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Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.
The Nekomata Guardian
Part Three: "Modern" Japan
Ch. 21
Yuki stood to one side as her aunt rushed around the room trying to pack everything that she could conceive of needing for the eighteen year-long visit to the land of the Fae. She herself had gone as a child and hadn't found it lacking in anything. "Kagome-obasan, you have to get going. Mother isn't going to be happy that you're late."
"I just have to get the last little bit of my clothing."
"Great-Grandmother has plenty of clothes you can borrow. And there are several shops to go visit if you want something of your own." The purple eyed half demon yawned, bored to her toes about the whole thing. Since that morning her aunt and uncle had been hurried along so that the miko would not be in the human world when night came. Supposedly this was the day she would be conceived and Yuki's mother was convinced that Kagome couldn't exist twice in the same dimension without serious cosmic implications.
Kagome sighed, wondering when Yuki had turned into a jaded young lady. Her brother was shaping up to be a fine young man but the second princess was acting as if her family was not high on her list of important things. Perhaps that was because for the first time since she was born, she was not going to be the youngest. Azami was expecting a little boy in the fall and everyone was making a big deal over it since he would be the first child of youkai blood born in centuries.
"Yuki-chan," Kagome said now, hooking the clasp on her suitcase. She put it by the door of her bedroom for Inuyasha to take when he came to get her, which he would any minute. "I do not like your attitude. If you think by acting like a spoiled brat or a jade that you're going to get the attention of your parents solely focused on you again, you're wrong. The only thing it's going to get you is grounded and a punishment that you're not going to like. Azami and Sesshoumaru have been waiting literally centuries to have another child."
"Humph. I'm not like nee-sama. I don't have to like getting another brother."
"It's true that you and Rin are very different children. You are however acting just like your father did when Inuyasha was going to be born. It's time to act your age. The baby is going to look up to you and respect you. He'll look to you for protection and guidance. It is the responsibility of an older sibling to look out for younger ones. Both Sango and I have always known this and your father came to understand it as well." Kagome's face clouded over briefly. She was so close and yet so far from her brother at that moment. Souta wouldn't be born for nearly eleven more years.
"You miss your brother."
"Yes, I often called him a pest but when I realized that I might never see him again, I vowed to stop. Oh, he still teased me and I teased back, that's what siblings do. But if push came to shove, and on one memorable occasion it did, or rather will, I'd protect him with my life. There is no greater asset then family."
Yuki caught the scent of Kagome's tears. Her uncle would not be happy. "I understand."
"Good. You know, most kids are a little jealous of a new baby."
"I'm not jealous." Not anymore, Yuki added silently. Her aunt gave her a knowing look just as Inuyasha barged into the room.
"Let's go, wench. You're always late. I should have known you'd be late for your own conception. I guess you're just lucky your parents got caught in traffic on the way to their honeymoon retreat or you'd be in big trouble. Nee-san's biting her nails waiting for us to leave." The half dog demon picked up the suitcase, grunting in mock effort. "Shades of the yellow backpack." With his free hand he grabbed a hold of Kagome's arm and dragged her out of the room.
The rest of the inutachi and Taisho pack were waiting for them at the entrance of a portal Kellan had opened for the couple. They would spend the next eighteen years in the land of the faeries until they were sure that high school Kagome was in the Feudal Era for good. Then they would return and begin building a life for themselves in order to one day return to the Higurashi Shrine. Kagome had every intention of taking over the duties of a priestess unless her brother ended up wanting to do it.
"Don't worry about a thing, Kagome, we'll be all right. I'll watch Shippou to make sure he doesn't get into trouble," Sango reassured the sister of her heart.
"Aunt Sango!" the kitsune protested.
"I know. Shippou, I trust you to take care of the dojo and help Sesshoumaru look out for my family. And don't forget to obey your aunts."
"Just his aunts?" Miroku questioned.
"And Kirara," the miko added, giving the monk and demon king a significant look. "Don't get into trouble."
"Yeah, yeah," the fox soothed, waving a clawed hand at his mother so that she would get going. "I understand."
"Kagome, dear, you really must be going."
"I feel like I'm forgetting something," she said as Inuyasha pushed her through the portal.
"It couldn't be that important. If it is, you'll remember it later and can send word via Kellan's messengers." The half demon escorted her through the halls of the faerie castle and to their rooms.
"Oh, I know! I forgot to tell Shippou not to plot with Sesshoumaru to send you to school."
Back in the human world, Shippou grinned, his fangs glistening in the evening light. His cousins gave him a questioning look as they wandered into the dining room for dinner. "Shippou?"
"I have a wonderful surprise for them while the Quest is going on."
"You're plotting some mischief," Yuki accused.
"When isn't he?" Shiro questioned and then gave a grin of his own. "Can I help?"
"Of course, my dear cousin, of course."
"Help with what?" Azami asked suspiciously, recognizing the looks her son and cousin had given Yuki. Angelic as they tried to be, smirking with fangs and supernaturally gleaming eyes gave away the fact that they were about to make trouble.
"Ship—" Yuki started but had her mouth covered by her twin.
"I volunteered to help Shippou with a project," Shiro interjected.
"Oh, well aren't you sweet." Azami pretended to be satisfied before turning away and searching out her husband. Sesshoumaru sat at the head of the table, his attention on something other than his family. "Anata," she crooned meaningfully. When he looked at her, a brow raised in inquiry, she leveled a glare on him. "Your son and nephew are up to something."
"That is nothing new," he returned, apparently missing her point.
"If they do anything to upset the balance, I will hold you personally responsible."
"As you wish, koneko."
Alone in her room, Kirara was laying back on the bed, contemplating the ceiling. Kagome and Inuyasha were safely in the faerie realm under Kellan's protection so she didn't have to worry about those two for the moment. Her phone rang and picking it up, she answered without thought of who would be on the other end.
"Kirara, you should really come get your son." The velvety voice of her occasional mate was laced heavily with irritation.
"I have my hands full at the moment. Don't tell me that one little nekomata is too much for you. You could always bring him back."
"The day I step foot willingly into the house of the dog demon Sesshoumaru will be the day hell freezes over."
"It's your choice, either bring him home or put up with him."
"Why did you agree to become their guardian?" the black nekomata demanded. She could readily imagine his blue eyes glittering in anger.
"Other than the fact that the Inutaisho tricked me in the first place? I love these children. Their destinies handed them heavy burdens and they need someone to look out for them."
"All by yourself?" came the question.
"You could always help," Kirara suggested and a loud snort of disgust was her answer.
"Like I said, when hell freezes over." The male fire cat hung up, leaving Kirara to stare at the ceiling once more.
"Men," she spat before closing her eyes.
She needed a nap.