The Truth

Chapter Five

By: Lazuli

lazulidreamer@yahoo.com

           Kagome sighed softly to herself as she climbed out of the Bone Eaters Well. She was exhausted mentally and physically, and wasn’t sure how much more she could take of seeing Inuyasha drawn more and more into the past with Kikyo. She knew that he cared for her, and it was more than he was willing to admit, but she loved him. She promised him that she wouldn’t leave him though. He needed to have that steady support, and she wasn’t going to abandon him when he needed a friend the most.

           Then more recently the events that happened when Yuka came over…her future self, Inuyasha’s future self…and a strange foreboding in the air when they were around. They were hiding something, and Kagome wished that they had some idea of what it could be. It wasn’t easy to go in blind. She just had to take one step at a time.

           She waited for Inuyasha to come out of the trees to greet her…he’d been irritated enough as it was, and decided to go home ahead of her. She shook her head. That grumpy demon was going to be with her the rest of her life? It was a staggering concept…that she would live that long. It wasn’t as if she used the jewel to make herself immortal—she had seen the jewel in one piece, hanging from a chain that her future self wore. There had to be some other explanation to the whole matter.

           Her eyes took in the forest scenery around her, and she frowned slightly. Something was wrong here. The forest seemed different than before…not a lot of difference, but some plants that were only ankle high three days ago now flourished to waist high. She walked slowly through the forest, planning to ask Kaede or Inuyasha if anything unusual had happened near the well lately.

           She spotted a small figure in a sky blue yukata ahead, and she wondered what child would be in the forest at this time. It had lost a lot of its dark tales since Inuyasha had been freed, but normally the village children did not stray into the forest. There were other youkai besides Inuyasha that made their homes there.

           The child turned around when Kagome got within five feet of her, her expression startled when she met Kagome’s gaze. Kagome herself was shocked, seeing blue-gray eyes, slit like a cats, staring into her own, and two dark ears on rested on the top of her head, reminding her strongly of Inuyasha.

           “Hey there…are you lost?” Kagome felt silly asking the question…this girl was obviously a hanyou, and could probably find her way out of the thin grove of trees by her sense of smell alone.

           The girl looked solemnly up at her, and Kagome wondered how old she was. She didn’t look anymore then six or seven. The girl nodded slowly, though, and smiled trustingly at Kagome.

           “What’s your name?” Kagome asked softly, taking one of the girl’s hands into her own. The girl shook her head of silver black hair, and her voice was low.

           “Hokori.” She grinned, and small fangs flashed. Kagome was overtaken by a strong feeling of knowing Hokori from somewhere before. It was a bizarre feeling and she tried to shake it off.

           “Well, Hokori, I’m going to take you back to the village.”

           Hokori smiled again, and Kagome wondered what Inuyasha was going to say when he saw her coming with a hanyou child in hand.

           Inuyasha looked around frantically for Hokori. The little imp had run off again, knowing that she couldn’t find her way back yet. She was too young. He was about to go running off into the forest when a familiar figure came into view,

Kagome smiled at him, gesturing to Hokori beside her.

           “Inuyasha…This is Hokori. I found her near the Bone Eater’s Well.” Inuyasha nodded dumbly.

           “Hokori, go inside the house, okay?” He smiled at the happy look Hokori bestowed upon him. “Okay, Papa.” She called, and skipped into the house, her black hair swinging happily with her movements.

           Kagome’s eyes met his, and there was overwhelming shock and disbelief there. He frowned. “What? Don’t you want her to go inside the house, Kagome? What’s wrong with you, giving me that face? Don’t get angry at me because you’re human at such a time.”

           Kagome’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about, Inuyasha? And what is it with Hokori calling you Papa? Is this some sort of joke?”

           Inuyasha’s eyes widened. He thought Kagome had been angry when she presented Hokori to him, but even Hokori acted like she didn’t know Kagome. He took a closer look at the girl in front of him, and he held back his shock. This Kagome…wasn’t the Kagome of now. If he remembered correctly…this was a Kagome before Hokori was born, before he even admitted his feelings to her…when he was still enamored with Kikyo. This wasn’t good…

           He shrugged mentally. It was too late now, and he decided to tell Kagome the truth. It would be worth it to see the look of shock on her face.

           “Kagome, Hokori *is* my child. Mine and my wife’s…” Her eyes grew wide and tear filled and she nodded slowly.

           “Well, I’m glad you are with Kikyo. I never suspected that you were with her behind our backs, but I suppose anything’s possible. Sayonara, Inuyasha.”

He grabbed her wrist before she could get too far, staring into her hurt blue eyes. “Kagome…why the hell would I be with Kikyo? And how would I…” He blushed.

           She shook her head, trying to pull away from him. “Dang it, Kagome! Listen to me, will ya? You’re as stubborn as always… Hokori is *your* child as well!”

           Kagome’s eyes grew wide, and he released her wrist as her arms fell limply to her sides. “Inuyasha…stop joking. Who is Hokori really?” Her eyes were narrowed, demanding some sort of explanation from him.

           “I’m serious, Kagome. She is…or will be…our child…” At her disbelieving expression he sighed. “Mou…baka onna!”

           She glared at him. “What am I supposed to suspect, Inuyasha? That what you are telling me is the truth? It’s been a long day for me! Your future self, my future self…I’m under enough stress as it is, Inuyasha, and you’re not making it any easier!”

           He backed away slightly, understanding her frustration and confusion. He grabbed her hand again, ignoring the blush on her face as he took her to the house that Hokori had went in. He brushed aside the hanging mat and walked quietly into the house, smiling at the little girl playing with a doll, her expression intense.

           “Hokori…where’s your mother?” Hokori didn’t look up from her task, just pointed towards another room adjoining the main one.

           Inuyasha ruffled her hair, and continued to drag Kagome with him, who was still in a vague state of shock.

           Kagome took in the room, and was surprised to see a figure in a low chair in the corner of the room, holding a baby. Her heart clenched. Was Inuyasha just mocking her again? He claimed that Hokori was her child, but how was she to believe that? The woman looked up, and Kagome glared at Inuyasha.

           “You are trying to tell me that’s me?” She asked angrily. “I don’t know if you need your eyes checked or not, but I’ve never been a hanyou!”

           Inuyasha grinned. “Well, ya are now. Kagome, I’d like you to meet my wife, Kagome.”