InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ripples ❯ It Ain't Easy to Say Goodbye ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5: It Ain't Easy to Say Goodbye

Kagome stood with Shippou in her arms next to the well. Rin was holding onto Sesshoumaru's pants leg and trying to stay awake. The Guardian's mood was somber and encased in sorrow as she leapt into the well. Sesshoumaru only prayed that she came back happier. As bothersome as she was when she was perky, she was infinitely worse when she was sad.

**Present Day** Kagome landed at the bottom of the well in her own time. Jumping up, she caught the edge of the well and tried to hoist a sleeping Shippou over the ledge. He remained asleep, but rolled out of the well anyways. Sighing in relief, she was just about to haul herself out when a hand suddenly wrapped around her wrist and pulled her out. She was set on her feet and steadied by a clawed hand.

"Sesshoumaru! What are you doing here?"

His eyebrows shot up and he sent her a death stare. "Your little brother came running over to the office screaming his head off about how you had been abducted by your grandfather's abandoned well. He kept rambling on about a monster shooting out of the same well and demanding your jewel shard. Naturally, my innate curiosity was peaked and here I am. You weren't gone very long, an hour at the most."

She blushed and picked up Shippou. "He wasn't yelling in front of your entire staff, was he?"

Sesshou just gave her a cold glare.

"Oh, sorry. I've told him not to do that, but he thinks that if it's an emergency, the entire world should know about it. What did you tell them?"

"That he was one of Inuyasha's orphans with a mental problem."

Kagome laughed and made her way to the house. Inviting him in, she put Shippou on the couch and made them some tea. Sesshou sipped his and looked at her.

"So, how did you like Rin as a six year old?"

The miko started and narrowed her eyes at him. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?"

"Hai, but I can't tell you anything that happens, because that would mess up the order of things. I checked around and found Shippou a teacher. He'll be able to board with the kitsune."

"Do you know the teacher?"

"Not personally, but his references are impeccable and he knows what would happen if he tried to screw me over. He'll be good for the kit."

Kagome stirred some sugar into her tea. "Should I ask how much his services will cost?"

Sesshou waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "I'll have the company give him a scholarship on something or another and that'll be it. When do you want to take him over there?"

"Today, please. I'll just get him packed and then he'll be set." Kagome looked at Sesshou and smiled faintly. "I don't want to have to think about it for long."

He nodded and finished his tea. "Well then I'll help myself to your never ending supply of popcorn and settle in for an hour of `Kung fu: the legend continues.'"

Kagome laughed and put the teacups in the sink. She kissed Shippou on the cheek and made her way upstairs to his and Sota's room. Slowly, she began folding and packing all of her son's belongings.

Forty-five minutes later, she drug a huge duffle bag and a suitcase down the narrow stairs. Shippou had woken up about five minutes ago and was trying to get Sesshou to explain what was happening on the TV show that was almost over.

"Mom! Uncle Sesshou won't tell me what's going on. He only gave me a handful of popcorn, too."

"That's because we're leaving now, so go brush your teeth."

Shippou nodded, sticking his tongue out at Sesshou and rushing to the bathroom. After two minutes of spilling water and toothpaste everywhere, he reappeared in the living room, ready to go. Kagome took his hand as Sesshou carried the luggage out to his Explorer. Finally, they arrived at what looked like a school. Shippou's bags were unloaded and he took Kagome's hand as a man with ruddy red hair walked out to meet them.

"Ohayo. You must be Kagome-sama and Shippou. Welcome to my school. I am Sansho and I am the principal here."

Kagome and Shippou bowed as Sesshou pulled Sansho off to the side. The miko knelt down in front of her son and brushed his bangs out of his eyes.

"You be good, Shippou, just like you are for me. I'll come visit you on visitation days and you'll be graduated before you know it."

"Yeah, then I can start college and be really smart and make you and Uncle Sesshou really proud!"

Kagome fought back the tears. "Oh, sweetie, you already make us very proud. Me especially. I'll miss you, Shippou." She said as she hugged him. "Kami, I'll miss you."

Shippou hugged her back. "Don't cry, Mom, don't cry. I love you and I'll miss you, too."

Kagome sniffed and pulled back. "Ai shiteru. Go on, now and have fun."

He grinned and ran over to Sansho and Sesshou. The taiyoukai gave him a small pat on his shoulder before sending him off with his new principal. Walking back over to Kagome, he opened the car door for her and helped her inside. She stared out the window as they pulled out of the school's driveway and shut her eyes as they drove away. Suddenly her cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Kagome! Where the Hell is Sesshoumaru? What the fuck does he think he's doing telling people that one of the orphans has a mental problem? My phone's been ringing off the hook all day with people complaining about my ability to watch the kids. Shit! He'd better have a real good excuse for this mess."

She smothered a laugh as she said, "Why didn't you call his cell phone? How should I know where he is?"

Sesshou glanced over to her and smiled slightly as he rolled his eyes. "Inuyasha's throwing a temper tantrum, isn't he?"

Kagome nodded, but Inuyasha cut in. "I tried his damn phone, but he left it in his office. He only leaves his-oh- so-important-communication-device behind when there's trouble and usually you're involved. So cut the crap and put him on the phone."

She smiled and handed the taiyoukai her cell phone. "What is it, Inuyasha? No, of course I didn't. Actually, I do have a good reason. Yes, Kagome went to feudal Japan today. Yes, you heard me, so I have a very good excuse. Hang on."

He looked at his passenger. "Inuyasha wants to know if he can meet us at the Green Leaf Café."

"Sure, as long as he's buying."

"Fine, Inuyasha. You're buying. We'll meet you there in fifteen minutes." Sesshou hung up the phone and handed it back to Kagome.

"I don't get you into a lot of trouble, do I?" She asked, looking at her phone. "Maybe I should give up looking for the bad guys and just concentrate on my dojo."

Sesshou looked at her bent head, her bangs hiding her eyes. "You don't get me into any more trouble than what I get you into. Besides, you've saved hundreds of lives by killing the demons that you have. I don't think it would be too smart by just giving up and letting them have their way. I can take care of myself and so can Inuyasha so stop worrying, bitch."

Kagome glared at him. "Jackass."

He snickered, "Such language! Do you eat with that mouth?"

Rolling her eyes, she unbuckled her seat belt as they pulled into a parking space in front of the café. Sesshou opened the door for her and they walked over to a waving Inuyasha. He grinned as the two set down. A waitress took their orders and left as Inuyasha interrogated Kagome.

"So? Didja get me down? Have you broken into the castle yet? Huh? Huh? I've never heard what happened from your point of view, so spill, Kagome. I want all the details."

Kagome laughed and sipped her water. "Hai, I've broken into Sesshou's castle and he was not very happy to see me, were you?"

Sesshou snorted. "As I recall, you woke me up in the middle of the night demanding a favor. Then you proceeded to insult me and fight me in my own home."

"Lynx did get a little carried away. You fight better now than you did back then."

"Well, that goes without saying."

Inuyasha was drumming his fingers boredly on the table. "Come on, Gome, what happened?"

"Well, after Sesshou almost killed Shippou," at this, the demon in question humfed, "he decided to let me have a look at the data after all."

"The next morning, I remember you were quite embarrassed about not knowing how to put on the kimono."

"Yes, you brute, and you didn't even have the decency to get a woman to help me. No, the great Sesshoumaru had to dress me up like a Barbie doll and make fun of my ignorance the entire time."

Inuyasha sat there as Kagome told what had happened. Sesshou noticed that everything was very different from her point of view. Little things made a big impact on her, and the things he thought were important, were barely mentioned. It was amazing.

"So won't you two please give me a hint about what is going to happen? Pretty please?"

They both shook their heads and smiled wickedly at her.

"Well, apparently we beat Naraku, because otherwise you two would either be dead or still after him. Also, I'm the only one with a jewel shard in our time, so he must be dead. That's comforting."

Inuyasha looked at Kagome and Sesshou. "Oi, where's the brat?"

Kagome looked at Sesshou helplessly and he explained to Inuyasha.

"Geez, Kagome, that's rough, but you're doing the right thing. Hey, when you come back next time, don't forget to give me a call, huh?"

She smiled at him and patted his hand. "Sure thing, Inu. Give my love to the kids. I suppose I'll have to postpone their self defense class this Saturday. I'll call you about a reschedule."

He nodded and waved as she and Sesshou left the café.

"So you're going back tomorrow?" Sesshou asked once they had pulled up to her house.

"Yeah, I'll get to find out how much time has passed since I went through the well. I spent a day there and it was only an hour here. I hope it works the same way when I go back. Inu youkais are so fussy when they don't get their way."

He growled softly as he walked her to her door. "I don't know what you are talking about. Seriously, though, Kagome. Wait until I get over here before you leave tomorrow. I want to see how this thing works from this side."

"All right. I'm leaving a little after dawn. Mom isn't back from visiting my aunt, Sota knows what happened so by now Gramps does too. I think I've got everything covered. I just need to decide what to pack."

"Something to write on and a pen. Quills and ink are so messy. Pleasant dreams, Gome."

"Goodnight, Sesshou, and thanks."

He touched her face briefly before walking to his car and driving away. She sighed and stepped into the house. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.