Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or its characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Naruto or its characters, that right belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
Author's Note: Kikyo/Kagome 7, Itachi 6, Shisui 8, Bankotsu 15, Kakashi 15, Asuma Sarutobi 15, Rookie 9 born, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee 1. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.
Pristine white snow blanketed the whole of Konoha, casting it in an ethereal shimmer, painting a tranquil picture to those who stepped out in the early morning. The sight was breathtaking to any who saw it until the screech of childish laughter echoed on the cold air. Indicating that the children were excited it finally snowed, and right before Christmas. It was that time of year, yet again, for the residents of Konoha. While many were ecstatic over it, others were getting into the mindset to be wary of coming around corners. With the younger academy students and new genin wanting to practice their 'throwing' skills on random and unsuspecting people.
A soft knocking came upon the main compound houses door, causing the inhabitants to pause in their morning meal. The four people, plus one baby, lifting their heads as the knock came again, a bit more insistently.
"Enter," Kun-Loon spoke.
When the shoji door slid open, revealing two people, one a servant of the household and the other in the livery of the Hyuga Clan. And soon, it became apparent that this was important and needed to be addressed now.
"Let us adjourn to the meeting room," Kun-Loon stated as she rose from her seat and handed baby Naruto to his father.
All eyes watching as the head of the Higurashi Clan left the dining room. Two very young girls were curious as to what was happening as their mother left. A mother who was becoming slightly irritable the further along in her pregnancy — leaving many people wary of approaching her and getting a rather sharp comment directed at them. Of course, most people also attributed it to the fact that Lady Higurashi had lost her husband in the Kyuubi attack back in early October.
It was an hour later that Kikyo looked up and saw her mother standing in the doorway to her room, while she sat coloring with Kagome. The way her dark eyes seemed to unfocused had Kikyo worried. Whatever the people from the other clan had asked of her mother seemed to make her seem more cranky.
"Get dressed, you two, we have been requested at the Hyuga Compound," their mother commanded.
Shooting a look at Kagome, Kikyo stood and gave her mother a quick nod of her head as she made her way to where their warm winter clothes were stored. Seeing Kagome come over and start putting on her own set of winter clothes, Kikyo followed suit. She was genuinely worried about her little sister since the Kyuubi attack. Though she knew something had changed, she was unable to recall it.
Slipping her warm pink sweater over her head, Kikyo thought back to the last time the two Uchiha boys had come over. Kagome smiled and interacted with them like always, but the moment Minato carrying Naruto into the room, it was like the happiness that her sister was gone. Her blue eyes haunted as she just watched them. It had been noted by others as well how Kagome seemed almost scared to go near Minato, not Naruto. The way she looked guilty of something. But when they asked her, Kagome said she didn't know, just that she felt she had done something terrible.
With a swift jerk, Kikyo pulled her hair from the inside of her sweater, realizing that it was getting longer and would need to be tied again. With another glance at Kagome, who was already done and looking impatient to get going. Of course, it was just like her sister to want to be out in the frigid cold. It behooved her how her sister could like this cold weather.
Kagome sat there listening as the head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi spoke. She grasped the fact that he was worried for his wife; she had been in pain for almost twelve hours. And the man didn't want some medic ninja or civilian doctor coming to his clan compound and touching his wife. The fact that Kagome knew without looking at her mother that he was making her mother very angry was confusing. She didn't understand it at all how she knew what people were feeling. It was something new since waking after the fox incident.
Shifting a bit uncomfortably, really wanting to out into the snow and play, Kagome did her best to behave. Her mother never left them alone anymore. And Kagome knew it had to do with why she felt so guilty when she saw Minato instead of her father. She also knew that her reactions were bothering several people, but Kagome couldn't help it. That blank space that was supposed to be her memories from the day before and the day of the attack by the giant fox was empty. It scared Kagome so much that she couldn't remember anything at all. To make it worse, she felt like she couldn't tell anyone about it. As if it was some big secret but not why.
"You... have let your wife be in severe pain, near her due date, for twelve hours, Hiashi?"
At the harsh tone her mother spoke in, Kagome snapped out of her thoughts and looked wide-eyed at her mother and a narrowed eyes Clan Leader. Aware that her mother was starting to cross a line, Kagome shifted a bit and reached over and tapped Kikyo on the leg. When her sister looked at her, she saw an understanding in Kikyo's brown eyes. Both of them were fretting over their mother's behavior, as well as their mother's growing belly.
"Kun-Loon," Hiashi spoke up, face almost an unreadable mask.
"Brother, I think you should tread carefully, she is with child."
The moment the Hyuga Clan leader's twin-spoke up, Kagome turned her gaze to the man. She was observing him before she gave a soft gasp, which earned her four sets of eyes focused on her. Ducking her head, Kagome mumbled an apology. But her little outburst seemed to have broken whatever the tension in the air though three of those four sets were very uncomfortable.
"Kagome, what is the matter," her mother asked her.
Raising her head, Kagome looked at Hizashi and fidgeted with the hem of her winter shirt.
"Mister Hizashi... he has a baby?" she asked, timidly.
This had the room going still. Kagome was pretty sure no announcement of Hiashi's Twin Brother having a baby was made.
"What makes you think that, little Higurashi?" Hiashi spoke.
Knowing she was caught, Kagome did her best to come up with an answer because she didn't know herself, but she could tell. Then it hit her, as her mind jumped back to June and when baby Sasuke was born.
"He had that same proud look Mister Uchiha had after Sasuke was born!" she exclaimed, proud of coming up with something to tell the adults.
Though she took a quick side to peek at her sister and saw the calculating look Kikyo was giving her. Kikyo had asked her several times what was wrong, what had changed. Before telling Kagome that she too was missing memories after Kagome had left the compound.
"Your daughter has a rather impressive ability to notice things, Kun-Loon," Hizashi stated. "It is true; I have a son that is about a year. We didn't announce it because I am the branch head."
Kagome blinked then blushed darkly as she realized that he paid her a compliment. Again she found herself ducking her head and mumbling. This time, thanks for the compliment.
"I understand why you made no announcement. Would you be willing to take my daughters to meet your son?" Her mother asked.
When the man nodded as he stood up, Kagome followed suit — knowing that her mother was probably going to rip into Mister Hyuga. And then take care of his wife.
Everyone present stared in shock at what they were witnessing. There had been no prior indicator, yet it was happening as they all stood or sat there watching. The Eldest Higurashi, who was holding Hizahsi Hyuga's 1-year-old son, was glowing. And there was no mistaking the power that rolled off her and encompassed the pearl eyed baby. While the said baby had both his chubby fist grasping in a death grip, the pink sweater Kikyo wore.
Once the glow faded, the bonding was done, Kikyo slumping over, clutching the baby to her chest. Leaving everyone gathered in awe. It wasn't often that anyone got to see what the bonding was like for the Higurashi. But Hizashi, his wife, and Kikyo's little sister Kagome were staring at the now sleeping duo. The two adults knew this was going to change things in a big way because it meant that their son was, in a sense, a part of the Higurashi Clan, yet not.
While Kagome felt relief was through her, as another wave of anxiety built in her chest. She knew that this was why she somehow knew that Hizashi had a baby. How and why did she know? She was null; there was no way she should know this. It meant that she'd be grilled on this at some point by the Elders. And she couldn't be tested for her Reiki until she was at least thirteen, just over six years to go.
TBC!
