Project Puppy Love
Chapter 21: The Beginning of the End
When he awoke, he didn't know who or where it was. It took a few moments for him to get his bearings before it all came back to him with startling clarity….
There had been a blast… an explosion.
Kikyou had tried to kill him, tried to separate him and Kagome.
Luckily, it seemed, she had failed.
InuYasha was on his feet seconds later, his senses on high alert, assessing his current situation.
Though difficult at first, he could detect remnants of his brother's scent, as well as many foreign ones, all very faint and old.
He realized then, it had been at least twenty-four hours or more since the incident.
InuYasha's heartbeat quickened, realizing the terror Kagome must be experiencing right now.
He had to get to her.
Ascertaining that all was clear, InuYasha was off.
"Woman, you will cease the mindless sobbing this instant." Sesshoumaru ordered, though there was gentleness to his tone Kagome had never heard before.
She knew he didn't mean any harm, and like InuYasha, didn't know how to handle an emotional female.
Beside him, Rin shook her head and rolled her eyes.
As promised, Sesshoumaru had found her a doctor he seemed to trust with their secret. She was an old woman, but if Sesshoumaru had faith in her, Kagome had no reason to complain.
The woman, who introduced herself as Kaede, was a private doctor and only did home visits. She came to Sesshoumaru's bright and early that morning, setting up shop right in the living room, a rolling sonogram with a doctors bed at the ready.
Kagome's mother stood at her daughter's side, holding her hand comfortingly, a gloomy reminder of who was missing.
The second she had seen her child, Kagome had lost herself to tears. She couldn't help it. It felt wrong to be sharing in such a wonderful moment without InuYasha there beside her.
Kagome had been doing surprisingly well these last two days, though there were moments like this one, where she just couldn't help herself.
Despite everyone's advice that she should prepare for the worst, Kagome decided to not go that route. She chose instead to believe that InuYasha was simply lost and would find his way back to her soon.
No one had found a body, and until they could prove he was lost to her forever, she'd always hold out the hope that he'd return to her.
Kaede had informed Kagome that she was almost 15 weeks, pointing out the noticeable features of her and InuYasha's child. Kagome could barely contain her tears when the older physician even pointed out the child had his or her father's ears.
"Would ye like to know the gender of your baby?"
Kagome thought for a moment before shaking her head. It didn't feel right knowing—not with InuYasha absent.
If—no, when he came back, she wanted there to be something they could share in together.
Several hours later, the family was just cleaning up after a late dinner. The TV was on in the living room, as Sota and Grandpa sat before it, digesting their generous meal.
In the kitchen, Kagome and her mother put away the leftovers and cleaned the dishes.
Kagome remained silent, absorbed in her task, while her mother put the remaining food away.
This was not the life she had wanted her for daughter—to lose a loved one so young in life.
It was a hard road to follow; one Mrs. Higurashi had experience in. Loosing Kagome and Souta's father shortly after Souta's birth was something she had not quite gotten over.
It may have been almost ten years ago, but the wounds were still fresh in the mother's heart. It wasn't something she'd ever wish on anyone, especially her daughter.
"Kagome…" The elder Higurashi woman started, receiving no acknowledgment from her first-born.
The young woman was staring intently out the kitchen window. When Mrs. Higurashi came to join her daughter, she found her entranced by the flowing branches of the Goshinboku.
"InuYasha…" She heard her daughter whisper, "I hope you're okay…"
Mrs. Higurashi's heart ached in sympathy.
"Kagome, Honey, why don't you let me finish up here." Mrs. Higurashi suggested as she carefully took the dirty dish from her daughter's hands. "Go relax with your brother and grandfather for the night."
"No, Mama. I'm fine." Kagome responded, taking back her stolen dish. She was a little too rough, causing the soapy plate to slip from her fingers and crash to the floor.
It shattered into pieces, a shard cutting her leg. "Damn!" She cursed as she bent down to clean up her mess, embarrassed.
Only, she never made it that far.
The next thing she knew rough hands covered her own, pulling her away from the mess.
"Clumsy Wench." His voice barely registered against her ears. "You need to be more careful!"
"InuYasha?" Kagome could hardly believe what her senses were telling her. It seemed so surreal.
Behind the magically appearing InuYasha, she heard her mother gasp, replicating the shock Kagome herself was feeling.
"Is it really you?" The raven-haired woman whispered, not trusting her voice. Her eyes met his golden ones as she began to tear up.
Something in her voice struck a nerve in InuYasha and he seemed to realize just how much she had been suffering in his absence.
"Who else would it be?" His famous smirk was in place, and Kagome's heart melted.
"InuYasha!" Kagome cried, flinging herself at him as the damn broke, and she cried freely. With InuYasha here she didn't have to be brave anymore. "You're alright!"
"Of course I am, Wench!" He retorted as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He clutched her tightly against his chest, inhaling her scent—a scent he once feared never taking pleasure in ever again. With his free hand he wiped away her tears.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again!" Kagome punched him as hard as she could in the arm to prove how serious she was. "I swear to God, InuYasha, if you ever do that to me again, I'll kill you myself!"
InuYasha laughed, "Relax, Woman! There's not a scratch on me."
Kagome stared at him wryly, poking a small cut on the side of his face, her eyes wandering over the few fading scars there and along the exposed skin of his arms—proof he hadn't escaped the explosion unscathed.
He returned the gesture with a meek grin, like a kid being caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Kagome clung to him for comfort, while he drew slow circles down her back soothingly.
She heard movement behind her, causing her to break away from the man she feared never seeing again to find her brother and grandfather standing in the doorway.
"Glad to have you back." Souta said honestly to InuYasha. "We missed you, though not as much as Kagome." The young boy gave a small smile.
InuYasha returned the gesture with a nod.
"Kagome, I'll finish up the dishes and clean up this mess. Why don't you take InuYasha upstairs and get him cleaned up."
Kagome nodded, realizing for the first time the charred markings on InuYasha's skin and the holes in his clothing.
Once the pair were upstairs, InuYasha refused to do anything until he was certain Kagome and the pup where okay.
He ran his hands all over her form, across her stomach, checking for any obvious wounds. When he was satisfied, he inhaled her scent deeply for the second time since his return, taking pride in the thriving scent of his child growing within her.
Though he didn't want to be away from her for even a minute, InuYasha allowed her to force him into a quick shower and a change of clothes.
When he did finally return to her, sans shirt, and in only a pair of sweat pants, he found Kagome sitting on her bed. She reached for him and he wasted no time in joining her.
"I have to show you something," She said, once he was seated comfortably beside her.
Kagome pulled something from behind her back and handed to him. At first he had no idea when he was looking at. It was a photo, of that he was certain, but it was far different from any he had seen before.
"It's the baby… err pup." she informed him with motherly pride.
"Kagome…"
"While you were… away," Kagome's hand traced the image of their child's face affectionately, "Sesshoumaru set up a visit with that doctor he promised us. I think he was trying to make up for your absence…" She trailed off as her voice got tight.
InuYasha glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the gift in his hands.
"She asked if I wanted to know the gender… " Kagome continued, "but I couldn't, not without you there. It didn't feel right."
InuYasha pulled her flush against his side as they snuggled against one another. He was finding it difficult to look away from the image he held so tenderly in his hands. This made it all so much more real… Sure, he could see the signs upon her body, and scent his own child… but seeing the pup made it more real than it had ever been before.
"InuYasha, what happened?" She asked softly, breaking the silence. He knew immediately what she was referring too.
For several moments he remained silent as he recalled what had taken place.
InuYasha had raced to the window only to discover it was locked. Or so he thought. It was obvious Kikyou didn't intend to make this easy on him. The window wasn't just locked, it was nailed shut.
Realizing he had maybe ten seconds left, and no time to waste, InuYasha stepped back a few paces to allow himself a running start.
He bolted through the window; glass was flying everywhere, cutting him in several places.
Seconds later, the house exploded. The sudden burst of energy sent InuYasha soaring.
Something, he later assumed to be a piece of flying debris, hit him in the back of the head and he succumbed to the darkness.
"When I came to, it took me a minute to get my bearings, or I would have been back sooner." InuYasha admitted with a bit of shame. "I was so disoriented that it took me longer than I'd have liked to remember the way home. I'm sorry…"
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm just so glad you're here…"
Kagome's hand brushed against his bare chest, as she snuggled tighter against him.
Finally, InuYasha set the image of his child on the nightstand before burying his nose into her hair, inhaling her natural scent.
In response, Kagome brushed her nose underneath his jaw, letting forth a sigh of contentment.
Before she got too comfortable, InuYasha hooked a finger her chin, planting his lips upon hers. They meshed together, as heat pooled in the pit of Kagome's stomach.
Their time apart had been far too long, and InuYasha was more than ready to reacquaint himself with the woman he thought of as his mate—his one and only.
He used his claws to skillfully rip every article of clothing from her body, shredding the weak material in seconds.
Kagome mewled in approval as he licked and nipped at her neck, grinding the bulge in his pants against her.
Angry at his state of dress, Kagome tugged at InuYasha's pants in silent demand. He chuckled before removing himself of said article of clothing, discarding them without a second thought.
Thoroughly pleased, and needing desperately to mold her body to his, Kagome pulled roughly on his forelocks, entangling his lips in a fiercely heated battle.
She opened her body to him and experimentally rubbed herself against his hardened member.
InuYasha rumbled in pleasure, loosing himself in her erotic touches. His hands trailed teasingly up her sides, coming to rest against the flushed skin of her breasts. InuYasha's thumbs grazed over rosy peaks, before returning to flick the hardened nubs.
Kagome gasped, arching against him and shoving her unsuspecting lover over. The shock was short-lived though, when his eyes met her playful ones. The genetically engineered man watched thoroughly entranced, as she seductively climbed on top of him.
InuYasha was unable to stop the growl of approval that quickly morphed into a whine when she slowly joined with him.
He was fully seated inside her, barely moving and Kagome couldn't believe how good it felt.
InuYasha 's clawed hands gripped her hips, his thumbs caressing the sensitive skin there.
He had never allowed Kagome to be in control before—at least not for long—but he might allow it every once in a while if she was gonna make him feel this good.
He thrust up, at the exact second Kagome came down. She screamed and he grunted as they battled it out, trying to find that rhythm, that pace that would have them both seeing stars.
Kagome continued to ride InuYasa without abandon as she leaned down to steal a kiss from him He met her halfway, not once slowing the gyrating of his thrusts.
InuYasha's hands abandoned her hips to trail across her stomach until they reached her breasts. He squeezed and played with them, running his thumbs over the rosy peaks of her nipples. Kagome moaned into his mouth and the half-human smirked.
"Mine." InuYasha asserted against her lips. She was his to love and no one would take her from him ever again. "Say you're mine, Kagome. Say it!"
InuYasha's hands created a slow trail down her sides to the small of her back, as he and Kagome continued to glide together.
"Say it! Kagome!" He demanded when she did acquiesce to him as quickly as he'd have liked.
Kagome was too far gone, unable to form any coherent thought. She realized he was asking her something, but was finding it difficult to comprehend.
InuYasha pulled her towards him so he could take a nipple into his mouth. He suckled and licked, teasing the raised peak until it was sore.
"Kagome…" His tone was dark, threatening.
"I-I'm yours. InuYasha, I'm yours!" Kagome cried, lost in the passionate heat he was able to create within her.
Kagome mewled and pushed herself harder against, him, her hands clutching and squeezing his shoulders with great force, leaving scratches and even drawing a bit of blood.
"InuYasha!"
They were waging that old-time war. Their sweat mingled, their bodies melded.
"InuYasha…ah…"
Seconds later, Kagome was careening over that edge in thundering bliss and sending InuYasha right over that precipice with her.
He gave couple jerking thrusts ensuring every bit of his fluids filled her womb.
Thoroughly sated, Kagome snuggled against InuYasha's warm body, running her hand up and down his chest soothingly.
InuYasha rumbled with contentment.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again, Wench. I thought I might never see you again." The hand on her lower back traced the contours of her skin.
"I could say the same for you. I thought I had lost you." She placed a chaste kiss to the underside of his jaw. "I was so scared."
InuYasha rumbled appreciatively. He didn't think she realized what such actions did to him.
"You'll never have to worry again."
Later that night, InuYasha lay awake. Even in her sleep, Kagome clung to him, afraid that he'd disappear again. InuYasha smirked, like they'd ever be separated ever again. Not as long as he was alive.
He caressed her face, as his mind ran through all that had transpired over the last few months.
There was only thing left to do before he could put the whole Kikyou/Naraku thing behind him and move on with his life… something he had been putting off for a long time.
Only now had he become ready.
On the very last page of the journal, written in his mother's flowing scrip was one final entry. InuYasha had been putting off reading it because it made him feel like he'd be losing his mother all over again—only this time for good.
He knew she was gone, and had been for some time but this would make it real. It was the only thing he had that once belonged to her—the last and final piece of hers.
But finally he was ready, he was ready to move on from the past and look forward to the future. It was time to put his mother to rest and focus on what was the come. He'd always cherish the few memories he had of her, and knew as long as he always remembered her, she'd never truly be gone.
The entry had no date, just one final message:
To whoever finds this, I want them to know of everything I have done, what wrongs I have caused and how I have misguidedly aided Naraku and Kikyou in their heinous acts.
What they have done, and are doing, and what I have helped them to do is wrong—in every sense of the word. But even knowing this, I can't completely regret the part I played. I love my son with all my heart and he will never be something I regret. He's truly a remarkable boy, much like his father was before him. I only wish I could have done more for him.
InuYasha, if you ever read this, I want you to know that I always have and always will love you. I'm sorry for the life I have given you and I can only hope that one day you get out of this place and find true love and happiness.
Be a good boy and grow into the strong man just like your father. He was a great man, even if his life was short lived. I hope you grow to be just like him. Even now, I can see him inside you.
One day, you'll find that special someone, and Mama will be watching over you—making sure all is well.
You're special, my son, and deserve to have a wonderful life and find love. I'll always be with you—in your heart.
With all my love,
-Your Mother, Izayoi
Sorry for taking so long to update…I can't believe it's been almost a month since... there are only two weeks left of the semester and I have papers, and exams to study for… Anyway, I found some free time and decided to try and get this chapter out tonight. Little did I know it would undergo a complete rewrite. All but the last section has been changed… hopefully I don't have too many errors, though I'll check it over later to be sure.
There's an epilogue left, and then it's all over. Can you believe it? If there are any questions you have that didn't get answered, feel free to ask in a review and I will answer them—unless they are to be answered in the epilogue.
As a warning, I probably won't be able to update again until late next week.
On an unrelated note… I just got back from seeing The Lucky One. Zac Efron has the most expressive/beautiful eyes I've ever seen on a man. I'd have his baby in a heartbeat. XD It's a good movie, so if you haven't seen it yet... GO!
Hope to see you again with my next fic!
Please review!