Chapter 11
iNuQTpIe: Lol, I'm glad you liked it, I just always thought of Kagome's powers really growing and reaching past their limit when someone she loves is in danger. Here is your update, and I apologize that it's so late tonight, school is really getting to me already… sigh… but this is the last chapter and I wanted to make sure it was really good for you, my loyal follower. Thank you for your reviews and support through all of this, I owe you big time. Alright, well, let me know what you think of the ending, and have a great rest of the night, day, whenever you read this. Thank you again for all of your support, it has, and still does, mean a lot to me. Always,
Myst
Disclaimer: Just like all of the other chapters, Rumiko Takahashi owns all of the Inu-Yasha co. and the others are mine, please don't sue or steal, thanks!
I slowly open my eyes again, only to find I am no longer being carried. My body feels weak; my miko has not fully recharged. I groan silently as I try to move from my back to my side, but something around my waist stops me. I turn blurry vision to look at the red lump at my side.
Inu-Yasha lies on his stomach, his top bare except for the bandage wrapped around his middle. There is blood slowly seeping through the white material, and it makes me wonder how my mate had walked upright, let alone while carrying me. His arm is draped over my waist, hence my inability to move. I sense Yui lying on my other side and slowly turn to look to my left.
As soon as my eyes fall on her, her lids flutter open. She blinks drowsily a couple times before focusing on me. "Mama?" She whispers with a small smile. I smile back at her.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine." She sits up and looks over me to Inu-Yasha. I follow her view to my mate. "Papa's been sleeping a long time…" Yui breathes. I turn back to her and reach out to rest my hand against her cheek.
"He'll be fine." I pull her distressed face back to mine. "We've both been very worried about you and haven't rested. That fight with Arashi really took a toll on both mind and body. We all just need to recuperate." I explain. Her smile slowly returns and she puts her hand over mine.
"Kagome?" Inu-Yasha's hoarse voice cuts in. Both Yui and I snap our heads up and around to look at the older hanyou.
"Inu-Yasha, are you alright?" I ask breathlessly. He winces slightly as he moves to sit up. I follow quickly behind him as his arm releases me. He turns to look at both Yui and I with a smile on his face.
"I'm fine." He says before he pulls me into his arms. "You were amazing." His whisper tickles my ear. I return his embrace, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.
"I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you and Yui." I reply. Inu-Yasha pulls away to wipe at the tear on my cheek.
"Papa!" Yui shouts and launches herself into his arms, both the hanyou and my bodies cradling her in a cocoon of warmth. My pup hugs her Otousan close before turning a smiling face back to me. "I'm so glad you are both okay."
I have to laugh at her words. As I sober slightly, I turn back to my mate. "Looks like everything turned out okay, just like always."
"I told you so, woman, there was no way we could loose against that weak bast—er, youkai." Inu-Yasha corrects around Yui. I laugh again and lean forward to pull both of my hanyou into my arms. Yui joins my laughter, while my mate chuckles lightly, wrapping his arms around both of us as well.
"Kagome, Inu-Yasha, you are awake?" Shippo's voice breaks into our laughter. I turn to look at him standing in the doorway.
"Shippo," I call softly, smiling at him as my family pulls apart. "I owe you my life."
The Kitsune shrugged nonchalantly. "Naw, you're alright, that's all that matters." He turns his attention fully back to me and smiles. "Are you three up to coming out to see everyone?"
"Inu-Yasha, Yui?" I ask, glancing at them.
"Hell yeah, I owe that Houshi a fight if I remember correctly." My mate says as he gets to his feet. My pup laughs again and jumps up at his side. I turn back to Shippo.
"I guess that would be a yes." I reply, also standing up. Yui dashes forward to flash out of the hut with the Kitsune. Inu-Yasha pulls his under shirt and haori on before he wraps his arm around my waist and we make our own way out the door.
I wince as the bright sunlight meets us. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust. I scan the crowd of youkai and humans standing in a semi-circle around Inu-Yasha and I. I notice Yui and Shippo are nowhere to be found. A soft purr reaches my ears and I turn to my right to see Hokori walking toward us. I smile and pull away from my mate to wrap my arms around the Neko's neck as he stops at my side. "I'm so glad you're safe, Hokori." I whisper before pulling back. His tongue runs up my cheek as he agrees.
"Kagome," Koga draws my attention. I lift my head to look at the youkai standing to my left. The ouji has a bandage wrapped around his left arm and a fresh cut down his right cheek. I feel the sadness tug at me that Koga was hurt in my fight. I straighten up and turn to the ouji.
"Thank you for your help, Koga." I move closer to him before I pull him into an embrace. I feel him chuckle under me as he returns my gesture.
"I don't need any thanks, Kagome. Getting to see you, your daughter, Hokori, and even Inu-Yasha is enough." The youkai pulls back to smile at me again. "I'm glad you got her back." He adds before stepping back, allowing Miroku to approach me. I am hesitant to see the Houshi, unsure of what he will say.
"Kagome…" He turns to look at Inu-Yasha to my left. "Inu-Yasha," Miroku turns back to address me. "I am truly sorry for the way I treated you. You two are friends, you have always been, and I should not have been so sharp when—" I cut of his words with a hug. I smile up at him as I pull back slightly.
"Don't say anymore, this isn't time for that." I give him another hug.
"That would be my husband, if you don't mind." A light laughter echoes to me. I pull away from Miroku again, my eyes widening in surprise.
"Sango?" I breathe as the crowd parts to reveal the Taijiya. She walks up to me slowly, her youngest cradled in her arms. A smile seems to simultaneously spread over our faces as she comes to a stop in front of me.
"Okaeri Nasai." She says softly. Her words rip through me at their kindness.
"Tadaima." I reply back just as quietly. We stare at each other for a minute in silent understanding.
"So, where is this daughter of yours? I believe you said I could meet her when you came back."
I grin and nod. "Yui, where are you?" I call, looking around the clearing. I hear a giggle behind the hut Inu-Yasha and I just came out of. I catch my mate's eye as he raises an eyebrow, recognizing the laugh. I turn back to Sango. "Excuse me for a minute." I say. She nods in reply.
Inu-Yasha and I turn to walk behind the hut, wondering what is so amusing to our daughter. We both stop sharply as our eyes fall on Yui and Shippo crouched down on the ground.
"Do it again!" The pup whispers excitedly. The Kitsune chuckles as he moves his hands around in circles, blue Kitsune-bi dancing between his fingers. I watch silently as Yui reaches out to brush the flickering light. The wonder in here bright gold eyes melts my heart.
My eyes widen slightly as one of Shippo's hands moves to stroke my daughter's cheek. She giggles and reaches out to poke his nose. They both laugh. "Hey now, pup, enough of that." Inu-Yasha suddenly cuts in. Both Kitsune and younger hanyou jump and turn to look up at us.
"Papa, Mama," Yui says as she gets to her feet. Inu-Yasha continues to glare at her, but I smile and wrap my arm around his waist. His attention stays trained on his pup. Her ears lower in submission.
"I'm sorry, Otousan…" She mutters. Shippo gets in front of Yui, staring my mate down.
"Inu-Yasha, relax would you?" The Kitsune defends the younger hanyou.
"That's my pup, pup." Inu-Yasha insults.
"Pup…?" Shippo growls, and it's obvious he's ready for a fight. I jump between them with a laugh.
"Come on, Inu-Yasha, Yui could use a playmate." I reach out to trace his cheek with one, feather soft finger. "And maybe a younger sibling." I whisper for his ears only, for the younger kids have gone back to playing, the threat gone. My mate swallows audibly before growling and pulling me to his chest.
"That might be able to be arranged." His voice is husky before he captures my lips. I laugh lightly as we pull back to breathe.
"Yui, come with me, please." I say with a smile, turning back to my daughter. She looks up at me again, a slightly sad look on her face. "You can come right back." I assure her. Her face brightens instantly and she jumps to her feet. I take her hand and we make our way back to everyone else, Inu-Yasha and Shippo in tow.
"Sango, this is our daughter, Yui." I say, stopping in front of the Taijiya. The two smile at each other before holding out their hands.
"It's nice to meet you, Sango-sama." My pup says as she stares my best friend in the eye.
"You too, Yui. You will have to meet my children, I think you all would get along well."
"I would like that." Yui says, but her eyes quickly dart to Shippo standing just behind her, next to Inu-Yasha. I catch him making a face at her, and smile as she giggles.
"Yui," I say softly, getting her attention. She looks guilty as she turns her face to me. I smile reassuringly at her and nod slightly. "Go on, we can talk to everyone later." My pup squeals and runs off before I can completely finish. I watch as Yui and Shippo run off again, under the hard glare of my mate. "Inu-Yasha," I draw his attention up to me as the younger two vanish. I motion with a crooked finger for him to join me.
"Are you two hungry?" Sango asks as Inu-Yasha stops at my side.
"Yes, actually." I reply with a nod. My mate grunts and moves to speak with Koga and Miroku, leaving Sango and I alone to talk.
"Come on, I have some stew in my hut." The Taijiya leads me to the hut I know she and her family share. "Would you like to hold him?" Sango asks as we enter the door.
"What?" I wonder if she caught me staring at the baby. She smiles and carefully holds out her youngest.
"His name's Aoi." She says as I take the child into my arms.
"He's beautiful." I whisper as I cradle the baby close to my chest. Sango is silent as she moves to get a bowl of stew for me. I carefully take a seat by the fire, my eyes trained on the little creature in my arms.
"Will you be staying here a little while?" The Taijiya whispers as she kneels at my side. I instantly look up at her tone. I search her face for a silent minute.
"I believe it's time for Yui to have a village to grow up in, other children for her to play with." I lower my stare back to the Aoi. "If you will allow us, I would like to stay here for a while." I finish quietly.
At the Taijiya's silence, I look back up. There are tears in her eyes. My eyes widen in surprise. "Sango, I—"
"I'm so happy that you will finally stay with us here." She sniffles as she tries to smile. I smile back and try to fight away my own tears at her emotion.
"Sango…"
"Did someone say something about food in here?" Inu-Yasha cuts in as he, Koga, and Miroku enter the hut too. The men stop as they realize the Taijiya and I are both close to tears. "Uh…" My mate tries to figure things out. Sango and I laugh and the older woman gets to her feet.
"Yes, Inu-Yasha, I do have stew done in here." She hands him my serving before moving back to the pot to fill more bowls. The hanyou blinks down at his portion once, me once, shrugs, then flops down at my side. He glances at Aoi in my arms as he eats the stew.
"Isn't he cute? Wouldn't you like a son, Inu-Yasha?" I ask with a smile. He shrugs and goes back to eating, but I catch the proud look in his eye. "Or maybe two sons, no, I think three, and maybe two more daughters." I say offhandedly. I laugh quietly as Inu-Yasha chokes on his stew at my words.
"What!" He stares at me. I shrug.
"Hey, I have to give you lots of heirs, don't I?" I stick my tongue out and laugh at his face. I hand Aoi back to Sango as I trade for a bowl of stew and move closer to my mate's side. "To make up for when I'm gone." I add quietly.
"When you're gone?" He questions. I sober slightly.
"I'm still human, Inu-Yasha." I remind kindly. This time he laughs, and I get angry that he laughs at the problem.
"Now that you're my mate, we have the same life span." He nuzzles my neck before licking it quickly. I shiver and relax at his words.
"Well, in that case, maybe five sons, and four daughters." I laugh at the face he makes this time. As I quiet, Inu-Yasha smiles at me.
"Whatever you want, we've got a little while to figure it all out." He sucks lightly on my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I struggle not to moan as his claws trace circles on my back. Moments later, both of our bowls are forgotten as Inu-Yasha picks me up and carries me out of the hut.
"Five huts down on the left!" Miroku's voice echoes to us as my mate kisses my lips. A deep growl reverberates from Inu-Yasha's chest as he finds the empty hut.
"So, how many pups did you say again?" He asks huskily. I moan as he sets me down on the pallet on the floor.
"As many as you want, Koi." I breathe.
"That's what I thought." Inu-Yasha says with a grin as he begins to ravish my body.
So this isn't exactly how I thought I would live out the rest of my life. No more roaming, but with the hanyou of my dreams by my side, and a big family to love and protect, what could be better?
I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your innovations
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, oh, oh
I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes,
but I can't live that way
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, yeah, yeah
A/N: And that, everyone, is the end. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing. Please leave me one more review to let me know how everything turned out. Alright, thanks for reading, and hope to see you along with my next fic (Though I'm not sure what that is yet…) Keep an eye out for it, or put me on alerts. (Insert smile here) Hope to hear from you all soon!
Myst