Kagome laughed as she was met by an incredibly excited Shiori. The young half-demon hopped up onto Sabe's back with ease, scrabbling to hug the miko with a grin on her young face. "Kagome-san, you're back!"

"It's nice to see you, too, Shiori-chan," Kagome told her warmly, reaching behind her to ruffle Shiori's lavender hair. Sabe instinctively stuck close to Inuyasha's mount, following the mare through the courtyard to where the staff and residents of the Silver Castle awaited. A smile kicked up her lips as she saw an eager Rin waving wildly from where she was carefully balancing on one leg beside Sesshomaru, her free hand grasping Sesshomaru's sleeve. Paru stood beside a grim looking Aka, Shippo resting on his father's shoulder, and Tesu and her children stood nearby, searching the soldiers that had returned for a certain one. Kagura was beside Sesshomaru and Rin, Kikyo and Sota close to her, many of the other people Kagome recognized from the place she called home. And she waved in greeting to all of them, relief flooding her.

At last, though possibly not permanently, with the war going on and everything, she was home.

Inuyasha swung off of his horse, handing the reins to a nearby soldier that had appeared just to do that. As Kagome copied him, the half-demon noticed a longing look on Akiya's face as the demon appeared. He chuckled. "Go ahead, Akiya, but remember. You still have work to do."

"Of course, Inuyasha-sama," he said eagerly, practically throwing himself forward to greet Tesu with an eagerness. Tesu beamed, happiness shining in her eyes as she threw her arms around him in a hug, practically purring her happiness to anyone that could hear.

Kagome touched his arm, then started forward after helping Shiori down, opening her arms to greet Sota in a hug when the younger boy came running. He grinned, playfully squeezing her as tightly as he could - and then Rin was hobbling over with a determined look, Kagura assisting her with a look of amusement in Sesshomaru's direction. The demon wore a look of irritation. "Hi, Rin-chan," Kagome greeted, kneeling to hug her, too. Shippo soon joined the mess and Kagome found herself giggling as Tesu's two came to greet her as well. "Jeez, you guys really missed me, hm?"

Rin made a face. "It was boring without Inuyasha-sama to mess with Sesshomaru-sama. And I've had to sit around a lot. Sesshomaru-sama wouldn't let me go play with the other kids." She waved at her splinted leg in disgust. "I hate this thing. When is it going to come off, Kagura-san?"

"Soon, Rin-chan," Kagura said with a small laugh. She winked at Kagome, then urged Rin back towards Sesshomaru. "Come on, Rin-chan, before Sesshomaru gets irritated. You know he's been very upset lately."

Rin stuck her tongue out at the dog demon, and his lips quirked up just slightly at her antics. "No he's not, see? He's smiling. Just a teeny bit," she added, showing what she meant by holding her thumb and forefinger as close as she could without touching, "but he's smiling."

Kagome shook her head in amusement, then glanced up when Inuyasha materialized beside her, his eyes flashing with annoyance when he couldn't get close enough because of all of the children surrounding her. She snickered, then ushered them all towards the Silver Castle, stepping closer to the half-demon. He relaxed immediately, and Kagome chuckled before starting forward herself.

"Hello, Kikyo-chan," Kagome greeted nervously. She was still unused to the other woman. Kikyo simply smiled, waving slightly in response seconds before Sesshomaru was suddenly standing before her. "Uh, hello to you, too, Sesshomaru-sama," she mumbled.

"The ceremony will take place tonight," he said bluntly, glancing at Inuyasha. Inuyasha tensed. "Inuyasha will return tomorrow in the morning. I will teach you what you will need to learn, miko. Kagura and Kikyo will assist me in doing so. You are not to leave the Silver Castle unless I am with you, or Inuyasha when he returns from war. Is that clear?"

"Uh, yeah," Kagome said with a surprised look. "But...why? I think I'll be okay to defend myself in a few moon cycles or so..." She raised her hand, letting the snapping energy dance along her fingertips - until Sesshomaru snarled at her and she let it drop. Inuyasha gave him a tense and warning glare. "Seriously, though. I've been working on it. I'll be okay to fend off demons soon, Sesshomaru-sama."

"Precisely," he snipped back, growling softly in the back of his throat. "You are not capable of fending off humans. You do not have the strength that we do, miko. What is the point of those powers when a human comes after you and you cannot protect yourself?"

"Point taken," Kagome sighed, then crossed her arms, good eye fairly annoyed. "If you're done with the lecture, can we go inside now? It's getting chilly out here and I'm sure I have other things to do before you get to doing the ceremony."

Sesshomaru took a look at her, his gaze whisking across her slim figure, now trim from the hours of practicing her bow to get it just right while they'd been waiting for different attacks. Inuyasha's growl started up again, unhappy with the attention his brother was placing on the woman that would soon be his. "Inuyasha has much to do. You have nothing. Kikyo has been informed of what will happen...she will instruct you while I instruct Inuyasha. You," he turned his cold eyes upon his brother. "I am aware that you do not wish to leave the miko's side, but she will be perfectly safe with the others here. Come." That said, he turned and disappeared back towards the Silver Castle.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath before touching Kagome's arm and slipping after him.

Kagura grinned, her painted lips curving into a look of amusement. "Don't mind Sesshomaru, Kagome-chan, he's been cranky since that dragon's attack on Rin. Come along, Rin-chan, why don't you and Shiori help me decide what the cooks should make for the banquet?"

"Okay," Rin said eagerly as Shiori bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. Kagura scooped Rin up with ease, gave Kagome a wink, then slipped inside. Most of the staff and residents had gone in now, Kagome realized, leaving just she and Kikyo.

Kikyo smiled hesitantly at Kagome. "Come on, I'll show you what you'll be wearing...Kagura-san and I worked throughout the night to perfect the measurements. It was difficult without you here despite the clothes we still had..." She waved for Kagome to follow her and Kagome did, slipping into the Silver Castle. Kagome couldn't help the wandering of her eyes as she took in the familiar hallways, and hugged herself with a happy look upon her face. She'd honestly missed the familiarity of the Silver Castle; it was, after all, her home. "Perhaps you would like to try it on? Just to see if it needs any adjustments?"

Recognizing the friendly tone, Kagome finally relaxed and nodded. "Sure," she agreed easily, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Do you know how long exactly the ceremony is...Toga-sama wants Inuyasha back as soon as possible, but..."

Kikyo shook her head. "I've never witnessed this ceremony...it's a private matter between a few select people. I'm lucky to even be allowed to witness it, Kagome-sama." Kagome felt a moment of shock at the title, but didn't say anything about it. "I was told by Kagura-san that when Izayoi was brought into power, it was only she, Toga-sama, Totosai-san, and one other present. Then again, she was brought into power during a time of trouble, so..."

"Well, there's one thing in common," Kagome mumbled, ducking into the room she'd shared with Sango for quite a while. She paused to take in the warm looking cot and sighed. She longed to get some sleep, but she wouldn't be getting that until later. She had a ceremony to prepare for. At least Inuyasha was suffering just as much, if not more than she was... "Where's this clothing you told me about?"

"Here," Kikyo told her, smiling as she waved her over and opened a newly placed chest. "Kagura-san thought you'd like to get changed in here, so..." She carefully removed a cascade of cloth, carefully holding it against Kagome, and gave a slow and approving nod. "Kagura-san was right...it matches you."

The dress she held looked as if it was as expensive as the Silver Castle itself in Kagome's eyes. It was beautiful, the color a deep burgundy color. It held no sleeves, baring her shoulders and arms to the open air in a way that she wasn't used to...in a way that made her cheeks threaten to rival the dress's color. Ruffles of red cloth trailed out at least two strides behind it, and the back laced up in a way that would hug her torso and hips.

Kagome cleared her throat. "It's lovely. But...it's kind of revealing."

"That style is beginning to come into fashion," Kikyo explained, tugging thoughtfully on her loose sleeve. "I like it. Maybe I'll have to convince Shichiro to get me a similar dress, or hire someone to sew one like it for me..."

"You're welcome to," Kagome said with a shrug, making a face. Inuyasha wasn't going to be happy with the style. She thought he wouldn't be, anyways. So it was much to her relief that Kikyo revealed a small piece of strange black clothing. It was lace, Kagome realized, peering at it.

"This'll go over the top," Kikyo explained with a small hum, beginning to fold it back up. "It has a high neck, so it'll hug your throat...though I don't know why. Nothing happens to it during the ceremony from what Kagura said, but Sesshomaru said it needed to be covered during the ceremony." She shrugged.

Kagome surveyed Kikyo's gentle hands as she put the dress away for the time being, a lump in her throat. Though Kikyo had started out as a woman none of them liked, a woman they had celebrated the absence of, she'd grown to be a gentle woman, willingly helping out with the woman who'd taken her place. "Thank you, Kikyo-chan," she said with a choked voice, smiling faintly at the startled looking woman.

Kikyo swept a long lock of dark hair out of her eyes. "Of course, Kagome-chan," she replied warmly, lips curving into a gentle smile before she ushered Kagome out of the room. "Come, you must be hungry after your travels...and you should have Kagura-san look at those scratches...you need to look perfect for the ceremony!"

"I think," Kagome muttered, following Kikyo out of the room. "I'm going to regret ever coming here in the next day..."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Growling in irritation under his breath, not happy about having to leave the miko's side, Inuyasha glared at the back of his brother's head. "What the hell requires me to leave her, Sesshomaru?"

"You need to prepare for things she cannot. The miko is not required to know the steps to the ceremony...you, however, are. So silence yourself and allow me to explain. I do not feel like explaining to Father why you are unable to complete the ceremony."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, scowling in response. "Then talk. This is getting on my nerves."

"To begin with, I will need you to take Tetsusaiga to Totosai," Sesshomaru instructed. "The swore looks disgusting and must be cleaned for the ceremony. It will be needed. Then we will retire to some room and I will explain what you will do during the ceremony."

The half-demon shook his head in exasperation, scowling irritably as he followed his half-brother through the Silver Castle, Sesshomaru guiding the way to Totosai with ease. Upon finding the elderly demon, Sesshomaru growled, "Totosai."

Totosai glanced up from what he was doing, taking in the narrow-eyed Sesshomaru and the growling Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, welcome back," he mumbled, then added, "What can I do for you, Sesshomaru?"

"The Tetsusaiga needs its adjustments for the ceremony...Father has decided that the miko is to become Silver Queen with all of the ridiculousness in the Market." Sesshomaru curled a lip in disgust. "You are aware of what will need to be accomplished."

Totosai blinked, then held his hand out for the battle-worn sword. Inuyasha tossed it to him and the older demon caught it with ease, gaze scanning the dulled old-looking blade. "I'll see what I can do. It has been used far too much to be just a ceremonial blade...it grows in power with each time it is used. Soon, I doubt it will be able to even retain this form. It will more than likely be stuck in its larger transformation...you have used it well in your battling, Inuyasha." He reached for a massive hammer that was nearby, watching as it transformed into its larger form in his hand before slamming the hammer against it. "Very well."

Inuyasha's ears twitched, an eyebrow rising in surprise. Never before had the elderly demon complimented him quite as nicely as he did now. "Uh, thanks? What are you going to do to it?" he suddenly asked, wary. "I need it for after, heading back out to join the old man."

"It'll still be fine for fighting," Totosai answered reassuringly. He patted the sword affectionately. "I will see to it that it is at its peak before I return it to your hands, Inuyasha. Go do what needs to be done. I will be present for the ceremony later."

Sesshomaru gave a curt nod then glared at Inuyasha until, exasperated, the half-demon threw his hands up and followed him back outside of the room. "Okay, what the hell are we doing now?" He was getting irritable. He didn't exactly want to do some huge ceremony. He would have been perfectly fine if he'd just taken over his father's position without a single word. But tradition was apparently important, and the fact that his mother would have been excited had she been there kept him silent.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, just as irritated with his half-brother. A servant giggled at the bickering two as she made her way past, a broom in her hand. "If you would silence yourself, perhaps we would be able to move along quicker," he snapped, then spun on his heel, leading the way in the next direction. Inuyasha impatiently snapped something under his breath and was met by his older brother's snarl.

The maid giggled again, her dark eyes alight with amusement as she went to tell her fellow workers about what she'd just seen and heard.

It was a few hours later, it seemed like, that he was finally allowed to hunt down Kagome again. Using his nose, he tracked her with ease until finally discovering her not too far away, chatting quietly with a friendly looking gardener. The gardener was waving at the flowers he'd set up, his face animated with eagerness as he spoke. Inuaysha swept his ears forward and listened intently.

"The roses will be on this side of the room," the gardener was saying happily, "and the sunflowers on the other side. Daffodils will decorate the main entry way. May I ask what color your ceremonial clothing is, Kagome-sama? Perhaps I could offer some flowers to go with it?"

"That would be great," Kagome said happily, clapping her hands together with a brilliant smile. "The dress is red..."

"There are already roses," the gardener murmured, "So I'll find you a different kind of flower. Will that be all right, Kagome-sama?" Kagome beamed and nodded, then finally seemed to notice Inuyasha. She grinned and waved at him, excusing herself.

He arched an eyebrow. "The hell are you doing, wench?"

She practically danced to his side, her good eye amused. "I was talking with the gardener. I know how those ears of yours work, I'm sure you heard. I wanted to know what he was doing inside, 'cause you know. They're usually outside working on the shrubbery and what not."

The half-demon snorted, rolling his sharp golden eyes. "Whatever. You hungry? One of the cooks should have something to eat by now-"

"They won't," Kikyo interrupted as she appeared. "There's going to be a special banquet after the ceremony, Inuyasha. It's tradition." She smiled faintly at the half-demon before turning her gaze onto Kagura when the wind demon came racing into view, her red eyes full of annoyance. "Kagura-san...?"

"Sesshomaru is dead," Kagura threatened Inuyasha with a dark look in her eyes. "That jerk...ugh! I know exactly how to take care of children...Kagome! You're with me. Now. Inuyasha. Go find your brother again. He failed to take note of the time."

Inuyasha's eyes flashed with his own irritation. "I just got away, damn it!"

"Then go back," she snapped back, "Your Tetsusaiga needs picked up! Your clothes need changed! You need to deal with that stupid mane of yours!" She shoved him roughly, eyes flashing furiously when Inuyasha growled in protest. "If you don't leave right now-"

Kagome cut in, touching Inuyasha's arm. "Just do it, would you? The sooner you do it, the sooner you can do what you want. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Not until the ceremony you won't," Kikyo commented.

"Well, then, then," Kagome laughed, smiling brightly at him. "I'll see you during the ceremony then, okay, Inuyasha? Make sure you do exactly what you need to do though...we don't need to go around screwing everything up. Again."

He scowled, then left to do just what he'd been told to do, looking fairly irritable about this.

"He won't be complaining later," Kagura said smugly, though she was rough as she pushed Kagome back ahead of her. "Come on, Kagome-chan, we have things to do. Starting with fixing this mess of a hair style...Miroku-kun really messed it up..."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome's lips parted in surprise as she took in her appearance in the mirror. She still supported cuts and bruises from her accomplishments in the war, but they were barely noticeable at this point. Even with her shoulders, arms, and upper back bared, she was still "like a goddess", according to the beaming Kagura. She didn't believe the wind demon to that extent, of course, but she did like how the dress hung off her hips, the red rippling out around her feet. They'd fixed her hair as well as they could, and it, too, looked fairly decent despite what they'd had to work with.

"So...you haven't exactly told me what I'm doing," Kagome reminded with a soft huff, shooting Kagura a pointed look. "That might be helpful."

"Like you've been told," Kikyo said, making final adjustments to the dress and handing the black top to her, her eyes thoughtful as she searched for anything else that needed to be fixed. "Ayame will be helping you with some of it since you're not a demon...you're aware that it requires mixing your blood with that of Izayoi's and his, right?"

"Lovely," Kagome sighed, though she pursed her lips, slipping the black jacket-like piece on. At least she wouldn't have to remember anything important...

"Oh! There will be a part where you need to speak," Kagura said suddenly.

Ah, she'd jinxed herself. "Well," Kagome sighed impatiently, "Tell me then."

"It's not difficult, Kagome," she reassured, "You'll merely have to copy what Jinenji says, that's all. You'll know. It's like a human marriage with two words and a lot of...primitive things."

"Oh, that's so comforting," Kagome muttered sarcastically under her breath. Playfully, Kagura smacked her arm lightly before stepping back to admire their work. "Not bad, if I do say so myself," she said smugly. She gave a curt nod then started for the door of the room, peeking out. "Okay. Time to go to the ceremony now," she said pleasantly, urging Kagome out of the room. Kagome pursed her lips, nearly tripping on the dress she wore. "

"This thing is ridiculously difficult to walk in," Kagome complained. She loved the dress; it was beautiful! But what a pain!

"There won't be many people there," Kikyo mused as they made their way down the hall. "Inuyasha, of course, along with Sesshomaru and Rin, Jinenji, Kagura, myself, and Totosai. Maybe a few others, including those like Tesu, Shiori, and Shippo."

"Not comforting," Kagome muttered irritably. Why couldn't this be over already? Something about the entire thing was making her nervous, and she couldn't figure out why... It struck her and she wanted to smack herself in the forehead. She was about to take Izayoi's place as Silver Queen, and Inuyasha was going to take the place of Inu no Taisho. Of course. No wonder, she thought sarcastically.

As if understanding, Kikyo touched Kagome's shoulder. "Don't worry, Kagome-chan," she said softly, smiling gently. "Everything will be fine. Believe me. You're making this a bigger deal than it truly is. Just relax. Inuyasha will be in much more pain during this, I promise." She grinned, and Kagome found herself returning it with a small laugh.

"Thank you, Kikyo-chan," Kagome said truthfully.

The trio made their way through the halls, stopping just outside of a room Kagome had seen but had, surprisingly, never been in. The doors were giant and fancy, made of mahogany wood with swirling dog demon designs in them. Golden handles curved elegantly out of the wood, and Kagura slipped inside after ordering Kagome and Kikyo to wait just outside.

Kagome breathed out a small, final nervous sigh. She could do it, she told herself. She just had to stay calm and do what she was told as the entire ceremony progressed...

"Okay," Kagura said in a whisper, poking her head out with a wink. "C'mon. Just sneak around the side to join Inuyasha in the corner, okay? He'll make sure you do what needs to be done, I promise. There will be a tiny hallway just to the left so nobody sees you just yet...Kikyo, we need to go sit down, c'mon!"

Kagome slid into the hall just as she'd been told to do, following it until she reached a corner where Inuyasha waited, just as promised. The Silver Prince looked just as irritable as he always did, his golden eyes narrowed as he glared at someone she couldn't see just yet. The Tetsusaiga had been returned to him, looking suspiciously brand new. His silver hair had been tied out of his face, the sidelocks hanging on either side, and Kagome blinked. he looked a lot like his father at the moment, she noted.

Suddenly, his gaze snapped over to her and his eyes widened in surprise. Kagome found herself flushing as he took in the dress. And then he ruined the surprised moment by muttering, "How the hell do they expect you to run in that thing?"

"Run?" Kagome snapped, crossing her arms tightly. "What do you mean I have to run?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "Just like I said," he answered. He eyed her suspiciously. "Did they not tell you?"

Kagome gave an exasperated cry of "they told me nothing!" before chewing harshly on her lip. "All they did tell me was that I didn't have to say much and to trust you to make sure whatever needs to get done gets done properly or something!"

Inuyasha groaned, growling furiously. "I'm going to kill them!" His ears flattened against his head, he bent closer so that he could murmur hurriedly in his throat, knowing that the ceremony had just begun when Sesshomaru began to speak aloud. "It's just a little bit of entertainment towards the end. If you can get to the reception afterwards without me catching you, then the first law you create goes on unchallenged by even Myoga and Totosai so long as it's reasonable...not that I can catch you with that crazy miko stuff...we have to do a bunch of blood things and words first though."

"Lovely," Kagome complained, glaring down at the rumpled layers that hid her legs from view. It had been a while since she'd worn a dress, before they'd left for war. This was just going to be an issue apparently. "Okay. Guess I'll have to run seriously fast. Do I get a head start?" He shook his silver and Kagome let pink cackle along her fingertips with a glint in her eyes. "Too bad then. I'm gonna win."

"Okay, you two!" Kagura peeked into the corner with a broad smile, a smug look on her painted red lips. "It's time."

"I'm going to purify you after all of this is over," Kagome told the wind demon as she carefully brushed her skirts off.

Kagura threw her head back and laughed. "No you're not. Now, Inuyasha-kun, you first. Kagome-chan, wait a few seconds, then come out. All right?"

"Got it," Kagome murmured as Inuyasha gave a grumpy curt nod. Neither were too enthusiastic about the matter.

Inuyasha stepped out with Kagura, his hand resting on the Tetsusaiga for comfort, and Kagome listened carefully as she heard Sesshomaru say something. But she didn't listen too closely. This was not her portion just yet. Kagome waited until he was done speaking and had called her before stepping out of the small area herself.

First thing she did was scan the room. It was surprisingly small, with people standing on either side of it. Totosai, Myoga, Kagura, Kikyo, Shippo and his parents, Tesu and her children alongside Akiya, and many others filled the room, all of their eyes on her. Her cheeks flushed even darker at this, and she forced herself to focus as Jinenji, who stood at the head of the room with, to her surprise, Ayame along side Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, waved for her to join them. She did just that, standing particularly close to Inuyasha in her nervousness.

Jinenji gave her a gentle and kind smile before stating clearly in his soft voice, "There is no current Silver Queen to pass such power onto her successor, and the current Inu no Taisho is unable to do his portion due to the war he continues to fight. Because of this, Ayame-sama, now the sole lady of the Ookamis, will take the Silver Queen's place, and Sesshomaru-sama will take his father's place to complete the ceremonies. This is not against any of the ancient laws."

Kagome blinked. Huh. Interesting. There were ancient laws alongside all of this mess? Great, just what she needed. She was asked to repeat something, as was Inuyasha, and she zoned out for a bit after that. Jinenji went on for a few moments about something or another, but she didn't seem to hear it, too distracted by her thoughts until she heard the words "blood binding". Ah, she thought, so this is where all of the blood came in.

"Inuyasha-sama," Jinenji said, addressing the half-demon. He glanced at the healer, then seemed to come to an understanding, raising his wrist to his mouth. With a quick jerking motion of his head, he'd made a rather nasty looking bite wound that leaked blood, which dripped onto the ground beneath him. Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, and she threw Ayame an alarmed and panicked look when Ayame stepped closer and lightly snatched up Kagome's wrist, using a claw to draw a careful slice across her own. "Don't worry, Kagome-chan," she breathed to the confused miko, winking playfully. "This is normal, I promise." She released the miko's wrist and stepped back.

When Jinenji mumbled to "exchange blood", however, desperate confusion blossomed into view, and she shot Inuyasha a panicked look. He smirked slightly until a quiet growl from Sesshomaru urged him to lightly grab her bleeding wrist and hold his own above it, watching intently as his dripping blood fell onto her small cut, mixing with her blood. Kagome's lips parted, slightly in a mixture of disgust but of also wonder. This was definitely a new bit of "fun" to her.

Soon after that, the blood Kaede had gathered from Izayoi before her death was dripped onto Kagome's wrist, and the Inu no Taisho's was dripped onto Inuyasha's. And not too long later, Jinenji was announcing, his voice now booming out powerfully, "We bid farewell to the previous Silver Queen, Izayoi, and allow the Inu no Taisho Toga to step aside to allow his son to take his place. His authority over the Silver Queen Kagome is no longer, nor is it for the now Inu no Taisho Inuyasha."

And as simple as that, the ceremony was over. For the most part, apparently, because suddenly, eyes twinkling with amusement, Inuyasha broke the seriousness of it all by leaning forward, bloodied wrist clasped in his other clawed hand as he leaned forward so that his face was only a breath away from the startled Silver Queen's. "You better get a move on, wench, before I decide to just grab you here."

Kagome's lost look disappeared and she giggled before darting off as fast as she could, silently kicking off the shoes as she ran past the suddenly laughing people around them.