Hell Knows No Bounds

A.N.: Well kiddies...I'm afraid our time together in this fic has come to an end. *sniffle* Do not despair! I shall return!!! I have really enjoyed writing this story (and it's my first to boot! ~_~) and have appreciated all the feedback. I hope those who have enjoyed this fic will stay tuned for the sequel. The sequal will be posted in the Sess / Kag section instead of the general grouping. I'll probably move this one over eventually. Thanks again for reading!

This chapter is dedicated to my loyal reviewers: Kais_Girl, Jade, TricksterGoddess, Arry (SexGoddess), and Artemis. Thanks for stickin by me guys!!! You kept me going!

**Last Chapter**

The day was proving to be windier than usual; the breezes tossed Inuyasha's thick hair from side to side as he stood. "Shall we go see to our significant others? I'm sure breakfast is being prepared."

"Keh." Inuyasha grunted as he followed. Miroku shook his head in amusement; some things will never change.

**On with the story**

Chapter 21
Epilogue

Miroku and Inuyasha entered the dining hall, pleasantly surprised to find Sango, Kikyo, Kouga, and Ellitari sitting at the table. Ellitari sipped at her tea, obviously still suffering a lack of energy on her part. The other two women were grinning evilly as their eyes strayed to the leopard demoness. Kouga seemed to be just as uncomfortable at their attention towards his mate, but he thought it best to leave the matter to the females. The men shrugged in confusion as the awkward silence continued.

"Quit staring at me! It's not going to help get answers out of me!" Ellitari snapped at Sango and Kikyo as their smiles widened. The Southern Lady growled in annoyance.

"What's going on with you guys?" Miroku asked hesitantly, not sure if he wanted to get involved. The notion dissolved as Ellitari blushed a deep crimson. "Lady Ellitari?"

"Go on, Ellie. Show them!" Kikyo giggled, elbowing the demoness playfully. Ellie's eyebrow began to twitch in hostility as the laughter grew in volume.

"Show us what?!" Inuyasha growled, startling the servant who was currently placing food before him. He mumbled an apology as she shuffled away. "Well?!" He leaned forward when the demoness mumbled something into her tea cup.

"What was that again, Ellie?" Sango asked, her voice dripping with a fake innocence. "Speak up!"

"FINE!!!" Ellie growled out, pulling the neck of her kimono to the side to expose her shoulder. Miroku pointed in shock as Inuyasha opened his mouth.

"Please don't tell me...you didn't...not with...oh kami..." Inuyasha seemed to have turned a slight shade of green as the demoness nodded slowly. He leaned forward against the table, his head in one of his hands. "Gods......little Kougas........" The last statement seemed to be whispered in pure horror. The rest of the group (excluding the Southern Lady) cracked up at the words. Inuyasha ducked as Ellie chucked her teacup at his head.

"Shut up, Inuyasha..." Ellie grumbled as she focused on her food. The others followed her example and the meal began without another hitch.

"Good morning!" Rin chirped as she bounced into the room, plopping down at Ellie's side. She squeaked joyfully as her food was brought before her.

"Morning, Uncle Yash!" Shippo said as he sat next to man who still sat recovering from his unpleasant mental images. He shook his head and smiled lightly at the kit.

"Morning, squirt." Inuyasha ruffled the kid's hair before shoveling more food into his mouth.

"Has anyone seen Sesshomaru or Kagome?" Sango asked between bits of food. Heads shook as she looked from face to face. "Guess they must still be sleeping..." She caught her husband's lecherous grin out of the corner of her eye.

"Guess they must have been up all night keeping each other..." Miroku winced as Sango's fist landed upside his head, cutting off his words. He thought it wise to not continue that particular train of thought.

"You will never learn, monk." Inuyasha said as he fought back his laughter.

"I have to agree with you on that, brother." The eyes of the gathered guests landed on an expressionless Taiyoukai and his grinning mate. Inuyasha snorted in laughter as the pair entered and sat at the head of the table.

"That is something I never would have thought to ever hear!" Miroku blurted out. His eyes were on the ceiling as he thought aloud to himself.

"So I see that a new Southern Lord has been found." Kagome commented, fighting the urge to laugh at Kouga and Ellie's deep blush. "I'm happy for you!"

"I fear for the Southern Lands if they're stuck with a numb-nut wolf for a Lord..." Inuyasha grumbled loudly, smirking in satisfaction as Kouga growled.

"Killing humans was never my thing but..." The Southern Lord's eyes glinted in dark amusement as he flexed his claws. "I could make a special exception for you shit-for-brains!"

"Oh YEAH! Give it a try, Ass-clown!" Inuyasha rose from the table as the volume of his voice grew. Kagome covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking from laughter. Apparently Inuyasha had picked up some colorful names from her brother.

"I'll break your scrawny neck, Prince Inu-trasha!!" Kouga barked as he stood to the human man's level.

"Mama." Shippo had risen from his seat and stood by Kagome, tugging lightly at her sleeve. "What's an Ass-clown?" Her face paled slightly. All the running around with Inuyasha and all, you'd think the kid would be used to it. Kagome chuckled nervously and patted her son's head. Sometimes she forgot how young he really was.

"Don't worry about it, sweetie." She whispered to him. The boy shrugged and returned to his seat, chatting with his sister as they ate.

Electricity crackled between Kouga and Inuyasha until Kikyo noisily cleared her throat, throwing a pointed look at Kagome. The Western Lady smiled knowingly in return and fixed her heated gaze on Inuyasha. He had to learn how to behave around others one way or another.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome growled out.

"What now wench?!?!" His eyes widened in fear at her expression.

"SIT!"

Inuyasha yelped as a surge shot through his neck, slamming him to the ground. Kouga's obnoxious laughter died as Ellie appeared behind him, smacking him upside his head roughly. Sesshomaru covered his smirk with his teacup, almost snorting into the warm brew.

"And you said I'd never learn..." The monk sighed, his hands traveling across his wife's backside.

"PERVERT!!!" Sango screamed as her fist connected with her grinning husband's jaw. "Just because we're married doesn't mean you can just feel me up whenever you like!" Stars danced before Miroku's eyes as he lay on the floor, the grin never leaving his bruising face.

Another hour passed before the food was cleared away and the excitement had died down to a degree. The children were lead away for lessons while the adults discussed their plans for their departure. Kagome felt a sad smile creep into place as the thought of her friends leaving entered her mind.

"There are many things to be done at home so it would be best if we left as soon as possible." Ellie informed them. "Kouga still has to return to his home to get things in order before he joins me." Her mate kissed the side of her head as she spoke.

"So sorry to take off on you and all, but duty calls." Kouga drawled as Ellie giggled. Sesshomaru nodded and summoned a servant to him.

"Have the Southern Lord and Lady's things prepared for them. They will be leaving in due time." The man bowed and exited the room. "What are your plans then?" Sesshomaru inquired as he eyed the four human guests.

"We had better be on our way as well. Kaede probably needs the help and Kohaku can only do so much!" Sango laughed as she spoke. She had "˜volunteered' her brother's assistance while they had been away. He hadn't fought her on it but she could tell that upon their return her brother would certainly give her an earful.

"And of course we must start the preparations for our own home. Kaede's hut won't survive all of us for much longer." Miroku added. Inuyasha nodded in agreement; he too would have to start building a home for Kikyo and himself.

"My duties as a miko are tiresome but I have accepted them." Kikyo spoke with a sigh. "It is time for me to go home and return to doing what I have been given the gift to do."

"I'm sorry to see you all go, but you will all come back to visit. Right?" Kagome asked, fighting the sadness in her heart. She smiled brightly as the group nodded and voiced their promises of future meetings. Kagome had another servant sent to prepare her friends things as well. The group disbursed for their own rooms, leaving Kagome and Sesshomaru to themselves.

"Will you be alright, koi?" Sesshomaru whispered, wrapping an arm around Kagome's slumped shoulders.

"Hai...I will be fine. Everything is changing so fast and sometimes I just feel a little overwhelmed." Kagome replied as she offered a smile to him, her eyes sparkling in the morning light. She placed a hand on his chest and snuggled into him, closing her eyes to focus on his beating heart.

Sesshomaru let the genuinely warm smile slip out, the one he only held for Kagome. He had a similar smile for Rin and Shippo, and they only witnessed such a sign of affection from him when no one else was present. Besides them, everyone else still saw the Ice Prince they had grown to know and respect. Showing emotions was still a difficult task at times, but Sesshomaru believed he was just beginning to get the hand of it.

*Later on that afternoon.*

Kagome sniffled lightly as she embraced her friends, wishing them a safe journey as they turned towards the main gate. Kouga and Ellie waved briefly before disappearing into the whirling winds that would carry them home. Sesshomaru had given Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and Kikyo horses to shorten their own trip. They continued to wave until finally passing over the horizon and out of the Lord and Lady's sight.

Hoping to cheer his mate and children up, Sesshomaru gave a gentle tug at Kagome's tail. The woman eeped and spun around to meet his smirking face as he swept Rin into his arms, growling playfully. Kagome laughed heartily as she nudged her son, signaling her plan to attack her mate. Shippo grinned evilly and leapt at Sesshomaru's feet, stunning the Taiyoukai as Kagome stole the giggling girl from his arms and raced for the castle. Raising an eyebrow, Sesshomaru quickly snatched up the struggling kitsune and raced after Kagome's disappearing form.

The battle ended in a tangle of limbs, tails, and hair as the family tumbled into the main hall, laughter dancing off of the high walls. Servants continued with their business with a secret happiness at their master's newfound joy in life.

*Three months later*

A squeal of joy erupted from the Western Lady as she dashed through the halls, bursting into the library. Ignoring the various papers on her mate's desk and his focused gaze, Kagome plopped down into his lap. Sesshomaru growled lightly in annoyance, but it quickly died as he observed the pure joy in his mate's eyes. He soon came face to face with a piece of paper as she thrust the letter she had been reading in front of his nose.

"Sango and Ellie are pregnant!" Kagome cheered as her smiled widened. Sesshomaru took the parchment from her delicate hands, studying the letter carefully. He smiled lightly to himself as his eyes rose to meet Kagome's.

"It's only proper that we send them our congratulations then. If time proves forgiving...perhaps we will be able to go visit them." Sesshomaru answered as he lowered the letter. Kagome giggled lightly and took the letter from him. The Inuyoukai raised an eyebrow as Kagome's eyes darted from his, a blush rising to her cheeks. "What is wrong? Why do you look so guilty?" His playful tone only deepened her blush.

"They're not the only ones who are expecting..." Kagome's eyes locked with Sesshomaru's again. Memories of her first heat fresh in her mind. They hadn't left their bedchamber for a solid three days. She was only a week or so along, but she knew without a doubt in her heart. The demoness's breath caught in her throat as Sesshomaru's eyes burned into her, the Western Land sunset danced in the gold orbs.

Sesshomaru felt as though the air had been stolen from his lungs as he willed them to function once more. The goddess before seemed to take on another glow to her skin as his eyes glazed over. "˜My dark beauty...' A joy he had only found in her arms grew ten fold as his mind began to respond again. A smile as bright as the sun spread across his lips as he lifted his mate into a bridal style embrace and stood up. Kagome yelped in surprise as Sesshomaru roared in joy, swinging her in his arms.

"My beautiful, brave, sweet mate!" Sesshomaru bellowed at the top of his lungs as he looked down at her. He set her down on her feet and fell to his knees, pressing his cheek to her abdomen and he gently caressed her back. "˜My heir...my child...our child.' A sense of completion filled him as Kagome ran her hands through his hair, tears of joy cascading down her ivory cheeks as their laughter rose to new heights.

Rin and Shippo peeked into the library and ran at their parents, crying out in happiness as their mother told them the good news. Sesshomaru stood and pulled Kagome to him, claiming her lips in a blissful kiss. They broke apart and smiled as they held the children to them, Kagome's hand covering Sesshomaru's as he caressed her stomach.

Soon there would be another addition to the family and the Western Lady shuddered in excitement at the thought of a new chapter opening in her life. Over the past months, she had come to terms with her new powers; she refused to be so easily intimidated by her blood. The pieces of her life had finally come into place in their own way.

Sesshomaru kissed his mate's forehead as he stroked her belly. There would never be anyone for him but her. He gazed down at the giggling children who clung to their clothes, smiling lightly. His father had asked him once if there was anything he would want to protect. The afternoon sun flashed as a cloud passed, brightening the room momentarily. The Western Lord sighed deeply as he passed on his thoughts to his resting father.

"˜I finally understand, father. This Sesshomaru will protect them with everything I have within me...'

The End.

Well? That's it! (for this story anyways! There's still a sequel to do!) I hope that this ending is somewhat satisfactory! *grin* This has been a blast for me and I'm already stoked to start on the next one! I'm goin to be working on three stories at once and I have several art projects to worry about this summer so updates might not be so smooth. I'll try though!! REVIEW PLEASE!!! Thanks again for reading and I'll see you soon! Cheers! "“G.S.

Also special thanks to:

Tris "“ Ya caught me. I'm bad at letting some things slip. *grin* Thanks for the review!

Connor "“ Yay! Glad the story caught your fancy! Thank you so much for taking the time to review!

Jennibaby "“ Thank you! I'm glad you dig the lemons...I try! ~_~ The review is appreciated!!!