InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dream Quest ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

“Inuyasha . . .”

He opened his eyes partway to see Miroku kneeling in front of him, the monk's face wearing its usual bright smile. Inuyasha groaned and almost told him to go away but then he saw that look in Miroku's eyes, the one that told the half-demon that he was frightened and in need of soothing. The wind tunnel had been growing at a rather alarming rate recently, and they knew that it was just a matter of time before it completely consumed the monk. That fact alone was enough to put a bit of a damper on Miroku's usual cheerful demeanor.

“What is it, Miroku?” he yawned, stretching a little. One arm went to the side and hung there, an open invitation. The monk promptly took it, nestling himself as closely to Inuyasha as possible. They'd been spending a lot of moments like that, ever since they'd learned of what Inuyasha was capable of doing.

“Nothing,” came the content reply. Miroku's left hand rested lightly against Inuyasha's growing abdomen, caressing idly despite the hanyou's clothing.

Inuyasha snorted at that but said nothing more. If this was all that Miroku wanted, who was he to say anything? His arm tightened around the other male's form, pulling him closer . . .

--

Golden-amber eyes opened to see the sun cresting against the horizon and a pang of sadness hit him as he realized what he'd dreamt about and who. Miroku.

Out of everyone he had ever lost, next to his mother, Miroku was the one whom he missed the most. Why, he hadn't really been able to say. The monk had been quite the lecher but he'd also been very cheerful. After Kagome and Shippou had left, that had been what drew Inuyasha to the other male . . . and had kept him going.

'If only things had played out differently,' Inuyasha thought morosely, rising to his feet and heading for the river, pots and bottles in hand. It was his turn to gather the water for cooking and he needed a distraction from his dream and his memories.

They were still at least a day away from Edo. They'd been traveling slowly for some reason, as if a great reluctance had come over them. In a way, Inuyasha was reluctant to return to Edo. The village held many memories for him, both good and bad. He'd met Kikyou there, had slept on a tree near there for fifty years . . . only to be awakened by Kagome. It was also because of Edo that Miroku had taken his own life, Inuyasha as his witness and executioner. That one memory outweighed everything else. No matter where he looked when he was in Edo, he saw Miroku.

'But we need to get back,' he told himself, bathing quickly then retrieving the much needed water. 'We can't delay any longer.'

With the water that the group needed, Inuyasha walked back to their camp. When he got there, he saw that Sango and Sesshomaru had already awoken and working on the chores that they needed to. Both seemed a little livelier than usual, and Inuyasha had to smile. They were coming out of their dazes. What would become of their group now that Naraku was gone, Inuyasha didn't know but he wasn't about to worry about it.

So many things had changed. So many things were going to change. Next to him, the nearly complete Shikon no Tama continued to pulse and Inuyasha closed his eyes, willing away the sudden dizziness that had hit him. Once it had passed, he opened his eyes and continued on about his chores, unaware of what the jewel was about to do.

* * *

“Are ye sure about this, child?” Kaede inquired, looking at the dark-haired girl sitting across from her. Next to the girl was a boy of about eight human years with a crop of red hair and a very bushy tail. The girl nodded.

“Hai, Kaede. I'm sure. That's what happened and why I wasn't able to return. Until now.”

“I see . . . I cannot guarantee how Inuyasha will react to seeing you, child. He's suffered much since you've left.”

“I know,” Kagome murmured. “But I'm here now. I can help. I want to help. Sango and Miroku will help Inuyasha see that.”

Kaede opened her mouth to say something about the monk but found that she couldn't say the words. How did you tell someone that a friend had passed away? She couldn't escape it. Kagome needed to know what had happened during her absence.

“I hope ye are right, child, but do not count on anything from Miroku. The monk has . . .”

“Has what, Kaede?”

Before Kaede could say anything more, a small boy dashed into the hut and vaulted himself into Kaede's lap. Kaede chuckled at the boy's antics as Kagome's jaw dropped. The boy promptly snuggled against the older woman, a bright smile upon his face.

“Who . . . who is this?” Kagome finally managed to squeak out, her eyes filling with tears. The boy's demon heritage was rather obvious. He had his father's genken ears and silvery-white hair.

“This, Kagome, is Hiroshi . . . Inuyasha and Miroku's son.”