A/N: Just a small group to thank: Rukia's Reflection, ILoveInuyasha4Eva, xxdarienchibaloverxx, Tarrah36, ShazysAngellete, and Esha Napoleon. And thank you to everyone who put this or its author on their lists. Typing this up, I realized how long this may come out to be. I've also been considering asking to join IYFanguild. What do you guys think?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Bleach characters, manga, anime, movies, etc. They belong by copyright laws to Rumiko Takahashi et al.
A Little Vacation
Ch. 7
Inuyasha returned to Kagome's room and crawled onto the bed behind the sleeping school girl. His youkai half wanted his prospective mate close and he buried his nose in the crook of her neck. Starting to doze off, he sensed the end of her fertile time and it drew an unconscious whine from the exhausted hanyou.
Had he been his more rational self, the thoughts the revelation brought would have embarrassed him, making him stutter denials and blush scarlet. As it was, his feral side was too dominant to care at the moment. "Mate," the more gravelly tone of his demon side uttered. He nudged her with his head until she woke.
"Inuyasha?"
"Bleed soon."
"Bleed? I'm not…" It took a moment for the meaning of the words to sink passed sleep induced confusion. Kagome knew she was redder than a tomato when his meaning struck home. "Oh! Thank you, Inuyasha." She left, returning to find him still in her bed. His nose was buried in her pillow, an obvious substitute for the half demon so that he could inhale her scent. He appeared to be asleep but his youki was fluctuating. Normally a light red color, his aura had scarlet tones to it. His youkai half was definitely close to the surface.
"Mate return." Surprised, Kagome came closer. She had never heard him say anything while transformed so perhaps he wasn't as lost to his blood beast as he appeared.
"Inuyasha, Mama will be mad if she finds us in the same bed." The young miko didn't mention how uncomfortable it made her feel in her present condition. She got a growl in response.
"Come," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
Giving an almost inaudible sigh, Kagome came forward. "I'm coming, Inuyasha." Climbing in next to him, she tried to get comfortable. She and the half demon were only ever this close if he was pulling her out of danger or she was riding on his back. "Good night, Inuyasha." Arms like banded steel wrapped around her in answer. A nose buried itself in the crook of her neck and the young miko drifted off to sleep in the secure embrace of her protector.
Birds woke Inuyasha early the next morning. It was just before dawn and faint light barely crept past the curtains of Kagome's bedroom window. He didn't need the illumination to see the young woman snuggled in his arms, still fast asleep. Leaving her to her slumber, Inuyasha opened the window and jumped out to go sit in the Goshinboku. Sitting there, he had a good view of the grounds and he stared towards the priestess' room. Lost in thought, he went through the memories of the night before, shocked at how close he had been to losing control. Coming to this time had been so that he wouldn't lose out to his youkai half. Maybe the doctor the Fire Rat had mentioned the night before could be of some use to him after all.
Deciding that the early morning hours was a good time to go for a run around the city, Inuyasha took off, going through what was left of his forest first. There weren't many people around to comment on his appearance so he had no reason to think he'd appear on the picture box again. It wouldn't do for people to find out that youkai still existed in this era.
When he returned, Mama was at the kitchen table, a cup of tea in one hand, a writing tool in another. Didn't the woman ever sleep? At her elbow sat an envelope; and she kept giving it puzzled looks. Going back in through Kagome's window, Inuyasha made his way down to the kitchen, making sure that his footsteps would be heard so that he wouldn't startle her.
"Morning, Higurashi-okaasan."
Mama looked up from her task, smiling softly. "Good morning, dear. You're up awful early." Glancing at the clock she noticed that it was just passed six.
"Keh, I'm always up at dawn."
"That, my dear, may be part of your problem."
"Demons and half demons don't need as much sleep as humans. Taiyoukai like my brother can go up to two weeks on less than a night's sleep."
"That's quite impressive, but it's not good to test your limits so often."
"We have to get Naraku," he said as if that excused everything.
"I understand, dear, but chasing him down until you're all exhausted isn't the way. If you keep on like that, you won't have any energy left to fight."
"Yes, ma'am," he sighed, ears laid back at the maternal lecture. How many years had passed since he'd heard his own mother scold him? "Speaking of sleep, you haven't gotten very much lately, either. You were up late last night, and now you're up just passed dawn."
"Ah, but I'm a mother. A mother often gets little sleep while their children are in school. How else are we to make sure they make it on time?"
"Keh, Kagome's always late coming back if I don't come get her," the half demon scoffed.
"Exactly why she needs me to make sure she doesn't do something like throw her alarm clock out the window." Amused at Inuyasha's attempt to hide the real reason he came to get her daughter, Mama rose to get another cup of tea. Privately she thought that the young man just missed Kagome when they weren't together. She paused when she heard a creaking floor board outside of her son's room.
"The runt's awake. I meant to warn you about him. Kagome and Sango think he's cute and he uses that to get away with a lot of things he shouldn't. If he does something wrong, don't let his innocent act fool you."
"Such is the nature of little boys, dear. And foxes, I imagine."
"Inuyasha, where can I go?" Still half asleep, Shippou stood in the kitchen doorway.
"I'll show you." He took the smaller demon to the bathroom, once again teaching him how to use the facilities. Sango and Kagome were waiting when they came out, both blurry eyed from sleep.
"Bout time," Kagome groused.
"Blame the runt," he shot back. "You girls okay?"
"We're just fine," Sango answered, yawning. "I'll have you know that I'm staying with Kagome from now on."
"I figured as much. We'll be down in the kitchen with Higurashi-okaasan. Kagome, you're going to school today, remember, so don't go back to sleep." Inuyasha got twin scowls in response so he took the cub and made a hasty retreat.
He hated the fact that they cycled together now. When Sango had first joined them, one had been rational while the other suffered the temporary insanity that came over them each lunar cycle. Now, they were both powder kegs waiting to go off if either he or Miroku said or did the slightest thing that they thought was wrong.
Speaking of the pervert, Miroku sat dazed at the table, a bump already on his head. The matriarch was putting an ice pack on his head. "I didn't do anything! I said 'Good morning, Sango,' and she hit me! I didn't grope her or in any way touch her, I swear!"
"They're temporarily insane, that's the only explanation. By the way, I'm bunking with you now."
Mama didn't bother to hold her laughter in any longer. She began to fix breakfast, listening to the two teens talk about the girls they adored. Never mind that at the moment they'd rather be on the other side of the world from them.
"What's that smell, Higurashi-obaachan?" Shippou asked as he hopped up on her shoulder.
"Bacon and eggs. It's a Western breakfast but it has a lot of nutrients your body needs."
"Western? Like from Sesshoumaru's lands?"
"She means from the other side of the world, runt."
"Oh."
"That's okay, dear, you didn't know."
"Hey, Obaa-chan, I bet you know."
"Know what, dear?"
"I bet you know why Sango and Kagome smell like old blood. Before they smelled funny too but not like this. Kaede-obaachan said she'd tell me when I was older and Sango did too but maybe they don't know." Choking behind her caused her to grin a bit mischievously. How could she have a bit of fun without giving too much away? He really was too young to know the whole truth.
"I do know, and I'm sure Lady Kaede and Sango do as well."
"So?"
"So, dear, a woman's body makes a sort of cushion inside her womb so that if she becomes with child, the baby has a place to rest that is safe and warm while it grows. If the cushion isn't needed, it slowly leaves the body over the course of several days."
"That's why they smell funny?"
"Yes, dear," she answered, wondering just how much a demon's nose could pick up about what was happening with a woman's body. "For further details, you really should wait until you're older."
"Okay," he said and got down. Going to the table, he looked at the older boys. "What's wrong with you two?" he asked. Inuyasha was mumbling incoherently and blushing while Miroku hid most of his face.
"I'm going to check on Kagome," Inuyasha said before fleeing, Shippou following in his wake.
"A cushion?" Miroku asked weakly?
"It's true."
"An ingenious answer, Higurashi-san."
"Thank you," she said, chuckling. "A mother knows when to answer, when not to answer, and how much of answer to give if she does. When it comes to little boys, I suppose that it helps to have one of your own. Little boys curious as a fox are especially tough."
"That's Shippou." Miroku accepted the cup of tea she put in front of him gratefully. Scuffling from upstairs drew their attention to the hall.
"You little twerp!" Kagome's angry voice was followed by a yelp and a plea for aid.
"Not this time," came Inuyasha's voice. "I'm not getting into the middle of this fight."
"I thought you were brave," Souta charged, his voice slightly muffled. Kagome probably had him in a headlock.
"Brave, not stupid," Inuyasha retorted. Sango's laughter could be heard, followed by a comment by Shippou. The slayer's amusement sounded a bit watery, worrying the elder Higurashi female.
"What troubles Sango-chan?" she asked, figuring the monk would know.
"I think being around Souta reminds her of her brother. Kagome has told you of Kohaku, hasn't she?"
"Yes, such a horrid thing. Naraku is truly a monster."
"I agree." Miroku paused when they heard several feet pounding down the stairs. "I'm hoping being around Kagome's little brother will remind Sango of the good times with her own and that it will give her hope."
Mama nodded as the table became crowded with four teenagers, two young boys, and one old priest. Kirara and Buyo were eating, the latter being disgruntled by the first class meal of the former. Two cartons of eggs, four pounds of bacon, and kami knows how much juice later, Mama was waving her children goodbye as they were escorted by Inuyasha.
Sango had begun washing the dishes without being asked; naturally wanting to be of help and feeling that she would go stir crazy if she didn't do something. The priest had dragged Miroku off to tell stories to, or get told secrets, neither woman was sure which it was; and Shippou had gone into the living room to play with the cats. Looking out the window, she noticed Kagome's grandfather headed towards the well house.
"Hiraikotsu!"
"What was that, dear?"
"My weapon. Houshi-sama and I left our weapons out there yesterday to avoid attracting unwanted attention and we forgot to bring them in. Higurashi-sama will never be able to lift it; he may even hurt himself greatly if he tries."
"I believe that's the true reason he dragged your fiancé outside."
"But Houshi-sama can barely lift it," Sango protested.
"He seems to be doing fine to me," Mama said.
The taijiya turned back to the window, her eyes narrowing in anger. "Why that rat," she gritted out. Miroku was carrying not only Hiraikotsu but his staff as well.
Seeing the girl's consternation, she laughed softly. "Must be all that lifting he did yesterday." The monk must have sensed them watching because he smiled sheepishly at his beloved when she met him at the door.
"Sango, my dear, I've returned your Hiraikotsu. It feels particularly light today." It had been a while since he'd hefted the bone boomerang but it did seem a little easier to carry.
"So I see."
"Eh-heh. I can explain."
At the same time Miroku was trying to "explain," Inuyasha was walking Kagome to school. They had broken off from Souta a while back, the younger sibling having caught sight of some friends and wanting to go with them. Getting caught walking with his big sister and her "boyfriend" would not have looked cool.
Kagome's steps were light. For once she was not only going to school on time, but would actually be a little early. She might even have enough time to ask her teachers questions about things she didn't understand. They would appreciate the opportunity she had to hand in all the back homework. Inuyasha, slightly more inconspicuous than usual dressed in modern clothes, seemed content to stroll by her side; her backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Hey, Kagome!"
"Kagome, wait up!"
"Is that Inuyasha with you?" The aforementioned dog demon groaned as Kagome's three friends from this era ran to catch up to them. It had been just their "luck" that Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi had had the same idea as the young priestess.
"Uh, hey, guys. Yeah, Inuyasha wanted to walk me to school today."
"That's so sweet. Are you really feeling up to coming?" Ayumi glanced back and forth between the two shard hunters.
"I feel a lot better. I've caught up on most of my back work, too. Except for that doctor's appointment I mentioned yesterday, I really think I'll be able come to school without missing any for a while."
"We're so glad you're feeling better," Yuka put in, starting to walk on the other side of Kagome while Eri came even with Inuyasha.
Inuyasha silently scoffed, wondering how dense the three girls were. Couldn't they tell when she was sick and when she wasn't? When she was healthy, they thought she was sick, and when she was run down, they thought she was "feeling better." Couldn't they see how tired she was? Belatedly realizing that their chatter had stopped, he turned golden eyes towards the trio. "What?"
"You never told us what it is that you do. You don't seem to go to school but you can't be that much older than Kagome, can you?" Eri peered closely at him, trying to find some sign as to how old he was.
"His mother home schooled him. Right now he's sort of working with his brother." Kagome inwardly cringed, hoping they wouldn't probe further. She knew that his mother had taught him but exactly what and how much, she wasn't sure. While Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha had the same basic goal at the moment, actually working together was a stretch. They'd only ever done that against the Panther Demon Tribe and Sou'unga. And that had been grudgingly at best.
"Is that what you call it?" Inuyasha groused. "Sure we are. That's why he ordered me away on this 'vacation.' The bastard thinks he knows everything."
"Sesshoumaru may not know everything, but he was right about your health, Inuyasha."
"Sesshoumaru?" Ayumi questioned.
"Who names their son 'Sesshoumaru?'?" Eri echoed.
"The same person who named me 'Inuyasha,' I suppose. I guess it could have been his mother, but I'm pretty sure our old man did."
"Oh, so you're half -brothers." Yuka clasped her hands in excitement. "Is he a lot older than you?"
"Yeah, we're half," Inuyasha answered, becoming quiet as they reached the school.
"Sesshoumaru was a teenager when Inuyasha was born so they really don't get along," Kagome put in, hoping her friends would get the clue not to continue that line of discussion. They nodded and went ahead while the miko faced her friend.
"I'll pick up the squirt before meeting you here. Your mom's going to try to get that doctor's appointment thing for you today so don't forget."
"I won't. Thank you for walking with me and for being so patient with them. They didn't mean to upset you, Inuyasha."
"I know. It's not normal in this era for an elder sibling to want to constantly kill his younger brother, is it?"
"Well, it's not common here, certainly, but I doubt Sesshoumaru's the first person to feel that way. Anyway, you'd best get back to the shrine and rescue Miroku from Gramps." Kagome took her bag, and after giving him a quick hug, went to join her friends.
They had waited at the shoe lockers, whispering among themselves. "You're really lucky, Kagome. Most boyfriends wouldn't think to walk their girlfriends to school when they had to be someplace else."
"Inuyasha worries about me," she said, glancing out the window in time to see him leap onto a nearby building. Hurriedly directing her friends' attention elsewhere, she demanded for them to tell her the latest gossip while putting on her shoes. She didn't need them to see Inuyasha jumping onto roofs.
They definitely wouldn't leave things alone if they saw him leap three or four stories at a time.
Inuyasha found Miroku slumped against the Sacred Tree when he returned to the shrine. His staff was clutched in one hand but there was no sign of how he came to be in that condition. The half demon couldn't detect any fresh scents that belonged to Sango or Mama so he dragged the unconscious houshi inside hoping for answers once the man woke up.
In the corner of the guest room the boys would be sleeping in rested Hiraikotsu, the bone boomerang the only indication that trouble hadn't happened while he was away. Kirara was lying on one bed, opening a ruby eye to gaze at him when he came in. "Mew."
"Where's Sango?" Again she mewed and he took it to mean that she didn't really know. However, she wasn't agitated so all was apparently well. "Know why the monk's unconscious this time?" This time her eyes simply rested on the large weapon, amusement in their jeweled depths. "Figures." Snickering, he dropped the other young man unceremoniously onto one of the beds.
Kirara jumped onto the monk, curling up with a purr to take a nap. "Mew."
"Where's the runt?" he questioned although he had a pretty good idea. Again ruby eyes strayed to the weapon. Good, he'd been right. This was the perfect opportunity to catch up on more sleep.
"Inuyasha, are you back, boy?" Then again…, Inuyasha lamented.
Maybe if he stayed silent the old man would think he was hearing things.
"Huh, must be hearing things." The elderly man left the house muttering to himself.
Success! Inuyasha silently cheered and settled down to rest.
Sometimes demon stealth really did come in handy.
