A young boy and his mother continued running through the thick white forest, using every ounce of strength in their legs despite the cold snow. Neither of them dared to look back at the monstrosity chasing after them, as the increasing fear erupted in their hearts. The mother, almost out of breath, knew she had to keep fighting for the sake of her son. Though she did fear for her own life, her child's life was more of a priority than anything else. As their hands clenched tighter, the mother closed her eyes for a split second and prayed to gain the strength to save her little boy.
"We're almost there, Hiroki!", the mother shouted, pointing her finger at a nearby village through the trees. "I can see the village now! Once we reach there, we'll be safe and find shelter to hide!" The little boy peeked at the back of his shoulder to see the large warthog demon following close behind them.
The boy's eyes grew wide with fear. "Mama, the monster's close! He'll get us!", he cried.
"It'll be alright, just keep running! We're almost there!", the mother shouted back. Unexpectedly, the little boy tripped over a small rock and tumbled onto the ground. The mother immediately stopped on her track to help his son up, but saw an enormous shadow over clouding them. She looked up in terror, grabbing her son to get behind her.
The enormously obnoxious warthog demon smiled hungrily at the helpless humans, his claws sharpened and triggered to attack. He licked his mouth with his large greenish tongue, filled with a foul odor of saliva. The demon's beady yellowish eyes glared as he smiled down at them mockingly. "Hahahaha, two little piggies all alone for an afternoon lunch!", he growled, licking his lips more. "This day just keeps getting better!". His large hooves practically shook the ground as he took a few steps closer, frightening the little boy more while clenching to his mother's kimono.
The mother raised her arms to the side to shield him more. "P-please! Spare my dear son! You can have me, but please don't kill my son!", she said in a shaky voice.
The warthog demon laughed. "And what makes you think I'll get full by just a single mere woman? What's the point of having lunch without a little snack afterwards…and little kids always make the treat!". He raised his right clawed hand in the air and roared, ready to snatch one of the two. The mother knelt down to hug her son, both screaming while waiting for the final blow.
"Hey, Rotten-Cheese-Pork-Face, think it's about time you take a bath instead of worrying about lunch for a change?", a gruff voice said behind the warthog demon, interrupting his attack motive. He turned around, glaring harder while looking around in the trees.
"Grrrrrrr, who interrupts my meal!", he barked. "No one insults me! NO ONE!"
"Tsst. That's the problem. Guess a person can't know if he smells like a baby's dirty diaper if someone else don't be close enough to tell him", the voice echoed from different location between the trees. The warthog demon grew more furious, stepping away from the two humans and raising both fists.
"You! You'll pay for even thinking about taking a walk in the woods here! Come out and show yourself so I can break your bones, coward!".
"HIRAKOTSU!", a female voice shouted out of nowhere. Suddenly, a large boomerang hit the demon in the back of the head.
"Ow!", he said in surprise, stumbling forward. He turned back around while rubbing the back of his head, only to see the boomerang returning to the direction it came from in a blink of an eye. "Who did that?", he cried. "I said show yourself! I don't have time to play these hide-and-seek games!".
Then a swift and strong movement from a khakkhara staff swept across the demon's feet, making him fall to the ground with a loud tremble. The unexpected hero pulled the mother and her son away from the demon. "There, there now. Let's take you someplace else safer", the monk smiled. "Okay guys, I got them to safety!". As Miroku escorted the humans away, the warthog demon immediately got on his feet. His sharp nailed claws and fangs retracted longer, glaring at them venomously.
"You little insects! You're not going anywhere until I have my meal!", he roared. "And you're part of the menu, Monk!". Before he took a step further, a woman dressed in a black skin-tight slayer outfit jumped in front of him out of nowhere, crossing her arms. Her long brown hair put in a ponytail moved gently by the cold air as she glared at the monster.
"Oh yeah? Sorry, but I don't allow anyone eating my husband. Especially not garbage glutton pigs. Guess you'll have to change the menu", Sango lashed out.
The pig glared back at her, ready to charge. "Ha! Another mere woman into the meal! And a pretty one at that! I'll gobble the lot of ya with one swallow!". As soon as he raised his hand, a glowing purified arrow targeted his claws, bringing intense pain. The demon screeched and took the arrow out of his hand, immediately dropping as it stung by the purified object. "Wh-what the hell? A purifying arrow?". The warthog demon looked back at the direction where the arrow came from.
A young woman with long raven hair stood by herself in a further distance, staring back at the demon with calm chocolate brown eyes. She wore the ordinary priestess attire, having her hair loose and blowing by the wind. She raised her powerful bow and took out another arrow, aiming directly at the demon again.
The warthog snarled. "I had about enough of pests playing mind games with me! I'll come over there and rip you in two, you priestess witch!". Before he moved another muscle, two flying arrows pinned him to a nearby tree trunk, both arrows on each side of his kimono sleeve. The warthog laughed. "Hahaha! You think two little wooden arrows can hold me down? Not even two hundred can do the job!". When trying to break free, a spark from the purifying arrows seized and paralyzed his movements. "Wh-what…?", he trailed.
"A binding spell to entrap my enemies from escaping by my will", Kagome stated matter-of-factly as she walked closer. "These aren't just your ordinary 'two wooden arrows' ".
The pig pierced his deadly eyes at Kagome, snarling louder. "Damn you, you wench!". He continued struggling until he felt the spell slowly breaking. His right arm shook with desperation while fighting the binding spell in order for his hand to slowly reach the arrows. He pulled both arrows off of him, ignoring the purifying pain. "The more pissed off I get, the more hungrier I get!". As the demon charged at Kagome, a figure dressed in baggy red hakama pants and red fire rat coat appeared out of nowhere in front of Kagome. The warthog demon halted and stared back at Inuyasha confusedly. Inuyasha raised one of his fists at him.
"And the more people call my wife all kinds of names, the more violent I get", he said dangerously.
The demon snorted and smirked. "Ah, what is this? So you're the one who called me stinky? Imagine a half-breed mutt trying to tell someone to wash up when he can't even be house trained!", he spat out, throwing his large fist at Inuyasha. "Ha! Let's see if you can play DEAD!". Surprisingly, Inuyasha stopped the demon's fist with his own hand. The pig's eyes grew by surprise. "Huh?", he said.
Inuyasha clenched tighter at the demon's fist. "Heh. Don't let the mixed blood fool ya. I may be a half-breed, but I'm definitely one hell of a kind!". Inuyasha then lifted the enormous warthog with a swift of his hand, throwing him to the other side of the forest. The warthog demon ran into a further tree, sliding to the ground. He looked up at Inuyasha in disbelief.
"Impossible!", he cried. "No one can overpower a great and strong warthog like me!". Having enough of his rants, Inuyasha pulled out his Tetsuaiga from the sheath. It automatically transformed into a wider and powerful blade, having the soft fur attached at the top of the hilt.
"I say it's time to turn this pig into ground-pork", he smirked, raising the Tetsuaiga as the growing power formed around the blade. "WIND SCAR!", he shouted, swinging down the sword and launching it directly at the warthog demon. With the final struck, the warthog demon screamed in echoing agony, eventually obliterated from the Wind Scar's destructive power. "Huh. Loser", Inuyasha snorted while drawing his sword back into his sheath and crossed his arms. "Well, that makes about seven demons in one day. I swear, these bastards just keep gettin' cocky by the minute".
Kagome walked up to him and put her bow and arrow down, smiling. "Don't they all?", she said. "No matter how many we face, they'll always have their reasons to kill us".
"As always, Kagome makes another good valid point", Miroku said while he and Sango walked up to them. "Though of course we can't help but tease their hatred towards us every now and then".
Sango looked up at the sky, seeing how it had darkended. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but maybe we should head back home for dinner? We had enough extermination for one day. Besides, we don't want to stay out too long for Rin and Shippo to deal with the kids", she said.
Kagome nodded. "You're right. The sooner we get home, the sooner we can start cooking". As the gang walked out of the forest and headed toward the nearby village, Inuyasha gently nudged Kagome.
"So…binding spell arrows?", he asked. "Since when did you learn that?".
Kagome smiled and shrugged. "Don't forget, I still have Kaede as the best teacher in the world. Not to mention I'm studying like crazy every day. Though I could use some more work on this. The warthog shouldn't have broken free so soon".
Inuyasha shrugged. "Eh, don't give yourself a hard time. It still did something to hold him down, so it's not like your powers ain't gettin' any better".
Kagome looked at Inuyasha. "You think my powers are getting stronger? I really hope so…". She then looked at the sky once a single snow flake came down in front of her face. More snow continued falling gently from the evening sky. As everyone walked down the hill to their village, a sudden thought crossed Kagome's mind. 'I wonder if it's also snowing back at home too…'
"We're home!", Kagome cried as soon as she first entered Kaede's hut.
"Aww Kagome, glad to see you all came back in one piece", Kaede said and smiled, pouring water into the black hot pot. Rin and Shippo turned around and waved.
"Hey guys, you're back!" Rin smiled.
"Yeah, and about time too!", Shippo said. "Now we don't have to worry about finding you in order for you to come home and make us dinner!".
Kagome laughed. "So, is that the only reason you were worried about us?", she teased back. Then two 6 six year twin girls ran up to her.
"Hi Kagome! We missed you!", Aika and Aiko said in unison, giving her a hug. A 3 year old boy walked up to Kagome and tugged her hakama pant sleeve.
"Kagome!", Hajime said smiling.
Kagome picked up Hajime and kissed his cheek. "Hi Hajime! You've been good for Lady Kaede, Rin, and Shippo?" Hajime nodded proudly. The three children then saw Miroku and Sango enter the house and ran up to them.
"Hi Mommy and Daddy!", Aika said. "We've been very good for Rin, Shippo, and Lady Kaede! We even helped Kaede picked out vegetables for dinner tonight!"
"Yeah, can we eat now? We're starving!", Aiko pleaded.
"I help too!", Hajime added.
Sango kissed all three of her kids' foreheads. "Settle down you three. Kagome will get the food started very soon".
Kagome smiled again as she placed her bow and arrow against the wall. "Well, guess I'll get started now. No need for the poor kids to wait any longer. Besides, I'm getting hungry myself". Inuyasha then barged in, crossing his arms.
"Geez, you guys act as if you haven't eaten in ten years", he grumbled. Shippo stuck his tongue out at him.
"Ha, you're one to talk, since you can act like you haven't seen ramen noodles in 700 years sometimes!", he teased. Inuyasha raised his balled fist and slam it on top of Shippo's head, making a enormous bump.
"Waaaahhh! Kagome! Inuyasha's being a mean fart again!", Shippo yelled.
Aiko and Aika both shook their fingers at Inuyasha. "That's not nice, Doggy Man!", Aiko said. Hajime smiled at Inuyasha.
"Doggie Man!", he repeated. Sango and Miroku chuckled. Kagome turned and looked at Inuyasha, raising an eyebrow.
"Inuyasha….", she trailed. Inuyasha flinched for a split second, hoping Kagome wouldn't say the infamous word. "Let's try to have a descent family dinner without the violence?", she asked. Inuyasha crossed his arms and snorted.
"Teh. Fine, whatever. I'm going outside and get some fresh air. Let me know when dinner is ready".
"We want to go outside too!", Aika said, her and Aiko running up to Inuyasha. "Let us ride on your piggy back and make us fly Doggie Man!".
"Yeah, flying!", Aiko and Hajime said.
Inuyasha groaned. "Uggghhh….didn't ya guys went outside and play earlier already?", he complained.
"Outside! Outside! Outside!", all three children shouted, not giving Inuyasha the opportunity to oppose otherwise.
Sango giggled. "Taking them outside for another piggy back ride wouldn't hurt Inuyasha. Besides, it'll give Rin, Shippo, and Kaede a break since they've watched them all day. They can help us with the cooking". Inuyasha glared at Sango then looked back at the kids, seeing their 'innocent puppy-eye looks'. He signed and mumbled underneath his breath.
"Ugghh, fine, whatever. Alright you three, we're gonna make this short. And don't expect me doing this every single night!", he remarked.
"Yay!", the kids shouted.
When Inuyasha and the kids went outside, Miroku and Shippo followed behind them. "We'll still keep an eye on him, just in case he tries strangling them when they drive him crazy", Miroku winked at Sango as she nodded.
Sango then turned to the rest. "Well, it's just us girls now. Amazing how peaceful it is now that they're gone, huh?".
The other girls chuckled. "Well, let's get started, shall we? We don't want those guys crying for dinner any longer than they already have", Kagome said, washing her hands in the bucket of water.
After dinner, Miroku, Sango, and the kids bid their farewells and headed back to their own home. Heading out as well, Inuyasha and Kagome waved goodbye to Kaede, Rin, and Shippo. While the two walked outside, Inuyasha noticed Kagome's quiet behavior. "Hey Kagome, what's wrong?", he asked. "You started acting kinda withdrawn since dinner was served".
Kagome looked up at Inuyasha. "Hmm? Oh, sorry, it's nothing. It's just….I've been having some things in my mind lately".
"About what?"
"Well…Kinda about my family back at home". Inuyasha looked at Kagome's somewhat solemn expression by the mention of her family. Her eyes slowly grew a bit sad. "It's just that, I've been wondering how they've been holding up during these past three years since we got back together", she continued. "Don't get me wrong, I love being here and married to you, and spending all the holidays with everyone. But I still hope if things are okay for them during the holidays…even without me. I guess what I'm saying is….I miss spending the holidays with Mom, Grandpa, and Sota. I know I missed another Thanksgiving with them".
Inuyasha looked down at the ground in deep thought. He knew that after living in the feudal era for 3 years as his wife, Kagome would miss her family, especially around the time of the year. Christmas time was approaching. Honestly, he missed the Higurashi family too. He wondered how Kagome's mother and grandfather were doing, and if her brother Sota had gotten any taller.
And he also knew and respected the fact that no matter how blessed Kagome felt when reuniting with Inuyasha three years ago, a part of her will always love and remember her home. After all, it was natural emotions, especially since she made the decision to stay in his time by his side. They both knew that Kagome could have stayed in her own world, living the life of a normal twenty-one year old young woman by now. Instead, she sacrificed her normal life to be by his side, like she had done endless times in the past. That thought always made Inuyasha uneasy.
After thinking for a few minutes, Inuyasha smirked. "Why don't we pay them a visit then? It's not like the well don't work anymore to go back".
Kagome stared at Inuyasha, surprised. "You really mean it?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "Eh, why not? Besides, I wanna see if that annoying little turd of a brother of yours has grown into a real man, or if that stupid fat cat of yours is still alive. Not to mention eating your mom's best ramen noodles".
Kagome's eyes slowly twinkled with delight, surprised yet happy that Inuyasha took the effort in wanting to see the family again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Thanks Inuyasha! You have no idea how this make me feel! Guess we'll tell the gang tomorrow morning that we're gonna see my family for the holidays, and then leave in the afternoon?"
"Sure, whatever. When you're ready to leave is fine with me", Inuyasha stated.
Kagome giggled and playfully pulled one of his furry white ears. "Alrighty then, let's get home. I'm gonna need the rest since tomorrow will be a busy day!"
"Geez, it's just seeing your family again. It ain't like you're going to see the Emperor or anything", Inuyasha rolled his eyes, but grinned. He was truthfully happy to see Kagome's spirits lifted. As they continued walking into the forest where their faraway home was located, Kagome mentally smiled from ear to ear over her plans for Christmas. Besides gift shopping, Kagome had something else in store for Inuyasha. 'I can't wait to see the look on his face…',she thought, smiling more.