Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted/licensed/trademarked materials mentioned in this fanfiction (from InuYasha to my references to Nine Inch Nails or Harry Potter). They are the properties of their respective copyright holders and I in no way am insinuating that I own them. (Consider it free advertising.) I only own the storyline and any new characters that may crop up.


Chapter Four: The Relentless Search

After the memorial Sesshomaru, Kagome, Sango, and Shippo had an intense discussion. With Kagome's prophecy coming to light they had to move forward assuming that Naraku was alive and well.

"But he could be dead already," Sango reasoned.

"Or he could be lying low. We must prepare for a worst-case scenario." Sesshomaru turned to Kagome. "Where are your lore-masters, and scroll keepers? We must find out if there is any clue as to what happened to Naraku."

It took a moment for Kagome to register his meaning. Oh, libraries … "There aren't just a few places to gather information anymore, Sesshomaru. It's everywhere."

"When can you start searching?"

"When we're done talking."

"In the mean time," he mused, "Where will we stay?"

Chiaki appeared in the doorway. "You must be joking." They all turned to her. "Do you really think I would turn you three out with no home, no money, nothing?"

Sango blushed. "I didn't want to impose . . ."

"Nonsense!" Chiaki exclaimed, "You will all remain here. There's a trundle bed in the attic that can be brought down and slid under Kagome's bed for Sango. We can alter the guest room for Shippo and Sesshomaru."

"Mrs. Higurashi, we don't want to be a burden," Sango mumbled.

Kagome thought, Sounds like Mom's been planning this for days . . .

"I insist," Chiaki smiled. "And enough with the 'Mrs. Higurashi.' You're family now, call me 'Mom'."

Sango was still blushing, "Thank you."

"With that settled, I just have one more question." Sesshomaru turned to Kagome once more and asked, "How do we contact other demons?"

Kagome avoided his eyes and bit her lower lip. How do I tell someone that he is probably the last of his kind? "Sesshomaru," she said in a quiet, nervous voice, "I don't think there are anymore demons."

He simply sighed to hide his trepidation and fury. "Fine. Where can we start our search for Naraku?"

Kagome got up and started hobbling around on her crutches. "Follow me." He followed her into the study. Sango arose and motioned to Shippo. "Come on, let's help Mrs. Hi- I mean, Mom make room for us, Shippo." They followed Mrs. Higurashi to the attic while Sesshomaru trailed behind Kagome on her crutches. Kagome pulled up another chair to the desk and said, "Have a seat." She set her crutches aside and sat at the desk with a computer set up on it.

Sesshomaru took his seat and looked at the screen contemptuously. "What is it?" he asked as Kagome disengaged the screen saver and loaded up a web browser.

"I'll try to explain this so you don't blow a gasket, okay. Our information is stored in a way now that everyone with a computer," she motioned to the tower, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, "can access it. When we have more time I'll explain electricity, digital information, and the Internet."

"I'll take your word for it," he grumbled. What the Hell is 'digital'?

Sango and Shippo were helping Chiaki remove the trundle bed from the attic as Kagome and Sesshomaru scoured the Internet. Sango and Mrs. Higurashi carefully carried the trundle bed down the attic steps as Shippo followed with a small box of linen.

"It's a shame that all that bedding was destroyed in the battle. But, that's what the rainy-day fund is for," Chiaki mused. "Still, I'm glad you four are safe. It's worth all the Yen in Japan for that."

They slowly conducted their way to Kagome's room (now Kagome's and Sango's room) and carefully slid the bed underneath Kagome's bed frame.

"What will we need for Sesshomaru and Shippo?" Sango asked.

"Oh, let's see. Sesshomaru can have the futon in there all to himself. If we move the futon to the side, flush against the other wall, there should be room enough to get a small bed for little Shippo." Chiaki thought for a moment. "Now, Sango, why don't you ask Kagome to borrow an outfit and you can come with me to get more bedding, a bed for Shippo, and some clothes for yourself."

Sango looked mortified. "Me? Go into, well, out there with you? I wouldn't know what to do!"

Mrs. Higurashi gave her a warm, motherly smile. "Sango, dear, when else are you going to learn?"

Sango nodded nervously. "I see."

"Now, go ask Kagome about an outfit."

"Yes, Mom," she said respectfully and left the room.

Chiaki smiled for she noticed that the girl finally had the bravery to call her Mom. She suddenly felt a tugging on her skirt. She looked down and saw Shippo looking somewhat torn.

"Yes, my little fox darling?"

"Uh, this may sound silly but I don't think I can call you 'Mom'."

"Why not?"

"Well Kagome has been looking out for me for the past two and a half years or so; she's more like my mom."

"I understand." She smiled inwardly, sensing Shippo's train of thought.

"I don't mean to offend, but …" he took a deep breath, "May I call you 'Grandma'?"

Chiaki giggled softly, "I always wanted a grandson."

Sango returned soon in one of Kagome's casual outfits and a pair of sandals. "I'm ready to go," she tried to say confidently.

Chiaki smiled at her. "You'll do just fine, Sango. Just follow my lead." They walked to the car. As she drove, Chiaki gave Sango a heads up about a few things she would see. "There will be a lot of people there, Sango. Just act casual. The entrance to the store will open by itself. It's one of those inventions of ours that Kagome has told you about. There will be many strange things to buy in the store, ask me about them in the car or at home. It will look suspicious if you ask about them in the store."

Sango nodded and took mental note of everything Mrs. Higurashi said. Once inside the store, Sango looked around with wonder. There are so many things in here … and so many people. It's amazing. Chiaki took Sango to the women's clothing section and had the girl pick out and try on a few outfits and undergarments. They then went to the fabric department and found some beautiful fabrics for clothing for Sesshomaru and Shippo.

"And we still need a bed for Shippo. He's small enough that he wouldn't need a twin size bed yet. I wonder …" and Chiaki steered the cart towards the toddler section. Soon she and Sango were lifting a toddler bed into the cart and then they bought bedding for everyone and extra toiletries. Next they were wheeling their way to the cashier's counter.


Chiaki and Sango returned over two hours later. After about three trips they unloaded the car. They had purchased a toddler bed for Shippo, fabrics to make new clothes for Shippo and Sesshomaru, bed sets and pillows for the three of them, outfits and undergarments for Sango, and more shampoo, conditioner, and soap.

Kagome looked over at all that her mother had purchased. "Wow, Mom. You really went all out."

"I know, dear. I just want everyone to be comfortable." Mrs. Higurashi looked to the toddler bed and called to Sota, "Sota! Would you please go get me the small tool box?" Sota came tromping down the stairs and off to fetch the tools. "Luckily we found a lot of this on sale and clearance. The only things we really paid full price for were the sundries and the fabrics." She pulled one out and ran her hands over the black and silver patterns. "I think this will look great on Sesshomaru. It will really bring out his eyes."

Kagome smiled weakly, not knowing how to tell her mother that Sesshomaru didn't seem the type who'd allow a mothering attitude. But, a lot has happened. He has no one left but us and nowhere else to go … I have to wonder what changes we will see in the great Inu-Youkai.

As if hearing her thoughts Sesshomaru rose from his seat and observed Mrs. Higurashi's purchases. He also took the fabric into his clawed hands, ever so gently, and absorbed the fine texture. "It will make a fine winter haori and hakama. Thank you, Chiaki. I will someday find a way to repay your generosity."

Kagome couldn't believe her ears. Did he just thank my mother?

"It's nothing, really. You brought my daughter home to me safe. It is I who am repaying you," Chiaki insisted.

Good move, Mom. He is too proud to feel indebted … Kagome thought.

"Very well, but allow me to help you carry some of this." Sesshomaru lifted the box containing Shippo's bed and grabbed the three sets of bedding by the bag handles. Chiaki grabbed the pillows and they walked upstairs to prepare for the Higurashi residence to permanently double in size.

Just what did my mother say to him at the bottom of the well? Kagome wondered.


Two weeks later things returned to normal at the Higurashi household. At least as normal as they could be with two demons and a demon slayer added to the mix. Sesshomaru and Shippo helped Grandpa at the shrine while Sango helped to keep house while Mrs. Higurashi was at work. Sota seemed sullen while he grieved for InuYasha. Sota always idolized the grumpy hanyou. But each day he grew more accustomed to things and life moved on. Kagome on the other hand spent every waking moment on back homework or searching for some shred of Naraku's continued existence. Her grief for her mate manifested itself through a burning desire for revenge. While everyone else put on the façade of moving on, Kagome sought the ultimate closure. However, beneath their cool exteriors the other three cheered her on silently. The only other person who displayed any sense of vengeance was Sesshomaru. There were nights that Shippo would creep downstairs for a glass of water and see Sesshomaru on the computer searching for Naraku. He learned quickly watching Kagome surf the web. His clawed fingers flew across the keyboard to type any phrase or word that may steer them in a direction closer to Naraku and revenge.

For weeks nothing could be found, and tempers began to flare. Nearly four weeks after coming through the well Kagome flexed her claws.

"I cannot believe this!" she shouted one night as books were flying down the stairwell. She threw book after book. "I've searched hundreds of books from that damn library! I've scoured web page after web page! There's nothing! Absolutely nothing!"

"Oh, dear Kami," Sango muttered to Sesshomaru, "She's finally snapped."

Sesshomaru rose from his seat at the desk and walked to the stair well. He dodged two large books on Japanese legend and mythology and commanded, "Kagome! Control yourself!"

"Fuck you!" She threw another book at his head.

He caught it without flinching and glared at the hysterical woman. Sango and Shippo ran to the scene for they had never heard Kagome speak so harshly. Sesshomaru may not have exactly known the meaning of her outburst, but he caught the gist of it from her tone and actions. "Kagome! Stop!" He began to ascend the stairs to Kagome. "I have done nothing but help you with your burden."

"Bullshit!" she wailed. Tears began to stream down her cheeks. "I wouldn't have to be looking for Naraku like this if it wasn't for you!"

"What in Kami's name are you talking about?" he demanded as he reached the top of the stairs. Kagome glared at him and he met her eye with a look of warning. Kagome suddenly raised her hand and motioned to slap the youkai. He caught her hand gently, for he did not wish her harm despite her behavior. He simply said, "Stop."

Kagome looked into his eyes and began to weep. She leaned into Sesshomaru for support while whining, "Why didn't you save him, Sesshomaru?" Kagome was sobbing, "Why didn't you save InuYasha?"

Sesshomaru now understood her anger and his heart went out to her. How can I explain this to her? She has blamed me for InuYasha's death for a month … "Kagome, despite my animosity for InuYasha I would have saved him if I could have."

"But why?" she cried, "Why couldn't you save him? The Tenseiga …"

"The Tenseiga would not have worked. When Kanna assailed me with her mirror it drained me so much that I could not have wielded the Tenseiga. If I had waited for my strength to return we would all be dead. I had the power to save the four of us, so I did. InuYasha wouldn't have wanted you to die like that. He even told you to run. He wanted you to be safe."

She cried on her "brother-in-law's" chest, and he actually patted her back gently to calm her. "Wh – why are you being so nice?" Kagome asked.

"After thinking about it this past month, Kagome, you are the only family I have left. You were my half-brother's mate, and while I never cared much for him we're all that's left of my family's legacy."

She sniffed. "I never thought of it like that."

Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome and saw exhaustion tainting her aura heavily. She had dark circles beneath her eyes and Sesshomaru could swear he smelled an illness coming on to her. "Kagome, you need to rest. You have been working far too hard. Go take a hot bath, then get into some warm pajamas, and go to bed. I'll have your mother bring you up some supper."

Kagome smiled softly. "All right. Thanks." She turned to the bathroom and Sesshomaru sought Chiaki.

He found her in the laundry room carefully folding some of Sota's uniforms. "Kagome is getting ill," he said bluntly.

"I figured it would happen. She's been working so hard and won't rest properly. I heard the screaming, and I take it that you got through to her?"

"It took a little coaxing. Part of her had been blaming me for InuYasha's death, and the rest of her was drained from school and searching for Naraku." The dryer buzzed and Sesshomaru swapped the laundry around for Chiaki.

"You didn't have to do that," she said to him while hanging one of Sota's shirts.

"I know." He lifted a towel and sniffed it. "I just like the smell of this, uh," he stopped to remember the word, "fabric softener. It's a soft, gentle smell, like …" he set the towel back into the basket and the color of his eyes dulled slightly. He sighed, "Like Rin."

Chiaki looked at him as he stared into the laundry basket. His eyes became glossy as if he wanted to cry, and then Chiaki spoke, "Smell it again. Only don't think of her death. Think of her when she was happiest."

Sesshomaru inhaled the scent of fabric softener again and remembered the first time Rin smiled at him; when she would pick flowers and sing. His eyes brightened slightly. Chiaki smiled. "See."

He nodded. "As I was saying about Kagome, I think you should make her some soup or something that will give her strength. It wouldn't be good if she were to become ill."

"Thanks for letting me know. And thanks for helping with the laundry."

He bowed and left the laundry room.

That night, Kagome was bathed, fed, in bed, and asleep by seven o'clock. For the first time in a month, she got a solid night's sleep.