A.N. I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho.

"Nii-san! You promised!"

Laughter echoed through the shrine grounds as the now much larger kit dangled a scroll over the little hybrid's head. "You have to earn it Sakura!"

Low growls fell from the blue haired girl's lips as she pounced on her sibling, deep violet eyes flashing crimson. "You promised to let me read it, you sneaky kitsune!"

"Sakura!"

The two children froze as their okaa-san rounded the corner, hands crackling with pure reiki on her hips. "Now what in the three realms are you two doing? You know that you aren't supposed to go digging in the archives."

Shippou flushed with embarrassment at being caught and nudged his imouto off of him. "I just wanted to show her the legend of the Higurashi miko."

Sakura glared at him. "You promised to let me see if I gave you my allowance and then you teased me with it!"

Slight humor flashed in the back of her mind. My children... They can be so strangely normal at times. It's sort of odd that they even can act so normal at times. With all that's gone on... "Shippou, be nice to your imouto and hand me the scroll, please."

Sapphire eyes that matched his okaa-san's lowered to the ground as he handed her the old scroll.

"Will you tell us the legend-Or me rather considering Shippou-chan clearly knows it," Sakura grumbled under her breath.

Kagome smiled faintly and sat on a nearby bench, drawing the ten year old and almost five year old into her arms. "I'll tell you the legend from memory. It's more interesting and accurate than that stuffy scroll anyway."

A smile flitted across the orange haired kit's features at her playful wink. It's good to see her so playful. Especially with the reunion coming up.

"The legend of the Higurashi miko... Well, in truth, many of the Higurashi miko went unnoticed by history. Many however played key roles in the forming of the modern world. However, considering that the ability is passed through the females of the line, it seems odd that so many miko stemmed from one surname.

"Well five centuries ago, right after the great battle over the shikon no tama, a child was born in the village near the Bone Eater's Well. She had startling blue eyes and the beginnings of what were sure to be strong miko abilities. The former Inu-tachi and the Western Lord immediately recognized the child as the one who would begin the line of miko that would eventually birth their futuristic companion."

"How did they know anyway? I know she had the eyes and power but it could have been coincidence," Sakura interrupted with curiosity.

Pure reiki rose to the surface of the blue-eyed beauty's aura momentarily and flared. "You felt my reiki just now. You would know it if you felt it again. Auras are often similar within families. I'm sure our ancestor had similar traits that made them think of me."

Mischief glowed in Shippou's eyes as he nodded in agreement. "After all, how can you mistake the traits of the woman you're in love with?"

"Shippou!" Kagome scolded, turning faintly pink.

"What? Sesshomaru, had the hots for you and you know it!"

Violet eyes twinkled with mirth. "Had? Please, the man still does! You've seen the way he glares at Yusuke and Kurama! And then he goes all soft as soon as he spots Okaa-san and becomes concerned with even the tiniest of discomforts."

"Sesshomaru and I have a strong friendship. He cares for me only in that-"

"Riiiiiggghhht!" the two chorused.

Sapphire orbs narrowed in irritation as the miko sighed. "Well, getting back on track, they convened a meeting and decided to give the little family a small shrine of their own and brought in many miko to train her, as the village miko Kaede was far too old to take on an apprentice. When the child completed her training, she took the name and title of Higurashi Miko. And since, every miko of the Higurashi line has kept her maiden name no matter her marital status."

"So if you got married you'd keep your maiden name?"

Low growls fell from the kit's lips. "She isn't getting married any time soon. He still needs my stamp of approval after all."

The miko laughed lightly and ruffled his hair. "As long as I am allowed veto power over your future potential mate, I'll agree."

"But it's my job to protect you! Males of the family are responsible to protect females of their family."

Twin feminine snorts sounded at that as the two females regarded him.

Shippou folded his arms over his chest and pouted at the clear dismissal.

Pale pink lips tugged into a smile as the miko woman stood, gazing at her son with affection. "You shouldn't worry about me Shippou. He is a good man. Besides, you have yet to beat me in a sparring match."

Sakura's fisted hands pressed against her hips as she stuck her chin up in defiance. "I don't need the protection of anyone!"

Amusement flickered in her eyes as she watched her children bickering about who protects who. Almost five years since we came back here... Yet it feels like yesterday.


Soft giggles spilled from the infant's mouth as the trio landed at the bottom of the well in the modern world.

"Woah, Okaa-san! Inuyasha wasn't kidding, it stinks!" Shippou complained as he plugged his nose.

"It's all the polution in this era. Sorry. Just hold onto me, alright?" With that said, the time travelor held her children gently yet tightly and jumped out of the well, walking to the door quickly. I sense two familiar youkai... Sesshomaru and Jinenji?

"Okaa-san, I smell Sesshomaru and Jinenji. I thought you said there aren't many youkai here...?"

She set him down, Sakura still on her hip as her eyes scanned the shrine grounds. "There aren't supposed to be. Sesshomaru? Jinenji?"

Booming laughter echoed through the grounds as two "ningen" stepped forward. "I told you that she would sense us instantly, Sesshomaru. Especially with the need to protect her young ever present."

"Dr. Tsukigawa?" she gasped, her eyes taking in the ningen disguise of her old friend.

"Ah, so you noticed. Well, you can call me that when I look like this," Jinenji replied as he straightened his white lab coat.

"But you were my pediatrician and..."

Shippou grinned at them, his kitsune eyes seeing through the illusions easily. "Cool! I'm glad there will be familiar faces on this end."

"I can only stay for a short time," Sesshomaru interjected calmly, a clawed hand coming up to run through the shoulder length black hair of his illusion. Gold flashed beneath the chestnut brown of his eyes as he stared at the miko.

Jinenji cleared his throat politely. "As Lord Sesshomaru stated, his time is limited. I'm afraid that I'm the only one of the old group permitted to live in the Ningenkai."

"Ningenkai?" Kagome questioned, shifting Sakura as she let out a cry of annoyance at being ignored.

"The world was split into three realms-By your ancestor actually. Ningenkai for ningen, Makai for youkai, and Reikai for deities and spiritual creatures. Jinenji was granted access to Ningenkai through his status as a hanyou and the need for the Makai to keep an eye out on history's progress." Sesshomaru's voice was cool and factual, betraying none of the irritation he had felt at being refused the right to maintain a home within the Ningenkai.

A soft sigh passed through the disguised hanyou's lips as he checked his watch, handing the miko two files. "I fear our time is short. These files contain birth records and such for your children. In a short time three representatives of Reikai shall be here. I'll take the children inside while you two talk."

"Jinenji? Why did you pose as my doctor?"

Soft chuckles were her response as he scooped the children up and begin walking them inside. "I am your doctor Kagome. Besides, who but a doctor could keep you out of trouble for missing so much school? Though that old man's excuses were incredibly difficult to keep up with..."

Claw tipped fingers wrapped around one of her tiny wrists, tugging her forward to gain her attention. "Miko, he is still alive."

Slight panic flashed in her features as she stiffened. "In the... "Makai" though, correct?"

He nodded curtly as he caressed her wrist gently to reassure her. "Indeed. I refrained from killing him due to your feelings on the matter. He was employed by the Reikai until recently. He now lives with Lord Mukuro. The two have a business relationship from what I can tell but they are loyal to a degree."

Silence was all she could muster as she nodded faintly. "Are they... Do you know if they are... Lovers?"

Strong yet gentle hands landed on her shoulders, regret in his eyes. "Not in the emotional sense from what I can tell, but I believe so."

Pain shot through her heart as she visibly winced at the thought. Why do I still care so much?

"He is a baka, Kagome. Any male will be lucky to receive your affections. We must be going now. I'll be back to speak with you periodically."


"Hey Kags! I'm home!"

The miko's body jerked as she was pulled from her reverie, her lips pulling into a smile. "Hey Yusuke. How was your mission?"

"Yeah, how was your mission? You look tired. How about I go prepare your bedroom for you?" Shippou interrupted in an annoyed tone. Baka... He's almost as bad as Inuyasha.

Sakura rolled her eyes at her onii-san's words. So glad I was born female.

He chuckled at the kit's clear aggression and ruffled his hair. "You know I haven't used that room in over a year. Come on Shippou, can't we bury the hatchet already? I love your kaa-san, she loves me. I'm not trying to pull anything."

"You aren't worthy." With that said, Shippou stomped away in a huff.

Kagome let out a sigh at her son's clear rejection of her significant other. Every man I meet has to pay for the mistakes of two. At least he isn't as bad as he is with Kurama.

"Don't worry about him, Kaa-san. I'll talk sense into him," Sakura volunteered cheerily as her violet eyes flashed crimson.

A snort was the only thing the child had as warning before the toushin tugged her back. "Thanks but-"

She rolled her eyes at him and shook her little shoulder out of his grasp. "I couldn't care less about that, I just want my okaa-san to be happy."

Soft sapphire eyes watched the little girl walk away as the miko leaned into Yusuke. "They like you well enough Yusuke. Shippou is just very protective of me and Sakura thinks that she should go along with him to protect me. Really they-"

"Like me as long as I'm not trying to be with you? I get it Kags. But you're mine. It'll work out," he murmured as he wrapped his arms around her gently.

Rose petal pink lips pressed to his softly as she smiled.


"Thinking of her again?" Mukuro asked calmly as she caught sight of the hybrid glaring into the distance.

"Hn."

"Maybe this reunion will be a good thing. You need a distraction."