Chapter 5 Confused Burning
Lucky for Inuyasha, Shippo wasn't too far away. He was leaning against a tree, crying. He looked gross, his face red and his nose snotty and runny. Kagome was usually the one to soothe him and clean him up. Letting out a soft sigh, he did the only he knew how. He whacked the little fox on his head.
"Quit your crying, you little runt. I can't understand anything if you don't talk to me."
Shippo squeaked and stood up, glaring as he rubbed the sore spot.
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid Inuyasha!" he shouted.
Inuyasha folded his arms into his robe and sat down beside him. He was trying to be patient, but he was also antsy because he needed to feed his mate, and it was a strong instinct that could not be ignored while he was carrying. He grabbed Shippo and put him on his shoulders, unable to wait any longer. He figured he would talk to him as he made his into the deep forest.
"I'm not leaving because I want to. I'm leaving because I have to. I have to protect my mate and child."
Shippo was calmer by now, but tears were still falling.
"If you're gone, who will protect me?" he said softly.
Inuyasha's eyes widened slightly, and he understood now wholly.
"You're welcome to come with us if you want."
Shippo let out a soft gasp.
"R-Really?"
Inuyasha nodded before his face went serious and put a finger to his lips
"Shh."
Shippo went silent. It was a boar by itself, and seeing how Sesshomaru liked it the last time. It couldn't hurt to get another. Crouching down behind the bushes quietly, he waited for the right moment to pounce on the boar. It tried to flee, but he quickly took it down. In the end, he had two boars to bring back for his hungry mate. Shippo looked down between Inuyasha's furs ears and slid down to look at him upside down.
"Can I really come?"
Inuyasha nearly fell in surprise as the kit popped up in his face. He composed himself and gave him a light whack on the head.
"Yes, and sit back before you fall." Shippo did as he was told and was happy now.
Inuyasha had no idea where this new sense of responsibility was coming from, but he never cared before if Shippo fell off his head. He knew he wouldn't get seriously injured. He would always protect him instinctively if he knew he was in any real danger. He has a feeling that his mating has made him a lot more cautious, and he wasn't even carrying the baby. He heard a loud growl coming from the Kitsune stomach, which was his cue to hurry back.
Inuyasha returned to the hut. Amber-colored eyes met desperate ones. Sesshomaru quickly stood up as dignified as possible in his scanty clothing and went to his mate's side. He found himself putting a hand against the whites of his shirt for some comfort. Inuyasha grabbed him close and pulled him in for a side hug. He felt his mate's distress.
"Meal is here he said sheepishly, sorry it took a little longer."
Sesshomaru didn't care as long as his mate was back. He slowly started to lose his composure after his mates were absent. The scent he left was quickly wearing off due to his proximity to the humans. He was close to panicking but didn't want to make a scene in front of them. He curled up further back against the wall. He learned on trying to keep calm. At least they were all quiet. He couldn't bear to concentrate while listening to their mindless chatter. Inuyasha returned just in time before he entirely lost it. He hugged the shorter male, needing more contact with him, the food temporarily forgotten.
" Shippo, go inside for a while. I'll collect you later," he said softly.
Shippo nodded and headed inside. Inuyasha ignored the stares and scooped up his mate and brought him to the side of the hut. He sat down with him in his lap and stroked his hair, allowing the long-haired man to calm down.
"Shh. I'm here now." his voice was soft and soothed the Daiyoukai.
Sesshomaru hated this. He hated this feeling of being weak and relying on Inuyasha for everything. It wasn't who he was. He did everything for himself by himself. But here he was, seeking comfort from just being apart from his mate for a mere 15 minutes. He nearly sighed, finally composing himself and feeling hunger tear at his stomach. He moved off his mate's lap towards his food and dug in. His food happened to be right in front of the open area of the hut, and the humans could see him grotesquely eating, blood spilling everywhere. Kagome turned green and away before she threw up, while Sango and Miroku were mildly perturbed. Inuyasha was behind him, his ears flicking in the air. He walked over to the flaps and drew them down on their faces. He wished there was a solid door, but this was the best he could do at the moment. He wanted his mate to eat in peace without having to look like a circus act. It was only natural he would be starving. He took a long, and he ate for two. This pup seemed to consume a lot of food, and soon the two boars were devoured and picked clean. Amber eyes glazed over as he was now exhausted. Inuyasha figured it would be best to leave in the morning so his mate could rest. His brother looked at him as if he would pass out at any second, sprawled out on the grass, his face and hands a mess, but he didn't seem to notice or care as sleep finally took him. He scooped him up and went back into the hut, where he laid him on his own futon to sleep. It was pretty quiet in the hut, tension still in the air, mainly from Kagome. She had so much she wanted to say, but she didn't want to piss Inuyasha off any further. She had never seen him look at her like that, and it was hurtful and upsetting. He was choosing his stupid brother over her. She still didn't understand the incest thing. It was freaking weird, but no one cared except her. She watched the two enter, one asleep, and saw her Hanyou carefully caring for his brother and wiping him down with a damp cloth while he slept, tucking him in. She wanted to cry again. He was her Hanyou. Shippo trotted over to the half-demon and sat on his lap. Without another thought, Inuyasha stroked his hair. The kit purred in content yawning before he too was asleep. Amber-colored eyes finally acknowledge the group once again.
"I'm taking Shippo with me...and please do not scream. Kagome, my mate, is sleeping."
Kagome bit back the scream she had coming and whispered harshly in disbelief.
"What! Why?"
Clearly, she wasn't paying attention to the distraught Kitsune, only thinking about her situation.
"You can't protect him he said simply."
She bristled in anger.
"Of course, I can!" she hissed quietly.
The other two looked at her and nearly sighed. She was too much a selfish person to really care about anyone other than herself. They understood everything and would always be on Inuyasha's side no matter what path he chose. The Hanyou was an adult. He was older than them and had seen far more than both their life span combined. He could take care of himself, his mate, and Shippo. There was no doubt he was strong.
"Please tell me how without me there?" he said calmly. His voice was soft each time he spoke, but it had a cold tone as he spoke Kagome. His affection for her quickly dwindled within a day of being in her presence.
"Will you be able to fight monsters that could harm him? When he goes into his first heat, will you be around to defend him from violent monsters? Shippo is an Omega. I wasn't sure at first, but I confirmed it. He will have heat when he comes of age, and I don't want the same thing that happened to Sesshomaru to happen to him."
He hated what he did still. But it was done, and he wouldn't give up his duties and responsibilities. Kagome was speechless, as were the others. They couldn't believe Shippo was also an Omega. For now, he was only but a child. But he will grow up. She didn't know what to say. It was late and time for bed. She left to get ready for bed in the hut for women dragging Sango alone with a huff. Miroku let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"As I said before, I wish you the best and to Shippo."
He smiled sadly. He was happy, but he would miss his friends.
"Yeah, well, you and Sango are welcome to come to visit," he said gruffly.
Miroku smiled at that and nodded.
"Then I'll take you up on that offer. Thank you, my friend."
"Keh."
In the women's quarter, Kagome was pissed off.
"Can you believe how he treated me, Sango! Like- Like I'm fucking nothing!"
Oh, when Kagome was pissed, she could swear up a storm. Her mouth from Inuyasha's influence. Sango merely listened. She cared deeply about her friend, but she couldn't always get her way, and she would have to learn that.
"First, he is obsessed with that dead freaky ass bitch of priestess who looks like my fucking carbon copy! I finally win him and get him to longer care for her. Next, he wants to fuck his brother, and suddenly they are mates!? WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!"
Kagome knew how she sounded, but she didn't care. She loved Inuyasha, and she was hurt. She couldn't stop the sobs that escaped her at the end of her rant. Sango sighed and pulled her in for a hug. The slayer knew there wasn't anything she could say to the woman that would calm her down. She waited until she stopped crying and guided her to get ready for bed.
When Kagome and Sango returned to the hut, one settled in bed, Inuyasha was cuddled up with Sesshomaru with Shippo in the middle. Kaede was snoring softly in her area. Miroku was in his perspective spot, and there were two empty bedding spaces left for the two girls who got in. Kagome had difficulty falling asleep, but eventually, it took her.
It was early in the morning where Sesshomaru woke up with a start. He quickly got up, pushing off the fox Kit that had somehow landed on him in his sleep. The fox woke up with a start. The older InuYokai ran outside just in time as vomit spewed from his mouth. His skin was pale and clammy. On cue, his mate was by his side, rubbing his back gently, wondering if the boars he ate were tainted.
"Oh fuck, I didn't know the Boars was tainted. Sess, I'm sorry."
Sesshomaru shook his head. "No. It's the baby," he panted softly.
He felt his stomach lurch again and vomited again. Shippo curiously watches from the hut, feeling sort of bad for Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru didn't smell so scary anymore; he smelled like a mommy. Inuyasha nodded in understanding and continued to rub his mate back until finished. He walked him over to the well, where he could rinse his mouth out. When they returned to the hut, the whole gang was awake. Kaede was waiting with a hot tea and held it out to Sesshomaru.
"Drink this, Milord. It is an herbal brew for pregnant women around her. It helps Nausea."
Sesshomaru was taken aback but of respect for the old woman. He took it gently from her and sipped it. He held back a grimace as the bitter liquid scalded his tongue. But to his relief, it helped a lot.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Inuyasha smiled and looked at Kaede.
"Er, you got any more of those herbs we could take with us on our journey back? It's going to be a long way, and I know he will need it as we walk to his kingdom. "
Sesshomaru raised his thin brow ever so gently.
"Walking, we are not Ah-Un is waiting at the forest's edge. This Sesshomaru made sure to send for him."
Inuyasha nodded in surprise. Kaede merely smiled and grabbed a bundled medium-sized cloth and handed it to Inuyasha.
"Already prepared."
Inuyasha thanked her with a smile. He gruffly pulled her into a hug. He was going to miss her. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she returned the hug with a soft smile.
"You're welcome to visit us as well, old woman."
The rest of the group was quiet. This was it. Inuyasha would leave them and take Shippo along for a new life at the castle. Kagome wanted to say something, but she didn't know what. So, she just stood quiet. Miroku and Sango came up to him. Sango pulled him in for a hug and Miroku as well. Sesshomaru looked annoyed they were on his mate but allowed it. Inuyasha returned the hug. "I will miss you guys too. Please don't be strangers." They both nodded. "Of course," Miroku chirped.
Finally, Inuyasha acknowledges Kagome. She looked into his Amber eyes in questioning and longing.
"Kagome, I know that things didn't go as planned, and I thought I loved you. However, I realized it wasn't love."
Kagome flinched at the harsh words.
"Maybe I did care about you, but you proved how immature and selfish you could be, and I wanted you to be rooting for me and on my side the most."
The dark-haired girl clenched her fist in anger and sadness.
"I love you, Inuyasha. You are one of the most important people in my life. I'm devastated that you chose your brother over me."
Inuyasha growled in annoyance.
"I didn't choose him over you. We were never a thing. You treat me like an object and sit me when you don't get your way. If anything, this was a blessing in disguise to help me see you for what you truly are. Spoiled. Rotten. Loud. And Selfish! You don't care about my happiness, only your own. Think about all your actions carefully. I don't want to hear another word from you, and I don't want to see you unless you've changed. Don't visit us."
With those words, Inuyasha left Kagome Shattered. She had sunken to the floor in tears.
"Goodbye, everyone. Come on, Shippo, we gotta get going."
Sesshomaru and Shippo left with the Hanyou not looking back. They made their way to the forest Edge, where Ah-Un sat patiently. Sesshomaru was happy to see the beast. He had spare clothes on the dragon, and he quickly changed into them without a second thought. He was back in his usual attire. The younger Inu had to turn when he suddenly stripped. It wouldn't do him any good to get aroused when he knew Sesshomaru was still terrified of him in that way. All three bounded the dragon, and off they went.