Mama Higurashi was cleaning the kitchen sink when the front door closed. She looked up with a smile as Inuyasha returned home from escorting her daughter. It was a legitimate comfort to her that Kagome needn't walk in the deep city alone. Her protective husband-to-be would keep her safe from walking into traffic or muggers or worse types.

"Welcome home, Inuyasha!" She nodded to him, leaning against the frame.

"Thanks." Those strange golden eyes flashed as he examined her. They briefly reviewed the papers strewn across her kitchen table.

"Would you like to sit down? Tea's on." Mama tilted her head. "I have something to discuss with you."

Inuyasha hesitated but did as she suggested. He folded his arms over his chest as he waited. She waited for the kettle to boil before pouring Inuyasha a cup first, then herself across from him. She settled into her chair and settled a falling stack of paper into a straight line.

"Papa and I have been discussing our legal affairs, Souta and the house and the accounts. At the moment, Kagome is set to inherit the estate as the oldest if the worst should happen." Mama gestured. Inuyasha's eyes swiveled as she brought her finger down on the correct stack of papers and tapped. "There is a copy of everything here for a lawyer, but it's important to tell one's family. There is money enough to pay the bills for a while. There are the life insurance policies, the donations to the shrine, the government grant payments for the land's preservation and upkeep. The utilities are listed in my name, not Papa's. The deed for the land is in my husband's name."

"Kagome is your heir?"

"Things have changed quite a bit. The law no longer requires a male heir to inherit titles of property." Mama Higurashi showed him the rather old document with a government seal. "Kagome would become Souta's guardian until he becomes an adult. He will have access to a trust, money, for school at that time. Each of my children has one."

"Kagome had a dowry saved? Is that why you said no?" Inuyasha blinked at the charts, graphs and numbers.

"I declined because it was true. You are a welcome addition to this family on your own." Mama leaned forward to grasp his clawed fingers carefully. "That is why I want you to be prepared. Kagome and Souta will need help dealing with the shrine if something happened. Kagome would need help raising Souta and you are a good role model for a young boy."

"Of course I'd help."

"Good." Mama smiled warmly. The boy flushed under her pride and focused on another chart. She pushed the copy of her will into a large envelope for safekeeping, reattaching the lawyer's card to the front. Inuyasha watched as she reorganized the stacks of paper into a plastic bin she normally stored in her closet. Inuyasha jumped out of his seat as she went to lift it. With a nod she allowed him to follow her up the stairs carrying the burden and asked him to place it inside her closet on the top shelf. In a comfortable silence he followed her back to the stairs and into the living room.

"Do you have any plans for today? How is the house going?"

"The ground is still too moist for building and spring planting starts in two weeks." Inuyasha shrugged. "I cut down enough trees but cutting the lumber has to wait. No one in the village expects us home for a few days when our friends return."

"Have you considered where you will be spending your honeymoon?" Mama prodded innocently. "Kagome won't say whether you're spending a few days here or there, beach or ocean, past or present! I think the topic embarrasses her."

"What's a honeymoon?"

"After you're married, you'll want a few days together. It gives the new couple some privacy from friends and family." Inuyasha blinked. "Kagome hasn't mentioned this to you? We have the money to send you to an onsen or the beach, somewhere in the city, a lodge in the mountains. You deserve something romantic. A part of our time you haven't seen before."

"We already spend our days together. Why would we need privacy?"

"There's no need, dear. You already have my blessing." She rested a hand on his arm and squeezed. His eyebrows came together in confusion. "I want you to have a lovely time with Kagome. My husband and I were poor at the time, but we spent a lovely week in a hotel by the ocean. Treasured memories. Do you prefer the mountains or the beach?"

"The mountains. Ocean air has too much salt." Inuyasha eyed her.

"There's a lovely little lodge in the mountains with hot springs and a little city down the coast. There it is!" The woman brandished a little slip of folded paper with notes attached about cost and location on post-its. She unfolded the paper and showed him pictures of a mountain inn. "Matsumoto Castle is nearby. There are koi ponds and a moon viewing party if you get married in the fall. It's quite auspicious I think. Aren't the rooms lovely?"

"You want to send us there?"

"Newlyweds need a vacation from real life. I think Kagome would love it." The matron sighed dreamily at the beautiful cuisine on display. "I could put you on the train and have a car waiting for you, perhaps. Take the brochure and think on it." Mama pressed the paper into his hands. He nodded and tucked the paper into his haori.

"The tailor!" The matron exclaimed. Inuyasha stopped in horror as she put a hand to her chin and surveyed him. "I can't believe my silly brain forgot to schedule a visit to the tailor! She's already making Kagome's kimono, but you'll need to match. You'd be quite handsome in black. Do you have a family crest?"

"No crest." Inuyasha cringed as she quickly measured his shoulders.

"Where is that number? Oh!" She found a piece of paper inserted into her wedding binder and went to the plastic phone on the wall. Numbers were quickly punched in order. Inuyasha was forbidden to move as she made an appointment with another woman over the phone to take his measurements. Yes, Kagome's alteration would be a fitting time. The bride's opinion was important.

"Now that's done!" Mama cheered as she hung up the phone.

"Does a wedding take all that work?" Inuyasha eyed the bulging binder. Pictures and dates and scraps of fabric were loosely bound in a single organized mess. There were several post-its with his name on it and various nouns associated.

"A quiet, family wedding at home is what Kagome asked for. We're going to decorate the yard and have a catered meal. You have to have proper clothing and a priest to marry you. We're going to have a professional cake and flowers and gifts." She flipped through the book and showed him pictures of ridiculous-looking foods and feminine cakes. "I've been dreaming about Kagome's wedding for years. I want her to have the best day of her life."

"Kagome likes this stuff?"

"Not normally, but every girl deserves what she wants on her wedding day." Mama showed him the beautiful white arch with flowers woven into the spaces. "Papa has some expensive sake he has been saving for the ceremony. Souta has a speech prepared. He wants to be your best man. Is there anything you would like to request, like the menu? Do you have a favorite bit of music?"

"No curry, please." Inuyasha paled. "Nothing spicy."

"I can manage that." The matron smiled. She giggled at his expression and pressed a motherly kiss to his cheek. With a familial pat she returned the book to the table.


Kagome flushed in embarrassment as she examined herself in the mirror. The pink bodysuit was hardly more revealing than her bathing suit, with a deep v cut between her breasts and translucent mesh in-between, but its purpose caused her to flush. She imagined Inuyasha's reaction if she wore such a thing in front of him.

"He'd cover me up. Baka." Kagome eyed the other items she'd pulled. There was another in red she couldn't imagine herself wearing. The satin cami and short set was a deep blue and cut lower onto her collarbone but was the most modest of the group. A black romper showed more leg than she'd ever seen but no cleavage.

With trembling hands she picked up the short set and met the sales woman at the counter. It was an easy transaction, the woman wasn't judgmental, and hoped to see her again. Outside in the doorway, she tucked the white bag with a sexy black logo on the cover into her schoolbag. It seemed like only minutes until she was walking in the door. Inuyasha was in the living room with her mother, a clipboard across her lap. Too embarrassed to stop, she practically sprinted for the stairs to the safety of her bedroom. She made sure to close the door solidly behind her. The white bag she quickly stuffed under her bed and pulled the fabric down to hide it.

Will I ever be brave enough to wear it? I don't know.

The shorts were shorter than her school skirt and the top showed her arms and shoulders. The wide straps showed her collarbones and a hint of her breasts but nothing too indecent. Freshly bathed, with done hair, it might be very sexy. Or she would humiliate herself in front of Inuyasha. Or he wouldn't get it and ignore the change in her wardrobe completely. He never understood the fashions from her era and he might just assume it was sleeping attire for the summer.

"Kagome?" Her mother's voice called.

"Coming!" She hastily pulled herself together before heading downstairs.

"What would you say about dinner in the city? There's a nice restaurant I'd like to try." Her mother beamed. Inuyasha looked like his head was about to explode.

"What's on the clipboard, Mama?" Kagome asked nervously. Inuyasha's confession about being on his best behavior echoed in her mind.

"I was just asking Inuyasha about redecorating your bedroom. It's a bit teenage girl for a married couple, don't you think?" Her mother's smile was warm. "We could repaint the walls and get some new sheets, maybe some new curtains?"

"We're going to be living in the Feudal Era, Mom!"

"I know, but you'll still be visiting, won't you? Inuyasha might like his own pillow." Her mother laughed at her shocked expression. "There's a little store across the street. I thought we could get Inuyasha a pillow and some sleeping clothes. A new towel would be helpful."

"I don't need sleeping clothes." Inuyasha shook his head.

"Nonsense. Where was my purse?" Her distracted mother left the couch to search the kitchen. Inuyasha's frazzled nerves looked close to breaking. She stepped closer and let him wrap his arms around his waist. He buried his forehead against her stomach.

"I know. She's driving me a little crazy too." Kagome whispered. His ears flickered against her skin. "She just wants to accommodate you."

"She's talking about babies." Inuyasha exhaled.

"What?"

"Her plan is to move Souta into the guest room if we have babies. So it'll be closer. She showed me the crib in storage." Inuyasha's exhale ruffled her clothing. "She was talking about painting it and the room and buying shit for a nursery. She asked if we wanted furniture for our new house. She wants to redecorate your room."

"She's excited. She's thinking about the future." Kagome stroked his head.

"I'm not used to this shit." Inuyasha grumbled.

"It's the way moms are. She's making room for you." Kagome patted his shoulder. "Literally! She wants you to feel at home, not like a guest. If you had your own towel and your own pillow, you might feel more comfortable here. It's probably just thinking out loud about that old crib. They found it out in the shed."

"I don't care what color your bedroom is. It smells like you." Inuyasha squeezed her waist.

"She has a point, though. I have a teddy bear at the end of my bed. That's not very 'married'." Kagome giggled.

"Keep it. You like it."

"We could run away and elope. Two lovebirds on the lam." Kagome giggled as he leaned back to stare at her. He was considering it. His white hair shook around him as he stood. He leaned down to press a kiss to her lips that stole her breath.


Her grandfather ordered sake for their table and Souta was allowed to have a sip. Her family toasted their marriage while Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably. The steakhouse was pleasantly crowded but her mother had reserved a special section to make their hanyou feel more comfortable. Kagome sat next to him in the curved booth and squeezed his hand under the table. She helped him navigate the menu and tried to ignore the prices affixed. A tray of half-eaten chicken appetizers sat in the middle.

The bed and bath store had been a nightmare. An entire section of the store was women's underwear, proudly displayed. After Inuyasha had seen that, she had suggested he wait outside. Her mother had continued without noticing anything amiss, picking out cloth sleeping pants and plain soft shirts to add to her dresser. They found a nice gray bedspread and a new set of pillows to match. Kagome convinced her mother to wait to find better curtains than what was displayed. A soft, beautiful blue towel was selected for Inuyasha, more expensive than any other towel in the house. Kagome pulled her mother past the children's section where she wanted to casually examine some cute stuffed animals.

"Mashed potatoes?" Inuyasha queried.

"It's a vegetable and they mix it up with butter." Kagome whispered.

"French fries?"

"It's another way to cut a potato. France is a country." She eyed the list. "You could ask for the vegetable plate and the macaroni. It's the cheese covered pasta I brought you guys."

When the waitress returned to their table, she helped Inuyasha with his order before adding hers. Per her mother's instructions not to worry about the prices, she had ordered the largest steak on the menu for him. For herself, a smaller serving of sushi and steak. Her mother ordered a large salad and allowed Souta to have a full steak, not the kid's serving.

"Do stores always put women's...stuff next to kid's stuff?" Inuyasha whispered, eyeing her occupied mother. The matron was practically glowing with pride and happiness. "Shouldn't that be private?"

"It's arranged that way so shopping mothers don't have to go far. It's a standard layout for a store."

"Really?"

"They run television ads that show women's underwear. It's not so taboo here." She squeezed his hand. From his frozen expression, she could see his mind whirling. "You take your clothes into a different room to try things on, rather than hiring a woman to sew things one by one. It's cheaper that way."

"Do you buy things like that? When men are looking?" Inuyasha looked ready to sprint or defend her vigorously. Kagome felt her cheeks flush.

"There are smaller stores specifically for women too. I generally shop there." Kagome leaned close enough that their shoulders touched. Her husband-to-be looked mollified. "They generally have better quality goods and I like the fabric better. A woman runs the store."

Inuyasha nodded, comforted. The idea of Kagome buying her supporting garments while a bunch of leering men watched disturbed him.

"I might buy my socks there, though. Is that ok?" It was difficult to keep her expression straight as Inuyasha considered it. He settled on nodding.

"Look, Inuyasha!" Souta glowed with excitement as several servers carried their food to their table. Inuyasha's eyes widened as a gleaming plate of beef was deposited in front of him. Glasses were refilled and vocal exchanges were made as they prepared to eat. She showed Inuyasha how to use the knife and fork in tandem to slice the meat into polite bites, rather than using his hands, no matter how stupid he thought it was. He fell into happy, occupied silence as he ate a little too quickly for traditional manners. Mama smiled adoringly at him as Kagome began to eat.

They waited for Grandpa to pay the bill before walking outside. Kagome's stomach was pleasantly full and her head was a little dizzy from the sake toasts. Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her waist as they followed Mama and Souta. The crisp, night air helped. Inuyasha belched suddenly and loudly enough to attract her brother's attention. He got a thumbs up from the middle school kid.

"Did you like your steak?"

"That was a great meal, Kagome. Way better than fishing out of a creek." He carried one of their bags in his free hand. It probably held the new clothes he would never wear. Mama had the bedspread.

"Good!" She patted his belly playfully and noted the expansion. A full belly is the fastest way to Inuyasha's heart. After all those years of isolation and starvation, I'm going to make sure he never worries about food again.

"That sugary thing, what was it?"

"The cake? Mama wanted to celebrate." Kagome smiled as she reconstructed the small, chocolate serving they'd split.

"It was too sweet. The steak was better." Inuyasha kissed the top of her head.

"Maybe at our wedding, we should just have a pile of steaks, instead of a cake." The quip fell flat and she realized Inuyasha was daydreaming. "That was a joke, silly! We have to have a cake."

"Can't we have both?"

"Fine. We'll have steak for you and white cake for me." Kagome let her hip brush against his while they walked.

Once home, Inuyasha headed straight for her bedroom while she went to dress for bed. The full meal and the sake had made them all tired. When she returned to her bedroom, dressed in her pink pajamas, she found the gray shirts discarded at the end of her bed. Inuyasha's head was already on her pillow with his feet tucked up to fit on her bed.

Maybe Mama's right. The bed's not long enough for Inuyasha.

"Are you asleep?" Kagome crept closer. She noted the Tetsusaiga had been removed to rest beside him. Inuyasha's even breathing betrayed his overstuffed belly. She giggled at the slight mound. With some light pushing, she managed to roll him towards the wall as she slipped onto the bed beside him. She pulled the gray bedspread out of the bags and tossed it over them both as she settled underneath. Inuyasha's natural warmth soaked into her backside where his weight met hers. She rested her chilly feet against his calf or thigh or something.

"Good night, Inuyasha." Kagome whispered.

She awoke to find her head resting on Inuyasha's chest. Her leg was hiked across his. The hanyou was splayed on his back with an arm behind his head. She stirred lightly but she was too comfortable to arise. The rise and fall of his chest as he breathed was nice. The distant echo of his heartbeat was a new sound.

After we're married, we can cuddle together every night.

Kagome stretched her legs out happily as she imagined waking up in Inuyasha's arms every day. Safe. Warm. Her hiked leg adjusted and she felt something. We can have a stand for Tetsusaiga made for safekeeping. It shouldn't be in the bed. Kagome reached to remove the sword absently as she breathed Inuyasha's distinctive scent.

Inuyasha jolted awake when Kagome's searching hand found its target.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha hissed. He swiftly removed the girl's hand and blushed as he realized she was still asleep. She simply shrugged off his scolding and snuggled back into her pillow. His new pillow was quickly claimed as she hugged it. Cursing her innocence and her hands he wandered towards the bathing room for a cold morning bath and some distance.