I let this fic go on too long without an update. I'm the worst. Forgive me!

xoxo

-VQ

"Well I...I want to visit Koga's grave. I would like a chance to formally say goodbye." She said as she looked down. "Maybe that will help alleviate some of my grief."

Ginta nodded in understanding. "That's understandable, sis."

"I also want Takeshi to meet his other family members. So I believe it would be best to spend some time up north. But after that I must come back. I committed to being the village priestess here. I thought our tribe was completely gone and we started a life here."

"But what about Koga's wishes for his son?"

"Takeshi is only a baby. I will always bring him back and forth so he never forgets who he is and can make the decision when he's older. He is both human and demon. He needs to be given a fair chance."

"You're right. So when do you want to leave?"

Kagome looked around at all the sad faces circling her. She hated to leave everyone but this was about her family. The one she shared with Koga. She needed this.

"Let's leave now." She said surely as she turned to the others. "We'll be back soon. I'm sorry to leave you all hanging like this."

"Don't worry." Sango said with a smile. "You need this. Please get closure and return when you're ready."

Kagome knew Sango understood her struggle and took her words in stride. She left with Ginta but turned around to shoot Inuyasha a loving smile.

Inuyasha felt butterflies in his stomach but they all died and dropped to the pits at once the moment she turned away. He wasn't sure if she really wanted to come back. Koga's tribe was her real family after all.

Kagome left Ginta and Takeshi alone to bond. They hadn't seen one another in so long. She enjoyed watching them spar and play. She imagined him doing all those things with Koga, and how proud he would be to see his son growing up so fast.

'He's missing out on a great kid. Takeshi is truly living up to his name after all.'

"Come on sis! You're trailing behind."

"You sound like Koga saying that."

There was a dramatic pause before the two started laughing and smiling.

"Good old Koga. With or without those shards he was pretty fast!" Ginta said cheerfully.

"Yeah and he always expected everyone to be able to keep up with him. Remember how hard he was on Takeshi when he just started crawling?"

"Yeah." He said with a chuckle. "I really miss him."

"Me too. He did everything he could to make sure I was happy." Kagome said as she clenched her fists. "And I was."

"At least you've got the young warrior with you." He said, pointing to the young baby running in circles on all fours. "So I bet you're still pretty happy. The kid is all Koga!"

Kagome giggled. "Yeah. That makes me so happy."

When the group finally reached the mountains, Ginta slowly lead Kagome and Takeshi to Koga's gravesite.

She knelt by the pile of dirt covered in flowers where Koga's body was buried.

Tears trickled down her cheeks and she looked up at Ginta. His eyes were glued to the grave.

"Uh...Ginta?" Kagome called with a sniffle.

He looked over at her slowly.

"What was the expression on his face when you buried him?"

"It was calm and peaceful. Like he died happy."

She sniffled a couple of times and began to smile. "Then I guess we shouldn't be sad."

Kagome looked back at Takeshi who was sitting behind her, utterly confused.

"Come visit your papa's grave."

He let out a confused growl. "Pa...pa?"

"That's right, come." She said sweetly, motioning for him to come closer.

The baby sniffed the grave then rested his head down with a smile.

Kagome grabbed Takeshi and held him tightly. Ginta joined in the hug and let out a relieved sigh.

"Come on, sis. Let's head North."

When the trio arrived at the northern mountains, they climbed the steep cliffs with ease. Kagome had grown accustomed to climbing with Takeshi on her back, even though his claws stung her shoulders, she loved the way he held on so tightly.

"Alnost there, sis." Ginta called back. "Need some help?"

"Uh. No." She grunted. "I can still climb."

"You're doing great!" He said as he reached the top of the cliff.

Ginta noticed her struggle and extended a hand for her. Kagome smiled and grasped his hand. Takeshi gripped tighter as she was pulled to the top.

She looked at the vast woods before her.

"There it is. We made it." He said satisfactorily. "Let's go meet the rest of our family."

They ventured through the woods at a slow pace so Takeshi could practice his walking. He wobbled and wiggled, but he was making progress.

"Come on, Takeshi. Just a few more steps." Ginta encouraged as they reached a cave.

Takeshi nearly fell over when a wolf demon appeared out of nowhere and stopped his fall.

"So this is the young half demon descendent of Koga." He glanced up at Kagome. "And descendent of the priestess that helped rid the world of the sacred jewel." The wolf's long face extended a fanged smile. "Welcome."

The wolf gestured for the group to enter the warm cave where other wolves were awaiting their arrival.

Kagome was surprised that none of the wolves in this tribe took on a human form.

The leader stepped forward and welcomed them with an approving nod then lead them further into the den and offered Kagome and Takeshi a seat.

"As Koga's surviving son, he is the youngest tribe leader in history. He must live up to his name and repopulate the tribe. That is his duty." The wolf demon leader said happily. "I am pleased that you agreed to bring him to the north to live. You will quickly adjust to the ways of-"

"Wait. Live? I-I'm sorry but we only came for a visit. I decided to raise Takeshi in the village-"

"That HUMAN village? What about his duties to his tribe? You willingly brought him into this world. His needs come before your own!"

"Why can't he just decide when he's older?"

"He must learn the ways of a man. A warrior! There is no way a woman can teach him that! If you intend to raise him alone he will become a weak, delicate pup! He should grow up here! Not amongst... fearful mortals." The leader said coldly turning away from her.

"I won't raise him alone!" Kagome spat. "I-I know someone who is brave and strong. He can help me raise Takeshi into a great warrior."

"Oh? And who is this you speak of? Another human?"

"No." She took a long pause and looked down at Takeshi. "The half demon Inuyasha, the one who defeated Naraku."

Silence fell amongst the entire tribe.

"Hmm. Well, consider this. When he turns 8, he is obligated to fulfill his duties and become tribe leader. Do you believe he will become a full fledged leader and true wolf demon by then?"

"Yes. I do." Kagome felt torn about the entire ordeal. Was she going to have to give up her son on his 8th birthday? Is this what Koga would want for him?

'Of course it is.' Kagome realized sadly.

"Then you shall return with Takeshi and we will test his strength to deem him worthy of leading a tribe. Agreed?"

Kagome reluctantly nodded. "Agreed."

Four days later

Inuyasha and Shippo had promised to look after Kagome's hut. Just as the two were arguing over the last fish, Kagome and Takeshi returned to the hut.

Inuyasha and Shippo stopped fighting to greet her and Takeshi snuck off to eat the last fish.

"It's great to see you again Kagome! And you're safe and sound too." Shippo exclaimed as he hopped on her shoulder.

"Thanks Shippo." She said with a grin.

Kagome glanced up at Inuyasha and smiled cheerily.

"H-how was the north?"

Kagome's cheerful grin flipped upside down in the blink of an eye. "Actually, can we talk privately about that?" She requested as she led him outside.

Kagome and Inuyasha walked through the outskirts of the village and she told him what transpired between her and the leader of the north.

"They can't pressure you into making that decision for your son!" Inuyasha spat as he leaned on the Bone Eater's well.

"Yeah but that's what my husband would have wanted. Koga always bragged about how his little boy was going to be the great leader of the tribe one day."

Inuyasha hated the fact that Kagome talked about Koga as though he were still alive. But he understood the feeling of loving a ghost.

"However, it is difficult to raise a half demon boy on my own. I was hoping maybe you would help me..." She trailed off nervously as her voice became quieter.

"Well of course. I told you we're all here to help you. You know that."

"No. I meant...could you maybe...be a father figure to him?" She asked timidly as she twiddled her thumbs

Inuyasha felt his heart explode in his chest. Kagome handed the duty of being her son's father figure. Why him? Of all the people she could've chosen to help her son find his way.

"You really want...me to do that?"

"Yes. You can empathize with him because you're also half demon. He needs a guide like that. Someone strong that can help him live up to his name. In the event he does decide to fill Koga's shoes, he'll have a great guide. Whaddya say? Will you do it?"

Inuyasha didn't want to sound too eager. "Well, since you really think I'm the only one that can do it, I guess I can't say no."

Kagome leapt into his arms and gave him a suffocating squeeze. "I knew I would be able to count on you."

Inuyasha buried his blush covered face in Kagome's shoulder. "Keh. Yeah of course."

He only hoped this meant they would be able to pick up where they left off and Kagome would let him heal the wounds in her heart, as he was willing to let her heal his own.