Final Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. I do lay claim, however, to Eadoin and Aine.

Epilogue:

Miroku sat cross-legged by the campfire, trying to meditate... and failing. The excitement of the past days kept intruding on his thoughts. Eventually, one eye opened and the young monk began instead to thoughtfully observe his friends.

Shippo, Kirara and Myoga, curled up together beside the fire, offered little distraction. However, across from him, Sango knelt on Kagome's 'sleeping-bag', quietly polishing her hiraikotsu; Miroku felt a small rush of warmth when, catching his eye on her, the young woman favoured him with a soft smile. Should he risk moving to sit beside her? He sighed... maybe later, when she had put aside the heavy weapon.

The monk then glanced sideways, and was amused to see a straight-backed InuYasha actually letting Kagome sit quite close to him. The girl seemed to be watching the emerging stars. At least, Miroku thought with a suppressed chuckle, their conversation had not slipped into an argument.

'I'm going to miss Aine and Eadoin, InuYasha,' said Kagome. 'The next time I go home, I'll go to the school library and see what I can find out about their people.'

The hanyo's ears twitched with interest. 'Do you really think there'll be something written about them?'

She shrugged. 'There might be... in the World Studies section.' Or maybe... 'Mythology'?

They sat in companionable silence for a while, then...

'InuYasha...' said Kagome. 'I keep thinking about Sesshoumaru and Lady Aine...'

'Ain't interested,' came the quick reply.

'But, why? Aren't you even a little curious about why your brother would show a human so much respect?'

'Nope.'

Kagome's sigh had turned into a yawn. She began to doze and leant toward the half-demon, her drooping head coming to rest against his shoulder. He blushed; then, his yellow eyes softened as he looked down at the sleeping girl, thinking that Aine had gotten it backwards...

I'm the lucky one.

Eadoin and Aine had been surprised to see a familiar vessel still anchored in the harbour of the small port town. It seemed that the arrival of allies of the local samurai, eager to trade for goods from the mainland, had been ample incentive for the Portuguese captain to delay his departure for a few days. The officer had been pleased, and not a little relieved, to see his two 'Irish' passengers again. Welcoming them back on board, he had told them that the ship would be visiting various trade ports along the southern shores of the Japans until the late autumn – then, they would sail south to catch the winter trade winds and begin the first leg of their journey home. This was agreeable to the Dé Dananns who, as experienced travellers, were quite prepared to accept that prevailing winds controlled their schedule.

Now, from the deck of the same carrack that had brought him to the Japans, Eadoin watched the night sky. He was alone with his thoughts, Aine having retired to her cabin. Sitting on the railing, he gently plucked the strings of his harp, his fingers moving in the pattern of a love song as the memory of his betrothed warmed his heart. Through the miraculous power of the Tenseiga, he had been given a second chance at life – he would not waste it.

Thoughts of the wondrous Sword of Heaven brought its owner to mind. Eadoin sighed; the rhythm of his fingers slowed. The inu yokai was still very much an enigma to him. He could not be judged by human standards, or even compared to the elves – though he shared the beauty of that ancient race, there the similarity ended. Sesshoumaru was... unique.

Aye, thought the bard, Unique. Mighty enough to rival the strongest of my people... determined to follow a solitary path of conquest... and possessing a sword with the power to resurrect the dead.

What were you meant to conquer, dog demon? Eadoin thought, as he looked down at the dark water lapping at the ship's hull. He had wondered why fate would pick such a 'soul friend' for Aine, but now he realised that he had not viewed this puzzle as a bard should, considering all facets and possibilities. Perhaps... fate chose my Aine for you, Lord Sesshoumaru... Perhaps... 'tis you that needed her?

Aine lay on her cot, watching the night sky through the small, grilled window in her cabin door as she listened to the soft strains of the Amhrán Iúr. She would be glad to see her home again, and to be reunited with her clan. And, she thought, with a knowing smile, it's been long since I've danced at a wedding. But... to leave this mystical land is still... regrettable.

Eyes of gold were in her thoughts. How odd... to feel such trust in someone, to feel so much comfort knowing of their very existence... And yet, there was so much she did not know about her anamchara. She gently touched her lips, remembering how she and Sesshoumaru had responded to the insistent pull of the bond – a pull that, she knew, he had initiated. She had felt the surge of his yoki as the warmth from the link had embraced her soul.

She sighed. If she had told Eadoin how much she wanted to stay, to explore the possibilities that lay within this 'connection', her cousin would have delayed his departure for her sake. But, she would not ask this of him; she had decided she would keep silent for now – not until they had left these shores would she tell him of her intent to return to the Japans someday. After all, she was a seasoned traveller now; it would be no hardship to travel again by sea...

If I'm spared, so, I'll retrieve that small favour so safe in your care, mo chú bán. And then, what discoveries might there be for us? There existed between them the potential for a truly unique friendship at the very least. But, for now, Aine could draw comfort simply from knowing that the soul-bond existed. And, exist it would, no matter the miles that separated them, no matter the time, be it a year, two years, twenty...

Ah no... she thought, smiling to herself. Though time is no enemy to such as we two, I'll not wait that long, Sesshoumaru... a stór.

'Leave me alone, Rin...' moaned Jaken. The kappa sat huddled between Ah-Un and the campfire, nursing a very sore head and a somewhat bruised ego.

Rin sighed, wondering what Master Jaken had done to make Lord Sesshoumaru so angry with him. She looked worriedly at the two large lumps that had formed on the little demon's forehead – then, her face lit with inspiration. Reaching into her kimono, she pulled out a small linen bag and held it out to the woebegone kappa.

'Here, Master Jaken... maybe this will help your headache.'

Jaken took one whiff of the bag and, unbelievably, turned even more green. 'Please go away, Rin...' he pleaded. But, before the child could voice a puzzled reply to his reaction...

'Rin. Come here.'

The little girl left the kappa and the bright circle of the campfire to join the dog demon. Sesshoumaru stood a few metres away, his back to the firelight as he watched the quarter moon in the southwestern sky.

'What are you holding?' he asked her.

Rin held out the little linen bag. 'Lady Aine gave it to me, Lord Sesshoumaru. It's called, um... lah-van-dar. She said the scent gives nice dreams, so I thought it might help Master Jaken's head.' She looked up and saw the dog demon's nostrils flare slightly as he looked at the lady's present to her. Her face fell. Jaken hadn't liked the smell – perhaps Lord Sesshoumaru didn't care for it either. 'Do you want me to get rid of it, my lord?' she asked softly.

Sesshoumaru's aloof gaze returned to the distant moon. 'No. Keep it.'

The little girl grinned with happiness. 'Oh, thank you, my lord.'

As Rin rejoined the morose Jaken by the fire, Sesshoumaru resumed his contemplations. It seemed that his life had returned to its normal pattern. His jaki was intact, his mind once more able to focus properly on his goals. It was time to continue his search for Naraku. Someday, the dog demon promised himself, he would destroy the deceitful half-demon. Nevertheless, he would also ponder his recent experiences – patiently and thoroughly.

The soul-bond had not troubled him since he had acknowledged its existence, just as the healer had promised. How... extraordinary, he thought, that he had such an empathic attachment to another, and that it was acceptable to him. Sesshoumaru was well aware that this bond would never have formed naturally, for he would never have permitted himself to become... close... to the healer. She was correct. This 'compatibility' between us would have remained undiscovered... his thoughts turned to his father's fang... if not for the Tenseiga.

'Well, Tenseiga?' he murmured. 'Will you finally speak?'

This time, the sword answered. When the Tenseiga had urged them to meet within its consciousness, had it known their souls would 'bond'? No. Did the sword approve of this bond? Yes. When Sesshoumaru had permitted Aine to heal his injuries, the sword had felt her healer's power resonating in harmony with its own aura, and with its master's jaki. And, when she had given her own life-force to the taiyokai, the blade had sensed the nature of her soul – and found her to be well-matched with the dog demon.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he considered what the sword was revealing, and the feeling of satisfaction it was projecting as it did so.

'A curious conclusion, Tenseiga... that such opposites could be "well-matched".'

He slipped his hand under the collar of his kimono and withdrew the coil of ribbon. Despite the dim light of the quarter moon, his yokai eyes easily saw the intricately entwined images embroidered along its length – flowers, horses and... dogs. He almost smiled – the long muzzled hounds had a familiar look to them. He inhaled the floral fragrance that clung to the fabric – at least now, it had a name.

Hnh. A token of faith. A promise of reunion, and... The chance to learn... what, my lady?

Sesshoumaru returned the keepsake to its resting place. Whatever discoveries he would make, they would happen in their own time.

Fin

A/N: And, we have reached the end of our tale. I thank you all for your kind attention.