I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA OR OURAN HIGHSCHOOL HOSTCLUB

Happy 2nd year anniversary to Veni Vidi Amavi! Damn, I can't believe it's been two years since I published this!

Thank you all for sticking with my stupid ass I love y'all!

Enjoy~

Veni Vidi Amavi

Chapter 21

Of Fathers and Husbands

"Papi! Papi!" Kagome squealed over and over, her tiny legs scampering towards the tall man as he traversed the final step of the stairs and into the shrine grounds. Grinning, he opened his arms and laughed; "Missed me kiddo?" The little girl squealed, letting out a joyous giggle as her father began smooshing their cheeks together.

"Hai! Hai! 'Gome missed papi! Much much!" Sojiro felt his heart melt at the gap toothed smile Kagome flashed him with, similar blue eyes sparkling. He straightened up from his crouched position and settled the beaming girl by the crook of his arm, nuzzling her soft hair when she started butting her head under his chin like an overly affectionate kitten.

Unbiddenly, his heart grew heavy with regret. If only he could stay by her side as much as he wants to but alas, a man of his stature would only expose her to danger and his family's spite.

In their eyes, she was nothing more than a bastard.

The thought alone left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Sighing, he entered the quaint home and made a beeline for the homey kitchen, smiling softly as he saw the mother of his child in all her maternal glory, standing over the stove as she cooked his favorite meal - the scent of oden was strong in the air and he took a whiff of the heady aroma.

"It's been a while Sojiro." He heard her say without turning. The urge to envelope her within his arms was strong and he drew Kagome closer to tamper off the urge digging deep into his skin. Sojiro cleared his throat. "My apologies. Mother has kept me longer than expected."

Nodoka turned towards him, gentle eyes softening as he automatically began bouncing softly on his feet, lulling the three year old to sleep as she continued to grab tightly at her father's clothes. It's moments like this that allowed Nodoka to keep her affection strong for the blue eyed man despite their lack of commitment towards each other, his affection for their daughter obvious and very much powerful on its own.

If only they were not from different worlds, perhaps they can be a true family without the fear of suffering dire consequences.

"Let me stay the night?" His sudden inquiry snapped Nodoka out of her wistful thoughts and she turned to meet Sojiro's hopeful gaze. It made her smile. To see this powerful man asking for something despite knowing he doesn't even need to ask for it.

"My home is always open for you as always." His grip tightened as she flashed him her ever understanding smile. "You don't need to ask every time Sojiro." Closing the distance between them with a few quick strides, he drew Nodoka closer towards him, careful to not jostle the little girl by his other arm. The woman immediately reciprocated, her loving arms easily snaking up his back as her head leaned against his chest. She hummed low in her throat. "I missed you." Sojiro's hand gripped her shoulders as he planted an apologetic kiss on top of her soft hair.

For the umpteenth time, he marveled at how understanding this woman is. She deserves a family, a husband, someone who's not tied by the weight of their family name… But at the same time, he wants to be greedy. This woman is his. This child is his.

This family is his.

"Mami… Where's Papi?" Nodoka lifted her daughter and kissed her forehead. It's her fourth birthday today and despite the big cake and tasty treats she knew Kagome loves, the child's blue eyes remained confused and saddened. Swallowing, she softened her voice. "I'm sorry sweetie, papi's on an important meeting. He did send you his gift though, would you like to open it?"

"No! I want papi! He promised!" Kagome whimpered, big fat tears starting to pool and drip down her cherub cheeks. The woman shushed gently at her child, heart breaking at the betrayed expression on her daughter's face.

"Papi's on a mission! His kingdom needs him my love, he'd be a bad king if he doesn't go over and help his people." She wiped her child's tears away, inwardly cursing Sojiro for hurting their precious daughter like this. "Do you want papi to become a bad king?"

Kagome shook her head and Nodoka warmed at the indignant expression on her small, adorable face. "No! Papi is best king!" A pout made its way up the girl's cheeks, making Nodoka giggle under her breath. "And I'm Papi's princess… And princesses are not shellfish!"

"It's selfish honey." She corrected.

At such a young age, Kagome already has to sacrifice much and Nodoka can't help but to blame the absent man. Her daughter should be free to demand things after all. But yet, even now on her special day, it was Sojiro who's being gifted with Kagome's unconditional love and understanding.

Sometimes, she rages at how she loves more than she hates him.

Sojiro roared. "Find her! No one will rest until someone does!" Men in monochrome uniforms scattered like ants, scampering over their own two feet as the blue eyed man spat in mixed fury and fear.

The sky was clear and the sun was shining, a direct insult to them as a looming shadow of unease hovered over the chaotic shrine grounds.

Tears were overflowing Nodoka's cheeks as she trembled. "Kagome, my sweet Kagome." She whispered over and over.

Sojiro shook with unbridled rage. Someone dared to touch what was his. After everything, after all the pain and agony he went through just to keep them safe, someone still dared?!

Blood will run and no one would be able to satiate his hunger for retribution.

A flurry of men suddenly rustled towards him, listening closely to their earpieces.

"Waka[1]! A man has been apprehended, he bears the crest of Inagawa." Those blasted scums will certainly pay for this. Sojiro vowed.

He knows the relationship between the two clans had always been strained but this certainly crosses the line. Kagome does not bear the name of the Tsukasa - she is a Higurashi, she should not be involved in whatever spat his father and the oyabun of the Inagawa are currently partaking in.

Both Sojiro and a near hysterical Nodoka were escorted to a familiar park, the very same one Sojiro often plays in with his daughter. People were nowhere to be seen, more than likely chased away by the group of people dressed in infamous sharp tuxedos.

By the grass was a slumped form of a man, sharp blue eyes immediately recognizing the crests of overlapping circles printed on the man's yukata. By his hand, was a bleeding wound - teeth marks, he noted.

Small ones.

Nodoka was already a flurry of skirt and cotton before he could even comprehend that the woman had thrown herself against the unknown man, her tiny fists fast and swift as she wailed; "Where is my daughter?! Where did you take her?!" It took him and two more of his men to haul the furious woman off and he briefly marveled at the viciousness she had shown.

He almost forgot about her explosive temper.

"Your brat's with someone else. Some nosy bastard who's probably hiding right now." Sojiro noticed the bruise on the man's face and his busted lip. Someone had fought with him before his capture it seems. And whoever they are, Kagome's with them.

"Papi!" The familiar shriek of childish glee suddenly pierced through the clearing and everyone stiffened in alertness.

Nodoka screamed.

"Kagome! Sweetie! Where are you?!" The drying leaves from the autumn season crunched from under the weight of polished shoes as a man hesitantly stepped into the clearing - clad in a dirtied office suit and sporting a rather nasty black eye. However, it was the child the man was carrying that garnered everybody's attention.

"Papi! Mami!" Kagome squealed happily. She turned to the stranger and pecked him on the cheek before requesting to be put down. Visibly charmed, he did so, posture relaxing as the girl loudly proclaimed her relationship with the intimidating group of people.

As Kagome barrelled inside Nodoka's warm embrace, Sojiro stepped in front to shield both mother and daughter from the still unknown man, quite wary of the kind smile on his bruised up face.

"You are?" He asked. He briefly gestured his men to stand down with a wave of a hand, the group of uniformed males easily falling out of their defensive stances.

Smiling, the newcomer bowed respectfully. "My name is Takahashi Sougo. I was passing by the park on my way home when I saw Kagome-chan struggling against a man who obviously took her against her will." a dark expression briefly crossed his features, brown eyes sparking at the memory of the little girl valiantly fighting her captor. "Kagome-chan managed to get away but he chased after her. I stepped in and tried to fight him off. He's armed." Sougo relayed and gestured to the clean cut by his arm. "So I took her and ran away."

"Sougo-san saved 'Gome papi!" The little girl piped up after clinging to his pant leg. Sojiro picked her up and kissed her forehead, relieved and very much thankful that she was safe and sound.

Nodoka shuffled over and bowed lowly at Sougo. "Thank you so much! If it weren't for you, Kami… I don't even know what I'd do if she got hurt."

"Ah it's nothing! Everyone will do the same if given my position. I'm just glad that I get to see Kagome-chan off."

"Please allow us to thank you for your gracious help. Let's get your wound treated at least." Sougo tried to shake off the offer but Kagome was quick to keep the man close. She was just as charmed as him, he noticed.

With a heavy heart, he passed Kagome over to Nodoka, gritting his teeth as Kagome looked at him in confusion and a heart breaking whimper of 'papi?'

"Sojiro… Surely you can spare a moment-? Kagome needs you right now." The urge to cave in was as heavy as the sudden numbing of his tongue, wanting nothing more than to go home with his girls and cuddle his daughter close.

But… He needs to clean this up.

The Inagawa should be notified of their transgressions. Kagome might not be a Tsukasa but she's his own flesh and blood. And they will pay for touching her.

Ignoring Kagome's cries, he walked away after a brief talk with his men about sending off Nodoka and Kagome safely, steeling his heart as the little girl's cries turned into sobbing.

Sojiro looked back when he heard them start to walk away, blue eyes pained as Kagome continued to reach out to him.

"They will never know any peace as long as you continue to hover over them. It's as good as painting a target on their backs yourself."

A static of white noise rang amidst the silence of the room, disorienting Sojiro as he knelt before his sick father and stern mother. Despite being the current oyabun[2] of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Tsukasa Yamaguchi Inari had let sickness claim his body, simply choosing to let his wife; the fearsome one-san of the Yamaguchi Gumi to rule over their impressive clan.

Looking down,Tsukasa Fumiko sneered at the pathetic form of her son. She knew Sojiro's constant visits will do their family no good. Those commoners were a stain to their family name!

The Inagawa should've just cleaned them up for good.

"You can't continue this forever Sojiro. You shame our name by continuing your tryst with that woman. It's about time you marry a lady of respectable standing and bear us a legitimate heir. Your bastard of a daughter has no place sharing the title of the Yamaguchi-gumi."

The flash of anger beneath Sojiro's gaze was blatant for all to see, but as usual, he did not act upon it.

His fear was too strong.

Or perhaps, her hold on him was too strong.

"You can't protect them forever Sojiro. You know that."

"I can. You just need to let me." He hissed.

Fumiko's brow raised at the statement. "Let you taint this pure family? I'm afraid not my child. The Yamaguchi has reigned supreme for decades. I will allow no commoner to drag our clan down. The choice is up to you Sojiro. Don't you want them to live a normal life? To have a family you can never grant? You already damned your woman by spilling your seed into her without the promise of marriage. Are you truly that selfish?"

Every word struck deep within him. And slowly, her claws sunk and took hold firmly at his flesh, robbing him of his will and courage.

Doubts sprung. Broken promises splintering like spider webs.

"If I leave them be… Is their safety certain?" He questioned in defeat, missing the triumphant gleam that kissed the edges of his dam's smile.

"Your absence will be enough to keep them protected. Remember Sojiro. You alone are guilty of causing them pain."

Sojiro wept and the powerful woman glowered disdainfully at the sign of weakness. Her red lips parted and delivered the final nail to the coffin, spirit crowing in triumph as another piece clicked into place.

"If you truly love them, you should set them free. Your presence will only lead them to tragedy."

And so, Tsukasa Sojiro did.

"Kagome, come in sweetie. It's getting late." Nodoka called out from the entryway.

The sky was twinkling with stars, the air growing colder as winter began slithering next to autumn. Seated by the steps was a little girl waiting for signs of dark coats and blue eyes, heart heavy with the weight of longing and grief.

"Mami… Did 'Gome do something wrong?" She asked when her mother tucked her in under the covers of her bed. Despite the thick wool and warm duvet, the cold managed to slink in and take a hold of her small form.

Nodoka bit her lip and blinked her tears away. "Of course not. Why do you think that honey?"

"Cause Papi says bad girls are punished. 'Gome didn't eat her greens so Papi didn't come." She sniffled. "'Gome promise to eat the greens so Papi will come home."

Countless numbers of clean plates after, Kagome still wonders what she did wrong. Mami says she's a good girl and that Papi's just having troubles but she knew it's because of her. She brushes her teeth every night, sleeps on time, and always follows whatever mami says… But still, papi still hasn't come back.

Every night, she sat by the steps, waiting and praying.

Sojiro never came.

And Kagome hears Nodoka cry every single night until she stopped.

So she stopped crying too.

But still, she waited.

Sougo was a weird man. But Kagome liked him enough. He always drops by and plays with her ever since he saved her from the bad guy with the weird yukata and Kagome appreciates the company - especially now that Sojiro has stopped loving her. Mami also seems to like him, he helps around the house fixing things and stuff.

But sometimes, she wants him gone.

It feels wrong for her to play with and get piggy backs from someone that was not her papi and if Sojiro ever thought of coming back, he certainly wouldn't anymore now that she started playing with Sougo-san instead of waiting for him.

So she started ignoring Sougo-san.

Even if he's nice and always gives her gifts and sweets, Kagome will stay strong because papi told her that he's the one who loves her the most and even if he left, he's still her papi and papi is irreplaceable. Even if papi doesn't love Gome anymore, Gome still loves him very much.

But as it was, Sougo was one stubborn man.

She cried and wailed, driving him away. Because she's starting to forget what papi looks like and Souga-san's face was slowly replacing her memories of black hair and blue eyes.

No. She can't forget papi.

Not like this.

He will come back…

He always did.

So Sougo-san should leave because papi will get sad if he finds out that there's a stranger taking his place in Kagome and Nodoka's hearts.

Even now, he's starting to corrupt mami. Sougo-san should really leave now because at this point, she'd lose mami as well. Papi's gone, and mami's slowly drifting away because her heart has started to move on and forget papi - and Kagome's a part of papi so if mami forgets papi, will she forget 'Gome too?

Stupid Sougo-san you're breaking everyone apart!

"Stop it! Don't take mami away too! You can never be papi! Leave!" Her little fists were blurry as she shrieked for him to go away.

Sougo hugged her close and ignored the heartbreaking hits Kagome was giving him, her balled up hands thumping at his chest. He hummed lowly and cradled the doll-like child as if she was made of precious glass, giving a distraught Nodoka a meaningful look as he tried to calm the hurting girl down.

"Who says I'm taking away your mami?" He asked when she quieted down enough, her grip crinkling the smooth material of his shirt.

"Gome can see it. Mami's replacing papi… If mami forgets papi, she'll forget Gome too." Sougo can see Nodoka's heart splintering at the whispered words and deep down, he felt guilty for causing such thoughts to happen.

But despite this, he won't let go.

"Kagome-chan…" It took a while but he finally managed to make the little girl look at him, her blue eyes teary and red. He brushed the droplets away with a loving hand. "I won't take your mami away. I promise."

"Pinky promise?"

He hooked his pinky around her smaller one.

"But can I have Nodoka?"

With splintering resolve, Kagome breathed out; "Okay."

Souga-san can stay. As long as mami is hers. And surely papi won't get angry right?

Because Sojiro is papi.

And Sougo-san is papa.

Sougo's transition into the Higurashi household was smooth as silk. Nodoka's father caught wind of Nodoka and Sougo's planned marriage and immediately went over to act as the priest - deeming it as his personal duty as the Higurashi patriarch despite living way back in Oita.

If people wondered about Kagome and her lack of resemblance to Sougo, no one had dared to mention it.

Sougo however, ended up marrying into the family, willingly choosing their name over his to further strengthen the Higure bloodline - something that pleased Higurashi Daisuke to no end and allowing Sougo to receive the old man's full support, no matter how suspicious Daisuke was on their first meeting.

Kagome was pretty happy with things. Her mami was smiling again and papa-Sougo could finally stay for good. Despite everything lovely that was happening, there was still an incessant tick that repetitively clicks by the back of her mind however.

What if papi does come back?

What if she has to pick?

Papi or papa?

The thought had her hurling in anxiety.

"Give this number a call for me?" Sougo suddenly stated out of the blue after they ate dinner, his fingers holding out a wrinkled paper with scrawled numbers. The six year old scrunched her nose but did as told.

It took three rings for the line to pick up and Kagome was thankful for the warmth that her papa has provided from her position on top of his lap. She snuggled closer to him and he patted her hair in what seemed to be comfort.

No one prepared her for the familiar voice that spoke up from the other end of the line however.

"Pa...pi-?" she mumbled.

The line went quiet and Kagome felt tears start to heat at her eyeballs.

Her voice shook but she persisted. "Papi."

"Hello kiddo." Sojiro finally answered.

Sougo watched and continued patting his step daughter as she cried over his phone, sweet nothings and a plethora of 'I miss you's spilling forth like a bubbling brook.

It didn't take long for anger to replace the words of adoration however, and the newly proclaimed Higurashi man winced on behalf of Sojiro.

"Why did you leave 'Gome and mami behind?! You don't love us enough?!" She screamed into the phone with a certain level of raw emotion that betrays her youth. "I hate you papi! I hate you! You lied! You left!"

"Shhh. You don't mean that Kagome-chan." Sougo softly said. He doesn't need to see Sojiro to imagine the sheer heartbreak he could feel emitting from the silence of the call.

"I'm so sorry Kagome…" A rough, cracking voice spoke up from the gadget. "Papi can't protect you. Please forget papi. Papi's a bad person. Your new papa can love you more that I ever could. Go and be happy kiddo… Papi loves you but Sougo-san can love you more."

*Click*

"E-Eh?! Papi?! Wait! Gome didn't mean it! Papi!" As Sougo comforted the weeping child who's got her own heart broken by the very man that was supposed to protect her, he mildly regretted allowing Sojiro to give Kagome the closure she needed.

He didn't expect Tsukasa Sojiro to be a very big coward after all.

"Do you hate your papi Kagome-chan?"

"...Hai."

"Why?"

"Cause he left."

"Do you know why?"

"...No. Papi never told Gome."

"Don't tell anyone I told you this but, Sojiro-papi did it to protect you and mami."

"Why would he do that?"

"Because your papi's a hero. He doesn't want Kagome-chan and Nodoka-mami to get hurt."

"...But why can't he protect us? Right here?"

"You know those villains we watch in cartoons?"

"The witches, and the goblins?"

"Yes! They like hurting the heroes' friends and family right?"

"Is that why Papi left?"

"Exactly Kagome-chan! Your papi loves you very much but the bad guys are too strong. He has to fight them away from you so you won't get hurt."

"How about you papa? Do you have villains to fight too? Will you leave us too?"

"Haha-compared to your papi, papa's a side character! I don't have bad guys to fight! Instead, I keep you close and keep you safe while the main character's away to fight away the villains!"

"Papa's stronger than papi. Because you didn't run like he did."

"...Do you still hate your papi Kagome-chan?"

"...no."

"Good girl! Papi and papa are so proud of you!"

"As long as papa's here. It's okay for papi to keep fighting. Then, when I'm strong enough, I'll fight with him! You'll support me right papa?"

"Always."

He's a liar.

That was all that Kagome was thinking as she stared and stared at the picture of a smiling Sougo. The room was empty and cold.

"Papa, you lied." She said. Her voice echoed and bounced ominously around the sheer white walls. The smell of incense was heavy in the air and Kagome felt as if she's going to throw up.

"Souta needs you. I need you." They said it was a car crash. The rain made the road slippery and Sougo lost control, swerving around the corner until his car crashed against an electric post.

Dead on arrival, she heard them say.

Her hands trembled as she took out his cracked phone, the gadget miraculously surviving the wreckage, having been kept safe under the folds of office uniform and fragile flesh.

Flipping it open, she dialed the number she had kept in her memories from years ago.

She needs someone. Anyone.

Papa's gone.

Papa's gone.

"Papi… Please please…" She cried out, begging and pleading for her papi to pick up. The walls are closing in and she can't breathe and there's no papa to chase away the coldness that had struck deep within her bones.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

Kagome clung to the ringing cell as she sobbed and wailed.

He never picked up.

It was years after that when they finally crossed paths once more.

And Sojiro arrived just in time to see his own flesh and blood in a state that he would've never imagined to be possible.

By the time he regained control of his body, he was bleeding.

Kagome stood on top of the shrine steps, her wrist bent in an odd angle from throwing his hulking mass halfway down the stairs, blue eyes scalding with pure fury and frigid indifference - the juxtaposed emotions somehow blending well together and petrifying the stunned man. It suddenly got harder to breathe.

"How fucking dare you show up." she hissed.

Sojiro ignored the ache of his body as he picked himself up, wincing as he felt the signs of a sprain pierce through one of his ankles.

He swallowed and tried to channel the stoic mask he had perfected for years. "I wanted to make sure you're alright. After…"

Full blown laughter cut him off and he shivered at the sound.

"Spare me your dramatics Sojiro." If emotional pain can cause physical damage, he would've died for sure at that very moment. "I never needed you. And I still don't need you."

She turned away and dismissed him like he was nothing.

Perhaps… He truly is.

"Get the hell out of our shrine grounds."

"You're still a minor." He spoke up, watching her stiffen. "And you're my daughter-"

"I was never your daughter. Maybe once upon a time. But you lost me the moment you decided to tuck your stupid tail between your legs and ran." Every word was a hit. Thankfully, he'd grown used to the feeling of pain from years of heartbreak and grief.

"The government will ship you off into an orphanage. I'm sure you will not appreciate that."

"You're not obligated to play family with me Sojiro. You lost that privilege long ago."

"I won't. But I'm willing to stand as your guardian so you could continue living in the shrine. I'll pay for everything. I won't let the Higure shrine fall into a stranger's hands."

He expected her to fight him, to deny his help, but it simply hurt more when she turned and regarded him coolly.

"Finally, you made yourself useful. Do whatever you want. I'm keeping the shrine and if all it takes is for you to burn some of your filthy cash, then so be it." Something squeezed at his chest and Sojiro clenched his fingers closed to keep from reaching up to grasp at it.

"I'll use you as long as I need to. Don't forget that."

He should've expected that she will treat him with disdain and anger. And he did. But it never did lessen the pain when she regarded him as nothing but her means of keeping her home safe and sound.

The shock of Nodoka's passing and Kagome's anger finally bore down on him and Sojiro choked his cries beneath a shaking fist. The privacy of his room offered little to no comfort as he wept for the woman he had and still loved. Nodoka was a piece of the puzzle he had long ago grown to accept that will never be completed simply because they were not meant to stay together. Her death was a heavy weight that crushed deeply at him, further pulling her away from his reach.

Stuck in a loveless marriage, he ached for her.

And now, she's gone forever.

He should've fought his way in, should've paid his respects to her. But under the might of Kagome's sheer fury, he crumpled and curled like he did years ago from under the might of his mother's power.

Even after all these years, Tsukasa Sojiro is still a coward.

[1] Short for Wakagashira; man of power directly under the Oyabun or Kumicho. In layman's term; the heir.

[2] Oyabun is the head of a Yakuza clan. It is rare for Oyabuns to retire as they usually lead their gumi until death.

(Unbeta-ed and unchecked)

Okay I honestly have NO idea where to start I have so many things to say and asdffhjgfghjdfjhfdh

Ahem- anyways, I'm really reaaaaally sorry that it took so long for me to update TwT And that I'm very thankful for the amount of support you guys have shown me and I truly owe you all! I honestly thought I'd never manage to get this chapter done but I came back and read your reviews to fuel me so ta-da~! Here we are!

Not gonna lie, writing has been VERY difficult for me this month for some reason and it sucks cause I don't want to keep you guys waiting but then my brain be liek; hehe no.

It's been hard but I'm glad I managed to push myself into writing :D

Ahem, anyways; this chapter is mainly here to build up Sojiro's character before we get to the shit that is Miharu vs Sojiro (laughs)

Of course, there are still a lot of questions that are not answered in these series of flashbacks so if you have specific things you want to know, please do tell me and I'll answer them in the next chapter!

Sojiro is a little troublesome to write to be honest haha. I have to pretty much balance his strength and cowardice which proves to be pretty damn difficult and my brain almost came out of my ears, not gonna lie. I guess I just want him to come out as this dad who loves his daughter too much that he became so fearful of that love that he simply decided on taking the easy way out; ie: leaving both Kagome and Nodoka under the guise of keeping them safe - which is true, but when it comes down to it, he let his fear take over.

Sougo is correct when he called Sojiro a coward.

Kagome got all her guts from Mrs. H so it seems.

But don't worry, I'll snap some spine into him, he just needs a lil push haha.

Please review~!

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Veni Vidi Amavi: DONE

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Ignes Avaritia:

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R&R~

「And thus I wither」