A/N: Yes, you are seeing this correctly! This is Epilogue for BHL. It was always my intention to write this, it just took forever to find the right word for it. Also, there are mentions of things happening without great detail, so I will leave that up to your imaginations. So, after three years since its 'completion' and four since its creation, here is the long epilogue to 'The Battle of Heart and Land'.

DISCLAIMER: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

The Battle of Heart and Land

By MissKatt

Chapter Forty-Five: The Epilogue

"Obaa-sama!"

Blinking herself out of her thoughts, the former Lady of the West tore her eyes away from her reflection in her tea to look at the inuyoukai as he ran at her. She set her cup down and stood from her patio bench. She tossed her thick, waist-length, black hair over her shoulder crouched down with open arms to hug the pup as he threw himself at her. She hugged him tightly and then pulled away. "Tekkan-chan, I missed you little one," She cooed before gently gripping his chubby cheek and giving it a little tug. "But if you call me grandma again I will tear off this cute cheek of yours and eat it."

"Wahh! Okay! I give!" The little boy cried and then sighed in in relief when she released his cheek to cup it tenderly before stroking his snow white hair. He grinned up at his grandma with wide, innocent, ice blue eyes. "I'm gonna play in the play room, obaa-sama!" He said quickly, using his youkai speed to rush into her small house before she could pinch off his cheeks.

"Little brat," Kagome murmured with love and then turned towards her daughter as she walked towards her. "Akemi-chan, Taku!" She greeted as they approached her. She couldn't help but smile fondly at them as they strode toward her, their fingers laced. She was so genuinely happy that they were still together and in love, but she couldn't stop the way her chest clenched in jealousy.

"Kagome-sama," The former guard greeted as his mate hugged her mother tightly. "It is good to see you again."

"Taku, it's been almost four hundred and eighty years since you mated my daughter and became an official part of my family. Please, stop addressing me so formally; I tell you this every time." She teased before drawing him into a hug. She squeezed him tighter and softened her voice, "He looks so much like Tekkan, Taku. He'll serve his memory well and be just as loved."

Taku tensed at the mention of his dead twin. He hugged her back just as tight and breathed, "Thank you." The death of his twin still hurt him, despite it happening four and a half years ago.

Inuyasha, his human mate, and Tekkan had perished in the Tohoku earthquake in 2011. They were three of the 15,893 deaths that were confirmed and the entire West mourned their loss, Sesshoumaru included. Kagome had taken losing two of her brothers hard, falling into a depression that caused her to lose two more loved ones.

Ever since the incident with the East, Inuyasha had stuck to the West like his life depended on it. He swore his loyalty to Sesshoumaru and Kagome, and then again to Kichirou and Megumi when they took up the throne. He had proven his loyalty time and time again by fighting in wars and helping Kichirou get his revenge, practically carving the way for him as they went.

Even Taku's old resentment towards the hanyou disappeared when he protected his oldest heir and mate from Hekai when he came back around for revenge for his deceased lord. Inuyasha arrived at their home, waiting for the guard to come home so they could spar, and he saw the nekoyoukai strike Akemi unconscious, his claws ready to tear out her heart. He caught the neko off guard, tackling him away from his niece.

Feeling the panic and then nothing from his mate through their bond, Taku rushed home. He instantly smelled the hanyou and neko and wasted no time in joining the fight, eventually delivering the final blow to Hekai and killing him, finally avenging his fallen mother.

Ice blue eyes fell on the disheveled and bloodied hanyou. "You saved my mate and heir," Taku said softly, his tone conveying the emotions he was feeling. He had just avenged his mother after almost losing his mate and pup. "You will forever have my gratitude."

Inuyasha flushed in embarrassment as the guard suddenly hugged him. He shrugged out of the hug and crossed his arms across his chest. "Keh, it's nothin'." He replied, but felt a deep relief in him when the twin roused his mate from her unconsciousness, checking her over for serious injuries.

Of course, Sesshoumaru and Kagome were also thankful that he had saved their daughter and first grandpup.

Over the centuries, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had established the brother relationship they never had, even though neither one would admit it. Still, Kagome and those close to them could tell that their bickering and little fights were done without the previous deep hatred. The older brother even hosted his half-brother's bonding ceremony at the Western shiro, welcoming his human mate as one of their own.

But now they were both gone, Tekkan too.

Pulling herself from the dark memory, Kagome released Taku, but kept her hands on the shoulders of his plain, dark blue t-shirt. "So, have you adjusted to having a whole beast inside you yet?"

He sighed and rolled his shoulders with her hands still on them. "It still feels weird and it has been over four years since he passed, I am beginning to think I won't ever become accustomed to it."

Akemi put her hand on her mate's arm. "You've gone your whole life with only half a beast, babe. I wouldn't be surprised if it took you just as long to get used to having a full one."

Kagome nodded in agreement and removed her hands from him. "Yes, I'm sure it'll just take some time. So," She began, looking at the two with a raised brow. "Not that I'm not thrilled that you have come to see me, but why the random drop in?"

"Why can't we just come by and say hi? I miss my mom." The second-born Western heir pursed her lips together in a very similar way to her mother.

Cerulean eyes softened and she reached out to tuck a strand of Akemi's short, black hair behind her pointed ear. "Oh, baby, I miss you too and I think about you and your brothers all the time." She commented before a knowing smile tilted her lips. "And I know all of you much more than you give me credit for, so fess up."

She sighed as she was caught. "Mate, can you go find Tekkan and make sure he isn't destroying my mom's house?" She asked. She smiled as he nodded, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and headed towards the house to check on his sixth and youngest pup. Once he was gone, she turned her amber pools on her mother. "Mama, have you heard from Kichirou lately?"

Instantly her gut twisted in worry. "I haven't," She replied tensely. "But I figured he was just busy ruling the West. I know he has been under a lot of stress dealing with an uproar of youkai who want human and youkai laws to be separate."

Even in the current time, Kagome's original time, the lands were still divided by youkai. There were still the four rulers of each direction and the youkai that served and answered to them. However, she was certain that she had altered time in the sense that youkai and humans lived amongst each other in fragile harmony; youkai no longer hiding in disguises. Granted, there were those who still hated the other race, but she knew that would always be the case, no matter how advanced society became.

"I can't blame them," Akemi commented with a huff. "Youkai and humans have two different sets of morals and blood rights."

Kagome nodded. "Yeah, I don't necessarily believe that both races should have to answer to the same set of laws, but there needs to be some sort of balance and I know that is what your brother is working on."

"Yeah, but…" She hesitated. "He's not in a good place, Mama."

The miko-youkai looked at her daughter seriously. "What do you mean, Akemi? What's wrong? What happened?"

She tensed. "He wants-" She stopped and ran her hand through her a-line haircut. "Ugh, he asked me not to tell you because he wants to tell you personally."

Her eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Taisho Akemi!" When they came to the point in time where surnames began to matter, their pack decided on using part of Sesshoumaru's father's title for their surname as a way to commemorate Touga. She always used the surname they gave her, rather than her 'married' one of Yuki. "You tell me what is going on this instant! If your brother is in trouble, you better tell me!"

Akemi felt her beast cower and whimper at being scolded by their mother. "Mama, I can't, but just be on guard when he calls you," She decided to change the subject quickly. "So, have you talked-"

"No, and don't go there." Kagome instantly cut her daughter off, her markings turning slightly jagged as anger hit her. "When is Kichirou supposed to be calling me?" She asked through grit teeth.

She felt the hair on the back of her neck rise when her mother coldly cut her off. "Um, today, I think." She answered softly, her tone depressed.

Instantly noticing her daughter's dejected attitude, she reined back her resentment and pulled her in for a hug. "I'm sorry, sweetie." She said gently, the stripe on each cheek smoothing out. "I didn't mean to snap at you."

Akemi gave her a sad smile. "It's okay, mama."

"Mama! Obaa-sama! Papa says we should eat lunch!" Tekkan called from a safe distance away.

Kagome's smile turned deadly as she looked at her daughter. "I'm going to eat his cheeks."

"They'll just grow back to their full chubbiness." Akemi laughed and looped arms with her mother as they walked to the house, the previous tension gone in an instant.

*~~~BHL~~~*

Wearing a sleeveless, black, form-fitting dress that stopped right below her knee, she made her way down the painfully familiar halls of the Western Shiro. She had her hair twisted up elegantly in a bun, her eyes lined black and lips painted red to give her a splash of color. Her black heels clicked along the polished wood as she headed towards the office that had once been Sesshoumaru's.

A few servants praised her name, dropping into deep bows as the former Western Lady walked past them. She gave them brief smiles and nods, but her blue eyes were too busy dancing along the corridor walls, memories surfacing to her mind from all the years she had spent in the palace. Granted, Kichirou had some parts of it redone when age took its toll on the ancient building, but he managed to keep the feel the same, despite the few modern upgrades.

"Kagome-sama!"

Hearing the familiar masculine voice, she turned and smiled at Yukito. "Yukito-chan! Good evening!"

The once-pup blushed slightly, fidgeting slightly in his Western guard uniform. "Kagome-sama, please, I'm hardly a child anymore."

She let out a soft laugh. "You will always be that little pup that stood up to me five hundred years ago."

He grinned. "Oh, yeah! Your five hundredth year anniversary was last week!"

Her smile grew tight and forced as a pang hit her chest. "I'm aware."

"Yukito, you are dismissed," A voice suddenly interrupted, causing Kagome to turn and see her oldest child. Mirrored blue eyes met and she instantly took in how pale he was. His markings were so bright against his white skin, his blue eyes missing its lively gleam. His long, silver hair was tied messily in a ponytail, his white collared shirt and black slacks wrinkled. "Okaa-san, you're here."

"Of course, Kichirou; you asked me to come," She said, stepping towards her oldest and reaching up to cup his pale, cold cheeks. "Baby, what's wrong? You don't look good at all."

His eyes fluttered shut for a moment at the familiar comfort of his mother. He then opened his eyes and gave her a small smile. "Come, I will explain everything."

She frowned, but nodded as she followed him the rest of the way towards his office. "I'm worried about you." She commented as she let him slide the door open for her and stepped into the room.

She immediately regretted it.

The junction of her left shoulder burned with a fury of the sun, a too familiar aura washing over her. She didn't need to see who was sitting at the table to know who it was. She quickly turned on her heel and made to leave, but found her son's hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him, ready to shout at him, but bit her tongue at his defeated, lost expression. "Kichirou-"

"Okaa-sama, please." He begged, tone desperate.

She searched his eyes, but found nothing but pleading. Sighing, she gave in and turned back around to walk to the table. She kept her head high, trying to not notice how perfect he looked in his tailored black suit. Taking the spot as far away from the man at the table as possible, she sat down stiffly. She kept her eyes on her oldest as he came around and sat in the middle of both of them. Once a servant set a cup of tea in front of her, she gripped it to stop the shaking of her hands.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but stare at his mate. For five hundred years, their bond had kept her as young and beautiful as the day he marked her. Her dress showed off her slim and fit body, her long, toned legs elongated with her heels. His beast howled with need as he watched her walk to her chair, which he immediately noticed was as far from his as possible, with her head held high with anger.

Oh yes, she was definitely still mad at him.

Could he blame her though?

He had wronged her four and a half years ago. He wished he could take it back, but he couldn't. Still, he longed to hear her voice again. He wanted her to say his name, whether yelling it in anger or whimpering it in ecstasy.

"Kagome-"

"Don't fucking talk to me, Sesshoumaru." She snapped, her aura instantly flaring around her, purple laced pink snapping around her angrily.

"I-"

"Say another word and I will purify your dick off."

His amber pools narrowed slightly as he watched the markings on her cheeks turn jagged. Her anger made her scent spicy, making his beast crave her even more. He loved dominating her when she was angry or upset with him. The fight she gave always roused his beast and aroused him to a painful point.

But, he knew this anger was much more serious.

And possibly permanent.

"Knock it off, you two," Kichirou told them, but his voice lacked the strict tone. "I brought both of you here for a reason. Please be civil, for me at least." He watched as they both looked away from each other to look at him, his mother's aura instantly retreating. He ran a clawed hand down his face. "I need your guys' help."

"What has happened?" Sesshoumaru asked, looking at his heir seriously. He, like his mother, had noticed his son's sickly appearance.

He glanced at his father and then back at his mother. He was just going to come right out and say what he needed and go from there. "I need the two of you to take over the West again."

Kagome blinked once, then twice. Had she heard her son correctly? "You want us…?"

"To take up the throne once again?" Sesshoumaru finished with a lifted brow.

Kichirou and his mate Megumi had ruled the West for three hundred and fifty years. When they were first mated, Kichirou had asked his parents to rule for another half century so that he and his mate could enjoy the first fifty years of their bond in peace. They agreed, of course, and then happily gave up the throne when they came back from their extended honeymoon.

However, ruling the West for them had been a very trying time for them. When they had come back, Megumi gave birth two years later to a healthy, beautiful baby girl. A decade later, and another birth, had the West flowing with happiness. That is, until the inuyoukai rulers of the North decided to attack the West another ten years later after Kichirou and Megumi refused to arrange a mating for their daughter. They had slaughtered the princess and prince while Kichirou was away in the East.

Sesshoumaru and Kagome had returned before their son did, both trying to do what they could for their grandpups, but her reiki couldn't heal them and Tenseiga couldn't bring them back for they were gone for too long. When Kichirou came back, Sesshoumaru had to pin him down in a dominate state while Kagome tried to calm down an inconsolable Megumi.

The parents watched on as their son took his aggression and revenge out on the North, making the lord watch as he slaughtered his mate Sakura and their only heir. They continued to watch with heavy hearts as the bonded mates tried to repair their broken hearts, neither Sesshoumaru nor Kagome knowing what to do to help their son and bonded daughter.

After fifty years in her grief, Megumi was ready to try to have another pup. Kichirou was more than happy to comply. He wanted his love to be happy and he wanted an heir to fill the large holes in their hearts. Everyone in the West was elated when they announced that they were pupped once again. Kouga and Ayame of the East brought presents and wished them well, the dragons of the South sending a scroll of good fortune for them. Even Shippou and his mate, the new rulers of the North, came to congratulate them and wish them the best. Sesshoumaru and Kagome, as well as Minoru and his still intended, stayed in the Western shiro once they found out the news to offer more support.

And then Megumi miscarried.

The howl of grief that Kichirou released scarred every heart who heard it that morning. Minoru and Sesshoumaru echoed his howl, their beasts hurting for their pack member. The three then left the shiro, disappearing for a few days to go hunting in their true forms to help appease their pack mate's rage and sorrow.

Kagome had locked herself with Megumi in their room for days while she tried to comfort her bonded daughter. The inuyoukai would allow no healer, no friend, no servant into the room; only her bonded mother. The miko-youkai had stroked the girl's hair as she buried her face in her lap, her hands still clenching the bloodied sheets they sat on. When the inuyoukai asked the former lady how she dealt with her miscarriage, Kagome offered her a small, pained smile and told her that time eased all wounds.

She refused to tell her they healed.

Because they didn't.

She still thought about her first miscarriage.

And the second.

After another hundred years of silent mourning, Megumi and Kichirou decided to try again, only to be met by the same result. Since then, they have been trying, but to no avail.

"She can't take it anymore," Kichirou breathed, pressing his palm against his forehead as his stress attacked him once again. "She can't take the pressure everyone is putting on her. Everyone demands an heir, expects it of her- of us. But, she can't get pregnant when she's constantly worrying about it. And, if she were to, I believe the stress would only repeat the past."

Sesshoumaru frowned as he listened to his son. He knew he loved the West as much as he did, but knew it had been hard on him and his mate. But, was stepping down from the throne the answer? There was something detrimental going on in the West at the moment and it needed their Lord. "Kichirou, you believe stepping down is the best choice?"

He met his father's look. "Maybe not for the West, but for my mate, yes. If this is what it takes to keep her, then I will do it," He paused as he took a deep breath and looked down at the table. "I won't lose her."

He was doing this for his mate, Kagome realized. He was giving up something he loved for his loved one. She shot up from her chair in an instant and scrambled over to her son, nearly twisting her ankle in the process, but she didn't care. She quickly gathered him into her arms and held him tightly as his face buried in the crook of her neck in comfort. "Kichirou, why didn't you tell me things were escalating so much?"

He pulled away from his mother's neck and looked at his father. "I didn't want to disappoint you," He admitted. "I tried asking Akemi to take over, but she refused, saying her and Taku were happy with the way things were. I asked Minoru, but he also said no. He said he saw what it did to us and refused to put his new mate through that."

Kagome couldn't help but look at Sesshoumaru upon hearing this. To everyone else, they would see his passive mask in place, but she knew him better than anyone else. She saw how the gleam in his eyes changed; he was angry and slightly disappointed. And she knew exactly why. To become Lord of the West was a great honor. His great-grand sires before him fought against many a foe to obtain their title and land. Even youkai now would fight fang and claw to get their hands on it, but his own pups didn't want it.

Her heart and bond mark cried out to comfort their mate, to make him feel better and assure him that wasn't the case, but she refused. Why should she console him when he didn't comfort her when she needed him the most?

The miko stroked her son's hair affectionately. "Kichirou, if this is truly what you want, then of course I will support you," She said, smiling when his shoulders relaxed slightly in her hold. "Honestly, I'm proud of you for choosing your mate over duty."

He sighed in relief. "Thanks, okaa-sama." His head suddenly perked up, his blue eyes darting to the door when he felt the flickering aura of his mate. "Megumi?"

Kagome released her son and looked over at the slightly parted shoji door. She watched as her bonded daughter shyly stepped into the room, her pale cheeks blazing at being caught for snooping. She felt her chest clench in pity when she noticed how thin the woman was, her frail body looked like it was drowning in the silk of her kimono.

"Kagome-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama," She whispered as she bowed, her blonde hair slipping over her shoulder. When she straightened, she blinked to see her bonded mother standing in front of her. "Ma-" She was quickly cut off when she was tightly pulled into a hug.

"Megumi-chan," She cooed, holding the girl to her. "I love you. I wish you would have confided in me about your stress. I've been where you are, I know what it's like. Did you forget we share the same pain?" She asked in a gentle tone.

It was impossible to ignore the way her mate's aura flared in rage at the reminder of their loss.

Megumi's eyes watered and she melted into her arms. She couldn't believe that this human had been more a mother to her than hers had ever been. "I-I'm sorry," She sobbed. "I just-. The stress- it- all the expectations, they're suffocating! Being a constant disappointment to your followers, to your mate. I can't do it anymore!"

"Shh, you're not a disappointment to anyone," She soothed, petting her hair until she pulled away from her slightly when she felt her son come up beside her. "You don't have to do it anymore, Megumi-chan."

She blinked when she suddenly found herself in Kichirou's arms, his face buried in her hair. They hadn't touched each other so intimately in a few months. "K-Kichirou…?" She asked softly, heart hammering in her chest. "What does she mean?"

He pulled back just enough to look down at her, blue meeting gold. "We are leaving, Megumi."

Tears pooled in her eyes at what he said. Did he truly mean what she thought he did? "Leaving?" She asked in a small, hopeful tone.

He gave her a small smile and leaned down to kiss her gently, savoring the first taste he got of her lips in months. "Yes. I'm taking you away from the West so we can be alone and just concentrate on us." He cupped her pale cheeks and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "Why are you crying, Megumi?"

She sniffled and put her shaking hands on his. "B-because I know this is hard on you," She whispered, closing her eyes. "I don't want you to do this for me and regret it later."

"I regret nothing when it comes to you." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "You're everything to me."

Kagome wiped at the tears that were making their way down her cheeks. She used her middle finger to wipe up towards her eyes, getting rid of any traces of smudged makeup. She sniffled and blinked when she saw a napkin offered to her. She glanced at Sesshoumaru as he suddenly stood close to her. She took it, but refused to meet his eyes.

"I guess this means we are Lord and Lady once again." She mumbled, trying to discretely blow her nose.

"You are always my Lady." He commented, eyes fixated on her profile.

She suddenly glared at him, turning fully towards him. "Don't try to sweet talk me, Sesshoumaru. Things are far from okay between us."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You never let me explain."

"I didn't want you to." She replied hotly. "There's no explanation for abandoning your mate in her time of need."

"You were not the only one suffering," He growled and then turned his attention to his son when he cleared his throat. "Yes, Kichirou?"

Blue pools looked from one parent to another. "Are you two going to be able to do this?"

Kagome forced a smile. "Of course, baby."

His face deadpanned. "Without killing each other?"

She matched his expression. "I make no promises."

"Okaa-sama…" He warned.

"I'm kidding, Kichirou," Or was she? "How soon do you want us here?"

"Immediately," He replied, wrapping his arm around his mate and pulling her close to his body. "I want to get her out of here as soon as possible."

"That is fine," Sesshoumaru spoke up. "I will have Jaken make the necessary arrangements of my things and move in tonight. I will need an update on the West and its engagements."

He nodded. "I've already made up a detailed report of what I have come up with for the balancing of laws. The two of you can probably come up with a different proposal since you are the best of the both worlds." He said and then looked back at his mother. "What about you?"

"Well, I'm sure your father can hold down the West without me," She commented and gave a laugh when her son sighed. "But I'll make sure it's ruled smoothly. I'll probably sell off most of my things and move back in. Do you already have rooms prepared for us?"

Megumi smiled a little. "Of course, your old room hasn't been resided in since you guys left the West. We upgraded it a little, but for the most part, it's as you left it."

Kagome smiled sweetly. "Then I will just have to find another room."

"No way," Kichirou spoke up. "You two need to be together. The West needs united rulers, not fussing mates. Don't let them know you two hate each other."

The miko sighed. "Fine." She replied, crossing her arms across her chest. "You're lucky I love you two." She let a small smile tilt up her lips when both Megumi and Kichirou hugged her simultaneously. She hugged them back and kissed each of their heads before they pulled back to hug Sesshoumaru, who awkwardly patted them on the back.

*~~~BHL~~~*

"Mama, how's it going?" A light, masculine voice asked from behind her before clawed hands found her shoulders and massaged them. "I see Sesshoumaru-sama is still in one piece."

Kagome laughed, setting her pen down on her paperwork before leaning back to look up at her oldest son's face, the ends of his long, red ponytail tickling her face. "It's only been a week, Ship; there's still plenty of time."

He grinned at her before walking around to flop down on the plush cushion across her short desk. He propped up one knee and rested his arm on it, his nine tails spread out and resting comfortably across the floor. "Is that why you're doing your work outside? To avoid him?"

"Perhaps," She mused and stretched her arms above her head. "But, I enjoy how beautiful the gardens are in the winter." She glanced over at the four gravestones under the large sakura tree. "…Or maybe I wanted some company."

He followed her gaze, his emerald eyes softening as he looked at the graves of Inukimi, Inuyasha, his mate, and Tekkan. He glanced back at his adoptive mother. "Maybe if I was here all those years ago, I would have been able to help Inukimi-sama," He sighed. He may have never met the woman, but the stories Kagome told him of her made him wish he had. "Or if I had gone with them to Tohoku."

She shook her head and reached across the table to put her hand on his. "Shippou-chan, you were getting ready to go to your kitsune school in the northern mountains and you were far too young for war," She pointed out before smiling at him. "And Mizuki* was having twins at the time of their trip, Shippou-chan."

As if on cue, little padded feet could be heard as the twins tried to stealthily stalk towards her. She pretended she didn't hear or sense them, instead keeping her attention on Shippou as she asked how his human mate was doing. Then all at once, they leapt at her, but she quickly turned and captured each one in an arm before gently setting them on the floor and tickling their stomachs.

"Wahh! Baa-sama! We're sorry!"

"Ahaha! Baa-sama, stop!"

Her face darkened. "What did you just call me?" She asked, a joking threat in her tone. She watched their faces pale before she increased her tickling ten-fold. When their squeals began to hurt her ears, she released them and ruffled their matching, dark brown hair lovingly. "How are my two menaces?"

The hanyou twins leapt to their fox-like feet and gave her mirrored grins. "Good! Papa says you and Sess'maru are ruling the West again!" Hirou commented.

"Are you gonna have more pups for us to play with?" Nerou asked innocently.

Each hair on Shippou's nine nails bristled at the sensitive subject. "Nerou!" He scolded with a growl.

Instantly the twin cowered behind his brother, holding his one tail in his hands nervously as his large, triangle fox ears flattened against his head. "S-sorry…?" He asked hesitantly, looking at Kagome with wide, glistening emerald eyes.

Kagome shook her finger at her kitsune son. "Stop it, Shippou-chan, really, it's okay. They're too young to understand that." She said before smiling at twins. "Ne, why don't you two go find Sess'maru? I think he said something about helping you guys practice hunting."

They both perked up at the idea. "Let's show him our new tricks!" Hirou suggested.

"Yeah! I learned how to use the squealing mushrooms!" Nerou added before the two ran on all fours towards the Western lord's office.

Shippou stared at her with a knowing look. "He didn't really say that, did he?"

She smiled innocently at him. "I have no idea what you are talking about," She said sweetly before letting out a sigh. "I don't know what I'm going to do, Ship."

The Northern lord instantly knew what she was referring to. "Can I be honest, Mama?" She nodded for him to continue. "You're too fucking stubborn."

She blinked her cerulean eyes owlishly at him. "What?!"

He sighed. "You need to just talk to him. You've both been through so much together; you can't just ignore that," When she turned up her nose at him stubbornly, his eyes softened. "You love him, Mama. Even now, when you claim to not being able to stand him, you love him."

She remained silent, her eyes staring at the graves under the sakura tree. Really, what could she say? Of course she loved Sesshoumaru. They had been together for five hundred years and he managed to give her the same butterflies each day during those years. Still, she was hurt by what he did and they had yet to discuss it; even if that was mostly her fault.

She opened her mouth to agree with Shippou, but stopped when her mate's aura approached them. She quickly snapped her jaw shut and looked towards him, watching as he carried a kit in each hand by the back of their shirts.

When he was close enough, he set the twins down and looked at his mate, having a sneaking suspicion that she was behind their sneak attack since she suddenly refused to look his way. "There are human representatives are here. They wish to speak to us about the laws." He told her, eyes staring into hers once she looked at him.

She felt her stomach twist when his golden pools raked over her face. She forced her eyes away once again and smiled at her kitsune family. "Well, looks like I have to be off. Will you guys be staying for dinner?"

Shippou shook his head. "No, Mizuki says she is planning a home cooked meal for us and the rest of the kids," He looked down at his hanyou twins when they wailed in dismay and let out sympathetic sigh. "I know boys, but we have to act like we like it. You know how mama is when she's upset, so it's better to avoid it all together."

"Remember that, boys; that lesson will help you throughout your life." Kagome advised in a teasing tone. She moved to get up, but paused when a hand was offered to her. She blinked and glanced at Shippou, who shot her a 'stop being stubborn' look, before slowly putting her hand in Sesshoumaru's.

Sesshoumaru was surprised at her reciprocation, but helped her to her feet nonetheless. He let her draw back her hand immediately after and watched her walk past him before giving Shippou a thankful look. He nodded to the kit when he waved at him before following after his mate.

He easily caught up to her side and decided to break their silence. "They are holy men." He explained.

She lifted a brow at him. "Holy men? Like monks?" She asked, her heart hurting at the reminder of her long lost friend.

He nodded once. "It seems they are concerned that we will be favoring the youkai laws and wanted to meet the new human Lady of the Western lands."

"I suppose they think they can persuade me otherwise. Do they know I'm a miko with slight youkai traits?" She asked, looking up at his handsome face.

"I am unsure," He admitted as they walked into the throne room, seeing the two men kneeling before their chairs. "Though I would not be surprised."

She took her place on the left and settled into her chair before looking at the men before her. Instantly, her breath hitched, her back going rigid at the familiar faces. No, there was no way! Why was he here? It may have been centuries since it happened, but she still remembered it like it was yesterday.

The hair on the back of his neck stood up on end when Kagome's dismay shot through him. He glanced at her and saw her clutching the arm rests of her chair. He reached out and grabbed her hand, lacing their fingers so his calm aura could wash over hers. He would question how she knew them later, but until then he would remain on guard.

"State your business." He demanded, watching as they bowed their heads slightly before meeting his gaze.

"Taisho Sesshoumaru-sama, may I extend our congratulations on obtaining the throne-" The elderly man spoke up first, but he was cut off by the lord's correction.

"We have been reinstated. My mate and I ruled several hundred years ago." He corrected coldly before nodding for him to continue.

"M-my apologies, Taisho-sama. I am Akitoki Jin and this is my eldest grandson Akito." He gestured to the man behind him as he bowed in greeting. "As I am sure you are aware, we are here to discuss the laws and how to make them appropriate for all races."

"I assure you that we have come up with the best solution," Sesshoumaru began. "My mate is human and so we have taken both of our heritages into consideration."

Kagome held her breath Akito looked at her. He swept his black eyes over her, his face scrunched in slight distaste at her. However, it appeared that neither one of them recognized her. Really, she couldn't blame either of them. She sported her side bangs once again with her black hair layered to her waist and proudly showed off the single stripe on each cheek.

Wait, did Akito even know who she was?

Had they met in the current time yet?

The wheels turned quickly in her head as she tried to calculate when exactly she had met Akito. She had gone home after three weeks of being mated. She and Sesshoumaru had been mated for five hundred years and little over two weeks. Her eyes widened slightly when she realized that it was happening soon. But, did she really have the days right? Wait! Didn't Souta have a soccer game that day?!

After she met Akito, she would leave for his house in three days. Then it would take her another five to get back home where she escaped back down the well. Could she help herself before it all happened? Could she warn her mother? Stop her brother from getting hurt? Could she kill Akito now before it began?

She paled when she realized she couldn't.

She could do nothing to help herself because then she would alter time. If she stopped this event from happening, who knows what would happen in the past? She wouldn't be kidnapped from the well and Sesshoumaru wouldn't have pushed the battle forward. Inukimi wouldn't have died because Sesshoumaru wouldn't have ever left to go check on her. What would that mean? Would Inukimi be with them at that very moment?

What about her and Sesshoumaru? Would they have taken their relationship to where it was now? Would she still have her three beautiful pups? Would they still be under the scrutiny of the elders?

She didn't realized she had zoned out or that she had nearly crushed her mate's hand until he gave her hand a firm squeeze. She gasped a little as she was pulled from her thoughts and quickly turned to look at him. She swallowed thickly at his slightly furrowed brow, his eyes holding a gleam of worry that only she could see. She licked her lips and found her voice. "My apologies, what were you saying?"

His beast was snarling inside him from the anxiety that was flowing through her. "Our guests would like to know if they could get a copy of our suggested laws so they can compare it with theirs." He repeated.

"O-Oh, yes, of course. Could we get it to you at a later time?" She asked, heart beating hard in her chest.

"Sooner is preferable," Akito spoke up, his voice just as cold as she remembered. "We will be staying in Tokyo a few days longer before returning to our home. After New Years I will be moving to Kyoto with my new bride."

'With my new bride,' Her mind repeated. He was in Tokyo for her, to marry her. 'Then in a week I'll be back in the feudal era. I can't do anything. I have to stay here. I have to let it happen.'

"We will get it to you before you leave Tokyo." She replied, her hand clenching Sesshoumaru's for support, all anger for him momentarily forgotten.

*~~~BHL~~~*

"Who are they?" Sesshoumaru drilled her as he followed her into their room, slamming the shoji door shut behind them.

Kagome refused to meet his eyes as he repeated the question for the third time since the Akitoki mean left. "Don't worry about it." She reiterated quietly.

He growled deep in his throat as he swiftly crossed the room and put his hands on her shoulders so she couldn't dodge him this time. "Answer the question, Kagome."

Her blue orbs turned fiery as she knocked his hands off her, past resentment quickly surfacing. "Don't order me around like I'm your bitch, Sesshoumaru! You don't control me!"

Neither of them could explain why they both became so angry at each other just then, only assume that it was from the issues of the past that were never brought to a closure.

His lip lifted in a snarl and he quickly moved to grab her again. However, she slipped away from his reach and went on the offense. She lit her hands with her reiki, the purple sparks snapping eagerly for battle, and swung at him. He leaped back from her, but the power had expanded out towards him and slashed across his chest, leaving an angry burn in its wake.

Amber pools narrowed as she rushed at him, pent up anger gleaming in her eyes. He waited until she was close enough before pushing her hand aside and swinging his fist firmly into her stomach. He watched as she flew back towards the bed and listened as she gasped in a breath. His body stiffened slightly as he heard her wheeze in a breath.

After housing his youki for centuries, he knew her body was more durable than before, but he still grew worried that perhaps he had hit her too hard. He slowly stalked towards her, hand raised to touch her shoulder, but she quickly turned on him once he was close enough. He cursed himself for letting her take advantage of him as he tried to fend off her reiki infused fists.

Kagome couldn't stop. She had so much hostility towards him from the last four years and her stress from what was inevitable was seeping out from her fists. All she wanted to do was hit him; beat out her frustration on him. Swinging left, right, up, kick, cross, then left again. He met her blows with his own, the two blocking and attacking the other's attacks as they came. They always sparred throughout the years, but this time true anger was involved.

After landing a punch on his face, she was roughly shoved back against the bed. She stepped onto the mattress and pushed off with all her strength, projecting herself towards her mate. Sesshoumaru caught her fist with his left hand and then grabbed the back of her neck with his right before turning and shoving her into the wall. A growl reached his ears and he responded with a deeper one before gripping the back of her neck tighter. He pressed her firmer against the wall, her cheek and chest pressed against it.

"Submit to me." He snarled into her ear before biting down on her bond mark.

"No!" She snapped, but her eyes began to water. She had been with Sesshoumaru for centuries and she still couldn't best him in a fight. He was stronger than her and always would be. He was the epitome of strength and she had always looked to him for protection and support. That was why she was so devastated when he wasn't there when she needed him most. "…I needed you."

Her whisper was so faint, he had almost missed it. Sensing the shift in conversation as well as her emotions, he removed his mouth from her bond mark and eased the hold on her neck, but did not release it. He leaned his body against her back, his nose dipping down to touch her head. "I know." He responded softly.

"You weren't there." She breathed, tears pooling in her eyes. She felt the familiar comfort of his body against hers, but she wouldn't allow herself to seek comfort in it, not yet.

His eyes slid shut as the pain from four years ago resurfaced. "I did not know how to cope." He replied honestly. "It was too much loss."

"I know," A sob tore itself from her throat as the tears spilled down her cheeks. "But that didn't mean you could just run away!"

Sesshoumaru released her as she wiggled against him to turn fully towards him. He looked down into her watering eyes and clenched his hands into fists at his sides. "I needed to breathe," He stated gently. "I had to grieve in my own way, Kagome."

Gods, why did the sound of her name on his tongue always make her chest flutter?

"Sesshoumaru, I lost my brothers," She cried, bottom lip trembling as she raised her fists and pounded on his chest. "I was depressed! You should have been there to lend me your strength, to watch over me to make sure I didn't do anything stupid! I-I didn't know what I was doing…" Her tears spilled down her cheeks as she gripped his button up tightly, her knees growing weak from the overwhelming emotion. "I-I didn't mean to do it…I didn't realize what I was doing until it was too late. I-I'm sorry…"

Sesshoumaru caught her in his arms as she sunk to the floor in a fit a sobs. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly to his chest, eyes shut tightly as their shared pain throbbed between the bond. "I do not blame you for losing the pup."

He should have been there to keep an eye on her. He knew she had fallen into depression when she found out Tekkan and Inuyasha were dead, but he had been too wrapped up in his own grief to comfort her. He blamed himself for being mentally checked out when she locked herself up in their room and didn't eat or drink anything for days on.

He especially blamed himself when the malnutrition caused her to miscarry for the second time. The loss of his fifth conceived child hit him hard, causing his own depression to consume him. He left their house to go to Kouga's, making his ookami friend go on an extended youkai hunting trip with him. The taiyoukai knew he had left his mate to her own grief, but he knew he would have been useless if he had stayed. His sorrow had turned into a sharp anger, his beast thrashing inside until it freed itself and killed every living thing near it, sans the former Eastern Lord who watched on in horror.

He wanted to get everything out of his system so that when he returned, he would be able to shoulder both their misery as well and comfort her. But, his plan backfired miserably when he came home a week later to find his things packed by the door. He realized too late that he had made a very bad mistake.

Not only did he lose two of his brothers and an unborn child, but he had lost his mate too.

Kagome clung to him desperately, taking all the comfort that she had needed four years ago. She buried her face in his chest, her sobs becoming louder with every heave of air she managed to suck in. "I-I'm sorry!" She wailed. "I didn't mean to!"

His brow furrowed in sadness as her pleading wails filled his ears. He held her tighter, rocking her slightly as his own eyes watered behind his lids. "Stop apologizing, Kagome. It is my fault."

She shook her head. "When you left after the pup died, I thought I had lost you too. It was too much for me! I was so alone, Sessh…" She hiccupped as she cried. "Then, the longer you were gone, the more I grew to resent you. It was like Kichirou all over again! I knew you were upset with me, but I thought you'd at least come to see if I was okay. But you didn't," She pulled back a little to look at his face. When his eyes opened, she saw the faint traces of tears there and her heart twisted painfully. "You didn't." She repeated.

He lifted a hand to cradle the bottom of her jaw, the other arm still holding her tightly. "I failed you," He whispered. "I was consumed by my own grief and rage, Kagome. I thought that if I left and forced it all out of my system, then I would return to you as the strength you needed. Instead, I weakened you and pushed you away from me." His eyes closed again and he rested his forehead against hers. "There are not enough words to express how sorry I am."

Fresh tears sprang to her eyes and she closed them tightly before wrapping her arms around his neck. She felt his arms encircle her waist and felt her shoulders sag a little in relief. This was all she had wanted from him, this comfort and security that came from being in his arms. "I'm sorry too." She murmured into his hair. "I'm sorry I pushed you away for so long."

The inuyoukai shook his head. "I deserved it." He told her before moving his head to bury his face in her neck, allowing the familiarity of her warmth and scent to calm him. Gods, did he miss holding her, missed smelling her sweet scent and feeling the soft silk of her skin.

They sat there for hours longer, relishing in the comfort they both had so desperately needed so long ago. Now, they could move on from the lingering traces of their sorrow and focus on the happiness they both deserved.

*~~~BHL's Epilogue Lemon Scene~~~*

"Mmm, whatcha doin'?" Kagome murmured, her voice heavy with sleepiness. She had been exhausted after spilling her heart to Sesshoumaru and venting out all the anger she had stored. Even so, she was so glad that they had finally talked and cleared the air between them. Four years without her mate was just too long. She rubbed her eyes as the mattress dipped next to her, her mate's weight returning to it.

The reinstated Lord of the West smirked down at her as he set the tray down on the bed between them. "You are always hungry after a crying fit."

She instantly flushed at how well he knew her, but then glared at him half-heartedly. "Hey, the fit was necessary." She commented as she sat up to reach forward to grab a rice ball from the tray. "Dinner in bed, hm? Romantic."

"I have four years to make up for." Sesshoumaru replied as he poured them each a glass of wine.

She smiled at him before taking a bite of her snack and taking the offered glass. She swallowed the tasty food before taking a sip of her wine. Looking down at the red liquid, she shyly told him, "I missed you, Sesshoumaru."

He looked at her and her reddened cheeks. He reached forward and gently grasped her chin, turning her head towards him. "Not a day went by that I did not miss your presence at my side." He said softly, but seriously.

She flushed again as she met his fiery amber pools. Leaning over the tray, she closed the gap between them and kissed him. She couldn't help the soft moan in her throat as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping across her bottom lip.

Gods, four years was far too long.

Pulling away from him, she grabbed his wine glass and set them both on her nightstand. Then, without warning, she pushed the food tray off the bed and moved to tackle him. However, she quickly found herself under him, his lips on hers once again. She parted her lips for him, meeting his tongue as it dipped into her mouth to play.

Sesshoumaru growled with need as she ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders before landing on the back of his neck. He could feel her need through the bond as well as smell her delicious arousal. As much as he wanted to give into his primal urges, he would love her tonight, show her how much he appreciated and needed her by his side.

He pulled back from her lips and pulled back so he could start removing her clothing. He started with her blouse, slowly lifting the hem of it until he could pull it over her head. He then ran the pads of his fingers down her soft skin, enjoying how she shuddered as his claws lightly trailed down her stomach until they reached the button of her slacks. He undid the button easily and began to tug down her pants.

Kagome lifted her hips, wiggling them a little so he could easily remove them. She shivered a little from the sudden cold before biting down on her lip as she felt his hands slowly rub their way up her legs. She closed her eyes as she felt him kiss a trail up her right inner thigh, jumping slightly when he bit down lightly at the top before doing the same to the left.

Sesshoumaru pressed his nose against her clothed slit, inhaling the tangy scent of his mate. Looking up at her from the apex of her thighs, he smirked to see her face flushed with desire. His eyes then fell on her hidden mounds and glared in disapproval. He reached a hand up and sliced through the fabric between the two cups, his eyes drinking in the sight of her breasts springing free from their entrapment.

She quickly slid her arms through the limp straps, tossing the garment aside without another glance. She raised up on one elbow as she watched him retreat back down to her covered core. Her breath hitched as she watched him grab the top of her panties with his teeth, tugging them down to her knees before he released them, his hands then removing them completely from her person. Her stomach twisted in anticipation when he laid down in front of her, his hands resting on the outsides of her thighs.

Wasting no time, he ran his tongue along the part of her entrance. Her whimper was music to his pointed ears. He knew her body inside and out, knew what she liked, what she didn't like, and what drove her over the edge. His tongue flicked at the bundle of nerves at the part of her lips, his fangs brushing against it every once in a while.

Kagome moaned and clutched her pillow beneath her head as he played her clit like a fine instrument he had mastered. Her stomach began to tighten, her chest warming with what was to come. After four years, she knew she would teeter easily off the cliff he pushed her towards. "Sessh…" She breathed as he replaced his tongue with his thumb, the pad of it rubbing firm circles on her pearl.

"Come for me, Mate." He practically purred as his eyes stayed on her face. He applied more pressure and watched as her eyes shut tightly, her hands tightening on the pillow she held. He watched as she gasped suddenly, her hips sinking down against the bed as her chest arched off the bed, the skin flushed with pleasure. He removed his thumb from her bundle of nerves and licked it clean of her essence.

She breathed heavily as she watched him pull back from her to unbutton his shirt. As it slid to the floor, she couldn't help but take in the sight of her handsome mate. He was still as perfectly sculpted as all those years ago. She bit down on her bottom lip as she traced his hip stripes, watching eagerly as more of them were revealed to her as he removed his pants.

He smirked as he saw her eyes focused on the markings on his hips. He knew they were her favorite. When she moved towards him to reach for his boxers, he allowed her to pull them off, but stopped her when she tried to take him into her mouth. At her perplexed look, he gently pushed her back against their plush bed. "Tonight is about you, Kagome."

She stared up at him as he moved between her legs. "Sessh, you don't have to focus on me." She objected softly.

"I want to." He replied and coated the head of his shaft before sliding in the tip. He ran his hands up her thighs and up her sides until he was looming over her. He dipped his head in and kissed her gently as he slid himself into her. Her mewl of pleasure was music to his ears.

"Sesshoumaru," She breathed in ecstasy. Gods, did she miss this feeling of completion from being with him. She moaned as he slid out before pushing back in. She felt him find a prefect pace, his thrusts sure, but not rushed. She felt him brace himself on his elbows next to her head, his face burrowing into her neck. "Ah!"

He gently nipped at her bond mark, his tongue running along it as his pace increased slightly. He felt her hands rest on his back before sliding up to his shoulders, holding him tightly to her as he continued his thrusts. He moved his head away from her bond mark to bury his nose in her hair, taking in the familiar scent and relishing in it.

"S-Sess!" She cried when he slid a hand under her lower back, angling her hips up slightly so he would hit her sensitive spot. She buried her face in his neck, breathing in the masculine scent she had missed all this time.

He pulled back slightly to stare down at her, his amber orbs holding her blue ones. His beast rumbled in pride as she stared up at him, her eyes holding the same loving look she had given him throughout all those centuries. It still amazed him with how forgiving she was. He may not think he deserved such a perfect woman, but he was sure he needed her.

"I will not leave you again."

She blinked at his words before giving him a loving smile. She put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down until their foreheads rested against one another. "You better not." She whispered. "I will kill you next time; Lord of the West or not."

The inuyoukai smirked. "Understood, Lady of the West."

She let out a soft laugh and pressed her lips against his. "I love you, Sesshoumaru."

His eyes closed in bliss. "As I you, Kagome."

"Good," She smiled happily before she moved her hips to meet his thrusts. "Now, show me that inu dominance."

With a flash of red in his eyes, he gave into her demand, taking her into oblivion the way only he could.

*~~~BHL~~~*

"Mom, you look happier than you've been in a while." Minoru commented as he watched his mother walk along the fresh snow in the shiro's courtyard.

Kagome stopped walking and grinned up at her youngest son. She loved that he had taken to this era. He shaved a third his white hair short on the left side, the rest of it swept back in a short cut. One of his pointed ears had four piercings in it and his left arm was decorated in a tattooed sleeve that told his parent's story of the Shikon no Tama.

"I am, Mino-chan," She cooed before letting out a content sigh, a puff of white forming in front of her lips. "Your father and I have made up."

The youngest heir snorted. "About fuckin' time. Geez. You guys had Akemi freaking out, you know."

She frowned a little. "Sorry, Mino-chan, but I guess every couple has their fights. We were bound to have a big one after a couple hundred years."

He shook his head, but had a small smile on his face. "I hope I don't ever get into a fight like that with Sayoura," He flinched at the thought. "Not seeing her for years would be horrible."

She laughed at him. "Honestly, baby, if she waited two hundred years for you to mate her, I don't think a little fight will make her go away."

His lips fell into a small smile, his golden eyes softening. "True," He agreed and then tilted his head at him mom. "So, how do you feel about the new laws that were set into place?"

"We're happy about it, really," She explained. "We're glad they took into consideration the bonds we hold dear. The fact that we can kill those who attempt to kill our mate or children without consequences is good, but I worry it may be taken advantage of."

Minoru shrugged. "There will always be people who take advantage of things, Mom."

"Yeah, that's true. But I-" She tensed suddenly when she felt a strong holy aura press against them. She quickly turned towards Minoru to protect him, but cried out when she saw him on his knees, face contorted in pain from the sutra sticking to his chest. "Minoru!" She instantly reached out to rip it off him, but was flung back from the angry pulse of power.

"You," Came the icy voice she remembered. "I should have realized you were the same person as soon as I saw the younger version of you!"

Kagome winced as she was hit once again, the youki in her blood hissing at the foreign holy power. She landed on her back hard in the snow, but tried to force herself to her feet. She was stopped as Akito loomed over her, his face sporting the fresh bruise her past-self had given him. "Akito." She growled, eyes hardening as her markings turned jagged.

"You filthy, whore!" He snapped. "How could you defile such pure bloodlines?!" He hissed as he lifted his fist to strike her.

She leapt to her feet, blocking his punch with a smack of her hand before swiftly turning and kicking him hard in his stomach with her youkai-enhanced strength. She watched as he flew back right into her target.

He coughed from the force of the attack before he was sent flying into a wall. Wait, where was there a wall behind him? Suddenly the 'wall' grabbed his neck from behind.

"Is this the one?" Came a deep, dark voice came from behind him.

"Yes, my love," Kagome said as she peeled the sutra off her son, rubbing his back as he inhaled sharply once the constricting force was gone. She looked back at Sesshoumaru with a small, knowing smile. "He's the one who hurt my brother in order to marry me. He treated me like his bitch and tried to force himself upon me."

Upon hearing this new for the first time, Minoru growled, lip lifting a snarl as he stared at the young, human monk before them. The hair on the back of his neck rose on end when his father's aura doubled in size. He tore his eyes from the human to look at his father as his eyes bled red, his aura pulsing with power. He, his older brother, and sister were strong, but they would never be as strong as their full-blooded father.

Sesshoumaru snarled as the human struggled in his hold. He lowered his tone as he spoke to the monk. "I have waited five hundred years to kill you," He growled. "For daring to touch what was, and will forever be, mine." Crimson eyes lifted to fall on his mate. "Allow me this?"

Kagome pursed her lips together. "Well, the new law does state that you're allowed to kill if a mate or child is threatened with their life," She looked at her youngest. "I don't know about you, Mino-chan, but I was so scared that I was going to die just now."

The pup blinked before catching onto his mother's antics. "Oh, yeah, Mom. I thought we were done for until dad came around."

She smirked as realization crossed Akito's features. "Yes, Akito, this is my youngest son and my mate is going to kill you for trying to kill both of us. Not to mention, you did try to force yourself on me a few days ago, which I do believe is another justification for a mate to kill a fellow male." Her eyes flickered to her mate's and she gave him a single nod. "Alright, but just this once. I don't want you to make a habit of killing people."

With his mate's approval he swiftly snapped the male's neck, not giving him a chance to say a word.

"Hmm, we'll have to have Jaken call and make a report." She hummed as her mate came over to her, pulling her into his arms and running his nose along her bond mark. She smiled and nuzzled his temple. "I'm okay, Sessh. He just took us both off guard."

When his father's eyes fell on him, he nodded. "I'm good, my reiki stopped it from purifying me." Minoru replied, stretching his arms above his head. "But, that's enough action for me. I'm going to head home to my mate. I'll see you guys later."

"Bye, baby! Tell Sayoura we say hello!" Kagome called as he headed towards the parking garage that Kichirou had built years ago. She then grinned as she felt Sesshoumaru cup her breasts through her long sleeve shirt. "Someone has a point to prove, hm?"

He growled against her neck. "The image of his hands on you against your will has angered me," He responded. "I remember all your feelings from back then."

She smiled and bared her throat to him, freely giving herself to him. "You'll never feel them again, Sesshoumaru. You're the only one who will ever touch me again."

Once again, a growl rumbled in his throat as he swept her up into his arms and carried her towards their bedroom.

*~~~BHL~~~*

"Look how handsome our son is!" Kagome commented with a wide smile on her face as she looked over her oldest. He was clad in a black, formal tux with a red vest, tie, and pocket napkin. His hair was tied back in a low ponytail, blue eyes gleaming in joy as his mate approached him. Kagome watched from her front row seat as Kichirou lifted the white veil from his mate's face. "They both look so much better."

Sesshoumaru nodded as he watched his son and bonded daughter start the ceremony for their human wedding. He was surprised when they had received the invitation, but overcame it when he realized how much the human ceremony meant to them. It was his son's way of reiterating his love for his mate.

"They do." He agreed and then was pulled out of his thoughts when a soft wail reached his ears. He quickly looked down at his now-awake, newborn daughter and released a soft, low growl to sooth her. Wide, blue eyes stared up at him before a wide, gummy smile spread across her small, round face. He gave her a small smile in return and stroked her black hair before looking back towards the ceremony.

Kagome's heart warmed at the sight of her mate and daughter. She knew that the youngest pup was already a daddy's girl. With the exception of 'milk-time', her daughter preferred Sesshoumaru's company than her own. She was a little miffed at first, but seeing them together melted that all away.

She leaned towards her mate. "Will you be able to give her away on her wedding day?" She whispered.

He instantly glared at her. "She will never get married."

"Mated, then?"

He shook his head. "She is never leaving."

She couldn't help but laugh at that. She reached out her hand and placed it on his leg before turning back to the ceremony, watching her son pledge his love and loyalty for his mate once again. Her smile grew as she looked at the slight bump that was visible under Megumi's wedding dress.

Yes, things were going to be better from there on out.

A/N: I hope you all loved this ending as much as I did. Also, I really hoped this cleared up a few of the loose ends people were talking about. Thank you again for all of your constant support for this story! Love you all!

*Mizuki is one of the human girls Shippou had a crush on during the Anime.