Kagome and I climbed out of the well and walked to her house. My shoulder was still bandaged but it was healing quickly. We had left two days after the bandit attack and when we had left the villagers were busy turning the new hut by Kaede's into a three room house. I kind of felt bad for making them do that but when they kept asking me what they could do in payment for saving them I said that it would be nice for the whole gang to have a larger place to stay so that we didn't have to crowd together. We went into the house and it seemed strange, when we entered to be hit with air-conditioned coolness, almost like waking from a day dream. "Mom!" Kagome called out. "We're home!"
Kagome's mother came to greet us and looked at me worriedly. "Oh dear. Are you alright?"
I looked down at my slung and laughed. "Yeah I am good. I could use a real bath though."
Kagome darted up the stairs. "I get it first!"
I groaned and Kagome's mother took Kagome and my bags into the laundry room while I sat at the kitchen table. When she came back into the kitchen I looked to her. "Kagome said you cleaned out a guest room in case I decided to move in."
She nodded. "I hope that wasn't presumptuous."
I shook my head. "No Kagome just guessed right. I do want to stay. I need to call my family though and tell them."
"They called while you were away. I told them Kagome took you to visit her aunt in Osaka and that she didn't have a phone." Kagome's mother said before handing me a cordless.
"Oh…thank you." I dialed home and waited a few rings for someone to pick up. "Hey mom. Ouch yes I am fine. I have something to tell you though. I am going to stay here. Move in with Kagome for a while." I held the phone away while my mother yelled. "I didn't mean it to be so sudden but while we were out in Osaka she asked me to move in and I want to. Kagome is really sweet and nice. Please mom? Let me stay?" I held my breath while my mom talked to my dad, when she came back to the phone I jumped up in joy. "Oh thank you mom! Kagome and I are flying in tomorrow to get my things. I love you too bye!"
I ran up the stairs and burst into Kagome's room. She hadn't changed from her towel yet but I didn't care I ran over and threw my arms around her. "My parents said I could move in!"
Kagome hugged me back and we jumped around laughing like we were six years old but we didn't care. I went into the bathing room and took a long soak then changed into some clothes Kagome gave me which included a baggy long sleeve shirt so my parents wouldn't see my wrist and shoulder. We left the house and within the hour were on our way to America. Inuyasha hadn't liked it when I told him we wouldn't be around for a week but I told him that I needed him to watch Nozomi for me while I was gone so he didn't fuss too much.
We touched down in BWI and I was met in a complete on rush by my family. My mom and dad hustled Kagome and me to the house and into the kitchen for dinner and talking. No one in my family spoke Japanese but me and Kagome only spoke a little English so I had to translate most of the conversation.
"So where do you live?" Asked my mom, Leah.
"I live on an ancient shrine in Tokyo." I translated for Kagome.
"Who do you live with?" My father, Robert asked.
"My grandfather, my mother and my little brother. Mom, dad, stop the twenty questions." I added. After that the conversation went to how to get my things to Kagome's. I was taking my furniture because the room at Kagome's was empty but they would have to be flown. It took two days to pack my clothes, my books, and all my other odds and ends and another two to send it all to Japan. And we followed the day after that. (A/N: Sorry for not going into this big whole thing but them being in America getting things wasn't going to be a big part. I only wanted to touch base to get it all there)
When Kagome and I arrived back in Japan, we got to her house just as the moving van that held my furniture pulled up at the base of the stairs. Mrs. Higurashi led the moving men to my room and soon my bed, dresser, desk, and bookshelves were set up. It still looked pretty bare. So I rolled up my sleeves and began to unpack my clothes and books. I finished my room completely by midnight. Kagome had headed off to bed hours ago; jetlag had caught up with her big time. I collapsed in bed and woke up the next morning when my door slammed open.
Inuyasha stood in the doorway. "About time you got back. Where's Kagome?"
"Wha...what?" I said holding my head confused. "I think she might have gone to school. Ask her mom." Inuyasha stormed back out of my room and I was left to change and follow him. I looked at the time, it was after 3. Apparently I was a bit jetlagged too. "Chill Inuyasha she'll be home any minute then we can go okay?"
Inuyasha nodded curtly then sat and started bouncing his leg. I rolled my eyes and began to pack for when we left. I packed two suitcases of clothes: one for me, one for Nozomi. I would leave those in our new home. I also packed a backpack with things to bring along as we journeyed. Then I turned and saw the gift wrapped box and it reminded me. "Hey Inuyasha," I said going into the kitchen. "Do you have a gift for Kagome yet?"
"What would I get her a gift for?" Inuyasha said curiously.
"Her birthday is tomorrow." I answered.
"Oh…yeah. I got her something. While you were gone I came and asked her mom for some help." Inuyasha said and blushed faintly.
I winked at him. "Okay then. I am ready to go as soon as Kagome gets back but I'll need your help carrying my things. Since the villagers were building that hut for all of us, I am going to leave things there."
Inuyasha nodded and turned to face the door just as it opened. "Hey there Kagome. You ready to go?" He said as soon as she noticed him.
"Hi Inuyasha." She wore the sweetest smile on her face when she saw him. She had confessed to me that she really missed Inuyasha while we were in America. She looked so happy gazing at him. "Yep just let me grab my bag okay?"
Inuyasha looked stumped. Apparently he was used to fighting her to go. "Feh. Just hurry up."
Kagome rolled her eyes. She was in too good of a mood to let him get her down and she ran to get her bag and Inuyasha followed me to help grab my things. We were away and down the well and out the other side when Kagome noticed the big gift wrapped object in my arms. "What's that Dawn?"
"Nothing." I said and left it at that. Kagome apparently had forgotten her birthday in the excitement of being home. When we walked into the village Shippo came running into Kagome's arms and Inuyasha led me to our new home. It wasn't very large but it had a central room with the fire pit and two side rooms for sleeping and one extra room in the back. As I entered from under the hanging the first thing I saw was Nozomi's hair. It was unbraided and cascading down her back as she stood facing Miroku and Sango. "Hey." I said putting the gift down before Nozomi barreled into my arms.
"Mom! You're home!" She had a death grip on me and I wrapped my arms back around her.
"Yep. Now, come help me unpack. I have clothes for me and you. Hey Sango, Miroku, how are you guys?" I said as Nozomi and I carried the things into one of the side rooms. The walls were sliding panes of paper and at the moment the panels were all open giving the place the appearance that it was one large room.
"We're fine Dawn. Did everything go alright?" Sango said sitting at the fire pit.
"Yes. My parents said I was allowed to move in with Kagome and so I don't have to worry about needing to return to America often." I said as I helped Nozomi unpack her new clothes into the clothespress one of the villagers had made for her. I took the other suitcase and put them into the other side of the clothespress that was to be mine. "Sango tomorrow is Kagome's birthday; we need to do something special."
Sango nodded, "Yeah, she already has my gift but Miroku still has something for her." Miroku nodded and his hand reached. A second later he was twitching on the floor and a vein in Sango's fist was pulsing.
I pointed at the bright package. "That's my gift." I looked up suddenly when I heard a familiar growl. "That was Inuyasha." We all jumped to our feet and ran outside the hut to find Inuyasha facing off with Kouga.
"Kouga? How'd he know where we were?" Sango said walking towards the two guys.
"What do you mean?" I asked following with Nozomi holding onto my right arm. My injuries had reopened while we were packing and unpacking back in the modern time and the bandages were back on.
Miroku had woken and came up next to me. "Kouga has never been here before. We have only ever met him on the road before now." He explained.
"Shut up you mangy wolf. Of course I haven't given up on finding Naraku. But some people had to go take a little trip and waste all my time!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Excuse me?" I said rudely. Kouga and Inuyasha both turned to face me. "Did I hear you say something about me Inuyasha?"
He began to sweat when he saw Kagome headed towards us. "N…no."
"Who are you anyway woman? This is the second time I have seen you. And who is that?" He said pointing at Nozomi.
I grabbed his hand and twisted his finger till he yelped in pain. "It's rude to point. I am Dawn and this is Nozomi, my daughter."
Kouga shook his hand out and glared at me. "Dawn huh? How come your daughter is a half breed just like mutt face over there?"
Nozomi's face collapsed and she looked like she was about to cry. Kagome began to yell at Kouga and I just walked up and slugged him. "I adopted her and if you ever call her a half-breed again I'll hold you while Inuyasha uses you as target practice for his sword." I swear fire was coming out of my mouth as I glared at him.
Kouga put his hand to his check and stepped away from me. "I'm sorry Nozomi."
Nozomi nodded and ducked her face into Shippo's hair. When Kouga had called her a half breed Shippo had leapt into her arms to make sure she didn't cry. While I was gone it seemed the two of them had become close friends. "So Kouga." Kagome said, resting one hand on Nozomi's shoulder comfortingly. "What brings you here anyway?"
"Naraku's barrier was weak earlier. I could smell him in that direction." He said pointing towards the mountains.
Kagome looked at Inuyasha. "You want to go looking?"
"Of course! How can you even ask that?" He snarled rounding on her.
I watched her face fall and crossed my eyes. "No."
Everyone looked at me and Inuyasha glared. "No?"
"We are not leaving until tomorrow afternoon at least." I said and gave him a pointed glare.
He growled at me and finally spun away crossing his arms and sticking his nose in the air. "Fine. But we are going to leave right after lunch tomorrow." He said and walked into Kaede's hut ignoring the stares everyone gave him.
Kouga seemed angry that Inuyasha would put off hunting Naraku but Sango dragged Kagome away before he could say anything rude in her hearing. "Tomorrow is a special day for Kagome Kouga, you don't want to ruin it do you?" I said and looked up at him with big puppy dog eyes. "Tomorrow after lunch we'll meet you at the God tree if you feel like you need us to help you search."
Kouga snarled, "I don't need mutt face to find Naraku. I am going off to find him now. Maybe if Inuyasha is lucky I'll leave a piece for him after I get through with him." He turned and in a burst of wind was gone.
Miroku was clapping, "Nicely done Dawn. You got Kouga away and didn't tell him what was special so he wont come bothering us tomorrow." Nozomi and Shippo joined in the clapping and I laughed and bowed.
That night everyone stretched out in the new hut. Nozomi had decided that it would be better to just leave all the panels open unless we needed to change and everyone could sleep in the open space so Kaede could have her hut to herself. There was so much room that everyone got to stretch out comfortably, even Miroku laid down rather than sitting up and sleeping. Morning came and I jumped onto Kagome before she woke up. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I screamed. Kagome jerked up and I fell to the floor giggling.
Kagome was smiling happily while everyone brought their gifts to her. Sango had already given her a demon exterminators outfit so Miroku was the first to give her something. He gave her a kimono that was the color of the sky with patterns of pink Sakura blossoms on the left sleeve and right side of the skirt. Shippo and Kirara gave her a sash that matched the pink color of the blossoms to complete the outfit. Nozomi gave her a pair of hair sticks that had Sakura blossoms carved into it. Kagome laughed and remarked on the theme of Sakuras. Then she turned to Inuyasha and I. I handed her the large package and she opened it up and gasped in wonder.
I had gotten her a bow, and while I was at home, got my artist friend to paint designs of Sakuras all over it. It was more powerful than the bows in the Feudal era and once I finished with it, it would be attuned to her like Nozomi and Ebony.
While I was back in America I went to one of the sword shops by my house and bought a bunch new knives and better sheaths. I bought two sheaths that actually could tie at the wrist, two that went on my waist, one that went on my upper arm and one that went on my leg. I had Miroku and Kagome bless all my shiny new blades the night before. It seemed to shock Miroku that I liked my knives so much but as I thought of it, if I lost one in battle, I needed a back up. I went to my bag and grabbed one of my new knives, it was one of my favorites, the blade was black and light weight but it was just as tough as a normal steel one and its edge was sharp as the Tetsusaiga. I took the knife out and made Kagome hold out her hands. I cut the palm that would hold the bow and the fingers that would touch the string and made her draw it like she was going to shoot something. "I give Mika Akira, new moon anchor, to Kagome, the anchor of our group. Be bonded and protect." The bow pulsed in Kagome's grip and she smiled at me. "The bows name for short is Kira." I said hugging her.
Inuyasha just stared, "Why 'new moon anchor'?" He asked.
I met his eyes, "That is the time that we need her anchor the most."
Inuyasha stared at me suspiciously then nodded and held his gift out to Kagome. She opened it and cried out in wonder. Nestled inside the jewelry box was a delicate silver chain that held a Sakura flower carved out of quartz and diamond. I whistled under my breath and Sango and Miroku's jaws hit the floor. Inuyasha blushed faintly and 'feh'd everyone.
Kagome had tears in her eyes as she clasped it around her neck and slipped it under her shirt. "Thank you Inuyasha. It's beautiful." She said softly. Her eyes were shining with love as she looked at him but Inuyasha just blushed and stood.
"I am going to go look around a bit before we leave." He said and fled the house.
I turned back to Kagome and she seemed to be dazed. Sango and Miroku both opened their mouths but I didn't want them to talk about the necklace so I said instead. "Hey Kagome, Nozomi and her staff Ebony can talk. Does Kira say anything to you?"
Kagome looked at me gratefully, realizing I was trying to keep anyone from saying anything embarrassing. "Yes, Kira can talk. She says that she is grateful to you for presenting her to me."
I shook my head. "She was meant to be yours. I am going to pack so I'll be ready when we leave." I headed to get to my clothes and shut the panels between my room and the main room. Digging into my clothes I pulled out a pair of cloth pants and an Egyptian cotton tank top. Once I had changed I made sure my bag of clothes was packed for the trip and opened the panel. I tossed my bag and its hidden knives and bow towards the entrance so I would be ready when it was time to go.
Nozomi exited her room and threw her own bag next to mine and set Ebony against the wall. When I looked at her she stared back at me defiantly. "I am coming with you."
I looked at her determined face. We are going to hunt down an evil demon and she will be in danger.
She is protected by Ebony! Another part of my mind argued.
But she's my daughter!
She is an adult! I argued with myself for a little while before I finally nodded, "Alright you can come. But if it looks like it might be too dangerous I am going to make Kirara take you home." Nozomi smiled and nodded. Sometimes it was hard to remember she was only a few years younger than I was. But when she had told me she was going, I could see that she was truly an adult by Feudal standards.
Not long after Inuyasha came inside for lunch and after no one remarked on his gift he relaxed enough to tell us of his plan. "I can smell the way Kouga went so we're going to track him until I smell Naraku. Since I wasn't around to smell Naraku before, the only lead we have on him so far is which way Kouga is going."
Miroku took a bite of his stew and looked at Inuyasha, "This is a good plan. Do you think we'll run into your brother while we are searching?"
"We might. He was really pissed when Naraku kidnapped Rin. Hopefully though, we won't meet up. I would rather not have to deal with him." Inuyasha said downing the last of his food. "We ready?" Everyone nodded and grabbed their bags. "Alright, let's go."
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