Okay because everyone wanted it.. my gift to all the reviewers and readers of Sacred Trees. Some reviewers I especially want to thank Princess Sin, evilgenus, kmoatan, Ladykaa28, Fluffygreenscomb, Kasaichan, mabidiso, Ryotigergirl, domi, nikkie23534, Leirative, Yami-na-chan, Snowfall, jdbbrz, Merely truth, megerakawaii, Bibi11 and Kazuyo : all of whom were so generous in their reviews and ideas, helping me shape the story. ALL the other reviewers who I want to mention but will humbly admit my fingers will kill me if I do, thanks so much for your kind words, comments, support, insults and for just being there. To all the silent readers I love you lazy lot as well, thanks so much.
Well nothing else to say except : Read, review and ENJOY!
Epilogue : The Sacred Trees; Life (and Love) goes on
Smack! Smack! The audible sounds of fists hitting flesh broke the silence of the ice flats.
Ooowww Hey!" Inuyasha yelled in defense and both Kouga and Dionne had simultaneously smacked the back of his head. The Baron was dead, and the Japanese army were slowly coming off their adrenaline high. Hardly recovering from the head smacks, Inuyasha was sent crashing into the soft ice, as he was tackled by Shippo, bloody, teary eyed and wailing the Kitsune pounded on Inuyasha's chest. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why the hell didn't you tell us the Baron's magic couldn't kill you! I fucking thought you were dead, Stupid Hanyou!" Shippo wailed, Inuyasha smiled as he sat up and hugged Shippo roughly in response. Holding the sobbing Kitsune tightly, Inuyasha smiled weakly as he saw the Youkai around him glaring at him in agreement. Silence fell gently around again as everyone (still not over their fear) waited for the answer.
"Gee Shippo, It not like I could tell you something I didn't know. Hell when that bullet came at me – I thought I was dead too." Inuyasha said wryly.
"B..B...But you told the Baron..." Shippo stared at his father in confusion.
"Well I was kindda bluffing, would not have been really effective to say, -Gee Baron, you actually did kill me – but the Ancients totally saved me, take another swing and you might succeed.- I didn't actually shut down Shippo, I was actually dead, but everyone was calling to me – so I really didn't want to leave. I was fighting but there was nothing I could do by myself. I was going to be sucked away when the Ancients threw a lot of power at me, I clung on and they helped to bring me back. Once I got back - if the Baron had swung at me again – even they would not have been able to save me... Waaaahhhh!"
Inuyasha suddenly found himself being crushed in an all consuming hug.
"They why the HELL did you not play dead for a little longer! If you ever.. ever do that to me again, I swear by the Heavens I will kill you!" Sesshoumaru growled as he held his mate close to him.
"That's not a very convincing threat." Inuyasha said cheekily as he cuddled into the possessive embrace. "Ouch! Hey!" The suddenly red faced Hanyou glared at his mate, his butt still stinging from the hard slap it had received.
"Hmn, yes it wasn't so, I swear – you ever come that close to death again – regardless of the audience - I will make your butt as red as your Fire Rat Robe. I will NOT lose you, my Mate." Sesshoumaru growled and Inuyasha stared wide eyed at his mate, he gulped a little, hell his big brother was serious. The strain around the sharp golden eyes was apparent, Inuyasha nodded and suddenly as serious as his brother, hugged his mate to him tightly.
"I will not lose you either, Mate. It has been too long since we have been apart, now we are finally together, I will not lose you!" Inuyasha swore quietly as he buried his head in Sesshoumaru's chest, found his mating mark and kissed it gently.
All around the ice flats, the fighters began to relax, and slowly cheers began to ring out. The war was over, it was won – now it was time to celebrate.
-Six months after the battle -
"So errr.. Kouga-san are you satisfied with me?" Yuusha asked quietly, he sat on the side of the bed, his face bright red as he looked studiously at the nearby wall.
Kouga frowned at the question. His eyes narrowed as he raised his head from the text he was reading. "Yuusha, I am extremely satisfied – hell – I am beyond satisfied – I am utterly delighted and content with you." Kouga watched his mate of 5 months carefully, his mate was still unsure of himself and at times his struggles with his inner demons were painful to watch. Kouga's love and Inuyasha's bulldozing - however had a positive impact on the young Ookami and the bouts of anxiety had lost much of its initial bite. Kouga was a little puzzled - his mate looked embarrassed more than anxious this time.
There was a short awkward pause as Kouga waited for him to continue. Yuusha squirmed and then took a deep breathe, his voice was a little squeaky when he spoke.
"Oh good, I was just a bit worried. Errr... aren't you happy you are going to be a Grandpa in a few months?" Yuusha seemed desperate to change the subject.
"Oh yes, it was amazing that Ayoga finally had got his act together and proposed. Well forced me to propose on his behalf." Kouga chuckled. "Though I must admit it was a brilliant manoeuvre on his part, going about things in the traditional manner. Boy, am I ever glad that I could make the offer for Nashikohime through Inuyasha – Gods, even the thought of approaching the Shogun without Inuyasha to mediate give me the shudders. Still it was a beautiful ceremony."
Ayoga and Nashikohime had to suffer through a long and convoluted ceremony almost exactly one month after the battle was won. Ayoga had luckily used the euphoria of the win to make his father propose in the traditional manner. It had gone smoothly, and having caught Ayoga trying to sneak some quiet time with his soon to be bride two days after the proposal was formally accepted, Sesshoumaru had declared the wedding would be immediate. He would not have his daughter involved in an 'improper' situation. So the couple were married two weeks after the first mention of marriage was brought up. Kouga and Yuusha had a simple joining ceremony on the morning of the grand wedding, attended only by the family. All in all it had been a great day for good memories.
With everyone getting married, and the Alpha's taking time to be with and comfort their pups, it should have been a few peaceful months follow that – but – of course it wasn't.
"So was ours. I prefered our small ceremony." Yuusha smiled as he remembered the gentle breeze and fresh scent of a new day, as they made they vows with the rising of the sun. "I especially liked the night after." Yuusha said with a small blush. He was so comfortable with sex, it was the being equal to his amazing general, being accepted by the Canines- that the Ookami found hard to handle.
"Well, shall we revisit that night?" Kouga said in a low sexy growl, he leaned in to kiss his mate's shoulder. He inhaled deeply, he loved how Yuusha smelled. Other then their combined scent, his mate always seemed to smell of their Alphas and his pups, no other scent. He found it utterly alluring.
Yuusha shuddered and leaned into Kouga, his voice was a little timid. "You know, if you want to I will be happy to do it."
"Huh? Am I being too subtle?" Kouga reached out and slipped a hand under the furs, one clawed finger traced the hardening cock. Yuusha was already leaking.
"Ahm.. no not that. Well I want that -as well- really bad, but... but.. I mean if you want me to have pups I'd be happy to do it." Yuusha stammered out.
Kouga froze! The look in his eyes were inscrutable, giving away nothing of his inner thoughts.
"Ummm.. I mean, we got mated the same time as Ayoga, and they are having pups real soon. I was thinking that maybe you want to have pups as well. I know you lost some pups so maybe..." Yuusha's voice trailed off, he wanted to satisfy his mate in every way possible. He wanted Kouga to want for nothing, and he would do anything to make sure Kouga was happy.
"Yuusha do you WANT to have pups?" Kouga asked softly.
"If you want them – of course I will have them!" Yuusha said urgently clutching to Kouga's shoulders.
"No Yuusha, answer me, how do YOU feel about it?"
Yuusha stared at Kouga, the Ookami's face was caught by his Alpha and huge eyes held his, unwavering, allowing for no hiding. Tears filled Yuusha's eyes.. he could not bare to look into his mate's powerful blue eyes. "I.. I.. want to make you happy, but I'm scared. Looking after pups.. I was never a pup.. not really.. and what if..." No Yuusha did not want to bear pups not really, he was damned afraid, but he wanted to make Kouga happy, and if that was what was needed.. "But I can learn Kouga-san, if you are with me I won't be afraid. Please."
Kouga exhaled sharply, "So you don't really want to have pups, Thank goodness!" Kouga cupped Yuusha's face gently and kissed his startled lips. "Please do not have pups, I could not bare it." Kouga said seriously. "I cannot have you go through the birthing. I cannot allow your beautiful body to be pained, to be scarred further." Kouga feathered kisses over Yuusha's face, "I have enough pups, grandpups, and not to mention our Alpha's pups to deal with. We will help raise all of them. But I want, no I need – to have you for myself. I don't want to share you – in these small times we have alone – not even with pups. You satisfy me, I need nothing further." Kouga smiled lovingly and he kissed his mate deeply.
Tears of joy rolled down Yuusha's face as the kissed deepened and heat bloomed. He was enough to satisfy his mate... joy shone out of Yuusha's very soul, and he kissed his mate with great fervour. The mates messed each other up late into the night.
It was quiet in the early morning, the cocks had yet to start to crow, and Yuusha was contently held by his mate.
A low chuckle broke the loving silence.
"Huh?" Kouga asked enquiringly of his mate. Yuusha suddenly looked up with an expression that caught Kouga's heart. The little Ookami had been spending a lot of time with Inuyasha and the cheeky look of the Hanyou's was for the first time on his mate's face. Yuusha had come a long way.
"Kouga-san, I think the real reason you don't want me to have pups, is cause you don't want me to be like the Shogun." Yuusha said knowingly, the younger Ookami watched delighted as a slow redness began creeping up Kouga's face.
"Shut UP! Never mention that again!" Kouga shuddered in fearful memory. Kouga's hair actually stood on end and shivers ran up his spine. It took him a few seconds to register the strange sound in the room. Growling playfully; he tackled his mate who was laughing in glee. Sex was the best way to avoid... unpleasant.. memories.
Sesshoumaru pregnant! Never again! That was one thing EVERYONE in the whole fucking country agreed upon. Certain DaiYoukai should NEVER EVER be allowed to be pregnant and Sesshoumaru headed the list.
The horror had begun about a week after the two weddings, strangely coinciding with Hakumeihime and Dionne's mating,...and their rather convenient retreat... err.. move to Canada.
Inuyasha's moodiness had been mercurial, and swinging from one extreme to the next. Sesshoumaru when not around his mate and pups – was the total opposite, - he had one mood – BAD! That blasted whip of his had just about hit everyone in the castle – Kouga, trying to protect the hapless servants and underlings had at one point been feeling the whip at least twice a day. It had gotten so bad that they had taken to ensuring that either Inuyasha or one of Sesshoumaru's children were always present. Unfortunately Shippo, though a pup – was deemed strong enough and the Kitsune was strangely pleased when Sesshoumaru had lashed out at him an odd time or so. Secretly he was even more pleased when he noted that while Sesshoumaru was a bit curt – he never actually hit Yuusha or any truly weak member of the house hold. The wily Kit had arranged for Jaken to visit a few times, and the people of the mansion rejoiced as the Kappa got trodden, stomped and generally bore the brunt of Sesshoumaru's short temper. Shippo was seen as quite a hero for that more but since the pups collectively hated Jaken, the Kappa was sadly not allowed to stay long.
As time passed the court much preferred Inuyasha being there -as the children's presence only curtailed the physical violence - Sesshoumaru's tongue was as sharp as any diamond razor, and he had servant and guards both in tears by his rebukes and insults. Nothing they did was up to standard, and he was not shy about telling them how incompetent they were in clear and extensive details.
The only person who never saw this was Inuyasha. The Shogun did a total 180 – whenever his mate was with him. Sesshoumaru went back to being his normal self, when the Hanyou was in touching distance of him. That always managed to give everyone a false sense of security, as soon as Inuyasha bounced off (which he had to do rather often) the DaiYoukai from hell was back.
The birthing itself had sealed the notion – of Sesshoumaru NEVER carrying other children. The DaiYoukai was used to fighting pain not accepting it, and the birthing had been traumatic for everyone. Even Inuyasha got his hands burned when Sesshoumaru in a bout of pain filled rage had wanted to burn his belly open instead of waiting for the pulse. Inuyasha had held Sesshoumaru's hands and the Shogun had almost unconsciously fought, the stench of Inuyasha's burning skin, finally bringing Sesshoumaru back to himself. Both the Alphas' had been traumatized by that; Inuyasha by the pain Sesshoumaru was in, and Sesshoumaru for actually hurting his mate. Inuyasha never wanted to see Sesshoumaru in pain – and his brother never wanted to experience such mind stealing agony.
So all were in agreement – no more carrying pups for the Shogun.
Sesshoumaru after the birth, returned to his normal controlled self, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
However traumatic the process, the outcome was welcome and well loved. Sesshoumaru's pups were twins, a boy and a girl. As if to make up for their Bearer's bad behaviour the pup's seemed to be born smiling. Affectionate and rambunctious, the two babies quickly caught the hearts of the whole castle. Like all the other pups, the twins scented of pure powerful Youkai. The only thing that separated the twins from their triplet brothers, was that instead of tails, the twins – pure Youkai in blood - curiously enough – spouted Shiro Inu Hanyou like ears on the tops of their heads.
Nobody could explain it, and Sesshoumaru only have a smug satisfied smile when asked how he managed to produce pure blood pups with Hanyou ears. After all - what was there to explain, he was Sesshoumaru, and he had wanted Inuyasha's legacy to live on. What Sesshoumaru wanted – he got! Much to Inuyasha's and Kouga's disgust – everyone else seemed to accept that as explanation enough. Bloody arrogant Shogun.
Now! Finally there was peace in the castle, and Kouga would be damned before he'd be forced to handle any other male except for maybe Inuyasha pregnant for a long - long – long time.
- Two years later-
Sesshoumaru stood by and watched with an aching heart as Inuyasha healed another Ancient one.
Eight months ago, the first Ancient in over 400 years had been born 'awake' in Japan. That had created a chain reaction, and woken all the naturally sleeping ancients in Japan even in coastal China. Once all the Ancients that were trapped were healed, and sufficient sleeping Ancients awoken, in an area – a New Ancient would be born, triggering the chain reaction. That meant that Inuyasha would not have to awaken every Ancient in the world – and the more areas that he cleared - the easier the task would be as magic flowed in the lands more easily.
This was the first Ancient that they were healing outside of Japan. They were of course in Canada, the sound of the mighty Niagara in the background, Inuyasha healed an Ancient for the first time in eight months. Sesshoumaru's active contribution was to melt the blasted metal trap in the Ancient and watch his mate's back.
It would take them years to visit different parts of the world, find and awaken all the Ancients. The blasted Baron had after all been active for over 400 years. The Ancients were as always patient, and Bakusen-O, as the Spokes-Ancient had firmly stopped the Hanyou from going on a concentrated mission to find and heal every Ancient immediately. Without the Baron actively draining and tainting them, the Ancients could bear their pain much better and since they now had hope; they were content wait. They all preferred their enforced sleep to seeing their Hanyou stressed and in pain all the time. Bakusen-O had informed Inuyasha that by the decree of the Ancients - he was only allowed to leave Japan for no more then 4 months in any given year.
If Sesshoumaru or any other Youkai had given Inuyasha a decree like that, he would have stuffed the words back in their throats. But this order came from the Ancients, and ultimately Inuyasha found he could not go against them.
Much to everyone's relief – this meant that Inuyasha willing or not would have to take time to recover from his healing of the Ancients in one area before going to the next.
Only Sesshoumaru witnessed the healing, and since the area was well protected by a strike force of Canines led by Shippo, Inuyasha never needed to delay the pain. He healed at immediately let the pain consume him, thus his recovery was usually in a day.
The pups a safe distance away, were uncomfortable without their parents – but they were not distressed by the healing. Kinta and the adult twin Princesses played puppy sitters and guardians, leading the squad that closely guarded the Canine treasures in their parents absence.
Kouga, Yuusha, and they others stayed back in Japan to watch over the Canines when their Alphas were away.
The healing would take time and the Canines were prepared for it.
Sesshoumaru held his mate through the aftermath. When Inuyasha woke whole in the morning – they were reunited with their pups. While the pups especially the youngest of the triplets, seemed sensitive to the Ancients – none of them could feel the ancients or do what Inuyasha had done. It was not just his blood, it was the suffering, the strength and the unique soul of the Hanyou that made him what he was. Sesshoumaru's arm tightened around the being that owned his very heart and soul, in all the worlds – there would never be another, till the end of time; there would only one – Inuyasha!
-THE END-
And this my friends is the end. (Yes I know some wanted smut – too bad :P) I actually had to put aside writing anything else to write this chapter. Its kindda special. Thank you all for entering this journey with me, I hope you enjoyed it. Please do review, and I am nostalgic and satisfied as I deem this tale – complete.
Please drop a review... to give your feed back- also do say if you have stuff you think I should explore writing about.
P.P.s anyone feeling like reediting anything – feel free to copy and paste – mail me the changes and I'll change it. I'm not taking time off Strength and Dragon's Prey to reedit this tale. :)