Koga and Kagome Love Story 3

by Draco'sDragonheartMaiden

Everything has settled down at the wolf den and several couples prepare for the birth of their pups. However things begin to change for one couple. Will their relationship stay strong or fall apart? A young warrior comes looking for a certain hanyou. An old threat returns, seeking revenge. Thought I'd post what I have so far, will add other chapters later once they're done.

It had been five and half months since the tribe had gotten back into a normal routine of life and many things had happened to them recently. The alphas had their hands full with their six month old daughter, Cholena and eleven year old son, Shippo. Ginta and Autumn were expecting their first child as were Hakkaku and Kira and both men stayed right by their mates just as Koga had done for Kagome before she had Cholena. Kate and Sambu had recently been married and Sambu even adopted Kate's eleven year old daughter Amber as his own. Amber loved having a father again and Sambu was elated to have a daughter to raise, even though she wasn't his by blood it didn't matter he still loved the little wolf girl.

Even Inuyasha and Ciena had come to a very important time in their relationship as well because Ciena was only days from giving birth to Tonda's child. Even though the child was Tonda's Inuyasha saw it as his own and swore to protect both Ciena and the child with his life. Though Inuyasha had to admit that he had always invisioned having a child with his beloved Kikyo, even so he was still happy to have one with Ciena even if it wasn't biologically his. Some how being with Ciena had healed the hole in his heart that was left there on the night when his beloved Kikyo had died in his arms. Inuyasha was greatly surprised at how patient and understanding Ciena had been all through their relationship and their bond was stronger because of it. Ciena knew he would be a wonderful father to the baby but she also knew that they'd have to tell the child about their biological father Tonda when they were old enough to know. Even though she wore Inuyasha's ring on her finger she still continued to wear Tonda's fang and ring around her neck and Inuyasha understood why and so long as she was happy that's all that mattered to him. Though there were nights that Ciena would break down in tears because she still missed Tonda dearly and the hanyou would sit and hold her close till her tears subsided and she felt better. He fully understood that it would take time for her heart to fully heal over the loss of Tonda because he had been through the same thing and still broke down because of the hurt he still felt over the loss of his precious Kikyo and Ciena would always help him get through it too. Each knew that it was just a part of who the other was and had accepted the fact that they would still battle with it from time to time but it never took anything away from what they had together.

Koga and Kagome were happy that everyone in their tribe had been very fortunate and happy with the way everything had turned out after the war with the leopards. They had been a bit worried after the war was over that some of their tribemates wouldn't be able to handle the experience that they had been through because things like that had happened before. However when all of their warriors had come through the war without a single problem they were relieved beyond words and happy, everything had settled down once more.

On this day the entire tribe was just taking it easy since it was a bit on the warm side and they didn't want to get overheated. Their wolves kept watch while the tribe rested in the cool of the den and the wolves would switch up every so often so the wolf on watch wouldn't get too hot and tired. However not all was good, lately it had been very hot and dry but this morning the clouds were starting to roll in which meant that the land would finally get the water it badly needed. Koga and Kagome looked outside their cave as thunder began to roll in the distance, "looks like the rain is coming," Koga said. "At last, we badly need the rain and I'm glad it is coming," Kagome added. "Yes lets just hope that it doesn't turn into a monsoon though cause then there will be flooding," Koga replied looking at his mate and nuzzling her as she held their daughter Cholena while Shippo sat by their mother with their bonded wolf Fawn laying beside him, he was leaning against her side, stroking her soft fur.

It was late evening when the thunder started to roll, making Shippo jump into Koga's arms as Cholena began to cry, "hush now my little one...it's only a storm it will soon pass..." Kagome cooed as she nuzzled her daughter while Koga cradled Shippo to try and soothe him as well. He turned to look at his daughter, "she's just like me when I was a pup..." Koga commented. Kagome looked at her husband, "you were afraid of storms?" "Yeah all three of us were, me and Autumn especially," Koga replied with a distant look in his eyes. Kagome nuzzled her mate she knew who he was thinking of, his little brother Tonda. She had also noticed that lately Koga had been having trouble sleeping at nights and though she wasn't sure why she was fairly sure that he had been having nightmares. Every time she asked Koga about it he would brush it off or change the subject but she was determined to help Koga deal with these nightmares. So she made up her mind when they went to bed tonight if Koga had another nightmare she would try and get him to talk about it. It was true Koga had been having nightmares ever since the death of his little brother. Though he had managed to will them away before the war, they had returned after the celebration they had held when they had won the war. It was always the same dream every time and it was where they went after Ayame that night and she had killed Tonda in the heat of battle and Koga had been unable to stop it. It tore him up every time he saw it in his mind and he still regretted not jumping in sooner than he did, thinking that maybe he would've been able to save his brother's life if he had. Even though Kagome had told him several times that what happened wasn't his fault, his head told him different. After all he had been the one to let Tonda go after that harpy and fight her only to end up dead at the end of it. Those thoughts plagued his mind, as they did now, more often than he'd admit and he tried to keep it to himself. His thoughts were interrupted when the thunder rolled again but louder this time causing some of the pups to yelp with fright which included both Shippo and Cholena, "ahh mama!" Shippo yelped as Cholena continued to cry in her mother's arms. Kagome held her children close and nuzzled them trying to bring comfort to them, "there's no need to be frightened of the storm my darlings, the thunder won't hurt you..." Kagome soothed. Koga hugged his family and nuzzled them as well, he hated to see his children afraid of something but he knew most pups were afraid of thunder.

It was then that Mina and Otoi came over to the alpha pair, "they're afraid of the thunder aren't they?" Mina asked sitting by Koga's side and looking at her grandchildren. "Yes mom they are.." Koga replied. "Aww the little dears, you know Kagome was afraid of thunder when she was their age," she replied. "It's only a natural thing for youngsters to be frightened of, we all were at some point," Otoi added. "They'll grow out of it you'll see," Mina smiled as she and Otoi continued to sit by the alpha pair. Koga smiled as he watched Kagome cradle their daughter in her arms with Shippo in her lap. "Come on let's try and get some sleep..." Koga said softly as Kagome nodded and stood up from her place she had been sitting. Shippo jumped onto Fawn's back as she trotted after Cholena, Kagome and Koga. The rest of the pack followed suit and made their way to their dens for the night though Inuyasha, Ginta and Hakkaku carried their mates to their dens in their arms.

Once the alpha pair was in their den Koga removed his armor then sat on the bed as Kagome removed her armor and sat beside him to feed Cholena before putting her to bed for the night. When the thunder rolled again Shippo jumped onto the bed before Fawn could stop to allow him onto the bed as she usually did before she laid at the foot of the bed. Tonight the storm was rougher than it had ever been before only because it had been so warm lately. As Kagome nursed her daughter she had a thought as she looked at Shippo, "Shippo..." he looked at his mother curiously, "yes mama?" he asked. "Do you want some warm milk?" she asked. Hearing this gained Koga's attention, "mate you know he's too old to nurse now." "I know but I think a little warm milk will help soothe him since this storm has made him so jumpy," Kagome reasoned. Koga nodded in understanding, "I suppose you've got a point," he said as he watched Shippo approach his mother and lay in her arms as he began to nurse as well, "it's a little unusual but then again if it helps soothe him enough to where he can sleep then I guess it's ok." "Of course it's ok dear I don't like seeing my little ones scared and if warm milk helps them then I'll let them nurse," Kagome said as she held her children close in her arms as they drank her warm milk. It didn't take long for both children to be sleeping peacefully, "see I told you it would work," Kagome whispered. Koga smiled and lifted Shippo from Kagome's arms and placed him into his bed and tucked him in while Kagome tucked Cholena in her bed. Now in their beds Koga and Kagome went to theirs to lay down for the night but Kagome was feeling playful and began to nip at her mate's ear. Koga looked at his wife, "oh feelin' playful are we?" he asked with a smirk. She moved closer and began kissing Koga hungrily and he returned it with the same passion, not wanting to disappoint his mate. It was then that Kagome got on top of Koga and pinned him down using her body weight as she continued to kiss him before straddling his waist and began to leave a trail of kisses and nips down his body. She stopped just at his hip and bit the flesh there, making Koga growl with pleasure. Kagome moved back up to begin kissing Koga again but he surprised her by rolling with her and pinning her beneath him, "your turn my love.." he said as he began kissing and nipping at her neck before teasing her breasts. Feeling Koga's mouth on her breasts sent chills down Kagome's spine and she whimpered slightly. He teased her mercilessly making her desire skyrocket before going further. Kagome arched her back as a purr erupted from her throat, "please Koga take me...take me now.." she panted. At hearing that Koga was all too happy to oblige his mate as he got on top of her and began to thrust deep into her and she clawed at his back as he did. After several hard thrusts Koga came hard within her completely releasing his seed into her waiting body. Their bodies shuddered as the waves of ecstacy flowed through them, Koga held himself up on shaky arms and Kagome's heart raced wildly in her chest and they both panted for every breath they took. After a moment or two Koga collapsed on Kagome's chest completely exhausted as was Kagome and they quickly slipped into a peaceful slumber.

In their den Inuyasha was sleeping peacefully but his mate Ciena wasn't she couldn't get comfortable because of her rounded belly plus the baby was moving quite a bit as well. She sat up a bit to lean against her pillow to rest her hand on her belly to try and soothe her restless baby wiggling within her. She smiled as her baby kicked her hand but it slowly faded as she thought about her beloved Tonda who had died six months ago, 'Tonda oh how I wish that you were still here with us...' she thought as a few tears fell from her lavender eyes. She tried to wipe her tears away but more fell and soft sobs followed after. She couldn't help it she still loved Tonda with all her heart and he had been her true love and he had been stolen away from her by the traitor Ayame. She was sobbing uncontrollably now and her tears ran from her eyes like a waterfall as her heart ached from the loss of her beloved. Beside her Inuyasha had been sleeping peacefully that is until he heard her sobbing, "hmm...Ciena..." he murmured sleepily as he turned over. Upon hearing his voice Ciena paused and looked at him, "Inuyasha..." she said weakly. He turned to look at her fully as he spoke, "are you alright?" he asked. She was silent for a moment or two before speaking again, "yeah...I'm fine..." she replied quietly. Inuyasha could clearly see the look on her face was telling him otherwise. He turned over to lay on his side and propped himself up on his elbow, "come on Ciena...you know you can't hide anything from me." She sighed as she wiped her tears away as she spoke, "it's just I was thinking about...Tonda..." she sighed. Inuyasha nodded in understanding as she continued, "the baby was kicking and it got me thinking that Tonda wasn't here to see his baby enter the world or help raise it and my baby will never know it's father..." at this tears welled up in her eyes again. Inuyasha knew her heartache and how it was to deal with it on a dayly basis so he never became angry when she got to missing Tonda because he had days when he missed Kikyo and broke down just like she was now. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him to try and bring comfort to his distraught mate, "shh shh...Ciena it's alright...I'm here..." he soothed. Ciena sobbed into Inuyasha's chest but her sobs were interrupted by a feeling in her stomach, "ahh..." she cried. This alarmed Inuyasha, "what is it?" he asked. Ciena shook her head slightly, "it's nothing just the baby moving is all." Inuyasha looked at her curiously, "are you sure?" he asked. "Yeah I..." but she didn't get to finish her sentence as another pain shot through her, "*groan* ahh..." she cried out again. "I'm going to get Kagome..." was his only words as he jumped from their bed and headed to the alpha's den.

Inside their den both Koga and Kagome were sleeping peacefully when Inuyasha ran into the den, "Kagome!" he called. The alphas then began to stir, "hmm what time is it?" Koga's drowsey voice said. Kagome raised up to see the hanyou, "Inuyasha what is it?" she asked. Inuyasha spoke quickly, "it's Ciena I think she's in pain and I don't know what to do." In all the time she had known Inuyasha she had never seen him so scared. She looked at her husband, "Koga..." he looked at her then at the hanyou, "I'll get Autumn..." he was about to get up but was stopped by Kagome, "no..." she said. He looked at her, "mate?" "Koga she's pregnant and she needs her rest go get Kate and mom they can help with this..." Kagome replied. Koga nodded his head before grabbing his fur skirt and running to Mina and Otoi's room then to Kate and Sambu's while Kagome and Inuyasha went back to his and Ciena's.

In the den Ciena was panting slightly as another pain ran through her body, "hmm...oh Tonda I wish you were here right now so you can see our baby...come into the world...ow..." she panted as tears ran down her face and sweat covered her forehead.

Koga quickly reached Mina and Otoi's den, "mom!" he called rousing her and Otoi from their bed. "What is it son?" Otoi asked. Mina sat up to look at her son, "Koga?" she asked. "Ciena, she's in labor..." was the only thing Koga replied. She nodded and got out of bed, "alright I'm right behind you." "Ok all we need to do now is get Kate then get back and help Ciena.." was Koga's only response as they went to Kate and Sambu's den. "Kate!" Koga called when they reached their den. "Hmm what is it? Koga?" she asked sitting up. "Come Ciena needs your help," he said. "Alright I'm coming," she replied jumping out of bed and following Koga and Mina back to where Ciena was waiting.

When they entered the den Inuyasha was at Ciena's side in an instant, "Ciena it's ok I'm here now.." Inuyasha said caressing her cheek. Koga looked at Inuyasha, "pup..." he looked at the alpha, "it's best you wait outside." "What?" he asked. "Males aren't really suppose to be in the room while a female has her pup," Koga replied gently. He looked back at Ciena before kissing her knuckles, "I'll be right outside ok..." he said kissing her brow. Ciena was only able to nod as she watched him walk out with Koga behind him. Kagome had gathered the needed items while Koga had gotten her mother and Kate. Kagome looked to see how Ciena was doing, "ok I don't see the head yet but you're doing fine Ciena just keep breathing." Mina sat beside Kagome while Kate wiped Ciena's brow with a damp rag to keep her calm and cool, "it's ok Ciena.." she said. Ciena panted slightly as her heart raced in her chest and Mina took notice, "Ciena honey slow calm breaths in slowly..." she inhaled as Ciena mimiced her, "out slowly," she exhaled and Ciena did the same, "that a girl.." Mina said. As she listened to Mina she felt calmer but was startled when another pain went through her body and her water broke with it, "ahh..." she cried.

Outside the den Inuyasha was ready to run back into the den when he heard Ciena cry out again but Koga stopped him, "you can't pup...just stay here and let them help her." Inuyasha looked at Koga as frustration ran through him, "why can't I be in there with her...she's my mate." "Maybe so but you're not the father of the baby," Koga replied. The hanyou gave a frustrated huff as he turned his back to Koga and walked down the hall a bit to try and calm his nerves. Koga could see the hanyou's aggitation, "hey settle down you're gonna wear a rut in the stone if you keep pacing." Inuyasha growled, "oh shut up..." he muttered angrily.

In the den Ciena began to push when she felt another contraction, "there you go nice and easy Ciena...good girl.." Kagome coached. After pushing she began breathing again while she waited for another contraction, "I...I can't do this..." Ciena said. "Yes you can...you can do this...you're doing fine," Mina soothed. She was about to speak again but another contraction hit her making her groan, "ok here we go..." Kagome said, "alright Ciena you gotta push now." She took a breath and pushed hard and it was then that she felt the baby's head start to crown. When she felt this she began to panic and Kagome took notice, "Ciena you got to stay calm...you really need to stay calm for this next part because it's gonna be the hard bit but it's going to be ok." Ciena breathed in deep and pushed hard, "good girl push..." Mina coached. She did as she was told and felt the baby move further out, "you got it..." Kate encouraged as Kagome help guide the baby out. Ciena's only thought was of Tonda and how much he'd want to see his baby and it was then that she felt Tonda's presence and she found strength in that. The three women seem to notice the change in Ciena but remained silent because they knew what it was, they knew that it was Tonda that had given her strength. It was then that Kagome spoke, "alright Ciena you need to push once more and you're baby will be here..." she received a nod from Ciena, "ok now push...come on push..." Ciena pushed hard and after several seconds she felt the baby leave her body and cry out. Kagome smiled, "it's here...your baby is here.." she said. Ciena raised her head slightly to look at the alpha female, "what is it?" she asked. "It's a beautiful girl..." she replied raising the baby up to let Ciena see. When she rested her eyes on the tiny pup in Kagome's arms tears welled up in her eyes, "she's beautiful..." she smiled weakly. Kagome handed the tiny female to her mom to clean her up then wrap her in a small towel. Once done Mina handed the tiny bundle to Ciena, "here's your baby..." Mina replied. Ciena looked down at her daughter with a smile of such love, "she's perfect.." she murmured. The three women looked at each other before looking at the mother in front of them, "what are you going to name her?" Kate asked. Ciena thought for a long time before answering, "Karliah..." she answered. The three women were a bit surprised, "where did you come up with that name?" Kate asked curiously. Ciena smiled, "Tonda told me in my dream that I had last night...he said to name our daughter Karliah." Kagome smiled, "it's a beautiful name Ciena." "Yeah it is.." Mina commented. "I'd say that Tonda chose the name well," Kate added. The happy moment was interrupted when Ciena groaned again, "Ciena?" Kate asked. Kagome knew, "it's twins..." she replied as Kate lifted Karliah out of Ciena's arms. "Alright ready..." Mina nodded as Kagome looked over her shoulder, "Koga can you go get two small furs please?" she asked. Koga nodded, "yeah be back in a sec.." he said sprinting off to retrieve the furs leaving Inuyasha still standing outside the den. Kagome quickly turned her focus back to Ciena, "ok honey the second baby should arrive easier than the first." Ciena nodded as she pushed when she felt another contraction, "I can't see the head yet but take it easy and you'll get through this quickly," Kagome said. Koga quickly returned with the furs and passed them off to Mina so she could lay Karliah down on it in order to help Ciena. Kagome again guided Ciena through it, "ok I can see the head.." she commented. Ciena pushed when another contraction raced through her body, "good girl you're doing fine Ciena just keep it up and your second baby will be here," Kagome encouraged. Ciena was able to push four more times and her second baby emerged, "you did great Ciena and it's a boy." Ciena sat up fully so she could see her son, "really?" she asked. Mina nodded as she handed the baby boy to Kate for Ciena to hold, "he's a handsome little man...he'll be a little charmer I'm sure when he's old enough," Kagome said. The three women gathered around Ciena, "what are you going to name him?" Kate asked. Ciena thought for a moment as she remembered what Tonda had said to her in her dream, "Tova..." she answered. Kagome smiled, "that's a strong name for a son.." she said as both Kate and her mother nodded in agreement. It was then that Kate held Karliah up to Ciena so she could hold both her children at the same time, "you have two beautiful children Ciena.." Kate commented. Kagome turned towards the door, "you can come in now boys.." she called gaining Koga and Inuyasha's attention. When both men entered they were awestruck by the two tiny pups in Ciena's arms, "hello Koga...Inuyasha..." she said smiling. Koga smiled, "how are you feeling Ciena?" he asked. "Fine just tired," she replied. Koga nodded, "and who are these two?" he asked. "Meet your niece and nephew.." she answered. Koga's eyes widened slightly as he approached, "two?" he questioned. Ciena nodded as he looked down at the two little bundles in her arms, "may I?" "Of course you are their uncle afterall," Ciena replied. Koga picked up the tiny female from Ciena and held her, "what's her name?" he asked. "Her name is Karliah." Koga smiled, "it's a beautiful name where did you come up with it?" he asked. Ciena smiled, "Tonda..." she answered gaining Koga's attention. He tilted his head slightly, "how?" "In my dream last night Tonda came to me and gave me the name Karliah for our daughter," she answered. Koga looked up at her for a moment before looking back at Karliah, "what did you name your son?" he asked curiously. "I named him Tova," she said. "A good strong name for a strong male," Koga commented. It was then that Ciena let a yawn pass from her lips, "you try and get some rest Ciena and we'll help you present the new additions to the pack in the morning," Kagome said. "Ok goodnight guys..." she replied yawning a second time. "Goodnight Ciena...Inuyasha..." Kate replied as she, Mina, Koga and Kagome walked out of the den to head back to their own. Inuyasha helped lay Karliah and Tova down in their little beds before snuggling back up beside her and wrapping an arm around her, "you did great my love.." Inuyasha whispered. "Thanks love but I couldn't have done it without the others helping me," Ciena replied tiredly. Inuyasha nuzzled Ciena as they drifted off to sleep wrapped in each others arms.

Early the next morning found Inuyasha already awake watching over Ciena and her two babies but as he watched over them something inside him seem to feel somewhat distant now. He looked around the den but then decided to go for a walk to clear his head. Once he was outside he took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before looking out over the land and taking off in a random direction.

In their den Koga was just starting to wake up when the sun hit his face, "mmh too early..." he mumbled. He turned away from the sunshine but was roused out of his sleep when he heard Shippo mumbling in his sleep. He sat up to look at his son and chuckled in amusement as he got up, walked over to the trunk at the end of the bed, grabbed his armor and strapped it on. He looked back over his shoulder at his family and smiled before walking out of the room and headed towards the entrance of the den. When he reached the entrance his nose began to twitch at a scent, "hmm...what is that?" he said to himself as he focused his senses. After a few minutes he figured out what it was or rather who it was, "Inuyasha..." he mumbled, "but what would he be doing out here so early he needs to be in the den with Ciena and her twins." Koga's face darkened slightly as he scoward the landscape to try and find the hanyou, "where is he?" he said to himself. He stood there for several moments before spotting a red blur in the distance, "there he is..." Koga said darting out after Inuyasha.

Unaware that Koga had seen him and was heading his way the hanyou was running around the area to try and clear his head. He'd been running since he had come outside the den and the thoughts in his head were starting to annoy him, 'I just can't understand why I'm feeling this way...' he thought to himself. It was then that Koga appeared beside him, "hey pup what are you doing out here this early?" he asked. Inuyasha looked at him a bit startled, "what do you want wolf-boy.." he said. Koga looked at him, "hmm I'm wondering why you are out here this early when you should be with your mate and pups." The hanyou spoke without thinking, "they're not my pups..." he snapped angrily. The alpha male looked at Inuyasha, "what? I thought you said that they would be yours in every other sense of the word even though they won't yours by blood." The dog-eared hanyou looked at the wolf briefly before looking down at the ground, "come on pup you can tell me.." Koga encouraged. Inuyasha sighed heavily, "it's just that for some reason I'm feeling a bit disconnected from this." Koga tilted his head, "what do you mean?" he asked. "This whole situation...ever since last night...but I...I don't know why.." Inuyasha said. Koga remained silent as the hanyou continued, "even though I love Ciena I don't know if I can help raise pups that aren't even mine...it's like there's something inside of me that can't accept them and..." what Inuyasha said next made Koga's jaw drop, "and I don't know if can stay here anymore..." he said. The look on Koga's face was one of complete shock, "what?" Anger ran through his veins at that very moment,"what the hell are you thinking pup you were the one who helped her heart heal after we lost Tonda and if you leave her now she will never get over it," Koga scolded. Inuyasha turned towards Koga, "Koga if I stay here I'll hurt her more...I can't connect to those pups in there and if I try to raise them feeling the way I am it will never work and I'll do more harm than good." Koga looked at Inuyasha with more anger than he'd ever felt as he drew his fist back and made it collide with the hanyou's jaw, knocking him to the ground. "You are a fool pup...Ciena is an amazing woman and you're making a huge mistake walking away from her," Koga said dashing back to the den before Kagome and his pups woke up leaving Inuyasha sitting on the ground rubbing his now slightly swollen jaw.

In her den Ciena was just waking up to find that she was alone so upon not seeing Inuyasha there she looked around but was distracted when her pups began whining. She smiled as she got up and moved closer to her little ones, "shh shh mama's here now..." she whispered. It was then that Karliah opened her little eyes to look up at her mother and upon seeing her little violet eyes she smiled, "well hello there beautiful girl.." Ciena cooed. Karliah reached her little hand out to her mom and Ciena placed a finger into her daughter's tiny hand. Ciena's bond with her children was already so strong and she loved them dearly, "are you hungry?" she asked opening her kimono and picking up Karliah. She sat against the side of the bed as she began to feed her daughter, "there you go babygirl.." she murmured as she kissed her daughter's forehead.

Koga had just returned from outside and made his way to his den to see if Kagome and his pups were awake. When he walked into the den he found his little family awake and Kagome feeding Cholena. Upon hearing Koga walk into the den Kagome looked up, "hello dear did you have a good patrol?" she asked. Koga nodded, "yeah I did but I did run into the pup out there," he said. This caught Kagome's attention, "why would he be out there so early? He should be in the den with Ciena and those little ones." "Yeah I told him the same thing but he said the reason he wasn't was because he felt completely disconnected from the whole situation and those little ones because they won't his," Koga explained. Kagome's face darkened slightly, "I can't believe he'd do this to Ciena and her little ones...it's not right." Koga nodded, "yeah I know it's not right but I couldn't talk him out of..." Kagome noticed that her husband had become very quiet, "couldn't talk him out of what?" she asked. Koga's face darkened slightly, "I couldn't talk him out of him leaving..." he said. Kagome had shock written all over her face, "what? Leave? He can't do this it will break Ciena's heart...more than it has been already. She lost Tonda and I didn't think she would ever be able to heal from that but Inuyasha did help her heart to heal. But if he disappears on her too she will be broken all over again," she said sadly. There was silence for several moments before Shippo spoke, "what will happen now? Will Inuyasha leave us?" The alphas looked at their son, "I don't know pup it's hard to say right now but don't worry everything will be ok," Koga said ruffling his son's hair. Kagome looked at her mate, "have you told Ciena any of this yet?" she asked. "No and the thing is I wouldn't know how to go about it either..." a growl then erupted from his throat, "damn that pup for doing this to my pack." Kagome reached a free hand to rest it on Koga's shoulder, "honey I know you're angry but you can't let it consume you...what's important right now is taking care of Ciena and her twins and we'll deal with Inuyasha later." Koga looked at his mate, he knew she was right so he nodded his head then made his way to Ciena's den to go check on her before going on the morning hunt. Ciena's den was in shout distance from his and Kagome's and now he had to try and figure out what he would say to Ciena when she asked about where Inuyasha was. As he got closer his anger rose into his chest, 'damn that mutt turning his back on her and her pups after she's already been through so much..' he thought angrily. As he approched Ciena's den he could hear her singing to her little ones, "she's such a caring mother.." he said to himself.

In her den having fed her daughter she began to feed her son, "there you go baby-boy.." she smiled. It was then that she noticed another scent near her and knew who it was, "hello Koga." Upon hearing her speak to him he entered the den, "good morning Ciena how are you feeling?" he greeted warmly. She smiled, "I'm still tired." He nodded letting her know he had heard her, "I'm sure you won't feel like this for too long afterall you only had them last night." Ciena nodded, "yes and it was hard but it was worth it." He could see that she was happy but he could also see that she held saddness in her eyes because Tonda wasn't here to see his children and help raise them. There was a moment of silence before Ciena spoke, "despite being tired I did sleep quite well last night though." Koga smiled, "that's good.." he then became very silent and Ciena took notice. She turned to look at the alpha in her den, "are you alright Koga you seem so much quieter than usual?" she asked. Koga looked away from her for an instant before looking back at her, "yeah I'm fine I was thinking how much Tova look likes Tonda." Ciena smiled the first real smile Koga had seen on her face since she had lost her beloved Tonda six months ago, "yes he does but the only difference between him and his daddy is his hair color. Tonda's was dark brown where as Tova's is a few shades darker than mine but he does have his daddy's deep blue eyes." Koga smiled as he approached to have a closer look at the pup in her arms and saw that she was right Tova did indeed have his brother's eyes. "He'll be quiet the warrior when he comes of age...he'll be as strong as his father was," Koga commented. Hearing this Ciena glanced at the alpha and smiled before turning back to the little boy in her arms. After a moment or two of silence Koga spoke again, "well I must be off to go on the morning hunt but I thought that I'd come see how you and your little ones were doing." Ciena looked back at Koga, "thank you Koga." With that Koga nodded then turned on his heel and walked out of the room. After leaving Ciena's room he made his way to the entrance to find Ginta and Hakkaku already waiting for him, "good morning you two." They turned to greet him upon hearing his voice, "good morning Koga," Hakkaku said. Ginta then took notice to the look in Koga's eyes, "what's up with you this morning you don't seem yourself?" Hakkaku looked at his brother then turned to look at Koga. Koga looked down slightly, "it's nothing to worry about..." he replied quietly. In that instant Hakkaku noticed too, "hey he's right what's going on Koga?" he asked. Koga knew that he couldn't hide anything from these two, "I'll tell you after the hunt.." he replied. The two nodded and the three men leapt from the den to go hunt down some breakfast for the pack.

Meanwhile Inuyasha was some distance away from the wolf den and had stopped at a stream for water. He sat on a nearby log to rest for an instant but as he did a thought ran through his mind, 'I have to leave from here there's nothing here for me and I can't stay here...even though I do care about Ciena I just can't connect to those little ones because they aren't mine.' He sat there for the longest time as that thought continued to run through his head. Although his head was telling him one thing his heart was telling him another, "Inuyasha you know that this is not the way to deal with these things...you cannot run away from the path you have chosen. You have to take care of your mate and her little ones even though they are not yours by blood." What surprised Inuyasha was that the voice he had heard was his father's voice but he also remembered something his mother told him long ago, "Inuyasha once you have a mate you must stand by her no matter what happens." He knew that they were right but he wasn't sure if he could do it, "how can I do this? How can I take care of pups that aren't mine?" he said to himself. He sat there a while longer while he thought about what he would choose to do. He had to decide whether he would choose to stay and take care of Ciena and her pups or if he would leave all this behind and go somewhere else.

With the three hunters they were heading back to the den with their kills slung over their shoulders, "y'all are getting really good at hunting down breakfast," Koga commented. Ginta smiled, "well if you hadn't taken the time to teach us we wouldn't be the hunters we are now." Hakkaku nodded in agreement, "he's right." Koga nodded as he got quiet for an instant before speaking, "you really want to know what was bothering me earlier?" he asked. The two nodded, "yeah.." they said together. Koga's face darkened slightly, "this morning when I came out to go on the morning patrol I saw the mutt out here running around." "What was he doing out here that early?" Hakkaku asked. "Yeah he should've been back inside with Ciena and her little ones," Ginta said. "Yeah I know that's what I told him but he said that he can't really be around them and he can't connect to them because they're not his," Koga replied. "What?!" they said together. "He promised to be there for her and her babies even though they won't his by blood," Ginta said. "Yeah he's going back on his word," Hakkaku added. Koga bared his fangs slightly, "not to mention turning his back on her and our pack.." he growled. The brothers remained quiet for a moment before either of them spoke again, "have you told Ciena yet?" Ginta asked. Koga shook his head no, "I wouldn't know how to go about it even if I did tell her." Both brothers looked at him, "what are saying Koga?" Ginta asked. "Do you mean that you're not going to tell her?" Hakkaku added. Koga looked back over his shoulder, "I'm gonna give that mutt till the end of the day to return and if he doesn't then I'll have no choice but to deal with him the way the pack calls me to." By this time they had returned to the den to see the pack assembling in the main den, "we'll speak more on this later.." Koga murmured as they entered and handed the kills off to other warriors to clean and prepare them, while he went back to his den where his mate and children were.

In her den Ciena had finished feeding her little ones and had placed them back in their little beds so she could go bathe in her personal hot springs, "a nice hot dip in the hot springs is just what I need after last night." She removed her baby yellow kimono and baby blue cover from around her waist. It had been given to her by Kagome and she was grateful because she had to wear it while she had been pregnant because her kimono couldn't completely cover her belly. She layed both garments on the bed and slipped silently into her personal hot springs to bathe so as not to wake her sleeping children. Once she stepped into the water she felt her body completely relax and a content sigh passed from her lips, "this feels so good.." she murmured. She rested her head against the side of the hot springs while she relaxed in the hot water.

In her den Kagome had just gotten out of the personal hot springs she shared with her husband Koga and was putting her on armor and furs. She hummed a song to herself as she dressed but she always kept a close eye on her children Shippo and Cholena eventhough she knew that their bonded wolf Fawn was keeping a watchful eye over them. She was placing her favorite necklace on when she found a pair of hands already there fastening it around her neck, "*gasp* Koga.." she jumped slightly. Koga smiled at his mate, "a little jumpy are we.." he teased purring in her ear which made chills run down her spine. Kagome smiled as she turned around in her husband's arms and kissed him on the lips. Koga returned the kiss and once they let go of the kiss Kagome spoke, "how did the morning hunt go?" she asked. "It went well as it always does.." Koga replied smiling. "That's good.." but then Kagome looked down slightly, "did you tell Ciena?" she asked. Koga shook his head no, "why not?" she asked. Koga looked down slightly, "because I...I can't take her happiness from her...I refuse to. I'm giving that pup till the end of the day to return but if he doesn't then I'll have no choice but to deal with him in the tribal way." Kagome nodded in understanding, "I know..." she said in almost a whisper. Koga placed a hand beneath her chin so that her gaze met his, "I know that he's your friend but once he became a member of this tribe he must obey tribal law just like the rest of us." Kagome only nodded before resting her forehead against Koga's and nuzzling her nose against his as he returned the gesture. He knew that this would be hard for her because she was close friends with Inuyasha but he knew that it would be harder for Ciena once she found out about what Inuyasha had done. When she looked back up into his gentle sky-like orbs, "are you ready to help present Ciena's twins to rest of the tribe?" he asked. Kagome smiled as she picked Cholena up, "come on Shippo.." she called to their son. "I'm coming mama..." then he turned to their wolf, "come on Fawn lets go.." he said hopping onto her back and following his parents out of the den.

In her den Ciena had just got out of the hot springs and was getting redressed, "ahh...that felt so good.." she said as a content sigh passed through her lips and she pulled her baby-yellow kimono back on as well as the baby-blue waist wrap around her waist. Just as she finished tying the white obi in place she heard voices coming her way, "hello Koga, hello Kagome..." she greeted as they stepped into her den. "Hello Ciena you seem to be in good spirits today," Kagome said. Ciena smiled, "I am, then again a nice hot bath will defiantly do that." Kagome smiled, "are you ready to present your little ones to the rest of their family?" she asked. Ciena nodded then turned to Koga, "Koga can you please bring Tova while I bring Karliah?" she asked. Koga smiled, "of course I will.." he replied picking up his nephew. Ciena took a deep breath, "ok lets go.." she said walking out of the room with the alpha pair following her with Shippo and Fawn following as well. When they entered the main den everyone was silent as they walked towards their places by the warmth of the fire, "aww look at them..." one female cooed. "They're so precious," said another. Once Ciena sat by the fire with Kagome and Shippo, Koga spoke while he still held his nephew in his arms, "you can see that we have two new additions to our pack, they were born last night and Ciena would like you all to get to know her little ones." Koga sat beside his mate as Ciena stood up and spoke, "this is my daughter Karliah and the pup that Koga holds is my son Tova...this is all bittersweet for me because Tonda is not here to meet his children but even though we can't see him I can still feel his presence around me and I know that he'll be watching over me and our pups." She sat back by Kagome as breakfast was brought out to the tribe.

Outside Inuyasha had finally returned to the den just in time to see Ciena present her pups to the rest of the tribe and seeing this he let a small smile play on his lips for an instant. He stood there listening but the last part Ciena said he wish he hadn't heard, "this is all bittersweet for me because Tonda is not here to meet his children but even though we can't see him I can still feel his presence around me and I know that he'll be watching over me and our pups." In that moment he felt as though he had been slapped, despite knowing that the pups were Tonda's, it still hurt to hear those words come from her lips. He shook his head slightly as he tried to will the tears forming in his eyes away but he couldn't. Without letting anyone know he was there he looked over his shoulder to glance at the ginger-haired female he cared about once more, "goodbye Ciena...I hope you can forgive me.." and with that he leapt from the den and disappeared into the underbrush. No one had noticed the hanyou standing there nor did they see him leave either or at least that's what he thought anyway.

Somehow though Koga knew because he caught movement out of the corner of his eye and knew that it had been Inuyasha. His face darkened slightly, 'damn that pup..' he thought angrily as he and the pack began eating their breakfast. Kagome had noticed the look on Koga's face and knew what had caused it, "Inu was standing out there wasn't he?" she asked. He glanced in her direction, "yeah.." was his only response before biting into the meat in front of him. Kagome merely nodded as she ate her breakfast but in her head she was trying to come up with a plan to make Inuyasha stay and take care of Ciena and her pups like he was suppose to and stop running away from things like he'd been doing. She planned to speak to Koga about it after they ate and see if maybe they could bring the hanyou back to them.

Sometime later there was excitement all throughout the den as Hakkaku and Kira welcomed their son Vorstag into the world. The little pup had his father's white hair with streaks of mahogany in it but his eyes were very unusual because they were a beautiful deep aqua color. The whole pack was happy for the new parents and greeted the new little male into the family. Hakkaku was beaming with pride as was Kira as they looked down at their little boy, "we're so happy for you Hakkaku.." Koga said. "And for you Kira..." Kagome added. "He's so cute," Autumn said with a smile. Kira smiled, "thanks guys." After showing their son to the pack the parents returned to their den to let Kira and Vorstag rest while the rest of the pack went back to what they had been doing.

Meanwhile Koga and Kagome were discussing the idea Kagome had come up with, "I think that it will work dear we have to try something," Kagome said. Koga looked at his mate skeptically, "how are you gonna get him back here...if I couldn't then what makes you think that you can?" he asked. Kagome stood there and stared at her mate in the eye, "because I know him and I know how to appeal to his side of responsibility plus I know how to guilt trip him.." she said. Koga looked at Kagome and saw that she held no hesitation in her eyes so he knew that she had spoken the truth, "alright if you think that you can do this then I'll leave you to it." Kagome kissed Koga tenderly on the lips, "thanks baby now come on lets go find him." She then turned to her mother, "can you watch our little ones for a little while?" she asked. Mina smiled, "of course I can I love watching my grandchildren.." she said picking Cholena up while Shippo followed his grandmother on Fawn's back. He looked back over his shoulder as he watched them leap from the den, "I hope they can bring Inuyasha back here to take care of Ciena and her twins.." he said to himself.

It was late in the evening and some distance away from the den Inuyasha was sitting by the same stream he had been earlier with his mind reeling at what he had heard, "this is all bittersweet for me because Tonda is not here to meet his children but even though we can't see him I can still feel his presence around me and I know that he'll be watching over me and our pups." Those words continued to ring in his ears like a horrible high-pitched bell, "why won't this go away? Why must it keep ringing in my ears?" he said to himself as he tried to will the words away. He sat there for the longest time trying to decide what he should do, it was true that he cared deeply about Ciena but the fact that those little ones weren't his still kept him at looked up at the sky as if trying to find his answer in the setting sun, "what should I do?" He remained there as he thought about what his decision would be and how he would deal with what he was feeling.

Now out in the forest around the den Koga and Kagome were out searching for Inuyasha, "where could he have gone?" Kagome asked. Koga thought for a moment before turning as the breeze began to blow, "I've got his scent.." Koga said gaining Kagome's attention. "Which way is coming from?" she asked looking at her husband. Koga sniffed around a bit more before speaking, "this way..." he said leading them towards the river. As they ran Kagome spoke, "he's headed for water..." she said. "Yeah he'll need it once we get to him.." Koga replied. At hearing this Kagome tilted her head slightly, "why do you say that dear?" she asked. Koga remained silent for a moment before speaking, "because if he refuses to return to the den then I'll have no choice but to deal with him in the tribal way." Kagome remembered what that meant, "*gasp* what? You mean that you'll have to take your true form and fight Inuyasha?" she asked knowing the answer. "Yes mate I'll have no choice...it's my job as alpha to deal with pack members who turn their back on the pack," Koga answered. Kagome's face now wore a sadden look and her eyes quivered slightly, 'Inuyasha...' she thought to herself. Koga could tell that what could happen to her dear friend was weighing heavily on her mind, 'I'm sorry my Kagome but it's the only way..' Koga thought to himself as he looked at her. They continued onward as they continued following the hanyou's scent.

The wayward hanyou still sat by the stream as he was unaware of the approaching alpha wolves, "what should I do?" he said out loud. Inuyasha then felt something approaching, "huh what's that?" he said looking in the direction that the wolves were approaching. "We're close...he's just ahead..." Koga said. Kagome then spoke, "I know I can smell him..." she replied. They ran faster to get to the clearing where they knew that they'd find Inuyasha. Although Koga was ready to find Inuyasha Kagome was not because she didn't want to know what fate would befall him. When they entered the clearing they found the hanyou sitting on a log looking as though he were deep in thought, "what will I do now..." he said out loud unaware that the two alphas were now standing behind him. It was then that Koga decided to let Inuyasha know that they were there, "how about going back to the den and helping Ciena take care of those pups." At hearing Koga's voice Inuyasha whirled around to find both Koga and Kagome standing behind him, "how long have two been out here?" he questioned. Koga was the one to answer, "long enough to find you obviously.." he barked. Inuyasha stood up and came face to face with Koga, "what makes you think that me being out here is any of your business?" he snapped angrily. Koga was getting tired of the hanyou's attitude, "because you're a member of the pack when you took Ciena as your mate...so what you do is my business. I'm one of the alphas and Kagome is the other and you are expected to follow the law of the pack." Inuyasha scuffed at Koga, "oh really? Am I now? Well I don't have to follow pack law if I leave now do I.." he shot back. It was then that Kagome spoke, "how can you do this Inuyasha? How can you turn your back on Ciena like this? She needs you to be there and help raise those pups, she can't do it alone." Inuyasha looked away from her, "she won't be alone she has the pack to help her...she don't need me...she doesn't even want me," he replied. Kagome cocked her head to the side, "why would you say that? Of course she wants you there you're her mate." Inuyasha hid his eyes behind his bangs as he spoke, "no she doesn't...she only wants Tonda..." he replied quietly. The pair looked at him for a moment as he continued, "that's why I have to go if she don't want me there's no point in staying here.." the hanyou said. It was quiet for a moment before Koga spoke, "you can't just turn your back on her like this you know you swore to protect her and raise her little ones as your own eventhough they're not yours by blood." He looked Koga in the eye, "I know that but if I do stay I'll do more harm than good...they'd be better off being raised by Koga than by me. He's already a father I'm not, I'd have no clue what I'm doing. Besides I'd only screw it up...I'm not father material." There was silence for several moments before Koga spoke again, "well that may be but you took an oath to stay by her side no matter what and when you did that you also made a promise to raise any pups you had together...you can't break your oath." The hanyou remained silent as Kagome spoke, "Inuyasha you'll break her heart if you leave her she's been through enough heartache already...don't put her through anymore." She then turned to Koga, "come on lets go we've done all we can do here.." she said sadly. Koga knew she was right, "yea lets go..." he then turned to the pup, "you know pack law states that I'm to banish you for this but because you helped us win the war against the leopards and you're Kagome's friend I've decided to be generous I'm giving you three days to return to the pack but if you don't I'll have no choice but to fight you and banish you from the tribe's lands forever." After speaking the alpha pair left to return to the den leaving Inuyasha to reflect on their words and make his deicision or face the consequences of his actions.

Back at the den Ciena had just put her pups in their beds for the night and she was now sitting on her bed looking out the window as her thoughts raced wildly in her head. Most of the time her thoughts were on the one wolf that was no longer here with her, Tonda. This time her thoughts were on someone completely different, "Inuyasha..." she whispered to herself. It was true her thoughts were on the hanyou because she hadn't seen him at all today and it worried her, "I wonder where he could be..." she said to herself as she continued to stare out the window silently wondering if her hanyou would come back to her.

Now near the den Koga and Kagome had just returned and were headed to their den for the night, "I wonder if he will come back here," Kagome said. Koga scoffed, "you know as well as I do that he would rather run away from a good woman like Ciena than stay here and take care of his responsibility like a man." "Shh...Koga, Ciena will hear you..." Kagome chided. He smiled apologetically,"but seriously he needs to quit acting like a puppy and start acting like a real mate and stay here with Ciena and help her take care of those pups instead of running away with his tail between his legs," he replied.

What the pair were unaware of was that in her den Ciena could hear voices, "huh? Is that Koga and Kagome returning?" she said getting off of her bed and walking to the entrance of her den. When she did what she heard made her stop in her tracks, "you know as well as I do that he would rather run away from a good woman like Ciena than stay here and take care of his responsibility like a man." Ciena's heart hurt at hearing this, "what?" she half sobbed as she continued to listen to the alphas talk, "shh...Koga, Ciena will hear you..." she heard Kagome say. Then she heard Koga speak again, "but seriously he needs to quit acting like a puppy and start acting like a real mate and stay here with Ciena and help her take care of those pups instead of running away with his tail between his legs." Ciena peeped around the corner to see that the alphas had stopped at the doorway of their den as Kagome spoke again, "I know you're right my husband but you heard what Inuyasha said he can't connect to those pups because they aren't his. Even though he swore to protect them and raise them like they were his own but because of the way he feels he can't keep that promise." Koga nodded in understanding as he spoke once more, "well if that is the way he truly feels about everything and doesn't return in three days then he'll be banished and can never return to these lands." Kagome had a grim look on her face, "I know dear it's just that I hope he does return for Ciena's sake anyway because I know she couldn't handle anymore heartache than she's already endured," she said as they walked into their den and went to sleep. Ciena stood there for several moments before she went back over to her bed and sat down now that her mind was racing after everything she had heard the alpha pair say. Her lavender eyes glissened with unshed tears and her heart ached, "how could he do this to me? To my pups? They need a father in their life...oh Tonda how I wish that you were still here.." she couldn't speak anymore as her tears began to fall from her eyes and she began to sob.

In their den Autumn was tossing and turning in her sleep, she was having a nightmare and it caused her to jolt out of her sleep in a layer of sweat and she panted slightly as she tried to calm her racing heart. She looked beside her to see her mate Ginta still sleeping peacefully, "he sleeps like a baby..." she said to herself as she smiled at him. She sat up a bit to lean up against her pillow for a bit as she rested her hand on her swollen belly where their baby was safely nestled. She was excited to become a mother but she still wished that her brother Tonda was still here so that he would be able to meet his neice or nephew. At this thought a few stray tears rolled down her cheek, "now I know how Ciena feels..." she said to herself. She sat there for a few moments more before getting up and going for a walk in the hall outside their den. She quietly crept passed her sleeping husband and stepped into the hallway to walk a little bit to try and clear her head before trying to go back to sleep.

Now out in the hall she breathed in the cool air and it seem to calm her a bit and she began walking down towards Koga and Kagome's den. She walked quietly so as not to wake anyone up but as she reached Ciena's den she caught the sound of Ciena crying and it made her stop in her tracks. She looked into the den and she could see Ciena sitting on her bed alone with tears running down her face, "what has her so upset? Where's Inuyasha? He should be in there with her..." she said to herself as she approached the distraught female's den. "Ciena..." she called quietly. Upon hearing her name she looked up to see Autumn standing at the entrance of her den looking at her with a concerned look on her face, "Autumn..." she whispered. Autumn could clearly see the hurt in her eyes, "are you alright Ciena? What's the matter?" she asked walking into the den and standing in front of the female. Ciena took a shuddered breath as she spoke, "Inuyasha...he...he left me..." she said causing more tears to run down her face. The chestnut-haired female took a seat beside her and wrapped her arms around her shaking shoulders to try and bring some comfort to her 'sister'. Ciena leaned into Autumn's embrace and found some comfort in it, "what happened?" Autumn asked. Ciena raised her head slightly as she spoke, "this morning when I woke up I saw that Inuyasha wasn't in here and I haven't seen him at all today. I had hoped that he would return before I presented my pups to the rest of the pack but he never showed." Autumn looked down slightly, "that's strange..." was her only comment as Ciena continued, "but a few minutes ago I heard Koga and Kagome talking and what I heard them say deeply hurt me." "What did they say?" Autumn asked. Ciena took another a shuddered breath as she spoke, "I heard Koga say that you know as well as I do that he would rather run away from a good woman like Ciena than stay here and take care of his responsibility like a man. At first I didn't know who they were talking about but when I heard my name it caught my attention. Then I heard Kagome tell Koga to be quiet because I would hear them. I guess they thought I was asleep and didn't want me to find out like that. Then I heard Koga speak again..." Autumn remained silent as she listened closely to every word Ciena spoke, "I heard him say but seriously he needs to quit acting like a puppy and start acting like a real mate and stay here with Ciena and help her take care of those pups instead of running away with his tail between his legs." Autumn kept her arm around Ciena's shoulers, "what else did you hear?" Ciena took a breath to try keep her composer as she continued to tell Autumn everything she heard, "I heard Kagome speak next she said, I know you're right my husband but you heard what Inuyasha said he can't connect to those pups because they aren't his. Even though he swore to protect them and raise them like they were his own but because of the way he feels he can't keep that promise." Upon hearing this Autumn's jaw dropped slightly, "how can he do this to you after you've already been through so much?" There was a bit of silence between the two females before Ciena spoke again, "I know he knows what I've been through...what we've all been through but it's like he doesn't care at all about me or my pups..." she couldn't speak anymore as she began crying openly. Autumn held the distraught she-wolf as she cried on her shoulder, "shh shh Ciena it's all gonna be alright...you'll see.."she soothed rubbing small circles on Ciena's back and caressing her hair as a mother would do to try and help soothe her. In her mind Autumn was furious, 'damn that hanyou. How can he do this to her when he knows that she's been through so much already? If I won't so pregnant I'd hunt him down myself..' she thought angrily but she kept her anger down for now so as not to upset Ciena further. She held her for the longest time as Ciena cried harder than Autumn had ever seen her, 'poor girl...' she thought sadly as she continued to comfort her. After a while Ciena quieted down and when Autumn looked down at her she found that Ciena had fallen asleep leaning up against her warm body. Autumn smiled at her, "the poor thing is absolutely worn out from crying so much.." she said as she carefully laid the ginger-haired woman down on her bed and tucked her into it. After pulling the fur cover over her body Autumn placed a gentle kiss on Ciena's forehead before walking quietly out of the den. When she stood outside Ciena's den she looked once more at the sleeping she-wolf before making her way back to own den where she knew that Ginta was still sleeping. Upon entering she indeed found her husband still peacefully sleeping in their bed she smiled as a yawn passed from her lips before she crawled back into bed and fell fast asleep and sleeping through the rest of the night.

Early that morning Koga awoke as the sunshine hit his face, "ugh it's too early," he grumbled as he got up and went to retrieve his armor from the trunk and place it on. He looked back at his sleeping wife and children before walking out of the den and making his way to the entrance of the den. When he reached the entrance he found his two seconds-in-command waiting for him, "good morning you two.." he greeted. They looked in his direction when they heard his voice, "ah good morning Koga.." Hakkaku greeted as Ginta did the same. Koga looked at them, "what's up with you two this morning?" he asked looked at each other before looking back at Koga, "nothing we're just in a good mood that's all," Ginta commented. Koga cocked his head to the side, "ok...anyway are you two ready to get this patrol done before breakfast?" Ginta smiled, "you need to ask?" Hakkaku then spoke, "yeah lets go..." he said. They led off leaving Koga standing there, "ok this is a weird morning..." he said to himself as he followed after them.

Back in her den Ciena was awake and feeding her two little ones but as she did her thoughts were on a lot, 'how could he do this to me and my little ones? After he swore to protect me and them no matter what. He must not care about me or them the way he told he did...he lied to me...' she thought as tears welled up in her lavender gems. She tried to keep her tears at bay but the hurt she was feeling was too strong and she couldn't stop them as they rolled down her cheeks.

In her den Kagome had already fed Cholena and was making her way to Ciena's den to check on her but when she reached the entrance and saw her in tears she could tell that somehow Ciena already knew what Inuyasha had done. "Guess she already knows.." she said to herself as she entered the den. When Kagome entered Ciena looked up from her son, "oh good morning Kagome.." she greeted. Kagome could see that she was upset, "how are you feeling this morning?" she asked. Ciena gave a weak smile, "I feel alright still a bit tired from the other night." Kagome nodded in understanding, "I know that feeling but it will pass soon you'll see..." she replied smiling gently. Ciena could tell that there was a double meaning to her words and merely nodded, "I know it will.." she murmured. Kagome placed a gentle hand on the female's shoulder, "and whenever you need to talk just know I'm always here for you just like the rest of your family is." Ciena placed a hand on Kagome's, "thank you my sister." Kagome wiped away Ciena's tears before sitting beside her, "they are such good pups.." she commented, "Tonda would be proud." Ciena looked at Kagome and smiled, "yes they are and I know he would be especially proud of Tova because he looks so much like him." Kagome smiled, "yes he does and Karliah looks so much like you." She smiled, "I know when they are old enough I will let them know who their father was and I know Koga and Autumn will too." Kagome was happy that Ciena seemed to be somewhat happier than she had been before just with her being there with her. Ciena was grateful for the comfort that Kagome brought to her when she needed it most and it made her happy.

In their den Sambu and Kate where playing with Amber teaching her some things she would need to know when she got older. Amber had crouched down like Sambu had showed her which was a move she would be able to use when she learned how to take her true form. "Come on Amber try again lets see if you can pounce on me.." Sambu said. Amber focused carefully and crouched low to the ground and stayed neared the bed as if she were in the underbrush hunting. She watched Sambu as he carefully approached pretending to be unaware that Amber was crouch down beside the bed. She readied herself while she waited for Sambu move closer to her, "almost close enough..." she said to herself. As soon as Sambu came out into the open she made her move, letting out a growl as she leapt from her hiding place, "*groowll*." Sambu was a bit surprised when Amber leapt from beside the bed even though he had known she was there but didn't think she would pounce with as much force as she did. Sambu lay there with Amber perched atop him panting slightly from her exertions at practicing her hunting skills on him. She looked down at him, "how was that?" she asked. He smiled, "you did really good that time...you're getting better.." he praised. She beamed with pride as did her mother, "he's right you did great my daughter.." she smiled. Sambu sat up slowly and wrapped an arm around Amber, "you really think so?" she asked. "Of course you're learning fast...you'll make a great huntress one day.." Sambu said nuzzling Amber. She returned the nuzzle before turning to her mother, "mama can I go play with Shippo?" she asked. Kate smiled, "of course you can sweetie but stay close to the den so the guards can see you." "Ok mama I love you..." she said. Kate kissed her daughter's forehead, "I love you too sweetheart." Amber then turned to Sambu, "I love you too daddy.." she said kissing his nose. He smiled at the little she-wolf, "I love you too Amber." With that she ran out to find Shippo and go play outside leaving the pair alone in the den.

There was silence for several moments after she left before Kate spoke, "you're really good with her." Sambu looked at her, "yeah she's a sweet pup...you did a really good job raising her." Kate smiled, "it hasn't been easy since her father died but I've managed." Sambu nodded, "I know that feeling my sister went through the same thing some time ago." This caught her attention, "you have a sister?" she asked curiously. Sambu nodded, "yes she's several years younger than me and she has a son named Sharaba he's a little older than Amber, at least last time I saw him...but I had to help raise him when his father was killed." Kate nodded in understanding, "they sound like sweet leopards." "They are and I miss them dearly...I haven't seen them in years. The only thing I know about them is that they are staying with the Snow Leopard clan in the western mountains. They and the rest of the leopard females took refuge there after the war..." he explained. Kate looked thoughtfully at him, "maybe you should visit her." Sambu looked at Kate, "maybe you're right...it has been a long time since I've seen them." He looked down for a moment or two before looking at Kate, "um Kate..." she looked at him, "yes?" she asked. Sambu took a breath as he spoke, "will you come with me?" "What?" "I want you to meet them.." Sambu said. Kate thought about it for a minute before speaking, "how long would we be gone?" she asked. Sambu smiled, "just for the day." She considered the option for a moment more before giving her answer, "yes my love I will come with you." Sambu smiled as he took hold of Kate's hands in the same fashion as Koga did to Kagome, "you have made me very happy my sweet one," he replied kissing her knuckles then her lips. When they let go of the kiss Kate spoke, "listen if I am to go with you I need to let Koga and Kagome know so they can watch Amber for me." Sambu nodded in understanding, "I'm coming with you." Kate looked at him, "no you don't have to baby." Sambu looked into her eyes, "baby you and I are together now and we do things together." Kate had admit that he was right they were together and they should do things together so she merely nodded as she spoke again, "ok when do you want to go see your sister and nephew?" she asked. Sambu thought about it for couple of minutes before answering, "what about tomorrow?" he asked. Kate nodded, "that's fine with me dear.." she replied kissing his nose. His furry cheeks tinted pink as he smiled at her, "ok then we'll go tomorrow...we can speak to the Lord and Lady tonight after dinner." "That sounds good that way everything will be ready for tomorrow so we can visit your sister.." she said. With that decided they went outside to keep an eye on Amber and Shippo as they played together.

The alpha pair were in the main den eating the breakfast with the rest of the pack, Kagome sat next to Autumn and she was talking about the pups, "you know when you have your pup it will be such an amazing time for you." Autumn smiled as she rested a hand on her pretruding belly where her pup was safely nestled. "I know and I'm excited but I'm also really nervous about becoming a mom..." she said. Ginta reassured her, "don't worry baby you'll be a great mom and I know that I'll be a good dad to our little one." She smiled and nuzzled him affectionately, "thanks baby..." she murmured. Kagome smiled at them as Koga spoke, "I know you'll be a great father to your pup but if you're not..." Koga put an arm around Ginta's shoulder, "I'll skin you out right and leave you for the bears.." Koga said in a threatening tone. Ginta had a scared look on his face, "w-would you really d-do that?" he asked shaking slightly. Koga glared at Ginta for a moment or two before bursting into a fit of laughter making Ginta turn pale, "ah don't worry Ginta I'd never do that to you I know you'll raise your pup right because I know my sister will straighten you out if you don't.." he said laughing as several others chuckled too. Ginta sighed in relief, "yeah...yeah I knew that." Hakkaku laughed, "come on Ginta you were pale as snow when you thought that Koga was serious.." he teased. Ginta became defensive, "no I didn't.." he said crossing his arms. Hakkaku poked him in the shoulder, "yeah you did..." he laughed. Ginta pouted, "hey don't tease me..." by now Hakkaku was laughing. Ginta then decided to get back at his brother and pounced on him but misjudged and they went rolling around the floor and into the wall hitting their heads as they did. Koga found ammusement in their antics, "those two are always acting like pups." Watching them roll around like playful pups made Autumn laugh too but stopped when she felt her pup kick from within her gaining the attention of Kagome, "what is it Autumn?" She smiled, "my pup just kicked me that's all..." she replied placing her hand on her belly. She smiled, "yeah that feeling makes you feel so close to them even before you meet them." Autumn nodded as she stood up, "I'm gonna go lay down for a bit." Kagome became alert, "are you feeling alright?" she asked. "Just a bit woosy is all but maybe laying down for a bit will make me feel better.." Autumn answered. "Alright but you be sure to call me if you feel any kind of pain ok.." Kagome said kindly. "I will.." and with that Autumn disappeared down the hall towards her den. Only when she had left did she turn to her mate, "I get the feeling the her pup will arrive soon I remember feeling the same way before I had Cholena." Koga nodded, "I know..." he then turned to the two brothers who were still laying on the floor, "Ginta." The wolf looked up, "yeah?" "I think it would be wise to stay close to Autumn Kagome thinks she may have your pup very soon," Koga said. This caught the wolf's attention, "ok..." was his only response as he walked down the hall to his den where his mate was resting.

A little while later excitement raced through the den as word got around that Autumn was now in labor and her pup would arrive any moment. Ginta was a bundle of nerves as he paced outside the den he shared with Autumn while Koga and Hakkaku sat with him, "will you sit down Ginta you're gonna wear a rut in the rock.." Koga said. Ginta looked at him but instead of protesting he sat beside Hakkaku trying his best to remain as calm as he could. Inside the den Autumn was being tended to by Kagome, Kira and Mina, "alright you're doing fine I can see the pup's head now so you won't have to wait too much longer to meet your little one," Kagome said. Autumn nodded as Kira pressed a cool rag to her face to keep her calm and Mina was ready with a small towel to clean the pup up but she was also coaching her through her contractions. Autumn breathed in and out at Mina's direction and when she was told to push she gave it all she had, "good girl keep pushing through the contraction.." Kagome had never felt this kind of pain before but she knew she could get through it with her family there to help her. Kira wiped the sweat from Autumn's brow and just as she began to breath again did another contraction race through her body. "Ok here we go nice and easy Autumn push through the contraction and keep your mind on your baby," Kagome said. Autumn pushed with all her might and she felt her baby move a little further out, 'come on little one don't make your mother wait..' she thought to herself as she continued to push. Mina moved closer to have a look, "easy Autumn not too hard or you'll risk injury.." she soothed as she rubbed her shoulders to calm her while Kira kept the cool rag on Autumn's face. Autumn took in another a breath and pushed, "you got it..." Kira encouraged. Kagome then spoke, "ok a couple more pushes and your baby will be here." Autumn nodded as she breathed knowing she would have to give it her all on the last push. Kagome then nodded to Autumn, "ok...now push..." she did as she was told and pushed hard to try and bring her baby into the world. After pushing she felt her baby emerge and she panted from her exertions, "you did so good Autumn.." Kira praised as Mina nodded in agreement. Kagome handed the tiny pup to her mother so she could bathe the little bundle before wrapping it in the towel and handing the pup to Autumn, "hello my little one..." she then turned to Kagome, "what is it?" she asked. Kagome smiled, "you have a beautiful baby girl.." she replied. Autumn smiled as she looked down at her tiny daughter, "what should I name her?" she asked the females around her. They were silent for a few moments before Kira spoke, "what about Laila?" she suggested. Autumn tried it out on her tongue, "Laila..." she then looked down at her baby, "I will name you Laila..." she said smiling. The little moment was interrupted when she felt another pain run through her body which alerted the three females in the room, "what's happening?" Kira questioned. "Another baby..." Kagome answered. Autumn was wild-eyed, "twins?" she said. Mina nodded, "yes dear you will be a mother to two beautiful pups." The chestnut-haired female in front of her smiled as she began to breathe again to get ready for the second pup to arrive. She found this one much easier than the first but it wasn't any less painful. Her contractions came quicker and she was able to push easier and in a matter of several minutes her second daughter was laying in Kagome's arms, "oh look at her she's so cute..." Kira cooed as Mina bathed the tiny female. Kagome smiled, "she sure is.." her mother handed the second female to Kagome who handed the pup to Autumn, "here's your second daughter." Autumn was exhausted but held her daughters close in her arms, "hello Mira..." she whispered. The three females looked at one another before turning back to Autumn, "Mira?" Kira asked. She nodded, "Mira was mother's sister that she never got to know..." Autumn explained. Kira placed a gentle hand on Autumn's shoulder, "your daughters are so beautiful...Ginta's gonna be so proud." It then occured to Kagome, "you can come in boys."

At that moment Koga, Hakkaku and Ginta walked into the den and when they layed their eyes on the two tiny pups in Autumn's arms they couldn't even breathe. Koga was the first to speak, "hey little sis..." he murmured. She smiled at her brother, "hey big brother.." she replied. He took a step closer to inspect the two tiny pups his sister was holding, "who are these two little ones?" "These are your nieces...Laila and Mira.." she answered. Upon hearing the second name he froze, "you named your daughter after Aunt Mira?" he asked. She smiled, "I did..." she said. Koga approached, "can I hold her?" he asked. Autumn smiled, "of course..." she said handing Mira to her brother with Kagome's help. He looked down at the little pup in his arms, "hello little one..." he murmured. At hearing his voice Mira opened her little eyes and looked up at him, "hey there..." he smiled. He turned to his mate, "she opened her little eyes." Kagome looked down at Mira, "oh she did open them..." she said. Autumn looked up at Koga, "what color are they?" she asked. "Her eyes are aqua colored..." he answered. Autumn face softened, "just like Auntie.." she said. The siblings smiled and it was then Hakkaku spoke, "who is the other little female?" he asked. "Her name is Laila.." she replied. The males smiled, "you have chosen those names well." Autumn then noticed that Ginta hadn't said anything since they came into the den but she knew it was from surprise. She smiled, "Ginta..." upon hearing his name he jolted from his thoughts, "do you want to meet your pups?" she asked. He merely nodded as he approached his mate and his pups, once he was close enough he knelt by the bed to have a closer look at Laila and then turned when he heard Koga speak, "do you want to hold Mira?" he asked. Ginta could only nod as he sat on the bed before Koga placed the tiny pup in his arms. Ginta was awestruck at being a father of two daughters, "hello little ones..." he murmured. The group in the room knew that Ginta was overwhelmed at the moment and it took him a few minutes to be brought back out of his thoughts, "I'm happy..." was all he could say. It was then that Kagome spoke, "I think it's time we let Autumn rest and we'll help her present the new additions later on." Ginta spoke up, "I'm gonna stay with them..." he said. Koga nodded, "ok just let us know when you're both ready to present your daughters." They both nodded as the group walked out of the room leaving them alone. While Autumn rested Ginta kept watch over his little family and he had to pinch himself because he never thought that he would ever be as lucky as he was. He loved Autumn with every fiber of his being and now he had two beautiful daughters that he had to watch over and protect.

Later that day Sambu and Kate saught out Koga and Kagome, "look there they are..." Kate said. They made their way towards the alphas, "Koga! Kagome!" Upon hearing their names they saw Sambu and Kate approaching them, "ah Kate...Sambu.." Koga said. Sambu bowed to Koga and Kagome as he spoke, "my Lord and Lady may we speak?" Hearing him address them in such a way caught their attention, "of course what about?" Kagome answered. Sambu met their gaze, "it's about...my family..." he said. Koga tilted his head slightly, "your family?" "Yes I have a sister and a nephew that now live with the Snow Leopard clan in the western mountains," Sambu said. The alpha pair looked at each other before turning back to the leopard and she-wolf, "I haven't seen them in so long and I wanted to visit them." The alphas were silent for a moment before Koga spoke, "how long would you be gone?" he asked. "Just for the day.." Sambu replied. Kagome turned to Kate, "will you accompany Sambu on this little trip?" Kate nodded, "yes Sambu wants me to meet them since he and I are a couple now."Kagome nodded in understanding, "that makes sense what do you think my husband?" she asked her mate. Koga nodded, "it does make sense but who will look after Amber while you are away for the day?" he asked. Kate looked down slightly, "well I was hoping that you could look after her while I'm away...I know she enjoys playing with Shippo so I know she would be ok." Kagome took a moment to think about it before answering, "I know that Shippo enjoys her company too...alright we'll take care of Amber while you're out for the day.." she turned to Koga who nodded in aggreement. Koga smiled, "of course she will be well looked after." Kate smiled, "thank you both so much." They nodded to the pair and it was then that Shippo and Amber came up to their parents with Otoi, Mina, Cholena and Fawn right behind them. Amber made a b-line right for her mother, "hey mama.." she greeted. Kate knelt down and embraced her daughter, "hey there sweetie.." she then turned to the fox kit, "hey Shippo." "Hey Miss Kate..." he greeted warmly. Kate then turned to Amber, "how would you like to stay with Koga and Kagome for the day?" she asked. Her little emerald eyes lit up, "really? Would that mean I'd get to spend time with Shippo?" she asked. Kate smiled at her daughter, "yes it would." "Yay!" Amber cheered excitedly. The adults around them laughed at her enthusiasm, "now listen you have to be a good girl for me while we're gone ok." Amber looked at her mom, "I will but where are you going?" she asked. "Sambu is going to visit his sister and he asked me to come with him," Kate replied. Sambu then decided to speak, "we'll be back by nightfall." Amber looked up at her leopard 'father', "you better take care of my mom ok?" Sambu knelt down beside Kate, "don't worry little one I won't let anything happen to her, I promise." Amber then embraced Sambu, "I love you daddy.." she said catching the alpha pair by surprise. Sambu smiled and nuzzled her, "I love you too princess." When they let go of each other she hugged her mom, "can we go play?" she asked. Kate smiled, "of course dear but stay close to the den." "I will mama.." she replied before running off to play with Shippo and the other pups with Fawn following right behind them. Mina and Otoi remained standing beside the pair, "she really has taken to you hasn't she?" Otoi said. Sambu glanced at the older wolf, "yes she has.." he answered with a smile. Mina looked thoughtfully at the leopard, "I can see that her calling you dad means a lot to you." "Yes it does, I don't have any youngsters of my own so I completely see her as my daughter," he replied. Koga knew the feeling, "yeah I know what you mean I felt the same way when Shippo called me his dad, it always brought out the parent side of me." Sambu nodded in understanding and it was then that Kate spoke, "come dear we must get ready for our trip." "You're right..." he then turned to the alphas, "I appreciate you letting us go out like this." Kagome smiled, "of course Sambu we know how much it means to you." "Be safe out there you two.." Koga added. The leopard merely nodded as he and Kate walked to their den to prepare for their journey.

Meanwhile some distance away from the wolf den Inuyasha sat up in a tree pondering what he should do. "Ugh...what am I gonna do? How can I be a father to those pups and a good mate to Ciena?" Inuyasha covered his face with his hands, "ugh I'm so stupid...if only she..." he stopped mid-thought as tears began to sting his eyes.

Back at the den Sambu and Kate had put their travel satchels together and were saying goodbye to their family, "we'll see you when we return," Sambu said to the alpha pair. "Safe travels brother...sister..." Kagome replied. "Please take care of my little girl while we're away," Kate asked. "Of course we will," Koga reassured. "Thank you," Kate said. The alphas watched as the pair began to walk away from the den heading for the Snow Leopard clan den. As they disappeared from sight Kagome spoke to her mate, "do you think they'll be ok out there?" she asked. Koga wrapped his arm around her waist, "don't worry my love Kate and Sambu are capable warriors, they'll be ok.." he reassured.

The pair were making good time in their journey, "we're making good time.." Sambu commented. "Yes we are..." Kate then looked her leopard, "so I'm curious...how do you think your sister will react to me? I mean what will she think when she finds out you have a wolf for a mate?" she asked. Sambu side-glanced at Kate as he spoke, "I actually hadn't thought about it but I'm sure once they see what a sweet woman you are they'll love, just as I do." The leopard's words made Kate smile, "I sure hope so.." she said.

At the Snow Leopard den two guards stood outside guarding the entrance and everyone inside. "*Yawn* how long have we been out here?" asked one of the guards. The second looked at him, "we've only been out here a few hours...so stop complaining." "I'm not complaining I was just asking," the first guard replied. "You know very well that if our Lady didn't think we could handle guard duty then she wouldn't have asked us to be out here," the guard said. "I know you're right but Ambjorn, I just wish that sometime we could be her personal guards instead of being outside all the time," the guard said. "A true snow leopard doesn't question his Lady, he does as she asks us to. You're still young Delacourt, with time you'll come to understand that," Ambjorn said. "*Sigh*...I know..." was Delacourt's only response as he turned his eyes back towards the horizon. As he did though something caught his eye, "hey what's that?" he asked. Ambjorn looked in the direction where Delacourt was looking, "I'm not sure but it looks like whatever it is, is approaching the den." The pair looked on for a moment or two longer until they were able to make out what it was, "it looks like a leopard but it looks like he has a companion with him," Ambjorn said. Delacourt remained silent but his eyes never left the pair as they got closer.

Sambu and Kate were getting close to the Snow Leopard den, "there's the den Kate..." Sambu said. She looked at it, "the den of the Snow Leopards..." she said but then she noticed that there were two guards out front, "they have guards outside." Sambu could see she was right, "we should approach carefully...we don't want them to think we're a threat," he merely nodded as she took hold of Sambu's paw-like hand which made him smile. As they got closer Sambu raised his arm to wave at the guards outside. Kate gave him a curious look, "what are you doing?" she asked. Sambu side-glanced at her, "it's just a way to signal to them that we mean them no harm." "Oh..." was her only response as they came to a stop in front of the den. The guards stood tall, "what brings you this way traveller?" Delacourt asked. "We come merely as visitors..I have a sister here," Sambu answered. Ambjorn looked the leopard over carefully and then noticed Kate standing next to him, "who is your companion?" "She is my mate, Kate..." he answered as Kate merely bowed her head. After a moment of silence passed between them Ambjorn spoke, "you may enter but just know that we are watching you." Sambu merely nodded as they walked into the den's entrance with Ambjorn and Delacourt right behind them.

Once inside the den Kate looked around slightly, "there's so many..." she said to herself. Sambu could tell she was nervous so he gave her hand a comforting squeeze. They were caught off guard slightly when a voice rose above, "Delacourt? Ambjorn? What's the meaning of this? Bringing these two strangers into our home?" "Forgive us my Lady but this leopard, he is visiting his sister," Ambjorn answered. The pair looked on as a regal looking snow leopard female stood from her throne-like chair. They were awestruck by her beauty as she spoke again, "I see..." she then turned to the couple, "ah a leopard and a she-wolf...how interesting. I am Lady Elisif, High Queen to the Snow Leopard clan." Sambu and Kate knelt down before her, "we're honored that you have allowed us to enter your home. My name is Sambu, I was a Lieutenant for the leopard clan's army and this beautiful woman here is my mate Kate, she hails from the Eastern Wolf Demon Clan." "Ah a Lieutenant how interesting and how is it you find yourself with the Eastern Wolf Clan?" she asked. Sambu looked down slightly as he spoke, "I was in the war several months ago and the Lord and Lady of the Eastern Clan showed mercy and allowed me to joined them as a member of their clan," he said leaving out a bit of the information and hoped that she wouldn't press him for more. Elisif was silent for the longest time before she spoke again, "I see..." was her response as she looked down at him. It was then that a voice spoke, "Sambu...my brother!" Upon hearing the voice Sambu let go of Kate's hand, rose to his feet and looked in the direction, "Little sister..." he said as a young female leopard approached and embraced him. Elisif watched them for an instant before speaking, "so the leopard is your brother Sawana?" she asked. When she let go of her brother she turned to the snow leopard Queen, "yes your Highness he is but it's been too long since we last saw each other." After several moments Elisif spoke once more, "very well Lieutenant Sambu you and your companion are welcome in our den." Sambu and Kate looked at her, "we thank you for your kindness my Lady," Kate replied as she bowed her head. It was then that Sawana spoke, "come we can talk in my den," she said as she led her brother and Kate away so they could be alone to talk.

Once they were alone Sawana spoke, "Sambu...it's so good to see you, I thought you were dead." "No sister I am very much alive," Sambu replied caressing her cheek. Kate stood silently letting the siblings have their monent before she spoke. Sambu smiled, "sister I want you to meet my mate, Kate..." he said as he held his hand out to her, "my love this is my sister Sawana." Kate smiled, "it's so good to meet you, Sambu has told me so much about you." Sawana smiled, "it is good that my brother has finally found someone to love and to love him." Sambu then asked a question, "how is that stubborn nephew of mine?" he teased. Sawana smiled, "he's out on the hunt right now but he'll be back soon enough. I know he'll be happy to see you have come for a visit." "I'm sure he will, I'm eager to see him and see how much he's grown," Sambu replied. It was then that Kate spoke, "how old is your son?" "He's almost sixteen...he's grown up so much," Sawana answered. "Wow Sambu you won't kidding that it has been a long time since you last saw him," Kate said. "Yes it has and I never meant to stay away so long, I guess once I became the Lieutenant of the leopard army it took way more of my time than I thought and it just got away from me," Sambu said, his voice filled with shame. "It's ok brother I know you were always thinking about me and Sharaba, afterall it's why you became part of the army...so you could protect us," Sawana said. "But still I shouldn't have pushed you and Sharaba away like that. I guess I was afraid that you two would resent me after all this time." "Oh my brother, we would never do that to you," Sawana replied as she embraced Sambu close. It was then that a voice called out, "hey mom I'm back!" When the young leopard stood in the doorway he noticed a male leopard embracing his mother, "hey get away from her!" he roared. Upon hearing his voice Sambu looked in his direction and when he saw the male's face he froze, "Uncle Sambu?" he asked. Sambu looked at the young male in front of him, "Sharaba..." he took a step towards his nephew to stand in front of him, "look at you how big you are now...you've become a strong young warrior." Sharaba stayed silent for the longest time as he looked at his uncle, "what took you so long? Did you finally realize that we existed?" Hearing the anger in his voice surprised Sambu slightly but he couldn't blame his nephew, it had been many years since he had last seen him. "Sharaba, is that anyway to speak to your uncle? I know it's been six years but you shouldn't behave that way," Sawana said. Sharaba stifled a roar in his throat as he turned his eyes away from his uncle and his mother. The pair of leopards stood there in silence not really knowing what to say to the angry young leopard. It was then that Kate spoke, "Sharaba..." she said softly gaining his attention. He stared at her warily but said nothing as she spoke, "it must be hard for you to see Sambu after being away from him for so long. He feels great shame for not being there for you more than he was but he was only thinking of you and your mother's safety. I understand that you're angry but you shouldn't hold it against him, he was only trying to protect you." Both Sawana and Sambu were surprised that Kate approached Sharaba the way she did and they could see him physically relax. Sharaba took a deep breath and let it out slowly as Kate approached and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "I know you to had grow up without your father and that when Sambu became part of the leopard army he stopped coming around the way he did before. I image that it was like losing your father all over again. Am I right?" she pair of leopards watched silently as they won't sure what Kate was doing but they allowed her to continue. Sharaba looked down slightly, "yes it was and I felt all that hurt come back and I just felt...so alone, I felt like I...like I had no one to turn to. When father was still was alive I knew I could go to him about anything and when he died, it's like a piece of me died with him." At hearing this Sawana had tears in her eyes and Sambu wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Kate was sympathetic as she spoke, "that must have been really hard on you." "You have no idea but when Uncle Sambu stepped in to raise me in father's place he made me feel like I wasn't alone anymore. He was so much like father, I could always go to him about anything. Then when he became part of the leopard army he didn't come around as much as he did before and then he just stopped coming around. At the time I didn't understand...but it felt like...I had lost him just like father..." at his words his shoulders shuddered as tears filled his eyes. Kate gave a gentle smile as she placed her hand beneath his chin so his gaze would meet hers, "now you don't have to feel alone anymore...he has come back to you and he will never leave you again.." Kate said. At hearing this Sharaba couldn't hold back anymore, he collasped to his knees on the floor and began to cry. Kate merely knelt down and wrapped her arms around him allowing him to bury his face in her chest, "it's all alright now Sharaba..." she said softly. Sawana couldn't believe it, "I don't believe it...I've never been able to get him to open up and talk to me. After his father died he just shut himself off from everything and everyone, even me. I tried so many times to talk to him but I never could reach him." Sambu kept his arm around his sister, "I know it had to be difficult for you both when I wasn't around but I never imagined that Sharaba would turn out like this." For several moments Kate allowed Sharaba to get out all the feelings that he kept buried for so long, she nuzzled him gently to reassure him and bring him comfort. Sambu watched in amazement, "she's amazing..." he said. Sawana looked at her brother then turned to look at her son and the she wolf, "yes she is and it's good that he finally opened up and got all those buried feelings out after keeping them bottled up for so long." She then turned to Sambu, "you have found a truly wonderful mate my brother and I'm grateful the comfort she is bringing to my son. I never could've gotten Sharaba to open up like that." Sambu smiled at Sawana, "so I take it you approve of my mate little sister?" he asked. She smiled, "yes brother I do." Hearing this made Sambu happy as he turned to his mate and nephew, "I'm glad." After several moments Sharaba was able to stop crying, "are you alright now Sharaba?" she asked. He raised his head slightly, "yeah I'm ok..." he replied as he wiped the rest of his tears away with his paw-like hand. When he looked at Kate fully he gave her a weak smile, "thank you..." was all he could manage. Kate gave him a gentle smile, "you're welcome Sharaba.." Kate said as she stood up and brought Sharaba with her. It was then that he turned to his mother with weak eyes as she walked over to him and embraced him in a warm hug, "it's ok my son...it's ok.." she said as she nuzzled him. Kate stood next to Sambu, "well done mate...you've done something that neither of us have ever been able to do. We've never been able to get Sharaba to open up like that and yet you were able to. How?" he asked. Kate merely smiled at her mate, "I had the same problem with Amber and I used the same technique I just used with Sharaba..." she explained. After a few moments the pair let go of each other and then turned to the she-wolf standing behind them, "bless you Kate..." Sawana said as she embraced her. Kate held the leopard woman gently, "thank you sister..." she said. Hearing this made Sharaba tilt his head, "hey Unc why did Kate call mom sister?" Sambu smiled, "it's the wolf way...it's how they are with each other even if they aren't related...it's the way of the pack.." he replied.

Sometime later the group of four were sitting around the fire eating dinner with the rest of the clan, "so what's it like to live with the Wolf Tribe?" Sawanna asked. "You know it's better than I could've imagined, I mean sure there were a couple rough spots but other than that everyone gets along with each other," Sambu answered. Kate then decided to speak, "when he first came to the den there were a few that won't too sure about having a leopard in pack but after they got know him they welcomed him with open paws." Sharaba was the next to speak, "so what's Koga like? I heard he's a real pain in the ass." Sawana looked at her son, "Sharaba!" She was ready to scold him but Sambu beat her to it, "Sharaba you can't judge someone on what others say when you have never even met that person," Sambu said which made Sharaba shrink back at his tone. Kate too was a bit surprised, she had never heard Sambu even raise his voice towards anyone, "guess he's still being a father figure to Sharaba even now," she thought to herself. Sawanna smiled, "he hasn't changed a bit..." she said to herself. Sharaba looked down, "yeah I guess you're right Uncle." Sambu smiled at his small victory over the stubborn young warrior, "believe me I had heard quite a few things among the ranks of the army but things really got more intense when a female wolf demon named Ayame came to the clan's den." "Yeah I think I remember hearing her name around the cave but I never actually spoke to her," Sawanna said. "Don't worry you won't missing anything she wasn't a good wolf, well leopard-wolf..." Sambu said. Both Sawanna and Sharaba gave him a curious look, "a leopard-wolf?' Sawanna asked. Sambu looked at his sister, "yeah...you didn't know? Raja turned her and she took on some of the leopard traits and end up with our leopard print coat on her wolf tail." Kate began giggling gaining the three leopards' attention, "what's funny mate?" Sambu asked. "Just the thought of Ayame having a leopard print, rust-colored tail.." Kate replied. Sawana looked curiously at the she-wolf, "rust-colored?" "Yeah we wolves have true forms and coat colors that some wouldn't expect. Ayame's was rust-colored so I can't imagine her having leopard print added to that." "Oh trust me it ain't pretty...I saw it during the battle when she went against Lady Kagome," Sambu replied. "Really?" Kate asked. "Yeah and she has a beautiful coat too," Sambu added. "So what's Lady Kagome like?" Sawanna asked. "Well she use to be a human priestess but when she came to wolf den Koga turned her but she still retained her priestess powers," Kate said. "Wow..." was Sharaba's only response. "She sounds powerful," Sawanna said. "She is but she's so kind, she was the one that convinced the others to let me into the pack after the war ended.." Sambu explained. There was silence for a few moments before Sawanna spoke, "I'd like to meet her." Kate smiled at hearing this, "well when we return to the pack we'll speak to Koga and Kagome and we can arrange for you two to visit." "You'd really do that for us?" Sharaba asked."Of course, like Sambu, you two are family too and I know them very well and I'm sure they'd welcome you to the den," Kate answered. "Thank you...sister..." Sawanna said which made Kate smile as did Sambu. He was so relieved that his sister and his nephew had taken so well to his mate.

Now half-dozing in a tree near the wolf den, Inuyasha still sat up in the same tree. He was still battling with his thoughts and emotions and had grown very tired of it. As he sat in the tree the hanyou felt his eyes grow very heavy and he couldn't fight it anymore and he let sleep over take him. Now succumbing to his exhausion he felt himself begin to dream, something he hadn't done for some time.

Inuyasha's Dream:

In his dreams he saw what was...a life for him and Ciena...and what could have been...a life for him and his beloved Kikyo. Inuyasha was never the same hanyou he once was after the night that Kikyo died in his arms. He missed her more and more all the time. Many years had passed and he had found someone new to spend his life with but for him, it just wasn't enough. He couldn't let go of his love for Kikyo, she stayed with him and his heart just kept breaking over and over again at the loss of her. That was the real and true reason why Inuyasha couldn't be truly happy with Ciena and her pups. He felt so disconnected from everyone and everything around him. As he felt the same heartache he always felt a voice called out to him, "Inuyasha..." he looked around, "who's there?" he asked. "Inuyasha..." called the voice again. He followed the voice and it led him to a familiar place, it was the place he and Kikyo had confessed their feelings and where they had also shared their first kiss. "Inuyasha..." the voice said but this time it was directly behind him. When he turned around he saw the vision of his beloved standing behind him, "Kikyo..." he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Inuyasha why have you come here?" she asked. "You called out to me and led me here..." he replied. She shook her head, "no Inuyasha why have you come here? To this place? Why can't you move pass this moment in time?" she asked him. He was surprised by her question, he looked down slightly, "I don't really know..." he admitted. She remained silent as he continued, "why? Why did you have to die? Why couldn't we go back to the way things use to be fifty years ago?" he asked looking at her with pain-filled eyes. She gave him a soft look, "Inuyasha...you shouldn't hold onto the past when it stops you from moving forward.." she told him, "you need to find happiness again." Inuyasha closed his eyes and shook his head, "I can't do that...not without you...Kikyo you are the only woman I've ever truly loved and it still hurts that you're not here with me. I...I don't know that I can go on with my life anymore..." he replied as tears stung his eyes. Kikyo closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face, "oh my love...I'm sorry that I was taken away from you but you can't let it stop you from moving forward. You have your mate back at the wolf den and there's also her pups to consider...they will need guidance." Inuyasha looked away, "I can't give them that...how can I when I don't have guidance." Kikyo approached her hanyou and placed a gentle hand beneath his chin so that his gaze would meet hers, "you know in your heart what you should do...even though I'm not the one that it's with." Inuyasha broke down and shed his tears that he held back for so long as Kikyo embraced him. She then whispered into his ear, "I will always be with you Inuyasha you will never be alone my love." With that they looked into each other's eyes and shared one last kiss as she began to disappear but just before she vanished she had final words for her beloved hanyou, "I love you Inuyasha...just as I always have and I always will." With that she disappeared giving him one last smile, "goodbye...Kikyo..." he whispered.

End of Dream:

It was then that Inuyasha jolted out of his slumber only to find tears streaming down his face. As he wiped them away he looked up at the night sky, "was she really here with me or was it all a dream?" he said to himself. As he stared up at the sky he could still hear Kikyo's words ringing in his ears, "I will always be with you..." he felt his heart beat faster at hearing her voice again but he knew it was in his dream but he also knew that she was right. "I need to move forward with my life even if it's not with Kikyo," he told himself. "I know what I need to do..." with that thought in mind he raced back towards the wolf den.

Back at the den the pack was sitting down to dinner and there was much chattering going on around the main den, but most of it was with Koga, Kagome and his siblings. Koga had noticed that Kagome hadn't touched much of her dinner, "mate what's the matter? You don't have much of an appetite tonight?" he asked. She looked up at him, "yeah I guess not...got too much on my mind to eat right now." Koga knew what she was referring to, "I can understand that but still you should really eat something, you don't want end up weak." She knew he was right, "I know you are right my love but I can't stop thinking about Ciena and her pups. I mean what is she gonna do if he doesn't come back?" Koga sympathized with her and he also sympathized with Ciena. Afterall those were his niece and nephew and they were already gonna have to grow up without their father. He was also angry at Inuyasha for abandoning Ciena at her most vulnerable so he wasn't helping the situation at all. Autumn who had been silent decided to speak, "even if he doesn't come back Ciena knows she has her family to help her and support her." "She's right we've got her back no matter what," Kira chimed in as both Ginta and Hakkaku nodded in agreement.

A little ways away from the group Ciena sat alone as she ate her dinner, she had already looked after her pups as had the other females so she had a little time to herself. She was getting lost in her thoughts, "I know they're right...I will always have them to turn to if I need them but still I need my mate too. I mean my pups need a father figure around because Tonda isn't here to raise Inuyasha, why did you have to go and do this to me..." she said as tears threatened to fall. She was brought out of her thoughts when a wolf howl alerted everyone to someone approaching. Both Koga and Kagome's heads shot a look towards the entrance of the den, "I'll go have a look..." Koga said as he stood from his place by the fire. When he got to entrance he scanned the horizon to see if he saw anything but as he was about to scan a second time the gentle breeze that had been blowing shifted and it brought a scent with it, "he's come back..." he said to himself. Kagome then stood up, "what is it Koga?" she called. "It appears what you said made him think..." he said. She gave him a curious look but as she thought about it, it hit her, "you mean...Inuyasha has come back?" she asked. He looked over his shoulder at his mate, "yep..." was his response. They watched as the red-clad hanyou landed at the entrance of the den only to be greeted by Koga, "well I didn't think you would come back here." Inuyasha stifled a growl as he spoke, "where is Ciena..." he asked. Koga looked over his shoulder, "she's over there but I'm not sure if she wants to see you.." he replied. "I don't care I need to talk to her," he said as he walked passed the alpha leader and over to his mate.

Ciena had heard the howl but paid little mind as to what it was about, it was only when a familiar scent reached her nose that she turned to look in that direction. When she saw a familiar form approaching her she stood from her place, "Inuyasha..." she whispered. She didn't know how to feel at seeing him again but she knew she had to say something to him as he came to a stop in front of her. "Ciena..." he said. She looked at him for an instant but then turned her eyes from him, he knew she was mad at him but he had to press forward if things were gonna be resolved between them. "Ciena I know you're mad but please hear me out..." he started but as he went to speak again she cut him off. "Hear you out? Is that really what you're telling me right now, is to hear you out? After you left me and my pups after only a day of them being alive?" she half-shouted before she turned her back to him. Inuyasha's ears slumped slightly as he spoke, "I know that I hurt you but please let me explain..." he waited for a moment or two waiting to see her reaction. She remained silent but she turned her head slightly which silently told him to speak his words. Inuyasha took a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking, "I know that I hurt you when I ran out on you and the pups the other day but it's only because I couldn't connect to them. And before you say anything you should know that there's more than just that. You know how badly losing Kikyo effected me and still effects me. The night that she died it felt like a part of me died with her. I know you feel that way about Tonda too. But listen I didn't realize it until a little while ago that I hadn't truly grieved for her and that was stopping me from truly being able to open up and give my heart to you. Tonight though while I was sitting in a tree I fell asleep and I started dreaming, something I hadn't done in a very long time. And in that dream Kikyo came to me and she helped me see that my grief over losing her was keeping me from moving forward with my life with you and your pups. Kikyo told me that she would always be with me and that I shouldn't stop living because she isn't here with me, and that I should try and find happiness with you. She allowed me to have one last moment with her before she disappeared and I woke up from my dream. She gave me the answers I was looking for along with the guidance and the wisdom that I needed to move forward. So that we can move forward." Ciena let Inuyasha's words sink in but somehow she still felt envious that he had been with Kikyo in his dream and not her. However she understood what it was like to feel the same heartache at losing the one you love most in the world. She slowly turned to face him and he remained silent so she could get out whatever she needed to. Ciena looked at him for a moment or two before she turned away from him again, Inuyasha didn't know what to think at this point and maybe he had completely ruined what they had when he ran away but he had to try. "Ciena...Ciena I'm so so sorry that I hurt you but please give me a chance to make it up to you and be the mate I need to be for you and the father figure to your pups.." he said. She could hear the remorse in his voice but she didn't know if she could forgive him yet...but she was willing to try. She slowly turned to face him before approaching him and wrapping her arms around him as he returned the embrace. Relief washed over the small group that sat around the fire, "I'm so glad he came back to her," Autumn said. "Me too," Kira added. "Now maybe they can work on their relationship and make it work for the pups sake," Kagome said. Koga looked at his mate but silently glared at the hanyou, "he'd better..." he growled to himself. Ciena then decided to join her family for dinner with Inuyasha in toe but she silently hoped that they could work things out and they could be a family again.

Back at the snow leopard den Sambu, Kate, Sawana and Sharaba were still sitting around the fire talking, "it's been so good to have you here visiting us brother...we've really missed you," Sawanna said. "Yes it has and this time I'll do better about being in touch with my blood family," Sambu replied. Sawanna smiled as Sharaba spoke, "So you're really gonna be a part of our lives again?" he asked. "Of course I will nephew...I promise," he said placing a firm paw-like hand on his shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Sawanna was happy that her two favorite males had reconnected after being apart for so long, Kate too was happy that her mate had been able to repair the relationship with his family and she had grown to adore them both even after only knowing them for a short time. She knew that there visit was coming to an end and they would return to the wolf den. Sambu then spoke, "well it's time we returned to the wolf den but we will make arrangements for you two to visit as soon as we get back there." "Are you sure you have to go back?" Sharaba asked. Sambu gave his nephew a gentle look he knew that Sharaba didn't want to be away from his uncle again, "yes we must return besides," he then looked at Kate, "she has a daughter back at the den waiting for her." This caught the attention of the two leopards, "you have a daughter?" Sawana asked curiously. "Yes I do, she's ten and the center of my world and she absolutely adores Sambu, she even calls him dad.." Kate explained. Sawana smiled, "so you finally have what you've always wanted now don't you brother?" she asked. He smiled, "yes I do and now I also have my little sister and my nephew back in my life as well...I couldn't be happier."After several moments the pair got ready to leave, "have a safe trip home my brother, sister..." Sawana said as she embraced them. "We will," Kate replied embracing Sawana then Sharaba. "Take care of my uncle," Sharaba said. "I promise I will," Kate replied. "We look forward to seeing you two again," Sambu said, "we love you." "We love you too Sambu, Kate..." Sawana said. With that the pair walked from the den and began making their way back to the wolf den.

Back at the wolf den everyone was getting ready to settle in for the night, as the alpha's said goodnight they noticed that Inuyasha and Ciena were still sitting by the fire. Kagome looked at Koga, "do you think we should talk to them before we turn in?" she asked. Koga turned his gaze from the pair to look at her, "no...they need time to talk. I'll have a word with him in the morning," Koga replied as they walked to their den for night with Shippo, Cholena, Fawn and Amber in toe.

Ciena was still unsure how to feel now that Inuyasha had come back to the den but her mind was restless and she couldn't think straight. Inuyasha could tell that she had a lot on her mind and he wondered if he should ask her about it, "Ciena...is there something on your mind?" he asked. She was silent for several moments before speaking, "I just have so much on my mind...I mean you left me when I was at my most vulnerable with day old pups. You were by my side when I brought them into the world and then you just ran off. How am I suppose to believe what you say now when your actions said different?" she asked. The hanyou looked down feeling such shame at what he had done, "I understand if you don't believe me and I realize that my actions deeply hurt you but it still doesn't excuse what I did..." he looked at her as he continued, "but I want to make it up to you and be the mate that I'm suppose to be." Ciena's heart raced in her chest but her mind was still filled with thoughts that wouldn't leave her alone. It made Inuyasha nervous that she wasn't saying much, "Ciena...are you alright?" he asked, knowing the answer. She merely shook her head as she tried to hide the tears that were welling up in her vibrant lavender eyes. The scent of salt reached the hanyou's nose and he knew she was crying but as he went to put an arm around her a growl eminated from her throat. Hearing this startled Inuyasha slightly...she had never growled at him before and he was beginning to wonder if he should stay. He remained silent as he allow her get out whatever she was feeling before speaking again. "He's lying...he's lying to me just so I'll take him back. I can't believe a word he says after what he did to me and my pups. I don't know if I can ever truly forgive him for what he's done," she thought to herself. These were the thoughts that were ringing in her head and she couldn't make them stop. She was confused and still felt so much hurt in her heart, "I wish I knew what to do..." she said to herself. It was when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder that she turned to look at him, "Ciena..." he said. She could hear the hurt in his voice but she still turned her eyes from him. He was beginning to truly understand what his actions had done to her and he wasn't sure if she would ever truly come back to him. He placed a gentle hand under her chin so she would look at him and when she did he saw that her eyes were brimming with tears that threaten to fall, "please Ciena..." he all but begged. When she looked up into his golden gaze she could see that he was fighting back tears of his own. She closed her lavender gems as the tears trickled down her cheeks, "oh Ciena..." he breathed as he wrapped his arms around her small frame. He buried his nose into her hair and nuzzled her affectionately as his tears streamed down his face. Ciena just sat there as the hanyou held her close, even in this moment she couldn't get past what he had done. As she inahled his scent she let it fill her senses and it began to calm her, "what am I doing? I shouldn't be letting him anywhere near me. How can I get past this? Oh Tonda how I wish you were here..." she said to herself. Inuyasha then felt Ciena bury her face into his kimono and clutch onto him as she began to cry, "poor thing...how can I hurt someone so sweet, so gentle, so beautiful..." he felt a small sigh escape his lips, "how can I be so cruel to someone I love." They sat there for the longest time, just holding onto each other and it was when Inuyasha noticed that Ciena wasn't crying anymore that he looked down at her. He could also tell by her even breathing that she had fallen asleep after crying so much. He looked down at her before picking her up and carrying her to her den.

When he reached it he noticed that the pups were peaceful sleeping in their beds, "Kagome and the girls must've looked after them for her.." he said to himself. He walked carefully over to Ciena's bed to place her down gently before pulling the fur cover over her. He looked down at her for an instant until one of the pups began to whimper in their sleep. Inuyasha quietly crept over to where they were to see which one it was. It was quiet for a moment before the whimpering started up again, Inuyasha looked and saw that it was Tova that was making the noise. The hanyou looked down at him for moment as he was unsure as to what to do. It was then that a voice reached his ears, "listen to your instincts...they will guide you." Inuyasha wasn't sure if the voice was in his head or if it was in the room with him but he knew he had to do something. He took a breath and slowly let it out slowly before placing a gentle hand beneath Tova's head and body then lifting him up to cradle him in his arms. At feeling the hanyou's simple touch Tova seemed to calm much to the relief of the hanyou and he then decided to place a finger near the pup's tiny hand only to be surprised by Tova as he grabbed onto it. Surprise quickly gave way to him allowing a small smile to play on his lips. He had several thoughts run through his head, "maybe this won't be as bad as I thought it would be..." he said to himself. After a few moments Tova went back into a peaceful sleep and Inuyasha placed the tiny pup back into his little bed. Inuyasha then walked over to the window to sit on the sill and stare up at the sky as thoughts ran through his mind. "I never thought that I could be a father to pups that aren't mine but..." he glanced over his shoulder, "maybe I can." He smiled at them before turning his eyes back to the star-filled sky as a gentle breeze billowed his hair slightly around his face. A content sigh escaped his lips as he rested his head against the side of the window as he let sleep overtake him.

When the morning came it brought sunshine into the window making it land on the face of the sleeping Ciena, "hmm...too early," she murmured as she turned over. When she did felt the softness of the fur beneath her which seemed to bring her out of her somewhat drowsy state, "huh how did I..." she stopped short when she glanced towards the window and found a sleeping hanyou sitting there. She was somewhat surprised that he had watched over her all night as she slept, knowing this made her think, "maybe he really is trying to make it up to me." She stood up and made her way over to the sleeping hanyou to brush a stray piece of hair away from his face before turning to her pups. They were both still peacefully sleeping so she decided to slip into the hotsprings to soak for a little bit. She removed her kimono before slipping into the hot water, "ah this feels so good and it's just what I needed...it's so relaxing." She allowed herself to sink into the water as she rested her head on the side of the hotsprings. As she sat there she listened intently, keeping her senses alert to her pups just in the other room.

In the other room Inuyasha began to stir from his slumber and as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes he looked around the room. Upon doing so he noticed that Ciena wasn't in the room but he could still smell her scent close by, "she must be in the hotsprings..." he said to himself. He glanced in the direction of the pups as he focused his senses, listening closely to them as they slept.

In the hotsprings Ciena was enjoying the hot water against her body, "I wish I didn't have to get out of here...it feels so good..." she said to herself. It was then her thoughts began to run through her head, "I really do wonder if I can believe what Inuyasha said. Is he really gonna try and be a father to my pups? Should I truly give him a chance to prove himself?" It was then that her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of one of her pups whining, "guess I should get out so I can feed them." Just as she was about to get out she heard the sound of footsteps, "guess Inuyasha is awake."

Upon hearing one of the pups whining Inuyasha walked over to the beds to see which one it was to see that it was Karliah. He gently placed his hands beneath the female pup's body and gently lifted her up into his arms. He rocked her to soothe her, "there there little one..." he said placing a finger into her tiny hand. When she grabbed a hold of it he smiled at her and was then surprised when she opened her eyes. Until now he hadn't seen her with her eyes open, "well now don't you have unique eyes," he said. Karliah looked up at the hanyou that held her and she twitched her little nose taking in his scent. Inuyasha saw this, "are you trying to figure out who I am?" he asked. Upon hearing him speak to her Karliah grinned at him which made the hanyou chuckle softly.

In the hotsprings Ciena had been watching the interaction between Inuyasha and her tiny daughter having slipped from the water and placed her kimono back onto her body. She was surprised at the gentleness the hanyou now displayed to the tiny pup, "he really is trying..." she murmured as she stepped back into her den. Inuyasha's ears perked up slightly when the sound of footsteps reached them and when he turned his head he saw Ciena standing there looking at him. "Hey Ciena, did you have a nice soak in the hotsprings?" he asked. She smiled, "yeah I did but I thought I should come check on my pups when I heard one of them whining." He nodded to let her know he heard her, "you're really good with her," Ciena commented. He smiled, "it's a lot easier than I thought it would be..." he replied. Ciena nodded, "here...she needs to be fed," she said. Inuyasha gently placed the female pup into her mother's arms before she sat on the end of the bed and began to feed her daughter. Inuyasha stood there for a moment or two before he turned towards the hotsprings, "I'm gonna get a quick soak while you feed them.." he said. She smiled, "ok..." she replied. With that the hanyou stepped out of sight. Her gaze rested there for a moment before turning back to look at her daughter, "maybe there's hope for us yet."

In the hotsprings Inuyasha removed the robe of the firerat before stepping into the water. As he sank into the water he felt his body relax as he rested his head on the side of the hotsprings. He had to admit that he hadn't truly been able to relax for the longest time but now he knew he could. He found that he was actually happy now with the way things were even though he knew there might still be times where things won't good but he wanted to move forward with his life. "*Sigh* Kikyo...thank you for giving the guidance I needed, I will always love you," he whispered.

In her den she was feeding Tova, "there you go little man I bet you're hungry.." she said as she allowed him to suckle. As she held him in her arms she smiled, "you really do look like your father...you're gonna be just like him." She still thought about Tonda everyday and sometimes she still felt the pain in her heart because he wasn't there with her but she knew that he was always gonna be with her. She couldn't help but clutch onto the ring that she wore on the necklace that also held Tonda's fang, it was the only way she still felt close to Tonda. As she finished feeding Tova she rocked him back and forth gently before placing him back into his little bed. At the same time Inuyasha came out of the hotsprings and was looking at her, "she really is a beautiful she-wolf..." he said to himself as he found himself admiring her. He also found himself thinking over some things before he walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, "*gasp* Inuyasha..." she glanced over her shoulder at him as he brought his face to rest on her shoulder, "have I ever told you how beautiful I think you are?" he asked. Hearing him being this way with her made a blush cover cheeks, "Inu..." she breathed. He could tell by her voice that she was blushing which made him smirk, "you are...and I never realized how lucky I am," he turned her to face him, "to have you by my side.." he took hold of her hands the way Koga did with Kagome. In that moment Ciena felt the same way she did when she first fell in love with Tonda.

In the alpha's den Koga and Kagome were just getting up, "hmm...too early.." Koga mumbled as he stretched his stiff body before getting up and going to the trunk to retrieve his armor. Kagome sat up just in time to see Koga clad in his armor and furs, "off to do morning patrol?" she asked as she got out of bed. "Yeah..." he replied. "Alright dear just be careful out there," she said before capturing his lips in a tender kiss which he returned. "I'll see you when I get back," Koga purred as he pressed his lips to hers once more. "I love you," she said. "I love you too," with that Koga walked from his den while Kagome fed Cholena. As he made his way to the entrance he met up with Ginta and Hakkaku, "morning Koga," Hakkaku greeted. "Morning you two," Koga replied. "You ready for the morning patrol?" Ginta asked. "Always..." Koga answered the three hunters leapt from the entrance of the den to do patrol.

Back in their den Inuyasha was allowing himself to be the way he was when he and Kikyo had confessed their feelings, being completely open. Ciena hadn't really seen this side of Inuyasha since she had met him, he had been sweet with her but never like this. She had to admit that she was enjoying this, "Ciena there's something I want to ask you." "Ok..." she said. "Well...I was wondering if you wanted to go somewhere with me this evening?" he asked. To say she was surprised was an understatement, she hadn't expected this kind of interaction with Inuyasha. She smiled, "of course I would," she replied. Inuyasha smiled at her before wrapping his arms around her small frame, "you have made me very happy." Ciena's cheeks flame and became warm at the feeling of Inuyasha's arms around her. Her thoughts race wildly in her head, "what's this I'm feeling? Why is my heart racing in my chest? Why am I suddenly feeling a way I haven't felt in a long time?" Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her son whimpering but as she goes to see about him Inuyasha stopped her, "no Ciena...you rest I can take care of him." Too surprised to protest she sits on her bed and watches the hanyou pick up hers and Tonda's son, "hey there little one...there's no need to cry.." he says as he picks up the small pup and rocks him gently. Ciena found herself smiling at the scene in front of her, "he really is trying to make up for what he did." Eventhough she was happy by this action she still felt a pang in her heart that it wasn't Tonda here with her and their pups. Inuyasha was unaware of Ciena's silence as he settled down the restless pup, "there you go Tova," he murmured. He smiled down at the now sleeping pup before turning to look at Ciena only to notice her somewhat sad expression, "Ciena?" Hearing his voice gains her attention, "yes." Inuyasha knelt down in front of her only to notice some unshed tears welled up in her lavender eyes. His face softened at seeing her this way, normally he would say something but this time he merely sits next to Ciena and wrapped his arms around her. Ciena had been holding strong since the incident a couple of days before and now feeling a way she hadn't felt since Tonda died she finally allowed her walls to fall as well as her tears. Inuyasha understood that she had been holding in all her emotions and needed to let them out so he just held her and let her cry. Inuyasha was being patient with Ciena knowing full well this was her completely grieving over the loss of Tonda and him not being here to raise his pups. He remained silent to let her get all her emotions out so she can get past it and be able to move forward the way he was trying to do. He rubbed soothing circles on her back and nuzzled her in only the way a mate could...he was being so tender, so affectionate and allowing himself to completely love Ciena. Ciena clutched onto the hanyou's kimono as she cried, burying her face in it and inhaling Inuyasha's scent. As she did so she found herself calming down and her tears stop falling. She stayed where she was, just holding onto Inuyasha as if he were her lifeline. Inuyasha stayed where he was as he continued to hold her in his arms, being the comfort that she needed. After a few moments of resting her forehead against his chest she raised her head up to lock her gaze with his and in that instant Ciena felt something deep within her as she placed a gentle hand on Inuyasha's cheek before pressing her lips to his. This action caught the hanyou completely off guard but responded by returning the kiss, "whoa what's going on? She's kissing me...she hasn't done that since before the pups were born. So why now? Why is she now giving me this affection?" he thought to himself as he returned the kiss. She then let go of the kiss for an instant to look into his golden gaze to gage his reaction to her kiss. She saw that he looked somewhat surprised and hadn't said anything. She remained silent for a moment or two before she tried to say anything. Inuyasha looked down at the woman in his arms as he was trying to find his words, "Ciena...what..." the hanyou mentally slapped himself as he stumbled over his words. Ciena had to be patient, she knew she had surprised Inuyasha with her kiss. Inuyasha knew he had to say something for fear if he didn't then she would completely turn away from him again. He looked at her for several moments as he took a breath and let it out slowly, "Ciena...why did you kiss me? You haven't done that since before the pups arrived." She was silent for a moment before speaking, "I know but..." she bit her lip nervously, "it's just that...I guess it's like how you were before you came back to the den. I guess I never truly grieved for Tonda...I mean he was stolen from me and I guess at the time I couldn't truly grasp onto the fact that Tonda was gone. While I was pregnant with the pups I held onto that feeling that I felt the night Tonda was killed by Ayame and after I had them I guess it dawned on me that this was truly real. I have the pups but not him, not Tonda and he'll never get to see them grow up or be able to teach the skills that they'll need later on." Inuyasha's face softened, "I know but he will always be with you in your heart and he'll be watching over you and them." She looked at him and she knew he was right and as she embraced him warmly she found herself truly being able to smile for the first time in along time.

At the entrance of the den there was some excitement as the guard wolves let loose a howl which drew Kagome there to have a look. When she scanned the area she spotted two figures approaching but she knew who it was, "Kate! Sambu!" she called out happily. It was then that Fawn came running up beside Kagome with both Shippo and Amber on her back as Mina approached with Cholena in her arms, "it is good that they have returned safely..." Mina said. Kagome looked at her mom, "yes it is..." Kagome replied.

As the couple reached the entrance they embraced Kagome warmly, "I'm so happy to see that you two have returned safely." "We're happy to see you too my Lady," Sambu replied slightly bowing his head. Kate smiled as Kagome spoke, "how was your trip?" she asked. "It was a very nice trip..." Kate said, "come by the fire and we'll tell you all about it." With that they made their way over to the fire to sit and talk, "so tell me everything..." Kagome said. Kate was the one who started off, "well our walk to the snow leopard den was nice, we never came across anything between here and there. Then when we got to their den we were greeted by the leader of the snow leopards, Lady Elisif, High Queen to the snow leopard clan. She's a very beautiful snow leoard and very kind, she allowed us to come into the clan's den so that we could see his sister and nephew." Kagome listened intently as the pair spoke, "so Sambu how is your sister and nephew doing?" she asked. Sambu smiled as he spoke, "they're doing well my sister had really missed me and she was really happy to see me. But there was a bit of a boulder to climb over because my nephew was still angry with me." "What do you mean?" Mina asked. "Well Sharaba, that's his name, anyway his father died when he was young so I kinda stepped in to help raise him. I was there for him to help him learn the skills he would need. But when I joined the army I didn't get to spend as much time with him like I could before and he felt like he had lost me just like he had lost his dad. Then when I showed up at the clan's den he didn't know how to feel but this beautiful wolf here," he motioned to Kate as he continued, "she got him to open up and get out all the feelings he had been keeping locked up inside. Even my sister couldn't get him to open up like Kate had." "Wow Kate...how did you manage to do that?" Shippo asked. "Well I told her about how it was for me to raise my daughters when their father died and that Amber had gone through something similar to what he had. Feeling wise anyway..." Kate replied. "Anyway we repaired our relationship on this visit and I also suggested that they should come here to meet you and Lord Koga. If that is alright I mean..." Sambu said. Kagome smiled at him, "of course it is Sambu afterall they are your family and you are a part of this pack." Sambu smiled, "my Lady you are very kind." "It's true you are and I know Koga would agree with me when I say that we would welcome them with open arms into the pack if they wished to join us," Kagome said. "I don't know about that but when they come for a visit I will be sure to let them know what you said," Sambu replied. A few minutes later Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku returned from the morning patrol with three deer slung over their shoulders.

Later on that morning the pack was sitting around eating their breakfast of deer meat and as they ate Koga noticed that two members of the pack weren't in the main den with the rest of the pack, "hey where are Inuyasha and Ciena?" he asked. It was Kagome who answered, "I haven't seen them all morning...I'm not sure why they decided to stay in their den this morning." At this moment Ginta spoke, "perhaps they're too occupied..." he said as he and Hakkaku snickered to themselves. Both Kira and Autumn gave the pair a look that said they knew what they were implying, "now where would you two get such an idea?" Autumn said. "Come on what else would they be doing?" Hakkaku added as he and his brother both fell over with laughter. Koga would normally join in on their jokes but he didn't this time especially after what happened between them a couple days ago. He had grown tired of their childish jokes, "knock it off you two!" he snapped gaining the pairs attention along with the attention of their mates. Both Ginta and Hakkaku looked at Koga with surprised looks on their faces, "hey what gives?" Ginta asked. "Yeah usually you join in on the fun..." Hakkaku said. "Yeah usually I do but not this time and if you two had any kind of memory you would remember what happened the other day. What Inuyasha did to Ciena and her pups," Koga growled. Upon hearing his words Ginta and Hakkaku shrunk back with looks of shame on their faces. The females that were sitting around them were surprised by the way Koga was acting. Kagome looked at her mate before looking at the brothers, "I know you guys didn't mean any harm but I don't think that it was wise to joke like that." They looked down, "yeah I guess you're right sister.." Ginta said as Hakkaku nodded in agreement. Koga refused to look at anyone as he stood up and walked away from the group, "wonder where he's going?" Kira said. "My guess is he's either going to his den or talk to Inuyasha," Autumn replied. Kagome watched as her mate disappeared from sight, "I guess he wants to be alone for a bit..." she said to herself as she went back to eating her food.

Koga made his way to the den he shared with Kagome and as he walked down the hall he walked past Ciena's den. When he went to walk past the door he noticed something out the corner of his eye, it was Inuyasha holding Ciena in his arms, "well seems he's trying to make up for what he did to her." But then he noticed the smile on Ciena's face, "she hasn't smiled like that since my brother died," was his only thought as he continued onward towards his den.

Far from the wolf den high in the mountains lay another cave but this one wasn't so welcoming. It was home to a group powerful creatures called the Birds of Paradise and they had an old score to settle with the leader of the wolf pack, Koga. The new leader of these Birds was one called Mahgda, she alone was responsible for getting what remained of their kind away from their old nest sight in the eastern land. They now resided in the a land they lay just west of the southern land, south west land it was called by villagers that lived near it. Anyway these birds had almost been wiped out long ago but a few of the females and their young had managed to escape the slaughter in order to rebuild their colony and raise theirs numbers once more. It hadn't been an easy feat but now they were several hundred strong and capable of taking anything that stood in their way. As Mahgda sat upon her perch, she looked out over their land as she contemplated her move to take revenge on the wolf tribe, "oh Koga you will pay for what you have done to us and our kind...I shall drink every drop of your blood," she brooded. She was brought out of her thoughts by the voice of her general, "my Queen..." he said. She glanced over her shoulder at him as she spokke, "what is it Hawkeye? Can't you see I'm brooding..." she said."My apologies my Queen but I came to inform you that your daughter is here to see you," Hawkeye said. "Oh...well then let her approach..." Mahgda replied. Hawkeye bowed his head as he stepped aside in order for the young female harpy to speak with her mother, "hello mother.." she greeted. "Ah my daughter, the Little Sparrow...why have you come to me?" she asked as she stood from her place. Little Sparrow looked at her mother, "I am ready for my first hunt," she proclaimed. Mahgda cocked an eyebrow at her daughter, "oh is that so? Well then where do you plan on looking for your prey?" she asked. Little Sparrow thought for a moment before answering, "well I was thinking that I could fly towards that human village and collect a couple of humans." Mahgda was silent for a moment before speaking, "well as much as I love devouring humans from that pathetic village I grow tired of them." Little Sparrow looked down slightly before locking her gaze with her mother's, "well what do you suggest I look for?" she asked. "Well when I was young my parents would often bring me some very delectable prey..." she said, licking her lips. "And what prey was that mother?" Little Sparrow asked curiously. "Well we lived in a very different place then but I still remember the taste of wolf on my tongue," Mahgda replied. Little Sparrow cocked her head to the side, "wolf?" "Yes wolf...when I was young we lived in the eastern lands and we would feast upon the wolf tribe that resided there. Pathetic dogs, they would never see us coming. Our kind would swoop down on them unsuspectedly and pluck one of those wolves off their feet and devour every bite of them," Mahgda explained. Little Sparrow could see the look in her mother's eye and she judged from her words that there was more to this story. Little Sparrow remained silent for a moment as her mother continued, "but then it happened...a battle with the eastern wolves and it would've been an easy battle if it wasn't for the ones that were helping those wolves against us," Mahgda growled. "What do you mean mother?" Little Sparrow asked. "Those eastern wolves had recuited a monk, a demonslayer, a priestess and a white-haired half-demon to fight against us. They wiped out many of our soldiers so the rest of us had to flee to this place," Mahgda said. Little Sparrow didn't how to respond to what her mother had just told her as she let everything sink into her mind. She looked at her mother as she spoke, "mother...there is more to this isn't it?" she asked. Mahgda was silent for a moment or two before answering her daughter, "yes there is more and you will learn...in time." Her response was somewhat cryptic but Little Sparrow just nodded her head to let her mother know that she had heard her.

Back at the wolf den, completely unaware that Koga had just walked by Inuyasha looked down at the she-wolf in his arms and silently wondered to himself where he could take Ciena to so they could enjoy a nice evening together, like he use to do with Kikyo. He thought for the longest time and then it hit him, "that's it..." he looked at Ciena, "how about we go for a moonlit swim?" he asked. She looked up at him, "are you serious?" she asked. "Yes I am...so what do you say?" he asked. She thought about it for a moment or two before answering, "alright but I'll need someone to watch my pups." "That's fine," Inuyasha said. Ciena let go of Inuyasha, "I'll be right back..." she walked out the den leaving the hanyou with the pups. When she made her way to the main den expecting to see her family sitting there, "there they are..." she said making her way over to them, "hey there..." she greeted. Hearing her voice gained the attention, "hey it's Ciena..." Kira said. "Hello sister..." Autumn greeted. Kagome smiled at seeing the she-wolf, "hey Ciena..." she greeted. "Hey Kagome can I ask you for a favor?" Ciena asked. "Sure sis what is it?" Kagome replied as Ciena sat next to her. "Well Inuyasha wants to take me for a moonlit swim this evening and I was wondering if you and Koga would look after my pups while I'm out." "Of course we will, I love looking after those little darlings," Kagome cooed. Hearing this made Ciena smile, "I'm so glad that I have my family that I can count on." "Of course you do Ciena," Autumn said. "We'll always be here for you because we love you," Kira added as Ginta and Hakkaku nodded in agreement. It was then that Ciena noticed that someone wasn't among them, "hey where's Koga?" she asked. "He went to our den for a bit I think," Kagome replied. "Is he feeling ok?" Ciena asked. "I'm not sure what's going on with him this morning," Autumn answered. "Yeah he got all worked up when Ginta and Hakkaku implied that you and Inuyasha were 'occupied' and that's why you and him weren't in here with the rest of us," Kira added. Ciena wrinkled her nose and just looked at the brothers, "what?" they said together. Ciena cocked an eyebrow at them, "now you two know me better than that..." she scolded. They ducked their heads slightly, "sorry Ciena..." they said together. She smiled, "thank you..." then she turned to Kagome, "would it be alright if I go talked to Koga?" she asked. "If you think it'll help," she replied. "I'll do my best sister," Ciena replied kissing the top of Kagome's head as she stood up. As she walked away the group watched her and Kagome was especially surprised by the gesture, "hey Autumn can I ask you something?" "If it's what I'm thinking then to answer your question, Ciena's gesture just then was a sign of respect. She's from the northern tribe and that's one way that particular tribe showed their leaders respect. Being that she's the former leader of the northern tribe it's her way of reaffirming the bond between packs," Autumn explained. Kagome let everything her sister-in-law said before she spoke, "I feel very previliged that she respects me that much." Autumn smiled, "you have earned the respect of all the wolf packs sister and we all feel very fortunate that you're our alpha female." After their little talk they went back to their meal before getting on with their day.

In the den he shared with Kagome, Koga had been sitting by the window deep in thought, "Tonda...you don't know how much I wish you were still here with me little brother..." he wiped a stray tear away with his thumb. He became distracted when a scent reached his nose and he didn't have to turn his head to know who it was, "hey Ciena." "Hey Koga...is it ok if I come in for a minute?" she asked. "Sure.." he replied as he turned to face her, "so what's up?" he asked. "I think that's the question I should be asking you brother..." she said. He looked down slightly, "Kagome and the others told me that you seem a bit off and I wanted to see if you were ok.." Ciena replied. He gave her a half-smile, "I appreciate it..." was his only response. She stood opposite Koga at the window, "it's about Tonda...isn't it?" she slight gasp that escaped his lips told her it was, "do you wanna talk about it?" she asked. Koga was silent for a moment or two before speaking, "it's just that...there's still a part of me that can't get past what happened months ago, not to mention what Inuyasha did to you too the other day." Ciena knew that it was a part of whatever was bothering Koga, "yeah I thought as much but you have to understand that he really is trying to make up for what he did. We talked about everything...that's why we won't at breakfast this morning. Actually we talked a lot last night too and he helped me understand...why he had acted the way he did when I had the pups." This caught Koga's attention, "what do you mean?" he asked. Ciena fiddle with her fingers nervously, "well um...do you want the long version or the short one?" she asked. Koga thought for a moment, "well I guess to fully understand tell me everything.." he answered. "Ok well he told me that he had done a lot of thinking while he had been away from the den. He finally realized that he hadn't truly been able to grieve for Kikyo and because he hadn't it was preventing him from moving forward with me and the pups. He couldn't move forward when his heart hadn't healed from losing the love of his life." Koga let everything that Ciena had said sink in before he responded, "I guess that makes sense..." he said. Ciena let Koga think about her words for a bit, "he helped me understand that maybe I hadn't truly grieved for Tonda. I mean at the time we were going to war with the leopards and we had to focus on preparing for it. But after talking to Inuyasha I feel better somehow and it's like...I got a piece back that I didn't know was missing. I know Tonda will always be with us and being watching over us no matter what but now when I think of him I can smile because I remember everything we shared together, you know all the good times. And in a way, I'll always have a piece of him with me because not only do I still have his fang but I have our pups too." Koga looked at Ciena and noticed that she had a glow about her that she hadn't had in a long time, "you know something Ciena...I've noticed that since yesterday you seem happier...I haven't seen you like that since before Tonda died." Ciena smiled, "you're right about that Koga...I am happy...and I also feel like in a way Tonda is too, because me and our pups are healthy and thriving." Koga smiled, "you're right about that I know he's beaming that they are doing so well with their mother. I guess the other thing you said is true...I haven't truly been able to grieve for my little brother...I thought I had but maybe I didn't because I was so focused on the war. How do I get past the hurt I still feel? All I can think about is how I was there with him when he was fighting Ayame and he wouldn't let me help him. I just stood there like a moron and let my little brother get killed...right in front of me..." he said as tears began to stream down his face and he crumpled to the floor. Ciena knelt down and wrapped her arms around him and allowed him to bury his face into her chest, "it's alright Koga..." she soothed as she ran her hands through his ponytail. Normally the alpha male wouldn't allow any other female but his mate comfort him this way. But Ciena is his sister-in-law and very dear to his little brother Tonda so he allowed her to do this, just this once. He let every tear he felt deep within fall from his heart so that it could finally be able to heal. After several moments of shedding tears Koga was able to stop them, he pulled back from Ciena to wipe the remaining ones off his cheeks, "how do feel now?" she asked. Koga took a moment and realized that he somehow felt free of all the emotions he had bottled up ever since his little brother had died, "I...I feel better...thank you Ciena..." he said as he embraced her. "I'm glad I was able to help and I know that Kagome will be too," she said. This caught his attention, "Kagome?" "Yeah after she told me what happened I asked if it was alright if I came to talk to you," Ciena answered. Koga couldn't help but smile, "she's always looking out for me isn't she?" he asked. Ciena smiled, "we all are..." she replied as she stood up but not before placing a kiss on the top of Koga's head. This gesture caught Koga by surprise but he said nothing as he knew what the gesture meant, "thank you Ciena...you really did help me feel better.." he said as he stood up. She smiled, "you're welcome...oh by the way I asked Kagome about you two looking after my pups this evening." "Oh yeah?" he asked. "Yeah Inuyasha wants to take me out this evening and when I asked Kagome about watching the pups she was excited about it," she replied. "I love spending time with my niece and nephew...they will be well looked after sister.." he said. With that Ciena turned to leave but not before speaking once more, "you know something...I know Tonda is proud of his big brother for not only taking care of his pack but looking after the pups he left behind." Koga smiled as she disappeared from sight leaving Koga alone in the den once more but he found himself smiling at the thought of Tonda, "you know something little brother, that's one hell of a mate you've got there. I promise to look after her and your son and daughter and teach them just as you would have." With that Koga made his way back to the main den where he knew his mate and family was waiting for him.

Now back in her den Ciena found Inuyasha leaning against the window as he often did but upon hearing her return he looked in her direction, "there's my girl..." he cooed. This caught Ciena by surprise but she was pleased that Inuyasha was allowing himself to truly love her. "So you talked to Kagome?" he asked. "Yes she and Koga are gonna watch my little ones for me while you and I are out this evening," she answered. Inuyasha smiled, "that's good I know they're glad that they can spend time with their niece and nephew," he replied as he embraced her. As he did though a scent wafted to his nose, "huh...why does she smell like salt...and wolf?" he said to himself. He looked down at her, "Ciena...how come you smell like salt? And Koga?" he asked. She looked up at him, "when I went to talk to both Kagome and Koga about watching the pups this evening I went to the main den and only Kagome was there. We got to talking and she told me that Koga wasn't acting like himself so I asked if it was ok if I tried to talk to him." "And she was ok with it?" he asked. "Of course...you already know that I was with Tonda so that makes me their sister-in-law. Anyway I went to talk to Koga to see what was bothering him and he was still upset about what happened to Tonda. He still felt so much guilt over what happened to Tonda plus he was upset about what you had done." "Me?" Inuyasha said. "But I told him that you had changed and that you were trying to make up for what you had done. I also told him that you help me realize that I hadn't truly been able to grieve for Tonda like you hadn't for Kikyo. I helped him see that he hadn't truly grieved Tonda either." "So you helped him and when he cried you held him?" the hanyou asked. "Yes I did...I tried to bring him comfort just like he had done for me when Tonda died," she let everything she had said sink in before he merely nodded in understanding, Ciena hugged him once more before hopping into the hotsprings to relax for a bit before looking after her pups.

Back in the main den Kate and Sambu had finished eating and were a little ways away from the rest of the pack, "thank you for coming with me Kate, to see my sister and nephew. I'm not sure if I could've gotten through to him the way you did." Kate smiled at her mate, "baby you don't have to thank me...I'm your mate and that's what a mate does, they take care of family." Sambu nuzzled against her cheek and let a small purr eminate from his throat, Kate couldn't help but giggle as his whiskers tickled the side of her face. Silence pass between them for an instant before Kate spoke again, "Sambu...have you ever wanted to have cubs of your own?" This question caught the leopard completely off guard because they hadn't talked about this before now, "well...I had thought about it a long time ago that maybe one day I'd have cubs of my own but all of that is past me now." Hearing this made Kate turn to face him fully, "so you mean you haven't thought about that anymore...since the war you mean or has it been longer than that?" she asked. "Well it was way before the war that I had thought about settling down and starting a family but I never did find the right female to share my life with," Sambu said. Kate nuzzled against his chest, "until you met me..." she purred. Sambu felt his cheeks get warm at this gesture but he continued, "yes until I met you...even so I just...I don't know if I still do or not. I mean I know we have Amber to raise together but..." Kate knew what he was gonna say, "but there's still that part of you that wants to continue your bloodline?" she asked. He looked at her, "yeah..." was his only response. "Then why don't we?" she said. Sambu's eyes widened slightly, "you mean...you really want to have little ones with me? Even though I'm a leopard?" "Of course I do my love, I want us to have a family...to raise our own little wolf-leopards," Kate replied. Sambu wrapped his arms around her small frame and held her close to him, he was so happy that the woman he loved most in the world wanted to have his cubs. He pulled back enough to look into her almond eyes before pressing his lips to hers in a tender kiss but it gave way to one that was more heated. He let go of the kiss to see the look of desire in Kate's eyes and in one swift motion he picked her up in his arms and made his way to their den to be alone.

Once they reached their den Sambu carried her over to their bed and lay her down before removing his armor as she did the same. Now only wearing their furs they lay on the bed and began kissing once more and as it became more heated they panted slightly. Sambu slipped his hand to the tie that held her fur dress on and untied it before lifting it up off her body and tossing it aside. Now laying in only her underwraps that covered her breasts and intimate area Kate blushed slightly but she wanted this, she wanted to share every part of herself with her leopard. Sambu's keen eyes traced every inch of her body before leaning down and capturing her lips in another heated kiss. Kate had seen Sambu without his armor before but she still loved the sight of his fur-covered body but even though he was covered in his beautiful leopard fur she could still make out his chizzled abs. Sambu knew he had to be careful so as not to scratch Kate with his claws, "you're so beautiful my love..." he breathed into her ear which caused shivers to go down her spine. Kate let her hand roam over Sambu's furry body before reaching for the piece of leather that held his fur skirt on. She managed to untie it and slip it from his hips and toss it aside while he removed her wrap she wore around her breasts. Once they were bare before him he began to run his tongue over the sensitive skin before planting his mouth on it and suckling on it while his free hand fondled the other. Kate arched her back slightly at feeling his tender caresses and her body reacted to such a sensation. Sambu could smell the change in her scent and knew that she desired him. Sambu couldn't hold back any longer and neither could Kate as they removed the rest of their clothes and began to make passionate love to one another. It had been a long time for Kate since she had been with a male but she felt more connected with Sambu than she had Amber and Ayame's father. Sambu felt this beautiful woman beneath him and he let a purr erupt from his throat as he continued to thrust into her. Kate wrapped her legs around Sambu's furry waist to hold him there, "*pant* Sambu..." she panted. Sambu purred in her ear as he let his tongue trace circles on her neck at the juncture where her shoulder and neck met. With three hard thrusts Sambu came deep within her, "Sambu..." Kate moaned out. Sambu knew it was now or never, they may have married but she bared no mark so now it was time to do it. Sambu licked the spot where the mark would be before sinking in his fangs into the juncture of her right shoulder. Kate noticed the bite but made no sound nor did she react to the pain. She merely raised her head and moved to Sambu's right shoulder to do the same, to give him her mark. After marking each other they licked the blood away from the wound as Sambu disconnected from Kate and lay next to her. Kate rested her head on his furry chest and listened to the sound of his racing heart against her ear. They rested for a moment or two before either of them spoke, "Sambu can I ask you something?" Sambu glanced down at the she-wolf in his arms, "sure baby what is it?" "With us being two different animals will we each get the other's traits from having the blood in our systems from marking one another?" Kate asked. Sambu thought for a moment before he gave his mate an answer, "well I do know that when Raja and Ayame marked one another he didn't gain anything from her but she did gain a bit of the leopard traits. So it's possible you might gain a trait or two from me too." Kate thought about what she had just been told, "so will I get fur on my body like yours but shorter or is it any way to tell what I'll gain?" she asked. Sambu raised up slightly to look at Kate, "I wish I could give you an answer my pet but I can't. The traits gained from interspecies tribes marking can be entirely random so there's no way to tell." Kate raised up to look at her leopard, "I guess you do have a point but I can't help being curious." He smiled, "I know my love.." he said as he caressed her cheek lovingly. Kate smiled but as she went to lay her head back on Sambu's chest she began to feel strange, almost dizzy and she wasn't sure what was going on, "Sambu?" she said, her voice laced with worry. Hearing her voice sound so shaky he was on full alert, he sat up and placed his arm at her back to support her as she sat up on the bed. "What's happening to me?" she asked as she clutched at the mark on her neck."I don't know but it's going to be alright Kate, I'm right here with you.." Sambu said. In an instant Kate's body became surrounded with a blinding light and she floated into the air. Sambu could do nothing but look on as his beloved transformed, having been changed when his blood entered her system. Kate remained suspended above the bed for several moments as the light slowly began to fade. When she came back down onto the bed Sambu looked her over with his golden gaze, to study her new features carefully. He took note of the slight change in her body, where she once had slightly tanned skin...now she wore a light covering of fur that was much shorter than his but still bore a light pattern of leopard print. Her hands which once sported the claws that all members of the wolf tribe had...were now slightly curved like a cat's claws and colored black. Sambu didn't know whether or not her eyes had changed, he wouldn't know that until she woke up. He covered her with the fur cover before getting redressed and sitting by her bed while she slept.

Back in the main den Koga had returned to the little group where his beloved mate, Kagome was sitting with his sister, best friends, son and tiny daughter with their bonded wolf. When they noticed Koga approaching they noticed that he was smiling, "hey Koga," Hakkaku greeted. "You seem to be in better spirits than you were earlier," Ginta added. "I am..." he replied sitting next to his mate who was holding their daughter. "Wow whatever Ciena said must've really helped you," Autumn said. He smiled, "she really did...she helped me realize that I hadn't truly grieved for Tonda because my mind was focused on dealing with Ayame and the war with the leopards." "Wow that's pretty deep brother..." Autumn said, having picked up the saying from Kagome. "Yes it is..." Koga said. Kagome smiled, "you seem so much happier now Koga." He turned to Kagome, "I am my love.." he said kissing her temple and nuzzling her affectionately. It was then that Shippo spoke, "I'm glad that Ciena was able to help you dad." It was then that Cholena made sound as if to say, 'look at me.' Koga looked at his little daughter, "aww you want daddy to pick you up?" he asked. She looked at him and smiled, "aw she's such a daddy's girl.." Kagome said. She placed Cholena into Koga's arms so he could hold her, "come here babygirl," he said holding her close. Everyone seemed to note that Koga seemed more like himself than he had been and they were glad.

Back in her den Ciena bathed and redressed her pups in clean undergarments, "there you go Karliah you're nice and clean now..." she placed her little daughter on the soft fur that she kept on the floor by their beds. Then she turned her attention to her son, "come here Tova...now it's your turn to get nice and clean like your sister..." she said. She bathed and redressed her son before placing him next to his sister on the soft fur. Inuyasha looked at them as they squirmed, he approached slowly to have a look at them having sat off to the side while Ciena bathed them. Ciena noticed the curious look on the hanyou's face which caused her to giggle, "what's so funny?" he asked cocking his head slightly. She paused in her giggles as she spoke, "it's just the curious look you have on your face is so cute." Inuyasha had to wrinkle his nose slightly at the comment, "cute?" he said. Ciena couldn't help but giggle at Inuyasha with the way he was acting now, she was sure if he had a tail he'd have it curled around himself. After she stopped giggling she spoke, "you know you can come close to them when I'm bathing them and all." He was silent for a moment, "I know and I know I've looked after them when you were in the hotsprings before but I guess I'm still just getting use to it," he replied. She nodded her head in understanding, "yeah it's a big change but we'll get into a rythym and you'll get more use to it but I am glad that you are trying more than you were when they were born." Inuyasha looked down slightly before locking his gaze with hers, "I know I have a lot to make up for but I'm willing to work at it," he said taking hold of her hands in the same fashion Koga did with Kagome. She smiled as she placed a kiss on his cheek leaving the hanyou's cheeks slightly reddened. She smiled at him the way she had once smiled at Tonda and it was then that she pressed her lips to his in a tender kiss which he returned. When they let go of the kiss both wore a blush but before they could continue Tova began to whimper. Inuyasha smiled as Ciena turned her attention to her son, "aww what's the matter Tova? Are you hungry?" she asked as she parted her kimono slightly, exposing her breasts to her pup so he could nurse. Inuyasha turned away which caused Ciena to look at him curiously but put her thoughts aside for now so she could feed her son and daughter. Once Tova had nursed she placed him back on the fur while she fed Karliah, "there you go babygirl..." she murmured. Inuyasha stole a glance over his shoulder at her briefly before looking away, "what's come over me? Why don't I want to look away from her?" he said to himself. When she finished feeding her daughter she spoke, "alright little ones time to put you two down for your nap." At hearing this Inuyasha spoke, "here I'll get Tova..." he said. She smiled, "thanks Inu..." she replied. The pair put both pups in their little beds that Koga had made for them, "rest well my little ones...mommy loves you," she placed a kiss on their foreheads, "and your father Tonda loves you too..." she thought to herself. She then turned to Inuyasha, "now...where were we?" she asked, her voice laced with something Inuyasha hadn't heard from her, "what's with her? I've never heard her this way before..." He was brought out of his thoughts when she placed her hand in his and led him over to the bed to sit. For a moment Inuyasha was unsure of what to do but as he went to speak Ciena pressed her lips to his in a tender kiss but the hanyou could tell there was more to it. "What's going on with her?" he said to himself. This was a new experience for him the only woman he had ever been with in this way was his Kikyo...he rememdered that night so vividly.

*Flashback*

Inuyasha sat beneath the tree he loved to sit under watching the sunset but he wasn't alone. He had Kikyo in his arms and she had her head resting on his chest as she sat in his lap. He had never been happier than he was right now and it was because of the woman he had with him, Kikyo. "Inuyasha..." upon hearing her voice he glanced down at her, "yes..." "Have you ever thought about...children?" she asked. This question caught him completely off guard, "what?"She looked up at him, "I'm serious...have you ever thought about it?" she asked him. He thought for a moment or two before he spoke, "no not really because before you I had never found anyone that I wanted to share my life with and being what I am...I didn't want my children to go through the same things I did." Kikyo nodded in understanding, "well I can understand that..." she said as she was ready to let the matter go but then Inuyasha caught her by surprise, "but after being with you I find myself wanting to start a family...to pass on my legacy." Kikyo looked up at her hanyou, "do you really mean it? Do you really want to start a family with me?" she asked. He smiled at her with more love than she had ever seen, "yes my jewel...more than anything..." he replied as he pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Inuyasha held her close to him as he pressed his body against hers and she responded to him by doing the same. They lay back on the grass beneath the tree and made passionate love to one another and afterwards they cuddled together as they panted for every breath they took.

*End of Flashback*

It was then that Inuyasha jolted out of his daydream and pulled back slightly which caused Ciena to look at him curiously, "Inuyasha? Is something wrong?" she asked. He shook his head no, "no nothing's wrong darling it's just that perhaps we can pick up where we left off later..." he took hold of her hand and kissed her knuckles, "when I take you out this evening..." he replied. She looked down slightly before looking back at her hanyou's golden gaze, "alright dear..." she said. He kissed her forehead before embracing her, "don't worry it'll be worth the wait..." he said. She glanced up at him before burying her face in his chest however in her head she felt some doubt but she would keep it to herself.

Later on that day the pack were carrying on with their normal routine, Koga and some of the other males were down on the practice grounds sparring while Kagome and some of the other females took care of their dens, cleaning and airing out the bedding while their pups rested or were being looked after in the nursery. Mina was sitting outside in the fresh air with Cholena in her lap and Shippo on their bonded wolf's back watching the other pups play. Mina looked at her grandson, "why don't you play with the other pups Shippo?" she asked. He looked at her before looking back out at the pups, "I would but they play too roughly for me," he answered. It was then that Amber came over towards them, "hey Shippo." At seeing the female wolf pup Shippo's blushed slightly, "hey Amber.." he greeted. "Do you want to come play with me?" she asked. Shippo was unsure at first as he looked at Mina, "go on grandson it's alright if you go play," she encouraged. He then turned to the little she-wolf who was patiently awaiting his answer, "ok I'll play." "Yay!" she exclaimed as she held out her hand to him. He gently placed his hand in hers as they walked off together. Mina watched them walk away, "they're so cute together..." she said to herself as she glanced down at her granddaughter, "I wonder if they'll be together when they're of age?" She turned her gaze back to the pups as she had the duty of looking after them today along with a few of the other females.

Back in their den Sambu was still watching over Kate, it had been about an hour or so that she had been sleeping, "please my love...stay with me..." Sambu whispered as he held to her hand. Sometimes when two different animal youkai share blood it can be difficult especially if one is stronger than the other. He knew she was a strong she-wolf but he just hoped that she was strong enough to withstand the changes that came with sharing his blood with her. He sat vigilant over his mate, he would caress her face and kiss her knuckles to let her know he was there with her and that he loved her more than anything. A few moments after that Kate began to wake up, "hmm...my head," she said as she raised her clawed hand to her head. Sambu remained silent to allow her to adjust to her new form and senses. She slowly sat up so as not to get dizzy after a few moments she opened her eyes to see Sambu sitting at her bedside, "Sambu..." she said. He smiled at her, "I'm right here Kate..." he said kissing her knuckles. She smiled at him but then she noticed her hands, "my claws are so long now..." she looked at her arms and body, "and I'm covered with very short fur..." she slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed to plant her feet firmly on the floor. She looked down at her legs and feet, "I'm completely covered in short leopard fur..." she murmured. As she stood up she steadied herself before trying to take a few steps. Sambu watched as his beloved tested out her new body and senses, she crept around for a bit before she felt a twitch behind her, "huh?" When she turned her head she noticed that she had spouted a tail similar to Koga's but it was a completely different color, "I have a tail..." she said. Sambu merely smiled at her, "so it appears." She looked at it for a moment or two before she noticed tiny splotches on it similar to the pattern Sambu had on his fur but instead of it being the golden color his fur was, the fur on her tail was rose blonde with small flecks of golden in it. Sambu was mesmerized by her new look, "what do you think?" he asked her. She looked at herself in the reflective stone she had for a mirror, "I don't even look like myself..." she said. He gave her a sympathetic look as he walked over and held her in his arms, "you still look beautiful to me mate..." he said as he looked into her eyes. When he did he noted that they too held small flecks of gold in them. "What will Amber think of me? How will we explain this to her?" she asked. He placed his paw-like hand on her cheek, "it's gonna be alright my love...she will understand," he replied as he placed a kiss on her forehead. Kate closed her eyes when she felt Sambu's furry lips on her light furry forehead, "I'm so lucky to have this leopard by my side that loves me for me..." she said to herself. When he pulled back to look down at her she pressed her lips to his in a tender kiss that told him how much she loved him. After letting go of the kiss she locked her gaze with his, "I love you my sweet leopard..." she said. "I love you too my sweet she-ra..." he replied. Hearing this caught her off guard, "she-ra?" she asked. He smiled, "I forget you don't know the terms of the clan...it's an endearment...it means, princess." She smiled at him before embracing him and nuzzling him lovingly.

Back in their den Ciena was in there alone while Inuyasha went out for a bit but promised to be back a little later. She was deep in thought as she lay on the bed resting, "why did he act that way earlier? Does he not want me that way? Or is he just waiting for the right time for us to have that kind of interaction? I don't know...I'm so full of questions but I have no answers."She was laying on her back staring up at the ceiling blankly as she fought back tears. Her pups were sleeping peacefully so she decided to soak in the hotsprings for a bit to try and relax her restless mind.

Inuyasha had decided to go for a run before they left going out for the evening but all the while his mind was elsewhere, "*frustrated sigh* why does my mind keep going back to that night?" he said to himself. When Ciena had kissed him the way she did he went back to a sweet memory of him and his beloved sharing a romantic night together. They were only together once but to him it felt like yesterday. He paused to stop in a tree for a moment or two to catch his breath before heading back to the den to spend time with Ciena. "Well time to head back to the den..." he said to himself as he ran back towards the wolf den.

It was evening and back in the main den Koga and Kagome were still sitting with their friends and close family members, "so Koga..." the alpha looked at one of his seconds, "are you and sister gonna have anymore pups?" he asked. Koga looked down at his sleeping daughter as he spoke, "well we haven't talked about it but that's Kagome's call...but I'd be open to it if she did." Kagome rested her head on her mate's shoulder, "I am too but for now I'm happy with having our daughter and Shippo to raise but who knows." Koga kissed her temple before placing Cholena in his mate's arms so she could be fed. "I'll take her to the den to feed her then put her to bed for the night," Kagome said. "Ok I'll be in, in a bit...after patrol.." Koga replied. "Alright dear," she said giving him a quick kiss and walking back to their den to feed their daughter with Fawn and Shippo following right behind her. Their mates Autumn and Kira went to their dens to see to their pups before turning in for the night. With that Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku left the den to do an evening patrol before they went to their dens for the night.

When Inuyasha arrived back at the den he saw Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku go out on patrol, "hey Koga..." he called. Hearing his voice caught his attention, "pup? What are you doing out here?" he asked. "Oh just went for a run...came back to take Ciena out for the evening," Inuyasha replied. "Well...alright...you two be careful..." Koga said. "We will..." "And you better bring her back here safe and in one piece because if she's not then I'm coming for you," Koga warned. The hanyou looked at the alpha wolf, "alright Koga..." he answered. Koga gave one more hard look at the hanyou before turned to the seconds, "let's go..." he said as he leapt from the den with the two following behind him. Inuyasha watched them for an instant before walking into the den and heading straight for the den he shared with Ciena.

Ciena was sitting on the windowsill looking out and watching as the sun got lower in the sky, "so peaceful..." she murmured. A sad sigh pass through her lips, "*sad sigh* if only..." her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps and a scent reaching her nose, "hey Inu..." she said looking over her shoulder at him. He looked at her and noticed that something seemed to be bothering her, "Ciena...are you ok?" he asked. She looked down for a moment before meeting his golden gaze, "yeah...I'm ok..." she lied. Inuyasha looked at her for a moment but said nothing, "are you ready for our evening?" he asked. At hearing this she perked up a bit, "yeah I'm eager to see where we're going..." she said. He smiled, "well let's go then.." he said. Inuyasha came over to take hold of Ciena's hand and led her outside and heading towards the entrance of the den. As they were walking out the trio got back from patrol, "have a nice evening you two..." Ginta said. "You two don't have worry about any danger, the area is completely clear," Hakkaku added. Koga remained silent for several moments, "even though we didn't see anything you still need to be vigilant," he said. "Don't worry brother, we will..." Ciena replied. Inuyasha merely nodded as they began to walk towards the crystal cave. The three wolves made their way into the den and headed towards the ones they shared with their mates and children to turn in for the night.

Now alone Inuyasha led Ciena up to the crystal cavern where Koga and Kagome, along with other couples had been married. It was a special place for the tribe, it was a place where bonds were made and sealed for all time. Once the pair was standing inside the crystal cave Ciena's eyes were looking around at the beauty it held, "this place is the most beautiful place in the world..." she murmured. Inuyasha looked at her as she continued, "this is such a special place for our kind...it's where..." She paused for a moment as her hand subconsciously went to the necklace she always wore that held the fang of her beloved Tonda and the ring he had given her. "It's where couples come to bind as one, to share their love with their tribe and to show they are ready to become a mated pair...to be life partners. To swear themselves to the one they love most in this world and promise to always stand together as one. This is where I was..." She stopped and looked at Inuyasha and noticed the look on his face, she knew it was still hard for Inuyasha to hear her talk about Tonda even though they were together. He knew that Tonda would always be a part of her life because she had his pups. But that's not what bothered him...he couldn't help but feel a bit jealous that Tonda still had so much hold of Ciena's heart when he was the one that was with her now after Tonda had died. Ciena knew she had to choose her words well so as not to upset her hanyou, "even though it would've been wonderful to be married in this cave...I'm not sure that's what I want anymore." Hearing this caught Inuyasha's attention, "you mean you don't want to be married?" he asked. She shook her head no, "that's not what I meant...I want to be married someday but I just don't know if I want to be married in this beautiful place anymore." Inuyasha looked down slighly as he spoke, "but isn't a tradition for each couple to be married in here?" he asked. "Yes, it is wolf tribe tradition but I just...don't know if I want to do that now,"she answered, "it has a different meaning for us wolves and I just don't think that you have the same feeling about this place that my kind does." He nodded his head to let her know he had heard her, "let me ask you something Ciena..." "Ok..." she said. "Where would you want to get married?" he asked. She was caught off guard a bit by the question but in truth she didn't know and she couldn't really give her hanyou an answer right now, "I wish I could give you an answer but right now I've got my pups so I don't know." Inuyasha approached her and embraced her, "I know it would be bittersweet for you but just know that no matter what I'm always gonna be here to protect you...you'll never be alone ever again." Her eyes quivered slightly as she fought back tears, "thank you..." she whispered as she buried her face in Inuyasha's chest. Inuyasha held her close to him to let her know he wasn't going anywhere and that he was gonna stay by her side always. When she looked into his golden gaze she saw a look she hadn't seen before, "does he? Does he desire me?" she thought to herself. He leaned down slightly to press his lips to hers in a tender kiss but this time it was different, it held something more. Ciena was unsure if she wanted to share that part of herself with Inuyasha because she had only ever had that bond with Tonda. In her heart she still had love for Tonda and still felt as though she belonged to him even though he was gone. She paused the kiss for a moment as she spoke, "Inuyasha are you sure?" she asked him. He caressed her cheek, "of course I am...Ciena I love you and I want to be with you always," he said as he pressed his lips to hers once more. Ciena couldn't help but melt in his arms as she returned the kiss and it quickly gave way to ones that were more heated and passionate. Inuyasha picked her up into his arms and brought them away from the entrance of the cave to lay her down on the floor. They lay there for a moment or two just kissing and caressing each other before it became more heated. Inuyasha slid one side of Ciena's kimono to the side to expose one of her breasts as he began to tease it with his tongue, making small circles around her nipple. Feeling this caused Ciena to whimper slightly which made the hanyou smirk against her sensitive skin. He then brought his free hand up to slide the other side of her kimono down so both breasts were exposed. Bringing his hand up to cup her other breast before rolling the nipple gently between his fingers, "*gasp* Inu..." she whimpered. He continued by switching places with his hand to plant his lips on her other breast while his hand fondled the one he had previously been sucking on. After teasing her breasts he removed his robe of the firerat shirt then the under shirt to leave his chest completely bare. He then moved his hands to the obi that held on Ciena's kimono to untie it and also untying the blue cover she wore over top of it. Once he had removed her kimono he tossed it aside leaving her in only her underwraps. She watched as he removed his pants leaving him bare before her and she removed her underwraps leaving her body completely bare. Now with nothing stopping them from continuing their intimante moment, Inuyasha dove down and began kissing Ciena once more as he positioned himself at her entrance. Ciena readied herself as Inuyasha slowly entered her already moist cavern which caused her to whimper so he remained still to allow to her to adjust to him before he continued. Once she had adjusted he began thrusting into her while Ciena continued to kiss Inuyasha. As he kept moving in and out of her he moved his lips from hers to her shoulder to place a few kisses there and then on her neck. They could feel the passion building between them and Ciena could feel the tingling sensation in her body as could Inuyasha. Inuyasha knew that he hadn't marked Ciena and she still bore Tonda's mark. He couldn't hold back anymore as he began to thrust into Ciena more passionately than before, "*pant* Inu...*pant* Inu..." she panted out. With several hard thrusts Inuyasha released his seed deep within her body and she came right behind him and moaning as she did so. They lay there for several minutes riding the waves of estacy together before Inuyasha disconnected from Ciena and lay next to her. Both panted for every breath they took but Ciena also felt a pang of guilt for sharing herself with Inuyasha because she still felt as though she were Tonda's mate. As she slowly sat up she looked at the hanyou as he slipped into slumber. She gather her kimono and undergarments, got redressed and made her way to her den to check on her pups and go to bed leaving Inuyasha alone in the cavern.

When she reached her den she looked in on her twins to see that they were still sleeping peacefully and then hopping into the hotsprings. "Get a quick soak then off to bed..." she told herself. She washed the dirt and scent of their love making from her body, "don't need anyone to know what we did..." she said to herself. As she finished bathing she got out, shook herself dry and redressed in her baby yellow kimono and baby blue wrap before making her way over to her bed of furs to lay down and get some sleep. She clutched the fang and ring on her necklace, "oh Tonda..." she whispered as tears formed in her eyes. She buried her face in the fur cover and cried herself to sleep.

Back in the crystal cavern Inuyasha was just waking up, he moved his arm as if to wrap it around Ciena only to find that she wasn't there. He then became very much alert as he looked around the cave but saw no trace of her, "Ciena?" he called. He then gathered his clothes and got redressed, "now where could she have gone? Better question why did she leave me alone in here?" he said to himself. He made his way down the path that led to the entrance of the den and walked in, heading straight for the den he shared with Ciena only to find her sleeping peacefully snuggled beneath the covers. He looked at her then turned to the pups and saw they too were sleeping peacefully, "guess she wanted to check on them before she went to bed.." he said to himself. After the little nap he got back in the crystal cave he wasn't really sleepy now so he decided to sit on the windowsill and look out at the stars for a bit. As he sat there a breeze blew in and billowed his hair around his face, it wasn't often that he'd have these kinds of moments to himself when he and his friends were battling Naraku but after his defeat things were peaceful now and he could enjoy the quiet moments like he was now. He had much on his mind and he couldn't think straight but he knew he had to figure it out. He thought back to the night that he and Ciena had just spent together and the night he spent with his beloved long ago. He had thought about it a lot when he had travelled before the war with the leopards and those thoughts kept him going for the longest time but now things were he had Ciena to share a life with but it still felt like something was holding them back from being completely together. He knew part of it was because the pups kept reminding Ciena of her mate Tonda and part of it was because he still held onto the memory of his beloved Kikyo. There was always something about that night that always stood out to him, "I wonder...did she ever..." his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of one of the pups crying. He got off the window sill and walked over to their little beds to see it was Karliah, "hey Karliah..." he whispered as he placed his hand in her bed, allowing her to grab onto his finger. The feeling of his finger in her tiny hand seemed to calm her which made Inuyasha smile, "that's right little one...you're not alone, I'm right here..." he whispered. After a moment or two her grip lessened meaning she had fallen asleep so Inuyasha slowly pulled his hand back and turned his attention back to Ciena who had shifted under the cover when Karliah had got to crying. He noticed the cover had slipped from her shoulders so he made his way over to her side and pulled the cover back over her, "there you go my sweet Ciena..." he murmured which surprised him. After covering her back up he sat on the bed next to her and when he did she mumbled in her sleep but he couldn't make out what it was, even with his hanyou hearing. He merely leaned against the wall and half dozed sitting next to Ciena while she slept peacefully.

Ciena's Dream:

In Ciena's dream she saw what could've been...she saw her and Tonda frolicing in the flower field just as they had done after the celebration of Koga and Kagome's wedding. Then she saw them being married in the crystal cavern, joining together as one in front of the wolf tribe and sealing their bond forever. Then she saw her telling Tonda that she was pregnant and then herself with her big belly where their pups were safely nestled. She saw Tonda loving on it, giving it kisses and rubbing his hand over it, caressing it. Then she saw her giving birth to their pups with Tonda right by her side holding her hand and encouraging her as she brought their little ones into the world. The next thing she saw was very bittersweet, she saw Tonda holding both Karliah and Tova in his arms.

Then the dream changed it became dark and she was alone and she could hear Tonda calling out for her, to come save him. As she ran towards him she found that she couldn't move and she was forced to listen to him call out but she couldn't get to him. "Tonda!...Tonda!..." Then she heard his howl and all she could do was call out for him, "Tonda!...Tonda!"

End of Dream:

She jolted out of her slumber with tears streaming down her face as the dream had felt so real to her, "Tonda..." she sobbed as she buried her face in her pillow and cried. The scent of salt filled the air around her which meant it reached the sleeping hanyou's nose which stirred him from his slumber, "hmm..." he opened his eyes as the sound of her sobs reached his ears. He looked next to him to find her with her face in her pillow and crying, "poor thing...she must've had a nightmare..." he said. He lay down next to her and wrapped his arms around her trying to comfort her. Unknowingly she murmured, "Tonda..." hearing this made Inuyasha stiffen slightly but he quickly relaxed as he just continued to hold her in his embrace. He rubbed soothing circles on her back until her sobbing subsided and she was sleeping once more. He looked at her sympathetically wishing he could rid her of her nightmares but not knowing what to do for her. He pressed his lips to her temple before settling down in the fur covers and falling asleep next to the ginger-haired she-wolf.

The early morning found Inuyasha already awake having sat next to Ciena all night as she slept, he was feeling quite restless, "ugh...what am I gonna do? I've got all this restless energy and nothing to do with it..." he said himself. He rested his head against the wall for an instant before one of the pups began to whine, "duty calls..." he said to himself. He looked down to see Tova was awake and whimpering but as he went to pick him up he caught a scent, "*phew* someone needs to be changed..." he told the pup. He brought the pup over next to the hotsprings where Ciena had set up and small place to change and clean her pups. Inuyasha removed the little covering the pup wore and tossed it before he grabbed a rag, wet it with the water from the hotsprings and cleaned the pup up. "There you go all cleaned up..." he was interrupted by a spray of water, "huh? Uh hey..." he exclaimed. Tova was giggling at what he had just done as Inuyasha wrinkled his nose in disgust, "*grr* did you really have to do that?" he asked Tova. The pup merely giggled and hearing it the hanyou couldn't help but chuckle, "oh well I was gonna hop in the hotsprings anyway..." he said as he redressed the pup in a clean wrap. With the pup in his arms he smiled down at him, "you know you're defiantly Koga's nephew...you little rascal..." he murmured as he nuzzled the pup affectionately. What he was unaware of was that upon him reacting to Tova's deadly acurate aim Ciena had woken and had seen the entire interaction between the hanyou and her son. She had giggled when she heard Tova giggling at what he had done to Inuyasha but she smiled when he had nuzzled her son so sweetly. Unaware he was being watched Inuyasha spoke to Tova, "you know something else...I may not have known Tonda but I bet you one thing...you're gonna make your father proud of you one day. I imagine your mother sees him everytime she looks at you." Tova was grabbing for Inuyasha's finger as he continued, "I just hope that I can make you proud to have me as your stepfather...because...deep down I know I'll never be the wolf your father was. I know your gonna grow up and be a strong warrior someday..." he said walking over and placing Tova back into his little bed for now. The hanyou smiled down at Tova, "you just rest now I'm sure your mother will be awake soon to feed you." With that Inuyasha checked on Karliah who was still peacefully sleeping but upon turning around he found Ciena looking at him. A blush covered his cheeks, "um...how long have you been awake?" he asked. "Oh long enough to see what Tova did," she said as she burst into couldn't hide his embarrassment as his blush darkened slightly, "there's no need to be embarrassed Inu it happens..." she said once she had stopped giggling. "Yeah well...I'm gonna hop in the hotsprings so you can feed them..." he said as he disappeared from sight. Ciena just shook her head at the hanyou before she walked over to her son and picked him up, "com'ere Tova...time for your feeding.." she said sitting on the bed. She moved one hand to her kimono to part it just enough to allow her son to suckle. Ciena had to admit that she kinda enjoyed this time with her pups because this is the closest she could be to her pups since before she had'em.

In the hotsprings Inuyasha was soaking his body in the relaxing hot water, "man this feels so good..." he said to himself before moving to the middle of the hotsprings and completely dunking himself beneath the water for a moment so he could wash his hair and ears. When he came back up he resisted the urge to shake off as he washed the dirt and scent from his hair, then his ears. He normally didn't like for his ears to get wet but after Tova's acurate aim hitting him in the head he had no choice. As he cleaned himself a memory came to his mind and became as vivid as it was that day.

Flashback:

It was a beautiful evening but it was a little on the warm side and Inuyasha was spending time with Kikyo, "how are you feeling Kikyo?" he asked her. "I'm feeling alright..." she glanced down at herself, "I no longer have any sickness," she said. He smiled down at her, "that's good...and your belly is so cute..." he cooed as he got down in front of her. She smiled at him, "I'm just only starting to show..." she replied. Inuyasha parted her kimono to expose her bare belly that was slightly bulging, "that may be but I still think it's cute," he said as he nuzzled it affectionately. She knew how he felt as she already loved the baby she carried, "my tummy isn't the only thing that's cute...so are you, especially with your affectionate gestures you're doing now.." she replied as she placed a hand on his head. He placed a gentle kiss on her tummy before raising up and planting his lips on hers, with his hand still on her stomach. When they let go of the kiss he spoke, "come on let's go for a swim..." he said. Kikyo looked at him curiously, "are you sure Inuyasha...I thought you didn't like to swim?" she asked. "I'm sure besides...it's better for you to cool off, especially in your condition," he replied. She smiled, "alright Inu..." she said, standing up and removing her priestess kimono, leaving on only her undergarments. Inuyasha did the same thing before taking hold of her hand and leading her towards the water. As they stepped into the water Inuyasha wrapped an arm around Kikyo's waist to keep her balanced, "so beautiful..." Kikyo breathed as she looked at the setting sun. "Yeah...beautiful..." Inuyasha sighed. Kikyo looked to see him looking at her and with a blush on her cheeks, she pressed her lips to his as he returned it.

End of Flashback:

It was then that Inuyasha was jolted out of his thoughts and his heart began racing, "*pant pant* why would that come to me now? I haven't thought about that in years...it wouldn't matter anyway...Naraku killed her before she could..." Inuyasha shook his head violently as he tried to rid his mind of those thoughts. He got out of the water, shook himself dry and then pulled on his robe of the firerat before walking back into the den he shared with Ciena. When he walked in he saw her feeding Karliah, "there you go little one," she said to her pup before nuzzling her tenderly. Inuyasha could see the strong bond Ciena had with her pups and he couldn't help but think of the memories that had returned to him while in the hotsprings, "I wonder..." he said to himself. It was then that Ciena noticed him standing there watching her, she just smiled at him before looking at her daughter, "time for you to go to the pups room so I can take care of a few things.." she said kissing her daughter's forehead. The hanyou made his way over to Ciena's side, "you're so good with them..." he said. She smiled, "well I can definently say that I've finally got them into a routine so it's easier to take care of them." He nodded his head to let her know he heard her, "come on I'll help you take them to the pup room," he said walking over and picking up Tova. The pair walked out of the den and made their way to the main den to sit with the rest of the pack for breakfast, which of Koga and his two seconds had aquired on that morning's patrol.

Upon entering they found their little group sitting together against the side wall, "I'm telling you it was the funniest thing..." Kagaome was cut off when she noticed Ciena and Inuyasha approaching, "hey Ciena...Inuyasha.." she greeted. "Hey sister...Autumn...Kira..." she greeted the females. "Inuyasha...I'm surprised to see that you've taken on your responsibility finally. How's that working out for ya," Koga said. Inuyasha knew Koga was just teasing him which had come far from the days where the wolf leader would talk down to the hanyou every chance he got. "It's actually going alright..." Inuyasha sat among the males, "it's a lot easier than I thought it would be...I mean after I got my head straight that is.." he said. Koga bit back a laugh as he turned his attention to Tova, "how's my nephew this morning?" he asked as Inuyasha placed the pup in his uncle's arms. Tova looked up into Koga's bright sky-colored orbs as he grabbed a hold of his finger. "He really does look like Tonda, especially right now...looks just like him..the only difference is the hair," Koga said looking down at his nephew lovingly. "You still really miss your little brother?" the hanyou asked. Koga looked at the 'pup' as he called him, "yeah I do...I think about him all the time but I know a piece of him is still here." With the females Kagome was speaking, "Karliah gets more precious everyday..." she cooed. Ciena had allowed the alpha female to hold the tiny pup while she ate. "I know she does but I can't help but wonder what type of wolf she'll grow into," Ciena said between bites. Autumn was the one to speak this time, "she'll grow up strong and confident just like her mother.." she said. Ciena smiled as Kira chimed in, "yeah she's right you know...she'll be just like you when she gets grown." "I'm sure she will," Ciena said, "and I'm sure that little Cholena over there will grow up to be strong like both her parents." They glanced over at Shippo as he held his little sister who was talking to her and Fawn, their bonded wolf. Then a thought struck Ciena, "do you think they'll ask about their father?" she asked. There was silence for a moment or two before Autumn spoke, "I'm sure they will and as their mother, it's your duty to tell them about Tonda when they're old enough to understand," she said placing a comforting hand on the female's shoulder. "She's right and with all of us helping you and telling stories about Tonda, it'll still feel like he's here with us," Kagome added. Ciena knew her sisters were right, "thanks you guys...I love you." "We love you too Ciena," Kira said nuzzling against Ciena's shoulder.

Somewhere out in the forest a young female warrior was sitting alone in the cave by a fire, "*frustrated sigh* where am I suppose to look now? There's no way I can find him..." she said to herself as she put her face in her hands. "I've got to find my father...I've just got to..." she said to herself.

High up in the mountains what remained of the birds of paradise were in their cave, the Queen of the birds was sitting upon her throne looking out the window, "those wolves will pay for what they did to us..." she growled. Her mind raced with several thoughts but was distracted when her daughter came into the room, "mother..." she said. Mahgda turned to look at her daughter, "ah there you are daughter...it's time for you to go on your first hunt." "Really mother?" she asked. "But of course...do you remember what I said?" Mahgda asked. "Yes I remember..." Little Sparrow said as she flew from the cave. Now outside of her cave home Little Sparrow soared through the air silently as she scanned the landscape below her, "the landscape is so pretty..." she said to herself. It was then that a sound reached her ears, "*hoooowwwwllll*!" "Huh what's that?" she said to herself. She looked down and noticed a village below her, "oh it's just a human village...mother said she didn't want any humans." Little Sparrow was feeling frustrated because she couldn't find what her mother had told her about, "where could they be?" Her mind was so focused on her thoughts she hadn't noticed how far she had flown, "hmm where am I?" she said. What she was unaware of was that she had glided farther than she had ever gone and was now in the eastern lands and she was also getting closer to the wolf den.

Down below the lost little harpy a few of the wolves that the tribe put on guard caught scent of the young harpy and began to growl before letting loose a howl. Hearing this drew the attention of the entire pack, "what's that?" Kagome asked. It was Koga who answered, "I know that scent..." he turned to Inuyasha, "here take Tova and stay with the females." He turned to Kagome and his seconds, "come with me." "Right behind you," Kagome said placing Karliah back into her mother's arms as she followed behind her mate. When they got to the entrance of the den they saw what had the wolves on high alert, "no...no it can't be...we killed all of those birds," Koga said. "Are we really seeing what we're seeing?" Ginta asked. "Looks like it to me..." Hakkaku answered. The wolf warriors were completely dumbfounded at the sight before them, "there shouldn't be anymore of those harpys left, I mean Inuyasha and your friends destroyed them all," Koga said looking at his mate. "I thought we had but maybe we destroyed their warriors and the females escaped after that," Kagome answered. Ginta folded his arms over his chest, "huh...sister has a point there...it's just like with the leopards." They couldn't debate it anymore right now as they had to decide what they were going to do about the one currently flying over their den. Koga looked at his two seconds, "you two try to get it's attention so I can get close enough to stubdue it." "You got it," Hakkaku said as he and his brother leapt from the den. Koga then turned to Kagome, "if this goes south I want you to use your arrows and purify it," he said kindly. "Ok Koga..." she replied kissing him briefly. "Alright let's go..." Koga said as he, Kagome and a couple of others followed after the brothers.

Completely unaware that anything was going on outside Sambu had remained in the den with his mate Kate as she adjusted to her new form. Sambu was being very patient with her, showing her what powers the leopard blood had given her, "close your eyes and focus your senses..." he gently instructed. She did as he asked her and closed her eyes to focus her senses, "alright Kate...now focus on your hearing and become in tuned with it and then your sense of smell.." Sambu said. As she focused her hearing she caught the sound of something outside and then a scent reached her nose which made her eyes snap open, "we gotta go..." she said as she bolted for the entrance with Sambu on her heels, somewhat surprised. When she reached the den she looked out, "what's going on?" she asked a nearby guard. He looked at her and didn't take notice to her new appearance at the moment, "the alphas and their seconds have gone out after a harpy.." he stated. Upon hearing this Kate's head shot him a surprised look, "what?" she asked. "It's true there was a young female harpy flying over the den," said the female from behind her. Kate pondered for a moment before springing from the den leaving Sambu standing there with several other wolves. Kate ran towards where she could hear the others, "which way are they?" she said to herself. Then she remembered, "right focus my senses..." she said. It in a second she caught the scent and sprinted towards it and was in eye view of the harpy and the alpha pair. She couldn't believe what she was seeing but she couldn't stand around now she had to react, "hey harpy...over here!" she called out. Upon hearing another voice the group of four looked in her direction, "Kate?" Kagome said. Koga looked at her and noticed her new form, "yeah it's Kate but it seems she and Sambu have marked one another." Kagome looked to see her mate was right and the scent also told her so, "look at her...she's got a light covering of fur on her body..." she said. Koga merely nodded then turned to his seconds, "take advantage..." he instructed. As they did what Koga asked they watched Kate intently. Kate locked eyes with the young female as she spoke, "what are you doing here in these lands?" she demanded. The young harpy, clearly not understanding what was happening, looked in the direction the voice was coming from,"I have flown far from my cave and became lost...I don't know where I am..." she answered innocently. Kate knew that part was at least true, "well you're not welcome in these lands..." she growled. The four wolf demons that were in the brush were surprised at Kate's actions, they had never known her to be this way. Koga however understood, he knew her mate had been killed in the battle with the harpys. "Who are you?" the young harpy asked. "I'm called Kate..." she answered. "I'm called Little Sparrow..." she replied. At hearing that name Koga tensed up and Kagome took notice, "I take it you know who she is?" she asked her husband. "More than that...I know who her mother is too..." he turned to Little Sparrow, "your mother is called Mahgda isn't she?" he bellowed. Little Sparrow landed on the ground, "you know my mother?" she asked. "I do and I also know what she did..." he growled as his eyes flashed red for an instant. Kagome looked at Ginta and Hakkaku as they spoke, "Mahgda killed Koga's grandfather...he was leader before Koga's father," Ginta explained. "She also killed his grandmother and aunt..." Hakkaku added. Kagome looked at her husband as he began to visibly shake, "Koga..." she said but he didn't respond he was too focused on the young harpy that was sitting on the ground in front of them. "Do you have any idea what your mother has done to us?" he half yelled. Little Sparrow hadn't been born yet so she didn't know any of what had happened, "I only know what mother has told me," she answered.

A short distance away the young female warrior was still in the cave, "ugh why can't I find him? Be so much easier if mom was still here.." she said looking down at the shell that held rouge. Her mother had given her that before she died, she let a frustrated sigh pass through her lips before tucking it back into her kimono shirt. She remember everything she had been told about her father and she had asked around but no one knew where he was. "Where do I go now?" she said to herself. She was brought out of her thoughts when the sound of a howl reached her ears. "Huh?" she came to the entrance and looked up at the sky, "whoa...what the..." she was surprised to see the strange creature flying above her, "what the hell is that? Only one way to find out." She grabbed her weapons and leapt from the cave in order to follow the creature she had seen. The creature turned out to be the young harpy that had gotten lost and by the time she caught up with it, she saw that it had landed and wolf demons were around her. The young female stayed back to see what was going to happen next. She couldn't help but notice that one male was standing there glaring at the harpy, "hmm wonder what he's gonna do.." she said to herself.

Koga couldn't stop shaking as he felt the anger and rage of knowing what her kind had done to theirs, "your mother murdered my kind, taking my grandparents and aunt with them. Your kind are nothing but monsters...and you should be dwelt with," he said calling for his goraishi. The group of wolves that had followed Koga outside were surprised at this action because they hadn't seen Koga use that weapon since the war with the leopards. Both Ginta and Hakkaku became a little wary of Koga, "man I'm glad we're on this side of that weapon and not the side the harpy is on," Ginta said. "Yeah no doubt..." Hakkaku added. Kagome knew how Koga was when it came to family members but she knew she had to step in a little bit this time, "Koga..." she said placing a hand on her husband's shoulder. He sideglanced at her, "stay out of the way Kagome this harpy needs to pay for what her kind has done to ours." Kagome then moved in front of her mate, "Koga can't you see that she's too young to have had anything to do with what happened back then.." she reasoned. Koga turned his gaze back to the harpy that was sitting in front of him before glancing back at his mate. With a deep sigh he called back the goraishi and took a relaxed stance, Kagome smiled as she then turned to young harpy, "you said your name is Little Sparrow right?" she asked. "Yes..." Little Sparrow answered. "What has your mother told you about us?" she asked. "Not much...she just told me that our kind use to live in these lands before some hanyou and his friends drove us away from here," the young harpy replied. "Well part of that is true, your kind did live in these lands before you were driven out but I'm willing to bet she didn't tell you everything," Kagome said. "What do you mean?" Little Sparrow asked. "I mean that your mother has kept what really happened away from you so you wouldn't see her in a bad light," Kagome replied. Little Sparrow tilted her head slightly, "I don't understand..." she said. Koga then moved closer to Little Sparrow as he spoke, "what she means is that your mother and grandparents destoryed many of my kind...she killed many members of the packs. My grandparents, my aunt..." he turned to Ginta and Hakkaku, "their father..." he turned Kate, "her husband and father to her two daughters." He then turned towards the den, "there are several members in that den that lost mates...pups...parents...so you have no idea how much all of my kind have suffered because of yours," Koga explained. Little Sparrow stood there in silence for the longest time before she spoke, "I had no idea...mother never told me about any of that, the only thing she told me was that her parents use to bring wolves to the den but I didn't know any of that. I knew there was a battle but I didn't know it was that bad..." she said. Koga and the others stood there just looking at the young harpy before anyone spoke, "so what do you think now knowing all that?" Ginta asked. Little Sparrow looked down slightly before she spoke, "I had no idea that it was that bad..." she said with tears in her eyes. This reaction shocked the wolves standing in the clearing, "wow I never thought she'd react that way..." Ginta said. "Me either.." Hakkaku added as he turned to look at Kate, "what do you think?" Kate looked at the young harpy, "I can't blame her for what her mother did...she wasn't even born yet." She then turned to Koga, "Koga..." she said. He glanced at her then looked back Little Sparrow somewhat defeated, "I...I can't do harm to her just because of what her mother and grandparents did." Little Sparrow had a sad look on her face as she approached the wolf leader. The eyes were trained on the harpy as she approached then what she did next shocked all the wolves standing around Koga. She knelt before the wolf leader and took his hand in hers and placed her forehead to his knuckles, "Koga...I know that there is nothing I can say that will make up for what my kind done to yours but I just want to apologize for what happened." To say Koga was surprised was an understatement, he was shocked beyond words but he knew he had to say something. Koga looked down at the harpy as he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before he spoke,"it is true what you said, that nothing you can say will undo what has been done. But...the fact that you are here, knelt before me...knowing full well what could've happened to you when you came onto these lands. Instead of trying to fight us like your kind have done in the past, you offer to me an apology for what your kind has done." Little Sparrow was afraid to look up into the eyes of the wolf leader, "I know that you have a great hatred for my kind and I would completely understand if you want to punish me for coming back to these lands." Koga was surprised that this harpy was letting herself be at his mercy, "arise Little Sparrow..." she stood before Koga to look him square in the eye.

At the edge of the clearing the female warrior had been watching the entire time, "huh wonder why they haven't done anything to her yet?" she said to herself. She was about to leave when she heard the bushes rustling behind her, "what's that?" she wondered. She soon got her answer when a screech came from above as another bird of paradise dove down aiming right at Koga.

The wolves became very alert upon hearing this sound and Koga turned to the young harpy, "you brought another with you!" he growled. Little Sparrow looked at Koga, "no I didn't bring anyone else with me...my mother must've sent them..." she said trying to reason with the wolf leader. "Up there!" Kate called. All eyes turned towards the sound and saw an adult harpy swooping down upon them. Kagome focused her bow at the bird, "I'm taking a shot..." she called. Koga called forth the goraishi and was ready to leap towards the bird when another arrow was fired, "who shot that arrow?" Koga asked as he turned to his mate, "Kagome?" "It wasn't me Koga..." she replied. They looked towards the bushes and saw a female warrior with an arrow knocked on her bow. "Who is that?" Ginta asked. "Your guess is as good as mine," Hakkaku answered. Koga was surprised by this female's appearence as was Kagome but in her head she had a thought in her head, "she looks like..." her thoughts were interrupted by the female's voice, "take that you harpy!" she shouted, "sacred arrow!" The harpy quickly turned his attention from the wolves to her, "wench..." he shouted diving down towards her. "Oh think you can catch me huh...blades of blood..." she shouted. Her attack hit the mark which made the bird of paradise cry out in pain. Little Sparrow remained where she had been as did the wolves as they watched this young warrior battle the bird, "she's a priestess..." she murmured. Kagome was taking note of this young girl's attacks, "not only is she using priestess powers but she's using the same attacks that Inuyasha does." Koga on the other hand was focused on the bird trying to find an opportunity to attack, "gotta make my attack hit the mark." He leapt towards the bird, "keep him busy..." he called to the female. "You got it..." she called back, "hey birdbrain I'd hate to be your kid...you can't even catch a girl..." she laughed darting through the bushes. "*Growl* I'll make you regret those words!" he shouted. "That's good keep him right there," Koga called. "Right..." she replied. "Kagome...you and the girl get ready..." Koga said. "Ready!" they said together. "Over here you harpy...goraishi!" he shouted. The bird stopped to look at the wolf leader, "damn you!" he shouted. "Now!" Koga shouted. "Sacred arrow..." they two said together. The attack from the goraishi and the two sacred arrows hit the bird of paradise at the same time, killing the bird of paradise. Once the bird lay dead the three stood over the body, "wonder why he was here?" the female said. "Do you think he was following Little Sparrow?" Kagome asked. Koga narrowed his eyes slightly, "I don't know..." he then turned to look at Little Sparrow, "tell me something...why would your mother send another bird after you?" he asked. Little Sparrow looked down slightly, "I guess she wanted to make sure I didn't screw up my hunt.." she replied. Ginta and Hakkaku approached their leader, "so what do we do with her?" he asked motioning towards the young harpy. Koga looked at her as he thought about what to do with this young harpy, unsure of what to do he turned to look at Kagome, "Kagome?" he asked. She glanced at her mate then Little Sparrow, "she just an innocent girl...I don't believe she knew the other bird had followed her here." Little Sparrow looked at the alpha female nervously, "so what does that mean for me?" she asked. Kagome was silent as she looked at her mate, "Koga?" Koga looked at Little Sparrow, "you're free to go..." he murmured. Upon hearing this a look of surprise covered her face, "what? You're really gonna let me go?" she asked. Koga merely nodded, "you are very gracious..." Little Sparrow said, "I hope I can repay your kindness one day," she said as she took off and headed back towards the birds of paradise's cave.

The group watched as she disappeared from sight, "that was a very kind thing you did Koga," Kagome said giving her mate a kiss on the cheek. She then turned to the young girl clad in red, "you're a very skilled priestess...where did you learn?" she asked. "My mother was a priestess and I inherited her powers and I also got my youkai powers from my father," she said. "Do you know who your father is?" she asked. "I don't know his name, I only know what he looks like from what my mother told me before she died," she replied. "What is your name?" Koga asked. "My name is Moroha," she replied. "Moroha...that's an unusual name," Ginta said. "Oh yeah what's your name?" Moroha asked. "I'm Ginta..." he turned to his brother, "this is my brother Hakkaku." He turned towards Kate, "this is Kate..." he said. "It's nice to meet you Moroha," Kate said. Moroha sniffed the air, "you're part leopard?" she asked. "Yes I am, my mate is from the leopard clan and his name is Sambu," Kate replied. Ginta then turned to the alpha pair, "these two are our alphas Koga and Kagome.." Ginta said. "Good to meet ya," Moroha replied. "How long have you been out here?" Koga asked. "Since my mother died," she replied. "What was your mother's name?" Kagome asked. Moroha looked down slightly as she spoke, "her name was Kikyo." Kagome's eyes widened considerably, "what? Kikyo? I never even knew she was pregnant," Kagome said. "Yeah I was born over fifty years ago on an island that mother told me she and father lived on," she replied. Kagome was silent for the longest time and Koga took notice, "mate is something wrong?" he asked. "No nothing's wrong," she then turned to Moroha, "would you like to come back to the den for lunch?" Kagome asked. Moroha smiled, "I'd love to," she said."Come on I'm sure the pack would be happy to know who helped bring down a bird of paradise to protect the wolf leader," Koga said. "Sure..." Moroha replied as they walked back to the den together with Ginta, Hakkaku and Kate following right behind them.

Back in the den Inuyasha was still sitting with Ciena, Kira and Autumn, "do you think they're ok?" Kira asked. "I'm sure they're fine besides my brother can handle anything that he comes across," Autumn added. Ciena smiled and looked down at Karliah as she slept in her arms, "plus with Kagome out there too there's nothing to worry about." Inuyasha nodded in agreement before glancing towards the den entrance, "hey there they are..." he said. Ciena, Autumn and Kira looked in the same direction but became curious when they spotted Moroha with them, "hey who's that with Koga and the others?" Ciena asked. They watched as the group approached with Moroha in toe, "hey Koga...who's that you have with you?" Ciena asked. "We met her outside the den just now, she took out a bird of paradise," Koga answered as he sat down with Kagome one side and Moroha on the other. "Whoa wait a minute...a bird of paradise?" Autumn asked. "Yeah there was actually a bird of paradise out there, it followed the young female one that had gotten lost," Kagome said. "Wait...young female one?" Kira asked. "Yeah she was out on a hunt and had gotten lost and while we were talking to her an adult bird appeared out of nowhere and this young lady kept it busy so we could take it down," Kagome explained. "So let me get this straight there was a young bird of paradise and you let her go?" Inuyasha asked. "Yeah we did...she was so young so she had nothing to do with what happened all those years ago, so we let her go," Kate added. Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow at that response but then turned to look at Moroha, "so what's your story?" he asked. Moroha looked at the hanyou but in doing so her eyes widened slightly, "*gasp* he looks just like mother said..." she said to herself. Inuyasha then noticed the look on her face, "what is it?" he asked. "It's just that..." she paused, "it's just that you look..." she stopped. Inuyasha cocked his head to the side, "what about my look?" he asked. Moroha was unsure as to what to say to this hanyou, she was so surprised that this man looked just like her mother had told her before she died. She swallowed before she spoke, "well it's just that my mother...well she told me that my...that my..." Moroha couldn't finish her sentence. Inuyasha wore a confused look on his face as did the other females sitting around them, Koga and the others remained silent as they had been outside and knew what her story was. Ciena looked at Moroha for a moment as she let her thoughts run wild, "she's so young and I can't help but notice that she favors Inuyasha..." she said to herself. Moroha then noticed the tiny pup in Ciena's arms, "aww what an adorable little one..." she said. Ciena smiled, "thank you...this is Karliah and the pup in Inuyasha's arms is Tova." "You had twins?" she asked. "Yeah I did, Karliah looks me and Tova looks like his father Tonda..." Ciena said. Moroha smiled then turned to look at hanyou, "so your name is Inuyasha?" she asked. "Yeah why do you ask?" "It's just that I've heard your name and I was just wondering who you were," Moroha said. Inuyasha looked down slightly before looking back at her, "so Kagome said you have really strong priestess powers." "Yeah I did my mother was a really strong priestess but I also got my youkai powers from my father," she replied. "Do you know who your father is?" Ciena asked. "No I never met him but my mother told me about him, she told me a lot about him actually," Moroha said. "What did she tell you?" Inuyasha asked. Moroha thought a moment before answering his question, "well she told me that he was unusual because he wasn't human but he wasn't youkai either." Inuyasha thought about it for a minute before speaking, "you mean he was a hanyou...like me?" he asked. Moroha nodded as Inuyasha spoke again, "who was your mother?" he asked. The group already knew who it was as they listened closely to Moroha, "my mother was a priestess and her name..." Inuyasha held his breath, "was Kikyo." To say the hanyou was speechless was an understatement he couldn't even think straight. He turned to Koga, "here take Tova..." he said gently before he stood up and walked outside the den. Moroha was left confused as she looked at Kagome, "did I say something wrong?" she asked. Kagome gave her a sympathetic look, "no honey you didn't...it's just that..." Kagome was unsure as to whether or not she should tell her or not. Moroha could tell something was up, "is there something I should know?" she asked. Kagome looked at Koga then at her sisters, "she has the right to know..." Autumn said. Kagome looked down slightly, "Kagome..." she looked up at Ciena, "I understand that you think that maybe you shouldn't say anything but...if she doesn't know then they can't talk about any of this." Kagome knew Ciena was right so she took a breath and let it out slowly, "well...Moroha, Inuyasha knew Kikyo...well it was more than that...they were actually together." Moroha looked at Kagome with a slightly surprise look on her face, "what?" "Yes...they were together..." Kagome answered. Moroha thought about for a moment before anyone around them spoke, "let me ask you something..." Autumn said. "Sure..." Moroha said. "When were you born?" Autumn asked. "I was born over fifty years ago," she answered. The three females had their mouths hung open for a few moments before either of them spoke, "fifty years ago?" Kira said. "How is that possible? You don't look no older than a teenager," Autumn added. "Well I'll take that as a compliment but yeah I'm only a quarter youkai so I age slowly like a full blooded one," Moroha said. There was silence for several moments, "so you really are Kikyo's daughter?" Ciena asked. "Yeah I am..." she was silent for a moment before she spoke again, "so that means that...Inuyasha is my father?" The wolves around her nodded their heads yes, "he looks just like mother said..I knew when I saw him that...he had to be my father," she said with a smile on her lips. Silence passed between the group before either of them spoke, "so...how do you feel knowing that Inuyasha is your father?" Ciena asked. Moroha looked at the ginger-haired she-wolf, "I'm happy that I finally found him but I think...I think I need to talk to him." It was then that Kagome spoke, "maybe you should give him minute before you do...he's got a lot on his mind." "Yeah I was besides the smell of whatever is cooking is making hungry," Moroha said.

Sitting outside the den Inuyasha was deep in thought, "I can't believe it...her mother was Kikyo and I'm her father." Inuyasha had thought so much about him and Kikyo and what all they had shared together. "I know I've thought about that night we shared together and thought back to when she was pregnant but I thought that she had died before she was able to have the baby." The hanyou couldn't help but notice when he had first seen Moroha walk into the den that she looked like his beloved priestess and how she also favored him, "*sigh* what am I going to down now?"

Back in the den the wolves were eating lunch together, "man I didn't know how hungry I really was," Moroha said. Kagome smiled, "eat as much as you desire." Koga then glanced at the young girl, "you know you're pretty strong for a female.." he commented. "Thanks I spend a lot of time training and honing my skills so that I become stronger," Moroha replied. It was then that a voice caught her attention, "you know when I first saw you I couldn't help but notice how much you look like Kikyo and Inuyasha," Shippo said. Moroha glanced at the little kitsune, "oh yeah?" "Yeah I've spent enough time with him and I just couldn't help but make comparisons," Shippo said. Kagome then decided to speak, "I'm with Shippo I noticed that too with your priestess powers and the other attacks you used, I just had a feeling." Moroha nodded but then got serious, "I still wonder what it would be like if mom hadn't died and dad had been there too." Kagome's face softened, "I know that Kikyo would want you to have a relationship with Inuyasha at the very least you should give it a try." Moroha thought about what Kagome had told her, "ok I will...thanks Kagome."

After Ciena finished eating she took her twins to the pups room as she had pup duty along with Mina. At the moment she was sitting at the window and staring out into the distance, "what do I do?" she thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming from behind her, "Ciena are you alright?" Mina asked. Ciena turned to look at the woman she saw as a mother figure, "I guess so..." she murmured. Mina cocked an eyebrow, "hmm you don't sound so sure.." she said. Ciena knew she couldn't hide how she was feeling so she decided to confide in her, "it's just that...I've got so much on my mind." "If you want to talk I'm here to listen," Mina said. "It's just that things with Inuyasha have been a bit strained and now with his daughter being here...I don't know I just...I'm so confused about what to do." Mina sympathize with the ginger-haired she-wolf, "maybe I can help..." she encouraged. Ciena took a breath and let it out slowly before she spoke, "ever since Inuyasha has come back here he's really been trying to make up for what he did wrong. And while I am happy that he's been there for Karliah, Tova and me...I don't know there's still a part of me that feels like I still belong to Tonda. And I feel like being with Inuyasha...I feel like I'm being dishonest to Tonda." Mina was sympathetic as she offered Ciena a seat next to her, "com'ere Ciena.." she said kindly. The she-wolf did as the woman asked, "I understand that you have a lot on your mind right now and it can make you feel confused and sometimes doubt things. I know how much you still love Tonda and I understand your bond with him but I don't believe he would want you stop living your life because he's not here. Being with Inuyasha doesn't mean you're being dishonest to Tonda, it means that you are trying to move forward and trying to find happiness again." Ciena let her words sink in but she still wasn't sure, "that makes sense but...my heart still hurts at the pain of losing him, it's like a piece of me died when he did. But there's more to it than that...I try to get past it but sometimes I feel like I can't. I keep having these dreams showing what could have been but then it turns into a nightmare. I'm being held down, I can't move and all I can hear is Tonda calling out for me to come help him but I can't. I don't know what to do anymore..." Ciena said as a few tears fell from her lavender eyes. Mina felt bad for this she-wolf, even though Ciena was several hundred years older than herself, she still thought of her as another daughter, "have you told anyone about your nightmares?" she asked. Ciena shook her head no, "you're the only one I've told...I haven't talked to anyone else about it." "What about Inuyasha? He is the man you're with now, perhaps you should share this with him, it may help." "Maybe you're right Mina but I don't know, I think it's still hard for him to hear me talk about Tonda. Even though he knows what all I went through and how I still haven't truly been able to get over it, I've seen his reaction when I try to talk about things sometimes.." Ciena explained. Mina was silent for a minute before speaking, "has he ever said anything to you?" she asked. Ciena thought back for a moment, "no not really...he just gets kinda quiet or he'll look away but he still does try to comfort me when I get upset. Even though he does comfort me I still feel like he still gets uncomfortable though." Mina remained silent to let Ciena get everything off her chest, "I also believe that Inuyasha's heart isn't completely in it either." "What makes you say that?" Mina asked. "It's little things but what really make me thinks so is the other night I was putting the pups down for the night and we were sitting on the bed talking but then I...I kissed him, I kissed him in a way that I hadn't before. It was in a way that I had kissed Tonda that night when we made love for the first time. In that moment something came over me and I just...I just kissed him in a way that told him that I wanted him but a few seconds into it he pulls back. He gets quiet for a minute but then he reassures me that we would pick up it back up later." "And did you?" Mina asked. "Yeah he took me up to the crystal cavern and we made love there but...it just felt...different, than it did with Tonda. Somehow I didn't feel the love for Inuyasha that I thought I would...afterwards he fell asleep and the only thing I could think of to do was to get redressed and bathe in the hotsprings to rid my body of the scent, like I was ashamed. I'm so confused..." Ciena said putting her head in her hands. Mina placed a gentle arm around the she-wolf's shoulders, "everything is going to be alright Ciena just give it time." With her head still in hands she spoke, "but what can I do about all this doubt I have? I try not to overthink things or have doubts but I can't make them go away." Mina knew Ciena was having a hard time, it had only been several months since Tonda had died and between raising her pups and maintaining her relationship with Inuyasha, she knew it was an emotional rollercoaster. At first she wasn't really sure what to say to the girl to make feel better but she knew what it was like to feel like your heart was being pulled in too many different directions at one time and not knowing what to was silent for a few minutes as she had to draw on all her experience so she could give Ciena the best advice, "listen to me..." she said gently. Ciena looks at Mina as she spoke, "I understand what it's like to lose the one you love and then not knowing what to do or how to go on with your life. But I think that if being with someone makes you have those doubts then perhaps it's time for a break, have some time apart to be able to figure out how you feel and what you want to do," Mina explained. Ciena looked down slightly for a moment before she spoke, "maybe you're right Mina...maybe I should just focus on me and my pups right now and not worry about a relationship with anyone." Mina knew this decision wasn't an easy one but she would support her the best way she could, "I know this won't be easy but maybe it is the best choice for you and those little darlings." Ciena smiled weakly, "thanks Mina..." she replied. "You're welcome dear.." she said placing a light kiss on the she-wolf's temple.

Still outside the den the hanyou was sitting up in a tree watching the warriors down on the training grounds while his mind was running wild with him. He was thinking back to his memories of him and his beloved Kikyo, "I still can't believe that she had Moroha before she died, I have a daughter." He was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't noticed Moroha standing beneath the branch he was sitting on, "I wonder...if he's thinking about mom..." she said to herself as she spoke, "dad?" Upon hearing her voice the hanyou looked down to see his daughter standing there, "yeah.." "Mind if I join you up there?" she asked. He gave a half-smile, "sure..." he replied. Moroha hopped up onto a branch next to Inuyasha and at first she wasn't sure what to say nor was he. Silence passed between father and daughter for the longest time as they tried to wrap their minds around everything, "why didn't she tell me?" he asked, gaining Moroha's attention, "why didn't she say anything when she came back?" Hearing this made the young quarter youkai look at the hanyou curiously, "came back? What do you mean?" she asked. Inuyasha turned his head so their gazes met, "you mean you don't know?" he asked. Moroha merely shook her head no, a sigh passed through Inuyasha's lips as he began to reveal everything to his daughter and by the end of it, she was left speechless.

Moroha tried to absorb everything her father had told her and was fighting back a few tears that had filled her brown eyes. She wiped the ones that rolled down her cheeks before looking at the hanyou directly, "I never knew any of that...I mean I knew that there were stories about Naraku goin' around but that was all I knew." Inuyasha nodded his head, "yeah I'm not surprised, I don't think too many knew about what was happening. The only ones who knew were the ones fighting against him with us." Moroha looked down slightly before taking the rouge from her kimono, "mother gave me this and told me to keep it with me always..." she said shoing it to Inuyasha. His golden eyes widened at seeing it again, "she kept this?" he asked. His daughter smiled and nodded, "yeah and she gave it to me before she died, said it was given to her by you, the night before..." the light blush on her cheeks told Inuyasha what she was too embarrassed to say. Inuyasha's cheeks were just as red as his daughter's, "yes well...um...where did she raise you?" he asked. Moroha bit her lip nervously as she answered, "on the island you and her lived on back then. I stayed there up until she died, then I left..." she trailed off and Inuyasha noticed, "where were you then father? Why didn't you come back for me?" she asked. Inuyasha let a rueful sigh pass through his lips, "you have to understand when I say that I didn't know about you. I knew Kikyo was pregnant but I thought she had died before she could have you. I never dreamed that she'd live long enough to bring you into the world." Moroha nodded her head, as she placed the shell back into her kimono shirt before letting her hands rest in her lap. Silence passed between father and daughter for several moments before either of them spoke again, "how long are you gonna stay?" Inuyasha asked. Moroha shrugged, "I hadn't really thought that far ahead honestly. My main focus was to find you and I finally did," she smiled. The hanyou smiled in turn as a gentle breeze blew around the pair.

Later in the day Ciena left the pups room in order to speak with Inuyasha, after her talk with Mina she felt confident in her decision, "I need to talk to him now, while I've got my nerve up." She made her way outside and easily found the hanyou still sitting up in the tree with his daughter, "there they are..." she said to herself as she made her way over to them. "Inuyasha..." she called gaining his attention. "Oh hey Ciena...thought you had pup watching duty today?" he asked curiously. "I do but I wanted to talk to you for a minute," Ciena replied, she merely glanced at Moroha, "alone." Moroha seem to understand the silent message, "I'll go see if either Koga or Kagome need help with anything. I'll see you later dad..." she said. "Alright Moroha," the hanyou replied. He watched his daughter leap from the tree and land next to the she-wolf, "hey Ciena if you're free later I'd like us to talk, if you don't mind." This caught the she-wolf off guard a little but kept it out of her voice, "sure..." she said nodding her head. With that Moroha walked into the den to find either one of the alphas, leaving the couple alone together.

Inuyasha turned his golden eyes to meet Ciena's lavender gems, "so what did you want to talk about?" he asked leaping down from the branch he had been sitting on. She bit her lip nervously for a moment before speaking, "well...about us." Inuyasha remained silent as she continued, "I talked to Mina earlier about something that's been on my mind lately and she told me I should talk to you about it." "Ok.." "The thing is...while I do deeply care about you, I still feel so confused. About my feelings, about us, about everything..." she trailed off. The hanyou could see the uncertainty in her eyes but decided to remain silent to allow her to get out what she needed to. "You know everything that I've been through over the last several months and through it all, you've been right there by my side. Sure we've had a bump in the road here and there but that's how relationships work. When I kissed you the other night and you pulled back, I thought that maybe you didn't want me that way, that perhaps I did something wrong. Then the other night when we were...uh...in the crystal cave together... Oh gosh..how do I want to put it?"Ciena was having trouble sorting out her thoughts and Inuyasha could see it too, "whatever it is Ciena that is bothering you, you can tell me." She took a deep breath before speaking again, "in that moment, I felt something I hadn't in a very long time but at the same time...I don't know part of me felt like...I was being dishonest to Tonda." Inuyasha gave the she-wolf a curious look as she continued, "even though he is no longer here...I don't know...though my head is telling me that I'm being silly, I can't change how my heart feels. I've been feeling so confused about what to do, I try not to overthink things or have doubts but I can't make them go away." Inuyasha let his gaze fall slightly, "I see..." he whispered. Ciena pressed on because if she didn't then she might not get another chance to get her thoughts and feelings off her chest. "Inuyasha..." he made his golden gaze meet her lavender one once more, "after talking to Mina earlier she made me realize that maybe I just need to take a step back and figure out how I feel before continuing our relationship." Inuyasha's face fell after hearing her words, "so then..." he glanced away from her, "all that time we spent together...it meant nothing to you?" he asked almost hurt. Ciena shook her head, "no, no...that's not how I meant it...I just uh...I just need some time to figure out some things. I just don't want to end hurting you..." she said. "Hmn..." was the only response she got from the hanyou before he leapt up into a nearby tree and out of sight. Ciena let a sigh pass through her lips, "I'm sorry Inuyasha..." she whispered knowing full well he had heard her before walking back into the den.

Now alone with his thoughts Inuyasha's mind was reeling after hearing everything Ciena had to say, "I can't say I blame her, hell even I felt the same thing she did the other night. Despite Kikyo being gone for so long I still felt like I was being unfaithful to her too." He looked back in the direction of the wolf den to see Ciena disappear from view, "just too bad I couldn't tell Ciena that." A sigh passed through his lips, "now what am I to do?" he said resting his head on the treetrunk and staring up at the blue sky above him.

In the main den Koga, Kagome and the others had seen Ciena come back inside from her discussion with Inuyasha and somehow the wolf leader could tell something had happened, "wonder what happened between those two this time?" he said, gaining the little group's attention. "What do you mean Koga?" Ginta asked. The blue-eyed leader glanced in the direction Ciena had gone, "I just seen Ciena walk through and she looked upset." Kagome glanced at her husband, "do you think they had a fight?" she asked. Koga shook his head, "I don't think so..." "Maybe they talked about their relationship," Autumn chimed in. "Yeah maybe so..." Kira added, "afterall they've had a lot happen to them lately. So it makes sense that they'd want to talk about it." "Do you think one of us should talk to either of them?" Hakkaku questioned. "No..." the group turned to look at Koga, "let them work this out on their own...for now anyway." Kagome couldn't help but glance in the direction she knew Inuyasha was briefly but remained by Koga's side with their family.

Moroha on the other hand had heard everything the group had said and now she was curious, "wonder what's going on between dad and Ciena?" she said to herself. She mulled over what she should do briefly before going in the direction she had seen Ciena go only a moment or two earlier. She walked down the tunnel that led to the room where the pups were, "hmm must be where they keep the pups..." she said to herself, glancing around the room. She scanned the room briefly until she caught sight of Ciena sitting next to a woman she didn't know, "there she is."

Ciena was sitting with Mina and had just finished feeding her pups when she heard approaching footsteps, "Moroha..." she whispered. Mina turned her head to see the young warrior approaching them, "hello there...you must be Moroha." The young girl smiled, "yeah I am...I take it Ciena told you about me," she replied. Mina nodded, "yes and I must say it's a pleasure to meet you." "Good to meet you too, Miss Mina.." she replied. Mina allowed a soft laugh pass through her lips, "there's no need to be so formal with me dear, just Mina is fine." "Alright..." she then turned to the ginger-haired she-wolf, "um Ciena...can we talk?" she asked hesitantly. Ciena was silent for a moment or two before answering, "sure..um can you help me take my pups to my den?" she asked. Moroha offered a kind, "of course...I'd be happy to help." The she-wolf returned the smile as she stood up with Karliah in her arms, "I'll see you in the main den in a bit Mina." "Alright dear..." she replied as she stood up and made her way to go help the females prepare the tribe's dinner. Once Moroha held Tova in her arms Ciena led her out of the pups' den and towards hers.

As they walked there was a bit of comfortable silence at first until Moroha spoke, "I know we don't know each other too well yet but can I ask you personal question?" she asked. Ciena thought it over for a moment but she had an idea of what the young girl wanted to ask, "the relationship between me and your dad is...complicated." Moroha bit her lips slightly before speaking again, "how long have you two been together?" she asked. Ciena side-glanced at Moroha before answering, "it's been several months, we met just before the war with the leopards." Moroha nodded her head, "yeah I heard about that...how bad was it?" she asked. Ciena had a small smirk on her lips, "it wasn't too bad actually..we had Sambu to help us so we pretty much defeated those leopards before the battle even began." "Cool..." Moroha replied as they entered Ciena's den. "You can place Tova over here next to Karliah," Ciena said. "Alright..." Moroha said. With the pups now in their little beds Ciena and Moroha move to sit on the bed to chat, "so what would you like to ask me?" Ciena began. "Well...about you and my dad.." Moroha said. "Hmn...yeah I thought you might," Ciena commented. Silence remained between the two females for several moment before Ciena began to speak, "it goes back several months ago..." Moroha nodded her head as Ciena continued, "before Inuyasha came to live here with us, I was with another. A wolf named Tonda, who is the brother of Koga.""He's Karliah and Tova's father?" Moroha asked to which Ciena nodded. "Anyway, there was another she-wolf in the pack that had also taken an interest in Tonda but because he chose me she became angry. She said such horrible things to Tonda and after Koga faught her and banned her from our lands. It was just before we discovered that I was carrying Karliah and Tova." Ciena's cheeks flamed for a moment as she continued, "one night he and Koga left to go find Ayame." "Ayame? I think I heard that name thrown around a little bit in my travels," Moroha stated. Ciena continued, "Tonda wanted to talk to her before he returned home to me and the pups I carried. When she found out that she became enraged and began threatening me and my unborn young. This made Tonda furious and he faught her. He wouldn't let Koga join in on the fight with Ayame, telling him that it was his fight alone. Oh how I wish Koga hadn't listened to him," Ciena was now fighting back tears, "in the heat of battle Ayame killed Tonda. Koga wounded her enough to where she fled but there was nothing any of us could do for Tonda. Koga brought him back to the den and we buried him alongside their parents." "Wow..." was Moroha's only response to that. "Afterwards Inuyasha came to us, telling us that Ayame had joined up with Leopard Clan and saught to kill us with their help. What she didn't count on was us finding out about everything she was doing because Inuyasha was keeping a close eye on them for us. A day or two later we were ready to meet the Leopard Clan in battle and took the fight to them. Fortunately we were able to bring Sambu to our side in order to defeat them. Throughout the battle Inuyasha protected me and made sure I was safe, as he knew I carried Tonda's pups. When the battle was won we returned home and celebrated. We spent a little time together before the celebration began, he was so sweet. He understood what I was feeling as he still dealt with the loss of your mother so we found some comfort in each other because of it. Anyway, during the celebration dinner...Inuyasha asked me for my hand..." Ciena said with a light blush on her cheeks. Moroha had surprise written all over her face, "he really asked you for your hand?" Ciena nodded her head, "yes he did. At the time I wasn't even sure we could make a relationship work but somehow we did and I accepted his proposal." "So what happened?" Moroha asked. "Well as time drew near for me to have my pups Inuyasha and I helped to heal each other's heartache that we still carried over losing the one precious to us. We never became angry or resentful as we accepted that our past was a part of us and it would still haunt us from time to time. Over time we became much closer and even though we were already bethrothed, we let our relationship continue at it's own pace. After having my pups things seem to change, he became distant and said that despite promising that they'd be his pups reguardless, he couldn't keep his promise. After talking to Kagome and the others I found out that perhaps what was holding us back was the fact that we hadn't truly grieved the loss of our loved ones. We had to be strong through other things at the time and our heart hadn't been able to truly grieve. Now with the peace across the lands our heartache resurfaced and made us feel as though the loss had happened yesterday. Koga was also dealing with this just as much as I was as well. After helping Koga and spoke to Inuyasha about it and afterwards things between us seem to get better. He was being there for Karliah and Tova more and for me, it seemed that whatever was holding us back had finally gone." Moroha nodded her head to let Ciena know she had heard her, "that's good that you both had someone to truly be able to express how you felt and what your heart was going through. It makes sense that it would strengthen your relationship." Ciena smiled and nodded, "yeah and it was for a while but as we started discussing our wedding plans things seem to get a bit strained again. One night Inuyasha took me to the crystal cave we uh..." her cheeks flamed once more but she continued speaking, "afterwards I don't know I felt like I was being dishonest to Tonda. Even though he is gone, I couldn't stop my heart from feeling that way and I tried to push those doubts away but they just stayed. I talked to Mina about these things and she told me that maybe Inuyasha and I needed to take a break. You know...have time to truly figure out things before we continue our relationship." Moroha was silent for a few moments before asking her next question, "does any of it have to do with me?" she asked. Ciena shook her head and placed a gentle hand on Moroha's, "no dear...it has nothing to do with you being here. It's me...I need to work through some things on my own before I try to continue a relationship with your father," she explained. Moroha's gaze fell slightly, "alright...I just wanted to make sure you both were ok." Ciena nodded her head, "thank you Moroha.." she said withdrawing her hand. Moroha bit her lower lip briefly before speaking, "well...I should let you and your pups get some rest, I'll see you in the morning," she said standing up from where she had been sitting. "Alright, good night Moroha," Ciena replied. A soft smile played on Moroha's lips as she walked from Ciena's den. Ciena watched her disappear down the tunnel for a few moments until she could no longer see her, she glanced over her shoulder at her little ones, "she's so much like her father..." she commented absently as she stood up and went to the hot springs to bathe.

With the sun beginning to set Inuyasha was still perched up in the tree thinking over everything Ciena had told him and in truth he felt the same way but he wouldn't openly admit it to either her or anyone else. He just remained sitting on the branch watching the sun set into the distance, enjoying the peace and quiet of the evening.

Throughout the den, there was much chatter going on while the wolf tribe had their dinner. Koga and Kagome were with their usual group, Autumn and Ginta...Hakkaku and Kira...Mina and Otoi. Having already eaten his dinner, Shippo was leaning against Fawn's side with his baby Cholena in his arms, cuddling and talking to her. Sambu and Kate were also sitting with them this evening with young Amber sitting next to Shippo. Everyone was seemingly enjoying themselves and their packmate around them.

However one young member took notice that a certain hanyou wasn't in the cave with everyone else. Young Sota had ventured away from the group of young wolf warriors, he now hung out with, in order to find his favorite hanyou, "I wonder where Inuyasha is?" he said to himself as he scanned the cave carefully. He then noticed that another member was missing as well, "hmm Ciena it's in here either. Are they in their den? Or are they outside?" Thinking that perhaps the hanyou might be outside he began to head that way, knowing that he liked to watch the sunset in the evening. On his way outside a voice called to him, "Sota..." He turned to see his mother looking his way, "yes mom?" "Where are you going? Have you finished your dinner already?" she asked curiously. "Yeah, I was kinda hungry after roughhousing with some my denmates," he replied. Mina smiled at her son, she was glad that he had found his place in the pack when they had come here. She had been a bit worried that he would have trouble settling in as he was a bit more shy than Kagome was. "Not too roughly I hope," she stated. Before Sota could response Otoi offered some words to ease her mind, "you needn't worry pet..." she turned to her husband, "all young male wolves roughhouse at his age. Testing their strength and learning skills they'll need when they get older. Sota may be human but he's strong to be so young." Mina smiled, "yes he gets that from his father, just like his sister." "Yeah it was actually a lot of fun. Kia is teaching me a lot, him and Shinta both actually." "I'm glad son..." Mina replied. "Were you thinking about watching the sunset this evening?" Otoi asked curiously. Sota shook his head, "no I was actually wondering where Inuyasha was, I hadn't seen him all day. Do either of you know where he is?" he asked.

Before anyone could answer a new voice from behind them did, "he's outside..." said the female voice. Sota turned to see Moroha standing behind him. He gave her a curious look, "who are you?" he asked. Mina was the one to answer, "I forgot that you two haven't met yet. Sota, this is Moroha, she is Inuyasha's daughter." The boy's brown eyes widened slightly, "Inuyasha's daughter?" he asked looking back at Moroha. "Yeah, she showed up when one of those birds of paradise showed up earlier," Otoi replied. The confused look on Sota's face told the older male that the boy hadn't heard the tale, "I'll tell you about it later." Sota merely nodded his head as Moroha spoke, "so your name is Sota?" she asked to which the boy nodded his head. "Are you Kagome's little brother?" she asked. "How did you know?" he asked. Moroha let a playful smirk play across her lips, "your scent isn't too different from Mina or Kagome's," she explained. "Oh..." was Sota's only response to her answer, "so you said Inuyasha is outside?" he asked. Moroha nodded her head, "I can lead you to him if you want," she offered. Sota smiled eagerly, "that is if it's ok with your mom of course," Moroha added. Mina turned to look at the young girl, "of course it is, as long as Moroha stays with you. I don't want you to be unprotected out there." Before Sota could say anything Koga piped in to reassure her, "you needn't worry mom. If anything were to show up my wolves would tell us." "Alright!" Sota exclaimed happily as he turned to Moroha, "let's go." Moroha liked Sota's spirit, "alright," she said with a wide grin. With that the two walked towards the entrance of the den.

Now standing at the entrance, they took in the sight of the sunset sky before them, "it's pretty huh?" Moroha asked to which Sota nodded his head. "Which tree is he sitting in this time?" he asked curiously. Moroha sniffed the air briefly before catching her father's scent, "he's over there," she said motioning with her hand. Following Moroha closely Sota, they headed in the direction where she had left her father sitting earlier. "So how long are you staying?" Sota asked curiously as they walked. "I don't know. I'd like to stay here for a while, get to know my dad and you all better," Moroha answered. "Yeah it took a little while to get use to but I'm comfortable here now," Sota replied. "Yeah, your mom told me about where you all originally came from and so I'm not surprised that it was an adjustment for you," Moroha reasoned. It took them no time to reach the tree where Inuyasha was, "he's up in there somewhere..." Moroha said, "hey dad!" she called.

Inuyasha had been watching the sunset when he heard his daughter's voice, "yeah what is it Moroha?" he asked. "Someone wants to see ya," he heard her reply. "Alright..." was the only thing he said as he leapt down from where he'd been seated only to see Sota standing next to his daughter. "Sota?" he said. "Yep...he wanted to come see you but Mina said she'd only allow him to come out here if I was with him," Moroha replied. The hanyou turned his eyes to the young boy, "well that makes sense, too many things out here for a human go out alone." Sota pouted slightly after hearing Inuyasha's words, "I'm not a baby." "Maybe not but you are still a human and you're a kid so it's better to have someone with you out here," Inuyasha reasoned. "Fair enough," Sota relented.

The three sat beneath the tree Inuyasha had been sitting in previously so they could talk, "so how have you been?" the hanyou asked. "Like I told Moroha, I've settled in good, it's a lot of fun hanging out with the other young warriors. Kai has been teaching me a lot of things," Sota said. Inuyasha remained silent for a moment before responding, "that's a good thing, that way you can defend yourself if you need to." "It will definitely come in handy," Sota said. "You bet it will and I could teach you how to shoot a bow too if you want Sota," Moroha added. "Really?" Sota asked excitedly. "Sure..." Moroha replied with a smile. "Cool thanks, Moroha..." Sota replied. "Anytime..." Moroha replied.

Silence feel between the three for a moment or two before either of them spoke again, "hey Inuyasha can I ask you something?" Sota said. "What is it?" "I was just wondering, why won't you in the den with the rest of us. You might miss out on dinner," he said. Inuyasha glanced away from Sota briefly, "I'm not really interested in food right now.." he stated. Sota gave the hanyou a curious look, "how come? I thought you never missed out on food." "It's complicated..." Inuyasha replied. Sota did not understand so he decided to probe the hanyou for more information, "come on Inuyasha...is something is bothering you? Is that why you stayed out so long?" he asked. Inuyasha wouldn't meet his gaze nor respond to Sota's questions, "are you thinking about Kikyo?" he asked. The small gasp told Sota that he had caught Inuyasha off with his question, "you can tell Inuyasha, I won't tell anyone I promise," Sota stated, his brown eyes never leaving the hanyou's gold ones. Inuyash could see the caring look the young boy had on his face and felt that maybe he could confide in him a little. With a soft sigh Inuyasha began to reveal to Sota what had been on his mind the entire time while he had been sitting outside the den. Sota listened carefully to every word that left Inuyasha's lips and by the end of his explanation, the boy was left speechless.

Silence hung in the air around the three companions as Sota absorbed everything Inuyasha had told him. "Ugh...why did I have to confide in a kid when I should be talking to somebody else about this," was the thought running through Inuyasha's head. A moment or two more passed before Sota spoke a word, "man..." the hanyou's eyes rested on his 'little brother' as he spoke, "no wonder you been sitting out here all this time. That's a lot to deal with in one day." "Yeah it is but I don't know what to do. My head says one thing and my heart..." an exasperated sigh left Inuyasha's lips, "ugh...I'm just so confused." "You're not alone in that father..." Moroha added, gaining his attention, "from what Ciena told me when we talked, she's just as confused as you are." "Really?" Inuyasha asked. "Yeah..." was Moroha's only reply. "Maybe you should talk to her Inuyasha, maybe then you can sort some things out," Sota suggested. "It couldn't hurt to try," Moroha added. "You both might be right but I'll give her some space for now. Maybe by then I'll have figure out some things too," Inuyasha said. Sota could only offer a friendly smile, "I'm sure you two will figure it out, just give it time. That's what mom says anyway..." he added. A soft laugh rattled in Inuyasha's throat, "I hope you're right," he whispered as he turned his eyes to sky, "it's getting dark, we better get inside." "Yeah we better, it ain't safe out here at night," Moroha added. Sota released a yawn as he stood up with Moroha and Inuyasha, "yeah I'm beat...roughhousing with my denmates wore me out more than I thought." "Yep...let's get some shuteye.." was the only thing Moroha said as they made their way back inside the den.

When they entered they were greeted by Mina, "there you are Sota. Hello Inuyasha, Moroha." "Hiya," was Moroha's response. "Hey Mina, where's Otoi?" he asked curiously. "He already turned in for the night, I was waiting for Sota to come back inside from talking with you," Mina answered. Inuyasha merely nodded to let Mina know he had heard her, she then turned to Moroha, "thank you for going with my son outside. I feel better knowing he's safe." "No problem Mina, anytime...well I'm gonna turn in. Goodnight Mina..." she said. "Goodnight Moroha," Mina replied as she was the young girl walked down the tunnel to the unmated female's room. She then turned to look at Inuyasha, "are you going to talk to Ciena?" she asked. "No I think I'm gonna give her some space before trying to talk to her again," the hanyou replied. "Then where will you sleep?" Mina asked. "He could sleep in the den with us," Sota suggested. "Sota you know the den you're in is for young boys your age," Mina replied. Before the boy could respond the hanyou did, "I don't mind Mina, beside I do like being around my little brother." Sota smiled at hearing Inuyasha refer to him that way, "cool I have a big brother, well two if I count Koga." "What about Ginta and Hakkaku? They're your brothers too aren't they?" Mina asked. "Ok four brothers..." Sota corrected. Mina let a soft laugh pass through her lips, "alright you boys sleep well and have sweet dreams." "Night mom," Sota replied, hugging Mina. "Goodnight Inuyasha," she added glancing his way. "Night Mina," he replied. He and Sota then made their way down the tunnel that led to the room where Sota and the other young males slept to get some sleep. Sota was asleep as soon as his he lay down but Inuyasha remained awake leaning against the wall next to Sota. His mind was restless and he couldn't settle it no matter what he tried. He growled internally so he wouldn't wake any of the others that were sleeping around him. Resting his head against the stone wall of the cave he could only stare at the ceiling blankly as he tried to force himself to sleep. He felt his eyelids start to get heavier and heavier with each breath and was soon sleeping leaing against the wall.

By now Little Sparrow had returned to her mountain home, she was seriously hoping that her mother was not waiting for her to return, "I don't need mother seeing me coming back without anything. She'll think I'm a failure..." she said to herself as she landed at the entrance of the cave. She stood there for a moment or two waiting to see if anyone was around but much to her relief, she saw no one, "*whew*..." she sighed as she walked quietly through the main den in the direction of her room. "I got lucky this time..." she whispered. She had just about reached her room when she heard her mother's voice, "Little Sparrow..." she said with her voice slightly raised. "Oh...busted..." Little Sparrow squeaked. "Where have you been? I was about to send one of my guards to find you. And where is my wolf? I told you to bring me one," she stated. "Well I tried..." Little Sparrow stammered. "Tried? Tried? You mean to tell me that my only daughter is incapable of catching a simple wolf for her mother?" she asked getting in her daughter's face, "I thought I taught you better than that..." she scolded. Little Sparrow's face fell as her eyes burned with tears, "but I..." she tried to speak but her mother wouldn't allow her to. "Don't give me your excuses just go to your room until I can figure out a proper punishment," Mahgda sneered. Little Sparrow said not a word as she walked sadly back to her room and away from her mother.

When she reached her room she wiped away the tears that had fallen from her eyes, "mother is always so mean.." she murmured through her sobs. She flew over to her nest to try and get some sleep, although she felt it was pointless, "I don't know why I am surprised at what mother said. She's more concerned with her meal than her own daughter. I got lucky the wolf tribe let me go without even a scratch. They could've killed me...but they didn't..." she raised her head up slightly,"I guess what her Ladyship said was true...maybe my mother is evil..." she sighed heavily as a few tears rolled her cheeks. Once they subsided, she felt both emotionally and physically drained and easily slipped off to sleep in her nest.