Taste Of Love
Kagome ran away from her demanding family and found herself right in the arms of Takahashi Inuyasha. Caught up in his world, it's getting hard for her to leave, for she has had her first taste of love.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rights are reserved fully to Rumiko Takahashi. This plot too isn't as original, so to those who have attempted before I have, they have full rights to this plot too. Anything else that is mentioned that isn't a figment of my imagination, I also disclaim.
Age Brackets: Kagome – 20, Sango – 22, Miroku – 25, Inuyasha – 26
-x-
Let's Take A Ride
Kagome woke up early that morning due to an annoying shrieking. Rubbing her eyes, she pushed herself off of her bed and followed the noise, still wearing her pajama: white cotton pants with flowers on them and a black tank top. Making her way down to the living room, she was quite amused to find Ayame and Sango try to tend to their daughter.
"I WANT BLUEBERRY PANCAKES!" Hikari shrieked. Ayame groaned.
"Kari, baby, they don' have blueberry pancakes here."
Tears were running down Hikari's face, a pang of hurt shot through Kagome as she headed to Hikari and picked her up unexpected. Ai, who was watching the whole incident, tilted her head to the side, wondering what her mama was going to do.
"Hikari, sweetheart," Kagome whispered softly into the little girls ears. Sniffling, she looked at Kagome.
"They don't have blueberries here but how about we bug your Uncle Inu when he wakes up to take us horseback riding? If you eat what your mommy gives you I promise I'll make Uncle Inu let us ride big horses instead of small ponies. Is that okay?"
Contemplating what Kagome just said, Hikari wiped off her tears and smiled a toothy smile. "Okay!!"
Sighing thankfully, Ayame took Hikari out of Kagome's arm and patted Hikari's back. "See, that's mommy's little girl. How about I make you and Ai some French toast," glancing at Ai, Ayame smiled, "would you two like that?"
"Yes please!" Ai squealed as she held Ayame's free hand as the young woman led the two girls into the kitchen. Standing beside her best friend, Sango grinned.
"You shouldn't lie to little kids Kagome."
Snorting, Kagome sucker punched Sango. "Who said I was lying? I intend on making Inuyasha let us go riding today. What do you guys have planned today?"
"Apparently, according to Mr. Lin and Mr. Lang, ever notice how their last names are so bloody similar? Anyways, the guys just told me that Asakura called for a follow up meeting with Dr. Miroku and software technician Kouga. Asakura called Inuyasha too but he, pointedly, didn't want to drive four hours to Asakura's place for a meeting that'll only consume two hours of his day."
"So Inuyasha's not going but you guys are?" Kagome raised a brow and Sango nodded.
"Pretty much. Miroku and Kouga are gonna debrief Inuyasha when we get back. I have no idea how long it's going to take but I'm assuming long enough for Ai and Hikari to be babysat by you and Inuyasha."
Snorting, Kagome crossed her arms. "I somehow feel you guys planned on leaving Inuyasha and me alone with two girls who haven't reached puberty yet."
Sango rolled her eyes. "Oh hell no girl. I just need this favour; you know Miroku and Kouga. They never go anywhere without their wives."
"Amen." Kagome giggled as Ayame walked out of the kitchen.
"Well Ai and Hikari are happily eating French toast giving us time to get ready for Asakura's follow-up."
"Oh in all honesty, just wear jeans! This isn't a ball, just a follow-up!" Kagome rolled her eyes and Sango laughed.
"Yeah but that Asakura is so used to us wearing dresses I'd swear he'd get a heart attack if we showed up in denim shorts and a tank top." Ayame smirked.
"Who the hell said wear a tank top? Oh whatever! You two old ladies get ready; I have two kiddies to look after." Kagome winked and walked away. Quick as lightening, Ayame slapped Kagome's butt, who in turned squealed, turned around, stuck her tongue out at her two best friends before launching herself into the kitchen.
"She has so much spirit," Sango giggled and Ayame crossed her arms.
"Definitely; when she gets married, her husband should feel lucky. Ladies like her are hard to come by."
-x-
Waving bye to their parents, Ai and Hikari walked back inside while Kagome latched the door behind them. Inuyasha was sitting on the sofa and Ai jumped onto his lap, snuggling into her uncle Inu.
"What do we do now mama?" Ai raised a brow at her godmother who sat down on the single seat with Hikari in her lap.
"Well I did promise Hikari…" Kagome let her sentence trail as Hikari placed a wet kiss on her cheek. Giggling, Kagome hugged Hikari tightly before kissing her forehead. Inuyasha raised both his brows in amusement.
"Promised Hikari what?"
"That I'd make you take us horseback riding today."
Bemused at the three children that sat with him, Inuyasha toyed with Ai's fingers, still staring at Kagome. "If you hadn't already made the plan of forcing me to take you to riding, I would've shown you my secret castle."
Catching the playful look in Inuyasha's eyes, Kagome gasped, playing along. "Castle?!"
Ai and Hikari's eyes both widened. "Does a princess live there, uncle Inu?"
Inuyasha nodded, giving a broad smile.
That's the first time I've seen him smile…Kagome noted inwardly as Inuyasha continued to entertain the two young girls.
"In fact, one does live in my castle. And there's also a prince living with her but they're both so lonely. Just yesterday the Princess was telling me to bring Ai and Hikari down to the castle."
"Really?!" Both girls said in awe in exact unison. Giving Kagome a small nod, Inuyasha winked at Hikari who was sitting in Kaogme's lap.
"Yeah. I bet you the Princess would love it if you dropped by; but since we're going horseback riding today…"
"We'll visit the Princess tomorrow!" Kagome grinned, "We'll take a picnic to her and we can all eat together, along with her prince. How's that sound? Plus Kyo, Ichiro and Kasumi are coming down later tonight so we can have a big feast with," Playfully tapping Hikari's cheek, "blueberry pancakes."
"REALLY?!" Both girls cried again and Inuyasha chuckled loudly.
First time I've heard him laugh. Kagome added to her mental note.
"Yeah. Now, let's go get you two in proper clothes so I can show you my private beach."
Shooting out of their hold, the girls ran half way up the stairs before Ai turned around. "Hurry up Mama! You have to help us pick our clothes."
"Coming love." Kagome said standing up with Inuyasha. The girls disappeared upstairs and Kagome raised a brow at Inuyasha.
"Castle? Princess? Explain to me how you're going to pull this off."
Shrugging, Inuyasha had a small smile on his lips and Kagome noted, once again, that he was still smiling. "The castle will remain my secret but I have the Halloween costumes Miroku and Sango wore last year- Princess and Prince."
"Oh don't tell me…" Kagome's laughter flickered out of her as Inuyasha nodded.
"Princess Kagome and Prince Inuyasha. Has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?"
He was teasing her. He was still smiling. Hell, he was even laughing. Evidently he was another person without any other adults around. Around the children, he seemed more fatherly, warmer even.
"KAGI!" Hikari yelled and Kagome smiled apologetically at Inuyasha.
"COMING SWEETIE!" She yelled as she excused herself. At the second step up from the stairs, she turned around winking at Inuyasha.
"You know, you aren't that big of a snob as I took you for."
Chuckling, he crossed his arms. "I still think you're a kid. Therefore I'm winning the bet so far."
Not even letting him bring her down, she only laughed before racing up the stairs. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he personally admitted to himself that it was amazing laughing and teasing people again. He only locked himself up from emotion because emotion proved to be a weakness.
Heck, he never even laughed with his girlfriend and here he was laughing with a stranger.
Not a stranger, he thought as he headed to his room to get ready.
Higurashi Kagome.
-x-
Heading to the stables, Inuyasha pocketed his cell phone as he walked in a steady pace beside Kagome. Grinning up at him she turned over her shoulder and saw the two girls trailing close behind them.
"Don't lag! I don't want to send a search party through Inuyasha's property." Kagome called rather motherly, causing the girls to quicken their pace. Playfully, Inuyasha wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist causing her to jump slightly.
"So my love," he said in a French accent, "when ze children are le out for le night, pourqoui not tu and I have some, le- what do tu call it? La fun?"
Cracking up in laughter, Kagome threw her head back hearing Inuyasha attempt to talk Japanese and French at the same time. His hold was still around her waist and he chuckled a bit hearing her melodic laughter ring through the stables.
"Where did you learn that?" Kagome raised a brow, not really noticing that his arm was still around her waist.
"When you have business with clients across the world, you pick up languages. Why? Want to hear me talk in Italian?" Inuyasha grinned and Kagome personally admit to herself, his smile was heartwarming. Sincerity laced with a sexual desire, his chiseled lips added to the perfection of his complexion.
"No thank you!" Kagome grinned as they made it to the horses. Already saddled and ready were two gallant looking horses, one brown and the other white, both with freshly combed manes that glistened.
"Do you know how to ride?" Inuyasha raised a brow and Kagome nodded.
"Yeah. My grandmother owned a ranch and I went every summer when I was a kid." Kagome said as she chose the white horse.
"Tyna, meet Kagome. Kagome, your chosen mare, Tyna."
Kagome cooed as she rubbed Tyna's mane. Whinnying and leaning into her touch, the horse blinked at her with innocent eyes. Greeting his horse himself, Inuyasha played with the fur of the great brown horse before him.
"Stallion," he told Kagome who watched him. Nodding, both of them brought the horses out of the stable with Ai and Hikari tagging along behind them. The horses were ready and both Kagome and Inuyasha held onto the reigns as they turned to Ai and Hikari.
"You don't get your own horse because I can't afford letting you ride by yourself." Inuyasha said sternly. "Take your pick and you can saddle with one of us."
"I pick Uncle Inu!" Hikari squealed running over to Inuyasha.
"I wanted Mama anyways," Ai rolled her eyes. Laughing, Kagome lifted up the girl and put her on the saddle before hoisting herself up. As she settled, Inuyasha mounted Stallion and grabbed the reigns.
"Follow me my lady." He winked at Ai and Kagome before bringing Stallion to a slow trot. Rolling her eyes, Kagome fell into a slow pace behind him. Ai was holding onto Tyna's mane as she squealed every time Kagome made Tyna go a bit faster. Inuyasha slowed his pace a bit so he and Kagome could be side-by-side as they rode.
"This is all your property?" Kagome raised a brow looking at him.
Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, spans out a few hectares—I'm not sure how big it is really. My father expanded it a few years back."
"Oh… but you know where your beach is right?"
"Of course," he rolled his eyes, "just because I don't know how big this shi—this place is," Kagome shot him a glare knowing he was going to say shit, "doesn't mean I don't know where my beach and stuff are."
"Nice save casa nova." Kagome rolled her eyes and Inuyasha snickered. Glancing at Ai, Inuyasha's eyes perked.
"Wanna go faster Ai?"
Squealing, Ai nodded and Inuyasha glanced at Kagome. "Just head due north until you hit a small stone waterfall- take a left and go straight and you'll hit the beach. Make sure Ai holds on during the whole ride."
"I can take care of my own goddaughter, thank you very much."
"Making sure," Inuyasha shrugged as he made sure Hikari held on tightly. Tyna and Stallion came to a stop.
"On your marks," Inuyasha said slowly.
"Get set," Kagome's gaze locked with Inuyasha's…
"GO!" Ai and Hikari shrieked as both Inuyasha and Kagome yelped at the same time, breaking off to a fast run. Tyna was in the lead as Ai yelled in excitement. Holding onto the reigns tightly, Kagome steered Tyna to the left slightly, blocking Inuyasha's path of advancing.
"GO FASTER MAMA!" Ai said in the moment of excitement.
"FASTER UNCLE INU! FASTERRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Hikari cheered as Inuyasha jumped a hurdle that was placed in the middle of the field.
"HURDLE?!?" Kagome roared as Inuyasha smirked.
"Random hurdles placed around for my horses!" He explained as he took the lead in front of Tyna. Stallion whinnied, sort of mocking Tyna and somehow, Kagome knew the mare she was riding was ticked off.
"AI HOLD – ONNNNNNNNNNN!!" Trying to keep control of Tyna, Kagome went faster, her laughter ringing through the forest. Inuyasha bounced on Stallion, making sure he had control of his horse, Kagome had control of her horse and that Hikari was safely placed on Stallion.
"LEFT! MAMA THE FOUNTAIN!! LEFTTTTT!" Ai shrieked as Kagome sharply took a left, landing behind Inuyasha in a narrow path.
"How do we get in front of them now?" Ai whispered and Kagome gave her a knowing look.
"Just watch the pros baby," Kagome whispered back. Bringing Tyna to a stop as silently as possible, Kagome whispered something in Ai's ear and her goddaughter nodded.
"INUYASHA!" Kagome shrieked and quickly she jumped off the horse, lifting Ai off along with her. Ai dropped to the ground and rubbed dirt over her cheeks and putting on a pained expression.
Stallion stopped and Inuyasha turned his head.
"WHAT?"
"AI FELL!"
Paling, Inuyasha jumped off Stallion with Hikari in his arms and raced back towards Kagome and Ai. Ai groaned the best she could, and in Kagome's opinion it was pretty damn realistic. Leaning over her goddaughter, Kagome held Ai's hand softly.
"Baby! Oh my god are you okay?" Kagome sobbed, as realistically as she could make it.
"Mama…" Ai groaned, tears forming in her eyes. Inuyasha arrived, his eyes laced with worry and Kagome couldn't help but feel guilty for playing such a dirty trick.
"Come here baby," Kagome whispered as she lifted Ai up. Nestling in Kagome's arms, Kagome started waking forward.
"Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked as he walked slowly behind Kagome.
"I'm assuming we're close to the beach than we are to your place. I want to wash up Ai and then maybe ride back." Kagome said as Inuyasha nodded in understanding.
"Is she okay? Let me carry her…" He offered as Hikari held onto his hand, worrying for her best friend.
"No, I think we're fine…" Kagome said. They arrived at where Stallion stood patiently and with lightening speed, Kagome mounted Stallion with Ai still in her arms.
Dumbstruck, Inuyasha stood with Hikari was Ai looked over Kagome's shoulder and stuck her tongue out.
"LATER LOSERS!" Kagome grinned as she started riding Stallion, making the horse to faster. Ai sat holding onto Kagome as Inuyasha blinked several times.
"Did they just…tell me I'm dreaming Hikari."
"You aren't Uncle Inu…they just…cheated." Hikari said in the same tone Inuyasha was using.
"I'M GONNA GET THAT LITTLE WENCH!" He roared as he mounted Hikari on top of Tyna as he made the horse start running before he even mounted. Mounting Tyna while she was sprinting, Inuyasha saw Stallion up ahead and knew he wouldn't be able to beat him.
Even still, it was worth a shot.
"GET BACK HERE WENCH!" He roared playfully as Kagome held up a hand and waved.
"IN YOUR DREAMS TAKAHASHI!" She teased as the horse started running on the sand. Inuyasha urged Tyna to go faster but snarled as Kagome made it to the waters.
The beach was majestically beautiful. Surrounding the sand was the forest and the waters lay at the base of where the sand was. Stretching out to forever, the water seemed like it was infinite. Kagome spotted a tire swing near a cliffy area so she guided Stallion to go up there. Heading east, Kagome found a small trail and slowly guided her horse up.
"Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked as he was behind her.
"Someplace where losers aren't invited." Kagome teased.
"I'm gonna get you for cheating." He snarled and Kagome merely rolled her eyes. Making it to the top of the cliff, Kagome dismounted Stallion and helped Ai off. Unknown to them, Inuyasha and Hikari were very close behind them.
"That's a long way down, mama." Ai murmured as Kagome glanced up at the tire swing beside her.
"Well it seems your uncle Inu loves jumping off cliffs."
Ai giggled and both of them kept on staring down, unknown of what was happening behind them.
Inuyasha held up three fingers as he crouched behind Kagome.
Hikari held up one finger.
Inuyasha, two fingers.
"THREE!" They shrieked as they both shoved Kagome. Eyes widened, Kagome lost her balance and fell off the edge, heading straight for the waters. Laughing, Hikari gave Inuyasha a high give.
"MAMA CAN'T SWIM!" Ai cried, real tears swimming down her cheeks as she saw Kagome land in the water.
"Yeah right," Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "this is probably another jo…" he felt Ai shove him as she ran down the path they came from.
"AI!" Inuyasha roared. Inuyasha and Hikari ran after Ai as she made it to the beach. The place where Kagome landed (since the cliff went up high above deep waters) was still.
"MAMA!" Tears sprung out of her eyes as she wanted to run into the water but she wasn't the best swimmer out there.
"MAMAAAAA!" She shrieked, her voice hurting. As Inuyasha reached the beach, his eyes widened seeing Kagome surface, her hands flailing before she sunk again.
"OH SHIT!" He roared as he ran into the water and started swimming to where she was. Making it just where Kagome had fallen, Inuyasha took in a deep breath and dove underwater. Looking around, he saw Kagome faint near the groundwater. Diving deeper, he managed to hold onto Kagome's waist before hoisting her up to the surface.
She didn't react.
Growling to himself and his stupidity, he quickly swam back to shore where a weeping Ai was, hugging Hikari.
"Move!" He ordered as the girls ran back a few steps. Placing Kagome down on the sand, he opened her mouth and breathed in, mouth to mouth. Ignoring the shock that ran through his body when his lips touched hers, he pulled back and gave her fifteen chest compressions.
Bringing his head back down, he waited to see if she was breathing. She wasn't. Again, he breathed into her mouth three times before giving her fifteen chest compressions.
Still nothing.
Inuyasha repeated the process until finally Kagome coughed out water. Giving a cry of happiness, Ai hugged Hikari even tighter.
"Are you okay?" Inuyasha whispered, pushing some of her locks out of her eyes. Glaring at him, she forced herself to sit up.
"Thank you for almost killing me." She hissed before falling into a fit of coughs again.
"I didn't know you couldn't swim," He whispered softly, his voice full of emotions. Staring at him for quite sometime, Kagome reached over and hugged him tightly.
"Thanks for saving me though," she murmured painfully. Rubbing his hand up and down on her back, Inuyasha attempted to sooth her. All day long he had been teasing the kids with this woman, playing with this woman, laughing and smiling with this woman and just now, raced with this woman.
Every single thing that Kikyo never wanted to do with him. He felt really guilty for pushing Kagome and kept on rubbing her back.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, "if I knew I wouldn't have done it."
Smiling softly Kagome slowly pulled out of the hug. "It's okay. You didn't know… accidents happen."
"That almost killed you wench," Inuyasha rolled his eyes and Kagome glared at him. Ai and Hikari ran over and both hugged her.
"I'm sorry for pushing you Kagi," Hikari sniffled and Kagome smiled hugging both girls. As Kagome hugged them, Inuyasha stood up, took his cell phone out of his pocket and frowned, wringing it slightly. He flipped it open and was glad that his phone had insurance. Finding that he had bars still he attempted to dial home.
The reception, despite full bars, was still really bad.
"He-hello?" a voice crackled.
"Whoever it is, just send two riders to the beach on one horse." Inuyasha hoped that what he said was clear because he had hung up right after that. Turning back to Kagome, he sat down on the ground and Ai climbed onto his lap.
"You okay Kagome?"
"I'm fine, stop worrying." She smiled and he couldn't help himself.
He wanted to kiss her…
"I called a rider to come down to take the girls back, you're riding back with me."
"Ehh?"
"No argument." He ended that conversation and Kagome felt like whacking him. Within ten minutes two riders on one horse came by and Inuyasha instructed that one of them take Ai on the horse that they came with and the other one take Hikari on Tyna. Inuyasha would take Kagome on Stallion.
Obeying his orders, the girls and the riders went to their respective horses and started making their way back to the house.
"I need a new phone," Inuyasha whispered as he stood up with Kagome. Without warning, he reached down and picked up Kagome bridal style, causing her to squeal.
"Inuyasha!!"
"Shhh," He said in a soothing voice. Kagome felt his heart beat slowly behind his shirt and felt herself redden slightly. Making their way back to Stallion, Inuyasha helped Kagome mount it where she side-saddled. Inuyasha mounted Stallion after her.
"I'm not about to let a near-death experienced girl ride back on her own. Especially if that near-death experience was because of me."
"Stop feeling guilty!" She ordered but he shrugged.
"Can't help it."
Bringing his arms around her, he grabbed the reigns and started a slow trot. Fatigued from the days events, Kagome had no idea when her head fell onto Inuyasha's chest, she had no idea when she had fallen asleep.
She had no idea, either, when Inuyasha carried her to her bedroom. No idea when the servants in the house changed her out of her wet clothing and definitely no idea when Inuyasha tucked her in…
And most of all, she had no idea that he kissed her forehead before leaving the room quietly.
Inuyasha just had his first taste of true love…
-x-