"Lord Sesshomaru!" A maid called as she entered my study.

I watched her, wondering why the woman stumbled into my study, uninvited, and wheezing for air.

"My lady," she gasped, "Lady Kazumi, she is in labor!"

I stared at the woman, questioning whether to believe the woman. The howl that my beast let rip within my chest, prompted me into movement, preferring to take the maid's word instead of deeming her as a mad women. My mate was giving birth. I hurried out of the room, barely able to contain the energy that threatened to explode from my legs. She was giving birth after only nine months? I could not fathom what was happening. An inu yokai remains pregnant for well over a year. Such an early birth, could it be a bad omen? We took precaution to avoid anything that would create complications. Could some's vengeance have sparked a curse? Should we lose the children, it would be a devastation. I would never have Kazumi experience such tragedy.

I quickly arrived to where my mate's pained screams generated, and spared no time to prepare before entering.

"I am sorry, my lord, but we cannot allow you to enter." A maid said as she stepped in front of the door.

My beast called for me to remove her from my path, and I would have done so if the second maid did not remind me of the delicate process that was transpiring. Childbirth is a tedious process, should anything go wrong, my pups will not be all that is lost. Besides that, there was nothing for me to do inside of the room. Entering now would only be a disturbance to the midwives. I quieted my beast before waiting as patiently as I could beside the door. I struggled with maintaining my composure as her struggles became ever more present in the rising pitch of her voice. My composure shattered once she started calling for me. She desperately cried for me, taking the same voice that cried for me so many years ago before the final battle against Naraku. The adrenaline that pumped through me jolted my entire body forward, ready to hush my mate's cries, only to be held back by my insistent mind. I caught the growl that trekked through my throat before the sound could rattle through my teeth. I pulled myself away from the door. I would break the door if I remained close to it. In attempt to busy my mind, my gaze shifted to observe the guards stationed by the doors my mate hid behind and the ones who made frequent rounds about the area.

Their strict adherence to protocol, and precise shift in position was adroitness the men had shown no one before now. It seemed that they, too, understood how monumental the occasion is. Perhaps they were more than willing to protect their benevolent benefactor, or they knew their lord well, absolutely certain that any mistake would not be left unpunished, that I would be willing to deem a heavy handed punishment on any who compromised the safety of my mate. However, my over watch of the guards proved inefficient in the task of diverting my mind. My ears could not ignore her cries; my eyes would not disregard the images my mind concocted. I was soon reduced to pacing around the doors, waiting for them to open, as my mate faced the hefty task without me. The scene was unbefitting of me: waiting like a pampered pet for its owner to admit it into their chambers. Soon enough, I will be barking to be let in and pampered further. I should have been disgusted with myself, but for Kazumi, I am ready to whine should worse come to worse.

The sudden silence that permeated the air were like static, forcing my hairs up and keeping them on edge. My pacing stopped as my gaze snapped to the door, watching for the slightest movement of the door. Everyone became aware of the sudden absence of sound, leaving all bare. All followed my example, straightening their positioning and waiting for something to break the silence. A moment passed before the soft patter of footsteps coming toward the door guided me into the room, entering before the midwife could call for me.

The ring of crying met my ears once I took my first step into the room. The sound was intensified by the addition of another new lung. The smooth connection between the cries would confuse a person who did not know of the twin birth. I immediately went to Kazumi's side, and would have taken her hands had they not been occupied with crying babes. Tears spilled from their eyes as their little fists shook from the power that drove their loud shouts of life. She wore a weary smile as she handed me the child in her right arm.

The child went silent, acting as though his crying had never existed as I carefully took him from her. Instead, he yawned, suddenly finding himself tired.

"A boy and a little sister." My mate said with tears staining the corner of her eyes.

I could say nothing as I struggled to hold the child as effortlessly as she did.

"Don't be so stiff. Loosen up. He is your son, not an enemy." She advised as she cradled her daughter.

There was silence as we stared at the infants within our hands. Both were fairer skinned and bore my marks across their cheeks and wrist, and the crescent moon on their foreheads. However, my son had small black tufts of his mother's hair, whereas my daughter's roots inherited their sterling silver shade from her father, and her tips were stripped white. I could see clearly that the two had inherited their mother's beauty.

"Masaru." I stated. "Our son's name will be Masaru. He will bring victory far beyond what I will ever achieve."

"Megumi." She said after. "Our daughter's name will be Megumi, for she is will be loved by all, and will become the heart of the kingdom."

"The kingdom does not need two hearts." I stated as I took my daughter into my other arm.

"Being yours is a full time job." She chuckled.

This wife of mine has done what I had previously believed impossible. Who is this woman? Is she a mere woman? To have snared me in her trap and stolen my attention, and the attention of my beast. This woman, has now bore healthy children, a son and daughter, my scions, in a fraction of the time of that which is regular without complication. She cannot be a simple woman. Simple is quite the opposite. By some divine ordinance, she must have been delivered to me. This deity, unbeknownst to herself, was delivered to me, carefully and thoughtfully wrapped to prevent me from losing interest in the person who would forever change my life. Now, this gift lies before me, resting peacefully. What am I to do? How am I to appreciate the gift that I have been given, the person who has become a part of my entity? There is nothing I can do but to love her. I must love her and never allow her commitment to be in vain. She has dedicated herself to me. Any abuse toward her fidelity or transgression against her could not be atoned for, not even through death.

"Sesshomaru, what are you thinking?" She asked.

I said nothing as I gazed at my mate.

"I see. Marveling at the miracle of childbirth." She guessed.

"You are my miracle."

"That's the first I've heard of that."

"Thank you."

She stared at me.

"For bringing change to me, I thank you." I repeated.

"You don't have to thank me for anything. It's my pleasure." She said as she held my arm. "But don't think the feeling's not neutral or anything. You've done a lot for me as well, giving me a home and family, and all."

I was silent as I placed the sleeping babes next to her as she lay down to catch her breath.

"You deal with all my nonsense; you're there whenever I end up hurting myself; you let me be selfish; you returned my love; is there anymore I can ask for?"

"A husband that feels."

"Don't you dare try to bring this up. You're an idiot if you honestly think you can't feel or express your feelings. There's a special connection between you and I. I'm almost fluent when it comes to reading your body language. I'm not so sure if you realize that you're just as adept in reading mine, but you don't have to, nor do I expect you to. Our form of communication my not be verbally blunt, but it's most effective for us this way."

I took her hand, and would never let go physically would the world allow it. My father's words rang within my head. I finally understood the man, what he meant by love, what he meant when he tried to explain the devotion that drove him. Unfortunately for the both of us, it took centuries for me to finally understand the concept, that love is a paradox. Love, indescribable bliss, results in the worst anxiety one will ever face, and a doubt no other gauntlet can match. The summit of emotion can crush a person under its feather-like weight. It can strip even the most confident of their prowess, and leave them as pathetic, vulnerable beings. Love is a drug that any man becomes addicted to once they experience it, creating desperate and sullen men as they fight ferociously to be loved. This woman who lays next to me, is my epitome of love. I was wrong to believe that the emotion my father held in the highest esteem, was the folly that resulted in his death. He was so madly driven, that he was willing to sacrifice himself for his love, an action I am more than willing to do now that I have a love of my own.

My mate blushed.

"What is it?" I asked, keeping my purr within my throat.

She covered her face timidly. "You're smiling again. Don't smile at me like that."

I moved her hands from her eyes.

"This is what you have done." I commented.

She smiled as her eyes trailed back toward the pups resting between us. Her hands squeezed mine, swearing to never let go. She is a woman of her word. I remained with her until she fell asleep, clutching onto my hand as her breathing slowed. Her breathing rang like bells, soothing every muscle within my body. Knowing that this woman was safely wrapped in my arms, never straying too far and requiring me to pull her back to me. No worry dared to face me. Her resting features filled my beast with pride and peace, silencing his demand for my mate's attention. The sleep she enters in my presence is one no other shall see, one that relays a bond that none other shall ever share with her. Seeing her rest so peacefully settled my nerves, I was an adequate leader. She felt safe, and that was all I required. So long as she was safe, so long as they were safe, my work was not in vain. I held onto her hand, and would wait patiently for her to wake.