One month later…
"It's been far too long since I've used my legs," Izayoi commented, leaning against the stone wall for support.
Toga reached into the hutch to find a suitable shirt as his son kept a lookout. "Do you regret your choice?" he asked her, even knowing what her answer would be.
"Don't be ridiculous," she gave him a shove as she walked alongside the wall, getting a feeling for standing on two feet again. "You have been the best thing to happen to me before Inuyasha came along." She laughed at how his expression went from pleased to stunned to amused in seconds. Of course if given the option again, she'd make the same choice. She got the family she always dreamed of, and the life she had before could not provide that.
Inuyasha looked anxious as both his parents came around the stone wall, dressed like two respecting adults that were to meet the family of their son's best friend for the first time. He knew that Kagome's family was expecting them, but he couldn't help the fear that something would go wrong.
He and Kagome had waited to tell her family when she could get all of them together to tell at once, so it had been a few days later. for the most part, they had taken this news better than he had ever hoped. Grandpa was reluctant to admit that merfolk were more than a legend until Kagome produced a mason jar with ocean water. In the back yard she poured just enough on Inuyasha's shins to make the scales appear before giving him a towel to dry with. That had been convincing enough for the old man. Of course, this news came with even more questions. Inuyasha's knowledge was limited, but he explained what he had grown up knowing: that the merfolk in the area guarded the island, blessing the sea to keep the island's inhabitants prosperous and safe. He had heard tales of some merfolk coming landside to pose as humans so they could maintain the shorelines of the island, dropping hints here and there to guide the humans with things they could not do themselves.
"Lead the way, sweetheart." Izayoi combed her fingers through his long black hair before they started to walk across the beach. She knew her son was nervous; he had acted much the same way the day he came home to tell them that he told Kagome the truth. If she were honest with herself, coming landside again after so long was making her equally nervous. So many things had changed, but there were some things that had stayed the same. She sniffed the air, a smile lighting her face up as she began to recognize some of the cooked foods on the boardwalk.
Sure, it wasn't ideal to eat, but those scents brought back memories of a past she had walked away from for true happiness. This was her first home, and a small part of her suddenly missed it.
To say she was nervous was like saying that the ocean was wet.
Kagome stood in front of her mirror once again in her underwear, holding up shirts by their hangers, debating on which would be more appropriate. By default she wanted to choose the baggiest shirt she owned, but she also wanted to make a good impression. Mama always told her that first impressions were important.
What kind of impression did she want to make though? The baggy shirt she held in her right hand was probably what Inuyasha would describe as hiding from the world. The tunic blouse she held in her left was loose fitting, but it also did little to hide the fact that she wasn't as developed as the other girls her age. But…did that really matter? She frowned as that thought stuck with her. It's not like Inuyasha was her boyfriend or anything. He was her best friend, and this was the first time she'd be meeting his parents. How would she dress if she was meeting Eri, Yuka, or Ayumi's parents for the first time? Would it be any different?
In the end, Kagome returned the baggy shirt to her closet. This was a special occasion, so she needed to dress appropriately. She tugged the yellow tunic over her head, pulling her hair out of the back and smoothing the ruffles out in the front. Instead of selecting shorts, since most of hers didn't look right with the blouse, Kagome found a pair of jeans that fit comfortably. She returned to the mirror with her hairbrush, running it through her locks a few times to remove any tangles. There was one other thing that she could do to make herself presentable, but as she looked over to the small vanity, she decided against makeup. Mama had helped her select it as part of her birthday present that year, but she'd yet to find a suitable occasion for it. She'd spent evenings experimenting with it, but not once had she ever worn it around Inuyasha. Kagome wasn't sure if he'd think she was "hiding" behind it, and until she could pluck up the courage to wear it in front of him, she wasn't about to in front of his parents. They wanted to meet the girl their son had befriended, and she wanted to deliver the best she could.
At the sound of the doorbell, Kagome blurted out "I'll get it!" as she tossed her hairbrush on her bed before tearing down the stairs.
Izayoi heard the footfalls of the girl as she approached the door and tried to contain the smile at how her son tensed up. There was a pause before the doorknob turned, and she assumed the girl had tried to collect herself before opening the door. When she appeared, Izayoi smiled warmly at the shy-looking girl.
"Hello," she said, giving Inuyasha a smile.
"Hi." Inuyasha cleared his throat before motioning to each of them. "Kagome, this is my mother Izayoi and my father Touga."
"It's nice to meet you, my dear," Touga said, bowing slightly to the girl. "Inuyasha has spoken so much about you and your family over the years, I feel as though we've known each other for longer."
Kagome nodded mutely, and Izayoi wondered if they were coming off as intimidating. But then the girl moved aside to let them enter her home, and she mentioned that her family would be in the living room. While she closed the door behind them, Izayoi took the time to look around. It was moderately furnished, not so much so to appear like an art piece that shouldn't be touched, but just enough to live comfortably. There was not one place that didn't look like care had been taken in selecting what belonged there.
They were directed down a hallway and into an open room on the left where three adults were waiting with a small child. The younger of the men introduced himself as Daisuke Higurashi, his wife Michiru, his father Keiichi, and Kagome's younger brother Souta. Izayoi let Touga handle introductions and soon enough they were all seated, speaking with each other quite easily.
Hours had passed before anyone had realized it, and Michiru had stepped out to prepare dinner. Izayoi excused herself to follow the other woman, offering an extra set of hands. She wasn't about to let her host handle the meal on her own, not after inviting them to stay and eat, and she made a point of telling her that.
"How are you enjoying the island?" Michiru asked, wanting to keep the conversation going as they worked.
"I must admit that there are so many new things since I last walked this island," Izayoi sighed, "It is very reminiscent of my days before I met Touga as well."
Michiru paused, turning to look at the woman. "I don't understand. I thought you were one of the merfolk?"
"I am, now." Izayoi smiled apologetically. "Forgive me, I never mentioned that I was once human, did I? Some time ago, I lived on this very island. I had met Touga, not unlike how our children met coincidentally, and I fell in love. But I had to make a choice, did I want to live as I was and be unhappy, or did I want to take a chance for love? In the end, I chose love, and I was blessed with a wonderful husband and son."
"I think we may be kindred spirits in that regard," Michiru laughed. "My family did not approve of Daisuke, but I loved him and no other. If they could not be accepting of my husband, I knew they would not accept my children."
"Your family cut you out?" Izayoi felt her heart go out to this woman. Her family hadn't been thrilled, but they were moving on to bigger cities, and she dug her heels in. One of the last things they had told her before they left was that she was "welcome back when her dreams fell apart".
Michiru shrugged. "We were young and stubborn. Not so young now, but still just as stubborn. Keiichi took me into his home when Daisuke and I became engaged, and I haven't looked back. It was difficult at first, I won't lie, but knowing who really cared about me made it easier to move on."
"I know that we've only just met, but I hope that in time our family can become part of your circle as well."
Kagome's mother smiled. "That happened years ago, Izayoi. The day your son became friends with my daughter."
Two years later…
At fifteen years old, Kagome was finally starting to wear clothes like the other girls her age. Larger necklines, more fitted tops, and her shorts weren't so long and baggy anymore. Michiru was ecstatic to see her daughter come out of her shell, even if the only time she wore such clothes was when Inuyasha visited.
Since they had met his parents, she noticed that Kagome seemed to relax more, knowing that Toga and Izayoi were delighted with her. Inuyasha had come to visit more often since, particularly during her vacation days from school, but he'd come up to the house and wait for her through the school year as well. Those days he'd help around the house with the occasional odd jobs or sit and talk with her or Daisuke. Michiru had begun to look at Inuyasha as a second son. "Perhaps son-in-law is more accurate," she thought with a giggle, glancing into the backyard.
Not that she'd say anything like that out loud around them.
Though she wondered if Izayoi thought the same.
Kagome was starting to notice things about Inuyasha that she hadn't noticed before. There wasn't anything glaringly obvious about Inuyasha the last eight years that had changed, but there was something…different about him.
One thing she noticed was that he had long eyelashes. Or maybe they looked long because they were so dark, but she found herself staring far too long when he was concentrated on something. His hair had gotten long over the years, dropping to his waist now. Kagome wondered if he ever thought about cutting it, but hoped that he never asked for her opinion if he did. She wasn't sure she could give a clear answer. The long hair suited Inuyasha, but somehow Kagome had a feeling that even if he cut it off short, it would suit him just as well.
They now stood at the same height, but if Toga was anything to go by, Kagome knew that it wouldn't be long before Inuyasha became taller than her. He was still just as skinny as the day they met, but now there was a little muscle. She noticed this the first time she came home from school to see him helping around the house. Since Papa was working, Inuyasha had been helping Grandpa move some boxes into storage. It wasn't much, and she might not have noticed it if he'd turned, but there was a slight flex of his biceps as he lifted the large container with ease.
She wondered if other girls had noticed these things. There was more than just his family in the sea; he'd told her about his friends from time to time. Some of them were probably mermaids. Kagome wished she had a way to speak to his friends, the mermaids particularly, to see if they saw what she saw.
Then again, part of her was afraid to know the answer to that question.
"Kagome's at the diner today," Michiru smiled apologetically. "Daisuke needed an extra set of hands to bus tables. I'm headed that way if you'd like to come with me, Inuyasha."
The teenage boy nodded silently, falling into step beside her. The diner was a short walk from the house, fortunately, since Daisuke had taken the car that morning. Michiru explained that because Kagome was old enough, she was now able to work per the diner's regulations. Tourism was beginning to pick up, and when they were short on people available, Kagome had offered to help. Michiru felt guilty, even if it was her daughter's decision. "I imagine she didn't expect Inuyasha to come by so soon, or she wasn't expecting the crowds."
Inuyasha was slightly put out when Kagome's mother told him where Kagome was, but he tried not to let it show. She was fully capable of having obligations outside of waiting for him to visit, so he couldn't fault her for wanting to help her father. He was still getting to see Kagome, and he was getting to see more of the island, so there was that.
The diner, Big Island, was a homey establishment that locals and tourists flocked to for its variety. Inuyasha knew right away that both of his parents would enjoy eating here. His half-brother was debatable, but his stepmother was secretly curious about humans. It was busy as well. Michiru led him to the counter where two stools were unoccupied and motioned for him to sit as she waved Daisuke over.
"Good to see you, Inuyasha," Daisuke grinned. "Kagome's in the back, but she'll have a break here in a little bit. Can I get you something to eat while you wait?"
Inuyasha glanced down at the menu that was pushed towards him. Not sure about how to pronounce the title of the meal, he pointed to it as Daisuke wrote it down. Michiru didn't bother to look at the menu, knowing what she wanted to order by heart. She turned towards Inuyasha and whispered, "Chances are Daisuke'll make Kagome take the rest of the afternoon off when she goes on break."
"But if she's working I don't want-"
"We don't want either of you to feel like you're missing out on quality time together," she said. "Kagome's doing this more to help out her father than the paycheck. Trust me she more than makes up for any missed work time at home with housework. And besides, I don't think she's ever been so happy since she met you, Inuyasha."
Michiru had barely finished her sentence when the girl in question pushed through the swinging kitchen doors with a large bin propped on her hip. Inuyasha felt his breath hitch when he saw her. She was wearing the same t-shirt the other employees wore, a pair of ripped jeans, and her sneakers. If it hadn't been for the dark hair, he might not have recognized her until she turned to face him.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome hurried over to where he and her mother sat, giving each of them a quick one-armed hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I…uh…came to your house," he mumbled, rubbing his neck. "Your mother said you were here. You're not mad, are you?" Not once had it occurred to him that maybe coming to the diner with her mother was a bad idea, but her look of surprise had him suddenly nervous. They hadn't really gone out anywhere together, unless it was down to the beach.
Kagome's nose wrinkled at his question. "Mad? Why would I be mad, Inuyasha? I'm happy you're here! I-" Her attention scanned the room as she talked. "Hold onto that thought. I'll be back in a few minutes," she said, nodding to the bin at her hip. They watched her move to the recently vacated tables, collecting the dirty dishes and wiping down the tables with the damp washcloth from within the bin.
Michiru couldn't help but notice that Inuyasha never took his eyes off Kagome as she bused tables, stopping when called by customers to take note of who needed refills or answering questions by tourists. She turned away to motion to Daisuke to double the order, who nodded silently. They both knew she'd never ask for the rest of the day off, but the crowds were thinning so she wasn't needed. Kagome would speed past them with the bin filled with dishes and disappear into the kitchen to give them to the dishwasher, then return to collect the pitchers of soft drinks or tea and fill drink orders. By the time she had a moment to speak again, three plates were set before her mother, Inuyasha, and an empty seat to his left. She looked from the plate to her papa quizzically.
"You're never gonna ask, so I'm making you take the rest of the day off. Sit on down and eat. We both know it's been a while," he added with an accusatory stare.
Inuyasha looked at her as she scooted onto the stool. "You're skipping meals?"
"No, I just…forgot," she replied, feeling her cheeks burn. "Lunch hour got busy, so when I went on break, I ate a little."
"A pack of snack crackers is not a lunch."
"Papa!"
"Kagome!" he mock-teased. "It's just as much my fault; if I'd watched the clock better I'd have made her eat more on the break before the lunch rush, Michi." He knew his wife wouldn't be mad, these things just happened. "Where's Souta? He at one of his friends' houses?"
"Keiichi's going to take him over to Satoru's this evening to spend the night. Right now they're probably at the docks fishing."
"Does Souta like fishing?" Inuyasha asked. The little he had gotten to know the boy, sitting still didn't seem like his idea of fun.
Michiru giggled. "I don't think he has the patience for it, but he likes spending time with his grandpa."
As the parents began to talk with another customer at the counter, Kagome nudged Inuyasha's elbow with her own. "I'm sorry I wasn't home when you came by," she whispered. "I wasn't expecting it to get busy until the weekend."
"It's alright," he said. "I'm happy that I can see you, no matter where we're at."
