Chapter Eleven: Nightmares in the Real World.
I could hear Inuyasha and Twilight playing in her nursery from the mater bathroom, the sound so sweet and heart warming. He was finding her tickle spots and she found his hair the best toy in the world. For the first time in weeks I felt safe and unafraid of someone hiding in the shadows. I had been training with Grandma Kaede for over a month to amp up my natural miko abilities. She says I'm unfocused and scatter brained but has been so patient in teaching me. I never was that great in school, but this isn't school. The worst thing that could happen in school was detention or expulsion; in real life the worst thing is losing someone you can't live without.
I grabbed my neck as the image of Twilight being ripped from this world made me shutter in fear. 'Not her, I'd rather die in her place.' I thought shaking the image away and looked at myself in the mirror. Papa Takeshi was set to arrive later for dinner and a pleasant evening with his children and grand-children.
"Kagome, Twilight's all ready to go." Inuyasha smiled holding up a bundled up baby girl. I smiled back at him and turned around holding my hands out with a look that asked how I looked. He whistled. "No one in their right mind would resist you." Inuyasha said leaning forward and kissed me. I felt my face heat up at his words but felt extremely happy.
"Let me slip my coat on and we'll be on our way. You better get your homework done while we're gone." I said giving him my fierce look. Inuyasha had been trying so hard to catch up with technology and the new software his father's company had produced over the three years he was gone. I knew he needed a break from all the work but he had made me promise to keep him on track so he could go back to work and feel useful when Twilight wasn't home with him.
"Ooh! I'm so scared, Twilight, Mommy's so scary!" Inuyasha joked getting a smiling, giggling little sweetheart. I couldn't help my own laughter slipping my coat on.
"Alright little one, let's get going." I smiled letting Inuyasha help me put her in the front carrier we'd bought after I found it a hassle to tote around a stroller. Inuyasha kissed Twilight then kissed me. "Love you." I whispered.
"Love you too." He whispered back. I left my heart swell with joy. "You should go before Dad and Sesshomaru arrive." he suggested. I nodded and headed to the stairs. "Wait!" He called chasing after us. "Here, Sesshomaru picked this out for you." Inuyasha said laying a cell phone in my hand. I looked at it in amazement. I could never afford a brand new cell phone. It was the size of my hand and felt very comfortable. "You press this button on top then swipe your finger this way to unlock it." He explained showing me what to do. I smiled at him.
"You take such great care of us." I marveled.
He laughed, "Of course! You are my girls." We held the moment for a few more seconds before he added, "Hold down the one on the screen and it'll call your voicemail, hold down the two on the screen and it'll call me. Four is your mom, five is Sango, six is Sesshomaru, and seven is Miroku."
"Okay. Did Sesshomaru get you one too?" I asked. He nodded and pulled out his. "It's different." I remarked.
"It's more for business than fun. I asked Sesshomaru to get you a fun phone." He explained pocketing his phone. "I'll show you how to use it more when you get back." He offered looking at the clock. I was only eleven in the morning, but I still had dinner to prepare for and a little bit of cleaning left to do.
"Okay, we'll be down at the market two blocks away. Be home soon." I said opening the door and walked out. It was spring but winter still lingered in the air. I wrapped my coat around Twilight and started the walk to the market. I liked walking rather than driving or being drove. I like feeling the wind and seeing the beauty of the world. Twilight liked the walks too. It gave her a chance to see the world in the safety of my arms.
By the time we arrived at the market, Twilight, was fast asleep against my chest. I kissed her head and covered it with a blanket to keep her warm and keep the noise somewhat muffled so she could sleep. I picked a cart and began my way around the fresh vegetables picking out what we needed for dinner and future dinners. Inuyasha loves my cooking. My mother taught me well before I left her care for Inuyasha's. Passing through the frozen foods I pulled out my phone, I wanted to get some ice cream but whether we had some or not eluded my brain.
Unlocking the screen of my phone I searched it for the texting app. I found it after doing a whole phone search and, as quickly as I could, texted Inuyasha about the ice cream we had or didn't have. It's really amazing how such a simple little task can make you feel so smart and accomplished.
"I see he gave you the phone." A deep familiar voice said from my left. I smiled at Sesshomaru nodding.
"Inuyasha's going to show me how to use it more than just making a call when I get home." It dawned on me then that he was at the market closest to my house and not his own. "Not to be rude, but, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Rin and your dad?" I asked looking around for Rin and Papa Takeshi.
"They are at a park near by. I wanted to pick up a good wine for dinner." Sesshomaru said noticing the front carrier moving. "She's awake." He told me. I nodded and lifted the shifting blanket to reveal a fussing baby girl. "May I?" He asked holding out his hands. I smiled and lifted Twilight from the carrier and gave her to him. "She's so big!" He said.
"Nearly fourteen pounds. She's going to be tall." I said turning back to my phone. Sesshomaru took the phone and read the message.
"He says you don't have enough for company." Sesshomaru told me, I nodded and opened the freezer door.
"What kind of ice cream does your dad eat?" I asked pausing.
"Vanilla." He answered bouncing Twilight in his arms. "We have visitors." He said motioning to the two women at one end of the isle and three woman at the other end of the isle. I looked and knew who they were.
"My friends from high school." I said being sarcastic.
"Is that so? What happened?" He asked.
"They thought I was a whore or something because they didn't believe I had gotten pregnant in a dream." I answered blandly. It was in the past, even though it still hurt. I heard Sesshomaru make a noise similar to a growl and snapped my head up to look at him. "Did you just growl?" I asked leading him down the isle to switch sections.
"No," He answered quickly. I laughed lightly, he and Inuyasha were so similar.
"In any case, they can stalk in the shadows all they want." I said loud enough for them to hear.
"Speaking of stalk, what is my brother doing?" He asked finally wondering where Inuyasha was at. Usually we always go to the market together.
"Working." I told him. "He needed a hour or so to himself to do some work and I needed to shop so we parted so he can work." I paused. "At least he's supposed to be working."
"Knowing him, he's probably trying to focus but losing interest." Sesshomaru said brushing a kiss on Twilight's forehead.
"He's doing really well. He stays up all night trying to get everything he possible can into his head. I hear him from time to time talking with someone trying to make sure he knows everything he needs to know to go back to work." I said feeling back that Inuyasha was working so hard and I wasn't doing anything to better myself.
"Kagome, don't worry, he wants to do this. He wants Twilight to know he's doing everything possible to ensure she has a great future." Sesshomaru said resting is hand on my shoulder in silent comfort. I smiled and nodded. I looked at my cart and nodded again. "Are you done?" He asked as his phone went off in his pocket. The sound startled Twilight causing her to cry. I smiled at the two and took her back cooing to her as Sesshomaru answered his phone. "My father is ready to leave." He said hanging up.
"Okay, here I'll buy this and you can go get your dad and Rin." I offered holding a hand out for the wine. He debated it, I could see his mind working behind his eyes. "Don't worry. Call it thanks for comforting me when you didn't have to." I said.
"You are family." He said clarifying something I didn't understand. He saw it on my face and chuckled. "You are family Kagome. My brother and I may have a relationship that isn't the best, but you are what makes him happy and you gave us Twilight. You fought to save him even at the cost of being outcast by your own friends and family. You are a sister to me." He said patting my head. I gave him a dirty look but it didn't last. I smiled and awkwardly hugged him.
"Thank you Sesshomaru." I whispered taking the wind and shooed him off to his father and daughter. "See you in a little." He nodded and walked off. I smiled and went to the shortest line. If Papa Takeshi was anything like his sons, or rather, if they take after their father, then I guess I'm in good shape. I laughed, I make little sense even to myself. At my turn to put my food on the belt I set down the wine and shifted Twilight back into her carrier and unloaded my items. It was nice being out with Twilight, even thought I didn't have as many friends as I used to, the ones I have now are the best and support me.
"Kagome." Eri came up to me after I'd already paid and started to leave.
"Eri, Yuka, Ayame, how are you?" I asked being polite but that was about as far as I was going to go.
"How have you been?" Yuka asked.
"Fine." I replied. I didn't need to give details to those who didn't deserve them.
"I see you had your kid." Ayame said next looking to the squirming baby.
"Yes, a few months ago actually." I answered trying to keep my tone neutral.
"Who was that you were with?" Eri asked getting straight to the point.
"Takashi Sesshomaru." I answered.
"Is he your boyfriend?" She asked being the same Eri I knew.
"No, he's my boyfriend's eldest brother." I replied. "I have to go. I have to get home." I said walking around Eri to the exit. They followed after me.
"Isn't your home the other way?" Yuka asked pointing towards the shrine.
"No, my home is this way. I move." I said with a sigh. "I really have to go." I added bowing slightly and started off again.
"Does your boyfriend know who your kid's father is?" Eri asked becoming all to nosy.
"Yes, he is the father." I replied. "Now please, quite asking and leave me alone. Non of you stayed at my side like a true friend when I was first going through this, why should you get to know what is going on in my life now?" I asked not caring in the least bit how rude I was. I looked between their shocked and guilty faces. "That's what I thought. Now, if you mind, I do have to leave." I added turning away with Twilight and left for home. I wouldn't let them see how hurt I still was over their betrayal of trust. Holding back the sobs in my throat I managed to make it home without breaking into an emotional wreck. I knocked on the door and Inuyasha answered with a smile but his face fell at the tears going down my face.
"Kagome, what happened?" He asked taking my bags and ushered me into the house. I sat down and took Twilight from her carrier and unbundled the baby girl. She was smiling brightly at me blowing raspberries and spit at me. I smiled and her, kissed her forehead and set her down in her play pin before going to the kitchen where Inuyasha was putting the groceries away. "What happened?" He asked as soon as I stepped into the kitchen.
"I saw my friends from school. They started to prob me about my life now but I didn't tell them much. I told them I didn't want them trying to get information about my life now when they couldn't even stay by my side when I was pregnant and afraid." I answered sitting at the breakfast bar. Inuyasha opened the freezer door and pulled out a box scooting it across the counter to me and put away the ice cream I'd just bought. "Mochi?" I asked not pushing the box back but opened it and popped a mochi ball into my mouth savoring the texture and taste. 'Ah, vanilla.' I thought happily. I love vanilla mochi.
"Kagome, you know if I had been able to wake up at after that first night you told me you were pregnant I would have. I would have saved you from being so afraid to be pregnant from such and unbelievable situation." Inuyasha said resting his elbows on the counter just across from me. I smiled at him. I knew he would have married me on the spot to save me from the shifting glances and snide comments.
"I know you would have." I said needing to voice my thoughts. "But for what we have now, I would have gone through the same thing over again. I'm happy and I have you and Twilight in my life." I was telling him, he was worth everything in the past.
"Knock knock! Kagome, Inuyasha!" Sango's voice came from the front door. I smiled. "We came to see if you needed help." Sango greeted coming into the kitchen with Miroku on her heels.
"We also brought cake!" Miroku added holding up a cake from the store. I giggled and told him to set it by the fruit. "Where's my niece?" He asked just before Twilight started to cry. "I hear her!" He added heading off to my baby.
"So, Kagome, do you need any help?" Sango asked.
"Sure, Inuyasha can't cook to save his life." I joked smiling at Inuyasha and put another mochi ball in my mouth, he glared at me and stole one.
Sango laughed and asked, "What we making?"
"Inuyasha! Stay out of the kitchen!" I heard Sango shout as I came down stairs. Twilight had gotten sleepy and dinner was almost done.
"I was getting something to drink!" Inuyasha defended as I walked into the kitchen with a smile on my face. Between him and Miroku stealing bit of the food, Sango was getting irritated.
"Inuyasha." I warned coming up behind him. He spun around and hid behind me.
"Make a mean woman stop," he joked. Sango just glared at him. We had made a hearty western stake dinner for the occasion. Sesshomaru had called a little while ago announcing they'd be arriving within the hour. I couldn't stop the feeling of total dread as we waited.
"Come on, let's sit down and chat a bit." I suggested needing Inuyasha's calming affect to finally affect me. He had no worries about his father's approval of me. No one does now that I think about it. Sango nodded and we made our way to the living room, Miroku joined us from the wash room.
"Oh! Sango look at my new phone!" I said when it fell out of my pocket. "Inuyasha asked Sesshomaru to get me one!" I added unlocking the phone before handing it to Sango.
"Wow! This is really cute!" She said swiping through the 'pages'. "Wow, Inuyasha doesn't your company provide the software for this company?" Sango asked.
"Yeah, it's not out yet." Inuyasha admitted.
"Really? Wow, that's so amazing." I said shocked. "Hey-"
"Hello?" Sesshomaru called from the front door, no one around her knocks anymore.
"In the living room." Inuyasha called back standing up to greet his family. I followed suit with Sango and Miroku behind me. "Hey Rin, did you have fun with Papa?" Inuyasha asked hugging the small girl with long black hair and chocolate eyes. I love Rin. She's so sweet and has such a good heart, but she doesn't talk much after the death of her mother.
"Yes! Papa Inu is so nice and he plays with me on the jungle gym!" Rin said with a big toothy grin.
"Yes, he does do that." Inuyasha agreed standing back up and greeted his brother. I knelt down to Rin's level.
"Hi Rin. I'm glad you had fun today." I smiled.
"Is Twilight here?" She asked immediately.
"She's sleeping right now. You can so say 'hi' if you're really quiet." I said letting her scamper off to see the sleeping baby upstairs. "Be careful on the stairs." I added as she started up.
"Kagome," Sesshomaru greeted.
"Hello again." I smiled. "Thank you for coming over." I added, he nodded and greeting Sango and Miroku before taking a seat. I look up to Inuyasha and made eye contact with his father instead. Instantly I bowed like I'd been taught all my life. "Welcome. Thank you for coming." I said politely. Inuyasha came to my side and touching my hip and I straightened back up.
"My, what a polite young woman." Papa Takashi remarked happily. He had long hair just like his sons and he looked more similar to Sesshomaru than Inuyasha. All three had the same shade of hair color and eye color as well as skin tone. I looked to Inuyasha to gauge his reaction and found him just nodding with a smile. "And so beautiful. It's amazing how this son of mine manages to find such beautiful women to put up with him." Papa Takeshi said taking my hand. "I am InuTashio Takeshi. It is a long awaited family reunion you've help bring together." He said touching his lips briefly against the back of my hand.
"I take no credit. Inuyasha just needed a small nudge." I replied honestly. I really didn't feel like I had saved him like everyone thought. I just happened to be the only one who gave him the time of day. I watched Papa Takeshi's eyes regard me with curiosity.
"She's modest." Sesshomaru said startling me. I looked at him and he shrugged. "You are. We'd been waiting three year for him to wake up. No one could wake him, then we come our weekly visit to find him awake with you in his arms. It's hard not to be amazed at the story you two told, but the proof is indisputable. Your child, my niece is upstairs and he is walking around as if he'd never gone." Sesshomaru said.
"But I," I just stopped. The feeling of something horrible about to happen shot through my body. Inuyasha nudged me unsure why I had stilled. "Something wrong." I said looking to the second floor landing. "Rin!" I shouted running for the stairs as a small body staggered and fell. I was halfway up when I caught her cradling the small girl to my chest as we fell backwards. I had been able to catch her but the momentum didn't stop as I had hoped. Gripping her tight I braced for impact but felt arms catching me. I opened my eyes to see Papa Takeshi holding me up. "Inuyasha! Twilight!" I shouted when he stopped to check on us. Sesshomaru took Rin from my arms and searched her over for any signs of harm but only found a small dot of blood on her arm.
"Twilight! Kagome! Twilight's gone!" Inuyasha shouted coming out of her room looking wild and close to tears. My heart stopped. I had been to late to notice the danger and now my baby was gone. Rin was most likely drugged and someone took my baby. I felt numb, my throat starting to hurt, but I didn't know why until Inuyasha embraced me. I was shaking and screaming. I didn't think I was. I couldn't hear, everything seemed hallow and surreal as I clung to Inuyasha. My heart was breaking.
"My baby! My baby!" I finally heard my voice. Never in my life had I ever felt so broken so lost over someone. "Inuyasha, my baby!" I sobbed trying to find new words but I couldn't. My mind understood but my heart and soul just wanted my baby girl.
"Shh, we'll get her back Kagome. She'll be okay." Inuyasha said trying to calm me down but I knew he was saying it to keep himself calm too. That small child, our daughter is our world. She brought us together, she made our love grow, and she completed our family. "Sesshomaru call the police." I heard Inuyasha say.