The Way Home by Elly

Prologue

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I profit from this particular story.

Author’s Note: Written for XxUnknownXxXEntityxX’s Chibi Challenge.

The Way Home

It was a bright, sunny day in Tokyo. The laughter and gaiety associated with summertime was in full swing. The schools were closed for summer break and the streets and playgrounds were crowded with children of every age.

It was in one small playground that a seven year old Sesshomaru was playing with his younger brother, Inuyasha. ‘Playing’ was a relative word as the elder brother needlessly bullied his 3 year old sibling.

“Brother, I wan’ play in the sand..!” Inuyasha squeaked up at Sesshomaru, who was perched upon the hanyou’s backside. The cherubic features of the elder brother seemed a bit less angelic as he shook his head.

“You haven’t been able to push me off yet, Inuyasha. That means you are weak. You have to do what I say until you can beat me.” Sesshomaru stated imperiously from his vantage point.

Inuyasha’s bottom lip trembled and he began to wail, crying out for his mother. Izayoi moved closer and pulled Sesshomaru up from her son.

“That will be enough of that, Sesshomaru.” She comforted her son and pushed him gently off to the sandbox. When he was safely ensconced in a pile of sand and toys, Izayoi looked to her elder step-son and crossed her arms. “Well..?”

Sesshomaru did not protest as he was removed, though vowed to get even with the brat at a later time. He wasn’t the best at controlling his emotions just yet and soon, he found himself rubbing a sore bottom and sulking in a corner of the playground.

“Stupid Inuyasha…stupid Izayoi-sama…” The boy muttered, pinning a pouty glare at the two in the distance. He leaned against the tree he was sitting under and started to plot out his revenge. This did not last long as he was lulled to sleep by the coolness of the shade and the gentle caress of a summer breeze.

It was nearing the evening and the light of the sun flickered faintly around the playground. Birds chirped their evening songs as Sesshomaru awoke. Stretching, he sniffed the air and stood up suddenly. He could not smell his brother nor his step-mother. Feeling panic swell in his chest, the pale-haired boy ran out into the playground and looked around.

There was a girl about his age, playing in the sand where Inuyasha had last been. Amber eyes narrowed and he childishly assumed that she had done something to them.

Sesshomaru stalked over and in his best impression of his father, puffed out his chest and spoke.

“Girl, where are they?”

Higurashi Kagome was building the best castle ever when it suddenly was knocked over by the most beautiful boy she had ever seen. But when he put upon her this strange, accusing question, the girl peered up at him. “Erm…who are you talking about?”

Sesshomaru scowled and poked the girl in the middle of her forehead. Her blue eyes went cross-eyed, tracking the path of his finger. “You did something…or saw where they went.”

Kagome frowned and moved away from the rude little boy. “I don’t know where they went. Did you forget to go with them?”

The young demon blinked, not used to being denied a proper answer. He also remembered his panic and could not find a trace of lying in this human. Sesshomaru tried to stop his voice from trembling. “Did…did you see them? I mean…I don’t care where they went, but it…inconveniences me that they left.”

Kagome brushed off her overalls and looked to Sesshomaru. Taking in what he said, she rolled her eyes. “Well, what did they look like? I don’t know they.”

Sesshomaru described Inuyasha and Izayoi. Kagome frowned and shook her head. “I didn’t see where they went. They left after I got here with my momma.”

Sesshomaru looked away and started to walk towards the tree he had been under. “You are no use to me.” Inside, he was scared and wanted to cry. Hearing footsteps behind him, he whirled and snapped. “Go away, you useless girl. I don’t want your ugly face around me!”

Kagome looked aghast at how the boy treated her. Angered that he would insult her, she ran after him anyways. The sound of crying filled her ears as she confronted the rude child.

The young demon had curled up and hid his head between his knees. Sesshomaru shook his head. “Didn’t I tell you to go away?!” He looked up, amber eyes blurry with tears. Kagome’s heart clenched. “What happened..? Why did they leave you here?”

Sesshomaru clenched his teeth and was about to reply in anger when he looked up at her. The girl’s eyes shone with concern; something that he rarely saw in his stepmother’s gaze. “My brother’s a weakling and I was just trying to make him stronger. Izayoi-sama protected him. I…guess she didn’t want me anymore…” The thought scared him, even though he was never very close with his stepmother.

Kagome knelt in front of Sesshomaru. “Izayoi-sama is your momma?” The young demon shook his head. “She’s my step-mother. My momma died when I was five.” The young girl gripped her legs a bit.

“My daddy died when I was five. Momma said some bad men got to him and his heart wasn’t strong enough to come home.” Kagome met Sesshomaru’s gaze. She bit her lip for a moment and hesitated.

Sesshomaru looked at Kagome with new eyes. This girl didn’t run away when he treated her mean. She didn’t look down at him for trying to help his brother grow strong. And…she had known the pain of losing a parent. “You…you can say more. I won’t yell at you.”

Kagome looked up and smiled softly. “Is your heart strong enough to find the way home?” There was a woman’s voice calling Kagome’s name and she paused. “I have to go now. I think everything will work out for you.”

Sesshomaru reached out his hand and waved to her, imbedding her face into his memory. A few minutes later, he could hear the rumble of a limousine and then his father’s voice calling out for him. “Father…Father! I’m coming!”

He ran to his father’s open arms and buried his head into the man’s strong shoulder. He didn’t know if things would work out, but he knew his heart would be strong enough one day to find the way home.