Present Time.
Inuyasha Fanfiction
By alandrem
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: Blah, Blah, Blah. Same as chapter one.
Author Note: Thanks for your reviews guys. I had not posted because I wanted more (just to be certain you're still reading. J ) Chapter 7 is almost done. I'll try to get it up soon, and hopefully have another one ready. I'm going on a small trip to a sky resort (Never been to one where I live it never snows, except on the surrounding mountains, but you can't sky there.) so I'll probably no update for at least 2 weeks.
Inuyasha might sound slightly OOC, but there's a reason.
For those who want the lemon: I won't place the lemon in the end, do not worry. In fact I already have some ideas going. Have some patience. J
For those who can't or won't read a lemon: I'll dedicate a full chapter to it and I'll also post the following one so you can skip it. It will be the only chapter with a name and a warning. ;) It will be important to the plot but you don't have to read it, just know that it happened.
I'm slowly building into the romantic part, there will be one so don't worry bear with me.
And finally Rita: Yes The New Detectives, Medical Detectives and The FBI files are among my favorite non anime TV programs. (Discovery Channel freak before I discovered anime)
Thanks lelay Tomoe for pointing that slight error in this chapter, it is already corrected.
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Kagome slowly woke up feeling the warm lump near her feet that was Buyo. For a moment she laid there feeling rested and content, remembering how nice it had been to brush Inuyasha's hair and scratch his ears. To hear him purr with pleasure and see him fall asleep in her arms, for moment she thought she dreamed it. But reality intruded into her sleepy mind shattering her contentment and she bolted upright. A quick look to the floor told her Inuyasha was up already, the futon and blankets where he laid in complete disarray.
'Damn that boy!' She thought without realizing she was cursing. 'Couldn't he at least fold the blankets and the futon where he slept?' The young woman was annoyed; remembering she had to clean the bathroom too, since she did not do it the night before. 'I swear he can be messier than Sota and a bunch of his friends having a sleep in!'
With a sigh the young Miko got out of bed, picked up the mess, made her bed and got dressed into a pair of jeans and a light sweater; it was the beginning of autumn and the weather was getting colder. Taking a hold of her hair care stuff she padded to the bathroom to put them away and froze at the door. The place was clean and orderly. No first aid kit, bloody gauzes or clothes littering the floor. After leaving her stuff in place she took a look in the hamper. Their clothes weren't there.
'Where's the mess?' Kagome's mind screamed in surprise. Her mother wasn't home; would not return until Monday; and Inuyasha WAS incapable of cleaning unless pestered and 'sat' a few times until he relented, and even then the results weren't that much different. 'What's going on?'
"I better find him before he gets into or creates his own trouble." She muttered, for a moment she closed her eyes and concentrated on his unique sense; like a demon's but instead of frightening reassuring and familiar; he was close. "He was probably hungry and went down to get something to eat." She said to herself and groaned aloud. Inuyasha hungry in her kitchen was not a pretty sight.
Last time that happened he left a complete mess when he could not open some cans and tore them open with his claws, ate almost all of Buyo's food; thinking they were cookies; and if she had not arrived in time to stop him would have destroyed the stove and caused a fire. No, that was definitely not a pretty sight. Especially since she had to clean it all in a hurry before her mother or any other member of her family noticed.
"If I find as much as a spot…" She began softly and resolutely. "I'll make him
clean it no matter how many 'sits' it takes. About time he learned to do other
things besides fighting."
She went down slowly dreading the mess she'll probably find, the aroma of coffee reached her nostrils and made her mouth water. A nice hot mug of it would really be wonderful. Kagome paused before entering wondering how he had found out how to brew coffee. She had never taught him how, in fact she was positive he had never tasted it. There was some noise in there so she came in.
"Inuyasha…" The young woman didn't finish her sentence as she saw her mother was there.
"Good Afternoon Darling!" Asami Higurashi greeted her daughter and turned to see her. A look of concern crossed her face when she noticed that half her face was covered with a nasty bruise.
"Mama? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to spend the weekend at uncle Jiro's?" Stammered Kagome, her mind raced to find an excuse for the bruise and for her presence. She didn't want her to believe she got injured at the Sengoku Jidai. There was no need to get her mother worried. And where was Inuyasha? The thought that perhaps he heard her arrive and scampered back through the well crossed her mind. The fact that it was already afternoon did not register.
"I was, but the news last night worried me so I came back to check on you."
"The news?" She asked a bit nervously. "You could have called Mama."
"You know your uncle; his phone is not working again, so I took the earliest train this morning." She had poured her daughter a mug of steaming coffee, fixed it the way she liked it and placed it on the table, signaling her to sit and take it. "They say a young girl with your description was attacked in the park last night." Kagome sputtered the coffee she just drank, a shame because she liked how she made it today; slightly stronger. "So it was you." She stated.
"Ah… No… It wasn't me. Don't worry Mama I'm fine."
"Then why are you still here sporting that nasty bruise on your face?"
"I… well…" She struggled for a decent excuse. "I… I argued with Inuyasha because I was late and I decided to stay. I was so angry I didn't see where I was going and fell on the stairs." The young woman said in a rush hoping the huge lie she'd just spun would not be detected. She really hated to lie to her mother but she told herself it was only because she did not want to worry her anymore than she already did. A look at her face told her she'd been caught.
"Really? I know it was you Kagome, why don't you want to tell me?"
"You know?" She asked wide eyed. Asami nodded.
"Inuyasha told me, when I arrived."
"Inuyasha… told you?" That did not sound like him at all! He never told anything to anybody, and all of a sudden he decided to inform her mother about last night? The one thing she rather NOT TELL her? "How dare he make you worry? He never opens his mouth about what's going on and suddenly he decides to worry you with nothing? He's gone too far! I'm…"
"Kagome sit and calm down." Asami said in that authority tone she rarely used with her children, but that they did not dare to disobey. She'd watched her daughter build her anger against the poor hanyou and knew what a 'sit' would do to him. She definitely did not approve of her using it just to vent her anger. "He did what he thought was best for you, and I believe he did the right thing by speaking up. Inuyasha was really worried Kagome, he still is. Back there he can protect you, but never thought you needed it here too. In fact he believed you were safe in your time. It was a great shock for the poor kid to find out there are dangers lurking around the corner in this place too." She was looking straight into her daughter's eyes. Kagome's eyes avoided the contact and seamed glued to the table. "I understand you don't want to worry me darling; but I still do; so don't keep things from me again."
"I'm sorry Mama." She responded contritely, without looking in her direction, and was surprised to feel her mother's arms hug her. "I'm sorry for lying to you." She said as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I didn't want to make you angry."
"I'm not angry darling, just worried." Kagome turned around in her chair and hugged her tightly crying a bit more as she told her what happened, when her quiet sobs subsided; Asami sat in the chair beside her, she felt relieved that Kagome had been able to escape before something happened and just got a bit fright and a few bruises.
"Mama I don't understand how something like that made it to the late night news." She commented wiping away her tears with a napkin. "It happens everyday; I didn't even file a complaint with the police."
"I know assault is common, but lately there has been some trouble at the park. It's become dangerous for girls to cross it at night."
"What kind of trouble?" Asami sighed.
Inuyasha did not want Kagome to know about the murders and the possibility that she might be a witness. He knew she'll be both worried and scared. Asami agreed with him about the fact that her daughter would be frightened, but these guys had to be brought to justice. Even if they weren't the killers they tried to rape her, how many other girls had been assaulted by them? They couldn't be left free to hurt other teenagers or have another try at Kagome; she also did not like his other option. Killing them was just out of the question for her even if to him it was the only solution; that was the way it was done in his time. In the end it would be her daughter's decision about what she wanted to do no matter what either her mother or Inuyasha thought. So she decided to tell her.
"The police say 2 teen girls have been assaulted and murdered in the park in the last 4 months. Rumors have it there have been more victims. So anything that happens there now is bound to attract the media's attention."
"Murdered?" Her voice was tremulous. Asami nodded and noticed the shiver that ran down her spine.
"Yes, that's why I came back. I was really worried; I knew you were going to take a short cut through the park. We don't know if these thugs have anything to do with those murders, but just in case don't you think it'll be a wise idea to talk to the police?"
Kagome was silent for a long time digesting the news. The idea that she might have been a victim frightened her since she got that impression from them. They would have killed her, there had been no doubt in her mind yesterday, and there was none today. She was undecided about what she should do. Last night she wanted to forget about it; once Inuyasha had dealt with them in his own way; and go on like she had been doing. That sounded so callous of her, but the sense that this had not been the first time that duo of thugs attacked a woman was just too strong to push aside, they had to be stopped. But then she realized the young dog-demon might put himself into grave danger, get injured or killed. The former happened and she felt bad because she believed it was her fault for not stopping him.
The young woman had misgivings about his hunt, and yet knew he would go after them no matter what she said; he was just too stubborn. Kagome thought those thugs were just another pair of wasted drug users, but if they had anything to do with the murders in the park letting Inuyasha deal with them might not be a wise decision, especially if the police got involved. She just did not know what to do to stop him. 'Sitting' the young man would only be temporary, and talking things up rarely had any effect whatsoever.
'I escaped and I saw them.' That thought made her afraid, she'd seen enough detective movies and TV programs to believe they would not let a witness alive even if this particular witness had not gone to the police.
'What if Inuyasha can't find them? Or worst what if he does and they use guns? He now knows about them, but will he be able to fight against an automatic pistol or a machine gun?' She thought fearing more for his life than hers.
'Will he forget this hunt if I ask? I really don't want him hurt. Besides this really is police jurisdiction and they have dealt with psychos like these before. Will they be able to protect me in case these men are the killers? But most important will Inuyasha be willing to let them protect me? Oh God what should I do?'
"Here darling have some more coffee, Inuyasha made it." Asami said pouring some more into her mug knowing this would surely stir her daughter's thoughts into another direction, it wasn't necessary to decide today.
"What?" Was her astonished reaction, Kagome's eyes were filled with disbelief. "You're joking Mama! Inuyasha is incapable of doing anything that remotely resembles a woman's work." The tactic to distract her worked.
"No I'm not; when I arrived and he convinced me you were alright; he would not let me wake you saying you needed to sleep; I brewed some. He liked it a lot I think, we talked a bit then I showed him the TV." Kagome's eyes went even wider.
'Inuyasha watching TV? Talking to my mother? That just doesn't sound right!'
"We watched for a while; he was intrigued by the concept of publicity, commercials and news by the way; then he said he wanted more coffee. I offered to make more and he said he'll like to try and see if he could do it after watching me once."
"My God!" Kagome exclaimed a worried expression on her face. "Mama where is he? The bullet wound must have gotten infected and he's delirious! I have to find him." She was on her feet. "Did he go through the well?"
The concern in her daughter's voice made her smile. No matter how she tried to hide it, it was obvious she liked this young man very much. From what she'd been able to learn about him during their little talk, she approved. Hanyou or not he was just a teen, who cared for her daughter so much as to risk his life for her. He was good a kid with a good heart who seamed to have been on his own too long.
"He's fine Kagome, don't worry."
"Mama you don't understand! Inuyasha couldn't have done that unless he was out of his mind! That's not like him at all! He might have told you he was fine, but he is surely very sick, probably delirious!"
"His leg was indeed bothering him darling; I gave him a couple of extra-strength Tylenol for that; but he had not fever and seemed quite lucid." Asami couldn't help but laugh, the only thing the hanyou had was worry for her safety. And a curiosity to learn about their time he wanted to hide from everyone.
"That's not funny Mama! He must be in danger. I better find that damn fool before a youkai does!" She was about to go out to the well.
"Come, see for yourself then. Inuyasha's asleep in the TV room; with it on by the way; he woke up the few times I tried to turn it off, so I left it on. He's holding on to the remote control as if it was that sword of his." She made a pause for effect. "I bet he'll join Jii-chan and Sota in the fight for it when he's here, and probably win; since he' won't really care if Jii-chan pulls rank the way he does with your little brother." The disbelieving and concerned look did not leave Kagome's face as she walked to the TV room. Asami followed with a knowing smile.
And there he was dead to the world, laying on one of the recliners covered by a light blanket up to his chin, mouth slightly open, breathing deeply; looking fit to start either drooling, snoring or both. One clawed hand was out holding the remote control as if his life depended on it. In fact he did not hold Tetsusaiga so tight when he slept, although he did hold it. The TV was on the Discovery Channel in English; which puzzled Kagome. The volume was low; but with him being a dog-demon she knew it was loud enough; occasionally one ear would twitch responding to some sound or other. But he did not wake up.
The young woman stood in the doorway transfixed for what appeared an eternity before she finally approached him carefully. Worry still etched on her face. Ready to jump away in case he woke up and in reflex attacked her. Inuyasha sniffed unconsciously before she touched his forehead, and stirred a bit but did not wake apparently recognizing her scent. Her hand brushed lightly against his forehead, then traced slowly and feather light the contour of his face. He was cool; his skin did not feel clammy and his color was not flushed, in all there was no sign of fever. The fact that he did not wake up at her touch still worried her a little. Feeling bold she reached for the nearest ear and scratched softly.
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"K'gome" He murmured still asleep. The purr started low in his throat. "Hmmm… Like… ears prrrrrrr… much." He mumbled and sighed.
'What? He called my name in his sleep?' She thought surprised and her heart skipped a beat. The young woman just did not know what to think, but she began to have a glimmer of hope he might really care for her. 'He really likes his ears scratched, but why won't he allow anyone to do it?' A tender smile spread across her face.
The other ear received a scratching session too before she left him to go back to the kitchen completely mystified. How had her mother managed to do that? She'd never seen him sleep so soundly before, so at peace. Not even when he was injured and needed to rest, even then he was always on the alert. She reached the kitchen and sat back at the table; taking a sip from the coffee, it was good. If he really brewed it he had a nice hand for making it, better than hers. That was really the reason she'd never given them coffee; her brews were barely drinkable; but if he was willing to do it for her it would be nice to have a cup back then on cold mornings. She could bet the others would love it.
"What's with the look Kagome?" Asami asked with a slight smile, while she went back to preparing lunch.
"Huh? It's just that I've never seen Inuyasha sleep so soundly before… I don't think he ever has."
"Poor kid, is he always on the alert?"
"Yes, the slightest noise will wake him up, to get close enough to actually touch his ears without waking him..." She paused. "I would have said it was virtually impossible!"
"Is this because of the Shikon No Tama?" Asami was curious; she wanted to know more about him, to confirm what she already suspected about the young hanyou. She had counseled troubled teens before she married, and still did, but now it was only on a volunteer basis.
"Hmmm… I don't think so." Kagome said thoughtfully. "He'd been dead for 50 years pinned to the Go-Shimboku when I found him… But from what I've gathered from those times he actually mentions his past, it has always been like that for him. He would never put it like this but… I really think he didn't feel safe enough."
"Why wouldn't he feel safe darling?"
"He's a hanyou Mama." She said as if that explained everything, but her mother turned to look at her with a puzzled expression. It was then that she realized how the Sengoku Jidai had become an integral part of her life, what was common knowledge there was not in her time. "Hanyous are not accepted by either youkai or humans. Neither side sees mixed pairings well, because of that mixed kids are very rare. Inuyasha's otou-san died when he was very young; he was a powerful Taiyoukai, The Lord of the Western Lands." Asami raised her eyebrows in surprise, the son of youkai nobility? "I don't think he remembers him. And his okaa-san died when he was five years old I think, she was a beautiful hime. He's been on his own since then."
"He was too young to have survived on his own; surely someone would have helped him. Provided food and shelter at least until he could do it on his own."
"If there was he never speaks about it. But he did tell me he tried to find a place where he could be strong and he ended all alone." Asami had a pitying look on her face and Kagome decided to change the subject, it wouldn't do for Inuyasha to wake up and see it. "I never thought he'll watch TV, or want to learn about this time; save the way to prepare instant ramen; he doesn't seam interested. What happened to make him change his mind?"
'He was always curious; he just needed a push in the right direction. Unfortunately you had to be attacked on a place he knows almost nothing about for him to realize he can't protect you here the way he wants unless he learns.' Asami thought looking at her daughter; of course she could not tell her that.
"Inuyasha has always been curious, but I suspect he believes he'll be appearing weak before your eyes if he asked. He has an image to maintain after all." She said instead, which she believed was the young man's main reason to feign he was uninterested.
"I really think he doesn't want to learn because he doesn't want us to know he's not as smart as he wants everyone to believe… Of course we already know he's a jerk, he doesn't need to make an effort to maintain that image."
"You're wrong darling. Inuyasha is smarter than you think."
She paused for a moment, she'd seen him grasp several very difficult and abstract concepts in next to no time, and make the appropriate questions to solve his doubts; he'll probably be able to use a cell phone if presented with one at the moment and have little to no trouble placing a call; in fact he'd been fascinated with the concept. He was sure that they would not work in his time; once she explained a little how they worked; but perhaps those Motorola radios would, he'd seen their advantage almost immediately. The kid was definitely intelligent; perhaps she could teach him to use the computer the next time he was around.
"He is smarter than he thinks for that matter. In his situation he was probably more interested in learning ways to fight and defend himself than actually learning poetry, mathematics and sciences, besides he is rather impatient for that."
"I'll probably have to see that to believe it." She said still skeptical.
"With the right encouragement I think you'll probably will. By the way I put his clothes in the washer, I was a bit worried that they might shrink so I hanged them out to dry is that Ok?"
"Yeah, I was going to do the same. And don't worry about mending the hole, believe it or not that hakama will mend itself, the yukata can do that too."
"They do?"
"Uh huh, it's something about being made of fire rat fur. Guess that's why he seams not to own any other outfits. After pestering him a lot he finally said that they had also grown with him." Things were starting to smell good, making Kagome's mouth water. "What are you making for lunch?"
"Oden, what else? You know… I think your friends are going to be a little worried, both of you are supposed to be there already. Why don't you take the chance now that Inuyasha is still asleep, to go back and tell them you're staying at least for a couple of days?"
"Couple of days? He's going to pull me right back as soon as he's awake."
"His leg is not healing as fast as he thought it'll be, so he should remain off it until it does."
"Inuyasha is a lousy patient Mama; I doubt we'll be able to keep him seated once he's awake. He is in a hurry to complete the Shikon no Tama."
"He just discovered TV Kagome; I don't think he'll be in that much of a hurry to leave. Now go tell your friends I bet they are worried."
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Shippou was in a fit; it was already beyond midday and still no sign of either Kagome or Inuyasha. In his little head he worried that something terrible happened or perhaps the Bone Eater well was not working and they were trapped in the future. He'd gone so far as to drag Kaede from the village to check on the well, not believing Miroku's assurance that it didn't feel any different from the way it usually did.
Sango was starting to feel a little apprehensive too; she could understand that perhaps Kagome might not want to come back, a surprise test, a fight with that bad tempered hanyou or a family thing would probably be enough reasons. But for Inuyasha to stay the night; when it wasn't the new moon; and half a day was not normal. The tajiiya stood up and walked toward the well again. Still no sign of them, she turned to look at Miroku who appeared to be dozing off under a tree, he really wasn't and even he; who usually managed to appear calm; was beginning to be a bit fidgety. Kaede had returned to the village when a woman came to fetch her, something about a sick kid. But the old priestess had looked concerned too.
Shippou zipped by, stopped long enough to peer into the well and rushed back to the Go-Shimboku; Inuyasha's favorite resting place; in hopes that perhaps the hanyou returned during the night without telling them and had gone either hunting or looking for news about a Shikon shard. But he could not deny that his scent was at least a day old, and it led to the well. No matter how much he complained, and argued with him, the little kitsune considered the young man a member of his family.
"Shippou-chan, would you please remain in one place? You're making me dizzy." Sango complained.
"I can't Sango. I'm worried. Where are Kagome and that jerk Inuyasha?"
"Don't worry Shippou I'm sure they are all right. Why don't you curl up beside Kirara and sleep?" Miroku suggested opening just one eye. The little kitsune grudgingly accepted and curled up beside the cat-demon for a short nap. No sooner was he laying down than his sensitive nose picked a familiar scent coming from the well.
"KKKKKAAAAAAAAGGGGGGOOOOOOOMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!" He cried out so loud it almost left them a bit deaf, as he rushed to the lip of the well. She had just finished climbing out when he literally flew into her arms, almost sending her back down again.
"Shippou-chan!" She exclaimed laughing at the kit's antics; and hugging him tightly. Looking around she found Sango and Miroku. "Sango-chan, Miroku-sama."
"Where were you Kagome?" Shippou demanded.
"Kagome-chan what happened to your face?" Sango asked when she got a look at the nasty bruise she sported over her face.
"Kagome-sama, where's Inuyasha? Wasn't he supposed to be with you?" The houshi asked as he approached her.
"He's back in my time…"
"What?" Asked both Sango and Miroku quite surprised.
"You left him there?" Was Shippou's question.
"Yes he's still there. I just came to tell you we won't be back in a couple of days."
"Something happened in your time Kagome-sama." It was not really a question.
"That's why Inuyasha is still back there, isn't it?" Sango asked.
"Yes, something happened…" She fiddled with Shippou's hair. "It's a long story guys; my time is not without its dangers; I ran into a bit of trouble…"
"And I suppose Inuyasha created a mess, while rescuing you." Miroku guessed.
"He didn't rescue me." She said softly. "I managed to get myself out of trouble, when I reached home he found out… and went hunting for…" She was still fidgeting.
"Demons! There are demons there?" Shippou interrupted.
"No Shippou they were humans. Anyway he didn't find them, but got caught in the middle of a gang war, and a stray bullet hit him."
"Stray bullet?" "Gang war?" "That jerk is hurt?" They all asked at the same time.
"Look guys I really can't stay long so I'll try to explain quickly Ok?"
Kagome explained the best she could about the weapons of her time and what a gang was, they all had a bit of trouble understanding about the guns. And worried about Inuyasha's injury, she reassured them it was not dangerous. But told them her mother wanted him off his feet for at least a couple of days, a difficult feat indeed knowing what a restless patient he was. The young woman avoided explaining exactly what the original problem had been, not really wanting to deal with the topic just yet, even if she had to make a decision soon.
"Kagome-chan, did he let you come alone?" Sango asked in a curious tone. Her friends rush to go back not going unnoticed.
"Not really, I left him asleep. That's why I have to go back, before he wakes up and comes looking for me. I just wanted to tell you so don't worry about us."
"Can I come with you?" The kitsune asked hopefully.
"No this time Shippou-chan, perhaps the next." She said with a smile to take the sting of refusing. "I'll have my hands full keeping Inuyasha on the bed. I really…" She paused seeing the odd smile on Miroku's face and then turned bright red when she realized how her words sounded. "I meant…"
"We know what you meant Kagome-chan." Sango said giving Miroku a warning glare as she reached for Hirokoutsu just in case. "You know how houshi-sama's brain works." He raised his hands in an 'I'm-innocent' gesture.
"Inuyasha is a terrible patient, Kagome-sama. Kaede-sama and I have had a hard time before trying to keep him still." He turned to the tajiiya with a mild smile. "Thanks for coming to tell us. I wish you could stay a while longer, but Inuyasha is a light sleeper, he might wake anytime and probably head straight to the well."
"Actually he was sleeping like a log. I could almost swear he was about to either start drooling, snoring or both." Surprised faces greeted that statement. Then the little kitsune started laughing.
"Ha, ha, ha, Inuyasha drooling! That'll be a funny sight."
"Or snoring…" Miroku went on with an amused smile on his face.
"Kagome, would you tell us if he does?" Shippou asked hopeful, this would give him many hours of fun annoying that jerk.
"Maybe Shippou-chan." A mischievous smile appeared on her face. "I might do something better if he drools… I'll take a picture, that way he can't say he didn't do it." She'd brought her camera several times before and their little group had taken a few pictures for posterity. They all experimented with it; that is all except Inuyasha; who had allowed them to take pictures of him after a lot of arguing, 'fehing' and cursing on his part, but he did not touch the camera. Kagome had the suspicion he might have, because she found some very nice photos of the group sleeping and some of herself distracted; that no one admitted taking. "I must get going guys bye!" She said before jumping back to her time.
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