Title: You belong to me
Author: Angelicatt
Theme: Powder
Genre: Romance/Fluff/Hurt/Comfort
Rating: M
Warning: Moderate foul language/ Smooching
Word Count: 6,289
Summary: Continued from #88: Lace: The cat is out of the bag. Who knew dogs could hiss?
A/N: The 1st part of the end of a long and wonderful journey. As I continued to write this, I realized that it was turning into a 15k+ chapter…that's just crazy. So I am breaking it up into 3 installments. Originally posted on LJ 6/27/2010
Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own cracked imagination (& Toki-Mai). Twilight Zone belongs to Rod Serling & CBS
Weddings were a remarkably exciting event to plan; however, when it was your own, it helped to have as much experienced help as you could get. This is why an overwhelmed Kagome and an overzealous Chieko Higurashi found themselves sitting across the table with one Sumiko Mori, wedding planner extraordinaire. The woman was a genius at creating and executing monumental religious themed extravaganzas that left both the host family and guests talking about it for years to come.
Mama and Jiji came to the decision quickly that since Kagome was their only daughter/granddaughter and what with the final battle looming, that they would spare no expense on the ceremony and reception. It was on everyone's mind that there was always the possibility of the well closing once the Shikon was reformed and the penultimate wish made. At least this way, the family on the twentieth century side of the well would have something to remember her by if it came to pass that she was unable to travel any longer.
Kagome's mind was already whirling with the 'what-not's' and 'have-to's' of the youkai side of the mating, so the entire planning of the ningen wedding was going to be left in Mama's more than capable hands; but that did not excuse her from attending the meeting with the organizer. She reclined patiently and idly browsed through the portfolio of past ceremonies that Mori-san had staged, trying to see if anything would jump out at her.
"Higurashi-san, I understand that you wish for an intimate ceremony and tasteful reception. How long from now are you thinking of? How many guests? Is it going to be strictly traditional or a blend of Shinto and Western traditions?" the perfectly manicured and impeccably dressed outsider questioned the elder of the Higurashi women.
"It is going to be a late November wedding around Thanksgiving Day. We would like to have a small guest list of only about thirty, to be held here on the grounds, preceded over by my father-in-law in traditional Shinto fashion. The reception can be more of a modern affair; after all Kagome is still a teenager." Mama joyously explained.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the shrine grounds, Sesshoumaru and Jiji sat calmly drinking tea. It was the first time the old priest had been gracious enough to seek out the company of the Inu youkai who was going to marry and mate his blessed granddaughter.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, please do not take me for an old, uncivilized fool. I meant no disrespect with my absence these last few days." Jiji croaked out rather sheepishly, after about ten minutes of uninterrupted silence between the two males.
"There was none taken shinpu-san. Your protectiveness and weariness of my appearance and proposal was just; especially given this one's history. This Sesshoumaru was honestly more nervous that you and Chieko-san would reject my request to wed the miko." the daiyoukai acceded openly, without the fear his past confessions imbued.
"Ha, the mighty Lord nervous of an old man and gentle woman. The fact that you got Kagome to say yes to you in the first place just proves that you are man…youkai enough to deal with her. My sight may be going, but I can see that you are a well matched pair. Obviously the kami answered my prayers and brought the two of you together. I can live out the rest of my days knowing that my magomusume is well protected and loved." the elder pronounced, as he patted the Inu on the shoulder warmly.
Sesshoumaru did not flinch at the gesture. The Higurashi's were a very touchy-feely type of family and frequently offered random acts of hugs, pats and kisses, in an effort to get a point across. It was just something he would have to get used to. Of course, Kagome could touch him at anytime, for any reason and he would be perfectly fine with it.
"You know Sesshoumaru-sama, the Higurashi clan dates back some one hundred and fifty years. The very first Higurashi was an officer of the Emporer's court, who was married to the daughter of a wealthy lord. She was the first onna to wear the diamond that you passed onto Kagome. Legend says that the hime's mother gave it to the young man to use as a courting gift because she saw the genuine love and devotion that the two had for each other." Jiji recanted nonchalantly.
"Hnn. That seems rather unlikely. Even in my time a hime would never be allowed to wed anyone below her station, even if he was reputably employed. That kind of charity sounds a lot like what the miko would do if she was ever in that position." Sesshoumaru remarked with absolutely no emotion.
"Now that you mention it, it does, doesn't it? Maybe you will run into them when the time comes around. Our family has always lived here in Tokyo, Edo in your time, it is more than possible." the old priest tossed out cheekily.
Jiji had to restrain himself from laughing. He had given the daiyoukai all the necessary hints without actually giving away the entire secret. If the Inu was inquisitive enough, he might have asked for the given names of the couple; but then the jig would have been up. Only he knew the ancient family tree secrets. Kagome would find out when the time came.
S~*~*~*~*~K
Once the initial wedding preparations were on the way, the daiyoukai and miko made their way back to the Feudal era. There was much to be done on that side of the well.
Jumping out into the clear afternoon sky, Sesshoumaru inhaled the crisp, clean air, as he held Kagome and her pack. It was good to be back where he belonged; still there were advantages to knowing and learning about the modern times. And for the briefest of moments, he wondered how Kagome felt about having to give all of it up to stay in the Feudal era with him. Maybe he would ask her about it; but right now his only concern was returning to the tachi's camp and ensuring their and his lands safety.
The tension that they both felt at the possibility of a blown up argument with InuYasha was palpable and hung in the silence between them as they flew across the treetops atop the Inu's youki cloud. Internally Kagome felt both hesitation and a twinge of guilt, while Sesshoumaru girded his patience and claws, in hopes for the impossible.
Setting down in the middle of the clearing, the scene that greeted them was probably the furthest thing ever in their combined minds. It left them both in shock and bewilderment.
Kagome stepped away from the daiyoukai's embrace and tilted her head as her eyes took in the oddity of the situation.
Somehow, some way in the last three days, aliens had mysteriously landed in the feudal era and replaced her friends with kawaii clones and/or doppelgangers. Near the tree line, her little kit was practicing his magic under the watchful eyes of Sesshoumaru's general Toki-Mai. The silver fox was drilling him on his illusionary tactics with a shrewd hand, and the normally cowering pup was reveling in his training. A transformed Kirara was curled up next to a resting Ah-Un, while her mistress was leaning affectionately against her. The strangeness of that image was additionally compounded by the girlish giggles that escaped moments later, along with the unimaginable "Stop that Miroku, it tickles." But perhaps, the most bizarre sight was a peaceful InuYasha sitting cross-legged with a docile Rin in his lap reading fairytales. Even Sesshoumaru couldn't believe that one and an uncustomary deep chuckle escaped his pursed lips, which in turn fractured the façade.
It was Toki that looked up first. "Sesshoumaru-sama is laughing. Wow, Lady Kagome is really something." she distractedly whispered, with a smile.
"Mama!" Shippou screamed upon realizing that Toki-sensei was looking at his adopted mother and soon-to-be stepfather, instead of paying attention to him.
Now anyone who had ever been around the kitsune when he screamed knew well enough that unless you can magically shut your ears, you'd better prepare for the ringing that followed afterwards. That and no one alive within a mile radius could mistake the joy in his voice, as he raced into her waiting arms.
"Mama I missed you so much so what did you bring back for me?" Shippou rattled out between panting breaths, while rubbing his face onto her chest.
There was no mistaking the low growl that came from the youkai behind. That kind of behavior was no longer going to be tolerated and Shippou should know better than anyone else. Youkai did not act in such a manner; his days of being spoiled were over.
Slowly, the rest of the tachi ambled over to the miko and her Inu shadow. How odd that Sesshoumaru showed up carrying Kagome in tow, when he was supposed to be patrolling his lands; a question that no one wanted to ask the stoic Lord. It was definitely a case of 'let sleeping dogs lie'.
Sango hugged her sister; Miroku patted her shoulder; Toki bowed and Rin latched on to her guardian's pant leg. Kirara meowed; Ah-Un huffed but the hanyou remained distant.
Before Sesshoumaru could question, Jaken came wobbling into camp with a bundle of fresh fish in a basket, grumbling about the multitudes of mouths to feed. The imp was already so off-balance with his load that he couldn't prevent dropping it all when the deep baritone of his master bellowed "Jaken, be quiet!"
"Milord, many apologies, I did not see you there. Lady Kagome you have also returned. I hope you found your family well." he squawked.
Kagome nearly fell over at the vassal's politeness. Jaken had never been so kind to her…EVER. It made her wonder if the well had somehow transported them into an episode of the Twilight Zone and this was some parallel reality.
"They were all fine Jaken, thank you for asking. Shippou, I brought back lots of new things for you and Rin; actually I have gifts for everyone, including you Toki-Mai; but first Sesshoumaru and I have something to tell you, so everyone please take a seat." the miko gestured lovingly.
No one spoke as they took up their respective seats around the campfire. They all knew what it was about and the excitement of actually hearing it was bubbling to burst out, like a shaken soda bottle. Surprisingly enough, while Kagome and Sesshoumaru remained standing, it was the Inu youkai who came forward to speak.
"As the Alpha of this tachi, it falls to me to lead, protect and defend everyone within. However, sometimes there are certain situations that this Sesshoumaru finds himself unable to adequately react, mostly when it comes to the delicate nature of ningens. Usually these kinds of circumstances are better handled by someone who has greater knowledge of 'cause and effect' and can soothe frayed and hurt egos with a positive, subtle touch. Had it occurred within the range of my lordship and within my lands, they would be duties of the Lady of the Western Lands. As such, this Sesshoumaru has asked the Shikon miko, Higurashi Kagome to be his mate and she has agreed."
Quiet reigned over the clearing for a few minutes as his declaration soaked in. Kagome looked up at her fiancé with a skeptical frown and asked him in a whisper,
"You know you could have just said that you asked me to be your mate and left it at that. What was all that other jibber-jabber?"
"I was practicing for when I make this announcement to the council later. This one thinks that it achieved the desired results." he smirked back down at her, before kissing her on the forehead gently.
The kiss was what shattered the silence as the gathered group broke into loud cheers and tears at the news. Sango cried into Kagome's hair with intermittent happy words, Miroku gave her a brotherly embrace and shook the daiyoukai's hand and Jaken bowed to his future Lady, as well as his Lord. Rin and Shippou both tackled her from either side, until she was forced to pick them both up, one on each hip.
"Mama, does this mean that I will have a new father and a sister?" the kitsune questioned her while looking at Sesshoumaru from over her shoulder. The daiyoukai graced him with a nod.
"Yes, I guess so, but you will have to ask him if you can call him Oto-san" she told the kit, before getting a tug from her other side.
"Kagome can Rin call you Mama now too?" Rin asked, while chewing on her bottom lip.
"Of course sweetie, you and Shippou are both my kids and I wouldn't have it any other way." the miko cooed to the little girl, kissing her on the cheek.
"Yay! Rin has a Mama and a Papa again." Rin shouted, as she wrapped her pudgy arms around Kagome's neck and looked over awkwardly to her long-time guardian.
This pronouncement had both Toki and Jaken gasping to see what Sesshoumaru would do or say. Kagome turned to face him and Rin hid her head in her new Mama's hair, afraid of his refusal.
"Rin, come here" he called out to her, his arms open to retrieve her from her death grip on the miko.
He had never held her like this before; usually it was simply a pat on the head and she was all good. It never occurred to him that the little orphan girl he had resurrected three years ago actually thought of him as a substitute father. Suddenly, he not only had one pup but two and every paternal instinct within him kicked into overdrive. This little one had followed him, defended him, attempted to look after him and had never asked for anything in return. She was so much like a smaller version of his love that he knew straight away that he would have a lot to make up for in the years to come.
"Rin, look at me please" he asked her, his voice even and without its usual edge.
The red-rimmed, glassy brown eyes that turned on him made his heart clench. 'Yes she is a lot like the miko.' he thought silently.
"This Sesshoumaru is honored that you think of him as your chichiue. I know that I have never said otherwise in the past but I have always considered you to be my pup, my musume. If you and Shippou want to call me Papa when we are in private, I will allow it. In public though, I would prefer Oto-san. I am still a Lord after all." he informed her, with as much affection as he was comfortable with out in the open.
"Ok Papa." Rin giggled, as she nuzzled him under the chin, just like an inu pup would do to a parent.
While Sesshoumaru was talking to Rin, Shippou had leaned closer onto Kagome. His heart was beating madly with happiness. The miko could feel the heavy thumping of her son's chest against her side and it brought her so much joy, that she shimmied closer to Sesshoumaru so she could share in the family bonding. 'This is what it feels like to have a pack…and we are not even mated as yet." she smiled to herself, when he wrapped his free arm around her side.
S~*~*~*~*~K
The sight of the four of them hugging each other was just too much for InuYasha to deal with and he slunk off to mope. He didn't need to be reminded of how much better his brother was for Kagome. He wanted to be happy for her, he really did; but the petty anger and betrayal he felt prevented that. Within minutes, he found himself back in the hollowed out clearing, he had been using to secretly train in over the last few months. It was the only place that he could clear his mind of all his troubles and heartaches.
"Kikyou's dead and gone, Kagome's found her prince, and no one needs a surly hanyou to protect them. I always knew I would end up alone." InuYasha shouted to the trees.
"You are not alone and not every onna wants or needs to be protected." came back in reply, before the shadowy voice revealed itself to be Toki.
"Dammit wench, why are you following me? Can't you see I don't want to be bothered?" he growled back at the silver kitsune.
"Gomen InuYasha, I did not see a sign that said to keep out." Toki jested in response.
"Feh, whatever. So why are you here?" he asked her.
"When I saw you walk off, I figured the news was too much for you, so I thought to come here and cheer you up. Aren't you happy for them? For the kids?" she answered, while bouncing around, trying to distract him from his sulking.
"You cheer me up? Ha, that's a good one. You've been nothing but a thorn in my side for the last three days, using me as a target for the brat's pranks and leaving me to deal with the Ice Lord's groupies." the hanyou fretted, swatting barren branches with his claws.
"Hmm, well you certainly seemed very cozy with Rin in your lap. You might as well get used to it now Uncle InuYasha. It was the most kawaii thing I've seen in a long time. For all your griping, you've been a good influence on Shippou as well. He looks up to you in a lot of ways." Toki casually informed him, ignoring the jab that she didn't really care about his state of mind.
"What's that saying Kagome has? Umm..Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, well that's me, uncle to those two urchins and the brood that Sesshoumaru and Kagome will undoubtedly have; but honestly, what onna is going to want to mate or have kids with a hanyou. Nothing I do from now on is going to matter. I might as well leave now and try to take out Naraku by myself, maybe then I'll die an honorable death and my holier-than-thou half-brother will think better of me for it." InuYasha moaned.
Toki lost control on her ambivalence with the hanyou in front of her. With each step she took to get closer to his slumped body, another surge of her youki formed in the palm of her twitching hand. When she got within inches of him, her enraged aura caused him to lift his head and look into her swirling crystal-blue eyes. 'Oh Kami, she's beautiful when she's pissed off.' he thought idly, visibly cringing at the force of her impending rage.
*SMACK* *THWACK* *THUMP*
"You baka dog! Only thinking about yourself again. Get a grip hanyou. Are you a pup or an adult? You will not go slinking off in the dead of night to get your baka hide killed, you hear me. Think of how the others will feel. Are you so blind that you can't see that they all think of you as family? How do you think I would feel?" Toki hollered at him, ending in a flurry of tears and raw emotion.
She hated crying; however some how the hanyou had gotten under her skin. What had started as an infatuated crush had blossomed into a full blown attraction with heart-wrenching feelings that could only mean that she had found her soul mate. It both scared and angered her. So she did the only thing that came to mind in her confused state and she kissed him.
InuYasha let her slap him in the face three times and didn't flinch. He let her scream and yell at him and call him stupid and didn't move a muscle; but when she grabbed a hold of his fire-rat robe and leaned into him, sealing his mouth with her own, he didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her lithe form and kiss her back for all she was worth.
He had made her angry enough to cry and now she was trying desperately to get through to his thick skull that she cared about him. The onna was an enigma. She was strong, independent, smart and funny. And he wanted her. Lips pressed up against each other, tongues swirling in fierce battle, InuYasha's hands threaded through her long silver-blue hair as he held her to him. She smelled like fresh powdery snow and ume.
When she finally tilted her head back to breathe, her tears continued to stream down her face and for the first time in his life, InuYasha gave into his natural youkai instincts and licked them off her face. Toki nuzzled him under his chin and nipped at his jaw. The actions startled him and he whined at the intimate connotations it evoked.
"Gomen nasai Toki. I promise I will try and not do anything stupid that would make you angry or upset again. I'm kinda reckless and I spout off a lot but if that kiss means what I hope it does, then I'll try my best to make you proud." he confessed awkwardly, rubbing the back of neck with his left hand, while still holding her by the waist with his right.
"That is all I can ask. Now I have to go back to the Western Citadel and do some reconnaissance. I will be back in a couple of days, so don't pout too much. Please do me a favor though. You need to sit down and be open and honest with Lady Kagome and Lord Sesshoumaru – tell them how you really feel. You have no reason to hide, remember I like you just the way you are." She announced merrily, before blowing him a kiss and disappearing in a puff of blue smoke.
InuYasha coughed and gagged a little from the vanishing powder. The damn wench had just left him hanging out to dry, after kissing him senseless.
"The nerve of some people…" he grouched to the empty clearing.
S~*~*~*~*~K
Except it wasn't as empty as he thought, Sesshoumaru and Kagome had been making their way to him and had come across the hidden spot, just as Toki vanished. Luckily for InuYasha, they were not witness to the spit-swapping just moments before. As a matter of security, their auras were always hidden, so the hanyou had no warning of their arrival.
"InuYasha, oh thank the Kami. Is everything ok? I guess not, huh. Come on over here, I think we three need to sit down and talk civilly." Kagome pleaded.
It was obvious that she was worried about him, but her inability to look him directly in the eye alluded to her guilt. Sesshoumaru just followed along behind her quietly and took a seat near the base of a fallen tree. It reeked of the inu-hanyou's youki and had been cut cleanly with his Sankon Tessō attack; in fact, the entire area showed numerous signs of InuYasha's various attacks. 'Hnn, he has been practicing under the cover of night. That answers the question of where he wonders off to every evening. This Sesshoumaru will have to challenge him in order to see just how much he has improved.' the daiyoukai noted.
"You want to talk to me finally. So how long has this," he asked harshlypointing to Sesshoumaru,"being going on? When were planning on telling me, after you already got pupped? You're not already are you?" he queried, nose trying valiantly to sniff out his own answers.
"Stop that. You should know me better than to think that. Sesshoumaru and I only became a couple five days ago, right after he confessed his feelings to me and asked me to be his mate." Kagome blurted out.
"Shit, if that's all it took how come you've been turning down Kouga for the last three years? Why him Kagome? Of all the ningen or youkai, you could have ended up, why the one person in the world who hates me more than Naraku? What about that boy from school, Hojo? He'd be a much better choice for you. Your mom and Jiji already know and like him." InuYasha barked back at her bitterly.
"Hojo is nothing but a friend; I never liked him that way. Besides Mama, Jiji and Souta already approve of Sesshoumaru and they are planning our wedding." she came back with, totally unaware of what she just said.
"Nani? Your wedding? They approve? Jiji approves of you marrying a full Inuyoukai Ice Prince after five days and it took me over a year just to get him to stop throwing sutras at me. How is that possible? What did you do Kagome?" InuYasha screamed, growling angrily at the now standing daiyoukai.
"Silence whelp." Sesshoumaru commanded, as he made his way to a shaking Kagome.
InuYasha's pent up rage and confusion had exploded and it looked like he fully intended on taking it out on her, if not physically but definitely verbally. That was not going to happen if Sesshoumaru had any say in the matter.
"You will desist in your disreputable behavior towards this one's intended mate. I do not care if she has been your friend longer than we have been together. She came here to have a serious talk with you and so far all you have succeeded in doing is frightening her." The Inu Lord gritted out with all the venom he was known to possess.
InuYasha stared at his best friend, all his anger evaporated under her terrified gaze. Had he not just promised Toki to not do anything stupid? Inching forward with his head facing downwards and tilted to the side, as a sign of submission, he made his way over and went down on his knees before her.
"I am so stupid. I don't deserve you for a friend, I never have. I'm sorry Kagome. I let my anger and jealously get the better of me and you didn't deserve that…well maybe a little. Why though? I know you and I were never meant to be together but why Sesshoumaru? He already has everything he could ever want or need, besides Tetsusaiga and he doesn't even need that anymore now that he's got Bakusaiga. You promised to always be at my side; but as the Lady of the Western Lands, you won't be able to. How could you let him take you away from me?" the hanyou cried out to her, real tears were dripping from his eyes. He didn't care what his brother thought about him or them.
Kagome's heart dropped to her feet, as she took in everything her first love had said. He wasn't mad at her, just really torn at the prospect of losing her. There was no way that she could let him agonize so much over something that had not even happened. Glad that she had worn jeans this morning; she knelt down in front of him, embracing him as she got to eye level.
"Yasha you are my best friend and I love you for it. But I love Sesshoumaru and he loves me too. I didn't plan or expect it, it just happened and I want this, I need this. I truly believe that I was always meant to be with him. He makes me happy, makes me feel complete and I even manage to make him smile. When I become his mate, you will still always be in my life; we will really be family then...my ani-chan. I am sorry that I hid this from you but we wanted to make sure that my family would accept his suit before making it public; although Shippou knew and I suspect told everyone else while we were gone. It was Sesshoumaru's idea for us to have a ningen wedding as well and you have to be a part of it." she explained to him, using her best soothing voice, as she gently toyed with his puppy ears.
Sesshoumaru restrained himself from overreacting after the hanyou's submissive gesture and his gut-wrenching pleas. Mama Higurashi's comments about InuYasha's fragile link to the world came back to haunt him – this was exactly what she was referring to. In his brother's two hundred and fifty three years of life, the only time he had ever seen him cry was when his mother had died. He had only been about ten at the time, still a toddler in youkai terms. His life had been hard and painful ever since, a lot of it coming from the daiyoukai's own hands. It was something he had to do, in order for the pup to survive life on his own and there were no regrets. However, not even his relationship with Kikyou fifty three years ago had tamed his wild side; it was Kagome that had brought balance and purpose to his life. She was the source of his strength, his need to protect her was what enabled Tetsusaiga to transform; without her, he was an empty shell.
The daiyoukai knew that he needed to say something to ease the boy's heartbreak; apparently not even his recent rendezvous with his sneaky general Toki could have prevented this altercation. Setting aside thoughts of the need for a future discussion with the kitsune over her blatant disregard of his orders and her noticeable amorous interactions with his kin, he cleared his throat in order to get their attention. He was not about to stoop on the ground for his brother. Using only a head gesture to say 'get up', he waited patiently as the two of them got to their feet and Kagome backed away slowly from InuYasha.
She didn't know what was going on and Sesshoumaru didn't seem angry, just slightly annoyed. She wasn't about to interrupt whatever it was that was about to happen either. This was something the two Inu brothers were going to have to settle on their own.
"I'm going to head back to camp. I missed the kids and I want to spend some QT with them. You two please behave." she announced before giving InuYasha a quick hug and plopping a wet one on the dai's cheek.
Then she turned around and skipped out of the clearing through the trees from whence she came, leaving the brothers staring at her disappearing trail. Once again, the elder took the lead and spoke first. He certainly had become very gabby after proclaiming his affections for the miko – maybe she was rubbing off on him.
"InuYasha, this Sesshoumaru thinks it's time we cleared the air. We have been travelling together for over a year now and have fought what, once, twice, whatever it was, is unmistakably a mere fraction of how many times we bickered in the past. You need to know something very important and I know you will undoubtedly have a hard time believing it." he began, golden eyes trained on the almost mirror amber ones six inches below his.
"Feh, what could you possibly tell me that is so implausible?" the hanyou brushed off.
"This Sesshoumaru does not hate you, has never hated you and the reason that I have continually picked fights with you is because I had to make sure that you were strong enough to be left to your own devices. At least that was the excuse in the past; but after Kagome revived you, it was because I was truly mad and jealous of your uncharacteristic luck." he confessed in a very 'matter of fact' manner.
"What a crock of shit? You are the one that always reminded me that you hated the very fact that was even conceived and born, that I shared our chichiue's blood; that I got his beloved sword and that I continued to exist even after Kikyou pinned me to Goshinboku. Now that I think about it, why didn't you try to kill me off while I hung there? We could have avoided all this animosity these last three years and saved ourselves a world of headaches." InuYasha grumbled to his half-brother.
"Are you even listening to the words that are spewing from your mouth? If I had killed you back then you would be dead for one; Kagome would never have saved you and would have died on her initial trip through the well, since you were the one that eventually killed Mistress Centipede; Tetsusaiga's hiding spot would have never been revealed; my arm would have never been cut off; Rin would never have found me and when the wolves killed her, she would have remained dead…do I even need to go on? Surely you get the gist of what I am trying to say. These events happened for a reason. Even the shattering of the jewel has a purpose in the sordid tale of our lives." Sesshoumaru tried to point out to his sometimes dim-witted sibling.
"You're out of your fucking mind if you think breaking the jewel was a good thing. Although I get your train of thought about the other stuff, I would rather be alive than be dead or still pinned to that damn tree. But where are you going with this?" the younger Inu questioned, rolling his eyes at the other in confusion.
"Think of it this way Inu-baka, say I had killed you and then Kagome came to the Feudal era with the jewel and died in her first battle. Misstress Centipede would have razed the land and eventually come under the radar of Naraku who was already plotting for world domination. He would have assuredly absorbed her and the complete jewel, made his wish and probably destroyed all of Japan before moving on to the mainland. As strong as this Sesshoumaru is, I am no Kami and would have eventually fallen under a magically enhanced full-youkai Naraku; especially with no Shikon miko to assist in his destruction. Everything you know and love would be gone, including Kagome's future, which would be tainted by five hundred years of the kumo's vile rule." he expounded in full graphic detail.
InuYasha's eyes bulged out of head once Sesshoumaru's alternate reality sunk in. But something still bugged him and he had to ask.
"OK but what does this have to do with you being jealous of me? I don't have anything except the clothes on my back and a sword you can't use." he pondered aloud.
"Firstly chichiue left you the strongest sword he owned, not counting Sounga, not even I really ever wanted that one. Until I almost lost Rin again, I didn't understand why he left me Tensaiga, now I wouldn't change my inheritance for anything. Then you had a mother that doted on you night and day until she died. My own still barely acknowledges my existence. While I quested for power and respect, you found love with not one but two onna, the latter being the strongest miko to ever grace Japan even in her untrained state. True Kikyou pinned you to a tree and then died, but you never stopped loving her even when she came back as a walking corpse. And I could never condone your abject treatment of Kagome or her feelings for you; but in doing so, you pushed her to seek affection elsewhere and now we are to be mated. You were loved and wanted every step of your life and if I am not mistaken, there is a certain kitsune onna that is currently vying for your attention. Before Kagome, I had never known what it felt like to have someone desire me simply for being me, not for my title or wealth or any benefits that came along with being mated to a daiyoukai. This Sesshoumaru is over a thousand years old and I have only known love for the last three if you count Rin. Why wouldn't I be jealous and mad at you for the reckless way you have lived your second chance at life? You had to endure all those trials to make you stronger, to make you the hanyou you are right now. I had to deal with the loss of my arm and finding Rin to come to terms with my misguided hatred. If I had not, I would have missed out on finding my soul mate and the onna I intend to spend the rest of my life with."
That elucidation wiped all the energy from the daiyoukai and he turned away from his brother, in order to seek out his intended. He was in need of her gentle and loving embrace. He knew that InuYasha would never truly accept or forgive him for their past; nevertheless, he secretly hoped that they could move forward, if only for the sake of keeping Kagome happy. So he was a little taken aback when InuYasha called out to him.
"Oi, so you really do love her, don't you? You'd better or I'd have to kick your ass."
"I do and you would be within your rights to challenge me if you find my treatment lacking. I surmise that I would be duly surprised by whatever improvement of your skills you have made in this clearing by yourself." Sesshoumaru smirked back at him.
"Yeah well, it's not like I had anyone to train me like some lucky bastards I know." the hanyou jeered back.
"All you need do is ask InuYasha. That is what pack and anikis are for." Sesshoumaru commented before walking away.
InuYasha was completely stunned. Sesshoumaru had just admitted and called himself his 'big brother'. What was the world coming to?