InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Inutaisho Legacy ❯ Wishes Fulfilled ( Chapter 21 )

Here we are at the home stretch. Hope you enjoy. I've had calls for a girl for Sessh. Keep in mind I've had the end of this chapter planned since this story began. Enjoy it everyone! Too lazy to name everyone, but you know who you are.

Inugrrrl, for her unrelenting support and cheer. A good friend.

Inuskye, for supplying the basic plot to this whole sequel.

Everyone else, hope you enjoy.

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha nor is getting paid to write this. Does claim to be inu however.

 

“The Inutaisho Legacy” chapter twenty-one

Wishes Fulfilled

 

Sango helped Kyoko in her hut, aiding the short girl with a ready hand or arm around her ample waist. Shippou and Miroku sat on tree stumps in his front yard, watching Hikaru slash at the air with her bokken. Souta had taken a tree branch from the fields and imitated her movements. A pair of prayer beads hung around the boy's neck, swaying with his clumsy slashes. Miroku rocked Nozomi in his arms and grinned down at her. Her dark eyes followed her siblings with grave intelligence and she cried out when Souta got in a good swipe, his little arms straining with the branch.

“You hold it like this. Good, like that, Souta,” Hikaru urged, her childish high voice coaxing her baby brother. Souta focused, his dark eyes intense, and followed his sister's example. Miroku laughed and set Nozomi to sit in the grass. Nozomi leaned against her father's strong leg and tugged on the hem of his hakama.

“Good job, son! Your sister knows what she's talking about,” Miroku called. Souta grinned a shy smile and put his stick down to hug Hikaru's waist.

“Your Kyoko, she's getting big,” the monk commented to his friend. Shippou folded his arms into the sleeves of his happi coat and nodded.

“Her mother says it could be twins, but I don't know. Hanyous are big infants usually,” Shippou said worriedly. Kyoko had slender hips. The birth would be trouble.

Miroku nodded and smiled as Sango poked her head out of the hut and caught his eye. “She's right here,” he commented to his huntress wife. Sango darted out, reached down to pick up Nozomi and carried her back into the hut.

A moment later Sango came back with a very heavy Kyoko in tow. Shippou darted up, and helped her to sit on his tree stump. Kyoko flashed a smile to her husband as he stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. Hikaru ran up and patted the young woman's belly, her small hands darting over the taut round ball of her middle. Although Kyoko was only in her fourth month, her belly was huge, enough to make Hida comment on the amount of their activities, but make Shippou nervous for the sake of his wife and child.

“Are you well?” Shippou asked softly and Kyoko nodded, her face flushed. She was ever out of breath because of the baby, and he helped her as much as he could when he wasn't in the fields.

“Yes, just fine, Shippou,” Kyoko whispered. Shippou beamed and patted her shoulders. He took off his happi coat and wrapped it around her when a cool breeze started up. Sango stood up and regarded the distance thoughtfully. Her left hand rested on her katana hilt as she stared. Shippou didn't think anything much of that, Sango was always working even with her family, and he knew from experience that her eyes were the sharpest in the group.

When Hikaru stood by her mother to follow her example, then did Miroku clasp his hands together in supplication, feeling a large flash of youki stab the vicinity with its presence. Shippou shivered and shook it off. He was kitsune, a full youkai after all. Kyoko shuddered under his hands.

“What is that?” she asked innocently, but Miroku smiled calmly as a flash of white flew serenely above the trees. And the Lord Sesshomaru stepped down onto the dirt from his high soaring leap, black polished boots touching down lightly. His draping sleeves, long white hair and tail trailed behind his movements.

“Lord Sesshomaru, we welcome you,” Shippou bowed at the waist, his hand on Kyoko's shoulder. She paled and bowed her head. Sango and Miroku gave him small smiles and made their children bow.

Sesshomaru strode up to the group of humans and kitsune and inclined his head politely.

“How does your village fare?” he asked Shippou, and extended his eyes to the exterminator and her husband. Polite conversation ensued and everyone knew Sesshomaru was warming up to the subject of why he came. He was just like that. One had to be patient and realize his life was very long indeed. Waiting so long in conversation was like blinking to him.

“This Sesshomaru has seen you follow my brother many times,” Sesshomaru commented to Shippou. The tall kitsune stood rigidly, his spine straight from the attention of the Lord of the Western Lands. “This Sesshomaru knows you are loyal, far more loyal without any status even. This Sesshomaru finds respect in that.”

“Er… thank you,” Shippou said nervously. Sango nodded, her eyes twinkling.

“Seeing is as both of our unborn children share a similarity,” Sesshomaru went on, and Shippou knew he spoke of their half human blood. “This Sesshomaru would ask if your child would receive the benefits of the Western palace, and be this Sesshomaru's ward.”

Shippou's mind sped, his heart racing. His family had always lived in the wilderness, far from the trapping and elegance of rank and title. Shippou had loved his family's life, but he had wondered if the power of title and rank would have helped his parents to escape their early deaths at the hands of the Thunder Brothers; if it would have helped his human and half human family with monetary needs. His family had never held any wealth, and now his child had a chance for stability.

“Er…. that is…. Sesshomaru-sama! This is unexpected,” the young kitsune stammered. He bowed at the waist, his topknot falling over his shoulder. “I thank you for the invitation. I'm sure my child would love to grow up with yours.”

Sango and Miroku grinned but Kyoko looked uneasy. She hadn't ever been comfortable in the white Lord's presence. He was so intimidating sometimes.

Sesshomaru continued to unnerve Shippou's wife by spreading his regal lips into a rare public smile. “This Sesshomaru is pleased. May our sons grow up friends and allies,” he offered. Shippou smiled and bowed again.

“That is…. It could be a girl you know,” Sango commented. “Both of yours.”

Sesshomaru and Shippou both waved a hand.

“Impossible.”

“You said it, my lord! It's going to be a healthy boy,” Shippou said proudly.

“A girl is just as good!” Kyoko offered, hugging her middle.

“A boy would ensure this Sesshomaru has an heir,” Sesshomaru said smoothly. Shippou nodded.

“Can't blame a man for putting pride in an heir,” Miroku said proudly. Souta hugged his leg and looked up, his eyes shining. Hikaru pouted but Miroku lifted her to sit in his lap.

“Well in my clan, girls can be heirs,” Sango sniffed. “Hikaru is our heir, Miroku.”

“And so she is. She'll be the next head hunter, won't she?” Miroku smiled kindly. Hikaru nodded, her lower lip stuck out in a look of determination.

 

* * * *

 

“It's good to see you again, Inuyasha,” Miroku greeted as he and his family escorted Inuyasha through the forest. Kagome walked at her husband's side, holding a squirmy Inutaro. Whenever they came to the verdant green past, their active baby became positively postal, trying to smell everything, touch everything or even lay on everything. Miroku had gotten a fair treatment of exploration from the hyper quarter inu a number of times on his family's visit to his home. Miroku was a family man, however, and didn't mind the grubby small hands, teething or drooling. He had three children after all.

“Good to be here,” Inuyasha said calmly, carrying his family's bags. His golden eyes settled on his wife juggling Inutaro who seemed hell bent on flying out of her arms to the grass, and smiled serenely. Tatsumaru flanked his employer's side and they walked with weapons in hand through the forest. There had been less youkai prowling the area since Sesshomaru had taken all of Inuyasha's close friends under protection, but old habits died hard. Tatsumaru patted the hilt of his katana and smiled congenially at Kagome's bright smile. Mothers never ceased to amaze him, and he was one to know, for Sango was a jewel and a joy to witness.

“How long shall you stay this time?” Tatsumaru asked gently, his deep voice tolling like a bell.

“Inutaro-chan, stop squirming! Mama can't hold onto you,” Kagome said gently with a touch of exasperation. Inutaro flung himself against her shoulder and panted, grinning.

“At least a few days, enough time for the children to play and for us to get a hunt in,” Inuyasha suggested, his eyes gleaming. Inutaro looked around wildly, his short white hair sifting in the light summer breeze.

“Peh peh,” he commented, his eyes shining positively when he watched his father walking beside Mama. Inuyasha's long white hair hung down past his waist and swayed gently, attracting his pup's attention for a moment. Then Inutaro squirmed and hummed loudly, burping up spit bubbles.

“Hmmm! Hmmm!” Inutaro insisted. Kagome gently shushed him and stroked his ears with one hand. It usually calmed her son down, but this time only got his attention for two seconds.

“That sounds fine,” Miroku suggested. “If you would offer prayers to Sango's family?”

“Of course! We would be glad to,” Kagome spoke up. Miroku wrapped his prayer beads around his wrist and nodded.

“Thank you both….”

“Do you think we'll have Daisuke and Shun back, Miroku-san?” Tatsumaru wondered. Miroku smirked and shouldered his priest's staff. The ends jangled together.

“They seem to be entering courtships with two of Hida's daughters. Perhaps in time we can arrange for them to work with you and the others if marriages are planned,” Miroku suggested. Tatsumaru nodded, his eyes cool.

“Think Jii-chan's doing okay?” Kagome whispered to Inuyasha. He shrugged and adjusted all of the bags on one side of his body. The straps dug into his shoulder blades.

“He's been in this time before. Kaede will have to keep him in shape or he may bungle up Tamori-chan's training,” Inuyasha surmised. Miroku chuckled and waved as he and his friends came into view of the high walls of the exterminator's village.

Yusaku waved from the watchtower and banged a hammer against the bell hung there. The gate began to be pushed open, by Ataru, Miroku knew. Yusaku disappeared from view and helped. Miroku snapped a finger and brought the youkai barrier down a huge deal, so Inuyasha and Inutaro could enter without shock of pain.

It was still up to a low dim that both partial inu heard, their ears twitching uncontrollably as they walked through the high wall. Kagome giggled and kissed her son's ears. Inutaro grinned.

“Sango-chan!” Kagome called. Sango waved, and walked up. Hikaru and Souta were wrestling in the grass, but they sprang up at the sight of visitors. Nozomi lay in Sango's arms and wriggled wildly, crying out. Inutaro squirmed hard hearing her, and made for the grass.

Kagome and Sango grinned wryly, set their children together, and hugged each other. Inuyasha stepped up to kiss her cheek. Sango smiled and hugged her friend close.

“It's been awhile, you two,” the huntress said semi-seriously.

“You all look well,” Kagome smiled. She knelt and held her arms out as Souta and Hikaru came running up. They crashed into her and held on as Kagome laughed.

“Inutaro's getting so big! He's going to be so big he'll eat Nozomi,” Sango commented. Miroku put his hand on her shoulder and smiled tenderly. Inutaro and Nozomi wrestled, shrieking under the bright sun.

“Easy, pup, you'll hurt Nozomi-chan,” Inuyasha murmured. He knelt down and rubbed his son's tummy. Inutaro lay, breathless as Nozomi slung an arm over his waist. They wrestled again. Inuyasha groaned.

“Easy now!” he warned his offspring. Inutaro rolled onto his back and grinned up at his father.

“Os….os….” he mumbled. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.

“What's this now?” Miroku asked. Kagome shrugged.

“He keeps trying to say something, but we don't know what it is,” she said apologetically. Inuyasha's ears laid flat on his head.

“I don't like the sounds of it though,” Inuyasha mumbled.

“I'm sure he'll get more words out and talk and sing all day long, like Hikaru and Souta did,” Miroku teased. Souta stuck his thumb into his mouth.

“Os…. Os… os'warey!” Inutaro crowed, beaming widely. Inuyasha felt a small tug at his subjugation beads and fell on his face in surprise.

“Wah!” he exclaimed intelligently.

Miroku, Sango, and Kagome laughed loudly together at Inuyasha's bewildered and annoyed expression.

“Kagome! He learned that from YOU!” Inuyasha blamed. Kagome wiped tears of mirth from her eyes and kneeled to hug his shoulders.

“You're alright, Inuyasha. You have to admit, it's funny!” she laughed. Inuyasha grumbled to himself until Inutaro crawled to hug his knee.

“Peh beh? Peh kay?” Inutaro asked, his eyes wide in sorrow. Inuyasha grinned and picked Inutaro up.

“Don't you say that word again! Got it?” Inuyasha tapped a finger against his son's nose. Inutaro's eyes crossed then he grinned.

“Peh kay!” he exclaimed. Nozomi watched and cried out for attention.

Tatsumaru chuckled and walked to his brothers as the families laughed. Ataru and Yusaku sat honing their weapons near the vegetable garden and made room for their brother.

“They sure are happy,” Yusaku observed. He tested the sharpness of his blade carefully with his thumb then picked up his sharpening stone again. Ataru sheathed his katana and went to work on several shuriken. Tatsumaru untied his katana from his sash and drew the curved blade.

“Do you think we ought to get married?” Ataru wondered. Tatsumaru nodded, accepting a sharpening stone from Yusaku. The rhythmic scrapes of steel against stone filled the warm summer air.

“Perhaps we should. Daisuke and Shun found sweethearts already,” Yusaku complained. Tatsumaru nodded.

“If that can bring happiness like they have,” here he gestured to the two families in the grass outside the main house. “Then I'm all for it.”

“Hai.”

“Hai, onii-san.”

The brothers kept sharpening the tools of their trade.

 

* * * *

 

Rin knelt carefully, her rounded form naked to the cool mountain air. The youkai healers went around her, touching her middle and murmuring to each other. Rin stroked her fingers nervously through her unbound long hair as the bent healers conversed together and nodded as one unit.

Rin was helped into her under kimono as the head healer came forward and bowed. She had reprimanded Rin before for her inability to conceive Sesshomaru's child, but now fawned over her like her own family.

“Is the baby well?” Rin asked fearfully. The healer smiled, her countless wrinkles pulling at the corners of her slanted eyes.

“You humans have some good constitution, to counter our Lord's strength. The rest of the baby's term will be hard on you, however, and it could very well be a large infant when it's born. But,” the healer patted Rin's small hands. “No matter what strange cravings you may get, my Lady must remember to drink the tea I've made for you.”

 

Rin smiled and hugged her rounding belly. “I will remember. Thank you.” The healers murmured and bowed down when a tall figure in white swished into the room. Sesshomaru stood over Rin and touched her shoulder gently. His golden eyes swam with a million questions and cares, his emotions open to Rin's gaze. She beamed and took his hand between both of her own and kissed his claws.

“And the report?” Sesshomaru crooned. Rin laid his palm against her cheek.

“The child is fine,” Rin said happily. Sesshomaru's lips crooked into one of those rare smiles. Rin reflected she was seeing those rare smiles more and more these days. Sesshomaru's hand trailed to her middle and his left palm laid flat against the rounding ball of his child. The small twinge of partial youki flashed against his closeness and Sesshomaru smiled again.

The healers cleared out so Rin was content when Sesshomaru pulled her up to her feet. The top of her head barely came to his chest. Looking at their differences in size made one wonder how they were able to join in passion, let alone conceive a child.

Sesshomaru cupped his mate's neck and leaned down for a kiss. Rin hugged his neck and sighed at his sweet attentions. Ever since she had known she was carrying, Sesshomaru's appetite for her seemed to have enflamed. He wouldn't leave her alone unless she ached or felt ill. Then he would respect her wishes to carry his child in peace.

 

Not that Rin would ever want to be apart from her lord. But her belly ached and the baby demanded her full attentions. So Sesshomaru was patient when she was ill. Now, Rin was content to let Sesshomaru strip her under kimono to his reverent gaze and large hands. Rin hugged his neck and sighed as she felt the jutting of his arousal nudge her naked form through his kimono.

“My lord is insatiable,” Rin murmured. Sesshomaru brought her mouth up to his, his large hand cupping the nape of her neck. Rin returned her lord's ravenous passion as best she could. Sesshomaru rubbed the small of her bared back and kissed the mating mark on her neck.

“Your back is aching, isn't it?” he asked. Rin nodded, though Sesshomaru would tell with or without an answer. Their bond was strong, and with a child growing inside her, it was even stronger.

 

“This Sesshomaru will not push you, Rin. Your care and the child's are this Sesshomaru's priority,” Sesshomaru promised, his eyes gleaming. Rin's throat dried as she felt the passion quicken in her loins, reciprocating her lord's erection.

“I want to, my lord… just be quick,” she whispered. Sesshomaru let Rin part the layers of his kimono and tug his obi loose, pulling him out against her. Sesshomaru gently lifted Rin in his sure hands, parting her carefully with his rigid lust. Rin hugged his neck and cried out sharply. A few short thrusts and Sesshomaru buried his face in Rin's neck, grunting softly. Rin kissed him deeply.

“Rin….” Sesshomaru murmured. Rin cupped his cheek and kissed him again. Sesshomaru watched her with half-glazed eyes and kissed her back. Their tongues stroked gently.

“I know, my lord…. I love you too,” Rin whispered. Sesshomaru gently lifted her off of him, his seed sliding down her thigh.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha and Kagome sat in the courtyard of her family shrine, beneath the cool shade of the Goshinboku. Inutaro played between them, rolling in the grass. Inuyasha grimaced, thinking of the grass stains he would have to clean out in Mama Higurashi's magic cleaning machine, but cooled down when Kagome touched his knee. They sat companionably, and watched their son.

“So, Sesshomaru's kid…” Inuyasha began. Kagome rubbed his thigh.

“What about your brother's child to be?” she murmured. It was strange to think that in her world, Sesshomaru's child could very well be an adult walking around the island at this point. What a time paradox to think of that, and perhaps he or she could have walked past her as an adult while she was growing UP in her time. Kagome tried not to get a headache.

Inuyasha touched his brow, feeling her pain through the link and tried to smile.

“We'll go back soon and see how Rin is doing, won't we? Jii-chan will want to see Kaede again,” Inuyasha suggested. Kagome nodded and scooted to lean her head against his shoulder.

 

“Hat! Put that child's hat on!” Jii-chan called across the courtyard. He brandished his bamboo broom, and squawked when Souta chased his soccer ball past him. He barely ducked it in time.

Inuyasha stuck his tongue out deliberately at Jii-chan and ruffled his son's hair. Inutaro's ears wiggled.

“Things are falling into place. We're at peace, and life is good,” Kagome commented. Inuyasha turned to look at her. He ignored Jii-chan hopping up and down in the background. Next shot, thank you.

“You know, Kagome, if you had refused me… I wouldn't want to keep living,” he commented. Kagome kissed his cheek.

“Lucky for you, I got pregnant and now you're stuck with me,” she teased impishly.

“Hey,” Inuyasha groaned silently. He brightened when Kagome leaned against him.

“I know you love me… and I made the right decision that night,” she whispered. Inuyasha's eyes glazed and he lifted Kagome's chin.

“I'm only grateful you loved an outcast like me,” he confessed. Kagome started, about to protest, but Inuyasha shushed her with a finger to the lips. He leaned close.

He kissed her deeply, an innocent kiss of tender love without lust. Inutaro lifted himself against Kagome's side and patted his parents.

“Peh kay! Meh!” he exclaimed. Inuyasha laughed and lifted his son into the air.

“And Papa loves you too, pup. Give your papa a kiss,” Inuyasha coaxed. He lowered Inutaro until he could kiss his pooched out lips.

Kagome giggled. Bright autumn leaves littered the courtyard on and around them. She settled with her family and did not think of tests for high school, of which college to apply for.

She already had everything people sought for desperately.

 

“Inutaro, can you say you love Mama? Your mama?” Kagome asked, tickling her son. Inutaro grinned, displaying his growing teeth.

“Aw you can tell by how he's looking at you, Kagome,” Inuyasha urged. Inutaro giggled. The small family sat beneath the God Tree. The present feeling gently rolled in and a change was scented on the wind.

 

 

* * * *

 

Five hundred years ago:

 

Sesshomaru paced back and forth. His elaborate white kimono swayed with his movements, his steps nervous and quick. Inuyasha sat with his boy in his arms, quirking an eyebrow at his brother.

“Nervous, brother?” he teased. Inutaro crowed as Sesshomaru glared at them both, his fine brows lowered in consternation.

“No!” he snapped. “Why would I be?” A loud groan sounded from the neighboring chamber. Sesshomaru's hands clenched and he almost tore the door off its hinges.

Inuyasha chuckled. “Don't worry, Sesshomaru. Rin will be fine.” A fine bead of sweat trailed down his temple however. Inutaro babbled and curled into his lap. Inuyasha stroked the fine white hairs on his son's scalp.

“This Sesshomaru knows,” Sesshomaru fairly snapped. Inuyasha grinned, that his brother would finally show some heat through his ice-cold exterior. Rin had been a good influence on him.

“Well, stop pacing. Yer making me sick,” Inuyasha complained, lightly teasing to lower his brother's anxiety. Sesshomaru snarled and flung himself down to sit on his knees on a cushion. His kimono gusted in the air and floated down around his fast-moving form.

“Will this suffice, Inuyasha?” Sesshomaru wanted to know.

“Yeah, I think that'd do it…” Inuyasha grinned cheekily. Inutaro babbled and chewed on Inuyasha's haori sleeve. Inuyasha patted his back, and let him squirm his way up his chest, then back down to his lap.

A loud scream sounded from the next chamber and there was a flurry of activity. Inuyasha looked up, his ears twitching when he heard Kagome calling out orders with the best of the healers. Inutaro looked around for his mother and went back to his play. Sesshomaru's pale façade paled further if that was possible and his fisted his hands onto his knees. His knuckles were as white as his face.

There was an instant when both brothers almost held their breath; anticipation hung heavy as if walking to the edge of the world to see what was beyond. Then a baby's wail was heard and the collective exhale between the two was released loudly in the chamber. Inutaro looked around in wonder and clung to his father's fingers.

“Mam, beh?” he asked as Inuyasha swung him to his shoulder and strode to Sesshomaru. He clasped his tall brother's shoulder, grinning.

“Congratulations, you're a father,” he announced the obvious. Sesshomaru felt a bead of sweat gather against his brow, obscuring his normally pristine appearance. He nodded and rose to his feet.

Sesshomaru strode to the chamber door, Inuyasha at his side.

“I know…. Thank you for sitting with me, Inuyasha,” he intoned. Inuyasha grinned.

“At least you were out here. Kagome sprained my hand when she had our pup,” he commented. Sesshomaru flexed his hand in response and made to open the door.

It slid open before he could touch it and the head healer gaped at his surprise appearance and kowtowed directly at his feet.

“My lord Sesshomaru, your child has been born!” she announced. Sesshomaru wondered if his whole staff was deaf. Inuyasha guffawed and agreed with her, peeking into the room. Sesshomaru strode in, barely stepping over her bent prostrate form.

“My son?” he asked deeply. The healers bowed low around the low bed housing his wife. Kagome nodded, smiling up at him as he approached. She was seated at Rin's side, apparently cleaning the child's face with a damp rag. Jaken hovered at the other edge of the bed, worrying over his lady with small exclamations.

“Rin? Sesshomaru is here,” Kagome whispered. Her gentle hands moved to wash the sweat from the girl's face and Sesshomaru towered over his mate.

Rin was curled on her side, around a small pale bundle. Her hair was damp and plastered to her brow and neck, her loose robe barely covered her necessities and her voice was hoarse and soft as she crooned quietly to the infant she wrapped herself around. But she was more beautiful to Sesshomaru than he had ever seen her. Her protective instincts for their pup made his heart leap into his throat. He wanted to fight off the world with his bare claws to keep that image safe.

Rin looked over her shoulder and crooked a shaky tired smile. “My lord, how kind of you to see me so soon after…. Now that our baby is here,” she whispered. Sesshomaru laid his hand against her cheek, his thumb rubbing her soft sweaty flesh. The healers bustled about them cleaning up tools and blankets. Sesshomaru didn't want to think about how much of his lady's blood was spotted against the linen. Kagome hummed and whispered softly when the infant wailed.

“Is it a boy?” he asked deeply. At that moment, Sesshomaru didn't care what gender his baby was, only that it were healthy and well protected. He couldn't stop a fit of rage that swept through him, wanting to kick everyone but his wife and child out of the room. Inuyasha almost got an elbow in the face for leaning so close behind him just then.

Rin smiled widely and leaned on one elbow. Kagome helped her and together they adjusted the bundle into her arms. “He is; a fine boy. He's so pretty, like you,” Rin said honestly, tears wetting her eyes. Sesshomaru knew she had to be so tired, and extremely happy, to pay him an intimate compliment in the company of the staff and his brother's family. That rare smile that Rin saw so often lately spread his noble lips as Kagome helped him take the small warm bundle into his arms.

“My son. My lady, you have given me a fine gift,” Sesshomaru said regally, but his heart was racing a mile a minute. His hands so gifted at granting death to his enemies almost trembled, trying to give stability to the future of his father's house. His boy had his pale features, the fuzz of hair covering his scalp white. Sesshomaru watched the tiny puppy ears fold over gently against his head. He ran a gentle finger around the ears. Kagome smiled at Inuyasha knowingly when she swore she saw a tear fill Sesshomaru's eye. He blinked and it was gone, so you never could tell. Give the Lord his appearances.

“Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama,” Rin whispered. Kagome stroked her hair gently and rubbed the damp rag against her brow.

“So, what you going to call him?” Inuyasha asked loudly. Inutaro babbled happily, calling out for attention. Sesshomaru held the baby over his head, inspecting him.

“Daikousai. He shall be Daikousai, and the heir to the Western Lands,” Sesshomaru intoned grimly. Inuyasha laughed.

“That's a grand name! Expect a lot from him, bro?” Inuyasha asked. He held his son to Rin. Inutaro clumsily kissed her cheek and Rin smiled, settling back against her pillows. Inuyasha bounced his son in his arms.

“I expect he will live his life to the best of his ability,” Sesshomaru rumbled. He cradled his heir against his chest and watched his boy's small mouth work open and closed in wonder. His tone gave no indication that he thought his son would have no less than the best of talents and skills. The Western Lord was that confidant.

“He will, Sesshomaru. Our sons will be the best of friends,” Kagome said. The warm look Sesshomaru gave her surprised her. Rin sighed and her eyes fluttered open and closed as she rested.

“As they will be,” Sesshomaru agreed, thinking of Shippou's child, a boy named Akigawa. And Kouga's son, Taki. Sango and Miroku's clan were added in and he knew his son was well protected.

“May our ties be connected ever more and all that good stuff,” Inuyasha laughed. The three swords of the Inutaisho family became four with the arrival of Daikousai, son of Sesshomaru.

The scene folded gently away as the family talked and whispered, resounding gently against the edge of an era. They had a link through the well together and time could be visited and doubled again back to a modern world. Family ties were that important.

The scene faded to a gentle roar as if seen from a faded scroll. And the story continued gently towards the future.

 

End for now

We're at the home stretch! One more to go. For all who have kept up and encouraged and written me, thank you very much. Daikousai means “Great Brilliance.” Sessh had to give his son a name like that. Akigawa means “Autumn River.” Shippou would give his kid a wilderness-y name I felt.

Like it? Hate it? Send a review.

Most sincerely yours, penpaninu 4/11/06