Chapter Twenty: Happy Family
The next couple of days in the modern world were fun, but relaxing. Sesshomaru secretly had a conversation with Inuyasha, Sango, and Kaede about Kagome's current mental condition. He explained she was stressed out over random oddities that could occur in her world that may harm one of them and the extra stress this visit may be putting on her family. Sesshomaru was insistent that Kagome wasn't going to allow everyone to go home early when they obviously wanted a break here, but it would be nice to go a little easy on her and being careful and alert in this world was very important.
Kaede passed this message onto Kikyo. Sango passed the message onto Kohaku and Miroku. Shippo and Rin weren't told because the adults decided it wasn't their job to worry about Kagome. They were here to have fun and not worry about being hurt or something worse. With this new information about Kagome's status, the group decided it would be best to stay near the Higurashi Shrine. They went on a few walks, helped out around the house, visited a few small trinket shops, but asked for little more unless Kagome was the one suggesting it. It was a peaceful trip.
On the final day before they were to return home, Kagome found out there was going to be a small firework show at a festival downtown. Kagome got everyone dressed up in nice clothing and did use this as an excuse to take everyone shopping. It wasn't a huge trip and people chose their clothing quickly, but everyone chose something they liked. Dressed up after dinner and ready to see the show, the group made their way downtown by train. Kaede chose to stay home. Rin hated the train. She clung to Sesshomaru, having a hard time keeping her balance. Shippo thought it was fun. Kohaku was on a similar boat to Rin. The rest were more curious about how it worked and whether they were or were not underground.
The group made it to the festival and walked around, trying different treats and drinks for a while. Kagome taught them about some of the games where you could win prizes and Inuyasha and Miroku end up in a ring-toss competition that led to Sango and Kikyo carrying three stuffed animals each. As their competition came to an end, Kagome realized that she couldn't find Sesshomaru. The group looked around for him, Rin and Shippo holding Kagome's hands. Suddenly, Sesshomaru showed up from a different game that he played with a new toy for Shippo and a teddy bear for Rin.
"One of the games was rigged." Sesshomaru said. "I won anyway."
"Of course, you did." Kagome chuckled and watched Rin and Shippo playing with what Sesshomaru won for them.
"It's so soft and fluffy." Rin said with stars in her eyes.
"You know what I do when I get a teddy bear, Rin?" Kagome asked.
"What?" Rin said.
"I give him a special name. Then, you remember them forever." Kagome told her.
"I'll have to think of a really good name then." Rin said and immediately began thinking.
"Do you think I could try one of these games?" Kohaku stepped up to Kagome and asked.
"Of course. Which one?" Kagome replied.
Kohaku looked around and saw one where you threw a ball and knocked down a stack of cans. It was a basic game, but there was a prize he had his eye on. Kagome took him over, Sango and Miroku following behind them, and bought him a round. Kohaku was always a good aiming, so this should be simple for him. Kohaku threw his first ball and hit right on the mark, but the cans didn't really move. The ball wasn't exactly heavy, but unless the cans were filled with lead, they should have at least moved. Kagome told him to try again, eyeing the stand owner. Kohaku hit the cans right in the center again, but they just shook a tiny bit. Everyone could tell this was a cheat. Kagome whispered something in Kohaku's ear and he nodded.
"Alright, sure." Kohaku said and took a step back. He breathed in deeply and threw the ball again, but this time with a lot of strength behind it. The ball hit the mark and the whole stand went falling back as if they were glued together. "Oh look, I won." Kohaku and Kagome glared at the stand manager.
"Is there a way to report these stands if they're cheating, Kagome?" Miroku asked.
"Yeah, there is. Then they'll be banned from future events." Kagome said with a smile.
"Please, don't." The stand manager sighed. "We just need the extra cash. The cans are so small, most people miss them."
"Cheating people out of their money is not something we can abide by." Miroku stepped forward and into the face of the stand manager. "Either set the game up correctly or we will be forced to report you to the proper authorities."
"Alright, alright. Kid won fair and square, so the boy gets whatever prize he wants." The stand manager said.
Kohaku chose a strange round toy with a string attached. Kagome immediately recognized it as a yo-yo. She admitted that she wasn't very good with one, but she could teach him the very basics of how they work. After a couple of practice rounds, Kohaku got it and just in time for the firework show. Kagome led the group away from the festival and up a small cliff through some trees before the show started. From there, they got a good view of the city and the festival itself. Rin, Shippo, and Kohaku sat down near the edge, but were warned to stay away from it for their safety. As the group set up a large picnic blanket, they heard some rustling through the trees and looked back to see three girls come into the opening.
"You made it!" Kagome cheered and ran over. "Hiya Yuka, Eri, Ayumi. I've missed you guys."
"Of course, we made it. It's not often we get an invite from you anymore." Yuka said as she gave Kagome a hug.
"I've got some people I want you to meet." Kagome said as she hugged Eri and Ayumi and then brought them over to the group. She introduced everyone, except Inuyasha, because they had met before. "This is Sango. She's been one of my most supportive friends for a while now."
"It's so nice to meet you all." Ayumi said, waving to everyone, but then her eyes fell on Shippo. "He's so cute."
"So, are you Momma's friends from this place?" Shippo asked.
"M-MOMMA?" The three modern-day girls were completely dumbfounded.
"Yeah." Kagome said as she picked Shippo up and kissed his cheek. "Shippo… He's my son."
"Wait, so is this little guy the real reason you've been missing so much school?" Eri asked.
"Yeah, you could say that." Kagome nodded.
"That makes so much more sense than all those random illnesses." Yuka said.
"Right. Every time we saw you, you looked fine, so it made no sense that you were always sick." Eri added and ruffled Shippo's hair.
"That's so sweet, but Kagome… With a son, you could just fully drop out of school." Ayumi said. "I'm sure there are legal ways of doing it."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Kagome said and then suddenly a pop sounded behind her. "We'll talk about it later. We've got a show to watch."
Kagome hurried over to the cliff with everyone, the three new additions following her. Everyone sat down and watched the firework show. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru weren't exactly fond of it. It was loud and their keen hearing made it less enjoyable. Luckily, Kagome figured this would be a thing and provided them both with ear plugs. For Inuyasha, it was a little harder to get them in, but they helped both brothers enough to enjoy the show. Everyone watched in awe. The colors and formations were so impressive. They lit up the night sky in a beautiful array of light.
When the firework show came to an end, Sango did some bonding with Kagome's friends. It wasn't long before they decided the night needed to come to an end. Kagome began having to work her way around a lot of lies and half-truths. It was making her nervous. She didn't like lying to her friends, but had no choice in the matter. As her friends began to get suspicious, Kagome got more nervous and began feeling sick enough to sweat.
"Kagome, are you okay?" Ayumi asked and pulled everyone's attention.
"Yeah, but… I…" Kagome's vision began blurring and her body began feeling weak. "Sess-…"
Kagome's body gave out and she suddenly collapsed. Sesshomaru slid in behind her quickly, not allowing her to fall. He lifted Kagome into his arms and noticed the sweat dripping down her face. Sango came over to check her temperature, but she wasn't warm.
"I don't think she's eaten enough." Kikyo came over and examined her. "She's a little pale, weak… Her breathing is labored. She's eating for two now and the second is a very hungry little thing. She'll be fine once we get her home and some more food in her."
"Kagome… is pregnant?" Ayumi asked and everyone turned to the three girls.
"Yes, she is." Sango said with a smile. "I know there are a lot of questions you want to ask and Kagome will answer them when she can, but recent events have put her under a lot of stress. She's in need of some special care, which is why we're all here with her. She won't be attending school anymore and will likely come live with us. We'll be able to help her take care of both her children and her. Her current home is a bit small, so it's best for her."
"That's… so sudden." Ayumi said.
"Not really." Yuka spoke up with her arms crossed. "Kagome's been missing school for a while now. She's been held back once already. I guess this sort of news isn't really that surprising. We knew something was up, but not what. She's a mom… and gonna have another."
"It's surprising to me because Kagome was always so… innocent." Eri said, rubbing the back of her head. "Didn't see her as the type to get pregnant so young. Until we found out about you, we didn't even see her go on a date before."
"What, me? No, not me. This… is not me." Inuyasha waved his hands in front of him and then pointed to Sesshomaru. "Him. Him."
"Wait, what? Aren't you the one we met before?" Eri asked.
"Yeah, but Kagome and I have never actually been together." Inuyasha explained as clearly as he could. "Look, it's a long, hard, and complicated story, but where we're from, things are very different in how people live, you know? While there was a time it might have happened, Kagome and I have never been a couple. I love Kikyo. Shippo is her adopted son. She's pregnant with Sesshomaru's child."
"F-Finally…" Kagome spoke up weakly, "I've been wanting to hear you say it… I'm so happy for you two."
"Kagome, are you okay?" Sango asked.
"I feel so weak… and tired. I don't know what's wrong…" Kagome laid her head in Sesshomaru's chest and tried to keep her breathing steady.
"You just need to eat." Kikyo told her.
"You're Kikyo, right?" Eri asked.
"I am." Kikyo nodded.
"You two look like you could be sisters…" Ayumi said in surprise.
"Thank you. That's definitely a compliment." Kikyo said and then turned to Sesshomaru. "Let's get her back quickly."
The group said their polite farewells and hurried off. As they came to the street, they realized that Kagome was normally the one leading them and were not sure how to get home. Sesshomaru shook Kagome asked her. She barely got anything out before falling unconscious. They tried to follow the directions, but they could see Kagome getting weaker and weaker by the moment. Shippo and Rin were getting tired, so Inuyasha decided to carry them the rest of the way home. The group hurried on, but were still having a hard time finding home. Once again, they had to shake Kagome awake, but before she could say anything, she fell unconscious again. After that, they couldn't wake her up.
"Even if we get her home, how is she supposed to eat now?" Inuyasha asked.
"Damn it. This is my fault. There are so many differences between a human and demon pregnancy." Kikyo said in anger, clenching her fists tightly. "I should have remembered to warn her about them."
"Okay, there is no reason to panic." Miroku stepped up.
"We're lost in a city with buildings as tall as mountains, surrounded by things we don't understand." Sesshomaru corrected Miroku.
"Sounds like a good time to panic to me." Shippo said.
"If we move around too much, it's possible even Kagome won't be able to help us get back." Sango said.
"We could retrace our steps and ask her friends." Miroku said.
"If they're still there, which I doubt." Sesshomaru said, glancing worriedly at Kagome.
"I can try something, but… I don't know how well it'll work." Kikyo said and stepped up to Kagome. "I'll give her some of my energy, but I am going to need to return to our time tonight. I am already feeling weak from the lack of soul collecting and after this, I may collapse."
"Are you sure you want to risk it?" Inuyasha asked.
"Of course. Once Kagome gets everyone home, we'll all be fine, but without her, we're lost." Kikyo said and then placed her hand onto Kagome's forehead. She glanced around the area to make sure they weren't being watched and very quickly forced a bit of her energy into Kagome. A white light glowed around her hand, lighting up the immediate area. Luckily, there was no one around to see. It was done so rapidly that it burnt Kagome's forehead and Kikyo's hand. Normally, it was meant to take a couple minutes. When Kikyo stopped, Kagome's eyes opened like normal. "I-It worked."
"What happened?" Kagome asked, looking around a little confused.
"W-We're lost." Kikyo said while out of breath. Suddenly, she too lost consciousness and fell back. Kagome, out of reflex, reached out and grabbed her as quickly as Inuyasha jumped forward. Inuyasha picked Kikyo up, having let the children down while she tried her spell. Once Kikyo was in Inuyasha's arms, the children were carried by Sango and Miroku. Kagome looked around and realized where they were. They had to back-track a little, but they made it home. Unfortunately, Kikyo and Inuyasha had to leave immediately. Kikyo had gotten so weak from the spell that pieces of her body were cracking. Kaede decided it was best if she went with her sister, so she also made her way back with those two. It caused Inuyasha to have to take two trips through the well, but he wasn't bothered by it. Once they were safely back home, the rest returned to Kagome's house, not wanting to leave early.
"I find it strange that in about a week, you and Kikyo have gotten very close." Miroku brought up. The group sat in the living room again. This time, they had a bit more room to spare. Kagome and Sesshomaru sat on the couch with the children between them. Miroku and Sango chose the floor this time. Kohaku was off playing some sort of game with Sota. Those two had been talking a lot on this trip. Sota was the closest to Kohaku's age, so it made sense.
"I do too, but I also think that Inuyasha was the only real barrier to that." Kagome said, laying her head back on the couch. "At first, Kikyo was really angry and bitter toward her own life, then comes back to find that Inuyasha was with me. I couldn't blame her for being upset about it."
"For her, it's possible a mere minute passed. One moment she was in love and the next her love had moved on to someone who obviously looked a lot like her." Sango curled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. "If I died and came back to find Miroku off with another woman, I'd be upset too. Even if he does fl-… No, did flirt with a lot of women in the past, seeing that would hurt a little too much."
"From what I understand of Kikyo's situation, she lived her life for others, guarded the jewel, and died thinking the man she loved, my brother, was the one who betrayed and slayed her, right?" Sesshomaru questioned the group, receiving nods in reply. "When she came back, she not only found that Kagome was in Inuyasha's life, but her sisters as well. You all stayed at her village, in her hut, and she was cast aside. I'd have killed you all."
"We really did not treat Kikyo fairly in all of this." Kagome closed her eyes. She felt so guilty it was sounding in her voice.
"Hey, now…" Ms. Higurashi stepped in the room, having been listening from the kitchen. "Everyone has made mistakes. I agree that Kikyo was not treated fairly, but now that you've learned that, it'll be okay. You'll be friends, maybe even more of a family. Just move forward."
"Thanks, Mom. We will." Kagome sat up and smiled again. Her mother always knew what to say when she was upset.
"You're all heading back to the feudal era tomorrow, correct?" Grandpa's voice rang in from the kitchen.
"Yes, sir. We are." Miroku raised his voice as he replied to the old man in the other room.
"You take care of Kagome like you always have." Grandpa said as he stepped into the room with them, arms behind his back. "But most importantly, Sesshomaru, you take care of my great grandchildren. If I find out that a hair has been hurt on Shippo or Rin's head, I'ma banish you to the netherworld!"
"Grandpa, you couldn't banish Sesshomaru even if you had the spiritual power to try." Kagome stared at her grandfather with a dull face.
"Hey…" Rin hopped off the couch and walked over to Grandpa, pointing at herself. "I'm not… Am I your great grandchild too? You said me!"
Kagome blinked in surprise when she realized what Grandpa had said. Even Ms. Higurashi was taken by surprise. Sango and Miroku decided it was safer for them to stay quiet on that subject and watch the possible hilarity that may ensue. Sesshomaru gave no indication to his inner thoughts.
"Of course, I said you. You're part of my family now too, Rin." Grandpa ruffled her hair a little. "All of you are for as long as Kagome loves you."
"Yay!" Rin threw her hands in the air and gave Grandpa a big hug. She then ran over to Sesshomaru. "Daddy, we have a big family now! I've got a great grandpa, which means…" Rin looked around the room and counted something on her fingers before looking at Ms. Higurashi. "I've got a grandma too! And Sota is… And Kohaku… Shippo, Sango, Kagome, Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kikyo and Kaede… What are all of them?"
"We'll take the time to figure that out, but for now, they're family." Sesshomaru told her with a small smile. Rin nodded and hopped on the couch again to give Sesshomaru a hug. For once, he didn't hesitate to return the affection and hugged her back.
"Too cute." Kagome said weakly. Kikyo's extra energy was fading, which instantly worried everyone.
"Ms. Higurashi, can we make Kagome something to eat?" Sango rushed to ask.
"Well, of course." Ms. Higurashi said. "I've already gotten some dinner in the works. It's almost done."
"Are you okay, Momma?" Shippo, who had been mostly quiet up to this point out of worry for Kagome, finally spoke up.
"I'll be okay. I am starving though." Kagome said, laying her hand over her stomach. "Your little brother or sister takes more energy than I thought."
"I want a brother. Can you make sure it's a boy?" Shippo asked.
"There are ways in my time that can check the gender of a baby, but I cannot make sure it comes out a boy." Kagome said with a giggle.
"Wait, you can look inside your body to check?" Miroku asked.
"Yeah, it's part of the medical advancements that have happened." Kagome explained. "We have ways of looking at babies, broken bones, hearts, lungs, and anything else inside of us. Humans have gotten so good with medical stuff, that if there is a big problem, we know how to put someone asleep so they feel nothing, cut them open carefully, and then fix the problem. They wake up and get to start the healing without issues."
"That is impressive." Sesshomaru, genuinely surprised by this information, said with wide eyes. "People have done methods of surgery for years, but the ability to remove all pain from the process is an impressive feat."
"That'd be a helpful tool back home." Miroku said.
"Here you go, Kagome." Ms. Higurashi came back into the room and set a plate of food in front of her. "If anyone else wants some, I can make them a plate."
"Me!" Rin and Shippo raised their hands and went into the kitchen with Ms. Higurashi.
"May we have some too?" Kohaku asked as he and Sota came down stairs, smelling food. They were motioned to follow, so he did.
Kagome started eating and didn't stop until the plate was completely empty. Even after that, she asked for seconds. Her mother obliged and brought her some more food. She kept eating until she realized she was being stared at. Mid-chew, Kagome sat up and looked around at them.
"What? The baby is hungry." Kagome explained and looked down to her stomach. "You calm down. You're embarrassing me."
"It can't hear you." Sesshomaru told her.
"I can pretend." Kagome replied, playfully sticking her tongue out at Sesshomaru.
"Eat as much as you like, but try to slow down so you don't choke." Miroku told her. "We're not that good at that backwards squeezing maneuver."
"The Heimlich Maneuver." Kagome corrected. "And Mom is the one that taught me, so…"
"No. He's right." Ms. Higurashi said and scolded Kagome. "I don't know how to do that on a pregnant woman. I'd be terrified of hurting the baby. Unless you want to be put on a liquid diet, I suggest you eat slower and chew your food, young lady."
"Hehe. Sorry, Mom. I was just joking." Kagome rubbed the back of her head and then continued eating. She slowed down like people wanted, which was easier now that she was feeling better. However, this appetite of hers was worrying. Was it going to get worse as the baby got bigger? What more obstacles will be showing up? She had to figure out what more is going to change with her body while pregnant with a half-demon child.
The night came to an end and everyone returned to their rooms to sleep. They would be leaving in the morning.
