Hey there... I guess I should make apologies and offer explanations, however, even though I am sorry, it was what it was. Life and writers block kept me from finishing it any sooner. Could I have forced out a chapter sooner in spite of that? Maybe... but I love this story far too much to write something just to write it. I want it to be as good as I can make it, and for that to happen I need to be caught up in the story, the voices in my head speaking loud and clear.
So, while I can not honestly promise it will never happen again, I can promise that despite these inevitable delays I will always get through them and come back until the story is finished.
Now a Warning... the beginning of this chapter came out a bit... ok a lot, more extreme than I had planned, if you are easily disturbed proceed with caution... but after the dramatic opening scene you can fully expect the rest of the chapter to make you smile... maybe even laugh.
I hope some of you laugh...
Turning her back on the scene playing out behind her, Kaugra felt a knot of angry resentment and helpless rage burning in her gut. Since the beginning of this nightmare journey she had gone out of her way to steer as far away from humans as possible, without ever having really considered the reasons for that before now. It had been instinctive, something she simply hadn't questioned, but now she knew. It had been to avoid exactly this.
The woman's screams pierced like talons, her piteous plea's for mercy made the hollow part of Kagura's chest ache. From where she stood Kagura could still see the woman's husband lying still and silent in a pool of his own blood. His now sightless eyes and single remaining arm frozen in his final act of reaching for her. Making Kagura cringe anew at the wastefulness of the man's death. He need not have died, he could have fled, Mumei had not had any interest in him, but the man had stayed, determined to defend his wife. That act of reckless bravery had cost him his life but Kagura was unable to do anything but admire the man for it.
The woman on the other hand she'd initially found merely pitiful. A fragile looking doe eyed womanchild, who had not had the sense to run when her husband commanded it of her. Instead she had stared in helpless terror at the approaching Mumei while he grinned gleefully from his new face.
"No." She'd whispered. "You can't be here… you can't. You're dead, I saw you die."
Frozen and shaking her head in denial she had meekly stood there, like a lamb waiting for it's slaughter, while Mumei stalked ever closer.
Before Mumei had reached the woman however her husband placed himself in front of her, wielding his walking stick like a club and commanding Mumei back. Mumei never even paused, with a casual flick of his wrist he slashed through the obstruction between him and his prey, his hand and nails elongating to deadly proportions.
Absently licking the blood from his fingers Mumei had stepped over the gasping man, grabbed the woman with his other hand, and threw her to the ground, well within her dying husbands sight.
"No please no… Daddy don't…" She had whispered brokenly, staring fixedly at Mumei.
Those words slammed like a fist into Kagura, ripping open a thousand wounds that all bled guilt.
Suddenly she'd found herself relating to, and sympathizing with, a human. After all wasn't Naraku, for all intents and proposes, good or ill, essentially her own father, a father who hurt and abused his prodigy?
Reeling Kagura struggled to breath around her emotions, grief, kinship, pity, fear, helplessness, rage, and compassion.
The man had tried to call the woman's name but died before he could finish, she turned and seemed to see him for the first time. Her answering scream shattered the night, pain and fury giving the cry more power than should have been possible from such a frail body.
For a brief time the woman fought, trying to get to her husband, but as her clothing was torn away, and Mumei claimed her, the fight drained out of her. Leaving her at turns screaming in pain, and at others begging for mercy. Occasionally she would sob her husband's name, twisting the knife blade of remorse even deeper into Kagura's phantom heart.
Eventually she fell silent, compelling Kagura to turn and see why. So the Wind Sorceress was witness to the woman's eyes going as flat as those of her walking dead, was watching when her spirit shattered and the broken pieces drifted away like autumn leaves in the wind.
Unable to bear it a moment longer Kagura drew her fan and waved it at the woman and Mumei.
Choosing precision over power she sent a single glowing blade streaking through the air. The human woman didn't even have time to realize she had been struck before merciful death claimed her, freeing her forever from Mumei's grasp.
Enraged he turned on her, his snarl of beastly displeasure dancing over her skin like the footsteps of a thousand spiders. Pretending indifference to his display, Kagura fanned herself languidly, the very image of ennui.
"You've had your fun. In case you've forgotten we do have orders to follow, and somewhere between three and four days of travel yet to go. We don't have time for you to indulge every itch of your cock."
Mumei stared at her even more intently, his face melting from the illusion of the woman's father into the more familiar and gruesome blank mask that was only broken by Naraku's grinning mouth. Lifting the dead woman and rocked his hips, he began thrusting into her unresponsive body, and somehow, despite the fact that she could no longer see them, his eyes continued to burn into Kagura's. Unable to prevent it the Wind Sorceress shuddered in revulsion, and turned away, which made Mumei howl in sick pleasure filled victory.
Kagura clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to hold back the bile burning in her throat, screaming wordless in her own mind in a vain attempt to muffle the grunts of satisfaction coming from behind her.
Before the echo of them had faded Mumei was behind her, the sent of sex and blood that drifted from him nearly made her loose her battle with her stomach. Without preamble or warning he seized her by the hair, forced her to her knees, and growled a low command.
"Clean me."
Unable to break loose from his hold Kagura stoically obeyed, distracting her mind away from the vile act with plots and promises.
Soon, very soon Mumei will die, as will Naraku, and on that day she will finally know freedom. Someday she, and every other one of those monsters victim's, will be avenged and free.
Inuyasha was sprawled out in a manner that was seemingly careless, a nearly perfect picture of indifference in fact. As if he couldn't have cared less about where it was that he sat, but the location had very deliberately selected to lay just a short distance from Mahouekaki. Close enough in fact for comfortable conversation. Pretending boredom he kept an eye on Kagome, watching with hidden interest as Sango demonstrated some useful looking hand to hand combat techniques, showing his brat multiple self defense moves, some with and some without her whip.
Kaede had gone back to the village, Shippo had yet to return, and Miroku was busy watching Sango teach.
Confident that no one was paying attention Inuyasha turned to the old bird, having to look up to meet her eyes thanks to that silly stool of hers.
"So ummm... I have questions, think you might have some answers?" He finally choked out.
"Perhaps Inukins... I can't be sure until you ask, what exactly did you want to know?"
Inuyasha's eyes clenched shut, his shoulders rose and his head dropped down between them as he forced the first question out between clenched teeth.
"What do you know about human/demon mating?"
The prolonged silence that followed was like slow torture and unable to stand it Inuyasha forced open his eyes to glare at Mahouekei.
"Well?" He growled.
"Sorry Inukins, you surprised me... your father asked me that exact question once. He was almost as red then as you are now." She teased. "Don't get your adorable self all worked up... I'll tell you what I told him."
Mahouekaki paused and grinned gleefully at Inuyasha, who had to grind his teeth to keep from yelling at her to hurry up. When she sensed that his patients was ready to snap she drew in a deep breath and started to explain.
Inuyasha listened carefully, soaking up every word and stoically ignoring the red blush that refused to fade.
"That's it?" He asked after she fell silent again.
"Of course it is! Do you think I would keep secrets about something like that from you? Really Inukins!" She screeched.
Wincing at the volume, Inuyasha looked up to make sure that no one had overheard.
"I didn't mean anything by that!" He grumbled. "It just sounds too simple... I'd kinda expected it to be more complicated. And you're sure that it is completely safe for the human? What about Kagome's powers? Would her priestess abilities be affected?"
"Well that is a much trickier question, and one that I have far less reliable information about. I do recall a story about a well respected priestess who fell in love and mated a demon, but the story is old enough to have more than one ending, the truth long lost. The most popular version is that the girl grew only more powerful thanks to her demon blood. However there is another telling that claims she lost all of her abilities. Personally I think that account was invented to scare all the good little priestess's away from the big bad demons." She stated crisply, her disdain clear.
"Look Inukin's, I can't tell you what will happen, not for sure, but what I believe is that nothing could strip Kagome's powers from her. She is strong enough to have held on to them this long, and, after all, spiritual power is a form of love... how could joining completely with the one she loves best of all diminish that?"
Inuyasha chewed on that for a moment, before finding himself inclined to agree. Hopeful but anxious, he nodded silently. Still, small chance or not, he decided to tell Kagome every possible risk and let her decide, but over all he was feeling pretty optimistic about the whole thing.
"Ok... thanks for the information. Now I have another question." He said much more calmly, his blush having finally vanished.
Mahouekaki responded with an inquiring look.
"Myoga said something a while back and I didn't get a chance to make the damn flea explain before he took off again. He said something about my old man and Sesshomarou that made me wonder what things were really like between the two of them. For some reason I'd always thought they must have been tight, but after what Myoga said I don't know anymore."
Mahouekaki sighed deeply and, with an imperious wave of her hand, commanded Inuyasha to stand and help her up... and after a moment of puzzled confusion Inuyasha jumped to his feet to do just that.
Catching his arm she started walking, pulling him along as she strolled even further away from the others, but being the clever and accommodating woman that she was, or so she told herself, she picked a rout that kept everyone constantly within sight so that her Inukins wouldn't fret.
"They were far from being strangers, but they were not close either... Sesshomaru didn't even meet your father until he was 13 years old. You see his mother was a noble of a rival dog demon family and had only joined with your father in order to end the feud. As soon as she discovered she was pregnant, she left, the agreements of the alliance having been met. Much to my sweet Taishy's dismay, she refused to let him help raise his son, would not let him visit Sesshomaru at all, not for 13 long years... Oh! But those years were so hard on my dear boy..." Mahouekaki sniffed and blinked her eyes rapidly, for once choosing to banish the tears that had formed rather than cry them out. She could cry after she finished the story.
"Your brother was raised to disdain his father... told from the cradle that it was his destiny to defeat and surpass Inyutaisho. Proving to all who was the most powerful. So when your brother turned 13, the age of adulthood, and Taishy went to see him... Sesshmarou simply attacked. In fact is was several years before they could even be in the same room without Sesshomaru attacking him. This may be hard to imagine, but when your brother was young he was quite emotional and quick to anger. The fact that he was also stubborn and head strong shouldn't be so hard to believe. With time, and many embarrassing defeats at your fathers hands, a grudging respect started to form. Which did not please his mother let me tell you, but your father gave her an extremely powerful pendant which I had made for him..." Mahouekaki gave a huff of indignant displeasure as she relayed that fact. "...and she was pacified well enough to hold her tongue on the matter, power always did satisfy her. Sesshomaru spent the next couple decades traveling between his mother and fathers homes. He learned sword play and combat skills from Taishy, and his mother taught him how to deaden his emotions... her greatest skill. Talk about a cold fish! Beautiful woman, don't get me wrong, but about as warm as an ice demons heart. Taishy tried to keep Sesshomaru from becoming like that, tried to keep his feelings alive. Sadly though, the only thing Sesshomaru wanted to learn from his father was how to fight. All in the pursuit of becoming the greatest warrior of all, undefeatable, so that he could fulfil his destiny." Mahouekaki spit out the last word as if it was bitter in her mouth. She paused to give a small sad sigh, then continued.
"Back then there were times I thought Taishy's heart was simply going to break... but then he met your mother. She brought him such joy, and he loved her so much. I still remember the day he brought her to the family palace... poor thing was more nervous than I had ever seen him, constantly standing guard over her and assuring her that she was safe despite the fact that she was in a place filled with demons." Mahouekaki giggled, and cast Inuyasha a sly look. "He was far more anxious than she was. Her trust in him was so absolute and unshakeable that she never doubted he would keep her safe. Much like the trust your Kagome has in you."
Inuyasha smiled very faintly at that, still absorbing all he had learned. "Thanks." He murmured absently.
Mahouekaki patted his arm with her free hand and led the silent and thoughtful Inuyasha back to where they had started, reclaiming her stool and releasing him wordlessly.
Still lost in thought Inuyasha turned and started towards Kagome, wanting to soak up her soothing presence and ground himself. Nothing he had just heard was all that upsetting, but it did kinda throw his perceptions for one hell of loop.
He hadn't even made it half way to Kagome when Miroku stopped and pulled him from his musings abruptly with a friendly but firm grip on his shoulder.
"Inuaysha, my friend... Kagome's treasure remains well guarded and entirely safe... and since I'm upholding my end of our deal so very well, how about you walk with me back to Mistress Mahouekaki so that I can find out what the gift you gave me to give Sango does?" He requested charmingly, and just a bit forcefully.
"Seems like that mouth of your's is working just fine, so there's no reason you can't do it yourself, why do I have to go?" Complained Inuyasha with a wistful look at Kagome.
Miroku grimaced. "I don't need to make that feathered woman charmer, Keskei any madder at me than he already is. I think it's best that I don't spend any time alone with the bird man's mistress."
That forced a chuckle from Inuyasha. "Fine, since you put it that way..." He smirked as he turned back to face the way he had just come very slowly, his eyes lingering on Kagome as long as possible with more than a touch of regret.
"Couldn't stay away?" Cooed Mahouekaki teasingly when Inuyasha plopped back down on the ground next to her.
"Naw... I was asked to play babysitter. Miroku's the one who wants to talk to you." Replied Inuyasha with a hint of laughter and sullenness in his tone.
"Did you wise up and decide that I really am the one and only woman you want to have bear your children?" She asked the monk with one of those shrill giggles of hers.
When his ears only twitched in reaction rather than collapsed fully against his head, Inuyasha mused briefly that he must be getting use to her laugh.
Miroku flushed a deep red and sputtered wordlessly for a moment before composing himself.
"As divinely lovely as you are and as certain as I am that you would make the greatest of all mothers, I must confess that is not what I sought you out for at the moment. Inuyasha was kind enough to gift me with one of the exquisite pieces you have given him... I wanted to know what magical charm you have added to it's already significant physical beauty." He explained charmingly.
Mahouekaki preened, enjoying the smoothly spoken and flattering words. "Of course, Monky-poo! What did you choose to give that dear Sango of yours?"
Inuyasha erupted into laughter, drawing a glare from Miroku, but the look only made him laugh harder. 'Monky-poo? MONKY-POO!' And he had thought Inukins was bad.
Ignoring the still snickering hanyou. Miroku reached into his robes, and after a quick look around to make sure the cost was clear, pulled out the jade hair ornament.
"Clever choice, that little beauty was meant to be worn while traveling, so your Sango should be well pleased by its usefulness. When worn it keeps hair clean and free of knots. If it is run through hair that is already messy or dirty it will leave the hair neatly brushed and clean after only a handful of strokes, and with no painful tugging. Also, it will stay securely in place no matter what the person wearing it is doing, it only comes loose when pulled free deliberately."
Well pleased Miroku bowed deeply, thanking Mahouekaki sincerely. Less pleased, Inuyasha fought down a small whiny voice of complaint... after all Kagome was very partial to clean hair. He finally suppressed his annoyance with the thought that Sango was sure to share the use of such a charm with her friends on those long journeys when places to bathe were few and far between.
The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly enough, with time split between training and conversation. Inuyasha even managed to get himself pulled into the hand to hand combat lessons, and far less unwillingly than he pretended, Sango knew some damn useful moves.
However all good things must end, and when the sky began to darken Mahouekaki announced that it was time for her and Keisei to prepare to leave.
"Wouldn't it be easier to stay the night and head out in the morning?" Asked a concerned Kagome.
Mahouekaki laughed and shook her head vigorously in the negative, making her elaborate wig jiggle precariously. "Zu has spent the whole day resting and knows the way home more than well enough to fly there in the dark, Keisei and I will be able to sleep the entire night through and be nearly there come morning."
Smiling her understanding Kagome rushed forward to give the elderly woman as tight a hug as she dared. "Thanks again for the clothes, not only are they beautiful but I really am going to get a lot of use out of them. As for everything else... I don't even know how to thank you enough for all that you have done for Inuyasha, just know that you are loved for it. " She whispered into Mahouekaki's ear before starting to back away, only to find herself caught up in a tighter grasp than she would have expected from the older woman.
"Darling, darling girl, you are such a treasure. So long as you keep my Inukins happy you will never owe me a thing, not even a thank you... but if you ever do want to surprise me, I'd be delighted to have more of that divine ice cream." Cooed Mahouekaki, pulling back to bat her eyelashes suggestively.
With a giggle Kagome stepped back out of the embrace. "Deal, next time you visit I'll bring an extra special treat, I promise."
Next Kagome turned to Keisei, moving closer until she could reach out and take his hand within both of hers. "I'm glad I met you, and I hope we have more time to talk in the future." She said warmly as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze and let go, but he caught her fingers and held on. Looking up into his eyes Kagome waited, curious about his motives, but trusting that all was well.
After executing a low bow, Keisei reached back with his free hand, pulled one of the feathers in his tail free, and held it out to her.
Feeling touched but unsure about what she should do Kagome looked up at him with a questioning look rather than claim the feather. Sensing that the gift held more significance then she understood yet.
An emotion that was a curious cross of frustration, resignation, and humor, flickered through his eyes. After giving her that look that she was now certain was a peacock demon's version of a smile, he turned his head towards Mahouekaki, voicing a melodic combination of warbles and twitters.
Following his lead Kagome also turned to meet the woman's wide, wonder filled, and tear glazed eyes.
"He is offering a small piece of his magic to you." She breathed a bit unsteadily. "It's a gesture of trust and an offer of kinship. If you except the feather it means you except him as family. If you were a peacock demon you'd also give him one of your own feathers so that the exchange is equal."
"I'm honored and I'd love to except but I don't..." Kagome started.
"He doesn't want anything it return, he says that you have already given him enough. Or perhaps a better translation would be that since you have offered him kindness and friendship freely, having asked for nothing from him in return, his gift is offered just as freely."
Keisei gave an approving warble, then paused for a moment before continuing in a soft trill.
"Even though he does not know whether or not the feather can be of help to you, he wants to give you whatever aid he can." Mahouekaki explained for him.
A wide smile claimed Kagome's lips. "Thank you Keisie." She said with enough tenderness to bring a scowl to Inuayasha's face. "And since this makes us family..." She added, the ambiguous words the only warning she gave before jumping up to give the startled peacock demon a brief hug.
Inuyasha's growl of jealous fury had not even had a chance to clear his throat before she was pulling back, the offered feather held carefully in her hand.
"How do I...?" Kagome started to ask, not sure how phrase the question. Was it rude to ask how she was supposed to carry it while traveling... and how she used it?
"May I dear?" Responded Mahouekeki, holding out her hand for the feather.
As soon as Kagome had handed it over Mahouekaki curled the feather in on it's self forming it into a loop. She started to chant, making her hands glow so brightly that the light obscured what she was doing from sight. A few moments later she drew in a slow deep breath and the glow faded, leaving the elderly woman looking a bit drained, and holding what now looked like a short necklace, almost choker length, with the decorative eyespot of the feather hanging down from the center.
"Come closer my darling girl." Breathed Mahouekaki in a tired voice.
Rushing to obey, Kagome closed the space between them and placed a caring hand on the older woman's shoulder.
"Are you ok? You didn't need to exert yourself." She said, concern coating her voice like the chocolate that had coated the ice cream bars from earlier.
"Pish! As soon as I catch my breath I'll be a spry as I was 100 years ago!" Mahouekeki snapped defensively.
Kagome looked doubtful, but smiled and nodded none the less. Obediently she turned and dropped down to one knee when she was instructed to with a few sweeping gestures. Allowing the much shorter woman to secure the necklace around her throat.
Once that task was accomplished Kagome straitened and ran gentle fingers over her new gift, smiling brightly at both Keisei and Mahoekeki.
"How does it work?" She asked after a moment when no one volunteered the information.
"Oh very simply, my dear. All you need to do is make your self aware of the feather, either by touching it, or by focusing on how it feels against your skin, then will it to activate. It's effects won't last very long, a few hours at best... the feather only holds a small amount of magic, but you don't have to use it up all at once. Once the power is gone that's it, since you're not a peacock demon you won't be able to recharge it..." Mahouekaki paused with a considering look. "but then again, with your spiritual powers... well we'll simply have to wait and see. When the feather is active it will effect any woman who sees you the same way they are effected by Keisei. How that may help you, I could not begin to guess, but every trick has a use, one simply needs to find it."
"I'm sure it will be very helpful, besides it's beautiful enough to be a treasure even without magic." Assured Kagome earnestly, making Mahouekaki smile and Keisei's cheeks to take on that purply color he turned when he blushed.
"As are you my dear child, as are you." Declared the older woman before turning her attention to Miroku and Sango.
"Don't think I've forgotten about the pair of you... or that cute little fox who's hiding from me. Once I have returned home I'll search through my fabrics and find something to suit each of you. I'll not have any friend of my sweet Inuykin's hurt by something one of my creations could have prevented. When everything is ready I'll be in touch."
Miroku executed a deep bow. "Having met you is gift enough for a lifetime, Mistress Mahouekaki. Any further blessing you wish to bestow will be gratefully accepted, but none will ever be able to outshine the honor of your friendship."
Mahouekeki preened and let trill a little giggle. "Flatterer... if you ever change you mind about those babies..." She teased, causing Keisei to move closer to her side and narrow his eyes at the monk.
Sango, having spent less time with the woman was unsure how to say her farewells. Her attempt to find the right words were halted when Mahouekaki reached out and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Don't let your monks flowery words lead you into doubting him in the future. I've lived a long time and have seen many men in the throes of love, I can say to you with absolute certainty that his heart belongs to you and you alone, even if his mouth simply can't help but flirt."
Blinking back tears, Sango returned the woman's embrace. "Thank you." She whispered softly, before pulling back. "Thank you for everything."
Nodding her understanding Mahouekaki turned to Inuyasha... and burst into deep wracking sobs as she threw her arms around him, holding on for dear life.
"Oh my dear boy, my dear sweet Inuykins... There is so much more to say, so many more stories to tell... you must promise to come see me for a nice long visit once you are free to do so. And I want to be kept informed about your adventures... you never know when a woman of my many talents, and great wisdom may be of use. Promise?"
Looking less annoyed by the embrace than anyone would have believed had they not seen it with their own eyes Inuyasha promised.
"I'll get word to Totosai when I can... so that he can pass it on to you..."
"Not good enough!" Declared the still blubbering woman.
"What else do you expect? It's not like I know where you live... or am close enough to drop by all the time." He grumbled, but gently.
"True, but you won't need to when you have this." She argued as she released him to step back and lift a pair of golden chains from around her neck, drawing the matching pendants from within the silk of her kimono's. After giving the golden trinkets in her hand a tender look she freed one and held it out for Inuyasha, who accepted it politely... almost completely hiding the 'what the hell is this' expression that wanted to claim his features.
"It was once your fathers... after... Totosia brought it to me when he came to tell me... about..." Mahouekaki was overcome with another fit of crying, and this time Inuyasha was the one to embrace her. Awkwardly and with a stiffness that betrayed how uncomfortable he was to be doing it, but it was done willingly.
When the tears had passed, not all that much later, Mahouekaki pulled back with a sniff to dab at her tear drenched face with a embroidered silk handkerchief.
"I made these when Taishy first started traveling throughout his family lands as a young man, it is how we stayed in touch. Naturally he was merely humoring me by carrying his at first, but there was a time or two that they proved their worth."
Curious Inuyasha looked down at the pendant in his hands, really looking at it. Though the knowledge that his father had once owned it gave the small golden bauble more value in his eyes than it's decorative appearance ever could. A few moments of study reveled that the pendant was in fact a whistle, in the shape of a bird. If he were to guess he would say that it was a uguisu, the seldom seen kyo-yomi-dori.
Having completed his scrutiny Inuaysha turned his gaze on Mahouekaki and raised a brow high in question.
"To call me blow through the whistle then wait a moment for my response." She indicated with a gesture that he should do so now.
Shrugging his shoulders indifferently Inuyasha lifted the charm to his lips and blew. No sound was released from his whistle, but the one that still hung from around Mahouekaki's neck sang out in a perfect mimicry of the real birds song. Then she lifted hers and spoke to it as if the bird were listening.
"And that is all there is to it."
The bird still held in Inuyasha's hand opened it's beak and repeated the old woman's words in her own voice.
"Ok, that is even cooler than a fully tricked out cell phone." Commented a very impressed Kagome drawing baffled looks from everyone. Not wanting to explain she smiled and waved the comment away as unimportant.
With a softly uttered thank you Inuyasha dropped the chain around his neck, tucking the pendant out of sight inside his robes.
Looking down into Mahouekaki's eyes he realized he was genuinely sorry to say goodbye. No one else had ever done so much for him after knowing him such a short amount of time. Surprising himself and everyone present he moved forward and pulled her into a quick goodbye hug.
"Take care of yourself, you tough old bird." He mumbled, almost under his breath, but loud enough for her to hear. Fighting back happy tears... not wanting to weep all over him again, Mahouekaki nodded wordlessly against his shoulder.
With a nod of his own Inuyasha stepped back and released her. "I'm just guessing but I figure these things work both ways, so if you ever need my help... though all I'm really good at is bashing things... call me and I'll come."
Losing her battle with the tears Mahouekaki simply nodded once more, while Keisei moved close enough to lay a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"I'm fine." She assured him. "Is Zu ready?"
Keisei answered her with a wordless trill that spoke volumes.
Moments later she had been helped up onto the large elephant, and into the secluded depths of the structure secured to it's back. With one last bow Keisei followed her, then the strange beast, Zu let out a deafening trumpet and took to the air.
Inuyasha felt Kagome move up behind him as they watched Zu fly off, turning he caught her up in his arms and held tight. Not sure what emotions were racing through his head, but knowing that he wanted to feel her close.
"We'll see her again soon." She murmured soothingly.
Nodding silently he drew in a deep breath and released it as he released her. "Course we will... I don't think we'd be able to get rid of her now if we tried." He stated in a voice that tried to sound annoyed but ended up closer to pleased.
Not fooled Kagome simply grinned knowingly and held him tightly for a moment longer before moving to gather up the left over ice cream boxes, tossing them and the wrappers into the cooler. "We should get going ourselves. Mom's bound to have finished dinner by now."
A moment of panic gripped Inuyasha as he wondered how to reclaim the box Miroku was holding for him without her seeing, but then Shippo came bounding up out of nowhere excitedly babbling about how much everyone liked the popsicles. Seizing the opportunity and moving quickly he grabbed the monk and dragged him away from the others.
Already aware of what his friend wanted Miroku glanced around once, noting that Kagome still had her back to them and that Sango was absorbed in listening to Shippo, judging it as safe as it was going to get, he pulled out the inlaid box and placed it into Inuyasha's waiting hands.
"So when are you going to give it to her?" He asked as Inuyasha darted a few feet away to drop the box into the cooler and out of sight.
"Don't know... whenever I get around to it." Groused Inuyasha, not liking the feeling of pressure at being asked to set a time.
Miroku nodded knowingly and didn't press any further.
There was one near miss when Shippo finished his story and Kagome went to put the popsicle box he had brought back in the cooler. Snatching the box out of her hands, Inuyasha slipped it inside and scooped up the cooler, lifting it to his shoulder and out of her reach.
"Ready?" He asked, trying to sound impatient rather than panicked.
"Almost." She responded giving him a perplexed look
Luckily for Inuyasha's peace of mind Kagome was telling the truth and as soon as she had said her goodbyes, his being merely grunted, they were moving off towards the well.
"Is everything ok?" She asked once they were obscured from sight by trees. The question was asked lightly but there was a thread of worry in her tone, he wasn't acting normally and she wanted to know why.
Mumbling something undecipherable, Inuaysha remained lost in thought, Miroku's last question weighing heavily on his mind.
'When should I give the ring to Kagome?' He wondered. Should he do it right away or wait for some special moment? 'Damn this whole stupid romance thing is confusing!'
Problem was, he didn't want to wait, he was excited about the present and wanted to see her face when he gave it to her too much to put it off for very long. Besides, the sooner she was wearing it, the sooner he'd be able to relax a bit. Knowing that it would alert him to any trouble when he wasn't able to keep her in sight.
Distracted from his thoughts and blinking in confusion, he saw that they had reached the well already, even though he barely recalled the journey. Inuyasha suddenly balked at the idea of going through. Once they were back on her side of the well there would be her family to deal with and it would be forever before he got her alone again.
Besides, he decided suddenly as he studied the well, recalling the many happy moments they had shared here, there was no better place to give it her than the place that held some of his best memories. The place where he had finally excepted that he wanted her to stay beside him, holding his hand forever.
Mind made up Inuyasha caught Kagome's arm before she could climb over the side of the well and jump inside as she had started to do, silently urging her to sit down instead.
After getting her settled, Inuyasha set down the cooler and pulled open the lid to retrieve the box he had hidden in it only moments before. Kagome's eyes tracked every movement, but she kept the questions floating through her mind to herself, waiting for him to explain in his own good time, and enjoying the adorable look of nervous excitement he wore.
Holding the box Inuyasha once again was overcome with indecision... he desperately wanted to do this right and wasn't sure how.
"I... Ummm..." He started to say, before the words caught in his throat. Growing frustrated and annoyed with himself Inuyasha glowered, drawing a giggle from Kagome.
"It can't be all that bad... just tell me." She urged encouragingly as she stood to face him, having determined that leaving him standing over her was doing neither one of them any good.
With a wry grin Inuyasha held the box out to her. As soon as it was cradled in her hands, and before she had time to respond or open it, he swept her up into his arms, turned them both and plopped down on the ground in front of the well. Using the side of it as a back rest he settled her in his lap.
"Mahouekeki gave this to me... it use to belong to my grandmother, it's yours now." He started, feeling better now that she was pressed securing up against him, everything felt better when she was near him.
"I couldn't... you should keep it." Kagome argued, trying to press the box back into his hands, not wanting to take another one of the few family keepsakes he had been given.
Refusing to reclaim it Inuyasha nuzzled his lips against her throat, nipping at her soft skin lightly before speaking. His words, when they came were just a bit breathless.
"What the hell am I going to do with a fancy looking trinket like that? I don't have anywhere to keep it, or anything to put in it... at least I'll know it's being taken care of if you have it." He argued.
Kagome couldn't help but smile at his words... and shiver at his touch. "Alright I'll hold it for you... but only until you want it back. It still belongs to you."
"Whatever." Agreed Inuyasha distractedly as he pressed a series of kisses against her collar bone, liking how easy it was to nudge open the top of her new shirt.
When Kagome simply relaxed against him and let out a sigh of pleasure he realized he wasn't going to get off that easy.
"Aren't you going to open it?" He asked, reluctantly pulling his lips away from her skin to watch her face as it took on a delighted surprised look.
"There's more?" She asked in slightly stunned disbelief.
Inuaysha barked out a laugh at that, suddenly feeling much more relaxed and contented. Kagome was going to love the ring, so why worry?
"Yep, actually there's two more things, one for each of us. I asked Mahouekaki to make yours... the one for me was all her idea."
Kagome shifted in his lap so that she faced him a bit better.
"You asked her to make something for me?" She asked with a tremulous smile and wide joy filled eyes.
Nodding, blushing madly, and getting really impatient for her to just open the damn box, he quickly tried to rush through an explanation.
"Mmmhmm, I asked Totosai first... but he couldn't do it... Which was ok cause it gave me the idea to ask him to make you a weapon instead. He got word to his sister about it though, so she came to meet me and... get some things she needed in order to make it..."
Kagome cut him off by sealing her lips to his, derailing his thoughts and stealing his breath. For a long timeless moment there was only her lips, and tongue, and breath, mixing with his, but the whisper in the back of his mind eventually grew loud enough to make it's self heard.
'The ring, give her the ring!'
So, with a great deal of determination and a deep moan of reluctance, he tore his mouth from hers and drew in several ragged breaths. Once he was sure he'd be able to form the words, Inuyasha lifted the box that had fallen into her lap and pressed it back into her hands.
"Open it."
Pausing just a moment longer Kagome gazed into Inuyasha's eyes, unable to believe just how extraordinary he really was. It was staggering to find out he had been planning this surprise for such a long time, and it left her feeling humbled. He was doing so many more romantic things for her than she had for him... who would have thought? Kagome made a promise to herself right then to come up with something extra special to do for him.
"I love you." She whispered... the words slipping out without her planning to say them or her consent, not that she would have objected.
Heat and softer things filled his eyes as he stared back at her.
"Love you to... now open the damn box Brat." He growled playfully.
"Whatever you say." She responded as she snuggled in against him, running her fingers over the decorative inlay on the lid. Slowly, so that she could enjoy the anticipation, Kagome finally opened the box, and when the low light of the sunset illuminated what lay within, her breath caught in her throat and held. Stunned and blinking in disbelief she could not move to claim her gift.
So Inuyasha did it for her.
Wordlessly reaching past her he lifted the ring off it's silken bed and gently took hold of her hand. He started to slide it onto her finger, but then thought better of it and stopped. Finding and holding her gaze, he silently asked for her permission.
Unable to find her voice long enough to respond Kagome simply raised her hand, meeting him half way and pushing the ring on fully. In testimony to a certain old bird's eye for size, it slid into place smoothly, like what it was, made just for her. But she didn't stop there, she kept moving until her arms were wrapped around his neck, and she was pressed as tightly up against him as she could get. Her breathing shallow and fast, her lips a whisper away from his, forehead pressed to forehead and eyes locked together.
"Yes." She was finally able to whisper, her quiet voice singing loudly with joy.
A perplexed look came over Inuyasha's face.
"Ummm..." He started to say. "Yes what? Does that mean you like it?"
Kagome sat back, disappointment flickering across her face for just a moment before she quickly hid it, but not fast enough to keep Inuyasha from having seen it.
"Yes I like it... more than like it. It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, I love it... almost as much as I love you." She assured him earnestly, leaning forward to reward him with a kiss. It wasn't his fault that she assumed it was more than just a ring to him... he couldn't be expected to know what she would have thought it was.
Inuyasha evaded her kiss, not satisfied with the answer.
"Yes what?" He demanded.
Kagome sighed as she took in the determined look on his face. There was no way he was going to let her get out of explaining. His resolved expression set firmly in place.
"It doesn't mater... I just thought... it was silly, and I should have know better. People don't really do it nowadays so it really didn't make any sense at all for me to have thought... Can't we talk about this later. Right now all I want to do is thank you and tell you how much I love you... I can't believe you had this made just for me. How did Mahouekeki even know that lilies are my favorite flower? It looks like silver, but it's so soft, what is it made out of?" She asked studying the ring that now adorned her finger over his shoulder. Having to at least try and evade the question, even if she didn't really think he was going to let her.
"I told her, and it's made out of my hair, now what..."
"Your hair? Really? You know what? That makes me like it even more... I'll always have the feel of you at my fingertips... How did you know I love lilies? Are those rubies? They look like they are almost glowing." Cut in Kagome still trying to distract him.
Inuyasha growled.
"Stop it!" He yelled, a bit louder than he intended, but he knew he had missed something important. Kagome's attempts to change the subject were only confirming it.
When she responded by jumping slightly and pulling her arms from around him, dropping them into her lap, he regretted his outburst, but, damn it, he wanted the truth.
Wrapping his arms around her to close the gap between them that she had opened, he tried again.
"Just tell me, even if you think it's silly. What did you mean by saying yes? I'm not going to stop asking till you do. Besides if you don't, I'm just going to come up with something on my own that's sure to be totally wrong, you know I will. And no, they're not rubies."
"What are..."
"You answer first." Demanded Inuyasha. "Then I'll tell you what the jewels are made out of."
Kagome tried one last tactic, it was underhanded, and all kinds of unfair, but he wasn't leaving her many options.
She pouted.
Looking up at him she blinked, quickly, as if to hide the sheen of tears and let her lower lip protrude just a tiny bit, not wanting to over do it.
His response was to scowl at her, then raise one brow high in silent query. Telling her with a look that he was still waiting and was going to keep waiting till she talked.
With a huff of frustration Kagome squirmed in his embrace until she was facing away from him. She stayed within the loop of his arms and leaned back against his chest so he wouldn't think she was trying to get away. She really wasn't, it was just going to be a lot easier to explain if she didn't have to look at him while she did it.
Being able to hide her deep red blush was also a plus.
"In my time... it has sort of become the custom... When a man gives..." She stuttered gracelessly, each attempt to explain sounding worse than the last. Letting out a growl that rivaled any of his, she raked her brain for the right words.
Inuyasha hissed in a breath at the growl... he might not like the fact that she was having such a hard time talking to him... but damn... every time she made that sound it turned him on, and he became momentarily sidetracked with wondering what he'd have to do to get her make it for reasons other than frustration.
"Oh the hell with it!" She finally screeched. "I thought you were asking me to marry you!"
That pulled Inuyasha right back into the here and now.
"Didn't we already agree to do that?" He replied without thinking. What else did she think promising to be together forever meant?
"When? You've never asked me, I would have remembered!" Snapped Kagome, turning to glare up at him, but there was a twinkle of pleased amusement in her eyes that belayed her waspish tone.
"Well... I guess I never really did... not in those words at least... but we promised... and you said..."
Smiling now Kagome stopped his rambling with a kiss.
"So how long have we been engaged without me knowing it?" She teased when she pulled back, much, much later.
Flustered Inuaysha sputtered wordlessly for a moment, and when the words finally came they were less than eloquent, but to Kagome they were the most beautiful she had ever heard.
"Well... ahhh... I don't exactly... I mean I know when.. But not how long it's been... it was the night you promised to always be mine... I thought..."
Implementing her favorite method of silencing him once again, Kagome stopped Inuaysha with another lengthy kiss. Taking her time to explore the depths of his mouth and enjoying the silky slide of his tongue against hers.
"My mistake." She conceded breathlessly when they had separated. "You are absolutely right... I did promise, and I still do. I'm yours and yours alone... forever and always."
Inuyasha seemed to simultaneously relax and tense up at that, while a look of fierce decisiveness settled firmly across his features.
'I doubt there's going to be a better time than now.' He told himself.
"There is something else... something I was going to wait to ask you... something even more serious than just getting married... I was going to wait... you know till things were more settled... Not between us! I never thought I might not ask you... It's just that with the jewel and Naraku... there are so many things to deal with... I was going to wait till..." He got out in a jarring speech full of awkward stops and starts.
"Or you could just ask me now."
Kagome smiled gently when Inuyasha responded to her suggestion by growing even tenser, but her smile faltered soon after when a slight tremor passed through him and into her.
"You don't have to if you really want to wait." She assured him, not wanting to force him to do anything before he was ready. Though, given the fact that he had simply assumed they were getting married, it was hard to imagine there being much he wasn't ready for.
Inuyasha sputtered and freed one hand to reach up and scratch at his head, a nervous gesture that Kagome had always found incredibly cute.
"No... now is as good a time as any... it's just... I don't..." Inuyasha's voice trailed off as he fumbled his attempts to explain.
Kagome reached up and took hold of the hand he still had buried in his hair, weaving her fingers with his and looking deeply into his eyes she spoke.
"You can tell me anything, I promise to hear you out completely before deciding anything or forming an opinion. There is nothing you could say that will change the way I feel about you. Nothing that could make me turn away from you, so, if you want to tell me now I'm ready to listen, even if it takes you all night."
A slightly brittle sounding snicker escaped from Inuyasha's mouth at that. "That's good, cause it just might take me all night."
Falling silent he pulled her in close, tucking her head against his chest so that he could rest his chin on the crown of her head. They stayed that way for a long time, her waiting patiently and enjoying his embrace, him searching for both the right words and the courage to say them.
"I'm not human." He finally said, breaking the silence abruptly. "Half of me is, but the other half is demon... and demons don't get married... they mate."
When he paused Kagome almost spoke up, wanting to urge him along, he had her more than a little intrigued with that announcement, but she had promised to hear him out, no matter how long it took. So she held her tongue, but did snake her arms around him to run soothing hands up and down his back.
"I want you to be my mate."
Inuyasha heard Kagome take in a breath as if she was about to speak, and quickly continued before she could.
"Don't answer yet... there's still a lot that you need to understand before you can really decide what you want to do."
He breathed a sigh of relief when Kagome nodded against his chest and tightened her hold on him. Had he let her talk though, he might have saved himself some stress, since she had already made up her mind.
'Inuyasha my mate.' She thought, rolling the words through her mind with a sense of rightness and excitement. 'My mate.' The very idea tightened things low in her abdomen and stoked a fire in her core.
Kagome's easy acceptance of what he had said so far encouraged Inuyasha and he started to explain with a bit more ease.
"Being mated is more binding than getting married... a lot more, so much more in fact that until you I never thought I'd even want to do it. We'd be connected, blood and soul, forever, never able to part, not even death can separate true mates. That's why you need to really think about this... If you became my mate and I died... you would probably die to. Same goes for me if you died first." His arms tightened protectively around her as he said that, making Kagome smile and wonder how much longer he was going to keep explaining before she would be allowed to say yes.
"You'd also have to take some of my blood into your body, and me yours. I'd have no problem with that, after all I already have some human blood... but you'd have demon blood in you for the rest of your life. Normally it's safe, demon blood only makes a human stronger, but your powers might complicate things... or not. Mahouekaki didn't know, said that there was a story about a priestess who mated a demon, but that there was more than one ending. You might be risking your powers if you say yes... I just don't know." Inuyasha stopped when Kagome suddenly became tense, thinking that it had to be in protest he quickly rushed on.
"That's why we don't have to... We can just get married like humans do, that would be enough for me. As long as you're mine I don't care about anything else. It's just that..."
Unable to keep quite any longer Kagome straitened and glared through tear glazed eyes at Inuyasha.
"Do you really think my powers mean more to me than you do? I'd give them up in a second for you." She snapped, meaning the words with every fiber of her being. Yes, she'd miss them, more for how they let her help people than anything else, but if they were gone she'd just sweet talk Inuyasha into doing it for her.
Caught by surprise, Inuyasha stared at her with his mouth hanging open. Slowly the surprise faded, and a look of such love, pride, and devotion filled his face that a lump formed in Kagome's throat and the tears that had been confined to her eyes fell, rolling down her face in a soft caress.
Leaning forward Inuyasha kissed them away.
"Is there anything else you still have to tell me?" Whispered Kagome breathlessly, her lips brushing against his cheek.
"Ummm..." He replied dazedly. "Yes?" The word coming out more as question than an answer as he tried to remember what it was. Then he remembered and abruptly sat up while his face turned bright red.
"Yes there's more... umm... as mates we'd be able to sense each others emotions... and you'd age slower, like I do, and ummm... well, in order to... sharing blood is only part of how... we'd have to do more... we'd have to... you know..."
Charmed and amused on top of the deeper emotions that filled her Kagome was able to say what he could not.
"We'd have to make love?"
With a look of relief, and more, Inuyasha nodded.
"Ok then... when I'm ready, when we're both ready for that, then yes, Inuaysha I'd love to be your mate."
"Really?" Questioned Inuyasha in disbelief.
"Of course... why would you even think otherwise?"
Inuyasha continued to stare at her uncomprehendingly for a moment longer, then his eyes lit up with joy. With a whoop of triumph he jumped to his feet, lifting Kagome with him and leapt into the air, spinning in a full circle only to land and do it again with another loud cry of happiness.
"My Kagome!"
Laughing, Kagome held tight and let his joy flow into her her, mixing with her own until she felt so full she had to let some of it out.
"My Inuyasha!" She cried, making him laugh, and loving the sound of it.
Later when the excitement had calmed and the pair was once again cuddled up by the well watching the sunset Inuyasha remembered about his ring, and that he still hadn't told her what they did.
"I need to tell you something else... about the rings." He said quietly, loath to intrude on the peaceful silence they had been sharing.
"That's right!" Kagome looked around and saw that the box was laying on the ground by her feet. Picking it up she opened it and tenderly lifted out his ring, then took hold of one of the hands laying over her stomach, deliberately choosing his left hand, and started to slide it onto his finger, but he pulled back before she could.
Confused she twisted and looked up at him.
"I'll put it on in just a sec, but I said I had something to tell you... the rings aren't just for looks. They're supposed to let me know when you need me... for anything... and they'll start working as soon as I'm wearing mine."
"And?"
"And nothing, that's it, magic ring that calls me when you need me. I just thought you should know about it first." Groused Inuyasha cheerfully as he let Kagome draw his hand forward once again.
With a great deal of pleasure Kagome slide Inuyasha's ring into place then kissed it.
No sooner had her lips lifted from the band of silver and black then it flashed brightly, forcing her to quickly close her eyes against the glow. She felt the ring on her own finger constrict, tightly but not painfully.
Inuyasha also felt his ring tighten, but for him it was followed by a tugging sensation, following the rings lead his hand moved forward until it met Kagome's. As soon as the rings touched the tightness and feeling of having his hand pulled stopped.
"I guess they work." Stated Kagome, feeling a bit awed.
"Guess so." Agreed Inuyasha, before they fell once more into companionable silence, neither one ready to leave the warm peaceful glow that seemed to surround them and the well now.
It would be a very long time before they did, and even then it was only because they knew Kagome's family would be getting worried.
As Inuyasha lifted her into his arms and stepped lightly onto the edge of the well a thought struck Kagome and in that instant she made an abrupt but momentous decision. One that left her confident that it was the right choice for her, but wondering whether or not her family was going to agree.
Suddenly telling them that she was engaged to be both married and mated didn't seem so hard.
Ok that is all for now... I have high hopes about keeping the momentum I found to finish this chapter going but... LoL As I said before I can't make any promises without risking making myself into a liar
The bird that Inuyasha's new whistle is designed to look like is the Uguisu or Japanese Bush Warbler, also known as uta-yomi-dori *poem reading bird* or kyo-yomi-dori *sutra reading bird*. It is (according to what I have read) well known throughout Japan for it's song. However the birds are very shy and seldom seen, only heard.