InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ Family Conversations ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13: Family Conversations

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Hojo drove up to the address he head been given. In front of him stood a beautiful manor house nestled among several acres of land. He whistled appreciatively. “I guess Kikyo has done quite well for herself.”

The gate keeper asked for his identification before allowing Hojo to drive through the gate. He slowly drove up the winding driveway and pulled to a stop in front of the house. A young man wearing some sort of uniform hurried up and told Hojo that he’d take care of his vehicle. Eyes wide, taking in the opulence that surrounded him, Hojo was met at the door and led to the library to await Kikyo’s arrival.

The room was filled with bookshelves stretching to the ceiling. Hojo spied several priceless books amongst the collection, as well as more modern novels. Scattered along the shelves were pieces of pottery, figurines and other small items that looked like they belonged in a museum. A mahogany desk stood serenely in one corner while comfortable chairs were gathered around a small fireplace.

Hojo was wandering around, checking out the various books when the door opened. Turning, he saw a maid carrying a tea service, followed by Kikyo. The maid placed the tea service on a small side table and quickly took her leave. Kikyo waited until the door shut once more before she smiled and said “Welcome to my home, cousin. I am glad that you could join me.”

Hojo stepped forward and gave her a quick hug, stepping back quickly when he felt her stiffen. “Hello Kikyo. It has been a long time since I have heard from you. How have you been?”

Kikyo smiled once more and led him to the chairs, taking the one next to the tea service and started pouring while Hojo seated himself. Handing him a cup, she took a sip before she answered.

“I am doing very well, as you can probably see. When my fiancée was killed, I found that I had been named his beneficiary and inherited his estate and business. Over the years, I have made the business he left behind into a vast empire.” Hojo looked at her in awe, impressed that she had done so well for herself.

“That is wonderful, Kikyo. I am happy that you have been so successful!” Kikyo blushed lightly and set her cup down.

“Thank-you Hojo. That means a lot coming from you. Tell me about yourself; what have you been doing for the past few years?”

Hojo sat back and told his cousin about meeting Suki, getting married and taking over the children’s shelter. Kikyo listened, asking questions here and there. When he finished, she nodded as if coming to a decision.

“Like I mentioned in the letter, I am aware of the problems resulting from the earthquake. I believe that I have the perfect solution to your difficulty.” Kikyo stood and walked over to the desk, picked up a folder and handed it to Hojo.

Hojo took it and looked inside. He quickly looked up at her in confusion. “I don’t understand, Kikyo. What is this?”

“That, my dear cousin, is the deed to a piece of property and a check that should cover the cost of constructing a state-of-the-art facility.” Kikyo tried to keep from smirking in triumph. There would be no way he could turn this offer down.

Hojo stared at her in shock before rereading the documents in the file. After a few moments, he closed the file and handed it back to her. “I am sorry Kikyo, but I must decline your most generous offer.” Kikyo just stared at him in confusion, ignoring the folder he held out to her.

“What do you mean you must decline?”

Hojo smiled ruefully. “Don’t get me wrong Kikyo; your offer is greatly appreciated. However, I have no desire, nor need to locate the shelter anywhere other than where it once stood. If I were to move to the location you have offered us, it would place the shelter out of reach of those who need it. I will admit that the money would be helpful, but with the donations coming in and the aid of Mr. Taisho, the new shelter is already being built.”

Kikyo tried to keep the building fury inside her from erupting. She turned away from Hojo and struggled to regain her composure. Hojo sat quietly and waited for her to say something. Finally becoming uncomfortable with the silence, he stood to his feet.

“Thank-you for your hospitality, Kikyo, but I must be getting back.” He laid the folder on his vacated chair. Kikyo turned and gave him a cold smile and shook Hojo’s hand.

“The offer will stand if you decide to change your mind.” Hojo nodded his understanding.

“Thank-you, but I doubt I will.” Kikyo walked him to the front door where his car stood idling. “Don’t be a stranger, Kikyo. I would like for you to come to dinner soon and meet Suki.” Kikyo pasted a pleasant smile on her face and nodded. She watched as he drove off before she went back into the library. Silence fell once more upon the manor, only to be broken moments later by the sound of the tea service shattering against the wall.

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“Good night, sweet heart. Sweet dreams,” Kagome said quietly as she covered Rin with a fuzzy blanket before turning out the light. With one last glance at her daughter, Kagome walked back into the living room.

“Kagome, dear, you should sit down and rest.” Kaede placed a time worn hand on the woman’s shoulder. Kagome gave her a weary smile and allowed herself to be seated upon the couch. Kaede handed her a cup of tea which Kagome sipped thankfully.

Kaede had been waiting for them when Sesshomaru had brought them all home from the hospital. It was to “help Kagome adjust to motherhood while she recovered from her ordeal”. Kagome had been too tired to question it, but Sesshomaru and Inuyasha exchanged knowing glances.

“Thank-you Kaede. Where are the guys?” Kagome took another sip of the relaxing tea. Kaede chuckled as she returned from the kitchen, carrying a cup for herself. Taking a seat in the recliner, she took a sip before she answered.

“They are picking up a “few” last minute items for Rin. They should be home soon.”

Kagome smiled. “She hasn’t even been ours for a day and those two are already spoiling her.” The two women laughed. Kagome tried to stifle a yawn that attempted to slip past. “Sorry about that, Kaede. I guess I am a bit tired.”

“That is understandable. Your body is still trying to recover from your experience. You go ahead and lie down and rest. I will make sure the boys don’t wake you or the child.”

Kagome yawned again as she stretched out on the couch. “Thank-you for everything,” she said sleepily, her eyes closing as sleep quickly overtook her.

“It is my pleasure, dear.” Kaede smiled gently at the young woman now asleep. She stood and draped a light blanket over Kagome’s figure and took the tea cups back into the kitchen.

A short time later, Inuyasha opened the door and struggle to get inside without dropping anything. Sesshomaru, similarly laden, followed close behind. Kaede bustled up to them, shushing the brothers as she relieved Inuyasha of a package that threatened to fall.

“Quiet you two! Both Kagome and Rin are sleeping, and you are making enough noise to wake the dead.” The brothers, chastised by her scolding, quietly deposited the sacks in the hallway where they could be dealt with in the morning. Inuyasha dug through one, finally pulling out a stuffed dog and tip-toed into Rin’s new bedroom.

He stood over the bed where Rin lay sleeping. Kirara opened her eyes, blinking slowly a few times before snuggling back into Rin’s warmth. Inuyasha smiled and tucked the stuffed animal under Rin’s arm and kissed her forehead before leaving the room.

He found Kaede and Sesshomaru sitting in the kitchen. He pulled out a chair and joined them.

“What is it you two wished to talk to me about?” Kaede asked when neither brother said anything for several moments.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha looked at one another; Sesshomaru gave a slight nod, indicating that the story was Inuyasha’s to tell.

“While we were trapped beneath the building, Kagome and I connected through the soul bond and met in our dreamscape.” Kaede leaned forward and listened attentively as Inuyasha described the grassy hill, the tree, the meeting and conversation with Kagome, and her ‘falling asleep’. When Inuyasha started to relate the part when Sesshomaru joined them, Kaede sat back with a slight gasp. Inuyasha paused and looked at her questioningly. She told him to finish the tale and she’d explain momentarily.

“And he said that it wasn’t the first time he had been in our dreamscape.” Inuyasha sat back and folded his arms across his chest. “Okay, so how did Sess end up in our dream?” Kaede ignored him for the moment, her eyes staring off into the distance.

“Sesshomaru, you said that you had been there before?”

“Yes, although that was the first time that I had seen anyone there. The couple of times prior to that, I only heard voices, but they were never loud enough for me to determine what they were saying.”

Kaede sat tapping her finger on the table as she thought. Inuyasha felt his patience begin to disappear.

“Why in the hell is he in our connection?!” Sesshomaru gifted his brother with a scowl before refocusing on Kaede.

“There is only one explanation as to Sesshomaru’s presence in the soul connection.” She looked at the two men sitting before her, both of them trying not to show their rising curiosity.

“And that would be…?”

Kaede took a deep breath before answering. “A soul connection has been formed between the three of you.”

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TBC

A /N: What a cliffy! Sorry it took so long for me to update; I was struggling a bit with this chapter. I hope that you enjoyed it! I also just wanted to say “Welcome back” to my wonderful beta reader, Breezie; I missed you!

As always, Read, Enjoy, and Review!