Inuyasha©Rumiko Takahashi

Beta Reader: MissKatt ;)

Still Primero

62

Primero

"Isn't he pretty?" asked Kagome with a small, proud smile on her rosy lips. Her hair was left loose and humid from the quick bath she took a few minutes prior. The tips brushed her hips now. "Do you think he knows who I am?" she asked her mate with a wide-eyed, curious look.

Sesshomaru studied the silver of her eyes for a long moment, comparing them to the golden haze they used to have, but found he liked them just the same. It had been a surprise to find them changed, but then again, his female-beast had silver eyes. Perhaps it was the human nature in her which allowed her eyes to change. "Pretty is not a word I would use to describe him," he said sourly and then narrowed his eyes, "Strong is a better word and, yes, he knows. Or is getting to know you by scent."

"I think the crescent moon on his forehead is pretty," repeated Kagome with a mischievous smile, "As is yours."

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, "The crescent moon in a symbol of lineage. It means strength, power and Taiyoukai blood." Then he stopped and studied her incredulous look and frowned, "Perhaps it makes him…handsome."

Kagome merely closed her eyes and shook her head good naturedly. She really loved him. There wasn't any other option. Sesshomaru was completely lovable. At first he was like a duck without water, or a dog without a tail, but now…he was a little better. He still tried and she knew there were a lot of things they needed to work on, but she was sure they would be able to make it. They only needed patience and excellent communicating skills, "What are we going to name him?"

Again, Sesshomaru's nose scrunched up a little in thought, "I have yet to find a suitable name," he said and then sighed, "He is our first…" then he eyed her through narrowed golden slits, "and perhaps the last one if I have anything to do with it." His gaze was not domineering as she would have expected, instead…they were begging her. His fear evident in his gaze.

Kagome felt a pang to her heart and gave him a tight smile. She lowered her eyes and tilted her head in thought. "I want to name him something… something that tells about our journey to the beyond, our story…I don't know. He's the result and yet the beginning of so much," then she raised her eyes to his. She knew this pup would be…big and powerful. After all, Meta was his inner beast. There was a small fear there too…he was hanyou and she would hate to see her pup subjected to the pain Inuyasha had been to when he was younger. They would need to do something to keep his demon-blood in control. But they had time.

Sesshomaru tilted his head and reclined down besides his mate while his eyes studied the flickering ears of his pup. They moved around to catch any sound, but his eyes stared up ahead. To him, it was a good signal. He was taking in his surroundings and was alert, but not nervous or afraid. Just curious. Curiosity was a good thing in a young pup. "Shizui may be suitable," he offered after a minute, "True meaning, the core."

"Mysterious," added Kagome with a small smile. She nodded her head, pleased with the name. Then glanced down at the pup. As soon as he felt her gaze on him he returned it. The eyes of her pup were a mix of gold and bronze, but his gaze was steady, firm, and she liked it. "Greetings, Shizui." The boy's ears immediately twitched and he tilted his head confusedly. She chuckled and then passed the small bundle to Sesshomaru, "Go meet your father."

Sesshomaru took the pup without fuss, surprising her. She thought he was going to act all awkward, but he seemed to have surpassed those silly stages. It was a good thing. He then turned to the boy with a serious expression, and began to make inu sounds at the pup. The pup's ears began to move frantically and his eyes stared up at his father with a deep concentration. After a few more moments the boy began to whine and yip something back. Kagome raised an eyebrow at the pair since she couldn't understand anything, but Sesshomaru's proud smile let her know he had found what he expected. It made everything easier. Everything was all right.

"We will go to sleep," said Sesshomaru suddenly and he placed the pup by his head and pressed his nose to him.

Kagome softly settled at his side and did the same. Now, it was time to be together, and enjoy it. They deserved this moment, and this family.

xxoOoxx

Five years had passed and they met again. It was a time of mourning and sadness, but it was also a time for happiness. They finally met again.

"Kaede was a good woman and an excellent miko," Rin's voice said firmly from where she stood before the old woman's grave. The child had turned into a woman. Her face held that edge of a smile, but her eyes were intelligent and strong. She had turned into a respectable leader, miko…and would be a good wife in the near future. "She believed in this village, helped it grow, took care of the old, the young, and brought to life more than half of the villagers. We owe her much and as such she will never be forgotten. Let her be one of our symbols of faith, strength and respect. She deserved nothing less." Then Rin eyed the crowd gathered around them for a minute before turning to the grave. Besides it was a buck filled with white flowers, picked by the human children earlier. Rin took one, sent a silent prayer and then with a bow, left the grave. Quickly after someone else mimicked her action and then another.

Rin moved a little away from the moving villagers and a strong arm quickly snaked around her waist. A kiss was delivered to her hair only seconds after, "Sesshomaru-sama and Kagome-sama are here," whispered Kohaku and then gave her another kiss.

Rin's shoulders relaxed and she nodded her head. These last days had been difficult for her. Losing Kaede had affected her more than she thought it would. She knew she loved the woman for life, but Kaede had been very sick. She thought she had accepted the idea, the possibility, that the old miko would not survive. How wrong she had been. Her eyes still hurt from all the crying. "Kohaku," she began tiredly, "You can call them Sesshomaru and Kagome. They are family."

The man rolled his eyes and pulled her a little, "Let's go to them." She followed quietly at his side. Tired. She had lost so much energy and she ate little. He didn't force her because it wasn't needed, but if she didn't start eating soon he was going to make her. He hoped she felt better after seeing her parent figures. He was pretty sure she was going to.

"Rin-chan," called Kagome from the bridge that served to unite Inuyasha's forest with the village. The village had grown considerably and it even reached Goshinboku. Rin's power united with Sango and Kohaku's slayer abilities had helped keep the village safe and had allowed the expansion. It was no wonder this turned out to be the future capital, Tokyo.

Rin's brown eyes widened and she turned to the source of the voice. A heavy weight exploded on her chest and she ran towards the older woman, tears in her face, "Mamma!" cried the teenager as she flung her arms around Kagome, "I missed you!"

Kagome squeezed the teenager warmly and began to make hushing sounds. It had been almost two years since they last saw each other. She was surprised to see Rin had grown a few inches and was almost as tall as her, "I am sorry, Rin," the silver-eyed woman said softly, "We will miss her."

The teenager sobbed all the harder and Kagome helped her sit down and let her cry. She began to brush her hair soothingly and hum a song. It always helped Shizui.

The pup was a few meters away, standing besides Sesshomaru who was now speaking softly to Kohaku. He had grown quite a bit, faster than his baby uncle, Niban. He resembled a three years old. The hanyou pup kept one ear trained in the conversation between his father and Kohaku and the other one in her. Somehow he understood through the years that his mother and his father were not the same. She had to be handled with more care and his claws could hurt her. Since then on, he was very protective of her. It was very sweet of him.

His curiosity won him a few minutes later when he began to walk towards her. The scent of tears was very bothersome, Sesshomaru told her once, so it didn't surprise her to see him with a sad pout on his lips, "Mamma," he called softly as he crouched at her side, "Why is Rin-oneesama crying?"

Rin's face peeked from around Kagome's arms and she smiled at the small hanyou, "Shizui-chan," she called happily and extended her hand, "Come here, pup."

The young one did and settled in the space in between the two females and began to lick Rin's tears away. "Don't cry anymore," he pleaded softly.

Rin kissed his forehead, "Crying is good sometimes," explained Rin as she cuddled the small boy, "For me, it helps."

Golden eyes looked up at his mother with a frown. Kagome smiled. "Rin is very sad," she explained, "Kaede-obasan has passed on to the next life. Crying helps Rin with the pain of losing and missing her."

The pup frowned some more and then shrugged his shoulder. She doubted he understood, but he would someday. There was no need to rush things.

"Rin," Sesshomaru's voice suddenly interrupted them.

The teenager looked up at the Taiyoukai and quickly went up to hug him, "Sesshomaru," she breathed out softly, "It's good to see you."

Sesshomaru's arm automatically came to her shoulders and squeezed her to him. He had gotten a little better at comforting since he had his own pup. "It's good to see you," he said softly and rumbled a welcome.

Rin smiled and nodded at her father-figure, "Shizui has grown a lot," she told him with a soft smile. She knew how proud he was of his son. Many would have thought he would reject a hanyou son for he was a Taiyoukai, but she knew he wouldn't. After all, he saved and loved her. A human.

Sesshomaru's eye shone with pride, "He has," he said and then tilted his head to the side, "I've granted Kohaku your hand. You are free to marry him when you feel is right."

So unexpected his words were that her eyes filled with tears again. She dared a look at Kohaku and saw him standing a few feet behind her father-figure, arms crossed and with a smug smile. She cried all the more and then hugged her father with a sobbed 'Thank you'.

xxoOoxx

"She will be all right," said Kagome for the tenth time.

"She's young," objected Sesshomaru. His eyes watched the small ceremony from afar. He did not like to be surrounded by humans, much less by humans terrified of him. His pup didn't share his dislike though. Shizui was sitting up front with the slayer and monk's pups. The monk was the one uniting the life of his ward and Kohaku's in marriage.

"She's not," said Kagome with a small smile and with one arm hugged his waist, "Besides, you said yes already. You can't go back."

"Hn," was all he said for a few moments. Then he sighed, "I still worry."

"We always will," she said softly, "These are our pups. It's our duty to worry. Even Koga is a father now. We are at a new stage in life."

"Shippo will graduate soon," he reminded her softly.

"He will," Kagome nodded, "Then he will go find new adventures."

Sesshomaru frowned, "You…do not worry?"

"Of course I do," then she grinned, "But I doubt Sai or Sia will let anything happen to him. Not before they mate him." Her grin grew even bigger.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "That's unnatural."

Kagome merely shrugged, "Everything is unnatural to me," she confessed then shrugged, "So…I'll let everyone decide what they will. It's easier."

They lost themselves in their own thoughts for a little while as they watched the pair exchange vows. To Sesshomaru this was a strange ceremony, very unlike a youkai mating. True…his mating with Kagome had been rushed and not very orderly, but not even regular matings were like this. This made him pause a moment. "Is this a normal human marriage ceremony?"

Kagome smiled, "Something like this," she admitted. There were a few strange twists thanks to Miroku's creativity, but the general idea was right.

"Do you want…a human marriage?" he asked with furrowed brows. He didn't specially like the idea, but if she wanted one, he would definitely give it to her. He was not…the nicest at the beginning of their travels.

Kagome's smile grew, "I don't need one," she said simply and hugged him even tighter, "I have you. That is all that matters." Then she stood on her toes and pressed her lips to his, "I love you. All of you."

Sesshomaru would never admit it, but he melted a little inside whenever she told him that. Or whenever she kissed him…or ran her hands through his long hair… He loved her too.

Kagome elbowed him when he didn't react after the kiss, "The ceremony is over," she said quickly, "Go find their mount, quickly."

Sesshomaru grunted, but did as she asked. Kagome moved to the line of people who waited to congratulate the new couple. Her son quickly joined her, a huge grin on his face. It reminded her of Inuyasha. "You look like your uncle." she told him with a grin.

"Must be Sesshomaru's worse nightmare," mocked Inuyasha as he went to her and hugged her in a brotherly manner, "How are you runt?" he asked the pup and ruffled the boy's hair.

"Uncle!" cried the voice and then he climbed up the hanyou's body, "Where's Kikyo? She promised to teach me her powers last time!"

"Oi!" growled playfully Inuyasha, "Why do you want to see her powers?! I am stronger!" whined the older hanyou and then placed the pup on the floor and unsheathed Tetsusaiga and quickly transformed it, "Look! This is Tetsusaiga and it's the strongest sword ever! Touch it, touch it."

Shizui touched the sword tentatively and as they all expected, the sword welcomed him with a hum. Then the pair began to walk away, down the hill to train with the sword. Kagome smiled gently. They were so alike it was ridiculous.

"Kagome," Kikyo called softly from behind her. The woman no longer aged, her life tied to Inuyasha. The same as she with Sesshomaru. "It's good to see you." Kikyo and Inuyasha had moved to a nearby village and were helping there. Basically they, and Kuranosuke, surrounded this small village of Edo, protecting it from the bigger threats.

Kagome nodded and hugged the taller woman, "My pup is looking for you. Hide."

"Oh, dear," then they shared a grin. The pup was overly energetic and stubborn. They were sure he was going to see the reiki powers he wanted to see today. He wouldn't let this opportunity escape him.

"Kagome, Kikyo," called Rin as she walked towards them wearing her ceremonial kimono. She let go of Kohaku's hand and hugged each woman, "Thanks for being here," she said happily, but then her eyes strayed, looking for someone.

Kagome knew who. "He's behind that hill. He has a present. Go."

Rin's face brightened visibly and she took hold of Kohaku's hand again and dragged him. He allowed it, a happy smile on his face. It was strange to see it there, he was always so serious.

"He's happy," commented Sango as she joined them a moment later. She had a baby girl tucked on her side; the last one that brought the count to four. Surely Miroku was working hard into making this a big family. "I am happy for him."

Kagome nodded and turned to where Sesshomaru was when she heard Rin squeal happily. The other women smiled as well. A moment later, Ah-Un flew away from the village with Rin and Kohaku, taking them away.

"Well, that would give them their much needed privacy," said Sango with a wink when the others turned to her with wide eyes, "I am learning from Miroku." Then she walked away, laughing.

Kikyo and Kagome eyed each other for a long moment before smiling. "We are blessed," said Kikyo after a moment, "The Kami watch over us."

Kagome nodded, "Indeed," she said and smiled again when Sesshomaru appeared at her side, "We found our happiness."

Kikyo turned when she felt her mate and she waved when she saw him running towards them with Shizui on his back, "Oi! Don't leave us!" cried Inuyasha and moments later Shizui quickly mirrored his actions.

Sesshomaru sighed, Kagome laughed, and Kikyo smiled

Life was good. It was complicated, but when one fought hard… the rewards were great. At the beginning, things never made sense and one wondered if things were right or not. If they were doing the right thing or not, should they trust or not. But if one believed, and was fair… life found a way to make things better. Not easier, but better. One only needed to keep on being strong. Take the little daily doses of happiness and cherish them. Do small favors. Grant strangers kindness, grant them friendly smiles. It makes the world a happier place to live.

Life was good.

Love was worth it.

xxoOoxx

FIN

xxoOoxx

JeniNeji's Note:

Thanks for being here. Thanks for reading Primero. It was a long, enjoyable journey. It had its good moments, it had its bad ones. I learned. I grew. I'm proud of myself and very grateful to you all for your support and your opinions. Thanks for helping me be a better writer.

Also, special thanks to MissKatt (and Teana who beta-read the first part of the story) for beta reading this story, for her fast work and huge patience. Thank you!