Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
A/N: I know I know. It took a loooooong time. But I'm sorry it couldn't be helped. My computer got a virus and my almost complete chapter got deleted with the rest of my computer and so it meant I had to write it again and i was too miffed to do it. When i got around to it, it turned out better than my last one.
Sorry again.
Oh, and the final battle is next chapter... (just thought you would like to know) and you find out who the mystery caller was in this chapter.
IMPORTANT: It was really hard to keep mentioning Mrs. Higurashi as Mama or whatever when the story goes into her past. Not to mention it sounded ridiculous that I was referring to her as Mama when she doesn't even have a kid yet. So there. I named her Sayo. I don't know what it means. I just got a book on Japanese baby names and flipped to a random page and put my finger on it. And there ya go.
So that's who Sayo is. Just so you don't get confused.
Chapter 24 : And so it begins...
"Get a glass of water boy." Grandpa ordered the young boy kneeling next to the unconscious form of his mother. The harsh order seemed to shake the boy out of his reverie and he scampered off to find a glass of water.
"Sayo? Sayo? Can you hear me child?" He shook his daughter's limp body gently; worry tugging at the corners of his mind.
Who had called? Why would it have such a drastic effect on my daughter?
"Here." Sota thrust the container full of water at his grandfather and proceeded to sit next to his mother, staring ruefully at her calm expression.
Grandpa sprayed a few drops of the cool liquid on her face and she stirred.
"Sayo?"
"Papa? Sota?" She asked uncertainly but then her glazed eyes cleared up. "What happened?"
"Mama!" Sota cried out with relief and hugged her neck so hard she almost choked.
"Sota... go easy on her. What happened my child? Who was on the phone? How are you feeling? Does your head hurt?"
Realization dawned on her and she looked at them with eyes that looked close to panic.
"Nothing happened. No one called. It was a wrong number. I feel a little sick that's all." She shot at them in rapid succession and then got up shakily.
Grandpa decided that she wouldn't talk in front of Sota, so he'll just have to make her talk when they're alone.
"Sota, go to bed. It's late." He ordered the young boy.
"But, but, but..."
"Listen to your grandpa Sota. It's late. Okay honey?" She asked him nicely and gave him a small peck on the cheek for good measure. Immediately he started rubbing his cheek furiously and started complaining about not being a kid anymore.
"Yes, you are not a kid anymore. And big kids listen to their grandpas, don't they Papa?" She asked him with a wink.
"Of course they do. But in my time even the small ones were just as behaved as the ones now. Truly, kids these days have no respect for their elders..."
"Papa..." She shook her head. "Sota, go to bed." Then she added with a whisper, "Unless you want to hear another of his stories."
Sota gulped and got up immediately and all but ran off to his room.
"Ah well, this time it took only ten minutes. You know, I think he really is growing up." She said and moved to sit at one of the chairs.
"That is all well and good, child. But now we need to talk." He sat across from her, facing her.
"Papa, I don't want to..."
"Look. I know a lot of things have been bothering you lately. You have been on edge ever since Kagome and Inuyasha left."
"I am not on edge." She said through her teeth.
"I stand by my point." He watched his daughter sigh. "Sayo, you never minded them being together. What happened?"
"It's just. It's just that Inuyasha is so much like... like him."
Grandpa flared up. His normally calm face screwed up in barely suppressed rage. "He is nothing like him. Inuyasha would never hurt Kagome. Never."
"But he already has. Every time Kagome came back from the well close to tears, every time she looked in the mirror and seemed to see someone else, Inuyasha hurt her. Not to mention, she almost killed herself not four months ago."
"And hence, she loves him. Life without him seemed impossible to her. And now you want to separate them. Every time you try to separate them, they come back one step closer to each other. Now they are mated. You want to destroy their chance at happiness?"
"Papa, how?"
"How do I know they are mated? It is impossible not to see it. I have to be blind to see they are inseparable and even a blind man would sense it."
"I just don't want Kagome to go through what I have been through."
"I understand. But Inuyasha is nothing like him. He would kill himself before he lets harm come to my granddaughter."
"That's not all. They both don't even belong to the same era. How will they live together for the rest of their life?"
"That's a small problem. I believe I heard Inuyasha was willing to come live in this era..."
"But that would be like trapping a wild animal inside a small cage. He is a free boy, who has lived by running through the forests and hunting his own food. This era is nothing like what he is used to. He is underestimating the life over here and may end up suffocated and alone."
"He will never be alone as long as long as Kagome is with him. And freedom? As far as I know, he wishes to be bound. Has he not bound himself to a woman, a young orphan child and an eccentric group of humans? He does not value freedom. Or rather, he finds freedom in binding."
"I don't believe it'll work."
"Things rarely work out the way we imagine them. But in the end, they always work out."
"What am I to do?" She asked wistfully.
"You are to let things happen the way they are supposed to happen. And you are supposed to tell me about the mystery caller."
She looked up at him and he nodded to tell her to go on.
"He was no one. It was a wrong number."
"He means it was a man. If I may guess..."
"It was NOT him."
"I see." But the tone of his voice told her he didn't agree.
"Why would he call now papa? Why? After all these years?" She asked him, tears threatening to spill over.
"I don't know child. I don't know. But I do know that it cannot be for any good reason."
"Kagome was so young when he left. She wouldn't even remember him."
"But you are wrong. She remembers. She prays for him to come back. You never told her did you?"
"No. She still thinks he left on a business trip and has yet to return. I think now she has kind of forgotten about the reason why he's not here, she just believes that he's not here and will come back."
"You have to tell her. She's a woman now. She's mature and understanding."
"But... I don't want her to know. I don't want her to know what he did."
"You still love him."
"I don't."
"Then why do you want to save his face in front of the daughter he deserted?"
She stayed silent.
"See? You still love him. But remember, if he asks to come back, now your decision will change the life of your children and this old man. Not only yours. You have to think and make sure you are making the right choice."
"I won't let him back into my life. There's no way he's coming back into this house."
"Believe what you want my child. But I know that your resolve will crumble at the sight of his face."
"That will not happen..."
"It will happen my child. For how many years did you know that he was cheating on you? For how many years did you know about his affair with his secretary? And what did you do? You tried hard to get his love back. You never confronted him. You even went as far as to bear him another child, a son no less, only so he would love you again. You didn't give any care to your health. Need I remind you that having Sota was a grave risk to your health and even your life?"
"I remember papa."
"Then do I have to remind you that he left his wife seven months pregnant with his son and his seven year old daughter to go live with his secretary? Or do I have to remind you that he did not care whatsoever whether his wife and children were alive or not? Or maybe the fact that he doesn't even know he has a son will help your decision?"
Sayo started crying then. She tried hard to keep the tears in but her father's words overwhelmed her and she couldn't take the truth anymore. She had been a fool. She had tried so hard, so hard. But he had left. And now he was back.
No he wasn't.
Not if she could help it.
Grandpa moved around and hugged her gently from behind. He didn't try to stop her tears. These tears had been caged up for ten years. They needed release.
"He's not coming back. Not as long as I'm alive."
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"Where are we going Inuyasha?"
"To the village."
"Why?"
Kagome was riding Inuyasha's back, as usual, and Miroku, Sango and Shippo were riding Kirara. Rei had decided to get to the village alone. They hadn't bothered to ask how.
"You are going back." Kagome wriggled to get a little more comfortable. They were going at a breakneck pace trying to get to the village before the sun set.
"Back where?"
"Back home. To your time." Kagome stopped moving. Inuyasha wanted her to go back? Wanted her to go back? What happened to all the whining and screaming and then making her promise that she'll be back as soon as possible?
"Inuyasha? Is everything all right?" Kagome was worried. She had a weird nagging doubt in the back of her mind that she decided not to acknowledge. He was not going to leave her. Never.
"Everything is fine and dandy mate. Now shut up and quit talking."
"But... why do you want me to go? Don't you want to be with me anymore?" Inuyasha slowed a bit when he smelt her tears in the air.
Oh hell. Did you have to put it like that? Now you made her cry. Gods, what am I to do?
"Don't talk nonsense. Of course I want you to be with me. I'd die without you." There I said it. Please don't let her go all mushy on me.
"Oh Inuyasha!" Kagome hugged him hard from behind and Inuyasha almost choked on her strength. So much for not going mushy.
"I have to breath to run. I would appreciate it if you loosen your hold a bit."
"Oh sorry." She loosened her arms a bit. Only a bit. "Now, why did you want me to go home?"
Inuyasha sighed. "The final battle is close. I can feel it. You'll be safer in your time."
"Safe? But I am safe with you here."
"I didn't mean that. You will be safe from Naraku in your time. He won't be able to get to you."
"And I will sit there by my window, weaving a cloth waiting for your valiant return from battle. Nuh uh, not happening."
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"It's a fairy tale."
"Fairies don't have tails."
"Of course they don't. But this is a story. It's a fairy tale."
"Whatever."
"I am not going."
"I never gave you a choice."
"But you don't expect me to stay there, do you?"
"Do you want me to steal your jewel shards and then shove a tree into the well again?"
"It didn't work then, it won't work now."
"Then I'll just have to shove a larger tree."
"I can think of much better place for you to shove it."
"What?" He grinned. Kagome just swore. He was growing on her.
"What I meant was I am not going and you can't make me."
"Kagome... look, this isn't just about you. This is for me too. I would never be able to forgive myself if something was to happen to you ... or someone else."
"What do you mean someone else?"
"Ah..." He opened his mouth and closed it several times, and then he decided to evade the topic completely. "You will stay in your own time. I will come get you. Wait for me."
Kagome closed her already open mouth. Wait for me. Now she can't say no. Was this it? Was this what she was supposed to wait for? Would something horrible happen if she didn't wait?
Inuyasha frowned. It wasn't like Kagome to agree with him without too much hassle. Something was up and he intended to find out, especially now that his pup's life was growing inside her.
His pup.
Their pup.
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"I'll come get you okay?" He said to her as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him again. He leaned forward to claim her lips. It seemed that she couldn't get enough of his kisses, not that he minded.
"Promise you'll come?" She kissed him again and he responded eagerly, almost hungrily.
"I...promise." He broke off the kiss long enough to place one soft one on her neck, right above his mark. "Just stay there. Okay?"
"I'll stay. You will come, right?" She asked him again. She didn't feel like leaving him alone. Not after that dream.
"I said I will come, didn't I? Just be careful, and take care of yourself." Cupping her face in his palm, he placed a soft gentle kiss on her slightly parted mouth, licking her lips and tasting her before breaking it off and nudging her gently towards the well.
Kagome ran her fingers through his midnight black hair and let them trail to the end of the silky lengths. He snaked his fingers into hers, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. He could see the fine lines of worry etched onto her beautiful face and she was biting her lower lip because of dread. He knew how she must be feeling, but it was for her good. At least she will be safe there.
"Won't you come with me? Just for a little while?" She asked, again worrying her lip, which was starting to redden and then swell.
"Shh." He shushed her and then traced the soft skin of her bottom lip to ease her menstruations on the sensitive skin. He leaned down and captured her lips in a soft but meaningful kiss. "I said I will come get you. Just don't come before I get you. Okay?"
She nodded sadly. "But won't you come? Just for a few minutes?"
He sighed and then rubbed his cheek against hers, whispering into her ear. "I'll come... but not now. But when I come, we'll stay there for as long as you want. Okay?" His hot breath on her ear sent shivers of excitement but sadness at the same time. She didn't want to go back alone. She wanted to fight with him, beside him. The dread of losing him again was too heavy on her and no amount of coaxing will take it away.
"But why do I have to go? Please let me stay..." She whined, a tear trickling down her cheek.
"I would love to have you beside me. I have reasons for what I am doing and you will know why. Just not now."
"I understand." With one last hug that lasted longer than anticipated, none of them wanting to let go first, they parted and Kagome jumped into the well with a heavy heart.
Inuyasha sighed as he saw her disappear into the well. Every time he was away from her, he felt half, incomplete. And now she had taken away another piece of him, inside herself.
Thinking about the pup she was carrying made his heart swell with something he had never experienced before. The pleasant surprise, the love he felt for her and the anticipation of 'wonder if it'll be a boy or a girl'.
Hmm... would I want a boy or a girl? If I have a boy, then I would teach him how to fight and I'll get a sword forged for him from my fang, just like my father. But if it's a girl, then I will have Kagome teach her how to be just as kind and loving as she is. But that doesn't mean that I won't teach her to fight. She'll be the best fighter the world has ever seen.
Wonder if it'll be twins. He smiled at that. No, he more like grinned at that. The image of Kagome sitting with two babies in her arms, smiling at them flashed before him.
Twins are good.
A boy and a girl. Twins.
He looked up at the dark sky. The absence of the moon reminding him that he was vulnerable tonight and should go someplace safe.
I wonder if my children will have their human nights.
He wondered why he was in this era if he couldn't fight either way. Guess he knew that if he stayed over at Kagome's time, then it'd be harder to leave.
You're a coward. A big fat coward. You claim to be afraid of nothing but seeing Kagome leave scares the shit out of you.
I am such a coward. Running away to her time on my weakest night. Even in my human form, I can fight.
Not as well as my half demon form, but good enough. Right?
Right?
He shook his head and headed towards the village.
He was no good. He was useless this one night and he made sure that everyone knew it.
Well, not everyone. But most people knew about his 'weakness'.
He trudged the way to Kaede's hut, feeling the absence of a raven-haired girl immensely. The slightly chilly breeze made his hair blow in the wind in a haphazard manner, obstructing his view.
He batted the hair out of his face with the patience of a cat on fire and looked around once more before continuing his small trek to the village.
Crack.
He stopped abruptly. He listened quietly, silently cursing his human ears and limited hearing. He was sure he heard something crack.
He turned around, letting his violet eyes scan the area. The area was surrounded by trees and anything could be concealed in the darkness that clung to them.
He put one hand on the hilt of Tetsusaiga and bent his knees and arms, a position in which he could attack or defend himself should the need arise.
"I know you are here. Come out so I can see you." A stupid move. It was possible that the demon, or whatever it was, was just going through the forest but Inuyasha's call would have alerted it of his presence.
"I ssssee. Even in you weak night you are veeeery persssssseptive." For the second time that night, Inuyasha felt fear. He knew what creature had been following him.
"What do you want?" He called out. His voice came out calm and confident, two things he was far from feeling. The last time he had encountered such a creature, he was a half demon and had been killed. But tonight, he was human. Anything could kill him.
And he was alone.
No. Not now. Please not now. I am going to be a father soon. I don't want to die without seeing my pups. Please. Just a little longer. I just want to see them.
He prayed silently to whatever gods that existed.
"Oh, but what we want... isssss you." Inuyasha pulled his sword out and turned in the general direction of the voice.
"You made a fatal mistake when you came alone. Last time I killed a whole pack of yours. What made you think you'll be able to get me this time?"
"But offf coursssse. That isss why I come with friendssss..."
Inuyasha gulped as the clearing got surrounded by shadows. So close were they standing that he could not distinguish one shadow from another.
And there were still five hours before sunrise.
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And the review responses:
Inuyashaishott6: Well, I am pretty sure you guessed who the mystery caller is. More detail will be given in the future chapters. Enjoy!
Lady-Sttar: Heh heh. Now Mama has a reason to be wicked and sweet. She's being wicked because she's sweet. And the future chapters will tell exactly what about Inuyasha reminds her of HIM.
RYU-BAKA-YASHA: . Extreme measures??? I wouldn't want that to happen to me now would I? heh heh Here's the update. You can put away the gun now. wink.
Markyc58: Thank you so much. Hope you liked the little sub plot that explains Mama's behaviour.
Marsha a.k.a Inuyasha: No Rei in this chapter! Take out the cakes and candy!
serinitay: heh heh heh. I don't know if Inuyasha is going to die or not. Maybe Kagome's dream is already coming true... but wait! It isn't ... yet! MWAHAHAHA. ummm.... did i just give away the plot?
Fushigi Ao Tenshi: wow! You figured it out with one line. You're good. Rei will have a major role next chapter!
Pancake Bob: Another cliffy!! Have fun!
NefCanuck: You know, that was rather poetic. Reminded me of the little jiggle in Macbeth. Hmm...
Lee-4kagome: Here's ur update!
littlewofdemon1: I know its not a fast update... but i'm trying.
szmadad: I don't like triangles much, but i liek the InuKagKouga Triangle the most. Love it. So i exploit it alot. But this fic it isn't a priority. Just a little subplot. Lotsa subplots. God, and i thought i couldn't juggle. And about the soul thing... I'm not sure... It sounds like a good idea though.
YoYoJo: Yours made me laugh. Here's another cliffy.Forgive me! ducks and runs