Author's Note: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi and her genius mind. I hope you all enjoy the story. This is my first attempt and I'm not sure how long it's going to be so feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! :)

Reasons: Family United

The Aftermath

Kagome and Inuyasha grew closer after their run in with Sounga. Kagome also became close to Sesshomaru. Rin became fond of her during the battle and now Kagome watches her often while Sesshomaru fights. Kagome and Sesshomaru are so close that she used her sacred powers to grow his arm back in two days. This story takes place a year after all these events.

Chapter One: The Proposal

Kaede's Village

"You are progressing greatly, Kagome," said Kaede smiling. She had been training Kagome for two months and the young girl could all ready regenerate limbs.

"Thank you, Kaede. You have been an excellent teacher," said Kagome with a smile. They were sitting in Kaede's hut cooking lunch while waiting for Inuyasha and the others to get back. They sat in silence until they heard Inuyasha outside.

"Hurry up, Shippo!" called Inuyasha while walking into the hut.

"Hi, Inuyasha. Did you find what you were looking for?" asked Kagome smiling. Inuyasha looked at her with a slight blush.

"Uh, hey Kagome. Yeah, um, I found it," said Inuyasha shyly. He quietly walked over to the corner and sat down. All the while, he kept his eyes on the floor, afraid that his eyes would give away his intentions.

'I wonder what's wrong with Inuyasha,' thought Kagome.

'I wonder if Kagome suspects anything,' thought Inuyasha.

Earlier that day…

"Sesshomaru, I need your help," said Inuyasha desperately. Sesshomaru grew intrigued by this.

"What could make you want my help, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked in his usual calm voice. Inuyasha paused a moment and grabbed his bearings then cleared his throat.

"Well, I uh, I'm going to ask Kagome to be my mate," said Inuyasha in a hurry. This surprised Sesshomaru.

"So, you have finally decided which woman you want," he said with a snicker.

"What's that supposed to mean?" said Inuyasha with an irritated tone.

"You know exactly what I mean, little brother," said Sesshomaru. Inuyasha looked down.

"Yeah, I guess," Inuyasha said defeated. Sesshomaru crossed over from where he had been standing to sit on a rock under the shade of a tree. Rin played a short distance away with Ah-Un and Jaken sat watching the child's antics.

"So, Inuyasha, what would you have me do? Hmm?" said Sesshomaru while watching Rin play.

"I need your advice on what I should do…to, um, go about asking her," confessed Inuyasha.

"Well, little brother, you are half dog demon, so our rituals should be carried on by you as well. You must go to Totosai and have him forge a sword for Kagome using your own fang. It is customary for dog demons to give their intended mate a gift such as a sword like this. Of course, after the sword is made, you must find wood that would make a suitable sheath. I don't believe this will be to hard for you. Then, after the sheath is created, you will present the sword and sheath to Kagome and ask her to accept the sword and tell her that if she does, she will become your mate. If she accepts, all you have to do is teach her how to use the sword once you two are mated. After all, your mate should be able to defend herself," at this Inuyasha began to protest but Sesshomaru put up a clawed hand to stop him.

"I all ready know that Kagome is more than capable of taking care of herself, little brother. But, I also know that arrows can run out. I believe that Kagome would be very capable of learning to use a sword. She could even learn to channel her miko powers through the sword. It would be a great asset to both you and her," finished Sesshomaru. Inuyasha nodded in understanding.

"I see your point, brother. I will go to Totosai. Arigato Oniisan," said Inuyasha as he bowed his head to Sesshomaru in a sign of respect. Sesshomaru was a bit startled at this but bowed in return.

"You are welcome, Otoutosan," said Sesshomaru. Inuyasha beamed with pride at the response from his brother.

Present…

"Inuyasha...Inuyasha...Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha fell over, his ears ringing and Kagome's voice still booming in his head. A moment later he popped up and jumped toward Kagome.

What's the big idea?" he yelled at her. He loved how she looked when she got flustered, which is how she looked right at that moment.

"You were ignoring me, baka! I was just trying to get your attention!" she yelled back, her chest heaving and her hair falling about her face. Her miko garb rising and falling with her heavy breathing.

"I wasn't IGNORING you, Kagome! And you dind't have to blow out my eardrums just to get my attention!" he argued back. His ears twitched and he could have sworn that her eyes jumped to the top of his head and then back down to his face.

"Well, I tried the nicer way but it didn't get me anywhere. Not my fault you're so hard of hearing," she finished, turning her red hot face away from him and taking a breath to calm down.

"Whatever," he said, not wanting to give anything away, "What's important now is that I'm hungry. When are you going to cook me something?"

"Oh, you!" Kagome shook in outrage. She picked up a wooden spoon and proceeded to hit him with it but he dodged and ran out of the hut, nearly missing poor Shippo who was just coming through the doorway.

"Get back here, Inuyasha!" yelled Kagome as she followed him out the door, spoon in hand.

Shippo looked back and forth between the door and Kaede who sat calmly on the floor drinking her tea.

"What did I miss?" he asked.

"SIT BOY!"

iamecho: Hey guys, let me know what you think about my first chapter and I'll see about writing more. :) Remember, feedback is very welcome.