Blood Brothers

by merigirl

Kikyo shoots InuYasha with a deadly poison that will kill him in 3 days unless Kagome can channel her love and destroys the well! With Keade's help Sango, Sesshomarou, and Rin journey into Kagome's time to find her. Sesshomarou starts to learn about human

13. Two Fought Together

TWO FOUGHT TOGETHER

Inuyasha jumped down from his place in the topmost window to the shock and joy of everyone. "I…Inuyasha?" they gasped. "Inuyasha…it's Inuyasha!"

"Yeah, it's me," he folded his arms across his chest and glared at the mob surrounding him. "And I wanna know just what the hell's going on here and why you're making all this noise right outside my brother's castle?"

A young woman approached Inuyasha…and proceeded to scream with fright and back up against a tree trunk."Wait, wait, stop, not so LOUD!" he cringed and went over to her. "Look..I'm not a ghost! Look," he grabbed her hand. "Can a ghost touch you?"

Just then, a happy 'Meow!" cut through the silence and Kirara bounded across the field, still in her full-grown state. Several of the villagers had to jump out of her way! She finally stopped in front of Inuyasha..and proceeded to jump up on him and purr like she was a kitten again! She purred and licked him silly.

"Hey, hey, Kirara! OK, OK! Down, down…I missed you too!" He had to laugh. "Hey, I love you, too."

"Inuyasha?" several women screamed with joy and raced over to him, throwing their arms around him or kneeling down in praise to God. "Inuyasha…you've alive! You're alive, oh thank God, thank God!".

"Yeah, I'm alive."

"But, Inuyasha, how? We were told Kikyo destroyed the well and only Kagome could have saved you…"

"Yeah, she did save me!"

Smiling, he stepped aside to reveal Kagome, who gave the crowd a wave.

"Kagome!"

"Kagome! But, how…"

Standing next to Inuyasha with her right arm around his shoulders, Kagome replied, "Kaede! She used her shikigami spell to send some of my friends into my time to get me."

"Praise Kaede!" Heroshi said. "God bless that woman, we're all bound to her!" A lot of the villagers crossed themselves.

In the meantime, Inuyasha noticed Sango still on the ground and made his way to her. "Alright, who pushed her?"

No one moved.

"I said, which one of you pushed her? I mean, it, who did that?", he walked through the crowd and helped Sango back up. "Sango, you alright? You OK?"

She nodded and he glared at the crowd. "You were all running around like crazy, ya almost ran her over, all of you! Why the hell did you do that?"

"You realize you all could have hurt her badly?" Kagome asked angrily. "She deserved it for trying to prevent us from going after the one who's to blame for this entire mess!"

"Yeah! As usual, Inuyasha, she was taking everyone's side but yours!"

"Prejudiced little ingrate!"

"We were trying to punish the true villain and she was in our way!"

"Who's in who's way?", Inuyasha cried. "Cut that out, you don't know the whole story, didn't you try to listen to her?"

"Why, she never listened to YOU!"

"Whose side IS she on?"

"Ingrate!"

"Prejudiced!"

"Judgmental!"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Inuyasha yelled to make them be quiet while Sango stood there with her head down.

"Shut up all of you and listen! Sango helped save my life! If it wasn't for her and Kirara, Kagome wouldn't have found me and I would be dead. I owe her my life, so shut UP and let her talk!"

"They're right," Sango admitted to Inuyasha's surprise. "They ARE all right. I've been a terrible friend to you for the longest time. Everything they're saying…it's all true…"

"No it's NOT, Sango!"

"Yes it is. I HAVE called you names and have said you were stupid. I know I've run away a lot instead of helping you fight, hardly ever take your side or even listened to your side in a disagreement, and that was so wrong. You're just as important as Kagome…and I'm sorry I did all those things. I am so, so, so sorry…I…it took almost losing you to realize how important you are to me. I've been so ungrateful, so unappreciative of all you've done.."

"You got that right!" a woman cried out.

"Hey, shut up, we work alone," Inuyasha said. He turned to Sango. "Sango, stop crying…damn it stop crying, you know I hate it when you cry!"

She calmed down a bit as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Sango…come on, you think I could hold a grudge against ya when you did this for me? Course not. Kagome wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, I'd have died by now if it weren't for you, so stop beating yourself up over what happened a long time ago, all right? Believe me, you're forgiven, you made up for it all tonight. Besides, we both know Sesshomaru did a whole lot worse to me, If I can forgive him, I can forgive you."

Sango smiled quietly. "Thank you, Inuyasha.." she threw her arms around him. "I never told you this, but you're like another brother to me…I love you…"

"Hey, I love ya like a sister too, Sango," he hugged her back gently. When he pulled away he glared at the crowd. "Yeah, ya heard me just now, I forgive her. Ya probably heard me just a few seconds ago too. Let me clue ya in…Sango and Kirara weren't the only ones who helped me…she went into Kagome's time with two others. Care to guess who they were?"

"Miroku and Shippo?:"

Guess again," Kagome said.

The villagers were silent for a moment.

"One was Rin. You know who Rin is?"

"Isn't she a little servant girl belonging to your brother?"

"She's not a servant girl, but she does live with him. Yeah, she was one. The other? Give ya a hint, it was the one whose door you were gonna slam that thing into!"

The villagers stood agape.

"Yeah, that's right...it was my brother."

"He tells the truth," came a voice.

The villagers whirled around to face Sesshomaru standing right at his gate. The villagers all aimed their weapons at him, but Inuyasha jumped right in front of them.

"PUT THOSE WEAPONS AWAY!" he yelled.

They withdrew in surprise.

"Yeah, ya heard me, put them ALL away, and I'm talking NOW! First one of you that aims at my brother gets thrown clear across the garden, got it? Don't look so surprised. Why would I want ya to kill the one who helped save my life? HE was the one who went into Kagome's time to get her, HE was the one who had the IDEA to go to Kaede in the first place. If it wasn't for HIM I'd be dead!"

"That would never happen, brother," Sesshomaru said. "I would have never let you die." He looked at the disbelieving villagers. "I don't blame any of you for not believing me….but I don't lie. I have made peace with my brother, and I was the one who went to Kaede and begged for her help."

He turned to Inuyasha. "Are you all right, Inuyasha?"

"Yeah…better than I've been in the past two days."

Sesshomaru faced the crowd. "My brother speaks the truth, I did travel into Kagome's time to find her and bring her back to Inuyasha…disguised as a human."

The villagers gasped at this.

"Yes, it's true. You see, not only have I made peace with my brother, I have come to realize that I no longer hate humans at all. I fact, I can honestly say….I like humans."

"He's even adopted a human as his daughter," Inuyasha said.

At that very moment, Rin came running out of the castle and stood directly in front of the brothers.

"Why are you all pointing weapons at Lord Sesshomaru? Please don't hurt him! Please, he's my father! Whatever he did, I know he's sorry for it. He's the only family I have left, don't take him from me, please!"

The villagers slowly lowered what they held in their hands. Sesshomaru put his hand on Rin's shoulder.

"This is my daughter, Rin. Yes, I said my DAUGHTER, she's the one I've adopted. As you can see," he gently brushed her hair back. "She's fully human. But…I no longer care. She's my daughter, the most wonderful thing to have ever happened to me…and I honestly love her," to prove his point he lifted Rin into his arms, gave her a hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Rin."

"I love you too, Lord Sesshomaru," she kissed him back on the cheek and hugged him again, laying her cheek on his shoulder.

"NOW do you believe him?" Kagome asked. The villagers, now convinced, lowered their weapons and the people in the trees climbed down.

Something in the bag of one of the women caught Sesshomaru's eye. He asked her, "What do you have there?"

The woman put her hand upon the scroll.

"May I see that?"

The woman looked doubtful.

"Please, trust me. I just want to see it."

Slowly, she took the scroll out and gave it to him. He then unrolled it and read it- the petition. His eyes grew wide. "A petition…to end prejudice toward half-demons. Inuyasha…come and read this for yourself,"

Inuyasha moved near his brother and stared at the document open-mouthed. After a few moments, he looked up but said nothing…he was suddenly afraid he might cry. Sesshomaru looked up too. "This is a splendid idea," he turned. "Jaken!" He called. Jaken ran outside. "Yes, Mi Lord?"

"Go in and fetch a pen, inkwell, and my seal."

"As you will, Mi Lord," He went inside and in a few moments was back. "Here they are, Mi Lord."

"Thank you, Jaken," he took the pen and in front of everyone signed the petition, and pressed his seal on it.

"Let it be known that with my seal upon this document it has now become law in the Western Lands. Here, little brother, no one will ever be prejudiced against you again."

The villagers stood agape.

"He HAS changed!" one of the men cried out.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't just see it with my own eyes!"

Father Toshiro approached him.

"Sesshomaru," he began, "This show of love for this little girl, speech of forgiveness by Inuyasha, and signing of this petition has convinced all of us that you speak the truth. If Inuyasha can forgive you….we all can too. Let it be known that as a man of the cloth, if you are truly sorry for what you have done…"

"I am, Father. Truly I am sorry for my past behavior, and I will do everything in my power to make up for my past mistakes."

"Ya have, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said, coming up to him. In front of the villagers Inuyasha took his brother's hand.

"Everyone watch," he said as he held Sesshomaru's hand to his heart and rubbed it gently.

"This is the Demon Sign of Affection."

Sesshomaru returned it.

"I love you, little brother."

"I love ya too, Sesshomaru."

Father Toshiro smiled.

"Then by the grace of God, you are forgiven for your sins."

Meanwhile Shippo managed to get Sango's attention from his place at the window and threw something down to her. Sango called out, "Now, do all of you want to know who is REALLY to blame for what happened to Inuyasha?"

"We do know, it was Kikyo!"

"Where's that bitch hiding?"

"She'll pay for this!"

"Not JUST Kikyo! She DID have an accomplice, but it isn't who you all think! You've all been deceived, the same way Miroku, Shippo, Kagome, and I were,"

She held up the tape recorder. "Listen!" She pressed 'Play', and Koga's voice came through loud and clear, happily declaring that he had done it. All of the villagers looked at each other with anger and shock.

"That…that MONSTER!"

"HEARTLESS BEAST!"

"That deceitful disgusting horrid bastard!"

One of the villagers approached Sesshomaru .

"Sesshomaru, please accept our deepest apologies. Sango…we apologize to you as well. We had no idea…"

"It's alright," Sango said quickly. "You were deceived by that beast the same way we all were. That's Koga's talent…the way he can manipulate people to see things his way and no one else's."

Sesshomaru added, "That's why that beast MUST be stopped…no matter the cost. He is at the second floor of the castle now. Would you all like to assist in getting rid of him?"

The villagers all nodded. "Thank you. All of you walk quietly to the rear entrance of the castle, use the staircase to go upstairs and wait till I call you."

Inuyasha took Kagome and jumped back to the bedroom window while Sango, Rin, Kirara, Jaken, and Sesshomaru went back inside. Koga greeted them all smugly.

"Ah, back so soon? What, did you kill all of them down there before the Slayer could stop you?"

"No Wolf, in fact, we did nothing of the sort."

"What's the matter, Sesshomaru? Did ya run away like a coward when you saw the purified weapons? HA! Some Lord of the Western lands YOU are! Running away like a cowardly sparrow! Well, I can hear them coming upstairs. Hiding won't do you any good once they find you."

"Who says I will hide from them?"

"Ah, I see, you want US to have front row seats at your battle? Delighted! You might want to get a nice seat, Kikyo, this could get interesting,"

By this time his back was now facing the curtain that was drawn around Inuyasha's bed"

Oh, it will get interesting, Wolf, just not for you. You might want to back away from that curtain."

"Why? Afraid I'll get dog-boy's dead cooties?"

Sesshomaru growled at those words and picked up the wolf henchman that was closest to Koga. "I'm warning you, Wolf…you back away from that curtain and leave my castle, or I will demonstrate to this henchman of yours EXACTLY what I shall do to you!"

The wolf became pale as death with those words and the feel of Sesshomaru's cold, sharp claws pressing onto his throat.

"Boss, boss, please…please do what he says! Boss, let's get out of here.." he gasped at Sesshomaru. "Please, please let me go….I'll give you anything you want.."

"Anything?"

"Yes, anything!"

"Will you give me your gold?"

"Yes, the gold, take all of mine!"

"Will you give me your land?"

"Yes, I'll give you my share of the land. I'll give you anything you want!"

Sesshomaru pulled the wolf close to him "I WANT MY BROTHER BACK!" he threw the wolf into the wall.

Koga smirked, and he said, "Unfortunately that's pretty near impossible!" he laughed.…until he became aware of cold claws on his shoulder. Slowly he reached back and felt them before turning around…into the face of Inuyasha!

"I….I…Inuyasha?"

"Hey, Koga," he snarled angrily.

"I..I..INUYASHA?" Kikyo screamed, backing up. "It…oh my God…why do you look like that?"

"Not the night of the New Moon, Kikyo, I'm SUPPOSED to look like this!"

Koga backed up to join Kikyo. "I thought you said this plan was foolproof, Kikyo," he mumbled to her through clenched teeth, "It WAS supposed to be foolproof!"

"Well, it isn't, something happened!"

"The potion must have worn off, I have to retest it!"

"The well is still destroyed, right?"

"Of course, there's a different spell on it!"

"Ya might want to go test THAT, too!"

"Hey, shut up, both of ya!" Inuyasha said. "For your information, the spell DIDN'T wear off. I just got the antidote!"

"But wait…how?"

"Simple…I helped!" Sango said, stepping up next to him.

Koga looked amused. "The SLAYER is his one true love?" He had to laugh. "Aw, too bad, Monk. Looks like you're cut! Kagome is too! Neither one of you were meant to be!"

"She's NOT my true love!" Inuyasha said.

"Ah, but she IS, if SHE gave you the antidote, SHE'S your destined soul mate!" Kikyo said.

"I wish you both many many happy years together," Koga said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go comfort Kagome when I tell her the news.."

"You won't have to, Koga!" came a voice. Kagome appeared from behind the curtain with her bow and arrow poised. "Surprise, Koga and Kikyo!"

Koga was in shock at first, but then his face relaxed, "Kagome!" he declared. "You're looking as lovely as ever."

"SHUT UP!"

"But..wait…how….don't tell me THAT spell failed…"

"Your SISTER, Kaede! SHE helped get me by using her shikigami!"

"Damn her and her spells!" Kikyo cried out.

Kagome glared at Kikyo venomously, and she shouted, "NO…MORE LIKE DAMN YOU FOR ALMOST KILLING THE MAN I LOVE, YOU WALKING CLAY BITCH! WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU, THE SERVANTS HERE ARE GONNA NEED A BROOM TO SWEEP YOU OUT!"

Koga said, "Come on, Kagome…I was only trying to show you how much I love you. After all…I've always been here to help you…unlike dog-boy there."

Kagome slapped Koga with every bit of strength she had, leaving a very visible red imprint of her hand on his cheek. She shouted, "DON'T YOU EVER CLAIM TO LOVE ME, KOGA…YOU LYING, MANIPULATIVE, NO-GOOD PIECE OF SCUM! I'VE LOVED INUYASHA FOR A LONG TIME NOW, EVEN IF WE HAVE HAD SOME ROUGH SPOTS! WE'VE BOTH HELPED EACH OTHER OUT WHEN WE'VE NEEDED IT, AND I DON'T EVER WANT YOU TO TOUCH ME AGAIN, NOW OR EVER! HEAR ME AND HEAR ME WELL, KOGA…YOU AND I ARE DONE, AND I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! I LOVE INUYASHA, AND I ALWAYS WILL LOVE INUYASHA!"

Koga replied, "Kagome…how can you love that stupid mutt? He's arrogant, hot-tempered, can't decide if he wants to be with you or Kikyo…not that he deserves to even live in the first place…AGGGHHH!"

Koga was cut off when Kirara let out a savage growl and launched herself at him, slamming into him with every bit of power in her muscles. He tried to push her off, but she was immensely strong, and incredibly fast for her size. Kirara swatted Koga with one of her paws, and the blow sent him flying. He landed face-down right at Sesshomaru's feet, and the Demon Lord said, "How fitting for you to end up at my feet, Koga. You are a pathetic, low-born coward, and for you to think Kagome would want you as her husband, especially after all that you have done…you truly are a fool. If I were you, wolf…I would leave this castle and go back to your lands, and bury myself in my cave…before I rip you into bloody ribbons and bury your shredded remains."

Koga smirked, and he said, "Aw…are you jealous that I almost killed your pathetic brother before you could?"

Sesshomaru's eyes flared red, and he grabbed Koga by the throat. He growled menacingly, baring his fangs in Koga's face. He said, "DO…NOT…INSULT MY BROTHER EVER AGAIN…UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR SPINE RIPPED OUT ALONG WITH THE REST OF YOUR BONES. GET OUT OF MY SIGHT IMMEDIATELY, AND TAKE THAT WALKING CLAY CORPSE WITH YOU!"

In the meantime, Sango caught Kikyo in the gut with her left foot as she delivered a vicious roundhouse kick that would've caused a great deal of injury, if Kikyo were still alive. As it was, the blow was enough to send Kikyo flying into the wall, and as she slowly rose to her feet, she clutched at her side with one hand, staggering badly. She said, "NOW you defend him, Sango…why is that? Oh wait…it's because KAGOME is here, isn't it? ADMIT it, Sango…you don't give a DAMN about Inuyasha, nor have you EVER!"

Sango retorted, "Kikyo, you little bitch…SO HELP ME GOD I AM GOING TO SMASH YOU INTO SO MANY PIECES, THERE WON'T BE ANY WAY TO TELL WHICH PART OF YOU IS WHAT! IN THE NAME OF INUYASHA, FOR ALL THE TIMES HE'S SAVED MY LIFE…YOU'RE DEAD!"

Kagome walked over, and she said, "Sango, I owe her too…she almost killed Inuyasha, and there is NO WAY IN HELL I'M GONNA LET HER GET AWAY WITH THAT! KIKYO, YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT JUST HOW DANGEROUS I CAN BE WHEN MY FRIENDS ARE THREATENED…ESPECIALLY INUYASHA! HEAR ME NOW KIKYO…I LOVE HIM, AND I TRUST HIM…NOT JUST HIS HUMAN HALF LIKE YOU DID, I LOVE HIM…ALL OF HIM, NOW AND FOREVER!"

Kikyo replied, "Oh my…I'd almost think you memorized that speech, Kagome. Does he REALLY love you though? Whenever I'm nearby, he comes running to me, leaving you behind. Then again…I can't really blame him. After all…you're only a whiny, clumsy little brat, and I've got beauty, smarts, and…OUCH!", Kikyo was cut off as Sango swept her legs out from under her, and Kagome added a nice slap across the face. She said, "There's a reason Inuyasha loves me, Kikyo…and I already mentioned it. I trust him more than you EVER did…that's why Naraku tricked you so easily. You wouldn't have blamed him for your death if you REALLY loved him…I know in my heart that he'd never hurt me that way, Kikyo. I love and trust Inuyasha from the bottom of my soul, and I always will."

Inuyasha flung Koga head-first into a wall, and he said, "I'll always love you too, Kagome…and I want you to know that I've felt so much happier being with you than I ever did with Kikyo…after all, it's kinda hard to feel at ease with someone that can only love part of you." Inuyasha glared at Kikyo as he finished his statement.

Kikyo said, "Inuyasha, you're making a serious mistake…if you think I'm going to let you go that easily, you've got another thing coming."

Sango shouted, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU CARE, KIKYO? YOU DON'T LOVE HIM LIKE KAGOME DOES…YOU JUST PROVED IT! GET AWAY FROM MY FRIENDS BEFORE I SMASH YOU INTO THE DUST YOU SHOULD BE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"

Kikyo replied, "Sango…don't you mean 'friend'? You never cared for Inuyasha, so don't pretend to start now. As for me…I did all this so we could be together, Inuyasha…don't you see? I still miss you, and if we can go down to Hell together, we'll have each other."

Inuyasha shoved Kikyo off of him, and he said, "Kikyo, you cold, unfeeling bitch…DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN! KAGOME IS THE WOMAN I LOVE NOW, AND I WILL ALWAYS BE AT HER SIDE!"

Inuyasha started to walk away, but then he remembered something. Turning to face Kikyo again, he said "Kikyo, just out of curiosity, do you still have that clamshell full of rouge I gave you…the one that belonged to my mother?"

Kikyo replied, "Why do you ask, Inuyasha…you gave it to me as a gift, because you love me."

Inuyasha replied, "I THOUGHT I loved you, Kikyo…you obviously never loved me…not like Kagome does. My mother wanted me to give that rouge to the woman I fell in love with…as a way of saying that they have her blessings. Sango…hold her, please."

Sango grabbed Kikyo from behind and held her effortlessly. She said, "She's all yours, Inuyasha…just don't tear her apart."

Inuyasha smiled, and then he reached into the outer pocket of Kikyo's robe, until he found what he was looking for. He said, "You hardly used any of it, Kikyo…not like it really suits you anyway. I think this lovely present belongs to someone who can truly appreciate how much it means to me for her to have one of the things my mother cherished most…make that two, myself included."

With that, Inuyasha crossed the room, stopping in front of Kagome. He slid the clamshell into her hand, and he said, "For you, Kagome…my mother said to give it to the girl I love…and I love you more than you could ever know."

Kagome applied a small amount to her lips, and when she held up her travel mirror, she said, "Inuyasha, it's lovely! I'll cherish this always…as much as I cherish you."

Inuyasha kissed Kagome, and he said, "I'll always cherish you too, Kagome…I promise that I'll stay with you forever."

Kikyo tried to cut in, but Sango drilled an uppercut into her jaw, knocking her to the floor, right on her rear. Sango said, "Don't even think about it, Kikyo…or I'll use you to sharpen my sword and let Kirara have whatever's left!"

Kikyo drew herself up off the floor, and she said, "Inuyasha…why? How could you choose her over me? What does she have that I don't?"

Inuyasha moved even closer to Kagome and slid an arm around her shoulders, to which Kagome responded by leaning her head against Inuyasha's chest. He said, "Simple, Kikyo…she's warm-hearted, smart, funny, caring, and most of all…she loves BOTH halves of my soul. You never truly loved me as a half-demon, Kikyo…THAT was why you wanted me to become human. Not so we could be together…but so you could be free of guarding the Jewel and so you wouldn't have a half-demon around. Kagome's told me that she loves me just the way I am, Kikyo…she's vowed to stay at my side no matter what, and with a love like hers, I know that I have something to live for, not just her, but our friends as well, and especially my brother."

Sesshomaru split one wolf in half with his whip as it attempted to charge Miroku from behind, and he then skewered a second one with Tokijin, before replying, "I quite agree, Inuyasha. Kagome is perfect for you. She is brave, honorable, loyal…and she has made it possible for us to finally end our bitter rivalry. Kikyo, you and Koga WILL die for trying to take my brother from me. I have just found him again, and I WILL NOT lose him, not now or ever."

Koga replied, "Yeah, until next time he turns his back and ya decide ya want his sword, right? If ya want, I can kill him now for ya, free of charge."

Koga's answer came in the form of a bone-crushing punch to the jaw from Sesshomaru's fist, and the Demon Lord growled out, "IF YOU LAY SO MUCH AS A CLAW ON MY BROTHER NOW OR EVER AGAIN, YOU MISERABLE LOW-BORN COWARD…I WILL SKIN YOU ALIVE, RIP OUT YOUR ENTRAILS, AND USE YOU AS FERTILIZER IN THE GARDEN!"

While everyone's attention was focused on the fight, a pair of black butterflies flew in through an open window, and when Shippo saw them from where he was standing with Rin, he said, "Hey, I think that's Rukia!"

Miroku blocked the attack of a wolf-demon with his staff, before flipping his assailant up and over him, where the beast landed hard on his back. He tried to rise, only to have Kirara sink her massive fangs into his shoulder and crush him. Two more wolves ganged up on Inuyasha, but Kirara went ballistic on them both. The first one got ripped in half by a swipe from her claws, and she rammed her head into the second one's gut, smashing his ribs. Inuyasha said, "Thanks, Kirara. I'm really glad to have a friend like you. Thanks for helping Sango, Rin, and Sesshomaru bring Kagome back here."

Kirara gently rubbed her head against Inuyasha's side and purred, and he reached down to rub her behind the ear. Shippo came over then, and he said, "Inuyasha, look…I think Rukia's back."

Sure enough, when Inuyasha looked, the short, black-haired female Shinigami was leaning against the wall, her arms folded across her chest as she watched the battle. Inuyasha said, "Hey, Rukia. What are you doing back here?"

Smiling, she replied, "I'm here for Koga. When you finish tearing him apart, I'm going to be escorting his sorry butt up to Soul Society for his soul's final judgment in front of the Council Of Captains. I'm here with my friend Ichigo…he's a deputy Soul Reaper."

Inuyasha, Miroku, and Shippo all looked next to Rukia, to find a tall, orange-haired young man dressed in similar attire to Rukia, with a sword strapped to his back. He said, "Hi there, Inuyasha. My name's Ichigo Kurosaki. Rukia told me all about you and your friends. Don't worry…we won't step in unless we're needed. I'm betting you can handle Koga, right?"

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles and grinned, and he replied, "Oh, you bet I can. I've got all my friends here to help me, and I've got my brother."

Koga interrupted, "Yeah, half-breed…some brother HE is! Then again, as pathetic as you are, he'd be doing you a favor by killing you."

Inuyasha said, "You better shut that big mouth, Koga…OR I'LL SHUT IT FOR YA!"

Smirking, Koga tried his old 'turn on the charm' bit, and he said, "Kagome, do you hear how he's talking to me? Why don't you teach him some manners…I could use a good laugh."

Inuyasha growled, and he said, "Koga, she's not gonna be slamming my face into the dirt ever again. You on the other hand…I hope you brought some medicinal herbs, 'cuz you're about to experience a VERY bad headache."

Koga lunged at Inuyasha, only to stop short when a fist smashed into his face. Looking up, he saw a tall, orange-haired young man with black robes and a sword in hand…a rather menacing-looking sword with a blade as black as onyx stone. He said, "Oh damn…a Shinigami…look, I'm not the one you want…take the half-breed…or Fluffy over there…just leave me alone so I can have Kagome…between Inuyasha and I…I'm the only one that's enough of a man for her."

Ichigo said, "Yeah, if you're such a man, then why did you try and kill Inuyasha, huh? Can't accept the fact that Kagome loves HIM and not YOU? Or did you actually think that your plan with that special potion was gonna work?"

Kagome said, "Potion? What potion is he talking about, Koga?"

The wolf replied, "Hey, don't listen to him, Kagome. He doesn't know about how I feel for you." He slipped some of the potion into a cup of water that he grabbed from a nearby table, and offered it to her. He said, "Here, Kagome…you look a bit thirsty."

Sesshomaru said, "Kagome, do not drink that…Ichigo is correct about that potion. Allow me to fill you in. My mother told me about it while we were searching for you. That potion…it was made by Kikyo for Koga to give to you. Should you drink that water, you will be helpless to do anything other than what Koga wants you to do. He intended to take you off to his cave and 'show you what a real man was like.'

At that, Kagome's eyes narrowed, and she crossed the room with a look on her face that could melt steel. Shippo huddled next to Kirara, and Rukia looked over at Ichigo. She said, "Three…two…one…and…"

'SLAP!'

"YOU COWARDLY SON OF A BITCH! KOGA, WHERE I'M FROM, THAT'S KNOWN AS RAPE! INUYASHA WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ME, EVER! THAT'S WHY I'VE CHOSEN TO BE WITH HIM, KOGA…BECAUSE HE NOT ONLY LOVES ME, HE RESPECTS ME! WHEN I DO CHOOSE TO SEAL MY LOVE, I'LL DO IT AFTER I GET MARRIED, NOT BEFORE…AND NEVER WITH YOU!"

Koga said, "Hey Kagome…don't cheat yourself. Inuyasha's nowhere near the man I am…in fact, he's not really a man at all…just a jealous little…OUCH!"

Sango's left fist smashed into his jaw, and she shouted "KOGA, ONE MORE INSULT DIRECTED AT INUYASHA, AND I'M GONNA LET KIRARA USE YOU AS A SCRATCHING POST!"

Koga made another lunge at Inuyasha, but suddenly, Rukia made her own move. She flash-stepped into Koga's path and tripped him, and he said, "You little pint-sized brat, I'm gonna…"

Shippo said, "Now you've done it…hope you like pretzels, Koga…you're about to be one."

Koga said, "What do you mean, you little pipsqueak?"

Rukia said, "Oh Koga…"

Turning around, Koga made ready to punch her, when she raised her arm and, with a slashing motion of her hand, she said, "BAKUDO NUMBER ONE, SAI!"

Before Koga could blink, he found himself in a pretzel knot on the floor, his face touching the ground, and his arms immobilized behind his back. Kagome said, "Wow…Rukia, what'd you do? That's awesome!"

She smiled, and replied, "Just a Kido…one of the many powers of a Soul Reaper. All I did was paralyze him. He's lucky Ichigo didn't go after him…he'd be dead by now. He's all yours, Kagome."

Kikyo tried to take aim at Kagome, only to have Ichigo chop the arrow out of the air. He said, "Nice try, don't do that again!"

Sango flattened her seconds later with a reverse roundhouse kick to the chin.

Meanwhile, Rukia released Koga at Kagome's request, and then Kagome slid Inuyasha's necklace onto the wolf's neck. She said, "Perfect fit…how do you like your present, Koga?"

The wolf demon looked at the beads, and suddenly…he realized what they were, as he looked at Inuyasha. The half-demon smirked and showed the locket that he wore, which Kagome had given him while they'd battled Kaguya. He said, "This is the only thing I wear on my neck now, Koga…a present from the one I love…the one who loves me…Kagome."

The young woman wrapped her left arm around Inuyasha's shoulders, and with a steely look in her eyes, she said in a low, dangerous voice, "Koga…"

The wolf was frantic, not liking her icy tone at all, or the glare in her eyes. He said, "K-Kagome, please…I helped you, remember, against the Band of Seven, Kageromaru and Juromaru, the Panther Demons…I brought you flowers…I…"

"SIT!"

Koga slammed violently into the ground, and Kagome shouted "SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!"

Koga lay at the bottom of a deep crater, twitching and groaning as his whole body felt as if a boulder had fallen on it.

Sesshomaru said, "Koga, my days of fighting with Inuyasha and trying to kill him are over…we have seen past our differences, and I now realize that he is every bit as much our father's son as I am…and that he has the same right to live as I do. Though our family was once divided, we now stand together, reunited."

To emphasize his statement, Sesshomaru walked up next to Inuyasha and placed a hand on his shoulder. He said, "I am with you, Inuyasha…let us put an end to this."

Koga finally drew himself up out of the crater, and he said, "I've had it with being nice, mutt. If you won't surrender Kagome to me, I guess I'll have to take her…AFTER I KILL YOU!"

Inuyasha flexed his claws, and he said, "Bring it on, Koga…I could use some exercise after being bedridden for the past few days. You're gonna be nothing but a bad memory, you cowardly lying bastard…nobody threatens my friends, tries to get my brother killed, or tries to take off with the girl I love. To quote a show I saw with Kagome… 'one shall stand…one shall fall.'…and TODAY KOGA…I RISE, YOU FALL!"

Sesshomaru added, "Yes, Inuyasha…today is the last day of his miserable existence. You and I…we shall both make him pay for what he did to you."

Koga sent his men into the fray, before charging straight at Inuyasha, only to have the half-demon leap up into the air, which left Koga a wide-open target for Sesshomaru's fist to the gut. Koga felt five of his ribs crack from the powerful blow, and when he aimed a punch of his own at Sesshomaru, the Demon Lord said, "Koga…you are far too slow. I've had more entertaining and challenging sparring matches with Inuyasha…and he is half-demon. In fact…Sango gives me a greater challenge than you."

Koga said, "Yeah…ya sing his praises now, Sesshomaru…I bet ya a ton of gold coins you'll try to kill him before the night's out."

Sesshomaru dashed forward and grabbed Koga by the throat before he could even blink, and he dug his claws in deep. Koga could hear the bones start to pop and crack, and he knew that Sesshomaru could easily crush his windpipe if he so chose. Sesshomaru said, "I will NEVER attack my brother again, you dishonorable scum! We have mended our differences, and I intend to make sure that Inuyasha receives what he deserves in life…happiness, a home, and most of all…a family."

With that said, Sesshomaru hurled Koga into the wall, and he said, "Jaken, go and fetch father's scroll from my study, along with my pen and my seal."

The toad imp replied, "As you wish, Mi Lord."

After a few minutes, Jaken came back out, and he said, "Here you are, Lord Sesshomaru…just as you ordered. Also…I believe I can feel our 'guests' approaching."

Sesshomaru smiled, and he said, "Excellent. Jaken, go downstairs and greet them on their arrival."

Jaken bowed, and he headed downstairs. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru turned to face his brother, and he said, "Inuyasha, come stand with me. For this special occasion, we should stand side by side, just as we always will from this day forward."

When Inuyasha had taken his place at his brother's side, Sesshomaru unrolled the scroll, and he said, "To begin with…I would appreciate if all present would kindly have a seat, aside from my brother, Kagome, and myself. Koga, sit down, or I will grind your face into the ground."

Koga replied, "Sorry, Sesshomaru…I'd rather stand if you don't mind. The day I bow to that half-breed is…"

"SIT!"

Once again, Koga hit the ground face-first, and Shippo burst out in peals of laughter. Kirara planted one of her paws on his back, and she extended her claws as if to warn him of what would happen if he tried getting cute. In the meantime, Kikyo tried to make an exit, but Rukia flash-stepped in front of her and floored her with an uppercut to the jaw. She said, "I don't think Sesshomaru said you could leave yet…so have a seat."

Kikyo said, "You little bitch…I'm going to…"

"BAKUDO NUMBER ONE…SAI!"

Kikyo ended up in a pretzel-knot on the floor, and Rukia said, "Nobody calls me 'bitch' or 'brat' and gets away with it, you jealous little harpy. Now open your ears and shut your mouth. Sesshomaru has something important to say, and I'd very much like to hear it."

Sesshomaru turned to face the short dark-haired Shinigami, and he said, "Thank you, Rukia. Now then…since I have everyone's undivided attention, I would like to say this, Inuyasha…I know that in the past, I was anything but a brother to you…in fact, I put you through Hell so many times, I am still surprised you even want anything to do with me. You have taught me a great many things, Inuyasha…especially making me realize just how important family truly is. I know that I cannot undo what I have done in the past…but I CAN make certain that you never again are forced to live your life without a home, a family, or the most important thing all living things, be they human, demon, or half-demon, are entitled to…love, and the chance to find that one special person that they are truly happy with, as you have found with Kagome. Inuyasha, as of now, I hereby return to you that which I so foolishly took away from you as a child, due to my arrogance and pride. From this day forward, all that I have, we shall share. My home shall forever be yours as well, all these lands…we shall share them, and I also hereby give back to you what you inherited at birth…the title that you deserve to share along with me. All bow before Lord Inuyasha of the Western Lands!"

Kagome threw her arms around Inuyasha and hugged him tight, and he returned the favor, before both of them kissed deeply. Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and even Kirara bowed, and Ichigo said, "Congratulations, Sesshomaru…with that, you've proven beyond a doubt that you truly have seen the error of your ways."

Rukia added, "My thoughts exactly. When you pass on, Sesshomaru…Heaven has a special spot waiting for you. Ichigo and I are just gonna hang back and watch now…I'm sure you and your brother can finish cleaning up the mess."

Sesshomaru replied, "Indeed. Now Koga…you SHALL die. You nearly took away my only sibling, you tried to frame me for the act…and you attempted to force yourself on the woman that my brother loves. I would be very interested to find out what a certain FEMALE wolf-demon would have to say about your actions over the last few days."

Koga said, "What the hell are you talking about, Sesshomaru?"

At that very second, Jaken came up, and he said, "Lord Sesshomaru?"

The Demon Lord replied, "Yes, Jaken?"

Bowing, Jaken said, "Our guests have arrived, Mi Lord."

Smiling, Sesshomaru replied, "Excellent. Show them in, and then I want you to go and

keep an eye on Rin."

Jaken replied, "As you wish, Lord Sesshomaru."

A few moments later, Jaken came back upstairs, followed by a tall female demon that looked a great deal like Sesshomaru. Her long, silver hair flowed down her back, and her amber-gold eyes gleamed in the light of the candles along the walls. She said, "Hello, Sesshomaru. Thank you for inviting me to your home…it's lovely to be back."

Koga said, "Hey Sesshomaru, when were you gonna tell me you had a girlfriend?"

Sesshomaru backhanded Koga, and he growled out, "SHE IS NOT MY GIRLFRIEND, KOGA…SHE IS MY MOTHER! IF YOU DO NOT TREAT HER WITH THE RESPECT SHE DESERVES…I WILL MAKE YOUR DEATH EXTREMELY SLOW AND PAINFUL!"

Koga said, "Your mom…THAT'S YOUR MOTHER?" He looked over at Kumiko, and he said, "When did you have him…when you were one thousand?"

Kumiko belted Koga in the side of the head, and the wolf said, "Hey, that was a compliment…you look great! I'm surprised too…with a son like HIM, I'd think you'd have pulled all your hair out, or disowned him."

This time, Kumiko grabbed Koga and yanked him up to eye level…she was just a few inches shorter than Sesshomaru, but the icy tone in her voice promised just as much pain and suffering if Koga failed to shut his mouth. She said, "He IS my son, you bastard…and regardless of the mistakes he made in the past, he always will be my son. A mother's love forgives all, and his father has forgiven him as well."

Koga said, "Hah…if his father was anything like the half-breed…no wonder. They're both weak and pathetic, and I'd be doing your son a favor by getting rid of…AAAHHH!"

Kumiko drove her fist into Koga's stomach, and Sesshomaru slashed his claws across the wolf's left arm, slicing a deep, bloody wound. Inuyasha got Koga from behind, and threw him backwards over his shoulder, where he crashed into the floor, hard. Inuyasha said, "I may not have known my father, you bastard…but nobody is gonna get away with insulting the man that brought me into this world…especially when he gave his life to defend me and my mother!"

Sesshomaru added, "My father…", he looked at his brother, before continuing, "OUR father…was among the greatest demons of all, Koga…his power was such that entire armies of demons would run in fear from his wrath, and only a few EXTREMELY foolish humans dared to challenge him. He was not a fool, Koga…he had wisdom, strength, courage, and honor…all of which I inherited, along with his lands and this castle, and those qualities are also part of Inuyasha…even if he is not full-demon, I am still EXTREMELY proud to call him my brother."

Kumiko said, "Koga, InuTaisho and I might have separated, but we remained VERY good friends even after he married Inuyasha's mother Izayoi…I personally gave them a very lovely vase as a wedding gift, and I knew Izayoi well. My late friend was anything but weak or foolish, you pathetic low-born mongrel of a wolf. If he were here today, I can assure you that he would skin you alive, SLOWLY, before breaking every bone in your body one at a time, and then he would grind you to dirt. My son is right…Inuyasha is every bit the man that his father was, and so is Sesshomaru for that matter. Kagome…take it from me, any son of my late friend will be the best man that you could ever give your heart to. I can tell that Inuyasha truly loves you, and I hope you both have a wonderful future together."

Kagome replied, "Thank you, Kumiko…and I could never give my heart to anyone else other than Inuyasha. Before I do that though…I think I've got some unfinished business to take care of…a certain walking corpse that doesn't know how to die!"

Sesshomaru said, "Koga, insulting my father was a mistake that you will NOT live very much longer to regret. Before this night is over, you WILL be dead. In the name of my brother, and my father's honor…DIE!"

The Demon-Lord slashed Koga across the chest with his claws, before kicking him into the wall. Inuyasha added several punches to the face, while Kumiko added a slash from her sword across Koga's right arm.

The wolf staggered to his feet, blood trailing from his arm and his mouth, along with a deep cut on his forehead. He was about to call Sesshomaru out again, when he heard a very angry, and very familiar female voice call out "KOGA! YOU BETTER GET OVER HERE AND EXPLAIN YOURSELF, BEFORE I ASK INUYASHA OR KAGOME TO DO IT INSTEAD!"

Slowly, with sweat beading on his forehead, Koga turned around to find Ayame standing there, her blue eyes narrowed to pinpricks, arms folded across her chest. He said, "A-Ayame…it's nice to see ya again…OW!"

She slugged him in the jaw, and then she shouted, "DON'T GO AND TRY TO PLAY MR. INNOCENT WITH ME, KOGA…I'M NOT STUPID! KUMIKO TOLD ME EVERYTHING ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO THE PAST FEW DAYS! HOW COULD YOU, KOGA…INUYASHA'S NEVER DONE ANYTHING TO YOU, AND KAGOME'S ENTITLED TO BE WITH WHOMEVER SHE CHOOSES! IF SHE LOVES INUYASHA, SO BE IT…BESIDES, YOU ALREADY HAVE SOMEONE THAT YOU PROMISED YOURSELF TO…ME!"

Koga looked around, frantic, unsure of what to say or do. Inuyasha and Kagome were both giving him looks that weren't in any way friendly, Sesshomaru stood off to one side with his mother, both of them watching the scene with interest, while Miroku had a look of sheer disgust on his face. Sango and Kirara were keeping an eye on Kikyo, who was still paralyzed thanks to Rukia's Kido spell. Koga's men were unsure of what their leader wanted them to do, so they simply stood there.

Finally, Ayame broke the silence. She said, "Koga, I want to know what in the name of GOD you were thinking! Inuyasha helped you, don't you remember when he stopped Naraku from absorbing you when you got pulled into his body? He also stopped Kagura from killing you that time you were tricked into fighting Inuyasha, and Kagome stopped that fake jewel shard from poisoning you. You owe him your life at least TWICE, Koga…and as for Kagome, what you tried to do to her…trying to FORCE her to be your wife is bad enough…but the potion…you make me SICK! Koga, you made me a promise when I was younger, after saving me from the Birds Of Paradise. I can still remember it, Koga…so in case your memory's a bit rusty, let me refresh it. You promised me that when I got older, you'd come and make me your bride. Well, Koga…that day has come. My grandfather is the ruler of the Northern Wolf Tribe, Koga…as you well know, and that makes me next in line for the title. If we were to marry, not only would you not have to worry about Inuyasha or Sesshomaru wanting to kill you, or facing my wrath, it would also ensure the survival of BOTH of our clans. Koga, you promised me, under the full moon, by a waterfall, under a Lunar Rainbow, that you would marry me when I was old enough, and now, here you are trying to force Kagome to marry you, despite knowing that she loves Inuyasha. Koga…I'm giving you ONE chance…which one of us do you want, me…", she placed her right thumb on her chest, "Or Kagome?", she asked, pointing towards where Kagome was currently hugging Inuyasha. "Choose now, Koga…but be careful. You'll only get one chance to make the right decision."

Koga began sweating nervously…Ayame had him backed into a corner, and the glares he was receiving from Inuyasha and Kagome weren't helping either. Rukia began humming a tune that Koga had never heard before, but Kagome started chuckling into her closed fist, as did Ichigo and Inuyasha. When she finished her little ditty, she said, "Time's up, Koga…what's your answer?"

Koga's first impulse was to rip the annoying little twerp apart, but he remembered that despite her small stature, Rukia was a Soul Reaper, and could easily beat him to a pulp with her bare hands, so he kept his mouth shut. Instead, he focused on his real choice…who to choose…Kagome or Ayame? The girl he'd claimed to be his, or the one he'd made a promise to…even though he didn't really remember that too clearly. He said, "I…don't suppose I could have you both?"

Ayame charged Koga and backhanded him across the face, and then she lifted him off the floor with her hand on his throat. She said, "KOGA, YOU LYING BASTARD! YOU MADE ME A PROMISE, AND NOW YOU GO AND BREAK YOUR WORD? YOU DISGUSTING COWARD…I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN, DO YOU HEAR ME? I HOPE INUYASHA AND SESSHOMARU SKIN YOU ALIVE…SLOWLY!"

With that final statement, she threw Koga with all her strength, right in front of Inuyasha, and she said, "He's all yours, Inuyasha…by the way, good luck with Kagome. You deserve a wonderful girl like her, especially after all you've been through."

Inuyasha smiled and replied, "Thanks, Ayame. By the way…I'm sure either Ginta or Hakaku would make a better husband for you than this jerk. They've both shown more brains than he ever has, and I actually like them. You take care of yourself, Ayame."

The female wolf-demon shook Inuyasha's hand, and then she gave Kagome a brief hug, before turning to the rest of Koga's pack. She said, "Those of you who want an honest, noble leader that won't resort to cowardly tricks like Koga has, or abandon a promise as sacred as a vow to marry under a Lunar Rainbow, come with me. The rest of you can die with that miserable coward that just dishonored his entire clan."

Most of Koga's pack gave him looks of disgust and went to link up with Ayame, and once they'd left with her, only about twelve of Koga's men were left. Koga gave Inuyasha a look of sheer, burning hatred, and he said, "You'll pay for humiliating me, half-breed…not only did you cost me most of my pack…you made me an outcast! I'M GONNA KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS, AND THEN I'M GONNA TAKE KAGOME WITH ME! IN TIME, SHE'LL COME TO LEARN THAT I REALLY AM MORE OF A MAN THAN YOU COULD EVER BE!"

Kagome shouted, "KOGA, I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU…EVER AGAIN! DON'T TALK TO ME, DON'T LOOK AT ME, AND IF YOU TOUCH ME…SO HELP ME GOD I'LL SLAP YOU SO DAMN HARD YOUR HEAD'LL SPIN, AND THEN I'LL PUT AN ARROW RIGHT THROUGH YOUR HEART! I LOVE INUYASHA, NOW AND FOREVER!"

Koga was about to reply, when Inuyasha drilled his fist into his jaw. He said, "Koga, I didn't humiliate you or make you an outcast…YOU DID THAT YOURSELF! YOU BROKE YOUR PROMISE TO AYAME, TRIED TO FORCE YOURSELF ON KAGOME, AND YOU TRIED TO KILL ME WITH KIKYO'S HELP, AND THEN YOU GO AND TRY TO BLAME MY BROTHER FOR IT, AND YOU EVEN GET MY FRIENDS MIROKU AND SANGO LOOKED AT LIKE THEY'RE SOME KIND OF CRIMINALS! SURE THEY MADE MISTAKES…EVERYONE DOES! THE FACT IS…IF I CAN FORGIVE SESSHOMARU, I CAN CERTAINLY FORGIVE BOTH MIROKU AND SANGO! NOBODY TRIES TO RUIN MY FRIENDS' LIVES, HAVE MY BROTHER FRAMED FOR TRYING TO KILL ME WHEN HE WAS ACTUALLY OUT SAVING MY LIFE, OR TRIES TO TAKE AWAY THE WOMAN I LOVE! KOGA…I AM GONNA MAKE THIS CLEAR…I LOVE KAGOME, AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER AND ONLY HER! NOBODY IS GONNA TAKE HER FROM MY SIDE, OR RUIN THE LIVES OF THOSE I CARE FOR! KOGA, YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE JUST HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO GET ON MY FAMILY'S BAD SIDE…I MAY BE HALF-DEMON, BUT THAT PART OF ME HAS THE POWER OF MY FATHER IN IT, AND I'VE GOT ALL MY FRIENDS HERE TO BACK ME UP…ALONG WITH MY BROTHER!"

Meanwhile, Kikyo had somehow managed to free herself from Rukia's Kido, and she drew bead on Sesshomaru from behind while he dealt with a trio of wolf demons. She said, "This spell will work just as well on a full-demon as it will on a half-demon…and you don't have a true love, Lord Sesshomaru. Farewell, soon-to-be late Lord Of The Western Lands!"

Inuyasha hurled one of Koga's men aside, and he spotted Kikyo just as she fired. He shouted, "SESSHOMARU, BEHIND YOU!"

With blinding speed, Sesshomaru spun and sliced the arrow apart with his whip, and he said, "I may not have a true love, Kikyo…but I have my brother. You nearly took away my only sibling…and for that, you shall pay."

Kikyo went for another arrow, only to find that her quiver was gone. She turned around to find Rukia standing there, holding it with a smirk on her face. She said, "Looking for this?"

Kikyo went for Rukia, but she quickly tossed the quiver to Sango, who then proceeded to throw it out the window. Sango said, "No more 'Black Hate Of Death' for you, Kikyo…now you're gonna pay for what you did to my friend. I should've killed you years ago…SO LET ME MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME!"

Kikyo took up a defensive position, but she was no match for Sango, who'd been trained to fight demons since she was a little girl. Sango's foot smashed into her jaw and knocked her into the air, and Kikyo hadn't even hit the ground yet when Sango went airborne, grabbed hold of her and slammed her into the wall, hard. As Kikyo tried to stagger to her feet, Sango hammered five powerful punches into her gut, before drilling three more into her face. She said, "Kikyo, you ugly bitch…so help me God, you'll pay for what you've done! Inuyasha's right…you're nothing but a cold, evil, vindictive clay corpse, and when I'm done with you, you'll be nothing but dust. Mark my words, Kikyo…Inuyasha and Kagome are going to be together, and I intend to make certain that nothing comes between them, ever."

Kikyo replied, "Sango…you call me ugly, but how can I be? After all, I look just like Kagome…we have the same soul, the same face…she IS me, Sango."

Inuyasha shouted, "KIKYO, KAGOME IS NOTHING LIKE YOU! SHE'S MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOU EVER WERE, AND SHE ALSO SMELLS A HELL OF A LOT NICER TOO! SHE'S GOT A SENSE OF HUMOR, AND I CAN ACTUALLY ENJOY JUST BEING WHO I REALLY AM WITH HER! AS LONG AS I'M WITH HER, I KNOW THAT I'LL BE ACCEPTED AND LOVED JUST THE WAY I AM! SHE LOVES ME, HER FAMILY LOVES ME, AND NOW I HAVE MY BROTHER, MY FRIENDS, AND I WANT YOU OUT OF MY LIFE…FOREVER! KIKYO, I'VE GIVEN MY HEART TO KAGOME…AND SHE WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY LOVE!"

Kagome kissed Inuyasha, and she said, "I love you too, Inuyasha…and unlike Kikyo, I don't want you to change…I love you exactly as you are. You're the only man I've ever loved, and I promise that I'll never leave you."

Inuyasha pulled the raven-haired young female into a warm embrace, kicking a Wolf-Demon away from them with his left foot as he smelled it approaching. When they let go of one another, Inuyasha said, "Kagome…go take care of Kikyo. Sesshomaru and I can handle Koga."

Kagome kissed Inuyasha one more time, before heading over to join Sango.

When Kagome was out of the line of fire, Inuyasha turned back to face Koga, who was just picking himself up off the ground. He said, "You'll pay for that, mutt…YOU DON'T KISS MY WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME AND…AAAGGGHHH!"

Inuyasha punched Koga in the gut, and Sesshomaru added a few swipes from his claws for good measure. The Demon-Lord said, "Koga…I believe Kagome indicated that she does not want anything to do with you, and she has made it quite clear that Inuyasha is the one that she loves."

Koga replied, "Yeah…what about you? If they ever have kids…God forbid, they'll end up being quarter-demons, and probably even weaker than your brother…GAH!"

Sesshomaru hauled Koga up, and he growled out, "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU, WOLF…I BELIEVE THE TIME HAS COME TO END THIS. INUYASHA, PLEASE COME WITH ME. I INTEND TO SILENCE THIS LOATHSOME COCKROACH ONCE AND FOR ALL."

Inuyasha smiled, and he said, "I've got an idea, Sesshomaru…put Koga over on the windowsill and have him face outward."

Sesshomaru smiled, as he had a pretty decent idea of what his brother was planning. He placed Koga firmly on the windowsill, and he said, "Enjoy the view, you lowborn bastard…soon, you will be part of the scenery."

Koga sweated profusely now…he was rather high up, and a fall from this height would definitely break several bones. Inuyasha said, "Kagome, what's a three-letter word that begins with 's' and means the opposite of 'stand'?"

Kagome smiled as she caught on to her boyfriend's plan, and she said, "I do believe the word is SIT!"

Immediately, the necklace on Koga's neck glowed pink, and he fell head-first off of the windowsill, hitting the ground hard. Koga's impact made an impressively deep crater, and Shippo yelled down, "HOW'S THE DIRT TASTE, KOGA…BETTER ENJOY IT, 'CUZ YOU'RE GONNA BE BURIED IN IT SOON!"

Koga pulled himself to his feet, and he was about to reply, when both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru landed in front of him. Sesshomaru swiftly drew Tokijin, while Inuyasha stood poised with Tetsusaiga. Kumiko came down to watch, as did Ichigo and Rukia.

Sesshomaru said, "Koga…before my brother and I send you to Hell, I want you to know that EVERY part of your plan has failed…including your hopes of me taking the blame for the attempt on my brother's life."

The wolf-demon smirked, and he said, "Sesshomaru…those humans are a bunch of stupid saps…and they all hate your guts! They'll listen to anything I tell 'em, so quit trying to pretend you're some kind of great savior."

Sesshomaru replied, "So you think that the villagers you stirred up still wish me dead, do you? Let's find out."

The Demon-:Lord whistled, and the garden was suddenly filled with samurai carrying swords, archers with bows and arrows in their hands, and soldiers wielding spears, all of them purified. Koga said, "Ah, how nice of you all to drop in. Sesshomaru…looks like your time is up. Don't worry, half-breed…I'll take good care of Kagome after you're dead."

Heroshi shouted, "KOGA, YOU LYING BASTARD! WE KNOW THE TRUTH NOW! WE ALL HEARD YOU CONFESS TO WHAT YOU AND KIKYO DID TO INUYASHA, SO DON'T EVEN THINK OF TRYING TO DENY IT! TRUE, SESSHOMARU MIGHT HAVE HATED HIS BROTHER ONCE, AND EVEN WANTED HIM DEAD, BUT WE'VE ALL SEEN WITH OUR OWN TWO EYES THAT HE'S CHANGED, AND THAT HE NOW LOVES HIS BROTHER! YOU ALMOST TOOK THE LIFE OF OUR FRIEND…SOMEONE THAT'S DONE SO MUCH FOR SO MANY OF US DESPITE ALL THE ABUSE HE'S GONE THROUGH IN HIS LIFE, AND YOU WOULD'VE FORCED YOURSELF ON KAGOME…YOU ARE TRULY DISGUSTING AND WITHOUT HONOR! KOGA, I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL FOR ETERNITY!"

Father Toshiro stated, "Heroshi is correct, Koga…what you have done is beyond even God's forgiveness. Sesshomaru has repented truly, not only in our eyes, but in the eyes of God as well, and if Inuyasha can forgive him, we can also…just as much as we can forgive Sango for her mistakes."

Sesshomaru smiled, and Inuyasha said, "I thought you said they were all 'stupid saps', Koga…not so stupid, are they? If you ask me, YOU'RE the stupid one around here."

Koga snarled, and he replied, "THAT DOES IT, HALF-BREED! WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU, I'M GONNA FIND A WAY TO KILL THAT BASTARD BROTHER OF YOURS, AND THEN I'LL GET KAGOME TO COME WITH ME, NO MATTER WHAT! I WON'T LET A WEAK, STUPID, WORTHLESS MUTT LIKE YOU HAVE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GIRL LIKE HER…SHE DESERVES A REAL MAN, NOT A PATHETIC MONGREL!"

Inuyasha's response was a vicious slash to Koga's right rib cage, and when Koga looked down, he saw that Inuyasha had sliced a deep gash in his side, which bled profusely. Four of Koga's remaining pack members jumped down, and two of them charged at Inuyasha. The half-demon kicked the first one in the head, smashing the skull and sending him into a tree with violent force, and when the second one tried to pull Inuyasha into a chokehold from behind, he spun around and stabbed Tetsusaiga through the wolf's stomach, before pulling the blade free.

Sesshomaru caught the third wolf around the neck with his whip and used it to hurl him into the air. When the wolf landed, Sesshomaru looked down at him with a look of sheer disgust on his face. He said, "Pathetic low-born demon…DIE!"

The wolf's chest was pierced easily by Tokijin's long, narrow blade, and Sesshomaru charged the last one, moving far too quickly for the wolf to keep track of him. He speared his fist into the wolf-demon's midsection, and he said, "Let us see how you like my Poison Claws, you miserable bastard."

There was a hissing sound followed by a green mist, and the wolf-demon dissolved into nothing more than a bubbling pile of goop.

Koga charged at Inuyasha from the right, only to have his bell rung by a vicious left hook, which Inuyasha followed up by cracking six punches into Koga's gut that would have killed a human instantly. Even as a demon, Koga was coughing up blood, and he knew that at least five or six of his ribs were broken, along with the deep gashes in his side. Inuyasha was not only stronger than Koga remembered from their previous fights, he was faster too. Koga had only managed to land a couple of punches to Inuyasha's chin, which the half-demon had shrugged off like water off a duck's back.

Inuyasha said, "Hey Koga…you claim you're such a big man? Look at you…you're lucky you're not fighting my brother if I've torn you up like this. Hell…Sango would have killed you by now, not to mention Kirara."

Koga spat more blood from his mouth, and he said, "So ya got off to a lucky start, half-breed. Let's see how ya like THIS!"

Koga drilled a punch into Inuyasha's jaw which he barely turned away from in time before the punch would have shattered his lower jaw, and Koga then jumped on Inuyasha, using his good arm to try and choke him to death. He said, "I've waited a long time for this, mutt…it's all over for you!"

The wolf suddenly sensed an immensely powerful aura approaching from behind, and when he turned to look, Sesshomaru's knee caught him under the chin, launching him into the air and sending him crashing into a rock. The Demon-Lord said, "I warned you, wolf…anyone foolish enough to harm my brother will face my wrath. Now…PREPARE TO DIE!"

Sesshomaru came in fast, and Koga tried to draw the sword that he kept at his side. Sesshomaru brought Tokijin around in a right-arcing slash, which Koga barely parried. The second time, he wasn't so fortunate, as Tokijin's blade pierced his left shoulder and nearly came out the other side. Sesshomaru said, "Are you always this slow, Koga…or is it merely from the loss of blood? Inuyasha can fight better with one arm…in fact, Sango and I have had more satisfying practice sessions…and she is human."

Koga shouted, "SHUT UP, YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS BASTARD! YOU'RE ONLY DOING THIS 'CUZ THOSE TWO SOUL-REAPERS ARE HERE, AND YOU'RE TRYING TO GET ON GOD'S GOOD GRACES…OR IS IT THAT MOMMY-DEAREST THREATENED TO PUT YOU IN TIME OUT IF YOU DIDN'T LEARN TO PLAY NICE WITH THE STUPID MUTT?"

Sesshomaru replied, "DO NOT MOCK ME, KOGA! I HELPED TO SAVE INUYASHA BECAUSE I LOVE HIM…HE IS MY BROTHER, AND HE HAS MORE BRAINS THAN YOUR ENTIRE PACK, SAVE FOR GINTA AND HAKAKU! AS FOR MY MOTHER, I NEEDED NO THREATS FROM HER…SHE MERELY HELPED ME REALIZE HOW WRONG I WAS, AND THAT I STILL HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE AMMENDS FOR MY MISTAKES! I BELIEVE YOU HEARD RUKIA…SHE SAID THAT I HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN BY GOD…AND SO WHEN I PASS ON, I WILL BE WITH MY BROTHER IN HEAVEN, WHILE YOU BURN IN HELL!"

With that having been said, Sesshomaru hurled Koga into a tree, and he then helped his brother to his feet again. He said, "Are you alright, Inuyasha?"

Wiping a small bit of blood away from his mouth, Inuyasha replied, "Yeah, that idiot wolf just caught me off guard for a second…thanks for helping me, Sesshomaru."

The Demon-Lord replied, "What are brothers for, Inuyasha? Let us put an end to this mangy wolf."

Together, the two brothers made their way towards Koga, intent on tearing him apart.

Meanwhile, inside Sesshomaru's Castle…

Kikyo found herself completely backed into a corner…Sango had Hiraikotsu in hand, while Kagome had an arrow aimed right at her chest. Kirara was in her full-sized form, fangs bared, claws extended, and she was growling loud enough that Kikyo felt a shiver of fear, especially when Kirara began advancing on her. She tried to back away from the angry firecat, but Kirara launched herself across the room and floored Kikyo with a swipe from her left forepaw, slamming her into the wall. As she tried to rise up onto her feet, Sango caught her around the left ankle with the hidden chain weapon she concealed underneath her shoulder armor and pulled her leg out, knocking her to the ground again. She said, "Game's over, Kikyo. You tried to kill Inuyasha, who never did a damned thing to you…IT WAS NARAKU THAT TOOK YOUR LIFE ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, NOT INUYASHA! YOU DIED, KIKYO, AND SO INUYASHA HAS EVERY RIGHT TO FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO SPEND HIS LIFE WITH, ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU NEVER LOVED HIM THE WAY KAGOME DOES! MARK MY WORDS YOU BITCH…TONIGHT, YOU DIE AGAIN, AND THIS TIME, YOU WON'T BE COMING BACK!"

Kikyo replied, "WHAT BUSINESS DO YOU HAVE IN STOPPING ME FROM EXACTING MY REVENGE ON THAT HALF-BREED, SANGO? IT'S NOT LIKE YOU EVER CARED ABOUT HIM! YOU ALWAYS TOOK KAGOME'S SIDE DURING ARGUMENTS, AND YOU HAVE SUCH LOVELY TERMS OF ENDEARMENT FOR HIM…WARPED, FOR ONE. SANGO, YOU DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HIM, SO STOP FOOLING YOURSELF…ADMIT IT, SANGO…YOU'D RATHER SEE HIM DEAD!"

Furious, Sango lashed out with Hiraikotsu, slamming the heavy weapon into Kikyo's chest, slamming her into the wall. As the dead priestess weakly staggered to her feet, Sango made ready to bring Hiraikotsu down on top of her, when Kagome said, "No, Sango…I'll deal with her. She almost killed Inuyasha…and I've got something special in mind for her."

Sango slung Hiraikotsu back into its spot on her back, and she stood over next to Kirara.

Five more wolves rushed them, and Sango speared her katana through the first one's midsection, while the second one got his throat sliced by the hidden blade she kept in the armored gauntlet on her right arm. Kirara tackled the third wolf-demon and crushed him, and the fourth one took her claws across the chest. Sango took down the final one by grabbing him from behind and breaking his spine by driving her knee into his back, while yanking his head and upper body backwards.

Kagome said, "Kikyo, I borrowed something from Kaede before I came here…a spare bow…YOUR old practice bow, from what she told me. Let's do this one-on-one, Kikyo…none of your tricks, and no help from any of Koga's lackeys, just you and me."

Kikyo smiled, and she replied, "Fine…have it your way. You might have gotten better with archery, but I'm still a better shot than you'll ever be. Inuyasha's better off in Hell anyway…he won't have to listen to you whining every time you break a nail."

Kagome's eyes narrowed, and she slapped Kikyo across the jaw, hard. She said, "KIKYO…SHUT THE HELL UP AND GET READY, BEFORE I KILL YOU RIGHT NOW! INUYASHA'S PROMISED THAT HE'S STAYING WITH ME, AND I'M WEARING THE NECKLACE TO PROVE IT! I LOVE HIM, KIKYO…MORE THAN YOU EVER DID! I LOVE HIM JUST THE WAY HE IS, AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TO CHANGE FOR ME TO WANT TO BE WITH HIM! I'VE ALREADY GIVEN HIM MY HEART, AND I PLAN TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH HIM! YOU ALMOST KILLED THE MAN I LOVE…AND NOW YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT!"

Kikyo stood at one end of the room, and Kagome stood at the other end. Both of them loaded an arrow and took aim, and Kagome said, "On three, Kikyo…we both fire. One…two…THREE!"

Kagome fired a split-second before Kikyo did, and her arrow, charged with her immense spiritual power, split Kikyo's in half in mid-flight, before drilling into Kikyo's chest. Kikyo staggered backwards, and she gasped, "N-no…this c-can't be! NOOOOOOOO!"

In a blinding flash, Kikyo's body exploded into dust, and the small part of Kagome's soul that had been inside of her returned to Kagome's body. Kagome staggered and almost lost her footing, but Kirara was there to stop her fall. Sango said, "Are you alright, Kagome?"

The young black-haired girl looked up at her friend, and she replied, "Yeah, I'm fine Sango…thanks to Kirara."

The firecat meowed and purred against Kagome's side, before gently licking her. Kagome said, "Come on, Sango…let's go watch Inuyasha and Sesshomaru finish off Koga."

Sango smiled at her friend, and she replied, "I was just thinking the same thing, Kagome."

With Kirara following them, the two girls made their way outside. In the meantime, the last two wolves in the castle charged at Miroku, and he hammered his staff into the side of one wolf's skull, while the second one got one of Miroku's sutras, exorcising him from the world of the living.

Back outside…

Koga heard Kikyo's scream, and he saw the blinding flash of light through the curtains of the window. Sesshomaru said, "I believe your partner is no longer with us, Koga…now I believe the time has come for you to join her. You will never make another attempt to harm my brother or take Kagome from his side again, wolf. Now…PREPARE TO DIE!"

Just then, Kagome came downstairs and hugged Inuyasha, while Sango and Kirara stood to one side. Inuyasha said, "Kagome…is it true…is Kikyo really…dead?"

Kagome replied, "Yes, she's gone for good, Inuyasha. I put an arrow through her. As soon as you finish off that damn bastard Koga, all we need to do is get rid of Naraku, and then we can finally be together."

Inuyasha kissed Kagome's lips gently, loving the feel of holding her in his arms. He gently released her from his grip before turning back to Koga, who was absolutely livid now.

The wolf shouted, "YOU BASTARD MUTT! I WARNED YOU NOT TO TOUCH MY WOMAN, AND YOU GO AND KISS HER IN FRONT OF ME! KAGOME, WHEN THAT MONGREL'S DEAD, YOU AND I ARE GONNA HAVE A LONG TALK ABOUT HOW TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE ONE YOU LOVE, AND…AAAGGGHHH!"

Kagome slapped Koga in the face, and she shouted, "DON'T CALL ME 'YOUR' WOMAN, KOGA…I AM NOBODY'S WOMAN! I AM INUYASHA'S GIRLFRIEND, AND I PLAN TO BE HIS WIFE SOMEDAY AFTER WE FINISH OFF NARAKU! LIKE I TOLD YOU BEFORE, I WANT YOU OUT OF MY LIFE, YOU LYING, GOOD-FOR-NOTHING PIECE OF SPINELESS PONDSCUM! INUYASHA MAY BE A HALF-DEMON…BUT HE'S MORE OF A MAN THAN YOU EVER WILL BE!"

Koga said, "Oh yeah…we'll see how much you still wanna be with the little mutt after you find out how it feels to kiss a REAL demon!"

The wolf grabbed Kagome's arm and tried to force her into a kiss, but a vise-like grip on his already-damaged left arm caused him to break off. Looking down, he saw Kirara with her teeth buried in his arm, and the look on her face was one that promised a very painful demise.

Koga said, "Let go of me, fuzz ball…go chase a yarn ball or something and let me have Kagome…only I deserve her, not that idiot mutt."

Kirara hissed angrily, biting down even harder. Sango said, "Koga, if I were you I'd keep my mouth shut…she can rip that arm off real easily if she wants to."

Koga said, "Yeah…I'll deal with you in a minute, Slayer…once I get your damned pet from hell off of me."

Kirara went airborne, still carrying Koga, and the wolf said, "H-hey, put me down, damn you…oh damn…wait, on second thought…don't put me down!"

The firecat flung Koga into the nearest tree, and he smashed the trunk on impact, along with three more ribs and his right arm.

Sango grabbed him by the throat, and she said, "Any last words, Koga?"

Spitting out blood, Koga said, "Yeah…tell Sesshomaru that he's got my condolences for having such a pathetic excuse for a brother, and tell Kagome that if she doesn't want the ugliest freak kids in the world, she'll come with me."

The demon-slayer's brown eyes narrowed, and she kicked Koga in the gut, sending him flying right in front of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.

Miroku came down with Shippo riding on his shoulder, and the monk whacked Koga with his staff, hard. He said, "Koga, Inuyasha and I may have had our disagreements, but I never hated him or wished him dead…nor did Sango. He's our friend, and we'll always stand by him."

Miroku put his right hand on Inuyasha's right shoulder, while Sango put her hand on the half-demon's left shoulder. Shippo said, "That goes double for me!"

Kirara walked up and purred against Inuyasha's side, and then she licked his hand, and Kagome walked up and hugged him. Sesshomaru stood at his brother's side as well, and he said, "You see, Koga…we are together now. We stand united as a family, my brother and I, and he has another family with his friends. You have lost, Koga…AND NOW YOU DIE!"

Inuyasha drew Tetsusaiga and charged Koga, stabbing the blade through the wolf's stomach and out the back, while Sesshomaru speared him from behind with Tokijin. At the same time, the demon-lord grabbed Koga underneath the head, and he said, "For your cowardly attempt on my brother's life…for trying to frame me for the deed, and dishonoring my father…PERISH!"

With a sickening crack, Sesshomaru crushed Koga's skull with one hand, and then he threw the body towards the remaining two wolf demons. He said, "If you value your lives EVEN IN THE SLIGHTEST…GET THAT DISEASE-RIDDEN MONGREL'S BODY OUT OF MY SIGHT AND OFF OF MY LAND IMMEDIATELY…OR I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND DESTROY YOU! TAKE THIS BACK TO YOUR PACK…ANY OF YOU THAT ATTEMPT TO HARM MY BROTHER OR KAGOME…YOU WILL DIE, SLOWLY!"

The wolf-demons ran away, and Inuyasha said, "Thanks, Sesshomaru…you really saved my life tonight…and you made it possible for Kagome and I to finally be together."

Sesshomaru smiled, and he replied, "Think nothing of it, Inuyasha…we are family, and I vowed that I would be here for you from now on. Come upstairs with me, Inuyasha…I have much to talk about with you."

Reunited at last, Inuyasha and the others headed back upstairs.