Hello there yet again! This is my . . .hmm . . . I think it's my seventh fic I've written . . . but anyways to start off with the usual : I don't own Inu-Yasha, soul owner is Rumiko Takahashi and Viz, so please don't sue me . . . This is the sequel to 'Winter Wonderland' which was supposed to be my retirement story . . . but with the big hit it had, I changed my mind to write the sequel. I have found an editor, her name is inuyashas-dark-angel and she will be playing a part in this story as well. In any case though, on with the sequel!
Everlasting LovePrologue
Kaiya Higurashi sighed softly as she swept the grounds of the Higurashi Shrine, listening to the sounds of Tokyo. It had almost been six month's since Kagome had passed through the well to live in the past with Inu-Yasha and their daughter, Natasha. Grandpa was in one of the sheds dusting, and glancing at her watch she could tell that Souta was still at school. A soft meow at her legs caused Kaiya to smile softly, and kneel down to pet Buyo as she rubbed against her leg. Straightening up, Kaiya sighed softly again and headed into the house.
Walking inside the house and into the living room, she stopped at the picture that was hanging on the wall . . . silent tears began to roll down her eyes. Standing in front of the god tree, was Kagome and Inu-Yasha, holding their daughter. She had convinced them to take one final picture with Natasha as the little girl since in the past cameras weren't invented yet. Gently picking up the picture from its place on the wall, she carried it over to the couch as she stared down at the smiling faces. Kagome had her head resting on Inu-Yasha's shoulder, her other arm holding up her daughter. Inu-Yasha had his arms wrapped tightly around his family, and she some how had managed to convince him to smile for the picture. Silent tears continued to roll down her soft cheeks...for two reasons . . . how she missed her daughter . . . son-in-law . . . and granddaughter . . . Natasha would be almost eight month's now . . . but . . .the main reason for the tears . . . was that there was the good chance . . . she would never see them all again . . .
"Mom . . . I'm home!" called Souta. Kaiya brushed her tears away and put the picture back where it was before greeting her son with a smile, "Well hello Souta, how was your day at school?" Souta began to tell her about his day, but all the while she was only half listening as her eyes glanced out the window to the well house. The memory was still fresh in her mind when Kagome had said good-bye to everyone, and fresh tears started to well up in her eyes.
"Mom what's wrong?" asked Souta.
Hearing her son's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she shook her head, smiling again, "It's nothing Souta, could you please go get the mail while I start supper. Souta nodded his head and headed outside to retrieve the mail. Sighing for the hundredth or more that day, she headed back into the kitchen to start supper. 'Kagome had promised me that if they did live until this time they would send word . . . but it's almost been six month's . . . does that mean . . . no . . .no, I won't even think about the possibility of her not being alive . . . I won't, I won't, I won't' thought Mama Higurashi, starting to pull the steaks out to thaw. Closing her eyes, she tried to wipe away the thoughts she had been thinking . . . but they would not leave her mind . . .
"Mom, I got the mail," said Souta, dropping the envelopes on the table as he headed into the living room to play video games. Snapping out of her thoughts, Kaiya picked up the mail and started to go through each one. Most were bills since it was the end of the month after all. 'Let's see gas bill . . . electric bill . .. telephone . . .bank statement . . . and. . .' she stared strangely at the last letter. There was no return address . . . and when she flipped it over there was nothing written as well. Flipping it back over she doubled checked who it was addressed to, but all it said was 'The Higurashi Family' She studied the envelope more closely. It was a little heavier than the others, which meant there were lots of pages . . . or perhaps pictures. Sighing softly she grabbed the silver envelope opener from the drawer and ripped open the letter gently. Slipping her fingers into the envelope she began to pull out the contents inside. There seemed to be three pages inside, but as Kaiya pulled them all the way out, two pictures fell from inside the letters and fell softly on the table face down.
Deciding to look at the pictures second, she unfolded the three pages to read them properly, seeing if she could tell who had sent the letter. As her eyes scanned the letter she could feel her knees becoming weak and butterflies starting to appear in her stomach. The three page letter fell from her trembling hands as she used the chair beside her for support. Then with a trembling hand she reached for the two face down pictures and slowly turned them over. . .