Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, Sogakukan, VizMedia.
Chapter 50
Last Time…
For all the insistence Kagome spoke and moved with, her hands were gentle as she pushed back the crimson robe from Inuyasha's shoulders, taking the time to neatly hang it over the door of the stall before slowly pulling Inuyasha's shirt over his head, careful not to move suddenly and aggravate his injuries. Inuyasha watched her tenderly and helped her remove his pants until they were both naked underneath the water.
Kagome beckoned for Inuyasha to lower down so she could lightly wash the dried blood out of his hair from his head wound, careful with the shampoo and shushing him soothingly when he hissed at the soap's contact with open skin. Satisfied once his silver hair was clean, Kagome set to work on carefully washing away the blood from the rest of his body. As her palms passed over the expanse of his chest, she lightly kissed at the dark purple blotches from where he had taken blows. Kagome massaged the juncture where his neck met his shoulders, and meticulously made sure that no remnants of the last night remained on his skin.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha breathed. His heart swelled at the love and care that his mate showed him and he gently cradled her face to pepper her face with light kisses. His claws raked through her hair and he applied pressure to her scalp as he washed her hair, feeling pride when Kagome sighed in response.
He took special care as he washed her body, his hands lingering as they slid down her spine, passed over her hips, and moved over her abdomen. Inuyasha knelt down to make sure that all of Kagome was clean before resting his forehead against her belly and hugging his arms around the back of her legs. Kagome instinctively crouched over him protectively and cradled his head. Kagome could feel Inuyasha take in deep breaths as he reassured himself that she was okay and safe in his arms.
Rising to his feet, his eyes met hers, and he held her tightly.
"I'm okay, Inuyasha. It's over," she whispered.
Inuyasha tucked her head underneath his chin and closed his eyes, letting her words wash over him, more effective in their soothing balm than the hot water.
"You look gorgeous," Kagome sighed, a wistful smile curving her lips. She held her hands out and waited as the older woman gripped them tightly before rising to her feet, still moving gingerly. "Really, every time we come to visit, you look better and better."
Izayoi smiled at her son's mate kindly. "Thank you, Kagome."
"I mean it!" Kagome appraised Izayoi thoughtfully. Her movements were less graceful than they might have been a few months ago, but Izayoi was still healing from the injuries sustained after being abducted by Tomiko and Sesshomaru. "Your movements seem better, too. How has physical therapy been going?"
"Quite well. Thank you for recommending me to your father's old team of therapists. They're amazing. I wouldn't have imagined that I could have this much mobility so soon."
"Of course, I couldn't let you go anywhere else. Inuyasha and I want to make sure that you have the best help."
Izayoi smiled indulgently, relinquishing one of Kagome's hands to cup the younger woman's cheek affectionately. "I don't expect otherwise from the two of you and I'm grateful." She adjusted her hold so that both of her hands gripped onto Kagome's offered elbow and they walked side-by-side through Izayoi's house.
As soon as they stepped through the front door, Inuyasha materialized at their side instantaneously. He gently kissed his mate's cheek in thanks before pulling his mom's hands away from Kagome's elbow and lifting the woman and carrying her to his car. Kagome shook her head and laughed lightly as Izayoi protested halfheartedly. She turned to lock Izayoi's home behind her before joining them in the car, still laughing under her breath even as he pulled onto the road.
"Really, Inuyasha, I'm convalescing, not an invalid."
Inuyasha murmured a characteristic, "Keh!" as he continued to drive.
Kagome's grin widened. "Izayoi, you know as well as I do how much of a mama's boy he is. There's no reason you should even have to lift a little finger in his presence," she teased.
Izayoi gave her son a warm smile and smiled a bit secretively. "Kami only knows. I can just imagine what an overprotective father he'll be should you two decide to have children."
Kagome blushed, but Inuyasha appeared to have not heard his mother, though all of the car's occupants knew better.
Seamlessly, Izayoi changed the subject, commenting, "Oh this area is lovely," as she turned to look out of her window.
"It is, isn't?" Kagome agreed enthusiastically. "Hopefully, this will be the last time we move for a very long time."
"Try ever," Inuyasha muttered. "I never want to pack or unpack a box ever again. We're staying here, Kagome." He reached across and grabbed one of her hands, interlacing their fingers before bringing her hand to his mouth and pressing his lips to her knuckles.
"Well it's too late to change our minds. We can't move back into our old apartment. Souta's already claimed it as his," Kagome giggled. "I still can't believe that he's finally graduated and has a career and is living on his own. Izayoi, how did you not panic letting a menace like Inuyasha loose into society? I'm struggling to imagine Souta handle his first utility bill."
Izayoi smiled wryly. "Something to do with the very responsible young woman he went to university with. I knew he was in good hands."
Kagome sighed dramatically. "Souta's ruined, then."
Inuyasha chuckled. "I wouldn't speak too soon. My sources tell me he's got someone keeping him in line and that he might be bringing her over tonight."
"And you didn't tell me?!"
"Brother's prerogative."
Kagome shrugged. "It must be serious if he intends on bringing her to our housewarming to meet the family. I hope that means he won't be late…" Her eyes lifted as she gazed through the windshield. "Speaking of… welcome to our home, Izayoi."
Inuyasha and Kagome's new home wasn't as grand as her marital home with Kouga, though it was still roomy and comfortable. It was on the outskirts of the city, both to Inuyasha and Kagome's delight, and their property included a handsome acreage of wooded forest, which sealed the deal for the couple. Kagome loved the immediate warmth and coziness of their new home; Inuyasha appreciated how its relative seclusion allowed himself and Kagome a private bubble in the world.
Kagome let Izayoi take her elbow again and guided her up the path leading to their front door.
"How beautiful," Izayoi complimented. "I see that you've planted some of the seedlings I gave you…" Her violet eyes appreciatively roved over the fledgling flowerbeds that lined the path and front of the home before they met with Kagome's.
Kagome nodded excitedly and responded brightly, "I can't wait to see how they bloom next spring." Her gaze momentarily flicked over to Inuyasha and to the side gate of their house before returning to Izayoi, nodding knowingly.
Inuyasha grabbed the women's bags as well as the cake they had picked up and hurried past them to beat the two women to the front door so he could make sure they wouldn't have any obstacles as Izayoi came in. As he reached for the knob to open it for them, he stared as the door opened before he grabbed it. Miroku grinned as he held up a brass key. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and pushed past his best friend, grumbling, "That's not why I put you in charge of our spare key, dickhead. What are you doing here? You're early."
Inuyasha turned and raised an eyebrow, "More importantly, how did you get scent tablets? I can't smell you. Any of you."
Miroku stayed silent, and wrapped a guiding arm around Izayoi's shoulders as she moved from Souta's hold to his. Miroku smiled and stepped aside with her, allowing Souta to close the front door behind them. Souta smiled awkwardly at his older brother figure.
"Miroku, Souta, I don't know why you have that damn look on your faces. What's going on? What's with the scent tablets? Where'd Kagome run off to?"
"Inuyasha, if you'd stop talking for a second and just used your skills of observation, you can figure it out." Miroku nodded towards the hall over the hanyou's shoulder, the self-indulgent grin never leaving his face. He leaned in close to Izayoi and whispered, "Really don't know how he got so far in his career,"
Izayoi giggled and urged her son, "Go on, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at the three of them and continued walking deeper into his home, through the entry way, and into the open plan living room and kitchen. He inclined his head at Sango, Katsumi, and a young woman he assumed was Souta's girlfriend as they stood around the large island in the kitchen. He put down the cake as well as Kagome and Izayoi's bags.
No sooner had Inuyasha opened his mouth, than Souta interrupted from behind, "Keep going, Inuyasha."
Sango laughed, "Always so pessimistic." She pointed towards the sliding doors that led to their large backyard. "Not all surprises are bad."
"Keh! Speak for yourself, Sango." Inuyasha's eyes trained onto the scattered petals leading from the kitchen. He took a tentative sniff and narrowed down the floral overtone to realize that they were peony petals. "What's she got up her sleeve?" he murmured.
"If you keep standing around here asking yourself, you'll never find out, baka!" Sango playfully scolded. "Get a move on!"
He smirked at her and followed the path of petals outside, past their patio, and onto the rough trail that Inuyasha and Kagome had begun to clear in the yard to lead into the wooded area behind their home. As soon as he saw her, his heart stopped and he equally froze. Kagome knelt atop a quilt at the center of a sporadic spread of candles, bathed in their warm light, with a serene smile on her face. She had never looked more beautiful in his eyes. Inuyasha's heart immediately felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. He turned behind him and saw their family and closest friends crowded together on their back patio with eager smiles, wanting to give the couple their space.
"Kagome— what's going on? What is this?"
"Surprise?" Kagome's sheepish smile slowly fell and she explained, "I wanted them here for this and knew that if you caught any of their scents, you'd immediately be suspicious. I asked Kouga for the scent tablets. I know you hate surprises, but I really wanted to just have one for you."
"Why?"
She laughed lightly and cocked her head at him. "You really don't know?" She threw her head back in another laugh before meeting his golden eyes sincerely and lovingly. Kagome spoke emphatically, "I love you, Inuyasha. You're… you are my best friend. You've seen the darkest parts of me and protected me from myself when I couldn't let anyone else in. And you do it so selflessly and with nothing but care for the wellbeing of everyone around you, even at the risk of your own pain. Especially when you deserve so much more than I could ever give you."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to protest but Kagome held a hand up. "I am so, so, incredibly lucky to have met you and I know that no matter what lifetime we meet in, I will always find you. I will always stay at your side. I will always love you. You're my soulmate.
Kagome reached behind her and pulled out a small box and looked down at it before shyly raising her gaze to his again. "I know that we're already bonded together for eternity and nothing could hope to match the kind of devotion that bond requires. But… I'd like to ask you to be my husband. I want everyone to know that I wholly love you, accept you, and choose all of you. And I want it to be known your way and my way… in any way that I can proudly say that I am the lucky woman that Inuyasha Takado chose to be his."
Inuyasha's breath caught in his breath as he watched her fingers open the jewelry box to reveal a golden wedding band. He looked up into her honey eyes and found nothing but sincerity, warmth, and her love for him.
"Will you marry me?" she asked quietly.
Inuyasha's ears twitched at the question and he fell to his knees in front of her before cupping her face and pressing his lips against hers urgently. As soon as their lips touched, Inuyasha consumed her and took over Kagome's senses. Her lips moved instinctively against his before she allowed him to deepen the kiss, pressing her body flush against his. He groaned when she opened her mouth to him and entangled her fingers in his hair, trying to pull him closer. He slid his hands down to grip her hips. Keeping his arms around her, Inuyasha slowly pulled away but kept his head bowed close to hers, his eyes lingering closed before he opened them slowly.
Kagome's eyes were half-lidded and her lips slightly swollen. He smiled and pressed another quick kiss to her lips and then the tip of her nose before tucking her closer into his embrace, resting his cheek on the top of her head. "Fuck, Kagome," he breathed. "My heart feels like it's about to explode." He chuckled and the husky sound warmed Kagome from her head to her toes.
"Yes. Yes, just— fucking yes! Kagome, I'll accept whatever role in your life that you'll give me. Protector, best friend, mate, husband, whatever you need from me, I'll do it. No matter what I do, it'll never match what you do for me with your kindness… or strength… or your stubborness." He barked out a laugh, pulled away, and knit his eyebrows at the tears he smelled. He cradled her face and gently used the pads of his thumbs to wipe away her tears. "Keh! Silly woman… why are you crying?"
"Baka, I'm happy," she sniffled.
"You didn't think I'd say 'no', did you?"
Kagome sniffled again and rolled her eyes. "No, but I didn't expect to feel so overwhelmed when you said 'yes'." She looked up at him through her lashes and took his left hand that was softly stroking her cheek and pulled it away before picking up the dropped jewelry box. She took out the wedding band and playfully held it up to his face, squinting one eye as she looked between the ring and Inuyasha's eyes. She grinned. "Perfect shade."
Inuyasha smirked at her and she felt her heart skip a beat at his roguish expression. His smirk deepened and she knew that he heard it. Then, she slid the ring onto his fourth finger and brought his hand to her lips so she could kiss it, their eyes never breaking contact.
"Can we please come hug you guys?" Miroku whined.
Inuyasha and Kagome looked up and back towards the house. Inuyasha snorted and Kagome enthusiastically nodded, squealing with surprise and delight when Inuyasha lifted her up and began spinning her around before dipping his head to give her another kiss. He mischievously held out an arm and blocked everyone from reaching Kagome as they joined them in the grass, but quickly relented and squirmed away when he realized that doing so meant he was the object of their affection. Kagome looked up at him from where she was being swarmed by their family and held out a hand. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and let her pull him back into the fold.
Once they broke apart, their family mostly congratulating Kagome, Izayoi stepped closer to her son and took his hand, holding it tightly. "Inuyasha," she sighed.
"Can you believe it, Mom? Kagome's done the impossible— made an honest man out of me." He stared at his mate with obvious affection until he felt his mother press something into the hand that she held. "Hm?"
With tears shimmering in her violet eyes, Izayoi pressed her hand to Inuyasha's cheek lovingly and used her other one to close his hand over the object. "Consider it a wedding gift from your father and me."
Inuyasha opened his hand and gaped at the ring he hadn't seen in over a decade, not since his father's passing. "What—?"
"It would be nice for it to become a family heirloom, don't you think?" Izayoi looked at the ring with fond nostalgia. The marquise cut canary diamond shone brightly and was securely fastened onto a pavé band. "It matches your eyes… and I'm sure the eyes of any grandchildren I should be so lucky to have."
"Jeez… that's the second time you've mentioned grandkids today," Inuyasha grumbled.
Izayoi smiled with a hint of apology. "An old woman's wishes," she whispered conspiratorially. "And you and Kagome would make such wonderful parents. But, of course, the choice belongs to you two."
Inuyasha glanced at his fiancée and the image of her with a belly full of his child immediately came to mind. His pride, but more importantly, his heart, yearned for that image and child. "Yeah… But I've only had her back for a year. I'm gonna be selfish with her for a little while longer." He smiled at his mother, "Besides, we have all the time in the world."
Izayoi nodded at her old ring. "Don't let her wait too long for that. The girl deserves a little sparkle. As well as a formal welcome into the Takado family." She walked away and gave Kagome a warm embrace before following the others back, escorted by Miroku into the house to serve the celebratory dinner that they helped prepare for the couple.
Kagome turned over her shoulder to beam at Inuyasha and he grinned back, feeling the lightest he had felt in years. He brushed her hair out of her face as it was slightly disheveled by the evening breeze. As he did so, he revealed dual pin pricks in her shoulder. The mark he had given her when they had become mates. He unconsciously rubbed against it and immediately scented Kagome's arousal as well as felt the tremor that passed through her. He smirked and mumbled, "Sorry, didn't mean to."
Slightly breathless, she retorted, "Sure you didn't." Kagome reached up and gently brushed her fingers over the mark her own teeth had left in his shoulder— the only time his skin would remain scarred at her hand. She felt him shiver and smiled at him knowingly.
Kagome saw Inuyasha's gaze darken as his pupils dilated and found herself trapped in the golden depths. The hand on her shoulder wrapped around the back of her neck and pulled her in for a rough kiss. Eyes closed, he pulled away and sighed before pressing his forehead against hers, uncharacteristically breathless.
"You mated with me for my sake. You saved me from myself, like you always do. And I'm still an asshole that doesn't tell you how amazing, smart, wonderful, kind, strong, and beautiful you are. Not enough. I don't know what spirits decided that we should be soulmates, but I'll never be able to thank them enough. I can't wait to marry you."
"Who said we have to wait?"
Inuyasha opened his eyes and cocked an eyebrow at her.
"I don't need a big ceremony. I have you. Our family is here… my grandfather can do it before we eat. I'll have the paperwork done when I go to work on Monday."
"We're missing one thing."
It was Kagome's turn to raise an eyebrow. "We are?"
He lifted her hand and slid his mother's ring onto her finger. "This belongs here, forever. Or at least, until we pass it on to our own daughter." Inuyasha met her eyes meaningfully.
"Oh, Inuyasha," Kagome sighed, a watery smile lighting up her face. She leapt up into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as she kissed him passionately. "I didn't," she kissed him between phrases, "mate with you… just for your sake. I did it… for mine as well. How long will it take for you to get it through your thick skull? She pulled back and leisurely looped her arms around his neck, knowing he would never drop her. She quipped, "I would be your mate even if we didn't think we were going to die trying to stop your father's demented ex-wife. Though…" she held her hand up and admired how her new ring looked in the light of the sunset, "this is a fabulous perk."
"Keh!" Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her cheeky grin before reaching up to give her another quick peck. "Alright, Kagome, let's get this dinner and ceremony done so I can get to my real treat once everyone leaves." He nipped lightly at her beneath her jaw, making sure to teasingly graze his fangs against the delicate skin of her throat. At the same time, he squeezed her butt as he held her up, earning a gasp.
Kagome recovered quickly, giggling and squealing, "Inuyasha!" though she made sure not to squeal too loudly into his ears.
He burst back into their home, "Oi, Katsumi-jiji! You still remember how to perform marriage rites?"
"Are you ready?" Inuyasha called out, giving a warning knock before opening the door and stepping inside.
The young woman inside took a deep breath and smiled with her exhale. She turned around from where she stood in front of the full-length mirror. "How do I look?" she asked shyly.
Inuyasha looked her over as she had asked him. She stood proudly, her head held high, with thick silver hair that fell to her waist in carefully styled waves. Her golden eyes were bright and lively, her full pink lips carving across her face in a nervous smile. She wore more make-up than usual, though he was of the mindset that she didn't need a drop of it. But he admitted to himself that she looked more radiant and the subtle colors enhanced her natural beauty.
"Papa?"
"Keh! Mizuki, I'm your father. You already know that I'm going to tell you that you're the most beautiful woman in the world. That isn't going to change all of a sudden."
Mizuki's smile widened, her fangs peeking out. "Papa, you're such a liar."
"Impossible," he scoffed.
"You and I both know that that particular title is reserved specifically for Mama."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Well you look exactly like her, don't you?"
Kagome breezed into the room, holding the hem of her gown so that she didn't step on it. "Hardly," she cut in. "Do you see me with silver hair and gold eyes?"
Inuyasha caught her with an arm around her waist and kissed her quickly. "No, but she's the spitting image of you on the nights of the new moon. Could practically pass for twins." He turned to face his daughter again. "So, I maintain that the two of you are the most beautiful women in the world." He winked at her, prompting a giggle from his daughter.
"He's right, darling. You look stunning. You're going to take Kenji's breath away when he sees you."
Kagome stepped out of Inuyasha's arms to gently smooth her daughter's hair and meticulously run her hand over the white dress, bending down and shaking out the extra fabric at her feet so that the small train fanned out behind her majestically. "Your bridesmaids are waiting for you outside with the photographer to take some more last-minute photos before we get started." She held her daughter's hand tightly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the diamond ring that they had given Kenji when he asked Inuyasha and Kagome for their blessing, the yellow diamond sparkling familiarly.
"Your brothers are waiting, too."
Mizuki made a face and immediately, Inuyasha's heart swelled as the expression brought him back to when she was just a little girl, incensed at being excluded from her older brothers' games for being too young, too small, too much their little sister.
"I hope they're behaving," she grumbled.
Kagome laughed, "You and me, both. But I think your sisters-in-law are making sure of that." She beamed at her daughter and her voice broke slightly when she spoke. "I love you, Mizuki. Your father and I are so proud of you and so happy for you."
"Mama…" Mizuki's lower lip trembled dangerously.
"Oi! Don't start blubbering and then complain about your make-up!" Inuyasha grouched, waving a hand at them dismissively, though he couldn't fight the strange pressure in his chest that let him know he was just as affected as his mate and daughter. "Get on with it. You've got people waiting. Didn't raise you to be late."
Kagome and Mizuki rolled their eyes and Mizuki kissed Kagome on the cheek before breezing by her father, though not without giving him a kiss on the cheek as well, briefly squeezing his shoulder as she walked out of the bridal suite. Inuyasha watched her leave then turned back to Kagome, who had a knowing smile on her face.
"Keh! What's that look for?"
"It's okay to feel a little sad, Inuyasha. She's your only daughter and she's starting her own life with her mate."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at Kagome. "Keep rubbing it in, then," he snapped.
Kagome giggled, unfazed by his attitude, and wrapped her arms around Inuyasha's neck, kissing underneath his jaw lightly. "I'm experiencing a little empty nest syndrome myself… she's the last one to leave home. You didn't really think that she'd stay with us forever, did you?"
"No," Inuyasha snorted. "She's too much like you."
"Yeah? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Some things never change— you're still fishing for compliments." He kissed her forehead before sighing heavily and tightening his arms around her. "So damn smart, kind, doesn't take bullshit from anyone—"
"I'd argue that comes from you."
"— and so gorgeous. She's just like you, Kagome. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her instantly. Kenji would've been a damn fool to not have asked her to marry and mate him while he had the chance."
Kagome smiled softly and rested her head against his chest. "You give me too much credit, Inuyasha. I understand that watching her grow up is more difficult than it was for the boys. Mizuki is a daddy's girl through and through. She learned how to be independent, fearless, fiercely loving, and tough as nails from you. You tried so hard to protect her growing up. Truly, it was everyone else that needed protection."
Inuyasha smirked. "Still can't believe she landed a right hook that nearly dislocated Ichiro's jaw when she was nine."
"Could've been worse."
Inuyasha laughed through his nose, the air lightly tickling the top of Kagome's head. "How so?"
"Katsuo could've also nearly gotten his jaw dislocated if he wasn't smart enough to realize he should quit picking on his little sister."
Inuyasha's laugh grew and he sighed in agreement before taking another deep breath. "Kagome…"
Kagome began rubbing her hand across his back soothingly. "I know, Inuyasha. We made some pretty spectacular people."
He sighed and again and nodded, the motion causing strands of his hair to tickle her as they dragged against the bare skin of her arms. "Sometimes… I wake up and I see you laying there next to me... I see their childhood photos around the house and I think, 'This is really my life?' How the fuck did I manage to deserve this?' It all feels like I'll wake up one day and I'm actually alone in my apartment."
Kagome pulled back slightly and cupped his face, stroking his face softly. "It's real, Inuyasha," she assured him softly. "The kids and I are real. This is your life. We've spent the last thirty years together, raising the most rambunctious trio of hanyous the world has ever seen." Her smile grew as she spoke and the sight of it was enough to weaken Inuyasha's knees. "I don't know about you, but I think it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."
Inuyasha deadpanned, "Pretty good time then?"
"Baka," she said affectionately. "They've had the childhood we always wanted, so full of love and with a huge unit of friends and family surrounding them. And I know that they think they have the best Papa in the world. I didn't think anyone could adore you as much as I do, but phew, the sheer adoration and respect when they look at you… every day I wake up thankful, knowing that I'm so lucky that you're my mate and the father of my children."
At her words, Inuyasha immediately felt the strange pressure in his chest again. "Kagome, I'm the lucky one. It was just my mom and me for so long and then you fell into my life… and I'd never been so grateful that someone could be such a klutz."
"Hey!" Kagome giggled.
"There are some choices I wish I hadn't made and pain that I wish I could take away from you… but if it all led to those three kids…"
"Then it was all worth it," Kagome finished. "I wish they could've met my parents… and your father. But I wouldn't change a thing as long as it meant that I'd have you and them. The world is perfect when you're all around."
"Perfect, hm?"
"Well as perfect as reality can be."
Inuyasha leaned down and pressed his lips against hers, not taking for granted the fact that kissing Kagome still set his heart racing and hearing her sigh happily against his lips got his blood rushing.
"Mama? The coordinator said she's ready for the family oh— come on! Aren't you guys too old for this?"
Kagome smiled as she pulled away, while Inuyasha made a face, his brow twitching dangerously. "For fuck's sake, Ichiro."
The spitting image of his father, their eldest child, Ichiro, smirked at them. "Shouldn't you be used to getting cock blocked by now, old man?"
"Ichiro, what's the hold up— oh I see." Katsuo peeked his head into the room. Nearly identical to his older bother and father, Inuyasha and Kagome's second child's features were slightly more refined and angular. Izayoi commented on numerous occasions that he was a near clone of his grandfather, if not for the ears sitting atop his head. "Wow, thirty years together and it's still the same bullshit, huh?"
"Oi you two, quit talking like that in front of your mother," Inuyasha scolded.
"Honestly, Inuyasha, they learned it from you." Kagome let go of him to take each of her son's offered elbows as they walked out of the room. "This is your sister's big day. I can't believe I'm saying this since you're both grown men, but best behavior, please. No need to make her worried or stress her out."
"Yes, Mama," the two men chorused dutifully.
Inuyasha walked a step behind them, hiding a smile at the sight of the petite woman sandwiched between her two sons. And when he looked up and saw his daughter grinning at the sight of her family walking towards her, he couldn't help but mirror her expression. Once they reached her, Ichiro and Katsuo each planted a kiss on their little sister's cheeks, and their ears moved slightly at the sound of a camera's click capturing the moment. Ichiro and Katsuo shared a smile as Mizuki rolled her eyes at them before holding their arms out for their respective bridesmaids and making their way down the aisle.
A woman with a headset gestured at Kagome and Inuyasha and they stood on either side of Mizuki. Inuyasha placed a hand over Mizuki's where she held onto his elbow. "Nervous?"
Mizuki smiled and shook her head. "I love him, Papa."
The doors opened and Inuyasha and Mizuki's ears twitched at the sound of the guests rising in their seats to turn back and watch them walk down the aisle. His eyes honed in on the young man standing at the altar and he relaxed at the way Kenji kept his gaze on Mizuki with nothing less than pure reverence reflected in his eyes. Inuyasha also sought out where his daughters-in-law were standing and as he passed by them, he quickly found Ichiro's eyes and raised an eyebrow at him. Ichiro's grin grew wider and Inuyasha had to take a deep breath.
'Of fucking course. Ichiro would have a smug grin on his face. At least he had the decency to not announce her pregnancy before his little sister's wedding.'
He glanced at Kagome, but her gaze split between Mizuki and Kenji as she smiled graciously during their walk down the aisle. He knew she'd be ecstatic to find out that her first grandchild was on the way. Once at the altar, Inuyasha placed his daughter's hand in Kenji's before shaking the young man's hand firmly, looking him in the eye meaningfully.
"Take care of her."
Kenji nodded, "With everything I have."
Inuyasha nodded back in approval before gently pressing a kiss to the top of Mizuki's head, hearing Kagome welcome Kenji to their family in a gentle whisper before escorting his mate to their seats. He looked down at Kagome from the corner of his eye and interlaced their fingers. She looked up at him at that, already teary-eyed, and he ducked down quickly to kiss her quickly before they turned their attention to their daughter's wedding, relishing the ambience of love that permeated the room and in their bond that allowed it to be possible.
Thank you, everyone who's made it this far. I hope you're all staying healthy and safe during these uncertain times and that, if anything, you were able to escape for a little while with our favorite couple.
