Chapter 32 Toutousai's Gift
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Author's note: Hey guys! I want to thank you all for being supportive! You have no idea how much your reviews mean to me! Okay self! Enough with the corny crap!
Special thanks to:
Botan dah Wolf, ryoko at 13, The Grand Dungeon Master, inuyasha1818, inuyasha05, MoonRaven13, LanierShazar
And this chapter is dedicated to: Ryoko at 13, now known as, juusan'ya, for giving me the idea of giving Kagome a sword. Thank you! I'm so glad you graciously offered me this idea!
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The next few days spent in Kagome's time made Inuyasha regret he had even come. There was constant rushing about; the women in the household were extremely irritable, and all he seemed to be doing was getting in the way. Inuyasha couldn't count the number of times Kagome had sat him! Inuyasha found it best to hide out in her room, away from all the stress. But then when Kagome would find him there, hiding out, she would sit him for not helping! So he'd try to help… and then get in trouble for doing it wrong and she'd tell him to go do something useful and out of the way! GRRR! What did she want him to do? He wasn't a demon who could read minds. That unfortunately, was not one of his special abilities.
And then to make things even better, (sarcasm) Tessa and Takashi returned tell them Toutousai had finished his latest project. Just great. So they had to go back and see him now. Not to mention having to deal with everyone else asking questions about the wedding and all that good stuff. Inuyasha was so looking forward to this all being over. All this planning was certainly worse than fighting off demons. And that was saying something. Inuyasha began to daydream of the day when things would go back to being peaceful with the occasional demon fight on the side.
He followed Kagome to the well house for once, not looking forward to returning to his own time. It was quite odd when you thought about it. He, Inuyasha, who pretty much hated Kagome's era, was not too happy about leaving it.
"Come on already, Inuyasha!" Kagome called, startling him from his thoughts. She was already seated on the edge of the well, ready to jump in. "Tessa and Takashi have already crossed over!" With that she slid off and disappeared to the other side.
Sighing deeply he followed after her. Once he was back in his own time he was surprised to see Kagome was the only one waiting for him.
"Tessa and Takashi decided to go a head while I waited for you. They said that way they can tell the others we're coming. I can't imagine the questions Sango is going to have… or even little Shippo. He has grown a lot these past few years. How old is he now? Eight? Or nine? And he can still fit into my arms! I wonder when he's going to hit his growth spurt." Kagome mused. "He's only just grown past my knees. But he has gotten a little too heavy for me to hold. Soon I'll have to tell him I can't any more. I wonder how he'll react to that?"
"I don't know. Hopefully he grows soon. We don't want him to stay a little runt forever." Inuyasha said. "Come on. Let's get this over with. I can't wait to see what Toutousai has made." He said sarcastically.
"Don't be so grumpy! Aren't you excited to see Toutousai's worked so hard to make for me?" Kagome asked, a little overexcited, if you asked Inuyasha. "I sure am!"
"No. Not at all." Inuyasha crossed his arms and started walking.
But Kagome was not letting it go so easily. "Oh come on! Don't be such a baby! Toutousai is just trying to help!"
"No! What he's doing is calling me weak! He's practically saying that I'm not strong enough to protect you!" Inuyasha snapped. "He's saying that I'll let some demon kill you! Well he's wrong! I will never let anything happen to you! And that's a promise!"
"Is that what this is about?" Kagome forced Inuyasha to stop walking and face her. "Look," she took a deep breath, "he's not trying to make you feel weak, okay? He's just….making sure that nothing happens to me should you not be there. If for some reason you were not around—I'm not saying this will happen—but if it does, at least with the blade he has made for me I have some way of protecting myself. That's all it is. Think of it as an early wedding present." Kagome smiled and tilted her head to the side. "And I know you would never let anything happen to me. I trust you with my life. I always have and probably always will."
But Inuyasha would have none of it. He was irritable and tired. And right now he felt like being stubborn. "No. I will not think of it as an early wedding present." He crossed his arms and stood his ground.
Kagome's smile disappeared into a fine line and her eyes became small slits as she glared at Inuyasha. "TOUTOUSAI IS TRYING TO BE NICE AND HELP US OUT AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY HIM! YOU CAN'T EVEN GIVE HIM THE COURTISY TO AT LEAST ACCEPT HIS GIFT? IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE TO USE IT! THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS GO SEE WHAT HE HAS MADE! BUT NO! INSTEAD YOU HAVE TO BE A SUBBORN, LITTLE BABY!" Kagome screamed. "I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'M GOING TO GO SEE WHAT HE MADE ME! YOU CAN STAY HERE IF YOU WANT!" She barreled past him stomping her feet. Was is just Inuyasha or did the earth seem to quake all of the sudden? But the most important part was she had not sat him yet. "OSUWARI!" she called over her shoulder before she disappeared behind a line of trees.
It looks like he spoke too soon. How many times had she sat him already today? This had to be the hundredth time, right? Inuyasha plummeted to the ground a muffled 'oomph!' escaping his lips.
"Is it just me, or has she been a little more moody than usual lately?" Inuyasha asked himself when the spell finally wore off. He then climbed to his feet and dusted himself off before following after Kagome. He actually would rather have stayed behind, but being witness to the mental state Kagome seemed to be in, he thought it wise he go to the village after her.
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"Where is Inuyasha?" Tessa asked when she saw Kagome coming towards them alone. "Wasn't he right behind you?"
Her cousin sat down beside her before answering rather curtly, "He'll be here in a few minutes. If he knows what's good for him." She added threateningly.
Rather than not get into it Tessa merely nodded her response. Did they have some kind of lover's quarrel, she wondered.
"Kagome!" Shippo cried jumping onto her lap. A small grunt escaped her lips but Shippo seemed not to notice. "Tessa and Takashi told us you and Inuyasha were having a modern day wedding!" Shippo voiced what the others had been to refined to ask. "Tell me all about it! I want to hear everything!"
"I'll tell you everything you want to know Shippo. Just not right now." Kagome said her anger seeming to suddenly disappear.
"Okay!" Shippo squealed then sat himself on the ground beside her, much to Kagome's relief. When had he gotten so heavy?
"Let's get this over with!" Inuyasha said suddenly appearing. He sat down on the opposite of Kagome taking great care not to look at her.
"So you decided to show?" She asked looked at him through slits in her eyes.
"Feh," came his usual answer.
Kagome shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Figures." She muttered.
"Well then!" Kaede said breaking the argument off before it even began. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" She clasped her hands together trying to keep the pleasant smile on her face. "Toutousai?" She called into his magical enclosure. "Toutousai? Are you there?"
"What do you want?" Toutousai's voice rang out. It sounded like he had just been woken but from sleep.
"Uh…. Didn't ye say ye were finished making that sword for Kagome?" Kaede asked.
"Oh! Yes I am! Is she here yet? I don't have all day, ya know!" He came barreling out and immediately his old eyes lighted upon Kagome. "Oh! You're back! I was wondering when you'd get here! I have finished and I think you'll like it!"
"I bet I will." Kagome smiled warmly, her anger with Inuyasha seemed to have disappeared. At least for the moment.
Toutousai turned around and reached behind him. He pulled out a long skinny weapon wrapped in a brown burlap tarp.
"I wanted everything to be perfect." He said, handing his gift to her.
Kagome hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should open it right now or not.
"Go on. Open it!" Sango urged. "I want to see what it looks like!"
"Okay." Timidly Kagome removed the burlap to reveal a magnificent piece of weaponry.
The blade sparkled in the sunlight, a pure silver. Kagome imagined this was how Tetsusaiga looked like before years of rust. Its sheath a dark black with a majestic silver beast carved into it. The beast's mouth was open wide as if growling. The sword's handle was a dark black with silver wisps of fire surrounding it. Kagome gasped at its beauty.
"I love it." She praised watching it sparkle.
Inuyasha, who a moment before was refusing to even look at the blade, leaned over to get a better look. His eyes widened in surprise. It really was a beautiful weapon. Toutousai had really outdone himself this time.
"It's beautiful." Sango whispered as Kagome lifted the blade from her lap.
"Thank you." Toutousai grinned admiring his craftsmanship. "I think I did a magnificent job if I do say so myself."
"Feh." Inuyasha crossed his arms, yet again. Looks like his stubbornness had not yet subsided and he was not yet ready to let it go for that matter.
"Osuwari!" Kagome said without so much as batting an eye. "As I said before, I love it. You really have outdone yourself this time, Toutousai. Thank you." Kagome then proceeded to place her new weapon back into its sheath.
"Aren't you going to try it out?" Shippo wondered.
"I don't know. Maybe some other time…"
"Oh come on! I want to see what it can do!" Tessa said just as curious as Shippo.
"Me too!" Takashi agreed.
"We all do." Miroku added.
Kagome shook her head. "I really shouldn't. Maybe some other time. And besides, there is no demon for me to use it on."
"Nonsense!" Toutousai boomed. "We can go up to the clearing not far from here and you can try it out there! I'm interested to see what it can do, as I'm sure you are too! Come on lets go!" He rose to his feet and didn't bother to wait to see if the other's followed him.
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Kagome stood in the center of the clearing with her friends standing behind her, waiting. They were really looking forward to see what her new sword could do. But Kagome wasn't. What if she couldn't get it to work? Then what? Would they all laugh at her? She looked behind her to Inuyasha. He stood beside Toutousai, a big smirk on his face.
'Stupid moron! He thinks he's so cool doesn't he? I bet he thinks I'm going to mess up! Well I'm not going to give him the satisfaction!'
"What are you waiting for Kagome?" Inuyasha called the smirk still present on his handsome face.
"Nothing! I'm just getting ready!" Kagome shouted louder than she really needed to. But she's nervous and scared. Can you blame her?
Taking a deep breath she decided it's now or never. She then swings her blade and as she does so it transforms much like Inuyasha's does. "Purified Wave!" The blade comes down in a pink light. When it all clears the perimeter of where her attack hit is nothing but dirt. In that one flash light everything is dead. All plant life is gone, almost like it was never there to begin with. Nothing but a small crater remains. Imagine what it could do if a demon had actually been the recipient of this attack.
"Magnificent!" Toutousai praised. "You're a faster learner than Inuyasha over here!" Inuyasha scoffed and crossed his arms. But Toutousai didn't seem to notice as he ran up to Kagome. "There are a few things I need to tell you about the new blade. I made it so it will never be heavy, always light. So if say," He grins madly, "you are with child, you will be in no danger of harming it, like you would be if you lifted another heavy object. You can use this blade to protect you and said child. I have also named the blade Sora-ki."
Kagome blushed. "T-thanks." She managed to get out. What is with people and talking about children? Would they ever leave her alone about this? Just because she and Inuyasha were finally together didn't mean they had to start having children, or in this case pups, right away.
"And also this weapon will keep your demon side in check." Toutousai added running his aged fingers along the handle. "I know how temperamental females can be when it comes to their offspring. Well, now that that's all settled, I must be going. I have other business to attend to. Goodbye everyone." And without waiting for a response he was on his wild beast and off. Who knows when or if they would ever see him again?
"Well that was interesting." Takashi said. "That guy was really weird."
"Yes. He's always been that way." Inuyasha said then added, "Well Kagome and I should be getting back now. Her mother needs her to help plan this wedding. She made sure we promised to return as soon as we could."
Kagome sheathed her sword and gave it to Kaede for safekeeping. She dazedly bade goodbye to her friends as she, Tessa, Takashi, and Inuyasha left for the modern era. Kagome was still dazed and deep in thought when they all entered her home, and once again her mother was on the phone.
"Please, make an exception. We would very much appreciate it!" There was silence as Mrs. Higurashi listened to the person on the other line. "Yes but this is really important." More silence. "Well then make an exception for us! So what about the other customers! What matters is making us happy and satisfying our needs! If you will not see us, then I demand to speak with your manager!" Even more silence. When Mrs. Higurashi spoke this time her voice was filled with happiness. "Thank you so much! We really appreciate you doing this for us! You have no idea how much this means to us! We'll be there shortly!" Mrs. Higurashi slammed the phone down and spun around to see her daughter and company looking at her curiously.
"What was that all about Mom?" Kagome asked.
"I just set up an appointment for you to pick out your wedding dress! But we have to leave now and get there pretty quickly if they're even going to see us!" She then grabbed Kagome by the arm and began dragging her towards the door. "Come on Tessa! You come with us too. Inuyasha and Takashi you stay here with Sota and Gramps!"
"But Mom! We can't just leave them here! And what if I had something to do right now!" Kagome protested.
"Do you have something to do?" Mrs. Higurashi asked, still dragging Kagome towards the door. She shoved the concealment bracelet on her daughter's wrist and passed one to Tessa to put on.
"Well… No, but still." Kagome said lamely.
"Okay then! Let's go!" With one final burst of strength Mrs. Higurashi pulled her daughter through the door and slammed it shut behind her. And with that the three women were gone, leaving the guys alone at the shrine….
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Inuyasha and Takashi were hiding. Not long after the girls had left, Sota and Gramps came from who knows where and that's when the fun began. Gramps started flinging charms at Takashi. (They didn't work by the way) And Souta started demanding Inuyasha tell him stories of the adventures he and Kagome were having. After some time both Inuyasha and Takashi just couldn't take in anymore and ended up taking shelter on the roof of the shrine. After a couple of hours they began to get bored and decided to venture back into the home.
Quietly they jumped down from the roof and tiptoed in through the front door. Hearing nothing, they continued on into the living room. Once there, again they stopped to listen. Their sensitive ears easily picked up the sounds of Souta playing his Play Station 2 in his room and Gramps rummaging around in his.
Feeling they were safe for the time being, Takashi and Inuyasha decided to watch come TV in the living room. Kagome had taught Inuyasha how to use the modern appliance and Inuyasha was proud to show this off to Takashi. Still, both couldn't help wondering when the girls were going to return. Already it had been two hours! When were they planning on coming back?
After about thirty minutes of TV a knock was heard at the door. Neither of the two males moved to answer it thinking whoever it was would go away if they ignored it long enough. But this person was persistent. After about three more knocks Inuyasha gave in and decided to answer it.
When he opened the door he was greeted by none other than our least favorite person…Hojo.
"What are you doing here?" Inuyasha snapped, courtesy had never been a strong point of his.
"Uh… I have come to call upon Kagome." Hojo said uncertainly. "Is she home?"
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"No." Kagome said firmly. This was the fourth poofy, frilly dress her mother had picked out for her to try on and she hated it just as much as the other ones. No way was she going to wear something as hideous as this on her wedding night. "No Mother. I am not wearing this dress!"
"Why not! You look so nice in it!" Mrs. Higurashi beamed. "I like it!"
The clerk and the other employees shook their heads. They didn't like the dress either! Her mother was the only one. What did that tell you?
"Well I don't! This dress is no better than the last three you made me try one! It's hideous and I hate it! It's my wedding and I think I should pick out the dress I want to wear!" Kagome stomped her foot uncontrollably. She knew she probably sounded like a spoiled brat right now but she didn't care. "I don't want to look like an oversized marshmallow on one of the biggest nights of my life!"
"She's right Aunt Higurashi. That dress does make her look like a marshmallow." Tessa agreed.
"Alright, fine. You pick out the dress you want then. I'll just sit here and but out." She sighed dramatically and plopped herself down on the nearest chair.
"Thanks mom!" Kagome squealed. She didn't even bother to change out of the ugly dress she was wearing as she ran off in search of the dress of her dreams.
It didn't take long before she found one she really liked and went to try it on. When she came out she was simply beaming. She stood on the platform before the mirrors to get a better look at herself.
"You look marvelous, Miss." One employee praised. "I think this is the one."
"Thank you and I agree." Kagome smiled as she spun around admiring the way the dress showed off her body.
The white dress was a beautiful satiny, silk that went all the way down to her feet. The dress was low cut with a sequenced bust. It fit her figure perfectly and Kagome loved it. She knew this was her dress. This was the dress she was going to wear for Inuyasha.
"Kagome… You look amazing, simply stunning in that dress!" Tessa squealed. "You have to get it!"
"What do you think Mom?" Kagome asked trying to make her mom feel included.
"You fit it perfectly. If that's the one you want, you should get it." Mrs. Higurashi said. She tried to sound like she didn't really care, but Kagome knew otherwise. She knew her mother actually loved the dress and knew Kagome was right. Kagome also knew this was the closest she was going to get to a, 'You were right, I was wrong,' from the older woman.
"Thank you so much Mom!" She chirped, then turning to the employee's she said, "I'll take it!"
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"No. Kagome is not home." Inuyasha said curtly to the human boy standing before him.
"Well, do you know when she will be home?" Hojo asked trying his best to be polite but it wasn't easy. Who did this guy think he was? And why was he so cocky? Was he some kind of overprotective relative of Kagome's who came to visit?
"No. I do not." Inuyasha replied still curtly.
"Could you tell her I stopped by then?" Now that Hojo thought about it this guy looked familiar…
"No." Inuyasha crossed his arms and smirked. Behind him Takashi could barely suppress a laugh.
"Why not? Why do you have to be so rude!" Hojo was finally losing his temper. (He's so 'perfect' this is probably the angriest he has ever been. Lol) "I try to be nice and you can't do one simple task for me? And why are you dressed like that? What's with that costume? Are you dressing for Halloween a few months early this year?"
"No. I'm not dressing for Hall-oh-wheen! Or whatever it was you said! This is how I always dress. And Human, I will be rude to you if so chose to be! When are you going to get it through your head that Kagome is not interested in you?" Inuyasha said snidely.
".." Hojo didn't know what so say. Who was this guy? What did he do to deserve to be treated this way? How did this guy know Kagome?
"Speechless? Is your heartbreaking? Awwww! I'm so sorry!" Inuyasha said in mock sympathy.
"What makes you think Kagome is not interest in me!" Hojo was finally able to yell. He had reached his boiling point. He clenched his fists, trying to suppress his anger.
"The fact that she told me several times that she loved me. And the fact that, in just less than two weeks we are to be married. She's my mate." Inuyasha was only too happy to point out.
"What? She's getting married? To… you?" Hojo could not believe his ears. How could this be! Suddenly his happy world seemed to be crumbling in all around him. Why hadn't Kagome ever told him this? He hadn't even been aware that she was dating someone. Of course, now that he thought about it she had always been giving him subtle hints that she wasn't interested. He had just been to high on his horse to pay much attention.
"Yeah! And guess what! You're invited!" Inuyasha continued on. Kagome wouldn't be too happy if he physically harmed the boy, but she never said anything about hurting his ego.
"I gotta go." With that Hojo turned in ran, almost running into a returning Kagome as he hurried away. What a baby!
"What was that all about?" Kagome asked setting her bags on the nearest living room couch. "What did you do to him?" She was slightly worried but not too much. It wasn't like she cared all that much about Hojo.
"I just told him something he wasn't too happy to learn." Inuyasha smirked.
"And what was it that you told him?" Kagome inquired just as her Mother and Tessa came in carrying bags of their own.
"I'll put your dress and shoes and stuff in my room." Mrs. Higurashi said as she bustled past Kagome with Tessa in tow. With Kagome's help Tessa had also picked out a bridesmaid dress.
"Okay. Thanks Mom. What did you tell Hojo?" Kagome repeated.
"That you are not interested in him and that he is invited to our wedding in less than two weeks." Inuyasha said closing his eyes, waiting for her to sit him. When she didn't he bravely opened his eyes and said, "You're not going to sit me?"
"No. It was about time someone told Hojo what was going on. You just did what I was to chicken to do. I should have set him straight much sooner." Kagome sighed. "So actually, thank you Inuyasha. Although, I have a feeling you didn't tell him too nicely?" She looked past Inuyasha to Takashi who shook his head slightly. Kagome grinned. "I thought so. And because of that you only get a kiss on the cheek."
She leaned forward to give him his reward on the cheek,--just as she had said--but Inuyasha moved just in time to steal a kiss on the lips.
"Sneaky little one, aren't you?" Kagome teased when the kiss ended.
"Why, yes I am. And proud of it." He grinned a toothy grin.
By this time Takashi thought it best to take his leave, and went off in search of Tessa.
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Another chapter done, another chapter closer to the end. I hope you guys liked this one. Not to long now! I hope you guys who are reading are looking forward to the sequel just as much as I am! Because I'm such a loser I have been neglecting my other stories and have already finished three chapters for it and started a fourth. My priorities are bad… I know. At least I'm still working on this one! Lol.
I want to point out that I am not that good at describing clothing, so you can use your own imagination about Kagome's dress. It can be whatever you please. And I'm also not great at describing weapons and their attacks. But anyway, please R and R. Thank you!
Clouds of the Sky