TRAGIC SOUL

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Kagome. These characters belong solely to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz.

I do however own my own creations.

Chapter 26

Epilogue

BEHOLD THE POWER OF TENSEIGA!

Kagome and Inuyasha sat together in the small chapel praying for their son when Sesshoumaru showed up,

"I heard from the pups that Bunza has fallen victim to this ... entity.", said Sesshoumaru.

"Yes,", sobbed Kagome and then, "TENSEIGA. That's right, you can bring him back."

"Tenseiga lets me know who should and shouldn't be brought back. It did urge me to use it on my sons ..."

"Well, dammit, then use it on mine...", commented Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha ...show some restraint. Bunza's life is in his hands after all.", encouraged Kagome, "Please awaken my boy, Sesshoumaru."

"Take me to him. If it is Tenseiga's will ...", Sesshoumaru started.

"Follow me,", said Inuyasha, "I will take you to him."

Demon hospitals have a room set aside for the dead bodies to be placed before heading to the morgue. This is where families can decide on what they want done with the bodies. The hospital staff knew that the demon that could control life and death was related to the Kateitenma family and so here lay Bunza Kateitenma's body.

As they walked, Sesshoumaru informed Inuyasha,

"Tenseiga willed me to revive Totousai, why I have no idea. Unfortunately, I sent Jaken to the netherworld through the Meidou. I am not sure if I can revive him. I plan to head to Japan and travel to the border between this world and the next in the Realm of Fire and see if I can revive him."

"So you do care ...", said Inuyasha.

"HMPH!", was the only response he got.

They arrived at the room where Bunza's body lay. Sesshoumaru felt Tenseiga vibrate at his hip,

'So your will is that he should be revived, Tenseiga? Fine. I will do just that.', thought Sesshoumaru.

After viewing the emissaries from the underworld and slicing them apart, Bunza began to awaken,

"Papa? What ...what happened? Was I dead?"

"Yes,", said Inuyasha, through tears, "Yes, but Tenseiga brought you back."

"It really works? Gee, I thought it was just a story.", said Bunza.

"I'm glad to see your sense of humor returned as well, nephew.", said Sesshoumaru.

"Thank you for saving me, Uncle."

His only reply was a curt nod as Sesshoumaru turned to leave. Inuyasha followed,

"Keep him out of danger. Once Tenseiga revives someone he cannot be revived again.", said Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru. Kagome's friends ..."

"Are beyond my help. They have already been buried. Could you imagine the chaos that would ensue if they were to return from the dead?"

"Of course. I should have realized.", Inuyasha turned to go,

"Inuyasha,"

"Yes?"

"About the missing infant..."

"Kagome and I are torn up about it. This ... this thing did it's homework. It knew that at 6 months the infant was old enough to be born because it was a hanyou. Kagome was due in 2 weeks."

"Rin has offered a memory spell to you, Kagome and the pups. The spell would change your memory to believe that the infant was stillborn and that the birth damaged Kagome beyond repair."

"Sure ...that would be helpful. I can't bear to see Kagome like this.", said Inuyasha.

"Fine. Rin will come by tomorrow. Be ready."

"Certainly. And Sesshoumaru ... thanks for saving my son. And I'm glad you were able to revive yours as well."

"It was ..."

"Yea, I know, Tenseiga's will ... I know. See you later."

Sesshoumaru turned and left as Inuyasha rejoined his son. They headed down to the chapel where Kagome was beside herself with joy at seeing her boy walking again. The trip home was bittersweet, for as they rejoiced in the joy of having one son back, they were disheartened at the loss of another. Arriving home, Inuyasha gathered everyone together. He informed them of Rin offering to perform a memory spell to change their memories of what happened to the infant. All agreed it was a good idea. All but Inuyasha.

Rin arrived the next morning and went to work. After finishing with Kagome, the pups, spouses and their pups, she found Inuyasha out in the yard, staring at some robins having arrived early for spring,

"Inuyasha. You're the last one.", said Rin, quietly.

"I decline, Rin, thank you."

"What do you mean? You heard Fushikenwa ...the child is as good as dead."

"My son is out there. And someday I will find him. I will discover a way to defeat this ... this thing that destroyed my family. No, I refuse to take the easy way out. I will keep my memories."

"It's your decision. And your heartbreak. Sometimes, I think you are more hard-headed than Sesshoumaru ..."

"Thanks!"

"That wasn't a compliment!"

"Thank you, anyway, Rin for your offer. But, I'll pass."

Rin shrugged her shoulders and walked back inside. It had started to snow. Inuyasha watched as small flakes landed on his sweater. He remembered Tia's words of anger,

"WE'RE DEMONS AND WE'RE DIFFERENT!"

'Yes, we're different. And that's how I will be able to find my son. Because he's different. It may not be today or tomorrow but someday I will find you, my son.'

A/N: The sequel is posted! Check out "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle."