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Fetch

Epilogue

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Kagome stared in mild shock at the yellowing photograph in her hands that a brilliantly beaming Dr. Ortiz had just handed her. They were much older, yes. Perhaps around sixty or maybe even seventy but knowing him as she did there was no mistaking that smug half-grin of his and it would take a fool not to recognize oneself no matter how much older or younger you may seem.

"I knew I had seen that name before," he chuckled proudly as he took the photograph and flipped it so she could read the inscription better, "Hayashi Inuyasha and wife, National Industrial Exposition, Osaka, 1903. Supposedly they were my wife's great-grandparents but she never met them and they supposedly died in the atomic blast at Nagasaki. Quite the coincidence wouldn't you say?"

'Well I know where not to be during World War II. I imagine that's just a cover story anyway,' Kagome thought to herself as her lips curled upwards and she grinned when the good doctor gave her a knowing wink, "Yes, quite a coincidence. Are there any others?"

As it turned out, there were many others. Her name wasn't listed anywhere on the photographs, for a reason probably – this very reason most likely. Pictures of them with children, and grandchildren. Pictures of them with another couple roughly the same age that looked suspiciously like a certain monk and slayer they knew. The last name they'd apparently chosen seemed fitting as well. After all, it only made sense to keep the namesake. The Inuyasha of Inuyasha's Forest became Inuyasha Forest himself.

"These are wonderful," Kagome breathed as she finally handed them back to the happy looking doctor who placed the photograph back into the box whence it cane, "I always loved learning about history."

"Ah yes, well, you can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been," the doctor teased before signing and giving her an apologetic smile, "I'm very sorry that I couldn't have been more help. I am glad that he recovered on his own. Demon physiology is a fascinating thing."

"It is indeed," Kagome hummed in agreement before bowing once out of respect, "Thank you for inviting me to see them and I understand you'll be coming by later for dinner. I'll see you then?"

"Of course, future Hayashi-san. I wouldn't miss it," he replied as he bowed and gave her an affectionate smile. He watched the young woman as she left and ran towards the subway station only to be snatched up by a red blur moments later. He didn't know how he never noticed it before. Kagome, her mother and indeed his late wife all shared that same brilliant smile. Their eyes shaped so much alike. Their demeanor so similar. Fate was such a funny thing and there was no denying destiny. Speaking of which, he had better start preparing that desert he promised.