Chapter 7

Breakthrough

Kenta

I sat beside Kagome, watching as she texted Sesshomaru back. I hadn't been able to spend much time with her since she became pregnant due to Sesshomaru being protective, and only after begging him for three days did he finally agree to us having a father-daughter day at the mall.

"You bought too many shoes." I stated, looking towards the many bags on the floor by our table.

"I know, but I couldn't help it. I loved them all." She whined, her own eyes trailing over to her new purchases.

"You know, pretty soon, you won't be able to wear them anymore." I said, then chuckled as she glared at me. If looks could kill…

"Don't remind me. Sesshomaru has already threatened to take all of my shoes and hide them. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't walk." She grumbled, crossing her arms.

"I would not put it past him to do so. He only worries for your safety." I defended, knowing just how much Sesshomaru loved this small girl.

"I know, and I'm not mad at him. I just hate being short." She sighed, making me laugh.

"How is your pup doing?" I asked, seeing how her stomach was now noticeable. Not by much, but enough for me to wonder. Satori was right that day. Even a full yokai would not be showing this much so soon.

"Hungry all the time. Sesshomaru has to give me his youki twice a day now." Kagome answered, rubbing her small bulge.

"Is the pup hungry now? I could call Sesshomaru." I said quickly. Seeing Kagome as sick as she had been reminded me too much of when she had died. I did not like seeing my daughter look so helpless.

"It's a little hungry, but it will be fine until we get home." She replied, making my eyebrows furrow.

I had to admit watching Sesshomaru feed their pup did make me somewhat jealous. I never got to experience anything like that with my own pups so I had been practicing filtering my youki in the hopes that Kagome may let me feed her child one day.

"I can do it, Kagome." I said, trying not to sound nervous. She looked up at me with surprise before smiling.

"Okay. As long as nobody will see." She replied.

I instantly relaxed and looked around, making sure nobody was looking. I watched as Kagome lifted up her shirt, exposing her swollen stomach, and I couldn't help but smile. No one would ever understand how happy it makes me to be a grandfather.

When I was sure no one would see, I summoned my youki and placed my hand over her stomach. A gasp forced its way out of my mouth as I felt my energy being pulled gently from my hand. I looked up at Kagome, who was smiling at my expression, before looking back down at her unborn pup.

"I can feel it." I whispered, amazed at what was happening.

"Yea, Sesshomaru says the pup takes what it needs, then stops." Kagome replied. "Daddy, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course." I answered, noticing the way she sounded unsure.

"Why did you and Mom never have another baby after InuYasha?" She asked. I sighed and glanced up at her.

"Your mother died giving birth to InuYasha. I was able to use Tenseiga to bring her back, but I was unwilling to put her at risk again. As you know, Tenseiga only works once." I answered truthfully, not taking my eyes from her swelling stomach.

"Can I ask why she died?" Kagome continued.

"It was just complications with delivery, although Satori has me thinking that maybe it was more. I was never there for Sesshomaru before he was born. Satori wouldn't allow it. I never even got to see her grow with him. She stayed away until she gave birth. Then she put him in my arms and left. It was the happiest, and saddest, moment of my life." I started before pausing to think. "When I got Izayoi pregnant, I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't know that hanyou pregnancies were harder than yokai pregnancies. I now sometimes wonder if it was my fault that Izayoi died."

"It wasn't your fault, Daddy. That's like saying it was Sesshomaru's fault I died. It just happened, but you saved her." Kagome soothed, making me smile. I pulled my hand away from her stomach when I noticed the pup was no longer taking my youki.

"It was easy to accept that I could never get Izayoi pregnant again, but it was disappointing. We both wanted a daughter so bad, and that devastated her more than anything. Then, a few years later, you showed up on our doorstep." I said, noticing the warm smile she gave me.

"I'm glad I found you." She whispered before pulling her shirt over her stomach. "You and Mom and everyone else are my real family. You raised me as your own. You took me in, even with me having reiki. Thank-you, Daddy."

I reached over and hugged her tightly, careful not to hurt her growing pup. "You will always be my little girl."

"Do you think Tenseiga will work on me since I have already died?" Kagome suddenly asked, making me pull away from her. I looked at her, confused as to why she would ask a question like that.

"I don't really know. I assume that it would because you were brought back by the jewel. Why do you ask, Kagome?" I inquired, hating where this conversation was going.

"I know that this is a strange request. I've already talked to Sesshomaru about it. Well, not about Tenseiga, but about you. Anyway, we both wanted to know if you would be in the room with us when I give birth. Sesshomaru is scared, although he won't admit it, and could use the support. You're the only one he trusts enough to give that support. And…you could wield Tenseiga if you need to." She explained, making my heart drop. I, of course, loved her offer, but hated the reasoning behind it.

"You won't need Tenseiga." I declared, pulling away from her slightly.

"Daddy, pl–"

"No. You don't need me in the room. Sesshomaru will be fine, and so will you." I snapped, looking away from her. She was silent for a moment, and I inwardly groaned when I smelt her tears. I hated it when she, or any female, cried, and now she was crying because of me.

"I need to go to the restroom." She whispered before standing up.

"Kagome, wait!" I called. She didn't stop, and all I could do was sigh before putting my elbows on the table and hiding my face.

How could she ask me to do that? How could she expect me to see her that way again? She didn't understand where I was coming from. I'm sure if I told Sesshomaru what she was thinking, he would be just as pissed as I was. Kagome should never be thinking about her death, especially when she is pupped. She should be happy right now, nothing else.

"It seems you have upset her." A female voice rang out, making me groan. Of all the people to be here, it had to be her.

"Satori, I am not in the mood to deal with you." I growled, not looking up.

"It seems you are going to have to deal with an angry Sesshomaru." Satori replied before pulling out a chair and sitting down. "I do not think her request is so horrible."

"I have already had to see her dead once. I don't want to do it again." I replied, looking up at her.

"So, because you are too weak to see her in death, you will let her remain that way?" She asked, making me growl.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I snapped.

"You are the only one who can wield Tenseiga, yet you refuse to be there for your daughter if she needs you because you do not wish to see her in death. You would rather her stay dead then step up and save her, if need be." Satori stated, making me groan. Damn her. Of course she had to be right.

"Daddy, can you take me home?" Kagome asked before stopping as she spotted Satori.

I could tell she was trying to hide the fact that she was crying and I instantly felt guilty. I jumped up from my chair and wrapped my arms around her, holding her to me. Her hands tightened in my shirt and I could feel her shoulders trembling.

"I'm sorry, Kagome. I shouldn't have snapped like I did." I whispered. "I just didn't like the idea of you dying, but I would be honored to be in the room with you."

"I don't think I will die. I just want Tenseiga there, just in case." She replied, making me calm slightly. If she truly believes she will be okay, I will give her whatever she wants.

"Little Human, the last time we were supposed to meet, you were sick. I wish to have that meeting now." Satori interrupted, making me growl. Kagome chuckled as she pulled away slightly.

"Can I see your wallet?" Kagome asked me. I raised an eyebrow but complied, handing her the folded leather. She flipped through it for a second before smiling and pulling something out. She handed me back my wallet and sat down at the table.

"I know why you don't like humans. You believe they are weak." Kagome started before pushing a picture over in front of Satori, who looked at it curiously. "I'm going to prove not all humans are weak. This is Rin. Sesshomaru adopted her when she was one-and-a-half years old. He found her when she was only a couple days old in a trash can. She had been abandoned at birth and left to die. Then the system took her from Sesshomaru when she was one, and he had to fight tooth and nail for six months to get her back. After all of this, she is still the happiest little girl I have ever met."

"Does she know?" Satori asked, looking at the picture, still very obviously in thought.

"Yes. She knows about her adoption. Sesshomaru and I had no choice but to tell her when we adopted our kit, Shippo. It brought up too many questions that we couldn't answer." Kagome answered, making me remember the day they told Rin the truth. She had been upset at first but soon realized that it didn't change anything.

"Hn. I would like to meet this little human." Satori said, looking back up to us. Kagome nodded before taking the picture and handing it me.

"Are you sure, Kagome?" I asked while putting the picture of Rin away.

"She won't harm her. I won't let her." Kagome answered with one of her sweet smiles before turning to Satori. "She is in school now, but I will call Kaede and tell her that I will pick up the children."

A few hours later, the three of us stood outside of my large SUV. Satori hated being in the human vehicle, but she dealt with it and kept her moaning to a minimum. Even I had to admit that there was a difference in the cold demon.

She looked at Kagome with such curiosity, it was nerve-wracking, even for me. Kagome, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind. She just sat in silence while holding her hand to her stomach. Somehow, she was once again working her magic, this time on the female who I never thought I would see again.

"Mommy!" A little voice yelled, bringing me from my thoughts. Kagome knelt down and held up her hands for the two little bundles that tore through the crowd and into her arms.

"Mama, we learned to write our names today!" Shippo exclaimed, climbing onto Kagome's shoulder as she stood up with Rin against her hip.

"How is my baby sister?" Rin asked, placing a tiny hand on Kagome's swollen abdomen.

"Brother, not sister!" Shippo yelled, causing Kagome to laugh.

"We will know in a few weeks whether the pup is a boy or a girl." Kagome said, her tone motherly. "I have someone I want you to meet."

I watched as Kagome made her way to us, Satori never taking her eyes off of the woman, or Rin. Kagome stood just in front of Satori and looked up at her with trusting eyes.

"Rin, Shippo, this is Satori." Kagome said, introducing the small children to their grandmother.

"You're really pretty, like my daddy." Rin said, looking over Satori, who widened her eyes slightly at the small child. I smirked when Satori let her concealment fall off in an attempt to scare Rin. As if that would work.

"You look like my daddy, too!" Rin exclaimed, shocking Satori even more when she reached out and ran her hands over her markings.

"Are you not scared of a demon?" Satori asked, letting the small child touch her face.

"No. I know that some demons are bad, like the one that hurt Mommy, but her and Daddy will keep me safe." Rin explained while Shippo nodded his head in agreement.

"A demon hurt your mommy?" Satori inquired, glancing up at Kagome.

"Yea, he killed her and Daddy cried, but then this–"

"Rin, that's enough." Kagome interrupted with a tone that told Rin not to speak of that topic anymore.

"Interesting. Why are you so happy, Child? Your real parents left you and you watched your adoptive mother die. How can you still be so trusting?" Satori asked, making me growl.

"I'm happy because I still have my family. And I trust my family because they love me and I know they will keep me safe." Rin said, making me smile. I knew then what Kagome's plan was. If Rin, who was still so young, could have the kind of life she had been through and still not let that ruin her, that showed some humans were worthy of a demon's loyalty. I could easily see Satori was thinking along the same lines.

"Do you know why I look like your father?" Satori asked the small child.

"I know. You smell like him, kind of. You're his mama, aren't you?" Shippo cut in, getting an approving smile from Satori.

"Yes, Young Kit. Your father is my son." Satori replied. Just then, Rin launched herself from Kagome and into her arms.

"That means you're our grandma!" Rin squealed, catching Satori off guard.

"I have never felt so old in my life before. I blame you, Little Human." Satori replied, glaring at Kagome who laughed while the older female held her daughter.

"Would you like to come back to my home, Satori, and get to know the children some more?" Kagome asked, knowing that she just had a breakthrough with the older female.

"I would like that, Little Human. After all, I am a grandma now." Satori answered, looking down at a happy Rin. Once again, Kagome's heart had warmed another's.

Sesshomaru

The moment I entered the house, I knew I wouldn't like what I saw. My sight first landed on Father who held up his hands in defeat and pointed upstairs to where I could hear giggling. With one last glance towards Father, I made my way upstairs and towards the kids' room.

The sight I was greeted with made me freeze. Not only was Kagome on the floor, playing with the children; my own mother was down there as well. She actually looked as if she was enjoying herself and I wondered if maybe I had somehow died.

"Sesshomaru, you're home early." Kagome said, attempting to stand up. I grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet before looking towards Mother.

"I know, I know. You're surprised to see me playing with your children. I'm just as surprised as you are." Mother said, standing up herself. I looked towards Kagome who smiled up at me.

"Is the pup hungry?" I asked, still unable to process that the female who gave me up was playing with my children.

"No. Daddy fed the pup while we were at the mall." Kagome answered.

"Hn." I wasn't sure how I felt about another male feeding my pup like that.

"Don't give me that tone. It was either that or let our pup be hungry." Kagome reprimanded, making me growl slightly.

"I still do not like it, but if it is necessary, I will allow it." I said, nuzzling into her neck. I hated being away from her all day, and right now, I just wanted to cuddle with her.

"Why don't we order some food and watch a movie?" Kagome suggested, making me look towards Mother. "We can invite everyone over."

"If I am welcome, I will stay. It will do me good to get to know everyone in Kenta's pack." Mother stated, making my eyes narrow.

I never expected this from her, and I still wasn't sure how to process it all. When I first met her, she had been so cold and unfeeling. She had reminded me much of myself. It may be possible that the same woman who found her way into my heart did the same with her.

"If you wish." I replied, noticing how the children jumped with excitement.

"We will tell Father and invite the others." I ordered, placing a hand on Kagome's back before guiding her out the door.

We informed Father of the plans, and he and Kagome set to calling everyone. Before long, it was confirmed that everyone would show. I sat in an awkward silence with my mother as Kagome and Father continued with their duties.

"Son, I know you don't trust me, but I do wish to get to know you." Mother stated, making me glance at her out of the corner of my eye.

"Do not harm my mate or pups." I growled, giving her a final warning.

"I don't think I could, even if I wanted to. I can feel the power radiating off of your mate, and she would never let me near your pups." Mother said, and I nodded in agreement.

"Can I come by and visit more often?" She asked. I looked at her for a second before giving a curt nod. I did, after all, want to get to know my mother more, and this was my chance to do so.

"Okay. Everyone should be here soon. I think Daddy ordered pizza." Kagome said, walking back into the room. She gave both of us a warm smile before I reached out and pulled her to me. I placed my mouth against her mark and kissed it gently.

"I do not like being away from you." I said as she giggled.

"What do you plan on doing when I go on maternity leave? It will be just like today, except Daddy won't be with me." Kagome said, making me growl.

"I will work from home when it comes time for that." I answered, rubbing my cheek against hers.

"Come on, Son. Give her room to breathe." Father said, looking at us as he walked into the room and towards the couch. I released Kagome slightly but placed my hands around her waist. I pulled her close enough so that I could feel her growing stomach on my own.

"I cannot wait until our pup moves." I said, kissing her forehead.

"Me neither. We still have a bit of time before then though." She laughed, making me growl.

"I am becoming impatient." I admitted before pulling her to the couch and sitting down. I had her sit beside me so she could lean into my side while my arm laid over her shoulders. The children took the opportunity to jump up with us. Rin snuggled beside me while Shippo curled up in my lap.

After that, it didn't take long before the others showed, and as expected, Mother used this time to get to know all of them. Surprisingly, she made no rude comments, except towards InuYasha who fully deserved them.

I couldn't help but share a glance with Father, who gave me a look that mirrored my surprise. I had to admit that Mother was making a real effort to get to know everyone, and I couldn't deny her that. If she was willing to try, then I should be as well.

-sSs-

Here is Chapter 7. I hope you enjoyed. I will admit this was not my best chapter, but I was having trouble getting into it. lol.

Teaser: Chapter 8: Family: Who are the new people claiming to be family? Can Kenta keep them away from the person they wish to speak to? What do Sesshomaru and Kagome do with the children for a little family fun day? Continue reading to find out.

I do not own InuYasha.