Chapter Four: One Week Later
"When do I get to see Kagome?" Miroku asked. He and his parents were eating dinner in the main dining room. His father continued to eat, but his mother answered him.
"Soon, Miroku. Soon."
"Not soon enough for me," said the young man beside him. Miroku's mother scowled. "Shippou, please. You're making it worse."
"Plus, Inuyasha a day away from here. We'll tell him them, then we can all go see her."
"But Sango went to see her that day."
Miroku's father frowned. "Sango, really. What did I say?"
"I'm your mate, Sesshoumaru. Not your pet."
"I've never called you a pet."
"You treat me like one."
"I do not."
"HEY!" Shippou shouted. Sesshoumaru and Sango glared at him.
"Not in front of Rin and Miroku. Sometimes I wonder why you two are still together."
Sango scooted closer to Sesshoumaru and grasped his hand. "Because there isn't another like Sesshoumaru."
"Who would want another Sesshoumaru?"
A spoon connected with Shippou's head.
As he was opening his mouth to comment on the assault, the front door closed with a slam. All diners cringed, except Miroku. His little ears swiveled toward the sound, his face eager with anticipation.
SLAM!
THUD!
"Who in the bloody hell left this here?"
Sango groaned as she stared at Miroku. "Don't repeat that, Miroku."
Miroku nodded, but Sango knew he wasn't listening. His ears were turned to the ranting coming from the receiving hall.
"Why can't I come in and not find everyone's shit all over the floor? Phyllis!"
"Yes, my lord."
"What in the hell is going on?"
"My lord, your brother is here."
"No shit. I meant what's this crap all over the damn floor?"
"Miroku left his scooter in here."
Shippou bolted from the table. The little girl beside Miroku tilted her head.
"Where is Shippou going?"
Sesshoumaru sighed. "He's trying to keep your mother from killing your uncle, Rin."
"Inuyasha, calm down. There are others in the house, you know."
"And? It's my fucking house!"
A cell phone rang out Limp Biscuits "My Way" suddenly, interrupting the conversation.
"What?!" the voice moved to the northern part of the castle.
"I need to talk to you, Inuyasha!"
"I can't talk to two people at the same time! What Mike? No, I can't come in for an emergency meeting!"
"Inuyasha!"
"I just got home, that's why! I'm jet lagged, hungry and extremely pissed off."
"Inuyasha!"
"Do I pay you people to do nothing? Well then, do this without me! What's the board of dir-"
The rant suddenly stopped before a clatter rang in the hallway. Inuyasha appeared in the dining room hall, holding a bloody shirt in his hand. Shippou was right behind him.
"When was she here?"
"A week ago."
"And you didn't call me?"
Shippou shrugged. "You were on the way, so we decided to wait."
Inuyasha sat down on the other side of the table, pale as a sheet. Miroku tugged his sleeve gently.
"When can we see Kagome again, Uncle Inuyasha?"
He stared around the room. "Again? You haven't seen her since?"
"No. Father said we had to wait until you got here."
Inuyasha nodded and looked at Sango. "I imagine you want to see her, don't you?"
"Of course I do."
"Then you can see her tomorrow. See if she has feelings for me."
Sango nodded and left the table. Sesshoumaru sent the children to bed as Shippou sat beside Inuyasha.
"Why aren't you going, Inuyasha?"
"I can't. I've got to know how she feels first."
********
Kagome groaned in frustration. 'Why in the world does Grandpa want me to sweep dirt?' she asked herself as she swept the porch. The more she swept, the more dirt flew up on the porch. Kagome finally looked up, her eyes gazing at the figure coming up the steps. As the figure came closer, Kagome blinked. She dropped the broom and held onto the porch rail, tears streaming down her face. She dashed forward suddenly, laughing through her tears.
"Sango?"
"Kagome!"
"Oh, my God, it is you!"
The two women hugged each other, both too excited to keep their balance as they fell to the ground. Kagome was the first to stop laughing.
"Sango! How in the world did you find me?"
"Miroku's my son."
They helped each other up and walked to the porch. They both sat down.
"How old are you now?"
"519"
"Oh my God." Kagome giggled. Sango frowned slightly.
"What?"
"You're old enough to be one of my ancestors."
Sango shoved her lightly and started to laugh with her.
"I know. You'll never guess how old Sesshoumaru is."
"Is he here?" Kagome searched the landscape. Sango shook her head.
"No, he's not. I'm by myself."
The two sat and talked for a long time, catching up on the past five centuries.
"What happened to Miroku?" Kagome wondered. Sango sighed and shook her head.
"He and Sakura got married, if you can believe it."
"And Rin?"
"Rin married one of the local boys from the village." Sango sighed. "Sesshoumaru was so heartbroken when she died." Kagome leaned against the porch rail.
"How did she die?"
"In childbirth. Sesshoumaru felt so guilty. It was the only pain he couldn't protect her from. Even the Tenseiga couldn't bring her back. He watches over her descendants, though."
Kagome smiled. "And speaking of childbirth, how many kids do you have, anyway?"
"Only two. Miroku, my youngest, and Rin."
Kagome nodded, then lowered her head. "Where is Inuyasha?"
Sango opened her mouth to answer when Kagome interrupted her.
"Never mind. I don't want to know."
Sango patted her shoulder. "He's not mad at you, Kagome."
Kagome leaned on Sango's shoulder, fighting back her tears. "I'm mad at myself. I shouldn't have left you like that. Not on the happiest day of your life."
Sango patted her head. "Well, you did leave me the jewel as a gift, so I think fair's fair."
"Not exactly."
Kagome pulled the Shikon no Tama out of her shirt. Sango stared in disbelief.
"How in the world?"
"I don't know. But I couldn't get through the well."
"I'm guessing that it did what you told it to, but couldn't leave you behind." Sango dusted herself off as she stood up. Kagome followed suit.
"Look, Miroku's birthday is at the end of the week and he's been begging to see you. Can you come?"
Kagome nodded. Sango started down the shrine steps before stopping to look back.
"Inuyasha loves you, Kagome. Just give him the chance to say so."
Kagome sighed as Sango descended the steps and started her car. She watched as Sango drove away. 'I'm going for a walk,' Kagome decided.
----
Responses:
Animegirl11: Thanks a lot! I'll try to be more on the ball with this story.
Tessa3: What has Inu learned? ....Um, for one, how to lie. He's very good at that, as you'll soon see. Shame on him! Don't worry. 'OGaC' will be updated soon, perhaps the same day as this fic. I got stuck and couldn't get over it. Then I ate something strange and had a stranger dream and here we are. Kouga's in here somewhere, but I wonder where... Thanks for the love, it's needed. -.-,
Tokia: Um, I'm sensing some free advertising here, or am I just missing something? Wouldn't be the first time, I assure you. Anyway, thanks for the love and all things that are free.
Namesake: So sorry about making you wait. I'm going to see what I can do about that.
Sailor Mini Venus: LOL. Glad to make you smile! More's on the way!
Em Starcatcher: Nope, Kagome hasn't noticed. She's been in la-la-land since she came back.
Jschu25: Most of the scenes on the kimono were there when Kagome received it. The others, (like the picture of Miroku and Kagome) are recent additions. Don't worry about weird trains of thought. If I didn't have them, I wouldn't have half of the stories that are up here.
Aailyah: I'd forget to update if I didn't put up the schedule. I'm such a scatterbrain. Anyway, sorry for the schedule being so late this week, along with a lot of reviews and such. We've had a killer winter storm, and I'ts been a trip trying to type and stay warm at the same time.
Tima: Thanks! I will!
White Deer: It's not that I want to change it (I happen to think my eye color's really cool) but I was curious and, well, you know the rest. Sesshou is here, so now he can stop whining about- Sesshou: This Sesshoumaru does not whine. SF: {::aggravated sigh here::} Fine then. Suggesting that his presence be felt in the story.
Inu Yokai: I swear I didn't know! Don't be mad! And don't stop reviewing! {::starts to cry::} Sesshoumaru {::sniff::} harasses me enough, don't you think I {::sniff, then sob::} deserve a break! He's even making me write a horror fic for Halloween! Do you know how far October is from now?!
Suzuko: Thanks a lot! It's my pleasure to make you happy!
eX Driver Liz: Um, close. That's one of the reasons Sango's still running around. I bet you can guess the other.
PruningShears: It's my weird sense of timing. So sorry about that!
Narya Silver Fox: Yup for Uncle Inu, but nope for Uncle Sesshou (but you know that by now). Yup, Sesshou is running around here somewhere and so is someone we've forgotten about...