Disclaimer: I no own; you no sue. Not the story characters, and not the songs. Get it. Got it? Good.

A/N: I don't like Kikyou. I'm a fan of Inuyasha & Kagome, and Sesshoumaru &Rin. And of course, Miroku & Sango, as if that weren't already obvious. So anyways, sorry if you don't like. I like it so I wrote it this way. Go me!

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What If?

This world, this world is cold
But you don't, you don't have to go
You're feeling sad you're feeling lonely
And no one seems to care
But we all bleed the same way that you do
We all have the same things to go thru
Hold on... if you feel like letting go
Hold on... it gets better than you know
good charlotte Hold On

Chapter Seven

Hennyo began to frequent Sesshoumaru's village. The challenge was still on for Inuyasha, and since he was there he decided to see how Inuyasha was faring himself. Jaken was still around, and Mistress still worried, but everything was progressing nicely in almost everyone's minds. Inuyasha and Kagome were steadily growing closer. Sesshoumaru was slowly accepting his heir crash-course training. Hennyo was trying to figure out a way to tell his mate that her step-son was alive after all these years.

It had been five months since Hennyo first saw the village; eight since Inuyasha Jaken had taken up temporary residence there. Two months since Inuyasha and Kagome were officially a thing; three days since Rin and Sesshoumaru talked about their future. Sesshoumaru had told her that he couldn't be with her, that it was not acceptable. She tried to argue her case with Inuyasha's heritage, but Sesshoumaru would not listen. So, it was a week after the talk that he approached Inuyasha to tell him that he would return to the palace and become heir to the Western Lands and title of Demon Lord when their father died. Inuyasha told Hennyo, who decided that Inuyasha's final test would be that night.

"Inuyasha," Hennyo summoned in front of most of the village. "You were sent from your home to learn to live outside your normal life. While here you have learned to fend for yourself during your demon times, your half-breed times, and your human times. To prove you are worthy to step foot back into your home, you will prepare a meal for the Priestess Kagome, her ex-charge Sesshoumaru, their friends Miroku, Sango, Yukiko, Hoshiko, Ichiro, Kohaku, Aneko, Kamlyn, and Shippou, your servant Jaken, and myself. By yourself. For tonight's dinner."

It didn't sound like much, but when you were one person cooking for thirteen others, four of whom were demons, then it could get a little difficult. Inuyasha nodded once and set to work immediately. Hennyo turned to Sesshoumaru and gestured toward the path leading to the river. "We should talk," he said, moving toward said path. He was followed silently. "I know this is hard for you. This was your home for nearly eighteen years. Kagome and her friends were your family. However, you know your place and have agreed to return." He stopped and turned to face his eldest. "What does Rin have to say about this?"

Sesshoumaru was not expecting the question. His normally stoic face was awash in shock. After a few seconds, he schooled his features and thought of a suitable explanation. "It is none of Rin-chan's business what this Sesshoumaru does with his personal life."

"It is when the two parties involved... are in love, Sesshoumaru," Hennyo said slowly. "It isn't hard to see when one knows what to look for. You were never very close, physically. And I did not believe what Kagome told me when she did. However, the subtle looks that were rarely passed, or the brush of hands when reaching for something. It's written in the sky if you know what to look for. Inuyasha's mother is my true mate. Just because she is human and I am demon means nothing. Inuyasha would have made a wonderful leader had we not found you."

"Yes, but now you have found me. Things are different now."

"Inuyasha has chosen a human mate, even if he has not claimed her yet. It will be the same for-"

"It is not possible," Sesshoumaru said forcefully. "And it is not a matter anyways. There is nothing besides friendship between Rin-chan and myself. It was never meant to be, Father." At this, he turned and walked back to the village. Hennyo didn't stop him; he knew there was no way to change Sesshoumaru's mind with words.

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That night, Kagome, Miroku and his family, Kohaku and his family, Shippou, Jaken, Sesshoumaru, and Hennyo sat outside around the large bonfire to await their dinner. Inuyasha made his way around the circle, giving the dishes to those of higher ranks first as was custom: Hennyo, then Sesshoumaru, Kagome, Shippou, Miroku, Kohaku, Sango, and Aneko. Then, their children Kamlyn, Yukiko, Hoshiko, and Ichiro were followed by Jaken. When everyone had their plates in front of them, Inuyasha sat on the outside of the circle with his simple dish of rice and gravy. Everyone ate and talked as if it were nothing out of the ordinary for them.

Some dishes, like Hennyo's and Kagome's, were intricate to show that their station was higher than that of Shippou's as a demon in the village. However, Shippou's dish was still a bit more involved than Mirkou, who was head of his house. Kamlyn, Yukiko, Ichiro, and Jaken's were the least difficult since they were the youngest or, in Jaken's case, a servant. At the end of the meal, it was a unanimous decision that the meal was excellent and Inuyasha had passed the test set by his father. Kagome rewarded him with a kiss and then helped him to pick up and wash the dishes. The next day, Inuyasha would travel home with his father and brother.

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"Mistress!" Jaken called out. "Mistress! Masters have returned home!"

Hennyo's mate made herself presentable and then went to the doorway to meet her mate and son... only to find another with them. Her breath caught in her throat; her heart stopped beating. They had come close enough in the time it took her to get to the door to come close enough for her to see clearly. Sesshoumaru! That thought alone sent her body into motion. She flew out of the entry and ran toward her step-son, tears streaming down her face. A small falter in his step was the only sign as Sesshoumaru showed off his unease. "Sesshoumaru!" she wailed, throwing herself in his arms. "Where...! How...! I thought you were dead! Oh, thank the gods!" She cried into his chest, hugging him to her tightly.

"Mother," Inuyasha urged quietly. "Mother, please, Sesshoumaru is still not quite used to us. I think you're scaring him more than he'll ever admit."

"Don't give me that!" she chided in mock anger. "I haven't seen my step-son in seventeen years. If I want to make a fool of myself by flinging myself at him bodily then I will. Last time I checked, I was Mistress here, not you. Oh it is so good to have you home Sesshoumaru. You must tell me all about your life, where you've been, why you didn't come home!"

"Well, it's nice to see you too, love," Hennyo said, bending to kiss her cheek with a smile. "Inuyasha found him the night he left eight months ago. Sesshoumaru had amnesia and didn't remember. The village where they've been staying took Sesshoumaru in and named him Taro, in honor of his being my first son," he explained as he gently steered his mate inside with his sons following silently. "Only the Priestess knew of his heritage, and she is truly sorry she did not return him at once. For the last sixteen years, she raised him and taught him everything he'd ever need to know. He was attacked that night he disappeared, which is why he wears the mask. I'm sure he'll tell you anything you want to know after he reacquaints himself with his home. Inuyasha, show Sesshoumaru to his room. Jaken, something to drink for the Mistress and myself in our chambers please."

"Of course Master Hennyo," Jaken said with a bow. He turned to Sesshoumaru. "It is good to see you within these walls once more Master Sesshoumaru.

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While Sesshoumaru got used to palace life once more, Inuyasha traveled back and forth to Kagome's village to see... his friends. (A/N: scoffs Yeah, and I'm the queen of England.) One day, while there, he saw Kagome talking to some men about something or other. He went up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. It was a common practice between them. However, the blade he found at his throat was not common. Inuyasha found himself backed against a tree while Kagome held a knife to his jugular. No, not Kagome, he finally realized. What was her name? Kikyou! This is Kikyou.

"Don't touch me, filthy demon," she seethed. After a second, her eyes widened fractionally, and a sinister smile spread across her face. "Not such a filthy demon after all. Worse: a half-breed. Inuyasha, was it? Where's 'daddy'? He not here to save you?"

"I don't need to be saved from the likes of you," Inuyasha growled.

"Why did you touch me like that? I've never allowed anyone to touch me like that and live. One would think..." she trailed off. "Surely you're jesting. Kagome? You must have thought I was that child. It would figure such an unworthy holder of power would fall in love with a piece of garbage like you: a half-breed."

"At least his blood has the best of both worlds," Kagome said. She stood with her feet spread apart slightly, weight centered on her left leg with both fists on her hips. And a scowl that would make Sesshoumaru shrink into the shadows. "You have no excuse Kikyou. Why are you in my village? You're not allowed here."

"I came to see Taro. Oh, I'm sorry. It's Sesshoumaru now, isn't it? But I've been told that he's gone. What's wrong Kagome? Since Sesshoumaru wouldn't have you now you're trying to get the second rate Inuyasha?" Kikyou goaded. "Sesshoumaru didn't think you were good enough, so you're going to settle for something as... tainted, as a half-breed?"

"You just can't face the truth, can you Kikyou?" Kagome answered. "Sesshoumaru didn't want you, so you're out to make sure no one wants me because you have it stuck in that pebble sized brain of yours that he wanted me. Well, let me set the story straight: Sesshoumaru never wanted me. He never wanted you. What he wanted, was to be left alone. And now, he's got that chance. Kindly release Inuyasha so I may see why he is here. Oh, and leave. You're not welcome here. In any way shape or form."

Kikyou sneered and walked off. Kagome knew better than to think she was really leaving. "Kagome, I am terribly sorry. I thought she was you, but I must have been stupid to ever get the two of you mixed up. I mean, your scent is nothing like hers. I just-"

"Inuyasha," Kagome interrupted, "shut up." She moved up to her tiptoes and kissed his chastely on the lips in a quick peck. "Come on. Ichiro is just getting over a cold. I need to go see if he's okay." They went to Miroku's house to see how the infant was doing. Kagome was called away to a nearby hamlet to deliver a child; Inuyasha stayed behind to wait for her. He was sitting by the river playing with fish when he heard footsteps. They were quiet and cautious: young demon, a priestess or priest, or someone used to being quiet. Kagome, Inuyasha smiled. He whirled around to catch her by surprise only to see that it wasn't Kagome. Again.

"Fancy finding you way out here," Kikyou purred.

"What do you want Kikyou," Inuyasha growled.

"To apologize." Inuyasha shock was tangible. "I have no right to treat you the way I have been. Just because you're a half-breed doesn't mean anything other than your occasion transformation and otherwise unhuman abilities. I was looking for you to say I'm sorry. Maybe we could be friends?" She held out her hand in a way she'd seen Kagome seal agreements with others. When Inuyasha finally shook her hand, she gripped his tightly and pulled him closer to her.

"What are you-?"

"Or maybe," she said low, "we could be more." She hooked one hand behind his neck and pulled him closer to her slowly, giving him unlimited chances to pull away. But he made no move, and soon the two were kissing. Neither seemed to hear the brush being trampled as footsteps made their way closer to them. Neither seemed to care that everyone knew Kikyou wasn't supposed to be there, or that Inuyasha and Kagome were a thing. And neither seemed to hear the voice that was talking.

"That couldn't have gone better if I had planned it. I can't wait to tell Inuyasha about it," Kagome trilled happily. "I think he'll be happy for me. I-" She froze in her tracks. There, not ten meters in front of her, was Inuyasha... and Kikyou. Kissing. Inuyasha was kissing Kikyou. Kikyou! "What... the...? What is going on here!" she practically shrieked. She began to hyperventilate a little. The two figures jumped apart; well, Inuyasha jumped away from Kikyou.

"Kagome!" he yelped. "I... This... You... This isn't what it looks like," he tried.

"Oh," Kagome breathed. "So, you weren't kissing Kikyou?"

Inuyasha's look said it all.

"Inuyasha," Kagome whispered, eyes on her feet, "go home. And don't come back here." She turned to return to the village, but Inuyasha made to stop her. "Sit!" she yelled, and ran back into town. She was sobbing the moment she burst through the tree line. "Sango!" she sobbed, stopping before the woman, "don't let Inuyasha come here. Tell him to go home or I'll purify and subdue his butt." She didn't wait for a response, just turned and ran into her hut. Kirara came in moments later and heard Kagome's story. She stayed just outside the door to ward off Inuyasha should he get past Sango.

And he tried. He really did. But a few good sits from the resident Priestess had him walking home with his proverbial tail between his legs.

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A/N: Translations: Yukiko- snow child; Hoshiko- star child; Ichiro- first son; Kamlyn- variant of Lord

Thanks to my impromptu beta-reader CreativeChilde. She is sitting right next to me right now because we just got back from celebrating and stuff. We went to a museum thingy in the city where we live and then to Hard Rock Cafe where my grandmother TRIED to embarrass me by getting me in front of the whole restaurant so they could sing to me and give me a sundae. And then CreativeChilde, my friend 'Turtle', and myself shared the sundae because 'Turtle' and I weren't hungry to begin with, and CreativeChilde was there. So... yeah. Oh. My g-mom: shetried to embarrass me, tried... and failed. So, reviewers! There's The World is a Stage! Love you, as always! Keep working on thsoe patches. SomeoneInThePastOfEarth: my newest reviewer. Thank you, and I update EVERY DAY! w00t! And last, but not least, ladyrinremix: I think Rin came in in this chapter. goes to look and then gasps Rin isn't introduced into reality until Chapter Nine! And there are only ten chapters in all! dies of shock, is revived, and continues A/N-ing Did that make sense? Good if it did, too bad if it did not. Okies, I must go now because 'Turtle' wants to watch a movie and we're holding ehr up. dpa06