Heavy rains ushered Sesshomaru to secure a small cave for the young ones. Fire crackled. Smoke stirred. Fresh squirrels roasted on spits while Jaken complained.
InuMaigo followed his brother to the far corner of the cavern, keeping Moyashi in his line of sight. She sat beside the squawking toad. Safe enough. "Do ears bleed if voices are shrill for a long enough period of time?"
"On occasion." Sesshomaru launched a pebble at his retainer's skull, making both of the young ones giggle. "Jaken. Quiet."
He yelped. Bulbous eyes bulged, "Ye...yes My Lord!"
Relaxing against the stone wall, Sesshomaru closed his eyes, "Feed the girl." A headache had formed right between his eyes.
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru! This humble servant will take care of the filthy mud creature..."
A small but angry growl chilled Jaken to the bone. "Do not insult her." InuMaigo's voice held the promise of a bite.
"I apologize Inumaigo-sama!" Jaken yelped as another pebble flung into his skull.
Sesshomaru's eyes slid back open. He watched the interaction with interest. The pup did well to put his retainer in his place, though Sesshomaru hadn't anticipated for him to pick up his habit of throwing stones as a way to do it. "We have much to discuss whelp."
InuMaigo huffed, blowing his bangs up out of his line of sight. "I'm not sure what I can say."
"Hn. Sit." Sesshomaru took a place against the cool stone wall. The pup sat. He fumbled with the loose sleeve of his kimono. "Do you wish for the return of your limb?"
"Yes!" Determination set the young one's jaw. "Mother will kill me if she finds out, Sesshomaru please help me."
He studied his Mother's offspring. Loud, squirmy, and young. Acceptably diplomatic. "This Sesshomaru will help you."
"Really?" His eyes ignited a yellow gold.
Sesshomaru watched as the glow filled in the darkness. What are you? "There are conditions."
InuMaigo wriggled in his seat, "What kind of conditions?"
"You will tell This Sesshomaru the information you possess." His youki draped around them, pulling the pup in closer. The cave would be secure enough from prying ears.
"Um..." InuMaigo chewed his thumb claw. What could he say? "Your Mate likes... haikus?"
His brows rose, a small smirk twisting his features. A Mate. "Who is she?" And she likes haikus. A plus.
InuMaigo listened to his brother's heartbeat quicken and face-palmed. Maybe he shouldn't have brought that up. "What if it changes the future?"
"Hn." He rolled the idea over in his mind. His decision remained firm. Resolute. "It will not."
"How can you be so sure?"
Pinning the pup with a glare, he flicked him right on the nose, "Do not question your Alpha, Welp."
"Ouch!" InuMaigo rubbed his nose and whimpered. "I love my family, so if you mess it up, I will hate you forever."
Sesshomaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Pups... "This Sesshomaru will entertain this future you speak of, now answer."
"Fine." He grumbled, digging his claws into the stone at his side. "What do you want to know?"
"Tell me of My Heir." There must be one.
InuMaigo huffed, "He is a pain in the butt."
Sesshomaru resisted the urge to flick him again. "Is he strong?"
"Yeah, I mean he brags about fighting all the time. No one can really touch him now that he's an adult, not even you."
"That is... doubtful."
The pup's eyes glittered up at him, full of excitement. Hero-worship. "No! It's true, he just sort of zaps a barrier in place and that's all he needs if he wants to be alone. I heard some stories about when he was a teenager. Ka...his mom says he was really hard to ground. All the older ones can do it."
Ka...? "Who is This Sesshomaru's Mate?"
InuMaigo whimpered, "Please don't make me say her name. I don't think you get along very well right now. Let me tell you other things first..." Maybe he'd forget to ask again.
I know her. Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze, but acquiesced. "Is This Sesshomaru...content?"
"Oh yeah! Loads of contentment, might even say happiness. You and ...uh, your Mate, have tons of pups, and everyone talks about how you can't keep your hands to yourself. Mother said that she has more grandchildren than she has room for so we are building on another wing."
He noticed his brother's scent change and his smile widened, "And you love me loads too, we have lots of fun together. Father is gone pretty often and when Mother goes with him I stay at your house. We have bonfires and go hunting. Everyone tries to outdo each other. Last time we all let Nishimaru win, he tried really hard, but we are all older and better. You said it'd be good for his confidence."
"Who is Nishimaru?"
"Ah, he is your second youngest. He is really little, but his claws are sharp, and he bites really hard. He can already make a transportation cloud. I think it's unfair, but Mother says we all have our talents."
The pup went on and on about strange games, tag and hide and go seek. His eyes glowed with his memories. Silly, childish tales regaling simple triumphs. Pride in his Pack, their Pack. The young one filled in a world of unfamiliar closeness. Trust.
It did not sound altogether unpleasant.
"You are proud of your Pack."
InuMaigo radiated loyalty, "Ours' is the best."
Sesshomaru smirked. His little brother inherited their Mother's arrogance. She was never wrong. "So it will be."
The rich scent of roasted meat filled the cavern. "Go eat. We will continue this discussion once your belly becomes full."
Cool wall met the back of his skull. Time to relax. Think. Nurse his headache. He closed his eyes to the world, listening to the quiet chatter of the young ones and the shrill scolding of his retainer. The old toad doted on Rin like a Mother Hen, now it seemed Jaken had found two more children to nag.
Good.
Such services would prove to be useful in the future... if the welp's words proved true.
"Hn." His claws thrummed over his knee. An onna he knew. The riddle left no answers. What demoness did he know capable of producing such vast and skillful progeny?
None.
The scent of food became less and less until it was no more than a trace. "Pup," He ordered, "You've more secrets to reveal."
InuMaigo pouted, but didn't complain. His feet shuffled. "What do you want to know?" Crossing his legs, he plopped back down beside his brother.
"How far into the future do you exist?"
He shrugged, "Probably centuries."
"Who is your Father?"
"Well..." InuMaigo chewed leftover meat from his claw, "His name is Lord Haiiro, but you wouldn't know him yet... at least I don't think you do..."
"Hn. It does not ring a bell." The pup's eyes were glowing again. Like a torch. "What manner of youkai is he?"
"Many things, Mother says he was once a spirit, but dogs aren't meant to be ruled. I'm not old enough to know the story."
Interesting. "Hn."
"Will you fix my arm now?" The pup yawned, showing off his milk teeth.
"As soon as you tell This Sesshomaru the name of my future Mate."
With a huff, InuMaigo grumbled, too tired to resist any longer, "Fine. Her name is Kagome." He watched as his brother's eyes widened a fraction, and his breath stilled.
Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze, "The Miko?"
"Yeah, that's the one. She's pretty great, you like her alot. And she makes really yummy food." InuMaigo's eyelids drooped, little body sagging.
The Lord's lips barely moved, "My pups... are hanyou..."
InuMaigo waved his hand around tiredly, something he'd seen his Mother do countless times when he'd ask her questions while snuggling. "Naahh," He yawned, "they are more Inu with a little kick...or a lot of kick." He yawned again, blinking bleary eyes. It was way past his bedtime. "Sesshomaru, I am tired."
Sesshomaru couldn't let the pup sleep, not without clarification. InuMaigo sat there, not much to look at, yet intelligence gleamed through his yellow hued eyes. "The pups are not hanyou?"
"Listen," The pup grumbled. "None of them are like any hanyou as you'd define the term. They aren't like Inuyasha. None of them need a sword to keep their blood in check or anything else."
"You know of Inuyasha?"
"Of course, now let me finish. I need to go to sleep." His chubby cheeks and small pouty frown were almost endearing.
Sesshomaru nodded, "So be it, continue."
"All of your pups have strong reiki and strong youki. It's...weird...but they all have really cool abilities." The smell of wood smoke and the warmth of his full belly were lulling him to find a comfortable place to curl up.
His stubborn brother didn't seem satisfied with any of the information he threw out. InuMaigo huffed, "What do you want to hear?" Again nothing from his brother. No questions, just a curious stare. "I don't know what you want me to say Sesshomaru-sama."
"What are they?"
InuMaigo's palm caught his slumping head, and he groaned. His elder brother was dense.
"Pack. They aren't flawed. Mother says they are balanced, whatever that means. So not hanyou. Inuyasha is a hanyou and his different types of blood fight. Now," He closed his eyes, claws curled into a little fist at his side, "I'm tired. Are you going to help with my arm? Or not?"
"Come here." The pup felt warm in Sesshomaru's arms as he drew him in.
Rin had fit into Sesshomaru's lap like that once. Curled in a ball. Tiny. Fragile.
He ran his claws through InuMaigo's grey hair. The little welp's aura welcomed his own. He smelled faintly of pine as he snuggled into Sesshomaru's Moko Moko. "Sleep young one."
"Thank you, Big Brother," He murmured as he closed his eyes.
Sesshomaru gently helped the pup's youki along, coaxing his limb to begin anew while keeping the young one without pain. The tale InuMaigo told felt foreign. Impossible. Highly unlikely...and enticing. His young would be something other. New. Powerful.
He closed his eyes.
Deep breaths brought him back to the calm he prefered.
The storm outside picked up. Thunder clapped. Burning wood crackled as the fire grew hungrier.
Jaken shuffled in the darkness. His webbed feet scattered small stones as he shoved fresh wood into the depths of the fire.
Light mewls breathed from the small girl. His retainer burrowed beside her, returning to a light sleep with soft snoring. Slow heart beats. Harsh howls of the wind outside. Sounds of familiarity, normalcy, created a peaceful pit in the core of his soul. A calming center.
Composure. His headache eased.
He thought of the Miko. The Hanyou's Priestess... Kagome. Placing a vision of her at the epicenter of his future rippled the soothing waters of his soul.
Raindrops fall alone
A Kami's breath blows them closer
I know not when Spring will bloom
Whimpering interrupted his thoughts. Thadum. Thadum. InuMaigo's heart hammered. Sweat dotted his brow. Warmth cascaded through the tips of Sesshomaru's fingers as he petted. Protection. Pack. Gently, his youki soothed frayed nerves. "You are safe, Pup."
Sighing, the boy settled in his lap.
Brows unfurrowed.
Claws relaxed.
Sesshomaru continued to run his fingers through baby soft hair. Keeping the young one calm as his Father had once done for himself.
Limbs were tricky. Pups required assistance to regenerate significant losses. Usually a Mother or Father coaxed the pup's youki, however in this instance, Sesshomaru found the role suitable for himself.
He helped him heal until the limb finished regenerating. Soft fingers met his palm. Perfection. As Sesshomaru withdrew his youki, the pup's brow creased.
Instinct pulled a sound from his chest that had been solely reserved for Rin.
Night terrors brought her into his arms on more than one occasion. Damn wolves.
The first time he felt her trembling arms close around his neck, tears streaming down her innocent face, a soft vibration hummed from inside his chest.
An eruption of pacifying sound. Disturbing, at the time.
Sesshomaru never knew nurturing to be one of his skills until that moment.
He excelled at it.
Another useful skill.
InuMaigo mewled and curled against MokoMoko. Yet another soothed young one. Looking down at the small boy, Sesshomaru knew he couldn't allow him to remain separated from his Mother. Not when he could fix the issue. If the pup came from the future, he will return him.
By morning the storms had turned into clear blue skies. The young ones ran circles around Jaken as he walked.
Eventually, the imp flopped onto the ground with his tongue lolling out the side, and his bulbous eyes dazed.
InuMaigo poked at him with a stick.
Moyashi leaned forward on the balls of her feet, "Do you think we've killed him?"
"It's hard to tell, he's always smelled dead to me."
Sesshomaru paused at the lead.
It seemed his retainer was not cut out for more than one child at a time.
"Jaken."
It seemed to be all the revival he needed, "Y-yes, My Lord!?" He squawked as he hopped back up off the ground.
"Return AhUn to the shiro."
"B-but we don't even know where they are grazing- I mean I'll find them and return them expediently!" His little legs could be surprisingly fast.
Sesshomaru caught a familiar scent. Amber gaze on the clouds.
His brow cocked as he watched the usually serene demoness drop from the sky in a flurry of hot pink youki and throw herself around the welp.
InuYoukai left emotions for private displays, and for rare occasions, until they didn't. Sesshomaru watched his Mother with a careful curiosity. Her golden eyes glistened with unshed tears as her arms captured the pup.
"I've dreamt of you, pup of my future." Thick with warmth and feeling, formalities dropped, her voice sounded like that of a new Mother and not.
A sadness lined the edge of her voice. It flickered within her aura as it draped the pair in a purple sheen.
Sesshomaru averted his eyes, choosing to leave them the moment. A scene of raw emotions had him walking away, toward home.
"Lord Sesshomaru?" The small voice of the girl offered a pause in his steps.
"Come." As much as he wanted answers, it was clear that the pup indeed belonged to another time. His Mother and her pup required intimacy in this situation, time to allow connection.
Moyashi fell in step behind her Lord. She looked back at her new friend and swallowed a lump of envy.
Layers of shimmery silk and two fluffy mokomoko cocooned InuMaigo in a warm embrace. He stilled in her arms, but as her familiar scent soaked into his nose, everything felt right again. Snuggling into her arms, the true gravity of the situation crashed down on the pup.
"Mother." He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Tears poured down his chubby cheeks. Little fingers curled into her furs. "I'm sorry Mother. I'll never chase a cat again. I promise. Please don't be mad. I missed you so much."
A soothing resonance reverberated from InuKimi's chest. She breathed in this new smell, the essence of her offspring, soaking it into memory.
She lingered on the unique pine tinge of his father, knowing she'd yet to meet this youkai for whom she'd share a pup. "You are a vision, and full of strength." She murmured, looking into his face while holding his cheeks between her palms. "Do not fret, we will get you back to me."
He shook as he sank into her arms, wrapping his legs around her slender waist. "I know it."
The old memories of carrying Sesshomaru through the Shiro gardens blossomed in her mind, and the new weight of a new pup on her hip gave her an idea.
"Do you like flowers little one?" Sesshomaru had always loved their little walks, once upon a time.
The pup perked up, a smile gleaming up at her, "I like the white ones that glow when the moon is out."
InuKimi grinned, chuckling lightly, "As do I my son, as do I. Night will be upon us soon."
They carried forward, quickly to fall in step with the two ahead of them. Sesshomaru's youki expanded to acknowledge their presence, gently drifting against that of his Mother's as a silent 'hello'.
Moyashi watched the beautiful Western Lady float over the ground. The demoness looked exactly like the Lord, but even prettier! Her steps were graceful. She had on such pretty silks. InuMaigo was so lucky to have a Mother, especially one so gorgeous and powerful.
Longing and envy, InuKimi could feel the young girl's emotions wavering through her aura, the strongest being that of sadness. Her cottony pink hair drifted to and fro in the light wind. "Your Mother had that sweet cherry blossom hair as well."
Moyashi spun in her heel, gasping, "You knew my Mother!?" Her eyes were wide and her smile brightened up her small face.
"Oh yes, how could I not. The assassin who fell in love with the General she was ordered to destroy." A wistful glaze darkened her golden eyes, "It is such a romantic story."
"Ew." InuMaigo blanched, "Sounds gross."
Moyashi hung on every word. She clapped her hands in front of her face and pleaded, "Please tell me the story! Please, InuKimi-Sama."
Sesshomaru sighed, glancing up to the sky as the sun began to sink beneath the horizon in a myriad of lush colors.
The story began with a haiku...
Winter grows colder
Hot spring beckons a whisper
Ink skin glides, a kiss.
...one that his Mother did not share. The seductive moments of a newly Mated pair, whether rumors or first hand encounters, did not belong in the ears of young.
The tale made more sense as a tragedy, two warriors fell in love, the Mother died during childbirth, the end.
Poetry brought romance to even the most mundane stories. Looking out through the thick green forest, noting the sprinkle of white glowing stars, he wrote his own lines in his mind.
Words never to be shared, he entertained the beauty of the world around them, the soft grasses, and sound of crickets.
InuKimi had the children laughing, turning a sad tale into one of comedy. Pups enjoyed light hearted things. The girl seemed to enjoy hearing of her parents, her aura lightened and bubbled about.
Studying with the elderly miko Keade, Rin left a quiet space on the roads travelled. Her chatter filled days with warm memories. Before her, Sesshomaru would never have thought children to be tolerable. The interactions between the children and his Mother sparked a slight notion.
What would it be like to possess a Mate and pups? Would that be so enjoyable?
Brown leaves crunched beneath his black boots. The answer came like a breath from the wind. "It would please This Sesshomaru." He proclaimed the truth as it hit him.
"Moyashi!" The booming voice came from below the ground. A huge opening brought forth a youkai with rich black skin and sleek inky hair. His white eyes grew a fraction larger, "Lord Sesshomaru, Lady InuKimi, my apologies for the intrusion." He bowed at his waist, dark hair trailing the dirt.
Sesshomaru tilted his chin, his eyes shifted to his new half brother who scrambled from his Mother's arms.
"Hello General." InuMaigo spoke up as the tall youkai rose back to his full height. "This InuMaigo will leave Moyashi's protection to you."
The General's slender brow curved upward, he looked to his Lord for clarity.
"The pup offered your daughter protection while away from the Shiro."
"Then you have my greatest thanks young one." Onmitsu's voice held the thick resonance of a deep cavern.
"You're welcome...I mean, it brought This InuMaigo great honor to do so." The pup beamed and blushed.
InuKimi gently petted his silver hair, her aura filled with pride.
"Hi Papa," Moyashi stepped out from behind Lady InuKimi. Tears lined her eyes as she looked to the disappointed face of her father. "It won't happen again?"
Onmitsu's eyes narrowed, "This discussion is better suited for in our home, my Daughter."
She pouted, "Yes, Papa."
A shift of the Earth and a staircase led deep into the ground. "A full report awaits your return My Lord." Another bow, a tilt of Sesshomaru's chin, and the pair disappeared.
"I don't understand," The little pup murmured as they watched the forest floor return to its moss covered existence. "You said Moyashi's Mother had skin as black as a starless night? Her Father's skin is like that, but Moyashi has skin like caramel candy..."
"Oh." InuKimi laughed, shifting him on her hip as she looked him in the eye. "You must tell me more about these candies as you call them. As for your question, Moyashi will develop certain traits as she grows up, just as you will develop different traits as you grow up."
InuMaigo's face scrunched, "I don't want her to change. She is fun right now."
"Perhaps she will be in the future as well, remember it's not appearances that count but what lies within." She rocked him as they took to the skies. Her eldest and Alpha led the way ahead.
The eaves of the shiro glittered high above the trees. The grey mountain backdrop made the sleek black peaks gleam. Youkai tree wood made up the massive structures of a traditional Japanese castle compound.
The bridge creaked as they walked over the deep river that separated the compound from the whole of the Western Lands.
"Look upon your heritage, young one." InuKimi murmured into the pup's ear.
"He is asleep."
She sighed, realizing her son was right, "So he is." Her long fingers ran through baby soft hair. The lull of a babe's heartbeat soothed the part of her soul that had thought this feeling would never occur in her lifetime once again. "My dream pup dreams."
Sesshomaru slowed his steps. "You found him in your dreams?"
Golden eyes swam with emotions he could not pinpoint as she looked up at him, "When you get to my age, a new Mate and pup seem like wishful thinking." Her gaze returned to the boy in her arms, "Thinking foolish thoughts will lead to heartbreak."
She watched as Sesshomaru walked away. Emotionally constipated, like his Father, InuKimi had not expected him to wash through the sadness in the air and fill it with his strong confident aura.
"Come, Mother."
Something felt off. The wind warmed in an instant, pulling them toward a sidewalk vendor. Kagome paused, looking over silly old items.
The little street cart held old treasures that weren't much to look at. Sesshomaru watched his wife as her breathing stilled and her slender fingers reached out toward a glass case.
"Sesshomaru!" Her elbow rammed him in the side. "Look!" She was gasping, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"What is it?" He leaned over her shoulder. Eyes narrowed. The book. "Impossible."
Raven hair swiped him in the face as she spun, knocking his knees with the stroller she'd been pushing. Brows raised, cerulean eyes like a raging storm. Her finger poked into the air, "We must interfere. That's it! It must have been me...us..." She looked away in thought, sobering, "Of course it was us... Sesshomaru," Her fingers curled into his sleeve, "We have to speak with Souta."
"We do?"
"Of course we do, you and I, both of us." A radiant smile had her eyes seeming far bluer than blue could be.
Brushing his claws through her hair, he couldn't help but smile back, "And so it begins." He didn't care that the stroller knocked him in the knees once again as he leaned in to kiss the warm lips of his Mate. She tasted as divine as the first time he'd brushed his mouth over her skin.
Their youngest giggled as she reached up to tug a strand of silver hair, tearing him away from his revelry. "Chi...chui!" She crowed.
"Ah looks like someone else wants kisses!" Kagome laughed, leaning down to smother their year old with a million butterfly kisses. "Sesshomaru get the book, write the inscription...ahhh my cutie, nom nom nom!"
"It is not in my handwriting." He reminded her, waggling his own finger over their daughter's nose. Chubby hands swiped upward, trying to catch her prey.
"But," His Mate looked wide eyed from him to the book, "It's not in mine either. What are we going to do?"
"Pardon my interruption, lovely couple, but I could not help overhearing that you require an inscription. We provide such services for a small fee." As his large mouth formed a thin wide grin, he waved over a girl dressed in a middle schooler's uniform, "My daughter has lovely calligraphy skills."
She blushed with her head bowed. "It would be an honor to write a message for you in one of our fine tomes." She held out a sample of her handwriting. Her thin lines and wispy lettering matched the exact writing style of the inscription Kagome had read throughout the years.
"Yes!" Kagome clapped her hands, beaming, "So it was you!"
Sesshomaru listened to the hard beating of her heart, the excitement in her breath. "300,000 yen." The merchant's eyes gleamed greedily as he reached for the wad of bills. Sesshomaru tugged away, his golden eyes darkened, "We were never here."
"Yes, yes of course!" He nearly fell backward when Sesshomaru released his hold on the money.
When the inscription was finished, they paid for an additional gift wrapping option. Kagome's fingers ghosted over the rough canvas trappings.
Sesshomaru pushed the stroller along, his aura gently keeping his Mate from stepping in the many wet puddles along the sidewalk. Her mind had drifted to the past, and he did not wish to disturb her.
"It's the same texture and everything..." She murmured as they continued down the path toward the hospital.
His thoughts also clouded with what was once and what may be, how to go about delivering the message to her younger brother. They had always planned on a reunion with her family. Now that the time was nigh, even he felt the pressure on his shoulders. He had never asked for her hand.
A splash and Kagome squeaked, "Ah, gross...well these shoes are ruined."
"Inuyasha said the well needed to recharge?" Kagome's brow furrowed as she gulped down her third glass of water. Aside from her mouth feeling like the sahara desert, and her stomach grumbling for food, she woke feeling completely refreshed. "What does that mean?" Her fingers tapped the side of the glass.
"That is what he said." hated to see her daughter sad."To be honest Kagome, I don't think anyone really knows what caused the well to close, but if he came through then it must be open again."
Her mother patted her hand reassuringly, but her face held her concern. "If you want to try to use it again, I will understand." She wouldn't ask her to give up her life in the feudal era.
"I'm sorry for scaring you Mama." Kagome leaned into her Mother's embrace, burying her head in the familiar warmth.
She breathed in the smell of clean laundry and mint leaves, fresh cotton and her Mother's daily morning tea.
It recalled every hug, every cuddle, from scraped knees to watching old movies in the dead of winter curled up on the couch. "I love you Mama."
"Hey, they had rice balls too so I got you one to go with your soup." Souta came into the room carrying a tray overflowing with food. He tossed his backpack into the nearby chair and handed her the tray.
"My hero!" Kagome threw her hands up into the air, glad the nurse had taken her IV out that morning. "It all looks so yummy!"
Their Mother looked skeptical as she watched her daughter's eyes light. Her son had a strange happy air about him. She had pushed him through the door to get him out of the room, he'd been so upset and now... something had changed.
Souta walked with small steps as to not drop any of the goodies. "Just don't over eat Kagome. You'll make yourself sick."
"I won't, mom..." She mumbled sarcastically while taking a chunk of riceball. "Oh wow, Souta you did good. Here try some."
Souta grinned, taking a big bite of his own rice ball. "You're telling me! I ate four of these on the way back up here."
"Four!?" laughed, "I guess it's about time you started getting ravenously hungry." She lightly fluffed his hair, "You're already getting taller every day."
"Mom..." He grumbled, shrugging away from her touching, "Stop it." Glancing up at her, he saw the question in her eyes, the one that he knew meant she knew something had happened. The same look she'd given him when he'd eaten an entire bag of candy and hid the empty bag in Grandpa's room. "I think there's someone in the hall for you." He murmured just so she could hear.
Kagome's teeth sank into another bite of warm sticky rice. She listened to the sound of her brother's embarrassment, and took his smile into memory.
Her Mom was right. He had been growing recently. His voice had yet to start cracking from puberty, but he had gotten taller in the last month.
"Maybe I shouldn't go back just yet." She muttered, catching them both off guard.
They stopped bickering, both looking at her as if she'd grown a second head.
"Don't make any rash decisions." Her Mom patted her leg, "I'll be back later. Grandpa said he was having a hard time finding the puppy." She walked out the door, leaving Kagome bewildered.
Her brows furrowed as she looked to Souta, "What puppy? We have a cat."
Suddenly the happy go lucky smile fled his face. His lips thinned with a frown and his brows furrowed. "You don't remember Sesshy?"
"Sesshy?" She blinked back at him. Sesshomaru? He wouldn't know Sesshomaru. Her gaze narrowed, "Should I?"
"Well, yeah." Souta shifted in his spot on the edge of her bed. "He's our dog. We rescued him. He sleeps with you every night."
"Oh."
"Don't worry Kagome, when you see him you'll remember." He smiled, but Kagome could tell he didn't believe it himself. Worry darkened his eyes a deep mahogany.
"Souta." She held her own concern deep in her chest. "I'll remember." Maybe.
He grabbed a fruit cup. "Here, eat." He watched as she poked a spoon around in the mushy fruit cocktail. "Eh, you don't have to if you don't want to."
"It's just," A frown made her look tired, "I'm missing out on being a big sister."
"Huh? That's..." He sat down beside her on the small hospital bed. After everything, she was having concerns about leaving again. He might have encouraged her to stay this morning, but not now... now, he knew. "You have to go back."
Blue eyes caught his stern expression. The serious line of his lips, and the heat of his brown eyes. He looked older. He looked like the older of them, wise...
She gulped. "I miss you. Don't you miss me? I haven't even watched one of your soccer games this year."
"Well, yeah." He frowned, "Of course I miss you." Her lips thinned and he caught her hand, "You need to go back Kagome. Don't argue with me. Okay?"
"I guess," She mumbled.
"Oh yeah," In a strange flurry of movement, he jumped off the bed and reached for his backpack. "I almost forgot." He pulled out a small rectangle covered in thick cream colored fabric and tied up with twine. "Here."
"Souta, you didn't have to get me anything..."
Her vision blurred with tears. They glistened. They poured. She paused over the frayed edges to blink them away.
"Just open it." Whatever it was...
"Sorry." She sniffled and tugged at the bow. Gently uncovered, a black book was revealed. No title. The spine groaned as she opened the aged cover.
Take us with you on your journeys, we will forever be in your heart. I will take care of Mama and Grandfather. If the well closes, I will see you again. I need you to take care of yourself like you've taken care of everyone else. Go and be happy.
Love, Souta.
"Souta?" Her head perked up. She was really crying now. Snot-nosed. "How did you know?"
He scratched the back of his neck, "Ah, that." Well, he hadn't wanted to say before, but now he had no choice. "It's kind of obvious Kagome, you haven't aged in a few years."
Her jaw tensed. The back of her hand wiped at her tears. "Does Mama know?" His smile tilted and she knew. "All of you? And no one mentioned it..."
Souta winced. "Don't be mad Sis. We didn't want to worry you."
"It's...fine." She swallowed the fear in her chest. It hadn't been just her that noticed it. All her friends knew, it shouldn't be a surprise that her family had realized it as well. "I fused with the jewel when we destroyed Naraku. I'm not sure if it is a forever thing though Souta, I don't know if I'll last into this time."
Five hundred years... Outliving everyone.
"For all you know Mom is talking to your future self right now." He blurted before slapping his hand over his mouth with a loud clap.
Her eyes went wide. "What... what did you..." Panic boiled and bubbled over into a surprising peace. Kagome smiled the first real smile in many months. "Souta, you are the best little brother!" Her arms captured him.
"Ugh, quit hugging me. Please."
She squeezed harder. "I promise not to ask any questions!"
"Good. Now. Let. Me. Go." He scrambled backward, knocking over the tray of food.
The perfect ending to a horrible experience. He began the day dreading the future, worrying for his sister, unsure of everything.
They were laughing when his Mother burst into the room. "Are you alright?" She went over to her son, picking up the spilled soup and sticky rice. Surprisingly her children were giggling like babies... like the baby in the hall...
She glanced over at her daughter. Light touched her face. Glowing. Beautiful. Happy.
"Everything will be alright Mama." Kagome grinned.
"I know it will." She kissed her forehead and touched her face, knowing her eldest child would be leaving her soon. "I love you."
They seemed to hug forever. That night her Grandfather squeezed the life out of her, bought her a new backpack and filled it with sutras.
"You do realize I'm not leaving for a couple of days right?"
"I know." He sniffled, wiping his eyes, "But you never know with these things Kagome. Haven't I ever told you about the Inugami-Mochi down the street, they have been envious of our family for centuries." He waved his hand in the air toward the road, "You hear me Sakawa, Hikaru! I know of your jealousy!"
She went pale. The neighbor came out shaking a broom in their direction. In his underwear. How embarrassing!
"You poor excuse for a Shrine Keeper! I have more spiritual power in my di-"
"Okay! Grandpa! In the house, now!" Kagome shoved him through the door and turned the deadbolt. He and his frienemies were nuts.