2 days until the wedding…
Inuyasha sat on his favorite branch of the Goshinboku, his father's letter sitting on his lap. Kagome had gone back to her time to finish last minute wedding preparations, taking the wooden box with her to prevent Inuyasha from opening it while she was gone. The hut Inuyasha built was finally complete, full of all the furniture Kagome could ever need. With nothing else to do, Inuyasha decided to read his father's letter. He opened the envelope carefully, trying not to tear it with his claws. His eyes simply looked at his father's handwriting, not focusing on the words. 'My handwriting is kinda like his but still kinda like mother's,' he thought. He focused on the words, reading slowly.
'My son Inuyasha. I wish I could be with you at this moment to tell you everything I need to tell you, but fate has decided to separate us. I don't know how much you know about me, how long I was in your life. Your mother only gave birth to you a month ago, the youngest heir to the Western Lands.
I'm sure you've picked a wonderful woman to be your mate. You know that Inu-demons mate for life; I hope you've picked the right female. It doesn't matter if she's youkai, hanyou, or human as long as you love her. I must apologize to you son. I know you must have lived a difficult life for being a hanyou. When your mother told me she was going bear you, I was both overjoyed and worried. I knew your life would not be easy regardless of whether your mother and I would be there for you.
But I'm pleased you have someone in your life that you love enough to mate. Cherish her and all the time you have with her. An inu-demon is incomplete without their mate. Protect her and love her and you will never be happier. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness.'
Inuyasha put the letter down on his lap, absorbing his father's words. He couldn't remember his father at all, couldn't remember spending anytime with him or even seeing him. Through his entire life, he felt his mother was the only parent who really cared about him. His father seemed more like a figment of his imagination, never really knowing if he thought about or even knew Inuyasha. But his father did know him; he cared about him. Just he wasn't there to
"Inuyasha, when are you going to get Kagome?" Shippo yelled, throwing a rock at his head.
Inuyasha dodged the rock easily, glaring down at the kitsune. "Why you little runt," Inuyasha muttered, tucking his father's letter into his sleeves. "I'm gonna get you for that," he cried, jumping off the branch and chasing after Shippo.
Kagome sat on her bed, the wooden box next to her. She opened the lid carefully, picking up the envelope inside. She had never expected to receive a letter from her father-in-law; after all both of Inuyasha's parents were dead. 'I guess life is full of surprises,' she thought as she opened the letter.
'My dearest daughter-in-law, I am grieved to know that I am unable to speak to you in person but I do not wish for you to lack some form of knowledge about your father-in-law. I am InuTashio, Great Dog Demon of the West, Lord of the Western Lands. I mated Inuyasha's mother, a human named Izayol, after I ended my relationship with Sesshomaru's mother, a demon. Truly I am glad that inuyasha has found someone he loves and wants to mate. Inuyasha is only a few weeks old, but I worry for his future. It is not easy to be a half demon in this world.'
'You don't know the half of it,' Kagome thought.
'Even so, Inuyasha is a blessing to his mother and I. Daughter, I am entrusting my son to you. Though he is young now, I see much of myself in him. He is a proud and stubborn.'
"Very true," Kagome said aloud.
'But he has a good heart. Hopefully you can soften him. In the wooden box, there is another compartment where a wedding gift for you is placed.' Kagome put down the letter, feeling around the bottom of the box with her fingertips. She gently pulled the wood out, reveling a beautiful kimono. Kagome gasped as she pulled the kimono out, unfolding it. It was a nearly pure white kimono with a cherry blossom tree on it. Cherry blossom petals were spread across the sleeves as if carried away by the wind. Kagome picked the letter up again, laying the kimono on her bed. 'I give to you this kimono to wear on your wedding day; it will only enhance your beauty. I wish both you and Inuyasha a happy life together. Keep each other safe.'
Kagome looked from the letter in her hand to the kimono laying on the bed beside her. 'No wonder InuTashio didn't want me to open the box in front of Inuyasha; it would have ruined the surprise.' Kagome stood up, holding the kimono against her body. Despite being in the box for decades, the kimono was in perfect condition, not a tear or rip to be found. 'It looks like it'll fit me like a glove. How did he know?'
"Kagome, we have to go pick up your wedding dress," Mrs. Higurashi said, opening the room door. "Oh my, what a beautiful kimono Kagome; where did you get it from?"
"It's my wedding kimono that my father-in-law sent me," Kagome said softly before she began explaining to her mother.