A/N: Thanks again to TenshiBabe for inspiration and reviews. Here we go!
Chapter 7:
Dawn came too quickly for Inuyasha and he yawned and groaned. He was about to curl back into the covers but felt something in the sheets. He blinked his eyes and searched. He found a book on herbal medicine and knew who it belonged to. He smiled and got up, got dressed and strolled into the dining room where everyone was gathered for breakfast.
"Hey Inuyasha," Shippo cooed. "You got a goofy look on your face."
"And you're goofy looking so that makes us even kid." Inuyasha retorted with a smirk. Sango, Miroku and Kagome snickered while the rest just smiled. Inuyasha took the seat at the left, for the head of the table was his stepmother's place. Sesshomaru was on the right, head bowed and looking tired. Naraku's place was still empty.
"Where's Naraku?" Inuyasha asked. Shippo was about to answer when the Chimera entered. He was dressed in white and indigo and his hair was in a French braid. He took the seat next to Inuyasha and noticed the book in the Inu's lap.
"Ohayo," Naraku greeted shyly. Inuyasha smiled and handed him the book.
"Ohayo, you left this last night."
"Thank you," Naraku said with a slight blush. Miroku and Shippo dropped their chopsticks and gawked.
"Inuyasha, you didn't….did you?" Miroku dared to ask, still gawking.
"No we didn't consummate our mating." Inuyasha said. "The time is not now. We have other things to attend to beforehand." He looked at his now human brother. "After breakfast, we will head to Kaede's village then to the Western Lands."
"Yes that is wise," Sesshomaru's mother said. "Your coronation and your upcoming marriage must be planned." Naraku fussed with his braid at the mention of marriage. He had always been a free spirit, now it was time to settle down.
Jaken was in deep shock. His Lord Sesshomaru was now human and his brother was to assume the throne. He glared at the once hanyou and wished he could say something but by law, he couldn't.
"What crawled up your butt Jaken?" Inuyasha asked. Jaken looked at the new Lord and sneered.
"You are NOT my Lord. Lord Sesshomaru is my Lord and always will be."
"So why don't you pork him and get it over with you stinking…."He was about to blow but Naraku pinched his inner thigh hard! "Ow!"
"Thank you Naraku," Sesshomaru's mother said sweetly. "Inuyasha, temper my pup."
"Hai hai," Inuyasha sighed. "Naraku, not so hard next time huh..?"
"It worked didn't it?" The Chimera asked coyly, sipping his tea. Inuyasha thought for a moment then smiled. He had to admit, the anger flew out quickly.
"And, Jaken was it?" Naraku asked the kappa. "Next time, you won't be so lucky," Jaken grumbled but didn't say anything further.
Breakfast continued without further incident and Inuyasha decided to carry Naraku, Kanna and his brother. Kiarra carried Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kagome. Jaken was on Ah-Un and Kagura was on her feather. Masaki and Jukai remained with Sesshomaru's mother at the palace, to plan out the coronation and the wedding.
Kaede was journeying back from gathering water as the group arrived. She had mixed emotions when she saw Naraku and his group but she felt no malice from him. What's changed about him? And where's Inuyasha?
"What is going on here Naraku and where is Inuyasha?" From behind her, she heard a warm chuckle. She turned and her eye widened.
"Inuyasha, what happened to ye?"
"Kaede, do you mind if we sat down? There is much to discuss."
"Oh yes, of course, why don't ye come in?" She went to pick up the bucket but she heard a growl from Inuyasha.
"Sesshomaru, get going," He barked. Kaede's eye widened as she watched Sesshomaru walk passed her and pick up the bucket.
"Where would you like this Miss Kaede?"
"Oh, in the back Sesshomaru if ye please, ye most kind…." She had to control her jaw from dropping as Sesshomaru obeyed her.
"Alright what is going on?"
"Ok, how to explain…." Inuyasha said.
"We can't explain how it happened but Inuyasha and I are destined to be together and Sesshomaru's life was spared but he is no longer a demon." Naraku supplied. "And he was ordered by Inuyasha, who is now the new Lord of the West that he is to help you."
Kaede placed a hand over her heart and was ready to cry. She was deeply touched by Inuyasha's kindness. He was proving to be a better Lord than Sesshomaru already. She looked at the older brother and was amazed, he was still beautiful but he looked different without his demon allure and markings. She was also shocked at how mellow Naraku became. He was no longer interested in conquest. Instead, he was more attentive to Inuyasha.
"Naraku…Onigumo….oh my, I don't know which to call ye." Naraku looked at her and held up a hand.
"Naraku's fine." The Chimera said. "Onigumo is long gone."
"Naraku, what is going to happen now? What of the Shikon Jewel?"
Naraku didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out his half of the Shikon Jewel and put it in front of Inuyasha.
"My gift," He said. "To show you all how sincere I am." Sesshomaru's eyes widened and his body ached to reach it. Inuyasha saw this coming and swept it up before Sesshomaru could move. He turned to his Beta and kissed him chastely yet tenderly.
"Thank you, Naraku." He whispered, as he tightened his grip around the jewel. "This means a lot to all of us." He handed it over to Kaede and Kagome. Kagome took out her half and watched them form into one, flawless jewel. After that, she handed the jewel to Inuyasha.
"What….?" He asked as he took the jewel into his hand again.
"Inuyasha, ye have grown so much since I met ye." Kaede said. "And you know this old woman will not live forever, therefore I've decided that the jewel would be safer with ye."
"Kaede," Inuyasha said. "I am not too sure about that. I will be in a land where demons roam. If they see the Shikon Jewel they'll go insane and lust after it."
"Inuyasha, I know all that but, Kagome will be returning to her world soon and there will be no one I trust with the Shikon Jewel…"
"I have a better idea." Inuyasha said. "Why not Miroku and Sango watch over it?" Kaede's eye widened at the idea. She completely forgot about the monk and the demon slayer.
"That is an excellent idea, thank ye Inuyasha." She said. "So, what happens now?"
"Well Naraku and I have to return to the Western Lands." Inuyasha said. "I'm sure the news of my assuming Lordship hasn't sat well with some of the demons over there."
"That is true." Kaede said. "So as soon as ye get settled, then perhaps ye can come back here." Inuyasha smiled and agreed. With a farewell to Miroku, Sango, Shippo and Kaede, Inuyasha and Naraku walked out of the cottage to be cut off by Sesshomaru.
"You're a fool to spare me." He said as he glared at his younger brother.
"Think what you want but I won't kill you." Inuyasha said calmly. "It's time you learned."
"Learn what?" Sesshomaru asked. "What could I possibly learn?"
"It's time for you to learn humility." Inuyasha said. "You have no idea or how to relate to others because you have this inane notion that you are better than everyone. I'm taking you down a peg or two."
"Do you honestly think the Counsel would accept you as Lord of the West?"
"I don't expect them to accept me." Inuyasha said. "But unlike you, I'm not going to throw the fact that I'm my father's son and all. I'll earn their respect by my own merit."
"Do you honestly they are going to accept you and your mate?" Sesshomaru asked. "Naraku would be killed on sight."
"I'm sure that would be remedied." Inuyasha said. "Are you done? There's a lot to do and we have to get going."
"So go, but I tell you now, brother, that you will NEVER be accepted. No matter how hard you may try." With that he brushed by the couple and didn't look back.
"Inuyasha," Naraku said, as he looked at the departing once older Lord of the West. "We must keep our guard up."
"That's a no-brainer." Inuyasha said. "So, shall we?" He held out a hand to the Chimera. Said Chimera smiled and placed his hand into the Inu-Youkai's and both left in a flash of light.
What do you think, how will the demon world take to Inuyasha and Naraku? How will Sesshomaru cope to a human, mortal, lifestyle? Or will there be a dark twist? It's up to you, your reviews will drive the story.