As her exploits in the feudal era accelerated the inevitable disintegration of her childhood friendships, it seemed to only strengthen the bond she had with her mother. While putting progressively more distance between them in regard to time and space both, her extended absences served to highlight those important to her by how much she missed them.
And how much they missed her, proving that those who really mattered didn't let time apart hamper their love from flourishing.
Though now physically present, however, the distance was obvious in the longing way Kagome fiddled with the beautiful bracelet on her wrist.
A bittersweet smile stole Mrs. Higurashi's lips as her daughter recounted her adventures, barring one notable mention during the update.
"Uh-huh," she replied slyly, "and your beau, the charming and handsome Sesshoumaru?"
Her strategically readied mug hid her amusement at the girl's blush, and light teasing softened to something more genuine. "Is the Demon Lord of the West still treating you well?"
She had been prepared for the young woman to begin dating- many of her friends were already off and running in that arena- but she hadn't been prepared for Kagome's young man to be neither young nor man.
She couldn't say she was thrilled learning the one who stole her heart- and her innocence- was a centuries-old demon with a past checkered with violence and cruelty; not to mention being 500 years away where she couldn't assess him, warn against or even seek justice, should he do anything that required it.
But she wasn't as frightened as she would have been a year ago, before a sweet half-demon she trusted with her daughter's life changed her views on demon-kind. Inuyasha had prepared her for the eventuality of Kagome falling for a youkai- just not the one she expected.
Kagome's fingers faltered in their dance along the silver trinket.
"Better than I deserve," she sighed, muttering; "not that it would take much."
Concern painted her expression at her daughter's assessment as motherly instinct to help and heal her young intensified.
"Have you ever had to deliver bad news to someone who didn't want to hear it– news that didn't paint you in the best of light?" Kagome asked.
Despite the turmoil roiling in the teenager's gaze, Mama smiled softly.
"Inuyasha is your friend. Just be honest with him; he will understand."
The gentle reminder didn't seem to assure her.
"Got any advice?" she tried again. "I'd really like to soften the blow on this one."
Desperation strained her tone and her posture to the point of exhaustion, earning a sympathetic look.
"Just to show grace," she answered kindly. "Allow him his pain– don't be dismissive or defensive, and don't take anything he says in the heat of the moment personally. Try to be sensitive, and give time and space as required."
The miko absorbed her elder's sage teachings with both ears- one wide and receptive, and the other discerning and critical- ravenous for guidance, but in no short supply.
"That's all great advice," she deigned sans enthusiasm, "but it will only help me feel better. I want to help him."
Mama lifted her mug of hot tea with both hands while Kagome gazed miserably at hers.
"You can't control how he will feel about it. You only have power over your own reactions." She paused to take a sip- the warmth spreading through her chest, and across her lips as a result- before returning to her matter-of-fact tone. "But if you handle yourself accordingly, that will give him the best chance at achieving a healthy response of his own."
Kagome's defeated slouch into her seat belied her disappointment in no uncertain terms, and a chuckle fell out beyond Mrs. Higurashi's control.
"What did you think I would say?" she wondered amusedly.
The pouting miko dragged her tea closer, shrugging.
"I dunno. Some great mom lifehack to put him in a more receptive mood?"
"Ah." Understanding claimed her features, and a slyness that made Kagome wary. "There are ways to get a man into a much more... favorable frame of mind," she imparted knowingly, "most of which should be reserved for times of crisis with your demon lord boyfriend-"
"Mom!"
She tried not to chuckle further as Kagome buried her rapidly reddening face in her hands- knowing it could compromise any future confidences she might hold- but the easily embarrassed girl did not make it easy.
Meanwhile, Kagome lamented opening this pandora's box with her mother, mourning any hope she had of that level of openness they shared being a one-time thing... or at least a once-every-five-years thing.
"But men are not terribly difficult to please," Mrs. Higurashi continued, undeterred. "They feel their best when you are pleased with them, and showing them favor is proof at its most primal."
Not entirely sure what her mother was getting at, Kagome was almost afraid to ask.
She wet her lips and began cautiously. "So, you're saying I should-"
"Do something nice for him to show that you care," she said with a smile, the innocence of which made Kagome sigh in relief. "Something he enjoys– it can be very simple."
But despite her advice, the look on her daughter's face told her that she was already overthinking it.
"I stocked up on ramen, by the way," she added helpfully.
When Kagome's expression finally brightened, Mama released a sigh of her own.
It wasn't the cure-all she was hoping for, but she admitted that Inuyasha was a lot less excitable- and more forgiving- after being allowed to gorge on his favorite food.
When she got back, she'd stuff him full of ramen, and he could hate her with whatever energy he had left afterward. It looked like the best she was going to do.
"So now that I've answered your question, will you please answer mine?"
Looking up with a creased brow, she found brown, deeply concerned eyes beaming into her again, and knew instantly what- or who- Mama was talking about.
"He's away for a few days to handle... some things," she decided on cryptically. No need to fan the flames of a mother's worry. "But I know he's mad."
The return of her forlorn cadence at just the mention of her lover made maternal hackles rise. Recalling the marks he'd put on her last time had motherly eyes perusing all visible skin.
"He is good to you?" she asked anxiously. "Is he respectful?"
Knowing there was nothing she could do made the older woman feel very helpless. But she had to trust her daughter... and the loving smile he inspired.
"Yes, mom," she assured her, but that lovesick grin quickly fell away. "This is all just really hard on us. If I'd known how this was going to end up, I would've just told Inuyasha from the start; but honestly, I didn't..."
She hesitated, unsure if her reluctance had more to do with embarrassment or guilt, but didn't count out both.
"I didn't think it would get this serious between us," she admitted softly, face burning hot as a demanding gaze coaxed the confession from her. "At the beginning, the attraction was mostly... very physical. But things escalated pretty quickly."
It was never supposed to be like this- the opposite, in fact. No pressure, no stress; all fun, no trouble.
Telling Inuyasha served no purpose, and it was easier for everyone if he just didn't know. And, she would admit, the thrill of this secret only added to the exhilaration of their affair- not that it was wanting by any means.
When it ended, they would go their separate ways, taking the secret with them, and nobody had to get hurt.
Kami, she was so stupid. How often do these things end amicably?
But they quickly realized this... wouldn't end.
"That is why I was so concerned about you being so involved with someone at your age." A sweet voice and a gentle hand coming to rest on hers tore the girl from her troubled thoughts. She looked to find her mother's caring face boring down at her- still supportive in its reprimand.
"You may be ready for sex physically, but it is the emotional aspect that I feared you weren't prepared for. It adds a whole other component to a relationship that just makes everything so much more acute– heartbreak included. I wanted you to be ready for that."
Kagome wanted to argue, but knew she was in no position to do so. Maybe she was right- maybe she wasn't ready, but hardly mattered now. She was in up to her neck, and there was no turning back.
The gentle scolding left her feeling sheepish, and a little defensive.
"Can you ever be ready to have your heart torn out?" she challenged. "I really do love him, so it would hurt no matter what. But I know he loves me too."
"Then he's worth the trouble."
Surprised at first, that it was a statement made Kagome smile. "He is."
The return of her daughter's lovesick grin had Mrs. Higurashi feeling equal parts pleased and exasperated.
Pleased for the joy this demon seemed to bring her- she wouldn't think too long about how- but exasperated for all the trouble these strong feelings tend to bring with them- on top of their various obvious complications.
But it was clearly out of her hands.
She leaned back and sighed. "I hope you're right."
"Oh, here," Kagome shuffled to hand something over. "I took a picture."
She grabbed the phone, and a quick glance for curiosity lingered...
"Oh," she breathed out. 'Oh, my...'
Three more days passed on the other side of the well, and for the rest of them, it appeared to be business as usual. Her excuse of having an important exam she forgot she needed to study for seemed to be enough to satisfy Inuyasha. In fact, he'd put up less of a fight than usual, and by day three, he still hadn't tried to drag her back yet. It was curious, but Miroku wouldn't look a gift dog in the mouth.
There had also been no sign of Sesshoumaru yet, which was both a huge relief, and deeply concerning.
What was supposed to be a couple days had become nearly a week since the daiyoukai made his departure, and his ultimatum. Of course, Miroku was in no hurry to deliver bad news to the dangerous dog demon... But what could be keeping him?
It seemed unlikely that any skirmish hadn't gone his way; and from what he had witnessed, equally unlikely that Sesshoumaru could have changed his tune and abandoned her.
Right now, the monk's money was on either that:
a. he was taking some time to cool off – perhaps strategically or
b. he could sense Kagome wasn't there.
In the daiyoukai's absence, the clearing way off on the far side of camp had found itself a new occupant.
His movements were not as graceful, nor his swings as sure, but the monk recognized the choppy imitation of Sesshoumaru's afternoon routine well enough – and award for most improved definitely went to the half-demon.
Sitting silently nearby, as he had the past three days, Miroku's meditation took on a more performative role while struggling with his moral code. He pondered, weighing the pros and cons of defying one friend's wishes to stick his nose in and cause another friend pain.
Inuyasha sliced through empty air in an impressive downward maneuver, but his focus was on his footwork– which he fumbled. "Fuck!" …before getting back into position to try again.
His friend had amazing fortitude, Miroku realized, in any situation. You knocked him down 100 times, and he got up 101. And while the hanyou was obviously sensitive, that he was unbreakable was just as clear.
So why couldn't Kagome see that?
After another curse and reset, Miroku finally decided enough was enough.
This secret had caused enough anguish. He could live with the consequences of breaking his oath this once.
It would be better if Kagome had done it, but that didn't appear to be a viable option any longer. Perhaps, if the stars aligned, she would actually see this as a blessing. Inuyasha would finally know, and she didn't have to be the one to do it. Hell, she might even thank him.
Glass half-full indeed. But he wasn't foolish.
While Miroku closed the distance, the determined hanyou moved around his invisible opponent into a new stance, seemingly happy with his latest attempt. His careful approach ensured a wide berth for the next attack – delivered powerfully and with a smirk.
"Inuyasha, I have a matter of grave importance to discuss with you."
The hanyou spared the solemn monk a glance but didn't stop training. Instead, he progressed to his next position.
"What is it?"
Thinking Inuyasha sounded more annoyed than he actually was, he plowed ahead.
"I have been sworn to secrecy-"
"Hyah!"
Anxiety made Miroku more jumpy than usual, but as the half-demon crossed his powerful sword in front of him in a devastating cut, he questioned his logic... and timing.
Steeling himself, he continued.
"...but with the state of affairs, I simply cannot hold my tongue any longer."
His distracted friend made no indication he'd heard him in the brief pause that followed, leading him to consider whether stoicism was a byproduct of swordsmanship, or another imitation.
When he realized he was stalling, Miroku drew a heavy breath.
"Kagome has been having a romantic relationship with your brother. It's been going on for months."
The wide arc of his mighty swing halted mid-stroke, leaving Tetsusaiga suspended at its zenith.
Startled, inhuman gold shifted to him slowly, along with the rest of their owner, before adopting a fierce gleam.
Then, he smirked wickedly.
"You think I don't know that?"
A/N:
I'm really excited about an idea I have for another story, but I'd really like to finish this before I get started. There's still a bit left, though. Not sure how long it will be, but I think this has about 4 –5 parts left. That's PARTS, not chapters lol. Each part has several chapters, but I won't know until I know.
At any rate, the point is that I'm motivated to get this churned out, which is half the battle. The other half is getting my schedule to work.