I am the Moon

A/n: I do not own Inuyasha, Rumikio Takahashi does.

Lessons in the Past


I stood at the Bone Eaters Well listening to Akemi going on and on.
“Akemi I know what I am doing.” I snapped quietly.
“Are you sure?” she asked hotly.
“The Kamis would not have shown me this if this was not supposed to take place. Your mother is here because of a twist of fate.” I said emphatically.
“Hai I know but the past? You will not tell what exactly?” she implored me.
“No but I know the key to the present is in the past. I feel it.” I stated.
“Take the beads and use your will as a catalyst. You are a powerful telepath, I have no doubt you will make it work.” She said.
“Uncle Yasha will not notice them missing right away?” I asked concerned.
“He takes them off now and then, he wears them most of the time but he does not always remember things.” She said winking at me.
“Thank you. Sheng will come looking for me; you do not know where I am going. My connection will be cut off from him and he will likely be livid. Tell him I passed this way and I needed some medicine for the pups.” I said.
“Hai. Will he kill me?” she asked in fright.
“No. He is beyond honorable. He will kill me!” I said laughing.
I hated to do what I was about to do but it could not be helped. I brushed my mind against his and knew he slept. I whispered my love and he moaned in his sleep hazed mind.
“Alright, I go.” I said taking the beads.
I pictured the timeframe strongly in my mind and willed it so. I easily jumped into the ancient well and felt the magics flare around. I kept the image thoroughly ensconced in my mind and projected it. There was a huge surge of yoki and blue light and moments later I landed at the bottom. I clutched the beads in my hand and jumped out of the well. Everything looked similar but my cousin did not stand there. I masked my aura heavily and I clutched my chest. The pain from my cutting off Sheng was a very palatable thing. I knew he would jump from sleep and be enraged. He would have to deal with it. I was in Edo of that I was certain. I moved swiftly and headed south. It would not take me long to reach the location of the castle. I had my fang at my waist and looked down at my swollen belly. I looked about as pregnant as a ningen would at six months. I was not so heavy yet that I was too exhausted to move but that would be very soon. I knew I could reach the castle in half a day's time. If Naraku's enemies knew how close he really was than they would be most unhappy. I doubted that Naraku would have believed his own senses. I know I doubted mine.
I traveled at a very stealthy speed for over half a day and reached the barrier. I placed my hand to it and felt his yoki. If I pressed it with my own he would recognize it but I also risked others knowing of my presence. I lowered my masking and pressed my yoki strongly against the barrier. I sensed a rippling but it remained in tact. The hanyou would be notified and I had no doubts that he would come for me himself. I settled myself against a nearby tree and waited patiently. He wasted no time in coming and I sat there non plussed and serene. He appeared out of a black miasma and stood before me. He actually stared at me in utter disbelief.
“I see you recognized my yoki.” I observed.
“You are real.” He said narrowing his eyes.
“Hai I am quite real.” I said standing fluidly.
He stared at me openly and continued disbelief. I was overcome with mischief that I firmly blamed on Katashi and I reached up with my clawed hand and closed his mouth. He stared at my wrist and the marks that wrapped around it. I pulled my hand back and he circled me.
“Usually it is I that circles my prey, stop it is unnerving.” I snapped.
“Hai it is you, the same damn mouth.” He said standing still.
“I shall remind you that I remind so many others. You are not my lord and master.” I said narrowing my eyes.
“You are a powerful wench.” He said sensing my aura.
“Can we remove ourselves to your castle so that I do not raise alarms here?” I asked tersely.
He reached out and touched my cheek. I jumped at the contact and looked at him while raising a brow.
“Do not think I will allow you to use me for power. Try it and I will make you regret the day you became a hanyou.” I said coldly.
“You are most definitely related to Sesshomaru. “He said jerking his hand back.
Again I was filled with mischief and I placed myself within inches of his beautiful and terrible face. His eyes searched mine for my motive and I put my hand against his chest and pushed him backwards. He grabbed onto my arm and we went through his barrier. I managed to stay upright and he had me closer. There was a forbidden shiver that went down my spine and I pulled away.
“It is time to speak Naraku.” I said as I walked toward his hidden dwelling.
“You are a mystery.” He stated.
`Hai it is better that way. I will meet you at your castle. I prefer to travel there alone.” I said transforming into the sphere of light.
He met me moments later and I reappeared as my humanoid form. I went to his Great Hall with no instruction and sat against a wall. He followed me in silence. He sat himself about ten feet away and faced me,
“I want you to train me to fight you. I want you to teach me to think like you.” I stated bluntly.
“To the point, fine. What is in it for me?” he asked interested.
“Survival.” I said leaning forward.
“I see.” He replied thoughtfully.
“I will give you the information that it will take to survive.” I said.
“What does that take?” he asked.
“We have time, you will train me first and then I will share.” I replied.
“What makes you believe I will cooperate?” He asked with narrowed eyes.
“You are a selfish creature and wish not for death.” I said shrugging.
“What vendetta do you have against this Jing?” he asked.
“She has personally attacked me and mine and I will see her cowering before me when I gut her.” I said venomously.
“What could she have done?” He asked intensely curious.
“She killed my first pup and nearly killed my mate.” I snapped.
“You do this for family.” He stated.
“Is there any better reason?” I asked in return,
“I would not know, I accept your terms.” He replied.
“My original terms stand also. You will not harm myself or my pups or try and absorb our powers.” I said.
“I prefer to survive so I shall abide your terms.” He said.
“I need to know more about you first.” He said firmly.
“I am Asuna.” I said simply.
“More wench!”
“I am a daughter of the House of the Moon.” I said snappishly.
“Answer me the truth!” he yelled.
“I am my Lord's firstborn.” I growled.
He stared at me in utter shock. I was the child and niece of his two bitterest enemies and he knew my knowledge was sound.
“You bring yourself to me when you are his child, you are either very brave or very stupid.” He commented.
“Pup. I am his pup and I am just very determined.” I replied.
“You must want revenge badly to betray your family.” He observed.
“Not betraying them exactly. I will not help you win; I am just insuring your survival.” I said honestly.
“You are a curious creature.” He replied smoothly.
“I require sleep. I have to rest more often because of the pregnancy.” I said standing.
“I will show you to some rooms.” He said cordially.
“I will sleep in your room and you will watch over me as I sleep.” I demanded.
“Excuse me?” he said turning around in surprise.
“I have to be most careful here for myself and my pups. You have superior ability in barriers therefore I will be shielded by you. I am assuming you have recently faced Inuyasha and you are hiding out to heal from your wounds?” I inquired.
“Before this is done you will tell me everything.” He seethed.
“Maybe or maybe not. I intend to tell you just enough.” I said.
I followed him to his room and I recognized it well. It was sparsely furnished and I raised my eyebrow.
“You lack comfort.” I stated.
“I prefer to keep things simple.” He remarked in an angry tone.
“Can you at least have a futon laid down?” I asked annoyed.
“Can you lose your high and mighty attitude?” he sneered.
“Lay a futon down please?” I asked nicely.
“Hai I think I can manage.” He snapped.
His face betrayed his indignation and he left the room and motioned for me to follow. I felt the oppressive aura of a couple of his incarnations. There was heavy malice in the air.
“Could you send your minions away? They are insufferable.” I said.
He whirled on me and pressed me against the wall. His eyes were flashing and I smirked. I could feel his dark power rippling and I stared at him.
“Understand you are on my turf inu. You should not make too many demands for it might displease me.” He stated.
“You will find yourself dead before too long if you do not unhand me. You may be the high and mighty Naraku but I hold the cards hanyou.” I replied icily.
His face showed his contempt and sheer anger at my audacity. He let me go and motioned for me to follow. We went to a part of the castle that I had not been previously and he led me into a larger more spacious room. There was a large futon in the center and a wardrobe on the fall wall.
“These are your sleeping quarters, when you are humanoid that is.” I said approving.
“I thought Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were pests, you are a pain.” He commented.
“Why would you fall for Kikoyo of all women?” I asked.
“Onigumo did; Not me Naraku.” He growled.
“I do not understand how you separate yourself from your ningen half. If this Onigumo is your ningen half then he is Naraku.” I said looking at him.
“Sleep. I will keep watch; your lessons begin on the morrow.” He said dismissively.
I chuckled and removed a small bag from my haori and looked over my shoulder.
“May I have privacy to change?” I asked.
“You do not sleep in your collar?” he replied flippantly.
“Your quips are clever but not in the least insulting. I find it uncomfortable to sleep in armor whilst in my condition.” I said sweetly.
He walked out of the sleeping room and slammed the shoji shut. I could see how he could be frightening but I had picked a time when I knew he had been injured. I was trying to time everything perfectly. I undid my armor and then I slipped off my haori then pulled my sleeping tunic over my head. I found it easier to pull something over my head then tie it at my waist right now. I undid my hakamas then slipped them off. I laid my fang next to the futon. I held my chest as a wash of pain coursed through me from the cut off bond. I sighed then lied down and shut my eyes. I was exhausted from all the activity and knew that my little adventure could not take long. I was not sure how long I could handle the separation from Sheng. Guilt washed over me as I had left both Katashi and Sheng with no notice. I fell into oblivion.
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I was roused from sleep from soft caresses on my thighs. I was in haze and called out Sheng's name. I heard soft laughter and I was fully awake. I stared down at Naraku and he grinned wickedly.
“Lesson one inu. You must always be aware.” He said as he sat back.
“You wake me to say that?” I snarled at him.
He chuckled at my temper and continued to stare at me.
“Your mate's name is Sheng. That is Chinese.” He remarked.
“Hai.” I said glaring at him.
“You talk in your sleep inu.” He told me.
“What do I say hanyou?” I said disrespectfully.
“Katashi. You also said the name Sheng.” He said raising his brow.
My cheeks burned and I looked away from him. He waited for me to speak and I looked back at him. I absently pulled my hair over my shoulder and started to braid it.
“If I am to help you understand your enemy I must have something to go on.” He snapped.
“Katashi is my mate also.” I admitted.
He looked at me in surprise and waited for me to continue.
“Katashi is an inu lord in China. Sheng is telepath as well and we bonded accidentally.” I said narrowing my eyes.
“Well what tangled webs you weave.” He laughed.
“Shut your filthy mouth hanyou.” I roared.
He pressed me back into the futon and glared at me.
“How much better do you think you are inu? I will not be hanyou forever and when that happens I will lay waste to whatever I wish.” He said dangerously.
“That is your ultimate weakness HANYOU. You believe your right to lay waste as you put it makes you enemies wherever you turn. You care not and that makes you a bastard.” I said up to him.
He again sat back and glared at me. My face was set in stone and I clutched my chest.
“What ails you?” he growls.
“That is none of your business. Jing was originally after Katashi and his territory. We mated and I allied myself with him against her. I moved my soldiers to China and that is when she attacked me personally. Since then she has been after me.” I condensed the story.
He looked thoughtful for a moment and then stood and went to the window. He looked out and then turned to me. He was intelligent I could see plainly. It was such a waste for him to obsess over the damn Shikon no Tama.
“You said it yourself when you said she was after this Katashi. You mated him then made an enemy of her.” He said.
I looked up at him and the truth of the situation dawned on me. I could not believe I had not seen it sooner. I even wondered if Jing had shifted her appearance to one of Katashi's former rutting partners. I hit the futon in anger and realized that Naraku had seen the truth of the situation.
“I am her rival.” I said simply.
“Hai.” He answered with a smirk.
“I am glad you are enjoying my discomfiture.” I said.
“Think as to why she made a military incursion against the Chinese inu.” He said prompting me.
“She has a legitimate link to his title.” I said shaking.
“Hai.” He said in a low voice.
I started shaking violently and in a fury. I looked up at Naraku and my eyes had gone scarlet. He appeared intrigued and my yoki was overwhelming. I wanted to change to my true form and reined in my beast. A tear actually slipped out of my eye and I stood.
“Your first mate has been careless. His behavior has dishonored you, the daughter of the Great Sesshomaru.” He laughed.
“Do not speak anymore or I will melt your tongue from your mouth with my Dakkasou.” I threatened.
“You came here to learn to defeat your enemy. I have only lead you to the truth.” He said smirking.
“I wish for you to do something for me.” I said calm.
“And that would be?” he answered.
I pulled my tunic away from neck and exposed my mating mark to Katashi. He looked at me surprised.
“Control your miasma and rid me of this!” I hissed.
“This will hurt horribly.” He said coming closer to me.
“I care not. Be warned, control it and do not harm my pups or you will be harmed.” I hissed again.
I saw the black miasma surround his claws and he sank it into the juncture. I bit back a scream and kept myself stoic. My soul was in anguish and I wished for Sheng. I was a fool and my mind screamed that I wished I had never met the Manchu Lord. He pulled his claws away and I looked at the wound that replaced the mating mark. I pulled away from him and turned my back to him. I was scrambling as to what I was going to do.
“You need to lose in order to live. You have to give up the Shikon no Tama. You will not survive its completion.” I said in a whisper.
“What?” he said in surprise.
“There are powers that will gained on all sides and yours will not be powerful enough even with the jewel. You have a choice.” I said.
“What powers?” he demanded.
“I told you I would not tell you that. You have fulfilled your end of the bargain. I have fulfilled mine. I have no reason left to be here. Give up the cursed jewel.” I said moving away from him.
I hid my face and tears spilled from my eyes. I again blamed my pregnancy on my failure to control my emotions. I felt him move closer and I turned on him. I held his jaw in my hand and willed him to be stupid.
“Do not attempt to manipulate me right now. You will not use me to gain anything for that fucking jewel.” I snarled.
He seemed surprised at my feral behavior and I jerked my hand away. I backed away and grabbed my armor and began slipping it on over my tunic. He stopped me and threw it away from me.
“I will maim you.” I said angry.
“You were right when you said your thigh was smooth.” He said as if in a trance.
He moved to where he was standing behind me and cupped my breasts. I said and did nothing to stop him. He rolled my nipples through the silk and I groaned.
“I am no longer obsessed with the miko Asuna. I had not been for some time. You on the other hand; I will conquer you.” He whispered into my ear.
“You will be unable to hanyou.” I breathed.
He moved one hand and cupped my sex underneath the sleeping tunic. He felt my heat and slipped a finger between my lips and found my bundle of nerves. I gasped as he put small amounts of pressure on it and massaged it back and forth. My back was pressed against his chest and I moaned.
“Hai I will conquer you.” He purred into my ear.
“You will never touch me again.” I groaned.
He slipped a finger into my center and massaged my clit with his other hand. I was moaning loudly and hating myself for it. He increased the pressure and I was close to completion. He thrust his finger in and out and I cried out as I tightened around his finger. He sucked on my earlobe and I shuddered against him.
“I have released you from one and I will release you from the other.” He whispered.
“I told you that you would never touch me again!” I said jerking away.
“We shall see.” He said smirking.
“I am leaving.” I said gathering my things.
“I suppose I shall have to try and find you in a century hmmm?” he replied.
“You will be dead. Nothing means more to you than that jewel and your selfish desires.” I said brushing past him.
He allowed me through his barrier and I transformed into my sphere and went in the direction of Edo. It took me a half a day and I made it to the Bone Eaters Well. I grasped the beads tightly and jumped lightly into the well and the blue lights and magics surrounded me. The yoki surged and I landed at the bottom. I jumped up and landed right outside of the well. Sheng was sitting beneath the God Tree and I stared blankly at him. I reconnected the bond but with heavy shielding. He stormed over to me and the look of fury left his face. My expression lacked life and I walked in the direction of the village.
“What is wrong? Why are keeping me out?” He asked.
“I do not wish to share my feelings right now. I have to sort through them. They are not for you.” I said blankly.
“Why do you stink of a poison?” he asked concerned.
I pulled the tunic away from my neck and showed him the healing wound where the mating mark was. His jaw dropped and I continued to walk. He forced me to stop.
“What is this?” he asked confused.
“I have made my choice; you are my mate unless you go away with Katashi. He had made his legitimate pup a bastard by mating me. I will not be drawn in. This war with Jing is because of his own behavior and not mine. To hell with him.” I said devoid of emotion.
“How do you even know?” he asked narrowing his eyes.
“Think about it Sheng. You and he used to bed everything that walked. He bedded Jing at some point and pupped her. Think about it. Why would she attack me all of a sudden? She has a link to his damn title and I became his whore! No wonder she killed my first pup, she was jealous.” I said yelling and drawing attention from the ningens.
“Have you even discussed this with him?” he asked calmly.
“You know. You know in your heart that what I say is true. You two were notorious for fucking anything and I mean anything. Both of you almost brought down your own land. Get away from me.” I snarled.
He looked at me dumbstruck because he could not deny the truth. I continued to walk away from him and to my aunt and uncle's house. I reached the home of Inuyasha and knocked on the door. Kagome answered and I entered and shut the door behind me. I handed her the Beads of Subjugation and went and sat down. She looked at me in total surprise and came and kneeled at my feet. I let go and started sobbing. She held me as I poured my soul out. Sheng wisely left me alone. The bleeding started shortly thereafter.
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I was in Akemi's futon with my feet up. My aunt had ordered me onto strict bed rest and I listened. She wrote my father and sent it by way of Inuyasha. I was in and out if sleep and I felt Sheng's presence against my mind several times but I would not acknowledge him. I could not believe that Naraku had been right. I had hoped that he was playing one of his evil tricks, it turned out that my own stupidity had done it. My father was at the home of his brother in two days. I heard him call my uncle an imbecile and Lord Asshole was thrown out too. He came to my side and sat next to my form.
“You are bleeding your Aunt informs me.” He stated.
“Hai. I want to go back to the Palace and I want the foreigners gone.” I said in a tortured whisper.
“Can you inform me as to why?” he asked.
“This is not our war and I am no ones whore.” I snarled in a low tone.
He raised a silver brow at me and prompted to me to continue.
“I have recently discovered that Katashi had a pup by Jing. I do not know if there was subterfuge on her part but I am sure he must have known he pupped her. My own pup has therefore lost all rights to He Gang by order of birth. I will not let him use us to maintain his own Lordship.” I said in a tortured whisper.
“You have confirmed this?” he asked tightly.
“Hai through Sheng. I have much to explain and I beg my lord's forgiveness.” I said a tear sliding down my face.
“I have nothing to forgive. We will move you to the West as soon as you are stable. The Manchu will leave this land and never return.” He said thinly.
“Sheng is my mate by virtue of the bond that was formed through our telepathy. I have given him the choice of either standing by me or running away with his Lord.” I said tiredly.
“You mated in the Uppyr way did you not?” He asked
“Hai.”
“I should have allowed your mother train you better. I will speak to him myself.” He growled.
“Right now I wish to remain mated to Sheng in name only. I have removed the Lord of He Gang's mark from me. He will have no further ties to the West at all.” I said blankly.
The great and terrible Lord Sesshomaru put a hand on my cheek and made me look up at him.
“This Sesshomaru supports and stands behind his heir's decisions.” He said formally.
I looked up at him gratefully and he bowed and left me to my aunt. Uncle Inuyasha came in and sat down next to the futon.
“His mightiness has ordered that I am to guard you with my life or it is forfeit.” He said smiling.
“Uncle Yasha he is just being protective.”
“Naw wench, he's bein a dad.” He said grinning.
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There was uproar at the dissolving of my union with Katashi and he was forbidden to see me. It was not common in youki society to dissolve any union. Sheng was threatened with his life if he left and he too was forbidden to see me. I was in Edo for another week and my father fetched me himself to the Western Palace. I was determined to finish this pregnancy out and get on with my life. I now knew why the Kamis had me seek out my father's old enemy. He showed me the way to free myself. I loved Katashi and I could have forgiven him and Jing but the fact he already had an heir that displaced our own pup was unforgivable. I was the daughter of a very powerful lord myself and a future ruler in my own right. My pups would be first no matter what.
For the next few months I avoided Sheng like the plague. He was suffering by association and I just could not bring myself to be in the same room. I demanded that Akemi move to the Palace and she relented. I shared my apartments with her and we became closer. I confided the whole Naraku incident to her and we wondered if he did indeed perish. I believed he did because there was nothing on the dark hanyou and the jewel was in fact gone.
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The pups decided to arrive in late winter. I had been sitting with Akemi and Mayu when my water broke. I was mortified when it happened. Birthing was no easier for female youki then it was ningen onnas. Akemi and Mayu brought me to my futon and Mayu ran to my parent's chambers.
“My lord! Lord Sesshomaru!” she called.
He appeared and slid open the shoji door.
“Hai Mayu?” he asked.
“My lord the Lady Asuna has gone into labor.” She said bowing.
Augusta came up behind Sesshomaru and wrapped a dressing gown around herself and left her quarters. She sailed down the halls to her only girl's chambers and let herself in.
“Akemi when did her labor start?” she asked.
“Her water broke just a little while past Aunt Gusta.” Akemi answered.
My mother knelt by me and took my hand. I was having mild contractions that did not faze me too much yet.
“You are doing well?” she asked me.
“Hai.” I said.
“They will get harder my darling but follow your instincts.” She ordered.
“Hai.” I said clenching my teeth a little.
My father came to my door and knocked.
“Hai?” I called.
He came in and nodded to me. I nodded back and he exited. The males had very little to do with births and therefore my father showing himself was an honor.
“You need to rest as much as possible so you will have the strength to push later.” My mother informed me.
“Hai.” I responded.
The labor started out calm with little discomfort. I knew the stories that even birthing brought youki to their knees. I opened my mind to Sheng to allow him to feel his pup. The surprise he felt and relief was almost overwhelming. I was gripped by a powerful pain and I sat up. My stomach clenched so tightly and pain gripped my lower back.
“Kami.” I gritted.
“Shhhh it will pass. Then prepare and it will come again.” My mother warned me.
I continued on with the contractions several minutes apart for quite awhile. I managed to rest a little and I honestly thought I would be lucky and this was the worst of it.
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I was screaming and was getting no relief between the pains. My eyes had bled red and I was going to need a new futon. My claws had lengthened and I had gouged the bedding. My mother was sitting me up and I would snarl and scream alternately.
“I want Sheng in here now.” I yelled as a contraction gripped me fiercely.
My mother nodded to Mayu and she left to bring Sheng to me. I gripped my mother's hand so tightly. I thought I might have broken it. She smiled at me sweetly and I growled.
“I will dismember him.” I snarled.
She laughed and I glared at her. She brushed my hair off of my face that had become drenched in sweat.
“Milady your mate is here.” Mayu said coming into view.
Sheng came to my side and I grabbed his hand and gripped it fiercely. My claws gouged the back of one hand and he winced at the pain. I panted for a moment and looked at him. My eyes were burning and cried out.
“Tell me you did not know that he had another pup, tell me the truth.” I cried out as another pain gripped me.
“I did not know. He was careless I know but he loves you.” He stated.
“It does not matter; what matters is that you did not lie to me about something so important.” I cried again.
The pains were coming on top of each other and I could not breathe through them. I had a horrendous pressure in my lower abdomen and my eyes widened.
“I have to push, Kami it hurts.” I almost screamed.
“Asuna listen to me. When the next one starts you need to push through your bottom dearest.” Mother said calmly.
“You do it.” I screamed at her.
“She threatened to dismember you earlier Sheng, I would step back.” Mother told my mate.
“No I will remove those parts that make him male!” I snarled.
Sheng's eyes widened a little and my mother laughed.
“I told Sesshomaru that he would never touch me again and that I would remove his so he could never find them again.” She said with a twinkle in her brown eyes.
I cried again and I gripped Sheng's hand tighter and bore down. My teeth were clenched so hard that I wondered if I broke a fang. I was swearing in my mind and Sheng tried to calm me and I snarled in his head.
“Kami it hurts. I would rather be stabbed.” I said bearing down again.
“I know darling. Just follow your instincts.” She urged me.
I felt blood in my hand and saw my claws had deepened the wounds in Sheng's hand.
“Would this be easier in my true form?” I asked.
“No my dear. If you wanted to change I guess you could but it will not lessen the pain.” She observed.
“I am sorry for hurting you.” I said to Sheng.
He nodded to me understanding my double meaning and he kissed my hand. Mayu looked up at me and Sheng.
“Do you wish to see the pup born?” Mayu asked Sheng.
He looked at me and I nodded. He moved to my legs and another pain gripped me.
“My Lady keep pushing. There will be a horrible pain as the head passes. Bare down my Lady.” She said instructing me.
My face was scrunched in concentration as I pushed with all my strength.
“Alright my lady, do not push for a moment. Reach down and feel your pup's head.” She instructed me.
I reached down and felt a lot of hair. Tears actually poured from eyes and I looked at Sheng. He looked up at me and his eyes shone.
“Alright push my lady.” She commanded and I did.
I felt the hot burning pain as the head passed and the shoulders passed. Mayu motioned for Sheng and he held a small fur blanket and all of sudden there was a wailing. I looked down and there was a tiny inu pup wiggling.
“My lady you have delivered a boy first.” She commented.
His hair was brown like his sires and he bore the markings of the House of the Moon. There was a tiny crescent moon on his forehead and striped on his wrists, face, and around his tiny hips. He was wailing and Mayu cut the cord that had tied him to me. He was wrapped in the blanket and brought to me.
“Hiroto.” I murmured against his tiny cheek.
I nuzzled his little neck and he calmed immediately. I handed him to my mother and she brought him to Sheng.
“You will bring him to Sesshomaru.” She commanded.
“Hai.” He said as he gingerly held Hiroto in his arms.
He lowered his head and inhaled his scent. He looked at me and looked truly happy. He took our son and went to present him to my father.
I looked at my mother and she smiled.
“He is perfect. Your body will give you a break at it prepares to birth the second pup.” She said gently.
“Hai. He is Sheng's son.” I whispered.
“Hai I can see that. He must carry his scent as well.” She said.
“Hai very strongly.” I said mesmerized.
“I like his name very much. Had you thought on it before?” she asked.
“No. It suits him though.” I said looking at my door.
“They will bring him back soon. You can either feed him yourself or we can find him a wet nurse.” She said smoothing back my hair.
“I will feed him myself.” I said.
“Good girl.” She said smiling.
I sat up straighter and the pains were starting again. I looked at her and mouthed `break'? My body was gearing up for the other birth. I motioned for some water and Mayu brought it to me. I sipped it and knew if I drank too much that I would end of vomiting. I felt a rush of wetness again and looked down between my bent legs.
“It is the second water my dear pay it no heed.” My mother said as Mayu started to change the area underneath me.
“I have to push.” I cried.
“No it never happens that quickly.” Mayu said in surprise.
“I have to push now.” I cried.
“Lady Augusta, do you think the pups are identical?” Mayu asked quickly.
“What, what do you mean?” I asked scared.
“They would have shared the same bag of water and there would not be much of a second labor.” She replied.
“Identical as in they are the same?” I asked shocked.
“It is not common amongst youki but it does happen.” Mayu said.
“I have to push.” I cried.
“Oh my lady I see the head. This pup has brown hair also.” Mayu told me.
I looked at my mother shocked and I thought I had been certain that I carried different sired pups. That in of itself was rare but not unheard of either. I bore down and my mind screamed to Sheng. I felt his concern and I knew my father and he were both coming to my chambers.
“Alright my lady, I know you are tired but push down as hard as you can.” She exclaimed.
I bore down with all my reserved energy and screamed in pain as the burning sensation took place again.
“Kami it burns so bad.” I cried out softly.
My father and Sheng entered with Hiroto in his blanket. My father's eyes widened and looked at my mother. I saw her mouth identical to him. Sheng handed the first pup to my mother and he came and took my hands.
“Alright my lady. One more big push and this pup will be here.” She ordered me.
I reached down and felt the pup's head and I cried out a little more. I looked at Sheng and it hit him that these were his pups and his alone. He ended up with a stupid grin on his face and I wanted to slap him for smiling while I was in pain. I bore down again and I felt the pup slide out.
“He is perfect my lady. He looks identical to his big brother.” Mayu said with a huge smile.
I stared at my second son and he did indeed have the same markings as his twin brother. Both pups had an abundance of dark brown hair and citrine eyes that mirrored my own father.
They wrapped him in a similar fur blanket as Hiroto and they brought him to me. I held out my arms and nuzzeled his neck. He was calmer and only mewling and he instantly calmed.
“Kazuo.” I whispered to him.
I handed him to my father, who then in turn scented him to memorize it and looked down tenderly at his grand pup. He actually smiled a little and then gave him to Sheng.
“You are cemented to this house and this pack. You belong to us.” Lord Sesshomaru said to my mate.
Sheng nodded and bowed a little. I put my hands out to have both of my pups. Hitoro and Kazuo were brought to me. I looked at them closely and started a continuous low growl that seemed to keep them content. I felt a large amount of yoki from both and I smiled gently. They were both taiyouki and that reassured me. They looked identical and I was trying to discern any differences at all.
“They will need different colored gowns. Hiroto has a little more hair than Kazuo but that is all I see. Even their crests are in the same place.” I said astonished.
“My lady I will see to their clothing now.” Mayu said bowing.
“They are perfect.” Sheng whispered to me.
“Hai they are perfect.” I agreed.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Sheng and I had talked at length about the past issues and we agreed to start anew. My futon had been replaced and my sons slept between me and my mate. Hiroto wore a tiny gown of dark blue and Kazuo wore an identical one of red. Sheng slept peacefully for the first time in three months. He had not been treated badly but he had not been allowed to see me. I had begged his forgiveness for my anger and feelings of betrayal. I looked up at my window and noticed a shadow that was not natural. I stared at it and got up quietly and went to it. I recognized the yoki and I stared in complete shock.
“Naraku.” I breathed.
Nothing was said and it disappeared. I stepped back and wondered at the occurrence. I wondered if it was the past or I had made it possible for him to survive after all.