Don't own Inuyasha, no copyright crap intended.
Sesshomaru makes an appearance! He's very different than in the manga and anime so no complaining as I have already explained this to you. He's more friendly and brotherly, okay?
More Inuyasha and Kagome cuteness coming up! That's a promise!
Chapter 4- Strength-
Kagome woke the next morning and at once set out to the river to clean Inuyasha's clothes and to repair them. The villager's swords weren't sharp enough to break through his robe of the fire rat but time had made it filthy.
Kagome scrubbed at it for a good hour before Kirara came looking for her. Kagome was focused on the robe and didn't notice Kirara until she rubbed her little head against Kagome's leg. Kagome jumped then looked and laughed "Morning Kirara, have you been worried?" Kirara meowed and then jumped onto Kagome's shoulder and sat to watch her work. Kagome's determined work had gotten it back to its original splendour, the red was poppy or slightly deeper, she was sure that it would make him look wild and free like a demon was meant to be. Or a hanyou, Kagome smiled, but it was a sad smile.
"Inuyasha will be better soon…" she said to Kirara, not caring if the cat was paying attention or if she could understand her. The cat could understand and her tails drooped with disappointment, realising that they had gotten to this stage so quickly "Inuyasha… will be… able to leave… soon" she sniffed. "Oh, Kirara I'll miss him!" she started to cry quietly, knowing she was being selfish but unable to stop wishing he would stay in her hut forever.
With a final sniff Kagome tucked the fire rat kimono under her arm, crying wasn't going to help. She pulled up the nets that were catching fish but they were empty today, they would need to have the fish from yesterday and any forest foods she could scavenge. It was going to be a tough year for food…
Kagome gathered mushrooms and found a few wild vegetables but it was a small amount that would only feed two people and a cat for one day. Humming to herself she ducked under the door and gasped.
Inuyasha was awake and attempting to stand, he was struggling and his legs shook but he was stubbornly persisting. Kagome ran to his side "You shouldn't be walking yet! You're not strong enough!"
Inuyasha looked at her, her eyes filled with concern for him, he was killing himself just sitting in bed every day, he had been here just over a week and hadn't done anything. His legs failed him again and Kagome was suddenly holding all his weight. He grunted and let himself be put back into the bed.
"I can't sit still any longer" he complained, he was boring himself to death. "You're doing everything and I'm just sitting here"
Kagome sighed and pulled his blanket up around him "Well walking before you're strong enough isn't going to help you… if you want to help me I could give you some jobs to do in bed"
Inuyasha looked at her, he never tired of her pretty face "What could I do here to help you?" he nodded at the hoe in the background. "As you put it, there's more work outside"
Kagome nodded "Yeah, there is really… maybe I could put a blanket outside and then you could help me out then, you won't have to stand for ages but you can still do things with wood and stones. How about it?"
His golden eyes flashed with excitement when she mentioned going outside. He nodded smiling "Yeah, let's do it" it was as if the outside world, full of freedom and pain and wonder, was calling to him as he thought about it.
Kagome got the spare blanket and spread it outside on a dry patch of ground next to the house, so he'd have somewhere to lean if he tired. She got up to get him but Kirara come out with Inuyasha leaning on her as he forced his tired legs to walk, Kirara didn't seem to mind at all, her large eyes watchful and patient.
Kagome lowered him down onto the thick blanket and he sighed then stretched his long legs out in front of him "That felt good, I've been sitting still too long"
Kagome giggled then went indoors to make breakfast, she didn't want fish for breakfast so used the wild vegetables to make a weak soup. She tasted it and thought it was pitiful, useless and had hardly any nourishment in it and wouldn't fill a person up if it was the last thing on earth. But what choice do I have? Kagome picked up Inuyasha's portion and a fish for Kirara as well as the fire rat kimono and went outside to eat with him.
"Breakfast" she said lightly, handing him his bowl. Inuyasha looked at its contents and gave her a look that wasn't disgust or scorn, more like pity and apology. Kagome smiled apologetically then murmured "I know, pathetic right?" She gave Kirara her fish and the kitten sat in her lap while she ate.
Inuyasha felt guilty eating the food that she looked like she needed more, she was thin, not overly so as she had a lovely figure with fat in all the right places to make her look beautiful but her pale face showed her recent lack of nourishment, dainty and slender hands and feet with long glossy hair showed that wasn't always the case. She finished then held a hand to her stomach as it protested loudly at the pitiful portion.
She offered a sheepish smile. Inuyasha looked at her almost pained as he knew he was eating the food she needed right now. Kagome pulled out the fire rat kimono and said "I fixed it for you, I guess you'll need it when you're… strong enough to…" leave. She couldn't say it.
Inuyasha held the familiar fabric in his hands, it smelt of her very strongly, telling him that she had worked on it for a long time. Gold eyes met brown and he suddenly pulled her into his lap, just like yesterday.
Kagome gasped, still unused to his sudden bursts of affection that came from him. After squirming to get free for a short time she gave up, he was stronger than her and she couldn't escape his locked arms. Hesitantly she leaned onto him, smiling as her eyes closed.
Inuyasha caught her hurt and blistered hands at ran his tongue over the sore flesh. Kagome opened her eyes at the feeling and looked up to watch him, what's he doing? He ignored her questioning stare and continued to sooth the blisters on her palms. Her flesh tasted amazing, he couldn't get enough of it, silky smooth and softer than it too. He almost forgot that he was trying to heal her hands…
Kagome let out a disappointed whimper when he released her hands. He smirked at her and looked down at his fire rat robe. Kagome opened her fists and gasped, her hands were perfect again! She looked up at him "Inuyasha… what… how…?" she stuttered.
Inuyasha ran a finger over her palm and smiled "Call it the beginning of paying you back for what you've done for me. Thank you" he put his mouth right by her ear and she shivered making him grin widely. He loved the way she reacted to him, shy and embarrassed but it was adorable, his timid little angel with hidden fire in her soul…
Kagome shivered again then when he pulled back to see her face and put a hand to her cheek, Kirara meowed and Kagome smiled down at her and stood up, picking up the hoe and walking a little dazedly over to her garden.
She gave the hanyou a playful glare when he snickered at her wooziness. I don't understand… how does he get me to react like that? I've never felt like this before… The hoe didn't hurt her hands anymore, but she didn't notice, she was working hard to avoid looking into his golden eyes.
The eyes in mention were freely roaming over her shapely form, long legs that were slender, the same for the arms, her long hair caught little midnight blue hues, her eyes sparkled like brown jewels, skin was as delicate as cherry blossom petals and similar in colour, his male eyes hung too long over her breasts and rear…
Kirara saw that and nipped the back of his hand. Inuyasha jumped then glared at the two tail "What?" Kirara flicked her tails in an annoyed fashion. Inuyasha sighed, knowing he wouldn't get any reply, he could guess why though… he went red.
Kagome heard him curse and looked over to his seat to see him on his front as if he had been shoved over. Kirara was watching with an expression that was partly bored and partly scorn. Kagome came over to the half demon and knelt by him "Are you alright?"
He pushed himself up with his hands and nodded, still a little red in the face. Kagome saw the blush but didn't comment. Inuyasha struggled again then stood upright. Kagome looked up at him from her kneeling position, he was like a god…
Her cheeks warmed.
Long silver hair was flung out behind him as the wind blew, golden eyes that smouldered and burned, tanned limbs that were packed with hard lean muscles, hard defined chiselled face and a warmth she could feel from where she sat. Her cheeks warmed again and she struggled into a standing position.
Inuyasha smelt her scent change and smirked, a little devilishly, at her blushing face. Kagome glared a little but then just looked embarrassed as a girl would do. Inuyasha put a hand on the wall of her house and took a shaky step forwards. His legs felt like lead, stiff and useless, but he forced himself to walk.
Kagome put her hand on his arm and helped, knowing his need to be strong again. Inuyasha locked eyes with her and then smirked in a thank you.
Kirara watched them struggle to the river then laid her head down to snooze for a bit, just before the two returned though her nose picked up the scent of demon. She stood up and ran through the grass towards that scent and sat patiently at the side of the road for him to appear.
The demon appeared at his own pace, slow and calm as if he had no reason in the world to hurry. The cat fell into step with him and looked up as he looked down at her. The demon was tall and had long silver hair with golden eyes. This was Sesshomaru.
Kirara had been taken from a demon torture house and given to Kagome on the condition that she protect her and be her companion. Kirara liked Sesshomaru but knew that open affections towards him like she did for Kagome wouldn't be appreciated.
Sesshomaru paused in his walking as the two tail meowed out something that the dog demon could understand. He looked at her as if he were waiting for 'April Fools'. "Inuyasha's here?"
Kirara nodded and flicked her tails before continuing down the road. Sesshomaru followed her "I though he was sealed" Kirara meowed and then ran in a circle. Sesshomaru nodded "So his human nature eventually wore the seals thin? Does he know?" Kirara shook her head. Sesshomaru grunted, "Kagome took him in, didn't she?" Kirara nodded and meowed in a voice that was almost a 'don't judge so fast' tone and ran to the house with Sesshomaru following at his never changing pace.
Kagome was just helping Inuyasha back indoors with three large fish in one arm when Kirara jumped up and meowed urgently. Kagome looked down at her "What's wrong Kirara?" The feline pulled at her clothes and then looked up as Sesshomaru came from the trees.
Inuyasha was shocked at how little Sesshomaru had changed, he was exactly the same… well maybe a few more emotion lines but there wasn't any difference to him than there was before Inuyasha was sealed.
The brothers looked at one another for a long time. Not exactly a happy reunion…
Kagome gasped happily and ran for him "Sesshomaru!" the older demon cracked a almost smile then allowed the girl to hug him, he put a hand on her shoulder and then fully smiled, a bit like a father.
Inuyasha was instantly jealous at the attention he got from Kagome and shouted at him "Never thought I'd have to see your ugly mug again!"
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and pushed Kagome back so he could see her "Hello, Kagome. You look well" he turned her face from side to side with a hand on her chin, almost examining her. "You're hungry" he observed.
Kagome grinned "You can tell that just my looking at my face?"
Sesshomaru chuckled, a sound Inuyasha had never heard from him, creepy. "Well… not exactly. Good to see you survived the seals, Inuyasha"
The younger brother jumped at being addressed like that, he was still leaning against the wall, his legs shook and envy flooded his system but he wasn't going to let Sesshomaru see any of that. With a raised eyebrow and a half bark-laugh he asked, disbelievingly "Since when did you become so civil?"
Sesshomaru chuckled again and Kagome walked with him as he approached Inuyasha, her smile was pretty and Inuyasha found it difficult to keep his eyes on his brother. "Since I met your lady friend" he gestured to Kagome, Kirara jumped up into her arms and Kagome petted her as the cat meowed for attention.
Inuyasha sighed "You know what I mean, why are you treating me like a…"
"Brother?" Sesshomaru supplied, Inuyasha nodded, that worked. Sesshomaru thought for a second then said "I feel like doing that, after all nothing lasts forever, including hate for a tainted relative"
Kagome hit him. Inuyasha stared then burst into laughing tears, he had never seen a human hit his brother like that (And live to tell it). But her next words made him fall over laughing "Sesshomaru! How dare you talk you your own brother that way" Inuyasha clutched at his stomach as Kagome hauled him inside and then dumped him on the futon. "You aren't much better"
Sesshomaru snorted and sat himself down as well. "So, Kagome, how's life for you?"
Kagome giggled one last time at Inuyasha's expression then shook her head "Not as good as it could be, I'm banned form the village until I give Inuyasha over to be killed by them, it was bound to happen sooner or later…"
Sesshomaru shook his head in disgust. "I'll rip their heads off"
Inuyasha snorted "That's my job, I wanna good swipe at them for trying to kill me. I'll make them eat their own guts before I put them out of their misery"
Kagome pouted "Spare me the visual, but yeah, I think that's not exactly out of the question. Sesshomaru? Do you know how long Inuyasha's been sealed for? I can't get answers from the village"
Inuyasha sat up in interest. Sesshomaru saw that his brother was completely in the dark and though for a short minuet before answering. "Fifty years, give or take a year or two" Inuyasha slumped back in shock, fifty years… that's… not… possible…
Sesshomaru nodded solemnly "I only heard about it late, apparently you were mistaken for a demon terrorising the humans here by disguising very badly as one of them…" he eyed the dog ears but no one was paying him any attention at that moment in time.
Inuyasha shook his head and leaned back so he was laying down looking at the ceiling trying to process just how much time had passed. Kagome put a hand on his raised knee in sympathy, any friends or mortal family would be dead, he was out of his time and place by fifty years and a few leagues in any direction.
Inuyasha felt her comfort and was glad of it. Kagome saw that he wasn't going to join in conversation anytime soon so she busied herself with dinner, fish… she was growing sick of the creatures; hard to catch, too simple to cook, nothing to go with them… not to mention how slimy and horrid they were…
Her nose wrinkled as she pealed yet another skin off the scaly things. Kirara was the only one benefiting this little anti food situation: All the fish she could eat! (evil kitty smile). After serving dinner for two, Sesshomaru made a point of not eating human foods a long time ago, Sesshomaru had to pinch Inuyasha's ears cruelly to get him to wake up to eat.
Inuyasha yelped then growled before rubbing the sore triangles, Kagome threw her spoon at Sesshomaru in a silent telling off, catching him on the nose. Kirara seemed to be laughing at the events of the evening, her little form shaking and some hiccups coming from her. Kagome tickled her ears fondly and then picked up her spoon and with a face began to eat.
Kagome and Inuyasha ate side by side and Sesshomaru saw Kagome's eyes droop then she fell forwards onto his outstretched arm. Inuyasha sat up, concerned for his angel "Kagome?"
Sesshomaru put a finger to his lips in a warning to be silent. Then put Kagome on the futon while he gestured Inuyasha outside. Inuyasha paused only to tuck the blanket around her tightly, then used the hoe as a crutch to walk outside after his brother.
Sesshomaru was looking up at the crescent moon that was like his tattoo of royalty. "I bet it must feel unearthly to suddenly realise you've slept half your life away" Sesshomaru stated softly, not really to Inuyasha but he heard anyway.
Inuyasha sighed "A little" he admitted. Then glanced at the hut "I've never seen her fall asleep so quickly, lucky you saw it coming" he would have hated it if Kagome had hurt her pretty little head, she'd be more clumsy than normal!
Sesshomaru smiled "Not exactly…" he opened a small slip of paper and the dust inside smelt of something suspicious.
Inuyasha inhaled a little bit of the scent then said with an annoyed scowl "You drugged her?"
The demon sighed "I hate that word, it's harmless, I promise. It's only a herb called 'an angels sleep', quite fitting wouldn't you say brother? She'll just sleep soundly for twelve hours at the most. I didn't want her to over hear this"
Inuyasha blinked "What do you mean?"
Sesshomaru winced and rubbed his forehead, it hurt whenever his family was in danger or when he was forgetting something "I never told you, but just before you were born I found the mysterious creature called 'Two headed dragon'. It is only found once in a lifetime and it told me something about you're future"
Inuyasha looked up at Sesshomaru's face "My future? What kinda dragon is this anyway?"
Sesshomaru looked thoughtful for a second "I think it's a he. He breathes blue fire and it tells the one it meet the answer to one question, I didn't want to waste my time on such things so I tried to leave but it told me; 'Sesshomaru, on the night you remember exactly why you spared Inuyasha and saved Kagome; tell Inuyasha the vision of his future' Of course I had no idea what he was on about at the time… you were still an unborn pup and the same for Kagome's grandmother"
Inuyasha nodded "But how is this related to my future? It's aimed more at you than at me" his gold eyes were full of questions and a suspicion that was lingering from years of hateful fights between the brothers.
Sesshomaru hadn't looked Inuyasha in the eye properly, always looking just to the left or right of his face. "It would seem that way, but there was a vision in the blue fire as well as the message. It showed me using Tenseiga and saving Kagome. Then not too long ago, I visited the shrine that held you captive, I destroyed the outer seals and then went on my way. The third was the one that confused me the most and still does. It was of you two together and a long line of hanyous in shadows following you into the future… whatever happens in the future, you and Kagome have a lot to do with it"
Inuyasha didn't answer right away. "It doesn't make any sense no matter how you put it, are you saying that we have something to do with all future born hanyous?"
Sesshomaru nodded "A lot to do with them. Possibly the start of everything that will follow…"
The two brothers quietened and just looked at the sky. The night was quiet and slowly each brother began to forget that they were meant to be trying to kill the other and not having a conversation about futures. Inuyasha glanced at the Tenseiga and asked "Why did you save Kagome?"
Sesshomaru blinked and looked at the Tenseiga blankly. He looked into Inuyasha's eyes and said "You didn't see her when she lay dying" Inuyasha thought that this short sentence would be his only cryptic answer, but Sesshomaru continued after closing his eyes and thinking with a frown.
"I heard the screams of her villagers and smelt the blood, but I didn't have much respect for humans then, so I moved on to my destination" Tenseiga pulsed loudly and Sesshomaru patted it almost absently. "When I got to a clearing I could hear the bandits chasing something and some screams of pain, crying and gasping. Then Kagome staggered into the same clearing I was in. I recognised her instantly, she was the young girl from my vision with the two headed dragon, you were still sealed so the part about you would have to wait"
Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome's house and then continued after a long pause. "I had never seen such a will to defy in a human as was in the twelve-year-old's eyes. She wasn't going to let those bandits kill her, not for the world. Back, arms, legs, neck all covered in arrows, but she was still running. I couldn't tell if her skin was white or tan because she was completely red from her own blood and the blood of her family. When she saw me she pulled out an arrow from her own arm and held it like a sword, going to defend herself to the end"
Inuyasha listened, amazed, his angel on the edge of dying but she still held on to life and onto the little power she owned. Kagome was brave, and spirited and so kind and gentle he wanted to rip the throats out of any creature that dared to leave a scratch on her perfect skin. Glancing at the house he murmured "She says you saved her because you were impressed by her…"
Sesshomaru chuckled "Yes, undeniably so, her strength and will was… indescribable and the fact she was linked to your future was also a factor. But to be as honest as a demon could be, Tenseiga convinced me the most to save her life" the sword was humming so lowly that Inuyasha's hears had trouble hearing it, but it was there.
Inuyasha looked at his brother warily, thinking that he had gone round the twist in the fifty years he'd been out "Your sword?" one black eyebrow raised in question.
Sesshomaru nodded and looked a little 'it's nothing unusual' "It has a will of its own. Asked me to save her. I did" there was a note of finally in his words.
Inuyasha frowned a little then with a groan slid down the wall of the house and landed on the floor. "Damn it all" he growled out, his legs not getting any better at holding him up. "If I have to spend another day doing nothing I'll go mad!"
Sesshomaru chuckled "It's strange, if you hadn't been sealed you'd have the mentality of an adult, yet you were sealed and only have the metal age of… fifteen wasn't it?"
Inuyasha growled "Eighteen, bastard"
Sesshomaru chuckled again, as if his point had been proven. "I wouldn't worry about your legs, here" he threw a small vial at the hanyou. Inuyasha caught it and opened the lid and nearly passed out from the strong smell that come out of it. Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose too "It doesn't smell that great but it's a good strength revival. I've used some when I was a younger demon, it may be a bit strong for a hanyou though…"
Inuyasha heard the insult and bulleted down the stuff then gripped the hoe to not choke it back up, Damn, feels like fire! Inuyasha threw the vial at his brother and swore a few times before calming down. Sesshomaru watched with an amused expression. Inuyasha growled "You're enjoying this, aren't you bastard?"
Sesshomaru shrugged "What will you do now, brother?"
Inuyasha glared "Kick your ass for making me drink this crap" he gripped the hoe and tried to force his body upright but to no avail.
Sesshomaru sighed "In the long run. Where will you go? What will you do? Much has changed in the fifty years you've slept away, and some things haven't altered at all"
Inuyasha stopped struggling. Where would he go? Home? Where was home? Away? But where?
What was his purpose now? Fighting for survival? No that happened without question, it was a fact of life. Inuyasha's hand came up and he covered his golden eyes and sighed "Tell me about it…" I can't believe how much things have changed and I haven't even seen what the rest of the world looks like yet!
Sesshomaru almost looked sympathetic then Kirara was there and she stood before them both and winked up at the brothers before turning and prancing off indoors. Sesshomaru smiled absently "Poor Kagome…"
Inuyasha's head snapped up at the sentence. "What?"
Sesshomaru realized he had spoken aloud and said "She's been so lonely ever since I left her here. It wasn't right to drag a human around with me, I never settle, I'm never safe to be around as many want my title for themselves and I'm immortal and she'd eventually outgrow me. I gave her Kirara as a protector and companion to keep her safe and sane with company. But…" with another sad look to the house where she rested he sighed. "She's always so alone"
Inuyasha's chest felt tight with the thought of his angel suffering the harsh pain of loneliness, as he had when his mother died. Inuyasha fixed his gaze on his foot and refused to allow such memories to resurface.
Sesshomaru laughed once and Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, again questioning his brother's sanity. Sesshomaru shook his head "It's just a little amusing, you're presence was all that was needed to liven up her life, no offence to Kirara but a feline for company is a poor excuse for someone to talk to, consider her life too before you leave…" Sesshomaru looked at the moon again and said shortly "I'll be leaving now, if Kagome asks tell her that I had to keep a date I set" and he left.
Inuyasha didn't say goodbye, why should he? Pointless saying as Sesshomaru would be around for a while yet, he knew. Kagome was alone…
I'm a hanyou, not human or demon, she's… human. Just different in thoughts and they hate her for that… who's the real outcast here?
That was what inspired the entire story, the REAL outcast thing, basically everything in the last scentance. :) So who liked Sesshomaru's new attitude? I tried to keep him aloof, I really did, but it was hard to do that and keep him brotherly and humorus as this was what was needed.
I wanted Kagome to show strength and to be able to stand up to her demon friends. So who do YOU think is the proper outcast?
I NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION! as it was what started this!