A/N: The Lucky Ones is one of my favorite Inuyasha fanfictions of all time, and I am drawing inspiration from it, along with every other story where a little hanyou is found and needing more love. MOAR LOVE.
I read somewhere that Inuyasha was based off of the Akita inu (and I love that breed of dog more than anything in the world), so I was inspired to ask myself 'what if there was a red Akita hanyou', and I'm taking it and running.
Also, I want to make it a little bit like post-canon, but I am definitely making it AU. (There is a baby and Kagome can go back through the well, because Mama Higarashi is life.)
When Kagome had first come back through the well, both she and Inuyasha had figured it was a one-way trip. The well was closed now. They had never once considered to even try to go back down it, nor did they even give it much of a second thought.
The had quickly settled into their new norm, Kagome apprenticing under Kaede to take over as the village priestess, and Inuyasha maintaining his position as the village guardian.
Kagome hadn't been that surprised to find out that Inuyasha had taken to making sure that everyone in the village was safe, and there were no threats lurking in his forest. What had surprised her is his involvement in other areas of the village. He planted rice and built homes with the village men. He cleaned up larger kills, and sometimes even smaller ones like fish, for the village women. He carried anything to heavy for any of the elder's to where ever they needed it.
What surprised her the most was when it came to bartering, and Inuyasha was the mindful eye making sure everyone got a fair deal.
"You're really involved around here, Inuyasha," she remarked one day in passing.
Inuyasha had simply responded, "It's my home."
Kaede was the watchful eye that reminded Kagome of Inuyasha's standing in the community whenever she seemed to forget. "People used to be so scared of him, Kagome. But you taught them, and me, that he was to be trusted and let into our lives. He is invaluable to us now, and he is part of our community."
Kagome was also miffed by Inuyasha's willingness to let Sango and Miroku's girls mess with him. The Inuyasha she knew would never have allowed toddlers to climb all over him and make squealing noises that startled her with her human hearing. But the Inuyasha of now did, and sometimes would even let the girls take a nap on his knee.
Sango had told Kagome that Inuyasha had stayed away at first when the girls were born, but one day he came back and never quite left. "Miroku had gone the village over to help with an exorcism, and Inuyasha just came over for dinner. He held one of the girls all night for me, switching with me as necessary. I don't know, Kagome. It was like he suddenly realized that they were also a part of our family."
"They sure do love their Uncle Inuyasha," Miroku had commented once while the girls snored on Inuyasha's knee.
Inuyasha had grunted in response and said nothing further, making Kagome think that maybe Inuyasha loved them just as much.
Kagome had been back for a few months, before Inuyasha built her a home. She had been suspicious it was in the works for a while, but wisely said nothing to him, as it was also probable he was doing it by himself.
Kagome had found out about the structure from Kaede who told her that one of the younger village men had found it while out trapping, and was appalled Inuyasha hadn't asked him for help. "Inuyasha has helped built or fix nearly every building standing. I think the men were hurt he hadn't asked them for help."
Inuyasha had grumbled and carried on that he didn't need anyone's help, because it was his home for his Kagome, but the village men had ignored him and done as they pleased.
Within a week of Kagome learning she had a home being made in the forest, she was moving into her home and welcoming guests who brought household items for the newly married couple.
When Sango and Miroku visited, baby and toddlers in tow, Inuyasha was proud to show his friend around his new home.
"I'm going to put Kagome's garden here," he pointed just a stone's throw outside the front door, "and a bucket for washing right here," he pointed to just next to the door. "I've already got the fire pit installed, but I think when the traveling salesman comes back, I might try to get the supplies to make some tatami mats. I think that would look nice on the floor."
Miroku hummed to indicate he was listening, but if he had any thoughts of his friend's plans for the new home, he said nothing.
Sango however was quick to tally up what was still needed, and tell Kagome. Kagome took her advice to heart, eager to learn how to manage a household of her very own. "Have Inuyasha build you a little rack to dry herbs on. One that can go outside in the summer, but move inside in the winter. Sometimes you can still dig up good herbs in the snow." Sango patted the lightly fussing baby in her arms, now entering a big growing phase and uncomfortable in his own skin.
"Do you think we will need more pots and dishes than this? I have two pots, and they are pretty big, but that's about it. I have quite a few bowls from different women." Kagome showed Sango her wedding gifts from villagers.
"Not until you have extra mouths to feed, you won't." Sango assured her.
Before they departed, Miroku announced that Inuyasha and Kagome should have a ceremony in the village, and he was happy to officiate. Inuyasha had balked and tried to protest, but Miroku ignored whatever warbling words had escaped his friend's mouth.
Kagome readily agreed, thinking back to how Kaede had told her that Inuyasha was a part of the community. It was agreed that the next day a small ceremony in front of the small shrine would happen.
Inuyasha had trudged down to the village that morning, releasing all the theatrics he was capable of to show Kagome his level of displeasure, but once the village men started to congratulate him on his wedding, he changed his tune and told them all to come to watch.
Which was exactly how the 'small ceremony' turned into the whole village crowding the entire area around the small shrine, and Miroku having to shout out the prayers over the newlyweds.
The party and drinking that ensued carried on into the early morning the next day, and Kagome swore she had never felt so happy in her entire life.
It was six months into living in the feudal era as a married couple that they discovered the well was still open to them to travel.
It had happened quite unexpectedly one day. Miroku and Inuyasha had been taking the twins for a walk, and Kagome was taking care of the baby boy at her home to give their mother a break. The twins were leading the walk, meandering as they pleased with their father and uncle keeping watchful eye on them.
They had made it back to the bone eaters well without the men thinking much of it, where the girls were playing with each other and running around. They had managed to rope Inuyasha into playing along with them, as he rarely denied them anything besides direct access to his ears.
They were rather sly girls, much like their father, and had, while playing peek-a-boo with their favorite uncle, gotten him to balance on the ledge of the well. While he had his eyes covered pretending he couldn't see them, they each shoved a leg with all their might, and toppled him into the well. They squealed in delight at having gotten the upper hand on their beloved uncle. But instead of him jumping out to playfully startle them, a bright blue light flashed.
Miroku had rushed over from where he had been resting in the shade as soon as he saw the light, but knew there was nothing to be done- Inuyasha was on the other side of the well. Sighing loudly and scooping up his girls, one in each arm, he made his way to Kagome and Inuyasha's home to tell Kagome.
"What do you mean he's gone?" Kagome stared at the monk, one eyebrow high on her forehead. The baby at her chest was asleep, having finally given into his body's demands for rest. The girls were back to chasing each other, seemingly to have forgotten their favorite uncle was gone and nonplussed that they had been taken somewhere else.
"I'm afraid they pushed him down the well, and now he's gone." Miroku reached and picked up his son from Kagome's embrace, tucking him carefully against his chest and rocking him to stay asleep.
"Well, where did he go?"
"Down the well, I suppose."
"The well is closed, Miroku. He couldn't have gone down it." Kagome crossed her arms and regarded the man in front of her. "I can't believe you lost my husband."
"I didn't lose him, the girls did." Miroku dropped a kiss to the baby's head as he snuffled and nuzzled closer to his father.
Kagome turned to look at the girls. "Ayame, Suzume. Where did Uncle Inuyasha go?"
The girls stopped playing and looked at their beloved aunt. Ayame, the far more vocal girl, spoke first. "With the blue light."
"Poof!" Suzume added with a flourish of the arms above her head.
Kagome paused before turning back to Miroku. Kagome opened her mouth to scold him, but found that she was speechless. The robed man shrugged before holding out an arm to his girls. "Let's go find Mama, girls. Aunt Kagome needs to find her husband."
With that, Kagome was left alone.
Sighing audibly, Kagome walked to the well. Looking down it, she reasoned that trying wouldn't hurt. But she wanted to go slowly down it, as to ensure she wouldn't break something in case it wasn't open. Hoisting herself over, she cautiously worked her way down the vines to the bottom of the well. Her feet touched the solid ground, and she stood still for several seconds. Realizing she wasn't going through, she cursed out loud.
"YOU'RE SO DAMN FULL OF IT, MIROKU," and then the light engulfed her.
Although she had endured the sensation for years of her life before, Kagome was startled at the free-falling sensation of going through time before being gently placed on her feet in the future.
Blinking back sudden tears from the rush of emotions that over took her realizing she went through time, Kagome looked up and saw her little brother staring at her from the top of the well. He had grown quite a bit, she noticed. He no longer had his chubby baby cheeks. Her heart-strings pulled hard as she realized how much she had missed.
"Took you long enough, nee-chan. Inuyasha-nii-san is already on his third bowl of ramen." He tossed the rope ladder down her. "Mama went to the store to make oden for you."
Kagome's tears finally spilled down her face as she made her way out of the well. When she reached the top, she grabbed Souta and squeezed him tight. "I've missed you," she whispered, her voice cracking from emotion.
"I've missed you too," Souta was fighting his own tears as he held her just as tight.
Arm in arm they walked towards the house where Inuyasha was watching TV with grandpa and slurping down noodles. Giving her grandfather a hug and a kiss, Kagome sat at the table as well, waiting for her mother to come home.
Her reuniting with her mother was the most tear-filled, as she told her mother about everything she had done since she was gone, what had changed in the village, and her mother listened happily. Kagome made dinner with her mother again, grateful for the chance to spend time with her family again.
They ate dinner with gusto and many tales of the last year that night. It was a large meal full of familiar and favorite foods. When Momma heard that Kagome and Inuyasha had married in the feudal era, she insisted on running to the store and buying a small cake. Inuyasha didn't understand the significance of the small white cake, but he sure enjoyed the taste of it.
As they returned to the feudal era the next morning, Inuyasha and Kagome agreed to come back as often as they could for a day or two, to share a meal and stories. Kagome promised it would be at least once a month, but hopefully more frequent. With a new house and new responsibilities being the apprentice priestess, Kagome knew she was busy. However, she also knew she was blessed with a chance to come home for dinner.