InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Time Goes By; Life Goes On ❯ Epilogue ( Chapter 20 )

Epilogue
Kagome sat on the front porch thinking about things long past. She and her fearless friends had defeated a formidable foe on one fateful day. A day that had etched itself into the forefront of her mind, the day she nearly lost everything she held dear. Anger formed as she thought about the vile hanyou that changed her life forever.
It had been three years since that day and there she sat on the front porch watching Isamu chase butterflies around the wild flowers. His exuberance, naiveté, and unconditional love kept her young heart fulfilled. Just thinking about the day, she almost lost him, herself, sent chills down her spine and anger boiled in the pit of her stomach. She could not imagine her life without the smile of her child. His small ears, tiny claws, and growing fangs reminded her of the one man she loved more than anything. He was the reason she had this rambunctious child to keep her on her toes. And the more she thought about the more she realized he was just like his father: Fearless, courageous, and above all else kind.
Kagome laughed as the butterfly skittered away leaving a pouting boy behind, ‘Just like his father. Pouting when things don’t go his way,’ she thought, standing to stretch her back.
Their last search for the final jewel shard, led them straight to Kanna. She had did as ordered by her former leader and found the remaining shards and held them in her possession. However, when learning of Naraku's demise she gratefully handed the shards to Kagome and with a small, almost, minuscule smile she turned and headed toward the nearest forest. Kagome was relieved she did not have to battle again to regain the shards, and almost felt sorry for the emotionless incarnation when she turned away to live a lonely life.
Once the shard was in her possession, Kagome immediately combined it with the almost complete jewel before purifying it out of existence with her ever-growing power. ‘Finally,’ she thought, ‘my life can really begin.’ Images of Isamu danced happily in her mind as the group made their way back to Kaede’s village.
When she arrived, she found Isamu curled up in the older miko’s lap, fast asleep and snoring softly. Carefully she cradled the small child in her arms and laid him on her sleeping bag. Brushing a few stray hairs out of his face, she leaned down and kissed a cheek muttering a ‘sleep well’ in his ear. At that moment she realized how precious he was, and how pleasurable being a mother really was.
In those three years the well closed, its power sealed and she found herself sitting outside her hut watching her three-year-old boy play as kids should. Occasionally her heart yearned for a normal life with her family, but every time it would approach her mind, she would push it away. This was her home now and she always knew eventually that the well would close leaving her on one side or another. However, at first it was hard to fathom living in the Sengoku Jidai without her family.
Kagome looked up from Isamu smiling as a familiar presence approached. Silver hair glowing in the bright sun, he smiled back. She suppressed her thoughts of her family when he wrapped her in his arms. ‘This is where I belong,’ she thought, wrapping her own arms around his neck. ‘How could I ever think otherwise?’
“So did you give it to him?” She asked, staring up into his golden eyes pleadingly.
“Keh, of course I did. But I have to tell you he wasn’t happy about being an errand boy,” Kagome chuckled, pulling him closer to her. Inuyasha had made his way across feudal Japan with a small letter Kagome had written to her family.
‘Thank you Sesshomaru. Momma will be happy to hear I’m okay.’ A stray tear found its way down her cheek as the thought passed. Turning to look lovingly back at Inuyasha, she placed a sweet kiss on his lips before taking a seat to watch their son play.
“Thank you Inuyasha?”
“Yeah, for what?”
“For giving me everything I have always wanted,” Kagome said, smiling at him, “He’s perfect.”
“Of course he is, I am his father after all,” Inuyasha gloated, chest puffed with pride.
“That you are.”
“Mommy look,” Isamu cried, pointing toward the sky.
She was expecting to see another butterfly floating lazily in the air, but when she saw Kirara's form, her heart almost burst with happiness, “Inuyasha, look they’re back.”
Inuyasha barely turned his head before Kagome was on her feet running toward the far off silhouette. ‘It’s about time,’ he thought, scooping up Isamu and making his way to Kagome.
They watched as Kirara flew closer and landing at the edge of the village.
Sango was the first to touch the ground almost knocking Miroku on his ass. Inuyasha chuckled as a few choice words left the ex-monk’s mouth.
Shaking hands Miroku and Inuyasha watched the girl’s tearful reunion. It had been almost a year since they seen their friends. After Miroku and Sango wed, they moved to the demon slayer’s village in hopes of rebuilding. Inuyasha sat by helplessly as Kagome cried for her friends. He always tried to be there for her, be her confidant but he soon understood there were some things better left for a female companion.
He had encouraged her to talk to Kaede in hopes of filling that void but when the miko died of old age he knew Kagome was lost. His heart broke for his wife, his mate, because she was thrust into this world without her family only to be left by all the others she loved dearly. There were nights when she thought he was asleep and she would lay there crying quietly. However, pride and devotion would not let her show her sadness on the outside.
Shaking away the sad thoughts Inuyasha turned to Miroku, “How long you staying for?”
“Well…” Miroku began, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked toward Sango who was engrossed in conversation. He smiled. It had been far too long, and now they were back where they belonged, “forever.”
Kagome stopped talking and turned to face Miroku with surprise. She had hoped this day would come but she knew Sango's dreams were to avenge her father and rebuild their village in his honor. Tears were building up in her eyes when she turned from Miroku back to Sango with the same disbelief in her eyes. She searched the demon slayer’s face for any sign of truth. She threw her arms around the neck of her friend, her sister, when Sango nodded her confirmation.
“Hey where is everyone?” Shippo yelled from the hut. He had woken up from his nap to find no one in sight. At first, he thought they left him. Just when he about started crying he sniffled and turned toward the sound.
“Oi, runt we’re over here,” Inuyasha called, when he heard Shippo’s cry. As much as the little kit grated his nerves, Inuyasha knew he could not live without him.
“What is every…” Shippo suddenly stopped talking, and stared wide-eyed at the group before him. Eyes filling with tears again he threw his small body at Miroku, flinging his arms around his neck, “I thought we would never see you again.” Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks as he bounced from the former monk and the demon slayer.
Kagome wiped a lone tear from her cheek before taking Inuyasha's hand lovingly into hers. Squeezing it, she smiled up at him.
Returning her smile Inuyasha turned his gaze to the sky, ‘Finally, things are as they were always supposed to be.’
“Well I guess we better get started building you a hut. If you want a place to live,” Inuyasha said, turning and leading the way back to his and Kagome's hut.
Yes, life finally returned to normal for the former jewel hunters. Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara were together again and life could not be sweeter.
Taking Isamu’s hand Kagome led the reunited group after Inuyasha.