A/N: No prompt today.

The pregnancy was different this time around.

It was shorter, which was nice in a way. Not that Kagome didn't enjoy being pregnant, but the pains her body went through to accommodate the children growing inside her was definitely something she didn't mind cutting short. It was funny, because though demons seem to age more slowly, they are eager to leave the womb like a bad party. But rather than questioning the living conditions, Kagome liked to think they were just excited to meet her. She had to say, the feeling was mutual.

But even though it was shorter, the miko grew a lot bigger, and at a much faster rate. That was to be expected, however, seeing as they doubled their pleasure with these two.

'Hmm, literally.' Kagome smiled, remembering the night they were conceived. Sure, she and Sesshoumaru had made love many, many times since their first, but Kagome didn't doubt he'd successfully knocked her up on the first go. Despite the palpable change in her aura, there was no denying the demon's virility... or potency. They hadn't necessarily been trying to get pregnant – it was the furthest thing from both their minds that wonderful evening – but neither had any reservations about giving Moroha some little siblings to play with.

With the way they were going, Kagome was certain to be in this position several times throughout her life.

Another difference was that this time, Sesshoumaru was defiantly not missing the birth. He'd deeply regretted his absence during the first one, and he was not going to be out on some inconsequential patrols while any more of his children were making their grand entrance. He'd trained a few trustworthy demons to accompany him on his travels, and in the weeks leading up to it, he left that part of his job to them while he awaited his little family to grow.

But the biggest difference was the contentment of the mother. Last time, Kagome had been so wrought with worry and grief that she feared her troubled pregnancy would have a negative effect on the child. It didn't, but nobody would argue having a secure and happy pregnancy was preferable when considering the health of the baby.

Some things, however, were the same.

Sesshoumaru's kindness, and comforting presence had been a constant in her life ever since moving in with him all those months ago, and of course it had only increased since then. Not only did she not have to worry about things like money or shelter, but she knew she'd never have to worry about going without emotional support, or affection, or even love. He wasn't really one to express things like that so outright to her, but he didn't have to. Actions spoke louder than words, and she knew that with Sesshoumaru, she and their children would never have to live without knowing they had a strong, powerful demon who made their health and happiness his top priority; his number one concern.

She never would have thought, all those years ago, that the great and terrible Lord of the West had the capacity for such tenderness and compassion. It was more than clear to his subjects as well.

Though none would dare mention it (to his face), the fortress was buzzing with excitement, and pride at their lord's devotion to his new family. How long they had waited for their powerful leader to settle down and take a mate; make impressive heirs. And it didn't matter than she was human. Thanks to the little miko they had all grown to know and love, the West had gone from zero – and no prospects – to three beautiful princesses in less than one year. It was a prosperous time for the Western Lands.

And his mother was just as pleased. After seeing him with Rin all those years ago at her castle in the clouds, Inukimi was simply counting the days when her only son would show how much like his father he truly was. She wished he were alive to see the change; she knew he would be endlessly proud, pleased, and yes, amused.

And she adored her new daughter-in-law. She loved what she brought out in her son, and also the fun she allowed her to have as they ganged up to tease and taunt him – lovingly, of course. She finally had a daughter, and she was pleased with Sesshoumaru's choice.

She'd wanted to be there for the birth as well, but the Western Lord had banished her until after the fact, for fear of her turning his mate against him in the more... excitable moments of the process.

But for all he'd heard about females taking their mates to task for the crime of pupping them, he was pleased to find Kagome was entirely pleasant through the whole ordeal. Not that he would have faulted her if it had not been the case. But he was fully expecting to be cursed, and blamed... and even physically abused in the least accommodating moments. But she was just lovely.

She wanted him there, by her side. And he wanted to be there; holding her hand, and helping her through, and offering all the support and comfort he could offer. And he relished it, knowing he was useful. Knowing he was wanted. It made him feel more powerful than any weapon or victory in battle could have offered him.

He looked down at her; lying in their bed as he sat beside it. Flushed, disheveled. Beautiful. Holding little Setsuna lovingly in her arms, while he had the pleasure of cuddling Towa.

"Not a year will separate them." His attempt to draw her attention over to him was unsuccessful, but he joined her in a smile as he gazed down at the bundle in his own arms.

Kagome cooed, as even her beloved mate was unable to steer her admiration away from her newest kin.

'But not the last.'

Like their half-sister, the twins seemed to favor their father. Aside from the black hair on the pup in her arms, these little children looked shockingly like Sesshoumaru. The dog general must have had some pretty powerful genes, and she was only happy that in this case, taking after their father would not diminish their feminine beauty.

'It might actually make them prettier...'

She kept her thoughts to herself – she would tell him about it later – but she did finally tear her loving gaze away from her youngest daughter to admire her twin, and the beautiful demon who cradled her.

Seeing him tenderly fawn, a look of pure elation and pride on his handsome features, she feared that her already full heart was in danger of overflowing.

"Twins," she marveled, astonished with their luck. "But I bet you were hoping for a boy."

It was no secret that powerful lords often desired a male heir to follow in their footsteps and secure their rule with his inherited strength. Plus, they already had a girl.

But Sesshoumaru didn't seem disappointed in the least. He knew first-hand how much power a strong woman could wield. Particularly with a mother like this.

He smiled, and traced a deadly claw tenderly over soft, sleeping cheeks, and scoffed.

"Hardly. I have always had an affinity for females."

It was certainly true. Rin came to mind, and of course, Moroha. Sure, one day, he would be proud to sire a son with the bravery of Kohaku, or the ferocity of his late brother. But for now, he desired nothing more than to watch his mate raise these three strong females in her impressive image.

"You do have a way with women," she informed him with a smirk, and finally, eye contact was made. He tried to smirk back arrogantly, but could only muster a warm, appreciative smile, and humbly conceded.

"At times."

The loving gaze endured, relaying things to each other that were perhaps seldom voiced but known without question. For once, he broke the trance, and helplessly returned his fawning eyes down to the new child in his arms. Kagome melted.

He was captivating. She would forever remember this moment; seeing Sesshoumaru cuddling a little life that was so weak – for the moment. There was no question that their children would grow to harbor unthinkable power. But not yet, and they were pleased of it. She wanted to remember them just like this.

She was surprised that none of her children had been born with cute little puppy dog ears... and a bit disappointed. But the ability to pass for humans might serve them well in the years to come, and gave Kagome hope that maybe demons really did exist in her time.

No puppy ears, no elfin ears... but Towa's little silver head was only disrupted by a single streak of magenta. Kagome liked to think that was her mate's demon influence trying to peek through; an homage to his beautiful markings. The same streak appeared on her sister's head, showing all who was Setsuna's father. Not that there was ever any doubt.

She wondered if it would speak to their personalities. Would her silver haired child favor Sesshoumaru's personality, and the raven-haired girl hers? Or would it be just the perfect mixture of them both, cherry picking only their finest traits to make some sort of super inumiko?

Either way, both parents would be thrilled.

But the approval of another relative was weighing on the demon lord's mind. Finally, in a rare moment of insecurity, he voiced his concern to his mate.

"Do you think he would be pleased?"

He tried to sound casual, but his uncertainty easily showed. Perhaps the stress of the eventful evening rendered him less passive than usual.

But he was nervous of her answer.

Just as he strove to be her strength in her weakest of moments, Kagome wasted no time supporting him through his.

Her warm smile was instantly placating; her confident eyes, reassuring. She mercifully stripped him of his worry and doubt, and reinforced his wavering certainty all in the span of a second. All with a single look.

"All things considered... yeah, I think he would. Don't you think so?"

Would Inuyasha be pleased? With this? He honestly couldn't say.

Despite the rocky beginning – and most – of his life, Inuyasha likely had not a pleasant thought nor word to say when it came to his ruthless older half-brother. Sesshoumaru acknowledged that fact, and continued to make peace with it.

Admittedly toward the end however, things had finally started to shift; icebergs are not known for moving swiftly, after all.

But near the end, a mutual trust had been established. A mutual respect, at least the foundations of one, anyhow. How he'd hoped to build upon it with a great many things that the world would now be deprived.

But it hadn't all been for naught.

Were he still alive, seeing his wife with his brother; relying on him, loving him, bearing him daughters... No. He certainly would not have been pleased.

But the part of Sesshoumaru that still harbored hope – the part that she had awakened, and nurtured back from dormancy – clung to the eventuality that if his half-brother could see him, was looking down on him now, that he would.

He'd made a promise not long before his death, that he would tend to his widow should the circumstance arise.

At the time, it was a familial duty. A grim, almost bothersome obligation taken on as his last remaining kin, and boasting a shred of honor.

And he held true to his word. Kagome would want for nothing in his absence. Be it clothing or compassion, Sesshoumaru vowed to ensure she and her child would never know the crippling pain his brother knew of wanting for a father.

A strong, paternal figure hell-bent on providing. Teaching what a man was, and what he should be, and not allowing a pup of his blood to tolerate anything less. All of his regrets and missteps regarding the hanyou's neglectful rearing would be vastly over compensated for to the benefit of the females he'd left behind. The demon lord would see to it.

Of that, the whelp would be pleased; he was certain.

But...

Along the way, much too quickly yet not nearly soon enough, duty gave way to desire and blurred the lines of propriety.

Inuyasha was dead, and he wasn't coming back. Nothing he did in this plane should affect, or be affected by that. And he worried at first that it was grief – on her end, and his - that made it far too easy for two beings who had nobody left, to cling to one another and attempt to numb the pain. Their shared interest in his child gave them something to conveniently bond over, and wants become needs, become grief once again.

He still had duties to her, they were multiplying by the day. But they were no longer what tied him to her, or what kept him near. On the days he was most introspective, he wondered if they ever truly were. He honestly could not even remember a time when he would not have laid down his life for this woman.

Would his brother be pleased, that his beloved found - at the very least - contentment after his tragic end; even if it was with the biggest bastard he'd ever known?

Who's to say?

"You knew him better."

Of all the truths they'd told on this night, all the scabs they'd picked at, he did not expect that to be the one which caused her sorrow. He wished he could take it back the instant he saw the elation of new motherhood dull to a wistful regret.

When she looked down too little Setsuna with those eyes, he ached to make it the last time she saw her mother's pained expression. But for once, he was uncertain he could succeed.

"I miss him," she finally admitted, letting the sight of her hanyou pup fill the hole her uncle left in her heart. It was a large, gaping hole; one too big for a little baby to fill. But she had more than that.

She had three beautiful daughters. Half-demons, to help carry on his legacy. And that wasn't even all.

"I know." Someone else was also there - would always be there – to fill any emptiness she may be having. His brother. At least, that's who he used to be.

The Lord of the West used to be his half-brother. Used to be a hateful. Used to be cruel. Used to be a lot of things.

But Sesshoumaru wasn't any of those things anymore.

Now, he was her provider, her savior, her lover, her friend. The father of her children – all of them! And always would be.

Her mate.

And for the life of her, she couldn't muster an ounce of remorse for that.

She balanced her twin in one arm and reached for him, and Sesshoumaru did the same. Arms extended and touched, and fingers tickled forearms in a show of solidarity, as a form of mutual want.

"But I'm happy." He didn't need her to say it. He rarely needed her to say anything. But he was surprised how the admission caused every stress within his form to slacken just a bit. He wrapped his hand around her wrist and made a similar concession.

"As am I."

"Does that make us bad?"

He saw her conflicted countenance, her guilt of contentment. But her uncertainty did not offend him, only endeared her to him more. When he smiled, and revealed a threatening fang that was apparently a family trait, she bared her blunt teeth to him as well.

"He would want you to be happy," he insisted, softening her features even more.

"You too."

"Doubtful," he scoffed. But the way she laughed in response caused a sly smile to creep across his face, and he spared his mate an affectionate glance.

They were doing it again; their silent communication. But this time, Sesshoumaru found it insufficient. When she broke the gaze to bounce her daughter some, he watched in admiration a moment before finally voicing his thoughts.

"Thank you."

"What?" Kagome asked, mildly confused, but interested nonetheless and she furrowed her brow at the hours old pup she held.

With a patient smile, he graced her once more with his soft and serious tone. Gentle.

"For the sword," he clarified, but that was just for starters. "For the family. Thank you."

He spoke with a sincerity that warmed her from the inside, and she couldn't help but bring her doting eyes at last to rest on their original target. If it wasn't for him, none of this would be here. None of it.

She never would have thought, that dark day inside his father's tomb, that the hateful demon with the icy voice to match his heart would be here like this, making her feel so warm.

He'd tried to kill her that day, but now he had given her a reason to live. She vowed to never squander it; to always cherish this chance he gave her.

And something told her, that she'd done the same for him.

A solitary demon, once so cold and alone, now had a family. A home. Something to protect.

If she had given him anything, it was that. It was exactly what he needed.

He felt like he could read her thoughts, and they gazed into each other's eyes lovingly, dreamily. And dreamlike, she felt her lips move of their own accord while she had his undivided attention.

"Thank you. For the protection," she returned, but there was much more. "For the children. And the love, if I am not mistaken."

He didn't have to say it, but there was a reason.

He vowed to never have to. To never leave it to question. She would know. He would show her. Forever.

Through his smile, sincere enough to match his voice, and soft enough to match his heart, he answered.

"You are not."

fin

A/N: That's as far as I wanted to take this. Just a quick explanation of how the daughters came to be, so I can watch the sequel through my own rosy little lens. If necessary, lol.

I feel better now. I hope you do too =)