Disclaimer: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

A/N: You get a snap shot! And you get a snap shot! Everyone gets a snap shot! (seriously, this thing is long as hell lol)

Also, for age references, Kichirou is 7 years younger than Rin, and 9 years younger than Souta and Shippou.

Behind the Curtain

By MissKatt

The Epilogue

"Good afternoon, Taisho-san!"

"You look great!"

"Oh my gosh, he's so cute!"

"Can I hold him?!"

Kagome gave a soft laugh as she walked towards Sesshoumaru's office, pushing Kichirou's stroller along with her. "Hey everyone. Sorry, but Kichirou is sleeping right now. Just bringing Sesshoumaru some lunch."

She waved off the girls' whines of protest and paused when she reached Miroku's desk. She gave a kind smile to the familiar face. "Touran-san, it's nice to see you again!"

The pretty bluenette gave her a polite smile. "It is nice to see you too, Higurashi-san. Or, do you prefer Taisho-san?" She asked.

The miko blushed. "Ah, whichever is fine. We're mates, not married; so, I technically don't have his last name yet," At the woman's lifted brow, she laughed awkwardly. "Uh, so, did Sesshoumaru ask you to come back?"

Touran nodded. "I'm standing in for his secretary for today."

"Yeah, he and his girlfriend had their twins today. I'm just getting back from visiting." She commented.

"Oh, okay." She replied before looking back down at the paper on her desk.

Kagome bit down on her bottom lip. "Ah, Touran, look, I'm sorry for what happened to you."

The girl looked up once again with a furrowed brow. "What happened to me?" She echoed.

"Yeah, I mean, with your job here. I know Sesshoumaru fired you when you stood in for me and I feel bad about it. I yelled at him for it, too."

Touran blinked before a small smile turned up her lips. "It's true he fired me, but he called when he left for his convention in Vegas. He said, 'it has come to my attention that I may have been too harsh on you.' Then offered my job back. I stood in when he was in Vegas and then resumed my position in Youkai Resources when he came back. So, perhaps it is I who should thank you for talking to him."

Her mouth fell open. She had no idea that Touran had come back to Taisho Corp! Had she really been there the whole time?! "O-oh! Well, I'm glad!"

She smiled at the miko and nodded towards the stroller. "You should go see your mate. He'll scold me for hogging your time."

Kagome nodded and gave her another smile before walking towards Sesshoumaru's office. She knocked on the door lightly and then opened it when she heard him grunt at her. She beamed at him when they locked eyes, but remained silent when she saw he was on the phone. She parked the stroller by the leather couch and lifted Kichirou out when he began stirring; something he did whenever he sensed his father nearby.

"Yes, I am aware," He spoke into the phone as he held it to his face with his shoulder, his hands reaching out for his son. He nodded when Kagome asked him if he was sure, and then carefully took him when she handed him to him. "A meeting would be acceptable."

The miko walked back over to the couch and grabbed the takeout bag from The Arrow. Kaede and Myouga got to see their 'great-grand baby' and she ordered lunch to-go for her and her mate. She set the bag on Sesshoumaru's desk and began unloading the contents. She looked over and felt her heart warm as Kichirou stared up at his dad as he talked, his little mouth smiling.

"I will have my secretary call you and set up an agreeable date and time. Good, until then." He said before hanging up. He then turned his son and lifted him so they were face-to-face. "Kichirou, my son." He rumbled affectionately. He nuzzled his son's soft cheek and smiled when his son started giggling. He then looked at his mate. "How are your friends?"

"Good!" Kagome told him as she sat down. "I still can't believe they had twins! And they're identical! I couldn't tell them apart. They put little bands on them so they can tell who is who."

"Youkai would never have that problem. Their scents separate them." He commented before taking a bite of his sandwich.

She rolled her eyes before frowning a little. She looked at their rapidly growing son and sighed. "Speaking of youkai…Sessh, he's four and a half months old, but he looks like he's a year old. He's started walking and talks already. Are you sure this is normal?"

Sesshoumaru playfully nipped at his son's small hand when he reached up towards his face, relishing in his baby laughter. "I hardly count 'mama' and 'dada' as talking, Mate." He teased. "And I assure you, its normal. Youkai grow much faster than humans do and then it slows once they hit puberty." He frowned when he felt a wave of sadness from her. "Kagome?"

She stared down at her sandwich, a sad frown on her face. "I don't want this to go so fast. I want to cherish him when he's a baby."

"Then we shall cherish him," He responded. "But, you must accept that he will not be this size for long."

She stuck out her bottom lip. "I don't want my baby to grow up so fast!" She whined.

He shook his head at her and then looked up when the door to his office opened. He lifted a brow as he watched his father walk towards their desk, his face grave. "Has something happened?"

Kagome looked at her father and blinked as he braced himself against the desk, his bangs covering his eyes. "Touga? What happened?"

"Something has happened and I fear I may not survive." He muttered, his hands gripping the desk tighter.

Sesshoumaru glanced down at his son, who was looking up at him again, and then over at a worried Kagome. He let out a soft sigh and fixed his father with a cool stare. "By any chance, does this have anything to do with Inuyasha and Kikyou having a boy?"

The miko blinked again before laughing when she heard Touga's whine. "Ah, so you just heard?"

"I won't survive! All these boys are going to be the death of me!" He cried. "I could hardly handle two, but now four!? I can't!"

The taiyoukai suppressed the urge to roll his eyes as his mate giggled once again.

*~~~BTC~~~*

Sesshoumaru looked down at his mate as she grunted, a small frown on his face. "You are not doing it correctly."

"How can there be a wrong way!?" She snapped. She bent over again, trying to catch her breath and stop her panting.

"If you bend your knees it will make it easier and take the strain off of you." He commented.

She pursed her lips together and adjusted her hold on the thick pole between her hands. "Okay, I can do this," Clenching her teeth, she tightened her grip and bent her knees as she heaved. She lifted the weight to her chest and then rolled her wrists back so that she could push it up from her elbows. Finally rising it above her head, she held it for a few seconds before dropping it down onto the pads on the floor. Her arms were burning and felt like Jell-O, but she felt amazing. She turned to her mate and grinned at him. "I did it!"

He smirked when she threw herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck. He put his hands on the small of her back and pulled her against him. Her form was small and thin against his, proof of all her hard work. "I told you that you would. You just had to work your way up to it."

"It's all thanks to you, Sessh." She cooed, pressing her lips against his. "Eight months of this and you haven't killed me yet, I'm surprised."

He returned the kiss before moving his hands down to cup her rounded, perky ass. "If I killed you, I would not get my reward." He teased.

Keeping his promise, he had helped Kagome get back into shape as soon as she was ready. It was painfully hard the first few weeks, her strength and energy easily sapped. She complained and cried, refused and made excuses, but he always made her stick to it. After a month and a half, she was the one waking him up for morning jogs. While the kids got ready for school, they did two laps around their neighborhood with Kichirou in his stroller. They would return, have a family breakfast, and then he would be off to work. When he came home, he would find her making dinner or helping the kids with their homework. They would have their family time together until it was the kids' bedtime. Once they were tucked in, he and his mate would work out in the garage until she was too tired to continue.

She also ate much healthier, drinking different flavored protein shakes to curb her appetite when she felt like indulging in sweets or junk food. Her dedication to getting her body back impressed him. He had told her she looked beautiful no matter what, and she did, but even he could admit that he was pleased with how her body was turning out. She was slightly thinner now than she was before she was pregnant, but she had gained some muscle that accented her new curves.

Kagome laughed and swatted at his arm. "I knew you were trying to get something out of this."

He smirked and removed his hands from her ass to trace up her sides and cup her breasts. "Maybe something."

She tried to keep in the moan when he rubbed her nipples through her sports bra. They had become stupidly sensitive since Kichirou was born. He didn't feed from them anymore, but the sensitivity remained. "Don't take advantage of my weakness." She murmured.

"Hn," He hummed and pinched them through the fabric, smirking again when she bit down on her bottom lip. "I will have to thank Kichirou when he is older. I wonder if they will grow more sensitive with the next pup you bear?"

She scrunched up her face at him. "Don't even joke around like that. I just got my body back and I'm going to enjoy it." She pouted at him. "Don't make me go through this again."

Sesshoumaru gently nibbled at her bottom lip when she pouted. "Oh, you will go through it again, but I agree that we should wait. Four kids is a challenge as it is."

"Exactly." She breathed when his fangs traced over the crescent moon on her shoulder, but frowned when he pulled away from her. "Don't tease me."

"Teasing you is what I do best." He smirked over his shoulder as he walked towards the towel he had set down on the floor when they first walked into the garage.

She stuck her tongue out at him before turning back to the weight she had just dropped. She grinned to herself as she was reminded of her accomplishment. She went to reach for it again, but paused when she felt Sesshoumaru's hand grab hers. She turned towards him and froze to see him on one knee. "S-Sessh?"

He met her eyes, amber clashing with blue. "I wanted to wait until I knew you were happy with your body again," He told her as he pulled lifted his other hand to hold up to ring he had bought her. "Now that you are, I presume you have no qualms in getting married?"

Kagome's mouth fell open in shock. Even though they were bound together by a bond much deeper than marriage, it still made her heart warm and her eyes swell with tears. "That's a terrible way to ask me to marry you."

He smirked up at her. "Who said I was asking you? We are getting married."

She beamed at him as he slid the while gold, diamond ring onto her finger. She wrapped her arms around his neck and molded her mouth to his, kissing him deeply. "I love you." She breathed against his lips when she pulled back from him.

He pressed his forehead against hers. "I love you, too."

*~~~BTC~~~*

"Kichi-chan, are you excited for Haru's birthday party?" Kagome asked her three-year old son, smiling down at him as they walked in the mall. Mirrored blue eyes looked up at her and she felt her heart clench at how much he had grown. He looked to be around five in human standards and even though Sesshoumaru, Touga, and Kimi had assured her that it was normal, it made her miss when he was a pup.

"Mhm," He answered. "I like Haru. He has ears like Uncle Yasha and is fast like me and Pou."

She smiled at Shippou's nickname. "That's because he has youkai in him like you, papa, Jiji, and Pou."

"But, not a lot, right? That's why he has ears?" Kichirou asked innocently. "Is that why I don't have ears? Because I have more youkai? But aren't you and Auntie Kee the same?"

Kagome's laugh turned awkward. How did she explain to her son that because her and Kikyou were miko, that their demon children would mirror their fathers? Hell, even she barely understood it. "Ah, say, Kichi-chan, why don't we get some ice cream before picking up Rin, Sou, and Pou?"

He beamed up at her, giving her a fangy grin. "Okay!"

She laughed and smoothed out his silver locks before leading him to the ice cream stand. They stood in line together and she hummed as they waited. When they were second in line, she released her hold on Kichirou's hand and began to rummage through her purse for her wallet. She pursed her lips as she dug through the contents of her bag. Really, why did she have so many things in there?!

"Ah! Here we go," She said triumphantly as she pulled it from her purse. "Hm, let's see, I'll take a mint chocolate chip. What do you want, Kichi-chan?" She looked down at her side, but felt her heart sink when he wasn't there. She quickly turned around, ignoring the irritated looks from the customers behind her, but didn't see her son.

"Kichirou!" She called as she stepped out of the line, her heart hammering hard in her chest as she looked for her boy. She began jogging around the area, her eyes darting back and forth in search for snow white hair. "Kichirou!" She shouted, her pulse now pounding in her neck as fear gripped her. Where was he? Had someone taken him? Was someone stupid enough to do that? Where was her boy?! "Kichirou!"

She heard her phone ring and instantly began searching for it. Who was it? A ransom caller? She looked at her phone and felt her eyes swell with tears. She slid her thumb across the green bar and answered the call. "S-Sessh!" She heaved. Gods, she was so happy they had their bond.

"What happened?"

"I-it's Kichirou! I-I can't find him!" She cried, her chest heaving.

"Calm down and take a few breaths. Where are you?"

"The mall," She breathed. "W-we were standing in line to get ice cream," She gasped in a breath. "A-and then he was gone!"

"I will be there shortly. We will find him."

She opened her mouth to tell him okay, but froze when she saw her son with the last person she wanted to see. "K-Kouga!?" She heard a growl from the other end of the phone before it went dead. Forcing herself out of her shock, she ran as fast as she could to the wolf. Her reiki sparked across her skin as adrenaline and anxiety consumed her.

Kouga tensed when he sensed reiki approaching him quickly. He looked up and quickly stepped back as a fist was swung at him, the reiki sizzling across his cheek. He quickly held up his hands in defense as the angry miko prepared to strike at him again. "Wait! Hey!" He cursed as he dodged another fist.

Kagome grabbed Kichirou's shoulder and jerked him behind her, her chest heaving as she glared at the wolf. "Kidnapping my son, Kouga? How low are you willing to go!?" She snapped.

"Mama." Her son whined, pulling at the hem of her shirt as he heard her shallowing breathing. He had never seen his mother look so scared or angry. Why was she breathing like that? He didn't like it. "Mama…"

"Kidnapping!? I didn't do shit! You're son came over here by himself!" He countered, icy blue eyes hardening.

"You expect me to believe that!? After everything you've done to me? To me and Sesshoumaru?!"

He growled at her. "That was over three years ago!"

"And?!"

"Get over it!"

"Raise your voice to my mate again and I will rip out your tongue." Sesshoumaru growled from behind him, his youki pulsing with anger. He had used his youkai speed to run there as fast as he could, his beast snarling at the possibility of danger to his mate and heir.

Kouga tensed as the inuyoukai's youki pressed down on him. "L-look, I didn't take your son. He came over here on his own, I swear."

She grit her teeth together in anger. "How can I believe th-"

"Daddy!" A little girl suddenly called.

Kagome and Sesshoumaru looked at the black haired little girl with green eyes as she approached them from the restroom, a redheaded woman behind her. They watched as they both came up to Kouga, the woman kissing him on the cheek.

"Yume!" Kichirou grinned, stepping out from behind his mother to approach the girl once again, a bashful smile on his face. "This is my mama and papa!"

"Ah, h-hello…" She murmured embarrassingly, bowing politely to the two new adults.

Kagome stared at the four with her mouth agape. She only snapped out of her shock when she felt two hands cup her face. She looked up at Sesshoumaru and furrowed her brow. "H-he-"

"Breathe," He told her softly, golden eyes staring into blue. "It has been three years since your last panic attack, do not start now."

She swallowed thickly and nodded once as she forced herself to take deep breaths. Once she had calmed down a little more, she looked at the two children as they chatted about their favorite snacks and Disney movies. She reluctantly glanced back up at Kouga. "I'm…sorry for accusing you of kidnapping my son." She murmured as she felt Sesshoumaru's hands fall to her shoulders.

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Nah, don't apologize. I can't say I blame you for thinking that when you saw him over here."

"It was cute, the way he approached our daughter and introduced himself!" The redhead giggled. She then gave the two a little bow. "I'm Zoku Ayame! Nice to meet the infamous Sesshome!"

Kagome blinked. "Zoku? You two are married?"

"Yes. We have been for two years. Mated and married!" She smiled and then violently slapped her mate on the back of her head. "I'm sorry for what he did to you two three years ago. I know how jealous he can get." She sent a glare to her mate. "Now is your time to apologize." She growled.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear yah," Kouga grumbled as he crossed his arms across his chest. "I'm sorry for all that shit I did."

Sesshoumaru and Kagome blinked before glancing at each other. However, they broke their eye contact to look at the children when they began giggling at something. With a deep sigh, Kagome met Kouga's eyes. "Well, it seems we will have to put it behind us regardless. Our pups seem to like each other."

Of all the friends for Kichirou to make, why did it have to be the wolf's daughter? "Hn, we must be going. Our kids have to be picked up from school soon." Sesshoumaru told them before putting his hand on his son's head. "Come, Kichirou."

"But, papa," He pouted up at his dad, but sighed when he saw his stern look. He then looked at his new friend with a wide smile. "Bye, Yume! Let's play soon!"

"Yeah! Bye!" She chimed happily and waved at him as he was led away from her by his father.

"I like her! She's nice!" Kichirou exclaimed, beaming up at his mom.

"That's great, sweetie…" Kagome told him before sighing softly as they walked towards the parking garage. What had their son just gotten them into?

*~~~BTC~~~*

"Ayame just asked me for a play date." Kagome suddenly spoke up, her eyes on her phone as she laid on her bare stomach.

"Who?" The taiyoukai asked as he removed his collared shirt and slacks.

"You know, from a couple days ago? Kouga's mate," She murmured, feeling Sesshoumaru crawl his way up the bed, her body beneath his. "She found me on Facebook."

He pushed her silky black locks from her bare shoulders, his fangs nipping at her mating mark. "What are you going to say?" He asked, smirking when she shuddered under his touch.

"I don't know. Is it really fair to deny Kichirou his friend because of our past with Kouga?" She questioned, tilting her head to one side so he could scrape his fangs along the skin there.

"I think they would understand if you said no," He replied as he lowered a hand to squeeze a perky ass cheek. "But, I do not think Kichirou would."

"Exactly. They're two innocent kids in this ordeal." She commented as she bit her lip. "I guess as long as Kouga's not there, it should be okay." She typed back her phone number to Ayame and then locked her phone. She then arched her back, pressing her ass against his erection and smirked when he growled in need. She then moaned when he grabbed her hips, angled them up, and filled her with a swift thrust.

*~B~*

Kagome stared down at her coffee cup, her nail picking at the edge of the lid as her brain raced for something to say. She bit down on her bottom lip and furrowed her brow. What could she possibly say? She glanced up when she heard Kichirou's shriek of laughter as he chased the black haired girl around the park's jungle gym.

"This must be awkward for you."

The miko jumped slightly before looking at the redhead sitting beside her on the bench. She straightened up and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Sorry," She murmured. "I just don't know what to say…"

She waved her hand. "I understand. Honestly, I'm surprised you even agreed to this play date."

She hummed softly. "Sessh and I agreed that it was unfair for both Kichirou and Yume to deny them their friendship based on past events."

Ayame nodded. "Yeah, Yume hasn't stopped talking about your son since that day," She giggled. "I think she may have a little crush."

She couldn't help but smile. "I think he does too," She admitted before frowning slightly as she looked back at the happy pups. "One day, though, they'll have to know what happened."

Green eyes fell on the kids once again. "Of course they will. Hopefully her father's past antics doesn't destroy their friendship when it happens."

She nodded once. "If this friendships lasts, then we will wait until they are older."

She turned towards the human. "And until then…?"

Kagome gave her a small smile. "You and I will just have to make a friendship of our own."

The wolf smiled warmly. "I would like that." She took a tentative sip of her coffee. "But our mates could never be in the same room together."

"Definitely not." She agreed as she too took a sip of her coffee.

*~~~BTC~~~*

"You're being completely unreasonable!" Rin shouted at her dad, her brown eyes hard with anger.

"I do not believe I am, you are thirteen years old; you do not need to be out with boys at this hour." Sesshoumaru responded calmly from behind his home office desk.

"At this-?! It's six! That's not even late! And it's just a movie!" She snapped. "And you're acting like its only going to be me! All of my friends will be there too! There's going to be, like, eight of us total! Come on!"

"I said no, Rin. You are too young to be mingling with boys anyways." He retorted. Honestly, he never wanted his little girl to be around boys in the first place. He didn't want her to grow up any more than she was.

She let out a frustrated shout and then turned towards the silent Kagome on the office's sofa. "Help me out, please!?"

Kagome sighed softly and closed the book she was reading. "Rin, I'm sorry, but I agree with your dad. We haven't met these boys and we have only met these friends of yours a handful of times. Maybe once we get to know them a little better we will allow it. But, as of right now, I think its best you stay home tonight."

Her face burned red in anger. "Are you kidding me?! This is so stupid! You've met them like, four times! How is that not enough?! And you're acting like I'm going to go and make-out with them! Gods, don't you trust me!?"

"It's not that we don't trust you, Rin; it's that we don't trust these boys or your friends. We don't know them, so we can't trust them with you. I understand you're upset, but this is how it's going to be," She said a little more firmly. When she saw Rin about to protest again, she hardened her blue eyes. "Rin, we said no and that's final."

Rin's face contorted in anger before she exploded at them. "I hate you two!" She screamed as she bawled her hands into fists. "You're aren't even my real parents! I bet my real parents would have let me go!"

Momentarily ignoring the shock and hurt of Rin's words, Sesshoumaru calmly replied, "Be that as it may, we are your parents now. If you continue to act like a child, you will be grounded like one. Another outburst and you will lose both your laptop and your phone."

Her bottom lip trembled with anger and she turned away from her father. She glared at Kagome and harshly commented, "Mama would have let me go."

Sesshoumaru watched her storm out of the room and then released a heavy sigh. He glanced at his mate and frowned at her sad expression. "She was just upset, Kags." He told her, but their shared hurt echoed between their bond.

"I know," She murmured and then placed a hand over her heart. "Still stung though."

"Yes, but I am sure she did not mean it." He told her before turning back to the work on his desk.

Kagome nodded once, but closed her eyes to stop them from watering. She loved Rin like her own daughter, had for the past seven years, and her words hurt. Did she really still not consider her as her mother? She knew she would never forget about Kagura, but wasn't there a place for her in Rin's heart as well?

*~B~*

"M-Mom!" Rin cried as she saw Kagome walk through the doors of her middle school principal's office a few days later. She remained seated however, embarrassment flooding her with the mere thought of standing up. Tears sprang to her brown eyes once she felt her arms around her. She gripped her t-shirt and tried, but failed, to hold in a sob. "I-I'm so embarrassed."

"Don't be, baby," Kagome cooed as she smoothed out her daughter's hair. "It happens to every girl at some point in their life. It just means you're growing up."

"I know, but why at school? And at lunch of all times?!" She exclaimed, cheeks red with embarrassment.

"We can't control when it starts. But, at least Pou and Sou were there for you." She said calmly, trying to soothe down her daughter's tears.

She sniffled loudly and nodded. "The seventh and ninth graders have lunch at the same time, so they came over when I started freaking out," She murmured. "But, I was with all my friends too, mom. They laughed when I stood up and pointed to my skirt. What if they make fun of me?"

"Oh, baby, if they make fun of you, then they weren't really your friends to begin with." She released her daughter for a moment to pull out a pair of pants. "Here, go change and I'll take you home."

She rubbed at her eyes. "But, school's not done for the day."

"So? I think you deserve ice cream and movies. Plus, we have to get you some pads. I think thirteen is too soon for tampons." Kagome said and then laughed when Rin's face turned bright red again.

"M-Mom!" She wailed as she buried her face in her hands.

Kagome giggled again before patting Rin's head. "Go change, baby. I'll wait for you right here." She watched the young woman sulk off towards the restroom before pulling out her phone. She opened up her and Sesshoumaru's conversation and wrote him back.

'Yep, just as I thought, our little girl is a woman now.'

Sesshoumaru had received the call about a 'personal emergency' at school, but was about to head into a meeting. He had Miroku call her to handle it, but she knew he was still worrying about it. She, on the other hand, had a pretty good idea of what it was.

'No, you must be mistaken. She's thirteen.'

She giggled. Somehow, she also knew her mate wouldn't take the news of his only daughter becoming a woman well.

'Thirteen is usually when they start their periods, Sessh. You have to accept it.'

'Are you certain?'

'Blood doesn't lie, my dear.'

'I am not prepared for this.'

Kagome laughed when she felt his irritation through their bond. Seeing Rin stalk back towards her with her head down, she quickly typed back that she had it handled and that she loved him before putting the phone back in her purse. "Well, let's hit the store and get a movie in before Kichirou gets out of school."

Rin nodded once before linking her arm with her mom's. "Thanks, mom. And…" She muttered, her cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry for what I said the other night."

She smiled lovingly down at her daughter and squeezed her arm. "It's okay, I know you were mad, honey. And you don't need to thank me; that's what I'm here for, Rin. I love you and will always be here for you."

She returned the smile. "Love you too."

*~~~BTC~~~*

"What do you think of this?" Kagome asked, handing Sesshoumaru her tablet as she leaned against his office desk.

The taiyoukai tore his eyes from his computer screen and glanced at the screen's contents. He lifted a brow at the picture of a house. "It is nice, I suppose."

She pulled the screen back and hummed, reading over its details. "It has five bedrooms plus a den. Oooh, it has a spacious loft too." She cooed as she flipped through the pictures. She went back to the main listings and clicked on another house. "Oh! Look at this one!"

Pulling his eyes from his work once again, he glanced at the screen again. Why was she showing him houses? What was wrong with theirs? "I see." He commented briskly before looking back at his work and typing on his keyboard.

She suppressed a smirk and read its details to him. "Five bedrooms, no office, but it does have a three car garage. We could probably wall off part of it so you can still have your office."

"Hn." He grunted as he continued to work, his irritation spiking a little. Did she really come all the way to the office just to talk about houses?

"Let's see, right now we have four bedrooms and an office, so this one won't work. It would be too small, don't you think?" She asked him, a small smile on her face she felt his ire towards her.

He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger. He then swiveled in his chair to look at her as she happily scrolled on her tablet. "Kagome, I have a lot of work to do. Can this house talk wait until I come home?"

She pursed her lips together. "Can I just show you one more?"

Sesshoumaru clenched his jaw. He was already having a bad day and she was not helping. He loved her more than anything, but Gods, this was not the time to bother him. "No. Why do you want to move anyways?"

She shrugged. "I just think our house is too small."

"Too small? How so?"

"Hmm, I don't know," She waved her hand at him and then looked back down at her screen with a smile. "Come on, let me show you just one more? Please? And then I will leave you alone, promise!"

He let out a sigh and then held out his hand for the tablet. "Just one."

"Yay!" She set the tablet in his hand. "I think you'll really like this one."

He doubted it. But, to humor his mate and get her out of his office, he held up the tablet and stared at the screen. His amber eyes widened slightly and he felt his heart tighten. He glanced up at her and saw that her grin had turned into a loving smile. He looked back down at the screen and ran his finger tip over the black and white image before looking at her stomach with soft, golden eyes.

"I told you that you'd like it." She practically purred when he set the tablet down and pulled her closer so he could nuzzle her stomach. She gently stroked his hair as his hands settled on her waist.

"Another pup." He rumbled affectionately. "How can I not like it?"

Kagome smiled down at him. "I'm almost six weeks in." She told him as he rose from his chair and cupped her face in his hands. She sighed contently when he gently kissed her, his happiness caressing her through their bond. "I love you, Sessh."

"I love you, too," He told her as he kissed her again. He then stared down into her sapphire eyes and smirked slightly. "Five children in one house, hm?"

Her eyes widened slightly. "Three teenagers, one nine year old, and a newborn. Any chance of you quitting and becoming a stay-at-home dad?"

Sesshoumaru let out soft laugh. "None at all." He told her and nipped at her bottom lip when she pouted at him. He then pulled away from her and grasped her hand in his. "Come, we will go out for lunch in celebration."

"I thought you had a lot of work?" She asked him.

"It's suddenly much less important."

She smiled and she followed behind him. As they made their way to the parking garage, she blinked as she suddenly thought of something. "Think your dad will have a heart attack if we have another boy?"

"Probably." He said with a smirk. "But then I will inherit the company, so perhaps we should hope for one."

She lifted a brow at him. "Oh, what? You mean you don't know the gender? Mister 'it's a boy'?"

Sesshoumaru smirked at her. "Was I wrong?" When she huffed and looked away from him, he continued. "I am still trying to figure out the gender. It will come to me though."

"I want you to be wrong this time." She said as she stuck her tongue out at him.

His smirk grew. "I won't be."

*~~~BTC~~~*

"What are these? I thought we were done with presents?" Izayoi asked as Kichirou handed her a small, red Christmas box.

"These three were left for last!" The nine-year-old grinned, handing the last two gifts to his Jiji and Kimi-baachan. He then grinned and sat down next to his cousin.

"Okay, so, I know I haven't been around you guys much," Kagome started and then looked at Kimi. "Or called recently, but it's all been for a reason! Kikyou and Inuyasha know why, but I told them to keep it a secret until now."

The three grandparents looked at each other in confusion before looking at their kids and grandkids. "Is everything alright?" Inukimi asked hesitantly.

"Yes, yes, everything is fine! Now, open your gifts together!" She told them, grinning when she felt Sesshoumaru's arm go around her.

"All at once!" Kichirou told them seriously, blue eyes staring at each of them.

Touga laughed at his grandpup and then looked at the two women before opening his box as they did. He blinked and lifted the black fabric from the box. Unfolding the shirt, he read the line across the front of it. "Akemi's Jiji?" He read and then looked at Izayoi and Inukimi to see they had matching shirts with their nicknames. "Who is Akemi?"

Kichirou grinned and pointed to his mom's stomach. "That's Akemi!" He told them. "Mama's pregnant!"

Izayoi gasped excitedly, her hands clapping together in joy. "Oh! Kagome, Sesshoumaru! Why didn't you tell us!?"

"Because we wanted to keep it a secret until we knew the gender. It was hard, hiding this belly, but winter clothes helped a lot," She said with a laugh. "And, that's why I've been avoiding you all."

"Wait!" Touga suddenly shouted, making everyone in the room look at him. He stared at Kagome then Sesshoumaru seriously. "Akemi?"

Rin, now sixteen, tore her eyes from her phone and frowned at her grandpa. "You don't like it, Jiji? It means 'bright beauty'."

"No, no, it's not that," He said seriously as he looked at his granddaughter. "But, Akemi is a…a girl's name?" He asked and then growled at Pou and Sou as they snickered at him. "Don't laugh at me, boys! This is serious!"

Kagome laughed and then smiled brightly at her father. "Yes, papa, we're having a girl." She discreetly elbowed her mate in his ribs when he reminded her that he was right about the gender once again.

Kichirou and Haru whined slightly when their Jiji's aura exploded around them. However, they quickly overcame it when they saw tears in his eyes. They watched their grandma wrap her arms around him, his face buried in her shoulder. They both hurried to his side and frowned at him. "What's wrong, Jiji?" Haru asked sadly.

"You're not happy?" Kichirou questioned.

"No, no, boys; he's very, very happy." Izayoi told them as she stroked her mate's hair. "He's so very happy. We all are!"

Kagome wiped at the tear that fell from her eye and smiled embarrassingly when Sesshoumaru squeezed her shoulder. "Damn hormones." She murmured.

"So, now that the cat is out of the bag," Kikyou started as she looked at her sister. "How are you going to handle five kids in one house? You're crazy! Haru is a handful enough as it is!"

"Well, we were thinking of getting a bigger house," She answered as she looked at Sesshoumaru. "We've been looking into a few on the internet. If anything, we may just keep her in our room with us until we find the right one."

"You can't move when you're pregnant, mom," Shippou suddenly told her. "And you and dad need your own space."

"Yep, so that's why Rin will move down to our room and you can use her room for the nursery. It's already girly so it will work out perfectly." Souta added with a smile.

Her brow furrowed. "But, then where will you two sleep? I suppose we can convert the garage into a room…"

"No, mama," Shippou said softly before giving her a small smile. "We're moving out."

The color drained from her face. "W-what? Why? I thought you two were going to stay for your first two years of college?"

"We're eighteen, Kags. Pou and I have saved up from our weekend jobs and both got accepted into the same college." Souta explained.

"We got the email this morning that our application to dorm together got accepted." The kit told her gently. He frowned when he saw her eyes begin to water. "Mom…don't cry."

"As long as they maintain good grades, I told them I would help them." Sesshoumaru told her, looking down at his crying mate.

"You knew?" She asked, bottom lip trembling.

"Yes," He admitted. "They wanted to tell you themselves."

"And you're okay with it?!" Kagome asked in disbelief as she shoved his shoulder.

He let out an exasperated sigh. He knew she was going to react like this. "Yes, I am. They are eighteen, Kagome."

"They're only eighteen, Sesshoumaru!"

"They are adults."

"The hell they are! They-"

"They want to move out," He frowned when her mouth snapped shut, new tears swelling in her eyes. "They want to be adults and not rely on their parents. The fact that they are ready to move out and be on their own means we have done our job correctly."

"Sou and I love you," Shippou said with a small, encouraging smile. "But we want to try being on our own. Besides, how can we bring girls home if we still live with mom and dad?" He teased, smiling wider when she tried to hide a smile.

She wiped at her tears. "You better not be bringing any girls home…" She murmured stubbornly. She sniffled and crossed her arms across her chest. "I don't like it, but I can't force you to stay."

Souta got up and walked over to his sister to hug her. He tightened his hold when she squeezed him. "We will still come home for every birthday and holiday. We just want to be adults."

"Don't be an adult, it's a trap." She muttered before releasing him. "But, I guess we all have to fall into it eventually." She hugged Pou when he came over and hugged him just as tightly. "I mean it about the girls." She scolded as he pulled back with a laugh. She looked at the two brothers as they stood side-by-side and sighed heavily. "My babies are leaving the nest."

"Yeah, but we still expect home cooked meals." Sou grinned.

"And freshly baked cookies." Pou chimed in.

"The hell you think this is? When you move out, you're cut off from all dinners and baking goods." She replied with a scoff. When the two protested with wails, she grinned and stuck her tongue out at them. "So, you're staying then?"

The two huffed and crossed their arms across their chests. "Nice try." The youngest Higurashi said.

"We're still moving out." The fox added with a firm nod.

Kagome sighed. "It was worth a shot." She gave Sesshoumaru a small smile when he rubbed her shoulder comfortingly.

Now that the small argument had passed, Touga rubbed his face into his new shirt. "I'm going to have another granddaughter!" He cooed, causing the large pack to laugh, dimishing the left over tension in the room.

*~~~BTC~~~*

"What's wrong, Kichi-kun?"

The white haired boy jerked his head up as he was snapped out of his thoughts. He turned blue eyes on his best friend and gave her a small smile. "Nothing, Yume-chan."

She huffed and tossed a black pig tail over her shoulder. "We've been friends for almost seven years, Kichi-kun; you can't hide stuff from me." She jabbed her chopsticks at him from across their lunch table.

He sighed and set down his sandwich. "Now that Akemi is getting a little older, she needs to be watched more."

She blinked bright green eyes at him. "And, you have to watch her?"

He shook his head. "No, but my mom does. She's so busy keeping Akemi out of everything that I feel lonely. Pou and Sou moved out and Rin is too concerned with her boyfriend and friends. "

The wolf frowned at him. "You have me, Kichi-kun."

He nodded. "I know, but- Argh!" He ruffled his hair. "I don't know. Maybe I'm being silly."

Yume suddenly smiled at him. "I know what's wrong with you," She stated confidently. "You miss being the pup of the family. Now that you have a younger sister, your family's attention is more on her."

He stared down at his sandwich as he thought about her words. Was she right? Was he, in some way, jealous of his little sister? He frowned as he realized she was right. "W-what do I do? I don't want to seem like a little kid."

Her smile softened. "You're ten, Kichi-kun; you're still considered a kid. Just tell your parents. Mine did the same thing when my brother was born. They don't realize they're doing it, trust me."

He bit his lip with his fang as he instantly thought of his dad. "But, my dad won't be happy if I do that." He murmured.

She cocked her head at him. "What do you mean?"

"Dad…he's strict when it comes to feelings," He admitted. "He doesn't like when I whine or cry about things." He loved and respected his dad more than anything in the world. But, he could be a little hard on him. He had cried when he lost his first baseball game and his father had reprimanded him for it.

"Tears will get you nowhere in life. If you wish to see a different outcome, you must do something about it."

Then there was the time when he had fallen from the tree in the backyard and broke his arm. It had hurt so badly, that he had screamed the loudest he ever had in his life. Instantly his father had appeared at his side, his mother seconds behind him. His amber eyes were cool and calculating as he looked up at the tree and then down at his son.

"Do not attempt challenges that you cannot overcome. When you overestimate your abilities, you injure yourself," He nodded once towards his crying mom. "And others."

Another time had been when he whined and threw a fit when his mom grounded him and sent him to dinner without dessert for breaking a window in the house. She had told him many times not to practice baseball in the house, but he thought she would never find out. She had been furious, grounding him and then taking away his precious brownies.

"Cease your whining, Kichirou. You did this. You knew it was wrong to play ball in the house and yet you did so anyways. You must accept the consequences to your actions and reflect on them."

"Kichi-kun!"

He blinked his blue eyes once again as he was pulled from his thoughts. He glanced around him when he saw the rest of the students heading back inside for class. He sighed and stood from the table, picking up his lunch tray as he did. He met his friend's green eyes and gave her a forced smile. "I think I'll just keep it to myself. Bye, Yume-chan, I'll see you later."

She frowned as she watched him go. She then huffed and put her hands on her hips in determination. If he wasn't going to say something, she would!

*~B~*

Kichirou flinched when he heard shouts from his parent's bedroom as he reached the top of the stairs. He glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was 8pm. He frowned, knowing his parents usually put Akemi to bed early and then worked out in the gym in the garage. Curiously, he walked towards their door and brought his pointed ear close to the wood.

"I told you that you were being too hard on him!" He heard his mom shout.

"How am I being too hard on him?"

"He's scared to tell us how he feels because he thinks you're going to yell and scold him for it! That should say a lot, Sesshoumaru!"

"I do not scold him for expressing his feelings." Papa didn't shout, but his voice usually deepened when he was mad and it was definitely getting there.

"You do! Any negative emotion, you comment on! You don't allow him to be sad or mad or even irritated! You always have to say something!"

"That was how I was raised, Kagome."

She scoffed. "Yeah, and look how you turned out."

Kichirou winced when his father growled. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"You're emotionally constipated!" She snapped. "When I met you, you were always devoid of emotion. All you did was glare and try to scare people away from you! I will not allow you to turn my son into that!"

Another growl had Kichirou reaching for the door handle. Before he could stop himself he threw the door open and practically fell into the room. Regaining his composure, he stiffly stood between his parents and stared at the floor. "D-don't fight because of me…"

Kagome quickly overcame her shock and pushed aside her anger. She instantly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her son, pulling his head to her shoulder. "Oh, baby, we aren't fighting because of you."

He hugged her tightly around the waist. "I heard you guys yelling about me."

She sighed softly and put her cheek on his white head. "Ok, we were yelling about you, but not because of you. You have done nothing wrong. We were just discussing what Yume told me at school today when I came to pick you up."

His hackles rose. He should have known that was the reason. Why did she go and do that?! He pulled away from his mom slightly. "I'm sorry she told you all that. I was just talking and I didn't think she would tell you."

"Is it true?" Sesshoumaru asked, looking at his son with sharp amber eyes.

Kichirou tensed. "What do you mean?"

"Do you feel that you cannot express or talk about your feelings to me? To us?" He clarified, a frown on his face as he saw how tense his son had become.

"Well, kind of. I know that you don't want me to be weak."

Sesshoumaru ignored the piecing glare from his mate as he approached his son. He pulled his son to his chest and hugged him tightly. "I never meant to make you feel that way," He told him gently. "I want you to be strong, yes, but strength is also speaking up when you feel something is wrong."

Kichirou latched on to his father, hugging him back just as tight as tears sprang to his eyes. "I just want to make you proud."

His gut twisted in guilt. He released his hold on his son to bend down slightly so their eyes met. He cupped his son's face in his hands and stated, "I am, and will always be, proud of you Kichirou." His thumbs swept across his cheeks to rid them of the tears that spilled from his blue eyes. "Never fear telling me anything. I will always listen to what you have to say and help you if I can." His voice softened. "I apologize if I ever made you feel otherwise."

His eyes closed when one of his father's hands began to stroke his hair. They then shot open when he remembered all the love that came with the harsh times he remembered earlier. After he stopped crying about his baseball game, his dad had lifted him onto his shoulders and carried him around like a winner anyways. When he broke his arm, he was cradled to his father's chest as he was carried to the car; he had never felt safer. Then, when he broke the window, he remembered his father sneaking him a brownie after dinner anyways.

He shook his head as more tears came. "Y-you didn't," He murmured. "Sometimes I just forget how much you love me."

Kagome stepped closer and sandwiched Kichirou between her and Sesshoumaru as she wrapped her arms around them. "Kichi-chan, I don't want you to ever feel lonely or ignored. I love you more than anything. I'm sorry if it seems like Akemi is getting more attention than you."

His chest rumbled with the content feeling of being held by his parents. He shook his head. "I'm sorry for making a big deal."

"Don't apologize, baby. From now on, I will make sure you never feel that way ever again!" She pulled away from him so that she could turn him towards her. She lovingly cupped his cheeks and smiled down at him. "Promise me you will tell us if you ever feel left out, okay?" When he nodded, she pressed a kiss to the crescent moon on his forehead. "Now, head to bed, okay? You have school in the morning."

He smiled and nodded before stepping away from her. He turned towards his dad and felt his smile widen at the smile on his face. He hugged him again around the waist and then bid them both goodnight before leaving their room. However, he paused outside their door to listen in on his parents once again, wanting to make sure they were done fighting.

"Sessh…"

"Don't."

"Don't tell me that."

"I do not need your apology, Kagome," His voice was soft. Kichirou frowned when he smelled his mother's tears. "Don't cry."

"What I said…it was so wrong of me!" He heard her cry. "I know you're not like that. I'm so, so sorry…"

"You were upset and hurt, I understand. And, I too apologize for doing that to our son. I never meant to, Kagome."

"I know. Still, that was no excuse for the words I threw at you. I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing; there is nothing to forgive. Come here." After a slight shuffle, he heard the soft sound of his parents kissing. Smiling a little, he moved away from the door and back down to his room. Maybe he would thank Yume after all.

*~~~BTC~~~*

"Kichi, you have to tell him." Akemi told her older brother as he sat on the corner of her bed, holding a doll she had given him to play with.

He met the amber eyes of his little sister and pursed his lips together. She was nine years younger than him, half his age to be exact, and yet she was the wiser one of the two at the moment. "How did you know?"

"You're a horrible liar," She commented, walking her Barbie to his. "Every time papa asks about your college choice, you say you haven't heard back, but I can tell you're lying. The only reason you would be lying is if you're going somewhere he doesn't want you to."

Kichirou sighed. "Mom knows, but she's keeping it from him for now. I was going to tell him this weekend, but with Rin's wedding, I didn't want to the attention off her."

She pushed her black bangs from her eyes. "You think he will be that mad?"

"Not mad, Mimi, disappointed," He briefly closed his eyes. "And that's so much worse."

She hummed to herself and then perked up when she heard the garage open from below her. "Well, you better get it over with today."

"I know," He sighed and stood from the bed, handing her the doll back. "If father disowns me, you'll still love me, right?"

She stuck her tongue out at him. "No way, you broke up with Yume. She was my favorite."

He scowled half-heartedly at her. "It was a mutual decision."

"No it wasn't! I didn't have any say!" She pouted.

"It had nothing to do with you, runt!" He growled and stuck his tongue out at her before quickly shutting the door as she threw a stuffed animal at him. "Violent, little shit…" He murmured before making his way downstairs towards his father's office. He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his short, silver locks before knocking on the door. When he was prompted to go in, he opened the door and nearly sighed in relief to see his mom there. Maybe she would stop dad from strangling him.

"Kichirou," Sesshoumaru greeted calmly. "Your mother said you had something to discuss with me."

He scratched the back of his head and nodded once. "Yeah, I do…" He murmured, glancing at his mother who smiled encouragingly at him. "I heard back from the colleges."

"Oh?" He asked, eyebrows slightly raised. "And, is it the one we had hoped for?"

"Erm, the one I had hoped for, yeah."

He blinked once, his face impassive. "You hoped for?"

Kichirou swallowed thickly. "Yeah, I, um, got accepted to UCSD in California."

Kagome instantly felt a mix of feelings from her mate's side of the bond. The apprehension and confusion made her step in. "He got into one of the best med schools in California." She told him.

"Med school?" Sesshoumaru echoed.

He looked down at his feet. "Yeah, Dad, I'm going to studying medicine. More specifically, Anesthesiology."

The miko stood when she felt Sesshoumaru's disappointment and anger, the subtle layer of hurt not going unnoticed. "This is what Kichirou wants to do, babe. This is his choice and we need to respect that."

"What about Taisho Corporations?" He asked, amber eyes meeting his son's. "I thought you wished to take over the business after I retired in a few years?"

"No, Dad; that's what you wanted me to do." Kichirou replied sternly, his hands balled into fists. "I never wanted to be a businessman. It's never interested me, not even the slightest."

His jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed slightly. "And, how long have you had this desire to become a doctor?"

"For a couple years now," He answered honestly. "Pou is a Pharmacist and he loves it. He started talking to me about it and it got me curious in the field. I started doing research and I found Anesthesiology and it's stuck with me ever since."

He met his mate's eyes. "And, how long have you known?"

"From the beginning," She admitted. "But, I didn't think anything of it until he started applying to schools. Then we talked about it and I backed up his decision."

"I wanted to wait until I got accepted to the school I wanted to tell you, Dad." He quickly explained. "But, once I got accepted it was hard to find the right words to tell you…"

The president of Taisho Corp looked between the two as he digested his son's words. He had always assumed his first blood heir would take over his spot at Taisho Corp. Had he ever really asked if that was what Kichirou wanted to do? Did he assume he did because he and Inuyasha had? Speaking of Inuyasha, that would mean Haru would take up the spot if he wanted it.

"D-do you hate me?"

Sesshoumaru looked up as he was pulled from his thoughts. He met the nervous blue pools of his son and let out a sigh. "I am disappointed," He stated honestly. "But, it is your life and your choices are your own. If this is what you wish to do, then I will support you."

Kichirou gave him a weak smile. It panged him to know that he had let down his father, but he was relieved that he at least supported him. "Thanks, Dad. This is really what I want."

He nodded. "As long as it makes you happy."

"It does." He replied, smile widening a little. "Well I'm going to finish up my transfer sheet then. I'll see you guys at dinner!"

Kagome watched him go and then smiled as she walked over to her mate, her hands finding his shoulders to rub firm circles in it. "I know you're not happy."

He let out a heavy sigh. "Not at all," He murmured, letting his taught muscles relax in her hands. "But I cannot force him to do something he does not want to."

"Exactly," She told him. "Trust me, it was hard to accept that our little boy was moving half way across the world. But, he's very passionate about it, Sessh."

"It means Haru will take over the family business if he wishes to." He grumbled. In some way, he felt like he had lost a battle to Inuyasha.

She smiled. "Haru is a good kid." She commented. "But, you never know, maybe he will decline it too."

He hummed in his throat. "When does Kichirou leave for California?"

She tightened her grip on his shoulders. "In two month." She whispered.

He closed his eyes. "That is not very long."

"No, it's not." She agreed softly, eyes watering slightly. "We'll have to make the most of it."

He covered one of her hands with his. "We will."

*~~~BTC~~~*

"Ah Kichirou, thank you for taking time out of your holiday to have dinner with us." Ayame said with a kind smile as her daughter's reinstated boyfriend handed her a pile of dishes.

He smiled at her. "Of course, my parents understand that you guys are practically my pack too." He responded. "I'm still a little surprised how we're all together again even after Yume and I being apart for a few years."

Kouga snorted from his spot at the table. "You two needed a small break anyways. You were always together."

"That's what couples do, dad!" Yume huffed as she dried the plates her mom had finished washing. "I'm just glad we ran into each other last year during Christmas. I can't believe it's been a year though."

"After spending three years apart, a year together went by in a blink of an eye. Even though it was a lot of face timing and Skype calls." Kichirou commented as he looked at his girlfriend with a loving smile.

"I never stopped thinking about you." She told him with an embarrassed blush.

"Me either." He replied.

"Ah, cut the sappy shit." Kouga growled as he waved his hand at them when they blushed. "We all knew you two would eventually get back together."

Ayama giggled. "It's true. We all said it; even your parents did." At his confused look, she grinned. "What, you think just because you two broke up that Kagome and I would stop being friends? As if."

He laughed. "I should have known."

Yume laughed as well and pulled her long black hair out of its ponytail after finishing the dishes. "Well, I'm going to go say goodbye to the brats and then we can get going, ok?" When her boyfriend nodded, she reached up on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek and went to find her younger siblings.

Kichirou suddenly grew anxious as he was left alone with his girlfriend's parents. He shifted his weight on his feet and then looked up at Kouga before clearing his throat. "Ah, Kouga-san-"

"No need for formalities. You're like a son to us." He stated gruffly before meeting his nervous gaze. "But, continue."

He bit the inside of his cheek before taking a deep breath. "I was, erm, hoping you would give me your blessing to mate and marry your daughter." When silence followed his question, he continued on. "I did my four years of college at UCSD, but I plan on attending a college here to continue my degree in anesthesiology. I worked part-time when I was in California so I saved up some money to put down for an apartment out here for the two of us." When silence continued he grew tense. "Kouga?"

Kouga exhaled loudly. "It's about damn time."

Ayama giggled as she came up to stand beside him. "I would say."

Kichirou blinked before blushing again. "I-…sorry?"

The wolf grinned and stood from his chair. He walked over to the inuyoukai and clapped him on the shoulder. "You've had my blessing since high school."

He smiled in relief. "I know it may have been foolish to ask, but I wanted to make sure to at least ask you." His grin grew cocky. "Though I probably would have anyways."

He snorted and released the boy. "You're just like your mom. Speaking of her, she's okay with you mating Yume? Your dad too?"

He cocked his head to the side a little. "Of course, why wouldn't they?"

He scratched the back of his head. "I don't know. I guess maybe I assumed they had some left over anger from what happened back then."

"Back when?" Kichirou asked, his brow furrowing.

"You know, before you were born. With your mom and I." When not a single look of recognition crossed across cerulean colored eyes, he realized he had made a very bad mistake. Fuck! How had his parents never told him!?

"W-what happened with you and my mom?" He asked, his nerves and instincts suddenly on edge.

Ayame's green eyes widened as she looked from Kichirou to her mate. "Oh, no…t-they never told you?"

"Told me what?" He questioned calmly, his tone cold like his father's could be.

Kouga ran a hand down his face before gesturing to the chair. "I think you should sit down for this."

*~B~*

"I can't believe I'm going to be an aunt. I'm too young to be an aunt!" The 13-year-old Akemi wailed as she rubbed Rin's round belly.

She laughed and stroked Akemi's long black waves. "You'll be a great aunt, Mimi-chan."

"I know, but still," She pouted and then looked at Pou. "When you are having kids?"

Shippou held up his hands in defense. "Woah there, Akemi, let me find a steady relationship first, huh?"

Golden eyes turned on her other brother. "And you, Sou? Once I'm an aunt, I'm going to want more nieces and nephews to spoil."

The human laughed. "I just started dating this girl, Mimi, so we'll see how it goes. Besides, you have Minoru."

Akemi shook her head and pressed her pointed ear to Rin's stomach. "Having a little brother isn't the same as having a niece or nephew." She mumbled as she continued to stroke her sister's tummy.

Rin laughed. "Well, then you'll just have to give this one all your attention, hmm?"

"I can definitely do that." She hummed in response and then grinned when the baby kicked against her cheek. "I love him already."

Kagome leaned against Sesshoumaru as she watched her family. She was so happy they all had come over for Christmas Eve. She glanced down at his lap and smiled before reaching to smooth the silky, white locks of her youngest. Minoru looked to most like his father, with golden eyes, white hair, and the same crescent moon they all had. "I love you." She murmured as she looked up at Sesshoumaru.

He met her blue pools and gave her a small smile. "I love you, too." He told her as he brushed a strand of her short hair behind her ear. She recently had cut it into a longer A-line to change up her look, but he admitted that he missed her long hair.

She leaned in to kiss him, but jumped away when their front door slammed open. She watched as Kichirou stormed towards them, his markings jagged and vibrant against his pale face. Snowflakes were still fresh on his coat from the outside. "Kichi-chan?"

"Why?" He snarled, his hands balled into fists as his youki flared. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Calm yourself, Kichirou," Sesshoumaru demanded when Minoru whined and curled into his father's lap more. "There is no reason for yelling."

"No reason?!" He snapped, his lip lifted in a snarl to reveal a pearly fang. "Oh, there's plenty of reason!"

"Hey, you need to calm the fuck down." Shippou growled, stepping in front of his brother. "Coming in here in a feral state and ruining the mood is not going to fly. Either chill out or get out."

Kichirou glared at the fox, green and blue meeting in a heated glare. "Don't start with me, Pou; I'll take you down."

His cracked his knuckles. "Is that a challenge, little brother?"

In a blink of an eye, Kichirou was on him. Akemi screamed as he tackled him to the floor and swung at his face, Shippou dodging it and reversing their positions. They continued to wrestle, fists and knees flailing in hopes of connecting. Souta quickly helped Rin to her feet and pulled her away from the chaos that was beginning to erupt in the living room. Kagome had grabbed Minoru as Sesshoumaru abruptly stood to stop the fight.

"Enough!" The alpha snarled as he threw the two apart from each other. Hardened amber eyes looked at Shippou and then settled on Kichirou. "Explain yourself this instant."

Breathing hard, his wild blue eyes met his father's before locking onto his mom's. "Why didn't you tell me about what happened between you and Kouga?"

Kagome blinked before her brow furrowed. "He told you?" Why would he do that? It was so long ago, why bring it up now?

"Yes he fucking told me!" He snarled. "After all the fucking shit he did to you, you were going to let me mate his fucking daughter?!"

"Cuss at her again, Kichirou, and I'll knock out your teeth!" Shippou snarled, his tails swishing in anger. He was protective over his mom, and no one, including her own blood, would get away with disrespect.

"Go ahead and try!" He growled and then reluctantly looked down when his father's aura pressed down hard on him.

"Shippou, calm down," Sesshoumaru told him and then looked back at Kichirou. "Do not speak to your mother that way."

Kichirou clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding together in anger. "I don't need this shit." He growled before turning and storming towards the spare bedroom he was staying in for the holiday. He slammed the door behind him and threw himself down on the bed. He was furious. No, not furious…hurt. Well, maybe both. He was angry that Kouga had done that to his parents and angry at them for not telling him. But, he was also hurt. How could they keep it from him? How could Yume? Yume… Gods did he love her, but how could he be with someone who's sire had done such a terrible thing? And she knew about it. How had no one ever told him?

Kagome opened the bedroom door, not bothering to knock or ask to come in. She shut the door behind her and walked over to the bed. She sat down on the edge of it and ran her fingers through her son's white hair. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you." She told him softly.

He kept his face buried in the pillow, hating how his mother's touch could still soothe him like a child. "All these years…"

She let out a soft sigh. "Yes, in the nineteen years that you've known Yume, we never told you," She started. "But, I never found the need to tell you. You and Yume were always close friends and then when you started dating, I just couldn't bring myself to tell you. I was scared you would react this way."

"I was going to mate her, mom," He responded, the fire that was his anger was now cooled by his mother's head scratches. "I wish I would have known before I dated her. It would have avoided all this heartbreak."

She frowned at him. "Kichi-chan, it doesn't have to end in heartbreak."

"How can it not?" He grumbled, removing his face from the pillow to rest his cheek on it instead, his blue eyes meeting hers curiously.

The miko sighed and laid down next to her son so they were face to face. "Honey, think about just Yume," when his brow furrowed she poked him in the forehead. "Not what Kouga said, just Yume."

Her bright green eyes instantly came to mind, following by her long, black waves, and loving smile. He sighed longingly and then met his mom's eyes again. "And?"

"Do you feel differently for her?"

He pursed his lips together. "No, I still love her."

"Exactly," She cupped his cheek, her thumb running along his stripes. "What happened in the past shouldn't dictate your future, baby. You love her and she loves you and that is all that matters."

He closed his eyes with an exasperated sigh. "You're right." He mumbled.

She smiled lovingly at her son. "Of course I am, I'm your mom." She teased.

Kichirou met her eyes once again. "How did you accept Yume so easily?"

The miko hummed. "Well, because you did," She began. "From the day you met her all you did was talk about her. Nineteen years later and nothing has changed. We were apprehensive at first, so you two only got to play together if it was Ayame and I supervising. Kouga and your dad weren't allowed to be in the same room together because honestly, your dad would have killed him."

"I can't blame him," He huffed. "Telling the world you used to dance, putting his hands on you, making all those rumors about you; I still want to hurt him. I barely left their house without punching him."

She sighed softly. "Yes, what Kouga did was bad and hurtful. It almost broke up your dad and I- well, actually, it technically did, but we got back together and everything worked out. So, don't let Kouga break you and Yume up too. It was a long time ago, Kichirou; I've let it go so you need to as well."

He gave a heavy sigh. "I ran out on her."

Kagome pressed her forehead to his. "Then run back to her."

He nodded determinedly and sat up on the bed before standing. "I love you, mom and I'm sorry for yelling at you." He said. "I'll apologize to Pou and dad too, but I need to get my girl."

She smiled encouragingly at him as she too stood from the bed. "Get her, babe."

He grinned at her before running from the room and heading towards the front door. He flung open the door and steeled his legs to stop them from running into the person in front of him. "Y-Yume…" He stepped forward and shut the door behind him as he stared at her. Snowflakes were stuck in her black hair, the scarf he had bought her wrapped around her elegant neck.

Green eyes watered as they fell on him, her bottom lip quivering. "Kichirou-" She was cut off when his hands cupped her face, his lips pressed hard against hers. She overcame her shock and fisted his coat in her hands before kissing him back just as hard.

He pulled back from her so their eyes could meet. "I'm sorry I ran out on you." He breathed, his breathe coming out in a white puff.

She shook her head. "Dad told me what happened," She replied in an equally soft tone. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you that I knew. I-I just…I was scared you would leave me." She felt his hands travel from her face, down her sides, and to her ass before lifting, turning, and pinning her against the door. Gods, she loved how he made her feel small and lithe.

"And I foolishly did," He told her as her legs wrapped around his waist. "And, I promise you that I will never leave you again."

He said it so vehemently that she had instantly believed him. Still, she asked, "Never?"

"Never," He affirmed as he pressed his lips against hers again. "Do you want to know how I know that?"

"How?" She breathed against his lips, her arms wrapping around his neck.

"Because you are going to be my mate." Kichirou told her seriously, blue staring into green.

She stared at him, her mouth falling open as tears sprang to her eyes. "Y-your mate?"

He nodded once. "Yes, my mate. I love you, Yume, and I would have no one else by my side for the rest of my life. You're mine and intend to make it official in every way possible." When the tears fell from her eyes, he kissed them away. "Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm so happy," She cried, cupping his face in her hands. "I love you, Kichirou. I can't wait to be your mate."

He grinned and kissed her again, their tongues meetings, until he pulled away from her when he heard clapping. They both glanced at the window next to the door and blushed to see his entire family in the window, grins on their faces. He set her down on her feet and pressed his forehead against hers. "Sorry about my family." He murmured.

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Its okay, I love our family." She beamed up at him.

He smiled lovingly down at her. "Yes, our family."

*~~~~BTC~~~*

Akemi hurried into the waiting room, her heels clicking on the hospital tile. She saw her parents and quickly made her way over to them. "Am I too late?" She asked, panting slightly.

"No, honey, you're good. She's still in there." Kagome replied with a smile as she looked at her daughter's business clothes. "Long day at work?"

She sighed as she flopped down into her chair next to her mom. "Yes, I had to deal with a client threatening to pull out because I'm a woman." She huffed. "Idiots."

Sesshoumaru looked at his daughter. "You are the first female Taisho to take over Taisho Corp, you will be seeing a lot of it." When Haru declined the position to take over Taisho Corp, Sesshoumaru had grown worried that he would be there until he died. However, his daughter had surprised him when she told him she wished to follow in his footsteps.

"Then I will just have to prove them wrong, won't I?" She said with a smirk at her dad.

He matched her smirk. "That's my girl."

Minoru stuck his tongue out at his sister. "I'll be taking over after, so watch yourself."

"You have a long way to go, pup." She teased.

"So, how did your date with Ryura go?" Kagome asked with a sly grin. When she heard that her daughter had met a guy, who just happened to be a familiar dragon police officer, she had been hesitant. She was concerned about the age gap, but then she had to remember that age to youkai met nothing. After all, Sesshoumaru was around during the Meji era. Once her mate had reminded her that age was nothing, she couldn't be happier for her daughter. If anyone could keep her safe and protect her, it would be Ryura.

She blushed furiously. "I-it went well. He's very nice." She murmured.

Kagome laughed at her daughter's embarrassment. "Mimi, Ryura is, and will always be, a good friend to us. I hope things work out for you two."

She smiled shyly. "Me too," She said before straightening up when Kouga and Ayame walked into the room. "Everything okay?"

He grinned proudly. "Yep! The pup is here! Strong and healthy! Kichirou asked us to come get his pack."

Kagome and Sesshoumaru stood with their two kids and made their way to Yume's room. As soon as they entered, Kagome went over to her tired-looking daughter-in-law and kissed her forehead. "How are you feeling, sweetie?"

"Tired and sore," She mumbled with a strained smile. "But, so, so happy."

"We named him Hikaru." Kichirou announced to his pack as he walked over to his mother and handed her his pup.

Kagome carefully took the baby in her arms and stared down at her son's beautiful creation. He had snow white hair like his father, and bright green eyes like his mother. He didn't have any cheek stripes, but he did have the Taisho's mark on his forehead. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his soft forehead. "Taisho Hikaru," She cooed. "He's beautiful."

Sesshoumaru put his hands on his mate's shoulders as he stared down at his grandpup. "He is," He agreed with a pleased rumble. He glanced at his son as he went over to his mate and held her hand in his, kissing the back of it lovingly. He looked towards Minoru and Akemi as they stood by Yume's bedside, waiting to hold their nephew next. He gave a small smile and then leaned down to nuzzle his nose against Kagome's hair. "Its perfect."

"What is?" She asked softly, a content smile on her face as she stared down at Hikaru.

"Everything." He replied as he squeezed her shoulders.

She glanced up to look at Kichirou and Yume, a smile touching her lips. She then looked at her two youngest and then down at Hikaru again before turning slightly so she could look at her mate. "Yes, yes it is."

A/N: OMG ITS FINALLY OVER. While I'm relieved that its finally done, I'm also a little sad. BTC has been a rollercoaster that I hope everyone enjoyed. I tried to patch up any loose ends I may have forgotten. If I have forgotten something, I'm sorry, but I really tried my best!