Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Shock
After Kagome's final departure, Grandfather buried himself in work: re-organizing and recording every detail of every artifact. When not in the sheds, he was in the shrine, cleaning, or praying. He ignored his daughter-in-law's concern, speaking curtly, consuming meals in silence.
So fiercely focused was he, that he was unaware of their unexpected, uninvited guest that day, until he finally came in for supper. Entering the kitchen, he saw—sitting in Kagome's chair—a white-haired person, with triangular, twitching ears.
"Inuyasha!" He stopped dead, looking wildly around. "Where's Kagome?" he bellowed.
The other turned slowly in his seat. Using the edge of the table and the chair, he levered himself up, and slowly turned. Higurashi took a step back, in shock. "Who are you? You're not Inuyasha!"
"Father, he is." Kagome's mother turned from the stove. He didn't look at her, staring at an ancient face with alien eyes. "He's lived five hundred years since she went back to him."
Five hundred.Reality hit, then. Kagome was not just—gone.
She was dead. Centuries dead.
"She had to choose," Inuyasha spoke, his voice a thin rasp. "She had her mother's blessing, but she couldn't wait … she feared your … hurt … but hoped, one day … that you'd forgive her. That you'd … bless her memory…"
Higurashi swayed. Souta appeared at his side, and Mama whipped around the table to support him. He stared at the ancient his grand-daughter's beloved had become.
And turned into Mama's embrace, grieving.
Author's Note: This was written for the LiveJournal community "Inuyasha Fanfiction Contest", for the prompt "Unexpected Guest." It was originally posted on April 12, 2011. It placed second. (7/12/2011)
