InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Never Gonna Let You Go ❯ Inuyasha ( Chapter 29 )

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

As planned, the group set out from the wolves ' lair at dawn that morning. Takeshi led the way because in the course of over 100 years, the area had changed quite a bit. More villages surrounded the once lonely dirt roads. This was welcomed by the travelers because the pups weren't used to traveling so much and they had ample places to rest and relax or grab a bite to eat.

Kagome noticed how few people even looked at them as they travelled through towns and villages. She recalled how when her group of traveling friends were searching for the shards of the shikon jewel, some villagers couldn't resist making snide remarks about Inuyasha and why a monk and a demon slayer were travelling with a filthy half-demon. Now, Takeshi and her pups didn't even warrant a double take from villagers. She was glad for this but intrigued by the change,

"So, Takeshi, nobody seems to pay attention to you as a half-demon, or even pay attention to me or my children. I know it's been over a century but, I'm surprised how the humans' attitudes have changed.", she commented.

"Yes, there seems to be more half-demons or 1/4 demons around. Townspeople are used to seeing demons around here. The more human friendly demons, such as foxes, raccoons, wolves and dogs are welcomed. The demons that desire to harm humans have been driven out to the outlying lands by the daimyos."

"I see. What about the humanoid demons? Is it the same for them?", she asked.

"Yes. If they are willing to live peacefully beside humans then they are welcomed. Otherwise, the samurai chase them out.", he answered.

"That's good to know. I'm glad the world is changing. Inuyasha will be able to live in this world without ridicule then.", Kagome mused.

'She really loves him.', Takeshi thought, 'I hope my mate still feels the same way about me after 100 years.'

A few days later they arrived in the small meadow that housed Shippou's hut. Takeshi sniffed and could tell that both Hachi and Shippou were inside. He called out,

"Shippou! It's me Takeshi. Come see who I found!"

Shippou poked his head out of the door to his hut. His jaw dropped as he saw the girl standing there,

"Ka ...gome?", he stammered.

"Yes, Shippou, it's me.", she said gleefully, heading towards the kitsune.

He came running out to her, elated at her presence and then he stopped dead,

"What's wrong Shippou?", asked Kagome.

"Wha ...what happened to you Kagome?", he asked hesitantly.

"I'm now a hanyou. That's how I've lived so long.", she answered.

"But, how did that happen?", he asked.

"I'll tell you everything.",she said, "Let's go inside and I'll explain."

Everybody gathered in the small hut and introductions were made. The first words out of Shippou were,

"Sesshoumaru's pups? You mated with Sesshoumaru? Willingly?", he asked, puzzled.

"Well, not at first. But over time I did. I though Inuyasha was dead. And I was alone. I eventually saw a soft side to him and I started to fall in love with him. And it grew from there. If I had know Inuyasha was still alive, I never would have mated with Sesshoumaru.", she said, defending herself, but thought, 'If I hadn't mated with him, I never would have had my children. Then again, maybe I would've had Inuyasha's pups.'

Shippou still had his doubts, "Kagome, I still can't believe you mated with Inuyasha's brother ... and mortal enemy."

"Shippou ...Inuyasha was always back and forth about Kikyou. He had feelings for me and her. Well, I was the same way. But, I thought Inuyasha was gone forever. And Sesshoumaru was there and he showed me love. And I fell in love with him. Is that so wrong?", she asked.

"No. Not when you put it that way, I guess not. But, where's your mark? Or didn't he mark you?", Shippou asked.

"It's fading. Sesshoumaru is dead at the hand of his elder son by Kagura. His younger son by Kagura is with me now. That's Eiji here.", she said.

The friends chatted on for a while and finally Shippou said,

"Let's go. Let's see if we can revive Inuyasha."

Kagome, Takeshi, Shippou and Hachi headed out. Satsuki, Shippou's mate, had agreed to watch the younger children and the older pups decided to stay behind. The four travelled the short distance to the outskirts of Edo and the thriving town that Kagome remembered being a small, poor, farming village. They passed the enshrined well and walked on towards the sacred tree. Again, they were met by a young Shinto priest,

"Yasuo, nice to see you again.", said Shippou.

"Same here Shippou.", said the priest.

"Kagome, this is Yasuo, Miroku's great-great-great-great grandson.", said Shippou.

"Kagome? Not the Kagome? Kagome Higurashi?", asked Yasuo.

Kagome blushed, "The very same.", she answered.

"I am very honored to meet you. We thought you were dead, but, somehow you are now a half-demon. This is wonderful news. Maybe Inuyasha can finally be freed from the tree.", Yasuo said.

"That's what I'm here for. I hope to revive him. I'm surprised you're a Shinto priest since Miroku was a Buddhist monk.", said Kagome.

"My family is a combination. Some of us are Buddhist monks while others are Shinto priests and priestesses.", he said.

"Any demon slayers?", asked Kagome.

"Some. But that profession is dying out now that demons are becoming less hostile.", said Yasuo.

"Ok, guys. Let's see if we can wake Inuyasha.", said Shippou as Hachi agreed.

The five of them entered the shrine building. Kagome walked up to Inuyasha's lifeless body and touched his chest gently,

'Inuyasha.', she thought to herself.

"So what do you have to do to revive him, Kagome?", asked Takeshi.

"I don't know. The last time he revived I was being chased by Mistress Centipede. I didn't even know I revived him.", she answered.

"Who pulled the arrow out of him the last time?", asked Yasuo.

"I did.", responded Kagome.

"Well, try removing the arrow, Kagome.", said Shippou.

Kagome reached up but couldn't reach the arrow. Takeshi came over and lifted her up. Grabbing a hold of the arrow, she concentrated her spiritual powers into her hand and into the arrow. The arrow began to glow with a bright light. As she did this, she heard Inuyasha's heart start to beat,

"Thump Thump! Thump Thump!"

With a bright pulsating light, the arrow disappeared and Inuyasha began to slump to the ground. Hachi caught him and eased him to a sitting positon. The hanyou's eyes began to open,

"Huh? Where am I?", he said.

"INUYASHA!", squealed Shippou.

"Shippou? Hachi?", he said looking around and his eyes fell on Kagome. Taking in the ears and different eye color, he asked,

"Who are you?"