I would like to thank every single person who gave me name suggestions! It was a long and hard choice but I was finally able to decide on a name for Kagome's and Sota's father! Thank you all again, and I'm going to try to put the names I haven't used into this story as well so don't feel bad. Thank you for all the reviews also... the more of those i get, the faster i can put up chapters! Please enjoy...

Chapter 21: Meeting the Family

"Getting nervous yet?" Kagome asked as she drove to the airport with Inuyasha in the passenger's seat, and the two kids in the back playing some games.

"Keh," was his usual replay, but Kagome could detect the anxiety. So when they reached a red light, Kagome took his hand and squeezed it for a moment before giving him a reassuring smile.

"It's going to be fine," she said, trying to convince herself more than Inuyasha. "Just remember what I told you about him?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Inuyasha.

*Flashback*

Kagome and Inuyasha were seating together on a park bench as they watched Shippo and Shiori play on the jungle gym.

"You're father's the over-protective type?" he asked, sounding more calm than he felt.

Kagome snorted, "More like the way, WAY over-protective type." She shook her head, "I think that HE thinks that no one's good enough to marry me."

Inuyasha raised his eyebrows in surprise. "But he approved of that Hojo … sorry Hobo?"

Kagome clasped her hands tightly in her lap, wondering if she should tell him the truth. She opened her mouth, changed her mind and said instead, "Let's just say that things were different back then."

He only tilted his head to the side like a puppy. "What do you mean by…" he began, but Kagome cut him off.

"I rather not talk about it right now," she said. Inuyasha then saw the sad look in her eyes and decided to let this drop… for now.

Kagome smiled as she took Inuyasha clawed hand and said, "Don't worry. My dad's really protective, but once he gets to know someone, he's great! I know you two are going to get along great… ah…" she hesitated for a second before saying, "At least I hope so."

Inuyasha looked at her for a moment before saying, "He really means a lot to you doesn't he?"

Kagome nodded. "My mother died when I was little. I really don't remember her all that well, but I remember she was really nice. And when she died… it broke my father's heart." She sighed as she looked at Inuyasha sad expression. "Ever since… I guess… he's just been worried about losing me and my brother. He's always wanted to keep us close."

Inuyasha put his head down before he mumbled, "I'm sorry."

Kagome shook her head, "No don't be. Really it's alright. I still miss my mom… but dad's been great. Really, he's the best father you could ask for."

She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he in turn laid his cheek on top of her head. "But still…" she went on, "It would mean a lot to me if you two got along."

*End of Flashback*

Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably. He was petrified about meeting her family… he couldn't remember the last time he'd been so nervous. But he could see how much her father's approval meant to Kagome… and he didn't want to make her choose between him and her dad.

"Kids?" Kagome called at the laughing children, who were playing a game. Not really sure what the point was… they were both speaking backwards… literally.

"Sey?" Shippo called.

"We're at the airport," she said laughing at their game.

"Yllear?" asked Shiori, "Ho, yob."

Inuyasha let out a sigh before saying, "You think you two can talk straight again?"

"Yhw?" asked Shiori.

"Because it's getting annoying," he said rubbing his temples.

"Tub s'ti nuf," pouted Shippo.

"You can play later," said Kagome as she parked and unlocked the doors. "We're gonna see grandpa!"

"Apdnarg!" screamed Shippo who was then given a warning shot from Inuyasha. "Ah… I mean grandpa!"

*Inside the airport*

Kagome was holding Shippo's hand as she led the way through the crowded airport and over to where she spotted her brother and his girlfriend Hitomi. As they came closer, she noticed that her brother looked both happy and forlorn about something…

Kagome was curious for a moment… that is until she saw the angry look on Hitomi.

Kagome rolled her eyes. Of course, Sota HAD to tell Hitomi what he did. And of course, she was going to be pretty pissed off at him. She grinned as she waved at Hitomi before she started to glare at Sota too.

"Hitomi," said Kagome as she gave her a quick hug. "It's so good to see you again."

"You too," said Hitomi softly. She was so sweet and cute with her short, wavy brown hair and a soft heart-shaped face with that gentle smile. Although Kagome saw that she gave Sota an annoyed look before smiling down at Shippo.

Inuyasha and Shiori came over while they were talking and Hitomi noticed Shiori.

"Ooooohhhhhh," said Hitomi in a cooing voice, "She's so cute!"

Shiori blushed before looking down at her feet and said a quiet 'thank you'. Inuyasha glanced over Hitomi to the young man that had to be Kagome's brother. He had Kagome's same brown eyes and dark raven hair… yep he had to be Sota.

Sota gave his sister a quick hug, but he gave Inuyasha a strange look from over Kagome's shoulder. Inuyasha raised his eyebrows, almost in a challenging way, as if daring him to say something. Kagome pulled back to make the introductions, "Sota? Hitomi? This is Inuyasha and his daughter Shiori… Inuyasha? This is my little brother Sota and his girlfriend Hitomi."

"Nice to meet you," said Hitomi politely but she continued to give Sota irritated looks every now and again. "But, Sota's very lucky that I haven't decided to become his ex-girlfriend."

Sota looked down at the floor and gave a look of shame.

"Ex-girlfriend?" said Shiori confused.

"Why are you guys angry at uncle Sota?" asked Shippo in interest.

The adults gave them reassuring smiles before all saying it's nothing to worry about. They all agreed that it was for the best if the kids didn't know what Sota did. To distract them, Kagome pointed towards a snack bar a little ways away, "Why don't we go and get something to eat? I'm sure you kids are starving after that long car ride."

Shippo and Shiori both let out excited cries as they took off. Kagome grinned as she and Hitomi followed them; leaving they boys alone to talk. Sota looked at Inuyasha for a moment before holding out his hand and said, "So you're Inuyasha? I have to say that it's nice to finally meet you. Kagome normally never shuts up about you or Shiori."

Inuyasha's face went red slightly at the thought of Kagome telling her brother all about him; he took Sota's hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you too," he said, "But I have to ask you something important."

Sota tilled his head slightly, "What?"

Inuyasha looked at Sota long and hard before asking, "Are you on drugs or just insane? I've been wondering that what was going through your head when you told your dad that me and Kagome are engaged? You mind telling me what you were thinking?"

Sota blinked before giving a dry laugh, "Sorry, but I had too."

"Had too?" echoed Inuyasha in disbelief.

"Listen!" said Sota quickly, "You don't know my dad, he's hated every single girl that I ever dated! And he's hated every single guy that ever looked twice at Kagome." He looked at Shippo and the girls at the snack bar for a minute before continuing, "Hitomi is very special to me and I just want him to like her that's all."

Sota then let out a sad sigh, "I'll tell him the truth, but I want to make sure that he really likes her before I do."

Inuyasha thought that over for a minute before saying, "I guess I can understand that. But that doesn't explain why you told you dad that me and Kagome are getting married."

"Because," said Sota running a hand through his hair, "I've never seen Kagome act this way with any other boy. You and Shiori really mean a lot, not only to Shippo, but to her as well."

Inuyasha's face went even redder. "But I still don't…" he began.

"She really cares a lot about you," said Sota as if it were obvious. "And I know how much it would mean to her if dad likes you. Don't worry, once I'm sure that dad likes you and Hitomi, I'll tell him the truth. Hopefully, he'll understand."

Inuyasha stared at him. "Ok," he said slowly, "I'm sure that you don't take drugs, but I'm still sure that you're crazy."

Sota laughed, "Oh, I'm not crazy. My reality is just different than yours."

*10 Minutes later*

Kagome and Sota's dad would be arriving any moment now, and Inuyasha was becoming more and more jumpy.

"Are you nervous?" Kagome looking at Inuyasha right next to her with the kids both eating some ice-cream cones at their feet; with Sota and Hitomi sitting across from them.

Inuyasha only nodded, not looking up from the ground.

"Don't be," she said taking his hand again. "Dad is a nice guy. Ah, once you get to know him after all."

Inuyasha could only nod again, although her words didn't bring much comfort to him. He didn't move, just sat there. She sighed and came to sit of the floor with him. He was warm and comfy. "You shouldn't worry. Dad isn't going to interrogate you or anything."

"I know."

"Then why are you so nervous?"

"You have to meet my family next weekend. How would you feel?" he said rather coldly.

Kagome gave him a dark look before saying, "That's unfair." She then shook her head, "Oh well, I'll worry about that later. And you don't need to worry about my dad though! He's nice, and you're likable, there's no way he'd be disappointed."

At this Inuyasha smiled.

Just then people started to flood the floor. Inuyasha suddenly tensed up again; he just knew that their dad was here. Dozens of people were coming out, with the speaker's overhead, saying them that they hoped that they had enjoyed their flight. Inuyasha watched as men, women, and children all came pouring out… but there was one man in particular that caught his eye…

He was a very tall and, despite his age, was very handsome. He had long dark hair that was streaked with grey and tied back in a low ponytail. He wore the conventional shrine clothing and held a blue suitcase in one hand. He had a kind face, and wore simple glasses that gave him an intelligent look… but he seemed to give off a strange power…

… it was the kind of power that you didn't want to mess with.

When Sota spotted the man, he suddenly got up and walked quickly over to him and was gave him a brief hug. Kagome then noticed that the man was here and she too got up with Shippo and went over to join them. Gulping, Inuyasha stood up and waited behind with Shiori and Hitomi, knowing that this was their father.

He watched them talk for a minute before the man put down his bag, and lifted Shippo up into his arms, which caused Shippo to start laughing and to put his arms around the man's neck. The man laughed with him as he gave Kagome a brief one-armed hug and a kiss on the cheek.

When they pulled away, Kagome looked over at where he was standing before she nervously led them back towards them. Inuyasha smiled, despite his anxiety.

As they got nearer, he could hear what they were saying.

"Oh it's so good to see you again dad, I've missed you," Sota beamed.

"It's good to see you kids again," their father said in a tired but deep voice. "Even if it's only for a little while."

"It's good to see you too day," Kagome said quietly her face buried in his shoulder, he smelt of old spices, and that strange elderly people smell; she missed it. "I've missed you so much."

Their father held her closed before he turned his attention to his grandson and asked, "I hope you haven't been a burden on your poor mother."

Shippo giggled and said that he had been good as he was put down again. As soon as he touched the floor he went over to Shiori and brought her over to his grandfather's feet. "Grandpa?" he said as Shiori hid behind him shyly. "This is my sister Shiori."

Grandpa raised his eyebrows as he looked at the little girl. He then looked at Kagome who mouthed, 'I'll explain later' before he got down on his knees and held out his hand to Shiori. "Shiori?" he said gently and Shiori stuck her head out from behind Shippo to look at him. He gave her a kind smile and said, "I'm so glad to meet you. And since you're Shippo's sister I want you to call me grandpa ok?"

Shiori relaxed a little bit as she slowly out from behind Shippo and took his outstretched hand. She smiled when the man gave her a bigger smile.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha and thought, 'So far, so good.'

"Dad?" she said almost hesitantly. "This is Inuyasha, and Hitomi."

Inuyasha and Hitomi both came forward as she said this. Kagome gave them both an encouraging smile before putting her arm around Inuyasha in a friendly gesture.

Their dad looked at them with an unemotional look. Not angry, not sad, but not happy or pleased either. He was the type of person you would never want to play poker with. "Nice to meet you," he replied calmly. "I'm Hayato Higurashi. I've heard about you two from Sota here, and I just had to meet you both in person."

The three of them gave Sota dark looks before Sota then said quickly, "Alright! Why don't we all go over to my house now! Dad I'm sure you're tired, and we have a lot of catching up to do. We'll all talk about where to eat for dinner later. And in no time at all, they were out of the airport and heading towards the cars.

Inuyasha walked behind them for a while until they reached the parking lot. While Sota helped their father into the backseat of his car, Inuyasha turned to Kagome and asked quietly, "How am I doing?"

Kagome gave him small smile before saying, "That could've been worse. I think that we just might be able to pull this off."