InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Never Gonna Let You Go ❯ Getting to Know You ( Chapter 28 )

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

Kagome didn't know how to react. Her mate had just died at the hands of his son, who was then killed by a half-demon that turned out to be HER son that she had lost years ago. She wanted to laugh. She wanted to cry. She couldn't believe how the Fates were working her life at the moment.

She gazed at her son lovingly. He was the spitting image of Kouga, except his eyes were brown, not blue. Handsome, tall, confident. Whoever had raised him had done a remarkable job,

"Takeshi, who were you raised by, may I ask?", said Kagome?

"I was raised by a female wolf named Ayame.", he answered.

"Ayame? She was supposed to be Kouga's mate."

"I know. Can I ask, how did you end up in a battle between a half-demon and my father?"

"Well, I travelled with Inuyasha for a while and when we met Kouga, well, Kouga claimed to be in love with me. Inuyasha never said those words, but he protected me. It all came to a head when Kouga kidnapped me and forced me to be his mate. I was in love with Inuyasha so Inuyasha fought for me and won.", said Kagome, "At least that's the short story of it."

"I didn't know.", said Takeshi softly, "So you didn't love my father?"

"No. I'm sorry you have to hear that, but it's true. I was in love with Inuyasha, not Kouga.", said Kagome.

"I'm sorry for what my father did to you.", said Takeshi.

Kagome hugged her son, "Don't be. If it wasn't for what Kouga did, I wouldn't have you. I love you Takeshi. I always have. I have never stopped wondering about you. If you were alive, if you were alright, if you were safe, warm, fed. I may have had four more children since you, but you were still my first and I will always be grateful for that."

Takeshi replied with tears in his eyes, "I'm glad you had me, mother. I've heard of how other half-demons are killed at birth or even before birth. Thank you for giving me life."

Kagome couldn't help but start crying, "Your welcome, my son."

Takeshi continued, "By the way, you're a grandmother!"

"HUH?", asked a surprised Kagome.

"I mated with a beautiful half-demon wolf named Manami and we had twin pups, Takeo and Takehiko.", said Takeshi excitedly.

"How wonderful! I am so glad you found a mate! I can't wait to see my grandsons!", Kagome clapped her hands in excitement.

"Maybe we can leave in the next few days. I'll take you to my den and you can meet everybody. Please say yes, mother!", pleaded her son.

"Of course! Of course! I'll get my pups ready and we can leave and visit your mate and family. I can't wait to meet them!"said Kagome, still overly exuberiant.

The next few days Kagome spent preparing for the trip. They buried Sesshoumaru's and Kazuhiko's bodies. Jaken was beside himself over the death of his master,

"He ordered me to stay inside and watch Kazuhiko and I failed! And now my Master is dead!", wailed the imp over and over.

Sesshoumaru's mother allowed Jaken to stay on to assist around the castle. Rin also took Sesshoumaru's death equally hard but, she now had a mate and a son to keep her occupied. Kagome, when she had time, would go out to the garden where she and Sesshoumaru would sit and gaze at the moon and stars or play with the pups. She allowed herself time to mourn but would reason with herself that at least she had the pups, a part of him, with her always.

Kagome, Takeshi, Eiji, Isamu, Akemi, Yoshiro and Ume set off to the eastern lands. During their travels, Kagome told Takeshi anecdotes about his childhood. Kagome also came to realize that Takeshi was a great father with the way he kept his half-siblings entertained as they walked. He would twirl Ume, toss Yoshiro in the air, do pretend battles with Isame and Eiji, and pick flowers or make daisy chains with Akemi. Kagome watched proudly as her children bonded.

Arriving at the Takeshi's den, Takeshi excitedly introduced Kagome and the pups to every wolf around. Making his way into his den, he was greeted enthusiastically by his mate and pups. Introducing everybody, it didn't take long until everyone was sitting around and chatting like old friends.

Manami enjoyed hearing anecdotes about Takeshi's childhood and began to realize why her pups did things she found strange,

"So, Takeshi used to do that too?", she'd comment.

Manami also eagerly took Kagome's advice about raising pups and handling a mate. Takeshi would lower his ears and comment,

"MOTHER ... maybe this wasn't such a good idea, bringing my mate and mother together.", he'd groan as his mate and mother laughed at his predicament.

Days would pass as the family got to know each other. One night, Takeshi found his mother sitting on the edge of the den, looking to the stars. It was a moonless night,

"Mother? Is something wrong?", he asked her.

"No, sweetheart. I was just thinking. Reminiscing.", she said.

"About Sesshoumaru?", he asked.

"Yea. And also about Inuyasha. He would so want to see you again. I'm sorry he's not alive to see you.", she said.

"Huh? But, he is alive. At least, sort of ...", Takeshi said.

"WHAT? What do you mean, Takeshi?"

"He's bound to the sacred tree in Edo. Didn't you know?"

"NO! Sesshoumaru told me he was dead. That the priestess Kikyou had take him to Hell with her. How do you know this?", she asked.

"I was looking for him to learn more about you. A demon sent me to Shippou and Hachi. Every time you mentioned Shippou I meant to tell you that I had met him and then we'd jump to another subject and I'd get sidetracked. But, anyway, Shippou took me to Edo and to the sacred tree. The monk Miroku many years ago built a building around the tree and it became a shrine. His descendants watch over it now. The legend says that the priestess Kikyou sealed him there.", said Takeshi.

Kagome just stared at Takeshi, "I wish you had said something, Takeshi.", she said quietly.

"I'm sorry. I thought since you were mated to Sesshoumaru that you knew since they were brothers. I assumed that Sesshoumaru wouldn't let you go to the shrine for fear that you would free Inuyasha and leave him.", said Takeshi.

Kagome thought back. Is that why Sesshoumaru refused to let her leave the castle grounds without him? Did he lie to her all this time? Did he know? He had to have known. The forest grapevine held no secrets.

"Takeshi, I want to go to Edo. I want to see Shippou and Hachi and Miroku's kin. And I want to see Inuyasha. I freed him once before, maybe I can free him again. I want to try.", said Kagome.

"Of course mother. When do you want to set out?", asked Takeshi.

"Day after tomorrow we'll set out. At dawn.", said Kagome.

"Sure thing. I hope you can free him, mother. I want to see you happy.", Takeshi said, as he kissed her.

Kagome's mind wandered, 'Inuyasha. You're still in this world. Will you be happy to see me?'