Its been a long time, finally another chapter done! I hope you will enjoy!
The day was beautiful, white clouds basked the sky, the wind played with the light flurry snow. Kagome inhaled the brisk cold air. It was a great start towards Christmas which was one more week away, also in the time they were expecting their bundle of joy.
Kagome heavily made her way around the shrine, admiring the scenery. Her heavy clothes comforted her with warmth and comfort. The red and white miko robe did its work with blending into her job, but the stretchy material did not mask her enlarged stomach.
Heading towards the shrine that lead to her past, she carefully made her way towards the old well. Touching the edge of the well, feelings of the past began to surface. Images of people whom she longed to see, places she wished she could of visited more, the beautiful stillness of nature untouched by humans of her era. These were feelings of regret. Feelings that changed in time, regret for not staying true to her first love.
The sudden kick from her bulge reminded her of the present. Tracing her fingers along the stomach that housed and protected her precious gift, a smile was brought to her face. Hearing faint voices from outside she decided to return to her duties, gracefully making her way up the unsturdy stairs slowly.
Holding onto the railing with one hand, a sudden pain shot through the lower part of her stomach. She doubled over, letting go of the railing that steadied her. Once the pain subsided she lost her footing and began falling backwards. She let a scream, closing her eyes, afraid of the impact she was going to suffer from her stupidity.
But the impact never happened, her descending figure was no longer falling. She felt the warmth of another figure, arms wrapped around her midsection, heavily breathing blowing on her hair. Opening her eyes she found the white color of a dress shirt. Strain of long black hair flowing down the white dress shirt, light skin tone color. Rising her eyes she found bright amber eyes staring back at her.
Electric ran through both people as time seemed to stop. Kagome began to shake from shock as the emotions began to play in her eyes. The person holding her brought her outside the well house quickly, whiling trying to steady her on her feet. His hold on her was lose but his touch was still warm.
"Miss, are you alright?" He seemed to be repeating himself as he stared at the beautiful woman in his arms. Concern was laced in his voice. His eyes roaming the woman as he held her, his eyes foggy for some reason. His mind was swirling with curiosity, familiarity, questioning as if he someone knew this woman from somewhere. "Do I know you?" He seemed to ask without thinking.
"Yasha," another voice seemed to call towards him, breaking his train of thought.
Kagome turned towards the other voice, recognition playing its part. A sharp pain shot through her heart. She was just as beautiful as the day she remembered her, long dark brown gorgeous hair, flowing as she ran towards the pair. Worry was laced in her light brown eyes.
"Kikyo," the man named Yasha seemed to breath out. His hold loosened much, but he still had a steady hold on her. Turning his eyes towards Kagome he cracked a small smile. "I'm sorry for the quick rough hassle, but one more second and you would have been a cracked egg." He seemed to laugh a little at his useless joke. But it was cut short as a hand came out and smacked him upside the head.
Kikyo turned around towards Kagome with a smile of her own that gave her warmth. "I'm sorry about my husbands' idiocy. Are you alright?" She asked her while examining every inch of her body, noticing ahead of time the bulge from under her miko outfit.
Kagome could only nod her head, while trying to come up with explanations of what was happening. The past has returned but in the form of two people who she never thought she would see again.
"Ah, Kikyo that hurt." Yelled her black haired husband as he whimpered in pain from the smack he received. Kikyo just crossed her arms, while giving him a look. He grumbled a little more, as she continued to stare at her husband, a look that he seemed to listen to.
Kagome could only stare at the couple, a scene that would forever burn in her heart. She started to giggle from the scenery of Inuyasha being scolded by Kikyo and the thought brought her to a laughing fit. Her eyes began to tear as she caught the attention of the couple. Settling down, she could only offer a smile at the two. Tears of joy in her bright blue eyes as she flung herself into the two, wrapping her arms around them, bringing them into a hug. With a smile on her face.
"Thank you," was whispered as she closed her eyes and basked in the familiar yet different people as she held them close to her.
A bit shock from the sudden outburst from the small blue eyed woman, they could only hold her as she wept and thanked them.
Kagome spoke with the pair as she brought them into her house and out of the cold. She served them tea and desserts since it was just before dinner. They spoke of their lives.
Married for only a short about of time, they were high school sweethearts. Attending the same college together, they soon married after graduation. Kikyo was a teacher while Yasha owned his own Ramen shop.
Her emotions ran high, but her outer self remained calm. She noticed little things about the two people that sat in front of her.
Yashas' hair was dark as he night, his dark amber eyes were more hazel, than his previous life. His complaction more lighter. His hands were didn't seem as rough, knuckles were not as rounded from the use of a sword. His smile was more sincere and his eyes brighten more every time he stared at his wife.
Kikyo looked like her past self but her eyes held more warmth than when she was a walking earthbound soul that was resurrected from the dead. Her hair sparkled more but was shorter. Her touches towards her husband was more forward and held meaning. She was not scared nor embarrassed of their interactions as a couple. But her laugh spoke so much about her character and all Kagome could do was join along in the laughter, smiles and gestures. Enjoying the company of the two, while she left the past and looked towards the future.
Dinner came and went, she bid farewell towards her guess. They promised to return at a later date, remembering of the impending visitor from the bulge from Kagome's stomach.
As she watched from the perch of her window, the snow began to fall, as the figures descended down the long stairways. Their features disappearing with every step that imprinted the snow.
She closed her azure eyes, remembering this moment. They gathered along with her past memories. She let a lone tear slide down for the last time. A feeling of content passing through her heart. Her mind began to close on the image, finally realizing the reason for their visit. It was a calling, of remembrance, a token of gratitude. For the heart that once longed for another, now transparent to understanding.
She was able to let go of uncertainty and regret, to expectation and acceptance. Because the present was already set but the future was an accepting offer.