Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of it's characters. All of that brilliance belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

The sun had started to set, casting the sky afire in lovely shades of red and orange. Kagome and Inuyasha were innocently sitting inside their hut, making small talk about last minute plans when Sango and Miroku came bursting in. It was truly remarkable how Sango managed to look so fierce with a baby as adorable as Satoshi strapped to her chest. Miroku looked like Christmas had come early.

"Time to go!" The pair sang in unison. Miroku grabbed Inuyasha's arm and Sango took Kagome's. Looking at Inuyasha's face, Kagome wondered if this bachelor party was more of a punishment than a reward.

Sango led Kagome to the village headman's house. Outside, Sango's twin girls Hikari and Aiko were waiting, each holding a basket of flowers. Their round faces lit up when Kagome approached and they dashed inside calling that Auntie Kagome was here. Kagome was bewildered, what on earth did Sango have planned? Grinning mischievously, Sango took Kagome's hand and led her around the back. Kagome's mouth fell open.

The wedding pavilion had been completed. Delicate lanterns hung from an elaborately carved wooden archway. Garlands of flowers adorned everything in sight and a pit for a bonfire had been erected. The breeze made the lanterns gently sway, making Kagome think of fairy lights.

"Do you like it?" Sango asked earnestly, "Rin and I have been working for weeks to track down everything and keep it hidden from you. The archway is Jinenji's work, I can't believe he made it so fast!" Speechless, Kagome ran a hand down the wood. What she'd thought was a pattern, was actually a collection of words in artful script

Kagome. Inuyasha. Friendship. Courage. Love. Always. Kagome wiped at her eyes and gave Sango a hug, careful not to squish Satoshi.

"I love it." Beaming with joy, Sango took Kagome's hand again and led her inside where Rin, Kaede and the twins were waiting. They'd prepared a spread of the most beautiful sweets and tea, the sight made Kagome's mouth water. The moment she sat down, the twins plopped onto the pillows beside her and started throwing the flowers all over the place and cheering.

"They're practicing," Sango explained apologetically, taking her seat.

"They saw me practicing and wanted to be flower-girls too," Rin piped up. Kaede smiled.

"It's going to be a lovely day, and if I may say so, it's about time." Kagome blushed. Sango nodded emphatically, making everyone laugh. Even Aiko laughed. She had no idea what was funny, but she laughed anyway. Hikari tugged on Sango's sleeve.

"Mommy, presents!" She insisted. Rin clapped her hands excitedly and rushed to go get them. Kagome couldn't stop smiling, she only hoped Inuyasha's night was going this well.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Inuyasha demanded.

"Now now, Inuyasha," Miroku said soothingly, "It's a bachelor party! You're supposed to go out with all your male friends and besides me, you don't have any, so I invited them along."

"Don't think this means we like you," Koga sneered. "I'm just keeping an eye on you so you don't misbehave." Ginta raised a hand shyly.

"We like you!" Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"Whatever, let's get this over with."

"That's the spirit!" said Miroku, clapping a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Now get ready, we have to go to the next town!"

The trip to the next town normally would have taken about an hour to walk, but Miroku flew on Kirara while everyone else ran. Koga pulled up in front of the place and skidded to a stop, causing a pile-up when Ginta, Hakkaku and Inuyasha all crashed into him. Kirara landed and Miroku slid gracefully off her back.

"Here we are gentlemen! The finest teahouse in the area!" Inuyasha stared at him.

"I don't drink tea." Miroku and the wolf demons roared with laughter and frog-marched Inuyasha inside.

As it turns out, teahouses are less about tea, and more about the geishas and sake.

Inuyasha didn't know where to look. His face was on fire. If Kagome found out that he was in a room full of beautiful women performing provocative dances in front of him, she'd "sit" him for sure! His obvious discomfort had Koga roaring with laughter. Miroku had at least three fighting over who got to pour his next drink and he was loving every second. Ginta and Hakkaku were doing their best to attract a geisha to their side, but whatever Miroku's secret was, they just didn't have it.

"Oh Inuyasha," Miroku said merrily, "Don't look so tense! Have a drink, it'll help you relax!" There was a small bowl in his hand seconds later. He sniffed it and his ears flattened.

"It smells disgusting." He complained. Miroku waved that away with a sweep of his hand, accentuated by his billowing monk robes.

"Don't think about it, just down the whole thing!" This seemed like a horrible idea, but Miroku had for more experience with drinking than he did. So Inuyasha drank the sake down in one gulp, shuddering at the burn but also being pleasantly surprised by the warmth it brought. Moments later, he did find himself feeling more relaxed. A bit on the flushed side but...damn those girls were pretty. He held up the small porcelain bowl, oddly fascinated by it, only to find it being filled by a particularly pretty geisha. She gave him a playful wink that he tried to return. The sounds of Koga's laughter and Miroku's cheery encouragement filled his ears. With a shrug, he chugged down the next bowl of sake. He barely noticed the flavour that time.

"Pour him another one!" Koga shouted eagerly. Everyone cheered in agreement, even Inuyasha. This was his bachelor party after-all, his "last hurrah" as Kagome had put it. He was supposed to enjoy it right?

This went on until the wee hours of the morning. The group was all highly intoxicated, but no one more so than the hanyou groom-to-be.

"Whaddya mean we have to leave?" He slurred, slumping against Ginta. The wolf demon was ostensibly holding Inuyasha upright, but he'd had quite a bit to drink himself and the two nearly fell in a heap. Chuckling good-naturedly, Hakkaku took up Inuyasha's other side.

"That's why, you big drunk!" He teased.

"Look what I got!" Koga bellowed. He held up two large jugs of sake for the road. The group roared their approval. As they walked, it became clear that Inuyasha was a very chatty drunk. He suddenly felt the need to share with everyone that while he was happy Kagome was back for good, he was sad that it meant no more ninja food, he wanted kids and that he secretly liked having his ears rubbed. Miroku quietly filed that one away for later use.

"'M gettin' married… tomorrow…" His amber eyes were hazy and unfocused, but the happy smile couldn't be blamed on the alcohol.

"Today actually," Koga corrected. He clapped a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, "and you know what that means!" He winked roguishly.

"What does it mean?" Inuyasha asked dumbly. Rather than say his answer, Koga demonstrated, using the closest tree as a prop. Ginta and Hakkaku laughed. Inuyasha's already flushed face darkened. He looked troubled.

"What's the matter?" Asked Miroku, who was surprisingly the soberest of the bunch. Inuyasha stumbled, nearly knocking over Ginta and Hakkaku.

"I don't know how..." he mumbled.

"Ah." Miroku said sympathetically. He'd had the opposite problem, Mushin had corrupted him rather early in life, and thanks to his colorful descriptions, Miroku had been overly eager to get involved with the ladies.

"Why didn't you ever ask?" Koga inquired, sounding genuinely interested.

"Who the hell was I sp'osed tuh ask?" Miroku snapped his fingers as a fantastic idea struck him.

"I know! We can ask Sesshomaru!"

"Ask Sesshomaru what?" A smooth voice drawled. Everybody froze.

TBC

A/N: Sorry about the delay, I'll try to be faster with the updates!

Thanks!