Inuhime was in her room reading by the balcony. It was a cool, breezy, and sunny day. She can hear the pups outside laughing and playing, which brought a smile to her face. She could careless where her mate was right then and there because they had their first fight. Hikaru left a few hours ago to his office in the barracks. He was getting Sesshomaru's army ready to march out to meet Akira and her allies in the central lands, where all four corners meet. That was where she was after all this time, apparently. The other three Cardinal Lords would do the same.

"He could stay there, too," she thought before continuing her reading. She was angry with him because he told her that she can't participant in the war. It was all because she was heavily pregnant. Yeah, she knew it was dangerous, but she felt that she needed to be there. It was her instinct telling her that she needed to go. However, she knew that her mate, her father, and her brothers wouldn't let her leave. Her mother knew, but she sided with her father. Kagome sided with her brothers. She knew that they were going to help with the war. The only person that sided with her was her best friend, Zokushi, however, even she sided with them in the end. It wasn't fair in Inuhime's eyes. She was told to stay and be with the pups while they go and fight.

She had gotten where she couldn't concentrate to read. She sighed as she put her book away, "No sense in being angry about it. Huh, little one?" She rubbed her swollen belly. "It won't be long now, that we see each other for the first time. I just hope that your father will be here when it's time."

That was when Ichiko and Zokushi came in her room arguing about something or another.

"Why didn't you tell me before we performed the spell?!"

"I thought I did, okay!"

"No, it's not 'okay'!"

Inuhime yelled, "What are you, two, arguing about?!" They both became silent after the pregnant inudaiyoukai yelled. "Well?"

"It seemed there was a side effect of the spell that Ichiko and I used on Orochi."

"And?"

"And if Orochi have some sort of contact with someone with the same species of youkai, in this case, an inuyoukai, it would take longer for the spell to vanish and reveal the person's true identity."

"What sort of contact? Touching?"

Ichiko spoke up before Zokushi would, "Intimate contact such as mating, kissing,..."

Zokushi quickly added, "Sex would be more effective because one would put more into it."

Inuhime wasn't liking this; not at all. "Wait a minute! Are you telling me that the more sex Orochi has; the more time the spell lasts?!"

Zokushi replied, "Putting it mildly, yes, that's the basis of it."

Inuhime looked at them stoically. "The transformation spell? Which one did you used?" Zokushi and Ichiko looked uncertain. Inuhime scowled. "You mean to tell me that you don't know which one?!"

"Well..."

"Well, what?"

Ichiko looked embarrass. "I forgot."

It was silent until Zokushi yelled, "What did you mean by that?!"

"I forgot which spell I used, okay?!"

Inuhime said calmly, "Alright, this isn't the end of the world. Just tells me what you did and how you performed the spell." Zokushi immediately told her. "Well, that's not too bad as both of you made it seemed," Inuhime said. "By what you told me, you gave him some of your own youki. Depending on how much that you've given him lasts that much of time, however, if he's been sexual with a youkai then the female youkai unknowingly nurtures the borrowed youki. Does Akira even know your brother?"

"No, Akira had never met my brother before then. So, she wouldn't have known that he's really human," Ichiko answered.

"Also the youki changes the human into a youkai. For instance, if we disguised Kagome or Rin as a youkai they would take an appearance similar to the donor. Like the demonic markings on our bodies, our color of hair or eyes, shape of our ears, and/or the length of our claws. The youki works with your inner spirit. That's why we recited the spell, so that the person's inner spirit could accept the youki easily," Zokushi explained.

Inuhime nodded in understanding. "Well, like I said before, it isn't the end of the world. We just need to recite a spell that forbids that certain side effect." She smiled. "I just know which one will do, but we need to get close to the target to accomplish this."

"Who's the target? Orochi?"

Inuhime shook her head, "It's Akira. That bitch is always in heat."

Zokushi snorted as the other two women giggled. "You have no idea." While Zokushi and Ichiko were still there at Akira's lair, they would hear her having sex all the time.

Inuhime cleared her throat, "Anyway, we need to get close to Akira before she has sex again. I will need the Book of Spells."

"But how are you going to get close to her, Inuhime," Ichiko asked.

"I can't. Hikaru put a barrier around the estate to prevent from leaving."

"I'll go. I am faster, plus I can transform."

"You read my mind as always, Zoku."

"But will she know that she has been..." Ichiko didn't finish because Inuhime interrupted her.

"No, that bitch had always have someone doing her dirty work. She won't know what is what, besides..." She smiled, "I wanted to see their faces when the Orochi's transformation spell vanishes." All three laughed at that.

Suddenly Hikaru same in. "We need to talk, Inuhime. Please, Zoku and Ichiko, could you please leave?" Both of them nodded and leave Inuhime a lone with her mate.

"Well, I don't want to talk to you. You think I am weak, don't you?"

"No, I don't, Inuki! How many times that I have to tell you?!"

"Don't yell at me," she half-yelled and half-cried.

She has been emotional since she found out that she was pregnant. So, Hikaru played it off as only pregnancy hormones. "Inuki, I just want you and our unborn pup be safe. I don't know when this war will end. It could take months; years even. Just knowing that you are safe here, it would be helpful. You are a fierce daiyoukai just like your father, brother, mother, and even your half-brother. Even though, he's an inuhanyou."

"I understand. I am not angry at you anymore. I don't want you to think that I am weak because I am pregnant. I just wish that I could fight alongside with you and my family."

Hikaru hugged her. "I know, Inuki." She smiled at him after he pulled away.

"So, how's the army, anyway?"

He sighed. "Inuyasha was put in charge in training the new recruits after Akira made her war declaration. I was surprised how Inuyasha had taken this seriously."

"Of course, he does. Just because he wasn't trained with an army before doesn't mean he doesn't taken this war seriously. I think you underestimate him. He has heart. That's important."

He smiled and kissed her on the lips. "I love you."

She returned his kiss and said, "I love you, too."

Inuyasha was at the barracks with his father. Since Akira's declaration of war, his father and brother was showing how to fight. Yeah, he knew how to fight, however, he's not as skilled as the Dog General and the Killing Perfection. After he had rest, he would go to the training ground and train the new recruits. At first, he thought that they wouldn't listen to him because he was an hanyou. However, he was surprise to find that they'd shown his respect. He surmised that it was because he was the Dog General's son and their ruler's half-brother. He held his head up high and walked in front of the recruits with confidence. You can't show any weakness in front of them or you will be treated as if you were a low rank member. His brother told him that, which surprise the hell out of Inuyasha when he gave him some advice in dealing with others. He appreciated that. He really did.

"Alright, you weaklings! I want to see what you got! If you can beat me, then you are in. If not, then we don't need you!" He paused and swallowed, which in that moment, he swallowed his pride because of what he would say next. "Lord Sesshomaru will not tolerate weakness in his army! Am I clear?!"

"Sir, yes, sir," the recruits yelled in unison.

"Alright, you weaklings, bring it on," Inuyasha yelled as he ready his fighting stance. InuTaisho was in the general's quarters overseeing Inuyasha. He smirked at what his son said, which was true. Sesshomaru hates weakness.

"How is he," Sesshomaru asked his father.

InuTaisho looked over his shoulder and said as he watched his eldest son walking towards him standing by the balcony. "He's doing well, actually." Sesshomaru nodded to him that he understood.
"How's Kagome? Natsume?"

Sesshomaru sighed, "Kagome's not doing well." His father quirked an eyebrow and waited for him to continue. "Natsume believes that her mother is having a pup. So, just in case, Natsume's right, I had Naomi examined her."

"Kagome won't be please, if she is pregnant. She wants to fight alongside with you like your sister would like to do, but can't because she's pregnant."

"I know this, father."

They continued to watch Inuyasha fought with the new recruits.

Kagome and Sango were at the healer's quarters waiting for Naomi to exam her.

"Kagome, what if you are pregnant?"

Kagome sighed. "Then, I won't be able to fight in the war. Sesshomaru will eventually smell the pup before the day ends."

"Why hadn't he noticed before?"

"Because of the war and it's preparations."

"Oh, right, of course. Then who..." Sango hadn't have a chance to finish because Kagome interrupted her.

"Natsume. She was the one who says that I am having a pup." Sango made an 'O' shape with her mouth. Silence passed for a moment or two. "Are you and Miroku going?"

"No, we decided to stay here to help protect the pups/children and the estate. I can't leave my sister alone here. Kohaku will stay, too."

Kagome nodded. By then Naomi came into the room.

"Good afternoon, miladies."

"Good afternoon, Naomi," The women said in unison.

"I was told by Lord Sesshomaru that I am to examine you to see if you are, indeed, with pup. Is that correct?" Kagome nodded. Naomi smiled at them warmly. "Alright. Lets have a look."

Kagome laid down on a futon. Naomi closed her eyes and focus her reiki. She felt around the stomach til she felt the pups' aura. She smiled. Yes, she felt two separate aura within the womb.

"Congratulations, milady! You're pregnant!"

Kagome was happy to know why she hasn't been feeling well as of late. "How far am I?"

"Hmm, I say about 4 months. I have to say that you are having twins!"

Kagome's eyes widen like saucers. "Really? I am having twins?"

"Yes, milady. I felt two separate auras."

"Wow! I wonder how Sesshomaru will take this. What if he..."

"Now, none of that, milady. Lord Sesshomaru will be happy to know he will be two more in his pack."

"But the war..."

"Ah, yes, the war. He will still be happy. This is happy news within our darkest times, milady. News about having a pup will lighten everyone. It give them/us hope," Naomi finished with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Naomi. I'll tell him tonight. Good day."

"Good day to you, too, milady."

With that said and done, they went to the gardens, where Kimiko and Inukimi were with the pup/children.

Kimiko and Inukimi were in gardens, where they were watching the pups/children playing.

Kimiko looked at her granddaughter and smiled. She's smiling because she knows something that she doesn't. Inukimi noticed her grandmother's smile.

"What are you smiling about?"

Kimiko chuckled. "Because."

Inukimi furrowed her eyebrows, "Grandmother, that's not an answer."

She chucked again. "I know."

"Are you going to answer my question?"

"No, but I suggest you go see Naomi. You look like you are under the weather."

"But I feel fine, grandmother."

"As your alpha, Inukimi, do as I say."

Inukimi thought, "How odd? She hasn't used her alpha status towards me since I was a pup. Perhaps, this is serious." She said to her grandmother, "Alright, I'll go see Naomi before dinner."

Kimiko smirked because she knew if she played the 'alpha card' towards her then she has no choice, but to obey. "Good. I'll accompany you."

Later on, just before dinner, they went to visit the healer as the pups/children went to get ready for dinner. Naomi validated what Kimiko was suspecting.

"Congratulations, Lady Mother! You are going to have a pup."

At first, there was silence then Inukimi squealed in delight. "I am pregnant? Truly?" Naomi nodded in confirmation. "Oh my Kami," she faced her grandmother because she realized something. "You knew?" Kimiko nodded. "Why didn't you tell me"

"Because I wanted to validate what I've been suspecting all along. I am just surprise that anybody hadn't noticed it. Will you tell InuTaisho?!"

"Of course! I'll tell him tonight!"

Naomi and Kimiko thought in unison, "This is going to be some dinner." They both chuckled.

It was dinnertime. The pups/children came in with their ravenous appetites. They sat in their designated seats. Sesshomaru sat at the head of the table as InuTaisho sat at the other end. Their mates sat at their left sides. Natsume and Inuyasha sat on their right sides. Rin and Shippo sat across each other. Rin sat next to Natsume as Shippo sat next to Kagome. Much to Inuyasha's chagrin, Hikaru sat next to him. Inuhime sat across from her mate. Sango sat next to Shippo and across from Miroku. Zokushi, with Kahōmono sitting on her lap, sat across from Hana. Sango and Miroku's children sat in between Hana and Miroku and across their mother and Zokushi.

When everyone settle down and started to eat their dinner, Kagome cleared her throat to get their attention. Once she had it and stood up she said , "I have something to say." Inukimi, who, also, stood up, said the same thing, afterwards. They paused for a moment, then they said in unison, "I'm pregnant!"

Both Sesshomaru and InuTaisho blinked. They were processing what their mates had just said. Once that happened, they unexpectedly fainted, which made their mates come to their aid.

When they gained their consciousness, they smiled at their mates, who, in turn, were looking at them with concerned eyes.

InuTaisho said excitedly, "I am going to a father and grandfather again!"

Inukimi said with a smile, "It seems so."

Sesshomaru asked, "Did you both knew each other being pregnant before now?"

Kagome answered, "No."

"But I did," Kimiko said as if she were amused and proud.

"Why didn't you say something to us," InuTaisho asked.

"Because I need confirmation. Plus, it wasn't my place to say such things."

Kagome asked, "How did you know that I was?"

"I could tell by your scent and aura. I am quite surprise your mates for sensed it until now."

InuTaisho responded, "Well, we were too focus on the war to notice."

Inuhime was happy for them and for herself. I am happy for herself because she wouldn't be the only one to stay home because she was pregnant. Hikaru was happy with the news. He, now, knew that his mate wouldn't be the only one to have to stay home.

InuTaisho said, "Well, Inuhime, it looks to me like you wouldn't be alone when we leave for the war." Both his mate and daughter-in-law nodded. They knew that they can't fight in the war because now they were pregnant. Both fathers-to-be were relieved that they wouldn't have to argue with their mates about it.

A couple days later, when all the preparations were ready, they were ready to set out. Inuhime, Inukimi, and Kagome were waiting at the entrance for their mates. They were holding onto them like it would prevent them from going away.

InuTaisho said softy, "Don't make this harder than it already is." He was mostly saying that to all three of them. He understood all too well that this was the hardest thing. It was because it was hard to him, too. He knew it will be harder for Sesshomaru and Hikaru, especially, him. After he said that, the trio started to cry.

"Now, now ladies, we need to go now," Hikaru said calmly. They nodded as they stayed where they were. All the males, sighed. It seemed like an eternity, but it was really a few minutes, as they embraced them before, finally, letting them go.

Inuyasha came and hugged Kagome first. "Don't worry, Kagome. I'll make sure that he returns to you." He looked at his step-mother. "Dad, too." Then he looked at his sister, "Even that asshole who you called your mate." That made Inuhime giggle, which made Hikaru growled, in turn.

Sesshomaru and InuTaisho shared a look. InuTaisho nodded as he made towards his son, "Um, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha turned around and looked at his father. "What?" His gut said something said would be bad.

InuTaisho sighed, "Son, Sesshomaru and I were thinking that you should stay and protect the women and children."

"Oh hell, no! I've trained for this fucking war! I have every right to go and fight!"

His father was calm as he nodded in agreement. "Which is why you should stay here, son."

Sesshomaru added, "Whose better than you to stay and protect them. You are. We trust you, Inuyasha."

"But..I," he paused and thought about what they just said. He thought, "Sesshomaru said he trusts me in protecting Kagome and 'Tsume. Dad trusts me to protect stepmother. And Hikaru..." Inuyasha looked at the one who had been taunting him since they met.

Hikaru sighed because he knew that he needed him to say it, too. "Yes, Inuyasha. Even, I feel the same way."

Inuyasha nodded in acknowledgement, then he smiled with confidence. "Alright then, I'll stay and watch the pack while you go fight our enemies. Just do me this favor." He paused dramatically, "GO KICK THEIR ASSES!"

They laughed at his outburst; not in a ridicule way, but in amusement. InuTaisho said in an amusement tone, "Of course, son."

With that they gave them a farewell hug as the ladies all whispered to their mates, "Come back to me."

In response, their mates whispered, "I am planning on it."

They watched on as they made their way to their men.

Sesshomaru roared, "Lets go to war!"

The men shouted as they raised their fists in the air, "Yeah!"

Afterwards, Inuyasha and the ladies watched them march out of the entrance til they were out of sight. They all sighed and went inside the palace to go and tell the pups that they left.

AN: Prae- is a variant of pre-a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, where it meant "before" ( preclude; prevent); applied freely as a prefix, with the meanings "prior to," "in advance of," "early," "beforehand," "before," "in front of," and with other figurative meanings (preschool; prewar; prepay; preoral; prefrontal). I decide to use this variant because it seems fitting. *definition from *

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari