Kagome glanced down at Shin, now in his human form. In her arms he was quiet and tense. His blue eyes met hers, wide and terrified. She didn’t know whether it was because of Inuyasha or her or the magic of the well—maybe it was all of the above—but she rocked him in her arms and soothed him as best she could.
“It’s okay, baby. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Telling him like this, she almost believed it herself. Shin nuzzled into her chest, whimpering.
“Kaasa,” he said, and Kagome’s eyes burned with fresh tears.
She was his mother, his one and only mother. The knowledge galvanized her, when nothing else in the world at the moment could have. One-armed, she hugged him to her as she boosted herself up over the ledge of the well, found footholds in the dense green vines overflowing the shaft below and began to lower herself slowly and steadily down.
Her years spent journeying across the hostile terrain of Sengoku Jidai had taught her quite a few survival skills—and climbing was one of them. She knew to use her legs to do the heavy lifting, and so her free arm was simply there to help stabilize. It was nothing for her to cradle her baby to her as she descended.
She was about halfway down when the unexpected happened—the foothold of vines beneath her feet suddenly snapped. Kagome cried out as she lost her grip and plummeted. Falling backward, she felt the pinprick of tiny claws digging into her chest.
Next she blinked, she’d emerged in the Modern Era.
To her unspeakable relief, Kagome saw that she wasn’t alone. In his hanyou form, Shin clung to the front of her sleeping robe, his little claws still hooked through the fabric and scratching her bare skin. But his puppy ears sagged. His dark head lolled. His green eyes were dazed, streaming—along with his nose and fanged mouth.
“Oh god,” Kagome whispered, touching his slack little face. “Oh god, baby, I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…”
Kagome cradled him to her, weeping. But after a few moments, Shin stirred against her. Kagome drew back, eyeing him in alarm. Shin’s pert nose wrinkled. He sneezed mightily then huffed, tossing his shaggy dog-eared little head as if he’d simply suffered a nasty shock. Guiltily, Kagome understood that he had. It was what she couldn’t help but take for granted, having lived in both worlds—the clamor and glare and reek of the city of Tokyo.
It had overwhelmed poor Shin’s acute demonic senses. He’d had to adjust in real time.
Holding him to her, Kagome used the sturdy ladder to climb out of the well. The moment her feet touched solid ground again, Shin wriggled to be let down. Not even thinking about it in her preoccupied state, Kagome automatically set him down. He transformed into his beast form and took off excitedly, nosing through the unlocked double-doors. Kagome gasped, rushing after him.
“Shin!” she whispered harshly, as his monstrous glowing figure streaked around the shrinehouse yard, sniffing and yipping. “Shin—you come back here right now!”
In his exuberance over all these new sights and sounds and smells, he ignored her.
But when he bolted toward the stone steps leading into the city, Kagome said with the same stern, commanding tone she’d use to ‘sit’ Inuyasha, “Stop.”
Shin halted, heeling. His red almond eyes slanted back toward her. He whimpered his disappointment, but he complied. Kagome exhaled in relief.
As he padded back over to her, a light from the house came on. A minute later, Kagome’s mother stepped out onto the porch, tugging at the neck of her house robe. Shin phased back into his human form. Clutching at Kagome’s leg, he hefted himself up to standing as Mrs. Higurashi came over, one hand pressed to her mouth. As she looked from Kagome to Shin, tears glimmered in her eyes.
“Is this my handsome grandson?”
Kagome’s face crumpled. Scooping Shin up, she threw herself into the arms of the mother she hadn’t seen in years.
“Oh, Mama…”
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
Revised 12/12/24
It’s such a bittersweet reunion! I really hope that she gets a little bit of wisdom and clarity on her own situation, maybe from her mom or just from being back home in what used to be her own element. Thank you for the update! Hope to see more soon.
Bittersweet reunion! 😭
Me gusto, no me lo esperaba, pero es un buen punto, creo que Inuyasha realizó esa acción para evitar dañarlos, de seguro no quería dañar a Shin, para mí estaba consiente de que es solo un niño sin culpa pero no podía dejar de sentir rabia y resentimiento.
Que lindo Shin, convertirse en bebé para que lo vea su abuela .
Ya no soporto la curiosidad de saber que pasará…..
Yep Kagome could use her mom’s advice! Thanks, Tsuyoku!! <3
I am just crying because wow. There’s so much emotion and Char you are just such a magical writer. I am so thankful for these updates this week, ty ty ty. 😭😭
Aww thank you, Becky! So glad you’ve enjoyed the updates this week & thank you for the kind words! <3
The way my jaw dropped when I saw we got a third update!!! OH MY DAYS. Thank you Char ❤️! Shin’s always cute… but Shin in the modern world 🤣🤣 I love how he immediately transformed into dog form and went out to explore. Ahhhhh nostalgia with that “stop” command fr.
Haha yeah I didn’t know I had three updates in me this week, but I got on a roll! So glad you enjoyed them, bella! Kagome’s got a way with canines 😉 <3
Un momento pero Kagome había hecho algo malo en su tiempo por lo cual no podía regresar, eso entendí si no mal recuerdo, oooo que angustia ¿ que pasará?
Yep the Modern Era isn’t exactly the safest place for her – thanks for sharing, Claribel, & hope you enjoy the rest of the story!! <3
Glad she’s home. She should never go back especially to that Sesshoumaru for deserting her and Shin. Inuyasha is psyco and can never be trusted. Yep the future is her best option if Sesshoumaru not still alive. It’s Kagome’s fault for having the affair, but it’s Sesshoumaru’s fault for pushing her away and leaving her to Inuyasha’s craziness. Glad you updated.
Thanks, Redwolf! Yeah Kagome’s path forward is going to be tricky…hope you enjoy where the story goes from here! <3
Oh my God I’m so glad Shin could pass through 😭 They should just stay here. Maybe not forever since it isn’t really an ideal environment for Shin to freely grow and evolve, plus maybe Kagome is still wanted, but what else do they have back there? They’d be vagabonds.
I wonder if the mating bond will allow Sess to pass through the well too?
ooh what if sess can sense that the mating bond is cut off when she went through the well? his mate technically doesn’t ‘exist’ there anymore. like a blip vanishing off the radar.
Thanks for sharing, hanayome! You raise some great points & questions about Kagome’s predicament! Hope you enjoy the next part!! <3
They way my eyes went 🤩💖 when I saw triple updates in my inbox. Thank you Char!!! You’ve made my week!!!
I’m so glad that Kagome and Shin got out of that situation fairly physically unscathed. I read through it all with my heart drumming in my ears, fearing that someone was gonna die. I’m still worried that Inuyasha will do something drastic as he fights his demon blood 😭 And then I full on FROZE when Kagome fell, worrying that she’d get separated from Shin forever. AAAAAAAAHHHHH WHAT A TRIP!! I’M SO GLAD THAT SHE’S BACK SAFE IN HER MAMA’S ARMS!
Yay thank you, catmechanic! So glad you enjoyed the triple updates!! 🙂
” I read through it all with my heart drumming in my ears, fearing that someone was gonna die. ” – yeahh things were pretty tense there!!
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts & reactions and hope you enjoy the next part! <3
She finally HAS to face her mother and her indiscretions!!!!! I recall in an earlier chapter, while pregnant with Shin, Inuyasha asked her about visiting her mom and she made some excuse. I thought Inuyasha really is oblivious to what’s right in his face when she “went home for a visit” and didn’t press further or asked her to wait so they could present Shin to her mom together. He really did trust her blindly….but I feel as though she’s been even more afraid to go to her mom because she’d be able to tell INSTANTLY what’s wrong or Kagome would spill and her mom would coax her into seeing the reality and gravity of the situation: You can force a family with Inuyasha and it’s not right to make him raise Shin. It’s also heinous to keep Shin and Sesshomaru separate just to keep her fake family together.
I also think that Kagome’s crazy plan was just to appease Inuyasha but to also have the family she missed because of her late father’s passing 😢 Doing this just for Inuyasha was just an excuse to ignore her own pain but having Shin and getting close to Sesshomaru has been her saving grace. Unfortunately, she sees Sesshomaru as more of a monster than Inuyasha so those moments Inuyasha has with Shin seem more “human” to her…which is another thing that she has to work on: accepting fully that Shin isn’t human and he’s not really even a hangout either. Maybe some time in the future will help her come to terms with that part, at least.
Amazing as always and congratulations on your nuptials!!! ♥️
Thank you for the congrats, BlackDevereaux!! <3
"He really did trust her blindly….but I feel as though she’s been even more afraid to go to her mom because she’d be able to tell INSTANTLY what’s wrong or Kagome would spill and her mom would coax her into seeing the reality and gravity of the situation" - yepp there's no fooling Mama!
Love hearing your insights on Kagome's background motivations in all this! Appreciate you taking the time to lay out your thoughts on the story thus far & hope you enjoy the rest of the tale!! <3
A THIRD UPDATE?!?! Char! Omg how exciting!!
Wowww she hasn’t been home in literal years? Wow, her mother must be so relieved to see her! And, her first grandbaby! Awwww
I can’t wait to see where this goes!
So glad you enjoyed the three updates this week, mim! Thanks for sharing & hope you enjoy the reunion!! <3
I hope her mom can help her
Yep here’s to hoping <3 Thanks, Kathy!
I’m so relieved that Shin could go through the well with her! (and I guess even the second baby can too *wink wonk*) But judging by how he bolted as soon as he was put down, this’ll be like trying to hide Clifford the Big Red Dog in the big city 😂
Spill all the beans to your mama, Kagome! Mrs. Higurashi may give you the blistering look of maternal disapproval but it’ll be like lancing a wound, and you need it.
“But judging by how he bolted as soon as he was put down, this’ll be like trying to hide Clifford the Big Red Dog in the big city 😂” – hahaha exactly!
Thanks so much for sharing, oskorreia! Hope you enjoy the next part <3
That clumsiness of hers about near gave me a heart attack. When the vine broke in that instant I was terrified she’d turn up alone in the modern era and lose Shin. HAIYA.
Don’t know what Mama can say to her after such a trainwreck, but it’s enough that she’s there for Kagome. Plus, Mama H finally gets to meet her puppy-eared grandson 💕
Yep talk about an adorable grandbaby! <3 Thanks for sharing, Inupapa!!
I’m so obsessed with Shin and his ability to bounce back from a terrifying situation so quickly. I’d account a part of that to his complete trust in Kagome. It’s so beautiful 🥹 I’m just sorry that he has to face such situations at all when his main concern should be romping through flower fields and catching little critters. The adults should do like him and just eat their problems!
“I’d account a part of that to his complete trust in Kagome. It’s so beautiful ” – aww I agree! <3
The adults really could take a leaf out of his book - thanks for sharing, Kova, & hope you enjoy the next part!!
Shin clung to the front of her sleeping robe, his little claws still hooked through the fabric and scratching her bare skin. But his puppy ears sagged. His dark head lolled. His green eyes were dazed, streaming—along with his nose and fanged mouth.
_
Ohhh baby got his senses whiplashed 😭 Time travelling isn’t healthy for demonic infants.
I’m glad that Kagome’s mother also gets to meet her grandson after the Western Lady. Shin is just as much a part of the Higurashi as he is a son of the West. I hope gramps also gets to meet him if he’s still alive and well.
“Ohhh baby got his senses whiplashed 😭 ” – yeahh I was channeling that moment from the canon where Inuyasha’s eyes started spinning when he smelled that too-strong ink (or whatever it was) lol
“Shin is just as much a part of the Higurashi as he is a son of the West. ” – very true!! <3
Thanks for sharing, sesshousimp!
Oh wow I forgot Shin is just a baby and the time travel! I’m so glad he’s ok and able to be with his mama! I really love what you have done so far and thanks so much for the updates.
Thanks so much, Delys! Glad you’ve been enjoying the updates <3
Boy I can’t even predict what will happen after this 👀 I’d feel sorry for Inuyasha but thinking back to all the times he took her for granted, abandoned her as he pleased, then laid out his worst self to her in his drunkenness and just expected her to be okay with it the next morning… I don’t 😝 He treated the marriage like a leash, and he kept tugging and testing the give while ceaselessly complaining about it. Let him swallow this.
I’d say that in this story, Inuyasha’s the craziest of her suitors, but then I’d remember that feudal era Hojo is so obsessed he quite literally had his wife change her name to Kagome and absolutely nothing can top that 🤣
Hahaha yeah that is crazy to the max! 🤣
Thanks for sharing, magi, & hope you enjoy the next chapter!