Those We Leave Behind

Prologue

In the Beginning...

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"I'm gonna get you Kazuma." The young girl giggled as she ran after her companion and best friend.

"Ha! You'll never get me. You're a girl. Everyone knows boys are faster than girls."

The two six-year-old children adored each other. They would play together for hours at the shrine. But the picture didn't look quite right. You see, the cute little girl was clearly Japanese, but the boy had carrot orange hair that was often the cause of ridicule when he was among other children. They teased him because he was different.

The little girl, Kagome Higurashi, was his only true friend. When his parents died in a plane crash during a business trip along with Kagome's father, Kagome's family took in Kazuma, the young boy, and his older sister, Shizuru.

"Tag! I caught you! Hahaha! That'll teach you to respect girls."

Kagome's grandfather, who had been watching their play, tried to correct the young boy's manners. It was crucial at this age to instill in him a sense of honor. Since Kazuma's parents were dead, Grandpa saw it as his responsibility to make sure that boy would grow up to be a man, especially because he was the only male influence in Kazuma's life.

"Kazuma! I thought I taught you properly about a man's honor code. It is one our family has lived by since the Sengoku Jidai. As long as you are a member of this family, you will respect it."

Grandpa hoped young Kazuma Kuwabara would learn these lessons, for they would make him a far better man. They would show and earn respect as he grew. Grandpa knew Kazuma would not be the wisest among men, but he did have attributes far more important. He was loyal, brave, and Grandpa was sure, with his help, would become honorable, as his father had been.

Kuwabara would, of course, in the future take these lessons very seriously and remember them for the rest of his life. He would grow to be a man Grandpa would be proud of. It was too bad that Grandpa wouldn't be there to see Kuwabara put these principles into practice, at least not for a very long time, for Kuwabara would soon leave the Higurashi Shrine. Shizuru, who was significantly older than Kagome and Kazuma, acquired a job after graduating college, which was paid partially by scholarship, partially by inheritance, and partially by Mrs. Higurashi.

The job Mrs. Higurashi helped her to find would be enough to support herself and her young brother but, it would take them far away from the family they had gained and the shrine they had learned to call home.

Their departure was filled with tears...and a not-so-clever ruse by six-year-olds as they tried to convince Shizuru that a stuffed Raggedy Andy doll was Kazuma while the real Kazuma hid behind the massive god tree.

Kazuma had screamed and yelled at his sister for trying to rip him from the happy place they had lived in for over a year. "I hate you! I don't wanna leave," he venomously spat as tears trickled down his face.

Mrs. Higurashi's heart broke and Grandpa grew angry.

"Kazuma Kuwabara! Apologize to your sister immediately. I have taught you far better than this. Your sister is sacrificing much for you. Learn to be respectful and appreciative." His tone grew softer toward the boy when Kazuma's head bent down in shame. "Do you realize how difficult this is for your sister, Kazuma? Do you realize how much she loves you? She wants a good life for you. Your sister has worked very hard for this opportunity. She incorrectly feels you two exceptional children are too much of a burden for us. She needs to move on and you need to stay together. You must always remember the lessons I have taught you. You must protect and defend others when they cannot do so for themselves. Go Kazuma Kuwabara. Go out and do me proud." The old man bent down and hugged the sobbing boy.

"I'll do you proud Grandpa!" As Kuwabara smiled through the tears, he promised himself he would always honor the Higurashis. He would always miss them, but they would be with him as long as he followed their code of honor.

Shizuru would never forget their surrogate mother, but she was old enough that she needed to start depending on herself to provide for her and her brother.

"Good-bye...my daughter."

Shizuru felt all the truth and love in her sentiments. "Good-bye Mother."

A tear ran down her face as she embraced the woman who had taken care of her, helped her, loved her for so long. She smiled down on Kagome. The young girl hugging Shizuru's leg, begging her to not go. After patting Kagome's head, Shizuru hugged the child gently. She would miss the happy, curious child who brightened her life. Kagome made her happy, just like she made everyone happy. It was wrong to see any expression other than a smile on that sweet angel's face.

She released the child sadly and held the four-month-old Souta one last time. Mrs. Higurashi didn't know she was pregnant until a few days after her husband's death. She was grateful for one more reminder of her beloved husband.

Shizuru would regret not seeing him grow up. She kissed the child on the forehead on his angelic face. Sadly handing the child to her new mother, she imprinted the family and the shrine she had grown to cherish as home into her mind, not that she needed to. Shizuru had little doubt she would ever forget this place.

She bowed to Grandpa and, forgoing the bow, he hugged her.

"My dear, you are strong. You will not only survive, but flourish. Do well for yourself and your brother. He will listen to you, despite that thick skull of his." Now with a twinkle in his eyes he continued, "You just have to find a way to get his attention. Be patient with him. You will make this work."

"I love you Grandpa."

"That sentiment is obvious...and reciprocated."

"Good-bye."

Grandpa didn't trust himself to speak and simply nodded. For most of the time, Grandpa was as goofy as the children who lived at the shrine, but when the time called for it, Grandpa continued to surprise those around him with his all too serious behavior.

The Higurashis saw the two who now belonged to them leave.

None of them could have known of the destinies their, then, six year olds would embark upon. One, a maiden of the past. The other, a defender of the future.

No. For now, the only thing they were sure of was that they would all meet again. After all, they were family.

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AN- I don't like it when I read stories that simply bash characters like Kuwabara or even Kikyo because I feel these stories oversimplify deceivingly complex characters. I have often wondered how Kuwabara and Grandpa seem kind of similar so this was one of the ways I try to justify that. This is my second fic and flames are welcome, as is all (hopefully helpful) criticism. Let me know what you think so far. Please, by all means, be brutally honest.