Puppy Love by Oceanserpent
Chapter 3:
Akira laughed as Kikyo angrily crossed her arms. "Well it's true," the angry shrine maiden said, "These woods are infested with demons. You should bring Kouga or someone with you. You know, Kouga wants to marry you."
Akira's laughter abruptly stopped. "Why would I wasn't to marry Kouga? He's an arrogant man with no intelligence."
"You are 16. And your father wants you to settle down so you can't wander off like you usually do. "
Akira sighed. "I don't want a simple husband. I want a man who is smart and kind and different. I want –"
Kikyo silenced her with a hand movement. She pulled her bow and knocked an arrow, pulling it taut. Akira thought Kikyo had lost it until she too heard the rustlings nearby. Ever curious, Akira ignored Kikyo's warning, and moved the branches. She gasped in surprise at the dog-eared demon kneeling over a semi-forgotten grave. His ears flicked in her direction and he turned with a snarl to the girls only to be impaled by Kikyo's knocked arrow. Ha gasped and reeled back from the blow, stumbling and falling, then collapsing against the grave headstone. He pulled the arrow out of his shoulder with a pained growl and Kikyo knocked another arrow only to be held back by Akira's hand on her arm as she read the headstone:
Inu Quae
Mother and Lover
Killed on March 23rd, 1132
Akira looked at the scowling dog demon and asked, soothingly, "Was she your mother?"
He looked up sharply, before looking back down at the grave, running his blood soaked hand over the name and the word mother. Quietly he answered, "Yeah."
Akira gave Kikyo a look that said Put that down clearly enough. She slowly walked closer to him and knelt beside him, causing him to look at her and growl, shrinking back and flexing his claws warningly. She stopped, resting on her knees with her hands folded demurely in her lap. "I won't hurt you. Let me see your shoulder."
Kikyo glared at her, but the demon seemed interested in the attention. He set his hands down and stopped growling, letting her move his haori and kimono top without interference. He watched her carefully as she gently wiped away the blood and applied pressure to the wound to clot. She was silent as she worked, ignoring the hateful presence of Kikyo behind her. She heard the priestess mutter, "This is why your father wants you married…"
Akira finished bandaging his bare shoulder and looked up at him. She froze, caught by his golden eyes. They sat that way for a few moments, before the demon sucked in a surprised breath of realization and leaned back, blinking in shock. Akira gave him a questioning look, and he responded in a young, hesitant voice, his eyes hopeful and fearing.
"Aki?"
Her eyes widened and jaw dropped. Kikyo knocked another arrow, waiting for the demon to attack. But Akira simply spouted a delighted laugh and threw her arms around the demon with a happy shout of, "Inu!" She hugged the stiff demon tightly before looking up at him, remembering the younger face with golden eyes, and the blue eyed human form he sometimes shows. She leaned back enough to gently touch his chin, then his jaw, and traced his nose and eyes, all just like she remembered only more handsome. Then she reached for his very sensitive ears. He started to growl before quieting in acceptance of Akira's curiosity. He simply settled his hands on her as she was now straddling him, and studied her.
He could see over his shoulder just how long her black hair had grown. The tip of the braid brushed the ground as she explored his hair. His eyes traveled back to her face and he realized that she was more beautiful that he had thought. It was unblemished and her eyes were pure, while her lips looked absolutely luscious to his demon eyes. The golden orbs traveled lower and he flushed, realizing other places he has filled out, if her scrunched up kimono did her any justice.
Then it happened.
She touched his ears.
He made a surprised noise before his eyes closed and he unconsciously leaned into her hand. Inuyasha started to purr, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, much to her delight. Akira could feel him purring, and felt pleased that he still trusted her enough to relax into such a vulnerable state. Not to mention that she was enjoying the rumbling feel of his purring as she sat in his lap.
Kikyo was also well aware of his vulnerable position. Inuyasha's untended ear twitched when she drew back her bow. Taking Akira with him, he jumped up and away, into a nearby tree with Akira cradled in his arms. She clung tightly to him, startled. Inuyasha snarled at Kikyo and the arrow embedded in the ground where he had been sitting. He stepped off the branch and dropped gracefully to the ground, setting Akira on her shaky feet. She was still clinging to him when Inuyasha commented, "You have bad friends, Aki."
Akira seemed to agree as she glared at Kikyo. Kikyo looked disgusted at Akira's proximity to Inuyasha, and not the least bit chastised. "I would not be one to speak. At least I am not a pathetic half-breed."
Akira felt Inuyasha stiffen and heard his growl before he pushed her away, tuning on his heel to vanish into the woods. Desperately, Akira called after him but he simply grunted and disappeared from view.