Characters = Rumiko Takahashi

Story = Desert-Bandit

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Last time:

Laughing, they dried and dressed themselves and made their way back to the village, all the while leaving Kagome to think,

'The winter solstice will be here in one month'

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Chapter 5

Pleasure meeting you again

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Excitement was buzzing all around the Eastern lands as everyone was hustling to get everything ready for the consummation celebration that was to take place that evening.

Kagome had arrived two days earlier than planned and had offered to help with the decoration plans much to Ayame's surprised relief; and in those two day's, Kagome saw that life with Ayame will never be dull for Kouga.

Turning back to her own task at arranging flowers and other such things for the party, movement to her left caught her eye. Sparing a glance she saw Kouga sitting against the boulder that she was occupying.

"Nervous yet?" she asked teasingly.

Kouga snorted in response.

"I thought as much" she said with a knowing smirk.

Together, they sat in comfortable silence in the shade as they watched Ayame shouting out her orders to many of Kouga's men as they ran around her in frenzied swarms.

"She's turning my men into sissies."

He said grimly.

"No she's not. They're just happy that you're finally taking her as a mate, that's all.

Look, even your father is in a joyous mood."

Kouga looked to where Kagome was pointing to and saw that his father was very joyous indeed; already drinking wine and smelling some of the flowers that Kagome had finished while swinging his arm around Ayame, shouting his praise.

Kouga looked back up to Kagome from her higher perch and gave her a look filled with a mixture of embarrassment and shame.

"Again; sissies."

Kagome clicked her tongue at him and told him to just relax and enjoy himself. It is after all his celebration; the day that he will finally make Ayame his.

And about time too.

"…I'd still rather it be you."

"Kouga, you know we had this talk before, remember?"

"It's never too late."

He said with a smirk that screamed arrogance and cockiness.

"Not gonna happen."

She replied; her attention fully focused on her colorful arrangement.

Pouting, he mumbled,

"It could…"

Kagome dropped a few daisies onto his head but gave him a large smile anyway.

She knew it was all in good fun.

She still recalled sitting both him and InuYasha down a few years back, after she quite literally knocked their heads together to get their attention, and told them that she did love them both but only as brothers, though that never stopped the arguments.

Old habits never die.

Sighing, she put her flowers aside and uncrossed her legs so they were dangling beside Kouga.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

"Nope, just taking a little break, and you?"

"Just watching my mate-to-be be the pain that she is."

He replied with no real heat.

She saw the love in his cobalt blue eyes and knew that he had finally opened his heart to the one woman that can handle him; and he her.

The little time she had spent here, she had watched Ayame take command of Kouga's entire army with such ease that she was surprised that Kouga wasn't jealous, but instead saw him glowing with pride.

When he caught Kagome staring at him he became a little flustered which caused her to laugh.

"Don't get so defensive,"

She said as she hopped down from her seat, "I was just admiring."

Kouga watched with curiosity as Kagome approached Ayame. After linking her arm with the red haired demoness, she led them towards the large cave that housed the Eastern Wolf clan so that they could get ready for the celebration.

It was a long day and tonight was just getting started.

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The evening was cool when Sesshoumaru arrived in the Eastern lands.

It has been over several years since he could remember being in the Eastern lords' domain, let alone actually seeing the old lord.

Ever since Kouga was named the new lord of the east, Lord Takeshi had made a point to stay out of the limelight, saying that his son would swim or sink on his own.

He liked that about the old wolf.

Emerging from the tree line, he was greeted with the openness of the ravine that housed the wolf clan. Small cave like openings scattered in the rocky walls served as homes all surrounding a larger overhang nestled on a platform of rocks that served as a stage or common place, if you will, no doubt where the ceremony will take place.

Sesshoumaru wasn't there for more than a few minutes until he was immediately approached by Lord Daichi and Lord Takeshi.

"I'm actually surprised that you have attended Lord Sesshoumaru."

Lord Takeshi said with vibrancy while greeting the young lord.

"Surprised that he actually considered it would be more like it."

Lord Daichi commented while smacking Takeshi on the back of his shoulder which caused both of the older men to laugh at the small joke.

"Indeed." Was all Sesshoumaru could muster up.

He was only here because one of his ally's had personally asked for him to attend an important ceremony and though many would like to disagree, he himself wasn't such a cold hearted bastard to deny such a personal request; this time anyway.

The public ceremony only lasted maybe twenty minutes. He could last that long at least.

"Lord Takeshi, I congratulate you on your son's choosing of a mate. Know that you and your pack are always welcome in the Western lands."

Sesshoumaru stated and gave a low bow to the older lord and he was rewarded with another hearty laugh from Takeshi.

The three lords stood and spoke for a bit longer until a gong was sounded to signal the start of the celebration. The Eastern lord practically skipped towards his nervous son, excited to

finally have a daughter and be blessed with grandchildren in the future with Daichi slowly walking behind shaking his head at his old friends' antics.

Sesshoumaru took his usual place in the back. From here, he could see and hear everything just fine. It didn't matter anyway if he was paying attention because he found himself looking

at a familiar face; one he personally thought he would ever see again, sitting on a jutted up root with her delicate feet encased in slippers that barely touched the ground below.

She must have sensed him staring because she too began to stare back, allowing a soft smile to grace her rosy lips.

Before he knew it, he was approaching her. It was as if his feet were in control and he had no say what so ever. Not that he minded much.

When he finally reached her, he took her small hand in his much larger one and raised it to his lips, all the while never taking his eyes off of hers.

"Pleasure meeting you again."

Kagome's smile broadened,

"And you as well, my Lord."

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This chapter has been driving me crazy.

Plus writers block is never fun as you all know.

It has been plaguing me through this entire chapter but rest assured, I think the worst has passed.

Please enjoy!

Chapter 6 is on the way.

R&R

Desert-Bandit