Yoko and I quickly fell into a pattern in Gandara after the first few days. Living here was the closest to normal that we've ever had, and, besides the occasional threat from Shachi, things were peaceful. Months passed in this way, and, soon, a demon world winter was upon us. I hated winter here. It was much harsher than I could have imagined, and I couldn't bring myself to leave the confines of Yomi's compound on most days. We guessed that I was about four months pregnant at this point, and I would most definitely be needing new clothes soon.

Gandara, although a veritable metropolis, didn't offer what I needed in this matter. Sure, I could have the best medical care available, but I didn't trust any of the beings here with my life, let alone that of my child. A son- I secretly hoped.

Finally, Yoko and I decided that it was time for me to leave Gandara. "Yomi, let me go back to human world and collect a few strong fighters for our cause. I will train them, and we will return during the summer, after our child is born." Yoko explained our plan to Yomi.

The other man smiled kindly. "I appreciate your reasoning behind this. You understand, of course, that I will be sending messengers from time to time to check in."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Yoko responded smoothly. "We'll leave in the morning."

It didn't take long for Yoko and I to hunt down some of the demons from the Dark Tournament. All together, we had six: Chu, Touya, Rinku, Shishiwakamaru, Suzuka, and Jin. All of them found various reasons to join up, but, in the end, all that mattered was the final result- a strong group of fighters loyal to Yoko and I. Of course, Yomi thought that they would be devoted to his cause, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him.

The six demons were surprised to find that Yoko had finally separated from Shuichi and I was pregnant. During their training, none of them ever mentioned that they never saw me use my spirit or demon energy anymore. I think that, perhaps, the older members of the group made some educated guesses as to the reason, but nobody ever brought it up to my face. For that, I was grateful.

As the months wore on, it became much more difficult for me to make the journey to Genkai's training grounds, which had the most difficult terrain among all of her property. Soon, the job of training the men was left entirely up to Yoko and Genkai. The men would visit me in order to keep me from becoming too stir crazy, but they were only allowed to do so with Genkai's permission. Sometimes, I would go a week or more without a visitor. Of course, Yoko would come home every night and Genkai would make the trek whenever she could, but part of me yearned for a companion besides my own thoughts.

My prayers were soon answered when Yukina, of all people, decided that she would make camp at Genkai's temple home. Once she realized that Yoko left me alone for the better portion of the day, she began to make daily visits. This was especially nice once I was put on bed rest by my doctor during May. She would cook and sometimes do some light cleaning, but, mostly, we would talk.

I learned a lot about the ice apparition during this time. I learned exactly how young she was, for one. It turns out that Yukina and Hiei are only twenty five years old. I also found out that she has known about the relation between the two of them since the Dark Tournament. She hasn't brokered the subject with him yet, and that's probably a very good idea. He's not ready for her to know; he's not prepared to answer the tough questions that she'll ask. No, perhaps, for now, it's better that they talk once Hiei has faced his own demons.

On June 9th, two weeks before he was due, Sousuke (草助) Kurama was brought into Human World. He was 9 pounds even and 21.5 inches long. He had fox ears just like his father, something that I had hoped for from the moment that I'd learned that I was pregnant, and his hair was black like my own. He was very big for 38 weeks, but Yoko confided in me that demon children grow much more quickly than human ones do- they have to because of the dangers of Demon World. Thus, my initial concerns were quickly cast aside.

After Sousuke was born, Yomi began to send messengers much more often, sometimes three times a week. Yoko always sent them back with the latest news on the six fighters that we would be bringing back with us. We finally made our way back to demon world on the one year anniversary of the opening of Sensui's dimensional portal. Sousuke was about twelve weeks old, and, according to the information that I could find, functioning like a six month old. Part of me yearned for this time of his life to stretch on forever, and, then, the other part wished for quiet and order already.

Yomi greeted us warmly despite our longer than planned absence, and, Yuda, the asshole, decided that now was a lovely time to check Sousuke's demon energy readings. I tried to argue against it, but Yoko insisted that it couldn't possibly harm him. I wasn't going to argue with him in front of Yomi and Yuda. Yuda, ecstatic at the chance to scan such a young child, eagerly scanned Sousuke. When the machine pinged with the results, Yuda's jaw dropped momentarily, and he hit the button to scan Sousuke again.

"I can't believe it." The old advisor grumbled. "It's higher than Shura's."

"Shura?" I asked skeptically.

Yomi laughed. "Shura is my son. We cloned him shortly before you arrived here the first time. He should be ready to come out of his incubation chamber soon."

"Yuda, what was Sousuke's power level? I am anxious to know." Yoko asked, silver fox ears twitching, a clear sign of his agitation.

Yuda slid the machine into his pocket for safe keeping, and answered in his usual gravelly voice. "His demon energy is reading at 90,000."

"That's B class if I'm not mistaken." I looked to Yoko, and he nodded. I loved how we could have conversations without words sometimes. "Would you please check our energy levels, too? I'm very curious about how we stack up."

Yomi instructed Yuda to do as we bid, and the wrinkled man first aimed the machine at Yoko. When it finished reading the silver fox spirit's energy levels, Yuda quickly spoke. "S class- 383,000."

Then, Yuda pointed the machine at me. I have to say that I'm a bit nervous for whatever reason. I've been told that I'm an S class, but what does that mean? And, what about this whole priestess shtick? The machine buzzed, and Yuda looked surprised. "What? That bad?" I asked in a self-depreciating tone. I had to throw him off my scent a little bit, right?

Yuda looked like he wanted to show Yomi the result, but, of course, Yomi couldn't read the numbers on the calculator sized object due to his blindness and the nature of digital screens. "F-five hundred thousand." He whispered.

I saw Yomi's ears instantly perk up. "Incredible." He mumbled more to himself than anyone else.

"What's your power level, Yomi?" Yoko asked with a calculating look. Yomi turned without another word and walked away.

I think that we've made a serious miscalculation. I cooed in Yoko's direction

Yoko nodded. It's time for Raizen to make his move. I have a feeling that Yomi will consider your strength a threat.

I held Sousuke closer to me and looked at Yoko with concern in my eyes. I honestly thought that I wasn't going to register on that thing. Either that, or I'd break it.

I know. Go ahead and call him. Yoko insisted.

I concentrated for a minute before mentally shouting. Raizen!

Geeze, kid. You don't have to shout. He answered with no hesitation.

I just want to make sure that I get your attention, that's all. Anyway, there was a bit of an incident, and we think that it's time to play our hand against Yomi. I answered, quickly getting to the meat of the situation.

A sense of amusement came from Raizen. We're on our way.

We? I asked cluelessly.

Yusuke is my second in command, after all. Don't do anything stupid until I get there. I want to see the look on Yomi's face when he realizes that he's been played. Raizen half sneered.

I sent him the mental equivalent of a smirk, and severed the connection.

"It's done." I told Yoko as we walked to our chambers. On the way, we passed the rooms of the six fighters we brought from Human World, and we gave them the signal we had agreed upon to let them know about potential trouble. With our due diligence done, we waited for word on Raizen's arrival.

News of Raizen's encroachment on Yomi's territory spread quickly throughout the veritable fortress that was the Capital of Gandara. Reports quickly streamed in to inform us that, not only was Raizen approaching, but he had brought Yusuke with him as well. Yomi quickly began planning the encounter, demanding our attendance at the war council.

"I'll meet them in the tea room near the gardens. Yoko, I'd like you to gather your six fighters and be in the next room, in case there is any trouble. As for you Kagome, I'd like you and Sousuke to greet them in the room with me. Perhaps, having a child in the room will convince the two not to do anything- drastic." The king commanded, and my heart secretly soared.

I couldn't have planned this better if I'd tried! Yomi would soon be finding out about my relationship between Raizen and Yusuke, if he wasn't already privy to the knowledge. Something told me, though, that he wouldn't have invited me to be among the first to greet the two if he knew about the bloodline. Really, though, it's his own fault for not doing the research, and I haven't exactly tried to keep it hidden during my time here, either. I've worn my hair loose plenty of times. If that's not a dead giveaway, I don't know what is. Somebody with sight could have mentioned the resemblance to him.

"I would be honored, Lord Yomi." I answered quickly as Yomi continued to dole out orders. I was instructed a moment later to don the finest apparel that I had brought with me. The sarcastic part of me wanted to put on my priestess garb, but I held myself back. Instead, I chose a white, cotton summer kimono, which had red and green spheres with various geometric shapes within. It represented flowers. Around it, I tied a red obi that had golden flecks upon it; they looked like stars caught within the fabric itself.

Sousuke didn't have any formal attire yet, of course, but I dressed him in one of my favorite onesies. It was baby blue and had black wording on it that read 'Little Demon in Training'. I knew that Yusuke would get a kick out of it. I met everybody in the tea house shortly thereafter. The tension was thick in the air, and I thought to be stifled for a moment until Yoko pulled me to his side and kissed my cheek.

He smiled at me, and, instantly, I felt calm wash over me. "Don't worry so much. You'll be perfect." Yoko winked slyly at me. It seems that he may know more than I do. I guess that I'll have to think more on that later. "If tensions get too high in there, just remember to protect yourself."

"Does this mean what I think it means?" I asked him quietly, questioningly.

Yoko nodded. "It's high time, I think."

I nodded and moved into my position, sitting anxiously beside Yomi while Yoko and company slid the traditional rice paper covered wall shut with a resounding snap. A few minutes later, an unknown demon woman ushered Yusuke and Raizen to the table. "King Raizen! What an honor it is for you to grace Gandara with your presence. I don't think that I've gotten word of you leaving your tower for the last century or so."

Raizen smirked haughtily at Yomi's words, and replied. "Well, I'd gotten word that my daughter had returned to Demon World with my grandson, and I decided that it was finally worth the trip." Yomi was instantly tense next to me, and I found myself wondering when the moment to use my shield would be.

"Wait a minute! You and Yoko had a kid, Kagome?" Yusuke legitimately looked shocked.

I rolled my eyes. "Geeze, Yusuke, you sure can be dense sometimes. How long have you been living in demon world exactly?"

"Almost a year, I guess. I mean, I got here in early October last year, and it's late August now… Why?" He actually looked confused now.

"So, you lived here during mating season, and you're telling me that you didn't notice anything strange?" I asked, trying to extract the knowledge from his unusually thick skull.

He paused for a moment, scratching his forehead in thought. "You know what? There's an awful lot of pregnant women running around right now. Does that have something to do with it?"

I wanted to face palm, but I was holding Sousuke. "Yes, the first mating always leads to a pregnancy. I didn't know it at the time, but, when Yoko and I finally sealed our bond…" I felt my cheeks grow red. I was in somewhat mixed company with Yomi and Raizen in the room and Chu, Jin, and the others in the adjoining one. "Well, you can figure it out. I think that we've got a bit off subject."

"You're not kiddin'." Yusuke laughed before standing up and walking over to me. "Give me a hug, sis, and introduce me to my new nephew!"

I smiled, and pulled my overzealous brother into a quick side hug. "This is Sousuke. We used the first character from Sota's name and the second character from yours to come up with it."

Yusuke sniggered cockily. "You named him after me?"

"Partially." I answered, rolling my eyes at my twin yet again.

"I grow tired of this." Yomi whispered darkly. "Tell me. How you've kept your heritage a secret for so long?"

Raizen smirked. "Well, it's your own fault. None of your cronies noticed the resemblance, nor did you do any research into her history before they joined you here."

Yomi growled. "She never presented a threat until…"

"Until you checked my energy levels." I finished the sentence for him. "I never used my energy while I was here for a reason. I wanted you to think that I was weak- to think nothing of me. Now that you know the truth, you feel threatened."

Yomi lowered his head in resignation. "Earlier today, you asked me what my power level is, and I didn't answer. You didn't really need to ask, did you?"

"My senses are sophisticated enough to get a general idea about power levels. Yours and mine are similar. Yusuke's is stronger than mine, but he's been training in Raizen's territory for a year. And, then there's Raizen's energy… He's out of everyone's league- probably the strongest of us all combined." I answered solemnly.

Raizen nodded in affirmation. "Now that I have remained properly fed for the better part of a year, I have regained my former strength, and I intend to use that strength to rule over demon world as the one true king."

Yomi seemed to recoil simply at the thought. "What do you expect me to do?"

"Step down, or die." Raizen answered without hesitation, and I silently prepared to raise my shield at a moment's notice. For all we know, Yomi could decide to do something unpredictable in retaliation. I could risk my own life, but not that of the child in my arms.

The tension in the room was palpable. Yomi's breathing was labored in his extreme anger, and I struggled with the decision to use my shield or not. There was not a single movement in the room that wasn't carefully calculated. Hell, I was barely breathing. "To hell with it." I whispered before I raised my new shield around Sousuke and I. "I'll sit here and watch this pissing contest, but I will not allow my son to be placed in harm's way in the meantime."

Yomi and Yusuke immediately stared at me in awe; I suspected that Yusuke only did it because he didn't know what he was sensing. Then, behind me, I could hear the rice paper wall sliding open, and the sounds of six very familiar demons behind me carrying on. "Kagome! This is totally ripper! Why di'n' you tell us 'bout this?" Chu shouted, irritating my sensitive ears.

"For this exact reason, my friend. Now, all of demon world will know of my existence." I answered him quietly. Chu nodded his understanding and looked thoughtful for a clearly drunken man. Well, he did think that he would need his strength, and he is strongest drunk. So, I can understand the necessity of such things.

"You declaring war on Gandara with this one simple act!" Yuda, who had only recently stepped into the room, accused.

I looked at the old demon with a sad face, knowing deep in my heart that he wouldn't survive the forthcoming fight. It saddened me beyond words, for whatever reason. Yomi was standing and snarling now. Finally, after all of this time with him in demon world, he lost his cool. Not even during Yoko's first real discussion about their shared past did he become this enraged. No, it took someone acting in defense of their own to create a situation that would rile Yomi up. The moment the blinded demon stepped forward, many bodies moved to stop him. My reaction, however, was much faster. In an instant, the demon was purified, disintegrating before our eyes.

"With that power, why does it even matter that you're an S class?" Yusuke asked morbidly curious.

I looked at my brother, and he instantly sobered. "Destroying a being is easy. Healing them, from the inside out, that takes strength."

Chaos overtook Gandara during the next few days. Yomi's territory was so used to order that it took a great adjustment for the greater rules of demon world to once again take hold. "The Chaos the Reign" Raizen called it. Personally, I called it being lazy, but who am I to judge? I've never been in Raizen's position, and it will be quite some time before I ever am.

Mukuro met us about a week after we returned to Raizen's territory. She swore fealty to Raizen and his chosen successor in exchange for the opportunity to be Raizen's master of the military. Each of her sixty plus elite guardsmen swore the same oath of fealty, and they all were allowed to live and serve under Raizen.

Shortly thereafter, Raizen ordered Yoko and I to return to Human World. "You have a home there, and your child deserves some sort of normal upbringing before living here on a regular basis." He explained his reasoning. "Just promise me that you will make visits at least once a year. It would be inappropriate for my heir to become unfamiliar with the goings on in the demon plane."

Yoko and I needed no more prodding to make the decision to leave. Already, our son was growing exponentially. He was only four months old, with the motor skills and functions of a one year old. A secret part of me feared that he would grow old before his time, but the logical part of me knew better. Something deep within me told me that he would live, as unchanging as Yoko and I for all eternity.

Once we returned to human world, things became some semblance of normal for a while. That is, until Master Genkai's eightieth birthday rolled around in early February. By this point, Sousuke had the size and disposition of a bright two year old, and Yoko was already beginning to train him to fight. Part of me cringed at the thought, but, knowing that we might not always be around to bail him out of things, I decided to turn a blind eye to it. I'd rather my son be prepared to defend himself, if necessary.

Everybody that could make it dragged themselves out of the woodwork to join Master Genkai for the affair. Kaito, Yanagisawa, and Kido all travelled from Mushiyori city. None of them had used their territorial powers since the closing of the dimensional portal, and I suspected that none of them would ever find the need to use them again. The three boys who fought on team Doctor Ichigaki unwillingly during the Dark Tournament turned up. They had all grown far stronger in the interim, and I could tell that they would grow to be psychic masters themselves one day.

Yukina and Hiei, who finally had a serious behind closed doors discussion, appeared hand in hand wearing the other's hiruseki necklace. It made my heart smile to see the two of them finally united as twins; it didn't matter how different they were. They were still incredibly similar in many ways. Atsuko dragged her happy ass up the ten thousand stairs of death, and all without a single drop of alcohol in over two years. I was so proud of her accomplishment. I still remember the first time she realized that a stranger had lived in her house for over a month without her notice. The look in her eyes may be one that would haunt me for the rest of my existence.

Koenma's attendance was unexpected. He'd finally been restored to power in spirit world- over his father even. It turns out that King Yama had been brainwashing weaker demons to attack Human World, causing the need for the barrier between worlds, and making Spirit World's actions seem noble on many occasions. Now that Koenma was in charge, the barrier between worlds would be dissolved, allowing the two races to live in harmony like they once did. Botan also brought her bubbly personality and charm to the party.

The only person who was missing, really, was Yusuke, something that Kuwabara kept commenting on to anybody who would listen. I even saw Shizuru and Keiko making sorry excuses to remove themselves from his presence.

When the mingling came to a slow close, Genkai instructed the company to gather in her fighting dojo. Of course, nobody could turn down the woman's odd request. "Thank you all for being here, today. It does this old woman's heart good to see so many young and smiling faces in my life despite my decisions not to have children of my own." She looked at Sousuke a tad meaningfully as she said these words. "I want to read you all a passage from my will. I know that none of you want to think about this, but, dammit, it's necessary that you all know my wishes ahead of time."

Genkai cleared her throat as she put on her glasses and found the right place to begin reading. "Yoko and Kagome Kurama, unmarried but of the same name should be given full rights to my property and all that its contents. The land should not be sold or changed in anyway. My wish is for it to become a safe haven, a place for them and their group of friends to bridge the gap between the human and demon race in ways that I have been unable to do on my own."

Genkai lowered the papers with a flourish, and smiled at Yoko and I. "The papers go on to explain the roles I wish for each of you to carry out as my official ambassadors. I know that some of you have a job or other obligations, but I assure you that I will be leaving enough money along with the property to cover any travel expenses that you may incur as well as compensating you for your time. What I'm asking for you to embark on is a real job, and I'm asking that you all take it seriously in your final respects to my memory."

"I know that this is difficult to think about." Genkai sighed after looking at the group for a moment. "However, death is the reality of all things living. It will come for us all eventually, and it is something that the old have to think about in particular. If we want a legacy to be left behind, we have to make sure that it happens, and this is my assurance. Now, I know that I've been a downer to all of you youths for long enough. If you all walk east for long enough, you will find a beach. It is part of my property, and, at this time of day, it would be quite lovely for you all to visit. Why don't you all go enjoy yourselves so that the old lady can have some peace and quiet?"

The majority of us didn't have to hear those words twice. Hiei, Koenma, and Atsuko all remained behind while the rest of us decided to hike our way to the beach. We spent the time companionably chatting, and, soon, a pristine beach was spread in front of us. Soon, we would have the perfect view of an ocean sunset. Yoko and I brought Sousuke to an area with moist sand and few waves in order to build a sandcastle with our boy, a moment that would forever be captured in my mind, and on the digital camera that Yukina had brought. I smiled when she energetically showed me the picture.

Everyone quickly found different activities despite the chilled water, and, all too soon, the sunset was upon us. We began to wrap things up. Everyone except for Keiko. No, she was standing ankle deep in the surf, holding her shoes and watching the sunset with tears in her eyes. "It's over!" She finally shouted at nothing in particular, but I could tell that the words were directed at somebody who was not present with us today- a certain brother of mine.

Then, a familiar voice resounded from behind us. "I understand why you feel that way, Keiko. Maybe we can talk about it?"

"Yusuke…" I whispered, tears gathering in my own eyes. I'd had a suspicion about this for months, one that I never even voiced to Yoko. Yusuke's childhood love was not his mate, and the reality tore at my heartstrings.

My twin brother trooped, shoes, socks, jeans and all, into the surf to Keiko's side. He whispered to her, but my demon ears could hear the words as clear as day. "I never wanted to hurt you, and, the truth is that, I've always loved you- ever since we met, really. I probably always will, but I'm a demon now, a slave to my instincts. And…" He gulped nervously. "My instincts are telling me that you aren't my mate. I would be doing us both a disservice by choosing to stay with you because, one day, I will leave you. It could be as early as next week or as late as a century from now, but, eventually, I won't be able to help it. I can't do that to you, Keiko."

"I love you too, Yusuke." She mumbled almost indiscernibly. "I'm sorry."

Yusuke pulled her into a bone crushing hug. "No, I'm the sorry one. I'm missing out on the love of one hell of a woman, and, whoever you chose from here on out is one lucky man. Besides, you deserve better than me."

The two pulled apart and walked slowly back to the group. Most everyone tried to go back about their business, but it was very clear that all of us were dropping eaves like nobody's business. I pulled my brother into a hug. "You did the right thing." I whispered in his ear.

"I know." He said back.

Our return to Genkai's estate was much slower than the journey out, and, despite the minor melodrama a few moments before, the walk was peaceful. A sense of pride washed over me as I held Sousuke in one arm and Yoko's hand with another, and a smile slowly made its way across my face.

Yoko looked over at me, his eyes shining in similar contentment. "What's that look for?" He asked me privately as we separated from the group by falling behind.

"I'm just so happy right now. I feel like this moment has been a long time coming. All that time in the feudal era, all these years as a Spirit Detective, and, now, we get to start a new journey. We get to see what being a family is." I smiled at my mate.

Yoko pulled me and Sousuke close for a group hug. He wasn't always physically intimate like this in a somewhat public setting, so I appreciated the gesture all the more. "I think that we've been learning that for quite some time, now."

"Let's go home." I said, swiping the hair from our son's face and behind one of his fox ears.

"Home." Sousuke repeated with a bright smile. It was hardly his first word, but our son was generally very reserved around anybody but Yoko and I. I felt my heart swell with pride at the minor miracle. I looked at Yoko, and I could see the same emotion in his own semblance. With that, we bid farewell to our family of friends, and ran to our cabin only a few miles away. The light was inviting, and the familiar scents were calming. Instantly, my muscles relaxed, and peace washed over me.

I closed my eyes and silently thanked whatever god or entity that brought me here. I was home, and it was perfect.