Tender Love

Disclaimer-I do not own any of the characters of inuyasha


Chapter 18

It was early morning the next day when Mina returned with a wolf demoness. The young woman had long raven colored hair and dark silver eyes. Sesshomaru led the demoness up to his father-in-law's room. Inuyasha opened the door and let the two inside.

"How is your father doing?" whispered Sesshomaru embracing his mate.

"He seems to be doing better than when my mother died," Inuyasha whispered back to him. "I think knowing that he has an infant son to look after is keeping him from losing control." Inuyasha watched as her father sat out on the balcony holding his son in his arms.

"I should introduce the two of you to the wet nurse." He pulled away from Inuyasha and lead her along with the wolf demoness outside. "Lord Akemi."

The elder dog demon looked up and Inuyasha nearly burst into tears at the heart wrenching sad look in her father's eyes. 'Li-hua, you were a fool to think I would lie to you about something so serious, and you were an even bigger fool to think father did not love you.'

Wiping the tears from his red eyes, he smiled up at his daughter. "I hope this young lady is the wet nurse. I do believe my little boy is hungry and he is becoming quite agitated." He was rocking the whimpering child in his arms trying to calm him.

"Of course," said Sesshomaru. "Yasha. Lord Akemi. This is Suzu. She will nurse your child along with her own son."

The wolf demoness went to her knees and bowed deeply to them. "Lady Inuyasha. Lord Akemi. It is an honor to be of service to you."

After the introduction Shion decided that he has had enough of going hungry and let the adults know its time for dinner. The pup could smell the delicious aroma of milk and decided he wanted some. The tiny demon opened his narrow golden eyes and began to cry at the top of his lungs.

At the cry of the child, Suzu smiled at the tiny infant as he sucked his fist. "May I, my lord?" she held out her arms.

He silently placed his son into her waiting arms. Suzu immediately pulled opened the folds of her kimono letting it slide off her left shoulder exposing a milk filled breast. At first, Shion would not take the nipple but after a drop of milk fell onto his tiny pink lips he greedily sucked the nipple into his mouth and began to drink his fill.

Akemi smiled as he watched his son. "You know, when you were a baby I use to love to sit and watch your mother nurse you. Although at the time I was thinking how lucky you were to be sucking . . . "

"Father!" Inuyasha squeaked as she turned as red as an apple.

"What? It was true." He laughed as his daughter seemed to turn even redder.

Inuyasha elbowed Sesshomaru in the gut when she heard him chuckle behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Anyway Suzu, does your mate mind you doing this?"

"My mate was killed two months before our son was born while he was out hunting," said the wolf demoness in a soft voice.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to bring up painful memories."

"It is all right, my lady." She smiled. "It does not hurt as much as when I was first informed about his death. Besides I still have a part of him in our son, Yuki. He was created out of our love and every time I look at him I see my darling, Aki in our child. So, I am very sad that my mate is gone but I am happy I have our child to remember him by."

Akemi's heart went out to the young demoness. He knew the pain and anguish a person goes through when they lose their mate. All through the night, he felt like he wanted to die but as soon as he looked into the tiny face of his son, he knew that he must live on. Shion will need him in the years to come. All the servants raised his little Inuyasha when her mother died. He was not going to miss out on raising his son.

"So, where is your son now?" asked Sesshomaru still holding Inuyasha in his embrace.

"He is with my mother. I was feeding him when Mina came to my home telling me that Lady Inuyasha's father needed a wet nurse for his son."

"Suzu, would you consider leaving Japan and come live with me and Shion in China," asked Akemi. "Well, Jun is getting old and she will not be able to properly care for an infant. See, we Eastern dog demons becomes very attached to the person that suckles us. It’s why Inuyasha has never accepted Li-hua as her stepmother."

"F-father, that's not . . . " Inuyasha was about to lie but her father stopped her in mid sentence.

"No. Do not say it is not true because you and I know it would be a lie." He stood up and walked over to his daughter cradling her cheek. "I may not have been there for you when you needed me but I was aware of the tension between the two of you. Which is why I arranged for you to mate with Sesshomaru. I knew you needed to be far away from Li-hua and also, I knew that Sesshomaru would take care of you." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "And I’m glad I did. You are so happy now. I’m sure your mother would be happy also." He took his hand and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I realize that it was a mistake when I wasn’t there for you when you were growing up, but I promise I will not turn my back on my son.”

Inuyasha wrapped her arms around her father and held him tight.

"My lord," said Suzu pulling the kimono back over her shoulder. Everyone turned to face the demoness. "I believe your son has had his fill and is ready for a nap." The pup released a huge yawn as he fell alseep in her arms.

Akemi smiled down at his sleeping son and took the child into his arms. "Well Suzu, will you come to China with us. I'm sure Shion and your son, Yuki will be the best of friends and my son will need a friend that will always be there for him."

Suzu thought for a moment. Then smiled up at him and bowed her head low. "I accept, my lord."

"Then you should gather your son and things and come back here tonight," said Sesshomaru. "Lord Akemi will be leaving tomorrow."

"Yes my lord." She stood up, bowed to the royal family and left.

xxxxx


It was a little after midday when Sesshomaru went in search of his mate. He followed her scent to one of the rooms on the far side of the palace. He detected the scent of tears and rushed into the room. There he found Inuyasha sitting in a corner with a blanket over her head crying. Sesshomaru walked into the room, closing the door behind him and knelt in front of her. Removing the cover, he stared into her wet golden eyes.

"Yasha, what ails you?" he asked softly. "Is it the child?"

She shook her head and continued to sob. She had no wish for him to know of the terrible fears which had been attacking her since Li-hua’s death. She has been so busy taking care of her infant brother and father to even have time to think about it, but now that she has the time. Inuyasha finds she cannot keep those awful painfilled screams of Li-hua's out of her mind.

"Then what is wrong?" he wiped the tears from her eyes. “Please, I cannot help you if you do not tell me what is wrong.”

"I-I'm so scared," she finally confessed after waiting a few minutes until she was able to talk through her sobs.

"Why are you scared, Yasha?"

"Be-because Li-hua . . . I warned her about . . . getting pregnant and now she's dead." Upon mentioning her stepmother's death Inuyasha burst into a gush of tears and threw her arms around Sesshomaru holding him tightly. "Oh gods, her screams . . . I can still hear them. It-it was like the sound of some . . . animal that was . . . was still alive as its body was being torn apart. And I keep thinking if I am going to go through the same thing when I have my baby." Inuyasha continued to sob against his shoulder. "I keep thinking that I may not be strong enough to bring our child into the world and that we both will die.”

Sesshomaru tightened his arms around his mate and held her firmly as he tried to calm her fears. "Beloved, listen to me, your stepmother died because her demonic powers were not nearly as strong as your father's own powers. From what you've told me of her, she died because of her own greed and because she was weak. You, my dear, are far from being weak. Like myself, you come from a long line of powerful dog demons plus your mother was an extremely powerful miko." He pulled her away and cradled her wet cheeks in his hands. "You have nothing to fear my sweet. Neither you nor my son will die. I will not permit it," he said fiercely.

"But . . ."

"No buts. If you were to die, I would journey into the afterlife and drag you back myself." He smiled. "Not even death itself shall take you away from me."

"Oh Sess," she said hugging him tightly as her tears began to subside. "I love you so much."

"And I love you as well." Then he lifted her into his arms and laid her on the bed. "Are you hungry?"

"No. But would you just lay here with me for a while."

Sesshomaru could see a little fear still lingering in her eyes. Without saying anything else, he laid down beside his mate and rested his head between her breasts. Not long after, he could hear her gentle breathing as she drifted off to sleep.


xxxxx

When her aunt died, Sya didn't even once shed a single tear over the death of her aunt. Everyone was surprised when she left the palace smiling and happy as though nothing had happened. Unbeknownst to any of them, she went to visit Naraku and didn't think once about her aunt. Sya was sitting in her room thinking about all that happened. It never occurred to her that her aunt Li-hua would die. Sya often thought the demoness was too stubborn or in the case of her aunt too greedy to die. She knew that all her aunt wanted was to rule the Eastern half of China. She remembered before she left for Japan with Inuyasha. Her aunt had come to her room telling her about the half breed’s threat. So, what Inuyasha said about Japanese dog demons were correct. Who would have thought?

She sat at her vanity looking in the mirror at her reflection. Picking up her brush, she began to brush her hair. She should be sad. Sya knew this but somehow she could not put forth the effort. She did not like her aunt, anyway. The demoness often looked down upon her as though she was some dirty little street urchin. She would always bring up how foolish and incompetent her brother, Sya's father, was. She agrees that her father was foolish but Li-hua did not have to rub it in her face every day. Reminding Sya that if it was not for her kindness, she would have been out in the streets selling herself for food or money.

Yes, she was afraid that maybe her uncles would have sold her to one of the local whorehouses because everyone in that family were only out for themselves; not one ever showed her an ounce of love or concern for her well-being. If the truth be told when she arrived at her aunt and new uncle’s palace, it was actually Akemi that took her in. He was not going to let his mate's niece live out in the streets like an urchin.

Sya put the brush down and frowned deep in thought. 'Well, the bitch got what she deserved and I will be damned if I start to feel sorry for her.' She snorted. "So long Aunt Li-hua, I would say it was wonderful staying with you but I would be lying." She smiled to herself and went downstairs to sit outside in the garden.

xxxxx

The next day, Inutaisho, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha, were at the docks waiting to see Akemi, Shion, the nursemaid Suzu and her son Yuki off to China. Suzu had Shion in her arms while her own son Yuki was strapped to her back in a pouch. Both infants were sound asleep. Inuyasha had asked Sya to come with them but she made the excuse that she could not bare to come out knowing that her aunt was gone. Of course Inuyasha knew that she was lying considering after her aunt's death she was smiling and laughing but Inuyasha wasn't going to press her.

Inuyasha mourned with a heavy heart as her father watched the men load Li-hua’s body onto the ship. Then Akemi turned to face them with a sad smile on his face.

"Please take care of yourself, father," said Inuyasha hugging Akemi tightly in her arms.

"You know I will," he said smiling at her. "I have a lot to live for. I have a healthy son because of Sesshomaru. I never thanked you for saving him."

"You do not have to," said Sesshomaru.

"Yes I do." Akemi smiled at the young demon lord. "Thank you ver much for giving me back Shion."

"You are Yasha's father. I would do anything to help." He smirked at the elder demon. "Except give back your daughter."

Akemi laughed. "Well, there's no need of that. I'm positive Inuyasha would strangle me if I tried to take her away from you." Then he turned to irritated daughter. "Make sure you take care of my grandson until I return for a visit."

"Why does everyone keep saying my baby will be a boy?"

Everyone started laughing.

"Anyway my dear, make sure you take care of yourself and I will make sure to free my schedule to come and see my new grandson," said Akemi smiling and kissing her forehead.

"You needn't worry Akemi," said Inutaisho. "I'll make sure to take care of our grandchild. And I will see you in a month." The two elderly dogs embraced.

Suddenly a tall dragon demon with long green hair, and fierce blue eyes dressed in armor walked up to them. The silver breastplate he wore had the crest of his lord, a dog standing on its hind legs with a tiny crown on its head breathing fire, painted on it. "My lord, the ship is ready to sail." He turned to Inuyasha, bowed and smiled. "Inuyasha, I see you are still pretty as ever. I hope you are well?"

"Hello Captain Shilin, I am doing very well and am quite happy with my mate," said Inuyasha smiling. “Why didn’t you come with father to visit?” She struck him on the arm playfully.

“I had always wanted to visit Japan and see what it was like.” He smiled warmly at her. “Besides, I knew there would be other times to see you. This was a time for you and your father to be together.”

“You always were full of crap but very sweet . . . for a dragon.” They started to laugh.

Sesshomaru was not liking how this dragon was being so . . . familiar with his mate. He quickly stepped up beside Inuyasha wrapping a possessive arm around her waist growling at the dragon. The dragon snickered at the scowl on the dog demon's face and winked at Inuyasha.

"Make sure you take care of our princess, Lord Sesshomaru," said the captain. "She means everything to us who serve in the House of Yamamaru."

"You needn't worry. Yasha is the most important person to me as well," said Sesshomaru.

“So.” Captain Shilin turned to the infant that was in Suzu’s arms. “This is the little prince. He will be a strong one. Welcome to this world little one. I’m sure when you take over. You will do your father proud. And know that I will always be here for you like I am for your sister and father.” The dragon looked over at Inuyasha and smiled. He then turned to Sesshomaru and bowed. “It is time, my lord.” Then he led Akemi, Suzu along with the two sleeping infants aboard the ship.

The three dog demons remained at the docks until the ship disappeared over the horizon. Then they returned home.

xxxxx

Six months had passed and there were only two weeks left until Inuyasha would come to the end of her pregnancy, she found that with each day she became more tired and irritated especially at Sesshomaru. On one such morning Inuyasha awoke feeling a nagging backache and when Sesshomaru asked how she was feeling, she growled at him telling him in a not so ladylike way, "How in the hell do you think I’m feeling. My feet are swollen, my back hurt and I look like I swallowed the egg of a dragon."

And when he tried to relieve her stress, she swiped her claws at him telling him to stay the hell away from her. Other times she would be crying for no reason at all. But Sesshomaru never once lost his patience with her. Her emotional state was truly irritating to the demon lord but he knew that all her anger was not intentional and he would be so glad when it was over.

As suddenly as her anger flared it vanished to be replaced with sobs. Inuyasha wept into her hands as Sesshomaru pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry Sess," she cried. "I know I have not been nice lately."

"It is all right. Why don't you stay in bed today?"

"I wish I could but my back is killing me and I cannot seem to find any way to ease it." She continued to sob.

"Here, my sweet, lie on your side," he helped her to lay down on her side, "and I will rub it for you." Sesshomaru gently rubbed and soothed her back and almost instantly Inuyasha was sleeping once again. Sesshomaru kissed her on the nape of the neck, spread a soft coverlet over her and silently left the room.

Downstairs he told Mina and Shippo he would be gone only for a short while to check out the southern border and that they were to let Inuyasha rest and not to disturb her.

'Hells bells', he thought wearily, as he left the palace. 'I hope it will not be too much longer before the pup arrives. I don't think I can take much more of this waiting.'

When Sesshomaru returned home shortly after lunch, he found that his waiting had about come to its end. As usual, he went to check on Inuyasha. Mina told him she had not heard her up yet so they had let her continue to sleep.

"Good," replied Sesshomaru. "She needs all the rest she can get."

"You are quite right. I have a feeling the pup will be coming any day now." Mina chuckled as Sesshomaru went upstairs.

He stopped half way up the stairs and turned to stop Mina. "Where is Shippo?"

"He wanted to stay overnight with one of his friends. So, I told him to go ahead," said Mina. "i hope that was all right."

"No, that's fine." Then he continued upstairs.

He made his way to their bedchamber and peeped into the room at his mate. When his eyes fell on her form in the room, he felt his insides draw up into a knot. Inuyasha was laying on the floor. Her face and the coverlet he had lain across her were drenched in sweat. Her hands were gripping her bulging stomach and her face was contorted in pain.

Sesshomaru's face was death white as he bursted into the room rushing to his mate. "Inuyasha, is-is it the pup?" he questioned, hardly able to get the words out and knowing what her answer would be before she spoke.

Inuyasha nodded her head yes and gritted her teeth as pain consumed her body.

Sesshomaru lifted her into his arms and laid her on the bed. Inuyasha immediately curled herself into a fetal position. "I’ll fetch Mizuka; I’ll not be but a second, beloved." He rushed to the door. "Mizuka! Mizuka!" he bellowed at the top of his lungs, rushing to the healer’s room that was on the third level taking three steps at a time.

Suddenly the bluish silver hair demoness stepped out of her chambers to stare at her lord barreling toward her. "My lord," she said startled.

"Hurry, Inuyasha's is having the pup and she is in pain." He grabbed the dog demoness by the arm and dragged her down to the room.

"Akiko! Bring my medicinal herbs! Haruko! Tell the servants to bring some clean linen and towels and some cold and hot water." She yelled back at her assistants. She saw the two girls immediately carry out her orders before she was dragged down the hall to the room Inuyasha wanted to stay in until after the baby was born.

"My lord, you have to calm down or you're going to scare her worse than what she already is." The healer admonished her lord before they entered the bedroom. The healer quickly went to the bed and turned inuyasha on her back. Opening Inuyasha’s legs, she placed two fingers inside her vagina. Inuyasha flinched and moaned in pain. "She’s almost ready to give birth. The baby is about to drop into the birth canal."

Suddenly her assistants arrived with Mina and two other servants with the towels, linen and water. Mizuka took one of the linen sheets and tossed it over the lower half of Inuyasha’s body. Sitting the water on the table beside the bed, Mina started to wipe the sweat from Inuyasha's face. "There, there child, you just save your strength."

"I'm scared Mina," Inuyasha said clutching the elderly demoness' hand. "Suppose I die . . ."

"I will not hear of it," said Sesshomaru pulling himself together and kneeling beside the bed holding one of her hands and pressing it to his lips. "I told you once Inuyasha that not even death itself will separate you from me."

Inuyasha looked into his eyes and saw the worry and concern written in the depths of his amber orbs. She had to be strong for his sake and for their child’s sake. She would make it and so would her child for she was Inuyasha Yamamaru Aoki, daughter to Lady Izayoi and Lord Akemi of Eastern China, and mate to Lord Sesshomaru Aoki of Western Japan. She has never shirk in the face of danger before and she would not do so now. "I will be all right, my beloved," she whispered between contractions and forced a smile on her face.

Sesshomaru leaned over and kissed her soft, pale lips. "I know you will and I will be here beside you.” Realizing that giving Inuyasha anything for the pain would not help at this stage, Mizuka coaxed her to bear down with the pain and shortly the pain was over. A few minutes later another contraction hit and Inuyasha screamed in pain. This went on well into the night.

Sesshomaru broke out in a cold sweat, not knowing what to do or which way to turn as he sat and watched his wife valiantly bearing down, the silent tears running down her cheeks. His mind filled with thoughts of his own mother's death, going through this same torture, trying to bring him into the world and his whole body shook. What would he do? his insides screamed. How would he be able to live without this ray of sunshine whom he had found so early in his life? What if his love died bearing his child? Could he do as his father had done and raise his child alone if the Tenseiga did not revive her? Or what if-worse still-she and the child were to die. Then he would not even have a part of her to love. He already knew the answer. If Tenseiga refused to revive them, he would follow his beloved in death.

"Lord Sesshomaru." Mizuka said bringing him out of his black thoughts. "I don't think it will be long now. You should leave. I will let you . . ."

"Like hell, I'm leaving now," growled the demon lord.

"But my lord, this is no place for a man to be."

Sesshomaru realized that he had to be the one to help his wife and to bring their pup into the world. Did he not promise her that he would see no harm befall her or their child?

He got to his feet. "Here, Mizuka, get out of the way. I'll do it," he said soberly as he positioned himself between Inuyasha's legs. "You just get everything ready."

"Lord Sesshomaru," Mizuka said in a huff. "I have never heard of such a thing. You should not be in here and not doing this."

Sesshomaru shook his head. "You just do as you're told," he said gruffly.

Inuyasha let out a scream as another pain struck.

"Push Inuyasha," her mate coaxed. And she pushed with all her might. "The head is making its way out. That's it, keep going," he added, watching his child being pushed out of its mother's body, with the help of his hands.

Sesshomaru reached down and scooped up the small frame in his large hands. The pup gave a mighty wail as it drew its first breath of air. Inuyasha began to sob in happiness as Mina wiped sweat and tears from her face.

Sesshomaru looked down at the infant in his hands. "It's a boy," he breathed, hardly believing his own eyes. "We have a son, beloved and he shall be the strongest in all of Japan."

Just as she was about to say something, Inuyasha screamed again. Sesshomaru felt his heart stop as he stared at the pain stricken expression on her face.

"My lord look," said one of the assistants pointing.

Sesshomaru turned to see the head of another child cresting the entrance. The other assistant quickly wrapped the first infant in a towel and went to clean him off.

Quickly, he reached down and helped his second child into the world. Although his scream wasn't as loud as the first, he had a very healthy set of lungs. "Yasha, beloved, you have given me two sons."

Inuyasha could hear the emotions in his voice. She rose up feebly looking into the happy face of her mate. She knew in that moment that all the pain and the months of waiting had been well worth it. While he cleaned off his second born, Mina and the others washed Inuyasha's body of the blood and afterbirth and placed her in a clean nightgown. Once she was cleaned, Sesshomaru took her into his arms and carried her out into the hall.

Waiting out in the hallway were all the servants and Jaken. He knew Sya would be no where around at such a joyous occassion. 'Bitch.'

"Well my lord?" Jaken asked, eyes wide with anticipation.

Sesshomaru looked at everyone and smiled. "We have twin sons." He stepped to the side and watched as Mina and Mizuka step out into the hallway with the infants.

Everyone cheered but was silenced by Mina. "Be quiet," she said quietly. "or you will wake them." Everyone gathered around the infants wanting to see the new princes of the west.

"How is Lady Inuyasha?" asked one of the servant's children.

"I am fine," Inuyasha answered tiredly. "Where is Shippo?"

"Staying with some friends," said Sesshomaru kissing her forehead. Then he turned and took her back to the master bedroom.


Before Inuyasha fell into an exhausted sleep, Sesshomaru had placed her sons in her arms.

Inuyasha looked them over carefully, taking in the silver, downy hair. The first born had Sesshomaru's blue crescent moon in his forehead and two faded magenta stripes that will darken when he becomes older on each of his cheeks, wrists, and thighs and sitting on top of his head was two silky white puppy ears. Inuyasha smiled as she knew he got those cute ears from her.

She looked at her second son and smiled. The pup like his elder brother, eyes were closed. He had a patch of snow white hair on his tiny head, pointed ears like his father, and he had a single faded jagged red stripe on each cheek and his thighs but he did not have a crescent moon like his elder brother and father. "They are perfect, Sess." She marveled at their tiny features, and likeness to their father.

"I agree. They are perfect in every way and you, my angel, is the most wonderful woman I have ever known." His eyes softened as he watched his mate and small sons.

Inuyasha yawned tiredly lying back against the pillows and fell into a sound sleep instantly, holding her sons in her arms. "Sleep now beloved, you deserve the rest. We shall name them once you are well rested," whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek. Sesshomaru slipped his sons from their mother's arms, and carried them to the small cradle. Since they weren't expecting the second baby, the pups would have to share until Jaken is sent to his father’s palace to retrieve his own baby cradle. He stood a few minutes looking down in awe at the small bundles.

These children were apart of himself and the woman he loved. To think, his love could create something this small and helpless. He traced the tiny moon on the forehead of his eldest with one finger. He smiled as he watched his second son lean his head against his elder brother’s head. He felt pride grow inside himself, until he felt he would burst. Only a year or so ago he would not have thought that he could feel so deeply about a woman and a baby, (or in this case, babies). Inuyasha had shown him the meaning of love and now these small innocent children, lying asleep in this cradle held his heart in their tiny fists.

As the first rays of the morning light were starting to peek above the treetops Sesshomaru went down to his study and poured himself a large glass of sake as a toast to himself for the fine sons he had acquired during the night, and the wonderful mate he had and would always treasure.