Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all of it's characters are property of the brilliant Takahashi-sama and I claim no ownership of them. Only the story belongs to me.
Pairings: Inuyasha/OC, Sango/Miroku, Sesshoumaru/Kagome.
Follows: The Anime and movies.
"spoken" 'thought'
Special thanks to my betas PockyThief, Kiyota and Ethereal Siren.
Epilogue
“Yes, yes I will be your mate,” I replied and around me I could hear the others gasp. Why I answered yes I do not know, just something about his smile seemed so right to me. Something about it told me this was where I belonged, what I was supposed to do. It seems so strange to me; before that day six months ago, I could have never imagined this happening.
“We shall leave in a few days once you have the chance to heal,” he told me before turning and beginning to make his way toward the back room. Though I doubt the others could see it, relief clearly showed in his golden eyes. I guess he was worried that I might tell him no. It's strange how much hold my decisions seem to have over him.
“A few days?! That's not enough time to say goodbye to Kagome-chan!” Sango insisted as she turned around to glare at him. I am sure that had she not been a few months pregnant she would have jumped to her feet at the moment. As it was, I could see Miroku's remaining hand holding her against him, just in case she tried to do so.
“You will not be saying goodbye. All of you are welcome at this Sesshoumaru's home at any time,” Sesshoumaru told them before turning back to glance at his half-brother. “All of you.” That said, he turned back around and continued on his way into the bedroom. More than likely, he had decided to give us some time alone.
Just as Sesshoumaru had said, a few days later we were on our way to his castle. After he had exited my hut, he had gathered us, Shippo, Kouken and Jaken included, and turned into his energy ball. He had told me it was the fastest way for him to travel and he wanted to get home as soon as possible. It didn't take long really, just a few hours and we were already being shown to our rooms.
Shippo was given a small room on the other side of what used to be Rin's. As we had passed the door, I could hear Jaken begin to sniffle and couldn't help but feel sorry for the little toad. Tomoko's room was in between Rin's and Sesshoumaru's. Already it was decorated and littered with things a little girl might need.
Everything from clothes, some she wouldn't even be able to wear for years, to toys for many a different age groups, to brushes and hair clips. Sesshoumaru had really outdone himself on seeing to her every need. If I'm not careful, he may spoil her a bit too much. But then again, him being able to spoil her might be worth it just to see him happier.
And it wasn't just her either. Shippo's room had been filled with everything he could ever need as well. Some of which had the kanji for Sesshoumaru written on them. The expression on Shippo's face when he saw that, was worth all the money in the world. Sesshoumaru is not known as someone who shares his belongings, and just the fact that he did meant the world to Shippo.
After showing us to our rooms, mine of course being Sesshoumaru's, he had disappeared. Jaken said he was probably going to visit Rin's grave as he does every time he comes home. So after placing Tomoko in her temporary bassinet, until the one Inuyasha made arrives, I decided to go look for him. He really wasn't hard to find, his youki pointed me in the right direction.
I figured I would get just close enough that he would know I was there, but without disturbing him in case he wanted to be left alone. But that idea flew out the window the moment I saw his expression. He was just standing there, staring down at the grave marker, with such sadness etched in his eyes. Just looking at him broke my heart and before I knew it I was walking over to him.
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I glanced back down at the grave marker as I tried to come up with the right words. Everything sounded so inadequate, I ended up just saying the first thing that popped into my mind. What I figured was bothering him the most. “You haven't forgiven yourself yet have you?”
He turned to glance at me for a brief moment before his gaze went back to the grave marker. “No,” he replied before sighing. “But one day I will,” he assured me as he moved to stand behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I don't know what it was that compelled me to, but I knew at that moment, I would spend the rest of my life helping him to forgive himself, if that was what it took.
At that time, a new light came to the Western lands. Those that knew Lord Sesshoumaru, could see the changes Lady Kagome and Lady Tomoko brought out in him. While he still remained the fearless warrior he had always been, around those two he was something else entirely. He gave them everything he had, and in return they did the same.
After Lady Tomoko, Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Kagome had no further pups and they both spoiled her rotten. But she had Lady Kagome's attitude and didn't let it go to her head. So much like Lady Rin as well. Lady Tomoko was sweet natured, kind, loyal and did she ever had an obsession with flowers. Not a day went by, since she could walk, that the castle wasn't covered in them.
There were uprisings because of Lord Sesshoumaru taking a human mate and naming a hanyou as his heir, but like always, his enemies were brought down by his sword. He had even had to kill two of his ex-advisors when they began to move against him. Foolish bunch, the lot of them. As if they could stand up against Lord Sesshoumaru's power...but I'm getting off topic.
Inuyasha and Madoka, the wolf hanyou he had been courting, ended up mating not long after Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Kagome. They had two sons, Yasha and Maru, Inuyasha said it was in tribute to him and his brother. When Lord Sesshoumaru asked him why he would want to pay tribute to him, he was told it was because 'you made my best friend happy'.
Sango and Miroku ended up having four children, two of each gender. They had lived at the old village until the elder miko had passed on and came to live at the castle with Lady Kagome. Since his half-brother and his family was already living there, Lord Sesshoumaru didn't mind too much. In the end, the four of them became his new court.
I don't think Lord Sesshoumaru was all that happy about taking advice from him half-brother. Truthfully, I think it was Lady Kagome who had suggested that one. But once everyone had gotten used to things, the castle ran smoothly and the halls rang with the laughter of children. I think that was why Lord Sesshoumaru put up with them being there.
He didn't think we saw it, but at the very least I noticed. The way his eyes would light up when the laughter began, the way his lips would turn up ever so slightly into a smile. Who would have thought the great demon Lord Sesshoumaru, was affected by something so small as a smile or giggle from a child.
Not that I would ever say that to his face, I value my life thank you very much. Oh, and what a life it has been. Once Lady Tomoko was old enough to walk on her own, Lord Sesshoumaru began bringing us on his patrols again, this time with the help of Kouken. Lady Tomoko got as attached to that two-headed dragon as Rin did to Ah-Un.
As the years passed, you could see more of Lady Rin in her everyday. How that little girl changed us without even trying, is something I will never understand. But she did. And so did Lady Tomoko. Once she was older, she changed others as well. The humans and demons in the West were able to get along due to her words and influence.
A remarkable woman she was. Just like Lady Kagome and just like Lady Rin. Oh, the memories I have gathered of those three, it would take many lifetimes just to tell them all. The adventures, the excitement, the never knowing what they might do next. And just when you think you have them figured out, they change. Crazy women I tell you.
But I wouldn't trade them, or the times we had together, for anything in this world or the next. In all my long years of service to my lord, I have never been more sure of anything. Being a babysitter to my lord's pup, whether by blood or not, was not being reduced to something less than what I should have been. It was an honor.
Please R&R, good and bad reviews are welcome, however, I will ignore flames.