InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forgotten Hope ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2

"I'm going to be a big sister," Kagome announced as she walked into Inuyasha's house. Inuyasha had turned twelve last week, which made Kagome seven.

After the first time she met Inuyasha, they had never been separated for longer than half a day. Lady Ai and Asami had taken to the habit of having tea before lunch everyday, Ai walking down to the cottage with Inuyasha not far behind. Kagome would leave with Inuyasha to play in the forest during the day, only showing up for lunch and dinner, before returning with Inuyasha to play for another few hours until bedtime. And the next day would be the same. But today was special.

Kagome's parents had told her that she was going to be a big sister, and the first thing she had done was raced down to Inuyasha's house to tell him the big news.

Lord Inutashio walked down the staircase to greet Kagome. "That's wonderful news Kagome-Chan."

"Hai, Uncle Inutashio. I'm hoping for a baby brother."

"A brother? I think you should hope for a sister," said Inuyasha, making his appearance. "Brothers ain't nothing but trouble."

"But he would be a little brother, not a big brother," Kagome argued, smiling at Inuyasha.

"Feh. I still think a sister would be less trouble."

"I think you having a baby sister is a wonderful idea Inuyasha," said Lady Ai as she walked into the room, glaring at her husband as she said it.

Inutashio coughed into his hand and excused himself saying he needed to make a phone call. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and sighed. "I don't think you're going to win that argument, Mother."

"Sure I will. I just need to be persistent."

"It's been three years."

"And I'll win in the end."

Kagome giggled and shook her head. It was an old argument in the family. Lady Ai wanted more children and Lord Inutashio wanted to wait until Inuyasha was older to have anymore. One of the Demon Lord's oldest excuses was that Kagome was practically a daughter to them so Ai didn't need anymore children.

"It's so good to hear that your mother is pregnant," Ai said as she turned back to Kagome.

"Hai. I'm very excited."

"Oh, I've been meaning to ask your Mother something," Ai said as she made her way towards the door.

"What?"

"Um? Oh, Inuyasha will tell you. Now why don't you two go start your studies? You've been neglecting them as it is. Inuyasha, if you don't catch up than I'm going to hire another tutor."

Inuyasha snorted. "Myouga-jiji is bad enough."

"Manners Inuyasha. Same goes for you, Kagome. That was one of the conditions to studying with Inuyasha, remember? You would keep up with your school work so that you're at the same level with other students your age."

"Yes, Auntie Ai. I'll study extra hard from now on. I promise," Kagome said solemnly.

"You're such a good girl," Ai said absently as she kissed Kagome's forehead on her way out. "Mind yourself Inuyasha," Ai called out to her son, blowing him a kiss before going out the front door.

Inuyasha sighed a `yes mother,' and followed Kagome to the library where Myouga was already waiting. "I was wondering if you two were going to show up," Myouga said when the two entered.

"Auntie Ai made sure of it," Kagome said with a smile as she sat down across from the flea demon.

Inuyasha took a seat next to Kagome and crossed his arms. "So teach away Myouga-jiji."

Myouga frowned at Inuyasha's attitude but didn't bother saying anything. Any one who knew Inuyasha knew telling him to mind his manners was just a waste of time, his mother excluded.

"Well, since I wasn't quite prepared for your presence today," said Myouga, "You two are just going to have a wait a minute for me to come up with a lesson plan."

Inuyasha snorted but Kagome smiled and nodded. "Okay Myouga-San. I needed to talk to Inuyasha anyway."

"About what?" asked Inuyasha.

"What your mother said earlier."

"Oh. We're going out of town next week."

"For how long?" Kagome asked, a little worried at being parted from Inuyasha.

"Two weeks. My mother wanted to talk to Aunt Asami about taking you with us."

"Really?" squealed Kagome.

"Yeah. My parents are kind of hesitant to separate us for some reason," Inuyasha replied, scratching his head.

"That's a good thing, though," Kagome stated.

"Yeah. Do you want to stay over here tonight?"

"Sure. That would be fun. Why do your parents want to go out of town?" asked Kagome, drawing the conversation back to the subject at hand.

"Oh, they want to visit my grandmother and Father has business to attend to at the capital."

"That sounds like fun. What's your grandmother like?"

"Don't know. Never met her."

"Alright," said Myouga, interrupting the conversation. "Let's get on with the lesson."

^_^

Inuyasha and Kagome had studied all day and weren't dismissed until dinnertime. "Another week of studying like you did today and you both will be caught up," Myouga announced as Kagome and Inuyasha made their way to the door.

"Like that would ever happen," Inuyasha said for Kagome ears only. Kagome smiled and reached up to scratch Inuyasha's ear.

"What movies do you want to watch tonight?" she asked, smiling even larger when Inuyasha began to purr.

"Let's have a marathon."

"What kind of marathon?"

"Jackie Chan movies only?"

"Sounds good to me," agreed Kagome.

Inuyasha's parents along with Sesshomaru were already at the dinner table when the pair entered the dinning room. "How did your studies go today?" asked Lady Ai.

"Myouga-San said if we studied like we did today for another week than we would be all caught up," Kagome said.

"School too hard for you, Inuyasha?" said Sesshomaru as Inuyasha took his seat next to Kagome.

"No, I just have better things to do than waste away inside the house," he replied arrogantly.

"Oh? Like what? Playing fetch with your little human?"

"That's enough," Inutashio interrupted before his sons could erupt into a full out argument.

"I'm not little," Kagome muttered quietly when everyone fell silent.

"Yes you are," argued Inuyasha.

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"If you say I am you're agreeing with your brother," Kagome said in a rush.

Inuyasha thought about it for a second before replying. "Okay, you're not little. You're small."

"Ooh! You, you!"

"Ooh, me, me," Inuyasha repeated.

"Fine, be that way. I'll just tell your mother what you said about manners," Kagome replied, sticking her nose in the air.

"Oh?" Ai interrupted. "What did you say about manners, Inuyasha?"

"Um, nothing," Inuyasha squeaked.

"You were saying?" Kagome drew his attention back to her.

"I'll just tell Aunt Asami you watched the Exorcist."

The Exorcist was the one movie Kagome was not allowed to see. Her mother was too squeamish around subjects such as possession. "You wouldn't," Kagome said, eyes huge.

"You saw that movie, Kagome-Chan?" asked Ai.

"Eek, um what movie Auntie Ai?"

Inuyasha smirked. He knew he had her. "I love your dinner arguments," Ai continued. "You both just give us so many excuses to ground you."

"Oh, look, here comes to food," said Inuyasha, trying to change the subject.

Ai smiled knowingly and let the subject slide. She had other matters to worry about.

^_^

"Finally. You're both caught up," Myouga announced after four days of hard studying.

"Took long enough," muttered Inuyasha.

"You both finished faster than I thought possible," Myouga said.

"Good. Bye Myouga-San," said Kagome, running towards the door.

"Wait up Kagome," yelled Inuyasha, chasing after Kagome.

"Too bad you'll both have to catch up again next month," Myouga said to the empty room.

Kagome took a deep breath as soon as they were outside. "Finally, fresh air," she sighed.

"Take another deep breath, cause you won't get air like this in the city and we're leaving tomorrow," Inuyasha advised.

"I haven't packed yet!" Kagome almost screamed.

"How could you have forgotten to pack?"

"Well, I haven't been home in four days," Kagome excused herself.

Inuyasha snorted and crouched down so Kagome could get on his back. This was the fastest way of traveling for the both of them and they were at Kagome's house in minutes.

"There you are," Asami called as she came out of the house to greet to two. "I was wondering if I would get to see my daughter this week," she added sarcastically.

"We had to study," Inuyasha said, disgusted.

"Studying is very important," Asami replied. "What's this? Four days without seeing either one of you and I don't get so much as a hug?"

Kagome smiled and ran up to her mother, hugging her carefully. Inuyasha gave Asami a kiss on the cheek and lifted Kagome so she could do the same and so Asami didn't have to bend down. "I have some cookies made," she said, taking them both by the hands and leading them into the house.

"I need to pack, Mama. We leave tomorrow," Kagome told her mother as she led them into the kitchen.

"I already packed for you dear. You don't need to worry about it."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. You just have to remember to take lots of pictures and be extra, extra polite to Inuyasha's grandmother."

Kagome left her mother to fix dinner and followed Inuyasha up to her room. Inuyasha plopped down on her bed, ignoring the stuff animals that covered it. "Do you know why Mama wants me to be extra polite to your grandmother, Inuyasha?" asked Kagome, lying down beside him.

"My Mother told me the same thing."

"Oh? Did she tell you why?"

"She's the High Queen."

"What's a High Queen?"

"Don't you listen to Myouga-jiji?"

Kagome looked a bit sheepish before reaching up to scratch Inuyasha's ears. It was something she did when she was nervous. "You don't, do you?" Inuyasha guessed.

"Ah . . ."

"I thought so."

"And you're telling me you do listen?"

Inuyasha snorted. "It's kinda hard not to, ya know? He practically drills it into me."

"So what's a High Queen?"

"She's the human that's in charge of EVERYTHING. Her word is final. She might as well be a Kami. She's the strongest miko in existence and is one of the only humans that's able to live for centuries without being mated to a youkai."

"What does being mated to a youkai have to do with anything?"

Inuyasha blushed a bit before answering. "If a human were to mate a youkai, than the human would live as long as the youkai. Something about a bond being formed between mates."

"So why haven't you met your grandmother?" Kagome changed the subject, noticing Inuyasha was uncomfortable talking about mates.

"I've only been to the city once, and that was before I met you. After I met you, my parents didn't want to separate us so every time Mother and Father went to the city and they left me here."

"Are you excited?"

"A little bit. Father said something about having a boy my age move in with us."

"Did he say anything else?"

"No. He said it was a surprise. I could just ask Sesshomaru, he would tell me."

"After giving you a black eye maybe."

Inuyasha smirked. "I don't know about that. I'm getting stronger. Father said I could be as strong as him soon."

"You will be," Kagome said confidently.

"You sound sure."

"I am."

"And how's that?"

Kagome looked at him as if he were stupid. "This is you we're talking about Dog-boy. You're too stubborn to give up until you're the best."

^_^

"So how do you like your first time in a plane, Kagome-Chan?" asked Ai as she watched the seven years old look out the window.

"It's amazing," she answered.

"I'm glad you like it. We'll be in the city in a few minutes."

Inuyasha returned then and settled himself next to Kagome. He hated flying. Actually, that was an understatement. He dreaded flying like he dreaded dying. It was one of the most terrifying experiences he had to undergo.

Kagome noticed Inuyasha's ears twitching continuously, a sign he was nervous. Calmly, Kagome took Inuyasha hand with one hand and used her other hand to scratch his ears, waiting to hear him purr. She smiled when the tight line of his jaw loosened and his purr finally surfaced.

Inutashio observed the two with measuring eyes. He knew his son did not . . . enjoy flying, though he hid the feeling well. It was astonishing how Kagome was able to read Inuyasha. Maybe there was more to the two than at first glance.

Inuyasha tightened his hold on Kagome's hand when he felt the plane begin to descend, still being careful not to hurt her. Kagome was as fragile as she looked.

Kagome didn't stop rubbing his ears until the plane had landed and came to a complete stop. Inuyasha released a sigh of relief but didn't release Kagome's hand. She didn't argue and picked up her bag with the other arm, letting Inuyasha lead her off the plane.

Inuyasha stopped just outside the gate, waiting for his parents to get off the plane. He didn't want to have to sniff them out later. He hated the way the city smelled, almost as much as flying.

Kagome was silent as they waited, simply holding onto Inuyasha's hand until he was ready to let go. Not much could unsettle Inuyasha, and when something did, Kagome knew the best thing to do was simply try to comfort him without saying anything.

"Well, let's find our driver," said Inutashio as he and Ai walked through the gate and found Inuyasha and Kagome. "Now remember you two, stay close to me. There' s going to be media all over the place and I don't want us to get separated."

"Media?" asked Kagome.

"People that are on that boring news channel Uncle Yoshi's always watching," Inuyasha explained.

"Oh. I don't like that channel."

Ai smiled and gently pushed the children behind her husband as they started out of the terminal. Outside police were holding back the camera crews and reporters, waiting until Inutashio and co. were settled into the limo before finally letting the mob go. Kagome watched with interest as the people crowded her window and eventually backed off when the limo started down the street. "Stupid," Inuyasha muttered, looking back at the reporters with disgust.

"Inuyasha, manners," was Ai's only reply.

Kagome bit back a laugh and settled herself between Inuyasha and Ai. "Where are we going?"

"We're going to check into our hotel and then dinner," Inutashio replied.

"When are we meeting Inuyasha's grandmother?"

"Tomorrow," said Ai.

"Is she nice?" Kagome asked Ai.

"She can be," Ai replied cryptically.

"Is she pretty?"

"Yes. Very pretty."

"Will she like me?" Kagome asked a little hesitantly.

"Of course, baka," Inuyasha said before his mother could reply.

"It's an honest question Dog-boy," she told him, sticking her nose into the air.

Inuyasha snorted. "You shouldn't worry about what other people think."

"I don't. I just want your grandmother to like me."

"I'm sure she will," Ai assured the little girl before a full-blown argument could brew.

"How could she not?" Inuyasha said, erasing Kagome's anger.

^_^

"How do I look?" Kagome asked, presenting herself to Inuyasha and his father. They were on their way to meet the High Queen and Kagome wanted to look her best.

She was wearing a baby blue kimono with cherry blossom petals and her hair was pulled back into a braid. "Beautiful, Kagome-Chan," Inutashio replied, picking her up for a hug.

"Thank you Uncle Inutashio. What do you think Inuyasha?"

"I don't think you're the real Kagome."

"Uh?"

"The Kagome I know isn't that pretty."

Kagome blushed and looked down at her feet. Inuyasha didn't compliment her much, or when he did she couldn't tell if it was an insult or not, but when he did for some reason it made her feel lightheaded. Ai entered a moment later, wearing a kimono much more extravagant than any kimono Kagome had ever seen before.

"Wow, Auntie Ai, you look like an angel," said Kagome, taking her hand.

"Thank you, Kagome-Chan, but I fear you outdo me."

Kagome snorted. "Like that's possible."

"I think you've been picking up too many bad habits from my son," Ai replied, eyeing Kagome.

"Let's go," Inuyasha said impatiently.

Ai sighed and followed her son out the door, falling into step with her husband. She watched as Kagome struggled to keep up with Inuyasha before her son just picked up the little girl and carried her out to the car. "She's right, you know," her husband whispered.

"What?"

"You do look like an angel."

The drive over to the Imperial Palace was a quiet one; the only sound was of Inuyasha purring. Kagome had been nervously ripping a napkin into shreds before Inuyasha sighed and slouched so that Kagome could reach his ears. Whenever she scratched his ears, it seemed to calm Kagome down somehow.

When the limo came to a halt and the driver opened the door, Inuyasha helped Kagome from the car and waited patiently for his parents. No one said a word as they made their way inside, Inutashio in the lead with Ai beside him, Kagome and Inuyasha hand in hand behind them.

Inutashio led them to a large room that was completely empty besides a large throne at the far end of the room. On the throne sat a woman who looked to be in her early thirties who was going over a scroll of some sort, looking very troubled.

Ai stepped forward and waited until the High Queen had set up the scroll before speaking. "It is good to see you again, Mother."

"Hai, it's been a long time, Ai," she replied, holding out her hand for Ai to come to her.

Ai took her mother's hand and squeezed gently, a comforting gesture. "And how are you, Inutashio?" the woman called down to her son-in-law.

"As good as ever, thank you. Allow me to present your grandson, Inuyasha."

Inutashio pushed Inuyasha in front of him and gave him a warning glare. Inuyasha returned the glare before marching towards his grandmother and giving a deep bow. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Grandmother," Inuyasha said, though his lines sounded rehearsed.

The High Queen gave a laugh and shook her head, reaching out to pull Inuyasha into a hug. "The pleasure is all mine, Inuyasha. I'm very happy to finally meet you. You've been hiding yourself for too long."

"I prefer the country."

"As does your mother. My, you have grown, haven't you? You look just like your father."

Inuyasha blushed and gave a small smile. "Thank you."

The High Queen smiled in return and stood, leading Inuyasha and Ai back towards Inutashio. She paused in front of Inutashio and looked down, eyeing the arms that were securely wrapped around his knee. "And who is this?"

"Kagome," said Inuyasha. "Stop being such a baby."

Kagome poked her head up around Inutashio and stuck her tongue at Inuyasha before hiding again.

"Kagome," Ai said, trying to draw the girl out of hiding.

Kagome took a deep breath before stepping in front of Inutashio and sticking out her hand. "I'm Higurashi Kagome. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well," the Queen replied smoothly. "My name is High Queen Hisu, but you and Inuyasha may call me Nana."

Kagome smiled and bowed before latching herself onto Inuyasha's arm. Hisu looked toward her daughter with a questioning look and was answered with a smile.

"Why don't we retire to more comfortable surroundings then? I'm sure the children don't want to stay here," she said, leading them out of the room.

Inuyasha and Kagome followed close behind Lady Ai and were soon led to what looked like a library. "Wow," muttered Kagome.

Hisu smiled. "Yes, it certainly is something. There's a door over there that leads to a room you and Inuyasha can play in. You don't need to stay in here."

"Thank you, Nana," replied Inuyasha, taking Kagome out of the room.

"So how have you really been mother?" said Ai, settling herself into a large chair.

"Naraku has attacked our northern border, and I am pressed for soldiers. If only we knew his weakness."

"He will be defeated," said Inutashio, confidently.

Hisu smiled. "Hai, you are right. Now let's move onto more happy subjects. Who is the girl?"

"She will be Inuyasha's mate," replied Ai, smiling a bit at the prospect.

"She's a little young."

"Well, I know that," said Ai, sarcastically. "There's a bond between those two unlike anything I've ever seen before. There's deep magic involved."

"Maybe I will get my heir from their union then," said Hisu, losing her smile. Position of High Queen was a lonely one, but necessary. "Of course, I could not in good conscience do that. But I will not live forever."

"You still have a few centuries," Inutashio assured her.

"Hai. Tell me more about the girl. The name Higurashi sounds familiar."

"Her father served in battle with me," Inutashio informed her.

"So he is the Keeper."

"Hai."

"The girl was born after the settlement?"

Inutashio nodded.

"Well, let's hope the Kamis are merciful."

^_^

"What's the surprise?" Inuyasha asked for maybe the hundredth time.

"Not telling," replied Inutashio.

"Tell me."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"That's enough, you two," yelled Ai as she and Kagome entered the room.

The visit with the High Queen had gone well, but they had not been able to stay for long and Inutashio had other business to attend to. Ai and Kagome had changed out of their formal clothes into something more comfortable.

"Let's go," pleaded Kagome.

"Alright, Kagome-Chan. Come on, our driver is already waiting," replied Inutashio.

They arrived at a secluded building that was practically deserted. Inutashio led them inside and into the main room. When they entered, there was already a group of people waiting for them. "This is the surprise?" Inuyasha whispered, bored.

"Be patient, son," replied Inutashio.

"Lord Inutashio," said a blond hair man, stepping forward. "Welcome. Well I know you are no man for pleasantries, so let's get down to business. Here's the guardianship papers for Houshi Miroku."

Inutashio nodded and accepted the papers. "Leave us with the boy," he said, dismissing the other strangers in the room.

The men filed out, leaving a boy that looked to be no more than thirteen. "So you're Miroku," said Inutashio. "You look like your grandfather."

Miroku nodded and glanced towards Inuyasha. "Forgive my rudeness, but who might they be?" he asked, looking at Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Ah, how rude of me. This is my son Inuyasha, and the little girl next to him is Higurashi Kagome. Inuyasha, I would like you to meet your foster brother, Houshi Miroku," Inutashio introduced them.

"Isn't Sesshomaru bad enough?" was Inuyasha's reply.

"Sesshomaru is your elder half-brother, yes?" asked Miroku.

"Unfortunately."

"Have no worries. I have met him previously and I can guarantee the two of us are nothing alike."

"Good," Kagome muttered under her breath.

"Ah, so you are the lovely Lady Kagome," Miroku said, taking Kagome's hand.

"Ah . . ."

"If you ever need anything of me, don't hesitate to ask. Of course I'll call for compensation in ten or eleven years-"

"Keep your grubby hands off of Kagome!" yelled Inuyasha, stepping between them and pushing Kagome behind him.

"I apologize," said Miroku calmly. "I did not realize that you already have a claim on her."

Inuyasha sputtered before finally thinking of something to say. "What are you talking about? She's seven years old for crying out loud!"

"What are they talking about, Auntie Ai?" whispered Kagome.

"Well, Miroku, it seems you are more like you grandfather that I thought," observed Inutashio.

Miroku looked a bit sheepish before shrugging. It was then that Inuyasha noticed the glove and prayer beads on his right hand. "Oi, what are those for?" the hanyou asked, pointing to his hand.

"Oh. It is to seal my curse. I have a wind tunnel in my right hand."

"Oh," was Inuyasha's reply.

"Yes, it's not an everyday occurrence," Miroku agreed.

"What's a wind tunnel?" asked Kagome.

"Explanations can wait until we're back in the apartment," Inutashio interrupted, looking at his watch.

"Oh-Kay," Kagome submitted.

The ride back to the hotel was quiet, Inuyasha glaring at Miroku the entire time.

"Oh boy," Ai said to herself.

^_^

"Now look at your hand," said Miroku, trying to explain the game to Kagome.

They were sitting in the hotel lounge playing cribbage. Miroku's grandfather had brought the game back with him after a tour in Great Britain, and it was something Miroku thoroughly enjoyed. "You see," he continued, rearranging the playing cards, "Now you have twelve points instead of eight."

Inuyasha had caught onto the game fairly quickly, giving Miroku a run for his money. Kagome however, had yet to get the hang of it. "I think I see," Kagome said. "But if I hung onto the eight, I have a run twice. And if the deck card is an eight, I'll have fourteen points."

"But what's the chance of the deck card being an eight?"

"Don't know. That's why I said chance."

"Just let her do what she wants," advised Inuyasha. "You're only wasting you breath."

"Really Inuyasha, I'm only trying to help-"

"Which she didn't ask for. And if she didn't ask for it she either doesn't want it or doesn't need it. If you offer, you'll be ignored."

"You seem to know an awful lot," observed Miroku.

"Well I haven't been separated from Kagome for more than twelve hours in the last three years."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Would you two stop blabbing and pick the deck card?" Kagome interrupted.

Miroku sighed and cut the deck, taking the top card and lying it face up. It was an eight.

"Impossible," whispered Miroku.

Inuyasha smirked and Kagome looked smug. "Looks like you need to put more faith in chance," remarked Kagome.

"Told ya she didn't need help."

"I win," sighed Kagome cheerfully.

"Rematch," said Miroku.

"Kagome, don't completely destroy Miroku's pride," Inuyasha said, smiling.

Houshi didn't know what he was in for. "She beat you too, Inuyasha."

The hanyou shrugged. "Cribbage can be her game. My game is BS."

"BS?"

"BS is the best game in the world," Kagome said happily. "I just never win."

"And who do you usually play BS with Kagome?" Miroku asked suspiciously.

"Inuyasha."

"Who else?"

"No one else. Just Inuyasha."

Miroku looked over to Inuyasha who looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Let's play then," announced Miroku, shuffling the cards.

"Fine."

^_^

"BS," said Inuyasha.

"But I haven't even laid down a card yet," Miroku replied.

"BS." Inuyasha stood firm.

"Dammit!"

"Don't say bad words in front of Kagome," Inuyasha warned, hitting Miroku over the head.

"What's dammit mean?" asked Kagome.

"Now look what you did! Three Aces, I'm out."

"But-" said Miroku.

"What's it mean?" Kagome asked again.

"I'll tell you when you're older," Inuyasha remarked, collecting the cards.

"How much older?"

"Eight years older."

"But that's a long time!"

"Feh, that's nothing."

"Excuse me Inuyasha," Miroku interrupted.

"What?"

"Just how did you win?"

Inuyasha looked very smug before replying. "Your scent."

"My scent?"

"Your scent gave it away."

Miroku sighed and his shoulders slumped. "Da- I mean Darnit."

"Inuyasha, was he going to say dammit?" asked Kagome.

"No."

"You're lying."

"Yeah, so?"

Kagome huffed and stuck her tongue out. "Baka."

"Brat."

"Jerk."

"Runt."

"Moron."

"Wench."

"What's a wench?"

^_^