Chapter Ten – Kouga's Mistake
Inuyasha and Kagome entered Kagome's house to find it deadly quiet "Well that isn't normal" Inuyasha mouthed
"Hello? Mom, Gramps, Souta?"
"Kagome?" Mrs Higurashi came out from the kitchen and greeted her daughter and friend "Awe I've missed you so much" She held her daughter close "What have you been up to?"
"Well I think you need to sit down" Kagome and Inuyasha took Mrs Higurashi into the living room and sat her down "Mom, I..." But she was cut off by her grandfather entering
"Oh Kagome, Inuyasha, I didn't realize you were back" He sat down next to his daughter "How has things been?"
"Well I need to tell you guys that I have a boyfriend" There was a silence but was soon interrupted by her Gramps jumping to his feet and pointing an accusing his finger at Inuyasha as he cursed
"If you get my granddaughter pregnant then so help me I'll purify you back to your home"
"Hey we're not together" Inuyasha defended from behind Kagome "I'm with a demon slayer"
"Then who are you with?" Gramps snapped as he met Kagome's annoyed gaze
"Dad please sit down" Mrs Higurashi sighed "You're lucky Souta is in school, I doubt he'd want to see his grandfather acting so foolish. Now Kagome dear continue"
"I'm with Inuyasha's brother" She began "He's a youkai..." She was cut off again
"No granddaughter of mine will be seeing any youkai, Inuyasha is hanyou it is different. This youkai you're with could kill you"
"This isn't the same brother who has attacked both of you in the past, is it?" Mrs Higurashi frowned when Kagome gave a nervous laugh
"He's not like that any more, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru get on now. It was all just a big misunderstanding"
"And I'm assuming this Sesshoumaru is your youkai boyfriend?" Gramps growled
"He would never harm me Gramps" Kagome snapped "We really like each other, he's very protective of me"
"If he's so protective then why isn't he here?"
"I told him not to because I knew you'd freak out like you are now"
"Kagome darling, how old is this Sesshoumaru?" Mrs Higurashi asked
"I uh..." Kagome looked at Inuyasha who just shrugged
"Don't ask me, I'd say in human terms he's roughly 17"
"Two years older?!" Gramps freaked
"Dad calm down" Mrs Higurashi scolded "Do you want me to send you to your room?" Gramps immediately shut up and settled with glaring at his granddaughter "I'd like to meet this Sesshoumaru. If he's anything like Inuyasha then you have my blessings"
"Feh he's nothing like me" Inuyasha snorted "He's an emotionless bastard"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome slapped him "He's very mature, caring and kind. He's just always had to hide his emotions as they are a weakness. He has to because he's the Prince of Japan"
"Prince of Japan?" Mrs Higurashi gapped "You're with a Prince?"
"Hang on" Gramps sat forward "The Prince Sesshoumaru? The one I have in many scrolls? The killing perfection?"
"We have scrolls of him?" Kagome tilted her head cutely to the side
"Well that changes everything" Gramps grinned "That is the only youkai I want to see you with, Prince Sesshoumaru - I have read – has a reputation for being a very loyal, brave, powerful youkai. Though he has bad traits of being arrogant and deadly"
"He treats me with so much respect" Kagome smiled "He hasn't touched me wrongly at all. He makes me feel...well beautiful. And he's ever so protective, he even made Inuyasha come with me so no danger would befall me"
"Well that is responsible" Mrs Higurashi nodded "Then you have my permission to be with his highness"
"Thanks mom"
"And next time you visit bring him along, I have so many questions to ask him" Gramps demanded
"Heh" Inuyasha smirked "Sesshoumaru doesn't like humans, Kagome and his ward are the only humans he likes"
"That's not true" Kagome corrected "He doesn't seem to hate Sango and he would never shun my family"
"I'm not saying he would, but do ya think he could take ya Gramps pestering him with on going questions? Sesshoumaru may be the patient type but he will only bother going into conversation if its necessary"
"It's not his fault, it was his upbringing" She defended "Don't forget Jen can't stand humans so she raised him to hate them, and it didn't help when your dad met your mother and ripped him from his own mother. You know most of the things he says are mostly to do with his arrogance and pride, he doesn't mean half of it" Kagome then turned to her mother "He'd never do anything to upset any of you, he's not like that. Inuyasha is just saying all this because he and Sesshoumaru are well brothers"
"Don't worry love" Mrs Higurashi chuckled "Just bring him with you on your next visit. So how long are you staying today?"
"Not long, I'm just here to restock" Kagome sighed "We can't stay long as we have a new lead to where Naraku is"
"Oh" Her mother looked disappointed "I understand" Kagome gave her mother a sympathetic smile and took Inuyasha's wrist
"Come on Yash, you can help me pack" She then dragged him upstairs and into her room. Once there she emptied her pack and refilled it with new supplies such as clothes, underwear, a swimsuit, first aid kit and some toiletries. She then ran over to her wardrobe and pulled out a pair of jeans, a long white sleeved top that had "Kawaii" on it, a dark blue jacket with a hood and a pair of trainers "I'm gonna get changed in the bathroom, if you peak I'll make sure both Sango and Sesshoumaru find out"
"Feh I've got my own woman to look at" He snorted as he collapsed on her bed
"I'll tell her that" Kagome then slipped into the bathroom and got changed. When she reappeared she had some blankets that she stuffed into her pack along with her sleeping bag
"It's like a bottomless pit" Inuyasha groaned as he watched Kagome shove things into her bag
"That's why I love it" She grinned.
"Hey Kagome do ya mind that Sesshoumaru isn't showing you all the compassion he should?"
"He's trying" She explained as she closed her pack "He said it's hard for him to show his emotions in public"
"Does it hurt when you see me and Sango cuddling and kissing? It's just I couldn't see Sesshoumaru doing that out in the open"
"It doesn't hurt but I do envy you" She smiled sadly "But he's trying so that's all that counts right"
"Sure" He smiled "I'm sure he'll improve, it is most probably his mission to make you happy now. I can see how much he cares for you by the way he looks at you"
"I cherish him so much" She replied "I feel so content when I'm with him, I just have to be around him and I'm happy" She then threw her bag over her shoulder "Come on Yash, now it's time to stock up on the goodies" As soon as he heard this he shot off the bed, grabbed Kagome's hand and dragged her downstairs and into the kitchen. Kagome laughed all the way and set her pack down on the kitchen counter
"Where's the ramen?" He asked as he snooped through the cupboards "Ah here it is" He pulled out around 12 pots and juggled them over to her
"If you think I'm carrying all of them you've got another thing coming" She sighed as she took 4 from him "This will be enough" She then shoved them into her bag and moved to get some more food such as potato chips, water, juice, cola, candy, chocolate, packs of rice and some fruit. As she was doing all this Mrs Higurashi entered and went straight to the fridge
"Kagome dear I've made some lunch boxes up that you can all share" She pulled out 6 boxes and set them down on the table
"Thanks mom but they're not gonna fit in here"
"That's a first" Inuyasha muttered
"Well you need to eat healthy food as well love" She frowned "Here" Mrs Higurashi then pulled out another backpack – smaller than Kagome's – and filled it with the lunch boxes "Inuyasha you can carry this for her, can't you?"
"Uh...sure" Inuyasha took the bag from Kagome's mother whilst the little miko threw her own pack over her shoulders "Well we're set to go"
"Be careful" Mrs Higurashi warned as she hugged her daughter "And behave yourself"
"Mom!" Kagome blushed "You're impossible"
"She's right though Kagome" Gramps sighed as he entered "I don't want you coming home pregnant"
"What if I don't come home for like three months?" Kagome joked
"Don't annoy your grandfather" Mrs Higurashi laughed as she kissed Kagome's cheek "We shall see you soon"
"Hopefully" Kagome then gave her grandfather a hug and left for the well house with Inuyasha at her side "You won't have to carry that for long Inuyasha, we will most probably stop to eat it soon"
"But I want ramen" Inuyasha moaned
"Fine then you can keep carrying them until we run out of ramen"
"No way" Inuyasha huffed "Fine we'll eat these first"
"I thought you'd see reason" She giggled as Inuyasha helped her up onto the well "I wouldn't even say we were here an hour"
"Heh I don't know, your family sure can talk"
"That's family for you" They both then jumped down the well and were once again engulfed by the blinding blue light...
Meanwhile back in the feudal era Shippo and Rin were playing tag, Miroku had his gaze on the woman who was stolen from him, Sango was sitting impatiently by the well as she petted Kirara, Jaken was bugging AhUn and Sesshoumaru was just Sesshoumaru. "How long has it been?" The demon slayer impatiently asked
"For the last time demon slayer, an hour has only just passed" Sesshoumaru sighed from the tree he sat beneath "Do not worry so much, you're under my protection"
"Oh it's not that" Sango smiled "For some reason I'm just eager to have Inuyasha back. Don't you feel the same eagerness for Kagome?"
"I am simply more patient" In Sesshoumaru language that meant yes. Just as he said this a blinding blue light erupted from the well. Everyone stopped what they were doing and moved to the well
"Heads up" Inuyasha shouted as he threw Kagome's pack and the bag with the lunch boxes up. Sango caught them both with ease and set them down beside her. Inuyasha then wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist and jumped out of the well, he landed on the tips of his toes and released Kagome "Has everything been alright?"
"Inuyasha" Sango beamed as she ran into his arms "I missed you"
"Heh I was only gone an hour" He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her
"I know, that's how crazy I am about you"
"Awe" Kagome grinned. She then ran over to Sesshoumaru and caught his hands "Any trouble?"
"No" He shook his head as he leaned down and captured her lips "What of your side?"
"Nope everything was fine. I told my mother and grandfather about us and they're thrilled. My Gramps wants me to bring you over next time, he said he has so much to ask you" Sesshoumaru just raised his brow "He apparently has scrolls on you and most probably wants to ask you about them, I think you're his idol" She giggled
"I see" He then smirked "Those clothes are an improvement" Kagome poked her tongue out at him and released him. She then picked up her pack as Inuyasha picked up the other bag, she was about to return to Sesshoumaru's side when AhUn once again took the pack from her
"Awe you're such a darling" She giggled as she kissed each of its head "I'll reward you later" With her bow and arrows still on her shoulder Kagome returned to Sesshoumaru where he then caught her hand
"Come, we must get to the Eastern Lands before nightfall" Sesshoumaru said as he turned and headed in the direction of their destination
"Awe that's impossible" Inuyasha groaned as he snaked his arm around Sango's waist and followed "Sesshoumaru, ya gonna be the death of me" Sesshoumaru just smirked as he continued on. Everyone soon caught up with him and the journeying continued...
It was merely two hours until sunset and the gang had just arrived in the Eastern Lands, everyone was tired and just wanted to stop and rest for the night "Sesshoumaru" Inuyasha breathlessly groaned "Can we please stop for camp? I'm exhausted"
"We need to find a secluded area to camp first" Sesshoumaru stated "The snow has not melted completely and it is too cold for the humans and children, there is a cave not too far from here. We shall go there and set up camp"
"Then can we fly?"
"We're trying to keep a low profile, if we fly Naraku may pick up our auras" He then turned and continued to the cave. Kagome had noticed the temperature had decreased. She was freezing, she wished she had at least packed some gloves now. She released Sesshoumaru's hand and rubbed her own hands together as she sneezed
"Is it just me or has it gotten colder?" She sneezed again. Worrying for her health Sesshoumaru pulled her outer haori off and wrapped it around her, he then pulled her close to him for body warmth "Thank you" She nuzzled his chest as she slipped her arms through the haori sleeves and wrapped her arms around Sesshoumaru
"It is colder" Sango shivered. Even with Inuyasha's haori on she was still cold "How are you Rin? Shippo?" They were both wrapped up in one of Kagome's blankets and cuddled together
"We're fine" Shippo answered
"Just tired" Rin added with a yawn
"We won't be long" Sango smiled and turned back to face Inuyasha "I'm starving too"
"Same here, how's Kirara?" The neko found the cold had even got to her, she was currently in Sango's arms sleeping
"She's fine, an hour or two by the fire and she'll be back to her old self"
"Good"
"Prince Sesshoumaru how much further?" Jaken moaned "Me poor feet are freezing in all this snow. Me thinks they will fall off"
"Oh stop you're whimpering" Kagome huffed "You're in the same position as everyone else"
"Why you..." But he was cut off by Sesshoumaru's glare. Inuyasha too felt the cold on his feet and cursed under his breath, oh how he wished for the first time in his life that he wanted shoes. Finally the cave had come into sight, it was as far as they could see still uninhabited and free for their use.
"That looks better than the palace right now" Kagome moaned as she snuggled closer to Sesshoumaru
"Hn" Kagome bit back the urge to giggle at his very short reply. Eventually they arrived at the cave. Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha and Miroku quickly checked around and in it to make sure it was safe and then ushered the women, children, animals and Jaken inside.
"Finally" Kagome immediately started a fire and lay down beside it, she was completely exhausted
"Ne Kagome, don't go to sleep yet" Sango cooed "You need to eat first" Inuyasha then set the boxes out where everyone could help themselves.
"Alright" She sighed as she pushed herself into a sitting position, she then crawled over to the food which certainly amused Sesshoumaru and she dug in. Just as she finished a rice ball she turned to Sesshoumaru "Aren't you eating?"
"Foolish mortal, Prince Sesshoumaru and I do not eat human food" Jaken snorted "It is disgusting"
"Then go find ya own food" Kagome snapped at the imp. Sesshoumaru then kneeled down behind her and leaned into her ear
"I am simply not hungry Kagome, youkai can go a week without food" Kagome met his gaze and frowned
"I don't like that, I'll worry about you"
"That is perfectly normal" He mused as he kissed her cheek "I shall eat in the morning if it distresses you so" Kagome smiled and returned his kiss
"Thank you" She then turned back and finished her meal
"This is delicious" Inuyasha wolfed down "Your mom is an excellent cook"
"Glad you like it" Kagome smiled
"Give my thanks to your mother next time you see her Kagome" Miroku smiled
"No problem" Everyone were now finally full and the lunch boxes empty, Kagome and Sango crushed down the boxes down as cast them aside. Kagome then handed out blankets to everyone. She gave her sleeping bag to the children for the night as she got herself blanket and went to Sesshoumaru who was currently leaning up against the cave wall. She took her seats beside him and slipped her trainers off, she just couldn't sleep with shoes on. "Do you want your haori back?" But before he could answer Inuyasha let out an angered growl
"Inuyasha what's wrong?" Sango asked as she stood with her lover
"Kouga" He growled out "Sesshoumaru I suggest you get your sword ready to slice his head off, he'll try grabbing at Kagome" The young Prince then stood with Kagome standing beside him
"I know the wolf desires her" He stated as he slithered his arm around her waist and pulled her up against "Shame he won't have her" Kagome giggled like the school girl she was
"He's here" Suddenly a whirl wind landed in front of them to reveal the young leader of the demon wolf tribe
"Hey" He grinned
"Hey yourself" Inuyasha growled "What do ya want ya mangy wolf?"
"I'm here to see Kagome, mutt face. What else?" Kouga growled back as he clenched his fist. Rin looked at the wolf and gasped
"What's wrong Rin?" Shippo asked as she hid behind AhUn
"H-his wolves k-killed me" She whimpered
"Awe Rin" Kagome moved to go to the infant but found Sesshoumaru had a death grip on her, he refused to release her with Kouga there
"Kagome" Kouga then frowned when he saw Sesshoumaru holding the miko "Hey who are you? What are you doing holding Kagome?"
"Who I am is none of your business wolf" Sesshoumaru replied simply
"You reek of Inuyasha"
"Well that's because he's my brother" Inuyasha huffed "Ya stupid wolf" Kouga ignored his last comment
"So you're Inuyasha's brother, except you're not a half demon" He then growled "I could care less who you are, just release my Kagome this instant?"
"Your Kagome?" Sesshoumaru could feel his patience beginning to slip
"Yes my Kagome, she's my woman" Kouga snapped "We're to be mates"
"You're mistaken wolf" Sesshoumaru frowned "Kagome is my woman" Kagome blushed at this causing Sango to giggle. He then brushed the hair from Kagome's neck to reveal the courting mark "She's mine" He stated with dominance
"How dare you mark her" Kouga cracked his knuckles "Kagome is my intended, I won't let you take her away from me"
"Do you honestly wish for your death wolf?" Sesshoumaru raised his claws "Because if you try to lay a finger on her I'll rip your head off" His grip slackened on Kagome, she quickly pulled out of his hold and stood in between them
"Please don't fight. We don't need allies becoming enemies at a time like this" Kouga then grabbed Kagome's wrist and pulled her into his arms
"Don't worry Kagome I'll protect you from that mutt"
"What? Did you just listen to me?" But before he could reply Kouga found himself pinned to the wall with Sesshoumaru's claws around his throat "Sessh..."
"I told you not to touch what is mine" Sesshoumaru growled his eyes a mixture of gold and red "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you"
"No Sesshoumaru" Kagome ran up behind him and placed her hand on his arm "This is exactly what Naraku wants you to do. Please we need all the help we can get" Sesshoumaru growled but released Kouga. The wolf clenched his neck as he tried to regain his breathing "Thank you" She smiled up at him. She then turned to Kouga "Kouga what Sesshoumaru says is true. We're courting"
"But why? I've offered you everything" He gasped
"And I'm grateful, I truly am. But the truth is I only like you as a friend, you're very dear to me and the last thing I want to see is you getting killed over me. I'm sorry Kouga but my heart belongs to Sesshoumaru"
"I-I understand" He coughed
"Will you travel with us for now? We believe Naraku is here seeking your jewel shards, it would be wise if we all stayed together"
"Yeah I'll stay, but tomorrow I suggest we move to my den where we can plan our attack"
"Feh fine, but make sure none of ya wolves touch my woman" Inuyasha warned as he wrapped a protective arm around Sango
"And you do not lay a finger on mine" Sesshoumaru added as he snaked his arm around Kagome's waist
"Fine" Kouga then stood and moved to sit by Miroku. Sango then tucked both of the children in Kagome's sleeping bag beside AhUn
"Are you alright Rin?" She asked
"Y-yes" She breathed "That wolf won't hurt me, r-right?"
"Feh if that mangy wolf touches ya I'll slaughter him" Inuyasha...comforted? Rin nodded and cuddled up to Shippo, soon the children were fast asleep. Sesshoumaru sat against the wall once again as Kagome took her place beside him, his eyes had only just returned to their golden shade and he pulled Kagome possessively against him
"I need to change into my pyjamas" The little miko whispered "Where can I go where I'll get some privacy?"
"Go get your clothing" Kagome nodded and went to her pack, she pulled out her pyjamas as Sesshoumaru stood. He then slithered his hand around her waist and took her past Kouga and deeper into the cave. The couple could still be seen but the young Prince stood in front of the miko so the damned wolf couldn't see anything "Get changed"
"Uh, Sesshoumaru I know we're together and all but I don't exactly feel comfortable about changing in front of you" Kagome timidly muttered as a blush tinted her cheeks
"I won't look, I assure you" Sesshoumaru then leaned down and brushed his lips against hers "Don't you trust me?"
"You know I do" Kagome returned the kiss and pulled off her top, Sesshoumaru immediately averted his gaze as she dropped her skirt. He heard a breath hitch and moved to see Kouga turn his head away. The young Prince growled slightly just as Kagome pulled her PJ bottoms on "What is it?"
"The wolf" He turned his gaze back to her and found she was only in her bottoms and bra
"Oops" She then grabbed her PJ t-shirt and slipped it on. It hugged her figure perfectly making her look even more beautiful. Sesshoumaru then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up against him
"Beautiful" He breathed as he leaned down and captured her lips, her arms immediately snaked around his neck as she moaned into his kiss. This caused everyone to look up and either smirk or scowl in utter jealousy – Kouga and Jaken. He pulled her even closer against him so that their bodies were pressed up against each other
"Sessh..." She broke the kiss as the need for oxygen took over her. His pride got the best of him when he found that she was panting hard "I do believe we should continue this another time, in private"
"I have no objections" He mused as he released her. Kagome then picked up her pack as they walked back over to their previous spot, she then dropped her bag on the floor and retook her seat. Sesshoumaru naturally took his place next to her as his miko dug through her bag once again. She pulled out his outer haori and handed it to him. He then wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her to lay in his lap. She then grabbed her discarded blanket from the floor and threw it over her legs
"Are you cold?" She yawned as she looked up at him from his lap
"No" He settled his arm over her waist as he used the other to caress her ebony locks "Sleep, we have a busy day tomorrow" She gave a tired nod and cuddled closer to him. Soon sleep took over her causing her hands to unconsciously wrapped around his waist
"Heh they're both as bad as each other" Inuyasha mused. Sesshoumaru looked over to his little brother to find Sango fast asleep mirroring Kagome exactly "Lucky aren't we"
"I've never seen you so protective of someone, not even when you loved Kagome" The young Prince mused
"I don't to lose her" Inuyasha replied as he caressed Sango's cheek "I won't allow anything more pain come to her" Miroku tried to ignore the hanyou's words by laying down by AhUn and attempt to sleep. Kouga's gaze was stuck on the sleeping Kagome and how he envied the young Prince. He would do anything to hold the little miko like that. He let out a disappointed sigh and lay down to catch a few winks before sunrise.
"How persistent is the wolf?" Sesshoumaru asked when he was sure Kouga was asleep
"Very" Inuyasha sighed "Kagome would drop hints to say she wasn't interested, she even had Sango drag Kouga off once to tell him that she wanted him to back off. But obviously the mangy wolf wouldn't listen"
"The idiot had the nerve to touch her today, if he tries so again I won't hesitate to kill him. I could care less about allies"
"Ya realize Kagome would be dead set against you doing that? She still cherishes Kouga as a close friend and would be devastated if he perished. Why do ya think I haven't kill him?"
"If my beast takes over and he's touched her I won't be able to stop myself from killing him. I would most probably end up claiming Kagome as my mate" Sesshoumaru explained "The same would naturally happen to you if the demon slayer was in Kagome's place"
"Ya know you gotta stop calling her 'the demon slayer', Kagome will end up ripping ya head off. After all she could be your sister in time"
"It is a habit Inuyasha, you should know I do not mean offence"
"Like the same habit of not showing your emotions?" Inuyasha challenged
"Yes" He sighed not really wanting to fight "If you were brought up by my mother then you would know why I act like this. It is not something I can turn off over night Inuyasha. Kagome know this and is being patient. Your mother most probably raised you to express your emotions by being nice, charming and open. Father and my mother raised me as a Prince more than a son, duty came before love"
"Sesshoumaru..." Inuyasha couldn't believe his brother was being so open "I guessed your mother had those traits, but dad? I always assumed he was some powerful, feared daiyoukai but was also very caring. Especially to you"
"He was when it was just us but my mother always interfered. She has changed so much now though. Father was caring and loving Inuyasha, he did all the necessary things such as protect, nurture, love and care yet his duties as King always made things complicated. That's why when I was of age he turned rather cold and only focused on me when it came to training. During that time he's met your mother, he still remained with mine for a short while but soon cast her out when he fell for yours. You are lucky to have been born later, and dare I say it, you are lucky that father is dead. He would have been hard on you to train ten times more than he did I, you are a hanyou so he would see that as a weakness. He'd know how much danger your life would be and would be bent on making you as strong as himself. I believe that is why he passed Tetsusaiga on to you"
"I guess" Inuyasha shrugged, still taking in all the information "If you and Kagome end up mating and having pups will you be hard on them like dad was with you?"
"No" He then smirked "Even if I desired to do you honestly believe Kagome would let me? She is quite the little vixen, she'd kill me"
"I know what ya mean, Sango would most probably have Kagome 'sit' me into a crater as she hit me with her Hirakotsu" Inuyasha mused "Women"
"Do you love her Inuyasha?"
"I haven't been with her long enough to love her but I'm getting there" He smiled "The bond I have with her is far more stronger than the one I had with Kikyo. What about you with Kagome? Do you love her?"
"I've always liked her, even when she travelled with you" He admitted "She amused me when she stood up to me, she had guts. I always desired her and that desire grew back at the palace. But like you said Inuyasha, I haven't been with her long enough to love her. But I feel for her deeply" The young hanyou nodded and yawned
"They'll be the end of us" He lay down and pulled Sango to lay on his chest "Can't live with 'em can't live without 'em"
Well here's the next chapter
Hope you enjoyed it
Reviews :)
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