Chapter 35: The Darkest New Moon
Kagome sat back up and shook her head to clear it. She stared down at the sobbing, shacking mass of black hair clutched to her chest. "Chiisai, is that you?"
Violet, tear drenched eyes beamed up at her. "Okasan, we finally found you!" Chiisai then went back to crying into her mother's shirt.
Trying to sooth the child, Kagome hugged her tightly, fighting off tears of her own. "Chii I've missed you so much…If you're here, does that mean everyone else is too?" She asked into her daughter's hair as she cradled her.
Chiisai looked up at her with a tiny smile. "Just Otousan and the others. I left Kenji and Akira at grandmas and Nekome is helping Kaede in your absence."
Before Chii could say anything else, she was lifted as her mother stood up and ran for the front of the palace. She glanced over her mother's shoulder and saw a boy with grayish purple hair and ice blue eyes staring back at her, confused.
Kagome raced around the building as fast as she could. Once at the front entrance she picked up Inuyasha's human scent and followed it into the parlor. She thrust open the parlor doors and threw herself at the long, black haired rouge in red. Kagome clung to him tightly as she inhaled his scent and sobbed violently. "You finally came."
Inuyasha rescued Chiisai from the near suffocating embrace then wrapped his arms around his hysterical wife. He buried his face in her hair and tried to smell as much of her as his human nose would allow. The smell of her scent, the warmth of her body, the wetness of her tears, he absorbed them all, and welcomed them. For the first time in over a month, he felt calm and relaxed. Inuyasha gently placed his hand on her chin and slowly forced her to look at him. Liquid gold gazed up at him while silver fell from her eyes. "I've been coming for you." He whispered quietly then bent down and kissed her, gently at first then passionately as if trying to prove he was real through the kiss. When he ended the kiss he went back to holding her, cradling her as she shook. He then pulled Chii over into the hug and held both his girls.
"WHAT IS GOING ON? WHO ARE YOU?" roared Hokkyokusei violently, shacking the walls.
Chiisai turned to the shouting youkai and took a few steps forwards. She brought her hands up above her head then brought them down part way (like an airplane). A small, green and purple barrier spread around her and her parents. She glared and growled at the man in front of her. "Your not gonna take my mother away again!"
Hokkyokusei stared down at the spirited little girl surprised that she attempted to face a full youkai on her own. 'She is her mother's child, that's for sure.' He then looked at the man inside the barrier, he was glaring back up at him. The woman with him was still shaking and crying. He then looked over at his niece, she was shacking her head from side to side.
Ayame shook her head sadly for her uncle then looked up at him with disappointed eyes. "How could you uncle? How could you kidnap her? Taking her away from her husband and children. How would you feel if someone took Aunt Shiori away…And no lying, you're a wolf, wolves mate for life, well so do the greater dogs." Ayame's temper was flaring. Her hands were clenched at her side, her teeth were bared, and she was shaking from her anger.
The rage in his niece's eyes scared him a bit. Hokkyokusei looked over at the greenish purple barrier and it's occupants then hung his head. "I wanted revenge. Her father shamed my father by rejected his offer to make us engaged. I spent the next 40 some years trying to find a mate…He died a few days after I met Shiori…My father died not even getting a chance to see his grandchild…"
"But your happy with Aunt Shiori and you have Hoku too. Kagome had been trapped in the future for the last 60 odd years. Were you planning on waiting for her 'if' you two had been engaged…It's better things happened this way, for everyone. And revenge isn't the way to go about things. It harms more people then you had originally intended." Ayame's anger was subsiding at seeing her uncle realize she was right.
"May I ask what's going on?" an angelic voice sang through the parlor. "Hoku told me Kagome ran off after being hit by a black ball of fur…"
All eyes were now on the tall, slender woman in the doorway. Her black and white hair tied in a braid, hanging over her shoulder and she wore a yukata of light pink. Her cat-like ears and tail swiveled around as she awaited an answer.
"Aunt Shiori!" yelled Ayame as she ran up and gave her aunt a hug.
Hoku leaned around from behind his mother to look at the many people gathered in the room. Close to them was a greenish purple bubble, obviously being sustained by the little girl at it's edge. Black hair with white tips waved about as her violet eyes glared up at his father. She seemed wild and strong for her age. 'Is that the fur ball from earlier?' Hoku was so transfixed by the girl he almost didn't hear his mother calling him.
"HOKU!?" shouted Shiori as she nudged him gently. When she gained his attention she took him by the hand. "I've heard enough and I think I've come to a solution." After hearing both sides of the argument from almost everyone in the room and remembering a few things Kagome had told her, she believed her plan would work. She led Hoku over and stood in front of the little girl inside the barrier. "You may lower your shield little one. No one here will hurt you."
Seeing the warm smile from the tigress youkai, Chiisai was compelled to lower her arms to her sides, dropping the barrier.
Shiori smiled then knelt down in front of the child. She then spoke loudly for all to hear. "If what Kagome told me earlier is true, then these two hanyou children are bonded. I believe it would be a good idea if these two were betrothed." She looked over at the now clam and collected Kagome, who nodded in agreement. Shiori nodded as well then placed Chiisai's left hand on top of Hoku's left hand. "There, our families shall be united, when the time is right of course." She then turned to her husband. "Will this suffice for your revenge instead? Joining our families through our children."
"Hai it will." Hokkyokusei said in a gruff manner, as if Shiori had just out witted him and made him look like a fool, which she had. "I highly recommend you all stay here for as long as you like."
Kagome scooted forward to speak. "Thank you but we can only stay for a few days. I have two sons who I miss. In the meantime I'll prepare some lessons for Hoku while I'm gone, though I doubt he needs them."
Shiori stood up and clapped her hands, calling forth several servants. "Please take out guest to their rooms and tend to them." She watched as everyone was ushered to their rooms silently. Shiori then turned and stormed straight up to her husband. I hope your need for revenge is satisfied, because I seriously doubt her mate will let you live if there is a second time…I could tell, his eyes flashed red for a split second. I wouldn't want to see him mad from what Kagome told me." Shiori glared at her mate for awhile then turned and went to her own room, leaving Hokkyokusei with his thoughts.
~***~
The next day found everyone in better moods. Kagome and Inuyasha sat on the porch just holding each other. Ayame and Kouga were inside talking with Hokkyokusei and Shiori. Miroku was following Sango around like a lost puppy, something had happened last night between them but neither was saying, Sango would just blush. And Chiisai was bouncing around in the palace garden.
All the leaves had fallen from trees and Chiisai would bury herself in the piles. She was crouched next to one tree getting ready to leap into a very large heap of leaves she had gathered, when she was attacked from behind. She was somersaulted three times before she was rolled over onto her back and forced to look at her assailant. Chii stared up into blue gray eyes, it was Hoku! His grayish purple hair, up in a ponytail cascaded over his shoulders as he straddled her, holding a small dagger at her.
Hoku glared down into his captives golden eyes as her dog like ears laid back in fright. Her white hair with black tips billowed out like a blanket beneath her. "Who are you and why are you here?"
"I'm Chiisai. I came with my father and friends to get my mother remember….last night?" Chii looked at him hopefully.
He glared down at her unconvinced. "If your Chiisai, why is your hair white not black and your eyes gold not violet."
Realization went off inside Chii. "Last night was my human night. I look like this most of the time." Chii then glared back at him stubbornly.
Hoku looked her over fro awhile before moving to let her up. The slightest shade of pink tinting his cheeks. He sat down on the ground in front of her.
Chiisai knelt in front of him and looked at him closely. "So, if your half wolf and half tiger, what do you look like on your day of the month?" She smiled at him as she waited for an answer.
Upon seeing the girls smile all thought left his head, it took him a moment to recall her question. "Umm, I get cat ears and my hair goes white. My eyes turn gold and my tail isn't as fluffy."
"Neat, so you have youkai abilities al the time. My senses decrease when I turn human and I'm weak. It's the only time my brother's can beat me." Chii giggled quietly then watched Hoku play with his dagger on a dead leaf.
Hoku noticed her watching him and did something that surprised even him. He held the dagger hilt up for Chiisai to grab. "Would you like to have it?" Consider it an engagement present."
Chii wasn't sure what an engagement was but Hoku had offered the dagger to her as a present. She picked up the dagger and eyed it. It was small and lightweight. The handle was gold, at the top two wolf heads stretched out, a dark green jewel centered between them, and at the bottom a purple jewel was encircled with more gold. "Are you sure? It's beautiful!" She watched him nod happily, "Arigato! I'm gonna go show my parents." Chii leaned over and kissed him on the cheek then ran off to find her parents.
Hoku sat stunned, strange feelings bubbling up inside of him, all caused by that girl. 'But why?'
Chiisai found her parents sitting on the porch talking. "Otousan, okasan look what Hoku game me." She showed them the dagger cheerfully. "He said it was an engagement present. What's an engagement?"
Kagome looked down at her daughter lovingly. "An engagement is where a boy and girl are destined to be married. When they are old enough they will become husband and wife and will be together for the rest of their lives. So in the future you and Hoku will be married."
After some thinking Chii had a question, "were you and dad engaged?"
"Even before I was born." Kagome smiled at her daughter then over at her husband. She then looked back down to Chiisai. "Anyway, let's go see if Hoku has a sheath for that dagger, ok." She stood up and started to lead Chii along the walk in search of a case.
~***~
Early the next morning was almost ice cold in another week the first frost would hit. Everyone loaded up with supplies and was getting ready. Kagome was back in her usual blouse and skirt and happy about it. Chiisai stood waiting, dagger strapped to her back on the right for easy access. Everyone said their goodbyes and left the castle. The sun rising high to warm them on their journey home.
~******~
Kagome sat back up and shook her head to clear it. She stared down at the sobbing, shacking mass of black hair clutched to her chest. "Chiisai, is that you?"
Violet, tear drenched eyes beamed up at her. "Okasan, we finally found you!" Chiisai then went back to crying into her mother's shirt.
Trying to sooth the child, Kagome hugged her tightly, fighting off tears of her own. "Chii I've missed you so much…If you're here, does that mean everyone else is too?" She asked into her daughter's hair as she cradled her.
Chiisai looked up at her with a tiny smile. "Just Otousan and the others. I left Kenji and Akira at grandmas and Nekome is helping Kaede in your absence."
Before Chii could say anything else, she was lifted as her mother stood up and ran for the front of the palace. She glanced over her mother's shoulder and saw a boy with grayish purple hair and ice blue eyes staring back at her, confused.
Kagome raced around the building as fast as she could. Once at the front entrance she picked up Inuyasha's human scent and followed it into the parlor. She thrust open the parlor doors and threw herself at the long, black haired rouge in red. Kagome clung to him tightly as she inhaled his scent and sobbed violently. "You finally came."
Inuyasha rescued Chiisai from the near suffocating embrace then wrapped his arms around his hysterical wife. He buried his face in her hair and tried to smell as much of her as his human nose would allow. The smell of her scent, the warmth of her body, the wetness of her tears, he absorbed them all, and welcomed them. For the first time in over a month, he felt calm and relaxed. Inuyasha gently placed his hand on her chin and slowly forced her to look at him. Liquid gold gazed up at him while silver fell from her eyes. "I've been coming for you." He whispered quietly then bent down and kissed her, gently at first then passionately as if trying to prove he was real through the kiss. When he ended the kiss he went back to holding her, cradling her as she shook. He then pulled Chii over into the hug and held both his girls.
"WHAT IS GOING ON? WHO ARE YOU?" roared Hokkyokusei violently, shacking the walls.
Chiisai turned to the shouting youkai and took a few steps forwards. She brought her hands up above her head then brought them down part way (like an airplane). A small, green and purple barrier spread around her and her parents. She glared and growled at the man in front of her. "Your not gonna take my mother away again!"
Hokkyokusei stared down at the spirited little girl surprised that she attempted to face a full youkai on her own. 'She is her mother's child, that's for sure.' He then looked at the man inside the barrier, he was glaring back up at him. The woman with him was still shaking and crying. He then looked over at his niece, she was shacking her head from side to side.
Ayame shook her head sadly for her uncle then looked up at him with disappointed eyes. "How could you uncle? How could you kidnap her? Taking her away from her husband and children. How would you feel if someone took Aunt Shiori away…And no lying, you're a wolf, wolves mate for life, well so do the greater dogs." Ayame's temper was flaring. Her hands were clenched at her side, her teeth were bared, and she was shaking from her anger.
The rage in his niece's eyes scared him a bit. Hokkyokusei looked over at the greenish purple barrier and it's occupants then hung his head. "I wanted revenge. Her father shamed my father by rejected his offer to make us engaged. I spent the next 40 some years trying to find a mate…He died a few days after I met Shiori…My father died not even getting a chance to see his grandchild…"
"But your happy with Aunt Shiori and you have Hoku too. Kagome had been trapped in the future for the last 60 odd years. Were you planning on waiting for her 'if' you two had been engaged…It's better things happened this way, for everyone. And revenge isn't the way to go about things. It harms more people then you had originally intended." Ayame's anger was subsiding at seeing her uncle realize she was right.
"May I ask what's going on?" an angelic voice sang through the parlor. "Hoku told me Kagome ran off after being hit by a black ball of fur…"
All eyes were now on the tall, slender woman in the doorway. Her black and white hair tied in a braid, hanging over her shoulder and she wore a yukata of light pink. Her cat-like ears and tail swiveled around as she awaited an answer.
"Aunt Shiori!" yelled Ayame as she ran up and gave her aunt a hug.
Hoku leaned around from behind his mother to look at the many people gathered in the room. Close to them was a greenish purple bubble, obviously being sustained by the little girl at it's edge. Black hair with white tips waved about as her violet eyes glared up at his father. She seemed wild and strong for her age. 'Is that the fur ball from earlier?' Hoku was so transfixed by the girl he almost didn't hear his mother calling him.
"HOKU!?" shouted Shiori as she nudged him gently. When she gained his attention she took him by the hand. "I've heard enough and I think I've come to a solution." After hearing both sides of the argument from almost everyone in the room and remembering a few things Kagome had told her, she believed her plan would work. She led Hoku over and stood in front of the little girl inside the barrier. "You may lower your shield little one. No one here will hurt you."
Seeing the warm smile from the tigress youkai, Chiisai was compelled to lower her arms to her sides, dropping the barrier.
Shiori smiled then knelt down in front of the child. She then spoke loudly for all to hear. "If what Kagome told me earlier is true, then these two hanyou children are bonded. I believe it would be a good idea if these two were betrothed." She looked over at the now clam and collected Kagome, who nodded in agreement. Shiori nodded as well then placed Chiisai's left hand on top of Hoku's left hand. "There, our families shall be united, when the time is right of course." She then turned to her husband. "Will this suffice for your revenge instead? Joining our families through our children."
"Hai it will." Hokkyokusei said in a gruff manner, as if Shiori had just out witted him and made him look like a fool, which she had. "I highly recommend you all stay here for as long as you like."
Kagome scooted forward to speak. "Thank you but we can only stay for a few days. I have two sons who I miss. In the meantime I'll prepare some lessons for Hoku while I'm gone, though I doubt he needs them."
Shiori stood up and clapped her hands, calling forth several servants. "Please take out guest to their rooms and tend to them." She watched as everyone was ushered to their rooms silently. Shiori then turned and stormed straight up to her husband. I hope your need for revenge is satisfied, because I seriously doubt her mate will let you live if there is a second time…I could tell, his eyes flashed red for a split second. I wouldn't want to see him mad from what Kagome told me." Shiori glared at her mate for awhile then turned and went to her own room, leaving Hokkyokusei with his thoughts.
~***~
The next day found everyone in better moods. Kagome and Inuyasha sat on the porch just holding each other. Ayame and Kouga were inside talking with Hokkyokusei and Shiori. Miroku was following Sango around like a lost puppy, something had happened last night between them but neither was saying, Sango would just blush. And Chiisai was bouncing around in the palace garden.
All the leaves had fallen from trees and Chiisai would bury herself in the piles. She was crouched next to one tree getting ready to leap into a very large heap of leaves she had gathered, when she was attacked from behind. She was somersaulted three times before she was rolled over onto her back and forced to look at her assailant. Chii stared up into blue gray eyes, it was Hoku! His grayish purple hair, up in a ponytail cascaded over his shoulders as he straddled her, holding a small dagger at her.
Hoku glared down into his captives golden eyes as her dog like ears laid back in fright. Her white hair with black tips billowed out like a blanket beneath her. "Who are you and why are you here?"
"I'm Chiisai. I came with my father and friends to get my mother remember….last night?" Chii looked at him hopefully.
He glared down at her unconvinced. "If your Chiisai, why is your hair white not black and your eyes gold not violet."
Realization went off inside Chii. "Last night was my human night. I look like this most of the time." Chii then glared back at him stubbornly.
Hoku looked her over fro awhile before moving to let her up. The slightest shade of pink tinting his cheeks. He sat down on the ground in front of her.
Chiisai knelt in front of him and looked at him closely. "So, if your half wolf and half tiger, what do you look like on your day of the month?" She smiled at him as she waited for an answer.
Upon seeing the girls smile all thought left his head, it took him a moment to recall her question. "Umm, I get cat ears and my hair goes white. My eyes turn gold and my tail isn't as fluffy."
"Neat, so you have youkai abilities al the time. My senses decrease when I turn human and I'm weak. It's the only time my brother's can beat me." Chii giggled quietly then watched Hoku play with his dagger on a dead leaf.
Hoku noticed her watching him and did something that surprised even him. He held the dagger hilt up for Chiisai to grab. "Would you like to have it?" Consider it an engagement present."
Chii wasn't sure what an engagement was but Hoku had offered the dagger to her as a present. She picked up the dagger and eyed it. It was small and lightweight. The handle was gold, at the top two wolf heads stretched out, a dark green jewel centered between them, and at the bottom a purple jewel was encircled with more gold. "Are you sure? It's beautiful!" She watched him nod happily, "Arigato! I'm gonna go show my parents." Chii leaned over and kissed him on the cheek then ran off to find her parents.
Hoku sat stunned, strange feelings bubbling up inside of him, all caused by that girl. 'But why?'
Chiisai found her parents sitting on the porch talking. "Otousan, okasan look what Hoku game me." She showed them the dagger cheerfully. "He said it was an engagement present. What's an engagement?"
Kagome looked down at her daughter lovingly. "An engagement is where a boy and girl are destined to be married. When they are old enough they will become husband and wife and will be together for the rest of their lives. So in the future you and Hoku will be married."
After some thinking Chii had a question, "were you and dad engaged?"
"Even before I was born." Kagome smiled at her daughter then over at her husband. She then looked back down to Chiisai. "Anyway, let's go see if Hoku has a sheath for that dagger, ok." She stood up and started to lead Chii along the walk in search of a case.
~***~
Early the next morning was almost ice cold in another week the first frost would hit. Everyone loaded up with supplies and was getting ready. Kagome was back in her usual blouse and skirt and happy about it. Chiisai stood waiting, dagger strapped to her back on the right for easy access. Everyone said their goodbyes and left the castle. The sun rising high to warm them on their journey home.
~******~
