Chapter 8: Friends Again

Chapter 8: Friends Again

Idobelieveinbreaklines, Ido!Ido!

Sesshoumaru and Kagome hadn't left their bedchamber since their mating, two nights ago.

Kagome stirred, mumbling in her sleep, "InuYasha? No, it can't be…"

The air shimmered next to Kagome and Sesshoumaru's bed, then turned into InuYasha's ghost. He smiled, seeing where she was, and who she was with, before leaning down and kissing her forehead.

InuYasha stood back up just as Kagome opened her eyes. "Kagome."

"I-InuYasha!"

InuYasha then looked as if he were trying to tell Kagome something important… very important.

Kagome knew that look extremely well, and said quietly, "What is it, InuYasha? What are you doing here?"

InuYasha looked at her, and replied, "I came here because I had to see you, Kagome-chan."

Kagome was startled. "Why? To plead for your life back?"

InuYasha shook his head. "No, to plead for your forgiveness."

Kagome was about to open her mouth, to say no, when InuYasha knelt on the floor. "Please, listen, for just a moment, Kagome-chan…"

"Why should I! You made me miserable; the last two years that I spent with you were hell! And you want me to listen to you?" Kagome screamed.

Sesshoumaru roused. "Kagome, why are you yelling like that—" and then his eyes opened. "InuYasha, you are dead; what are you doing here?"

InuYasha ignored Sesshoumaru; he was completely focused on Kagome. "Kagome, I know you hate me; I don't blame you; I blame myself!

"I screwed up what we had, and I regret it.

"Kagome," and InuYasha sat, "I hate myself, for what I did to you; you, of all people, didn't deserve to be hurt like that, especially by me.

"But, Kagome, I had to do it."

"Excuse me?" Sesshoumaru was on his feet now.

Kagome stood, and placed a hand on Sesshoumaru's shoulder, and he settled down. She then looked at InuYasha. "Why? Why would you have to hurt me?"

"Because, Kagome," InuYasha faltered, then replied, "You were never meant to be with me. You were meant to be with… well, Sesshoumaru."

Someone knocked on the bedroom door, and InuYasha disappeared. Kagome called, "Just a minute!"

Kagome and Sesshoumaru threw on some clothes, and Sesshoumaru called, "Come in."

Kaede walked in. "I'll come straight to the point, ye two. Have either of ye seen anything… unusual, tonight?"

Kagome spoke. "As a matter of fact, Kaede-sempai, we have just seen—"

"—InuYasha's ghost," Sesshoumaru finished.

Kaede nodded. "I thought ye two might have, since ye two are the closest to InuYasha."

Kagome looked at her former mentor. "Gomen ne, Kaede-sempai, but can I speak with Sesshoumaru alone? I need to ask him something."

Kaede nodded, then walked out.

Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru, and was about to ask her question, when Sesshoumaru said, "I already know, Kagome-chan. You want InuYasha brought back to life, don't you?"

Kagome nodded. "I know everyone else hates him. Hell, I did, too. But, I still miss him!

"He was my best friend for such a long time, and now that I look at it, he and I were only meant to be friends. InuYasha knew it, and so did Kikyou.

"And now, I do too. But… that still doesn't stop it from hurting," and with that, Kagome broke down, sobbing like her heart would break into hundreds of pieces, like the Shikon no Tama had those six years ago.

Sesshoumaru took her into his arms and sat down, trying to soothe his mate. "Kagome-ai, if you want InuYasha brought back to life, I will do it."

Kagome nodded. "I want him in my life, Sesshoumaru-ai. I want him in our life."

Then Sesshoumaru added, "And I want him in our child's life."

It took a few moments for that to sink into Kagome, and then she looked at him. "Sesshoumaru, what are you talking about?"

"Anyone with youkai blood can tell if either they or their mate is with child," Sesshoumaru replied. "Inu Youkai especially."

Kagome stared at him. "You mean I'm… pregnant?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. "It takes a week to know for sure, but I'm pretty sure you are, Kagome-ai."

Kagome smiled. "Ne, Sesshoumaru-ai. Can you summon Jaken now? The sooner InuYasha is brought to us, the easier it will be for Tenseiga to revive him."

Sesshoumaru nodded, then pulled a rope. "Jaken should be here soon.

"Now, listen, Kagome, please. As the Lady of the Western Lands, the only other person you look to is this Sesshoumaru. Jaken will more than likely be displeased, because you have now taken his place as my confidante, my companion. He will get over that, though, because it is you. Had it been anyone else, well… we won't go into that.

"The more serious problem, though, are the other Taiyoukai, and possibly their mates. They are going to look down on you for being human, even if you are a powerful miko.

"However, if they ever harass you because of it, I will make it clear that they will answer to me, so don't worry."

"Sesshoumaru-ai," and Kagome hugged him. "You're too good to me."

Someone knocked on the door. "Sesshoumaru-sama, it is Jaken. What do you need me for, my lord?"

"Come in, Jaken," Sesshoumaru replied. "You need to meet the new lady of this palace, and your new mistress."

Jaken nearly broke down the door in his excitement. "You have finally taken a mate!" Jaken's smile disappeared when he realised who it was. "My lord, why did you take a human to mate?"

"Jaken, as you should already know, this is no mere human. She is Higurashi Kagome, the Guardian Miko of the Shikon no Tama. And now, she is my Lady of the Western Lands. I would advise that you not anger her, for her own power nearly exceeds mine. You must treat her with the same respect that you would show this Sesshoumaru. Is this Sesshoumaru clear?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama! Lady Kagome-sama, please forgive this lowly Jaken for insulting you."

Kagome looked at him, and smiled. "Jaken, you are forgiven. This Kagome is not completely heartless, you know." She smiled again. "Stand up, Jaken, I need you to do something for me." When Sesshoumaru nodded, Kagome went on. "I want you to unbury InuYasha, and bring him to us in the throne room."

"Hai, Kagome-sama!" With that, Jaken scampered off.

Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru. "I want Usagi, Lyn, Rin, and Kikyou here for InuYasha's revival."

Sesshoumaru smiled. "All right, Kagome-ai."

The pair smiled at each other, linked arms, and walked out.

Sesshoumaru and Kagome arranged themselves on their dual-seating dais.

Jaken came running in a few minutes later, with InuYasha's body lying on a cart being pulled by four servants.

Sesshoumaru looked at the quartet. "Thank you. You may go, and take the rest of today and tomorrow off. If your superior bothers you about that, tell him to come see this Sesshoumaru."

The quartet bowed. "Hai, Taiyoukai-sama! Arigatou!" They left the throne room.

"Jaken," and Sesshoumaru turned to the imp, "go and fetch these four people; Rin, Usagi, Lyn, and Kikyou."

Jaken bowed. "Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama. I will return shortly." He left the room.

Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome. "Those are all the people you want here, right, Kagome-ai?"

"Hai, arigatou, Sesshoumaru-ai," Kagome replied.

On those words, Usagi, Lyn, Rin, and Kikyou entered. "You sent for us, Sesshoumaru-sama?" Lyn questioned.

"Hai, I did. Kagome has something she would like to say."

Kagome stood. "I have asked Sesshoumaru… to bring InuYasha back to life. He has agreed to do so. I wanted the four of you here, to witness InuYasha's revival.

"Now, listen closely. InuYasha has asked forgiveness of what he did to me, and I have forgiven him. He is not, I repeat, NOT to be reminded of what he did. Do I make myself clear?"

The quartet nodded. Rin walked over to Kagome. "Kagome-chan, are you Rin's new mommy?"

Kagome's eyes widened. "I suppose I am, Rin-chan."

Sesshoumaru smiled. "Yes, Rin, Kagome is your new okaasan."

"YAY!" Rin jumped into Kagome's arms.

Sesshoumaru looked at Rin, and said, "Shh, Rin. It is time."

At that, the room went eerily silent. Sesshoumaru drew Tenseiga, and slashed InuYasha across the chest with it.

A few minutes later, InuYasha awoke with a groan. "What the… where the hell am I?" He sat up. "Kagome? You haven't died too, have you?"

"No, InuYasha. Sesshoumaru brought you back to life, at my request," Kagome replied.

"Why? After everything I did to you, I'm amazed that you didn't put the first shovel of dirt on me."

"I forgave you, InuYasha. After all, you and I are still friends, right?" Kagome asked. "Aren't we?"

InuYasha looked at Sesshoumaru, asking silent permission, and when Sesshoumaru nodded, swept Kagome up into a hug. "Of course we are, Kagome. Friends forever."

Kagome smiled, and then shook her head. "Da me, InuYasha. Not friends." Everyone gasped, before Kagome continued with, "Best friends, InuYasha-kun."

InuYasha and the gang smiled, and Sesshoumaru picked Kagome up, whispering to her, "Watashi ai, I can't wait for the rest of our lives."

Everyone smiled as the newly mated pair kissed, then Sesshoumaru smiled. "Kagome-ai, should we tell them yet?"

"I think so, Sesshoumaru-ai," Kagome answered.

Sesshoumaru put Kagome down, and the pair faced all their friends.

Sesshoumaru began, "There is something we need to tell you…"

"I'm pregnant!" Kagome continued.

At that, Kikyou, Kaede, Sango, Shippou, Lyn, and Usagi all rushed to her, giving her several hugs.

Yes, Iamabreaklinefeelfreetoignoreme…

InuYasha stepped toward Sesshoumaru, Miroku a few steps behind him. "Omedetou gozaimasu, Sesshoumaru." InuYasha held out his hand.

Sesshoumaru smiled. "Domo arigatou, InuYasha," and his hand grasped his brother's.

SessKagSessKagSessKag

Kagome looked over at her mate and her best friend just in time to see their handclasp, and smiled. I knew it. Those two can put aside their differences, and finally be brothers and friends to each other.

Iamabreaklineandyoucan'tcatchme!

It's almost here! It's almost here! The last chapter is nearly here! We're uploading the final chapter today (hey, even we have to spend some time with our family, and we know you guys would rather have the last chapter now instead of having to wait two days!)

- Seira Lyn Crystalia aka Lyn

- Adraena Crystalia aka Rae

Namida sae mo niji ni kaeru tenshi no hohoemi.
An angel's smile will turn even tears into rainbows.

Gomen ne - Excuse me

Shikon no Tama - Jewel of Four Souls

Inu Youkai - Dog demon

Miko - Priestess

Arigatou - Thank you

Okaasan - mother

Omedetou gozaimasu – Congratulations

We put a line from a movie that we just watched again recently into this chapter. If you can guess which movie it's from, then you will have our complete and utter respect.