A/N: Honey and Chika's mom is exactly who you think she is. I tried my hardest to explain the age with the boys. This chap's a bit long.
Votes: Kyoya: 19, Mori: 19, Tamaki: 18, Nekozawa: 10, Twincest: 7, Hikaru: 6, Kaoru: 4, Harem: 3, Honey: 2, Kyoya/Mori: 2, Beezlenuff: 2 (I will have definitely write 1 chapter of puppet love for Kagome). This will be a close race. Show me who you want dipped in chocolate fangirls & fanboys. Seriously, who do you want in chocolate? I promise chocolate coverage in the fifth chapter. By the way thank you for your input guys. Now if you move the computer I'll glomp you each from where I'm hiding nearby.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha, Ouran, Ramen, or Foxfire computer products... nor the other character you guys will recognize...
Kagome had no idea that the gang had assembled an hour earlier to make explanations to her family. While Kagome lay unconscious with a cold rag on her head, her noggin resting comfortably in Shippo's lap, her mother set quick work bandaging the wounds Kagome had sustained from the past. Neosporin and real bandages took the place of torn cloth and herbs. The puckered injuries were fretted over with Kei Higurashi glaring at Shippo and the others as if they were the sole reason she'd gotten injured so badly and they all solemnly looked at the floor like guilty children. Kei's brow knit as she wondered why Kagome's wounds weren't healing fast like they had when her powers had first awakened.
When mother hen was done Sesshomaru prompted Mrs. Higurashi to make a phone call for reinforcements. "You're going to need the closest person to Kagome to make her happy right now," asserted Kouga remembering what they'd went through five hundred years ago, which was mere days for Kagome. Against her father's wishes, Kei phoned her lovely tranny brother and her favorite niece.
The shaking in her pocket from an incoming text message caught Haruhi's attention as her hand dropped down to stop the low buzz from being noticed. Normally the school genius would never open her phone in class, just peek at the I.D. to see who it was, and promptly ignore it to focus on studies. This time when Haruhi stole a glimpse under her desk of the I.D. she allowed herself to read the message. Once. Twice. Even a third time with her eyes bugging out. Without needing to read a fourth time Haruhi roughly pushed her stuff into her bag before excusing herself out of the room. Hikaru and Kaoru watched with interest Haruhi departed, her feet looked antsy and if they hadn't have noticed that they would've never taken the time to watch her take off as soon as she cleared the classroom door. Not ones for being left out they took off striding after Haruhi, leaving no explanation for their teacher. They were rich. What did they care that they were missing class? "Where we going Haruhi?" Hikaru asked tugging his bag over his shoulder.
"There's no we in this. I'm going to see my cousin." Her light chocolate eyes glowed, momentarily making Hikaru's breath hitch. It was like Haruhi was in drive mode, her feet couldn't move fast enough for her as she slid down the hall and took to jumping the steps three at a time. The twins exchanged a glance as they ran before Kaoru remembered something with a groan.
"Hikaru," he said, trailing after his elder brother, "we're going to get in trouble. We forgot that thing's today!" Hikaru proceeded to let out a string of swear words at his twin's reminder.
"Haruhi we'll call our car to pick you up and take you. We've got to go home and get ready for something," complained the elder twin as he was already phoning his ride to pick up Haruhi as soon as she made it to the school gates. She was running ahead of them while they stopped on the stairs watching her take off. Hikaru proceeded to call Kyoya and inform him that they wouldn't take part in the duties today of hosting. There probably wouldn't be a club today since only two members would be remaining.
As soon as he hung up Hikaru pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. No doubt their dad would be irritated if they were late. But this past month their dad had been edgier than usual, they understood why though. Apparently this old hag had raised him and he was going to meet her after five hundred years of waiting. They remembered the stories about the Shikon Miko, had been weaned on them since they were kits. This woman was important to the demonic world. They just hoped she wouldn't pinch their cheeks or anything embarrassing as grannys were prone to do. They did plan on asking her one question. How had she disappeared so abruptly? There father had left that out in the tales, he'd always stated that she could just travel in a rather odd way.
"You'd think we'd have remembered with Honey and Mori-sempai missing today," griped Kaoru wondering why no one had seen fit to forewarn them of their duties. Mori and Honey knew the twins were as forgetful as anything else so why they hadn't reminded them was a surprise. Then again, knowing Honey had a free day from school there was no doubt in their minds that the Lolita had slept in like a hibernating wolf demon. Honey was probably going to wake up just an hour before they were meant to be there. And their lovely mother was probably caught up in decorating that she hadn't realized they were missing. She was very forgetful, but they loved her for her ditsy moments. And she was one of the most doting mother's anyone could have, Kaoru got a lot of his sweet nature from her. "No point in wasting our time," began Kaoru.
"Lets head on over," groaned Hikaru with a slump to his shoulders as he slung an arm over Kaoru's brotherly.
Shippo ended the call with his eldest. "If they aren't forgetting something they're running late. They'll meet us at her house with the rest of our runts," Shippo complained. He was a tired father after having to put up with those two. "Mischief makers."
"Wonder where they got that from," Kouga sassed. Any child born from a fox demon was either a winner at seduction or hell at being naughty. Shippo had not one child but two and he'd won the prize at worn out father of the year because they were both blue ribbon winners in both the seduction and naughtiness categories.
"At least your sons behave, especially Mori," said Shippo, crossing his arms over his chest. Truth be told, sometimes he wanted to swap Kouga for the stoic silent type to his two boys. He remembered when they were little and the few fights that happened between them where he'd have to hold onto one in one arm and pick up the other in the other arm. Their mom had spoiled them too much for their own good, but that was how his sweetheart was in general, she was too kind of a person to not dote on her children. Kouga's eldest was so quiet that often times Shippo teased Kouga by saying Sesshomaru was really the father no matter how asexual that Sesshomaru was.
"You have sons?" Kagome's weak voice trailed up to his ears as she stirred from his lap. She slowly blinked her eyes open, wondering why they felt so heavy, and when they lighted upon the fox demon face peering down with those bright green laughing eyes from her past... well, shock was an understatement. Those greens were different than the last time she'd seen them. Aged, more mischievous, but they still looked at her with hero worship and kindness. Hesitantly, as if fearful he was an illusion, Kagome reached up with quaky hands to touch his cheek. Where his face had been as smooth as any child's they were now rough with a big of red stubble. She gasped and jerked her hand back upon finding he was real.
Tears of joy found their way into her eyes and in a matter of seconds Kagome had flown upwards with her arms cast around her son, clutching onto him for dear life. "Shippo!" Her eyes blurred with tears, but she was so happy that he had lived over five hundred years just to see her. She was so happy that he hadn't died from famine or diseases. His hair was bright like always, he was as tall as Inuyasha, and had a lithe form like Kouga. They lived and came here! For me, thought Kagome, her heart was touched at the gift they'd just given her. The fox demon held her close and burrowed his nose in her neck, inhaling the scent he'd never forgotten. Time may pass, but she was still his mother and nothing had changed that. It was nice to be around his mother again, even if the situation was reversed and he was now the older of the two. He planned on watching out for her like she'd done for him as a child, he was going to make sure that she never wanted. He remembered the many times they'd traveled only eating two, sometimes one meal a day as they scouted for food or a nearby village, and she'd always had a little bit of food she'd sneak him when no one was looking.
Shippo picked Kagome gingerly up off his lap and set her between Kouga and himself. His arm draped along her shoulders comfortably trying to keep her relaxed. They needed her nerves calmed down, with his acute hearing he could hear the quick drumming of her heartbeat. Kouga had one of her hands gripped in his own and Kagome noticed he'd filled out more, looked more like a man and less like a teenager. Ginta sat comfortably on the floor with his legs criss crossed comfortably. Sometimes breaking habits with wolf demons was hard to do, Ginta almost always sat on the floor unless necessary. Mrs. Higurashi readily poured tea from her seat on the other side of the dining table while Kagome's grandfather kept casting weary glances at the fierce Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru was presiding in a chair, looking every bit the regal king presiding over the peasants. Souta ran about the kitchen fixing a snack for everyone since being a good host fell upon his shoulders with Kagome unable to do so.
It took about half an hour for them to tell her the story, they couldn't be sure if she was even listening because she looked so dazed at the fact that they were there. "We promised Sango that we would make something of ourselves to take care of you," spoke up Shippo as Kouga finished the tale. Their plans were a lot for her to digest. The fact that they'd planned for her future though had touched her heart in places that needed mending. It was something entirely nice and sweet to know that the entirety of her life lived in this century had been spent with them eagerly awaiting the day she'd return to them. How many people could say that their best friends had orchestrated her entire future happiness?
"You're going to follow their list?" Kagome asked as Shippo fumbled in his pocket before pulling out the age-old slip of paper. "But I have to live my own-"
"Mama, you made that wish on the jewel. We've all lived happily and you're another person the jewel has affected. Now's your turn." The tone in which Shippo said it meant he wasn't going to put up with her arguing, he could be as stubborn as Kagome and he was going to follow the plans through. He'd waited far too long for rejection. Shippo was ready for every argument that she could come up with and after five hundred years he'd contemplated a reply to each one that she could possibly think of. Kagome stared at the boy who'd once been her little Shippo. He was all grown up now with a bit of red stubble on his chin, his hair had turned from an auburn color to a brighter orange in his age. And she did something he hadn't expected. She didn't argue. Kagome slumped her shoulders and gave a weak nod. It was then that Shippo knew they had their work set out for them.
Sota came in the den and set down a plate of cookies on the table hoping to ease away the silence in the room. Cookies always distracted people. Though the only one who was eyeing them was Shippo because his wife rarely allowed them sweets. "Exactly how much money do you guys have?" Sota blurted out before his sister or mother could admonish him for being rude, though they were secretly wondering that question as well.
The grin on Shippo's face broke out. "I hold stocks in Ramen noodles," he admitted, having taken something that Inuyasha had much loved in the past and made a profit out of it. He'd secretly found amusement in thinking that he'd been technically feeding Inuyasha and Kagome all these years. "I've created a few wildlife preserves and I design computer software. You may have heard of Foxfire." It was the cheekiest name to ever come up with, naming something after one of his own demonic talents. The demon world recognized the name of the software immediately as something a demon created so they trusted it and kept Shippo's software in the money. "I married a fashion designer. Human," he answered Kagome's questioning eyes that had lit up at that bit of information about his family. That's what she needed, their huge families to fill up her heart. Shippo's cheeks crimsoned. He wasn't ready to get into too much detail about his wife, because he knew if he did his mother figure would never stop asking questions. "We have a set of twins that are half demons." Kagome could already imagine a pair of ginger headed twins with ears poking out of their heads like Inuyasha. It was a thought that made her smile at how there were more half demons in the world. I hope they're being accepted in the demon world, she thought as she remembered how skewered Inuyasha's childhood had been.
Sesshomaru lifted his head up from the cup of tea he was drinking. "You'd think they were full," groused out Sesshomaru. It was easy to tell what his views were of those children, they were as troublesome as their father was when he was a child if not more so. Kagome just stared at Shippo who looked far too young to be a father, much less a father of two, but then again he'd lived for a very long time. Shippo waited for a response and finally got one when Kagome whispered with distaste in her voice, "I'm a grandma." She wrinkled her nose at the thought.
Shippo chucked and patted Kagome on the back. "I know it's a lot to take in, but stay with us mama. Here I'm known as Shippo Hitachiin… Its way better than Shippo Faux, which someone suggested," he pointedly looked at Kouga who shrugged and grumbled that Faux would've been a cooler name no matter how obvious.
"I have a brand of motorcycles and my own sports gear," supplied Kouga since they were going around and telling Kagome now which companies they owned in the future. Without knowing it Kagome had always passed their companies on an ad or a commercial. "I'm bigger than Nike," he stated with a smug look on his face. A saddened look crossed his features as he continued on with telling her about his life. "After forever of being stalked," his tone stated he wasn't going to say how long forever had really been. "I finally mated Ayame. She stopped following me for a full ten years and it drove me crazy and I... well, I fell for her..." He had a faint smile on his face as he remembered his sweetheart. His fingers fisted before he set his shoulders squarely and nodded at the fact that needed to be told to Kagome. "But... Ayame passed away bringing my second little boy into the world."
"Little boy," murmured Shippo outright at that blasphemy. "If you mean Satoshi than you're misjudging the definition of little. Neither one of your boys are small!" Kouga tossed one of the couch pillows at Shippo and attempted to smother him with it while Kagome laughed between them. They all paused to hear her small tinkling laughter. This was the reason they'd come back. To heal her. Kouga pulled away from trying to 'finally rid the world of that fox.' The mighty wolf demon grasped onto Kagome's hands and daintily kissed her fingertips in the most charming of manners as he introduced himself. "I'm Kouga Morinozuka."
Ginta reached over to tug on Kagome's arm wanting to tell her about his life. He was just as excited as the others. "I own a dojo," said Ginta with a shrug of his shoulders. Sometime during that long five hundred years he'd saved Kouga's life so that their roles had ended up being reversed. Indebted to him Kouga had watched after Ginta like a 'servant,' like the tales that surrounded their two families, keeping his little brother kept after and taking care of him. Though it didn't look it, the two were indeed brothers as well as packmates. After Ginta had married his own spitfire, she'd harped onto Kouga to stop treating Ginta like he was his servant and to let the man live his own life as an equal, she'd thrown a wrench in the process to get her point across to Kouga that she wouldn't have him treating Ginta like a little runt anyore. Ginta smirked remembering that little hellion wife of his that was no doubt helping Shippo's wife prepare. "I married a human so I've got two half demon sons of my own. Name's Ginta Haninozuka." The only thing Kagome could gather from all of this information was that there were far too many sons in their families. At least two of them were full demons and four were half.
Kagome glanced over at Sesshomaru, waiting for him to speak. Oddly enough Kagome didn't have to wait long which surprised her entirely. In fact, the great demon lord who'd once been the epitome of peace and quiet spoke quite a bit. "Sesshomaru Taisho, head of Inu Corportations," he said making Kagome blanch. Inu Corporations was the leading industry in weapons for war and, ironically enough, hospitals. Its current competition in weapons and hospitals was the Ootori family, but Inu Corp. were leading by a small margin. And Sesshomaru didn't even mind tooting his own horn as he told her, "I'm one of the top ten richest men in Japan. Top fifteen in the world. I have no children, but one heir… you."
Years really do change people, she thought silently, though Sesshomaru hadn't spoken much, it was still quite a bit to unnerve her. And then Kagome realized the full extent of what Sesshomaru had just said as if a pail of cold water had been thrown over her and she'd than been tarred and feathered. If she'd been standing she would've fallen over, with her sitting she could only stand up and sit back down when her legs wobbled. I'm his heir? She knew he was serious about it too considering this was Sesshomaru, he always meant what he said. She faltered opening her mouth, unable to form a coherent sentence to respond.
Without waiting Kouga cut in, "As our gift Ginta and I will pay for your family's bills from now on and they shall never want for anything. They're also getting a new car and I've got a nice one picked out for you too." Kouga's face was a shit eating smile, as if Kagome were on a show and had just won a grand prize. He couldn't wait until Kagome saw her gift sitting in the garage of her new home. He'd been as excited setting up Kagome's future as Shippo had been trying to give her the best of the best. Their kids no longer were excited when showered by gifts, they were rich so they wouldn't be, so it would be a nice refresher to see Kagome freak out like they knew she would when she saw the spoils they'd set up for her.
"I bought you a new home," stated Shippo, needing to out show Kouga and brag about what he got her. Shippo pulled out a magazine that he'd found after a trial of searching. He set it on the table, opened to a specific page that had been dog eared and creased numerous times, and set beside the magazine it's exact likeness that was drawn in crayon hundreds of years ago by a loving hand who'd tried her hardest to render it on paper.
Kagome could make out the drawing on that paper and her fingers reached out, as she leaned over the table, to trace the drawing with all the love shining in her eyes. She knew who'd drawn this. There was only one other person who'd seen the house and deemed it worthy of their future. The writing in the margins though belonged to Sango's own perverted monk and Kagome felt the happiness flooding her body at what they'd done for her. "They wanted you to have it, so all of us built it for you. We even forced our kids to have a hand in building it. Mori and Takashi helped with building. Hikaru and Kaoru complained over designing curtains and lifting boxes. Honey chose what sweets to fill up in your kitchen while Chika groaned about being forced to make us lunch when we went on break." Kagome's eyes widened at all of the names she would have to remember. She mentally pictured little boys at first until Shippo stated they'd actually helped build the house which meant they had to be teenagers like her if not grown men. Kagome took a deep breath and nodded her head as she kept the tears at bay. Kagome had cried far too much this past week, though she'd had quite a load to cry for. I'm not going to cry anymore. I'm going to try my hardest for them… this is just a lot to take in, she thought as her fists clenched.
"Sango and Miroku?" Kagome quietly asked, needing to know what had happened to the woman she'd cherished as a sister and her huge perverted friend.
"They lived a long and happy life. Ten kids in all! Sango ended up being a slip and slide," snorted Kouga as Kagome giggled at his apt description. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes; out of all the demons he was the only one who had a proper way with words. Kouga was too crass, Shippo too blunt, and Ginta was Ginta so you never knew what would come out of his mouth. "Their descendants are Sesshomaru's competition." Kagome couldn't possibly freak out even more knowing that the infamous Ootori family was descended from Sango and Miroku. It made sense with their armed guard, that little detail just screamed Sango's defensive skills. She wondered if the Ootori kids had hands that wandered like Miroku's or if they lavishly sought out to woo young women in their spare time. "Those two raised Rin while we three raised Shippo."
And that's why Shippo was so sure of himself. He'd had three makeshift dad's raising him together; Sesshomaru, Ginta, and Kouga. Kouga slapped his knee and exclaimed with a smirk as he crowed out, "And wouldn't you know it Shippo ended up marrying little Rin-tin."
"You didn't mention that," gasped Kagome, poking Shippo in the side as he squirmed under her gaze with a blush coating his cheeks. They might've been mated for forever, but it had taken them forever until Rin had gotten strong enough to have children much less have them without a miscarriage. Rin had found out as she got older that she was a priestess so that made having children with a demon complicated. They'd been so happy when they'd finally brought into the world not one child but twins and Shippo had spent as much time holding them as Rin had. Shippo made money with computers and she had a knack for designing fashions so they'd been able to do their work at home while caring for their troublemakers. She'd taken the name Rin Yuzuha Hitachiin in this world and what a name she'd made for herself in the world of fashion!
Sesshomaru straightened his tie and his golden eyes locked on Kagome's through a pair of glasses that perched on his nose. The glasses were for show to hide those beautiful eyes from the rest of the world. Otherwise Sesshomaru would be too perfect for words if he didn't have something wrong with him such as vision problems. "As of this week you're my heir," he reminded her, not knowing that tightening security on her files had restricted Kyoya from looking up her information. "Being my heir you'll be enrolled with their brats at Ouran Academy." Was that humor in Sesshomaru's voice? A long gap of silence filled the room and then Sota broke it by jumping up down before pestering Ginta about his dojo.
"He's taking this well," stated Kouga with an amused expression as Sota asked if he could join Ginta's dojo. Kagome's grandfather was being cordial and talking to Sesshomaru about an old relic he had in the shed. Mrs. Higurashi stood up to kiss Shippo on the head and went off to 'make tea,' meaning she was going to keep her hands busy because she was far too excited to stay in one place. Besides, she expected any moment for her niece and brother to be at the house and no doubt they'd need more refreshments. Kouga poked Kagome's side. "Well, what do you have to say Kags?"
"I need to lie down," she said feeling lightheaded. She'd never been big on the whole damsels fainting, never knew how women would just up and faint, but it appeared today she'd been proven wrong. Sometimes things were just too much to handle and you were knocked completely off balance so that the world seemed off tilt.
Shippo had carried Kagome up to bed to lie down and rest. She was tired and confused so a nap would do her good. It was a convenience that he had some fox powder that knocked her to sleep right away. Foxes were known for their skills like magicians, their seduction techniques, and their overall humorous ways of getting into trouble. Had Kagome been someone else he would've drawn on her face with a marker because his fox blood dictated some form of mischief. Shippo tucked her into bed and then took his time coming down the stairs with his hands shoved in his pockets. They still had so much to explain to her, but now they had forever. He let out a relieved breath. He'd been waiting over five hundred years for time to speed up and now he had to slow it down and remember that she was human and needed rest. However, she needed tending to more. "We should start moving her out ASAP. It'll keep her busy," informed Shippo as he came down the last of the stairs.
Sesshomaru had just gotten off the phone with Haruhi, who was trying to get Ranka to hurry up with his cosmetics in the bathroom. When she'd arrived home in a limo telling Ranka that Kagome was home it was all she couldn't do to drag her dad out of the bathroom. So when Sesshomaru had called Haruhi's phone she'd eagerly grasped at someone to talk to rather than strangle her father as he groaned over his eyeshadow a fifth time.
When Sesshomaru had tried to explain things to Haruhi he'd been surprised to find that she was up to date. Haruhi was more informed than Sesshomaru gave her credit for, which spoke volumes on her closeness to Kagome. Haruhi promised she would take tomorrow off from school to help Kagome with her new house. Sesshomaru had told her that she needn't do that since they'd have a bunch of hands already helping, but Haruhi had explained that her best friend Tamaki was the superintendent's son and half of the club members would be missing anyway. How was Haruhi to know that they would be helping out as well?
"How long do we have to wait here?" Hikaru asked as Honey fumbled a bit with dealing the cards. Chika was trying his hardest to beat Honey, even if it was merely a game of poker. Takashi and Satoshi were playing amiably like two loving siblings, one prattling endlessly while the other was as silent as the grave. Kaoru and Hikaru were the only ones griping. They were six boys stuck in a house with nothing to do and there were a bare minimum of furniture because Rin had suggested to Shippo that Kagome would want to pick out her own things. That meant their rich little behinds that were used to sitting on plush velvet chairs were stuck sitting on the hard floor. They'd all taken off their jackets to use as comfort for their sensitive bottoms, no matter how little comfort that actually provided. Their clothes were meant for style, not usefulness.
Rin Hitachiin was fixing the boys a snack in the kitchen, grateful that she'd forced Shippo to pick up groceries for Kagome's house. She glanced at the clock noting it had been a good two hours. Her brow wrinkled in worry, it appeared Kagome was taking her time soaking in all this information. Rin felt bad that Shippo was springing so much on the girl, but it couldn't be helped. Sometimes a woman mourning needed some confusion to set her straight. When Ayame had passed on Rin had rearranged all of the furniture in their mansion so long ago and taken to tending to Takashi and Satoshi since Kouga was mourning. Rin was lucky her children were only half otherwise they would've aged as slowly as Takashi and Satoshi. And helping take care of those two wolf pups had been hard with them remaining as children for years and years. Because Rin's children were half demons they'd spouted up like beanstalks, aging like humans as Inuyasha had only to slow down as soon as they'd reached their teens, looking as if they were just a few years younger than Takashi and Satoshi were were in fact a century or so ahead of them.
"Mom can we please let down our illusions?" Kaoru whined, his fingers twitched to scratch at his real ears that were hidden with an illusion. The general public still didn't know about demons and as humans had grown increasingly dangerous in the past they'd had to find ways of hiding themselves for humans had found crafty ways at killing them.
"Not until she gets here Kao-chan," chided their mother. The twins huffed simultaneously.
Honey and Chika's mom, a petite blonde human by the name of Winry, was stringing up a large banner that said: Welcome Home Kagome!
The boys had finally gotten a picture of Kagome that was framed on the single table in the room of her and her family; somehow Sesshomaru had obtained copies. That man could give Kyoya a run for his money on gathering entail. "I thought she was supposed to be old and wrinkled," muttered Hikaru.
"Sure doesn't look old and wrinkled," said Kaoru before letting out a long whistle.
"She's pretty," chirped Honey, climbing up Mori's back to peer over Kaoru's shoulder. The boys collectively agreed she was a babe. The members of the Host Club couldn't place it, but they felt that they'd seen her before somewhere. They just couldn't figure out where. None of the club members thought to put two and two together and remember the picture Kyoya had showed them of Kagome Higurashi.
"I wonder if she's part demon or something?" Satoshi may have heard the stories of the priestess, but to see her in a picture so young made him question some of the validity of the legend. He turned questioning eyes at his Aunt Winry who shook her head no. Though she'd never met Kagome she knew enough from Ginta to answer her nephew, "She's pure human."
"You know, that name sounds familiar," said Kaoru as he eyed the banner. Mori nodded his head in agreement. Those two were the more astute of the group. Sure, they'd heard that name for a long time as pups when their father's would tell them stories of Kagome and Inuyasha. All six of the boys had grown up on the tales from their folks about the old traveler. So none of the boys ever keyed in their Kagome with Haruhi's own Kagome, even with the picture in front of them. Then again, they all had simpletons for fathers and it might've been genetics that made them just as dense.
Rin came over and set a tray in front of them loaded down with health food and juices. The twin's mom didn't believe in such a thing as sweets for growing boys, so Honey looked ready to burst out crying when he gazed upon the fruits and vegetables. Rin absentmindedly patted Honey's head, ignoring his crocodile tears.
"Hnn," remarked Mori, his mind vaguely recollecting where he'd seen that face before. Due to spending so much time with Sesshomaru, Mori was exceedingly astute. He only looked like Kouga and had his determination. Satoshi was another thing all together, he'd inherited all of the talking abilities of his mother and father… so if you hung around him too long you might self combust or your ears might bleed and fall off. That and Satoshi had Ayame's bright green eyes. As far as Mori's likeness to his mother went it was more along the things that he liked, like iris flowers and kendo. Often times the sword Mori used in his kendo matches was the one that had belonged to his belated mother.
Mori suddenly remembered the picture on Kyoya's computer in great detail and he froze up. There was no way. He needed confirmation!
Rin ruffled Kaoru's head, mussing it up much to his dismay, and beamed down at the pups, "That's because her cousin goes to your school! Kagome was a time traveler originally from here." Both Mori and Kaoru stilled, Kaoru coming to the same conclusion as Mori. Hikaru was too stuck on the words 'time traveler' to put two and two together. Honey was poking at the brocolli on the plate, Chika snickering as he chowed down on the veggies, and Satoshi waited with awed eyes for an explanation.
Rin tapped her lip deep in thought as she tried to remember that name that her husband had often mentioned. Shippo's plans revolving around Kagome had been long in coming and Rin had delighted in helping him fix up things for the person she'd always seen as a big sister. She was positively glowing this past week as she designed a whole wardrobe for Kagome's closet. That wardrobe was what she'd forced her boys to carry; they were definitely not used to manual labor, and place into her huge closet in her bedroom. Rin played with Kaoru's orange locks, a favorite past time to do when she couldn't recall something. "Win-win do you remember?" Rin asked, using her nickname for her favorite blonde human. The duo were tight friends, then again, they were both humans married to full blooded demons with halfling sons.
"Yeah Rin-tin," said Winry as she pinned a few balloons next to the banner. She had on a black tank top and some baggy blue pants like usual with a red bandanna to keep her hair out of her eyes. Ginta absolutely adored Winry in her working gear, he thought it was the cutest thing ever… Which might be where Honey got his love for adorable, however, Ginta didn't like to admit that he adored cute things. Their two boys had Winry's hair and their father's brown eyes. Winry still wasn't used to this whole rich thing, even after years of being married. She'd started out as Ginta's mechanic and he'd had her walking down the aisle after three months of heavily dogging her. Ginta was definitely like his brother Kouga when it came to chasing after women. Winry tilted her head from where she sat atop the ladder pinning up streamers and balloons to the banner. "Her name's Haruhi."
"Oh yeah! Haruhi Fujioka," sang Rin, nodding her head oblivious to the fact that four of the six boys dropped their cards upon recognizing that name. Chika and Satoshi recognized the name from hearing snippets of their elder brother's conversations, but they hadn't met this Haruhi yet.
Haruhi clipped her seatbelt undone faster than her father could blink and bolted straight for the house before the car could stop. Haruhi flew through the front door running past her aunt without so much as a hello, taking the stairs with leaps. Haruhi slid into Kagome's room to find her cousin lying asleep in bed. Her heart froze at the sight of her. Kagome was breathing evenly, she looked a little pale and thinner, but she was alive! Haruhi collapsed on her knees as silent laughter shook her frame. She wanted to hug Kagome and yell at her and tell her how much she loved her and how stupid she was, but no doubt Kagome needed the sleep. So, after glancing over her cousin to make sure that everything was fine, Haruhi went to fix a glass of water for Kagome. She planned on waiting it out in that room until Kagome awoke.
While Haruhi was getting Kagome a glass of water the priestess stirred from her slumber. Kagome blinked her eyes open slowly and looked at the bright sky that filtered in from her blinds as she tried to take things in. I feel like I'm on a whirlwind. Always moving, she faintly thought as she spoke to Inuyasha. Kagome had gotten to the point that she did this sometimes, knowing that the words in her head were heard by Inuyasha because he'd promised to watch after her. Most people talked ot their ancestors in times of need, she spoke to a dead half demon. It was kind of comforting thinking of him as an apparition that was watching after her from above. I'm going to try Inuyasha, just please don't let me cry anymore.
As if Inuyasha were answering her, the door flung open with Haruhi frozen holding a glass of water. And then Kagome found herself attacked as the statue came to life. "KAGOMEEEEE!" All traces of the dream world cast away when Kagome was pounced upon and the air knocked out of her, the glass of water soaking into the floor where it was dropped in favor of ultimate glomping.
Haruhi didn't let go of Kagome. Haruhi didn't allow Kagome any freedom for she was wound so tightly on her. Though the breath may have been knocked out of her, Kagome felt she could finally breathe knowing that she was able to see Haruhi again. Unbidden tears came out of both of their eyes when they pulled away and finally saw the other. They both laughed at how silly they were crying, but they were so overjoyed. Haruhi knew one thing was for certain, she wasn't going to let Kagome out of her sight now that she had her back. Best of all, she planned on spending more time with Kagome. Haruhi suddenly leaned back and punched Kagome hard in the shoulder. Kagome winced and rubbed at her arm griping out, "Jeez! What was that for?"
"Don't ever do something stupid like that again! Dad and I were worried! I was calling your mom everyday! I swear if you do something for the greater good I'm going to get one of those rich bastards to lock you in a tower," threatened Haruhi in all seriousness. There was no way she was going to come that close to losing her cousin again. She'd sell her soul to Kyoya to have Kagome safe if she had to. "You could've killed yourself! Next time the world needs saving tell someone else to do it!"
Kagome kept her eyes on Haruhi's as she apologized. "I'm sorry Haru."
"S'okay Kags," replied Haruhi as all the tension she'd had waiting on news for Kagome flooded out of her and she felt instant relief at getting that off her chest.
Haruhi bumped foreheads with Kagome, both of their legs crossed on the bed and their hands entwined. When they were younger they'd always bumped heads like this when they'd gotten over squabbling with each other.
The sudden pounding of high heeled feet made the duo's eyes meet in alarm. Kagome knew the sounds of those heels anywhere and no amount of protection could keep her or Haruhi safe from what was heading straight for them. Ranka appeared in the room in primped drag queen glory with a sutra plastered on his head, no doubt from his father who believed a demon possessed his son to make him want to wear women's clothes. Kagome's instincts told her to runaway screaming or throw up a barrier, but she didn't. Kagome held firm because she'd faced scarier. And so it was, with the courage of a lion, that Kagome and Haruhi were overtaken by Ranka in a hug that would've killed the weakest of men. Big red lipstick marks were plastered on Kagome's creamy cheeks by her overzealous uncle. She was thankful that her mother hadn't come upstairs to join in, that was a small blessing for if she had appeared with Ranka than Kagome and Haruhi would've been doomed.
"How's she related to Haruhi?" They were looking intently at the photo. Winry and Rin were sitting along the stairwell wondering how their sons got to be such perverts because they had a picture of Haruhi, that they'd taken without her knowing, on their phone to compare images.
The Host Club members saw the similarities. Both girl's had naturally large eyes that captivated whomever looked at them. They were of a relatively thin build and appeared to be around the same height since they were both seen standing in the pictures. There were few differences. Kagome had bright blue eyes like Mori's dad and seemed to have a spark in them, her hair was long and black, and she wasn't cute… she was hot. Curvy and hot. Haruhi was cute in the innocent way with shorn brown hair and soft brown eyes.
"You just thought something perverted didn't you?" Honey cried out, whacking Hikaru on the head with his heavy bag. The twin was knocked out from the blow that was meant to knock his mind out of the gutter. Honey didn't know his own strength as a half demon. "Takashi," whined Honey as he turned his eyes to his cousin, "Hikaru's a perve-" But Honey's voice cut off as he caught the faint red staining Mori's cheeks. "You're a pervert too!" Honey began repetitively beating his cousin with the backpack. Mori was holding his arms up for cover. Chika, Kaoru, and Satoshi had scooted far away from Honey, frightened out of their wits that he'd turn on them.
"Think life will ever be normal?" Winry asked, her chin resting in the palm of her hands as she watched her eldest unknowingly beat the crap out of Kouga's eldest.
Rin pointedly looked at Winry with a doubtful expression. "You walked down the aisle 18 years ago pregnant with whirlwind of mayhem-" Rin pointed a pretty cuticle at Honey, "-and married a wolf demon. I married a fox demon over four hundred years ago and finally got knocked a few years after you," Rin stated. When bound to a real demon by the soul you could live alongside them. Rin still couldn't believe in her immortality after so long, but every day she glanced at a mirror a youthful face stared back. Besides, if Rin hadn't been blessed with such long life Shippo and her would've never been able to figure out just how it was they could avoid miscarriages. She was happy that the boys all appeared close in age even if it was their half demon blood that made it so. Though Honey was older than the twins he did have one problem going for him as did Chika, puberty wouldn't hit them for a few years because foxes matured faster than wolves, which was why Winry's little ones both looked so much younger. The only reason Mori and Satoshi had sprouted up was because they'd lived so long. "I think normality isn't in our dictionaries Win-win."
Winry rubbed at her head before calling down to her little terror of destruction, who'd made a rampage on his perverted pack members, "Honey, if you're going to fight take it outside."
"Yes mama," he called back to his mother, finally realizing the destruction he'd inflicted. The little Lolita looked upstairs apologetically at his mother. Winry as unbelievably thankful he'd grown out of his little temper tantrums from when he was little, she didn't know if she could handle the brute strength of one of those tantrums with him at this strength now.
Kagome had been forced into a bath by Ranka and Haruhi. The luxuries of indoor plumbing were a blessing as she relaxed in the pool of water. She soaped up and took her time cleaning off all the dirt and the nasty puckered scars from the war.
Outside of the bath everyone was busy as ants. Kei was lying out some fresh clothes for her daughter to wear. And the men were packing everything Kagome had and putting it in a U-haul truck that Sesshomaru had called to the house as soon as Ranka and Haruhi arrived. Four demons, an old man, one drag queen, a teenage boy, and two women packing together everything that Kagome had in her room. It took only forty minutes. Haruhi had slipped Kagome's clothes into the bathroom and then she'd stood and guarded the door, not allowing Kagome out of the bathroom until all of her things were safely packed away in the U-haul. She adamantly agreed with the others that Kagome needed to be kept busy. Sure Kagome would be incredibly tired tonight… she'd just gotten from the future and had all of this tossed at her… but better tired than heartsick. Mrs. Higurashi could give orders like the best of generals when it came to pointing which of Kagome's stuff went in which box. Kagome's grandfather had went about the house putting up sutras to kill off all the demons, knowing that Kagome was the heir to Sesshomaru now, but he groaned when said demons beamed down at him from the window very much alive.
"Your pops is trying to kill us," sang Kouga, though he sensed no danger from the man, he lacked any power whatsoever. Kagome just came out of the bathroom, hair sticking to her face and in fresh clean clothes, to find her room completely empty. She looked about with owl sized eyes. They'd even taken the kitty clock from her wall and the nail that went with it.
"Don't mind him. He's senile," commented Sota glancing out the window to look at his grandfather.
"That's comforting," mumbled Kouga.
Tamaki glanced around the empty clubroom. It was like a ghost town. Even Renge hadn't stopped by. Nekozawa was snickering in his quiet dark corner of the room before he slinked away into the Dark Magic Club Room. Tamaki feared instantly that he'd placed a curse on the club room. "Mommy, where is everyone? I think Nekozawa hexed them!"
The violet eyed golden haired king, with tears in his violet eyes, asked Kyoya who was shutting the doors so he could rest in silence... or near silence since Tamaki was there. Kyoya was actually thankful everyone was gone. Now he could catch up with managing the money they were making as well as do his homework. And there was his little side project about finding out more about Haruhi's suddenly mysterious cousin. Normally he'd be able to hack in files and find everything about someone; their birth, home, what time they went to bed... the most mundane details that most people never would know unless they'd befriended someone for years. Kyoya could find neither hair nor hide on this female enigma.
The ice king flipped open his little black notebook and read aloud, "Honey and Mori have family errands. Hikaru and Kaoru called this morning to say they would be gone for family as well. They also informed me that Haruhi is with her cousin."
"Oh, that lovely princess has returned," cried out Tamaki happy at this news for his 'daughter!' The theater in his head was already playing out how Haruhi and Kagome found each other at last, torn apart by something or another and finally brought together in the movies. "Just think of it Kyoya! She will need more time to spend with my daughter! I think we should issue her an extended invitation to visit us so that she and Haruhi can share in the bonds of cousin-ship!" His mind was also playing out having two lovely daughters running to his arms and Kagome sounded less resistant than his stubborn daughter Haruhi. Maybe he could actually convince her to talk Haruhi into sporting a dress!
Kyoya cleared his throat to cut through the cloud of bliss of Tamaki's theatrical mind. "It appears that most of them are taking the day off tomorrow." He pushed his glasses up on his nose, a bright flash coming in the action. He was suspicious. It was far too coincidental. "I wouldn't be surprised if Haruhi did too." Kyoya wanted to investigate.
Tamaki mulled that over before he turned wide wondering eyes on Kyoya. "Why aren't we gone mommy?"
"Because we've got to plan how to surprise them tomorrow," stated Kyoya with a deafening click of his pen as Tamaki's eyes lit up at this. Kyoya figured that wherever the group was they were together. Even if it meant checking each of their houses they'd find them. Then again, Kyoya could always call one of them tomorrow, keep them on the phone for at least two minutes, and track them down. Having your own armed guard and police service had its benefits.
Kagome and her family were pulling into the long driveway of Kagome's new home located near Shippo and Rin's. In fact, she was on the land right beside their own. There were woods and nature everywhere and she could just make out Shippo's house in the distance peeping over the trees. Three other houses did likewise around this area, but they were so far to afford her privacy. Kagome's house was exactly as she'd pictured it.
"They go all out," commented Haruhi as Ranka played with the window rolling it up and down. The number of times Ranka and Kei had been in a limo could be counted on one hand. Sota was working on moving his stuff into Kagome's room back at the house, making sure Kagome wouldn't be able to return so she could live on her own, while their grandfather was trying to strengthen his sutras. Technically it was just the 'girls' in the family if you counted Ranka as a chick. Kouga and Ginta were driving the little van with all of Kagome's belongings.
Just as Kagome's mind drifted she felt a hand clutch onto her fingers. She looked up for sky blue to meet light chocolate eyes that brought her mind back down from the clouds. Haruhi didn't want to leave Kagome alone with her thoughts anytime soon. "You want to go to school this week Kagome?" Haruhi was thrilled that Kagome would be attending Ouran alongside her. It was quiet a relief otherwise Haruhi would've been indebted to the club since she'd originally planned on visiting Kagome once a week, which meant skipping a day of club activities. That would've meant never getting out of debt.
Kagome gave her a weak smile and said,"Sure." Kagome knew exactly what these people were doing. They were luring her away from depression. She would have no rest until it was time for bed. It just wasn't fair, they had demonic stamina and she was still tired from her ordeal in the past. But she loved them for it. They were pushy idiots, but darn it if they weren't her pushy idiots. "Those uniforms are scary though. One looks like it needs a wrapper around it that says Twinkie and the other looks like a pilot's uniform."
Shippo sat beside Sesshomaru across from the four relatives. Both Ranka and Kei had been eyeballing Sesshomaru like he was the handsomest man they'd ever seen… and he probably was. The siblings seemed to have similar taste in men and kept sharing knowing looks as if they were arguing over who had dibs on him. He did after all have no wedding band and he was making Kagome his heir, so why not permanently bring him into the family?
"Welcome home Kagome," squealed Rin running over to open the door. The six boys on the floor stood up straight, not knowing what to do. Hikaru and Kaoru had expected a crone for a 'grandmother,' but instead were getting a royal hottie related to their equally attractive friend. Mori looked the calmest, but Honey noticed the odd shuffle to his feet and blinked up at him. "Takashi?" Mori patted Honey on the head, though he felt on pins and needles. All four Host Club members were silently wondering if this meant that they would get to tell their friend Haruhi that they were of demon blood. However, they didn't get a chance to warn her for she saw them. As soon as their dad came in bellowing out, "SURPRISE!" clouds of color poofed around all of them as they dropped down their human shields to reveal their heritage to the guests. And as the smoke cleared the members of the Host Club found Kagome staring, not as surprised as the saucer eyed Haruhi standing next to her in shock that her friends had been demons all along.
Satoshi and Chika stood proudly displaying their heritage with no trace of awkwardness. In fact, Satoshi was ready to welcome both Kagome and Haruhi to the pack with open arms. Chika was bored, but he managed to keep his chin up and look all the better than his elder brother. Kaoru cast a weak smile at Haruhi while Honey hid behind Mori's leg, fingers dug into his pants, and Hikaru scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Looks like the demon was out of the bag.
Bright reddish-brown pointy fox ears twitched atop the twin's heads. Honey had a long bright golden wolf tail and Chika had dark blond wolf ears. Mori and Satoshi, like their full blooded father, had long bushy wolf tails. Shippo was in his full five tailed glory, a tail for each century he'd lived. Sesshomaru appeared once more as his former intimidating self as Kouga appeared again as a bigger and sturdier version of his past with his tail just a wagging.
Kagome glanced about the room through a bitter smile. Everything seemed to be spinning. Without knowing where it was Kagome took off for the bathroom and shut the door falling onto the cold tiled floor before she even got the chance to greet to the demons. She locked the door even though she knew if they really wanted they could break it down to get to her. "Mama?" Shippo whispered running after her.
The boys wondered if it was something that they'd done, from what they'd heard they'd thought she was fine with half demons and full demons. Honey's tail wrapped up around him depressed about her reaction. His tail was almost as big as he was and he clutched it in his hand as he would Usa-chan for comfort. The smallest half demon turned bright brown eyes up to Winry. "I don't understand mama?"
"Poor dear," tutted Rin walking after her husband towards the bathroom door where Haruhi was standing as well.
Ginta went over to stand behind Winry's with his calloused hands rubbing up and down her arms. "Those stories we told you, the battle in your father's history," explained Winry as she reached over to pat Honey's hair and assure him that he hadn't scared Kagome, "to her they happened a few days ago."
Chika kicked at the pile of cards that had once been straightened in a stack and were now littering the floor from their transformations. "That sucks."
"So that guy she loved…?" Kaoru questioned and received a nod from the silent Sesshomaru.
"Hnn," muttered a dissatisfied Mori. He knew what loss felt like; he'd been a few years old in human years when his mother had passed. But he didn't understand the loss of someone you were in love with. He scratched at his prickly black head of hair wondering why he felt drawn to the girl. She was pack so that meant he had to take care of her, he assumed that the others felt along the same lines since she was pack before they'd been born they had a strong pull to help her. Sesshomaru was their alpha and in a way Kagome was as well, which meant that they owed her allegiance and help if she needed it. If it weren't for Kagome none of their families would've been brought together. If she'd brought Shippo with her the twins wouldn't have been born. If she'd stayed behind than Kouga might never have realized sooner that Ayame was the one meant for him and that would've made their children born at a later date, those kids might not have been Mori or Satoshi. Ginta would've never warmed up to the idea of marrying a human had it not been for his brother's eyes first setting on Kagome. She'd inadvertently been the cause of them and their tight pack for none of those men would've teamed up had they not had Kagome in common.
Kei was clutching onto her brother knowing that when Kagome wanted to come out she would come out. Her daughter was rarely sad and it broke her heart to know that Kagome was hurt, but she knew given time Kagome would move on. Mori glanced down at his younger brother. "We should do something," muttered Satoshi and Mori nodded.
The tears rolled down her face without stopping. She needed to get a grip on herself. Here she was being given everything she could want but why was she crying? Because she knew that he was finally gone. Reality had finally toppled on her like a ton of bricks at the sight of her house and this new generation with her old friends. Most of her tears though were for relief though… relief that she no longer had that cursed burdensome jewel. She truly was alive and safe and home. After years of having the crushing wondering of whether or not she was going to live to return home she didn't have to question any more. She felt like Miroku had when his wind tunnel had disappeared. Overwhelmed but relishing the bittersweet taste of freedom from imminent doom. She could finally live a life. "Kagome, please come out," whispered Haruhi, darting glances every once in a while at the Host Club members and taking in their appearance.
Honey glanced back at Mori to make sure this was what he and Satoshi were sure of. Honey shuffled his feet forward, his tail still nervously being plucked by his small hands, as he asked Haruhi, "Can I try?" Haruhi stepped back as did Shippo and Rin to watch Honey go up to the door and scrape at it like a puppy with his small fingers.
"Kagome-chan," he said in his squeaky voice. Kagome may not have known the progeny of her friends, but that little voice got to her. "Can I come in please? We're worried about you, but I know you've had a hard time-" his eyes shot back to Mori who nodded his head as encouragement. "But… I promise I'll be the only one to come in." His voice pitched up at those two significant words. "If you need someone to hug I've been told I'm cuddly." Kagome actually laughed from inside the bathroom and reached up to unlock the door with a deafening click. Honey stepped forward and turned the knob before sliding in and shutting the door behind him.
She looks like a dark haired angel, was the first thought that came to the little lolita's head. She looks lost.
Honey inched towards her with his tail twisting in his fingers. When Honey shifted closer Kagome's cries stopped and she looked up from where she'd been sitting with her legs pulled to her chest and her arms wrapped around them feeling as helpless as a bird pushed out of the nest. They shared a silent moment just staring at each other before Honey blinked, little tears flecking his eyelashes, and he threw himself at her. Kagome moved to make him comfortable and let Honey latch onto her. This was what she'd needed. Someone to just hold her in their arms. Sometimes actions spoke louder than words and just now she didn't feel like talking.
The boys had resumed playing poker, with Haruhi joining in. She'd forced Hikaru and Kaoru, after a long disturbing glare that made them squirm, to explain just what sort of demons they were. She'd taken it with such stride that Hikaru and Kaoru were amazed by how accepting she was. Not only could Haruhi tell them apart, but she was accepting of their race. Mori was relieved that they had a human friend who knew. It was nice letting someone in on their secret. Tamaki was of course oblivious of what they were and Kyoya, though advanced at hacking files on everyone, would never ever be able to get into the files on their race due to the DAHA, Demons and Hanyous Alliance, that kept the largest secret known to mankind under lock and key from humans. There was one thing though, Haruhi kept glancing at their ears and Satoshi's with some odd look in her face like she wanted to touch them... but that was stupid. The genius of their school wanting to touch their sensitive ears.
Ginta was trying to talk Winry into playing strip poker since he had one more deck of cards. Kouga had been flirting with Ranka until he'd realized that she was a he so now he was awkwardly trying to keep a steady conversation out of politeness. Kei meanwhile was in the kitchen at the bar conversing with Rin as mothers over the situation. Rin was mainly trying to distract Kei's worries. Shippo was slumped against the wall and Sesshomaru was reading a newspaper at his leisure on the floor. He could've been in the middle of the street holding up traffic and Sesshomaru would've still looked at place and perfectly perfect.
When Kagome finally stepped out of the bathroom, Honey gripped tight onto her hand. Her eyes were rimmed pink, but she looked braver. In that bathroom Kagome had straightened her back with resolve. She may hurt for the next few days or weeks or even months, but she knew time would dull that pain and she counted her blessings that she had so many people here who cared about her. Honey's tail brushed her back encouragingly as he looked up at her to prompt Kagome to turn to everyone and say with a brilliant heartfelt smile, "Thank you for everything guys. I'm sorry to have worried you. I just needed to get that out of my system." Her eyes glanced at all of them and she smiled as brightly as she could at each in turn not knowing that she'd taken a breath or two away with her smile. "We should get my stuff in here before it gets dark." With those words life was brought back to the room as everyone got up. There wasn't much to bring in and Kagome had to do nothing, but she was pushed and pulled by new friends and old friends to look at the house.
Kouga and Satoshi dragged her one way to look at the porch they'd made her with the swing. Mori standing on watching in silence as both Kouga and Satoshi tried to speak over the other. Kagome tilted her head to glance at Mori and asked, "Are they always like this?" It was like another woman had taken place of the flighty one who'd stepped into the house.
"Mmm," he affirmed, causing a small giggle to float from her lips. She could already tell without even asking who was Mori's favorite relation. The tall guy really did resemble his father, dark skin and dark hair; she couldn't see a shred of Ayame. It appeared that Kouga was always dominating, even in genetics, but this Mori had a quietness about him that was a relief compared to Kouga's jabber jawing. She vaguely wondered what his voice sounded like when he actually spoke.
Kagome was promptly dragged back by Honey and Chika towards the empty kitchen that would need a woman's touch. They proudly displayed the pantry they'd help fill with groceries. Honey had at least three cakes inside Kagome's fridge and she found herself hugging the little boy who she felt had rescued her. He reminded her of a younger Shippo. "Kagome-chan, you do like cake don't you?" His eyes looked up at her ready to cry if she said no and that she didn't appreciate him stocking her fridge with iced sweets.
Kagome bent down to warmly look him in the eyes, bumped heads with him, and answered honestly, "I can eat a whole cake in under an hour." Chika than realized making friends with Kagome would be hard… she was probably as scary as his brother when devouring sweets.
Two voices chorused together as Kagome spun around to find the twins with hats atop their ears and hair. "Lets play the which one is Hik-"
"Hikaru," Kagome pointed without any fear. "Kaoru," she pointed to the other. Kagome could tell the twins apart easily by the feel of their demonic auras. Kaoru's was more peaceful than Hikaru's which felt a bit like a caged animal. She wouldn't let them know that though. "Are you going to just stand there and stare?" Kagome prodded Hikaru, poking him with a hand which he swatted away. It irked the duo that one other person could tell them apart so easily and the look in her eyes dared them to question her judgment.
He sighed before a smirk crept across his face ready to out show the others. "I don't know if you're ready," he began.
"For the pièce de résistance," finished Kaoru as Hikaru looped an arm over Kagome's shoulder and Kaoru did the same to Haruhi. They planned on leading her towards the closet where they'd skillfully crafted outfits for her with Rin… but Kagome had other plans when her eyes flickered up to their moving ears. She reached out and touched Kaoru's ears inspiring a pink hue across his cheeks and than she let go to grab ahold of both of Hikaru's, rubbing them with her fingers. Haruhi gave into her desire and did the same thing Kagome was doing but with Kaoru's ears. Shippo had never seen the day when his twin boys would turn as bright as their hair.
"Wow, they're so soft," muttered Haruhi letting go and stepping back. She'd gotten her fixation out of the way. Kagome hadn't though.
"Reminds me of Inuyasha's," said Kagome still tweaking with Hikaru's. He had to hold his ground from letting his leg began to shake like a dogs as she scratched him behind one ear. Hikaru nervously pulled out from under her touch, not liking being compared to someone much less someone who wasn't his brother. "Sorry," she mumbled backing away and retreating her hands to her sides before allowing them to push her towards the closet that all women dreamed of and few obtained.
The look on Kagome and Haruhi's faces were interesting to watch. One was with reverent gurly awe while the other was calculating how much all of the clothes cost. Hikaru and Kaoru didn't even get the chance to push her into trying clothes on as Kagome ran to an outfit plucking one for herself and one for Haruhi, forcing Haruhi with a devious grin into trying things on. The twins were amazed when Haruhi actually gave in. They'd have to remember this for the next time they wanted Haruhi to wear something girlish.
Kagome leaned against the opening to the kitchen and watched her family fighting over the extremely expensive take out. Haruhi was trying to get a hold of fancy tuna, but every time she reached for some Hikaru would push it away from her while Kaoru stole something off her plate. Honey was devouring sweets first before a real meal. Mori was serenely sipping at his tea, almost a mirror image of his Uncle Sesshomaru beside him in his actions. Ranka and Ginta fought over the last wonton while Rin spooned more veggies on Honey's plate while he was distracted by cake. Chika and Kei were in deep conversation about the benefits of Sota joining martial arts. Winry argued with Kouga over what parts he should use on the new design he was building for a motorcyle. As chaotic as all the noise was, Kagome felt more peaceful than she had in a while just watching the group. It felt like a 1,000 piece puzzle had been placed together and she could now look back and admire it. She ran her hands up and down on her arms trying to distill the excited chill that ran down her body. She was looking forward to these new faces and knew they were indeed best for her.
The priestess wandered away from the kitchen out onto her front porch to sit on the swing. The gentle sway brought her simple tranquility. This was meant to happen. If I hadn't have left Shippo wouldn't have been raised this way and maybe he wouldn't have had those kids, the same goes for the others. Kagome let her feet drag on the porch as she watched the fireflies blinking on and off as they presented themselves in the darkening evening. She adored watching them; they reminded her of past times in the Feudal Era chasing them with Shippo. Kagome was already imagining the flowers that would look good around the house and she caught herself smiling. Those demons knew her far too well, this house would prove a great distraction.
Kagome was tired, so tired that she didn't notice her eyes drooping as she lay across the bench and fell asleep in content.
Mori was the one to come out and check on her, carrying her gently, and bringing her into the house. Rin drew the covers for him to lie her softly onto the bed in her large room. Kei slid off her daughter's worn shoes knowing they'd have to be tossed into the trash for the soles were worn down from Kagome's travels. She also tugged off the socks and folded them up like any mother. Shippo tucked her in. Chika pulled the curtains closed. Honey turned the nightlight on in her room. Satoshi fetched a glass of water to set on her dresser in case she woke up and was thirsty. Hikaru and Kaoru found a silky soft nightgown for her from the closet and set it out. Winry dragged Ginta out of the room, hinting at playing with a deck of cards, mainly because she knew her husband was a klutz and if he spent more than two minutes in there he would accidentally wake Kagome. Ranka shooed everyone out of the room. Sesshomaru was the one to shut the door behind him, casting a lingering gaze of gratitude on the one who'd saved them all. And Haruhi eased her cousin out of her clothes and into her nightgown, though Kagome mumbled something not so intellectual in her sleepy daze as soon as she was in that silky number and her head hit the pillows she found sleep again.
While Haruhi undressed Kagome, she came across something startling. Her fingers briefly traced over the bumps that marred Kagome's skin. This didn't add up. Kagome was a priestess and her powers should've healed them back over. Haruhi concluded one thing from this since the bruises looked yellow from age and the scratches seemed to have been there for a whie. Where were Kagome's powers? Kagome mumbled silently, half awake, "Haruhi tell me a story." Haruhi rolled her eyes at the childish request. Whenever one of them couldn't sleep they used to make up stories when they were little. She knew Kagome could go to sleep at the drop of a hat, but she relented anyway. Rather than a falsehood Haruhi told Kagome about how the hosts had tried to hide her gender during the school physicals. Kagome giggled at Tamaki wearing a wig to pose as Haruhi, "He sounds like a mess."
"He's really happy all the time, a bit like you," muttered Haruhi shaking her head against the pillow as she played with Kagome's long hair. Kagome yawned smiling sleepily with closed eyes. "I still can't believe demons are real. Much less those idiots are some."
"You never know who could be. For all you know Tamaki or Kyoya," yawned Kagome and Haruhi clapped a hand over her mouth to prevent her from finishing that sentence.
Fear was struck in her eyes. "Don't you dare," warned Haruhi as Kagome licked her hand and laughed while Haruhi wiped it on the covers. Before Haruhi even finished the story of that day Kagome had already drifted to sleep. Haruhi smiled at her peaceful face and murmured, "Night cuz," before closing her own eyes and burrowing close to her best friend.
Haruhi and Ranka planned on staying the night as did Kei after calling Souta and Grandpa Higurashi to tell them not to expect her home. Luckily, Kei had thought ahead to bring blankets that would serve as pallets for her and her Ranka. "I hate to see you go," lamented Ranka fluttering his eyelashes as Sesshomaru as he decided to leave them be. They already planned to be over at the house promptly in the morning to help with the shopping.
"I think he has the hots for you Sesh," Ginta chuckled once the door was shut, his arm wrapped around Winry's waist.
"Gross," both of the twins stated trailing behind their own parents who were walking beside Winry and Ginta.
"Him and his sister," said Kouga, his elbow digging into Sesshomaru's side companionably. Sesshomaru glowered at Kouga, but even that didn't scare the wolf demon. After centuries of being friends Kouga just took Sesshomaru's temperaments in stride.
"You should go for Kagome's mom," commented Takashi, shoving his hands into his pockets. "She's pretty and nice... which means she's totally wrong for you Uncle Sesh." Takashi was smacked int he back of the head by Sesshomaru, but it was so quick a move that Takasi wouldn't have known it was Sesshomaru if it weren't for the dog demon averting his eyes.
"Kagome's pretty," commented Chika as he walked beside his best buddy.
Honey caught up in his steps with his younger brother and blinked up at him with little flowers and hearts floating around his head. "You wanna date her Chika-chan?"
Chika rolled his eyes. "No, I'm just saying she's nice to look at."
"Maybe we should suggest an arranged marriage," chirped Kouga, earning a hit on the head from both Rin and Winry for that suggestion. "What? Don't tell me none of you weren't thinking of matching her up with our runts!" He sent them an accusing look and Winry and Rin both glanced away as if completely innocent when in reality they had been tossing about the idea of a nice little wedding where Kagome starred as the bride in their fantasies. To be honest Rin just wanted an excuse to design a wedding dress and Winry wanted to see all of the appliances that Kagome would rake in at the bridal shower. "HA!" Kouga said pointing at the women.
"Mom, we're not marrying anyone," the twins chorused having caught onto the wedding bliss shining in Rin's face when her mind had returned to thinking over the ceremony and the glamour that radiated off of a wedded bride.
Kouga stopped walking and turned to his two sons. "Satoshi, Mori, as your father I order one of you to marry Kagome. Mori should pursue her first, but I'll give you both a fair chance." Mori silent stared at his father with a look he'd mastered from Sesshomaru that said 'You-can't-be-serious' while Satoshi stroked his chin as if actually considering this. Mori turned to look at his younger brother with a raised brow.
"She is pretty hot bro. And nice," admitted Satoshi.
Both brows raised as the duo had this conversation with one another. Only two close siblings like those two could ever talk like that between each other. Half the time even Hikaru and Kaoru didn't understand Mori and his expressions much less his moods.
"I know that's shallow of me, but you never know." Satoshi's face was flustered as if he'd just been insulted. The twins shared an expression wondering how Mori done that when not a word had been uttered from his mouth.
Mori looked down at his brother sternly and muttered, "Mmm."
Satoshi slumped his shoulders in defeat. "Your logic is irrefutable bro." Rin wished she could have arguments like that with her husband, but nope he had to talk boisterously and loudly when he wanted to argue.
"Hey wait a minute! If Kagome's going to marry someone's kids mine should be perfect," said Ginta, putting a hand on Honey's shoulder. "He's sweet as her and they get along fine. They're so much alike." Winry shared a look with her younger son Chika. It was obvious the adult men had lost it. What were just daydreams for Winry and Rin were self-fulfilling prophesies for the men with plans for their sons. And she'd thought women in the past had been bad forcing their daughters on guys.
"If anyone should marry off his kids-"
"Before you even finish that sentence," began Hikaru, waving a hand to get his father's attention as they approached the edge of the yard where grass met cement road.
"Technically she's our grandmother," finished Kaoru who'd been waving an arm as well, but it had been the arm opposite of Hikaru. Though to be honest both of the twins found her sweet after she'd jumped on Chika for talking about how close the brother's were, claiming that only girls were that close. Kagome had stated Chika was just envious of their bond wishing for one with Honey, said lolita had perked up at the idea that his brother really wanted to be friends with him. She'd also added that she was the same way with Haruhi, stringing an arm around said cousin and bumping noggins with her. The twins only refused the idea of an arranged marriage was because they didn't want it. Besides, their world was still a little shut in on themselves too much to let another person in.
Sesshomaru cleared his throat getting everyone's attention under the dark night sky. "My heir may love whomever she chooses." His eyes scanned the group making the men feel bad for wanting to pawn off their children so quickly onto Kagome. "This Sesshomaru won't subjugate her to an arranged marriage." They all nodded their heads in silent agreement.
Their families all lived nearby this heavily forested area, it was meant for all of them to hunt together as a pack so they hadn't required a car. Kouga's tail wagged as he said, "I can't wait until Kagome looks in the garage."
Shippo shook his head knowing that they would all get over here just to see her reaction. Kouga jumped from foot to foot ready for the run, he saluted Sesshomaru before he took off running with Mori and Satoshi alongside him disappearing into the woods on one side of Kagome's house. Ginta bent down for Winry to hop on his back, he then nodded to his boys and they took off running heading to the woods behind Kagome's house. Sesshomaru would've taken his cloud had not things such as airplanes impeded that journey so he took off on foot just ahead of Kagome's house across the street and into the green forest ahead. Shippo chuckled wondering what Kagome would think when she found out that they all lived nearby. Well, at least one of their many houses was near her own and as long as she was residing in this house they'd all seen fit to permanently station themselves in the surrounding houses to get what time they could with her.
Hikaru and Kaoru shuffled their feet waiting on their parents cue to lead them. You always let your alpha lead when traveling in a pack unless you were given a command that you were free to run and Shippo was the alpha of their family unit where Sesshomaru was the alpha of the pack unit. Shippo reached out with both hands grabbing both of his sons by the scruff and pawed at their heads like any loving fox father would do to his kits. The two both swatted at his hands with Kaoru laughing and a twinkle shining in Hikaru's eyes. He pushed them forward, as if nudging them, and the boys took off running to the other side of Kagome's house into the shadows and brush having been given permission.
Shippo paused to glance back at the house and felt a tug on his arm from Rin as she pulled him in the direction where their children had taken off. Shippo sighed and looked at Rin who had a silly small smile just for him on her face. She understood. He didn't want to leave Kagome at this house after years of waiting for her, but she'd only be a few minutes away with how fast Shippo could run. He scooped Rin up in his arms and leaned down bestowing a long and sweet kiss to her lips. The light in his eyes sparked and Rin knew what was coming next, which made her giggle all the more as her seductive fox took off running so fast he passed their children in mere seconds with her held tight to his chest.
"Yuck," shouted Kaoru. "Get your hands-"
"Off our mom," Hikaru continued.
"Pervert," they chorused.
A/N: Mwahaha! Only 2 hosts are human (Tamaki & Kyoya… & lovely Haruhi of course). From here on out it'll slow down for Kagome to spend time with them. And no, she will not pretend to be a boy. XD Next chap will be put up some time Friday night, it will be the opening for the winner and Kagome. So there's the deadline for votes. Good luck.
