Ai ga subete – Our era starts from here

Hello everybody! Thank you for your wonderful reviews. Wow! My first reviews… I never thought I'd get any. And I never thought that they'd make me feel soooo happy.
(o)/ raising hands and saying 'WOW'

I hope I won't disappoint you with my next chapter. If there's anything you don't understand just ask me.

Well, just let's go on with the story!

Mysterium

Ai ga subete – Our era starts from here

Chapter 2: Nocturnal Visit

Mrs. Higurashi stood in the kitchen cleaning dishes. She cast her eyes over the clock then looked out of the kitchen window. She wondered what her daughter was doing at the moment. Actually she was supposed to return tonight at the latest. After all she had to get her things packed for the trip. And it was almost completely dark outside. Kagome's mother sighed turning her eyes back to the sink. I hope Inuyasha isn't causing her too much trouble! After all she had heard from her daughter he could be really stubborn when it came to his knowledge that Kagome wanted to go back to present Tokyo. He wouldn't even let her go for three days! Mrs. Higurashi sighed again. She began to wonder if it was right to let Kagome stay with him all the time. Of course she didn't mind about him being a half demon. As long as Kagome was happy… And she could tell that her daughter was happy most of the time she was able to spend with him. Even if Kagome did never admit anything along these lines, being her mother Mrs. Higurashi could sense that she had feelings for the hanyou – strong feelings. Actually she had nothing against Inuyasha but was quite fond of him. Still she feared for her only daughter. In the meantime she got used to Kagome being in danger, but which mother wouldn't worry about her daughter? In addition it was getting harder to explain why she was unable to go to school. At least Mrs. Higurashi's father was willing to fabricate new excuses for his granddaughter. But even that wouldn't free Kagome from tests. And every missing day would make finishing school even harder. Just when she thought about how lucky her daughter was, having such a helpful brother who was always making sure she got her classmates' notes, she heard somebody calling from outside.

'Mum! Grandpa! Sota! I'm back!'

Recognizing her daughter's voice, she quickly let the dinner plate she was just about to clean slide back into the sink, then headed for the front door.

'Hnnnnng' Inuyasha clenched his teeth still trying to get up. He hadn't yet recovered from Kagome's 'SIT'-attack although it was now completely dark in the forest.
Finally he managed to stand up, but there was a sudden 'crack' and he collapsed against the nearest tree one second later. He winced in pain and rubbed his sore back.

'That wench!', he growled. She is always worrying if I get injured by one of our enemies, even if it's just a scratch. But she doesn't mind if she nearly breaks my spine with her damn 'sit'-spell! Of course he knew that most of those 'scratches' would have killed every mortal, but since he tried to make Kagome looking even more guilty to himself he accidentally forgot about this fact. Inuyasha slid down the tree trunk leaning his back against it for support.
'How she will pay for this!', he hissed shifting slightly. Yeah, he was really going to make her pay this time! But how? Even now, when he was really upset with her, he couldn't think about hurting her physically. He never could! Just as he couldn't hurt her in any other way. But how was he going to make her suffer for what she had done to him without hurting her? Frankly speaking he didn't have any clue how to take revenge on her. He couldn't even stand to see her cry!
He had been mad at Kagome every now and again since they first met, but he had never done anything else than withdraw to his corner to sulk and whether waiting for Kagome to apologize or something else to happen.
But this time it was different. This time he had bet with her and she had used the 'sit' on purpose! At least that's what he talked himself into believing. (once again…)

She had sat him on purpose, she even accepted to lose their bet for that!
Wait a minute…She lost our bet, didn't she? So she has to grant me a wish! Suddenly he had an evil grin on his lips. That's my chance to take revenge!
He jumped up into the air, heading for the bone eaters well. This time he wouldn't wait for her to return but go after her instead.

'OUCH!'
There was a sudden 'THUD' again. But this time it wasn't caused by Kagome's spell. Well, not really. It was rather caused by an effusive hanyou who totally forgot about his not yet recovered sore back and fell down from about forty feet above, hitting several branches on his way back to the ground.
But of course it was ('She will definitely pay for this!') Kagome's fault again.

Sango shifted under her covers. She didn't know how many hours had passed since she'd gone to sleep, but she had woken up almost half an hour ago and didn't feel tired anymore.
She sat carefully up trying not to wake Shippou who was sleeping next to her instead of Kagome, or Kirara who was curled up on her chest. She placed the small demon cat on her lap and started stroking her, causing her to purr. When her eyes finally got used to the darkness inside the hut she looked around, suddenly recognizing that somebody was missing. Well, somebody else than Kagome who had gone back to her time for one week or Inuyasha who hadn't returned yet. No, the one who was missing was Miroku, the lecherous monk.
Sango sighed. She intended to put Kirara to the ground, but when she heard a small 'meow' she knew that her mononoke was already awake, probably sensing her master's strain.
The young demon huntress got to her feet and slowly walked out of the hut.
Soon she was able to make out Miroku who was sitting on a rock near the hut, looking into the distance.
'Houshi-sama?' Sango said while slowly approaching.

'Sango?' Miroku turned round to face her. 'What are you doing out here?'

'I could ask you the same question.', she replied, sitting down next to him.

'I'm just not tired.', replied the monk. But even without being able to see his eyes Sango could tell that he wasn't exactly telling the truth. She could feel that he was thoughtful.

'So, what are you worrying about?', she asked surprising him slightly.

'I was wondering what Naraku could be up to. He didn't show up recently.' He sighed.
'Besides I was thinking of Inuyasha. Even if Kagome sat him a hundred times, he should be back now.'
'Yeah. But maybe he is just sulking again.'
Miroku sighed again. 'Maybe. But still… It'll be new moon tomorrow night. I have the uneasy feeling that something bad is going to happen.'
'Naraku doesn't know about Inuyasha's time of month, does he? I think Kagura never told him. He would have attacked a long time ago if she had. And she can't tell him anymore.
(A/N: Kagura dies in Vol. 38!)
There's nobody else who could tell him. Well…maybe Koga. But he wouldn't. He knows that it would be too dangerous for Kagome.'
'You're right', Miroku said putting his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
'But still we have to be careful.'

'Hou...houshi-sama?', Sango asked blushing furiously.
'Why don't you call me Miroku?' He smiled innocently causing Sango to blush even more. 'After all you'll be my wife once Naraku is defeated.'
Sango nodded, unable to say a word. She only wanted to stay like this forever.
When felt the monk shifting she stiffened expecting him to ruin the moment and try to do something perverse again. But he just looked down at her.
'I think we should go back', he said. 'Kirara is already giving us suspicious looks.'

Inuyasha leapt out of the dry well. He knew that he was in Kagome's time now.
He could tell from the sound of 'kaa's (A/N: Inuyasha obviously doesn't know how to spell 'car' ;-) and the smell of the polluted air that nobody else would have recognized that he wasn't in Sengoku Jidai anymore. And he could tell from the fact that he was now in a shrine that had been erected round the bone eaters well. When she stepped out of the small shrine he started sniffing the air for Kagome's scent. He found it and knew that she had gone back to her house directly.
Inuyasha noticed that there was still light in some of the rooms. Kagome's wasn't one of them.
But he didn't even think about ringing the doorbell or knocking at the door. He just leapt into the air, softly landing on the roof one jump later.
He opened the window which was left ajar and carefully slipped into Kagome's room.

'Inuyasha…' He started slightly when he heard Kagome whisper his name.
'Err…Kagome?' he replied, looking around to find out where her voice had been coming from. He finally noticed the bundle lying on her bed when he heard a calm sigh.
'Kagome?' he asked again slowly approaching her.
He kneeled down before her bed to be at the same level with her.
'Kagome…', he whispered again. His voice was now freed from the anger he had felt until seconds ago.
'Kagome? Are you sleeping?', he asked softly. He knew that there was no sense in this question. He did already know that she was, because he could hear her calm breathing and her heart beating slowly.
So she is dreaming of me? He lifted his right hand to her face and carefully started stroking her cheek. She sure is beautiful. he told himself while looking at her. He stopped stroking her to brush some bangs out of her face. He stared at her, trying to take in every detail. Kagome's long, perfectly curled lashes, her soft, vulnerable skin, her beautiful, slightly parted lips…
She looks so much like Kikyou and yet… so different. Her lips…
Before he knew what he was doing he tilted his head, slowly closing the gap between his lips and hers, his eyes half closed. He could feel her calm breath against his skin, sending shivers down his spine. When they were only a few millimetres apart he heard Kagome mumbling again 'Inu…'
Inuyasha snapped out of it immediately backing away from her.
'Wha…what?' he asked, slowly regaining breath.
'Sit!' Kagome whispered calmly then rolled over to her other side.
Another 'thud' echoed through the night.

'That bitch!' Inuyasha growled now totally aware of the reason for his visit again.
When the spell finally decreased he got back up to his feet. Staring daggers at Kagome who was still fast asleep, he racked his brains over a possibility to make her pay.
What is that girl dreaming about!?, he wondered. She's got a nerve! Even sitting me while she's asleep and not even waking up! Then another evil little thought popped into his mind. She is really fast asleep, isn't she? he told himself, smirking evilly. He stepped closer to her bed and pulled her covers back. Kagome was still wearing that 'skool yunifom' like she did most of the time.
Inuyasha bent down and picked her up bridal style with a smug grin.
Oh she'll be furious when she wakes up back in my time! he thought.
He stood still for one moment, inhaling the sweet scent of the girl in his arms.
Noticing someone approaching, he quickly turned round, ready to fight everybody who would try to stop him. Well… nearly everybody…

'Oh, Inuyasha. What are you doing here?' asked a slightly surprised Mrs. Higurashi as she entered her daughter's room, carrying a stack of clothes. Wanting her daughter to be able to sleep all night through, she hadn't switched the lamp on. But she could still see enough from the light that was shining through the door.
Inuyasha blushed a deep shade of read when he realized that Kagome's mother had just noticed the way her daughter was snuggling up to his chest in her sleep.
'I...err…I j-just … w-wa-wanted…'
Mrs. Higurashi giggled at his embarrassment.
'Put her back on her bed!' she ordered softly. Inuyasha hesitated one second and held Kagome even tighter.
But with a warning 'Inuyasha!' from her mother he finally laid Kagome back down on her bed and tucked her in like she was small child. When he turned around he saw Mrs. Higurashi put the clothes in a huge back that stood on Kagome's…what do you call it…err, 'desk'?
When she was finished she turned to face him with a friendly smile.
'So, why did you want to take my daughter back this time?' she asked him heading for the door. She kept it open and Inuyasha knew that she wanted him to follow her.
'Let's go down!' she asked the hanyou after she' closed the door to Kagome's room. Inuyasha hadn't answered yet.
On their way to the living-room he once again noticed some strange objects he had never seen back in his time. There were strange lights, something called a 'fone', shoes that looked really uncomfortable, and finally that strange box called 'tee wee'.
Inuyasha tried to change the subject of his inner struggle which was all about Kagome and started to wonder about these modern inventions. But it didn't really help. His face was still as red as his kimono.
Mrs. Higurashi giggled again before she asked her request a second time, waving her hand in front of the hanyou's face.
'Hey! Earth to Inuyasha!'
'Eh… what is it?' asked a startled half demon. Too much diversion!

'I asked you to sit down at the kotatsu.' Kagome's mother repeated.
'Oh…thank you.'
(A/N: A 'kotatsu' is that Japanese kind of table, you know. Just like the one in Volume 1.)
'So, do you want a cup of tea?'
'N-no, thanks' Inuyasha replied, still quite embarrassed. Who wouldn't be if he had to have a talk with the mother of the girl he l… lets say liked and spent the most time of his days with?

(A/N: Maybe you wondered about Inuyasha being that polite. But remember: his father was the ruler of the western lands and his mother was kind of princess. I think he can behalf if he wants to. At least he should have learned how to behalf. He is acting quite different to his present self in all the flashbacks of his childhood, too.)

Mrs. Higurashi sighed. 'You can tell me why you wanted to take Kagome with you then.' She said firmly but still soft.
Inuyasha gulped. 'I just wanted her to stay with us' he finally got out.
Kagome's mother raised an eyebrow 'Is that everything?'
The hanyou gulped again. 'Well, we had a little fight and…'
He didn't know if he should be happy or worried when Mrs. Higurashi cut him of.

'Oh, I understand.' She said, still smiling. 'But I want you to listen to me now.'
Inuyasha gulped again and one more time. He drooped his ears. That didn't sound good!

'I comprehend that you want Kagome to be with you and your friends, but I can't tolerate that you take her back with you by force. I don't want my daughter to be sad, so please don't make her sad.' she sad with a serious expression.
Inuyasha's ears drooped even more, making him look like a puppy that was being scolded.

'I know that she likes being with you, but she just needs a break. Being in danger all the time is not really relaxing, is it? And besides she really didn't see her friends for a long time. That's why I want her to go on this trip.'
Inuyasha just nodded, looking to the ground. But the 'I know that she likes being with you' part made him feel a lot better.

'But why didn't she tell me earlier?' he finally dared to ask.

Mrs. Higurashi blinked a second before she realized what he was getting at.
'Oh that!' she said giggling.
Inuyasha was surprised of her reaction. He was curious what that was supposed to mean.

'Well, she just found out about it tonight. I put a note into her bag the last time she came for a quick visit. But she told me that she accidentally forgot her backpack at that miko's hut. I think her name was Kaede, wasn't it? And since you just returned today, she didn't find the note earlier. And since the trip is starting tomorrow, she had to return tonight, getting her things packed and everything.'
So she didn't try to just sneak away and leave me in the dark, huh? She was just in a hurry… the hanyou told himself.

'Where will she go?' Inuyasha asked finally. His ears weren't drooping anymore.

'Curiosity killed the cat.' replied Mrs. Higurashi.
'But I just want to know…' Inuyasha said with big ember puppy eyes.

Kagome's mother sighed. 'OK, I'll tell you. Her class and the other classes of her age are staying in a hotel in the mountains. It's near some onsens (A/N: 'Onsen' means hot spring.)'

Inuyasha nodded. 'She really likes hot springs, doesn't she?'
'Yes, she does. Well, in any case the boys and girls are going to do a bit of sightseeing, visiting a shrine in the mountains and things like that.' She finished when she suddenly realized that Inuyasha had an odd look on his face.
'I something wrong with you?' she asked worriedly.
'Di-did you just say 'boys'?' he asked.

I know it's mean to stop now, but I didn't have so much time to work on my fic today and I still have to do some other things. Tomorrow school is starting again and I still have to do all of my homework! Well, anyways please review and tell me what you think about my story.
I'll try to update again as soon as possible, but with school and all my other activities starting again (and lots of tests) it might take me sometime to write the next chapter.
I'm really sorry about that.

Special #1: What does 'Ai ga subete – Our era starts from here' mean?

Well, maybe you already wondered what the title of the story is supposed to mean.
Some of you might know the phrase 'Ai ga subete'. It's from the original Japanese version of the second Inuyasha opening, 'I am'. 'sa bokura no jidai wa koko kara hajimaru' is the second part of the same line and freely translated it means 'Our era starts from here'. I think this translation isn't equivalent to the English version of 'I am'.
BtW: 'Ai ga subete' means 'love is everything'.
I just thought this title would be nice for a Inu/Kago fic.
If you want to you can add your opinion to your review.