Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

Chapter Eighteen: New Alliance

"Care to explain to me why you let him go like nothing happened? Kagome! He just said that he knows you come from the future," he said angrily, keeping his voice low to avoid being heard.

"I know, Inuyasha, but use that brain of yours for once. If he wanted it to become of public knowledge, he would already have told everyone. He didn't need to let us know he is aware of my origin," she reasoned, adjusting her son better on her shoulder.

"It could be one of his schemes." Inuyasha huffed, still pissed about the whole situation.

"Yeah, because your brother had always been the scheming type, not the one who came at you directly," she said condescendingly. His cheeks reddened. "I think that Sesshomaru and Rin's presence in the future is proof enough that he won't do anything. After all, if he were to reveal our secret to someone, he would also destroy his possibility to take advantage of my knowledge."

"I don't know, Kagome... the whole thing is dangerous. We're fine now, but going there... it would put a huge target on our backs," he explained; he didn't feel comfortable at all.

"I know, koi, but I have trust in you; you'll protect us like you have always done. I'm not afraid of any demon if I'm with you," she kissed him tenderly. Inuyasha pulled them both in an embrace, seeking comfort in their scents. "But if we do not accept his offer now, it could change everything. Think about it... Sesshomaru said that, in time, I will save Rin when she gives birth, and I'm sure that it won't be long before it happens, no more than ten years. We have to be allies at that point if Sesshomaru comes and seeks my help," she explained, trying to make him understand exactly why they needed to accept, even if it was outside their comfort zone.

He nodded, but his displeasure was still evident in the stiffness of his body or the firmness of his grip of them.

"You're right, but do you know what that means? You're forgetting something else..." Inuyasha hinted. Kagome gasped, realizing the same thing. "Yeah... I will have to be the heir for more than ten or twenty years."

"Nibori is only 50 years old," she whispered, a hand covering her mouth. "You're probably still the official heir right now in the future since he is very young."

"I'll have to deal with this shit for centuries," he shouted angrily, "I'm not made for that kind of life, 'Gome. I can't... it's as Sesshomaru had always said, I'm coarse and improper. Not to mention that I'm still pissed as fuck at Sesshomaru. He has some guts to come and ask us something after everything he has done, knowing full well how the bastards he lives with think about me or you, worse Muteki. I don't want him to experience the same kind of hatred I did as a pup. Here everyone loves you and him, and they accept me; it's the life I've always wanted for my mother and me." Kagome felt a pang through her heart at the emotion she could feel in Inuyasha's words. She cupped his cheek and locked her eyes with his. He continued nonetheless. "Now Mother is probably with my old man, whenever they are, but I don't want my mate or my son to suffer any of that." His hand reached the one Kagome still had on his face and kissed her fingers.

"That's not right, Inuyasha. Yes, you are rude when you want to be and when you first meet someone, but that's just because of the kind of life you have led before Kikyo. But that changed, you have Muteki and me, you have friends who love you and would give their life for you. I'll always be next to you; we can make it together. I'm not used to living in a court either. I mean... I've been raised by my mother, a housewife, and my grandfather, a priest; I know nothing of that kind of life too. But if I know your brother even a bit, he'll supply the means. After all, he won't want them to make fun of ourselves," she reasoned. "But most of all, we are not going to face any of that, Koibito. Whatever happens in the West, we'll still fight tooth and nail to claim our place. And Muteki will always know he is deeply loved, just as I've never doubted of your love."

He leaned over touched her forehead with his, closing the eyes and feeling warmth welling up in his chest, "Kagome, Gods, how do you always know the best thing to say?"

"Call it instinct." She winked and then pecked his lips.

"I wouldn't put it past Sesshomaru trying to make fun of us, anyway," he scoffed, going back at the topic at hand.

"Come on! He is not so immature," she giggled, "Besides, look at the irony of all. He is asking you, a half-demon, to become his heir, and I'm sure he had had to swallow a lot of pride to do it. But in the end, his own son will be one."

"I never thought like that," he burst out in laughter. "That bunch of old geezers may be against that, but if Rin is to be Sesshomaru's mate..." he trailed off with gleaming eyes. "Oh shit!" he laughed harder, "Do you even imagine the tough nut he will have to crack when he tells them he chose a human as a mate? Oh, that's so good."

Suddenly even Kagome seemed to realize something important, "Inuyasha! That's why we have to agree now."

Inuyasha stopped immediately to laugh and turned to her aghast. "What?"

"Think about it; he will have to face that council of his when he declares he wants to take a human as his mate. But when it becomes clear Rin won't be able to give him an heir without risking her health..."

"There will be hell to pay. They would want Sesshomaru to give them an heir in any other way, with a concubine maybe. After all, Rin must be his bonded if she is still alive in your time, and they won't be able to demand a new mate."

"Exactly! If you don't want to do it for him, do it for Rin. She will likely be all alone without us. We will have to help them, offer Rin our comfort, and your presence in the council will help him deal with the opposition. We can't afford to say to him no. That's the moment everything will start to change. Do you remember Sesshomaru saying he will find his way to make you forgive him in the past? If you don't give him the chance now, it will never happen. Forget your grudge and be a better person than him."

"Do I have to?" he pouted.

"Yes, and no matter how much it hurts to say it now, but... but when Miroku and Sango..." she tried to say.

"Ok, ok, don't say it, we don't have to think about it now," he stopped her, "I understand, I'll accept, but to make it clear... I'm doing it mainly for little Rin. I know how much shit can those fuckers throw at you, and she is too pure to deal with it alone. I still don't understand what she sees in him." He shook his head.

Kagome giggled and hugged him, "And we'll probably never do."

"Though, I'm still not ready to forgive the asshole. He will have to earn it. We'll go West and take our place, I'll try to put up a solid front with everyone else, but between us, I expect him to not pretend."

The morning after, they were having breakfast at Miroku's and telling them what had happened the night before.

"He knew you came from the future? How?" Sango asked, shocked as she little Emi.

"He said he had been observing us, which for me means that he had followed us. That prick!" Inuyasha growled.

"But that means others could find out then?" Shippo inquired worriedly, leaning down from Inuyasha's shoulder.

"No, I don't think so, runt," was Inuyasha's reply. "He basically said he put together things he noticed of both of us."

"Well.." Miroku pondered while stroking his chin, "if someone knows Kagome very well or, in Sesshomaru's case, had been observing her, it wouldn't be difficult to notice her peculiarities. And Sesshomaru had known Kagome from before we all even meet you, didn't he?" Inuyasha and Kagome nodded, Miroku went on. "Now that Kagome is living in the village, it would be impossible to notice something strange in her, apart from some funny words she says, but back then... You used to dress particularly, give us your futuristic things, and you used to bring that metal contraption when you weren't travelling on Inuyasha's back."

"But that was during the shard hunt. Since Kagome and Inuyasha married, Kagome is always dressing like a priestess here, and everything that may seem suspicious is hidden in the house," Shippo reasoned.

"Yes, Shippo. But he probably saw or sensed something now that made him think," Kagome replied, "Besides, he implied that Rin is also aware of that."

"Do you think Rin may have told him?" Miroku asked, perplexed.

"No," Inuyasha hastily answered, "Rin may still be a child, but she knows better, and I trust her. I think he implied that once he figured out that Kagome is not of this era, it wasn't so difficult to get proof from her. He probably tricked her or something like that. He could even have followed us to the well. I mean, he is able to mask his aura. I would have sensed him; I usually check before jumping in."

"He even wasted time trying to understand where you came from, Kagome!" Shippo exclaimed. "I'd feel important if I were you. The great and terrible Sesshomaru losing time to observe a mere human." Everyone laughed at that.

"Ah, runt, you don't know half of it," Inuyasha said again, "He even complimented us, Muteki too. He said he will grow up as a formidable warrior or shit like that."

"Oh, man! He said all of these things about you three?" the kit asked. Kagome nodded while passing him a bowl of miso. "That's not fair! I wasn't there."

"Next time, you won't be running off to Kaede's when Muteki starts crying," Inuyasha jibed.

"Oi! I can't sleep like that, and here Emi and Kimiko are always crying too! I'm still a little kit too; I need my beauty sleep to grow up a fine demon. I can't deal with crying babies," he complained. "But I wanted to listen to Sesshomaru saying all these things to you."

"Beauty sleep? Where in the seven hells did you hear that?" Inuyasha asked him.

Shippo shrugged, "Kagome said it once."

"Have you decided, then?" Miroku inquired, coming back at the original discourse.

"Yeah," Inuyasha replied with little conviction, "I'll do it; I'll be the damn heir." His tone revealed his authentic thoughts.

Everyone seemed astounded; it wasn't the answer they were expecting.

"Really? What made you change your idea? You seemed quite adamant in refusing last time we spoke about it," Miroku commented again.

"Kagome and I thought about it a lot, and we concluded that in time it would be good to be allies," Inuyasha continued saying a half-truth. "I mean, in Kagome's time, demons don't live freely like now. They hide their appearance, and at first, we thought they didn't even exist anymore. At some point, something must have happened, and if we're on our own then..." he trailed off.

"Yes, humans do not know that demons exist; they are considered legends and myths. The first time I fell down the well, I didn't know what Mistress centipede was, let alone recognize Inuyasha as a half-demon. We have to cultivate this alliance if we want to survive what will come," Kagome explained. "That means you too, Shippo." She gazed at him firmly. "It will come a time you will have to come to the West with us. You need to change your attitude, and I don't want you to speak ill of Sesshomaru while with Rin either."

"But 'Gome, Inuyasha always does it."

"I can do what I want to, runt!" The half-demon said, bumping him on the head.

"Oi! What did I do now?" he asked. "Kagomeee!" Shippo cried, flying away from the hanyou. "Inuyasha is being mean again!" he stuck out the tongue at him when Kagome wasn't looking at him. Inuyasha gaped at him.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome threatened.

"No! Don't sit me! He asked for it!" Inuyasha pleaded.

"Are you going to bump our son every time he says something you don't like too?"

"Shippo is not my runt," he huffed, "and my son is not going to tease me."

"Kagome-chan, in the end, it seems you're raising three children," Sango chuckled.

"Yeah, I see what you mean, Sango-chan," Kagome sighed.

"A half-demon as your heir? Are you out of your mind, Sesshomaru?" one of the elders asked him two days later when they finally complied with his request for a meeting. Goro was a cat demon, part of the council since the beginning of his grandfather's ruling. Some held his opinion so high for this reason. He was the oldest, and most of the time, that was shown through his stubbornness and old beliefs.

"He is not just a half-demon, Goro-sama," the dog demon replied. "With all due respect, I have seen him in battle plenty of times, and I even fought him more than once. He grew up to be quite strong, and you would be a fool not to realize it," he continued. He let his gaze shift to every one of them and then spoke again. "He mastered my father's old sword and strengthened it. It is now even more powerful than when my father used to wield it. He is the one who finally destroyed Naraku along with the priestess. He may still be a half-demon but don't forget that in his veins flows the blood of the late Inu-no-Taisho. He is more powerful than a lot of full demons too. He would be a valuable asset to add to our rank."

"Ah, yes, the priestess you say. Didn't he mate her at the end?" another elder started. "Why do you think it wise to bring our natural enemy within our walls?" He had a strange glint in his purple eyes and made Sesshomaru wonder.

"Hayato-sama," he acknowledged him with a slight bow. "It may seem strange at first and, yes, dangerous to bring a miko inside the palace, but I can assure you she bears no ill towards demons in general. She hadn't been raised to kill every demon without distinction. If that was the case, she wouldn't have mated a half-demon, and, especially, she wouldn't have saved an orphaned young demon who had been living with her for almost three years after his father's death. She knows how to discern between good and evil demons and had never killed one if not in defence of herself or the ones she cares for. I admit she was a mystery even for me at once. But I have been observing her for a year during their hunt, and I can guarantee you that, if she was to come to the West, she would do no harm..." he trailed off, "unless she is previously instigated. After all, what would you think of a demoness who doesn't raise in defence of her mate or son?" Sesshomaru said cautiously. Let them know she is not to be trifled with, he thought.

Hayato was amused by his answer and nodded enthusiastically. "I like the way you're thinking, Sesshomaru. I presume you would like to use her against your enemy if there was the need?" he probed. He was a hawk demon who had never hidden his opinion and always made clear his line of thought. Sesshomaru remembered clear from his father's last years that he had been one of the few ones who had supported him when he had bonded with the human princess. Maybe he would support his decision too. He was slightly younger than Goro, and the two had never gotten along. Most of the time, they ended up fighting. Sesshomaru nodded in response; it was clear that a priestess could do much damage when in battle. "And a son, you say? Your mother may have mentioned it last time we spoke. And how a quarter-demon born of a priestess may help us? His diluted demon blood could be a hindrance."

Sesshomaru smirked; he liked the way the conversation was going. Hayato was giving him all the openings he required. "Ah, Hayato-sama, that is just the question I was waiting for. Yes, he is a quarter-demon, and while we never heard of one before, we know how strong his father and grandfather were. Inuyasha had shown us all how my father's blood can be powerful, even if diluted. With a fitting training program, he would become quite the warrior, of that I'm sure," he answered.

"Your father's blood or not, they remain mixed breed! They do not have our endurance, and sooner or later, they could prove to be impediments," another elder shouted, the only dog demon in the council. This one didn't get along with Goro either, but he had fought against Toga's second mating. At time Sesshomaru had found him a good ally, but he could prove himself to be slightly difficult to convince now. "Sesshomaru, I thought you hated this half-demon. A couple of years ago, you wouldn't have acknowledged him as your brother," Kosuke continued.

"Have you ever seen me taking rushed decisions, Kosuke-sama? Believe me when I say that I had long pondered this one," he declared. He had spent a lot of time contemplating the matter since the first time his mother had come to him with her suggestion. "As you say, I once thought that Inuyasha was useless, not even worthy of my father's sword. But time proved me wrong. No one could wield Tessaiga better than him; ask the master smith if you want the proof; he is, after all, the one who forged it."

"You want some senile old demon to convince us to accept your request, Sesshomaru?" Goro spat again, offended.

"Of course not, Goro-sama. Even if I would not call Totosai-san old, after all, you should be equal in age if I am not mistaken." Sesshomaru smirked, Hayato chuckled. "However, we are not here to discuss the smith; mine was merely a suggestion. As I was saying, Inuyasha had proved himself to be stronger than I thought. Did you forget he also was the one to kill Ryukotsusei at last, something not even my father managed to do? I think his actions are proof enough that his human heritage won't be an impediment."

"And what about his son Sesshomaru?" Minato asked, one of the two demonesses in the council of elders. She had been chosen by his father when the one who had been sitting in her place had died. Currently, she was the youngest. His father thought she could be good to contrast Goro's old and biased beliefs, and most of the time, she was. She had never denied or accepted a request without having considered it enough. She was also able to maintain her facade calm no matter what; Sesshomaru had always liked that aspect of hers. "I know we are not here not discuss him, but I would like to hear about your opinion. You said he could become a fine warrior, but how? He is mostly human, after all."

Sesshomaru looked at her firmly for a few seconds before answering, "Yes, I am aware of that. He could show more weakness than other demons, or maybe not. We do not know any other quarter demons, and even if we did, they would not be descendent of my line. We have always presumed that hanyou were naturally inferior, but Inuyasha has proved us wrong. Who are we now to say the son won't be following in his father's steps? Besides, Inuyasha's firstborn has a secret weapon that a demon could never hope to acquire," he revealed.

"And what is that?" the other demoness in the council asked; she had been silently listening until now.

Sesshomaru smiled, "With time, he will learn to be also a fine spiritualist, just like his mother."

"That's impossible. Who are you trying to fool?" Goro shrieked again, "How could he be? He still has demon blood in him. Holy power cannot be merged with demon blood; they are two opposite forces."

"Yet, Inuyasha and his mate have proved you wrong, again. If that wasn't possible, my brother would have never been able to sire a son on the miko; her body would have naturally rejected every drop of his seed. But if it is true we have never heard of a quarter demon, it is also true no being of demon blood has ever mated with one of holy power. I must repeat myself, who are we to claim something like this is not possible? The proof is between us. If you give me the possibility, I will show you how that baby will be powerful, immune to other spiritualist's weapons and, yet, capable of using his demon strength. Give him the chance, and he will prove it to you," he concluded. "Does my explanation satisfy you?" Sesshomaru asked both the demonesses.

"Yes, highly," Minato answered, leaning back in her seat. "You have convinced me, Sesshomaru. If this brother of yours can have a perfectly fine son with a priestess, a powerful one if the tales are true, then who am I to deny him his rightful place as your heir?" Sesshomaru bowed slightly to her and then shifted his gaze to the remaining elders.

"We should decide if is it right or not for a half-breed to rule according to his ability to sire a son?" Goro bellowed. Was he not able to speak in low tones?

"It seems to me that Sesshomaru has given you plenty of reasons on why it would be useful to have the boy on our side, Goro. You keep denying them, and when you declared it impossible for a demon to have a son with a priestess, he proved you wrong. But of course, we are not here to discuss the prowess of Inuyasha in bed, aren't we?" Hayato asked amused and, then, winked to Sesshomaru, who remained unfazed. Ah, how Hayato missed Toga's time; he was always able to make him laugh, but his son, uh, how boring. He was always so flawless and contained, too much like his mother. Maybe when he finally could meet his second son, he could have more luck. He mentally shrugged; only time would have said.

"They could all be a bunch of lies to convince you to approve his request. Listen to yourself, Sesshomaru! A half-demon could never be all these things, no matter how you insist on the contrary. I thought we had gone beyond this act of foolishness of your father centuries ago, I thought you were brighter than him, but apparently, you really proved me wrong. There is no way I'm going to give you my consent!" Goro declared.

Sesshomaru slightly stiffened at the insult aimed at his father but promptly recomposed himself, then retaliated. "My father had ruled here for centuries, and If I recall well, you had always spoken so highly of him before his death. I do not find it proper to speak of him so lowly now that he is at rest. We are not discussing him either, Goro-sama, please, remember it." He then addressed the other five who still have to utter their decisions. "Both Minato-sama and Goro-sama had expressed their opinion on the matter. We still need your votes to declare the meeting concluded"

"That was before he went and rutted with a human!" Goro shouted angrily; he didn't like the way Sesshomaru was trying to belittle him, not in the least.

"May I recall you that the human was his bonded, Goro-sama?" Sesshomaru replied, now angered, "As the law says, you cannot have a say in one true bonded pair. Nor can you deny any child of the couple his rightful place, as you are trying to do. Besides, the way my father used to rule should not be affected by what he did in the sanctity of his private chambers. This is my last warning, Goro-sama. Do not speak ill of my father in my presence again." The tension had highly raised during Sesshomaru's speech, just like his angered aura.

"Well said, Sesshomaru. Toga-sama had been an honourable ruler the whole time he sat on your chair." Hayato pointed at Sesshomaru. He did not like the way Goro had been speaking of previous Inu-no-Taisho during the whole meeting either. "Please, refrain yourself next time you want to talk about him in the same way you did today," he instructed. Any trace of amusement was gone. "Now, for the matter at hand. I approve your request, Sesshomaru. I think it is high time that boy is introduced in our society. Your father would have found despicable the way he has been denied all these years."

Sesshomaru nodded and turned to the others that remained. The seats were seven in total, and three of them had already voiced their opinion.

Ryota, a wolf demon who had yet to speak, was the first to give him his. "Sesshomaru, as much as I approve the way you are trying to finally defend your brother, I cannot give you my consent. He may come to this court and take his place as your father's son, that much I cannot dispute. However, I do not think it appropriate to introduce him as your heir. Strong he may be, but still a half-demon."

Sesshomaru internally grimaced. He couldn't blame Ryota; after all, he had been thinking along the same lines not too long ago. He nodded again and turned to Sayaka, Toru and Kosuke.

Toru was another wolf demon who had entered the council along with his packmate Ryota; they had proved their fealty to his grandfather for years before he decided to include them in the council. He had died shortly after, but they continued to be loyal to both him and his father. "I, for once, do not agree with you, my friend," he said to Ryota, "I don't see any other reason why we should deny him his right to be the heir. He is Toga's legitimate son, and since Sesshomaru does not seem inclined to take a mate yet, he is the next in line to rule. No one else would be eligible. I give my consent."

Kosuke was the next one to speak, "I remain of my initial opinion, Sesshomaru. This Inuyasha could prove himself a strong ally, but I don't think he could be fit to rule, should the need arise."

Everyone turned to Sayaka now. Hers was the decisive vote since they currently had a tie. The wind demoness sighed; she didn't like it when she was the last one to vote; it always put so much pressure on her.

"Oh, do not look at me like that right now," she chuckled. "To answer your other question first, Sesshomaru, yes, I am satisfied and also impressed. But I expect your brother to prove all you have been claiming here today. Just because we are giving you our consent, it does not mean he would not have to work hard."

Sesshomaru nodded to all of them and then said, "It is settled then. I will start to organize everything for his introduction. Three nights from now would be fine. This meeting is concluded. Until next time then."

The first step had been accomplished. Now to the hard part.

That late afternoon a pack dragon with two heads was spotted flying towards the modest mansion on the edge of the village. At first sight, it would have appeared no one was mounting it, but if one was to look better, a little green toadish-like demon could be noticed near one of his heads. The girl currently living with the head-miko of the village squealed happily at the sight and started running towards the house of the other miko, intent on reaching the dragon and its rider. The old priestess shook her head, amused, and then came back inside of her hut.

When she reached the house, she found its inhabitants reading a scroll that the little demon had offered them upon his arrival.

"Master Jaken!" Rin exclaimed giddily just before hugging him tightly. Kagome laughed merrily as Jaken tried to find his composure again by straightening his clothes.

"Rin, how many times do I have to tell you that this is no way to greet a demon?" he shrieked.

"Oh, shut it, you toad! She is likely the only one to greet you in this way, be grateful," Inuyasha commented. Meanwhile, Rin had changed the object of her affections and had started petting Ah-Un who, contrary to Jaken, was seen appreciating her caress.

"What has Sesshomaru-sama to say, Inuyasha-sama, Kagome-sama?" Rin asked curiously, looking at the scroll still in Inuyasha's hands.

"We are asked to go to the West at latter in two days," Inuyasha replied, eyeing at the scroll as if it was about to bite him. "Apparently, we are gonna be introduced to the court three nights from now."

A/N: Ok, this was one big chappy but I didn't want to separate the elder part. I actually had fun writing it, I hope you liked it. Sesshomaru will have to use big fancy words from now on to speak of Inu/Kag, but will he really change his opinion about his brother soon? It'll be a long way.

The next bunch of chapters are going to be settled in the West.