Obligatory Disclaimer: The "Inu Yasha" series and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise, Shounen Sunday, Viz, and other corporate types. I am none of those entities. I'm just a silly fan writing silly stories because it's fun. Suing me would only be a waste of time and funds, so please don't. Any original characters that show up belong to themselves. Just ask them.
Author's Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions expressed in this work of fiction do not necessarily reflect those of the author.
Overall Rating: M
I CHOOSE NOT TO WARN!
This story contains material that may be disturbing or outright triggering to some. Reader discretion advised.
Author's Note: I'm sorry I'm not posting as fast as I would like. I'm hoping during the two weeks everyone around here is off for the holidays I can get a nice little pile of chapters ready to post so I can do so faster. We'll just have to see. And as always, my undying thanks to inufan625, Youkai55, and all the readers, reviewers, commenters, kudo-leavers, favoriters, and followers. I truly appreciate the time you've all taken to encourage and help me keep growing as a writer!
Two Plus Two
By Misarae
Chapter Four
Haven
"If I never have to see another government office, it'll be too soon!" Inu Yasha burst out as soon as it was safe to do so. Which in this case, was clearing the top step of the long staircase leading up to the Higurashi Shrine.
"You said it, Dad," Naoki replied.
"I'm so tired," Sachiko said with a yawn.
Kagome was half asleep on her feet. Inu Yasha wished he'd been able to carry her on his back all the way home, but they'd already received more than enough strange looks for one day. The best he could do was keep an arm around her waist, keeping her body close and her feet moving by sheer dint of will.
"You've all done an amazing job today," Mama Higurashi said, the few fine lines around the corners of her mouth and eyes showing more prominently in her exhaustion. "I think we all need a vacation after this!"
"You said it, Kasumi-san," Inu Yasha grumbled.
Mama Higurashi stepped in front of him to open the back door to the main house, and everyone trooped in.
"At least everything's official now, right Dad? Grandma?" Naoki asked.
"It should be," Inu Yasha growled, then cracked his knuckles for good measure, fanning out his claws as if in preparation. "If it's not, I'll tear someone's throat out."
"Inu Yasha," Kagome finally said, her voice faint with weariness.
Inu Yasha took one good look at his new wife and sighed, letting the tension run out of his frame. "Okay, fine," he relented. "I'll just threaten to do it. Better?"
Kagome snorted and gave a short nod.
"I think we'd better skip the baths tonight," Mama Higurashi suggested. "Otherwise, we'll probably all drown."
Inu Yasha felt the slight tension still left in Kagome's muscles, and he gave her a quick squeeze. "You and the pups can get out of it, but Kagome's feet need a soaking. She's been on them all day."
"You okay, Mom?" Sachiko asked.
"Just really tired," Kagome hastened to reassure her. "Don't worry. This happened when I was pregnant with you, too. Though I didn't have your Papa around to pamper me that time."
"Keh!"
Kagome couldn't help the affectionate smile that touched her lips, noting Inu Yasha's blush.
"Then I'll go file these safely in my room," Mama Higurashi said, waving the folder of official copies of their documentation, "and get those two ready for bed."
"Dad?" Naoki asked, giving him a pleading look.
Inu Yasha sighed, knowing how much stronger the 'puppy eyes' effect was on him now that Kagome was expecting. "Go ahead and put the pups in the master bedroom, Kasumi-san. We'll be up as soon as we can."
Mama Higurashi smiled and nodded before climbing the stairs.
"Are you sure you're going to be all right, Mom?" Naoki asked.
"I'll be all right in the morning, Naoki," Kagome said. "Growing a pup takes a lot of energy," she added with a wink.
Naoki placed his hand on Kagome's slight belly. "When will we be able to feel him kick?"
"Any day now."
Naoki nodded. "Good," he said, before turning his attention to her abdomen. "Hurry up and get out here, little brother. We need more guys around."
"Hey!" Sachiko cried indignantly, going around to Kagome's free side and placing her own hand on Kagome's stomach. "You take as much time as you need to grow big and strong. You'll need it to put up with Naoki."
"Oi!"
Kagome laughed, while Inu Yasha shook his head, still marveling at it all.
"Okay, Sachiko! Naoki! Time for bed!" Mama Higurashi called from the top of the stairs.
Sachiko looked up at her parents. "You won't take too long, will you?"
"We'll do our best," Kagome promised.
"Okay." Sachiko gave Kagome's belly one last pat, then went upstairs.
Once she was out of earshot, Naoki said his piece. "Take as much time as you need. The more Dad touches you, the better you and my little brother will feel." Naoki stroked Kagome's stomach. "Mom and Dad are the best Mom and Dad ever, pup. You're so lucky."
Both Inu Yasha and Kagome were surprised as Naoki quickly kissed Kagome's belly, then raced upstairs.
Inu Yasha sighed. "He's growing up way too fast."
"It's not surprising, considering how much closer to the surface your youkai side is," Kagome pointed out. "The same is probably happening to Naoki, since he knows he's technically beta of our pack."
Inu Yasha's eyes narrowed. "And what would you know about that?"
"I asked Myouga-jiichan. Honestly, Inu Yasha. You should listen to him more."
Privately wishing there were things the flea youkai would elaborate more on, Inu Yasha decided to change the subject. "Keh, enough talking."
Kagome squeaked as Inu Yasha picked her up and carried her bridal-style into the bathing room. Once they were inside, Inu Yasha set her down.
"You look gorgeous today, by the way," he said.
"I thought I should wear a little something special, given that today is the day I officially became your wife, and Naoki's mother."
Inu Yasha allowed himself one last look at her ensemble. He had no idea where she had found such perfect pieces, but she'd chosen a wrap dress the exact color of his eyes, while the leggings she wore beneath matched Naoki's. Even her sandals represented her family, the leather the same color as Sachiko's hair.
"I think the fact we were able to get you in a button down shirt is an achievement," Kagome teased, feeling a little more energy coming back now that they were safely at home.
Inu Yasha looked down at himself and gave a rueful grin that slowly turned into something far more dangerous. His white button down shirt was ordinary enough, he'd thought, and his own concession to the heat of late July was the pair of khaki shorts he wore. "If I'd known what your reaction would be, I would have done it sooner."
Kagome hummed her approval as her fingers crept up to the button just below the notch of his collarbone.
Inu Yasha watched her as she worked, the tip of her tongue peeking out between her lips as she slipped each button through its hole, the backs of her fingers brushing his chest through the thin fabric of his shirt. He let out a groan as the shirt fell open and Kagome slipped her arms around him, holding him close. Inu Yasha returned the gesture, his arms wrapping around her protectively. He buried his nose in her hair, drawing comfort in her scent. By Japanese law, they were now husband and wife.
Kagome was his wife.
Inu Yasha felt his throat constrict, and one hand drifted down to brush against her abdomen.
Kagome was not Kikyou. She was here, fully present in the moment, with two of their pups upstairs, and the third still safely within her body. He found himself dropping to his knees, pressing his ear against her belly to reassure himself of that pup's fluttering heartbeat. It whooshed with a strong, healthy pulse.
Kagome stroked Inu Yasha's hair, carefully avoiding his ears so she wouldn't distract him from hearing the undeniable proof that yes, she was there, and yes, she was having their pup. It could sometimes get a little exasperating, the way he hovered, but it was understandable, and a part of her was grateful for it. He'd been denied having any part in Naoki's first eight months of existence. This time, he'd been there from the very beginning, and he took that task very seriously.
It was also a vast departure from her own experience with Sachiko. The best she'd learned to expect from Hojo-kun was a proprietary little pat to her stomach, or a kiss to the hand. He'd never held her hair back when she was bent over a toilet. He'd never brought her ginger tea and crackers to settle her stomach. He'd never massaged her feet or her back, and he'd been horrified at the very suggestion that she would want to make love to him in her "delicate condition".
Inu Yasha had done all of that for her, and more. Kagome blushed at the memory of how shameless they'd been the last couple of months. During the first trimester, fatigue had won out, as well as adjusting to an insanely heightened sense of smell, which often sent her scampering for the nearest bathroom. Once the pup had settled in, though, she became ravenous in more ways than one. Inu Yasha had even started bringing her with him to the apartment while their older pups were at school, and he had to work. She'd tried to talk him out of it, and then he'd confessed that taking "breaks" actually made him more productive. What better way to clear the mind than with a mind-blowing orgasm or two?
"Whatever you're thinking, keep on doing it," Inu Yasha growled.
Kagome chuckled. "Just thinking about the way I've been distracting you while you're working lately."
"Keh. Distract me all you want. Even the people who get stuff from me on a regular basis have been calling to say that I've outdone myself lately." Inu Yasha inhaled deeply, drinking in the scent of her arousal. "I think it's time we got you off your feet."
Inu Yasha unfastened her sandals, and Kagome braced a hand on his shoulder to keep her balance as she stepped out of them. She could feel the spike in her arousal as Inu Yasha slid his hands up her thighs, past her hips, to hook his thumbs in the waistband of her leggings. As he began to pull them down, he snagged her panties on the way, divesting her of both at once.
Inu Yasha smirked with masculine pride as he drew them off her legs, inhaling the exquisite bouquet that was his Intended. His wife. Then he rose, tackling the sash of her wrap dress with the confidence of familiarity. Moments later, he had pushed the remaining fabric off her shoulders, and she stood before him in only her bra.
Inu Yasha shuddered as Kagome closed the slight gap between them, slipping her hands up to his shoulders beneath the open shirt and sliding down his arms, helping him out of it. Once his arms were free, he caged her, slipping his hands around so he could unfasten her bra. He drew it away from her gently, mindful of the way her breasts were more sensitive than usual. He cupped them lightly, supporting them in his palms as he lowered his head to kiss her.
Kagome responded by lifting her arms, giving him all the access he needed, while her hands found his ears. Inu Yasha growled into her mouth, emotions swamping him as she fondled those delicate appendages. The depth of his own feelings still shook him, feeling the tidal wave of love, passion, and bliss rolled into one, along with the surge of protectiveness that now soared to new heights. He found himself having to pull away, his breath ragged as he held Kagome by the elbows.
At Kagome's questioning look, he managed to say, "I'm one and done tonight, and I want that one to be inside you, not my pants."
His words sent delicious shudders racing through Kagome's body, and Inu Yasha groaned as the scent of Kagome's arousal grew even stronger.
"Damn it, woman!" Inu Yasha snarled, picking Kagome up bodily and setting her down on the shower bench she'd recovered from storage. "I'm supposed to be taking care of your feet."
[Edited to conform to fanfiction dot net guidelines]
It took a while before they were both capable of speech again. Kagome rested her head against Inu Yasha's chest as he buried his nose in her hair, savoring every bit of their intense, shared moment.
"Now can I take care of your feet, you horny little bitch?" Inu Yasha asked, his voice rasping in his throat.
"Mmm-hm," Kagome said, raising her head, only for her eyes to widen a bit.
"What?"
"It happened again," was Kagome's reply as she reached up to trace the rapidly disappearing marks that ran along his cheekbones.
Inu Yasha sighed. "I wish someone could tell us what's going on," he said.
They'd asked Myouga. They'd even asked Kajimaru's wife, Shouga, who had been practicing youkai midwifery for several centuries, and agreed to oversee Kagome's pregnancy. No one seemed to know why the jagged lavender markings would faintly appear every once in a while. From the description, Myouga was able to identify the markings as being almost identical to those of Inu Yasha's long-dead father, but how or why it was happening was still a mystery.
"Me, too. Just as long as it isn't anything harmful," Kagome said.
"I don't think so," Inu Yasha said with more confidence than he felt. "It started after I could smell the pup was a boy. Just wish I knew why that would make markings appear."
"Hmm.. if they're your father's, maybe it's a sign you're getting stronger in order to protect our pups."
A shiver of pride raced down Inu Yasha's spine. It always did when he heard Kagome refer to their offspring as pups. "Maybe he's lending me his strength, knowing I'm going to need it."
Kagome chuckled. "Well, this isn't getting my poor, swollen feet taken care of, is it?"
"Oh NOW you care. Silly wench."
"Of course I care," Kagome retorted. Then the teasing light in her eyes turned sultry, the instinctive heat that so often rose between them making a swift return. "There was just somewhere I ached more."
The seductive look Kagome gave him warmed Inu Yasha's blood. He'd never felt more primitive or commanding.
"Help me back up on the bench, please?"
Inu Yasha snorted, grasping Kagome's hips before straightening and setting her on the bench. He gave her one last hug before withdrawing, shivering as their bodies separated, only to inhale a whiff of the indelible proof their joining.
Inu Yasha groaned.
"You're sure about that one and done?" Kagome asked.
"I was," Inu Yasha said with a rueful shake of his head. "I should have known better."
Author's Note: And this is only the beginning...