Across the Ages

There will be one more chapter to this story. It will update on everyone and introduce the other children. Then I will start on the chronicles of the Children.

Chapter Sixty one

The months went by peacefully in the west. Sango and Miroku had been married and Inuyasha had reported that the village was fully habitable again. Now they just had to fill it. Since the birth of Kagura, Miroku seemed to have reached some inner decision and was putting all his efforts to this new task.

Sesshoumaru was given his wish, and he smiled softly to himself as Ayeka waddled across his gardens and courtyards. Like Inuyasha, he insisted on carrying her up and down the stone steps, unwilling to risk a fall. She grumbled and complained but her lord and mate was veruy resilient.

She was round and heavy now, and Sesshoumaru knew that she would balk when he confined her in a few day's time. It was for her own good of course. She carried two full demon pups in there and they certainly weren't easy on their tiny mother.

It seemed that inu children were territorial from the start, liking their space. It also seemed that his children didn't like being crowded together as they were. Most days they thumped and kicked against her ribs and back. Every now and then bouncing on her bladder.

She wasn't comortable in the least and she let him know daily. Thank the gods that it was nearly over. She tired far too easily these days and was more irritable than any youkai bitch. The more he saw her discomfort the more he thought on Koga's words.

Most nights she curled against him and he would growl to the pups, easing them into sleep so that she could have a small reprieve. His large hands smoothing the stretched skin over her abdomen, or rubbing away the ache in her lower back. She craved more red meat of late and Inuyasha had warned him that she'd be waking him up in fits of hunger.

She had, and he pulled on his armor in the wee hours of the morning to satisy her need for venison and rabbit. That, after all, was his duty to her. To comfort, protect and provide. He did so quite capably. He was glad that the days of sickness were behind her. He'd not liked hearing her wretching.

But those days had passed and while she was not comfortable, she was radiant. The joy she felt at bringing life into the world was clear to see. That they were his children only added to that. He felt contentment move through his very soul and at long last his father's words made sense. He had someone to protect with every fiber of his being and this gave his life purpose, gave his strength reason.

A few nights later, Ayeka didn't come down to dinner. She said she was tired and didn't feel well. In truth, however she felt the rippling in her stomach and had been having pains. She suspected that this was it, the final day. She said nothing and clung to Sesshoumaru when he slid into bed.

She woke hours later when pain ripped through her. She sat up, panting and holding her large stomach. Sesshoumaru was awake in an instant hearing her pants and soft whimpers. His nose told him that she was ready and he leapt from the bed, pulling clothing into place.

All the while he bellowed for Tomika and Kagome. When they arrived, he carried her to the traditional birthing chamber. She settled against the bed and Tomika set the water to boiling, Kagome grabbed clean linens, and Inuyasha hurried to fetch herbs to help with the pain.

Sesshoumaru found himself staring a door. A simple door of heavy wood and at that moment it was the largest obstacle of his life. For his beast demanded that he return to Ayeka's side and comfort her, stop her from hurting. He glared at Inuyasha who cast him sympathetic glances.

"Oh I understand completely" Inuyasha told him as his stoic sibling fought the urge to pace. Instead his claws dug into the wood of the desk of the antechamber. The teak groaning and cracking under the force of his grip. A cry rent the air and he was at the door.

Inuyasha pulled him back, soothing him with gruff words of assurance. Kurama laughed outright to see the dog prince reduced to worrying. He had his own worries of course but he was well aware that Ayeka would not lose this battle. She was too damn mean for that.

Long hours passed and Inuyasha began to grow concerned, it was nearly dawn and the pups were taking far too long to come into being. He glanced at Sesshoumaru and knew he was thinking along similar lines. Sesshoumaru had growled at the door and that had helped for a short time.

Ayeka screamed as pain engulfed her, it was unlike anything she'd felt before. She heard the vicious roar from the outer room and then blinked when the door splintered on it's hinges. A red eyed Sesshoumaru glowered at the occupants in the room.

Tomika demanded he leave and he snarled at her, stalking to the bed. Inuyasha picked himself up from the floor where he'd been tossed. Kurama merely shook his head and left the room, "Come on Inuyasha," he called, "There's no stopping him now". Inuyasha blinked in confusion and followed him.

Ayeka looked up at the red eyes and jagged stripes and knew that this was the demon itself. He shifted her and took his place against the headboard, settling her against his broad chest. Ayeka leaned back into him as the pain grew once more.

The soft rumbles behind her helped her keep herself controlled and calm. He let her twine their fingers together and he grunted when she grasped him painfully. His voice was ragged and deeper as he whispered encouragments to her.

Less than an hour later, his son and heir was born. The image of his father. His sister came several minutes later, feet first and bawling loudly. At Tomika's command he lifted his wife gently and the cowering maids stripped the bedding, replacing it with clean. Kagome bathed the children, while Tomika cleaned up the weary mother.

Sesshoumaru's beast sniffed at the young ones, and growled softly. The red receeded from his eyes and liquid gold blinked at her. Ayeka leaned back against the pillows, worn out from her recent fight. Sesshoumaru stoked the little silver tufts of hair.

"Thank you Ayeka" he whispered against her brow. Her eyes were growing heavy and she needed her sleep. "You must name them" she told him softly. He stared down at them and thought about what they might be called. His son stared intently back at him, taking his measure. "You shall be called Toga" he announced.

The name of his grandfather, Ayeka thought it suited him well. Sesshoumaru turned his gaze to his daughter who had yet to look at him, identical to her brother. "And you little princess" he said, her eyes turned to his. Green clashed with gold and he could see the fire within her, "You shall be Taisha".

Ayeka managed to stay awake for Inuyasha and Kagome to visit and for Kurama to press a kiss to her cheek. Then as her babies were passed from one to the other, she fell asleep. She'd given him his heirs. Now, she just wanted to rest.

Rest she did for Sesshoumaru refused to let her up and out of bed for several long days. Then she was only allowed out to be carried to bathe. After two weeks she glared at him. "I am not an invalid" she snapped. He arched his brow, "Indeed not".

He'd let her alone after that and she slowly moved back into her normal routines. The children were a joy to her, and alot of work. Kagome and Tomika were always willing to help and the three silver haired men in residence took turns at what Kagome called, 'daddy duty'.

Ayeka had just finished her bath and returned to their rooms when she spotted Sesshoumaru. He was lounging in a chair near the window, two pups curled up on his chest, sleeping soundly. He had headphones and his head gently bobbed in time with his music.

Ayeka walked past him and he winked at her. She laughed out loud when she saw what cd he was listening. Who would have thought that the icy lord of the west would like The Killers? She smiled and kissed his cheek as he sang to her. His voice was quite nice and it was clear that he'd either sang the little ones to sleep our growled them there.

Life was good, and it was just beginning, as he'd said before they stepped into the circle, 'Eterinty Awaits' and she was ready to embrace all of it.