Three years later

Yuki hummed as she pottered about the gardens at Sesshomaru's mother's palace, waiting for Sesshomaru to join her. The dog demon was currently tied up (she hoped not literally) with his mother as the dog demoness gave her son a final parting lecture.

It reminded Yuki of two years earlier when she had first witnessed Sesshomaru being scolded by his mother. The dog demoness had been merciless to her son as soon as she'd found out that Sesshomaru had not only failed to immediately let his mother know when he had proposed, but he'd also forgone the wedding entirely before claiming Yuki as his mate. That had been a rather awkward meeting after Sesshomaru's mother had smelt the change on them when they visited her at Yuki's suggestion (or rather, her insistence) that his mother should know. They hadn't needed to say anything as his mother had quickly worked everything out when she saw them, not bothering to wait for an explanation.

To say she was furious with her son was possibly an understatement; and to say Sesshomaru didn't care nor was he inclined to rectify his "mistake" in the slightest was definitely one. It eventually took Yuki's persuasion and a solid week for the two arguing dog demons to compromise with a formal but personal ceremony. Sesshomaru's mother was able to lavishly plan out her son's wedding as she wished while Sesshomaru was spared from having to endure what would otherwise have been the traditional three-day long procession. Instead, he just had to complete the simple ceremony to exchange verbal vows (considering they'd already given their everything to each other) and then accept the congratulations of his ministers and subjects.

Yuki was surprised when the subjects of the Western Lands where Sesshomaru's mother (and sometimes Sesshomaru) ruled, genuinely celebrated their lord's union although few were invited to the actual wedding. Only the ministers joined Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Lady Kaede, and naturally Rin, Jaken, and Kohaku in attendance but they were all cordial while subjects from across the land celebrated their lord's wedding with banquets kindly funded by Sesshomaru's mother. It was so strange to her, almost as strange as seeing her odd mix of friends in the same room as the proud demon ministers.

Jaken had wept throughout the entire day (although he denied it later) while Rin smiled through the whole day before falling asleep on Kohaku's lap as the evening celebrations wore on. Sango and Miroku had to leave early as the demon slayer was extremely pregnant at eight months, and Lady Kaede and Shippo had left with them as protection. Inuyasha was the only one who stayed behind for his 'sister', although he later looked like he regretted it a bit.

That first meeting between Yuki's 'brother' and her new mother-in-law was one of the most interesting interactions Yuki had ever witnessed in her life. Inuyasha had looked distinctly uncomfortable and wary, but Sesshomaru's mother had been as cool as ever and even a little amused when they were introduced.

"So, you are Inuyasha." She observed while Inuyasha fidgeted a little before her. Sesshomaru's mother smirked.

"You look very like your mother."

Inuyasha glanced at Yuki uneasily, but she could only shrug. While she could easily read Sesshomaru, his mother was as much a mystery to Yuki as she was to Inuyasha.

"Thank you-?" Inuyasha began, when Sesshomaru's mother added, "I can see why my son's father was so enamoured by your mother."

Inuyasha tensed; but Sesshomaru's mother just smirked wider.

"There is no need to be so alarmed. My son is marrying your foster sister today - yes, I know of your relationship."

Sesshomaru's mother seemed amused at Inuyasha and Yuki's surprise.

"If I had opposed my husband's relationship with your mother, I would never have accepted my son's union with Yuki. As things are, I am simply glad my son is finally showing signs of settling down. He wouldn't have chosen her if she were not the best match, therefore your mother must have raised her well. No doubt she passed on the same qualities that had Sesshomaru's father so enraptured."

Inuyasha blinked, before he wrinkled his nose as Sesshomaru's mother stood and left, saying over her shoulder with a slight smirk, "You may stay tonight as Yuki's family, Inuyasha - as long as you do not attempt to steal her."

By the end of the evening, they had still had no clue whether Sesshomaru's mother really liked Inuyasha or if she was just politely putting up with him. Yuki wasn't sure she wanted to ask Sesshomaru - whether because she was afraid that he would deny his mother could ever tolerate Inuyasha or that he would detest the subject too much and stalk away, Yuki wasn't sure. But since her marriage to Sesshomaru, Inuyasha - rather reluctantly on his part - had been brought to visit the palace on two more occasions and not once had his presence been contested. In fact, over the past three years Yuki had come to conclude that Sesshomaru's mother genuinely liked Inuyasha as she tended to bully the half-demon much like she bullied Sesshomaru and even Yuki.

Speaking of bullying Sesshomaru…

Yuki looked up as Sesshomaru finally appeared on the landing leading to the garden, his expression extremely sour.

"Ah, Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken called, pleased to see his master.

Sesshomaru ignored the imp demon as he strolled over to where Yuki stood waiting.

"I'm starting to think this really wasn't worth it." Yuki observed but Sesshomaru just shook his head.

"I am perfectly capable of handling my mother." He replied as he swept Yuki carefully into his arms. Yuki snorted.

"Right." She laughed as Sesshomaru took them off at last, flying them away while Jaken hopped onto Sesshomaru's train and held on. "That's why you avoided seeing her for two years after our marriage."

Sesshomaru scowled and Yuki pointed out, "You know that's why she was overbearing to you these last two visits. I told you we should have gone to see her last New Year's."

"She is a demon." Sesshomaru muttered. "The only thing she has to show for the New Year is that she has gained one more year in age but not common sense."

"You'd best hope she doesn't hear you say that!" Yuki laughed and Sesshomaru's lips curved up despite himself.

It was in a similarly light manner that they made the rest of their journey, speedily flying across the lands and toward the East.

Yuki smiled as she looked out into the distance where - growing ever closer - was her home away from home (of sorts). She herself had never lived there per se although she visited often. But Lady Kaede's village was where Inuyasha and Rin had made their homes. Added to the fact that it was where Sango and Miroku had also settled, and to Yuki the village was as good as home after Sesshomaru's own home.

Although, they visited the village a lot more than they visited the palace… and that was why Yuki did often secretly think his mother was justified in how she bullied her son each time he came home.

"You have been composing again."

Yuki looked up at her husband but Sesshomaru's gaze remained fixed ahead as he explained, "I heard you humming in the garden."

"Hm, yes I have." Yuki smiled.

Sesshomaru glanced at her briefly before he looked ahead once more and Yuki's smile widened.

"Would you like to hear it?" She asked innocently.

"If you care to sing." Was the careless response.

Yuki almost laughed - some things never changed. However, instead, she breathed in before she began to sing.

"Everyone is waiting

For days without fighting.

Soldiers on the battlefield

Now we'll remember~

Our mother's warmth-"

Yuki broke off suddenly, and she glanced down, wondering if her nose was playing tricks on her. Only for her eyes to pop wide open as she saw a familiar dark-haired beauty standing in the fields below beside Inuyasha.

"Oh, Lord Sesshomaru, Yuki!" Jaken exclaimed as he also saw what Yuki had. "I see that Kagome has returned!"

"Hmph." Sesshomaru sniffed in reply, clearly not deeming the returned priestess important or worthy enough to merit a greeting.

Yuki however was ecstatic, and she was only stopped from shouting a joyful greeting below when Kagome - who had also spotted them by now - called brightly, "Yuki! Big Brother!"

Sesshomaru glared down at the human girl in annoyance, bordering on outrage, while Yuki burst out laughing.

Down below, Kagome cocked her head and noted in confusion, "Huh, that's weird, he looked like he was annoyed."

She glanced over at Inuyasha, only to find her betrothed also making a dreadful face.

"You too?" She asked in surprise, and Inuyasha replied, looking like he wanted to vomit, "That just sounded really wrong, okay?"

Yuki occasionally calling him 'little brother' as a joke after her marriage to Sesshomaru had been bad enough but it had still felt somewhat acceptable since she'd always been like a sister to him anyway. But Kagome calling Sesshomaru 'big brother'? That Inuyasha wasn't sure he'd ever be able to stomach.

At the same time, Yuki had barely managed to stop laughing as Sesshomaru turned his annoyed gaze on her next. She simply patted him mock comfortingly as she stated, "At least you're still the big brother, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru glared at her, a look that might have struck anyone else with chills and possibly sent them running for their lives; but which only served to amuse Yuki further.

"I want to go say hi." Yuki informed her husband, ignoring his annoyance as her own excitement at Kagome's return grew.

"I will not." Sesshomaru answered flatly, and Yuki rolled her eyes.

"Fine, I'll go myself."

And before Sesshomaru could say or do anything else, Yuki had pulled herself out of his arms and leapt down towards the earth below.

Inuyasha and Kagome both looked up as the shadow appeared above their heads, and Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror while Kagome's lit up with happiness as they saw Yuki rushing down towards them.

"Yuki!" Kagome cried delightedly while Inuyasha gasped, "- the hell?"

The half-demon quickly held out his arms in a cradle shape, catching Yuki across the back of her shoulders and behind her knees and swinging them around with the momentum of her fall to soften the landing blow.

"Kagome!" Yuki said just as happily as the dark-haired girl had, instantly hopping out of her best friend's arms to greet her other friend. "It's so good to see you again!"

"You too! I missed you." Kagome cried as she reached to hug her friend.

But Inuyasha butted in as he scolded Yuki fiercely, "What were you thinking? Are you trying to get me and Kagome killed?!"

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, confused.

Yuki meanwhile rolled her eyes and argued, "You'll be fine!"

"Like hell I will!" Inuyasha yelled and Kagome asked, "What's going on- eek!"

She cut herself off with a surprised yelp as Sesshomaru landed almost on her head.

Kagome scrambled out of the way as the dog demon straightened, the human girl's confusion only growing at the look of not just the annoyance but also a hint of worry that was etched onto Sesshomaru's face as he glared at Yuki.

"What were you doing?" Sesshomaru demanded and Jaken also scolded from behind his master, "You silly half-demon! What were you thinking, acting so carelessly!"

Kagome blinked as Yuki whined, "I told you I wanted to say hi."

"And so you jumped?" Sesshomaru hissed, eyes narrowed.

Jaken immediately stepped away in case he somehow ended up on the receiving end of his lord's wrath. Kagome looked between them all in confusion, but Yuki just pouted at her husband.

"You were the one who said you didn't want to come down to greet your own brother and sister-in-law." Yuki grumbled.

Kagome's bewilderment continued as Inuyasha butted in, "Just so you know, Sesshomaru, it wasn't my idea. It was all on her."

"It was your woman who brought her down here." Sesshomaru countered, and Yuki argued, "Her is right here. And don't talk about Kagome like she's an object, that's rude."

"You are not in a position to lecture me when you failed to consider your condition and the consequences of your actions." Sesshomaru replied rather dryly at the same time Inuyasha implored, "You're not helping, Yuki. Just say you won't do it again."

"I'm fine!" Yuki insisted.

Kagome finally raised a hand and interrupted, "I'm not. I'm very lost – what is happening?"

Sesshomaru scowled at her – although Kagome thought she detected a hint of pride in his eyes, which was strange –, Inuyasha groaned, and Yuki beamed.

"I'm pregnant." Yuki informed her friend, and Kagome's eyes widened while her jaw dropped.

"What?" She gasped, and Yuki's smile widened.

"About four months by my mother-in-law's guess, judging by the size."

She gestured to the small bump on her stomach that Kagome now registered, mostly hidden beneath Yuki's loose kimono robes. Kagome squealed, making the two dog demons' ears ring.

"Oh, congratulations!" Kagome hugged Yuki, who laughed as she hugged her friend back.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at them while Sesshomaru remained rather impassive, until Kagome suddenly jerked back from Yuki's hug.

Yuki blinked in confusion before groaning as Kagome scolded, "And you jumped out of the sky?!"

"Not you too!" Yuki complained, and Inuyasha snorted while Sesshomaru wrapped his hand around Yuki's waist.


Later that evening

"We'll see you again soon." Yuki promised, hugging Rin fondly. "And we may stay longer next time."

"Will you have your child here?" Lady Kaede queried curiously.

"How dare you!" Jaken cried. "Of course Lord Sesshomaru's heir cannot be born in a tiny human village of no consequence-!"

"We're still discussing." Yuki cut over Jaken smoothly, giving him an admonishing look. "Although it's more likely we'll stay with his mother; she can be quite persuasive when she wants something."

"Do not let her manipulate you." Sesshomaru warned, and Yuki glanced at him.

"I think she bullies and manipulates you to be honest." She replied with as much earnestness as she could pretend, but the sparkle in her eyes gave her away.

Sesshomaru gave her a reproachful look while Rin stifled a giggle at Yuki's teasing; but at the dog demon lord's look, the child quickly schooled her features and she asked innocently, "But then, will I not see your baby, Yuki?"

"We'd visit when we could, of course." Yuki smiled, before she leant down to Rin. "And you could always come and stay with us for a while."

Rin lit up at the invitation and she looked at Kaede.

"Oh, could I Lady Kaede?" The child asked excitedly and Kaede smiled.

"I don't see why not." The old priestess replied indulgently.

"Yay!"

Yuki laughed as Rin cheered, jumping about the hut and punching the air in her excitement. As Rin laughed and thanked a highly amused Kaede, Yuki turned and looked into the distance where she could smell Inuyasha and Kagome, and Sango and Miroku with their children. Where she could faintly hear Inuyasha's laugh as he and Kagome enjoyed some idle chatter in the sunset.

And then her eyes looked further, toward the sunset that was the background to their current happiness and the far horizon. Somewhere out there were Totosai and Momo, and old Myoga. Saya was probably asleep as he had often been found to be since they'd defeated So'unga. Shippo was in the Southern forests, studying to become a fully fledged fox demon, and Kohaku was also out there somewhere with Kirara to have his back as he fought demons and protected human villages the way his family always had. One day, Sango would probably join her brother again - perhaps once she had recovered from recently giving birth to her son or when all her children were older. And who knew, perhaps her children and husband would join her and continue their family's legacy.

"What are you thinking of now?"

Yuki turned to Sesshomaru, who had been watching her with a knowing smirk ghosting his features.

"How peaceful and happy things are right now." Yuki answered honestly, and Sesshomaru's gold eyes twinkled with his amusement although his expression itself remained fairly impassive.

Sesshomaru then tilted his head and he reminded her offhandedly, "You didn't finish singing that song."

Yuki smiled and as Sesshomaru settled himself down, she curled up beside him while he kept one arm wrapped protectively around her and their unborn child. Snuggling against him, Yuki sang softly for her husband the song she had composed as she thought of the brighter tomorrow that her friends and family would live to see.

"And draw our own map

In this world that spreads out forever

We'll hold back our tears

And walk on~

Stand up now! Hey, come on!

Awaken the sleeping lion every time

Live like that~

All the way into tomorrow~"

*A/N Thanks to everyone who supported this story to the finish. I couldn't have done it without all of your encouragements, so really, thank you all so, so much! This is the end of Yuki's time but to each and every person who loved her, thank you! All the best for your tomorrows and may our future also be brighter and happier. Final two songs because I'm sad this is over! First, Promise from Inuyasha Movie: Fire on the Mystic Island, and the song Yuki sings. The link is as follows, plus I thought the AMV this person made was a good montage summary of the anime: /-_tsoUBsA4c.

And finally, Kimi ga Inai Mirai, which was the opening song for Inuyasha Final Act. The link that has English subs is: /xboa3WQQ4LI, and again I think the fan video this person made is a nice summary of the series in general. Please enjoy and for the last time, thank you!