Chapter Text
Kagome hummed while she cleaned the grave in front of her. "How is this?" She asked and Kaede smiled gratefully at her.
"Thank you, child. These old bones won't let me bend down the way they used to. I appreciate it and I'm sure my dear sister does as well." The older woman said and Kagome smiled warmly at her before returning to her work. She meticulously wiped Kikyo's gravestone with a rag.
"I'm just glad I can do something after everything she did to help our family." When she was finished cleaning, Kagome placed flowers in front of the stone and was handed the deceased priestesses favorite food, which made Kagome giggle in surprise. "Kikyo loved Dangos? For some reason I wasn't expecting that!"
"Yes, many assumed it was something more graceful I suppose but my elder sister loved sweets."
"That's so cute!" Both the woman shared amused laughs together. Kagome lit the incense and they closed their eyes then clapped their hands together in prayer.
"There you are!" They heard from behind before seeing Inuyasha walk through the trees, their infant daughter safely tucked against him. Seeing how sweet he was with Moroha always made her heart skip a beat. The same hands that could tear the flesh of a demon to shreds like paper, can also be used to gently hold their baby against his shoulder with one hand on her bottom while the other was cradling the back of her head.
"Kaede needed help with Kikyo's grave before Obon started so I was lending a hand." She hurried towards them and happily took the baby. "Hi Moroha! Were you a good girl for daddy?" She asked in a sweet, baby voice while holding her up above her head.
"She threw up on my robe again." He grumbled. Kagome cuddled her daughter close, nuzzling their cheeks together and getting happy squeals in return.
"Daddy acts bothered by but he secretly likes it!" She said to which Inuyasha just snorted defiantly and walked to stand by Kaede, his hands casually crossed in his sleeves.
"Huh, I forgot Kikyo liked Dangos. Can't believe it's already time for the Obon Festival again." Kaede nodded in agreement.
"Aye. Time does seem to fly. Sometimes I can't believe she's been gone nearly fifty five years now. It seems like only yesterday."
"To be fair, for me it's only been like four years but I know what you mean." He looked at his wife and daughter with an affectionate smile. "It's even more hard believe how much has happened in just a few years. Do you think..." He gave the gravestone a sad glance. "She knows and is happy for us?" His voice was quiet and thoughtful.
"Yes, I think she is very happy. She would be proud to see how far the two of you have come."
"Ready to head home?" Kagome asked with a bright smile. He took Moroha back into his arms.
"Yeah, it's almost lunch time and I'm starving." Kagome gave a polite bow to Kaede before they left, who watched the couple walk away with a fond twinkle in her eyes.
"Please continue to watch over us as you have been Sister." She said in a queit prayer.
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The Obon Festival was a busy time for Kagome, Kaede and Miroku as many people asked for help in preparing the Graves of their passed loved ones and asked for prayers. Inuyasha walked around with Moroha in his arms while they looked at the food stalls that had been set up for it. She fussed and squirmed in his arms. "I know you miss Momma but she's busy helping people. Let's take a walk." He wandered around until he found himself at the tree of ages. Inuyasha to laid Moroha against his shoulder. "There, there..." He attempted to sooth her in a hushed tone while gently patting her back. "I know..." Inuyasha let her gum on his finger and was about to continue walking but stopped when he sensed something.
He quickly turned to see the large tree glowing blue with energy and there in front of it, a form took shape. "It can't be..." He whispered to himself in shock. "Kikyo?!" It was definitely her. His first love and heartbreak was in front of him. "But how?" Inuyasha wondered then remembered what tonight was. The spirit smiled at his obvious realization.
"Yes, Inuyasha, because of the Obon Festival, I was able to visit the world of the living once more. I only have a short time on this plain though and I plan on visiting my sister as well, so our conversation must be brief." The half demon nodded sagely.
"T-that makes sense, I guess." He mumbled. The priestess looked at the infant in his arms and smiled warmly.
"You have a child, I see. How wonderful." She walked closer. "She looks like her mother." Inuyasha looked down lovingly at his daughter and gently brushed a hand over her messy hair.
"Heh, yeah. Her name is Moroha. Kagome says she already has my attitude. Not sure how to take that though." He was silent for a bit. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Kikyo, I really am. But I do think things turned out this way for a reason. I know now that Kagome and I are each others destinies. I hope you found peace in death." He watched his ex lover smile again.
"I'm very proud of you, Inuyasha. You've come so far. The boy I knew could never have dreamed to talk of his feelings so open and honestly. I said once before that Kagome was changing you for the better and it's still true. I knew you as a boy but she knows you as a man. I'm grateful to her. I must go now. I wish all three of you many more years of happiness." Inuyasha smiled tearfully while she turned her back to leave.
"Thank you, Kikyo." He whispered softly as she disappeared. The blue glow faded and he was left alone again in the forest, just himself and a fussy baby.
"Inuyasha!" He heard a familiar voice call out to him. "I've been looking for you two! I finally got through all of the requests. I bet Moroha is hungry!" Kagome carefully took the baby from her husband and sat at the base of the tree of ages to begin feeding her. "Are you okay?" Inuyasha sighed and joined his family.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just had a surprising visit that's all..."
"Was it Kikyo?" She suddenly asked and he couldn't help but freeze in mild panic. Kagome giggled and scooted closer. "Relax! I'm not that insecure girl I was back then. I'm glad Kikyo could visit you. What did you talk about?" His cheeks reddened slightly.
"She, uhhh, said she was proud of me and wished many more years of happiness for us." Kagome smiled sweetly and leaned into his side.
"I'm so glad!" She said quietly. "I sensed a bit of her energy as I came here so I figured it was because of Obon. Having her blessing feels nice."
"Yeah, it does. She said she didn't have long and planned to visit Kaede while she was here." His hand squirmed nervously while tucked into his large sleeve. "Is it weird?" He asked and she looked at him, her head titled curiously.
"Is what weird?" He still sported a light, embarrassed blush.
"That I'm relieved to know she approves of us." Kagome carefully removed her breast from the infants mouth before transferring her to his arms. She fixed her haori, got on her knees and slid her arms around his neck then leaned her head against the side of his.
"Of course not! She was an important person in your life! It's only natural!" Moroha yawned in his arms as her eyelids turned heavy with sleep and soon her breathing evened out. Inuyasha looked down with with such a tenderness in his eyes that Kagome could've cried.
'Thank you for looking out for us. I'll do everything I can to make sure Inuyasha is happy, I promise.' Kagome secretly prayed to herself before lowering to her previous spot on the ground.
'I'll hold you to that, Kagome. Don't let me down!' The voice of Kikyo echoed in her mind. Kagome let out a small giggle.
"What's gotten in you?" Inuyasha asked with curiosity. She smiled happily and leaned against his arm.
"Oh it's nothing! Don't worry about it!" Kagome quickly dismissed him, earning a confused look aimed towards her.
"Tsk. You're so weird." He mumbled but then smirked at his sleeping daughter, listening to her heartbeat and soft breathing.