Happy 2024 everyone!

I know, I know, it's been forever since I last updated! Believe me when I say this was a challenging chapter to write, but I am now getting that spark and ready to rock and roll! In the end this chapter turned out absolutely phenomenal and am super proud of it!

Enjoy!

Chpater 12

Whimpers of hunger woke Kagome and InuYasha hours later.

The hanyou, who had his arm draped across his wife immediately sat up. Recognizing the sounds as a need for food, InuYasha sighed and gently helped his wife sit up. "You alright?"

Still sore from last night, she nodded. "Yeah, just have to take it slow." Once in a comfortable position, she started to loosen her robe, her infant's cries of hunger erasing all sleep.

"Mom? Dad?"

"Hey pup." He greeted his eldest. After draping his robe over his wife once she was ready to feed, he reached for his son. "Sleep well?" He gave InuKin to his mother, in which they put him into position so he could start suckling and his whimpers immediately ceased.

Moroha rubbed the sleep from her eye and watched in half disbelief, half amazement. There she was, seeing that last night wasn't a dream. It really happened! She was a big sister now! It was still so brand new that so many feelings kept taking precedence she didn't know how to explain it. "This is… this is… just.. wow."

Chuckling, Kagome could see how her daughter was still processing all that's occurred. She let her husband maneuver their silver haired daughter to her other breast, and immediately latched on. "I know. It's all brand new for you."

Nodding, she crawled over next to her mother. "Does it hurt?"

"A bit." She winced as she felt pricks from both. "Right now, their fangs are coming in. You were the same way right after you were born."

"Really?"

"Sure was." The proud father patted his daughter's head. "Gave your mom quite a start!"

"I didn't know she'd have fangs, let alone so soon. We didn't know what to expect with you; whether you'd have any youkai features at all and if so, what?" Kagome sighed, rocking both her babies who were intent on their meal, their tiny hands were kneading both her breasts. "And your claws weren't noticed until a few days later. It'll probably be the same for these two."

"Since they're so vulnerable at this stage, it's imperative they have some type of protection if something happens to either of us." InuYasha looked at his nursing children, awed at such a sight once again. He noticed that each twin, while both eagerly sucking way, was different. His son kneaded more vigorously, while his daughter was gentler, she was doing it more constantly. He smiled in remembrance at Moroha's first feeding, the newness, the excitement… she was just as eager, just as determined.

"According to Myouga, he said that children with youkai blood inherently have some type of protection, some defense mechanism in case the mother is unable to care for them or died in childbirth." Kagome looked from her eldest who sat cross legged on her right to her twins that were so content their eyes were half shut. And finally, to her husband, the boy turned man turned husband and father. To her, he was the living breathing image of survival against all odds.

And she was so grateful that he was hers, and the father to her children.

After watching for a bit, Moroha offered to start the fire and make some breakfast. Thankful for their daughter's offer, the couple smiled as the teenager left the room, not failing to see the pep in her step or the sparkle in her eyes.

"I'm glad she's taking it so well. I was afraid she wouldn't."

"She's a strong kid but a change of this magnitude is bound to cause feelings she hasn't felt before." He scooted over, letting his wife rest against him. "But I gotta say, she has that inner strength. "He smirked. "Kinda reminds me of you."

"I was just about to say the same thing." She giggled. She observed InuKin and was sure he was close to full. "I think your son is just about done. Even if it's been several hours since they last fed, one thing is for sure: they have your appetite." She winced as she felt Kin's tiny fangs. "And your son has a penchant for biting my breasts."

"Does he now?" He grinned, not sounding the least bit sorry. "That's my boy."

"InuKin's definitely yours, no doubt." She sighed. "At this rate your children are going to milk me dry."

"Heh. As long as you can keep those beauties the size they are."

"I'll try my best." A red flush brushed her cheeks. "'Cause I know how much you love my breasts."

"Damn right I do. Those are mine!" He growled possessively.

"Oh, you're such a dog." She growled back playfully.

"Yours." He wiggled his eyebrows, to which he received a knowing smile.

Kagome hummed, "InuYasha, you know our newborn twins are watching us."

"Let them watch, they should see how much their parents love each other." And with that, he leaned over and passionately kissed his beautiful wife, she responding in kind. Breaking apart after a minute, he pecked her and bit her upper lip before pulling back. "Yours." He repeated, his tone husky.

She could only nod, her heartbeat pounding and libido making a return. "Later…." She promised.

"Later." He confirmed.

A few seconds later the boy released, and his father scooped him up to his shoulder, gently patting his son's tiny back. He thought he'd be rusty after 15 years, but it quickly came back. His fatherly instincts were back. Then a burp, and then something warm on his shoulder.

"Oh no! Not again!" He knew the smell, knew the sensation. "Kagome! InuKin just threw up on me!"

"Good boy. That was quite a burp!" Laughing at her husband's expression she added. "Talk about déjà vu."

"Yeah, no kidding." He mumbled, making sure the infant was done before holding him. The pup looked up at him, amber eyes mirroring his own. "Good thing you're cute." He got a cute babble in response, looking very happy now he's had his breakfast.

Wishing she had a camera to savor the moment, Kagome sighed adoringly at the cute father/son moment. Her brown eyes turned to her infant daughter. Compared to her brother, Katana took her time savoring her delicious mother's milk. Her paternal ears were nearly upright and starting to move in tiny increments. It was like looking at a miniature version of InuYasha; always alert even while eating.

"Their instincts are strong already." InuYasha observed. "I can see Katana's ears moving. And Kin is sniffing the air around him."

"Yes...such a relief." Once Katana released, the mother cradled her to her shoulder. "And I'm positive they possess spiritual energy. It's very faint though." Patting her daughter's back, she heard the tell-tale burp-also praising her. "Question is, which of them formed the shield?"

"I don't know." He rocked his son, watching as the tiny eyes struggled to stay open. "For all we know, it could've been both."

"You're probably right. Perhaps we should ask Myouga the next time he visits?" Katana then yawned; tiny fangs clearly evident. Looking up at her mother, she babbled waving her tiny fists around. Kagome kissed her tiny forehead. "You want to take her? And we can see what Moroha has cooked up."

With some maneuvering, the hanyou had a secure one-arm hold on his twins. Taking a few sniffs, he said, "Smells like rice. And miso." Despite holding his babbling children with one arm, he easily helped his wife to slowly stand up. "You're sure you okay to walk? It's only been half a day."

"Really, InuYasha. I'll be fine." She saw his concern as well as felt it. "I'll let you know if I need a rest, I promise." She cradled his cheek.

"Okay, If you're sure…"

"Yes, my worrying husband. I'm sure." She pulled him down, sealing it with a kiss.

Trusting his wife's word, he supported her back and made their way to the main room.

The family had a semi-quiet breakfast, with the occasional cooing from the newborn pups. Moroha offered to hold them while her parents ate. The teen quickly had her share, having not eaten since lunch the previous day. First, she cradled her baby brother so her mother could eat-at her father's insistence. She giggled at her parents' bickering, her dad saying he'd eat once she had her fill and her mother insisting that he eat too. In the end her father proved more stubborn.

In the light of day, Moroha could see the similarities between Kin and herself. Same dark hair, their noses were similar, and the eye shape was from their dad. The shape of his mouth was from their mother, as well as the lighter skin tone. The boy sniffed the air, settled once he realized he was with family.

"So young, yet he recognized me right away." She marveled.

"You were the same way." Kagome swallowed a spoonful of miso soup. Then she picked up her bowl of rice. "We made sure you imprinted on us from the moment you were born."

"Yeah, Myoga was a big help for us when you were in your mother's womb." InuYasha looked from eldest daughter and infant son to youngest daughter and couldn't help the smile that appeared. Katana gurgled, smiling back.

BOING! BOING! BOING! "Master InuYasha!"

Kagome, InuYasha and Moroha looked around, looking for the miniscule flea.

"I do declare, congratulations are in order Master!" The retainer landed on the hanyou's shoulder. "What a momentous occasion!"

"Hello Myouga." "Grandpa Myouga!" The women greeted.

"Hmmm…" The flea bounced closer to get a better look at the pup, but not too close- the subtle growling made by InuYasha not to even think about sucking his infant daughter's blood. Then looked to his master's left to see Lady Moroha cradling the second twin. Tears of joy burst from the tiny flea. "Oh my, such a wonderous sight to behold!"

"They were born late last night." Kagome said, the glow of a new mother evident. "Fraternal twins. InuYasha is holding Katana and Moroha has InuKin."

"And my, do they take after their father!" The flea demon then flew over to look at the boy. "It's like seeing your hanyou and human forms my Lord!"

"Isn't it wonderful?!" Kagome then kissed her husband's cheek, declaring it was his turn to eat and took Katana. "We did have some questions we hope you can answer, Myouga."

"Of course, Lady Kagome! But first…" He went to partake in his favorite pastime. And after a few seconds got squashed and floated down, flat. "Same…as always…" He choked out, before landing on his master's palm.

"Listen Myouga, we need some answers. And you'll kindly refrain from even thinking about taking a taste of either of my pups, you got it?!"

The flea shook in fear, knowing that tone. Wiping his brow with his handkerchief, he nodded. When it came to his children, his master was EXTREMELY protective. And with newborns he'd do well to heed the hanyou's warning.

But that didn't mean he couldn't try Lady Moroha's blood again….

After getting a sample-again, and getting slapped flat, again- "SO much like her father!" Myoga jumped to a safe distance, settling on Kagome's shoulder and proceeded to answer the parents' questions.

After a switcheroo, Moroha gave Kin to her dad and her mom handing Kat to her, the family settled and listened to the wisdom of the elderly flea. Despite his age, the faithful vassal did hold a vast amount of knowledge. The teen was amazed at hearing such information and had a few questions of her own. As the mother and father of now three shinhanyou, the miko and hanyou were told that it was only a matter of time before the true extent of their powers would come to light. As with Moroha who possessed inu youkai and spiritual prowess, it was also clear the twins possessed both as well. Although Myouga told them, one of them would likely have a stronger urge to use their youkai side while the other would prefer spiritual strength. But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. They would complement each other, like yin and yang. Working together to protect each other, as well as others.

Though who would be stronger at what remains to be seen.

About midday, and promising to be back soon, the flea departed the household and immediately hopped onto a passing crow, heading towards the home of Totosai to impart the delightful news and unknowingly flying over Sango and Miroku leaving their humble abode to visit and check up on their friends.

"Oh Miroku, just wait until you see them!" Sango gushed.

"Now my dear Sango, no need to rush." Her husband smiled at her giddiness.

"I'm just so happy for Kagome and InuYasha! Getting Moroha back after 14 years and now welcoming two new children...They truly deserve such happiness!"

Miroku wholeheartedly agreed. Their friends had been trapped for 14 years, giving up their firstborn to protect her…. He couldn't imagine the pain they went through. The unfairness of it all…He grabbed his wife's hand. "Indeed, they do. Our friends' lives seemed to have changed for the better."

The day was turning out to be a precursor to spring: clear blue sky, the air with a hint of winter's chill, sprouts of green grass beginning to appear. What a great time to welcome new members to the family!

The couple made their way to InuYasha and Kagome's home, carrying a satchel of medicine and goodies for the family. She offered to make the trip on Kaede's behalf, since the elderly woman needed rest after such a long night, although she wouldn't put it pass Kaede to make the journey later. And more than likely Rin, Sesshomaru and their daughters would journey to see them as well…

Soon enough they made it and when about to announce their arrival, Moroha came out to greet them, "Hey Auntie Sango, Uncle Miroku! Come on in! Dad's preparing a late day snack!"

The hut was warm as they walked in, Sure enough, InuYasha was prepping rice and stirring the blazing fire. "Hey guys. You came to visit Kagome and the pups?"

"We came to visit all of you, see how you all are faring." The monk patted his friend's shoulder. "From what I heard it was quite a night."

"You're not kidding." InuYasha agreed. After asking Moroha to finish up breakfast, the hanyou led the couple to the bedroom.

Kagome was already sitting up, having gone to rest with her babies after a late breakfast. "Sango! Miroku! It's good to see you guys!"

"It's a relief to see you looking well, Lady Kagome." Miroku knew better than to say something inappropriate, being allowed in the bedroom to see pups not a day old with a protective hanyou father was something he took seriously. And seeing how InuYasha immediately went to sit beside his wife and was handed a small infant, it was proof the man had complete trust in him.

Sango immediately went to her friend's side. "Kaede sent some herbs with me, to make sure you get well sooner. And to help increase your strength; birthing twins is no easy feat." Her eyes took in the twin Kagome held- the boy if she recalled correctly. "Your babies are doing well?"

"Extremely well. We couldn't ask for healthier pups." Kagome rocked her son. His amber eyes were open, looking at the strangers. "Healthy appetites, too."

InuYasha, holding his little girl, noticed that her eyes and ears were turned towards the couple. "And quite alert." He added.

Miroku went to sit by his friend. "Incredible. I can already sense spiritual power in them."

"Myouga said that as well." And Kagome went into detail about the flea's visit just before they arrived. The demon slayer and monk were astounded, but not entirely surprised. If Moroha possessed both, the twins no doubt would as well.

"So, what're their names?" Sango asked.

"Well, the little man in Kagome's arms, she decided on InuKin." InuYasha announced, which prompted an "awe" from Sango, which in turn caused a faint blush. "That's so adorable!"

"I knew if we had a son, I'd want to name him after his father." The proud mother smiled the brightest smile, loving how her husband was embarrassed yet sat a bit straighter.

"He seems to resemble you, InuYasha. Quite a lot." Miroku observed. "In your human state, with your eye color. How remarkable."

"And InuYasha decided on Katana for our daughter. In keeping with the sword theme, like with Moroha." Said child, like her brother and father, remained vigilant. Her tiny ears stood upright, her gaze as bright and golden as the ones her dad possessed.

"She's the spitting image of you, InuYasha." Miroku said. "She inherited your ears while your son did not. Never seen anything like this. How fortunate to witness such a miracle!"

And so it went on for a while, the two couples talking about the newborns and what the future had in store. Moroha came in, offering to take her brother so her mom could lay back down. Noticing how hard she was trying to stay up and chat, InuYasha insisted she try and rest. Sango and Miroku promised to come back the following day to check back with him, left the herbs and some food and bid their farewells.

It wasn't long before Rin, along with her daughters, Shippo and Kaede-who was picked up on the way, came to call. This time the hanyou gently picked up his wife and settled her in his lap. He could sense her starting to tire, and the excitement of visitors was draining her energy. His protective side was coming out, and Kagome, although insisting she wasn't so fragile, appreciated her husband's foresight in having her stay put and to save her strength.

Moroha sat beside them, more than pleased to be holding her sister, as her mother cradled her brother to her bosom. Being able to show her cousins her new siblings gave the girl a glow that was obvious to everyone. Kagome and InuYasha noticed the change in her, having immediately taken to the older sister role despite her anxiety and fears she wouldn't be a good protector.

"Your pups seem to be in great health." Kaede examined each child, happy that no problems were present. "For shinhanyou, both InuKin and Katana are excelling."

"And that they're so active already." Rin couldn't get over the cute family scene before her. "That's a good sign."

"Aye. A very good sign."

"That's so cool." Towa sat beside her cousin, never looking away from her newest cousin. "They're like yin and yang."

"Like us." Setsuna added. While having her father's more serious demeanor, even she wasn't immune to her new baby cousins. "And with last night being the half-moon, even more incredible."

"I know, right?" Moroha couldn't stop smiling.

While not in the hut, the youkai in the room could sense Sesshomaru's aura nearby. He said he would visit once the excitement died down, he would come see for himself, and talk to his brother and sister-in-law, according to Rin. InuYasha doubted he said that much, but Rin was a pro at reading her husband.

Shippo hopped onto the hanyou's shoulder when he arrived and remained there for the duration. The kitsune noted how more patient-and tolerant InuYasha had become. Not once had he brushed him off or bonked him on the head.

"I'm so happy for you, InuYasha." The kit said so only he could hear. "You and Kagome both deserve this."

"Thanks, Shippo." He ruffled the boy's head.

As before, InuYasha shooed everyone out when he sensed his wife starting to nod off. The sun was starting to set and the pups needed to be fed. Shippo offered to go with Kaede, promising no fox magic tricks this time. Rin and her girls bid farewell and soon enough the hut was once again empty.

"InuYasha I could've stayed up a bit longer."

"Your body doesn't lie, Kagome. And I know you better than that." He lay her down on the futon. "No one's saying you aren't strong but even I can see you're not fully recovered."

"He's right, mom."

Knowing when she was beat, she smiled and let her hanyou get the twins in position so they could breastfeed. When she was comfortable, InuYasha brought Moroha to the other room to speak privately.

"You know, your mom and I couldn't be prouder of you." He began, sitting down by the fire while keeping an ear on his wife and nursing pups.

"How so?" She adopted the same position: legs crossed, arms folded.

"Remember when you told me how scared you were about not being good enough to protect your mom?" At her nod he continued, "that you wouldn't be able to protect her and your siblings as well because you felt your youkai blood wasn't enough?"

"Yeah, I do." She stared into the fire.

"Well, it hasn't gone unnoticed to us how you've stepped in and taken Kat and Kin under your wing, helping your mom out without being told. And you haven't stopped smiling."

"I can't help it. They're so small and I feel the need to protect them." At her words she stopped, now just realizing it.

"You see? Don't doubt yourself pup. It only messes with your head." InuYasha spoke from experience. "This is brand new for all of us. Even your old man still has a lot to learn."

"You're not old, dad." She elbowed him playfully. "Grandpa Myouga on the other hand... that's old."

"You're not wrong." He laughed along. "I would say old man Totosai is older-"

"I would say he's ancient."

The two laughed hard at that.

And seeing his oldest pup smile was all the reassurance the hanyou needed.

What do you think? Was this worth the wait? Let me know!

Next chapter we have Sesshomaru and...Kouga! This should be interesting!

*Also, if you like, I just published a one-shot for New Year's, that takes place in this universe: A New Year's Miracle. Go and check it out, it was a lot of fun to write!*

Until then...

Ja Ne!