A/N: All right just because you all have been so awesome with your comments here it is.


"Where! Where have you been? I called, I begged Kagome, but still you wouldn't answer me!" InuYasha's relief at having her back crashed through them both as he kissed her and poured his heart out as he felt her fill the void within him, her bond lighting up inside him once he could finally touch her again. Shuddering he drew back and tried to break the kiss only to whine and dive back down. "Kami Kagome! I couldn't find you… you were just GONE. Gone from me!" His mind was struggling to come back, to leave the dark place it had slipped into and to gain control of the demon that was roaring still at the loss of their mate. "Kagome…I thought I'd lost you… forever this time." InuYasha clutched her tighter.

Reaching for him, both mentally and physically, Kagome touched his ear where it lay limp against his head, rubbing the silky tip between her finger and thumb. She let her purr swell within him, rush over his demon and felt it when he shivered, shook in relief at her touch and settled. "I'm here my mate, I won't go again." Closing her eyes, Kagome softened his desperate kiss, and slowed his driving intensity with a soft brush of her tongue over his. "Be easy saiai. I am safe with you, you saved me as you always do." InuYasha ripped his mouth from hers and gave an anguished whine. "What? What is it InuYasha?" His pain had her eyes snapping open as her alpha rose in reaction to her mate's distress.

"Kagome… I… we… we didn't get there in time. We were to late my mate." InuYasha looked down at her with wet golden eyes, his gaze sliding away as his guilt and sorrow filled the room. His aura was spiking again, the colors changing in his grief, bleeding from their rose into his red causing his alpha to grow heavier in its intensity. His demon screamed its pain and sorrow as InuYasha gently set his fingers on her belly bellow her metal clad hand.

Touching his wet cheek, Kagome turned his eyes back to hers. "Check again." Her alpha stared into his as she tilted her head and offered her throat.

InuYasha cringed and tried to turn away. She didn't believe him and now he was going to have to prove it to her. "Koibito… it was gone, the scent… just… gone when I reached you." Ears flattening to his head, he whimpered with his sorrow, pain at the loss raking through him. The life snuffed out before it even had a chance to grow.

"InuYasha… check again." Gripping his hair, Kagome pulled gently until his nose pressed into her throat. She felt him shudder as he lifted her higher and inhaled hard against her skin.

The scent hit him, rushed through his nose and made his soul soar as his heart raced. It couldn't be! His pup… he could smell his pup! Not just the change in her body but his actual pup growing in her belly. Heart pounding his eyes shot to hers. "But…how?" Letting his youki flow gently against her, he assessed her reiki and found it swirling softly at her center again. It reached happily for him when his youki brushed it.

"The last thing I did before I hit the ground was build a barrier to keep our pup safe." Knowing how much force she was going to hit with and unsure if the fire rat would protect her enough, she'd done what she could to ensure the safety of their pup. "I promised I'd take care of myself and not do anything to endanger our son or daughter, then…" Sighing in regret she brushed the tears from his cheek. His golden eyes wide in shock and beginning to fill with elation stared down at her. "I had to go with them, had to save the twins and Rin, but I wasn't going to lose my most precious gift, the one you've given me. I didn't know it would cut off the scent from you. InuYasha, the grief I've put you through-"

InuYasha stopped her words with a gentle kiss, nibbled her bottom lip and tugged lightly with his teeth. Sitting her up slowly, her head throbbing a bit, he cupped her cheeks. "Never apologize for this Kagome! You saved our pup! The grief I've suffered… it's nothing compared to the relief and joy I feel knowing that you are both safe and home in my arms." Dropping his forehead gently against hers, he breathed in her scent of cinnamon mixed with the spicy forest scent that was the beginning of their family, and let his aura finally dissipate as his alpha relaxed.

Kemuri's own joy at having his mistress back had him wriggling his way closer. Whining in pleasure as the scent of their pup returned, he nudged her fingers with his nose, tail thumping hard in his excitement. When her nails found the itchy spot behind his ear, he groaned and his eyes drifted shut. He had not failed in his duty and breathing out a relieved sigh, he made his lips flutter as the air rushed past. Her fingers drifted to his ruff and dug into the thick fur as he plopped his head down on her mate's knee, watching her with adoration from his mercury swirled eyes.

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Sesshomaru was sitting against the wall of the house near the door, watching the moon make a slow trek across the star filled sky. The taijiya and her monk had gone to rest with their children and he needed the distance from his brother's pounding alpha. The intensity was making him feel edgy… dangerous, the need to sink his claws into someone was growing. It was taking too long. She should have woken up from the head trauma hours ago, her body had changed enough to carry the youkai healing properties of InuYasha's and should have repaired the damage by now. That it was taking this long… had him worried.

InuYasha was not going to last much longer. As it was his little brother's power was dangerous to them all and if he raged out of control, Sesshomaru was no longer certain he was strong enough to stop him. Even then… could he kill his own brother to save the others? Four years ago maybe, but now… it would be like killing a part of himself, InuYasha was his brother in more than just name. Kagome was not dead, the double bonding would not take him, but his mate was in essence gone and not being able to touch her… he would lose his mind eventually, his demon would rage and InuYasha would not be able to stop even if he wanted to. To lose ones true-mate… you would be better off dead, but to lose your soul bonded mate… he could not even imagine the pain InuYasha must be in.

He wanted to howl with his sorrow and guilt, to shred and tear, feel Nobu's blood run down his fangs and rage at the injustice. They had been so close and yet still he had failed. If another soul bonded female died, this one under his care… he did not know what he would do. Kagome had become so much more than just a soul bonded female though, she was his Imouto, she was family and he had been too late, they had taken too long and the pup, InuYasha's heir… gone. Heart heavy with his sorrow he thrust a hand through his hair giving it a yank. 'If I had shifted sooner… if we had not stopped at the miko's… if I had not let him leave without me…' thoughts tumbled through his mind.

So lost in his own guilt and pain it took him a moment to realize InuYasha's aura had dissipated, his alpha was no longer a heavy weight against him and fearing the worst he was up and moving. Growling a soft warning so he would not catch InuYasha by surprise, he pushed open the door and Kagome's eyes met his.

Kagome turned to the door as it was pushed open and her eyes fell on her onii-san. "Sesshomaru!" She smiled wide at the daiyoukai from where she sat in InuYasha's lap.

Sesshomaru took a shuddering breath and gripped the doorframe hard enough that the wood cracked under his claws. Relief at seeing her awake and upright had his legs weak under him and he locked his knees to stay standing. With a quick glace to his brother, Sesshomaru stepped farther into the room as InuYasha shifted Kagome so she could rest back against his chest, her hound moving to rest his head on her leg. She glowed with her gentle soul again, her spirt radiated from her and gave her an ethereal quality as he approached their sleeping space. Uncomfortable being in their private den as it went against his instincts he crouched beside them. "Imouto… you are well?" His eyes flicked to InuYasha's wondering if he had told her of their loss yet.

Kagome's smile softened as she saw his concern. "Onii-san, there is no need to worry. I am fine and so is our pup." His surprised eyes shot back to hers. "I built a barrier, it protected our pup but it cut off the scent. Here." She held her hand out to him. He took it and dropping his nose to her wrist breathed deep. At his shudder of relief Kagome pressed her palm to his cheek. "I have much to tell you both." When two sets of Inu gold eyes looked at her questioningly she grinned. "Do you realize just how much you are both like your father?" She could feel InuYasha's surprise surge through her and see it in Sesshomaru's eyes but before she could continue her stomach cramped in hunger and InuYasha was shifting her to his arms again.

"She's hungry. You need to eat koibito." Kagome hadn't eaten since yesterday morning and almost a whole day had passed since he'd left her at Kaede's. Sesshomaru's eyes locked with his and his brother was gone before he could blink. "What's he up to?" Kagome's confusion at his sudden departure slid against him softly and he shuddered at being able to feel her inside him again. "He'll start the fire and probably go for rabbit's. Kagome, I missed you so much my mate!"

InuYasha's hands kept stroking over her, dragging over the fire rat, and leaving trails of warmth from his body heat. He couldn't seem to stop touching her as if he were afraid that if he stopped she'd disappear. Calling her reiki into her hand she released her gauntlet and let it fall beside him on the bed. Wiggling out of his hold Kagome turned and straddled his thighs, her hands finding the skin of his throat and upper chest under the collar of his kimono. "I missed you too InuYasha, so very much!" His alpha scent hung heavy around them and she breathed deep, letting her desire wash over him as her head fell back offering her throat. Gasping, she melted against him as fangs connected with her skin.

He was purring hard for her, filling her mind with his deep soothing rumble, and it was helping to calm him as much as it did her. When he closed his fangs over her mark, drawing them down the length of her neck first, he fed youki into her and pressed it deep so it blended with her reiki creating a safe pocket of power to cradle and grow his pup. "Thank you saiai, thank you a thousand times for this!" The pup would grow fast for the next few weeks, causing the crazy fluctuations in her emotions, but it was to get past the fragile stage quickly before slowing to a more natural pace.

Moaning as his youki swirled and caressed her womb, making her sheath clench in anticipation, Kagome moved her hands to his ears and dug her nails in around the base like he enjoyed. "You had a hand in… putting them there… my mate." She had a flash of a remembered dream and wondered… but they'd talk about that later. "InuYasha! I need more!" His fangs squeezed down firmly and she shattered, shuddering as the intense pleasure rushed from her center outwards. Collapsing forward, Kagome moaned and pressed her nose to his throat, her arms going limp over his shoulders. "Noodles… I'm as limp as overcooked noodles. If you want to carry me I promise I won't complain." Weak from more than just the climax he'd given her, she felt a little shaky as her body cried out for food. InuYasha chuckled but was up and moving towards the common room, Kemuri pacing at his side, before she could finish the thought.

He set her gently beside the fire that was burning brightly with a pot hanging above it and turned to see what exactly Sesshomaru was making. "Apparently, Sesshomaru knows how to make soup." It was already cooking with some dried fish to flavour the broth and from the feel of his brother's aura, they would be having fresh fish as well. "For someone who doesn't eat he can sure cook."

Kemuri had laid down at Kagome's side and as weak as she was, she slid down until she could lean her head against his ruff and hear his rumbly growl under her ear. Breathing a content sigh she rested against her hound. "You did good Kemuri from what I can remember. Thank you my friend." She brought her arm up and wrapped it under his neck, hugging him close and smelling his crisp forest scent. "What did happen InuYasha? I only remember the whip and hitting the ground." There was a vague memory of Kemuri crashing through the trees but she couldn't quite grasp it. The snap was loud as the spoon InuYasha had been using to stir the soup broke in half in his hand and overwhelming rage roared down the bond making Kagome gasp, "InuYasha!" before he pulled it back in.

"I'm ok! It's alright Kagome." He was breathing hard, trying to calm the enraged demon within him as the feelings from his frantic race through the forest returned. Tossing the wooden spoon into the fire InuYasha stood and began to pace the room as she slid against him and stayed a soft touch inside him, watching what had happened in the meadow play out in his mind as he relived the memory. "Seeing you so still under Kemuri… it was like my heart stopped koi, just died inside me and you were nothing but an empty vessel." Stalking to the far side of the room, he untied his sash and released the straps of his armor, letting it fall away to land in a heap on the floor. Head bowed, he stood there resting a hand against the wall, unsure how to explain what he'd done next.

"I know what you did next my mate. There is no shame in the thing, those men were evil and would have continued to hurt others if you and Sesshomaru hadn't stopped them." Kagome struggled to sit up and look at him, her husband and her heart.

Seeing her struggle, InuYasha went to sit with her, lifting her until she was cradled in his lap and his arms could wrap her securely to his chest. "It ain't that Kagome. I don't feel shame for what I did. At the time the rage was so strong… I wanted to make them suffer, to shred and tear and skin the bastards alive." Snarling, he hugged her tighter as the feelings rose within him again.

Kagome set her fangs to his throat and scrapped gently down his skin towards his mark. "Stop now saiai. You didn't do any of those things, you saw justice served in the way your instincts demanded and didn't give into the desires of your demon." He had hurt Masa, broken his arm and clawed him but then so had she. She couldn't feel bad about it especially with her alpha giving a self-satisfied purr and the deep voice of her dragon feeling the same. Licking at his skin one last time, Kagome pulled back to look into the eyes she loved, "I married and mated a hanyou, you have drive's and instincts I'm only beginning to fully understand but the fact that you and Sesshomaru went demon on them, that the two of you together killed those men, doesn't change how I feel in the slightest about you." She turned her eyes to the door and met those of her onii-san, "Either of you."

Sesshomaru stepped inside bringing two fish and a fat rabbit with him. "Hound." He held the rabbit out to Kemuri as he trotted over and took it back outside with him to eat. "I failed to protect you Imouto. There is no forgiveness for that even if you are well now. We were too late to keep you from all harm and that is not acceptable." Shifting his eyes to those of his brother he saw the same feelings reciprocated there. Walking to the fire he staked out the cleaned and gutted fish.

"And that is how you feel too isn't it InuYasha?" She could feel it. The self-loathing that lay deep at having 'failed' to see to her protection and safety, it was such an Inu thing, this need to see her unharmed. Alpha flaring in annoyance, she growled at them both. "Both of you need to get over yourselves! I went! I made the choice to save Rin and the twins and I would make it again! Would you rather I had sacrificed them to stay safe myself so that your pride wasn't damaged by failing to protect, when the truth of the matter is that you did protect me! By saving Aiko you saved my whole damn family!" Pushing from InuYasha she tried to stand only to have her legs give out and have him catch her instead. His confusion washed against her as he brought her back into his lap, holding her tightly to keep her from struggling but her body was too weak to even try.

Sesshomaru was staring at her in shock. "What do you mean by that Imouto?" Stunned at her words he moved closer and knelt in front of her where she rested against InuYasha.

"If you stop the pity party… Sess… I'll tell you." Kagome grinned as his eyes got bigger.

"Why do you call me that little bird?" Only one person had ever used that name and she was no more.

"Sesshomaru… such a mouthful. At least you've grown into it, 'killing perfection'." As his mouth dropped open Kagome laughed softly. "Kagome… what the hell?" Turning her face to InuYasha she grinned. "You kept asking me where I had been InuYasha and if you two wouldn't mind feeding me I will tell you." Sesshomaru rose and got her a bowl of soup.

"Speak Kagome." It came out with a bit more snap then he had meant it to and InuYasha growled at him.

"Oh for heaven's sake! Both of you cut it out!" Her snarl rolled hard through the room and they both quieted. Taking a deep, calming breath she started her tale. When it became clear that she couldn't eat and talk at the same time and her bodies demand for food overrode her desire to explain, she showed her journey to InuYasha instead only holding back the information about him being a dream walker.

Stopping the flow of memories when she reached the reflecting pool and having finished a second bowl of soup and most of the fish, Kagome turned to InuYasha. "Can we go to the Goshinboku for this?" She needed to be outside, breathe the calm scent of early morning and feel the peace of the old tree so she could get through the rest. InuYasha could feel her building discomfort and frowning lifted her gently. They headed for the tree and Kemuri joined them having finished his rabbit.

Sitting together at the base in the darkness before dawn, Kagome continued her tale, speaking of the pool and what Chiyoko had showed her the first time. The life that they could have, their family, and making it to the future to watch her jump down the well to him again. "It was wonderful! Everything I ever hoped for." Smiling she looked up into his eyes and felt his purr swell within her. Then she thought of the second vision and her happiness died. Rising from where she sat and waving at them to stay where they were, she paced back and forth across the clearing. "The second vision…" Stopping in the middle Kagome pressed a hand to her mouth, eyes squeezing shut, as the horror made her sick. Kemuri had been moving with her and whining, turned to look at InuYasha.

"Imouto, what is it?" Sesshomaru had long since stopped being surprised but what she was revealing. He believed her without a doubt for the things she knew about him could have only come from Chiyoko.

InuYasha had been a shadow in her mind since she'd called Sesshomaru, Sess, and watched as the second vision played across her memory. "We die." Standing he looked down at his brother. "In the second vision, you and I both die." He went to his mate and held her as she sobbed out her fear. Gathering her close, he lifted her and brought her back to sit with him between the roots of the Goshinboku. He sat close to Sesshomaru, her fear for them so strong it made his demon snarl, and he knew she need to be near them both. Staring into his brother's eyes he saw the surprise, and when he gestured his approval, Sesshomaru placed his hand on Kagome's back. It didn't bother him, this closeness of Sesshomaru with his mate, like it would another youkai or human. She was his little sister, he'd been treating her as such for days, and his instincts were driving him to protect the pack as much as InuYasha's were telling him to let his brother do so. Tucking his nose against her neck he purred to soothe her. "We are here watashi no saiai no hanryo. We aren't going anywhere."

Kagome felt his love fill her, wash the fear away, and taking a deep shuddering breath she let her cheek rest against his. "And then I met your father." Two sharp inhalations met her words and even though she was still upset by the vision of their death, she couldn't help but giggle a watery little sound. Turning until she could lean against InuYasha but look at Sesshomaru she smiled at the daiyoukai in thanks before teasing him a bit. "Apparently, Sesshomaru was a deep thinker koibito. On 'occasion' you got lost in the forest? Not according to your father onii-san." When he smirked at her, Kagome burst into laughter.

"Perhaps it was more than occasionally." He chuckled, happy that the scent of her distress was beginning to dissipate.

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Finished, she sat between them with her back to the Goshinboku and waited. Sesshomaru stood and began a slow pace around the clearing, making a continual circuit as he thought through Kagome's revelations. Takeshi had been hanyou and he had not even realized it but, like his father had told her, he had not been the most…observant Inu when he was younger. His father had been correct, he was a deep thinker, only when he was younger his mind had worked so quickly it was easier to run and think, hence the ability to lose himself in the forest due to his distraction. As he had aged it was easier to control the racing thoughts and he had taken to walking the western lands in order to have the peace to work through them, then Jaken arrived and his moments of peace…lessened. "So we must find your true-form little brother. Imouto, what is it that I am supposed to have that will make this thing possible?"

Kagome shook her head, "I don't know onii-san. They could only tell me so much and like with InuYasha's strength… she couldn't tell me. Just made me look at your father as he walked away." Frustrated at not having the answer she rubbed at her forehead. "Chiyoko just said 'remember Kagome' as he disappeared into the forest." She felt InuYasha stir inside her mind as he thought about something.

"Show me again what you saw koibito." Something seemed… off… with his father's image but he'd only ever seen him the once and was having a hard time overlaying the two visions. Opening for him, Kagome showed InuYasha again. The alpha gold eyes and how large he looked, the armor so similar to his own and how Inu had smiled so wide he flashed his fangs, then turned and walked away with the long silver tail of hair draping down his back, stopping to look back at her over his shoulder before disappearing into the forest. "Yah, something's off but I can't quite…" Shaking his head in frustration InuYasha stood and paced in the opposite direction to Sesshomaru until they met in the middle of the clearing. "How did you find your true-form Sesshomaru? What was the process?"

"Hn, it was not difficult once I had everything I needed and my strength had grown enough to find the beast within. If you look deep little brother, if you are indeed strong enough, you will see him waiting within your soul." Turning to look at InuYasha, he watched his brother prowl the clearing. "Stop. Look within brother and see if he is there." If it wasn't there, they would have much more work to do.

InuYasha felt doubt crowd his mind. What if he didn't see his beast waiting? "You can do this koi, I have faith in you. When have you ever failed at something that was necessary for our safety? Never and this is no different. Look InuYasha and I will look with you." Kagome's determination and faith rushed into him and helped to bolster his own resolve. He had seen through his mate what was waiting for them if he failed and that could not, would not, be their future. Sinking to his knees, InuYasha breathed a couple of deep calm breaths and closing his eyes, turned his attention inwards as Kagome travelled with him. They went deep, past the dark place his demon rested, down into the depths of his soul and into the place where his alpha originated.

Kagome inhaled sharply at what she saw waiting there. His beast was beautiful! "Oh InuYasha! He's gorgeous!" Pure white, the Inu that slept within him had deep purple stripes just under his eyes. InuYasha's relief at finding his form waiting rocked her hard and opening her eyes, she launched herself at him with a squeal. Kemuri seeing her excitement bound after her and leapt excitedly around them.

Seeing Kagome throw herself happily at his brother Sesshomaru knew they had found his beast. "Awake or asleep brother?"

InuYasha caught Kagome around the middle as she squealed her excitement. "We still have to get him out koi." Smirking at Sesshomaru, he sat so he could hold Kagome in his lap, her happy purr rumbling away. "Asleep." He chuckled at her hounds antics as he danced a happy circle around them.

Sesshomaru frowned. "We need to wake him up." He went back to walking as he thought, a slow gliding circle around them.

"Onii-san? You said it was not difficult once you had 'everything you needed'. What did you need that you didn't already have?" Kagome quivered she was so excited. InuYasha's true-form waited if they could only figure this all out.

"Wait, before we get into that, Sesshomaru describe father for me." It was still bothering him, that 'thing' that was just off about his father. What the hell was missing?

Moving back to where they sat he looked down at his brother and his Imouto. "He was as you are brother, only in blue and white with his hair in a high tail, Tenseiga and Tetsusaiga at his hip with So'unga at his back between the tails of his mokomoko."

"THAT'S IT!" They both hollered. Excitement looping between them, InuYasha stood with Kagome and said to Sesshomaru, "Was the thing you needed to find your true-form your mokomoko?"

"Yes." Seeing where this was going he thrust his hand over his hair before turning and walking away across the clearing. This was not what he had expected when the split tail mokomoko had appeared at his palace after his father's death. Mokomoko tended to have a will of their own as he could attest to, his own fur behaving strangely at times, but when the split tail had arrived, Sesshomaru assumed it was so that one day his own heir would inherit the fur, not his brother. InuYasha had already assumed so many of their father's mantels, was he destined to lose them all? Even his title as Lord of the West? Already InuYasha's strength and his alpha had been almost overpowering for him today, was he destined to be upstaged completely? He would not deny the fur to his brother if it was what was needed. Sesshomaru would do anything to keep Kagome, and yes, his brother safe as well. Do anything to give them the best opportunity at having the life in Kagome's first vision, but where did that leave him? He felt like he was losing his own identity in order to help InuYasha find his.

Kagome placed a hand on InuYasha's chest when he went to follow his brother. "Wait. He's having a hard time with this and no it isn't because he doesn't want to help you." She'd felt the disappointment and slight hurt rise within InuYasha, "Will you do something for me watashi no saiai?"

"Anything my mate." He could tell she had something to do here for Sesshomaru, her instincts were rising and he could feel her alpha and the dragon moving within her. It was still shocking to know she had fire dragon blood. No wonder she was so feisty! The thought made him chuckle and as she caught it, her laughter washed against him.

The sun was rising and their pack would be waking soon, "Go tell Miroku that I'm alright. That I'm here with Sesshomaru and that I'll be back to see them all in a bit." Running her hand over his heart, Kagome looked into the eyes of her mate and felt her heart turn over. "Kami I love you so much InuYasha!" Tugging his forelocks she kissed him softly as his purr swelled in her mind and he hugged her tightly, his body warming her everywhere he pressed against her.

InuYasha didn't want to leave her but he could feel how she needed to speak with his brother alone. "If you must my mate." Her smile and soft understanding brushed against him and releasing her slowly he turned and walked into the forest waving to her hound to follow. "Can I at least listen?" The thought of not touching her in some way had his heart clenching in remembered agony.

"Yes saiai, I've got a message for you from your father." His surprise rocked her a little, "And one for Sesshomaru that I think he needs to hear and it might be easier for him to accept it if you're not here for the whole thing." She smiled and let her love caress him as he made his way to the house. Miroku's aura had spiked a little and she figured he was either awake or waking and would want to know what was happening.

Kagome reached for calm and let her alpha surface as she walked towards Sesshomaru. "Onii-san," Stepping in front of him, she waited for him to look at her before continuing. "I know this isn't what you expected and that you are doing everything you can to help us. What you have done for both of us up to this point… I have no words for your generosity." She held out her hand to him, "Will you walk with me? I think I know something that will help if you would hear it."

Standing there with her, Sesshomaru realized InuYasha had returned to their home. "Why did InuYasha leave you Imouto? He should be at your side always!" Taking her hand he let her lead him where she would.

"I sent him to check on our pack and he trusts you to see to my care." InuYasha was a shadow in her mind and purred his agreement at her statement. Not having a destination in mind, Kagome simply wandered, her small hand warming under the heat of his. "I had time to speak with Inu no Taisho alone and he asked me to bring you a message. Would you like to hear it?" She would not thrust it upon him if he wasn't ready but when he nodded she let the memory flow for InuYasha and told Sesshomaru what his father wanted him to know.

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Kagome stood to the side of the path with Inu no Taisho, chewing her lip a little and tucking her hands into the sleeves of the fire rat she waited as he collected his thoughts. Staring into the forest she could see small colorful birds flitting around and marveled at the beauty of the place that Takeshi had created.

Taking a deep breath, Inu turned back to Kagome and tugging one of her hands from her sleeve held it with his. "Kagome… tell Sesshomaru that he was never just my heir. He is my son first and foremost and I love him. He has made me prouder of him in the last four years than ever before. What he has accomplished… creating Bakusaiga as he did… he surpasses even my abilities as he was meant to. Tenseiga was never meant as a slight to him and I am happy that he has finally allowed himself to feel enough to wield my sword as it was meant to be." Chuckling a little, he patted Kagome's hand, "Keep working on him musume. He is so close to all he could be. He is the true Lord of the West, more so then I ever was and he is exceptional! Tell him he never needed my power or my mantels, he is creating his own and will be happier with them than he would have been had he been able to use mine. Lastly, tell him when his mate is revealed to him to not be a baka. Grab her with both hands, accept the full bonding and never look back."

Kagome grinned at this bit of news, "You know where his mate is, who she is, when he will find her?"

He barked out a laugh at the questions, "I do musume… but I can't tell you who she is just that she is coming. Six, eight, maybe ten years' time. It will depend on how stubborn he will be about it and how long he will hold out. She will lead him on a merry chase in return for making her wait and the longer he waits to claim her, the more she will torment him for it clever girl that she is."

Wicked grin spreading, Kagome snickered, "Is it who I think it is?" He only smiled wider, alpha eyes gleaming mischievously. Huffing a little she smirked, "Fine, don't tell me." No matter how he tried to hide it, Kagome knew she was right, his grin was giving him away.

"Now, for InuYasha." His smile faded and again he breathed deep, settling his thoughts. Staring down into Kagome's dark eyes he stroked her cheek. "Thank you for doing this musume. InuYasha, my son. I wish, more than anything, we could have this conversation in person but that will have to wait for many centuries. Where Sesshomaru is the heir to my lands, you my son, are heir to my power. Sesshomaru was always destined to surpass me, become the greatest Lord of the West to ever live and never needed my power to do that no matter how much he thought he did. It was not meant for him. It was meant for you. Tetsusaiga, the armor you know sport, and soon with the last item from your brother you will become all that I wished for you." Sighing, his eyes filled with longing.

"How I wish I could be there in person when you succeed but to save you and your mother I gladly gave my life and I can't regret that, I would do it again in a heartbeat. She is my true-mate as much as Kagome is yours. Had we fulfilled our bonding… but it's too late to think of the past mistakes I made. She is with me now and we are watching over you as much as we can." Kagome was hard pressed not to cry at his heartfelt words.

"I am so incredibly proud of you my son. More than words can express. You have taken what I left you and made it yours. You have fought battles that I never imagined you would have to, though I always believed in you and knew you would win. How could you fail with this one by your side?" He caught the tear as it rolled down Kagome's cheek. "You're mate InuYasha, she is special beyond belief. Keep her safe my son. Don't fight what you must do. Let your brother help you and become the next Great Dog General as you were destined to. When you succeed, for I know you will it's to keep Kagome safe after all, you will never have to fear for her again. Nothing will be able to touch her with you and your brother as her sword and shield, and when the ones who took Chiyoko and Takeshi come for you, you and Sesshomaru will rise up victorious." He growled a soft sound at the idea of battle, it had been a long time since he'd swung a sword. "Listen to your mate's instincts and to your own and you will never go wrong. Good luck my son, I am watching and know that your mother and I love you very much."

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As she let the memory go, Kagome felt InuYasha take her free hand and she smiled up into the emotional eyes of her mate. Though she'd relived the memory for InuYasha, she had also related what their father had to say to him for Sesshomaru. "He is so, so proud of you both."

Sesshomaru looked from her to InuYasha. "I have what you need brother and will retrieve it tomorrow once the… other matter… is settled." The kitsunes would be coming for him tonight and he would be dealing with the Nobu matter personally. "Kagome…" He did not know how to express his gratitude at receiving this message from his father. To know that his destiny was his own, that it did not hinge on his father's legacy… it was a relief. He would forge his own path and create his own future and his own legacy as the Lord of the Western Lands. It made sense now, InuYasha being able to wield Tetsusaiga and wear the armor. InuYasha was a protector, always had been, he would become the next Great Dog General and in that aspect they would work together to protect his lands but their people. Together they would be unstoppable.

Kagome patted his arm in understanding. "It's fine Onii-san." InuYasha pulled her to him gently and cupping the back of her head, kissed her deeply, with enough heat to set fire to the forest. When he let her breath again and her mind could focus she asked with a giggle, "What was that for? Not that I'm complaining."

"You amaze me tsuma! Every day I think 'that's it, I've seen the best of her, the most generosity she has to give, the most compassion she can have, the greatest love she has to offer,' and every day you surpass what you'd given the day before. Kami's how did I get so lucky?" InuYasha cupped her cheeks and rested his forehead on hers. "Watashi no saiai no hanryo, it means so much that you would bring this message from my father. To know that this was all meant for me, that it really is my inheritance from him… I'm honored." He'd been so relieved just to have his mate back, then her outpouring or revelations had astounded him, but this… this was a gift that made his heart and his soul fly free.

Kagome held tight to her mate as his life shifted paths again. From hated hanyou, to destroyer of Naraku, to youkai protector, to her soul bonded mate and equal of his brother. Now to include heir to his father's power and title of Great Dog General, Kagome felt something shift inside him as finally he knew where his destiny lay and sinking deep she watched as the Inu within him opened its eyes.


A/N: Please note that I need a couple of days to catch up! Don't expect more until this weekend at the earliest or possibly Monday. SplendentGoddess is correct in assuming there is another volume in the works, plus Sesshomaru is snarling for his mate, and Chiyoko wants her story told. Kagome's dream will be its own story otherwise The Return would be way too long. That's three more stories I'm currently writing plus others. Brain is a little back logged so have patience with me! R&R as always and thank you so much for the amazing feedback I've been getting. I never expected this kind of response when I started my 'little' story but I read every comment and even if I don't write you back please know that I have read what you had to say. So many times have I laughed out loud, snickered, and yes laughed rather evilly that my coworkers are beginning to wonder if I've lost a few of my marbles somewhere. Also, dragon Takeshi's art went up on Deviant Art last night. Peace, love and InuYasha! Back soon, promise!