Chapter 28
Coming to Terms
The slight figure moved in its sleep, kicking off the blanket, only to curl tighter to fight the chill of the night air. Within moments, the blanket was tucked back around the sleeping boy. Inu Yasha knelt to study the sleeping face of his son. The now familiar knot formed in his throat at the simple thought of "My pup." He couldn't stop the possessive pride that rushed through him, nor did he want to. He somehow knew he had always wanted a pup, yet feared he'd never have one. Now, he watched the reality sleep peacefully, as he had every night since finding out. Four days ago - he'd only found out four short days ago that Kenmaru was his. He still didn't quite understand the hows, and wondered if he ever would. Standing, he smoothed the pup's hair, then moved across the hall. His ears twitched, hearing her soft snores. He had so many questions, and there were so many unknowns. Deciding to let her sleep he moved down the hall. Sitting in the recliner, he began to try and make sense of it all.
"Yea, I grew up on stories of you and your pack. I had always believed the tales were exaggerated. Hey, what was the name of that miko... the one who was killed when you were pinned to the tree, then brought back? The one who wanted to drag you to hell." Genken's voice echoed in his head. "The hanyou who defeated Naraku." A few jumbled memories tugged at the recesses of his mind. A horned youkai with the mark of a spider on its back. A woman riding a feather. A girl with a mirror. A pain in his chest as an arrow tore through muscle. Nothing connecting, nothing making sense, leaving only half-formed images. Looking at the clock, he knew no one would wake for several hours. The confinement of the house began to chafe at his soul. Grabbing a hat, he walked out into the early spring night.
Five hundred years ago, or eight years ago, something well he knew what, had happened between he and Kagome. The result was the silver eyed pup he loved. He knew that Kenmaru's father, he, for some reason had walked away, away from a woman he obviously loved, if his feelings now were any indication, from the possibility of a pup, not marking his mate as his. An almost forgotten conversation, from that first trip to the park flitted across his mind. "He left Japan before Kenmaru was born." But where did I go? "He went to keep a promise to an old girlfriend." Old girlfriend... what old girlfriend? "You're the one who decided to honor your promise to that bitch." He stopped suddenly, as he remembered her yelled comment. With a groan, he berated himself for not listening better. Months of worry and doubt could have been avoided if he had only paid attention.
He continued walking, so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the path his feet were taking. He barely registered the automatic reaction to the would be mugger. The incident was no more than: knife pointed at him, grab wrist holding knife, twist, hear bones break, pick up knife, break knife. Continue walking. He thought on all the times, Kagome and he had argued over Kenmaru's father. He groaned as he remembered his own comments on ... well, himself. Now he understood her defending him. What ever had happened, she didn't hold it against him. He paused for a moment, and the strange woman's voice echoed in his head, this time he recognized it, Kagome's. "Friendly warning, Kagome's still head over heels in love with Kenmaru's father. I realized it about six months after he was born. So don't get your hopes up that she'll fall for you." Her friend Hojo's voice sounded in his head. "She is still in love with Kenmaru's father, otouto. I do not know if it is possible to win her heart from him." His brother's words echoed. Then her own words, "I should have told you weeks ago... I love you... I want ... I want to be with you. With memories or without... I don't want to spend another day questioning what I feel."
Coming to a halt he took stock of his location. Smiling, he walked into the hotel. Moving to the front desk, he waited. The clerk bowed slightly, "Welcome to the Park Hyatt, may I help you, Sir?"
"Yes, I'd like your nicest room for this weekend."
"Would you like a suite, or one of our Park rooms?"
"A Park room will be fine." He didn't know exactly what a Park room was, but he did like the sound of it.
"Certainly, sir. Last name please?"
"Shin... er Kagemusha." At her puzzled look, he continued "I'm having my name changed, my identification is still in Kagemusha."
The soft click of entries being typed into a computer continued for a moment. Looking up the clerk smiled, "Kagemusha-san, I have you booked in a Park room arriving tomorrow and departing Monday. Would you like to hold this reservation with a credit card?" Inu Yasha nodded and handed her the card. "Thank you, sir. Would you like to have anything waiting in the room upon your arrival?"
"Yes." He answered, giving instructions. Moments later, transaction complete Inu Yasha left the hotel and walked home. She didn't care if he remembered or not, and neither did he. Friday, Kagome would become officially his mate.
Kagome stood staring at the room before her. It was lovely. The warm creamy gold of the walls, the grass green of the carpet, the stark white of the bed linens and the dozen roses on the table welcomed her. She had been shocked when she arrived at the hospital only to be pulled into the ER managers office. She had looked at him skeptically when he informed her she had the weekend off. A few hours later, she had been told to take the rest of the day off as well. Now she was led into the room by the gentle pressure of Inu Yasha's hand on the small of her back. Turning, she watched as he put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door handle, shut and locked it. He moved to the telephone, and removed the cord from the back. He'd made her leave her pager and cell phone at home. Concerned she asked, "What if Kenmaru needs us?"
"Sesshomaru and Rin can look after the pup for one night." He answered moving towards her, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
"What DO you have in mind?" She asked.
"I think you know, Doc. And, if anyone dares interrupt.... I'm gutting them." He growled taking her into his arms.
Smiling up at him, "And, I'll help you."
Chapter 29
What you've been waiting for...
Sorry Fanfiction.net people but you won't get chapter 29. You will need to go to either Media Miner or Adult Fan Fiction.net to read it.