Disclaimer: We've been through this before: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me! He is the love slave of Rumiko Takahashi! ::cries::

Reviewer Comments:

(Alrighty, I tried posting this once, and for some reason it refused to show the new chapter, so we're trying it again. Sorry about this, guys. The site updates seem to be screwing around with everything. For those who've gotten like three update e-mails, Sorry about that! It was being bitchy.)

Golden meliades- O.o Sorry for distracting you from your writing... I was unaware mine had that sort of effect. As for Kago-chan and Inu-kun, they'll be alright... we hope... ::cackle::

Lexa- Glad you like it! I try hard.

LuckyThirteen- I'll probably end up developing more of an actual plot as I go, but for now it's mostly just reunion and figuring out how to have a conversation without killing each other. lol. Glad you like Kotan so much! I wanted him to be a noticable character.

Questions Concerning Rin- I know a bunch of people are asking about how Rin is still alive. Yes, there's an explanation, but you have to wait for it. Don't worry, I'll explain soon enough!

To Everyone- Wow, so I actually kind of cranked this one out pretty fast. Not in post-time, mind you, but in actually typing, I had it done about two or so days ago. Usually, I work up until the last minute, then post. Hm... Yay inspiration! Feel free to leave ideas for the story. I'm shooting in the dark right now, but having fun while doing it! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 5

"So you knew my father and uncle?" Kotan asked curiously, sipping at his tea as he watched to curious miko over the rim of his cup. The three sat comfortably in Kagome's living room, having settled after they all overcame the initial shock of their first meeting, or, in Shippou and Kagome's case, reunion. The joyful woman had eagerly made the tea and offered both boys seats so they could talk amongst themselves without awkwardness.

Setting her own teacup aside, Kagome nodded, albeit a bit despondently. "I traveled with Inuyasha for four years searching for Shikon Jewel shards, and I met Sesshoumaru many times along the way. I never knew much about him, except what Inuyasha would tell me on the occasion."

"I see… And Oji-san? Shippou-onii-san tells me stories, but Oji-san refuses to say much himself. I think it sounds like a great adventure." Kagome studied the boy as he spoke before nodding again, raising her cup to her lips as old memories flooded back to her. She still could not shake how much Kotan looked like Inuyasha…

"We went through a lot in those days. The five of us would travel everywhere together-"

"Five? You mean the taijiya and houshi that traveled with you?"

"-Err, yes, Miroku-sama and Sango-chan. We were a team." The memory of her friends caused Kagome to smile gently. "We'd run around the feudal era with bow and staff and sword and boomerang, searching for the shards and Naraku while helping where he could along the way. Every so often, I'd have to return to my time, but Inuyasha refused to ever let me stay very long. He was stubborn that way. To him, I was his little 'shard detector', so without me it was difficult to find the pieces of the jewel. He absolutely hated it when I had to go take exams at school, or something like that." She laughed heartily, remembering the hanyou's irritation every time she would leave, and his habit of coming to retrieve her when she stayed away too long. It had certainly been a good time for all of them.

"Oji-san would come to get you?" Kotan frowned lightly, trying to picture his uncle in his younger years jumping through a well to kidnap a girl from the future.

"Oh, yes. I can't even count the number of times. And it'd always be the same," she said, lowering her voice to mimic Inuyasha's gruff tone, "'Keh! What took you so long? Come on!' He acted like the world might fall down if I didn't come that very second." By now Kagome was giggling happily to herself, almost lost to the two young men who sat in the same room. Shippou smiled happily from his seat, having been unusually silent so far, but Kotan simply looked on in surprise at all the new information he was learning. Sure, his uncle was brusque and sometimes rash, but he had never known Inuyasha to care so much about where one person was, especially some human woman.

"Inuyasha was always grumpy when Kagome was away," Shippou piped up. "He'd sit and sulk around the village all day until Kaede would scold him and he'd get defensive. That would be about the time he'd go and get her, when he couldn't stand being around the rest of us anymore without her." The last part of the kit's statement caused the miko to blush, Kotan unable to miss the bashful look that suddenly overcame her features.

"Oh, please, Shippou. He was just impatient to get the jewel back together. The only thing that bothered him about me being gone was that he couldn't find the shards without me." The kitsune eyed the girl skeptically.

"So that's why he was so upset when you left?" As soon as the words were out the kit visibly regretted them, and Kotan watched as the miko lowered her eyes, her mood dying in a matter of moments.

"I prefer not to dwell on what could not be helped, Shippou-chan." She stood and reached for their now empty teacups just as there was a sharp knock on the door. Leaving the cups where they were, the dejected girl turned and walked off to answer the door, leaving the two boys to look at each other in silence.

The kitsune soon sighed. "I shouldn't have said anything. Kotan, the first rule of being around Kagome and Inuyasha: never mention one to the other unless they're on good terms. You'll regret it one way or another." Kotan blinked, eyeing his friend and makeshift older brother carefully.

"What exactly happened between those two? Oji-san has always been so defensive about the issue…" Kotan puzzled through what he had learned in the past few moments and what he already knew. The miko and the hanyou had obviously traveled together for a great deal of time and come to trust one another, that he knew from Shippou's stories, but surely it was ridiculous to think the two had any relationship beyond that…

"Well…"

"Kotan-kun, your father has come to get you." Both sets of eyes snapped upwards to find an irritated-looking Kagome standing in the doorway. Behind her it was easy enough to see Sesshoumaru's tall form towering of the girl in silent wait. Instantly, Kotan snapped to his feet.

"O-Otousan! You're here!" Kagome stepped from the doorway, the taiyoukai following with a nod.

"It would seem my idiot brother could not fulfill one simple task of returning you to the household, so I have come to retrieve you myself."

"Otousan?" Kotan blinked in surprise. When did his father ever come to pick him up? Still, it was not for him to argue with the great Sesshoumaru, quickly bowing in submission before his father could become irritated. "Yes, Sir." Expecting to leave then and there, Kotan was further surprised when his father then turned to address the miko.

"I see you are well, Miko. I apologize for Inuyasha's earlier behavior, whatever it might have been. I'm sure it was most unpleasant."

Kagome seemed just as surprised as she gazed up at the inuyoukai beside her. "I-it was nothing, really. Nothing new, at least." Obviously uncomfortable, the woman shifted her stance, fidgeting with the edges of her shirt. "…Sesshoumaru, would you like to stay for tea?" Kotan blanched. She was asking his father, by his first name, to stay for tea? And yet, it was his father's response that perhaps alarmed him the most.

"That would be welcome, Miko." And with that the miko smiled uneasily and led the silver-haired demon lord into her quaint living room. Kotan stayed rooted to the floor.

What was going on here?! By what magic was his father bewitched? Surely there was some underlying intent to his father's actions? Never would the taiyoukai lower himself to having tea in the home of some lowly human female, right? But apparently, that was not correct at all, for Kotan watched as his father settled on the couch comfortably and the woman known as Kagome disappeared to and reemerged from the kitchen with a fresh cup. The woman even smiled as she set it before her newest "guest"!

"Kotan, do not be rude." His father's voice snapped the young hanyou from his thoughts, and he hastily obeyed, settled beside the coffee table with a nervous glance around the room. Gods, but he must being going mad today!

Refilling the other three cups, Kagome settled herself as well on the same couch as Sesshoumaru, taking a calming sip before looking to the taiyoukai. "I'm sorry to inconvenience you like this, Sesshoumaru." He shrugged absently.

"It is nothing. I would expect little more from my idiot half-sibling. I assume you have finished your schooling? I remember the kitsune often speaking of your trips home," he inquired passively, both sipping at their drinks as though they had experienced such conversations on a daily basis.

The miko nodded in confirmation. "Just recently. I returned from America just the day before yesterday, though I'm not yet sure what I'm going to be doing in respect to a job."

"Your degree?"

"Physical therapy."

"Ah, a choice field. I am sure you will find an appropriate occupation."

"Thank you." The miko seemed half-numb to the actual conversation, for she did not react at all to the inuyoukai's obvious knowledge towards present day education and vocation. Or perhaps, Kotan mused, she had already realized the passage of time for the group of youkai? "I'm sure it must be much more challenging to rule an entire land than finding a job in this day and age, though." Or not.

"In my position, I am rarely challenged to prove my worth as it is with your hiring system," Sesshoumaru conceded, taking another sip of the tea. Kagome shrugged.

"It's what we're used to around here. It's part of the competition. Where youkai fight over land and food, humans fight over jobs and apartments. Call it natural selection. The weakest die out while the strong flourish." As she spoke, Kotan noticed that the miko's tone did not change, sounding as deadpan as his father's deep voice. Was there something he had missed?

"I have seen many things in my time," the Western Lord stated, "and one of them is the survival of those who seem to be incapable of true strength. I'm sure you remember yourself the events we have all experienced in the past."

She smiled bitterly. "Inuyasha is an exception."

"He is an example." Brown eyes rose to meet amber-gold, and Kotan puzzled over the look the two exchanged in that moment, unable to decipher it for himself. What did they know that he did not?

After a moment of awkward silence and contemplation, the taiyoukai finished off the last of his tea and stood gracefully from the couch, looking down upon the miko with the same impassive gaze her turned upon everyone else. "I request that you join my household for supper. I believe the kit and my mate would be most pleased to see you share a meal." The request seemed to startle Kagome.

"But what about…?"

"My brother will learn to bite his tongue in this Sesshoumaru's household. It is near time that we return home, and I find no reason that you should not accompany us and visit with those who most obvious wish your company. I will deal with the hanyou." And with that he started towards the door, not bothering to look back at the rest of the occupants. Confused and a bit disconcerted, all three rose and followed his lead, Kagome stopping only to call out to her brother about leaving. Then, almost too suddenly, they were out the door and heading towards the home of Sesshoumaru.

"Inuyasha-sama, would you not like to come inside? The sky is becoming overcast. I fear it will soon begin to rain." The hanyou turned at the sound of Rin's voice across the courtyard, eyeing her harshly. He had been pacing back and forth almost since he had arrived, even going as so far as to refuse play with Aya due to his foul mood. Of course the little girl was there too, clinging to her mother like a lifeline while watching her uncle with curious eyes. Finally, he sighed to himself and accepted the offer, stomping towards the two females. Aya, in delight, sprang forward to greet him, lightening his mood with a wide smile.

"Ji-chan! Ji-chan!" Habitually, Inuyasha reached down to sweep the child up into his arms, holding her close and brushing noses just to hear her giggle. "I couldn't find you and Mama said you had gone to visit a lady!" He froze before nodding in confirmation, causing Aya to squeal happily. "Was she pretty?" Inuyasha could hear Rin's soft laughter in the background at this question and felt his own features soften considerably, remembering Kagome as she had been on all their travels: lively, vibrant, and…

"Beautiful. She was beautiful." Hoisting the little hanyou further into his arms, he joined her mother in retreating into the house, closing the door behind them. Together they walked the halls, the child all but curling around him. "Maybe you'll meet her one day…"

Cuddling closer still, he could feel Aya begin to fall asleep against his chest. "That'd be nice." Small, but long fingers reached up to grasp strands of silver hair that had fallen over her shoulder, clawed tips unconsciously stroking the silky mane like she would a small animal. Instinctually he could hear a low rumble rise in his chest- a sign of contentment and affection between inuyoukai. Aya responded almost instantly with her own, smaller purr.

"You've enchanted my daughter, Inuyasha-sama," Rin said with a soft smile, glancing over at him through a shield of raven hair. A familiar "keh" was his only response. "…And Kagome-sama? What of her?" He scowled.

"Kagome has her own life. I haven't been part of it for 500 years."

"You're wrong." His amber gaze shifted to take her in, but was met only with the black sheen of her hair, her face downcast. "To you it might be 500 years, but to her it was only four, and if I know anything of a woman's heart I am quite sure her memories of your adventures filled many a day. Women do not easily forget those they love, no matter the pain or ease of a breakup." She chose that moment to glance up at the hanyou, deep brown eyes knowing and slightly accusing. He did not doubt that the girl had heard many a story from Shippou concerning his treatment of Kagome over the years.

"I see you've learned a thing or two since you were a runt." Rin smiled, and Inuyasha was reminded of the goofy child she had once been, following his brother like a faithful puppy while getting into all sorts of trouble with youkai and humans alike. In those times it seemed as though Sesshoumaru would raise her as more a daughter than what she had become. And yet, he was all too aware that the little girl was no longer little, and so much more than a girl. She had proven that herself with her wise words and patience. Of course, Inuyasha warranted it on the fact that she had five hundred years to reflect and grow, unlike the normal sixty or seventy of a normal human. Still, Rin had become a beautiful and intelligent mate alongside Sesshoumaru, and she commanded respect from those around her with only a smile and a laugh. Much like someone else he knew…

The sound of the front door opening and shutting caused his ears to twitch and his eyes to snap up at attention. He could already smell the scent of his brother and nephew, along with Shippou and…

"Kagome?" Gripping Aya closer against him for security, Inuyasha sprinted the rest of the way down the hall and turned the corner into the foyer. Sure enough there stood the miko, pulling off her shoes respectfully before stepping onto the main landing and glancing around. She froze as she saw him standing there, Aya cradled against his chest with one arm while he gawked.

"Hello, Inuyasha," she said after a moment, keeping her eyes averted.

"What're you doing here?" He did not mean for the comment to sound rude, but nevertheless heard the growl in his voice as he spoke. He frowned lightly.

"The miko will be joining us for dinner," Sesshoumaru said, brushing past his brother without a glance his way.

"WHAT?" But the taiyoukai was already disappearing around a corner, now bored with his family and guest. Turning back to Kagome, he could already see the hurt growing in her expression, instantly regretting his reaction. He was acutely aware of the frown shot at him by the kitsune.

"Ji-chan, who's this?" Inuyasha was disturbed as his niece stirred against him, one hand releasing his hair in order to rub at tired eyes. Suddenly, all attention seemed to be on Aya and the little girl's eyes brightened considerably, if not still glazed with the remnants of sleep.

Searching for an explanation, he could only come up with the truth: "She's the person I went to see." This seemed to excite the child, for she twisted in his arms to better take in the sight of Kagome. Then, with a concentrated frown on her face, she turned back to face her uncle.

"Ji-chan, you lied to Aya-chan." He blinked in surprise. Lied? "She's not beautiful, she's gorgeous!" In that instant the two faces of the hanyou and miko lit like Christmas trees and three sets of laughter filled the room at Aya's stern correction.

"So you're name is Aya?" Kagome, quickly overcoming her embarrassment (though not without an unreadable glance sent towards Inuyasha), bent down slightly in front of the two hanyous so that she was eye-level with the smaller of the two. The child nodded vigorously, wide-eyed. "Well, hello, Aya-chan. My name is Kagome. You must be Sesshoumaru's daughter."

"Of course!" she piped up happily, smiling up at the miko. Kagome laughed softly, Inuyasha looking on in surprise and wonder at the easy connection between the two girls. "Mama says that when I get older I'll be Lady of the whooollle Western Lands!" In emphasis, she extended her arms to encompass the "Western Lands", grinning proudly.

Kagome, playing along, feigned amazement. "Of all THAT?" A quick nod from the child was her cue to continue. "Well, I'm sure you'll make an honorable and good Lady of the Western Lands. Your parents will be proud of you!" Ah, the perfect combination of words. Inuyasha knew it in an instant, had once felt the same way about his own mother. In the Inu family, nothing was more precious than the approval of one's parent.

"You think so?"

"I do! And I know these things. I AM a miko, after all." Aya was all but beaming now, wiggling in her uncle's arms until the hanyou had no choice but to set her on the ground. Inuyasha, in exasperation, realized that they had lost yet another child to the kindness and sincerity of Higurashi Kagome.

"Aya-chan, you need to take your afternoon nap." Rin's quiet voice was enough to disturb the scene between the two girls, the black-haired child enthusiastically running back to her mother, though with a pout on her lips. "I'll have none of that, inuki." Instantly the pout disappeared. "Now," Rin continued, leaning closer to her daughter as though to tell a secret, "I bet if you ask Shippou-chan and Kotan, they'll put you to bed." Eagerly, Aya turned to eye the two boys, who in turn exchanged glances before nodding in acceptance, causing her to squeak in excitement. Both shaking their heads, they silently brushed past the remaining three adults and led the child off to bed.

They stood there silently for a time before anyone spoke, Rin the first to break the silence.

"It is good to see you, Kagome-sama. It has certainly been a long time." She bowed slightly in respect and Kagome eyed her carefully before recognition hit.

"Rin-chan?" Rin's only reply was to smile. "Rin-chan! Look at you! You're all grown up now!" The smile grew wider, and Inuyasha noticed that the refined woman could not help but revert to old habits.

Perhaps she really was still just that goofy little girl…

"Hai, Kagome-nee-san! Rin has grown up!" Inuyasha gawked. It had literally been centuries since he had last heard the runt refer to herself in the third person, Sesshoumaru having broken her of the habit after taking her as his mate. Why was it that Kagome's presence seemed to always turn the world on its head?

"Keh." The scoff came out before he realized it, earning him the attention of both women. Instantly he could sense Kagome's irritation.

"Did you have something to say to us, Inuyasha?" She asked, pointedly placing her hands on her hips and shifting to stand on both feet in what a youkai would easily perceive as a confrontational stance. He scowled and crossed his arms, turning away.

"I have nothing to say to you, bitch." Damnit, he had done it again! He could feel the anger spark even before she spoke, a blazing inferno of loathing and offense.

"I am NOT a bitch!"

"You're right, bitches know their place!" He was speaking on instinct, his mind screaming at him to quit while he was ahead.

"Why, you arrogant, stuck-up jerk!"

"Shrew!"

"Baka!"

"WENCH!"

"ASSHOLE!"

"BITCH!"

"OSUWARI!" Aw, fuck.

With a resounding crash, he watched in pain and fury as a worried-looking Rin asked the wench to help cook the dinner, the two women walking away with only a quick, apologetic glance from Rin in his direction.

Damn that woman…

AN: Wow, I wrote a demi-long chapter for once (in my own terms, that is. Believe me, I've read the ones that can stretch a good thirty pages per chapter). I actually wrote this one pretty quickly, too. I was inspired! Hope you enjoyed it!