5 months later

Ann had traveled west. Since Sesshomaru controlled the western lands, it only seemed the logical place to start. At first, the journey wasn't very taxing. She traveled from village to village asking for information on the demon lord, which, even when she entered the western lands, was scarce. He was basically a wraith.

What could she do though, other than do as Naraku asked. His threats had been clear and occasionally, as if he felt she needed to be reminded, he'd show up in her dreams. Their interactions didn't escalate like the first time. Ann was grateful for this, but at the same time she wondered if he was just as scared of her after what happened. He had nothing to fear, though. She didn't want a repeat of her powers out of control either. If not for Inuyasha, she wasn't sure she could have brought herself back under control.

On top of the endless search for a demon that never seemed to want to stay in one spot for long, Ann's pregnancy was reaching the point where she was becoming incredibly uncomfortable. Her back ached, her breasts were swollen and itchy and she had to pee constantly. The worst part was her hips. The baby was sitting so low in her womb, that it was interfering with her hip movement and seeing as she was doing a lot of walking meant that she was in some pain. For what seemed like the tenth time just that morning, Ann found a place to sit and rest. She sighed in frustration and stretched out her sore legs and swollen feet.

"This sucks," she muttered and then rubbed her tummy. "Sorry, baby. That wasn't directed at you." The baby shifted, making the skin across her tummy morph and move in ways that still amazed her. She had to admit that this was a positive payoff for the discomfort her body was going through.

"Can you hear me, baby?" she cooed softly as she rubbed where the baby protruded. "I can't wait to meet you." A tear rolled down her cheek as the uncertainties that traveled with her surfaced in her mind. Would she get to meet her baby? Would she get to see Ichiro again? As if feeling her anxiety, the baby wiggled around. Ann began humming while she rubbed the lump that she assumed was the baby's back.

"Hello? Are you okay?" Ann jumped and looked around to find an old man and woman approaching her. They had the look of peasants, the man wearing a short kosode and a tight pair of hakama while the woman wore a kimono and her gray hair in a loose bun. They both carried baskets on their backs. Ann's muscles relaxed and she smiled faintly.

"I am well," she reassured them. "Just resting." They came closer, both of their eyes darting over her various features. Ann chuckled.

"Yes, I am a foreigner." She'd been asked the question more times than she could count in the last few months.

"Forgive us," the man said. "We have never seen somebody from another country. Your hair and eyes are quite unusual."

"You're fine," Ann reassured as she continued to rub her tummy.

"Are you sure you are well?" The old woman came closer, looking pointedly at her stomach. "There is a village near here if you need a midwife."

"I promise I am fine," Ann reassured with a wave of her hand. "I am looking for somebody, though. Have you ever heard of Sesshomaru?" They both looked taken aback while their eyes narrowed.

"You understand he is a demon?" the old man queried, shifting uneasily from one foot to the other. "From what I understand, he is not merciful."

"I know." She smiled but could feel her stomach twist. More likely than not, she'd die by Sesshomaru's hand over Naraku's. "I am on a mission for my village and must find him. Have you heard of his where-abouts?" The pair gave each other a look, but finally responded.

"He was seen near the village not more than a couple of days ago heading north," the old man replied hesitantly. "As soon as he was spotted, the village was abandoned until he passed."

"He is known for his hate of humans," the woman added. "Dear, are you sure you need to find him immediately? Why not stay in our village until after your baby is born? I'm sure your people would understand." Ann's chest tightened. If they knew she was pregnant and was still looking for this demon, they would never forgive her. She rubbed her hand across her chest, over the scar.

"I'm afraid this can't wait. I need to find him as soon as possible." Carefully, she pushed herself to her feet, the couple coming forward to steady her. "I appreciate your concern, but I have to do this." Bowing and waving good-bye, she turned North and continued her journey.

Ann sensed him before she saw him. Sesshomaru's demon aura was like walking into a room with low pressure. Her blood pounded heavily through her veins and her head began to hurt. She took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves.

"You got this," she whispered to herself, perturbed when her voice wobbled. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she moved forward through the dense forest until a clearing came into view. At its center laid a large, two-headed dragon seemingly taking a nap. Nearby was a small girl with messy black hair. She was wearing a pink kimono and picking flowers while an imp passively watched her. Sitting on the ground and leaning against the dragon was the creature she'd been looking for.

Ann couldn't help but be awestruck by his ethereal beauty. His face was symmetrical and his skin flawless. His long hair, like his brother's, was silver, but instead of the vibrant reds that Inuyasha wore, Sesshomaru was dressed almost entirely in whites. He almost glowed and reminded her of an angel.

"He's beautiful," Ann thought. Her eyes took in the little girl again and then went back to him. "Is he really dangerous?" At that moment, his eyes opened, and he looked directly at her.

"I know you are there," he said in a commanding voice. "Come out." Sucking in a shaky breath, Ann straightened and came out from behind the trees and into the clearing. Sesshomaru stood and approached her. He was tall and his golden eyes pierced her as if searching for her secrets. Ann feared her legs wouldn't be able to hold her. She placed her hands over her tummy protectively which didn't escape the demon's notice.

"What do you want?" he demanded cooly as he came to a stop mere feet away from her. He towered over her and the power that emanated from him made her want to flee. None of the demons she had fought up until now came close to his strength. She opened her mouth to speak and found that words failed her. She clutched her stomach tighter.

"Well," a hard edge entered his voice and suddenly Ann blurted.

"I'm here to kill you." She slapped her hands over her mouth and quickly took several steps back, but Sesshomaru moved faster. He caught her by the front of her kimono and lifted her clear of the ground. She shrieked and clasped his wrist.

"Please," she begged.

"You dare to plead with me," he growled. "I smell Naraku on you. What do you have to do with him?" Before Ann could respond, the scar on her chest ignited causing her to scream in pain. The pain was instantly cut off, as well as all other feeling. To her shock, she realized she wasn't unconscious, just not in the driver seat. Her mouth moved and the voice of Naraku came out.

"My lord Sesshomaru. How do you like my new pawn?" Her lips curled into a twisted grin making Sesshomaru's eyes blaze. Ann was terrified. She was about to have no choice in her demise.

"Naraku, please stop this," she cried out. His laughter echoed throughout her mind, but outwardly he said,

"Let us see what this priestess is capable of."

"Priestess," Sesshomaru murmured. Ann's hands raised as if they were lifted with strings and rapidly began signing. Sesshomaru gasped, but before he could react, a burst of purple light left Ann's hands and struck him square in the chest, knocking him back several yards. He slid to a stop in a crouched position, his clothing smoking slightly.

"Rin. Jaken. Leave." he commanded without looking at the pair. To Ann's relief the little girl and the imp ran to the dragon and jumped on its back. It took off into the air and flew away over the treetops.

"What is the matter Sesshomaru," Naraku mocked. "Have I found you a formidable foe?" Sesshomaru stood. His eyes were narrowed, but he responded calmly.

"Hardly. She is merely a human and could never match my power."

"We shall see." Ann's hands lifted back up and started signing again, releasing more power. Sesshomaru side stepped the attack and said scornfully,

"You will have to do better than repeating your attack. I am not a fool." Naraku laughed.

"Then why are you holding back?" he asked. "Are you afraid to hurt a pregnant woman? Are you feeling sympathy?"

"Hardly," Sesshomaru hissed as he drew a sword. He lifted it high over his head and shouted, "Dragon Strike." Ann's hands hastily formed new signs and then her arms swept out in a half circle around her creating a shield of energy. The Dragon Strike roared past the shield like a hurricane, but couldn't touch Ann. The grin on Ann's face widened as her hands suddenly tightened into fists, shattering the shield and sending it flying like shrapnel in all directions. Sesshomaru crouched and threw up his arms to protect himself, but several of the pieces struck him, producing scorch marks. He lowered his arms and growled.

Suddenly he was on his feet rushing towards Ann. More hand signals and a sword made of energy appeared in her hand. Ann was mystified by all the tricks Naraku was using with her body. She vaguely wondered if her uncle even knew about these ways to use their powers.

The sword struck the energy beam and was repelled. Sesshomaru's features darkened and he came at her with more force. Naraku met him blow for blow. They danced about the clearing trying to find an opening.

Ann was terrified. Not just for herself, but for her baby. She still couldn't feel her body but knew Naraku was putting it under an immense amount of pressure.

"Please stop, Naraku," she cried out. "You can do what you want with me. Just let my baby live."

"It's a little late for that," Naraku mocked, "I think Sesshomaru is mad." That wasn't a lie. His golden eyes were turning red, and his attacks were becoming more viscous. Suddenly, Sesshomaru leapt back several paces, lifted his sword high again, but instead of doing another Dragon Strike, hurled it like a javelin straight at Ann's chest. Naraku sidestepped the attack, only to find himself face-to-face with the angry demon. He had dashed forward, using his sword attack as a distraction, raised his hand, which was glowing green, and struck Ann across the chest.

Naraku's howls of pain and frustration quickly vanished as he left Ann's body, leaving her with the aftereffects. She collapsed to the ground, clutching the wound and gasping for air. Simultaneously, a splash of wetness bathed her inner thighs.

"Oh my god. My water broke," she cried out. A shadow fell over her and she looked up into the cold expression of Sesshomaru. His hand still dripped green poison. Ann cringed away from him.

"Please," she begged. "He threatened my family. I had no choice but to face you."

"Pathetic," he growled.

"You're right," Ann quickly agreed, and then doubled over as a contraction took her. As it passed, she whispered tearfully, "I am pathetic for letting him use me, but please don't let my child die for my mistake." Sesshomaru sneered and snapped,

"Why would I care about your spawn." Another contraction took Ann. She tried to breathe through it, but it tore at her, eliciting a scream. As the contraction passed, she realized her vision was tunneling. The dampness between her thighs was spreading. She ran her hands through the dampness and brought it up to her face to find she was covered in dark blood. She whimpered and then looked back to Sesshomaru.

"Your brother knows me," she heaved out the words as her world blackened. "Please don't let my baby die." Another contraction started, but this time the pain was too much, and she passed out.