InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forgotten Hope ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3

"Oh, Gods, stop crying," Inuyasha pleaded.

"I found it!" Kagome said triumphantly, holding up the pacifier.

"Thank the Kamis."

Inuyasha had offered to babysit Kagome and Souta while Asami and Yoshi went out, or more accurately, Ai had offered to have Inuyasha babysit Kagome and Souta. Miroku was in the kitchen, heating up the bottle for the baby and Kagome was helping Inuyasha try to quiet her little brother.

"It's done," called Miroku who rushed the bottle to Inuyasha before returning to the kitchen.

Inuyasha gave a breath of relief and held the bottle for the baby that he had cradled to his chest.

Souta quieted as he greedily drunk the milk from the bottle. Soon enough, he had finished his meal and fallen asleep.

Inuyasha set the baby back into the crib and collapsed next to Kagome.

"Hey Inuyasha?" asked Kagome.

"Huh?"

"Where do babies come from?"

"Mars."

"Really?"

"No."

"Tell me!"

"When you're older."

"Fine, I'll just ask Miroku."

"NO."

"Where do babies come from?"

"Their mothers."

"How does the baby get there?"

"I'll explain," said Miroku, joining the pair when he heard the crying cease.

"NO!" shouted Inuyasha.

"You don't tell me anything, and then you yell at me saying I don't know anything! You're a hypocrite!"

"Do you even know what that word means?"

"Ah . . ."

"Thought so."

"Baka."

"Brat."

"Runt."

"Moron."

"Wench."

"Idiot."

"Bitch."

"What's a bitch?"

^_^

It was Miroku's birthday. He was turning nineteen. Inuyasha was eighteen and Kagome was the ripe age of thirteen. The trio had made a habit of disappearing until dusk whenever someone had a birthday. Today was no different, except Ai happened to come across them in the kitchen before they left.

"I have some wonderful news to share!" announced Ai.

"You packed us lunch?" asked Inuyasha, too tired to recognize the shift in his mother's scent.

"Well, yes, but that's not the news."

"Inuyasha's gonna have a sister?" asked Kagome.

"No way," barked Inuyasha before his mother had a chance to reply. "Dad is too stubborn to give into that!"

"I agree," said Miroku solemnly.

"Actually, Kagome's right," replied Ai.

The elder woman had to bite back a laugh at the look at her sons' faces. An awful lot had happened in the last six years since Miroku became apart of the family. She considered herself as Miroku's mother, even if he was adopted. The longer he was with the family, however, the more Inuyasha seemed to rub off on him. "Don't look so shocked."

"Wow," Kagome muttered happily. "It only took you nine years to win that argument. How exactly did you win?"

Ai smiled even wider. "I'll tell you in five years, honey."

"Maybe I don't want to know," Kagome said quickly.

Ai laughed and gave Kagome a half-hug. "You'll understand soon."

"Congratulations, Mother," said Miroku.

"Ah, shit," Inuyasha whispered to himself.

^_^

"Dad, would you stop pacing? You're gonna make me sick," said Inuyasha, leaning his head against the wall.

Today was his nineteenth birthday, and he was not enjoying it. Birthdays were all about waking up at dawn and disappearing into the forest with Kagome and Miroku only to return at dusk. Birthdays were not about sitting between Miroku and Kagome in the hospital waiting room watching his father pace back and forth while his mother gave birth.

Inutashio ignored his son and continued pacing. Ai had been in labor for seventeen hours, it was almost sunset.

"I have a pack of cards," Kagome said, trying to liven things up.

"Too bored to play cards," Miroku yawned.

"Why do we have to be here again?" asked Inuyasha.

"Because we're family," replied Inutashio.

"Sesshomaru's not here, and as much as I hate to admit it, he's family."

"Sesshomaru's out of town."

"So?"

Inutashio sighed and stopped pacing. "What could be taking so long?"

"She's having a C-section," Kagome replied.

"That would take seventeen hours?"

"It might."

Inuyasha sighed again and leaned forward. "This is boring."

"Let's go to the cafeteria," Kagome said.

Inuyasha was about to reply when he heard the doctors and nurses in his mother's room tell his mother the child was a girl. Any words he had died in his throat. "Finally."

Inutashio stood frozen on the spot until the nurse led him into see his wife.

"It's a girl," his wife said joyfully.

Ever so gently, the Inuyoukai lifted his daughter from his wife's arms. "She's so small," Inutashio said quietly, standing in awe of the little creature in his arms.

Ai smiled. "Why don't you go introduce her to her family outside and let me rest a bit?"

Inutashio nodded as if in a trace, retracing his steps to where the group awaited the new arrival.

Inuyasha was the first to see her. He slowly reached out a finger to trace the dog-ear almost identical to his own. "So small," he said absently.

"Here," said Inutashio, giving the infant to Inuyasha.

He held her as if she were glass. "What's her name?" asked Kagome.

"We don't know yet. The High Queen will name her," replied Inutashio.

"Why?"

It was Miroku who answered. "All female of the royal line must be named by the current High Queen. It's tradition."

"Oh. Will we go to the city again?"

"No," replied Inutashio. "Queen Hisu will come here."

Kagome glanced up at Inuyasha. He probably didn't even realize his face was displaying everything he felt so clearly. He held his sister like she was the world. It was at that moment Kagome felt a stab of warmth radiate throughout her body. Her eyes widened when she identified the sensation.

Love?

She was in love with Inuyasha?

Kagome knew she loved him, he was her best friend. But that she was in love with him?

What made her come to the sudden revelation that she was in love with Inuyasha?

Was it the baby? But why would the infant make her realize such an emotion?

"The sun has set," Miroku said absently.

Inuyasha shook his head to dispel his thoughts and handed the child back to his father. Inutashio returned to Ai's room, moving softly.

"I think I want children now," said Miroku.

"Don't you think you're kinda young for kids?" asked Kagome.

"Not at all."

Inuyasha snorted. "First you have to find a willing woman."

Miroku sighed. "I almost wish we were going to the city now."

^_^

"What's wrong with her?" asked Inutashio as the doctor examined his daughter.

"I'm not sure Inutashio-sama. But I have an idea. I'll just need to scan your daughter and I'll have proof if I am right."

"What do you think is wrong?"

"I think she's a mute."

^_^

It was so warm, and Inuyasha was so very comfortable. It was early morning; the sun was just beginning to rise.

"OW!" yelled Inuyasha as some foreign object landed on his back.

Looking up, he identified that foreign object as Dai, his little sister. "Why you little runt, you are so dead!"

Dai gave him a bright smile before taking off towards the door; her silver hair swinging behind her and Inuyasha hot on her heels. Inuyasha whispered curses under his breath and yelled death threats as his sister evaded him.

Suddenly, she turned right and jumped into Inutashio's arms, bringing Inuyasha to an abrupt stop. "What did she do this time?" his father asked.

"She tried to kill me again!"

"She woke you up, didn't she?"

"No, this time she was definitely trying to kill me."

"You said that last time too."

Dai smiled at her brother and stuck her tongue out.

Inuyasha growled. "You little-"

His sister's ears twitched and she jumped down from her father's arms, running off towards Miroku's bedroom. "Right, I'm going back to bed," said Inuyasha.

"She'll just wake you up again," replied Inutashio.

"Not if I lock my door."

"She'll find a way around it."

"Let her try."

A very loud "OW" could be heard down the hallway. "Miroku's awake," said Ai, coming down the hallway.

"How could a little two-year-old have so much energy this early?" asked Inuyasha.

Ai smiled and shook her head. "You were the same way when you were little."

"No way," dismissed Inuyasha. "There is no way in the seven hells for anyone to be as annoying as Dai."

Another "OW" could be heard from Sesshomaru's room. "On the other hand," said Inuyasha, "She does comes in very handy."

"That's it!" yelled Sesshomaru, stalking up to Inutashio, Dai hanging by her collar in the Inuyoukai's right hand. "Do something with her! Get her a nurse, nanny, send her to preschool but keep her out of my hair!"

Dai frowned and held out her arms for a hug from Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru looked at her like she was some disease and turned back to his room. Dai sniffed and a tear rolled down her cheek. Sesshomaru sighed and turned around, holding out one arm while putting the other behind his back. Inuyasha could smell the anger and embarrassment coming from him. The little hanyou knew both of her big brothers were suckers when it came to tears. Dai smiled and ran to Sesshomaru in a hug.

"I'll get her a nanny,'' said Ai, walking towards the study.

"That's the best idea since TV," said Inutashio.

^_^

Kagome smiled as she saw Miroku and Inuyasha walked up the driveway. Her parents were out of town this week, taking Souta with them. Which meant she had the house all to herself. "Good Morning Lady Kagome," said Miroku.

"Good Morning," replied Kagome. "And how is everyone today?"

"Dai's getting a nanny," said Inuyasha.

Kagome snorted. "I doubt there's a single being in this universe that can handle her."

"I agree," said Miroku.

"Than why bother?"

Inuyasha smiled. "She made Sesshomaru throw a fit this morning."

"She what?"

His smiled widened. "He lost his temper. Dai was just going through her usual morning schedule and Sesshomaru lost it. He started yelling at father to find her a nanny or send her to preschool."

"And I missed it?" Kagome said disappointed.

"Hey, Kagome. I offered to let you stay with us and what did you say?"

"But I have this entire place to myself," she replied.

"Which is why we're staying here tonight," announced Miroku.

"Huh?"

"You think I want to go through one more day of Dai's wake up call?"

"I second that," said Inuyasha.

"Sure, why not?" replied Kagome.

"Good." Inuyasha nodded. "Now tell me what you want for your birthday."

"Ah yes," said Miroku. "Our Lovely Lady Kagome is turning sixteen next week. So we must buy you something special."

"I don't really want anything."

"Now you're just making it harder," sighed Inuyasha.

^_^

"Did you have fun?" asked Inuyasha.

"Yeah," replied Kagome. "I think my birthday was even better than last year."

"Good."

"Is there some reason you brought me out here?" asked Kagome.

The party had gone unreasonably well. At midnight her mom had called a halt and the partygoers had to clear out, partygoers meaning Miroku and Dai. So while Miroku took Dai home, Inuyasha and Kagome sat on the roof her house, watching the stars.

"Your present," answered Inuyasha.

"You got me another present?"

Inuyasha smiled. "The necklace was one of two presents."

Kagome brought her hand up to finger the amber necklace Inuyasha had given her. It was the same color as his eyes. "So what's my other present?" asked Kagome.

Inuyasha smiled and reached behind him, pulling out a box. "That's a big present," said Kagome.

"You'll like it."

Kagome smiled and opened the box. "I love him!" said Kagome, pulling a chubby cat out of the box.

The hanyou chuckled and set the box behind them. "I'm glad."

"I think I'll name him Buyo. Souta is gonna love this!"

"Dai helped me buy him."

Kagome smiled and reached up to scratch one of Inuyasha's ears. "You're so good with your sister."

Inuyasha snorted. "My Mother made me take her with me. I don't know how the little brat does it. I mean, how can one person get on everyone's nerves without even saying a word?"

"She's talented," Kagome replied with a smile.

Inuyasha snorted and then sighed. "Come on Kagome. Let's go back inside, we don't want you to catch a cold."

Kagome picked up Buyo and took Inuyasha's offered hand.

^_^

"What's going on?" asked Kagome walking into the kitchen the next morning. Ai and her mother were talking rapidly, their tones betraying something of importance.

"We're having a kitsune named Shippou coming to live with us," replied Ai.

"You might as well open an orphanage Auntie Ai."

"That's what Inuyasha said."

"Inuyasha's right."

Ai rolled her eyes and took a sip of her tea. "Well anyway, Shippou's father was killed recently by Naraku himself. I think that the boy's parent had something of importance he needed to tell us, but unfortunately, we don't have any proof. The only thing he left behind was Shippou. The boy doesn't have a mother or any other relatives, so we'll be taking him in."

Kagome yawned and nodded. "When is he getting here?"

"In half an hour."

"Alright, I better go get dressed."

Ai smiled as she watched Kagome leave. "Soon," she told Asami.

Asami herself smiled. "I don't think she's ready yet."

"Maybe a few more years."

"Hai. Two at most, a month or two at least."

^_^

Kagome and Asami walked with Ai back to her house in a comfortable silence. Inuyasha and Miroku stood on the front door to greet them. It looked like the two men had been having a serious conversation.

"Inuyasha, is the room ready?" asked Ai.

"Yeah. Dai helped Rin make the bed. The runt seems to be oddly proud of herself."

Ai smiled and shook her head. "I'm so glad we found her. Dai went through six nannies before we could find one that would stay for more than an hour."

Kagome giggled behind her hand and nodded. "I still think six nannies in half a day is a record."

"I'm sure it is," replied Asami.

"Oh well. Rin is a blessing in disguise."

Everyone nodded in agreement and then Asami and Ai left to go inside. "What ya want to do?" asked Inuyasha, leaning against the wall.

"How about we go down town? We've never been down town before," suggested Miroku.

Inuyasha snorted. "Why go down there when we could always send someone else instead?"

"You're missing the whole point," argued Miroku.

"I think we should wait for Shippou to get here. I'm sure he is going to want to see someone that isn't quite an adult," said Kagome, crossing her arms.

"Dai's here," replied Inuyasha.

"Dai's a mute."

"She's still half youkai. There are other methods of communication other than talking," said Inuyasha.

"Really? I didn't know that. If that's true than why did Uncle Inutashio make everyone take sign language classes?" asked Kagome.

"The world's human," the hanyou explained. "Humans outnumber youkai a hundred to one."

"Oh. That kinda makes sense."

Inuyasha snorted and sat down beside her. "So should we just wait?" Miroku waited for confirmation.

"Yeah," sighed Inuyasha. "Let's go play some video games while we're at it though."

^_^

"This is the place," the human in the suit said.

Shippou looked up at the sound of his voice. "Remember," the human continued. "Treat them all with the utmost respect. Lord Inutashio went through a lot of trouble to get your guardianship so don't mess it up."

The kitsune nodded, biting his lip to hold back the tears. It still hurt. Any reminder of his orphanage hurt. And now he was getting new parents. That hurt more than anything.

The limo pulled into the driveway of a very big house and Shippou couldn't withhold the gasp that escaped him. He and his father had always lived in small apartments and the mansion in front of him was larger than his previous apartment complex times ten.

Nervously, Shippou got out of the limo. As soon as his feet hit the ground, the limo drove away and left him for the world to see. The first person his eyes fell on was a very tall Inuyoukai with kind eyes. He looked and smelled older than the others so Shippou assumed he was Lord Inutashio. The next person he noticed was a short human with bright violet eyes standing next to Inutashio. There were six others there as well. A middle aged human, two humans that seemed to be in their early twenties, two Inuhanyous and a human teen.

"I'm Inutashio," the Inuyoukai introduced himself.

"Shippou," replied the kitsune, looking down at his feet.

"And it is a pleasure to meet you. This is my wife Ai, and standing next to her is our neighbor Asami-San. The little Inuhanyou is my daughter Dai, and the human standing next to her is her nanny Rin. The one with the pigtail is my adopted son Miroku and the other Inuhanyou in my son Inuyasha. The girl standing next to him is his best friend, Kagome."

"Hi," said Shippou.

Dai stepped forward and sniffed the area around him. Shippou looked up and smiled. Dai cocked her head to the side and then pounced on the slightly larger boy. "Dai!" shouted Ai, moving to get her daughter off of Shippou.

Dai had Shippou pinned, but before Ai could reach her Shippou had popped into the pink bubble, making Dai let go. As soon as she had released her grip, Shippou turned back into his fox form and pinned Dai. The little Inuhanyou let out a low growl and flipped their positions yet again. Shippou caught on to what she was doing and struggled to get the upper hand.

"Alright, that's enough," sighed Inuyasha, lifting his little sister off of Shippou.

"Hey! I almost had her!" yelled Shippou, standing up and swatting the dust off of his clothes.

"Sure ya did, pup."

"Of course I did. Like I'd let a girl defeat me."

Dai moved so she had her hands free and she could talk. `I beat him good,' her hands said.

Inuyasha smiled and nodded. "Of course you did."

Ai groaned and put a hand to her forehead. "Inutashio, make sure you get the servants to put away anything that's breakable."

"Two steps ahead of you."

^_^

"Tag!" yelled Shippou, running away from Dai and circling around Kagome.

Dai growled and knocked both Kagome and Shippou down, tagging them both at the same time. She clapped once and then ran to Inuyasha's side. "How about you two play a different game?" he said.

"Ah, but Inuyasha! I was going to beat her this time."

The hanyou shook his head in disbelief. "You'll beat her when the hell freezes over."

Shippou grumbled and sat down next to Dai. Miroku sat silently under a tree, watching as Inuyasha and Kagome tried to keep Shippou and Dai from doing permanent damage from each other.

The Go-Shimboku stood strong in the clearing, it's branches unhinged by the breeze. Inuyasha's head shot up as well as Dai and Shippou's.

"What's wrong?" asked Kagome.

"Blood, a lot of blood," replied Inuyasha.

The next moment brought Sesshomaru and Rin bounding into the clearing. "What the hell?" shouted Inuyasha.

Rin disentangled herself from Sesshomaru and stepped to the side. Tetsusaiga was in her hands.

"Naraku," said Sesshomaru. "Father wanted me to bring Tetsusaiga to you, but since I can not touch it, I had to ask Rin to come with me."

Inuyasha took Tetsusaiga from Rin and studied it sharply. "What's Naraku doing here?" he asked his elder half-brother.

Miroku had come to stand next to Inuyasha. Kagome had Shippou in her arms and Dai stood in the middle of them all, listening intently.

"I don't know. Your mother, she had a vision moments ago. The details are not good," replied the Inuyoukai.

"Vision?" repeated Kagome.

"No time to explain," Inuyasha hushed her. "What does father want me to do?" he turned back to his brother.

"Find a safe haven for your friends and then you are to come with me."

"I could help," said Miroku, his left hand moving to the glove that covered the right.

"Then who would protect the women and children?" replied Sesshomaru.

"Where is my mother?" asked Inuyasha.

"Safe, I assure you. Your mother can take care of herself, Inuyasha. You need not fear for her."

"What about my parents, and Souta?" asked Kagome.

Inuyasha looked down at the ground. He didn't want to tell Kagome whose blood was on the wind, accompanied by the scent of death.

"Miroku," said Inuyasha, turning to his friend. "Take them up to my cave and put a spirit shield over the place. If anyone you don't recognize approaches you, kill them."

"Kill them?" gasped Kagome.

"You don't get into trouble!" Inuyasha emphasized to Kagome.

"But what about my family?"

"I'll find them and bring them to you. You stay with Miroku and don't wander off!"

Inuyasha was gone in a swirl of wind, not waiting for Kagome to argue with him. Sesshomaru followed beside him and they headed for Kagome's home.

^_^

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru froze in front of the cottage, their noses going wild. There was so much blood, but luckily, it only belonged to one person. Which meant there was still the possibility Inuyasha could save what was left of Kagome's family.

The hanyou unsheathed Tetsusaiga and walked towards the house, shooting his brother a look as he disappeared around back. The front door hung open.

He heard someone scream and he wasted no time in rushing into the house. The living room was unrecognizable. The couch was upturned and there was blood all over the floor. Asami stood in the corner with Souta behind her. Souta had Buyo in his arms. Yoshi's body lay crumpled by the window.

A woman with black hair and red eyes stood over Asami and Souta. She wore the traditional kimono and held a fan in her hand. "Get the hell away from them," yelled Inuyasha, ramming the woman into the opposite wall.

Asami collapsed to the floor with Souta in her arms, her body shivering. Inuyasha stood in front of them, Tetsusaiga held in front of him.

The woman stood up and calmly dusted off her kimono. "So you must be the hanyou Inuyasha," she said. The words rolled off her tongue smoothly.

"Yeah, I am. And just who the hell are you?"

"I am called Kagura. I am here on Naraku's behalf."

"What do you want?" Inuyasha said cautiously.

"I was sent to find the Keeper. I found him," Kagura's eyes drifted over to Yoshi's body. "But not the object he guarded."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Kagura sighed and folded her arms, tapping the fan against her chin. "It is very frustrating, you see. I lost my temper and killed the silly human without even getting the information I needed. Perhaps, if you tell me what I want to know, I will give you a swift death."

Inuyasha snorted and released his power onto Tetsusaiga, transforming the rusted blade into a huge fang. "You can try and kill me you disgusting bitch, but I promise you, you'll not live to regret it."

Kagura scowled and flipped the fan open. "So be it hanyou, DIE!"

The attack came faster than Inuyasha had anticipated, making him fall back. "Grrr, you stupid wench. You'll suffer for that."

Inuyasha leaped at Kagura, bringing the Tetsusaiga down for an attack. The power of the attack knocked the wind youkai through the wall of the house and into the garden.

Inuyasha smirked when he saw Kagura wince in pain. "Perhaps I shall fight another day then," she said, taking out a feather.

The smirk fell when Kagura lifted herself into the air, out of Inuyasha's reach. "Next time, hanyou," she replied, and took off into the air.

Sesshomaru rounded the corner of the house, his shoulder bloody. Inuyasha glanced at his brother and turned back into the house towards Souta and Asami.

^_^

"Inuyasha's taking too long." Kagome paced back and forth in the cave. The place had seemed so much larger when she was smaller.

"We must stay here," Miroku calmed her.

Rin sat at the table, playing cards with Dai and Shippou. Dai's mind was elsewhere, her eyes far off.

"Stay here my Ass!"

Miroku's eyes widened when he heard Kagome curse. Rin and Shippou flinched. Dai calmly stood and started walking towards the cave entrance. Miroku moved into her way, making her stop. "Go sit back down Dai. Inuyasha told us all to stay here."

The child hanyou frowned and tried to move around Miroku. Miroku crouched down and held his arms out in front of her. "No Dai."

Dai lifted her hands and signed out the words she was thinking. `Danger gone.'

"Danger gone? How do you know?" asked Miroku.

`Smell it. Come.'

Dai didn't wait for Miroku and simply slipped past him. Everyone followed her, in the direction of Kagome's home.

^_^

Inuyasha watched as Asami held Souta as the boy cried into her shoulder. Buyo mewed quietly, pawing at Inuyasha's foot. Sesshomaru stood a few feet away, quietly bandaging his shoulder.

Dai stepped into the front yard and Inuyasha swore sharply. "What are you doing here? Didn't I say wait for me to get you!"

Dai ignored him and glanced over at Sesshomaru. "A scratch," the Inuyoukai replied.

Kagome and Miroku advanced from the forest. Kagome immediately ran to her mother. "What happened?" the young teenager asked frantically.

Inuyasha was moving towards Kagome in a flash. Before he could reach her though, she had rushed into the house.

Kagome froze in the living room doorway, her eyes glued to her father's dead body. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up against his chest. The girl's face had gone unhealthy pale. "Kagome, I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner," Inuyasha whispered into her ear.

He felt her legs give out from under her and he gently let them both fall to the floor, tucking Kagome's head into the crook of his neck. He felt hot tears on his skin and flinched at the stab of pain that went through him at the thought of Kagome crying.

Silently, Inuyasha held onto the weeping girl as he studied the body of his Uncle Yoshi, one of the only humans ever to accept his mixed heritage.

It was then Inuyasha made his decision.

He would destroy Naraku, and then dance on the bastard's grave.