Lost and Found 4

An Inuyasha Fanfic

Chapter 4

Home again

A/N:

YAY MORE REVIEWS! Most of my beginning chapters are already written, I just have to edit through them. I DO have a bigger twisted plot planned, and its going to take a while to get there; so those who are planning to stick it for the long haul, I hope you enjoy. I love Kagome's family, they didn't get nearly enough screen time in the show, especially Kag's mom. She's such a kind and caring woman, and she taught her daughter well.

"If there's a pill to help me forget, god knows I haven't found it yet, but I'm dying to... Trying not to love you, only goes so far; trying not to need you, is tearing me apart... Trying not to love you, only makes me love you more." - "Trying Not to Love You." - Nickelback

*

Kouga shuffled into the house around noon, a dazed sort of look spread across his face.

"So you spent the night huh?"

"Guess it really was sis,"

"You sure work fast Kouga,"

"Yeah, you spend two years following the girl all across Japan, and you meet her again five hundred years later and already you've spent the night."

"What?" Kouga's face burned a bright crimson. "You fucking idiots! Nothing like that happened. Shut your nosy traps and clean this place up or something." He snarled, brandishing a fist at them.

"You just don't want to tell us all the details." Grumbled Ginta who was kneeling on the couch, his torso hanging over the back as he tried to probe their alpha for some answers.

"Yeah, and when do we get to see her again! You're not the only one that missed her." Grumbled Hakkaku, only to get a ferocious growl in response. "Well, okay then." He said with an awkward laugh. Jeeze, Kouga was certainly acting like they had sealed the deal, not only that, but he was cloaked in her scent.

"It's not like that. Fuck, I can't explain it, but it's not - she needs pack, friends more than she needs a mate right now. Would you just keep your fucking nose out of it?" He sighed heavily, storming into the kitchen before returning to the living room, a bottle of beer in his grasp. He popped the lid off with a fang, "Plus you'll see her tomorrow anyways, so stop your bitching."

"She's coming here?" Piped Ginta, a huge grin on his face.

"Hell no. You slobs have made this place more of a pig sty than a wolf den. We're going to help around the shrine." He snapped before turning and leaving the room once more, leaving the pack brothers to stare at each other. Shouldn't Kouga be bubbling with joy? He just found his woman! What the hell was going on?

The wolf prince wandered into his room nudging the door shut with a soft click as he slumped into the cushy arm chair by the window. He needed to just let this all sink in, much like he knew Kagome would need to. They had talked casually, more so than before, but it was still a shock. When she had stirred from her slumber, her head resting on his chest as she curled up in his lap made the girl shriek with such ferocity that his ears were still ringing. Perhaps he should have moved her before she stumbled into the world of the living, but he just couldn't stand to let go of his tough little miko. His tough little miko that whimpered and cried in her sleep, the only demons he couldn't chase away, or tear apart with his claws. The ones that haunted her heart. It was something they had in common. A tough life for most people was living on the street, or an abusive parent or lover, among many mundane things. Yes, they were terrible, horrid things that shouldn't happen to anyone, but the horrors of the days of Naraku were unimaginable. Few still lived that had seen those days, few who actually fought those battles, seen the devestation that one pathetic half demon had unleashed. Kouga had hundreds of years to push passed the memories, but still there were dark days. How this tiny little human had made it so far, so utterly alone, was astounding and heartbreaking.

The woman he'd rock in her sleep the night before was not the same girl he had met those years ago. Then again neither was he, and yet some things never changed. His heart still yearned for her. He wanted to do nothing but protect this feisty girl that had too many burdens on her tiny shoulders. Perhaps if she'd let him help, they could carry them together. Just fucking maybe. He smirked to himself as he let his head fall back onto the chair. He hadn't slept a wink during the night, he was far too busy. He had to watch out for his woman after all.

Just fucking maybe.

Kagome sighed as she watched Kouga go, but after having to fend off her grandfather, she thought it would be best. At least until she had a chance to calm him down and explain things. Once she figured everything out herself. The promise of tomorrow kept that soft smile on her lips. The miko returned to her work, lifting the heavy beams into place as Sota climbed up the ladder to nail them into position.

"So, who was that this morning, Kagome?" He asked as he hammered away.

"He's an old friend." She said, watching to make sure the ladder didn't topple over on him.

"I've never seen him before, from school?" He glanced down at the half smile on her face that had seemingly been stuck there since he and stumbled upon his sister in the courtyard.

"No, he's from... the other side."

"You mean from In- I mean the other time?"

"You can say his name Souta. Yes, he's from Inuyasha's time,"

"So the well works? He came through?" The curiosity of the now teenage boy made her smile. He never changed a bit either. If only the well had worked.

"No, he's a demon, a full demon, he's just been alive this whole time."

"Oh, well what about -"

"He's gone, Souta." Her face fell as the boy finished his hammering and climbed down the ladder.

"Oh. I'm sorry sis." He said, reaching a hand up to grab hers, still resting on the beam.

"It's okay, I expected it." She glanced over at Souta who was giving her the widest of grins, an attempt to cheer her up that actually worked. Her smile came back and Souta put his hands on his hips triumphantly.

"So, when do we get to meet this friend?" He asked, putting his hands on the back of his head. His sister had returned home from her journey quite some time ago, but part of her hadn't returned, the part that she'd lost when the well closed. For the first time in all these years, he could see a glimmer of the old Kagome in those brown eyes.

"Tomorrow, him and his... brothers are coming to help with the shrine." She smiled down at the boy, ruffling his hair as she moved to pick up the next beam.

"Lunch is ready!" Called a voice across the courtyard.

"You comin' sis?" Asked Souta, turning towards the main house. She rarely took her lunch inside, or even dinner. Often their mother would end up bringing it out to her, much to grandpa's annoyance. She looked down at the beam than up at the building that was still wall-less on one side. The wolves would be coming the next day to help. Could it hurt to take a break? When was the last time she'd been inside? A few days ago to bathe. A bath. That would be nice too.

"Sure." She said, placing the beam back down and stuffing her hands into her long sleeves as she followed Souta to the house, kicking off her sandals. Souta beamed as he scurried to the kitchen.

"Guess who's coming to eat with us!" He announced as Kagome stepped into the room.

"Oh! Kagome!" Her mother called as she placed a bowl of rice on the table, grinning wide.

"Good! I have questions for you young lady! What are you doing bringing a demon onto the shrine? These are sacred lands -"

"And you never had a problem with Inuyasha showing up whenever he felt like it. Kouga is an old friend, alright, and he doesn't hurt people, in fact he's been hiding from crazy people like you for centuries. You almost blew his cover coming out there and screaming about Youkai!" Kagome snapped, causing Souta to scramble behind his mother. They shared a brief glance. That was their Kagome.

"A full demon hm? Perhaps I could test my new sutras on him!" The old man stuck his hand into his pocket pulling out a handful of paper.

"You'll do nothing of the sort! They're coming tomorrow to help with the shrine, so you'd better behave yourself!" She barked as she picked up her chopsticks, digging into her meal. It was nice to sit on a comfy pillow instead of the hard ground.

"Watch who you're talking to young lady! We priests have a sworn duty to slay demons -"

"Cut it out gramps, you're not slaying anyone! Your sutras dont even work!"

"Oho! And you have sutras that do?" He asked, as Miyu and Souta sat, choosing to ignore the petty argument.

"My arrows have always been enough, and besides, there's no demons to slay around here anyways! The ones who are left are all hiding, living as humans and not hurting anyone, so give it up!" Kagome and her grandfather stared across the table at one another for several quiet moments before her mother piped up.

"It'll be good to meet your friends Kagome, you so rarely do anything but work. Ask them if they'll stay for dinner won't you?" Kagome turned towards her mother in surprise, caught by the older woman's smile.

"Uh yeah, sure." Souta clapped his hands together.

"So it's settled!" He said watching as his grandfather sulked. "Oh, c'mon gramps. It'll be fun!"

"As fun as sticking your hand into a beehive." He grumbled. Traitorous family.

Tomorrow. The thought brought a lightness to her heart that she hasn't felt in years.

Kagome helped with the dishes, stacking them neatly in the drip tray before announcing that she needed a bath.

"I'll run it for you darling, I cleaned some of the old robes I found in the store house if you'd like. They're in your room." Said Miyu, drying her hands.

"Thanks mom." She said, turning to the steps and taking them two at a time, her mother following close behind. Miyu turned into the washroom and ran the hot water, adding oils and salts to the water, just the way Kagome liked it. For years upon years she had watched her daughter grow from a teenager into a young woman far more mature than she could ever have hoped. She didn't understand why it was her child that was chosen to go through the well, nor why the well had sealed it self. Since she had fist disappeared she always had a constant worry for her oldest's well being. Having the weight of the shikon jewel thrust upon her, having to fight these demons that Miyu could only imagine. A small part of the woman was grateful she wouldn't be returning to the world beyond the well. At least here she could be by her side, even if she could only watch her daughter struggle through her problems. At least she knew she could be there as a mother should.

"Mmmh, that smells good." Miyu whipped her head around as Kagome appeared in the doorway, a towel and a new outfit slung over her arm.

"Of course dear, I added your favorites." Said the woman standing to leave the girl alone to bathe, when she found a pair of arms wrapped around her.

"Thanks mom." Miyu hugged her daughter back as tight as she could manage. She too couldn't wait to meet the demon who had brought out the sudden change in her little girl.