InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desert Rose ❯ Chapter Twenty Three: Reunited ( Chapter 23 )

Dudes, I am BEAT! Not only did I spend four hours cleaning my room, after school I might add, but also I cleaned the rest of the house, help my sis with her homework and managed to write out the rest of the chapter! Not to mention, that I racked my head for ideas on what to write for hours! AND I also updated my two other fictions so I was out of juice. My. Brain. Is. Bleeding. I've struggled to make this chapter to please your expectations. Please comment! On another note, my new puppy barked for the first time today! YAY!

 

SweetKijo your review inspirited me to write! This chapter is dedicated to YOU because you gave a review that made this chapter worthwhile!

 

Someone said that the song, “House of Cards” By Madina Lake would be the perfect song for Inuyasha. I both agree and disagree after hearing the song. I was under the impression that the song is more about lies and Inuyasha hasn't really lied that much in this fiction. It does share similar things with Inuyasha's thinking process though.

 

Let me clarify something. Naraku is NOT the one who attacked Ayla and Silva before Inuyasha's heart fell. So who did it? Well no one knows. It was war, there were many killers.

 

 

Chapter Twenty-Three: Reunited

 

Inuyasha huffed, slumping into the closest chair. Though he had not done any sort of physical labor, to have the patience, which on normal circumstances he did not, to deal with Sesshoumaru the whole day dealt a blow on his mental fitness. Discussions with Jordan and his brother were tiresome. All together, the three nobles, their advisors, and their best war commanders had been making preparations, changing and rearranging plans, looking over the citizens, all the while mobilizing the remains of their soldiers.

 

At this point it was kill or be killed. There was so much to do in so little time it was ridiculous! Keeping Silva constantly in his thoughts as he went about on official business had also increased his fatigue. Between worrying about his daughter and the outcome of their last stand, Inuyasha was now sure that his increasing fretful migraine was going to cause him mental damage.

 

“There should be a better term for mental exhaustion.” He huffed, unable to describe how he felt.

 

“A good cup of tea would be nice right now.” Jordan said across the room. Sesshoumaru had left, finished with his preparations, to see to his people earlier. Jordan, as fatigued as Inuyasha, had stayed in their large planning room.

 

Inuyasha stared at the ceiling. He wondered what Silva was doing right now. From what he heard last from Kagome, it seemed that she had become quick friends with Rin, Shippo, and Kohaku, thanks to Sango. Kagome would constantly insist that he come see her.

 

Inuyasha bent forward, covering his eyes with his palms. He wanted to rip his own hair out. He finally gets the chance to be his little girl again and what does he do? He retreats in guilt. He had purposefully kept himself busy as an excuse not to see Silva. How could he look at her? What would he tell her? How could he possibly apologize for what he had put her through? How could he face her? The same thoughts had been plaguing him since he rescued her from that bastard's hands and had increased in their anxiety when Kagome told him that Silva was awake.

 

He breathed in a deep sigh, leaning back to stare at the ceiling again. What was Kagome doing now? Probably tending to Silva. He hadn't seen his host for three weeks, but he had heard her voice. She would reassure him that Silva was smiling more each day. He was glad, but afraid that those smiles would fade when Silva heard his voice again.

 

“Hungry?” Jordan's voice tore him from his thoughts. She stood next to him, holding an apple in her outstretched hand. Truthfully, he would have preferred meat, but he took the fruit nonetheless with a quick thank you.

 

Jordan walked across the room, sitting in another chair. “Your daughter seems to love this fruit very much.” Inuyasha looked at her, not replying, and taking a bite of the red apple. It was remarkable. He almost jumped out of his skin when Jordan came into the meetings. For an instant, he was sure that Levion had returned from death, but then his rationality told him that it was impossible and his nose confirmed that it was indeed Jordan, not her late brother. Years apart, yet she looked so much like him with short hair. She shared that same piercing look.

 

Jordan noticed Inuyasha's musings and looked up. “Is something interesting?”

 

“I was thinking about Levion. You look so much like him with shorter hair.” Inuyasha remarked.

 

“When I was a child, my elders often said the same. My hair was shorter and I would tie it on purpose so they would confuse us.” She said fondly, smiling weakly. Inuyasha stared at her eyes. Not too long ago her brother had passed and it seemed that she had already come to terms. She was strong and able to go forward, take on life, while he was not. Where did that inner vigor come from?

 

“It seems strange that I lost Levion like this. I never thought he would be killed.” Jordan whispered, but Inuyasha caught her words. He debated on himself. Should he tell her the real reason Levion was killed? He guessed that Kagome had not said anything about what Tsubaki had told them about Levion's soul. She did have a right to know, but…

 

“Jordan…” Inuyasha began.

 

“I know…” She said. Inuyasha stopped short. Did she already know, or was she referring to something else.

 

“Know what?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Please can we stray from the topic of my brother? I'm not quite in the mood.”

 

“All right.”

 

Jordan looked up; her piercing eyes rested on him. “You should know that I've isolated the poison in your daughter.”

 

Inuyasha became alert. “She's been using small amounts of her power. It seems the poison is leaving her body. She should be getting closer to perfect health soon.”

 

Inuyasha sighed. “That's good.” He smiled weakly.

 

Jordan rose from her seat. “Is that all you have to say?” She demanded. Shocked by her sudden hostile tone, Inuyasha's eyes snapped to her as she stood with her hands clenched.

 

“Are you not going to go see her? You can see it in her body language. She's waiting for you! She wants to see you!” Jordan growled.

 

Inuyasha looked down. “You don't understand. What will I possibly say to her? Apologizing is not enough for everything I've put her through…”

 

“Are you just going to blame yourself? You can never make amends if you do! Inuyasha, once a child's trust is gone, it's extremely difficult to regain! The more she waits for you, the less hope she will have! I know she's been through terrible things, but that's in the past now! If you want to make amends for everything, you should be with her! The poison in your body will make your time short; you should cherish what time you have with her!”

 

Inuyasha sent her a spiteful look. He knew with every fiber of his being that she was right, but how could she possibly understand what he was going through! How could she feel the intense guilt and think that he could do as she said so easily?

 

“I know all that, but nothing is going to make it easy to meet her. Nothing will make the damned pain I feel lower when she sees me!”

 

Jordan glared at him in return. Then she sighed, and, turning her back on him, said, “I knew you were many things, but I didn't know that you were a coward.” She then left the room.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Kagome watched as four, glowing butterflies fluttered about the room. It had come a shock when they appeared out of nowhere, but it didn't take long for her to realize that Silva had conjured them out of light. One blue, one red, one yellow, and one green butterfly flew in circles around the room before they disappeared. There was something odd about those butterflies. They felt as though they were carrying something away.

 

Kagome thought back to earlier that day. She had been sitting with Sango, watching as Silva played with Shippo, Rin and Kohaku. It was in the garden and Sango was giggling at Silva's charm.

 

“I swear I want kidnap her.” She had said.

 

“You know I hardly see Jordan blush, but she always does when she's near Silva.” Kagome chuckled, watching the little girl play in the sunlight.

 

A butterfly had landed on Silva's nose. She screamed and ran behind the rock that Kagome was sitting on. Kagome patted her head, and explained that it was only a bug. It seemed that sudden touches surprised her. Silva had returned to play afterward.

 

Now, Kagome watched as she made butterfly after butterfly in their room. It seemed that Silva had imagined what they looked like when Kagome described them. She had held Silva's hands and drawn a picture on her palms. Later that night, Silva had turned that imagination into reality. Kagome couldn't help being in awe as she effortlessly used her powers to make the bugs.

 

“Butterfly, butterfly, fly away.” Silva sang as she made a pink butterfly. Kagome wondered how Silva knew the colors. Did she just make them without really thinking about the color?

 

“Is it dark outside?” Silva asked. Kagome smiled and gave her a kind, “yes.” The sun had set a few minutes ago.

 

It became clear that Silva was deeply fearful of the dark. Though she couldn't see, Kagome guessed that she could feel the difference between light and dark. Maybe that was what she saw, light and dark, black and grey.

 

It had been the first night that Silva had been awake. Kagome had placed her in bed and said good night. Silva had looked nervous. Later that night, Silva had rushed into Kagome's room, tears in her eyes.

 

“I don't like the dark!” She sobbed. Her eyes widened then and her ears lay flat against her head. She looked down to the floor frightfully, saying that she was weak. Like many times that day, Silva had punished herself, thinking that Kagome would be angry with her. Kagome however, had told her it was okay to be afraid and offered her to stay. She had slept with Kagome since, not that Kagome minded. It was apparent that Silva didn't like being alone.

 

“Butterfly, butterfly, fly away, far away.” Silva sang again. Kagome grinned. She was becoming increasingly attached to this little girl. One smile and her heart would melt. She only wished that Inuyasha were here to see.

 

Kagome thought that he would come running when she told him that Silva was awake. To her surprise, he hadn't appeared the whole week. Silva kept asking when “Papa would be here.” Kagome kept saying he would come soon. She was getting the idea that he was avoiding them. Why? Kagome wondered. She was partly annoyed that he hadn't come to see Silva, who was still faithfully waiting for him.

 

Silva stopped singing and breathed a sigh. Kagome looked at her closely. “Tired?” She asked.

 

The child shook her head, but her eyes looked weak and glassy. “Is something wrong, Silva?” Kagome placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

 

“Was it a dream?” She asked.

 

“Was what a dream?” Kagome tilted her head to the side. Silva said nothing, her hands together. A soft knock was heard on the door. Silva lay motionless as Kagome rose to answer it, sliding the door open. Expecting to see Jordan or Sango, Kagome readied a smile as she opened the door, only to have it crumble when she saw who it really was.

 

“Oh my…” She began.

 

“May I come in?” He asked. Out of the corner of her eye, Kagome saw Silva raise her head as her ears twitched to the sound of his voice.

 

“But-” Kagome began.

 

“I would like to finally meet my niece.” Kagome fidgeted a little, but stepped aside for Sesshoumaru to come in. Silva's eyes widened and she stood quickly, her feet sliding across the floor before she stood, tensed. Sesshoumaru walked toward her. Kagome would never know what was running through his mind. His eyes seemed inexpressive. Remembering how well he took care of Rin, Kagome calmed somewhat.

 

Silva must have felt that he was coming closer because she was backing away. “Kagome?” She whispered nervously.

 

Kagome came closer to her, holding her hand, seeing Silva calm. “Who?” She asked.

 

“This is…”

 

“It's nice to finally meet you Silvana.” Sesshoumaru said in his low voice. Kagome saw Silva shiver.

 

“You…you smell like him.” She said, her eyes wide.

 

“I know. That's because I'm his brother.” Sesshoumaru said.

 

“Brother?”

 

“This is your uncle, Silva.” Kagome assured.

 

“What's an uncle?” Silva asked nervously.

 

“I see that Inuyasha didn't bother to tell her about me. I feel insulted.” Sesshoumaru sulked. Kagome would have laughed if Silva's hand weren't shaking in hers. “He's strong.” Silva whispered. Was that why she was so scared?

 

To Kagome's astonishment, Sesshoumaru bent down on his knees, holding out his hand for Silva. Kagome urged her forward, but she didn't seem to want to go. “It's okay, Silva. He's family.”

 

“I think you've already met Rin, my daughter.” Sesshoumaru offered. Kagome was flabbergasted. She had never seen him act like this before.

 

Silva's eyes opened wider. “You're Rin's daddy? But she's not a-”

 

“Yes, I know, she's not a demon. She's my adopted daughter.”

 

“What's adopted?”

 

“It doesn't matter. Will you come here?”

 

Silva's head looked up at Kagome, waiting for her approval. Kagome smiled, and supported the little girl forward. Apprehensively, Silva closed the small distance between them, feeling her uncle's strong presence as she reached for his hand.

 

Sesshoumaru's long fingers enclosed around Silva's hand. He smelled so much like him. His hand was strong but it didn't seem like he was going to hurt her. “Nice to meet you.” She heard him say softly. His voice didn't sound mean, but…she couldn't describe it.

 

“Nice to meet you too, Uncle?” Silva said, hesitantly.

 

Kagome's heart did a summersault when Silva walked forward, placing her tiny hands on Sesshoumaru's face. He didn't move. Silva's eyes were wide and she frowned in concentration. She dragged her fingers over his forehead, his straight nose, his firm yet smooth jaw, then over his eyelids.

 

“Wow.” Silva whispered. Kagome wondered if she was imagining his face.

 

“Do you approve?” Sesshoumaru said dryly.

 

“I guess.” Silva responded. She took her hands away, leaning backward, her ears facing her uncle's direction. “When will he be here?” She said.

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes glinted with something. Kagome watched him, wondering what was going through his mind. That shine in his eyes, though his face was impassive, was that pity? Sesshoumaru stood straight, running his clawed hand gently over his niece's crown. She looked up at his touch.

 

“Soon.” He answered. Silva's eyes were big.

 

“Good night Silvana.” Without another word, he left the room. Kagome turned to Silva to see her yawn tiredly. “Shall we go to bed?” She asked. Silva didn't reply as she rubbed he watery eyes tiredly. “No…” She said afterward. “I'm not sleepy. I w-” She yawned again.

 

“Oh yes you are.” Kagome said, picking her up. Silva made a face. “No I'm not. I don't want to sleep.”

 

`She's his daughter alright.' Kagome smiled. “Really? Then what will you do if you stay awake.”

 

Silva was silent again. “See?” Kagome giggled. Silva frowned and gave a defeated growl. Setting her down on the bed, Kagome crawled under the sheets as Silva punched her pillow. “So,” Kagome began as she covered Silva with the fur blanket, “how do you like your uncle.”

 

Silva paused for a moment, wrinkling her nose in what Kagome recognized as her thinking face. Finally she sighed and answered. “He's strong…and pretty…and, I don't know…like you can't be bad in front of him…is he really Rin's daddy?” Kagome answered yes.

 

Silva put her chin on the pillow. For some reason, her eyes looked sad to Kagome. Placing her hand on her shoulder, Kagome asked, “What's wrong?” Silva blinked, forcing back the glaze in her eyes. “Nothing.”

 

Kagome didn't believe her.

 

()()()()()()()

 

“I don't understand, Sango. What's taking him so long?” Kagome asked as she walked a distance behind Silva and Rin. The two girls were gathering flowers in the near by meadow and making crowns in the auburn sunset. Silva had her tongue out as she tried to weave the stems of some daisies together. Rin was running around adorned with flowers.

 

“Maybe he's just busy. Miroku spent the day with them making plans yesterday. When he returned he was exhausted. He didn't even grope me before bed.” Sango replied. Kagome's face heated slightly but she shrugged it off. She was beginning to get used to the intimacy between the pair.

 

“I haven't seen Jordan for a while either. I did see Sesshoumaru yesterday though. He came to see Silva.” Kagome said, watching as Rin helped Silva make her floral crown.

 

“Really?” Sango said excitedly. “How did it go?”

 

“Silva seemed really scared at first. And it took her longer to approach. I know she's really shy but she seemed…terrified. I think she could sense his power because she said that he was strong.”

 

“Maybe Silva's afraid of that power?”

 

“Not really. Jordan is really strong but Silva had an easier time getting acquainted with her. Sango, do you think,” she gave the other girl a serious glance, “that Silva is afraid of men?”

 

“Maybe. Sesshoumaru would be the first adult male she has met.”

 

“You haven't introduced her to Miroku?” Kagome questioned.

 

“No. Now that he's helping with preparations, he doesn't have time. It would be understandable though, seeing what that bastard has put her through.” Sango mused, seeing Kagome nod.

 

“I wouldn't be surprised if he was the reason. What will she be like when she meets her father again? If she meets him again.” Kagome added, looking across to where Silva was running around in her new crown with Rin.

 

“Don't say things like that Kagome.” Sango replied sadly.

 

“But, I'm really starting to get nervous. I thought for sure that he would come running. She asks me all the time when he's coming back. She always looks so sad. Sometimes when I really think about it, she lost her mother, so she turns to the other parent. But that bastard is nowhere in sight.” Kagome growled.

 

“You must really be angry if you are using that kind of language.” Sango said in amazement.

 

“I'm sorry. I'm just so worried.”

 

“Oh, I don't blame you.” Sango placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

 

Rin ran up to them, Silva on her heels. Covered in mud, both girls were smiling, jumping up and down. “Bend down.” They said at the same time. Sango and Kagome exchanged looks before kneeling, smiling as the two girls placed a pair of floral crowns on their heads. “Surprise!” They both exclaimed, smiling ear to ear. “Thank you. They're very pretty.” Kagome smiled, patting the girls on the head, and laughing at the dirt on their clothes. “Sango, we better take these two to get a bath.”

 

()()()()()()()

 

“Come on Silva, get in.” Kagome cooed. Silva looked back at her nervously, holding the towel closer to her small body. “No!” She barked, her ears pointed toward the water, twitching at the splashes. It was a small spring in the forest that the villagers had found. It soon had become a public bath that had been enclosed and separated for both sexes. There was yet to be an irrigation system in the towns.

 

Kagome sent Sango a pleading look. Rin looked at Silva quizzically. “Come on, Silva, the water's warm and you'll get all that dirt off.” Silva backed away, frowning. “No, I don't like water.” She growled.

 

“Then I'll just have to come and get you.” Kagome said rising. Silva's eyes widened as she began distancing herself.

 

“Are you afraid of water, sweetie?” Kagome splashed back into the water. Jordan had emerged from the changing room, kneeling behind Silva whose head pointed upward to her face.

 

“No…” Silva replied in a small voice. Jordan's eyes glinted with knowing when she noticed Silva fidget apprehensively. “Don't worry. I'll hold you. You won't sink.” Jordan said, holding the little girl's hand. Silva attempted to pull away but Jordan lifted her.

 

“It's okay.” She said softly, removing both her towel and Silva's before entering the water. Silva held on to Jordan in a vice grip as Jordan sat into the pool, moving the child to her lap.

 

“There. Not so bad is it?” Silva's eyes were wide and she stood still, holding onto Jordan's arm. Smiling, Jordan placed Silva in Kagome's waiting hands. It must feel strange to feel the ground suddenly become liquid. She didn't think that Silva was afraid of the water because she could not tell her way around like she could on land. She made a mental note not to take her anywhere deep.

 

“Thanks, Jordan.” Kagome said, patting Jordan on the arm in appreciation. Silva began flailing her arms nervously, splashing all the women. “Don't let go!” She cried. Kagome quickly placed her hands back on her shoulders.

 

Jordan laughed. “What?” Kagome asked curiously.

 

“Levion didn't like the water either.” She answered.

 

Kagome looked at Jordan's eyes, thinking about how her heart had been next to her brother's. Unconsciously, her eyes followed the curve of Jordan's neck to her chest. Kagome blinked. Between Jordan's breasts was a large, fleshy red, star shaped scar. It was almost as though it had been tattooed into her skin. The large discoloration caught Sango's eye as well.

 

“Where did that scar come from?” She asked.

 

“Oh, this? I didn't know it would happen, but it seems that when my heart returned it left a permanent mark after my skin healed. Perhaps it was because the heart was connecting to the body.” Jordan said, touching the mark.

 

`I wonder if Inuyasha has one too.' Kagome thought.

 

“I'm so sorry.” Sango said sympathetically.

 

“It's alright.” Jordan smiled.

 

“How are the plans going?” Kagome asked as Silva sank her chin into the water, making bubbles.

 

“Busy. At the end of each day, I have a headache. Politics can be so tiring.” Jordan huffed, splashing some warm water on her face.

 

“That's not the kind of thing a ruler is expected to say.” Sango thought aloud.

 

“Then pretend I didn't say it.” Jordan smiled. Sango and Kagome joined her while the two children tilted their heads in puzzlement.

 

Jordan noticed Silva's confused face and patted her on the cheek. “I see that you've been using your powers.”

 

Silva's eyes widened and she asked tentatively, “Is that bad?”

 

“No. So long as it's not hurting anyone.” Jordan said softly.

 

Silva smiled, placing her hands together. “Look at this.” She said excitedly, before a small light glowed from her fingers and a blue butterfly fluttered out from between. Rin made a happy squeal and made a grab for it but it evaporated when she touched it. “Hey! Why'd it go away?” She said crossly. Silva blushed.

 

“Why don't you make another one?” Jordan encouraged. Nodding, Silva made three at a time, while Rin splashed Sango as she tried to get a hold of the butterflies. Sango, getting tired of having water thrown in her face, moved to the side, scolding Rin.

 

“Why is Rin with you?” Jordan asked when she took notice.

 

“Well Sesshoumaru is busy and Silva needed company so I volunteered to watch them. Sango has been helping me.” Kagome explained as a red butterfly flew from the child on her lap. “Of course I didn't think that it would be twice the handful.” Kagome laughed.

 

“It's a good thing Kohaku and Shippo didn't join then.” Sango commented, giggling.

 

 

Kagome sighed deeply, the bath having soothed her tired muscles. “Baths really do solve all our problems.” She told Sango, who was walking alongside her, holing Rin's hand. Silva was in Kagome's arms, sleeping soundly. Kagome noticed how her eyes refused to stay open after she had gotten her out of the bath.

 

Jordan had been the first to leave after getting dressed, saying she needed a good night's rest. Unfortunately, a woman from the villages rushed up to her on her way back, saying that she was needed for an urgent matter. Sighing, Jordan had followed her. Kagome wondered what was so important.

 

“She must have really been tired.” Kagome said aloud.

 

“I know, falling asleep right when you pick her up. How cute.” Sango chuckled. Kagome did not have the heart to correct her.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Something ominous settled in the air. Sesshoumaru could feel it and he was certain, by wide-eyed look his brother carried from across the room, Inuyasha knew something was amiss as well. It was a mild surprise that his brother sensed it the same moment he did. That same offensive feeling that both of them had been noticing for a few days, it was slowly getting stronger.

 

“There it is again.” Inuyasha frowned.

 

“What a portentous feeling. Strange that there is no scent yet there is an air of negativity.” Sesshoumaru mused.

 

Inuyasha stood, his stance alert, and headed toward the door. Sesshoumaru followed suit. He stood outside, looking out into the distance. Over the cliff, he watched as purple, roaring clouds formed in the distance. Their thunderous call gave him a chill that ran icily up his spine.

 

“A storm?” Inuyasha puffed.

 

“No, not a storm.” Jordan answered as she neared the two men, her hair still wet, but her eyes serious and her face twisted into a glower.

 

“Do you know what it is?” Sesshoumaru questioned as she came in between them, looking out into the dark night sky.

 

“Debris, left behind from a powerful spell. I don't think you need me to tell you which one.” Jordan answered. Inuyasha growled and Sesshoumaru made the smallest of sighs to show her that they understood.

 

“Can it reach us here?” Inuyasha asked despondently.

 

“This island has really strong currents. The winds that come in the night sky are vigorous, so I doubt it would reach us anytime soon, but it doesn't mean that it won't. I'll bet anything that the bastard is searching for us. Mostly likely, he must have realized that we were not killed by his initial blast.” Jordan said pensively with a hint of anger in her voice.

 

“This cuts our time short.” Sesshoumaru scoffed.

 

“By how long?” Inuyasha wondered.

 

“Who knows? The enemy has proved to be unpredictable.” Jordan huffed.

 

“Then we had better work faster.” Sesshoumaru sneered.

 

“The sooner the plans finish the better.” Jordan said, determined.

 

()()()()()()()

 

Kagome finished placing Silva and Rin into bed. The little girl had wanted to stay with her friend so much that both Sango and Kagome felt bad for refusing her. In the end, she had gotten her way, resting peacefully next to Silva. Sighing, Kagome sat back on her heels, turning to face Sango.

 

“Ah, cousins sleeping together, how adorable.” She gushed. “You're really good at keeping track of them.”

 

“I had a little brother back home. I had to learn how to keep an eye on him. It's almost the same. Have you and Miroku spoken about…you know?” Kagome blushed.

 

“Children? Oh all the time! Miroku said he would prefer eight or nine. I think maybe four children would be enough.”

 

“That many? I don't think I can handle more than two.” Kagome said astonishingly. “Are you sure you don't mind watching them? You can go see if Miroku has come back?” Kagome offered.

 

“No, you go on your walk, I'll keep an eye on them.” Sango winked.

 

“Thanks.” Kagome said as she stepped through the door. Nighttime on the island was something she had yet to experience. The village girls said that it was so romantic to walk with a loved one at night. There were fireflies that glowed different colors and the sky was so clear. Cool breezes, music from the forests' leaves and crickets filled the air. Old white and marble ruins came out from the ground. The villages had lighted small lanterns that made several paths in the forest and garden luminous. When the war ends, Kagome thought, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a permanent settlement here.

 

She sat on a stump that had once been a stone building, looking up at the moon. It felt nice to sit for a moment to clear her head. Between worrying for Silva's well being, her growing attachment to the girl, the war, wondering if Inuyasha would turn up soon, Kagome's mind had not yet answered the single question that plagued her most: would she go home?

 

She seemed to be unable to answer this one query. Never in her life had she ever felt so torn. She had a family back home. Would her mother, her grandfather and her brother greave for her if she did not return? Would the people here miss her if she did? Despite the fact that it had been constant danger since her first arrival in this world, she was falling in love with the people here and it made her decision to leave or stay really difficult.

 

Sango, Miroku, Jordan, Sarina, Suzuna, Silva and Inuyasha, they were all very close to her now. She'd miss them if she went back, but she'd miss her family and her friends if she stayed. Even so, Kagome was slowly beginning to feel like this place was familiar to her. She kept having dreams of things she never remembered: playing in a field of lilies, collecting underwater roses. Perhaps they were Inuyasha's memories, she had experienced something like that before when he broke down all the walls between them.

 

Did she belong here?

 

Unable to find and answer, Kagome stood, walking around in the garden. What did she want? Did she want to stay or leave, but she loved the people here, she wanted to protect the people here, especially…what about the people back home?

 

Would her mother grieve that she would never see her daughter again? Kagome wished she could see the future; what would it be like if she took this choice. She wished she knew which path to take.

 

Tired of fruitless debate, Kagome wondered around the clearing, staring at the moon. It was a windy night, but it was warm. Still, the howling only made the confusion she felt even more tiresome. Something rustled when the wind did not blow. She turned a corner to see someone was sitting between two trees, staring out into the waves of the sea beyond a cliff. Smiling, Kagome went closer to him.

 

 

Inuyasha stared at the ocean, holding his right arm in his lap. The gashes had long since healed, but it left its mark. Deep into his skin the lines of the poison had stayed, making a dark, purple spiral of tattoos on his arm. He rewrapped the arm in the bandage he kept around it, staring out into the dark sky in front of him, knowing that a storm was raging beyond.

 

“Nice night isn't it?” He wasn't surprised to hear Kagome's voice, but he was shocked that she had snuck up on him without him once noticing. Smiling despite himself, he looked up as she came to sit next to him.

 

Kagome looked at him from the corner of her eye, not saying anything then turned her head to stare at the ocean. There was a heavy air between them. “So, how are things going with the plans?” She asked.

 

Inuyasha didn't look away from the view, saying, “Tiring. I could fall asleep right now.”

 

“That bad huh?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Kagome watched as he leaned on his elbows, before settling his back against the grass, facing the stars. He looked so boyish and young; it was hard to believe that he was a father. Sometimes he didn't fit the part at all. He looked up at the sky lazily, his eyes narrowing till they almost touched.

 

“Um, Inuyasha?”

 

“I know.”

 

Kagome tilted her head to the side. “I know what you're going to say.”

 

“What was I going to say?” Kagome challenged. Inuyasha closed his eyes, breathing in. “I'm so tired.” He huffed.

 

“Hey, don't avoid the question.” Kagome grumbled, patting him on the shoulder. He grabbed the hand that had hit him, jerking it forward and making Kagome collide with his chest. She breathed out a sigh of shock but didn't recoil. She moved her head so that her ear was next to his heart, flushed, not sure how long it had been since she had been this close to him. It was still as overwhelming as it was months ago when he found her in the middle of nowhere.

 

“How long are you planning to hide?” Kagome asked.

 

“What does that mean?” Inuyasha's left hand came to rest on her back. Kagome focused on that hand as it moved up and down. What was she talking about?

 

“I mean,” She shook her head, trying to concentrate, “how long are you going to stay away?” Kagome asked. She felt Inuyasha stiffen.

 

“I've got a lot of work to do.”

 

“Don't lie to me.” Kagome traced a finger down his front, feeling him breath in as she did so. “Sesshoumaru found time to come and meet Silva. I know you can too.”

 

“Sesshoumaru met Silva? How did she take it?”

 

“If you were there, you could have seen it for yourself.” Kagome scolded him. He sighed again. “She was nervous. I think she might have been a bit intimidated.”

 

“Who isn't intimidated by Sesshoumaru?”

 

Kagome leaned up to look at his face. He stared back at her quietly. “Do you mind telling me why you are avoiding to see the girl you risked your butt to save?” Kagome shook his shoulders angrily.

 

Inuyasha grabbed hold of her upper arms and pushed her away, sitting up. “I'm afraid to see her face.” He said, looking away.

 

“What do you mean? Aren't you happy?” Kagome asked.

 

“I thought I would be, but that's not it. Half of my mind focuses on something else.”

 

“I don't understand.”

 

“I keep thinking about…someone else.”

 

“Ayla?” Kagome guessed, but as she said it, she knew she was right.

 

Inuyasha looked out into the ocean, not really seeing, his eyes distant and forlorn. “How can I look Silva in the eye? How can I just expect to live happily ever after with all the things she's been through? I am happy she's alive and well, but I still feel like I failed. It's selfish, but I want Ayla here as well. I want to see them together again. How can I look at Silva without feeling guilt? How do I apologize for not being there, for letting that bastard harm her? For letting her mother and sister die?” He frowned. “What if she rejects me?”

 

Kagome touched his arm, leaning her head on his shoulder. So that was why he didn't come back to see them. “I don't think she will reject you. She asks me everyday when you will come back. I know she wants to see you.”

 

“I'm afraid of seeing her.”

 

“You know sometimes I wonder how you became such a big softie.” Kagome muttered. “Not long ago, you were one, big, arrogant jerk.”

 

“Oh thanks.” Inuyasha narrowed his eyes but then said, “Having children does that to you.”

 

Kagome suddenly stood, grasping his arm and pulling him. He winced slightly as her fingers dug into the bandage on his right arm, managing to stand. “Okay, you're coming with me.” Kagome announced.

 

“Where are we going?” He asked as she tugged him across the garden.

 

“To a family reunion.” Kagome sent him a smile. Inuyasha's eyes widened and he wrenched his hand away from her. She turned to look at him as he shook his head.

 

“I can't.”

 

“You can and you will. Honestly, what happened to the over-confident dummy I met in the desert months ago. I'm not taking no for an answer.” She said, grasping his arm again, her eyes resolute. Inuyasha gave her a frown.

 

()()()()()()()

 

If his heart went any faster, it may just stop entirely. He gave Kagome another stare as they stood in front of the small hut. “I'm not so sure about this.” He said again.

 

“If you're not ready now, when will you be. The sooner you get this off your chest the better. For you and for her.” Kagome smiled, encouraging him.

 

Swallowing, he followed her inside the hut. Sango stood at the sight of them. Kagome caught her eye and nodding, she picked up Rin from the bed and left the room without a word.

 

Kagome turned to him, gesturing to Silva. “There's no one here to get in your way.” She said. “I can leave if you want to be alone.”

 

“No, stay.” Inuyasha breathed in. “Would you wake her?”

 

Kagome sat on the bed, feeling Inuyasha come to sit beside her. He brushed Silva's bangs out of her face, smiling as she wiggled her nose in her sleep. Placing her hand on Silva's shoulder, Kagome began to rouse her.

 

“Silva, wake up. There's someone here to see you.”

 

“Mmm?” Silva opened an eye, rubbing it with her tiny finger. She sat up, her hair tussled and her honey colored eyes glassy with sleep. She yawned. Then her eyes were wide, she was standing on the bed, her ears pointed toward Inuyasha. She said nothing for a moment, standing completely still.

 

Kagome smiled, walking away from the bed. “PAPA!” Silva screamed, jumping and wrapping her arms around his neck. Inuyasha fell to his knees but didn't let her go, his eyes getting watery.

 

“Yeah, I'm here.” He said as he ran his fingers through her hair. Silva sobbed into his shoulder, repeating his name over and over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awwww. I'm all teary eyed. Corny, I know, but I couldn't help it.