Sanji: Okay, guys. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is, I still
can't find Tailz.
Reader: ::Gasp::
Sanji: The good news, though, is I found the new chapter in the mail this morning...so you'll have your update after all. I DID have to type it and submit it for her, though, so when Tailz gets back, she owes me big time. YOU HEAR THAT, TAILZY?!
::::Silence::::::
Sanji: ::Sweatdrop::
---------------------------------
The inside of the well was darker and grungier than Kagome remembered—she was grateful that she wasn't solid after all, because if she were, she would've had to touch the stuff. The walls of the well were mildewed and looked slippery, and the ladder had decayed—pieces up it lay, termite- bitten, on the dirt floor of the well. Kagome looked up, the happiness of still being able to time travel disintegrating. 'How am I gonna get yup there?' She asked no one in particular, glancing up with her hands on her hips.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, the well began moving downwards. Kagome glanced around, panicked. No, it wasn't moving down—she was floating! A few seconds later, she found herself in the well house, shaken, confused, but pleased. She could explore now. With a few tentative steps forward, she was out of the old building, which looked even older now, and moments from collapsing.
Her house. Kagome stopped, and a small, incredulous smile crossed her face. Despite the fact that she was a ghost, and not solid, she couldn't help but feel a rush of joy at returning home again. The house, unlike the well house and even the well, looked exactly as it had the day that she'd left, with the intention of never returning. The courtyard was well swept, as always, and neat. The Shrine a few feet away stood proudly, still imperious and well contained as ever. Grandpa was nowhere in sight.
'Gramps....he must've passed on, too,' Kagome thought sadly, walking forward. 'Poor Mama....and Souta....I wonder how they've been?' With that thought, she crossed the yard to the porch and gripped the doorknob—or tried to, anyway. Her hand went right through it. It took her a moment to remember that she was a ghost. Doorknobs were no use to her. Carefully, like a reluctant swimmer into cold water, she eased herself right through the front door.
Finding herself in the foyer, Kagome almost called, "I'm home", but stopped herself in time. She could hear a bustling and clanking that sounded like dishes in the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of running water and also that of her mother's voice, singing a familiar tune. Kagome staggered forward on dead legs, forcing herself through the kitchen door. The little room was clean, as always. Her mother was standing there, washing dishes as she'd predicted. The cheerful clatter of dirty dishes was the loudest thing in the room, nearly drowning out the soft humming. The song was one Kagome recognized—it was the lullaby she and Souta had both learned early on. Her mother's lullaby had always seemed so merry; now, however, it seemed sad, and worn out.
Her mother, too, looked cheerless and tired, and the dull twinkle in her eyes reminded Kagome faintly of Inuyasha. There were crow's feet wrinkles at the sides of her eyes, and she looked a good deal older—her hair, still pretty and pulled into a neat bun at the top of her head was flecked with streaks of silver-gray. Her eyes never left the dishes, but it was clear that they stared through to something else, something that nobody else could see. They were clouded with memories and grief, and Kagome remembered with a pang that it was the anniversary of her death.
"Poor Mama," she breathed sadly, turning away to look somewhere else. Staring at her mother's quiet mourning was too painful. She glanced instead around the cheerful, bright kitchen, from one spic-and-span corner to the next. She could see, on the table, a picture of herself—that hadn't been there before. Looking closer, she recognized it as the one that had sat in her mother's room for a while—it was the one Ayame had taken on her fifteenth birthday. In the picture, the younger Kagome smiled uncertainly, glancing at the other forced occupant of the portrait—Hojo. Even then, her friends had been playing matchmaker. Hojo smiled openly, his kind face a little confused, possibly wondering why Kagome was blushing so badly.
Next to that picture was a group shot of her and the circlet of school friends, Ayame included, standing before the God Tree and waving, smiling happily. That had been taken in fifth grade, before she had known about the Feudal Era and Naraku and the Shikon Jewel. The third—and last—frame held a picture of her friends from the past. Inuyasha was scowling and looking away, though he glanced back curiously out of the corner of one eye. Shippo was staring, transfixed, in the direction of the camera with wide eyes and a serious expression. Sango and Miroku were smiling confusedly, wondering why Kagome had requested they all sit in front of a small black box. Kagome herself was the only one that looked normal—she was smiling happily, laughing at Kirara, who was preparing to leap at the camera as soon as it flashed.
Eventually, Kagome pulled her gaze away from the pictures and headed around the house to look around. The living room was the same, save for a new chair in the corner, and a few more pictures of a handsome young man that could be no one but Souta. All of her old school pictures still there, in their places, unmoved, smiling easily as she passed them. Slowly, she made her way down the hallway.
Souta's room had changed a bit, containing less action figures and more anime posters. The bookshelves were filled with action manga comic books—the picture books that had always been there by her mother's forcible will were finally gone. Her mother's room looked nearly the same, but the old comforter had been replaced by a deep blue one, and the lamp on the nightstand was gone, probably a casualty of Souta's clumsiness, Kagome thought with a smile.
Grandpa's room was almost like a tomb. Everything was the same—the wallpaper, the futon-bed he'd insisted on forever, the bookshelves filled with spells and everything imaginable. But it was suddenly stiff. Quiet. The futon bed was made neatly, and nothing was out of place. It looked almost as if everything had been glued to the surface it sat on, as though nothing had been touched in years. Yet there was not a speck of dust anywhere. Her mother had kept it clean of course.
Her room was next. The door was closed, but that was the only odd thing. Stepping inside (through the wall) Kagome stood in the center of her room and looked around, feeling like a stranger. Everything was untouched. Her bed was made, as it always was when she came home. Her desk still held pieces of paper, folders, and pencils across its surface, except that they were organized, and placed purposefully. Her shoes were sitting by the bed, and the window was open, allowing in a slight breeze.
It looked just as if it had been set for her arrival back home. The window was open for Inuyasha to sneak in, if he wanted. The bed was set, the covers pulled down, as if waiting for her, and the stuffed animals seemed to stare expectantly at her, beckoning her forward. Nothing had been permitted to change, as it had been in her grandfather's room, and it was neat as well. Kagome edged slowly down to her knees, still hovering just above the carpet. Looking around, she could almost hear her grandfather inquiring from the hallway what demons she had seen, Souta rushing in to ask if Inuyasha had come back with her, and her mother calling from the kitchen that dinner was ready.
Tears rolled down her face. It was like she'd never left, up here.
"Mama, I'm home!"
The deep voice and the sound of the front door closing startled her out of her thoughts. It had to be Souta, returning from school ready to celebrate the anniversary with their mother, Kagome decided. Quickly, she jumped up from the floor and ran straight through the door following the voices to the kitchen. Mrs. Higarashi had met her son in the doorway, and was currently embracing him. As he pulled away and stood, Kagome moved closer to survey her not-so-little brother.
He had the same dark hair and eyes as before, but, like Shippo, something had changed. His childish innocence was replaced with a male-type confidence that was almost reminiscent of Inuyasha. He had become a handsome boy, Kagome concluded, and he looked about her age. There were probably a lot of girls at school that had their hopes set on him.
"Hi, honey," their mother said smilingly, putting her hands on his face. She almost had to stand on tiptoe—he was a good two heads taller than she was. "How was school today?"
"All right," Souta replied, dropping his book bag and scooting it against the wall. Mrs. Higarashi eyed it, obviously fighting the urge to pick it up and put it in its place, before looking back towards the stove.
"That's good. Dinner will be ready soon," she informed, picking up the spoon to stir the noodles.
"Ramen?" Souta asked with a small smile.
"Of course," their mother smiled. "Inuyasha's favorite. He should be over soon." Souta looked rather excited, but the moment soon passed. "I have tons of homework to do," he said, picking up his bag. "See ya in a while, Mom."
"Okay, sweetie. Call me if you need any help." It was the same thing she'd always said to Kagome, and to Souta, from the time they were old enough to have homework. Souta shrugged it off and went to his room, closing the door. Kagome followed, passing right through the wood as it swung forward. As her brother took a seat at his desk and began rummaging through his book bag, Kagome sat—or whatever—on his bed. She watched as he removed a book and a piece of paper, and then began looking for a pencil through his drawers.
"You've certainly changed a lot," she said to him, chuckling once. "You used to tell mom you had homework, and play Playstation for an hour before actually doing it." Souta continued fumbling through the drawers for several moments, becoming increasingly frustrated. At last, in the bottom drawer, he paused, and the irritation melted from his face. His hand reemerged holding not a pencil, but a small picture frame. In the little frame was another picture of Kagome. In this one she looked about thirteen, playing Monopoly with a nine-year-old Souta. Kagome remembered that moment.
"Nee-chan," Souta murmured, running a finger over the glass. "I'd almost forgotten this picture..." He continued to stare at the glass, his eyes riveted on the happy siblings' laughing faces. "I...I miss you, Nee- chan...whatever happened to you? Inuyasha said you'd been sick, and Mama said it was blood poisoning, and that the doctors couldn't help...." His voice cracked, and two small, silvery tears slipped down his face like molten glass. "You told me to do well in school, and watch out for Mama....I did what you said, Nee-chan....I did...." It was then that he fell silent. Standing the picture frame up on his desk, he reached back into the open drawer, removed a pencil and closed it. The book opened, he began his homework, scrawling quickly across the page. Kagome watched him with a loving smile.
"I miss you too, Souta," she whispered, squeezing her hands together. "You really are grown-up now..."
Suddenly, there was a noise in the foyer. The door opened and closed; both Kagome and Souta froze, their ears poised towards the sounds down the hall. "Oh, Inuyasha, how nice to see you," Mrs. Higarashi was saying. "Souta'll be so glad you're here, he's been waiting all week... Souta! Inuyasha's here!"
"Coming, Mom," Souta called, putting down his pencil and heading out to meet them. Kagome followed at his heels, unfazed by the fact that the door shut on her once again. Standing in the foyer, waiting for her brother, was Inuyasha, looking even more tired than he had earlier. When he saw Souta coming, he attempted a smirk, but it didn't have the same effect as it once had.
"Well, if it isn't the squirt," Inuyasha teased, tilting his head to the side to survey Souta.
"Inu-no-nii-chan," Souta greeted. He stepped forward as if to lock his arms around the hanyou's middle as he had as a younger little boy, but seemed to think better of it, and instead satisfied himself with shaking hands. "How's everyone in the Feudal Era doing?"
"Fine, fine." He looked around the room, as if he were searching for something, until he caught Souta's curious glance. "So, uh...what's for dinner?"
"What else?" Souta laughed. "Ramen, of course. I think mom's making milkshakes, too," he added. "Strawberry. Kagome's favorite." He suddenly looked stricken, as if he'd said something he shouldn't have, and his eyes raised uneasily to meet Inuyasha's, as if he were afraid of being scolded. Inuyasha said nothing, only looked away as something painful sparkled in his eyes. Souta looked regretful, biting his lip and fumbling awkwardly with his fingers, unsure of what to say to fix it. Inuyasha caught the unspoken apology.
"It's okay, kid," Inuyasha mumbled. Then, even more quietly, "I miss her, too." Souta looked up, and Kagome could almost see his nine-year-old self in those dark eyes.
"Inu-no-nii-chan," he began hesitantly. He seemed to lose his nerve, looking at the older boy nervously, asking him to read his thoughts and answer the question anyway.
"What?" Inuyasha was no more of a mind reader than he had been in Kagome's time.
"Wh-what...d-did...oh..." He stopped, swallowing. "Did...did Nee-chan ever say anything about me?"
A look of familiarity crossed the inu-youkai's features. "Souta, we have this conversation every year. I always say the same thing."
"Please, nii-chan." The boy's voice was prayerful.
"All right. Okay." Inuyasha walked into the living room with Souta and Kagome at his heels. He sat in Mrs. Higarashi's favorite chair, and the siblings sat on the couch. "Okay. Let's see..."
"W-was she mad at me?" Souta asked abruptly, and Inuyasha looked surprised.
"Of course not. Why do you think she was?"
"I dunno..." he looked embarrassed. "I just...." He stared at the ground, as if he was talking to it rather than the older boy. "I...I never got to see her that much once she went down the well...and I teased her a lot..."
Kagome's eyes glimmered in understanding. "Oh, no, Souta. I wasn't mad at you. I wasn't—"
"Your sister loved you very much," Inuyasha said firmly. "She wasn't mad at you at all. She was just really sad that she had to leave you." Souta fell silent and Inuyasha did nothing to change it. Stillness and thoughtfulness hung thick in the room for several moments. It was only interrupted when Mrs. Higarashi called about five minutes later to announce that dinner was ready. Souta and Inuyasha walked into the kitchen, but Kagome stayed behind.
'Oh, Souta...how could you think I was mad at you? Was it because I lied to you? Told you that I'd come back, but never did? I didn't mean it...you were my brother, and I loved you...I still love you...' She took one last look at her family and her love, sitting at the table easting, and then turned to walk down the hallway to the foyer, and through the front door. She stood in the courtyard, staring at the sky. The last pink tinges of sunset were slowly fading away, accented by the silhouetted buildings off in the distance.
"Well, I can't stay here forever," Kagome murmured sadly. "It was nice to see everyone one last time." She smiled, looking up at the sky. "Thank you for giving me another chance. I know that I did have a purpose...they loved me. I did go there for a reason. Thank you for letting me see my family and friends again." She paused a moment, before adding, with her eyes shut tight, "But I'd really like to leave now."
Nothing happened. Kagome opened her eyes, feeling disappointed yet stupid for being disappointed. She had almost expected a big explosion and a descending bunch of mystical spirits to collect her to the after life. She sighed, and turned back towards her house—she could at least go inside—and she gasped. Standing there, looking as cool and straight-backed as ever, was Tsuki, looking very out of place in her silky white angel-robe.
"Ts-Tsuki!"
---------------------------
Sanji: Ooh. Whatta cliffy! TAILZ! Look at this! You have over 300 reviews! TAILZ!! ::Whistles:: C'mon, girl! Come here! Come on, Tailzy!
:::Silence::
Sanji: ::Hangs head, defeated:: Review, guys....thanks.....
Reader: ::Gasp::
Sanji: The good news, though, is I found the new chapter in the mail this morning...so you'll have your update after all. I DID have to type it and submit it for her, though, so when Tailz gets back, she owes me big time. YOU HEAR THAT, TAILZY?!
::::Silence::::::
Sanji: ::Sweatdrop::
---------------------------------
The inside of the well was darker and grungier than Kagome remembered—she was grateful that she wasn't solid after all, because if she were, she would've had to touch the stuff. The walls of the well were mildewed and looked slippery, and the ladder had decayed—pieces up it lay, termite- bitten, on the dirt floor of the well. Kagome looked up, the happiness of still being able to time travel disintegrating. 'How am I gonna get yup there?' She asked no one in particular, glancing up with her hands on her hips.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, the well began moving downwards. Kagome glanced around, panicked. No, it wasn't moving down—she was floating! A few seconds later, she found herself in the well house, shaken, confused, but pleased. She could explore now. With a few tentative steps forward, she was out of the old building, which looked even older now, and moments from collapsing.
Her house. Kagome stopped, and a small, incredulous smile crossed her face. Despite the fact that she was a ghost, and not solid, she couldn't help but feel a rush of joy at returning home again. The house, unlike the well house and even the well, looked exactly as it had the day that she'd left, with the intention of never returning. The courtyard was well swept, as always, and neat. The Shrine a few feet away stood proudly, still imperious and well contained as ever. Grandpa was nowhere in sight.
'Gramps....he must've passed on, too,' Kagome thought sadly, walking forward. 'Poor Mama....and Souta....I wonder how they've been?' With that thought, she crossed the yard to the porch and gripped the doorknob—or tried to, anyway. Her hand went right through it. It took her a moment to remember that she was a ghost. Doorknobs were no use to her. Carefully, like a reluctant swimmer into cold water, she eased herself right through the front door.
Finding herself in the foyer, Kagome almost called, "I'm home", but stopped herself in time. She could hear a bustling and clanking that sounded like dishes in the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of running water and also that of her mother's voice, singing a familiar tune. Kagome staggered forward on dead legs, forcing herself through the kitchen door. The little room was clean, as always. Her mother was standing there, washing dishes as she'd predicted. The cheerful clatter of dirty dishes was the loudest thing in the room, nearly drowning out the soft humming. The song was one Kagome recognized—it was the lullaby she and Souta had both learned early on. Her mother's lullaby had always seemed so merry; now, however, it seemed sad, and worn out.
Her mother, too, looked cheerless and tired, and the dull twinkle in her eyes reminded Kagome faintly of Inuyasha. There were crow's feet wrinkles at the sides of her eyes, and she looked a good deal older—her hair, still pretty and pulled into a neat bun at the top of her head was flecked with streaks of silver-gray. Her eyes never left the dishes, but it was clear that they stared through to something else, something that nobody else could see. They were clouded with memories and grief, and Kagome remembered with a pang that it was the anniversary of her death.
"Poor Mama," she breathed sadly, turning away to look somewhere else. Staring at her mother's quiet mourning was too painful. She glanced instead around the cheerful, bright kitchen, from one spic-and-span corner to the next. She could see, on the table, a picture of herself—that hadn't been there before. Looking closer, she recognized it as the one that had sat in her mother's room for a while—it was the one Ayame had taken on her fifteenth birthday. In the picture, the younger Kagome smiled uncertainly, glancing at the other forced occupant of the portrait—Hojo. Even then, her friends had been playing matchmaker. Hojo smiled openly, his kind face a little confused, possibly wondering why Kagome was blushing so badly.
Next to that picture was a group shot of her and the circlet of school friends, Ayame included, standing before the God Tree and waving, smiling happily. That had been taken in fifth grade, before she had known about the Feudal Era and Naraku and the Shikon Jewel. The third—and last—frame held a picture of her friends from the past. Inuyasha was scowling and looking away, though he glanced back curiously out of the corner of one eye. Shippo was staring, transfixed, in the direction of the camera with wide eyes and a serious expression. Sango and Miroku were smiling confusedly, wondering why Kagome had requested they all sit in front of a small black box. Kagome herself was the only one that looked normal—she was smiling happily, laughing at Kirara, who was preparing to leap at the camera as soon as it flashed.
Eventually, Kagome pulled her gaze away from the pictures and headed around the house to look around. The living room was the same, save for a new chair in the corner, and a few more pictures of a handsome young man that could be no one but Souta. All of her old school pictures still there, in their places, unmoved, smiling easily as she passed them. Slowly, she made her way down the hallway.
Souta's room had changed a bit, containing less action figures and more anime posters. The bookshelves were filled with action manga comic books—the picture books that had always been there by her mother's forcible will were finally gone. Her mother's room looked nearly the same, but the old comforter had been replaced by a deep blue one, and the lamp on the nightstand was gone, probably a casualty of Souta's clumsiness, Kagome thought with a smile.
Grandpa's room was almost like a tomb. Everything was the same—the wallpaper, the futon-bed he'd insisted on forever, the bookshelves filled with spells and everything imaginable. But it was suddenly stiff. Quiet. The futon bed was made neatly, and nothing was out of place. It looked almost as if everything had been glued to the surface it sat on, as though nothing had been touched in years. Yet there was not a speck of dust anywhere. Her mother had kept it clean of course.
Her room was next. The door was closed, but that was the only odd thing. Stepping inside (through the wall) Kagome stood in the center of her room and looked around, feeling like a stranger. Everything was untouched. Her bed was made, as it always was when she came home. Her desk still held pieces of paper, folders, and pencils across its surface, except that they were organized, and placed purposefully. Her shoes were sitting by the bed, and the window was open, allowing in a slight breeze.
It looked just as if it had been set for her arrival back home. The window was open for Inuyasha to sneak in, if he wanted. The bed was set, the covers pulled down, as if waiting for her, and the stuffed animals seemed to stare expectantly at her, beckoning her forward. Nothing had been permitted to change, as it had been in her grandfather's room, and it was neat as well. Kagome edged slowly down to her knees, still hovering just above the carpet. Looking around, she could almost hear her grandfather inquiring from the hallway what demons she had seen, Souta rushing in to ask if Inuyasha had come back with her, and her mother calling from the kitchen that dinner was ready.
Tears rolled down her face. It was like she'd never left, up here.
"Mama, I'm home!"
The deep voice and the sound of the front door closing startled her out of her thoughts. It had to be Souta, returning from school ready to celebrate the anniversary with their mother, Kagome decided. Quickly, she jumped up from the floor and ran straight through the door following the voices to the kitchen. Mrs. Higarashi had met her son in the doorway, and was currently embracing him. As he pulled away and stood, Kagome moved closer to survey her not-so-little brother.
He had the same dark hair and eyes as before, but, like Shippo, something had changed. His childish innocence was replaced with a male-type confidence that was almost reminiscent of Inuyasha. He had become a handsome boy, Kagome concluded, and he looked about her age. There were probably a lot of girls at school that had their hopes set on him.
"Hi, honey," their mother said smilingly, putting her hands on his face. She almost had to stand on tiptoe—he was a good two heads taller than she was. "How was school today?"
"All right," Souta replied, dropping his book bag and scooting it against the wall. Mrs. Higarashi eyed it, obviously fighting the urge to pick it up and put it in its place, before looking back towards the stove.
"That's good. Dinner will be ready soon," she informed, picking up the spoon to stir the noodles.
"Ramen?" Souta asked with a small smile.
"Of course," their mother smiled. "Inuyasha's favorite. He should be over soon." Souta looked rather excited, but the moment soon passed. "I have tons of homework to do," he said, picking up his bag. "See ya in a while, Mom."
"Okay, sweetie. Call me if you need any help." It was the same thing she'd always said to Kagome, and to Souta, from the time they were old enough to have homework. Souta shrugged it off and went to his room, closing the door. Kagome followed, passing right through the wood as it swung forward. As her brother took a seat at his desk and began rummaging through his book bag, Kagome sat—or whatever—on his bed. She watched as he removed a book and a piece of paper, and then began looking for a pencil through his drawers.
"You've certainly changed a lot," she said to him, chuckling once. "You used to tell mom you had homework, and play Playstation for an hour before actually doing it." Souta continued fumbling through the drawers for several moments, becoming increasingly frustrated. At last, in the bottom drawer, he paused, and the irritation melted from his face. His hand reemerged holding not a pencil, but a small picture frame. In the little frame was another picture of Kagome. In this one she looked about thirteen, playing Monopoly with a nine-year-old Souta. Kagome remembered that moment.
"Nee-chan," Souta murmured, running a finger over the glass. "I'd almost forgotten this picture..." He continued to stare at the glass, his eyes riveted on the happy siblings' laughing faces. "I...I miss you, Nee- chan...whatever happened to you? Inuyasha said you'd been sick, and Mama said it was blood poisoning, and that the doctors couldn't help...." His voice cracked, and two small, silvery tears slipped down his face like molten glass. "You told me to do well in school, and watch out for Mama....I did what you said, Nee-chan....I did...." It was then that he fell silent. Standing the picture frame up on his desk, he reached back into the open drawer, removed a pencil and closed it. The book opened, he began his homework, scrawling quickly across the page. Kagome watched him with a loving smile.
"I miss you too, Souta," she whispered, squeezing her hands together. "You really are grown-up now..."
Suddenly, there was a noise in the foyer. The door opened and closed; both Kagome and Souta froze, their ears poised towards the sounds down the hall. "Oh, Inuyasha, how nice to see you," Mrs. Higarashi was saying. "Souta'll be so glad you're here, he's been waiting all week... Souta! Inuyasha's here!"
"Coming, Mom," Souta called, putting down his pencil and heading out to meet them. Kagome followed at his heels, unfazed by the fact that the door shut on her once again. Standing in the foyer, waiting for her brother, was Inuyasha, looking even more tired than he had earlier. When he saw Souta coming, he attempted a smirk, but it didn't have the same effect as it once had.
"Well, if it isn't the squirt," Inuyasha teased, tilting his head to the side to survey Souta.
"Inu-no-nii-chan," Souta greeted. He stepped forward as if to lock his arms around the hanyou's middle as he had as a younger little boy, but seemed to think better of it, and instead satisfied himself with shaking hands. "How's everyone in the Feudal Era doing?"
"Fine, fine." He looked around the room, as if he were searching for something, until he caught Souta's curious glance. "So, uh...what's for dinner?"
"What else?" Souta laughed. "Ramen, of course. I think mom's making milkshakes, too," he added. "Strawberry. Kagome's favorite." He suddenly looked stricken, as if he'd said something he shouldn't have, and his eyes raised uneasily to meet Inuyasha's, as if he were afraid of being scolded. Inuyasha said nothing, only looked away as something painful sparkled in his eyes. Souta looked regretful, biting his lip and fumbling awkwardly with his fingers, unsure of what to say to fix it. Inuyasha caught the unspoken apology.
"It's okay, kid," Inuyasha mumbled. Then, even more quietly, "I miss her, too." Souta looked up, and Kagome could almost see his nine-year-old self in those dark eyes.
"Inu-no-nii-chan," he began hesitantly. He seemed to lose his nerve, looking at the older boy nervously, asking him to read his thoughts and answer the question anyway.
"What?" Inuyasha was no more of a mind reader than he had been in Kagome's time.
"Wh-what...d-did...oh..." He stopped, swallowing. "Did...did Nee-chan ever say anything about me?"
A look of familiarity crossed the inu-youkai's features. "Souta, we have this conversation every year. I always say the same thing."
"Please, nii-chan." The boy's voice was prayerful.
"All right. Okay." Inuyasha walked into the living room with Souta and Kagome at his heels. He sat in Mrs. Higarashi's favorite chair, and the siblings sat on the couch. "Okay. Let's see..."
"W-was she mad at me?" Souta asked abruptly, and Inuyasha looked surprised.
"Of course not. Why do you think she was?"
"I dunno..." he looked embarrassed. "I just...." He stared at the ground, as if he was talking to it rather than the older boy. "I...I never got to see her that much once she went down the well...and I teased her a lot..."
Kagome's eyes glimmered in understanding. "Oh, no, Souta. I wasn't mad at you. I wasn't—"
"Your sister loved you very much," Inuyasha said firmly. "She wasn't mad at you at all. She was just really sad that she had to leave you." Souta fell silent and Inuyasha did nothing to change it. Stillness and thoughtfulness hung thick in the room for several moments. It was only interrupted when Mrs. Higarashi called about five minutes later to announce that dinner was ready. Souta and Inuyasha walked into the kitchen, but Kagome stayed behind.
'Oh, Souta...how could you think I was mad at you? Was it because I lied to you? Told you that I'd come back, but never did? I didn't mean it...you were my brother, and I loved you...I still love you...' She took one last look at her family and her love, sitting at the table easting, and then turned to walk down the hallway to the foyer, and through the front door. She stood in the courtyard, staring at the sky. The last pink tinges of sunset were slowly fading away, accented by the silhouetted buildings off in the distance.
"Well, I can't stay here forever," Kagome murmured sadly. "It was nice to see everyone one last time." She smiled, looking up at the sky. "Thank you for giving me another chance. I know that I did have a purpose...they loved me. I did go there for a reason. Thank you for letting me see my family and friends again." She paused a moment, before adding, with her eyes shut tight, "But I'd really like to leave now."
Nothing happened. Kagome opened her eyes, feeling disappointed yet stupid for being disappointed. She had almost expected a big explosion and a descending bunch of mystical spirits to collect her to the after life. She sighed, and turned back towards her house—she could at least go inside—and she gasped. Standing there, looking as cool and straight-backed as ever, was Tsuki, looking very out of place in her silky white angel-robe.
"Ts-Tsuki!"
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Sanji: Ooh. Whatta cliffy! TAILZ! Look at this! You have over 300 reviews! TAILZ!! ::Whistles:: C'mon, girl! Come here! Come on, Tailzy!
:::Silence::
Sanji: ::Hangs head, defeated:: Review, guys....thanks.....