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Shameless plug time! I recently posted my first collaborated work with Nozume, an InuYasha/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover called The Crow's Last Cry, and updated my InuYasha/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover, Just a Little Kiss. Check them out if you have the time! I'd appreciate it.

Chapter 6

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Kagome sighed as she tried to focus on her schoolwork. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't bring herself to care about balancing equations and what made an aldehyde different from a ketone. Her mind was still occupied with events that seemed to occur so long ago, and her life was slowly becoming hindered by those thoughts. She groaned as her head fell forward onto her desk.

How long is this going to last?

As soon as Wayne returned to wherever he came from with the young heroes in tow, all conversation about the Justice League and the Team came to an abrupt end as though they were never in Japan at all. Every day after came and went as it did before. Kagome went to school, ate her daily meals in the dining room with her family, picked up Sota from practice after school, and continued her training with Sesshomaru and Shippo. Kaldur, Wally, and Dick made no attempts to contact her after they left just as she requested and simply faded into the background. Kagome absolutely hated it and didn't know why.

This is exactly what I asked for. What I wanted all along, she thought, Why do I feel like this?

Kagome pushed herself away from her desk and stood. Only pausing to grab a thin jacket, she left the mansion without announcing her departure. Her destination was unknown, but she continued walking. Wherever she ended up, she thought it would help her make some sense of her feelings and what they meant.

Her feet eventually brought her to the familiar shores of Miho no Matsubara beach. Kagome hoped the peaceful scenery would help clear her mind as it always did before, but she was plagued with fleeting visions of exactly what she was trying to forget. She saw herself with Kaldur speaking softly to each other as they walked side by side through the tide. She, Dick, and Wally were sitting with their feet buried in the surf as they built lumpy mounds of sand and drew scribbles on the ground with their fingertips. In every image, she was happy, more than content with their company.

I miss them, she finally admitted, but being happy wasn't enough to uproot her life and go off to save the world again.

Kagome kneeled down in the wet sands and picked up a stray twig. Within seconds, she drew a crude chart on the ground with two empty columns. Ignoring her feelings and continuing with her normal routine hasn't worked, so maybe laying it all out once and for all would yield better results.

"Let's see," she mused aloud, "The pros of not joining the Team…"

First and foremost, Kagome could remain in Shizuoka living comfortably with her family and friends within the city and her mother and grandfather in Tokyo. She would also be free to pursue a normal life. She could finish high school and go onto college. With how much her grades improved after she started school again, she could enroll in any university she wanted with a little help from Sesshomaru's bank account. Kagome could get a real career and have normal relationships that would lead to her getting married and starting a family of her own. A family that wouldn't be in constant danger by the life she would lead as an active heroine.

Kagome continued listing reasons to support the decision she made, making a mark in the sand for each one. By the time she finished, there were over a dozen marks filling up that column.

"That's done. Let's move on to the cons," Kagome said before she began the process again.

She could certainly do more good in the human world as a member of the superhero group than what she was doing now against otherworldly attacks beyond the scope of Makai. She was an immensely powerful miko, but Sesshomaru and all of the other powerful yōkai and active wielders of reiki sustained the balance between the two worlds long before she reappeared. They were more than capable of monitoring the barrier without her, but their knowledge on mutant and alien creatures was seriously lacking. Other than the academics Shippo mentioned before, most demons did not see the merit in studying and understanding these beings. The recent incident with the Black Mantis gang put her on edge, but even that didn't give her enough motivation to call Wayne and reverse her decision.

By the time she finished the diagram, there were only three marks in that column. It was easy to tell with the side by side comparison that she made the right choice. She had far too much to lose if she ran off and joined the Team.

Kagome blew up her bangs as she furiously scratched out the chart and tossed the stick away. No matter how many marks she made tallying up her convictions opposed to her doubts, she still felt like she made the wrong decision.

She didn't jump when she felt the demonic presence suddenly approach her from behind and take a seat beside her.

"There's a famous Noh drama set here, ya know," Shippo said, his tone light and conversational. When Kagome didn't comment, he continued. He knew she was listening.

"It's called Hagoromo. Some fishermen in the area find the discarded celestial feather robe of a beautiful tennyo and take it. When she approaches them to ask for it back, one of the fishermen named Hakuryō agreed to return it after she told him she would not be able to return home to heaven without it. In exchange, he asked to see her perform her celestial dance, and the tennyo agreed with no hesitation.

"Even though Hakuryō understood by the tennyo's plight, he was still skeptical and believed she would flee as soon as he returned her robe. To assuage her worries, the tennyo said that all doubts were earthbound and assured him deceit did not exist in the heavens.

"So, after Hakuryō gave her the robe, the tennyo performed her dance of the Celestial Palace of the Moon just as she promised before disappearing beyond the peak of Mount Fuji in the mist never to return."

"Nice story," Kagome uttered. She always enjoyed Noh Theater, but she doubted Shippo summarized this play just to cheer her up.

"It is," he agreed, "All things considered."

"What do you mean by that?"

"The play is based on an old folktale. In the original story, a man intentionally steals and hides the celestial robe, ultimately condemning the tennyo to remain on Earth and forcing her to become his wife.

"That version of the story is very popular, and there are variations of it in other cultures. Birds known for their grace and beauty like doves and swans that take the form of lovely human women after they remove their skin of feathers are the chosen shape shifters in a lot of stories. There are also tales of creatures called selkies from Scottish folklore whose true form is that of a seal, she-wolves in Croatia, and buffalo maidens in African countries.

"The husband always manages to keep the robe hidden from his animal bride, and they live together like any other married couple. That is until their children are old enough to sneak around and figure out why their beloved mother weeps at night away from anyone who could see. They search their home and inevitably discover where their father hides their mother's true skin. Then, like all good children who love their mother dearly, they return it to her so that they can stop her tears. She takes her skin and leaves her family without looking back. With no intentions to return ever again. It's a tragic fate shared by nearly everyone involved in the story, but good old Hakuryō avoided all that because he listened to the tennyo and allowed her to return where she belonged instead of selfishly forcing her to stay."

Kagome snorted and said, "Again, nice story. What's your point?"

Shippo grinned. "Come on, Kaa-san. You know it's not that easy, right? Put a little effort into it."

Kagome sighed and fell back on the sand not minding the moist grains clinging to her clothes and hair.

"If you're trying to make some parallels between my life and that play, it isn't going to work. I'm hardly an angel caught running around in the buff on the beach after she stopped by Earth for a field trip."

"Who says I'm making parallels?" Shippo countered, "I just thought hearing a classic Japanese drama would distract you for a while. I noticed you've been a very confusing place lately."

"I'm still there, and I have no idea why." Kagome rolled over on her side, so she could see the ocean. The visions were still there, but she couldn't bring herself to look away.

"If they didn't take my feathers, and I'm free to fly home, why aren't I happy to be where I belong?"

"This is where you belong?"

"Of course it is. Where else would home be?"

Shippo said nothing as he laid down next to Kagome with his chest against her back and his arm comfortably draped over her stomach. Kagome closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. The only sounds she could hear were the waves crashing against the shoreline and the even pattern of Shippo's heartbeat. Her question remained unanswered.

-O0o0O-

Silent and thoughtful, Kaldur sat on the shores of Happy Harbor. It was nothing compared to the beach he saw in Shizuoka, but he often found himself wandering out here after he, Robin, and Wally returned to the states. He closed his eyes and tuned out his surroundings, focusing on the waves hitting the sand banks, ever shifting and turbulent like his thoughts.

By all intents and purposes, Kaldur shouldn't be so preoccupied. All of the loose ends were taken care of, they returned to their base, and the mission was officially closed. Even so, Kaldur couldn't let this mission and the girl he met because of it go.

Before they left Japan for good, Kaldur briefly considered going to speak to Kagome in a final effort to convince her to reconsider her decision. A quick glance at his teammates confirmed he wasn't the only one with that idea. Ultimately, no one followed through with it. No matter how much they didn't like it, they wordlessly decided to honor Kagome's wishes and not approach her again.

It certainly does not make it any easier to accept it.

The more Kaldur thought about it—intentionally or otherwise—the more he realized he didn't know much about Kagome. The information was practically irrelevant, but he still wanted to know more about her. How did she meet Sesshomaru? Why was she so dear to him and everyone else in his inner circle? What exactly were her powers? When and how did she learn of them? How many people knew she had them?

Kaldur frowned when he considered that last question. Based on what he learned about the surface world from his mentor and his personal experience, he imagined there weren't many who did. That was one thing he didn't like about the established social hierarchy on the surface. Individuals with powers like Kagome were ostracized and ridiculed for their gifts, regarded as no more than freaks and outcasts. The only exception was if their abilities were used for someone's benefit whether it was for justice, crime, or curiosity, and even that had its limitations. Kagome would not be fully accepted by her own kind for what she was and what she was capable of.

It wasn't like that at all in Atlantis. Magic like Kagome's would be respected even if it made her different from land dwellers or even Atlanteans like himself. Her power was as much a part of her as her long raven hair, her clear blue eyes, and her kind, gentle smile. Her unique skills would be nurtured and encouraged to grow alongside those of her peers. There was nothing to accept because there was nothing wrong with her. Kagome could freely be Kagome, and Kagome was okay, much more than okay. She was perfect.

Unbidden, the thought of bringing Kagome to see his undersea home entered Kaldur's mind. He was sure she'd love it in Atlantis much like he enjoyed being with her in Shizuoka.

Chuckling bitterly, Kaldur shook his head. No matter what, Kagome was out of his reach. Even if she wasn't, modern technology only allowed non-Atlanteans to withstand underwater conditions for a short time. Bringing Kagome to his home was nothing more than an errant daydream.

For all Kaldur didn't know about Kagome, there were a few important things he was aware of. He knew her family and friends meant a great deal to her, so much that she would do everything she could to protect them. She was a compassionate and loving girl who trusted others easily. Once given, her loyalty did not waver, but that made the sting of betrayal hurt even worse.

Kagome was also impulsive and heavily influenced by her emotions, a wildcard who rushed into battle with no plan or strategy. In addition to that, they didn't know the complete scope of her powers making her all the more unpredictable, a loose cannon the Team did not need.

Even so…

"Kaldur?"

He looked up to see M'gann standing next to him, concern written all over her green freckled face. Kaldur grinned; it was touching.

"Hello, M'gann. You were looking for me?" he asked.

"Yup!" she answered, speaking as cheerfully as she always did, "It's not about anything official. I just thought it would be nice to talk to you since you rarely stay at the Cave with me and Superboy. I should have known that if I wanted to find you, I had to start looking closest to the water."

M'gann subsequently stiffened as she panicked and blurted out, "I'm sorry! Was that offensive was it?"

Kaldur laughed as he shook his head. "Not at all. Besides, your assumption turned out to be true enough."

"Right," she replied, still somewhat sheepish, "So did anything happen while you were away with Robin and Wally? Anything you can officially tell me that is."

After a few seconds of thought, Kaldur shrugged and decided there was no harm in telling M'gann about the situation with Kagome as long as he was discreet. A female's insight might provide an interesting outlook.

"I met a girl," he decided to say.

M'gann girlishly squealed and plopped down in the sand next to him, eager to begin this conversation. Her team leader was soft spoken and kind, but Kaldur was a bit too aloof for the Martian's liking. Like all of her friends and teammates on Earth, M'gann wanted him to be more open with her. The fact that he met a girl he liked and wanted to share it was much more than she hoped for.

"That is wonderful, Kaldur!" she cried, "Tell me everything about her! What's her name? What is she like? How did you meet her? Don't leave anything out!"

Kaldur smiled at M'gann's enthusiasm before he began to speak.

"Her name is Kagome," he answered, "We met because her guardian is an associate of Batman's alternate persona. She's a very sweet girl who showed me and the others around her home while we were in Japan."

"Kagome," M'gann repeated, "I've never heard a name like that before. I like it! But you have to tell me more than that! What does she look like? Is she pretty?"

"Yes, she is very lovely. She's slender with a creamy pale complexion, long raven hair, big bright blue eyes, and the most beautiful smile."

M'gann was beaming from ear to ear. As Kaldur spoke, his expression softened and small smile appeared on his face. She was sure he wasn't even aware of it. Just the thought of this girl made him content.

"Oh, she sounds just perfect!"

"She is very unique. I spent a lot of my time with her in Shizuoka, her home."

"Sounds like you really like her," M'gann gushed with a giddy grin. It faltered when Kaldur's expression grew somber. second ago, he was so happy, but the emotion disappeared instantaneously. She didn't understand.

He likes her, she mused, I'm sure he does! So why would he react like this?

"I do," he finally replied, "We all do. But I don't believe we will ever see her again."

"Really? Didn't you exchange numbers or something? You can still keep in touch with her without telling her about you-know-what."

"I know, but that's not the issue. Kagome and I didn't exactly part on the best terms. I doubt she'll want me to contact her again."

"Kaldur," M'gann began, her tone soft and understanding, "if this girl means as much to you as I think she does, you have to give it a try. You won't know what will happen for sure until you do. Who knows? Maybe after everything that's happened, Kagome misses you as much as you miss her."

Kaldur's lips briefly quirked upward. Perhaps Kagome did think of them fondly. It was a comforting thought no matter how unlikely it was.

It's only another daydream, he decided.

"Kaldur?" she asked when he didn't respond, "Are you alright?"

"I am. Thank you for coming to speak to me, M'gann. I appreciate it."

"No problem. I'm always here if you need to talk."

M'gann continued sitting beside the Atlantean teen until she playfully smacked herself in the forehead.

"Hello, Megan! What am I doing? You probably want some time by yourself, huh?"

She stood and brushed the sand from her skirt.

"I'll see you inside, okay?"

Kaldur nodded as she walked away. "Thank you again, M'gann."

When he was alone once more, Kaldur stood to his feet and waded into the surf. He closed his eyes when the sea breeze picked up and gently bathed his skin.

"Come play with me!"

Kaldur's eyes snapped opened as he turned around, looking for the owner of the phantom voice he heard. Although there was absolutely no possibility of seeing Kagome beside him, Kaldur was still disappointed when she wasn't standing there. With a grim expression, he looked back at the setting sun. He wondered how long it would be before his memories of Shizuoka truly faded.

"Kaldur-kun…"

"I'm so sorry."

He also wondered if he truly wanted to lose them at all.

-O0o0O-

Kagome sighed as she changed into her boys' uniform. A meeting with her homeroom teacher this afternoon put her behind schedule. He was concerned that her grades were slipping and her overall attitude toward academics diminished significantly. He suggested she get involved with a school club to boost her morale particularly the kyūdo club.

With thinly veiled indifference, Kagome told him outright she had no desire to join any school team, and, if her academic performance was becoming such an issue, he should take his concerns up with Sesshomaru. She wasn't sure if it was shock from her reply or fear of her guardian that kept him silent, but she was able to leave the teacher's staff room without reprimand.

Her teacher wasn't the only one on the receiving end of Kagome's verbal lashings. She knew her behavior was childish, but she couldn't help it. Her temper shortened considerably after her day at the beach with Shippo. She questioned herself and her decision more than ever, agonizing over every detail for hours on end. All she wanted to do was burrow into her bed sheets and wallow in self-pity. Unfortunately, Sesshomaru had zero tolerance for laziness and forced her from her bedroom despite how miserable she was.

At first, Kagome was able to feign her usual cheerful temperament except she kept to herself and her peers when spoken to. After a few days, she grew tired of keeping up appearances and, to be frank, became a real bitch when anyone provoked her.

I just don't fit in here anymore, she thought as she stuffed her regular uniform into her backpack. When she stood and saw herself in the mirror, she frowned at her reflection. Her eyes were rimmed with dark circles and began to sink into her face. Her hair was dull and flat, and her skin was pale. She snorted a chuckle at her appearance. What a drab, dismal creature she was.

Or maybe I never fit in, and I've just realized it.

Kagome shook her head before she gathered her hair into a low ponytail and stepped out of the bathroom.

"I'll be back at the usual time, Obaa-san," she called out as she walked to the exit.

"Alright, dear," the older woman replied, her nose buried in her manga, "I'll have some sweets ready when you come back. I also think you and I need to have a little heart-to-heart chat."

Kagome paused and looked over at her. "Really? What about?"

The old woman snorted as she closed her comic and placed it on the counter. "Don't give me that bull. My eyesight may have diminished with my old age, but I can clearly see you are not okay and you have not been okay for a long time."

Kagome sighed and turned around, reclining against the glass door.

"You're right," she said, folding her arms over her chest, "Lately, I just don't know if I'm where I should be. And, if I'm not, where is the place that I belong?"

The shopkeeper smiled and leaned forward on the counter with her elbows bent and her head resting on her open palms.

"Dear, the answer to that question isn't one that comes easily, and that's life. Its experience, changes, new people, and new places. You might not know if Shizuoka is where you belong, but you'll never be absolutely sure if it's all you ever know. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"I think so," she replied with a single nod, "There is somewhere else I could be right now, but I'm afraid I already passed up that opportunity. There's no going back. It's over."

"So what?"

"So what? I can't just change my mind, and go back. I made my choice, and I have to honor it. Besides…"

She trailed off thinking of Kaldur's sickening burnt flesh and the horrified looks on his, Wally's, and Dick's faces.

"…I just can't go back."

"Come on, dear. That's not you. You've never been so weak."

"And just what do you know about me?" Kagome countered, angrily narrowing her eyes.

Obaa-san tilted her head back and laughed, her belly shaking with the force of her guffaws.

"That's it, my dear! Kagome, you make a tough young man and an even tougher young lady. Don't you dare lie down without putting up a fight! Do exactly what you want."

Kagome's eyes widened before she slowly began to laugh. She was so angry at that woman's gall and now her heart felt so light and free. Maybe, after all this time, the solution was that simple.

Not even InuYasha could stop me from doing what I wanted to do. It seems pretty to let myself stop me.

"You're right," she finally stated, "You know, almost everyone I speak to told me a version of what you just said, but it didn't really start to sink in until just now."

"Not a problem, dear," Obaa-san said. She paused to reach under the counter and pull a paper bag she slid in Kagome's direction.

"Take these now. I have a feeling you need to go straight home and do some tall thinking."

Kagome smiled and approached the counter to slip the bag of mochi in her backpack.

"Thanks for everything, Obaa-san. On the off chance I don't see you again, you make the best ohagi on the block and give the best advice in the region."

"You flatter me! In that case, you are the prettiest thing I've seen outside of my manga collection with a right hook that rivals Hokuto Akira's."

"Really?" Kagome uttered, "Shojo manga I can understand, but pro wrestling?"

"Let me finish," she interjected, "Make sure you have that brother of yours stop by to see me once in a while. And, if you really find yourself in a pinch, cock that hip to the side and bat those eyelashes of yours a few times. You'll be out of trouble in no time!"

"What are you trying to say?" Kagome asked, grinning.

"Come on, dear," the old woman said with a roll of her eyes, "One of the main reasons a girl, especially one as pretty as you are, gets in a fix like this is a man, and I seem to recall three very handsome young men who were very happy to be in your company not so long ago."

"Obaa-san, you have the uncanny ability to know pretty much everything," Kagome responded with a thoughtful hum. Obaa-san didn't notice and simply continued talking.

"Hey, you don't get to be this old by not paying attention. You either pick these things up or end up six feet under before your thirties."

"You do have a point. Until I see you again, goodbye, Obaa-san."

"So long, dear. You'll find where you belong. A kid like you will do great no matter what."

Kagome politely bowed before she turned and approached the door. When she placed her hand on the knob, she looked back at the shop owner wearing a crooked grin.

"Need anything else, dear?" she asked.

Kagome scoffed and stepped wary from the doorway. "Cut the crap, Shi-chan. You think I don't know my own grand-kit when I see him?"

In a sudden puff of white smoke, the stout woman was replaced with a good-looking boy in his early teens with rich chocolate eyes and auburn hair cut short barely hiding two triangle shaped ears. His features were sharp with an elflike beauty but still childishly round with his youth. He bashfully bent his head and peek at Kagome from underneath his lashes.

"I wuv you, grandma," he mumbled cutely.

Kagome smirked with her hands on her hips. "Too wittle, too wate."

He sighed and hopped over the counter with his hands in the pockets of his apron. "How long do you know it was me?"

"Shigeru, puh-lease! Your father made better illusions than that when he could still ride on my shoulder. You think with all that age and experience you boast about, you could be a little more convincing."

"I'm just 158," he retorted with a pout, "It takes a lot of skill to fool a priestess of your caliber, and I only have three tails thank you very much."

"Excuses, excuses," Kagome said as she chuckled and walked back to her grand-kit.

When she was close enough, the fox half demon put his head in her hands cooing happily as she stroked his ears. Kagome grinned as she stroked the velvety soft appendages. As old as he was, Shigeru was Shippo and Rin's youngest child, unmated with the apparent age of a teenager around 14 years old. She didn't have any favorites amongst their children, but most of them moved out and had families of their own. Though she loved them all dearly but disrupting their lives just because she felt a little lonely wasn't an option. As young as he was, Shigeru didn't have such obligations, so he got most of her attention to the ire of his parents and older siblings. He also had a bedroom at Sesshomaru's home but usually stayed at his parents' house. Lately, he was scare around the manor, and it was clear why he was.

"Did Shippo put you up to this?" she inquired.

"Not at first," he clarified, sheepish, "It was the only way to be with you without Mom and Pop hogging you all the time. When Pop found out about it, he told me to keep an eye on you after you began your little cross dressing habit. But the advice was all me. I just want you to be happy."

He paused and deviously added, "And give me a few aunts and uncles to spoil me."

Kagome giggled and pressed a kiss to his forehead before she pulled away.

"Tell you what, I'll put that idea on hold until you're able to give me some great grand-kits, so they can all grow up together."

Shigeru grinned and kissed Kagome's cheek before pulling her into a tight hug. He was still an adolescent but still a few inches taller than her.

"It's a deal. I love you, grandma."

"Love you too, Shi-chan," she replied, lingering in his arms for a while before slowly pulling away.

"Now that that's over and done with, I really need to go pick up Sota." Kagome eyed her adoptive grandson, thoughtful.

"Promise me you'll look after him while I'm gone, okay? I doubt anything's going to happen with the Black Mantis out of commission, but, if word got out that I'm leaving the city…"

Shigeru nodded. "No problem! Just leave everything to me, but, before you go, I gotta know one thing. What really gave me away? I may be between tails, but I'm still pretty damn good at my spells."

Kagome hummed, pursing her lips together in thought.

"Let's see. Ever since I found this place, I noticed that I'm your only customer who you never charge for anything yet you still manage to keep the lights on in this place. What little inventory you have expired months ago. And your ohagi which is absolute divine—"

"Thank you!" he interjected wearing a cheeky grin.

"—is without a doubt courtesy of one ornery old toad that looks after the both of us and, for some reason, puts both of our mothers' cooking to shame."

Shigeru sighed, muttering that his mother's meals could be outdone by anyone who could properly use a microwave.

"It was cheaper to make Jaken do it for me than to order in by the dozen. Besides, since the creation of the metal stove, he practically eats, sleeps, and breathes in the kitchen. He'd shower there too if he didn't care about maintaining his precious sanitary workspace."

Shigeru grabbed Kagome's hand and started to lead her outside once he put his human disguise in place. The two of them walked on the sidewalk to Sota's practice field.

"The only good part about being found out is that I can finally close this place and move all my manga back home."

"Put it off until tomorrow," Kagome suggested, "You can walk home with me and Sota then join us for a family dinner. Rin and Shippo are probably hanging around, and Jaken always cooks more than enough for all of us."

Shigeru's humanoid ears twitched. "Gramps will be there too?"

"Yup. Sesshomaru's workload is pretty light these days, so he'll be able to join us." Kagome paused.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to speak with him afterward."

"You sure you wanna go through with this?" Shigeru asked, "Go home and call up those geeks in tights so you can move to America to do whatever it is superheroes do?"

"I'll never know where I belong if this is all I ever know," she paraphrased with a smirk, "But that doesn't mean I won't be coming back."

Shigeru grinned and grabbed Kagome's forearm with both hands, lovingly rubbing his cheek against her shoulder.

"In that case, bring me back presents!" he declared, "Much, much more than Mom and Pop!"

Kagome shook her head but let the kit lean on her. She only sighed when a group of school girls passed them, blushing and whispering behind their petite hands.

"I resent that!" Shigeru huffed, "I think we do make a cute couple, Grandma."

"If you say so," she replied with a shrug, "I just disagree with one thing."

"What is that?"

"I may be shorter than you, but you're the one holding onto my arm while you're wearing a lace apron. I'd say that obviously makes me seme and you the uke."

When the odd family pair arrived to the practice field and collected the youngest Higurashi, Sota immediately noticed the change in his sister as she stood before him, casually joking with his coach and his teammates' parents. Her actions were complete genuine, not forced as they had been before. The dark cloud of uncertainty that hovered around her dispersed and her shoulders were no longer slumped—excluding the one that Shigeru clung to. She appeared calm and composed, but Sota could sense the excitement and anticipation bubbling just below the surface, the joy and confidence laced with just a twinge of fear. Sota smiled bitterly, lost in his own thoughts. He saw Kagome like this enough times to know what would happen next. She was exactly like this the day Sesshomaru came to the shrine and every time just before she jumped through the well.

She's going to leave again.

"Sota?" Kagome called out, "We're almost home, and you haven't' said a word. Is something wrong?"

"Kagome?" he uttered, his voice low and thoughtful.

"Yes?"

Sota tried to say something meaningful and profound. Something his dear sister would always remember and would let her know that it was okay that she wanted to leave again. He understood and wanted her to be happy.

"What are you going to wear?" he finally blurted out.

"Huh?" Kagome mumbled, confused, "Run that by me again?"

Sota cleared his throat and averted his eyes, embarrassed. That wasn't quite what he wanted to say, but he wasn't going to let Kagome or Shigeru know!

"Don't look at me like that. It's a perfectly legitimate question."

"How do you figure?" Shigeru questioned

"Well, Batman and Superman don't run around in spandex and brightly colored undies for the heck of it. A superhero's outfit is their identity!"

"Sota—" Kagome started to say, but he interrupted.

"It's something you have to pick out before you leave," he explained, "You can't exactly show up in your school uniform like you did when you went through the well."

Kagome was shocked. She didn't think she was that transparent.

"So you can tell, huh?" she asked, timid.

Sota grinned. "You couldn't be more obvious."

Kagome playfully rolled her eyes. Sota was always an observant child. At least he was when it came to her.

"Are you joking?" Shigeru exclaimed, pulling away from Kagome's side, "Grandma's uniform is perfect. The mini skirt is always the Magical Girl's outfit of choice!"

"Are you joking?" Sota countered, "She's not in Sailor Moon! What kind of armor value does a skirt have? Kagome needs to wear something that'll give her more protection."

"Like what? A full suit of armor? That's not cute at all!" he protested, "Besides, while Sailor Moon is a classic favorite of the genre, my go-to Magical Girl series is a toss-up between Tokyo Mew Mew and Shugo Chara." Shigeru's eyes widened, and he grinned as he came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea.

"You can have more than one outfit, right? Oh, I have ideas!"

"Guys—" Kagome attempted to butt in, but Sota cut her off.

"Lay off the girly comics already!"

"As if your manga collection is any better than mine!"

Kagome sighed and continued on the walkway to the front door of the manor. As soon as she heard the word "cat suit", she tuned out the rest of their conversation and opened the door to enter the house. Shippo waiting was in the foyer when she walked in.

"I thought I smelled that son of mine better know was 'Obaa-san'," he teased with a wink.

"You do know, if you and Rin were a little less stingy, he could come around more often as himself," she half-heartedly scolded.

The overgrown kit pouted and linked his arms around Kagome's neck, resting his head on her shoulder.

"All's fair in love and war. We do whatever it takes to come out on top even if it puts father against son!"

Kagome snorted and walked further into the entryway with the kitsune hanging of her neck.

"Whatever, drama queen," she remarked, "By the way, have you seen Sesshomaru around?" I want to talk to him. As soon as I can."

"About?"

Kagome grinned. "I have some travel arrangements I need help with."

Shippo's expression sobered and his hold on her neck subtlety tightened. "So that's what those two are going on about. You've finally decided to go, eh?"

"I thought you'd be happy for me."

"I am," he insisted, "but that doesn't mean I won't miss you, Mom. It seems like I just got you back and now you're moving clear across the world."

"I know," Kagome said, her tone bittersweet, "but I can always come back. I still have feathers."

Shippo lifted his head to press a kiss to her cheek. "Sounds good to me. I'll help you pack. Seems to me like you're gonna need it."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Between my son and your brother, you'll end up leaving this house looking like you stepped out right off the pages of a manga series. You're going to be a superhero not cosplaying for an anime convention." He thoughtfully paused.

"Admittedly, there isn't much of a visible distinction between the two, but you get the idea."

Kagome rolled her eyes, realizing her talk with Sesshomaru would have to wait. The three boys clearly wanted her full, undivided attention for as long as possible before she left no matter how obnoxious their efforts were.

Who am I kidding? I want exactly the same thing.

Kagome loudly clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, gentlemen. Let's hurry up and get this over with. If my vote counts for anything, I say I could always war my trusty gakuran."

"No way! If we're going the school uniform route, its sailor fuku all the way," Shigeru said.

"I already said she needs something that provides a better defense!" Sota argued.

"But the sailor fuku has a certain sense of nostalgia to it," Shippo said with a nod and turned to Kagome.

"You really were a sight traipsing all over the countryside in that mini skirt. If it weren't for InuYasha, you would have been ravished and mated several times over, Mom."

"Shippo!" Kagome cried, "Don't say things like that in front of them!"

He shrugged. "It's only the truth."

"I know," she replied, "But it's not the kind of thing you blurt out in front of my kid brother and my grandson!"

"It's all the more reason to nix the skirt idea," Sota quipped.

"Agreed," Shigeru added, "I already have enough trouble getting Grandma's attention around here. If she moves to America, attracts some guy, and gets married and gets pregnant, I will cease to exist!"

"Should that happen, I'll remember you fondly," Kagome remarked, her expression schooled in indifference.

"Grandma!"

"Oh, calm down, you silly kit," Kagome gently admonished as she took a step toward him. Shigeru was quick to nuzzle into her open arms, dropping his illusion to contently wag his tail.

"The likely hood of me finding a husband while I'm away is slim to none," she continued, "Justice always trumps romance in that situation."

"I wouldn't be so sure. If you remember our shard hunting days, you'll know that love always finds a way," Shippo mentioned, "And, since we're on the topic, I put my vote in for Mr. Wally West."

"What?" Kagome shouted, mortified, "Why would you even say something like that?"

"Grandma, ears," Shigeru reminded her with a grimace. She cooed and hummed as she petted his ears in a silent apology.

"But what's wrong with West?" Shippo asked, "He's a reasonable attractive redhead with bright green eyes not to mention as much of a trickster as a human can be. He's as close as I can get to you marrying a red kitsune like me without setting you up with another fox."

After the occurrence of what was unofficially dubbed the "Kurama incident", any and all foxes were barred from approaching the miko without very official clearance. Shippo and Sesshomaru strictly enforced that rule.

"I thought you didn't want me to be ravished and mated," Kagome retorted.

"If it's him, I can choke down the vomit long enough to get out my blessing," Shippo replied, "Besides, it'll increase the chances of you giving me some siblings that look like me!"

"Human genetics doesn't quite work that way. I don't offhand remember any gingers in my family tree," Kagome said, deadpanned.

"Meaningless details," Shippo dismissed with a wave of his hand.

Shigeru wrinkled his nose. "It's not enough to look like a fox, you have to act like one too. Grandma's future mate has to be the devious type, and West seems a little too slow. I personally put my money on Grayson. The younger ones are always tricksters!"

"I'm not hearing this!" Kagome said as she hurriedly pushed her grand-kit away, "I do not need you giving me advice on men!"

Sota scoffed. "Come on, Kagome. You don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to guys."

"If you can even call it that," Shippo added.

"I've had relationships with men before," Kagome insisted.

"Accidental proposals and constant kidnappings do not count as relationships," he told her, "The only exception to the rule is Koga. He's the only man I know who can get away with calling another female his woman in front of his mate."

Kagome grinned as she thought of the wolf. He was still crazy about her but in a totally different way than before. After she left, he finally gave Ayame a chance, and the two of them mated happily with a whole litter of unruly cubs to prove it. They reconnected soon after Sesshomaru moved her to Shizuoka, and, after he and Ayame tried to convince her to leave the overgrown anal mutt, Koga appointed himself as another one of her protectors since she still was a member of his pack. Apparently in the modern era, that title included screening potenital males in her life even more so than Sesshomaru and Shippo did. The last time she saw how overprotective the wolf was happened during the "Kurama indicent". Luckily, Ayame was around to keep him in line, but only so she could push Kagome on one of her grandchildren or younger sons. Kagome loved the pack as much as she did everyone else in her extended family but didn't see herself officially marrying into it anytime soon. Still, seeing Koga argue with his sons about who had the right to call her "his woman" was a hoot.

"Okay, so the list gets pretty short when you take off every guy who's ever thrown me over his shoulder and carted me off," she begrudgingly admitted, "but does that mean I have to have my baby brother, my son, and my grandson plan my romantic future?"

"Yes," they answered in unison.

"So I guess that means you're rooting for Kaldur-kun, right?" Kagome asked, looking at Sota.

"Not really," he answered with a shrug, "He's a nice guy and all, but I just want you to be happy whether you're parading around in brightly colored spandex or dating a mutant accident of science."

Kagome approached and put her arm around Sota's neck, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you for understanding," she said as she kissed the crown of his head.

"But I think we can all agree on absolutely no spandex."

"Agreed."

-O0o0O-

punkish furball – I hope you all enjoyed it. After the last, angst filled chapters, I thought something more lighthearted was in order. I'm also quire proud of Shigeru. He was created on accident, but I thought one of Shippo and Rin's kids deserved a little screen time. He'll definitely be back in other chapters!

Until next time, TCB! X3

(edited 03.12.15)