InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Mosaic of Thoughts ❯ Red Circle ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: 'Calendar' Oneshot Challenge for Livejournal's FirstTweak Community. I won first place with this!


Inuyasha tapped his fingers impatiently on one knee as he watched Kagome study for another test. He was beginning to fall victim to boredom, as she scribbled out endless equations. Not wanting to raise her temper once more by interrupting, he began to wander aimlessly through her room. There was always interesting objects to amuse himself with littering her shelves. As he stood studying some of her CD's, her calender caught his eye.

“Hey Kagome?” he asked

“Hmmmm?” She replied, still mainly focused on her schoolwork.

“Why is there a big red circle on your calendar?”

“Hmmmm?” She asked back, as she turned to face him.

“This red circle. What's it mean?” He pointed to the date on the calendar.

“Oh, that's my parents anniversary.” She smiled back at him.

“Anniversary?” He stared back at the calendar, slightly perplexed.

“Yeah, you know. Wedding Anniversary. That's the day my father married my mother,” she paused, doing a mental calculation, “eighteen years ago now!”

“You mean you still celebrate it, I mean..” He faded off, trying to come up with the appropriate words.

Kagome smiled at the new found thoughtfulness from her usually gruff companion. Stretching as she stood up from her desk, she made her way over to her corner closet. Standing on her tip toes, she reached up to retrieve an old looking leather bound album. Moving back to her bed she settled herself and motioned for Inuyasha to join her. He was soon seated beside her, gazing into the pages at the faces from the past.

“Even though Dad's gone, Mom still treats the day as if he was still alive. We always make his favorite meal and then go through all the old photo albums in the evening.” She smiled as she flipped through the album. Finding the desired page she stopped and passed the album to Inuyasha.

“Souta and I even get Mom an anniversary gift. I know it sounds silly, but Mom really enjoys it. She misses him so much. We all do, even though Souta doesn't remember him and I only have vague memories.” She spoke softly pointing out photos of her young father.

Inuyasha nodded vaguely as she pointed out the images before she returned to her desk and studies once more. He lost himself in those pages for quite some time, eventually finding himself staring into the anguished eyes of a young widow. She smiled brightly for the camera, a young Kagome at her side and an infant in her arms. Despite her warm smile, he could see the loss and despair in her eyes.

****””****

“Mom! I'm home!” Kagome called out soon after she emerged from the well house.

“Oh Kagome! You made it home. I'm so glad dear.” Mrs. Higurashi smiled as her daughter entered their home.

“You didn't think I would miss this, did you?” Kagome grinned.

“No, I suppose not dear.” She smiled again. “How are Inuyasha and the others?”

“Oh fine! I'm just going to have a quick bath and then I'll be back down.” Kagome wiped a stray of hair out of her face.

“Alright dear. Father's favorite meal is almost ready.”

“I'll be quick.” Kagome paused at the stairs before quickly running back to embrace her mother.

“Happy Anniversary Mom.”

Mrs. Higurashi laughed as her daughter grinned sheepishly and bounded up the stairs.

Shortly after, the entire family was seated around the table, fragrant dishes steaming in front of them. Kagome lifted her glass, preparing to make a toast, when the sliding door was abruptly forced open. A red faced Inuyasha stood in the door frame, one arm tucked behind him.

“Inu...Yasha?” Kagome whispered, surprised to see the man she had just left in the feudal era, no more than an hour before.

“Feh!” he grumbled

“I told you Inuyasha, I'll be back tomorrow! You can come and get me then!” She was on the defense, not willing to return to his time so soon.

“Feh! Who says I came to get you Wench!” He grumbled again, face turning a deeper shade of crimson.

Kagome just stared at him in confusion, until her mother's voice broke her trance.

“Inuyasha, I'm so glad to see you. Won't you join us?” her mother asked, beaming at the boy she considered one of her own.

“Uhhh,” Inuyasha stuttered before thrusting the bouquet of wildflowers from behind his back into her hands.

“These are for you” he mumbled before taking a seat beside a wide eyed Kagome.

“Oh my Inuyasha” Mrs. Higurashi whispered as tears gathered in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Feh, whatever,” he replied, once again back to his gruff self.

Kagome smiled appreciatively at her companion's gesture. She knew how hard it must have been for him to muster the courage to do what he just had. It was nice knowing that Inuyasha had established a connection with her own mother. Judging by the smile on her mother's face, this was a anniversary to remember.