Kagome laid the flowers on the mound of dirt under Goshinboku. Inuyasha was definitely dead, of that there was no doubt. Taken down by the leader of a herd of rat demons on his human night before she could even fire an arrow. It had been two months, but the wounds were still as fresh as yesterday.

She rocked back on her heels and sighed. Today, she was leaving the feudal era forever. She would miss Sango, Miroku, and Shippo, of course, but it was better this way. She had the Shikon Jewel, so she was going home.

She gave a gasping sob as she laid one hand on the earth, and another on her stomach. This was the only contact father and child would have. She was five months pregnant now. With tears flowing down her cheeks, she began walking back to the village to say her good-byes to her friends.

Poised at the edge of the well, Kagome jumped.

Kagome was floating in the blue light when Midoriko's voice called her name.
"Kagome. Worse will happen if you return to your era to stay. You will let yourself be so consumed by your grief that it will destroy you. I have mission for you. You will be going to what you call the Meiji era. There you will meet a man constantly followed by danger and sorrow. I cannot save him, but you can. When you step out of the well it will be 1880s Japan. You will know this man when you find him by this necklace. When he is near, the pendant will be blue. Keeping him alive will be of utmost importance. War within the ranks of humans and demons is brewing, and his death will spell death for all. In short, I am sending you because he needs someone whether he thinks he does or not.

Kagome swore in her head, but nobody argued with Midoriko. This was going to be an interesting way to spend the remainder of her pregnancy. She sighed and accepted the test set before her, along with the necklaceo

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Kenshin sighed into the morning air. He had been up since two hours before dawn. Since Kaoru's death six months before, he never slept well or for very long. He looked up from the counter where he had been leaning as he heard their son stirring in his room. Kenji had just turned six and bore a heavy resemblance to his father: small-framed, red-haired, and violet-eyed.

He managed to put a somewhat friendly smile that did not quite reach his eyes as Kenji came into the kitchen. "Good morning, Kenji. I trust you slept well?"

"Yes, Father." As well as I could, hearing you cry and crying myself. Tonight if I start crying, I will come to you. I don't know how much more I can stand. You've always said I could, no matter what.

"Good. Breakfast is ready, and I hear Sano and Yahiko coming."

Kenji smiled a gap-toothed grin at the mention of his adopted "uncles", who always livened up meals with their jokes and arguing. They made an extra effort, now that Kaoru was gone, to win a smile or a small laugh from Kenshin and Kenji.

The breakfast was simple, and Sano, who had returned just before Kaoru's death, cleaned the dishes. Then he and Yahiko left to work; Sano at the Akabeko, doing bookkeeping, of all things. Yahiko was on the police force and had all the markings of a dignified man in public, though he was still something of a scamp in private.

"I love you, Father," Kenji said softly, touching his father's hand.

"And I love you, Kenji." He bent down to embrace his son. "Be good in school today."

"I will." And with that, Kenji left, carrying his books and his lunch.

Kenshin leaned against the counter and cried.