She was perfect.

Snow white hair, dazzling blue eyes, and a scream that could make ears bleed.

Yes, Sesshoumaru thought, she was perfect.

"Sesshoumaru…Look at her. Isn't she beautiful?" His mate's tired voice was filled with wonder as she looked at the precious bundle in her arms.

He had never been as proud of Kagome as he was in that moment. After nearly forty-eight hours of labor, she had brought a life into the world. (Of course, she hadn't done it without the use of many hilarious and threatening expletives.)

"Do you want to hold her?"

He glanced briefly at Kagome, then back down to the pup cradled in her arms. Nodding, he bent down, and surrounded his daughter in his arms.

The pup was so small. And in a rare moment in his life, he was truly afraid. One wrong move and he could destroy this fragile thing. Her bones were so frail.

A glance back at his mate showed that she was asleep. He gave a small smile as he looked back at his daughter.

"Hello little one. It's finally nice to meet the one responsible for your mother's cravings and erratic behavior." He allowed the pup to capture his finger. Feeling somewhat nostalgic, he lowered his voice to a low whisper.

"I am not perfect, little one. I have been accused of being overbearing, too prideful, a workaholic, snide, and somewhat short tempered. There may be times when you can't stand me. But always know, I love you. No matter what may happen, regardless of what either of us do, I love you. My daughter. My Takara."