Of all the things she expected to hear, this was the least of them. Kagome stared at Sakiko, surrogate mother of Keiko, who just now confessed to mothering Saigen. Saigen, the monster who called her back from the dead and locked her heart inside a ruby to use for his own greedy needs. Saigen, who she was positive slaughtered Inuyasha and with it, the chance for them to rekindle their romance. Kagome studied the grieving mother, uncertain if she should believe it as the truth or not.
"I'm not sure I can believe you. If he's your real son, why are you caring for Keiko as a mother should?"
Sakiko sighed. "I was forced into intercourse and Saigen was the result. I was young, very, very young and I… wasn't ready to become a mother."
"So what? You threw him out on the streets or something? Made him fend for himself?"
Sakiko shook her head. "His biological father kept him."
Kagome was even more puzzled. In her time, the men who impregnates women wouldn't care about the child, unless it was planned. Majority may even claim that the child isn't theirs. Then it's the women who either abort or bring the child into the world and provide for them to the best of their ability. In this case, it's the woman who was freed from the duties of caring for a child and was left to the father. That's quite rare, especially for rapists unless they had plans for the kid.
"So, he forced you into the act, you gave birth to Saigen, then he just… let you go?" Kagome asked.
"Actually, he wanted me to cast a spell on Saigen, so he would sleep for a long time. He said he knew of my half demon, half priestess blood and needed me to give him a child legacy or something like that."
"Can you tell me what his name was?"
Sakiko sighed, her eyes beginning to water up again. "I never got to see him, only hear his voice and feel his disgusting hands on my body."
"Then, can you tell me why he needed you to give him a son?"
"He said there were people out there that are seeking for his life. Those said people have become stronger and he feared, well he didn't say he was scared, but it was easy to tell he felt threatened."
"Did he tell you the names of those people?"
"No, he just told me there were people seeking his life and he needed a son to carry on for the search of the jewel if it exists and wish him back to life."
"When was this?" Kagome asked.
Sakiko rolled her eyes towards the heavens as though beseeching them to lend her the answer. "About twenty years ago I believe."
Twenty years ago. Kagome recalled the string of events that unfurled two decades ago. At that time, she was legendary priestess reborn in a rag tag group with a single purpose. That was too vague though since the journey lasted three years until her inevitable demise. In fact, she perished twenty years ago, dragging the sinful Naraku down with her. Naraku had inadvertently exposed his doubts of his survival in the final battle.
Kagome wasn't sure, but there was a possible chance of Saigen's existence linking to Naraku. The spiteful half demon was concerned for his life, and Sakiko confessed to a man wanting to bring another, powerful child into this world so he could carry on the search of the jewel and wish him back to life.
"You lie, for if the Shikon's existence truly has been vanquished, then I would not be sustaining any air in my lungs."
Sounds like one of Naraku's diabolical schemes. Kagome thought, her anger brewing the longer she stared at Sakiko's broken face. I never thought he would stoop this low; forcing a woman to give him a child just so the battle could tip in his favor.
"As for Keiko, she is my daughter and I tend to protect her until my very last breath. Blood does not matter to me. As far as she's concerned, she is my only child and I would like for her to keep believing that. I don't want her to know that the reason I took her in… was because… I felt absolutely ashamed of abandoning my biological son."
Sakiko then bowed graciously to the priestess, and left her to dwell in her own thoughts. She called for Keiko, who kissed Hiroshi and bounded for her mother's side. Kagome watched surrogate mother and daughter walk away. Keiko was all giggles as she chatted with the elder half demon, but Sakiko was very tense as they vanished in a sea of green.
Sango, who had deposited the duty of storing away Hiraikotsu on her eldest daughter, approached Kagome. She wanted to reach out and hold her like she always did in the past when Kagome's attitude seemed downcast. However, now that she knew her distressing secret, she wasn't sure how she was supposed to act. What if Kagome no longer sees her as a sister, but as a… stranger? The very thought rendered her insides.
"Kagome? What did you and Sakiko talk about?" Sango asked.
Kagome sighed, wondering if she should tell the woman Inuyasha was killed by Saigen. After mulling over it carefully, she concluded Sango had the right to know. "Saigen. Turns out Saigen is the son of Naraku… and Sakiko."
"What! She did that with Naraku? Our sworn enemy?"
"No, he forced her into it just so she could birth him a powerful son. Then he had her seal him, like Kikyo did to Inuyasha. He wasn't supposed to awaken until after his death so he could use the jewel to bring him back."
Sango swore. "Should've known we wouldn't be rid of that bastard so soon. So, now what do we do?"
"I'm going back to the modern era. Saigen has to be there, and the jewel as well."
Sango gasped. "We're going to lose you again? Please Kagome, please come back to us."
Kagome thought of all the things her past, livelier self would say in response to Sango's plea. She might've pulled the woman into a hug, or kissed her cheek or smiled so brightly that it left little room for doubts. She wouldn't really have to say yes or anything at all, just her gestures were promises enough.
Back to the present, Kagome merely nodded and retired inside the hut. The least she could do is say her goodbyes.
"So you are leaving then?" Miroku asked when Kagome stepped inside.
She was slightly surprised to see everyone there, with the exception of Sakiko, Keiko, and Sango. Hiroshi and Akina appeared distraught as small tears gathered inside their eyes. Kisho's hands curled in fists, looking very much like he wanted to pound something. Anything. Amaya seemed shocked as well and Miroku kept his calm composure, but she could feel his anguish.
Despite the pairs of eyes lingering on her, laced with pleas for her to stay, Kagome nodded sternly. Sango entered from behind, her face down so the tears wouldn't show. She went and sat on Miroku's lap, hiding her gaze in his chest. Miroku's strong arms cradled her, all the while looking at Kagome like he was blaming her for his wife's distress.
"I don't ask that you all understand, just let me go."
"Let me go with you." Kisho proclaimed, standing. "At least let me be there to protect you."
Kagome's eyes flashed. "You think I need protection? I'm not some damsel in distress. I can take care of my own self."
"Yeah I saw that earlier today when you crumbled on your knees, screaming in agony. Don't lie to me Kagome."
Kagome glared at him. "If the well permits you, then so be it. But I'm leaving now. I just want to say goodbye and give my thanks for allowing me to stay."
"Kagome!" Sango called. "Please, stay for one more night. That wound needs time to heal. If you go there now, you will most likely be attacked and you're too weak to fight."
Miroku nodded. "I concur with Sango, I advise you to stay just for one more night."
Kagome sighed. "Alright, I have to oblige to staying. Just one night."
For the whole night, no one could get to sleep. They were all interrogating Kagome for what seemed like hours upon hours. Finally, after Kagome announced she was going to rest, they couldn't fall into a fitful sleep. Their hearts welled up with dread for the next morning, knowing Kagome would be leaving them, and they weren't certain if she would ever come back.
The birds announced the morning with their melodious tune. Sango and Akina relished in the songs of the morning, but now they cursed it. They all jumped out of their beds, scouring the area for Kagome. They found her in the kitchen, looking outside the window. She didn't even turn around, but she could feel their gazes burning holes into her back.
"I'm not that heartless where I just leave unexpectedly." She said.
After the family ate breakfast, except for Kagome who could only stomach a spoonful of her meal, they were all preparing to say goodbye. Before they could though, they received two surprises. One of them was Sakiko with Keiko, begging Kagome to take her along. Keiko was blubbering in Hiroshi's chest, not comprehending why her mother was so determined to leave her. Kagome's response was the same as Kisho's, if the well allowed it then she can.
The second shock of the day was seeing a very familiar face. "Shippo?"
"Ka-Kagome?" The tall fox demon with glittering emerald orbs asked, his voice tight with astonishment. "Is it really… you?"
Kagome nodded, looking Shippo up and down. She never thought her little kit would be someone she'd have to tilt her head far up to look at. He stood slightly taller than Miroku, matching the height of Kisho. He scooped Kagome up in his buff arms, twirling her around and laughing with glee. Then, he set her down, burying his nose into her neck.
"Kagome, you smell different… like Kikyo."
At that moment, it was Sango and Miroku who relayed Kagome's story. By the end of it, Shippo had swept Kagome up in his arms. Kagome meekly hugged him around the neck, just dangling in the air. Shippo set her back down again, and she stepped back. She smiled at him, but he could see she wasn't her same, chippier self.
"So Shippo, how's the fox academy treating you?" Miroku asked.
Shippo grinned, revealing his razor fangs. "They're teaching me a lot, that's for sure. I feel like a warrior now! Where are Amaya and the others?"
"Shippo!"
They all looked to see Hiroshi, Akina, and Amaya pour out of the hut and race to Shippo. Hiroshi shook his hand as Akina crushed him in her arms. Amaya stood off to the side, waving shyly. Shippo busted through Akina and Hiroshi, sweeping up Amaya and spinning her around. For the first time since she came here, Kagome heard Amaya's sweet laugh as Shippo spun her around.
She kissed his cheek as he set her down and he clutched her to him. Kagome watched the display then looked at Sango and Miroku. They were both smiling, giving each other knowing looks. Shippo separated from Amaya, hiding his bashful face by staring at the ground. Amaya grasped his clawed hand, lacing her fingers through his.
"Shippo, it's been so long." Amaya said, stunning Kagome with her honey dripping voice.
Shippo nodded. "Yeah it has, how have you been?"
"Pretty good, pretty good. How's the fox academy been treating you?"
"Good too and guess what guys, they gave me a partner. You don't usually get partners in the fox academy unless you're high ranks."
"A partner huh?" Miroku asked.
"Yeah, and I brought her too. Her name's Shokora."
As if on cue, a kitsune woman carrying an arm load of luggage joined the group. She unceremoniously dumped her cargo on the forest floor. Shippo snickered as he relinquished Amaya to help the foreign woman, Shokora, pick up the contents. She scolded him for making her carry both their things and he jested back, telling her it was her fault she lost to some bet.
"Everyone, meet Shokora. Shokora, this is Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Akina, Hiroshi, Kisho, Keiko, Sakiko, and my bestest friend, Amaya."
"Nice to meet you all." Shokora replied with a bow. "Especially you Amaya, Shippo talks awfully a lot about you."
Kagome studied Shokora and her flowing brunette locks held in a half ponytail by a pink ribbon. Her brilliant pacific blue eyes met with her own, provoking a smile out of Shokora. Kagome only nodded, her attentions on the Bone Eater's well. She needed to find a proper way to break free of the reunion to travel to her time.
Might as well just announce it now. "I'm sorry all, but I really must go."
Sango walked up to her, grasping her arm tightly. "Kagome, we have always been there for you and we want to continue to be there for you."
"If the well allows it."
Sango looked at Sakiko. "Sakiko, surely you know of a spell that could allow me to travel with Kagome."
"There is the transcending spell, in which allows others to travel in time via a portal. I'm assuming this Bone Eater's well is a portal linked to another time?"
Miroku nodded. "Yes, Inuyasha and Kagome were the only ones who used the well to travel back and forth from here to the future."
"Perhaps we can all go?" Akina piped up. "I can finally get some real practice in and hone in my skills as a demon slayer."
"Yeah, same here." Hiroshi replied.
Keiko grabbed his hand. "If you and Sakiko are going, then I want to come too."
This whole everyone wanting to go with her as if it was some camping trip vexed Kagome. She was tempted to tell them all no, tell them to stay put and allow her to accomplish what she felt was the solitary reason for her living. Everyone was persistent though. Kisho, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo wanted to stand by her, Sakiko felt responsible for Saigen, Amaya and Shokora wished to remain by Shippo's side, Keiko was inseparable from Sakiko and Hiroshi who wanted an adventure for practicing his skills along with Akina. Kagome didn't see how she could tell ten, obstinate people they couldn't join her.
She allotted them time to pack and then they were on their way to the Bone Eater's well. Sakiko licked the tip of her finger then blew on it, her eyes closed tightly as though she were thinking hard on something. Then, she touched the well with her finger. A shield of sorts enveloped them all. A sudden powerful wind whipped around them and while all of them had difficulty even standing, Sakiko appeared unaffected.
Her violet orbs flared as she looked at everyone and told them to jump in. Almost instantaneously, everyone jumped in. Sakiko was about to let down her pose until she saw Kagome was still standing in her spot. Kagome was stunned, she wasn't certain how her time developed over two decades. She wondered how her family was coping or if they were even alive. She was startled out of her reverie at Sakiko's growl and then she raced to the well, leaping inside of it.
As she tumbled down the well, through the folds of time, she felt that recurring tug pulling her back home. Back, to the future.