InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Even Evil Has Reincarnates ❯ ...Is Where the Heart Is ( Chapter 20 )

 

DISCLAIMER-

 

Unfortunately, this story and the characters herein pertain to Rumiko Takahasi…but couldn't I just wish? Eh.

 

Except for a select few... and the plot! Those are MINE! ALL MINE!!!!!!

 

(Clears throat)

 

This story is rated M for Maturity.

 

Note: Only those words that are not frequently used in fanfics will I put a translation to. I mean, come on… we know what a BAKA is…right? If not, Google it…I did =)

 

Also, any and all comments are accepted. Be it negative or positive. Constructive criticism only helps and positive feedback inspires.

 

To those that have commented, thank you.

 

Definitions: Kusottare - Asshole

And let us continue…

 

Home…

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Chapter 19:…Is Where the HeartIs

 

“Cherry Blossoms… chocolate syrup…”

 

InuYasha looked on amused at his passed out mate.

 

“Orange elephants …giant balloons…”

 

Kaede lifted an eyebrow and commented, “Do you think she hit her head when she fell?”

 

The hanyou snorted, “No, this is normal. She mutters nonsense constantly in her sleep. Besides, I did not just stand there while she got her head hit! I did catch her!”

 

“Mmm InuYasha…”

 

Aforementioned hanyou blushed thirty shades of red before scooting Kaede out the door quickly, “Umm… I don't want her to pass out when she see's you again. Wait right outside Kaede-baba!”

 

“But -“

 

He shut the door in her face before she could finish her sentence. He whipped his head around to hear his half mumbling, half moaning mate utter his name like that… and had to do everything in his power not to launch himself and ravish her while she was still passed out.

 

He twitched his ear towards her to make sure she was still unconscious and not purposely trying to torment him.

 

After satisfactorily hearing her steady breathing, he made his way to her bedside and sat, smoothing away her bangs from her face. He wondered if she would become angry with him once she awoke. Would she think that he was hiding things from her?

 

After five centuries, he still could not wrap his mind around how to deal with this particular woman. `Keh.'

 

Hearing her groan, he continued brushing her bangs from her face, as she started, with difficulty opening her eyes.

 

She stretched and smiled sleepily, “Mmm, hi there.”

 

`Ok, she looks happy so far…'

 

Forcing a small smile he asked, “How you feeling?”

 

She chuckled, “I'm ok. I had the weirdest dream though. Must be all the stress…”

 

Swallowing the knot in his throat, he nodded, “Oh yeah? What did you dream about?”

 

She smiled nostalgically, “I dreamt that Kaede-baacha greeted me in the foyer of your home.” She chuckled sadly, “Kami, I miss her.”

 

“Koishii?”

 

She looked up into his eyes, grabbed the hand that kept playing with her bangs and tunred her head to kiss his palm, “Yes my love?”

 

“It…uh…I mean…”

 

Kagome lifted an eyebrow at her stuttering mate.

 

Taking a deep breath, InuYasha rushed out, “It wasn't a dream.”

 

Kagome sprung out of bed, “What?!”

 

InuYasha stood back, “Koi, please calm -“

 

Before he could finish his sentence, Kagome was flinging the door open and running out of the bedroom. “Kaede-obaba!”

 

Kagome halted in her tracks at seeing the kind face of the old woman who had been like a grandmother to her. With tears springing into her eyes, she croaked out, “Is it -“

 

She took a deep breath, “Is it really you?”

 

Kaede could not help the misting over of her own eyes, “Hai child, it's me.”

 

Kagome sprung like a gazelle, arms outspread to the woman. Once she reached her she embraced the old woman tightly breaking down into sobs.

 

Kaede cried as well, rubbing the girls head soothingly. “I've missed you my child.”

 

“I-I-I've missed you so much Kaede-baacha…”

 

Kaede laughed and held Kagome at arms length, “My… you've gotten even more beautiful child. You're all grown up!”

 

The younger miko blushed and wiped her tears laughing.

 

Kaede looked over at InuYasha who currently stood in the doorway of the room. “Well, this old woman is going to make some tea. Would you like some?”

 

“Keh.”

 

Kagome nudged her mate, who had now moved next to her, with her elbow. “I'd love some.”

 

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Kagome sat with her mouth forming a little `O', still holding the cup of tea in her hand. Kaede took a sip all the while with a smile on her face.

 

“So you…”

 

“Hai.”

 

“…”

 

InuYasha laughed at his speechless mate, “Oi. She was part of the deal with Midoriko. We didn't know why but, the wench said that and I quote, `Kaede will be much needed in Kagome's future.'”

 

“Hai. So she kept me around for five centuries with raging arthritis and one eye.”

 

“Hey baaba at least there's a glass one in there now!”

 

As they kept quarrelling back and forth, Kagome kept a blank stare at the two in front of her, not bothering to blink. Suddenly, sadness marred her face as she whispered, “She knew what would happen to my family and she knew that I saw you as a grandmother…”

 

Standing up Kagome pushed her bangs out of her face, stopped and turned to look over at InuYasha and Kaede who had stopped fighting when her aura had flared. Kagome's face looked horrified, “Is it awful of me to be thankful to her for doing that?! For bringing you all here, even at the cost of my family not being here?!”

 

Almost hearing the wheels turning in Kagome's head, Kaede approached her, “No. It's not. Unfortunately or fortunately, we are all born with our destinies mapped out child.” Placing her hand on the young miko's shoulder, she continued, “She fully knew what lay ahead Kagome, that did not mean she choose for it to happen that way. She toyed with destiny to allow the other part of your family to help you through the loneliness and despair despite the rules. No. I…We do not believe you to be awful.” Kaede grabbed Kagome's chin gently and made her meet her eyes, “Their deaths, child, were going to happen whether or not we were here. She chose to somewhat give you some of what had been taken from you back.”

 

Kaede embraced Kagome and added softly, “Sometimes we become angry without understanding things fully. Sometimes we go as far as hating ourselves and blaming others for things out of their control. Life is never perfect sweetheart. There must be two sides to everything. Without evil there would be no good, without hate there would be no love and without selfishness there would be no selflessness. You see? Without one there would not be the other. It is so easy for us to accept the good but never the bad. Do not question yourself anymore. Accept your life, let light into your heart, do good unto others and the balance will tip your way. It's all you can do. Besides, I would say the scale is very much in your favor now…”

 

Kagome slowly smiled, nodded and tightened her embrace on the woman, feeling a new weight lifted off her chest, “Thank you.”

 

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Miroku looked at his wife lecherously, earning him a raised brow from her.

 

"You need to be quick my love. You must use your body and hands aptly."

 

Smirking at her husband, she replied, “Don't I always?"

 

Sango stood up and started making use of her hands.

 

"Oh, Oh! It's right on the tip of my tongue!"

 

Sango urged her on, "Keep going Kagome!"

 

Kagome growled in frustration, "No no, do something else! This isn't working for me!"

 

Sango rolled her eyes.

 

"BOOB! It's a BOOB!"

 

"Ugh! This is so frustrating!" Sango bit her lower lip.

 

Suddenly, a buzzer rang. Sango stomped her foot, hands on hips and sent a pointed glare to her husband, "How did you not get that?!"

 

He looked at her quizzically, "....?"

 

She mimicked a microphone, "This indicated it was a song."

 

She pointed her thumb at herself, "Me or my."

 

She placed a hand over her heart, "HEART!"

 

She did a forwarding motion with her hand, "WILL GO ON!" Staring at Miroku incredulously, “BOOB?! WHERE IN THE HELLS DID YOU GET BOOB?!"

 

InuYasha chuckled, "What else would the lecher think you would mean?"

 

Sango smacked her husband upside the head, "Boob?!"

 

He smiled at her, "Well my dearest Sango, when you, and might I add, lovingly placed your hand on my haven..."

 

At her smack, he rubbed the back of his head, "Well, actually you lost me when you mimicked a microphone..."

 

A louder smack resonated through the room, bringing out the laughter in everyone except the seething Sango. She mumbled, "Hentai."

 

Ai leaned towards Shippo, "Does she always get this way when playing Charades?"

 

Shippo shrugged a smirk on his lips, "She's a sore loser."

 

Sango sent a withering glare at the young fox, "I heard that you brat."

 

Kagome leaned back on the floor her back resting between InuYasha's legs who was currently sitting on the armchair, "Miroku, I believe you love the abuse you get served."

 

He sent his million dollar smile her way, waggling his eyebrows, "Of course."

 

Sango couldn't help it and her lips twitched. She leaned over and kissed the ex-monk on the cheek, "My lech."

 

He frowned at her and tapped his lips, "You missed."

 

Scoffing, she added, "Don't push your luck."

 

Kagome looked around observing those around her. Shippo was chatting comfortably with Ai, she was silently comfortable with InuYasha who was busy playing with her hair. Sango and Miroku were having their own version of masochist foreplay... and Souta... was sitting by the window looking out at the snow a bit melancholic.

 

'Where are Chika and Norio?'

 

Getting up from her position, Kagome walked to her purse and removed her cell phone. InuYasha eyed her curiously as she held one finger up at him and walked into the hallway.

 

'Hello?!"

 

Kagome whispered, "Chika where are you and Norio?"

 

She was met with silence, "Chika? Hello?!"

 

"Sensei..."

 

At Chika's dour tone, Kagome's heart rose to her throat, slamming a hand against the wall, she yelled, "CHIKA WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

 

Norio was the one that answered, "Kagome-sensei... we passed by the shrine on our way to InuYasha-sama's and..." Kagome could hear his loud sigh come through, "The shrine was on fire. Roads are blocked. Firemen, Policemen are not allowing anyone through."

 

Leaning against the wall and slumping down, she spoke through the knot in her throat, "Are you sure it was the shrine and not something near it?"

 

"It's all over the news, turn on the t.v."

 

Remaining on the phone, Kagome walked back into the family room ignoring the worried looks thrown her way. Everyone stood immediately sensing the rage in her aura. Walking straight to the large plasma television, Kagome turned it on and lowered her cell phone.

 

"This is Tifa Watanabe reporting to you livefrom Tokyo. We are currently located at the Sunset Shrine, a historical site that has stood here for more than 300 years witnessing as local firemen try their best to put out the raging fire that blazes. There are currently no reports as to if this fire was accidental or provoked. It is known that, thankfully, in the home that stands next to the shrine, the Higurashi residence, that there was no one home at the time the fire commenced. Roads have been blocked by local authorities due to therebeing aforest located behind the shrine, whichmight spread the fire further;Mother Natureis definitely not helping in the matter. Although a big snowstorm is to hit tonight, the air is relatively dry, causing difficulties in snuffing the fire. Authorities are urging that any residents residing in any of the nearby homes, please temporarily evacuate your homes until the fire is controlled. For the rest of our citizens, please refrain from driving or being on the roads since weather conditions later on tonight will without a doubt be unsteady. That is all the information that we have at this time. Please stay tuned for live updates."

 

Placing the television on mute and staring coldly at the vision on the screen, Kagome raised the phone to her ear once more and hissed, "I don't care if you guys have to walk, skate, run or fucking fly...get here STAT. New mission."

 

Closing the phone, she took a deep breath before turning cold, silver eyes to those in the room.

 

Sango stood crying with a wide-eyed look hanging on to Miroku to dear life. Souta let the tears run down his face unchecked. Ai looked at her sensei with tears in her eyes, as well as Shippo. InuYasha started slowly approaching Kagome, cautiously for he could see the silver and blue swirling in her eyes. He wanted to comfort her somehow but knew that would be a difficult task at the moment.

 

The only link she had left to that life, that happy life she once had, had cruelly been burnt to the ground...literally.

 

Taking two more steps towards her, she snapped her gaze up to meet his and held her hand up palm forward, shaking her head. She spoke in low tones, head down, "I want to be in your arms now InuYasha, I do but,” She looked up at him, "I can't lower my defenses right now. It's out of my control and I don't want to hurt you." Smiling tightly, a tear running down her cheek, "I will take a rain check on it though."

 

He felt desperate. He didn't know how to help his mate. Every time it seemed that he... they... all of them... had healed or at least licked some of her wounds...someone or something reopened them. He knew what that was like. Reopening the same wound in the same spot, over and over? It would never heal right without the proper care. Someone, Zenaku, was making sure light never reached her heart and soul again. He restrained the growl that wanted to emerge.

 

'Keh, fucking bastard has another thing coming.'

 

Hating to even admit it to himself, let alone others, he needed help. Plucking his cell phone out of his pocket, he turned and groaned when he found the number he needed.

 

"You had better have a good reason for calling me at this hour half-breed."

 

"I would not call you otherwise bastard." He responded in a whisper so Kagome could not hear him.

 

"Very well, what may this Sesshomaru help you with?"

 

Taking a few steps away from his family but not out of seeing range, he spoke, "Sesshomaru, turn on the news. Zenaku burned down Kagome's family home."

 

InuYasha could hear a loud gasp and immediately found himself getting bombarded with questions, "InuYasha, is Kagome ok? Is her brother ok? Is she with you? Do you know where we can find the bastard? Have you contacted Kouga? Who else can we call for backup?! Did you --"

 

InuYasha heaved a sigh, "Rin breathe."

 

"Rin, please hand me the phone this instant."

 

"Sesshy! They need our help!"

 

He could hear the restraint in his brother's voice. "Rin."

 

He had to hold his laughter at his sister-in-laws threatening reply, "Fluffy..."

 

"Rin. Your mate is well aware that the kusottare needs help. Let this Sesshomaru speak to the baka and resolve the matter." Mumbling Rin handed the phone back to Sesshomaru, "This Sesshomaru and his mate will get dressed and head to your home. I will call the wolf and his mate to see if they would like to offer their assistance."

 

"Keh. You know the bastard always runs at the first sign of trouble."

 

"Not if his mate is with him. She would incapacitate or take away his right to bear any other pups."

 

InuYasha smirked, "Alright."

 

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Close to an hour later, they all remained in the family room, sans Kagome which went out to the sunroom to meditate since, the weather impeded her to do so outside.

 

They were all still awaiting the arrival of Chika, Norio, Kouga, Ayame, Sesshomaru and Rin. InuYasha continued pacing back and forth, frustration apparent in his every move. Zenaku had declared an official war with the step he just took and as much as he hated calling in backup, he would not risk his mate but would definitely risk his pride fully.

 

At that moment, he could hear the front door open and smell his brother and Rin, immediately followed by Kouga and Ayame. Stepping out of the family room, he was immediately face to face with Kouga. "What kind of trouble did you get Kagome into now Inukuso?!"

 

The red-haired wolf demon behind him, yanked on his ear, growling, "Kouga..."

 

"Ouch Ayame ouch!"

 

She did not relinquish her hold, "Kagome is his mate. We're just here as their friends to offer our support. Worry about your mate, not others."

 

Pouting his lower lip, he sighed, "Fine. I won't get into Inukuso and Kagome's business."

 

She yanked once more, "And you will not call him Inukuso! He has a name, InuYasha. I-nu-Ya-sha."

 

"Yes mate."

 

Smiling, she released his ear and went to hug InuYasha which had a smug look on his face.

 

Rin was currently bickering silently at Sesshomaru, who looked unaffected but, to those that had been around him for centuries knew better. He was silently cringing at the implications of what would happen once they got home.

 

Even the ice king would melt at the promise of no loving ... for some time…a long time.

 

Sesshomaru exasperatingly looked away from his fuming mate, "Where is the miko?"

 

"She's meditating. Her aura was all over the place, right along with her powers...and being that there are a couple of youkai here, she did not want to accidentally purify anyone or anything."

 

At that moment, a loud banging was heard at the front door. Kaede opened it to find two freezing figures standing outside of it. "W-w-we-we're h-h-h-here."

 

Sango and Miroku guided the two humans inside and directly into a warmer room, handing them blankets and brandy to warm them up.

 

Souta, hurried to Chika's side and started rubbing her arms, crouched in front of her, "How in all the hells did you two get here so quick?"

 

A shivering Chika, looked up into Souta's worried gaze and smiled awkwardly, she responded shaking, "Walked past the road blocks, grabbed a bus, got off and flagged a taxi, walked from the gates. It's fucking freezing out there!"

 

Feeling the calmer, yet furious aura approaching, everyone stood stock still. Kagome walked into the family room.

 

Kouga tried, he really did, not to drool at the picture of Kagome.

 

`Damn, she's hot.'

 

After an elbow to his ribs and a glare from his mate he stopped ogling immediately.

 

Ayame approached the miko bravely. "Hello Kagome."

 

Taking a deep breath and mustering her best smile, Kagome relaxed a little and approached the female wolf demon and gave her a brief hug, "Hello Ayame."

 

Out of her embrace, Kagome nodded her head a little towards Kouga, "Kouga-kun, hello."

 

Kouga guffawed and put Kagome in a tight hug, "I got a good mate now! Give me a hug! It's been forever! Oi! Stop growling Inuku-” Wincing at his mistake, "Yasha!"

 

InuYasha all but barked out, "Flea-bag... remove your arms from around my mate before I remove them for you!"

 

Kagome rolled her eyes and stepped away from the childlike behaving demons and cleared her throat, "Once you are all done acting like baka's we have more important matters to attend to."

 

Lowering their heads in apparent shame, they both mumbled, "Gomen."

 

Kagome went and sat in the armchair that InuYasha had occupied before and looked at Norio and Chika, hard eyes softening, "Gomen-nasai about making you go through so much to get here."

 

Norio lifted up a brow at her, "It is what we do."

 

Kagome nodded her head, "Arigato"

 

Turning to look at everyone, she started stating her theory slowly, "I do believe Zenaku is behind this but, it is not Zenaku's hand that lit that fire."

 

Sango was the one to speak up, “Kenachi?”

 

Kagome widened her eyes in surprise and nodded, “Yes, Kenachi. Remember Lai,” she swallowed the lump in her throat, “mentioned, that he was a fire manipulator…which happens to be in Japan, according to her.”

 

Rin walked towards Kagome and crouched to be eye-level with the miko, “Kagome… anything you need from us, count on it.”

 

Breathing became hard for Kagome, the knot in her belly twisting painfully. She would not cry. She now had a family to defend and she would not let anything happen to them. Taking a shaky breath, Kagome looked into Rin's eyes and then met everyone's one by one. “I ask that you please…” Dropping down from the couch and bowing low on the floor, arms outstretched before her, she trembled, “please. That you, my only family, assist me in defeating this bastard.” On a whine, she rasped out. “Please.”

 

Kagome felt herself get dragged from the floor and burrowed into a chest. Hearing a soft rumble, she relaxed. InuYasha whispered into her hair, “Koishii, don't beg. Don't you ever beg. You don't need to. We'll help as long as we're breathing.”

 

Nodding her head, she whispered, “There's not much we can do tonight, I'm tired, let's go over our next step in the morning.”

 

Shippo spoke up, “Mama, Miroku, Kouga, Ayame and I will stand guard.”

 

She merely nodded.

 

Ai grabbed Chika, who was still shaking, “I'm going to watch over Chika to make sure she doesn't get sick.”

 

“I'll take her some warm soup.”

 

Chika looked up, appreciation shining in her eyes, “A-Ari-ga-to So-Souta.”

 

Sango and Norio bowed and excused themselves.

 

When everyone but, InuYasha, Sesshomaru and Rin remained, Kagome let out a guttural growl/sob, grabbing the front of InuYasha's shirt in her fists, “My home InuYasha… he destroyed my home.”

 

Feeling a shadow over her, Kagome looked up and was surprised to find a gentle eyed Sesshomaru staring at her, “Mi—Kagome. Were your memories of that place forever destroyed in that fire?”

 

Kagome looked on confused but shook her head, “Kami, no, that bastard could never destroy that.”

 

Smirking, which shocked Kagome into oblivion and she would have probably laughed if not for the magnitude of the situation, Sesshomaru cocked his eyebrow and was about to speak but, was interrupted by his mate before he could get a word in.

 

Rin smiled brightly at the young miko, “Kagome what Sesshy so eloquently-“ She glared at her mate, “tried to say is, memories are not material… you keep them in your heart and soul. Home… is where the heart is.”

 

Feeling the arms around her tighten, Kagome looked up into loving amber eyes, she whispered, “Home is where the heart is.”

 

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+When You Play With Fire…+

 

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