"Why the fuck do I need to know that?" Inuyasha growled, eliciting an eye roll from his green eyed fox demon tutor.

"Because we don't settle inter-demon conflicts by charging into things and swinging swords anymore idiot," Shippo mocked, knowing that Inuyasha would not retaliate (being Kagome's brother had its advantages), "So. Actually do your homework on demon tribunals before you create an international incident."

"I fucking get it. No swinging sword. Go through the demon tribunal system. Family first." Inuyasha mocked the fox demon's high-pitched voice, "And conflicts with humans go through human courts. So demons do everything they can to avoid them."

"Good dog," Shippo patted Inuyasha on the head, causing Inuyasha to growl.

"Keep doing that and even Kagome won't mind if I give you a lump on your head," Inuyasha bared his fangs, and Shippo flinched, but recovered quickly.

"Yeah yeah yeah… tell that to the tribunal." Shippo jeered, "Tomorrow I want you to have actually read the material on human courts, specifically about their anti-demon biases."

"Fine." Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "But try to make it less boring tomorrow."

"You say that every day…" Shippo chuckled, "And I always deliver."

"Sure you do fox…" Inuyasha teased, "Tell your mom her ramen was delicious."

Shippo grabbed his bag, and waved goodbye, "Tell Kagome to call her mother."

Inuyasha snickered and waved Shippo away. Even though neither would admit it, they'd become friends. Shippo, while certainly able to push Inuyasha's buttons, was an excellent tutor. Inuyasha hated feeling so out of place, and often found himself frustrated with just how much he didn't know. Shippo always seemed to sense those moments, and would be extra patient during those lessons. Inuyasha understood why he needed to learn, because he had missed so much. His old way of resolving conflict usually involved him unsheathing his sword and charging toward whoever it was who offended him; a conflict resolution method that was dated even a century ago.

"Fucking human courts." Inuyasha grabbed the dumb book that Shippo had left for him, flipping to the page of the chapter he was supposed to read. He knew that Kagome would ask if he'd done it, and he did not lie to Kagome. But it was hard. Especially today. Especially with what he was going to confess to her today.

After he'd read through the dumb assigned chapter, Inuyasha headed toward Sesshomaru's study.

"Oi, asshole. I need to beat the shit out of something." Inuyasha flopped into a chair.

"You realize that one of us works for a living, correct Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. Inuyasha hated when Sesshomaru made him feel useless, but swallowed it down. He smelled his brother's irritation and knew he'd get his way soon.

"My nose doesn't lie, you could use a chance to beat the shit outta something too," Inuyasha smirked, causing Sesshomaru's eyes to narrow further.

"Fine." Sesshomaru moved quickly, and Inuyasha bounced after him.
"Weapons?" Inuyasha called.
"None." Sesshomaru replied.
"Just keep from putting any holes in me today asshole."
"Something important happening today?"
"Fuck you."

Once in the cavernous space, the brothers began circling one another. Sesshomaru took the first swing, swiping at Inuyasha's shoulder. He dodged, recognizing his brother was just feeling him out.

"Why has it taken so long?" Sesshomaru took another swipe, much faster than the first, and caught Inuyasha's quickly raised forearm.

"I'm a fucking coward." Inuyasha used Sesshomaru's momentary distraction to knock him off-balance.

Sparring between the brothers had become a place where they had heart-to-hearts, all while keeping score of who caused more damage to the other.

"Just tell her," Sesshomaru caught himself, and used the opportunity to return Inuyasha's kick, "I don't suffer cowards."

"Says the man who pussed out of telling Rin how he felt for how long?" Inuyasha jumped backward, growling that Sesshomaru had still managed to make contact. Sesshomaru snarled back.

"Then man up!" Sesshomaru advanced on Inuyasha, unleashing a crack of his light whip, but Inuyasha was too fast.

"I have nothing to offer her," Inuyasha feigned left, then went right, catching Sesshomaru's thigh with a swipe of his claws. He ripped the fabric and broke the skin, but didn't draw blood.

"Do not assume that I would not take care of my brother," Sesshomaru boomed, catching Inuyasha with his whip.

"I don't want your fucking handouts," Inuyasha growled as Sesshomaru's whip made contact.

"Don't insult me brother," Sesshomaru paused his attack, "I've been the guardian of your assets for 123 years. I have been able to grow them for you substantially."

"What the fuck does that mean?" Inuyasha rounded on his brother, but halted his own attacks, "Even 123 years ago I had jack shit to my name."

"I seized the holdings of that demon filth you put down, and split them equally between us," Sesshomaru started a slow advance, restarting their bout, "It has compounded favorably."

Sesshomaru cast his light whip again toward Inuyasha, who dodged it with a high jump.

"Additionally," Sesshomaru continued, redirecting his light whip toward Inuyasha, "Kagome is not the type of woman to consider material goods as part of courting."

The thought of Sesshomaru courting Kagome sped up Inuyasha's blood, and he found himself nimbler and more aggressive. He used it to charge toward Sesshomaru while avoiding his whip, punching Sesshomaru in his chest.

"You got faster brother, did I hit a nerve?" Sesshomaru had the audacity to grin at the impact.

"Don't make me unleash the beast, fuckface," Inuyasha bared his fangs, "Kagome is MINE."

For the next half hour, the brothers did not talk. They moved with grace, attacking and parrying with claws, arms, legs and fists. Both landed plenty of blows on the other, and by the end, both felt sated. After bowing to one another to signal their bout was through, both headed back up through the mansion.

"I didn't earn it myself," Inuyasha crossed his arms as he followed after his brother.

"You have much to learn about this century brother," Sesshomaru stopped, and turned around, "You earned every cent. I did little with it, save for investing it and allowing it to grow. 123 years means what was a small sum has become a considerable fortune."

It was strange. For most of Inuyasha's life, he had nothing more than the clothes on his back, and later, his sword. He'd buried his mother's treasures by her grave, vowing that they would either stay with his mother forever, or be presented to his mate (should he ever be so lucky as to find one). Finding out he had a considerable fortune now was… a shock.

"Fuck me." Inuyasha let it slip from his mouth, drawing a considerable eye roll from Sesshomaru, "How the hell am I ever going to repay you for… everything?"

"I tire of this conversation Inuyasha. You put down the last of our father's enemies. You sacrificed yourself for family," Sesshomaru punched his words, "There are no debts to settle."

"Keh." Inuyasha folded his arms. Silently though, he vowed he would find a way to repay his brother.

"Go clean yourself up," Sesshomaru turned back around, "Rin and I will be out for the evening. It's a lovely night. Perhaps you should consider taking dinner on the terrace."

Before Inuyasha could retort, Sesshomaru was gone.

Inuyasha sighed, deciding his brother was right, and headed off to bathe. Despite having a large bathroom and shower, Inuyasha preferred the pool in his enclosure. He found floating in the water peaceful. It gave him some small respite in a world where everything was so different from what he remembered.

After soaping himself and rinsing, Inuyasha emerged from the pool. He looked around to make sure no one could see him, then shook himself dry. He dressed in a pair of charcoal jeans and a red t-shirt. As he looked around his former 'home', he tried to replay the last three weeks of his life.

Three weeks ago, he was a soulless beast bent on killing - a half-breed disgrace to his father. Three weeks ago, his entire world was 123 years in the past. And then he woke up. What the fuck had happened? His brother treated him like… an actual brother. He had a fucking fortune he was not aware of. His chosen mate had saved his soul with her love. And after tonight, Kagome would know just how much she meant to him.

He wandered up to the terrace to find the dinner settings already placed. Fucking Sesshomaru. He couldn't lie, it was perfect for what he had planned. The phone Sesshomaru had given him buzzed, causing him to jump. Fucking technology. He swiped to see the message.

On my way! Kagome's text message caused his gut to lurch forward.

Inuyasha scurried down to the kitchen to tell Sesshomaru's staff to leave them the fuck alone; that he'd be the one to serve the food. He wanted no interruptions.

Dinner on the terrace. Just you and me.
Inuyasha texted Kagome from the kitchen.

Sounds good - see you soon! :-)
He loved how she managed to sound excited through text message.

Inuyasha watched as the staff placed their meals on serving trays. Once done, he then grabbed them both and headed back to the terrace. The sun was setting and cast everything in a soft golden light. He pictured how Kagome's eyes would look reflecting the sunset, how her dark hair would sparkle with the burning colors of the sky, how her skin would look like it glowed. Why was she taking so long? Inuyasha looked down at the clock on his phone. Ten minutes had gone by - there were another five to wait. He tried not to pace, but entirely failed.

Inuyasha went to find Buyo to entertain him for a little while. The fat cat could always be counted on for a good distraction. Upon seeing Inuyasha though, Buyo bolted toward his favorite hiding spot under the couch.

"Little asshole. Next time I'll remember to bribe you," Inuyasha grumbled, not sure whether to be impressed or offended by the cat's perceptiveness.

He walked back up to the terrace, and took another sniff of the dinner. It was a stir fry. Not as good as ramen, but good enough. He looked at his watch again, satisfied to see that his ambling around had burned another three minutes. Only two more until Kagome arrived. He decided to wait at the door for her. He loved waiting there, catching the first small hints of her scent in the air before she knocked.

On cue, vanilla and cherry blossoms hit his nose. Inuyasha's heart fluttered as he waited. He thought about all the things he wanted to say to her. How he'd been so scared after that first night that he'd withdrawn himself. How he slept every night with that little dog she gave him. How he waited by the door for her to arrive in the morning, just to be sure he was the first person to catch her scent. How even if she did not choose him as he had chosen her, he was her's and would be as long as she would have him. He was a man who was no good at words, held hostage by all the words he wanted to say. But they were all words he would say tonight.

The knock came right as he expected it, and a smile lit up his face. He counted to ten (so she did not know he was waiting for her on the other side of the door) and opened it.

"Hey you," Kagome's smile put the sunset to shame. She looked absolutely beautiful in a pair of jeans and a white knitted sweater. Her hair was in a ponytail, and she was not wearing makeup.

"Hope you don't mind it's just you and me tonight," Inuyasha attempted to sound less nervous than he was. He failed.

"It'll be nice not to have your brother and you snarling at each other for a change," Kagome chuckled. She smelled and sounded nervous.

"Keh."

"You okay?" Kagome lightly laid her hand on Inuyasha's arm, causing warmth to radiate to the rest of his body.

"Uh. I will be. C'mon, we might catch the last of the sunset," Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand and tugged her up the stairs and into the little garden.

"It's beautiful," Kagome looked at the little table, "Special occasion?"

"S-Something like that," Inuyasha stuttered, "So how was miko training?"

"Oh! Not bad. I'm in control of my reiki now - so Sesshomaru can stop worrying that I will accidentally purify him!" Kagome laughed, "I still can't believe that I have miko powers. I thought they awakened at puberty."

"Puberty?.."

"U-um…." Kagome was blushing, "When a girl becomes a … woman."

"O-oh." now Inuyasha was also blushing. This was not going well. He needed to man up. Now.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha started, "Do you think about that day? The day you woke me up?"

"Of course I do," Kagome looked into Inuyasha's eyes.

"I do too…" Inuyasha forced himself to continue, "But it didn't happen when you think it did. It happened the first time I felt you. It was dark in that place, then all of a sudden there was this little light with me. And for the first time since I'd fallen into darkness, I knew who I was again. The light was you. You made me want to wake up Kagome, because I wanted to meet you. You brought me back to life."

Kagome kept quiet, letting Inuyasha continue.

"You ever wonder why you were the only one I never tried to hurt while I was transformed?" Inuyasha took Kagome's hand into his. He was on the edge of saying it, but he stopped. The words refused to leave his lips.

"Why… Inuyasha?" Kagome's eyes had so many emotions, Inuyasha could not tell one from the other. He knew it was time to confess to her.

"Because…" Inuyasha closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "You're my chosen mate."

When he opened his eyes, he saw the tears that he could smell. Fuck. He didn't know what to say to make her tears go away. Was the idea of being mated to a half-demon so terrible it would drive someone to tears? But then he looked more closely at her face, and realized that Kagome looked… happy.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome replied, "How come it took you this long to tell me?"

"I was afraid," Inuyasha hid his face under his bangs, "I'm a fucking half-breed who spent the last hundred years as a monster. Who would want to be with me? It felt like a fucking death sentence for you."

"You idiot!" Kagome moved Inuyasha's bangs out of the way, "You made me think you weren't interested. You kissed me that night, then just… stopped. I thought you'd come to your senses and decided I wasn't the one for you."

"Shit Kagome," Inuyasha felt like a fool, "I… I think about that kiss. And how I want to kiss you like that every fucking day."

That was all it took for Kagome to close the distance between them, letting her lips find Inuyasha's. When she opened her mouth and used her tongue to trace his fang, Inuyasha could not keep the smile off of his face. She was right, he was a complete fucking idiot. If he had told her earlier, he would have gotten to kiss her like this a lot sooner. He pulled himself away, just for a second.

"So… does that mean… I can court you?" Inuyasha heard how hopeful and excited he sounded, but he didn't care. He was hopeful and excited.

"Yes Inuyasha. You can court me." Kagome laughed, and wiped the few remnant tears from her eyes, "Because when I said I loved you, I meant it."

Inuyasha thought he was going to say everything he'd had on his mind. He really did. But instead, he kissed Kagome's beautiful lips again, pulling her body to his. His Kagome. His mate. He would prove to her that he was worthy of her, because she was his everything.

The two ate dinner as the last of the sun's rays receded over the horizon, laughing with renewed joy. As the pair ambled back into the mansion, they held hands and talked about what they would do together tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that. When they finally had to say goodbye, Inuyasha pulled Kagome to him and kissed her again. Savoring the amazing woman he could not wait to make his own, for he knew now that she was his.

The road ahead was still full of challenges, but Inuyasha knew he could face them, especially with Kagome (and as much as he was loath to admit, his brother) at his side.

Postscript

The demon community in modern times was close knit, for surviving the assimilation into the human world had driven the surviving demons to band together. Thus, when news of the reappearance of Inuyasha Taisho came out, it spread like wildfire. Sesshomaru turned everyone away, explaining that his brother was 'recovering from a curse.' The rumor spread that a century ago, a priestess had cursed Inuyasha to an unending sleep by shooting him with a bespelled arrow, and that Sesshomaru had spent the rest of that century searching for the priestess's reincarnation to reverse the curse. Since the Taishos started being seen with Kagome Higurashi, a recently discovered miko, everyone assumed she was that 'reincarnation.'

Eyebrows were raised at the closeness of the awakened Taisho brother and the miko, but who were they to pass judgement on love? So when it was announced that Kagome Higurashi had accepted Inuyasha Taisho's proposal, most were not surprised. They even whispered that it made for quite the fairy tale ending to the entire saga.

For the four souls who knew the truth, it was only spoken of in whispers in the privacy of the Taisho mansion. All other evidence of 'the beast in the basement' was erased from existence.