Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Welcome Home

.

.

Six hours later and Kagome was no longer thinking about her compromising position, it had rain and now she was wet, tired and grouchy as they entered the first of the walls leading to the Western Castle. She glared at the back of Togas head. How was it that he was hardly wet while she was soaked? 'Yōkai.' She mentally rolled her eyes and to make matters worse, looking down at herself, the bottom of her kimono was once more covered in mud.

Toga inwardly smirked as he led them up the hill towards his castle. She had pestered him the rest of the trip about where they were going but he had chosen not to answer her, just limiting his responses to his signature, 'hn.' He was amused that it hadn't stopped her from her barrage of questions till the rain came then all had become silent much to his, surprisingly, displeasure.

As they passed through the second wall they came to the small village that hug the third wall. Kagome was impressed to see that the Inu no Taishō would keep the village close to his castle instead of putting them between the first and second wall. As they continued forward making their way to the third wall, she began to realize something was off. Yōkai and humans alike were staring at them. Was it because he was an emissary? 'Or could it be . . . she sent a quick prayer to the Kami that they didn't run into Inu no Taishō; she was not presentable and did not want to embarrass Toga.

Toga should have known that his people would recognize him. He smiled at them as he continued forward and even waved. The people who had gathered to watch them broke out into loud cheers of welcome home and the children ran up to him smiling and dancing around him in a circle. A little girl approached with a flower and held it out to him; leaning down he whispered in her ear.

Kagome watched shocked as the crowd cheered and waved at them and the children surrounded Toga. She then watched in amazement as a girl broke away and slowly approached her shyly holding out a flower to her. Still confused as to what was going on she smiled and thanked the little girl, taking the flower she looked at Toga, sending him a questioning look. What was going on? There was no way an emissary was this important . . . right?

.

.

I am sorry for the delay I've been sick and sore from Spouse Org Day. What's that you ask? I did an obstacle course that soldiers usually do and found muscles that hadn't been used in a while. 'Ouch!' I digress. Hope this chapter sends happiness your way, it's about time Kagome realized who she marri- ahem, who her mate is! Thank you guys for your constant support and for your honest reviews. It helps to know if I'm going in the right direction and as Chapter 64 will attest, it has been redone. Thank you llebreknit, 2featherbraids and Tsyilna Llyria for your help! Esha Napoleon, nellyy, 2featherbraids, CityOfFallenAshes, AnabellaGC, TheLostPrincessOfTheEast, llebreknit, TheDragonSinger, la canelle, Tsyilna Llyria, KiasuEurasian and LADY SILVERFOX. Priss ^^