Kagome was in the kitchen when she heard her daughter's voice.  "Kamara?"

Soon the entire family was gathered around Kamara and Tekku, listening intently while they related what had transpired at the Castle.  Kagome was a little dismayed at her daughter's pregnancy at so young an age, but at least she was home.  Tomorrow the Village would build them a little house, next door to Kome and Ayala's home, and Tekku was welcomed into the family.

As always, the Village had an impromptu party for the new couple, and it was nearly midnight before the party starting breaking up.  The family was sitting on the lawn under the cherry tree that Kurama had planted for Kenshin and Kaoru many years ago.   Kome had his head in Ayala's lap, his eyes closed, contently drowsing.  Kouga and Kagome were sitting next to each other, his arm across her shoulders and her head resting on his shoulder.  He was very happy that his mate was content once more.  Kayla was the only one missing, being only 12, she had been sent to bed a couple of hours ago after much begging and protesting.  Tekku was leaning against the trunk of the tree, with Kamara in his arms.  Kenshin and Kaoru were sitting on the bench that the Princess had given them many years ago; its wood had deepened to a rich patina making it even more beautiful.  

Kaoru whispered something to Kenshin and he nodded, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention.  "We have an announcement of our own.  We are going to have a second child."

A flurry of congratulations followed their announcement, Kaoru blushing under the attention.  When they died down, Kenshin turned to Kouga.  "Would you do the honor and let us know if the baby is a girl or a boy?"

Kouga stood up and gave a little bow, then gently pressed his hands against Kaoru's tummy.  "It's a boy!"

Another spate of congratulations followed that announcement.  Shortly after that, the group decided it was getting very late and they said their goodbyes.  Tekku and Kamara were staying in the dojo's guest room until their house was built.  Even though Kamara's old bedroom was still in her parents' house, she was too embarrassed to spend the night there with Tekku, especially with keen wolf hearing.  Kenshin and Kaoru, even though they were Tekku's grandparents, had only human hearing.

Kagome sat on the porch swing and Kouga joined her, commenting.  "Tekku is a nice kid."

"Yes, Kamara is so happy.  I just wish it were his child that she was carrying."

"Well, it does end the war and solves the Wolf Clan's problems."

"Stop being pragmatic for a moment; you know you wish it were Tekku's child!" Kagome admonished.

"All right -- deep in my heart, I wish Kamara was still my little girl and living under my roof.  But that is not going to happen, so I look for what good I can."

Kagome looked at her mate in surprise; sometimes he showed so much maturity; other times so little.  She never knew what to expect.  She took his face in her hands and smiled, "Have I told you how much I love you lately?"

"Not recently."  Kouga said quietly.  Kagome had not said those words to him ever since the incident with Kamara.

"Well, I do love you --  with all my heart."  She whispered just before she kissed him.  

He sighed in contentment and wrapped his arms tightly around his beloved mate.

Tekku held her waist as Kamara rode him, but quickly moved his hands upward.  He could sense the baby and it didn't seem quite right during lovemaking.  Kamara noticed his sudden movement, and stopped.  He looked up at her.

"Does it bother you?  The baby not being yours?" Kamara asked, suddenly worried.

"No, it's not that.  Even if she were mine, I would feel weird sensing her while we were doing this." Tekku replied.  "Kamara, I swear to you that I have accepted it and I'm okay with it.  Your little girl will be brought up with all the love I can give her.  After all, she is yours."

Kamara looked deeply into his eyes.  He seemed so sincere, but only time would tell if he truly could love Kiba's daughter.

"Could you start moving again?" Tekku said with a smile.  

Kamara returned his smile and began to move again.  Tekku closed his eyes, lost in her body, his hands cupped around her breasts with his thumbs stroking her nipples.  This was pure heaven!  And now Kamara was all his!  He had followed his father's path and mated.  And he was very glad that he had done so.  He would do his best to make their mating as happy as both sets of their parents.  

"Teriyu!" InuYasha cried when he saw the Bobcat he had met a few weeks ago. "You came after all! Tekki is out of the Castle right now, but he will return tomorrow."

"Great! I look forward to seeing him. When I went to my family's home dens last week, I told my sister about your invitation and she insisted we come immediately."

She gave a little curtsey, and looked up into large golden eyes and then her eyes continued upward. She tried not to stare at the two dog ears perched on the top of his head. Oh, they looked like they would be so soft to touch! InuYasha followed her stare and his ears twitched.

"I am so sorry, My Lord. Forgive me." Tylee blushed even more.

Teriyu followed InuYasha, carrying their luggage. InuYasha commandeered a maid and took them to side-by-side rooms in the east wing. While InuYasha and Teriyu caught up with the events of the Demon Wolves, Tylee settled into her room. It was wonderful, and ironically the very same room that Kamara had vacated a few days before. Rich fabrics were on the bed, the draperies, and chairs. The sheets were silk. The balcony overlooked the inner courtyard and she could hear the musical sound of the central fountain. The bathroom was a miracle of technology which she never knew existed and Tylee tried out everything. She couldn't quite figure out the little bowl of water attached to the floor. If you touched the silver handle, the water disappeared in a little whirlpool and then refilled itself. Maybe it was for pets so that they would always have fresh water. She would have to ask someone about its function.

Before she knew it, her brother and InuYasha were at her door ready to go down to dinner. On the way, she asked InuYasha about the little bowl of water. He turned deep red and told her to ask one of the maids. Teriyu started laughing and whispered what the water was for. "It's called a toilet." And then it was her turn to blush.

Fortunately, by that time they had reached the dining hall and the incident was soon forgotten. They were introduced to everyone but it was no problem for Tylee to keep their names straight. These were people of legend. The Princess of Otherworld was at the head of the table. Tylee had never seen such vibrancy in a person before. Her hair was the color of dark flame and her eyes were a burnished gold. Her skin was flawless cream with a touch of gold mixed in. She was tall and slender and seemed to bursting with energy and joy. Tylee felt like a bad imitation with her own reddish hair and her pale complexion.

To her right was Kurama, the Fox Demon turned human. Even as a human, he was beautiful, poppy colored red hair framed unbelievable green eyes. To the left was Hiei, peaks of black hair touched with blue and a white star traced in the center. His claret eyes were intense and she lowered her eyes almost immediately after making contact. Bakura barely made eye contact, even shyer than she was, but Tylee had time to register vivid red eyes surrounded by yellow. She loved the look of his sky-blue skin criss-crossed with demon markings.  Everyone was so unique and special!

Aniki was pure joy. He was always smiling and laughing. His long black hair shone with a high gloss and it was spread loosely around his shoulders. He had just come from his bath and his hair had not dried in time to braid it. Tylee could not help but stare -- in a family of redheads, she thought shiny black hair was the most beautiful.

Shilo was almost Aniki's perfect opposite. The young man was as quiet as Aniki was boisterous. His coloring was the reverse also, with long white blond hair and pale blue eyes.

In the Bobcat den, when a female came of age, she would be considered fair game for any male who wished to inseminate her and she would bear many young.  Her mother had fifteen children, and since she was considered one of the fairest females, she had attracted Tekken, the clan leader, to her thrice, a thing unheard of, and had borne him three children, including his oldest, Tekki. Tylee was the youngest (and last) of Tekken's children. Her mother had been pregnant with Tylee when he was bound to Queen Vara. Very soon, probably within the next few months, she too would come of age. 

And Tylee dreaded it. 

She wanted the life that Kenru and Rin had, happily mated to just one male; not used and forgotten by many. Maybe, just maybe, Otherworld would work its magic and she would find her one true mate. She smiled to herself and then blushed when she saw that the Princess had noticed. But Aara smiled gently, as if reading her thoughts, and Tylee took hope from that smile.