Personal Note: sorry about not getting this chapter out sooner. The main reason behind this is because I'm right now suffering with a cold which is a total pain in the ass. A small side reason is the Christmas season. I hope to update this story by the day after Christmas but don't hold you breath, it may be a day or two longer. Not to mention I'm still a little uncertain about a few things in the next few chapters.
lilemmy - Well I hope this has enough fluff to satisfy you. Enjoy.
ANNE (v)79 - Well as you'll see at the end of this chapter, I don't have the next chapter done. Instead I usually know whats going to happen and I create the title based on that before I've even written the chapter. I'm not totally sure about the next chapter so I don't have a title for it.
JadedKatrina - Your question about Inuyasha's feelings towards Kagome will hopefully start to be answered in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own IY, okay?
Chapter 11: Mother Knows Best
Inuyasha was trying his best to block out all the thanks he was getting. He wasn't used to being thanked. "Uhh, I'm gonna go get some fresh air," with that Inuyasha made a hasty retreat out of the room.
"I think we smothered him a bit too much," Miroku said.
Inutaisho stood up and looked at all of Inuyasha's friends. "All of you are welcome to stay as long as you like. Treat this as your home. If you want to do anything you are welcome to. And as I said before tomorrow we will have a feast in the main hall." With that everyone decided to go their own way. Kagome though decided to stay in the study and look over all the books that were in there.
"Looking for anything in particular?" a voice said. Kagome turned to see Inuyasha's mother.
"No, not really. I'm just seeing what's here," Kagome said.
"I must say, you are a very powerful miko," she said. "It's very rare for such a power to exist and also at such a young age."
"You can tell?" Kagome asked. It was then that Kagome realized it. "You're a miko as well, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. I'm not even that powerful as a miko. I guess Inuyasha didn't tell you but since I had died I'm sure he didn't want to talk about it too much."
"Inuyasha has been like that. He doesn't like to talk about things that are close to him," Kagome said. "Though deep down he really is a nice guy."
"Yes, I know that and you're the person that brings it out of him." Kagome could only blush as Inuyasha's mother said this. "Inuyasha was a very nice and kind boy when he was young but he was often picked on because of being a hanyou. I shielded him from as much of the insults as I could but I knew that if anything should happen to me he would have a rough time in life. From his story, I could tell that after my death he became angry at the world. And he closed himself from the world. It seemed like Kikyo had helped him but when Naraku spilt them he closed off again and I think far worse than before. Betrayal has a harsh effect on people. Yet you have managed to help him. Thanks to you he's returning to that kind boy I remember."
"I wouldn't say that it's because of me. Inuyasha has always been a big softy it's just that he hides it. I'd say that it's because of all our travels that he's starting to show it."
"That may be true but the main force is you. You may deny it but it's true and you know it. I can see it in your eyes. Just like I can see that you care for him," Inuyasha's mother said as Kagome blushed. "He's lucky to have a nice woman like you around. Well I think I've embarrassed you enough. I'm going to go now. Have a nice day." With that Inuyasha's mother walked out leaving Kagome to her own thoughts.
Kagome stayed in the study for another half an hour looking over the books when she finally decided that she wanted to try the hot spring that was within the castle. As she walked out she bumped into Sango's father. "I'm sorry. I should have watched where I was going," Kagome apologized.
"I am at fault too," he replied. "Have you seen Sango at all?"
"No, I haven't," Kagome replied. "I can help you look though. She may be at the hot spring which is where I'm headed." While they walked towards the hot spring, they spotted Sango. She was sitting down talking to Miroku. Rather than intrude, Kagome and Sango's father sat back and watched the scene before them.
"What exactly is Sango's relationship with the monk?" her father whispered to Kagome.
"She'll tell everyone that they're just friends but I believe she likes him more than just a friend," Kagome replied. "As for Miroku, I believe he feels the same way. Maybe now that Naraku has been defeated they can be more honest with each other." They continued to watch the scene in front of them until they saw Miroku's hand moving towards Sango's behind. Sango's father quickly moved to stop him but Kagome stretched her arm in front of him. "Just wait and watch. Trust me." He looked as though Kagome was crazy but decided to trust her. She had no reason to lie. He watched as when Miroku's hand finally did touch Sango's butt. As soon as she felt it she quickly slapped him hard. They could hear Sango yelling at Miroku. Kagome turned to Sango's father, "You see, she takes care of herself very well and even though she'll deny it I think she likes Miroku's attention. Well I think I'm gonna go to the hot spring. Have a nice day." Kagome said as she walked off leaving Sango's father totally confused on what to do.
Inuyasha sat watching the sun off in the distance. In about an hour, the sun would set. "It looked like Kagome liked the wish that I made. She had on a beautiful smile as everyone was complimenting me," Inuyasha thought. "I wish I could make her smile more like that rather than making her cry." Inuyasha was so caught up on his thoughts that he didn't realize someone was behind him. He finally realized it when the person placed their arms around his shoulders and pulled him close. Inuyasha immediately recognized this as being one of his mother's loving gestures. "Hello mother," Inuyasha said.
"Hello son," she replied. "Mind telling me what you were thinking?"
"Do I have to?" Inuyasha asked. He knew he couldn't keep anything from his mother. He had never lied to her and he probably never would even if all this time had gone by.
"Well I'm not going to force you but I'd figure it would help if you would talk to me," she said. "I already know it's about Kagome but what is it specifically about?"
Inuyasha stood there confused for a bit. "I could never hide anything from you, could I?" Inuyasha asked. With a hint of reluctance Inuyasha continued, "I'm trying to figure out exactly how I feel about Kagome."
"Do you love her?" she asked.
"I'm not totally sure I know what love is. I believed I loved Kikyo and I told you before what happened."
"I wouldn't say you loved Kikyo. At first, you probably were just lonely and looking for a friend or companion and that's what Kikyo was. Also she offered a chance at a normal life of being human. Now when she was brought back to life, I'd say that it was just a sense of duty or promise that you convinced yourself that you still loved her. You wept when she died but that's because you lost your friend. Love is something deeper. It's caring and trusting the other person. You usually want what's best for them. Kikyo wanted you to turn to human because that was best for her because she didn't want to be seen having a relationship with a hanyou. Kagome on the other hand doesn't care that you're a hanyou. She likes you for who you are. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I think I do," Inuyasha said. Usually talking about Kikyo was so hard for him but with his mother it was so much easier. "Okay so maybe I love Kagome but there's so many things standing in the way. First off, I'm from here and she's from the future. I couldn't ask her to stay here where it would be dangerous and her world is so weird to me that I don't think I could live in her world."
"Inuyasha, when Kagome first came to the past was she confused?" Inuyasha's mother asked while Inuyasha only nodded. "I think it would be safe to say that this world was weird to her and also as you said dangerous. But she kept coming back, not just to hunt for jewel shards but also to be with the people she cared about mostly you. She didn't have to come back for your journey here but she did. I'm sure she didn't understand your world just like you don't understand hers but she put up with it because of you. Are you willing to make the same sacrifice for her?"
"You know I never thought about it that way before," Inuyasha said. "I'd have to say that yes, I'd be willing to make that sacrifice besides I'd be a chicken if I didn't."
Inuyasha's mother had to laugh as she listened to her son try to save his pride. "You also said that you didn't want to ask her to stay in this world because it is too dangerous for her. Let her make that decision. She's risked so much already and you've managed to protect her so just let her make her own decisions."
"Okay, I can do that but what about me being a hanyou. She accepts me but what about the rest of the people in her world? They're not used to demons? They think we're all myths," Inuyasha said.
"As a miko, I could teach Kagome a simple concealing spell to cast on you. It would easily hide you," she told her son. "The only draw back to the spell is that you have to keep calm. If you get worked up, you demon powers will start to overdo the concealing spell. This doesn't mean you'd become full demon though."
"Here's another thing. Kagome is human and will only live for so long while I'll live longer because of my demon side," Inuyasha stated.
"I never told you this, did I? You were too young to understand back then. Your father and I came across the same problem but the answer was once again simple. There is a miko spell that will join two different life forces together. It makes it that I can live just as long as a demon so I would be able to live with your father. In your case, it would make Kagome live as long as another hanyou, though I'm not sure how different that is from a demon's lifetime." Inuyasha's mother just smiled at her son. "Any more excuses as to why it wouldn't work?"
"What if she doesn't like me? I don't think I could stand that rejection," Inuyasha said.
"That's another thing about love. You have to put your pride and heart on the line to find love. You may get rejected sometimes and it may hurt but once you find that true love all of the previous hurt will go away and your this love will make up for it many times over. Trust me in the end it will be worth it. Besides I'm pretty sure Kagome feels the same way about you, you've just been too stubborn to see it. Now go, find Kagome and talk with her."
Inuyasha turned around and faced his mother. "Thank you," with that he gave her a hug and ran off to find Kagome.
Kagome had just gotten out of the hot spring. She had finished getting dressed and was walking along when she saw Inuyasha. "Hey Inuyasha, what are you up to?" she asked.
"Nothing much, just thinking," Inuyasha lied. He didn't want to admit that he knew she was at the hot spring and had been waiting for her. Before she could ask any more questions, he said, "I want you to come with me. There's something I want to show you." With out saying any more he picked up Kagome bridal style cause it was quicker than having her get on his back. He quickly set off across the castle. In under a minute he arrived at a part of the castle that he hadn't shown everyone when he gave them the tour. It was a garden but quite bigger than the others. Once there he set her down on her own feet and allowed her to take in the scenery for herself.
As Kagome looked around she couldn't believe the beauty of the garden. There were all kinds of flowers and trees in the garden. There was even a large sakura tree (cherry blossom tree to those who don't know). "This is beautiful," Kagome said in awe.
"This is one of two special gardens in the castle. This is the West garden and the other is the East garden," Inuyasha said as he walked under the sakura tree.
Kagome followed him. "Why didn't you show us this before?"
"As I said this is special and so I wanted to wait until the right time to show it to you. Plus I wanted to show it only to you," Inuyasha said blushing a little bit.
"Thank you," Kagome said stuttering a bit while hiding her own blush. "So what's so special about this garden?"
"You'll see in just a bit," Inuyasha said as he sat down leaning his back against the sakura tree. Inuyasha then gathered all the courage he could to ask his question, "When this is over and everyone splits up, you're gonna head back to your time, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I guess," Kagome said a little sad.
"I was just wondering if you'd mind me spending some time in your world?" Inuyasha asked. "Because I won't have anything to do here."
Kagome was ecstatic. He was asking to spend time with her. Well not her but spend time in her world which meant she could spend more time with him. "Of course you can," she said happily. She was about to ask him why he wanted to come to her time when he interrupted her.
"Now you'll find out why this garden is special," Inuyasha said as he pointed in front of them. Kagome had been staring at him that she hadn't noticed anything else around them. As she looked where he pointed she saw that the sun was setting. It seemed to make the garden looked even more beautiful then before.
"I don't know what to say it's gorgeous," Kagome said.
"This is also known as the Sunset Garden and the East garden is the Sunrise Garden," Inuyasha told her. "I'm glad you like it. Not many people know about these 2 gardens. My parents told me that I should bring here only people I truly care for." Inuyasha seemed to blush some more.
"Thank you, Inuyasha," Kagome said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
Until that moment Kagome hadn't realized how tired she was. She found that she
was barely able to keep her eyes open as she watched the sun set. Luckily she
didn't have to worry about her head falling off Inuyasha's shoulder cause she
felt an arm around her, holding her tight. It wasn't long after Kagome fell
asleep that Inuyasha could feel himself tired as well. Though he usually didn't
need as much sleep, the rush to the castle had tired him out more than he wanted
to admit. In a matter of minutes, he and Kagome were laying under the sakura
tree asleep.
~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&~&
Well that's the end of this chapter. Now for the big question for everyone. Who should show up next:
1. Sesshomaru
2. Kouga
Well let me know what you think most likely the one that everyone chooses will show up in the next chapter. I have to ask: does anyone know any of the parents names other than Inutaisho? I don't know any names, so any help would be appreciated. There is still a lot left to this story. I also need to mention to everyone my knowledge of IY. I've seen up to and including episode 87 and I also went ahead and watched 124 *spoiler* I wanted to see that episode cause I figured Kikyo died in that episodes. yay. I've also seen both movies. I want to see the third. IY's father is in it. Well now for my referral:
Half Demon Prep's and Punk Rock Miko's by Inuyasha Loves Kagome 4391 storyid=1602835
Now to thank people for reviewing: jenna, DragonRose13, Ryguy, Sakume Nohara, lilemmy, Takerus Lost Angel, ANNE(v)79, badgerwolf, Burnsybabe, Ryngrl5, Black Dice, InuShemeeko, Lynns, Silent Dark, JadedKatrina, ssp51201, valou, explaintron, Evil Pixi Stick Spork Goddess, Kourtney1617, b00kperson, resq188, unvoicedsigner, ta-ti, Umi Mikazuki, Fukashi, keri, Ryu Sachiko Sama, Shadow Tsunami, Kris Black, Kay Kylo, Anonymous, ashitaka666, moonsilver, seikkyoukuka, and Silver Goddess1.
Well I don't know what else to say other than: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.