Excuses for the wait are at the bottom of the chapter. I've kept you waiting long enough as it is. So... strait to the story!
Flicking his ear in irritation as something brushed against it, Inuyasha came only part way awake, stubbornly trying to resist full awareness for a little longer. But the tickling touch appeared again, pulling a faint protesting rumble from him as he lost his grasp on sleep. Opening his eyes slightly, to mere slits, Inuyasha sought out the annoying sleep wrecking pest.
Kagome grinned back up at him, not even trying to hide the long blade of grass in her fingers.
"Time to wake up sleepy head." She announced in a cheerful singsong tone.
"Says who?" Groused Inuyasha, but in stark contrast to his grumpy tone his fingers had already moved up from their night long grasp of her waist to dance over her face, brushing across her skin delicately, lovingly.
Grinning wider Kagome quickly shot back. "Says me... got a problem with that?"
Grunting Inuyasha arched his back and carefully stretched out his neck. "Ask me again in a minute." He groaned. The morning had a distinct bite of cold to it and he felt stiffer then the rod rammed up Sesshomaru's butt.
Kagome on the other hand seemed as cozy as could be. Dressed in her too tight (if you asked him) pants and heavy shapeless shirt, as well as having been wrapped in his arms, further insulated by the overlapping layers of his fire rat robes, Kagome had been kept comfortably warm all night long.
A muffled chuckle drew Inuyasha's gaze up and across the campsite to narrow in on Miroku. The monk wore a sly grin and was clearly enjoying the show a bit too much. But when Inuyasha curled his lips into a slight snarl and raised a challenging brow Miroku quickly held up his hands, shaking his head in clear surrender, and all the while quite obviously holding back laughter.
Miroku marveled as, for the first time, he was able to watch Inuyasha and Kagome together without the bitterness of his jealousy tainting the wonder of it. Inuyasha might be wearing a tortured angry expression but his eyes kept darting back to study Kagome's face as she lay trustingly in his arms, and in them was a depth of joy that Miroku had never thought to see in his long suffering friend. They truly did complete each other, and Miroku was grateful that he could now appreciate the beauty of their love with a pure heart, as he should have from the beginning.
Yet there was also pain, a longing that would only be eased when Sango returned and he was able to tell her everything. Until then Miroku could only pray that it was not too late, that he had not already pushed Sango too far.
Distractedly Miroku rose when Inuyasha and Kagome did, preparing to set out by pure habit while his mind raced with overwhelming worries and unanswerable questions.
How should he confess to Sango? Would it be best to tell her how he felt and then explain why he had acted the way he had, or explain first and then confess that he loved her? Should he make a grand romantic gesture or wait until after she had told him how she felt for that kind of thing. Would she take it the wrong way if he did choose to do something like that? Would she believe him if he didn't make the effort? It wasn't as if he had given her any reason to take him seriously so far.
But that's going to change. He vowed solemnly.
The knowledge that his actions had reduced Sango to tears the day before she left burned like a open wound drenched in that medicinal spray Kagome used, reminding him constantly of his failure. That she could possibly think he didn't see her as the wonderful, beautiful, and incredibly brave woman that she truly was, broke his heart.
Of all the revelations Kagome had given him the night before the one which had pierced through and managed to tear down his emotional walls was realizing, once and for all, that if he didn't tell Sango how he felt, and soon, it was possible his beloved could die without ever knowing the true depth of his feelings. Miroku was determined to not let that happen, human life was too fragile and brief, with or without his curse the time he had to spend loving Sango was finite, and like his wise teacher, he was done wasting it.
The sun rose higher and grew hotter as the hours passed, until it was beating down on Miroku's shoulders mercilessly, but he didn't even notice. So lost in his thoughts that he was also unaware of the knowing and pleased, but compassion filled, looks Kagome frequently sent his way.
Slowly and methodically Miroku reflected over his past treatment of Sango and the more he remembered the more shamed he felt. Somehow he had allowed himself to turn a blind eye to the consequences of his actions, so arrogantly sure he was doing the right thing that he had stopped questioning himself. It humbled Miroku to admit such a large flaw even existed in his nature, but it also set him free from his past assumptions. The future was now full of possibilities he had only yesterday thought were beyond his reach and the quiet excitement that filled him carried him through the day, granting him a tentative sense of hope to offset what might otherwise have been a panic inducing fear of the unknown.
Near midday the group reached the crest of a large hill, the last real hill between them and the village. Inuyasha paused to let Kagome and Miroku catch their breath, but all of them also took a moment to appreciate the scenery. From their vantage point they could see for miles, and right in the middle of that picture perfect panorama was their destination.
Kagome tensed when she saw the village, even though it was still barely more then a scattering of dots in the distance. A mere glimpse, which would soon be gone and stay that way, blocked by foliage and trees until they got there.
Ever since waking up Kagome had clung to an almost manic, and stubbornly cheerful demeanor. At times teasing Inuyasha quite outrageously, even causing Miroku to choke and turn bright red once when one of her shocking comments pulled him momentarily from his thoughts. Through it all Inuyasha was unexpectedly steady, taking the taunts easily, responding with tenderness and humor. Not once did he stumble into his trademark grouchiness. He sensed Kagome's need for comfort, for distraction, and was endlessly patient and affectionate in spite of her tension driven behavior throughout the long day.
Deciding to have lunch on the tall peak they quietly settled down to eat what was left of their food. The meal was a nearly silent affair, everyone lost in their own thoughts as the implications of the return to Kaede's village raced through their minds. But through all the fear and doubt filling their thoughts there was also a sense of comfort that was shared by them all. No words were needed to express the loyalty and companionship the friends had for each other any longer.
Far too soon the food was gone and their excuses to remain with it. Reluctantly everyone stood and set out.
When the forest finally parted, hours later, and right there in front of them was the village, they all froze, each and every one of them just a little tempted to flee back into the trees. Miroku wanted silence to ponder what he should do about Sango and didn't look forward to answering the questions that were sure to come from well meaning villagers. Kagome simply wanted more time to plan out what she was going to say to her family. But it was Inuyasha who was the most tempted to turn tail and run, he really didn't want to do what he was about to do, but he also knew that it had to be done.
"Come on Kagome... you need to see Kaede." He murmured quietly, grabbing her hand and turning towards the village rather then the well.
Surprised Kagome hung back. Digging in her heels she forced Inuyasha to either stop or drag her.
Inuyasha stopped.
"What are you talking about? I have to go home. I'll visit with Kaede tomorrow when I come to ask her about training, but for now Miroku can tell her we are alive and well. I'm going to go see my family."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to answer, but Miroku stepped forward, interrupting him with a slightly panicked look on his face.
"That is a very good idea.... why don't I do that now in fact while you two sort this out between yourselves." Without waiting for a reply he ducked his head in a slight bow and hurried away, quite clearly fleeing from the coming argument.
Inuyasha waited until Miroku was out of earshot. "You need to see a healer and make sure.... damn it Kagome you just need to talk to her."
"Why?" Kagome demanded sharply, her voice taking on a icy frost.
Inuyasha threw up his hands and stomped several feet away, then turned and stomped back. He started to try and answer her, but when nothing but disjointed growls came out he clamped his jaw shut, spun away, and started moving again.
For a good long while he paced back and forth, racking his hands through his hair in frustration. Finally, without looking at Kagome or slowing his steps Inuyasha managed to force the words out.
"Look, I promise you can go home right after Kaede checks you out. I didn't make you tell me details about what happened, and I still won't, I promise. I don't even know if I could listen, but you need to know if you were.... Kagome, you need to make sure everything really is healed. I don't know the doctors in your time, we both know and trust Kaede... so you have to tell her everything and let her make sure... Kagome please."
Inuyasha stopped in front of Kagome and caught her hands, clasping them tightly in his. He also sought out and captured her gaze, holding it easily with his apologetic, determination filled eyes. Inuyasha stared at her silently, pleading with her to agree.
Shaken, Kagome wrenched herself free of his grasp and turned away, rubbing her hands up and down her arms as if she was chasing away a chill.
"No. I don't want her to know anything about what happened."
"Kagome..." Growled Inuyasha in exasperation.
"You're the one who said it was MY secret, and that you would agree to whatever I decided to do about telling. Are you just going to take that back?" Accused Kagome.
"Maybe! If that's what I have to do to make sure you're really and completely ok." Countered Inuyasha
Kagome squared her jaw and her shoulders then turned to face Inuyasha. "But I'm fine... I hardly have any bruises left at all... and nothing's broken... I don't need to have her look at me.... everything is fine."
"Hardly isn't even close to good enough. Besides I wasn't talking about the fucking bruises and you damn well know that." He bit back, his temper threatening to crack. She was so damn stubborn.
"NO! There is no way I'm going let you make me do this. She'll just end up feeling bad for me, and then I'll feel bad for making her feel bad, then I'll get mad at you for making me feel bad about making her feel bad." Kagome punctuated her arguments with a few well placed foot stampings.
Inuyasha's eye twitched.
"Why do you have to complicate everything?" He forced out between clenched teeth.
"I DON'T complicate everything! Everything already IS complicated, you over simplify!" Snapped back Kagome with more heat then she had intended.
"You're going to see Kaede and that's final!" Growled back Inuyasha.
"No I'm not!"
"Yes you are!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"Damn it! No I'm not!!!" Screeched Kagome, so angry she shook with it. Well... she tried to convince herself that it was anger.
Inuyasha fell silent, going absolutely, perfectly still, even closing his eyes. For a very long time he didn't move at all. The only sign he was still alive was the slight but steady rise and fall of his chest and the thrum of volatile energy that surrounded him. Over and over he breathed in and breathed out, a slow and constant rhythm. It was that consistent steadiness that made Kagome realize Inuyasha was counting his breaths.
She had counted nearly a hundred herself when he finally spoke.
"If it was Sango what would you tell her to do?" He demanded quietly.
Kagome opened her mouth, but no words came out, she stood, poised to fight for a moment longer, then she slumped in defeat.
If it was Sango, she would tell the slayer to see Kaede... Inuyasha was right.
Jerkily spinning away Kagome took a few steps to give herself some breathing room and fought to hold herself together. She tried to work through the shame and fear that filled her, to face it head on, but it overwhelmed her and before she knew it she was crying.
She didn't indulge in loud sobbing or gasping breaths, nothing like that, just a soundless flow of tears. Somehow Inuyasha still knew, and he had her in his arms a heartbeat later.
"Please don't cry Kagome.... I'm sorry, ok? I'm sorry." He begged.
"I'm sorry too." She replied, clinging to him as if he was the only solid thing left in her world. "You're right... I know I should see Kaede... It's just..... Can't I do it after I visit home? I don't want to deal with my family right after talking to Kaede... it would make it so much harder for me to act like everything was normal. I have to go see them... let them know I'm safe and get them to let me come back here right away... I need to be calm..."
Kagome's hold suddenly tightened noticeably.
"Do you think she'll be disappointed in me?" She asked, changing topics so abruptly Inuyasha was forced to scramble to try and catch up.
"Will who be disappointed? And why the hell would they be?" He questioned.
"Kaede. With my powers I could... No... I should have been able to do more to protect myself. If I had just trained like she has always wanted me to this would never have happened, but she was so patient with me that I kept putting it off."
Inuyasha reached up and took a gentle but firm grip on Kagome's chin, lifting her face so that she had no choice but to look at him.
"How many times am I going to have to tell you that you didn't do anything wrong? Kaede isn't going to think what happened is your fault anymore then I do. Don't you get it Kagome? The only one who wants to blame you, is YOU, and you had better knock it off. You're the one who said it was stupid to think about what we could have done differently when I was the one beating myself up, and you were right. Just like I'm right now, do you understand me?" He asked, letting go of her chin to slide his hand back through her hair until he could cradle the back of her neck in his palm.
"Do you?" He demanded when she remained silent.
"I do, really I do..." Whispered Kagome. "But please.... just let me wait until tomorrow to talk to Kaede. What difference can one night make now anyways?"
Inuyasha looked into her pleading eyes and crumbled.
"Fine, whatever! We'll go see your family first, but tomorrow you talk to her, no excuses."
"Whatever you say Inuyasha." Replied Kagome with a hint of her normal spunk.
Inuyasha snorted. "Ya right.... We both know you're going to be getting your way a hell of a lot more often then I will... all you have to do is give me one of those looks of yours and I turn into mush."
Kagome giggled, and the sound of it made Inuyasha feel like he had just conquered the world. Then she reached up and cupped his head in her hands, her fingers buried in his hair so that the tips of her middle fingers could just graze the base of his ears.
"Thank you Inuyasha, I'm so lucky to have you in my life. Somehow you keep making me fall more in love with you every single day." Kagome gave Inuyasha a radiant smile then let her eyes fall shut as she raised up on her toes. Slowly she started to lean closer...
Inuyasha didn't give her the chance to finish the motion, unable to wait even one second longer to taste her, he pulled Kagome in tightly against his chest while his mouth crashed down onto hers urgently.
Moaning under the onslaught of delicious pleasure, Kagome tried to pull him even closer. Welcoming his kiss wholly, wanting all that he had to give, and in return she gave everything she had back to him. It was a fierce, savage, and violent kiss, but so filled with love nothing could taint its purity.
In time the intensity faded, gentling, until the touch of their lips and tongues was softly teasing and feather light.
With a last caressing brush of his nose against hers Inuyasha pulled back and fixed her with a soft glare.
"You're going to cause me nothing but trouble brat...."
Like a puff of smoke dispersed by the wind, his glare vanished and a grateful, joy filled grin took it's place.
"But we both know I love nothing better then some good trouble, and you're the very best kind there is. I'm the one who's lucky, damn lucky that you put up with me long enough to fall in love with me."
A burst of laughter erupted from Kagome. "There were a few times in the beginning it was rather hard." She conceded with a giggle, before adding. "But I'm glad I put up with you too."
Falling more or less silent, though the threat of giggles loomed, Kagome stared up into his eyes with her own shimmering memory filled ones.
Now, Inuyasha might have still been learning about all the romance stuff as he went along..... but he wasn't dumb enough to pass up an opening like that. He quickly drew Kagome back into his arms for a dizzyingly laughter filled kiss. The kind of kiss that curls your toes and makes every inch of your skin hum.
Moments or maybe hours later they reluctantly pulled apart and without a word both of them knew that it was time.
At a sedate pace and holding hands they set out for the well. Every now and then a tremor would shake Kagome and when they came Inuyasha was there. Squeezing her hand encouragingly or even stopping to hold her through the worst ones.
The moment the well came into sight Kagome paused to take a deep breath, then she started to walk faster. With every step she moved more confidently and easily.
'I can do this.'
Kagome wanted to see her family, to hold them and tell them that she loved them again, and she owed it to them to let them know she was still alive as quickly as possible.
When she was at last standing right in front of the well Kagome couldn't stop herself from reaching out with a shaky hand to touch the rough hewn wood and assure herself that it was real. Breathing a little faster then normal but otherwise calm she turned to face Inuyasha.
Drawing on what was left of her rather meager stores of strength, Kagome gave Inuyasha an expectant look, one questioning eyebrow raised high and a slightly wobbly smile clinging to her lips.
Needing no further prompting he scooped her up into his arms and leapt.
Down they floated through cloud like blue light, their attention focused exclusively on each other rather than the incorporeal energy that surrounded them. When the ground solidified under Inuyasha's feet he didn't pause, without loosening his hold on Kagome he jumped up out of the well and into her world.
It was dark in the shrine, so when Inuyasha set Kagome on her own feet she had to pause for a moment to let her eyes adjust. All too soon she was able to make out the many lighter strips of paper on the floor near the well. It was glaringly obvious that Grandpa had done a great deal of praying. Guilt flickered to life in Kagome's chest.
"You did the best you could to get home and it was a hell of a lot better then most could have done." Assured Inuyasha as he moved up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and dropping his chin onto her shoulder.
"How did you know what I was thinking?" She asked letting her head droop back to rest against him.
"Because you're you, always thinking you should be able to spare everyone you love from pain. Besides... you were staring at those sutras so damn hard I would have to be a real idiot not to figure it out." He admitted.
"Your grandpa has been here a lot, so has Sota, even your mom's scent is strong. They have been very worried about you and they've been in pain, but it is not your fault it happened, you know that, so stop blaming yourself already." He chided, before turning his head to press a tender kiss to her throat.
"I wasn't really blaming myself... just feeling bad about being the reason they have been so worried."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and snorted. "Same thing. Let's just go see them already so the stupid feeling bad part can be over with. Once they know you're ok they won't be sad anymore and when they don't feel bad you wont have any excuse to either." He reasoned.
Then a stunned look crossed his face. "Damn... I'm starting to sound like you."
Laughing Kagome started for the stairs pulling Inuyasha along with her. It was more then a bit awkward, what with him pressed flush against her back and their feet tangled up in each other's, but she didn't even consider moving out of his arms, they felt way too good right where they were to be relinquished, and he seemed to agree.
Just before the momentarily graceless pair had managed to shuffle, stumble, and lurch their way to the top of the stairs the doors burst open. Standing in the opening, silhouetted against the sunset painted sky and wearing a frantic look on her face, was Kagome's mother.
"I thought I heard.... you're alive! Oh thank Kami!" Kagome was quickly pulled out of Inuyasha's and into her mother's embrace.
When they both burst into tears, holding on to each other for all that they were worth, Inuyasha cringed back, unsure about what he should do. Comforting Kagome was one thing, but anyone besides her was something else all together. He was just about ready to cough or scream, something... anything to get them to stop, when the sound of rapid footsteps racing their way made him spin around, hand reaching for his sword.
Without pausing Sota shot past Inuyasha and threw himself against his sister's side, wrapping his arms around both her and his mom.
"What took you so long Sis? We thought you and Inuyasha had been eaten or something!" He sobbed.
Kagome gulped in air and tried to answer but all that came out was. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
Inuyasha wasn't about to let that slide.
"Damn it Kagome!" He growled before turning his attention to her mom and brother. "She doesn't owe anyone an apology, Kagome did everything in her power to get home as soon as she could. Let her explain before you make her feel any worse about how long it took!" He shouted defensively just as Kagome's Grandpa hobbled into sight, his eyes misty with tears.
"Oh Thank heavens, Kagome has come home! The spirits be praised!" He cheered before giving Kagome's mother a look... by way of Inuyasha. "Why is everyone still standing around? Get her inside already so she can sit down!" Turning to Kagome he smiled gently. "You have the look of someone who has been through quite an ordeal my girl. After you have rested and had something to eat you can tell us all about it, until then we can wait." He decreed in his best patriarch voice, earning himself a surprisingly grateful look from Inuyasha. One that did not go unnoticed. In fact it made Gramps began to wonder what had happened to change things so dramatically between his granddaughter and the hanyou.
Now that they had been prompted, the family quickly herded Kagome towards the house, and Inuyasha, feeling a bit left out, trailed after them. Successfully, if not easily, brushing aside an unexpected wave of jealously as her family claimed her full attention. Silently he stayed close, ready to support Kagome when the time came for her to start explaining.
As soon as Kagome had been settled at the kitchen table her mother began to rush about, reheating leftovers for her and boiling water for Inuyasha's ramen. Sota quickly claimed one of the chairs next to his sister while her Grandpa sat down on the other side.
At first Inuyasha stubbornly chose to lean against the wall behind Kagome, but a few moments later, when the enticing scent of ramen wafted up from the bowl Kagome's mother set on the table directly across from her daughter, he decided it wouldn't hurt to sit down.
While Kagome nibbled at her food and Inuyasha wolfed down his, her family told them about everything that had been happening. Grandpa talked about the new artifact he had acquired. While Sota, his chest puffed up with pride, bragged about getting copies of all her friend's notes from school. Kagome was so pleased by that news she practically pulled him out of his chair when she hugged him with loudly squealed thank you's. Her mom talked about how often Kagome's friends had called and how Hojo had so considerately come by with gifts he hoped would help make her feel better.
Inuyasha managed to bite back most of the growl that the mention of Hojo provoked, but not quite all of it. The faint slip of sound that did escape caught Kagome's attention. Guessing the cause with little difficulty, she flashed him an impish and highly amused smirk, but her look was tempered by the adoration that filled her eyes.
This time her whole family took notice of the changed attitude between the pair, and wondered.
Once all the food had been eaten Kagome's mother collected the dishes and dropped them into the sink. With nothing else left to keep her busy she faced her daughter. Full of hesitation she slid into the chair next to Inuyasha, and spoke.
"Ok sweetheart, I hate to push, I really do, but I don't think we can wait any longer to know what kept you away from home for so long. We have been frantic with worry."
A low inaudible rumble reverberated across her skin, causing goose bumps to rise on her arms, but she managed to suppress the urge to turn and look over at Inuyasha.
Hanging her head Kagome sighed. "I know, and I'm so sorry I made you worry. I never meant to be gone for such a long time." Kagome took a deep breath and tried to remember where she had finally decided to start the story. Unable to recall, she started to panic, feeling very unsteady and far too fragile she turned to Inuyasha with a pleading look.
Unconcerned with what her family might think, he quickly stood and circled the table to stand at her back. Wearing an expression that dared anyone to comment, he lay his hands protectively over her shoulders and squeezed them reassuringly.
With Inuyasha there to ground her, Kagome suddenly found the strength, and remembered the place, to start.
"Do you remember me telling you about the Wolf demon Koga? The one who kidnapped me, like, forever ago so that I could find jewel shards for him?" She asked with a forced lightness.
Telling her family a version of events that was as close to the truth as possible, without saying too much, had seemed like a very good idea when she had first thought of it, but now she wasn't quite so sure. She didn't want to lie to her family any more than absolutely necessary, not when she could just omit parts of the truth instead, but it was scary as hell to talk to them with the memories of things she didn't want to go into so close to the surface of her thoughts.
Realizing that everyone in her family had already nodded, and were now giving her puzzled looks, Kagome hurried on.
"Ummm... Well.. his pack was attacked by Naraku and he was the only one who survived. What you need to understand is that wolf demons are just like real wolves in the way they function as a group. To them the pack is their whole life, and with them all gone... Koga was really messed up by it. I mean serious survivors guilt, so he wasn't thinking clearly anymore. He kidnapped me... again, and then proceeded to drag me halfway across Japan to hunt down jewel shards so that he could seek his revenge."
Kagome hid the flinch telling that one little lie caused, but through the palms of his hands Inuyasha felt it. Gently he started to rub small circles on her back with his thumbs. The rest of his fingers, the ones her family could see, continued to lay slack and unmoving.
"Because Koga already had a shard in each leg he was an incredibly fast runner. I mean like super-hero fast."
Sota perked up at that. "Superman fast?" He questioned with wide eyes.
Kagome chuckled softly and nodded. "Yep.... that fast... Koga couldn't fly, and he didn't have X-ray vision, but if they were just running side by side, Koga could probably have kept up with Superman. When Koga ran full out all you could see was a tornado, and boy could he ever jump...."
Kagome had to pause for just a breath when she abruptly remembered too much all at once. Not just bad things, but also all the things she had liked about Koga before everything went so wrong. Sadly, but hiding it well, she pushed on.
"One day, without any warning at all, he raced into our campsite, grabbed me, and was gone before anyone could so much as blink.... and that included me. For hours he carried me, draped over his shoulder like a sack of rice, and ran.... man did I ever think I was going to be sick a few times. Between his shoulder pressing into my stomach and watching everything blur by...." Losing her train of thought Kagome paused again. This time however there was nothing happy or lighthearted about it, not even regretful sorrow for a friend who was lost, just her mind becoming mired in darkness and shadow.
Inuyasha could actually feel her slipping away from him as she was pulled under by the memories of what must have come next. Urgently he gave her shoulders a sharp squeeze, letting his claws dig into her flesh just hard enough to snap her out of it.
Jumping slightly Kagome stiffened her spine and pushed the memories back, forcing a laugh to break the silence.
Grateful, but still shaken she hurried on. "Anyways the point is that he got a huge head start. After the first day he let me walk and that gave Inuyasha a chance to close in on us, but it still took him close to a week to catch up."
When he felt the muscles in Kagome's shoulders, her whole body in fact, go hard and stiff, Inuyasha was momentarily worried, but then he noticed the angle of her jaw.
'Nope, she's fine.' He decided with a well hidden grin.
"I want to make one thing very clear before anyone asks something stupid and hurtful. Inuyasha didn't sleep or eat that whole time, he just ran, nonstop, for days without rest. He put himself through hell to save me." Kagome informed them as she crossed one arm over her chest and laced her fingers through his.
Braving her daughter's I-dare-you-to look, Kagome's mother spoke up.
"I don't doubt for even a moment that he did everything his power, and then some, to get to you as quickly as possible. I've known for a long time now that Inuyasha wouldn't hesitate for even a second to give up his life if it would protect yours. Don't worry sweetie I have no intention of blaming him unfairly, and I'm sure Grandpa and Sota agree. Don't you?" She asked as she gave them both hard looks.
Sota quickly bobbed his head in agreement, not even having considered blaming his hero. For a moment Grandpa looked ready to argue but when Kagome's mom's eyes narrowed even more, he nodded as well.
"Good." Said Kagome on a sigh of relief while Inuyasha gently kneaded her shoulders, loosening the tight knots that had formed. "Anyway I did what I could to leave a trail for Inuyasha and slow Koga down. As you can see Inuyasha found me, so it worked, but then he and Koga started to fight, and when I realized that Koga was just too far gone, that he would kill Inuyasha if he had the chance, I stopped him. Koga is dead, and I'm the one who killed him. He didn't leave me any other choice." Kagome confessed with a sob.
Inuyasha wanted to pull her out of the damn chair and into his arms, to hell with what her family would think, but he limited himself to stroking her hair with his free hand.
"You saved my life that day, don't start regretting it now or you might hurt my feelings." He teased gently.
Nodding Kagome gave his fingers a squeeze, took a deep breath, and went on. "Because we were so far away from the well at that point the trip home ended up taking forever. More then twice as long as it took to get there." Kagome rolled her eyes slightly but a hint of a grin hovered around her lips. "Inuyasha was very insistent about me getting plenty of rest and not pushing myself too hard."
When Inuyasha playfully shoved her shoulders she let the grin bloom and fill her face.
"On the way back we met up with the rest of our friends. Everyone had come after me but Inuyasha sort of left them in his dust."
"It was their own fault for being so slow." Cut in Inuyasha.
Kagome choose to ignore the comment and continued speaking. "They were only a few days behind him though. Poor Kirara had really pushed herself hard to carry everyone.... I should get her a thank you treat of some kind.... maybe a big bag of catnip?" Kagome cast a questioning look up at Inuyasha, who only shrugged in answer.
Shaking her head, Kagome turned her attention back on her family. "During the journey home we managed to run into a new... or maybe I should say old, enemy. Ant Demons. They were suppose to be extinct, killed in a huge war against Sango's clan a hundred years before, unfortunately it turns out some survived. I think that the queen has been in hiding.... busy laying eggs and such all that time. Anyways, we won that skirmish easily, mostly because as soon as Inuyasha started swinging his sword around they took off running and vanished. So now we have to find and deal with them, track down the rest of the jewel shards, and defeat Naraku.... Same old, same old."
Kagome shrugged her shoulders and gave her family a sheepish smile.
"We will need to head out again for another long trip soon to go after them.... after I get caught up on my school work." She assured them. "I also want to do some serious training with Kaede so that I can use my powers more effectively. I'm so done with being helpless anytime I don't have my bow and arrows on me."
Inuyasha grunted approvingly. "Finally you're making some sense. Do you have any idea how much work protecting you is?"
Kagome gave Inuyasha a single annoyed glace, one brimming with promises of paybacks, before she turned to her family and wrapped up the story.
"Well that's pretty much it. Other then those highlights all we've really been doing is walking, lots and lots and lots of walking, and now I'm home. A little worse for wear maybe but nothing that a hot bath and visiting with all of you won't cure."
"Are you sure?" Asked her mother worriedly. "Maybe I should make an appointment to take you in for a checkup."
"No!" Cried Kagome, who then mentally kicked herself. Thinking quickly she tried to cover. "Umm.. I mean there's no need, and we really shouldn't waste the money."
Her mothers eyes narrowed. "Is there something you're not telling us?" She asked.
Kagome stewed for a few seconds, angry with herself for the too telling slip. Finally she decided that in order to convince her family everything was ok she had to confess just a little bit more.
"I played the klutz card pretty hard to slow down Koga. Tripping a lot, even tumbling down a few hills, anything that would make him stop for a second, and give me an excuse to move more slowly afterwards. So I was pretty well banged up and more then a little sore when Inuyasha found me, but I'm fine now.... see no bruises. All better. No reason to call a doctor." Assured Kagome, letting go of Inuyasha's hand to push up the sleeves of her sweatshirt and show her family her now unmarked skin.
Kagome's mother considered her words for a time before finally nodding. "Ok, if you're sure. Why don't you go take that bath while I make a batch of popcorn, then we can forget about all this drama and enjoy some of the fictional movie kind."
Not their normal family bonding activity, but some instinct told her to keep everything as low key as possible.
Sota cheered the idea because it would mean staying up past bedtime and with great enthusiasm he quickly started suggesting movies he thought Inuyasha would like. Kagome nodded her agreement before standing to go upstairs, asking only that they pick something that wasn't too gory and had a happy ending.
Inuyasha let Kagome slip from his touch with a great deal of reluctance. It would have made him a lot happier to stay near her, but instead and against his instincts he let her go without arguing.
Even here, in her familie's home, he wanted to stand guard over her. Was she going to get upstairs and be sad, thinking about what she hadn't told her family? Or was she going to enjoy the luxuries from her time and be happy? Inuyasha wanted to know what she was feeling, what she was thinking, every moment. How could he protect her completely otherwise?
Instead, he was stuck listening to her brother talk about moo-vees. Disgruntled, Inuyasha stifled a sigh and pretended to be interested so he wouldn't hurt the runt's feelings.
Kagome's mother watched Inuyasha watch her daughter walk out of the room before quickly turning away when her growing smile threatened to give away her glee.
'It's about time.'
Keeping her back turned Kagome's mother started digging through the pantry shelves in search of the popcorn.
A little over a half hour later everyone converged in the living room. Grandpa claiming the lounge chair while Kagome's mom, Kagome, and Inuyasha squeezed onto the couch. A loudly protesting Sota was left with the floor, but once he had his own bowl of popcorn and a big fluffy pillow to lay on he stopped complaining long enough to start the movie.
Inuyasha was somewhat impressed by the opening action scene, just not quite enough for it to distract him from the smell of Kagome's freshly washed and still damp hair for more then a few seconds at a time. Her entire left side was pressed against his right, and he could feel the warmth of her skin through the lightweight sleeping thing she wore. The urge to warp his arms around her was strong, but with her family so close....
Inuyasha sat up straight and kept his hands in his lap.
Even taking into account how distracted he was, Inuyasha was still giving the film more attention than Kagome managed to. Almost as soon as the overhead lights went out, and the movies theme music filled the room, she started to fade. Before the last note sounded she was leaning against him, eyes drifting shut, and very soon, even before the first car chase had screeched and squealed its way onto the screen, she was out like a light.
While she slept, propped up against Inuyasha, gravity pulled at her. Dragging her head down until her neck was bent at a sharp, painful looking angle against his shoulder. Forgetting about her family, his only goal to make her more comfortable, Inuyasha scooped Kagome up and settled her in his lap with smooth practiced ease. She roused enough to snuggle close before settling into an even deeper sleep, her slow deep breaths fanning across his chest in a soothing caress.
Neither one of then took note of the three pairs of eyes that were now watching them instead of the TV.
By the time the movie ended Sota and Gramps had also drifted off, and Inuyasha himself was hard pressed to keep his eyes open.
"Can you get her into bed while I deal with Sota?" Asked Kagome's mother. "Grandpa will be fine here for the night." She added, mostly to herself, as she tucked a blanket around the old man.
Lifting and carrying Kagome easily Inuyasha followed her mother as she struggled to heft Sota up the stairs. At the bedroom door he paused, letting his hand hang in the air a few inches away from the knob. The sudden fear that it wasn't proper for him to be alone with her in her room anymore filled him. This was her familie's home after all and... should he sleep outside?
He didn't want to... in truth Inuyasha doubted he'd be able to sleep a wink without Kagome in his arms, but was it ok to share a sleeping chamber with her when everything had changed between them? Nervously he looked down the hall at her mother and some of his anxiety must have shown because she quickly flashed him a warm smile.
"I think Kagome can miss just one more day of school after that long trip of yours, so don't worry about setting her alarm. If you need them, there are some extra blankets in her closet. Sleep as late as you want to tomorrow, and make sure that you let Kagome do the same. You've both more then earned the right to sleep in, all day if you need to."
She started to go into Sota's room but paused and looked back over her shoulder at Inuyasha. "Thank you for bringing my daughter home to me. Goodnight Inuyasha." A last smile and she vanished.
Now that he had been given permission Inuyasha stepped through the doorway and into Kagome's room easily. Breathing deeply in appreciation, he made his way across the floor to her bed. Every breath he drew was more enjoyable then the one before, if he had thought her room was enticing before.... It might have been a bit faded from her long absence but the room was still drenched with Kagome's sweet scent, the scent of home.
Inuyasha pulled back the covers and set Kagome gently on the bed. Tugging the covers up to her chin he knelt on the floor and leaned over her, pausing for a moment to brush her hair back from her face. All the while smiling softly at the picture she made. Reluctantly he forced himself to stop touching her and halfheartedly attempted to get as comfortable as possible on the hard floor. Resting his back against the side of her bed, as he had so many times before, he tried to relax enough to fall asleep, but her closeness taunted him, and gave no rest.
Inuyasha was just about to give up, resigning himself to a sleepless night, when Kagome shot upright, throwing off her blankets and calling his name fearfully.
In a flash he was holding her. "I'm right here, shhhh.. it's ok."
Kagome nodded against his chest and with a deep breath settled down surprisingly quickly.
"What were you doing on the floor?" She asked in confusion only a few seconds later.
Inuyasha blushed. "Well it's not like I could climb into bed with you without your say so... it wouldn't be right, and you were sleeping so peacefully....."
Kagome punched him lightly in the middle, catching him by surprise and forcing a whoosh of air from him.
"Don't be a dork, I told you weeks ago what I had decided about my sleeping habits from now on.... you do remember don't you? I told you that I didn't want to sleep without your arms around me ever again, and I meant it. Now lay down already so that I can get back to sleep." She commanded, but, just this once, Inuyasha had no problem with her giving the orders.
Standing up so Kagome could lift the covers while he shrugged off his haori, Inuyasha then, rather awkwardly, laid down next to her. Holding still to the point of discomfort, he waited while Kagome adjusted the blanket, not sure how he was supposed to act, or what he should do. It felt strange to be laying flat on his back without having been thrown there by some oversized enemy.
Then she was cuddling up against him, one of her feet tucking itself between his, her arm thrown across his chest, and Inuyasha melted. All the stiffness vanished from his limbs as her warmth seeped into him. Wrapping an arm around Kagome he pulled her closer and she happily snuggled even more tightly up against his side. Once they were both comfortable, Kagome's head resting on his chest so she could listen to his heart, while his fingers ran compulsively up and down her back, Inuyasha let loose a long soft sigh.
"What?" Came Kagome's curious but sleep befuddled response. If sleeping in Inuyasha's lap had been cozy, being able to stretch out with him in a bed was pure heaven. She couldn't remember ever being so comfortable before in her entire life.
"Nothing, I just... well... umm... this is nice." He answered shyly.
"Mmmm... it's more then nice... it's perfect. Promise you'll always hold me like this?" Came Kagome's sleep heavy voice,
"Forever." Answered Inuyasha.
With that assurance ringing in her ears and a flicker of a smile clinging to her lips Kagome fell asleep.
After securing his arms around her just a little tighter, Inuyasha followed Kagome into dreams.
It was the sharp sound of protesting metal that roused Kagura from her rambling musings. She had once again been trying to calculate how long she had now spent locked in this tomb, but without a light source she had no way of knowing how many days had come and gone. Kagura was sure that it could be counted in weeks at the very least... if not longer. At times months did not feel too extreme a guess.
Lifting her head gingerly, and with a great deal of effort Kagura tried to look in the direction of the sound. The bones in her neck had finally knitted back together, but only just, moving was still difficult and painful.
Blindingly bright light flooded through the opening doorway and into the cell. Forced to squeeze her eyes shut Kagura peeked out through tiny cracks between her lids trying to see who was there,
With time her eyes adjusted to the glare and she was finally able to make out Naraku's shadowy figure and that of someone she didn't know behind him. A shiver of dread slid down her spine but she managed to keep her face blank. Kagura would be damned if she was going to let him know how scared she was.
"Well, well, if it isn't my long lost master. Come to see if I'm dead yet?" Asked Kagura in a sarcastic and raspy whisper.
"Oh no.... Nothing so morbid as all that. I simply wanted to introduce you to your new brother. I am surprisingly pleased with him.... he just might turn out to be the most monstrous incarnation I have created yet. Kagura say hello to Mumei." Ordered Naraku as he stepped aside to let Mumei step forward.
Kagura gasped silently when he moved out of the shadows and she was able to see him clearly... Mumei had no face, he didn't even have hair to detract from the smooth expanse of featureless flesh that made up his head.
Sneering in disgust Kagura asked. "Trying to rid yourself of Onigumo again? Didn't that fail rather badly last time?"
Naraku smiled. "Not this time.... Mumei is a very special boy, with very special needs and skills. I made him exclusively for the lovely Kagome to become acquainted with... though given half a chance he'll be more then delighted to introduce himself to Sango to.... as well as every other female he encounters." Naraku laughed and gave Mumei an approving look before narrowing his eyes on Kagura.
"You, Kagura, are going to serve as both his guardian and companion. Because of his uniqueness he will be too easily distracted from his mission without a convenient female near at hand."
A horror, somehow even more complete then the darkness that had for so long been her only reality, filled Kagura. "You don't mean......" She started to ask but the glee that filled Naraku's voice and the smirk he now wore stopped her.
He did mean.
"No." She stated defiantly. "You can kill me if you want, but I will not let that creature touch me."
Naraku laughed. "I wouldn't dream of killing you... that would be far too easy, and I certainly never expected you to simply let Mumei do anything.... that would spoil the fun. By all means, fight. Fight as much as you want, but in the end Mumei will have his way, and you will learn your place."
While Naraku spoke Mumei crept ever closer to Kagura. Soon he was close enough to reach out and touch her. His cold clammy hands rubbing eagerly over the bare skin of her arms.
Kagura recoiled from him, fighting against her bindings with the strength of desperation. She reopened scabbed over wounds where the metal shackles had long since cut into her flesh, desperately trying to evade his seeking hands, but the chains caught and held.
When she could cringe back no further, Kagura squeezed her eyes shut and prayed.
"Woman... like woman... want woman." Mumei moaned, speaking for the first time as his hands left her arms to stroke roughly over more intimate parts of her body. The surprise of hearing him made Kagura open her eyes and unwillingly look at him, perplexed at his new skill. How did someone talk without a mouth?
What she saw when she focused her gaze on him was even more horrific then before. No longer blank, the skin on his face was moving, shifting, as features slowly formed While she watched, hair began to sprout from his head, quickly growing until it reached his lower back in wet stringy layers. Horrified Kagura stared, utterly transfixed, then, like water ripples fading to mirror smoothness, Mumei's new face became clear.
"Why Kagura.... I never would have guessed." Intoned Naraku with disdainful, scorn laced humor while he studied his own copy. Seeing her lack of comprehension, and wanting to add to her pain, Naraku explained.
"Mumei takes the form of whomever the woman he has just claimed least wants to be with. No matter who she is, he will always appear as the man she most fears or hates. A nice touch don't you think? He also has a voracious appetite. I hope your time here has been restful, for I doubt he will allow you much."
Striding forward with an air of indifference, untroubled by Mumei eagerly beginning to rip bits and pieces of Kagura's clothing off with bruising force, Naraku addressed them.
"Mumei have your fun, but do not forget your mission. As soon as you have finished here I expect you to set out, but don't worry.... you get to take her with you."
Then, as calmly as if he was asking her about the weather or something equally innocuous, Naraku spoke directly to Kagura.
"When he is finished with you Kagura I expect you to transport him to Inuyasha's group. Once there you are to distract Inuyasha while Mumei deals with Kagome. Is that understood?" Demanded Naraku staring into her eyes, utterly ambivalent to the way Mumei's mouth was now roving over her breasts in a frenzy of tongue, lips, and sharp teeth.
Kagura felt hatred crystallized in her soul with a new sharpness, one she had never felt before, it hardened her resolve and determination to make Naraku pay. She would survive this, no matter how terrible, she would survive to see Naraku die.
"I understand." She hissed while Mumei forced her legs open, lowering his head to explore.
"Very good. I shall leave you to it then." Answered Naraku with all the pleasure of a leach drawing blood. Unhurriedly he strolled out of the room, not bothering to glance back again. As Naraku left, Mumei stood and hurriedly stripped before roughly grabbing and lifting Kagura off the ground. He pinned her against the wall, or more accuratly slammed her against it, and the weight of his body quickly followed, holding her in place.
Through the roaring that filled her mind Kagura heard the sound of a door closing.
Half way down the hall Naraku paused. His small satisfied smirk grew into a malice filled grin when Kagura's first broken, pain filled screams rent the air.
Now I could list the many reasons why this chapter took so long.... a nice long list in fact, full of things you wouldn't care anything about, but I think it is enough to say that a domino effect of real life events occurred to keep me from working on the story as much as I would have liked, and even when I did try, the shadow of those things often made concentrating next to impossible. I admit that some of the delays were my fault, and some weren't, but the end result was that this story was placed on the back burner.
As story lover myself, and knowing how much I hate to wait for the next chapter of the tales I am addicted to, I apologize for the wait. I would love to promise that it will never happen again, but without the ability to see the future I could not guarantee anything of the sort. Instead I will restate the promise I have already made.
Nothing but death or a coma will stop me from finishing this story.... you know, in time, but delays are inevitable when the demands of real life weight so heavy on us all.
Daughter of Shadow.... sorry for the joke at Sesshomaru's expense, but even you have to admit it is something Inuyasha might think. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me. If anyone is enjoying the Miroku/Sango pairing, you have her to thank for it, it was her prodding that made me start to explore their story. She was the one who told me to stop using Miroku for purely comic relief. A charge that I weakly protested, but one that made me reevaluate what I wanted to do with the pair. I suggest you give her story a look-see if you happen to love Inuyasha/Kagome, Miroku/Sango pairings as well as plots that involve her favorite character, Sesshomaru, all set in a detail rich, well developed story world.
New vocabulary word of the day: Mumei. Mumei was another happy find, the word means unsigned, nameless, anonymous, or anonymity.... a great name for a shape shifter. Well at least I thought so.
As always my deepest thanks to everyone who cares about my story enough to keep coming back, even when I have made you wait as long as I just did. Without all of you this story wouldn't be nearly the tale it has become. To so my thanks I'll give you all just a little something extra to look forward to......
We will be seeing Totosai again in the next chapter or two, it depends on how in depth Kagome's first two days back home end up being, and he will have a surprise with him that not even Inuyasha is expecting.