She bit her trembling lips. And she couldn't stop the sob that escape from her mouth. "Oh, Sesshoumaru." She hugged him. "I've been terrible since I was torn from this era. I've spent so many nights thinking what ifs, what have been. But I was forced to concentrate in my studies because I thought that I will never see you again."

"You have wish to see me again?" He inquired. His heart unknowingly pumped in his chest.

She nodded. "Yes, Sesshoumaru. But not only you, everyone too."

It sunk a little, but it was okay. At least she thinks of him too. "You'll never depart?"

"Never. I chose to stay and mama understands. I hope I'll see them again someday."

"You'll probably will," he enveloped her once again in his arms.

For the next few months, Sesshoumaru started his courting by giving Kagome gifts. He hunts every day and leave the carcass in front of her. She will only look at him and thank him. Shippo, Inuyaku, and Inuyasha barked with laughter every time they sees it, and Sesshoumaru would just glare at them.

Today was the same as usual. The group, consisting of the original members except Miroku, Sango, and Kirara, was in the clearing where their alliance started. The place was full of memories, and they visit it a couple of times. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru even build a resting place for them when they come visit and wants to stay for the night.

They settled inside the cottage and Kagome slept for an hour because she was exhausted. The males readied their food for dinner, and they have fish and sweet potato. When Kagome woke up and went outside, the table is ready.

"Sesshoumaru," she called out to the youkai. "I would want to talk to you privately if I may?"

"Of course." He lead her away from the rest, but with their youkai ears, they'll probably hear it anyway.

"Why do you offer dead animals to me?" She asked bluntly and winced when she saw him frown

"It is a courting gift from this Sesshoumaru." He said with a huff.

Kagome stared at the man in front of her. Is she right and she heard him say courting gift? "Excuse me? Am I right and you said that you are courting me?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you say it before?" She demanded.

"Is it not clear? Is it not the same how humans court each other?" He asked coldly, but inside he was sweating profusely. Of course, Kagome wouldn't understand his behavior.

"No, it is not. I felt like a master of a cat who caught a dead mice in its mouth and want me to praise him because he could hunt."

He stiffened, "You dare compare this Sesshoumaru to a cat?"

"Obviously a mistake," she said with a frown. "But you should have clearly state your intent before you started it. The men always tell the women if they intent to court them so that the female is ready."

"I am a youkai. An inu. This is a normal courting between a dog and a bitch."

"I am not a bitch," she gritted her teeth.

"Clearly, you're not. But this Sesshoumaru would like to continue courting you, miko."

"No need. I accept. Now, when we became girlfriend and boyfriend. What next?" She asked. She reached for his hand boldly and entwined them with hers.

"What is this girlfriend and boyfriend that you speak of, Kagome," he asked.

"It was how we called each other because we're a couple. The next stage is becoming husband and wife."

He looked at her beautiful face, and he couldn't stop himself from kissing those luscious lips of hers. "Kagome, did you realize that when you mate this Sesshoumaru, you'll truly become his bitch?"

She sighed. "Now that you said it, I do. Do you really want me, Sesshoumaru? Are you not going to change your mind?"

"No. I want you. I need you, Kagome. I love you so much," he met her eyes.

"I love you too, Sesshoumaru," and she kissed him.

Inuyaku watched his parents. He was happy for them, but he was also a bit sad because that would mean he will disappear from this time and return to his own. To the present where he was the fourth son of the CEO of Taisho Corp.

The two court and mate each other. And when the lands learned that she was the Shikon miko and the biological mother of Inuyaku, their protest stopped.

The couple noticed their son's concealed distressed, and when they have him alone with them in the new couple's room, they asked him.

"It is near, papa, mama," he said.

"What is near, dear," she hugged her pup.

"I need to go back to my time. My mission is done here," he said sorrowfully. Kagome was heart broken, and Sesshoumaru was also feeling melancholy.

"Couldn't you stay?" She asked.

"I'm sorry, mama," he answered. "I need to go. My little sister needs to know me too, don't you agree."

Kagome's eyes burst into tears. Yes, she remembered. Her future self was pregnant when she first met Inuyaku. The baby is now two or three years old in youkai years. "How did you know it's a girl?"

"Because papa wished to have a princess since Rin-nee became another man's own princess," he answered with a smile.

"I told uncle already. He will come with me to his forest and send me off. I will see you again soon." The boy smiled at them. And his parents embraced him tightly. He may be their fourth pup, but he was the first in their hearts.

"Mai-chan," Kagome crooned at the toddler in the crib. It was four in the dawn and she woke up because of her little girl's crying. Sesshoumaru also woke up after he was dragged by consciousness.

He took a sniff in the air, and stilled. His eyes widened, and told Kagome to wake up the others. Kagome with Mai in her arms, Sesshoumaru, Shippo, Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru's three eldest sons: Mamoru, Kenshin, and Kagemaru rushed downstairs to meet the missing member of the family for almost four years.

Sesshoumaru opened the oak door of the mansion, and Kagome burst to tears when she saw her son once again. Her mate understands and he collect their pup daughter in his arms. Kagome went to Inuyaku and hugged him. The boy silently returned it. He was happy to be home.

Inuyaku Taisho, nine years old. Accomplished his very important mission: Bringing his parents together by becoming their bridge.

A/N: Just so you know. The part where Sesshoumaru started to give Kagome dead animals as a courting gift, I have got that from another fanfiction that I have read before. I did not mean to copy the idea or anything, but I love the it so I incorporated it to my story. I need to look and write the name of the author and the story, but know that I just decided to use the idea, not the exact story, in my own.

A reviewer has found the story and author I've been looking for. Yes. The courting part came from Frivolous Sentimentalities by Tally Mark. I thank the author for the wonderful and fun story. It was a job well done.