The maid at the Taisho house had gone on a week-long vacation, and on the Saturday before she would return, Kagome found the refrigerator severely lacking. She had taken to cooking meals for the family every night, and she didn't want to get take out on this particularly whimsical Saturday. She enjoyed cooking for her new family; Sesshomaru always came to dinner, and though he didn't say much, he always told her that he enjoyed the food.

"Rin?" Kagome called for the little girl and a moment later, she appeared.

"I think it's high time we get some groceries. We don't need a maid to do it for us!" Crouching down so she was eye level with Rin, Kagome smiled. "So? What do you say? Want to go shopping with me?"

Rin's smiled a toothy grin and giggled. "You bet! I can't wait!"

"Okay then, get in the car!" Kagome patted the hanyou out the door and grabbed her eyes. Sesshomaru wouldn't be back from his meeting for three more hours, which would give her plenty time to make dinner. And, Kagome thought with delight, tonight smells like a movie night. I'll have to let Rin choose the movie, but I think Sesshomaru will be up for it.

When they arrived at the local shopping center, Kagome filled Rin in on all the details. Rin was used to grocery shopping, but nothing like this. This was a high-class center near their mansion where all the maids for the rich bought food.

"We look just like regular people, so it won't matter, but I want you to be on your best behavior. Can you do that?"

Rin nodded, growing solemn. "I'll be very sweet, I promise."

Kagome quickly snapped into action, recognizing the look that was glazed over Rin's face. They used to go grocery shopping together to find the best deals, and Kagome had always told Rin the exact thing she had just said. "And then, since you will be so good, I'll let you get a treat! Maybe a tofu bar, or…" Kagome tapped a foot, pretending to be deep in thought, "ice cream?"

Rin's eyes widened with excitement, and Kagome could see the little girl had stopped worrying. Soon, Kagome hoped, Rin would stop worrying about their previous problems all together. That girl was too perceptive for her own good.

"Oh thank you, thank you! I know exactly what I'm going to get!"

"But," Kagome held out her hand and once Rin had taken it, they walked into the store, "this is the only time for a little while. We can't have you get too spoiled, now can we?"

"No," Rin giggled, "I'm super sweet! Not spoiled at all! Promise!"

Together, they browsed the isles and discussed dinner for the week. Kagome knew Sesshomaru preferred Asian, but he also liked Mexican food, and Rin loved Italian. Somehow, Kagome worked out a schedule that would accommodate all of their tastes, including her own tastes, which were very versatile.

"Now, Rin, for tonight's stir fry, what type of meat would you like? Sometimes chicken is good, but beef…" Kagome trailed off when she felt Kikyo's soul twitch.

Trying to remain as calm as possible, Kagome grasped Rin's hand tighter and turned, observing all of her surroundings. When Kikyo's soul fluttered once more, Kagome felt like she had a butterfly caught in her throat. The sensation of a soul trembling against hers felt emotionally painful, as if she was the one who felt the despair, not Kikyo.

Kagome's palm began to sweat when she couldn't find something in her surroundings that would've affected Kikyo. A scared thought crept into Kagome's mind, and she worried that Kikyo would speak to her. She took a deep breath and tried to shake off her fear. If Kikyo did talk to her, what would she say was going to happen? Was something going to happen to Rin? Kagome's heart stung with new fright when she thought of another idea. What if something had happened to Sesshomaru?

Taking a couple steps in one direction, Kagome stumbled through the super market, scanning the isles for something. Anything.

Kikyo's soul beat against hers. Flustered, Kagome pushed Rin behind her, as if to shield her from the unknown force, and turned down the next isle. Whatever had set Kikyo's soul off was bound to be harmful, and Kagome tried to summon her weak miko powers in an attempt to be prepared.

She wasn't prepared for the sight she saw. In a relieved sigh, Kagome steadied herself against a shelf and tried to regain her balance, because she felt weak at the knees.

Inuyasha was crouching next to a shelf that held cans of peas, examining two different brands, five meters from Kagome. He had a pensive look on his face, eyes unfocused on the cans he held in his hands. Kagome took a couple more deep breaths before her hammering heart had calmed down, and then examined him. He looked older than when he had been with Kikyo, but no older than thirty. His face looked weary, though, as if his life had lost the luster it had contained when he had been with Kikyo.

Kagome found herself walking over to him. Maybe it was her curiosity, or Kikyo's spirit that moved her over there, either way she found herself standing before him. Sniffing the air, Inuyasha turned to look at her, with a confused look on his face.

"Hello," Kagome held out her hand as he stood up. Inuyasha looked thoughtful and worn out, but accepted her hand.

"Hey," he grumbled and released her hand.

"I don't know if you remember me, but I'm your brother's—"

"Yeah, I know," he said gruffly and shifted his weight. "You're his wife. My sister in law."

Kagome smiled as kindly as she could. "This is Rin, my baby sister." She presented Rin to him, and Rin bowed politely.

"Hi," he mumbled, clearly uncomfortable and less than happy to be interrupted from his thoughts.

"We didn't really get a chance to speak at the wedding, but I'd like to see you more, Inuyasha-kun." Kagome desperately wanted to know more about Inuyasha. She wasn't interested in him the way she was interested in Sesshomaru, but he had been the hero of her childhood. He was Kikyo's soul mate, someone she had heard stories about for her whole life, and she needed to know what had happened to him after Kikyo had died. Kikyo needed to know, too.

"So we were wondering," Kagome found herself asking, "if you'd like to join us for dinner? We're going to have a movie night."

Rin giggled with excitement, and clasped her hands over her mouth. "Really?" She whispered and Kagome nodded.

Inuyasha scratched the back of his neck and set one of the cans of peas he was holding on the shelf. "I don't think so… I don't really get along with that bast—my half-brother."

"No, please. I insist," Kagome smiled, and tried not to let him see how intrigued she was by him. She couldn't let this opportunity pass up. "We should have a family get together. Sesshomaru and you should catch up, anyways."

Inuyasha grumbled but said nothing. Desperately searching her mind, Kagome tried to think of a way to convince him. Wasn't there something Kikyo had always done? "We will be having stir fry. Think of it as a free meal."

Kagome watched with joy as Inuyasha's ears perked up. "Fine," he grumbled, "But you have to promise Sesshomaru won't bring out the swords. I'm not sure I could fight him tonight."

"Sure," Kagome grinned and led their group to the register. Tonight's going to be like a family reunion.

Kagome watched Inuyasha and Rin play a game of Uno as she finished cooking the meat for their stir fry. They had been home for nearly an hour, and after deciding what movie to watch, Inuyahsa had surprisingly agreed to play with Rin. Kagome was pleased to see a gentler side of him with Rin, and she noted with satisfaction how Rin had managed to weasel her way into both of the Taisho brother's hearts.

"I won!" Rin giggled and triumphantly slammed her last card on the pile of cards.

"Wow, sweetheart, go easy on him! That's the third time in a row! Some people aren't used to playing with Uno masters," Kagome laughed and added vegetables into the pot on the stove.

"Keh," Inuyasha snorted, "I was going easy on her. The little twerp wouldn't stand a chance if I was actually trying."

Kagome shook her head, smiling. "You know there is such thing as having a strategy, Inuyasha. Rin has been taught Uno by the best strategist in the world."

"Oh, you taught her? Way to be modest," he grouched and flattened his hand of cards on the table.

"Well, yes," Kagome chuckled, "but Sesshomaru has begun teaching her mahjong. I wasn't kidding when I said the best strategist was teaching her."

Kagome sensed Sesshomaru's aura as she added some green beans into her mix and set the wooden spoon she was holding on the counter. "Welcome home."

Sesshomaru walked in the door and the room silenced. With a controlled expression on his face, Sesshomaru turned to Kagome. "Why is he here?"

"I invited him," she wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing and mused over how she looked just like a stay at home mother. Not that it's bad, but I'm still young. I have to get a better job, and soon.

Sesshomaru approached her and looked her in the eyes, demanding her full attention. "Why?"

Meeting his golden gaze, she replied sweetly. "Because he is family, and we haven't spoken for a long time."

"Hnn," Sesshomaru snarled and walked away.

"Dinner is in fifteen minutes!" Kagome called after him, pleased with how she could read his slight facial expressions. She knew that he was peeved with her, but not angry. Sesshomaru didn't hate Inuyasha the way he had in the past, but he had been surprised by his presence. And above all, Kagome knew one thing. He would come to dinner.

Sitting down to dinner was a bit uncomfortable for the group, but Kagome tried to fix that. Passing around her delicious food, she asked everyone how their day had been and if they liked the dinner. Sesshomaru replied with few words, Inuyasha answered her hesitantly, but Rin gave her the desired result. Babbling on, the adults listened to Rin's extraordinary adventure in the supermarket.

"And then, we moved to the ice cream section. Kagome said I could get ice cream because I've been a good girl for a long time, so of course I chose purple! Then we got some veggies and even though I don't like, I had to promise to eat them. Then we were gonna get some chicken, but Kagome started acting odd!"

"And," Kagome cut her off, so she couldn't fill them in on how weird she had been acting. Rin didn't know about Kikyo, and probably never would, but Sesshomaru would be suspicious if he heard the whole story. "We met Inuyasha after that! It was so surprising to see you there, Inuyasha."

"Yeah," he mumbled, with his mind on other things.

"Rin, sweetie," Kagome focused her attention on the little girl, "would you go start the movie? I think we're almost finished with dinner."

"Okay!" Rin jumped out of her seat and started towards the family room. Changing her mind for a moment, she returned to the table to take Inuyasha with her. "Let's go, Inu!"

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru across the table. He was still in his suit, but had a casual atmosphere around him, and Kagome met his gaze. They watched each other for a moment before Sesshomaru broke the silence.

"I haven't spoken to him for years. You barely know him. Why the sudden interest?"

Acting on an impulse, Kagome reached out and touched his hand on the table. It was warm yet cool, something only Sesshomaru could pull off. "He's your brother, Sesshomaru. And he looks so… weary. Don't you wonder what happened to him?"

Flipping their hands, Sesshomaru captured hers and stroked her palm. "I know what happened."

Kagome felt Kikyo's soul, which had been restless in her for the whole night, flutter again. Kikyo needed to know how Inuyasha had lived after the final battle with Naraku. "Can you tell me?"

Sesshomaru paused in tracing patterns on her hand. "No."

Kagome's eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "Why not?"

"It is complicated."

"I'm smart."

He raised an eyebrow. "I know."

Rubbing her lips together, she grumbled at him. "Then why not?"

He gave her hand one last touch and then slid his under the table. "Kagome, do not press the issue. It is of none of your concern."

Sighing in temporary defeat, Kagome changed the topic. "How was your meeting?"

Sesshomaru stood and strode to the room where Inuyasha and Rin were setting up the movie. "I will talk to you about it later."

Great, Kagome grumbled as she followed him, apparently everything is a touchy topic for him. Overly sensitive dog.

"Ooh, Mulan. A classic," Kagome commented happily as she saw the familiar female warrior appear on the screen.

Sitting down next to Sesshomaru, she silently leaned into his chest and settled down for a pleasant movie night.

After Rin had gone to bed, the adults gathered in the entrance hall to see Inuyasha off. Kagome was pleased with how the night had passed; though they hadn't spoken about the things she wanted to know, they had spoken. The brothers weren't friendly with each other, but it was clear to Kagome they didn't hate each other either. The boys were merely uncomfortable together.

"It was great to see you, Inuyasha," Kagome smiled.

"Yeah," Inuyasha mumbled an agreement. Turning to his brother, he nodded a goodbye.

Sesshomaru nodded to him, and Kagome watched as their eyes met. They shared a mysterious look, and Sesshomaru nodded once more. Biting her tongue, Kagome suppressed her curiosity. Obviously if they had wanted me to know, they would be talking out loud right now. The night was late and Inuyasha was leaving on nearly amicable terms, so she couldn't ask for anything more.

Inuyasha walked out the door smoothly, without another word. Kagome bid a goodbye and Sesshomaru turned to resume work in his rooms. Their nonchalant nature didn't fool Kagome, though. Something was going on, but it was meant to stay a secret. And that was all the more reason for Kagome to be determined to find out.

So, how'd you like that chapter? It's Inuyasha's first real appearance! Yay, exciting! Oh and yes, I do think Uno requires strategy. My family has always been into Uno, and I'm one of the best players,if I do say so myself. Here's my best Uno idea:hold onto your wild cards. Save them until the end and them BAM! You've won! (Okay, yeah, that's a really common technique, but great minds think alike, right?) Well anyways, Happy reading. Please RxR ~Gracie

All Characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi