I had some very nice compliments and some wonderful pieces of advice given to me. I would like to thank all of you for reviewing, but give a special thanks to yaper4444. Your review was appreciated and your suggestions taken into consideration. Allow me to reassure you that as the story progresses, flashbacks of her time in the monastery will occur.
On with the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I own the title 'Family Affairs'. This title belongs solely to Mary J. Blidge and the good people who deal with her records.
Family Affairs
Dusting her fighting garb off, she looked up to the top of the well, smiling when she found a familiar, wooden roof looming overhead as opposed to the open, blue sky of Feudal Japan.
Climbing quickly and gracefully from the old stone pit, she raced up the stairs, an anxious smile planted on her lips. Sliding the wooden door aside, she raced across the shrine to where she knew the house to be. When the quaint two-story came into view, she couldn't help the excited squeal that welled up in her throat.
Rushing into the house, she made her way into the kitchen, where she knew her family would be. It was lunch after all.
Eyes widening in shock and disbelief, tears of joy surfaced as the spatula she once held slipped from her fingers, falling to the ground with a clatter.
Souta, looking up from his plate of food when he heard his mother's gasp, asked curiously, "You alright, mom?" When she did not reply, he followed her gaze to the doorway, breath hitching in his throat.
Mrs. Higurashi lifted a hand toward the familiar figure that stood in her kitchen doorway, wondering and praying that this wasn't just some cruel dream. Was it possible? As she neared, the young woman before her did not move, but simply stood, waiting. When her fingers pressed against the smooth skin of the woman's cheek, she cried out in elation, throwing her arms around her long lost Kagome.
"Mommy," Kagome whispered as she wrapped her arms around the older woman. "I missed you so much."
"Thank the gods," Mrs. Higurashi wailed as she held her daughter closely, letting out a sob of joy when she felt the familiar warmth of Souta's smaller body wrap around her side.
Lifting her head from the crook of her mother's neck, Kagome looked down at her younger brother, who had grown a vast amount over the past three years of her absence. He was now up to her chin, and much less scrawny then he had been the last time she had seen him. Running her fingers through his unruly brown hair, she sniffled and asked through her sobs, "What's up brat?"
Souta chuckled and pushed her hand away, admitting in as much a macho way as he could muster, "I missed you so much, Kagome."
After a moment, the three regained their composure, Mrs. Higurashi preparing a cup of raspberry tea for her darling daughter. It had always been her favorite.
"I don't understand," Mrs. Higurashi stated, "Inuyasha said that you had died. What happened?"
"Inuyasha was here?" Kagome inquired, wincing at the sound of his name.
"Yes. He came three years ago, saying you had died… saying he had been the cause of it," the elder of the two women went on.
Huffing, Kagome mumbled, "Well at least he didn't lie about what happened."
Souta sat down next to her, concern and bafflement clear on his face, "He never really explained to us what happened, he just sort of left after telling us, saying that he was so sorry he had failed us."
Sighing, Kagome leaned back and sipped her tea, thinking back to the day her betrayal had taken place.
All occupants of the kitchen were silent, none speaking a word as the tragic miko finished her tale. It was not until Kagome felt a brush of fur against her leg that she removed her eyes from their place along the wall, looking down to see Buyo, her fat, lethargic cat brushing against her. Picking up the overweight feline, she sighed and murmured, "And that's what happened. I'm so very sorry I didn't come home first, but I couldn't; not in the state I was in. I had to find my center."
Wiping a tear from her cheek, Mrs. Higurashi sighed, "Though I wish you would have as well, that's in the past. What's important is that you're here now, alive. We've missed you terribly."
Souta nodded his agreement.
Realizing something wasn't right, Kagome peered into the living room, expecting to see her grandfather sleeping lazily in his rocking chair. When she did not find him, however, she asked quizzically, "Where is Ojisan?"
Her mother's expression darkened somewhat, a look of grief twisting her soft features. "Kagome," she began, her voice wavering, "while you were gone… your Ojisan… he passed away."
It took a second for her mind to absorb the words that had just come from her mother's mouth. It couldn't be true. Looking at her brother, hoping to find the twinkle of mischief in his wide brown eyes as well as the telltale signs that he was hiding a smirk, she was disappointed and frightened to find no such thing. Instead, his young features were sagging in sorrow, his eyes clenched shut. Shaking her head, she turned back to her mother, her mouth hanging open in silent questioning.
"He became ill, and his body… he just couldn't fight it off. I'm so sorry, Kagome."
Kagome stood silently, feet sliding across the carpet as she dragged her limp body into the living room. Standing before the rocking chair she knew her grandfather had loved so dearly, she collapsed into a heap, her faced buried in her hands as she sobbed.
'Grandpa… I didn't even get to say goodbye.'
Sniffling as she laid a bouquet of pristine white roses against his tombstone, Kagome recalled his firm, strong features. Even in his old age, his attitude had been proud and determined. He was her ji-chan; the senile, crazy old man who, on more than one occasion, jumped between herself and Inuyasha to protect her with his ofudas, as useless as they were.
"I'll miss you," she whispered almost inaudibly, another tear slipping down her cheek.
The remainder of her time at home Kagome had spent with her family, visiting as much as she could before she had to return. Upon bringing up the subject, her mother had begged her to stay, but Kagome declined. She had a duty in the Feudal Era, one in which she would not neglect. She had shattered the jewel and, by the gods, she would fix it.
It was with a heavy heart that she explained to her family that this would be her last visit home until her task was complete. She acknowledged the fact that she could indeed die during her travels, a thought that weighed heavily on her heart. However, she had to put her own safety aside for now. The fate of Japan, perhaps even the world, rested on her shoulders. She would not shirk her responsibilities.
Packing the things she had bought for her big trip, Kagome sighed. She had enjoyed a quick shower before having readied herself. She remained in her fighting garb, considering it was the most comfortable thing she had considering the circumstances.
'Goodbye school uniform,' she mused as she patted the now folded pile of clothing on her bed. She would not need them anymore. She had indeed packed other articles of clothing, some of which included jeans, t-shirts, a sweater, socks, underwear, and a bathing suit. Her little brown sac, which was considerably smaller and much more stylish than her bulbous yellow backpack, carried a rather large amount of stuff.
Slinging it over her shoulder, she made a mental checklist for her self; going through all of the things she needed while checking them off as she went. Feminine products, toiletries, washing supplies, a photo of her family, a cooking rack, her sleeping roll, snacks for herself and the others, candy for Shippou… yes, she had everything.
Giving herself a once over in the full length mirror that adorned her bedroom wall, she noted that she looked very professional, for a warrior. Her weapons looked so natural strapped to her back and boots, her signature bow and arrows slung over her shoulders.
Her features had changed over time as well, maturing as she had. No longer was she the shadow of Kikyo. No… as she grew, her characteristics had changed greatly, creating many differences between herself and the elder miko.
Giving a quick and satisfied nod, she darted down the stairs, casting one final look at her old room. She would need to redecorate once she got home. Pink just wasn't her thing anymore.
When she exited the house, she found her family waiting for her, her mothers eyes lined with tears while her brother stood tall, trying to hide the emotion welling up inside of him.
Hugging her younger sibling, she sniffled and gave him a noogie, winking when he batted her hand away with a playful growl. "You be good, brat. I need you to look after mom while I'm gone. You're the man of the house now Souta."
He nodded once, a show of maturity and great restraint on his feelings. He would grow to be a fine man one day.
Turning next to her mother, Kagome embraced the slightly shorter woman in her arms, noticing that she had grown a good few inches over the past few years. Sighing, she quipped, trying hard not to cry, "Well, I'll see you in a little while I guess."
"Be careful, dear. Come back to us," her mother's strained voice urged.
Biting her lip, she gave a sharp nod and assured, "I will be back. I've come a long way since you last saw me. I'm not a helpless child anymore. I promise… I will be back. I love you both."
With that, she darted into the well house, leaving no more room for hesitation. She could very easily stay in this time. That way, no demon would ever complete the jewel and she would be safe. Her duty, however, called to her, pride not allowing her to leave something so important unfinished.
Grabbing the lip of the old wooden structure, she leapt fluidly over the edge, a single tear sliding down her cheek as the shimmering blue light she had grown so accustomed to surround her, illuminating the dim little well with its magic.
She landed easily on two feet and crouched low on her haunches, vaulting herself up and out of the well with a single bound. She smirked. Yes, her miko abilities allowed her to do many things she could not before. Though she could not fly, she could use her magic as a catapult of sorts, helping her to jump to heights she never could before. Her time spent running to and fro between the well and monastery had improved her speed as well. Her legs, now thick with muscle, could carry her much quicker than they used to, back when she had been a helpless, blubbering little girl.
Taking a deep breath, she expanded her senses, searching the surrounding area for her friends. When she found no trace of them nearby, she decided to head to the village she had first come to during her travels in the Warring Era.
Gasping in disbelief, Kaede's one good eye widened, taking in the sight of the young woman who had just entered her hut. There was no doubt about it, this was Kagome. It simply shocked her as to how much the girl had changed during her absence. Having thought the girl dead, she welcomed, "Kagome, child, it is good to see ye again. My old eyes have not beheld such a welcome sight for quite some time."
Smiling warmly at the woman who had acted as a grandmother of sorts to her, the raven haired miko bowed in respect and greeted, "Kaede, it's been a while."
"Indeed child. Come sit by the fire, I'll get ye a bowl of soup," the old miko offered.
Shaking her head, she smiled but declined. "I'm afraid I can't, though I would love to. I have to find my companions. Do you know where they are traveling to?"
Kaede's bright demeanor sunk, her wrinkles deepening even more so as she stood slowly. "Come with me, child."
Dun, dun, dun! Cliffy! Oh… I know you all hate me right now but come on people, I update like every day so don't get too huffy. You have to wait, what, a grand total of 24 hours to get your answers? Oh the inhumanity! Suck it up.
The quicker you review, the sooner I post!