Chapter 2: Before the storm

"So, you sat him again, didn't you?" asked Sango with a sigh. It seemed something would never change.

"That jerk deserved it!" Kagome huffed angrily. "He called me useless again!"

They both were sitting near the stream, washing clothes. Kagome had just finished her story about her recent demon-slaying experience.

Some days ago a man from distant village came looking for a help. It wasn't something serious, just some demon stealing vegetables. Usually Miroku or Inuyasha managed to deal with such small fries with ease. It would be nearly routine, if Kagome hadn't decided to come with them. Well, it happened some times before, more often before Hikari's birth, but…

"Still, I can't get the point of your quarrel," said Sango looking at her friend with slight worry. "You dealt with demon. Nobody was injured. So what's the problem?"

Kagome looked at the sky then admitted with deep sigh:

"Maybe, the problem is me. You know, six years ago when we were travelling and fighting together, we formed unbreakable bonds. Now, it seems to me that our team is falling apart. I'm afraid that our bonds may be severed or that I won't be needed anymore…"

"Isn't that stupid?" Sango smiled. Somehow she could understand her best friend. Sometimes she felt the same. "Isn't it great, that there is no never-ending fighting anymore? Besides, I don't think that our bonds are so fragile. Don't you remember? We both find real friends and our true love in that journey. I won't disregard it so easily".

"Haven't you missed those day?" asked Kagome.

"I have," nodded her friend. "But I'd better never lift my Hiraikotsu, than let this peace end. It's more important for me that my loved ones are safe and happy. I'd already given up on fighting when I decided to become a wife and mother. Maybe, it will be better for you to do the same…"

The young miko kept silent. Sango definitely had a point. Neither of them had no need to fight for any reason. Kagome turned around, watching the village children playing nearby. She immediately found Hikari, whose silver hair clearly stood out. Then the young woman turned her gaze to Sango's twins, Natsumi and Natsuko, who were busy gathering flowers. Their younger brother Seiichi was sitting nearby. Those three were born during Kagome's absence.

However, Miroku and Sango hadn't stopped with three children. For now, their youngest son, six-month-old Mikage was sleeping peacefully behind his mother's back.

"Isn't it difficult to have such a big family?" Kagome wondered without noticing she'd actually said it aloud.

"Not at all," Sango suddenly laughed. "Miroku once asked me for at least ten or dozen children. But I plan to bear a child for each time when that lecherous monk asked anybody to do so!" her face suddenly darkened from anger as she remembered catching Miroku with some local beauties today.

Kagome sweatdropped. It seemed there wasn't any force in the world that was able to change Miroku. Even if the monk loved his wife greatly, he still remained a devoted admirer of women's beauty.

But a big family really seemed nice. Kagome actually wanted two or even three children. Without doubts, Hikari would be happy to become an elder sister. And Inuyasha… Well, no matter how great was his love for his daughter, he still dreamed about son, even if he had never said it aloud.

A sudden yelp, followed by a loud crying, broke Kagome's train of thought. She looked around only to see a crying Seiichi and very angry Hikari.

"Hikari, you shouldn't beat your friends," Kagome frowned. Really, sometimes her daughter was too rude.

"Sei-chan's deserved that kick," interrupted Sango. "He's following his father bad example lately. It seems there are already two perverts in my family. I only hope it doesn't run in the blood and Mi-chan will never become like them," she looked at her youngest with clear concern.

"Still, Hikari is a bit too harsh," disagreed the miko. "Who knows what will happen because of…"

"You're worried," interrupted Sango, examining her friends face. "Worried about her wellbeing. As a mother myself I can understand only by looks. But there's no need to worry. Hikari is the same as every other child of her age".

"But it's not entirely true," Kagome looked down. "She still has demon blood in her veins. I don't want Hikari to become an outcast…"

"But she won't," her best friend stated firmly. "She has a wonderful family and good playmates. Besides, I'm sure, Hikari will grow as strong-willed and kind as you. It simply can't be otherwise".

The young miko looked at Sango with gratitude. She always remained an elder sister figure to her, comforting her and giving wise advices. Maybe, because of that Kagome could tell Sango more than anybody else.

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As Kagome and Sango were returning to the village, they met Rin who was sitting on the stone, sorting some flowers absent-mindedly. Noticing them, the girl waved her hand. Rin wasn't that little girl she was a few years before, she had grown up and become a real beauty.

"She'll leave the village," said Sango thoughtfully, when they approached the village.

"Do you mean Rin?" asked Kagome. "Why do you think so? She has many dear people here. Besides, she still has time before her final decision…"

"Rin had already decided many years ago," Sango looked at the sky. "Sesshoumaru most probably thought she would learn to trust humans more and stay here forever. Yet while Rin had found many friends in the village, her heart isn't here. She will follow Sesshoumaru once more, sooner or later…"

"Because she's fallen in love with him," Kagome sighed. After all, she could understand Rin's feelings. A childish admiration and affection had eventually turned into something more complex. "I only hope she'll be all right. Rin deserves her own happiness as well".

"That's…" Sango wanted to add something, but suddenly stopped noticing some unusual commotion in the village. "Something is definitely wrong…"

Both women hurried to the gathered crowd. There was an exhausted young man in the centre of it. Somebody gave him some water and now he was drinking greedily.

"What's happen?" inquired Kagome. She felt an unpleasant sensation clutch at her heart, and she couldn't tell herself what that sensation was.

'Something terrible will happen,' a sudden premonition flashed across her mind.

"A bunch of demons attacked his village," answered Miroku, approaching two women. "Nothing serious," he added with reassuring smile.

Yet, Kagome clearly saw a shadow of concern inside his eyes…

A\N: Never liked author notes. I never know what to write here. It's much easier for me to write actual story)))