Sesshomaru and Inuyasha came back into the castle. "Jaken!" Sesshomaru called out.

"Yes, Sir?" The imp said, hobbling over to him.

"I'm going into my chambers to have a private conversation with my brother. See that we are not disturbed."

"Yes, Sir," but before they could enter the chambers a voice filled the room belonging to one of the villagers.

"Brother Miroku!" Father Toshiro's strict voice echoed in the hallway. Miroku turned warily as Father Toshiro gestured for him to come, with a VERY stern look on his face! Gulping, Miroku came over to Father Toshiro and reverently knelt down before him. "Good evening, Father. My, you're looking very regal tonight.."

"Save it, Brother Suck-up!" Father Toshiro snapped. He took out the scroll the villagers gave to him and unrolled it in front of Miroku. "Would you care to explain SEVERAL things that are written here on this scroll?"

"I…I…I would be glad to, Father!" he stumbled, beginning to sweat as he became acutely aware of what might be on that scroll..

"Yes, the villagers in this town had informed me of several things that you have done that I find VERY interesting coming from a MAN OF THE CLOTH!" he emphasized. "For example, SIR, this VERY interesting comment right here, about how you not only were judgemental of our brother, Inuyasha, but you deliberately kicked him while he was wounded and almost reopened his wounds, just because YOU did not like the way he was acting!"

"Well, Gracious Father.."

"NO!" Father Toshiro answered harshly. "Also you've been known to con your way into people's home by falsely informing them of demons near their homes when there were none?"

"Well, Father.."

"Don't interrupt!" he reminded Miroku harshly. "It also says here how you hardly ever listened to Inuyasha when he was telling you things…several of which were of the MOST importance, and chose to listen to full humans!"

"Well, surely not all the…"

"Furthermore…and THIS is truly beautiful…you routinely propositioned every woman you happened to meet to BEAR YOUR CHILD? Not for their hand, just to bear your child?" he rolled up the scroll briskly. "Brother I'm waiting for an explanation from you."

"I…I…uh…"

"If I don't hear anything in the next minute I'll take this to the head of your temple and ask him to REMOVE three of those rings, thus demoting you!"

"Father, wait!" Inuyasha broke in, coming over to them.

"Yes, Brother Inyasha?" Father Toshiro asked.

"Father, don't drag Miroku to the head of his Temple. He's changed his ways, Sir. I know that's hard to believe, but he has. He apologized to me a long time ago for what he did, and I forgave him. He's engaged to Sango, Sir, and from what I've been able to see he's been faithful and honest to her. In fact ever since he DID ask for her hand he hasn't even LOOKED at another woman, and he hasn't raised one hand to me in months. He HAS listened to me, Father, when I told him things..and he and Shippo took care of me when I was laying in that room sick onto death. Father, Miroku's changed his ways entirely, so please don't take him to the temple. He's been forgiven and he's done with all of that."

"Are you certain of this?"

Inuyasha put his hand on his heart. "I swear it on my life," Miroku glanced at Inuyasha, surprised at this, and he answered him by giving him a quick wink. Miroku hung his head in shame. Father Toshiro rolled up the scroll.

"Brother…in light of what Inuyasha has just said..you're granted one more chance. But I had BETTER not hear of any reports of this again! You are dismissed." Miroku kissed his hand and stood up to see Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha?" Inuyasha turned to him. "W….why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"What you just did. I….I mean, why did you defend me just now? Everything Father Toshiro accused me of was correct, And he had every right to demote me…but you prevented it. Why did you do that?"

Inuyasha stared at him. "Miroku…you just helped save my life! I don't know if I would have made it these three days if not for you. I think that's enough reason for me to forgive you. If you weren't here….I don't wanna think about what might have happened. So…everything that happened with us in the past…just forget it. Let's put it behind us."

Touched beyond belief Miroku shook Inuyasha's hand. "Agreed." Inuyasha then turned to go as Sesshomaru held open his clamber door for him. Jaken, looking as nervous as anything began to pace up and down the chamber floor and grabbed a long scroll and a quill pen.

"I, Jaken, being of more or less sound mind and body, do hereby leave everything I own to…"

"Jaken, what are you doing?" Rin asked.

"Don't bother me, you silly girl, I'm busy right now, I have to finish this…before Lord Sesshomaru comes out of the chamber…"

"But why?"

In answer Miroku took out the scroll he was working on. "He's been misbehaving quite a lot."

Meanwhile in Sesshomaru's chambers, he gestured to the heavy armchair that was closest to the window. "Have a seat, Inuyasha."

"Thanks," he sat down."Hey, this ain't bad at all!"

"I thought you might ike it, Brother. So, what do you think of the study?"

"Gorgeous," he looked around some more. His eyes fell upon some richly woven tapestries tat were hanign all along the wall, one in particular caught him. "That was Dad, wasn't it?" He asked softly.

"Yes, it was. Here he is in his full form."

"He looks as lot like you when you change yourself," he grinned at the small baby that was in the arms of his father in his human form. "That was you, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Father had that made when I was born," he looked at Inuyasha seriously,. "Inuyasha, I asked you in here tonight because…I have much to say to you."

"Sure."

Sesshomaru took a deep breath. "Inuyasha, I know that in the past I've been downright hostle to you…for lack of a better word. I've made your life miserable ever since the moment you were born, through no fault of your own. I've unjustly blamed you for our father's death, because I could not accept the fact that he died of his own choosing. But ever since Rin came into my life I have finally learned that a true loving father would not hesitate to give his own life for his child. Many times I have risked my life to protect Rin, and I want you to know that I no longer blame you for what happened to our father. I do understand he gave his life because he loved you…and I now do," Inuyasha looked up, surprised at what was being told to him. Sesshomaru gave him a small half smile. "I have never before said these words…not till a few nights ago when I finally was able to say it to Rin…and now I'm telling you. Inuyasha…I'm truly sorry for everything I have ever put you through in your life. I apologise for everything that has happened to you, because of me. Inuyasha…I love you. You're my brother…and I promise you I will make up for everything I have ever done to you. I will do what Father wanted me to you…and what I should have done ever since you were born. I will be there for you, little brother, whenever you need me..and you and your friends will forever be under my protection. I vow it."

"Wow…never thought I'd ever hear that from you," Inuyasha said. But he smiled. "Sesshomaru…ya didn't have to apologise to me. I already forgave you a long time ago. I'd be dead if you weren't able to bring Kagome to me. You and Sango both, I owe you my life. How can I NOT forgive you!" He had to stop at that moment and stifle a laugh. "You…went to Kagome's time…filled with humans. I never thought I'd ever see the day."

Sesshomaru had to half smile again. "I must admit, Kagome's time period is fascinating. There are so many things there I have ever seen before. So many new things to wonder about and try. Like the water that can come inside the building because of…pipes?" Inuyasha nodded. "And the indoor campfires, and the ones that are enclosed in…stoves?"

"Believe me, Sesshomaru, Kagome's time has a LOT more incredible things!"

"How so?"

"Well, did you know that they have portable songs that they can carry with them everywhere, and you don't need musicians to play them?"

"How is that possible?"

"They do something called record the voices with special machines, and they can put the recorded voices on these silver disks called CDs and they play them on special players. Next time Kagome brings one along I'll show it to you."

"Fascinating…truly."

"I'll tell you another fascinating thing….they can use these inventions called telephones to actually talk to someone else that's far away!" Sesshomaru's eyebrows went up. "No, it's true! You don't have to wait forever to get a letter, everyone who owns a telephone is given a special number. The phone has these numbered buttons and you press the buttons in the right order, and you can connect with your friend."

"Amazing!"

"I can tell you a whole lot more later. Me and Kagome both."

"I look forward to that greatly," Sesshomaru then looked directly at Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, when I was in Kagome's time, I made myself a promise. I said to myself if we got Kagome to you in time, I would do something I should have done a long time ago." Inuyasha looked at him curiously. "Come here, little brother. Come close to me," Inuyasha walked closer to Sesshomaru….who responded by slowly putting his arm around Inuyasha's shoulders, and pulling him into a hug. Inuyasha looked surprised at first, then put his arms around his brother and hugged him back.

"Hey…where'd you learn how to do this?"

"From Sango…and from Rin."

"Amazing what you can learn from humans, huh?"

"Yes…they truly are fascinating." He pulled away from his brother. "I meant what I said, Inuyasha. You're my brother…and I love you…and I promise I will do what Father wanted…I will protect you and your friends…and I will be here for you whenever you need me."

"I got a better idea, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said. "You got some real impressive moves with your Dragon Strike."

"Thank you, and I must say you can handle the Adamant Barrrage very well."

"Thanks. Ya know…I'd say with your Dragon Strike and my Adamant Barrage, we can make a pretty good team!" He put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Come join us, Sesshomaru. You have an impressive fighting style, and with you on our team we'd be unstoppable. Naroku would never have a chance."

"May I bring Rin and Jakin?"

"Sure!"

"Then I'll be delighted to come join you."

"Great."

"WE should go now…Little Red Prince."

Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. "W….what did you call me?"

"Little Red Prince."

Inuyasha had to chuckle a bit,. "Wow…I mean I Haven't heard that since…I was six…"he stopped and stared at his brother. "What…wait…did I tell you…"

Sesshomaru had to give his small smile. "She's proud of you, Little Brother."

Meanwhile Shippo slowly came up to Kagome with trembling knees. "Uh…K…Kagomne?" he said.

Kagome turned to him. "Yes, Shippo?"

"I…uh..have to tell you something.."

"What is it?"

"Well, when Inuyasha was dieing, I kinda made a deal with God. I promised Him that if Inuyasha got better, I'd tell you the truth."

"What truth?"

"About everything. You know whenever Inuyasha hit me, and I cried, and you sat him to punish him…" he saw Kagome nod. " were punishing the wrong person. You should have been punishing ME. I…I kinda made Inuyasha do it."

Kagome's face hardened. "What?"

"I got Inuyasha mad enough to hit me cause I wanted to see if you really WOULD hit him! One time I made a huge spinning top appear right under him so he would get dizzy and I would laugh at him, also I purposely got all dramatic about something to make him hit me out of disgust, and I only pretended to cry. I was never really hurt. I did that just to see if you'd punish him…but you should have punished me."

Kagome stared, almost as if she couldn't believe it. "SHIPPO! How could you do that? You made me sit Inuyasha, and he didn't DO anything half the time!"

"I'm sorry, Kagome..it's…I guess cauae he reminds me of my own older brother who died before my father was killed…and also I guess I was..jealous…you spent so much time with Inuyasha…I wanted him to get into trouble..I'm sorry.."

"I'M not the one you should apologise to, Shippo! I can't believe you made me do that, and I never even listened to Inuaysha's side of it, all I saw was you crying, NOW you're telling me you only PRETENDED? How COULD you do that?"

"Shippo, how COULD you?" Sango screamed. "I was feeling guilty enough about the way I treated Inuyasha, now I hear YOU did MORE to him? And I took your side a lot too! How could you do this you little spoiled brat?"

"Sango.."

"I don't wanna hear it, Shippo!" Sango stormed out of the castle and into the courtyard, with Kirara behind her.

"I better go talk to her," Miroku said. "She has a lot of issues to work out." He left. Shippo stood with his head bowed in shame.

"You only have yourself to blame for all of this, Shippo!" Kagome said angrily. "I'm gonna try to go talk to Sango. I EXPECT you to apologise to Inuyasha IMMIDIATELY when he gets out!" She stormed off leaving Shippo alone. He had all of that coming to him and he knew it, but it didn't make him feel any better at all about anything. He sat down upon a ledge and drew his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. He knew he deserved what Kagome had done, but he still began to cry.

"Don't cry, Shippo," came a familiar voice. Shippo looked up to see Rukia sitting next to him on the ledge.

"How can I not cry? Kagome hates me now…and it's all my fault!"

"Kagome doesn't hate you, Shippo," Rukia said comfortingly. "She's a little mad at you right now, but I know she'll forgive you once you make your apologies to Inuyasha..and you NEED to make those apologies to him. We both know it." Shippo nodded sadly. "No one is perfect, Shippo, save for God Himself."

"Noit even you, Rukia?"

Rukia had to chuckle at that. "Being a shinigami doesn't automatically make you perfect, Shippo. I've done quite a lot of bad things myself."

"Really?"

"Oh yes, things I'm definitely not proud of. I do have a temper, Shippo, and I've been known to strike people sometimes for no reason at all. You know that boy I was with, Ichigo?" Shippo nodded. "I haven't always been the nicest person in the world to him. In fact, sometimes when we've disagreed, instead of just talking it over with him or pointing out what I didn't like…I've hit him."

Shippo widened his eyes. "Really?"

Rukia nodded. "Really. I've hit him, called him stupid, punched him."

"But why?"

Rukia looked at him. "Why did YOU do what you did to Inuyasha?"

"Guess cause…I knew I could get away with it…"

"And I knew I could get away with hitting Ichigo, mostly cause I know Ichigo is too honorable a person to hit a girl. But we've put all of that behind us once I finally came to my senses. I apologized to him for almost a half an hour for what I did, and he forgave me because we're friends. I also made it PERFECTLY CLEAR to my boyfriend, Renji, that he was NEVER to do that to Ichigo either."

"And Ichigo forgave you?"

"He did. Because we're friends, and true friends do forgive, Shippo. If you want to be Inuyasha's true friend, then apologise from your heart and have faith he'll forgive you. And don't worry, Kagome doesn't hate you, She may be mad at you now, but deep down inside she's proud of you for doing the right thing." They heard a door open and Rukia smiled at Shippo before she disappeared. Shippo took a deep breath as Inuyasha came out. "Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha knelt down to Shippo's level. "Yeah?"

"Uh..can I talk to you?"

"About?"

"About…everything…" he looked down. "Inuyasha…I…when you were sick…on the bed..I prayed for you to get better and I promised God if you did..I wuld apologise to you, for everything." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I'm…sorry for getting you into trouble all this time…and I'm sorry for pulling those pranks on you and blaming you for them. I…I guess I did those things because…not only did you remind me of my brother, but also because…I was jealous about how much time Kagome was spending with you, I know that's stupid and I know I shouldn't think that way about you, I mean Kagome loves you so much and I should have known better, and I'm sorry Inuyasha. I…I told Kagome the truth, about everything..and I wont do anything like that again! I promise Inuyasha….I'm sorry…" he burst into tears and buried his face in Inuyasha's robes. "I'm sorry…really…I promise it'll never happen again…"

"Hey…hey come on," Inuyasha said, obviously uncomfortable. "Ya know I hate to see people cry. Come on, stop,"

"I'm sorry. But I mean it, I wonlt do anything like that again…"

Inuyasha looked at him with a teasing gleam in his eyes. "If you're lieing…"

"I'm not! I swear."

"Ah…what the hell,..come here," to Shippo's surprise Inuyasha gathered him in a hug. "Its OK, kid. If I can forgive Sesshomaru,…I can forgive you." he pulled away and looked around him. "Where is everyone?"

"Outside in the courtyard," Inuyasha stood up.

"Hey, Sesshomaru?"

"Yes?"

"I'm gonna go get Kagome and take her to the well. Can you round everyone else up and have them meet us there?"

"Of course." Jaken took that opportunity to hide under the rug…but not before Sesshomaru spotted him. "Jaken!"

Jaken slowly wriggled out of the rug. "Y….y…yes, Mi Lord?"

"What were you doing hiding underneath the rug?"

"Well…Mi Lord…I…uh..I was cleaning the rugs to make sure that all the dust is gone. A,…a…after all Mi Lord, its SUCH a special day that.."

"Actually, Sesshomaru, I have the answer to that," Miroku said, coming forward with the scroll in his hands. "This scroll contains the things that Jaken has said and done in the times that you, Sango, and Rin have been out finding Kagome." Sesshomaru took the scroll and read it carefully while Jaken stood beside him in a cold sweat. "Jaken!"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Did I NOT tell you that I wished for you to look after my brother, and to NOT say ANYTHING even remotely insulting to him?"

"Y…you did Mi Lord…"

"And do you or do you not have difficulty following simple orders?"

"Ah….uh….well…uh…"

"Jaken!"

"Yes Sir?"

"Come here.."Jaken slowly made his way over to his master….who proceeded to slap him as hard as he could with the scroll before he stalked off, leaving the toad with a massive lump on his head.

"I gotta learn to watch my mouth…"

Meanwhile Inuyasha had by this time taken Kagome over to the well and was just sitting on the edge of it with Kagome on his lap, kissing her deeply. Kagome smiled at him tenderly. "I swear, Kagome..you have GOT to be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"Inuyasha,…" she felt him brush her hair back and take a deep breath of her sweet scent.

"God Kagome you smell so perfect…I never thought I'd ever have a chance to be this close to you again….I love you.,.."

"I love you, too," Kagome answered before she saw her friends come toward the well and smiled at all of them. "Hey guys. what's up?"

"I told them all to come," Inuyasha said getting up. "Kagome…I have something I want to do…and I want all of our friends here to witness this. Kagome,..before Kikyo did what she did with her arrow, I was trying to get to your house, so I could surprise you with this…"

"The necklace?" Kagome asked. "Oh, it's beautiful. I love it."

"Yeah…but something else.." he nervously took both of her hands in his. "I think this is how humans do this…bear with me now.." Taking a deep breath he got down on one knee as Kagome looked on, her eyes as wide as saucers. "Kagome Higurashi…I know it's taken me a long time to realise this…it's taking me a long time to say this,….and I'm sorry about that/ Kagome..I love you. I…I think I've loved you for the longest time..but I just didn't know it. I was so confused about Kikyo…and…everything. But I know now how I feel. I want to be with you now and always for the rest of my life. Kagome….will you marry me?"

Kagome's eyes filled with tears of joy and she leaped into his arms sharing a passionate kiss. "Oh, Inuyasha…"

"I think THAT'S a yes!" Miroku said.

:"No it isn't,she hasn't said it yet!" Shippo pointed out.

Kagome laughed. "Yes! YES!" she yelled, throwing herself into Inuaysha's arms. He proceeded to scoop her up in a huge kiss. Rin jumped up and down, clapping her hands with joy. Sango happily hugged Miroku, while Sesshomaru gave his half smile.

Miroku walked eight up to them. "May God's blessings be with you both, from this day forward."

Inuyasha then looked at Sango who still had her head down. "Sango..whats wrong?"

Sango looked up. "I…I'm still so sorry, Inuyasha. So sorry for everything that happened…and tat I never took your side is arguments, and believed Koga over you…"

Inuyasha came to her. "Sango..it's like I told you before…you saved my life. You ad Sesshomaru did. How can I be angry at you after that? Look, what's past is past. Let's just put it behind us. I forgive you, ya know that."

Sango looked up and smiled. "Thank you, Inuyasha," she hugged him tight and then hugged Kagome. "Inuyasha…Kagome..congradulations., I love you both!"

Sesshomaru came forward himself, "Congradulations, Inuyasha. Kagome, it will be a true honor to truly have you in our family." To his surprise Kagome hugged him.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru."

"Come back with me to the castle, I have a splended feast all prepared for thos great night."

A little while later they were all seated at the massive dining room table enjoying roasted rabbit and wild boar. Kagome was seated near Inuyasha ad Rin was next to her talking all about the adventures she, Sango, Kirara and Sesshomaru had in her world.

"And we saw these funny little machines..I think it was called an airplane..but it was so loud. Lord Sesshomaru didn't like how they sounded. We passed by so many stores. They had TV's there, antique stores, clothing stores that are much MUCH bigger than any of the clothing stands we have here,"

Kagome smiled. "Really?'

"And we stopped at that place you liked, WacDonalds. We ate there, Lord Sesshomaru ate a hamburger. "

Inuyasha stared at Sesshomaru with wide eyes. "You? A hamburger?"

Sesshomaru looked back at him. "Yes, I did try those…hamburgers..there. I must admit,.it wasn't bad at all."

"Wow…YOU ate human food!"

"I was surprised myself," he admitted. "But…it was most pleasant."

Inuyasha shook his head. "Never thought I'd ever hear ou say that!"

"I'm so happy to hear that, Sesshomaru. I'll be sure to bring some WACDonald's food for you as well the next time I bring some over."

"So," Sesshomaru said, quickly changing the subject. "Inuyasha, I would like to make an offer to you.."

"Yeah?"

"Well, when you and Kagome have your wedding…after Sesshomaru is destroyed..I would lie you to know tat you are more than welcome to have it here..in OUR castle."

"Here? Y…ya mean that?"

"Of course. You ae Father;s son as well, and as such this home uis yours as well as mine," he glared at Jaken. "You are about to agree?"

"Ulp…y…yes Sir!"

"Good."

Kagome beamed. "Thank you, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru looked around…looked at his family..and upon his new friends, knowing that a brand new future was in store for all of them. And no matter what it contained, they would all face it together rather than apart. Inuyasha looked at him and put his hand upon his brothers shoulder. Sesshomaru put his hand upon Inuyasha's, forging the bond between them. A bond that would never, ever be broken again.

The End