Chapter 14: Losing the Birthday Boy
"Kagome's so going to kill us," Rin groans as she looks underneath the couch.
"She will not kill me, because I didn't agree to watch her son."
Rin leans out from underneath the couch and glares at her boyfriend.
"He's your nephew."
"Whom I did not agree to watch for this very reason," Sesshomaru states from his position in the doorframe.
Rin rolls her eyes as Sango and Miroku walk in from the opposite entrance. "Any luck?"
"Nope," Miroku says with a frustrated sigh as Sango waddles over and sits down on the couch.
"Where can Katsuo be?!" Rin shouts as she firmly grips her hair.
"Well he couldn't have gotten outside," Miroku states. "The doors are locked, and no one has come in expect for Korari, Mr. H., Sota, and his wife."
"He's too small to reach the door knobs so he has to be in these open rooms," Sango says as Rin takes a seat on the couch next to her and grabs the notepad and pen off the coffee table.
"Okay, well he's not in the living room or the kitchen," Rin mumbles as writes down the places they had checked. "There's still Inuyasha's old room, Izzy and Toga's room, the play room, the game room, Sesshomaru's old room, the sunroom-"
"Okay, okay, we get it, there's a lot of places to check," Miroku says with a sigh as he runs a hand down his face. "How did I even get roped into looking for my godson?"
"Because if we can't find him, I'm telling Kagome that I left him with you before I took a bathroom break and Rin was outside assisting Izzy," Sango explains.
"Thanks for turning on me wife," Miroku grumbles as he leans against the couch with a frown on his face.
"Anytime husband," Sango mockingly says back.
"Okay, we have thirty minutes before Kagome and Inuyasha come back, we got to find him," Rin states as she claps her hands. "We can do this, guys!"
"We?" Sesshomaru repeats with a raised brow.
"Yes," Rin snaps as she sharply looks at her boyfriend. "We're all going to look for Katsuo."
"But-"
"So help me Sesshomaru, I will dye your mokomoko pink!"
Miroku snickers, causing Sesshomaru to harshly glare at him. Miroku coughs as he stands up straight.
"Fine," Sesshomaru mumbles with a cross of the arms.
"Good," Rin says.
"Now, let's start with the places we haven't checked."
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With Kagome and Inuyasha
Inuyasha closes Kagome's door as she stands on the sidewalk.
"Ready?" He asks as he looks at her. Kagome nods in response as she loops her arm around his; they proceed to walk up the grassy hill. Once at the top of the hill, they turn left and walk for a few minute.
They stop in front of a gray, cement tombstone that is covered with some leaves and grass.
"It's all dirty," she whispers as she hands Inuyasha the bouquet of flowers before bending over and cleaning off the tombstone and the surrounding area. Once she's satisfied, she takes a seat in front of the grave; Inuyasha does the same.
She grabs the flowers from Inuyasha before setting them in front of the tombstone; she leans back into Inuyasha's arms.
"Hi dad," Kagome says as she lays her head on Inuyasha's shoulder. "It's me, Kagome, and Inuyasha."
"Happy birthday, Mr. H," Inuyasha says as he rubs Kagome's shoulder.
"Happy birthday dad," Kagome states. "Mom, grandpa, and Sota were planning on coming too, but they had to pick up grandpa for Katsuo's birthday party. Can you believe? He's turning one today. He's growing up so fast."
"He's such an amazing boy. He's energetic, friendly, nice, helpful, and takes after his dad in the look department, thank Kami," Inuyasha jokes, causing Kagome to hit his forehead. "It's the truth!"
Kagome shakes her head before turning to look at her father's tombstone. "I miss you dad. I miss you every day."
Inuyasha watches as tears form in Kagome's eyes.
"I know you've been gone for a while, but I still miss talking to you," Kagome states. "But I'm glad you're in a better place. I'm glad that you're not suffering anymore. I just wish that you could meet your grandchildren."
Kagome lets out a teary chuckle as she places a hand on her stomach. "Yes, I'm pregnant again. I know, I know. It's quick, but we're grateful."
"I'm hoping that it's a girl," Inuyasha interjects.
"And I'm hoping for a boy," Kagome states as she looks at Inuyasha with a grin on her face. "But we're just hoping for a healthy baby."
Kagome looks at the tombstone and lets out a sigh. "I just wish you were here."
"He is," Inuyasha states as he squeezes her shoulder. "He's in your heart."
"I know" his wife says with a smile. "I know."
They couple sit in silence for a while; just enjoying each other and the peacefulness of the environment around them.
After sitting in silence for almost ten minutes, Inuyasha asks Kagome if she was ready to go. Kagome gives a silent nod in response.
Inuyasha helps his wife up; Kagome stares at their spot before turning around and walking away. Inuyasha gives a nod to the grave before following after Kagome. However, just as he reached her, Kagome had stopped walking and turn around to look at her father's grave.
She smiles at the tombstone which reads:
Beloved father, son, and brother
Katsuo Noboru Higurashi
The dates of his birth and death were covered by the overgrown grass. But it was okay, Kagome knew when her father had left this world.
'Bye dad,' she thinks before turning around and grabbing her husband's hand. She smiles at him before saying: "Let's go celebrate our baby."
Inuyasha nods in response as he leans them to the car.
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With the Gang
"Okay, he's not in the laundry room, the sun room, the patio, the kitchen, Inuyasha's old room, or basement," Rin calls at as she and the rest of the gang meet in the living room. Izayoi, Inu No Taisho, and Kagome's family are in the backyard of Izayoi and Inu No Taisho's house setting up for the jungle themed party. The rest of the guest will be there within the hour.
Sango nods as she crosses out all the possibilities from the list.
"We need to check those places again just in case he went back to them."
"True," Rin agrees.
"And dad said that they didn't see him outside, but they're keeping the door locked and are looking," Sesshomaru states.
"I'm surprise you can't smell him," Rin states as she looks at her boyfriend.
"All the new scents are throwing me off," Sesshomaru defends. "Plus, Izayoi said that the dogs got into mud yesterday and shook it all over the house, so that's also hindering me from smelling him."
Rin and Sango nod in response before looking at each other.
"Okay, now we need to-"
Slam!
"We're back!" Kagome shouts as she and Inuyasha walk into the house. The group quickly rush out the living room, besides Sango who waddles as fast as she can.
They stand in the doorway and are greeted with Inuyasha and Kagome who were about to enter.
"Kagome! Inuyasha!" They shout in slight horror.
"Hello everyone. Did you guys miss us?" Kagome jokingly asks with a grin.
"We did, we did," Rin states while eagerly nodding. "How was visiting your dad?"
"Good. It was much needed," Kagome tells her with a nod before clapping her hands. "Now, where's my baby?"
The couples in questioning look at each other in response; Kagome immediately catches on before asking: "Guys, what's with the looks? Where's Kat?"
Sango sighs before saying, "Kagome, we looked everywhere and-"
"Mama!"
Everyone turns around and sees a cake covered Katsuo sitting in the middle of the hallway.
"Now what did you get yourself into this time?" Kagome asks with a grin as she walks towards her son.
Everyone, besides Inuyasha, look at each other in shock and relief. Sesshomaru and Miroku let out sighs of thankfulness as Sango and Rin mouth to each other 'What?'
"What is this?" Kagome questions as she bends down and wipes her finger over Katsuo's cheek before putting her finger into her mouth. "Is this cake?"
"Mama," Katsuo coos as he falls onto her chest.
"This better not be your birthday cake, mister," Kagome states as she picks him up. "Is it your birthday cake?"
Katsuo nods as he shoves his fingers into his mouth. Kagome shakes her head in response.
"How did you manage to get into your birthday cake?" Kagome lightly asks as she wipes his mouth with his bib.
"Mama," Katsuo giggles as he reaches for Kagome's face.
"Bad boy," Kagome teasingly says as she pinches his cheek. "Grandma Rari is going to be so angry. She spent all morning making that cake."
Kagome turns around and looks at Inuyasha. "Can you go order another cake?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha responds before turning to his friends and brother. "What the hell were you guys doing? All we ask was to watch him for an hour."
"Well-"Sesshomaru starts to say, but Rin pinches him causing him to jump before glaring down at his girlfriend.
"We turned our back for a second and before we knew it, he had gotten his hands into his cake," Rin quickly says.
"What Rin said," Sango states in agreement. "And I can call Koga and tell him to pick up a cake. They're on their way here anyways."
"Thanks," Kagome says. "Now let's go upstairs little one. You can't be dirty on your birthday."
"What were you guys going to tell us earlier?" Inuyasha asks as he looks at his friends and brother.
"Uh-"Miroku starts to say but Sango slaps a hand over his mouth and stomps his foot.
"We're glad you're back. We all wanted to get a piece of Izzy's famous peach cobbler."
"Mom made peach cobbler, sweet!" Kagome says as she kisses Katsuo. "But first, bath time."
"No, no," Katsuo says as he shakes his head.
"Yes, yes," Kagome repeats as she walks down the hallway and towards the staircase.
"I can't believe that happened," Rin mumbles as she places a hand on her head.
"Thank Kami it did," Sango whispers as.
"Shall we go get a piece of peach cobbler, my friend?" Miroku asks as he throws an arm over Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Sure," he states as he shoves Miroku's arm off his shoulder and starts to walk down the hallway.
"I'm so glad Kagome didn't find out," Rin states as she looks up at her husband.
"Oh, guys!"
The group look towards Inuyasha in response.
"Just so you guys know, I won't tell Kagome that you lost, Kat," he states as he looks at them with glee in his eyes. "I would like to have people at his first birthday party."
The group's mouth drops in shock.
"How did he even know!" Rin loudly groans out. Everyone nods in agreement.
"He probably knew because we also lost Kat at the park the-HEY! YOU'VE LOST HIM TOO!"
Miroku shouts in realization before chasing after his friend who had started running out the door.
"I'm not going to ask any question," Rin states with a shake of the head. "I'm just glad that Katsuo is safe and sound."
"Agreed," Sango says as she places a hand on her stomach. "Let's go outside and see if Izzy or Rari need help."
"You first, pregnant lady," Rin says with a grin.
Sango giggles as she starts to waddle down the hallway and out the back door; Rin and Sesshomaru follow her.
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With Kagome
Kagome shakes her head as she hears yelling and screaming coming from outside. She wipes Katsuo's face before setting the towel down. She picks him up and walks out of the bathroom and towards Inuyasha's old bedroom. Once there, she lays the naked one year old on the bed. She reaches into her back pocket and grabs the teething ring. She leans over and waves it in his face before handing it to him. Katsuo automatically puts it in his mouth.
"They think mom doesn't know that you went missing while we were gone," Kagome says as she taps his nose. "But remember this, Kat."
Katsuo stares up at her while moving the toy ring around in his mouth.
"Mommy knows everything."
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A/N:
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Thank you for all your support; your reviews, following and favoring this story and the rest of them! Thank you for following and favoring me too! I love it and I love ya'll!
So Katsuo has the same name and birthday as his grandfather. Cute, right?!
The next chapter is titled: Arrested
What could that mean?! You just got to wait and find out. ^-^
Responses to Reviewers:
WildHeart44: Hope you like the chapter. Thank you for your review!
Susu-Anon: So true! And Inuyasha's finally getting the hang of raising a kid… but he's still going to mess up because it's him. ^0^. And we'll be seeing more of Koga in the future as well.
Hive-chan: Thank you for the review and idea. I'm planning on doing that idea/concept with another story. So be looking for that in a couple months or so. ^-^
Youkai55: Inuyasha sure did. He's learning how to be a dad… but he's still going to have some mix ups. Lol.
Anonymous: Thank you for your review. Glad you enjoyed the chapter.
NarakuSon: Thank you! And Lol. I tried to play it on my computer… completely suck at it. However, I did get 17th place on my first try (I hid for most of the game. Lol).
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