Hi, FF . net! It's me again! Starting in yet another universe, InuYasha!

Okay, so this takes place right after Naraku bites the dust. Yay! *gets a rock thrown at her by Sesshomaru* OW! That hurt!

Sesshomaru: Stick to the subject, human.

Me: Right. Sorry! Okay, all canon pairings hold, MirSan, InuKag, (Some one-sided InuKik, but she's dead now.) Koga-Ayame, SessRin- *gets another rock thrown at her* OW! I meant as a kind of father/daughter thing! Sheesh! You're so violent!

"Speech"

Thoughts

[Author's Comments] not (usually) a part of the story and can be ignored

Scene changes represented by solid lines like this:

Time-skips (but within the same scene) represented by words that indicate time passing

Flashbacks will be flanked by -Flashback- inserts

Translation definitions (and other comments) found at the bottom ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, Rumiko Takahashi takes the credit on that one. The only thing I own is the plot of this not-so-little story. XD

Read, Enjoy, and REVIEW!

Reborn, an InuYasha fanfic by Tsunami Storm

Chapter 1: The Right Wish

"We did it! We did it! Naraku's finally gone!" Shippo celebrated as everyone smiled down at him and his 'antics'. As if in answer, Miroku unbound the blue prayer beads from his right forearm and removed the cloth that sealed his Wind Tunnel. He gasped in shock as the cursed hole grew weaker and started to diminish in size. He winced a little from the pain as the black hole sealed itself, but then his face softened as the Kazaana(1) finally disappeared- for good this time. With a sigh of relief, Miroku sat down on the rim of the Bone-Eater's Well, looking up at the sky in boundless thanks.

"Houshi-sama(2)? What's wrong?" the taijiya(3) Sango asked, returning her faithful Hiraikotsu(4) to its place on her back.

"It's gone, Sango. My Wind Tunnel is no more." The monk answered, a few tears of joy budding in his eyes. "Oh, houshi-sama!" Sango cried, tackling the surprised monk to the ground in a hug. Then the two warriors both started laughing, laughing because they were finally free.

Inuyasha and Kagome grinned at each other as they watched their friends celebrate. Turning pensive for a moment, the dog hanyou(5) thought to himself, I've avenged you, Kikyo.

Kagome watched her friends happily, a smile of relief illuminating her features. Unbeknownst to her, a dark hole opened up behind her- intending to draw her into the darkness. Inuyasha gasped when he saw the Meido(6), and reached out to grab her hand in his- to pull her back to this dimension. "Kagome!" The half-demon cried.

"Inuyasha!" The girl cried back in sudden fear. She tried to reach her love's hand, but her fingers fell just short of his- just a hair's breadth of air between their tips. Everyone else could only watch in horror as the void swallowed their closest friend. Just as it was about to close, however, a long chain snaked its way around Kagome's ankle and tethered her to the mortal world as the path to the Underworld disappeared completely.

As one, the eyes of the group followed the chain to its source, where a grim Kohaku was holding his weapon as if his life depended on it. When he noticed that all eyes were on him, the young demonslayer blushed, saying, "Miss Kagome has saved me many times. I think it's time I started returning the favor."

Sango's eyes shone with pride at her little brother, both for his skillful act and the attitude behind it. Before she could comment on it, however, Inuyasha growled, "Okay, okay. That was a pretty impressive stunt th' kid just pulled, but how 'bout we act on it? Let's get Kagome back!"

"Hold, Inuyasha!" Kaede shouted suddenly, causing everyone present to freeze for a moment. "There be yet a task that Kagome need complete. Once that be accomplished, then ye may pull her back by way of Kohaku's chain and sickle."

The Sacred Jewel! Kagome thought to herself as she floated in the blackness, staring at the rose-colored ball- one of her Sacred Arrows through its center. If I make the right wish, the Sacred Jewel will disappear forever. But- what should it be? The miko(7) wondered. Thousands of scenarios flashed through her mind, including a ridiculous one in which she and Sango were on a pristine beach- possibly in the South Pacific- while Inuyasha and Miroku- both shirtless- were treating them to back massages. "Kagome-chan(8)?" The dream-Sango asked. "Yeah, Sango-chan?" Kagome answered. "Best- wish- ever." The contented demonslayer sighed as her boyfriend started on her shoulders, his right hand curse-free and whole like his left hand.

Kagome rolled her eyes at the paradise-like scenario, but then shook her head wildly to clear her thoughts. She vaguely felt some foreign object wound around her ankle, but when she looked down, all she could see was her white knee-socks and brown shoes- the same as always. Huh. That's weird. She thought to herself.

Turning her thoughts back to the task at hand, Kagome mused, That wouldn't be the right wish- It's selfish, not to mention immature. Ohh! I wish the Shikon Jewel had never existed- Wait, that's it!

"Shikon no Tama(9), kierunasai eien ni!(10)!" Kagome cried, and the jewel and arrow dispersed into oblivion in a flash of white light. Midoriko's soul was finally freed, as were the souls of the demons that she'd been constantly battling for hundreds of years.

"Argh! I can't take it anymore! She's gotta be done by now!" An exceedingly impatient Inuyasha complained. "I agree, my friend. It's time we brought Kagome back to us." Miroku stated, walking over to the young demonslayer Kohaku and taking hold of the chain above his hands. Soon all the others joined in, even Kirara- who held the chain links between her sharp teeth.

"A'ight, everyone. Pull on three-" Inuyasha commanded, then he shouted, "THREE!"

The group of friends- humans and demons alike- pulled as one on the chain that kept Kagome tethered to this world. To everyone's jaw-dropping shock, Sesshomaru took his place in front of Kirara and added his own considerable strength, growling quietly, "She saved Rin. I'm repaying my debt."

"Sugoi(11), Sesshomaru-sama! You're so thoughtful, my lord!" Rin called from A-Un's back, her dark eyes shining with wonder. Jaken merely stood by in disbelieving silence, his mouth open wide with surprise.

The group of eight pulled with all their might, and their efforts did not go unrewarded. A small Meido opened around the chain, and the young woman from the future returned to Feudal Japan.

"Kagome!" A chorus of six voices and one 'Mew!' cried, and they ran over to greet her. Sesshomaru sniffed and rolled his eyes, then said quietly, "Come, Rin. Jaken. We're leaving."

"Yes, my lord!" Rin chirped brightly from A-Un's saddle, then the small company turned and traveled to the west- unseen and unnoticed by all.

"Kagome! Are you alright? Are ya hurt at all?" A concerned hanyou asked, checking his closest friend for any evidence of wounds on her person. Kagome laughed at his enthusiasm, but waved her hand, saying, "Stop it, Inuyasha. I'm fine. The Shikon Jewel is gone, Naraku's been destroyed, and this miasma should go away fairly quickly. We can all live in peace now!" The miko sighed, relieved that it was all over.

Looking over at Kohaku, Kagome began, "Thank you, Kohaku, you saved me. If it weren't for your quick thinking, I-" but then stopped when the boy dropped to his knees and flopped backwards, his eyes closed. Sango gasped, but then she smiled when she saw the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. "He's fine." The taijiya assured her concerned companions with a chuckle. "He's just exhausted after that battle. Actually, we should follow his example and rest. It's been a long day."

"Don't mind if I do, Sango." Shippo yawned, then his legs buckled under him and he flopped back on the ground, asleep before his head even touched the dirt. Everyone chuckled at that, then Inuyasha put the unconscious Kohaku on Kirara's back, and Miroku carried the sleeping kitsune(12) back to Priestess Kaede's house.

-Two weeks later-

"Ah, here it is! I knew we'd find it again!" Kagome announced happily, staring out at the deep blue ocean from her spot on the white sand beach. She stretched and sighed in contentment, smiling at her six companions who were also enjoying the warm summer day. In fact, it was so hot that Inuyasha was actually panting, sitting down on the hot sand and trying unsuccessfully to cool off. He had removed his outer robe- the one woven from the fur of the Fire Rat- and Miroku had removed the purple portion of his robes and laid it on an old, fallen tree trunk.

"Whew! It's warm today, huh Kagome?" Shippo asked, taking off his outer vest and flinging it toward the tree trunk. Surprisingly, the wind carried the small article of clothing so that it hung itself right on a protruding branch, neat as you please. Kohaku and Sango laughed and applauded at the fox demon's 'skillful' throw, and the little youkai(13) took a mock bow at the praise.

"It sure is hot, Shippo." Kagome agreed distractedly, fishing in her enormous yellow backpack for some unknown item- most likely one from her time. "Aha!" The miko exclaimed suddenly, pulling another drawstring bag from the bottom of the bigger one. "Found it!" She grinned triumphantly, opening the cloth bag and removing what looked like a demonslayer's outfit, but without arms and legs. "Sango, catch!" Kagome called, tossing a rolled-up blanket and the bizarre piece of clothing to the confused taijiya. "It's a swimsuit and towel. I thought we'd have fun at the beach today, since the weather is so nice!" She explained.

"Inuyasha, this red one's for you, and Miroku, yours is this purple and black one." She continued. "Shippo, this blue pair of trunks is for you. I had a hard time finding one small enough!" She laughed, tossing the swimming trunks to their appropriate recipients, along with towels. "Kohaku, catch!" The boy caught the swimming apparel out of the air and examined it, his trunks black with gold and sea-green stripes- like his armor.

"You boys can change on the beach. We girls will be behind those rocks. Come on, Kirara." Kagome called, motioning for Sango to come with her. As the two girls and cat demon disappeared around the corner, Sango called back, "And no peeking, Miroku!"

The monk assumed a wounded expression, replying, "Sango, I'm hurt that you would actually suggest that. I would never even think of doing such a thing!" He pouted to snorts of disbelief and amusement from Inuyasha and Shippo, and chuckled answers of "Yeah right!" from the girls. Miroku laughed too, allowing that.

-After a minute-

"So how d'you put these on?" Inuyasha asked. "I dunno. Just like hakama(14), I guess." Shippo answered, removing his own clothing and slipping on the trunks. "Hey! There's even a hole in the back for my tail to go through! Thanks, Kagome!" The kitsune called, to a muffled answer of "You're welcome, Shippo!" The three other boys soon managed to change into their own swimwear, and Miroku had just finished laying out his beach towel when the girls emerged. Kagome was wearing her striped one-piece, and Sango walked out in a black and rose-colored one-piece with a pink skirt about her waist. Diamonds were artfully cut into the fabric at her middle and on her lower back and shoulder blades- showing off tanned, surprisingly scar-free skin. Inuyasha wolf-whistled appreciatively, and Sango blushed while Kagome raised a surprised, inquiring eyebrow. "What?" The hanyou replied. "Some guy in yer time did it when ya walked by. I didn' like 'im. Made me feel jealous."

Kagome went a little red at that, but she was still smiling. After a minute, she found a small inner tube in her bag and inflated it for Shippo, and the friends played in the surf for hours- splashing each other and having the time of their lives. Suddenly Kagome grinned mischievously and whispered into Kirara's ear, who was floating on Shippo's head away from the water. The cat demon transformed and flew above the water, Kagome on her back. When they were at a high enough altitude, Kagome shouted, "Cannonball!" and jumped into the ocean- effectively drenching everyone with saltwater.

"Hey! Ya got water in my mouth!" Inuyasha spluttered in complaint as the rest of the gang laughed. "That's why you keep your mouth closed, genius!" Kagome teased, playfully splashing him with her hand. What followed was an all-out war of splashes, each player for themselves. Kirara retreated back to the beach, as she normally did not like swimming unless she had to. She watched her friends and companions having fun for a while, then she resumed her kitten form and curled up on the fallen log, resting in the warm sun.

-Hours later-

"This was a great idea, Kagome." Miroku complimented hours later as the gang lay on their respective towels, drying off and sunning themselves on the beach. Kagome had brought some sunblock lotion too, as nobody likes walking around with a sunburn. "We really needed a break like this." He continued.

"Yeah. After all that crazy stuff with Naraku and the jewel shards, it's nice to finally have a little vacation." Kagome answered, laying back on her own towel and sighing in contentment. "Speaking of Naraku-" Kagome continued, rolling onto her side to look at the monk. "Now that he's gone, what are you gonna do with your life, Miroku?"

The monk thought for a moment, then answered, "I guess I'll just go back to what I was doing before I met you guys. Traveling around, exorcising evil demons and spirits, blessing towns- that kind of thing." He shrugged calmly, twisting his staff in his hand.

"No womanizing though, right houshi-sama?" A reproving Sango prompted, eyeing her fiance carefully.

"Right. Those days are far behind me now. Why would I flirt with another when the perfect woman for me is right by my side?" A grinning Miroku asked rhetorically, earning himself a kiss on the cheek from the smiling taijiya.

That's a switch- Inuyasha thought to himself. He usually gets a slap on the cheek, not a smooch. Aloud he said, "Think I'll come with ya, Miroku. Things're gonna be pretty boring otherwise, an' I'll be able ta keep you outta trouble."

Miroku grinned, then replied, "The more the merrier, my friend! You are welcome to accompany me."

Just then they heard an annoyed tone from behind them. "Inuyasha-" Kagome asked in a threatening tone. "What do you mean, 'pretty boring'?"

"Well, y'know-" The clueless hanyou answered, raising his palms. "If yer gonna be a priestess like Kikyo an' Kaede, there won't be nuthin' fer me ta do in just that one village. Like I said: Boring. Capital 'B'."

A vein showed on Kagome's temple, and she growled, "Osuwari(14)!" The last thing that could be heard was Inuyasha's annoyed gasp as his face was rudely introduced to the sand by the subjugation beads. Shippo shook his head as the others sweat-dropped, muttering, "Idiot."

End of chapter (Episode) 1

Next chapter teaser: Goodbyes

I didn't really like how InuYasha: The Final Act ended, so I'm re-writing it!

I 'borrowed' an idea from a genius on Deviantart again, this one by name of 'righteousred'. His/her drawing of 'Chap. 558- MORE Deleted Scenes' is hilarious! (and hot!)

Translations (for those who need it) below:

Kazaana - Wind Tunnel. Miroku's generational curse in his right hand, brought upon the males in his family by Naraku.

Houshi-sama - Honorable monk. A term primarily used by Sango to refer to Miroku.

Taijiya - Demonslayer (female or male).

Hiraikotsu - Sango's demon-bone boomerang.

Hanyou - Half-demon, half-human hybrid. Like Inuyasha, Jinenji, Shiori, Naraku, Gyuou- etc.

Meido/Meido Zangetsuha! - Dark Path Cutting-Moon. One of Inuyasha's attacks with his sword. Creates a path to the netherworld that looks like a full moon.

Miko - Human priestess. Like Kagome, Kaede, Kikyo or Tsubaki.

-chan - Polite honorific used to address a female friend. Also close friends and a boyfriend/girlfriend. (Thank you, Nekokittygirl!)

Shikon no Tama - Jewel of Four Souls, the Sacred Jewel. Grants one wish of the user, whether good or evil.

Kierunasai eien ni! - Please disappear forever!

Sugoi - Wow, amazing, astonishing, astounding, surprising, stunning, breathtaking, awesome, awe-inspiring, sensational, remarkable, spectacular, stupendous, phenomenal, extraordinary, incredible- etc. (You get the idea.)

Kitsune - Little fox demon.

Youkai - full-fledged, pure-blooded demon. Almost any demon you can think of except for Inuyasha, Jinenji, Shiori, Gyuou, Naraku, or any of his incarnations.

Hakama - Traditional style Japanese pants or trousers.

Osuwari! - Sit!/Sit boy! The subjugation command Kagome uses on Inuyasha when he does or says something stupid.

See you next chapter!

God Bless!

Tsunami Storm