Author's notes: Hi everyone! Sorry if the next couple of chapters are so
short. I can't think of anything to put in them! I have plenty of ideas for
later chapters, I just can't figure out what to put in between! Oh, my life
is so tragic! (I'm such a drama queen.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any other characters thought up by Rumiko Takahashi (That's her name, right?) I do own Hikaru and Sachi, though, along with a few other ordinary villagers running around in my head. Exciting, huh?
Chapter 5: Telling
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The news spread quickly. Hikaru informed her sister of every detail, who went and told all her friends, one of whom told their parents, whose Mother told some other village women while doing chores, and whose Father told some village men who helped him out in the fields, who went home and told their families, who told their friends and fellow villagers until the whole village was buzzing. All of this talking and gossip in only a day. Kaede wasn't kidding when she said it was a small village.
The next day when Kagome left the hut with Sango and Shippo to go take a bath while carrying her bag of supplies, she couldn't help but notice how strange the villagers were acting around them. Everyone seemed to be focusing their attention on her. Many looked at her and gave her a friendly smile, nodding enthusiastically. She returned their smiles, thinking it was their way of greeting, but she couldn't help but feel they were being way too friendly towards her. Then there were a few who just unnerved her. They would give her a blank stare as the three of them passed, their expressions unreadable, and when they thought they weren't looking, would turn back to their friends or their work, shaking their heads disapprovingly and clicking their tongues. She didn't know why they were reacting this way. She, Sango, and Shippo always went and took a bath in the springs whenever they were in the village, and no one had ever been like this.
Kagome was relieved when they reached the edge of the village and neared the hot springs. The looks the villagers were giving her had made her tense, and a bath was just what she needed. As they reached the edge of the water the three of them began shrugging out of their clothes, after making Shippo go check and make sure that a certain monk wasn't watching, of course. Kagome waded into the water and settled against a rock with Sango sitting on the other side and Shippo swimming around them cheerfully.
"That was weird!" Shippo exclaimed. Kagome looked up. " You noticed it, too?" She asked, "How the villagers were acting?" Sango and Shippo nodded. "They were all staring at Ka-," Sango caught herself, "us so strangely."
"You can say it, Sango," Kagome said, "They were staring at me. I don't know why though. I mean, I'm not dressed any differently, and we always walk through the village to come take a bath, but they never stare like that."
"Well," Shippo wondered, "Maybe they know your having a baby!" Kagome smiled at the Kitsune and shook her head, "They can't, Shippo. I've only told you guys, and unless you've told someone, there's no way they could know."
"I wouldn't tell your secrets, Kagome!" Shippo said proudly, "Don't worry." Kagome smiled wider at the young fox's promise. " I know. I'm not worried. It's probably nothing."
Once again they relaxed in the water. Kagome traced circles on her stomach with her finger. It was definitely somewhat rounder than before. She wondered how many people she was going to have to tell (A/N If you hate telling people, Kagome, your going to *loathe * this authoress. ;) ). She didn't know how the villagers could have found out, but she hoped they hadn't. She'd rather tell them herself. If they found out on there own..well.. it'd be kind of like someone finding out your secret and blaming you for not telling them, when you were going to tell them anyway, but you didn't do it in time. She sighed and sunk deeper into the warm water, deciding not to think about it for a few minutes... hours... days... Did she really have to get out at all?! This water felt good!
A while later Sango and Shippo talked her into getting out of the spring, and the three of them pulled on their clothes and packed up their things before heading back towards Kaede's hut with towels draped over each of their shoulders. They walked back, trying to ignore the gaping villagers, talking about Kagome's baby as they went. Names, clothes, and Kagome explained all the devices they had for pregnancy and babies in her time. Sango was very interested in hearing about an 'ultrasound', and Shippo was getting so excited about the new baby he was nearly jumping out of his skin.
What the three of them didn't notice was a woman approaching them from behind, intent on talking to Kagome, and hearing little bits of their conversation. Kagome felt someone grab hold of her arm, and she spun around to see a middle aged woman smiling brightly at her. Kagome recognized this woman. She had lent her a kimono once when her uniform had been torn. Kagome smiled, slightly relieved that it was only her. "Hello, Hana-san!" Kagome greeted her, instantly becoming her cheerful self.
Hana didn't let go of her arm as she said in a low voice, "So, it really is true?" Kagome was confused, "What are you talking about?" Hana lowered her voice even more, her smile widening, "That you are with child, with the hanyou, Inuyasha."
Kagome gasped and stuttered, "How-how d-do you know?!" The woman's ever- present smile grew, if that was possible, "Everyone knows."
Sango's eyes narrowed, " Excuse me, ma'am, but who told you?" Hana turned to the demon exterminator. "I heard it from the inn-keeper's wife," she said. Sango's eyes narrowed even more, "And who told her?" Hana looked thoughtful. "Well," she began, "I believe she said she heard it from one of the workers from the kitchens." She turned back to Kagome, "Kagome-sama, I offer you my congratulations. I shall be sure to bring you some of my Taru's old toys." Kagome attempted a smile, "That won't be necessary, but thank you." The woman nodded and walked away.
Kagome put her head in her hands and let out a frustrated groan. "Kagome?" Shippo said worriedly. "How did they find out?" Sango wondered aloud. Kagome looked up, "I don't know. What I do know is that I'm the talk of the town." She sighed, defeated. "Great. Just great," she said sarcastically.
Shippo climbed up onto Kagome's shoulder and hugged her neck, trying to offer some comfort for his surrogate mother. "It's all right, Kagome!" He said. "Hai," Sango added, "They had to find out somehow. This is just a good a way as any." Kagome nodded and continued on her way towards the hut quietly.
When they entered the hut, Miroku turned to them and said, "Hello, Shippo, ladies. Have a nice bath?"
Sango gave him a suspicious look, "Would you know, houshi-sama?"
"Don't worry, child," Kaede said , " Inuyasha made him stay."
Inuyasha smirked from where he sat against the wall. "Inuyasha," Kagome said, and he turned towards her. "What is it?" He asked. Kagome sat down. "Umm," Kagome said, "A woman stopped me in the village today.." Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her, "And?"
"Well, she knew. That I was pregnant, I mean."
Inuyasha looked confused. "How did she know?" He asked. Kagome said the same thing Hana had told her, "Everybody knows. The whole village is talking about it. Don't ask me how they found out. I really have no idea." Inuyasha's eyes widened slightly at hearing this, "The *whole * village is talking?! Oh, damn it!"
He glared at everyone in them room, and his gaze settled on Miroku. "Hey, Houshi!" He growled, "You decide to tell any pretty girls about all this?! Trying to draw some attention to yourself with this little story?!" Miroku shook his head, " Inuyasha, you know as well as I do that I have not left this hut since yesterday, and even then you or Sango were with me the whole time." Inuyasha glared at him for a second more, "Feh." Then he turned toward Shippo, who was residing comfortably on Kagome's lap. He reached over and grabbed the kitsune by the tail, holding him up in front of his face. "How about you, fox? If I remember correctly, you went out and played with some kids this morning! Alone!" Shippo tried to struggle out of his grip. "Hey!" He said indignantly, "I didn't tell anyone! Lemme go!" Inuyasha snorted, "And why should I believe you?!" Just then Kagome reached up and snatched Shippo back. "Because," She said angrily, "I told him not to tell anyone. He didn't do it, Inuyasha. Now leave him alone!"
Inuyasha knew the kid didn't do it. Shippo never told Kagome's secrets, unless they were really important. 'And', Inuyasha thought proudly, 'she usually tells her really important secrets to me.' But still, Inuyasha wasn't one to give in so easily. "Well," He said, "If the kitsune didn't do it who told them?"
Kagome sighed. "I don't know," She said, but tried to look on the bright side, as usual, " It's not so bad. Like Sango said, they were going to find out anyway. I just wish we could've told them." Inuyasha scowled, "I'm mad because some ass went and told the whole village before asking me first!" Kagome patted him on the back, still trying to remain her happy self, "I guess they saved us the trouble of sharing the news!" Inuyasha just 'feh'd' one more time and stood up. "I'm going outside," he said gruffly. Before he left the hut completely, he gave Kagome a side-glance and tilted his head slightly, which usually meant she should follow. "Umm, I'll come with you!" Kagome exclaimed, and Inuyasha gave a quick nod before exiting. (A/N Secret meetings? Talking in code? Naughty, naughty! ;) )
Kagome jogged up next to him, and they began walking towards the woods. This time it was Inuyasha who noticed the stares, the glares, and the goofy smiles. "They really do all know, don't they?" He asked, annoyed. She nodded, "How do you think they found out, Inuyasha?" He shrugged. "There's a lot of gossiping, eavesdropping people in this village, I guess." Kagome glanced at the villagers around them. "Do you really think they'd do that?" She wondered. He shrugged again. "Wouldn't put it past some of them," he said, eyeing a group of women giving him a cold stare. He wasn't sure which was worse: A bunch of people giving them creepily happy smiles, or a few select groups giving them mean, disapproving looks. His ears twitched and swiveled as he picked up on the women's words.
"-Poor girl. Things will never be the same for her after this."
"Yes, but I suppose it's her own fault isn't it? Mikos shouldn't be doing things like that. I mean, mating with a hanyou!"
" Hai. The boy isn't terrible all the time, but she is still a Miko, and there is still youkai blood running through his veins. Youkai blood is sure to taint her power. Tainted by a hanyou... That poor girl does not know what she's done."
"Still, she is only a young girl. She is not even from here. This could possibly ruin her future-"
The women continued to shake their heads and make rude, cruel comments about him and Kagome for a time. Inuyasha stopped his walking and turned to glare at them. His hands clenched and a low, animalistic growl erupted from deep in his chest. Kagome heard this and stopped to look at him. "Inuyasha?" She inquired, "What's wrong?" When he didn't answer, she looked over to where he seemed to be focusing and saw the group. "They're talking," He growled out finally. "What about?" She asked, but he only growled louder. Then he started to walk towards the ladies.
Kagome apparently saw what was coming and grabbed his wrist. "C'mon, Inuyasha. They're not worth it," she said, tugging at his arm as she tried to pull him away. Reluctantly he followed. 'It would have felt good to tell them off,' he thought with one last glance at the village women, who were laughing at something else now. After they were a good distance away and nearing his forest, Kagome turned to him and said, "So what were they saying that made you so mad?" Inuyasha didn't stop as he said, "You don't want to know."
"Of course I do!" Kagome insisted, "If I didn't want to know I wouldn't have asked."
Inuyasha stopped this time, and Kagome looked up and realized they were at the Goshinboku. "Just trust me on this one, Kagome," Inuyasha stated, "You don't need to hear it." Kagome had a good idea now of what they had said, but she still wanted to be sure. She climbed up onto on of the thick vines growing at the base of the Goshinboku tree. It was the same branch she'd stood on when she'd first met Inuyasha while he was pinned, and the first time she touched his ears. She sat down on it so she was almost level with his face. "Tell me, Inuyasha," Kagome said as she absentmindedly traced the bark on the Goshinboku's trunk, "I can handle it." Inuyasha just shook his head no and crossed his arms. "Inuyasha," Kagome said louder, " I want to know!" Inuyasha turned from her, and Kagome, thinking this was another refusal, was about to speak when she heard his muffled reply.
"They said. that I'd ruined your life. Tainted you."
Kagome felt fury rising within her at knowing this. 'How could they say that!' she thought. But every trace of anger disappeared when Inuyasha turned back toward her, and she saw the pained look on his face. "Inuyasha, what's wrong? They didn't get to you that much, did they?"
"Is it true?" Inuyasha asked as he stared at the ground, answering her question with his own, "That I ruined your life because of all this?" He knew that she'd meant it when she told him she loved him before, but maybe it had been a mistake to mate with him. He didn't want her to regret it because mating with a hanyou had ruined her life, her future.
Kagome wanted to cry. He seemed so sad. 'What those women said must have really bothered him,' she thought. She hopped down from where she had been sitting and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his torso. She felt his arms slide across her back, returning the hug. "Don't you listen to them, Inuyasha," She said, "Not ever. You didn't ruin my life. The only way you could do that now would be to leave me, and I trust you enough to know you wouldn't do that. You're the best thing to ever happen to me." She felt his arms tighten slightly around her.
Inuyasha smiled down at her upon hearing this. He laid his chin on the top of her head. He was starting to like the new smell that accompanied her own sweet one. He shouldn't have listened to those women. He wasn't going to listen to any of the villagers. Let them think what they wanted. It didn't matter to him. He didn't care, as long as she was here. As long as he had Kagome.
Reluctantly, Kagome pulled back from the embrace. "Shouldn't we get going Inuyasha? According to you, we don't have much time to do any shard hunting," She said the last part sarcastically. Inuyasha pulled her back back to him, pulling her close enough that he could wrap his arm around her fully and lay a hand on her stomach, then nipped her neck lightly. "Soon, Kagome," He said playfully, "Soon. Let's stay here for a little while, eh?"
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Author's notes: Okay, here you go. I just want you to know that I love my mom more than ever. She drove all the way to our vacation house today while I was at school, saved my story to a disk, brought it back, and is now letting me edit it, even though we're in a bit of a rush right now. You can all thank my mom for this chapter in the REVIEWS that I'm expecting! (*hint hint* ;) )
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any other characters thought up by Rumiko Takahashi (That's her name, right?) I do own Hikaru and Sachi, though, along with a few other ordinary villagers running around in my head. Exciting, huh?
Chapter 5: Telling
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The news spread quickly. Hikaru informed her sister of every detail, who went and told all her friends, one of whom told their parents, whose Mother told some other village women while doing chores, and whose Father told some village men who helped him out in the fields, who went home and told their families, who told their friends and fellow villagers until the whole village was buzzing. All of this talking and gossip in only a day. Kaede wasn't kidding when she said it was a small village.
The next day when Kagome left the hut with Sango and Shippo to go take a bath while carrying her bag of supplies, she couldn't help but notice how strange the villagers were acting around them. Everyone seemed to be focusing their attention on her. Many looked at her and gave her a friendly smile, nodding enthusiastically. She returned their smiles, thinking it was their way of greeting, but she couldn't help but feel they were being way too friendly towards her. Then there were a few who just unnerved her. They would give her a blank stare as the three of them passed, their expressions unreadable, and when they thought they weren't looking, would turn back to their friends or their work, shaking their heads disapprovingly and clicking their tongues. She didn't know why they were reacting this way. She, Sango, and Shippo always went and took a bath in the springs whenever they were in the village, and no one had ever been like this.
Kagome was relieved when they reached the edge of the village and neared the hot springs. The looks the villagers were giving her had made her tense, and a bath was just what she needed. As they reached the edge of the water the three of them began shrugging out of their clothes, after making Shippo go check and make sure that a certain monk wasn't watching, of course. Kagome waded into the water and settled against a rock with Sango sitting on the other side and Shippo swimming around them cheerfully.
"That was weird!" Shippo exclaimed. Kagome looked up. " You noticed it, too?" She asked, "How the villagers were acting?" Sango and Shippo nodded. "They were all staring at Ka-," Sango caught herself, "us so strangely."
"You can say it, Sango," Kagome said, "They were staring at me. I don't know why though. I mean, I'm not dressed any differently, and we always walk through the village to come take a bath, but they never stare like that."
"Well," Shippo wondered, "Maybe they know your having a baby!" Kagome smiled at the Kitsune and shook her head, "They can't, Shippo. I've only told you guys, and unless you've told someone, there's no way they could know."
"I wouldn't tell your secrets, Kagome!" Shippo said proudly, "Don't worry." Kagome smiled wider at the young fox's promise. " I know. I'm not worried. It's probably nothing."
Once again they relaxed in the water. Kagome traced circles on her stomach with her finger. It was definitely somewhat rounder than before. She wondered how many people she was going to have to tell (A/N If you hate telling people, Kagome, your going to *loathe * this authoress. ;) ). She didn't know how the villagers could have found out, but she hoped they hadn't. She'd rather tell them herself. If they found out on there own..well.. it'd be kind of like someone finding out your secret and blaming you for not telling them, when you were going to tell them anyway, but you didn't do it in time. She sighed and sunk deeper into the warm water, deciding not to think about it for a few minutes... hours... days... Did she really have to get out at all?! This water felt good!
A while later Sango and Shippo talked her into getting out of the spring, and the three of them pulled on their clothes and packed up their things before heading back towards Kaede's hut with towels draped over each of their shoulders. They walked back, trying to ignore the gaping villagers, talking about Kagome's baby as they went. Names, clothes, and Kagome explained all the devices they had for pregnancy and babies in her time. Sango was very interested in hearing about an 'ultrasound', and Shippo was getting so excited about the new baby he was nearly jumping out of his skin.
What the three of them didn't notice was a woman approaching them from behind, intent on talking to Kagome, and hearing little bits of their conversation. Kagome felt someone grab hold of her arm, and she spun around to see a middle aged woman smiling brightly at her. Kagome recognized this woman. She had lent her a kimono once when her uniform had been torn. Kagome smiled, slightly relieved that it was only her. "Hello, Hana-san!" Kagome greeted her, instantly becoming her cheerful self.
Hana didn't let go of her arm as she said in a low voice, "So, it really is true?" Kagome was confused, "What are you talking about?" Hana lowered her voice even more, her smile widening, "That you are with child, with the hanyou, Inuyasha."
Kagome gasped and stuttered, "How-how d-do you know?!" The woman's ever- present smile grew, if that was possible, "Everyone knows."
Sango's eyes narrowed, " Excuse me, ma'am, but who told you?" Hana turned to the demon exterminator. "I heard it from the inn-keeper's wife," she said. Sango's eyes narrowed even more, "And who told her?" Hana looked thoughtful. "Well," she began, "I believe she said she heard it from one of the workers from the kitchens." She turned back to Kagome, "Kagome-sama, I offer you my congratulations. I shall be sure to bring you some of my Taru's old toys." Kagome attempted a smile, "That won't be necessary, but thank you." The woman nodded and walked away.
Kagome put her head in her hands and let out a frustrated groan. "Kagome?" Shippo said worriedly. "How did they find out?" Sango wondered aloud. Kagome looked up, "I don't know. What I do know is that I'm the talk of the town." She sighed, defeated. "Great. Just great," she said sarcastically.
Shippo climbed up onto Kagome's shoulder and hugged her neck, trying to offer some comfort for his surrogate mother. "It's all right, Kagome!" He said. "Hai," Sango added, "They had to find out somehow. This is just a good a way as any." Kagome nodded and continued on her way towards the hut quietly.
When they entered the hut, Miroku turned to them and said, "Hello, Shippo, ladies. Have a nice bath?"
Sango gave him a suspicious look, "Would you know, houshi-sama?"
"Don't worry, child," Kaede said , " Inuyasha made him stay."
Inuyasha smirked from where he sat against the wall. "Inuyasha," Kagome said, and he turned towards her. "What is it?" He asked. Kagome sat down. "Umm," Kagome said, "A woman stopped me in the village today.." Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her, "And?"
"Well, she knew. That I was pregnant, I mean."
Inuyasha looked confused. "How did she know?" He asked. Kagome said the same thing Hana had told her, "Everybody knows. The whole village is talking about it. Don't ask me how they found out. I really have no idea." Inuyasha's eyes widened slightly at hearing this, "The *whole * village is talking?! Oh, damn it!"
He glared at everyone in them room, and his gaze settled on Miroku. "Hey, Houshi!" He growled, "You decide to tell any pretty girls about all this?! Trying to draw some attention to yourself with this little story?!" Miroku shook his head, " Inuyasha, you know as well as I do that I have not left this hut since yesterday, and even then you or Sango were with me the whole time." Inuyasha glared at him for a second more, "Feh." Then he turned toward Shippo, who was residing comfortably on Kagome's lap. He reached over and grabbed the kitsune by the tail, holding him up in front of his face. "How about you, fox? If I remember correctly, you went out and played with some kids this morning! Alone!" Shippo tried to struggle out of his grip. "Hey!" He said indignantly, "I didn't tell anyone! Lemme go!" Inuyasha snorted, "And why should I believe you?!" Just then Kagome reached up and snatched Shippo back. "Because," She said angrily, "I told him not to tell anyone. He didn't do it, Inuyasha. Now leave him alone!"
Inuyasha knew the kid didn't do it. Shippo never told Kagome's secrets, unless they were really important. 'And', Inuyasha thought proudly, 'she usually tells her really important secrets to me.' But still, Inuyasha wasn't one to give in so easily. "Well," He said, "If the kitsune didn't do it who told them?"
Kagome sighed. "I don't know," She said, but tried to look on the bright side, as usual, " It's not so bad. Like Sango said, they were going to find out anyway. I just wish we could've told them." Inuyasha scowled, "I'm mad because some ass went and told the whole village before asking me first!" Kagome patted him on the back, still trying to remain her happy self, "I guess they saved us the trouble of sharing the news!" Inuyasha just 'feh'd' one more time and stood up. "I'm going outside," he said gruffly. Before he left the hut completely, he gave Kagome a side-glance and tilted his head slightly, which usually meant she should follow. "Umm, I'll come with you!" Kagome exclaimed, and Inuyasha gave a quick nod before exiting. (A/N Secret meetings? Talking in code? Naughty, naughty! ;) )
Kagome jogged up next to him, and they began walking towards the woods. This time it was Inuyasha who noticed the stares, the glares, and the goofy smiles. "They really do all know, don't they?" He asked, annoyed. She nodded, "How do you think they found out, Inuyasha?" He shrugged. "There's a lot of gossiping, eavesdropping people in this village, I guess." Kagome glanced at the villagers around them. "Do you really think they'd do that?" She wondered. He shrugged again. "Wouldn't put it past some of them," he said, eyeing a group of women giving him a cold stare. He wasn't sure which was worse: A bunch of people giving them creepily happy smiles, or a few select groups giving them mean, disapproving looks. His ears twitched and swiveled as he picked up on the women's words.
"-Poor girl. Things will never be the same for her after this."
"Yes, but I suppose it's her own fault isn't it? Mikos shouldn't be doing things like that. I mean, mating with a hanyou!"
" Hai. The boy isn't terrible all the time, but she is still a Miko, and there is still youkai blood running through his veins. Youkai blood is sure to taint her power. Tainted by a hanyou... That poor girl does not know what she's done."
"Still, she is only a young girl. She is not even from here. This could possibly ruin her future-"
The women continued to shake their heads and make rude, cruel comments about him and Kagome for a time. Inuyasha stopped his walking and turned to glare at them. His hands clenched and a low, animalistic growl erupted from deep in his chest. Kagome heard this and stopped to look at him. "Inuyasha?" She inquired, "What's wrong?" When he didn't answer, she looked over to where he seemed to be focusing and saw the group. "They're talking," He growled out finally. "What about?" She asked, but he only growled louder. Then he started to walk towards the ladies.
Kagome apparently saw what was coming and grabbed his wrist. "C'mon, Inuyasha. They're not worth it," she said, tugging at his arm as she tried to pull him away. Reluctantly he followed. 'It would have felt good to tell them off,' he thought with one last glance at the village women, who were laughing at something else now. After they were a good distance away and nearing his forest, Kagome turned to him and said, "So what were they saying that made you so mad?" Inuyasha didn't stop as he said, "You don't want to know."
"Of course I do!" Kagome insisted, "If I didn't want to know I wouldn't have asked."
Inuyasha stopped this time, and Kagome looked up and realized they were at the Goshinboku. "Just trust me on this one, Kagome," Inuyasha stated, "You don't need to hear it." Kagome had a good idea now of what they had said, but she still wanted to be sure. She climbed up onto on of the thick vines growing at the base of the Goshinboku tree. It was the same branch she'd stood on when she'd first met Inuyasha while he was pinned, and the first time she touched his ears. She sat down on it so she was almost level with his face. "Tell me, Inuyasha," Kagome said as she absentmindedly traced the bark on the Goshinboku's trunk, "I can handle it." Inuyasha just shook his head no and crossed his arms. "Inuyasha," Kagome said louder, " I want to know!" Inuyasha turned from her, and Kagome, thinking this was another refusal, was about to speak when she heard his muffled reply.
"They said. that I'd ruined your life. Tainted you."
Kagome felt fury rising within her at knowing this. 'How could they say that!' she thought. But every trace of anger disappeared when Inuyasha turned back toward her, and she saw the pained look on his face. "Inuyasha, what's wrong? They didn't get to you that much, did they?"
"Is it true?" Inuyasha asked as he stared at the ground, answering her question with his own, "That I ruined your life because of all this?" He knew that she'd meant it when she told him she loved him before, but maybe it had been a mistake to mate with him. He didn't want her to regret it because mating with a hanyou had ruined her life, her future.
Kagome wanted to cry. He seemed so sad. 'What those women said must have really bothered him,' she thought. She hopped down from where she had been sitting and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his torso. She felt his arms slide across her back, returning the hug. "Don't you listen to them, Inuyasha," She said, "Not ever. You didn't ruin my life. The only way you could do that now would be to leave me, and I trust you enough to know you wouldn't do that. You're the best thing to ever happen to me." She felt his arms tighten slightly around her.
Inuyasha smiled down at her upon hearing this. He laid his chin on the top of her head. He was starting to like the new smell that accompanied her own sweet one. He shouldn't have listened to those women. He wasn't going to listen to any of the villagers. Let them think what they wanted. It didn't matter to him. He didn't care, as long as she was here. As long as he had Kagome.
Reluctantly, Kagome pulled back from the embrace. "Shouldn't we get going Inuyasha? According to you, we don't have much time to do any shard hunting," She said the last part sarcastically. Inuyasha pulled her back back to him, pulling her close enough that he could wrap his arm around her fully and lay a hand on her stomach, then nipped her neck lightly. "Soon, Kagome," He said playfully, "Soon. Let's stay here for a little while, eh?"
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Author's notes: Okay, here you go. I just want you to know that I love my mom more than ever. She drove all the way to our vacation house today while I was at school, saved my story to a disk, brought it back, and is now letting me edit it, even though we're in a bit of a rush right now. You can all thank my mom for this chapter in the REVIEWS that I'm expecting! (*hint hint* ;) )
