Afterward:

SesshoMaru stood in the grand receiving hall with the other lords. They were preparing to leave, having been satisfied that he had a mate and was expecting a pup on the way. The Northern Lord was going to stay an extra few days.

The Southern Lord was acting strange. He seemed agitated to leave as soon he could. SesshoMaru would have been glad to throw him out literally but refrained so to keep his image and mannerism. Lord Kanesho wasn't entirely happy that his daughter wanted to stay few more days to get to know Kagome. He reluctantly left his daughter and went back to his land. The Eastern Lord had left with Kouga and Ayame in tow, apologizing once again for Kouga's behavior and congratulated him for having a mate and a pup on the way. He had promised to visit once the pup was born.

As the two lords left, SesshoMaru sat at his throne and gestured for the Northern Lord to sit with Tadako and Shiroginko. InuYasha had joined them as well, sitting cross legged next to Shiroginko. "Huro, bring Ichiro here." SesshoMaru said to the ancient õkami servant and turned to the others. "I have small issues to discuss."

Tadako frowned, "Lord SesshoMaru, is it necessary to involve Lord Shoujun?"

"He is an old friend and strong ally to the West." SesshoMaru told her. "I have asked him to sit in to listen."

Tadako nodded and smiled as Ichiro joined them. He sat next to her facing SesshoMaru. "My Lord, I am here."

"Indeed." SesshoMaru stated and glanced around the room. Kagome was not there, she was resting in bed as he had gotten up rather early to see the other Lords off. He knew the elders would be coming around soon and he wanted to discuss the issues with Tadako and Ichiro before they had arrived. "Tadako, you wish to overthrow you father." He saw her nod. "I understand this, I do wish for him to be dethroned but I do not want his land." He said.

Ichiro frowned. "Why not?" He asked, "You are obviously the most powerful of all four lords and more lands would give you more power."

"Hai, you are right. But I do not need any more land for now. I would prefer to see the southern land under a better taiyoukai. This is why I've gathered for this meeting, Ichiro; you have assembled a small army."

"Hai." Ichiro answered.

"But it is not enough. I will be giving you three battalions of my army and you may see fit to them. I trust your wisdom with my soldiers. Tadako, once your father is removed from the throne, the others will not accept if you take up the throne, you will need to appoint a lord, since you are the first in line, yet, you are a woman."

Tadako sighed, she understood that a woman's power was not enough and once she tried to take rule, the other lesser lords will try to take her out. She needs to appoint someone in her place, someone strong. "Hai, I'd like to ask you to take the Southern Land, but you have mentioned you did not want to. Lord SesshoMaru, who would you suggest for me to appoint?"

SesshoMaru turned his head to Ichiro and gave him a single nod, "Him. If you two mate, the bond will give him the right to take throne. I will give you my alliance once you two are finished."

Tadako's eyes went wide, "Ichiro?" Then she turned to him, "Ichiro, would you?"

Ichiro gave a nod and bowed to SesshoMaru, "I accept your suggestion. However, We both do not wish to rule such a large land, would you at least accept part of the land?"

SesshoMaru rested his chin on his fist, thinking. "I will accept as a trade for the alliance before the other lords. Very well, I will draw up the map of what I will accept. You two have one month to take Kanesho off the throne, do what you wish and arrange for the council meeting with the other lords afterward at your southern palace. Ichiro, I will send my army and several of my court councils to help you through. You both are young; this is why I am willing to help you."

"Thank you, Lord SesshoMaru." Ichiro and Tadako said at the same time, bowing to him. They stood up and left, leaving SesshoMaru with three others.

InuYasha gave a strange smile to his older brother, making SesshoMaru wonder what was up in the hanyou's mind. He turned to InuYasha and growled, "What?"

InuYasha gave a small chuckle, "You. You never help. Why are you doing this?"

SesshoMaru rolled his eyes, "Shut up before I change my mind about you."

Lord Shoujun laughed, drawing attention to him, "SesshoMaru, I believe InuYasha is right. What brought this on? You are unusually kind, which is not your characteristics."

SesshoMaru growled deep and sighed. "This is none of your business." He stood up and left the room, heading to his chamber to find his mate.

InuYasha looked to Lord Shoujun, "What is up with him?"

Shoujun gave a shrug, "I have lingering suspicions. Since he is mated with Kagome now, the bond caused few side effects. Being Silver Inu, the quality of mating is very special, you receive something of your mate and your mate receives something of yours. I have heard rumors through the palace that Kagome had been able to understand InuYoukai language."

InuYasha's eyes went wide, "You mean, SesshoMaru became nice because Kagome is nice?"

"I do believe so. Tell me, is Kagome always kind?"

InuYasha nodded vigorously. "Always, she's even nice to Kouga. Even to Kikyo after she tried to kill Kagome."

Lord Shoujun chuckled. "This is interesting. I've always wondered when SesshoMaru would change his view, but it only take for him to mate to finally have a kinder deposition." Then they laughed together. Shiroginko shook her head, wondering how SesshoMaru was before he met Kagome and made it in mind to ask InuYasha later.

SesshoMaru stalked down the hallway, scowling to himself. He remembered the night Kagome had asked him what traits he had gotten from her. It was indeed her kind trait that he had gotten and he knew it right away. He had not been himself lately and knew he was going have to train himself to rethink his words before he spoke them. He can't have the other lords think he was too kind. He had been rather very lenient lately.

He found Kagome awake and dressed for the day. He moved silently to her, her back to him and snaked his arms around her tiny waist. She gave a gasp and sighed as she realized who was behind him. He nuzzled his nose into her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. "Kagome…" he whispered in InuYoukai language.

She replied with same fashion, "SesshoMaru." Turning to face him, she smiled. "You were gone, I missed you."

He smirked, "I had to see the other lords go. Only Shoujun, Tadako and Ichiro remained." He said as he led her out of the room into the hall, leading her toward the dining hall so she'd get some breakfast.

"Ichiro?" She asked, having not heard of the name.

"Ah, Ichiro is prince of the white tiger clan that lives on my land. I've considered making him one of my general; however fate has a different destiny for him."

"Oh, really?" She sat down at the table while he sat next to her, drawing several pieces of fruit and cutting them for her with his claws, placing them in pieces in front of her.

"Hai. He is also Tadako's intended. Let's not worry about them. Eat; the pup needs food as well."

She gasped at him, "I am pregnant already?" Her hand went to her belly and she relaxed into his arms. "Wow…"

SesshoMaru picked her up and placed her into his lap, stroking her long black hair that were let down rather than being tied up in bun. "Mate, my blood you had drank last night made you go into heat, which is why we were able to conceive outside your cycle."

She blushed. "Still."

"You knew you would be pregnant, after all, it was required. But I do not care about that, all that is important to me are you and our pup, no, pups." He said as he laid his hand on her belly. "Shippo and Rin. And many more in the future."

She gave him a beautiful smile that made him find her very captivating at the moment; she almost seemed to glow with happiness. "Many more? How many do you want?"

"Whatever you wish." He said huskily and captured her lips in heated passion, their tongues dancing for dominance and eventually, she submitted and he won, ending up trailing kisses down her neck, nibbling. "I don't think I'll ever get enough of you, love." He whispered into her skin, hearing her sigh.

"My Lord, the elders are here." Huro said, bowing at the door.

SesshoMaru growled, displeased that he was interrupted. He stood up and helped Kagome to her feet. "Might as well get this over with, the sooner, the better." He muttered and held her hand; guiding her to meet the elders in one of the private meeting room they were appointed. "Huro, bring the palace physician. I have a feeling we will need her." Huro bowed and turned away in the other direction, to get the physician.

As SesshoMaru and Kagome entered the private meeting room, the elders turned to them and they all gaped, wide eyed at them. The first one came up and shook his finger at SesshoMaru. "You didn't have taken her as a mate! A simple impregnation would have done the job! Now you've done it!"

SesshoMaru growled at the old InuYoukai. "You have no right to decide. You left Kagome at my feet, giving me no choices, so I decided to take her as my mate."

The second elder threw his hands in the air. "Stupid boy!" SesshoMaru's growl became louder. "Oh stop that growling, we're Inus too, it doesn't effect us!" He spat and continued, "Listen here. Once she miscarries, she will never be able to carry a true Silver Inu child! You'd have to get another Miko to try again!"

Kagome's hands flew to shield her belly. "Why?" She asked.

The third elder peered at her and snorted. "You're a Miko; your power has the ability to purify. If your power decides to purify the child, it will cause the miscarriage." He poked his finger at her and she backed away from him. "Once that happen, then your power will decide after that to purify any demon child in you."

"It had happened before?" She asked as she stepped nearly behind SesshoMaru who were snarling at the third elder, not liking his treatment toward his mate.

"Yes, one too many times. That is why SesshoMaru is the last full Silver Inu capable to breed."

The second one bobbed his head. "Too true, too sad. The only other Silver Inu is either half breed or senile old fools like us. Once we see to the birth of the child, we're going to pass on to the other world. We had held ourselves far too long."

Kagome looked to SesshoMaru, "You're the last one, other than them?" She asked.

SesshoMaru nodded. "Yes."

Kagome slapped his arm, "Why didn't you tell me that in the first place? I would be more than willing to help then! But nooo, you'd have to make it so difficult for me to accept you!"

SesshoMaru closed his eyes and grinded his teeth, "Would have I known that?"

"Well, duh!" She made a pose, standing with her hands at her hips, her head coked to the side after she had rolled her eyes. The four Silver Inus stared at her as if she had grown another head. "If you'd have asked nicely and told me that you're the last one and I'm the only one who is able to help, I would have been willing to help out. But noo!" She twirled onto the three elders and poked her finger at each one's chest. "You had to kidnap me, bind me, dump me at his feet and threatened us to this point. Well, back at ya!" She shouted, "We've mated and we're going to stick no matter what!"

SesshoMaru was grinning inside as he watched his mate shout at the elders. He took her arm and gently brought her back to his side and said, "Kagome, calm down, think of our child." He turned to the elders, "Now, she is indeed pregnant with my pup. You all may leave."

"Not until we know for sure. We're old and our noses do not work anymore." The second elder rasped while the first elder gestured to the fourth person in the room. "We've brought our physician to check her out." The black haired InuYoukai stepped up.

SesshoMaru growled deep in his throat at the strange new male youkai. "No. No other male touch my mate." The black haired InuYoukai eyes went wide and he stepped back, eyeing SesshoMaru's glowing green claws.

"This is why you should have not taken her as a mate." The third elder muttered.

"Too territorial." The first spat and shook his finger.

"I've brought my own physician." SesshoMaru said and the door opened to reveal a female õkami in simple kimono, with brown hair cropped at shoulder. She stepped in and bowed. "Yuri, my palace physician. Yuri, inspect my mate and tell the elders that she is with pup."

"Hai, my Lord." Yuri said and moved to Kagome. She took Kagome's hand and brought her to the side of the room where there were a futon on the floor. Kagome lay down without question and relaxed, knowing to trust SesshoMaru's decision and orders.

"My Lady…" Yuri started and was interrupted. "Kagome, call me Kagome." Kagome said, smiling at the young õkami youkai. Yuri smiled and bowed her head, "Hai, Kagome. I will listen to your belly and take a sniff, do not be alarmed."

"Okay. I know canine youkai use their sense of smell to tell things." Kagome said and laid her hands beside her. Yuri nodded and lowered her head to rest on Kagome's lower abdomen. She laid her head there for a long while and she moved closer to Kagome's crotch area and took a deep sniff.

She sat back up and smiled at Kagome. "My Lady, you are indeed pregnant." She looked to SesshoMaru and said, "My Lord, congratulation, you will have two pups. There were two separate heartbeats; the pups are developing very well."

SesshoMaru stared, he was shell-shocked himself, never expecting for two pups. He had smelled the change in her scents but had not truly listened or took a deep scent to confirm himself. For the inu youkai, it was common to have more than one pup, but for the Silver Inu, it was very, very rare due to their curse that was placed on the Kami. He turned to the elders and raised an eyebrow, "Well, does this satisfy you? She is carrying two pups."

The elders looked shocked then the second one narrowed his eyes, "Impossible. She could have been with another." He pointed an accusing finger at Kagome. "Never in my entire life, were twin Silver Inus born."

SesshoMaru growled and went over to Kagome, helping her up. "What more proof must you have before you decide she is pupped by me?" He turned to Kagome and whispered, "Spread your legs." Her eyes went wide. "I apologize, but to get the old senile fools to shut up." He reached with his hand, pushing her kimono aside only enough for his hand to pass through. He found her mound and with quick movement, she almost didn't notice until she felt his two fingers deep inside her. She stifled a moan from her lips, gripping hard onto his haori. Then, he withdrew, leaving her feeling empty all the sudden. She grew red as he turned away from her, holding his fingers up, coated with her wetness. She rearranged her kimono and stood behind him, her head bowed in embarrassment.

"Her scents with the pups on them. Surely your noses work." He stuck his fingers to the elders. He would had killed the elders for their insolence against him without second thoughts, but he could not, since they were the only one who had more power than him for they were his clan's elders.

The first one stepped up and took a deep whiff of his fingers. The other two followed. As they finished, they stepped back, staring at SesshoMaru. "Very well, it is indeed your scents among with her on the pups. We will be back in four months for the birth." The first one said and then he turned, leaving the room. The other two nodded and followed the first. Their physician left as well.

Kagome gave a sigh she was holding back. SesshoMaru turned back to her and licked his fingers, causing her to blush again. Yuri bowed and left, leaving the two alone.

"At least that is over with." SesshoMaru said as he stepped up to her and drew her into his embrace. "You are rather delicious…" He murmured and lowered his head to capture her lips.

InuYasha sat in the garden, watching Shiroginko play with the children. She appeared happy and laughing, rolling on the grass while Rin and Shippo dog piled on her. He felt his lips tug in a smile. Shiroginko was different compared to Kikyo and Kagome. While Kikyo was tense and serious, always putting her duty above everything else, Kagome is always happy, yet, dutiful but she put the others before herself first. They were like day and night next to each other, yet they were the same soul. Five hundred years could change a soul, he had learned.

Shiroginko was an entirely different matter. She was guarded and shielded away from the harsh world, raised like a princess, always giving what she needed and wanted. Yet she did not had any spoiled attitude, what she was given, she accepted, what she wanted, she never asked unless asked by the others. She seemed fragile and gentle, like a flower. He felt he needed to protect her, keep her safe. She is a hanyou, yet she has no knowledge of fighting or defending herself.

He had known her for only a day, yet he felt like he knew her for ages. He could not explain why but it was simply as it is. She had told him of her life before coming to the Western Palace, how she was always guarded and protected. She told him of her desire to see the world, what was out there, to meet many people and how she was very happy to come to live at the Western Palace, yet at the same time, sad to leave her adoptive father.

He knew, she had taken liking to him. And he had done so to her. He felt guilty in liking someone so soon after Kikyo and Kagome but realized, Kikyo had left the world with no harboring grudge and Kagome is happy with SesshoMaru. He knew Kagome would have been happy if he found someone to love, he could already hear her voice in his head, "Loving someone else heals the pain of lost love you once had." He decided, he wasn't going to let himself agonize over lost love he had with Kikyo and Kagome, he is going to move on and learn to love again.

He smiled as Shiroginko smiled at him, waving from where she sat with the children. He waved back, his nose and cheeks developed reddish tint. She was beautiful in her own way, long silver hair hanging down her back with soft golden eyes framing with black lashes. He found her smile with fangy teeth enduring. The way she had moved and talked reminded him of his mother. He realized if his mother were an InuYoukai, she would have looked like Shiroginko.

Shaking his head, he stood up and went over to her, holding his hand out. She looked up at him and took his hand. "Kids, go inside, it's time for lunch." He said and the kids were gone in a flash, leaving them alone. "Walk with me?" He asked her and she nodded. It was a customarily ritual for a courting male to take the female on a stroll.

After a long silent walk through the garden, they found themselves deep in the garden and he turned to her. He looked down to his feet, his face nearly red as his haori. Shiroginko giggled as she poked his cheek, bringing his eyes to meet her eyes. "What is it, InuYasha-sama?" She asked.

He blinked and stammered, "Ah, a…ah. Don't call me with sama, just InuYasha." He said. She nodded and reached up and touched his ear, "A… a…" He said, his ears twitching under her soft touch.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't." She withdrew her hand and was stopped as he grasped her wrist. "InuYasha?"

"It's okay… you have ears like mine… you know what hurts and doesn't hurt. Kagome was the only one who was able to touch them without hurting."

She smiled and resumed tweaking his ears softly and giggled as they twitched under her fingers. "I've never felt another hanyou's ears. I know how mine felt… Your ears are soft like mine, I had been curious." She withdrew her hands and allowed them to drop to her side; she tilted her head to the side. "InuYasha, why have you brought me here?"

He looked at her and sighed. "I…I wanted to ask you… will…. Will you let me court you?" He said finally, a bit too quickly for his liking.

She gasped, her eyes went wide. She had not expected this so soon. "You like me that much?"

He looked away, blushing bright red. "Uhm… I'm sorry, if you don't want me to…" He stopped as her hand took hold of his cheek, drawing him to look at her again.

She smiled brightly at him and leaned in, kissing his cheek. "I'd like that, InuYasha."

He gave a goofy smile and bobbed his head; he took her hand and resumed their stroll around the garden, eventually returning to the palace to join the others for lunch.

As they reached the palace, InuYasha sniffed and frowned, smelling familiar scent in the air, "Why would he be back?" He said and they entered the dining hall. "Hey wolf, what you doing here?"

Kouga turned to face InuYasha. "Oi, Mutt, Ayame told me to come back, I have to give Kagome something."

Kagome and SesshoMaru entered the hall to find the wolf youkai. SesshoMaru raised a brow, "Kouga, why are you here?" He asked as he moved to sit in his place at the table. The others sat down as well.

Kouga reached his hand to Kagome, he turned his hand over to drop the remaining shards in her hands, "Here, I know they are the last of the shards."

Kagome grasped the shards in her hands. "Thank you, Kouga. You didn't have to return them right away."

"Ayame told me to. I didn't really need them anymore, and they're yours anyway." Koga explained.

"I appreciate it." She said looking at the last two shards in her hands. It was all over, the search for the Shikon no Tama shards and it felt strange. It begin when she had shattered them, trying to kill the crow youkai, it was only just her and InuYasha at the time. Now it ended, with her gaining so many friends, a family of her own, and a home in the Feudal Era. She had never thought she would end up being mated to the stoic youkai lord who had once tried to kill her, or being pregnant with twins. The Shikon no Tama had brought her where she is and changed her life around. She felt sad and happy at the same time, more so, it felt strange to her.

"Kagome?" SesshoMaru asked as he watched Kagome stare at the Shikon shard for a long while. She looked up and blinked, he saw unshed tears in her eyes. "What is it, love?" He asked softly.

"Nothing, really." She smiled at him. "Just thinking, how my life had shaped because of this jewel. It has the ability to grant wish beyond one's dream, but without using its power, it had granted me more than just one wish, but wishes that I've never thought of. I have not only gotten a friend, but more, a family and a life I've never dreamed of. Now, I realized, I wouldn't give all of it up and I am afraid, once this merge, I would be forced back to my own time." At this, InuYasha and everyone else gasped. SesshoMaru felt his blood go cold.

"Return to your era?" He asked, his voice making the room icy cold. "Then, you must not…"

"No. I have to, or else, we will always be sought after, putting our lives in danger. I don't want that for our pups." Kagome said, stopping him.

InuYasha placed his hand over Kagome's. "Then, let me wish on the jewel to make you stay."

Kagome gave him a sad smile. "That is selfish wish, it wouldn't work, InuYasha." She turned to SesshoMaru. "I'm afraid…" She whispered.

Sango said, "We're all afraid too… it's hard to believe it's over…" She looked over to Miroku and took his hand in hers. "It was hard to believe then that Miroku's wind tunnel was gone. Now, the Shikon no Tama… I don't think we all expected for this to end."

"That's right, we've only looked no farther than the shard hunt." Miroku said.

Kagome looked to the others and closed her hands over the jewel shards. "Then, I should wait. I'd like to see my mother before I stay here for good." She turned to SesshoMaru. "SesshoMaru?"

He tilted his head down, "If that is important to you, then, you should. But only if you promise to come back."

She laughed, "Of course, I will. This is my home now. I don't feel my own era as my home anymore."

"Good, I wouldn't be able to find myself without you again, not after I have you for short time." SesshoMaru said and his eyes went wide as the jewel became bright around her neck. "Kagome?" He asked.

Kagome looked to the jewel around her neck and gasped as she opened her hand to find the Shards disappearing. The jewel became whole and she started to panic. "No… no… not now!"

The light became so bright that everyone was forced to close their eyes and shield away from the light. Then a voice filled the room, soft and angelic, yet with hint of strength behind it. "I am Midoriko, the heart and the soul of the Shikon no Tama. I've heard and seen all you've done. I thank you for your futile search in restoring the jewel. Please state your wish, young Miko."

SesshoMaru was first to open his eyes, he gasped as he saw the form of his mother before him. She was beautiful and ethereal, in her Miko garb and armor, her deep black hair floating behind her.

Kagome opened her eyes and tears overflowed, streaking her face. Midoriko looked down to her and knelt before her. "Child, your tears are of sorrow, why is this so?" She reached out and with her hand, wiping away the tears, leaving tingling feeling upon Kagome's skin.

"I didn't want to merge the Shikon so soon. I don't want to leave my family behind and I don't want to lose everything I have gained here."

Midoriko smiled, "I understand. You've gained my son's love." She looked over to SesshoMaru and took his hand, placing it over Kagome's hand. "I've searched far and wide for the one to hold SesshoMaru's heart, but only to find you, five hundred years in the future, yet, I saw that it was you who would release me from Shikon no Tama. It was I, who brought you into the past, I've found all of those lonely souls, the orphaned kitsune, the last taijiya, the cursed monk, the heart broken hanyou and the cold hearted son of mine. The Kami allowed me to create and thread all of your fates together, connecting threads from one to another, bringing you all together, and more. The Kami had saw the blessing outcome of you all and allowed it happen. Kagome, your fate will not bring you back to your era so soon, you are tied here in the past, and the well will not work anymore after you travel through one more time." She stood up again and looked down at them. "What is your wish?"
Kagome gave a hitch in breath and stood up, the other followed suit. "I do not have any wish, as I said before, all of my wishes, beyond my dream of dreams, had come true. But Kikyo gave me a wish to bestow upon the Shikon no Tama."

Everyone except for SesshoMaru and InuYasha gasped softly, surprised. Kagome looked at the jewel, whole in her hands; she held it up to Midoriko. "The jewel is whole, your battle with the youkai within is over, for the youkai was purified, one by one, each shard that we find, purified. We only wish for your peace, allowing to rest at last."

Midoriko bowed her head, closing her eyes and a smile played on her lips, "Ah, that is a true and selfless wish for it does not benefit you but for me alone."

InuYasha snorted and Midoriko looked to him with a questioning look. He answered, "It does benefit us too! No more bloodthirsty youkai or human to come after the jewel, to try and take the world, like Naraku."

"How true, yet it is pure nonetheless, for the good." She turned to SesshoMaru. "I regret one thing." She said as SesshoMaru stared at her blankly. "I regret being able to be your mother, to raise you along with your father, InuTaisho." She closed her eyes once again, holding her hands over her heart, "my duty demanded for me. When I fought the horde of youkai, my thought were for you, to make the world a better place for my little boy to grow up, the world less dangerous. Alas, I did not see that you did not need my desire for you, after all, a killing perfection, you could take care of yourself and you made the world, at least, the Western Land the safer place."

"Midoriko…" SesshoMaru started, "I am honored to be born from you, Mother."

Midoriko smiled, "I am glad." She looked skyward and raised her hands, "Ah, the spirits had agreed to your wish." She looked back at Kagome again, "Kagome, because of your kind heart, you've changed SesshoMaru and the Kami had decided that the curse is lifted." She reached and touched Kagome's belly, "The children within are blessed." She stepped back once again and the light covered her body, blinding everyone once again, "Thank you, thank you all. Now I can truly rest in peace and be with InuTaisho." Her voice faded and the light dimmed.

Kagome opened her eyes and she gasped as she held the jewel in her hand. It no longer shone with pink light but it became crystal clear like glass. "It's gone… there is no more power."

Miroku frowned, "But your power has increased by massive amount…"

Kagome looked up and she was the only one who heard the voice, "Kagome, I've given you my Miko power; you now are truly the most powerful Miko. Please take care of my son." She smiled and replied, "I will, Midoriko." She looked to Miroku, "Midoriko gave me her Miko power to add to mine."

"No wonder." Miroku smirked.

InuYasha gave a loud snort, drawing everyone's attention. "Now, what are going to do?" He asked.

SesshoMaru frowned at him, "Perhaps I should have you trained for your mannerism."

InuYasha stuck his tongue out, "Nynah! Can't make me!"

SesshoMaru cracked his knuckle, "Oh really, little brother? If you're going to live here, you're going to learn mannerism."

"What? Kagome! Tell him he can't make me!"
Kagome shook her head. "Sorry, SesshoMaru is right, you need the lessons. And InuYasha…" InuYasha's eyes went wide. "Sit!" He slammed right into the floor, knocking his head on the table; he screamed and cursed into the cushion.

"I think I am going to take a nap." Kagome said and stood up, she looked to the children. "You kids should take one too."

"But, okaasan!" Shippo started and froze as he saw SesshoMaru's face. "Okay, I think I am tired." He stood up and tugged Rin. "Come on, let's go." They bounded out of the room, heading to their chambers.

SesshoMaru stood and took Kagome's arm, "I will see you to our chamber, after that, I must see to arranging for our trip to the well after your nap. You will go back and see your mother tonight, and stay at least a night or two in your era before returning."

Kagome nodded, not wanting to say anything more. She allowed SesshoMaru to guide her back to their chambers to take a nap.

AN:

Sorry, had to end here… The next chapter will be the modern era. I was really winging it now; I haven't truly had the rest of the story planned out. I expect five more chapters before the whole story ends. From now on, it's going to skim over time, not day by day anymore.

I apologize for not updating in the last few days, I've had a busy weekend, had two parties to attend to, Friday night was a costume party for my group from Church, it was fun, I went as a pirate, turned out that I turned everyone on. Eeyps, haha. And Saturday one was a Pampered Chef party, had fun, and ended up going home late, both nights. I was very exhausted by Sunday night, I nearly fell asleep at Church that night, the pastor wife had to stop her speech to ask what was wrong with me, and I just nearly passed out right there. I went to bed EARLY that night!

I didn't get around to writing this story until Monday afternoon after I returned home from appointment with the lawyer (which is a whole another story). Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. I know Sesshy-kun was way, way out of character, then again, it was explained in this chapter! The mystery is now revealed! Hehe, now you know why he was cursing the first day.

I was supposed upload this on Tuesday, but sent this to my beta-reader, she edited, and send it back but forgot to attach the file to the email. Had to wait until Wed night to get hold of her. She had to re-edit this story due to having the file on the other computer. I finally got it Thursday night. Now it's here. Sorry! But thanks to Crystal for editing this chapter. Sorry about the delay but thank you for your patience.

I love all of your reviews! Please, tell me how this chapter is. Thank you, hugs!

Someone asked for me to put Japanese/English index for the words I've used in the story, so here it is:

Inu - dog

Neko - cat

Youkai - demon

Hanyou – half demon, more correctly, half breed. If you cross an inuyoukai and a nekoyoukai, it would still be called hanyou for it is half breed, I've looked it up.

Õkami - wolf

Miko - priestess

Houshii – monk

Taijiya – demon exterminator

Kitsune – fox

Kami – Japanese name for god

-sama – suffix in name for Lord

-dono – suffix in name for Lord, but at a slightly lower level than –sama (Corrected, I checked my Jap dictionary - Crystal)

-chan – suffix name used for girl, usually affectionate

-kun – suffix name used for boy, usually affectionate, (also used in the context of friends – Crystal)

Outosan – informal for father

Chichiue – very formal for father

Okaasan - mother

Otouoto – younger brother

Aniki – older brother

Onee-san/chan – older sister

Kimono – Japanese clothing, often a robe with long sleeve and it wraps around the body. It has different length, usually it goes down to the ankles, but it sometime can be mid length or knee length. Rarely, waist length but that has a different name.

Hakama – pants, it is either open or close, like Kikyo's (open) or SesshoMaru and InuYasha (closed)

Haori – outer kimono top, it is often thigh length. It is either worn open or close. During formal ceremony or as such, it is worn open like a jacket. InuYasha wears his closed and tucked in.

Juban – Undershirt, sometime is shirt as itself, worn under open haori. Often it is cotton or silk, usually some would wear two or more juban under the haori. SesshoMaru is seen wearing two jubans under his white traditional haori, he has a white one and then a lilac one. InuYasha has a cream one.

Obi – belt, it's very long and wraps around the body several times and tied complicated. There are many ways to tie it or use it. It also comes in many colors, much like the kimono.

Uchikake – heavy overcoat, usually the Lady of the court would wear this, several layers. I've seen Izayoi wear more than five layers in the anime. I've counted up to five but noticed it shifts to seven or nine. It depends.

Nagajugan – undergarment. Back in Edo time, the nagajugan was commonly like a white cloth wrapped around almost like a diaper, if you have seen Mononoke Hime, you'd see several men walking around in this clothing with nothing else. Sometime they were so poor that they only have this clothing.

Futon – Japanese bed. It's very useful; you can roll it and put it away during the day time.

Shoji – thin wall or door, paper like with bamboo sticks to hold it up. If it gets damaged, it is easily replaced but costly, I think. Often, in palace, it would be painted with elaborate images, which is why I had SesshoMaru's palace shoji printed with images.

Tatami – woven bamboo mat, usually covering part or all of the room. If you enter a room with tatami mat, never, ever wear shoe walking on it, it is very disrespectful. It is for sitting on and usually set in rooms such as meeting hall or dining room. If a house has one room with tatami mat, it is usually a respected room.

If you wish to learn more Japanese words look them up on google, which is how I learned the words, I usually put a lot of my time in researching words and the meaning, even the names to fit the characters. I'd love to fully learn the language myself someday. I think Japanese culture; even Chinese's are very beautiful.