Kanna finished reading the letter. Her mother had left her with an important job. She needed to make her father happy. The only way to do that was to get Kagome, but how was a 13 year old girl supposed to that?
"Come Kanna," called Kaede. "Let's go get some fresh air."
"Coming," she replied. She put the letter down grabbed her shoes and ran down the stairs. She needed to think of something. She was going to get those two together whether it was the last thing she did or not.
Chapter 2: The Return of Kagome
She saw them kissing in the park under their tree. She saw them laughing in her room. She saw him open a box for her with a beautiful ring in it. She saw them hug passionately. It was more than her heart could take.
"It getting late," she looked up and smiled, hoping that it looked convincing. "I'd better get going." She got up and left. Her black BMW was waiting for her. She climbed in and made a lonely trip home.
She opened the door only to find them kissing on her bed. She turns and runs back down the long hallway. It becomes the airport. She is running, weaving her way threw the crowd.
"Kagome," she heard him call. She ignored it.
"Kagome," he called again. She would not fall to him again. She had suffered enough because of him. No more, not now and not ever again.
"Wait Kagome," his voice sounded desperate. She wanted to turn and run to him, but her heart couldn't take any more pain. She made her way to the plane.
"KAGOME!" she heard his final cry.
"Good bye," she whispered as she boarded the plane. She felt her heart torn in two as the plane took off into the clouds. Never again would she see her beloved Inuyasha…
Kagome awoke. 'I haven't dreamed about them in years.' She thought to herself. 'Why now?' She still had her eyes closed when she heard a small voice speaking.
"Mommy," a small voice called. She ignored it and rolled over. "Mommy, wake up." She felt a small creature crawl on her bed. She covered her head with the blankets. "Mommy!" the young Kitsune jumped on her.
"I'm up," she said tiredly. "I'm up Shippo."
"Good," Shippo said hopping off the bed and getting something off the floor. "Happy Birthday Mommy!" He held up a tray with breakfast and a small box. At that moment she stopped thinking about the dream and smiled.
"Aw," Kagome said taking the tray from Shippo. "Thank you baby," She said hugging the young Kitsune. Then she looked at the breakfast. "Did you make this all by yourself?" She looked at the happy little Kitsune and he smiled.
Kagome returned the smile then looked at her breakfast. It was toast, and it wasn't burnt. It had some jelly spread nicely across it. There was a glass of orange juice accompanying it. Next to the juice were some hand picked flowers, and right next to the flowers was a small box that was tied by a beautiful sapphire ribbon with a gold trim on the edges.
"You like it mommy?" Shippo asked when she didn't say anything.
"I love it," she grabbed her son and put him on her lap.
Shippo was still very small and young. He looked no bigger than a three year old, even though, he was five already. He had gold-brown hair. His eyes were a bright green and full of life. His nose was small and adorable. His small hands were clawed and his feet were pawed. To top it all off, he had a small bushy tail that Kagome was absolutely obsessed with.
Shippo flashed his mother a happy smile.
"Would you like to share it with me?" Kagome asked her son.
Shippo shook his head. "No Mommy, it's for you."
"Thank you," she said and she took a bite out of her toast. It was the absolute perfect way to start her birthday…
It was her thirty-third birthday. She sat lazily in bed hugging her adopted son. She loved her breakfast and present. She looked at her wrist and smiled. It was a beautiful bracelet. It was the best present she had ever received, even better than the ones received from her rich celebrity friends.
Kagome yawned and Shippo snuggled against her. They were both slowly falling asleep when the phone decided to ring.
"Damn phone," Kagome said as she placed Shippo down on the bed. "Hello?"
"Kagome?"
'Damn it,' Kagome mentally cursed to herself. "Hello Jake, to what do I owe this unpleasantly early call today?"
"I'm sorry Kagome, but well…"
'Shit, it must be bad if he's hesitating.' She sighed. "Well…"
"There's been a problem…"
"What kind of problem?" Kagome sighed again. She knew she wasn't going to like what she was about to hear.
"There is a problem with the branch in Japan."
"What's wrong with it? Did they not get a shipment of clothing? Did they lose something?"
Kagome and Jake spoke on the phone for only five minutes. In those five minutes Kagome managed to go from happy to pissed as hell. Her son, sleeping peacefully beside her stirred slightly when she fisted the pillow beside him.
"I'm sorry Ms. Hirugashi."
"Well what should I do?" she sighed in defeat.
"They want to speak with you in person this time."
Kagome let out a small gasp. 'Me go back to Japan?' She spaced out a bit.
"Kagome…"
"I'm sorry Jake," she said, hopping she could hide the panic that she felt. "I really, really, really can't go."
"Ms. Kagome! If you don't we could lose our Japanese buyers!"
Kagome sighed. "When do I need to go?" She wasn't about to make others miserable because of her own fear of going to another country.
"Can you go tonight?"
"No," she replied quickly. "I will not go on my birthday! I won't go tomorrow either!" She thought about it for a second. "I guess I can go the day after tomorrow.
"Thank you. I'll book your plane tickets then."
With that, Jake hung up. Kagome put the phone down slowly. She looked over at her young Kitsune son; he had one eye open and watching her carefully. She smiled, remembering that he could sense her distress.
"Mommy?" Shippo called from his place in the bed. "You okay?"
Kagome smiled. "I'm fine Shippo." She walked over to her bed and jumped on. Shippo climbed on her lap. "You want to go on a vacation, sweetie?"
Shippo's ears twitched. "Where would we go, mommy?"
"Japan," Kagome stated simply. "We'd go to Japan."
Shippo tensed up. "Do we have to?" he did his best to hide the fear in his voice. He began to tremble a bit.
Kagome held him close. "Yes," Kagome whispered in his ear. She held him closer. "It's okay Shippo; I won't let anything happen to you."
Shippo trembled and held on tightly to Kagome's pajama top. He buried his small face in her shoulder. Kagome felt her shirt getting wet; she held him tight and rocked him back and forth.
"It'll be okay Shippo," Kagome whispered lovingly in his ear. "I won't let anyone hurt you." She heard him whimper; she petted his head and rubbed his back gently.
"Please mommy," his soft voice was muffled a bit by her shirt. "Can we go somewhere else?"
Kagome smiled sadly. "Sorry baby," she hugged him and tried to get him off. She sat him in front of her so he could look her in the eyes. "Mommy has to go."
"Why?" Shippo cried out. "Why do you have to go?"
Kagome climbed off the bed and got her son a tissue. She watched him snatch the tissue from her. Normally that action would've gotten him in trouble, but now, he was so distraught that Kagome wasn't going to punish him for it. He blew his nose. Kagome still hadn't answered him and she knew he wanted an answer, so she picked up the sniffling kitsune and walked out of her room.
As she walked into the kitchen and placed the young child down on a small stool, she answered him. "I have to go because I am the president of the company, baby."
"Well then quit!" Shippo wailed.
Kagome rubbed her temples with her middle fingers. 'Good lord, what did I do to deserve this? On my birthday of all days too!' She looked into Shippo's fearful eyes. She sighed in defeat. "You don't have to go Shippo."
His sobbing stopped immediately. 'Mommy is gonna leave me?' He searched her face for an answer. "You'd leave me behind, Mommy?"
"If I was a selfish person I would take you with me, but" she sighed and kneeled to be eye level with him. "I don't want to make you do anything you don't like." She cupped his small cheek in her hand. "I love you to much to make you suffer that way." She placed a small kiss on his forehead and walked over to the fridge to get things out for his breakfast.
Shippo watched Kagome with tearful eyes. He watched her get milk and eggs out. She got out the pancake mix. She didn't look back at Shippo to ask if he wanted chocolate chips like she normally did; she just added them anyway. He knew she was upset. She placed the pancakes on the table and walked out of the kitchen. He watched her leave. His eyes went from his breakfast to the hall his upset mother had disappeared to. He got up and ran down the hall.
"Mommy," he whispered as he caught up to her and hugged he leg. "Please don't be mad at me," he cried into her pajama pants. "Please don't be mad."
Kagome looked down at the crying boy. "Shippo…" She picked him up and cradled him in her arms. "I'm not mad at you." She snuggled him to her face. "I could never be mad at you." She carried him back to the kitchen and sat down with him. She grabbed his plate and put it in front of the two of them.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Kagome kissed his fluffy head. "I love you. Now no more crying, okay?" She got a forkful of pancake and put it in front of his mouth. "Now, you eat!" She laughed and Shippo gratefully ate the pancakes.
The day improved as it went on. Kagome and Shippo played outdoors the whole day. As the sunset, their energy began to run out and sleep was closely approaching.
"Today was so much fun," Shippo panted as he dropped down on his back. "Did you have fun Mommy?"
Kagome fell down next to him and laughed. "Yes, I believe I did have fun today." She faced the kitsune, "Thank you honey. I haven't had this much fun in a long time."
Shippo smiled. "Anything for you mom."
The two lay there under the stars. Soon she heard Shippo's breathing change and she knew he was asleep. She got up and picked him up. Kagome placed him gently on his bed and brushed his bangs back with her hand.
"Good night, Shippo," she whispered.
"Mnigh mummy," he mumbled back.
She kissed him softly on the head and turned the lights off. She walked out of the room and down the hall to hers. She smiled and plopped down on her bed. Within minutes she was sound asleep.
The following morning Kagome awoke to find a small ball of fluff snuggled close to her. Kagome smiled and shook him gently.
"Shippo, sweetie," she shook him. "Wake up."
He twitched his ears and lifted his head lazily. "Morning Mom," he yawned.
"Come on sleepy head," she said as she climbed out of bed. "We have a lot of things to do." She grabbed her clothes. "I have to pack for tomorrow. Do you think you could make me some breakfast again?"
"Sure mommy," Shippo jumped down from the bed. "What do you want?"
"Anything," Kagome replied. "Just don't burn down the house."
"I promise I won't," Shippo replied as he scurried down out the door.
Kagome smiled. Grabbing her clothes, she took a quick shower. Breakfast was quick and quiet. The whole day was spent packing clothes. It was five when Kagome realized she hadn't given Shippo lunch.
"I'm so sorry Shippo," Kagome said picking him up. "How could I forget to feed you?"
"It's okay," Shippo laughed at his mother. "I wasn't that hungry."
The two ate quickly and continued packing. It was 11:00 pm when they finished. Kagome stood leaning against a wall where she slowly slipped down to the floor. Shippo crawled onto her lap.
"You know I'm going to miss you right?" Kagome whispered to Shippo.
"You better," Shippo replied with a yawn.
"You'll be staying with your Auntie Rin and Uncle Sesshomaru in California," Kagome said hugging him. "You like that?"
Shippo nodded sleepily in her arms. "Yes, I like staying with Auntie Rin and Uncle Sessh. I especially like playing with Eri."
"I know," Kagome said picking him up and taking him to his room. "You gotta get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
She placed him into his small bed and planted a kiss on his cheek. She walked out of his room into hers.
"It's only for a few days," she told herself. "That's it! It's not like they're all gonna be there waiting for me." She rolled over on her back. "It'll all be okay. I won't see them, and in a few days I can continue living my life with Shippo." She sighed and soon after she fell into a dream filled sleep.
"Come on Kags," Inuyasha called.
"Go away," Kagome replied and threw a pillow at him. "Its only 11:30 in the morning. Come back in five hours." She rolled over.
"Heh," Inuyasha laughed and jumped onto the bed. "I'm giving you until the count of three to get up."
"Whatcha gonna do if I don't?"
"You'll see," Inuyasha smiled. "One… Two… THREE!" Inuyasha pulled the blankets off of her and began to tickle her.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome wailed. "Get off you silly puppy."
"HEY! No one calls me a puppy and gets away with it!" He tickled her and tickled her. The two dogs barked in the background. Sango, Ayame, Kouga, and Miroku all laughed.
Then a small kitsune appeared and tackled Inuyasha. Inuyasha stopped tickling Kagome and watched the kitsune go to Kagome.
"Mommy," he said. "Mommy…"
"Hm," Kagome moaned.
"Mommy," Shippo said again. "It's time to get up."
Kagome opened one eye and looked at Shippo. He was still in his own pj's. "What time is it?" she asked him.
"Its 5:30," Shippo replied and jumped back startled by his mother's reaction.
"What!" She jumped out of bed and ran to the TV in her dresser thing. She turned it on and sure enough it was 5:31. "We're gonna be late!" She grabbed Shippo and ran to his room.
"Mommy…" Shippo began as Kagome stuffed him into one of his least favorite shirts. "Do I have to wear this?"
"Yes," Kagome replied as she finished tying his shoe and running out of the room. She took a five minute shower and fixed her hair in record time. She didn't even bother to put makeup on. 'I'm pretty without it.' She thought to herself.
They arrived at the airport with fifteen minutes to spare. They quickly checked in and ran to the security check point. Lucky for her, the lines weren't that long that morning. Once past that, they had five minutes to get to their gate. Kagome picked Shippo up and began to run.
"Final Boarding Call for the flight to Los Angeles, California," she heard the voice over the intercom say.
"Wait for us!" Kagome called as she darted towards the gate.
"You just made it," said the lady as she took their tickets. "Lucky. Enjoy your trip."
"Thank you," Kagome managed to pant out.
The flight from NY to LA was a six hour flight. It was a perfect chance for Kagome and Shippo to get a well deserved nap. They fell asleep the instant the plane took off. Sitting in first class, Kagome was extremely comfortable. Once the captain turned off the 'fasten seatbelts' sign, Shippo took his off and cuddled next to his mother. They both were awoken by the voice of the captain saying, "Please fasten your seatbelts, we'll be arriving at Los Angeles International Airport in twenty minutes."
"Yay!" Shippo bounded happily out of the plane.
"Thank you," Kagome smiled apologetically at the flight attendant and followed her son off of the plane. "Shippo," she called after him. "Slow down."
"Look Mommy!" Shippo said excitedly. "There they are!"
Kagome looked up to see Rin and Sesshomaru standing a few feet away smiling. Shippo ran over to them and jumped into Rin's arms. Kagome smiled and hugged Rin.
"It's so good to see you," she said as she hugged Sesshomaru. "I've missed you both so much!"
"We've missed you too! Right Sesshy?" Rin said smiling.
"Yes," Sesshomaru sighed. "I must admit I have missed you." Kagome, Rin, and Shippo smiled. "Come on," Sesshomaru said in his regular bored voice. "I really don't want to get my car towed."
The four left the airport. When they arrived at the house, Shippo jumped through the open window of the car and bounded up the front stairs where his "cousin" Eri was waiting.
"Eri!" Shippo ran to her.
"Shippo!" Eri hugged the kitsune. She dragged him into the house.
"She's gotten big," Kagome said as she stepped out of the car. "She looks just like you Fluff." Rin giggled at the name.
"Kagome," he said icily. It caused both the girls to go laughing into the house.
"She does look a lot like her father." Rin and Kagome sat in the family room drinking some iced tea. Kagome looked at the album on her lap. Eri had long silvery hair just like Sesshomaru. Her eyes were a beautiful gold. She had a cute tail just like her father and she wore it over her shoulder just like her father too. On her face were four purple stripes; two on each cheek.
Kagome looked at the picture, and the first thought that came to mind when she saw the picture was… "Inuyasha."
"What?" Rin asked looking at her.
"She looks so much like Inuyasha," Kagome whispered again.
Rin smiled slightly. "It's the doggy ears and the gold eyes, right?"
"Yeah," Kagome smiled. "It is."
"Don't worry about it," came the familiar voice of Sesshomaru from the doorway. "My idiot half brother doesn't know you're going."
"Has your opinion on hanyous changed?" Kagome asked with a smile. Sesshomaru's cheeks turned a bright pink and Rin burst into a fit of giggles.
"Well…" Sesshomaru began.
"Daddy," said a small voice behind him. He looked down at his daughter. "Can Shippo and I have money to go get some ice cream?"
"There isn't an ice cream store for miles, baby girl," Sesshomaru replied. "But I think there is some still in the freezer. Why don't you ask Marsha to serve you guys some?"
"Okay daddy," Eri bounded away happily.
He turned to look at Kagome. "I guess my view on them has changed." He smiled, which is something he never did. "I can't possibly dislike them. I only dislike my idiot brother cause he's an idiot."
Kagome laughed. Rin hugged him. Everything was right with the world at that point. You could hear the children outside laughing. The baby was asleep in his crib upstairs. Yes, Sesshomaru and Rin had another child too, his name was Kyo. He was a beautiful baby boy. He looked like his mother with the exception of the little black doggy ears.
'I'll be back to this in less than a week,' she thought to herself as she lay in bed. 'No one knows I'm gonna be there. It'll all be fine.' She soon fell into a dreamless sleep.
&
Kagome sat in her first class seat. She missed her Shippo already.
"Leave your kid behind?" a flight attendant asked as she sat next to Kagome.
"Yeah," she said smiling sheepishly. "How'd you know?"
"When you've been doing this for as long as I have, you learn to read the people."
Kagome smiled and looked out the window. She was returning to her past and there was no Shippo to comfort her. She fell asleep again and awoke once they had landed. She sighed and got off. She was relieved to find that there was a car already waiting for her. She reluctantly got in.
"Hirugashi Estate please," she told the driver.
"Yes, ma'am."
She sat in the back of the small limo and watched the scenery change. She looked at the familiar city whisk passed her. She saw a young girl with silver hair and a hat on watch the limo drive by. She watched the little girl cross the street and meet up with a man on the other side of the road. He also had silver colored hair and a cap on. Her mind instantly remembered Inuyasha. She knew he was somewhere in Tokyo. Little did she know how close he truly was.
&
"I wonder what celebrity is in the car daddy," Kanna said as she watched the car drive by. "Daddy?" She pulled gently on his sleeve. "Are you okay?"
"Huh?" He seemed to have come out of a trance. "Yeah, I'm fine sweetheart." He watched the car drive away. 'That scent...'
"Come on Daddy," Kanna said pulling at his sleeve again. "Auntie Sango will be angry if we're late again."
"Yes," Inuyasha said slowly. He looked down at her and smiled. "Let's go then." She slipped her hand into his and the two walked down the street and around the corner. They rang the doorbell of a small little house on the outskirts of town.
"Inuyasha, Kanna, welcome!" A familiar female voice welcomed them in. "Glad you came. The children are dying to play with Kanna. They haven't shut up all day!"
Inuyasha and Kanna both laughed. The two walked into the rambunctious house, and closed the door.
"Kanna!" a girl came running over to the dog demon. "You're here!"
"Hey Kila," Kanna said as she embraced the little girl. A small cat jumped onto her shoulder. "Hello to you too Kirara."
"Come on," Kila grabbed Kanna's hand. "I got a new doll! Come see!"
Kanna sighed. She hated dolls. "Um… Okay Kila"
"Yay!" Kila dragged Kanna to her room.
"Poor Kanna," Sango said to Inuyasha as they walked into the living room.
"Heh," Inuyasha laughed. He sat on the couch. "Where's Miroku?"
"Around," Sango replied with a smile. She threw a coke at him.
"Uncle Inu!" a small boy came running down the hall, into the living room, and jumped onto Inuyasha.
"Hey Myoga," Inuyasha said as he rustled the small boy's hair. "How are ya?"
"Great," he replied with a smile. "Hey dad, Uncle Inu is here!"
"Don't shout," Miroku said as he walked in. "Remember, Kanna and Inuyasha have sensitive ears."
"Oh," Myoga looked at Inuyasha and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, I forgot."
"It's okay," Inuyasha said twitching his ears a bit. They were ringing. "The ringing will eventually stop."
Myoga smiled. "Wanna go play my newest video game with me? I can kick your butt at it!"
"Feh," Inuyasha snorted. "You could never beat me!" He got up and put the kid on his shoulder. They walked out of the room, leaving Sango and Miroku alone.
"Is it just me or does he seem a bit more depressed today than normal?" Sango asked.
"Yes," Miroku replied. "He is a bit down today." He heard the shouts of an angry child who had obviously just lost the game.
"Maybe we should get Inuyasha some ear plugs? Sango suggested.
"Yeah," Miroku laughed. "Let's go look for some."
&.
"Miss Kagome," the driver said as he pulled up in front of the large house. "Welcome home." He stopped right at the entrance and a young man opened the door.
Kagome yawned. Jetlag was a real pain in the ass. She stumbled out of the car and barely heard the whole welcoming party as she entered the house. She climbed up all the twenty-four stairs, yes she counted them, to the second floor and walked down the hall into her room. She slammed the door shut and went over to her bed. She let herself fall on her king sized bed. In a matter of minutes she had fallen into a dreamless sleep.
&.
"Daddy," Kanna said at the dinner table. "Can we stay the night?"
Inuyasha put down his fork and looked at her. "Excuse me?"
"Can – we – stay – the – night?" she said it slowly to make sure he heard her this time. She knew he had heard her the first time. After all, it was impossible for him not to hear the quietest thing with his ears.
Inuyasha looked at her then at Sango. "Do you mind?"
Sango smiled. "Not at all! I'll set up the guest room after dinner. Kanna you can sleep in Kila's room." Sango was obviously overjoyed at the thought of having company staying over.
Inuyasha smiled. "Thanks."
&.
Kagome awoke to having something soft nudging her in the ribs.
"It's to early Shippo," she mumbled as she grabbed her blanket and snuggled closer in it. She heard a small whine. "Shippo?" She lifted the blanket off her face and slowly opened her eyes. At first she was blinded by the morning light, but then she made out an animal form. She rubbed her eyes and stared. Sitting on her bed next to her was her beloved dog, Mieoko.
"Mieoko!" Kagome shouted and threw her arms around him. "Oh my God," she continued shouting. "I've missed you so much, buddy boy."
Mieoko licked her face. She scratched his head. She hadn't seen her dog in a year, since she had last come to Japan. She had left him behind so he could have room to run because in New York, he was limited quite a bit.
"Have you seen Niko?" She asked.
Niko had been given to Ayame and Kouga because Inuyasha couldn't take care of him as long as Kikyou lived with him. Niko had never really grown fond of Kikyou. Once he nearly attacked her while he was in his full demon form. The night that happened was the night Inuyasha handed Niko over to Ayame.
He gave her a happy bark in reply. She laughed.
"Well what about Kirara? Have you seen her?" Kagome asked him.
Mieoko whined, and Kagome took it as a "no" to her question. She patted his head and smiled.
"At least you saw one of your good friends," she hugged him again and got up. "We have a long day ahead of us today so come on.
&.
"Let's go to the park today," Sango said smiling. "A bit of fresh air will do everyone some good."
"Yes," Inuyasha nodded. "I guess it would be good."
"Yay we're going to the park!" Kila jumped around the dining room happily.
"No need to shout it," Kanna rubbed her black ears.
"The park," whispered Myoga. "Wanna play some American football with me, Kanna?"
Kanna smiled at him. He knew her all to well. "I'd love too!"
&.
"Come on Mieoko," Kagome dragged him along a busy street in downtown Tokyo. "If I'm late for this meeting, you're so gonna die."
Mieoko barked at her and she turned around to face him. She scowled at him, and he scowled back. She gave a frustrated sigh and turned around, only to run into someone.
"Oh, sorry sir," she apologized, her head bowed. "Come on Mieoko," she whispered to the dog and walked away. He ran after her. They waited at the corner for the 'walk' sign.
&.
"Oh, sorry sir," she apologized to him. She had refused to look up. Her scent hit him so strongly. It was an amazing scent that seemed oddly familiar. "Come on Mieoko," she whispered to the dog at her side.
He stood in place and walked her go stand at the corner. He looked her over. She looked familiar, like someone he hadn't seen in years. Then his eyes fell on her dog. He stared. He could recognize those familiar markings on a dog anywhere. The blue stripes on his paws, his blue tipped tail, the odd markings on his hind legs. There was only one dog in the world that looked like that, his name, Mieoko.
"Mieoko," he whispered. He saw the dog turn and stare at him. His eyes were cold, very unlike the eyes with which he looked at his owner.
&.
Mieoko's head turned to look at something in the crowd. He let a low growl escape his throat.
"Come on, Mio," Kagome said patting his head. He looked back at her then at the mob of people again and decided to follow her.
Kagome crossed the street and disappeared into the crowd.
&.
"Inuyasha." Someone shook his arm. It was Sango. "Are you okay? You kind of zoned out on me."
"Huh," Inuyasha looked at her. He shook his head and smiled. "I'm fine." They continued walking. The children were walking in front and the parents behind.
"You okay Inu?" Miroku asked.
"Yeah," he smiled. He looked up at the blue sky. A thought came into his head again. "Sango," Inuyasha said looking at her.
"Yes hun?" she smiled up at him.
"You…" he hesitated. Her smile dimmed a bit. "You remember Mieoko?"
Sango's smile grew again. "Yes, of course I do." Then she looked warily at him. "Why do you ask?"
"Well," he hesitated again. "Do you know what happened to him?"
Sango looked thoughtfully at him. Her eyes looked sad for a second. "Last I heard…" she was interrupted by her daughter.
"Last anyone heard of the legendary Mieoko," Kila smiled. "He was left behind on the Hirugashi Estate while Kagome returned to America with her son, Shippo."
"And," Kanna chirped in. "Rumor has it that she's here in Japan again."
"Yeah," Kila said. It had now become a conversation between the two. "They also say that she left her son in America."
"Wonder how poor little Shippo is doing without his mom," Kanna said.
"She has a son?" Inuyasha asked when he finally got the chance.
"Yes," Miroku said. It earned him stares of shock from everyone. "What?" He asked. "I saw it on tv once."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Does that mean she's married?" Inuyasha's eyes looked pained at the thought.
"No," Kila replied. "She's just as single as she has ever been."
"Yeah dad," Kanna said looking up at him. "She adopted him on her last trip here to Japan."
"Look," Myoga jumped up and down. "We're here! Come on Kanna you promised!" He ran ahead.
"Yes," Kanna said with a small smile on her face. "I'm gonna kick your butt!" She ran after him.
Kila held Kirara close and went to sit under a tree. Inuyasha hopped up onto a branch above her, and her parents sat next to her on the floor.
Who knows how long they sat there, or how long the other two played. They all woke with a start.
"You cheated!" Myoga shouted. "You're a demon, of course you're gonna win!"
"That's not cheating," Kanna simply pointed out. "All's fair in love, war, and football." She smiled and ran to the tree everyone was at. Everyone began laughing. Then Kirara squirmed her way out from Kila's hold.
"Kirara," Kila called out. "Come back!" She ran after the cat.
"Kila," Sango called after her. "Just let her be. She'll come home on her own!" Kila didn't hear her; she was already to far away.
"I'll go get her," Kanna sighed and ran after her.
&.
"It went better than expected," Kagome said as she lay on her back on the grass. "Everything has been worked out, and we can go back to Shippo tomorrow if we wanted!" She laughed.
Mieoko suddenly stood up. He growled and transformed into his demon form.
"Mieoko are you-" she was interrupted when a giant cat demon jumped over the hill above her and tackled Mieoko. The two demons wrestled with each other and Kagome couldn't help but laugh at the two.
"Oh my God, Kirara!" Kagome heard someone shout in the distance. She turned to face the voice. Two children were running towards the wrestling demons. That was a problem considering that if they got to close, Kirara might sense then but Mieoko wouldn't and thus he would probably end up hurting them.
"Mieoko," Kagome shouted at him. The children were getting closer. "Take it up to the sky!" Mieoko instantly turned to face her. Then he jumped up.
Kirara followed him up into the air. The children stopped right bellow the two floating demons. They had stopped wrestling now and were looking down at them.
Kagome ran over to the children. "What's wrong with you?" Kagome asked the children, placing a hand on both of their heads. "You could've been seriously hurt. Don't you know not to get anywhere near fighting demons."
Kila looked down at the ground. Kagome saw her shoulders tremble slightly.
"I'm sorry," Kagome apologized. She lifted Kila's chin up. "I didn't mean to sound harsh. You just could've been hurt."
"Kirara would never hurt me," Kila said, her sniffles calming down.
"She wouldn't, but my dog could've," Kagome replied. Mieoko came down and landed on her right, and Kirara came and landed on her left. Kagome looked thoughtfully at Kirara when a thought came to her head. "How do you know Kirara?"
Kanna looked at her. "It's her cat." Kagome looked at her.
"Yeah," Kila said looking at Kagome. "She's mine."
"I thought…" she looked at Kirara. "That's," she pointed to Kila, "her daughter?"
Kirara gave a small growl of acknowledgement. Then she returned to her kitten form and jumped on Mieoko's head.
"Well," Kagome said looking at Kila. "You do look a lot like your mother." Kagome smiled. "It's nice to meet you…"
"Kila," she said. "I'm Kila and she's Kanna."
"Well," Kagome said smiling at the two. "It's a pleasure to meet you Kila, and you too Kanna. I never thought I would get the chance to meet Sango's daughter." Kila just looked at her like she was crazy.
Kanna's eyes grew wide as she slowly realized something. "You're Kagome." She pointed at her, "You're Kagome Hirugashi, and that's," she pointed at Mieoko. "That's Mieoko!"
Kagome smiled. "Yes, I'm Kagome Hirugashi and this is my faithfully large and annoying companion, Mieoko."
"Oh my God," Kila said slowly. "You're … I'm actually… Can I have your autograph?"
Kagome looked at her thoughtfully. "I don't see why not," she chucked as she dug through her bag for a pen and paper. "I'm such a mess," she muttered as she plopped herself down and continued her search. The two girls exchanged a glance before doing as the celebrity did. "Found one!" She grinned triumphantly as she pulled out a pen. "To Kila, right?"
"That's right ma'am," little Kila could not keep still from all the excitement.
"To Kila," began Kagome. "You look so much like your mother. It was nice to meet you. Signed Kagome Higurashi." Kagome smiled proudly at her handiwork and handed the paper over to Kila. "Now for you, Kanna, correct?"
"Yes Miss Kagome," Kanna said quietly. She studied the young woman. There were many aspects that reminded her of the picture of her mother. They both had raven black hair, the same pale skin, and their body build was almost the same. Yet, Kagome's eyes are what made them completely different. They didn't show it now, but Kanna could tell that at one point, they were full of life. She could still see a very faint spark of the old Kagome hidden behind those eyes, but it was almost invisible.
"Here you go Kanna, sweetie," Kagome said as she handed Kanna the paper. The child snapped out of her thoughts and said her thank you. "Don't mention it," Kagome laughed. "I think you should be getting back to your parents though. We don't want them to worry over you." She looked at Kanna. "Well, maybe not so much you. You look like the type who can defend herself."
Kanna smiled proudly. "I sure can! I have demon blood running through my veins. I'm close to invincible!"
The young girl beside Kanna frowned. Kagome didn't miss it and smirked. "Ha, don't let that bother you Kila. All demons have a weak spot. They also can get a big head every now and then. It's best to just ignore them when this happens."
Both child and adult started to laugh. Now it was Kanna's turn to frown; however, she thought for a moment. Perhaps Kagome was speaking from personal experience. There was so much Kanna wanted to know, but she just didn't know how to bring the topic up.
"Mieoko," Kagome called her gentle giant. "Do me a favor and escort these two young ladies and their feline friend back to their parents." She turned to face Kila. "It was very nice to meet you, please send my love to your parents. Tell them I do miss them terribly."
"They're right over the hill, why don't you stop by?" The child asked hopefully.
Kanna took the opportunity to jump in. "Kila, Kagome is a busy woman, I'm sure she really has to be on her way."
Kagome gave Kanna an appreciative smile. "Perhaps another day Kila. It was very nice to meet you too Kanna. I do hope we run in to each other again, and thank you."
Mieoko padded ahead with Kirara still sitting comfortably on his head. He turned and waited for the two girls to follow. They both bid Kagome farewell and ran after the black beast. Content that his charges were following, he continued making his way up the small hill and towards the group of adults.
Inuyasha was the first to notice the large dog approaching. His ears flattened against his head when he noticed his daughter following the dog. How was it that she came across that particular dog? Why couldn't she have stumbled across another stray? No, she had to pick that one.
"Kila!" Sango shouted, alarmed by her company. Her shout bought Inuyasha out of his train of thought. Sango ran over to her daughter who had continued walking despite Mieoko's stopping. "What do you think you are doing? Since when do you go around with stray dogs? He could have flees! Even worse, he could have rabies!"
"Calm down mom," Kila said, worming her way out of her mother's grasp. "I'm pretty sure this dog doesn't have flees or rabies. Kagome would take better care of her dog than that."
That confirmed it. Inuyasha looked at the dog whom remained frozen in place, his blue eyes now glued on Inuyasha. It was Mieoko. That could only mean that the girl he had bumped in to earlier was, in fact, Kagome.
"Mieoko?" Sango asked. She looked over at the dog and noticed Kirara. It really was Mieoko. Sango ran to the dog and tackled him. She hadn't seen him in more than fourteen years. He didn't look any older than the last time she had seen him. Not that she expected much of a change since he was a demon, but still she had partially expected some change. She hugged the dog tightly causing him to whine slightly in protest. "I'm sorry, boy," she said releasing her hold. "I just really missed you." She looked in to his cool blue eyes, their gazes never once flickering away. In those few seconds, the two of them had a special connection. Sango rose gracefully to her feet and put a hand on the dogs head. "It was nice to see you again, buddy."
Miroku looked at the two. He had never bonded with Mieoko as Sango had, but he was still friends with the pooch. Upon seeing that their moment was over, he asked a very important question. "If you're here, does that mean Kagome is somewhere nearby too?"
Mieoko's eyes landed on Miroku. Just as with Sango, the moment the two characters locked eyes, a secret message was passed between the two.
"I see," was all Miroku said. He glanced over at Sango before announcing that perhaps it was time they all went home.
"Wait," Inuyasha said. Kanna sighed, relieved that her father was speaking up. "Where is Kagome?"
Mieoko returned his attention to Inuyasha and growled. Slowly his calm, sweet face turned in to the face of a snarling, terrifying monster. Even Kanna had to shrink back slightly in fear of the dog. Just as he was about to take one step towards Inuyasha, he froze. His expression became blank and alert. Just like that, he turned and walked away back over the hill.
"What was that all about?" Kila asked, looking from one adult to another.
Kanna knew. She also knew that all the adults knew. Mieoko had developed a deep hatred towards Inuyasha from the moment he felt Kagome's heart break. Seeing his master hurting and not being able to cure it affected Mieoko like that. Inuyasha was the source of her hurt, so his anger could only be directed towards him.
"Come on Dad," Kanna said, taking his clawed hand in hers. "I'm hungry, can we go get some lunch?"
"Yeah, okay," he looked down at his daughter then at their friends. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all," Miroku replied. "Take your time."
-&-
Kagome smiled as she saw her faithful companion return. "What took you so long?" She asked ruffling his furry head. "Come on, we have to meet up with Ayame and Kouga for lunch. Who knows, perhaps Niko will be there. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" She laughed when she saw his excitement. "Let's go then!"
The two dashed across the park to its other exit. Right across was the famous pizza place she and her buddies used to eat at. She smiled at the memory as she looked in through the window. There at the back table, she, Inuyasha, Kouga, Ayame, Sango, and Miroku would always sit and laugh.
"Are you just going to stand there all day, or are we going to go in to eat?" A familiar voice from behind asked.
Kagome spun around and tackled the man behind her. "Kouga!" She laughed while hugging him tightly.
"Hey, hey! You had your shot at him, he's all mine now," another voice said. Kagome let go of one wolf demon and turned to the other.
"Ayame!" She embraced her friend. "It's been a long time you two."
"You know it. About a year, no?"
"A year indeed. It was when I came to pick up Shippo," Kagome remembered. "It seems longer though," she pointed out. Suddenly she felt something tugging at her. She looked down and saw Mieoko trying to pull the leash out of her hand. Puzzled by it, she let the leash go and watched as Mieoko took off.
"Took him long enough," Kouga said.
"Wha'?" Kagome asked, very confused.
"Niko is in the park somewhere waiting for his buddy. Once they meet up you'll see they'll both join us for lunch," Ayame explained.
"Ah, okay then," Kagome beamed. "Shall we then?"
"We shall," Kouga said with a smile as he held the door open for the two ladies.
-&-
"Hey daddy," Kanna began as the father-daughter couple walked along. "If you don't mind me asking, how do you know Kagome?"
Inuyasha paused and looked down at his daughter. Her gaze was frozen on him. He didn't need to go in to much detail. She would be content with a simple answer, right?
"We went to college together," he said simply. He was satisfied, but she wasn't.
"Why does Mieoko not like you?" She asked, hoping to get the truth from him.
"I'm not sure," replied the dog demon. "I really don't know. He hasn't liked me for the longest time."
"I take it he was around when you knew Kagome then?" Kanna asked.
"Yeah, he was. It was him, Niko, and Kirara. They were our pets."
"By our you mean?" Kanna poked at.
"Mieoko was obviously Kagome's, Kirara was Sango's, and Niko," he paused and looked up at a cloud passing overhead. "Niko was mine."
"What?" Kanna asked, feigning surprise. "Yours? But Niko hates you!"
Inuyasha frowned, obviously hurt by that statement. "He doesn't hate me, per say. Niko was one of my closest friends. I don't know what happened between us."
"Well, when did he start becoming violent towards you?"
"It was when I started dating your mother."
"Did it ever occur to you that perhaps Niko didn't like her very much?" Kanna watched her father closely. "Perhaps he didn't think she was your soulmate. Maybe he thought someone else deserved you more."
"What are you saying Kanna?" Inuyasha asked. "Niko didn't like Kikyou. Mieoko didn't like Kikyou. Kirara didn't like Kikyou, but that doesn't mean it was because I chose her."
"Did they like her before?"
Inuyasha thought for a moment. Come to think of it, Mieoko had been much more civil towards her before he became engaged with Kikyou. Kirara had been much more friendly with her before then too. Niko had never liked her, but he never attacked her until Inuyasha got together with her.
"Well," he began, "for the most part."
"See," Kanna said with a smirk. "Animals know what's right and wrong for you, dad. Especially these guys. They're one hundred percent pure demon. They're smarter than your average house pets."
They'd made it to the park exit. In the distance they could make out dogs barking and children laughing. Across the street was a pizza place. Inuyasha smiled at the memory. The whole gang used to eat pizza there. The back table was reserved just for them. He wondered if Tito was still the man running the place.
"Want to go grab a bite of pizza?" he asked Kanna.
"Yeah dad, that sounds great," she replied with a smile. She was content. The child knew she had gotten her father back in to thinking about the past. Perhaps, if he wasn't so thick headed, he'd realize he made a mistake with Kikyou. His real soulmate was Kagome. She knew that deep down, Inuyasha still harbored the same feelings towards Kagome, but how could she discover the truth about Kagome's feelings?
-&-
"You met Kila?" Ayame asked surprised.
"Yes," Kagome replied with a smile. "She was running after Kirara, who had started a friendly fight with Mieoko."
"Of course," Kouga said bending his arms behind his head as they walked. "Poor Kirri hasn't seen Mio in ages."
"Niko here," Ayame smiled as the two dogs ran ahead. "He sees him everyday."
"Does he…" Kagome trailed off. Ayame looked at her and instantly knew what she was going to ask.
"No," she said simply. "He doesn't come around to visit his dog anymore. His daughter keeps him busy."
"Oh," was all Kagome said.
"Well lookie who it is," Kagome said with a smile. She was looking out the window across the street at a young girl
"You know her?" Ayame asked, her face clearly looked surprised.
"Yes," Kagome said as she approached Kanna. "I just met her. She was the other little girl with Kila."
"But do you know who she is?" Ayame asked. Kagome didn't understand the question.
"Her name is Kanna," Kagome said. "That's who she is."
"You really don't know, do you?" Ayame continued.
"Well do you plan to tell me what you're getting at?" Kagome asked now getting a bit irritated.
"Its nothing," Kouga replied. "I wonder if they'll join us for lunch?"
"They?" Kagome asked confused.
"They," Ayame said pointing out the window. "She and her father."
Kagome's smile slowly faded away. She looked at Kanna carefully. She reminded her of someone from her past. The silky hair, sure it was another color, but it still had the same familiar figure as his. She had two pointed doggie ears on the top of her head; they matched the color of her hair, pitch black. She has sweet golden colored eyes. She has so many features that reminded her of him.
"Kagome," Ayame said.
"She and her father," Kagome repeated as she watched the child and man, no demon, cross the road. "Who?
Before either wolf demon could answer, the dog demons reached the door. The older of the two opened it sending a small warm breeze in to the place. Kagome felt her heart stop. Entering the pizza place was Kanna, and following right behind her was her father, Inuyasha.
"I know who it is," Kagome whispered. Her eyes were wide with shock. "Inuyasha."
Upon hearing his name, he turned to look towards the back table. His heart, unlike hers, did not feel as though it was frozen in place. His heart kept beating, but at an alarming rate. Sitting at their back table was none other than the woman he had not seen in fourteen years. "Kagome," he said. He began to approach the table.
Kagome's world began to spin. All the colors were mixing in with each other, and before she knew it, she was falling into a dark abyss with a familiar hanyou calling her name.
Author's Note: I'd like to thank my soul reviewer. This chapter is for you. Everyone else, if you don't review but simply add my story to your favorites or story alert lists, how will I know if you like it or not?