“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”---Charles Dickens
Golden eyes studied the scene before them. A young child of barely four summers was indulging her predatory instincts by chasing the colorful winged creatures that dotted their favorite meadow. Gentle, lovely, and joyous as her mother, the pup couldn’t bring herself to harm the butterflies she skillfully trapped in her tiny hands. Rather, she would free them, then begin the chase all over again. A visiting Kirara and her constant kitsune protector, who sprouted so much in height that he now reached Kagome’s waist, coached her with each pounce.
Slender arms wrapped around him as he felt his wife’s warm weight cuddle him from behind.
“She’s getting so big. Before we know it, Shippo and Hiro may be fighting over her.”
Inuyasha’s soft growl made Kagome giggle. “If that kid is anything like his lech of a father, he better stay far away from Izayoi. And Shippo sees her as a little sister. That ain’t gonna change.”
“Sure it won’t,” Kagome replied sarcastically.
Inuyasha brought Kagome around to face him, and smiled down at her softly. It never ceased to amaze his wife that the angry, rude, untrusting, wild hanyou she had freed turned into the tender, devoted family man he was now. Oh, he was still rude. And somewhat wild. But his eyes were full of such contentment and peace, that if she did not know any better, she would have thought that someone else possessed her hanyou’s body. She wanted to laugh at the thought as he bent to lay a soft kiss on her lips.
“Don’t worry, Inuyasha. You won’t have to be chasing any suitors for a while yet.”
“Damn straight. Cause there ain’t gonna be any suitors until she’s fifty.”
The miko’s musical laughter filled the clearing and reached the ears of another youkai who also watched the puppy-eared girl play with her pack. He observed that unlike her father, the innocent hanyou pup had no fears and worries, for she was constantly surrounded by the love and protection of her entire family.
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Kagome awoke that evening from a faceless, nameless nightmare. She reached for Inuyasha, hoping his strong presence would make the uneasy feeling go away, only to find his side of the futon empty.
“Inuyasha?”
“Watch Izayoi.”
She found him by the door to their hut, the moonlight illuminating the steely glint of Tessaiga as he sheathed it and prepared to leave.
Kagome stood and went to him. The reason for her rare nightmare became apparent as the dark aura from her dream settled over them. It wasn’t a dream after all.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know, but it feels bad. Worse than Naraku.”
They stepped out of the hut to find Miroku, Sango and their brood heading for them. As Kagome and Sango settled the still sleeping children in their hut, Miroku turned to his friend.
“You feel it as well? This dark aura?”
“Yeah. You ready?”
Miroku nodded. Inuyasha’s ears perked to the side. They turned to see Kaede and Rin heading for them as well. Rin appeared to have been crying.
Kagome and Sango had come out in time to greet the older miko and her charge. “Rin, honey, what’s wrong?”
The child hugged Kagome, hiccupped, and shook her head. “I had a bad dream. Something bad happened to Lord Sesshomaru.”
Kagome tried to soothe the girl. “I’m sure he’s fine, Rin. He’s much too strong to let anything bad happen.”
Kaede turned to Inuyasha and Miroku. “Ye are heading to investigate this threat. Be on your guard. Something does not bode well this eve.”
“We’ll be alright baba. Just stay here and watch the kids.” He turned to Kagome. “That goes double for you.”
Kagome was about to retort when Inuyasha suddenly stiffened, and jerked he head toward the trees. He raised his head as he caught the scent of something none of the present humans could detect.
They saw eyes widen dramatically. “Fuck!” he shouted before running into the direction of the forest.
Miroku turned to the others. “I will go with him. Please ladies, stay here.”
With that, he ran in the same direction Inuyasha took off.
Sango scoffed behind them. “Who do they think they’re kidding?” She came out of the hut dressed in her taiyija gear. Kagome barely had time to marvel at her friend’s unchanged physique after birthing three children when Sango turned to her, and handed her the bow from Mount Azusa, and her quiver. She took them, and turned to Kaede, a determined look on her face.
“Please watch the children.”
Kaede nodded gravely as Kagome and Sango mounted on Kirara, and headed toward the threat.