InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kazoku ❯ The Return of a Loved One ( Chapter 1 )

Kazoku

Chapter One: The Return of a Loved One

Disclaimer: Things I own: Inuroku, Takara, Toshi, the plot, and twenty-five cents. Things I don't own: Inuyasha, anything else created by Takahashi Rumiko, or a pony. Damn it all to seven hells.

Author's Note: Yes, I'm back! And one big apology goes out to EmeraldDragon, who has a character named Takara in one of her stories. Although in her story, Takara is Inuyasha and Kagome's daughter. In mine she's a completely different character, so technically it's fine…whatever.

~*~*~*~*~

Higurashi Inuroku was born on a starry night in midwinter when the moon was full. He had inherited his mother's long raven hair and his father's golden eyes. Silver dog ears were perched precariously on top of his small head, thrilling his grandmother to no end. Named after both his father and godfather (Inuyasha and Miroku, in that order, for all you geniuses out there), he was as headstrong, determined, and focused as his parents were-well, as focused as a five-year-old could be.

"Hey, look, Mama! A toad!"

Kagome smiled at her young son, who was supposed to be helping her pull weeds from the shrine's garden. He had tugged at two weeds uninterestedly, then promptly stopped when he discovered that the garden was full of all things slimy and crawly.

Souta walked to Inuroku holding a small cage.

"Here you go. Put the creatures you want to keep in here."

Kagome glared at Souta as the toad was shoved none-too-gently into the cage and sighed. From Souta's own childhood she knew that boys loved to keep unfavorable things captive, but Souta didn't have to encourage him.

Sixteen-year-old Souta had been furious upon learning that Kagome was pregnant-not with his sister, but with Inuyasha. But when Inuroku was born, he was ecstatic. He became the closest thing Inuroku had to a father figure. He was fiercely protective and was known to attack anyone who dared to gossip about his nephew or sister in his presence.

At twenty-two, Kagome herself had changed. She was more patient and understanding; having a son forced her to mature a bit more. The sparkle in her eyes that had gone out when Inuyasha had died returned whenever she looked at her son. Inuroku was her reason for living.

She missed Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and even Kaede terribly, but the thought of going to the feudal era and not seeing her mate's smiling or scowling face tore her apart. So she had stayed away for five long years, and Inuroku knew nothing about his father, or about the land he really belonged in.

Kagome knew that she would have to tell him eventually. He was a smart boy, and the fact that he had claws and fangs most of the time had not escaped his notice. Fortunately, Kagome hadn't allowed him to have much contact with other children after what had happened to Inuyasha's childhood. He believed that the claws and fangs were somewhat normal. She taught Inuroku how to read and write, and Souta had promised to home school him when he was old enough.

But she still wanted him to know. But when could she tell him? This isn't exactly a topic you normally discussed with your five-year-old son. Kagome pulled another weed viciously. Another day, she promised herself. Another day, but not now.

~Meanwhile, in the Feudal Era~

Sango hummed absently as she stirred the pot on the fire, being sure not to let her slightly swollen stomach too close to the flames. This child would be the second of the family; the eldest, Takara, was four years old and as feisty as her mother. Miroku was just as thrilled with a daughter as he would have been with a son. He doted on her completely.

He and Sango had both deemed it necessary for her to learn to defend herself at an early age, so Miroku took her out to the forest every morning and taught her how to fight with a staff. Any spare time the houshi had was devoted to either his family or the breaking of the well seal.

Kagome's last spell had been a powerful one, but after five years, Miroku had almost broken the barrier. Kaede had been helpful at first, putting all the energy se had into the project, but she was getting weaker and weaker every day in her old age. He couldn't risk bringing other priestesses or monks from other villages and having them ask suspicious questions.

Fortunately, the seal had almost broken, and Miroku knew that it was only a matter of time.

He wasn't only doing this for Sango and himself, although he missed Kagome terribly. He had considered her something like a sister, and he knew that Sango had been even closer to the young miko.

No-he was doing this for Inuyasha.

*Flashback*

Sango and Miroku sat in silence as they ate, although a thousand thoughts swam through their heads. It had been three weeks since Inuyasha had died and Kagome had fled from the Feudal Era. Sango and Miroku had both been devastated in losing their closest friends within the span of two days. They were gradually getting used to the loss of the fights Inuyasha and Kagome had, frequently ending Kagome's way when she yelled, "Sit!" and the love-filled glances that the two had always been shooting at the each other when they thought no one was looking.

Shippo was taking the loss the worst of all of them. He had considered Kagome and Inuyasha his adoptive parents. The normally playful and mischievous kitsune was gloomy and withdrawn. He only talked when absolutely necessary and spent the days wandering alone through the forest. The only time Sango and Miroku even saw him was at meals.

Sango cleared her throat and spoke.

"I miss them. I wish that Kagome-chan would come back."

Miroku knew what she meant. To even hope that Inuyasha was still alive, had somehow survived the battle, was too far of a stretch of their imaginations. They both knew how serious his injuries had been, and when Naraku's castle had collapsed, Inuyasha had still been inside.

There are some things that even a hanyou can't survive, and Miroku was sure, even though it hurt to admit it, that the Battle for the Shikon no Tama, as it was now called, was one of them.

Just then, heavy footsteps were heard outside the hut. Miroku stood and instinctively blocked Sango from view as she reached for the boomerang that normally resided on her back. They were still a bit jumpy; for all they knew, it could only be Kohaku, who lived with them, returning from a hunt. But various youkai had tried to take advantage of the warrior's weakened state to get revenge for one thing or another, and it was better safe than sorry-or dead.

Their fears were assuaged when Kaede half-ran, half-limped into the hut, panting heavily. Sango stood and crossed the hut to steady the old priestess.

"Kaede-sama, what's wrong? Is it a demon?"

Miroku looked on in concern as Kaede caught her breath. When she did speak, her voice was steady although her hands were shaking.

"Nay, not a demon. A hanyou…"

*End Flashback*

Inuyasha had returned to them that day. His demon blood had healed his numerous injuries, and he had spent the weeks following the battle in a small cave, trying to gain enough strength to return to his friends. They could only imagine how he had survived; Inuyasha claimed he had made it out of the castle right before it had fallen, but that they were no where to be found.

So he had traveled back to the village, still weak but strong enough, and had discovered that his mate was missing. When Inuyasha had found out that he could no longer pass through the well, he nearly destroyed it trying to break the barrier with the red Tetsusaiga, but to no avail. Kagome was not coming back.

The hanyou fell into depression, spending his time in the Goshinboku, staring blankly at the Bone-Eater's Well. He descended after a week or so and began to recover, but he was never the same.

Miroku yelped in surprise as he felt the last of the spell give way, leaving only a faint aura surrounding it. Inuyasha was at his side in a heartbeat. That was another thing that the battle had changed about him; he had always been concerned for his human friends, but now he was just overprotective.

"What happened? Are you okay? Did it work?"

Miroku nodded, staring at the well in thought. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea…Kagome must think that Inuyasha is dead. What would her reaction be when her supposedly dead mate shows up in front of her?

The houshi grabbed Inuyasha as the inu-hanyou prepared to jump into the well. Inuyasha glared at Miroku and Miroku felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, although his expression never changed. Inuyasha had a great glare.

"What exactly do you think you're doing, Miroku?"

His tone was deadly. Miroku took a deep breath, hoping it wouldn't be his last, and spoke calmly.

"You can't go yet. Wait until morning, when the aura fades. That way, you won't startle Kagome too badly…and remember, tonight's the new moon."

"Keh."

Inuyasha jumped into the well. Miroku shook his head, sighing dramatically, and started to head back to the hut he and Sango shared.

"I should have known he wouldn't listen."