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.


Epilogue

Kagome allowed Tensuke to keep his promise, and he returned to the Higurashi shrine two days later. Megami and Sesshomaru soon left the nest and returned to Oregon, allowing Tensuke to take over their room. Shippo began to share a room with Sota, and things once again settled down around the Higurashi home. Spring rolled in to summer and Toushi grew healthy and strong. The child was moderately spoiled and loved unconditionally. He had his father's temper and appetite, but his mother's affectionate streak and smile. Chiaki and Grandpa insisted that he was the sweetest child to ever grace the earth … until he began teething.

Toushi's fangs and incisors were beginning to cut through his gums and it caused him to wail constantly. Kagome bought new teething rings every other day because the points of his fangs would tear them to pieces, until finally she just began throwing wet washcloths in the freezer for her son to chew on. Kagome threw another batch in the freezer one day and sighed, "At least they're cheaper …"

There came a day when it seemed that nothing could placate the screaming pup and Kagome was at her wit's end. She finally burst into tears and called for help. "Tensuke! Tensuke, please help!"

Tensuke came running from the kitchen to where Kagome sat weeping in the living room trying to hold a kicking and screaming baby. "What's wrong, Kagome?"

Kagome sobbed as she held her son out to him. "Please, Tensuke, take him. I just need ten minutes. Please, I just need a moment."

Tensuke took the child in his arms and grabbed the half frozen washcloth from the arm of the couch. "Go on, Kagome. I have him. Go take a bath, or go for a walk. Go on, it's all right."

"Thank you," she sighed and slowly trudged out the door. Kagome walked out into the breezy August afternoon and allowed her feet to carry her where they would. Tears blurred her eyes as she walked blindly and it was by a sheer stroke of luck that she stopped a foot shy of walking into the Go-Shinboku God tree. She gasped as she noticed where she was. Kagome looked down to see InuYasha's memorial stone at her feet. Kagome dropped to her knees and began to weep anew. Through her sobs, she began to pray. She prayed, but not to any Shinto god; she prayed to InuYasha.

"I know you're gone, but I know that you can hear me. Oh, InuYasha, I don't know what to do. Our son is healthy and brilliant, but I just don't know if I can do this without you. I have tried so hard since you died. I have been strong, but I don't know if I can keep being strong … not when I miss you so much. Sango is married now." She half laughed half blubbered as she continued, "By Kami, even your brother is mated now. It's just so hard without you here. I worry everyday about what will happen to little Toushi. I feel guilty that he will not have his father to watch him grow up, to teach him how to fight, to cheer him on when he learns something new … Oh, but InuYasha, you would be so proud of him. He looks so much like you …" She scooted against the tree and leaned on it for support as she cried, "I wish you were here. I wish I didn't have to do this without you. I don't know what to do. I miss you so much …"

Cl-clack …

Kagome gasped at the sound. What was that? She looked around and saw nothing. Kagome settled herself back against the tree as she wiped away her tears. She closed her eyes and she remembered how InuYasha would upset her. Sit boy! She giggled at the memories but then she felt something drop into her lap. Kagome's eyes sprung open and she glanced down to her knees. Coiled cozily in her lap was a string of purple prayer beads with fangs placed intermittently along the string. "How on earth …?" she mumbled.

Kagome reverently lifted the beads into her hands as her eyes watered anew. She hugged the beads to her heart and she whispered, "Oh, InuYasha."