Somehow, coming home felt different than before. Though she was confident with her choice, Kagome felt the weight of it in her chest. Her heart was full of love but there was a heaviness to the feeling because in choosing one family, she would leave another. She hoped Mama would understand.
As they exited the well house, she spotted a familiar figure playing soccer in the courtyard.
"Hey, sis."
"Souta!" She ran over and hugged her brother.
"Ew, get off! Someone might see you!" he complained, batting her arms away. "What's gotten into you?— uh, sis, who's that?"
Kagome followed his gaze over her shoulder to where a towering figure was positioned. "This is Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older brother. Sesshomaru, this is Souta," she introduced them.
She glanced around, but Shippo was nowhere to be seen.
Souta grabbed her arm, prompting her to lean over. "Psst, sis, why's he so scary?" her brother asked in a low whisper.
"He's just not used to the smells and sounds of Tokyo yet," she lied.
Considering his childhood, Kagome knew Sesshomaru didn't understand Souta's antics. He was probably concerned about protecting her. Kagome gave him a reassuring smile, wordlessly letting him know she was fine. Later, she'd have to explain how sibling rivalry worked in the Higurashi family.
Souta eyed the demon warily. It wasn't until he noticed Rin that he spoke directly to Sesshomaru. "You have a kid?"
"Rin is my ward. Kagome is assisting me in raising her," he answered.
"But she's human," Souta pointed out.
"She is," Sesshomaru confirmed.
"And you still adopted her?" he questioned, amazed.
"Yes."
"And me too!" Shippo announced, appearing on Sesshomaru's shoulder.
Oh, so that's where he was, Kagome thought, amused.
"Ah!" Souta jumped backward. "What's that? A talking dog?"
"I'm not a dog! I'm a fox," Shippo snapped angrily. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Sesshomaru is the dog."
Souta looked at Kagome. "How come they're here? Usually, Inuyasha comes along. I didn't think you could bring anyone else with you."
"Well," she began sheepishly, "things are different now. Are Mom and Gramps around?"
"Yeah, they're inside," Souta told her.
Kagome turned to Sesshomaru. "Ready?"
He gave her a curt nod. "Lead the way."
She walked across the grounds past the gift shop to where the house was situated.
"Mom, Kagome's back!" Souta announced as he charged through the door ahead of her.
"Oh, Kagome, you've returned. I was beginning to run out of ailments. The school has been demanding a doctor's note, but I think— Ah! Demons! Demons everywhere!"
"Gramps, no!" Kagome cried, throwing her arms out to block him from Sesshomaru, Shippo, and Rin. "They're friends. They won't hurt you."
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her aside. "Kagome, I know you've been spending a lot of time in the Feudal Era. We are very proud of you and your efforts protecting the Sacred Jewel but..."
"But?"
"You can't let your hormones rule your mind," he reprimanded her.
"Gramps!" she hollered.
Red-faced and embarrassed, Kagome backed away from her grandfather. She buried her face in Sesshomaru's side, knowing he'd heard every word.
"What's going on out here?"
"Mama."
"Oh, you've brought some new friends," her mother observed with a kind smile. "I'll put on some tea."
"I can help," Shippo offered, leaping down from his perch on Sesshomaru's shoulder.
"Thank you," Mama said.
As Shippo scurried past Souta, he stuck his tongue out. Kagome's brother mimicked the action. She groaned. What was it about boys that made them act so immature all the time?
Rin chose that moment to wake up. She began babbling and shifting around, trying to see where they were.
"Hey, sleepyhead," Kagome greeted her, stepping around to give Sesshomaru a break. She suspected his arm was probably sore from staying in place so long.
"Kagome, whose baby is that?" Gramps demanded with an angry huff.
"Ours," she replied.
"What?" her grandfather squawked indignantly. "What do you mean 'yours'?"
"We adopted her," Kagome stated flatly. "What did you think I meant?"
He gave her a disapproving stare.
Sheesh, Gramps needs to switch to decaf.
"Tea's ready!" Shippo called.
"Come on," Kagome said, taking Sesshomaru by the hand. She guided him into the sitting room where Shippo was placing teacups out while Mama poured.
"Shippo has been telling me all about your new life at the palace," her mother shared. "Especially how well they feed you."
"Akio is a great cook and very patient with his youngest helper," Kagome responded.
"You're Sesshomaru?" Mama guessed, looking at the demon lord.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you," Sesshomaru said.
"Thank you for taking care of my daughter and keeping her safe," she returned.
"She has also protected me," he revealed.
"We look out for each other," Kagome insisted with a smile as they took their seats.
Mama didn't miss the exchange but she didn't comment on it. Kagome was glad. After the confrontation in the hall, she wasn't quite ready to tell her family about her decision. Ease into it, she told herself.
"And this must be Rin," Mama prompted.
Kagome nodded, tilting the baby toward her mother so they could see each other. "She just woke up."
"She looks healthy. You two are certainly doing a good job raising her."
"Hmph," Gramps mumbled something under his breath. Kagome couldn't make it out but given how tense Sesshomaru became, she figured it wasn't nice.
"Thanks," Kagome replied. "We've almost got her sleeping through the night. The formula has helped. Rin definitely sleeps better with a full belly."
"So do I," Shippo chirped up.
Kagome and her mother laughed, before Kagome continued, "I think Rin will be an early walker. Between Shippo, Sesshomaru, and I, she's always trying to follow us around. She's pretty well-behaved except for the hair pulling."
As if to prove that point, Rin grabbed a fistful of Kagome's hair and yanked.
"Manners, little one," Sesshomaru said gently as he untangled Kagome's hair from the baby's fingers.
"Thanks."
"She's showing off," he remarked with a smirk.
"Wonder who she gets that from," Kagome mused.
"Me!" Shippo declared, oblivious to their teasing. "Hey, Kagome, can I show your family my illusions?"
Mama blinked, startled by the question, while Souta and Gramps exchanged an uncertain look.
"Uh, why don't we wait a little bit, Shippo? There will be time for that later. We just got here."
"Okay," he mumbled, dejectedly.
"Souta, how is school? Did you and Satoru both make it into the soccer club?"
"Yeah," he answered, "and Mr. Nakamura put us on the first string."
"That's amazing! Congratulations!"
"Thanks," her brother muttered, scratching the back of his neck bashfully. "It's no big deal. Nothing like what you're doing."
"I'm not doing much these days, except for studying and taking care of these two," Kagome admitted.
"What about your training?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"Training?" Mama repeated.
"Oh, right! Sesshomaru has been training Shippo and me to control our abilities. It's how I was able to bring them with me through the well."
Kagome held her hand over Rin's necklace. The beads brightened, emitting a pale pink glow. Rin cooed, showing that the powers had no adverse effect on the infant.
Mama's hand clapped over her mouth as she gasped.
Souta's eyes went wide. "Wow! Can you teach me?"
"Certainly not!" Gramps snapped. "Kagome, you are wasting your spiritual powers this way. You are meant to fulfill your quest and restore balance."
"We are," she insisted.
Her grandfather's eyes narrowed. "We? We who?"
"I have vowed to eliminate Naraku and assist Kagome in restoring the Sacred Jewel," Sesshomaru informed him.
Gramps slammed his teacup down on the table and posted an accusatory finger at Sesshomaru. "Because you wish to use the Jewel to become more powerful?"
"No."
"Because you wish to destroy all your enemies and control all the lands?" he tried again.
"No."
"Because you intend to become the only demon in existence?"
"Gramps!" Kagome shouted.
"No."
"Then why?"
"Kagome asked me," Sesshomaru stated evenly.
Silence fell over the room. Not even Rin made a sound. Shippo glanced at Kagome, confused about the situation. She held her breath, unsure of what to say or how to move forward.
Luckily, Mama knew how to restore order in the household. "That's admirable of you, Sesshomaru. I have to confess, it's been difficult for us watching Kagome run off to the well house. Each time she packs up, I wonder if that is the last time I'm going to see her."
"As I now have my own pack to tend to," he replied, gazing at Rin and Shippo, "I can say with honesty that I understand your dilemma. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to keep your daughter safe. I will not risk her life for anything, not even the Sacred Jewel." He directed the last part to her grandfather, leveling his eyes with the family elder.
"I appreciate that," Kagome's mother returned, ignoring her father-in-law's continued grumblings. More firmly, she added, "We all do."
"Do you have powers too?" Souta asked, leaning forward. "Are they the same as Inuyasha's? He's my hero."
Kagome glanced nervously up at Sesshomaru. There was a nearly imperceptible twitch of his lips before he responded, "Unlike my brother, I am a full-blooded demon. My abilities are far superior."
Souta tilted his head curiously. "Like what?"
"Don't be rude," Kagome scolded.
Sesshomaru held out his hand. He extended his claws and slowly released his poison. The fumes glowed green for a second before he extinguished them.
"Wicked," Souta cheered.
Mama regarded the display with cautious respect. Gramps was predictably horrified.
"Wicked, indeed," he groused. "Kagome, how could you bring a dangerous demon into our home?"
"Sesshomaru won't hurt you. He was just showing off for Souta," she protested.
"Abilities like that are evil. There is no place for something like him in this house."
"Gramps—."
"He needs to go," her grandfather insisted sternly.
Kagome opened her mouth to reply when Sesshomaru spoke.
"No."'
"Excuse me?" Gramps questioned.
"As the family elder, I respect your concern for your family but I will not leave without my pack. That includes Kagome," Sesshomaru informed him.
"She's my granddaughter!"
"I am aware. However, her position as your granddaughter does not negate my agreement with her. I made Kagome a promise and I intend to fulfill it," Sesshomaru said.
Gramps raised an eyebrow. "You're awfully stubborn."
Sesshomaru smirked. "I believe this is something your granddaughter and I have in common. I see it is a family trait."
Mama hid her chuckle behind her hand, while Souta, Kagome, and Shippo all laughed.
"I don't like this," Gramps grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You are entitled to your opinion," Sesshomaru replied. "I only ask that you respect my decision as well as the choice Kagome has made."
There was an uncomfortable pause while Gramps considered the demon. Eventually, Mama elbowed him and he sighed.
"Fine," her grandfather muttered begrudgingly.
Sesshomaru shot her a satisfied grin.
"Would you like to hold her?" Kagome asked her mother.
Mama stood up and Kagome mirrored her movements. Carefully, she passed Rin across the table. Her mother cushioned the infant's head as she situated the child in her arms.
"She's adorable," Mama commented.
It was clear that she was instantly enamored with Rin. Her eyes were on the baby's face, who was studying her with equal interest. Kagome smiled, glad to see the two together.
"Why didn't Inuyasha come with you?" Souta inquired as the rest of the table resumed drinking their tea.
"He's still with the others, hunting down the remaining jewel shards," Kagome shared. "We were with them for a bit but it wasn't safe for Rin."
"Can't you leave the baby at his place?" Souta suggested, jerking his thumb toward Sesshomaru.
"Rin's too young for that," Mama explained. "She needs constant supervision. Kagome made the right decision."
"Then how are you going to complete your quest?"
Kagome groaned. "It's not a level in one of your video games, Souta. This is dangerous!"
Sesshomaru placed his hand over hers.
"We know where the majority of the pieces are," he revealed. "Once my brother mitigates the threat, we will rejoin his party and restore the Jewel."
"You mean Naraku?" Souta asked.
"No, Kikyo," Shippo corrected.
"Who's Kikyo?"
Kagome's stomach twisted into knots. She didn't want to talk about her — not here, not now.
Sesshomaru squeezed her hand. "She is one of my brother's companions. There was a disagreement and I did not feel comfortable allowing Kagome to continue traveling with her."
She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. Sesshomaru was rarely calm when Kikyo was mentioned, especially not when her relationship with Kagome was brought up. He was maintaining his composure out of respect for her and her family. Kagome wasn't sure how she could love him more, but at that moment, she did.
"She's evil," Shippo added petulantly.
Souta turned to Kagome. "Then why does Inuyasha like her?"
"They've known each other for a long time. It's hard to let go of the past," she answered.
The words were difficult to say. Kagome drew strength from Sesshomaru, not wanting his efforts to be in vain.
She cleared her throat. "Anyway, Shippo, if you're done with your tea, maybe Souta can show you his video games. I think you'd like them."
Both the kitsune and her brother gaped at her. Their gazes hardened as they glared at each other.
"Oh, come on, you two. You have a lot more in common than you think," she said.
"Like what?" mumbled Shippo.
"Well, for starters, you both are very active and you both enjoy playing games. If you don't want to stay inside, you could try kicking the ball around outside. Shippo isn't familiar with soccer. Souta, maybe you could teach him about the sport?" Kagome encouraged.
"I think that sounds like a great idea," Mama agreed. "It's too nice of a day to spend indoors."'
"Fine," Souta relented. "Come on."
He led Shippo out of the room.
Kagome watched them walk out, holding her breath until she heard the front door close. "Boys," she muttered, annoyed.
"Don't worry. They'll come around," Mama reassured her. "Sesshomaru, why don't you help me clean up? I'd love to hear more about your home."
"Gramps and I can get the dishes, Mama," Kagome offered.
She held out her arms for Rin. Her mother returned the infant to her care.
"Since it's his first time here, you can give Sesshomaru a tour of the shrine," Kagome suggested.
"Alright, dear," Mama agreed.
Sesshomaru stood and presented his arm to Kagome's mother. "Shall we?"
Mama blushed. "Oh, what manners!"
Gramps rolled his eyes but before he could say anything, Kagome dragged him into the kitchen with her.
As she rounded the corner, Kagome caught Sesshomaru's eye. Good luck, she mouthed.
The property extended farther than Sesshomaru had expected. At first glance, the courtyard was roughly the size of his but when he took into account the family home and the shrine buildings, the compound was impressive.
He understood Kagome's concern about leaving her family to manage the shrine without her. The archways and five buildings all required consistent maintenance. Without attendants to address the needs of the property, the work all fell to Kagome's mother, and grandfather.
Sesshomaru suspected funds would ease the burden. Though Kagome had made a sound argument against him sharing his wealth with her family, Sesshomaru planned to revisit the discussion. He would not leave his mate's family destitute.
"How long have you been in love with my daughter?"
Sesshomaru stared at the woman on his arm.
Kagome's mother smiled kindly up at him. "I may not have any supernatural powers but I am perceptive."
"Not long," he admitted. "I have admired her for some time but these feelings are new."
"You were afraid," she surmised.
Sesshomaru nodded.
"I have never seen her look at someone the way she looks at you," Kagome's mother told him.
"Not even my brother?" he inquired.
"It's true that Inuyasha was Kagome's first love but, as with many first loves, it was fleeting. They are both so young. I think if the circumstances had been different, they wouldn't have come together," Kagome's mother confessed.
"And me?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"As painful as it is to have your heart broken, I believe it helps you to grow as a person. In Kagome's case, I think she was able to appreciate you because she had experienced a relationship with someone who didn't love her the way she loved them. Relationships are about give and take. To last, they need to be balanced. First loves happen at a young age before most people understand that concept. Kagome's time with Inuyasha taught her what she didn't want so she could figure out what she did. And what Kagome wants is you."
Sesshomaru contemplated the woman's words. While he hated seeing Kagome hurt, there was merit in what her mother had said. Kagome had not been able to move past Inuyasha until she accepted that she deserved better. She did not simply want a mate; she wanted a partner.
Inuyasha was incapable of providing that while his heart belonged to another.
Sesshomaru had never been in love. What he felt for Kagome was challenging to categorize. He desired to be close to her at all times. His inner beast was more difficult to control. Sesshomaru had become extremely protective to the point he had nearly growled at her younger brother.
His yearning to have her as his mate was an unparalleled urge. It ran so deep he could feel it in his bones. She had become a part of him, living beneath his skin as constant as his heartbeat.
"I have already made my intentions known to Kagome," Sesshomaru revealed.
Her mother nodded.
"I would like to ask for your approval to take your daughter as my mate," he said.
"I appreciate the gesture, Sesshomaru but it's Kagome's decision. If she chooses to spend her life with you, then I will give you both my blessing," her mother replied.
He bowed his head. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Hey, Sesshomaru, look at me!"
His attention drifted from their discussion to the kit, who was kicking a black and white checkered ball around the courtyard with Kagome's brother.
"This is a sport," Shippo said excitedly. He kicked the ball, sending it rolling across the dirt to where Souta was positioned.
Souta stopped the ball with his foot before kicking it back.
"Soccer is Souta's favorite," Kagome's mother told Sesshomaru. "He's been playing for years. If your son enjoys it, I can give you one of our spare balls to take back with you."
"Thank you. I am sure he would appreciate that," Sesshomaru responded, not bothering to correct her. For all intents and purposes, Shippo was his son, just as Rin was his daughter.
"I knew they'd get along," she remarked as they watched the boys parry the ball.
"Shippo has no one his age at the palace to spend time with. He has been around adults his whole life so he has grown accustomed to having their undivided attention," Sesshomaru explained.
"He seems to be doing well with Rin."
"That's Kagome's doing," he replied. "She has juggled both of them."
"With your help," her mother injected.
"I was raised as an only child. My brother and I did not meet until I was much older. I was unfamiliar with how to tend to the needs of others, especially ones so small. Kagome taught me."
"She was a huge help when Souta was born. I couldn't have asked for a better child," the woman said, her voice growing watery. "I know it is probably a lot to ask but if you can, maybe you two can come to visit from time to time? And the children too, of course."
Sesshomaru inclined his head. "It would be my honor."
"Thank you."
They fell into silence, each thinking as they watched the boys play. Sesshomaru marveled at how effortlessly Souta accepted Shippo. Demon and human together without grudges or misgivings. Whatever petty differences they had experienced earlier were long forgotten as the two explored their mutual love of games.
Sesshomaru wondered if he had been given the same opportunity, would he and Inuyasha be as close as Souta and Kagome? Or would their relationship still be as strained as it was now?
He was pondering over the matter when Souta came jogging up to him.
"What happened to your arm?"
"Souta! Manners," his mother admonished.
"I lost it some time ago," Sesshomaru responded.
Kagome's brother stared at the empty sleeve of his kimono. "Does it hurt?"
"No."
"Do you miss it?"
"I have learned to live without it," Sesshomaru replied.
"That's not an answer," Souta returned, giving him a pointed look that reminded Sesshomaru of Kagome.
"Recently, I have felt its absence more often," he confessed.
"They have prosthetics," Souta suggested.
Sesshomaru's brow furrowed. "What are prosthetics?"
Kagome's brother explained the false limb and how it connected to one's body. The advancements humans had made in the realm of healing were extraordinary. Sesshomaru listened with rapt attention.
"It is an intriguing solution," he told the boy, "but it will not aid me as the limb will be unable to transform as I can."
Souta glanced to Shippo. "Can you turn into anyone too?"
"No, my real form is that of a great dog," Sesshomaru revealed.
"Like our shrine's guardian?" Souta asked.
"What?"
"Oh, that's right," Kagome's mother agreed.
They led Shippo and Sesshomaru over to the well house where the kanji for 'dog' was carved above the doorway.
"It's the symbol for our family's ancestral guardian," she explained.
Shippo jumped up onto Sesshomaru's shoulder. He leaned toward the symbol, studying it closely. "Is that you?" he asked.
Sesshomaru remained silent. He stared at the kanji, filled with more questions than answers.