Author's Note: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the source material for this story. All are owned by Rumiko Takahashi. This fic is labeled MA per standards for eventual violence, sex, and language so be warned.

2020/03/22 - Added some conversation and some detail. Doesn't change the overall story but helps clarify a little.

...

Reconciliation

Chapter 4 - Stellar

A few months later…

Kagome stared down into the Bone Eater's Well with trepidation and hope. She could feel the magic stirring there once again but had no idea what it could mean. If she left here and went back to the 20th century now, what would happen?

'I can't risk not being able to come back. Shippou and the others would be devastated. Inuyasha could come with me, I think, but we could be separated again without warning. I can't do that to him. Damn it, I had made my decision and not being able to go back was easier than wondering…'

She sat on the edge of the well and closed her eyes, reaching out with her reiki as best she could to investigate the well. The pull felt like before: the rippling undertow of the magic that swept her from this time to the modern era, and the unfathomable bright expanse beyond the well itself that would envelop her as she traveled. Somewhere within that chasm of light was her first home, but she had a home here now, too.

"Kagome-sama, what is wrong?" Rin asked.

Kagome startled out of her reverie. "Oh! Nothing, Rin-chan. I thought I heard something in the well but it looks like nothing. Let's take Kaede's laundry back to her and get started on those salves, okay?"

"Right, Kagome-sama. Rin is ready to help!"

"'I am ready to help,' Rin. Try it again."

"Right. I am ready to help!" She parroted and pumped a small fist in the air.

"Very good."

Kagome laughed but realized that such childish displays would soon become a thing of the past for Rin. She was so much taller now, so much less like a little girl. A gangly adolescent blossoming into a young woman. Her warm, brown eyes were flecked with gold and her dark hair was loose now and had grown out straight down her back. She was a lovely young woman but was still often very much alone. The influence of her daiyoukai protector never left her side. Visitors that came through the village were warm enough with her but village residents kept her at arm's length in fear of drawing attention to themselves through her. Shippou was the exception, of course. He knew both Rin and Sesshoumaru and was comfortable with her. Shippou was spending so many months at school now that the girl was left with only Kagome and the aging miko for company. Inuyasha's yell broke through her thoughts.

"Oi, Kagome!" Inuyasha called from across the clearing. He was sprinting toward her with a worried look.

Time to divert attention so she and her husband could talk.

"Rin, can you take Kaede's laundry to her ahead of me? Sounds like Inuyasha wants to talk for a moment." She offered some things from her own basket.

"Sure thing, Kagome-sama. Rin will see you later!" She took the clothes from Kagome and continued on toward the village.

"I felt your aura from across the village. What are you- Oh. Wow." He stilled, staring into the depths of the well with a wide-eyed look.

"Yeah, I know. You can feel it too can't you?" She laid a hand on his arm as he peered in.

"Yeah… but why now? And how?" Golden eyes found her face to see her reaction.

She shook her head. "I have no idea. I was washing clothes, of all things, across the river and I felt it suddenly open. It was almost like… it was calling me back. I can't explain it. I was never certain that my last trip was my last trip, remember?"

Inuyasha pulled her gently to him beside the well. "Do you wanna go?" The questions were all there in his eyes.

'Should we risk it?

What if you can't come back?

Do you miss your family enough to leave me here?'

She laid her hand on his cheek to comfort him. "Goodness, you feel too warm! Do you have a fever?" She moved her hand to his forehead.

"Nah, just been running here. Demons don't get fevers, wench." He quickly dismissed her fear.

"But half-demons might. You've been ill before, don't forget."

She shrugged and then faced him seriously. "Of course, I'd love to see my family again but I can't risk not being able to come back to you. And Shippou. And the others. What would I do if I were trapped over there again?" She hugged herself, feeling afraid.

He visibly relaxed and exhaled and reached out to hold her close. "Can I come with you? If this is your chance to see them, to be able to see them all, I can't make you make that choice between me and your family. We should try. But I won't be leaving you alone, got that?"

"Mm hmm, I hear you." Her face brushed against his chest as she nodded her understanding. "But we should tell everyone before we go, just in case. Shippou is away at school but I'll write him a letter explaining everything and leave it with Sango. With any luck, we'll be back before he comes to visit and he'll never have to read it."

"I hate to leave the kid but Sango and Miroku are here and they'll look after him, no matter what."

'If the worst happens.' They both thought about Shippou and what that would do to him. It was a serious consideration.

Kagome turned away from the well and straightened her fern green yukata out in front. "Oh wait, hold on…" She walked around to the side of the well and fetched the basket of sun-warmed, damp laundry. She hefted it up on her hip and started down the hill.

"Okay, well I'll go home and get ready. Wait, what were you doing out here? Aren't you working with Kuroda-san on his barn today?" She stepped carefully, glancing around the basket every few steps.

"Keh. We finished that hours ago. Man likes to gab too much. Asked one too many questions about you for my liking." he grumbled.

Inuyasha grabbed the basket from her and held it up with one hand, smirking at her when she blushed and shook her head, grinning, at his clear attempt to impress.

'Oh yeah?' she thought.

She stepped in front of him and kissed him soundly but sweetly. He stuttered and nearly dropped the basket then when the blood rushed to his face.

"Gotcha!" she chirped back at him, laughing and padding lightly down the road ahead.

"Oh just you wait, woman!"

And they chased each other all the way back to the village.

…

"Kagome-chan, are you sure?" Sango asked.

"Yes." The young priestess nodded resolutely. "I'll wonder 'why' forever if I don't go. Inuyasha is going with me and even if it traps us there this time, I'm hopeful it'll open back up soon. I came back less than a year ago and it's open again already. Maybe my family needs me back there. I'm sorry I don't have the answers but I feel like it's important that I go. We can tell them we got married in person," she smiled, "and I can see my mother and brother and my grandfather again…"

She reached out for Inuyasha's hand as they sat near each other on the floor telling Sango and Miroku about their plan to leave and attempt to travel through the well.

"I'm going with her and I promised her we'd try. I don't like leaving so much on you guys but watch after the kid if he comes home and don't let anyone move in to the house, right? We'll be back as soon as we can, no matter what."

"Of course, Inuyasha. It is no trouble at all. Please have a safe journey, my friends, and come see us as soon as you get back." Miroku nodded, trying not to look worried. Inuyasha nodded.

There were a few hours of daylight left so they could pack and leave before sunset. Kagome packed the modern clothes she had arrived in all those months ago and they took the food they had in the house to Sango and Miroku as thanks for their help. Inuyasha armed himself in the Robe of Fire Rat and Tessaiga. The future was safe enough but Tessaiga was so much more than just a sword to him now…

Sometime in the late afternoon, they were facing the well. Inuyasha felt real fear. She was here and they were safe and had a life together. Was it worth it to do this?

"Inuyasha, you're hurting my hand… Ouch!"

"Ah, sorry. This is just… scary." He hugged her to him so she couldn't see how scared he actually was.

"I know but we'll be ok. If something happens, I'll find my way back. You'd find me too, right? No matter what?" Kagome placed both hands on his chest in reassurance.

"Obviously. You can't get rid of me now, wife." Inuyasha scooped her up in his arms, cradling her tightly to him. "Just- Just let me, okay?"

"Ok then." she nodded. "Ready?" He nodded, too, not making a sound. "1… 2… 3… Jump!"

Kagome felt him leap and watched the hillside disappear over the lip of the well. She smelled the cool, damp of the well as they fell into darkness. Inuyasha's feet never found the Sengoku Era well floor and they were soon falling through time. She opened her eyes to see the familiar expanse of sky-blue light and felt the strong current of the magic. When she smiled up at him, he only kept his shallow scowl and stared toward the approaching breach in the light. When his feet hit the dirt, she sighed in relief but immediately, and jarringly, he was up and out of the well and had dashed out the door of the well house. Slamming the door closed with a bare foot, he finally exhaled a breath and set her down on her feet. The journey was over in a second but it felt like a lifetime.

"What was that all about?" she peered up him curiously.

His fists clenched at his sides and he couldn't look her in the eye. "Last time, I spent two seconds too long in the well and we were separated for three years. I couldn't take that chance again."

Her heart broke a little as she remembered the moment he was ripped away from her and back through the well. She understood exactly how he felt, of course, and realized she hadn't fully considered the trauma from his perspective.

"It's okay, I'm still here and we're still together, right?" She hugged him tightly so he'd know without a doubt she was still here.

"Yeah, sorry." He hugger her back and then sighed again. "Anyway, wait until your family- Wait, what the hell?!" He sniffed lightly at the air in the yard before taking a deeper breath. Confusion and anger crossed his face. "What the hell's my bastard half-brother been doing here?!"

"What? Sesshoumaru's been here? He's alive?" Kagome looked around like he might appear at any second. She was almost hopeful but her hand found her chin in thought. "But I've never seen him here before and I've tried searching out demons several times over the last three years…"

…

Hours earlier in Tokyo…

"You said we couldn't see them, remember?! 'Timeline-altering cataclysm' might have been your exact phrasing, Sesshoumaru!"

"I remember what was discussed, kit. Calm yourself."

"But you made the rule! I haven't pressed seeing my mother on any of her trips back since we met because you said it was forbidden and dangerous! But now that you see a need, you get to go see them both and I have to stay here?!" Shippou was shouting at the deadliest youkai still living from across the small room and he didn't care.

"I am not going for pleasure. Events of the past may be brought to heel if I can arm them with information in time. The next time they are able to travel may be the most critical. In fact, I am certain it is." His clawed hand was at his chin, still considering.

Sesshoumaru appeared unruffled by the shouting of the fox but he was in turmoil. It was true: he had said not to disrupt events at the Higurashi shrine at all costs. Not to interfere or to reveal anything. He was definitely circumventing his own order but it was the smallest thing he could do and still maintain a safe margin of error.

"But he's coming too, right? Can't you just keep him here? We can help him now. We should. It's cruel…" Shippou lost the will to stand anymore and sank into a kitchen chair across from the daiyoukai. Clawed hands held his head up and hid his face as the anguish gripped the kitsune again. "Inuyasha… he deserves better."

"We cannot. Much happens in the past that cannot and should not be undone. Providing them with this information changes very little. Preventing what comes next could be…" Sesshoumaru gave a longing look to a framed picture in the corner. "I do not know what that would change but events have to unfold in the Feudal Era for the present to be as it is now. They must return."

Sesshoumaru walked to the window and stared down at the city below then shifted ageless citrine eyes to the hazy sky above. He closed his eyes and remembered running and howling through the empty, unpolluted sky as far and as loudly as he could, uninhibited by the thoughts and regrets he carried now.

"I'm trying to understand, Sesshoumaru, but I just can't. How can you let them go through that? How can you let her? She has no idea what they're walking back into. No idea what-"

"Do NOT speak as if the past affects only you, fox! I was there. It is these hands which bear the burden of that tragedy! I carry far more of the responsibility than you will ever understand so do not lecture This Sesshoumaru on the merits of changing their fate!"

Shippou scowled and quickly left the room, leaving Sesshoumaru to calm down and will himself to be free of this oppressive guilt. Shippou stopped halfway down the fire escape to think. How much longer was it now before shit hit the fan?

…

Back at the Higurashi shrine…

"Well, if the bastard has survived this long, I'm sure we won't find him if he doesn't want to be found. He might be an asshole but he's smart. Shit!"

Inuyasha suddenly took a defensive stance and gripped the pommel of Tessaiga.

"Indeed, little brother. Most astute observation." came a voice from the shrine yard.

Two heads snapped attention to the man standing in the yard at once, gaping like hooked fish. He might have smiled at their shock but reconsidered, knowing the reaction would be too out of character to them at the moment.

"Sesshoumaru? Is that you?" Kagome squinted and broke the silence first.

The man standing there was almost… normal-looking. He was tall and thin with black hair tied back in a braid that hung behind him. His eyes were severe but dark brown, and his fair complexion lacked any of the racial markings of his demon heritage, but only one youkai in her memory could stand there like that in an indigo button-down and khakis, and look that in command of the entire world. Five hundred years into the future and he had still managed to be annoyingly perfect.

"Oh, it's him, Kagome. Don't let your guard down." Inuyasha's eyes were boring holes into the stranger and his stance hadn't relaxed an inch.

"It is, Kagome." He nodded, ignoring Inuyasha's attempt to elevate the situation.

Sesshoumaru's use of her actual name was a small shock but he continued immediately with another.

"Shall we go inside and continue the conversation? I am sure your mother would be most happy to hear of your return, however brief." He swept an arm toward the house and began to casually walk toward the Higurashi residence.

"My mother? Brief? Oh right… Wait, what is happening right now?" she said more to herself than anyone else.

Inuyasha released Tessaiga's pommel and stood straight again. "No bullshit, Sesshoumaru? This is Kagome's family. You won't hurt them?"

"Why would I hurt the family whose shrine I have patronized for over four hundred and fifty years?" His eyes narrowed, trying to convey the seriousness of the statement and end this annoying conversation.

"But why-" Kagome started but Sesshoumaru held up a hand for silence.

"Inside, please. Your mother has been most worried about you."

"The bastard says 'please.' Now I know it ain't him." Inuyasha turned and lifted his palm to ask for Kagome's hand. Stairs in sandals were not his wife's friend but her bewildered look at his half-brother had kept her from noticing. He cleared his throat to break her focus.

"Oh yeah, thanks…"

The couple followed Sesshoumaru to the door but he paused before knocking.

"Mariko Higurashi believes that I am a descendant of the original patron. I ask that you don't reveal who I am at this time for her safety as much as my anonymity." Sesshoumaru said flatly, offering no further explanation before knocking on the door and shifting behind the couple to appear a few minutes later and to avoid the excited screaming that inevitably came.

…

Kagome's mother had been sitting at the table, reading, with a hot cup of tea when the knock came at the door.

"Souta! Are you expecting friends over? Now who could that be…?" She padded to the door and slid it open. "Kagome! Oh! Oh my goodness, is that really you?! When did you get back?!" She pulled her daughter into a crushing hug and continued the barrage of questions.

Sometime and some tears later, they were all seated at the kitchen table. All five of them: Kagome's grandfather, Souta, Mariko, Kagome, and Inuyasha.

"Married?! Really? Oh Kagome, I'm so happy for you, darling! Aren't we happy for them, Dad?" Mariko reached out and grabbed Kagome's hand to squeeze it. "When did all this happen?"

"It was about four months ago now since Inuyasha proposed. I wish you could have been there, Mama. Inuyasha looked so nice at the wedding and all of our other friends were there. Shippou was a big help and we had a great time."

Inuyasha sat the end of the table looking embarrassed but proud. Mariko made her way around the table and hugged him unceremoniously as well. He didn't know how to handle his mother-in-law but he patted her arm from his seat at the table and tried to look happy about it.

"Well, of course we wish we could have been there too but I know it wouldn't work. I don't suppose you'd consider having a ceremony here now that you can come back?" Mariko asked hopefully.

"No, I don't think so. We won't know if we can actually travel back and forth yet. This may be a fluke but I had to try. I've missed you all so much!" She got up and ran around to hug her family. Souta shrugged it off, her grandfather sputtered a little, but Mariko smiled and laughed at her daughter's enthusiasm.

'This family and their hugging…' Inuyasha thought.

There was a knock at the door again.

"My goodness, but we're busy tonight!" Kagome's mother gasped. "Wait, here and I'll be right back. Oh, Inuyasha, dear, you might want to change and put on your ball cap, just in case." Her eyes were apologetic but he nodded and dashed upstairs. Kagome mouthed 'Thanks' as he left the room.

Mrs. Higurashi opened the door and gave a happy exclamation as she led the new visitor inside.

"Welcome, Mikazuki-san! Please come on in. My daughter and her husband are visiting but you're welcome to join us for some tea."

"Thank you, Higurashi-san. I shall if you do not mind." Slipping out of his black leather shoes, he stepped slowly across the floor and found the family all together at the table.

'A family…' he sadly thought. 'How often have I wished-'

His thoughts were cut off as Inuyasha trampled heavily down the stairs in a red ball cap, white t-shirt and red sweatpants. Sesshoumaru found the sight of him here in the house to be refreshing. He seemed so at ease with them, so normal. During the hanyou's quest four years ago, he had never spoken to Sesshoumaru about- well, about anything really. Their relationship was nearly non-existent. But seeing him now, smelling of happiness and contentment among Kagome's family, twisted the regret in his heart more painfully.

He stood before the table and Mariko made the introductions. Afterward, he sat down and enjoyed the casual conversation about Kagome's wedding, their lives, and how long they might stay. It was pleasant to just exist in this close-knit little world for a while. The rest of his life felt sterile and lonely in comparison.

"More tea, Mikazuki-san?" she gestured to Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha's eyebrow raised in question at Sesshoumaru, still wondering at the strange name.

"No, thank you, Higurashi-san. In fact, I should be going. Congratulations on your daughter's marriage and much happiness to the couple in the future." Bowing his head slightly, he rose gracefully from the table. Mariko followed him.

"I am sorry about all of the family conversation. Did your visit this evening have a purpose?"

"Not an immediate one. I can see you have much to catch up on. I shall call again another time." he answered, slipping on his shoes.

"Thank you so much, Mikazuki-san. I'll walk you out."

"Actually, would you mind if I speak to… apologies, I did not hear your daughter's married name?" he asked with a glint of mirth in his eyes.

Inuyasha glowered over at Sesshoumaru both for trying to speak to Kagome alone and for the obvious tease. Wait, tease?

'Since when does the prick tease?'

"Kagome?" Mariko deflected casually. "No, I suppose that's fine. You should get to know one another, after all, if she'll be visiting more often."

Mariko was decidedly confused at his need to speak with a woman he'd never met before but it was a polite request and Kagome was an adult.

"I'll come with you, Kagome." Inuyasha left no room for an argument and Sesshoumaru inclined his head slightly in acceptance.

The three left the house and stood in the chilling night air of early autumn several feet from the house. Kagome broke the silence first.

"Why have I never seen you here before, Sesshoumaru? My mother seems to know you pretty well but she's never mentioned you or your 'family' before."

"I made it a point to avoid the shrine when you or Inuyasha were here. It would be confusing to speak as I am now, knowing you would return to a very different version of myself. Forgive me the deception, but it was not meant to offend."

"And my family?"

"I gave your mother no reason to involve you. Financial matters are often uncomfortable to relay to children and the shrine was not prosperous in your lifetime. We are not close friends but business acquaintances. That, coupled with your frequent absence, made sure we never met."

"I guess that makes sense…" she accepted.

Inuyasha was still suspicious, however.

"So, what was so important you needed to talk to Kagome about?" Inuyasha crossed his arms and stared suspiciously at Sesshoumaru.

He ignored Inuyasha and turned to speak to Kagome. "The monk that traveled with you still lives in your village, is that correct?"

"Yes, but what does Miroku have to do with anything? He's not still alive, too, is he?!" Kagome asked hopefully.

"No, he is not. However, when you return it would be wise to seek his aid in honing your skills. I understand he has other responsibilities, and I cannot say more at this time, but there is conflict on the horizon in the Feudal Era and you must be prepared."

"What the hell, Sesshoumaru? Why would Kagome need training? She's great with a bow already and there's nothing happenin' back there. Gotten too old to remember right, bastard?"

Suddenly the air was thick with youki and it was pressing on all of Kagome's senses. She visibly flinched. Inuyasha growled. Sesshoumaru hadn't moved a muscle but his eyes narrowed at his half-brother. He let the human glamour slip as his youki thickened the air. Shorter, silver, plaited hair lifted behind him like a whip caught in the maelstrom of deadly energy. His bangs fluttered and the dark crescent moon signaling his heritage darkened on his brow. Citrine eyes flashed and magenta stripes flared to life on his pale, high cheeks, angled upward to his now pointed ears. Sesshoumaru hadn't moved an inch but his physical presence was indelibly altered.

Inside the house, Kagome's grandfather shivered and dropped his tea.

"You ok, gramps?" Souta asked.

"Yes, just got really prickly all of a sudden…" he stared bewildered at Souta.

Outside, the conversation turned serious.

"I can assure you This Sesshoumaru's potency has not lessened with age, hanyou."

Kagome laid a delicate hand on her husband's arm. "Inuyasha! I think he's trying to help… without interfering too much or something, right?" She coughed at the foreign energy filling her lungs and the spasm drew the eldest brother's attention.

"Hn." Sesshoumaru reined his youki in and continued, point proven. The glamour shivered back into place. "The monk was trained in a military style to use his holy powers and his body in conjunction. It would be wise to seek his aid. My brother could benefit from his tutelage, as well, though he will not take the time to master himself."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" Inuyasha cut in.

"It means that your wild upbringing has done nothing to discipline your swordsmanship, Inuyasha. I attempted on many occasions to make you aware of that fact but it seems I was too subtle."

Inuyasha sputtered something including the word "fucker" next to her. Kagome looked up at the stars in thought.

"I've never thought to ask Miroku before but he always was good in a fight. And Kaede is getting too old to teach much of anything. Simple barriers put her out of commission for an entire day now."

The total exposure of her throat so openly and freely caused Sesshoumaru to clench his jaw.

'Kagome, you are too free with your invitations…'

The time had long passed since such displays meant anything to anyone, but they still did to a remaining few. Kagome was a herald of the past, however, and though she didn't know yet the effect her life would have on him, he could remember the sight and feel and temptation of her. Such thoughts were vulgar to him at the remembrance of what was to come. She mirrored his train of thought too well, however, as the next question came.

She tilted her head back down to ask genuinely "Is it really going to be that bad, Sesshoumaru? Can't you tell us anything else?"

"Hn. I cannot." He swallowed thickly, forcing the feelings she had stirred in him back down.

"When you do decide to return, seek him out and begin immediately. I will bid you good night now. Perhaps we will meet again, Kagome."

"Mmhm. It's nice to know you're here, Sesshoumaru. I won't lie. I won't ask any more of you for now but I hope you're not alone here. Good night, Onii-san." She winked at him headed back toward the house.

"Oi, Kagome, wait for me!" Inuyasha took another look at his half-brother then and almost fell down. Sesshoumaru was looking at him with sadness in his eyes, almost longing. It was only for a second but even his hanyou eyes had seen it.

"Inuyasha, wait one moment. When you return, seek me out in your time. I am aware that our relationship is not one of brotherly affection-"

"Yeah, no shit. And whose fault is that?"

"There is much to make recompense for in our shared history, but that is not what I wanted to speak with you about. Seek me out in the past to discuss your recent loss of control." He held up a hand to silence the sputtering tirade of denial he could feel building from Inuyasha. "Do not insult us both by attempting to deny it. I am aware that the episodes started only recently but I may be able to help. Ask for my help in your time. Make an appeal to my pride and I am hopeful I will make an attempt to teach you to control your youki, however violent it might be."

"You want me to go back in time to guilt you into helping me? Now I know you're an imposter."

"Decide for yourself. I have given you only a choice. The rest is up to you. Safe travels, little brother."

'In this life and the next. And good bye.' Sesshoumaru turned on his heel and launched himself into the sky. He condensed his youki into a billowing cloud at his feet above the skyline and sped away before the blood dripping from his clenched fists dropped to the pavement below.

Back on the ground, Inuyasha was confused. Twice in the same evening, Sesshoumaru had called him "little brother." He had never used those words before. What had happened in his future to cause this change of heart? His brother, half-brother he reminded himself, seemed genuinely concerned about Kagome's well-being and his own.

'Guess we'll find out soon either way if the bastard's right.' And he turned to follow Kagome back into the house.

They stayed for another day at the Higurashi house, exchanging stories and taking pictures, and then left to go back to the village through the well the following evening. Inuyasha was ready to get back, to prove to himself they could, and Kagome was hoping this wasn't the last time they would all be together like this.

...