A/N: Hey guys, I think I'm getting this updated pretty quickly. {Five chapters in two-ish days? Schweet.} I'm just so excited to share this story with you, and get the words in my brain written down before I forget them. I've just been struck with an amazing need to just write! I'll also maybe start working on a few more stories at the same time as this one.
And, without further adieu, onto the story!
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Chapter 5: Welcome Home, Tamako!
The last few days had been a whirlwind for Inuyasha. He had not gone back into the well yet, for fear that it would not allow him back into this time. His heart would crush if he lost his daughter in that short of a time. But, it had been decided that he would take Tamako back to the Feudal Era and raise her there. With any luck, Mrs. Higurashi would see her again, as hanyous tended to have a ridiculously long lifespan. And, amazingly, she was a full hanyou, half human, half demon. Probably because his demon blood took over during conception, and also the fact that she had very powerful demon blood running through her veins.
But, it had been quietly decided between him and Mrs. Higurashi, that he would pick his daughter up from this kindergarten she was going to once it let out. He didn't really know what it was, but after being explained, it sounded a lot like that school thing that Kagome used to go to.
So Mrs. Higurashi had Inuyasha all dressed up in modern clothes, clothes that had once belonged to her late husband, Kagome and Souta's father. He didn't like the clothes, but he thought it would be a nice surprise for his little girl, to see him coming to pick her up from school. So, he reluctantly let Mrs. Higurashi help pick out the clothes and show him how to put them on. Dressed in a pair of blue jeans that were a lot tighter than he was used to, tennis shoes, and a red t-shirt, finishing off with a baseball cap on his head to hide his hanyou ears, since he did not have any sort of concealment charm like Tamako had. Kagome had made that specially for their daughter, so of course he wouldn't have it.
Walking the streets of Tokyo, he sighed softly. He remembered walking with Kagome what felt like forever ago, just along these streets. He also could remember a few times when he leaped across the tops of the buildings to find her at school for some reason or another. This was a lot like those times. But, now he was dressed in 'normal' human clothes, and he was alone. Mrs. Higurashi had given him directions to her school.
Coming up on the school, he looked up at all the children gathering around outside, playing before their parents came to pick them up. Smiling as his eyes laid on Tamako playing with the other children. However; his ears twitched underneath his hat a little as he heard the altercation that was happening between his daughter and the kids.
"Shut up, Higurashi! You're being stupid" one of the boys yelled to her.
"Nuh uh! Its the truth! My Okaa saved the world! And you better stop being mean to me or my otouu will hurt you!" she yelled back at the boy. Inuyasha had to admire the gleam in his daughters eyes. It was just like her mothers, when she would have an argument with him and that determination she would get to win. Standing there for a second, he thought he would see how she handled the situation.
"How could your okaa save the world? Huh? She didn't even graduate! You had to graduate school to save the world."
"Yeah, and I heard she had you cause she was loose! Thats what my brother said anyway."
"Uh huh, and your Otou doesn't even careee about you!"
The kids taunted her. It was a group of two boys and one girl. Tamako glared at them, tears starting to well in her eyes a little. "Nuh uh! Shut up! My Otou will be mad at you! He's gunna take me home and away from all you! And my homes better than yours!" she yelled in response. She knew of the plan to take her back to the Feudal Era. Of course Inuyasha had asked her opinion on the matter, even if she was just a four year old girl, he wanted to make sure that was what she wanted. She was old enough to decide, he thought at least.
The taunts made Inuyasha grip his hands into tight fists, remembering the teasing he'd endured throughout his childhood was now reflected upon his daughter. So, it wasn't the same type of teasing, it was over a different matter.
Though, what sent him over the edge was the sight of one of the boys shoving his daughter so she fell onto the ground. Growling deep in his throat, glaring at the boy. Nobody would touch his daughter like that. Even though Tamako refused to cry out of sheer stubbornness, he could tell it'd hurt. Seeing her sitting on the ground, tears in her eyes that she refused to let fall, glaring up at the boy. She was definitely his and Kagome's child alright.
Walking over to them, that shove having been enough. He noticed the kids seem to look up at him and he could tell the panic in their eyes as they worried about getting in trouble. Oh they should worry for far more than that. Kneeling by his daughter, he carefully helped her up, giving her a soft smile. "Hey there, princess. Are you okay? These mean boys didn't hurt you, did they?" he asked in a caring voice. That sort of speech from him was only reserved for two people, Kagome and Tamako. Even though Kagome would never hear him talk like that again.
Tamako's eyes looked up at her father, and she instantly felt better. Quickly moving to hug him around his neck. "Otouusaann!" she squealed in delight as she pulled herself close into his embrace.
His arms encircled her, bringing her up close to him as he looked at the kids staring at them. "You kids better run. Stop picking on kids, you hear me? Especially mine." he told them. Holding his daughter, his arm moving down from around her waist to just underneath her butt as he stood up, bringing her with him. Flashing her a smile as he kissed the top of her head.
"Ready to go, princess?"
Princess. He liked that. She was his princess after all, and its what she deserved, he knew that.
Tamako nodded quickly, smiling happily at her father. "Yes Otou! Can we go see home today? Please otou? I wanna go so bad." she said excitedly in his arms.
Inuyasha smiled at her eagerness as he started to walk from the school yard and towards the shrine. "Yes, we're going home today. Is there anything you want to do before we leave?" he asked. Mrs. Higurashi had given him some money to take Tamako somewhere if she wanted. He'd learned a lot about this time period in the past few days as he spent time bonding with his daughter.
The look on Tamako's face stiffened as she thought carefully. "Anyyything I wanna do? Annnything?" she asked mischievously.
Instantly after she said those words, the look on Inuyasha's face was that of puzzlement. "I said anything. So yes, anything you want to do. If we go back to my world, you won't be able to see this one for a very, very long time. So I mean it, anything." he told her.
The smile that crossed her lips made his heart melt. He'd never felt this way towards anyone else other than Kagome. And, in that instant in his mind, he silently thanked her for giving him this little girl in his arms. She just seemed so excited, and it made him so happy that he could do that for her.
Tamako pointed out an ice cream place that her grandmother had taken her to a lot, but she knew her father hadn't been there. "Can we go get ice cream? Obaasan said they don't have none at home, and said you never had none before." she asked, looking up at him.
Ice-cream? She really wants to eat ice?
Inuyasha wasn't too sure what ice cream was, but if thats what she wanted, he would take her there. Nodding slowly. "I did say anything." he said. Slowly walking to the intersection like Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome had taught him in the past, and waiting for the light to turn the color of green before he walked across. He still didn't understand the customs of this time completely, but he did know what to do. Walking into the shop, he looked around. It was so cold in there, and everyone was eating things that smelled so, so good. Walking up to the counter, he looked up at the menu before back to Tamako.
"What should we get? You pick." he said as he watched her little face stare at the glass that showed the ice cream flavors sitting in their containers. When she decided what she wanted, he walked up to the counter, instantly freezing at the sight of the woman behind the cash register.
"Inu...Yasha? Is that you?" the sound of Eri's voice ringing to his ears.
Nodding slowly to her as he held Tamako softly. "Yeah...its me. You...were Kagome's friend, right?" he asked reluctantly. Being with Tamako made his heart feel better, made the tang of grief not so hard. She made him feel as though he had a reason to live again after finding out the news of Kagome's death.
Eri nodded to him and smiled. "Yeah! You were Kagome's boyfriend! Oh my gosh its been forever!" she said, looking at Tamako. She knew the child, all of Kagome's old friends did. "Hello Tamako." she said cheerfully.
To answer her, Tamako smiled brightly. "Hiya Eri! You know my Otousan too?!" she asked excitedly.
The childs words clicked within Eri's mind. No one had put two and two together to realize that Kagome's child was Inuyasha's. Kagome didn't talk much about the father of the baby she carried in high school. It just seemed to depress her. Nobody had given a second thought to the parental heritage of Tamako. The idea made Eri's eyes widen as she looked at Inuyasha.
"You're...Tamako's father?! Are you serious?" she asked, instantly wanting to barrage him with questions as anger boiled in her blood. How could Inuyasha leave Kagome while she was pregnant, to only show up years after her friends passing?
Inuyasha nodded slowly. "I am. I didn't...mean to be gone so long. But, I'm here, and I brought her here because she requested it.." he started, not wanting to enter into a painful conversation. The day had been going so well since he saw his daughters smiling face. Looking up at her, he smiled to her. "Tell Eri what you want." he informed her before looking back at the woman. "And I'll try whatever she's having..."
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After finishing their ice cream, Inuyasha left the parlor without so much as a second glance to Eri. He wanted to enjoy his day with his daughter, not relive harmful memories of the past. He had many nights to relive those on his own, to sulk over his decisions, blame himself. But, the day time hours like now were for her.
He would put on a smile, for her.
He would wake up in the morning, for her.
He would do anything, for her.
She was his heart now, and thats all that mattered.
Walking along the sidewalk with her in his arms still, refusing to allow her to walk. For her to walk, she'd have to be out of his embrace, away from him. She had quickly become his anchor to his sanity, to the world. And he was okay with that.
"So...getting ice cream is all you wanted to do?" he asked the girl, looking ahead at where he was going.
She seemed to think on the decision for a long time. After all, how many chances would she get to have her father completely at her whim? More times than she could even comprehend, really. But, she didn't know that. "Otou, can we go to the park and play?" she asked. When he nodded his approval of the idea, she pointed him in the direction of the park just a short distance of the shrine.
Walking with her, cradling her against his chest in his strong arms. When she indicated where she wanted to go, to one of those...sw-ing things. Looking at the contraptions on the playground in the park, he had no idea what most of them did. But when she squirmed in his arms, he sat her down, seeing her run off. He was only a step behind her when she climbed up onto the swing, sitting there.
"Otou push mee! Back and forth." she instructed.
Push her? Why the hell would I push her?
But, he listened to her. Walking up behind her and pushing her on the swing the way she instructed, hearing a fit of giggles coming from the little girl. And he decided it was a good thing each time he heard her yell "Higher otou!" and he complied with her wishes, making sure she didn't swing too high though.
Looking back at her father as he pushed her back and forth on the swing, she smiled. "Is there swings in your world, otou?" she asked curiously.
He shook his head slowly. "No. Theres a lot of things in this world that isn't in mine. But...I could build you one of these things if you'd like..." he offered.
The idea of that made her face light up with joy, nodding. "Yeah! And you'll swing me on it too?" she asked, seeing him nod to her in response. Kicking her legs a little in happiness, she smiled.
"What are the kids like where you live?" she asked.
This question made the older hanyou shrug. "I'm not sure. I don't know many kids. Except Sango and Miroku's...they have twin girls and a boy..." he started. Seeing the confused look on her, he smiled. "Sango and Miroku are good friends of your mama and me. They helped us in our quests. You will like them, Tamako."
"Will they like me?" she asked in a concerning voice.
He shook his head, instantly putting a frown on the girls face. "No. They'll love you." he said. Unsatisfied with the reaction he got from her, only seeing that frown plastered on her face. Stopping the swing gently before kneeling down in front of her. "Whats wrong?" he asked knowingly.
At first, Tamako shook her head and pouted her lips. "Nutin'." she instantly said, looking up to meet her fathers gaze. Seeing the stern look on his face, telling her that he knew something was the matter, she sighed. "Kids aren't nice to me, Otou. They don't like me. They say mean things about Okaa...and I hate it. They say I lie, that she wasn't strong. And they call her mean names." she admitted.
This admittance made Inuyasha's ears pin back underneath his baseball cap, shaking his head. "Keh, don't listen to them Tamako. They're idiots. Your mama was the best woman alive, you hear me? Don't you ever believe nasty things people say to you. Sango and Miroku will love you, their kids will love you, everyone will. And if they don't, guess what? Nobody cares about their opinion. Got me?" he asked her sternly, resting his fingers underneath her chin. Leaning forward and kissing the top of her head and giving her a smile. He did not want his daughter to go through things the way he did when he was a child. And he knew first hand, that humans could be cruel.
Tamako slowly smiled to him, nodding slowly. "They're just mean!" she exclaimed. Leaning forward and kissing the tip of her fathers nose. "Otou...where you live...do I have to wear this necklace? I...I like my ears. I miss them when I gotta wear it. But Obaa says I have to because people don't understand."
Inuyasha shook his head, smiling to her. "No, you don't. Not unless you want to of course. I don't hide my ears. People still don't understand, and they're just afraid of what they don't understand..." he said.
Wow, I'm starting to sound like Kagome...I guess she rubbed off on me more than I'd thought...
With a smile, he opened his arms to her. "Come on, Tamako...we should head back to the shrine to get ready to go home." he told her.
This earned him a smile in return from the girl as she stood up, quickly hopping into her fathers arms so he could stand and walk towards the shrine. Looking up at him with amazement in her eyes. "I can't wait, Otou.."
"Neither can I."
Though still, he was quite nervous about the journey ahead of him. How will people react when he came back? He even wondered if they worried about him, how he'd been gone for several days. Though, that was no mystery. He'd sometimes disappear for a few days to a week, to clear his thoughts, to stare at the well, anything.
But, this time he would come back with the most precious thing he could ever hope to have; his daughter.
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After gathering the things they wished to take, he carried not only his daughter in one hand, but two bags in another. One of those bags had all of the things Kagome had made for him. The journal, scrap book, pictures, all of it. And the other bag held all of Tamako's things that she wished to bring with her. She'd taken off the concealment necklace to stuff into her bag for safe keeping. She didn't want to hide the deep silver dog ears atop of her head.
"Are you ready, Tamako?" Inuyasha asked his daughter slowly, standing on the ledge of the well with her. Seeing her nod in response, he smiled. "Hold on tight." he said as he launched himself forward, jumping into the well.
She held onto his haori tightly in both of her little hands. The instant blue magic enveloped them, and her eyes widened, an awed expression escaping her lips as she felt the weightlessness overtake them. It was so magical, one hand slowly let go, the other carefully holding onto her fathers haori. Her free hand reached out, almost as if to grab the blueness around her, causing Inuyasha to chuckle a little as he watched her.
Though, it was over all too fast for Tamako. Gravity took hold again as he floated down to rest on his feet in the well on his era. Her fingers returning to grip him when he powerfully jumped up in one leap to land on the soft grass outside of the well.
Her eyes stayed wide as she looked around. It was so beautiful, the smells were so wonderful. It was so much quieter now than it had been before they jumped into the well. So much was hitting her senses all at once as she tried to determine what they all meant.
Inuyasha took a moment to let his daughter take in everything around them, all of the trees and the nature. After a few moments, he slowly started to walk towards Kaede's village, answering her small questions.
"Otou, whats that?" pointing to an object.
"Its a certain kind of plant. Humans use them for herbs."
"Oooo otou its a butterfly! I like butterflies, will you help me chase them?"
Chuckle. "Maybe later."
"Why's it smell so different here? It smells good..."
"Because we're in Feudal Japan, princess. Tokyo hasn't been built yet."
"The shrine hasn't been built yet?"
"Not yet."
As they entered in sight range of the hut that Miroku and Sango shared, he looked up a little, motioning towards it. "See that? Thats Miroku and Sango's house." he explained to her. Walking up to the hut, he could see the slayer inside. It must be about dinner time.
Walking to the hut, he softly sat his things down outside so his hand could lightly knock at the wood beside the door. Hearing Sango's voice of 'come-in', he pushed the matting to one side with his free hand and walked in, looking down at the family. "Hey." he said, trying to act nonchalant.
Sango looked up, about to greet the hanyou before she noticed the girl in his arms. Pausing, she blinked, tilting her head to one side. "Inuyasha..." she said, looking at Tamako.
Slowly Inuyasha made his way towards them, taking a seat by Sango and Miroku. Miraculously the twins and their son were in the bedroom, snoozing away in their afternoon nap before dinner. Sitting Tamako in his lap lightly, seeing the way she clung to him, almost shy as she looked at the two people who stared wide-eyed at her.
Sighing, Inuyasha knew he had to explain. "Miroku...Sango, this is Tamako. My...daughter." he admitted, his ears flattening a little. Tamako looked up at them timidly, hiding into her fathers chest.
Miroku and Sango exchanged looks before looking back at him. It was Sango who broke the silence with a small smile. "Hi there Tamako. My name is Sango. My, thats a beautiful name. Whats it mean?" she asked.
"Obaasan said it means jewel child. Obaa said Okaa named me that because of the Shikon no Tama that brought her to meet my Otou." she answered.
"So Kagome is your mother?" Sango asked, getting a nod from the child.
Miroku's eyes looked up at Inuyasha slowly. "Where is Kagome-chan, then? Did you not bring her back with you?" he asked curiously.
Just the question caused the hanyou's head to look down. Tamako hid her face in her fathers haori as he answered for her. "Kagome's gone. Lets not talk about that right now, okay? Its Tamako's first day here..." he said, rubbing his daughters back lightly.
The demon slayer nodded and then smiled. "Well, Tamako that is a very pretty name. You look a lot like your okaa. She was very pretty, and so are you." she told her.
Miroku nodded, giving the child a soft smile. "Indeed she was." he agreed with his wife.
Inuyasha nodded his thanks before glancing to Miroku. "Where are your kids? Asleep?"
Miroku nodded to him. "Yes, thankfully. For the moment. They'll awaken pretty soon I'd imagine. The rice just finished cooking."
While questions burned in the monk and slayers minds, they knew better than to ask them. They both could tell that the answers were probably Inuyasha's personal hell on earth.
It was as if they heard their fathers words. Three small figures started to stir in the other room, moving themselves from their bedding to start walking into the other room. The twins yawned slowly. "Otooou, I hungry." one said. Looking up, seeing Tamako sitting on Inuyasha's lap, instantly her face brightened at the new child. And she had the same ears as Inuyasha too! Wonderful.
Quickly the first little girl ran up to Tamako in Inuyasha's lap, squealing her delight. "Hiiii!" she squealed. "I'm Sara!"
"And I'm Chiyo!" her twin announced just after her.
Both of the girls running to her caused Tamako to jump, bringing herself closer to her father instantly. "I...I'm Tamako." she said in a wavering voice.
The twins instantly took her hands, both bringing her out of the safety of her fathers lap, insisting that they go play. Tamako's wide chocolate eyes looked back at her father, pleadingly. Inuyasha only smiled a little. "Stay within the hut, please." he told the girls.
Once Tamako's attention was pulled to the sleeping quarters of the girls, to play whatever games the children could play, Inuyasha glanced towards his friend, an almost pleading look in his eyes.
"Whats the matter, my friend?" the monk asked.
"How...I...I have no idea...what I'm doing.." he answered, his ears lowering and staring after Tamako. He was not usually so open with his friends, but he needed help.
Sango smiled to him. "Its alright, Inuyasha. No new parent knows what they're doing. Gosh I nearly pulled my hair out sometimes when the kids would cry and I would have no idea what they needed. You learn with time. I'm sure this'll be a learning experience for you both since she's lived in Kagome's world all this time..."
Inuyasha nodded slowly. "She has. Kagome...Kagome wanted her raised here. Her mother wished to honor her wishes...so do I. But..theres no way Kagome could have known I would have to do this by myself..." he started. Sighing, seeing the confusion in his friends faces. "She died in childbirth. She couldn't go to one of those places of the future because...obvious reasons. So she died. Okay? Thats all that will be discussed of that. Tamako does not need to be reminded." he insisted, instantly protective of his daughter.
Both of his friends nodded. "Agreed." they said in unison.
"I will help you as much as I can, Inuyasha. After all, what are friends for. You have room for her at your hut, correct?" Miroku asked.
Nodding in response, Inuyasha looked up. "Of course I do. I built that hut for when Kagome came back...I had to make sure to have room for her..." he admitted. It was the first time he'd admitted he built that hut for Kagome. Beforehand, he would just say he didn't want to mooch off his friends anymore, that he didn't want to be a burden and only needed it to keep him warm in the winter.
The slayer only smiled to him. "Don't worry Inuyasha, you'll be able to do it."
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Staying a few hours at Sango and Miroku's effectively tired Tamako out. The twins wore her out. They'd had to be reprimanded a few times for pulling on Tamako's ears out of curiosity, being reminded that she was just a child and her ears were more sensitive than Inuyasha's. Well, maybe not more sensitive, just Inuyasha could take the twins tugging on them a lot more than Tamako. And, hearing a whine of pain from his pups lips made his anger bubble up every time. So, better to provide that excuse than to allow it to continue.
The child was contently asleep against her fathers chest as he carried her securely to the hut that he'd built several years ago, carrying the bags in his free hand. Walking quietly as not to awaken the child, moving to the hut and brushing the door aside once they'd finally gotten there. Putting the bags off to one side, stepping forward and into the bedroom he'd built for Kagome and himself to one day share. Shifting Tamako's weight against him, he carefully rolled out the futon he'd gotten. Gently laying her on the bedding and covering her without waking her.
Settling down just next to his daughter, laying on his side, one arm resting protectively around her, he was content with watching her sleep there in that instant. Leaning to kiss the top of her head.
"Welcome home, Tamako..." he whispered gently against her head as not to wake her.
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A/N: I just had to write a bit of a happier chapter! And what better than having Inuyasha spend the day with his daughter? This one is also quite a bit longer than a few of the other ones. Do you like the longer chapters, or the shorter ones? Let me know!
I hope you enjoyed it!