Apologies were provided to the Goshinboku before the ladder rested against its side. Inuyasha sat at the base tiredly to digest the enormous meal filling his gut. He rubbed his stomach idly while enjoying the silence of the fading day. The orange on the horizon almost marked the end of their first day home.

"Give it a rest, will ya?"

Kagome one wrapped one arm around the ladder to look down at him. She made an irritated sound before climbing higher. He kept one ear perked for her eventual fall, being the klutz she was, while his muscles relaxed. Despite imprisoning him for fifty years, the aura of the tree generally calmed his nerves. The children's toy in his lap had been found in the storage shed marked 'Kagome's children' that he found suspiciously optimistic. The brown miniature bear looked back at him blankly with dark eyes and black thread sewn into its paws. It almost resembled a bear cub. For a moment he remembered the little girl with a pink hair bow from the family albums playing with her friend. It almost removed the sting of her father's deep disapproval of his spirit's presence on their family land.

"Shortcake, eh?"

"Lots of little kids have stuffed animals. I wanted a tree house but Mom said it wouldn't look dignified to official visitors. You build a wooden fort so you can play games," she explained. "Only it is suspended in the branches of a big tree. Like a secret club!"

"Does everyone have books like yours too? References on spirits and demons? Why would someone make that book if your era's humans do not believe in them?"

"Some people believe, like Grandpa. Many cultures have compendiums of local stories like the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, The Canterbury Tales, the Kojiki or the Nihon Shoki! They make movies from the old stories. I read plenty of anthologies in school."

"The heavy paperbacks?"

"I thought nothing could hurt you, dog boy." Kagome giggled. Leaves drifted down around his legs. More than once the girl had thrown a heavy book in his direction when he infringed on her 'morning routine' in the bushes. Paper was preferable to cans of soda or soup.

"As if I had any interest in looking. You might as well be a horse with all the brushing and watering," he huffed. For all he'd known, she really had drawn out her hygiene program to waste their day. His ears rotated to listen her to frustrated breaths when the rope stayed attached. Her feet dropped onto the grass. She sat seiza beside him.

"No luck," Kagome pouted.

"Want me to try?"

"The rope is heavy but that isn't the problem. It is a barrier, a strong one. It doesn't like me." Inuyasha noticed how she pressed her palms against her thighs. He forced her wrists to turn. She immediately retreated but he held them.

"It burned you?" Kagome shrugged. The redness of her palms looked painful. Even after the barrier had warned her to let go, she had held on. The brave, stubborn girl! He cursed at her about human stupidity while he wondered how to treat magical blisters. "You have to be more careful! What if you lost the use of your fingers?"

"I was trying to see the spell scroll, you jerk!"

Kagome was cuddled against his shoulder when her grandfather approached. She yelled at him for letting her drop to the ground. He nodded politely to the old man gazing up at the tree. Hands folded behind his back, he seemed at peace.

"Your mother wondered if you want ice cream, but it seems you're occupied. What are you doing to this tree, Kagome? Did the bark scrape your hands?" He took a seat on the bench. Kagome joined him when he insisted on seeing her wounds. She cringed when his calloused fingers gently brushed the pink skin. "The tree did this? Hmm-hmm. The stories say a shrine maiden can guide the energy of the universe to bring healing. I knew we should have begun your training earlier! Now I shall have to rely on Souta to carry on the family legacy."

"Grandpa!"

"As a trained monk, I have extensive training. Open your senses to the energy of the universe." Kagome's grandfather clapped his palms together. His wife pouted in his direction before following suit. Her eyes closed and her dark little head bowed. "Good and bad, dark and light. Death and life dance in eternal step. Our tree has very good energy. Can you sense it?"

"Hmm-hmm?"

"Keep your eyes closed, hold out your palms." The priest inspected Kagome's palms. He pinched his chin while he thought. Old, wrinkled hands rubbed together furiously before he held them above his granddaughter's hands. Inuyasha crossed his arms. Kagome has more power in one little finger than he has in his whole body! His sutra never work. "We can unblock the bad energy slowing your own body's regeneration. Do you feel relaxed?"

"What bad energy, idiot?"

"Ssh! Kagome must be in a meditative state. Sit down," he nodded at the tree. Inuyasha grumbled but squatted near his wife. The edge of her mouth twitched at the command. Her face relaxed again while her grandfather chanted a norito quietly. His hands hovered over Kagome's palms, wrists and shoulders. A triumphant smile nearly broke his face when light sparkled over his granddaughter's skin. The light flashed over the surface of her burns before subsiding.

"What did I tell you, son? I am an extremely powerful priest! My granddaughter is healed." The man clapped for himself. Kagome remained quiet. "I am greatly skilled with kotodama. With my prayers I have banished the harm!"

"Kagome. Wench?" Inuyasha touched her shoulder. The girl failed to move when he sat behind her on the bench. His palms rubbed over her arms. One eye opened drowsily when he continued to pull her out of her meditative ocean.

"Now we celebrate with ice cream. Souta!" The grandfather waved at the boy carrying out the garbage. The clink of rustling black plastic coupled with the old man's boasts made Souta groan. The boy did not want to attend a school for priests, he wanted to graduate high school! Promises assured him that generations of spiritual knowledge were more valuable than being a professional soccer player or stuntman.

"Hmm?"

"Want some frozen cream? Your mom is serving," he whispered. The matron had come to the door with her apron in her hands. She waved at them adoringly before laughing at Souta's attitude. One of the odder wedding gifts had been a large metal bucket with a grinding mechanism for ice. While he failed to understand why their called it 'homemade ice cream' the machine excited her mother. She called for them again.

"Is Kagome alright?" Her mother held the door open. He set the tired girl gently on the couch. Long limbs immediately stretched out to fill the length while she settled. The Robe of the Firerat was surrendered so she would have some cover. Kagome yawned.

"Moving can be exhausting. What flavor would you like?" Higurashi beamed. "I bought chocolate, vanilla, strawberry? Everyone in this family has their favorites." The noise in the kitchen made him wince. He waited until Higurashi retreated to stop the machine. Kagome turned to face the cushions. When he was sure her family was occupied in the kitchen he bent low to kiss her forehead. She mumbled at him when he verified her hands were smooth again.

"Come on, Inuyasha. I saved you a seat!"

Kagome was still asleep after the dishes had been cleaned and put away. Her mother kissed her daughter's hair before bidding him goodnight. Souta sat with him in the floor for a while reviewing more photographs from the wedding. The boy was far less impressed by the volume of accurate images.

"Do you like being married to my sister? She can be really bossy sometimes. I bet she tells you what to do," Souta leaned on the table. Brown eyes looked up at him. Inuyasha admired a particularly nice picture of Kagome outside the shrine. The girl in her shiromuku was not smiling but her eyes were alive. Souta prevented Buyo from lying on the pictures while he sifted through them. Another picture captured them together inside the hotel ballroom. Kagome in her white dress decorated with black roses was pressed against his side. Her eyes were on him while her red lips were smiling. He took the picture of Kagome in her final dress for himself.

Inuyasha grinned proudly when the mess of a girl on the couch mumbled something in her sleep. "Yeah, I do."

The grandfather commanded Souta to bed. The boy pouted but wished him a goodnight. Most of the lights were turned off except for the small lamp in the living quarters. His wife slept soundly on the cushions. The possessive family feline decided to cuddle against the curve of her hips.

"Don't test me, cat."

The humans slept while he went into the kitchen to make himself some tea. He made sure to rinse everything thoroughly in the sink before setting to dry on the mat. The patchy-colorful mug was Higurashi's least favorite; if he broke it she would be less perturbed. More and more pictures passed through his hands. The section from Kagome's dressing chamber intrigued him. While her friends were dressed Kagome wore only a white robe while applying makeup in a wide mirror. Her friends were clustered around while they fixed her hair. There was a picture that just contained Kagome's friends holding silly fingers behind each other's heads. Happy.

There was a new silver album prepared to display the wedding photos wrapped in protective white paper. An entire book dedicated to their marriage. It felt strange to be captured in photographs alongside Kagome's family. It felt more permanent than the signed contract. Any visitor to the Higurashi household could remove their book from the cupboard and see proof of their wedding. Not even Hojo could make a claim on her. Husband and wife. Married.

"Hmm-mmm." Kagome frowned. He patted her leg softly. The girl nuzzled deeper into her pillow. Dark eyelashes fluttered against her face while she dreamed. The delicate nature of humans never ceased to amaze him. How could a few hours of setting up the house and walking the village tire her out? She insisted the floor needed a thorough washing after all their visitors. Kaede wanted to interview her early in the morning to evaluate her education; she would have start the daily rituals at the shrine soon. He and Miroku could cut wood for their family shrine while she started rounds to the sick and discouraged. Kaede was a source of wisdom and counsel in the village. Kagome was young but others liked to confide in her.

I can break up the ground for the garden. It was arguably the most labor intensive portion of the new land. Digging up the rocks and stones and roots would be easier for his muscles than Kagome's! Once the plots were cleared it would be easier to manage. The girl had enough commitments on her time.

And a swing! The thought made him grin. Rope was procurable. A plain board with holes drilled at the end could be setup easily. There were any number of good sturdy trees in the area. So long as she promised not to leap from the seat at its zenith she could have a place of quiet. If the village children made visitations to the Princess Shrine Maiden a common occurrence, they could take turns playing with the swing. Several of the old women had promised Miroku to call on Kagome! Even if she was married to a demon, they seemed willing to give her a chance. From what little he could remember of his childhood, Mother had always accepted visitors with grace and quiet words. Most of her visitors held no desire to greet her half-breed bastard; it was safer behind the privacy screen.

We need more tea.

Kagome had unpacked an extremely nice clay pot with matching service. If the old women spread good news others would come to investigate the strange young priestess. His wife certainly seemed proud of their home! She could accept visitors without being ashamed. Miroku and Sango could help her integrate into the village; they actually admired the perverted priest.

Inuyasha reached for the next picture when a flicker of light stopped him. The red string tightened around his thumb. There was no sensation of wire or cloth around his flesh but it was clearly there. He closed his palm around it to pull.

No stupid cord is gonna get the best of me!

It was stretched taught between his fists when he bit down. The gnash of tooth on tooth made him growl. The ridiculous fairy wire shimmered again to tease him. It rolled around his fist like yarn while he stretched it. He leapt over the table silently to battle. It could not be cut and it didn't break.

"What are you doing?"

Souta yawned at the entrance to the room. Inuyasha barked at him to get back to bed! The kid was not at all intimidated while he tried to untangle himself from the web wrapped round his forearm. It was resistant to fang and claw. The Tetsusaiga was his next attempt but the sword refused to leave its sheath. He cursed quietly at the temperamental katana. Of all the times he needed guidance Tetsusaiga wanted to stay nice and cozy in its bed!

"Are you crazy? You can't draw your sword in here!"

"I have to get this demon string off me!"

Kagome was perturbed to be woken by her brother but she hastened to the kitchen. Inuyasha leaned over the sink while he continued to gnaw on the red braid crushing his thumb. The interlocking cords were completely impervious to his fangs no matter how hard he tried to chew them. His teeth passed through the spirit band. Each movement rippled through the distance to make the loop around her little finger hum like a guitar string.

"Can you purify it? The bastard won't let go!" Inuyasha blinked when she prevented further efforts to destroy 'the demon'.

"You can see the red string?" In the battle against Yura of the Hair, Inuyasha had been vulnerable because he lacked her Sight. The half-demon gave her a dispirited look; the string constricting his forearm was clearly real. She calmed him before undertaking the process of freeing his arm. The calloused hand capped with inhumanely long claws relaxed while she investigated the joints of his thumb.

"Stand there. Don't move!" Kagome retreated into the family room. The red string glimmered with light briefly. It had no trouble intersecting the solid wall where Inuyasha waited on the other side. She could move her hand freely; it had no weight. How strange to see something knotted around her finger with no physical presence! Her human brain was having trouble reconciling the spiritual presence of the invisible string with her vision. Another golden glimmer passed over.

"What demon? I don't see a demon! Kagome?"

"It is not a demon. It's the Red Thread," she explained. Her palms pressed against Inuyasha's. Souta crossed his arms impatiently while they both marveled. She closed her eyes to distinguish the energy of the Thread from either Souta or her husband. Souta was easy, familiar, blue. The red swirl was unmistakably Inuyasha. The vague sense of her mother and grandfather were upstairs. Buyo was a small yellow ball still napping on his warm spot. There! A constant tug in her soul. It was more subtle than even Buyo's energy but strong.

"Whoa, Sis!"

Reiki shined brightly between their clasped hands. Inuyasha stepped back reflexively but she tightened her grip. Despite his instincts the power was inflicting no harm. Despite the contrary nature of their gifts the bond remained. Ears turned backwards, eyes wary. The buzz of youki buzzed in natural counteraction to her gift.

I can sense our connection!

"Oh, Inuyasha." Kagome beamed at him. Her smile faltered when he grinned back. His fingers were pulled from hers so that he could attempt to remove the rosary! Her foot stomped down hard when he bent forward in frustration like a dog trying to remove a plastic collar. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

"We are married which means I can take the rosary – OFF!" Inuyasha growled when the rosary's spell flared to life. He bumped heavily into the cabinets. Souta sat on the table while Inuyasha cursed the damn thing. "Why won't it come off? Kagome!"

"It's exactly where it should be, you jerk! You ruined a perfectly romantic moment!" Kagome sighed when the string disappeared from view again. Its spiritual presence remained but she could no longer clearly see the cord. She navigated around him to fetch a soda for herself and Souta. She ignored his frustrated orders that she remove the rosary. He did need it! Without the rosary, Inuyasha was more likely to run off without her. There was no end to the trouble he might find without his friends.

"Kagome!"

"Inuyasha," she popped the soda tab. The fizzy insides were cold as they went down her throat.

"I'm the husband and I say remove it!"

"Big brother - "

"Sit boy," she commanded. Inuyasha yelped when he was dragged down to her kitchen floor. The annoyance in his posture was expected. He continued to complain to himself after she joined Souta in the family room for some late-night karate movies. It was late but Mama would forgive the hour since it was a weekend. Souta turned the television to the right channel. They were sitting together when Inuyasha stalked forward to block the images.

"Go make some popcorn, will you? Then you can join us. There's a marathon on."


The morning air in the Feudal Era brought a visitor to their village. A young man from a neighboring village brought word of an onikuma, a demon bear that walked upright. It had the ability to throw stones the weight of ten men. Their storehouse had been ripped to pieces by the hungry creature. Kaede negotiated with the headman for the sharing of goods to mitigate their loss temporarily. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. A day of tracking down a demon was just what he needed!

"Inuyasha, wait!" Kagome rushed out of their house. Inuyasha paused from following after Miroku. She caught his sleeve. He blinked at her offering tied neatly in a cloth. "You are going to need something for lunch. I don't want you going hungry." She purposefully ignored Miroku's smile. Inuyasha held out his palms to accept. "Do you think you'll be home tonight? Sango is taking me to the market after my training with Kaede. I will be cooking," she promised. "Our first meal at home! Do you have any special requests? Some of the villagers are asking Kaede when they can call on us – together."

"Supper sounds good. I will be quick, promise." Inuyasha looked back. Miroku winked before turning towards the road. Inuyasha grasped her by the shoulders for a quick kiss. The squareness of the lunchbox in his coat made her happy.

"I love you."

"Oi, wench." Inuyasha squirmed uncomfortably. She looked over her shoulder to see Kaede emerge from their home and fold her arms behind her back. Kagome giggled and decided to grant mercy to her husband. He mumbled gratefully before darting off. Miroku was already halfway down the path.

"It is a fine home he has built for ye, Kagome-chan." Kaede nodded. Kagome brought her around to point out the guardian under the gable and the clever firewood cache that swung inward with a metal latch and the space for a garden behind the house! She was quite proud to show off all the clever little details Inuyasha had considered. There were wooden posts with a line strung for drying laundry. They still needed tools for the garden but there was a shed for storing them!

"Seed?"

"Inuyasha says it was a gift from Inari because we adopted Shippo! What do you think?" The precious little bag was taken from its hiding spot. Kaede tested the grain between her experienced fingers. "She was so beautiful, Kaede; she took the form of a white-furred fox. I wish I had taken a picture, ooh!"

"You encountered Inari Okami?"

Their conversation continued as they made their way to the river about the wedding and their trip to Matsumoto. Kaede was greatly interested in their journey up the Great Mountain and Inuyasha's naming ceremony. On Kaede's bidding she stepped into the river to purify herself. As her first day as a servant of the shrine it was important to make a good impression. She shivered in the river but Kaede had a fire ready for her.

"Thank you, Kaede!" Kagome held up the traditional red hakama.

"A priestess should have proper attire," she nodded. The old woman inspected her palms closely for any corruption that might have been causing the flares of power. Despite being married, her powers easily came to the surface. Doing as she was told, she closed her eyes. The steady, strong presence of Kaede's aura set her at ease. Decades of wisdom and troubles had forged a woman of formidable will and courage. It was child's play to distinguish the mature miko from the birds courting in the trees, the quiet serenity of the paired rabbits forging in the grass, the deer grazing cautiously in the nearby meadow. The energy from the birds brightened as the two solidified their bond. The female accepted his bounty of colored ribbons probably stolen from the local girls.

"You seem content. Marriage has done you well," the grandmother smiled. Kind fingers stroked her cheek. "It pleases me to see him settled. Even as a young girl, I liked Inuyasha, even if he distracted my sister from our lessons together. Stubborn as an old mule, but surprisingly gentle-hearted."

"I love him so much, Kaede." Kagome basked in her own affection. Her love for Inuyasha was so palpable that she could feel it resting in her chest. Despite knowing he was only in the forest, she ached for him. They had been inseparable for two weeks!

"Perhaps it is your heart that is different. Kikyo considered her love for Inuyasha as a resignation of her duties, one-for-another, an exit from her religious life. You have no such reservations. Inuyasha has become stronger to protect you."

"Why should a woman have to give up her power to marry? Miroku is still considered a monk. Such a lecher!"

"The wataboshi worn by a bride covers her face for only her husband's eyes. It is said that the white of the clothing allows the female to be dyed in the colors of her husband. Perhaps it is difficult once a woman has too much of her own power. A miko becomes independent of her family line." Kaede waited while she brushed her tangled locks. Once she was clean and dry and dressed in her new uniform they journeyed to the large wooden building that housed the local shrine to Benzaiten. Many prayers for happiness and longevity were offered to the statue within that showed a three-faced beauty extending an empty left hand. A kimono had been draped around the statue to cover her nakedness. A detailed tiara decorated her forehead with the likeness of a phoenix.

"The Jewel once rested in her hand but no longer. Instead she only now holds only the Sutra of Golden Light, the recitation of which brings long life. It is said that when she meets the right person, the scroll will no longer be stone. At every naming ceremony we bring the parents inside to present the child to the scroll. Each one hopes their child will receive her gift." Kaede showed her the sacred chest that contained the Lotus Sutra among other lesser treasures which required protection. A preserved biwa was mounted on the wall but unfortunately the village lacked anyone skilled enough to play it at the annual festival. Kagome bowed her head to recite the morning norito to the deity in concert with her mentor. Afterwards with buckets of water drawn from the river they proceeded to clean the shrine from top to bottom - every lantern refilled; each floorboard scrubbed until the wood shined. By the time they stopped for their midday meal her arms were tired. They sat together on the steps to unpack a simple meal of roots and vegetables. Kagome feasted hungrily.

I wonder if Inuyasha and Miroku have caught the bear yet. She indulged in a brief fantasy of Inuyasha ripping open her carefully packed lunch with tears in his eyes. Her mother had made her father lunch every day when she was a child. The idea of her handsome, hungry husband being pleased with her packed lunch made her swoon.

"Kagome, you're the best. I love you!"

Rin joined them on the stairs. She brought freshly made onigiri from Sango to supplement their lunch. Together they politely colluded to give the clumpy mounds to Kaede's horse. Kagome bit the inside of her lip to stop herself from bursting with her friend's good news. Based on their normal conversation, the shy slayer was keeping her news quiet. If Sango's memory was correct, they would have a new member of the group in time for Obon! A sweet baby girl to dress-up or maybe a boy with Miroku's pretty blue eyes. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Miroku with a baby carriage! The internal image of Miroku and Sango delivering at the local hospital made her giggle. The pervert who had stolen her bike and adjusted the seat was going to be a father!

Ooh, I forgot to tell Sango about the Takeda clan. Where did I put those pictures?

The young lord might have been able to provide Sango with wealth and an easy life but not true love! She had known since the early days that Sango totally liked the handsome young monk in their group. With his easy smile and nonchalant attitude he had eased Sango's suffering from their introduction. It did not hurt that he had nice dark hair and a pretty boy face. If he were alive in her era, there was no doubt that he would be an icon. Of course he had taken notice of the only woman who resisted his charms! Her friend was strong, talented, athletic and very clever. She clapped her hands together while she considered meeting her little niece or nephew! They're having a super baby: handsome, clever and talented. I want to be the best social parent a child can have!

"Godparent? What's that?" Rin looked at her. She flushed to realize she had said it aloud!

"The nazuke-oya names a child," Kaede looked pleased. "That is a good topic, Kagome. I was hoping that you would agree to become Rin's big sister. She will soon be too old for a guardian parent. Your engagement provided a good opportunity for discussions."

Rin ducked her head. Poor girl!

"Of course Rin can talk to me," she blushed.

"Good. When Rin has her coming-of-age we will have an official celebration. She will be thirteen this summer," Kaede patted Rin's forearm proudly. "A young lady needs someone to teach her. Now that your marriage is settled, we can begin preparations! We need to consider new clothes – perhaps you might ask Sesshomaru for a new kimono?" The girl tucked her naked calves closer to her body.

"Is it like a birthday party?"

"It is the mark between childhood and beginning adulthood. The new kimono represents this transition. We will formally announce your status as Rin's big sister. This way any potential suitors know who to broker with. When Rin begins her bleeding you will show her the ways. It is a task better suited for a young matron," Kaede nodded.

"Suitors? She's a child!"

"Rin is far too young to seriously consider an offer. However, if someone did have interest in our girl, they would have to approach you. It puts her in a good position. Not many of the young men will harass Rin with so many esteemed connections."

Kagome continued to eat silently when Kaede moved inside. Rin's postured screamed embarrassment over the conversation. She certainly had no issue assuming the role of big sister to the sweet, brave girl who could charm Inuyasha's big brother. The girl only lifted her head when she removed a secret box of pocky from her robes. Together they munched on the chocolate-coated sticks to relieve the atmosphere.

"Thirteen, huh?"

Rin chewed.

"A celebration sounds like fun. I can do your hair for you. We can get ready in the house together. I bet you'll receive lots of presents," she smiled. The girl gave her a gloomy look before biting another stick of pocky vindictively. The small child she had first seen astride Ah-Un had grown taller. There was a slight chubbiness around her abdomen that signaled incoming change. She clearly remembered the arrival of her own breasts. The poor kid doesn't have a mother to tell her the facts. I bet Kaede felt obligated to give her the Talk.

"Being an adult isn't all bad, you know."

Rin threw down her remaining pocky. They broke under her heel. "I don't want a coming-of-age. I don't want to get married! It's stupid, stupid, stupid! Who cares about presents and kimono? I hate this village! I hate everybody!"

"Rin!"

The girl was in tears when she ran off. Kagome almost followed before she remembered her own middle-school tantrums. A soft woven brush scraped the broken bits of cookie into the grass where ants began to feast on the sugar. She polished the step with a soft wet cloth until it shone.


Kagome was preparing supper when Inuyasha opened the front door. She abandoned her stew to accept his enthusiastic kiss. His hands relaxed on her shoulders to grip her arms. He beamed triumphantly down at her like Shippo.

"Did you get the bear?"

"Dead and buried. Here," he offered. A small coin purse was deposited into her hands. "The village couldn't offer any goods but the headman paid Miroku. The idiot wanted fifty percent but I won. Here is half the payment."

Oh, Inuyasha. Fifty percent IS half. Miroku let you win the argument!

"Way to go!" Kagome kissed him like the conquering hero. The clean smell of her husband filled her nose. Inuyasha dropped down by the irori while she finished cleaning vegetables. The quiet and solitude made her intensely aware of the hanyou staring at her. She wiped her face on her sleeve. "Is there something on my face?"

"N-nothing," he lowered his eyes. The fire crackled in its elegantly designed pit. Soon the vegetables began to boil and sweeten in the mixture. Kagome tossed the dirty water outside before closing the doors to the garden. Inuyasha accepted a cup of tea while they waited.

"You look nice."

Kagome pulled her kimono closer. It was borrowed from Sango while they considered how best to use Sakuya's cloth. They were both too shy to continue the discussion. She focused on stirring the pot to prevent anything from burning. Salt was added from its modern paper bag to the clay pots traded at the local marketplace. The ingredient was surprisingly expensive but there was a local pottery expert that supplied the village. Pepper was rarely added to their meals because Inuyasha's nose was extremely sensitive to spices. She was extremely proud to offer Inuyasha a large serving of vegetable stew, homemade onigiri and boiled egg. The mounds of rice were a bit uneven but they were cooked properly!

"What do you think, good?"

"Yeah, great. Pipe down and lemme eat. Pass the jerky." Inuyasha bit down on his chopsticks. She huffed irritably but pushed over the container. Inuyasha's feet were covered in a solid layer of dirt from traversing the forest all day. Good footprints marred her beautiful new floors. While it was implausible to expect to keep the wood perfectly clean, most other husbands wore shoes they could leave at the door. Inuyasha would get annoyed if she continuously asked him to wash his feet. He burped after his second serving of food.

All was forgiven when he led her outside by the hand through the village to the Goshinboku. Most of the residents had already retreated to their homes for the night. A beautiful full moon looked down upon the village. Silver light filtered through the enormous canopy overhead. Together they watched the twinkling stars rise from their sleep to begin again.