Hello fellow readers, I'm back with another chapter! The characters had another idea for this chapter so that's why it's different from what I previously stated in the last chapter. This came out well if I do say!
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 3
Word quickly spread of the newly returned couple's pregnancy in the village. The villagers were thrilled with the news. The inu hanyou protector and his miko wife were still well respected and thus was congratulated as they went about their daily duties. Even Moroha, who still found herself getting used to living in a place that didn't shun youkai no matter the percentage of it they carried, was stopped, and congratulated. It was all still foreign to her, living among humans after growing up being raised by ookami youkai. But she believed no one would be foolhardy enough to talk such slander about her or her parents.
Although that wasn't to say she heard all pleasant things about her family. Even with her human ears, her hearing was still superior, although not as honed as her father's. She noticed the occasional gossip, mostly from outsiders passing though the village when they thought no one was in hearing range. Even now, as she settled comfortably against a tree amidst the village, her ears could pick up words even among all the noise and chatter. The quarter demon was waiting for her mother to finish with a patient that accidentally sliced their leg with a scythe. She could hear her mother's calm yet no-nonsense directions and the hisses and pains of the poor villager. And the mixture of herbs, sweat, and blood was enough to keep her-and her sensitive nose, at a safe distance.
The quarter demon pup, while in a state of relaxed alertness noticed a few unfamiliar villagers meandering and talking to the locals. While not close enough to hear most of the conversation she heard words like "village priestess", and "healer", That got her attention. Were they there to see her mother? While old lady Kaede was still active, her age was catching up with her and was unable to attend as much as she used to. While she was still able to treat and heal the sick, a huge portion of villagers now sought out Kagome's expertise.
Moroha quickly stood up, "Why do I get the feeling that something's not right?" For years she relied on her demon instinct to detect trouble and get the hell out of harm's way. And right now, her inu senses were tingling.
Immediately she made a single leap to land right in front of the hut where her mother was. She had her hand on the hilt of her weapon, as though reassuring herself that she could protect her mom. She'd never drawn it against a human, and she wasn't about to start now, but that didn't mean she wouldn't use her claws and fangs to get her point across.
"Moroha?" She heard her mother's voice.
The quarter demon, never looking away from the trio now making their way towards them, replied "Yeah mom, but it looks like we got company."
The priestess noticed the unfamiliar group of men. Noticing her daughter's unease, she felt right away something was off. Standing straight with her basket of supplies, she greeted them. "Konichiwa, fellow visitors. Is there something amiss?"
The smaller of the group answered, "Are you the legendary priestess, Kagome-sama?"
"Hai, I am." Kagome didn't like that tone. And she certainly didn't like the gleam in their eyes either. Moroha, for now was keeping her cool but if she were her father's daughter, it wouldn't be long before she did. "What business do you have with me?"
Moroha stood slightly in front of Kagome, silently daring any of these strangers to make a move. Her brown eyes didn't miss the smirks the two larger men shared. That didn't sit well with her. "You lugs got something to say?!"
"Moroha." Her mother reprimanded lightly.
Three pairs of eyes now moved towards the quarter demon. "What's it to ya, little girl?!"
"Keh!" She flexed her right hand, making sure they saw her claws. "This little girl can kick your asses, so you better watch yourselves!" And for added affect, she let her paternal fangs show. "Now I asked a question: You bastards got something to say?!"
The three flinched back in surprised horror. They didn't expect to see a human looking child brandishing claws and fangs, like a youkai….
"She's not human!" The largest lackey exclaimed.
"But not like a youkai either!" His partner cried.
The leader, obvious by his self-control, narrowed his cold green eyes at her. "No, she's just a mixed blood. Not even worth our energy."
"NANI?!" She growled angrily. Now she was pissed!
Before she could lose her temper, Kagome laid a hand on her arm. "Moroha." She whispered lowly so only her daughter could hear. The teen was seething, and to tell the truth so was she. No one insulted her child! These men were here to cause trouble and there was no way she would help them. "It's best if you three leave before you cause any more problems."
"You heard what she said! Now get the hell out of here before I decided to sharpen my claws on ya!"
Lackeys 1 and 2 were more than happy to flee. Cold Green Eyes, however, crossed his arms and stood, unmoving. He heard that the legendary priestess and the inu hanyou InuYasha were back after so many years. He heard many stories about those two, how they defeated the most despicable enemy ever known. And it sickened him that a human woman would lie with a disgusting half breed. To him, any union between humans and demons was horrid and unnatural.
And he noticed the familiarity the miko interacted with the hotheaded mixed blood. And the brown eyes. 'Mother and daughter, perhaps? I heard that there was a demon bounty hunter that possessed both youkai and miko powers. This mixed blood must be the brat of this vile coupling!'
"Uh, boss?" The voice of his minion made him aware that villagers were beginning to surround them. With so many witnesses, he realized now wasn't the time.
"Perhaps we'll meet again…Priestess Kagome." And with that, he snapped his fingers signaling their leaving.
"The hell you will!" Moroha yelled at their retreating forms. She saw that dangerous gleam in those green eyes.
The band of men walked-well two walked fast at the youkai child's voice, the leader walked casually. He got what they came for. The priestess Kagome and her inu hanyou husband, InuYasha were in this village. They had a mixed blood, hotheaded daughter that was fun to rile up. And he didn't fail to notice how the miko covered her stomach, as if protecting it…. And with that new juicy tidbit, they left the village.
It didn't take long for news to spread about the confrontation. InuYasha was seething, absolutely seething with rage. He and Miroku were dealing with an annoying band of badger demons in a nearby village, so he didn't hear about what happened until fellow villagers who witnessed the entire account told him what happened. He hauled ass home and was so relieved to see his wife and daughter by the fire, slightly shaken but unharmed
He listened intently, from when Moroha sensed the trio, to them confronting Kagome to how they taunted Moroha. He commended Moroha for protecting her mother and unborn sibling, so proud of his offspring. He pulled Kagome into his lap, cradling her, nuzzling her, kissing her. His hand immediately went to her stomach, hearing the tiny heartbeat and sensing all was well. He then motioned for Moroha and he fiercely held his eldest pup to his side.
The family stayed that way for a while, content to just be with each other. With his beloved Kagome now resting easy in his lap, safely shielding their unborn and his beautiful daughter hugging him tightly with her head on his chest, InuYasha was happy once again. This day was trying for all of them to be sure. He could tell the argument left both his girls uneasy. If only he was there…
Mentally shaking his head, InuYasha solemnly vowed, "If those bastards ever come near my family again, I'll rip them to pieces! There's no way those slimy excuses for humans will hurt them!" He looked back and forth between his girls.
"I swear I will protect all of you with these hands, this sword and my life!" And InuYasha never, ever broke a promise. Especially when it came to his family!
What did ya'll think?! Created a little drama for our family! Let me know what you think- just don't be too mean!
A/N: I have a poll currently running that pertains to this story. If you could take the time and vote it would be most appreciated!
Until next time...Ja Ne!
