Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or the original characters from the story.
Italics means thoughts, flashbacks, or sounds, ('') means when their beast are talking & ("") Quotes are what the characters are saying
Chapter 10
Duty
"Welcome Mi'Lords and Mi'Ladies to Inu no Kyuden. We are pleased to see you again. You were the first to arrive. The Northern Lord and his pack has yet to come. Would you like some refreshments before court?" Haia, the head caretaker of The Society or Inu no Kyuden (Dog Palace), curtseyed to the Western family as she escorted them through the magnificent double doors of the palace.
The grand palace was placed high upon a hill overlooking the yokai city below. Gold domed towers were situated around the palace for the sentries. The walls were made out of cream stone and the roof was a dark brown slate. Pillars lined up in front the doors of the palace hundreds of feet tall. Exotic flowers decorated the grounds making the massive residence even more opulent. In the center before entering stood a sculpture of an inuyokai in true form. It was a symbol for The Inuyokai Society. Through the doors, family portraits of the royal inuyokai families hung in golden frames. The double staircase was made of mahogany carved and polished to perfection. Everything about the palace screamed superiority. Wealthy. Majestic.
Sesshomaru walked ahead of his family as the servants bowed to the Lord in acknowledgement. He surveyed the servants and dismissed them with his signature "Hn".
"Can we do anything for you Lord Sesshomaru?" Haia questioned as she glanced at his handsome face.
"I'll be going to the study. Bring me tea." Sesshomaru exited with his mokomoko trailing behind him.
"Yes, Mi'Lord." Haia sent a servant to do his bidding.
"Well this place hasn't changed much since the last time we were here." Inuyasha studied the inside of the palace. I mean how much more money can you put into this place. It's already so lavish as is.
"I don't know, Inuyasha. It seems to me they listened to us." Daisuke chimed in as he looked to the group of courtesans waving at them. "Maybe, we should go introduce ourselves. I mean what harm could that do." Inuyasha quirked a brow to his cousin.
"What are my nephews up to now. You two seem to always be getting into something. I want in." Touma came up behind them while putting both of his arms around his nephews' necks squeezing.
"Heyyyyy, what the hell!" Inuyasha complained.
"Let's make a bet on who can rut with the most women? Eh?" Touma gave a cunning grin to Inuyasha and Daisuke. Not one to back down from a challenge, they rushed forward to the women.
"Oh, Mi'Lords" The women gushed as the men charmed them.
"I don't know if it was such a good idea for Touma to train Inuyasha. His influence has been rubbing off on him ever since." Toga gazed at Reo who shook his head.
"He'll be alright. Although Touma is promiscuous amongst other things, he wouldn't let Inuyasha nor Daisuke do anything too out of the way." Reo patted Toga's back while walking to the sitting room.
"You don't know my brother." Toga whispered as he continued to watch them.
"Come on Toga, we must prepare for the Elder Meeting." Sora stated. While walking off with Toga, Sora's and Touma's eyes met for a brief second before dismissing one another.
"Rikka, how about tea in the garden?" Inukimi gracely walked up to Rikka.
"I should probably make sure Taji is settled before…"
"Let the pup be. You know they must wonder and get into mischief, so they can learn. I remember going through that with Sesshomaru." Inukimi led the way to the garden expecting Rikka to follow.
"Yes, well…Okay." Rikka took one final glance to the entrance where she felt Taji's presence and left. That pup of mine.
oOo
"Got'cha!" Taji yelled. He had a sling shot in his clawed hands hitting the unsuspecting guards walking the palace grounds. "Idiots" He whispered under his breathe with a giggle. It was all fun and games, until one of the guards pointed to his location.
"Eek" Taji ducked while he made his escape from the top of the inner wall. He landed and started running towards the outside gate. He was going to make it until he spotted soldier near the gate. I have to find another way out of here. Hmmm…I know. He remembered the secret compartment where Benjiro and him used to get out of the palace.
"I need adventure." Taji said to himself as he snuck out of the castle and into the yokai village.
…Back to Kaede's Village
Whispers echoed as she strode into the center of village with Dai at her side.
"Who is this demoness?"
"She looks familiar?"
"Why is she here?"
"Look at that beast!"
Grrrrrr. Dai growled out at the villagers in distrust. "Calm down, Dai. They mean no harm." Kagome commanded while petting behind his head. Kagome glanced around the village in amazement. Much has changed. No longer were there huts. The village had actual homes with doors. There were markets set up down the center of the village with paved roads leading the way, and homes were set up around it. Wooden signs showed where each place of business was located. Red paper lanterns swung from each side of the road to the other. So many villagers out. Something must be going on.
"Kagome?"
She turned around quickly and gazed into the eyes of an older Miroku.
"Miroku"
oOo
"Do you want me to take your cloak, Kagome?" Miroku asked with a smile. After entering their home, Sango gave gave her a heartfelt hug and they settled around the fire to relax.
"Thanks, Miroku." The large black cloak swished from around her and her seemingly unnoticeable belly became visible.
"Kagome, we have a lot to talk about." Sango's eyes went round in surprise.
Kagome exhaled. "Yes we do." She rubbed her belly.
After telling them about what she's been through since she left, Kagome gazed at her friends whose expressions were ones she couldn't describe. It was mixture in between sorrow and amazement.
"So once your aura settled, it revealed you to be an inuyokai, you've been training with the legendary Akari in a barrier that slows down time, you ended sleeping with Sesshomaru without both of your knowledge, and now you are pregnant with his child." Sango stated in wonderment. She looked to Miroku who took in the information by nodding his head.
"Yep that about sums it up." Kagome said.
"How is it that you are an inuyokai, instead of a spider demon?" Miroku questioned.
"Well, Akari assumed that the residual effects of Sesshomaru's attack before the wish maybe turned me into an inuyokai...Or it might have just been the will of the Shikon Jewel. We're not for sure."
"Are you going to tell Sesshomaru?" Sango glanced at Kagome as she stiffened at the question.
"I really don't know, Sango. I don't think he would even believe me. It's been years for him since it has happened." Kagome looked down at her protruding belly.
"Well you have some time to think about it before he or she is born." Kagome watched as Sango gently smiled at her.
"I'm proud of you, Kagome. To have stayed so strong through all of this…It amazes me." She patted her hands.
"Thanks Sango. Enough about me, I see you both have three children now." Kagome looked to the young boy laying asleep on the floor near Sango and two little girls spying around the corner.
"Yes, I told you Kagome. We would be fruitful." Miroku laughed while Sango blushed.
"Oh hush you, Minato and Kasumi come say Hello to your Aunt Kagome... And Kagome the one finally asleep is our son, Masao." Sango pointed to each one of them. The girls shyly came from behind the corner and waved.
"Hello little ones." Kagome said. They finally beamed up into her face at her warm greeting.
"You know…Inuyasha will be glad to see you." Miroku hesitantly brought up. Sango shot him a glare and he held up his hands apologetically.
"You sure about that?…Inuyasha will probably explode when he finds out about me and his brother." Kagome fidgeted with her claws.
"He'll get over it." Sango told her as she walked to the twin girls.
"Girls, I think that is enough adult conversation for your ears. Time for bed."
"Mommy do we have to!" Minato and Kasumi complained whiling poking out their lips.
"Yes…Yes…now off you go. Say goodnight." Sango grabbed their hands.
"Goodnight" The girls rubbed their little eyes while walking away.
"You returned right on time. Shippo will be here tomorrow with Kirara. He's traveling far to further his training in a Kitsune village. He visited a few times looking to see if you had come back. He's really missed you." Miroku faintly told her.
"I missed him too."
"I'm sure your tired how about you and…"
"Dai" Kagome responded.
"…Dai stay in our guest room. We'll take you to your home tomorrow."
"My home…you still kept it up after all of these years?"
"Of course, Kagome." Miroku smiled as he escorted her to as small room on the right-hand side of their home. "Sleep Well" Miroku slid the door closed.
oOo
"Breakfast is ready" A feminine voiced called. The smell of steamed rice and grilled fish filled the air. The noise of little feet walking into the main area of the home finally made Kagome awaken to the soft light of morning.
Kagome yawned and stretched her muscles. The pup started to shift within her belly. Settle down in there, pup. Kagome turned her head and looked at Dai laid beside her. He sat up and licked her hand. "Hey Boy"
"Kagome, the food is ready." Sango said behind the shoji door. "Okay, Coming."
Breakfast was a messy event. The twin girls kept sticking their chop sticks in each other's plate. Rice was all over their faces, hands, and clothes. Masao kept crying and threw a temper tantrum from not being able to hold the hot tea kettle on the table. Sango and Miroku continued to eat their food like normal. I guess that's the parent life. Kagome then noticed their conjoined hands on top of the table. Love. Something I've always wanted. But always so far away from me.
The chaos was interrupted by the opening of the door.
"Sango and Miroku, I'm back…"
"Ka…Kagome"
Kagome gazed at her little Shippo who wasn't so little anymore. Shippo had the appearance of a young teenager. His auburn hair had grown out. It was still up in his signature ponytail. He had on a red leaf pattern kimono with a brown furry vest and a navy blue hakama. His green eyes stared intently at Kagome.
"Shippo."
oOo
"Dai, how about you stay here so me and Shippo can talk." Kagome stated.
Ruff.
"Come on let's play Dai!" The twins ran up to the large dog and started climbing on him. Kagome chuckled at them failing to fully get on top of him, then Dai finally lowered his body.
"You ready?" Shippo questioned as he stepped in front on her. Kagome nodded.
They walked to the outskirts of the village into a near by meadow. Kagome touched the flowers as they passed.
"So what have you been up to?" Shippo smirked as he glanced down at her pregnant belly.
Kagome put both of her clawed hands on top of her stomach. "Well that's a long story."
"Whoa, Kagome!...This is so crazy!" Shippo replied after hearing Kagome's tale.
"I know…Sango and Miroku were in disbelief as well."
"Inuyasha is gonna freak when he finds out."
Kagome huffed with her hands on her hips. "Well thanks for stating the obvious."
"Sorry…Sorry" Shippo hugged her. "I just know that you should be careful. The Inuyokai Society can be cruel." He looked to her face.
"So I've heard." Kagome muttered under her breathe.
"Hmph I'm upset!" She regarded him with a confused face.
"I wish you had turned into a fox instead of a dog." Shippo crossed his arms and pouted. Kagome glanced over to him and shook her head while giggling.
"Yeah I know…So how's everything going at Kitsune School?"
"It's going great. I'm learning all new types of tricks and my yoki is getting stronger by the day."
"You did what you said you were going to do." Kagome said softly while looking into his eyes.
"I guess I did… I should get going. I want to make a good impression on my new village by being a tad early. Kagome…It was good seeing you. I will try to write to you as often as I can. I'm going to make you even more proud."
"I know, you will."
oOo
Everyone watched Shippo fly into the clouds on Kirara until they couldn't be seen any longer. Kagome lowered her head and noticed Keade in the herb garden.
"Sango and Miroku, I'm going to speak to Kaede."
Dai shook off the twins and followed his master. The girls sulked at losing their plaything.
"Hello Kaede"
"Young Kagome, I see ye aura is stronger and Akari has given ye an amulet." Kagome touched the sapphire gemstone. "Yes."
"Miroku told me about what happened."
"It was so unexpected, Kaede." Kagome affectionately rubbed her stomach.
"I know but ye strong. And will pull through just fine."
"Oh, Happy Belated Birthday Kaede!" Kagome embraced her happily.
"Thank ye, young one. These bones are getting old, but I'm blessed to see another year."
Kaede looked off into the field.
"Kaede you are a gift to everyone… I have a question...Is the Bone Eater's Well still up?"
"I believe so."
"I think I'm going to go by there." Kagome's eyes moved in the direction of the well.
"Ye go ahead."
oOo
The Bone Eater's Well had become rotten from non-use over the years. Green vines were rooted from top to bottom over filling the inside of the well. Kagome looked down inside and could smell the mold and mildew. Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. That scent…What is it?
"Dai" Kagome called out to her dog companion. "Take me down the well, Boy." Dai powered up his yoki and clouds appeared at each of his paws. Kagome climb on him and they lowered down within the depths of the well as she clawed the vines out of the way until they reached the bottom.
She frantically combed through the filth and muck of years of debris. And finally came upon a mud-smudged letter. It had her name written on the envelope. It can't be. Kagome quickly tore open the package and read the contents of the letter.
My Dear Kagome,
I hope this letter gets to you like yours got to me. I miss you so much! I can't believe you're off on another adventure. You were always ready for whatever life threw at you. You were born a survivor. I know that it is hard for you with the changes that you are going through with becoming a demon, but I know I raised a woman who doesn't quit. By now, I'm sure you have overcome your sorrows and are trying to move forward. Although we are hundreds of years apart, I know in my heart that we will eventually see each other again someday. I love you so very much. And I will forever be by your side even if I'm not there physically. Grandpa and Souta love you too! Stay Strong.
Love Your Mother
Mom. Kagome smiled through the tears as she finished reading the letter. She held it close to her chest. She looked up to the sky above. Thank you.
"Dai take me back up, please." She stroked his fur while going back up the well. Kagome carefully folded back up the letter and wiped her tears on the back of her kimono sleeve when the wind shifted in her direction. She inhaled deeply. Sniff. Sniff.
What's that smell?
Blood. And lots of it.
I wonder whose blood it is? Thanks for Reading! Please Review!