Title: Unexpected Circumstance

Author: Neptunesdemon

Archive: Fanfiction net, Mpreg mailing list

Category: Mpreg, romance, drama

Pairings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru

Rating: PG

Spoilers: None

Warnings: Yaoi, OOC, incest, OC, mpreg

Author's Note: Another bonus chapter hopefully to break my writer's block so I can continue/finish my other Inuyasha fic. Enjoy.

xoxoxox

The soft sound of not too discreet whispering had his ears twitching and Inuyasha shifted a bit in his bed, sighing deeply as he kept his eyes closed. From the way the sun shone into the room from large open windows and doorways leading out to a private garden, he could tell it was way closer to noon. And yet, it still felt way too early.

The harsh shushing sound that came from the foot of his bed had him smiling and he waited and listened, the soft patter of bare feet against the wood floor confirming that he and his mate were not going to be able to sleep for much longer. He cracked his eyes open and looked to his mate that was facing away from him, the older demon sleeping soundly and breathing confirming that he was still deep into his slumber. He shifted and his lover gave a soft groan, protesting the movement but only snuggled deeper into the bedding before stilling again.

The movements seemed to have been caught by the intruders, who were suddenly very quiet and no longer whispering. He wasn't fooled, he knew they were still there and close by. Carefully, he peeped over his mate's resting form, admiring for a moment the rounded stomach that was gently cradled by his mate's hand. He smiled as the whispering picked up again and he looked to the edge of the bed and couldn't help but grin wider as two fluffy ears peeked up over the top, twitching every so often while listening for any changes.

He yawned loudly, watching those ears swivel at the sound and then a little hand was shooting up to physically flatten them out of sight. A small yelp of complaint was followed by some heated whispering and Inuyasha merely chuckled, which made the whispers come to an abrupt halt.

"What did I tell you two about coming in here while your father and I are sleeping?"

He waited and soon enough, a crown of dark, ebony tresses was slowly cresting over the edge, stopping enough for wide, ruby-colored and gold-flecked eyes to stare back at him in some semblance of shame.

"Not to." Came the small voice and then an unruly, tangled mop of silver tresses and white-furred ears popped up beside it, a small frown fitted on his daughter's face.

"The sun has been up a long time-"

Her loud outburst was muffled by her brother clamping a hand over her mouth and loudly shushing her, and she merely pushed him away, Inuyasha impressed by her strength as the boy tumbled back.

"You two were sleeping for too long!" She huffed out in exasperation, thankfully much quieter than before.

"Well, Chichiue and I are very tired."

"But-"

"Tsuyoi!"

Cut off by her brother again, the little inu-youkai turned to center a displeased glare in his direction. Inuyasha could only affectionately smile at his daughter's fiery spirit, so reminiscent of his own, that he could hear Sesshomaru's I told you so even though his brother was still sound asleep. The older inukai had told Inuyasha since the day the girl was born that she would be Inuyasha's double in every way but that she was female. Now as the little girl growled and grumbled at her brother, little face scrunched up in as best of a scowl as she could manage with those chubby cheeks, he realized that Sesshomaru was right.

"Otousan said we have to be quiet when Chichiue is resting. He said the baby makes him need to sleep a lot."

"I want to see the baby!" She was shrieking out, Inuyasha wincing and glancing down at Sesshomaru who shifted in his sleep at the sound.

As Kazue continued to try and quiet her, Inuyasha gave a groaning sigh and forced himself out of the warmth and comfort of his bed. As the two children squabbled, Inuyasha made his way to them, easily scooping up Tsuyoi in his left arm and Kazue in his right. The two squeaking as they were hauled off like sacks of rice in their father's arms. Tsuyoi shrilly let her displeasure be known while Kazue merely giggled in delight at how they were being handled.

Once they were out of the room and out in the garden, Inuyasha spun them around before letting them back onto their feet in the soft grass. Kazue bounced excitedly, asking for the whole ordeal to be repeated, his daughter glared up at him none too pleased with the treatment.

"Hey, calm down you two." He spoke softly, his hands resting atop both of their heads, stilling Kazue successfully who had still been bouncing. "I know you both are impatient to see the new baby but it's not coming for some time yet."

"How much longer!" Tsuyoi demanded and Inuyasha winced. He would have to start teaching her volume control since as of right now yelling seemed to be the only level of voice she knew.

"About a month." He answered her, the girl pouting further, cherubic cheeks puffing out in dissatisfaction. Inuyasha snorted and kneeled so that he was closer to her level as opposed to towering over her. "No need to get so upset over it. Last I heard, you weren't too happy about having a new baby brother or sister."

"She just wants to throw the baby down the well from your stories!"

Inuyasha couldn't help the look of disbelief, while his daughter snapped a look of betrayal at her older brother before rightly pouncing on him in retaliation for tattling. After the stupor of having learned his daughter had plans to murder his newest pup, he was standing and pulling the pugnacious child off of Kazue, who took his sister's antic in stride with a disturbed look as if he was quite pleased that he had goaded her to react in such a way. He and Sesshomaru were cursed with literal evil demon spawn. The only good child was Shippo and the kit wasn't even blood. Maybe that was what spared him.

"I don't want Chichiue to have a new baby!"

"Yeah, well, you can't throw the baby into the well." Inuyasha grumbled, hauling his daughter over his shoulder while Kazue stood from the ground. "Kazue didn't throw you into the well when you were born."

"No, but he did manage to get her stowed away in trade caravan."

At the new voice both pups looked to the doorway where Sesshomaru stood looking out at them, a soft smile on his face and his light robe pulled tight around him. Inuyasha smiled back at him, letting Tsuyoi down and she wriggled to be set free and watching as she and Kazue bounded over to their birthing parent. As the two pups excitedly began babbling and asking questions, Inuyasha calmly strode closer enjoying the view his mate made in the morning sunlight. Hair gleaming and skin glowing, his eyes couldn't stop roaming over him until her finally settled on the well-rounded stomach. It was at the moment being rubbed and patted by two pairs of small hands, Sesshomaru not even bothering to stop them.

"You tore the castle apart looking for her. Literally. I had to pay the engineers extra to deal with the damage." Inuyasha groused and Sesshomaru merely lifted a brow.

"And we nearly had another war on our hands because someone tore after a visiting caravan in full demon form and destroyed their stock and livelihood." Sesshomaru reminded him.

"Hey, they had our kid." He said in defense and Sesshomaru snorted.

"Not intentionally."

"And we didn't know that until after we got her back."

"Daddy."

At Tsuyoi's call, Inuyasha looked down at his daughter.

"Why do you want another baby? Do you not like me and Kazue?"

He and Sesshomaru shared a look, before he was clearing his throat and lifting his youngest into his arms. The girl was pouting, but the shimmer of her eyes meant she was holding back tears and Inuyasha smiled at her before reaching up to smooth out her messy hair as well as he could.

"Hey, kid, don't you ever doubt that your Chichiue and I love you very much."

She sniffled and he leaned in, pressing a kiss to her nose and then forehead, before pressing his to hers. She was then wrapping her arms around his neck, hiding her face in the crook of it and the sniffling was obvious that she couldn't hold back the tears any longer. He gently bounced her and looked to Sesshomaru who offered him a soft smile and a shrug of a single shoulder.

"A new baby doesn't mean we stop loving you, it just means you have someone new to love, too. Just like you love me and Chichiue and Kazue."

"I don't love Kazue, he's mean!" Came the muffled objection and Inuyasha snorted.

"Am not!"

"Am too! And you tattle too much!" She was accusing, tear streaked face lifting and settled with a frown and indignant glare that she set onto her older brother.

Kazue stood by his birthing father, hands bunching at the fabric of his robes angrily as he glared back at his sister, before her merely stuck his tongue out at her, unable to refute the claim of being a tattle-tale.

"That is quite enough from the two of you. I'm sure you've missed enough of your morning lessons and I refuse to have you grow up as much a simpleton as your father."

Inuyasha's objection was ignored as Kazue giggled and was happy to accept the kiss to his forehead that Sesshomaru bent to give him. It was a bit a difficult feat what with his stomach now rounding out a bit more.

"What's a simpleton?" Tsuyoi was asking and Kazue leaped excitedly and rushed to answer.

"It means Otousan is stupid!"

As the kids giggled uncontrollably, Inuyasha growled before he was rounding them up and marching them out of the garden and through the room to the door. There they were met by a waiting Kaori.

"Ok, time for you brats to get out of here. Your Chichiue and I need a break."

The whining began but was quickly silenced by Inuyasha's loud mocking of it, in which the children either glared back at him or offered him the best puppy dog eyes he'd ever encountered.

"Go on get out of here, we'll see you at lunch. And then maybe I'll give you guys some katas to practice."

"Yay!"

They were peeling off down the hall cheering after that, Kaori bowing to her Daiyoukai before following after the royal rascals. Inuyasha snorted with a shake of his head as he watched them disappear, before he was sliding the door closed and turning back to deal with his mate. He watched as Sesshomaru had made his way back to the bed and now sat at the foot of it, leaning back on one arm as his other ran a hand over his now exposed stomach. The younger of the two brothers walked forward and crouched in front of his mate, whose face wasn't as relaxed as the rest of him looked. His own hands reached out to gently smooth over the soft skin and he offered his mate a smile he hoped was calming.

"What's wrong?" He was asking, hands gently rubbing and Sesshomaru merely frowned deeper, or as deep as his usually stoic face allowed.

"I am concerned." Was all Sesshomaru offered and Inuyasha waited patiently, his hands carefully massaging over his mate's stomach. "I feel I am too small and the child, it does not move as much as the others did. Do you think it is sickly? What if I am unable…"

Inuyasha's stomach dropped as he realized Sesshomaru's train of thought and he quickly stood, right hand still holding his mate's belly while his left wrapped around his waist as he sat next to him.

"Hey, it's alright. I know you're scared but Minako assured us that this pup is just fine."

"How can we be certain? The pups before this one were fine as well." Watery amber eyes looked back at the inu-hanyou and Inuyasha had rarely seen the open fear in his brother's eyes. "What if I am not strong enough? I can't lose another one, Inuyasha. I can't…"

"Hey, you won't." Inuyasha murmured softly, lifting his hands to cradle Sesshomru's face in them. He leaned in to press a gentle kiss to his lips before kissing the lid of each eye after Sesshomaru had slid them closed, trying to keep his tears at bay.

"The closer I get to the due date, the more anxious I become." Sesshomaru admitted, leaning forward and asking his mate to hold him without words, Inuyasha easily complying.

"I know that you're scared but maybe you're thinking too much. Let's have Minako-baachan take a look at you. She knows better than either of us. But first, how about a bath?"

Sesshomaru merely hummed in answer, his head resting on Inuyasha's shoulder as he enjoyed the warmth and closeness of being wrapped in his arms. The affection that he craved while pregnant was staggering but Inuyasha was never one to complain. When not pregnant Sesshomaru was his usual mostly stoic, emotionless self. Though since they had mated he had been not quite as cold or murderous as before. He appreciated it all the same. He let them sit a few moments more with arms wrapped around each other, Inuyasha rubbing soothing circles into his mate's back and nuzzling into sleek, silver hair. Then he was pressing a kiss to Sesshomaru's temple and peeling away to set off and have his bath prepared.

He would have called for servants, but he felt the moment too intimate to interrupt and drew the bath himself. When it was ready and at a comfortable temperature, he returned for his mate to lead him back into the bathing room. First, he scrubbed and rinsed Sesshomaru before carefully helping him climb down the built-in steps and let him soak while he went and scrubbed himself. He rinsed quickly and then was joining his lover, moving in to position where Sesshomaru leaned back against him and he wrapped his arms about his middle. He felt the older inukai tense as he rested his hands on his stomach again, and he merely nuzzled at his mating mark, Sesshomaru relaxing after a soft shudder.

"It's stopped moving." The tremble in Sesshomaru's voice had his heart clenching and he shushed him, beginning to gently rub his stomach again.

"You know, it's not going to move around all of the time." He told him and Sesshomaru shook his head.

"The last one didn't seem to stop moving…"

Inuyasha felt the lump in his throat, the burn behind his eye lids and he coughed to try and stop the feelings, but Sesshomaru had gone stiff and quiet.

"Until he didn't move at all."

Hands where resting atop of his where they had stilled on Sesshomaru's belly and Inuyasha dutifully took them, letting trembling fingers squeeze to find something to keep him grounded.

"He wasn't moving." It was a breathless sentence and Inuyasha tried shushing him, but the broken sob escaped. Damn it, he knew that Sesshomaru had never truly recovered from it, but now with this pregnancy, his mate's fears have returned in triplicate and his mourning had doubled. "I thought…. I had carried to full term…but it didn't feel right when it was time. What did I do wrong?"

As Sesshomaru's sobs grew more panicked, Inuyasha shifted in the water to be in front of him, hands reaching out to gently grab hold of his face and press a kiss to his forehead.

"You didn't do anything wrong, babe. It wasn't you. You did everything right."

"He wasn't moving. He….my baby….my pup…."

He gathered his mate in his arms and let him cry it out, his own tears stinging at his eyes as he thought back to that night twenty years ago. It had been happy news when Sesshomaru had found out he was carrying. They hadn't been trying, as the carrier male had been scared to try again. The one before it had been a miscarriage and Sesshomaru had taken that hard. But that pain did not compare to the agony of having carried to full term and having it end with holding a stillborn in your arms.

"You know it wasn't your fault, Sessh. He was breach. The cord had been around his throat. There was nothing you did. Minako said so. Those things happen. It's a terrible, tragic thing and it happened, but nothing you did made it happen."

"And what if it is me? What if I can't carry any more? What if my womb is too weak, if I'm too weak-"

"Look at me." Inuyasha gently but sternly ordered, lifting Sesshomaru's head by his chin. "You are not weak. I don't think any demon who was weak could go on after having lost two pups in a row. A weak demon wouldn't be able to be there for his other pups, who need him and who he loves more than anything. He damned well wouldn't be able to push through all that hurt and loss to be by his mate's side and help him rule their father's kingdom. Sessh, you inspire me to keep going every day. You're my strength because you are strong. Don't you think otherwise. This baby, our puppy, will be fine because of you."

"Inuyasha…"

He stopped any objection by leaning in to kiss him carefully, soft and slow and soothing. He pulled away slowly, to smile back gently at his lover whose eyes still held such turmoil that he wished he could cast it away with just a thought.

"We'll go see Minako-baachan, ok?"

Sesshomaru nodded and he wiped his mate's face free of his tears, before he was arranging them to cuddle against each other in the warm water and continue to bathe until Sesshomaru was relaxed enough to fall asleep. Once that had happened, he lifted his mate up and out of the tub, dried him off on the day bed and then slipped him into their nest of a bed and tucked him under the blankets. With a parting kiss to his head, he readied himself for another day as Daiyoukai, but before his duties to his people began, he went off in search of his mate's midwife. His duty to his family would always come first.

xoxoxox

Minako had been advising one of the servant girls who had managed to become pregnant this past mating season when Inuyasha arrived, looking weary and eyes rimmed red. She had finished as quickly she could manage and had then hurried to gather supplies and follow the ruling lord back to his chambers. Once she was escorted, Inuyasha left her to it and she hobbled inside to find Sesshomaru sleeping peacefully in the bedroom.

It was a relief to see him sleeping, but Inuyasha's state was testament that the young full-blooded inu-youkai was not doing well. When the young lad had discovered he was with child again, he had trembled and cried for hours, so convinced that it would not survive. All of his first trimester was Minako convincing him not to worry, that his suspicions were unfounded and based off of fear. Understandable but not necessarily true. When he had felt the first kicks of the pup, Minako had been there and she had watched him crumple into tears again, this one of relief at feeling the little life within him on a physical sense. And it would seem, now at the start of his third trimester, he was reverting to the dark state of mind that plagued him at the start.

She stopped beside the bed, looking down at the slumbering prince and smiling affectionately at him. Somewhere along the line of being his personal healer, he had become so much more and the son she had lost so long ago was here within her reach now. So, it hurt her to see him so pain stricken and broken. This child had to survive. She would do all she could to make sure that happened. She reached out with a gnarled hand gently brushed back his hair, watching him shift and slowly come back to consciousness.

"Wake up, lad." She gently coaxed, smiling down at him as he sleepily looked back up at her. "How are you faring?"

"Obaachan." It was nearly a whimper and she shushed him before he could begin crying again.

"So, not well, hmm?" She murmured as she carefully pulled back the blankets and helped maneuver him until he was propped up on the pillows. "Let me have a look."

Her youki she let manifest at her he fingertips and along her palms as she gently rested a hand on the protruding stomach. Sesshomaru tensed and she hummed softly to calm him, letting her magic reach into him until she felt the energy of the pup resonating against her own. The pulse was strong but quiet and still, which could be why Sesshaomru's mood had taken a turn for the worse. The last thing that the male carrier wanted to feel was a still pup within his womb.

"It does not move." He told her, perhaps thinking her silence was too unnerving.

She merely hummed and nodded to agree with him, letting her youki continue to read his body. Sesshaomru's youkai was strong but strained and tense, it would begin to affect the pup if he did not do something to become stable again. He went to open his mouth to speak but she shushed him before he could and leaned down to press her ear to his stomach. He obeyed, only because he knew what she was listening for. She was smiling at the strong sound of it, not even needing to amplify it with youki to hear it.

"The pup is fine, my prince." She announced lifting her head and moving away to head for the wardrobe. She gathered clothes, as Inuyasha had not dressed his mate before putting him to bed, and headed back to where Sesshomaru's golden eyes held a forlorn look of hope. Hope that her words were true and his fears were unfounded. "The baby merely sleeps. If you wish to feel the pup moving, you must stimulate it and the best way to do so is to not be lounging in bed all day."

She heard him sigh and smiled at him as he carefully climbed out of bed, taking the offered clothes and moving to properly get dressed. She busied herself with tidying up and calling for a servant, as well as preparing tea while she waited for food to be brought up to his sitting room. Once dressed she led him out of the room and into the sitting room, where she sat him at the high table and laid a cup a tea in front of him. He began drinking it obediently and she left him alone, to go and make the bed as he silently sipped it.

The servant was arriving soon after with an assortment of refreshments and she thanked her before shooing her off, knowing that in such a vulnerable state, Sesshomaru preferred to not be waited on by the usual work staff. She took the tray to the table and arranged things out in a way that she would prefer him to eat, with soup and lighter fare being closer to him in case he did not have the stomach for eating. She was happy to see him tuck into the miso soup that she had placed directly in front of him, leaving only to rest the tray off onto a side table before returning to join him. She had already eaten breakfast herself but could do with an early lunch.

"Now, once you are satiated and comfortable, you and I will talk. But for now, do try the steamed fish if you're up for it, marvelously seasoned."

He offered her a soft smile and simply nodded his consent and she began serving him, laying a small bowl of rice before him and moving away the thankfully empty soup bowl. They ate on in comfortable silence, Minako carefully studying him. Partway through the meal, he stiffened and his hands shot down to his stomach and his look of utter relief had her smiling back at him.

"Eating usually gets them stirring." She simply said and Sesshomaru looked back at her and couldn't help the smile.

"Thank you."

"For what? Doing my job, boy? Don't be preposterous."

"For being there when I need you most." He answered truthfully and Minako couldn't help but feel her heart swell.

She reached out to touch his hand and was not too surprised when he squeezed it fondly. With a small, soft laugh she was standing and wiping her hands before reaching out to press against his tummy, which he leaned back a bit to let her access. She gave a noise of shock at the hard kick that met her hand, both her and Sesshomaru giggling. It was such a relief to find him smiling again, even if there was a chance it was short lived. For the moment, he was happy and the sad memories of days past were behind him for the time being.

xoxoxox

It was raining when it started. Sesshomaru and the children were snuggled up together in the nursery, waiting out the impending storm and for the return of the Daiyoukai. Inuyasha had been due back three days ago, but the heavy rains had slowed his small band of troops down. They had gone South to help Kouga with a small treasonous uprising, a band of neer-do-wells that felt the okami-kai had no claim to the Southern Lands. With his own army still significantly thread bare from what had happened at the battle with Naraku, Kouga had sent word and Inuyasha had answered the call.

His mate had not been too happy. Their pup was due soon and he was loath to think that there was a chance that Inuyasha would miss the birth of their newest pup. He was also hesitant to admit the fear crushing him as the days passed by. Minako kept hinting that there was signs the pup was ready and would be here soon, all he could think about was holding a lifeless body in his arms. He distracted himself by immersing himself in the scroll he currently sat reading to his two pups. Tsuyoi was draped in his lap, positioned carefully against him and well aware of his bulging full-term belly. Next to him Kazue sat leaning against him, mouth moving without sound to the words he knew well. This was a favorite of theirs, a retelling of how the West had been won by their very own grandfather.

The sound of distant thunder had him looking up and out to the already raining skies. The thunder meant another storm. It would mean further delay of Inuyasha's control. A message had been sent ahead on one of the few days that had been clear enough to send a hawk. The roads were too muddied and the caravans were stalled until the ground was dry and hard enough to travel with the wagons carrying supplies. Inuyasha refused to ride ahead and leave his men, and Sesshomaru both hated and admired the decision. He stilted a bit in his speech as the baby seemed suddenly restless, but he continued reading to keep the other children distracted. Earlier Minako had checked him and assured him that labor was not expected today, though she was honest enough to remind him that he was at the end of his pregnancy and it could happen at any moment. The pup decided when it was time and if it so chose, labor could begin at any instant.

The flash of lightening had both pups shooting up and looking out at the storm, and Sesshomaru knew that their interest in the well-known tale had waned. Kazue had always been curious of lightening and Tsuyoi had fear of thunder that worsened the louder it become. Instead of tears, she usually became quite irritable and cranky, the anxiety causing her to act out and be even more rebellious. He would have to take her in the library, as the room had few windows and being stocked full of scrolls and supplies for the royal scholars seemed to muffle the noise from outside.

"Will Otousan be okay?"

He looked to his daughter as he rolled up the scroll to prepare it to be put away, and both pups looked back at him expectantly. He nodded with a hum of confirmation and Tsuyoi frowned, peeking over her shoulder at the raging rains and was jumping as lightning struck quickly followed by booming thunder. He was standing and lifting her into his arms as she whimpered, the whines turning more canine by the minute and urging him to comfort her.

"Shall we return this scroll to the library?" He asked in form of distraction, holding it out for Kazue, who took it dutifully. "We can have our tea and then find another tale of our family's past to regale."

"I like the one about how Otousan defeated the evil Naraku!" Kazue was spouting excitedly as they began to leave the royal chambers and head out the hall to the library.

Sesshomaru smiled and shook his head. Kazue was enamored with that story, especially because he was mentioned in it.

"You and your father, both." He said and Kazue beamed happily.

"Hiromi-baachan says that Otousan didn't really beat Naraku. She said he was too busy being dead."

The headache he felt from what Tsuyoi had just offered up would hopefully be an easy one to ignore until it passed. Though Hiromi had technically been right, Inuyasha did play a part in thwarting Naraku's plans.

"Your Obaachan is very old, which means she is beginning to forget how things are or were."

The children giggled, already aware of how much their grandmother hated to be reminded of her age and Sesshomaru gave a small smile as well. If she were here, the demoness would be shrieking up a storm. Kazue pulled on his hand and he looked down at his first-born who gazed up at him with bright, curious eyes. That look usually meant that he would be subjected to endless questions until the pup's sudden fascination with whatever subject had been quelled.

"Is there something on your mind, Kazue?" He gave the boy the opening he needed to begin, though even if he hadn't Kazue would have eventually started on his own.

"Kaori-chan and the other servants were making the nursery ready yesterday." He announced happily, Sesshomaru managing to hide his little stumble at the reveal. "She said she had to make sure it was ready cause the baby was coming soon. And Minako-baachan said that the baby was due any day now. Will you have the baby soon? Do you know if it's a brother or a sister, because I really want a sister because I already have a brother and you should have two boys and two girls an-"?

"Kazue, take a breath and please stop rambling." He gently admonished, the boy huffing haughtily and turning away with a frown as they continued their walk to the library. "I know you are excited, but you must not be so anxious. The baby will be here soon, when it is ready."

"When will it be ready?" Tsuyoi asked and he smiled at her as she reached out to rub at his stomach while he carried her in his arms. He shouldn't have been carrying her so close to labor, but with the storm coming close contact worked best to keep her calm.

"It will be ready when it is ready. Which means, I am unable to give you a definite time. Babies do not stick to schedules. But I agree that I am very close to giving birth."

His puppies squealed happily and talked animatedly, both. Sesshomaru merely chuckling at their excitement and happy to see that it was helping keep his own dark thoughts at bay.

"Will Daddy be here to see the baby being born?" Kazue was soon asking as they finally made it to the library. The pup opened the door for them and Sesshomaru thanked him after sighing heavily at his question.

He herded them inside, acknowledging the scholars that kept the place up to par and handed off the scroll that he had been returning to one of them. He asked they send for a servant to bring tea and lunch before heading to a private room set up as a study for the royal family.

"Your father is trying his best to make it home, but the weather has been hindering his progress." He explained, settling Tsuyoi down on her own two feet and watching the children snuggle together on the day bed that had been set up specifically for Sesshomaru. "I cannot answer truthfully that he will be here on time, all I know is that he had better be."

xoxoxox

The muffled sound of thunder had amber eyes slowly drawing open and Sesshomaru winced at the dull pain that had him restless in his sleep. After getting partway through one of the historical scrolls, the children had fallen asleep to nap and Sesshomaru easily joined them. During the reading, he had felt off but paid it no mind. Now as he woke, the feeling of dull irritation in his abdomen was a bit worrying. He laid still for quite some time, waiting and monitoring his own body. It felt like annoying gas cramps, and he hoped that was all it was.

The room he was in had only one window, and outside of it the rain was pouring as if the gods had emptied the rivers into the sky. He whimpered a bit as another cramp hit his stomach and he reached out to rub it soothingly. The pup was settled and stilled but that could be another sign that he was indeed beginning to go into labor. It passed and he sighed in relief, looking down at his children and deciding it wouldn't hurt to let them keep sleeping.

He carefully untangled from them and left them curled into each other, kissing them both atop their heads before heading out into the main part of the library. He was greeted by a kitchen servant, who had brought up lunch and tea for them. The meal had been taken as he read to the children and he thanked her again for her service.

"If you'd send for Kaori, it will be appreciated. I'd like the children taken to their rooms."

She bowed and took to her task right away and Sesshomaru let himself wander to the doorway the led to a very small outside area that was mostly a koi pond. The water was disturbed by the heavy rains and the fish swam restlessly. Lightening streaked the sky and the thunder that followed was enough to make even him jump, wide amber eyes looking to the sky and suddenly not feeling very confident about Inuyasha's return at all. His middle cramped and he couldn't help the shocked sound that escaped him, the few scholars in attendance stopping their work and looking up at him in concern. He merely shook his head and waved their concern away.

He thought it best to sit and did so at the nearest desk, biding his time by carefully counting the minutes as they passed. Nearly twenty minutes passed and he was huffing in a deep breath as the muscles of his stomach tightened. Damn. He was in labor.

"Your highness?"

At the concerned voice he looked to find Kaori now there, she was giving him a worried frown and he merely forced his own to soften and offered her a barely-there smile.

"Are you alright?" She pushed, knowing him too well to know when he was trying to dismiss her worry.

"It's nothing. I was merely wondering how Inuyasha was faring out there in this weather. His troops must be suffering the setback of this weather worse than before."

"Perhaps. Shall I escort you to your rooms?" She was asking and he stood, ignoring the cramping and hopefully hiding his discomfort well.

"There is no need." He insisted and she reluctantly bowed her head in acknowledgment. "I sent for you so that you may take the children back to their rooms. I would hope they continue their naps until later this evening."

"And you?"

"I will make my way to the barracks and see if they received word from my mate. Perhaps a foot soldier on a horse was sent out as birds cannot fly in this weather."

"As you wish, my prince."

He thanked her and began to leave, but was stopped by the gentle hand on his arm and he looked down into her concerned eyes.

"You'll rest afterwards."

It was supposed to be a question but it was a gentle command and had the kitsune-kai not have been considered one of his few and closest friends, she would have been reprimanded.

"Of course." He told her and she nodded before letting him go so that they could get to their separate tasks.

The walk to the barracks had been a short but anxious one and he had to pause outside the door to let the latest contraction pass. It wasn't painful yet, but irritating enough that he could not help his reactions and did not want anyone to notice. Once it has passed, he let himself into the main room where soldiers and guards were either setting up for duty or disarming from having just been relieved. He nodded as he was greeted by bows and made his way to the office that held Inuyasha's next in command.

He knocked and waited patiently, and soon enough the doors slid open to a familiar but surprised face.

"My prince." The deep-timbred voice greeted cautiously, obviously confused to see the pregnant youkai at his door. "Is something the matter?"

"Shirogitsune." He greeted and the demon stepped aside so that he could slip into the office. The door was slid shut behind him and then the fox was turning those curious green eyes under a frowning brow to him. "I was hoping that you had some news of Inuyasha's progress."

The frown melted into a knowing look and then his eyes took on a teasing light. Sesshomaru often wondered about the demon's penchant for constant teasing and sometimes second guessed Inuyasha's decision to make him general of his armies and commander of the guard for when Inuyasha was away on missions without him. Though, the position was well earned. After the battle of Naraku, they had lost many. Kuma and Dokutake were old and had retired not too long after Inuyasha's resurrection. That had left Shirogitsune and a few loyal badgers to make up a council.

With Mujina's clan still having to earn their trust again, no high positions were granted to them though they did have a member on the royal council. Shirogitsune had made a show of refusing Inuyasha for weeks until the Daiyoukai had threatened to exile him if he didn't accept the position. He finally accepted, in the throne room before most of the palace in the grandest gesture and finding a way to embarrass the Daiyoukai and make him regret the offer to begin with.

The fox did his job well and Sesshomaru knew that his loyalty had been solidified when he was given it. Though he would never fully trust the kitsune to not make decisions to his own advantage. His past of betrayal to his own clan could not be forgotten.

He was offered a seat, which he graciously took and then Shirogitsune was joining him, seating himself behind his desk. He smiled warily back at the prince, observing him carefully before he cleared his throat.

"I regret to inform you, your highness, that I have not received any word from the Lord Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru winced and it would seem that Shirogitsune believed it to be because of the news. It was however because of the contraction that had started, but Sesshomaru merely accepted the apologetic look passed his way so as to hide the truth.

"I worry about his state out there in these dreadful storms. The soldiers must be eager to be back within the palace gates as well."

"Of that I am certain." Shirogitsune agreed, offering him an easy smile. "Though perhaps it is your mate's company that you miss the most."

"How bold of you to approach such an intimate subject with me, general."

Shirogitsune merely chuckled before he was looking the carrier male over, his eyes lingering on the round stomach that was no longer able to be hidden under the voluminous robes Sesshomaru chose to wear.

"I am wary to inquire if you are doing well." The fox began, his eyes looking back up to the amber ones staring back at him. "You draw closer to giving birth to the next prince or princess. Perhaps, you should retire and rest. I'm certain Inuyasha will return soon and we can't have you going into labor while he is unable to attend you."

Sesshomaru managed to not snort at the irony and merely nodded in agreement. He would accept Shirogitsune's advice to not linger in the barracks, but he could not return to just waiting in the royal chambers and waiting like some maiden in a fairy tale for her king to return. His anxiety would not allow it and it was best to keep moving; it helped distract him from the contractions.

"Yes, I believe you are right. There is not much else to do but wait."

Shirogitsune stood and hurried to his side as he began to stand, the older demon gently helping him and Sesshomaru merely rolled his eyes at the gesture. One of the downsides of being pregnant was everyone rushing to help him as if he was incapable of doing simple things like standing on his own.

"Thank you, Shirogitsune-san."

"My pleasure, Your Highness. Shall I send for an escort?"

"There is no need," He assured him, one hand resting gently on his stomach as he turned to leave the office. Shirogitsune got the door and he showed his appreciation with another nod of his head. "Thank you for taking the time. I hope you keep me informed on our lord's status."

"Of course, your highness. I will be sure you are the first to hear anything after myself."

With one final nod and a bow from Shirogitsune, Sesshomaru was walking away. But instead of heading back out to the hallway, he turned instead to the path that lead directly to the stables. He caught sight of Ah-un right away and made his way over to the two-headed dragon. The creature greeted him with a deep rumbling bellow that sounded closer to a cow than any dragon he'd ever known. He was delighted to see his old mount and carefully pet both heads, one gently snuffling at his round tummy.

"It's been too long, old friend." He said calmly, enjoying the short bonding time with the dragon-steed. "Forgive me ahead of time for not being able to rely on you for what I am about to do. However, I must be as discreet as possible and a two-headed beast taking off into the stormy skies will draw far too much attention."

Ah-un only snuffled and returned to the hay it had been busy eating before he had come in. Sesshomaru smiled and watched the creature for a bit longer before a contraction hit and reminded him that he had a purpose in coming out here. Aware of the stable hands that watched him warily, he easily bid them out, claiming that he wished to enjoy the calming comfort of the horses on his own. Once they obediently followed his orders, he made his way through the stables until he found a towering black stallion, the horse chirruping calmly as he approached. The beast looked sturdy enough and when the thunder boomed, he didn't flinch or reel like any of the others. It took him no time at all to saddle and reign the horse and then with a borrowed cloak draped over himself, he was mounting the horse with some difficulty. As he settled in the saddle, he as letting out a short cry, his hands grabbing his middle as this contraction hit a bit worse than the those that had come ahead of it. He grit his teeth and grabbed the reigns, leading the horse out past the paddock gates and into the storm. He took the less-often used path that led out of the palace grounds and headed in the direction Inuyasha's last correspondence had mentioned he'd been held stagnant. Inuyasha would not miss the birth of their child, even if he had to bring him home himself.

xoxoxox

Minako paused in her work as the lightening flashed almost blinding, her deep-set eyes looking out to the dark, gray skies with a frown. This storm was terrible and lasting far too long in her opinion. Storms like this, they brought nothing but trouble, being mostly terrible omens. Thunder crashed and the very walls seemed to tremble, as if Raiden himself was responsible for this mess.

A whimper caught her attention under the noise, her shock at her hearing being able to pick it up ignored and she looked to the doorway of her workshop. There stood Tsuyoi, clothes a rumpled mess as she had probably woken in a panic and hastily made her way in search of an adult. It was odd that she had chosen Minako and not her father. Perhaps Sesshomaru was engaged in some sudden meeting with the remaining council that could not be interrupted by the royal children. She sighed and beckoned her in with a tilt of her head, ignoring the ache in her back and lifting when Tsuyoi raised her arms and demanded she be taken up.

"And just what are you doing all the way down here, young lady?" She questioned, Tsuyoi burying her face into her neck, small arms gripping around her shoulders tightly as the pup trembled.

"The storm is too scary!" She was objecting loudly, followed by sobbing.

Minako shushed and bounced her, beginning to slowly pace as she soothed the young inu-youkai as best as she could. Gradually the girls sobbing turned to hiccups and finally quiet little shuddering breaths before Minako thought her calm enough to continue asking questions.

"And where, pray tell, is your father?"

"Chichiue is gone."

That made he pause and frown, looking down at the amber eyes that were now staring back at her still misty with the remains of tears.

"Gone? Gone where?"

The girl merely shrugged and Minako let out a deep sigh as she looked back out at the dark skies as lightening and thunder struck again. Tsuyoi clung to her and she shushed the child her brain still thinking of the possibilities of where Sesshomaru could be. Her thoughts were interrupted by the doors opening and she looked up to find Kaori standing in the doorway, worried green eyes settling a bit as she caught sight of the youngest royal in her arms.

"No worries, she made her way straight here when she couldn't find Sesshomaru."

That made Kaori frown and Minako's own frown deepened. If Kaori did not know where the crown prince had gone off to, then there was something definitely going on.

"We search him out discreetly." Was all she said and Kaori nodded before stepping in to the room and gathering Tsuyoi in her arms. The pup whined a bit but reluctantly let herself be taken and carried off.

Once alone, Minako packed a few of her supplies away, before gathering a small satchel of herbs and tinctures to carry with her. Once that was done, and her walking stick was in hand, she left her workshop behind and settled on an easy pace to search the palace for their absent prince.

Two hours later, she and Kaori sat back in her workshop the worry thick in the air as Sesshomaru was nowhere to be found.

"Perhaps he has taken refuge out with the tanuki clan?" Kaori offered, obviously grasping at straws in desperation. "A political matter must have been brought to his attention, one that could not wait for our lord's return."

"The boy would never set foot there without his mate, not after Ishimaru's mutiny. They haven't earned his trust enough for him to venture out there on his own."

"He often promised Kuma that he would visit his estate that he has retired to, maybe he finally accepted the invite for tea."

Minako shook her head and Kaori's desperation and worry rose and seemed to make the air vibrate. They both knew that he was nowhere to be found because he was not on palace grounds. The knock on her door had them both looking and when she bid the visitor come in, both women froze at the sight of a frowning Shirogitsune.

"Pardon my intrusion at so late an hour, Lady Minako."

Minako startled a bit before looking out at the window. It was dark out, the rain now a quiet hum and no longer the disastrous storm it had been earlier. Their task had distracted them enough that it was now late into the evening. This was more worrisome than she wanted it to be.

"Lady Kaori." The fox was greeting, Kaori gently bowing her head in respect. He stepped in further and shut the doors, moving in and slowly seating himself with them at the table where they were stationed. "I did not know who else to share this with now that our Lord Inuyasha is still absent. I was approached by a stable hand that let me know that one of the stallions were gone. He also informed me that earlier the prince had been in the stables, insisting that he be alone so that he could take comfort with the animals."

"What?" Kaori had already put two and two together, and she was looking to Shirogitsune in disbelief. "Where could he have gone off to!"

"Of that I am uncertain, my lady. However, just before then, he had visited me and asked of Inuyasha's status. He did not seem himself and though he did well to hide it, I was certain there was an air of discomfort surrounding him."

Minako's hands fell limp against the table top as her eyes widened in realization, the two kitsune turning to look at her, Kaori in a pleading manner for her to explain and Shirogitsune with a calm expression that helped ground her from panicking outright.

"He's gone into labor." Kaori's gasp was echoed with Shirogitsune's quiet swear and Minako was standing, reaching for her prepacked satchel and walking stick. "He's gone to make his way to Inuyasha. The stubborn fool."

"Shall I accompany you, my lady?" Shirogitsune was asking and Minako signaled him to stay seated, as well as Kaori who had began to stand as well.

"No, you must both stay here. The castle is under your protection with both Lord Inuyasha and the prince not in attendance. And Kaori, you must stay with the children. The storms have quieted for now but will roll in again. Tsuyoi will not take comfort with anyone else. I will manage on my own."

"My Lady, I insist you at least let me send an escort with you, one of my trusted captains."

"I'm not so old I can't fend for myself. I can handle bad weather." It was a dismissal and a final one, and Shirogitsune nodded in acknowledgment before standing.

"I'll return to my station and continue on as if nothing is amiss. No need to give the chance for this to spread out like wildfire." He turned to Kaori then, who he could tell wanted to object to being left behind still and simply rested a calming hand on her shoulder. It caused her to look up at him and he offered her a gentle smile, pleased at the dusting of pink that spread over the bridge of her nose. "Shall I escort you back to the children first, my lady?"

"Very well." Was all she muttered and stood quickly before briskly walking out after a quick bow to Minako.

He looked back to the old demon woman and bowed in parting, ignoring the knowing look she threw at him but couldn't help the parting smirk. Once they were gone, Minako set off, making her way to the stables and being greeted by curious stares.

"Lady Minako, how may I be of service?"

She glanced to the grizzled Kuma-kai, the head stable hand and possibly the one who had informed Shirogitsune of Sesshomaru's odd behavior in the stables.

"I've gotten word a pregnant demoness is in duress out in one of the noble houses. They've begged my help and I could not refuse. I have need of steed, the fastest you can offer."

He nodded and led her to a large pen and she smiled at the sight of two heads soon poking over the gate of it.

"Ah-Un will get you there, faster and safer than any of the horses." He promised and she nodded in agreement and let him do the work of saddling the dragon-steed. Soon enough she was airborne, cold, wet and miserable but determined as she headed out to the last known whereabouts of Inuyasha's caravan. If she were lucky, she'd find Sesshomaru first and then give him a good tongue lashing before dragging him back to the palace by his ear where he can give birth in proper comfort.

xoxoxox

The thunder thankfully muffled his cry and Sesshomaru's outburst teetered into a whimper as pain tore through his middle. The contractions were getting worse and he had no idea anymore if he was even going in the right direction. The horse beneath him knickered and made soft noises, almost as if trying to comfort the demon mounted on him and Sesshomaru was grateful he had chosen well.

As the contraction passed, he looked up at the sky that was still letting the rain fall, heavy once again and slowly becoming another raging storm. He didn't know if he could keep going if the weather got worse. Not with the contractions closer and getting much stronger. He took the reins and signaled the horse forward again, getting a good distance before he was again incapacitated. This time it was different and the horse whinnied as he screamed, before he was whimpering in distress.

Even soaked through from the rain, he felt it soaking between his legs and he let out a sound of distress as he had to accept the fact that his water had finally broken. His labor was moving along too quickly. It would only be a matter of time before he would need to stop and would be unable to do anything more but writhe in pain and wait for his body to be ready to push.

With his teeth grit against the discomfort, he urged the horse forward again, determined to go as far as he could beforehand. He refused to go through this alone. Inuyasha would be there because if he lost another pup, he wasn't so certain he'd survive it if there wasn't someone there to stop him.

xoxoxox

"Lord Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha snapped himself out of the blank stare he had been giving the territorial map he'd been studying to pass the time. He was greeted by a young solider running into his tent and hastily saluting and bowing before targeting him again with an uncertain look plastered on his face.

"A dragon-steed just entered the camp." He announced and Inuyasha frowned, strengthening and turning to face him fully. "There's a saru-kai woman mounted on it. She demanded she be brought to you."

He forgot that this soldier was not part of his usual ranks and knew nothing of Minako, but he ignored it and merely nodded, ordering him to bring her to him. As he dismissed the scholar that had been helping him and tidied up while he waited, he let the tension in his shoulders get worse as his nervousness built. If Minako was here so suddenly, then it had to be about Sesshomaru. It was possible his brother had gone into labor, and she was here to retrieve him. He did not want to abandon his men, but he knew that Sesshomaru would not tolerate him not being there for the birth of their newest pup. As footsteps approached him, he turned to greet Minako with a smile but it fell at the state of her and the expression on her own face. He watched her look around and then sigh heavily eyes drawing closed as if to gather herself before slowly opening them again.

"He's gone into labor." She confirmed his suspicions and he wanted to be happy but her demeanor delayed that response. "And he hasn't made it here."

That had him freezing and his world spun and he nearly keeled over. For someone her age Minako was fast and caught him as he stumbled, and helped him sit on a stool by the map table.

"He's not at the palace." It was not a question because he already knew.

"He left. Possibly to make his way to you, but he took a horse and if he hasn't made it here…"

"Fuck!" He swore, standing up hastily and gathering up Tetsusaiga. "He's still out there and he's about to give birth."

Minako nodded and once he was ready, she carefully followed him, the two ignoring the inquiring glances from the camp as they climbed atop Ah-Un.

"No one leaves camp!" He ordered as they lifted into the air and then they were gone, into the night sky in search and leaving the befuddled demon soldiers behind.

xoxoxox

He hadn't wanted to but he had dismounted the horse and now sat in the mud clutching his stomach as he screamed bloody murder as a contraction ripped through him. He had wanted to be quiet, as out in the open, he was quite vulnerable but he couldn't help it. Kazue's labor was painful, Tsuyoi's was an ordeal, this one had started calm and had now suddenly turned to nothing but an agony he wasn't certain he could bear. At least not alone. Which he was. Unless you counted the damned horse. The stallion was currently tied to a tree, looking nonplussed to be stuck in the rain but still a calm steady presence despite the thundering rains.

As the contraction began to fade a bit, Sesshomaru forced himself to move, shifting to his knees and holding himself up with a shaky hand pressing against the tree he had settled by. If he had the grace to have regret, he would have it over coming out here alone. There were times he would admit, only to himself, that his stubbornness brought him more trouble than was worth. He could have at least brought Minako, though he was certain if he had mentioned it to the old healer, she would have boxed him over the head for his stupidity and then have him confined to the healing rooms. Though a soft cot seemed so much more welcoming than cold, wet mud and pouring rain.

Lightening split the sky just as a new contraction hit and again, he was grateful for the loud thunder. It made it so he didn't have to hear how pathetic and scared he sounded in his pain, and the rain hid the tears that were rolling over his cheeks as he began to sob as his womb contracted terribly. For the moment, there was no pressure and no urge to push, so he had time to spare. But even with all the time in the world, he wasn't able to find the energy to lift himself from the ground and try to begin his journey again. He was stuck there, out in the cold and the rain and the muck, and his baby was coming whether he wanted it or not.

The horse gave a nicker and Sesshomaru looked up to find it dancing a bit nervously. It put him on high alert and he forced himself to move, trying to disappear into the sparse surrounding shrubbery and hoping that whatever was out there could not see too well in the dark. He heard the muffled footsteps, hurried and heavy and then the horse was whinnying as whatever it was burst through into the clearing.

"Holy shit!"

His eyes widened at the familiar voice and he peeked out to find the demon calming the horse the best he could, trying to keep quiet as the contraction started to build again.

"Hey, you're ok." The horse was being soothed and Sesshomaru sagged in relief as amber eyes looked around but was soon screaming and sobbing as the contraction reached a crescendo he couldn't stay silent against.

"Fuck! Sessh!"

He let himself be taken into his mate's arms, hands gripping his clothes tightly as he let his pain rip through him, the sobs a mix of relief to be in his mate's arms and distress at the rhythmic cramping he had to endure.

"What the fuck were you thinking, Sessh." Inuyasha's scolding was given in a gentle tone, as arms wrapped around his suffering mate and rubbed at his back soothingly. "What on earth gave you the crazy idea to come looking for me?"

"The baby's coming!" Was all he could sob and Inuyasha pulled back a bit to give him a gentle look.

"You know damned well that's not excuse, I would have made it back to you if you had just-"

"No, shut up!" He wasn't intentionally being rude but the pressure he now felt in his birthing canal was unmistakable. "Right now! It's coming right now!"

"Oh, shit!" Inuyasha hissed, doing his best to help Sesshomaru remove his hakama and situate him in a way that would be best for him to give birth in. "Minako!"

He had to shout for her again as his cry had been overshadowed by Sesshomaru's cry of pain but luckily enough, just as Inuyasha had steadied the older inukai into a crouch, Minako was creeping through the treetops and then swinging down to the ground just as Sesshomaru couldn't help the urge to push.

"He-"

"I know!" She interrupted the Daiyoukai before sighing deep and cringing as she crouched beside the pregnant inuyoukai with her bad knees. She reached out for him, and one hand grabbed her to steady himself and she smiled down at him even though she was still mad at the stupid decision he had made to come out here. "Very good, lad. Once it's stopped, you wait and breathe. Inuyasha, keep him steady."

The storm raged on as the minutes passed, the three demons working in sync. Inuyasha encouraging and comforting, Minako guiding and Sesshomaru pushing and breathing and gritting his teeth through the pain. He sobbed, he screamed, he cursed, he begged and pleaded for it to finally end and eventually with lightening streaking the sky and thunder ripping its roar over the earth, Sesshomaru gave a final shout. The world fell quiet for one solid moment and as Sesshomaru slumped against Inuyasha, wet eyes looking to Minako who lifted the pup into his line of sight, his heart froze at the still pup that was bathed by the rain. The howl was building as he thought the worse, watching the pup not move, not do anything and the sky roared again with thunder and just beneath the rumble he heard it; the small, shrieking cry of a baby. His baby.

His baby was alive.

Instincts took over and he reached, pulling the pup into his arms and close to him, nose nuzzled into downy, white locks still wet from both rain and the birth, but Sesshomaru didn't care. The pup was alive.

"Hey, it's ok, babe. He's ok." That was Inuyasha, who was clinging to him hard but still not enough to hide his shaking. "You're ok. You're both ok."

He vaguely made out Minako reminding him about afterbirth, but he was too enraptured by the crying pup in his arms, and his body trembled as he held him close, wanting to keep him warm and safe and alive.

He was alive.

"He's alive." He was sobbing out, nuzzling more against the still shrieking pup. "Our baby's alive."

The two parents were allowed to wallow in the relief and stilted joy as the rain poured over them, but soon enough Minako was ordering them to wrap the infant up as best as they could with the blankets she had brought. Once he was swaddled and Sesshomaru lifted onto Ah-un carefully, the pup was nursed as they carefully headed home with the borrowed horse being led behind them. They let Ah-un walk as opposed to take to the sky and though it made the journey longer, it gave both parents the needed moments to bond with their latest pup in peace.

It was well into the night, the rain finally calming, when they reached the palace. Sesshomaru was rushed off to Minako's quarters and Inuyasha went to check on the other pups and inform Kaori of their return. He was back by his mate's side soon enough, glad to see him in dry warm clothes and settled in the bed with their pup beside him, eyes looking down in wonder at the sleeping infant.

"He's so quiet." Sesshomaru was mummering and Inuyasha snorted gently, moving closer and seating himself next to his mate, who didn't even look up at him. He was too entranced by the miracle of their pup living and breathing and actually being there.

"Well, he's full and warm and happy." Inuyasha told him and Sesshomaru merely hummed in reply. "And he's sleeping, which I think you should do, too."

That finally got his mate to look up at him, those eyes so full of fear that he moved closer and reached out to stroke at silver locks while the other hand gently cupped his face.

"Hey, hey, it's ok. I'm not going anywhere and neither is he, I promise. I'll watch over you both."

"I can't lose him, too." God the building wetness in his mate's eyes was torture. And he swallowed around the knot in his throat as he remembered what it looked like to see his mate in mourning. He couldn't have that happen. Not again.

"I promise." He croaked out, leaning forward to kiss his mate directly on the crescent moon mark before leaning his forehead against his. "He'll be here still when you wake up. I'll be here. And I'm sure the kids will be here, too. They've got to meet their baby brother sometime soon."

He pulled back and stroked away a stray tear from Sesshomaru's cheek before helping him settle in for some well-deserved rest. It took a good while before he finally saw his mate submit to his fatigue and he sighed heavily as his own weariness let itself be known. Amber eyes looked over to his youngest son and he smiled softly as the pup fidgeted a bit in his sleep. Carefully he was reaching out and lifting the boy into his arms, eyes watering in his own relief that this one had survived and had made it out into the world. Small eyes slowly opened and Inuyasha couldn't help the small, quiet laugh as he was quietly observed. And perhaps openly judged. The brat was definitely Sesshomaru's kid if that bored glare was any indication.

As he leaned in to nuzzle the baby, the teardrop that fell on the pup's cheek startled him a bit and he pulled back to wipe at his face absently. It would seem that he was much more emotional over this than he thought. He sniffled then, smiling down at his son and knowing that there was nothing that he wouldn't do for him if it meant keeping him safe and here with them always.

"You'll want for nothing," He promised, smiling at the sleepy yawn the pup gave before its eyes were drooping closed again. "I'll never let anything hurt you and you can bet your ass that I'll die protecting you."

"Do not curse in front of my child, Inuyasha." Came the sleepy mumbled words and the Daiyoukai was looking up and smiling gently at his mate, whose sleep-heavy eyes looked back at him. "Tsuyoi is bad enough already and Kazue no better."

"It gives them character."

Sesshomaru snorted and Inuyasha gently chuckled, looking back down at this son.

"Yasashiku." Came Sesshomaru's gentle voice.

He looked up again and Sesshomaru was staring at the bundle in his arms lovingly, fighting sleep a bit longer so that he could enjoy the sight of father and son in a tender moment.

"Why not Raiden or Akashi? An ode to his birth."

"Yasashiku." Sesshomaru insisted and it was final. There was obviously no room for discussion.

"Alight, if that's what you want." Inuyasha said in compliance. "I like it."

He stood to make his way around to the other side of the bed, settling the pup in the middle and climbing in so the it was cuddled snuggly between both of his parents. Sesshomaru turned carefully, still a bit sore from the ordeal of giving birth and reached out to take Inuyasha's hand in his as he moved to nuzzle the top of his baby's head.

"I vow to help you keep your promise to him." He muttered softly, Inuyasha retuning the grip on his hand, thumb gently caressing as he settled in for sleep as well. "But for all our pups. Even those that have yet to come."

"Planning ahead already?" Inuyasha chuckled and Sesshomaru smiled gently and shrugged.

"If this were all we were to have, I will be happy for the rest of my days." He stated before looking up mischievously at Inuyasha. "Though, I am burdened with a lecherous mate and somehow I feel it will not be a shock if I were to be impregnated again in the future."

Inuyasha snorted and learned down to press a gentle kiss to lips eager to receive it. Then he was nuzzling his pup before settling in for some well-deserved sleep. In the morning he would have to rise and make plans to bring his men back home. For now, he would savor the quiet moment of his mate and child within reach and bask in the feeling of a happiness he had never thought he'd find.

OWARI

I was feeling angsty when I started writing this and I hope you enjoyed it despite some sad moments.