Sango's guilt felt heavy in her stomach as she listened to Asami crying from behind the door of Kaogme's old room. She wanted so badly to go to her and offer her comfort, but she wasn't sure her presence would help.
"You should just go in." Miroku said softly, offering a warm cup of tea. " I made her some tea. You should take it to her."
"I'm just not sure I'll be enough. I'm not Kagome." Sango bit her lip nervously and turned to accept the steaming cup.
"She loves you just as much as she loves Kagome and Sota. You might not be blood, but family is more than that. Just go in and be there." Miroku kissed her forehead softly and headed into the living room.
Sango took a deep breath and knocked on the door. "Mama, I've brought you some tea." Sango called softly.
"Come in dear." she managed to answer through her sobs. Sango slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside. Asami's eyes were red from crying all evening. The shrine burning down had been a hard enough loss, but she had taken that in stride, sure that they could rebuild given the time.
Shinjiro's death had hit her hardest. Asami had spent the better part of two days sitting beside his bed, holding his hand. The doctors had told her that he had fallen into a coma due to his injuries and his advanced age. Although they had been hopeful, they hadn't been optimistic.
Sango and Miroku had brought Sota and Kohaku to the hospital to visit for a few hours. They had all sat and reminisced about their memories of Jii-chan. He had been such a devout shrine attendant, sometimes his seriousness had led to some funny misunderstandings. He had always taken it in stride though, and had kept a sense of humor.
When Shinjiro finally took his last breath he was surrounded by his family, both blood and adopted. Asami had held his bandaged hand and told him that if he was ready to go that they would understand, and still loved him very much.
His passing had been as peaceful as could be expected considering his extensive injuries. The fire had burned most of his body, only his head and forearms had escaped the fire without serious burns.
After the nurses had helped Asami contact a funeral home to make preparations for the funeral, Sango and Miroku had offered to let Asami stay at Sango's apartment with them since Sota and Kohaku had to return to the school campus.
"Careful, it's still hot." Sango said, handing Asami the cup of tea as she sat down beside her on the bed.
She could feel the hot tears gathering behind her eyes, but she fought hard to hold them back. She wanted to be strong for Asami. She had been like a second mother after her own had died, even more so than her actual step mother.
Asami had held her while she had cried in her grief, and had let her and Sota stay in her home when they needed it. They had practically lived with the Higurashi's as often as they stayed over. Asami was always happy to let them stay. She always told them that having them in her life was like keeping little pieces of Chiyo with her.
Now Sango felt like it was her turn to offer Asami comfort in the face of her grief. She breathed deeply, doing her best to be gentle and wrapped her arms around the older woman. Asami let her hands rest in her lap and rested her head against Sango's shoulder as her tears resumed. Sango just held her, stroking her hair soothingly until she finally stopped and sat up.
"Gods you must think I'm a mess." Asami admitted, brushing her hair out of her face.
" I was a mess when my mom died, and you didn't care. I don't care either." Sango answered honestly.
"You're so much like Chiyo. She would be proud of you. I know that I am." Asami told her, planting a kiss on Sango's temple lovingly.
"I know that I'm not actually your daughter, but I'll do my best to be here for you. Whatever you need, Mama, I will be glad to help."
"Oh sweetheart, you're just as much my daughter as Kagome is in my eyes. Don't ever think you are second best just because we're not blood." Asami assured her, tightening her arms around Sango. "Speaking of my daughter, I don't know how I'm going to tell her about Jii-chan. I tried calling her but it went straight to voicemail."
"Yeah, about that. Miroku said Inuyasha threw their phones in the garbage before they left. He said they would call after they were settled, but I'm not exactly sure how." Sango admitted sheepishly.
"I guess we're just going to have to trust that they're going to be alright. I know that Inuyasha would do anything to protect Kagome and the baby." Asami sighed.
There was a knock at the door, and both women looked up as MIroku popped his head around the door. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I have a police Detective sitting in the living room."
Sango gave Asami a questioning look, but the older woman stood up and smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt before stepping through the door. She kissed Miroku on the cheek as she passed, patting his shoulder affectionately. "Thank you Miroku. I'm glad you're here."
Sango and Miroku followed Asami into the living room. Indeed there was a man sitting in the living room wearing a dark gray suit and dark blue dress shirt. He stood up and bowed when they entered the room, and Sango couldn't help but notice the streaks of gray that peppered his temples although he couldn't be more than thirty years old.
"I am Detective Tanaka. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Higurashi-san."
"It is nice to meet you, Detective. How can I help you?" Asami asked as she lowered herself onto the sofa. Sango and Miroku took seats on either side of her, and the detective took a seat opposite them.
"Actually, I have some upsetting news. I am sorry to have to tell you that your daughter's boyfriend was found dead recently."
The color drained from Asami's face. "What do you mean? I just saw them the other day. What happened?"
"I won't go into detail, but his body was found in Aokigahara. It doesn't appear that he went into the forest of his own will based on how he was found. I haven't been able to locate Kagome and was hoping that you might know where she is."
"She was with him the last time I saw them. They took the baby with them on a road trip to get away from the city." Asami told him. "Oh my god, don't tell me something happened to them. I don't think I can handle another death in the family. Have you notified his older brother?"
"His brother has been notified, yes. Go back for a moment though. Baby? I wasn't aware that he shared a child with your daughter." Tanaka pulled his phone from his pocket and began typing. "When was she born?" he asked.
"Aiko is almost four months old." Asami answered breathlessly.
"Now I don't want to upset you further, but were you aware that Kagome was having an affair?" Tanaka asked as delicately as possible.
"Of course she isn't having an affair!" Sango blurted angrily. "She's head over heels for Inuyasha. They've been so happy since they got married and had the baby."
"I'm sorry? So Inuyasha is the baby's father, and they are married? So you weren't aware of her relationship with Akitoki Hojo?" This information seemed very interesting to Detective Tanaka.
Miroku, Sango and Asami stared at him blankly for a moment.
"Hojo? You think Kagome was cheating on Inuyasha with Hojo?" Sango snorted.
"I have pretty solid proof that they were in a relationship. I'm just trying to get a hold of Miss Higurashi so we can clear up what is hopefully a misunderstanding." Detective Tanaka explained, tucking his phone back into his pocket. "Was she having any trouble that you know of? Any changes in her behavior?"
"No, I can't think of anything like that."
"Has she had any trouble with drugs or alcohol in the past?"
"Nothing that I'm aware of. But she's been living away from home for so long. Sango, you would have a better idea."
"Just the occasional drink at a party when we go out with friends, but nothing excessive. She's usually our designated driver. And I know she wouldn't ever touch drugs. We had a close friend die of an overdose when we were in highschool that really affected her." Sango added.
"I would like to point out that none of you were aware that she was in a relationship with Mister Hojo, so it stands to reason that you might not know your daughter as well as you think."
Asami adjusted herself on the sofa and sat up straight, giving the detective a once over, as if she was trying to determine his intentions. She chose her words carefully before she spoke.
"We have told you, Detective, that Kagome was completely devoted to Inuyasha. His death will likely break her heart."
"I think we've had a misunderstanding. It was Hojo's body that was discovered in the forest."
Asami and Sango both audibly sighed in relief. "Oh, thank god. I am sorry about Hojo-san. " Asami admitted.
"Is there any chance that the baby is Hojo's?"
"There is absolutely no chance at all, Detective." Miroku answered matter of factly.
"How can you be sure?"
"Taisho's have very distinct traits." Asami explained.
"Did you say Taisho? Inuyasha Taisho? As in one half of the Taisho Corporation?"
"Yes, the same."
Asami nodded. Tanaka began typing furiously on his phone once more.
"Do you know when your daughter and her husband plan on returning from their trip?"
"I do not. " Asami answered truthfully. Both Sango and Miroku shook their heads.
Detective Tanaka frowned, but shrugged and pulled something from inside of his jacket as he stood from his seat. "I want to thank you for your time Higurashi san. Please call me if your daughter contacts you. I'll show myself to the door." and with that he left the apartment.
"That doesn't bode well." Miroku sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
"No, he all but accused Kagome of killing that guy." Sango agreed.
"Do either of you know how to get in touch with Inuyasha's brother?" Asami asked. Miroku nodded. "Good. I want to have a talk with him. He should know what is going on," Asami set her cup of tea on the table and held out her hand. Miroku pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to her.
