I was so close to the end that I decided to pull an all nighter and finish. Thank you all for your time and reviews. There will be another story, Sesshomaru's side which will include the epilogue. Of course, being from the lord. it is a good bit shorter than this. You guys, I'm just so excited that I finished this 121 paged story! XD Cheers! Everybody celebrate! Thank you again for all of your support. Please enjoy this last chapter of Matchmaker Miko. ~Catclass

Chapter 15

The human miko sat across from the perfectly beautiful demon lord with her messy, damp braided bun and disheveled uniform. The final reports sat innocently in her lap, even though the mere idea of them reminded her of a love that could never be. Kagome, had she not been distracted by the lord's odd question, would have left the palace right then.

"Have you eaten dinner?" He had said so casually that she could not help but pause.

"What?" The miko blinked in confusion, "I guess not." She did not feel hungry, but surely she should be. His softened gaze stayed on her as his head tilted in more secret thoughts.

"Very well, we shall eat. Jakken." The toad ran into the room, pretending as if he weren't just sleeping on the job. "Yes, my lord!"

"Fetch two dinners."

"Right away, my lord!" And out the short servant waddled, leaving them alone. Only the patting of light footsteps told them that he was hurrying down the hallway.

"I guess I'll be leaving after the announcement tomorrow." Kagome fidgeted as she couldn't get herself to willingly hand him the scrolls.

"If you must." It was weird. All of his attention fell on her and for once she wasn't sure if she should have it. He sat there looking at her without a scroll to read or a brush to write with.

"I guess I should give you these." She hesitantly placed the five scrolls on the table before him. His only response fell to the usual "hn", as gold eyes flickered from them back to her.

"That's it." Kagome snapped in her usual way. "Sesshomaru, why do you want to have dinner with me when I've pretty much just finished my job for you?" He smirked.

This pissed her off more until it grew a little downcast. "Think of this as a thank you, Kagome." It was his voice but she could hardly believe he said it. Sesshomaru thank her? That's not right. Still she swallowed her emotions and cheerfully replied, "Then let's celebrate our victorious journey together!" She would be strong.

Jakken came back followed by two taller and capable servants holding trays of food. One of the ladies stayed behind just long enough to pour the sake that was not just sake for her lord and non-golden, non-glowing, regular sake for her. Kagome vaguely thought on whether she should drink knowing she was a light weight.

"Cheers!" She offered her dish in a toast and he responded.

The meal went peacefully while the girl decided to prattle on about her day while the stoic lord remained silent. The sips of sake sure helped her express a few more embarrassing occasions like almost dropping his prized koi. Sesshomaru seemed at peace, so she continued on until their plates were empty.

It was almost dawn when the miko decided to stand. "I should go wash up for my trip back today." Blue eyes, which were once glistening in tipsy joy, stared seriously at the pile of scrolls. "Make sure you choose carefully, my lord."

The tall Daiyoukai with long silver hair stood before formally bowing, Kagome gasped. "This Sesshomaru shall see you tomorrow, but this is our end. Fair travels, Miko Kagome." Pink lips trembled in her speechlessness.

"Fair well, Lord Sesshomaru." The priestess bowed and silently prayed for his happiness. "Good night and good bye."

She stepped out into the hall way and slid close the screen. Kagome had to pause in the sorrow of saying good byes, but gradually made it back to her room to pack. Jakken already stood at her door with tearful eyes that he tried to hind behind his short brown sleeves. "I have your horse groomed and ready to pack whenever you want." He mumbled out. "Yours and Inuyasha's payments are already attached by cart."

Her dark brow furrowed, "I never wanted payment, Jakken." The toad offered her a weird endearing smile and replied, "We would give it to you anyway, my lady. Do you need help loading your things?"

"No thank you, I just have my back pack and my bow and arrows." Big yellow eyes fell to the floor as the green toad nodded.

"Then, I'll be on my way now, my lady. I shall fetch you for the announcement."

"Thank you Jakken." Kagome paused before asking, "Might I have some morning tea sent to my room?"

"Of course!" The servant jumped up, "I shall send for it right away!" Jakken sped off with his little imp feet causing pat-pat-pat noises down the walkways.

It wasn't difficult to pack, considering she pretty much lived out of her yellow back pack. This left her with quite some time in which she thought she'd read, but instead, she spent most of it combing her hair. Thankfully, it hadn't fully dried in that braid or else she would have had some crazy waves to battle with. The black locks were finally presentable in her comfortable ponytail when Jakken came to get her for the last time.

They walked in silence as Kagome dropped off her backpack and weapon at the stables where her horse waited. Jakken didn't seem any happier that she was leaving than she was, and that made the miko smile. Her thoughts of her mom and Shippo blinded her surroundings as they walked on. The image of a teenaged Souta dispersed from her thoughts as the servants opened the door and her eyes met his.

Sesshomaru sat atop his throne, while others sat on cushions below. The same paintings of great dog demons still hung along the walls as a show of the family's proud history. This time the room had people, though Kagome hardly thought of them.

Jakken led her to stand at his lord's side, while Inuyasha stood on Sesshomaru's right. The miko almost giggled as she figured, Sesshomaru didn't want to look at Inuyasha and thus placed him where he'd be hidden by mokomoko. It didn't help that the white pelt sure looked extra fluffy today.

"It seems we have a guest." Sesshomaru softly spoke, before glancing over to Kagome. He knew them, but she didn't have the time to investigate his/her aura before the screen door violently slid open.

"Gorai?" She asked.

The Northern Lord barged through some of the guards and soldiers that tried desperately to stop him. A few were already apologizing to their lord for letting this wolf enter such a private meeting. However, Sesshomaru hardly seemed bothered, "Enough." The guards released the large, wolf demon. "What brings you to my lands?" He asked.

"I had heard that Noriko would be here and I couldn't let it be. I mean no disrespect, Lord Sesshomaru, but this wolf has loved her for many a century now. Would you allow me to ask for her hand and if she says yes, keep it?"

A silver brow rose at this before the stoic lord turned to the blushing, flabbergasted Daiyoukai. "This Sesshomaru allows it." Even from her angle, Kagome could see the spark of entertainment behind his eyes, though his face remained bored.

"Noriko." The wolf quickly walked to the sitting lady in browns and yellows. He fell to his knees and held her hands between them, "Noriko, I have had several wives and children until now. I will always love them, but you have been my light, my air, my everything since before I stood beside your throne. We aren't silly adolescents anymore. Will you have me and become Lady of the North once again?"

Brown eyes stared as unbound joy overwhelmed the quiet woman. "Yes." She whispered. "Yes, I would be yours, you silly man." Gorai took that as his cue to left her up and carry her out. Servants scurried about to make sure they collected her belongings in a timely manner and sent them north bound.

With the room, once falling into order and silence, Kagome stepped forward and began to speak, "Those who do not get picked will be shown back to their rooms and expected to leave by midday. The chosen lady shall be shown to her room where she is to stay until the other guests are gone. A servant will come get you when it is time to meet with Lord Sesshomaru to discuss business details." She suddenly worried that they might not actually discuss business. The miko bowed to the seated demon before finishing, "Your choice, my lord?"

"This Sesshomaru has chosen Keiko of the West." Kagome couldn't move. The room suddenly filled with noise and movement that she couldn't quite see. The other women were congratulating Keiko and then leaving, but it seemed almost too much to watch.

A strong hand grabbed hers and pulled her out of the room. She could breathe and think again, but she almost refused to do either. Inuyasha had pulled her out. Kagome stayed quiet as she climbed into the driver's seat of the cart and watched the hanyou got a surprise kiss good bye from Umi. The servant waved them off, but only Inuyasha responded with a small wave back.

It was like this the whole trip back to the village. The half demon stayed wary of her and knew something was going to trigger either a very angry display or a sad one. He only knew that he couldn't handle either. They travelled upon the dirt paths until their destination came into view. Shippo and Rin jumped and waved.

The two growing children met them a ways outside and rode the cart in while sitting with Kagome. She smiled and hugged them, but they knew something was up. At least, Shippo acted extra considerate towards her for the moment.

Then, Sango came out of her hut and their eyes met. The miko pulled the horse to a stop, made sure the kids started unpacking for her, and then slowly drifted into the demon hunter's hut. Big, blue, watery eyes hit the mother full force and she instantly pushed Miroku outside.

"No one comes in until I say." Sango ordered; the monk smiled.

Inside the hut Kagome dissolved into a mess. Tears streamed her face as she sobbed into Sango's lap. After an hour of crying, the miko sat up and explained, "Sango, I'm such an idiot. Even though I was with him to help find a wife, I still… I fell in love!" Her face returned to the comfortable lap as if to hide the rest, "She looks just like me but as a full demon. It's just like Kikyo!"

After another few minutes of Sango's pets and coos, Kagome lifted her head again. "I might not be human anymore either."

"What?" The comforting voice turned serious as she grabbed the miko's chin.

"Asase Yaa, blessed me because I freed a bunch of goddesses and stuff. She told Pyro that she took the human out of me, so what's even left?"

"If I may, Lady Kagome?" Myouga jumped up onto Sango's shoulder. It was much harder to receive her furious glare while this close. "You said she took the human out of you, but could you have meant mortality? Have you noticed a lack in sleep or appetite? If you have then that is more than likely the case. Immortals don't need to do such things as often."

"What?" Kagome stuttered, "That can't be. I'm just Kagome Higurashi. I'm not immortal! I'm just Kagome!"

The flea flinched at the agonizing gaze focused on him, "Well, you said you loved Lord Sesshomaru, right? An immortal's body is too holy to mix with demon seed more than it has to, but it still nurtures life causing the child to be born full blooded instead of purified."

Sango held on to Kagome's shoulders as the miko started to sway uneasily. "My child would come out a full demon and I helped him pick someone else." Reality finally caught up with her and Kagome collapsed.

That night, she awoke in her own hut with Inuyasha, Shippo, and Miroku sitting around her fire pit. They were all quiet as if they knew.

"Inuyasha, I'm going to go home for a couple days. I need to talk to my mom." Little canine ears twitched as they both stood up.

"I'm going to walk you to the well." It wasn't angry, just a little gruff.

"Fine."

When they were along the path between the rice patties, Inuyasha asked, "So you love Sesshomaru?" Kagome flinched but hummed a simple agreement. "And you are now able to have full demon kids because you are immortal? Because that lady blessed you?" Again she hummed in agreement.

"Keh! You should find someone better than that cold, heartless prick." The angry pup huffed, but it did get Kagome to look at him.

"He spoke in first person." She softly countered.

"What?" Inuyasha wouldn't know what first person was. She angrily wondered if he could even read, before instantly feeling bad for thinking such things.

"He dropped 'this Sesshomaru' and called me Kagome." She only paused a moment to let him know this before continuing up the hill that hid the magic well. The miko threw her bag over the ledge before offering a quick parting to her friend. "See you in a couple days Inuyasha."

Magic flowed around her as she jumped through time and placed her softly in a dimly lit well house. She had to climb out of the well, but the sound of rain hissed over the roof and onto the stone yard just outside. It made her dreary day all the more dramatic when she entered the house soaking.

Ms. Higurashi rushed to her daughter's aid with towels and hugs. After a warm, modern bath, the two females sat at the dining room table with mugs of hot cocoa. Souta was spending the night with some friends, and grandpa had already gone to sleep. Slowly, Kagome began to explain her story, while her mom quietly listened.

"Why not ask him to marry you?" Her mother offered while holding her daughter's hand.

"It's too late." The miko hopelessly sighed.

"It's never too late, because now you have all the time in the world." Ms. Higurashi gave her a reassuring smile, and Kagome cherished it deeply. "I love you mom." This was exactly what she needed. With a strong hug good night, the young woman wondered up to her room to sleep. Immortal or not, this day had been exhausting.

They decided that night not to tell grandpa or Souta of her immortality, so when morning came the old man could only gripe about needing her help around the shrine more often. Ms. Higurashi dropped a plate when she found out about Kagome's "wicked new scar" from Souta and not her own daughter. She fretted and worried but knew it was already done and over with.

Kagome spent the next couple days actually doing shrine maiden duties like cleaning the shrine. Grandpa was still trying to sell knock off Shikon Jewels while she swept the dirt and leaves from the courtyard. All seemed peaceful when Inuyasha's voice rang out from the well house. "Ok! We're through! Now get off me, you prick!"

The miko and old man stared warily at the small building, while wondering who the hanyou could possibly be talking to. When the doors opened to white hakama, spiked armor, and a fluffy mokomoko, Kagome almost bolted. In fact, she did.

The girl burst through her bedroom door and quickly locked it behind her. Black hair bunched up as she slid her back down the wood until she sat on the floor. "No, no, no, no" became her whispered mantra.

"Kagome!" Ms. Higurashi called out, "Kagome, you have a visitor. I'm sending him up."

Her round face hid in her knees as his voice spoke through the door, "Miko, open this door."

"Go away. I can't see you right now. It still hurts, Sesshomaru." The tears began again as her wounded heart ripped back open. "You shouldn't be here in this time."

"You lied." His warm voice still drew her attention no matter how softly spoken.

"What? How? I did not!" Kagome's head fell back to rest against the door as she glared at the door handle for his substitute.

"You said there were five finalists, and yet Jakken brought this Sesshomaru a sixth scroll. The soldiers talk of six battles, not five. Did you mean to lie to this Sesshomaru?" Blue eyes widened in realization. She had filled out a survey for herself when she had spare time, but misplaced it. As for the battle, he must have been talking about the bird demon.

Black lashes fluttered against blushing cheeks, "Sesshomaru, you can't choose me if you want a full blooded heir."

"You have to try harder to fool a dog demon."

"You know, don't you?" Kagome gasped before turning to face the door. "You wouldn't choose me if I couldn't provide an heir, would you? You wouldn't be here!" Bam! Her fist hit the door in anger; she knew his answer.

"Correct. Half demons do not have the life expectancy or power of a full demon. This Sesshomaru would surrender anything to protect the west." He paused, "For these past years, this lord chose to renounce affections for you; however, this 'blessing' allows for us."

The miko clumsily stood and unlocked the door. Her puffy eyes glared into his honey irises. "What do you mean 'past years'?"

"Why didn't you tell this Sesshomaru about your blessing?" He countered instead.

She gawked, "I asked first. Besides, I didn't want to bother you with something that didn't seem so big." His own eyes glared back at her as the lord's temper grew.

"This Sesshomaru has known of these interests for years. It was for the best to find a mate before you." His tone was low and curt, driving Kagome to step closer and poke his chest.

"Before me? Are you saying you planned this whole journey out just to get a mate before I got married? You, jerk! You brought me along to pick my own replacement!" The miko swung but he quickly stepped to the side. Another punch and he dodged, but the wall now had a nice new hole.

"It was not planned to have you join." He gracefully jumped down the stairs as she chased after.

"You had better not just used it as an excuse to peep on me while I bathed, you pervert!" Kagome actually threw cushions at him, which he allowed to hit.

"You insult, miko." The lord's low voice slightly growled as he backed into the kitchen. "How is it, it took searching for your replacement before you even thought of loving this Sesshomaru?" Now, his volume rose to match hers.

"You always acted so cold to me in the village, but now that I'm not going to taint your precious blood I'm worth looking at?" They were both shouting as Kagome continued to throw things at the graceful demon.

Sesshomaru roared in anger, "Foolish woman, you've been worth looking at from the start. Now that you can't taint demon blood, I can love you and fulfill my duty as Lord of the West!" Kagome froze; a pair of scissors fell from her hands to the floor. Yes, it was scary to have a level headed, stoic demon lord snap and yell at you, but the miko simply couldn't get past what he said.

Red, her cheeks and ears became horribly red from blushing. Tears started to roll down her cheeks again but Kagome knew it was for a good reason. This sudden change in mood caught even the demon lord off guard, which allowed her enough time to walk up to him again. She looked at him before asking, "Why are you here, Sesshomaru?"

His hair created a silver curtain as he leaned over her, "To choose my wife." Kagome softly smiled and leaned up to meet his lips, but the door burst open to show the four missing persons. Inuyasha had been the one to panic and open the door, the rest just failed at stopping him in time.

The two pulled away from each other, as Ms. Higurashi rushed in first. "Well, Kagome, are you going to introduce us?" Her cheery demeanor glowed more radiantly than usual. The miko suspected her mother was thinking of grandkids again, the silver haired kind.

"This is my family: mom, Souta, gramps and Buyo is the cat over there." The embarrassed girl pointed to each respectively before turning to showcase him. "This is Sesshomaru. He is lord over the western part of Japan in his time and he's Inuyasha's older brother."

"Oh my!" Her mother cooed, "I do see quite the family resemblance."

"He don't look like me!"

"Inuyasha, who're you kidding?" Souta laughed, "He's like you, but prettier. Heck, he's prettier than Kagome." She heard him and blue eyes locked on like a hawk.

"What was that, you twerp?" The miko laughed as she joyfully tortured her brother in a chokehold.

"Mercy! Mercy!" He squeaked.

Kagome glanced over at the lord as he approached her grandpa and mother. She wanted to listen to her brother's cries for help, but something was just weird about him talking to them. Gramps didn't seem too happy but her mom was ecstatic. Brother and sister shared a suspicious look before watching the tall demon move to stand before her.

"Say, Sesshomaru? What happened to Keiko?" Kagome lightly asked. Her eyes drifted down to Tokijin, when something there caught her eye. It was her red hair band tied around the sword's hilt. You wouldn't have guessed what it was unless you saw that iconic strip of metal catching the light.

"She decided to leave after Inuyasha relayed important information about us." He gave no hint as to whether that went well or poorly. Kagome didn't know whether to thank Inuyasha just yet or be angry at him for endangering her family. With a quick glance to the bantering between the hanyou and gramps, she decided she would thank him. He was family after all.

"What were you talking with them about?" Her gaze still drifted across the room, but Kagome figured the great demon lord knew she was still talking to him. Souta had long escaped and now rummaged through the fridge with Buyo at his feet.

"This Sesshomaru assumed you desire support and acceptance from your family to become my wife." The miko sighed at the thought of simply having to get used to his third person. A smirk appeared as devious thoughts sprinkled her imagination.

"Did they give it?" She asked, still slightly distracted by the ruckus about them. It didn't help when he responded with his usual, "hm."

This time Kagome made sure to face him, her mother's words giving her confidence, "Hey Sesshomaru?"

"Yes?" He answered. His stoic face turned to her and she saw nothing but warmth in those honey eyes. And though his was much smaller, they shared a smile.

"Will you marry me?"

The End.