Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.

The Guest

"Hey, mom! Guess what! I—"

"Shh!"

Souta bit back the last of his shout. Blushing a little, he gave her a contrite look. "Sorry, mama," he said. "But, I just had to tell you—that test? I had the best score in the class!"

"Oh, that's wonderful!" she whispered. Her smile, and twinkling eyes, invited him to a hug. "I'm so proud of you!" She held him close for a long moment.

"I have news, as well," she said. "We have a guest, and even you may not believe who it is."

The boy gave his mother a puzzled look. "Umm... the well opened again?" he hazarded. It was certainly his fondest daydream—that the well would reopen, allowing his sister and Inuyasha to travel freely between times again.

He regretted the suggestion instantly, as pain flashed across his mother's face, and her eyes glittered with tears. She touched his face with a hand, then combed through his hair. "Oh, Souta," she whispered. "It never reopened." He blinked at the odd phrasing. "But, you're close—he's upstairs, asleep in Kagome's room. Take a look, if you want, but be quiet. He's … changed…"

He? Souta gave his mother's face a long look, then nodded, and turned towards the stairs. Leaving his bag in his room, he tiptoed towards the other bedroom. The door was open. Barely breathing, he peeked inside.

A claw-tipped hand, jutting out past the bed, caught his eyes first. Then the tattered hilt and darkened scabbard, held tightly in the other hand. Straggly white hair was scattered over the pillow-top, and on top of the skull, was a triangular, twitching ear.

Souta clung to the door frame. He wanted to shout in exuberant joy. Inuyasha was back.

A second look, and he wanted to cry.

Inu-no-oniichan looked so old!

Author's Note: This was written for the LiveJournal community "Inuyasha's Unsung Heroes," for the prompt #25: "Shout." It took first place.

This piece takes place on the same day as "Monster At the Door," which can be found at Little Bits, Chapter 19.