A/N: Taraah36, Puppylove7, xxdarienchibaloverxx, GoldenRose88, Esha Napoleon, blackdame, InuGoddess715, and ILoveInuyasha4Eva, thank you for your reviews. And thank you to those that have put this or its author on your lists. I went to Google Translator to look up the Japanese word for stepmother. It's keibo and you'll find it attached to Hisana's name somewhere in the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.

Father of the Bride

Ch. 14

Inuyasha met the morning after the night of no moon with Kagome curled up asleep in his arms and his stepmother playing sentry on the roof. He had been surprised when she had stated nonchalantly that she knew it was his human night but that he shouldn't worry, she would guard him while he slept. Normally such a pronouncement would have concerned him so much that all thoughts of sleep would have fled had he been one to lower his guard but it was not his stepmother's words that had allowed him to sleep on his most vulnerable night. It had been the fact that his brother and sister-in-law had also stayed awake to watch his back.

As his transformation took place, he heard Hisana get down and reenter the house. Shippou and Mitsuaki were already awake and clambering for their "grandmother's" attention. He might believe her to be flighty and crazy upon occasion but she was great with the children. She had let Reiji monopolize her lap the very evening she arrived. It was an odd fact to find out since she had clearly messed up raising Azami.

"Inuyasha?"

"Good morning, koiishi. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, amazingly enough. It was nice not to have to worry about guarding you. I didn't realize your stepmother would go the distance for you. And Sesshoumaru and Azami have stayed at attention too. You know, it's funny, sometimes Hisana-keibo reminds me of Mama."

"They do seem to have a few similar traits, don't they? For one, neither is entirely sane." They were also stubborn but he didn't add that.

"Inuyasha!"

"Kagome, I love your mother, I always will but who in their right mind lets their daughter go time traveling with a half demon teenage boy without a word of complaint?"

Giggling at the thought, Kagome kissed the line of his jaw. "Now that you mention it, that was odd, wasn't it?"

"Keh, you think? I always thought she was Ofukuro's reincarnation."

"Maybe she is. Sometimes I think I hear her voice whispering to us in the well."

"Me too but you know that you'll see her again."

"I do," Kagome said, embracing her husband. "And it's all thanks to my very special husband and intelligent but arrogant brother-in-law."

"Keh."

Rising, they joined the rest of their family downstairs, all of whom were watching Miroku bow repeatedly to Azami. "Eh…"

"Is there some reason the bouzo's showering blessings on nee-san?"

"Sango did not suffer this morning," his stepmother answered.

"Oh, that's right! The tea she gave us to drink. I feel better too."

"Tea?" Hisana inquired before nodding. "Ah, yes, one of the many things the clan healer taught Azami. She taught your mother some things as well, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yeah, that cold remedy. Ofukuro passed it down to me."

"Nasty, but effective," the young miko said and left it at that. She'd long since learned what went into that brew.

"True, it is good to see that her recipes are not going to waste. Azami was a treasured pupil of the healer's. All of the elder's knowledge got passed to her.

"Inuyasha, Kagome, you are well?"

"Yes, thank you."

"All right, we've got things to do before the nobles get here. Kagome, you must not let on to anyone that you know the future. Ah, Kagome?"

"Huh? Yes, yes, I know. I still can't believe I'm going to meet a historical figure. Do you think Oda Nobunaga himself will be coming?"

The others felt like sweat dropping. Leaning towards her stepson, Hisana lowered her voice. "Does she not recall that she is now a historical figure?"

"She forgets," Inuyasha said simply. He loved Kagome with a burning passion but he couldn't deny that she could be a ditz on occasion.

"Hm."

Azami smiled affectionately but didn't answer her sister-in-law's question. "If everyone is feeling well, then we must begin. The priest heading this way are likely to be wary of all the demons in this village so we must present ourselves the epitome of the nobility that we are."

"We are?" Inuyasha looked at his friends and family. Some lounged against buildings and tree roots. Most of the children played, not caring about what was going on. None of them could be called "noble."

"Of course, we are the royal pack of the Western Lands."

"Azami-sama, please excuse my confusion but pack refers to family."

"Yes, a family that is built not just on blood ties but on those of affection and trust as well. So we are all family, ne?"

Miroku whispered in Sango's ear. "She's very free with the definition of pack, isn't she?"

Sango tilted her head in acknowledgement of her husband's words. "That is how we became part of Inuyasha's pack. Trust and affection." She understood why Azami would cling to family, no matter how remote the connection every chance she got. Sango had lost her entire village and most of her family in the fight with Naraku. It made her all the more determined to cherish those she had left.

"Now, our first order of business should be to change into more formal clothes. Kohaku, Rin, I'm putting you in charge of keeping the children clean." The looks of horror would have been amusing if the situation weren't so serious.

"We are simple villagers, nee-san. We have no formal wear. Rin has always been dressed better than we are."

"I know, and believe me when I say I'd rather wear plainer clothing too but a show of aristocracy is needed. Foreseeing this, I took the liberty of having kimonos and robes made of youkai silk in appropriate colors and designs. We wish to be elegant yet understated. By no means do we want the nobles to think that we are better than they are."

"Ridiculous. You brought all those chests for this?"

"Of course. Their leader will have heard about the defeat of Naraku. I would not be surprised if whoever it is expects them to be awash in riches."

The humans and Inuyasha looked at her like she'd finally gone nuts. Sesshoumaru visibly sighed and turned away. Just in time to catch his nephew as he pounced. The pup grinned at his uncle. "You expect these pups to behave?"

"Only long enough to make their bows. You can do that, can't you, Mitsuaki?"

"Sure, Oba-san." The collected company muttered dire predictions under their breath but they let Azami have her illusions.

"Good! So, who wants to see what I brought?"

Sesshoumaru watched his mate with undisguised love and amusement. Flicking a claw gently down her cheek, he let her have her fun. Her current behavior was one that had enchanted him when they were young. Eyeing the group, he narrowed his gaze and ordered, "Go, do as she says. These humans will respect my authority."

Inuyasha would have argued, just on basic principle, but instinct told him there was a reason Azami was being pushy. She knew something or at least suspected something that she either didn't want to share or had been ordered not to share. "New clothes?" Kagome asked dreamily from beside him. "Come on, Sango, I always wished I could have taken you to the future so we could shop at the mall." The half demon was heartily glad she hadn't had the opportunity. He didn't want to think about all the junk she would have convinced Sango was necessary.

"There will be a time, imouto," Sango reassured the younger woman with a smile.

Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kohaku soon found themselves standing in front of a large chest filled with clothes. Jaken was handing out robes and kimonos with a care assured by Sesshoumaru's stern gaze. "Must we?"

"Hn. Do not disappoint Father's memory."

"Only Father?"

"You care not for power, this I know. The humans that are coming do. We must not let them know how you relate to the common people. They must believe that because you defeated Naraku, you are strong in more than physical power."

"You defeated him too, aniki." Kagome had been the one to really destroy him but the men coming would never believe she had the power to do it by herself.

"Indeed, but that is expected of an inutaisho. The lords of the Western Lands are guardians of Japan. You are, despite past behavior, a lord. If only for now, act like it."

"All right. Sesshoumaru, do you think anyone from Kai will be among the nobles?"

"Doubtful, but it would be amusing to see the look on their faces should they meet the son of their most favored princess, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah." Inuyasha pulled red robes much like his Fire Rat haori out of the chest. The crest of his father's clan was boldly embroidered on the back. "Aniki…"

"It was time," the taiyoukai answered without further embellishment. "Come," he commanded after his brother had changed.

Miroku changed but watched out of the corner of his eye as Sesshoumaru placed a simple plate of armor over Inuyasha's chest. While the closeness he shared with the half demon could not be replaced, the houshi was glad the two blood brothers could now interact peacefully. Kohaku stood looking at the three older men in a brand new slayer uniform. The leather was much like that of Sesshoumaru's boots while the sash was youkai silk. His weapon was secured there, as was his sword. Hiraikotsu was slung suspended against his back.

"Ready, Miroku-aniki?" The monk finished tying the last of his royal purple wrap around his robes.

"Yes, Kohaku. These are of fine quality, my humble thanks, Sesshoumaru."

"Thank Azami; she is the one that thought of everything."

"He's right, aniki. Clothes, weapons, medicine, you name it. I've never seen so much stuff."

"Women," Inuyasha huffed and the others nodded in companionable agreement.

"What fine creatures though." Masculine looks of appreciation drifted over three faces. Sesshoumaru might have agreed, at least where his mate was concerned, but he kept a straight face.

"Enough." Much to his brother's consternation, Sesshoumaru thrust a pair of boots into his face.

"Oh, hell no, Sesshoumaru." The footwear didn't disappear and Inuyasha caved after a few choice words.

The other two men said nothing as the half demon shoved his feet into the leather boots. Meanwhile Sesshoumaru pulled his hair up into a severe top knot. Inuyasha stared in awe at his elder sibling. "Damn, you look so like him, aniki…"

"Hn."

"We are ready. Shall we go check our beautiful brides?" Miroku took Inuyasha's arm and drew him out of the house. He knew seeing the Inutaisho in Sesshoumaru was difficult for the younger brother. For the elder too, if Sesshoumaru's expression was anything to go by.

"Indeed."

A/N: Kai province is near Musashi. Yes, information is once again taken from Wikipedia. Even though the manga, anime, and movies don't say where Izayoi comes from, I had to figure it would have been nearby as her grave is shown to be at the lake in the third movie that isn't far from Kaede's village. Again, this is purely an author's supposition and making up of details to fit the story.