InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time After Time ❯ The Way Things Should Always Have Been ( Chapter 33 )
[ 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: 3 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 412 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Divergence | Uploaded On: 03.25.2011 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 412 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 33: The Way Things Should Always Have Been
Sugimi watched with passive pleasure as his little mate explored the home that was apparently theirs. It was late, and everyone had already retired for the evening to their own homes. He had to admit – the house was amazing, like nothing he'd ever seen, and even Kagome was not aware of anything like it in the future she'd once lived in.
It was little more than a ceiling, and a few walls – though the walls were barely walls, really, since there were huge openings in them, almost making it seem as though you lived outside. From what he'd been told, there was no need for anything else, as the climate was perfect all the time, and moved very little. There were some slightly warmer days, and some slightly cooler days, and even rain.
There were no dangerous weather patterns anymore, though, and the rains were gentle and almost warm, not cold.
It was a literal paradise, as they'd been told by the kami.
Technology like what Kagome had grown up with, didn't exist in this new world – there was no need for it, really. Everyone had returned to a time when working with your hands was something to be proud of. And it was hardly backbreaking, especially as physical afflictions didn't exist any longer – everyone was in perfect health.
It was basically like everything she'd heard about heaven – only on earth, and Kagome couldn't help but enjoy the beautiful home around them, and the weather, as well. But the best part was the peace.
That didn't mean that she had no more questions, because she did.
She set them aside, though, to enjoy the evening and night in her home with her mate...
They spent a great deal of time enjoying each other that night, glad there would be no interruptions – and no need to worry about facing Naraku any longer.
That part of their past was truly, fully past, and Kagome had never been more thankful that was so – she had yearned for the peace and quiet that now seemed to be theirs in abundance for a long, long time.
~oOo~
The next morning, she decided that she was ready to explore their surroundings – and the weather was certainly perfect for it, once again. Clear skies and a perfect balance between warmth and cool met the two as they ate a breakfast of fruit and rice and smoked meats, before cleaning up and then stepping outside, hand in hand.
Kagome really hadn't checked the outside of their fairly large home, and was most pleased when she saw it. Large and one-storied, it was surrounded on three sides by a veranda with small alcoves set into the outside walls every so often – alcoves with seats in them. And she could understand why when she looked at the beautiful region that they called home.
Lush greenery lay as far as the eye could see, as well as a veritable bamboo forest further down the large hill they seemed to be atop. There were a great deal of other similar homes dotting the landscape here and there, though they weren't intrusive, as were the buildings in Kagome's time. Here, they blended into the land, and the little miko couldn't help but sigh in appreciation.
She smiled up at her mate, who had been watching her with pleasure. “This new world will take a bit of getting used to, I suppose, but it's better than either your time, or mine was. I think we will be very happy here.”
He nodded, a most content look on his face as he agreed. “And the house is certainly large enough for several pups, mate, ne?” he asked, a mischievous expression crossing his face as she blushed.
“Already, Sugimi?” she asked, rather disappointed. Sure, she wanted children... just not right now. She wanted to enjoy this new world, and her new mate, for a while, first.
Shaking his head, he chuckled at her reaction. “No, not yet, I was merely teasing. I would prefer to wait a while.”
“Good! I would, too. After all, there's really no rush, is there?” she asked, gesturing to their surroundings. “It's not like we're going to be dying anytime soon.”
With a chuckle, he pointed towards what seemed to be a small mountainside town. “Would you like to go explore?”
She nodded happily, and he took her hand, content to meander with her, enjoying this new world so much.
By the time they reached what seemed to be a town, and indeed, was, a large group of people were sitting out in what looked to be a gathering area meant for a large crowd, and Sugimi and Kagome headed there, seeing all of their companions and families talking happily and animatedly with people that Kagome recognized as from Kaede's village.
And then she saw Kaede – though a Kaede that she'd never seen before.
No longer old, or without one eye, she was slender and attractive, and seemed to be quite happy with things as they had turned out. Kagome could only imagine.
They were welcomed quite loudly by the gathered people, and soon were enveloped within the newly-born community, chattering with everyone and asking questions about everything.
It seemed that the kami had given all the answers needed – to many different people. Some people had received answers about one thing, and others about other topics, so that the only way to fully understand was to mingle, and talk to everyone.
It wasn't really long before Inuyasha showed up, Kikyou trailing along behind, along with Koga, and Ayame. Kagome was a bit peeved, but then took note of the changes in the woman who seemed highly ashamed of herself, and uncertain of her welcome.
Kaede simply smiled at her sister and patted the spot next to herself placidly.
Kagome quickly took note of the fact that the woman was now fully alive. She was caught off-guard, however, when Koga claimed that Kikyou was his mate - and confused.
“If she's my pre-incarnation, and I'm Sugimi's soul mate, how is it possible that you are her mate?” she asked, rather upset. That just didn't sound plausible.
She was quite happy with the answer she received. From Kaede, of all people.
“We were wrong to think you her reincarnation. You are not. But our family line is the same – hence, the resemblence between you. We had a brother who became your ancestor. As for the reason you were able to dissolve the seal on Inuyasha? That was the hand of the kami, my dear. It was your fate to do this,” she gestured at the world around them, “and Inuyasha was needed for that fate to become reality.”
Quite pleased that she was not, in fact, Kikyou's reincarnation, Kagome nodded, smiling at her mate as he squeezed her hand. “Remember, mate, I did not think that you were, before – I had thought that your belief of that was a simple mistake. Because, as soul mates, if she had indeed carried your soul, I would have felt drawn by her, and I was not. I was only drawn by you.”
The other thing that almost made her want to laugh, was that Ayame was apparently Inuyasha's mate. "Keh. Weird, ne?"
Kagome nodded, even as she noted her family making their collective way over, and smiled. Her mother spoke first, her gentle tones feathering over her welcomingly. “Good morning, dear,” she smiled, then looked at Sugimi, taking a moment to consider the male her daughter had found to be her other half. Her smile widened. “Your description did not do him justice, daughter,” she teased as Kagome blushed and Sugimi smiled. “He is much more than yummy, and I'm pleased that you two are happy together.”
Sugimi cocked a brow at her blush, and grinned. “Yummy?” he asked, and Kagome flushed deeper.
“Mom!” she hissed, “stop! His head is big enough – he doesn't need to hear anything that might make it bigger!”
“Too late,” came the sour tones of none other than Inuyasha. Even in paradise, he was grumpy.
“Stop whining, whelp,” Sesshoumaru spoke up then, “and be happy that your life will be much different now than it would otherwise have been.”
Both Sugimi and Kagome agreed with that. But Kagome suddenly had a much more important question to ask the normally stoic daiyoukai who actually had a contented expression on his face – and was being followed by a certain smiling wind youkai of their acquaintance.
“So... Sesshoumaru,” she said teasingly, “do my eyes deceive me, or have you also found your mate?”
Both he and Kagura blushed slightly, while he nodded a bit tersely, and his father laughed aloud at him, amused to no end.
It was at that moment that Shippo ran up, chasing a happy Rin, Kohaku trailing behind, and Kagome's eyes widened – in all the confusion of everything that had happened to them from the end of the battle, she had forgotten that they had been housed at Sesshoumaru's palace. Minus Kohaku, of course.
“Guess what, Kagome?” Shippo asked excitedly, even as a male and female youkai that looked oddly familiar walked diffidently up. “My mom and dad are here!”
Kagome couldn't help but smile at the happy kit, as she watched a joyous Rin introducing her family, as well, while a shy Kohaku smiled at her, and then moved back over to Sango – who was surrounded by family, and Miroku, and his parents. She was thrilled that they, also, got their happy endings, and would no longer have reasons to grieve. She couldn't have asked for a better outcome to the destruction of Naraku.
That led to the other question she had.
“The kami said yesterday that the Shikon no Tama was created to be the way to reset creation – but wasn't it the soul of Midoriko, and the demons she was fighting?” she asked, confused.
A voice spoke up from the other side of the large group, and Kagome turned to look at the woman that could only be the ancient miko she had just been speaking of.
“That's what everyone thought. But it wasn't, really. That story was what a priest came up with after I died, and that was the story that stuck,” she said ruefully.
Everyone there that had been involved in any way with the jewel looked intrigued. “What I can't figure out, was what was up with the chunk of diamond we found that one shard in. Why...?”
“Ah,” said Midoriko, “that was necessary to make sure that Naraku did not get all the shards. It was just protection, actually – the kami wanted to ruin his plans, as well as return the world to this state,” she said. “Worked, didn't it?” she shrugged as everyone took that in.
Just then, a beautiful young woman was noted walking their way, and different people looked over while others were caught up in their conversations. Kagome, however, noticed her... and tapped Inuyasha on the arm.
“Hey, Inu,” she said, “look over there. I think there's someone you might want to see.”
He did as told, and froze, eyes as wide as Kagome had ever seen them. And just as he started to move over to the uncertain young woman, Sugimi stiffened up, and Kagome knew he'd caught sight of his former wife.
She stepped out of his embrace, and said quietly to his reaction on seeing her, “I think you need to go speak to them both, you know?”
Looking down at her sharply, he noted her rather distant expression, but before he could address it, Izayoi looked up and smiled when she saw him from their son's embrace.
Pulled over towards them by that smile, Sugimi didn't notice the awkward silence he'd left Kagome in. He was too focused on the woman he'd been husband to for such a short, but still happy time.
“Izayoi,” he murmured. “It has been a long time.”
Her smile brightened over their son's shoulder as he held her to him. “It has, indeed. And our son, he has grown into a fine man, just as the miko said he would all those years before. All I can do is thank you for this chance to know our son as an adult. Your victory and success in freeing the power in the Shikon no Tama has given me that chance,” she said happily.
Sugimi nodded awkwardly, even as Inuyasha pulled back from his mother's arms a little. “It was not I, Izayoi – it was Kagome, the same miko that protected you that day, and told you that Inuyasha would be a son.”
She blinked, surprised. “Really? How is that possible?”
“The kami moved her in time as they needed,” he shrugged. “She was sent to that time to save you and Inuyasha from those other youkai.”
She looked at him, then, really looked at him, and as Inuyasha stepped off to give them some privacy for a few moments, her smile became uncertain. “Why does it seem as though you are uneasy with my presence, husband?” she asked. “Did you not want me to return?”
Immediately, he shook his head. “I am pleased that you will have a chance to know our son, Izayoi, never think otherwise. But I am no longer your husband – death, and two hundred years stand between us.”
Stepping back a little, she searched his eyes, her own showing her hurt. “You no longer want me, then, my Lord?”
He sighed, sadly trying to figure out how to say it. He finally decided to just tell her the truth. “The kami created all of us with other halves out there just waiting to be found, Izayoi. There is someone here somewhere, and you will find that one, soon enough, that is your other half. I have already found mine,” he said with an air of finality that caused her to bow her head and step back from him.
“I am sorry, then, my Lord. I did not mean to impose myself upon you.”
“Don't say that, Izayoi. You are not an imposition, you are the mother of one of my sons, and my former wife. I will always carry fondness for you. But you will soon see what I mean when you find the one the kami created for you – your mate is a different matter from anyone else entirely.”
She nodded in saddened acceptance. “Where do I go from here, then? I do not belong anywhere, now, and have nowhere to go.”
Sugimi thought about it for a moment. “I believe that you should stay with Inuyasha. From what the kami said, I do not think you have a long wait to meet your other half.”
Tilting her head to the side, she looked at him for several moments, moments he felt very awkward in. “May I meet your mate, my Lord?” she asked, and he cleared his throat.
“You already have, Izayoi, and please, enough with the formality. I am not a Lord here.”
Frowning a bit, she asked, “Already have?”
“My mate is the miko Kagome – the one that saved you all those years ago. I didn't realize it until I awoke in that other time,” he sighed, never having felt more awkward than he did in that moment. The gulf between he and one of the women he'd shared a part of his life with felt so strange. He supposed it would take time before that awkwardness would fade. It would probably help matters once she found her own other half.
She looked taken aback. “Truly?” she asked, eyes wide. And then she remembered what the young woman had said that day – about her best friend being a hanyou, and being courted by a daiyoukai. “She knew,” she breathed, and Sugimi, knowing what she was talking of, nodded.
“That little incident almost cost me her, as a matter of fact,” he groused, frowning as he remembered her awkward behavior with him afterwords.
“Congratulations, Sugimi, on your mating,” she said finally, after thinking things through for a few minutes. “Perhaps after a while, we could meet again, but for now, I think I would like to go spend some time with our son.”
He nodded, still feeling very out of place without his mate near him. “I am pleased that you will have that chance, Izayoi.”
With that, she left, and Sugimi stayed where he was for a time, trying to become accustomed to his new reality. That had been difficult – he would always care for the mother of his son, but she was not his mate, and that said everything that needed saying. With a sigh, he turned around and headed back to where he'd left his beautiful mate, only to find that she'd excused herself after he'd left.
Frowning, worried a little, he asked if anyone knew where she'd gone, but no one did, and he soon excused himself as well to go search out his mate.
Where could she have gone? he wondered, then sighed. He had no idea – she could literally be anywhere, so he searched for her using his link with her. It appeared, however, that she had muted her side of the link to give him privacy with Izayoi, so he had to search for her by aura, instead.
She was actually fairly close, and he headed immediately in her direction, knowing suddenly where she was.
He stepped around the trunk of what could only be the Goshinboku – though it no longer stood completely surrounded by forest; instead, it faced a small clearing – that presided over a wide sweep of landscape from several hundred feet up.
It was breathtaking, and Kagome had found it.
Seated at the foot of the ancient tree, she was enjoying the panoramic view of the region they now called home, though for some reason, she was giving off a rather melancholic air. Concerned, he stepped over to her and settled himself at her side.
“What is wrong, mate?” he asked softly after a few minutes of silence.
At first, there was no response, but just as he was about to prompt her, she spoke, her tones formal, distant.
“If you want to be with Izayoi and your son as a family, I won't try to stop you. I'm sure we can ask this favor of the kami – to return you to your unmated status, so that you could do so.” She paused for a moment, then finished. “I know that you didn't get to be a family before, and didn't have much time with her, so... if you wish it, I won't fight you.”
Shocked, he stared at her with a furrowed brow, not even knowing what to make of that statement. How could she think that I would want to be severed from her?
He blinked at her, then blinked again as he tried to regain control of his scattered thoughts – and once he did, he actually got angry.
“I know that this whole thing has been strange for you, so I will forgive that question, but do not try my patience with such foolishness again, woman,” he rumbled. “Izayoi was my wife, true – several hundred years ago. Even had I not gone into that sleep spell as I did, she would have long been dead by the time we met. I was nothing more than a widower, and though she has been resurrected now, that hasn't changed the fact that our marriage is no longer valid. Think, Kagome – I married Izayoi, I didn't mate her. If I didn't do it then, I wouldn't do it now.”
Kagome had been a little startled at his upset response, but halfway through, she'd turned her head and looked down, as though afraid to look at him. “Seeing you two together, with Inuyasha – it made me feel as though I were interfering again,” she murmured. “As though I was coming between family members. In my time we called such women homewreckers... that's how I feel right now.”
Frowning, becoming even more upset that she would feel such, he pointedly told her to open her link back up, and surprised, she did.
And then she was whirled away into a world of love and desire, passion and need, all from him – and focused on her. He showed her how he felt about Izayoi, and even Satori – he was fond of them both in different ways, but the heart of who he was belonged only to her.
As he poured out all his feelings for her, she began to cry, and with a submissive whimper, crawled into his lap, equal parts happy to be there, and ashamed of her still very low self-esteem and doubt.
“Beloved,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck and ear, “open yourself to me more – all the way. I want to take care of this problem once and for all. You will know beyond a shadow of a doubt how I see you after this.”
Nodding, she sniffled and then closed her eyes, basically combining herself with him, seeing through his eyes.
It was a very shocking, though moving, experience for the young woman who'd been so damaged inside by Inuyasha's carelessness with his words.
'Do you see, Kagome? Do you see yourself as I see you? This is what you are to me. Smart, caring, a heart of gold, and purity of spirit unmatched by any other. To me, Kagome is a goddess, and I thank kami every day that you were made for me, and no one else. To be honest,' her eyes widened when he looked a bit embarrassed, 'I had to stop myself from gloating to all those others that wanted you, that I was the one that got you. It was childish in the extreme... and I wanted to do it anyway.'
Eyes still wide with wonder, she couldn't help the giggle he startled out of her. “Truly?” she asked, almost unable to believe it.
“Truly,” he confirmed. “And I still want to gloat. To that baka wolf, Hojo... and both my sons.” He shook his head as he tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.
“Frankly, I cannot understand how you think you are so unattractive to the male of the species, my love. How many males have wanted you for their own? Myself, both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru – and that's a miracle right there,” he said in an aside, “since he's never liked humans – Koga, and Hojo... as well as his descendent, you told me. And there was also, from something Inuyasha mentioned once, Jinenji, the healer. He adored you, too. Why, then, with all the male attention you received, do you believe yourself so unworthy?”
Blushing a bit, she shrugged uneasily, unable to answer. “I really don't know,” she finally said. “I... just feel like eventually, they'll wake up and wonder what the hell they were thinking. I just don't see what you all see, I guess.”
Her mate growled at her, displeased with her answer. “It must stop, Kagome.” Lowering his head to kiss her, he pulled out all the stops, kissing her absolutely breathless. After finally pulling away, he captured her now heavy-lidded gaze firmly with his own. “I love you, Kagome, and that will not change no matter who we meet in life. You are my other half, and that is an immutable fact, more permanent than eternity. Never question this again.”
Still dazed, she shuddered a bit as she felt his erection against her hip, and nodded, unable to think well enough to argue.
If he wanted her so badly, then who was she to argue?
She lost her train of thought as her mate proceeded to show her exactly how arousing he found her to be.
In the heavenly realms, the kami smiled, pleased at the happiness and joy now feeding their need for positive emotions.
And if Kagome and Sugimi were just a little bit happier than everyone else, no one thought to argue – after all, they deserved a little extra for being the ones to make this world possible.
Converting /tmp/phpglBaJy to /dev/stdout
Sugimi watched with passive pleasure as his little mate explored the home that was apparently theirs. It was late, and everyone had already retired for the evening to their own homes. He had to admit – the house was amazing, like nothing he'd ever seen, and even Kagome was not aware of anything like it in the future she'd once lived in.
It was little more than a ceiling, and a few walls – though the walls were barely walls, really, since there were huge openings in them, almost making it seem as though you lived outside. From what he'd been told, there was no need for anything else, as the climate was perfect all the time, and moved very little. There were some slightly warmer days, and some slightly cooler days, and even rain.
There were no dangerous weather patterns anymore, though, and the rains were gentle and almost warm, not cold.
It was a literal paradise, as they'd been told by the kami.
Technology like what Kagome had grown up with, didn't exist in this new world – there was no need for it, really. Everyone had returned to a time when working with your hands was something to be proud of. And it was hardly backbreaking, especially as physical afflictions didn't exist any longer – everyone was in perfect health.
It was basically like everything she'd heard about heaven – only on earth, and Kagome couldn't help but enjoy the beautiful home around them, and the weather, as well. But the best part was the peace.
That didn't mean that she had no more questions, because she did.
She set them aside, though, to enjoy the evening and night in her home with her mate...
They spent a great deal of time enjoying each other that night, glad there would be no interruptions – and no need to worry about facing Naraku any longer.
That part of their past was truly, fully past, and Kagome had never been more thankful that was so – she had yearned for the peace and quiet that now seemed to be theirs in abundance for a long, long time.
~oOo~
The next morning, she decided that she was ready to explore their surroundings – and the weather was certainly perfect for it, once again. Clear skies and a perfect balance between warmth and cool met the two as they ate a breakfast of fruit and rice and smoked meats, before cleaning up and then stepping outside, hand in hand.
Kagome really hadn't checked the outside of their fairly large home, and was most pleased when she saw it. Large and one-storied, it was surrounded on three sides by a veranda with small alcoves set into the outside walls every so often – alcoves with seats in them. And she could understand why when she looked at the beautiful region that they called home.
Lush greenery lay as far as the eye could see, as well as a veritable bamboo forest further down the large hill they seemed to be atop. There were a great deal of other similar homes dotting the landscape here and there, though they weren't intrusive, as were the buildings in Kagome's time. Here, they blended into the land, and the little miko couldn't help but sigh in appreciation.
She smiled up at her mate, who had been watching her with pleasure. “This new world will take a bit of getting used to, I suppose, but it's better than either your time, or mine was. I think we will be very happy here.”
He nodded, a most content look on his face as he agreed. “And the house is certainly large enough for several pups, mate, ne?” he asked, a mischievous expression crossing his face as she blushed.
“Already, Sugimi?” she asked, rather disappointed. Sure, she wanted children... just not right now. She wanted to enjoy this new world, and her new mate, for a while, first.
Shaking his head, he chuckled at her reaction. “No, not yet, I was merely teasing. I would prefer to wait a while.”
“Good! I would, too. After all, there's really no rush, is there?” she asked, gesturing to their surroundings. “It's not like we're going to be dying anytime soon.”
With a chuckle, he pointed towards what seemed to be a small mountainside town. “Would you like to go explore?”
She nodded happily, and he took her hand, content to meander with her, enjoying this new world so much.
By the time they reached what seemed to be a town, and indeed, was, a large group of people were sitting out in what looked to be a gathering area meant for a large crowd, and Sugimi and Kagome headed there, seeing all of their companions and families talking happily and animatedly with people that Kagome recognized as from Kaede's village.
And then she saw Kaede – though a Kaede that she'd never seen before.
No longer old, or without one eye, she was slender and attractive, and seemed to be quite happy with things as they had turned out. Kagome could only imagine.
They were welcomed quite loudly by the gathered people, and soon were enveloped within the newly-born community, chattering with everyone and asking questions about everything.
It seemed that the kami had given all the answers needed – to many different people. Some people had received answers about one thing, and others about other topics, so that the only way to fully understand was to mingle, and talk to everyone.
It wasn't really long before Inuyasha showed up, Kikyou trailing along behind, along with Koga, and Ayame. Kagome was a bit peeved, but then took note of the changes in the woman who seemed highly ashamed of herself, and uncertain of her welcome.
Kaede simply smiled at her sister and patted the spot next to herself placidly.
Kagome quickly took note of the fact that the woman was now fully alive. She was caught off-guard, however, when Koga claimed that Kikyou was his mate - and confused.
“If she's my pre-incarnation, and I'm Sugimi's soul mate, how is it possible that you are her mate?” she asked, rather upset. That just didn't sound plausible.
She was quite happy with the answer she received. From Kaede, of all people.
“We were wrong to think you her reincarnation. You are not. But our family line is the same – hence, the resemblence between you. We had a brother who became your ancestor. As for the reason you were able to dissolve the seal on Inuyasha? That was the hand of the kami, my dear. It was your fate to do this,” she gestured at the world around them, “and Inuyasha was needed for that fate to become reality.”
Quite pleased that she was not, in fact, Kikyou's reincarnation, Kagome nodded, smiling at her mate as he squeezed her hand. “Remember, mate, I did not think that you were, before – I had thought that your belief of that was a simple mistake. Because, as soul mates, if she had indeed carried your soul, I would have felt drawn by her, and I was not. I was only drawn by you.”
The other thing that almost made her want to laugh, was that Ayame was apparently Inuyasha's mate. "Keh. Weird, ne?"
Kagome nodded, even as she noted her family making their collective way over, and smiled. Her mother spoke first, her gentle tones feathering over her welcomingly. “Good morning, dear,” she smiled, then looked at Sugimi, taking a moment to consider the male her daughter had found to be her other half. Her smile widened. “Your description did not do him justice, daughter,” she teased as Kagome blushed and Sugimi smiled. “He is much more than yummy, and I'm pleased that you two are happy together.”
Sugimi cocked a brow at her blush, and grinned. “Yummy?” he asked, and Kagome flushed deeper.
“Mom!” she hissed, “stop! His head is big enough – he doesn't need to hear anything that might make it bigger!”
“Too late,” came the sour tones of none other than Inuyasha. Even in paradise, he was grumpy.
“Stop whining, whelp,” Sesshoumaru spoke up then, “and be happy that your life will be much different now than it would otherwise have been.”
Both Sugimi and Kagome agreed with that. But Kagome suddenly had a much more important question to ask the normally stoic daiyoukai who actually had a contented expression on his face – and was being followed by a certain smiling wind youkai of their acquaintance.
“So... Sesshoumaru,” she said teasingly, “do my eyes deceive me, or have you also found your mate?”
Both he and Kagura blushed slightly, while he nodded a bit tersely, and his father laughed aloud at him, amused to no end.
It was at that moment that Shippo ran up, chasing a happy Rin, Kohaku trailing behind, and Kagome's eyes widened – in all the confusion of everything that had happened to them from the end of the battle, she had forgotten that they had been housed at Sesshoumaru's palace. Minus Kohaku, of course.
“Guess what, Kagome?” Shippo asked excitedly, even as a male and female youkai that looked oddly familiar walked diffidently up. “My mom and dad are here!”
Kagome couldn't help but smile at the happy kit, as she watched a joyous Rin introducing her family, as well, while a shy Kohaku smiled at her, and then moved back over to Sango – who was surrounded by family, and Miroku, and his parents. She was thrilled that they, also, got their happy endings, and would no longer have reasons to grieve. She couldn't have asked for a better outcome to the destruction of Naraku.
That led to the other question she had.
“The kami said yesterday that the Shikon no Tama was created to be the way to reset creation – but wasn't it the soul of Midoriko, and the demons she was fighting?” she asked, confused.
A voice spoke up from the other side of the large group, and Kagome turned to look at the woman that could only be the ancient miko she had just been speaking of.
“That's what everyone thought. But it wasn't, really. That story was what a priest came up with after I died, and that was the story that stuck,” she said ruefully.
Everyone there that had been involved in any way with the jewel looked intrigued. “What I can't figure out, was what was up with the chunk of diamond we found that one shard in. Why...?”
“Ah,” said Midoriko, “that was necessary to make sure that Naraku did not get all the shards. It was just protection, actually – the kami wanted to ruin his plans, as well as return the world to this state,” she said. “Worked, didn't it?” she shrugged as everyone took that in.
Just then, a beautiful young woman was noted walking their way, and different people looked over while others were caught up in their conversations. Kagome, however, noticed her... and tapped Inuyasha on the arm.
“Hey, Inu,” she said, “look over there. I think there's someone you might want to see.”
He did as told, and froze, eyes as wide as Kagome had ever seen them. And just as he started to move over to the uncertain young woman, Sugimi stiffened up, and Kagome knew he'd caught sight of his former wife.
She stepped out of his embrace, and said quietly to his reaction on seeing her, “I think you need to go speak to them both, you know?”
Looking down at her sharply, he noted her rather distant expression, but before he could address it, Izayoi looked up and smiled when she saw him from their son's embrace.
Pulled over towards them by that smile, Sugimi didn't notice the awkward silence he'd left Kagome in. He was too focused on the woman he'd been husband to for such a short, but still happy time.
“Izayoi,” he murmured. “It has been a long time.”
Her smile brightened over their son's shoulder as he held her to him. “It has, indeed. And our son, he has grown into a fine man, just as the miko said he would all those years before. All I can do is thank you for this chance to know our son as an adult. Your victory and success in freeing the power in the Shikon no Tama has given me that chance,” she said happily.
Sugimi nodded awkwardly, even as Inuyasha pulled back from his mother's arms a little. “It was not I, Izayoi – it was Kagome, the same miko that protected you that day, and told you that Inuyasha would be a son.”
She blinked, surprised. “Really? How is that possible?”
“The kami moved her in time as they needed,” he shrugged. “She was sent to that time to save you and Inuyasha from those other youkai.”
She looked at him, then, really looked at him, and as Inuyasha stepped off to give them some privacy for a few moments, her smile became uncertain. “Why does it seem as though you are uneasy with my presence, husband?” she asked. “Did you not want me to return?”
Immediately, he shook his head. “I am pleased that you will have a chance to know our son, Izayoi, never think otherwise. But I am no longer your husband – death, and two hundred years stand between us.”
Stepping back a little, she searched his eyes, her own showing her hurt. “You no longer want me, then, my Lord?”
He sighed, sadly trying to figure out how to say it. He finally decided to just tell her the truth. “The kami created all of us with other halves out there just waiting to be found, Izayoi. There is someone here somewhere, and you will find that one, soon enough, that is your other half. I have already found mine,” he said with an air of finality that caused her to bow her head and step back from him.
“I am sorry, then, my Lord. I did not mean to impose myself upon you.”
“Don't say that, Izayoi. You are not an imposition, you are the mother of one of my sons, and my former wife. I will always carry fondness for you. But you will soon see what I mean when you find the one the kami created for you – your mate is a different matter from anyone else entirely.”
She nodded in saddened acceptance. “Where do I go from here, then? I do not belong anywhere, now, and have nowhere to go.”
Sugimi thought about it for a moment. “I believe that you should stay with Inuyasha. From what the kami said, I do not think you have a long wait to meet your other half.”
Tilting her head to the side, she looked at him for several moments, moments he felt very awkward in. “May I meet your mate, my Lord?” she asked, and he cleared his throat.
“You already have, Izayoi, and please, enough with the formality. I am not a Lord here.”
Frowning a bit, she asked, “Already have?”
“My mate is the miko Kagome – the one that saved you all those years ago. I didn't realize it until I awoke in that other time,” he sighed, never having felt more awkward than he did in that moment. The gulf between he and one of the women he'd shared a part of his life with felt so strange. He supposed it would take time before that awkwardness would fade. It would probably help matters once she found her own other half.
She looked taken aback. “Truly?” she asked, eyes wide. And then she remembered what the young woman had said that day – about her best friend being a hanyou, and being courted by a daiyoukai. “She knew,” she breathed, and Sugimi, knowing what she was talking of, nodded.
“That little incident almost cost me her, as a matter of fact,” he groused, frowning as he remembered her awkward behavior with him afterwords.
“Congratulations, Sugimi, on your mating,” she said finally, after thinking things through for a few minutes. “Perhaps after a while, we could meet again, but for now, I think I would like to go spend some time with our son.”
He nodded, still feeling very out of place without his mate near him. “I am pleased that you will have that chance, Izayoi.”
With that, she left, and Sugimi stayed where he was for a time, trying to become accustomed to his new reality. That had been difficult – he would always care for the mother of his son, but she was not his mate, and that said everything that needed saying. With a sigh, he turned around and headed back to where he'd left his beautiful mate, only to find that she'd excused herself after he'd left.
Frowning, worried a little, he asked if anyone knew where she'd gone, but no one did, and he soon excused himself as well to go search out his mate.
Where could she have gone? he wondered, then sighed. He had no idea – she could literally be anywhere, so he searched for her using his link with her. It appeared, however, that she had muted her side of the link to give him privacy with Izayoi, so he had to search for her by aura, instead.
She was actually fairly close, and he headed immediately in her direction, knowing suddenly where she was.
He stepped around the trunk of what could only be the Goshinboku – though it no longer stood completely surrounded by forest; instead, it faced a small clearing – that presided over a wide sweep of landscape from several hundred feet up.
It was breathtaking, and Kagome had found it.
Seated at the foot of the ancient tree, she was enjoying the panoramic view of the region they now called home, though for some reason, she was giving off a rather melancholic air. Concerned, he stepped over to her and settled himself at her side.
“What is wrong, mate?” he asked softly after a few minutes of silence.
At first, there was no response, but just as he was about to prompt her, she spoke, her tones formal, distant.
“If you want to be with Izayoi and your son as a family, I won't try to stop you. I'm sure we can ask this favor of the kami – to return you to your unmated status, so that you could do so.” She paused for a moment, then finished. “I know that you didn't get to be a family before, and didn't have much time with her, so... if you wish it, I won't fight you.”
Shocked, he stared at her with a furrowed brow, not even knowing what to make of that statement. How could she think that I would want to be severed from her?
He blinked at her, then blinked again as he tried to regain control of his scattered thoughts – and once he did, he actually got angry.
“I know that this whole thing has been strange for you, so I will forgive that question, but do not try my patience with such foolishness again, woman,” he rumbled. “Izayoi was my wife, true – several hundred years ago. Even had I not gone into that sleep spell as I did, she would have long been dead by the time we met. I was nothing more than a widower, and though she has been resurrected now, that hasn't changed the fact that our marriage is no longer valid. Think, Kagome – I married Izayoi, I didn't mate her. If I didn't do it then, I wouldn't do it now.”
Kagome had been a little startled at his upset response, but halfway through, she'd turned her head and looked down, as though afraid to look at him. “Seeing you two together, with Inuyasha – it made me feel as though I were interfering again,” she murmured. “As though I was coming between family members. In my time we called such women homewreckers... that's how I feel right now.”
Frowning, becoming even more upset that she would feel such, he pointedly told her to open her link back up, and surprised, she did.
And then she was whirled away into a world of love and desire, passion and need, all from him – and focused on her. He showed her how he felt about Izayoi, and even Satori – he was fond of them both in different ways, but the heart of who he was belonged only to her.
As he poured out all his feelings for her, she began to cry, and with a submissive whimper, crawled into his lap, equal parts happy to be there, and ashamed of her still very low self-esteem and doubt.
“Beloved,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck and ear, “open yourself to me more – all the way. I want to take care of this problem once and for all. You will know beyond a shadow of a doubt how I see you after this.”
Nodding, she sniffled and then closed her eyes, basically combining herself with him, seeing through his eyes.
It was a very shocking, though moving, experience for the young woman who'd been so damaged inside by Inuyasha's carelessness with his words.
'Do you see, Kagome? Do you see yourself as I see you? This is what you are to me. Smart, caring, a heart of gold, and purity of spirit unmatched by any other. To me, Kagome is a goddess, and I thank kami every day that you were made for me, and no one else. To be honest,' her eyes widened when he looked a bit embarrassed, 'I had to stop myself from gloating to all those others that wanted you, that I was the one that got you. It was childish in the extreme... and I wanted to do it anyway.'
Eyes still wide with wonder, she couldn't help the giggle he startled out of her. “Truly?” she asked, almost unable to believe it.
“Truly,” he confirmed. “And I still want to gloat. To that baka wolf, Hojo... and both my sons.” He shook his head as he tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.
“Frankly, I cannot understand how you think you are so unattractive to the male of the species, my love. How many males have wanted you for their own? Myself, both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru – and that's a miracle right there,” he said in an aside, “since he's never liked humans – Koga, and Hojo... as well as his descendent, you told me. And there was also, from something Inuyasha mentioned once, Jinenji, the healer. He adored you, too. Why, then, with all the male attention you received, do you believe yourself so unworthy?”
Blushing a bit, she shrugged uneasily, unable to answer. “I really don't know,” she finally said. “I... just feel like eventually, they'll wake up and wonder what the hell they were thinking. I just don't see what you all see, I guess.”
Her mate growled at her, displeased with her answer. “It must stop, Kagome.” Lowering his head to kiss her, he pulled out all the stops, kissing her absolutely breathless. After finally pulling away, he captured her now heavy-lidded gaze firmly with his own. “I love you, Kagome, and that will not change no matter who we meet in life. You are my other half, and that is an immutable fact, more permanent than eternity. Never question this again.”
Still dazed, she shuddered a bit as she felt his erection against her hip, and nodded, unable to think well enough to argue.
If he wanted her so badly, then who was she to argue?
She lost her train of thought as her mate proceeded to show her exactly how arousing he found her to be.
In the heavenly realms, the kami smiled, pleased at the happiness and joy now feeding their need for positive emotions.
And if Kagome and Sugimi were just a little bit happier than everyone else, no one thought to argue – after all, they deserved a little extra for being the ones to make this world possible.
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