InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ It Must Be Destiny ❯ Chapter 15

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 15

Kagome smiled at Inuyasha as he carried her swiftly towards Kaede's village. Of course, Kaede had passed away years ago, but they still thought of it as hers. Miroku and Sango and their children lived there now, watching over the villagers and protecting them from stray youkai attacks.

(“Just like old times, huh, dog boy?”)

The hanyou had to smile. Indeed. Although his Kagome had gotten older, she was still as beautiful as ever. Part of him was concerned about her mortality and the fact that she would more than likely die before him, but he was grateful that he was allowed this time with her and their children. She was only 34- not even really middle-aged yet. I wonder what she'd think if we had another pup…

The thought pleased him. The more the merrier. That was Miroku's attitude regarding offspring, anyway. And trying is half the fun… hell, it's allthe fun…

(“Keh! You're still just a sneaky wench. Seventeen years hasn't changed you at all.”)

(“Or you, baka inu.”) She tweaked an ear, knowing how much it turned him on.

He growled, more aroused than irritated. (“Stop that or we'll have to make an unexpected break.”)

She sighed. (“Let's just drop in on Miroku and Sango-chan and make sure they're okay. It's been a year since we've seen them.”)

In response, he moved faster, calling upon his hanyou speed to get them to the village in a flash.

Within minutes they were there, standing outside their old friends' hut. It was one of the largest houses in the village, and with good reason.

(“Ojisan 'Yasha! Ojisan 'Yasha!”) A little girl, about six years old, ran up and glomped his leg just as Kagome slid off his back. The hanyou smiled down at the child.

(“Hi, Sada-chan. Where's your okaasan and otousan?”) the usually gruff hanyou asked politely.

It never failed to amaze Kagome how nice Inuyasha could be around little kids, especially given the way he would constantly terrorize Shippou all those years ago. And then there were those three little monkey youkai brothers… and then the otter youkai pup that was looking for his father's body when Hakudoushi cut of his father's head… Ah, memories.

Granted, Sada was absolutely adorable with her long dark brown hair and violet eyes, dressed in a simple pink kimono. Maybe it was because she was a human child, rather than a youkai child.

In reply to Inuyasha's question, Sada ran back into the large house, yelling at the top of her lungs. (“Okaasaaaaaaan! Chichiiiiiii! Ojisan 'Yasha and Obasan Kagome are here!”)

Kagome raised an eyebrow at her mate. (“Do you think they heard her back in my era?”)

He snorted. (“Wouldn't surprise me.”)

Soon a black-haired man, nearing forty, stepped outside. He was still quite fit, remaining slender and athletic after all these years due to the occasional battle with a youkai and his frequent sparring sessions with his wife and Inuyasha. (“Welcome, Inuyasha, Kagome-chan. It has been a long time since you've been able to visit us.”)

Kagome smiled at the ex-monk. (“It's good to see you too, Miroku. Where is Sango-chan?”)

He moved aside as a lovely woman in her upper thirties with long dark brown hair and dark eyes joined the group. She smiled, resting her hand on her very swollen belly. (“Welcome back, you two. We wondered what happened to you.”)

Kagome rolled her eyes wryly. (“Again, Sango?”)

Inuyasha groaned. (“Damn, Miroku- can't you keep it in your robes? Every time we come here she's knocked up. How many does this make- a full dozen?”)

(“This one will be fourteen,”) Sango said with a grin, patting her belly.

The hanyou covered his face with his hand and heaved a sigh. (“I don't know how you two manage to keep count.”)

Miroku grinned. (“Watch.”) He stepped into the house for a moment and walked back outside, holding his shakujou staff.

Lifting the staff briefly, he brought it down hard on the ground, making the rings jingle loudly. The sound echoed throughout the village and soon the ground began to rumble.

Within moments a line of thirteen children, ranging in age from 17 to 2 stood in front of them. Well, the two-year-old wobbled a little bit, but she stood there as proudly as the others.

Inuyasha whistled. (“Impressive. How'd you manage to teach them that?”)

(“Simple. I threatened to have their okaasan knock them senseless with her Hiraikotsu.”)

Kagome laughed. (“Too bad you don't have the threat of your Kazaana to use as well.”

He shrugged, grinning. (“They don't know that for sure. It could reappear at any time, you know.”) He winked at the miko.

The four adults turned, facing the long line of children. Sango stepped forward, looking like she was about to do battle with a youkai at almost nine months pregnant. (“All right- roll call. Remember your manners and greet Inuyasha and Kagome-chan like you're supposed to.”)

Thirteen pairs of eyes blinked, nodding. The eldest, an enchanting young woman of 17 years- the same age as Izayoi and Inusouta- stepped forward, bowing demurely. She wore a dark purple kimono, reminiscent of the wrap Miroku used to wear and her long black hair was pulled back in a low ponytail like her mother's.

(“It's good to see you again, Obasan, Ojisan.”) she said in a soft voice.

Inuyasha nodded, his hands folded inside his sleeves like normal. Kagome gave her a warm hug. (“You've grown up to be so beautiful, Hidama-chan.”)

(“Arigatou.”)

A strapping young lad, on the edge of manhood, stepped forward as his sister returned to the line. He wore a dark green haori, brown hakama, and had dark brown hair and violet eyes. He was 16, only 11 months younger than Hidama. He bowed. (“Obasan. Ojisan.”)

The hanyou repeated his nod. (“Masao.”) Kagome smiled at the young man. ("Inusouta and Izayoi told me to tell you they'll be coming back soon.")

Masao nodded and bowed again. ("Arigatou, Obasan. It's been a long time since we've had a chance to visit.")

And so it continued down the line. Toshi, looking so much like Miroku it startled everyone. Nozomi, lovely and demure. The identical twins Keiko and Kaoru, looking like young versions of a female Miroku. Sai, looking rather like Sango's younger brother Kohaku, complete with freckles. Mika, with black hair and her mother's dark eyes. Yasuo, gazing at the ground shyly. Sada, who had greeted them. Akio, who stood silently holding his little brother Juro's hand, neither of whom remembered Inuyasha and Kagome. Neither did the youngest, Ren, who stared up at them with a finger in her mouth.

Inuyasha snorted as he looked at Miroku, who sent the children back to their chores. (“Don't know how you keep them straight, man. I can barely remember my own pups' names and I've only got 4.”)

Kagome, who had picked up Ren and was making the little girl giggle, punched her mate in the arm. (“Liar. You've never once forgotten anything.”) Turning to Sango she smiled. (“They're all getting so big…”)

Sango patted her belly again. (“You're telling me…”)

Finally, they had to get down to business. (“We're heading south, looking for a friend of Inusouta's ancestors. They were said to be living in a small village down there,”) Kagome explained after Ren had toddled off after her older siblings. They had decided not to mention the name Kohaku, as it had so many sad memories for Sango- after all, her brother had been dead for almost 19 years, killed by Naraku's own hand to get the jewel shard he had put in his back.

The couple nodded, understanding. They knew how important family was. (“Would you like to take Kirara with you?”) Sango asked. The twin-tail cat youkai had been Sango's companion and battle partner for many years and had certainly helped out her fair share in battles against Naraku.

Kagome smiled, but shook her head. (“Arigatou, but I think it'll be better if she stays here. After all, in your condition, you shouldn't be fighting youkai. Let Miroku and Kirara handle it.”)

Sango nodded. (“Be careful. We expect you to come back safely.”)

The miko winked. (“You got it. Don't pop that kid out until we get back!”)

Miroku grinned. (“As you command, Miko-sama!”)

The taijiya punched her husband in the arm. (“Baka! As if you have any control over it!”)

Inuyasha sailed over the treetops, shaking his head every so often in disgust. Kagome chuckled. (“Still can't get over the fact that Sango's having yet another baby?”)

(“Damn monk… the whole world is going to be full of perverts now. What's he trying to do- repopulate Japan?”)

(“I think it's neat. I wish I could have another baby.”)

The hanyou mulled that over as he landed on a branch and immediately pushed off again. He was silent for a while.

(“Are you being serious?”)

Kagome blinked. (“About having another baby? You know I'd love another one. But the twins are already grown up, and Suki will be going to high school soon… I'm probably getting too old.”)

(“Keh! You'll be too old when I tell you you're too old.”)

She chuckled. (“Hai, sir.”)

He was silent again for a long time. Kagome had almost fallen asleep on his back when he spoke again.

(“So… did you want to try again?”)

Kagome yawned. (“Try what again?”)

(“Having another pup.”)

That woke her up completely. (“Seriously?”)

He landed on the ground, surrounded by lush forest. She slid off his back and he turned to face her, his golden eyes glittering in the early afternoon sunlight. (“I'm serious,”) he said in that voice that always made her weak in the knees. A soft, gentle tone that held none of his usual grumpiness and gruff demeanor.

(“Why?”)

Inuyasha smiled, white fangs gleaming. (“Because you are a fantastic mother, and I've been thinking about having another pup for a while now.”)

She blushed. (“I… “)

Placing a clawed finger against her lips to silence her, he stepped closer, wrapping his arm around her still-slender waist. (“Do you want to- yes or no?”)

Tears made her eyes sparkle as she nodded. He grinned his famous “I'm-a-bad-ass” grin as he removed his finger from her lips only to replace it with his mouth.

(“Then I suggest we get to trying,”) he murmured as he eased her to the soft forest floor.

Soon, the only sounds coming from them were expressions of pleasure that only two whose fate has been joined can experience.

.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.

(“Let's try that one,”) Kagome said, pointing down at a small village from her perch on her mate's back.

Inuyasha nodded and headed for the tiny community. It consisted of only a dozen or so huts, all rather tired-looking.

So far they had managed to visit three villages, all to no avail. No one named Kuri currently lived in any of them. They knew of several Kohaku's, it seemed, but they were all either too old or too young to be the right one. The Kohaku they were looking for was going to be in his mid-thirties, about the same age as Kagome.

Inuyasha landed gently, allowing his mate to slide off carefully. They knew that they were running out of time and options. If they didn't find Amber's ancestors soon, they'd have to go home empty-handed, as it were. It was now approaching dusk, and this was their last chance.

The local headman walked out as they approached. He seemed wary of Inuyasha, but the hanyou was used to it. Hanyous tended to be uncertain territory. (“Konnichiwa. How can I help you?”) the old man asked.

Kagome stepped forward, smiling. (“We are looking for a couple in their mid-thirties, a man by the name of Kohaku and his wife, Kuri, and perhaps their child. We have been told they lived in a small village here in the south. Do you know anyone by these names?”)

The old man looked visibly startled. (“Indeed I do.”) The headman's eyes grew sad. (“Onegai, come to my house and I will tell you what I know.”)

Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged a glance. They had hit pay dirt, but a feeling of foreboding wrapped itself around both of them as they followed the old man to his hut.

.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.

A/N: Meanings of Miroku and Sango's children's names

Hidama, 17, F - Falling Star
Masao, 16, M - Righteous
Toshi, 14, M - Mirror Image
Nozomi, 13, F - Hope
Keiko, 12, F - Adored One
Kaoru, 12, F - Fragrance
Sai, 10, M - Talented
Mika, 9, F - New Moon
Yasuo, 7, M - Peaceful One
Sada, 6, F - Pure One
Akio, 4, M - Bright Boy
Juro, 3, M - Long Life
Ren, 2, F - Water Lily

And an unnamed one on the way!