AN: Back by popular demand! The sequel to "Forever in My Heart"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol, I hope you guys like this story as much as the first one! I was thinking of starting an entire series, what do you think? Anyways, I hope you all enjoy this!! Lol
Mandi
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha and all that stuff.
Reunion
"Kaede!" Inuyasha called up the stairs to his fifteen year old daughter. "You better get down here! NOW!"
With a growl, he turned away from the stairway and back into the kitchen, where his wife Kagome was trying to braid her hair, and make pancakes at the same time. She let out a scream as a pancake flew over the stove and onto her apron.
"Need some help?" Inuyasha asked playfully, fixing the tie around his neck and walking over to her. He wrapped his arms around her, but used his hands to flip over a pancake while she braided her hair.
She sighed, "Is Kaede coming?"
"I just called for her," Inuyasha replied, throwing a cake onto a plate.
Kagome rolled her eyes, "I heard you. But is she coming?"
"I'm here!" Their daughter Kaede exclaimed as she threw her backpack onto an empty chair, stealing the plate of pancakes on the counter by her parents. Inuyasha let go of Kagome, and she finished braiding her hair, wrapping it with a hair tie. She turned around to gaze at her daughter. Kaede was dressed in a pair of jeans, and an old shirt with paint stains on it. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, and her little ears, from her father, stuck out over her bangs.
Kagome sighed, rolling her eyes again, and taking the seat across from her daughter. "How many times do we have to tell you to wear your necklace?"
Kaede looked back, "If you say it once more, I think I'm going to snap."
Kagome grabbed the necklace on the chair under the heavy backpack, and put it around her daughter's neck. Kaede's ears turned into human ears, and her claws shrunk back into her hands, which now looked like normal human hands. Kaede growled, and shoved some pancake in her mouth.
"Remember, we're going to the feudal era today," Inuyasha said, snatching a pancake from her plate. "So you have to be home soon."
"Yes sir," Kaede said, gulping down the last of her milk and wiping the milk mustache away with her sleeve, getting a nasty look from her mother. "Aren't you going to be late?"
Kagome glanced at her watch, jumping up and letting out a scream. "I'm late! Oh my gosh! Come on Inuyasha! Let's go!" She grabbed her purse, and the other hair tie, and they left the room. "Bye honey!" They called back as Kaede watched them leave.
--
Sango and Miroku walked along the quiet pathway back to their small hut. The trees began to bloom with blossoms, and flowers burst out of the ground. The clean smell of the air filled their lungs as the gentle grass and dirt under their feet soothed them. Their children were all grown up, living with their own families in their own homes.
Atio was twenty-five years old, married to a beautiful woman, and a father of two children. He had become a monk after his sixteenth birthday, but stopped his training after meeting his wife, Maki. Kei was nine years old, and their oldest, and only son. Their daughter, Rei, was only seven.
Fumo was twenty-four years old, and a widow. He had married a fellow demon slayer like himself, but he lost her in a tragic fight against a giant bear demon. He had a small daughter, named Nenene, who had just turned four. Little Kagome, however, was not so fortunate. After ten years, she became ill, and died during the winter. The family was heart broken, but her spirit remained in their hearts.
"Have you spoken with Inuyasha recently?" Sango asked Miroku, looking up at him.
He nodded, "Yes. He plans on coming down today for a visit with the family. He told me to gather everyone. He sounded like he has something to say."
"What could it be?" Sango wondered out loud, and gazed at the blossoms over her head as she walked by.
"I suppose we'll find out later today, won't we?" Miroku added. "Come, let's gather the kids."
--
"Mom!" Kaede shouted from the well house, a backpack filled with gifts and toys thrown over her shoulder. "Dad! Let's go! We're going to be late!"
Kagome and Inuyasha came out of the house, wearing shorts and tee shirts. They were carrying a basket, filled with some food Kagome had her friend make while they were out.
Kaede sniffed the aroma of smells, and rolled her eyes. "Come on, let's go." She shifted the backpack onto her shoulder again, and waited at the bottom of the steps, standing right in front of the well connecting the two different time periods. Inuyasha and Kagome joined her side, all of them grabbing onto each other's hand, and jumping into the well.
"Kagome!" Came a voice from above them. They looked up, seeing Sango and Miroku looking down into the well. "Inuyasha! Kaede!"
Kagome waved, and Kaede just jumped out, using hardly any strength. Sango greeted her with a huge hug, and playing with her dog-ears. Kaede smiled, dropping the backpack onto the ground.
"It's so good to see you again!" Sango exclaimed, giving her another hug. "Look how much you've grown!"
Kaede laughed, "Yeah, that's what I do. I grow."
Sango and Miroku shared a small laugh. Kagome rushed up, after Inuyasha carried her over the well, and wrapped her arms around Sango. "Sango! It's so great to see you again!"
Sango laughed, "You, too, Kagome!"
Inuyasha and Miroku gave each other a welcome pat on the back. Inuyasha hugged Sango after Kagome had let her go, and Miroku hugged Kagome. They began to converse, talking quickly, without interruption. Kaede stood there, trying to listen in, but not hearing a word.
"Uh, guys?' She said, trying to get their attention. "Can we get going?"
They all looked at her. "Oh! Yes, let's go!" Kagome said, and they began to walk back to the village.
"So, Inuyasha?" Miroku said as they walked. "What was it that you wanted to share with us?"
"Well, you're just going to have to wait until dinner," Inuyasha replied.
"So how is your band going, Kagome?" Sango asked.
"It's okay," Kagome said. "But I'm afraid sales have been going down for a while now. With that new band out, it's hard for us to get a decent crowd."
"And how have you been doing, Kaede?" Miroku asked, looking back at her as she trailed behind them slowly.
"I've been the same," she said.
The village was before them, the small huts lining up along the pathway. At the end was a giant home, smoke rising from behind it. Three little kids ran around the house, laughing and screaming as they chased one another. There were three adults standing under the shade of a tree, talking and laughing together. Kaede's steps grew smaller and smaller as she made her way, and her eyes drifted down to the ground. They spotted the five people walking up to them, calling the children over to say hello.
"Grandma!" the three children exclaimed, running up and tumbling around Sango's feet. "Grandpa!" They exclaimed as they grabbed onto Miroku's leg.
The youngest, Nenene, gasped as she saw Kaede carrying up behind her parents. With a squeal of delight, she rushed over and wrapped her tiny arms around Kaede's leg. "Kaede!"
Kaede laughed, kneeling down to hug the little girl. "Nenene! Oh my! You're getting bigger!"
She laughed, "I have grown!"
"That you have," Kaede said, picking the little girl up and cradling her in her arms. Kei and Rei rushed over and each grabbed one of Kaede's legs. "Kaede! Welcome!"
She laughed again, hold Nenene with one arm and using the other to pat Kei's head and then Rei's head. "Thank you! My, you two are getting bigger, too!"
The adults greeted each other with hugs and pats on the back. Atio and Maki walked over to Kaede, taking their children off of her legs after saying hello. Fumo slowly made his way forward, and Kaede felt her face heat up like fire.
His smile was warm, and made her blush more. With a reach of his hand, he placed it on her shoulder in a greeting. "Hello Kaede," he said, his voice deep.
She nodded her hello, trying to form a smile. He laughed as Nenene pulled on her hair. "Come here, Nenene." He said, pulling his daughter away from Kaede's arms. "Let's leave her alone for a while."
The little girl pouted, and Kaede smiled. "Oh! I have gifts for the children!"
At the sound of the word, all three children came rushing up to her as she knelt down and reached into her bag. She pulled out a pink and purple kimono for Rei, holding it up for her to see. Rei gasped as she saw it, seeing the silver stitching and hugged it tightly.
"I'm going to wear it now!" She exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Kaede's neck. "Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome!" Kaede replied, and reached into her bag to pull out a giant red ball for Kei. "Here you go, Kei."
"It's awesome!" he exclaimed, taking the ball in his hand, already throwing it around.
"And now for my favorite, Nenene," Kaede said, and Nenene blushed. She pulled out a sky blue kimono, with gold stitching and white flowers across the back and around the hem. Nenene squealed with delight once again, and began to jump up and down.
"Daddy! Can I wear it now?" She cried, looking up at Fumo.
He smiled, "Sure, dear. Go ahead with Rei and have her help you put it on."
Nenene gave Kaede a hug, "thanks, Kaede! This is the best gift ever!"
"You're welcome," replied Kaede, who was now standing up, throwing the backpack over her shoulder again. "Now, go with Rei to put it on."
Nenene nodded and dashed off, skipping along the way.
"You didn't have to get them gifts," Fumo commented.
Kaede's eyes flew down to the ground, avoiding his. "Yeah, well, I haven't seen them in a while, and I felt this would make it up to them."
"Come along! Let's eat!" Inuyasha said.