Wow! okay...224...that was extremely unexpected!
Well, the competition has officially closed, and now I suppose it's time for you all to learn the identity of the seamstress! I'd just like to thank everyone who had a go, even if you didn't win, at least you took a chance.
Kagome slipped off Inuyasha's back and placed her pack on the ground before being tackled from behind. Inuyasha had to stuff his fist in his mouth to keep from laughing as he watched his miko struggle with a slender young woman. He finally relented to help the fallen woman, who was now getting her cheeks pinched by her attacker, with the occasional squeal of 'kawaii'.
Inuyasha grabbed the woman by the neck of her kimono and lifted her off the ground, turning her to face the miko. "Kagome," he told her, "This is Tomoyo Daidoji, the Demon Seamstress, Tomoyo, this is Kagome." He placed the girl's feet gently down on the earth, before she whipped around to embrace him. Inuyasha had just enough time to pull Kyo out of his haori before his ribcage began to protest rather painfully.
"Inuyasha," Tomoyo cried, "Long time no see. I see you finally got rid of the ice maiden and found a real girl. Nice choice of mate by the way, I approve, she's super kawaii." Her eyes raked over the bundle being held at arms length. "Oh," she exclaimed, "Now he's doubly kawaii. I can't believe you Inuyasha, you have a mate and a pup, and you never once bothered to invite me for a visit."
Kagome stood and relieved the flustered hanyou of the child, cuddling Kyo close to her chest as Inuyasha used his newly freed hand to wrap around Tomoyo's mouth, holding it shut. "Firstly Tomoyo," he growled, "She ain't my mate. She's one of the pack I travel with. Secondly, he's not mine, Kagome found him, he's an orphan but accepted Kagome as his new mother. Thirdly, this is Kyo, we came to get him some proper clothes. Now are you gonna help us or not?"
Tomoyo blinked, taking in everything he'd just said as he removed his hand. "Kawaii," she squealed, "Of course I'll do it, I'd love to. You know I'll do anything for my favourite hanyou, but if she's not your mate, can I have you?" Inuyasha almost fell over in shock, he knew she liked him, but they had known each other for years, his father had brought him to her as a pup to be fitted for his haori, but this was just insane. "You know," he replied, "I think Kyo's really excited about getting some decent clothes." The seamstress immediately forgot everything except her sewing, quickly taking the tiny hanyou's measurements before rushing off into her cave to her loom.
Inuyasha turned to his companions, "Come on," he told them as he strode into the cave, "This cave's deeper then you think. The guest rooms are at the back, along with a hot spring among other things." With the promise of a long hot bath, Kagome hurried after the hanyou, Kyo bundled in her arms.
Tomoyo, it seems, had been expecting them, because there was fresh bedding in one room, but she obviously had a wicked streak to her, for there was only one bed. Kagome dropped her bag, quickly grabbing her bathing needs before carrying Kyo off towards the hot spring. Inuyasha busied himself with making dinner while he waited for them to return.
Kagome and Kyo returned to the smell of ramen. Kagome couldn't help smiling. She'd finally grown tired of making ramen every night and taught Inuyasha how to make it so he wouldn't have to wake her if he grew hungry during the night. Leaning against the doorframe she watched him work. She loved the way his hair glistened in the moonlight, how his eyes seemed to sparkle. She loved everything about him, from his nonchalant ways to his twitching dog ears, she loved it all and would never dream of changing a single hair on him. Her skin tingled at the thought of his tender human side, while her blood burnt for the possessive nature of his demon side, but it was the hanyou she'd released from the Goshinboku that made her heart pound.
Inuyasha felt her presence behind him and turned to find her smiling at him, a glazed look in her eyes, Kyo's head buried in her neck. A wicked grin spread over his face, giving him a wild, predatory look as he slowly stalked towards her. Once he stood behind her, he wrapped an arm around her waist as he placed his chin on her neck. His other hand then set to work, targeting all her most ticklish spots. Kagome broke into fits of laughter as she struggled to free herself from his clutches, but his demon strength kept her pinned to his chest. "Come on wench," he growled softly, "Dinner's ready." He gently swept her legs out form under her and carried the miko over to the fire, and the waiting dinner.
He set her down before plonking himself down next to her handing her the food for Kyo and herself, then started on his own helping, which she noticed was considerably larger. Giggling, she ate her dinner, as Kyo and Inuyasha inhaled theirs. Inuyasha collected the used bowls and walked off to wash up and bathe. Kagome took the time to speak to Tomoyo.
Seeing the seamstress bent over her loom, the miko stopped to watch her work. "Come in," Tomoyo told her softly, "You wish to see me about something, so come in and talk." The miko entered hesitantly, "Well," she began timidly, "There's the party that I was kind of hoping to go to in a little under a month, but it's a dressy sort of party and I was wondering if you could make a dress for me. Something good enough to wear to a party, but also serviceable so I can fight demons in it."
Tomoyo smiled, "I have the perfect design," she told her, "Now, why don't you tell me about this party while I make it?" Kagome watched her fingers flick across the loom as she began to tell Tomoyo about her time, "…and Halloween would be the perfect time to take Inuyasha to a party in my time, because everyone goes around in costume as ghouls and goblins, so his darling doggy-ears and robes wouldn't seem out of place. That, and I was kind of hoping he would be my date to the Halloween dance." Tomoyo smiled, this girl had already healed the hanyou's heart, she knew Kagome wouldn't break it. "Go to bed now," Tomoyo whispered, "I will have it made by morning, then I expect you to come see me to make sure it fits." Kagome nodded before rushing back to her room.
Kagome walked in to find Inuyasha tucking Kyo in for the night. She tousled his hair as she passed him to crawl into bed as well. They bid each other good night and Inuyasha began to head for outside. "Inuyasha," she called out, "You know, this bed is big enough for the both of us. You can join us if you want to." The hanyou nodded once before continuing outside. Once he stepped outside, he was startled to find Tomoyo sitting beside him. "You wish she was don't you?" Tomoyo asked casually. Inuyasha glanced at her inquiringly. "Kagome," she replied, "she's not your mate, but you wish she was." Inuyasha grunted non-commitedly. "I can see it in your eyes," she continued, "Everytime she's in the room, they get a certain lustre. She cares about you greatly, if you want her that much, why not ask her? I doubt she'd say no."
Inuyasha stared at the seamstress, blushing heavily, "Even if I did want her," he whispered, "I can't. I have a duty I need to fulfil." Tomoyo smacked his head, making sure she hit him for all she was worth as she glared daggers at him. "If this 'duty' has anything to do with that 'ice maiden'," she growled, "Then I don't give a damn and nor should you. Are you really going to give up on a chance at happiness, a chance at true love, for that heartless cow?" The hanyou sighed, "I know I have to end it, but somehow, with all our history, I know I won't have the strength to do it."
Tomoyo stood, brushing herself off as she turned to head inside, "I thought that your 'duty' was to kill Naraku and avenge her death. You've already accomplished that, now it's time to lay her to rest and move on. You have an amazing woman and a cute child inside there waiting for you, sure it's a ready-made family, but it always has room for expansion, so what are you still doing out here?" Inuyasha smiled at her before leaping to his feet and rushing inside. He crept into the bedding beside Kagome as silently as possible. Gazing at the young maiden, he couldn't help but stare at her lips. Leaning over her slightly, he captured hers with his in a brief kiss. Pulling away he heard he whisper his name as she snuggled closer to his warmth. Smiling, he draped his arm over her slim body, wrapping it around her waist, drawing her closer to him. His head buried itself into her hair, allowing her intoxicating scent to send him into a peaceful slumber.
Okay, now for the competition. Congratulations to the following:
starwarsmonkey
Lin-ko
Black Roses 2 Red
You guessed correctly, Tomoyo of CardCaptors Sakura (and of Tsubasa) was the demon Seamstress.
I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank:
Hands off the hanyou
Photographing Poetry
Julietmoon
Sesshomaro15
for their guesses.
Now, I do post regularly, but will update as soon as humanly possible (remember I do go to work so I'm not going to be onthe computer all the time) if I receive 260 reviews.
May your thoughts and creativity flow,
Lady Ami DragonHeart