InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ Life Goes On ( Chapter 32 )

Chapter 32: Life Goes On

 

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Childish laughter filled the backyard as a group of children played a game of tag. Their parents sat on the patio eating and talking quietly amongst themselves, periodically answering to a call of mama or papa from their children. Kagome stood to her feet and excused herself before heading into the kitchen.

 

“Kaede, do you need any help in here?” Kagome asked. The elderly woman looked up from the cake she was frosting and smiled at her.

 

“No dear, I have everything under control here. The children should be ready for cake and ice cream shortly.” Kagome smiled and snuck a taste of frosting, laughing softly as Kaede playfully swatted at her hands.

 

Kaede looked more closely at the young woman she considered a daughter, frowning slightly at her pale countenance. “How are you holding up, Kagome?”

 

Kagome sighed and sat herself at the kitchen table. “I am doing as well as can be expected today.” Kaede put down the spatula and moved around the table and gave Kagome a hug. Kagome leaned into her embrace and allowed a few tears to escape before she sat back, wiping furiously at her eyes.

 

Kaede looked at her in concern before returning to the cake to put on the finishing touches. “I know that it is hard for you, having lost Inuyasha five years ago today, but Yasha needs you to be happy on this, his birthday.”

 

Kagome stared blindly out the window and didn't respond for a long moment. “I know, Kaede, but it is so hard. This day not only marks the anniversary of my greatest sorrow, but it also marks the day of my greatest joy.” Kaede nodded in understanding. Silence fell upon the kitchen.

 

Moments later, the stillness was broken by the sound of running feet. Kagome gave a small smile as she heard Rin trying to keep her brother out of the kitchen. She moved out into the hallway and braced herself as a small body attached itself to her legs.

 

“Mama! Mama! Is it time for cake yet? My tummy says that it is empty now!” Kagome smiled down at the small boy, his silver hair hanging messily in his face. She brushed her fingers through it and tucked it behind his ears so she could see his golden eyes and mustard smeared face grinning up at her.

 

“How can your tummy be empty? You just ate a hamburger and four hotdogs!” The young boy shrugged.

 

“Don't know, but it is!” His stomach chose that moment to growl loudly, causing Kagome to giggle softly.

 

“Cake and ice cream will be out in a little while. Now go back out and play until it is time.” The young boy sighed and stared longingly into the kitchen before allowing Rin to take him back out to his friends. Kagome reentered the kitchen in time to see Kaede place the cake in the refrigerator for a bit to set the frosting.

 

Kaede turned with a twinkle in her eyes. “I swear that boy looks and acts more and more like his father every day.”

 

Kagome smiled wistfully as she nodded. “Yeah, he does.”

 

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Sesshomaru quietly closed the bedroom door and went into the living room. He found Kagome staring out the window and went to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

 

“Yasha finally fell asleep,” Sesshomaru said softly. Kagome nodded but didn't say anything. Sesshomaru sighed.

 

“I miss him too, you know.” Kagome turned and stared for a moment into the golden Taisho eyes, eyes that all the men of the Taisho lineage carried. After a moment, she laid her head upon his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.

 

“I know,” she said quietly. “I am sorry that I am being so emotional about this…” Sesshomaru silenced her with a gentle kiss.

 

“Kagome, you don't have to apologize. You have plenty of reasons to be emotional today of all days.” He led her over to the couch and sat down; drawing her body down to sit snuggled tightly against his. “It has been five years since Inuyasha died, five years since I almost lost you, and five years since Yasha was born and almost died. The fact that you both survived is nothing less than a miracle.” Sesshomaru rested his hand on Kagome's slightly swelling abdomen. “And if that weren't enough, the fact that you are pregnant with my child is reason enough to be emotional.”

 

Kagome sighed and leaned back into Sesshomaru, playing idly with his wedding band. It had taken four years, but Kagome and Sesshomaru had married and now were expecting a new member to their family come late winter.

 

Sesshomaru was content to hold Kagome in his arms; feeling her body relaxing. “You know, you never did tell me why you finally accepted my proposal.”

 

Kagome blushed. Sesshomaru had proposed to her when Yasha was only a few months old, but she had kept putting him off.

 

“Well, at first I was totally overwhelmed with Inuyasha's death and Yasha's birth. Then after awhile, I was unsure what it was that I felt for you. I thought I was falling in love with you, but I felt that by doing so, I was betraying Inuyasha's memory.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. He had figured that something like that had been the reason behind Kagome's hesitation. “What finally changed your mind?”

 

“Well, one night, I found myself in the dreamscape. At first I thought I was alone, but then I saw him. Inuyasha. He hugged me and said that he missed me and was sorry that he could not keep his promise to always be there for me. I was crying and he just held me tightly. When I finally calmed down, he told me that he was proud of Yasha, Rin, and me. We talked a little bit about the children and how fast they were growing.

 

“After awhile, Inuyasha told me to stop being so stubborn about marrying you. He told me that he had asked you to take care of us if anything were to happen to him. He also told me to stop deceiving myself and acknowledge the love I felt for you as well as the love you had for me. I could feel that love through the soul bond between us, but was always afraid to accept its reality.

 

“I protested, saying that he was the only one I could ever love; that by loving another, I would be allowing his memory to fade. Inuyasha smirked and told me to stop being stupid; that by loving and marrying you, I would be keeping his memory alive. After that, I woke up, and the rest is history.”

 

Sesshomaru leaned over and captured Kagome's lips in a passionate kiss. When they finally separated, Kagome sat back with a blush while Sesshomaru chuckled. “I guess I have a lot to thank my brother for. Shall we go upstairs and honor his memory together?”

 

Kagome's blush deepened. She gave a small squeal as Sesshomaru stood with her in his arms and carried her off to their bedroom.

 

Down the hall, Rin smiled to herself in the dark before rolling over to go back to sleep. All was well in her world.

 

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The End

 

A/N: Alas! All good things must come to an end. As much as I hated to do it, I had to post this chapter for all of you who were waiting patiently for me to update. I apologize for the lateness of this chapter, what with work, writer's block, not wanting the story to end and my computer hard drive dying on me, I finally persevered.

 

Anyway, I now plan on working on Breaking a Heart's Promise and will try to get the next chapter out soon for it. I have many other ideas for stories, but will need to see where my muse takes me.

 

Thank-you to each and everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story. You are all my inspirations for continuing. I hope that you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

 

A special thank-you goes out to Breezie for her indispensable aid in editing my stories for me. I could not have done it without her help!

 

Until next time!

 

Read, Enjoy, and Review!