Chapter 3:
The air was thick with the scent of pine and the warmth of a late summer sun as Kagome and Grog led their small company through the winding paths of the western forests. Their band of warriors was a mismatched group—mercenaries, soldiers, and mages drawn from various corners of the land—brought together by the promise of adventure and a common enemy.
They'd been traveling for days, the camaraderie among them growing with each step. Laughter punctuated the sounds of their footsteps, and the tension of battle seemed like a distant memory. Kagome walked beside Grog, their strides naturally in sync. He held a massive water flask, taking a long drink before offering it to her with a playful smirk.
"Thirsty, little flower?" he teased, using the nickname that had stuck since the day they met on the battlefield.
Kagome rolled her eyes but accepted it, taking a sip before handing it back. "Thank you, Grog. Surprised you left any for me," she shot back with a smirk.
A sharp whistle from one of the mages, a tall elven woman named Lyria, caught their attention. "There they go again," she called out, leaning against her staff. "Kagome and Grog, acting like an old married couple."
A chorus of chuckles and playful jeers followed. Another warrior, a young archer named Fenric, wagged his eyebrows. "It's true! You two should just make it official already. You'd save us the betting pool."
Kagome felt warmth rush to her cheeks as she glanced sideways at Grog. The Goliath's grin faltered just for a moment, his expression thoughtful before it returned to its usual carefree nature.
"Aye, maybe we should!" Grog bellowed, clearly taking the joke in stride. But when his laughter trailed off, his eyes met Kagome's with a flicker of something deeper. For a split second, it felt as though they were the only two in the world.
Kagome chuckled, forcing herself to break the gaze. "If we're married, Grog, then you'd have to share that flask of yours more often."
The camp burst into laughter again, but the teasing left a seed planted in both their minds. That night, as the fire crackled and the stars blanketed the sky, Kagome found herself unable to sleep. She sat at the edge of the camp, watching the embers dance and feeling the cool breeze on her skin. Her thoughts drifted to Grog—his laughter, the way his presence seemed to ground her, and the fierce loyalty that burned in his eyes whenever he looked her way.
Unbeknownst to her, Grog had the same restlessness. He approached quietly, his massive frame casting a shadow across the firelight. "Can't sleep?" he asked, settling beside her with a heavy sigh.
Kagome shook her head, a small smile playing at her lips. "It's the teasing. Got me thinking."
"About what?" Grog's voice was low, uncharacteristically serious.
She hesitated, tracing the edge of her bow with her fingers. "About us. About whether they might be right."
He didn't answer at first, just stared into the fire, the reflection of the flames dancing in his eyes. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer than she'd ever heard it. "Maybe they are. Ain't felt like this before, Kagome. Not just fighting, not just watching your back. It's… more."
Kagome looked up, meeting his gaze. In that moment, the unspoken truths between them came to light. They were more than comrades, more than warriors bound by battle. The realization settled over them like the warmth of the fire, undeniable and profound.
"I think… I feel the same," Kagome whispered.
A slow smile spread across Grog's face, filled with equal parts relief and happiness. He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek. "Then maybe we're not just a bet to be won after all."
They sat together in silence, the teasing of their friends no longer just a joke but the spark that had brought them here, on the edge of something neither had dared to name until now.
As the evening wound down and the laughter subsided, Grog cleared his throat, gathering the courage to speak up. He looked first at Kagome, then at Koji, a rare vulnerability in his gaze. This might be his only chance to truly know his son and reconnect with Kagome, and the thought of losing that weighed heavily on him.
"Kagome," he began, his voice low but resolute, "I've missed a lot… maybe too much. I know you two have your own lives, your own battles. I'd never want to drag you into ours. But, well… what we're facing isn't just about Vox Machina or me anymore. It's a fight for all of us. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid." He paused, glancing down for a moment. "Afraid I might not come out of this one. But maybe… if you'd travel with us, I could make up for all that lost time. Least a little."
Kagome's eyes softened, and a knowing smile crept across her face. She stepped forward, reaching out to place a hand on Grog's arm. "That was the plan all along, Grog," she replied, her voice warm with reassurance. "Koji may be young, but he's as stubborn as his father." Her gaze flicked over to her son, who straightened with a proud, almost defiant look. "And as for me? I've seen the darkness creeping over the lands, the kind of evil that's been festering in the shadows. If there's anything I can do to help stop it, to help bring peace, I will."
She took a step closer, meeting Grog's gaze head-on, her voice turning softer, more intimate. "Besides, getting to see your handsome mug every day is a bit of a bonus, wouldn't you say?" Her eyes sparkled mischievously, and her words hung in the air, unguarded and bold.
Koji's cheeks flared red as he tried to look anywhere but at his mother's face. "Mother!" he groaned, shooting her a mortified look.
But Kagome only laughed, unfazed by her son's embarrassment. She squeezed Koji's shoulder, giving him a gentle, reassuring smile. "Oh, don't worry, Koji. It's all part of being a parent—and as long as I'm here, I'll be fighting by your side. Both of you."
Grog's expression softened, gratitude and something deeper flickering in his eyes. He let out a relieved, rumbling chuckle. "Well, can't say I expected all this when I woke up this mornin'… but, damn if it don't feel right." He gave Koji a hearty slap on the back, which the younger man managed to weather with only a slight stumble.
Scanlan, watching from the side, gave a dramatic sigh. "Ah, love and family reunited on the battlefield. I think I feel a song coming on…"
Kagome shot him a look, arching an eyebrow in warning. "Just make sure it's a good one, bard. Or else the only song you'll be singing is about your defeat."
Scanlan held up his hands, smirking as he backed away. "Wouldn't dream of disappointing you, milady." He winked, settling back with his lute, plucking at the strings with renewed inspiration.
With a shared glance, Kagome, Koji, and Grog stood together, a family forged by fate and battles past. And as the tavern filled with the hum of music and laughter, they found themselves bound not just by blood but by a shared purpose, ready to face whatever darkness awaited on the road ahead.
The night continued, filled with laughter and tales shared over drinks. But eventually, one by one, the members of Vox Machina drifted off to find their beds, leaving only a few figures still gathered around the table.
Grog, Kagome, and Koji lingered, each of them caught in their thoughts. Grog leaned back in his chair, still processing the strange yet wonderful reality of having his son beside him—and Kagome close once again. Memories of battlefields and blood, of her standing fierce among the carnage, filled his mind. She had been like a single, unbreakable light in those dark days.
"Hard to believe, ain't it?" Grog murmured, his eyes distant. "Never thought I'd have… a family out there. 'Specially one as strong as you."
Koji, despite his aloof demeanor, softened slightly. His brash exterior had been tempered by his mother's gentle guidance, but it was clear he bore his father's fierce will. He gave Grog a short nod, his tone reserved yet respectful. "Mother made sure of it. She told me that strength was as much in your heart as in your fists. Though I doubt I'll be besting you anytime soon, old man."
Grog let out a bark of laughter, clapping Koji on the back with a proud smile. "That's the spirit! But if ya keep trainin', maybe one day you'll give ol' Dad a run for his gold!"
Kagome laughed softly, shaking her head. "Koji certainly got your strength, Grog. Though I must say, he inherited a bit of his uncle Inuyasha's temper too."
Koji's cheeks flushed slightly, and he shot his mother an exasperated look. "Mother, please…"
She only chuckled, her eyes filled with warmth. "He's not wrong, Koji. But don't worry. That fiery spirit of yours has served us well." Her gaze flickered back to Grog, holding a hint of something tender and unspoken. "And Grog… you've given me more than I could ever ask for. Our paths diverged, but the part of you that's in Koji… it's helped me raise him into the man he is today."
Grog swallowed, his gaze drifting between Kagome and Koji. A warmth spread through his chest, something he rarely felt—a sense of belonging, of purpose beyond the thrill of battle. "Then… guess I did somethin' right, huh?"
Kagome nodded, her smile soft. "You did."
The silence that fell between them was comfortable, each of them savoring the moment. It was Koji who eventually broke it, his voice tinged with curiosity. "So… what comes next? You're fighting to protect all the lands from some great evil?"
Grog nodded, his expression turning serious. "Aye. Ain't gonna lie, son, it's a rough fight ahead. We've faced dragons, liches, gods, and things darker than that." He hesitated, glancing at Kagome. "That's why I'm glad yer both here. Not for my sake—but if somethin' happens, at least we're together. At least we'll have each other's backs."
Kagome placed a hand over his, her grip steady and strong. "Then we stand together, Grog. I wouldn't have it any other way."
A spark of determination glinted in Koji's eyes. "Then count me in. I may not know what all this darkness is, but I'm not about to let it take the people I care about."
Grog grinned, his heart swelling with pride. "That's the spirit! We'll take down whatever comes at us, together."
As the three of them sat in companionable silence, Kagome leaned closer, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Besides, Grog… who better to help keep you in line than us?"
Koji smirked, his arms crossed as he regarded his father. "And I won't make it easy on you, old man."
Grog's booming laughter echoed through the empty tavern, filling the air with the joy of a family reunited. The battle ahead would be fierce, and the stakes higher than ever, but for the first time in years, Grog felt complete. And as they prepared to face whatever darkness lay in wait, they knew that—together—they would face it as one.