Ch. 5- Time Heals

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Story and OCs © Me

After arriving back at the village, Ichiro had gotten his injury properly treated and bandaged. However, he was still grounded for leaving the house without permission and putting himself in danger, not to mention he got extra chores for 2 weeks. He didn't seem very upset, though. He was just glad to be home with his family, again.

As for Tsukihime, Koga made it clear that she was not allowed to leave the den without an escort, and in the event that either Koga, Ayame, or Ginta and Hakkaku were unable to come to the village to pick her up, she was given strict instructions to stay with Inuyasha and Kagome until they did come, no exceptions. While the wolf demon princess was a little miffed about it, she didn't complain, knowing fully well she brought it on herself.

At least the two friends were still allowed to see each other.

"I'm glad you're back home safe," said Roku as he and Tsukihime sat with Ichiro, who was sitting in his futon with bandages around his head.. "You really had me worried for a while."

"Sorry," said Ichiro.

"Don't sweat it," Roku replied. "And besides! You're almost done being grounded!"

"Yeah, but my Mom says I still have to take it easy for a little while because I hurt my head," said Ichiro. "I can't do any rough stuff."

"Fine by us," said Roku.

"Yeah," Tsukihime agreed.

"...By the way, Tsuki," said Ichiro as he looked to the wolf demon girl. "I forgive you."

"Huh?" Tsukihime muttered...before her eyes and her face flushed red. "...Oh...y-you actually heard me?"

"Wait, what happened?" Roku asked.

"Don't worry about it, Roku," Ichiro replied. "It's in the past. Right, Tsuki?"

"...Yeah," Tsukihime smiled.

"...I don't really get it," Roku began, "but...I guess it's no big deal."

"Tsukihime!"

Tsukihime turned to see Kagome walk in.

"Your parents are here," she said.

"Well, I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow," said Tsukihime. "See ya later, Ichi. See ya, Roku."

"See ya," Ichiro replied.

"Get home safe," Roku added.

Soon, Tsukihime was outside, greeting Koga and Ayame with a hug, said her goodbyes to Kagome and Inuyasha (once again calling him "Mr. Mutt", as always), and began the trek back to the wolf demon clan's den.

"...Hey, Mom? Dad?" asked Tsukihime, causing her parents to glance down at her. "...I...I still think about Keiko, now and then."

"...Well, of course, you do," said Ayame. "Even though some weeks have gone by, she'll always be on your mind."

"...I thought that I should try and forget her," said Tsukihime. "I thought to myself that as long as I'm smiling and nobody worries, everything's all right." She then sighed as she looked down at the ground. "But...I realized that's not how it works. I can smile...I can try and force myself to be happy...but it's not the same...and because I tried to keep up appearances, I had a fight with Ichi...and I was scared we weren't gonna be best friends, anymore."

"I know," Koga replied. "Trust me, Tsuki, I felt the same way."

"...So...it's okay if I still miss her, right?" asked Tsukihime.

"Of course, it's okay," Ayame assured as she gently stroked her daughter's hair. "Tsuki...even if the time we spent with Keiko was short, it was happy...and we still love her and will always miss her, sure, but we don't let it stop us from feeling anything."

"That's right," said Koga. "I still feel sad about her, too, sometimes, but I know I have to live the life that I've got...she'd want it that way."

"...I know," said Tsukihime. "And...it's kind of weird...in a way, it feels like she's still here."

"Of course, she is," said Ayame. "She'll always be with us as long as we keep the love we gave her alive in our hearts...and in time, we might share that love with a new baby."

Tsukihime smiled before she went up and hugged her parents, who both hugged her back as the flower petals gently fell on the wind. Then, after a moment, she pulled away before she began to walk ahead of her parents, but made sure she didn't get too far away. As they walked, Koga gently took Ayame by the hand before he gave her a warm, loving smile.

"...So," he began, "you think we should tell her?"

"...When we get home, we will," Ayame replied...gently placing a hand over her stomach and rubbing it tenderly.

THE END

Yeah, I know, short chapter, but at least it's finished!

Review, please!