Unexpected Circumstance

Title: Unexpected Circumstance

Author: Neptunesdemon

Archive: Fanfiction net, Mpreg mailing list

Category: Mpreg, romance, drama

Pairings: Inuyasha/Sesshomaru

Rating: R for violence and such.

Spoilers: None

Warnings: Yaoi, OOC, incest, OC, mpreg

Author's Note: The last chapter before the epilogue. I don't know what to say. . .

xoxoxoxox

Kuma, Shirogitsune and Dokutake all stood overlooking as the enemy army were gathered and toted off to the dungeons to await their judgment. The kitsune sighed, his hand reaching up to rub between his eyes as they closed for a moment of peace. The fighting had stopped, so hopefully they'd be no further deaths.

His eyes opened to look at the growing number of bodies, and he sighed again. The West had already been low in numbers, never having truly recovered from when Lord Touga had still been in rule. And now, they had lost even more. He could only hope that countless years of peace would follow after this. His eyes looked to where Seiichiro was paying his respects to the fallen Daiyoukai and he knew that there was a chance that it would come to pass. The sudden presence behind him had him turning to look, and he found his mate of old patiently staring at him. He moved toward her and closed the distance between them, eyes connecting with hers.

"Have you come to collect on my debt?" He questioned and the female fox-demon said nothing, her eyes merely looking to the make-shift alter that youkai were gathering around.

On it lay the human body of the late Inu no Taisho, quickly made as decent as possible as his few most loyal subjects demanded he be prepared to display for public mourning with haste. He was covered, save his face, in a white sheet and as youkai came and went, flowers or some other offering were left atop his body, beside it or on the ground below. A few feet away, his mate stood staring at the prone body with bloodshot eyes, tears still falling and trembling hands barely holding onto his mate's sword.

She looked away then, knowing how he felt even though the mate she lost was standing before her. It had been just as painful, to feel that bond be ripped away and she swallowed the lump in her throat as she glanced back up at the taller youkai.

"Stay until you are no longer needed." She softly said, Shirogitsune frowning at the words. "When you have been released from the West, you will return and then I will have your life."

She turned without giving him a chance to respond, signaling her own army to begin moving out. As the clan of the silver-fox left the scene of an ended battle, Shirogitsune could not help but smile a bit. As ruthless as she was, she was still the same and he could see how he had once been in love with her.

He was soon summoned by Kuma and the old bear was suggesting that they help get the troops moving and starting on clearing more than just the dead away. Seiichiro had joined his two companions by then and offered his help, which they gladly accepted. When they were ready, they would pay their respects to the fallen Daiyoukai as well.

xoxoxoxox

Hiromi's stoic face was only broken by the drying tears on her cheek, her arms wrapped about her son as the two stared at the prone body of Sesshomaru's mate. It was an odd thing that Sesshomaru could grab hold of Tetsusaiga, but he refused to let any other take it. She was looking away only with the sudden presence of someone coming close to her and her eyes looked to find her uncle staring back at her with sad eyes.

Her uncle merely moved forward, nuzzling the top of her head tenderly before he was looking to Sesshomaru. He had only seen his great-nephew once, when he was no bigger than his knee and now learning to walk. It had been a time that he had sneaked into royal shiro-inu territory to visit his kin. Now the boy was grown, with his own pup and pregnant with another, and it was unfortunate that his mate had perished.

His hand reached out and touched the top of Sesshomaru's head and the younger youkai jumped, eyes snapping to look at the newcomer and his body tensing in uncertainty. No words were exchanged, and though Sesshomaru would have usually cut off the hand that dared to touch him, his mother was lowly murmuring words of assurance to him, and his youki was too busy reaching out for the offered affection. He was allowing Hiromi to move him closer to the larger and older youkai, recognizing the distinct markings and tell-tale sign that this demon was inukai.

"This is Yomosugara, my uncle." Hiromi introduced, her hands resting on Sesshomaru's shoulders as the two demons looked back at each other. "Uncle, this is Sesshomaru, my pup."

"It has been too long, my kin." Yomosugara's voice rumbled, reaching out to wipe the still falling tears from his nephew's face. "It is a shame we meet again under such sorrowful circumstances."

Sesshomaru could only nod his head respectfully in greeting before he was stiffening as he found himself wrapped in strong arms. His body gave in before long and he was gripping tightly to the older demon, starving for the comfort in hopes it would soothe the emptiness and loneliness that filled his very core. His head turned to look at where his mate lay, several demons gathered around him, while others placed their offerings and left to begin their new tasks now that the fighting as over.

His heart ached as he looked at Inuyasha's dead form, hugging tighter to the inukai that was now talking to Hiromi as he pet his nephew's head. He had been joined by two other inukai that were now hugging him and alternated between nuzzling and licking him. It wasn't what he expected nor entirely wanted, but he would accept it as it soothed is inner demon that was still pining for their mate.

If only Inuyasha could come back, he would do anything he if could only bring him-

Sesshomaru suddenly jolted, pulling away from the embracing youkai and leaving them confused as he rushed off. Hiromi called after him, but he ignored her, making his way to where Inuyasha lay and drawing Tenseiga.

The huddled demons backed away as their prince took to hovering over his deceased mate, holding Tenseiga close to him and staring down expectantly. He waited, heart pounding to see Inuyasha's cheek color, his chest rise and fall with breath, but nothing happened.

He collapsed then, falling to his knees with his free hand gripping at the sheet that covered most of his brother's body. He couldn't help the defeated sob that escaped him, his disbelief that Tenseiga had failed him weighing down on him, adding to the already heavy burden of knowing his mate was truly dead.

Hands rested on his shoulders, and he recognized the scent of his mother and close by his new found uncle stood watching. His mother gently rubbed his back, trying to soothe him.

"It is no use, my child." She softly told him, hand lifting to smooth over the flowing silver locks not knowing how else to offer him comfort. "It must have been the will of Shinigami-sama if Tenseiga is unable to revive him. There is nothing more you can do, nothing short of crossing the gates of the Underworld themselves."

Her hands stopped as Sesshomaru suddenly stiffened, head shooting up as he turned to look back at the remains of the palace, some of the fires having been put out some time ago.

"The Gates." He uttered, slowly standing and leaving a confused Hiromi on the ground. "The Meidou Seki."

Hiromi opened her mouth to speak but Sesshomaru was already shooting off, leaving his confused family and subjects behind.

"Meidou Seki?" Yomosugara asked, looking to his niece for an explanation. "He possesses the stone to enter hell?"

Hiromi was about to object when her eyes widened in realization. He couldn't possibly be thinking to. . . she stood then, sprinting off after her son and leaving the others in as much of a state of confusion that he had.

xoxoxoxox

Sesshomaru was determined to reach it, digging through blackened beams and crumbled walls, heading for the rooms that he had been sharing with his mate. He past countless bodies and still burning debris, before he made it to his door, the shoji screens having burned away and most of the contents inside blackened and destroyed.

He started his search in the outer rooms, digging through ash and splintered, charred wood as well as broken stone. He found countless pieces of jewelery that were useless and even mahjong pieces that Minako was fond of playing with but not the pendant.

He left the main room behind and headed for his bedroom, making his way to what was left of the bed and turning it over. Golden, desperate eyes searched the remains of the time when Inuyasha had been alive. It all suddenly seemed so far away, as if Inuyasha hadn't died just hours before and he was determined to gain his lover back.

He gave a frustrated cry as his search came up fruitless, and he toppled to the floor, face buried in his arms as he gave up hope. It was gone, most likely destroyed or stolen during the chaos of the attacks.

He was peeking up to look about what remained of his home, not wanting to believe that his ancestors' grand palace had mostly disappeared in less than a night. He refused to believe that his life had been torn to pieces in less than one night and left him a widower and single parent on one fell swoop.

He whimpered freely, knowing no one was near to hear him and he curled up on the floor, arms curling about his healing middle and trying to gain comfort from the growing aura of his pup. At least he had something of Inuyasha to help him through the years without him. If it hadn't been for the little demon growing inside him, he would have gladly taken his own life to follow his mate into the other world.

He suddenly felt tired, too tired to not fall asleep where he lay and his eyes slowly drifted close. His youki was coaxing him to sleep, welcoming him to meet him in the astral plane that he existed in when he wasn't released and Sesshomaru wasn't hesitant on accepting the invitation. His eyes were drifting close, ready to fall into a deep slumber when a sudden glimmer had his eyes snapping open.

In a corner of the room, buried under the crumbling remains of a wardrobe, Sesshomaru could see what he had been looking for peeking out from under a pile of ash. He quickly stood then, making his way to the half burnt wood and moving it out of the way, before he was reaching down and brushing aside the soot so that the jewel was brightly shimmering.

As he picked it up, it glowed and Sesshomaru stood straight with it in both hands, eyes staring as it seemed to gleam brighter. He passed his thumb over it to wipe away the remaining fine dust and was jumping in shock at the face reflected in the stone. The yellow glaring eyes, as well as the large fangs of a white, horned and painted face was staring back at him, and Sesshomaru dropped the pendant in shock.

It took him a moment to regain his composure, and he knelt, reaching out for the pendant again. Slowly, he lifted it in both hands, eyes staring down at the stone again and this time prepared for the ghastly face that was staring back at him. The image opened his mouth and let loose a bone-chilling, raspy moan and Sesshomaru willingly offered his own energy to open the gate, not knowing how he knew that was what the creature wanted.

His muscles locked and his eyes widened before he was letting out a long exhale and with it the wispy trail of his soul. It was at that moment that Hiromi reached and she cried out in objection, running forward to stop him but could only watch as his soul was sucked into the pendant's stone, disappearing with Shinigami's laughter fading away behind it.

With an enraged cry, she was moving forward and reaching out to begin rousing her son, but she was yelping in pain as a cold shock of energy hit her. She stumbled back, eyes widening as the large form of a lesser shinigami loomed over Sesshomaru, hollow eyes watching the female demon closely.

Whatever Sesshomaru had gotten himself into, she could not intervene. As the shinigami faded into the shadow again, she settled into waiting, amber eyes looking at her frozen son and hoping that the Great Shinigami had no plans of keeping him in the Underworld.

xoxoxoxox

Amber eyes opened suddenly and the first thing Sesshomaru noticed was that he was no longer kneeling in the burnt remains of his palace. Instead he found himself staring over a dark, shadowed valley where he could see spirits and ghosts floating about. The moaning and sorrowful cries had his heart hammering in his chest with fear and he began to back away, only to have to gain his balance as he nearly fell backwards.

When he was steadied, he looked behind him only to find he was at the very edge of a steep drop and below seemed an endless void that went on forever. He stepped away from it, not wanting to know if it was as bottomless as it seemed and not wanting to be stuck here for more than he needed to be.

It would seem his only choice was to venture forward and start his search for Inuyasha in the valley of restless dead and spirits. He turned to look for a path down and found one sloping down a not too steep hill. It was covered in a gray fog, hovering low to the ground and so thick that he could not actually see the ground underneath it. It gave him pause for a moment but he refused to let more time slip by. The longer he took meant the more time he would have to spend looking for Inuyasha.

His foot had barely lifted off of the ground when he was stopping at the sound of a familiar voice.

"That's the wrong way."

Golden eyes looked to his right to find a woman standing at the start of another path, dressed in all white and a lantern in her left hand. In her right was a fan and she lifted it, before sending a gust of wind that began to blow the fog away.

Sesshomaru's eyes were pulled to the now clear path and his eyes widened as he stumbled back. Hollow eyes and rotting hands reached for him, moans and infuriated shrieks sent a chill into his core.

"You would have been stuck here for eternity in the company of their misery had you gone that way."

The voice was now beside him and Sesshomaru turned back to look at the woman, staring back into red eyes that not too long ago had been rheumy with death.

"Kagura?"

The witch only smiled, before she was pointing with her fan to the path she had come from her lantern lifted to show that it was clear.

"Come, we must go that way."

"But Inuyasha. . . ."

"Below is the Valley of the Fallen. It is meant only for the souls of the cursed. He is not there." She softly admitted, her voice low and tinted with a bit of fear. "He is with Shinigami-sama."

The two looked down at the valley below, where suffering souls reached and called out to them, the overlooking spirits watching to make sure that none dared attempt escape. Those that did were dragged back with the sharp blades of sickles which sank into whatever body part they could reach. Sesshomaru shuddered and was glad to see that he could not recognize any of the faces. Inuyasha wasn't here as Kagura had told him.

"Kagura, hurry up!"

He was freezing at the small voice and his heart nearly stopped at the familiar sound, eyes watering as he turned to look. At the start of the path where Kagura had come from, stood a beaming little girl, dressed in a very familiar burial kimono with her hair decorated with flowers. As she saw him she smiled brighter, laughter pealing out as she ran forward.

"Chichiue! Chichiue!" She was squealing, flinging herself to him as she finally reached.

Sesshomaru caught her, falling to his knees as he hugged her tightly, sob escaping him as he buried his face in her hair. She was ice-cold and still smelled of death, but she was here and he was holding her. He pulled back so that he could look at her smiling face, unable to hold back one of his own, and his hand was stroking over her hair before tracing over the flower tucked behind her ear.

"Rin is so happy to see you, Chichiue!" The little girl laughed, hands reaching out to rest her hand on his stomach and beaming brighter. "Is this my little sister?"

He only nodded, hands not wanting to stop touching her. Her face turned somewhat sad then, but her smile never disappeared.

"Rin is sad she won't be there when the baby is born, but I will be able to see her sometimes from Shinigami-sama's mirror."

"Rin." He was saying, the girl blinking back at him in question at the call of her name. "Come back with me. Please, come back with Chichiue."

The girl's face finally fell then and she looked to Kagura who was moving forward to rest a hand on the girl's shoulder, Sesshomaru looking up at her and wondering why Rin hadn't quickly answered yes.

"She can't." Kagura told him and his heart stopped. "You are only allowed to take one back with you, and it can not be Rin."

"But Rin will see you again!" The girl was brightening up again, her brown eyes glittering happily as she looked back at the inukai. "And we'll be a family again, I promise."

His brows furrowed at her words, and Kagura gently tapped him with her fan, using her lantern to point the way that she and Rin had used to reach here.

"Come." She simply said, Rin helping Sesshomaru up and holding on to his hand to lead the way. "Shinigami-sama has been waiting for you."

With one last look behind to the Valley of the Fallen, he was following both Kagura and Rin, who was happily telling him everything she could about where she now resided in the Underworld.

xoxoxoxox

Miroku blinked awake to find himself looking up at the night sky instead of the rafters he had seen last before falling asleep. Whatever Minako had used to heavily drug him, was still coursing through his system and he rolled his head to the side, vision a bit blurry. He was put at ease to see Sango, or rather two Sangos, resting peacefully. She was still a bit pale, but her breathing was steady and even. It was a good sign.

A meow had him looking to find Kirara coming to sit right in front of his line of sight, and he smiled at the nekokai, glad to see that she was alright. He closed his eyes again, taking steady breathes in order to gain his sense of self and slowly he was forcing himself to sit up.

"Wait, let me help you."

His eyes opened then and he blinked twice at the sight of a bandaged and bloody Kagome, now kneeling beside him and helping him to sit up. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face set with a deepened sorrow that had his heart stilling and knowing that something had happened.

She looked up at him and couldn't compose herself, sniffling and crying all over again as those violet eyes questioned her without words.

"Who?" He was asking her, not knowing what to do as Kagome collapsed onto him and began sobbing again.

"Inuyasha!" She was sobbing out and Miroku had to fight to stay upright.

His hand rested over Kagome's head, and his eyes caught sight of his beaded hand. It was odd to say that he knew something was up. It didn't feel the same. He pushed that issue aside for now and focused on Kagome. It took several minutes to calm the girl down and when she was finally quieted to just sniffles and the occasional hiccup, he wiped away her tears and gently comforted her.

Another few minutes and he was gently coaxing her to retell the events that had led up to their friend's death. Surprisingly enough, the miko had told him without shedding another tear and when she was done, Miroku was the one who was needing the comfort. Kagome easily offered it, letting Miroku cry on her shoulder quietly before the two were then merely sitting together, staring up at the night sky.

"How is Sesshomaru?" Miroku was soon asking, his finger carefully running through Kagome's thick locks as her head rested on his shoulder.

"Devastated." The miko whispered out, her eyes looking down and about the remains of the building. "We're all afraid he'll die next, from the grief or by his own hands. Hiromi's keeping a close eye on him."

"And Naraku?" He was asking, eyes looking back to his beaded hand and knowing Kagome's answer before she could tell him.

"He escaped." She admitted, looking up at him as she pulled out of his arms. "But I was able to take this."

Miroku gaped at the large piece of the Shikon no Tama that Kagome pulled out from the folds of her kimono, the jewel-shard already having been purified. That would explain how Naraku was able to best them for so long since they had last come across him and Kagome had wounded him.

"He's weakened." Miroku told her, lifting his beaded hand and curling his fingers into a fist. "And he's dying. Somehow, I can feel it."

"He may be dying but he can probably survive." Kagome sighed, looking down at Kirara who was purring and rubbing against her. "I just wish I knew where he was so I could finish the job."

Miroku looked at his friend as she answered the neko's call for attention, recognizing her and yet seeing a whole new person. All that had happened had changed the young girl from the future. In fact, it didn't seem right to think of her as a girl anymore. She was in fact a young women, no longer needing the protection and babying she had been receiving before Sesshomaru had joined their small group. He smiled then, chest filling with pride as Kagome looked up at him and he could see that she was reaching her potential as a priestess.

"Houshi. . . ."

The faint voice had them both looking to where Sango was laying and Kagome moved to help him closer to her. Both beside the taijiya, Miroku reached out and brushed her hair out of her face and he felt his heavy feeling of worry lift from his chest as Sango's eyes fluttered open.

"You're awake."

"My body burns." Her voice was weak, and her eyes drifted close again as Miroku continued to pet her head. "And I'm cold."

Kagome went to work tightening the blankets over her, while Miroku leaned close to lay a kiss on her forehead, the taijiya giving a soft, contented moan at the contact.

"Sleep now." He was urging her, his other hand stroking over her cheek. "You need your rest."

"Kohaku?" Her whispered voice was asking and Miroku looked to Kagome, who could only offer a shrug.

"We will find him." He told her, coaxing her back to sleep. "Rest now."

Almost instantly she was sleeping again, and Miroku sighed as he sat up straight, his eyes closing again in brief meditation.

"So, I can assume the war did not last the night and is over?" He was suddenly asking and Kagome was looking up from where Kirara was laying in her lap to the monk.

"Ishimaru's army surrendered as soon as they discovered Ishimaru was dead and none survived who had accompanied Sakuya." She announced, lifting Kirara to rest her on the floor before she was standing. "Ishimaru's followers are being detained and when Sesshomaru is some semblance of himself again, they will be tried."

"And when do we bury Inuyasha?" He questioned, looking up again to find that morning was creeping closer.

"Tomorrow at dusk, along with Rin."

He nodded then, beckoning her over so that she could help him stand and when he was on his feet, he was stretching without ruining Minako's hard work. His shoulder was a bit sore, but still mostly numb from the salve the old sarukai had rubbed onto it.

"Kirara can stay with Sango." He told Kagome, slowly moving his feet to head for what remained of a doorway. "I wish to see Inuyasha and pay my respects."

Kagome nodded and with a final set of directions to Kirara, the two were slowly shuffling off.

xoxoxoxox

Sesshomaru was looking about in awe at the beautiful, sun-kissed valley that they had come to. They had been traveling through a pitch black forest, where the only source of light had been Kagura's lantern. He had been warned to make sure to keep up as being the only living soul amongst them, the darkness would consume him without mercy. Luckily, they had made it through unscathed and now Rin ran ahead of them laughing and frolicking in the field of flowers.

Sesshomaru looked about at their surroundings and wasn't sure what to think. Were they really still in the Underworld? How could something so beautiful exist in the same world as what they had just left behind?

"Chichiue. look!"

He was looking up as Rin called his name, and he found the girl holding up a large rabbit, smile wide and eyes glittering happily. Kagura chuckled beside him and he stopped to look at her, the witch stopping as well to look back at him and wait for the questions she knew were coming.

"How is it that you know to bring me here?" He was suddenly asking. "You move about and know so much as if you have been here longer than a few hours."

"Well, time is different here." Kagura explained. "In Shinigami-sama's realm, it doesn't truly exist. So though only hours have passed back in the living world, an eternal sense of being has occurred in the Underworld. It is hard to explain to one that is still mortal, but I have been here long enough to know my way around. Lucky for me, Rin found me before I took the wrong turn, too."

"Why is it that I can not take her back with me?" He was asking next as Kagura began walking again and he easily followed.

"Because Shinigami-sama will only allow you one." She answered as if it were the most obvious thing is the world. "And besides, like Rin said, you will see her again. It is not the right moment, and she is patient and can wait. You must wait, too."

The subject of their conversation came running up to them and he looked down to find Rin holding out a flower for him. He smiled and took it, before grabbing hold of the child's small hand and following after Kagura.

He was aware of other human and youkai souls in the valley, looking out for the face of his mate. If Inuyasha hadn't been back at the valley with the cursed souls, then he surely had to be here where he would be enjoying his eternal existence after death.

A long howl had him looking off into the distance where at the top of a large hill a large inu-youkai stood majestically in the sun and his feet stopped of the own accord. His heart sang with a happiness he hadn't felt since before he had been left behind as ruler of the West.

"Hello, Ojiisan!" Rin was soon shouting, both hands waving at the demon in the distance.

Said demon only answered with another howl before taking off in to the sky, heading in the opposite direction. The gentle hold on his wrist had him looking to Kagura, and he numbly followed as the witch began pulling him off towards a large castle a good distance away.

"Come on!" She insisted, Rin running to catch up with them. "We've wasted too much time. Shinigami-sama will get restless."

The dark and pendulous clouds that hovered over the castle weren't very inviting, but Sesshomaru let himself be led none the less. If this Shinigami-sama truly wanted to meet with him, then he would do so if it meant getting his mate back in return.

As time didn't exist here, as Kagura had informed him earlier, he wasn't sure how long it had taken them to reach the castle. The grounds seemed deserted and even though the hairs on his body were standing on end, nothing seemed very threatening at all, save the occasional flash of lightening.

They climbed the main stairs before reaching the grand doors and Kagura knocked firmly before they were all waiting for them to open. A low, rumbling groan had Sesshomaru stumbling back but Rin's hand tightened on his reassuringly and stilled him.

"Shinigami-sama! It's us!"

The groaning slowly stopped and Sesshomaru looked down to Rin, who only beamed up at him in return. Any questions he had for her were stalled as the heavy doors began to loudly and slowly creak open.

Amber eyes slowly turned and was met with pure darkness and a eery draft of stale air that reminded him of graveyards and catacombs. He felt Kagura rest a hand on his shoulder and he looked to the wind sorceress, whose eyes stared into the dark abyss ahead of them.

"From here you must go alone." She announced, looking to him with a face that was all seriousness and even a bit of fear.

"Alone?" He repeated, not exactly sure he had heard her correctly and hoping she had made a mistake.

However, Kagura was nodding and then she was holding out the lantern for him to take. He hesitated, not sure if it was the best idea for him to be going to meet the Great Shinigami on his own. The tug at his sleeve had him looking down at Rin, who gave him her usual smile that actually worked to put him at ease.

"It's okay, Chichiue." She told him, looking off into the dark that was only a footstep away from them. "I had to meet him by myself, and Kagura, too and we're fine. We'll be here waiting when you get back."

The sudden, soft draft of air that came from beyond the doors had him looking forward again. Kagura's hand rested on his back and was gently coaxing him forward, so his feet slowly began moving. As he stepped over the threshold, Rin's hand slipped from his, even though he tried his best to keep hold of it. Once her finger slipped out of his grasp he turned to look behind him and suddenly found himself staring back at a wall.

His eyes widened and he looked about, finding himself at the end of a large hallway, no longer dark as it was lit by lanterns hanging from stone walls. It was heavily shadowed, and the flickering lantern light played tricks with his sight, making shadows seem like moving figures. He was even certain that there were eyes watching him, but he didn't try to pinpoint any of them to see if his suspicions were right.

With his heartbeat pounding in fright against his will, and his jaw set tightly in agitation, he began moving down the hall. His ears strained to hear the faintest of sounds, his eyes looked about at his surroundings and his muscles were tight and ready to react accordingly if anything were to go awry.

His travel down the corridor seemed endless, as there were no doors, no windows. . . only wall and lanterns and shadows. He stopped then, looking behind him and frowned to find the wall still behind him as if he hadn't moved from his spot.

What in the world was going on here?

He resolved to begin sprinting down the hall, but when he turned back he was met by open double doors that led into a shadowed, dimly lit ballroom. He stood there, uncertain if he should go inside, but with the wall at his back, he knew he had no other choice.

Carefully, he was treading forward, lantern raised in hopes to brighten the room more than it already was. The moment he had stepped

a few steps away from the threshold, the doors began to close and he looked back to watch as they did. He heard the heavy tumbling of locks and knew that there would be no going back.

So, he took to taking in what was around him instead. Golden eyes adjusted to the dim lighting quickly, and Sesshomaru felt his blood run cold. He knew this place. It wasn't a ballroom at all. He recognized the statues, the imperial carving of the tall pillars of polished wood and the décor that littered the room. This was the Western palace. It was the throne room. His stomach tightened and he spun to look behind him, even though he was deadly afraid of what he would find.

The lantern fell from limp fingers, flames bursting out and burning quickly, but it withered and died rather than begin to spread. Wide, amber eyes looked across the now lit room and found a scene that was all too familiar and one he had never wanted to come to life.

In his throne, sat Inuyasha; head hanging forward and body tied to the throne by near invisible wire. Sesshomaru's knees threatened to buckle, but he kept himself steady, as his eyes were unable to look away. He would have to be grateful that Inuyasha was not disemboweled like in his nightmare and his blood wasn't pooling on the floor.

The loud, rasping moan had the hair on Sesshomaru's neck standing on end. The temperature suddenly dropped and his breath came in the form of steaming puffs. His eyes locked on the throne, Sesshomaru fought instincts to flee as slowly a figure came out from behind it. Yellow glaring eyes set in a screaming face, horned, pale and painted with particular designs slowly turned to look at him.

The Western Prince stumbled back a bit, but stood his ground. His eyes looked to Inuyasha and then back to the Great Shinigami, who was still moaning far worse than any of the cursed spirits back in the Valley of the Fallen.

"Sesshomaru. . ."

His name was a whisper amongst the howling moan, and the inu-youkai listened for it again, not sure if he was hearing things. The howling got louder as the figure crept closer, but Sesshomaru stood his ground.

"You have come to me. . ."

By the time that Shinigami-sama was standing so close that Sesshomaru saw his terrified face staring back at him, reflected in the yellow eyes, the moaning was joined by terrible screams, cries from tortured souls that surrounded the inu prince and tore at his mind as if to make him mad.

"What have you come for. . ."

The faint voice was still attempting to engage him and Sesshomaru fought to respond, using it as an anchor to pull him out of the depth of despair trying to consume and trap him.

"Shinigami-sama." His voice was so subdued, that he didn't recognize it. "I have come for my mate. I have come to ask that you release him and send him back to me."

With a sudden crescendo in the shrieking, screaming and wailing, in which Sesshomaru had to protect his ears by clamping his hands over them, it abruptly stopped soon after. Amber-colored eyes that had wrenched shut with the flare of painful noise slowly opened, and it was in time to see a pale, long-nailed hand lift to the the twisted face. Wide-eyes watched as the face was pulled back and Sesshomaru could only blink up at the death god.

A mask. . . it had been a mask?

It was the only question he could run through his mind as he looked back into eyes that were nothing but endless black, no whites to them. The long, slick, black hair fell over the god's shoulders and threatened to touch the floor and his skin was paler than even the moon. He looked, for lack of a better word, more human than demon.

"For Inuyasha?" Shinigami was asking then, his voice surprisingly gentle and baritone.

Sesshomaru was finally lowering his hands from his ears and slowly nodding, his eyes looking behind the god of death to where Inuyasha sat. What passed for eyes on the god followed his line of sight and looked to Inuyasha as well, before he was slowly turning back to look at Sesshomaru.

"I have already agreed to send back one." He revealed, Sesshomaru frowning at the words. "I will not give you another. I have changed my mind."

"But I was told-"

"DO YOU QUESTION ME, MORTAL!"

Sesshomaru couldn't help the flinch, but he steeled himself again, eyes staring into the endless depths now resting under furrowed brows of anger.

"I only wish to know why you have so hastily altered your decision." Sesshomaru was explaining and luckily enough, Shinigami's face was melting into a look of placid calmness.

"I am in my right to do as I please." The god said, gesturing to himself. "I am the Great Shinigami, ruler of the underworld, bringer of death. I am a god that needs no explanation for what he does. Who are you, mortal? What makes you so deserving of compliance? Did I not grant you to keep two who you have lost?"

The aura of his baby fluttered and Sesshomaru was resting a hand on his stomach and taking a step back, before he was slowly shaking his head.

"My pup-"

"Was dead, I released it back to the mortal world when your youki and that of your mate's worked to revive it. The human child will be reborn as your flesh and blood, so her soul is not truly mine and yet you dare to ask me to give you another."

A long, pale finger pointed to Inuyasha then, nail gleaming in the lantern light and Sesshomaru looked to where his mate sat.

"This soul I will not release. It had slipped through my hands too many times to count, and now that it was gifted to me, I shall cherish it for as long as this plane exists."

"Please!" Sesshomaru shocked himself with how desperate he sounded, Shinigami's head cocking in interest. "I would do anything."

He was stepping back as Shinigami moved forward, but he found his back pressed to a wall suddenly and he was cornered. His body trembled as the deity now hovered over him, pale hand reaching out as his face leaned in closer. Sesshomaru was jumping at the cold touch, far beyond the temperature of ice, a cold that chilled him to his core and burned him all at once. He looked down to where the hand rested on his abdomen and his heart nearly stopped as Shinigami leaned in closer to speak to him in a low, even tone.

"Would you trade me another for your lover's?" He was asking, Sesshomaru shuddering at the cold breath, burning like the icy winds of deep winter against his cheek. "Your pup's perhaps?"

Sesshomaru opened his mouth to object, but Shinigami's other hand was grabbing his chin and lifting his head so that he had no other choice but to look at him. His voice caught in his throat as he was looking back into glaring red eyes, and the straight, silky hair was now wavy and full. The face leaned in closer and Sesshomaru tried to speak but found his voice unable to work properly as he was staring back at Naraku.

"Can you bring me this one?" Naraku was asking but his voice was Shinigami's, which had Sesshomaru calming only a small amount.

Shinigami slowly pulled away, eyes never leaving Sesshomaru as he backed away to where Inuyasha was situated on the throne. He circled around the back until he was able to encircle his hands from behind and lift Inuyasha's face so that Sesshomaru could study it.

"If you can not bring me the soul of the mortal realm's most notorious enemy, and you feel you can not sacrifice your pup's or your own in its stead, then I shall keep his." Shinigami's head was then peeking over the back of the throne, no longer resembling Naraku but still instilling fear in the former daiyoukai. "What is your choice, mortal? Choose quickly, as I am impatient. Shall I lock your mate here for all eternity?"

"Wait!" Sesshomaru was calling out, stepping forward until he was close enough to reach out and touch Inuyasha. He didn't though, not knowing if Shinigami would react negatively or not. "For my mate's life, I will bring you Naraku's. You have my oath that I shall bring you the soul you ask for."

Satisfied, Shinigami released Inuyasha before coming around again and reaching out for Sesshomaru. The inu-youkai barely stopped himself from backing away and couldn't help the jump his body gave as hands rested on his shoulder.

"I should warn you, mortal." The god was saying then. "You must not fail me. He is bound for the Valley of the Fallen if you do not bring me what I have asked for."

"I'll do it." Sesshomaru answered, voice stern and full of conviction. "You have my word."

"Your word that weighs heavily upon your mate's soul." Shinigami was reminding him. "You must use the Medou Seki to take Naraku's soul and you must do so before the sun has fully risen over the horizon."

Sesshomaru froze at that, his heart suddenly heavy with dread. There was no way that Shinigami truly meant to give him such a short time limit.

"Shinigami-sama, do you truly think it a reasonable request?" He was asking, the god giving his full attention, hands clasping behind his back. "When I had opened the gates to come to you, sunrise was no more than an hour away."

"Then you had better hurry." Was all the deity said, Sesshomaru unsure if the concerned tone was to mock him or truthful.

He was opening his mouth to speak, but the howling and moaning was returning, as well as a large blast of wind that had him squinting and lifting his arms to shield his face. Standing beside his mate, Shinigami lowered his mask again and then pointed a pale finger at Sesshomaru.

"Before the sun has fully risen, or your mate's soul is eternally mine."

xoxoxoxox

Hiromi glared back at the lesser shinigami that stood guard over her son. She had tried waiting, but after five minutes of fidgeting in one spot, she had rushed forward determined to wake her son. She had only managed to be hurt by magic stronger than demon magic, again. So, she had returned to stepping away, but the shinigami remained. It would seem it would watch her carefully from now on in plain sight. Very well. . . she could wait.

Her attention was turning to Sesshomaru as he was suddenly gasping, followed by heavy coughing and she rushed forward. The spirit finally disappeared and she caught her son before he could fall forward, unable to stop herself from nuzzling him as his body remembered it had to breathe.

"Long. . ." He was wheezing out, head lifting to look at her and Hiromi was glad to see color returning to his cheeks. He had been slowly been beginning to look like a corpse. "How long was I gone for?"

"No more than five minutes." She answered, not sure why she was asking.

Sesshomaru found Kagura's words to be true then, as he had felt as if he had spent hours, if not more, in the Underworld.

"What happened, dear?" His mother was urging him, helping him as he tried to stand and his hand clutching tightly to the pendant she had gifted him in place of his father.

"The miko." Was all he said, gently detaching his mother from him so that he could head in search of her. "I must find the miko."

His eyes looked up to the sky to find the horizon already lightening to a deep, purplish-blue rather than the black of night.

"And quickly." He added, his mother rushing to keep up as he left. "I'm running out of time."

xoxoxoxox

Miroku let himself sit with his eyes closed as he finished the ritualistic Buddhist prayers for his friend. He was kneeling in front of the makeshift alter that had been erected for the Daiyoukai and beside him demons either silently joined him, prayed in their own way, or just out right mourned. He was shocked to see that so many, though still few, were truly mourning the hanyou's death. He was well aware of what the demon world thought of half-breeds, and what many in the palace had thought of Inuyasha in particular. And yet, some of the servants and the nobility were changing their tune.

He felt when someone knelt beside him and he opened his eyes to meet Shirogitsune, whose silver eyes were facing forward and studying the dead body of Inuyasha in his human form.

"In so many ways, I saw his father in him." Shirogitsune began, Miroku turning to look at his friend. "Even Kuma would agree, and Dokutake to some extent. Touga never wanted to be Daiyoukai, but with reluctance he did what needed to be done. He proved himself as a strong leader, worthy of the title of Daiyoukai and in so many ways, in the short amount of time he held the title, so did Inuyasha. The question is what do we do now?"

"I beg your pardon?" Miroku asked, looking back to Shirogitsune.

"With Lord Inuyasha's passing the title of Daiyoukai falls to Prince Kazue." At Kuma's voice, Miroku was looking to the other side to where the old demon had somehow slipped silently beside him. Dokutake was kneeling on the other side of Kuma, eyes closed and muttering a soft prayer under his breath. "However, Prince Kazue will not be of an age to rightfully hold the title for at least a century. As it is now, the West is vulnerable again to even more plotting demons hungry for power and eager to spill blood for it."

"And with Naraku still alive, who knows what's bound to happen." Miroku uttered, looking down at his cursed hand.

"Alive but weakened." Shirogitsune pointed out, standing and looking up into the sky. "Or else he would not have run."

Miroku followed his line of sight and frowned as he saw the unmistakable sight of Sesshomaru and Hiromi coming towards them. He stood as the both landed, as well as the youkai around him, his violet eyes watching as the demon prince moved closer to Inuyasha. His hand brushed Inuyasha's bangs away from his face before he was looking up and directly at Miroku.

"Where is the priestess?" He questioned and Miroku frowned.

"Kagome?" He was asking and Sesshomaru's eyes sharpened to an irritated glare.

"My brother's human wench, where is she!"

"She went with a group of badger demons to see what could be done back at Ishimaru's estate." Miroku answered and Sesshomaru growled. "Is there any way that I can help?"

"I need the priestess to lead me to Naraku." Sesshomaru said, turning to begin walking away. "I do not have much time."

Miroku followed after him, aware that someone was following him in turn.

"Naraku no longer holds the jewel shard, remember?" He was asking, Sesshomaru stopping shortly so that the monk nearly collided into him. "She wouldn't be able to track him."

"And he is too weak to pick up his trail easily." That was Shirogitsune's voice and Sesshomaru turned to face them, face openly revealing his near panicked and devastated look.

"I must find him!" He was telling them, eyes then looking down to the pendant he held in his hand. "Inuyasha's life depends on it."

Miroku blinked in confusion, but felt his chest weigh heavy with sympathy at the tear that began falling down one of Sesshomaru's cheek. His cursed hand throbbed and he winced before looking down at it.

"I can find him." He whispered out, his words caught by demon ears. He looked up to Sesshomaru, who was now staring at him and he slowly held up his cursed hand as if that would explain what he meant. "Kagome wouldn't be able to find him, but this curse of mine is from Naraku. In a way, it connects me to him. I-"

"Could lead me to him." Sesshomaru finished, before he was reaching out a hand to hold Miroku's cursed one. The monk kept silent that the Sesshomaru was willingly touching human filth and let the youkai look over his beaded hand. "If you help me, monk, I willingly leave myself in debt to you."

Miroku was speechless, and after much trying to answer with words, he merely nodded. Before he was gently resting his other hand over Sesshomaru's.

"No need to think you'd owe me after this, Prince Sesshomaru." Miroku said, smiling up at the inu-youkai. "It is not in my nature to expect payment from a friend."

"So, you have become your father I see." A deep booming voice, far stronger than Kuma's had the monk literally jumping. "Friends with humans."

"My sentiments exactly." That was Hiromi, who in the hells was the other?

Heart pounding, Miroku turned to have his eyes widen at the sight of the tall figure. He had dark hair and amber eyes, with sharp but distinguishing marks a color of deep purple. He was inukai, no doubt about it, but if Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Hiromi were the last of their kind, where had he come from?

"Had I the time, I would stay and entertain you with my objections to your statements, however, I have been fitted with a task that I must see through." Sesshomaru said, turning away from them and beginning to walk away. "And I must see to it quickly. Come, monk, we must go."

Miroku, not sure what to do merely nodded his head at the newcomer before trailing after Sesshomaru. The three demons who were left behind watched as they were soon in the air, Sesshomaru's arm securely around the human's waist. Hiromi's face showed that she had observed something foul and her uncle's only held a raised brow. Shirogitsune could only smile at either one of them, before he was turning to Kuma and Dokutake.

"Gentlemen, shall we carry on?" He was asking them, in reference to clearing the dead, gathering the wounded and beginning to remove debris.

The older demons nodded, then turned and bowed in parting to Hiromi and the darker-haired inukai. As they left Yomosugara chuckled, causing Hiromi to look at him with a questioning look.

"He is indeed like his father, but perhaps far too much like you, my dear niece." He told her, still staring off at where his great-nephew was sailing farther and farther away. "I am glad to know we can soon have talks of being a complete family again."

She humphed, before she was looking to the fallen Inuyasha. Slowly, she made her way toward him and looked down at the pale face. So. . .was that what she looked like? She had been beautiful after all. It wasn't hard to understand why her mate, the Inu no Taisho, had fallen for the human princess. Her son's human form was a testament to and an echo of her beauty. She tried to feel jealous, but found that she couldn't. Now that she was experiencing the closest she would get to an encounter with her mate of old's second lover, her old feelings of hate and jealousy were hard to grasp. She had all but broken Touga's heart. No, she believe she had broken Touga's heart and the human woman had been the one to carefully mend it and give him the happiness and affection Hiromi's distant nature had denied him. So, she supposed, she could be grateful for the human wench after all.

The hand on her shoulder had her looking up and her uncle smiled down at her, before leaning in to place a kiss atop her head. She merely scoffed and gently pushed his head away, but she was ignored and her uncle was licking at her face. She gave a small growl and was soon in a small scuffle which consisted of her trying to wriggle free and her uncle merely chuckling at her efforts. She never understood why the kuro-inukai were so adamant on behaving as their animal counterparts without shame.

"Uncle please!" She was snapping, the older male finally stopping with a deep laugh and one last affectionate lick.

"Come, now that the fighting has stopped, I believe family introductions are in order. Your cousins are eager to meet you in person."

Hiromi sighed and let him lead her away. She would rather be waiting for Sesshomaru's return but knew that it was best that she distract herself. Very well, if it would make the time pass much quicker, she'd play the generous host and properly welcome her guests.

xoxoxoxox

Miroku tried his best not to look down. Not that he wasn't used to heights, having been used to flying around on the back of Kirara. No, it was that he had to try not to look down and gawk at the arm that was securing him on Sesshomaru's cloud-thingy. . . whatever it was. That would be the second of two gestures that the human monk did not expect from the youkai prince. If he could afford to risk it, he would question the inukai's odd behavior, but something in his gut told him to be quiet. He instead decided to stick to asking why exactly it was absolutely necessary to find Naraku now.

"So." He began, looking up to Sesshomaru, who calmly looked down at him. "Is there a particular reason for the urgency?"

"I have been given the opportunity to revive Inuyasha." Sesshomaru told him, lifting his other hand to look down at the Meidou Seki. "Shinigami-sama will release him back to the mortal realm if I can give him a soul that is equal in worth to Inuyasha's."

"Shinigami-sama?" Miroku was asking, a cold sweat suddenly taking over him. "You're talking about the god of death?"

"Yes."

"And you met him personally?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Your useless questioning is not helping, houshi!" Sesshomaru snapped, putting the pendant around his neck and reaching for Miroku's cursed hands. "You should be leading us to that despicable hanyou who I have very little time to kill and deliver to Shinigami-sama. Which way?"

Miroku opened his mouth to tell the youkai that he was trying but had no clue when his hand was throbbing uncomfortably and his head was snapping so his eyes were looking off in the direction that suddenly felt like the way they were supposed to go.

"Further West." He said, non-cursed hand pointing to a far off hillside that was the foundation of what seemed to be an abandoned temple. "He's there. I can feel him."

"Very well."

It took them a little under ten minutes to reach and as they landed, Miroku was crying out at the intense pain that began throbbing through his hand. He was soon grabbing his wrist, fighting the urge to rip the enchanted beads off and see what was causing it to react this way. His biggest fear was that Naraku thought to do away with him in his final hours and he would be swallowed up by the gaping hole that resided in his palm.

Sesshomaru stood and watched, ready to ask the monk what was wrong when the pained and angered scream echoed out from the cavernous depths of the temple. Amber eyes looked into the darkness, before he was looking back to Miroku, the monk now pale and seeming to be weakened.

"It's him." Miroku was panting out. "He's dying. . . so he's desperate. He's drawing on the energy and life of any who are connected to him."

"So then, he is weak." Sesshomaru observed, before he was turning to head inside.

Miroku watched him begin to leave, but soon Sesshomaru stopped and the human man had to wonder if he was hesitant because of fear.

"Monk." He was calling out without turning to face him. "If you should perish before my task is complete, let it be known that I am eternally grateful to have had a friend. . . even if you are human."

Miroku could only chuckle weakly as he watched Sesshomaru disappear. Well, it was not the best of compliments, but it was nice to know that the Sesshomaru thought more of him than he naturally expected.

xoxoxoxox

Ginta had been overwhelmed with relief when Kagome had come bursting into the room he was being held in. In fact, he had actually grabbed on to the future girl and couldn't help but shower her with canine affection. He had been sitting and watching over Hakkaku, hoping and praying that things would turn for the better and it would seemed that whatever deities existed were listening and answering his prayers.

He had been coaxing Hakkaku to drink some water when he had heard the devastating howl that traveled from the main palace. It had his heart feel like breaking and he had shed a few tears for the one that had sounded such a cry.

Hakkaku had been roused by it and the two pack mates had ended up offering each other comfort, Ginta wanting to call out for his own mate to come and find him. They had gotten past it and once Hakkaku was resting again, softly snoring with his head in Ginta's lap, the prince had allowed himself to just wait.

With his pups and mate gone, Ginta felt incomplete, but it helped that he at least had someone else from his clan with him. Hakkaku had always been his best friend, besides Kouga, and he was happy to have him there with him. The guards had yet to check in on them and Ginta had been waiting, but he had barely heard them moving outside. If it hadn't been for his need to get Hakkaku more water, he would have never moved from his spot, content to just sit and wait patiently.

He knocked softly at the door, after testing and realizing it had been latched from the outside, hoping to gain someone's attention.

"Who is it?" A voice came from outside, and Ginta was shocked that it wasn't as angry as it last had been.

"Ginta." He answered unsure of himself. "Please, I need more water."

There was muffled whispering and then the sound of feet rushing forward.

"Ginta?" The female voice was recognizable and he tried not to allow himself to feel relieved just yet. "Is that you?"

"Kagome?"

The doors were being unlatched then and slid open only seconds later to reveal a war-torn Kagome to a grateful Ginta. He could only release a grateful sob and rush forward, hugging onto the human girl and showering her with licks, nuzzles and kisses. Not too long after that, Kagome was informing him of the way things had turned out and Ginta had been speechless.

After Hakkaku had been taken off to be tended to by healers, the Wolf Lord's mate was escorted by Kagome back to where Inuyasha's body was being kept. It had been sad to know that Sesshomaru was actually going though what he had nearly experienced himself and he wished to offer his condolences to the inukai prince in hopes that it offered some comfort.

Now as they walked the mile or so that it would take to reach, Ginta couldn't help the overwhelming feelings that had been bottled up inside of him from being released. His sniffles had Kagome turning to him in worry, but he offered her a reassuring smile, even if he did have tears running down his face. The miko could only return it with a soft smile of her own, her hands wiping away his tears before she was wrapping her arms about him in comfort as they walked.

It was halfway there that they were stopped by the sounds of howls, both him and Kagome turning to the south where it was coming from. They were alarmed at the small army of inukai and familiars marching in their direction, but the sight of wolves had Ginta brightening, eyes widening as he would recognize Kouga's own familiars anywhere.

His eyes scanned the large marching army, searching for any sight of his mate. He had to be in there somewhere. He was soon finding faces he had thought dead, as what was left of his clan took up the middle and more inukai at the rear. The joy in his heart increased and he swore he couldn't be happier to know that they were all alive and well, and finally safe. And then he was proven wrong as his happiness increased tenfold at the sight of a familiar figure in the center of the pack.

"Kouga. . . " It was a whisper that caught Kagome's attention, her brown eyes looking to study Ginta who was slowly moving toward the approaching mass of demons. "Kouga."

In the distance, blue eyes were raising and then when said eyes locked on to Ginta's, the Beta couldn't contain himself any longer.

"Kouga!"

His shout echoed over the empty meadow and Ginta's feet carried him at a speed Kagome couldn't keep up with. On the other side of the glade, Kouga stood still, not believing his eyes; that is until his name came flowing towards him on the wind. Wounded and slower than usual, he pushed his way through the surrounding demons, so that he could go and meet his mate that was now bounding towards them. As he burst through the front line of marching inu-youkai, Kouga urged the jewel-shards in his legs to assist him, not picking up as much speed as usual but it did enable him to run. He didn't even realize that he was accompanied by a handful of wolves, until he heard them howling out in greeting to the Beta wolf-demon that was now close enough that Kouga could see he was crying.

Yards turned to feet, which then turned to inches and before he knew it Kouga was gripping onto his mate tightly, face buried in the crook of Ginta's neck and drinking in all he could with his senses. The wolves around him barked and yipped happily, jumping up to lick at any part of Ginta they could reach as Kouga slowly spun with his mate in his arms, arms squeezing tighter as he heard Ginta begin sobbing.

"You're here." Ginta was hiccuping, his face buried in the crook of Kouga's neck in turn. "You're alive. I thought I lost you."

"Ginta." Kouga coxed him, his Beta lifting his tear-streaked face to look at him and he lifted a hand to wipe at his cheeks. "I should have never left you. I'm sorry for what you went through."

Ginta could only shake his head and hug Kouga again, legs wrapping about his mate's waist as it seemed the Alpha youkai was refusing to put him back on the ground.

"It's not your fault. I'm just happy that you're back and alive."

"I promise I'll do my best to never let this happen again." Kouga was swearing, finally letting Ginta down so that both his hands could cup his mate's face. "I love you."

Ginta could only give a half sob, half laugh at that, flinging himself forward into Kouga again and pressing his lips to his mate's. Their youki thrummed at the renewed contact and Ginta felt the pain of his mutilated mark melting away. In due time, it would heal and he knew the first step was going to be a near endless amount of time in company with his mate.

He pulled back at the call of his name, and he was smiling as Akane and Yumi were coming forward, his pups in their arms. He was smiling brightly then, reaching out and taking Sachiko and showering her with canine affection, before he was carefully balancing Yukio in his arms as well and doing the same. Kouga joined him and the two were lost in the private circle for a moment, that is until Kagome finally caught up to them.

"Kouga, it's good to see you again." She greeted with a smile, happy to see Ginta's eyes had brightened and his aura lightened.

"Kagome, I see you're alright yourself. You and muttface must had some fighting to do for you to look like that. Where is the bastard anyway?"

The sudden change in mood had Kouga's teasing grin falling away and his blue eyes looked to Kagome who seemed reluctant and unwilling to tell him what had to be bad news. He figured it out as her eyes watered and her jaw set in determination to keep the tears from falling.

"He didn't make it." He was nearly whispering and Kagome slowly shook her head.

He sighed then, looking to Ginta who seemed saddened at the reminder and then he was looking back to the human girl who he had once courted.

"Take me to him."

xoxoxoxox

Sesshomaru had been following the screams of rage for some time, through the cavernous halls of a temple he hadn't known was erected in his own lands. His eyes looked over the carvings etched into the stone, and he had to wonder what ancient form of worship this was. It looked nothing like the practice that most of humankind followed in this day and age. No, this was something old that had probably been forgotten. He found it a fitting place to where Naraku would meet his end.

Sesshomaru paused in his steps as he reached the end of the hall, the path splitting into two to his right and to his left. The screaming had stop momentarily, so he had nothing to follow and the air in the hall was already rank and stuffy, so it was no use in tracking the hanyou by his scent. Amber eyes looked back and forth between the two directions, before he was looking down at the Meidou Seki. It reflected light that came from no where, as the halls were relatively pitch black.

The morning was closing in fast and he needed to find Naraku so that he could receive his mate in turn. Though, he could not waste time by guessing a direction to go and finding it to be the wrong way. His head turned to the right and he figured that he had no choice but to guess. He had barely begun walking, when he sound of a moaning wail had him spinning back to look behind him. The shinigami was a vision of a less intimidating copy of the Great Shinigami, but it stood a few paces down the corridor in the opposite direction, skeletal hand pointing off into the pitch black.

That's when he heard it, the pitiful moaning of a dying hanyou and then another angered howl. The shinigami disappeared then, and Sesshomaru followed its last directions. His trek took him some minutes, but soon he was finding two grand double doors, opened and nearly off of their hinges. He stepped inside to the torchlit space, and found himself in a large ceremonial room. The shifting near the large stone alter had him looking in its direction, and he saw there a mass of black with a large, dark puddle surrounding it.

Carefully, he stepped closer and then stopped as the mass shifted and he found it to be Naraku. He watched the hanyou scream as he tried to regenerate flesh to heal the gaping wound the miko had inflicted, but blood continued to pour out of it, a slow stream that seemed to be endlessly flowing. As Naraku's scream tapered off into another pitiful moan, Sesshomaru felt no enjoyment at the sight of his worst enemy's suffering. In fact, he was reluctant to admit that there was a very small ember of pity burning for the dark-haired hanyou.

He didn't react as Naraku suddenly looked up, face paler than usual, eyes wide with hate and fury, while his mouth was twisted into an ugly scowl. His mouth opened to say something, but it turned to an ugly, hacking cough which produced a mixture of blood and black material that had Sesshomaru nearly cringing.

"You. . . " The growled and raspy word had Sesshomaru focusing again and Naraku was looking up to him, one hand lifting to point in the inukai's direction.

It dropped suddenly, and Naraku was then beginning to crawl closer, tentacles weakly forming to help him and trying to reach out for the youkai ahead of them. Sesshomaru didn't move, he merely kept his ground and watched. He could do nothing but that, as Naraku mostly dragged closer to him, limbs weakly working, nails breaking as they scraped along the rough stone floor, body bleeding away what life he had left in him.

"All I need is you!" The hanyou was hissing, eyes glaring at Sesshomaru. "All I wanted was you!"

"It's over Naraku." Was all the dog-demon offered and Naraku was screaming in rage once again.

With a sudden burst of renewed vigor, he was leaping forward, hands grasping onto the tattered and torn fabric of Sesshomaru's kimono top. His writhing, extra limbs wrapped themselves about the stoic youkai, who only watched as Naraku pulled closer, red eyes glaring back at him in defiance.

But Sesshomaru found no need to pry him away, even as those limbs around him melded into a pulsing case of black flesh, moving to slowly engulf him. He could only stare back at the hanyou who had nearly taken his honor, had forcibly taken advantage of him and who had broken him that he was almost beyond repair. . . a hanyou who had stolen his brother and mate. And yet, through all that, though at first he had wanted to be rid of him, the hanyou had gifted him with a son. It as not enough however for him to feel so much pity that he would spare Naraku's life, but it was something he contemplated momentarily.

As he looked into blood-red eyes, dulling the more that he bled, he saw the desperation and the slow descent into madness. And as Naraku trembled in front of him, pale-face mere inches from his own, Sesshomaru could not ignore the fear that radiated off of him or overtook his gaze. For once, as he was certain he had never seen him as such, Naraku was scared. He was deadly afraid and he was vulnerable.

"I would have let you live." Naraku was suddenly saying, voice low and breaking. "He would have needed you. . . our son. . .our children."

"I would have never given you more." Sesshomaru answered and Naraku gave a wheezing laugh.

"As if I would have given you a choice."

"You're going to die, Naraku." Sesshomaru announced and Naraku froze, face contorted into a mixture of emotions that the youkai prince couldn't list.

"I have you." Naraku rasped, hand reaching out to toy with a lock of Sesshomaru's hair. "When I take your essence, all that you are, into myself . . . I will go on. We will go on."

"You can not escape him any further." Sesshomaru continued, as if Naraku hadn't responded. "You will not live past this night."

Naraku's laugh was a raspy, crazed sounding thing. It melted into a moment of historical sobs, before it was lifting into a near hacking laugh once again. Sesshomaru's stoic set of his face remained, and his body kept still, even as he felt Naraku trying to drain from him his youki and life. It would seem Naraku noticed his failure to affect the previous Daiyoukai and his face fell into a serious mask, red eyes momentarily hardened in determination.

"I will return."

The whispered words echoed in the large, empty room, echoed in Sesshomaru's mind and struck something in his soul. It had been said with such conviction, that the youkai for an instant believed it to be true.

"No." Sesshomaru said, Naraku frowning. "You will never come back."

The laugh this time was weak and short, Naraku looking over the face so close to his. He had studied it so many times and he had always wanted to own the creature in his grasp. Sesshomaru. A name so fitting to the spirit it was attached to that it was almost ironic. He was looking into golden-amber eyes and he knew that Sesshomaru's words were true. He would deny it until the very end, however.

"Perhaps I will not be back in this form, but remember that Kazue is my son." He spoke, Sesshomaru's demeanor weakened for a single moment. "I am a part of him. He will always carry a part of me so long as he lives and breathes. He will forever be mine."

Naraku chuckled then and Sesshomaru wanted nothing more but to tear him to shreds, but the sudden pulsing of the Meidou Seki had him looking down to the pendant, before he was lifting it and removing it from around his neck.

"He may be your son." He was saying, amber eyes looking down at the gleaming stone and finding the familiar, masked face of Shinigami. "But he will never truly be yours."

Naraku watched as the pendant flashed and he couldn't help the panic that set into him at the moaning and wailing that intensified as the pulsing quickened. The loud rumbling had him shuffling back, eyes wide and staring at the pendant lifted from Sesshomaru's palm, wisp-like creatures escaping from it and circling about the two of them.

As the noise intensified, he cried out in defiance, even though fear was clawing at his heart and causing him to look for a way of escape. Sesshomaru merely watched, now released from the black mass he had been partly encased in, as Naraku turned to run but was grabbed hold of by the spirits that had been freed from the Meidou Seki.

Naraku cursed and tried to fight them off, but the icy-cold grip was hard to break free of. There was a sudden rumbling and the ground parted and crumbled, large rusted gates lifting out from the depths that opened inward and revealed a single figure dressed in white. Red, widened eyes stared at the creature that calmly stood staring back with eyes as black and empty as an infinite void. And Naraku screamed.

"No!" He was crying out, hands clawing as he was dragged along the ground.

His eyes looked to Sesshomaru, who did nothing but stare and his fighting grew desperate and his screams louder. It was drowned out by the sudden roar of victory from the pale figure of a god and the moaning wails of the dead beyond the open gates.

The inukai watched, as by mere chance Naraku broke free, crawling away from the now angered god who lifted his hands as if holding a weapon. A long, sickle of black wood and gleaming silver blade formed from thin air and Shinigami walked forward, weapon raised high.

Hasty fingers reached out for Sesshomaru's robes that trailed the floor, and Naraku looked up in a desperate plea for some form of assistance. And then his face twisted in pain, and he was gasping as cold steel pierced his back and hooked into his spine. Shinigami was laughing then and Sesshomaru stared in silent awe at the entire spectacle. As Naraku gasped in pain and disbelief, Sesshomaru looked up to Shinigami, whose chilling smile had him staggering back a bit but the deity gave him a nod of satisfaction.

"Well done, mortal." He said, blade digging deeper into the hanyou below them who screamed out in pain and horror. "You have served me well."

Then he was dragging Naraku away, the hanyou's terrified shrieking echoing and mingling with the wails and voices from the Underworld. It seemed to last forever as the prince watched them disappear and then, in a flash and loud rumbling crash, it was gone. Silence weighed so heavily and so suddenly about him, that Sesshomaru for an instant thought that he was no longer awake. It wasn't until the chill settled over his skin that he realized he had been sweating and he lifted his hand to wipe at his face, the extremity trembling so badly that he could barely control himself.

He was alone. There were no signs that anyone but himself was there or had been there, and his eyes tried their best to look for them. Just like that Naraku was finally gone and he almost collapsed as the realization hit him. A burst of a laugh escaped him, mingled with the sound of a relieved sob, before he was looking to the ground where the Meidou Seki lay innocently as if it were nothing more than fashionable jewelery and not the means for entering the world of the dead.

He easily lifted it and rested it back over his neck, wondering if Shinigami had indeed kept his end of the bargain. That's when he stiffened and realized that he could not tell if he had been successful in calling Shinigami before sunrise. Spinning on his heels, his feet were running at a rushed pace, heading back to the entrance with his heart frozen in a state of fear.

xoxoxoxox

Miroku couldn't help the tears streaming down his face or the soft sobs that shook him as he stared down at the naked palm of his left hand. He had felt it, the moment that Naraku had finally ceased to exist and his hand had healed in a burst of burning pain. He had slowly and meticulously removed his beads and the cloth beneath them to stare down in disbelief at the whole palm that met him.

The crying had been unavoidable, which had turned to laughter and then back to sobbing. He wasn't sad, but the overwhelming emotions were hard to contain and came in the form of tears. His curse was lifted, he would not die early in his life. Now. . . now he could grow old with Sango and have children who would not suffer as he had. He was free.

The sobbing softened and then finally stopped, and soon the tears were no longer falling. He was left in the morning sun to bask in the wonder that overtook him suddenly. His ears caught the sound of running feet and he stood from the ground to turn and face Sesshomaru who came dashing out of the darkness and into the light of the early morning sun.

"No."

He watched Sesshomaru collapse then, eyes watching up at the sky to where the sun was already fully above the horizon and continued to climb.

"Sesshomaru."

"I was too late. . ."

He turned then, finding Miroku who seemed confused at his reaction to the morning sun.

"Inuyasha. . . we have to go back. Now!"

Miroku only nodded and moved to help the youkai up, no longer surprised as the silver-haired demon accepted said help. As they began to lift into the sky once Miroku was secured with an arm around his waist, the monk looked to Sesshomaru and was shocked to find the deep-set fear in golden eyes.

"How long as the sun been up?" He was asked, Sesshomaru's eyes staring off into the distance.

"Maybe an hour before you came out."

"Then I may have been too late."

For the rest of the way they were silent, the feeling of dread heavy around them as they sailed through the skies.

xoxoxoxox

When Kouga had finally reached the site of the Western Palace, he could barely believe his eyes. The dominant structure that had greeted him as he had first arrived was now eradicated and crumbling, smoldering and no longer the grand vision it had once been. Demons were working to clear the rubble and ruins, and already he could hear the hammering and effort of rebuilding.

What he could also hear were the prayers and even the soft mourning. And when he followed the sound, led by Kagome, he stopped short at the unbelievable sight of the dead body raised on a funeral alter. There, wrapped in sheets and covered in offerings was Inuyasha. He was in his human state, but it was not hard to know who it was and Kouga suddenly felt weak.

His mate must of caught it because he was leaning against him as Kouga hobbled forward, offering his support. Soon the clan leader was standing in front of the gathered mass, staring down at the pale, unmoving face of Inuyasha in death. Ginta was hugging his arms around him, head leaning on his shoulder and Kouga absently wrapped his left arm about his mate, accepting and giving comfort at the same time.

Out of the time he had known Inuyasha, out of the many times they had fought and most recently had deadly battles, he had never thought to actually look upon Inuyasha's still form. He had always thought the hanyou, even though a mere half-breed, to be a creature of will and force that would not so easily succumb to such a fate. And yet, here he was. . . and he was dead.

"How did this happen?" He was asking no one in particular.

He was breaking away from Ginta then and stepping forward so that he was right up beside Inuyasha's corpse, blue eyes looking over the human face before he was giving a sad, defeated chuckle.

"I didn't think you'd be the one to give up so easily, mutt." He said lowly, hands clenched into fists and body trembling with a mixture of anger and sorrow. "Hell, I always thought you were too stubborn to die so easily. We may have started off on the wrong foot, and I admit I wasn't the easiest to deal with, but when it came down to it you weren't only my rival. . . you were my friend. I don't accept you being gone, Inuyasha!"

He felt his mate come up behind him, and he hastily wiped his eyes, suddenly aware of the tears streaming down his face. The hand on his right shoulder had him peeking to look beside him and he sniffled before trying to cover up his weak moment with a halfhearted laugh.

"I should have known I would have outlived the mutt." He tried to joke, and Kagome weakly smiled at him before she was tightening her grip on his shoulder in comfort. "At least he died honorably. Protecting his mate and kingdom. It was a better end than most hanyou had ever received. His story will be added to my clan's history and my children's children will know of one of the greatest Daiyoukai of the West."

"Thank you." Kagome said tearfully and Kouga nodded to her, reaching out to carefully wipe away a tear that escaped to run down her left cheek.

Ginta smiled up at his mate as Kouga turned to pull him into his arms and the two quietly stood together, as the chanting and prayers around them went out to Inuyasha's spirit. They were soon looking up as a youkai pointed out that Sesshomaru was returning, and they did indeed find the Daiyoukai's mate heading toward them with Miroku by his side.

As the two landed, Kouga moved forward and nodded his head in greeting to Sesshomaru, who returned the nod courteously. If Sesshomaru had been ookami-youkai and part of his clan, as Alpha he would have offered the other male comfort with a hug and nuzzling full of affection. However, he ignored instinct and offered words instead.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He told him, Sesshomaru merely accepting the words with another nod. "If there is anything I can offer you, please don't hesitate to ask. As an ally of the West, I can not refuse the mate of the late Daiyoukai."

"Thank you." Sesshomaru said. "If the need should arise, I will accept your offer. Now, if you'd please excuse me."

Kouga easily stepped out of the way and Sesshomaru walked past him and straight to the alter where his deceased mate lay. His hands reached out to cup the now human inu-hanyou's face, golden eyes staring down as if expecting something to happen. The crowd around him watched on curiously, a few murmurs traveling amongst them but for the most part it had fallen silent. Sesshomaru paid them no mind, and continued to look down at his lover and wait.

"My son, what on earth are you doing?"

Hiromi was ignored as well, and shrugged off when she came forward to rest a hand on his shoulder.

"Please. . . wake up."

Nothing happened and he removed the Meidou Seki from around his neck to rest atop Inuyasha. Perhaps he had to use it to gain Inuyasha's life back. He stepped away, not sure what he expected to happen and easily dragged his mother back as well, the older inukai giving a small yelp of objection at the manhandling. Then he was waiting. . . and waiting. . . and then. . . nothing happened.

"Sesshomaru?" Hiromi was calling after him as he stomped forward and grabbed up the pendant again.

"Work." He was commanding it, angry eyes glaring down at it as he held it out towards Inuyasha. "Work, damn you! Work!"

But nothing happened. The pendant's chain merely swung back and forth, the stone set in the middle only reflecting the sun-light and Inuyasha remained dead. With an angered shout, Sesshomaru was tossing the useless thing aside and he stumbled back to collide into a strong body. He looked behind him to find his great uncle and he merely pushed him away, not wanting to be touched or hugged or comforted. What he wanted was his mate, his love, his brother! He wanted Inuyasha back and he had been too late to help him.

Inside him, his youki whined softly and he felt it curling up into a ball so as to comfort itself and suddenly he felt like doing the same. On weak legs, he forced himself to stand, already having shown way too much of a side of himself that had been well-hidden until the faithful day he had learned he was pregnant and he had begun unraveling.

The silence of the people behind and around him was appreciated as all he wanted to listen for was the start of Inuyasha's heartbeat, but there was none. The fluttering in his stomach had him looking down to his abdomen, and his hands lifted to rest against it, a sob escaping as he realized that this pup was all he had left of his mate now. His hands lifted to cover his face to hide himself, but the sobbing he couldn't stop, but he didn't try anyway.

Several minutes had passed, where the only sound was Sesshomaru's mourning and suddenly the air went still. The sun was slowly swallowed by dark clouds, and the temperature dropped so quickly that Sesshomaru was shivering as if it were the dead of winter. His sobs slowed, but not his tears and he was suddenly too afraid to move his hands and look about him.

"Shh. . . " Came the soft shushing and icy finger gripped him by his arms, cold breath against his ear. "Hush now, sweet one."

The hands were soon moving to lift his hands away from his face and Sesshomaru's bleary eyes widened at the sight of impish, minor shinigami surrounding his mate and holding his body down with scraggly hands.

"I am a god of my word, mortal." The voice whispered, and Sesshomaru knew it was Shinigami himself.

No one moved as they watched the deity that embraced Sesshomaru from behind, eyes widened in shock, awe and fear, while some mouths hung open in disbelief. Slowly, Shinigami's right arm wrapped around him to then grip the hilt of Tenseiga. The sword began to pulse the instant the pale hand held on to it and the force of power that emanated from it had Sesshomaru jumping.

Tenseiga was unsheathed, and Sesshomaru watched as the sword was lifting, eyes widening as the blade pulsed with an energy that he wad never witnessed before, glowing with an eerie light that spoke of magic beyond mortal means. Shinigami watched the blade in splendor and pride, smile fitting his naked face as his chin rested on Sesshomaru's shoulder.

"Beautiful isn't it?" He asked but received no response.

Carefully, he pulled away from the stunned youkai and circled until he was in front of him, empty eyes staring back at widened amber, Tenseiga held out between them.

"The sun had already risen when you delivered Naraku to me, but I will gift you your mate."

He turned then, sword gracefully swinging with him and the blade slashed through the minor spirits, the group of them shrieking as they were cut into and then fading away. Composing himself, Shinigami lowered the sword before he was slowly turning his head to look behind him so that he could stare at Sesshomaru.

"Do not doubt that I am a merciful god, as well."

He turned then, stepping aside and gesturing with his arm in a sweeping motion to coax the youkai forward. Slowly, hesitantly, Sesshomaru did as he was bid, staring at the god as he passed him, before looking to Inuyasha. His steps faltered as Inuyasha's hair lightened, turning back to silver locks and sprouting out from between them were the familiar puppy-dog ears. As he leaned in closer, he could hear the faint beating of a heartbeat, but he was so uncertain if his mind was playing tricks on him. He started as his mate's chest began to rise and fall, and trembling hands reached out maneuvering Inuyasha so that he was cradling him in a sitting position, Sesshomaru seating himself on the alter.

His eyes watched down at the face which was slowly returning to the healthy color of something that was alive and his breath stalled as he waited. Slowly, eyes opened and Sesshomaru froze, not willing to believe that his mind was actually staring back into his brother's. This could all be some cruel trick of Shinigami's or a hallucination of his own desperate mind. There was nothing he could think of that would make him change his mind that this was all a dream. And then his resolve crumbled.

"Sessh." Inuyasha's voice and the weak smile that the hanyou offered him had Sesshomaru drowning in a wave of relief and grateful emotions. "You're alright."

With a mixture of a sob and laugh, Sesshomaru was leaning forward and Inuyasha could only smile as Sesshomaru's face buried into the sheets still covering his chest. His chest that was no longer littered with gaping wounds that had been the cause of his death and was now only sporting scars to remind him and others of what had taken his life. He freed an arm from the tightly wrapped cocoon-like sheets, to press a hand against Sesshomaru's head, fingers carefully running through silken strands.

He was smiling as he carefully coaxed Sesshomaru to lift his head, hand running over wet cheeks before gently gripping his chin. As he began to pull him forward, Sesshomaru eagerly closed the distance and their lips met in a kiss that had their youki quivering in conjoined reaction. Inuyasha couldn't help the large smile as he pulled back to look at his mate's face other hand free so that both could cup the damp cheeks.

"If only you knew how happy I am to see you again." Inuyasha said, Sesshomaru actually smiling back at him. "I never want to lose you again."

"I believe it was I that lost you." Sesshomaru corrected, Inuyasha merely snorting with a smirk. It faded a bit as Sesshomaru reached up to remove one of his hands from his cheek and rest it on his stomach. "We both almost lost you."

Inuyasha wanted to move forward so that he could kiss his mate again, but the blade that came slicing down into the space between them had him stopping short. Matching pair of amber eyes looked up to Inuyasha's left and found none other than the Great Shinigami, whose left hand held the sword out between them while his right slowly lifted and pointed at Inuyasha.

"I have granted you your life once again, Daiyoukai." He said, endless black eyes staring down at the hanyou. "If you are to die again, your soul is forever mine and I will not release it a second time."

His hand lowered and then he was turning the sword so that the hilt was pointed out and waiting for Sesshomaru to grab it.

"I believe this is yours." He told the prince, who slowly took it in his grasp and watched as the deity backed away. "Farewell, mortals. Until we meet again."

Then as quick as he had appeared, the Great Shinigami was gone and collective sighs of relief were released. It was then that Inuyasha was aware that they had an audience and his eyes widened at the large mass of people that were gathered. Where the hell had they all come from?

With Sesshomaru's help after Tenseiga was returned to its scabbard, since his body felt about as strong as a rag doll, he was standing and then he was looking up to a smaller group of familiar faces. The first to rush over was Kagome, and the human girl flung herself onto Inuyasha in a hug as happy sobs escaped her.

"Don't ever do that again!" She was demanding, Inuyasha merely snorting as he wrapped his arms about her.

When she let go, he was then welcoming Miroku's embrace, the monk keeping it short and sweet but none the less letting it be known that he was relieved and happy to have him back as well. As Miroku pulled away, Inuyasha watched as Kouga and his mate came forward, the wolf's face set with a serious look. The two Alphas stared each other down for quite sometime, before Kouga was finally moving forward and closing the distance.

Inuyasha was scoffing and easily hiding his shock as Kouga embraced him as well, the wolf clapping him on his back as they hugged. The two were laughing as they pulled apart, Kouga resting a hand none too gently on the hanyou's shoulder.

"You die on me again and I'll never forgive you, mutt." Kouga told him and Inuyasha only snorted at him. "You know I'm the only one that's gonna be responsible for your death."

"I'd like to see you try, you flea-ridden bastard."

Kouga grinned at that, before his face was softening and his other hand clamped down on Inuyasha's other shoulder.

"It's good to have you back." The wolf-demon admitted and Inuyasha smiled and rested his own hand on Kouga's shoulder.

"It's good to be back."

They were looking as Ginta came up beside them, Inuyasha noting that the Beta seemed to be almost hesitant to approach him.

"Lord Inuyasha, please find it in your heart to forgive me for my betrayal."

Inuyasha let go of Kouga and turned to Ginta to gently hold the smaller wolf by the arms, Ginta peeking up shyly so that he was staring the Daiyoukai back in the face.

"Hey, it wasn't your fault." Inuyasha assured him. "You were doing what you thought was best for you and your pups. I should be apologizing to you for allowing you to get to that point."

Ginta only shook his head to object and was shyly smiling up at Inuyasha. He peeked over to his mate with a pleading look and small pout and Kouga rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, fine go ahead, but make it quick."

Ginta was then rushing forward and Inuyasha nearly tumbled as he was caught in a hug by the Beta ookami-youkai. He carefully hugged back, hands high enough so as not to incur Kouga's wrath before the sound of a throat clearing had him looking up to his mate's warning glare. Gently he pulled away and Ginta returned to Kouga's side while Sesshomaru took his place beside his. His arm wrapped about his mate's shoulder, realizing that he was nearly as tall as the older demon, but ignoring that fact to give the full-blooded youkai a sly smile.

"I told you that you were jealous."

"As I have every right to be." The admittance of that statement shocked Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru turned to look at him with a dangerous stare. "You are mine, hanyou. Never forget it."

'Damn this youkai for being so sexy.' He was thinking to himself, his youki humming in agreement.

Inuyasha was bent on ravaging his mate with a kiss when another sound of a throat clearing had him turning his attention elsewhere. His face was frowning as Hiromi came to stand in front of them, accompanied by a demon he neither recognized nor trusted. The markings were vaguely similar if not identical to his mate's and mother-in-law's, but he wasn't sure if he was looking too much into it.

"Welcome back, hanyou." Hiromi greeted, voice the even bored tone Sesshomaru's had once been. "I trust you will do right to be sure that you never leave my son again. I will not tolerate your abandoning him more than once."

"You know, you're one of the people I didn't actually miss." Inuyasha deadpanned and Hiromi glared.

The rumbling laugh had Inuyasha looking to the larger demon behind her and he pointed to him with his chin.

"And who the hell is this?"

"My uncle." Both Sesshomaru and Hiromi said at once.

"What?" Was all Inuyasha could say and Hiromi motioned to the demon behind her, who stepped around her and toward the hanyou.

"Greetings, Daiyoukai." The deep voice said and Inuyasha nodded in recognition as the demon bowed slightly. "I am Yomosugara, leader of the kuro-inukai branch of inu-youkai. I am also the uncle of your mate's mother. Though I do not wish you to think of me as nothing other than family. We are not of the same blood, but you are mated to that which is mine and you are also inukai. And that is all I need to know that you are family."

Before Inuyasha could respond, he was grabbed in a crushing hug which he was actually wheezing for breath from, weak limbs trying to break himself free from the hold.

"Uncle, if you can please not crush my mate to death I will much appreciate it." Sesshomaru was asking with a weary sigh.

As he was released, Yomosugara apologizing meekly, Inuyasha coughed to catch his breath.

"Forgive me." He said resting a hand on the hanyou's shoulder. "In my excitement, I do forget my own strength. Come, shall I introduce you to the rest of our family?"

"Wha-"

The large chant had him stopping short, and widened amber eyes stared back at the army of inukai in disbelief. As he stood and stared, they stared back before raising their weapons in a salute and chanting out in a cry as one. Inuyasha thought the whole thing unreal and he stared over the see of demons he had thought were extinct, saved his brother, himself and then more recently Hiromi.

"Are they all inukai?" He was asking, and Yomosugara only laughed.

"It should be corrected that the shiro-inu branch of the mainland were all that were left, but elsewhere, our race is thriving." The older youkai told him, Inuyasha looking up at him. "We hope that the West's new Daiyoukai is willing to begin talks of having our clans become one, once again."

"Uh, yeah, I guess we can do that." Was all the hanyou could say.

"Excellent."

The new voice had Inuyasha looking to find Shirogitsune walking toward them along with Kuma and Dokutake. They all bowed as they stopped before him and Shirogitsune offered the Daiyoukai a smile.

"Welcome back, my lord." The kitsune was greeting and Inuyasha only grunted. "I can not express how relieved and grateful I am to see you alive again."

"Don't you mean disappointed since it means you can't get your hands on my mate?"

Shirogitsune only chuckled at that, before he was moving aside to let the dragon prince through. Inuyasha hadn't even noticed he had been behind the fox-demon until he had moved.

"Prince Seiichiro." He greeted, the teen-aged youkai beaming back at him. "Thanks for pulling through. I owe you and your father a great deal."

"It was I that owed you." The ryuukai corrected. "And I have gladly paid that debt. I hope that you and my father can start talks of a long standing alignment between our clans. We have a long history of violent differences, your clan and mine. I think it time we've changed that."

"I agree." Inuyasha said with a nod, before he was looking to his mate and friends, and then finally his home.

What was left was barely worth being called a home, but it was his and Inuyasha was glad to see that despite appearances it was still standing. He had lost friends and allies, as well as his own life, but he was still standing. Naraku had been defeated and for once, he felt safe enough to be relieved. He actually felt safe enough to not want to fight, felt no need to be on alert to survive or that he had something to prove. As his eyes turned to look over those who populated the royal palace or served in its army, he was shocked to find the stares of pride and approval looking back at him.

"Inuyasha."

As his mate called his name, he looked to find Sesshomaru holding Tetsusaiga out for him and a small moment of panic took him as he knew what holding it did to Sesshomaru. It was replaced by confusion as he realized that nothing was happening to his mate's hand and slowly he took the sword from him. His youki growled within him as the power of the sword resonated through him, and he couldn't help the smile as the feeling of being complete settled over him with Tetsusaiga in his hands again.

He welcomed Sesshomaru's close contact as his mate came beside him, nose nuzzling along his cheek and his hand taking one of Inuyasha's in a tight grip. As he turned to look Sesshomaru in the face, Inuyasha was shocked by the press of lips against his own, but didn't allow the shock to last and eagerly kissed back. It was Kouga's insistence that they find a bush that had him pulling back with a laugh and he was happy to see Sesshomaru smiling. He never wanted to see that smile disappear ever again.

"Welcome home." Sesshomaru suddenly said and Inuyasha's grin grew wider.

And for once in his life, Inuyasha allowed himself to truly believe that had finally found what he had been searching for even when his mother was still alive. He was home.

T.B.C.