"Every ending is truly a beginning." -Troy Hanson

*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X

Sesshomaru closed the door quietly, undressed, and sank into his bed behind Kagome. He'd been late coming home from work again. Hopefully, Kagome wouldn't be too upset with him. He reached over her and grabbed her hand, lacing their fingers and setting them on her protruding stomach. 'Pregnant again.' He smiled softly. This would be their 8th child. After Haru and Haruka came Iruka, then Sessh. And now another, he slid closer to her.

Kagome's eyes fluttered open, then closed. "You're late again." A tear rolled down her face.

"I remember a time when you were simply happy that I'd made it home safely. You are never truly happy anymore."

"Sesshomaru, do you remember when I told you I'd delivered that baby? The little girl that had no soul?"

He nodded. "Yes. I recall."

She sighed. "I gave her some of my soul, a little less then half. I didn't-" she sniffed, "I didn't know it was the part with my happiness."

"You gave your happiness, your soul to a child?" He inquired, unsure. He didn't like this, not at all. "Kagome, we belong to one another. We are not to act so seriously without the other's consent."

"Sesshomaru, I was supposed to be dead, ages ago. That child, that baby girl, was supposed to be me, supposed to have my soul. So I gave her some. I just, I never thought that I would never be happy again." She rolled over and buried her face into his chest, weeping quietly.

He ran his hand through her raven tresses, rocking her gently and growling soothingly. "Why do you not take your soul back? Or exchange?"

Kagome shook her head. "I can't take the soul back. It's hers now. Besides, she's about 20 now. I'll just have to live with this until I die."

"Which could be a very long time. I wish for my little one to be happy, smiling. You no longer smile, not genuinely."

"I know...so, how was the late surgery?"

"I removed all of the bullets. The boy is fine."

She shook her head in mild amusement. "Sango and Miroku should really watch after their great grandchildren better. If he hadn't been touching that girl, her brother's wouldn't have gotten so upset. He's lucky this wasnt centuries ago, or he would definitely be dead."

Sesshomaru sighed contently. That was as close to happiness as she would get, so he'd have to keep her amused. Gnawing on her neck, he made certain that his fangs brushed against her neck lightly.

Kagome made a slight noise, resembling a giggle. "Cut it out, Sesshomaru."

"Does that mean that you wish for me to stop?" He teased, suckling her neck harder and intertwining their legs. "Or does it mean that you wish to take things further?"

She tossed her head back and moaned. "Further."

"I'm not sure, miko." He smirked. "You are very close to your due date."

"Don't care. Make love to me, Shomaru. Please." Kagome dug her claws into his shoulder when he climbed over her, rubbing against her. She nibbled at his chest. "God, you taste so good."

Sesshomaru bit into her lower lip, licking up the blood. "As do you." He carressed her stomach. Kami, it amazed him how she still managed to be so, so sexy even while impregnanted. Every other pregnant woman seemed completely repulsive. Hm, perhaps it was because he loved her.

"Sesshomaru...uh, Shomaru?"

"What?" He asked without looking at her his head dipping to her shoulder.

"I'm-My-my water just broke."

He stiffened, then jerked up to look her in the face. "You lie, koi."

She cringed in pain. "Nope. Sorry. Wish I were."

Sliding off of her, Sesshomaru sniffed the air. 'Kuso!' Grabbing her bag from the corner, he lifted her into his arms, rushing her to the hospital.

00000---------000000

"Happy Birthday, Neine!" Everyone cheered for the seven year old. "Blow out the candles and make a wish."

The girl snorted and rolled her eyes. "That's such an old custom."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her. "Just do it, kid."

"It's her birthday, Inuyasha." Inutaisho snapped. "Let her do what she will."

"Thanks gramps!" She grinned at him, then looked to her cake. 'I wish mom would smile. Dad said she used to way before I was born.' Inhaling, she blew as hard as she could, clapping along with the others. She looked toward the front door when the bell rang. "I'll get it." Eager and hopeful, she flung the door open, "Takey!" She hugged her eldest brother.

Takehiko grinned as he scooped her up, his deep, but soft voice warming his sister, "Happy birthday, imouto. I take it you've missed me. Hey, everyone." He waved, smiling.

"Ofcourse! You've been gone for two years!"

"Where's mom?"

Neine's face fell. "Oh, mommy, she's resting in the livingroom with daddy."

He sighed. "Okay. Kayuki, follow me." He told the woman who'd been hiding behind him. Shyly, she nodded, taking his offered hand. "Everyone, this is Kayuki, my courted female. Kayuki, this is my family."

Blushing, she waved, "Hi."

"Hello." The others greeted.

Takehiko grinned. "I'm gonna show her to mom and dad. Come on, Kayuki."

She shook her head. "I can't. M-maybe later."

"Come on, you'll love them. Well, dad is a little cold, a lot cold in fact. But mom is full of life most of the time. Don't worry. You're too perfect for them not to like." He kissed her chastely, then led her into the livingroom. "Hello, father."

"Takehiko." Sesshomaru nodded with a small smile.

"Mom."

Kagome huffed and kept her back to him, her head resting in Sesshomaru's lap and facing his stomach.

He sighed. "I'm sorry I left for so long, mom. It was for your job."

"Your job isn't supposed to be more important than your momma."

"It isn't!" He blurted. "Mom, come on. Seriously, I came back for you, didn't I? I was worried. Everyone's been calling, saying you aren't feeling well."

"I'll be fine. I always am." She rolled over and smiled at him, surprising Sesshomaru. "I forgive you, pup."

He smiled, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Aishiteru, okaa."

Kagome held him tightly. "Aishiteru, koibito. And I swear, if you ever leave me again, I'll give you a whippin' you'll never forget!" She giggled when he nodded, rubbing the back of his head as he remembered what she'd done the last time.

He plopped onto the floor, purring when his mother stroked his head.

Kayuki covered her mouth as she laughed. "So, you're a purrer and a mama's boy."

He growled at her. "Am not! I growl softly!" He frowned when she laughed harder. "I do! And I- well, I guess I am a mama's boy." He sighed. "How did the world come to this? Mom, father, this is Kayuki, my courted female."

"Hm, Kayuki, you've grown."

The girl froze. "You've seen me before?"

"Yes. I assume you don't rememeber me. I was the first thing you saw when you were born. I delivered you."

She shook her head. "Impossible. I'm- I'm twenty, and you, you don't look a day over twenty five."

Kagome grinned. "Really?" She turned to glared at Sesshomaru. "You said I was getting old, you bastard! You're a horrible mate, Sesshomaru. First, you cut off my arm, then this."

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "I removed your arm five hundred years ago, and you have it back now, do you not?"

"I should kill you. But I won't, because I wuv my Sesshykins." She brushed her nose to his.

He disregarded the name for a while, just happy that she was smiling. 'I have not seen you so happy in years."

Kagome stared at him, then glanced at Kayuki, who was sitting beside Takehiko, watching the mated couple.

"She...hn." Sesshomaru nodded slightly, understanding.

"Yup. So, why don't you go show Takehiko what I finally had made with his baby fur."

Takehiko stood, nodded at Kayuki, then followed his father out.

Kagome eyed Kayuki, musing to herself. 'Hm, I'm beautiful no matter where my soul is.' She giggled to herself.

Kayuki blushed and touched her face. "Is there something there?"

"No. Utsukushii." She smiled softly, touching the girls face, but snatching back when her hand surrounded in energy.

Kayuki gasped. "What's that? Why'd it happen?"

Kagome chuckled. "No need to get alarmed. Did your parents ever tell you the story of your birth?"

"No. They said I should ask my doctor...which is you."

"Hm, well, where to begin...Okay, here, well, when you were born, you didn't have a soul."

"How is that possible?"

She smiled comfortingly. "Everything is possible. So, as I was saying, without a soul, I had to do something to get you to win, and because you were to have my soul anyway, I decided to share it with you. You gained my happiness, and the hidden shyness I had."

Kayuki dead panned, then her jaw fell. "You can't be serious."

"As death itself."

"Then how-"

"I kept the part of my soul that contains anger, sadness, confusion, and a little amusement."

The young woman nodded. "But how can you live with such...painful emotions. Surely you can't."

Kagome sighed. "True, it is, for lack of better word, difficult. However, I get along just find."

"No, you don't! Takehiko's always talking about how you're never smiling like you used to-and-and it's because you gave some of your soul," her voice lowered, "to me."

Upon hearing the noise, everyone snuck closer to see what was going on, shocked by Kayuki's statement.

Kagome scratched her head. "So, you got some of my fiery spirit? Hm, no one ever told me how annoying that was."

Kayuki blushed and withdrew. "Sorry. I just...you were kind enough to share your soul with me. There has to be some way that we can share it."

"It's too dangerous. I'd rather just die. My baby boy deserves happiness."

"And he won't be happy if you just roll over and die! It's my life, so if I want to put it in danger to help you, to help him, I will!"

"Gosh, am I really that annoying?!" Kagome groaned, standing up. "Look, we can try. Take my hands." She held them out, palms up.

"Okay." Kayuki sat her hands on Kagome's.

The older woman nodded. "Okay, now, I'm going to try to break ever segment of my soul in half, so that we recieve equivalent parts. You do the same."

Kayuki smiled and closed her eyes once Kagome had. "Of course, Taisho-sama."

Kagome grinned. "You're courting my baby. Might as well call me something else. Mom. I like mom."

Blushing again, the girl whispered, "Mom." Concentrating, she felt the energy in her body pool into her. Wincing suddenly as pain flew through her.

"Not there, that's your life source!" Kagome corrected, squeezing the girl's hands. "Good. There. Break it up."

"I'm trying. I never really use my miko energy." She exhaled. "Okay, there."

Kagome took a deep breath and shivered. "Send half to me, and I'll send half to you."

Kayuki shook off her nervousness, replacing it with confidence. "Okay....wait, what's wrong? Mom?" She opened her eyes. "Mom?"

Kagome cringed. "Hold on." 'Get out of my head, whoever you are.'

*You're not supposed to be sharing your soul. It's never happened before.*

'I'm known for doing new things.'

*The gods will not stand for it.*

'You're the angel from my dream?'

*Yes. And as much as I respect what you're doing. It's unheard of.*

'Until now.'

Power surged through Kagome's hands as she finished the transfer. "Hm. Done."

Kayuki smiled. "Hm. I don't feel any different." She stared at her palms.

"Because you're happy now. When Hiko does something to make you angry, you'll feel it now. And I can be happy now. I'm feeling much more energetic. Soo, why don't we all go to the Mall. The birthday girl has money to spend."

"Perfect. Let's go!" Neine rushed out to the car.

Takehiko scratched the back of his head. "So, mom, you're feeling happy, young again?"

"Yup." Kagome nuzzled him.

He smiled. "Good. Because we have to go shopping for the new pup."

Her eyes widened. "You mean you're..."

"Yup. She's pregnant."

"My baby!" Kagome squealed, hugging him tightly. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe this."

Kayuki growled. "What do you mean I'm pregnant?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

Takehiko shrunk behind his mother. "Why'd you have to give her anger? She's almost as scary as you are."

"Yup."

"Don't even think you can hide behind her, Takehiko! You are dead, Tashio, and I mean that!" She stormed off.

"Kayuki, come on." He ran after her.

Sesshomaru grabbed his mate's hips. "You've cursed our son with a woman nearly as hellish as you."

Kagome giggled. "I know. Now, he can understand what you feel."

"Hm. I suppose so, because you are pregnant as well." He walked away from her.

"Sesshomaru! Get back here! You can't be serious! I am not popping out anymore of your little demon children! Sesshomaru! I know you here me! Ugh!!"

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Well, ummmm, it's over. Wow. I can't believe it's time to end this. Well, here's one last song. Hit it Roscoe!

*Boom tisk ah-boom tisk*

The tiiiime has cooome

For me to gooooo

I've had so much fun

Entertaining yooouuu

Till the next tiiimmme

Maybe the next fic

I'll see youuu

When I see youuuuu!

Good night Tokyo!!!!!!! USA!!!!!!!!SPAINNNN!!!! WHO EVER'S READING!!!!!!