[It's the last chapter! Sadness! I'll add the epilogue to the end of the chapter. Enjoy!]

The remaining few days blinked by, and in seemingly seconds, she found herself awake at the crack of dawn, Suzuhara and Sango, who was working that day to help her friend, rushing around, preparing for the ceremony mere hours away.

"Is there anything I can help with?" she asked, still half-asleep.

"No," Sango said, "Why don't you go to the gardens? Sesshomaru sent for you. He says to dress up as little as possible."

Kagome nodded, and, a few layers of kimonos and a good hair-brushing later, she was on her way to the gardens.

When she arrived, she was surprised to see Toga there as well.

"What's this?"

"As you know, the wedding is later in the day. However, I thought you might like to have our actual ceremony more privately."

She grinned, "Alright then. What is this ceremony?"

"It's very simple," Toga explained, "All you have to do is say 'I do' when I explain your duties to you."

"That's all?"

He nodded, "The rest of the ceremony, which will happen later, is all for show. Now, take each other's hands."

They did, and turned attention to Toga once more.

"Do you, lady Kagome, heir to the Higurashi estate, swear to rule the kingdom with integrity, to be eternally faithful, to give the young lord your love, and to produce many heirs for the kingdom?"

"I do," she murmured.

"Do you, Sesshomaru, my son, heir to the Western Throne, swear to rule the kingdom with integrity, to be eternally faithful, to give the young lady your love, and to father many heirs for the kingdom?"

"I do," he said, clear and true, and the words were like music in Kagome's ears.

"Very well. You are now married, Sesshomaru and Kagome of the Western Lands."

Kagome laughed incredulously, throwing her arms around Sesshomaru and kissing him, letting her tears finally flow. He bent his head to her, and kissed her through a smile.

The other ceremony passed swiftly, and she found herself on the floor of the Great Room, being twirled by her husband as they took their first dance as Lord and Lady.

"All this fuss. Though I suppose the dance makes up for it."

"Definitely," he agreed.

The music changed suddenly.

"I think that's your cue," she said as Irasue appeared at Sesshomaru's side. He went to dance with his mother, and she remained on her own, smiling sadly. It was now more than ever that she wished her father was with her. She was so caught in her thoughts, that she was startled when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Bankotsu beside her. Shippo was off with some thunder demoness, Koga with a demoness who he referred to as 'his redheaded nightmare', and Hojo with his betrothed, a woman named, ironically, Kagome. That left them.

"Would you like to dance? I supposed you might need some company."

She smiled, "Would anyone mind?"

"Your husband doesn't seem like the jealous type."

Nodding, she took his hand, and he lead her to the dancefloor. They danced silently, carefully monitoring their actins so as not to cause trouble, and when the dance ended, she hugged Bankotsu tightly.

"Thank you so much."

He nodded, and then disappeared into the crowd. She turned and found Sesshomaru beside her.

"There is something... off about his scent."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing a newlywed bride should be worrying about."

She nodded, and they took to the dancefloor again.

As they danced, Sesshomaru carefully sifted through the human's scent, still clinging to Kagome where his hands had come in contact with her skin. There was guilt, yes, but the undercurrents were tougher. He caught hints of despair, and loneliness.

What...?

The crowd was thinning around them, and he hardly noticed as he continued to investigate the scent. It wasn't until the crowd has faded, and they danced alone, that he found it.

"Love," he said aloud.

"Hmm?"

She gazed up at him, questions in her eyes.

"Your human friend, who danced with you, there's something wrong. You need to find him immediately. He's going to do something foolish if you don't hurry."

She set her mouth in a grim line, "Where is he?"

"I'll help you find him, but you have to talk to him alone."

She nodded a final time, and the two ran through the palace together.

She reached Bankotsu's room, and Sesshomaru gestured for her to go in.

"Wait in my room."

He nodded, and was gone.

Quietly, she pushed the door open. The room was dark, moonlight shining through the balcony door providing the only light. Her eyes adjusted quickly, and she followed a glint of light to where Bankotsu stood, and she took in the scene with horror. He held a knife blade to his chest, and she could see the point drawing blood. Reacting fast, she ran to him, slapping the knife from his hand and holding him tightly.

"Don't you dare, Bankotsu! Don't you ever-!"

She choked, and she dropped to her knees, bringing him with her.

They stayed that way for a while, until he spoke.

"You needn't pretend. I know you don't care for me."

"And what of it? Why would you even consider... that because of me?! Honestly, Bankotsu! You're my friend! If you died, I couldn't-"

"Have you any idea?" he said suddenly, "What it feels like, to love someone for years, and then attend her wedding! It's been tearing me up inside! For years! I loved you! And then the guilt! It was- it was!"

"Stop," she said, though her voice was warm, "Listen to me. Don't interrupt, just listen. You are my friend. I care for you greatly, as I know you do for me, but it's not the same! You have to move on. You have to be okay. If you're okay, then I'm okay, and everyone is okay. I know this isn't a comfort, but it couldn't have happened."

"I know," he said miserably.

"Then please. Move past this. I want you near me, as my friend, my advisor. You are going to do such great things Bakotsu. You can't give up."

He stood, and flipped his disheveled braid over his shoulder.

"I... understand. And I'm sorry, Kagome."

She ignored the dropped title, watching her friend warily, lest he try something.

"But I can't stay here. I have to go. I'll come back, I swear. But right now... I need some time to think, alright?"

"I understand. I wish you wouldn't, but I understand. If you ever need anything-"

"You'll be the first one I come to. Goodbye Kagome."

And then he was gone, and strangely, she felt the worry in her chest dissipate. She knew he would be alright.

She found Sesshomaru in her room, waiting for her.

"Bankotsu has gone away for a while. He promised to take care of himself until then."

She kissed him then, need for him overwhelming her suddenly. The kiss became more passionate, clothes coming off and gentle touches administered, until the two meet on the bed, in a jumble of limbs and long silver hair, and as the night progressed, their frenzied passion drove them, the mating mark was made, and, just like that, they were one.

End

Epilogue:

Kagome held the screaming infant in her arms, and soothed the young child, rocking her back and forth with a mother's care.

"Emi," she said, and glanced to her mate, who nodded his approval.

This was their seventh child, and the others crowded around where their mother lay, cradling their new baby sister.

The children were Hana, the oldest at ten, a girl, Haruka, a boy, at nine, Sakura, a girl, Haruka's twin, Bunta, a boy, at seven, Chiho, a girl, at five, and Akira, a girl, at two. The rather large family had a quiet and peaceful life, and the previous monarchs still reigned. They had several 'aunts' and 'uncles', as well as Inuyasha and his mate, Kikyo, their real aunt and uncle.

They were happy, and the kingdom was as well.

And so it was a surprise when the door slid open.

They all turned to see 'Uncle' Koga.

"What is it, Koga-kun?" Kagome asked, examining her friend's face carefully.

"It's Bankotsu. The ba- balmy idiot is back," he blurted, just managing to censor himself in front of the children.

Kagome grinned, "Thank you Koga-kun. I need to get dressed, and then we'll be right out."

Koga blushed, finally noticing that Kagome was only wearing her nightclothes, and turned to leave, closing the door behind him.

"Sesshomaru, will you hold Emi for me?"

He nodded, taking the young child, and watched warily as his wife dressed.

"Should you be up?"

"I'll be fine," she said, and finished dressing.

She held out her arms, taking Emi again, and, with Akira holding one pinkie and the rest of the children following behind her, she went to meet her friend.

Bankotsu took in the sight of Kagome as she walked in. She was followed by six children, by his count, and had another in her arms. He felt a swift pang of jealousy, but it was quickly drowned by joy at seeing his friend again.

She grinned as she saw him, handing the young child to her mate, who followed her, as soon as the child was out of her arms, she flung them around Bankotsu's neck.

"Bankotsu!"

She broke down into tears, sobbing into her childhood friend's shoulder.

"Kagome. It's been... what? Fifteen years? You haven't changed a bit."

"I don't age anymore," she said, as if it was some trivial matter, "It comes with marrying a demon."

"Ah. I'd heard rumors."

She laughed, "Quit being so stoic, come meet the children."

She grabbed his wrist and tugged him toward the children, all with little dog ears crowning their heads, and finally, finally, everything was complete again.

[Oh my gosh it's over! This is probably my favorite of all the stories I've written. But anyway, reviews are appreciated, I still check them and I do my best to reply. But anyway, I'll probably start my next fic within the week. Maybe I'll write some oneshots in between. Byeeee!]