A/N: Hi Guys! I hope everyone is doing well! I'm super excited to finally get this update out to you and I hope you all really enjoy it! I've been really busy with work, planning a move, and life in general. But I won't give up on this story and I hope y'all won't either! Please leave me some reviews to let me know y'all still like it and want me to continue. It really helps to keep me motivated lol.
P.S.: The song that inspired this chapter is 'Chikai' by Maaya Sakamoto. I love this song and it is so appropriate for Kagome and I honestly think that this woman's voice comes very close to how Kagome's singing voice sounds in my head lol. Fight me on this.
Disclaimer: I own nothing lol.
This chapter was edited by my beta and reuploaded on 7/11/2018.
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Chapter Twenty-Five: Chikai
Totosai's spare bathroom was just as minimally decorated as the rest of his home, harkening to the simplistic lifestyle that Kagome remembered him having back when they first met. The flooring was the same dark hardwood that she saw throughout the house, and the walls were painted an off-white color that matched the other rooms as well. Compared to the bathroom in Sango's smaller abode, this wasn't cluttered or stocked with various unknown potions and ointments that came in strangely colored containers. Curiosity even spurred her to peek behind the dark shower curtain to see what was kept there, but all she found was an empty tub and white tiling; Kagome got the sense that this bathroom wasn't used very frequently. She mused over the several differences between Totosai's and Sango's homes while relieving herself, having garnered some confidence in handling the strange porcelain bowl. Kagome stood up from the toilet seat once she finished and adjusted the fire-rat haori so that it fell around her legs properly. She then easily reached back to push the metal handle at the side of the tank and the loud flushing sound that followed gave her jump when it roared and hissed.
Through awkward trial and error with handling the sink's faucet, Kagome eventually coerced it to release a steady stream of warm water into the dark granite bowl below. As she washed her hands and splashed her face, the sounds of Totosai and Inuyasha bickering down the hallway made Kagome laugh under her breath. It was almost surreal being with two people she missed so much yet maintained no hope of seeing again. Kagome straightened her posture after hunching over to rinse her face and neck. As she wiped away the remaining water from her eyes, she caught her reflection in the circular mirror above the sink. Trapped by her own striking gaze, Kagome was still unaccustomed to seeing her reflection after years of being denied the luxury. She had glimpsed it a few times in her cousin's mirror when attending to the O-Kogo's needs, but it was never enough to fully grasp how her appearance had changed over the years. The experience in Sango's bathroom had been traumatic, but this time was not so emotionally catastrophic. Slowly turning her head to the side, Kagome tried to memorize and accept the face into which she had grown.
Her hair was tousled after a decent night's rest, and the strands that framed her face were damp from the invigorating rinse moments ago. There was also a healthy sheen and soft texture to it that Kagome had been without for some time. She had even forgotten how it felt against her fingertips. Her azure colored eyes were large and round, framed by dark lashes and thick, delicately arched eyebrows that angled up towards her temples. It gave the time-traveling girl an ever-present mystified expression. Kagome's olive skin was understandably pale with only very specific areas of her body hinted by a pretty shade of pink, namely her lips, nose, and eyelids (as well as a few places that were currently covered by the haori).
Said nose was small and round, fitting nicely in the planes of her face. Memories of her father affectionately tapping it suddenly flashed across Kagome's eyes, and it was yet another instance of her past that had remained unchanged after all the years she suffered. Bringing her attention to the area below her nose, Kagome noticed that her mouth was rather wide and her lips were very full, unlike Sango's attractively thinner set. Kagome had always been envious of Asano's, and by extension Sango's, deceivingly dainty qualities: her nose was thin and sharp, turning up at the end in a very attractive way, and her body was noticeably mature and exuded strength. There were many ways in which Kagome felt lacking in comparison to the women around her, she had just never seen the proof of that perceived inadequacy until now.
Twisting her mouth pensively, Kagome went on to study her cheeks, jawline, and neck. Through the years as her body matured and suffered from malnutrition, Kagome's face became markedly slimmer. High cheekbones with sunken cheeks gave angles to a once rounded visage, and it made her dramatic jawline stand out even more. She remembered her face being much rounder, with cheeks that puffed out slightly, and wondered if her cherubic looks would return one day. At least the dimples in her cheeks were still present when she smiled. At seventeen, as she was still theoretically only that old, Kagome knew that these were the features she'd go through life with. There was little more maturing her body would go through once she gained a healthy amount of weight again. Sighing wistfully, Kagome shook her head and tried to think of something else. She felt the jewel resting in front of her sternum beneath the layers of fire-rat haori and put her hand over it as the Kami's last words echoed in her mind.
"Until the end?" Kagome muttered under her breath, looking at nothing in particular as she moved towards the bathroom door. "The end of what?" Absentmindedly shutting the door behind her, Kagome didn't realize that the concept of turning handles or pushing and pulling a door had become second nature already. Still bothered by the cryptic message, her attention was quickly taken over when she detected the presence of another Youkai inside the manor. Though it was impossible for her to discern who it was, Kagome hoped beyond reason that it was Sesshoumaru. Her bare feet padded across the smooth, hardwood flooring as she rushed through the hallway, following the sounds of conversation and the smell of cooked food. There were three voices, but only two sounded familiar. Passing the foyer and entrance to the living room, Kagome ventured down another hallway that turned a sharp corner where there was an abrupt transition between the hardwood flooring and cold tile. Kagome quickly recognized the space as a kitchen and dining area.
Totosai was seated at a round wooden table while Inuyasha stood behind him, hovering over his shoulder as he ravenously inhaled his breakfast. There was another plate of untouched food on the table, laden with what looked like bacon, eggs, and avocado (though Kagome wasn't at all familiar with the green fruit). They both stared gravely at an odd device placed in front of the old Tai-Youkai. It looked like a sideways book that was missing its pages and could remain open without requiring support from closing in on itself. A bright surface depicting small text and pictures inexplicably glowed as Totosai's arthritic fingers danced across an array of flat, square buttons that clacked with each small gesture. Kagome's curious gaze quickly shifted across the room to see a husky figure standing in front of a sink, apparently washing dishes. His back was to her, but Kagome instantly recognized the orange tinted hair. There was some bittersweet disappointment when Kagome realized that it wasn't Sesshoumaru, but that sadness was quickly replaced by the joy of being reunited with Shippou. Since they were all inhuman and had senses vastly superior to her own, Kagome's arrival was acknowledged before she could even utter a single word.
"Kagome!" Dropping an iron pan into the sink's soapy water, Shippou nearly tripped over himself as he spun around and dashed towards the startled girl. With unabashed glee, the stocky Kitsune-Youkai wrapped his muscular arms around Kagome's slight form and lifted her off the ground in a tight bear hug, which nearly took the breath out of her lungs. Watching the pair with a bored expression, Inuyasha took a final bite of his food and set the empty plate on the table as he approached them. Totosai was content with remaining seated, as he was more interested in finishing a certain news article.
"Shippou-bo!" Letting out a delighted laugh, Kagome reciprocated the embrace as her feet were set back onto the cold kitchen tile. The old friends faced each other, now at arm's length, and Kagome got her first good look at Shippou's changed appearance. Standing just a few inches taller than her, the Kitsune-Youkai reached his full height at just five-feet-seven-inches, which was not uncommon for his breed of Tai-Youkai. At first glance he could be considered chubby, but Kagome felt nothing but muscle and strength beneath his clothes when they embraced. Shippou looked to be in his late twenties as his round face and expressive emerald eyes gave him a youthful appearance. There was a bit of wiry orange scruff at the center of his chin too, but the look suited him well. The mop of orange hair that Kagome remembered was now kept short, like a crew cut, that felt like peach fuzz against the palm of her hand. She noticed that his hands and feet were humanoid since his transformation into a Tai-Youkai had produced such a change in him. Absent was his bushy tail as it was now replaced by Shippou's own version of the Inu-Youkai's Mokomoko-sama. Honouiro-sama acted like a sash as it hung diagonally across Shippou's broad chest. Sleek in appearance, the gleaming orange-tinted fur was silken to the touch. Despite being dressed in a pair of grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt, Honouiro-sama gave Shippou a dignified look.
"I thought I'd never see you again! Totosai-sama called me last night and told me everything. I got here as fast as I could!" Despite Shippou's larger physique and essentially being older than her now, he quickly reverted into the child that once had regarded Kagome as a mother figure. His deep, matured voice held a childish inflection as he grasped Kagome's thin shoulders. "It's a miracle that you're back!" He seemed to be on the verge of crying and the unrestrained excitement quickly overcame Kagome as well. Her face glowed with a dazzling smile as they hugged once more and Shippou affectionately nuzzled his cheek against hers. The familiar act caused Kagome to naturally pull her hair over one shoulder as a sign of trust and affection, allowing Shippou an unobstructed view of her neck just like when he was younger. He needed no further instruction to press his nose into the juncture, which elicited a stifled giggle from Kagome as it tickled her skin. In her mind, he was still the baby Kitsune-Youkai that used to beg for stories and demand all her attention.
Inuyasha and Totosai were surprised to see Kagome still using such subtle and nuanced Youkai gestures, and they sensed Shippou's Yoki shift in response to it. There was an amorous connotation as his hands slid down the gentle curves of Kagome's back and their bodies pressed together even tighter than before. As an automatic response to Kagome's unintendedly erotic signal, Shippou released a scent into the air that clung to her and claimed her as his. Inuyasha and Totosai instantly picked up on this and they rushed to put an end to it.
"AH!" Clapping his arthritic hands with a simultaneous yelp meant to abruptly stop Shippou and Kagome's embrace, Totosai did the first thing he could think of. It caused Kagome to give a startled jump and Shippou quickly released her with a bothered expression on his face. Inuyasha rushed forward and took hold of Shippou's collar behind his neck and gave it a strong pull, yanking the overly-affectionate Kitsune away from Kagome.
"Hey-hey-hey! Don't stretch the collar!" Shippou complained loudly as he stumbled backwards, but Inuyasha had no sympathy.
"Shippou, knock it off!" He barked angrily, giving the younger Youkai a serious look. The Kitsune was oddly flustered, almost hyper, as he cheekily grinned back at Inuyasha. It was strange behavior for the usually collected and laid-back Tai-Youkai, but such was the effect Kagome had on him.
"What? I just forgot how nice Kagome smells… and feels…" Realizing what just happened, Kagome turned her reddening face to the side as she tried to hide the laughter that threatened to bubble out of her. She couldn't sense the change in Shippou's attitude, but she wasn't so clueless as to not understand Inuyasha's and Totosai's reaction to it. Treating Shippou as the grown Tai-Youkai he had become wasn't her first instinct, but it should have been. The gesture of exposing one's neck held alternate meanings based on who was initiating and who it was intended for, since children and adult Youkai reacted very differently. In this instance, the implication of Kagome's exposed neck was a flirtatious, overtly sexual one.
"You were marking your territory! Take a walk." Deciding that their conversation would be better had outside of Kagome's earshot, Inuyasha nudged her towards Totosai, who patted the table as an indication for her to take a seat beside him. There was a plate of food waiting for her growing colder by the minute. Inuyasha met Shippou's frustrated gaze with one of his own, but there was an undercurrent of aggression behind the Kitsune's green eyes. Inuyasha stepped up to Shippou challengingly, which the other met with the defiant show of puffing out his chest. In the back of his throat, a low growl rumbled out of Inuyasha. Shippou was not intimidated though and he boldly reciprocated it by pulling back his lips to expose his sets of sharpened canines. They regarded each other as brothers for all intents and purposes and had not fought in nearly a century, but these acts of dominance threatened to break that peaceful relationship.
Their audience, Kagome and Totosai, quietly observed the spectacle with mixed reactions – she was mildly concerned while he was just irritated by it. Before the first punch was thrown, Totosai spoke up with a wavering voice, his tone deadpan and words blunt.
"Take this outside." When the bickering males didn't stand down from one another, Totosai punctuated the statement with a more forceful request. "Now." Proving that he was still the most influential and revered Youkai among them, Inuyasha and Shippou almost instantly obeyed the demand and stalked out of the kitchen. The tension between them quickly dissolved, though Kagome could still hear them muttering angrily at one another as they rounded the corner in the hallway. Their auras became faint as the distance increased, but she was glad to know that a fight had been avoided.
Taking hold of the chopsticks lying next to her plate Kagome began sampling the unfamiliar foods, quickly discovering that she greatly enjoyed the new tastes and textures. The years leading up to the end of her past life had been very unkind in many ways, one of which was the limited variety and availability of food. Necessity demanded that everyone sacrifice luxuries such as spices, sweets, and savory side dishes, but Kagome and Shiori were the ones that gave up the most with the least amount of return. Their meals had been little more than undercooked rice and the undesirable scraps of food that no one else would eat. In Kagome's opinion, this simple breakfast was exquisite. She continued to eat, lost in her own thoughts and sat with Totosai in a comfortable silence as he stared vacantly at the laptop screen and sipped his tea. She eventually began to feel full after eating so much so quickly and needed a break to let the food settle. As she sat back and patted her slightly protruding belly, Kagome made an observational comment to strike up a conversation.
"It's so strange to see Shippou grown up. He looks-" The young woman was suddenly cut off by the aged Tai-Youkai.
"Not in the old tongue." He stated directly, glancing at Kagome with his bulbous eyes. Without realizing it, she had reverted to using the ancient dialect that came so naturally to her. Totosai understood perfectly but knew that Kagome needed to practice the current language as much as possible so she could become fluent. Nodding obediently, Kagome hesitated as she gathered her thoughts for how to form the sentence.
"It is strange… seeing Shippou is grown." She spoke slowly and deliberately this time, using the new language that had been mysteriously implanted in her mind overnight. Totosai shrugged his boney shoulder as he finished his cup of herbal tea.
"Be grateful that you were not witness to his teenaged years, or his transformation into Tai-Youkai. Shippou was insufferable!" He replied dryly, but Kagome didn't quite agree with him. Caught between her desire to express her thoughts and the compulsion to never speak back to those of a higher status, Kagome made an indecisive noise and nudged a piece of food on the plate with the tip of her forefinger. Compulsion quickly gave into desire.
"I would like to having seen it… to be there for you and him." Further realization of her missed opportunities and robbed experiences began to dawn on Kagome, and she spoke somberly with her blue eyes downcast. Totosai detected the girl's sadness and he couldn't help but feel sympathy for her.
"Shippou is my apprentice now, among other things." Hoping to distract Kagome from her melancholy, Totosai explained to her of his and Shippou's arrangement. "Societal obligations aren't something I particularly care about anymore, so he runs all my errands and stands in for most of my public appearances. In return for teaching him everything I know about blacksmithing, Shippou tends to my needs and makes sure that I stay unbothered." Kagome watched and listened to Totosai, feeling pity for his seemingly bleak existence. Totosai must have picked up on her thoughts, or her face was unable to hide the telling expression, and he quickly quelled them. "I prefer to live this way. It allows me the freedom to use my remaining years doing what I please. And it's been beneficial for Shippou as well. He's made a respectable name for himself as a blacksmith, and as diplomat from serving as my proxy for so many years. Though, I suspect his reputation as a troublemaker is due to his reckless antics in the city." Feeling somewhat uplifted by the information, Kagome perked up and took another bite of her remaining cold food.
"Inuyasha is treat Shippou like they are brothers." She observed absentmindedly, having noticed a similarity between their interactions and those she saw between Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru at a younger age. Thinking on it, Totosai didn't respond for a few moments. From a further location in the estate, he heard the muffled sounds of Inuyasha and Shippou discussing something and rummaging around in one of the back rooms. Bright sunlight bled into the quaint kitchen through a small window above the sink, filling the space with light that carried a familiar chill. The old Youkai reclined in his creaky wooden chair with his arms folded. The new position alleviated some of the pressure on his deformed back and offered a moment of relief before new aches settled in.
"When Inuyasha first came to me, Shippou was not yet mature. The two bickered endlessly while he lived here but I could tell that they regarded each other as brothers… or something like it. Shippou looked up to him and Inuyasha certainly had a hand in raising him. I'm sure that some of his rude personality left an impression on the kit though." Totosai let out a haggard sigh that made Kagome chuckle, and he momentarily lamented over the stressful memories from raising Shippou. Another calm silence settled over the pair that allowed Kagome a moment to continue eating from her plate as Totosai's mind muse over tender memories that inspired a crooked, wrinkled smile to appear on his sunken face. Kagome eyed this and understood that despite Totosai's complaining and apparent contempt, he truly cared for both Shippou and Inuyasha as the sons he never had. The cellphone resting inconspicuously on the table between them suddenly grabbed their attention as it vibrated and chimed with a new notification. Totosai's unsteady hand reached out to pick up the device, and he nimbly tapped the bright screen to send a brief response. Kagome recognized the object and the way he handled it.
"Asan-… Sango has a box like this. It shooked and made sounds." Leaning towards Totosai, Kagome curiously studied the device. "What it is? And that?" She gestured to his laptop as well, having an inkling that the two were similar. Groaning softly as he sat forward, which was a motion that disagreed with his crooked back, Totosai offered the phone to Kagome for her to examine. She held it with both hands and studied the bright screen and smooth surfaces with deft fingers, rotating it in every direction to learn its secrets.
"That is a cellular telephone, but it is more commonly called a cellphone." He explained slowly, watching as Kagome inspected the device like it was an enigma. Though she could not unlock the screen, it still intrigued her. "There are many kinds of them and almost everyone has one, except for the very young and sometimes the elderly. The main use of a cellphone is to speak to another person without break, no matter the distance between. In recent decades they have advanced to the point of using written messages that are delivered in just a few seconds. It has made communication fast and easy." Though the technology had been very exciting during its insurgence in previous decades, Totosai couldn't muster any enthusiasm now that it was so mundane. Kagome, on the other hand, was astounded by the concept.
"That is amazing! Magic?" She questioned eagerly as she carefully set the phone back onto the table, treating it as if it was incredibly fragile. Totosai dismissively shook his head at her simplistic, naïve assumption.
"No, this is not magic. It's science and technology." He corrected bluntly, which earned a confused reaction from Kagome when she heard the unfamiliar words.
"Sci-science? Techno-nor-agally?" Though it was an admirable attempt, Kagome's butchered pronunciation of the words grated on Totosai's ears.
"Tek-nah-lo-gee. Technology. Try again." He instructed slowly, though his attention was focused more on the laptop screen. Kagome's mouth screwed to the side with a frustrated and determined look on her face, and she attempted the word once more. Despite having a rudimentary grasp on the new Japanese spoken language, Kagome was still unfamiliar with forming many of the new sounds.
"Technogoly…" Though not a perfect articulation, it was close enough to the actual word. Totosai gave a quick nod, and Kagome felt a moment of pride that made her grin.
"Good enough. You'll learn about it soon, I suppose. As for this," Turning the laptop towards Kagome so they both had a decent view of the screen, Totosai introduced to her another form of electronic communication. Kagome gazed at the unnaturally luminescent screen with wide eyes, intrigued and dumbfounded by what she saw. "It's called a personal computer, or laptop." The sound of its name amused Kagome and she couldn't help but chuckle at the funny pronunciation.
"Laptop." She repeated cheekily, smiling at Totosai's bemused glance that only caused a bigger laugh rippled out. "It is a funny sound! Laptop." When Totosai didn't share in her silly amusement, Kagome shifted in her chair and let out an awkward laugh under her breath.
"This is basically a larger version of a cellphone." He went on, showing Kagome how the scratch pad worked and the different functions it could do. Kagome folded her arms on top of the table as she leaned in, aptly intrigued with the show-and-tell. "It can also be used for many other purposes. I prefer to use the laptop because its bigger screen is easier on my eyes." Kagome nodded her head, though she only had a vague comprehension so far. It was asking a lot of her to understand it so quickly, but Kagome would need to adapt and learn as fast as possible if she wanted to thrive in this highly advanced world. Totosai cleared his throat, almost nervously, and his aura noticeably shifted. The subtle action registered with Kagome and she looked at him with a concerned face. The old Tai-Youkai began opening various windows on the rectangular screen, his own face reflecting a somber expression.
"Totosai-sama?" Kagome watched her old friend hesitate before he finally relented.
"I've been reading reports about what's occurred throughout the country yesterday and earlier this morning. Others have sent me messages asking about it, and if I have any knowledge of the cause." Kagome could detect the severity in his tone and knew that whatever was in the reports and messages weren't good. Though her worried face remained pointed at Totosai, Kagome's lapis eyes briefly darted to the laptop screen.
"What happened? Is happening?" She inquired reluctantly, having a creeping feeling that she was involved with all the chaos that seemed to have occurred. Totosai pulled the laptop back towards himself and spoke as he searched for an article that would further explain the recent events.
"I believe that your reappearance in the world has ignited the long-dormant parts of Youkai and Ningen nature that were suppressed or forgotten over time. For many Youkai, their inner-beasts have begun to stir after decades and centuries of rest, and the primal instincts that once ruled us have returned with unbridled force. Ningen seem to have regained a collective sense of pride and outright hatred towards Youkai, which is something I haven't seen in over three hundred years. It's as if the hostility between the two races has come full-circle, back to how it was when the Great War first began." The aged Youkai sent a loaded glance towards Kagome, who was all too familiar with how the war cumulated into catastrophe for everyone involved. "There were several unprovoked attacks last night that led to multiple arrests. Some have taken to rioting and inciting further violence, making even the safest areas of the country dangerous. That is why a curfew was enforced last night, and I expect that there will be one tonight as well." Alarmed and distraught by the notion that she was the cause of such anarchy, Kagome felt her stomach plummet as a sense of dread overcame her. She was torn between her desire to know the truth and a reluctance to accept her culpability.
"Was someone badly hurt?" Kagome asked softly, though she was already certain of the answer. The old Youkai was almost inclined to lie, but he knew it would be a disservice to Kagome. Hiding the truth, as ugly as it was, would only hurt her in the long run.
"The last I read, there was over one hundred Ningen who've been sent to emergency clinics and hospitals. Of that, about twenty are confirmed dead. There are some Youkai who are being treated for their injuries, but none have been reported dead." Totosai watched from the corner of his eye as Kagome's head bowed in shame, allowing her curtain of dark hair to cover the grievous expression on her face. She remained unmoving in her chair, seemingly unresponsive.
"Your presence and the Shikon No Tama have reintroduced something that's long been absent from this world. While there aren't any Youkai or Ningen who are aware of its purpose, they're unknowingly affected and are drawn to its power. Our Yoki is much more intense than it has ever been in nearly two centuries, and inner-beasts are active now that they sense the Shikon No Tama. And as for the Ningen population, it seems as if they have become far less docile and complacent about their station in life. All over social media, I've noticed a resurgence in their demands for equal treatment. They haven't been this vocal about it since the late 1950's. And this is just the first day. I expect it will become much more widespread in the coming weeks." Totosai's voice revealed a hint of surprise and slight admiration as he described the way in which humans were standing up for themselves, or he was at least intrigued by the change of events. "Look."
Angling the laptop back to her, there was an article displayed on the screen accompanied by various images taken throughout the previous night. Though she wasn't keen on learning about the chaos, Kagome knew she couldn't shield herself from the truth. Picking her head up with a deep inhale, the young girl leaned forward in her seat to get a better view. Her devastated gaze examined the screen but she quickly realized that the strange symbols were illegible. The images were disconcertingly true-to-life, a far better depiction of reality than the paintings she had grown up with, but the disconcerting subject matter overshadowed the marvelous discovery. Squinting her eyes didn't help to make the words any less incomprehensible and Kagome ruefully determined that the Kami had only delivered a half-blessing. She could understand the verbal language, but not the written. Gritting her teeth, Kagome resisted the urge to scream her frustrations so that even the Kami could hear them. Instead, she focused her attention on the pictures. One image depicted a group of humans ganging up on a single Youkai female, though she didn't seem the least bit intimidated as her defensive posture and ready claws were on display. Another showed Youkai law enforcement officers wrangling a handful of teenagers into their squad cars. A few of the young men had blood gushing from their noses and apparent injuries to their arms, but there was an accompanying picture of a badly injured male juvenile Youkai sitting on the curb, nursing a horrendous gash on his right side and in apparent pain.
"I cannot read this… but these are what happening last night?" Kagome was still uncertain about the concept of photography, but she understood that terrible things had occurred as a reaction to her and the Shikon No Tama. "They hurt because of me?" Totosai merely nodded and swiftly closed the laptop screen, deciding that she had learned enough for the time being. Though he was a firm believer in honesty and frankness, Totosai took no pleasure in further dismantling Kagome's innocent perception of the world.
"When you reveal your story, you must be prepared for others to react negatively. Most will not believe you, and the burden is yours to prove them wrong. It will be difficult, Kagome. Our two races have lived with a rift between them for centuries now, and the ideas you are proposing spell the demise of an established status quo. Everyone will have to compromise, but very few will understand what they'll have to gain from their personal sacrifice." His words of warning were blunt, but necessary. Totosai met Kagome's piercing gaze, and the two shared a deep understanding of the grim situation that was soon to unfold. "History has proven that change is painful and comes at a price… you'll have to make everyone see that it will be worth it."
As she opened her mouth to further discuss the matter with Totosai in his kitchen, Kagome was interrupted by Inuyasha and Shippou's reappearance. By the similar looks of sympathy on their faces, it was evident that the two had picked up on most of Kagome and Totosai's conversation. Trying to reassure them with a half-hearted smile of her own, Kagome quietly watched her friends take the empty seats at the table. The way Inuyasha carefully held his left hand caught her attention, as did the anxiety that radiated from him. There was the inexplicable addition of a familiar sword and sheath in his other hand that surprised her as well, which did not leave his side as it sat up against the edge of the table. After waiting a few moments to gather his nerves, Inuyasha spoke up.
"So, I have something of yours." He admitted slowly, drawing everyone's attention. Inuyasha cleared his throat as he fiddled with the small object in his closed fist, but in the next moment he reached across the table to carefully place it in front of Kagome. "I figured that you should have it back." It was a silver ring decorated with a dainty porcelain sakura blossom and aged with green and brown patina. At first Kagome was taken aback with the shocking realization that Inuyasha had kept it safe throughout the centuries. Her eyes quickly welled up with tears and a relieved smile curled at the ends of Kagome's full lips. Shippou and Totosai remained respectfully quiet as she gingerly plucked the ring from the table and admired the precious, ancient finery.
"Her ring…" Unknowingly thinking out loud and speaking in the old dialect, Kagome was lost in a world of her own as she studied the cherished ring. The corner of Inuyasha's mouth pulled back into a warm smirk as he watched his friend find some happiness in the bleakness of her new situation. He rubbed the back of his head and looked away, trying to rid himself of the goofy grin. Totosai and Shippou exchanged curious glances, but their attention was instantly pulled back to Kagome when they detected the scent of tears and heard her sniffle.
"Kagome, are you okay?" The Kitsune-Youkai asked softly, ready to offer support and comfort if she needed it. Kagome nodded, though her watery eyes never left the ring sitting in the palm of her hand. There was a heartbreaking smile on her face now, one that showed the chaotic emotions welling inside of her.
"This is the ring that Otou-san gave to my Oka-san when they first married. She cherished it very much and wore it often, he told me. He gave it to me when we left the Western Palace to remember her and the love they shared." Kagome once again slipped back into the habit of speaking in the old language, but no one had the heart to correct her. The three males quietly watched as she slipped the thin band onto her left forefinger, which it fit perfectly now. "When I last saw Inuyasha, I gave it to him for safekeeping." Her blue eyes lifted to meet Inuyasha's warm gaze, where they expressed mutual bittersweet fondness of the memory. "Thank you."
"Yeah, whatever." Uncomfortable with being so open and transparent about his emotions, Inuyasha tried to dissipate the sentimental atmosphere with dry, pessimistic humor. "Just don't mention to my girlfriend that I'm goin' around giving jewelry to other girls. She'd have my balls on a plate in a heartbeat." The crude language didn't faze Kagome, only the use of a term that went over her head. Fixing her face in a perplexed expression, she asked him to clarify the meaning.
"What is 'girlfriend'? Why I can't say you give my ring back?" Willfully using the new language, Kagome slowly formed a comprehendible sentence. Her ardent gaze cut through Inuyasha's weak façade, making him feel vulnerable about the truth that she wanted to know. Totosai and Shippou were already aware of it and they experienced a small degree of sick joy over Inuyasha's discomfort.
"Girlfriend means… intended, I guess? I am in a relationship with a woman. Her name's Kayako. If she knew that I had given you a ring, it would probably drive her crazy." Though Inuyasha attempted to be as mature as possible in his explanation, his resolve was undone when Shippou let out a derisive sound under his breath. The hot-headed Hanyou shot him a dangerous, scathing glance before looking back at Kagome. The expression that was written all over her face slightly confused Inuyasha since he didn't expect to see such a reaction.
"O-oh… you are in love." The range of emotions that played across Kagome's countenance ran the gamut of shocked, disappointment, and hurt. The notion that Inuyasha had moved on from his affection for her seemed incomprehensible and almost cruel. But Kagome still didn't quite grasp that centuries had passed for Inuyasha since their last and only night together, and expecting him to remain loyal to her was unrealistic and unfair. Inuyasha could imagine why she was experiencing such conflicting and awkward emotions, and part of him felt responsible for it. Looking down shamefully, he swallowed hard and clasped his hands together in a tight grip. It was a conversation that they needed to have as their past could not go unacknowledged, but he refused to discuss it with her in front of Totosai and Shippou. The two Youkai picked up on the unspoken energy that ran between Kagome and Inuyasha, but they chose not to comment or make the situation more awkward.
"What else I have missed?" She requested calmly, though her tone and expression were void of emotion. The question seemed to stump her companions, who each had varying expressions of reluctance and confusion on their faces. Shippou rose from his seat to take the empty plates and cup to the sink, and to excuse himself from the uncomfortable atmosphere at the table. When no one volunteered to divulge more information, Kagome quirked a stubborn brow and spoke with a more insistent tone. "Tell me." Leaving no option for them to deny her, Inuyasha finally gave in as he looked at Totosai with a defeated, pleading expression.
"Where do we start?"