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Chapter Text

Kagome sat in history class, her mind drifting between the lessons on Japanese mythology and the legends of other civilizations. The room was filled with the buzz of her classmates, each eagerly participating in the discussion about historical heroes. The teacher, Mr. Takahashi, asked the class to name some heroes they’d heard of those who had shaped legends and stories.

Eri raised her hand first, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Batman!” she announced confidently, earning a few curious looks from the class.

Ayumi chimed in, smiling at her friend’s boldness. “Momotaro, the boy in the peach,” she said.

Yuka followed suit. “Spider-Man!” she said with a grin.

Hojo, always one to mention something family-related, raised his hand with a serious expression. “My ancestor, Akitoki. He was the protector of our family heirloom,” he said, his voice full of pride.

Mr. Takahashi nodded appreciatively at each answer. “Very good, everyone. Very creative. Kagome, can you name someone?”

Kagome froze, her heart skipping a beat. She hadn’t expected to be called on. Crap, she thought, realizing that the name she wanted to say wouldn’t be recognized in this era. But she was Kagome Higurashi, after all she never backed down from a challenge.

“Sesshomaru,” she said, her voice firm.

The entire class went silent, and Mr. Takahashi blinked in confusion. “Who is that?”

Kagome internally sighed. Of course he wouldn’t know Sesshomaru. After all, Sesshomaru was a figure from an entirely different time, a time she herself had lived through.

But Kagome wasn’t one to backtrack. Nope. Not now, she thought, puffing out her chest with determination. She smiled brightly. “Sesshomaru. The great dog demon of the Warring States Period.”

The teacher stared at her, eyebrows raised. “And what’s his story?”

Kagome froze for a split second, scrambling in her mind for a way to explain. She had lived it, after all, but the details were still a little blurry when viewed through the lens of the modern world. She took a deep breath, then began.

“Well,” she started, feeling her nerves bubble up a bit but pushing forward, “Sesshomaru was a powerful demon who had a conflict with his younger half-brother, Inuyasha. Inuyasha was only half-demon, and their father, a great dog demon, had an affair with a human princess named Izayoi. This created a lot of tension between the brothers, especially after their father died saving Inuyasha and his mother.”

She paused briefly. “To make things worse, their father left Inuyasha a powerful sword, Tessaiga, which could slay 100 demons with a single swing. But Sesshomaru was left with Tenseiga, a sword that could save 100 people instead. He was furious. His hatred for humans, and especially Inuyasha, grew.”

Kagome continued, her voice growing steadier. “One day, after Inuyasha injured him and severed his left arm, Sesshomaru was found by a girl named Rin, who offered to help him. He didn’t trust her, but when she died shortly after, he decided to test Tenseiga and ended up reviving her.”

She smiled slightly, recalling how much she admired Sesshomaru’s complex character. “Eventually, Sesshomaru began to understand his half-brother. They worked together to defeat Naraku, and through it all, Sesshomaru who’d hated humans began to change. He eventually fell in love with a human woman and married her.”

Kagome paused, feeling the class’s eyes on her. It was always strange to recount those events in front of others, but she did so with a sense of pride. It was part of her story, too.

Mr. Takahashi, looking both impressed and slightly confused, said, “Well, I’ve never heard this tale, but I suppose growing up on a shrine, you would have heard more of these stories than the average person.”

Kagome smiled nervously, relieved the attention had shifted slightly. “I guess so,” she replied, avoiding eye contact as her mind raced ahead.

“Very interesting,” Mr. Takahashi continued. “But what was the name of the wife?”

Kagome froze. Her mind went blank for a moment, panic rising in her chest. Oh no, I can’t just say that her name was Kagome! She glanced down at her hand, instinctively touching the delicate silver band on her finger. The wedding ring her wedding ring. The one Sesshomaru had placed on her finger her demon husband, who had once been an untouchable, cold figure. She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the memory pressing on her.

Her thoughts scrambled, and she cleared her throat, trying to mask the discomfort bubbling inside her. “Um, unfortunately, the wife’s name is lost to history,” she said, giving a small, awkward smile.

The teacher gave her a curious look. “Lost to history, you say?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kagome nodded quickly, relieved that her lie seemed to pass for now. “Yeah… it’s just one of those things, I guess.”

Mr. Takahashi seemed satisfied with her answer and moved on, continuing the discussion with the rest of the class. But Kagome couldn’t help but feel a knot in her stomach. If only they knew the truth, she thought with a sigh, feeling the weight of her secret pressing on her shoulders.

Chapter Text

After class, Kagome quickly shoved her notebook into her bag, hoping to make a quiet exit before anyone could stop her. But she should’ve known better. Ayumi, Yuka, Eri, and Hojo were already waiting for her by the door, their faces alight with curiosity.“Kagome!” Ayumi called out, practically skipping over to her. “That story you told in class was so cool! Sesshomaru sounds like such a mysterious figure. Do you know any more stories about him?”
Kagome hesitated for a moment, gripping the strap of her bag as the memories of Sesshomaru swirled in her mind. She’d only scratched the surface of his story in class, but how much more could she say without revealing too much?

“Well, I might know a few more details,” she said cautiously, glancing at Ayumi’s eager face.

“Details like what?” Yuka pressed, crossing her arms with an intrigued look. “I mean, was he just a fighter, or did he do more than that? Was he, like, some kind of diplomat too? You know, for someone to handle power and land, they’d need some brains, not just a sword.”

Kagome smiled faintly. “According to the records, he was a lord of sorts. A powerful one, with vast lands and responsibility. So, yeah, I guess you could say he wasn’t all about fighting. He probably had to be diplomatic sometimes, too.” She tilted her head, trying to sound nonchalant, even though the image of Sesshomaru in full battle armor was hard to shake. Diplomacy wasn’t exactly his strong suit.

Yuka nodded, satisfied for the moment, but Ayumi’s excitement hadn’t dimmed. If anything, it seemed to grow.

“What about his wife?” Ayumi asked, her voice bubbling with curiosity. “Was their relationship love at first sight? He sounds like the type of guy who’d fall for someone completely unexpected. Like, maybe it took her doing something amazing to get his attention.”

Kagome froze for a second, her heart pounding. Love at first sight? Her mind raced back to her first encounter with Sesshomaru. He had been terrifying, cold, and utterly disdainful. She remembered the way his golden eyes had locked on her, sharp as daggers, and how she’d barely escaped alive. Love? She nearly laughed at the thought. He’d quite literally tried to kill her that day.

Still, Kagome knew what Ayumi wanted to hear. So she gave a warm smile, her tone light and teasing. “Oh, most definitely,” she said with a little laugh. “Totally love at first sight.”

Ayumi squealed, clasping her hands together. “I knew it! That’s so romantic. I bet he swept her off her feet immediately.”

Kagome’s lips twitched, fighting the urge to correct her. “Something like that,” she murmured, trying to steer the conversation away before Ayumi started imagining elaborate fairytales.

Just then, Hojo, who had been silently following the conversation, perked up. “These records you’re talking about sound fascinating, Kagome. Do you think we could see them sometime? I’d love to learn more about Sesshomaru and his time period.”

Kagome’s pulse quickened. She hadn’t expected anyone to ask for proof, let alone someone as earnest as Hojo. “Oh, uh… the records,” she echoed, trying to buy herself time. She quickly forced a smile. “Yeah, I’d have to dig them out of storage first. It might take a bit of time, but maybe next week?”

Hojo’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Next week would be perfect! Thank you, Kagome. I can’t wait to see them.”

Kagome nodded quickly, hoping to close the subject. “Sure thing, next week it is,” she said, already brainstorming how to avoid showing them anything without raising suspicion. She’d have to come up with something convincing.

As the group continued walking down the hallway, Ayumi leaned closer to Kagome. “You really know the coolest stories, Kagome. I didn’t even know figures like Sesshomaru existed! I can’t wait to hear more.”

Kagome gave her a weak smile, the weight of their questions pressing on her. “Yeah… I’ll see what I can dig up,” she said, her mind racing. How long could she keep up this act without someone catching on? With those words they all went their separate ways home.

Kagome arrived home at the shrine just as the late afternoon sun bathed everything in a warm glow. The familiar crunch of her shoes on the gravel path brought a sense of calm, even as her mind buzzed with thoughts. She slid open the front door, calling out as she stepped inside.

“I’m home!”

Her mom appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, and smiled warmly. “Welcome back, Kagome. How was school?”

“It was… interesting,” Kagome replied not even slipping off her shoes. “But I need to go see my husband.”

Her mom chuckled softly, shaking her head. “You’ve barely been home five minutes. Go on, then.”

Grandpa peeked out from his usual spot in the corner, grumbling about demons and historical artifacts, while Souta, her younger brother, gave her a knowing smirk. “Say hi to him for me!” he teased, clearly enjoying the strangeness of his older sister being married to a demon lord.

“Will do!” Kagome said with a grin before rushing out the back door toward the well house.

Sliding open the old wooden door, she stepped into the dim, familiar space. The musty scent of the well house greeted her like an old friend. Without hesitation, she climbed onto the lip of the Bone-Eater’s Well and jumped. The world around her dissolved into a swirling blue light, and when her feet hit the ground, she looked up to see the brilliant blue sky above her.

She smiled to herself. Back in the Feudal Era.

Kagome reached for the vines to climb her way out, but before she could even start, she felt a familiar presence. Seconds later, she was out of the well, her feet gently placed on the grass. Standing before her was Sesshomaru, his golden eyes calm and steady as always. He reached out and lightly patted her head, an almost fond gesture.

“You have returned sooner than I expected, miko,” he said, his tone as composed as ever.

Kagome pouted slightly, crossing her arms. “Sesshomaru, I’m your wife and mate. You can call me Kagome, you know.”

His lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Indeed,” he replied simply, the barest hint of amusement in his voice.

Kagome rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself. “Actually, I wanted to ask something of you.”

Sesshomaru raised an elegant eyebrow. “What is it you seek?”

“Do you have any extra scrolls I could use?” she asked, leaning slightly toward him.

His expression didn’t change, but there was a slight tilt of his head. “Do you not have paper in your time? I believe the quality of your materials surpasses that of these scrolls.”

Kagome shook her head. “No, it has to be from this time. I need to bury it under the God Tree so it’ll age 500 years. That way, when I dig it up in my time, I can use it to prove to people that you’re real.”

She paused, noticing his expression hadn’t shifted. “You stopped listening, didn’t you?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Sesshomaru’s smirk returned, subtle and fleeting. “Never, my little miko. I am always listening to whatever may come out of your mouth.” His voice dropped slightly, his tone almost teasing. “I was merely thinking of how beautiful you look when panicking.”

Kagome felt her face flush. “Sesshomaru!” she exclaimed, flustered, but the soft laugh she tried to suppress escaped anyway.

“Stay here,” he said smoothly, turning toward the direction of their home . “I will retrieve the scrolls you require. However, I expect a proper explanation in return.” She smliled and said “deal”

Kagome followed him with her eyes, a small smile still on her face. Despite his stoic demeanor, Sesshomaru always had a way of leaving her speechless.

Chapter Text

Awhile later, Sesshomaru returned to the well, his regal form as composed as ever. In his arms were ten pristine scrolls, a small container of ink, and a set of writing utensils. Without a word, he approached Kagome, who was sitting cross-legged on the grass, and set them down gently at her feet. Then, to her surprise, he crouched down beside her, his piercing golden eyes meeting hers.

“Now,” he said in his smooth, measured tone, his gaze unwavering. “I believe you owe me an explanation for this… peculiar endeavor of yours.”

Kagome straightened up, brushing her hair behind her ear as she prepared herself. “Okay, so, here’s the thing,” she began, gesturing toward the scrolls. “In my time, we were having a discussion about historical heroes, and I might have… um, mentioned you.”

Sesshomaru raised a brow slightly, his expression otherwise unreadable. “You mentioned me?”

“Yeah, well, I couldn’t exactly name anyone else from this era without lying or getting weird looks,” she admitted sheepishly. “So, I told them about you—how you were a great lord, your strength, your story… and how you married a human.”

For a moment, Sesshomaru said nothing, his golden eyes studying her face as though weighing her every word. Then, he inclined his head slightly. “I see. And how does this lead to scrolls?”

Kagome sighed, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt. “They asked for proof. They want to see records or artifacts. Obviously, I can’t just tell them the truth, so I came up with a plan. I’ll write out some fake scrolls—‘historical records,’ you know? I’ll detail stuff about your life and marriage, but I’ll damage or obscure the part with my name to keep it consistent with what I said earlier. That way, they’ll believe you existed without me giving away too much.”

Sesshomaru was silent for a long moment. Then, a faint smirk appeared on his lips, one corner quirking just slightly. “You are so brilliant, Kagome,” he said, his voice low but laced with amusement. “It is a shame you wasted two years on that half-wit.”

Kagome groaned, rolling her eyes. “Do you have to bring Inuyasha into this every time?”

“He remains an unfortunate example of poor judgment,” Sesshomaru remarked smoothly, as if it were an indisputable fact.

“You’re insufferable, you know that?” she shot back, though she couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips.

“And yet, you remain here, Miko,” he replied, his tone carrying the barest hint of teasing.

Kagome shook her head and picked up one of the scrolls, brushing her fingers over the surface. “Thank you for helping me with this,” she said softly. “It means a lot.”

Sesshomaru regarded her for a moment, his gaze softening imperceptibly. “If you require further assistance, you need only ask.”

Kagome smiled at him. “Thanks, Sesshomaru. Now, let’s get to work before I lose my nerve.”

Sesshomaru leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he watched her gather the materials. “Very well,” he said. “Though I am curious to see what sort of history you intend to create for me.”

Kagome chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry. You’ll be legendary.”

His faint smirk returned. “As I should be.”

Kagome had just finished the first scroll, her tongue sticking out slightly in concentration as she carefully rolled it up. Proud of herself, she reached for the next blank scroll, but Sesshomaru’s hand shot out, stopping her.

“That is enough,” he said, his tone calm but leaving no room for argument.

Kagome blinked, looking up at him in confusion. “What do you mean? I still have nine more to do.”

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as he reached for the scroll she had just completed. “You wish for these records to appear authentic, do you not?”

She nodded slowly, unsure where this was going. “Well… yeah, of course.”

“Then,” he began, unrolling the scroll and inspecting her work with a critical gaze, “it is clear you will not be writing them.”

“What? Why not?” Kagome frowned, crossing her arms.

Sesshomaru’s gaze flicked to her, calm and unbothered as ever. “For one, it would be unwise for the author of these scrolls to match the hand of the woman presenting them five centuries later.”

Kagome opened her mouth to argue but paused, realizing he had a point. “Okay… fair. But—”

He held up a single clawed finger to cut her off. “Second, while our written systems may share certain similarities, they differ in subtle but vital ways. If you truly desire for these to be convincing, your modern hand will not suffice.”

She pursed her lips, glancing at her writing. “It’s not that bad…”

Sesshomaru’s expression remained as stoic as ever, though his eyes gleamed with faint amusement. “As proficient as you have become with the ink brush, your script remains abhorrent.”

“Hey!” Kagome huffed, her cheeks puffing indignantly. “I’ve been practicing!”

Sesshomaru ignored her protest, dipping the brush into the ink with elegant precision. “You will dictate these stories of yours, and I will transcribe them. It is the only way they will pass as credible records.”

She sighed, slumping a little. “You’re really not giving me a choice here, are you?”

“You married me, did you not?” he replied, his tone cool and matter-of-fact.

Kagome rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Sometimes I wonder why.”

Sesshomaru’s lips quirked into the faintest hint of a smirk as he positioned the scroll in front of him. “Then begin, Miko. Let us create these tales of legend you are so determined to bury beneath the God Tree.”

With a reluctant smile, Kagome began to dictate, and Sesshomaru’s brush moved effortlessly over the parchment, his hand as steady and graceful as his presence. Despite her initial annoyance, she couldn’t help but admire how seriously he was taking the task and how much easier it felt with him by her side.

As the sun began to set, casting warm golden light over the well clearing, Sesshomaru and Kagome sat side by side, a neat stack of completed scrolls between them. Sesshomaru’s poised demeanor hadn’t wavered during the hours of work, but Kagome was noticeably tired, leaning back on her hands and stretching her legs out in front of her. She let out a long breath, glancing over at him with a satisfied smile.

“Well, that’s it,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of relief. “We got through everything. Let’s see…” She began counting on her fingers. “We have our wedding, your reaction to finding Inuyasha pinned to the tree…”

She trailed off, glancing at Sesshomaru, who was rolling up the last scroll. A mischievous grin spread across her face. “By the way, I’ve gotta say, Sesshomaru, I didn’t know you felt so strongly about not liking Kikyo.”

Sesshomaru placed the scroll in the pile and met her gaze, his tone as calm and unyielding as ever. “I always thought she was a vile woman.”

Kagome blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. “Wow, don’t hold back or anything.”

He raised an eyebrow, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. “I see no reason to mince words.”

A smirk tugged at her lips as she leaned a little closer. “Are you sure it’s not because me and her didn’t have a good history?”

Sesshomaru’s gaze remained steady. “As if I would allow the experiences of others to sway my views on a person.”

“Mhm,” Kagome hummed, clearly not convinced. “And I’m sure that’s the same reason why the wolf tribe always avoided you like the plague, right?”

Sesshomaru let out a faint, almost imperceptible sigh, rolling his eyes just enough for her to catch it.

She giggled, clearly amused. “Okay, okay, let’s go over the rest. We also included a few stories about your childhood, one about how you got Ah-Un, another about how you acquired Jaken—because, honestly, that story will never not make me laugh—and a few other bits and pieces.” She glanced at him. “Anything else you want to add?”

Sesshomaru paused, his claws lightly tapping the edge of the ink container as he seemed to consider her question. After a moment, his gaze slid to hers, a rare glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

“Let us add,” he began slowly, “the story of how my wife freed my half-brother from the tree.”

Kagome’s brow furrowed. “Wait, what?”

Sesshomaru continued, his tone entirely unbothered. “It was an event that led to considerable chaos with a troublesome half-demon. But despite the havoc, my wife’s intelligence prevailed. She saved the day and, in doing so, gave me the ability to tolerate my half-brother’s existence without the constant urge to strike him.”

Kagome stared at him, her mouth opening and closing a few times before she finally found her voice. “Sesshomaru,” she said, a mix of exasperation and laughter in her tone, “you really want me to include that?”

He gave her a faint smirk, his tone almost teasing. “Do you not think it a tale worthy of legend?”

She shook her head, laughing softly as she leaned back on her hands again. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“And yet, you remain,” Sesshomaru replied smoothly, rolling up another scroll with practiced ease.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said with a smile. “Alright, fine. We’ll add it.”

As Sesshomaru began to prepare another scroll for her dictation, Kagome couldn’t help but feel a warmth in her chest. Despite his usual stoic nature, moments like these reminded her of why she had fallen for him in the first place.

Chapter Text

As Kagome carefully placed the last scroll onto the growing pile, she stretched her arms above her head, her body tired but her heart full. It had taken hours of work, but every word they’d written felt important like they were leaving behind a fragment of their shared story for future generations. Turning back to Sesshomaru, who stood nearby with his usual air of calm, she couldn’t help but smile.

Taking a step closer, she hesitated for only a moment before wrapping her arms around his waist, leaning into the comforting solidity of his form. Her cheek pressed lightly against the cool fabric of his haori.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice muffled against him. “For helping me with all of this, for being so patient…” She tilted her head to look up at him, her expression tender. “I love you.”

Sesshomaru didn’t react immediately, his amber eyes gazing over the horizon as though he were lost in thought. Then, in that quiet, deliberate way of his, he made a low, thoughtful sound. “Hm.”

The faintest warmth spread through Kagome’s chest at the simple response. She smiled to herself, her arms tightening briefly around him before she stepped back. She had long since learned to understand Sesshomaru’s quiet gestures, his restrained words. That one sound, accompanied by his stillness, said far more than anyone else would ever guess.

Reluctantly, she let go and made her way to the well. Climbing up onto the edge, she placed her hands on the worn wood, ready to jump into the swirling energy that would carry her back to her own time.

But just as she was about to leap, his voice stopped her.

“Wait.”

It was calm, unhurried, yet something in his tone made her pause immediately. She turned her head to look at him, her brow lifting in mild curiosity. “What is it?”

Sesshomaru moved toward her with measured grace, the light of the setting sun casting a golden glow on his silver hair and regal features. He stopped just in front of her, the soft rustle of his clothing the only sound in the quiet clearing.

For a moment, he said nothing, simply studying her with those piercing golden eyes that never failed to make her feel seen, as though he could glimpse her very soul. Slowly, he raised a clawed hand, his movements precise, and cupped her face with a touch so gentle it made her heart ache.

Kagome’s breath hitched slightly as his thumb lightly brushed her cheek. “Sesshomaru?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He leaned in, his gaze still locked with hers, and pressed his lips softly to hers. The kiss was brief, feather-light, but it carried with it all the words he rarely spoke. His warmth, his strength, and his quiet devotion all flowed through that single, tender gesture.

When he pulled back, his hand still cradling her face, his amber eyes softened in a way that was reserved only for her. “This one loves you as well, Miko,” he said, his deep voice steady and deliberate.

Kagome’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing as his words sank in. A smile radiant and full of emotion spread across her face. She couldn’t help but throw her arms around him again, hugging him tightly. “I know,” she murmured, her voice trembling slightly with happiness. “I know.”

Sesshomaru didn’t move to pull away, his larger frame unmoving as she clung to him. His hand came to rest lightly on her back, a silent acknowledgment of her affection.

After a moment, Kagome stepped back, her smile lingering as she climbed back onto the edge of the well. She turned to look at him one last time, memorizing the way he looked in the fading light the proud tilt of his chin, the way his silver hair caught the golden hues of the sun, and the quiet strength in his eyes.

“I’ll see you soon,” she said softly, her voice warm and steady, even as her heart tugged at the thought of leaving.

Without waiting for a reply, she let herself fall backward into the well. The familiar blue light enveloped her, the energy crackling around her as it pulled her back to her own time.

Sesshomaru remained in the clearing, staring at the empty space where she had disappeared. He stood still for a long moment, his gaze unwavering. Then, with a faint shift in his expression something that could almost be called a smile he turned and began walking toward the forest, the clearing falling silent once more.

Kagome climbed out of the well with a determined breath, wiping her hands on her skirt as she headed to the corner of the well house. There, resting in the shadows, was the shovel she had carefully tucked away before her journey to the Feudal Era. Grabbing it, she stepped back out into the sunlight, her thoughts focused on the scrolls buried beneath the roots of the Goshinboku the very tree that had anchored her life between two eras.

The ground under the sacred tree wasn’t hard to dig, and soon enough, her shovel struck something solid. With careful hands, she pulled out the weathered wooden box she and Sesshomaru had buried what was just an hour ago for her but for the actual container was centuries. Opening it, she smiled at the sight of the scrolls, their once-pristine surface now aged by the passage of 500 years. The ink had faded just enough to look authentic, and even the faint scent of old parchment wafted out as she inspected them.

“These’ll do perfectly,” she murmured to herself, carefully lifting the box and carrying it toward the shrine’s main house. Her heart fluttered with excitement at the thought of finally showing the scrolls to her family.

Inside, her mother, grandfather, and Souta were all gathered at the kitchen table, seemingly in the middle of a lively discussion about Souta’s day at school. As Kagome entered, balancing the box, they all turned to look at her.

“Kagome, what’s that?” her mother asked with a warm smile, her hands pausing in the act of pouring tea.

Setting the box on the table with a soft thud, Kagome brushed off her hands and grinned. “These,” she said, gesturing to the scrolls, “are something Sesshomaru and I worked on together. I wanted to prove to people that he existed, so we wrote these to leave behind a record.”

Her mother’s expression softened, her smile growing as she placed a hand over her heart. “That’s very sweet of him, Kagome. He must care for you so much to go through all this trouble.”

Kagome’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she just smiled back. “Yeah, well… he’s not always the easiest to read, but he’s got his ways of showing it.”

Her grandfather leaned forward eagerly, his wrinkled hands already reaching for one of the scrolls. “Let’s see what kind of records the great dog demon left behind!” he said with excitement, carefully unfurling one of the scrolls.

As they began examining the documents, Kagome reached for another scroll to double-check the contents, but her mother suddenly gasped softly.

“Oh my,” her mother said, her eyes wide as she held up a scroll she had unfurled.

“What? What’s wrong?” Kagome asked quickly, stepping closer, a nervous edge to her voice.

Her mother turned the scroll toward her, revealing a beautifully detailed ink drawing. The intricate lines formed a group portrait—Sesshomaru stood tall in the center, his regal demeanor practically radiating off the page. Surrounding him were the familiar faces of her companions: Shippo perched on Kagome’s shoulder, Rin smiling brightly, Sango holding Hiraikotsu, Miroku with his usual composed expression, and even Inuyasha off to the side, looking both annoyed and reluctant.

Kagome’s breath hitched, her lips parting in awe. “I… I don’t remember him making this.”

“It’s beautiful,” her mother said softly, her fingers brushing the edges of the aged paper.

“Awww!” Kagome cooed, leaning in closer to admire the artistry. Her heart warmed as she noticed the subtle details—Rin’s cheerful smile, the way Shippo clung to her, and Sesshomaru’s steady presence anchoring them all.

Souta, who had been peering over their mother’s shoulder, grinned. “Wow, he looks like Inuyasha,” he said before adding with a mischievous smirk, “just smarter.”

Kagome rolled her eyes and gave him a playful swat on the arm. “Be nice,” she scolded, though she couldn’t help but laugh.

Her grandfather studied the image with a critical eye, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “So, this is the great dog demon, is it?”

Kagome glanced at her grandfather, then back at the drawing. “Well,” she said, folding her arms and tilting her head in thought, “that was technically his father’s title. But personally?” She smiled fondly. “I think Sesshomaru’s an even greater dog demon than his father ever was.”

Her mother chuckled softly, her eyes still lingering on the portrait. “It’s clear how much thought he put into this, Kagome. He must have wanted to give you something special to remember everyone by while you are back here.”

Kagome nodded, her fingers brushing over the drawing. “Yeah, he’s full of surprises like that,” she murmured, her smile lingering as her heart swelled with gratitude and affection for the demon lord she called her husband.

Chapter Text

The evening had grown late, the soft hum of cicadas filling the air around the shrine. Inside, Kagome sat cross-legged at the table, the warm glow of a lamp illuminating the scrolls spread before her. She worked carefully, using a fine brush and ink to subtly obscure parts of her name, leaving just fragments of characters behind. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she delicately altered the scrolls, ensuring they would match her earlier claim that the wife’s name was “lost to history.”

She was so engrossed in her task that the quiet creak of the sliding door startled her. She looked up just as a familiar voice filled the room.

“Yo.”

“Inuyasha,” Kagome greeted, glancing at him before returning to her work. “Hey.”

Inuyasha stepped inside, his arms tucked into the sleeves of his red haori. He moved to stand behind her, peering over her shoulder. “What’re you still doing up?” he asked, his voice curious but with its usual gruff edge.

“I’m going through the scrolls,” Kagome explained, not looking up as she carefully worked on another character. “I’m removing my name so I can show them to my classmates without giving anything away.”

He leaned closer, his golden eyes narrowing at the scrolls. “Oh, these are about him, huh? The bastard?”

Kagome chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Yeah, they are. But he wanted to include one about you and me, you know. About how I found you and freed you from the tree.”

Inuyasha’s ears flicked, and he stood up straighter, caught off guard. “Oh,” he said after a moment.

“Mhm,” Kagome hummed, setting her brush down for a moment. Silence settled between them as she continued working, but her thoughts lingered on the image Sesshomaru had painted. Finally, she broke the quiet.

“You know,” she began, her voice soft, “it was hard for him to see you pinned to the tree for so long.”

Inuyasha let out a sharp chuckle, crossing his arms. “Yeah? He’s got a funny way of showing it, what with all the death threats and calling me half breed every time we meet.”

Kagome glanced up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Inuyasha, I know you never met your father, but… can I tell you about how he raised Sesshomaru?”

Inuyasha frowned slightly, his ears twitching. “What would you know about that?”

Kagome raised an eyebrow and stared at him for a long moment. Then she smirked. “He is my husband, you know. We don’t exactly keep secrets from each other.”

“Ugh, gross!” Inuyasha groaned, wrinkling his nose and stepping back like she’d just said something foul. “Kagome, I didn’t need to know that!”

Kagome rolled her eyes, picking up her brush again. “Oh, grow up, Inuyasha. It’s not that bad. Anyway,” she continued, dipping the brush in ink, “when Sesshomaru was a little kid, it was during a time when wars were pretty constant. Your father—his father—used to put him through these surprise, no-mercy attacks to push him to his limits. It was his way of making him stronger.”

Inuyasha’s ears perked up, and his brow furrowed as he processed her words. Slowly, a look of realization crossed his face. “…Wait a second,” he muttered, his voice low. “Are you telling me… the ice bastard was training me?”

Kagome grinned at him, setting her brush down once more and crossing her arms. “Mhm.”

Inuyasha stared at her for a long moment, his expression a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. “That smug jerk…”

Kagome laughed, shaking her head. “Well, I wouldn’t call him that to his face. But yeah, your father had his way of raising warriors, and Sesshomaru wasn’t much different. You both got more out of it than you realize.”

Inuyasha huffed, sitting down on the floor with a dramatic plop. “Yeah, whatever. Doesn’t mean I gotta like him.”

Kagome smiled, returning to her work. “You don’t have to like him,” she said gently. “But you’ve gotta admit… you’re not so different from each other. Whether you like it or not, you’re brothers.”

“Tch.” Inuyasha crossed his arms and looked away, though the tips of his ears twitched as though considering her words. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t push it, Kagome.”

She just smiled to herself letting herself yawn her brush moving once more over the parchment.