A/N: Huh, I got more feedback than I expected and most were good reviews. Some were questionable though...anyways, I haven't decided on a pairing for Kagome yet. (No, I haven't kicked her out. Her progress is in the prolouges.) Well, here's the nexy chapter; enjoy:)
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In the six months since Kagome was cut off from the Fuedal Era, she had somehow found a way to start living again. Although it hadn't happened right away. The first two years had been too difficult for Kagome to handle and to add more grief, her grandfather had passed away in his sleep by heart failure. He experienced no pain, but his passing was Kagome's pain. After awhile, her mother had her see a pychiatrist where she was diagnosed with Dysthymic disorder and given an anit-depressant. Since then she has been doing exceptionally well, even if she had to repeat the ninth grade because of all the work she missed from being 'absent'.
Through all that, she had something to gain from all of this. It started on Christmas morning; Kagome woke up and hurried to the living room; her mom and brother were waiting for her. Kagome smiled at them, but her eyes fell at the green-wrapped box held in Souta's hands. "Here, sis." Souta said, holding out the box for her to take. "Don't shake it though; Merry Chirstmas."
Kagome smiled and took the box from Souta. It wasn't too heavy, not too light. She set the box down and when she did, it started to shake, which startled Kagome. She looked up at her mom and Souta; they were chuckling at Kagome's startled reaction. "What are you waiting for, sweetheart? Open it; don't keep us in suspense." her mom said.
Kagome loosened the ribbon, then lifted the seperately wrapped lid and found herself staring wordlessly at what she'd been given. It was no more than five pounds and had all-white fur, pointed ears, and a slightly bushy tail. It stood on its haunches in the corner of the box, looking up at her with amber eyes. Tears started to prick Kagome's eyes as she peeked over the lid of the box and reached in for her gift. It sniffed her hand for a few moments and she lifted him out, holding him close to her chest. She started petting his soft, silky fur and she was rewarded with kisses on her face.
"Well, what do you think?" Souta asked.
Through teary eyes, Kagome smiled at Souta and her mom. "He's wonderful. Thank you."
"I was worried how you would react...does it remind you.." her mom trailed off, not wanting to bring back dull memories.
"He does...he even looks like him, but it makes me feel happy. I haven't quite let go of the past, but I have something to look forward in the future." Kagome held the puppy out. It snorted. Kagome laughed at how stubborn this puppy was being. He kept squirming from Kagome's embrace and bounding after Buyo, who wsn't too fond of the new member of the family. He barked at Buyo and started chasing him. In the end he got a scratch on his nose and started whining. Kagome held the puppy close, soothing the puppy in low-tones, letting him get used to her. "Shh...you'll be okay," she whispered. "Buyo's just old and cranky; he'll get used to you."
"What're you gonna name him, Kagome?" Souta asked.
Kagome paused for a moment, trying to think of a suitable name for her new puppy. "Hikaru," she whispered. "I think I'll call him Hikaru."
Chapter II: Nobody needs me
Six months ago
Her heart skipped a beat and the only thing Sango heard was silence. Kohaku? How--why? Sango's eyes lifted from Kohaku's to Inuyasha's, who seemed quite pleased with himself. If the smirk on his face wasn't any indication...but why would Inuyasha use the jewel to bring back Kohaku instead of using it to become a full demon? He'd been bragging about it for two years.
"Sister?"
Sango's eyes snapped back to Kohaku. He took a few steps torward her, hesistating with his words, but before he could speak, Sango had dropped to her knees and brought Kohaku in her arms. "You remember me?" She said, her voice trembling and tears pricking her eyes.
Kohaku wrapped his arms around the slayer's shoulders, a solemn expression on his face. "Yes, Sango; I remember you and..what happened that night." He paused.
Sango knew what he meant by that night; the night Naraku took control of Kohaku and made him kill their father and the rest of their comrades. Kohaku must feel guilty and miserable about it still.
"Sango, I'm sorry--"
"Don't," Sango whispered, "it wasn't your fault."
Seeing that it was his cue to leave the siblings to their happy reunion, Inuyasha walked out of the hut, unnoticed. Upon steeping outside, Miroku and Shippo sat by the hut's entrance.
"Rejected again, monk?" Inuyasha questioned, noticing the red mark on Miroku's face. Miroku smiled in response. "I have a feeling I won't be next time."
"What's THAT supposed to mean?"
"You'll see."
Inuyasha did not like the sound of that. "I'm keeping an eye on you.." he muttered more to himself than to Miroku. Inuyasha took a seat by the campfire, watching the flames dance.
Shippou appeared by Inuyasha. "Hey, Inuyasha, why'd you use the jewel to bring back Kohaku? I thought you were gonna become a full demon like me!"
Inuyasha snorted. "Like you? Feh, I'd rather be a human than be a little brat like you are now."
"Hey, I'm not a brat!"
"Yeah, yeah, sure you're not."
Shippou lunged for the sarcastic demon, but Inuyasha had grabbed ahold of Shippou's tail and lifted him up, then he pitched him through the air.
"KAGOMEEEEE!" Shippou yelled as he was thrown. On instinct, Inuyasha's ears flatened, waiting for the inevitable 'SIT!', but nothing came. Then he realized that Kagome wouldn't be coming back. It's for the best. He kept telling himself. Kagome's where she belongs.
After Kohaku had fallen asleep, Sango walked out of the hut in search of Inuyasha. She spotted him lounging in his favorite tree. Sango started torwards the tree when a purple-clothed hand stopped her from going any further. Sango turned her head and saw Miroku.
"What is it Miroku?"
Mirkoku smiled. "Well, I have something important to ask you, but that can wait. I just want to know if you're happy now that Kohaku's back."
Sango smiled. "Very. In fact I was going to thank Inuyasha for bringing him back for me."
"I was surpised when he told me his decision. I never knew he was capable of being so selfless."
"I HEARD THAT, MONK!"
Miroku cringed at Inuyasha's angry voice and chuckled. "It was a compliment. Anyway," Miroku clapsed her hand. "What are your plans? Are you going to go back home and rebuild your village?"
"Yes. Kohaku and I want to restore what was lost and try to repair the damage made by Naraku. Why do you ask?"
Then Miroku did something that shocked Sango: he got down on one knee, her hand still clapsed in his. "Miroku?"
"Sango...I have admired you since the day you joined our group and marvled the way you fight so gracefully and with ease. There were times I'd couldn't stop thinking of you and wonder what you thought of me. There were times when we were in battle, that you were injured or in danger and I'd worry non-stop about you until I was sure you were alright. There were times when I wondered if you have feeling for me."
Sango's heart skipped a beat for the second time today. She knew perfectly well what Miroku was going to ask her, but she still couldn't believe it was happening.
Miroku sighed and looked at her straight in the eye. "Sango, can I take your hand in marriage?"
Inuyasha's ears twitched and his eyes widened as he watched Sango's shocked expression turning into elated. His heart suddenly felt heavy. He knew it was inevitable he would be alone once this journey was over--
"Yes! Thank you, Miroku!" Sango exclaimed, dropping into his embrace, laughing with joy.
--he just didn't know it would be so soon. Feh, why should I care? I don't need anybody. Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest, feeling both bothered and dissapointed. Nobody needs me anyway.
Later that night, Sango couldn't sleep. She kept waking up and looking over her shoulder to see if Kohaku was still there. Sango detested waking up fearing that Kohaku's being alive was just a dream.
Sango fiddled with the hem of her kimono sleeve, watching Kohaku's steady breathing. Was she going to be this paranoid for the remainder of her life? She wasn't sure if she could go on like this.
"Are you ever going to sleep?"
Sango gasped and looked across the room. Inuyasha's amber eyes gleamed in the darkness, which startled and enchanted Sango at the same time. Sango sat up in her mat.
"Did I wake you, Inuyasha?" She whispered. trying not to rouse anyone from their slumber.
"No, but your constant obsession is making me annoyed. Kohaku's fine, Naraku's rotting in Hell. What else is there to reassure you? Geez." Inuyasha shook his head as he said the last part.
"I'm sorry. I keep waking up, thinking it's all a dream."
"I understand that, but you've got to keep telling yourself that Kohaku's back with you now and that bastard is getting what he deserves."
Inuyasha shrugged over his fire-rat coat. "Here," he threw the clothing to Sango, who caught the material. Sango looked at the dog-demon, confusion etching her features.
"What?" Inuyasha asked, annoyed that Sango's staring at him.
"Inuyasha, why'd you bring Kohaku back? I don't understand; I'm thankful you did, but why?"
"I said I'd get him back, didn't I? You think I'd go back on my promise?"
Sango shook her head in defense. "No, of course not."
"I did it only for you, Sango, so you don't need to hurt anymore. Go to sleep."
Sango nodded, laying back down, and covering herself with the soft material of his coat. Sango was surprised at the softness of the material for she thought it would be coarse like Inuyasha's attitude. She looked over her shoulder and saw annoyed amber eyes, seeming to say, Well, are you gonna go to sleep or what?
Sango closed her eyes and tugged the coat up to her chin, replaying the words Inuyasha said to her. I did it for only for you, Sango, so you don't need to hurt anymore.
Does Inuyasha care?
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A/N: Sheesh. It's about time I got free time...I'm sorry for the delay. I'm trying to keep up with school projects. I HATE ENGLISH RESEARCH. I'll try to work at it harder so I can update more. Have a nice day :) Oh and by the way, doesn't anyone find it irritating when Kagome 'sits' him? I thinks she overdoes it...