InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Inutaisho Legacy ❯ Epilogue: Family United ( Chapter 22 )

Oh the very last one of the sequel to my first Yash saga. I feel quite sad about that. I hope all who have kept up enjoy this and go see my other Inuyasha fic, “Impoverished Heir.” It's an a/u and I'm enjoying it immensely. I will miss this story now that it's over however. It's been good to me, and my thoughts, and in turn I hope to be good to it.

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha nor is getting paid to write this. Does claim to be inu however.

 

“The Inutaisho Legacy” chapter twenty-two

Epilogue: Family United

 

Five hundred years ago:

 

Shippou held his son in the crook of his arm and watched Sango's youngest daughter carefully. Nozomi took careful toddling steps. Souta stood a foot away, his chubby hands stretched out to his little sister.

“Come t'is way…. Good!” Souta said cheerfully. Nozomi cried out in triumph when her small hands clasped her big brothers. Souta steadied her against him.

Shippou smiled and looked down at his boy. Akigawa had his green eyes and red hair and Kyoko's careful smile. The birth had been difficult and Hida had paid for midwives of three different villages to assist before hand, foreseeing the size of the hanyou. The birth was so terrible, Shippou could only be numb with relief that Kyoko still lived, and the infant with his hair and tail and paws was born without any afflictions. His half-human son was a large lusty infant that wailed for Kyoko's breast when awake, and a heavy sleeper, a ball of fur and blanket when he slept. Shippou learned the extra work a child had on a new family and he was up as much as Kyoko caring for him, both learning to just drop housework and SLEEP when Akigawa napped. But he wouldn't take him back if he wanted to.

“Good job, Nozomi-chan. Akigawa will be walking soon with you in no time,” Shippou called gently. The tiny girl grinned and toddled carefully at Souta's side. Akigawa yawned against his fur vest and nestled closer into his comforting warmth. Shippou knew, from memory's sake, that his son would know his paternal presence from scent and instinct, and not just as an extra set of arms. The half kitsune's nose twitched in his sleep and Shippou tucked his blanket around him carefully. Kyoko was inside resting, poor girl, and he had taken babysitter duty while Sango visited with his father-in-law.

Hikaru, running and walking with more ease and grace, had gone with Sango and Miroku, leaving little Souta and Nozomi with Shippou. He stayed with them in the front yard so his wife could rest. Shippou watched his friend's children play and rocked Akigawa in his arm. The hanyou kitsune opened his eyes and yawned. He regarded his father with sharp green eyes that clearly said `I'm awake, what are YOU doing, dad?” Shippou grinned and kissed his boy's sweet-smelling brow. Akigawa always smelled like breast milk and that incredible scent that was new baby alone. Akigawa yawned and worked his mouth open and closed, looking frustrated.

“Is he awake, ship-whoa?” Souta asked wisely, holding onto Nozomi carefully. Nozomi tried to get on the grass to catch a grasshopper. It neatly evaded her and hopped away to safety. Nozomi made to crawl after it when Souta picked her up.

“Yes he is, Souta-chan. Come inside, and see Auntie Kyoko,” Shippou suggested. He walked into the hut making sure Sango's children were behind him. They settled before the fire and leaned against each other. Kyoko was laying in their futon, napping lightly. She woke when Shippou knelt next to the bedding.

“Is he hungry?” Kyoko yawned. Shippou held one arm down and helped her sit.

“He is. Can you lean against me?” Shippou asked. He pulled Kyoko against his chest and carefully transferred Akigawa to Kyoko's arms. His arms were now free to circle her carefully. Kyoko smiled softly when he carefully opened her sleeping robe to free a breast for Akigawa. Their son set to intently. Small slurps and baby sighs filled the room and Souta smiled, noting how happy Kyoko-san looked even when it was apparent she was exhausted. Shippou kissed Kyoko's brow and held her waist softly, being her pillow.

“Aka?” Nozomi asked, crawling close to touch Kyoko's leg. She smiled tenderly at the child and ruffled Akigawa's bright red hair.

“He's here, Nozomi-chan, can you see him?” From the angle the child was at, Akigawa resembled a ball of fur. Nozomi stuck her lower lip out and patted at the ball. Akigawa took his mouth off of Kyoko's nipple and cried out.

Shippou laughed and smiled indulgently to Nozomi. “He's little, like you were not so long ago. But he will get big and be able to play with you.”

Souta made a small exclamation and touched his sister's back. Shippou smiled gently as he held his family in his arms. And he knew peace had come for him at last.

 

 

* * * *

 

20XX, Tokyo.

 

“C'mon, Pop, I thought we were gonna spar!”

Inuyasha slit one eye open and regarded his tall son. At age fifteen, Inutaro was just as tall as his father, and as thin. Their slimness could be accorded as a wiry sort of strength as Inutaro was beginning to develop lithe muscles much like his father. His son was wearing loose hakama and an anime t-shirt, his long white hair tied back in a simple tail. Inutaro's puppy ears stood straight up, indicating his irritation at having to wake his old man from a nap.

“Yeah, just gimme a sic, Taro! Yer old man is tired….” Inuyasha made to close his eyes again but Inutaro pounced on him.

“Yer too old, Pop! Come on, let's hit swords and maybe you'll be younger by the time we're done,” Inutaro teased. Inuyasha growled and rolled his boy over and pinned him down.

“Think you can take me on?? Your old man's got moves you haven't seen yet!” Inuyasha said. He held Inutaro down with his knees and tickled him until he was blue in the face.

“Ahhhhhh ahhaah stop it! MAMA!” Inutaro yelled. Kagome came outside, her body still slim and trim after so many years, and regarded her men with an exasperated sigh.

“Inuyasha, let him up! You'll damage him permanently if you keep turning him purple,” Kagome said. Inutaro leered as Inuyasha sat back and let him up.

“Yeah, Pop, you'll disfigure me for life,” Inutaro offered. He sat up and smiled like a young boy when Kagome knelt to hug his slim shoulders.

“Oh my boys are always handsome,” Kagome smiled and kissed her son on the brow. Inutaro grinned happily when she tickled his ears.

“Feh! Enjoy it while you can, son, I get your mama's attention more than you do,” Inuyasha grinned. Inutaro pouted when Kagome let go of him but stood straight at his father's next words.

“But you got me up, so let's spar already.”

“Alright! I'll get the blades,” Inutaro offered. He ran off, his wooden sandals clacking on the cobbled courtyard tiles. Inuyasha watched him go affectionately and smiled at Kagome. Even after over a decade, she looked very young without a single wrinkle or blemish.

Kagome flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled at her hanyou husband as he regarded her in the thoughtful he did lately. “What? Do I have something on my face?”

“Hmm, no. I was just thinking how good it was for Sesshomaru to teach me how to extend your life force to match mine,” Inuyasha purred. He wrapped his arms around Kagome from behind and nuzzled the side of her neck.

“He told us he'd help us figure out what to do if too many years pass and we still look the same… come on, that's suspicious right there,” Kagome sighed. She angled an arm up and around his neck. Inuyasha's ears wiggled in the open and he turned her face up to kiss his lips.

“We'll figure it out as we go. Right now you're the hottest mom in the district,” Inuyasha grinned. He and Kagome surveyed the neat and clean shrine grounds. They always had the shrine closed to the public on Tuesdays, and Inuyasha often took the time to nap underneath the Goshinboku without a hat on his head. His son he let walk around with his ears free to the world, if he so chose to. Kagome and he had agreed as one to make him wear a hat to school until he could take any teasing, and Inutaro had grown strong for the criticism. It didn't mean he never came home crying because his classmates had made fun of his ears, but he had loving parents who always talked with him, and helped him.

The leaves of the Goshinboku danced lazily on the breeze as they fell to the courtyard. Inuyasha reflected he would have to sweep them up soon, but tomorrow. It was his day off, and Kagome was home from her job. She had gone to an advanced high school, and excellent cram schools to get into a top-notch college. She had graduated with full honors, and landed a high-paying job as a DA's assistant. Inuyasha worked hard at the family shrine, aiding Jii-chan until he had passed away in his sleep five years ago. Souta had moved out, and Mama had remarried and moved to live with her husband, so the shrine house and grounds belonged to Kagome and her family now.

Inuyasha watched the leaves sadly, thinking of their link to the past. Kaede had passed a few years ago, leaving her young apprentice Tamori as the head priestess. The well had sealed up and they hadn't been able to see his brother's family, nor Sango and Miroku's in years. Kagome and Inuyasha could only live their lives together in the present era and hope that their connections weren't severed completely.

“You're thinking about them, aren't you?” Kagome asked softly. Inuyasha nodded and hugged her slim waist softly.

“I just miss them, Kagome. I wish we could have had Taro grow up with them more,” Inuyasha confessed. Kagome rocked with his movements and kissed his fingertips.

“We'll see them again, I'm sure of it. Do you think it's a good idea to spar with Inutaro so much?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha grinned.

“He's got a warrior's spirit, I'd be a bastard not to let him,” Inuyasha grinned.

“I want him to go to college too. Don't let him get hurt!” Kagome warned. “That's my baby you're smacking a sword at.”

“I know, Kagome, don't worry. I would rather hurt myself than our son,” Inuyasha said softly. The door to the kitchen slid open, admitting Inutaro out into the courtyard. He carried Tetsusaiga's sheathe carefully in one arm, a simple blade's sheathe in his other hand. He trotted across the courtyard and flung his white tail over one shoulder.

“Mama, Megumi's whining for your help! I think she's gonna blow up the kitchen if you don't get in there,” Inutaro reported. Kagome laughed and darted out of her husband's arms.

“Be careful, then!” she called. Inuyasha waved, then took Tetsusaiga's sheathe from his son.

“On second thought… you can use Father's fang today,” Inuyasha said. Inutaro's jaw dropped. The blade he had always held sacred since he was old enough to know what `made from grandpa's fang' meant, and his father was finally going to let him use it. Inutaro stammered and stuttered childishly.

“Wah… I mean… Pop, are you sure??” Inutaro asked. Inuyasha smiled indulgently and handed Tetsusaiga's sheathe into his son's smaller hands.

“Draw with an intent to strike, and you will draw the fang's power,” Inuyasha advised his boy. Inutaro gulped, holding the sheathe to his side, prepared to draw. If he could just draw the monstrous fang he had seen his father draw so many times…

Inutaro drew and stumbled as the rusty katana warped into the giant fang. Inutaro grimaced, sweat pouring down his face as he tried to lift it high in his shaking hands.

“I… can do it!” he exclaimed joyously. Inuyasha grinned and drew the simple blade his son had brought out.

“You can. Now, come at me!” Inuyasha barked. Inutaro kicked his wooden sandals off and flew at his father. Loud laughter and gentle reprimands filled the air as the two white-haired inu danced together, striking blades and testing strength. Inutaro knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. His father was the more experienced at handling the fang, and as thus his arms were stronger. Inutaro could feel the muscles quivering in his shoulders and arms with each swing, and he knew his father was taking it easy on him.

“Come on, Taro, keep at me!” Inuyasha barked. Inutaro gaped as his father leaped high into the air, and crashed down with his blade. Inutaro's knees buckled and he fell down on his backside. The fang went back to its original form, a thin rusty katana. Inuyasha stood at attention, the slim katana in his hand held out from his side.

“Had enough, boy?” Inuyasha asked fondly. Inutaro grinned uncertainly and reverently slid Tetsusaiga home into its sheathe.

“I don't know how you do it, Pop! It's too strong,” Inutaro commented. Inuyasha nodded and sheathed the simple blade. He held a hand down for his son and Inutaro took it.

“I have to let you practice with it more then,” Inuyasha observed and he smiled as his son's face split out into a mad grin.

“Wow, really?? You're not just saying that?” Inutaro demanded. Inuyasha smiled.

“I think it's time we put Tetsusaiga into your hand more often….”

“Papa, Taro!” a young girl ran up. Inuyasha smiled indulgently as his daughter hugged his waist with slim arms.

“What is it, Megumi-chan? Are you done cooking your masterpiece?” Inuyasha asked softly. Inutaro snorted and tried to look important.

“We are! But visitors came to the front door…. Mama told me to get you right away, Papa,” Megumi said, insistent. She had Kagome's eyes and the inu trademark white hair. Her puppy ears were smaller and easily hidden when folded back against her head, unlike Inutaro's, which attracted attention of every kind.

Inuyasha's brow quirked and he took Megumi's hand in his larger one. His claws enfolded hers gently.

“Shall we go greet them, my children?” Inuyasha asked. Inutaro held Tetsusaiga's sheathe carefully and nodded. Megumi sang and swung her papa's hand as they came into the kitchen, then walked through to the living room. Kagome was peering through the front window, looking like the young girl Inuyasha first knew. His heart ached suddenly, and he felt the years recede back to the young fifteen year old that had tried to help him love. Even with Megumi holding his hand and Inutaro at his side, he felt like that younger hanyou fortunate to have her with him.

“Who has come to see us, Kagome?” Inuyasha asked. Inutaro joined his mother and peeked out the blinds with her.

“I don't know, Inuyasha. Do we know any rich people?” she asked mysteriously. Inuyasha peeked with her, listening to Megumi's breathless giggles. A long shiny limousine was pulled up at the foot of the shrine steps.

“I don't know…. Could it be…” Inuyasha jerked and started, feeling a most familiar spike of youki. He ran to the front door and out, to the shrine steps. Kagome watched her husband run, feeling his urgency through their link.

“Who is it, Mama? Someone you know?” Inutaro asked curiously. Kagome smiled, feeling her heart ache as she felt Inuyasha's joy through the link.

“Someone we know very well. Let's go greet them, shall we?” Kagome said softly. Megumi and Inutaro ran out, then stood at attention remembering their manners. Kagome joined them and put a hand on each of their shoulders.

Inuyasha stood waiting at the top of the shrine steps, his bare toes curling against the concrete. The top of a silver head bobbed into view as a tall man crested the top of the shrine steps. He wore an immaculate white suit tailored to the contours of his body's muscle and he proved an intimidating figure. His silver hair cascaded well past his buttocks, and to the backs of his shapely calves well defined even through the fabric of his slacks. He looked just a fairly exotic and pale human, if you didn't notice the deliberately pointed ears, the purple stripes across his cheeks and his wrists, nor the crescent moon across his brow. His eyes were as golden as Inuyasha's and the children gasped, noting the family resemblance.

“Sesshomaru….. You finally made it to us, Sessh,” Inuyasha said familiarly but his elder brother smirked in response.

“Your link had been unused but we came to you through the natural means of waiting,” Sesshomaru intoned. He clapped Inuyasha on the shoulder and Inutaro was surprised to hear his father laugh loudly with joy.

“It's been awhile, Sesshomaru! You don't look a day older!” Inuyasha laughed. Sesshomaru regarded his half brother, his own family patriarch, and still wearing his re-patched and re-stitched fire rats robe and hakama. He was still barefoot, his hair still cascaded in loose waves to his waist.

“Neither have you, brother. I see you put my teaching to good use on your mate,” Sesshomaru greeted. He leaned to kiss Kagome's cheek and Megumi was startled that an apparent stranger, even though family, could be familiar on first meeting again.

“Where is Rin, my lord? Is she with you? And your son?” Kagome asked, her eyes shining. Sesshomaru gestured with his jacket sleeve behind him and a smaller dark figure dressed in an immaculate kimono, pale with red blossoms, drew up close behind him. Kagome and Rin regarded each other, and fell into each other's arms in a warm embrace, laughing together.

It had been the five hundred years of waiting, but they both hadn't aged a day thanks to their husband's youki. Sesshomaru regarded Inutaro and smiled.

“I don't know if you remember me, pup, but I'm your uncle Sesshomaru,” Sesshomaru intoned deeply. Inutaro remembered a large hand embracing him, and a familiar scent.

“Vaguely, uhm, my uncle lord,” Inutaro said nervously. Megumi stepped close and looked up at the veritable inu giant. Her tiny puppy ears twitched.

“This is my other child, Megumi,” Inuyasha said proudly. “You hadn't met her at all, Sesshomaru.”

Sesshomaru marveled over the changes in Inuyasha's family, as three figures joined Rin at the top of the steps.

“The driver said for us to come to you,” the tall, pale and slim boy offered. His puppy ears folded regally against his head and he wore white as well as his father. Rin smiled indulgently and smiled as her eldest born stood at his father's side.

Sesshomaru didn't touch his son but his words were very warm. “You remember Daikousai, heir to the Western Lands.”

“Dai-chan! It's been awhile!” Inutaro yelled. He and the tall solemn boy smiled and came together in a deep embrace.

“Taro-chan! How come you stopped seeing me?” Daikousai asked. Inutaro shrugged.

“The well just….”

“It's something to discuss at any rate,” Inuyasha interrupted grimly. Rin cleared her throat.

“Meet our other pups. Nibori, and Kazuki,” Sesshomaru said warmly. Nibori was the second eldest, wearing white like her elder brother, and the only girl. Kazuki was a young boy, possibly only a hundred years old or so. He wore red like Inuyasha, and the uncle was proud to see that.

“It's good to see you all,” Inuyasha said warmly. “Shall we go inside, brother?” Sesshomaru nodded.

“We would like that very much, Inuyasha. Tell us, how your lives have treated you in the time we were apart?”

The five children banded together, noted differences and similarities, then became one unit. They ran out into the shrine courtyard to play and the two adult couples sat together in the kitchen.

 

Hours passed.

 

Family matters were noted, as well as events of the late Sengoku Jidai. There had been large war waged on youkai of every realm, Sesshomaru had said. But the inu ancestors had protected their own in the West, and moved the Inu palace to a safe location man could not reach.

“It is still there, for you and your family to come back to if your ages should become suspicious to the human public in this city,” Sesshomaru intoned. Inuyasha smiled.

“Thank you, brother. We want to stay as long as we can with our one tie to the past,” he said, and Kagome knew he had meant the Goshinboku, still standing after centuries of connecting to the distant past.

“The ages have been kind to us, haven't they, brother?” Sesshomaru said softly. He was watching the five children run around outside under the shade of the Goshinboku. Rin's small hand covered his and squeezed.

“They have, aniue. You and yours are welcome here anytime,” Inuyasha said. Sesshomaru smiled gently and the four watched their children bond outside.

 

The future was reached and came gently into the present, a new path opening up for the sharpest of observers to find. The families continued on together as they always would, for their path was without an end in sight.

Except for the present story, which did end.

 

The End

Here we are, the very last one. I may do a loose sequel with looks at the feudal children growing up. Sengoku Jidai Babies, huh? They're too cute to ignore at this point. I will miss everyone's comments and concerns for this story, for those who have kept up.

Nibori means `rising to eminence' and Kazuki means `shining one.'

Like it? Hate it? Please review. I want to change the world… For all who have stayed with this story, thank you for enjoying the ride with me. This story has meant a lot to me personally and I hope for you too.

Most sincerely yours, penpaninu 4/16/06