The days passed. Kagome ruminated on. For once, it wasn’t just Sesshoumaru and his absence she was dwelling on, but something deeper. Intangible to her, but no less vital, she sensed.
She felt like she was probing at the edges of some great and formless question, waiting for an answer to take shape from the void.
But the question remained open-ended. No answers materialized.
Then out of the blue one afternoon, while she and Sango were doing their washing down at the riverbank, Sango went into labor. It was early—much too early—but though Sango paled at this realization, she tried not to show her fear. And so Kagome didn’t, either.
Calmly, she told the twin girls and their brother to go fetch Kaede. With Shin trotting along beside her in his beast form, slowly and carefully, Kagome escorted Sango back home. She held to her all the while, encouraging her when she faltered and gritted out that she couldn’t go on. She was sweating, shaking, gasping in her agony.
Knowing how strong Sango was, this terrified Kagome. But she steeled herself and led them on. She’d have shouted for Inuyasha long before this, but he was away from the village, and so there was nothing for it. She would have to do this on her own.
Step by grueling step, they returned to Sango’s home. As Kagome lowered her carefully to the bed, Sango breathed out a haggard sigh of relief that if not physical, was mental. Though this was the bed where Miroku had died, this was the bed she’d shared with him, too. The bed where their three other children had been made and born. If there was a place in all the world where Sango felt most at peace to deliver their last child, it was this.
And Kagome understood, then—
This was Sango, closing the chapter.
And then Kagome asked herself, Now, how will you?
Kaede arrived with the children as fast as her arthritic old legs would permit her. Together with Kagome, she soothed and coached Sango as best as they could through her small eternity of suffering. Outside, the sky turned dark then light again. Sango heaved out a great, heart-rending sob, and then as suddenly as it had all begun, it was over—
“It’s a girl, Sango-chan!” Kagome said, smiling and sobbing along with her as the tiny newborn baby gave a strong, healthy cry. “Just like you said.”
As Kaede pressed the swaddled baby girl into Sango’s arms, Kagome gazed tenderly down with her. From that scrunched little pink face, a pair of dark violet eyes peeped back up at them.
“She has his eyes,” Sango whispered, tearing up again. “Miroku’s eyes. She alone…oh, it’s so cruel…so cruel that he isn’t here. That she’ll never know him. Why? Why isn’t he here with us?”
Kagome felt the knife wound of this in her chest.
“Ay, but he is,” Kaede said firmly, placing her gnarled hand over Sango’s. “He is with you. He is with you in her, and she will know him, as she knows herself.” Kaede’s eyes raised to Kagome’s as she said, “So, child, do not despair.”
Kagome’s face crumpled as she bowed her head. Of course, Kaede knew, too.
Inuyasha burst into the room with Shin, Kohaku and Kirara in tow. At this strange new scent, Shin trotted up to the baby in Sango’s arms and pushed his beastly muzzle into her cheek—but as soon as he did, there was a static pink shock of reiki, and Shin fell back on his rump, human again and clutching at his smarting nose with both hands.
The collective room gasped as one, knowing what this meant—
“Heh, so she’s a miko,” Inuyasha said, striding forward and dropping into a crouch as he peered down at the wary baby. “That’s the same stunt Shin pulled on me before he got to know me better.”
Frowning, Kagome reflected on this—and what her father had told her about reiki-wielding powers manifesting after crisis. Shin, like this baby, it seemed, had been born in the midst of their mother’s crisis. Her eyes lowered. When she raised them again, she saw Inuyasha grinning as he held the baby girl, his newest god-daughter.
“She’s pretty cute,” he said, a bit gruffly. “What’s her name gonna be?”
Smiling, Sango replied, “Kaori.”
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
Violet eyes you say? Oh my goodness we’ve unlocked Lady K’s identity!!! She’s Miroku and Sango’s daughter, Kaori. I knewww it… so this means Shin married her 🥹 tying their lifespans together. I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!
Oh wow! My heart 💜 😭 it’s so beautiful
Glad that the baby didn’t end up being inuyashas like some of yall nasty commenters were speculating
Not sure if this is Lady K or not, but who knows…just seems a bit strange. Inuyasha seems excited with a new little one around. Glad you updated.
OMG is it Shin and Kaori in the future?? I love how you weave everything so seamlessly! And i absolutely adore the name Kaori. ❤️❤️❤️
OH! If this is Lady K then the Prince might be Shin🤔 I wasn’t sure at first because of timelines, and there was a possibility it would’ve taken several human generations before Shin grows into an adult. Hanyou ages are tricky if you consider Shiori or the kids at Horai island 🤣
Inuyasha looked the equivalent of four years old when Izayoi died of old age I believe, and in canon he looks fifteen when he’s already over a century old. He also didn’t seem to age much in the modern era too.
But Shin is a special kind of bebi hanyou. There’s no precedent for him.
The info on this tends to be conflicting and it outrights twists on itself in Yashahime (which is why I never take anything in that series as canon. They contradict so many stuff to justify the existence of these 14 year old half-demon girls that I just gave up 🙃)
However. Early in the manga, once Inuyasha learned about Kikyo’s death and how Kaede’s become older now, I remember he DID say that “he’s glad he doesn’t have to worry about aging and dying like mortals”. Maybe for his breed of youkai it’s possible that he could one day stop aging and hypothetically live forever. I haven’t seen many authors explore that. In the end it all comes down to creative license which I love about IY 🩵
I always assumed with Inuyasha, he would age very, very, VERY slowly if at all because of his blood. I mean, his father was the most powerful demon alive >:).
I saw a clip from Yashahime (haven’t bothered to actually watch it) where Kagome was talking about how she still ahd youthful skin? IM ANNOYED THEY DIDN’T GIVE HER IMMORTALITY.
So really…, in that canon Inuyasha could’ve remained immortal and Kagome only gets to spend a short human lifespan with him? They’re more tragic than I thought 😭😭
Touga’s blood made Inu more volatile but you’re right that it could’ve bolstered his lifespan too. Some demons just get more powerful the older they are, like how great water serpents evolve into dragons. Or how nine-tailed foxes could become celestials. If Inuyasha keeps cultivating his power it wouldn’t be far-fetched for him to reach a peak state of immortality despite his hanyou status (and by that time Sess would probably have reached Ascension XD)
The days passed. Kagome ruminated on. For once, it wasn’t just Sesshoumaru and his absence she was dwelling on, but something deeper. Intangible to her, but no less vital, she sensed.
–
IT’S THE NEW BABY PRINCESS BET!!!
“Ay, but he is,” Kaede said firmly, placing her gnarled hand over Sango’s. “He is with you. He is with you in her, and she will know him, as she knows herself.” Kaede’s eyes raised to Kagome’s as she said, “So, child, do not despair.”
Kagome’s face crumpled as she bowed her head. Of course, Kaede knew, too.
😭 Shin’s paternity is just an open secret now. To be fair it is silly for this child to frolick about with his lush fluffy fur and moon-marked brow and expect NO ONE to make that connection. Kagome’s the only one who thinks she was slick.
Kaori’s dad was a pretty powerful monk, so her reiki must be strong too. I have a feeling Inuyasha and her are gonna bond more deeply than we think. He loves Shin, but deep down it must’ve broken something vital inside to know that Shin is his brother’s. The distance between them is miniscule but I can still feel it 🥲
Kaori might not be his daughter in blood, but she could eventually become his true daughter in spirit like how Rin is to Sesshoumaru. Perhaps she’s also the reason why he could keep moving on after this.
Side note, if she IS Lady K and Shin is the Prince, I wonder where you put a demon’s mate in the categorical scale? 🤔 Is she a S-Class threat? What about Kagome?
By closing the circle I hope Kagome means with Inuyasha👀 If Sess isn’t coming back by his own two feet then I’d rather she go chase her man down. It’s important to her, so she shouldn’t give up on it easily or miss her opportunity over pride. Heck, I’d be happy if they have another thunderstorm argument over this doubt-filled silence! Love is worth it!
Wow. We just went full circle
Omg Lady K! And Shin! Married! Awww so cuteeee! It makes me love the side story even more.
Totally thought that baby was going to be Inuyasha’s LMAO But, this is so much sweeter!! I’m glad Sango had Kagome to help her give birth and support her. The whole gang showed up too! Love it!
I wonder, now that Kohaku’s back around, will they discuss the matter of he & Rin eloping?
Can’t wait to see where this goes!
so sweet 🥹 kaori and shin are both shining blessings to their mothers in their time of need. what a lovely start to their lives.
and if the white jade statue was a clue, kagome’s gonna meet her second blessing soon enough
I really hope so.
I have the insane urge to collect Kagome’s babies like they’re gachapon prizes 🤣
I knew Kaede knew. At this point Kagome wasting her energy stressing about this “secret” Shin paternity is crystal clear🤷♀️
I knew Kaede knew. At this point Kagome wasting her energy stressing about this “secret” Shin paternity is crystal clear🤷♀️
I’m just waiting to see how you conclude everything