A little note: As seen on Dokuga. Originally this was an 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.

Reunion

She was beautiful.

That was all Inuyasha could muster as he watched Sango and Shippo run towards Kagome. Shippo jumped into her waiting arm and wrapped his tiny arms around her neck. He was crying, but he was not alone. Sango had tears in her eyes too, but refrained from pulling her best friend into an embrace. The two white pups were watching the scene, befuddled.

"You are a sight for sore eyes, Lady Kagome," Miroku hummed.

Kagome laughed. "It is good to see you too, Miroku."

She kneeled to put Shippo down, and as she did so, her slinged arm moved, revealing the damage. Her friends all took a sharp intake of breath.

Inuyasha, however, felt hot rage boil in his gut. The mark on her neck did not help matters. The others had not seen it, but he could smell the stench of it. He knew exactly what it was, and how it got there.

"So," the half-demon spat once Kagome stood straight again. "Should I be calling you sister now?"

Kagome blinked, surprised. Then it seemed to dawn on her that he had probably noticed the mark. She shyly placed her hand over it. Their friends all looked each other, confused.

"It's only first stage," she muttered in response. "And you can address me like you always have."

Inuyasha snorted. "Well, then, Princess. Where is Sesshomaru?"

Anger flashed in Kagome's eyes, but before she could retort, Sesshomaru glided into the clearing from the trees. Inuyasha barely gave his half-brother a chance to settle before he unsheathed his sword and shoved it into the older youkai's face.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku scolded.

"Put that away!" Kagome followed.

"No!" Inuyasha hissed. "Sesshomaru, I challenge you to a dual, for failing to protect your chosen mate, my friend and sister, the Princess of the West."

Silence followed.

"Wait, is that an actual thing?" Kagome turned to her future mate. "This is not another youkai tradition, is it?"

The daiyoukai looked very irritated. "It is, unfortunately."

"Refuse him!" Kagome ordered. When Sesshomaru simply ignored her, she turned to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, don't do this! Why are you doing this?"

"Your arm!" Inuyasha barked. "Look at your arm! You will never be able to fight again!"

Kagome was taken aback. And while she tried to gather her wits, the two brothers had separated from the group, weapons ready.

Sango turned to Miroku. "I'm confused."

Miroku, on the other hand, seemed intrigued. "It would seem Inuyasha is under the impression that Sesshomaru has failed to care for Kagome and is now challenging him in a duel of honour."

Kagome grunted. "Ugh, bloody youkai and their honour."

Sango frowned. "Kagome, are you marked?"

Kagome blushed and nodded, then pushed her hair off her neck to show her friend. Sango gasped.

"When did this happen?" the demon-slayer asked.

"Recently. It is only first stage, like I said," Kagome replied.

"Well, regardless of what stage it is, Lady Kagome," Miroku interrupted, "let's hope Sesshomaru earns a victory."

Kagome's brows furrowed. "What will happen if he loses?"

"Nothing," Sango assured. "Inuyasha will have proven his point and Sesshomaru will have a bruised ego, that is all."

Miroku sighed. "Honestly, I'd be more worried about Inuyasha's mental state. He's been having trouble with the Tessaiga."

"What kind of trouble?" Kagome asked, worried.

But before Miroku could respond, a huge flash of golden light and the earth shaking interrupted them. Their attention returned to the brothers, neither they could see due to the dust that was now floating through the air.

"What was that?" Sango asked, eyes wide.

When the dust settled, they were greeted with an image of Inuyasha kneeling on the ground, great large scars in the earth in front of him. Not far from him stood Sesshomaru, who had somehow gotten Tessaiga. But just as quickly as this registered, the daiyoukai hissed and dropped the sword, his hand burning.

Inuyasha looked up, anger evident in his expression, while Sesshomaru stared at him aloof.

"Looks like I was right, brother," Sesshomaru said coldly. "You cannot see it."

A/N: I realise that I have a tendency to vanish from time-to-time. In reality, I'm online every day and I get every message, review and update. I'm just slow with response, and even slower with writing. I apologise for this. I'm going to try to post regular updates on my profile on where I am with writing or if I'm going away or too busy to do anything. If you're ever curious on where I stand at any point in time or when approximately a new chapter for any of my stories will be published, just have a look at my profile. I'll try to keep it up to date as much as possible.