I love reading you guys' comments…thanks so much for reading!
So Gin mentioned Inuyasha and how he cried in my fic. Okay, so one of my absolute favorite scenes in the manga/anime is when Inuyasha is crying during Kikyo's death. I may not like them as a couple, but her death scene and him crying was one of my favorite parts. Not because Kikyo died lol but because I always like seeing that side of Inuyasha and it was just such a beautiful scene.
I'll be honest when I say that the original version of this fic included him crying a whole lot more, but throughout the editing process, I realized that even though Inuyasha has come a long way and everything, it just wouldn't be realistic…also it would be super weird to have him crying all the time. I think him crying when he's talking about his mom is the last time he'll cry in this fic…I agree with you, Gin; there's a limit to his tears I think! That's why I tried to not make him cry too much. As always, thanks for your comments, and no worries about the speculation! That's why I posted so quickly, and I have to say that I'm super impressed that you saw it coming.
Thanks to sllmidnight! :) I'm so happy you liked it, and I really appreciate your review! Over the years, I've always wondered about the shipping ideas when it comes to Rin. Sometimes I think Sesshomaru, sometimes Kohaku, and I've also seen people shipping Rin and Shippo which I never really thought about. Overall, I ship Rin and Sesshomaru. I have 2 other fics that I'll be uploading when OOT is done, and one of them is almost completely about Rin and Sesshomaru. I don't think you'll be disappointed. :) And Jaken? Hmm…maybe I'll have to add a little scene somewhere in the last few chapters of this fic just for you ;)
Also, to my sassiest follower (but of course I love you), I tend to write really late at night. I'm my best around 1-2am ahaha I make no apologies xD It's like 7:37pm right now though, so not too bad.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or its characters. All rights to Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter 21: An Unexpected Visit
A week after Kagome and I got engaged, we decided to take a break from planning the wedding, so we took a walk to Goshinboku. "The bridal kimono cleaning can wait," Kagome had said with a smile.
As we walked to the tree, I took Kagome's hand and held on tight. Our engagement had been pretty hectic, so we were both looking forward to what we assumed would be a quiet evening alone together.
Not even five minutes after being at the tree, I caught the scent of someone I hadn't seen in several years. Crap, I thought to myself. I have to get Kagome out of here.
"Man, it's pretty chilly out here, huh?" I asked suddenly. I pulled back from Kagome and stood up.
"Inuyasha," she said as followed me with her eyes. "What are you doing?" she asked. "It's not even cold out. Come sit back down." She patted the ground beside her. I glanced at the trees behind me. The scent was getting stronger.
"No, I think we should head back," I said. "I'm tired." Kagome raised an eyebrow. "You're tired?" she asked.
I nodded somewhat violently. "Yes," I replied. "I'm very tired." Kagome didn't look convinced but she caved. "Um, okay," she finally said.
I reached down and took Kagome's hand so I could pull her up. Once she was standing beside me, I kept a firm grasp on her hand and started walking away from the tree.
She followed me somewhat reluctantly. "Inuyasha?" she asked with concern in her voice. I felt her tug gently on my hand. "Hey," she said. I knew she wouldn't go any farther without some sort of answer so I stopped walking and turned around to face her.
"What's wrong?" she asked. I glanced behind her. If we hurried, then maybe we could get out of here in time. "Nothing," I lied. "I told you. I'm very tired." Kagome looked worried as she took my other hand.
"I know you're lying," she said. "Is this about the wedding? Are you having second thoughts?" My eyes widened.
"No," I said without hesitation. "Of course not. My mind isn't going to change about that."
Kagome finally smiled. "Good," she replied. "So what's going on?" I sighed.
"Koga is coming," I admitted. Kagome looked confused. "Okay?" she replied. Is this woman crazy?
"I'm sorry," I said sarcastically. "Maybe you didn't hear me. I said Koga is coming."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "That's what you're freaking out about?" she asked.
I looked at her in disbelief. "Kagome," I replied. "The real question here is why aren't you freaking out?"
Kagome laughed. "Because there's no reason," she said. Kagome smirked. "Are you still jealous?" she asked. I felt myself blush. "No," I replied. I knew she'd see right through me.
Sure enough, she did. Kagome let go of my hands and put her arms around me.
"You shouldn't be," she said in a much gentler voice. "I'm marrying you because I love you. Nothing could ever happen that will change that." I smiled and relaxed a little at her words.
"Okay?" she asked. I nodded. Kagome smiled. "Good," she said. "And isn't Koga married to Ayame?" I paused. "Oh, yeah," I replied. "I forgot about that." Kagome laughed and shook her head as she leaned up to kiss me.
Before our lips could touch, a huge tornado came through the forest and broke us apart. Kagome and I pulled away from each other and turned to look at it.
I groaned and Kagome just laughed. "Don't worry," she said. I huffed and kept a tight hold on her hand. No way was Koga going to get any ideas.
The tornado finally reached us and calmed down to a single wolf-man.
"Kagome!" he said as soon as he was in front of us. "It's been too long." Kagome smiled.
"Hi, Koga," she replied cheerfully. "How are you doing these days?" Koga frowned.
"My life has been empty without you," he said. "I left our lands for the first time in a while to check on a disturbance with another tribe, so it brought me to a village a few miles from here. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I caught your wonderful scent! As soon as I got a whiff of it, I came right away." Kagome tightened her hold on my hand.
"Oh," she said. "How…dedicated." I felt a growl starting in my chest.
"Get out of here, Koga," I said menacingly. Kagome glanced up at me and gave me one of her Looks. I ignored it. "What about your wife, moron?" I asked. Koga eyed me.
"You're still hanging around this stupid dog?" he asked as he turned back to Kagome. "I heard you've been gone for a while, Kagome."
Koga glanced at me again. "I'm surprised you didn't find another dead woman to fall in love with." I felt Kagome tense next to me and I knew that was the last straw.
"You're so dead," I growled. I let go of Kagome's hand and went to punch Koga. Before I could, my little Miko fiancée was reaching her own fist out and clocked Koga right on the jaw.
Koga and I both looked at Kagome in shock. "What was that for?" Koga shouted as he rubbed his jaw. A weak punch from a human hadn't hurt him physically, but I knew there was some serious damage to his pride.
"You're being a jerk," she scolded. "And you need to leave. It's not right for you to be here. First of all, you're married. Second of all, I'm engaged." Koga's eyes widened.
"You're engaged?" he asked. He paused and then turned his head to me. "You've gotta be kidding me…you're marrying him?" I let myself smirk. "That's right," I said smugly.
Koga looked absolutely horrified. "What?" he yelled. "I swear I'm gonna pummel you." Koga started to come at me but Kagome moved in front of him. "Stop it," she said seriously. Koga looked surprised.
"Koga, you need to leave," she said. "Ayame loves you and you're the one that asked her to marry you in the first place. You made a vow and now you need to keep it." Kagome's expression turned compassionate. "And I love Inuyasha, okay? I always have. I'm sorry."
Koga was stunned into silence. He looked defeated. "Well, I guess I understand," he said. "Don't let it ever be said that I didn't try." Kagome looked like she was starting to feel guilty.
"Go home to your wife," she said kindly. "Make her feel as good as you've always tried to make me feel, okay?" Koga looked like that was the last thing he wanted to do.
"I guess I'll try," he replied. "Well, have a great life, Kagome. I hope you're happy."
Koga turned to me. "I'm glad I won't be seeing your stupid face again," he said. I clenched my fist and started to move toward him but Kagome put her hand on my chest to stop me.
Koga started up his tornado again and then he was gone.
I let out a sigh of relief when he was gone. "I hate that guy," I said. "That was so irritating…but you, Kagome?" I laughed. "You were awesome! You got him so good!"
Kagome didn't answer me. Instead, she leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Kagome?" I said. She looked up at me with hurt in her eyes. "It's just…what Koga said about…" she began. I knew she was talking about the comment Koga had made about another dead woman. I pulled Kagome to me and held her close.
"He's an idiot," I said. "But you showed him." Kagome finally smiled and looked pretty proud of herself. "You're right," she replied. "I was pretty great." She rubbed her knuckles. "But my hand really hurts now." I chuckled.
Kagome flexed her fingers once more and then looked at me mischievously. "Now that we have that taken care of," she said. "Let's go finish the wedding planning!"
I quickly picked her up and started running toward the village.
"Let's hurry," I said. "I'm ready to marry you."
To be continued…
A little Koga action. Closure, I guess? I'm all about that in my fics!
Much love. :)