Later 9 Kagome Returns

Inuyasha couldn't help but think how typical it was of his brother to think that he was able to solve all problems just by his say so. However it did break his sense of overall misery to realise that Sesshoumaru would do all in his power to make his word true; it was his nature and nothing could change that. So Inuyasha's sobs quietened even if they took longer to stop completely, but it felt good being held and comforted even by his brother; in fact, especially by his brother.

After all these years Inuyasha knew that he wasn't being set up for a world of hurt, Sesshoumaru was not going to sneer at his little brother's weakness, not now, it was not his way. Sesshoumaru had always been harsh, often cruel to him, but always open; he was not a sadist. Inuyasha would have been pushed away and rebuked for any tears before, but never embraced with understanding of them.

However as was to be expected, Inuyasha felt embarrassed as soon as he started to be composed and tried to draw away from Sesshoumaru. But once again the youkai called to him with the deliberately affectionate 'Puppy' trying to gain his attention. Inuyasha's bright eyes widened as he looked up at his brother's face unsure for the first time as to what he would see; Sesshoumaru kept his expression neutral.

"In answer to both your questions, I have no doubt that someday I will have someone to love and that I will have my heir and so will you when the right time comes."

"You never used to give me any future let alone the promise of pups; you wanted to wipe the stain of my blood from the land."

"That time has past as far as I am concerned. I would like it to be in the past for you as well Inuyasha."

"Keh."

"I understand many things differently now Pup; I know it will be hard for you to believe I have changed, but I will prove it to you. I also understand how your human heart makes you feel in a different way to me. I am sorry that it took until Rin to help me in understanding and not you when we were together; I was unfair to you, unjust in the way I treated you."

Inuyasha stared in disbelief at his brother's explanation; they were understatements if ever he'd heard them. Sesshoumaru thought that just saying 'it's over' meant that everything was alright, done and dusted and put away, just like that? True Inuyasha was willing to try, and he required no compensation from Sesshoumaru; but to just hope… but perhaps that was just his brother's way, for as far as Inuyasha could tell, the Daiyoukai had been a lonely person too.

It was the true start to the improvement in the brother's relationship when Sesshoumaru acknowledged Inuyasha's right to feel things differently to him. Inuyasha had told the Shikon jewel in no uncertain terms, the things that Kagome had taught him and how she'd freed him, to think and feel without shame. He had been bolder in himself and more assured of his worth since he'd allowed her to help him overcome the barriers of his heart.

Inuyasha was not going to let all that suspicious nature that was so easy for him to assume, start up all over again, at least not without good reason. Sango and Miroku had named him Uncle to their twins, Rin was like a little bossy sister who pretended to be his mother, Shippou was still an annoying bratty little brother and Kaede was Kaede and very important to him. If Sesshoumaru wanted to become his older brother again then Inuyasha was willing to at least try and not bleat about the times past, if he could help it; time would tell.

So he had a family of odd sorts but they were dear to him nonetheless, and even if he had no mate and would mourn her for the rest of his days; his family still needed him to protect and provide, at least for now and Inuyasha made up his mind to stay in the area. Inuyasha spoke these things to his brother and the elder understood his reasoning and stayed with his younger at the little hut, where they talked all night and made amends to the best of their abilities.

It did not mean however that in the following couple of years they met more often or acted much differently, but the insults and the apprehensions were gone for the most part. Inuyasha helped Miroku with his work and entertained the delightful twins who adored their doggy uncle. He could make them shiver and squeal with his growls and pretend chases and he had those fascinating ears that twitched whenever they tried to stroke them.

The six Inu Youkai soldiers, whose duties were to rotate in pairs to keep guard on the village, still did so; and always caused a stir amongst the maidens when they ventured into the village. Although they all would visit with their Lordship's young brother too and keep a well disguised eye on him for Sesshoumaru as well.

It was pleasant for Inuyasha to be able to talk with the guards, they were all known to him from the times past and were friendly; he could tell by scent that they were genuine and not just humouring his brother with their attitude. It made a nice change to speak with others who could also explain about his youkai feelings and motives; there was too much history between him and his brother to hope for an unbiased response.

But as a consequence, Inuyasha began to feel more balanced in his own being; even as he still felt inferiority when he considered the natural beauty of the tall handsome Inu Youkai against his own, slighter and partially transformed build. It was not that he felt any attraction for them, but he couldn't help be aware of the admiring glances and open flattery they received from everyone; even Sango had commented on their good looks in a roundabout way that wasn't however lost on Miroku.

Then if Sesshoumaru was seen speaking to the guards on his visits, there was open ogling from the girls of the village and even the young boys would emulate the stance and demeanour of the lordly creatures. Inuyasha could see that Sesshoumaru was the most beautiful of them all and only his fierce reputation protected him from being crowded everywhere he walked.

Inuyasha had never been vain of his own looks, in fact the opposite was true, the hanyou felt ugly in comparison most of the time; and it didn't matter how many times Kagome indicated she loved him as a hanyou, being good looking was no prerequisite for being loved. You only had to look at Jinenji to see that, his mother obviously loved him and Kagome too loved him as a friend. Only Rin had ever told him that he was 'pretty', but that was probably from loyalty to Sesshoumaru as Inuyasha reminded her of her Lord.

It didn't matter much to Inuyasha how others viewed him really; they took him or left him as he was, there was nothing he could do to change how he looked. Just sometimes when he could see Sesshoumaru and the guards, he wanted to be like them and not be a perpetual ugly duckling from the story that Kagome told Shippou once. Actually he grimaced from the analogy, at least the duckling had turned into one of the wonderful swans he so admired; Inuyasha would never turn into one of the 'swans' he could see and sometimes still wished to attain, however hopelessly now.

As ever though, Sesshoumaru knew his brother's thoughts almost as if he could hear Inuyasha's brain working, although it helped when his little brother had sneered at the group who had been 'preening themselves like a bunch of vain swans' in the village square. Sesshoumaru had annoyed Inuyasha by then gently petting his ears which were the most obvious sign that he was different to the others, but his words had soothed.

"You have beauty that is unique to you Inuyasha and are far from unattractive." Sesshoumaru knew the tale of the Ugly Duckling too, as Rin had told it too him; no, it was not hard to read Inuyasha, not for his brother, after all Sesshoumaru had been one of the swans that had pecked at and driven the duckling away.

"Feh!" Inuyasha said and walked away to occupy the twins who had come toddling over to him and were now also hanging off his doggy ears. Sango was heavily pregnant again, this time with a singleton; a boy, not that the parents knew this yet and Inuyasha wasn't going to tell them. Rin was making a couple of rag dolls for him to give the twins, for when their brother was born; each with tiny clothes so they could be dressed. In return, Inuyasha was doing some of her chores, collecting herbs and doing the gardening.

There was a lot going on in the village in any case and Sango along with the other women was busy in preparations for the wedding of the headman's daughter to a young lord of the neighbouring town. The wedding was due to take place in three months just after the harvest, but a lot of work needed doing to be ready in time. Kimono's and household linens had to be made for the trousseau and as gifts, apart from the everyday work that couldn't just be put aside.

Sango though went into labour while Miroku and Inuyasha were away; but after giving birth to the twins she was not as afraid this time that her husband was not nearby, but was content for Kaede and Rin to assure her that everything was proceeding normally. Miroku was amazed and delighted to find his new son waiting in his mother's arms and once again Inuyasha gave his presents to the girls and left the family alone.

Sesshoumaru remembered that it was not too long after the birth of the monk's son that he felt the surge of power near his brother's village from his Palace. He had immediately left for the village to investigate and had found that the well had activated and Kagome had returned permanently as the well had resealed behind her. The Daiyoukai didn't at that time reveal himself to the reuniting friends; but he could feel Inuyasha's joy at the girl's return as if it were his own.

Sesshoumaru had still been somewhat angry at the girl deep inside for choosing her previous life above his little brother; although he did recognise that she had been young for her years in comparison to girls of his time and she had been through a terrible ordeal. Besides it was apparently Inuyasha who had made the final split second decision for her and Sesshoumaru could recognise that Kagome had now chosen to leave her family and home for life with the hanyou.

Therefore he could admit in his mind they should be a good match and already he was working on the premise that at least Rin would have the safety of another home in the village should Kaede be unable to look after her at any time. As he watched Kagome and Inuyasha over the next few days from the forest, he noticed that she was still as fiery as he remembered but not quite so shrill, and her demeanour had matured to her and everyone else's benefit.

Of course Sesshoumaru had helped them out after being made aware that his brother was still a bit insecure and nervous, apart from him having no idea what to do. Kagome had stayed in the hut with Kaede and Rin while Inuyasha who had had wanted to 'do things properly' courted the girl.Sesshoumaru had beenamused and saddened at his brother's lack of self esteem but had coached Inuyasha through some of his actions (see my story 'After').

The wedding feast was a far less formal affair than the one coming up after the harvest. Neither Inuyasha nor Kagome wanted or felt the need to wait, and all the people that they wished to attend were in the village already. Sesshoumaru provided Kagome and Rin with matching Kimono just in different colours, as gifts and Inuyasha had the one he'd worn for Miroku's wedding three years before. He had had rare occasion to wear it since and refused nicely Sesshoumaru's offer of a new one, but he did accept the present of a new obi that matched his brother's for the ceremony.

The banquet was informal and served as a welcome break from hard work for the villagers. It was not a problem for Sesshoumaru to provide the feast or the staff for what essentially became a huge party without pomp or frills; that everyone enjoyed. As the couple left the party to great cheers, good wishes and various types of advice from Miroku; Inuyasha was amazed at the level of acceptance he had, as he married the Miko.

To prevent him thinking too much and perhaps getting fretful and worried, Sesshoumaru whispered in a loud aside, asking if Inuyasha required him to come and talk him through the next part as he had done for his brother's first proper kiss with Kagome. Predictably the boy had become suffused with a crimson blush and responded with words that made Sesshoumaru glad that Rin was not youkai and couldn't hear him.

Instead he swatted the hanyou on the rear for such language, kissed the grinning Kagome on her forehead and promised them that no one would interrupt or upset them this night as he would keep watch. They made their way to the new house that Inuyasha had built on the site of his little hut in pleasant silence; it was not quite finished, but was warm and cosy. The village women had prepared it especially for them and had given the place a thorough clean and airing before lighting the fire.

Sesshoumaru had provided a proper futon and some cushions amongst other comforts befitting the younger Prince of the West, even if he did live in a human village. He left the newly weds to go inside and went to sit in Goshinboku to guard, finding himself smiling when the shift in youki told him that finally Inuyasha and Kagome had become one. Then when at last the excited but fulfilled boy shifted into a deep and peaceful sleep; Sesshoumaru felt he had succeeded in his father's eyes to protect his brother at long last.

Sesshoumaru realised too that Inuyasha had taken the next step in life and gone beyond him but he found he didn't mind so much; he was no longer jealous of the hanyou at all and there was plenty of time for him to find his life mate. The Daiyoukai spent the next few days in and around the forest and the area of the little house, keeping the couple safe from prying eyes and giving them the chance to relax and learn together; but then he had to bid them farewell to go back to his duties at the Palace.

The following month was the headman's daughter's wedding and Inuyasha and Kagome were also invited to the wedding banquet. Inuyasha was well aware that the invite including him was mainly to curry favour with his brother who was the Lord of the West for the human prince; but he didn't spoil Kagome's fun by voicing his thoughts. The guards too had been invited and Sesshoumaru had given permission for them to attend although he wouldn't be there himself.

Once again the striking Inu Youkai guards made a grand impression; all six together in their armour were a splendid sight and the giggles and chatter surrounding them was enough to make Inuyasha sick. Thankfully he didn't see the knowing but fond smirks from the guards directed at him whenever he flattened his ears at the annoying noise.

During the following week his temper was not improved by hearing all the chat and gossip about the wedding wherever he went in the village, and his sense of worth was not bolstered at all when he heard Sango and Kagome chatting and extolling the virtues and good looks of the Inu guards either. He knew that Kagome loved him and found him attractive but the old insecurities sometimes reared their ugly heads.

Kagome knew that her mate was disgruntled, but as he was not forthcoming about what, she waited patiently; after all their time together she knew that he would tell her when he was ready. It all came to a head one afternoon in the following week; Kagome had just finished collecting herbs for Kaede and was sitting on the grass in the warm late summer sun with Inuyasha. They were chatting comfortably when Sesshoumaru's shadow crossed overhead; Kagome called out to him but was puzzled by his glacial look.

Sesshoumaru knew that Kagome only wanted to be friendly but did she have to shout so loudly, such lack of decorum or respect for him in front of his men that were still guarding the area. Did she think that he had not noticed her and his brother as he flew overhead, even if Jaken had not already told him she was there? She must have known that a youkai in his exalted position would not answer her there and then and that he would come to visit them as well as Rin because he always did.

Therefore there was no need for such uncouth and unseemly behaviour, especially as it could set a bad example to Rin; he would have to speak to Inuyasha about his wife's public behaviour even if it was a lost cause, women in Kagome's time obviously saw things differently. However from what he could hear, Inuyasha was not pleased either by his mate's call and she was at a loss;

"What do you mean by; it had a nasty ring to it? Sesshoumaru is my brother-in-law?"

"I know that; it wasn't what you said, but how."

"Inuyasha, you've lost me; what on earth do you mean?"

"Well you were all sparkly and I dunno…all…like the stupid girls in the village with the guards…simpering at him…and what did you expect from his high and mightiness anyway?" Inuyasha trailed off knowing that he was showing his insecurity. At one time Kagome would have taken umbrage and 'sat' him for his answer; but she was no longer a sixteen year old girl, she was a nineteen year old woman who was much calmer and on her way to becoming more like her mother.

The older Kagome recognised that she had the answer for the bad mood now and understanding his background gave her the insight as to the source of his sulky response. Kagome the woman merely kissed her mate's grumpy face, took his hand and led him into their house where she proceeded to convince him that he was the only one she would ever love and he had no need to be jealous of anyone.

Sesshoumaru carried on to the village and his visit with Rin; only time would get rid of the hanyou's worries, but for now he would delay visiting with his brother until it was time for the evening meal. He did think though that he would have a quiet word with his sister-in-law and remind her of the story of the Ugly Duckling; she was bright and would understand.

TBC