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Here's chapter 3!
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: All these characters are owned by Inuyasha's rightfull author. I merely own the story.
Chapter 3 - Birthday Party
It took some time for Kagome to fully understand what Sesshomaru was saying. She could see his mouth moving but couldn't hear anything. It was only when Sesshomaru came near her and grasped her shoulder that she awake from her slumber.
- You ok? – he asked.
- I... I…
- I know. – Sesshomaru said, with a sigh. - I was shocked to see him too. I didn't imagine he was coming back, at least not so soon, he never mentioned anything in his letters and e-mails. He arrived yesterday at my door step and I thought that you… that you should know.
Kagome lifted her eyes from the coffee cup and took a deep breath. As well as for her son's questions, she also knew that there would come a day when she would face Inuyasha once more. She wasn't expecting it though… it was all too soon…
- How is he? – she asked timidly. Sesshomaru went to his chair, and looking at her said:
- I'm more concerned about you right now…
- How is he? – she asked once more.
- … He's fine. More than fine. He ended his specialization and managed to get a job here… Kikyo's with him. She came too…
- I figured as much… so, the couple came to stay, is that it?
- Well… at least that's what I understood. At least for now they are staying…
Kagome sighed once more and gave a trembled laughter.
- Who would have guessed, huh Sesshomaru? Here I am, 5 years after my graduation, sitting at a table with you and talking normally about my son's father who doesn't know he has a son… when I think back to those times I wonder how did we became friends or I even got pregnant with his child…
Sesshomaru smiled a little.
- I still ask that to myself till today… you were always following us everywhere! Remember the time that we wanted to pay you back?
- Yeah. You guys went into a strip-club, believing I wouldn't follow and I ended up being mistaken by one of the dancers…
- Your face when you appeared in the stage… - said Sesshomaru, between laughs. Kagome simply smiled sweetly, remembering the past and comparing the Sesshomaru from then and the actual. At the time, Sesshomaru hadn't done anything, simply remained shocked and looking at her. It had been Inuyasha who moved first.
- And then, when Inuyasha realized it was me…
- He ended up saving you… he was so pissed off…
- Yeah… he always did… - she said, with a soft sigh. - He always ended up saving me…
Silence was bestowed upon both, until Sesshomaru said softly:
- Rin used to say that you were the one who broke the ice in my heart and gave confidence to Inuyasha. It may have been true but…
- No I wasn't. The merit is all hers, for breaking the ice in you! She was the one who made you talk much and open up; the one who revived your heart. She was the one who gave him life and kept him warm, wasn't she? – asked Kagome, a soft smile on her lips.
- … Something like that… - he said. – Still, you were the one who made Inuyasha able to trust again in people.
Kagome placed the cup in the table.
- What do I do now? – she asked, showing fear for the first time in her unsteady voice
- … Do you want to tell him? About Hiroyuki?
- No. Not now. I'm not ready yet. I have to prepare Hiro too… this won't be easy for any of us… Hiro believes that when his father appears, we'll get to be a family…
- You could.
- Yeah, sure. And Hell will freeze tomorrow too! You perfectly well know the reason why that can't come true, as much as I wanted it to…
- You still love him? – he cut in.
- Do you love Rin? – she answered, her gaze upon him.
- Touché!
- Anyway, it's not like I'm going to meet him any time soon so…
- … I have a suggestion. If I may…
- Sure, go ahead. What is it?
- Concealing powder.
- What?
- Concealing powder. It's especially used by youkais to make sure their scent isn't detected when they don't want to. You could give it to Hiroyuki, to conceal his sense of smell. He won't be able to detect Inuyasha's scent t and Inuyasha won't be able to detect Hiroyuki's too.
- Won't affect him in anyway?
- At least, not that I know. And perhaps you could take a little too…
- Why me?
- Inuyasha's a dog demon, even if half… he could easily smell himself on you.
- What? I smell like him? Why haven't you told me anything!
- Kagome, how many times must I remember you? Dog youkais only mate and give birth to their offspring with their rightful mates, the ones who are meant for them. Once they do it, their scents mingle forever. Any other youkai that smells you will be able to tell who… who your "mate" is or if you're available. Even if it's not very detectable, it's still there…
- Then how come he hasn't said or notice it in himself?
- I don't know. You said yourself that he probably didn't remember what he had done that night didn't you?
- Yeah, he was pretty drunk…
- Well, the important now is that you and Hiro take that powder. I'll bring it to you tonight.
- You're coming to the dinner too? – she said, smiling and raising up.
- Yes. – he said, while lifting himself up and walking towards the door, Kagome behind him.
- Sesshomaru… - Kagome advised. – About Rin… well…
- Don't worry… I'll think in what you said. See you later. And congratulations once again.
- Thanks.
After Sesshomaru left, Kagome ended up finding Hiroyuki playing with his toys, still in his pajamas.
- What are you doing?
- Nothing… Can we go to the zoo today, mom?
- The zoo? Sure. But you'll have to take a bath first… - she said, while she sneaked her arms under Hiroyuki's armpits.
- NO! Mom, no! Bath no! – the child struggled to get free but to no avail.
- Yes, mister! If you want to go, you'll have to take a bath…
A few hours later, both she and Hiroyuki had left the house. They spent their day in the zoo and paid a visit to a pet exhibition that took place near there.
As she had often told her mom, Hiroyuki was Kagome's best medicine. During the whole day, she was able to forget about Inuyasha, Kikyo or everything else that concerned their return. She laughed, shouted, run after him and at the end of the day both had had a lot of fun.
- Say, mom…
- What? – she asked. They were on their way to Kagome's old house. Kagome was driving and Hiroyuki was sitting in the back seat, on his little chair.
- When is aunt Rin marrying uncle Sesshomaru?
- What? Hiroyuki, were you listening behind the door? – she said, suddenly afraid and angry.
- No.
- Then why do you ask that?
- Because I like her. And uncle Sesshomaru likes her too, doesn't he?
- Yeah… I mean, yes… I think so… - she said, relieved.
- Then why?
- I don't know, honey...
A really sneaky idea came onto her mind.
- Hey, Hiro… - she started.
When they arrived at Kagome's mom house, Hiroyuki jumped right into his grandmother's arms.
- Grandma!
- Happy Birthday, dear!
- Hi mom! – said Kagome, as she received a tight hug. "She already knows…" was the first thought that came onto her mind. And somehow, she felt happy that she had someone as close as her mother knowing too.
- Congratulations to you too, dear. How are you feeling? – she asked.
- Confused, scary… but I don't want to spoil Hiro's birthday with my problems.
- Your problems and Hiro's, in this case, are the same, dear. Your decisions will affect his life, you know…
- I know that, mom! – she said, as she saw her grandpa pick Hiroyuki up for a hug. – That's why I believe not telling Inuyasha now is the best to do. I need to prepare myself for the Inuyasha I might found… he may not even be the same person I met… or the one who left for USA five years ago…
- I doubt it, but I do trust your sense of judgment… whatever you need, I'm here…
Kagome smiled grateful for the support.
As they entered the living room and Hiroyuki was presented with hugs and kisses, Kagome took a good look around her: Sesshomaru, Rin, Miroku and the very pregnant Sango… everyone who were dear and closest to her. The living room had been decorated and there were drinks and serving dishes of food over the tables. Everyone was drinking and talking happily and there was a poster affixed saying "Happy 5thBirthday Hiroyuki" over the window.
- Kagome! – said an almost round Sango, a huge grin in her face, sitting in one of the chairs.
- Hey, girl! How are my nephews today? – Kagome asked, caressing her friend's belly.
- Pretty calm, actually. Even I am surprised… - said the girl with a long brown ponytail and sweet brown eyes, one hand over her swollen 8months pregnant belly.
- And you? Can I get you anything?
- No, no I'm fine. Don't worry about me. How about you? How do you feel?
- So you also know…
- Sesshomaru told Miroku this afternoon. We were surprised…
- Yeah, tell me about it…
- And?
- And what? If you're asking if I'm going to tell him, the answer is no!
- That's not the point, though I agree with you. I want to know how you feel, and don't lie! I know when you do!
- Me too. – said a girl with shoulder length brown hair and brown warm eyes, approaching them. – You know you can't hide anything from us…
- Rin…
- So come on! Tell us!
- Well, - Kagome started, while glancing at Hiroyuki and lowering her voice. – Most of all, I'm scared. I honestly don't believe Inuyasha is still the same person that… that he was when he left us… he might have changed but I can deal with that. What worries me the most is the fact that Hiroyuki might get harmed from all this.
- Why do you say that? – asked Rin.
- Well, he thinks that when his father comes back, we'll get to be a family…
- Poor thing… - said Sango, while looking at him. He was starting to rip one of his first gifts, a big smile on his face.
- I can deal with Inuyasha, even if he's changed. I haven't needed him until now, so… and I believe I've been doing an excellent job till today…
- You're a great mom, Kagome. – said Rin, her hand on her friend's shoulder. – And Hiroyuki couldn't get anymore lucky. As for Inuyasha, I don't believe he has changed that much. Or if he did, well that's because he has been deceived from the start…
- Yeah, we've experienced the power that Kikyo has over him, and how she can use it. But I do believe that, when Inuyasha knows the truth, he won't get away from you.
- I also want to believe that but the problem still remains: imagine that Inuyasha's job here is only temporary, or that Kikyo has to get back to where they came from or even both. Where does Hiroyuki stay, in the middle of this? I'm not going to lose my son!
- I see what you're getting at…
- Do you know what he told me, this morning? We went to see the sunrise, as usual and he told me his friends asked him about his father. Do you know what he answered? The truth, because I told him to never lie!
- So he said he didn't know?
- Yeah, he said he didn't know him. He is 5years old! Now Inuyasha comes, I tell him and when Inuyasha goes back to wherever he came from, what do I do? He's not going to play "mom and dad" while he's here and then leave everything! That's why I chose not to tell him, at least yet. I need time to think, to gain courage… to prepare myself and Hiroyuki. And also to understand what has Inuyasha turned to be.
- I agree with you! – said Sango – You know that, even if I'm this big, I still can kick his ass!
- Sango, my dearest! – said a male voice from behind them, while one arm sneaked over the couch and landed in her abdomen. Sango smiled. – Don't get angry, it's not good to the babies…
- He's right, you know? When I was the one who was pregnant, you spent most of the time telling me that! – said Kagome smiling.
- Alright, alright! I get it!
- How are you Miroku? – Kagome asked as she hugged him, a tall young man with brown short hair pulled in a small ponytail and deep blue eyes. Miroku Hoshi was an Internal Doctor in the same Hospital that Kagome worked in.
- Fine. Congratulations!
- Thanks.
- It's been five years already…
- That's true. Time does fly… - she said, as she bent over to pick up her running son, coming in her direction.
- Hey aunt Sango!
- Hello dear. Happy Birthday!
- Thank you. So, when do they come out? – he asked, his curious eyes on her belly.
- Soon.
- Soon when?
- In a few days.
- Can't you bring them out now?
- No.
- Why? I want to see them!
- Oh, you do? – Kagome asked, laughing from Sango's embarrassment and saving her friend. – Well, I also wanted to see you, when you were inside my belly and I had to wait until you decided it was time to get out!
- Oh. Sorry… - he said, his little ears slowly bowing.
- For what? – asked Kagome, bewildered at his expression, as well as the adults present.
- Not coming when you said to…
Kagome had to suppress a laugh and kissed and hugged him while the others laughed around her. Kagome's mom was taking pictures and had tears at the corners of her eyes.
- Don't worry. - Kagome said, while kissing her son on his forehead. – Mom was just really anxious, so it's okay.
- Where's the birthday boy? – said a strong voice at the door. A tall man, with black short hair and brown eyes came in, followed by a really handsome woman, with deep brown colored hair and deep blue eyes.
- Uncle Souta! – shouted Hiroyuki, as he jumped from his mother's grasp. – Aunt Hitomi!
- Hello, Hiroyuki!
- Souta, you came! – said Kagome surprised. His brother and his girlfriend lived a bit far from their childhood home.
- Of course I did! We wouldn't want to miss this perfect opportunity to congratulate my favorite nephew and to announce we're finally engaged! – Souta said, proudly grasping a really red Hitomi by the waist.
There was a loud confusion of shrieks and shouts, and Souta was surrounded by both his sister and mother, in a huge hug. After everyone calmed down, Hitomi proudly showed her ring, as Kagome and her mom, Sango and Rin praised Souta's taste. They discussed animatedly how Hitomi was going to be a lovely bride as Kagome explained to Hiroyuki, amidst the confusion, what a wedding was.
After they sang "Happy Birthday" to Hiroyuki, and after he almost had eaten the candles when blowing them from over a chocolate covered cake, Hiroyuki opened the gift his mother had gotten him.
- Mom! Look, a Lego boat! I get to mount it?
- Yes, you do! This time you're going to do it all alone.
- Thank you! – he said, kissing her. Miroku and Sango had offered him a puzzle, Sesshomaru had given him an activity book, for him to paint, Rin had gotten him a set of Lego too, only this time it was a train; his grandmother and great-grandfather had gotten him a tricycle.
After Hitomi handed her present to Hiroyuki (which turned out to be a race car), the boy stared at her and asked:
- So you'll be my real aunt, now?
- Yes.
He smiled openly at her, and then turned to Sesshomaru, who eyed him suspiciously. Why was he turning to him in the middle of that kind of conversation?
- Uncle Sesshomaru!
- What is it? – he said, while he took a sip from his drink.
- Can Rin be my aunt too?
Sesshomaru chocked on his drink and end up spilling it into the cup as the other persons around laughed and Rin blushed.
- B… bu… but Hiroyuki! I'm already your aunt! – she said, quickly. Sesshomaru looked at her really quickly and then at Hiroyuki, hoping that the conversation would stop there.
- No! You have to marry uncle Sesshomaru! – he demanded. Sesshomaru took a look around and spotted Kagome laughing hardly but in silence, in one of the corners.
- Kagome… - he said sibling.
- Yes? – she said, feigning ignorance. – It's not my fault! He asked me about it on our way here so, what should I say?
- Kagome! – shouted Rin, as red as a tomato. – You shouldn't tell thinks like that! And besides, I'm not interested. I already have Bankotsu and I'm pretty happy now…
Sesshomaru froze in the middle of the room, his silver hair covering his facial expression. Kagome suddenly was afraid of what he might do and when she tried to approach him, Sesshomaru lifted his head and said, proudly:
- You're happy? – he said, locking eyes with her. Rin only averted his gaze when she couldn't hold it anymore.
- I am.
- Then why don't you tell me that when you're looking at me… - he said, an arrogant tune in his voice that fueled Rin's blood.
- Guys… - warned Miroku, noticing it. – You'd better take that outside… this is no place for that kind of conversation… perhaps later…
- No! – Rin said, suddenly angry. – I'm sick and tired of this! This ends right now!
- Mom, can you take Hiro with you? – said Kagome, suddenly afraid of Rin's temperament and Sesshomaru's "easy hot headed actions".
- Sure, honey.
- Where are we going, grandma? – asked Hiroyuki as he was being lifted from the ground, in the midst of all that confusion.
- See something outside. Have you ever seen a shrine well?
- And my other presents?
- You'll open them later, ok? Now you have to see this…
Souta, Hitomi and Kagome's grandpa ended up leaving with them, so the remaining persons were Kagome, Miroku and Sango, besides the angry couple.
- Rin… Sesshomaru… please, calm down…
- I will not calm down, Kagome. And it's not your fault! This is something that eventually would come out…
- Rin… - said Sesshomaru, hoping to calm her.
- No, this time you listen. Who are you to criticize me? To doubt my happiness and to trouble me? I'm sick of being treated like a dispensable item, the one you call when you need and the one you throw away after. You knew from the start that I loved you, but you had to bring my hopes high and crush them after, didn't you?
- Me?
- Who else? Every time we talked, after you break up with Kagura or your other girlfriends, we talked, you let it out… then you'd go right back to where they still were.
- Rin…
- Stop it! – she shouted, as she saw Sesshomaru's usually composed face became pale. Even Kagome hadn't seen Rin so furious, angry and hurt.
- It's enough. Every time you broke with Kagura you expect me to stay by your side, supporting you, raising my hopes until you crush them and I recoil the pieces. Well I have news for you! I've found someone who likes me, who'll truly stay by my side and that doesn't mind waiting for me until I'm prepared. I've found someone who protects me against your stupid little ex-girlfriends and that loves me! For me!
- The only reason why I would talk to you is because you… you… - he wasn't able to find the words and deep inside, Kagome's words resurfaced in his mind. "(…) No, I'm telling you to make up your mind once and for all and admit! Otherwise, you may end up losing her… (…)"
He looked at her face and suddenly was afraid. He was about to lose her…
He made a sign for Kagome to leave the room and Miroku and Sango did the same. As she passed through him, she grasped his arm and whispered "Go For Her!"
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