The afternoon sunlight streamed through the small bedroom window, casting a glow over the wooden floor. Dust motes swirled lazily in the warm air as the three sisters huddled around the bed, their heads close together like conspirators on a top-secret mission.
On the windowsill, two delicate teacups sat side by side—one painted with a silver crescent moon, the other adorned with a golden sun. The remnants of their afternoon tea clung to the porcelain, forgotten in the midst of whispered schemes and stolen glances, their presence a silent witness to the sisters' plotting.
"Granny said we shouldn't go through Mama's things," Aiko whispered, her blue eyes darting nervously to the door every few seconds. She twirled a strand of her straight black hair around fingers.
Tsukiko waved her off. "She and Kiki are busy drinking wine—they won't notice we're gone!" Her amber eyes gleamed with triumph as she yanked an ornate storage box from its hiding place beneath the bed. "Got it!" she crowed, holding the prize aloft like a treasure chest.
The three of them crowded around as Tsukiko popped the lid open, revealing a neat stack of letters and scrolls tied with faded ribbons.
"Why is this here and not back at the main house?" Nozomi asked, her silver pigtails swinging as she leaned over the box, her small hands already reaching for the contents.
"I bet it's because of Luna," Tsukiko said knowingly. "Daddy said she used to tear through every room in the house searching for birthday presents. She must have found some super-private stuff Mama didn't want her to see."
"If Mama didn't want anyone to find this, why are we looking?" Aiko fretted, her claws now tangled in her hair as she glanced over her shoulder again. "We're gonna get in so much trouble…"
"Because Luna said these letters are from when Mama and Daddy fell in love!" Tsukiko squealed, clutching one letter to her chest like it was the most romantic thing she'd ever heard. "Isn't that just dreamy?"
Aiko wrinkled her nose. "Is that why they sent Luna to Australia? Because she snooped too much?"
"No, stupid!" Tsukiko huffed, rolling her eyes. "She's studying the ocean or whatever, that's why she's staying with Uncle Masa in Brisbane."
Nozomi snorted as she pulled out a parchment, unrolling it gingerly. A Polaroid slipped out and landed on her lap. She picked it up, her brows furrowing as she inspected it. "Uh… why is there a picture of Daddy wearing old-timey clothes? And… is he missing an arm?"
All three girls leaned in to scrutinize the photo, their curiosity mounting.
"What are you brats up to?" InuKimi's voice floated up the stairs, laced with suspicion.
Panic erupted.
"Hide it!" Tsukiko hissed, shoving the letters back into the box.
"Hurry, hurry!" Aiko squeaked, her hands fumbling to put the lid back on.
Nozomi darted to the door, peeking out to make sure the coast was clear. "Move it!"
They bolted down the stairs, their little feet pounding against the wood as they raced toward the kitchen after hastily re-hiding the box of letters under the bed. The sight of their disheveled, flushed faces greeted InuKimi and Hana Higurashi, who were seated at the table with glasses of wine, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"I knew they were being too quiet," InuKimi said with a long-suffering sigh and sipped her drink.
Mrs. Higurashi chuckled, setting her glass down. "They're just curious." Standing up and heading towards the pantry she asked, "Shall we bake some cookies?"
"Chocolate chip!"
"No, peanut butter!"
"Peanut butter with chocolate chips!"
"I changed my mind. I want brownies!"
"Granny said cookies!"
"Kiki, can't we just make both?" Tsukiko asked, her most winning smile plastered across her face as the other echoed her request.
The grandmothers exchanged long-suffering looks, clearly beginning to understand why Sesshoumaru and Kagome had been so insistent about getting a weekend away.
"Alright, alright," Mrs. Higurashi said and put on her apron. "We'll make cookies and brownies, but you have to stop arguing long enough to help."
"Wash your hands first," InuKimi added dryly. "And no licking the batter."
The girls cheered, darting toward the sink, their earlier heist already forgotten. But as they clamored for the soap and pushed each other aside to reach the water, InuKimi leaned closer to Kagome's mother and muttered, "I'll bet you a bottle of red they're hiding something."
She just smiled back. "Of course they are. They're Kagome's kids, after all."
The meadow was a picture of serenity, bathed in the golden glow of the afternoon sun. Sesshoumaru reclined against the velvety grass, his gaze idly following the slow, lazy drift of clouds above. Kagome lay sprawled across his chest, her head nestled beneath his chin, the steady rise and fall of his breath lulling her into a state of blissful contentment. His claws traced absentminded circles along her back, sending gentle shivers down her spine.
It was rare—this kind of peace. No more battles to fight, no obligations to fulfill. Just quiet. Stillness. And most importantly, no children.
"I think we should have another one," Sesshoumaru's deep voice rumbled, his fingers stilling mid-motion.
Kagome's head popped up, her brows furrowed. "Another what?"
"Another pup."
Her jaw dropped, and the blissful moment was shattered like fragile glass. She pushed herself upright, her hands braced against his chest as she gawked at him. "You can't be serious! I just bribed our mothers with a week's worth of spa vouchers so they'd watch the three little monsters we still have at home! Do you have any idea how hard it is to even get them to agree? Shippo and Rin still haven't recovered from the last time they babysat them!"
Sesshoumaru merely regarded her with the stoicism of a man who didn't have to wrangle their brood. "I was promised a son," he said, matter-of-factly. "We have yet to achieve that."
"I knew that was going to come back and haunt me." She fell back onto his chest, throwing an arm over her face. "Four daughters, Sesshoumaru. Four. And they're all your daughters—beautiful, impossible, and somehow always one step ahead of me."
"Then you should rest assured our fifth will be no different," he replied smoothly.
She groaned, lifting her arm to give him a flat look. "Oh, I'm reassured alright."
His lips twitched at her dramatics, his eyes half-lidded as he regarded her. "Your protests are noted," he drawled before abruptly sitting up, catching her off balance. With his inhuman speed, he shifted them so Kagome was suddenly pinned beneath him, her loose sundress riding high on her thighs. "But your objections will not deter me."
"Sesshoumaru!" she huffed, squirming beneath him. "What do you think you're—" Her words died as his hand slipped under the hem of her dress, the heat of his palm spreading across her stomach.
He bent low, his nose brushing the curve of her belly as his hair spilled around them like liquid silver. "You were radiant," he murmured, his voice low and full of reverence. "Glowing. Swollen with my seed. With my pup."
She wanted to protest, but she knew she'd be lying if she said the memory of his unwavering devotion during her pregnancies wasn't one of her favorite things about him. Still… "You're forgetting something. I was also a hormonal mess, and you were insatiable. I couldn't even waddle to the bathroom without you cornering me!"
"That is because you were irresistible," he replied, nipping lightly at her hip. "And I am not ashamed to admit it."
She shoved at his shoulder, though her strength was laughable compared to his. "Yeah, well, I am. Do you know what it's like to feel like an overstuffed sausage while your mate wants to—ugh, never mind!" Her cheeks burned at the memory.
Sesshoumaru sat back slightly, his expression faintly amused. "You exaggerate."
"Oh, do I?" she shot back, narrowing her eyes.
With a low growl of mock frustration, Sesshoumaru sat back on his heels, dragging her up with him until she was straddling his lap, her thighs snug around his hips. The fiery retort on Kagome's lips died the moment she caught the flicker of something primal lurking just beneath the amber of his gaze.
"I care not for your complaints, Kagome," he breathed, his lips ghosting along her jaw down to the crescent scar on her neck. "You are my mate. The mother of my pups. And I would see you swollen with my seed again."
Heat pooled in her lower belly at the promise in his words. But she forced herself to stay composed, even as her breathing quickened. Fingers dancing over the hard planes of his shoulders as she leaned in, pressing her lips against the sensitive spot behind his ear
"Well," she whispered, her voice teasing, "you're in luck." She dragged her nails down his back, relishing the way his muscles tensed beneath her touch. "I've been drinking the fertility tea your mother gave me all week."
Sesshoumaru stilled. "…What?"
Kagome smirked, moving to whisper along his lips. "What? You didn't notice?" She dropped the carefully crafted barrier masking her scent, and his nostrils flared as the sweet aroma of her ovulation hit him like a tidal wave.
A snarl tore from his throat. "You devious little minx."
She giggled, sliding off his lap and stepping back before he could grab her. "Who, me?" she asked, batting her lashes.
But Sesshoumaru was already discarding his robe, his eyes gleaming with intent. "Run, Little Goddess," he rumbled.
Her laughter echoed through the meadow as she darted toward the forest, her dark hair flowing behind her like a cascade of midnight. Sesshoumaru gave her a moment's head start before giving chase, his beast roaring in excitement.
Gods, he did love a good hunt.
Now that this story has finally come to an end all further stories and updates will only be posted on my AO3 under the same user name. So if you want to read any of my newer works check it out over there and say hi!