Chapter 8: Garden of Secrets
*Due to recent complaints I will start including a vocabulary at the beginning of my chapters*
Okasan – mother
Hai – Yes, or Ok
Ara – Oh my!
Hajimemashite – Nice to meet you!
Onee-chan – Brother (older)
Okari! – Welcome back (home)
Hayaku – Hurry!
Ototo – Brother (younger)
Onii-chan – Sister (older)
~*~
The limo pulled up in front of an old, elaborate, feudal style mansion. Everyone got out and stared at the home in awe.
"It looks like some of the mansions we stayed at in the past, literally." Kagome continued to look at the castle, amazed at its rustic yet modern appearance.
Inuyasha leaned over so he could whisper into Kagome's ear. "I still prefer to sleep under the stars. Watching over a miko from the future." He winked at her when she turned to look at him, a slight blush on her cheeks. He then took her hand and started to pull her toward the mansion. "Shall we go in?!"
The moment they were through the gates and inside the courtyard, the disguise spells were gone. Inuyasha had his dog ears and silver hair back. Shippo had his fluffy tail and elongated ears.
"Onee-chan!"
Before the words were completely spoken, Inuyasha was attacked from somewhere they couldn't figure out exactly. Everyone stared at the hanyou questioningly as a girl of about 8 years old clung to his neck.
"Onee-chan, okari! What did you bring me from Tokyo?" The girl had silver hair in a ponytail and dog-like ears. She wore a simple t-shirt and shorts.
"Gin calm down. I brought you a playmate. His name is Shippo and he doesn't have any friends as of yet…So be nice!" Inuyasha unclamped the girl form his neck and set her on the ground. He then finished with the rest of the introductions. "These are my friends, Miroku, Sango, her cat Kirara, and this…is Kagome."
Gin bowed to everyone then walked over to Kagome. She circled the miko and examined her, then stood right in front of her and stared. "So…Are you gonna marry my brother? He's very stubborn, rude, selfish, possessive, and ill mannered."
Kagome was shocked by the young girl's forwardness and yet she reminded her so much of Inuyasha. She kneeled down and whispered into the girl's ear. "If he'll have me. I'll even take him with all his flaws."
The once serious expression on Gin's face melted into a huge smile. She then threw her arms around Kagome and hugged her. "Arigato Onii-chan." She then jumped over to Inuyasha. "It's about time Onee-chan. I like her and you better keep her." She glared at him before she bounded over to Shippo. "Well let's go Shippo." She took the kitsune by the hand and ran off around the building with him.
Inuyasha stood shacking his head from annoyance. "How much candy did mother give her today anyways?"
After some serious forcing back on laughter, Kagome walked over and grabbed Inuyasha by the arm affectionately. "You were right…I do like her. She reminds me so much of another Inuyoukai I know." She winked at him and was rewarded with a faint "Keh."
With Kagome still on his arm, Inuyasha started to walk toward the main house. "Well I guess it's time to see mom." He led everyone inside. "I'm gonna go find my mother, why don't you guys just relax, maybe go to the family room, I'll meet you there. It's just down this hall." Inuyasha was out of sight before anyone could say anything.
They all walked down the hallway silently. When they entered the family room they were greatly surprised. Everything looked like a traditional feudal style furnishings, with the exception of the TV in the corner. There was a low table in the center of the room, surrounded by cushions. There were bookcases filled with books and knick knacks. Odd paintings on the wall and even a traditional Katana set rested on a near by stand. A large doorway opened up to the garden on the far wall.
Kagome stood on the porch overlooking the elaborate garden with sakura, plum, ferns and bamboo everywhere. The enormous garden was breath taking. "This is beautiful. Inuyasha is so lucky to be able to see this all the time." She continued to look over the scenery in front of her. There was even a little waterfall with a small stream running through the yard and a bridge going over it.
"Thank you. I like the garden too."
After being scared out of her wits, Kagome composed herself and looked at the new person standing a few feet away. A woman in a sun hat and overalls stood smiling. She had long, black hair that was pulled back and warm violet eyes. She welded a miniature shovel and a flower pot in her hands.
"So what do you think of our young lord?"
Her voice was kind and cheerful. Kagome couldn't help but smile back at her. "I like him very much. He's my closest and dearest friend. I think he can be a little over protective at times but I think that's his way of showing he cares." Kagome blushed a bit at how forward she was with the stranger, but she couldn't help it.
The woman giggled quietly as she walked up to Kagome. She placed each hand on Kagome's shoulders and smiled at her. "So you're the reason Inuyasha never had a girlfriend while he was at home."
At that statement, her eyes became wide with surprise. 'Is she, is mother?' "Ano…"
"Okasan?" Inuyasha walked out onto the porch, still calling for his missing mother. He looked down into the garden and saw Kagome standing with another woman. "Okasan! I hope you not trying to scare off Kagome, are you?"
"Ara, Ara… Of course not." She looked up at her son innocently. "We were just talking, ne Kagome-chan?" She then looked over at Kagome and smiled sweetly.
"Uh…Hai…" Kagome was still a bit surprised by the interaction between the mother and son. Inuyasha was leaning against the door frame, his hand over his face and he was shacking his head. While his mother stood staring at him, a kind, sweet, gentle smile on her face. 'She genuinely seems like a great woman. I think I'm gonna like her.'
"So Inuyasha are you going to introduce us or leave us in suspense?" questioned his mother humorously.
"Hai, everyone this is my mother, Shirokiba Murasaki. Okasan this is Miroku, Sango and Kagome. Shippo is here too but he's running around with Gin somewhere."
"Hajimemashite!" everyone present said in unison.
Murasaki leaned over and whispered to Kagome. "So your Inuyasha's girlfriend, I'm glad." She then walked over to the porch and placed the shovel and pot down. She then changed shoes and started to enter the house. "Oh I ordered pizza, I hope that's ok with everyone?"
They all nodded and watched her walk from the room. They then looked to each other and started giggling over the entire situation.
~******~
Later that night, after the feast of pizza and much talking and laughing, Kagome found herself standing on the small garden bridge staring up at the clear night sky. "It's so peaceful out here……So many stars…So much like feudal Japan. I loved it in the past. Why did I leave it behind?" Kagome wrapped her arms around her, trying to comfort herself from those thoughts.
"I feel the same way."
After being startled from her reverie, Kagome watched Inuyasha walk up and stand next to her. They then looked up at the millions of sparkling stars.
"In the last few days I've thought more about the past then I ever have. I've thought why did I leave it for this modern world…Then I think of you and that answers that question. But now I'm plagued with a new question. If you loved the past so much, why did you leave it, forever?" Inuyasha looked down at her as she continued to look at the stars. The faint moonlight played across her face, making it look very white, a dramatic contrast to her black hair. 'She has such a natural beauty. She better not ever cover it up with make up!'
Kagome closed her eyes as she thought of the reason for leaving. Softly and sweetly she gave him her answer. "You!" She then opened her eyes as she slowly turned her head to look at him. "I had to leave because of you." She then turned to look at the small stream that ran under the bridge, a few Koi swimming around in the water. She continued to watch the fish as she spoke. "Every time you went off to see Kikyo it ate at my heart. Every time I heard you say her name, I could feel the distance between up grow. I only wanted for us to be together, but Kikyo prevented that. I was afraid that if I stayed, I would become bitter and mean towards you and I didn't want that. So I did the only thing I could think of, I left……Later that day after talking with my friends I realized my mistake. My mother then convinced me to rest and think on it more the next day. But you guys where already here. I still can't believe it." She finally looked up at him, reaching up with her right hand to caress his cheek. "I still can't believe you crossed time to be with me and brought everyone with you."
Inuyasha grabbed her hand and held it within his. "I've wanted to be with you for a long time now, but my pride always got in the way. That and I didn't know how to tell you. Now, the jewel is used and gone so your stuck with us."
Kagome smiled at him. "I'm glad!"
After gazing at the girl in front of him for a while, Inuyasha realized he may never get a better opportunity than this to show her his love. The romantic moonlight in a garden, it was perfect. He reached up and gently cradled her face in his hands and pulled her in closer.
"So you're the little vixen that stole my little brother's heart!"
Both Inuyasha and Kagome looked over to see a guy about 20 with short silver hair, dressed in jeans and a white button up shirt. Kagome stared at him disbelievingly. She knew who it was but the sight of him caused her to become speechless. . Inuyasha merely stepped slightly to the side so he could see more of the "moment wrecker."
Kagome stared with wide brown eyes down at the guy with the same gold eyes as her boyfriend. "Sesshoumaru!?"
"You know my name, may I have the privilege of knowing yours?" Sesshoumaru bowed to her and smiled.
Seeing the once emotionless youkai now smiling up at her, completely stunned her. "Umm Hai… Higurashi Kagome."
"Nice to meet you! Oh Inuyasha, Okasan wanted me to give you a message. She called to the Sunrise Shrine and got permission for everyone to stay here for the night. So you all can go home tomorrow." Sesshoumaru delivered the message then walked over and gave his little brother a hinting nudge. "Don't have to much fun tonight, ototo!" He winked at him then started to walk back toward the house.
Kagome continued to stare totally dumbfounded by the new Sesshoumaru. "I never would have believed it if I hadn't of seen it for myself."
"Tell me about it. I still have an urge to grab for Tetsusaiga. It takes some getting use to that's for sure." Inuyasha watched his brother's retreating form at the same time a tall fox boy ran out to them.
"Kagome, Inuyasha, hayaku, Miroku's about to beat Sango at Go. Come see!" Shippo started to drag both teens toward the house.
Inuyasha and Kagome looked at each other and merely shrugged
~******~
*Due to recent complaints I will start including a vocabulary at the beginning of my chapters*
Okasan – mother
Hai – Yes, or Ok
Ara – Oh my!
Hajimemashite – Nice to meet you!
Onee-chan – Brother (older)
Okari! – Welcome back (home)
Hayaku – Hurry!
Ototo – Brother (younger)
Onii-chan – Sister (older)
~*~
The limo pulled up in front of an old, elaborate, feudal style mansion. Everyone got out and stared at the home in awe.
"It looks like some of the mansions we stayed at in the past, literally." Kagome continued to look at the castle, amazed at its rustic yet modern appearance.
Inuyasha leaned over so he could whisper into Kagome's ear. "I still prefer to sleep under the stars. Watching over a miko from the future." He winked at her when she turned to look at him, a slight blush on her cheeks. He then took her hand and started to pull her toward the mansion. "Shall we go in?!"
The moment they were through the gates and inside the courtyard, the disguise spells were gone. Inuyasha had his dog ears and silver hair back. Shippo had his fluffy tail and elongated ears.
"Onee-chan!"
Before the words were completely spoken, Inuyasha was attacked from somewhere they couldn't figure out exactly. Everyone stared at the hanyou questioningly as a girl of about 8 years old clung to his neck.
"Onee-chan, okari! What did you bring me from Tokyo?" The girl had silver hair in a ponytail and dog-like ears. She wore a simple t-shirt and shorts.
"Gin calm down. I brought you a playmate. His name is Shippo and he doesn't have any friends as of yet…So be nice!" Inuyasha unclamped the girl form his neck and set her on the ground. He then finished with the rest of the introductions. "These are my friends, Miroku, Sango, her cat Kirara, and this…is Kagome."
Gin bowed to everyone then walked over to Kagome. She circled the miko and examined her, then stood right in front of her and stared. "So…Are you gonna marry my brother? He's very stubborn, rude, selfish, possessive, and ill mannered."
Kagome was shocked by the young girl's forwardness and yet she reminded her so much of Inuyasha. She kneeled down and whispered into the girl's ear. "If he'll have me. I'll even take him with all his flaws."
The once serious expression on Gin's face melted into a huge smile. She then threw her arms around Kagome and hugged her. "Arigato Onii-chan." She then jumped over to Inuyasha. "It's about time Onee-chan. I like her and you better keep her." She glared at him before she bounded over to Shippo. "Well let's go Shippo." She took the kitsune by the hand and ran off around the building with him.
Inuyasha stood shacking his head from annoyance. "How much candy did mother give her today anyways?"
After some serious forcing back on laughter, Kagome walked over and grabbed Inuyasha by the arm affectionately. "You were right…I do like her. She reminds me so much of another Inuyoukai I know." She winked at him and was rewarded with a faint "Keh."
With Kagome still on his arm, Inuyasha started to walk toward the main house. "Well I guess it's time to see mom." He led everyone inside. "I'm gonna go find my mother, why don't you guys just relax, maybe go to the family room, I'll meet you there. It's just down this hall." Inuyasha was out of sight before anyone could say anything.
They all walked down the hallway silently. When they entered the family room they were greatly surprised. Everything looked like a traditional feudal style furnishings, with the exception of the TV in the corner. There was a low table in the center of the room, surrounded by cushions. There were bookcases filled with books and knick knacks. Odd paintings on the wall and even a traditional Katana set rested on a near by stand. A large doorway opened up to the garden on the far wall.
Kagome stood on the porch overlooking the elaborate garden with sakura, plum, ferns and bamboo everywhere. The enormous garden was breath taking. "This is beautiful. Inuyasha is so lucky to be able to see this all the time." She continued to look over the scenery in front of her. There was even a little waterfall with a small stream running through the yard and a bridge going over it.
"Thank you. I like the garden too."
After being scared out of her wits, Kagome composed herself and looked at the new person standing a few feet away. A woman in a sun hat and overalls stood smiling. She had long, black hair that was pulled back and warm violet eyes. She welded a miniature shovel and a flower pot in her hands.
"So what do you think of our young lord?"
Her voice was kind and cheerful. Kagome couldn't help but smile back at her. "I like him very much. He's my closest and dearest friend. I think he can be a little over protective at times but I think that's his way of showing he cares." Kagome blushed a bit at how forward she was with the stranger, but she couldn't help it.
The woman giggled quietly as she walked up to Kagome. She placed each hand on Kagome's shoulders and smiled at her. "So you're the reason Inuyasha never had a girlfriend while he was at home."
At that statement, her eyes became wide with surprise. 'Is she, is mother?' "Ano…"
"Okasan?" Inuyasha walked out onto the porch, still calling for his missing mother. He looked down into the garden and saw Kagome standing with another woman. "Okasan! I hope you not trying to scare off Kagome, are you?"
"Ara, Ara… Of course not." She looked up at her son innocently. "We were just talking, ne Kagome-chan?" She then looked over at Kagome and smiled sweetly.
"Uh…Hai…" Kagome was still a bit surprised by the interaction between the mother and son. Inuyasha was leaning against the door frame, his hand over his face and he was shacking his head. While his mother stood staring at him, a kind, sweet, gentle smile on her face. 'She genuinely seems like a great woman. I think I'm gonna like her.'
"So Inuyasha are you going to introduce us or leave us in suspense?" questioned his mother humorously.
"Hai, everyone this is my mother, Shirokiba Murasaki. Okasan this is Miroku, Sango and Kagome. Shippo is here too but he's running around with Gin somewhere."
"Hajimemashite!" everyone present said in unison.
Murasaki leaned over and whispered to Kagome. "So your Inuyasha's girlfriend, I'm glad." She then walked over to the porch and placed the shovel and pot down. She then changed shoes and started to enter the house. "Oh I ordered pizza, I hope that's ok with everyone?"
They all nodded and watched her walk from the room. They then looked to each other and started giggling over the entire situation.
~******~
Later that night, after the feast of pizza and much talking and laughing, Kagome found herself standing on the small garden bridge staring up at the clear night sky. "It's so peaceful out here……So many stars…So much like feudal Japan. I loved it in the past. Why did I leave it behind?" Kagome wrapped her arms around her, trying to comfort herself from those thoughts.
"I feel the same way."
After being startled from her reverie, Kagome watched Inuyasha walk up and stand next to her. They then looked up at the millions of sparkling stars.
"In the last few days I've thought more about the past then I ever have. I've thought why did I leave it for this modern world…Then I think of you and that answers that question. But now I'm plagued with a new question. If you loved the past so much, why did you leave it, forever?" Inuyasha looked down at her as she continued to look at the stars. The faint moonlight played across her face, making it look very white, a dramatic contrast to her black hair. 'She has such a natural beauty. She better not ever cover it up with make up!'
Kagome closed her eyes as she thought of the reason for leaving. Softly and sweetly she gave him her answer. "You!" She then opened her eyes as she slowly turned her head to look at him. "I had to leave because of you." She then turned to look at the small stream that ran under the bridge, a few Koi swimming around in the water. She continued to watch the fish as she spoke. "Every time you went off to see Kikyo it ate at my heart. Every time I heard you say her name, I could feel the distance between up grow. I only wanted for us to be together, but Kikyo prevented that. I was afraid that if I stayed, I would become bitter and mean towards you and I didn't want that. So I did the only thing I could think of, I left……Later that day after talking with my friends I realized my mistake. My mother then convinced me to rest and think on it more the next day. But you guys where already here. I still can't believe it." She finally looked up at him, reaching up with her right hand to caress his cheek. "I still can't believe you crossed time to be with me and brought everyone with you."
Inuyasha grabbed her hand and held it within his. "I've wanted to be with you for a long time now, but my pride always got in the way. That and I didn't know how to tell you. Now, the jewel is used and gone so your stuck with us."
Kagome smiled at him. "I'm glad!"
After gazing at the girl in front of him for a while, Inuyasha realized he may never get a better opportunity than this to show her his love. The romantic moonlight in a garden, it was perfect. He reached up and gently cradled her face in his hands and pulled her in closer.
"So you're the little vixen that stole my little brother's heart!"
Both Inuyasha and Kagome looked over to see a guy about 20 with short silver hair, dressed in jeans and a white button up shirt. Kagome stared at him disbelievingly. She knew who it was but the sight of him caused her to become speechless. . Inuyasha merely stepped slightly to the side so he could see more of the "moment wrecker."
Kagome stared with wide brown eyes down at the guy with the same gold eyes as her boyfriend. "Sesshoumaru!?"
"You know my name, may I have the privilege of knowing yours?" Sesshoumaru bowed to her and smiled.
Seeing the once emotionless youkai now smiling up at her, completely stunned her. "Umm Hai… Higurashi Kagome."
"Nice to meet you! Oh Inuyasha, Okasan wanted me to give you a message. She called to the Sunrise Shrine and got permission for everyone to stay here for the night. So you all can go home tomorrow." Sesshoumaru delivered the message then walked over and gave his little brother a hinting nudge. "Don't have to much fun tonight, ototo!" He winked at him then started to walk back toward the house.
Kagome continued to stare totally dumbfounded by the new Sesshoumaru. "I never would have believed it if I hadn't of seen it for myself."
"Tell me about it. I still have an urge to grab for Tetsusaiga. It takes some getting use to that's for sure." Inuyasha watched his brother's retreating form at the same time a tall fox boy ran out to them.
"Kagome, Inuyasha, hayaku, Miroku's about to beat Sango at Go. Come see!" Shippo started to drag both teens toward the house.
Inuyasha and Kagome looked at each other and merely shrugged
~******~