Chapter Five: The Road Less Traveled

After slurping down four cups of Ramen, Inuyasha proved to be adept with a broom and vacuum cleaner. Forty five minutes later the kitchen was nearly back to it's original condition except for the cupboard doors that hung crooked where the boy had swung from them. Kagome wasn't sure how she would explain this to Hojo.

Oh shit Hojo! She sat on the kitchen counter and squinted at the blinking answering machine. Kagome took a deep breath and pressed the message button. Inuyasha looked up as Hojo's voice filled the kitchen.

"Kagome, the meeting is going great! I'm staying an extra day because they want to buy our product. So it's two birds with one stone. This means a year end bonus for sure! Kiss the girls for me and I'll see you Sunday afternoon. Love you! Click."

Inuyasha cocked his head. "That's him isn't it? You married the boy who gave you all that… stuff."

"Yeah I did..." Why the hell is Hojo staying so long? He must think I'm completely dense! The word divorce began to dance across her thoughts. But it was too soon for that. Maybe she was overreacting.

Inuyasha watched her expression, reading her thoughts as they crossed her face. "Why aren't you happy Kagome?" That's all I've ever wanted for you. You could never have happiness with me, no matter what you thought.

She pulled up her chin and held his gaze. "I am happy. I'm just tired. That's all." Moving back was harder than I'd thought it would be.

Inuyasha rose from the kitchen chair and stood before her with his hands on the counter on either side of her hips. He leaned forward and matched his nose to hers. Kagome was instantly reminded the boy whom she loved was now man. The back of her head made contact with the cupboard door behind her when she tried to pull away.

His voice was low and gruff. "Feh. Ya can't fool me. I know you too well. You ain't happy."

The accusation hurt. Who the hell is he to judge my happiness? She spat back, "Well neither are you." Tit for tat. "Besides, you told me to go to him…remember!"

His eyes were half lidded and heavy with intention as he leaned in closer. "Yeah I guess I did." Maybe it's not too late…

The moment Kagome had half fantasized about was coming to fruition and all she could do was squirm uncomfortably. "Inuyasha…" she said in a warning tone. He brushed the tip of her nose with his than pulled away.

"You care about that boy then?" It was more of a demand than a question.

"I do care for that man and we are married." Kagome felt ridiculous as she wiggled the fingers of her left hand, displaying her wedding rings.

Inuyasha surprised her by shrugging. "Ya ain't happy and I knew you first."

Kagome felt a bit like a prized bone to be fought over. Was this the same man? The one who almost willing gave his life to a woman because of a promise? "I made a vow to him. I can't take it back."

Inuyasha's tone was indignant, "He made one to you, he promised to keep you happy." He was good at rescuing Kagome, why was she pulling away now? Wasn't this just another rescue?

Kagome shook her head. "I don't recall the word happiness entering into our wedding vows. But there was something in there about till death do us part."

Inuyasha gave a fast grin. "I could help him get there faster." But she could tell he was kidding.

Kagome punched his shoulder lightly and he ducked his head. She took advantage of his embarrassment to run her fingers across the soft fur of his ears. It was sheer bliss. He backed away and when she saw the red flush in his face she remembered how sensitive his ears were. She hadn't meant to encourage him; a change of subject was called for.

She was careful to keep her tone light, "Are you sure Taro went back to the well?"

He sighed and looked pained. "If he were still here I'd be able to smell him, sides he knows he's in trouble. He's probably hiding."

"You aren't afraid to leave him unattended?" He's rotten but still just a kid.

Inuyasha crossed his arms and confessed, "Nah, but I fear for everyone else in his path. He usually isn't left alone for long and he'll stay close by the village."

"What about yokai?" Kagome wondered if Sesshomaru was a threat to Taro. More likely it's the other way around.

"They are getting rarer and rarer…the biggest danger to him right now is the samurai solders and he knows to stay clear of them."

Kagome picked up the discarded noodle cups and threw them into the garbage can. "Samurai huh? My biggest worry last year was whether or not to take the girls to that chicken pox party. If they get it later on they might end up in the hospital."

Inuyasha laughed, "A pox from a bird, ya gotta be kidding me."

Kagome explained, "It's just a childhood illness, I don't know why it's called chicken pox, maybe because it makes you scratch…like a chicken in the yard. Remember, Sota had it that time you came back with me and mom kicked you out. We didn't know what would happen to you if you caught it."

A smile of amusement hovered on Inuyasha's lips. "I've heard of the small and large pox, but chicken." He shook his head. "Hey, how is your mom these days? Is she still here?"

A cold spot crossed over Kagome's heart. Ayumi was the closest thing Inuyasha had to a second mom. She glanced away. "We lost her...five years ago…cancer."

Inuyasha reached out and pulled her into his arms for the second time that day. Had she still been fifteen and her mom still here it would have been a red letter day. "Oh Kagome."

She pressed her face against the coarse weave of the fire rat hair robe and closed her eyes. If only her problems were this easily solved.

Kagome took a deep breath and drew herself away from his embrace. She pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. "It's okay I guess. It's been a while."

She looked up and saw the depths of concern in his eyes. Inuyasha are you thinking back on your own mother? "But now I'm a mom, I don't have a lot of time to dwell on it."

He raised his hand to her chin tilting her face up towards him. "You've always been so strong…" he gave a smug grin, "for a human."

Kagome laughed and the sound rang of the walls of the small kitchen. She wiped a tear from her eye. "Thanks Inuyasha, I needed that." She leaned back against the counter and felt her thoughts clearing. "What did you do with the Shikon no Tama?"

He answered quickly, "Burned it with Kikyo, but didn't matter much. It was already purified."

Kagome was surprised. It was purified but he was still a half demon and Kikyo was still…well dead. "How did you purify it?"

"We took a vote. It seemed fair because everyone fought so hard for the stupid thing. In the end we used to restore Kohaku."

Kagome's eyes misted over. "That was so perfect. Sango, she lost so much… How is he?"

Inuyasha shook his head, "The boy's not right but he manages, that's enough for Sango."

Kagome poured hot water from the tea kettle into her black ceramic tea pot. The bitter, tangy scent of green tea wafted up into the air. "So…I gotta know. Did Sango and Miroku finally get together?"

Inuyasha scratched his ear as he spoke. "Sango and Kohaku moved on to another village of yokai slayers. Miroku went back to the temple, but I know he visits."

Disappointment bit at Kagome. "Damnit! I was so sure they liked each other."

"They do, but they have to keep working at it I guess." He wasn't sure how to explain it. Such things were always Kagome's specialty not his. When Sango left he felt as though there was something he should have done but he wasn't sure what. "Not everything works out the way you'd expect."

Kagome poured the tea into smooth handless cups. She muttered, "Yeah you can say that again."

Inuyasha sat down at her modern kitchen table and propped his chin on his hand. "So what's it like being married to this guy?"

Kagome decided a safe answer was best. "It's nice." She pulled out a chair and sat across the table from him.

He studied a talon. "Nice eh? That's the best you can come up with?"

She picked up her cup and watched the tea swirl with the movement of her hand. "He's the father of my kids for Gods' sakes. What do you want me to say?"

"I was just saying…"

Kagome stood and railed at him as she'd done many times as a girl. "What are you playing at? You didn't choose me, remember? I moved on with my life!"

He blinked at the volume of her voice. "Why does that matter, when I'm here now?"

"How can you ask me that?" Was he blind? Did he think he could just waltz back into her world and have his way? What the hell did he even want? It was impossible to tell.

Inuyasha grappled for an answer. What could he say? Everything she said was true. Did she think he was asking her to leave the father of her children? He wasn't…was he?

Kagome huffed at his lack of response. "Answer me damn you! What do you want here?"

Inuyasha met her eyes in a silent plea. Did he have to say it? They'd only been together two hours but it was enough for everything to come rushing back. "Kagome…you already know."

"No I don't but you always seem to think I do. But I don't, damn you for making everything so complicated! Her eyes widened and Inuyasha realized her intentions all too late. "Osuwari!"

The action was uncalled for and but not entirely undeserved. Inuyasha fell crashing down face first to the still slightly sticky floor. Kagome's heart fell through her chest on to the floor beside him. What did I do? Oh Gods… "Inuyasha, I'm so sorry. I forgot how…violent this was."

She knelt down beside him with the intention of helping him back to his feet. Why was he still wearing the stupid beads anyway?

Inuyasha groaned accelerating her guilt. She ran her hands under his chin trying to lift his head. "Gods…are you okay?"

Inuyasha turned his head and she saw a wicked grin cross his lips. "Feel bad don't ya? Well you should."

Kagome's mom side kicked in once she saw he was fine. "Don't push your luck, there's more where that came from". She dropped his chin and let him strike the floor with another thump!

"Kagome!" came the gruff protest. Kagome left him lying on his belly on the floor and picked up a dishtowel. She'd just begun wiping the counters down when she saw the kitchen door slowly open.

Inu Taro slipped into the kitchen. Kagome guessed he'd smelled the ramen or his father and come to investigate.

Inuyasha sat cross legged on the floor rubbing his head. He spotted his boy and was on his feet in seconds. "Come 'ere you."

He took the boy in his hands and swung him high in the air. Taro giggled and took his seat of pride on his father's shoulders, his legs wrapped around Inuyasha's neck.

Kagome frowned. "Maybe now is a good time to discuss with your son about what he's done to my house."

Inuyasha's ears fell flat against his head. He was so happy the boy had rescued him from more of Kagome's temper he'd forgotten. He extracted the child from his shoulders and walked him into the remains of the living room.

Kagome stood in the kitchen and heard a muffled mewling followed by a hushed growl. She stuck her head through the doorway and saw Inuyasha holding Taro by the scruff of his neck showing him what he'd done.

He growled low near the boy's ear and Taro's face was solemn. "Boy, you're no pup of mine… Look at what you've done!"

Taro dropped his head in submission and whined. Kagome's heart went out to him. Then she saw the shredded remains of Hojo's favorite overstuffed leather recliner and felt the bump on the side of her head.

Once the boy was duly chastised Inuyasha sat him down and headed back into the kitchen. Taro stood by his father and looking down at the floor, Kagome knew better than to ask for an apology. She tied the garbage bag and was thankful her children were both girls. "Maybe you should get him home."

Inuyasha nodded and Kagome held open the kitchen door, watching as Taro drug his feet on his way out.

The trip to the well house was short and Kagome wondered if this was the last time she'd see Inuyasha. She tried to catch a glimpse of his face for a hint of his thoughts. Inuyasha was glaring at the boy who despite his horrible behavior did seem to garner a healthy respect for his father's approval.

Inuyasha paused at the well house door and released the boy's tiny hand. Taro was through the door and down the well; gone in an instant but his father lingered. He raised his hand and touched her hair. She turned her head and felt the palm of his warm hand on her cheek. "Kagome, I'll be back after sunset… We should talk or something."

Kagome shook her head. "I don't know if that's such a good idea." And here we are back where we left off.

Inuyasha bit off a curse and took her wrist in his hand. "You know what your problem is Kagome?" His thumb pressed on the pulse in her wrist and he felt her heart beating.

Kagome waited for him to continue. Oh this should be good.

"You think too much." With that Inuyasha pulled her to him and skillfully captured her lips with his.

Kagome panicked, but then she'd only kissed two men in her entire life and he'd been the first. Her good sense left the building and she let him wrap her arms around his neck. His lips took command of hers and soon he was exploring the inside of her mouth. The wind caught his silver hair, blowing it forward and wrapping her in it. One of her hands strayed up over his head and tweaked an ear. She felt him smile against her lips. Gods this is amazing…no crazy. If the girls could see their dear old mom now…

Wait! Ayumi and Miya. Kagome had to stop this. She pushed away and stepped back. Inuyasha's eyes were alive and burned with an intensity she could feel on her bare skin. "I…we can't do this."

He turned and stepped onto the lip of the old well where he sat on his haunches, his hands hidden in his long red sleeves. Kagome saw a hint of the boy she'd known. "I'm coming back later."

Inuyasha gave her one last look then jumped into the inky depths of the well; leaving Kagome alone on the verge of an abyss.