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When the battle with Kirinmaru and Zero is over and the butterfly’s curse is finally released, the twins remember their mother’s laughs and love and their father’s gentle, warm hands.
Like a dam breaking, suddenly, their memories are back.
They were about 4 years old; they heard their mother’s calm voice telling them not to stray too far – to never get out of the forest’s edge.
They lead a simple, peaceful life. Nothing to worry about – the only one who seemed always worried about something was Jaken, but they were not old enough to comprehend anything at that point. So they lived on, playing by the river or hiding from their mother and the little green creature in the forest.
Someone falls out of the sacred tree and Sesshomaru jumps up to catch them. It’s been so long since they last saw that face, too. Their mother’s.
They were snuggling against their mother close to the fire. She was smiling and telling them, for the hundredth time, how their father saved her from the ongokuki, the yokai who lured children with his flute.
The girls loved this story. Neither could they leave their safe haven in the forest nor could they see their father very often, so listening about their adventures outside – together – would bring joy to their little lives.
Their mother had kissed each of them goodnight when she finished the story and by then they were half asleep; she was humming a lullaby – she told them it would protect well behaved children from the ongokuki’s spell if they fell asleep faster. So they did.
Rin is in Sesshomaru’s arms. Her eyes are finally opening and the girls can smell their father’s relief over it. The first thing she sees after all these years is him, and they can smell how delighted and happy the both of them are – even their father could not hide these feelings.
Jaken said he didn’t understand how their mother always knew when their father would be coming to the forest; it was always a few hours earlier: she’d announce he was coming over and some time later he was simply there.
Their mother seemed happy all the time to them; but when their father would come to visit, there was a different glow all over her. Even their tiny corner in the forest shifted into a noisier, happier site.
Now that they’ve grown, the twins comprehend that their parents have some kind of telepathic connection. Had it been built thanks to tenseiga’s ressurrection powers? Or through the years? Or perhaps something else? One thing they know is that they have the exact same connection between them, although they don’t really understand what it is.
When their father arrived, they were all over him. He had discarded his armour before any of them could jump on him, so the girls were hanging on his moko-moko – he hugged them close with his right arm - and his wife was staring up close to his face.
Her eyes smiled at him and so did her mouth; she showed a full-toothed grin and happily welcomed him back.
Their father extended his left arm and brought her close, hugging the three females against his body. They did not understand at the time what their father was feeling, but his hands and arms held them firm against their bodies.
Rin’s face is covered in tears and yet she pulls Sesshomaru’s head and kisses him desperately. She surprises him; he isn’t expecting such a public display of affection, but he does not pull back; he misses her very much and he won’t deny them this.
Although somewhat different, both the twins immediately recognize what this connection between their parents is. Love, so alike and yet unlike the love they feel for each other.
He released them back to the floor and sat down against a tree near the fire their mother had built earlier that day. His left leg was bent whilst the other was straight against the floor, his moko-moko sprawled close to his body.
Their mother snuggled in his right leg and chest – his other leg kept her balanced – and the girls didn’t wait for him to call them; it had always been like this when he came over. Their mother would sit on his lap and they would crawl over moko-moko at an arm’s length from him. Then, in silence, he’d pet their little heads until they fell asleep; but before that, they’d catch a peek or two of their parents kissing each other.
He helps her get up, hugging her body carefully against his. Like she will disappear. They both turn to watch the girls – Rin knows they are there, she had taken a glimpse of them between her tears and kiss. The girls look at each other. What should they do? It’s been so long, and they are not the same little girls anymore; they do not know how to react.
They woke up and their father was still there; this was one of those rare occasions where he spent the night with all of them and they wanted to scream in joy. Instead, before they got the chance, he told them to be quiet for their mother was still asleep.
They had been moved during the night – their father was lying down on his side with their mother’s back to his chest, and the twins were being kept close against her chest. Moko-moko was covering the three of them while their father watched them sleep propped up on one elbow. A light, almost invisible smile permeated his face. He stretched his arm and scratched their heads. The air around them smelled full of contentment and they knew it was coming from the four of them.
It takes them a few seconds of staring at their parents to understand what they are expecting. Rin most definitely wants a hug, and Sesshomaru will probably not complain if he gets one too – mostly, they know after everything they went through, he wants to please Rin and see the three females happy again.
So, before Setsuna can process what is happening, Towa grabs her by the arm and drags her to her parents. The eldest thrusts them both against them. Sesshomaru and Rin are surprised for a too short moment – the two of them hug the girls to their chests, their father not caring for such a display of affection.
All their suffering is over and the relief is palpable. They are safe and together once more.
The girls look at each other and they are both crying; crying for all the things they went through, crying from being taken from each other and from their parents. Crying from what it would have been. But specially now, they cry for they know they have each other and they have their parents and their cousin and many other family members and friends they met along their journey. They are not alone anymore and their memories are not lost.
They are ready for this future where they have everything in their grasp; but specially, they are ready to be a family again, and they can’t wait to try it.