A/N: The count is 21. Also for those of you who chose to skip the last chapter, just know that Inu and Kag have done it and are asleep in Kagome's room. Rikka and Souta fell asleep on the couch down stairs.
Little One
Chapter 8
Inuyasha could not remember ever being more comfortable. He lay in Kagome's warm bed with the most wonderful woman in the world in his arms. Kagome spiced honey scent filled his nose as he lay watching her. The sun had just risen, tinting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The new light gently caressed the girl's face without waking her. This was perfect. Or at least it would have been if Rikka hadn't scream at that exact moment.
Inuyasha and Kagome both jumped and tumbled from bed in shock. In an instant Inuyasha was on his feet. He grabbed his sword and pants, throwing them on as he rushed from the room. It might have been a funny sight had the circumstance been different. Inuyasha flew down the stairs to find Souta on the couch, his mouth working like fish, and Rikka nowhere to be seen. The half-demon sniffed and picked up a scent that made his growling worse: wolf.
Inuyasha took off out the front door after the smell. When he reached the clearing between the house and the well he found them. Rikka was hanging by her throat from the hand of a wolf demon. Unlike Kouga, this wolf's hair was only shoulder length and dark gray in color. The furs around his body were also different, they were thicker and light in color. He also wore them more like an over sized toga, rather then a skirt.
"Now Minbou," The wolf growled, "You will die." He tightened his grip and Rikka let out a choked cry. Inuyasha roared and lunged. The wolf had just enough time to look up before the dog-demons fist connected with his jaw and the young Hanyou girl was ripped from his grasp. The attacker spun through the air and crashed headfirst into one of the concrete paths.
Kagome came running out of the house carrying her bow and a bunch of arrows. Inuyasha set Rikka down and pushed her towards the miko. The wolf pulled himself to his feet and growled.
"Nii-chan be careful!" Rikka cried as she hid behind Kagome's leg's as the young woman drew back an arrow. The short distraction was enough. The wolf lunged. He caught Inuyasha in the shoulder and both demons went down. Kagome grabbed Rikka a skirted away as the two rolled across the ground in a whirl of claws, skin, cloth, fur, and growls, leaving a spattered trail of blood behind them.
The two demons came to a stop with Inuyasha on bottom. The wolf had one clawed hand digging into Inuyasha's shoulder, the other poised to strike. Inuyasha had one hand on the wolf's throat, his claws drawing blood. The dog-demon's other hand was holding the wolf's other hand back.
"Garou!" A female voice yelled. Before either could react and foot came up and punted the wolf in the chin. He flew back and landed in the dirt. Inuyasha looked up and saw a demoness with snow white-hair and sapphire eyes. She looked back at Inuyasha for just a moment before leaping over him and landing on the wolf.
Garou, the wolf, growled and kicked her in the stomach. The demoness fell back and he pounced on her, claws digging into the flesh over her heart. A glowing pink arrow flashed through the air, hitting Garou's arm with a hiss. The wolf jumped back as his arm exploded.
"You Bitch!" he roared and leapt into the air, intending to come down right on top of the young miko. A flash of silver and a splash of red, the two halves of the wolf fell beside Inuyasha. Tetsusaiga gleamed and blood dripped from the blade. With a twist of his wrist Inuyasha sheathed his sword. The sound of tiny feet behind him made him turn to catch the young hanyou girl. He stretched out his hands to her… and she ran right past him.
"MOMMY!" Rikka cried happily. Inuyasha blinked once, twice, thrice…
"MOMMY?!" he repeated in shock. He turned around to see Rikka curled in the demoness' arms telling her all about her adventure in feudal Japan. The older demon stroking her hair and whispering comforts as she nodded along with the story. Kagome came up and laced her fingers with his, using her other hand to grip his arm. As they watched the demoness rose, with the child in her arms, and walked over to them.
"I can't thank you enough for looking after my little girl." The demoness said as she kissed Rikka's head.
"But… I thought." Kagome stuttered, "The park… and the house… and… and." Her grip on Inuyasha's arm tightened and he squeezed her hand for comfort.
"I can explain." The demoness said in a calming voice. "Rikka is our Minbou, the light of our people. A year before her birth a prophecy was made. 'The child born of two halves, shall rise to lead those who have been oppressed against the eaters of kin.' Unfortunately the wolves, who have been killing our kind for generations, heard the prophecy as well. When Rikka was born, we had to run and hid her. But they followed us. When they found us here, my mate told me to take some of Rikka's things and run and Rikka to hide in the park. When the wolves came, he trapped them in our home and sacrificed himself, setting off a flash bomb. Those that survived followed me. I killed most of them. Garou was the last." She paused and pulled a pouch from her pocket, "I wish I could give you something in return for your kindness, but I think, if the second half of the prophecy is true, you will appreciate this more." She handed the pouch to Kagome. She opened it to find four large shards.
"What do you mean 'the second half of the prophecy'?" Inuyasha asked.
"Minbou shall come into the care of those who will stand against Hell himself." The demoness quoted from memory. "We must leave now, the wolves will send out more warriors when they find all these dead. I'd like to have a fair head start on them." She turned to leave.
"No Mommy, wait I want to say bye to Nii-chan and Nee-chan!" Rikka squirmed from the demoness' hold and jumped to the ground. In a few quick bounds had her jumping into the older hanyou's arms. He wrapped her small arms his neck a squeezed. He hugged her back gently. Rikka smiled up at him before leaning over and reaching out for Kagome.
The young miko took the young girl into her arms as tear pricked her eyes. Kagome gently nuzzled her cheek before giving her a soft kiss. Rikka hugged her back as tightly as she dared. When the young hanyou pulled back she wore a sad sort of smile. Her tiny clawed hand reached up and wiped a tear from Kagome's eye.
"Don't cry Nee-chan, I'll come visit. Maybe we can go camping again. And sleep in trees!"
"Sure Rikka, any time." She nodded before handing the girl back to her mother. The demoness gave her a sad smile, as if she understood. Kagome did her best to smile back, but her mouth didn't want to cooperate. Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her as they watched the two walk away. Rikka turned in her mother's arms to wave. Together they watched as two white-haired heads disappeared from view.
Kagome turned her face into Inuyasha's chest and he wrapped her in a tight hug. He felt the tears slid over his skin. Carefully he gathered Kagome into his arms and walked back inside. He was no fool. The chances they would ever she their, no the, little girl again were remote at best.
Kagome eventually cried herself to sleep. Inuyasha tucker her into bed and crawled in after her. Maybe it was for the better. Everyone would miss the young girl, but she had a destiny here, just as Kagome had one in the past. He leaned his chin on top of Kagome's head and closed his eyes. Inuyasha took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He would miss the little girl, his little one.
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A/N: Hello all. Ok, who saw that ending coming? And yes, this is the end. I have decided to bring this fic to a close for a couple of reasons. 1) I'm working two jobs and school starts soon, so time is limited. 2) Right now I'm working on two other fics right now that are both very long, interrogate, and time intensive. Trust me people, they'll be worth it. Anywho, I'm glad you all enjoyed the story. ^___^