And back to Japan...Where the families are all refusing to get along. You gotta love snobbery and prejudice. It makes it easy to find drama without a real villain. Hiroyuki's not evil, just a little deranged and seriously old fashioned. Izayoi's not evil, she's far too dependent on Hiroyuki for her opinions to be so. It's the same with all the characters in this story. Pure evil is incredibly rare. That doesn't automatically make everybody good either. It's all a rainbow of lights and darks. As Kagome realized a few chapters back, It isn't wise to trust everybody, but neither is it healthy to trust no one. It's a hard lesson, one that never seems to be mastered because there's always someone willing to exploit vulnerability and trust.

Calendar: September

I do not own: 1) Inuyasha, the characters or world therefrom. Those belong to Rumiko Takahashi. 2) the original idea that spawn this specific plot. That was borrowed from Shellbabe's Lost Mate found on FFN.

Kinship

"Come on Kikyou!" Inuyasha called to his mate from across the pent house apartment. Sesshoumaru sat on the couch near the door waiting for both to finalize their preparations to leave. "We're going to be late! I don't think your family is going to be particularly forgiving at this point if we're not on time!"

"I don't care!" Kikyou hollered abruptly back. She'd been more than a little perturbed with her family since they'd blown up at her before last Christmas. Sesshoumaru's prophesy over their father's expedience in the face of displeasure had proven true. Kikyou had received a call from her parents in the middle of the call from Inuyasha and all connection with her family had been severed with harsh words and unreasonable demands.

The family had refused to acknowledge or support Kikyou and Inuyasha once they became appraised of the reality that their daughter had not only continued her relationship with the hanyou despite their expressed wishes, but made it permanent in the youkai way. Perhaps they would have been more receptive if Hiroyuki hadn't just been so hateful to them about it, calling Kikyou and their family by extension a bunch of opportunistic, mercenary, uppity, bottom feeders in the most insulting and vulgar terms.

Sesshoumaru didn't need to know the specifics to guess what had happened. Hiroyuki was venting like that toddler Inuyasha had called him, throwing a tantrum over something that couldn't be changed. Luckily, the Yoshida family were in one of the few business industries Taishou Hiroyuki had no real stake in. Their scent products had been around long enough to resist uninformed efforts to damage their reputation or their access to the venues they needed to turn a profit or produce their signature items.

There would have been no way to mend the breach if the family livelihood had been completely eliminated in a vindictive turn around Hiroyuki was secretly known for. The Taishou alpha had ruined more than his share of businessmen simply for not giving him what he wanted. He was just as ruthless with people who upset Izayoi in her efforts to raise money for one cause or another. Many a fledgeling company found themselves drummed out of viable existence because they didn't donate sufficient amounts to the alpha's mate and her pet cause of the week. It didn't matter if doing so would have crippled the company, no excuse was good enough for Hiroyuki.

Thankfully, the alpha wasn't a complete juggernaut. There were some avenues of business still resilient to his manipulations. Most celebrities survived all efforts to bring them down simply because even negative press was still good for them. The perfume industry remained buoyant and isolated from his power by mere virtue of what they sell. Homeopathic remedies remained an esoteric niche business, enough to avoid Hiroyuki's interest. A few other industries continued to steer clear of the Taishou alpha's influence or attention which Sesshoumaru believed was all to the good.

Unfortunately, Sesshoumaru's job was not immune to the alpha's displeasure as he had lost the position in accounting for no apparent reason. The loss of mindless occupation hadn't been mourned as much as their father likely believed it would be. Business management was a good degree to have in the work force as it stood now and the Sanctuary families had found him a shrine in desperate need of some direction. The pay came from the government, the work was rewarding and the environment was pleasant. The struggling shrine really needed better organization, marketing of its products, and more attention paid to the budget.

So far the shrine's business had perked up 20%. A modest uptick to be sure, but a significant one for a shrine. They saw more pilgrimage and had started taking orders on-line. Most of the shrine products were small handicrafts and charms blessed over by the resident priest. Sesshoumaru had suggested they start offering classes in traditional skills practiced in the everyday observances of the shrine rites. The charms were written in the same script and style as the sutra. The priest's son was skilled in the practice of ikebana and archery. His wife planned out the various tranquility gardens which had grown quite popular since the shrine's website had received its facelift.

Sesshoumaru enjoyed the work, even though very soon he wouldn't be needed to maintain their continued growth. It was supposed to be temporary from the start. No shrine could afford to maintain a full time manager that wasn't also a member of the family. It was all right with him. The Higurashi's had another shrine lined up for him to work with at the start of next month which would mark the end of his current effort.

"Don't say you don't care," Inuyasha tried to soothe his mate. "Kaede's worked so hard to get them to see us, don't you want to see her?"

"That's playing dirty, Inuyasha, and I don't like it!" Kikyou retorted from the confines of the bedroom she shared with her hanyou mate.

Sesshoumaru managed to refrain from smirking at their interaction. As suggested, Kikyou and Inuyasha had moved into his penthouse apartment. The offer had been genuine and the timing perfect because when the Yoshida's cut ties with Kikyou, they withdrew monetary support completely. Kikyou had been thrown out of the family home and Inuyasha had no other place to take her. Wherever else Inuyasha had been living, it was clear he couldn't add his mate to the imposition on his various friends. It was equally obvious that Kikyou herself wouldn't have put up with the nomadic life Inuyasha had been living. She needed that one space to retreat to that was familiar and safe. Hell, she'd needed both brothers around that first month after the family cut her off.

Family relationships were a headache when they weren't working properly, but Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru got her through the shock and hurt of her family's betrayal. They were old pros at it given their alpha's penchant to ignore the ties that bind unless he wanted something.

"They're your family," Inuyasha coaxed the petulant woman from the closet of clothes she'd been pawing through. "They're human and not perfect. They reacted to my dad's attack without thinking about the whole picture. That's normal."

"They are not sheep, damnit!" Kikyou growled back at the irritatingly calm hanyou. Normally he was the one flying off the handle. "They've been dealing with your father's insults and accusations for years already. Don't try to tell me they were right to react that way!"

"I'm not saying they were right, I'm saying they were blind-sided. They thought we broke up, remember," Inuyasha returned after a deep breath to strangle his temper. Sesshoumaru had advised the younger inu that it would be beneficial if only Kikyou acted emotionally, else they'd never leave the building. "You let them believe the problem was solved, that I was no longer around." Inuyasha hadn't cared about being a dirty little secret. It would have bothered him more if Kikyou had followed her parents' directive to stop seeing him.

"I never told them we broke up," Kikyou argued even as she reached for a loose dress and cardigan to wear over it.

"No, but you never told them we hadn't stopped seeing each other after they told you to quit," the hanyou reminded her. Sesshoumaru began to tug at a loose thread hanging off the cuff of his button down shirt. Dinner wasn't going to be a formal affair, but it behooved all three of them to make a good impression.

Kaede had indeed worked hard to get her parents to meet with Kikyou again. The teenager had labored for nine months to get her elders to admit that maybe they had acted a little hastily. It was good that at least one member of Kikyou's family could see straight through the heart of the situation else, Sesshoumaru's own efforts to mend what his father had torn asunder would not have been successful. Kaede had been crucial in their efforts to convince the elder Yoshidas to reconsider the sudden ejection of Kikyou from the fold over her choice of mate, a mate they had never given a chance before Taishou Hiroyuki poisoned the waters.

Many people would not have believed Sesshoumaru would see the benefit in renewing family ties for others after having given up on his own. The difference was that Kikyou's family had been close and supportive at one time whereas the members of the Taishou core never had been. There was no way to fix what had never worked.

But the Yoshidas should not break apart because of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru's father. The Higurashis had agreed. Higurashi Kie had been of great help in the work done to mend bonds broken by outside elements. Without her, Sesshoumaru doubted the dinner tonight would ever happen. There was no way Sesshoumaru could approach Kikyou's family without their hostile suspicion barring them from listening to anything he said. Inuyasha was already removed from their grace because they projected their anger at the father towards the son. It was highly likely any other son would receive the same lack of welcome.

It was sad that it took so many people so much time to fix something that one person broke.

"Come on, Kikyou," Inuyasha's voice dropped to an octave Sesshoumaru hoped never to hear again. The growl was meant to entice a mate, the tone was seductive and Sesshoumaru never ever wanted to imagine his brother hitting on women let alone see it. It was almost as bad as walking in on his father and mother in a furry rendezvous all those years ago, only he was fairly certain Inuyasha wasn't about to attack him for observing the two of them in the common areas of their shared condo. "Don't you want to see Kaede? Don't you want your chance to explain our side of things? Lets go down, have a nice dinner, thank the people who went to so much trouble for us before we decide you still hate your parents."

"I don't hate my parents," Kikyou appeared fully dressed and properly made up, but incredibly lack-luster in her expression. "I just wish they had let me defend us before throwing me out!" At least they had already paid tuition for her final term before the breech occurred. There was no way Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru could have covered it for her, even with Sesshoumaru's restored stipend. She'd been able to finish up her degree, but the accomplishment had been tempered by the reality that neither of her parents bothered to celebrate her graduation.

Rent and groceries were covered by Sesshoumaru's stipend. With Inuyasha supplementing their joint income, Sesshoumaru was able to drive his own car to work. They jointly covered Kikyou's expenses for clothing and textbooks, but tuition would have been too much.

Sesshoumaru rose to his feet and glanced at the clock mounted by the outside door. "The Higurashis have promised to stall if necessary," he informed them, "but it would be best not to test their skill longer than required. It is poor manners to stress the hospitality of ones who have done you both such great favors."

"Keh," Inuyasha scoffed. "The Higurashis won't mind."

"No," Kikyou shook her head before reaching for her coat and purse. "He's right, we shouldn't take advantage of their kindness. Taking it for granted is a sure way to lose it." With every phrase, the woman visibly strengthened her resolve to handle this task that had been given to her. "And you're right, I do want to see Kaede. She's been having some trouble with girls at school, and the new boy has been making passes at her." Then she paused, chagrined, "She was having trouble. It's been months now. She may not even be in the same class as her problematic classmates. She may have even found a new boy to like."

"This Sesshoumaru does not believe the girl has made any significant strides in her peer relationships," the inu felt compelled to relate what little knowledge he had of the teen. Kaede was remarkably chatty about her troubles, giving him a brief overview before redirecting her attention to the business of getting her parents to acknowledge their haste in action. "She hasn't complained about anyone specific. Nor has their been any extensive or pointed praise towards anyone else." He'd have noticed repeated name droppage.

"You talked to Kaede," Kikyou stared at Sesshoumaru dumbfounded.

"Hn," Sesshoumaru smirked as he turned to lead the way out of the apartment. He'd said about all he was going to on the subject. He wasn't one to divulge secrets. Kikyou's question had obviously already been answered. Of course, he'd spoken to her sister, how else would he know the girl hadn't singled out any one antagonist or love interest without exchanging words on the subject. Or to be more accurate, receiving words on the topic. He didn't really offer any words in return. The girl talked to vent, not to receive advice or have a discussion.

"Really, Sesshoumaru," Kikyou demanded "what did you talk about? When did you see her? Is she all right?"

Sesshoumaru didn't answer while Inuyasha followed Kikyou onto the elevator after locking up. The hanyou smirked at his brother before his mate had the chance to turn around to face the doors. It didn't matter that the expression lingered because Kikyou would just assume he was smug at having gotten her to the elevator.

"Open up your mouth and talk to me!" Kikyou demanded growing increasingly frustrated with the silence. It was a diversion, a distraction from the coming encounter that made her nervous. "What did she say?"

"Nothing, this Sesshoumaru was given leave to pass on," he replied, but only after the elevator car reached the parking level. "You may ask her when we get there, if you find a private moment in which she might be willing to speak of such."

"She'll be there," Inuyasha grinned as he helped Kikyou climb into the back of Sesshoumaru's car before running around to climb in the other side beside her. "From what I hear, she picked the restaurant."

"Hn," Sesshoumaru agreed. "The child indicated it was a family favorite."

"The Higurashi's like it too, though a party as big as ours will probably clear the place out of other customers if things don't work out," Inuyasha added. "I can be loud."

Kikyou snorted delicately. "You are always loud," she mock-glared at him, "but if you are loud tonight they will have deserved it."

"That's my mate," Inuyasha reached over and hugged his lady close affectionately.

"Inuyasha, you're crushing my dress," Kikyou thumped him in the gut before settling against his shoulder.

Sesshoumaru pulled the car into traffic and took the most efficient route to the venue chosen for this reunion. He strove to keep his attention on the road and give his brother time to reestablish a working equilibrium with his mate. The coming confrontation was likely to be stressful for both, it was better if they found a way to face it as a united front. Kikyou and Inuyasha were formidable, but more so when united. Security in each other built a fortress around them that no one could touch. Hopefully, no one would be attempting to wedge them apart at this dinner, but Kikyou's parents hadn't agreed to accept the mating, just to meet the pair.

Sesshoumaru had to consciously release tension from his shoulders and loosen his grip on the steering wheel. The uneasy feelings of his pack were affecting him and at least one of their trio needed to be clear headed enough to properly judge between a family filled with hurt and parents attempting to be controlling. Sesshoumaru could identify both so long as he remained objective.

It was the elder inu's efforts to convey them all safely to their rendezvous point that made him the first to notice the problem three blocks from arrival. "Hn," he hummed, perplexed. Sesshoumaru was unable to identify precisely what the problem was, but he knew without a doubt their planned reunion in a quiet, private setting had somehow been blown.

"What is it?" Inuyasha asked from the back seat. Sesshoumaru couldn't decide if Inuyasha had developed the proper observational skills to detect subtle communication or if familiarity had informed the hanyou of the minor indications of Sesshoumaru change in moods. Somehow the younger brother had detected that the elder wasn't pleased by what had suddenly manifested to interfere.

"There appears to be a large crowd of paparazzi outside our destination," Sesshoumaru answered, carefully maneuvering his car past the drive into the restaurant designated parking lot. "I was unaware of any special events being held at this venue."

"They're not the type for this kind of publicity," Kikyou murmured, confused as to why a crowd of photographers would be stationed outside her family's favorite restaurant. "It's meant to be a family place, everything is understated. It's a hidden treasure only the locals are familiar with."

"Shit!" Inuyasha huffed.

"What, Inuyasha?" Kikyou turned to the male beside her in the back seat. "What do you see?"

"I see dad," Inuyasha glanced to the rear view mirror to catch Sesshoumaru's eye. "And mom. What the hell are they doing here?"

Sesshoumaru sighed as he took them around the block and parked discreetly down the street. "Is there a back entrance?" He asked Kikyou mildly as he put the car in park. He was incredibly glad for the sedate, mostly nondescript luxury car his grandfather had gifted him at high school graduation. Subsequent events had kept him from driving it much in situations where the celebrity hounds could learn to recognize it on sight else they would have already gained their own fleet of camera wielding harassment.

"There's a side door in the ally they used to keep open when the weather was warm," Kikyou responded as they climbed out onto the pavement.

"I'll call Higurashi-kaa-san and see if she can't convince the management to open that door for us," Inuyasha pulled out his cell as his other hand guided Kikyou to lead the way.

"I hope my parents have already arrived,"Kikyou sighed. It was likely the crowd of photographers and the presence of Hiroyuki and Izayoi would drive them off if they weren't already ensconced inside the restaurant.

"Hn, This Sesshoumaru hopes the owners have the good sense to pretend they're closed," he responded.

Kikyou sputtered in a mixture of shock and laughter. It was nervous energy finding its way free. "I don't know about the owners, but some of the regulars might give the game away before they have a chance of pulling the "closed to the public" bit."

"Too bad," Sesshoumaru opined rather seriously. It really was regrettable the owners couldn't bar the photographers and thus Hiroyuki and Izayoi from entering the establishment. Dinner would have been so much more pleasant without the two interfering crashers to stir things up negatively.

"We have the go ahead," Inuyasha told them after he hung up his phone. "Souta's going to sneak us in. It took some persuading, but when Kaede told the manager it was for Kikyou and her parents, he coughed up the key without issue. Doesn't seem the guy was too happy about having his restaurant hemmed in and blocked up by that rude bunch up front. He's more than aware the crowd impedes access to the parking lot." The hanyou sped up to walk beside his mate with a hand at her waist. He was offering comfort in this absurd situation, one he needed comfort in as well. Inu were fairly tactile in close relationships, and the need for touch increased with the stress of a situation. "The wait staff and manager are in something of a polite snit over the ruckus. I guess when Souta lets us in, half the staff and most of the other costumers plan to sneak out. The manager gave his permission after Kaede made the suggestion. No need for others to be stuck in our family insanity. Bad enough the Higurashis are stuck on this ride."

"Are any of the shrine family planning to flee?" Sesshoumaru inquired mildly as they came up alongside the back portion of the building. He hadn't been entirely ecstatic at the inclusion of some members of the Higurashi clan. Kie was certainly worth including, she was instrumental in the mending of the Yoshida family bonds to this point. She had vouched for Inuyasha and himself so strongly that Kikyou's mother had been willing to consider that sons were not reincarnations of the father.

The eldest male was welcome as the old man provided a stabilizing influence to those around him once the initial excitement of meeting passed. Besides which, he needed to get out some.

Souta was welcome and helpful, provided one could leave out his rather self-centered and useless wife. Hiromi wasn't necessarily incapable of anything productive. She was quite apt at alienating people by detailing things about herself and her life most would prefer never to hear. One visit was all that was required to become apprised of how often she and her husband made attempts to get pregnant. Fifteen minutes had her expounding on the hardship of her two miscarriages since their wedding.

Sesshoumaru didn't doubt that miscarriage and the loss of the unborn was a severe hardship for the parents and close family, but he also believed that something so private should be saved for at least a true friendship rather than a first time acquaintance.

Inuyasha tapped on the outside of the door, which quickly opened to release a stream of people in a hurry to escape the possibility of appearing in a tabloid or being subjected to the advent of a family feud. If Taishou Hiroyuki and Izayoi thought their wealth and influence would win them any ground here, they were wrong. The Yoshidas were known here, they were loved and respected. The handful of servers and patrons that stayed behind would support them over the anonymously wealthy tabloid magnets. Not everything printed about the Taishou alpha and mate was positive. Not every action they took was something people who frequented a quiet, unassuming place such as this would approve of or condone.

The family was gathered in the main dining space with a semi-clear view out the front windows at the growing circus brewing outside. "What is the meaning of this?" Yoshida Osamu demanded. "This was promised to be an informal meeting for our family. Nothing was said about the inclusion of that- that-" his vernacular failed to muster a proper descriptor.

"Hateful Cur!" Yoshida Miwa had no such failing.

"This Sesshoumaru does not understand how they could have even an inkling as to what was planned this night. Communication with the alpha and his mate hasn't been conducted outside of short obligatory meetings to release pack funds for living expenses. No words have been exchanged beyond the financial needs of our small faction of the pack. Inuyasha has refused all calls from those two. This Sesshouaru shared no details of this meeting or any others," the elder inu explained patiently, careful not to patronize the two humans with tone or expression. "Our sire's intelligence network should not have been capable of discovering the time or location of this meeting."

The scent of cold sweat and anxiety threaded through the crowd of people hovering inside the dining room. Amber eyes turned to the source and silently demanded explanation of the guilty expression settled across Higurashi Hiromi's face. "Hiromi?" Souta asked his wife after a prolonged silence marked the sudden redirection of everyone's attention.

"I was doing what your mom asked me to, updating the records on received donations and noting the ones who hadn't donated in a few years," Hiromi defended herself. "I came across a record with the Taishou name and noted their last donation had been several years ago, but had been yearly before that. I knew the Taishou heirs visited often so I wondered why. I called the name on the file hoping that it was some simple oversight that could be corrected with a friendly reminder."

"We don't harass our donors into giving money," Kie exclaimed horrified. "Donations have always been at will."

"I wasn't harassing anybody!" Hiromi protested. "Taishou-sama was really thankful to hear from me and quickly corrected the oversight!"

"And where in such negotiations did the topic of tonight's dinner come into play?" Kikyou demanded, quite annoyed.

"Well it's only polite to express interest in a donor's personal concerns," Hiromi responded. "They teach you that sort of thing in school."

"Watch your tone," Inuyasha warned. "Kikyou has a degree, do you?"

"You finished your degree?" Kaede gasped. "That's awesome!"

"Back to the topic at hand," Sesshoumaru interrupted what he knew would be a rather long-winded off-topic discussion. "We must decide how to handle the difficult situation presented to us."

"Keh, Kikyou and I'll handle this. Old man wouldn't be here if it weren't about me," Inuyasha gruffly informed the group. "We'll do our best to get rid of the whole crowd, but it might be best if we scrap tonight and try again some other time. Without participation of certain blabbermouths."

"Hey! It's not like I had a reason to think you didn't want your own parents to know about a family dinner," Hiromi protested.

"If you are sure," Sesshoumaru said carefully, ignoring Hiromi's outburst. "This Sesshoumaru could go, if-"

"Naw, we can do this," Inuyasha assured his brother. "They've got to learn that I'm my own person sometime."

"This Sesshoumaru will wait here," he informed the two. He couldn't leave without them, he was their ride, but he didn't have to stay and play witness. Besides, he was alpha. If the hanyou desired to face this with only his mate, he would allow it, but it behooved him to stay close in case things got out of hand. "Perhaps the others will quietly seek out a private exit from the situation?"

"I'm staying," Kaede insisted firmly. "I want to talk with Kikyou-nee-san and have a good meal."

"Kaede," Osamu started sternly. "You will adhere to the decision of your parents."

"Or what? You're going to disown my like you did Kikyou?" Kaede scoffed. "Kikyou's family will see me home if you and mom don't want to stay, but I'm sticking around. She's my sister and I support her even if you don't!"

"Kaede! Don't speak to your father that way!" Miwa sounded scandalized by her youngest daughter's radical behavior. Kaede just rolled her eyes and walked over to plaster her nose to a clear space in the glass to watch the scene playing out beyond it.

Sesshoumaru wandered over, vigilant as to any direction this confrontation might take. There was little doubt the whole of it would be documented in pictures and reported in tabloids and even respectable papers come morning. The Taishou alpha and his mate were about to have a very public fight with their youngest son. Such was the stuff that made careers.

Inuyasha didn't pull any punches or play with tact. "What are you doing here, old man?"

"We are here to prevent this travesty from playing out any further," Hiroyuki growled with menace. "We will sever you from this mercenary, grasping, whore and set you straight as to what you deserve. She is unworthy of you. If you don't like the female we've chosen, we will find you a better one."

"You need to come home, baby," Izayoi broke in gently. "Stop playing house with these-people and return to the world you were born for."

"You seem to forget I'm mated to this woman," Inuyasha growled low. "I marked her and it took."

Hiroyuki shook his head, "You are only a hanyou, it isn't as deep or binding as a full youkai."

"So you really are a bigot," Inuyasha snarled. "My half youkai heritage makes me less than you. Really, less than youkai because my mother was human."

"So it is true, Sesshoumaru has poisoned you against us," Hiroyuki growled. "I will punish him for this."

"Sesshoumaru was reluctant to talk about you at all," Kikyou inserted pointedly. "I got the distinct impression the topic of his parents was painful. Imparting your treatment of him to his brother doubly so, because you took a bit more care of Inuyasha as a child than Sesshoumaru."

"Stay out of this, bitch," Hiroyuki spat.

"Watch how you talk to my mate, bastard," Inuyasha growled. "My opinion of you was created by your own behavior. Your snobbery, lying, and selfishness. And now bigotry. How dare you tell me that my mark on my mate isn't as valid as it would be if you'd fucked Sesshoumaru's mother to have me instead of your mate! Especially after you told me Sesshoumaru shouldn't inherit because he wasn't born of my mother!"

"You actually said that?" Kikyou gasped. "What an ass!"

"Watch your tongue you interloper!" Izayoi defended her mate.

"You Still defend him after this?" Inuyasha scoffed. "You're a hypocritical bigot, just like he is! I suppose you think my claim is just as flimsy as he does because of the blood you gave me, huh? And you wonder why I want nothing to do with you, why neither of you were invited to a family dinner, or why I refused to take calls from the both of you. Why don't you go back to your little la-la land where there are only consequences to other people's actions and leave the rest of us to live in reality!" The hanyou turned to glare at the closest reported, "Did you get all that or should I repeat it, you bunch of nosy assholes! Stay out of my life and that of my mate's. We aren't part of the Taishou pack publicity tour. Anybody who thinks otherwise should know we're living with Taishou Sesshoumaru and our privacy will be as diligently guarded as his is," he finished with a threat and a final snarl at his parents before returning to the restaurant, Kikyou smirking blithely on his arm.

The photographers and reporters scattered quickly, the story of Sesshoumaru's retribution for invading his privacy was still vivid in the minds of the paparazzi and all other news affiliated individuals. It left Hiroyuki and Izayoi fuming in the cool evening air in front of the establishment.

Sesshoumaru welcomed them back in with an approving expression and Kaede got to hug her sister while everybody else stood stunned behind them. There was probably no better way to demonstrate to the Yoshidas that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were not extensions of their father.