A/N: Thank you, IchigoandInuyashaFan for the chapter reviews. And thank you to those who've put this on their lists.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.

Her Knight

Ch. 25

Inuyasha and Kagome left the Feudal Era and their friends mid-morning. Souta was already in school by the time they opened the door of the house. Mama was waiting for them in the kitchen, surprised that they had returned so early. She was concerned that Kagome was once again wearing her wrist splint. The doctor had recommended her putting it on after archery practice.

"Inuyasha, Kagome, is everything all right?" For an answer, Kagome held up the completed jewel. "You did it!" Joyous, she embraced both of them, not caring that they squirmed or that Tetsusaiga dug into her hip. "That…that beast is gone?"

"Che, he exploded into a million purified sparks, Higurashi-san. Kagome's the one that truly finished him off. The rest of us just sort of helped." He smirked when his miko blushed in embarrassment. Mama pulled back to study the two teens, searching for any visible wounds.

"We're not hurt, Mama, just really tired. Miroku and Sango are the only two that suffered any real wounds." Smiling, Kagome returned her mother's hug while Inuyasha slipped out of the feminine circle.

"I'm so relieved, Kagome. I was always so worried despite knowing Inuyasha would take care of you. I'm a mother, it's ingrained. You two go have baths and take a nap. I'll wash your clothes and come get you when lunch is ready."

The half demon nodded absently, reaching for Kagome's arm when the scent of unfamiliar tears reached his nose. "Higurashi-san?"

"I'm okay, dear. Go on upstairs." Sighing, he ushered his priestess away, allowing the matriarch time to cry in private. The two ex-shard hunters entered Kagome's room, sitting heavily down onto the bed.

"I didn't think we'd all come out of the final battle alive, Inuyasha." Pulling the necklace off of her neck, Kagome placed it on her desk. "Do you want the bathroom first?"

"Nah, you take your time." The dog demon watched Kagome leave the room, content to let her wander away. Flopping onto his back, he listened to her movements in the other room and to her mother's downstairs. The old priest was tending to the shrine and didn't yet know they were even back. The ceiling held his interest for the length of time Kagome was in the bathroom. She handed him fresh clothing, a novelty he'd only experienced once before as a pup. His mother had insisted on daily baths and clean clothes. Leaving her to her own devices, he wasn't surprised to find her asleep when he returned. Mama came to the door and collected the travel worn items, tsking gently at a small tear in one of his sleeves. He heard her mutter something about fixing it and almost told her not to bother, it would mend itself. However, he knew this was her way of fussing over him as he didn't allow any other kind while fully mobile.

Inuyasha settled down so that his back was leaning against the bed, his sword across his lap. Just about to doze off, a small hand brushed against his hair, making all thoughts of sleep disappear. "Inuyasha, will you hold me? Just until I'm asleep?" Kagome gazed at him through sleepy eyes.

"Can't sleep?" he asked although he knew she had been until just a minute ago.

"I keep dreaming about what might have happened if your brother, Kouga, and Kikyo hadn't shown up." Kagome scooted over so that he could take the outside of the bed. The half demon felt odd laying on her bed with her but did as she requested and held her while she fell back to sleep. This time he was able to go to sleep without interruptions.

Mama came into the room quietly to get them for lunch. She found the two teenagers sleeping heavily, Kagome using Inuyasha's chest as a pillow. While her daughter was under the covers, her fiancé laid on top. The scene was an intimate one but the elder Higurashi woman didn't protest. Getting a spare blanket out of Kagome's closet, she draped it over Inuyasha's still form. With one last look at the pair, she left them to sleep. They needed the rest more than they needed to eat.


Dinner was a lively affair. The Higurashi males vied for Kagome and Inuyasha's attention. One wanted explicit details of the final battle, the other tried to lecture them about making the right wish so that the Shikon no Tama would be forever destroyed. Neither teen paid either much mind as they devoured their meal. Having missed lunch, they weren't about to be distracted from their current objective.

Afterwards, they settled into the family room, sipping tea and watching TV. Mindless entertainment had been in short supply the last couple of weeks for both teens. Between school and trying to strengthen her wrist with archery, Kagome and Inuyasha had done little but prepare themselves for going back on the road. It was as they were settling in to enjoy a popular drama that visitors arrived.

"Three humans, one's that Hojo guy." Kagome was confused as it was passed the hour when her friends usually visited. "The other two are his parents, I think." Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, wishing that the concealment charm hadn't been sent back. It was going to be hard to explain away the reason he was wearing a hat inside his girlfriend's house.

"It's a good thing I haven't sent back that ring, dear. I assumed your brother was going to send someone for it. Such a valuable heirloom is too precious to send in the mail." Mama dug it out of her skirt pocket and passed it over to a grateful hanyou.

"Thanks, Higurashi-san." The Hojos were greeted warmly although neither Kagome's mother nor her grandfather had any idea why they would be coming to see them. Inuyasha could smell the embarrassment saturating the younger boy and almost felt sympathetic until his father explained the purpose of the visit. His blood beast wanted to do serious bodily harm when the stranger opened his mouth to say,

"We have come to propose a marriage between our two children." A pin could have dropped and even the humans would have heard it, the silence was so deep.

Kagome chocked on her tea, Inuyasha growled lowly in his throat and Hojo tried to make himself smaller. "Children, please go upstairs to your rooms. You as well, Hojo-kun. I wish to speak privately with Hojo-san."

"Yes, Mama." Three teenagers and a ten year old beat a hasty retreat to the second floor. None of them had ever heard the quiet anger come from Mama before. And in the last several months, she'd had plenty to get mad about.

Inuyasha waited until he and Kagome were alone in her room with her classmate before turning on the unsuspecting teen. "Just where do you get off trying to steal my priestess?"

"I'm not, I swear! Father heard your name and he got it into his head that an alliance between the Hojos and the Higurashis would be beneficial. Our family is old and distinguished but the Taishos are still considered nobility and date back even farther than our own."

Kagome placed her hand on Inuyasha's arm, knowing that without Tetsusaiga, he could lose control now that his demon half felt she was being taken from him. Or at least the threat of her being taken was present. "Inuyasha, I'm never going to leave you. Mama will soon set Hojo-san straight."

"I'm so sorry, Higurashi, Taisho-san. I never meant for this to happen."

"Keh, Sesshoumaru is not going to be happy when he hears about this."


Sesshoumaru had already heard about it. Presently he stood in his high rise office looking in the direction of the Higurashi Shrine. Twentieth century Shippou sat in a chair in front of his uncle's desk while Kirara paced behind the kistune. Her tails swished in blatant irritation while ruby eyes were narrowed into slits. Sharp claws were curled, prepared to strike out at anyone who made a false move. "I do not like this, Shippou."

"I don't either, Uncle. Maybe Kirara should be the go-between for Mother and Father. She is the elder, after all." The young fox demon was swatted on the back of the head by said elder. "Ow!"

"Don't be smart. I will go and make it plain to the Hojos that their interference is not appreciated."

Kirara arrived at the Higurashi household shortly before seven in the evening. She was surprised when it was Kagome, not her mother, who opened the door. "May I help you?" The young miko smiled politely, a slight frown on her brow.

Kagome studied the cat youkai in front of her, the youki familiar. "Kagome, kitten, please tell your mother I am here." Kirara saw the minute the priestess recognized her.

"Kirara! Oh, Kirara, you're so beautiful!" Kagome hugged the nekomata tightly, wondering at the change in her form. "I didn't know you had a humanoid form."

Twin tails, rimmed in black, moved side to side in pleasure while Kirara's eyes closed half way. Her blonde hair was the same color as her tails and was pulled back into one long braid that blew gently in the slight breeze. The only other feature that marked her as being anything other than human were the pointed ears on either side of her head. She wore a pale pink suit, the consummate professional. "The me you know in the past cannot take on this form for more than a few moments, little one."

"I see. Mama, Kirara-san is here." Kagome turned to go back up the stairs but glanced back. "Why are you here, Kirara? I thought you couldn't interfere in the present because of the past."

"Ah, but this isn't about the past. This is about your future, Kagome." Hearing the Hojos coming out to investigate the newcomer, Kirara pitched her voice so that they could hear her clearly. "I'm here on behalf of the Taisho family concerning your betrothal to Inuyasha."