Chapter 23

The battle was finally over and the evil was defeated. It was time to depart from the castle Naraku had once used as his lair and return home to waiting friends and family. There was bound to be much excitement because the hanyou that had threatened so many people's lives was finally destroyed. Sesshomaru invited all those who fought back to the castle for a feast before they returned home and they were in the process of walking to Inu Taisho's castle when Kouga came up to Kagome who was walking with Sesshomaru and spoke to her.

"So, a child?" he asked her, now able to sense the baby's aura- it would be a strong demon.

Kagome gave a big smile and nodded excitably while putting an arm around Sesshomaru's back. The demon lord promptly pulled her closer into his frame. He couldn't help but feel a little protective over his mate- she was beautiful, she had his child in her womb, and the males around her had all already shown interest in her.

Sango and Miroku joined the conversation. Kagome noticed that they were holding hands and found the scene all too cute. "Really, Kagome? I was wondering why you were going to stay out of battle. You could have told us," her adopted sister lightly scolded.

"I agree with Sango, but for all our lives' sakes, I'm glad you decided to come to battle anyway," said Miroku, his eyes closed as he smiled widely.

"I'm sorry, guys. I just didn't want to make you all worry about me," responded Kagome wholeheartedly.

"You wouldn't have needed to worry about us if some taiyoukai wasn't a pompous ass and went and created that child in the first place," Inuyasha pointed out bluntly.

"Inuyasha! I can't believe you just said that. That has to be closest to the most inconsiderate thing you have ever said to me. I happen to want this child and I'm sure Sesshomaru does too. The nerve of you! Ohh-ho, you better be glad I'm pregnant, or I would transform and stomp all up and down your ass!" screamed Kagome, defending her mate. Sesshomaru had to restrain her from attacking Inuyasha and ended up picking her up in his arms and carrying her bridal style the rest of the way to the castle.

Inuyasha was taken aback at her temper and started walking on the other side of Sango and Miroku to put more bodies between him and the irate miko demon.

He whispered to them, "Is it just me, or does she seem a bit emotionally unstable today?"

Miroku chuckled, "It's probably just because of the pregnancy. It makes women's emotions very unstable." Miroku suddenly sweat-dropped as he felt a fire burning beside him. He turned to face Sango. "Uh, Sango?"

Sango's glare sent a shiver down his spine as he tried to back away from the demon slayer. "What did I say wrong?" he asked desperately.

"What do you know of pregnancies, Miroku? Has someone actually ever bore you a child?" she asked dangerously.

"Ah, now, my dear Sango, you have this all wrong. I merely know from the grapevine. Someone told someone who told me, that's all!" He tried to calm her down.

"It better be!" threatened Sango, her boomerang suddenly looking very dangerous to Miroku.

Sesshomaru silently sighed to himself as his father's castle came into view. He was, for once, glad to be home. At least he could seclude himself from all these petty fights. He would endure it only because they were Kagome's friends. Had it been anyone else interrupting the peacefulness of the journey, he would've killed them already. The taiyoukai looked down at the woman he held in his arms- she was clueless to the amount of power she held over him. She felt his gaze and turned towards him, smiling her beautiful smile. He allowed himself to smile and kissed her forehead.

O0o.o0O

About five months passed after they had returned. Kouga and his tribe had long ago returned to their caves only to return with their families to help Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku build a new town where humans, demons, and hanyous could live together in peace. They began building the town near the castle so that they could be under the protection of Sesshomaru if ever anyone decided to attack their way of life. Often times, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, and Kouga, who took it upon themselves to take charge of the project, could be seen conferring with Kagome about new ways to allot the space and irrigate the fields. She was a landfill of useful information. Kouga had finally stopped chasing Kagome and had settled down with Ayame to fulfill the promise he had made under the lunar rainbow. Miroku and Sango had also gotten married, but that didn't stop Sango's jealousy. Miroku had practically isolated himself from all females except for Sango and Kagome, in return, he received all of Sango's love and affections. Although their loud arguments could often be heard as far away as Inu Taisho's castle, they did love each other very much. She was already pregnant with Miroku's first child (of many he promised). They were offered the chance to become demons also by going to the path guarded by Sasarg but decided against it. They were happy as humans and saw no reason to change, not to mention, the world could not handle the amount of children an extended life would bring to them. Kohaku took up residence with the couple. With the emergence of the new town, trade began to flourish in that part of the country. Because the barrier was becoming a nuisance in the time of peace, Sesshomaru took down his father's blood barrier to allow the traders to come to the castle as well. The castle was by no means unprotected, though, as Sesshomaru promptly enlisted soldiers into his personal army. He only chose demons who could accept and live by humans. In this way, the town Inuyasha and the group had created grew even larger. At first the friends had wanted to name the town after Kagome, but she wouldn't hear of that. Finally, they decided after much debate to call it Issho, Together in one place.

Sesshomaru was busy as he once again had taken up his position of the Lord of the Western Lands. Kagome often helped him, especially whenever math would come in handy, for she had more education than him in that subject. She also began keeping more detailed records of what was going on in the Western Lands so that she could one day turn it into a history book. However, she wasn't doing that now. Right now, she was standing in front of a full length mirror staring at her large, round belly. Sesshomaru feigned sleep as he watched her from their bed. She rubbed her hands over the soft flesh, slightly worried.

"Sesshomaru, I know you're not really asleep," she told him.

He caught the scent of worry on her and promptly got out of bed to wrap his arms around her. "Koi, why are you worried?"

"I just look really big. I'm just over six months along and I look like I have watermelon or two in my belly. I just hope everything's alright. I worry that the baby won't be safe."

Sesshomaru took her hand in his and directed it over her belly. He also thought she was rather large and was tempted to say that she was pregnant with twins, but knew this couldn't be true. He could only sense one aura in her belly. "Do you sense our child? What does it tell you?" he asked.

She gave a weak smile, "That everything is fine."

"And yet you're still worried about how big you're getting?" he asked, barely above a whisper and somehow seductive to her. She melted farther into his arms and chest and gave a nod.

"Mate," said Sesshomaru, a bit amusement in his voice, "How big did you expect to be when you're only a few weeks away from giving birth?"

Kagome tensed. "What?" was the only intelligent thing she could think to say.

Sesshomaru explained, "Demons only carry their young for seven months."

"Seven?" she asked incredulously, "but humans are pregnant for nine months! Oh, Kami, Sesshomaru! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I was not aware that you did not know this," he answered simply.

Kagome thought silently to herself for a few minutes, relishing in the warmth of Sesshomaru's arms. Suddenly an idea popped into her head that she couldn't answer, so she asked Sesshomaru.

"I wonder why demons don't carry their young for as long as humans. I would expect longer since demons age slower."

Sesshomaru thought about it before coming up with a logical explanation. "Demons are constantly fighting each other and are risk of losing themselves to their inner beasts and transforming. Perhaps, it's because this is a danger to the child that they grow faster to protect themselves. Once their born, they age as humans do until the age of seven. After that, their aging slows dramatically and they can remain unchanged for years."

Kagome nodded her head in understanding. "I've noticed that. From what I've seen, on average, a demon gains 1 human year of growth for every seven years, but it's really periods of accelerated growth followed by years of no change."

"Hai, mate," said Sesshomaru, "but by the time a demon looks the age of 20, all aging seems to stop. No one is quite sure how long a demon will live as most die in battle rather than by natural causes."

"Then we'll just have to see it for ourselves," smiled Kagome.

"Hai, we will," echoed Sesshomaru, easing all of Kagome's tensions.

O0o.o0O

A few short weeks later, Sesshomaru was in his study working out a new trade agreement with a distant land when Jaken came barging in, lungs heaving and in hysterics.

"Milord!" His squeaky voice screamed, "It's time! Lady Kagome is in labor! The heir to the Western Lands is on its way!"

Sesshomaru jumped up from his chair which knocked over with the movement before using his demonic speed to bolt down the corridors faster than the eyes could see. Servants cleaning the hallways were left wondering as a great gush of air whipped by them with no known cause. Sesshomaru was scared out of his wits. He was going to be a father, and though he had tried to prepare himself for this for the last seven months, nothing could prepare him for the panic he was feeling now. Never in his life had he questioned if he was good enough, but now he found himself wondering if he would be able to raise his own flesh and blood properly. His only comfort was knowing that Kagome would be by his side and she would at least know what to do.

He almost made it into the infirmary, but as he approached the Healer Relaeh opened the door and took up a protective stance in front of it. He could sense his mate in the room just behind that door and he could tell that she was in pain.

"Move," he ordered the castle healer.

"No, Lord Sesshomaru," she answered boldly. "You know as well as I do that there are no men present during the birthing. You could get worked up and transform, and we can't have that. Now, take a seat out here in the hallway or leave."

Sesshomaru was tempted to rush by the demon nurse and into the room against her orders (after all, who orders the western lord to do anything?) but the intelligent part of him made him heed her warnings as he plopped himself on the floor to wait. She had a point and he would not endanger his mate's nor his child's life. He would wait. The nurse Relaeh saw him regain control of himself so she went back inside the room to help Kagome along with some female servants who would be assisting with the birth.

Sesshomaru tried to meditate and calm himself, but he was quickly disturbed. Arguing voices rang down the halls, preceding the noise-makers themselves. Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and Kouga had all received news of Kagome and had come to wait on her.

"QUIET!" roared Sesshomaru as he tried to listen to his mate in the room on the other side of the wall. The loud voices were making it hard for him to hear what was going on. The group of friends instantly fell quiet.

Rin and Shippo entered the hallway next, having heard Sesshomaru's roar as they were playing outside in the garden. They ran up to Sesshomaru and threw themselves into his arms. He held them absentmindedly, still intently listening to his mate.

Suddenly, a swirl of wind carrying the scent of grass entered the hallway.

"What the hell?" asked Inuyasha as he prepared for battle, drawing Tetsusaiga.

"It's fine, Inuyasha," said Sesshomaru, feeling the children cower nearer to him, "It's only Sasarg."

"ONLY? After all I put you through, the only appreciation I get is 'it's only Sasarg!' The nerve of some taiyoukai!" spouted the green guardian angrily. He had appeared right next to Inuyasha, causing the hanyou to jump in fright. Sasarg continued without waiting for some kind of response. "Hmm, Inuyasha, so you're the second son of Inu Taisho? Strong for a hanyou. But how cruel- your brother got the girl you love," leaving Inuyasha flabbergasted, Sasarg sidled over to Kouga, "Ouch, the girl had your heart too, Kouga? Poor guys. But at least you have Ayame to fall back to. She's a sweet girl who will never be false to you. Of course, you know that, don't you?" In a flash, he had left Kouga's side and was next to Miroku, "Miroku, lecherous thoughts do not do a monk any good. I'm glad you found Sango who's not afraid to beat those thoughts out of you," he turned to the demon slayer, "Watch that child growing in your womb. Don't left the little fellow turn out as lecherous as his father. Yes, it will be a boy."

Inuyasha began angrily, "Can you-" but he was cut off by the guardian.

"-read minds? Yes. And memories," said the guardian as if it was no big deal, like he was simply stating that he can add two plus two and get four every time.

Sasarg wasn't done yet. He picked up Shippo and Rin, who desperately tried to cling to Sesshomaru, but lost the fight. Sasarg held one child in each arm. "Shippo and Rin, you two are about to become a big sister and brother. You'll have to be responsible and protect your siblings. Shippo, I like your pranks. A little fox magic does the soul good, you know? And Rin. You are the first child to ever be given the Drink of Anomede, but you turned out right cute." Sasarg set down the two children on the floor while Sesshomaru stood to face Sasarg.

The guardian of the tree of Emoceba Anomede faced the taiyoukai without the slightest hint of fear. He said, "Which brings us to Sesshomaru."

"Why are you here, Sasarg?" the demon lord address the guardian.

"This will be the first child born to someone that has become a demon from the drink of Anomede. I came to see the results," he answered cheerfully.

"You make this seem like an experiment," commented Sesshomaru, but the comment was wasted on Sasarg who instead answered a question from Kouga, who had long ago been explained how Kagome became a demon.

"I'm curious," said the wolf youkai, "How many people have been turned into demons with the drink of Anomede?"

"Only two people have ever reached the tree and only three people have become demons by it."

The taiyoukai was now interested, "Who was the other?"

Sasarg closed his eyes in thought. They stood around him for what must've been five straight minutes before he opened his eyes again. "I've forgotten," he said absently, still trying to remember the name, and causing everyone present to sweat drop. "If I remember correctly, which I may not, this was 700 years ago let me remind you, this human had found a demonic jug that was used by a youkai lord of old to speed up the process of fermenting wine. He had a good heart when he came to my mountain and I allowed him to take the leaves from the tree. He had found a woman he loved very much and wanted to live with her forever. However, once he became a demon and urged her to do the same, she became scared of him and broke his heart. It seems to me like his name was Makoto or something similar, but after she left him and then died from old age years later, he grew bitter and moved to a distant corner of the world, fashioning himself a new name. I haven't heard of him since."

"And so you're here to see how the drink affects the second generation," summed up Miroku.

"Partly," replied the guardian. "It was also my last request to come see this birth."

"Last request?" inquired Sesshomaru, an eyebrow raised.

"The Kami have decided that it is time for the Tree of Emoceba Anomede to pass from this world, and with it, me as well. I'm not upset; I've lived through many centuries and have seen many empires rise and fall."

"Yet you have strong powers. Why do you wish to not live a normal life?" asked Sesshomaru.

Sasarg heaved a sigh before answering. "The kami have instructed me not to interfere with the ways of the world with my powers. That is the reason I did not join you as you fought against Naraku. If I had assisted you, I would have messed with what was fated and the kami do not like that. No, I will depart from this world. I will not lie. I have been looking forward to the end of my duties for quite some time."

"Then I shall pray that you find peace in the afterlife," said Sesshomaru.

Sasarg smiled and was about to thank the taiyoukai for his sentiments when a scream issued from the room they were standing outside of.

"Kagome!" breathed Sesshomaru, spinning around and trying to keep himself from entering the room despite the nurse's reasoning.

Sasarg restrained him with a hand on his shoulder. "It seems you have changed Sesshomaru. You care more for that woman giving birth than you do for yourself. Don't forget the lessons you have learned, and you will grant me peace in the afterlife."

Soon, a crying was heard from the room, a baby's crying. Sesshomaru felt his heart soften at the sound. But it was soon sent crashing as he heard his mate scream again.

"No! What's wrong?" he wondered aloud, desperately.

Sasarg's tightened his grip on Seshomaru's shoulder. "I do not think anything is wrong. I think that life has one more surprise for me before I go, you as well."

Sesshomaru looked at Sasarg for further explanation at his cryptic answer.

Sasarg's eyes got eyebrows went up to better express his excitement at the word, "Twins."

"Impossible," said Sesshomaru panicking, "There was only one aura in her belly."

Yet the sounds of another baby crying soon filled the air. Soon, foot steps of the nurse Relaeh could be heard before she opened the door. "Milord, I don't understand how it is possible….but….twins milord. You have twins. One girl, one boy. The girl came first…but the boy…We could not sense him. You may enter now. The Lady is tired, but fine."

Sesshomaru nodded as he swept past the nurse and into the room. Sasarg followed, not waiting for an invitation. He never cared much for the rules of society, only for those of the kami. The rest of the friends in the hallway waited for their turn to see the new heirs to the western land. Sango took the two children, Shippo and Rin, into her arms so that they could have some comfort while their adopted father was absent.

Sesshomaru entered the room and nodded once for all the helpers to exit. He went over to his mate where she was propped up in one of the medical beds and holding two wrapped bundles. She looked up lovingly at the lord as he approached and kissed her gently on the forehead. He looked down at his children. The one in the crook of Kagome's left arm was radiating the strong demonic aura. Kagome passed the child to Sesshomaru.

She was a cute little girl, silver hair like his tufted on her head above her pointed demonic ears. She sleepily opened one eye to see who was disturbing her rest and Sesshomaru found silver eyes like her mother's demonic ones. He stroked her cheek where she had one demonic stripe in scarlet.

Sasarg was peering at the child over Sesshomaru's shoulder. "Demonic stripes at birth? I've never heard of such a thing. Most children do not have enough demonic power for stripes until they're at least 50 years old."

Sesshomaru nodded his head, "She will be strong. The name Emigina is befitting, so that is what she will be called." He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before handing her back to her mother. Kagome then presented him with the baby boy.

Sesshomaru nestled the little boy in the crook of his arm. The baby quickly took the opportunity to grab some of the silver hair hanging down. Sesshomaru gently removed the little fingers that were starting to pull and put his hair over his shoulder and out of the child's reach.

Sesshomaru gazed down at the child's face and instantly noticed two things: the crescent moon which should have been upon his forehead marking him as the heir of the western lands was absent and also, the child's ears were not pointed- they were rounded like a human's. Sesshomaru pushed these things to the back of his mind as he took in the rest of the baby boy's features. The boy had his golden eyes and his mother's golden hair. There were no demonic markings adorning his face, yet he did have his mother's radiant smile. The most interesting thing of all was that, even now that Sesshomaru was holding the baby in his arms, he still did not have any aura. Even humans had auras. What was his son?

Sasarg placed a finger on the boy's forehead. He closed his eyes in concentration. When he opened them again, there was a smile on his face. "You have a strong son, as well. He has two auras within him, one demonic, the other of a priest. They cancel each other out. Both lay in wait, they are waiting for him to discover which he will chose to be."

"Can he not be both like Kagome?" asked Seshsomaru.

Sasarg shook his head. "Kagome is a special case. She had control of her miko abilities before she became a demon. That allows her to survive both powers. But as a child with no control, the two powers would compete and he would destroy himself if they were active. That is why they are dormant. He will have access to both in his time of need, but until that time, you must let him live without pushing him to be one or the other. The kami will decide which he will be."

"And there's another thing," said Kagome, weariness in her voice. "He has inherited the sacred jewel from my body. He is the new protector."

"He is special, and he is my first son, and a golden son is he. I name him Kinichiro. He will be my heir." Sesshomaru kissed the baby boy's forehead lightly as well before kissing their mother.

"You have bore me two beautiful children, Kagome. You make me proud. We will be a good family."

Kagome chuckled, "Only a father for a few minutes and you're already going soft."

Sasarg joined her laughter, "I like this girl. I should've snagged her for myself instead of helping you get her. Alas, I did not."

Sesshomaru glared at him.

Sasarg put up his hands in a disarmed gesture, sweat- dropping. "You know what? I think I'll go let the others know that they can come see the new arrivals." He was out of the room before either of the couple could respond, a habit of his. Soon the room was crowded with friends and their joyous laughter and smiles.

Sasarg used this opportunity to sneak out of the room and into a castle garden. "Sesshomaru…you have found not just someone to protect, but many people, and it's all because of one girl's power to change you. If you protect those dear to you, you will have a happy life, no matter what next great evil will arise to take Naraku's place. Live well in this time of peace because it will not last forever. We are all but blades of grass on the wind, but what we leave behind in the minds of our friends and family makes us each eternal, if only we trust others to share our lives with. But me? I have always been, and so I will always remain as just another blade of grass in the wind."

Even as the guardian finished, the wind swirled around him and his body disappeared as a whirl of grass blades. He passed from the world as the kami directed. All that was left behind to tell of him was a story told by those happy people gathered around the two newborns and a single green-petaled flower in the garden where Sasarg had last stood. It is said that the flower faded away while the story lasted in myth and legends. In a way, Sasarg still lives on to this day.

O0o.The End.o0O

A/N: Sooo….how was that? I left it open for the sequel I know I'm going to write. It's going to be titled "A Demon's Greatest Shame." It'll have the old faces, some new faces, an evil trying to defeat humanity, and an heir to the western lands who believes he's a shame to his family, that old bag. I've been itching to start on this story for a while. Yay! I finally get to! Will Inuyasha find someone to love? Will Kinichiro chose to embrace his demonic side or his holy side? Will Emigina be uber-powerful and distant like her father once was? I'm not sure yet, because I haven't written it yet!

How 'bout one last review with your parting thoughts before you click on my pen name to see if the sequel's up yet, which should be a few minutes after this chapter is posted. Thank you for taking the time to read what I written. I feel like this story is my child, except I can freely cuss at it without it picking up the language and throwing it back at me.