ONCE AND AGAIN
By Jodie-chan
Chapter 16 Pinky Swear
Another end of a day's work and Sango was rushing, picking up her things. Kagome was just staring at her friend, looking fascinated at her swift but past movement. "Ne Sango-chan, why are you in a hurry?" She stood beside Sango's table clutching a few folders in her arms with her bag.
"I have to be in the house before eight o'clock." She glanced at her wristwatch.
"You have visitors?" Sango stood and readied herself to go.
"Uhhm, no… someone's going to pick me up by eight." A pink blush appeared on her cheeks. Kagome got the message clearly; she didn't question her further as she could see how excited her friend was.
They went down the parking lot and parted ways. Kagome rummaged through her bag to get her car keys but she forgot it from her desk drawer. She went back to the building to get it.
Inside Inuyasha's office, Miroku was waiting for his friend patiently, glancing to his wristwatch occasionally. He was sitting in one of the chairs in front of the Presidents' table. Inuyasha entered the room and he stood abruptly. "Gods! Where have you been?" He threw his hands in the air.
Inuyasha raised his eyebrow. "What's your problem?" He took his attaché case and locked his desk drawer and started to leave.
"Inuyasha… errr I have a favor to ask?" Miroku tried to sound pleadingly. Inuyasha eyed his friend suspiciously, noticing the tone of his voice.
"What favor?" He's holding his car keys in one hand. Miroku edged closer to him and snatched his keys from his hand.
"May I borrow your Porsche, Inuyasha?" He's dangling the keys in the air while grinning mischievously.
"Keh! You didn't borrow it, you snatched it from me sucker!" He stated smugly holding out his hand to Miroku.
"What is it Inuyasha?" Miroku looked at his friend's hand and then to his face.
"If you're taking my car then at least give me your car key, so I can go home now." Miroku blinked a couple of times before the message sunk in and he bolted out of the room.
"I forgot to tell you, I just took the bus this morning! Inuyasha, Sango would love your car! Thanks!"
"What! Miroku, you bastard! How am I supposed to go home now? That idiot." He sighed and went down through the elevator. He passed by the parking and sneaked through the basement. He didn't want to be seen by his employees taking a bus for a ride. And he didn't want to call their driver to pick him up because it would take too much time to wait.
There were few cars left in the parking as he passed by; he ran to the other side of the road where there's a shed for the passengers waiting for the bus. He took off his suit and folded it in his arms. 'I should have taken the subway, but there must be too many people in there. Heck, I better take the bus.'
Kagome pulled out from the building's parking lot and headed for the road when she saw a white haired man in the waiting shed and she recognized that face. 'Is that Inuyasha? I wonder what's he's doing in there? Where's his car anyway? I better ask him… but… Oh Kagome chill out! It's not so hard to offer a ride to your boss…She sighed in disbelief. Now I'm talking to myself.'
She stopped just beside the shed and opened the window of her red semi-box type 98 model Toyota and peeked outside. "Hey Inuyasha! What are you doing here?"
Inuyasha almost jumped when he heard the female voice he fully recognized. He scratched his head and smiled shyly, a little ashamed of the situation that he's into. "Ahh…you know Miroku kind of took my car without even my approval…that's why I ended up here?"
"Oh…I think I know why. If you're in a hurry…uhm I can give you a ride but my car isn't good enough like yours. It's a bit old and slow…" 'Now why am I explaining, I'm giving him a favor but…'
"If it's not a bother to you…I guess I would accept, I'm really tired and I guess I have to go home just like anybody else here." He said looking at the other passengers waiting for the bus.
"Then come on in." Kagome opened the other door of the car to let him in.
Inuyasha told her the direction to the Takagi mansion. Their trip had been gone well since they occasionally talked about work and other things, just avoiding the topic between their personal lives. Kagome entered a very fabulous village with several big houses, well mansions to be exact. She couldn't help but gaped while driving until Inuyasha told her to stop beside a very high black iron gate.
"Hey Kagome, would you want to have a coffee or tea…?" He offered nervously as he could sense that she might decline the offer.
"I don't think… I mean… I have to go home early too…" She smiled softly and looked downwards.
"Just 30 minutes?" He insisted
"That's long enough…"
"20…?" He pleaded and she couldn't say no. She nodded and sighed deeply. Inuyasha called the guards in his cell phone to open the gate for them. She drove the car inside. She was stunned when she caught the sight of the mansion. It was twice bigger than Sesshoumaru's mansion.
Inuyasha led her inside. She eyed the surroundings with awe and fascination. 'Wow is this where he really lives? This wouldn't pass as a mansion; it's more like a palace. No doubt, his wife wouldn't let him go that easily… their rich, no… wealthy, incredibly wealthy…' She snapped out of her thoughts when Inuyasha touched her elbow and led her in a tea ceremony room.
"This is where we always have a tea ceremony. My mother is probably in the kitchen right now, she loves to cook and she always makes sure that the meals served everyday is properly done."
They sat together on the ground just like the traditional Japanese style. A maid in a green and white uniform entered the room carrying a teapot and cups. She poured the tea into the teacups. Kagome smiled and thanked her.
"Nabiki, where's Mom?" Inuyasha glanced at the maid who suddenly stopped to look at his master.
"She's in the kitchen right now, but I already told her that you arrived and you have a guest. She'll be here in a short while, Inuyasha-sama. Do you still need anything?"
"No. Go ahead." The maid bowed her head and left the room.
"Inuyasha?" He turned his attention to Kagome, who's still glancing around the room.
"Yes?" She looked at him and put her cup carefully.
"I'm just wondering… how many rooms does this house have? I mean it's kinda really huge… If I live here I might be lost everyday." She mindlessly stated.
Inuyasha was a little surprised from what he heard from her. 'Did she mean like she wants to live here? Keh! What am I thinking?' He smacked himself mentally. "Rooms? I can't remember exactly how many but I think it's around 20 or 30?" He shrugged his shoulders and continued to sip his tea when his mother entered the room with a wide smile on her face.
"Oh! It's you Kagome! It's nice to see you again dear." She sat beside Kagome and stared at her. "You are still so lovely, just like the first time I met you." Kagome blushed and smiled to the older woman.
"Want some tea Mom?" Inuyasha offered his mother.
She waived her hand. "No thanks son, I already had mine earlier because your brother's here and he's talking to your father in his office, business of course."
"Yeah sure. I'm glad I'm not like them." He smirked arrogantly.
"Inuyasha!" His mother glared daggers at him. Kagome looked amused to the mother and son in front of her. They looked so close to each other, just like her and her Mom.
She remembered Inari's upcoming birthday so she pulled two invitation cards from her bag. "Ma'am this is for you, my son's birthday will be held next week, I hope you could come. And this is for Rin and her son and daughter." She handed it over to Inuyasha's mother.
"Really? Rin will surely come and her kids. Now I can meet your son, he must really be a nice kid."
"Errr, yes he is just a little playful sometimes." She laughed a little.
"You invited them? What about me?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.
"Of course you can come but that's a children's party…" She had a warning look.
"Right!" Inuyasha's mother agreed with Kagome. "I'll leave you two here now, I'll check out your Dad and your brother." She stood and started to leave.
Kagome glanced at her wristwatch and stood also. "I better go too."
"You're leaving already? But the dinner will be served soon." Inuyasha's mom turned to her with a pleading look.
"I'd love to but my son is probably waiting for me now." She picked up her bag and straightened her skirt.
"I understand, it's hard to be a mother sometimes and we can't expect our husbands to baby sit for us." She laughed a little but stopped suddenly when she remembered what Inuyasha said about what happened to the father of her son. "I'm sorry I didn't mean…"
Kagome smiled nervously. "It's ok." 'He told his mother? I thought I could trust him. Now I'll be lying to more people...' She tried to hide her anger.
Kagome left quietly and Inuyasha noticed the sudden change in her behavior. 'What happened to her? Oh no! Mom it's your fault! She can't control her mouth sometimes, just like Miroku.' He sighed and went to the bar of the house where expensive and imported different kinds of wines and champagnes are found. He poured himself in a wine glass and sat in a stool near the bar when a cold and unfeeling voice of his half-brother echoed in the room.
"Bad habit Inuyasha, a wine after a tea? Are you a moderate drinker now?"
"Keh! I've never been a hard drinker. And what do you care?" He smugly stated while playing with the ice on his wine.
"Really? Well, let's just test you." Sesshoumaru sat on one stool beside Inuyasha and looked at him straight in the eye.
"Bring it on Sess!" He put his glass down and faced him.
"Five years ago, on the night of your bachelor's party just before your wedding, I gave a 'gift' to you which you gladly accepted not entirely realizing what it was until you had it. Now the question is, do you still remember the girl you slept with?" His face never changed expression, stoic as it always seemed.
Inuyasha was a bit shocked with the question. He almost forgot that incident of his life. "What are you talking about?" He raised an eyebrow, confusion showed on his face.
Sesshoumaru smirked proudly. "Maybe you were so drunk that night that you forgot easily."
"Are you stupid? I didn't see her face, how am I supposed to remember her?" Inuyasha stood from his seat and glared at his brother.
"But you heard her voice, I'm sure you did."
"You said it's five years ago, if ever I heard her talk, I wouldn't remember her… we just been together for two hours…besides why are you asking me that all of a sudden."
"I'm just curious." He also stood from his seat and started to leave.
"Curious of what? It's not like you to bring that kind of thing… You up for something or what?" He looked suspiciously at his brother.
"I am not up for anything. If I am, I'll let you know."
"Yeah sure, you did it to me once… with that mysterious girl."
"Are you sure you don't remember her Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru turned and asked him once again.
Inuyasha gave him a flat look. "Do I look like I'm bluffing? Of course I don't, that's just impossible."
Sesshoumaru shrugged his shoulders leaving his brother in deep thoughts.
'Now, why would he really bring that up? That's a long time ago and who cares…but… that's really weird.'
On the next day Kagome noticed the cheerful behavior of her friend. She assumed that her date had gone well this time without Miroku's usual 'attitude'. "Hey Sango-chan, how's your date?" She tapped her shoulder carefully while listening to her friend, humming a song to herself.
Sango turned her attention to her friend from flipping pages of a certain file while a soft smile and a pink blush grazed her features. She put both her hands to her chin and rested her elbows on the table. "It's been a wonderful night Kagome-chan, he really behaved the entire date…"
"Really? Well, that's a good news."
"But…" Sango frowned when she remembered something happened just before they parted.
"But what?"
"Everything's perfect, he's a complete gentleman, we had a nice dinner together, we danced… but he ruined it just before we say goodbye to each other and you know what I mean." She sighed and put her hands down to her table.
"I guess bad habits die hard huh." Kagome joked.
They both laughed shaking their heads. "Generally, I enjoyed his company, the date, maybe that's why I wasn't that mad at him at all. So how's your insistent admirer?"
"You mean Kouga?" Kagome started to head back to her own office.
"Yap! Is he still asking for a date?" Sango followed her.
"Almost everyday and getting sick of it. I don't know why he can't understand that I'm too busy and I don't have time to go out, especially now that Inari's birthday is coming."
"Oh! I almost forgot about that. Have you given the invitations to the guests? Would you want me to help you?"
"I've already taken cared of the invitations, I need help for the preparation. Do you think you can ask Miroku to help us?"
"No problem about that!" She grinned and winked to her friend while taking a few folders from the filing cabinet.
"Thanks!" Kagome clasped both her hands to her chest.
Before Sesshoumaru entered his office, his secretary told him that he has a guest waiting for him.
Detective Totousai was already sitting in one of the chairs in front of Sesshoumaru's table. The old detective stood when he entered to recognize his presence. He motioned with his hand to sit down with him.
"Any developments Detective Totousai?" He asked with the usual cold voice while sitting comfortably on the swivel chair and set down his attaché case.
The Detective blew a puff of smoke from his pipe. "We have so many developments." He handed a brown folder to him. Sesshoumaru took the folder and flipped the pages inside with complete curiosity.
"She never had a boyfriend, never been married but has a son who's turning five next week. I talked to her former classmates and teachers in Shikon High where she graduated as a Valedictorian in high school. The day of her graduation is also the day when she gave birth to her son."
"Anything else?" He set down the folder on top of the table.
"I found out just recently that the kid, her son, had been confined to Tokyo General Hospital and your brother was the blood donor."
"I already knew about that, blood matching isn't that reliable." He raised an eyebrow.
"I know but I found something else…and this could be our break. I have a Med. Tech. friend working in that hospital and he's willing to check the kid's record for possible DNA matching. If the kid's DNA match with your brother's DNA, then there's no doubt that he's the father. No need for further investigation, that would be enough."
Sesshoumaru listened intently to Totousai's explanation. "So when do we get the results?"
"It would take a week or so, just to be sure and it's not free since we wont ask for the approval of the mother of the kid. I know you understand what I mean."
Sesshoumaru nodded and took his checkbook and made a two thousand dollar check. "Inuyasha should pay me back for this favor…" He grumbled under his breath and handed the check to the old detective.
"I'll pay you another visit when I have the results with me." He stood from his seat and started to leave. "So long Mr.Takagi." He put his hat back and left the room.
'One step closer…' Sesshoumaru smirked to himself.
One week later at the Sunset Shrine where the Inari's birthday party was being held just near the God tree outside the Higurashi residence. They set tables and chairs, including the balloons and the cake outside. Miroku and Sango helped Kagome in setting everything. Her Mom cooked all the food while Souta and Kohaku kept the invited children and their parents occupied. Shippou, the kid they met in Camp Tama attended too, Inari was so happy to see his friend again.
Kagome hired two clowns to entertain the children with their magic tricks and there were games too that the children enjoyed.
Rin and her kids including Inuyasha's mother arrived just after the party started. Kagome greeted and introduced them to her mother. "Rin, Mrs. Takagi, this is my mother."
"It's so nice to meet all of you!" Kagome's mom bowed her head and offered them to sit down with the other mothers.
Kagome pulled her son from the other kids and took him with her. "Rin, Mrs. Takagi, this is my son, Inari." Inuyasha's mother lowered her head to the boy.
"Happy Birthday Inari. I'm Inuyasha's mother and this gift is for you." She smiled softly to the kid and kissed his cheek.
Inari smiled widely and took the gift. "Thank you baa-san! But where's Uncle Inu? Isn't he coming to my birthday?" He pouted a little, trying to show a sad face.
"He is so cute Kagome!" Rin giggled holding her kids' hands.
"Don't worry Inari-chan, your Uncle Inu will be here, just a little late." Inuyasha's mother patted the boy's head.
"Really?" His eyes twinkled with joy when Shippou dragged him to the other kids.
"Mama, can we join them?" Rin's son turned to his mother and she nodded.
"Inari, Shippou, this is Takumi and Hikaru, you go and play with them, ok?" Kagome introduced them. Inari pulled Takumi's hand while Shippou held his hand to Hikaru. They all went with the other kids and played more parlor games.
Inuyasha's mother followed her gaze to Inari's direction. 'What's with this kid? I feel like I'm so attached with him and why does he have golden eyes, like my husband, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha…? Maybe that's just coincidence, anybody can have that eye color, although that's really uncommon…' She was lost in deep thought when Miroku wrapped his arm to her shoulders, in a respectful way towards a mother.
"Hey Aunt Izayoi You have something in mind?" Miroku smiled and sat beside her. Kagome, Rin and Sango joined with the kids.
"Someone reminds me of someone…" She mindlessly stated while looking ahead at the children and then focusing her gaze to Kagome's son. The kid had a cowboy hat, and cowboy outfit since it was the theme of the party. He was blindfolded, holding a donkey's tail while trying to connect it to the donkey. Kagome was laughing, looking at her son proudly while continuing to take his pictures.
"Is that a riddle?" Miroku looked confused and followed her gaze.
"Haven't you noticed?" She turned and looked at Miroku's baffled expression.
"Like?"
"Inuyasha looked a little like Kagome's son when he was 5 or 6 years old, don't you think?"
Miroku scratched his head. "I can't remember his face that time."
Inuyasha's mother face faulted. "You're useless Miroku. By the way, how's my boy doing with lovely Sango?" She disregarded the previous topic. Miroku grinned from ear to ear.
"She already gave me a kiss." He proudly stated with a dreamy look.
She raised a brow. "Really now? Where?" She curiously leaned her ear to him so he can whisper to her ears. "Huh, only in the cheek? You're slow."
"Aunt Izayoi, she's conservative, can't you tell?" Miroku found Sango and fixed his gaze on her face. Sango darted her attention to him and smiled softly. Miroku blushed like a teenager.
"Goodness! You're blushing!" Miroku laughed shyly when his cell phone rang.
Miroku stood and went a little far from the crowd of children and mothers. Inuyasha called telling him that he's still inside the court and the hearing would take a little more time. But he's still going no matter what time he'll arrive.
Kagome found her mother and Inuyasha's mother talking about food and cooking. The two older women got along together, much to her surprise. Mrs. Takagi is a very down-to-earth person, no matter how wealthy she is, she can still mingle with different kinds of people.
It's already six in the evening and the guests were leaving. Kagome felt a little uneasy because Inuyasha hasn't arrived yet and her son was asking for him almost every minute. He promised the kid of his presence and he's really counting on it.
Rin walked up to her with a grateful smile. "Kagome, my kids and I, we really enjoyed the party but it's getting dark and my husband is probably waiting for us. We have to go home now."
"I know it and I understand. Thanks for coming Rin." Rin hugged her.
"Kagome, I'm really sorry that my son didn't come, he must've been caught in traffic or the hearing probably took so long." Inuyasha's mother held her hand. "Your son is so sweet Kagome, he's such a nice kid."
"It's ok Ma'am, maybe he'll drop by and thank you for coming, I really appreciate it." She smiled and bowed a little.
Inari was waiving goodbye to his friend Shippou. "Bye bye Shippou-chan! Visit me again!" Kagome walked over to her son and waived to Shippou too.
"I will Inari-chan! Bye!" Shippou waived back and shouted, his mother holding his hand.
Kagome held her son's hand and led him to Rin and Inuyasha's mother. The older woman bent down to her knees and held the kid's shoulder. "Happy Birthday again Inari. Always be a good boy." She hugged him and kissed his forehead.
Inari nodded and smiled happily. "Thank you baa-san and Aunt Rin! Takumi-chan and Hikaru-chan, lets play together again with Shippou-chan ok?"
"Sure Inari-chan! Mama?" Takumi glanced to his mother, carrying little Hikaru in her arms.
"Of course you can." She patted her son's head. Hikaru giggled and hugged her mother's neck.
Sango and Miroku together with Souta and Kohaku were helping in packing up the party's left over.
Rin, her kids and Inuyasha's mother already left. Sango and his brother decided to leave after they finished helping Kagome and Souta. Miroku offered to drive them home. They've been heading down the shrine's steps when they saw Inuyasha climbing while carrying a large package wrapped in a colorful and shiny paper with holes in all sides.
"Hey Inuyasha! Took you so long, Inari has been waiting for you and Rin and your Mom left."
Inuyasha stopped when he reached them. "So the party's over… I hope this gift isn't late."
"You should go now Inuyasha, Inari would be happy to see you." Sango assured him.
"That's a large gift. What's that Inuyasha-san?" Kohaku eyed the package with curiosity.
"I hope the kid would like it." Miroku lifted a brow to his friend's sentimentality.
"We gotta go. We'll leave you here now Inuyasha and I'm still driving your Porsche, eh he he." He scratched his head and grinned stupidly.
"Keh! I know you're enjoying the convenience too much but I better not see any scratch on it. I'm warning you." Miroku nodded and gulped.
Inuyasha continued to climb the stairs until he reached the top. He saw the piles of chairs and tables in one corner. He sighed and knocked on the door. Souta opened the door and was happy to see him. "Inuyasha-san! You made it! Come inside."
"I'm sorry I didn't make it on time." He entered and set down the package he's carrying.
"It's ok, what's important is you're here. Is that a gift for my nephew?"
Inuyasha sat on the couch. "Yeah. So where's your sister?"
"Onee-chan is helping Inari changing his clothes, it's almost bed time for him. Wait here and I'll call my sister." Souta went upstairs, after a minute Inari was already running towards him clad in his pajamas.
"Uncle Inu!" He jumped into his lap and hugged him so tight. "I thought you forgot my birthday." He frowned and made a cute face. Inuyasha tousled his hair and laughed a little.
"Of course not! I will never forget your birthday, I just got a little busy kid." He pointed his finger to the package behind the kid. Souta was already inspecting it. Wondering why it had holes on it.
"I have a gift!" He scampered from his lap and started to open the gift. The kid's eyes were filled with anticipation and excitement. After opening the top cover, a furry head puffed out from the box. It has golden eyes and a little red ribbon in its neck. "Wow! A puppy!" The kid squealed happily taking the dog in his arms while stroking its brown fur. "Kawaii Uncle Inu!" He stood, holding the puppy and sat down beside Inuyasha.
"Is it a golden retriever, Inuyasha-san?" Souta joined his nephew in stroking the dog's fur.
"Yeah." Inuyasha patted Inari's head.
"Now Buyo has a friend!" The kid giggled when the puppy yawned, showing its small canines.
"Who's Buyo?" Inuyasha asked curiously when they heard Kagome.
"It's my cat." She smiled holding the obese cat in her arms.
"Mama look! I have a puppy, Uncle Inu gave it to me!" He patted the dog's head that's already sleeping on his lap.
"He's cute. What's his name?" Kagome put down Buyo and walked over to her son.
Inuyasha stood, still feeling a little guilty for being late. "Kagome, I'm really…" Kagome cut him off while waiving her hand.
"Hey it's ok. We knew why, you don't have to explain…" She sat beside her son. "What would you name the puppy, Inari-chan?" The boy looked at his mother thoughtfully for a moment and then smiled widely.
"Inu-chan!"
"You're not serious, are you kid?" Inuyasha slanted a flat look. Kagome giggled to Inuyasha's reaction. "What's so funny?"
Kagome stopped giggling. "Nothing, it's just, I haven't noticed before, your name literally means dog, Inuyasha."
"Really?" He couldn't help but laughed also.
The kid played with the dog for a while until he got tired and slept on the couch beside the dog. Kagome's mother took the dog to feed and put it in the cage. Inuyasha scooped the kid in his arms. "Kagome can I take him to bed?" Kagome came from the kitchen wearing an apron. She has been washing the dishes while Souta was helping her cleaning up.
"Yeah sure, it's upstairs, left side." Inuyasha climbed the stairs while she followed them with her gaze.
He entered the room and set the sleeping kid on the bed. He tucked him in and kissed his forehead. "Happy Birthday kid, sleep tight." He said in a hush tone and started to leave when Inari called out for him.
"Uncle Inu, can you stay here for a while?" He said in a husky voice. Inuyasha turned and sat on the bed beside him.
"I thought you're already sleeping, hmmm?" He raised an eyebrow
The boy only smiled. "Uncle Inu? Can I ask you something?" He sounded pleadingly.
"What is it?"
"Can I call you Dad?" Inuyasha was shocked and he couldn't answer fast.
"Uhm… but I'm not your Dad and you already have one…" 'I hope I can…'
"But Mama said he's already in heaven… Can I go to heaven Uncle Inu so I can see my Daddy?" He had hopeful look in his eyes.
'He must be really missing his father.' "Yes you can but not now, you're too young…maybe when you got older."
"Really? But I don't know what he looks like, how will I know if it's my Daddy?" A sad expression clouded his face.
Inuyasha stared at the kid's face. 'He didn't even saw his picture? But…why would Kagome do that? Did his father really exist? What really happened to Kagome? Was she a victim of rape? Did his boyfriend left her? She doesn't look like one…ahh crap, me and my hyperactive brain!'
"Please Uncle Inu, can I call you Daddy, just for a while?" He pleaded with a hopeful voice.
"OK but you have to promise one thing. You only call me Daddy when no one's around, when it's just between the two of us. Your Mama wouldn't like it, so we better keep it a secret, ok?" He smiled and ruffled his hair.
"Yay! I have a Daddy now!" He giggled. "Uncle Inu this is a promise ok, so we have to do a pinky-swear." He held his pinky finger to Inuyasha. "Uncle Inu, you put your pinky here and then we sing the pinky-swear song.
"Pinky-swear song?" Inuyasha coiled his pinky finger with his. "How do you sing that?
"You just think of something then you say it aloud by singing." He sounded like it was the simplest thing in the world. Inuyasha just can't sing. He hated singing.
'Now, what did I get myself into, a kid making me sing a nursery rhyme...?' He mentally sighed and begun to think of the right lyrics. Inari was staring at him while he pondered with his thoughts.
"Uncle Inu, can we sing the pinky swear song now?" He tugged his sleeves with his other hand.
Inuyasha cleared his throat. "Ok let's try this one, I swear, I swear in this cute little finger, I'll be your Daddy and you'll be my squirt" 'that doesn't sound so good', "I promise with my heart, I promise with my life, we'll be together and we'll never be apart." He tried to sing the lines but it came out more like a poem.
"Yay Daddy you can sing!" Inari jumped up to him and hugged his neck happily.
"That was easy, no sweat!" He bragged a little. "Time to sleep now, you still have school tomorrow." The kid lied back and he tucked him in again with the blankets.
Inuyasha leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Sleep tight, let the monster bugs bite." He smiled softly, stood and started to leave.
"Good night Daddy and its 'bed bugs' "
"Good night squirt." He turned off the lights and exited the room. A heartwarming smile escaped his lips.
He went down the stairs and saw Souta taking out the garbage outside the house. "Souta, where's your sister?"
"She's helping Mom with the dishes." He's carrying two large black bag of garbage.
"I'll help you, give me the other one." Inuyasha took the other large bag in his hand.
"You don't have to Inuyasha-san!" He said shyly.
"Keh, I can do this! I've been doing this stuff when I was still living in the US, when the maid wasn't around, during weekends."
"Really? You lived in America? Where?" They headed outside through the shrine's steps taking the garbage with them.
"New York. I used to live with my wife…" Souta stopped in the middle.
"But you're divorcing her, right?" He looked hopeful, Inuyasha nodded. "You know what, Inuyasha-san, someday I want to go to America." They continued to walk down when Inuyasha spoke gently.
"Souta, where's Inari's father? I'm sorry but… I think your sister is not telling something…" Souta was caught off guard with the question, his knees became weak, it buckled and he fell behind, landing on the steps.
Inuyasha sat beside him in the step. "Hey what's wrong?"
He sighed and spoke softly. "Inuyasha-san, I do think that you're a good person but… I've always wanted to have a brother… like you, but I don't think I can compromise my sister…" He looked away.
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha was confused but Souta wasn't good at hiding his emotions, he could sense that something's really bothering him, or more like a fear.
He stood and started to go downstairs again. "I owe my sister so much… I love her and I …I can't betray her…" He said the last words quietly Inuyasha didn't hear it.
Souta had been quiet ever since the last question he asked and he didn't bother to ask again. They went back to the house, Kagome's mother offered him to stay for the little late dinner. Kagome had been quiet too; it's her mother that's only talking the entire dinner. Souta didn't join them, he reasoned that he was tired and wanted to sleep early because of the school tomorrow. Inuyasha felt guilty, he was sure it's him that caused the kid to shy away and Kagome's disturbing silence didn't help at all.
He decided to leave and said his goodbye to Kagome's mother. Kagome followed him until they reached the door. He sighed deeply and turned to face her. "Kagome… I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to tell my mother about you and your personal life… she just wouldn't stop until I say something about you…"
Kagome was surprised to hear the sound of guilt in his voice. She remembered now that she's been a little mad at him for telling his mother about her 'made up stories'. Maybe it's just her, that's really guilty because she's lying to so many people. But whatcould she havedone…she didn't have a choice.
"Inuyasha… it's nothing, its just… maybe I'm not just used to it."
"You mean you're not mad?" He hopefully stared at her.
Kagome shook her head. "Mad? Not actually, just a little annoyed, I guess" She cocked her head to the side, her lips curving a soft smile.
"Know what? If you want to talk about anything, I'll be more than willing to listen, I may not be a good listener but I can still do." He reached out a hand and touched her chin. "Good night Kagome." He turned around and started to leave.
Kagome blushed with his touch. She mindlessly caressed her chin and closed the door behind her.
Inuyasha stopped just under the God tree, he looked up to its branches and leaves, and it swayed with the gentle wind blowing. A sparkled of light from the post, lighted the tree, it glowed faintly in the dark.
'There's something behind those smiles…'
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Arigatou gozaimashita! Inuyasha's a little OOC here don't you think? Arrggh I think I have to bring back the old Inu character…and FYI this is the fastest I can update, I only set schedule for updating, I don't make a living out of this, I only write because I love to WRITE, this is my passion,not a profession not even a career! So if anyone has a problem with that then go write your own stories as fast as you can! I always continue to write even with long time gaps because of the people who still wanted me to write and continued to support but never harassed me into posting chapters when I couldn't even find time to sleep! Anyways thanks for all those who read and reviewed, God bless and good health to everyone.