Disclaimer: Not my characters, not my anime, not my manga. I've dealt with
it, so can you. Please excuse me while I go cry on a yak's shoulder. . .
A/N: This is a quick short-story fic to give me a break typing my big fanfic. Let me know what you think, hn? *pats her lead yak* All flamers, however, will be crushed under my yaks' hooves and left for the jackals. *grin* That's a fun thought.
*ahem* On with the story . . . Oh, but a bit about this fic.. this is a lemon in true form. The lemon version will be posted at Inuyasha no Uchi, and hopefully, eventually at Iridescent Dreams. I'll stick it a few other places, too. Places where they actually like lemons and have people who understand that if you don't like a fic, you just don't read it.
~Shisou
~~~ Miko no Youkai ~~~
Miroku blinked, his hand frozen half way to it's customary grope of Sango. The taiji-ya herself was equally stunned, and poor Shippou had been quick to jump and hide in her hair. A painful silence threatened to suffocate them, but none made to break it. They were more than afraid of what might happen if Kagome's attention were to shift to them.
Standing over an uncharacteristically quiet Inuyasha was a steaming Kagome. Her fists were clenched and blood was slowly trickling from the marks her nails were making in her palms. She struggled to steady her breathing, her eyes closed in concentration. Wisely, Inuyasha did not move from the new impression of himself in the ground. Or, maybe he didn't move because he couldn't. To those who could see it, there was a faint glow of power over the hanyou's form. It seemed to pulse in time with the blood trailing from Kagome's self-inflicted cuts.
They stayed like that for time enough that the storm that had been on the horizon was now gently coating them with rain. Kirara, who had also hidden herself behind Sango, silently stretched up to nudge Shippou. Nodding his understanding to the neko-youkai, the kitsune slid off of the taiji-ya and crawled over to Kagome. Her breathing had steadied, but the blood was beginning to puddle below her hands. Shippou contained his gasp at the sight. Even he knew the bleeding should have stopped by now.
Behind him, Sango and Miroku prayed for his safety as well as their own. Inuyasha was left to fend for himself, though. They weren't sure why his casual remark had set Kagome off, but they didn't have to be to know that he deserved it. Still, the rain was increasing in intensity, and the lightning was getting closer with each strike.
"Ka-Kagome?" Shippou squeaked, tugging on his tail in an effort to keep his nerves in check.
After waiting for a response and not getting any, the kitsune was about to try again when he saw Kagome's eyes open and her gaze slid over to pierce him. He gulped, swallowing the lump that suddenly constricted his throat and blinked up at her. Another tense moment passed before Kagome suddenly collapsed to the ground with a great sigh.
"Oh, Shippou.. gomen. Did I scare you?"
The reply she received was a tackle-hug from the little kitsune. He buried his face in her belly and inhaled as deeply as his tiny lungs would let him, reassuring himself that his Kagome was real. Satisfied, he looked up into her eyes then down to her hands, which had finally unballed. The blood was still seeping with every beat of her heart. He frowned and reached out to pull her hand closer. Kagome just watched him as he lifted the hand to his face and gently licked her wounds. A lone, hot tear slid down her face, mixing in with the rain she was just beginning to feel.
"Kagome-chan, Houshi-sama... we should move to shelter," Sango stood, stretching her cramped muscles before setting Hiraikotsu on her back. She turned to help the monk up, but found him absently rubbing the arm of his cursed hand, and staring at the place where Inuyasha still lie. "Houshi- sama?"
Miroku ignored the taiji-ya, addressing Kagome instead. "What did you do to him?"
"I..." Kagome sighed again, looking down at Shippou who was now cleaning her other hand. "He... I just wanted him to stop."
"Stop what, Kagome-chan?" Sango moved closer to her friend, kneeling beside her and placing an arm around the miko's shoulders.
"Stop... acting like. . like . . ." Now Kagome was crying, and Sango rubbed her back as she looked towards Inuyasha. What she saw made her gasp, causing Kagome to follow the taiji-ya's line of sight.
The hanyou was breathing and looked all right, but something was drastically wrong. His furry ears were gone, his hair was black, and his claws had shrunk to regular nails. Inuyasha was in his human form, during the day, and when the moon was to be nearly full.
Clearing his throat, Miroku stood, still rubbing his arm. After it had stayed in the same position for so long -halfway to Sango's beautiful..- he shook his head in effort to align his thoughts, and knelt beside the fallen hanyou. Smart enough to use his staff, the monk poked Inuyasha in the ribs, getting a grunt in return. He sighed, at least he was aware enough to make sounds. Could he hear?
Before Miroku could say anything, Kagome broke out, "Gomen.. gomen, gomen, gomen.. I.. I didn't mean to, Inuyasha. I just- you.." A shudder ran through Kagome's body and she bolted to her feet, hugging Shippou tightly. Despite the tears running down her cheeks her voice hardened. "Don't ever act like that, Inuyasha. I won't let Shippou grow up in such an atmosphere."
At that, Kagome turned and ran back toward the well. Unfortunately, the well was a day's travel by foot. Sango nodded to Kirara who transformed and took off after Kagome. She would get her there safely.
~~~
In the cave Miroku and Sango had found for shelter, there was an uneasy quiet. The fire crackled as the monk and taiji-ya ate their food in silence. Sango sat leaning against Kagome's giant pack that the girl had left behind in her haste. Farther back in the cave sat Inuyasha, hugging Tetsuiga and his knees to his chest. His head rested on the hilt of his sword, black hair tumbling forward to hide his features. Every now and then Miroku would glance over in the hanyou's direction as though studying something around him.
"Houshi-sama," Sango inquired, "what are you looking at?"
Flinching at her title for him, Miroku turned back to the fire before answering. "There is an odd aura about him. Like when Kagome purifies a shard. . . this aura feels of her, and the shard together. It is as though she had purified him, locking his youkai blood elsewhere."
"If she purified him, wouldn't his youkai blood be gone?" She whispered this question, hoping Inuyasha wouldn't pick it up with his dulled senses.
"No," Miroku shook his head slowly. "I can still sense his youki. It's there, it is just.. bound tighter than Tetsuiga could ever manage."
Silence once again took over the cave. The two looked over at their transformed companion filled with something not quite pity. What would happen now? They sighed and made ready to sleep. The only thing to do was return to Kaede and hope that Kagome would be there, or would return soon. They didn't try to deceive themselves that Inuyasha would go to drag her back himself.
Sango sighed again, curling into a ball under her blanket. She hoped Kagome was okay. The miko was her close friend, and she didn't like seeing her hurt like that. What ever had set her off, it was a deep wound.
~~~
Kagome shivered again and Shippou snuggled closer against her. Kirara, too, wiggled closer to the young miko. They were sheltered in a hollow trunk that had once been the base of a large, old tree. It was not yet winter, but the nights were cold and Kagome's bedroll was with her companions. Well, it was with them if they remembered or even thought to take it with them. Another shiver ran through her body, but this one was caused by the thought of Inuyasha. What had she done to him? Mentally, she chided herself and calmed her nerves. It wouldn't do to be upset.
A few deep breaths and she was reasonably calm. She brought her actions to the front of her thoughts and tried to figure out what had happened. She knew what Inuyasha had said, and that it had made her angry. It wasn't really his fault, how could he know about what her friend had been through? A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. He deserved the humbling experience, though. Still, how had she done it? If she could figure that out, she might be able to use it to her advantage in fights. Modify it a bit, or more than a bit, and be able to use her miko powers at a distance. She knew it had been her powers to reduce the hanyou to his human form. But, had she not felt the Shikon as well?
Now she was frowning and absently scratching Shippou's and Kirara's heads while she thought. She must have drawn on the Shikon no Kakara that she had. Still, she was remembering everything she had done now, and not once had she even thought of the Shikon no Tama. No, she had reached deep into herself and pulled from a deep well of power she found there. There was no need for the Shikon no Kakara she had in the little glass jar. Perhaps, after traveling within her soul for five hundred years, she and the jewel had become connected more than she or anyone thought?
She could puzzle that out later. For now, she just wanted to sleep. And since she knew how she had done what she did to Inuyasha, she knew how to undo it. More importantly, she was aware of her own power now, how to reach it, and how to manipulate it to do what she needed it to. Feeling the protests her body was sending at still being awake, Kagome surrendered to sleep after wrapping her miko power around the neko youkai, kitsune and herself. That night the three slept warm despite the chill of the night, and safer than they had been in a long time. Now, Kagome knew how to keep them all safe. And tomorrow she would bind Inuyasha to her so tightly that Kikyo would have no hope of dragging him to hell anymore. She would make sure Shippou had a family to grow up with. One that had both a mother and a father.
~~~
Soft laughter tugged at the dreams of the three companions in the cave. Not surprisingly, Inuyasha was the first to open his eyes, but he did not bother to look up. Still sunk in his own depression, he simply figured one of the other two with him could deal with it. He was just a weak human, anyway. Why should he bother?
"Really, Inuyasha." The voice was one the hanyou would recognize anywhere, but it was definitely not Sango. "You look like a puppy who just realized his master is not returning for him."
Inuyasha sucked in a lungful of air, looking up with hope-filled eyes. "Kagome!?"
"And then the mistress comes in and tells the puppy it's okay. The master just left for the day." Kagome grinned. "Except, I'm the mistress, there is no master. I have returned, though."
Laughter still shown in her eyes as she reached out a hand for him to take. He did so, obedient in his bewildered state.
"Come, Inuyasha. I have something to show you," she tugged him to the end of the cave, pausing to pat Shippou on the head. "Stay here and keep Sango safe from Miroku. That goes for you, too, Kirara."
The kitsune nodded and Kirara gave an agreeing mew. Satisfied, Kagome left with Inuyasha, and Miroku and Sango could only blink at one another over the remains of their fire.
It wasn't until they were a good distance away that Inuyasha snapped out of his bewilderment and remembered that he was supposed to be depressed and sulking. Kagome, feeling the change in his step, stopped and turned to look at him.
"What's your problem, Inuyasha?"
"Keh."
Sigh.
Glare.
"Is it really so bad to be human?"
Half-growl, stronger glare enforced with the best growl his human throat could muster.
"Well, no complaining when we humans of the group want to rest."
"You're not human."
Kagome grinned. Finally, some real words out of him. "Oh?"
"Humans have hearts. What the hell did you do to me?"
This time Kagome growled. "Exactly what you deserved."
Blink.
Glare.
Pout.
Sigh. "Inuyasha, please listen to me."
Grunt.
"I have a close friend.. her father is.. not the sort of man that should ever be a father. Or around any children for that matter. I found out the last time I was home that he is even worse than I thought, and you. . . you just reminded me so much of him that I snapped."
Inuyasha blinked at her again. Had the man hurt Kagome? He would dearly pay if he did. About to entertain himself with thoughts of how to torture anybody that hurt Kagome he nearly missed the tears gathering in her eyes. Immediately, his breath caught and all thoughts of torture vaporized. Why was she crying?
"Inuyasha.. " Sniffle. "Gomen, you don't really deserve to be bound in your human form. I.. I can release you."
"Kagome?"
She looked up, startled to find his eyes so close to her own. "Y-yes?"
"Why are you crying?"
"I.. I just realized how close I came to hurting you."
"By keeping me in human form? Keh, I'm stronger than that." Pay no mind to the sulking, depressed and silent hanyou of earlier . . .
"Not that. I.. I was going to." The miko shuddered. Had she really been planning on forcing him to bond with her? Now that she thought about it, she realized how bad the consequences of such an action would have been. Mikos did not force anyone to do anything. Bonding oneself to someone unwilling would not only be painful, but also have the exact opposite effect she had wanted. Slumping to the ground, Kagome hugged her legs and refused to look at Inuyasha as she spoke.
"I'll undo the binding, Inuyasha. You'll.. you'll be free of me. I'll even remove the rosary."
"Don't.." came a whisper so close to Kagome's ear she felt her hair stir.
"Don't what?" she whispered back.
"Leave me, Kagome. Don't leave me. I need you."
She raised her head, looking once again into the violet eyes of Inuyasha. "Do you really mean that?"
He nodded, "Hai."
"I'm not Kikyo."
"I know that," Inuyasha frowned. "I never felt this way for Kikyo. I.. I cared for her, lusted after her, but. . ."
Kagome kept silent. Please, let him say what she hoped he was going to say. Please, don't let him change his mind about Kikyo and turn to her instead. After all, had he not planned to use the Shikon no Tama to become human and stay with her?
"Kagome, I want you to be my mate." His words were barely a whisper, but Kagome heard them as though they had been shouted. He wanted her.
Instead of saying anything, Kagome let her legs go and wrapped her arms around Inuyasha. She held him so tight he thought she was trying to push herself through to the other side.
"I need to breath.." he forced out.
With a half-laugh, half-sob, Kagome loosened her grip enough to peer into his eyes again. They gazed at one another for a moment, then Inuyasha leaned forward and caught her lips with his own. Caught by surprise again, Kagome stiffened, causing Inuyasha to pull back with a frown.
"Gomen."
"Please.. don't stop." Kagome enforced her words with a pleading look in her eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"Hai." The miko nodded, rolling forward and catching his lips with hers this time. He instantly responded and wrapped his arms around her.
"Kagome," he managed to steady his voice when they finally broke apart. "I meant what I said. Will you be my mate?"
"Hai, Inuyasha. Will you be mine?"
Blink. "I asked you. Why would I say no?"
"I claimed Shippou.."
"You what?" Inuyasha was thoroughly confused. "Only youkai claim humans.." He struggled shortly to remember the word. "Humans adopt."
Shrug. "Shippou is youkai, you are hanyou.. and I wanted all youkai to know he was protected."
"How did you know what to do? Youkai-"
He was cut off by her waving hands. "I don't want to know. I did something more in line with my miko abilities."
"You what?" He asked again.
"I," Kagome frowned, trying to find the right words. "I marked him. He already has my scent on him since he always sleeps with me, but. . . now he is surrounded by my protection. He wears a cord around his neck that we made this morning. It carries a.. charm. He is surrounded by my protection."
"How?"
Shrug. Again. "I can't explain how I did it. I just knew how when I needed to."
The hanyou shook his head. What was he to do with her? He should be frightened. She had bound his youkai blood, rendering him a nearly helpless human, and could probably kill him with a thought. Obviously, she had control of her miko powers, and she was much stronger than Kikyo could ever hope to be. Strangely, this only drew him closer to her. She accepted him as he was. Or, she had.
As though reading his thoughts, Kagome placed a hand on each of his shoulders and closed her eyes. Within him he felt what could only be her power moving. There was a tug, a release, and his own power pulsed. His hair returned to its usual silvery, blue-ish white, and his ears got fuzzy and migrated to the top of his head again. Sounds and smells rushed through his senses as his claws lengthened. Eyes, golden once more, searched Kagome's as he lifted her face.
"My answer is yes."
It took a moment, but Kagome remembered the question. Any words she might have said were blocked passage when Inuyasha gently pressed his lips to hers. His tongue begged entrance and she hesitantly parted her lips. She let him explore before pushing him away. He frowned and made to pull her back when her hand on his chest stopped him.
"No.. I want to bind us first." She searched his eyes. "Are you sure you are willing?"
A nod was her reply. She seemed to be getting lots of silent replies lately. Mentally shrugging, Kagome cleared her mind and reached within herself for her well of power. Drawing it out, she used her physical contact with Inuyasha to reach within him as well. Her eyes had drifted closed in her concentration, and now she could see herself through his. Did she really look like that? Gripping her concentration again, she found Inuyasha's source of power. His youki was unstable, due to its recent release by the Tetsuiga breaking, but as her power wrapped around it, it calmed. His youki and her miko energy swirled together, mixing, but not. Their powers curled against one another like two dogs of a pack, happy to be united at last.
Kagome took a deep breath and opened her eyes, meeting Inuyasha's intense gaze.
"What.. is this, Kagome?"
"This," she answered with a kiss, "is the start of a long relationship."
~~~
Miroku, with several bumps and bruises was not-so-surprisingly the first to spot the pair as they returned. Sango had kicked him out of the cave after his third grope and threatened him with a transformed Kirara and removal of his ability to ever have any woman bear his child. Shippou soon bounded out of the cave, having caught Kagome's scent.
"Kagome!!" The little kitsune shouted, bounding into her welcoming arms. "Did it work?" He shot a glance at Inuyasha, then whispered in her ear, "I'm guessing yes, so.. can I name the first?"
"First what, kit?"
"Nothing important!" Shippou's eyes widened in innocence. "I just want to name her first.. puppy!"
"Puppy?" Inuyasha growled warningly.
Swallow and nod. "Hai.. she has a neko, right? I want to name her first inu."
Laughter startled them both into looking at Kagome. She hugged Shippou and walked past Miroku and into the cave. The monk and hanyou stared at each other for a moment. Then they both shrugged and stared at the cave entrance. Women.
"Oi, bouzu, what do you think got into Kagome?"
Arching a brow, Miroku grinned. "Wouldn't you know?"
Growling, Inuyasha launched at the monk. "Just what are you suggesting, bouzu?"
More laughter spilled from the cave. Inside, Kagome and Sango listened to the two outside a little longer before turning to prepare the fire. The boys would settle down once the ramen was fixed. As it was, Shippou was already licking a lollipop from Kagome's pack. She had handed it to him with a promise of getting to name one of the.. pups, if not the first, as well as assurance that she would be around to see them, and him, grow.
Sango quietly listened as her friend explained, then blushed when the miko teased her about Miroku. "After all," Kagome reasoned too well, "I have seen how he looks at you, and how you look at him. And I know you don't mind his groping half as much as you make it appear. You just wish he would be more discrete, and loyal." Kagome frowned. "I'll speak with him, if you wish."
At the taiji-ya's expression Kagome smiled again. "Don't worry, Sango-chan, I won't mention your feelings to him. Just give him pointers on what women really want. And ease his fear."
"Fear?" Sango finally asked.
"Hai.. I think he is afraid because of his curse. Have you not seen him staring at it sometimes at night. I've watched him through nearly closed lids enough to know he studies you as you sleep, and then looks to his hand with this expression. . . He's afraid, Sango-chan. He doesn't want to hurt you, so he pushes you away with his gropes."
The taiji-ya blinked. She made to speak again, but Inuyasha burst upon them, having finally caught the scent of ramen. Miroku was not far behind, a few extra bumps on his head. Looking at the group that had accepted her, Sango allowed herself to think that maybe, just maybe Kagome was right.
~~~
A/N: And there you have it. I tried to catch the mistakes, but invariably, several will make it through. I use my own version of grammar sometimes, too. When it suits me. Try it sometime. It's as fun as feeding flamers to jackals. ^_^
A/N: This is a quick short-story fic to give me a break typing my big fanfic. Let me know what you think, hn? *pats her lead yak* All flamers, however, will be crushed under my yaks' hooves and left for the jackals. *grin* That's a fun thought.
*ahem* On with the story . . . Oh, but a bit about this fic.. this is a lemon in true form. The lemon version will be posted at Inuyasha no Uchi, and hopefully, eventually at Iridescent Dreams. I'll stick it a few other places, too. Places where they actually like lemons and have people who understand that if you don't like a fic, you just don't read it.
~Shisou
~~~ Miko no Youkai ~~~
Miroku blinked, his hand frozen half way to it's customary grope of Sango. The taiji-ya herself was equally stunned, and poor Shippou had been quick to jump and hide in her hair. A painful silence threatened to suffocate them, but none made to break it. They were more than afraid of what might happen if Kagome's attention were to shift to them.
Standing over an uncharacteristically quiet Inuyasha was a steaming Kagome. Her fists were clenched and blood was slowly trickling from the marks her nails were making in her palms. She struggled to steady her breathing, her eyes closed in concentration. Wisely, Inuyasha did not move from the new impression of himself in the ground. Or, maybe he didn't move because he couldn't. To those who could see it, there was a faint glow of power over the hanyou's form. It seemed to pulse in time with the blood trailing from Kagome's self-inflicted cuts.
They stayed like that for time enough that the storm that had been on the horizon was now gently coating them with rain. Kirara, who had also hidden herself behind Sango, silently stretched up to nudge Shippou. Nodding his understanding to the neko-youkai, the kitsune slid off of the taiji-ya and crawled over to Kagome. Her breathing had steadied, but the blood was beginning to puddle below her hands. Shippou contained his gasp at the sight. Even he knew the bleeding should have stopped by now.
Behind him, Sango and Miroku prayed for his safety as well as their own. Inuyasha was left to fend for himself, though. They weren't sure why his casual remark had set Kagome off, but they didn't have to be to know that he deserved it. Still, the rain was increasing in intensity, and the lightning was getting closer with each strike.
"Ka-Kagome?" Shippou squeaked, tugging on his tail in an effort to keep his nerves in check.
After waiting for a response and not getting any, the kitsune was about to try again when he saw Kagome's eyes open and her gaze slid over to pierce him. He gulped, swallowing the lump that suddenly constricted his throat and blinked up at her. Another tense moment passed before Kagome suddenly collapsed to the ground with a great sigh.
"Oh, Shippou.. gomen. Did I scare you?"
The reply she received was a tackle-hug from the little kitsune. He buried his face in her belly and inhaled as deeply as his tiny lungs would let him, reassuring himself that his Kagome was real. Satisfied, he looked up into her eyes then down to her hands, which had finally unballed. The blood was still seeping with every beat of her heart. He frowned and reached out to pull her hand closer. Kagome just watched him as he lifted the hand to his face and gently licked her wounds. A lone, hot tear slid down her face, mixing in with the rain she was just beginning to feel.
"Kagome-chan, Houshi-sama... we should move to shelter," Sango stood, stretching her cramped muscles before setting Hiraikotsu on her back. She turned to help the monk up, but found him absently rubbing the arm of his cursed hand, and staring at the place where Inuyasha still lie. "Houshi- sama?"
Miroku ignored the taiji-ya, addressing Kagome instead. "What did you do to him?"
"I..." Kagome sighed again, looking down at Shippou who was now cleaning her other hand. "He... I just wanted him to stop."
"Stop what, Kagome-chan?" Sango moved closer to her friend, kneeling beside her and placing an arm around the miko's shoulders.
"Stop... acting like. . like . . ." Now Kagome was crying, and Sango rubbed her back as she looked towards Inuyasha. What she saw made her gasp, causing Kagome to follow the taiji-ya's line of sight.
The hanyou was breathing and looked all right, but something was drastically wrong. His furry ears were gone, his hair was black, and his claws had shrunk to regular nails. Inuyasha was in his human form, during the day, and when the moon was to be nearly full.
Clearing his throat, Miroku stood, still rubbing his arm. After it had stayed in the same position for so long -halfway to Sango's beautiful..- he shook his head in effort to align his thoughts, and knelt beside the fallen hanyou. Smart enough to use his staff, the monk poked Inuyasha in the ribs, getting a grunt in return. He sighed, at least he was aware enough to make sounds. Could he hear?
Before Miroku could say anything, Kagome broke out, "Gomen.. gomen, gomen, gomen.. I.. I didn't mean to, Inuyasha. I just- you.." A shudder ran through Kagome's body and she bolted to her feet, hugging Shippou tightly. Despite the tears running down her cheeks her voice hardened. "Don't ever act like that, Inuyasha. I won't let Shippou grow up in such an atmosphere."
At that, Kagome turned and ran back toward the well. Unfortunately, the well was a day's travel by foot. Sango nodded to Kirara who transformed and took off after Kagome. She would get her there safely.
~~~
In the cave Miroku and Sango had found for shelter, there was an uneasy quiet. The fire crackled as the monk and taiji-ya ate their food in silence. Sango sat leaning against Kagome's giant pack that the girl had left behind in her haste. Farther back in the cave sat Inuyasha, hugging Tetsuiga and his knees to his chest. His head rested on the hilt of his sword, black hair tumbling forward to hide his features. Every now and then Miroku would glance over in the hanyou's direction as though studying something around him.
"Houshi-sama," Sango inquired, "what are you looking at?"
Flinching at her title for him, Miroku turned back to the fire before answering. "There is an odd aura about him. Like when Kagome purifies a shard. . . this aura feels of her, and the shard together. It is as though she had purified him, locking his youkai blood elsewhere."
"If she purified him, wouldn't his youkai blood be gone?" She whispered this question, hoping Inuyasha wouldn't pick it up with his dulled senses.
"No," Miroku shook his head slowly. "I can still sense his youki. It's there, it is just.. bound tighter than Tetsuiga could ever manage."
Silence once again took over the cave. The two looked over at their transformed companion filled with something not quite pity. What would happen now? They sighed and made ready to sleep. The only thing to do was return to Kaede and hope that Kagome would be there, or would return soon. They didn't try to deceive themselves that Inuyasha would go to drag her back himself.
Sango sighed again, curling into a ball under her blanket. She hoped Kagome was okay. The miko was her close friend, and she didn't like seeing her hurt like that. What ever had set her off, it was a deep wound.
~~~
Kagome shivered again and Shippou snuggled closer against her. Kirara, too, wiggled closer to the young miko. They were sheltered in a hollow trunk that had once been the base of a large, old tree. It was not yet winter, but the nights were cold and Kagome's bedroll was with her companions. Well, it was with them if they remembered or even thought to take it with them. Another shiver ran through her body, but this one was caused by the thought of Inuyasha. What had she done to him? Mentally, she chided herself and calmed her nerves. It wouldn't do to be upset.
A few deep breaths and she was reasonably calm. She brought her actions to the front of her thoughts and tried to figure out what had happened. She knew what Inuyasha had said, and that it had made her angry. It wasn't really his fault, how could he know about what her friend had been through? A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. He deserved the humbling experience, though. Still, how had she done it? If she could figure that out, she might be able to use it to her advantage in fights. Modify it a bit, or more than a bit, and be able to use her miko powers at a distance. She knew it had been her powers to reduce the hanyou to his human form. But, had she not felt the Shikon as well?
Now she was frowning and absently scratching Shippou's and Kirara's heads while she thought. She must have drawn on the Shikon no Kakara that she had. Still, she was remembering everything she had done now, and not once had she even thought of the Shikon no Tama. No, she had reached deep into herself and pulled from a deep well of power she found there. There was no need for the Shikon no Kakara she had in the little glass jar. Perhaps, after traveling within her soul for five hundred years, she and the jewel had become connected more than she or anyone thought?
She could puzzle that out later. For now, she just wanted to sleep. And since she knew how she had done what she did to Inuyasha, she knew how to undo it. More importantly, she was aware of her own power now, how to reach it, and how to manipulate it to do what she needed it to. Feeling the protests her body was sending at still being awake, Kagome surrendered to sleep after wrapping her miko power around the neko youkai, kitsune and herself. That night the three slept warm despite the chill of the night, and safer than they had been in a long time. Now, Kagome knew how to keep them all safe. And tomorrow she would bind Inuyasha to her so tightly that Kikyo would have no hope of dragging him to hell anymore. She would make sure Shippou had a family to grow up with. One that had both a mother and a father.
~~~
Soft laughter tugged at the dreams of the three companions in the cave. Not surprisingly, Inuyasha was the first to open his eyes, but he did not bother to look up. Still sunk in his own depression, he simply figured one of the other two with him could deal with it. He was just a weak human, anyway. Why should he bother?
"Really, Inuyasha." The voice was one the hanyou would recognize anywhere, but it was definitely not Sango. "You look like a puppy who just realized his master is not returning for him."
Inuyasha sucked in a lungful of air, looking up with hope-filled eyes. "Kagome!?"
"And then the mistress comes in and tells the puppy it's okay. The master just left for the day." Kagome grinned. "Except, I'm the mistress, there is no master. I have returned, though."
Laughter still shown in her eyes as she reached out a hand for him to take. He did so, obedient in his bewildered state.
"Come, Inuyasha. I have something to show you," she tugged him to the end of the cave, pausing to pat Shippou on the head. "Stay here and keep Sango safe from Miroku. That goes for you, too, Kirara."
The kitsune nodded and Kirara gave an agreeing mew. Satisfied, Kagome left with Inuyasha, and Miroku and Sango could only blink at one another over the remains of their fire.
It wasn't until they were a good distance away that Inuyasha snapped out of his bewilderment and remembered that he was supposed to be depressed and sulking. Kagome, feeling the change in his step, stopped and turned to look at him.
"What's your problem, Inuyasha?"
"Keh."
Sigh.
Glare.
"Is it really so bad to be human?"
Half-growl, stronger glare enforced with the best growl his human throat could muster.
"Well, no complaining when we humans of the group want to rest."
"You're not human."
Kagome grinned. Finally, some real words out of him. "Oh?"
"Humans have hearts. What the hell did you do to me?"
This time Kagome growled. "Exactly what you deserved."
Blink.
Glare.
Pout.
Sigh. "Inuyasha, please listen to me."
Grunt.
"I have a close friend.. her father is.. not the sort of man that should ever be a father. Or around any children for that matter. I found out the last time I was home that he is even worse than I thought, and you. . . you just reminded me so much of him that I snapped."
Inuyasha blinked at her again. Had the man hurt Kagome? He would dearly pay if he did. About to entertain himself with thoughts of how to torture anybody that hurt Kagome he nearly missed the tears gathering in her eyes. Immediately, his breath caught and all thoughts of torture vaporized. Why was she crying?
"Inuyasha.. " Sniffle. "Gomen, you don't really deserve to be bound in your human form. I.. I can release you."
"Kagome?"
She looked up, startled to find his eyes so close to her own. "Y-yes?"
"Why are you crying?"
"I.. I just realized how close I came to hurting you."
"By keeping me in human form? Keh, I'm stronger than that." Pay no mind to the sulking, depressed and silent hanyou of earlier . . .
"Not that. I.. I was going to." The miko shuddered. Had she really been planning on forcing him to bond with her? Now that she thought about it, she realized how bad the consequences of such an action would have been. Mikos did not force anyone to do anything. Bonding oneself to someone unwilling would not only be painful, but also have the exact opposite effect she had wanted. Slumping to the ground, Kagome hugged her legs and refused to look at Inuyasha as she spoke.
"I'll undo the binding, Inuyasha. You'll.. you'll be free of me. I'll even remove the rosary."
"Don't.." came a whisper so close to Kagome's ear she felt her hair stir.
"Don't what?" she whispered back.
"Leave me, Kagome. Don't leave me. I need you."
She raised her head, looking once again into the violet eyes of Inuyasha. "Do you really mean that?"
He nodded, "Hai."
"I'm not Kikyo."
"I know that," Inuyasha frowned. "I never felt this way for Kikyo. I.. I cared for her, lusted after her, but. . ."
Kagome kept silent. Please, let him say what she hoped he was going to say. Please, don't let him change his mind about Kikyo and turn to her instead. After all, had he not planned to use the Shikon no Tama to become human and stay with her?
"Kagome, I want you to be my mate." His words were barely a whisper, but Kagome heard them as though they had been shouted. He wanted her.
Instead of saying anything, Kagome let her legs go and wrapped her arms around Inuyasha. She held him so tight he thought she was trying to push herself through to the other side.
"I need to breath.." he forced out.
With a half-laugh, half-sob, Kagome loosened her grip enough to peer into his eyes again. They gazed at one another for a moment, then Inuyasha leaned forward and caught her lips with his own. Caught by surprise again, Kagome stiffened, causing Inuyasha to pull back with a frown.
"Gomen."
"Please.. don't stop." Kagome enforced her words with a pleading look in her eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"Hai." The miko nodded, rolling forward and catching his lips with hers this time. He instantly responded and wrapped his arms around her.
"Kagome," he managed to steady his voice when they finally broke apart. "I meant what I said. Will you be my mate?"
"Hai, Inuyasha. Will you be mine?"
Blink. "I asked you. Why would I say no?"
"I claimed Shippou.."
"You what?" Inuyasha was thoroughly confused. "Only youkai claim humans.." He struggled shortly to remember the word. "Humans adopt."
Shrug. "Shippou is youkai, you are hanyou.. and I wanted all youkai to know he was protected."
"How did you know what to do? Youkai-"
He was cut off by her waving hands. "I don't want to know. I did something more in line with my miko abilities."
"You what?" He asked again.
"I," Kagome frowned, trying to find the right words. "I marked him. He already has my scent on him since he always sleeps with me, but. . . now he is surrounded by my protection. He wears a cord around his neck that we made this morning. It carries a.. charm. He is surrounded by my protection."
"How?"
Shrug. Again. "I can't explain how I did it. I just knew how when I needed to."
The hanyou shook his head. What was he to do with her? He should be frightened. She had bound his youkai blood, rendering him a nearly helpless human, and could probably kill him with a thought. Obviously, she had control of her miko powers, and she was much stronger than Kikyo could ever hope to be. Strangely, this only drew him closer to her. She accepted him as he was. Or, she had.
As though reading his thoughts, Kagome placed a hand on each of his shoulders and closed her eyes. Within him he felt what could only be her power moving. There was a tug, a release, and his own power pulsed. His hair returned to its usual silvery, blue-ish white, and his ears got fuzzy and migrated to the top of his head again. Sounds and smells rushed through his senses as his claws lengthened. Eyes, golden once more, searched Kagome's as he lifted her face.
"My answer is yes."
It took a moment, but Kagome remembered the question. Any words she might have said were blocked passage when Inuyasha gently pressed his lips to hers. His tongue begged entrance and she hesitantly parted her lips. She let him explore before pushing him away. He frowned and made to pull her back when her hand on his chest stopped him.
"No.. I want to bind us first." She searched his eyes. "Are you sure you are willing?"
A nod was her reply. She seemed to be getting lots of silent replies lately. Mentally shrugging, Kagome cleared her mind and reached within herself for her well of power. Drawing it out, she used her physical contact with Inuyasha to reach within him as well. Her eyes had drifted closed in her concentration, and now she could see herself through his. Did she really look like that? Gripping her concentration again, she found Inuyasha's source of power. His youki was unstable, due to its recent release by the Tetsuiga breaking, but as her power wrapped around it, it calmed. His youki and her miko energy swirled together, mixing, but not. Their powers curled against one another like two dogs of a pack, happy to be united at last.
Kagome took a deep breath and opened her eyes, meeting Inuyasha's intense gaze.
"What.. is this, Kagome?"
"This," she answered with a kiss, "is the start of a long relationship."
~~~
Miroku, with several bumps and bruises was not-so-surprisingly the first to spot the pair as they returned. Sango had kicked him out of the cave after his third grope and threatened him with a transformed Kirara and removal of his ability to ever have any woman bear his child. Shippou soon bounded out of the cave, having caught Kagome's scent.
"Kagome!!" The little kitsune shouted, bounding into her welcoming arms. "Did it work?" He shot a glance at Inuyasha, then whispered in her ear, "I'm guessing yes, so.. can I name the first?"
"First what, kit?"
"Nothing important!" Shippou's eyes widened in innocence. "I just want to name her first.. puppy!"
"Puppy?" Inuyasha growled warningly.
Swallow and nod. "Hai.. she has a neko, right? I want to name her first inu."
Laughter startled them both into looking at Kagome. She hugged Shippou and walked past Miroku and into the cave. The monk and hanyou stared at each other for a moment. Then they both shrugged and stared at the cave entrance. Women.
"Oi, bouzu, what do you think got into Kagome?"
Arching a brow, Miroku grinned. "Wouldn't you know?"
Growling, Inuyasha launched at the monk. "Just what are you suggesting, bouzu?"
More laughter spilled from the cave. Inside, Kagome and Sango listened to the two outside a little longer before turning to prepare the fire. The boys would settle down once the ramen was fixed. As it was, Shippou was already licking a lollipop from Kagome's pack. She had handed it to him with a promise of getting to name one of the.. pups, if not the first, as well as assurance that she would be around to see them, and him, grow.
Sango quietly listened as her friend explained, then blushed when the miko teased her about Miroku. "After all," Kagome reasoned too well, "I have seen how he looks at you, and how you look at him. And I know you don't mind his groping half as much as you make it appear. You just wish he would be more discrete, and loyal." Kagome frowned. "I'll speak with him, if you wish."
At the taiji-ya's expression Kagome smiled again. "Don't worry, Sango-chan, I won't mention your feelings to him. Just give him pointers on what women really want. And ease his fear."
"Fear?" Sango finally asked.
"Hai.. I think he is afraid because of his curse. Have you not seen him staring at it sometimes at night. I've watched him through nearly closed lids enough to know he studies you as you sleep, and then looks to his hand with this expression. . . He's afraid, Sango-chan. He doesn't want to hurt you, so he pushes you away with his gropes."
The taiji-ya blinked. She made to speak again, but Inuyasha burst upon them, having finally caught the scent of ramen. Miroku was not far behind, a few extra bumps on his head. Looking at the group that had accepted her, Sango allowed herself to think that maybe, just maybe Kagome was right.
~~~
A/N: And there you have it. I tried to catch the mistakes, but invariably, several will make it through. I use my own version of grammar sometimes, too. When it suits me. Try it sometime. It's as fun as feeding flamers to jackals. ^_^