Fate's Twisted Feathers

by mauigurl808

Sequel:'The Prophecy of the Child'. Kag is reborn, but she finds that her friends and family have all moved on. She needs to cope with the loss of a loved one while trying to live a new life. But the Fates have a funny way of giving life back.

2. Do I Know You?

Author's Note: I would just like to say thanks to those who reviewed the first chapter. I was pleased to see that I had fifteen reviews and many Favorite Story, Favorite Author and Alert Story, Alert Author. I was so shocked to see the numbers of reviews, but then again, it was only the first chapter. Let's see how many reviews I can get for this one.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...

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Chapter 2: Do I Know You?

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With a sigh, Kagome walked into the Daycare Center, loving the peace and serenity it held. She smiled to herself, taking in the silence that was usually filled with screaming children and many bodies. But now, the tables were empty, only holding the Playdoh that the children were playing with. The ground was littered with toys from fire trucks to Barbie dolls, all left as if unwanted. Now, the children were outside, playing in the playground before they had their naptime. Kagome went to the small, children's table and began to put the Playdohs back in their colored cups.

She could hear Sensei in the kitchen making some snacks for the children before they watched their movie for naptime. The Sensei had never changed. Kagome stood up to check on the children, and then went back to putting away the Playdoh. Sensei was the same kind, old man who would have taken her in in a heartbeat. And he did just that. Although, there was a long discussion as to how she came back to life after all the talk about the High Priestess being killed. Kagome had to explain to him about the Fates' offer, but she also learned a bit more about modern day society from him.

The war in Hokkaido had left its scars on the island. There were many forests destroyed, villages, and even burial sites. The mountains were scarred with the remains of what the demons had left behind in the mines. Though the volcano had erupted a few days after the war ended, the surface of the mines could be accessed. The inner mines were destroyed from the lava and now set in solid rock. Kagome remembered how Sensei had told her that the people of Japan now worship her as a deity. They saw her as the protector and savior for what she has done for the people. Kagome now realized that her wonders of being in history like her mother has come true, and she was living the moment.

"Kagome…"

Turning around, Kagome smiled at the little girl in the doorway. Her pigtails hung down from the top of her head and her eyes were big and innocent. "Yes, Kamiko? What's wrong?" she asked, leaving the Playdohs to head towards the little girl. Kagome got to her knees, looking at Kamiko in the eye.

"Can I have a cookie now?" she asked, her lip out and pouty.

Kagome giggled with a shake of her head. "I told you not yet. Pretty soon you can have one, okay?" Kamiko nodded, a smile on her face at knowing that she could have a cookie soon. "Now run along. Naptime is almost ready and then you can have your cookie." Kamiko nodded and thanked her, then turned around to run back to the sandbox. Kagome watched the children play for a few seconds through the open doorway and then got up to head back to the table.

Grabbing the Playdohs, Kagome brought them to a basket on a shelf to keep them for safekeeping. She then went to pick up the toys on the ground and place them in their own basket in the corner of the living room. Her mind wandered with her movements as she busied herself before Sensei finished. It has been one week since she has been back. One week since she found out that Inuyasha and Kikyo were engaged and were having a child in four months. Kagome placed the toys in the basket and placed one hand against the wall, her eyes locked onto the yellow school bus. She closed her eyes, trying to will the image out of her mind and get her thoughts cleared and focus. After a couple of seconds, Kagome opened her eyes and turned around to get the rest of the toys, her emotions pushed aside.

She was trained to be a miko, born a miko, and will always be a miko. Miko never had the same life as the people of Japan, which was something she had to learn the hard way. Living it. Then dying it. But Kagome was thankful that she now lives like she never could have and always wished for. Normal.

"Kagome?"

Kagome turned to see Sensei standing in the doorway to the kitchen. "Yes, Sensei?"

"Are you okay?" he asked, moving into the living room slowly. The black hakama and white kimono he wore made him look just like her grandfather. But he wasn't, he was totally different and so was his looks, but the clothes were a good match.

"I'm fine. Just trying to hurry and clear the living room before those children get back in here and tear up the room," she joked, keeping her eyes on the toys she had to pick up. Moving to the toys on the floor, Kagome kept her body busy while she waited for Sensei to talk.

But there was a short silence. Sensei moved towards the window that viewed the backyard of the Daycare Center. He linked his hands behind his back, his eyes sad as he gazed at the children. "Does your sister know you are back?"

Kagome froze, her hand mere inches from grabbing a teddy bear. Her eyes were wide as she gazed at the carpet, her mind reeling at what Sensei had just said. 'What…' Well, of course he would know of Inuyasha and Kikyo's relationship. The whole of Japan knew of Inuyasha and Kikyo's relationship. Inuyasha was the leader of Mayonaka, the most prominent band in all of Japan, and the news were bound to follow up on him. Even the other two boys were popular, Koga and Miroku, but what happened to Inuyasha would be even more interesting. He was the talk of the city, the town, and he and Kikyo would surely turn the eyes of many.

"No," Kagome simply said, reaching for the teddy bear to cradle it in her arms. "I decided not to tell her or the Takahashis. They already have too much to deal with, with a child and another child on the way." Kagome walked towards the basket and dumped the toys in, standing tall to look out the window. She stood on the side of Sensei, the two not looking at each other's eyes, but understanding each other's aura.

"You did not tell me about your child."

Kagome winced as she felt a hard pain constrict in her chest, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned away from the light outside, her eyes burning with the need to cry. But she wouldn't. Kagome shook her head, trying to get rid of her emotions and images that flooded her mind. The night of her child's birth. The pain of the contractions. The monks around her, giving her support while she had sweat for hours in labor.

"I am sorry," Sensei said. Kagome jumped when she felt him place his hand on her shoulder and lead her to the kitchen. Sensei helped Kagome sit in a stool, seeing the way the girl just closed herself from the world. She seemed lost, her eyes searching the ground as if it held the secrets that were buried within her heart. Sensei almost felt sorry for Kagome. She was brought back to life, and it was obvious how happy she must have been to know that she wouldn't be able to be with Inuyasha. They could have even make up for the child that they had obviously lost. Sensei walked towards the refrigerator to get a glass of orange juice. Kagome must have lost the child because of the way she acted towards the statement he gave her, though he had no idea. Sensei came back towards Kagome's side and offered her the cup of juice. "Here, drink this."

Kagome tried to smile, taking the cup from his hand to place it on her lap. Sensei watched her carefully, from the way her eyes were to the way her face showed her emotions. He watched her with a keen eye.

"I am sorry for bringing up such memories…"

"Don't be," Kagome interjected, a smile on her face. "You had no idea, and I don't blame you for wanting to know. The last time you saw me, I was as plump as a watermelon."

Sensei lightly chuckled with Kagome, hoping it would ease the tension. And it did, like it seemed. Kagome raised her head and smiled at him, her eyes happy and awaiting something. He hid his shock and confusion as Kagome placed her cup on the countertop and got off the stool.

"Let's just say… I lost my child," Kagome said with a smile, closing her eyes. She turned around and walked back into the living room to finish her duties.

Sensei remained planted in his spot, confused as to what just happen. One minute Kagome was sad and distressed, and the next she was happy. But this was the Kagome that he knew. Sensei sighed, picked up the glass Kagome left behind, and went towards the sink. Kagome always hid her feelings and thoughts from others. When she used to work here before, she was always a soft, warm loving girl. But he could tell there was something else under the surface, something hidden and wary. Now that he knew she was the Shikon no Miko and High Priestess, it makes sense as to how Kagome acted before. But it seemed like all those trainings while she was a child still remains in this woman. She still hides her feelings, still feels the need to be happy for other's sake, not her own. The life of a priestess. Sensei turned off the water and placed the cup in the dish rack. He turned to take one look at the doorway and then walked towards it, ready to call the children back in for their naptime.

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Kira sighed as she placed the dishes back on the shelves. Her eyes wandered from the window to the sink, then back again. 'Kikyo…' She was supposed to be coming over this afternoon. Kikyo had called about ten minutes ago, saying that she missed Kira and that she wanted to come over. Of course, Inuyasha wouldn't let his pregnant fiancé go anywhere without him. The stairs to the shrine was enough to make Inuyasha fuss about Kikyo coming here. But Kikyo had insisted and gotten her way, so the family was coming to the shrine. Kira did miss Kikyo, yes. It has been two weeks or so, before Kagome came back, that Kikyo had visited Souta and her. But with Kazuki and a baby on the way, she really had her hands full.

Kira closed her eyes as pain washed through her heart. She turned off the sink and walked over to the table, pulling out a chair to sit down. 'Kagome…' Her poor daughter. She didn't even know that Kazuki was hers. It was wrong not to tell Kagome, but it was Kikyo's and Inuyasha's duty to tell her. But they still didn't know that she came back, which was what Kagome had wanted. Kira propped her elbows on the table and placed her head in her palms. She remembered that day when Kagome had come home and asked about Kikyo and Inuyasha's relationship. Kira knew that Kagome had seen them at the park that day, which was why she didn't want to tell Kagome about her sister's whereabouts. But Kagome needed to know, she would have found out sooner or later. Now that Kagome knew Inuyasha had moved on, she would have to find a way to move on as well. But Kagome had not come home crying and broken. No, Kagome was way past that. Kagome had looked the same when she left home, happy. Kagome had come home happy knowing that Inuyasha and Kikyo were together.

'No… she's hiding something inside. I know my daughter. I know that she is hiding herself…' There was no denying Kagome's true feelings because even Kira could feel it sometimes. But Kagome never showed it. This past week went by easily for the family. Kagome was back around the house, helping out, doing chores while Souta went to school, and praying in the shrine. She still wore her straw hat around the shrine grounds because she didn't want to cause attention. Her rebirth still wasn't known to the world, only to their immediate family and maybe even the Daycare Center children, but they were only children. Kira raised her head and took a deep breath. She got up from the chair and pushed it in with a thought of talking to Kagome when she got back from work at the Daycare Center.

Kira turned and walked towards the sink to finish with the dishes when she spotted through the window a little boy coming over the top of the stairs into the shrine. Her eyes took in the silver hair and immediately a smile graced her face.

"Obaa! Obaa!" The little boy cried as he used his tiny feet to run towards the house. His eyes sparkled when the shoji opened and his grandmother stood there with a smile on her face. "Obaa!" he said, his smile showing his growing fangs. He pushed his two little feet to move faster and then he felt arms go around him and he was in the embrace of his grandmother.

"Kazuki, my darling. I've missed you," Kira said, rocking the three year old in her arms. She felt his warm breath on her neck where he kept his face. 'Just like your father,' she thought with a smile. While Kazuki took in her scent, Kira began to realize how heavy Kazuki became. For a three year old hanyou, the child did grow fast. Three year olds usually couldn't run like Kazuki could, or even walk that fast, but this child could do just that. He could even talk like a six year old, his vocabulary growing every week. Kira looked out towards the stairs, waiting for the parents of the child to show their faces.

"Mommy and Daddy coming," Kazuki said, lifting his face away from his grandmother.

Kira placed her arm under his butt and brought his body to one side so she could rest him on her hip. She glanced at him with a smile. "Is your mother doing okay?"

Kazuki nodded, his hair coming over his shoulder in silver waves. "Mommy said that we go to the park today. I want to go to the park."

"Oh, well that's good." Kira smiled as she just looked at Kazuki. 'Oh child…' Kazuki looked so much like his parents. Inuyasha's silver hair and dog ears were the dominant traits of Kazuki. The cute little appendages wiggled on the top of his head as he could hear every rustle and every chirp. The boy still had to learn how to control his hearing, but Inuyasha said that Kazuki had down the basics. At least he wasn't going crazy from all the sounds in the world, which was usually hard on inu-hanyou pups. But, Kira saw Kagome in Kazuki. She was definitely there in those golden eyes. Though Kazuki had his father's eyes, Kagome's soft touch was deep in those golden orbs. Even the childish features were soft and beautiful like Kagome's. Kira turned her head before Kazuki would see her frown.

Just then, Kikyo and Inuyasha came up to the last step, making Kira smile. Inuyasha had one hand on Kikyo's lower back, supporting her weight and the other on her left arm as he helped her up. He stood to her left, his eyes worried and focused on Kikyo. Kira smiled tenderly at the sight. Inuyasha was always so rough to others, but to Kikyo he showed his other side. The one she first saw when he was with Kagome. Kira sighed. 'Not now, Kira. Let's not do this now in front of Kazuki.'

"Obaa?" Kazuki said, his little voice squeaky like a child's.

Kira turned her head to look at him with a smile, bringing up his body. "Yes, Kazuki?"

"You okay?"

Kira smiled and looked at his innocent face. His eyes showed that he knew her feelings, probably could smell it through that hanyou nose of his. "I'm fine. Let's go see if your mother's okay." That said, Kira put Kazuki down and the two met the couple halfway.

"Mother," Kikyo said, leaving Inuyasha's arms to wrap her own around her mother. She smiled as she felt her mother's warmth encompass her, something that she needed.

Kira smiled, bringing Kikyo gently into her arms to accommodate the huge belly. She turned her face toward Inuyasha, who now had Kazuki in one hand. She smiled at him. "Hello, Inuyasha."

"Hello, Aunt Kira." Kira smiled, rubbing her daughter's back.

Kikyo released Kira and the two moved back to look at each other. "Come, let's sit down," Kira said, ushering the three into her home.

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Inuyasha walked around the living room while the women talked in the kitchen. They just had their snack before dinner, or maybe it would be Kikyo's and Kazuki's dinner, but not his. He looked at the pictures that were up against the shelf right above the fireplace. Inuyasha remembered when his father had wanted to make the fireplace for Kira because his father thought that it would be better for Kira during winter time. Kira had definitely tried to fight his father about it, but in the end, his father won. Inuyasha smirked with a quick chuckle. His eyes moved over the pictures of Kazuki, from when he was just a newborn in his baby blue blanket, to when he had his third birthday. The cake in front of Kazuki said 'Happy Birthday Kazuki' with a number '3' candle. The look in Kazuki's eyes showed his happiness and excitement as he stood poised over the cake, ready to make his wish. Inuyasha sighed, looking at the other family pictures. There were a few of him and Kikyo and some of Kikyo and her family. He smiled at Souta's figure, the boy growing taller and taller everyday. That Souta was no squirt anymore, but he was truly turning out to be a man.

Inuyasha remembered how Souta would call him before, asking him for help. There were times when Souta just needed to talk to another guy about guy things, and times when Souta just needed comfort from another man when the duties came to heavy to deal with. Souta was the man of the house and he had the full responsibility of taking care of his mother now that Kikyo was living with him. But Souta knew what was good for his mother, and Inuyasha had faith in the boy.

"Daddy?"

Inuyasha turned around to see Kazuki standing behind him. The boy had his hair back in a rubber band because Kikyo didn't want his hair going into his food while he ate. Inuyasha smirked and picked up his son, giving him a hard look. "Did you eat all your food?"

Kazuki nodded, not afraid of his father's 'mean' look. "Yep. Ate it all."

Inuyasha smiled and nodded his head. "Good pup." Kazuki beamed at his father's praise. Inuyasha walked towards the kitchen doorway, looking in at the two women still talking. Kikyo turned, looking at her two boys with a smile as she felt their presence.

"Why don't you let Kazuki play outside, Inu," Kikyo said, her eyes on her son. Kazuki looked up to Inuyasha, his eyes wide and pleading. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and placed the boy down.

"Go on." Kazuki yelled his enthusiasm and ran towards the door, putting on his sandals. "Don't leave the shrine grounds, pup," Inuyasha warned, his face serious as he looked at his son. Kazuki nodded and opened the shoji, closing it behind him as he left his father's sight. Inuyasha sighed and turned to walk into the kitchen.

"Seems like you got your hands full, Inuyasha," Kira said with a smile, watching as the hanyou made his way next to his finace's side. Inuyasha moved his seat closer to Kikyo's so that he could open his legs with Kikyo's chair in between them. Inuyasha nodded, placing his elbow on the table.

"That kid just has a lot of energy," he said, turning to look at Kikyo. "And you seem to be enjoying this."

Kikyo had a smile on her face but she didn't look at him. "I am. He misses you, you know. It's not everyday that he can spend time with you like this," she remembered him.

Inuyasha sighed and turned to look at the empty plates. "I know."

Kira tilted her head. "The music?" she asked, wondering why the two were so down.

Kikyo smiled, trying to reassure her mother, while placing a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder to reassure him. "It's just that he's been so busy with working on the upcoming concert with the boys that he's rarely home." Kikyo tried not to seem down, but Inuyasha had heard it in her voice. Soon, he had his arms around her, comforting her when she should have been comforting him. Inuyasha laid his chin on her left shoulder, looking at her with regret.

"I'm sorry, Kikyo. You know that I try to get home as soon as I can."

"I know…" Kikyo said, closing her eyes as she shook her head. "I know. It's just… Kazuki and I want you to ourselves, you know?" she asked, tilting her head to look at him better. Kikyo smiled at Inuyasha's smirk as he wiggled his eyebrows at her. Kikyo giggled and nudged him off her shoulder, making him dislodge his arms around her figure. Kikyo looked back to her mother and began to talk again, making up for the two weeks that they didn't see each other.

Kazuki ran around the shrines, letting out his energy while he felt excited. He ran around every shrine house, not looking where he was going but happy to be able to run around. Being stuffed in the house was boring. At least when he was at home, he could run around the backyard while his mother watched him on the porch. Kazuki smiled, jumping over a stick that lay on the stones, but kept running. Finally, he ended up in front of the Goshinboku. His small body moved up and down, trying to catch his breath. Kazuki's eyes looked at the statue in front of the Goshinboku with wonder and curiosity.

Walking over to the statue, Kazuki kept his eyes on the face, squinting as the sunlight rolled off the white stone in glares. When he came to the front of the statue, Kazuki just stared up at the statue, fascinated by the beauty of the woman. His mother told him that this was the High Priestess, the most sacred woman in all of Japan. She was powerful and beautiful. She had protected Japan from the bad guys and in the end, she died for the people of Japan. Kazuki always asked his mother about this story when he went to bed. His mother always told him the story before he slept, the story about the Shikon no Miko and how she fought the bad guys and won the war a little after he was born. But what Kazuki didn't understand was the ending. It didn't seem like a happy ending, though his mother always told him that it was. The miko had given the people their lives, and that was the happy ending. But Kazuki always wondered why the miko didn't get the happy ending that she should have gotten, one where she still lives. Kazuki kept staring up at the statue, watching the way those stone eyes looked down at him.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Opening her eyes, Kagome stared down at the wooden floor in front of her. There were two candles, one on each side of her that remained on the sides of a red rose. Kagome's hands remained in front of her chest, both clasped together in prayer, as she stared down at the beautiful rose. She had awoken from her meditation with a wrenching feeling. Something had distracted her concentration. Something was here, and it was grabbing her awareness. She reached down towards the rose, picking it up by the bare stem and taking a sniff of the intoxicating scent. Kagome smiled as the beauty seeped into her being. She loved roses, loved them so. This rose was just one of the gifts that the people gave to her. She then looked around the shrine house at the gifts that remained near the walls and on the tables next to the walls. She was in the middle of the room, sitting on a brown mat, while the statue of Buddha remained in front of her.

Kagome went to her knees and then pushed herself up. She began to clear the room of the candles and placed the rose back in the bouquet that she got it from. The red roses she then placed near the foot of the Buddha statue. She bowed as she got up, and then turned around to roll up the mat and place it with the other mats that were given to her. These were all gifts, and she was going to use them since they were for her. Kagome smiled. 'At least when I find a house I have most of my furniture,' she joked as she walked towards the shoji. Picking up the straw hat she left by the door, Kagome placed it securely on her head, and then opened the shoji.

The sun glared on her red hakama, shining through the holes on her straw hat to make a design on her kimono. Kagome took a deep breath and closed the shoji behind her. She took a step down the stairs and then froze, her body jerking to a stop. Kagome turned her head to the side, her eyes darting back and forth. Something was here. Kagome flared out her aura, touching everything in the shrine, trying to find what the source of the demonic energy was. She could feel two demonic auras in the shrine, and though she knew that she shouldn't be paranoid, she just worried about her mother. Kagome found the first one, a very small energy, but it was an inu-demon. She gasped as she realized the feel of the aura. She then went for the other aura and found that she knew this one, she knew it well. The closer she pushed her aura to it, the more she remembered that touch. Kagome gasped and her aura flew back into her, making her fall back to the shoji. Her weight slammed against the shoji as her eyes, wide with shock and fear, remained hidden under the straw hat.

'Oh no…' Inuyasha was here. She knew it for a fact. She knew his aura anywhere, the soft touch of it, and the masculinity of the… 'Stop it!' she scolded herself. She was not going to go there, not when she was working her way away from there, away from her love for Inuyasha. Kagome took a deep breath, held it in until her lungs burned, and then let it out. She had to leave the shrine before Inuyasha found out that she was here. Quickly walking down the stairs, Kagome felt her heart racing as she realized that Inuyasha was here. He was in her home, talking with her mother. But he was here, so close to her that she could reach out her aura and encompass his own in her warmth. 'No! Stop this, Kagome!' she screamed in her mind, her eyes stinging with tears. Inuyasha was not hers anymore. She had to let him go, it was for the best. But it was so hard when she loved him this much, enough to risk everything and give up everything for.

Running quickly to the stairs, Kagome saw her sanctuary in clear view. But then there was that little demonic aura that came stronger. Her eyes turned and then she jerked to a stop, her body turning to her statue. There, on the white stones of her statue, remained a small figure. Kagome squinted her eyes, trying to see what was on her statue. She then gasped, realizing that it looked like a little child on top of the hands of statue. Kagome then ran towards her statue, fearing for the child's safety.

Coming to a stop in front of the statue, Kagome looked up at the sleeping figure in the hands of the statue. Perched in the palms was a small boy, but it was the color of the hair that made Kagome take a step back. 'Oh my God…' Her eyes stung even more as she realized whose child this was. Kagome bit her bottom lip but stood her ground, wanting to make sure that the child would be safe before she left. Even though he was Inuyasha and Kikyo's child, he was her nephew.

"Little boy," Kagome called up to the child. The ears on the top of the child's head tweaked, those cute appendages opening the wound in her heart. 'Inuyasha…' She needed to leave before she broke down. "Little boy."

Kazuki blinked, the sun filtering in his eyes. He opened them and looked at the face of the statue. "Little boy." Kazuki then turned his head and looked down to see someone with a straw hat on, covering the face of the stranger. His first instinct was to call for his parents, since they told him to never talk to strangers, but the woman seemed familiar. For some reason, he wanted to jump into this stranger's arms. It was a deep instinct that frightened Kazuki. He didn't speak, just moved so that he sat up, keeping his balance on the palms of the statue.

"Why don't you come down from there…" Kagome offered, hoping that the child would listen to her. It was Inuyasha's child, so hopefully he wouldn't have the hanyou's stubbornness. 'I need to leave…' she thought, her heart continuing to break from the wounds she kept opening.

Kazuki scrunched his eyebrows, looking down at the straw hat. The woman wore miko robes, so she was a spiritual person. His mother told him that these kinds of people were nice and very friendly, well respected. But for some reason, Kazuki felt like he knew this person. For some reason, now that Kazuki heard her speak, he wanted to jump in the woman's arms and call her his mother. He took a deep breath, and her scent hit him like a slap. Kazuki almost reeled back at the scent of this woman. 'Mommy?' he wondered, now confused as to why his whole instincts were telling him that this was his mother. He knew it, deep inside, he knew she was his mother. But, she wasn't. He shook his head, his silver hair moving about him.

Kagome tilted her head to the side, but still hiding her face from him. "Why not? It's dangerous up there. How did you get up there?"

Kazuki just looked down at the hat, wondering if he should answer. A part of him wanted to. He wanted to stay with this lady forever. But a part of him was scared because he didn't know who this stranger was. Kazuki just stared down at the hat, keeping quiet.

Kagome sighed. "Okay… is your daddy around?"

Kazuki nodded his head, not wanting to speak.

Kagome nodded, already knowing this. "I think your daddy might get scared that you're up there. Even your mother might be afraid to see you so high up there." Kagome waited for a reply, but the little boy just stared at her. She couldn't see his eyes, but through the holes of the hat she could see his face pointed towards her. She didn't know if she should just leave him here while she left while she could.

Kazuki stared down at the straw hat, wondering what to do. He wanted to wait for the woman to take off the straw hat, but then he didn't think she would. Her voice was soft and quiet, something gentle that made him feel comfortable. But he still didn't know her. Kazuki glared down at the straw hat, frustrated at the hat that blocks her face.

"Kazuki!" Kazuki looked up at his grandmother's voice, his ears tweaking on top of his head. He looked towards the house, waiting for her to make it around the corner. Kira then came around the corner of the house, her maroon shirt and green skirt a sight for Kazuki to know. He smiled, showing his fangs in the sunlight, seeing one person he knew and felt safe around. "Come down from there, Kazuki!" Kira yelled, walking towards the statue quickly. Kazuki smiled, the child in him coming out in knowing that he was breaking the rules and was proud of it. He giggled, and then looked down. He gasped. The woman was gone. Kazuki looked around, not seeing her anywhere. He then sniffed the air, trying to find out where her scent went, but he couldn't scent her. She was gone. Kazuki frowned, his pride suddenly disappearing.

"Kazuki! Come down, sweetheart." Kira said, now right at the bottom of the statue. Her arms were open wide for him to jump in them. Kazuki smiled down at his grandmother and jumped into her arms.

"Oof. I almost forgot how heavy you are," Kira said with a huff. Kazuki giggled and snuggled into his grandmother's arms. "Your father is helping your mother use the bathroom." Kazuki nodded, understanding that her mother was with his brother or sister and that she needed help. Kazuki was excited to have a brother or sister to play with. His father told him that he would have to help watch the young one because he would be the older one now. But Kazuki was excited to have to be the protector. Just like his daddy.

"Obaa?"

Kira looked at Kazuki, held on one hip, as she continued to walk towards the stairs of the shrine. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Did you see a miko here?"

Kira almost faltered in her steps, her eyes looking around. 'Kagome…' She knew it was her daughter. The only priestess around here was Kagome, and if Kagome had seen Kazuki. 'Does she know?'

"Obaa?" Kazuki reached up to touch his grandmother's cheek.

Kira snapped out of her thoughts, smiling at her grandson. "Sometimes I see them come and go. They make their prayers and then leave." Kira watched as Kazuki smiled and nodded his understanding. The child was smart for his age, but he was a half demon, which meant that he grew faster than humans. Which was another reason why Kira worried about what Kazuki knew and thought.

"Okaa!" Kazuki said, reaching behind his grandmother's back as he saw his parents come into view. Kira stopped walking and turned around to see Inuyasha closing the shoji door and then the couple walked towards her and Kazuki. She smiled at the sight, but put Kazuki down.

"Ready to go, Kazuki?" Kikyo asked, leaving Inuyasha's side to place her hand on Kazuki's head. She rubbed his ears, earning a small purr from Kazuki. Kira tilted her head and smiled gently down at the sight of her grandson being loved.

"I found him on the statue again," Kira said, her eyes looking at Inuyasha and Kikyo. The two returned her serious glance, both looking at her with worry and understanding.

Kikyo sighed, turning her attention back to her son. "Kazuki… how many times must I tell you not to go up on that statue? It's too dangerous," she said, as she stopped rubbing his ears.

Kazuki looked up at his mother with a pout. "Sorry, Okaa." Kikyo sighed and smiled, comforting Kazuki now that he apologized. Kazuki went to his mother's thigh and wrapped his hands around it, getting closer to his mother's embrace after being scolded.

Kira smiled at the sight, but then she looked back up and saw that Inuyasha was deep in his thoughts. "Will I see you guys soon?" Kira asked, looking at her daughter, but then glancing back at Inuyasha.

Kikyo nodded her head with a sigh. "Hopefully next week. We missed last week's visit because Miroku and Sango threw a barbeque at their house. But we'll come next week… if we don't have any plans," Kikyo said with a light chuckle. Kira nodded and moved to hug her daughter. The two wrapped their arms around each other with Kazuki in the middle, hugging his mother's leg. Kira looked over at Inuyasha, seeing him with his head turned towards Kagome's statue. She scrunched her eyebrows together, trying to figure out what Inuyasha was sensing. He seemed deep in his thoughts, which made Kira afraid that Inuyasha was figuring out that Kagome was here. Inuyasha took a deep breath and Kira released Kikyo.

"So I'll see you next week then. Bye, Kazuki," Kira said, trying not to seem pushy but Kira needed Inuyasha to leave. Soon. Kazuki looked up and nodded his head with a smile. Kikyo then nodded her head and turned to see Inuyasha looking back at the statue.

"Inuyasha?" Kikyo called, worry in her voice. Inuyasha's head whipped back towards Kikyo, his eyes confused and his face in deep concentration. "Ready?" Kikyo wondered what was going on with Inuyasha, but he seemed to have snapped to his senses and nodded his head.

"See you later, Aunt Kira," Inuyasha said, grabbing Kikyo by the arm to help her back down the stairs. Kira nodded and watched as the three walked down the stairs.

Behind the Goshinboku, Kagome peeked her head out to see Inuyasha and Kikyo walking down the stairs together. The sight brought another pain to her heart at how the couple looked so in love and so… together. Kagome finally felt those tears come out as the warm liquid spilled down her cheeks. She rested her cheek against the trunk of the Goshinboku and watched the happy family disappear from her sight.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Deep within the earth, the ground trembled with a force so great that it wanted to split into a thousand pieces. The trembling was only deep within the earth so the living things on land couldn't feel anything. The volcanoes remained silent, after being active those three years ago, only aiding in the war against good and evil. But Hokkaido was forever damaged. Many of the trees had been burned, cut down, or destroyed all together. The mines that went underground were caved in from the eruptions that happened during the war. And all of the tunnels that led to the underground chambers in Hokkaido were filled with boulders and new rocks made from the flowing lava that now dried up.

Just then, a burst shot through the earth, igniting flying rocks into the air like comets going in the opposite direction than supposed to. The boulders, from tiny to gigantic, flew high into the air like missiles shooting straight into the sky. The stars remained high above as the boulders fell back down to earth and shook the ground with an earthquake. Dust spewed around the deep hole that went straight into the earth, leaving the dark abyss in its wake of destruction. The mountains trembled and the animals awoke to the earthquake that shook the island of Hokkaido, disturbing the sleeping peace.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

"Good morning!" Kagome said to Souta as he walked into the kitchen.

Souta, still in his morning haze, glared at Kagome with weariness. "What's up with you? Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Souta shuffled his way to the end of the table closest to the doorway, sliding the chair out and flopping his body in it. His arms went right to the table and his head fell on his arms.

Kagome turned her head and arched her eyebrow as she watched her brother's actions getting to the kitchen table. "No… more like I woke up on the right side of the bed this morning," she corrected with a smile. Kagome then turned back to the sink and continued to wash the dishes that her mother used this morning. Kira had said that she needed to go to the store to get more eggs for the pancakes. But she had made a full batch already, just needed to make more in case they got hungry. Kagome smiled as she looked out the window into the morning light against the gray stones of the shrine grounds.

"What's up, sis?" Souta asked with a yawn. He then pouted and placed his chin back on his arms. Kagome turned around to look at him with a blank look.

"What are you talking about?"

Souta arched one eyebrow at his sister. "Well, yesterday when I came home you were quiet. And at dinner time you rarely talked, which is not like you. I would know…" Souta said with a smirk. He watched as Kagome took in his words, but then turned back to the sink without a word on her part. He sighed and turned his head away from her. Kagome never revealed what she felt, and it was like asking Hell to freeze over before she revealed her feelings. But it was Kagome's way of coping, and Souta knew that Kagome had her own way of living with her life and her obligations. Which was another reason why he felt terrible for his sister. Sometimes Souta just wished that Kagome could be a normal girl and stop being so formal and a miko. Just a regular sister, one that didn't have to be bowed upon and prayed upon like a God. Though he loved his sister deeply, he also thought about her feelings and knew that she wasn't really happy about her life either.

Kagome untied her mother's apron from her waist and placed it on the countertop. She grabbed the plate of pancakes and walked towards the table, placing the food in front of Souta. He thanked her and took the offered empty plates. Kagome waited until Souta took his share and then she took her own. After they had their plates ready, Kagome invited Souta into the living room where they could watch TV.

The two walked into the living room with their food and drinks in hand. Kagome sat on the sofa while Souta sat next to her crossed feet on the ground. She turned on the television to the news. She looked at the screen as a new report came on, the background catching her attention immediately.

"Good morning, Tsuki. I am live on Hokkaido Island, witnessing the destruction that happened late last night at about 11:24 pm. Residents say that there was an earthquake that shook the whole island, while villages closer to the area say that the earthquake was more powerful in that area. Right behind me is the destruction that I speak of. Supposedly, the ground just erupted like a geyser as thousands of rocks rained down back onto the land. Thank goodness no one was in the area, but the sound of the explosion had woken up those nearby. The police say that it couldn't have been a bomb because the hole made in the ground goes hundreds of feet into the earth. Now, they have to journey into the hole to find the source of this explosion. The police say it might take weeks, but the area is going to remain off limits until they understand what had caused the explosion in the first place. Reporting live from Hokkaido, I am Manako Shigiwara. Back to you Tsuki."

Kagome blinked as the report disappeared and one of the hosts of the news station began to talk about the report just made. 'Hokkaido?' she thought, her fork suspended over the pancakes.

"Kagome?" Souta called, looking up towards his sister's frozen face. He moved towards her, placing his plate on the ground. "Kagome!" She jumped, looking down at him in a haze. "Do you know what happened?"

Kagome shook her head, focusing on her brother. "No." She got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen, leaving her brother to watch her back in worry. Her mind was running with reasons and explanations for the explosion. The scene had occurred right where she had died. Right where the war had happened. Kagome placed her plate on the counter and leaned back against the tile countertop. 'Something's wrong…' she thought, thinking that maybe there was another reason why she was brought back to life.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Riza, Mayonaka's secretary, walked down the hall to meet with the band. They were in the recording studio with David. Riza straightened out her blouse and then held the folders closer to her chest as she used her free hand to open the door. She was greeted by the sight of David sitting behind the desk covered in buttons and lights. He was pressing some buttons when she looked up to see Miroku playing the drums. Inuyasha and Koga were both swaying to the beat. Koga then stepped in and she could hear the introduction of his bass guitar. Inuyasha was the only one with a hanging microphone in front of him, as he stepped forward and began to sing. His voice floated into the recording studio with beauty. Something about Inuyasha's voice always made her falter in her thoughts, the deep sound of his voice attracting and luring. It was the way he moved to the beat and sang with the instruments that made Riza always desire the hanyou.

"Riza… could you please close the door?" David said, turning his back to her as he went back to fidgeting with the buttons on the recording desk. Riza quickly moved in and shut the door behind her. She walked forward, her long black skirt sticking to her curves and ending right below her knees, with her white shirt draped over the top of the skirt.

"Is everything okay?" David asked, keeping his eyes on the three boys as they sang their recently made song. He tapped his foot to the beat while waiting for Riza's answer.

"The executive of Swan Lake wants to know when Mayonaka is going to go in and rehearse. He says that night time would be better." She looked down to her files, opening a few manila folders as she glanced over the important notes. "Concert tickets are already sold out. Nathan says that he might go extra early before the concert starts to change the dressing rooms." She looked down at David's face to see that he seemed confused. "He said that the last time they used the dressing room it was too uneven… or something like that." David just shrugged, his eyes now glued on Miroku as he played his solo part. "The lights crew wants to know how the show is going to go. And… there needs to be a sound check before next week."

David nodded his head as Riza took a breather. "Since the concert is coming up in two weeks, I wanted to start things next week. Better to be sooner so that something won't happen as the concert comes near." Riza nodded her head, looking down at David. "Call back Swan Lake and tell them the boys will go in next week Wednesday. Then, we can talk to the lights crew and do all of that…"

Riza nodded her head. "Okay." That said, she excused herself and closed the door behind her as she left.

David watched as Koga did his solo and ended the song on his note. He nodded his head and pressed the speak button. "Okay… good. That's enough. Come back inside." The three boys nodded their heads and left their instruments as they walked through the door connecting the studio to the recording room. Inuyasha went straight to his rolling chair as Koga flopped on the couch and Miroku sat in a recliner.

"So? What did Riza want?" Inuyasha asked, placing his palms on the edge of the hand rests. He crossed his legs at the ankle, making his jeans bunch up at the knees, while he rolled back to look at David.

David shrugged and shut off all of the equipment. "She said that Swan Lake wanted you guys to do a sound check and all that stuff. But we'll do it next week Wednesday," he said, looking around as the three nodded. "I also wanted to talk about the concert. Are you guys still planning on bringing your family?"

Koga nodded his head with a quirk of his eyebrow. "Why?" Their families always went to the concerts, so it was weird for David to ask that question.

David shook his head with a smirk. "No, nothing. I just wondered because I was thinking about moving the first class passes up to the first level balcony."

Inuyasha quickly shook his head as he heard the thought leave David's mouth. "No. I want Kikyo and Kazuki in the front row where I can see them. Plus, my mom likes it down there because she says they're away from the screaming crowd."

David sighed and nodded his head. "It was just a thought." David then excused himself as his phone rang, leaving the room to the three boys. Inuyasha sat forward in his chair, the tension in his body rising with the passing seconds.

"Spill it, dog," Koga said, leaning forward on the couch as he glared at Inuyasha. "I know you're hiding something. What's making you so tense?" he asked, watching Inuyasha with suspicion. The hanyou was acting strange, ever since yesterday. Inuyasha had avoided all of his questions about the way he acted, but Koga knew that something was wrong. He called Kikyo and asked her about it but she didn't seem to know what he was talking about. Inuyasha acted fine around her and she couldn't tell any difference in his attitude. Now, Koga knew that he wasn't making things up.

Inuyasha took a deep breath and placed his arms on his knees, staring down at the ground in deep concentration. "I know you guys are going to think I'm crazy." The two waited, feeling the tension and suspicion getting stronger in the room.

Miroku arched his eyebrows in anticipation. "So… what is it?"

Inuyasha took a moment to himself, trying to get his thoughts under control. But he kept his eyes avoided from the others, staring at the carpet in front of him. "I… I thought I sensed Kagome yesterday."

Miroku and Koga both moved at the same time, jerking to an upright position as they heard Inuyasha's whispered confession. The hanyou had his eyes avoided from them but they could see his concentration and thoughts as he glanced at the ground. Miroku shook his head, trying to comprehend what Inuyasha was saying. 'Kagome?' Inuyasha hadn't spoken Kagome's name since… since three years ago. It probably stopped at Kagome's funeral, but he never spoke Kagome's name. And now, out of the blue, Inuyasha starts saying her name. And saying that he sensed her nonetheless. It was either Inuyasha was going crazy or he was telling the truth.

"You're crazy!" Koga said, his face in disgust as he glared at Inuyasha. Miroku shook his head as he looked at Koga.

Koga looked at Inuyasha's avoided eyes as the hanyou never looked up, making Koga even more suspicious. "Come on… Inuyasha. After all these years, now you start hallucinating over her?" Koga knew that Inuyasha hadn't taken Kagome's death easily, hell, the hanyou had taken it harder than anyone. He watched as Inuyasha picked back up on the broken pieces of his life that Kagome left behind for him. But it was Kazuki that helped keep Inuyasha in track. The child had given Inuyasha hope, he had given Inuyasha a reason to live. Then, Kikyo came along and now Inuyasha was happier than ever. Inuyasha never spoke Kagome's name and he had moved on now. However, this confession was something that even made Koga think that maybe the hanyou was right.

Inuyasha shook his head, his hair falling over his shoulders as he looked up at Koga. "I know it sounds crazy… but I swear I sensed her. I could smell her scent… Koga…" he said, his voice almost becoming a purr. Koga arched his eyebrow at Inuyasha's changing attitude. But Inuyasha just continued to talk as if he didn't notice his action. "I couldn't pinpoint it. But it was before me and Kikyo left Kira's house yesterday."

Miroku considered Inuyasha's thoughts. If Inuyasha was telling the truth, which seemed like he was, then it only left more unanswered and crazy questions. 'Kagome… alive?' Yeah right. They were all losing their minds. "Listen… I think it was your mind playing tricks on you, Inuyasha." The two boys looked at him at the same time, both with uncertainty of his words. "I mean, come on. Kagome… alive? We're kidding ourselves if we think that. You know, as well as I do, that Kagome is not coming back."

"Well then what do you explain Inuyasha scenting Kagome's scent?" Koga asked, still unsure about Miroku's explanation. "There's no doubt that Inuyasha's nose doesn't lie." He knew that Inuyasha was a powerful hanyou, and his senses had not died on him. But Koga knew that this was also unbelievable and totally crazy.

Miroku shrugged. "Maybe he took in Kikyo's scent and a part of him wished that it was Kagome's. I don't know. I just…" Miroku sighed, defeated. He didn't know what he was saying, but he was trying to put some logic into this matter. But it wasn't working out and they were still confused. David walked in, surprising the three and ruining their conversation. But the boys didn't forget about Inuyasha's confession and the crazy thoughts that ran in their mind.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Kagome sighed, sitting back into the seat. The taxi driver didn't seem to notice her nervousness and uncertainty. The security monitor at the gate had drawn on her nerves, and now she was more nervous than ever. She looked around at the greenery as the taxi drove up the long driveway to head to the house. She looked at the mountain ranges that dominated the landscape behind the house. There were rose bushes along the side of the house as the taxi pulled up into the circular driveway. Pulling to a stop, Kagome took a deep breath and grabbed the brown bag that she brought with her. She paid the taxi driver and then got out of the cab, watching as he drove around the circle to head back onto the long stretch of driveway to the road. Kagome yearned to get back in the taxi and just forget this reunion, but she knew she had to get it over with. 'Sooner or later… everyone is going to find out.' There were thoughts that made her believe that she could hide her identity forever, that it was possible for her to remain unknown in this world as she lived in it. Kagome smiled sadly as she looked up at the grand house that towered before her.

Her eyes stung with the memories that flooded into her mind. These people were her family, and she had so many memories of them and this place. Kagome looked at all the glass windows that ran from ceiling to floor on every three levels of the house. 'More like a mansion…' she thought with a smirk. Turning around, Kagome took notice of the statue that remains in the middle of the driveway that circled around in a loop. She squinted, walking closer to the statue to get a better view of the shape. Kagome's eyes widened as her pace became faster.

Stopping at the stone wall around the statue, keeping the water in since it was also a fountain, Kagome stared up at the statue in awe. 'It's… it's me!' she thought with a shock. If she remembered correctly, the Takahashis had her mother as their water fountain statue in the front of their house. But, it's not her mother anymore. It was her. The statue looked just like her, but it was made of dark green jade, which made Kagome shocked and speechless. The jade statue had its hands out on the sides, where water came out of the palms and fell into the pool below. The face of Kagome was turned to the side in a frown as her eyes looked down at the water underneath her. The hair remained behind her figure, draping down to her back where it caught a gentle breeze at the ends. The statue wore a kimono with Sakura flower engravings on it. Kagome shook her head, still shocked that this statue was here. But it was how the statue was made that blew her mind. The frown set on the face, and the sad eyes that glanced down at the water was what made Kagome feel pain. It was as if the statue was sad and lost. And she could feel that.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" a voice called from behind, making Kagome snap out of her thoughts to remember where she was. She straightened out her back and willed herself to think clearly before meeting the Takahashis. But the voice was what made Kagome lose her thoughts. It was Izayoi. It had to be because Kagome couldn't forget that kind and carefree voice of hers.

"This is a beautiful statue," Kagome said, complementing the only thing that reminded her of what she was. She didn't turn around, afraid to meet Izayoi. She had willed herself here, and through her strength she came. But now she knew she was wrong for coming. 'I'm not ready for this. It's too soon,' she chanted to herself as the wind played with her hair. Her hand tightened on the bag slung over her shoulder as she waited for Izayoi to speak.

Izayoi squinted her eyes in curiosity, staring at the girl's back. "Thank you," she said hesitantly. The conversation was awkward when she was speaking to a stranger, but something in her told her that she knew this woman. The woman with the bag slung over her shoulder, staring up at Kagome's statue, seemed familiar. It was the voice that made Izayoi conjure up the first image of the person who had that voice. 'Kagome…' But it was impossible.

"Who are you?" Izayoi asked again, this time taking a step forward. She remained at the edge of the stone pavement before it became grass surrounding the water fountain. A few rose bushes remained at the edge of the grass that touched the stone pavement for the road. Izayoi remembered just hearing the taxi driver say it was Kira. Well he said Higurashi. 'This is not Kira. She doesn't dress like this and her hair isn't so long. So who is it?' As Izayoi tried to figure out who this person was, her mind played games with her. The voice, she knew, could only be Kagome's. There was something within her that knew for sure that it was Kagome's voice. But it just wasn't possible, and it made Izayoi even furious at having to question this stranger outside of her home. Izayoi waited, still watching the woman's back, as her mind continued to give her options as to who the woman was.

Kagome took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 'You know you must,' Midoriko's voice broke into her thoughts. Kagome snapped her eyes open and the sound of the water falling into the pond below brought her back to reality. "If I tell you… will you believe me?"

There was a hesitation, and then Izayoi took another step forward, this time stepping onto grass. "Depends…" she said softly, afraid of breaking the moment. 'It is her… it has to be her… but that's impossible…' she kept chanting to herself.

Kagome nodded her head and tilted her head to the side, giving Izayoi a glimpse of the porcelain face. She took another step forward, willing her hands to remain by her side. The face was that of a doll's, smooth and creamy white. Izayoi knew the facial features as if she remembered seeing this person just yesterday. But her heart stuttered when the woman fully turned around, giving Izayoi the view of the angel that flocked her dreams for days.

Izayoi's eyes burned as she looked at Kagome's face, from the frown on her face to those lovely chestnut eyes. It was Kagome. Everything about this woman spoke of Kagome's serenity, her aura was the same as Izayoi felt Kagome push out her aura just a bit, enough not to scare her. Though Izayoi knew she should say something, anything to break the silence, she couldn't. Her mind was reeling with questions that she was dying to say, but she remained quiet and her mouth shut. Speechless, she walked forward, hoping that Kagome wouldn't disappear on her. But Kagome remained right in the same spot. The wind picked up as she approached, cautioning Izayoi. She took a deep breath as she came to a stop right in front of Kagome. The sound of the wind hitting against her while the water falling from Kagome's statue sprayed in the wind was all that could be heard.

Finally, Izayoi could only muster a single word. "How?" she whispered, the wind carrying that question away. Kagome just smiled slowly, letting the bag that was slung around her shoulder fall to the ledge around the water fountain.

Izayoi could see a black limo heading up the driveway, but she didn't leave her eyes from Kagome's. There was comfort there in the woman's eyes. A woman. Not a girl anymore. Kagome looked so grown up, almost like she had grown the past three years that she was dead. 'Dear Buddha… how is this possible?' Was it supposed to have happen that Kagome would come back after her prophecy was fulfilled? But why? Now that everyone had moved on without her, and their lives were going down different paths, there was no room for Kagome. Which was why Izayoi stood there speechless, unable to tell Kagome what has happened since she had left. Tell her what she really needed to know.

The black limo stopped right on the side of the water fountain, forgetting to go up to the driveway behind Izayoi to the front steps. The back doors opened and so did the driver's side. Inutaisho stepped out first, on the other side of the limo, and glanced over the car to see his mate with the woman he thought he would never see again. He was speechless, but the scent of the woman was Kagome's, and he knew that this was true. Sesshomaru was on the side facing the women, and he knew his son was asking the same questions in his head, but Sesshomaru remained speechless as he watched Kagome. Even Dai had come out of the car to walk around, awe written on his face.

Kagome looked towards the limo, her eyes shinning with love. The wind whipped her hair to the side, causing flocks to fly in her face and the rest behind her in the breeze.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The couch was a familiar feeling against her bottom. Kagome inwardly smiled in glee as she relished in the fact that she was sitting on such a comfortable piece of furniture. The living room was the same as she remembered it. Nothing had changed. The red carpet with gold trimmings under them held all of the pieces of furniture in the middle of the huge living room once entering the house of the Takahashis. The living room area was two steps down from the rest of the first floor. Kagome looked up at the chandelier that played a beautiful light within the house. She looked at the second floor balcony that wrapped around the four sides of the house. The second floor could be seen, some bookshelves and desks with lamps remained along the balcony overlooking the first floor. Then, the long staircase to the second floor was in its grand appearance to her left. Kagome smiled at the memories that flooded her mind, most of them bad. 'Too many memories of me and Inuyasha…' she thought with sadness.

Kagome turned her head and looked at the family before her. They were silent after she told them about how and why she came back. Now, they remained silent, the two men like statues. Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru who remained closer to the door, his body rock solid as he leaned his hip against a recliner. His face was the same as she remembered it, stoic like stone. But there was such gentleness hidden within his outer appearance, and she loved him for what he was. Sesshomaru locked eye contact with her, making a smile flutter across her face for a second, and then she looked at Izayoi and Inutaisho across from her. Inutaisho stood next to the arm of Izayoi's red recliner. Her face was still processing all of the information that Kagome had given them, but her eyes were clearer than before. Even Inutaisho looked much calmer now that Kagome had explained everything. He remained next to his mate, arms crossed, hip leaning against the head of Izayoi's chair. But his eyes were the same as she remembered, soft yet hard. The Takahashis were all the same, their eyes so hard like the males they were but deep within, they were the kindest and caring demons she's ever met. 'Stop it, Kagome. Now's not the time to get emotional,' she scolded herself, pushing that image of Inuyasha out of her mind.

"I'm so happy you're back, Kagome," Izayoi said, her face calm but happy. Her eyes spoke the volumes of her happiness as she leaned forward on the chair. Izayoi stared across the room at Kagome, her eyes soft and caring as she felt her chest explode with happiness. Kagome had come back to them. The girl that they all had connected to, the girl who had suffered so much for them had come back. The Fates had given her another chance at life. 'But at a wrong time,' she thought sadly, her thoughts going back to her son. Things have changed, and Kagome knew.

"I see that you guys had renovated just a bit," Kagome said with a smile on her face. Now she noticed the entertainment system behind Inutaisho and Izayoi. The entertainment system remained on ground level to the side of the house.

Inutaisho nodded. "Izayoi wanted a little change in the room," he said with a smile. Kagome giggled, looking out through the long windows behind him. They went from the ground to the second floor. Long golden curtains hung on the sides of them, only illuminating the sunlight into the house. Inutaisho watched Kagome as she looked past him into the yard outside. He took in her womanly features, comparing that to when he had last seen her three years ago. Blood had covered her body, from her head to feet, and her miko robes were torn in more places than he could count. She had wounds everywhere, even on her face. But through it all, Kagome's beauty had withstood those hideous battle wounds that were inflicted upon her. She was a true beauty there on the battlefield, and she had grown into a beautiful woman back then, and now. She had more of a woman's figure to her body, or maybe she already had that. Now that Kagome was back, Inutaisho remembered those long lost feelings he held for this one girl. She was special to him. To his whole family.

"So when did Inuyasha move out?" Kagome asked, her eyes still looking outside.

Izayoi turned her head at the question, her face in pain. She couldn't tell her, not about Inuyasha and Kikyo. The girl deserved so much more. No more pain for her. 'No more… please Buddha,' Izayoi pleased, though she knew her pleas were in vain.

However, Sesshomaru had spoken for the two. "He moved out a year after you left," he said. Kagome nodded her head, listening to his stoic voice. He didn't seem affected, that she was back, on the outside, but Kagome knew better. He just hid his feelings well. "After you left," he said, still not wanting to say die, "Inuyasha wanted to be on his own. He had too many thoughts to deal with and said that he needed space."

Kagome nodded, knowing where he was getting, though it seemed like the family just didn't want to say it. "He wanted to live with Kikyo."

Izayoi sighed softly, while the males just nodded their head seriously. They all knew that she was hurting from this, but Kagome didn't show it. The family was still shocked at how well Kagome could hide her true feelings. How well she was trained to.

"Inuyasha wanted to provide a home for Kikyo. He said that it would be a good experience for the both of them if they lived on their own." Inutaisho rested one hand on his hip and the other on the top of the head of Izayoi's chair.

"They have a beautiful son," Kagome said softly, her eyes gazing out at the environment outside of the house. It was so lovely out there, on that land that she had so many memories of. The land would run under her feet and the wind would whip across her face as Inuyasha showed her the joys of living and of being loved. "What's his name?"

"Kazuki," Izayoi said softly, watching Kagome's expression carefully. The girl just turned towards her and smiled with a nod.

"First of a new generation… Shinning one…" Kagome said with admiration as she interpreted the name. "It's a beautiful name."

Izayoi smiled sadly with a nod. "Yes. Inuyasha thought of that." She looked up at her mate as Kagome looked towards the stairs. She saw the confusion in Inutaisho's eyes, matching her own, but they should have known that Kagome wouldn't know. She had left them before she found out that her child had survived the brutal fate that it was given before it was born. Kagome was oblivious to her own flesh and blood that Kikyo and Inuyasha claimed. But it was Inuyasha and Kikyo's responsibility to tell Kagome, not theirs. It was a matter that they had to deal with. Izayoi just wished that they could tell Kagome the truth. "What did Inuyasha say when he saw you?"

"He didn't." Kagome said, her eyes avoiding the adults'. She could feel Inutaisho's wonder as she gazed at the stairs, trying to avoid their glances. "I hid by a tree as I watched them," she confessed. "I was down wind." At this, Inutaisho understood why his son didn't scent Kagome. She had watched the family in their own special moment while she had suffered at the sight. Inutaisho could only guess where this situation was going to end up in the future. It was going to get complicated for the families now that Kagome was back.

"Well… I just wanted to come by and say hi," Kagome said with a smile as she looked back towards Inutaisho and Izayoi. "I wanted to head downtown before I head home. I started searching for a job and I think I found a good one," she said with a smile on her face, proud of herself.

Izayoi watched Kagome's expression and realized the girl's plan for her future. Kagome was moving on. She was going to live her life, and though Inuyasha was taken by her own sister, Kagome was going to happily live her life without him. 'Or at least… try to.' She could see Kagome's feelings and doubts, because it was her own too, and she knew Kagome's thoughts. The girl had her mind set. But she just hoped that Kagome would talk to Inuyasha and Kikyo. "Will you tell Inuyasha?" Izayoi watched, hopefully, as Kagome smiled at her. It only took a second for her to answer.

"No." Inutaisho stiffened, and Kagome noticed. "He doesn't need to know. Let Inuyasha be happy with my sister. If he knew that I was back, I'm quite sure it will make him confused and probably guilty for being with my sister. I don't want him to feel that way," Kagome said, looking down at the table in front of her. The vase of red roses remained between the discussion of the family. "I don't want to hurt him," she said softly, her eyes tender on the petals.

Izayoi watched as Kagome stared at the roses on the table. She frowned at Kagome's set of mind, but she could understand the girl's assumptions. Though she didn't know what would happen if her son did find out that Kagome was alive, she knew that things would have to play out on their own. Izayoi looked up at her mate, watching as he faced Kagome with a concern look. 'He's worried about her…' she thought with a smile. Her mate was kind at heart, and for Kagome, her mate would go distances to see her smile. All of them would. Kagome was a special child, and special to them most of all. When Kagome had left, their family was devastated. Inuyasha had found comfort in Kikyo and the two had left with Kazuki to live on their own a little ways outside of the city. Sesshomaru and Rin have their own house as well on the opposite side of the city from Inuyasha. Miroku and Sango also have their own home in the city, and so does Koga and Ayame. Everyone had moved on and they had come to terms with the life and the choices they were given. Now with Kagome being back, it was like they were given different choices now that could jeopardize the future that they worked so hard to obtain. And Izayoi knew that Kagome knew this. 'She knows that now that she's back… it will be hard on us because of how long it took us to cope with her loss…' Izayoi began to feel sorry for Kagome, but then her mood perked when she remembered about something special in two weeks.

"Oh!" Izayoi said, catching all three of the others in surprise. The males watched Izayoi with wonder as Kagome smiled curiously as to Izayoi's change of mood. She clasped her hands together in front of her on her lap as she straightened her back, looking at Kagome with a hopeful, but stern, look. "Mayonaka has their concert coming up in two weeks." Izayoi watched as Kagome's eyes widen in shock and understanding, and she began to bite her bottom lip in uncertainty. So Izayoi spoke faster so that she could get her words out before Kagome changed her mind. "I was really hoping that you would come to this concert, Kagome. It'll be good for you to just see where the boys are now. And it'll be fun."

The three adults waited while Kagome thought it through. They watched her facial appearance, but all she did was bite her bottom lip and stare at the red roses. Kagome thought about it critically. She thought about what she would do if she ran into any of the boys, what she would say to them, what she would do if she ran into any of her girlfriends. 'Old… girlfriends, Kagome,' she thought, correcting herself. But as Kagome looked up at Izayoi's hopeful expression, Kagome knew that she couldn't turn down her offer. Izayoi was just as happy to see her as Kagome was. Izayoi deserved some happiness and Kagome was willing to sacrifice that in hopes of Izayoi's happiness.

"Sure, why not." Kagome smiled as Izayoi beamed and stood up happily, beginning to tell of tales of going shopping before the concert for a nice outfit they could wear. Kagome just sat on the couch, watching Izayoi ramble about nice red dresses. She could just picture the concert now. She remembered the last concert she went to, Mayonaka's first concert. The band was beautiful on that stage. They had owned the stage, declared Swan Lake as their own and, boy, did they sell out quickly. She remembered the lights that sang with the music and the voice of Inuyasha as he sang to the songs that he wrote. Koga was easy on his bass as Miroku was pounding on his drums. 'Mayonaka… I remember. I remember being there… for him.' Now, what would be her reason for going?

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Izayoi smiled as she picked out a perfect dress for Kagome. Her eyes sparkled with glee as she grasped onto the hanger tightly and held the bottom of the dress. Kagome was in one of the dressing rooms trying on the other dresses that Izayoi had picked for her. Izayoi smiled to herself as she walked into the dressing room. 'She must be dying by now,' she thought with a giggle. Kagome wasn't too into shopping for a dress. She had fought with Izayoi in the beginning about going shopping but, of course, Izayoi won. Kagome didn't want her to buy her a dress, but Izayoi didn't care what Kagome wanted. She smiled. 'She still hasn't changed.' It was like the old days for them again, and Izayoi felt a sense of peace flood her in knowing that this was actually happening.

"How's it going in there?" Izayoi asked as she came into the huge circular dressing room. All of the rooms were against the wall, all in a circle. On the wall between each dressing room was a body-length mirror. Izayoi watched as the curtain Kagome was behind flew open. Her eyes widened in the dress that Kagome wore.

The dark blue knee-length dress hugged Kagome's curves perfectly. Kagome's body had become more of a woman's, that Izayoi could see perfectly, and was beginning to see how much Kagome has changed during the years she was gone. The dress was strapless, so her chest was bare. Even though the dress was a plain, dark blue, Kagome worked wonders with a solid color dress. It looked gorgeous on her.

"You look beautiful," Izayoi said as she stopped in the middle of the room. She tilted her head this way and that way to size up Kagome's figure in the dress. "I like it," she said, nodding her head a few times to strengthen her point.

Kagome rolled her eyes and made a face. "I don't know, Aunt Izzy. It's too much."

Izayoi waved her free hand as she let the dress in her hand drop to the floor. "Doesn't matter. All the dresses in here are too much."

'Exactly why I didn't want to come,' Kagome thought, trying not to feel irritated or uncomfortable. It was hard to allow Izayoi to pay for her things but the woman insisted. When Izayoi insisted, she insisted, and she always got her way. Kagome shook her head as she saw another dress in Izayoi's hand. 'She needs to stop treating me like a Barbie doll.' Kagome already tried on about ten dresses and it was all beautiful. She didn't like some of them, but the dresses in here were high fashion and they would make even the ugly duckling look beautiful in any of them.

"Here, try this." Izayoi walked towards Kagome and gave her the dress. Kagome looked at her exhaustingly and she just smiled and pushed her back into the dressing room. "Go on. Try it on. Just one more, I promise." Kagome turned around with a stern look. Izayoi just smiled and shut the curtain. A few minutes later, the curtain opened and Izayoi knew that she was right about this dress.

Kagome was marvelous in the stunning, red dress. It was a Tarzan dress, where the strap went over the left shoulder and the right was bare. The long, silk dress ran down to Kagome's knees where it flared and gave her legs room for movement. But it was beautiful on Kagome. There were white linings on the sides of the dress and along the hems of the dress to give it a different color. Even though the dress was a plain red, Kagome worked that dress like magic. Izayoi's eyes widen in awe.

"You look beautiful," she said, walking forward to grab Kagome's arms. "Now all we need is shoes."

Kagome smiled with a little blush. "Thanks." Izayoi patted her cheek and then sent Kagome back inside to get out of the dress. Kagome closed the curtain and turned around slowly to look at herself in the mirror. She made a face, curiously, as she smoothed the dress against her skin. It felt wonderful to have silk on her body. The dress was beautiful and it hugged her body nicely, but not too much. Kagome turned to the side to look at herself, making sure that her body had a nice proportion. 'Well,' she thought with a sigh. 'I guess you're going to the concert, Kagome.'

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The café shop was on the corner of the street, easy to spot and convenient enough to run in and run out. The street light turned red and the people were able to cross the street. Hurrying to the other side, Kagome looked up at the sign of the café shop. 'Café 100'. She smiled with a light snicker at such an original name, but then looked back down into the windows of the café. People were sitting by the booths near the windows talking and drink their coffee. Kagome fidgeted with her hands, stalling. She shook her head and straightened her back. With a thought set in mind, Kagome opened the door into the café and walked in. The register was empty so at least she didn't have to wait for any customers to leave the desk. But the woman behind the desk looked so friendly.

"Welcome to Café 100."

Kagome smiled kindly. "Thank you." She looked up at the boards that held all the drinks, ranging from espressos to cappuccinos, and even scone breads to sandwiches. It was a nice café/lounge area, but she didn't want to turn around and take in all the tables and booths. Kagome walked forward towards the counter. "I was wondering if you were hiring."

The woman's eyes widened and then she smiled. "I believe we are. Are you interested in a job like this?"

Kagome nodded with a smile. "Yes." The woman smiled and nodded. She then excused herself and left the register to head to the back room. Kagome sighed and placed her hands on the counter. The place looked really comfortable as she began to picture what it would be like if she did get the job here. Behind the counter didn't look cluttered or unorganized, so at least the staff here knew what they were doing. Kagome looked up when a man came out with the same girl behind him.

"Hello, Ms." The man bowed as he came behind the counter and Kagome bowed back. "So you would like to apply for a position?"

Kagome nodded her head, listening to this man's deep voice. He wore a tuxedo, which means that he only spends his time in the back. A tuxedo didn't match in this kind of working environment, but since he was the manager, he definitely played the part. "Yes, I would. I haven't had experiences in a job before."

The man arched his eyebrow, looking Kagome up and down now. "You've never worked before?"

"I volunteer at a Daycare Center for children. But that's about it." Kagome stood patiently, letting the man size her up for the job. She knew that it was a bit embarrassing to be confessing that she didn't have a job before. But she never really had a reason to. Now that she was twenty one years old, and without a job before, she had a lot to make up for.

The man then nodded his head after a few minutes. "Okay." He then dug in a drawer beneath the counter and came back up with a yellow paper. "Here's an application. Just fill everything out, your availability and your preferred job position, and when you return it, I should get back to you in three to five days." Kagome nodded her head and grabbed the paper.

"Thank you."

The man smiled and turned around with a wave. "Have a nice day."

"You too," she called as he waved and walked back into his office in the back door. Kagome turned towards the girl and the two smiled together.

"Oh my God. Look, they have cheesecake with strawberries today." Kagome turned at the sound of new customers and her eyes widened in shock. She gasped and quickly turned her head, avoiding the look of the woman in line. The girl behind the register tilted her head at Kagome's actions, but then walked towards the food on display.

"Hello, Miroku and Sango. What would you guys like today?"

Kagome gasped and walked out of the line, getting around the ropes that held the customers in the line they were supposed to follow. Her heart began to beat, but she kept listening.

"Hello, Ary," Sango said. "I never knew that you guys were going to have strawberry cheesecakes today."

Ary nodded her head. "Yep. Sorry, didn't tell you."

Miroku laughed. "Don't feel sorry. Sango is just a little bit too excited to see those cheesecakes."

Sango laughed. "Shut up, Miroku. Watch, Kikyo's going to get them too. Where are they anyways? I thought they would be here by now."

"I don't know. Let me call Inuyasha," Miroku said.

Kagome opened and closed the door behind her. Her heart was still racing and her mind pained at the thought of her friends within that Café, just past these doors. Her legs felt rubbery as she walked down the crowded sidewalks, not paying attention to who was in front of her. She had the shopping bags with her dress and shoes in her right hand while the yellow application was in her left. Kagome couldn't believe that her friends were right there. 'Sango…' The sound of the girl's laughter had pulled at her heart strings, reminding Kagome of all the times that they had laughed together. Her feelings for Sango and Miroku came back, making her weak in the knees. 'I need to get home,' she thought desperately. Kagome quickened her footsteps, not paying attention to anyone walking around her, and not noticing the black limo that drove by.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Sango took a bite out of her cheesecake and moaned at the sensations that it brought to her mouth.

"My gosh. If only it was that easy to entice you in bed," Miroku said with a sigh. Sango giggled and nudged him on the arm. Miroku turned to smile at his girlfriend with a wink.

"I think I make it too easy for you," Sango said, taking another piece of the cheesecake into her mouth.

Miroku sighed with a smile on his face, nodding his head. "Yeah. You do." The two talked for a bit and then was greeted with the site of their two friends.

"Hey you guys," Sango said, looking up at their new guests. Inuyasha and Kikyo had just entered the café. The two walked over to their booth and Inuyasha helped Kikyo get seated. Kikyo then asked Inuyasha to get her something from the counter and he left them to get her something to eat.

"Sorry we're late," Kikyo said, a little out of breath.

Sango tilted her head, looking Kikyo over with a critical eye. "You sound tired. Have you been taking it easy, Kikyo?" she asked, hoping that Kikyo had taken her advice. The past few days Kikyo had been busy with helping the boys set up for their upcoming concert. She was insistent on helping them, no matter her condition, which set Inuyasha off the wall and his protective instincts would kick in overload. But they all learned to deal with it and get out of his way when Kikyo was in the building.

Kikyo shrugged, looking out the window. "I've had better days." She avoided Sango's question, knowing that the girl must know the answer to that question. Sango was always on her about 'taking it easy'. But Kikyo always felt lazy when she just sat there and watch everyone else move around and be productive. So she always insisted on helping. But now, today she felt very tired. Too tired to even walk around. Inuyasha was worried as hell, which made Kikyo smile at his attention, but it did become irritating after a while. 'But this hasn't happened before,' she thought, worrying about the state she was in. The child was kicking a lot more now days, but she was only five months, so she had a few ways more to go. But the doctors had said that she was still on the same due date and that the child was just acting up now. So Kikyo didn't worry about it too much.

"Here, Koi." Kikyo turned, surprised, but smiled up at Inuyasha as she took the bottle of orange juice from his hand.

"Thanks, Inu." Inuyasha got into the booth and placed his plate and Kikyo's plate down. Kikyo had wanted a strawberry cheesecake, just like Sango, while Inuyasha got a chocolate muffin. Kikyo took a sip of her orange juice while the couple across from them remained quiet.

"So… what's up?" Inuyasha said, breaking the silence. He ate a piece of his muffin while watching the two. Miroku and Sango looked at each other, and then looked at him. 'What are they up to?' he wondered, waiting for one of them to talk. Kikyo was busy with her cheesecake so Inuyasha paid no attention to her, hoping that she didn't notice the two's quietness.

Sango was the first to speak as she leaned on the table, trying not to make her voice too loud. "Why are you letting Kikyo push herself too hard?" she asked, glaring at Inuyasha, though her voice was soft.

Inuyasha arched his eyebrow as he glared right back at Sango. "I'm not letting her," he said, challenging Sango right back. "She wants to do it, and I can't stop her. I just make sure that she doesn't push herself too hard, and she knows it." Inuyasha turned towards Kikyo to see that she was smiling lovingly at him. He felt his heart swell and he grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers together on the table.

Miroku watched the scene as if he wasn't there. He still didn't like the fact that Kikyo and Inuyasha were together. It just seemed so wrong for Inuyasha to go to his love's sister. They just didn't match together, no matter how happy they made each other. But it wasn't Miroku's place to say something about that. Besides, he was happy that his best friend was happy again. Inuyasha deserved to be happy. They all did.

"So… Inuyasha," Miroku said, placing one arm on the back of the booth they sat in. "What took you guys so long to get here?"

Inuyasha looked at Miroku, wiping the love off his face so quickly that he almost thought that it wasn't there before. Inuyasha looked confused, trying to figure something out. "I don't know, but Dai was acting strange today. When I called him, he said that he was in a meeting with my parents. So Kikyo and I had to wait until he finished." Kikyo nodded her head and looked towards Miroku, taking over Inuyasha's explanation.

"When Dai picked us up, he acted strange. Like he wasn't talking to us that much and Inuyasha said he was nervous, which is unlikely for Dai."

Inuyasha nodded his head. "We were going to go see my parents before we head home."

"I'll call Keisha and tell her that we'll be a little late," Kikyo said as she grabbed her cell phone out of her purse to make the call. Inuyasha nodded and looked back at the couple in front of them. They began to make small conversations as they ate their snacks.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The black limo drove down the long path until it got to the winding circle. Dai stopped the car and got out, intending to help Kikyo out. But the back door opened before he could reach it and Inuyasha got out. His white shirt stood out in the sun, but had a separate contrast to his jeans pants. Inuyasha leaned in and helped Kikyo out while Dai waited by the door. He knew why Inuyasha wanted to come here. The man was interested as to why he was late today to pick them up. But Dai couldn't give away the details. Inutaisho said that he didn't want Inuyasha to know that Kagome was alive. That was the whole reason why he had to stay at the meeting. But Inuyasha had caught on that something was up so he was going to get answers from his parents.

Kikyo got out with a heavy huff, leaning her weight against Inuyasha as he took it, her long blue dress giving her room to move around in and to accommodate her belly. "Thank you, Dai," she said, her eyes soft as she looked at him next to the door.

Dai nodded and smiled back. "I'll be waiting."

Inuyasha arched his eyebrow as he turned to view Dai. "You know that I'm going to get some answers." Dai had a straight face, but nodded, uncertain of what to say. Inuyasha glared at him and then helped Kikyo towards the front door. He opened the door and let Kikyo go in.

Izayoi was approaching them from the back hallway that led to the backyard. Her smile radiated on her face as she watched the couple enter her home, onto the living room area. "Inuyasha. Kikyo. What brings you two here?" she said, going to sit on a recliner next to the couple as they sat on the couch.

"I wanted to talk to you about Dai." Inuyasha sat next to Kikyo while he looked at his mother, getting right to the point. "He was late today, which is odd for him. But not only that, he was nervous when he came to pick us up and he wouldn't tell me what you guys talked about." Inuyasha watched his mother carefully for any signs to give away her confession, but she didn't flinch. 'She must already know why we're here.' He didn't back down, but he was still hard on his mother, wanting her to tell him the truth. "What were you guys talking about?"

Kikyo watched as son and mother interacted on a whole other level. Izayoi was calm in her seat, her face serene and calm through Inuyasha's demanding tone. But Kikyo could tell that Izayoi was hiding something. It was in her smile, a smile that hid, and the way Izayoi looked at Inuyasha that told Kikyo that she was hiding something. But Kikyo remained quiet and relaxed into the couch, leaning back as Inuyasha remained with his elbows on his knees. She watched the interaction with a smile and with seriousness. 'They look so cute,' she thought with an inward giggle.

Izayoi sighed. "Your father wanted to ask Dai about the concert night. He wants each of you boys to have a limo driver because he thinks that it'll be easier to get everyone out and to the doors safely. But Dai was uncertain of who would be reliable to do that. So he and your father had to find new drivers… call up the limo agency… ask for security guards… all that stuff," Izayoi said with the movement of her hands.

Inuyasha arched his eyebrow, not smelling any nervousness from his mother. "So are we all having different limos?"

Izayoi shrugged. "Your father still hasn't figured that out. He says that he'll think about it. But there's still two weeks left so not that big of a rush. It's just that he wanted to let Dai know before you boys started to plan any kind of big entrance."

Inuyasha took a deep breath and looked towards Kikyo. "What do you think, Koi?" He watched as Kikyo smiled at him. Inuyasha smiled back. 'God… I love you, Kikyo.'

"It sounds nice," Kikyo said, her voice soft as she turned between Izayoi and Inuyasha to speak to them both. "I mean… it would make sense to have the boys separated so that the security guards would have an easier time to get them to the doors." Kikyo placed a hand on her belly as she nodded her head, agreeing with herself. Inuyasha smiled and placed his hand on Kikyo's hand, both of theirs resting on their child in her womb.

Izayoi smiled, happy for her son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. But inwardly, she felt the pain that was Kagome's. 'Poor Kagome… to come back at such a time…' Thoughts raced in her mind as Inuyasha and Kikyo talked about the possibilities of the upcoming concert. She kept her demeanor up, knowing her son and his abilities. She was used to these Inu-demons and their abilities. So she knew the tricks of avoiding their detection. Izayoi watched as Inuyasha leaned over to kiss Kikyo, so tenderly. Izayoi blinked and looked away. Now that Kagome was back, her relationship with Inuyasha kept popping into her mind, and she felt sorry for the girl. But then again, she wanted her son to be happy. And he was, with Kikyo. They've been together for three years, and they were getting married. They were having a child together, in about four months, and they already had a child who loved them. They had made a life for each other, and Izayoi knew that it was wrong for Kagome to come back. 'But… Inuyasha and Kagome were so in love…' The love that she saw from Inuyasha and Kagome was a love like no other. It was a love that she had for Inutaisho, one that can never be broken.

"Mother." Izayoi blinked and smiled at Inuyasha.

"Yes?"

"We're gonna go." Inuyasha stood up and reached down to help Kikyo get up. He pulled her to her feet and felt her arm wrap around his waist. "Kikyo told Keisha that we would be a few minutes." Izayoi nodded and got to her feet. She walked over to the two and kissed them both on the cheek.

"Tell Kazuki I said hi."

"Of course. Although, he will be mad that we didn't bring him," Kikyo said with a chuckle. Izayoi smiled lovingly at the topic of her grandson.

"Next time, I'll make him my famous cookies."

"Oh God," Inuyasha moaned.

Kikyo nudged him with her hip against his. Inuyasha looked down at Kikyo as if she was going insane. "What? That kid has about fifty sweet teeth in that mouth of his."

"Let him go, Inuyasha," Izayoi said, placing her hands on her hips. "Let him be a child while he still can." Inuyasha shook his head as he listened to these two women's words. Kikyo giggled and took a step forward, now letting Inuyasha lead her to the door. Izayoi walked behind them and waited in the doorway as she watched the two get into the limo. Dai closed the door and walked around to the front of the car and got in, starting up the limo. Izayoi waved at the dark-tinted windows as it drove back around the circle and down the long path towards the gate. She dropped her hand slowly to her side with a sigh.

Closing the door, Izayoi turned around and walked back towards the living room. She looked up at Inutaisho, who was now at the top of the stairs. His long hair was tied back at his neck and he was dressed in his jeans pants and white button up shirt. She smiled lovingly up at him, loving this side of the formal Inutaisho. When he wasn't so formal and dressed up to be the Inu-Taiyoukai that he was, he would always come down to her level in society, when she used to be just a commoner and him a demon lord. He would dress just like her, in a pair of jeans and a shirt, something that was weird to see on him but he matched in it anyways. Inutaisho began to walk down the stairs, heading towards her.

"I didn't tell him," she said, looking down at the ground as she walked towards him as well, intending to go into his arms. "I couldn't"

Inutaisho nodded. "It is best we let him find out on his own, like what Kagome wanted." Inutaisho took a deep breath, taking Izayoi into his lungs after he felt her emotions from his office upstairs. They have been together for so long that they were connected to each other in many ways. He wrapped his arms around her once she came into close distance. She felt so fragile and Inutaisho knew that this was killing her. "This is their life to play out, Izayoi."

"I know," Izayoi said, wrapping her arms around his waist as she felt him stroke her long hair. She sighed into his arms, feeling the comfort that he offered her in her times of need. "It's just… I feel so bad for Kagome."

Inutaisho nodded, his chin on top of Izayoi's head. "Kagome has a rough future ahead of her. But she knows what she's in for, and that's what I love about Kagome. She always faces what is meant for her and she never looks back."

"But she never thinks about herself," Izayoi reminded him, wanting Inutaisho to know that the girl deserved so much more than to watch her own sister and the only lover she ever had, and probably will ever have, be together. "Kagome deserves so much more than this. Why would the Fates do this to her?"

Inutaisho took a deep breath and looked ahead at the closed doors that his son walked out of. "I think that they have something planned for Kagome." He felt Izayoi stiffen at the acknowledgement, but he kept stroking her hair, only wanting to comfort his mate. That was what having a mate was all about. His instinct to comfort, love and protect his mate was stronger than anything he's ever felt before. Even the loss of a family member. Izayoi was his mate, his life, and he would do anything for her if she asked. But his son didn't have a mate. Which was what Inutaisho knew about Inuyasha more than Inuyasha knew about himself. Kagome was his mate. He could tell by his son's instincts around the girl, which he has never shown around Kikyo. But they were getting married and they were happy together, so Inutaisho knew that he shouldn't interfere.

Inutaisho sighed and tightened his hold on Izayoi as he rocked her back and forth. "Why else would they have brought Kagome back if they didn't have a duty for her when she did come back?"

---

Good? Bad? Let me know okay? I really like it when I have a lot of reviews. It let's me know that my story IS actually interesting, and not my mind just making me think that it's interesting. Anyways, I hope you liked it. I was hoping to make it a bit longer because it didn't reach my 20,000 words mark like my other chapters usually do but that's okay. It's still the beginning. Things will get a lot more interesting in the future. Let me know what you thought.

- Kaleialohalani