Homecoming
by Azulia
AN- Kagome and her family lost all memory of Inuyasha and Kagome's time in the Feudal Era when she was forced to return to modern Tokyo, in case that isn't clear.
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~0~
Modern Tokyo
It was just the two of them now. Three, if you counted Buyo. Gramps had a heart attack right before Kagome finished high school. Mama had been sick for a long time. They had put her in her final resting place six months ago. It was very hard. They were still adjusting.
"Souta," said Kagome as she brandished her spatula like a pointer. She was still perfecting breakfast. Mama had always made it look so simple. "No books at the table."
Souta looked up at her over the top of the binding. He seemed a little stressed.
"Sis, I have to study for this final tonight," he said as he marked his page. "This professor is an asshole; he always adds an essay question at the end of the exam over some obscure historical event, to make sure you've read the book."
Kagome smiled as she began plating the eggs. She had that professor her freshman year. She had to take his class twice.
"I'm sure you will be fine, Souta," she said, giving him a little more than herself. "You probably know more about history than he does, the way you obsess over it."
Souta smiled at her. It was true. He had this obsession with history. It was what he was going to university for. He had been strangely drawn to it since he was a kid. It was a little odd. Reading things about the past…it just made him feel prepared. Like history could repeat itself at any second and he would need to have the knowledge close by.
"Eat your breakfast," she told him as she sat down. "Then I'll help you review, okay?"
It was Friday and she was off. Kagome worked as a nurse at a nearby hospital. Losing her father and grandfather had been hard, but it wasn't until she watched her mother struggle with an incurable rare disease that she decided her calling in life. She truly enjoyed helping others, and people seemed to respond well to her. The hours were good; she worked 40 hours Tuesday through Thursday and made enough to support her and her brother while still keeping the shrine open.
"Is Hojo taking you out tonight?" Souta asked through a mouthful of food.
"We are supposed to go to the movies," Kagome said, pushing yellow bits around her plate and through some ketchup. "I think I'd rather stay home, though."
Souta gave her a disapproving look.
"Come on, Sis," he said with disapproval. "I thought you were going to, you know, work on that."
Kagome looked down at the ring on her left finger. Mama had been so happy when she told her…but after she died, something just didn't feel right about the whole thing. When she expressed herself to Hojo he had been very understanding. They had moved the wedding back a year and were going to try taking things slow.
"I know," she said dully. "Hojo is perfect, he really is…I just don't know if he's perfect for me. That's all."
Souta snorted. "He is a charming, good looking guy from a rich family. He's perfect for just about anybody."
Kagome smiled. That was what everybody said, just not as directly as Souta. And it was true.
"Well," she said defensively. "It's not like I'm dumping him or anything."
"You better not," Souta said jokingly. "Little brother wants to take his new girlfriend to the beach house next weekend."
Kagome rolled his eyes. "I can't believe Hojo's parents let you use that whenever you want. I don't know how you charmed them."
Souta wiggled his eyebrows. "It works on the ladies, too."
Kagome threw her napkin at him as she collected the dished. "You are such a player," she joked.
"You're either a player or a player hater." he retorted with a shrug as she walked away.
Just as she turned on the water, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," said Souta as he pushed his chair out. Kagome filled the sink with bubbles and started wiping down the table. She could hear the voices of a man and Souta as she cleaned. It sounded familiar, but she couldn't place it.
"Sis!" Souta called after a minute. "Can you come here for a second?"
"Coming!" Kagome took off her apron and smoothed out the winkles on her light blue dress. She pulled her hair back into her typical braid as she went; she wanted it to look nice in case it was someone wanting to do business with the shrine.
When she got to the door, she stopped in her tracks.
"H-hello?" she asked uncertainly, stepping next to Souta. The man who stood there was very tall. He had long white hair that was pulled back into a low ponytail. His eyes were amber colored and he was wearing a cream colored suit. She found herself thinking that he was oddly beautiful for a man, but he also looked oddly deadly.
"Hello, miko," he said, with a small smile. "It's been a long time. I have a present for you, from my brother."
Kagome wasn't sure what to say.
"Do you know this guy, Sis?" Souta asked when she didn't respond.
"Yes?" she asked. "Wait, no. Well, I don't think so. But you seem so familiar. What is your name, Sir?" she asked the stranger.
He raised an eyebrow at her in a way that told her that he found her fascinating, but strange.
"You don't remember me?" he asked, clearly amused. "You knew me as Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands."
Souta looked between the man and his sister. "Alrighty, I think we should all just call it a day then, shall we?" He began to shut the door.
Before Kagome could protest, the man shot out his hand, stopping the door with such force he knocked the hinges out of the wall. The door fell to the floor with a thud.
Sesshomaru looked at the door with distaste. "My apologies."
Kagome said nothing. Souta put an arm in front of his sister, as if defending her. Sesshomaru noticed.
"How quaint," he said mildly. Then, from seemingly out of nowhere he produced a large, long object wrapped in cloth. He put in front of them with a flourish.
"This," he said, nodding at the package, "is the Tetsaiga. It is a powerful weapon that belongs to my brother. It is now yours. Use it well."
Kagome instantly picked up how he overemphasized the word well, and how his eyes darted across to the old well house, near the Goshinboku. Souta seemed less concerned with what he was saying, and instead focused on whether or not he was leaving.
"Thanks a bunch!" he said, with a big fake smile as Kagome reached out and took the package. "Great seeing you."
The man ignored Souta and turned around to leave.
"Please feel free to never come back!" Souta called after him. He pulled the door back into place. "Man, Sis, talk about a creeper. How do they always find you?" Souta pretended to shudder.
Kagome wasn't listening though. She was busy looking at the thing in her hands. She had taken the cloth off. It was an old sword. It sure didn't look like much, but she got the distinct impression that it was very important.
The sword had captured Souta's attention too.
"Wow, Sis," he said a little breathless. "That's really old."
Kagome looked up at her brother.
"How do you know?" she asked, running her finger up the length of the rusty blade.
Souta snorted. "Because it's my passion and life's work?" he said quickly. "That thing is at least 500 years, if it's a day. I bet it's even older than that…but the metal is a little weird. I've never seen that kind."
Kagome held it up to the light. "Maybe it's a really good knock-off," she suggested. "I don't know why anyone would just give us something like this."
"Maybe it's cursed," Souta provided cheerfully.
"You sound as bad as Gramps," Kagome said, setting it down on the table.
"Whatever, that guy was clearly a nut job," Souta said, bringing himself to eye to eye with the sword on the table, "Rambling on about his brother and being a lord, or whatever."
Kagome looked back at the door, as if expecting him to still be there.
"He was a little strange," Kagome admitted. "But I think he wanted me to take the sword to the well house."
Souta glanced at his sister. She seemed oddly mesmerized by the weapon. Her eyes were sparkling and alive. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen her look like that. Not since before Gramps died…maybe even before that.
"Uh," Souta said, looking at Buyo the cat who had climbed on the table and had begun to chew on the sword. "Why?"
Kagome's eyebrows furrowed and she frowned. "I don't know…it just feels like where it belongs, or something."
Souta picked up Buyo. "Yeah, Kags, I don't know. Maybe you caught a case of the weirdos from that creep earlier. The whole thing seems crazy to me."
Kagome laughed just a little.
"You know," she said to Souta, "It seems a little crazy to me too. I just have… a vibe."
Souta grabbed the sword off the table and handed it to Kagome.
"This thing is giving me the willies," he said. "If it's in the well house, at least it's not in here with us."
Souta looked slightly uncomfortable. Whatever it was about the sword, he didn't like it. She could tell by his rigid posture.
"Let's take it out there together," he said defensively. "I don't think you should be alone with that thing."
Kagome smiled. Her brother was still trying to protect her.
"I'm sure it's not cursed, Souta," she said trying to sound reassuring.
"I'm not," said Souta seriously.
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~0~
The Feudal Era
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Inuyasha and Miroku walked along in silence. They were almost home. It had been nearly three weeks since they had left. The people that were sick in the village had really needed someone with medical skills, not a monk and a half-demon. They had done what they could, caring for the sick, which had been hard. For some reason the illness affected children much worse than adults. They had their fair share of graves that were far too small.
"It is so much harder to lose young life," Miroku said absently to Inuyasha as they finished their journey. Inuyasha knew he was thinking of Kohaku.
"Yeah?" he asked the monk absently. "Why do ya think that is?"
Miroku looked over the horizon, toward home. Inuyasha could tell he was thinking.
"It is the loss of potential. Of what might have been," he explained. "And usually, it is the loss of something innocent."
Inuyasha looked down at his nails. There was blood caked under them, except this time it wasn't from fighting.
"Aren't you glad Sango didn't come this time?" Inuyasha asked, thinking how hard it would have been for her.
Miroku tripped slightly and Inuyasha helped catch him. They were both exaughstd, but the monk was human and weaker. Even still, he had insisted in traveling through the night to get home to Sango and the others more quickly.
"I am, and I am not," Miroku said, righting himself and answering the question. "Her hands and skills would have been helpful for others…but I fear the toll it would have taken on her."
Inuyasha put his hands, bloody nails and all, in the folds of his haori where he wouldn't see them.
"Yeah," he agreed. He looked up. It was long past nightfall. Tomorrow would be the new moon. The stars were bright tonight though. He remembered in Kagome's time they had been so dull.
Kagome.
"What about you?" Miroku asked as if reading his thoughts. "Would you prefer to have Kagome now, or safe and untouchable in her modern village?"
Although Miroku asked the question in jest, Inuyasha still felt a sharp pain stab through him. He frequently wrestled with this very question, but it wasn't because he didn't know the answer.
"I would rather have her with me, for my sake," Inuyasha said honestly. "But I'd rather have her safe with her family…for her sake."
Miroku knew the subject was a hard one for him.
"I think that you want her safe for your sake as well, Inuyasha," Miroku said softly, putting a hand on his friends shoulder. Inuyasha wasn't expecting the touch and flinched. The monk quickly pulled his hand back, not wanting to make the other uncomfortable.
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~0~
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There was a light rap on the door.
"Mew," Kirara said as Sango sat up. She was by herself tonight. Kohaku had stayed with Kaede and Shippo.
The rap came again.
"Sango?" asked a soft familiar voice. It was Miroku.
"Miroku!" she said, fumbling to get up. "Come inside! It's the middle of the night!"
He entered quickly and she could see he was exaughstd.
"Where is Inuyasha?" she asked, concerned.
"No worries, my lady," he said as he sat down. "He has moved on. Tomorrow is the new moon and he would prefer to be somewhere more remote for its duration."
Sango built the fire up a little. "Are you hungry? There is still food from dinner. I can heat it up for you."
Miroku smiled. "I hate to be more work for you, Lady Sago, but that would be much appreciated."
She quickly had the food warmed and in front of him.
"Delicious, as always," he said with a small smile.
Sango sat down after doing some more menial tasks that they both knew were just as much about keeping her hands busy as having the tasks themselves complete.
They sat in silence awhile, while Miroku finished his meal.
"You were gone a great deal longer than I expected," Sango said with no emotion in her tone.
Miroku leaned back on his hands and gave her a small smile.
"Yes, I am sorry if you were worried," he told her apologetically. "The illness was worse than we anticipated. It spread very quickly. Inuyasha and I were very much needed."
Sango looked up to the ceiling. "I was very worried."
Miroku cocked his head. It was unusual for her to say such things. His heart soared a little in his chest. Somehow it seemed like a step in the right direction.
"There is no need to worry," Miroku said softly. "I know that my time will not come for a long while yet."
Sango looked at him.
"How can you know such things, Monk?" she asked very seriously.
He leaned over and took her hand in his. She didn't pull away, just looked at the union of their fingers.
With his other hand he tilted her head to look at him, "Because I have not yet had the chance to love you and be loved freely in return."
Sango closed her eyes and turned her head.
"Our time will come," he assured her.
She tried to brush away a tear as discreetly as she could.
"I am afraid you are wrong, Miroku," she said softly.
He said nothing, but he leaned over into the darkness where the fire did not reach and pulled his pack toward him. It was larger than usual.
"I brought you back a present," he told her. "I think you will like it. The village people gave it to me as a token of thanks."
It had been intended for the village leader's daughter who had died. Miroku didn't tell her that.
"What is it?" she asked shakily as he handed her a bundle.
"Open it and find out," he encouraged.
She looked at him, then down at the thing in her lap. It was wrapped in a sort of twine. She pulled at it until it fell open.
It was full of a pink fabric that was lined with white. She pulled it out of the package to get a better look.
"A new kimono?" she asked, already knowing the answer. Miroku smiled. "It's very pretty."
Miroku reached for his pack again, and turned it upside down on the floor in front of Sango. Out fell many more packages. Some were smaller, but there were clearly quite a few things there.
"Miroku!" she exclaimed. "What is all this?"
"Mostly more kimonos," he responded with a shrug. "They also gave us some rice and money. We were there a very long time. The village wanted to express their gratitude to us and those who waited for us. I suppose they thought Inuyasha must have someone as well, because they definitely gave us enough for two-"
Sango stopped him with a look.
"How did they know you had someone, Miroku?" she asked, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer.
He sort of snorted.
"Don't worry, Lady Sango," he said as he scooted away, in case she got mad, "they only assumed."
She set the kimono down. It was very pretty.
"Why would they assume such a thing?"
Miroku looked at her lap.
"I think it was because I talked about you a great deal," he said with more emotion than was warranted for such a response. Sango studied his features.
There was silence in the hut for quite a while. After an immodest amount of time, Miroku rose to leave.
"I apologize if I have made any presumptions that would make you uncomfortable, Lady Sango."
He gathered his things and she watched him. She frequently wondered how hard it must be to be the wise one. The one that was strong for everyone else. Since Kagome had left…
Kagome.
Her best friend.
Sango often berated herself for being so foolish. If Kagome were here she would tell her to love Miroku. To love him the way she wasn't able to love Inuyasha. With her whole heart, her whole being.
But it wasn't that simple. There was Kohaku. She loved her brother, too. And he needed her now. Another woman could love Miroku. Only she could help her brother.
She looked at Miroku, who was standing in the door. He was looking at her hard, and with concern.
"I take my leave," he said, his eyes soft and forgiving. "Sleep well, Lady."
He disappeared for a moment, but before he was out of earshot, she called his name.
"Miroku," she called out into the darkness. He reappeared almost instantly.
"You called?" he asked with concern. He clearly thought something was wrong.
She looked at him with all the love she wasn't able to give him. He saw it in her and his eyes grew wide. He moved to step forward.
"Don't," she said quickly. "I just wanted to tell you-"
"Yes?"
She looked at him.
"Monk, I am so sorry that I cannot love you the way you deserve," she practically whispered. Her eyes were full of tears and starlight.
He closed his mouth and bowed his head.
"Sango," he said first to the floor. Then he looked up at her. "I would wait a thousand years for your hand, and my love will never falter or fail. Our time will come."
He said the last part so slowly she almost didn't notice him leaving her in the night afterwards.
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~0~
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Inuyasha sat outside Sango and Kohaku's hut. He had followed the monk here. It wouldn't do to bring him all the way home only to have him mauled by a wild animal before he arrived at his destination.
Inuyasha had thought it strange Miroku went straight for Sango's hut in the middle of the night…but then again, he supposed, it wasn't that strange.
He had sat outside while they talked. He hadn't really meant to listen, but he couldn't really help it. Well, he probably could, but he didn't want to.
He was feeling nostalgic this evening. Seeing them together and getting along reminded him of a different time. A time before, when they had all been happier. It reminded him of Kagome.
Kagome.
He loved her. She knew that. He had never told her. He didn't need to. It would have been like telling her that grass was green or that water was wet. It just was.
He regretted it now, though. Maybe if she had known…maybe she would have come back.
He shook his head. He really had no way of knowing if there was a way for her to get back…but if there was, he wondered if she would take it. Eight years has passed. Eight. Miroku and Sango should have children. Hell, he should have children, if such a thing were possible.
He still missed her. He was used to it. It was always inside him, like a toothache or an itch he couldn't get to. He still wanted her as much as he had on that day eight years ago when she disappeared into the vortex that took her away.
He told himself that he really couldn't do right by her, not like she deserved. It was better she was home, with her family. The people she belonged to. She deserved to move on to better things than this.
The problem was she was the best thing he ever had.
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A/N – So, what did you think? I promise this story will not be such a killjoy. Right now it seems like everyone is unhappy, but not for long. I planned this to be an InuKag, MirSan, SesRin type of thing. So it will fallow all of those characters.
It is so fun to write this for you guys, I hope you are enjoying it. Next chapter Kagome goes back to the Feudal Era...and I have a surprise for you. Are you pumped? Ha-ha.
Anyway, like time I asked if you guys have any favorite InuKag stories, I am still looking for those! If you have one, let me know. Also, I have a question for you guys
What is your favorite pairings and why? I am thinking of maybe looking at some SessKag, or even KouKag! Let me know.
