Act Twenty-one
Epilogue
Since fifteen years have passed…
Kagome watched from her place in the tall grass as Kiskoseki crouched behind a large bush of crab grass, her little black ears swiveling alertly atop her head. She could barely hear the small growl that escalated from her daughters throat as her fingers twitched above her sword's hilt.
Suddenly a boy leapt from the grass just in front of the girl, drawn a large sword, and swept it down towards her. But it a flash of light, Kiskoseki blocked it with her own large sword, the Tetsusaiga.
Kagome laughed as she leaned her head on Inuyasha's shoulder. In the fifteen years since Kiskoseki had been born, they had had another child, a boy named Niteioto.
When Kagome had first given birth to the boy, they had been shocked at the resemblance between him and Inuyasha. Even at that young age.
He had the same silvery hair, the same ears, the same soul-piercing amber eyes, even the same features. But as he grew, they came to find that he had a trait in him that neither parent had expected; he was more like Sesshoumaru then either dared believe. His face never showed any emotion, unless thoroughly mad of when he was fighting. He spoke only when was needed, or, as Inuyasha insisted, was like his mother in the fashion that he liked to argue with authority.
Nevertheless, his stoic features where often hard to break through. But not on this particular day.
Kagome looked up at the sun. Gathered here with her mate as she watched their two pups practicing their fighting techniques, her fear of them hurting one another had long drained away. She could hear Inuyasha laugh and Kiskoseki's victorious cry as she turned just in time to see Niteioto flying through the air, straight at them.
"Gotcha!"
Kagome watched with slight fear as Inuyasha pushed her aside, leaping into the air to intercept the flying thirteen-year-old. However, Niteioto had gathered quite a bit of momentum, and when caught by his father, sent both sprawling onto the grass.
"Ow, my head." Whined Niteioto as he rubbed a silver ear.
Inuyasha sat up, brushing the grass off himself. "Your head, what about my back?" He said as he straightened.
Kagome smiled, reassured that they were fine. However she did turn to pin her daughter with a warning look.
If Kiskoseki had seen the look, she paid it no mind. Too busy laughing her ass off, she rolled in the grass, clutching her stomach, next to Tetsusaiga.
"Kis…"
The hanyou girl opened one eye, tears welling in the corners from her laughter, as she gazed into the eyes of her father. "Y-yes Daddy?"
Her father gave an evil smile. Suddenly, he drew the sword that Niteioto had been welding- the Tsumaki- And thrust it at her. Eyes widening, Kiskoseki grabbing the Tetsusaiga, transforming as she brought it up just in front of her to block her father's assault.
Scrambling to her feet as Inuyasha drew back to prepare himself for another attack, Kiskoseki was barely able to pull Tetsusaiga in front of her before the two powerful swords clashed, electricity sparking as they rubbed together.
"What I do? What did I do?" she cried, furiously dodging her fathers relentless attacks.
A cynical smile came over Inuyasha's features as he blocked the old fang using the new one.
"What, do I need a reason to torture my daughter?" He joked as he thrust Tsumaki towards his daughter.
"Hey!" The sword caught on the sleeve of the kimono she wore, tearing it with a loud rip. A small amount of blood ran down her arm from the small wound.
Kagome heard the ripping fabric and turned her attention away from Niteioto. She watched with suspicion as Inuyasha hurried to his daughters side, both swords lying forgotten on the ground.
Frowning, Kagome rose to her feet, walking slowly towards her mate and offspring.
"What happened?" She asked as she closed the gap between herself and her mate.
Inuyasha whirled around, pulling Kiskoseki behind him. "Oh, nothing, nothing."
She raised an eyebrow and looked over the hanyou's shoulder to her daughter, who was obviously avoiding his gaze.
"Kiskoseki…?" She said menacingly.
Lifting her head, the girl gave a sheepish smile. She laughed nervously before tapering off. Stepping to the side of her dad, the girl revealed her arm, the sleeve nearly torn in two and soaked in blood.
Kagome visibly bristled as Inuyasha and his daughter stepped back slowly. Her mate knew that she wasn't worried about Kiskoseki being wounded, no, the kids had hurt themselves many times as young pups….
"Inuyasha," She growled. "Do you know how long it took me to make that dress?"
Inuyasha raised his hands to ward off his mate as she continued to advance on him. "Yes, I do, and it is very pretty and I was wrong to play with her in her pretty new dress and I promise I will get it fixed, even if I have to do it myself."
Kagome sighed, her body relaxing but he features didn't. "Your such a baka. That was her birthday kimono."
Kiskoseki smiled, walking over to sheath Tetsusaiga. Placing the sword back into the casing, she started over to where her brother sat, sliding her fingers fondly over the smooth wood scabbard.
Today was her fifteenth birthday. The day Shitsuren had been defeated at the hands of his own daughter. And how many times had Kiskoseki heard that story? How turning her into Inuyasha's daughter instead of Shitsuren's had purified the jewel. Still, it was one of her favorite stories. That, along with the story of how Kagome had come to be in this world…
Dropping to her knees to rummage through the sack her mother often carried along, she came across some medical supplies. Taking them out, she continued to treat her wound, a habit created back in the days when injury to the two hanyou pups had been an hourly occurrence. She wrapped the cut tightly and replaced the medical provisions. Turning her attention back to her parents, Inuyasha was warding away the angry Kagome with Tsumaki.
Once again she stroked the Tetsusaiga's casing. The sword had been an early birthday present from Inuyasha. She had always had an interest in swords, even after Kagome had tried to replace the awe of the weapon with bows and arrows. Now, Kiskoseki was a triple threat; spiritual powers, master archer and a skilled swordsman…
That's when the Tsumaki had been forged from one of Inuyasha's fangs. Almost as powerful as Tetsusaiga, with Niteioto as its welder, the two became a great sparing partner.
"So, I take it you are no worse for wear?"
Kiskoseki was brought out of her thoughts by her mother's voice. Gazing up, her golden eyes met Kagome's sweet brown ones. "Uh, yea, I'm fine."
"Keh. Good. Cant let me get rusty, now, that you have Tetsusaiga. I'm still gonna need extra practice, and you know what that means…" Her father's eyes sparkled with excitement at the thought of continuing to fight his daughter.
Niteioto snorted. "Yea, Kis is gonna ruin more of her cloths."
If Kagome understood the jibe, she showed no sign. But Kiskoseki understood perfectly. She shot her brother a nasty glare over her shoulder.
Unknown to Kagome, Kiskoseki, her brother and Inuyasha were much more ruthless when she was absent. And more than a few of Kiskoseki's clothes had fallen victim to the sword's blades. Thankfully, there was Sango. When any clothing became damaged, they would store the garments at Sango's place, until they could be repaired.
'Perhaps I should say something about that skirt Nit's been chasing lately…'As the four laughed and joked, Kiskoseki became increasingly aware of an approaching aura. Turning her head in the direction she sensed it, she stared, willing for the creature to show itself.
"So, you sense it too?" Asked Kagome in a strange, unusual voice.
Kiskoseki nodded.
Inuyasha frowned as he looked at his son. "Uh, some of us cant sense that kinda stuff. Willing to enlighten us?" He shot.
But explanation wasn't needed. Over the hill, four figures approached.
Four wolves.
Instantly Inuyasha bristled. Grabbing Tsumaki, he held out the sword as Kiskoseki drew Tetsusaiga, Kagome knocking an arrow. From behind, Niteioto flexed his claws.
The wolf approached closer, obviously unconcerned of the four in front of her. Around her, three pups played, reckless and tumbling through the grass.
Something was familiar about this wolf. Furrowing her eyebrows, Kiskoseki stared hard at the wolf. Her coat was a cream color. Long, saber-like fangs hung from her jowls. Her gate was smooth, effortless. And her eyes; a brilliant emerald green.
Kibami stopped just in front of the family. A low growl vibrated from her throat and the pups aligned next to her. Three of them; one gray, one black and one brown.
Slowly Kagome lowered her weapon. "Kibami…"
The she-wolf gave a doggy smile, lolling her tongue out the side of her mouth. "It's been a long time, Kagome."
The woman nodded as she dropped the weapon back down near her feet. "Yes, fifteen years to be exact. We were celebrating my daughters birthday, I believe you would remember her."
The wolf's eyes came to rest upon the black-haired inu-hanyou. Golden eyes met emerald as the two locked gazes.
"Yes, how I remember her. And how she is grown. She resembles you, Inuyasha."
The hanyou growled as he stepped beside his daughter, receiving a stern glare from Kagome.
Kibami only nodded, catching Kagome's cold look. "Its all right. I would be the same way, should one that is the daughter of a sworn enemy look upon my pups. But I am harmless; my father is dead and I take orders from no one. Hence, you are also a victim of my father, as am I. You are as good to me as my own family." She glanced at the pups sitting beside her.
Somewhere deep inside her mind, a light flickered, and realization hit Kiskoseki hard. This wolf, she was Kibami. The same Kibami as in the story of Shitsuren. This was the youkai who had delivered her, who had slain her own father.
The brown pup beside Kibami whimpered, and his mother looked at him. Sighing, she stood, the puppies starting off the same direction they had come.
"My pups are hungry. So, it is now I bid you farewell." Turning, she started away, but paused, her green eyes looking back and meeting with Kiskoseki's.
"You are destined for great things, pup. As was your mother. You too shall defy the laws of time and reason. And too shall find your soul mate." With that the wolf started to lope away, letting out a low howl for her pups.
The family watched as Kibami moved over the field and across the hill until she was out of sight.
Kagome made her way to her daughters side, greatly moved by Kibami's words.
"Kis, I think its time that I told you the whole story again. All together, with your father, Sango, Miroku and Shippo." Slowly she brushed aside a strand of raven hair. "She was right. You are destined for great things."
Niteioto: Like His FatherNiteiru: Like (Similar)
Otosan: Father
