In His Arms

All previous disclaimers apply.

Author’s Note: Last chapter. There has been a great interest in an epilogue. It will be up just after this is posted!


It was not quiet. The sound was the first thing Kagome was aware of as she came awake, refusing to open her eyes before she could figure out what sort of situation she was in. Sounds she recognized as being those made in an army camp came to her, fires cracking, cooking vessels being moved to and from the fire, men and women laughing and talking about what they would do when they finally got home, wishing that their lady would just wake up already so that they could break camp. So, they had won. Kagome allowed herself a moment for the grief to wash over her. She had been so sure that she was dying and that she would see her mate again. But, she had defeated Naraku. She wished she could remember how. It was strange that her greatest joy had to be accompanied by her greatest sorrow. But, she still had children and a land to watch over.

She could feel her children with her. They were tucked up on either side of her, small arms crossed over her waist. She knew Shippou’s nightmares would not end just because Naraku was dead and it was going to take a long time for him to be back to himself again. She hoped that the stability and protection Nishi gave would help with that. Rin would help, too, she knew. The little girl already loved the kitsune like a brother. She could hear both of their breathing, so calm and steady, peaceful. And someone else…

She opened her eyes, confused, and turned her head. Sesshomaru was sleeping peacefully beside her, one arm stretched across Shippou, herself, and to the center of Rin’s little back, holding his family to him. It had been real. The joy blossomed like the sun in her heart. All of the things she had thought a dream, Inuyasha pulling the jewel out of Naraku’s body, Sesshomaru decapitating Naraku, it had all been real! And here he was, whole and beautiful beside her. She couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling up inside her and released it, releasing with it all of her anxiety and all of the pain that had been caused by Naraku over the years. It was all finally over and she would be going home with her mate and their children.

Her laughter, so relieved and joyful, brought her family awake. While Sesshomaru just looked at her for a moment, understanding in his eyes, the children sat up, blinking sleepily as they tried to clear the clouds from their minds. She sat up with them and hugged them both close, her joy contagious. They began to laugh as well and Rin placed little kisses to her cheek while Shippou threw his arms around her and held her close. Sesshomaru sat up as well, looking at the three of them, a smile more real and loving on his face than she had ever seen. She reached behind him to cup his neck in her hand and dragged his mouth to hers for a deep kiss that left them both panting and wishing the children weren’t still in the tent.

Their private celebration could not last long when they heard the cheer go up from the combined armies at hearing the Lady of the West laughing. With a smile that was young and carefree, one only she and the children would ever see, she knew, Sesshomaru urged them all to dress quickly so they could greet the army. While the children ran to the travelling trunk Sesshomaru held her close, careful of her still tender shoulder, and whispered his love while she whispered hers back to him. She felt lighter than she ever had in her life as she began to dress and Sesshomaru would tease by pulling her sash loose or tugging Shippou or Rin’s hair to have the children laughing and ready to tackle him playfully. It was a joy to see that in private he would be the loving, playful mate she had always known he could be. She had no illusions though, that he would be anything less than firm and commanding, stoic as he had always been, when they went out of the tent. She was not surprised when it was so, and neither were the children, but she was pleased when he allowed Shippou to hold his hand as they began to walk toward the gathered lords and the remaining army, still a great force.

“Congratulations, Lady Dog, on the victory,” The Dragon’s voice was rough and yet respectful as he took her hand and kissed her cheek.

“And to you, Lord Dragon,” she responded, “Will you go home to your mate now?”

“Yes,” the Dragon smiled at her, “My forces were waiting for your awakening first. We will leave within the hour.”

“We could not have done this without you,” Kagome felt the tears of a bittersweet parting come into her eyes, “Please give my regards to your mate.”

The Dragon bowed and backed away, making room for a young eagle to step forward. Kagome had never seen him before and cocked her head as he approached her, his hand on the hilt of the sword she had last seen the Eagle wearing. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth, open in shock. Had both Tsubasa and his father been killed in battle? She felt the tears slip down her face. One look into the eagle’s eyes confirmed it. There was a grief and a fear there she had never expected. This eagle, the Eagle, she thought, was so young.

“My Lady,” he bowed low to her, “I am Hiroto.”

“Also called the Eagle,” her voice broke around the words, but he nodded.

“My father and brother would have wanted me to tell you that it was the greatest honor to serve in this battle. They died well and Tsubasa regained his honor.”

“Yes,” Kagome nodded, setting a hand to the young one’s shoulder, “He did. You will be as great a lord as your father, Hiroto. I can see it. Know that forever more you have allies in the West. Allies… and friends.”
Hiroto nodded, “Thank you, my lady. Call if ever you have need of us. The Eagles will be forever grateful to you.”

“Paru, Miyuki,” Kagome smiled gently when she saw her mate’s most trusted generals approach her. They lowered themselves to their knees and bowed their heads. She knew that they would all have a celebration together later in private, but that protocol was what was most important at the moment. And so she only touched both of their heads to relay her thanks before moving on.

Kagome couldn’t help but release a joyful shout when her eyes scanned those gathered and she saw Kouga, almost all of his body wrapped in bandages, grinning at her. She forgot dignity as she ran to him and threw her arms around his shoulders, surprised into letting go when he released a hiss of pain.

“Careful,” he muttered, though he was smiling, “Just about everything hurts.”

“But, you’re alive!” she laughed, “And whole! I thought…”

“What? That the mangy mutt could kill me? Nah. Not quite whole though. Never gonna see out this eye again.” He pointed at a bandage wrapped tightly over his left eye.

“But, not to worry,” Ayame practically purred as she wrapped an arm around his waist, “I can be his eyes. A mate is meant to complete her other half, after all.”
Kouga and Sesshomaru rolled their eyes as their mates threw themselves into each other’s arms and jumped up and down like children, babbling over one another, not really caring what was said as Kagome demanded Ayame tell her everything and Ayame giggled as she revealed the mating mark on her neck.

“Kagome…”

Kagome froze as she heard her name called by a voice she hadn’t heard in a very long time, indeed. She turned around to look at her friends, lined up, shame and hope warring on their faces for dominance. Inuyasha was looking down at his feet, Sango chewing on her lip as she held Kirara and looked nervously at Kagome, and Miroku was leaning on his staff, a tired and gentle smile on his face. Kagome felt the tears come into her eyes as she simply looked at them for a moment, too overcome to do much of anything. Then, Miroku held out a hand to her and the dam broke.

“Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku!” she screamed as she took off, throwing herself at all of them. Sango put Kirara down and caught the flying woman in her arms, holding her close even as Inuyasha and Miroku crowded in around the both of them and wrapped arms around the two women. For a while, the four of them simply stood, wrapped around each other, the women sobbing in relief and joy while the men fought to hold back their tears. After a moment the sobs turned to relieved laughter and the four of them stood together, connected, laughing until they had to support each other to remain upright.

“I missed you all so much!” Kagome said when they had finally calmed.

“We knew you would win,” Sango answered in response.

“Kohaku?” The question was soft.

“He’s at peace now,” the answer was softer.

“Miroku, your hand?”

“Full and whole. And meant only for touching the woman who will be my wife,” Miroku lightened the mood that had been brought down by leering at Sango and placing his hand squarely on her backside. Kagome could only laugh again when, instead of screaming and slapping, Sango merely blushed at the contact.

“Give us a minute?” Inuyasha requested. Sango and Miroku nodded and moved to talk to Kouga and Ayame.

“So…” Inuyasha looked at the mark on her neck, “You’re mated now. To my brother.”

“Yes.”

“Do you love him?” The question surprised her, but the response was automatic.

“Yes, I do. I wouldn’t be carrying his pups if I didn’t. You know that.”

“Yeah, I guess I do,” Inuyasha dragged a hand through his hair, “They should have been mine.”

“But they aren’t,” Kagome shrugged, “And I love Sesshomaru. We can’t control fate, Inuyasha, and I wouldn’t change mine now if I could.”

“I know,” Inuyasha smiled and Kagome knew that everything would be alright, “Maybe someday I’ll find somebody I feel that way about, too.”

“Will you come back with us? To Nishi, I mean. For a while?”

Kagome allowed herself to be pulled into Inuyasha’s arms and closed her eyes, curling her fingers into his shirt, as he rocked them both and buried his nose in her hair, “You’re my best friend, Kagome. I’ll stay as long as you want me.”

“I love you, Inuyasha.”

“Love you, too.”

When he released her she walked calmly back to Sesshomaru and wrapped her arms around his waist, smiling when his arms came around her and his mouth lowered to hers without delay. When the kiss ended she smiled up at him and ran a finger over the mating mark she had left on him. He smiled at her briefly before picking Shippou up and whispering to the young boy, then setting him on his shoulder.

“Go ahead… son,” he said quietly, and Kagome watched her son’s face light up. She took Sesshomaru’s hand in one of her own and Rin’s in the other.

“Army of the West!” Shippou shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice reminding her that he wouldn’t be a little boy for much long, “Let’s go home!”

The resounding cheer shook the earth.