Oasis
Chapter 21: Reunited
~0~
"Inuyasha, stop it!" Kagome slapped a growling Inuyasha's arm. "He's only doing his job!"
"He doesn't have to touch you!"
"Yes, he does! How else is he going to check that I'm okay? It's not like he's touching something that everyone else can't!"
"He better not! Or I'll-" Inuyasha growled again.
"Inuyasha! Be quiet! Our children are here!" Inuyasha continued to growl and glare fiercely. "If you don't stop growling right now, you can forget about touching me for the rest of the day!"
"What?! Kagome, you can't do that!"
"I can and I will!" Inuyasha and Kagome glared at each other for a moment before Inuyasha resented and Kagome turned back. "I'm sorry, doctor. Please continue."
"It's alright, Miss Kagome. It wouldn't be the first time for me." Placing the stethoscope on her back under her shirt, with Inuyasha watching his every move with a glare, Jinenji said, "Breathe deeply for me." Kagome glared at Inuyasha when he opened his mouth.
After doing the regular check up on all four patients, Jinenji scribbled on his chart. "So far, everything seems fine. There appears to be no health problems on any of you, but I can't be too sure until we can take a blood test…"
"What?! Why do you need our blood? You are not making my family bleed!" Inuyasha growled.
"Inuyasha! It's like you've never been to the doctor's before!"
"Mister Inuyasha, just because everything looks fine from the outside doesn't mean everything's okay from the inside. No one knows if anything on that island could've caused any internal damage or disease, especially for young Kagome here who's only human. And considering your last checkup was ten years ago, both you and Kagome need some immediate medical attention…"
But Inuyasha and Kagome were no longer paying attention to his rant. Only two words were making themselves known in their minds.
Ten years.
'Ten years' was revolving around until they found their way out of their mouths. "Ten years?!" shouted both simultaneously.
"Oh dear, they haven't told you." Jinenji muttered.
"We've been gone ten years?!" cried Kagome.
"It's been that long?!" shouted Inuyasha.
"What are years, mama?" asked Kazuki.
Isako just cried at hearing all the noise.
"What's with all the shouting?" came Miroku's voice from the doorway.
"I'll be taking my leave now…" Jinenji said, heading toward the doorway, but right before crossing through, he informed Miroku on the situation. Inuyasha quieted Isako.
"Oh, okay…well, you guys weren't supposed to know about that…" Miroku said.
"Why?"
Miroku sighed. "Your parents said they wanted to be there for you when you were told. A lot of things happened during those ten years and they wanted to be the ones to tell you the story straight from the source."
"So you can't tell us?"
"No. You'll have to wait until we get to Japan. Sorry."
"Can you at least tell us how old we are?"
"Well, Kagome turned eighteen four months ago while you Inuyasha turned eighteen six months ago. Your children however, I have no clue about. Although, I can say that Kazuki looks around the age of 4 or 5 while Isako looks to be around 2 or 3."
"What years is it?"
"1998."
"And the last year we were in Japan was… 1988?" Kagome asked.
"1987, actually."
"But you said ten years!"
"What's year?" Kazuki asked again.
"You two are forgetting about months… Now I promised your parents I'd leave this discussion between you and them, so I can't say anymore. But I promise you that you will have all your questions answers in due time."
"What's year?!" shouted Kazuki.
"Kazuki, don't be so rude!" Kagome scolded.
"I sleepy, papa…" Isako yawned.
"Um… well, I have some calls to make so I'll leave you alone…"
~0~
It was two and a half days later that the ship once again saw land. Though not the land that Inuyasha and Kagome were hoping of seeing, yet. The captain decided to take a quick pit stop at the closest civilization, which just so happened to be the Philippines. As they were only there to gather sufficient amounts of food and gasoline along with other necessities that will last their whole journey toward Japan, not many people left the ship. Among those on the ship was the family of four who were currently in their stateroom, looking out at the land with mixed feelings.
"Mama? Is that the new home?"
"No Kazuki. We're just here to get more food."
"Oh… when we get to new home?"
"In a few days."
"How many days?"
"I don't know, Kazuki…" she said with an air of exasperation.
"What did Miroku say was the place was called?" Inuyasha asked.
"I think the Philippines, right?"
"And where was that again?"
"I have no idea."
"Didn't our parents show us a paper with places on it?"
"Oh, yes. I remember! It was green and blue. But I don't remember what it's called."
"Wasn't it a map?"
"Map? If it is, where do we find one?"
"What's map?" asked Kazuki.
Kagome answered him. "If we find one, we'll show you what it is."
Several minutes of searching later and Inuyasha and Kagome were finally able to find a map in the drawer of their dresser. Why it was there, they will never know but they were glad it was. Spreading the flimsy paper across their bedspread, Inuyasha pointed to the land they were at.
"This is the Philippines…"
"I thought this was the map?" Kazuki asked.
"This is a map. A map shows us the world from up above. If you were a bird in the sky you would see this." Kagome explained.
"Then where is our home?"
"You mean the island?"
"Yes!"
"Um… Well… somewhere over here." Kagome said, indicating what is seen of the Pacific Ocean.
"B-ue." Isako said from her place on Inuyasha's lap.
"But, where?!"
"It's too small to see but somewhere there."
"And where are we now?"
"You ask a lot of questions." Inuyasha said.
"Here." Kagome pointed to where the Philippines are located.
"And where is Pan?"
"Japan, sweetie. And it's right here."
"Oh."
~0~
At the same time, the dark-haired young adult known as Miroku was stepping off the ship. He headed toward a nearby convenience store where he purchased an 'international calls' card. Boarding the ship again, he stood at the upmost level on the ship where the signal was the best. Whipping out his cellphone he began to press in the numbers…
At a conference room inside an office found on Japanese soil, a tall powerful silver-haired and golden-eyed full demon would be found talking to his associates. His secretary, a very old wrinkly flea-demon, was currently receiving a call which would change his boss' life. Myoga, looking at the caller ID, wondered at the origin of the call.
"What can I do for you, young Miroku?"
"I need to speak with Inutaisho. Now."
"Well, the boss is currently in a meeting right now."
"It's urgent."
"I'm sorry, Miroku but no can do. You know Inutaisho does not like to be distur-"
"It's about Inuyasha."
"Right away." Myoga didn't need to hear any more than that. He was informed in the situation as he's been a close family friend since as long as he could remember. Miroku had never phoned Inutaisho at his office before so to do so now, he reasoned, had to be due to something important.
"Last year's values showed that…"
"Inutaisho!" Myoga's voice came through the intercom on Inutaisho's phone. Inutaisho didn't let his frown show as he walked over to his desk.
He pressed the button. "Myoga, what is it?"
"You have an important call on hold."
"Myoga, didn't I tell you to never bother me during a me-"
"It's Miroku."
"Excuse me, men. I need to take this call." His associates nodded, though they were puzzled as to why this person was so important. "Thank you."
"Hello?"
Not even a minute later, the associates were staring confused at the spinning computer desk that was occupied by a now absent Inutaisho, while his secretary, Myoga, came into the room to explain the situation…
Over at the Takahashi Residence, in a room that is commonly known as the family room that held a large television with a VCR. On the television was a nicely edited video of pictures that passed in different patterns. In the background, we can hear a nice traditional Japanese song that held a tune of sorrow.
The person witnessing this nice little video is the eldest female of the house or as many know her, the Lady Izayoi. It was one of those days, where the mother of one had to stop all she was doing so she could mourn once again the loss of her only child. Since the day the tape was handed to her, the Lady Izayoi would take a day out of her week to watch the film with a box of tissue paper beside her. But little did she know that this would be the last day she would spend not knowing the whereabouts of her little hanyou.
Sniffing a little and dabbing at her watering eyes, Izayoi stood to answer the ringing phone. Clearing her throat, Izayoi answered the phone with a hello.
A minute later, the video no longer had a viewer as the Lady Izayoi was now crumbled next to the phone line, sobbing in happiness. She will stay there until her husband gets home only a few minutes later…
Not far from her location in a shrine on top of a rather large hill, inside the kitchen of a house was a middle-aged woman with dark pixie-styled hair. On that particular day, Mrs. Higurashi chose to clean her favorite room in the house, the kitchen. She was humming a song as scrubbed down the counters. She looked the part of a very calm woman but her thoughts however were less than peaceful.
In this time of peace where her thoughts were all she had to keep her company, Mrs. Higurashi let her mind wander to ten years ago where she had two children running around in her house instead of only one. Her poor eldest child was lost all alone in the cruel world without her mother to protect her, if she was even alive, a thought that sent a dagger through her heart. But she was rational and knew that was a possibility that couldn't be ignored.
The house phone rang and she heard Grandfather answer it. She grew concerned when she heard him gasp and yell "Are you sure?!"
She walked out of the kitchen to the hallway where Grandfather was just hanging up the phone. "Who was on the phone?"
"The young man, Miroku… with news about Kagome…"
Mrs. Higurashi, like Izayoi, broke down into tears of happiness. But unlike her she had someone else's shoulder to cry on…
In a convenience store's parking lot about a ten minute drive from the shrine was a young woman of eighteen years. Inserting the keys into the admission, Sango pulled the car into reverse and left the parking lot. While driving on the road, her cellphone rang and she cuffed when she saw the caller ID.
"What do you want, Miroku?"
"What? No 'Hello, my handsome Miroku'?"
"Not as long as you're still perverted. Again, what did you want, Miroku?"
"Well, my dear Sango, I have some exciting news."
"And what would that be?"
"I'm coming home early."
"That's your exciting news?" Sango said deadpanned.
"You don't like it? You don't want me to come home?" Miroku said with fake hurt.
"No."
"Fine then, my lovely Sango, the 'actual' exciting news is…" he paused.
A minute passed. "Miroku if you don't tell me right now, I'm hanging u-"
"I found Inuyasha and Kagome."
~0~
Miroku sighed once he hung up on Sango's call. Finally, a ten-year-long overdue call was done and his body sagged with relief against the railing. His family friends could finally be happy without the haunting thoughts of their missing children. He was also very honored at the thought that he was the one that was able to find them.
"By the look of you, I reckon you told the others back in Japan about your find?" asked the captain.
"Yes. I don't think you can imagine how happy they were to hear that."
"No. I probably can't. Just like I can't imagine how you'd react to the news that I bring."
"What news?"
"Some bad news."
"Captain…"
"Well, Miroku, someone- I don't know who- informed the media back in Japan about Inuyasha and Kagome being found."
"What?! They weren't supposed to know! Buddha, can you imagine how Inuyasha and Kagome are going to react to a crowd with cameras and microphones being shoved in their faces?!"
"I know very well how they'll react so now it's our job to protect them. Understand?"
"I would've done that even if you told me not to."
"Good."
~0~
The boat rocked gently with the lapping of the waves. The sun was burning without remorse but the breeze assuaged with its cooling temperature. It was early morning when the ship saw land in the horizon and Kagome and Inuyasha couldn't be gladder or any more anxious. They were finally reaching their homeland after being away ten years.
"Can you believe it? We're finally home." Inuyasha said softly, squeezing Kagome's hand tightly.
"I wonder if it's changed."
"Maybe… like we did." Inuyasha answered, then after a pause, "I wonder how much our parents changed."
"I know Souta changed… he grew like we did…" Kagome sighed. "I think he'd be fourteen now…"
"I still can't believe it's been ten years…"
"Me either…"
"It's going to be hard."
"What do you mean?"
"I still remember what it was like in Japan… It's so different from the island."
"I know… but we'll have our parents this time…"
"I hope so…"
Kagome hummed. "Come on… I think the kids can wake up any minute now."
"Let's go."
~0~
Bright white flashed behind his eyelids. Various cries and unrecognizable words flittered through his eardrums. Everywhere he turned, he either had a camera, a microphone, or a body part of some kind coming into view. Isako's cries made themselves known and Kagome's voice crying for Inuyasha could be heard. Pushing his way through the crowd, Miroku yelled through one of the police's bullhorns, "If you don't get back now, I'll be forced to purify everybody here!"
Half the crowd, which mostly consisted of reporters with demon heritage, took a step back. Miroku stepped around the man shield that the police created around the dock. He saw Inuyasha pick up Kazuki and stand beside Kagome who was holding Isako in her arms. The captain then put his hand on Inuyasha's and Kagome's back, gently guiding them toward a nearby van while giving them soothing words.
Between the man shield that surrounded them holding the human reporters back and the threat of Miroku's spiritual powers being unleashed, the group of six were able to make it to the van quickly, though they could do nothing about the camera's taking pictures and video.
Shutting the doors swiftly with the lock already in place, the captain turned the van on and pulled the car into drive. The police man shield were keeping the reporters and the citizens, who were hoping of having a glimpse of the rescued children, off the street, so the captain pulled out of the parking lot and followed the two police cars that were leading them to their destination.
Inuyasha and Kagome with their two children were sitting in the back seat. Kagome was currently shaking from fright, leaning against Inuyasha for support. Isako was sniffling after crying the whole way to the van. Inuyasha was holding Kagome, rocking her back and forth while rubbing her arms. Kazuki was just merely curious and confused on what had happened. Miroku, who was seated in the passenger seat, turned back to the family.
"I'm so sorry. That wasn't supposed to happen."
"What was that?" Kazuki asked.
"Those were people that wanted to know your story."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"What were those big black boxes with the eye?"
"That would be a video camera."
"What does it do?"
"It takes a video."
"What's a video?"
"That's…complicated."
"What's com-pated?"
"It means hard to explain."
"Oh."
"Where are we going?" This time it was Kagome asking a question.
"We're going to a nearby hotel. Your parents wanted to meet you as soon as possible."
"Oh… and what did you mean that 'wasn't supposed to happen'?"
Miroku sighed while the captain answered. "While we stopped at the Philippines, someone from the crew informed the news- you do still remember what the news is, right?" Inuyasha and Kagome nodded. "Someone informed the news that the famous Inutaisho's missing kids were rescued. Believe me when I say that your parents desperately wanted you to be as comfortable as possible when you returned home. But I guess things never go according to plan. We'll reach the hotel in about 15 minutes."
"Mama, why people dress so funny?" Kazuki asked as he looked out the car window to the pedestrians.
"That's how people are supposed to dress like, honey."
"But we never dress like that."
"Then what are you wearing now?" Kagome said, indicating the jeans and shirt that Miroku got for him in the Philippines.
"But we never wore it before!"
"We didn't have these clothes before."
"But I don't like this shirt!" Kazuki began to pull up his shirt. His sister seeing what her brother was doing, started to do the same thing.
"Me too!" she said.
"Pups! Leave the clothes alone." Inuyasha sternly said.
"But dad! They feel weird." Kazuki was unknowingly speaking for all of them when he said this. After ten years of not wearing them, Inuyasha and Kagome couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in their skin; especially Kagome, who couldn't help but adjust the fabric, or in other words, 'bra' around her chest area. A woman from the Philippines had come onboard to specifically bring her this, after 'measuring' her. She couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
"You'll get used to it." Kagome said.
~0~
In a room in said hotel, the Higurashi and Takahashi family were waiting anxiously. They had seen, or more like heard, the news announce the arrival and departure of their beloved missing children and sister. They heard all the hassle and cries and threats that were recorded and shown on the television until Inutaisho, being fed up with the noise, told Myoga to shut the T.V. off. He didn't want their first glimpse of their children to come from people who didn't know how to mind their own business.
"I can't wait to see them after so long." Izayoi sighed.
"And I can't wait to see the sister that I've heard so much about." Souta commented.
"I, for one, can't believe I've lived long enough to see my first grandchild again." said Grandfather.
"I don't even know what to do when I see Kagome again. I mean will she even remember me?" Mrs. Higurashi said.
"Of course she will. You haven't changed at all. The question is will we recognize them?" Inutaisho remarked.
"Of course we will! I, at least, will never forget my little Inuyasha." Izayoi scolded.
"He won't be so little anymore."
Izayoi opened her mouth to retort but shut it when a knock sounded at the door. Myoga, who was closest, opened it to welcome in Miroku.
"Where are they?!" screamed the mothers of the group, startling Miroku.
"Right outside. But…!" Miroku stopped the two women from leaving the room with this word, "but… there are surprises outside that you can't see yet."
"Surprises?" Everyone asked in confusion.
"Yes and I'm not telling you what it is… so are you ready to see Inuyasha and Kagome again?"
"Just bring them in, lad. I'm not getting any younger." Grandfather, ever the inpatient, said.
"Right. Okay…" Miroku walked toward the door and called out to the hallway. "You can come in n- Where did you go?" Miroku walked out to see the island family staring at the T.V. screen in the lobby. "What are you doing?"
"Look, it's me! How do you do that?" Kazuki exclaimed, pointing at the screen where the news informing the public of the rescue was showing.
"I'll explain later. Right now, you two need to come with me." Inuyasha and Kagome looked toward the room where their families were, frozen. "Don't you want to see them?"
"What if they see me and say they don't want me?" Kagome whispered.
"They will never say that. They are your parents. And they are desperate to see you after losing you for ten years. Aren't you too?"
Kagome took a deep breath and nodded slowly. She felt Inuyasha squeeze her hand. "Okay." They walked toward the room, Inuyasha leading Kagome the whole way. Kazuki and Isako started to follow them.
"And where are you two going?"
Kazuki answered him. "With Mama and Papa."
"You can't go yet."
"Why?" Isako asked.
"Because you two are a surprise for your grandparents."
"Shaw-p-ise!"
"What's grandparent?"
"Yes, a surprise and a grandparent would be your parents' parents." Kazuki still looked confused. "Your papa's mom and dad and your mama's mom."
"What happened to mama's papa?"
"Uh…"
"Look who I brought!" All three of them turned to see the captain strutting toward them with…
"Mami-chan!"
"Oki!"
Miroku breathed a small sigh of relief.
~0~
"I smell them… and they smell highly of salt water." Inutaisho then turned to his wife. "And I also smell salt coming from you."
"My baby's here. What do you expect?"
"Well if I remember correctly, Inuyasha always got panicky whenever you started to cry so I don't think you should welcome him back by giving him a panic attack."
"I'll try." Izayoi wiped her tears away.
"Mama?" said a shy female voice from the doorway that made Mrs. Higurashi suck in a breath and all of them to look to the door. They all waited impatiently as the door slowly opened. They all saw Kagome first before Inuyasha came into view.
"Kagome…"
"My baby…" Izayoi whispered.
"Mama." Kagome said before running to hug her now crying mother who received her with open arms.
Inuyasha sniffed. "Oh mom, don't cry." Hearing the word 'mom' for the first time in ten years only made Izayoi start to sob before standing to hug her son tightly. Inuyasha froze for a second before hugging back with enough force that won't hurt her. His own eyes had grown misty.
"My son. Oh, how you've grown. I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you, too. But I'm back now, mom. Please don't cry."
"I don't think that's possible. I just got my baby back. Please know that I never stopped thinking of you, Inuyasha. I'm so sorry we didn't find you sooner."
"It's okay, mom. Just be happy I'm back. So… So just stop crying please."
"What a nice son I have; to know that he won't pay you any attention even after a ten year separation."
"You're not the one crying, dad." Inuyasha turned to look at his father, giving Izayoi a chance to compose herself.
"No, but it'd still be nice to see my son face to face. You look just like me in my younger days."
Over at the other tearful, mother and daughter weren't doing much better than Izayoi and Inuyasha's reunion.
"My baby girl. My grown up, baby girl. Kagome, I'm so sorry that I wasn't there with you all those years. But we're going to make up for all the time lost. I promise."
"Mama, I've missed you so much."
"Don't forget about your old wrinkly grandpa, girl. I won't be here forever."
"Grandpa! You haven't changed at all." Kagome hugged him.
"Don't lie to me, girl. If that were true, then these old bones of mine wouldn't be creaking so much these days." Kagome giggled before she turned to Souta.
"Are you Souta?" Souta smiled.
"And you're my sister."
"Wait, this is Souta?" Inuyasha said, coming over. Then he sniffed. "Yup. Smells the same."
"He's so big! He grew like we did!"
"I still remember when he was small, fat, and spitting all over me."
"I remember how he never stopped talking and always stole my food."
"You two sound like and aunt and uncle coming over to visit." Souta commented. Inuyasha and Kagome shared a look.
"Well…" Kagome began to say, only to be interrupted by the sound of a man's voice coming out of the television.
"Left as Kids, came back WITH Kids. The incredible story of a 10-year long mystery finally solved." The man said. "On early Tuesday morning, two eight year olds that went missing while on vacation were found surviving on an abandoned island by…"
"I'm sorry, sir. My foot stepped on the remote by accident." Myoga said nervously. But none of the others were listening to him. They were staring in shock at the two teens who stared back nervously. They were all thinking the same thing.
"What did he mean by kids?" Inutaisho, who may have been the calmest of them all, voiced everyone's thoughts. And now that he thought about it, Inuyasha and Kagome did have the scent of two unknown people on them. Inutaisho reasoned that he was probably too overwhelmed by the situation to notice.
"That was the surprise Miroku told you about." Inuyasha said.
"You are grandparents to a boy and a girl." Kagome stated.
They all didn't know what to say. There was an awkward tension in the room. Myoga was the first one to speak.
"And where are the little ones?"
Kagome smiled gratefully at him. "They're outside with Miroku."
"I'll call them." Inuyasha said moving out of the room. Kagome feeling uncomfortable in the silence followed him.
"They have kids…" Izayoi said shocked.
"I'm a grandmother!" sated Mrs. Higurashi.
"I lived to see great-grandchildren?!" shouted Grandpa.
~0~
"…Scissors!" Kazuki said. "I won!" he shouted when he saw that the captain had his hand spread in the 'paper' position.
"Aww! I lost again. How many times have you won already?" The captain said in fake disappointment which Kazuki didn't notice.
"Nine times!" Kazuki said, clapping his hands together in joy. "I'm good at this!"
"My turn!" Isako demanded from beside her brother.
"Pups! Let's go see your grandparents." Inuyasha announced.
"But my turn!" Isako cried.
"You can do it later." Then out of curiosity, he asked, "What are you playing?"
"Rock, paper, scissors! And I won nine times!" Kazuki answered him.
"Oh, I remember that game. Okay Isako, you can go."
"Yay!" The captain cried the words and the game was won in Isako's favor with paper against rock. Isako laughed and clapped as Inuyasha picked her up in his arms. "I won!"
"I saw, Isako. Great job, honey." Kagome said, reaching over to grab Isako's hands.
"I won too!" Kazuki yelled.
"I know, sweetie. You did great." Kazuki beamed at her praise. He grabbed at his mother's outstretched hand.
"Let's go, pups. Thank you for watching them, captain."
"No problem." The captain watched them go before standing and heading toward the entrance, where Miroku had gone not too long ago. Once he got there he noticed a young brown-haired lady speaking with him. With a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he strode over.
"Would this be the 'lovely Sango' you kept mouthing my ear off about?" He smiled when the woman blushed, confirming it was indeed Sango. Miroku smirked.
"Yes, this would be the lovely Sango."
"I would've gotten here sooner but I had to work today."
"It's okay. I'm actually still waiting for the reunion to finish to talk with Inutaisho so you're just in time."
"Good." Sango then glared over at Miroku. "Now Miroku, is what I'm hearing on the radio true?"
"I don't know. What did you hear?"
"That Inuyasha and Kagome have children? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't tell anyone. It was actually supposed to be a surprise if only someone hadn't told the media beforehand." Miroku said, emphasizing the 'someone' in his sentence.
"I would've kept it secret."
"Then it wouldn't be a surprise."
Sango hummed. "And where are they?"
"They just went in to meet their grandparents." The captain exclaimed.
"Already?" Miroku asked surprised.
"Yes. I was surprised too."
"That was fast. Hope it goes well."
~0~
All was not going well, but one can also say that things were not going bad. The tensed filled silence was back in the room from the moment that Inuyasha and Kagome entered with their children in tow. Only the two young toddlers couldn't feel the uncomfortable tension.
"Hi!" Kazuki beamed while Isako waved at everybody. He then turned toward his only grandfather and said, "You look like papa but with no ears." He tugged at his ears. "And why you have paint on your face?"
"Kazuki, that's rude." Kagome scolded.
"But he has purple lines on his face like this." He traced imaginary lines on his face. "You said I couldn't paint my face." He whined.
"That's not paint."
"But it's colorful."
"We'll explain later."
"But…"
"Kazuki…" Inuyasha warned. Kazuki pouted.
"So… these are my grandchildren?" Mrs. Higurashi whispered with a smile already spreading on her face.
"My only son is already a father." Izayoi commented, her eyes tearing again.
Isako looked at the two who spoke. "Who awe you?"
Mrs. Higurashi almost swooned at hearing the little girl's voice. "You look just like Kagome did when she was younger." She stood in front of Inuyasha. "May I hold her?" Inuyasha nodded.
"You look exactly like your father. Your name is Kazuki, yes?" Izayoi said, standing to come to kneel in front of her grandson.
Kazuki nodded shyly, blushing.
"He's blushing. How cute. I'm Izayoi but you can call me grandma." Kazuki nodded and hugged her. Izayoi almost squealed as she turned to Inutaisho. "My baby has a baby, dearest."
"I'm not a baby!" Kazuki whined.
"Of course you're not. You're a handsome young man."
"What's handsome?" Kazuki asked, saying the last word slowly.
"It means pretty but only for boys."
"Oh…"
"Look father, I have a granddaughter. And I don't even know her name. What's your name, sweetheart?" Isako blushed and hid her face in her grandma's shoulder.
"Her name's Isako, mama."
"Isako. That's a pretty name." Isako nodded against her shoulder. "Look up Isako, so you could meet your great-grandpa."
"Gweat-g-andpa?"
"That's your mama grandpa."
Isako nodded even though she didn't understand anything then looked toward the man who spoke.
"It's a given I'd have demon blood in my Shinto family."
"Father!"
"Don't start. I know time's change so I accept my great-granddaughter just like I accepted that hooligan over there as my granddaughter's friend." Grandpa said, pointing over to Inuyasha who looked his way when he felt someone's gaze on him. "You better be prepared to marry my granddaughter, boy."
"But we are married." Inuyasha said confused.
"What?!"
"Married?!"
"What do you mean, son?"
"I did what you said you did with my mom." He then pointed to Kagome's hand. "There's the ring." Kagome held her hand up shyly.
"What a pretty ring…" Mrs. Higurashi gushed.
"It's gorgeous." Izayoi commented admiring the ring.
"I have a brother too?" Souta spoke up causing everyone in the room to look at him. He had been so quiet, they forgot he was there.
"Who are you?" Kazuki asked.
"I'm Souta."
"So you the uncle?!" Kazuki yelled excited.
"Apparently."
"Can I have her?" Izayoi asked Mrs. Higurashi. She nodded and handed Isako over. Izayoi took her to Inutaisho's side.
"Isn't she adorable?"
"Very." Inutaisho padded his granddaughter's head.
"Paint." Isako muttered, stretching to poke at the jagged lines on her grandfather's cheek.
"I told you so!" Kazuki said from across the room. Souta and Inutaisho chuckled.
"It's not paint. It's a demon marking."
Isako just poked his marking again while Kazuki looked confused. Inutaisho chuckled again. "You have much to learn." And then he turned serious. "Just like we all do. Sit Inuyasha and Kagome, we have much to tell you." He handed Isako back to Inuyasha while Kagome helped Kazuki up on the sofa.
When everyone was seated, he began to speak. "Ten years ago, the four of us went on vacation with only two of us returning by the end of the trip. Since that day we dedicated our time and money on finding the two of you. We informed all the nearby island and countries to keep a lookout for you but there were never any sightings. I informed all ships leaving Japan heading to that general area and again there was no word. About a week later, I hired a crew with a ship that would look for you. They sailed for two years returning every other week from visiting any and all islands they could find but they never found anything. The only times we didn't look for you were when a storm or tsunami would threaten to occur and the marine suspended all ships from leaving port. After those two years, we lost hope of ever seeing you two again but we still kept word out. That proved to be an intelligent move because six years after the incident, word came to us from a hospital about an old woman who had news about two missing children out at sea. Her name was Narissa." Inuyasha and Kagome gasped at the name. "I see you know who I'm talking about. We were skeptical but when we questioned her on the appearance of both children, we knew it was you, especially after she said you arrived on a lifeboat. She told us everything she could remember about the interaction between the three of you. She died two days after that." Inuyasha and Kagome had mixed feelings about that. "So with renewed hope, we collected money and bought a ship. We were in the process of arranging a crew when I started to have issues with my company. During that time Sesshoumaru lend his services and took control of the search until Miroku, a week after his eighteenth birthday, took his role."
"Where is Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha asked.
"Right now, he is in Kyoto trying to finalize the papers to adopt a human child named Rin. If all goes well, you'll meet her sometime next week."
Inuyasha nodded distractedly while he and his wife processed his story. All were quiet for a moment before Kazuki asked, "Who Sessh-maru?"
"Sesshoumaru is your uncle."
"But I thought Souta was my uncle?"
"Souta is your uncle. He is my brother and Sesshoumaru is your papa's brother."
"So I have two uncles?"
"Yes."
"Papa, I'm tired." Isako muttered tugging at Inuyasha's shirt. He looked down at her and adjusted his arms around her. Her head lay on his chest with her body sideways on his lap. "Go to sleep. I'll keep you warm." He whispered back.
The others in the room were amazed at how well the two children were able to start and raise a family of their own. They couldn't be more pleased. Sure it was a shock to see their children already with kids at the toddler stage but it's not like they could blame them. They were just glad to have them back so they could be a family again. And speaking of the two toddlers…
"How old are they?" Souta asked.
"I don't know…" Inuyasha said.
"You don't know how old your children are?"
"Souta!" Mrs. Higurashi scolded.
"I'd say they look to be around four and two." Izayoi observed.
"Yes… But let's get them settled before we figure out all the details." Inutaisho exclaimed turning to look at his secretary and handing him some money. "Myoga, run out and buy some outfits for the two little ones. We would've had clothes for them if somebody had warned us ahead of time." He said the last sentence a little louder so that Miroku, which he knew was hanging right outside the door, could hear.
"It was a surprise!" could be heard muttered from the other side of the door.
"Right away, sir." Myoga bowed and left the room.
"Where are you staying at?" Inuyasha asked then after a short pause said, "I'm not leaving Kagome or my pups." He wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist for emphasize. The others were momentarily stunned at his show of affection.
"Actually, we did prepare your old room for your return but we weren't prepared for two extra guests." Mrs. Higurashi said.
"They can stay at our house. We have plenty of rooms." Izayoi said.
"I want to sleep with mama and papa." Kazuki exclaimed. Kagome rubbed his back to comfort him.
"Okay then. I guess we can set up another futon in Inuyasha's room. What do you think, dearest?"
"That's a good idea. We can set up room arrangements when they're more comfortable."
"Then it's settled!" Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed. "I hope you don't mind if we come visit, tomorrow."
"Of course not. You have just as much right to see your daughter and grandchildren as we do."
Mrs. Higurashi nodded, smiling. "We should get going. It's getting late." Inutaisho stood along with the others. He got to the door right as the island family began to stand and greeting him at the doorway was a squaw from a bird. Following the squaw was the appearance of Mami-chan in the room, jumping up on Inuyasha's shoulder and wrapping his tail around the hanyou's arm.
"Okay, who brought the monkey?" Inuyasha said, looking pointedly at Kazuki.
"I didn't do it! The captain did it!" As he spoke, Oki came flying in and landed on Kagome's outstretched arm before ruffling its feathers. It chirped as it bobbed its head up and down.
The three looked to Inutaisho and Izayoi nervously. The older Takahashi couple shared a look before sighing and nodding. Kazuki knowing what that meant cheered. Isako stirred a little which made Inuyasha look at Kazuki sternly. Kazuki muttered an apology. They began to leave the room.
"Don't think I've forgotten about you two being properly married!" Grandpa shouted.
~0~
Another update! And so soon too. This would be my longest chapter yet with 20 pages on Word! That has never happened before.
I didn't read over this at any given time. So I didn't fix any mistake I might have made, what so ever. Sorry that it's unedited. I really hope the characters aren't OOC.
Look out for the Epilogue! It's coming soon. I promise.
Ja ne.