InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Fate ❯ Five - Home Sweet Home ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: salvatore-shan
Inuyasha's got a surprise for Kagome - and he isn't revealing what. Let's just say it gives the new family a fresh start at life.
And Naraku has heard of the rumours spreading around: the Children of Fate. Who are they? And why does he want them so bad?

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Romance / Supernatural | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.02.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.8K | Visits: 191 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter Five
Home Sweet Home
Kagoyasha and Inuome are three weeks old…
“Keep your eyes shut,”
Kagome sighed and did as she was told, even though it wasn't necessary since Inuyasha was covering her eyes with the palm of his hand anyway. She sniffed. “This had better be good,”
“It is, I promise,” Inuyasha replied. Kagome smiled. They had gone back to the future only yesterday, buying items for the children such as a cot, clothes and baby toys. Kagome had insisted on buying matching baby carriers to put the kids in while they were walking around. Inuyasha had grudgingly agreed after an hour's persuasion.
He said they made him look stupid. Inuyasha wearing a baby carrier redefined the word `stupid'. Kagome hadn't the heart to tell him that he could wear it on his back instead; he looked so cute with one of the twins pressed up against his chest. Besides, Kagome always doubled over laughing at the sight of it.
But she wasn't complaining now either, with Kagoyasha asleep in the carrier strapped to her front. She knew, without being able to see, that Inuome was tucked in Inuyasha's carrier. She grinned.
“Inuyasha, I'm waiting…” she whined, clasping her hands in her lap. Inuyasha was guiding her forward, his hand still clamped over her eyes. He was looking around frantically to see if anyone was around. Kagome frowned, curious.
Shippo was walking at her side, looking up at Inuome, who was strapped to Inuyasha's front. Inuome was awake and gurgling. “Ar rar ar…”
Shippo grinned. “Inuome's excited!” he giggled, jumping up onto Inuyasha's arm. Inuyasha didn't brush him off. He grinned.
Kagome's eyebrows furrowed. “Why…?” she asked. Inuyasha just laughed. “You'll see,”
Shippo clambered up onto Inuyasha's shoulder, able to stand up there. He clapped happily. “This is great, Inuyasha!” he smiled.
Inuyasha stopped suddenly. He plucked Shippo from his shoulder and put the fox-demon down on the ground. Inuyasha turned to face Kagome. “When I take my hand away, you can look - okay?”
Kagome fidgeted, and then nodded - her dark hair falling about her shoulders. Inuyasha used his free hand to guide her near the water's edge and then smiled, leaning forward to whisper in her ear. He pulled his hand away. “Open your eyes,”
Kagome obeyed… and gasped. She was standing in what was a low-cut grassy clearing, yet before her was what appeared to be a large spring. She jerked her head up. There was a waterfall opposite, and on the right of that - bordered by blunt silver rocks - was a hot spring, the steam rising even in the daytime.
Behind her was the quiet of the forest, yet on the left of the clear spring was a large hut - definitely big enough for their new family. The porch was as long as the house itself and she could see a fire burning in the hearth. Kagome was too shocked to smile. Inside she was ecstatic, but she couldn't say anything - do anything - except look.
Inuyasha stared at her, apparently pleased with himself. He was brushing the back of Inuome's forehead. “Do you like it?”
Shippo had already seen it, since he had gone with his new dad to look for a new home. He was jumping up and down, grinning.
“I…” Kagome began, her voice somehow getting lost in her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh, Inuyasha, it's perfect!”
She suddenly realised that they were standing by an erect wooden post in the ground. She faced it eagerly, curiosity overwhelming her. It was some form of sign… and etched onto the wood was their new family name.
Kagome blushed. “Y-You went through all this trouble?”
Inuyasha smiled, cocking his head on one side. Instead of answering, he pointed through the trees. “I know you can't see it for the trees, but through there is the outbuilding. It's practically the same as ours, but a little older. Sango and Miroku are fixing it up at the moment; I think they're going to stay there.”
Kagome's mouth fell open. They had allknown about this? Inuyasha was carrying on. “The village is only five minutes from here, and the well isn't that far. See, this place was abandoned - me and Shippo found it accidentally. We fixed it up over the week while you went shopping for the pups with your mother. It's got everything we need, Kagome.”
Kagome wiped her eyes, forcing her heart to get back down to where it belonged. She choked back a sob. “I love it,” she whispered.
Inuyasha flashed a brilliant smile. “More than you love me?” he mocked.
Kagome grimaced. “I wouldn't go that far,”
Shippo, at their feet, made a sound that resembled `yuck' and shut his eyes as the two kissed.
When they pulled apart, Inuyasha smiled. “So, what's for dinner?”
Kagome's expression turned playfully sour. “Don't think I'm going all `wifey' on you now.”
Inuyasha looked pained. “Would I expect such a thing?” he began walking towards their new home. Without turning around, he spoke again. “Oh, and did you get any ramen while you were shopping?”
Kagome narrowed her eyes. “You're lucky our daughter's strapped to your chest, otherwise you'd have six inches of ground stuffed into your mouth right now.”
Shippo giggled and started running into the house.
Inuyasha just grinned. “Now, now, Kagome. We can't go ruining our garden, can we?”
Kagome looked down at the ground, observing the beautiful flowers interwoven amongst the blanket of grass. She smiled. No, they couldn't be ruining their new garden...

Sango was sat beside the hearth in her new hut, looking into the fire questioningly. Miroku had been gone a long time getting supplies in the village. She knew he'd be along soon, probably charming some young girl… Her insides turned to flame and she clenched her fists. Her heart throbbed painfully at the thought.
She turned away, angry at herself. Kirara looked up at her and mewed, comfortingly. Sango patted the cat-demon, absently. She looked out of the space that served as a window and watched the sun set behind the forest. She knew Kagome would be heading to the village soon to continue her priestess training.
Sango frowned. Kagome had only just become a mother and they were already pushing her into her duties. Inuyasha wasn't happy about it, but at least he could take care of the twins. Sango sighed and brushed her hair back out of her face.
The hut around her was bare, unlike Kagome and Inuyasha's. Sango had spent all week helping the others make it ready for Kagome's eyes - cleaning the hearth, washing the floorboards, dusting, getting rid of all the insects, collecting stock for the `cupboards', dragging in other objects such as a cot-type bed for Inuyasha and Kagome, basins and cauldrons Kagome could use to cook and some other things from her time - foods, clothes, weird objects and furniture.
Sango was exhausted, but she wouldn't let it show. She had her blankets and her bed sheets - it was all she needed for tonight.
Since Miroku wasn't around, she could get settled for rest without interruption. Sighing, she set out a bed for Miroku and a bed for herself and then crawled under her sheets - not trusting Miroku to keep his hands away if she undressed. She would just have to sleep like this for tonight…
There was a sound outside. Footsteps. No doubt Miroku returning from the village. Sango frowned and shut her eyes, refusing to acknowledge him. She'd pretend to be asleep.
Kirara watched her face, her gaze curious. She mewed, glancing at her owner in curiosity before her eyes flicked towards the mat that covered the door.
Miroku entered, carrying an unlit lantern and other items like buckets, extra sheets and food rations. He stopped as he pushed the mat aside, staring at Sango. He didn't say anything. Instead he tightened the ponytail at the nape of his neck and placed the supplies on the floor beneath the window.
Kirara mewed. Miroku held up a finger to his lips, quietening her. He took off his sandals, his gaze flicking to his bed for the night. He sighed, tired, and made his way over - too exhausted to complain. Even though the sun was only just setting, he knew that the two of them both needed to rest.
He got under the sheets, almost immediately falling asleep. Before he did, he looked over at Sango wistfully. He frowned. “Sweet dreams, Sango,” he whispered, before shutting his eyes and getting comfortable.
Sango's eyes fluttered open. She stared at the wall she was facing, her eyes sparkling with withheld tears. She smiled. Sweet dreams, Miroku…
She only wished she could say it out loud.

The sun had set and the sky was a fluorescent pink, with clouds along the horizon the colour of crushed berries and rose wine. Kagome grinned, wearing the red kimono she wore throughout her priestess duties.
Shippo was at her side.
He was frequently glancing at the scroll in her hands. Finally, he plucked up enough courage to ask about it. “Kagome, what does it say?” he asked, trying to reach up and grab it.
“Hmm?” Kagome looked down at the scroll and smiled. “Oh, it's just something me and Inuyasha wrote,”
“Can I see?” Shippo asked.
Kagome's eyes flashed. She grinned. “Not yet,”
Shippo pouted and folded his arms. The forest suddenly attracted his attention. “It'll be dark soon, Kagome.”
Kagome nodded in reply. Her pace quickened. “Let's get to the village quick then, shall we?” Shippo jumped onto her arm, hugging her left forearm as he usually did.
Kagome headed in the direction Inuyasha had told her the village was, speeding up. She was looking forward to the evening ahead…

“And here comes the snake-demon!” Inuyasha cried, holding Kagoyasha in a dive before placing him in the small tub that served as a bath. Water sloshed over the floor, but it didn't matter - he'd clean it up later. Kagoyasha gurgled happily, waving his arms.
Inuome was in one of Kagome's objects she called a `Moses basket', her hands reaching up in the air. She didn't cry out for attention, she just watched her dad and brother with interest.
Inuyasha pulled a blanket on his lap, ready to get Kagoyasha out and dry him over. He pulled his hair back into a low ponytail before picking up one of Kagome's baby lotions and massaging it into Kagoyasha's back. His son squealed and Inuyasha didn't know whether he was grossed out or whether it was his way of laughing.
Either way, Inuyasha smiled. He soaped up the rest of his baby boy before washing him down. Kagoyasha was waving his arms. Inuyasha watched him awhile before pulling him out of the water.
“Oh no! Not Miroku's Kazaana!” he teased, pulling Kagoyasha close to him.
Kagoyasha squealed louder now, and Inuyasha knew he was laughing. His own smile widened. He feigned dropping the baby and Kagoyasha gurgled. Inuyasha placed him in his lap, wrapping the blanket around Kagoyasha.
He gently wiped away the beads of water and tickled his son's feet. Kagoyasha waved his arms in an attempt to bat him away. Inuyasha laughed and stood up, carrying Kagoyasha over to the cot in the anteroom that served as the twins' and Shippo's bedroom.
Shippo had some sort of futon from Kagome's time, with a bed sheet thrown on top with weird boxes (Kagome called them cars) printed on it. It had once been Sota's.
Inuyasha tucked Kagoyasha into bed, taking away the now wet blanket and wrapping him up warm in a new blanket.
Kagome had told him how to tuck the twins in, but Inuyasha still felt awkward about being a new father. He hadn't really thought about what being a parent meant when Kagome had told him she was pregnant. Well, he had been waiting for Callisto to kill him at the time - he hadn't really thought that they'd get out of it alive and still have the pups.
Kagoyasha yawned silently and shut his eyes, his dark eyelashes forming crescents on his cheeks. His dark hair was growing even longer now; it was already almost reaching his eyebrows. Inuyasha guessed that no human baby's hair could grow that fast. He sighed and made his way out of the room, ready to bathe Inuome.
His daughter was kicking her legs in the Moses basket, holding her arms out. She wanted attention. Inuyasha's energy came flooding back. He grinned and swooped down, picking up his daughter. “Not you, too!” he jeered, holding her in the crook of one arm while he took the bucket outside, poured its contents over the grass and took it over to the spring to fill it up again.
Inuome was still waving her arms, moving her lips without saying anything. Her amber eyes were bright, the ears on top of her head twitching eagerly.
Inuyasha filled up the bucket with the clear water and then went back inside, placing it on the floor of the kitchen.
He knew he shouldn't bathe the twins around the fire. The change in temperatures - the warm of the air yet the cold of the water - would probably give them some sort of fever or rash. Inuyasha was surprised that, despite finding it hard, he was slipping into the role of father and husband quite well.
When he was done bathing Inuome and had tucked her up in bed, he sat on the porch - waiting for Kagome and Shippo to come back from the village. He and Kagome had already written something about adopting Shippo, and Kagome was now taking it to someone for confirmation.
Inuyasha scratched his forehead, expecting to feel his hanyou ears there. Except they weren't there anymore, he should have remembered that. He was just a human. Scowling, he pulled his hand away and dropped it in his lap.
Would you rather be dead? A harsh voice in his mind snapped. Inuyasha sighed. No, he was glad he was alive. He had a family now - he was accepted…. But I'm still not safe.
Inuyasha clenched his fists. The news about his marriage to Kagome must have reached Naraku by now, and it was only a matter of time before his enemy found out that Inuyasha now had two vulnerable children. Inuyasha swallowed thickly, standing up abruptly.
He wanted company, but couldn't face going to visit Miroku and Sango. He would stay put - watch over the kids. Inuyasha turned back into his house, pulling the door shut. Unlike Miroku and Sango's hut, theirs had a proper door with a wooden bar and everything. Not that that would keep demons out.
Inuyasha picked Tessaiga up from where it was leaning on the wall by the door. There was a slot in the door he'd carved himself to hold Tessaiga. Jamming his sword in, he watched its aura consume the door - preventing anyone on the outside getting in. Inuyasha smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.
The bar wouldn't keep demons out, but that certainly would.
He went over into the nursery, sitting on the end of Shippo's bed as he watched Kagoyasha and Inuome sleep. He didn't plan on moving until Kagome and Shippo came back from the village.

“Such a fool,”
Kagura's head jerked in Naraku's direction, knowing her expression wasn't a particularly nice one. Her eyes were narrowed, her lips turned in a frown.
Naraku was staring into Kanna's mirror, seeing an image of a black-haired Inuyasha sat in his new home - looking over at two semi-demon babies.
Naraku scowled. “He thinks he can evade me with just a fang,”
Kagura looked away, waving her fan with a flick of her wrist. Her face was cold. “You knew this would happen sooner or later. He's always fast to defend that mortal girl - you and I both saw that.”
Kanna's expression was blank as she stared into nothingness, showing no interest in what her mirror revealed. Her lips were a tight line, her dark eyes unwavering. “He is alone,” she whispered - her voice almost a moan.
Naraku's eyes narrowed and he smiled maliciously. “Not yet.” He stood up and looked up at the moon, grinning. “We have more important things to tend to. Kagura,”
“Yes?” she replied immediately, even though her voice was somewhat bored and tired. She refused to look at Naraku, clutching onto her fan.
Naraku's eyes flicked towards her. “Have you found anything more to do with our goal?”
Kagura snorted. “You mean your goal. No, I've heard nothing. Those mortals were a tight-lipped bunch,”
“Children of Fate…” Kanna whispered, blinking slowly. Kagura turned to look at her `elder' sister. She felt raw. She had to say something… “Look, they may be lower than half-demon - these children from this prophecy of yours - but they are still children. Don't you think-?”
“We should wait until they are older?” Naraku finished, his expression cold. “No. That's exactly why we're not waiting. If the prophecy is true, then they will be even stronger when they grow. That is why I want them now - so their powers can grow within me.”
“Three to face the world… with nought but hope… the mortals with tainted blood… three to stand together as one… the Children of Fate,” Kanna revised, her eyes sad. Kagura glanced at Kanna, yet said nothing.
Naraku smiled. “Yes,”
“What if Inuyasha's new children are the Children of Fate?” Kagura suddenly realised, her eyes boring into Naraku's back.
He didn't answer her. Instead he kept looking at the full moon. That thought had come to him, too, but he wasn't sure whether it was true.
There were three `Children of Fate'. Inuyasha only had two children - twins. He shook his head.
Kagura was continuing. “The prophecy didn't say anything about them all being related…”
“Three, hand in hand, do step from the shadows… sharing the bond of an age, a strength they share in blood. The Children of Fate hold the arts of the centuries… contain a power ne'er before seen…”
“Enough with the folktales!” Kagura snapped, eyeing Kanna. Her sister did not acknowledge the outburst. She appeared unaffected. Kagura's eyes snapped away. “…`A strength they share in blood'… a power never before seen...” she repeated.
“Humph, doesn't mean they're all related.” She pouted, folding her arms.
Naraku grinned. “I know that you wish to have a reason to kill Inuyasha's children as much as I do, yet we don't need this reason, Kagura. We'll have that wretched mortal in time, but let us just attempt to find these Children of Fate - shall we?”
Kagura frowned. “Inuyasha can screw that mortal fool as many times as he likes, for all I care. His family isn't what I want.”
“No, you're freedom is.” Naraku countered. He turned slowly, only enough to show half of his face. His eyes danced in the moonlight.
“I'll strike a deal with you, Kagura. When you find these three children, and after we have destroyed Inuyasha and his wretched family - I'll give you your heart. Agreed?”
Kagura's eyes widened. She automatically placed a hand on her chest at the thought, sucking in a deep breath.
Naraku knew he had gotten his way. He turned back to the night sky, a malevolent grin splitting his face in two. Kagura lowered her eyes. She knew that - no matter what - she would do anything for true freedom. She took a few steadying breaths, feeling raw. She would do anything…