Chapter title is after the song "Always" by Panic! At The Disco.
Chapter 20: Epilogue Part II - Always
Six months after Naraku's defeat...
"I don't know if I really want to do this."
Inuyasha could hear the uncharacteristic nervousness in his voice, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't embarrassed.
Kagome tugged on his hand, pausing their strides so she could turn to face him. "What's wrong?"
The hanyo looked away, adjusting the package he had settled in his opposite arm, his gaze leaving hers and instead focusing on the swell of her stomach.
He sighed and set the package down gently before reaching out to pat the baby bump, trying to relax before explaining his feelings to Kagome.
She was quiet and patient as she waited, her hand eventually coming up to set over the one of his he had placed on her stomach.
"Inuyasha?" she prodded gently.
Inuyasha looked back up at her. "I'm just...I know I left there a free man six months ago, but I haven't been back since. What if...what if that novelty of defeating Naraku wore off? What if everyone will go back to being hateful?" He huffed and reached up to cup Kagome's cheek. "I don't care if they're hateful toward me. I'm worried about you, especially since you're pregnant with my child."
Kagome's eyes softened, understanding as always, as she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him loosely, the roundness of her stomach not allowing a tighter embrace.
"Don't worry, Inuyasha," she soothed. "Everything will be okay, regardless of what they think. Besides, remember that you have a little miko for a wife. I know my powers aren't fully restored yet, but they're getting there, so I can kick anyone's ass for you."
Inuyasha's mouth twitched once, twice, before he burst out laughing.
"I don't doubt you could," he replied.
Kagome smiled. "But I won't because these are your people, and...kind of mine by extension." Her smile morphed into a grin. "Also, I don't think defeating Naraku, the literal definition of evil, is a novelty that can wear off. Okay? Besides, Sesshomaru wouldn't have said we could come back if we weren't welcome there."
Inuyasha took a deep breath and nodded, allowing Kagome to take his hand and gently tug him along behind her. He grabbed hold of the package again and they set off once more.
As they walked, Inuyasha reflected on the time they'd spent since defeating Naraku, smiling at the thought of their new life.
Just as Inuyasha and Kagome had talked about, they moved to a house in Miroku and Sango's town as soon as they were able.
Inuyasha used his clairvoyance "skill" for the last few times to save up money, and Kagome made as many salves, remedies, and whatever other concoctions she could think of, to sell and put away for the house as well.
Miroku and Sango had generously offered for Kagome and Inuyasha to stay at their house until they found a home of their own, and the time spent with them, the twins, and Kirara had proven to be nothing but wonderful.
What made it perfect was each night when Inuyasha and Kagome would lie awake, whispering back and forth about their baby and upcoming life, before falling asleep in each other's arms.
It was on one such night that Inuyasha whispered his newest idea.
"I think I'm going to retire my clairvoyance skill," he whispered.
Kagome muffled her giggles with her pillow. "A wise choice. What will you do instead?"
He smiled at her mirth, reaching out to run his hand through her hair.
"How would you feel about me...um, being a painter?" he asked nervously. "I could sell my paintings or do commissions and such." He looked away. "Or is that lame?"
Kagome laughed lightly and cupped his cheek, turning his face back toward her. "I think that sounds lovely. Your mother would be so proud."
Inuyasha softened and ran his hand down to Kagome's stomach, wishing his mother could be there to eventually meet his child. And for that matter, Kagome's mother as well.
"Your mother would be proud of you, too," he murmured. "I know I am."
Kagome's smile was watery, but her eyes remained dry and happy. "I'm proud of you, too." She leaned forward to kiss him quickly. "Now, tell me about the first painting you want to do."
Focusing back on the matter at hand once the castle had come into sight, Inuyasha tightened his home on Kagome. He adjusted the package under his arm and took a deep breath, hoping the visit to Sesshomaru's castle would go smoothly.
They'd just gotten settled in their new house about two weeks prior, so Inuyasha figured he couldn't put off wanting those extra pieces of his old home for his new home with Kagome, so he'd just taken a deep breath and written to Sesshomaru. Kirara had been kind enough to relay a message to Sesshomaru on Inuyasha's behalf, requesting that Inuyasha and Kagome return to get a few paintings from his old quarters.
That was, if the paintings were even still there.
Sesshomaru had written back that the paintings were indeed still in his old quarters and that Inuyasha and Kagome could come at any time they pleased, which sounded good enough for them to say yes.
But Inuyasha still couldn't help but be a little worried.
Especially since Sesshomaru mentioned that the timing of their request was serendipitous for a request he had for them as well.
They were baffled.
Inuyasha was drawn from his musings when they arrived at the castle. When they reached the front doors, Inuyasha nodded politely at the guards.
To his surprise, they bowed at him and Kagome before opening the doors.
"Lord Inuyasha, Lady Kagome," they greeted. "Lord Sesshomaru awaits you in his study."
"Thank you," Inuyasha replied.
"Yes, thank you," Kagome echoed, following her husband inside.
Once the doors had closed behind them, Inuyasha and Kagome exchanged a glance.
"Well, that was unexpected," Inuyasha whispered.
Kagome smiled. "Would you like for me to tell you that I told you so? Or should I save that for later? Maybe when Sesshomaru is around to hear me say it?"
Inuyasha chuckled and tugged on her hand, leading the way to Sesshomaru's study.
As they walked through the castle, Inuyasha's ears perked at the gentle noises of bustling activity. He heard the sounds of a shakuhachi being played from somewhere a little ways off, laughter, and the light chatter of youkai.
The light chatter of content youkai.
They were familiar sounds that reminded him of his childhood, and he was both shocked and pleased to hear the return of such noise.
When they reached the door, the guards bowed and greeted them the same way as the ones outside did, before allowing them to enter the room.
Sesshomaru was sitting at his desk when they walked in, and when he caught notice of them, he rose and inclined his head.
"Welcome back," he greeted. "Did you fare well on your journey here?"
Inuyasha and Kagome greeted him back, briefly mentioning the ease with which they'd traveled.
Inuyasha nodded toward the door. "It sounds pretty lively out there. A lot different than...last time I was here."
Sesshomaru hummed. "Indeed. That is because things are much different than that last time. Peace has returned since Naraku was destroyed, and it seems that many youkai are still celebrating his demise. You two are mentioned almost daily. I am surprised that you were not bombarded in the hall. It appears I did well to keep your visit under wraps." He turned to Kagome. "Are you and the child well?"
Kagome smiled and nodded. "She's very lively." She patted her stomach happily, glancing at Inuyasha with a grin.
Inuyasha chuckled, adjusting the package in his hand. "Oh, Sesshomaru, before I forget." He took the package from under his arm and handed it to Sesshomaru.
"I made this," he explained. "It's a thank you gift for letting us come back here to take my old paintings."
Sesshomaru's brow raised as he tore off the packaging to reveal a painting Inuyasha had done about a week earlier. It was the first one he'd painted in their new house.
It was difficult for Inuyasha to hide his pride in the painting; it was one of the best he'd ever made.
He'd painted their father in his true form, with the furs of his body looking radiant with the shading Inuyasha had chosen within his paints. He was looking up toward a crescent moon, one that matched the moon on Sesshomaru's forehead, and he looked as regal as Inuyasha could transcribe into paint.
Sesshomaru just stared at the painting for a moment, his eyes raking over the canvas.
Inuyasha and Kagome exchanged a look, and the hanyo could tell his baited breath was the same as his wife's.
"This is exquisite," Sesshomaru said simply. "It will be hung up as soon as I find a suitable place for it." He looked at it a moment more before looking back up at Inuyasha.
There was something underlying in the usual aloof glint in Sesshomaru's eyes. Inuyasha couldn't tell if it was nostalgic or wistful, and Sesshomaru was back to his old self before he could figure it out.
Sesshomaru walked over and set the painting on his desk before sitting in his chair behind it, motioning for Kagome and Inuyasha to sit in the two chairs across from him.
Once they were all settled, Sesshomaru appeared to be gathering his thoughts.
"You might be curious about my own request that I mentioned in my letter," he finally said. "I must admit that I have some news."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
Sesshomaru appeared... hesitant.
"Do you recall," he began, "the way marriage proposals work in our inu-youkai customs?"
Inuyasha's eyes widened. That was the last thing he was expecting to hear.
"Uh, kinda," he replied. "It's been a while, but…" He winced. "I know I didn't follow the customs with Kagome, so...oops."
He glanced at his wife, only to to see her looking at him curiously. He smiled, silently telling her he would explain later.
Sesshomaru waved off his apology. "It is of no matter. Extenuating circumstances and such have made it an exception. Now, what do you remember?"
Inuyasha tried to think back to the lessons he'd taken as a child on his youkai heritage.
"Um...well, when an inu-youkai wants to marry, they have to consult with their family to make sure they approve and think the marriage is acceptable."
Sesshomaru nodded. "Indeed. For what it's worth, I do approve of your marriage with Kagome and deem it acceptable, but that is not the reason I am reminding you of this."
Inuyasha briefly registered Sesshomaru's approval, but he was so baffled by the line of questioning that he didn't focus on it for too long.
"Okay," he replied slowly. "So...can I ask why you're bringing this up?"
Sesshomaru paused. "I am sure you remember Kagura, yes?"
Inuyasha nodded. Of course he did. Sesshomaru had written that she and Kanna had been cleared of their charges a few days after he was, thanks to their testimonies as well as Kagome and Inuyasha vouching for them.
"I have the intention of making her my wife."
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "You...what?"
Sesshomaru frowned, obviously not liking that he was asked to repeat himself.
"I intend to make Kagura my wife," he said. "Inu-youkai customs require that I consult with you first, so that is what I am doing right now." He glanced at Kagome. "Your wife as well, since she is now a member of this family."
Shocked, Inuyasha rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh, wow. This is...unexpected."
Sesshomaru didn't reply, only waited silently.
Inuyasha looked at Kagome, exchanging a quick glance. Kagome smiled, and that was all Inuyasha needed to see in order to know her answer.
"We approve," Inuyasha said. "So...go for it."
"We meant it when we vouched for her," Kagome added. "And having you, a...member of our family, find happiness with someone else is something that we of course approve of."
Inuyasha nodded, silently agreeing with his wife.
Sesshomaru. "Indeed. Well, that is settled then. You will join us all for dinner tonight, yes?"
What the hell kind of day is this?
"Uh, sure," Inuyasha replied. Sesshomaru nodded and rose from his chair.
"Your quarters are prepared," Sesshomaru said. "I am sure you are weary from your journey here, so take some time. Someone will fetch you when dinner is ready. I have left something for you in your quarters. We found it recently, and I thought it would be best to leave in your care."
Bewildered, Inuyasha and Kagome nodded and rose, bowing and thanking him before leaving the room.
They were quiet as they walked to Inuyasha's old quarters, now their quarters, both lost in thought.
"So," Inuyasha began when they reached the door to their quarters. "That was interesting."
Kagome smiled and shrugged. "I'm happy that he and Kagura found each other...somehow. I bet that's an interesting story."
Inuyasha chuckled and opened the door, leading her inside.
His eyes widened when he entered, and he paused, shocked.
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't been in his quarters since before he left nearly sixteen years prior.
The furniture all looked different; a larger bed was now settled off in the corner, the bedding new and obviously freshly-washed. A desk was off on the other side of the room, along with a dresser and a few sitting chairs.
But what really caught Inuyasha's eye was what was the same.
Paintings. Dozens of them.
He gasped, a hand coming up to cover his mouth as he looked around the room to see the paintings he and his mother had done while he was growing up.
In all honesty, he'd assumed that Sesshomaru would have taken them all down and tossed them in some dusty room, but there they were: still in their full glory on the walls.
The painting that caught his eye the most, though, was one that was set up by the bed.
It was the portrait his mother had been working on, the one of him from so long ago, that he thought was incomplete, left in that unfinished state forever after his mother had been killed.
And yet, there it was.
Finished.
"Wow," he breathed, moving toward it. He felt a tightening in his throat when he saw the kanji of his mother's name in the bottom corner, her signature confirming that it was hers.
"It's gorgeous," Kagome said, joining him at his side. Inuyasha took a shaky breath and wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist, anchoring himself to her as he took in the painting.
"This is the one I mentioned shortly after we met," he said softly. "The one that I thought was half-finished. I guess...she finished it without me knowing."
Kagome hummed. "It looks like things weren't as half-finished as you thought, right?"
Inuyasha nodded. He could feel it, the full-circle moment that was overtaking them, surrounding them in his childhood bedroom.
"This must be what Sesshomaru was talking about," he realized. "So we can take this home with us."
Kagome smiled. "It'll look lovely in the sitting room." Inuyasha looked at her, wrapping his other arm around her waist and holding her close.
"Yeah, it will."
He kissed her quickly before leading her around the room, showing her each painting and explaining the backstory of them, the ideas of them, and what techniques his mother was teaching him during the process of painting each one.
By the time they reached the last one, Kagome was still listening intently, smiling warmly when Inuyasha would get excited. He was almost embarrassed, but he was too happy to indulge in anything other than sheer joy.
Once they finished, Inuyasha led Kagome over to the bed, encouraging her to lay down and rest.
Kagome did so without arguing, sighing in relief when she was off her feet and laying on her back.
"Do your feet hurt?" Inuyasha asked, gently rubbing her stomach. Kagome nodded and kicked her shoes off, stretching her arms before settling against the pillow.
Inuyasha smiled and moved down to the foot of the bed, pulling one of her feet into his lap as he began to massage it.
Kagome moaned in a way that he was very familiar with, but was still surprised to hear at a time outside of their usual intimate activities.
Then again, having her foot in his hand as she moaned about it was pretty intimate, too.
She slapped a hand over her mouth, her cheeks red, as she looked down and met his gaze.
Inuyasha burst out laughing, squeezing her foot gently before continuing to massage it.
"I guess this feels good, huh?" he teased.
Kagome blushed and scoffed lightly. "Keh."
Inuyasha laughed again, her imitation of him doing nothing more than increasing his amusement.
Kagome eventually relaxed back into the bed, sighing in contentment as Inuyasha rubbed the tension out of both her feet.
When he was finished, Kagome was practically boneless, half-asleep above him. Inuyasha smiled at her comfort and got up to rinse his hands with the water and basin in the corner of the room before joining her in the bed again.
Kagome was quick to curl up next to him, her head against his chest.
"I love you," she murmured. "Thank you for that."
Inuyasha hummed and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, too."
He lay with her while she dozed off, breathing in the scent of her. It wasn't until two weeks after Naraku's demise that he was able to finally pick up the scent of her pregnancy, and she'd practically had to peel him off of her with how often his nose was buried in her hair to catch the scent as deeply as possible.
She would always laugh and tease him, but he could tell she loved receiving the attention as much as loved giving it.
When someone knocked on the door with a quick announcement that the meal would be served shortly, Inuyasha called a thank you and gently roused Kagome, patting her cheek softly until her eyes opened.
She yawned and closed her eyes again. "Sleepy."
Inuyasha chuckled. "Hungry."
Kagome smiled and opened her eyes again, slowly sitting up and stretching a bit.
"Yeah, hungry," she agreed.
After she felt completely alert, they made their way to the dining hall, entering at the same time as Sesshomaru and Kagura.
"Kagome," Kagura greeted. "Wow…Sesshomaru told me you survived, but…wow."
Kagome smiled. "Yeah…wow is kind of right."
Kagura seemed pleased to see them, which was an expression Inuyasha didn't think he'd ever see on her face.
"I'm glad you both could come," she greeted. "And congratulations on your pregnancy."
"Thank you," Kagome replied. "We're glad to be here. You look happy, Kagura. Really happy."
Kagura smiled. "Thanks. I feel happy." She glanced at Sesshomaru and smiled unabashedly, almost as if she were daring him to believe that her happiness was caused by anything other than him.
Inuyasha peered at Sesshomaru.
Is that...a slight blush on his cheeks? I can't believe it!
"The meal will be served shortly," Sesshomaru announced. "Let us all take our seats."
Once dinner was served, Kagura began to fill them in on the trial.
"Thank you both for vouching for Kanna and me," she said sincerely. "Sesshomaru said that was what saved our asses."
Inuyasha nodded. "Thank Kagome mostly. She's the one who convinced me in the first place."
Kagura smiled at Kagome. "Thank you."
To Inuyasha's surprise, when Kagura wasn't playing the part of Naraku's puppet, she was actually... pleasant.
She was funny and smirked lightly, teasingly, a lot, talking about how she'd been welcomed into the castle by her fellow youkai despite her concerns she wouldn't due to her connection to Naraku.
"But it turns out I was wrong," she said happily. "I was accepted right away, and I've been happy here since then." She appeared to grow a bit nervous. "Sesshomaru mentioned he spoke with you two, but he didn't tell me the outcome. Would you...care to share?"
Kagome laughed. "Our answer was yes, of course. Inuyasha and I are happy for you both."
Kagura smiled. "Thank you so much."
Inuyasha raised his glass. "Looks like we've got an engagement to celebrate. To Kagura and Sesshomaru."
Kagome raised her glass, echoing the toast. Kagura laughed and did the same, and Inuyasha didn't miss the soft look Sesshomaru gave her before he lifted his glass as well.
This is so weird...but in a good way.
Once they resumed eating, Inuyasha realized that Kanna was nowhere to be found, despite the fact that he knew she'd been pardoned as well.
"So where's Kanna?" he asked. "Did she not stay here?"
Kagura's ever present smile faded a bit.
"Um, I'm not sure where she is," she admitted. "She comes to visit about once a month, but...she's secretive about what she does. She seems content, though. She doesn't complain, so...I guess that's a good sign."
Inuyasha nodded, hoping that Kanna was as pleased with how things had turned out as Kagura was.
The meal was vibrant and filled with a common joy, and when it ended, there was a good mood about the room.
"I have a cart prepared for you to take the paintings," Sesshomaru announced at one point while they were eating. "You may take all of them if you wish, but if you would prefer to leave some here, that is fine as well."
Inuyasha nodded. "Thank you. I appreciate it, and I appreciate the one you left in my quarters."
Sesshomaru nodded back, and the final piece in the puzzle of civility between the brothers was put into place.
It was well into the night by then since they'd talked so long after finishing their meal, so the group decided to part ways for the night.
"Good night," Kagura said. "And thank you so much again."
"Indeed," Sesshomaru added, setting a hand on Kagura's shoulder. "Thank you."
Inuyasha nodded before he and Kagome bid them good night.
The hanyo didn't miss the way Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around Kagura's waist as they left the room, and he couldn't help but smile.
He was glad his brother had found love.
Speaking of love, Kagome took his hand and laced her fingers with his, smiling up at him.
"They seem happy," she mused as they walked to their quarters. "I'm glad things worked out so well for them."
Inuyasha hummed his agreement. "Yeah, as shocking as it all is." Kagome laughed.
When they reached their quarters, they prepared for bed, grabbing the extra nightclothes Sesshomaru had mentioned he'd put in their dresser. It seemed that he'd thought of everything that could possibly be needed for a comfortable stay.
As they lay in bed after doing the rest of their nightly routines, Inuyasha immediately set his hand on the obi of Kagome's sleeping yukata, looking at her for permission.
She smiled and nodded, allowing Inuyasha to lift it up enough that he could part the yukata to reveal her stomach.
Just as he did most nights since her bump had started showing more prominently, he kissed the skin of her stomach before nuzzling against it. He lay his cheek there as Kagome reached up to rub his ears, fully immersing them in their pre-sleep routine.
"Inuyasha," Kagome murmured. He kissed her stomach again before lifting his head, moving up so he could lay beside her again as he set a hand on her stomach to gently rub it.
"Yeah?" he asked softly.
Kagome smiled. "I'm glad we came here. I feel like our family has grown even more than it already has."
Inuyasha paused, taking in her words.
She was right. Not only did they have each now as well as their baby, but they also had Miroku and Sango, their children, and now, to his surprise, Sesshomaru and Kagura.
"You're right," he replied, slightly surprised. "I guess it has."
Kagome sighed happily, rolling slightly so she could lean her head against Inuyasha's chest.
"If Sesshomaru and Kagura have a child someday, I'd like for ours to get to know them. They'll be cousins, but I also want them to be friends."
Inuyasha chuckled. "Our little hellion and their…huh, I wonder what their kid will be like. Sesshomaru is aloof, but Kagura is…I don't even know how to describe her now."
Kagome laughed. "Happy. Kagura is happy."
Grinning, Inuyasha held her closer. "Yeah, and I bet that will go right to their kid, just like our happiness will go right to ours."
Kagome hummed. "I can't wait."
Sighing contentedly, Inuyasha kissed her forehead.
"Me neither," he replied softly.
They fell asleep shortly after, in each other's arms as usual.
Just like they always would.
FIN (for real this time).