luxury. Sesshomaru tried to convince Kagome to rest a little longer. She protested it. She wasn't in any pain at all. Sesshomaru's bestial instincts wouldn't let him be away from their mate and pup. There were still many dangers for them, especially, around the council. They were really hesitant for having a human as their lady, despite the fact that she was a miko. Sesshomaru wasn't a fool. He knew why they were acting as such. They didn't want an hanyou as their new heir.

Sesshomaru thought with a smirk, "The council will be shock to find that my heir is a full inuyoukai."

Whenever he was holding his pup for a second time while his mate was taking a much needed nap, he took that time to study her features. There was no way in hell that the council could deny his pup being a full-blooded inuyoukai. Simply, because she had his color of his markings, except that she had one, not two, on each cheek. She had his eye markings and the crescent moon on her forehead. She also had elfin ears, like her father. She had his hair color. The only thing that wasn't from him was her eyes. So, in other words, the council wouldn't be able to accuse Kagome of adultery or any other sort, because the pup looked like him and his twin sister.

Speaking of his twin, he hadn't seen her since before the birth of his daughter. He and every family member mourned for the young newly found prince for about a week. He hoped to see her in the throne room. He glanced down at his mate carrying their bundle of joy in her secure arms as they made their way to the throne. Kagome must had felt that he was staring because she looked up at him and smiled. She was happy, yet she was sad at the same time. Her daughter was finally here, yet her nephew wasn't. She was worried about Inuhime, but Inukimi and everyone else assured her that she would be fine. When an inuyoukai mourns, they would go away somewhere alone. They would howled at the moon, no matter what moon phase it would be. Every canine from youkai to their mortal counterparts would howl with the mourner. It was a sad song. She heard it for the past few nights. It even seemed that the pup would mourn along with it.

Inuhime mourned for her son, Akihiko. She howled every since the day he'd died. She walked around mindlessly, oblivious to her surroundings. All she could think about was her little pup. He acted and did things that no pup should EVER had to experience in that point of life. He should had been playing and learning, not killing and whatnot until the appropriate time in their life.

She walked around the estate. She stopped at a familiar tree root and sat down. She sighed. Bokusenou heard of the young prince's death.

"Inuki, dear one, this one gives his condolences."

She sniffed, "Thanks Bokusenou, that means a lot to me."

Bokusenou had spoken more to her than he did to Sesshomaru after and before their father died. She would come to his presence when she got into trouble with her mother, when younger. She would hide with him for days or even until her father returned home from patrols and such. She would seek his advice or opinions on certain things. She was and still is an outspoken person. She would spoke back to mother or even her father, sometimes, of course, she would be reprimanded. However, she couldn't really help it. It was the way she was. If she didn't believe one thing is right, she would voice it. Yes, her and her best friend, Zokushi were very rebellious to the council. He, himself, doesn't like the council. They were very prejudice against humans and believed that they were superior even to the lord of the land.

"You know, dear one, you can talk to me. What's on your mind? And don't say it's nothing because I can see your sadness in your eyes."

She chuckled, "You, besides, my father and brother could read me so well." She sighed. "It has been a week since my son passed. He was my hope, my light. The odd thing is that he's still is. He told me several times in my dreams that he'll return to me. I believed that he will, too, someday. Is that so strange, Bokusenou? To believe something that could be impossible. For a son return to his mother, twice. The first was when he was born and then literally ripped from my womb and also be reunited later. The second has yet to come."

Bokusenou thought for a moment, "No, dear one. I witnessed things that seemed impossible, yet was possible. The greatest example is your brother; the both of them. Funny thing is, it was made possible by two human females, Rin and Kagome."

She chuckled at that. "Yes, you're right, Bokusenou. I need to return to the palace. The judgement on the prisoners of war is today. Thank you."

Bokusenou chuckled, "Always a pleasure, dear one. Tell your father and brother that I said 'hello'." Inuhime gave a little bow and left him behind. She had always feel better after she'd spoken to the ikkiyoukai.

Each Cardinal Lords and Ladies, except of course, Akunokeshin (aka Naraku) and Akuokaesu, and the Western Council, excluding Kimiko, were there awaiting for the couple and their pup. Inuyasha, Kikyo, Miroku, and Sango, who also gave birth after Kagome, arrived before them. The Lord Father, InuTaisho, and the Lord Mother, Inukimi, and the Lord Grandmother, Kimiko arrived before them. They were now waiting for their Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Kagome, and Lady Inuhime to join them.

Just before Kagome and Sesshomaru entered the throne room, they gave the pup to Nanami. Nanami and the other young pups were going to the garden to play. Jaken wanted to be present at the trials, however, he has a feeling that he wouldn't be able to witness it.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru said in a his usual cold baritone.

"Y-yes, milord."

"Go in there and announce our presence. If Inuhime hasn't yet to arrive, you will also announce her presence. Then you will go to the garden to watch and guard the pups with your life or else."

Jaken, who was shocked to hear his lord speaking in more than a few words. "Jaken, this Sesshomaru will not repeat himself."

"Uh, y-yes, milord,"

he said as he left them behind and went inside the throne room.

"Anata?"

"Hn?"

"Do you think that Inuhime will be here?"

Sesshomaru sighed, "I honestly don't know, omae." They heard Jaken announcing them. They interlocked their arms and walked in there with their heads held high. Sesshomaru being his stoic self as Kagome appearing to be confident with herself as they walked down until they'd reached the royal cushions. And then they would wait.

-
Two hours later...

Everyone was waiting for Inuhime to arrive. Her family was certain that she has a reason to be late.

One of the council members were getting rather impatient with the Lady Sister. One said, "Must we begin the trials, milord? It seems as if Lady Inuhime isn't coming."

"Hn, this Sesshomaru will wait for his Lady Sister. Now be silent!"

Two hours earlier...

When the Western Court and the other Cardinal Lords and Ladies were waiting for Inuhime, she was talking to Bokusenou. After she spoke to him, she returned to the palace, more specifically her chambers. She was getting ready for the trials, when she heard a knock outside of her room. When she opened her shoji door, she saw a really old friend, the General of the Western Army.

"Oh, hello, General. May I help you with something?"

"No, milady. I want to take this chance to talk to you. I'd been wanting to for so long now, but with everything that has happened. I'd never had a chance."

"General, with all due respect, can this wait a little longer? I need to finish getting ready for the trials. My Lord Brother and his lady are expecting me to be there. I am already running a little late as it is."

The General sighed. He should leave her be, but he can't. "I am sorry, Inuhime, but this can't wait any longer."

Inuhime looked into the General's eyes. She could see the longing in them. She sighed and then took a deep breath. She stepped aside to invite him into her room. She led him to the sitting room of her rooms.

"Alright, Hikaru*. You may say your peace," she said as she motioned for him to sit down as she sat down herself.

Hikaru was nervous and anxious. He had eyes for her for a very very long time, even before the time when Toriko was courting her. All he wanted to do was to sweep her off her feet and run far far way with her. He mentally shook his head. Inuhime was looking at him and waiting patiently for him to speak. She could tell he wanted to say something by the way he was parting his mouth and then shutting it if he can't speak. She waiting for a few more minutes and still nothing. She sighed. She doesn't really have for this.

"Hikaru, I'm sorry, but I am needed elsewhere. Could we continue this later on," she asked as she stood up.

Hikaru knew that he has no right keeping her from her duties to his lord, but he couldn't take it anymore. Consequences be damned. He quickly stood and kiss her. It was a kiss that would make a woman melt into the arms of the said man kissing. However, she was so much in shock that she couldn't even move. Her golden-yellow eyes widen. His eyes were closed, but when he noticed that she wasn't responding to him like he wanted her, too. He broke it and bow his head in shame. He said, "Forgive me, milady. I..." He didn't even finished his sentence. So he walked away from her.

Inuhime was still shocked from the kiss that after about a few minutes, she blinked her eyes a few times. She could still feel the warmth of his kiss. She said as she touched her lips, "What just happened here?" She paused a moment and then shook her head to clear her mind. "I have no time for this. Damn it. I am so late. Sesshomaru isn't going to like this at all. I swear, he's the most impatient person that I have pleasure of knowing." She left her rooms quickly walking towards the throne room. She saw Jaken standing with the Staff of Two Heads.

"Jaken?" He jumped from the sound of her voice.

He squawked, "You are late!"

She narrowed her eyes and growled, "You don't think I know that! Now go and announce my presence!"

He grumbled under his breath calling her some unpleasant names, which she would make him pay for that later. She needed to gather herself. She felt like a young pup. She was always late for her lessons as Sesshomaru was always there on time. She took a few deep breaths as Jaken announced her presence.

"Lady Inuhime has finally arrived."

Inuhime walked in with her head held high.

AN: *Hikaru- an unisex name means light or ray of light.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari