"But you just got here!" Kagome sniffed, clenching her fists on her lap as she sat at the edge of her bed, side by side with Inuyasha. He held one arm around her, still in the position they had fallen into almost an hour earlier when they had finally been released from her family's relentless questioning.
Of course, the first thing they had wanted to know about was the attack. Leaving out as many details as possible, Kagome had stumbled over a patched-together version of the story before sinking down into a chair at the table. Inuyasha had attentively sat in the chair beside her, still holding her hand in his reassuringly. Though it had been a long while, she made no indication that she wanted him to pull away, and as long as she didn't, he wasn't going anywhere.
"And you think it wasn't really Hojo?" Sota's brows furrowed together as he lifted the top of their electric kettle and began to fill it with water from the sink. Over the rushing sound of the tap, he pondered, "Do you think maybe a demon made it through the well before you did?"
"No one has ever been able to breach the well aside Kagome and I." Inuyasha reminded Sota, but bit his lip as he considered the possibility.
If Yura of the hair had been able to get her weapon through, perhaps then another demon could use the time rip to their own advantage somehow. Either way, there wasn't much he could do about it here without leaving Kagome unprotected. Still, back in the feudal era, Kaede may have some answers about shapeshifters and Sango would be an asset in terms of information about demons and their various abilities. And poisons, he thought, remembering that part of Kagome's story. Now that he knew there was a possibility this wasn't some human creation, he had to know more about what could still be coursing through her system.
However, that meant leaving this era if that was still possible. Inuyasha, though determined to keep his word and track down the lowlife who had attacked his Kagome (and make him pay in every way possible), was reluctant to attempt the jump. Even though Kagome was going to come with him, there was always the chance she wouldn't make it through, leaving them separated again. The thought tore him apart, but it was a risk he knew he would have to consider if he wanted a serious lead. Now as they collected themselves in her bedroom, he shut his eyes and tried to form thoughts out of the anxieties that refused to quell.
"Kagome, I won't leave you, but we do need some information." He slowly rubbed her back, pulling her closer into his chest. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she stared up at him mournfully.
"What if I don't make it through?"
"You jump first." He said it with certainty, hoping she wouldn't guess he was still unsure. If she did make it through and he didn't, that left her unprotected on the other side; but things over there had calmed down for the most part since Naraku's death, and Kagome was an efficient fighter. Still, she would have no bow, and the way to the village was quite a trek to be unarmed. Her last battle was three years ago, so he wasn't sure how her abilities had maintained. Deliberating, he gnawed on his lower lip until Kagome touched his cheek lightly with her index finger. He had to fight himself from taking her fingertip into his mouth, instead kissing it in appreciation. "If you don't make it, then we'll know. And if you make it, I don't see any reason why I wouldn't."
"But then I suppose, if I can't make it back to my time…" her silence made his chest constrict; it was too soon, he knew, to ask her to stay with him forever in the way he had already vowed to himself he would with her, and with such a recent trauma still affecting her he refused to add pressure with all that seriousness now. Instead, he lightly cupped her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb, heart swelling as a small smile drew on her lips.
"If it concerns you, then we'll stay here." He was resolute in this assurance, deciding if he had to do without help, he had done it before. At least now he would have Kagome by his side again.
"No, I want to try." Her voice was soft but decided; he could see that she meant what she said. Of course, when it came to the serious stuff, Kagome always had. It was something he'd always loved about her.
It would have gone unnoticed if they could suddenly intuit one another's feelings; the emotions would have overlapped effortlessly. A harsh mixture of excitement and terror rested over them as they held each other in silence, watching the digital clock speed through the minutes. Soon, they knew, they would be called down for dinner and her mother would want to hear their decision.
Although, unknown to Kagome and Inuyasha, as soon as she had rounded the corner and laid eyes on the hanyou in his familiar red getup, white dog ears swivelling to listen for her daughters' steps, her mother had known that it was likely Kagome's days of moping around the house were numbered. What would have surprised them all, her own fear and excitement would fit right into their current collective brooding. Before Kagome and Inuyasha had excused themselves to go upstairs and rest, her mother had pulled her aside to hold her close and, to Kagome's surprise and confusion, apologize for what had happened.
"Mom, it's not your fault." Kagome hugged her mom back, feeling guilty that she even had to know. Her heart sank as a shudder ran through the woman who raised her, and she pulled back to assess the wounds on Kagome's neck and lip.
"I'm not apologizing for me." She shook her head, "I'm apologizing that this sort of thing happens at all. Human or demon, and whatever the intent. It's an awful, awful crime, and it should not go unpunished. Kagome, if it turns out this is the work of a human…"
Kagome sighed, unable to maintain eye contact as she mumbled, "I promise if it is… I'll file a report."
"It is up to you, and I'll always support your decision." Mama Higurashi smiled at her daughter with a comforting earnest to her tone, one Kagome had always come to rely on. Her guilt began to wash away slowly, encouraged by the gratitude she felt to have her mother with her, and especially understanding that it might take some time for her to feel ready to come forward – if she did. Her mom placed one hand on Kagome's shoulder and appraised her expression seriously, quietly pleading, "Just keep me updated, okay? Please?"
"Of course, mom." Kagome hugged her mother shortly before following Inuyasha up to her bedroom where he waited, arms open; another thing to be grateful for, as her knees had begun to feel a little weak again. I'm sure I'm just tired. She reasoned, even as her eyelids drooped. A lot has happened in so little time.
Later they joined the rest of the family at the table, Kagome helping to serve and Sota setting the dishes, showing Inuyasha what to do to help (but mostly putting him in charge of small things like napkins and cups). Once everyone was seated, Kagome was given a chance to eat and listen with growing interest as Inuyasha answered, as best he could, the parade of questions launched at him in such a swift manner. How did he get through, when did he get through? What had he been doing all this time?
"Eh, mostly helping Miroku with some of our small local demons, a few exorcisms here and there. I just swing the sword and boom, goods and foods, dry stuffs, bolts of fabric." Shovelling some rice into his mouth regardless of the heat, Inuyasha mumbled through a mostly full mouth, "The usual spoils of Miroku's unique brand of self-interest."
"I'm so glad that some things never change." Kagome giggled, thinking back to Miroku as they had met him, a cunning and conniving thief of sorts, deft with his weapon and clever enough to swindle entire towns out of their valuables before they'd realized what had happened.
"Yeah, but now with all those kids to feed, he's even more shameless." Recalling his latest gimmick, a three-barrel take home, Inuyasha rolled his eyes. The monk really was a con man.
"Oh, you're an aunt, Kagome!" her mother squealed, shooting her daughter a broad smile. "How many babies, Inuyasha, how old?"
"Mo-om, that's boring stuff." Sota groaned, filling his plate with another helping as he excitedly nudged Inuyasha with his elbow, "Tell us about the demons, Inuyasha, are there any as bad as that Naraku?"
"No, none like that." The hanyou laughed, reaching for another roll, his appetite ever unsatiated. "Your sister and I took care of him, and everything has been pretty quiet sense. A little too quiet, really boring, actually."
"Until now." Kagome interjected, smiling.
"Yeah, until now." Inuyasha agreed, taking her hand. He tried to ignore the way her mother and brother's eyes watched the seemingly subtle movement with wide and intrigued eyes flashing. He had forgotten that the last time they had seen them, they weren't nearly as physically comfortable with one another. Embarrassed to be observed in such a way, especially in Kagome's family's home, he released her hand and went back to his food. Even Gramps, having noted the connection between Kagome and Inuyasha, let a smile creep up his face at his daughter-in-law, who crossed her eyes quickly in response, just between the two of them.
Kagome had long since abandoned the plate below her as she listened for anything in his stories she may have missed, any new information she could place with the picture of Inuyasha during their time apart. Three years had really been too long, and with every minute she was near him, it became increasingly evident just how much time they had lost.
"Mom," She abruptly interrupted the silence that had grown, gazing at Inuyasha before turning to smile at her mom from across the table. Already, she could see her mother's expression lilting into a peaceful look of knowing, even before Kagome stated with conviction and elation, "We're going back."