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Disclaimer: InuYasha is under the ownership of one Rumiko Takahashi, I am a simple fan who was quick enough to jump on the bus before it ran out of gas. (And has since dreamed of nothing but jumping on Sesshomaru…lol)
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Chapter Forty-Nine
Reacting
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Kagome stretched herself, trying to add to her length. She was so close, she only needed another inch and then the big white canvas bag would be hers…on the flip side, if InuYasha caught her up on the ladder there would be hell to pay.
InuYasha had always been over protective, but he had become practically insane since they found out she was pregnant again.
Two days before he had come in while she was in the bath and he had let her have it for "drowning" the pups. He had woke her up that night at three am because she had rolled over onto her stomach and she was going to "squash them to death."
Yesterday it had been the hairdryer, using the 'human made hot wind' might fry them, she wasn't allowed to ride the buses because there might be an accident, she couldn't walk on the sidewalks because a car could drive up on one and run her over
Besides, she wasn't allowed to go to the store alone because she might get robbed, or the store might get held up.
Finally she decided they might as well go back since she wasn't 'allowed' to do anything at home anyway. It was still mid fall, but InuYasha had told her that the nights were getting downright frigid in the Sengoku Jidai already, but then they always had. That meant digging out the canvas bag and getting it restocked and repacked. Just about everything needed to be replaced this year because of their winter last year stranded in the mountain caves. Shopping was next, but first she had to get the bag down and see what if anything had been left over. InuYasha had gone out to the storage shed for the airtight vacuum bags with the heavy blankets, sheets and sleeping bags and the extra stuff she always brought along for the others. In an act of pure rebellion, Kagome went after the canvas bag herself.
Kagome worried her bottom lip in frustration. The little angel on her right shoulder told her to get down, put the ladder away, and let InuYasha get the canvas bag. He should be back any minute now. The little devil sitting on the left shoulder told her to put a foot on the top rung and boost herself up to get that damn strap. She only needed a second, that wasn't even enough time for the ladder to fall.
"Don't do it Kagome, you know InuYasha will catch you and he will be furious!"
"He's been bossing you around all week Kagome, it's none of his business!"
"Just who's pups do you think she's carrying Hmmm??"
"It's still her body"
"Oi, Kagome! InuYasha will have your head if he catches you."
"Oh shut up goody, goody, just do it Kagome, you could have had it done by now! Hurry up before barfy comes back! Whatsa
matter? You scared?? Kikyo would do it."
Kagome growled softly and put foot on the top rung. She stretched out her arm and reached for the strap.
"See, this is no big deal, nothing to worry….."
The ladder was tilted and it fell out from under her, Kagome grabbed onto the ledge just in time to keep from falling.
'Okay, so this wasn't the best idea in the world'
The angel on her right shoulder shook her head "Told you so ."
"Oh kami. Should I call for InuYasha or just take my chances with letting…"
"KAGOME! SON OF A BITCH!" InuYasha slammed the door and dropped the bags to run to her rescue.
'I think I want pink flowers for my funeral.'
"I'm coming Kagome."
'Remember how it works girl… damsel in distress, heavy of the batting eyelashes.'
"I'm right under you, you can let go now."
I'd rather not thank you'
"Damn it Kagome, I told you, you can let go now!"
'No, I think I'd rather stay here until you calm down a little, the pups should only be around ten or so by then'
Kagome looked down, gasping at just how far she actually was from the floor, visions flooded her mind instantly of falling and she could almost feel the pain of impact.
'the pups…oh kami how could they survive a fall like that? What the fuck is wrong with me? Why didn't I listen? Stupid bitch!'
"Kagome, why ain't you coming down?"
"I…." Kagome was surprised when she felt tears pouring out of her eyes. "InuYasha?"
'Come on Kagome, get a grip, InuYasha's down there, he'll never let you fall.'
"Yes, I'm here, I wont let you get hurt, you can let go now."
'Shit! Shit! Shit! I…I…Can't!
"I…I… can't"
"Why not?"
'InuYasha!!!! I'M SO AFRAID!!!!!'
"InuYasha? …I…I'm afraid to."
"Shit. Hang on."
The next second Kagome felt InuYasha fly through the opening for the storage room. He sat on his knees in front of Kagome then grabbed her wrists and pulled her up. Kagome threw her arms around him, nearly choking him.
"InuYasha! I was so scared, I don't…I never get scared…"
'This is weird, this is weird, this is weird! I don't get scared like this! What the…'
InuYasha pulled her close against his chest with a sigh of relief mixed with resignation.
'Keh, I'll yell at her later…if I remember.'
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"Kagome, are you sure you got enough crap?" InuYasha glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She had been quiet all morning, even when they walked to the store. He didn't like it, Kagome being quiet like this was always a sign that something was really upsetting her. There weren't many things that made her like this, when he would go off alone to see Kikyo, when Miroku had problems with the Kazaana , when they were reminded of the shard in Kohaku's back.
InuYasha had gotten use to having her constant chatter to distract him from the noise and weird smells when they would walk together to the neighborhood grocer, but she'd barely said a word while they shopped.
"We'll be fine.." Kagome answered "We can always come back for more if need be."
"You sure? I could probably shove the kitchen table in this thing yet or the microwave if you want."
"We don't have a long enough extension cord." Kagome smiled, her smile was genuine, but it was sad.
InuYasha set the bag down and went to kneel in front of Kagome, pushing the laundry basket of clean clothes she had been folding out of the way.
"You're still upset." He took her hands and kissed them, then put them on his shoulders while he put his own around her.
Kagome shrugged, lifting a hand to caress his cheek. "I'm not sure what I am exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"I just, I don't know, I feel weird. Like I am this weak little moron who can't take care of myself"
"You know that's not true."
"Maybe. But I'm worried that maybe I'm losing it or something, my strength."
InuYasha began to speak and Kagome put her hand on his lips.
"I know what you are going to say." She grinned, they had started reading together every night what they had affectionately began to call the "Blob" book, so anything he was going to say, she had likely read it right along with him.
"It's perfectly normal to be more effected by my moods and feelings when I'm pregnant. But what I felt this morning, that scared the hell out of me InuYasha, and it makes no sense."
"That it was so sudden or that you felt it at all?"
"Well, both I guess. But here's the thing, Some of the yokai we have faced SHOULD have scared me. Kaguya, Goshinki, Menomaru, the band of seven, when you transformed and we had no idea what was happening, Takemaru and Sounga, at one point Kikyo, Sesshomaru and Kohaku, Atotori…even Naraku, specially Naraku, but I stood with all of them and didn't back down."
"You did, and I've always been proud of that, and more than a little annoyed that you put yourself in danger like that."
"So why did I get so scared over something so stupid, when I didn't break a sweat over those other things,"
"Like you said, you weren't pregnant then."
"But…what if I stay scared all the time after the pups come? I wont be any good to you or the others anymore, I wont have a reason for being with…"
"Keh, would you shut the fuck up? If you weren't around who would help Sango when it's time for her baby to come? Who helps her keep that hentai in line? Shippo would be lost without you, you're the only one who can get Kuroki to be almost bearable. And if that's not enough, who does most of Kaede's work now that she's so old she can't sit in one place too long or she'll turn into a fossil?"
Kagome smiled a little "InuYasha…that wasn't nice."
He stood and pulled her to her feet, kissing her quickly
"Never claimed to be nice now have I."
"Gotta give you that one."
They picked up the packed bags and Kagome made a final check that everything was shut off and locked up, then she shoved InuYasha out the door to lock up. When the door was locked he picked Kagome up to carry her down the stairs
Kagome gave InuYasha a teasing version of the evil eye.
"Maybe I'm just worried I'm going to turn into baggage that you have to carry around"
"Yeah, well you'll never be baggage to me, even if they didn't need you, I need you to keep my ass out of trouble, specially now that wolf-shit is around. I don't know why that little bastard likes to push on my last nerves."
"Hmm" Kagome pretended to be thinking hard "Maybe it has something to do with being called wolf shit, or maybe bastard."
"He likes me to call him those names. It's how we tell each other how we feel about one another."
"Oh, so your telling me that you big tough men say you care by beating each other up and using degrading names for one another."
"Never said we cared. I said 'how we feel'"
"You're obnoxious."
"And you love it."
"Keh"
"Admit it, part of what you like about me is that I'm not boring, unlike that hoho you saw behind my back."
"I never! But you're right he was boring." she giggled " And it's HoJo"
"Right, that's what I said, Dildo"
"InuYasha! That's crude!" she couldn't help giggling
"You must like obnoxious and crude then, since you're here with me instead of off being bored to sleep with yo-yo."
"I give up. "
"Admit it, you like me just the way I am"
"Of course I do InuYasha, you know that right? That I would never want you to change… unless it was something you wanted to do for you?" Kagome looked worried, like she was about to cry.
"I know, why do you think I love you so much?" He sat down on the side of the well, still holding her in his lap.
"Uh, you can put me down now." she grinned
"Don't wanna" he lowered his head and captured her in a breath stealing kiss.
"Know what one of the best things about you is?" she asked
"Hmm."
"That." Kagome giggled
He nodded with a grin and set her down at the side of the well then knelt in front of her. He pulled her shirt up and kissed her tummy
"You hear that boys? The more crude and obnoxious the better."
"Oh Kami!" Kagome giggled
"What?" InuYasha stood stick straight, staring at her, his eyes grinning though he fought to keep his lips tight.
"I'm gonna have a whole house full of little you's!" Kagome giggled
InuYasha growled "Could be worse wench, could be Miroku's or Koga's."
InuYasha scooped her up again and jumped into the well, leaving the future behind.
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InuYasha and Kagome didn't make it out of the well before they had company. She'd been expecting Shippo and Kuroki to come in search of Pocky, and the first and worst of them all was the 'chocolate hound' as Kagome had taken to calling Sesshomaru. But, she really couldn't blame him, this time anyway.
She had been gone almost an entire month and between setting up life in the apartment and the discovery of a entire LITTER of puppies, she had forgotten to send InuYasha with some to replenish his reserves. His stash had to be bone dry by now, but in a serge of guilt and the fact that she had really missed him , she had a surprise waiting for him that was probably going to send Sesshomaru into chocolate euphoria just looking at the package.
They landed softly in the bottom of the well and Kagome felt a nervous tingle go up her spine when she looked up from the bottom of the well to the top. It reminded her a little too much of another small opening that she thought would be a piece of cake to maneuver. InuYasha felt Kagome tremble slightly next to him.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. You're right you know, I will get over this." she smiled and kissed him on the cheek as a long missed voices drifted to them from above.
"Do I smell dog shit?"
Kagome tried not to giggle while InuYasha growled next to her
"Rest assured, this Sesshomaru is certain the only stench here belongs to that of a wolf"
InuYasha grinned, this Alpha beta thing might not be so bad after all. Sesshomaru's next words stopped him as he was about to begin the climb out.
"It is possible however that this Sesshomaru has been exposed to the stench of the beta for so long that this Sesshomaru has become immune to the offending odor."
KEH! Kutabare kono kuso-ttare!" InuYasha yelled loudly seconds before he grabbed Kagome and jumped out of the well.
He set Kagome down and then pushed her behind him while unsheathing Tessiaga.
"What are you doing in my village uninvited bastard?"
Koga grinned "Who says I'm uninvited mutt? Kagome invited us."
"Liar, Kagome wouldn't do something…."
"I did InuYasha" Kagome whispered into his ear.
"You what?" InuYasha turned to her and began a well executed rant against her but was interrupted by Sesshomaru's actions before things could get out of hand. Sesshomaru calmly and and peacefully walked up behind the exchange of verbal blows and flying baka's, took Kagome's hand, pulled her out from behind InuYasha and began to walk away with her. They were almost to the forest path before InuYasha noticed they were gone.
"Oi, Sesshomaru, where the fuck you think you're going with my mate?"
Sesshomaru glared at InuYasha.
"There are things this Sesshomaru wishes, nay, needs to know, however should we wait until the 'mutt breath' and 'wolf turd' are done arguing, I daresay we would be here all night."
InuYasha and Koga both growled at Sesshomaru while Kagome laughed softly at them behind Sesshomaru's back. InuYasha stomped up to Kagome and took her other hand.
"You need to know something so bad, you can ask me" he pulled on her arm.
"InuYasha!"
Sesshomaru lifted his eyebrow at InuYasha. "You are being very protective little brother, do you perhaps no longer trust this Sesshomaru with the young miko?"
"Something you need to share with the rest of us mutt?" Koga walked up behind InuYasha, slapping him hard on the back.
InuYasha growled.
"InuYasha." Kagome shook her head and pushed the others away while Koga and Sesshomaru watched in great humor, trying not to snicker and draw his ire while Kagome rubbed InuYasha's back gently, and talked to him with soft words like a mother talking to a sick child. "it's okay relax."
InuYasha looked at her with thanks, then gratitude turned into a grimace as he spied the strange looking lower level slug yokai step from the bush only a few feet behind Kagome.
"The human bitch with the jewel shards, give her to me."
InuYasha stepped forward to cuss at the yokai, however as soon as he caught the yokai's scent he suddenly retched, hitting the yokai in the face and chest. Sesshomaru and Koga were stunned into silence, InuYasha responded with a horrified knee jerk reaction, his claws flung out expertly and the yokai fell into a steaming mass of vaporizing flesh and InuYasha's vomit.
"Impressive Mutt" Koga began "What ya calling this new attack of yours? Blades of barf?"
"This Sesshomaru believes that was actually the iron rever vomit heaver.
Kagome couldn't help herself, she started to laugh.
" It's not funny." InuYasha shook his head at her, turned red and stomped back to the well.
"But InuYasha, you're her hero"
"I'm warning you wolfshit" he growled at Koga.
"But InuYasha, no one has ever done anything so spectacular for the love of their woman before." Sesshomaru goaded
"You guys better stop" Kagome looked at them solemnly
"KEH!" he sneered over at them in warning that they would do well to listen to Kagome. "Listen to the wench"
"Aww, do we have to Kagome?" Koga 'pouted'
"If you don't" Kagome began sweetly "InuYasha might barf on you." Kagome dashed behind Sesshomaru for safety, but Sesshomaru stepped away, he wasn't getting in the middle of this one. That didn't stop him from laughing though.
InuYasha stopped walking and dropped the bag again. "Kagome" he looked at her threateningly.
"Yes my love?" she batted her eyelashes again.
"You better run, and you better run fast."
Kagome eeped and took off towards the village, InuYasha directly on her heels.
Sesshomaru strode forward, shaking his head with a small grin.
"What the hell was that all about? I've never seen InuYasha barf during a battle before."
"This Sesshomaru does not know for certain. However there is an easy method for discovering the truth."
Koga stopped and scooped up the bag InuYasha had dropped.
"You going to go and beat the shit out of him until he gives in and tells you?"
Sesshomaru looked offended and totally put out by the very suggestion. "Of course not. Unlike lower ilk of Yokai Aristocracy who would resort to violence as the means to achieve their ends, the higher ranking ruler such as the Inu no Tashio has much more civilized means."
"Eavesdropping?"
"Of course."
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"Kami…I'm never going to live this down." InuYasha moaned again while he helped Kagome make up the bedding on their futon before she lay down for a nap.
"It was cute."
"Humiliating"
"Adorable"
"Embarrassing"
"Sweet"
"Kagome, how are we going to tell our boys that their father once defended their mother with sympathetic morning sickness by barfing on a yokai."
Kagome giggled as he scooped her up and jumped onto the futon then sighed happily when he pulled her close to him to lay next to her.
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Outside the window Koga and Sesshomaru quickly shushed Miroku as he approached where they sat listening, catching every word.
"Sympathetic morning sickness eh?" Miroku grinned "Poor InuYasha."
"Do you realize the damage that can be done to a man if this information should fall into the wrong hands?" Sesshomaru shook his head
"Almost makes me feel sorry for the bastard. But only almost." Koga grinned with an evil look in his eyes. "Oh the mileage I am going to get out of THIS!"
"This is the beta of the Inu no Tashio , lord of the western lands after all. You must show the beta proper respect." Sesshomaru laughed a little as a glint of light danced in his eyes. "Besides, he is my brother, I get to have first dibs at him."
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Inside InuYasha felt a strange sense of impending doom fall over him as he held Kagome in his arms and watched her sleep. Her face was always so beautifully relaxed in sleep, peaceful, almost like a child. He remembered the fear in her eyes that morning when he pulled her up of the ledge. Sure it was a long drop, sure she could have maybe broken something, but it wasnt far enough down to seriously hurt her.
So why had she been so terrified and why was it still haunting her?
What the hell did that mean?
He didn't like it.
Not in the least.
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Chapter 50 preview
Aint got one yet. Sorry.
CYA soon.
Too damn tired to do reviews
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Specail thanks go out to everyone for your kindness after my recent flamer episode. It is very heartwarming to know that "The Search" is so loved by so many wonderful people like yourselves. I will go on with this story as long as you guys want me to write it and ideas keep coming.
"I'll remember you" is ALMOST ready for the first chapter to be posted, I just need to give it a bit more fine tuning.
Puppy Love,
CJ
InuGoddess715, on my FF. net proflie page is the e-mail me link, try sending me mail through there once.
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