A little note: Originally this was a interconnected drabble collection created with the prompts from dokuga_contest. However, since dokuga_contest is no longer running, I'll update as I see fit with prompts I select myself.

Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, affiliated with the creators or producers of Inuyasha. No profit is made from this writing.

The Mating Tradition

"How did you meet my son?" Tsukiko asked as she took a sip of a golden tonic. Kagome had politely declined the beverage, and rather helped herself to a cup of tea.

"He tried to kill me," was Kagome's response. Tsukiko raised an amused eyebrow.

"Indeed? Please, tell me more," the demoness implored.

"I was traveling with Inuyasha," Kagome stated. She went quiet, gauging for the demoness' reaction to the news. Tsukiko seemed amused.

"I am impressed, Kagome, not only have you anchored yourself in my son's heart, but also Izayoi's son. Their father would have enjoyed this development. Go on."

"Sesshomaru wanted the Tessaiga. He came for it multiple times, but the first time he nearly killed me with acid. The Tessaiga protected me, though."

Tsukiko nodded slowly. "I am not surprised, only a human would have been able to retrieve the Tessaiga. Inuyasha tried to remove it from his father's tomb and failed, correct?"

Kagome nodded. "Sesshomaru wasn't amused, hence he tried to kill me."

"I can imagine," Tsukiko chuckled. "What changed?"

"I met the pups," Kagome admitted. "I care for them, much like they are my own."

Tsukiko smiled at this revelation. "It warms my heart to hear you say that, Kagome. And I am certain it impressed Sesshomaru as well. It is probably why he is so fond of you."

"I'm not that special," Kagome muttered as a blush painted her cheeks. "And I doubt Sesshomaru is fond of me."

Tsukiko was about to protest, but the door of her room slid open and Mamoru slid inside, his sister following him. Tsukiko frowned when she realised her grandson was in human form, but his sister was not...

"Mamoru, why is your sister refusing to transform?" Tsukiko asked. "I have told her countless times she needs to practice focusing her youki."

Mamoru glanced at his sister nervously, a blush suddenly on his small cheeks. This made Tsukiko even more curious, especially when Kagome jumped up.

"It's alright," Kagome stated quickly, "She's not in human form because I haven't proven myself to her yet."

"Pardon?" Tsukiko asked, her eyebrow raised.

"I have to prove myself to her, show loyalty to the person she cares for most, as your tradition states," Kagome explained.

Tsukiko blinked, which suddenly made Kagome nervous. Why was the demoness looking at her like that?

"Kagome," the demoness began, "who told you of that tradition?"

"Sesshomaru did," Kagome responded, now even more confused. "Is it a problem?"

Tsukiko glanced at her grandchildren, both looking rather sheepish. "No, it is not a problem, and it is tradition...but only in a mating ceremony between two individuals where one of them already have pups, and the the other individual must prove themselves to the pups for acceptance."

Kagome gaped as the information sunk in. So all this time she had been...

"Does Sesshomaru know that?" Kagome asked nervously.

"He most certainly does. And if he was the one to tell of you this tradition, then...well, it seems he intends to mate with you."

"B-but," Kagome protested, "that was ages ago! He told me of this shortly after I met the pups! There is no way he was interested in me back then! In fact, he made it clear he only allowed my presence because the pups liked me!"

Tsukiko was beyond amused now. It seems her son had gone and done something completely out of character for him. She turned to her grandchildren, both who looked beyond guilty and embarrassed now. Ah, so that was the reason. The pups loved Kagome, they had loved her from the minute they saw her. It was the only logical explanation.

"I am going to assume the two of you begged your father to play along with this?" Tsukiko asked. Mamoru nodded shyly. "Do you really wish for Kagome to be your mother?" Mamoru nodded again. His sister barked softly. Tsukiko smiled and turned back to Kagome, who was red in the face now.

"It seems my son took no regard for his own happiness and beliefs, and put his pups' desire to have a mother first. That is why he told you of the tradition, but failed to explain the full purpose," Tsukiko explained. Kagome crumpled to the ground.

"What do I do now?" she asked.

The demoness smirked. "Well, if I were you, I'd play a little game with him."