A/N: This can be considered as the last chapter. Le Gasp! Also booyah! I've actually managed to complete something! That's an awesome feeling. OuO
The Other Side
Chapter 53
Reuniting with Family
"Kagome? Oh my god, is that really you?"
"Souta?" The teenager looked at her with uncertainty but after hearing the woman's voice and seeing her eyes, he knew exactly who he was looking at. Kagome brought her hands to the her mouth as tears gathered around her eyes. "Come here," she said, opening her arms up for him. He eagerly ran into those arms. The two of them collapsed in a heap on the ground in tears.
"Dad, who is that?" Hikari asked, her small hand on her father's yukata. She watched her mother hug this strange male as if he was an old friend.
Sesshomaru was quiet and didn't quite understand what was going on. Inuyasha on the other hand, did and his eyes widened at the sight of the boy. "Holy—Souta?" The boy looked up and his eyes lit up.
"Inuyasha! Wow, I haven't seen you in five years!" Everyone blinked slowly. "Then again, I haven't seen sis in five years either." Souta looked over his sister then grinned. "Mom will be thrilled that you're here!"
Kagome glanced up at him with her mouth parted. "Is mama here at the festival?"
Souta shook his head. "Nah, mom stayed home. I'm here with my girlfriend—who I appear to have lost," he admitted as he looked through the crowds of people. Kagome laughed at hearing that as Souta pouted and stuck his tongue out at her.
"Does Hitomi still have that cute little haircut?" His sister asked as he gaped at her before nodding, still in awe that she remembered. She sniffed around then turned to Sesshomaru. "Babe, you're taller than me. Is there a woman—probably around my height—with short brown hair with curls anywhere around here?" Sesshomaru glared down at his mate as she sheepishly grinned.
He straightened his body as he looked around the heads of people. It took a moment before he notice a woman glancing around the place frantically as if she was looking for someone. He placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder as she stared. He rolled his eyes at her before picking her up, ignoring her squeaks, and pointing to the woman that fit the description.
Kagome tilted her head then gasped before glaring at Sesshomaru, who suddenly looked innocent. He did not just drop her on the ground! She huffed as she grabbed her brother and lead him to his girlfriend. "Hitomi!" he called out when he got closer while staring at his sister like she grew another head.
Hitomi froze when she saw the entourage with her boyfriend. "Souta, I thought I lost you," she said softly as she hugged Souta as Kagome squealed. "Who are you?"
"I'm Kagome, you met me a long time ago," she answered as she wrapped herself around one of Sesshomaru's arms. He twitched in annoyance. Hitomi looked like she didn't remember her whatsoever. "Oh! I probably look entirely different than the last time. Don't mind that; regardless, I'm Souta's sister."
"Mommy, you have a brother?" Akira questioned as Kagome looked to her son.
"Your brother smells like a human though," Hikari pointed out as she hid behind her father.
Souta's eyes widened to their fullest. "You have kids?! Oh mom is going to kill you!"
"Yes I have a brother, my love. I also have a mother and grandpa, as well as a cat for a pet," Kagome told as her children stared up at her with awe. "Perhaps after the festival, we can go to mama?" Souta rubbed his neck.
"Well, I guess but at least let me warn mom."
"I can't surprise her?"
He shook his head fast. "No, mom is fragile—or more fragile now, since you never came back." Kagome deflated immediately. "But don't worry! You'll be able to see her!" he added once he noticed that his sister became sad.
Inuyasha stepped up beside Sesshomaru. "Enough of this depressing shit. We're here to have a good time and we're going to have it, aren't we Kagome?" he inquired as Kagome smiled at him.
"Of course we are!"
"This time, we're not going to split up, got it?"
"Sir, yes sir!" She saluted him as she picked up Akira. "Wanna join us Souta?"
"Sure," he replied as he wrapped an arm around his girlfriend.
x
The group was being lead by Souta and Hitomi as they all headed to the Higurashi shrine. It was a nice walk with mostly Souta and Kagome catching up on everything, it also filled in Sesshomaru on things that Kagome refused to say.
"It's a pity we didn't run into Naraku this year." Kagome sighed as Inuyasha growled at the name. "What, he's not bad nowadays!"
"Isn't Naraku the bad guy in the feudal era? Or was?" Souta questioned.
"He was," she confirmed. "But years ago, he was brought back to life and has ruled the Southern lands. Inuyasha still refuses to talk to him."
"That's because I don't trust him."
"I trust him."
"You would trust someone off a cliff."
"Inuyasha, sit."
They continued walking, leaving Inuyasha behind with Shiori, struggling to resist her laughter while trying to help him up.
Souta snorted as he kept walking. It had been a long time since the last time he heard Kagome sit Inuyasha. "Anyways, when we get home," he said, changing the subject. "I'll go in with Hitomi, while you lot all stay outside. Give me about five minutes to convince her that you're alive and well and then we'll come back out, okay?"
"Sure, that's fine. I'd like to scout out home anyways, it's been so long since I was last here," Kagome nodded as her brother weakly smiled.
And then the group arrived at the stairs to the shrine. "Holy amount of stairs!" cried Miroku; they had met up with him and Sango as they were leaving.
"Oh shut it monk; it's not like we can't take this! We've traveled all across Japan," Inuyasha pointed out with a groan at just remembering that tidbit. Sango snickered at the side of them as he sent a glare at her.
Sesshomaru grabbed Hikari as Kagome grabbed ahold of Akira then the couple leaped up and over the stairs. They watched the others at the bottom with grins. Inuyasha grabbed Shiori—who wasn't expecting the sudden grab and squeaked—as her mate made it to the top in two jumps. Kagome giggled.
"Would you like to make it to the top like that?" Shippo asked as Souta couldn't help but gape. He looked to the orange-haired male and nodded. Shippo took ahold of Kagome's brother as Rin gently hugged Hitomi before the two of them were suddenly standing next to Sesshomaru.
Miroku sighed. "Typical..."
"Better get walking then," Sango said, smirking as she too leaped away.
"Aw! You didn't want to grab me?!"
x
It took Souta ten minutes while inside the house to talk to his mother as he tried to convince her that he had just spent the night with his sister. He left out the part about her daughter being a mother as well as the fact that her daughter had a... husband? He also told her that he knew it was Kagome because she told Inuyasha to sit and that she was the only one that could do that.
Still his mother seemed doubtful so Souta then told her about Kagome's eyes. They were the bluest and most remarkable; ones that were rare in their family since most if not all of them had brown eyes. To which, his mother told him that she wanted to see who he was talking about.
When Souta and Hitomi brought out mama Higurashi, the two of them in front with his mother trailing behind slower. "Kagome, I brought mom!" Souta yelled to get his sister's attention as she whirled around, all three of them immediately noticing the ears and tail that was on the woman.
Kagome stared at her mother as tears started trailing down her cheeks. "Mama?"
"Kagome?" she started slowly. "But you look so different, how do I know it's you?"
"A woman, or I suppose a spirit came to you five years ago and said that I had an accident on the other side of the well, that my destiny lay in the feudal era," was her quick response. "You told the spirit what you wanted to say to me so that she could be able to relay the messages."
"Well, if that's not any indication that that's Kagome, than I don't know what is," Souta said with a small chuckle as Hitomi elbowed him in the ribs. He yelped out and glared at her. She shushed him.
"And if you want me to confirm it on a different note." Kagome grinned as she turned to Inuyasha, who suddenly knew what was about to happen and paled. "Sit."
Those that were standing in front of Inuyasha, all smirked when he fell to the ground as Souta and Hitomi fell into a fit of giggles.
"Oh my sweet baby," her mother said as Kagome placed Akira in Sesshomaru's arms and ran into the woman's arms. Yet another wave a tears and mumbles of sweet nothings.
"Have I ever mentioned how much I hate these beads?" Inuyasha grumbled under his breath.
"You should be lucky though," his brother said. "I have only heard her say that to you four times since she's come to the West."
Inuyasha blinked. "Yeah, I noticed that too. She was definitely distracted enough since you came into her life. One of the small things that I'm glad you're around."
"Don't go sentimental on me."
"Tch, like I was trying to have a bonding moment with you."
"Technically, Kagome has only said sit twice," Sango decided to join in on the conversation while she watched Kagome bond with her mother once again. "Once when we joined to go to the West and another time when she learned that she could transform into a dog."
"Oi, stop getting technical with me!" Sango laughed.
Sesshomaru almost rolled his eyes. "Perhaps you forget about the two times tonight as well?" Sango's mouth formed a circle before she chuckled nervously. Inuyasha merely smirked.
"Dad, how come we never met mom's mom?" asked the two children at the same time.
"I didn't know she was alive," he responded.
Inuyasha gaped. "You didn't know about Kagome's mom? What, did she not talk about her family?"
Sesshomaru shook his head. "It seemed like that topic was taboo."
"Oh yeah, it would be. The day that she lost the well, she felt that she lost her family as well," he explained as his brother hummed and Sango nodded like her agreeing would convince him.
"Would you and your friends like to join us in dinner?" Kagome's mother suddenly asked as Inuyasha's, the two brats, and Miroku's eyes lit up at the mention of food.
"As long as we're not being a bother to you, ma'am," Sango said.
The woman laughed. "You all have brought my daughter back home; it's the least I can do."
"Does that mean that mom won't be coming home with us?" Akira asked, his eyes with tears suddenly as Kagome let go of her mother and as Akira leaped into his mother's arms.
"Hush, you are my family. I'm not leaving any of you just because I've met up with my mother," she reassured as she heard her mother gasp. She was in for it now; she could just feel it.
She watched as Sesshomaru smirked down at her as he could feel her nerves hit the roof. As she calmed down Akira, she took a breath and looked back to the woman; there was a look that said that she better start talking.
"So about this dinner?" Thank god for Inuyasha's stomach! Her mother smiled at the male and ushered them into her home. She would find out relatively soon anyways.
x
Since the kitchen was too small for such a large group, mama Higurashi moved everyone into the living room with plates of food on the living room table. She told them that it wasn't much as she wasn't expecting them but it was enough for the children and Inuyasha, who didn't want to share...
"So, Kagome, would you like to tell me who is what? I already know Inuyasha," her mother began as Kagome nervously laughed.
"Right, so, I'm Kagome, your awesome daughter," she started with a giggle as her friends, mostly Inuyasha and Sessomaru, rolled their eyes at her. "This little girl is my own daughter Hikari," she introduced her as Hikari waved to her. "Hikari, this is your grandma." The little girl's eyes lit up.
"Does grandma have a name?" she asked as her grandmother smiled gently to her.
"Yes, it's Michiko."
"Grandma Michiko?" Hikari asked again.
"Yes?"
"How come you're a human? I thought mom was a full demon?"
"She is Hikari," Sesshomaru answered as his daughter tilted her head in confusion.
Inuyasha snorted. "Like Sesshomaru would actually have half-demons as his children."
"Little brother, shut up."
"Make me." His brother turned to him, eyes leveling as they flickered, making Inuyasha rethink his words. "I think I'll just shut up then, whatever works." Inuyasha looked the other direction.
Kagome shook her head. "We'll get to that later—"
"I believe getting to it now would be the best idea," Michiko sternly said as Kagome's mouth formed a circle.
"Or now—that—that works too." Kagome pondered over what to say for a moment before saying, "Long story short, I broke the well, Midoriko—or rather Inuyasha—suddenly told me that I'm the intended to Sesshomaru and everything went downhill from there." She gave a large grin as Shippo and Rin snickered from behind her.
Michiko watched her daughter with a thoughtful look before nodding, accepting that for now. "And now you may continue your introductions."
Kagome grabbed Akira and stuck him in her lap as she sat in Sesshomaru's lap. He groaned when she sat on him and when she made herself comfortable, causing Inuyasha especially, to laugh at his misfortune. "This little guy is Akiram my son," she told her mother as Akira shrunk back against his mother but waved a little to his new grandmother.
Hikari chose that moment to get into the lap of Michiko, who was startled but helped the little one up. She clapped her hands together in a happy manner as Kagome smiled at that.
Sesshomaru, getting over his uncomfortable state, wrapped his arms around Kagome and Akira. "I am Sesshomaru, Kagome's mate," he stated as Michiko looked at him in the eyes.
"And have you treated my daughter well?"
Kagome and Inuyasha snorted at the same time then caught the other's eyes and burst into fits of laughter. Sango covered up her laugh with her shoulder as Miroku stuffed his face to avoid adding to the laughter. Shippo shook his head as Rin grinned.
"Mama, Sesshomaru is a lord—or well, was—no, no he's still a lord, right? Damn, I confused myself," Kagome stumbled as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "So yeah, I've been treated like a queen." Inuyasha rolled his eyes at that.
Sesshomaru placed his head down on her shoulder, staring at the mother. "Yes, I have taken care of your daughter well. That is to say that I have managed to get her back every time that she lands herself into trouble," he smirked as Michiko giggled.
"We all know how much trouble Kagome can get into," she agreed.
"Damn straight we do!" Inuyasha chimed in.
"That's like the biggest understatement I have ever heard," Souta added as Hitomi resisted the urge to smile.
"You all suck," she pouted as Inuyasha grinned in her direction as if to say 'how does it feel to ganged up on?' She glared at him. "I'm surrounded by idiots."
"If you count yourself as well, then I agree," Sesshomaru said.
"You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I am on your side but I don't count myself as an idiot—although, I am related to Inuyasha," he admitted as Inuyasha groaned at being reminded of that.
"Damn sis! You go after Inuyasha for years then suddenly you go after his brother?!" Kagome's entire face was red after that comment as everyone but the woman in question laughed at that.
"At least I am much better than Inuyasha."
Inuyasha looked offended. "Excuse you!" Sesshomaru looked smug.
"Anyways!" Kagome said, flailing since she forgot she was sitting in her mate's lap. "You already know Inuyasha—ignoring him—"
"Hey!"
"—the two sitting besides you are Shippo and Rin, my adoptive kids," Kagome continued as if Inuyasha never said anything as Michiko smiled to the two older children. They grinned back. "Next to Inuyasha is his mate, Shiori—one of the sweetest people you'll meet."
"Aw, Kagome, you're just as sweet," she complimented back.
"And too trusting," Inuyasha added.
"Too forgiving as well," Shippo added his two cents as well.
"Yeah but if she wasn't any of that, she wouldn't be Kagome," Sesshomaru pointed out as he kissed the side of her head. She blushed as Rin and Sango awed at them. Michiko silently agreed with that.
"Next to Shiori, is Sango and Miroku. Don't ask how they're alive—that was a very messy ritual," Kagome finished. She shuddered just remembering about it.
"Well, it's all wonderful to have you all here," Michiko said, receiving nods all around. "And you all brought my daughter back home, so for that, I am internally grateful. So thank you, everyone."
"Aw, come on, I would've come home eventually. I just had to wait five-hundred years to do so," Kagome whined as her mother sent her a look that shut her up.
"Teach me your ways of shutting her up, oh wise one," Inuyasha begged as everyone chuckled. Akira giggled at his mother as she placed him on the floor. He seemed to be confused as to why he was suddenly on the floor.
Michiko looked to Inuyasha. "How have you been doing?"
"Eh, I've been all right I guess. This new moon sucks; I miss being half-demon," he told her.
"Well that's something I thought I would have never thought I would hear come out of your mouth," Kagome teased as Inuyasha huffed.
"Shut up."
"I'm glad," Michiko said as she turned to look eyes with Sesshomaru. "And how are you doing with Kagome?" Kagome suddenly wished the floor would swallow her whole.
"It's been quiet; shocking, considering it's with Kagome," he started as Kagome tried to get out of his hold. He only held her tighter. "But it's going really well. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"You're only saying that cause you mellowed out throughout the years," Shippo piped in then looked away when Sesshomaru turned to him. "I'm just saying; we all know it's true."
"Yeah and the only reason he mellowed out was because of Kagome," Miroku added with a nod. There was a collective hum of agreement within the room.
"If Lord Sesshomaru never bonded or mated with Kagome, we'd still have the cold man that we all knew way back then," Rin finally said something as they then agreed with her.
Michiko looked confused. "You mean that Sesshomaru was a different man before he got together with Kagome?"
There were a few chuckles while everyone else snorted. "Mama, take my third grade teacher and mix him with the man that was principal in high school," Kagome recalled as her mother slowly started to smile. "Now mix those two together and they make Sesshomaru's personality."
"Ah, so Sesshomaru back then was a relentless, cold man?"
"Damn, she hit the mark real quick!" Miroku clapped at her.
"Yes, that was essentially me," Sesshomaru admitted.
"Essentially," Inuyasha mocked.
"Inuyasha, shut up," the girls said together as he crossed his arms over his chest and huffed.
Kagome gasped, making everyone look at her weirdly. "I just realized that we're missing Kenichi! Where is he anyways?"
"Probably with his boy toys," Sesshomaru said.
"Who are his boy toys?" Kagome asked, blinking rapidly. She had been hearing them call them boy toys and couldn't figure out who they were.
"Jasper and Sebastian."
"They're alive?!" Well of course they were alive; she did meet them when she went to the future... God, her memory was bad.
"Unfortunately," her mate sighed.
"You didn't kill them when you had the chance?" Michiko paled a little at hearing this.
"No, I was more focused on getting you out of the dungeons in the East."
"But they were going to use me as a way to pleasure themselves! And I was kidnapped!"
"Yes, I realize this now."
Kagome smirked. "Well, the first chance I get, their faces will met my fists."
"I don't doubt that for a second," Sesshomaru muttered.
Michiko watched on as they interacted with each other and couldn't help the smile that formed onto her face. Her daughter was happy.
Reviews are welcomed.