Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and company...but I keep searching for him on E-bay. Maybe one day I will get lucky! (You know, I suddenly have the urge to start singing, "Oh, where or where has my little dog gone…" for some reason. Muawahahaha! *I am so evil*)

Don't just flame… explain! But don't forget to let me know if I am doing something right. :P

Feedback ~ Reviews: Thanks, I am glad you like the story so far. I am a happy little goober. Keep those reviews coming, they help a lot! :D

Sailor Mini Venus ~ *sight* You know, I am seriously thinking about coming up with a fic on the many ways for Inuyasha to give Hojo a clue about his 'chances' with Kagome. Actually, I have another FanFic that I am writting right now (no title... but I have about 120 hand written pages to it so far), that has Hojo with a bit more of a threat... but in this one.. I am going to have some fun. ^.~

Jschu23 ~ :) Do you know the actual english translations to any of the Inu songs??? PLEASE if you do, let me know.. I would really like to know. I think my husband finally gave up fighting it... He just ordered the second batch of DVD's off of E-bay. YEAH!!!

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The Whispers of a Well and The Fate of Them All

Chapter Seven ~ Forgiveness and Acceptance

Helping her mother get everyone drinks Kagome tells her mother most of what happened on the phone. Telling her she told Yura that she was gone from school not due to illness but because she was going through Miko training, also that the gathering was set for 6pm. She decided to leave out the whole episode about a certain hanyou out.

"It is good that you told her. Maybe she can help you with school, by making sure you are caught up."

"Hai, I feel bad though not being able to tell her the whole truth. But at least I am not out-right lying about being sick anymore."

"Don't worry dear. I am sure in the end she will understand. She is your friend after all."

"You are right. Shall I start setting the table?"

"Hai, please. I will start dinner in a moment, will you please make sure your friends are comfortable. I need to find my father and let him know dinner will be ready shortly."

"Ok, mama."

With that the girl walks back into the living room, and her mother walks out to find her father. Finding him sweeping the walkway she decides it is time to have a chat with him.

"Father, we need to talk."

"What about daughter?"

"You know perfectly well what about. We have a house full of guests and you are out here sweeping. If I didn't know better I would think you didn't want to get along with Kagome's other family."

"How can she have demons as family!" he snorts.

"Damn it dad, you are the worst some times. Do you have any idea how your remarks make Kagome, Inuyasha, and the others feel? She accepts them all for who they are. Not how they where born. Did you know Inuyasha has been alone in the world since he was five? His father died protecting his human mate and she died protecting Inuyasha. He grew up knowing only hatred. Youkai would try to kill him for being part human, and humans would fear him for being part demon. Do you know how that must of affected him?"

"He is a demon, what would it matter?"

"From what Kagome tells me, he fell in love once many years ago with a Miko. Actually it was with the older sister of Kaede. They were both deceived by Naraku who made them think the other had betrayed them. She pinned him to the God Tree because of it, and she died as a result of the wounds that Naraku gave her in Inuyasha's form. I am actually wondering if she truly loved him though. She wanted him to use the Shikon no Tama to make a wish to become human so that the jewel would vanish and she could be a normal woman. Inuyasha doesn't seem to realize this. He feels guilty for her death to the point of promising to go to hell with the dead Miko once he destroys Naraku."

"He probably told her that in order to gain sympathy from Kagome."

Sighing, "No, she saw the promise first hand. She is trying to show him the love and understanding he never had growing up. The others do as well. A demon hunter, a monk, and the sister of the one who killed him, all stand by him in friendship. Did it ever occur to you that maybe not all demons are evil? I found out today that Youkai and Hanyou both exist still in our world. You have met Mr. Hikaru right?"

"Kagome's history teacher?"

"Hai, did you know he was a youkai? Kagome has teachers and fellow students who are youkai or hanyou. Yet nothing has ever happened to any of them. Why do you think that is?"

"But the scrolls, the teachings…" he replies with astonishment.

"Are written by men who may not have known any different. Kagome travels back in time and has made friends whose class and race defies everything they ever knew back then. Don't you ever wonder why? Why it is that Kagome alone has been able to do it?"

"No, I never thought…"

"You know how Kagome is. She judges a person based who they really are. Not what people assume they are cause they where born one way or another. It is something common in our time. I have a feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was a reason why our well opened up when it did. Whoever created the well needed a catalyst for change. To do so they needed someone strong enough to take a stand and speak out against prejudice. In Kagome's mind, race, religion, or class makes no difference, the difference is what's inside."

"Perhaps you are right daughter."

"Please, please, try to understand things from their perspective. In our house right now are people who have seen more death and tragedy then one person should ever have to live through. There is a monk who doesn't know when the curse on his hand will kill him like it has the past two generations. A demon hunter who lost her entire village on a whim from an evil man, and has her younger brother as his servant. A Miko, whose older sister was killed by the same man to taint a jewel. A little orphan who is no more then Souta's age, whose father was killed because he protected some jewel shards and considers Kagome as his adopted mother. And Inuyasha, the boy who never had the chance to be a kid because of hatred in the world and now must battle to save the very world that has so far shunned him. Kagome is holding all of these people together, she is special enough to be able to do it too."

"Hai that she is."

"So if she wants to show them what life is like as a normal person once in awhile so they don't loose themselves into deep despair over the fact they must fight for the very lives of everyone, never knowing if they will live to see tomorrow. I hope you will find it in your heart to let go of this notion that all demons are evil and remember that these demons are the ones keeping your granddaughter safe from harm while she is gone. If she trusts them with her life, shouldn't you at least trust them in your home?"

"You are right daughter. I have judged them poorly without even knowing them. I was going by what I had read instead of what was before me. For that I am sorry. Kagome is lucky to have a mother as caring as you."

"And Inuyasha is lucky to have Kagome be as trusting as she is to him. Perhaps there is a greater meaning to her going into the well. Maybe she is the one who helps bring about a change… a change, that it seems, is way overdue."

"Hai"

"Well, anyways, I must go and start dinner. Kagome is taking Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha to the movies with her girlfriends later tonight. We will have to entertain Kaede and Myouga. Souta is going to play with Shippou."

"Very well, I will go inside and correct my mistake."

"Thank you, Father. I appreciate it, and I am sure Kagome would too."

Both walk up to the house and step inside.

Mrs. Higurashi enters the kitchen to prepare dinner while her father walks into the living room where Kagome is showing them the T.V.

"We get the news from around the world, along with sports, movies, different half-hour or hour long shows, which are like movies only they continue on every week. It is pretty interesting if you don't have anything to do."

Shippou pipes up from his perch on Kagome's shoulder. "I like cartoons!"

Kagome nuzzles him; "I see Souta was showing you all the fun things already."

"They are really neat! Kagome, can you bring crayons and paper with you next time we go home. Souta showed me them and I would like to draw."

"Of course Shippou-chan. On one condition, you draw me a pretty picture to put up in my room, ok?"

"Hai, of course I will!" he gives her a big hug around the neck and she hugs him back.

Watching his granddaughter interact with the little kitsune. 'It is true, she loves him dearly and acts like any mother would to their child.' He continues to look around. 'Even though they faces are relaxed, their eyes tell much. They have seen more bloodshed and sorrow then any one should. And I was wrong to treat them in such a manor. It is time to make amends for that.'

"I hope everyone is enjoying themselves. My daughter has started on dinner. I believe I need to apologize to everyone especially Shippou and Inuyasha."

The hanyou and kitsune look uncertainly at him as the others look on.

"I have wronged you and my actions and words where unfounded. I had based my thoughts on something I did not have first hand knowledge of and it was wrong of me. I should have trusted my granddaughter, who accepts you as her family. I have come to realize that not all of what I have read about youkai is true. Not all of them are evil. They are like people, there are good ones as well as bad ones, and you can't judge them all the same."

Shippou looks over at him curiously. "Does that mean I can come over with Kagome more? Cause dog boy is boring when she isn't there."

"Hai, I would be most honored to have you here," Mr. Higurashi replies.

"Feh, I hope this means you won't be trying to cover me with those darn papers of yours."

"No, Inuyasha, I will not. I am sorry about my past actions. As my daughter said, you are welcome in our home anytime." He continues, "as for the rest of you, please excuse my behavior. I am an old man who didn't want to lose a granddaughter and thought I was protecting her. But I have come to realize that my granddaughter already had that protection. I just didn't want to realize that it wasn't me who was the ones protecting her." And with that he bows to everyone and goes to sit down.

Kagome goes over to her grandfather and gives him a hug. "Thank you grandfather for your understanding," she smiles and then stands up. "Well, I guess I should go help my mother by setting the table. Shippou-chan, will you help me please?"

"Hai, Kagome-sama!" and they go into the kitchen to set the table.

Inuyasha watches the young Miko leave, feeling rather uncomfortable with all that had just happened.

Kaede proceeds to dispel the silence, "Kagome tells me that you have many old scrolls here. I was wondering if it would be possible if I may see them."

Miroku and Myouga ask to see the scrolls as well. And with that they head towards the library where they are kept. Souta goes over and turns on some cartoons. Inuyasha and Sango decide to into the kitchen, as Kirara jumps into Souta's lap for a little catnap.

In the kitchen Mrs. Higurashi is busy getting dinner finished as Kagome and Shippou are setting the table and laughing. Looking up Kagome tells them to pull up a chair and keep her company while she gets the table set. They both sit down as she finishes up setting the table.

"Where are the others?" Mrs. Higurashi asks.

"They are looking at some old scrolls Mr. Higurashi has," Sango answers.

"Ah, so I see he is trying to get along with everyone now. That is good."

"Mama, what did you do?"

"Nothing dear, I just simply showed him the error of his ways about judging people without knowing them first." She adds with a wink.

Kagome rolls her eyes, "Well at least he is trying to make amends for his actions earlier. I am sure Inuyasha will be glad not to have to pull those spell papers off of him every time he comes over." Giggling while she said the last sentence.

"Feh, they never work anyways. You would think he would know that by now."

Mrs. Higurashi answers chuckling, "I think he does, he just doesn't want to admit that they don't. He thinks he is being helpful."

"More like annoying," mutters the hanyou.

"Inuyasha be nice. He thought he was protecting me the only way he knew how. Your great manor wasn't helping the situation any."

Sango laughed, "I could only imagine, no wonder why he was worried about you."

Kagome looked over, "You should have seen everyone the first time Inuyasha came over. We where just sitting down to dinner, and he comes bursting through the door. Grabs my arm and starts dragging me out the door. My mother actually told him to stop and then goes over and starts rubbing his ears to see if they where real." Laughing at the memory of the whole thing.

"Feh, even Souta lined up to be 'next'"

Laughing even harder Sango replies, "I wish I could have seen that!"

Giving a shrug of his shoulders, "Well, right after that Kagome noticed a hair on my coat from the hair demon."

Sango nods, "ah, I remember Kagome telling me about that fight."

Kagome looks at Sango, "I called my friend and she said they will meet us here at 6:00. The boys are dressed fine, but I think it may get a little too chilly for our outfits. Since we have time before dinner, why don't we go pick out some outfits for tonight?"

"That is a good idea."

"Shippou why don't you go play, I believe Souta should have cartoons on T.V. right now," Kagome looks at Shippou who grins from ear to ear, nods, and then runs off into the living room. "I think Inuyasha can behave for a bit while were upstairs," she winks at Sango. "Besides, mama can keep him in-line if he is bad." With a snort from the hanyou, Kagome and Sango leave the room to go upstairs.

"Feh, she makes it sound like I am a 6 year old."

Laughing Mrs. Higurashi turns around and smiles, "She is only kidding dear. She does it because she knows how you will react. She just likes teasing you. You don't think, she thinks you will misbehave do you?

'She is teasing me?' "No," he admits.

"Well, see, like I said she is just teasing you."

"Why?"

"Because you are her friend. If you can't laugh with your friend then whom can you laugh with?"

'Laugh with your friends… I never though of it that way. Then again, I never really had friends, let alone a reason to laugh.' He is deep in though and doesn't notice Kagome's mother glancing at him.

"You never really had a chance to laugh with your friends have you? I can understand what with everything you are going through. Just don't forget to live life while you are on your quest, even the little things in the end mean much." she turns back to check her cooking. "The good moments in life make the bad one seem more bearable. The joys that you share with your friends make you grow stronger as a group, and in turn makes you remember why it is you fight. To remember only the bad times is not living, and it is not honoring those who you fight for. You fight together as a group. You trust one another with your lives, why not with your hearts and feelings as well. Is not one just as important as the other?"

She realizes the hanyou is listening carefully to her words as she continues, "Naraku destroyed what little happiness you found in life. But in doing so, he also gave you something."

"How so, he killed the woman I loved?"

"Yes he did, and for that I am sure he will pay. But also, he had her bind you to a tree, where years later Kagome unsealed you. You gained friends and a 'pack'. You also learned to trust others. Perhaps there is a reason for everything. Trust once gained is not easily broken. But when the trust is not there, it is easy to believe the worse in people."

Inuyasha puts his head down, "Does one need trust to love?"

"For true love, yes, one needs it. One can love and not trust, but it isn't the same. It creates doubt, and that doubt, in the end, can destroy the love that one thinks they have. I have seen it before many times. But if one has trust in the one they love, nothing anyone can say or do will change that person. That is why people go after true love. You said Inu Youkai mate for life. And when your father chose your brother's mother as a mate, she wasn't faithful and in the end it was seen as if they where never mates. It was because your father couldn't trust her. They trust you for who you are, and do not ask you to change that."

'Mates must be able to trust? Then why was Kikyou so quick to think it was I?' Shaking his head slightly, "Ugh, that is the same question that voice asked. Wait! They don't ask me to change? She is right, None of them have ever asked me to be anything other then who I am.'

"Kagome trusts you with her life. That is a great trust that she has given you. She has befriended you and doesn't care that you are a hanyou. You are Inuyasha; the man she has given both her friendship and trust, and gives you both because she knows you will not betray either of them. The others also have given you their friendship and trust. You mean an awful lot to a lot of people, even if you do not see it yourself."

"Feh, it doesn't matter. I made a promise to go to hell with Kikyou once Naraku is killed."

"Why?"

"Nani?"

"Why did you make that promise?"

"Because she wanted me to come with her to hell."

"Why did she want you to come with her? Does she know you are not the one who killed her?"

"Hai, she knows," he said lowering his ears softly to his head.

"What will become of the others I wonder when you and Kagome are gone?" she asks in a hushed voice.

"What do you mean, 'when Kagome is gone'?" He looks up suddenly at her.

"There is a chance that Kagome may not be allowed to return to your time once the quest is completed. It plagues her mind more then she will admit." She looks at him with sad eyes, "She worries about Sango, Miroku, but Shippou most of all, for he will have lost a second family in a short time. And what will happen to them if she can no longer go back to the past and you fulfill your promise. Many lives will change when your promise is fulfilled. The lives of your pack will change drastically." Turning back to her dinner she thinks, 'I wonder if you knew now how it would affect the others. Would you make the same promise?'

Staring out the window, 'would I make the same promise if I had known then what I knew now? Kagome said she loved me and doesn't want me to be anyone else other then who I am, I am leader of a pack, lives would change if I where to go to hell, and none of them for the better, and Kikyou wanted to change me, and we ended up hating each other thinking the other had betrayed them.' As each of these thoughts go through his mind, his eyes reflect on how he feels about it.

Watching the emotions running through his eyes, Mrs. Higurashi turns back to the dinner she is preparing. Deciding to ask the question she didn't voice before. "Would you make the same promise today, knowing what you do now?"

"No, I guess I wouldn't have. A pack leader must place the safety and well being of the pack before himself. And I don't think I would have made a promise to a woman who wanted me to change for her," he sighed with his ears drooped.

"May I give you a bit of motherly advice?" she asks looking over her shoulder at him.

Nodding his head yes she continues, "Whatever you decide to do, please, be sure you are going to be truly happy with that decision. It is the same wish that any parent would have of their children, that they are truly happy in the end. There is no greater reward for a parent then watching their child succeed in life. I hope we can have more talks in the future. I consider you my son, and want only the best for you."

'She thinks of me as a son and wants me to be happy? Would I be happy fulfilling my commitment.'

With that she turns back to her cooking. "Now, can you be a dear and gather everyone up. Dinner is ready."

"Hai, and um, thank you. I would like to 'talk' again." And with that, he walks out of the room.

Going into the living room he tells the kids dinner is ready, then goes to the library and hears them going over certain scrolls and the accuracy. "Mrs. Higurashi wanted me to tell you that dinner is ready."

"Hai, thank you Inuyasha."

"Feh," and with that he walks upstairs to get the girls. As he climbs the stairs he hears giggling and talking but he can't make out much of what is said. Knocking on the door, "Oi, dinners ready."

"Thanks Inuyasha, we will be right down."

"Feh, whatever." And with that goes back down to get something to eat wondering what the girls are up to.

Inside the room Kagome looks at Sango, "I think the French braid suits you well. Plus with the outfit we have picked out. I believe the boys are in for a bit of a shock as to just how lady like we can be." She winks at Sango, "Let's go eat. Then we can come back and get changed."

"Hai." Sango thinks while blushing slightly, 'Yes, I wonder what the houshi will think of my outfit.'

*To be continued*

Banshee ~ Ok, so like this chapter goes everywhere. But then again, some issues had to be addressed for the characters to advance. I hope I have not lost any of you cause I sort of went deep with this one, but I believe that Inuyasha as a series was suppose too. I will explain.

After watching the episode where he had just barely defeated Sesshomaru for the second time. He had pushed Kagome back into the well (after hugger her… aw, cute!) and she is at school trying to understand why he hugged her. If you get a chance read the words that are shown on her schoolbook, they are in English. It is talking about Martin Luther King and his dream that his children will not be judged by the color of their skins, but instead by their own merits.

I had truly believed that deep down the series is about more then finding love and looking for jewel shards. It is about respecting one another no matter what you are, or how you are born. Once I read that, I had confirmed this, lest in my own mind.

Ok, and one other thing. I realize that Kagome's family doesn't have chairs around their table where they eat. But I am writing the story, so I say they do. (tee-hee)