Dislcaimer: We do not own Inuyasha or the shonen jump magazine!

Rin had felt a cool breeze through her window of the kitchen. She looked up from the dishes and smiled knowing that Kouga would take good care of Ayame. She called out to him.

"Oh, Kouga! Here take this." She said giving him a basket of desserts that she had packed, knowing full well that this would continue Kohaku's plan.

Kouga stopped in mid-run to receive the gift. His eyebrow rose at the basket but said nothing of it. Ayame on the other hand felt a bit dazed as she was carried off into the small woods in the back of the house.

Once they reached his destination he let go of Ayame with a smirk.

"Okay, Kouga what's the big idea?"

" I just wanted to talk to you in private."

"Well, that was rather rude. I was in a middle of a conversation with Kohaku."

"Didn't look like it to me."

"Just so you know, I was going to receive my first kiss and you ruined it, you jerk."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. First kiss?"

"You know what Kouga you have such an ego!"

"I'll have you know that Kohaku is… oh what's that word they used? Oh, right! Gay."

"What's that's suppose to mean?"

"Okay, let me explain. He likes the same kind, the same sex."

"What! He didn't seem that way to me. You're lying!"

"I wish I was. That was so…."

"So he was just playing with me?"

"No. He was trying to get me to confess my feeling for you." He blurted

"Your feelings?"

"Yeah, for a while now." He said blushing, scratching his head.

"Kouga." She giggled

"Yeah?"

"It's about time."

Ayame wrapped her arms around Kouga. She giggled again and buried her face into his chest and sighed. Kouga began to blush even harder.

"Ayame? Want to sit down and see what's packed in this basket?"

"Sure."

Ayame sat down gingerly on the blanket that Kouga had pulled out. She smiled at how romantic Kouga was trying to be.

"Now, let's see here. She packed strawberries and other sorts of fruits for us. But what is this thing?"

"What's what?" asked Ayame coming out of her daze.

"This." Kouga answered holding up a round cylinder.

"I don't know. Must be one of those future things I guess."

"Let's try this for later?" asked Kouga

"Sure."

Unfortunately, Kouga had placed the can so hard down that he pressed the tip of the can and sprayed Ayame's entire face with it. She yowled in surprise.

"What is this stuff? Get it off! Get it off!"

Kouga didn't move. He didn't know what to do. He had just attacked her with some foreign matter.

While Ayame was crying out, a small sample of the cream slipped into her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Hey Kouga?"

"Yeah?" He spoke finally coming around.

"You should try this!"

"What? What if it's poison? Ayame you don't know for sure!"

"C'mon Kouga, would Rin really pack anything bad for us?"

"With her, you never know."

Back in the house, Rin began sneezing.

"Still I think she wants us to get closer to each other."

Kouga's face went beet red. Ayame's did too when she realized what she said.

"Well, that was blunt." Chuckled Kouga

"Yeah, well…"

"Here, you have some of that cream on your cheek." Kouga had suddenly gotten an idea.

"Where?"

"Here" he smiled

Kouga leaned over to Ayame, heading straight for the substance on her face. He licked it off slowly seductively.

"Mmmm. Your right, but I bet I know something that tastes much sweeter."

Ayame face turned to look at him not quite understanding him. Her lips were caught in his. She felt his hands slowly coming up to her neck only to cup her face. She moaned at the touch. He was gentle and soft. Not like his personality at all. He broke the kiss staring into her eyes for a moment and smiled. With both of them panting heavily he pulled Ayame into his lap and held her.

"Ayame look, the sun's going down. You want to watch?"

"Ye… Yeah, sounds good." She still didn't have her bearings. Kouga squeezed Ayame and nuzzled her neck. He was content. He had won her over.

Pacing in her room, Kagome watched nervously as Sango patched Inuyasha up.

"Kagome, calm down! He'll be all right. He only needs to rest for a while."

"You sure Sango?"

"Quite sure." With that being said Sango left the two in peace.

Kagome walked over to the bed and knelt down. She stared into his face as to gauge his pain. She saw that Sango was right and he was only sleeping. She stroked his bangs off his face and kissed his forehead.

"Sleep well Inuyasha. I love you."

She got up to bathe. On her way over she ran into Sesshoumaru.

"Huh? Oh, sorry I didn't mean to bump into you."

"It's alright. How is he doing?"

"He's sleeping."

"Good. Kagome he's strong. Don't be afraid to sleep by his side tonight."

Kagome smiled. She hadn't realized that she was afraid to be with him until Sesshoumaru voiced it.

"Thanks… Thanks for everything…"

"Your welcome. Good night."

Sesshoumaru walked towards Rin's room and went inside. Kagome's eyes followed him until the door shut behind him. She shook her head and began her journey anew for a hot bath.

Sesshoumaru had begun to look around his mate's room and found that she had an extensive library of books. He smirked hardly believing that his rambunctious woman is patient enough to sit and read all these.

He glanced at them and found one on the history of Japan; curious of how Japans history will play out he began reading the first few pages. He looked out the window and saw the sun was still shining he took the book and went outside. He had always enjoyed reading under a big tree ever since he was a pup. He looked around and found the god tree that was recognizable even in the past. He sat under it and continued his reading.

Rin stepped out of her house determined to find her husband. She found Sesshoumaru at the base of the god tree. Smiling for the first time in a long time she walked toward him.

Sesshoumaru sensing her presence glanced up from his book to gaze into her eyes. He found no malice in her scent and was glad for it.

Rin looked at him as tears began to fill her eyes and spill over her cheeks. She motioned him to sit back down when he stood up. Concern for her flashing in his eyes momentarily. Rin sat down next to him. Glad for the talk she just had with Daisy.

She wasn't quite sure on how to open the emotional link, as Daisy called it. She looked at him and willed her emotions to rise to the surface. Anger, love, trust, sadness, and fear were coursing through her veins.

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as a wave of emotions washed over him. He realized that Rin was finally communicating with him. He finally understood her dilemma. He wrapped his arms around Rin, pulled her into his lap and held her tight.

"Do not cry anymore, Rin." He said and he opened his side of the link.

Rin began to understand what Daisy was talking about, when she felt all these new emotions. The feeling of sadness; the fear of loss; and the determination. But the one emotion that she wasn't ready for was the heat of his love. Daisy had told her that the hotter the heat the more love the demon was. By the way she was scorching hot she now knew how much he actually loved her and how much he was afraid of losing her. She began to sob in his arms. Snuggling closer she took advantage of her free arms and wrapped them tight around his neck.

"Rin, you are my mate now and forever. Nobody will ever replace your in my heart." he spoke as her cries settled down.

"Yes, now that I know how you feel I will never close you off again. Especially now that I know how to use this link between us," she said as she began to kiss him.

Daisy smiled as she watched her former lover and new mistress make up. (Sounds wrong don't it?)

Finally, He is happy. Now on to more pressing matters.

Kagome slowly crawled into bed careful not to jolt Inuyasha. She laid down her head on his bare chest finding comfort in the beat of his heart.

"Inuyasha, wake up soon." She whispered.

"How soon do you want me to? Is this good?" asked the sleepy dog.

"Inuyasha! You woke up!" cried out Kagome. Springing from his chest.

Inuyasha rolled his chocolate eyes and smiled.

"I'm sorry love I didn't mean to scare you."

"I know you were protecting family. But I have to say I'm glad you woke." She smiled and kissed his chest gently.

"Don't worry so much. I'm fine, just a little rest and I'll be up and about."

"But Inuya…"

Inuyasha silenced her with a kiss.

"Now no more worrying. Got it?"

"Sure Inu…" she mumbled as her heavy eyelids drooped closed. The long exhausting day is finally coming to a close for her.

"Sleep well, my angel." He whispered closing his eyes again.

The next day every body was up and getting ready for their mall experience. To Kagome who was watching everybody with mirth, it seemed as though Miroku had finally won over a very bashful Sango. They were holding hands and cuddling on the couch. Her gaze followed a smirking Rin around the room. She and Daisy seemed to be giggling at something. She turned to bump into Ayame, who asked how Inuyasha was doing. Kagome replied and Ayame smiled. She went over to Kouga and sat in his lap. It was then she noticed the mark on Ayame's neck. She squealed and ran over.

"Congratulations," she hollered. Hugging Ayame and Kouga tight.

They both blushed. Rin grinned evilly. Making Kagome laugh.

"Don't tell me you had something to do with it?"

"I can't help it if they didn't know what whip cream is."

Everyone started laughing. The atmosphere was light knowing that Inuyasha was going to be okay. They all knew that they were going to have to get that jewel back for the sake of Japan and for Miroku's little brother, Sota.

Meanwhile upstairs Sesshoumaru walked into Inuyasha's temporary room. Inuyasha glanced up from his wife's Shonen jump manga. He eyebrow rose with questions.

"Inuyasha, I need to speak with you." Said Sesshoumaru

"If it's about our deal, forget it I'm too tired to talk to you."

"No, I came to speak with you about why you blocked that attack."

Inuyasha looked at his older brother from the bed and looked back down to his magazine.

"Simple, we're family." He said quietly

A sharp pain raced through Sesshoumaru's heart.

"Family? Well then I guess I haven't been much of a brother to you have I?"

Inuyasha didn't respond and continued to stare down at the book. Sesshoumaru sighed and sat down on the bed next to him.

"Inuyasha, I'm afraid that I owe you an apology.'

Inuyasha's head snapped up to look at him. To see his older brother's face.

"What! The great evil demon Lord apologizing to the filthy half-breed? What is the world coming to." He spoke bitterly

Sesshoumaru winced at his exclamation. His old self is finally returning after these many years.

"Yes, I'm sorry for everything little brother, I know that saying I'm sorry does not repent my sins over the years. But it is all I have."

"So what are you trying to say?"

"I guess what I'm getting at is since we're both mated to Rin and Kagome we will be spending a lot of time together as will our pups. We might as well get along for their sake."

Realization had dawned over Inuyasha. He grinned

"You love her."

"Yes. I also believe it is time we forget our differences and help each other out."

"You've gotten real soft Sess."

"Yes, and I hate every minute of it." He responded.

Sesshoumaru smiled on the inside when Inuyasha had called him the nickname he used when he was five.

"I also… want to thank you for what you did."

"Your welcome." He said yawning

"Alright then get some rest, oh and one more thing. You repeat this to anybody I'll kill you."

"Like anybody will believe me."

Both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha grinned at each other. Sesshoumaru turned and walked out to join the others for the trip to the mall.

"You kids be good now. I don't want cops bringing you home." Called out Mrs. Higurashi

"Mom, we'll be alright. Kohaku and Hojo are coming with us."

"Yes, that's what I'm afraid of."

Both Hojo and Kohaku sweat dropped.

The entire group minus Daisy and Inuyasha gathered into the family mini van and headed off.

Humming could be heard from the kitchen. Curious Inuyasha followed the sound from his bedroom. He limped slowly to the doorway. He peered inside to find Daisy sitting at the table snacking on an apple.

"What are you doing here?" asked Inuyasha

Daisy jumped in her chair "Lord Inuyasha you've startled me."

"Answer my question."

"We… Well Milord and Milady needed to spend some time alone. So I stayed behind."

"Oh," was all he said as he sat down grimacing in pain.

"Tired Milord?" asked Daisy timidly

"Cut the milord crap! You know as well as I do that I'm no lord." Barked Inuyasha

"Yes sir!" yipped Daisy frightened

"Or Sir, just Inuyasha" he said a little more quietly.

"Okay." Said Daisy quietly

Inuyasha looked at his cousin. He realized that if she had been in her demon form her ears would be drooping a sheer sign of depression. He sighed.

"In...Inuyasha?"

"Yeah."

"Can we ever go back?"

"Go back where?' he asked bewildered

"To when you were five and I was your favorite companion?"

Flashes of the past ran through his mind. The short sweet memories of playing ball with her.

"Oh Inuyasha, I'm so sorry!" she began sobbing, "I was young and stupid.. and… and."

Inuyasha eyes widened in surprise at the outburst.

This must have been bugging her for some time

"Listen Daisy, It's not that bad."

"Yes it is. You're family no matter what. Oh how I have dishonored myself by treating you so horribly."

Inuyasha didn't know what to do. So he did the only thing he knew. He grabbed Daisy, lifted her onto his lap and held her close. Ignoring the screaming from his muscles.

"Shh.. It's alright."

"Please Inuyasha, forgive me for what I have done. I know I don't deserve it but if it makes it all worth while I'll give you all of my land." She sobbed into his shoulder.

"No.. I don't want that. I'll I needed was you apology." He replied hugging her.

"So you forgive me?" she said as her tears soaked the nightshirt.

"Yes."

"That easy!" Dasiy didn't believe him.

"Yes, that easy." Laughed Inuyasha.

"Oh, Inuyasha you are too kind a demon." She smiled hugging him.

"Yeah well I guess that's my human half shinning through."

Daisy snorted "No, Inuyasha that compassion's from your father."

She smiled, wiped her eyes and stood up. She grabbed her apple and walked out.

"Inuyasha, rest assure that I will never forget your kindness."

Inuyasha smirked "I know…"

"Oh and one more thing you're more of lord than you think." Daisy smiled and headed out.

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