Chapter 8—Nighttime Lullaby's

"The reason she hasn't seen you Inuyasha…is because in this time you have also become a full demon…………." Kagome said staring at the group before her.

"What...How…."Inuyasha stuttered unable to form words…. "I don't understand….."

Kagome shifted here eyes to the ground no longer able to look at the Hanyou she once loved before her. "It is a long story" she said glancing to where Sakura was. "One that I don't wish to get into right now…Not where my daughter can over hear….." Tears glistened in here once soft violet eyes but stubbornly refused to fall.

"Kagome….?" Miroku asked.

"Uh…Yes…Miroku?"

"We understand if you can't tell us now…But you must understand…we were put in this time by accident and don't really know what is going on. We just wish to understand what has happened to you…And apparently what happened to ourselves…You don't have to tell us now." Miroku said placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"He's right Kagome…We just want to know what's happened…maybe it is the way for us to get home…." Sango added.

After taking a big breath Kagome lifted her eyes the Hanyou and her friends before her. Oh how she had missed them….The horrors over the last few years have been too much on her mind alone.

"Alright….But not now…later when I put Sakura to bed…She has been through enough….I don't want to make her relive this…."

"What ever you need Kagome…Now….Can we go inside…I'm Really hungry!" Shippo said gripping his stomach when a big grumble came from it.

Holding back laughter the best they could they all started heading back into the palace.

It was beautiful. That was the only word that could describe Kagome's home. It had only the finest furniture and china.

Servants were busy carrying food and dishes to and from the dinning room table. The table was filled with the most delicious smelling food. The gang couldn't help but drool at the amazing array of food that was presented.

Holding back a giggle Kagome said "Help yourself, There is more then enough for everyone."

Almost instantly the group practically jumped onto the table and began shoving food into they're mouth.

After all the plates were cleared, all Kagome could do was stare at the once filled table. "Wow……..I forgot what big appetites you guys had…….I'll remember that next time….."

Sitting back with a content filled sigh Inuyasha got his first real look at his daughter and Kagome who were on the other side of the table…They were beautiful…both of them…Sakura looked so much like her mother….it was remarkable…Kagome was so much like she was in our time…Except he could feel the waves of hidden pain and distress coming off her..

"Uh…..Inuyasha…" The annoying monk whispered in his ear.

"What do you want Miroku?' Said the disgruntled Hanyou.

"Nothing…it's just…Can you feel the pain coming off her…its immense! I mean I've seen Kagome sad and in pain before….but this…..this is intense…..I wonder what happened?"

The Hanyou once again looked at Kagome. "Yea….I wonder"

A little while later Kagome announced she was taking Sakura to bed and would be back in a few minutes. And after a few complaints from Sakura, they disappeared down the hall.

"Wait here guys…." Inuyasha said rising from his chair. "I just want to see something."

Inuyasha followed Kagome's scent down the hall towards the back of the house. All the doors were closed except one at the far end of the hall. Standing next to the door so he was close enough to hear what was going on, but also out of there sight.

"Mommy….?"

"Yes Sakura"

"Mommy….why was Daddy here….I thought he got sick and had to go away…?"

That statement alone made Inuyasha's heart tare.

After a long silence he heard Kagome Sigh deeply trying to figure out what to tell her daughter.

"Sakura….This might seem a little hard to believe…but… that man is from the past…my past…Yes he looks like dad...but he's from before dad got sick, Even before you."

"Oh…" Inuyasha heard Sakura sigh. "I wish he was the daddy I know…I miss him mommy….when is he gonna get better so he can come home….he said he was going to take me down to the lake…remember mommy…he said he would take me there to have a picnic just me and him….." Sakura said yawning.

"Yes…"Kagome said holding in tears that threatened to fall. "I remember…and I miss him too…But I'm afraid it's going to be a long time before he can come home…"

"Oh…"Sakura said disappointedly…. "Mommy…." She called as Kagome stood up to leave.

"Yes Sakura."

"Can you sing me that song? Remember the one you sang to me the first night when daddy was away?"

With a sad smile Kagome turned back to her child and tenderly pushed the strand of long white hair behind her ear.

"Alright…But you have to promise to go to sleep afterwards…Deal?"

"Yes mommy." Sakura said with joy in her voice.

Kagome started humming a soft tune that seemed to strike a whole in his heart. It seemed so familiar…but from where….When Kagome started singing he found he couldn't even move…

Dance with me forever

I want to hold you high and kiss away your tears.

Don't cry my child, don't be afraid.

I'm here to whisk away your fears.

The words were so beautiful and Kagome's voice was…Amazing…Inuyasha couldn't help the tears that fell from his eyes as Kagome continued with the song…

Don't you fear my love

No one can hurt you here

Hush my child I will protect you

Hold you close and never let go

Wipe those tears away and replace it with a smile

For the darkness has gone now.

Stay with me a little longer my hummingbird

Make the daylight music bright……...

Inuyasha lifted his head up when he heard Kagome stop at the end of the song…the song had continued on to tell of light and beauty he knew Kagome had not seen in her life…The thought brought new tears down the Hanyou's face…

"Thank you mommy…"Sakura said yawning. "That song reminds me of daddy…when he used to sing it to me…I want him to come home mommy….I miss his a whole lot." She said drifting into sleep.

"I know Sakura……So do I…So do I…" Kagome said while heading towards the door.

She was so lost in thought she didn't even notice the Hanyou staring at her till she bumped into him…

"Oh…Inuyasha…Sorry…I…didn't see you there…what are you doing her—"

Kagome was cut off by Inuyasha pulling her into a tight hug…

"Inu…Yasha…" she said getting over the shock then relaxing in his arms…after so long it felt good to have his arms around her again.

"Kagome…I'm sorry for whatever I do…To you and to our daughter…I swear I'll change it when I go back to my time…I can't stand the pain in your eyes! And the hurt in our daughters voice….I Wont! Let this happen! I Wont!" He said hugging her tighter.

He felt her pulling out of his embrace and looked down at her…she seemed so fragile…nothing like the strong willed Kagome he knew in his time. He could see the tears streaming down her face. And at that moment realized he would do anything if she swore to never shed tears because of him again.

When she lifted her head to look into his eyes he couldn't handle the pain in her once lively eyes. He pulled her chin up and placed all the love he felt for her into a passionate kiss.

He could feel her surprise, and soon her giving into him. There was so much pain and suffering in her kiss. He could feel it as if he had gone through her pain. Soon her pain turned into need…and she put her arms around his neck and ran her hands into his hair. After a slight moan Inuyasha pulled away. God how she could affect him so much with just a small move was crazy…

"I'm sorry……" Inuyasha whispered..

With a sad smile Kagome said "Don't be…you don't understand how much I needed that right now….You…or the future you has been gone so long….I almost forgot what it was like to be held in your arms…and kissed like that…Thank you…" moving more away from him she started walking back to the others. Turning back to him she said "Come on Inuyasha…I have to tell you…and the others…It's time we got back"

"Yea…" he said walking up to walk beside her. He gently took her hand. And whispered in her ear…"Your voice is amazing…I must remember to have you sing for me when I go back to my time"

Kagome couldn't cover up the blush that covered her cheeks.

Holding back a smile, they walked back to the rest of the group.

(Well here's the end of another chapter…This was one of my favorites…my friend Audrey gave me the idea for it…I was almost crying when I was writing the part with her Sakura. Please R&R!...I hope to be updating the next chapter soon. )