In stride, the two walked hand in hand, allowing the seasons to bring about an abundance of orange and red. Leaves fell to the ground around them, the cracking of dried ones following with every step they took. Holding hands wasn't much of a staple of affection in this time but Kagome had always been happy to carry that part of the future with her. Inuyasha didn't understand it much at first but had come to realize it made Kagome happy, and that was really all that mattered. With a beige shawl draped over Kagome's shoulders, it meant the wind was cooler and the air crisper. Fall had finally arrived and Kagome couldn't be happier - it had always been her favourite season. It meant the start of warm drinks and hot fires, snuggled up with those she loved as the rain poured or the wind howled. The contrast of what happened outside versus what it was like inside made it feel just that much cozier.
Yet, without fail, Inuyasha pulled his hand away just as they reached the top of one of the main hills that ran towards the heart of the village. Kagome, always reluctant, allowed him to do so with the knowledge as to why he wasn't too keen on people seeing them too close to one another. It had been a large point of contingency for a while, with the miko finally calling him out and asking why.
"Alright! What's going on here?!" Her voice had been stern and filled with frustration, folding her arms across her chest with a furrowed brow, "Why do you always let go of my hand when we get close to the village?" It was straight to the point, all of it directed towards her husband who stared at her wide-eyed with surprise from her sudden outburst. Thankfully, Kagome had enough restraint to wait until they made it closer to their home to finally let loose whatever had been on her mind.
"In fact, why don't you ever touch me or kiss me when we're around other people! And don't say people don't do it here; Sango and Miroku show affection in public all of the time!" The only times he was ever affectionate somewhat publicly, was only if they were in the safety of Kaede, Sango and Miroku's, or their own home; either that or in their presence far outside of the village.
"Uh - I -" Inuyasha was stuck on what to say or how to explain it. Words. They were his downfall. He was never good with them and she should have known that, right? That wasn't even completely true, he was fine with words if it didn't surround feelings. Feelings. Emotions. That whole department was a struggle for him in every aspect.
"Are you ashamed of me or something?!" She continued, her voice becoming more aggressive with each passing question.
"What?! No! I could never-" Finally, he managed to form some sort of complete sentence.
"Then why?!"
"Because I don't want you to be the one shamed!" The words left him almost involuntary, fueled by the desire to make sure she knew it wasn't because of her. He spoke them so affirmatively that it had Kagome freeze in her place, looking over his features with even more confusion than before.
"What?" it was much softer in tone than before, standing barely a foot from him. Her once offensive stance, fists clenched and teeth practically bared at him, receded into a softer expression. Even without him continuing, she knew exactly what he meant and it broke her heart.
"I-I know that we're accepted here - that people know," he took a step towards her then, Kagome immediately lifting her hands to cup his neck to draw him closer, "But knowing is different than seeing. They could be-" he released a curt sigh, "They could be just accepting us because they don't think they ever have to see it." Both of his hands covered her own, thumb brushing the back of one as he continued, "You're a hanyou's wife, Kagome. I just want to make sure you're safe from as much of what comes with that as possible."
Releasing his hold of her hands, he ran them down her shoulders to hold onto her biceps gently, again letting his thumb caress where they lay, "Inuyasha..." she breathed, shaking her head with eyes catching his most intently, "You know I don't care about that-"
"But I care, Kagome. Just-" his grip tightened on her some, eyes closing for a moment as he tried to keep his temper at bay. Not because of her. Not because she was asking this of him, but because he knew that it was necessary, even if she didn't realize it, "Just please, trust me on this, okay?"
With every fiber of her being, she wanted to argue - to try and make him see that she didn't care and they would face it together. But the look in his eyes, the pleading look that he only ever got when they were in the midst of looking for jewel shards, begging her to stay away from whatever danger he felt she could be incredibly hurt from - that he couldn't protect her from. There were very few things that he couldn't keep her safe from and the opinions of others was one of them.
It was with a small nod that she conceded, running her hands down the front of his chest, "Okay..." she breathed, feeling him noticeably relax his grip on her as he leaned his forehead against her own, "But you'll still do that stuff if we're with close friends, right?" A smile formed on the hanyou's lips, nodding in agreement before brushing their noses against one another, "Good."
"And even more when we're alone," he added, taking one of his hands to cup her cheek and place a slow kiss to her lips, one that Kagome happily sank into.
Rounding the corner to their friend's home, Kagome didn't need Inuyasha's ears to hear the screaming coming from their within it. Nothing too out of the ordinary, a child's cries and tantrum were sure to be in full effect. Over what, neither of them knew but they were on their way to find out.
They had been wondering why Miroku wanted to head out on an exorcism so late in the day, but the crying gave the couple the answer they'd been looking for. Seeing Miroku open the door, it was obvious that he was exhausted, lids heavy as a yawn left him.
"Miroku?" Kagome called out, seeing the monk lift his head and give a tired smile, "Is everything alright in there?"
"Yeah, sounds like one of our exorcisms in there," Inuyasha added, seeing Miroku peer over his shoulder as another screech echoed out into the open air.
Turning his attention back to his friends, he gave a rather simple answer, "One of the twins is sick with some sort of stomach problem. Sango is going to take her to Kaede today. I was hoping it would just be something she ate, which is why I asked us to leave a little later; but she's still fairly ill." Miroku paused, the sight of his even more exhausted wife flashing in his mind before guilt took him, "I don't feel right leaving Sango alone with that."
"Why don't I go instead?" Kagome chimed it, seeing a surprise dash over both of the men's faces, "Yeah! I can go with Inuyasha so you can stay home and help Sango. Whadya say?"
With a low grumble, her husband folded his arms across his chest, "I dunno..." the words were obviously held within a pondering thought.
"Awe, c'mon! It'll be fun. Think of it as a date," Kagome chirped, gripping the sleeve of her husband's haori as if to say the decision had already been made. Neither of the men seemed to oppose the idea, Miroku looking actually quite thankful for the suggestion.
A few more moments of silence was enough to give her the answer she wanted, "Then it's settled! I'll let Kaede know that I'll be away for the new few days - you said it would be a two-day trip, right?" Inuyasha simply gave her a nod before peering towards Miroku, "We'll make sure to bring you back your fair share." Kagome added, tugging on her husband's sleeve to pull him in the direction of Kaede's hut, "C'mon, Inuyasha! Let's go."
Without much choice, he followed his wife, the two of them finding their stride as Kagome did so with a giant smile on her face, "It's not that exciting, y'know." The hanyou reminded her, once again placing his hands in his sleeves as they continued on their path.
"Maybe for you, it isn't, but I haven't left the village since I got here. It'd be nice to have some change of scenery."
Inuyasha hadn't even thought about that. Ever since she'd come back, Kagome'd been thrown into the ways of the Miko, trying her best to acclimate to becoming someone who fit in. But she was so much more than a Miko - much more than a simple village woman. There was a pang of guilt that clutched at his heart at the realization, "Well, maybe you should come on more, then."
The sudden change in tune had his wife looking towards him, offering him a skeptical smile, "Oh yeah? You think you can tolerate me for that long?"
"Keh. Don't be stupid. We have three years to make up for, remember?"
The statement had Kagome's smile forming into a genuine one, so tempted to offer some sort of touch but refrained, "You're right."
"Y'know, if you just got on my back it wouldn't take as long. I just take that long usually because both Miroku and I don't like the idea of being that close to each other," they'd just reached the outskirts of the village, Kagome holding a small bag on her back, similar to the bright yellow one she used to carry around, but not as well constructed.
"Mmm, no. I think the walk will do me good. Besides," she looked up at him then, a fondness plastered on her face, "It makes it feel like old times. Y'know, at the start of everything, it was just you and me. No shippo, no Mikroku, no Sango, or Kilala. Just us."
Inuyasha couldn't help but let a smile pass over his lips, mirroring her look of fondness at the memories, "Granted, we didn't like each other's company as much, or at all when it came to you." Kagome teased, thinking back to how the two had a hard time being in each other's presence at the start of their budding relationship.
"Keh. I enjoyed your company, even though you talked a lot," he replied, giving her a teasing grin, "You were the first person who seemed totally fine to be around me - who tolerated my presence and didn't exile me for being what I am." The two of them were on a beaten path, but it didn't seem to be used much. Feeling as though they wouldn't be seen, Inuyasha took Kagome's hand in his own. There wasn't another village for a couple of miles, and he didn't smell nor hear anyone else.
"You were just...emotionally stunted," she joked, seeing her husband rolling his eyes as she laced their fingers together and wrapped her free arm around his bicep as they walked, "Now look at us. Who'da thunk, huh?"
A small, amused scoff left him, "Yeah," it was a miracle he hadn't ended up killing her - if it hadn't been for Kaede and the beads around his neck, he could have ended up never finding that one person who could give him everything and more than what the jewel ever could.
Peering up at the sky, it started to get dark much earlier than normal, a side effect of colder months, "Hmmm, we should probably set up camp somewhere," he mused, grabbing his wife without warning and bounding into the air, up a cliffside and completely off the path. A startled yelp left the priestess, knowing full well he would never drop her but she hadn't expected it.
"Where are we going?" Attention lifted to her husband with expectancy.
"Somewhere out of the way. Wouldn't want people stumbling across our camp," he stated, managing to find a flatbed of dirt and touching down there. It was atop a cliff and much out of the way, no beaten paths around. Setting her feet on the ground, she scanned the area as if Inuyasha hadn't already done so before they even landed.
"This'll do nicely. Good idea." Kagome agreed, turning to her husband with a thankful smile, "I can get a fire going, if you catch us some dinner."
Though he was hesitant to leave her alone, he knew they needed some sort of food for the night; and it wasn't as though she was unarmed, "Fine. But I won't be far." he stated reluctantly before leaning down to give her a chaste kiss to the lips. As soon as the kiss was over, he bounded away in search of food.
It felt like just yesterday that sleeping under the stars was a norm, constantly needing to make fires and scavenge for food for five people and one large cat. This was much more simple with just the two of them, happily having their fill of rabbit before settling down for the night. Kagome had been prepared to make a makeshift bed on the ground, figuring that her husband would want them to sleep separately, in case someone happened to sneak-up on them. Yet, before she could even bring out the blanket she'd brought, Kagome was dragged into her husband's arms.
"I thought you said-" she began, though was hardly going to argue if this is what he wanted.
"I don't sleep during these things, not much anyway." Pressing her back against his chest, he enveloped her as his chin took its familiar spot on her shoulder, "If I hear someone coming, I'll let you know."
Giving an affirmative nod, she sunk back into him, immediately feeling the warmth of his body against her own. The fire rat haori seemed to keep their temperature comfortable, not too hot or cold.
Almost finding slumber, she was pulled back to the world of the wakeful by her husband's voice, "Kagome..." he seemed unsure, as if he didn't even want to broach the subject he was about to say, "When we get the village, you need to make sure that no one even gets a hint that we could be married, okay? It's really important. You're a miko now and if they found out you've married me, let alone laid with me, it can get real ugly."
Kagome could do nothing but listen intently, hearing the seriousness in her husband's tone as they sat together, pressed against the trunk of a tree, "What do you and Miroku usually tell them? I'm sure people find it odd to see a monk with a demon of any kind."
A low hum left him, followed by a nod of acknowledgment, "He basically just tells them that I've got some sort of spiritual tie to him. That I'm only there because he's able to control me," he paused, releasing a heavy sigh, "Like a dog."
Kagome's heart broke then, turning her head to press a kiss to his cheek, "I'm sorry..." she breathed against his skin, feeling him lean into the touch of her nose against his cheek, "I hate that it needs to be that way - it's not fair."
"It's the only way we can convince a lot of villages to have us help them. Sometimes, people are fine with it, but only because they don't care who's doing the saving, even if it's someone like me." His tone was somber, trying to hide the fact that, even though he was used to it, it still hurt him in some small way.
"Is that what you want to be when we get to the village? Your handler?" she mused, feeling him wrap his arms tighter around her. There was frustration in her gaze and she peered into the fire, "I don't like the thought of that."
How he deserved someone like Kagome, he'd never know. Someone who didn't care about his hanyou blood and loved all sides of him - even defended him when people would make jabs at him for it. He didn't enjoy the thought of needing to hide their relationship from people, either. However, this was a bit more serious than just being driven out of a village, it could mean Kagome could get hurt. Nosing the collar of her kosode to the side slightly, he pressed a kiss to the exposed skin there, "Out of anyone, you're the closest person to that being a fact," he murmured against her skin, even allowing a grin to pass over his lips at the statement. It even made Kagome's lips pull into a ghost of a smile, know just how much truth there was in that statement, "I know it isn't ideal, but it's necessary."
With one of her hands, she reached up, her arm framing his face as she gently placed it on the ear farthest from her. It was a gentle rub that started, causing her husband to sink into her completely, "Mmm, Kagome..." he murmured, not really knowing the purpose of saying it.
"I hate how this world treats you. I hate knowing that this is what you've had to deal with your whole life. It hurts me to think about how alone you've been and how three years of that loneliness was because of me," she mused, feeling her husband tense some, his head lifting from her shoulder and freeing his ear from her grasp. He knew better than to ask why she cared so much, as the answer was obvious, "I just..." her gaze never left the fire as she continued, her hand dropping to take one of his and hold it to her heart, "I love you, so much. I can't understand how someone couldn't."
I love you.
It was odd to think about, but neither of them had actually said the words to one another. Perhaps there was no need to when it came to them, at least when it came to Inuyasha's standpoint. They'd shown that love to one another again and again but, hearing them, it hit within his heart differently. Kagome had barely even realized what she's said, simply keeping her gaze at the fire as the silence built up between them. It wasn't awkward, but comfortable, a type of silence that could only be cherished between those who loved one another.
"Kagome, I-" it was only then that the priestess tore her attention from the fire to look up at him with a hum of questioning, "I love you."
She stiffened for a moment, heart pounding in her chest at the realization that he'd actually said those words to her. Three words. Eight letters. It took her a moment to realize what she'd said herself, before coming back around and understanding that he was returning them.
Turning in his arms, she straddled him, wanting to see him better, "Say it again," she whispered, letting her hands come up to cup his cheeks, "Please." How long had she been wanting to hear those words from him? It felt like her entire life at this point. And when he did say them, she wasn't able to savour them, as it took her by surprise. Leaning her head closer to his, only a breath away by the end of it, she let one of her fingers brush his bottom lip.
"Is it not obvious?" he asked, having placed his hands on her waist to keep her close against him. The smell of her enveloped him, making it difficult to think - the touch of her finger didn't help much either, "How much I love you?"
"No, it's plenty obvious, I just-" she offered him a slightly nervous, though very excited, smile, "Never thought you'd say it. I used t-" she stopped herself then, a flush of red coming over her cheeks as she realized what she had almost confessed to. Instead, she ran her hands down the front of his chest, "I love you," she breathed before finally closing the gap and capturing his lips in a slow, tender kiss. A kiss that showed him just how much she meant those words, how she cherished them completely.
It lingered, the two of them indulging in the taste of one another with Inuyasha bringing his than to her cheek to draw her closer. How appropriate it was, to have them say those words to one another under the open sky, in front of a fire. The same circumstances that they'd found their love under, it was finally confessed in words years later. There was no desire to go farther, no wandering hands pulling at fabric, just pure need to stay in the moment. A love that seemed impossible, had somehow become something that was destined.
After a few minutes, they found the will to come away from one another. Even still, they kept their faces close, both of them mirroring the smiles on their faces.
"What did you used to do?" Inuyasha suddenly asked, running his hands up her back and down to her waist in an attempt to touch as much of as possible for the time being, seeing as he would be without it once they got to the village.
"Hm?" she hummed, having forgotten most things as she came back to reality after their kiss.
"You said you used to do something. What was it?" He asked, giving her another smaller peck to her lips as if to tide himself over until he could indulge in her some more.
Kagome took a moment to recall what she'd said before her mind fell into all things Inuyasha, "Oh. Uh-" That same blush came over her cheeks as she averted her gaze from him, finding his piercing amber to be too much for her and her embarrassment.
"I used to dream about you saying it to me. How you would say it, and when." Her face grew hotter as she admitted to him what she thought she'd never do. The touch of his finger on her chin, gently coaxing her to look at him met some resistance until she gave in and met his gaze. Inuyasha didn't think he could adore her any more than he did, but then she would say or so something like this, something that told him her heart had always belonged to him, and he would fall deeper in love with her.
"How'd I say it? In your dream. Tell me."
"Inuyasha, I'm already embarrassed I even-" he pressed a finger to her lips, stopping her newly defensive words from going any further.
"I wanna know," he was dead serious and that only seemed to make Kagome more nervous to even think about revealing more than what she already had.
A soft whimper of discomfort left her, toying with the hem of his haori to distract herself somewhat, "You'd..." she stopped and released another small whimper, "I don't know. You'd just look at me, say my name, and tell me that you loved me. Then you'd kiss me after - every time." Her gaze averted from his once again, body tense from the immense amount of embarrassment she felt. She purposefully left out the fact that it was mostly after he'd left to go find Kikyo that those dreams would come forth, there was no point in opening that can of worms - not now.
Instead of making her look at him again, he simply pressed a kiss right by where her jaw met her ear, pressing her body flush against his own, "I loved you then, y'know. I don't know when it started exactly, but it happened sooner than I realized." The sound of his voice right against her heart had her heart fluttering, especially when it was saying things she'd never expected him to say. Her hands ran up from his chest to his neck, cupping both sides as his lips ghosted over her jawline.
Kagome swallowed some, suddenly seeing her husband's gaze looking into her own, half-lidded and oh so warm, "Inuyasha..." she breathed, feeling him brush some hair behind the ear he'd just whispered into.
"Kagome, I love you," just like in her dreams, though they were never in the same position they were now. Always standing across from one another, typically by the well after she'd said she was going home for a couple of days. Never had she ever dreamed of them being married, his heart on his sleeve only for her. He pulled her in for a kiss afterward - that's what she said she dreamed of, right? The words, followed by a kiss.
Drawing in a deep breath through her nose, she deepened the kiss by wrapping her arms around his neck. It was much more than what she'd dreamed, but so much better, feeling the strength of his arms wrap around her waist and pull her against him. One hand cradled the back of her head as if to make sure they wouldn't end this kiss any time soon.
The kiss ended with Kagome giving his lower lip a small nip between her teeth, offering a dazed look of devotion before returning the words, "I love you. I love you as you are, as a half-demon." That was how the whole conversation started, wasn't it? Her telling him how she hated seeing him hurt just because of his mixed blood.
Within his eyes was a melted heart that had once been so guarded just for the sake of survival. The woman in his arms made him realize there was more to life than just surviving - it was worth living, "Kagome..."
They stayed like that all night, simply indulging in the taste of each other's lips while whispering sweet nothings to one another. Under the stars, they were completely content with just that.
It was mid-afternoon when they reached the village, Inuyasha instructing her to walk ahead of him to make it seem like they weren't equal in status. As much as it pained her, she did as she was told, walking ahead of him as they started down the path that lead there. Even just passing some travelers on the way, Inuyasha could hear whispers of disbelief.
"A Miko with a demon? She must be cursed."
"How could a lovely Miko like that keep such beastly company?"
It was lucky that Kagome couldn't hear the mutters that took place beneath their breath. As used to it as he was, he realized his wife wasn't as exposed to it as they had once been.
In their travels to collect the Sacred Jewel shards, they seemed to be much more welcomed. No one seemed too concerned with Inuyasha's presence. Though, the more she thought about it, the more she realized that it was because they had her, a monk, and an experienced demon-slayer. Now, it was just the two of them, fewer people to keep a sense of higher regard for their silver-haired companion.
Reaching the headman's home, she peered back towards Inuyasha before turning to catch the attention of the actual man who was in charge of the village, "Excuse me? We've heard word that you are having trouble with some demons."
Lifting his attention to her, he narrowed his gaze towards the man who stood behind her, "Aye..." he mused, letting his attention drift back to Kagome, "I must say, I've never seen a Miko keep the company of such..." his head nodded in Inuyasha's direction, "Filthy creatures."
The statement had Kagome's spine straighten, clenching her fist that was hidden why the sleeves of her kosode. The statement barely even phased the hanyou, though he could easily sense the anger building in his wife's chest, "This is my travel companion and protector. I have purified him to become under my control and because of that, is to be respected." Swiftly changing the subject, she brought it back to the task at hand, "Now, are you going to let us help you with this demon, or not?"
As determined as ever, Kagome folded her arms across her chest, hip pressed out as if she were impatiently waiting for an answer. It was obvious that the headman was reluctant to give them the time of day, but knew it would be best to simply let them handle it.
"Too many of my people have been slaughtered. Do you truly believe you can help us?"
Kagome nodded affirmatively, "Yes. We have plenty of experience with this sort of thing."
With a low grumble, the headman narrowed his gaze once again, though this time it was completely on Kagome, "What will it cost us?"
The question threw Kagome off some, then realized that Miroku and Inuyasha were in the business of demon extermination, "Uhm," she faltered some, trying to think of something reasonable quickly, "A-A sack of rice and a barrel of produce, as well as a place to stay for the night."
The headman remained quiet for a moment, mulling the price over before giving a nod, "That seems like a fair price, should you succeed."
Just as the headman spoke, Kagome could hear her husband sniffing the air behind her. Peering over her shoulder she could see his eyes shifting, brows furrowed in thought before he spoke, "It's headed this way."
"Get everyone inside, now," Kagome's voice was self-assured and authoritative, only emphasized when a loud screech came from the wilderness that surrounded the area, "I said now!"
With a start, the headman gave the orders, which caused a telephone effect of villagers screaming the same thing. Kagome turned to where her husband was now facing, suddenly seeing a giant bear demon crash through the trees.
"That's it!" The headman shouted, pointing at it frantically and with immense fear in his eyes, "That's the demon!"
Pulling Tessaiga from its sheath, he rested it the now giant sword on his shoulder, "That's it? This is gonna be too easy." It was an ego she hadn't seen from him since she'd arrived, as there was no need for it. The element of battle and challenge was his to own - it's where he shined.
Kagome watched as he simply began to take casual steps towards the demon, grabbing her bow and quiver as a precaution before following after him, "Kagome." His name left her lips authoritatively, "Stay here." And with that, he sped ahead before jumping into the air, leaving Kagome to do nothing but make sure that the villagers were safe and doing as she instructed.
It took hardly any effort to turn the demon into nothing but dust and memory, Inuyasha coming back in record time with the bear's fang as proof that it'd been slain. Regardless of what Inuyasha looked like, the villagers thanked him and Kagome for helping them, the headman included. With a warm meal in their bellies, the two of them kept relatively to themselves until they were lead to where they would be staying for the night.
"Lady priestess, this is where you will be staying. I assume your ward needs no bed."
Before Kagome could even begin to defend him, Inuyasha chimed in, "I don't sleep." It was a statement, but also a warning, letting the host know that he would be watching - protecting. Giving the pair an anxious bow, he said goodnight and swiftly made his exit.
Without a word, Inuyasha looked down at Kagome with something akin to an unspoken scolding. They needn't speak to understand one another by this point; Kagome knew he was warning her to keep her mouth shut.
Nodding his head towards the room, he spoke only a few words, "Sleep. I'll be outside." All she could give was a reluctant nod. No kiss goodnight, not even a touch; she hated this.
Walking into the room, she saw a futon, a pillow, and a blanket, nothing else. With a huff, she leaned down and started to drag the futon to the door, trying to get as close to him as she could without being able to touch him. Climbing into bed, she pulled the covers over her and tried to get as much sleep as she could before morning.
"Goodnight," she whispered just loud enough for his ears to pick up on. What she couldn't see was the soft grin that pulled at his lips nor feel the warmth that radiated in his chest.