CHAPTER TWO

Following the strange woman down the hall Kagome wondered what her grandfather had gotten her into. As they stopped at a door, Genkai turned to Kagome. "Please wait here I would like to read this before we talk."

Not knowing what else to say Kagome only nodded before stepping into the room. As the door closed behind her she looked around at her surroundings.

She noticed the only thing in the room was a small T. V. on a wooden stand. There were no chairs or couches, no pictures or decorations on the walls. It was the opposite of everything that she had grown up with. The room as with the whole house seemed sad and lonely. Sighing she sat on the floor facing the wall. The door to her right and the sad T.V. to her left and waited.

As Genkai shut the door to her bedroom she closed her eyes. She would not cry she told herself. Death was the price for life. As she regained her inner strength she looked at the old letter in her hand. It was a little wrinkled and yellowing around the edges. In a neat and familiar calligraphy was her name.

She who had faced countless demons and trained a hardheaded dimwit to be one of the greatest fighters was scared. Not of what the letter it's self, but of what it would say and how it would change everything. Before she could loose her nerve she broke the red wax seal of her family crest and began to read.

My dearest Genkai,

If you are reading this letter than I have died, do not morn for me. I have lived a full life, one of happiness and mostly with out regret. As I write this letter I watch your daughter grow from a sweet girl into a strong woman. Every day she does something that reminds me of you. Her powers grow each day, She has inherited much from you, and has even started on an adventure all her own. One I hope will not break her heart as yours did.

Forgive me Sister if what I say hurts you, but it is time for you to be together. She needs to know the truth of who she is; where she comes from.

I have heard the rumors of that basterd's demise at the hands of your own student and I am ashamed to admit that I rejoiced. For what he has done to you and our family he deserves no less. I know that it was painful for you and for that I am sorry.

I have waited to send this letter until my death due to my own selfishness. I wanted to spend that last of my life with my "granddaughter." Please forgive me.

Now is the time little sister, be with your daughter. Get to know her as I have. Aniko understands. She knows that Kagome needs to be told. She also thanks you for giving her and my son what they could not have themselves.

I have always and will always love you,

Your brother,

Jiro

Genkai slowly folded the letter placing it back in its envelope. Closing her eyes she ignored the tears running down her face and cried.

"You're lying!" Kagome declared jumping to her feet. "I have a mother and its not you. Why would you even say such a thing?" Genkai sighed handing the letter to her. "I understand that this is difficult for you, but it is the truth." She told her gently. Kagome cast a wary look to the letter before taking it. Recognizing the script on the front she opened it up and began to read. As she finished she looked at the old woman sitting before her. 'It's true' she thought. Turning quickly she fled from the house, brushing past the man from earlier. Running until her tears caught up with her and she broke down on the side of the road.

Yusuke walked into the main room looking for Genkai. She was sitting on the floor in her favorite position staring at an empty space in front of her. "What's going on grandma? Who was that girl?" He asked.

"Go home and mind your own business Yusuke." was her only reply.

The fact that she had used his name was enough to know that something was wrong. Making up his mind he sat down beside her, neither saying anything as the night took over for the day and the stars made their appearance.

Kagome walked into the house that she had grown up in, to find the woman she called mother sitting at the kitchen table. Pulling out a chair she sat in front of her.
"Souta is staying at a friend's tonight so we can talk." Aniko told her.

"So it is true" Kagome responded. "You're not my mother."

"I may not have given birth to you, but I loved and raised you as my own. You will always be my daughter." She told her softly.

Kagome folded her arms laying them on the table in front of her. Why? Was her only question. "Why wasn't I told? Why lie to me my whole life? Didn't I deserve to know? Did she not want me?"

"Oh, honey" Aniko said laying her hand on Kagome's arms. "It was more complicated than that. Genkai has always wanted you, but it was too dangerous for you to be with her. It broke her heart for her to have to give you up, even to family. Your birth father was a dangerous man. Both he and Genkai were notorious among the demons of this time and were in constant danger. Genkai wanted you to be safe. To live a life free from that. No one could have known that you would have such a great destiny, being the guardian of the Jewel of Four Souls."

Kagome closed her eyes resting in Aniko's gentle touch before slowly pulling away. Aniko smiled sadly at the young woman in front of her.

"Go take a nice bath and get some sleep. Things will look clearer in the morning."

Kagome very much doubted that but did as she was told. Lying on her bed she thought that nothing would ever be okay again before the exhaustion of the day's emotions took over and she fell asleep.

Another Chapter typed. Thank you to my first reviewer for this story. Sambopo! The first reviewer is always the most exciting. But I need more! Give me more!