A/N
~Akari~ Here's another chapter!
~Dark~ Sorry it's so late, I had to rewrite the chapter because when we opened it to go over one more time it showed us a bunch of little rectangles instead of words.
~Akari~ Dark is still ticked off about that so yeah...beware. She might calm down if you guys leave us a review and tell us what you think.
~Dark~ Okay, we don't own InuYasha and, also, Happy Halloween, Day of the Dead, and Samhain. Light your lantern with one match, prepare for a visit from your past relatives, and put your milk and honey out for fairies.
~Light~ We hope you guys know we love you and wish we could meet every one of you just to hug your necks and tell you how much we appreciate your continued support of our story! *Walks into the room covered in bloody bandages*
~Both~ YOU'RE ALIVE?! *both scream loudly before running away*
~Light~ Wait didn't you want to go Trick or Treating?
To Unicorn232003 :
Yep! I was actually watching an amv when I typed it. If you listen to 'Roxas Is Losing Everything' by SakiraChan on you you'll get a better sense for the scene. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 is actually one of my favorite of the KH games so this amv really pumped me up for writing that chapter.
Also! There is a hospital near us, they both know us by our first names because we typically go there at least once or twice during the school year and maybe three times during summer break. Note not all the times is for us...sometimes it's for our sparring buddies and our other idiot friends! HAHA
To AngelQueen1325 :
Hahaha! Will do!
To Princess Inume :
Yes he is! XD Enjoy!
I woke up feeling something warm and wet on my cheek. I frowned and sleepily wiped at it earning a little growl from the warm weight sitting on my head. Confused even further I opened my eyes and blinked at the darkness still surrounding me. Carefully pushed at the weight revealing Masaru. He glared at me when I moved him before giving a huff and settling back against his breathing wall. After staring at him till he went back to sleep I moved a little, realizing I was tucked firmly in between two bigger warm bodies. Slowly, I tilted my head back to look at a sleeping Kagome with a small smile on her face. Her head was lying on InuYasha's chest, looking all the world as if there was no place she'd rather be. I stared at her for a minute tracing her features with my eyes before turning to look at InuYasha. His face was completely relaxed for once making him look strange to me. His ears were slightly floppy and bent back, looking like a cross between Masaru's, which were folded back completely, and mine which were standing up slightly but were still folded over at the tips. Frowning I carefully reached up and fixed them to stand up straight before going back to examining InuYasha's face.
"I sound so creepy." I thought with a soft laugh as I pushed myself up into a sitting position and looked at them. "They look weird," I thought while scrunching up my nose when I smelled something weird outside, like rain but colder and sharper.
"What are you doing up?" I heard someone ask when I moved to get out of the multiple blankets around us. I looked up at Kagome as she gently separated herself and placed Masaru next to InuYasha with a smile. "Everything okay?" Kagome asked me making me shake my head.
"You have another nightmare?" She asked with concern making me blush and shake my head again.
"No," I told her and mumbled the rest under my breath making her look at me in confusion. "Masaru was drooling on me." I repeated making her laugh softly and shake her head. We sat in silence for a minute, my mind strangely blank as I yawned and rubbed my eyes sleepily.
"Akari," Kagome whispered making me hum at her in response. "If you don't mind me asking what was your nightmare about? You really scared me when you screamed out like that." Kagome told me making me pull my legs up to my chest and try to think of an answer. "You don't have to tell me, but I would like to know. Maybe I can help?" Kagome coaxed making me sigh softly before adjusting myself and looking up at her.
"You can't tell anybody about it." I told her making her nod and hold out her pinkie. "What are you doing?" I asked her making smile and grab my pinkie in hers gently.
"This is me making you a promise. Now I can't tell anyone else about whatever you tell me or else." She told me with a smile as I looked at our connected fingers. "I remember my own mom doing this with me when I was younger. I'm glad I can do it with you now," Kagome told me making me look at her and feel my face burn.
"W-what's that mean?" I tried to snap at her earning a soft ear rub that made me relax slightly before she stopped.
"Now, what did you want to tell me?" She asked when she stopped and released me. I flicked my ears around before settling down slightly and messing with my fingers.
"It was more like a really old memory, around when I lost my other parents." I told her staring at my hands as I interlaced my fingers and pulled them out before repeating the action. "I was with three other hanyos. One was a girl that I felt really close to and the other two were twin brothers I think. Something had happened and we had all run towards the beach, one of the boys said something about home but the other girl she...she said she couldn't and I got really upset. We tried to get her to come with us but she kept saying no, then we heard the villagers coming." I continued as I saw the memory play in my mind, somehow fresher then it had been in my dream.
"They had a lot weapons in their hands and they weren't happy. She told the boys to take me and run...they didn't even try to help her! They just grabbed me and ran! When we were nearly out of sight I saw her turn and give me a smile as the first villager cut her with his fish knife. I saw her say good-bye before she was out of sight. I remember screaming a lot and trying to fight them before someone else had me and we got on a boat. After that I stayed on an island before it was attacked and I left..." I finished lamely, remembering four deadly demons cutting down everyone as someone with teal hair dragged me to the beach. It was almost like my life had repeated again in that memory. After a minute of staring at my nails digging into my palms I saw Kagome's hands gently fold over mine before she pulled me into her lap. I tensed and stayed still as she held me, gently running her fingers through my hair as I relaxed against her and inhaled her scent.
"Akari, I'm so sorry." Kagome whispered as I smelled salt and tilted my head to look up at her teary eyes. I stared at her in surprise as one of her tears dropped down onto my cheek, unsure of why she was crying and what I should do to help her. "To go through all of that and not go mad...You are so strong for someone so small." She said and pulled me back against her, rocking back and forth as silent tears fell down her face.
"What do I do? I can't move and she's crying..." I thought as I tried to think of something.
"Just accept it. Try growing up a bit and hug her. Tell her you love her too, she's become your mom now." My demon side suddenly said surprising me immensely with its sudden appearance and what it had said.
"I can't say that!" I yelled at it and felt my eyes drop further as Kagome began to hum softly, still rocking back and forth while running her fingers through my hair.
"You said it earlier Puppy, besides if you don't I will." My demon side snapped but by now I was to out of it to really pay it any attention. Mentally shrugging I smiled and snuggled against her with a sigh.
"Love you...Momma." I whispered as I fell back asleep against her.
`.`.`.`.`
Kagome smiled as Akari fell asleep against her, her little claws wrapped in her sleeping kimono, while her head was tucked firmly under the grown woman's chin as a soft purr like sound came from her. When she heard the soft whisper she felt herself relax as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Love you too my Little Light," Kagome whispered before carefully moving around and pulling the blankets over the two as she laid them both down next to InuYasha. "Now my two youngest are sound asleep and happy between Daddy Inu and Momma Kag." Kagome thought in amusement as she watched her son half roll, half crawl to curl up on top of his sister, sleepily gnawing on her shirt as they both slept. Kagome wished once more that she had a camera before drifting off back to sleep as snow began to fall outside, blanketing the dark world in white as a lone figure watched over them from the edge of the trees.
"M'Lord, do you wish for me to go wake the half-breed?" Jaken asked as he looked up at Sesshoumaru as a small smile graced his features. "M'Lord?" Jaken asked with a quiver of fear.
"Let my brother be, we will speak to him tomorrow. For now let he and his pack rest." Sesshoumaru told the shivering imp as the snow began to fall down on the world.
`.`.`.`.`
"Get back here Akari!" InuYasha yelled as he chased after the small blur as she ran around the hut. Kagome laughed at the sight of the snow still stuck to the bigger Inu hanyo. She watched as they both ran around the hut before turning her head to the side just as Akari popped up and dove behind the woodpile near the priestess.
"Is your sister crazy, Masaru?" Kagome asked with a laugh while the puppy eared squealed and clapped his hands. He wore a tiny version of InuYasha's red hakama and robe except thicker and with gloves and booties that matched. "I think so too, and so is Daddy." Kagome added as InuYasha ran around and slid through the snow before shooting towards the woodpile. As InuYasha went to reach behind the pile Akari jumped up and tackled him, pushing a handful of snow into his face as they fell before rolling to her feet and taking off once more.
"Two!" Akari yelled as she raced off again, this time jumping up into a nearby tree. Kagome watched as her feet hung off the branch, kicking at the air before she pulled herself up onto the branch with a grin. "One more time and I win!" Akari yelled as InuYasha got up and grabbed a handful of snow and packed it together.
"Will see about that Pup!" He yelled and chunked the snowball at the girl. Kagome gasped when it smacked right in the girl's face forcing her out of the tree and into the pile that had blown up against the tree. "Ha! Not so cocky now!" InuYasha yelled as Kagome glared at him before sighing in relief when Akari popped up with black and white hair and a glare.
"Not fair!" Akari yelled and quickly made a snowball.
"All's fair in love and war!" InuYasha said as he avoided the ball of ice she threw at him. "Come on, where's that ferocity from earlier?" InuYasha asked with a smirk as Kagome gently set Masaru down in the small basket she had brought out for him and made as snowball. Biting back her laughter she threw the snowball at him, hitting him in the back of the head with a slight thump.
"Who threw that!?" InuYasha yelled as he jumped and looked around while Akari laughed into her hands. "Kagome!" InuYasha roared making Kagome 'eep' and pick up a surprised but very happy Masaru.
"InuYasha, I'm holding Masaru! You can't do anything when I'm holding him!" Kagome cried out with a smug smile as InuYasha jumped over to her and looked her in the eye.
"Oh? Can I?" He asked lowly before pressing his lips to hers and making her go weak in the knees as he wrapped his arms firmly around her and deepened the kiss slightly. Suddenly InuYasha heard something that made him growl and open one eye just as Akari went past him and used him as a shield. "What do you want Sesshoumaru?" He growled as he released Kagome and pushed her behind him so he could look at his brother.
"I came to look at the newest member of the Inu Clan of the West." Sesshoumaru said calmly and started towards them. "I mean no harm InuYasha." Sesshoumaru said calmly when InuYasha started to growl.
"Sure you don't and Miroku isn't a major pervert." InuYasha snapped earning a glare from Kagome before she carefully stepped forward with Masaru in her arms. "Kago-" InuYasha started only for his mate to interrupt him.
"InuYasha, if he had wanted to harm us he would have before now." Kagome told him making him fall silent before looking at his brother and giving a stiff nod. "This is Masaru," Kagome said and held the infant out to Sesshoumaru. For a second Kagome could almost swear she saw a look of fear and uncertainty cross the diayokia's (sp?) features before he gently lifted Masaru out of her arms.
"He is a fine son. I hope he turns out like his mother." Sesshoumaru said making Kagome gasp at his humor while InuYasha 'keh'ed. "I will protect him and your pack. Until I have an heir of my own be aware that your pups are the heirs to West, InuYasha." Sesshoumaru told InuYasha making the couple blink in surprise while Kagome gently took the curious Masaru away from his uncle's long hair.
"I have yet to know the other pup's scent." Sesshoumaru said looking at Akari when she peeked out from behind InuYasha. InuYasha nodded slightly before turning slightly and nodding at Akari.
"Sesshoumaru, have you seen Rin lately?" Kagome asked while InuYasha tried to send Akari over to Sesshoumaru.
"I will be seeing her before I leave." Sesshoumaru said bluntly making the woman smile at him while her son stared up at him curiously. "Has the boy Kohaku still been seeing her?" Sesshoumaru asked curiously making Kagome blink in surprise before smiling at him.
"Yes, they have been. Don't worry, I'm sure she wants to see you more than him at the moment." Kagome told him and bit her lip to keep from laughing when Sesshoumaru relaxed slightly at her news before Akari stepped up in front of the daiyokia. Both stared at each other before Sesshoumaru bent down to her height and looked her in the eye.
"You look like a girl." Akari suddenly blurted before clapping her hands over her mouth and taking off. Everyone, except Masaru who was being the cute baby he is, was frozen for a minute before InuYasha fell to the ground laughing.
"I'm so sorry!" Kagome said apologizing repeatedly as the blank faced man stood up. Sesshoumaru didn't say a word before summoning his poison whip and smacking his brother with it.
"Do not worry," Sesshoumaru said and walked away. Kagome walked over to her still laughing husband and glared at him.
"InuYasha!" Kagome growled as the hanyo continued to laugh. "Fine! I'm going to go find Akari if you don't stop." Kagome said in a teasing voice that made InuYasha immediately stop and stand up.
"No way! You're staying here with Masaru while I go get Akari." InuYasha said easily scooping Kagome up bridal style, earning a happy squeal from his son and an 'eep' from his wife as he carried them both inside. "I mean it, stay here." InuYasha commanded earning an eye roll from Kagome as she got out of his arm and went over to the fire.
"I'll be fine, InuYasha." Kagome told him while sitting Masaru down on a small pallet with a few soft toys for Masaru. "I'll work on getting a hot lunch ready. Does soup sound good?" She asked him while getting the ingredients out.
"That's fine," InuYasha told her before giving her a quick kiss and running outside.
`.`.`.`.`
"Ren, you're late." Kaiken Hotaru said calmly as he sat outside in the small garden that lay covered in snow.
"Forgive me Lord Hotaru, the fool Setsuna did not wish to leave." Ren begged before spitting out the last part with venom. Kaiken didn't speak as he slowly stood up from his bench and looked at the kneeling woman dully.
"What news do you have for me? I hope for your sake you do not waste my time." He said calmly as Ren gulped and suppressed a shiver that didn't come from the cold. She waited a minute as she heard the Lord walk past her and inside. "I wish to have something to drink. Come." He said allowing Ren to get up out of the snow gratefully.
"Thank you m'Lord," Ren said and followed Kaiken loyally. "Lord Hotaru, if you would allow me to speak while you drink I wish to tell you news." Ren said slowly, unsure if she was crossing her boundaries or not. After a minute of silence she took a deep breath and followed him into a small but warm tea room that was lit brightly with glowing lanterns.
"Pour my sake and tea while we discuss this." Kaiken said as he sat down and relaxed while Ren rushed to prove herself worthy to the head of her clan.
"Yes m'Lord, thank you." Ren gushed as she gently poured his drink and waited for him to take a sip before speaking. "I have watched the girl like you asked. She is a Kuro, that much is certain. She seems young enough to have been born in the last hundred years although I am not sure to whom." Ren explained watching her Lord closely as she spoke, trying to get some sign of approval from him as he stared at her.
"M'Lord, forgive me but I remembered recently that the last pup to be born to our Clan was," Ren started only to freeze when the small glass in Kaiken shattered and he stared at his hand dully as the liquid splashed onto the floor and dripped from his claws.
"Ren, were you going to suggest that the child was the spawn of a blood traitor?" Kaiken asked calmly as Ren bowed as low as she could, her whole body shaking in fear.
"N-no m'Lord Hotaru! Forgive me for ever having the thought!" Ren begged as Kaiken stared at her calmly.
"Ren, tell me what happened to the last blood traitor and their pack." Kaiken said calmly as Ren's voice began to quiver.
"The blood traiter was killed over one hundred and fifty years ago after discovery that they had bore a child of mixed blood. The traitor, her male concubine, pup, and all those in relation were slaughtered with the help of young Lord Monomaru." Ren told Kaiken, her voice shaking almost to the that you couldn't understand it.
"Good Ren, remember that from now on. Least you forget yourself and your actions repeat the past." Kaiken told the bowed woman as he stood up and left, dropping the sharp pieces of clay down on Ren's back with enough force to pierce her skin. For Ren's part she didn't make a sound as Kaiken stared at the blood rising up from her back as she began to heal.
"Thank you Lord Hotaru, your mercy is not unwelcome to a pitiful soul such as myself." Ren whispered softly before falling silent as Kaiken left her. Vanishing somewhere inside the castle with ease.
P.S. A/N
~Dark~ I hope you guys haven't forgotten about Lord Kaiken Hotaru. Mwahahaha!