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Meanwhile two interfering spirits smiled at each other. "At last," Inunotashio said.

"I was almost certain that the business with Naraku was going to prove too great a distraction," midoriko mused.

"I was not up to training some other poor girl for five years to be able to tolerate my intolerable son," Inunotashio laughed.

"Well, old friend," Midoriko asked "do you feel better about the future of the west?"

"The west will never fall," he responded. "Together Kagome and Sesshoumaru make an unstoppable force. It is nice that we were able to ensure their happiness in the process."

"They are not in the clear yet," Midoriko chided. "They are still going to have to face the other Lords."

"Well my dear," Inunotashio said "if you are up for a laugh I suggest you just watch and see how they will handle the others."

Chapter 28

"He has her," Inuyasha announced to his two worried companions. "They should be here within five minutes."

"Then we should go meet them," Shippo exclaimed! "I'll go get Rin."

Miroku cast a worried glance at Inuyasha. "Does it feel like Lady Kagome is alright?"

"She will be fine," Inuyasha huffed. "The bastard mated her. Any injuries she may have sustained will be gone."

"Inuyasha," Miroku said. "It is no longer your place to be jealous when it comes to Kagome."

"I know that," Inuyasha barked back. "I guess some habits are just hard to break."

"What will you do now old friend," Miroku inquired?

With no hesitation Inuyasha replied "I will stay with her as long as I am allowed."

"You know that you may not be allowed around her at all. Many mates do not allow such a thing. Especially considering your past with Kagome, and your brother has never struck me as one who would share well."

"You don't think that I already know that," Inuyasha asked with his head lowered?

Before Miroku had a chance to reply two things happened first Shippo and Rin came running out of the palace. Within seconds of the children running out Sesshoumaru touched down with Kagome nestled in his arms. It appeared that she was wearing Sesshoumaru's clothes. After Sesshoumaru set her down Inuyasha thought that she looked like an angel wearing all of that white. Hesitantly Kagome took a step towards everyone who had gathered. It seemed to her that they were all waiting to see what she would do so first she approached Miroku. In a move that her new station in life dictated that she would never have to make she bowed before him. "I offer you my humblest apologies for my earlier behavior. You have always been a cherished friend; more like a brother to me. Never have you ever done anything to deserve that kind of treatment," she said.

"Lady Kagome, please do not apologize. You were not yourself, and I am greatly pleased to see that you have returned to us," Miroku told her. Her next move made Miroku slightly worried about his well being. She hugged him. Miroku watched over her shoulder, but Sesshoumaru showed no sign that he was bothered by the show of affection.

Kagome next moved on to Inuyasha. Before she even spoke she hugged him, but this did invoke a reaction from Sesshoumaru. He let out a growl that left no doubt to its meaning. Inuyasha was not allowed to touch his new mate. Inuyasha flinched, but Kagome ignored him and continued. "Inuyasha I have not been fair to you from the very beginning. I knew that you could not just get over Kikyo and yet that was what I expected you to do. As soon as I encountered you in this life I took all of the anger from my last life out on you. But I would like to start over. You are after all my brother now," she said as she cast a meaningful glance at Sesshoumaru.

"I would be honored to be your brother," Inuyasha told her with a genuine smile on his face.

Next she went to the children. "Rin," she said "I am sorry that you have had to live in hiding any time that there have been important guests. But that will never happen again. I declare you mine. As my daughter you will never have to hide again. I will protect you from any who wish you harm." Rin smiled and threw her arms around Kagome who returned the embrace. "Shippo," Kagome whispered "you have been my son for years now. I made a stupid decision that you had to pay for. I am so sorry, but if you can forgive me I would like a second chance. I know that you have a home with Miroku and Sango, but I would love for you to come live here."

"Are you kidding," Shippo squealed! "I know I had to miss you for awhile, but now that you are a demon I will never have to live without you again."

Sesshoumaru finally stepped forward. "My mate needs to cleanse and change after her travels. You may all see her again at dinner tonight." That said he took Kagome's hand and began to lead her into the palace. He stopped only one to instruct a servant to have Kagome's things moved into his quarters.

When they arrived in his quarters Kagome turned to him. "Sesshoumaru," she said. "I know that you have always had problems with Inuyasha, but I also know that you do not hate him. I can tell you that nothing would please your father more than to see the two of you learn to peacefully exist. I know that you may never be able to look at each other as brothers, but I already feel as though he is mine."

"I realize this," Sesshoumaru told her. "My beast simply does not like to see him touch you."

"He has never touched me as you have, and he never will," she told him with a seductive grin on her face. "I believe that it is custom for mates to exchange quite extravagant mating gifts. I request for mine that you allow Inuyasha to remain if he so chooses."

"You would give up a small fortune in gifts just to have the half breed remain," Sesshoumaru asked?

"Yes," was her simple reply.

"Then I will allow it," Sesshoumaru granted. "But you are responsible for keeping him in order."

"Thank you," she replied. "Now I just have to think of something to give to you."

"You have already given me enough," he announced. "Not only did you decide to stay with me, but you also granted me the gift of your purity."

With that decided they entered Sesshoumaru's personal hot springs and washed away every reminder of the nightmare that had been their last few days.

"Wow," Kagome said. "I feel like I could sleep for days."

"That my love will probably not happen," Sesshoumaru told her. "Tomorrow I will send out the announcement that you are the new Lady of the West."

"Great," she murmured. "Guess I need to tell the maids to have my favorite fighting kimonos laid out for me."