Chapter Twelve

The Wedding Gift


Rin sighed dramatically and swung her arms around Sango. "That's so romantic! Isn't it Sango?"

Sango laughed and pretended to wipe anyway tears. "Yeah, finally they admit it to each other, its only been years!"

Kagome shook her head and looked down at her extremely pruney hands. How long have we been bathing?

"Well, yeah we said I love you but I've barely seen him since. He is still disappearing mysteriously and I don't know why…" Kagome said miserably.

"I'm going to have a talk with him." Sango said, an eyebrow quirking menacingly.

"Oh don't you dare!" Rin warned. "Things are going good you cant interfere! At least not yet!"

Sango cast a look at Kagome. "Want me to?"

Kagome shook her head, but smiled. "Nah, I can handle it. But what do you say we get out of here now? I don't really like looking like an old woman."

Sango nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I'm itching for some target practice!"


Miroku nodded solemnly as Inuyasha finished his tale. "This is good fortune indeed. Kagome deserves to finally know."

"Keh. I just think she's still mad at me."

"How so?"

"Since then, I've had to err… leave a couple times and when I've gotten back she was angry."

Miroku quirked his head. "Well, when you explained where you were didn't she forgive you?"

Inuyasha blushed and looked away. "I didn't tell her where I was."

"Did you at least lie about where you were?"

"I'm not retarded! Kagome would sit me into the next century if she knew I lied to her!"

Miroku shook his head and patted Inuyasha's shoulder. "My good man, you still have many things to learn about women. Sometimes a little lie doesn't hurt…"

Inuyasha roughly shrugged away from Miroku. "Keh, I'd like to see you try that advice with Sango."

The monk laughed. "Now, Sango is an exception to that rule, you see."

"Uh-huh, you are just scared she'll murder you."

Miroku offered a sly smile on that subject but nothing else; instead he changed the topic. "My curiosity is strong though, where have you been escaping to?"

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "Will you tell Kagome or Sango?"

"Of course not. You have my word as a monk."

"Not that that's any good." Inuyasha turned and started strolling towards the village.

Miroku raced after him. "Where are you going? Aren't you going to tell me where you have been leaving to?"

Over his shoulder Inuyasha called, "No. But I'll show you."


"Whoa." Wide-eyed Kagome and Rin said in unison as they watched Sango maneuver her bone weapon to slice through a whole orchard of trees.

"You make it look so effortless." Rin breathed as Sango trotted over to the two.

Sango blushed embarrassed. "It's what I was trained to do."

"Still very impressive." Kagome agreed.

Sango shrugged. "What about you guys? Want to get out some aggression?"

Kagome shook her head. "Nah, I changed my mind. That bath really relaxed me."

Rin nodded in agreement. "I'm good too."

"Now what?" The slayer asked.

"Well, we could go into the village and have a massive party for you!" Kagome suggested.

Sango shook her head really quickly. "No, no, no! I think we can pass. I just want a nice and easy relaxing night."

Kagome and Rin pouted.

Sango laughed. "Maybe for my next wedding."

"Next wedding?" Rin giggled.

"Sango's definitely going to outlive Miroku, because she'll probably kill him before too long." Kagome explained.

"Yep!" Sango added. "Any who, I'm ready for some lunch."

The girl's went back to the village and to the hut that was soon to become Miroku and Sango's permanent home. Inside it was littered with gifts for the almost newlyweds. The girls carefully stepped over the mounds of presents and made it to the futon in the corner and sat down side by side.

"Sorry about the mess." Sango apologized. "I'm not really sure what to do with all this stuff."

"Have you thought about expanding the hut a little?" Kagome asked.

Sango blushed. "Well, eventually I'm sure we will. Miroku does really want kids."

Rin squealed and touched Sango's taut stomach. "How soon are you going to try?"

The poor slayer only blushed further. "There isn't a rush but I'm ready I think."

Kagome smiled, tears began to blur her eyes. "This is all so wonderful. I can't believe you are going to be married tomorrow, and then having children. Its all so perfect."

Rin choked up a little and soon they all were sobbing and laughing at their reactions.

"Do people cry this much in your time?" Sango asked.

"You mean before weddings? Of course, and tomorrow you are only going to cry more."

Rin leaned on Sango. "I wish I could stay and be here for the wedding."

"You don't think Sesshomaru will let you stay?" Sango asked.

Rin shrugged. "I hope so, I guess I'll find out tonight."

"Oh! We have to quiz you!" Kagome remembered.

"You don't have to." Rin said. "I think I got it all anyways, lets just concentrate on Sango for the rest of the day."

"You sure?" Sango asked. "You have to rule a whole domain when you get back."

"I didn't really think about it like that until now." Rin looked blankly across from her. "Wow."

Kagome smiled and patted the young girl's head. "You'll be fine. But don't forget to invite me and Sango to your wedding!"

"Of course not! I just hope I get a human wedding. Me and Sesshomaru have talked of mating but not about a ceremony."

"I'm sure he'll give you one." Kagome assured her.

Rin looked optimistic. Nothing more was said for awhile about weddings or matings. Instead the girls concentrated on keeping the conversation light and casual as the made lunch in the chaotic hut that was a reminder itself of the events of tomorrow.

After lunch Kagome stepped outside the hut as Sango and Rin fell asleep on the futon. She was surprisingly content and she realized it probably had to do with the fact she hadn't dwelled on her separated family in that past couple weeks. She had been so distracted with teaching Rin and preparing Sango for the wedding that she hadn't had time to mourn her own loses.

Family has always been important to Kagome. She would have never able to make it through high school while being a jewel shard hunter if her family hadn't been there helping and supporting her through it all.

There was just so much that Kagome missed, it was overwhelming to try and imagine the one thing she missed most.

Kagome's feet took her into the forest.

Even though distracted with her thoughts, Kagome felt a huge surge of demonic energy coming fast towards the village. Panic and adrenaline fueled her as she started racing back to the hut where her best friends were sleeping.

It's close. It's so close. It might even be in the village by now. Please be nothing. Kagome chanted in her mind.

She broke through the forrest and was on the path when she felt the demonic energy up ahead.

Oh no. I hope Sango and Rin are aware.

Her legs pumped harder and her heart skipped as she rounded the last bend and realized she had nothing with her to protect or fight with.

A tall, looming figure was shadowed by the sun that was glaring in Kagome's eyes. It was standing by the door of the hut.

"Get away from there!" Kagome yelled, squinting to make out the shape.

She heard noise inside the hut, it sounded like crying.

"What have you done!" Kagome gasped, running towards the figure.

Rin burst through the door as Kagome was charging. Things seemed to happen all at once as Kagome registered the figure as Sesshomaru and Sango crying formed into the repeated mantra of 'Kohaku.'

"Kohaku?" Kagome asked looking wildly at Rin, who looked concerned at Kagome.

"Yes, Sesshomaru found Kohaku!" Rin squealed.

Kagome looked only briefly up at Sesshomaru before entering the hut and seeing Sango hugging her supposedly deceased brother. Kagome turned around and walked out shaking her head.

"How?" She asked Sesshomaru.

"I heard of him from a reliable source. I left Rin with you and went out to see if it were true."

Kagome wiped tears off her cheeks. "Why?" Was all she could choke out.

"Because I know Rin cares about this pack and I wanted to make her happy."

Rin hugged her shining prince and kissed the armor on his chest. "Thank you, Lord Sesshomaru. You've made me the happiest I've ever been."

An arm wrapped around her shoulders; he said nothing.

"Thank you." Kagome echoed.

"If that is all, I'd like to take Rin back now."

Rin pulled back a little. "Wait, I'd really like to stay for one more day. Tomorrow is Sango's wedding, I don't want to miss it. Especially not since you gave her the greatest wedding gift."

Sesshomaru looked at Kagome. "Will you have her another day?"

Kagome smiled. "Of course, we'd be honored if both of you would stay."

Sesshomaru nodded. "It is decided then, we will spend the night and attend the slayers wedding."


"How much further Inuyasha? We already past the village about ten minutes ago." Miroku complained.

Inuyasha continued leading the way on the narrow path. It was almost black, the trees overhead stood so close they just about completely hid the sun.

"It's right here." Inuyasha waved a hand in front of himself, stopping suddenly.

Miroku ran into his back with an 'umph.' As he leaned up to look over the hanyou's shoulder he muttered, "You could have at least warned me… In Buddha's name…" Miroku's eyes widened.

Inuyasha turned around. "Is that a good thing?"

Miroku nodded mutely, gawking at the sight before him. "This is unbelievable."

"You think so?"

"You did this?"

Inuyasha nodded.

"I'm at a loss of words. This is where you've been coming?"

"For months, every since the day the well was sealed."

Miroku's chest tightened and he rested a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Kagome is very lucky to have you."

Something unusual bubbled up in Inuyasha's chest; he almost felt like crying. He turned away from Miroku.

"Thank you."


Hello, hello!

Gah, I'm so excited! This story is just about done! Next chapter will be lots of fun!

Anyways, on a side note: 1. Shippo isn't in the story so much lately because during the day he helps Kaede in the herb gardens and does other chores with her. Sound good? 2. Sorry there wasn't any InuKag in this chapter, there will be in the next one!

And 3! Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter :) Because of you, you get a speedy update! This chapter is dedicated to all of you!

Until next time!

hugsLovingMyKitsune