Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA! THIS STORY IS FOR MATURE ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY!

Time ticked by slowly, as far as Sesshomaru was concerned. He could feel time trickling at a snail's pace, but for once he was happy for it. Tips on Naraku came in nearly every day, but the despicable spider was hard to nail down; he kept on moving and hiding from them. Sesshomaru was nearly to the point of patrolling the streets to catch his scent.

Kagome, on the other hand had been progressing quite well in her pregnancy. By the beginning of her fourth month, the rapid mood swings began to taper off and she was mostly either herself, or in a focused rage. She had begun to wonder if they'd ever locate Naraku, and she was hell bent on doing it before her children were born. Mostly, she dwelled within her patience and meditated, but every now and then, pure rage would seep from her as she considered raising her children in a world where Naraku was still alive to reign terror on them and everyone she loved. She wouldn't stand for it.

Sesshomaru was in absolute agreement with Kagome on this point. Naraku's existence had to be demolished; he wouldn't allow anyone who could threaten his children to live. He'd taken to checking on Kagome throughout the day, but not bothering her unless she needed him. He'd been scouring over reports and tips on Naraku, as well as going over the lists of Naraku's properties. He knew the answer was somewhere within the stacks of documents that covered his desk. There had to be some indication of the spider's location; he was sure of it.

One day as he was checking the updated list of properties, Sesshomaru nearly choked when he read the fine print that relayed the details of one the properties landscaping. There was a massive cave that was called 'spinners cave'. Sesshomaru vaguely remembered that few hundred years ago there was a village near it and their local horror stories all involved the cave and a spider demon that fed off of the village children.

Sesshomaru felt excitement begin to simmer in his veins as the hunt called to him. He was nearly there. He pulled up a search engine on his laptop and looked up the cave and the nearby village. Hundreds of articles regarding mysterious happenings, missing persons, and mysterious deaths popped up in seconds. A vicious grin lit up Sesshomaru's face.

"That lovely sinister grin means you've found something, doesn't it?"

Sesshomaru turned to see Kagome standing in the doorway behind him. His face softened as the sight of her swollen with his children sent warmth through his veins.

"You are the only one who can sneak up on me", he said with mock annoyance.

She smiled softly at him, "What did you find?"

"Naraku's location, I believe."

Her face turned serious and her eyes glazed over, and Sesshomaru realized that if she'd been able to make someone's head explode by sheer force of will, Naraku's brains would already be splattered on a wall.

"I'll inform my father and have him send scouts to verify before we go. Are you still certain you wish to come with us?"

Her face turned to granite and he tilted his head at her. She seemed to realize he wasn't asking her to stay away from the fight, he was just reevaluating her desires. She sighed and her face softened.

"Yes, I still want to go. We'll have to get my armor refitted and have it reinforced in some areas. I think we should have her strengthen the armor around spine and the abdomen more; just in case."

Sesshomaru nodded, trying not to relay the depth of his worry. He knew she was strong. Nearly all of the household avoided her because her dormant reiki was so strong it singed them. She was relatively well trained; she'd been practicing with her spiritual powers and he'd been doing some light training with her with swords. She could use years more training in hand to hand combat and sword skills, but this was as ready as she could be while pregnant. His fear stemmed from the fact that she and his unborn pups would be going into a dangerous battle on purpose. No matter how well prepared she was, or how many soldiers they took with them; the worry wouldn't ease from Sesshomaru's mind. Something bad could happen to the three of them. He'd rather die than let anyone touch his mate and pups, but Naraku fought viciously and would know her weakness the moment he saw her; if he didn't know already.

Kagome clutched her hand over her mating mark and stumbled slightly.

"You need to take a deep breath Sesshomaru. You're overwhelming me."

He took a deep breath and walked to her, clutching her to him.

"I can handle myself, Sesshomaru. You know I can. I won't make the same mistake as last time. I'm stronger now."

Sesshomaru nodded. It was true. If she wasn't his mate, he'd be nervous about the existence of such a powerful miko. He knew there hadn't been a miko of equal strength since Midoriko. It was unheard of. If Naraku wasn't aware of Kagome's strength, he'd been in for a surprise. Sesshomaru was certain that once Naraku realized the depth of Kagome's strength and power, he would attempt to flee.

Kagome interrupted his thoughts, "I've always found it exceedingly hilarious that people think you don't have feelings. It's never been more comedic then when we shared the mating mark. I feel almost everything you do, and the depth and intensity of your emotions are astounding."

He studied her with curiosity, "you've always seen more about me than most."

She nodded, "Because I've never feared you the way others do. You've protected me from the first moment we met."

She chuckled to herself, "Well, from the first moment I met you. I do remember you trying to singe me with your yoki in the forest."

She started laughing in earnest and Sesshomaru felt a mixture of amusement and guilt.

"I was testing you."

She raised a perfect brow at him, "Did I pass?"

He chuckled huskily and pulled her off her feet and into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist.

"You did. I would like to remind you that you started it. I was minding my own business and you said something along the lines of 'bring it, big man'."

He cocked an eyebrow at her and she laughed and groaned, "That sounds so cheesy now that you repeat it."

He chuckled quietly and she leaned in to press her lips to his. He responded tenderly at first, but soon their kiss raged like an inferno. Teeth nipped and he suckled at her plump lower lip. She groaned as he backed her against the door and clasped her neck firmly in his hand. She writhed against him and her back arched, pressing her rounded abdomen against him. He hardened instantly but pulled back from the kiss. He wouldn't take his pregnant mate on the floor of the library.

"I have to go inform my father of what I've found. Go to our bed room and I'll be there in a moment."

Kagome nodded and nearly sprinted away. Sesshomaru swallowed his chuckle, grabbed the papers from his desk and stalked off toward his father's study. He found his father bent over his desk rifling through stacks of paper. Sesshomaru could smell the anxiety and the frustration in the air that was rolling off of his father like waves. He cleared his throat and his father raised his head.

His face, an angry grimace, cleared instantly and a small, soft smile took the angers place. He sighed contentedly and Sesshomaru tilted his head in confusion.

Toga waved his hand dismissively, "Every time you enter a room I can see and smell your happiness as well as Kagome's and the babies' scents on you. It is positively the most wonderful thing that could happen to me. My son has found a wonderful woman and he is happy and is producing grandchildren for me."

Sesshomaru thought that Toga seemed a touch too giddy at the prospect of having grandchildren to spoil.

Sesshomaru nodded, "I understand. Being a father is difficult. My pups haven't even been born yet and I'm already thinking of every possible way to keep them safe."

A smile grew on Toga's face, "I believe fatherhood will suit you well. Now, tell me what's brought you here when you have a lovely mate you could be keeping company."

Sesshomaru dropped the property list on his father's desk, "There's a cave that he own, known as the spinners cave. All of the lore surrounding it says that there is a spider demon that eats children and terrorizes villages. Also, in more recent times there have been numerous missing persons, mysterious happenings and deaths. I think this is where we'll find him."

Toga's eyes narrowed, "Why would he hide somewhere so obvious?"

Sesshomaru shook his head, "Perhaps he believes it's so obvious that we'd never consider it. He's very vain, he might just believe that even if we did find him that we wouldn't be able to kill him."

Sesshomaru shrugged his shoulders, "Send some scouts. I have a mate to check in on."

Sesshomaru turned and walked away with purpose, his father's hearty chuckles sounding in the distance.