Author's Note: I had so much fun writing this! And because of that I've been juggling the idea of making a sequel with would feature a pregnant Kagome, a nice family and friends reunion, and a Sesshomaru meeting the parents! However I'd be milking this story for all it's worth and I'm not sure I want to do that so I'll let you guys decide. So...Sequel or no sequel? That is the question.

Two Years Later.....

Sesshomaru stepped down from the dark green scaled back of the beast as it landed in the courtyard, which was empty as it had usually been in the last couple of months. Sesshomaru knew it was his doing, his and his temper not to mention indecision.

He couldn't kill Inuyasha. His wife needed him to protect her as well to help her fulfill this responsibility she was so set on, that he accepted. Naraku was dead yes, Sesshomaru had been there himself fighting for Kagome's sake but it was still left to gather up the few shards that remained missing. But what of when it was done with? Would he kill Inuyasha then? Would his wife forgive him for taking the vengeance he'd promised to take even when it no longer burned in him? And that was another thing that confused him. Why did he no longer burn with desire for Inuyasha's blood?

Because he was want to bursts of destructive anger he'd been avoided at all costs in his castle. Which was why he was surprised to see Rin racing across the courtyard, a bright smile on her face, her arms wrapped around a huge ball of blue cloth. She didn't seem to see him until he step forward and called her name she turned in surprise then smile again.

"Lord Sesshomaru! You're back!" She cried and rushed forward to hug his leg as she always did.

"What is that Rin?"

She looked up and smiled secretively. "I can't tell you! It's a girl secret."

"And who said it was a girl secret?"

"The other secret." She answered before running back to the castle shouting "He's home! He's home."

Sesshomaru frowned at her odd behavior and followed after her at a slower pace. He wasn't in the mood for surprises. He'd been musing again and musing always made him irritable. He stepped into the hall, and empty hall and his frown deepened. A scraping noise came from the parlor and he walked open and pushed in the door, stepping into the room. And before he had time to take in anything; the drapes that hung over the windows, the laced cloth that hung over the table or the back of the chair, The color splashed paintings on the wall, a tiny missile was flung at him, wrapping arms around his waist and gave him a hundred watt smile.

Kagome

Kagome just kept from laughing at the surprised expression he wore but she kept no more then the happy smile that curled her lips as she embraced him. Home. She was home. It was over finally and she could be here with Sesshomaru. Even with all the problems that might arise she'd be here with him.

"It's over."

His eyebrow went up, elegant as always. "And the jewel?"

Kagome blushed. "Yes well. That's something we'll have to discuss."

His attention lit on the nervous tone of her voice. "Oh?"

She noted the warning in her voice and stepped back to hold out her hand and concentrated. Kaede had worked with her on this before she'd come and after a moment of trying she was able to produce the soft glow of violet light that radiated from her palm gently. She smiled proudly.

"It's in me. Again."

"I see."

She frowned. Why didn't he sound happy to see her? Wasn't he? "Sesshomaru...aren't you glad that I'm home at all?"

He looked at her for a long moment, was quiet and fear raced down her back as the silence stretched over them slowly, her form tensing, ready to draw back away from him. But then he gathered her against him, tucking her head under his chin gently.

"My brother took care of you?"

"I'm here aren't I?" She smiled and nuzzled her nose against his chest.

"I give him his life then."

Kagome looked up at him in surprise, searching his eyes. He wouldn't kill Inuyasha? For her? He'd let Inuyasha live for her? Was that the reason or was it simply pride or honor that forbid him from killing Inuyasha after his half brother protected something of his?

"Why?" She asked quietly.

He looked down at her. "Because I love you too."

She let out a cry and laughs through her tears as she heard him grunt sharply when she jumped up to lock arms around his neck, her feet dangling of the floor as she laid a kiss to his lips. He allowed it then bit her lip playfully and she dropped to her feet again, flashed a wicked smile at the desire she felt light easily in her and the response she felt from him before speaking.

"Race you to the stairs."

"Well then. That's that." The dark haired woman dropped her arm so that the castle wall, which had become transparent for them, returned to solid stone once more and moved back under the sweet shade of the garden's Sakura tree, whose branches raked the blue of the sky.

The woman beside her scoffed. "Idiocy is what that is. Pure idiocy."

The black haired woman smiled anyway. "You are calling your son and idiot? For shame. I think you should be proud of him. After all he dedicated himself to your memory. Even wears your pelt over his shoulder. And where is your gratitude?"

The second woman's lips flattened as she pressed them together then crossed her arms. "It was his responsibility. How long do you think they have together? Humans are weak and frail and their lives are over in the blink of an eye. Do you think 20 years will be enough? 40 years? Even 70 years? That's nothing to a demon."

"Perhaps. But it is better then nothing. You should know that. Now, do you release your son from the promise you bound him to so many years ago or don't you?"

She sighed. "Yes. Even if my grandchild will turn out like your half breed brat Inuyasha I do release my son from his vow of vengeance." She frowned again. "He doesn't even lust for it anymore."

"Of course not. Because he blamed Inuyasha for taking away the only people he thought would ever really love him. But now it's because of Inuyasha that he has one who is in love with him."

"Idiocy!" But the vehement woman's eyes softened despite her words. She turned her disapproval on the strawberry-eyed demon girl who stood silent beside them. "And it is your fault as well. I'm surrounded by fool women." And then she was gone.

"Don't mind her Akuai. She's happy for her son. As am I." The black haired woman said with light amusement.

"She is right." The demon girl responded in her soft voice. "It will not be enough for him."

"No. It never is. It wasn't for my beloved and me. But there will be children and that will keep him from despair as my Inuyasha kept me from despair. And even in death I love as Kagome will love as Sesshomaru will love."

"I see." Akuai said softly.

The black haired woman smiled. "Well then we should be of." She laughed softly. "I've heard that there have been rumors of you and they've spread very far. In fact they've spread across oceans but the tale has been corrupted a bit. They've made you into a fat baby boy named Cupid who shoots people with love arrows." She laughed again. "Shall we go see what the imagination of mortal hearts have created?"

Akuai nodded and the pair faded into the sunlight.