The world was black. An inescapable cave-in with only the image of Kagome's pale sweat laced face shinning out from a halo of her black hair. He could hear a soft cry, someone small and soft begging for his attention, for some reassurance she wasn't alone in the world, but he couldn't tear his attention away from Kagome. So still, his ears flicked wildly as they searched for a heartbeat, any sign of life, but there was none. He closed his eyes and breathed in, the awful stench of death beginning to penetrate the air, mixing with the soft smell of cherry blossoms and honey from Keiko. His nose wrinkled, desperately searching for Kagome's strong vanilla and almond scent, but it was fading fast.

"Kagome…" He couldn't hear himself, his moans; the tears falling down his cheeks were all invisible to him. Nothing was real except for the fact that he could no longer hear her heart beat or smell her strong scent. The fact that she was lying motionless in front of him. "Kagome, Kagome, Kagome…" It was low and guttural, a slight growl full of longing and loss. He knew longer knew if anyone else was in the room. He didn't care. He was vaguely aware of Keiko held close in his arms. Her cries increasing from the panic laced in his voice. His baby girl…

In forced necessity he turned his head, moving his steely amber eyes from Kagome to Keiko. He couldn't stop the tears, and he didn't care to, but he couldn't let Keiko suffer too. "Shhh my pup… Daddy is here, and Mommy is here too. She will be back, she isn't gone, and she will be ba…" His voice chocked as the reality of the impossibility finally, truly, entered his mind. She wouldn't be back. It was just him and Keiko. He leaned his head down to her and stared into her eyes, so like Kagome's. He growled low in his throat, a soothing rumble that reached her slightly sensitive ears lulling her to an eventual sleep. He watched as her eyes slowly drifted shut before leaning down and pressing his quivering lips to her forehead. He leaned back slowly and pulled her close, flinching as strange arms reached towards him. He backed away towards Kagome, a fearsome snarl on his face as he protected his girls. His ears caved forward, one innately attuned to small Keiko's heartbeat, while the other never stopped searching for Kagome's heartbeat. His world was spinning as the best and worst moment of his life collided.

The rest of the world was absent to him so the voices that were softly speaking, softly yelling, to him didn't exist. His nose wrinkled though as an intruding scent entered the small space and suddenly the world was back. Keade was in the corner, Miroku was holding a screeching Sango across the room, and Rin sat still on the other side of Kagome. Inuyasha watched her; the determination that was set on her face was almost unnerving as she gazed to the right, directly into her Lord's eyes. Sesshomaru…

Inuyasha couldn't stop the violent growl from erupting from his throat, stirring Keiko, before he lowered the volume. His eyes were threatening, warning Sesshomaru not to step near his family.

"Sesshomaru. Now. Please, my Lord." Inuyasha's eyes flicked back to Rin as confusion dawned on his face. Both ears flew towards Sesshomaru and all of a sudden any piece of him that wasn't paying attention to Keiko or Kagome was entirely focused on Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru, what?" His crackled voice was silenced from one stare from Sesshomaru. He wrapped his body around Keiko and stopped his growl, carefully watching everything Sesshomaru did. Sesshomaru glared at Rin, and with one nod from her stiff head he pulled his sword from its sheath. Tenseiga. Inuyasha's muscles flexed and his mind jumped into action for a quick moment before he remembered exactly what Tenseiga could still do. His eyes flashed to Rin, then Sesshomaru, and back again before a fluttering feeling of hope caught inside him. Sesshomaru raised his blade, and with a careful eye slashed over Kagome before carefully sheathing his sword. He glared at Rin one more time before turning and walking outside the hut.

Everyone's eyes were wide. Sesshomaru, save a mere human? One he more than likely did not care for? Sesshomaru, help Inuyasha? No… they all knew the only reason he would do such a thing, was for Rin. His eyes looked at Rin whose steady gaze was fixed onto Kagome's face. He felt his heart tighten, excitement and fear radiating from him as he looked down to Keiko, her small eyes opening, before looking to Kagome.

It was the most wonderful nose; she forcefully breathed in air, the sound a whirlwind to his ears, before she curled her legs up to her chest and rolled towards him. Rin smiled and stood, following Sesshomaru outside, but Inuyasha couldn't move. He could feel Keiko wiggling in his arms but his eyes were fixed on the brown of Kagome's.

"Inu…. Yasha?" Her voice was clear and confused, just as memory seemed to dawn on her. His voice still caught in his throat as he watched her sit up.

"How am I alive? I died… I know I died… I saw Keiko and then… Wait, Keiko?" Inuyasha leaned forward, gently pressing Keiko into Kagome's arms just as his lips crashed down onto hers'. She was alive… Kagome was alive! He felt near tears again as he leaned back from her, letting her eyes look down at their daughter.

"I thought I had lost you…" His voice crackled and her eyes looked back up to him, tears flacked in her eyes too. A small yank on Kagome's long locks pulled their attention back to Keiko. Their beautiful little pup…

A few days later and the commotion from the birth had died down and a semblance of normality entered their lives. Well, if Keiko had any voice in it there would never be a 'normal' day again for them. Inuyasha never left Kagome's side, except for once. Kagome was feeding Keiko and since Sango was there he felt somewhat confident on leaving. There was someone he had to see.

Rin and Sesshomaru were near inseparable since the birth. Inuyasha didn't know what was going on with them, they hadn't mated, but there was something there. He had to thank Sesshomaru. As much as he hated owing his half-brother, this was a debt he was willing to owe. The confrontation was short and awkward with stares and gruff 'kehs' from Inuyasha before he turned and left, quickly returning to Kagome's side.

Kagome stared at Keiko as Inuyasha and she sat in front of their fire. He was holding them both in his arms, breathing in there scent. Kagome: vanilla and almonds. Keiko: cherry blossoms and honey. His girls, his family.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha's deep voice whispered into her ear, sending shivers down her spine as she leaned back into him, baring his mark for him to see as the necklace he had given her when he asked her to be his glowed in the firelight.

"Yeah?"

"Don't ever leave me again."

She smiled as she looked down at Keiko. So beautiful, she could hardly believe that Inuyasha and she had created such a perfect being.

"I don't ever plan to."

"Good." He nuzzled into her neck and slowly licked his mate mark. His mate, his pup, this was his family and nothing would ever happen to them. They both starred into the fire, holding their small treasure close to them as they watched the fire dance. Wait… it was dancing. Was that, a dragon?

Keiko opened her small eyes and her hands reached out toward the fire, her fists opening and closing in a desperate plea. Kagome's eyes widened as she watched her daughter, before looking back to the dragon in the fire.

"Ka Riu?" As soon as Kagome said his name the dragon turned its head towards her before disappearing in a black puff of smoke as the fire continued as normal.

"Kagome, what was that?"

"That was, Ka Riu." Her brows furrowed as Inuyasha's hands tightened around them. "I think there connected. I felt it before, when I released the egg and when Ka Riu was born. I don't think it's bad, more like her…. Guardian."

Inuyasha didn't relax but starred at his once again sleeping daughter. If Ka Riu was her guardian, then so be it. But NOTHING would ever hurt her or Kagome. He leaned his lips down and kissed the side of Kagome's neck, growling out 'Mate' soothingly as she slowly fell asleep in his arms. This was his family, and no one would take it away from him.

"Did you like your trip Ka Riu?" Ayumu looked over at the small dragon, a smirked etched onto her face as she saw his disheartened expression. "You know it is only a matter of time until she is old enough, then you will be her guardian. For now, that is Inuyasha's job." Ka Riu snapped his tail as he flew around, impatiently blowing small puffs of fire into the air. "Be patient my darling…" Ayumu cackled out, "Life for you both has only just begun, and you will be companions for eternity. You will save each other and lead the demon world into the future. You both will be the reason for our sole survivor, so rest Ka Riu because soon will be a time when rest will not come easy." Ka Riu settled down and curled onto his volcanic rock to sleep as Ayumu returned to mixing herbs.

She couldn't help but wonder though. Did they even realize it was her who aligned those stars? Yes, Kagome had to die. But that didn't mean she couldn't be brought back from the dead. She made sure Sesshomaru would be nearby. She kept her promise, she aligned the stars. She looked over at Ka Riu, who was gently sleeping; it had been so hard to get him here. But he was essential. Keiko and Ka Riu would keep the demon species alive. Their partnership would save them all; bringing them into the future she had seen where humans reined sole ruler. Everything she had done had been to secure that future, a future where their species would not be extinct and there would be tolerance for mixed breeds.

Do they even realize the importance of their child?

Hello everyone!

Sadly, this is the end of 'Mate', I hope everyone enjoyed it and please review to let me know what you think.

I am thinking of creating a sequel. There are two options for it, and I will open a poll on my profile so please vote to let me know which you would like!

Here are the two options: 1) Sesshomaru and Rin: it would continue from this point, most likely starting during the birth and it would follow their possible love story. 2) Keiko and Ka Riu: I would summarize moments from her life growing up and truly start the story when they meet

I am not entirely sure I will create a sequel, but if I do it will most likely be one of the two options above so please vote.

Don't forget to review!

Until next time everyone,

FeudalAi

UPDATE:

The sequel to 'Mate' is 'The Fire Within', read and enjoy!

Also, please review!