Not Everything Ends in Happily Ever After
By: SilverLunarStar
Part VI – Coping
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A zombie-like Kagome enters her childhood home. She can't say it's the house she grew up in because all of her growing up was done in Feudal Japan.
"Kagome-chan?!" Her mother's worried exclamation is heard throughout the house.
It's enough to make her younger brother part from his game system and come rushing down the stairs. "Onee-chan? What's wrong?"
"What's all the commotion about…?" Even her ever-eccentric and talkative grandfather is rendered speechless as he takes in his granddaughter's blank expression.
Higurashi-sama places a hand onto her daughter's shoulder.
This gets a reaction from her. Before, she was as still as a stone. Feeling her mother's comforting touch, however, makes her flinch and she snaps, sobbing uncontrollably. In between hysterics her family's able to gather the gist: She and Inuyasha got married and mated (not that Souta understands what that means), she helped deliver Sango's baby girl, and, all in the same day, the well somehow pulled her in.
They're at a loss of what to do. Souta's confused. Does that mean Inuyasha-nii-chan is no longer going to come? Higurashi-ojii-sama is happy because that means that evil hanyo will no longer bother them, even though he was helpful at times… Even Etsu is at a loss; all she is able to do is give her daughter a shoulder to cry on and hold her tight.
Once her sobs have been reduced to mere hiccups, she takes her up to her room; even though she hasn't been back in months, Etsu always dusts it. The older woman contemplates drawing a bath, but thinks better of it. Instead, she helps her now lifeless daughter into some sleepwear and tucks her into bed like she used to do when she was younger. As she runs her fingers through her long hair, her daughter shrugs her off, and turns her back. Sighing, she gets up to leave.
"Oyasumi, Kagome-chan," she says before shutting the door.
Sometime in the middle of the night, the Jewel glows brightly before it disappears.
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Life only gets harder for Kagome. When she wakes up the next day and realizes the Jewel is missing, it sends her into another bout of hysterics, which sends her straight to the bathroom to spill the contents in her stomach.
This happens for almost a month. She gets up, only to mope in her room or, when her family makes her get out, around the house. Almost every day, when she wakes up, she spills her guts out. Sometimes it even happens after lunch. She can't seem to keep her food down. No one notices until it's been exactly a month and a half.
Etsu gets up that morning just as Kagome is exiting the bathroom. "Daijoubu desu ka, Kagome-chan?" she questions, before she can stop herself.
The young woman shrugs. "Ano…watashi wa…"
"What is it Kagome-chan? You know you can tell me anything." Even though they have a close mother-daughter relationship, as a child she was closer to her father. After he died, things were pretty strained. It wasn't until she reached her preteen years that they became closer. This past month feels like that same rift.
Kagome opens her mouth, but quickly closes it. She's frustrated with herself. It's not like she's fifteen. She's eighteen, married, mated, and "Possibly pregnant…" she mumbles.
Etsu's eyes widen. Joy spreads throughout her being. 'I'm going to be a grandmother!' However, she quickly sobers seeing her sullen child. "Why don't you go back to bed and I'll be back in a couple of hours; I need to go to the store."
Kagome looks out the window; it's still dark. Turning back to her mom, she raises a brow.
"Okay, how about we go together in a couple of hours? The exercise will be good for you."
Hesitantly, she nods before healing back to her room.
Sighing, the older woman also goes back to hers. If she is with child, maybe it will help her. When her husband died, the only way she's able to strive through was for her children. If it turns out Kagome's pregnant with Inuyasha's child, she might be able to find that same strength… 'Or it'll make the rest of her life miserable…' Shaking her head as if to physically rid the thought, she knows she won't allow it.
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Staring at the test with the pink plus sign, her emotions are in turmoil. For one, she's happy that she'll have a symbol of her and Inuyasha's love, but on the other hand, she'll be a single mother. Exiting the bathroom after purging her small breakfast, she hands the test to her mother.
Seeing the uncertainty in her daughter, she takes her in her arms before she can have a complete breakdown. She comforts her and tells her that she's not alone; she'll always have them.
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I couldn't help it! I needed her to a small, itty bitty ray of hope between all the miseries she's going through! Don't worry, all will be well!
Ah! I shall be concluding this story with just one more part to go! *sniffles*
Thank you to everyone who has continued to read this story, thus far. Welcome to those who have just stumbled across it. Of course, a huge thanks to j.y.d. for reviewing! I know things are a little gloomy right now, but like I said before, never fear! I'm glad you liked the Miroku and Sango moment in the last chapter. Also, I'm sure this chapter answers your question.
Hope you all liked this new installment! How fast the conclusion is posted depends on you as readers.
Cheers,
~*Eli