InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time After Time ❯ Reality is No Longer Subjective ( Chapter 32 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: kanna37 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.25.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 392 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.25.2011 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.8K | Visits: 392 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 32: Reality is No Longer Subjective
Kagome floated comfortably in the void, surrounded by the energy of her mate, content and at peace. Is this death? she wondered. Her mate's mind-voice answered.
'I do not believe so, beloved. I think we are merely within a different part of reality. Or, at least, the reality that exists now, as opposed to what once existed.'
Confused, Kagome thought about that. Well, really... what is reality, anyway? It's subjective – different for everyone, I suppose. But, besides Naraku, I enjoyed our reality. Is it gone forever?
She could feel him tighten himself around her comfortingly. 'I do not know, mate. But no matter if it is, or not, we are together, and that is what counts the most.'
She could only agree; if they had been separated, she would have gone mad very quickly. She would miss all the others, her friends and family, greatly, but she would survive. That wasn't true for Sugimi's presence. If he were gone... she shuddered at the pain even the thought shot through her, and pushed herself into his presence even more, needing the reality of him to keep her sane.
It wasn't long before other things began to intrude, however – other presences were suddenly there, and Kagome frowned, worried. Who were these beings? She didn't know any of them... and neither did her mate.
Were they a danger, or not?
But as the new presences approached, it soon became clear that they were not a danger to either of those in this pocket of space-time with them. Instead, Kagome and Sugimi found themselves facing several of the kami, and awed, they both sent silent signals of respect, genuflecting as they once again felt their bodies within the void they occupied.
The forms continued to close with them, both Sugimi and Kagome feeling messages of welcome and gratitude, and as they both became curious about why the kami felt such a thing towards them, their questions drew one of the god figures to speak.
“You have restored the world as it was meant to be, servants of the kami. The reality that you knew, Kagome, in your world so far removed from Sugimi's, was not correct. It was a warped version. As was the world that Sugimi knew. The world we created was meant to be paradise for our creations, because we of the pantheon of higher beings need the joy and happiness of our creations to exist. We feed off of your positive emotions – and by that same token, negative emotions cause us pain.”
Kagome blinked, completely floored by what she was hearing. Our world was... wrong?
“Yes, little miko, it was. In our creating,” the voice said, a sad note creeping in, “we made a mistake, and allowed for the possibility of chaos – and that invited chance into our pattern, which we had not wanted. And so, the world, from the moment of its birth, began dying, becoming corrupted. The Shikon no Tama was our answer to the problem. It was created to reset creation, and do away with time, which was also not originally a part of our creation. Unfortunately, the first servants to be presented with the opportunity to do what you both have done, failed – too much chaos was in their natures. All of that, brought about the world as you first stepped into it, Kagome. And finally, we brought forth the one that was correct – the level of purity in your soul negating the hold that chaos could gain in you.”
Sugimi had been listening to them, and everything else aside, he had one worry, and one worry only. “Do you mean to say that Kagome and I will be separated now?” he asked, fear present within his voice, and his mate gasped, fear flooding her scent as well at the possibility.
Another voice spoke then, a more feminine voice. “Not at all. You are one spirit in two bodies, just as we had created all of our children to be. We formed you all in our images. It pleases us when a soul finds its other half and recombines – in our original plan, there would have been no chance involved – all of our creations would know who completed them. Chaos, and chance, are responsible for so much misery. But now, you have finally redressed the wrong that we failed to see until it was too late, and things can now go back to the way they were always meant to be.”
There was a choral hum from the beings, and then Kagome was addressed once more. “Do not fear, little one. You will find that this reality will be far more to your tastes than the one you left behind. Remember – we feed on your happiness, your joy – all of our children's joy. The world is truly a wondrous place. A paradise, as we stated before.”
Not sure what to think any more, Kagome clung to her mate and nodded, just accepting what she was being told.
“Was there anything else that you needed from us?” Sugimi asked, and the beings chimed, apparently their version of laughter. It was a very attractive, soothing sound.
“No, our children. We merely wanted to share with you our gratitude for your service to us, and indeed, to the world. Together, you are responsible for returning joy to creation, and removing chaos, chance, and all the evil things that those things allow in. Famine, hatred, murder, greed – these things no longer exist, and people have been returned to a gentler frame of mind.”
“Well, it sounds good,” Kagome said slowly, though something within was nagging at her, some question... “Wait!” She looked towards the glowing figures. “What about free will? Are we all no longer nothing more than puppets controlled by your appetite for joy?”
Sugimi nodded, brows quirking – that was a good question. Paradise was all well and good, but were they nothing more than mindless drones now?
One being, one that was glowing just slightly brighter than the others, moved forward, and spoke. “No, the world does not work that way. Most do not wish to do things that would harm themselves, ne?” When both Kagome and Sugimi nodded, the being continued, a smile evident in the voice. “All living things are linked in some way or other in this new world, so if one part were to suddenly choose to cause harm, all would feel it – including the one who did such a thing.”
And suddenly, Kagome understood. “It is almost as though all of creation is really one piece, and we all feel any good or negative, causing everyone to keep the peace... because to hurt one, is to hurt all.”
“Correct, little miko. You have figured it out. There is nothing to fear any longer, and it is time for you to return, and see the world as it was really meant to exist.”
One of the others spoke up as she began to fade...
“Remember, Kagome. Reality is no longer subjective – it simply is.”
And then her consciousness faded into black, and she knew no more.
~oOo~
Kagome slowly pulled herself free from the darkness edging her vision, frowning as she wondered where she was and why she was lying down. The last thing she remembered, they were fighting Naraku, and she had fired an arrow, combining her energies with her mates.
She frowned, then... something echoing into her mind... something about reality.
And then her eyes popped open wide as she remembered what had happened after...
Panicking, she searched for her mate's aura, and calmed when she felt it heading towards her. Struggling to sit up, she looked around in cautious curiosity, wondering where she was.
Her expression morphed into concern, however,when she realized just how high Sugimi's youki was elevated, and then she frowned worriedly. He seemed on the edge, as though violence was just one step away from exploding.
“Sugimi?” she questioned, her worry in her voice, even as she waited for him to enter the rather odd room she was in.
He came roaring through the door with a primal, possessive look on his face, and Kagome shrank back, startled. “Sugimi, calm down before you accidentally kill someone with just your aura!” she insisted.
He looked down at her, an almost outraged expression warring with a relieved one. “Woman, do not insult me that way. I have never 'accidentally' killed anyone – that sort of thing I tend to do on purpose,” he retorted, before almost lunging at her, hauling her into his arms with relief clear in his aura as he held her to him tightly, needfully.
Nuzzling his nose into her neck and inhaling deeply, he instantly began to calm, and Kagome sighed after a few moments, her own anxiety fading greatly at his presence. Now... just to figure out about this new reality the kami warned us of.
“Sugimi?” she repeated, and he reluctantly looked up at her. “Um... where were you when I woke up?” she asked slowly.
“I awoke in another room, and when I didn't feel you with me, came looking. I do not know where we are, beloved. It is a peaceful, welcoming place, however.”
A new voice was heard, ironic laughter clear within its dulcet tones, and both Sugimi and Kagome looked up, astounded. The last time Kagome had heard that voice, the person it belonged to was dying in her arms.
“Welcome back to the new world you both have granted us,” Yuuka said, a beautiful smile lighting her face as a male entered the room behind her, hand clutched in hers.
Sugimi and Kagome both were stunned at the sight before them, and Kagome was also surprised at the male with the gorgeous elemental. From the smile on Yuuka's face, she knew he had to be her mate. She could certainly see why the woman had fallen for him – he was just as beautiful in his own way as her mate was.
Deep, richly hued mahogany locks shone around him, reaching almost to his knees, framing a face that glowed with good humor and happiness. Eyes of an astonishing copper shade, showed that the good humor in his expression was completely real, and Kagome couldn't help the smile that automatically crossed her face, making her own blue eyes glow with an openly happy look to them.
“You must be Daiki,” she said, her smile widening even further when the male nodded. “Oh! I'm pleased to meet you!” She looked at Yuuka, a sense of regret permeating her aura, then. “I'm so glad that you're together again,” she said, her expression lightening once more. “She missed you so much, even I could see that, even though I'd only known her for a few days. I regretted knowing she had to die to be with you again – I felt as though we'd be great friends if she'd been able to stay, but I wouldn't put her through any more suffering. I could only imagine how I would feel if it were Sugimi who'd been taken from me, while I had to stay behind for so many long years.” She shuddered, and her mate wrapped her tighter in his embrace, the thought also disturbing him.
“Daiki,” Sugimi murmured when the male smiled at his mate and then looked up at him. “I am most pleased to see you again. Are we dead then?” he asked, wondering if this was that new reality the gods had been talking about just a short time ago.
The male, also an earth elemental, shook his head as his mate's own smile widened. “No... this is a new world, just like the kami told you. You returned the world to the state it was supposed to have been in – a place where there is no death. We are all living, I can assure you.”
Kagome blinked, then blinked again. “So,” she said cautiously, “everyone's alive? Where's the rest of the group, then?”
“They are all here, Kagome, do not worry. Along with some people you would love to see again, I am sure,” she said, a happy lightness in her voice that Kagome hadn't heard from her before her death. “As well as you, Sugimi!”
Brows furrowed in confusion, she looked warily over her shoulder, meeting her mates own leery gaze... until they noted the group of people coming through the door.
Shock held both of them still, she held protectively in Sugimi's arms.
Her mother smiled happily at her, as did Souta and her grandfather, but the one who caught and held her gaze was the man that stood behind them with a tentative smile on his face.
“”D-daddy?” she whispered, eyes wide and somehow defenseless. At his nod, she was struggling out of her mates loosening arms, and throwing herself against her father's chest, a broken sob ripping its way out of her chest. “Daddy!” she said again, as tears tracked down her cheeks. “I never thought I'd see you again,” she cried, more tears sliding down her face as she felt the rest of her family gather the two of them into a group hug.
Sugimi was so busy staring at the couple that had walked in, that he hadn't noticed his mate's family at all, shock keeping him immobile as the female youkai smiled at him with tears in her eyes. “Sugimi,” she said, though her tone was more of a question, and then he was also off the bed, and being hugged by the beautiful woman before him, as the male smiled at them both.
“Mother,” he murmured, then looked at his father as he inhaled their well-remembered scents. “Father. It has been so long,” he sighed as he tightened his hold on his mother.
“That it has, pup, that it has,” came his father's deep voice, and Sugimi shook his head, still trying to take it all in. As his mother finally released him and let him step back, he turned to look at his mate, wanting to introduce her to his parents.
He blinked when he realized that she was still involved with the group that his parents had entered the room behind, and, eyeing the woman who was also eyeing him, he realized who they were. She looked a great deal like her daughter, after all, and it occurred to him that he wasn't the only one that needed to see to introductions.
“Kagome?” he said slowly, not wanting to interrupt, but also wanting to get the introductions done. “Mate... would you tell me who these people are, then?”
Kagome pulled away from her father's embrace and nodded, smiling through her tears at her mate. “Sure. This is my mother, Hitomi,” she said, pointing to each person as she went, “my brother, Souta, and my grandfather. And this,” she gestured, her eyes still shocked a bit, “is my father, Rikichi. As I'm sure you've gathered-” she wiped a few last tears from her cheeks as her happy smile widened, “-he died when I was young, so it's rather a shock to see him.”
Her mother smiled, full of joy, and gestured to the beautiful male her daughter had been wrapped around when they'd entered the room. “And this is..?” she asked leadingly.
The young miko blushed. “Oh! Sorry... I'm just still dazed,” she said sheepishly. “Mom, dad, gramps, and Souta, this is Sugimi... my mate, or husband if you want to think of it that way,” she finished.
Sugimi smiled welcomingly at the group of people looking at him, and bowed. “I am most pleased to make all your acquaintances,” he said smoothly, motioning for his own parents to step forward. As they did, he said, “Father, mother, I want you to meet my mate, Kagome – and her family, as well.”
He made the introductions easily, and soon everyone was happily paired off, mother with mother and father with father. The youngest male just watched, awed, while the elder smiled and then moved through the doorway, obviously off after something else. With what was happening in this room, Sugimi was pretty sure who the elder Higurashi was looking for.
Yuuka and Daiki watched quietly, smiling – so much was now happening, and it was a lot to take in. Everyone remembered the other, less pleasant reality that was obviously gone now, and none were too inclined to take the joy evident in these reunions for granted.
Even Yuuka's parents, returned as they were, were not about to continue the fight that had cost them so many years of her life, and their grandchildren as well. All over the entire area, reunions were taking place with people that had been gone for generations, and the current generation.
And for those who hadn't found their mates before being awoken in this world, a new opportunity now existed for them to do so. According to the kami, they would all find their happiness soon within this paradise they were all now living in, and Yuuka couldn't be happier for all those who would now get the chance to experience what she had known for so long.
The joy of finding your other half was something that would definitely appeal to gods that fed off of the happiness of their children, and she imagined there would soon be a great deal of happiness floating around. And that was just fine. The hard part would be figuring out how everything was now going to work.
It was very evident that this new world was totally different than what had once been. After all, look at the presence of those who had been dead – and Kagome's family, who came from a time five hundred years in the future... a future that no longer existed, as there also seemed to be no past – everything was present, all in the here and now... and somehow, that seemed even more natural than what all of them had always accepted as reality before.
It took a little while, a time of laughs and excited chatter and happiness, but finally, the initial excitement began to wear down, and Kagome looked around again from her place held securely within the circle of her mate's arms. She could only be thankful that he wasn't wearing his usual armor.
“So... where exactly are we?” she asked, eyes flitting around the relaxing and pleasant room.
Yuuka answered her question. “This is apparently your home,” she said, smiling at Kagome. “We all woke up here with all our memories intact, but in different places then we were at the end of the battle. It was then that the kami appeared to all of us.”
Daiki nodded, taking up her tale, to the fascination of both Sugimi and Kagome. “This is the world we were supposed to be in, rather than the one we had been in.” He shrugged, an easy smile lighting his face. “To be honest, so far, I like this one better. We all live in proximity to each other – your sons, Sugimi, and all the others have their own homes nearby, as well.”
Kagome thought about something then. “What about Kana... and Naraku, and those of contentious natures like them?” she asked, and Sugimi, startled, nodded, agreeing with her.
Daiki scowled at that reminder of the woman who had killed his mate, glad that he had not met her – he would want to kill her for it, and that would not be a good thing in this new world.
Surprisingly, it was Kagome's mother who answered that one. “The kami spoke to me, explaining that particular question. They still exist, though they all live somewhere else, having no contact with those they'd harmed in that other reality. But they are substantially different – their natures no longer contain the defects that allowed them to cause so much harm before.”
Sugimi thought about that for a while, then sighed, accepting it. There was little point in worrying about it if they never would have to deal with those people again.
It occurred to him then that he was already enjoying this new world – all those who pissed him off were somewhere else, far away, and those he cared for, as well as those he would come to care for, were near.
And the best part of all? He had his mate, and now he would never have to fear losing her ever again. They really had forever now...
He smiled, then, tightening his grip on his mate, nuzzling happily into her beautiful raven locks as she spoke animatedly to her family and his own.
Yes, I could definitely get used to living like this. The gods were right – this reality is much better than the other one.
Converting /tmp/phpFrGESa to /dev/stdout
Kagome floated comfortably in the void, surrounded by the energy of her mate, content and at peace. Is this death? she wondered. Her mate's mind-voice answered.
'I do not believe so, beloved. I think we are merely within a different part of reality. Or, at least, the reality that exists now, as opposed to what once existed.'
Confused, Kagome thought about that. Well, really... what is reality, anyway? It's subjective – different for everyone, I suppose. But, besides Naraku, I enjoyed our reality. Is it gone forever?
She could feel him tighten himself around her comfortingly. 'I do not know, mate. But no matter if it is, or not, we are together, and that is what counts the most.'
She could only agree; if they had been separated, she would have gone mad very quickly. She would miss all the others, her friends and family, greatly, but she would survive. That wasn't true for Sugimi's presence. If he were gone... she shuddered at the pain even the thought shot through her, and pushed herself into his presence even more, needing the reality of him to keep her sane.
It wasn't long before other things began to intrude, however – other presences were suddenly there, and Kagome frowned, worried. Who were these beings? She didn't know any of them... and neither did her mate.
Were they a danger, or not?
But as the new presences approached, it soon became clear that they were not a danger to either of those in this pocket of space-time with them. Instead, Kagome and Sugimi found themselves facing several of the kami, and awed, they both sent silent signals of respect, genuflecting as they once again felt their bodies within the void they occupied.
The forms continued to close with them, both Sugimi and Kagome feeling messages of welcome and gratitude, and as they both became curious about why the kami felt such a thing towards them, their questions drew one of the god figures to speak.
“You have restored the world as it was meant to be, servants of the kami. The reality that you knew, Kagome, in your world so far removed from Sugimi's, was not correct. It was a warped version. As was the world that Sugimi knew. The world we created was meant to be paradise for our creations, because we of the pantheon of higher beings need the joy and happiness of our creations to exist. We feed off of your positive emotions – and by that same token, negative emotions cause us pain.”
Kagome blinked, completely floored by what she was hearing. Our world was... wrong?
“Yes, little miko, it was. In our creating,” the voice said, a sad note creeping in, “we made a mistake, and allowed for the possibility of chaos – and that invited chance into our pattern, which we had not wanted. And so, the world, from the moment of its birth, began dying, becoming corrupted. The Shikon no Tama was our answer to the problem. It was created to reset creation, and do away with time, which was also not originally a part of our creation. Unfortunately, the first servants to be presented with the opportunity to do what you both have done, failed – too much chaos was in their natures. All of that, brought about the world as you first stepped into it, Kagome. And finally, we brought forth the one that was correct – the level of purity in your soul negating the hold that chaos could gain in you.”
Sugimi had been listening to them, and everything else aside, he had one worry, and one worry only. “Do you mean to say that Kagome and I will be separated now?” he asked, fear present within his voice, and his mate gasped, fear flooding her scent as well at the possibility.
Another voice spoke then, a more feminine voice. “Not at all. You are one spirit in two bodies, just as we had created all of our children to be. We formed you all in our images. It pleases us when a soul finds its other half and recombines – in our original plan, there would have been no chance involved – all of our creations would know who completed them. Chaos, and chance, are responsible for so much misery. But now, you have finally redressed the wrong that we failed to see until it was too late, and things can now go back to the way they were always meant to be.”
There was a choral hum from the beings, and then Kagome was addressed once more. “Do not fear, little one. You will find that this reality will be far more to your tastes than the one you left behind. Remember – we feed on your happiness, your joy – all of our children's joy. The world is truly a wondrous place. A paradise, as we stated before.”
Not sure what to think any more, Kagome clung to her mate and nodded, just accepting what she was being told.
“Was there anything else that you needed from us?” Sugimi asked, and the beings chimed, apparently their version of laughter. It was a very attractive, soothing sound.
“No, our children. We merely wanted to share with you our gratitude for your service to us, and indeed, to the world. Together, you are responsible for returning joy to creation, and removing chaos, chance, and all the evil things that those things allow in. Famine, hatred, murder, greed – these things no longer exist, and people have been returned to a gentler frame of mind.”
“Well, it sounds good,” Kagome said slowly, though something within was nagging at her, some question... “Wait!” She looked towards the glowing figures. “What about free will? Are we all no longer nothing more than puppets controlled by your appetite for joy?”
Sugimi nodded, brows quirking – that was a good question. Paradise was all well and good, but were they nothing more than mindless drones now?
One being, one that was glowing just slightly brighter than the others, moved forward, and spoke. “No, the world does not work that way. Most do not wish to do things that would harm themselves, ne?” When both Kagome and Sugimi nodded, the being continued, a smile evident in the voice. “All living things are linked in some way or other in this new world, so if one part were to suddenly choose to cause harm, all would feel it – including the one who did such a thing.”
And suddenly, Kagome understood. “It is almost as though all of creation is really one piece, and we all feel any good or negative, causing everyone to keep the peace... because to hurt one, is to hurt all.”
“Correct, little miko. You have figured it out. There is nothing to fear any longer, and it is time for you to return, and see the world as it was really meant to exist.”
One of the others spoke up as she began to fade...
“Remember, Kagome. Reality is no longer subjective – it simply is.”
And then her consciousness faded into black, and she knew no more.
~oOo~
Kagome slowly pulled herself free from the darkness edging her vision, frowning as she wondered where she was and why she was lying down. The last thing she remembered, they were fighting Naraku, and she had fired an arrow, combining her energies with her mates.
She frowned, then... something echoing into her mind... something about reality.
And then her eyes popped open wide as she remembered what had happened after...
Panicking, she searched for her mate's aura, and calmed when she felt it heading towards her. Struggling to sit up, she looked around in cautious curiosity, wondering where she was.
Her expression morphed into concern, however,when she realized just how high Sugimi's youki was elevated, and then she frowned worriedly. He seemed on the edge, as though violence was just one step away from exploding.
“Sugimi?” she questioned, her worry in her voice, even as she waited for him to enter the rather odd room she was in.
He came roaring through the door with a primal, possessive look on his face, and Kagome shrank back, startled. “Sugimi, calm down before you accidentally kill someone with just your aura!” she insisted.
He looked down at her, an almost outraged expression warring with a relieved one. “Woman, do not insult me that way. I have never 'accidentally' killed anyone – that sort of thing I tend to do on purpose,” he retorted, before almost lunging at her, hauling her into his arms with relief clear in his aura as he held her to him tightly, needfully.
Nuzzling his nose into her neck and inhaling deeply, he instantly began to calm, and Kagome sighed after a few moments, her own anxiety fading greatly at his presence. Now... just to figure out about this new reality the kami warned us of.
“Sugimi?” she repeated, and he reluctantly looked up at her. “Um... where were you when I woke up?” she asked slowly.
“I awoke in another room, and when I didn't feel you with me, came looking. I do not know where we are, beloved. It is a peaceful, welcoming place, however.”
A new voice was heard, ironic laughter clear within its dulcet tones, and both Sugimi and Kagome looked up, astounded. The last time Kagome had heard that voice, the person it belonged to was dying in her arms.
“Welcome back to the new world you both have granted us,” Yuuka said, a beautiful smile lighting her face as a male entered the room behind her, hand clutched in hers.
Sugimi and Kagome both were stunned at the sight before them, and Kagome was also surprised at the male with the gorgeous elemental. From the smile on Yuuka's face, she knew he had to be her mate. She could certainly see why the woman had fallen for him – he was just as beautiful in his own way as her mate was.
Deep, richly hued mahogany locks shone around him, reaching almost to his knees, framing a face that glowed with good humor and happiness. Eyes of an astonishing copper shade, showed that the good humor in his expression was completely real, and Kagome couldn't help the smile that automatically crossed her face, making her own blue eyes glow with an openly happy look to them.
“You must be Daiki,” she said, her smile widening even further when the male nodded. “Oh! I'm pleased to meet you!” She looked at Yuuka, a sense of regret permeating her aura, then. “I'm so glad that you're together again,” she said, her expression lightening once more. “She missed you so much, even I could see that, even though I'd only known her for a few days. I regretted knowing she had to die to be with you again – I felt as though we'd be great friends if she'd been able to stay, but I wouldn't put her through any more suffering. I could only imagine how I would feel if it were Sugimi who'd been taken from me, while I had to stay behind for so many long years.” She shuddered, and her mate wrapped her tighter in his embrace, the thought also disturbing him.
“Daiki,” Sugimi murmured when the male smiled at his mate and then looked up at him. “I am most pleased to see you again. Are we dead then?” he asked, wondering if this was that new reality the gods had been talking about just a short time ago.
The male, also an earth elemental, shook his head as his mate's own smile widened. “No... this is a new world, just like the kami told you. You returned the world to the state it was supposed to have been in – a place where there is no death. We are all living, I can assure you.”
Kagome blinked, then blinked again. “So,” she said cautiously, “everyone's alive? Where's the rest of the group, then?”
“They are all here, Kagome, do not worry. Along with some people you would love to see again, I am sure,” she said, a happy lightness in her voice that Kagome hadn't heard from her before her death. “As well as you, Sugimi!”
Brows furrowed in confusion, she looked warily over her shoulder, meeting her mates own leery gaze... until they noted the group of people coming through the door.
Shock held both of them still, she held protectively in Sugimi's arms.
Her mother smiled happily at her, as did Souta and her grandfather, but the one who caught and held her gaze was the man that stood behind them with a tentative smile on his face.
“”D-daddy?” she whispered, eyes wide and somehow defenseless. At his nod, she was struggling out of her mates loosening arms, and throwing herself against her father's chest, a broken sob ripping its way out of her chest. “Daddy!” she said again, as tears tracked down her cheeks. “I never thought I'd see you again,” she cried, more tears sliding down her face as she felt the rest of her family gather the two of them into a group hug.
Sugimi was so busy staring at the couple that had walked in, that he hadn't noticed his mate's family at all, shock keeping him immobile as the female youkai smiled at him with tears in her eyes. “Sugimi,” she said, though her tone was more of a question, and then he was also off the bed, and being hugged by the beautiful woman before him, as the male smiled at them both.
“Mother,” he murmured, then looked at his father as he inhaled their well-remembered scents. “Father. It has been so long,” he sighed as he tightened his hold on his mother.
“That it has, pup, that it has,” came his father's deep voice, and Sugimi shook his head, still trying to take it all in. As his mother finally released him and let him step back, he turned to look at his mate, wanting to introduce her to his parents.
He blinked when he realized that she was still involved with the group that his parents had entered the room behind, and, eyeing the woman who was also eyeing him, he realized who they were. She looked a great deal like her daughter, after all, and it occurred to him that he wasn't the only one that needed to see to introductions.
“Kagome?” he said slowly, not wanting to interrupt, but also wanting to get the introductions done. “Mate... would you tell me who these people are, then?”
Kagome pulled away from her father's embrace and nodded, smiling through her tears at her mate. “Sure. This is my mother, Hitomi,” she said, pointing to each person as she went, “my brother, Souta, and my grandfather. And this,” she gestured, her eyes still shocked a bit, “is my father, Rikichi. As I'm sure you've gathered-” she wiped a few last tears from her cheeks as her happy smile widened, “-he died when I was young, so it's rather a shock to see him.”
Her mother smiled, full of joy, and gestured to the beautiful male her daughter had been wrapped around when they'd entered the room. “And this is..?” she asked leadingly.
The young miko blushed. “Oh! Sorry... I'm just still dazed,” she said sheepishly. “Mom, dad, gramps, and Souta, this is Sugimi... my mate, or husband if you want to think of it that way,” she finished.
Sugimi smiled welcomingly at the group of people looking at him, and bowed. “I am most pleased to make all your acquaintances,” he said smoothly, motioning for his own parents to step forward. As they did, he said, “Father, mother, I want you to meet my mate, Kagome – and her family, as well.”
He made the introductions easily, and soon everyone was happily paired off, mother with mother and father with father. The youngest male just watched, awed, while the elder smiled and then moved through the doorway, obviously off after something else. With what was happening in this room, Sugimi was pretty sure who the elder Higurashi was looking for.
Yuuka and Daiki watched quietly, smiling – so much was now happening, and it was a lot to take in. Everyone remembered the other, less pleasant reality that was obviously gone now, and none were too inclined to take the joy evident in these reunions for granted.
Even Yuuka's parents, returned as they were, were not about to continue the fight that had cost them so many years of her life, and their grandchildren as well. All over the entire area, reunions were taking place with people that had been gone for generations, and the current generation.
And for those who hadn't found their mates before being awoken in this world, a new opportunity now existed for them to do so. According to the kami, they would all find their happiness soon within this paradise they were all now living in, and Yuuka couldn't be happier for all those who would now get the chance to experience what she had known for so long.
The joy of finding your other half was something that would definitely appeal to gods that fed off of the happiness of their children, and she imagined there would soon be a great deal of happiness floating around. And that was just fine. The hard part would be figuring out how everything was now going to work.
It was very evident that this new world was totally different than what had once been. After all, look at the presence of those who had been dead – and Kagome's family, who came from a time five hundred years in the future... a future that no longer existed, as there also seemed to be no past – everything was present, all in the here and now... and somehow, that seemed even more natural than what all of them had always accepted as reality before.
It took a little while, a time of laughs and excited chatter and happiness, but finally, the initial excitement began to wear down, and Kagome looked around again from her place held securely within the circle of her mate's arms. She could only be thankful that he wasn't wearing his usual armor.
“So... where exactly are we?” she asked, eyes flitting around the relaxing and pleasant room.
Yuuka answered her question. “This is apparently your home,” she said, smiling at Kagome. “We all woke up here with all our memories intact, but in different places then we were at the end of the battle. It was then that the kami appeared to all of us.”
Daiki nodded, taking up her tale, to the fascination of both Sugimi and Kagome. “This is the world we were supposed to be in, rather than the one we had been in.” He shrugged, an easy smile lighting his face. “To be honest, so far, I like this one better. We all live in proximity to each other – your sons, Sugimi, and all the others have their own homes nearby, as well.”
Kagome thought about something then. “What about Kana... and Naraku, and those of contentious natures like them?” she asked, and Sugimi, startled, nodded, agreeing with her.
Daiki scowled at that reminder of the woman who had killed his mate, glad that he had not met her – he would want to kill her for it, and that would not be a good thing in this new world.
Surprisingly, it was Kagome's mother who answered that one. “The kami spoke to me, explaining that particular question. They still exist, though they all live somewhere else, having no contact with those they'd harmed in that other reality. But they are substantially different – their natures no longer contain the defects that allowed them to cause so much harm before.”
Sugimi thought about that for a while, then sighed, accepting it. There was little point in worrying about it if they never would have to deal with those people again.
It occurred to him then that he was already enjoying this new world – all those who pissed him off were somewhere else, far away, and those he cared for, as well as those he would come to care for, were near.
And the best part of all? He had his mate, and now he would never have to fear losing her ever again. They really had forever now...
He smiled, then, tightening his grip on his mate, nuzzling happily into her beautiful raven locks as she spoke animatedly to her family and his own.
Yes, I could definitely get used to living like this. The gods were right – this reality is much better than the other one.
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