AN: yeah! Everybody seemed to like that chapter, so maybe we'll just have
to make them go at it like. What did Emily call it? Oh yes. Like prozac
filled demon bunnies from hell. And yes, it was kind of sad and sweet at
the same time. ^_^ It was probably one of my more favorite chapters. We
can't believe how many people thought that it was about time that they
jumped on the good foot and did the bad thing. They've only known each
other for a few days. (Two days and they love each other.. *sigh*)
Storymind: Naraku? A bad guy? *blinks innocently* What an odd idea! *giggle* Well, incase you haven't noticed, everybody kind of have their faults. I would even argue that Inuyasha himself could be a bad guy. Except that Inuyasha had a redemption. Kagome. Will Sesshy have a redemption? I guess that you will just have to read and fine out!
Eartha: Try reading it at a relatively early hour, and maybe you might like it more. ^_^ but honestly, for this chapter to be readable and pleasurable at 2 am. We get a cookie.
Demon Kitty: Aw! Don't focus on all the bad things! What about all the good things? Like. Ah. More demon bunnies?
Elsbeth: food.. Mm.. you're making me hungry! I should go and eat breakfast. Well, here's another update for you. We hope you find it satisfying. ^_^ And thank you so much! (Yeah! Wes gots betters grammarseses skills!)
Imouta-chan: Ah! Somebody who doesn't want Sango to kill Sesshy! Thank you for having the courage to say so. I mean, we know there are Sesshy lovers out there, (Em's one of them) so it's nice to see that people who like the cold sadistic type are willing to ask for a happy ending for him too. You may also have a cookie.
Thank you to all the wonderful reviews! You have no idea how much they mean to us! (Especially when I just got a D+ on my last paper. I hate Barry Lyndon! Can't I just have my prof mark this instead? *Emily shakes her head and the PoF goes off sulking*) We hope you enjoy this next part! What comes after sex? The cuddling, of course! Ah, I love the cuddling. And. you know what?... cookies for all!!
* * * *
A few more hours later.
He slept with Kagome held tightly against him. He was so content, so peaceful, that he didn't notice the smell of thunder in the air, or rising tumultuousness of the sea. But he did notice it when the ship gave a sudden lurch and the ship tossed. Some of his belongings fell to the floor. But one corner of his bed had been bolted to the floor. He grabbed Kagome tighter with one arm, the other grabbing the iron headboard. Lightning lit the room, and a bell tolled in the daylight darkness. A storm was upon them.
Kagome woke with a start, a jolt shot through her and she instinctively clung to the first thing that could steady her. How ironic that it was Inuyasha who had sworn to protect her. Biting down a scream of fright, Kagome clung onto Inuyasha as though for dear life. "What's going on?" Kagome asked with enough panic underlining her voice, to remind even her that she was not a sea faring woman.
"Storm," he said, the word sounding like a vile curse. He gave her a tight kiss before he lurched from the bed and threw on some vestments, the only thing keeping him from rocking with the ship his uncanny sense of balance and his years of being on a ship. "All hands on deck. That includes me. You stay here." He paused and waited for her usual response: an argument.
Somebody pounded on the door. Still only half dressed, he opened it and Shippo tumbled into his room. The little demon looked a bit panicky, but he was all together fearless, having been through storms worse than this one. The wind and water were no problem, provided the water was deep, and the keel would keep them from capsizing, it was the lightning that was the biggest problem. "Thunderstorm, Lord Inuyasha! The smaller mast has already been sheered off at the top, but there's no fire yet."
Kagome clung to the blankets and wrapped them around herself. Reaching over to the floor for her discarded shirt, Kagome clumsily enough fell to the floor with the tilting of the boat. Groaning, Kagome got up and huddled in the corner, pressed between the wall and the night table, which thankfully enough was nailed to the floor.
Steeling her will, Kagome reminded herself she had to be strong and she reached out for her shirt again. Grabbing it this time, Kagome pointed at Shippo. "Look the other way!" Kagome demanded, though a demand her voice was soft towards the little demon. Once his back was turned, Kagome looked over at Inuyasha as she quickly dressed. "You can't go! It's dangerous!" Kagome called, biting down on her lower lip. She really, did not like being at sea during a storm.
"It's what I do!" he quickly responded, not noticing Shippo looking back and forth between them. His face softened and he stopped tying up his shirt to take her in his arms and kiss her. He gazed at her, and wished they were somewhere else. "Sometimes people have to do what they don't want to do. You know that as well as I." He realized that he was talking about more than just leaving to go up top and make sure that the ship survived. Inuyasha managed to smile at her. "Besides, I have to make sure that we don't get knocked about too hard because if we do, then how are you going to sail back?"
Kagome didn't want to listen to him, but she couldn't deny what he said. Letting her flattened hand linger over his chest, Kagome looked up at him. "Just promise me you'll be careful?" Kagome begged gently, her hand trailing up to cup his cheek. Breathing steadily, Kagome clenched fistfuls of Inuyasha's shirt. They were going to sail back... They had the girls to save. They had themselves... A determined look flowing over her face, Kagome looked up at him directly, a down to business attitude about her. "Can I help?"
Shippo was rather confused. Sucking on the candy stick he had stolen from the kitchen earlier, Shippo hopped onto the bed and let out a yelp. "Lord Inuyasha!" Shippo shouted and pounced Inuyasha's head, clinging to him with human hands and fox like feet. "Why are there blood spots on the bed?? Are you hurt? Kagome?" Shippo asked looking from one to the other. "Hey..." Shippo murmured peering over Inuyasha's head, his little tummy marring his bangs. "Kagome, why do you have funny marks on your skin?" Shippo asked, just then realizing she had been naked under the blanket, and now wore nothing but the shirt. Girls were so weird.
Ignoring Shippo, Inuyasha nodded, swearing that he'd be careful. "Yeah, you can help: try not to get hurt." Then he realized how callous he sounded. "No, really, I mean it. I don't want to come back downstairs and find out that you've been pinned behind the bed or anything. I know it's tough, but you just have to weather it out. Okay?"
His tail flickering like that of a hyperactive squirrel, Shippo found one of the marks on his lord's neck and poked at it gently. Then he laughed. "You cut yourself shaving or something, Lord Inuyasha? It's certainly in a funny spot! I mean, if those were bite marks one would assume that you'd been mating, ya know, since that's how demons select their ma-" He was silenced when Inuyasha pulled Shippo off his head and clamped a hand over his mouth.
Kagome's soft promising smile quickly changed when she grabbed Inuyasha's wrist, pulling it off of Shippo's mouth. "Shippo," Kagome began in a sweet mothering tone. "What were you saying?" Kagome asked feeling her heart begin to race. Throwing Inuyasha a silencing look, Kagome turned back to Shippo a warm look in her eyes for the little demon. "Don't worry, Lord Inuyasha won't clamp his hand over your mouth again." Kagome promised, loosing her footing for a second as the ship tilted, causing her hair to fly over her shoulder, revealing her own bite mark.
Inuyasha winced and scratched the back of his head, wondering if he could escape. Damn it, he really didn't want her to find out!
"I was saying that biting like that, and sometimes sharing blood, is how demons choose a mate. More so, it marks them, so that other demons strictly know that they're off limits." He rubbed his nose. "Of course, I'm not old enough yet to register those kind of pheromones, but I will be soon! Right, Inuyasha?"
"Er... right," the other demon agreed, wishing he could climb into bed and never come back out.
"C-Choosing their mate?" Kagome asked staring blankly at both men. Leaning back against the rocking wall of the boat, which suddenly seemed like steadier ground, Kagome stared at Shippo. Regaining her composure, Kagome smiled softly. "Yes you will be." Kagome said catching his fallen candy before it hit the floor. Staring at her hand, Kagome wondered since where her movements were so fast. Handing it back to him, Kagome smiled brightly. "Do you have a mate picked out yet?" Kagome asked, trying to figure out just how to deal with this situation. "Hey, Shippo? What exactly is choosing a mate? In human terms." She asked kindly. Hoping that she had understood it all wrong.
"Thanks." He stuck the candy in his mouth and chewed on it a bit before he answered her. "Well, having a wife, I suppose. Some demons, like wolf ones, mate for life. They find somebody they want to raise children with, and they start a family together. Isn't that what a wife or a... what's the human term, Inuyasha? Oh yeah, a husband do?"
Kagome just stared at the little demon. Finally pulling her entranced self away from Shippo's face, Kagome stared at Inuyasha. "I'm waiting..."
"Okay, yes, it's like the human concept of marriage. No, I didn't know at the time when I first bit you. I knew at the second, but at that time it was too late, and so at least you can say that we. you know, made love after you were hitched and.."
Kouga stuck his head in the doorway, shouting Inuyasha's name. He whistled when he saw the state of the bed. "And here I was thinking that you only did it on the floor! Come on, man! We're gonna be late!"
He took Shippo from Kagome and kissed her on her cheek. "You can yell at me later. Just try not to get hurt, okay?"
"'Try not to get hurt'?" Kagome repeated as she moved over to the quiver of arrows she had stashed and pulled one out. "Try not to get hurt?" She yelled and began charging the arrow. "'And' what Inuyasha?!" Kagome yelled, not really sure what she was feeling with this new tidbit of knowledge rushing through her. "I..." Kagome stopped and took the energy back from the arrow. "You should've told me." Kagome said looking down, her bangs hiding her eyes. "Stay safe and be careful, we'll talk later." Kagome said in a dull voice, though she returned his kiss on the cheek.
Looking over at Kouga, Kagome narrowed her eyes. "You don't glare at my bare legs and I won't glare at yours. Deal?"
He nodded and held himself even taller as he walked up, practically dragging Kouga out of the room with him. Miroku was standing outside, obviously hoping to get a glimpse of Kagome's bare legs as well. This time the pride in his strut was real. He wondered if there was anybody on the ship who would doubt that he had gotten laid that night. And morning. And night. Inuyasha smiled at them, his friends, even if all he did with Kouga was fight. "Race you to the poop deck!"
* * * Kagome sat on the bed, one hand tightly clasped around the iron headboard, the other holding a fist full of the sheet. Drawing her knees up to her chest tightly, Kagome sighed and buried her face in her knees. To top of the 'wonderful' news from earlier, the tossing and turbulence of the ship was making her sea sick. Gazing out of the porthole, Kagome saw just how horrible the weather looked and couldn't help but wonder how Inuyasha and the others were doing. His friend on top trying to care for the ship, and those girls below, not knowing what was going on. Climbing off of the bed, finally dressed once more in Inuyasha's clothes Kagome picked up the same arrow she had earlier and broke it. Slowly working on the arrowhead. Raising her head, Kagome smiled softly. "Sango."
She felt herself go a bit red. "Sorry that I didn't knock." She didn't say anything about the other girl looking a little green around the mouth. Sango sighed and took a seat beside Kagome. Although she was no sailor, Sango was a fighter, and could get around fairly well, even when the ship was bucking about. "I'm sure that they're just fine. I mean, they do this type of stuff all the time, and they're demons to boot."
Kagome nodded, ignoring her statement. She wasn't sure she could think about demons right now. "I'm making a gift. For Inuyasha." Kagome said smiling as she looked down at the arrowhead. "A type of good luck charm I guess you could call it." Kagome explained, holding it up to look at. It sparkled like only a priestess arrowhead could, and it shown with the power she poured into it. "It's weird. You know?" Kagome asked clasping it in her fist. "The first time he bit me, I felt weak afterwards and my powers weren't working right. Now. It's like I have a whole new power source in me. My wrist is even healing without my purifying powers." Kagome said then looked down at her lap, her stomach churning now for another reason other then sea sickness. "Sango? What do you know about demon mating?"
"Given that I'm more of a demon killer than a demon mating advisor, very little. I know that it's possible, which is how there's Inuyasha. But that's really about it. Actually, Miroku said something about exchanging blood, and that when that happens there can be some energy transfer. You know, magic or what not, but that's all." She paused and thought a moment longer. "Yup. I am pretty sure that's everything. Why do you ask?"
Kagome stared down at the arrowhead for a while longer before bringing herself to say it. "I..." Kagome paused and studied Sango's face. It was a good face. A face of someone who wouldn't judge. Blushing Kagome looked back down and then out of the porthole again. "I guess that's it. About the energy, last time he just took, this time we shared." Kagome thought about it for a while more before continuing. "A friend of Inuyasha came in here earlier and remarked that the bite marks represent mating in the demon world. Like a marking. A wedding for us." Kagome explained, the 'us' naturally being human mortals. "And..." Kagome's blush got even deeper, she couldn't really bring herself to say it, so instead she pointed at the rolled up bed sheet in the corner. "I didn't know where I could wash it without leaving the room." She whispered faintly.
Sango smirked. "Don't worry about it. Where are you going to wash it during the storm? Besides, I mean, we're busting out of here later on, right?" She leaned back against the wall, looking thoughtful. "Hm. So, you and Inuyasha are hitched. What's the problem with that? Miroku and I, were, well, I'd kind of like to have the whole ceremony again so that I could actually remember it. Are Miroku and I allowed to be married but not Inuyasha and yourself? Or are you two just friends with perks?" she asked with a suspicious eye, her smile never leaving her face. 'I wonder if I could get Miroku to bite me. . . .'
Kagome turned her head to face Sango and just narrowed her eyes at the woman. "You really are perverted, you know that?" Kagome asked before giggling and pocketing the arrowhead. Leaning besides Sango, Kagome looked down at her hands, a slowly becoming favorite past time of hers. "Inuyasha is a demon prince and I am a Priestess." Kagome said then frowned. "Not sure how that stands anymore though." She muttered then looked very sad. "Inuyasha isn't coming with us tonight. He's returning to his home." Kagome explained, wondering why the idea of them being bonded didn't bother her as much as the knowledge that he was leaving was. Not that demon marriages had any effect on her or really mattered- The sudden sting at her bite mark made her wonder though.
Her voice stilled, becoming serious. "So's Miroku. Which means I'll be back to my old job by this time tomorrow night." She sighed. "This, oddly, was like a vacation for me, you know? Meet a nice guy at the bar, getta spend a day or two in house and get wasted and have amazing sex, and not have to lift a finger. I got to sleep on a bed too. Though since you were kidnapped, I doubt that you had the same experience." Sango paused, before she looked at Kagome. She already knew the answer to her question, she just didn't know if Kagome knew. "You're going to miss him, aren't you?"
Crossing her arms over her knees, Kagome braced her chin on them and sighed dramatically. "Mmhmm." She replied then looked skeptically at Sango. "Oh, I don't know." Kagome said thoughtfully. "It was a nice vacation too, minus the whole demons looking at me like a piece of prime rib." Kagome said then remembered the way Inuyasha looked at her, with gentle intensity and the way his eyes softened so when for the first time they... Kagome closed her eyes trying to banish the image. "If you ask Miroku, I'm sure he'd go back with you." Kagome said then sat up, her back straightened and studied Sango closely. "What is the deal with you two anyway?"
"That's debatable," she laughed. "I kill his kind. He loves me. He hits on anything with breasts, but I love him. Okay, he's never said those words but I can tell he does. I can see it in his eyes, you know?" Feeling rather silly, she wondered if she could ask Miroku to stay with her, but she knew that it would be completely and utterly selfish. "I know he would. And that's why I can't. I feel like I'd be taking advantage of him. Which is just a rather strange thought, given who the subject is. Miroku needs to make the decision for himself. He can choose friends, or he can choose me, and he'll know that no matter where I am, I'll be thinking about him and the day when he comes back to me." And then the serene moment was dashed as she grinned rather ruthlessly. "And if he doesn't come back and visit me, there's going to be hell to pay!!"
Kagome couldn't help it and laughed. Covering her mouth with her hand, she looked kindly at Sango. "I think he'll come with you. For whatever that counts." Kagome said happy for her friend. "He really cares about you. Plus, I think he's eager to have kids... You two sure sound it though..." Kagome murmured with a mock glare.
Though slightly confused, her mind dwelling on her favorite moments of the past two days -was that really how long it was? It had felt like an eternity!- she felt herself start to turn red. "See, yeah, funny thing, that. There's a certain reason why I always have a glass of sake before we have sex. I add in a bit of stuff that'll keep me from getting ah... with child." She laughed nervously, even though she knew Kagome would never tell Miroku her secret. "Although I did promise him I'd bear his kids, and if things keep going this way, I probably will, I'd like to have Miroku all to myself for awhile."
Kagome stared at Sango in shock before blushing and laughing. "Oh, poor Miroku..." Kagome commented then thought about it. "Though, I doubt he sees himself as 'poor'. I mean, he gets to share your bed." Kagome giggled. "Why don't you just tell him that? Besides, just from doing it once... Or five times you can't get pregnant. It takes a lot more time." Kagome said simply. Looking all of the sudden like a true reflection of her soul, pure, innocent and perhaps slightly naive.
She stared at the priestess as if Kagome had suggested that the moon were made of cheese. "No, it doesn't. It can happen from just. . . ." Then she caught her breath and understood. She let it out mournfully, reaching out and stroking Kagome's back soothingly, showing the maternal side that Miroku had always seen, if not herself. Sango felt like crap, dashing Kagome's dreams like this, but she figured it was better to hear it now than later on. "Kagome, honey, once is all it can take for some people."
"Oh." Kagome said and brought her knees closer to her chest. "Well." Kagome paused and thought about it. It was one thing to be a shame as a Priestess who wasn't a virgin. It was another to be a Priestess married to a Demon Prince. But to be with child? "Well." Kagome repeated not sure what to say. Inuyasha should really have said something other then how much he liked her taste and smell... "How do you know?" Kagome asked proving just how much of a sheltered life one could lead. "I've helped in births before, but I am not too clear about... Other things." Kagome admitted and wished she could bury herself under the covers for the next ten years.
"Okay," she said, slinking away and returning with the Sutra. Visual aids would be helpful. She turned to the first page. "This would be a man and a woman, having sex. Contrary to popular western beliefs, when done properly, it can be quite pleasurable for both people. But, I'm sure you already knew that. The man... ah... aw, hell. The man carries the seed inside him, and the woman carries an egg and when they have sex these two things mingle and as quick as you can say: 'Let's do it again', you're pregnant. Of course, you won't be able to find this out for a long time, until the baby, located here," she pointed, "starts to grow or gives you morning sickness. Exercise will keep you healthy until you're at your due date, but there's no sense in worrying about it now, Kagome, because nine months is a fairly long time. When are you due for your next period?"
Kagome simply stared at Sango in shock. "You've really spent time studying this..." Kagome said then poked the Sutra. "And this, haven't you?" Kagome asked then thought about it. "Soon. Um, in about... Two weeks." Kagome said then thought about it. Would it really be so bad to have a child?
YES. Everything inside of her screamed. Swallowing, Kagome looked down hearted. "He didn't tell me about the marriage. I would never had known... I don't know how to react to it at all." Kagome whispered then folded her legs and clung to the railing as a wave hit the ship. 'I hope he's okay...' Kagome thought then looked at Sango. "Since he knew what to do, I guess he knows the consequences too. Right?"
* * *
Pulling on the rope, he tied it off into a knot that anybody would be proud of. "Yeah, of course we did! Why? What's the big problem?" He heard Miroku yell something about protection, but it was carried away by the wind. Inuyasha paused long enough to tie his hair back, so that it wouldn't whip about so much. The tangles were going to be a bitch to get out. "Protection from what?"
Miroku just stared at Inuyasha. It was sometimes very hard to believe the man was, in fact, a man. To top that, a demon pirate male. The wind whipping about, Miroku docked the mast as it swung around. Grabbing the ropes, Miroku shouted something to Kouga but most of it got drowned out when a wave hit him. Pulling on the rope, Miroku loosened it. "Pregnancy!" Miroku shouted over the winds, his clothes and himself soaking wet.
A beam swung wildly and hit him in the head. It didn't hurt him so much as the thought of leaving this world with a pregnant wife behind. He hurried to help Shippo, the poor thing half drowned as he tried in vain to tie down the rope. It was the size of Shippo's arm, and hard enough dry. Inuyasha helped him, not saying anything until it was done and he had picked up the little demon and sat him on his shoulders, telling him to hold on tight, afraid he might get flung overboard. He hurried back over to Miroku, and yelled at another group of demons. "Damn it! Somebody cut that line! It's going to break under the pressure and you can't get let it go yet!"
Kouga nodded and ran for it, sharpening his claws. Inuyasha took his spot in trying to hold down the main mast. "What do you mean pregnant? We.... well, we did it a hell of a lot more than once. But what ever happened to the stork?"
This time when the wave hit, it didn't faze him. He was rooted to the spot standing there like a pole. However, when one of the ropes with the metal lock on it flew at him. Miroku ducked; there was after all a difference between shock and a death wish. Grabbing a hold of the rope, Miroku glared up at the sails. "We've got to lower them or they'll tear!" Miroku shouted then struggled with the wild octopus like ropes. Tying it down, Miroku ran to steady the mast along with Inuyasha.
The wind pounding at them, causing the fat rain drops to whip at them painfully. "The stork fucking died you moron!" Miroku shouted and spat a batch of seawater out of his mouth. "There is no stork, Inuyasha! Don't you know about pulling the dasher out before getting butter??"
He began to climb. This was no time for their conversation! Actually, it was probably the perfect time. Nobody could hear them over the wind and rain. Lightning struck where the ship had just been a moment ago. Inuyasha swore heavily. Hopefully the storm would be over soon. "Pardon me for not having your level of sexual knowledge, Miroku! God damn it, nobody tells me anything anymore! First I accidentally marry her, and then I accidentally knock her up! What's next, Miroku? You telling me she's also half demon?"
"WELL!" Miroku yelled, feeling irked that not only did Inuyasha get married before him, but had a good chance of knocking his wife up before him too, what with his luck, Inuyasha would have the first son as well. "Some would call her that! She does have powers after all!" Miroku shouted and pulled the rope holding the sail up. "Was she at least worth it?" Miroku asked remembering the nice image he got of her... Minus Inuyasha's naked butt staring at him. "Besides, going by the sounds and sights.. You weren't that bad without all the knowledge. Then again, I am sure a few points could help you out. Have you ever heard of the Sutra?" Miroku yelled with a nasty grin. A wave hit him then, sending him rolling across deck. Maybe someone was trying to tell him something about his pervertion...
Clinging to the mast, he didn't mind at all when Shippo's grip tightened. At least it meant that the little guy was still breathing. He looked down at Miroku, grinning like a maniac. Personally, he thought that they had done just fine without the Sutra. "It was like nothing I've ever felt before. Every moment of it was precious. I'd never give it up." His grin broadened slightly, though his eyes saddened. "Yeah," he said, knowing what was going on in Miroku's head. "Not even to have Kikyo back."
Storymind: Naraku? A bad guy? *blinks innocently* What an odd idea! *giggle* Well, incase you haven't noticed, everybody kind of have their faults. I would even argue that Inuyasha himself could be a bad guy. Except that Inuyasha had a redemption. Kagome. Will Sesshy have a redemption? I guess that you will just have to read and fine out!
Eartha: Try reading it at a relatively early hour, and maybe you might like it more. ^_^ but honestly, for this chapter to be readable and pleasurable at 2 am. We get a cookie.
Demon Kitty: Aw! Don't focus on all the bad things! What about all the good things? Like. Ah. More demon bunnies?
Elsbeth: food.. Mm.. you're making me hungry! I should go and eat breakfast. Well, here's another update for you. We hope you find it satisfying. ^_^ And thank you so much! (Yeah! Wes gots betters grammarseses skills!)
Imouta-chan: Ah! Somebody who doesn't want Sango to kill Sesshy! Thank you for having the courage to say so. I mean, we know there are Sesshy lovers out there, (Em's one of them) so it's nice to see that people who like the cold sadistic type are willing to ask for a happy ending for him too. You may also have a cookie.
Thank you to all the wonderful reviews! You have no idea how much they mean to us! (Especially when I just got a D+ on my last paper. I hate Barry Lyndon! Can't I just have my prof mark this instead? *Emily shakes her head and the PoF goes off sulking*) We hope you enjoy this next part! What comes after sex? The cuddling, of course! Ah, I love the cuddling. And. you know what?... cookies for all!!
* * * *
A few more hours later.
He slept with Kagome held tightly against him. He was so content, so peaceful, that he didn't notice the smell of thunder in the air, or rising tumultuousness of the sea. But he did notice it when the ship gave a sudden lurch and the ship tossed. Some of his belongings fell to the floor. But one corner of his bed had been bolted to the floor. He grabbed Kagome tighter with one arm, the other grabbing the iron headboard. Lightning lit the room, and a bell tolled in the daylight darkness. A storm was upon them.
Kagome woke with a start, a jolt shot through her and she instinctively clung to the first thing that could steady her. How ironic that it was Inuyasha who had sworn to protect her. Biting down a scream of fright, Kagome clung onto Inuyasha as though for dear life. "What's going on?" Kagome asked with enough panic underlining her voice, to remind even her that she was not a sea faring woman.
"Storm," he said, the word sounding like a vile curse. He gave her a tight kiss before he lurched from the bed and threw on some vestments, the only thing keeping him from rocking with the ship his uncanny sense of balance and his years of being on a ship. "All hands on deck. That includes me. You stay here." He paused and waited for her usual response: an argument.
Somebody pounded on the door. Still only half dressed, he opened it and Shippo tumbled into his room. The little demon looked a bit panicky, but he was all together fearless, having been through storms worse than this one. The wind and water were no problem, provided the water was deep, and the keel would keep them from capsizing, it was the lightning that was the biggest problem. "Thunderstorm, Lord Inuyasha! The smaller mast has already been sheered off at the top, but there's no fire yet."
Kagome clung to the blankets and wrapped them around herself. Reaching over to the floor for her discarded shirt, Kagome clumsily enough fell to the floor with the tilting of the boat. Groaning, Kagome got up and huddled in the corner, pressed between the wall and the night table, which thankfully enough was nailed to the floor.
Steeling her will, Kagome reminded herself she had to be strong and she reached out for her shirt again. Grabbing it this time, Kagome pointed at Shippo. "Look the other way!" Kagome demanded, though a demand her voice was soft towards the little demon. Once his back was turned, Kagome looked over at Inuyasha as she quickly dressed. "You can't go! It's dangerous!" Kagome called, biting down on her lower lip. She really, did not like being at sea during a storm.
"It's what I do!" he quickly responded, not noticing Shippo looking back and forth between them. His face softened and he stopped tying up his shirt to take her in his arms and kiss her. He gazed at her, and wished they were somewhere else. "Sometimes people have to do what they don't want to do. You know that as well as I." He realized that he was talking about more than just leaving to go up top and make sure that the ship survived. Inuyasha managed to smile at her. "Besides, I have to make sure that we don't get knocked about too hard because if we do, then how are you going to sail back?"
Kagome didn't want to listen to him, but she couldn't deny what he said. Letting her flattened hand linger over his chest, Kagome looked up at him. "Just promise me you'll be careful?" Kagome begged gently, her hand trailing up to cup his cheek. Breathing steadily, Kagome clenched fistfuls of Inuyasha's shirt. They were going to sail back... They had the girls to save. They had themselves... A determined look flowing over her face, Kagome looked up at him directly, a down to business attitude about her. "Can I help?"
Shippo was rather confused. Sucking on the candy stick he had stolen from the kitchen earlier, Shippo hopped onto the bed and let out a yelp. "Lord Inuyasha!" Shippo shouted and pounced Inuyasha's head, clinging to him with human hands and fox like feet. "Why are there blood spots on the bed?? Are you hurt? Kagome?" Shippo asked looking from one to the other. "Hey..." Shippo murmured peering over Inuyasha's head, his little tummy marring his bangs. "Kagome, why do you have funny marks on your skin?" Shippo asked, just then realizing she had been naked under the blanket, and now wore nothing but the shirt. Girls were so weird.
Ignoring Shippo, Inuyasha nodded, swearing that he'd be careful. "Yeah, you can help: try not to get hurt." Then he realized how callous he sounded. "No, really, I mean it. I don't want to come back downstairs and find out that you've been pinned behind the bed or anything. I know it's tough, but you just have to weather it out. Okay?"
His tail flickering like that of a hyperactive squirrel, Shippo found one of the marks on his lord's neck and poked at it gently. Then he laughed. "You cut yourself shaving or something, Lord Inuyasha? It's certainly in a funny spot! I mean, if those were bite marks one would assume that you'd been mating, ya know, since that's how demons select their ma-" He was silenced when Inuyasha pulled Shippo off his head and clamped a hand over his mouth.
Kagome's soft promising smile quickly changed when she grabbed Inuyasha's wrist, pulling it off of Shippo's mouth. "Shippo," Kagome began in a sweet mothering tone. "What were you saying?" Kagome asked feeling her heart begin to race. Throwing Inuyasha a silencing look, Kagome turned back to Shippo a warm look in her eyes for the little demon. "Don't worry, Lord Inuyasha won't clamp his hand over your mouth again." Kagome promised, loosing her footing for a second as the ship tilted, causing her hair to fly over her shoulder, revealing her own bite mark.
Inuyasha winced and scratched the back of his head, wondering if he could escape. Damn it, he really didn't want her to find out!
"I was saying that biting like that, and sometimes sharing blood, is how demons choose a mate. More so, it marks them, so that other demons strictly know that they're off limits." He rubbed his nose. "Of course, I'm not old enough yet to register those kind of pheromones, but I will be soon! Right, Inuyasha?"
"Er... right," the other demon agreed, wishing he could climb into bed and never come back out.
"C-Choosing their mate?" Kagome asked staring blankly at both men. Leaning back against the rocking wall of the boat, which suddenly seemed like steadier ground, Kagome stared at Shippo. Regaining her composure, Kagome smiled softly. "Yes you will be." Kagome said catching his fallen candy before it hit the floor. Staring at her hand, Kagome wondered since where her movements were so fast. Handing it back to him, Kagome smiled brightly. "Do you have a mate picked out yet?" Kagome asked, trying to figure out just how to deal with this situation. "Hey, Shippo? What exactly is choosing a mate? In human terms." She asked kindly. Hoping that she had understood it all wrong.
"Thanks." He stuck the candy in his mouth and chewed on it a bit before he answered her. "Well, having a wife, I suppose. Some demons, like wolf ones, mate for life. They find somebody they want to raise children with, and they start a family together. Isn't that what a wife or a... what's the human term, Inuyasha? Oh yeah, a husband do?"
Kagome just stared at the little demon. Finally pulling her entranced self away from Shippo's face, Kagome stared at Inuyasha. "I'm waiting..."
"Okay, yes, it's like the human concept of marriage. No, I didn't know at the time when I first bit you. I knew at the second, but at that time it was too late, and so at least you can say that we. you know, made love after you were hitched and.."
Kouga stuck his head in the doorway, shouting Inuyasha's name. He whistled when he saw the state of the bed. "And here I was thinking that you only did it on the floor! Come on, man! We're gonna be late!"
He took Shippo from Kagome and kissed her on her cheek. "You can yell at me later. Just try not to get hurt, okay?"
"'Try not to get hurt'?" Kagome repeated as she moved over to the quiver of arrows she had stashed and pulled one out. "Try not to get hurt?" She yelled and began charging the arrow. "'And' what Inuyasha?!" Kagome yelled, not really sure what she was feeling with this new tidbit of knowledge rushing through her. "I..." Kagome stopped and took the energy back from the arrow. "You should've told me." Kagome said looking down, her bangs hiding her eyes. "Stay safe and be careful, we'll talk later." Kagome said in a dull voice, though she returned his kiss on the cheek.
Looking over at Kouga, Kagome narrowed her eyes. "You don't glare at my bare legs and I won't glare at yours. Deal?"
He nodded and held himself even taller as he walked up, practically dragging Kouga out of the room with him. Miroku was standing outside, obviously hoping to get a glimpse of Kagome's bare legs as well. This time the pride in his strut was real. He wondered if there was anybody on the ship who would doubt that he had gotten laid that night. And morning. And night. Inuyasha smiled at them, his friends, even if all he did with Kouga was fight. "Race you to the poop deck!"
* * * Kagome sat on the bed, one hand tightly clasped around the iron headboard, the other holding a fist full of the sheet. Drawing her knees up to her chest tightly, Kagome sighed and buried her face in her knees. To top of the 'wonderful' news from earlier, the tossing and turbulence of the ship was making her sea sick. Gazing out of the porthole, Kagome saw just how horrible the weather looked and couldn't help but wonder how Inuyasha and the others were doing. His friend on top trying to care for the ship, and those girls below, not knowing what was going on. Climbing off of the bed, finally dressed once more in Inuyasha's clothes Kagome picked up the same arrow she had earlier and broke it. Slowly working on the arrowhead. Raising her head, Kagome smiled softly. "Sango."
She felt herself go a bit red. "Sorry that I didn't knock." She didn't say anything about the other girl looking a little green around the mouth. Sango sighed and took a seat beside Kagome. Although she was no sailor, Sango was a fighter, and could get around fairly well, even when the ship was bucking about. "I'm sure that they're just fine. I mean, they do this type of stuff all the time, and they're demons to boot."
Kagome nodded, ignoring her statement. She wasn't sure she could think about demons right now. "I'm making a gift. For Inuyasha." Kagome said smiling as she looked down at the arrowhead. "A type of good luck charm I guess you could call it." Kagome explained, holding it up to look at. It sparkled like only a priestess arrowhead could, and it shown with the power she poured into it. "It's weird. You know?" Kagome asked clasping it in her fist. "The first time he bit me, I felt weak afterwards and my powers weren't working right. Now. It's like I have a whole new power source in me. My wrist is even healing without my purifying powers." Kagome said then looked down at her lap, her stomach churning now for another reason other then sea sickness. "Sango? What do you know about demon mating?"
"Given that I'm more of a demon killer than a demon mating advisor, very little. I know that it's possible, which is how there's Inuyasha. But that's really about it. Actually, Miroku said something about exchanging blood, and that when that happens there can be some energy transfer. You know, magic or what not, but that's all." She paused and thought a moment longer. "Yup. I am pretty sure that's everything. Why do you ask?"
Kagome stared down at the arrowhead for a while longer before bringing herself to say it. "I..." Kagome paused and studied Sango's face. It was a good face. A face of someone who wouldn't judge. Blushing Kagome looked back down and then out of the porthole again. "I guess that's it. About the energy, last time he just took, this time we shared." Kagome thought about it for a while more before continuing. "A friend of Inuyasha came in here earlier and remarked that the bite marks represent mating in the demon world. Like a marking. A wedding for us." Kagome explained, the 'us' naturally being human mortals. "And..." Kagome's blush got even deeper, she couldn't really bring herself to say it, so instead she pointed at the rolled up bed sheet in the corner. "I didn't know where I could wash it without leaving the room." She whispered faintly.
Sango smirked. "Don't worry about it. Where are you going to wash it during the storm? Besides, I mean, we're busting out of here later on, right?" She leaned back against the wall, looking thoughtful. "Hm. So, you and Inuyasha are hitched. What's the problem with that? Miroku and I, were, well, I'd kind of like to have the whole ceremony again so that I could actually remember it. Are Miroku and I allowed to be married but not Inuyasha and yourself? Or are you two just friends with perks?" she asked with a suspicious eye, her smile never leaving her face. 'I wonder if I could get Miroku to bite me. . . .'
Kagome turned her head to face Sango and just narrowed her eyes at the woman. "You really are perverted, you know that?" Kagome asked before giggling and pocketing the arrowhead. Leaning besides Sango, Kagome looked down at her hands, a slowly becoming favorite past time of hers. "Inuyasha is a demon prince and I am a Priestess." Kagome said then frowned. "Not sure how that stands anymore though." She muttered then looked very sad. "Inuyasha isn't coming with us tonight. He's returning to his home." Kagome explained, wondering why the idea of them being bonded didn't bother her as much as the knowledge that he was leaving was. Not that demon marriages had any effect on her or really mattered- The sudden sting at her bite mark made her wonder though.
Her voice stilled, becoming serious. "So's Miroku. Which means I'll be back to my old job by this time tomorrow night." She sighed. "This, oddly, was like a vacation for me, you know? Meet a nice guy at the bar, getta spend a day or two in house and get wasted and have amazing sex, and not have to lift a finger. I got to sleep on a bed too. Though since you were kidnapped, I doubt that you had the same experience." Sango paused, before she looked at Kagome. She already knew the answer to her question, she just didn't know if Kagome knew. "You're going to miss him, aren't you?"
Crossing her arms over her knees, Kagome braced her chin on them and sighed dramatically. "Mmhmm." She replied then looked skeptically at Sango. "Oh, I don't know." Kagome said thoughtfully. "It was a nice vacation too, minus the whole demons looking at me like a piece of prime rib." Kagome said then remembered the way Inuyasha looked at her, with gentle intensity and the way his eyes softened so when for the first time they... Kagome closed her eyes trying to banish the image. "If you ask Miroku, I'm sure he'd go back with you." Kagome said then sat up, her back straightened and studied Sango closely. "What is the deal with you two anyway?"
"That's debatable," she laughed. "I kill his kind. He loves me. He hits on anything with breasts, but I love him. Okay, he's never said those words but I can tell he does. I can see it in his eyes, you know?" Feeling rather silly, she wondered if she could ask Miroku to stay with her, but she knew that it would be completely and utterly selfish. "I know he would. And that's why I can't. I feel like I'd be taking advantage of him. Which is just a rather strange thought, given who the subject is. Miroku needs to make the decision for himself. He can choose friends, or he can choose me, and he'll know that no matter where I am, I'll be thinking about him and the day when he comes back to me." And then the serene moment was dashed as she grinned rather ruthlessly. "And if he doesn't come back and visit me, there's going to be hell to pay!!"
Kagome couldn't help it and laughed. Covering her mouth with her hand, she looked kindly at Sango. "I think he'll come with you. For whatever that counts." Kagome said happy for her friend. "He really cares about you. Plus, I think he's eager to have kids... You two sure sound it though..." Kagome murmured with a mock glare.
Though slightly confused, her mind dwelling on her favorite moments of the past two days -was that really how long it was? It had felt like an eternity!- she felt herself start to turn red. "See, yeah, funny thing, that. There's a certain reason why I always have a glass of sake before we have sex. I add in a bit of stuff that'll keep me from getting ah... with child." She laughed nervously, even though she knew Kagome would never tell Miroku her secret. "Although I did promise him I'd bear his kids, and if things keep going this way, I probably will, I'd like to have Miroku all to myself for awhile."
Kagome stared at Sango in shock before blushing and laughing. "Oh, poor Miroku..." Kagome commented then thought about it. "Though, I doubt he sees himself as 'poor'. I mean, he gets to share your bed." Kagome giggled. "Why don't you just tell him that? Besides, just from doing it once... Or five times you can't get pregnant. It takes a lot more time." Kagome said simply. Looking all of the sudden like a true reflection of her soul, pure, innocent and perhaps slightly naive.
She stared at the priestess as if Kagome had suggested that the moon were made of cheese. "No, it doesn't. It can happen from just. . . ." Then she caught her breath and understood. She let it out mournfully, reaching out and stroking Kagome's back soothingly, showing the maternal side that Miroku had always seen, if not herself. Sango felt like crap, dashing Kagome's dreams like this, but she figured it was better to hear it now than later on. "Kagome, honey, once is all it can take for some people."
"Oh." Kagome said and brought her knees closer to her chest. "Well." Kagome paused and thought about it. It was one thing to be a shame as a Priestess who wasn't a virgin. It was another to be a Priestess married to a Demon Prince. But to be with child? "Well." Kagome repeated not sure what to say. Inuyasha should really have said something other then how much he liked her taste and smell... "How do you know?" Kagome asked proving just how much of a sheltered life one could lead. "I've helped in births before, but I am not too clear about... Other things." Kagome admitted and wished she could bury herself under the covers for the next ten years.
"Okay," she said, slinking away and returning with the Sutra. Visual aids would be helpful. She turned to the first page. "This would be a man and a woman, having sex. Contrary to popular western beliefs, when done properly, it can be quite pleasurable for both people. But, I'm sure you already knew that. The man... ah... aw, hell. The man carries the seed inside him, and the woman carries an egg and when they have sex these two things mingle and as quick as you can say: 'Let's do it again', you're pregnant. Of course, you won't be able to find this out for a long time, until the baby, located here," she pointed, "starts to grow or gives you morning sickness. Exercise will keep you healthy until you're at your due date, but there's no sense in worrying about it now, Kagome, because nine months is a fairly long time. When are you due for your next period?"
Kagome simply stared at Sango in shock. "You've really spent time studying this..." Kagome said then poked the Sutra. "And this, haven't you?" Kagome asked then thought about it. "Soon. Um, in about... Two weeks." Kagome said then thought about it. Would it really be so bad to have a child?
YES. Everything inside of her screamed. Swallowing, Kagome looked down hearted. "He didn't tell me about the marriage. I would never had known... I don't know how to react to it at all." Kagome whispered then folded her legs and clung to the railing as a wave hit the ship. 'I hope he's okay...' Kagome thought then looked at Sango. "Since he knew what to do, I guess he knows the consequences too. Right?"
* * *
Pulling on the rope, he tied it off into a knot that anybody would be proud of. "Yeah, of course we did! Why? What's the big problem?" He heard Miroku yell something about protection, but it was carried away by the wind. Inuyasha paused long enough to tie his hair back, so that it wouldn't whip about so much. The tangles were going to be a bitch to get out. "Protection from what?"
Miroku just stared at Inuyasha. It was sometimes very hard to believe the man was, in fact, a man. To top that, a demon pirate male. The wind whipping about, Miroku docked the mast as it swung around. Grabbing the ropes, Miroku shouted something to Kouga but most of it got drowned out when a wave hit him. Pulling on the rope, Miroku loosened it. "Pregnancy!" Miroku shouted over the winds, his clothes and himself soaking wet.
A beam swung wildly and hit him in the head. It didn't hurt him so much as the thought of leaving this world with a pregnant wife behind. He hurried to help Shippo, the poor thing half drowned as he tried in vain to tie down the rope. It was the size of Shippo's arm, and hard enough dry. Inuyasha helped him, not saying anything until it was done and he had picked up the little demon and sat him on his shoulders, telling him to hold on tight, afraid he might get flung overboard. He hurried back over to Miroku, and yelled at another group of demons. "Damn it! Somebody cut that line! It's going to break under the pressure and you can't get let it go yet!"
Kouga nodded and ran for it, sharpening his claws. Inuyasha took his spot in trying to hold down the main mast. "What do you mean pregnant? We.... well, we did it a hell of a lot more than once. But what ever happened to the stork?"
This time when the wave hit, it didn't faze him. He was rooted to the spot standing there like a pole. However, when one of the ropes with the metal lock on it flew at him. Miroku ducked; there was after all a difference between shock and a death wish. Grabbing a hold of the rope, Miroku glared up at the sails. "We've got to lower them or they'll tear!" Miroku shouted then struggled with the wild octopus like ropes. Tying it down, Miroku ran to steady the mast along with Inuyasha.
The wind pounding at them, causing the fat rain drops to whip at them painfully. "The stork fucking died you moron!" Miroku shouted and spat a batch of seawater out of his mouth. "There is no stork, Inuyasha! Don't you know about pulling the dasher out before getting butter??"
He began to climb. This was no time for their conversation! Actually, it was probably the perfect time. Nobody could hear them over the wind and rain. Lightning struck where the ship had just been a moment ago. Inuyasha swore heavily. Hopefully the storm would be over soon. "Pardon me for not having your level of sexual knowledge, Miroku! God damn it, nobody tells me anything anymore! First I accidentally marry her, and then I accidentally knock her up! What's next, Miroku? You telling me she's also half demon?"
"WELL!" Miroku yelled, feeling irked that not only did Inuyasha get married before him, but had a good chance of knocking his wife up before him too, what with his luck, Inuyasha would have the first son as well. "Some would call her that! She does have powers after all!" Miroku shouted and pulled the rope holding the sail up. "Was she at least worth it?" Miroku asked remembering the nice image he got of her... Minus Inuyasha's naked butt staring at him. "Besides, going by the sounds and sights.. You weren't that bad without all the knowledge. Then again, I am sure a few points could help you out. Have you ever heard of the Sutra?" Miroku yelled with a nasty grin. A wave hit him then, sending him rolling across deck. Maybe someone was trying to tell him something about his pervertion...
Clinging to the mast, he didn't mind at all when Shippo's grip tightened. At least it meant that the little guy was still breathing. He looked down at Miroku, grinning like a maniac. Personally, he thought that they had done just fine without the Sutra. "It was like nothing I've ever felt before. Every moment of it was precious. I'd never give it up." His grin broadened slightly, though his eyes saddened. "Yeah," he said, knowing what was going on in Miroku's head. "Not even to have Kikyo back."