I'm alive, everyone. I could give you a rundown of what's going on in my life but I know nobody really cares. I'm not giving up on this story, I've just been busy and I struggled to write this chapter. I kind of avoided writing it and procrastinated because inner monologue isn't my forte. I've actually been writing a little bit every night on the 'Notes' app on my phone. Today I finally emailed it to myself, put it on word, and reviewed it. Trust me, there's a lot of writing mistakes made when you're typing at 1 AM in bed. I definitely could have made this chapter 4,000-5,000 words longer to make up for the fact I disappeared for damn near a month and a half but I don't have the energy to get that done today. So I'm just cutting it off before I get into the next part because I'd rather get this chapter off of my chest. Thanks for everyone's patience!
"She was free in her wildness
she was a wanderess,
a drop of free water.
She belonged to no man and to no city."
Chapter 10
"What a nice day." Kagome sighed to herself. She sat, perched on a small hill under a tree in the palace gardens. It was mid-day and the sun was high - the warmth of its rays tickled her pale skin. She bent her legs at the knee, wrapped her arms around them, and rested her chin on her knee to get a better look at the ghostly white skin of her arm. Kagome had lost her cherry and tan kissed complexion and had exchanged it for a duller, whiter shade.
"I should really get out more." She mumbled into her forearm. Kagome hadn't gotten out much since the accident. It was so much easier to hole up in her small college apartment and sulk by herself. After her mother's and brother's deaths she struggled to find the energy to even get out of bed. Depression, the doctor had said, was what made her feel like the hollow ghost of who she once was. Tasks such as eating and combing her hair were sometimes too strenuous to bother with and she opted to sulk in bed with the curtains drawn. Some days were better than others and Kagome could work up the nerve to go to the convenience store across the street and pick up some simple ingredients for a decent meal. She'd open the package of noodles, dump them into a boiling pot of water, and discard the box next to the overflowing trashcan filled to the brim with empty freezer meals. She'd open a bottle of red wine and pour it into the red sauce simmering on the stove top, and then turn the bottle to her mouth. It was always the same: she'd walk away from the prepared food and drink the entire bottle of wine in bed rather than eating her food. The food would sit there untouched for the next handful of days but Kagome could never bring herself to care.
In an effort to shut out the outside world, Kagome worked it out with the university to allow her to finish her degree online. She'd sit, slouched over her desk and listen to prerecorded lectures and read endless pages from textbooks. Mama would have wanted this she told herself while ignoring the bottom of her heart that cried Mama wouldn't want you to live and grieve like this, though! Her grades were passable and found that school work was much easier when she wasn't traipsing all over feudal Japan. It hurt to think about the feudal era and the friends she'd left behind. But something, or someone had decided that her usefulness was over and effectively closed that chapter of her life. It was best to move on and focus on her life. Before she knew it, just like that Kagome was stumbling into her final year of university.
Things had been looking up for Kagome leading up to her final year of school. Staying home all day and not working allowed her to double down on course load and finish early. Her three girl friends from earlier days had moved into Kagome's area and with gentle insistence, coaxed her to get lunch with them. She sat quietly at the table with Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka while the three girls chatted about their new lives in the workforce. If they knew about Kagome's family's demise they didn't mention it, but instead encouraged her to talk about school, boys, and gossip like old days. They eagerly brought up Inuyasha, Kagome's bad boy boyfriend, but bit their tongues when she moodily looked away and stiffened.
"Oh, you know that's not what's really important anyways," Eri quickly rebounded, laughing awkwardly.
"Maybe it'd be best for Kagome to go out and meet some new people. Weren't we planning on going to the bar tonight?" Ayumi noted, tucking a thick lock of curly hair behind her ear.
"We don't want you to push yourself, Kagome." Yuka reassured, "You've been through a lot and we don't want you to feel like you have to come with us." So they knew. Kagome sighed. Of course they knew. Even if Eri wasn't a news reporter, Kagome was sure that their parents would have called their respective children with the grisly news.
This is the first time Kagome had left her apartment for more than an hour in almost two years and quite frankly she was exhausted. However, she couldn't deny how nice it felt to have human interaction again. She still had friends and Kagome would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy spending time with them. So weekly the girls met up and had coffee, lunch, or tea and Kagome genuinely began to enjoy spending time outside of her apartment. Getting out of bed became easier and opening the heavy curtains became more frequent. Going out with the girls slowly but surely became less tiring and Kagome started looking forward to their little get-togethers. The three girls understood that Kagome needed to take things slow so they never pushed her to do anything outside her comfort zone. She didn't accept the first time they had brought it up, but eventually Kagome was up to try going to the bar.
"Ahem… Kagome. I have brought you something to eat."
Kagome glanced up at Misuzu who held a tray of food in her hands delicately. Kagome nodded at the servant and gave the woman a half-hearted "You can stay if you want". Misuzu quietly sat down next to the lonely woman and waited for her to speak.
Kagome restlessly pulled at a long blade of grass and pulled it apart at its veins until there was nothing left. She reached for the next blade, "I haven't seen you around much lately."
Misuzu let air fill her cheeks and awkwardly exhaled from the corner of her lips, "Yes, well, things are different now. We weren't counting on what happened a few weeks ago to... happen."
Kagome shredded another blade, "So Inuyasha had you stop visiting me?"
"Lord Inuyasha suggested that we give you space. Apparently you like to have time to yourself to think, otherwise you upset easily." Misuzu corrected.
Kagome huffed – he was right. He had been keeping her best interests in mind even if three weeks was a little extreme. Kagome reached for a handful of grass when she felt Misuzu's small hand stop her. The servant wrapped her pale hand around Kagome's and squeeze, "I haven't avoided you, Kagome. I understand this situation is a lot to absorb and likely wasn't what you were expecting."
Kagome avoided Misuzu's eyes and chose to direct her attention to the moth demon hand clasping her own. Funny how before she had never noticed the razor-sharp, yet delicate claws attached to her fingers. She supposed they were nothing extraordinary, most demons did have sharp claws or talons so it made sense that she didn't take note of it. Now, she felt like she couldn't not notice them, knowing that one prick would likely send her into a coma for the next year.
"You never told me that the sand man stored the good stuff in your hands." Kagome said dryly.
"I beg your pardon - the what?" Misuzu inquired.
"Nothing. I just didn't know you could put people out by poking them."
"Oh. Well, not all of us moth demons can. Lord Inuyasha doesn't just keep me around because I'm great at cleaning floors." Misuzu joked.
"So is that how it goes? He loses his control, you put him out, and then someone puts Tessaiga through his heart?"
"I'd assume so, yes. I don't stay around for the... departure. If I'm not around then the Lord will usually retreat to his chambers and they can go straight to using Tessaiga. But we try to put him to sleep first to limit the pain." Misuzu explained.
Kagome tried to imagine if she had the guts to allow someone to stab her through the heart while knowing that she'd come back to life. She didn't suppose she could. It's not the death that would scare her - she'd just come back to life. It's the experience of having a blade shoved into your chest while every instinctual thread and fiber of your being screams at you to not do that. It doesn't take more than one ancestor to know that you probably should avoid being caught in that situation.
"So does he know when he's about to lose control?" Kagome asked
"Often enough there's a fair warning that he is about to shift and Lord Inuyasha is able to remove himself from the public eye. I'm usually made aware of this fairly quickly and I'm able to put him out before he shifts." Misuzu paused but quickly continued when she spied Kagome's brows knit together, "I'm sure he was aware of his unstable state before he transformed. But knowing you are the key to breaking his curse may have caused him to act recklessly and test the limits."
"In other words, he thought that I loved him enough to break the curse." Kagome stated plainly.
"Er... well... yes. And it doesn't seem like that's the case." Misuzu navigated over her words awkwardly. Kagome didn't miss the slight sag in Misuzu's shoulders. "This might be too bold of me, but didn't you and the Lord have a past?" Misuzu pried.
Kagome turned and looked at the young woman painfully before shifting her attention back to the expanse of garden before her.
"Key word: past." Kagome simply said. She knew that Misuzu wanted more of an explanation but she didn't press the matter. It would take a lot of emotional energy to divulge the complexities of her relationship with Inuyasha. Yet, strangely enough, she did anyways. She suddenly began recounting how Inuyasha was in the beginning: selfish, stubborn, temperamental, and confused. She admitted that eventually she had developed a soft spot and even feelings for the troubled half demon even though her developing feelings seemed unrequited. She vocalized how horribly it had hurt to be cast aside for his past romantic interest over and over again throughout the majority of their journey. It wasn't until their last moments together they had finally been open about their feelings with one another and shared a tender kiss within the jewel. And then he was gone for 6 years. Whatever openly romantic relationship they had was built on a shaky and thin foundation, Kagome explained. Perhaps if they had more time, or their intentions had been clearer sooner would they have had a stronger tie with one another. They had a wonderfully strong and persistent friendship and deep trust for one another, but that was the foundation to a different house. Their friendship and trust had been put to the test by the jewel but they believed fiercely in one another until they were reunited after 3 days of being alone in the darkness. There was no doubt in either of their hearts they would fail because their friendship was unbreakable. And then they shared one single embrace and kiss together - and that was the extent of their romantic relationship.
Misuzu nodded solemnly. She understood. In any fairy tale six years could've passed and Kagome and Inuyasha could have picked up where they left off.
"Oh my dearest love, Inuyasha. Oh how I've missed you so." She could have said, her eyes sparkling and hands clasped together.
"My sweet flower: my heart has yearned for you every night since we parted." He'd loudly proclaim as they ran into each other's arms.
But this wasn't a fairy tale. Feelings fade after years of separation - especially if there wasn't much to go off of. The two had a great friendship and strong bond with one another and Kagome deeply cared for him - no amount of time could change that. The journey for the sacred jewel and meeting Inuyasha was undeniably the best thing that ever happened to her. But the seed of romance between them had just been planted before they separated, then it was never watered again. Kagome kept hope and the giddy butterflies in her belly remained as she often recalled that first and only kiss. But as time passed on Kagome lost hope and the foundation cracked and crumbled.
Furthermore, it would be silly to pretend that there weren't other men. After a couple of years had passed Kagome was beginning to fear that she'd never see Inuyasha again. College brought a flurry of exciting experiences and new people and also took Kagome hours away from home. For the first time in 3 years she did not check on the well every day. Everyday became every weekend, every weekend became once or twice a month. In the meantime Kagome busied herself with her studies, friends, and a couple boys that showed interest in her. And then the fire happened and there was no more visiting the well.
Kagome met him at a party her first year. She had come with her friends that night - something about a friend of a friend's party just across town. The room was lit with black lights and various neon dancing strobes that made the scene look chaotic to the sober eye, but entrancing to the drunken one. Kagome had been to a few house parties, but none quite this large or crazy. Even though the room was packed with dancing, gyrating bodies he still stood out among the rest. She spied him from the other side of the room where he leaned a shoulder against the wall, idly chatting to a friend. His eyes swept across the room and connected with hers for a few moments before she looked away - she had been caught. How embarrassing.
Olle was his name, a name native to Sweden he explained when he approached her later that night, a drink for her in his hand. She slowly sipped the sweet drink while he explained in broken Japanese that he was only in the country for the semester to satisfy the requirements for his university international business program. They spent the night slowly drinking and chatting away from everybody else. He asked her questions about herself and in turn she teased him about his broken Japanese and ran her fingers through his messy, blonde quiff cut. He had the most sincere green eyes and she adored the way his nose crinkled when he laughed at something she said. Kagome came with her friends that night but left with Olle. A few drinks didn't have her drunk, but certainly had her more courageous than she usually was. Olle, on the other hand, was fairly tipsy. The way he lazily wrapped his fingers between hers and laughed too loudly on the way back to his place was proof. They walked easily together hand-in-hand while he tried his best to describe the nightly sea of stars and northern lights his home country.
They laid on his bed, his arm under her head and draped over her shoulder. "Tell me about Sweden and your hometown" she had said, the edges of her voice only a little fuzzy. He launched into stories of his childhood and even pulled out a photo album containing pictures of home from under his bed. At some point during his slurred tales of home, Kagome had relaxed on his arm and even placed a hand on his abdomen.
"You seem stiff and unsure, Kagome." He had said after closing the photo album. It was the early hours of the morning and Olle sat up, cross-legged on his bed and pulled Kagome up with him to sit across from him. "Why is this?" Olle prodded. Kagome laughed, her head swimming with the sudden change in position, but she noticed he was not laughing. Rather, his bottomless green eyes captivated and held her hostage.
"His name is Inuyasha." She blurted for a reason she couldn't quite pinpoint, "At one point I guess you could say I was falling in love with him. I haven't seen him in a long time."
Olle seemed to contemplate this before swiftly moving his face centimeters away from hers. He placed two fingers under the tip of her chin to lift her head, causing her lips to nearly brush against his own. "He is not here now - just me." Olle whispered in the first string of perfect Japanese he had spoken that night.
Kagome's heart hammered in her chest and her stomach did somersaults at a dizzying pace. Her chest rose and fell quickly as his own breath danced across her cheeks. But he did not move, only stared into her eyes until he faltered and looked down at her lips. He bit his own lip and shifted his stare down to the bed. Moments later he gently positioned a hand on either side of her head and placed a long, tender kiss on her forehead. Olle pulled away and flopped down on his bed again, laughing and pulling Kagome with him, and wrapped his arms around her. Sighing contentedly, she relaxed and melted into his arms for the night. She idly traced patterns on his chest and he smiled down at her. Kagome felt Olle play with a lock of her hair before lazily mumbling "God natt, söt fågel" (Good night, pretty bird).
Kagome woke up that morning and was dealt the task of extricating herself from underneath Olle's arm and leg that had been thrown over her body. She took one look at her mussed hair and smeared eyeliner in the mirror and sighed. She spied a washcloth and bar of soap neatly placed on the edge of the sink, a note on top that read "Kagome". Kagome wiped the traces of the night before from her face and placed the cloth and soap back on the sink. At some point in the night Olle had woken up to set the offering out for her. She walked back around the corner and found Olle still sleeping, his wild dirty blonde hair just as mussed as hers had been. She reached for the door and opened it, and just before closing it behind her she looked back and saw Olle's eyes still closed but the hint of a smile gracing his lips.
There were other, less remarkable men that had passed through her life. Sometimes she found them at parties, sometimes in class. She'd often share a kiss with them or dance with them if she liked the song that was playing. She only slept with one of them that first year, a particularly attractive young man who was an accomplished smooth talker and knew all the right spots to touch. Kagome made the mistake of falling for him after their risqué encounter but quickly learned the etiquette of "hooking up": no time for feelings, only sweaty bodies moving in synchronization. The next time was years later on that night that Yuka, Eri, and Yumi invited her out to the bar. Kagome ended up in her own bed with a rather average man that was clearly more nervous than she was. This became an every-once-in-a-while exercise: going to the bar and taking home an unmemorable man for the night only to kick him out in the morning. It gave Kagome a reason to tidy up her apartment, get out and about, and have human interaction. Hook ups were nice because they were always different and satisfied her base needs, but sometimes in the early hours of the morning she wished that someone she actually cared about occupied her bed. Her three friends helped to pull her away from her abode and found reasons for her to stay out in the fresh air. Throughout her final year of University Kagome found that she was slowly exchanging hours of sulking for hours spent talking, listening, or caring for herself. Things weren't perfect and Kagome certainly still had to wrestle with her demons. She often drank too much, spent unnecessary money, and had days where she completely gave up - but she was doing better.
Kagome didn't know why she had suddenly decided to leave work one particularly chilly morning. She couldn't even remember standing up and collecting her bag and keys - she was walking out the door and purchasing a train ticket before she knew it. It was the middle of the workday in the middle of the week, why was she buying a train ticket that would take her hours away? There was a pulse at the front of her skull that reminded her exactly why she was doing this. I have to visit home, she thought. This strange headache had started off-and-on a few months ago. Kagome would wake up every once in a while with a twitching, irritating pulse at the front of her skull, right behind her eyebrow. She didn't know what it was until weeks later she blurted out that she'd like to visit home during lunch with Eri, Yuka, and Yumi. Why had she said that? She hadn't been thinking it, but it just spilled off of her tongue. The twitching had progressed to a slight pressure over the weeks and had disappeared as soon as she mentioned her family home.
"What a wonderful idea!" Yumi had beamed.
"I don't think closure would be a bad idea." Yuka proclaimed.
"Would you like us to go with you?" Eri inquired.
"I'm not going, forget I said anything." Kagome grumbled. She was frustrated with herself. Why would she go back home? She had been doing so much better, or at least she thought she had, so why would she want to make things worse again? Sure, closure worked for some but she doubted that she'd feel much better. It was just easier to preoccupy her time with other things rather than dwell on the past.
And yet, I'm here. I went home and ended up 350 years in the past. 350 years in the past with an Inuyasha I can't even claim to know anymore. Is this what I really wanted?
Kagome sighed and Misuzu stiffened.
"I'm sorry if my question was too personal..." Misuzu mumbled.
"I do care for him deeply. I do love Inuyasha, but it's not the love he's looking for. I'm sorry I couldn't break the curse." Kagome finished.
"It's okay, it means Lord Inuyasha has to improve and make the effort." Misuzu smiled cheerily.
"That's a good joke," Kagome snorted, "The Inuyasha I know doesn't take constructive criticism too well."
"You did admit that you don't know this Lord Inuyasha. He might surprise you." Misuzu winked.
Kagome snorted. Did she want to love Inuyasha that way? Could she? She'd nearly been in love with him before - albeit puppy love - but she supposed that was fairly close. But that was when she'd spent damn near every waking moment of everyday with him for almost an entire year. She'd been here for a little over a month and things had gone from bad to worse. Inuyasha had violently attacked her three weeks ago and other than when he divulged his past, she hadn't heard a whisper from him since. Geez, the least he could have done was checked on her to see if the bruise was healing nicely, or maybe send her flowers or something. Kagome subconsciously touched her throat. If she was prepared to fall in love with Inuyasha and break the curse then she'd have to make a decision soon. How much longer did Inuyasha have before he lost his soul to his restless demon half? Before he attacked, when was the last time he changed? How frequently? Every once in a while or a couple times a month? Kagome wasn't eager to put herself in harm's way again so carelessly. But If she wanted to break the curse that meant inevitably spending more time around him and putting herself in danger. This was a pretty tricky situation that Ubanaki put them in. Kagome felt a tingle of relief knowing that Ubanaki hadn't won. Something in the universe had distorted the space time continuum by 144 years and helped Kagome get back. There was still a chance. There had always been a chance.
Misuzu's gentle touch fell on Kagome's hand that was clutched around her own neck and remove it. "Let's take you for a bath, shall we?"
What a wonderful suggestion.
That night Kagome wrestled with the blankets coiled around her like a python and quickly sat up. Her labored gasps for cool air was the only sound in the small, stone-walled room. Sweat beaded along her hairline and on the back of her neck. The voice had been all around her and yet right in her ear at once. "Priestess" it hissed at first but then crescendoed into a hideous throaty, snarl. Had it only been a dream? No, every hair on her body stood on end as if something had been closing in on her - something dangerous. Something or someone had been in the room with her and she was fairly certain that she wasn't alone even in this moment.
"It's just me." He said, his voice soft and gentle. This tone of voice was almost foreign to her ears.
"Inuyasha." She called out to the darkness. She couldn't see anything but his voice came from over by the door. She heard him sniff his nose a few times.
"Do you have bad dreams often?" He asked distractedly, his voice tight. She vaguely heard the sound of him slipping through the room and sniffing his powerful and sensitive nose.
"I - I don't know if that..." she sighed and attempted to quiet the alarmed hairs on her arm by softly stroking them, "sometimes." There was no sense in causing a panic.
"Tomorrow I'm taking you somewhere. I think you'll enjoy it." His voice gentle, soft, and low again, "get some sleep." Kagome nearly protested but was silenced when she felt his hand clasp onto her shoulder and press her back into the make-shift bed.
"Did you come all the way here just to tell me this?" She pressed. Her response was the sound of him walking away from her toward the door.
"Good night, Lord Inuyasha." She sighed in defeat.
She heard him open the cell door but pause for a long moment. "Good night." He said before quietly slipping out of the cell and leaving nothing behind but the smell of dense forest and spice.
Morning came brighter and earlier than usual - something that hopefully wouldn't become a trend. Misuzu bounced into the cell humming an upbeat tune with a tray of vibrant fruits in hand. She tore the blanket away and ignored Kagome's mumbled, sleepy-eyed protests before setting the food in front of her.
"Quickly, eat your meal so we can have you changed for your day with the Lord." Misuzu sang. Kagome peeked up from the corner of a barely cracked eye at the servant and inspected her. Misuzu was beaming ear to ear and her violet eyes were bright with excitement. Kagome grumbled and pushed herself up on to an elbow so she could start eating her meal. She couldn't not try to appease the sunny young woman who could be considered her only friend in the entire palace.
Kagome froze when Misuzu returned with the clothing she was expected to wear. Misuzu wore a sheepish, knowing grin as she held the fabric out to the now wide-awake prisoner.
"Lord Inuyasha warned me you would not like this, but he asks you to trust him."
Kagome took the red and white traditional priestess garb from Misuzu's out stretched arms and fingered the fabric apprehensively. Was this some sort of sick joke? Is he planning on killing me today to add to his wall collection? Kagome's stomach churned violently as she wondered how he had come to acquire and extra set of this priestess clothing. She slowly changed into the fresh clothing and ignored the dreadful sensation is ignited against her skin. Misuzu didn't seem bothered in the slightest as she finger-combed Kagome's long hair and fanned it back behind her.
"You look beautiful." She smiled before bouncing on her heel and practically skipping out the door with Kagome's wrist in her hand. Kagome stumbled after her out of the dungeon and into the early morning glow in the court yard.
Inuyasha stood in the court yard, two beastly horses flanking either side of him. The rising sun's rays glinted off of the deathly spikes protruding from his shoulder armor in a fascinating manner that was only fit for a Lord of demons. He looked the same as the first day she saw him, from his high pony tail to every bit of his decorative armor in place. Misuzu bowed deeply in his presence and Kagome followed suit.
"We have quite a day ahead of us. Let's get going." Inuyasha said before grabbing Kagome around the waist and swinging her onto the top of a massive horse. Was this the first time he'd touched her without violent intentions? Kagome couldn't recall at the moment because something caught her eye. She looked down at Inuyasha's large hands wrapped around her waist and as he lifted her up his sleeves exposed more of his arm. Something was on his wrist. Was it a bruise? No, not a bruise. But there was certainly bold discoloration on his wrists that Kagome would be sure to bring up later.
"I could have taken care of that, my lord." Misuzu chirped.
Inuyasha waved a dismissive hand over his shoulder, "We're off now. You can return to your duties."
"Yes, my lord. Safe travels." Misuzu bowed once again and scurried off toward the palace.
Inuyasha mounted his horse with ease and without a word both horses began moving forward. Kagome fumbled for the reigns while desperately trying to recall horse-riding etiquette that she may have picked up the few times she rode ponies at the school fair.
"Don't bother with the reigns," Inuyasha called from ahead, "The horse knows to follow me and won't listen to much of what you say. Just hold on tight." And with no obvious command the horses were off at a swift gallop right out of the palace gates. Kagome clutched on to the horse's mane with all of her might and squeezed her legs around its sides until her thighs burned. The magnificent beast she sat on was all demonic brawn with the intuition of a clever human - not your average fair pony. The gait was smooth, much more fluid than the horses she rode into the palace on. Kagome found after several miles that she didn't need to clutch the body or mane of the horse so uncomfortably tight due to the horse's steady gait.
"Where are we going?" Kagome shouted over the thundering of hooves after the first half hour of their riding. She had found a way to make the horse speed up so she rode parallel to Inuyasha and his steed. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at this before shooting her a look of annoyance.
"Ya know, it's bad taste to question a King's motives." Inuyasha grumbled sounding much like his old self. It seemed Inuyasha relaxed on the royal façade when he wasn't surrounded by nobles or servants.
Kagome indignantly puffed out her chest and opened her mouth to retort -
"That is for me to know and you to find out." Inuyasha conceded. It was nice to have him back for the time being.
"Is it a surprise? For me?" Kagome inquired, the hope in her voice not lost on the Hanyou.
He sneered at her, "I wouldn't say that. But we'll be visiting an old friend."
"An old friend...?" Kagome trailed off as Inuyasha sped ahead of her leaving her and her steed to trail behind. She followed behind quietly and chose to not ask any more questions. Partially, because she did not want to test his good will and partially because it seemed the horse knew that he did not want to be further bothered and the beast refused to speed up.
When the sun was straight above the traveling pair Kagome saw a house in a clearing. It appeared they were headed straight for the dwelling yet Kagome couldn't recall ever knowing anyone in these parts. The hut was a fine, sturdy building made of wood and a dense thatched roof. It wasn't tiny, but it was modest and comfortable. Kagome thought it was odd that the home sat by itself, without neighbors, in the middle of a clearing. Inuyasha dismounted his horse and Kagome took her time carefully sliding off the horse she rode. The brute huffed in annoyance and stamped its feet. Kagome was about to turn and give the demon a menacing stink-eye but was brought to attention by a noise coming from the house. There was a rustling within the hut, the door flap lifted, and a small wombat-like creature appeared.
"What business do you have here?" The little demon asked in his deepest and most authoritative voice he could muster. Kagome had to stifle a laugh. While it was a demon, it was small, only reaching Kagome's knees. Inuyasha cranked his foot back and kicked the little demon upside the head. It squawked in response and flew into the side of the house pathetically falling into a heap. The small demon turned its back to the duo in attempt to conceal his crying.
"I don't think that's any way to talk to a king, rat." Inuyasha grumbled.
"I'm not a rat. I'm a wombat." He turned a teary eye toward the two and sniffled loudly, "My master isn't home at the moment but he should be back shortly." He sulked before scurrying back into the hut.
Inuyasha sighed, sat down and rested his back against the frame of the home. He made no signal to Kagome as to what she should do so she decided to carefully perch beside him a few feet away.
"You didn't have to kick him like that." Kagome said, checking his response from the corner of her eye. His knee was propped up and a wrist laid on top of it - much more relaxed then his old method of hunching over and sitting on all fours. He faced the sky and didn't turn to respond to her.
"He needs to toughen up. The rat's master is too easy on him." He said as if thinking out loud.
"Reminds me of a certain someone you used to pick on." Kagome tried with a teasing smile. She might have imagined it, but she swore she saw the faintest ghost of a smirk touch the corners of his mouth. Suddenly the moment was over when his ears swiveled to hear something Kagome couldn't. He stood up and brushed his robe and armor off before walking away. Unsure of what to do, Kagome watched him walk to the edge of a clearing and heard someone approach from the woods. She stood up when she heard the new comer greet Inuyasha.
"Lord Inuyasha! It's been awhile. This is pretty far from your palace - what brings you to my home?" She couldn't see the man in question because he was blocked out by Inuyasha's large frame.
"Other than beating on your rat apprentice?" She heard Inuyasha gripe.
"Oh don't be like that. You are always so grumpy and mean toward the little guy. It wouldn't kill you to be nice to him for once." just then Kagome saw a red-orange tail flick out from behind Inuyasha's body. She took a few steps forward. Kagome wasn't sure if she could take the disappointment if this wasn't the person she thought it was. She took another step and her foot snapped and twig in half. The conversation between the two stopped and a young, handsome face peeked out from behind Inuyasha's frame. In the blink of an eye Kagome was wrapped up in young man's arms. She wasn't wrong and reciprocated his tight embrace.
"Kagome you're back!" He exclaimed, picking her up and swinging her around.
"Oh Shippo, I've missed you so much!" Kagome laughed. When was the last time she had been so happy to see a familiar face in this era? She stepped away from him and held him at arm's length, "You've grown. You're taller than me now." Kagome observed quite obviously.
Shippo stood just a few inches above the top of Kagome's head - quite a change from being able to perch on her shoulder a mere 6 - well - 150 years ago. His hair and tail had also grown in length - both silky and sleek in texture. His face had lost its childish roundness and featured more prominent cheek bones and a set jawline. Although he had grown up quite a lot, he still had the same boyish look about him and mischievous glint in his eye.
"Well I had to grow up someday." Shippo grinned, a pointy fang laying against his pearly white teeth. His voice had gotten lower, too. All in all, he had become a strapping young man. She grinned back at him with pride swelling in her heart. She was sad because she missed watching him grow up but she was happy she had the chance to see him as a charming young man. Shippo and Inuyasha chatted until the young demon turned to Kagome.
"Where have you been, Kagome? I didn't expect you to be, well, alive and... " Shippo trailed off his sentence until it became an inaudible mumble. Kagome quizzically looked at Inuyasha who was shooting the fox demon a furrowed brow, stern look that could easily be interpreted as Shut up.
"That'll be a story for the road," Inuyasha said firmly, "Shippo, I need you to take us somewhere."
And that's a wrap for today. Like I said, I could have gone on to where they were going but I think it'd take me awhile to write it. I might have to channel some emotion into the next part and just no thanks. Not today. Any guesses on where they're going?
Also, sorry not sorry if anyone doesn't like the fact that Kagome has been with other people. Like, lets be realistic here. Nobody could wait 6 years for someone they hardly had a romantic relationship with. Especially if they didn't hear from that person ever again. Kagome is a strong, independent, mature woman who embraces her sexuality! *pumps fist*. Mainly I chose this because I'm so over the blushing, coquettish, virginal Kagome everyone holds so dear. Psh. No thanks. (;
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