The Sacred Trees

To all who celebrate, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, Happy holidays and to all a very happy new year.
This is my Christmas gift to all the readers and more so reviewers who have been so cool throughout the year. I appreciate your support so much thanks.

By the way the Big Bad's 'lover' I never mentioned their sex only that it was a hanyou. I will leave the orientation for you to decide. :P

Went with the number of pups most people wanted and the combination suggested by the first reviewer of the last chapter KatzeIason69 as thanks for being the first.

Read review and enjoy..

Chapter 25 : Birth

Sesshoumaru was out for no more then a minute, a solid shot to his cheek and then another woke him from his unconscious state, just in time to catch the hand of his mate that was slapping him awake, with mite too much enthusiasm. The camera carefully hidden away, Inuyasha grinned evilly at his now conscious brother. “Did you have a good faint?”

“I did not faint” Sesshoumaru banished the blush with pure will power, “I tripped or something.” Sesshoumaru muttered, then remembering the cause of his err.. state. “INUYASHA, why are you still here, we need to be at the birthing area.” Sesshoumaru said with a touch of anxiety, “Come on.” Sesshoumaru stood up and tugged on Inuyasha's hand, and began towing the surprised Hanyou behind him. Being taller Sesshoumaru had a longer step and being towed was not a pleasant sensation.
“Sesshoumaru, Gods of our fathers! Get a hold of your self mate! And stop that!” Inuyasha planted his feet and jerked his arm away from Sesshoumaru. “Dragging me around is likely to make me trip, that would really be a prob... awk!!!” Inuyasha yelped as Sesshoumaru suddenly swung him bride style into his arms. Inuyasha could only hang on as Sesshoumaru sped through the halls with Inuyasha in his arms. It was hardly a discreet maneuver and before they reached word had spread like wild fire that something was clearly wrong with the beloved Hanyou who was being carried to the healers.

The birthing area prepared for Inuyasha was literally an Indoor forest. It was right in the middle of the palace, the most fortified location. The room in reality had no windows, but the carefully directed panels and screens channeled natural light into the room, so that it looked like it was outdoors. There was a small pond, with the actual birth area set up beside the pond, trees enclosed the birth area. And Inuyasha immediately felt more comfortable in the room. The Hanyou looked calm, only the hand that had a death grip on his mates gave away his growing nerves.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha entered the birthing area, Sesshoumaru sat down and Inuyasha sat in front of him, his back leaning on Sesshoumaru's front. The healers came in and laid out the hot water and towels beside the two. One healer wanting to check the birthing lines leaned in and got too close, immediately Inuyasha's claws raked out. The healer was dragged back, and the claws raked the hand that was raised to protect his face. Gold eyes rimmed with red, snarled at the healer.

“Inuyasha!” Sesshoumaru whispered in concern, careful to keep his hands away from Inuyasha's stomach, Sesshoumaru stroked his mate's face and chest. “You all know better. Stay back!” Sesshoumaru said in warning. “Mate, no one is going to touch you, be at ease.” Sesshoumaru said comfortingly.

“No, no! Please don't leave me! Don't stop holding me!” Inuyasha whined in panic. The redness gone from his eyes, he turned huge pleading golden eyes to the Youkai holding him.

“Hush pup! Of course I am not leaving you. I meant no one but this Sesshoumaru will touch his mate. You are mine, and you are not allowed to forget that.” Sesshoumaru said as he possessively leaned down and kissed the mating mark. Inuyasha shuddered and relaxed a little, he had faced all kinds of pain alone, going though this without his mate however was unthinkable. He leaned back into the warm embrace and let the energies of his body flow unchecked.

Soon he could feel it the throbbing of the birthing line, his pups inside were ready to come out, eager even. He looked at the lines on his belly they were red and pulsing. Instinctively, he knew he had to cut during a pulse, each pulse released chemicals into his system that acted as pain killers. As long as he kept his cool, and timed each cut, the process though grisly would be no more painful then female birthing process, less painful even. He was ready.

“Sesshoumaru, are you ready?” Inuyasha asked softly.

“Yes, I am here for you my mate, I will keep you safe. We will bring our pups into this world, together.” Sesshoumaru said reassuring himself and his mate.

“Yes! It is time.” Inuyasha said softly, he turned and kissed his mate fully on the lips once, to reassure Sesshoumaru, the he turned his focus fully on his belly.

Inuyasha's claws grew only on the pointer and middle fingers, the claws became slim, sharp and scalpel like. Inuyasha flared his Youkai, and it focused in his belly, curling around the birthing sac to further protect the pups. Most Youkai would be focusing on themselves and the safety of their pups, not Inuyasha. All of Inuyasha's focus was on the safety of the pups, he put no energy into ensuring his own safety. It just never crossed his mind to do so. Consequently, it was up to Sesshoumaru to ensure Inuyasha's safety.

The birthing chamber door slammed open as Kouga and Shippo stumbled in. There was a gathering crowd outside but only the Generals dared cross into the room. Inuyasha did not even notice their presence. Sesshoumaru growled at them, and gestured at the two healers hanging around the room. The two generals realizing that this was something Sesshoumaru did not want to share, bowed and stepped out, with the healers in tow. They would monitor the health of their Alpha's from outside the room.

Sesshoumaru stroked Inuyasha hair gently. Inuyasha's focus was fully on the birth, nothing else was registering. The birthing lines pulsed, he made the first incision, a distant part of his mind registered the pain, but it was not really conscious. He waited for the next pulse, it came after 10 seconds sharp claws split the major birthing line. It took a few seconds before the blood poured out. Inuyasha ignored that, and the small whine that came from behind him and the sight of the blood. Sesshoumaru gathered the cloths and wipe the pooling blood. Inuyasha did not notice.

He waited for the next pulse, when it can he plunged a hand into the cavity, his entire being shuddered in pain. Sesshoumaru had to control his breathing, for a second he buried his head in Inuyasha's hair. The choking fear did not disappear, but the scent of his mate made him feel better, he raised his head to watch. Inuyasha's hand found the sac, his Youkai reached out and was met by the tiny Youkai of new life, the one that was determined to be first, called to Inuyasha. Then began the hardest part of the birth, Inuyasha's Youkai had to separate the first child from the others, to break the sac in such a way that one could be safely removed while the others were sustained. If the others went into distress, they would inadvertently drain their bearer's Youkai endangering them all. It was also why a third party could not do this, as only the bearer could fell the sac.

Inuyasha used all the patience that he learned from the Ancient Trees, he waited for the pulse and effectively separated the sac, his hand curled around the tiny body that seemed to push towards his fingers. Inuyasha in a gush of blood and fluids pulled out the first Puppy. He laid it gently below the cuts, and fell back against Sesshoumaru to pant for breathe. Sesshoumaru his eyes wide with wonder, grabbed a tiny blanket and wrapped up the first pup in it. He left the umbilical cord, that would only be removed when it was time for healing. Sesshoumaru had never witnessed the births of his other children, and he felt a sudden pang at all that he had missed with them. He had been so focused on being the Shogun, he had lost the ability to be a father, a normal Youkai. He took a damp cloth and gently cleaned his tiring mate's face and bloody body.

Inuyasha took a deep breathe it was time again. There were no complications, it was slow and messy, but Inuyasha patiently removed his two other pups, the birthing sac removed along with the final pup. All three pups were lined up in blankets on his thighs, when Inuyasha's energy ran out and he collapsed in exhaustion. His Youkai drained to the breaking point, the wounds gaping and open, Inuyasha did not have the strength to heal.

Sesshoumaru's Youkai flooded him. Sesshoumaru sent a steady stream of Youkai into and around his mate, the energy stream fed the exhausted Hanyou, healing wounds and any damage caused by the birthing. The pups connected through the umbilical cords, were also fed a part of Sesshoumaru's Youkai, and the small family glowed in the warmth of the Healing energy generated by Sesshoumaru. As the healing reached its zenith, the umbilical cords fell off on their own, and Sesshoumaru gently pulled them out of Inuyasha as he sealed the birthing lines.

The glow finally faded, and Inuyasha lay warm and whole against his brother. He smiled and turned to meet his surprised brother's lips in a warm and loving kiss. Inuyasha's eyes glowed into Sesshoumaru's , and something in the Shogun melted at the love and warmth in those eyes. No matter what, Inuyasha had looked to him, before even looking at their children. And the unnamed fear that Sesshoumaru would be placed last in Inuyasha's affection vanished like it had never been.

No words were said, as Inuyasha then reached and gathered the pups into his arms.

“Three pure white Shiro Youkai males, they are beautiful Inuyasha, thank you.” Sesshoumaru whispered, as he reached around and touched their tiny muzzles. The oldest immediately bit the finger in his toothless mouth and tried to suck. Sesshoumaru chuckled, “They need to be fed.”

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha both nicked a rich vein on their upper chest, and took turns feeding each pup, making sure that each pup had nourishment from both of them. The pups would need only their parents blood for the first week, after that goats milk and other foods would be introduced.

“Can we see them in their other form?” Inuyasha asked suddenly.
“Yes, but it is only for our eyes. For the most part they will be in Inu Youkai form while they consume only our blood. The Inu form is more robust for survival, after all. Come.” Sesshoumaru placed his long fingers across all three pups, Inuyasha placed his hand on top of his mates, and both parents called to their pups. Youkai flared, Sesshoumaru's and Inuyasha's merged with the pups, and the pups elongated and grew until 3 humanoid babies lay in Inuyasha's embrace. For the moment the 3 pups looked identical, cute scrunchy faced new born babes with crazy turfs of downy white hair, closed eyes and perfect features. Both parents sighed in pleasure.

“Oh!” Sesshoumaru suddenly said a small touch of disappointment in his voice.
“What?” Inuyasha said defensively, “they are perfect.”
“Of course they are.” Sesshoumaru quickly assured, “But I was hoping at least one would inherit your ears.” Sesshoumaru said with slight embarrassment.
“What! Are you nuts? They have proper Youkai ears, at least no one will tease them.” Inuyasha said firmly.
“Hmn!” Sesshoumaru gently nipped at an Inu ear, Inuyasha had been though too much pain in his childhood to appreciate how beautiful they were. “No one will tease my pups, so will have to make sure I have pups with proper ears like yours in my litter. These are too wonderful to lose.” Sesshoumaru said with a smile.
Inuyasha blushed, he was uncertain if Sesshoumaru was teasing or not. “Err.. so we name them in a week?”.
“Yes, when they show this human form to others, they will have their markings then and we will conduct their naming ceremony them. The others will want to see the pups now, and I would like the healers to check you out.” Sesshoumaru said as he removed his hand from the babies, immediately the babies shrank and took on a their puppy form.

Inuyasha nodded and Sesshoumaru flicked a hand at the door opening it. Kouga and Shippo both who had been leaning against the door, fell into a heap into the room.

Then the celebrations began...

..tbc-

** God help Japanese names... sigh. What is a good translation of Perfect Moon? Silver Shadow? Perfect Strike? Or any other good suggestions.