It had been a long night for Detective Tanaka. Trudging through the woods in search of a dead body had not been his first choice of evening activity. He would much rather have spent his time at home with his dog and a bottle of beer.
Tanaka stared down at the slightly melted I.D card on his desk, and the smiling face of the young man it had once belonged to.
Akitoki Hojo, Age: 23, Sex: Male, Hair: Brown, Eyes: Brown, Height: 5' 7"
He looked over the missing persons report and sighed. He'd really been hoping that this one would turn up alive. He picked up his phone and dialed the number listed. It only rang once before someone answered.
"Hello?" Came the voice of a young woman.
"Is this Miss Eri Watanabe?" He asked.
"Yes, how can I help you?"
"I am Detective Tanaka from the Tokyo Police department, and I'm calling in reguards to a missing persons report you filed."
"Did you find Hojo? Is he alright?" She asked, her voice full of hope.
"Unfortunatly, Miss Watanabe, Mister Hojo's body was found in the woods last night. Is there any chance that you would be able to come down to the station and answer some questions for me?"
He heard her gasp in surprise at the news. "I knew something was wrong when he wouldn't answer my texts. I would be glad help in any way that I can. Hojo was my friend, and he didn't deserve this. What time should I come in?"
"As soon as you can, if it isn't too much trouble."
"It wouldn't be any trouble at all. Is this morning too soon?"
"Not at all. I just want to say that I am so very sorry for your loss, Miss Watanabe." He offered his condolences.
"Thank you Detective. Good bye."
"Good Bye."
He put his phone back into his pocket. Calling the deceased's loved ones was never an easy task, but he always handled it as delicately as possible. Now the next step was to uncover what had happened to Mister Hojo. Hopefully Miss Watanabe could fill in some blanks.
00
Eri couldn't stop her tears as she dialed Akito's number to tell him the terrible news.
"Hello?"
"Akito!" Eri wailed into the phone.
"Eri? Is everything alright?" He asked.
Eri took a shaky breath, "No. The police found a body in the woods last night. They'r pretty sure that it's Akitoki's." Her voice broke at the end, and she couldn't help the pitiful cry that escaped her.
"My god! Are they sure it's him?" Aiko asked.
"Yeah, the detective I talked to sounded pretty certain. I'm supposed to go in to the station to answer some questions. Do you want to meet me there? You knew him best, and can probably answer their questions better than I can." Eri asked. "Do you think it was Kagome?"
"It wouldn't surprise me. All we can do is tell them what we know and hope that justice is served. I'll meet you there in an hour."
"I am so sorry Akito. If you need anything, I just want you to know that I'm here." Eri offered.
"Thank you Eri. I'll see you soon."
Eri wiped her eyes on the back of her sleeve. Her entire face felt puffy from crying, but there wasn't time to sit here and feel sorry for herself. She needed to get up and do her best to help the detectives get justice for Hojo.
0000
Much to Kagome's surprise, Inuyasha had not demanded an explaination of any kind when they arrived at their room. Instead he sat himself down on the bed and waited quietly. Kagome wasn't sure what she had expected his reaction to be, but this hadn't been it. She stared at him, slack jawed and in utter bewilderment.
"What?" He finally asked when he became uncomfortable with her gaze.
Kagome swallowed her confusion and focused.
"Can you, or that is to say, do you, you know, remember..." she stammered, still unable to find the right words.
"You mean do I suddenly remember our past lives in the sengoku jidai tracking down Shikon no kakera? Yes, I do." He answered, his tone laced with annoyance. "Mind telling me why?"
Kagome bit her bottom lip nervously. "I had a vision when I passed out." She answered. "Of Midoriko."
"The miko that created the Shikon no Tama?"
"Yes. She said that in order to defeat Naraku this time around we would need our past memories."
"Did she say why? Or which memories?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome shook her head, earning a frustrated growl from her mate.
Inuyasha really didn't take kindly to being manipulated by some ancient miko's ghost. What right did either of them have, forcing those memories on him?
Kagome watched as Inuyasha sat there with a silent scowl. She could see the anger swimming in his amber eyes, and she knew that she was the cause of it. Tears of guilt welled up in her eyes as she remembered all of the hardship that he had endured in his former life. "I'm so sorry. I was just to releaved to see you. I didn't know it would..." She tried to explain, her voice catching in her throat.
Kagome's words made Inuyasha pause. He couldn't be angry with her. She was just as much a pawn in this as he was. He sighed heavily and wrapped his arms around his mate, pulling her close to his chest. "Hey, it's not your fault. Stop crying." He soothed.
"It's just, when Midoriko gave all of our memories, I saw everything. It broke my heart knowing what you indured just to survive." she sniffled.
Inuyasha shook his head. Life back then had been violent and bloody. He knew that some of the things he had done in order to survive would make most hardened criminals piss themselves. And yet, Kagome wasn't disgusted by him, or even scared. She cried for him.
"You are the weirdest woman I've ever met. " He laughed.
Kagome looked up at him with a look of confusion at his backhanded statement. "Huh?"
"Well, you are. And I love you." He added.
"I love you too, you rude hanyo." Kagome chuckled, nuzzling her nose against his jaw. "Mama should have lunch ready by now." She realized.
"My head is pounding. I think I'll take a nap."
"Alright. I'll come back to check on you later." Kagome said as she left the room.
Kagome found herself back in the kitchen feeling a bit better than she had a moment ago. Her mother stood with her back toward the door, Aiko's head resting sweetly on her shoulder. The baby burbled happily upon seeing her mother, earning a smile from the young miko.
"Hello sweet girl!" Kagome cooed, reaching to caress her daughter's soft cheek. Mama turned and smiled her own greeting.
"I thought you'd be a bit longer than that." she teased as Kagome took the baby from her. "Where is Inuyasha?"
"Inuyasha has a head ache and decided to take a nap." Kagome answered.
"Is he alright?" Mama asked. Kagome shrugged. She was surprised all he had was a headache, considering.
"It was a stressful night. I think a nap will do him some good." Kagome answered, trying to convince herself as much as her mother.
Mama nodded. "Well, lunch is all but ready. Sango and Miroku got back a few minutes ago. They went to wash up before we eat. Will you help me set the table dear?"
"Sure Mama. I'd be glad to help." Kagome chirped, setting Aiko in the bouncy chair on the floor. Aiko whimpered softly, not at all pleased with being set down. Kagome cooed as she got to her feet. "You're alright baby girl. I'll be right here. I just have to help Grandma set the table."
"She reminds me of you when you were that age." Mama said, her voice whistful as she handed Kagome a stack of plates. The younger woman went about setting them on the table while her mother reminisced about her early days of motherhood. "You loved being held, and if I put you down I had to be where you could see me, otherwise I wouldn't get a moment's peace. You were such a mama's girl. In fact, you didn't want anything to do with your father until you were about a year old. He thought you hated him because every time he held you, you would scream!"
"I hated Papa? Me, really?" Kagome asked in disbelief. For as long as she could remember she had adored her father, almost to the point of worshiping the very ground he walked on.
"I don't think it was that you hated him. I think it had more to do with the fact that you spent nearly all of your time with me, so you didn't really get comfortable with him until then." Mama explained as she set the food on the table.
"Aiko is crazy about Inuyasha." Kagome admitted. "It's been nice having him around to help. Everything was so overwhelming at first, but I think we're finally falling into a routine."
"I'm glad to hear that dear. Those first few weeks are always such a blur. I thought I'd lose my mind after you were born. Luckily your grandmother flew in to help me. Your father had to return to work soon after you were born, so having her around was such a relief. I'm glad Inuyasha has taken the time away from work to be with you and the baby." Asami smiled.
"I am too." Kagome agreed.
Sango and Miroku joined them a few moments later and the four of them sat down to eat.
They spent the meal chatting happily together about the day's events and their plans for the wedding. Mama laughed along when Sango suggested Miroku challenge Inuyasha to a duel. The three women amused themselves predicting the outcome of such a match. Not one of them seemed to think he had even the slightest chance of winning.
"Asami san, you're cooking is absolutely delicious." Miroku said, changing the subject. He didn't find their predictions as amusing as they did.
"Thank you Miroku." Mama smiled brightly as his compliment. "I was wondering, if you three would go into town with me and pick up supplies for the wedding tomorrow."
"Sure." Sango nodded.
"Of course Mama. What all are we getting?" Kagome asked.
"Well, there is the food for dinner, the sake for the ceremony, the flowers. Sango, Miroku, how do you feel about lining the path to the meadow with lanterns?"
"I love it."
"Whatever Sango wants." Miroku agreed.
"Good. Then we'll need quite a few of those. Can you think of anything else?"
"Oh! I completely forgot about the bachelorette party!" Kagome realized, feeling rather stupid.
"Actually, I don't really feel like going out if that's alright with you." Sango admitted.
"Maybe we could do a little something here then. What about facials and manecures?" Kagome offered. Sango smiled. That sounded more her speed.
"I'd like that."
"Are we walking, or driving?" Miroku asked.
Asami thought for a moment. "I suppose we should probably drive. I don't think we'll have enough arms between us to carry it all back on our own."
"Alright." Miroku nodded.
"Good. It's going to be a busy afternoon trying to get everything set up. I'll need everyone here helping to make sure the wedding goes off without a hitch." Asami said.
"We're here to help however we can." Kagome agreed as she finished her lunch. She stood from her chair and put her plate in the sink before giving her mother a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for lunch Mama. I'm just going to let Inuyasha know what is going on and I'll be ready to leave."
Sango placed her plate in the sink and kissed Asami's other cheek. "Yes, thank you Mama san. I'll just grab my purse and I'll be ready."
"You're welcome dears. I'll clean up, and we can leave in half an hour. Kagome, do you think Inuyasha will want anything to eat while we're gone?"
Kagome knealt down and lifted Aiko to her shoulder. "I'll ask." She said as she made her way back to the bedroom.
00
Inuyasha felt something small and warm nestle against his chest, rousing him from his nap. His head was still pounding, but where it had felt like a jackhammer earlier it now felt more like loud bass. The soft scent of pup filled his nose and he sighed, wrapping his arm around her small form. Aiko cooed softly through her pacifier at him.
"How are you feeling?" Kagome asked as she grabbed the diaper bag. Inuyasha shrugged, absently scratching his neck.
"My head still hurts, but not as badly as it did."
Kagome frowned, feeling the guilt sit in her gut like a stone. "I'm so sorry." She offered, knowing that it probably didn't mean much at the moment. She sat herself down on the bed, Aiko now between them. "This is all my fault."
Inuyasha reached his arm around to pull her closer. "Quit bellyaching wench. I ain't mad or anything." He snorted. Kagome was surprised at the brash tone of his voice. She couldn't help the uprising of anger that overshadowed her guilt.
The acrid scent of Kagome's anger reached his nose, and he paused. He hadn't meant to come off like a complete ass, but it was difficult not to fall back into old habits from his former life. He took a calming breath before addressing her again. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just... I don't know... which one is me." He tried to explain.
Kagome sighed, shaking her head. She leaned over and looked her mate in the eyes. "They're both you. I've known you in both lives, and I know that despight all of your brash behavior, deep down you weren't any different from how you are now."
"You sure about that woman? I was a 'class a' jerk back in the day."
"You and I both know you never meant it." Kagome chuckled, kissing the corner of his mouth. Inuyasha sighed loudly, nodding his head.
"How did you know?" He wondered. Kagome's eyes twinkled knowlingly, and she shrugged.
"I think it was because you were always willing to help even if you made a big stink about doing it. Actions speak louder than words."
"Guess I wasn't very good at being indifferent." He admitted.
Kagome chuckled nervously and lifted Aiko up, holding her in the crook of her arm. "Everyone is waiting for me. We're heading to the village to pick up supplies for the wedding tomorrow. Do you want to come along?"
"I think I'll stay here. My head is still killing me. Have Kato drive you. I'll feel better knowing he's keeping an eye on you." Inuyasha said, his voice wary.
"Alright. You rest up. There is some food left over from lunch if you get hungry while we're gone."
" Thanks. Have fun." Inuyasha yawned, curling up under the blanket once again.
"I will, love. Good night." She kissed Inuyasha's cheek before grabbing the diaper bag and heading out the door.
0000
Eri clutched Akito's arm nervously as they were led to an open conference room. "Please, have a seat." The officer said, indicating the chairs placed around the large table in the center of the room. "Detective Tanaka should be with you momentarily." And with that the officer left.
Akito grabbed a chair and pulled it out offering Eri a seat. "Thank you." Came her soft reply as she settled into the chair. Akito took the seat next to her, but didn't say a word. Eri fidgeted in her seat, throwing a sidelong glance at her companaion.
"What?" He asked lightly, his expression curious.
"Nothing. It's just... you look so much like him." Eri stammered. And it was true. Akito was the spitting image of his younger brother. If Eri didn't know any better she might easily mistake to two. Tears began collecting in her eyes, and she fought them back.
"Are you alright?" Akito asked, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Eri sniffled, wiping her tears with her sleeve.
"Not really." She answered.
"Hey, it'll be alright." His hand squeezed her shoulder gently.
"Thank you." She whispered.
The door swung open with a soft creak and they were joined by a man in his early thirties. He was dressed in black button down and a pair of gray slacks. He carried a file and a notebook under his arm. He nodded to them in greeting, then shut the door behind himself before taking a seat across the table.
"I'm Detective Tanaka. Are you Miss Eri Watanabe?" He asked Eri.
"Yes. It's nice to meet you in person Detective." Eri nodded. "This is Akito Hojo, Akitoki's older brother." She added, introducing her companion.
"It is nice to meet you both. I'm so sorry it has to be under such terrible circumstances. I'm hoping that the two of you could shed some light on Akitoki's life. Where did he work? What were his hobbies? Any detail you can provide, no matter how trivial could be what breaks the case."
"Are you investigating my brother's death as a homicide?" Akito asked outright. The detective sat quietly for a moment before leaning forward on his elbows.
"The coroner has pronounced Hojo san's death a homicide." He answered matter of factly.
"Do you have any suspects?" Eri wondered aloud.
"We have a few working theories, but honestly I need more information on Akitoki's life before I can consider any of them credible. So please, anything you can tell me will be of great help."
"Of course officer. My brother worked at Obanari Dentistry as a dental assistant." Akito started. "He loved baseball and horror films and romantic comedies. His job kind of kept him from having much of a social life, but I don't think that bothered him much."
"Hojo kun was so kind," Eri added, but was cut short by a wracking sob. Akito placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.
"It's alright Eri chan." He soothed. "Officer, my brother was the kindest most generous man I've ever known. Everyone that knew him loved him. He took pride in his job, and worked hard. I didn't think anything could have made him happier until..."
"Until what, Mister Hojo?" Detective Tanaka asked.
"Until he met his girlfriend, Kagome." Akito finished. "They were engaged, but they were having some troubles."
"I'd say." Eri snorted, feeling nothing but anger at the mention of her former friend.
"Troubles?" Detective Tanaka asked. He took a pen from his pocket and jotted something down on his notepad.
"He found out she was cheating on him." Eri elaborated coldly. "He walked in on them a few days before..." her voice trailed off as her emotions overtook her once again.
"I never did like Kagome, but my brother was smitten. There was just something off about the way she treated him." Akito said. Detective Tanaka continued to take notes.
"What was her name, his girlfriend?" Detective Tanaka asked curiously.
"Kagome Higurashi." Eri answered. "I'm positive that she was the last person to see him before he disappeared." She added, her anger bubbling in her chest. She pulled her phone form her pocket and pulled up the texts that Hojo had sent her the night he'd disappeared. "He told me that he wanted to make things work with her, but she wasn't going to break it off with the other guy. She showed up at his apartment that night." She said, sliding the phone across the table. Detective Tanaka picked it up and studied it, slowly scrolling through the messages. "I'd be willing to bet anything that something happened that night. Akito said he asked Kagome about it, and she told him that she hadn't seen Akitoki since before the sixth, but see there, those texts he sent me about her showing up as his apartment are from the seventh."
"This new information is certainly enlightening, and I assure you that we will investigate every avenue to discover what happened to Mr. Hojo. Do you know the name of Miss Higurashi's other gentleman friend?"
"I..." Eri shook her head. "I don't."
"Akitoki mentioned it once. It was Inuyasha I think. I don't know his last name though. " Akito answered.
"Do you mind if I make a copy of these?" the detective asked, as he studied Eri's phone again.
"Please, take whatever you need." Eri answered.
"Now I have one more question for you, and it may be difficult to answer, but was your brother into any drugs? Did he gamble? Was he into anything that might have gotten him into trouble with the wrong type of people?"
"Not at all. My brother was as straight as they come. He never got so much as a parking ticket." Akito's fist smacked the table as he came to his brother's defense. Eri was glad to know that Akito wasn't going to let anyone forget what a wonderful person his brother was. It was very endearing.
"Hojo kun wasn't the type!" Eri pipped in. Detective Tanaka nodded his head as he jotted more down on his notebook, then he looked up at them, his expression somber.
"Thank you Mr. Hojo, Miss Watanabe. This has been very informative. Again, I am very sorry for your loss. If there is anything else you can think of, please just give me a call." Detective Tanaka said, offering both of them one of his business cards.
"Thank you Detective. You've been very kind. Please, find whoever did this to my brother." Akito said as he stood from his chair.
"Yes, thank you." Eri echoed.
"You are welcome. Take care."
Eri followed Akito from the conference room and breathed a sigh of relief. They had given the police all of the information they had. Now it was up to them to make sure that Hojo's killer was brought to justice.
0000
Inuyasha woke with a start.
Something wasn't right. He could feel it in his gut, like a churning.
He felt the soft bedding restle as he moved. He was in bed, but he didn't remember how he'd gotten there. He studied the room in the dim light, making himself aware of the exits in case the need to escape arose. The little room wasn't anything special, just a bed, and a small chest of drawers. The opposite wall was a sliding screen, there was another door to his left where he could hear the soft sound of running water he recognized as a shower, and a smaller door to his left- most likely a storage closet.
Perhaps Kagome had brought him here in order for them to heal up after a fight? He took a deep whiff, scenting the room. He couldn't make out any lingering scent of blood. How long had he been here? He sniffed again. The air was thick with the smell of himself and Kagome, but no one else, which perplexed the hanyo.
He could wait here until Kagome returned, but patience was not a virtue he was known for. He pushed himself to his feet, took a few steps and stopped, unused to the stiff blue hakama he was dressed in. He'd seen Kagome's kid brother wear them before. What had he called them? Jeenz?
Why he would be wearing clothes from Kagome's time was beyond him. He much preferred his fire rat clothes to those of modern times. Had his wounds been so terrible that only Kagome's modern medicine could have healed him? He wracked his brain for any recollection of what he had been doing before waking up here. His mind was a blank. Inuyasha frowned.
He walked over to the chest and pulled the drawers open. They were empty and musty from disuse. There had to be something here that he recognized; some kind of clue to where he was and why he was here. He turned around and noticed a few large bags resting at the foot of the bed. He knealt down and unzipped the largest, throwing its contents to the floor haphazardly. It was nothing but clothing, and he growled in frustration.
The sound of running water ceased, and he heard Kagome humming sweetly from behind the door. He felt a sudden rise of panic as he eyed the mess of clothes strewn about the room. As quickly as possible, he grabbed several of the garments and stuffed them back into the empty bag.
The door slid open and Kagome backed into the room wrapped in nothing but a towel. The hanyo froze. On one hand he didn't want to get caught peeping, but he also didn't want to face her ire at the large mess he'd made. In a flash he jumped up and dashed for the closet, hiding himself behind the door.
To his great relief Kagome had been preoccupied by her bag of toiletries to notice anything else.
Through the narrow crack in the door Inuyasha watched as Kagome turned and placed her bag on the bed, then dropped her towel to the floor. The hanyo's eyes nearly popped from his head at the sight of Kagome's naked body before him. His mouth watered at the sight of her creamy skin, and the soft rounding of her breasts and hips. He felt his groin tighten uncomfortably and cursed his current attire. Now not only was he being a creep, but if Kagome caught him here, there would be no hiding the obvious bulge in his crotch. He was going to get sat into a crater for sure.
Kagome looked down at the clothes thrown about the floor and shook her head. "Sheesh. What a mess." She grumbled as she leaned over, giving the hanyo a generous view of her backside. What would he give to be able to touch, even just once? Damn, that pervert of a monk was rubbing off on him.
He felt a tickle in his nose, and cursed the heavy smell of dust that permeated the small closet. He could feel his lungs tightening, readying to force the offending object outward and he held his breath, willing his body to ignore its involuntary response. Leaning forward, he placed one hand over his mouth and nose, the other on his chest, holding in the sneeze as best he could. Unfortunatly, his head brushed against the door. It creaked noisily, and Kagome turned her head, eyeing the closet curiously.
A knowing smile curled the edges of her lips upward as she stood and made her way toward him. Fuck! There was nowhere to hide! If she found him here watching her like this there would be hell to pay. Inuyasha felt his heart quicken as Kagome's footfalls came closer, and he backed himself into the the corner, willing himself invisible.
The door swung open, the light from the main room blinding him momentarily. "Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.
Inuyasha cringed and covered his face with his hand, waiting for the verbal onslaught that was sure to come. But when Kagome remained quiet, he braved a peek through his fingers. She stood there, naked as the day she was born with her hands on her hips, seemingly unaware of her state of undress, or perhapse angry enough at him that she didn't care.
"I wasn't peeping! I swear!" He barked defensively, cursing the way his cheeks burned warm with embarrassment. He expected Kagome to yell, to throw things, to make a scene. It felt like an eternity before he heard her walk towards him, and he braced himself for the slap he surely deserved.
Instead he felt her soft hand take his, pulling it slowly away from his face. Inuyasha's blush brightened, hoping she didn't notice the bulge in his pants that was now glaringly noticeable.
"What are you doing hiding in the closet?" She asked, eyeing him suspiciously. Inuyasha opened his eyes, surprised by the lack of hostility he heard in her tone.
"I-I-I" he stammered, doing his damndest to keep his eyes aimed at her face. Kagome's eyes narrowed slightly, her brow creasing as she studied him. Now he really felt like an idiot, which made his anger flare. Kagome's eyes widened suddenly, her hand moving unconsciously to rub the junction where her left shoulder met her neck.
"Inu, are you alright?" She asked softly. Slowly she reached up and brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. The sensation of her soft skin against his sent his mind reeling. Jumbled images swirled through his mind. He remembered sitting around the campfire on a clear summer night, watching as Kagome taught their friends to play a card game. A flash of Kagome, her bare skin flush as she stared up at him lovingly. Then the sensation of wind whipping through his hair as he ran through the forest, the weight of Kagome on his back, then another image: Kagome nestled in bed, her dark hair a frizzy halo around her lovely face. What the hell was going on?
A tear escaped his eye and ran down his cheek. Inuyasha shook his head in response. No, he was not alright. Everything was a jumble, and he couldn't make any sense of it.
"Come lay down." Kagome said, taking him by the hand and leading him back to the bed. She had a look of determination on her face as she placed one hand on each of his shoulders and forced him to sit. "What's wrong?" She asked, settling herself down at his side, unconcerned with her current state of undress. Her nakedness still made him feel uncomfortable, dispight the nagging feeling of familiarity. But if she wasn't going to make a fuss about it, neither would he.
"Inuyasha, what's wrong?" She asked again. Inuyasha shook his head. He didn't feel right burdening her with his problems. He should be able to shoulder them on his own. He shook his head, avoiding eye contact.
"Nothing." He said. "It's just a headache." He flinched as another round of jumbled memories flashed before him.
"Stop lying to me." Kagome chided. She moved, lifting her leg over his lap so that she strattled him. Inuyasha felt like his heart might burst as her arms wrapped around his neck. His face was now the same red as his fire rat robe with embarrassment at the physical reaction her closeness coaxed from his body. Had she lost her sense of shame? What in the world would make Kagome, the girl that had screamed every time he'd accidentally seen her naked, suddenly throw herself at him? He cursed his hardening errection. What right did he have to feel that way about her? She wasn't his mate, or his wife.
Kagome sighed, and let her shoulder slump slightly as she brushed her hair around her neck, exposing her left shoulder. Inuyasha had to do a double take when he saw the mark emblazoned just above her left collar bone. It was a mating mark. His mark.
He felt a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, and he closed his eyes. When the hell had that happened?
Think hard dumb ass. His yōkai snapped, pulling itself to the forefront of his mind.
You didn't! His inner voice snarled. He felt sickened by the very thought that his yokai would do such a thing to Kagome.
I didn't do anything you didn't already want to do.
How dare you! She doesn't know what this means!
You're such an idiot.
Fuck you. Inuyasha hadn't wished to be rid of his yokai blood more than he did in that moment. He was disgusted with himself. How could he have allowed his yokai to mate Kagome, forcing her to become bound to a lowly tainted hanyo?
God damn it! THINK. HARD. There was a sudden surge of pain as his yokai searched his memory, sending them hurling by in a sickening whirl of color. Then suddenly it stopped. In his mind he could see Kagome, standing in the front hall of her family's home. Her hair was damp and smelled of rain. He wrapped his arms around her, never wanting to let her go again.
"You've been gone so long. I thought maybe you'd changed your mind about us." Kagome cried. He tightened his grip on her, and burried his nose in her hair.
"Never." He murmured. His hand brushed across her soft cheek before pulling her in for a kiss. "I'm sorry I made you wait so long."
She looked up and sook her head, brushing her fingers across his lips. "It doesn't matter, you're here now." And she grabbed his shirt, pulling in for another heated kiss.
"My mate." He rumbled.
He watched as Kagome nodded. "Yes, your mate."
The memory shifted quickly once more.
Kagome lay before him on her bed, her legs wrapping around him as he knealt on the ground before her. He felt her hot tongue run the length of one of he ears, igniting a fire in his blood that shot straight to his groin.
"Kagome... Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I've never been more sure." She answered softly.
"Inuyasha?" The sound of Kagome's voice pulled him away from his thoughts. "Please, tell me what's wrong?"
Inuyasha blinked, allowing his eyes to focus on her beautiful face. "Fuck. My head." He growled, leaning his forehead against hers. He sat there for a moment as his memories unjumbled themselves. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Kagome asked, resting her hand on the side of his face.
"For forgetting." He brushed his hair away from his face. "I woke up and didn't know where I was. I thought we were still hunting shards." He admitted.
Kagome laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand. "I thought you were acting odd. No wonder you hid in the closet. I bet you were mortified!"
"Hey! It ain't that funny! I thought for sure you were going to find me in there and sit me to oblivion for spying on you."
"It is pretty funny." Kagome giggled, kissing his nose. A playful grin spread across her face. "Did you... like what you saw?"
Inuyasha growled lustfully, pulling himself and Kagome down on the bed, rolling so that he hovered over her. "Hell yes." Inuyasha said, his voice low. He lowered his head to her chest and nuzzled the soft flesh. "Mmmm." He muttered drunkenly. Kagome laughed and wrapped her legs tightly around him,
"You are rather fond of them, aren't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" He asked, peeking up at her with feigned innocence.
"What do you think?"
Inuyasha lifted himself up on his elbows and lowered his mouth over one of her nipples. He lavished it slowly, loving the soft mewling sound his mate made at his attention. The pink peak hardened as he took it between his lips. He suckled lightly, gently, drawing a small mouthful of the sweet liquid from within.
Kagome gasped as she felt Inuyasha nurse. His nursing was so much different that the baby's. He was much more gentle, his tongue swirling around her nipple, suckling gently. "Ah." She moaned, arching herself into him as he repeated the process on the other side.
"You like that?" He hummed seductively, as he undid his jeans and kicked them to the floor.
"More than I thought I would." Kagome answered as she felt his length press against her inner thigh.
00
"You're late." Sango teased as Kagome entered the room with a bag in hand.
"Sorry, I had to put the baby down." Kagome apologized as she plopped herself down on the tatami mat next to Sango.
Mrs. Higurashi shook her head and smiled knowingly at the soft blush of her daughter's cheeks. "And why, may I ask did you take so long to come get her? I thought you were only taking a quick shower."
Kagome chuckled nervously and shrugged. "I got... distracted."
"Ah, young love!" Asami gushed, clasping her hands over her heart. Sango's jaw dropped, and Kagome's face turned a bright shade of red.
"Mother!" Kagome sqwaked indignantly.
"We're all adults here, dear. There isn't anything to be ashamed of. Maybe just keep it down a little next time." Mama teased lightly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Kagome lied. "So, should we get started?" She asked, happily changing the subject.
"Ooh, lets!" Sango agreed.
00
Inuyasha backed out of the room on tip toe, sliding the screen as quietly as possible so as not to wake the baby from her sleep. He turned and headed down the walkway toward the kitchen, hoping that those left overs that Kagome had promised were still in the fridge.
The dark was broken by the bright light of the moon. The soft sound of crickets filled the night air, and he breathed deeply, drinking in the heady scent of summer. He wasted no time finding the kitchen, and helped himself to the leftovers. His stomach growled loudly as he stepped out on the veranda, stuffing a large bite of food into his mouth.
His nose twitched at the scent of sake. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Miroku sitting to his right, almost hidden by shadows. He sighed thoughtfully, turning his face to the sky and took a swig.
"It'ssss beautiful, isn' it?" Miroku asked as he put his cup down.
Inuyasha took another bite of his dinner. "Yup." He said through his mouth full of food.
"You don' really get to sssee them like this innn th'city." Miroku said, his words slurring together slightly. "It'ssss a shame really tha' nobody seems ta misssss em much."
The two of them sat in relative silence, Inuyasha finishing his meal as Miroku watched the stars.
"You want some?" Miroku asked, offering Inuyasha a cup of his own. The hanyo shrugged. He wasn't usually one for alcohol, but after the day he'd had, perhaps it wouldn't hurt. He sat down next to Miroku and took the offered drink, downing it in one gulp.
The liquid spread a warmth throughout his body as it filled his stomach. He hiccuped once and held the cup out for more.
"I wass wonderin' Inuyasha..." Miroku said as he poured the hanyou another drink. "How did we get sssso lucky?"
"How do you mean?" The hanyou asked, downing his second helping in one gulp again. He enjoyed the feeling of alchohol numbing his senses more than he anticipated. Unfortunatly, his yokai metabolism burned the sake off far too quickly to actually have much effect. That just meant that he would have to drink more.
"I mean, tha' you an' me, we're lucky to have sssuch beautiful women love us. Sango 's the mos' amazin' woman I ever met! Wha' if I ssscrew it up?" Miroku cried, taking another swig.
"That calls for another drink." Inuyasha said, taking the jug of sake from Miroku, and he poured himself another helping. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm rush as it entered his system. "Look Bozu, the only way you're gunna fuck this up is if you're stupid enough to cheat on her." Another warming gulp of sake went down the hatch, then another.
Miroku gasped incredulously. "I wouldn'!" He said, hitting his leg with his fist. "Sango s' the love of my life! I couldn'! But you know! You know how bein' married is! You an' K'gome have a BABY!"
"We do!" Inuyasha gasped, as if just realizing it for the first time.
"How do ya make it work? Isn' it hard? Doesn' gettin' married change thingsss?"
"Ha! Absolutely not!" Inuyasha laughed, downing two more cupfuls. By now he was beginning to feel a bit tipsy, his words felt heavier on his tongue as he spoke them.
"Doesn' havin' a baby kinda ruin th' mood?"
"Nah!" The hanyou shrugged. He downed his eighth drink. "'Kay, she mighta been a bit tired n'the beginnin', but we made it work. S'not that hard."
Miroku took another drink of his own. "We're friendss righ? You an me? Can I ask how much you an K'gome do th'deed?" He giggled at the last three words. Inuyasha frowned for a minute, but then he threw his free arm around Miroku's shoulder.
"Man youuu're like the brother I never had! I love ya!" Inuyasha admitted drunkenly.
"I lovvvvve you too! You do have a *hic* brother tho." Miroku pointed out.
"Yeah, an' tha' guy is a bastard! I'd neeever tell him tha' K'gome and I fuck like ...every day!" His voice tapered to a whispered giggled near the end.
"Tha'sss m'boy!" Miroku cheered. "Ya got *hic*me beat! Ssango n' I probobobably *hic* do it a *hic* few timesss a week!"
"That deserves another drink!" Inuyasha said, pouring himself and Miroku another cup each.
"To our beautiful women! May they alwayss *hic* keep our bedsss *hic* warm!"
"To sex!" Inuyasha agreed jovially. The two clanked their glasses together and downed the liquid one last time.
00
Kagome tried not to smile as she looked over her handy work, so as not to crack the mud mask painted over her face. Her fingers were a soft shade of pink and her toes a lovely plum color. Normally she would have just done a clear coat, but she figured that since it was a special occation she would splurge.
"How did you learn to do the flowers like this?" Sango asked, admiring Kagome's work on her own nails. Her face too was painted with the green mud.
"YouTube." She admitted. "You can learn to do just about anything there. And I got the special tools at a drug store. Do you really like them?" She asked hopefully. She'd been practicing on herself, but the designs hadn't ever turned out right.
"I love them!" Sango gushed. "See Mama?" she said, showing Asami her manicure. Kagome had done a French base and painted delicate white and glittery gold blossoms over the top. She'd done Sango's toes in a simple French manicure.
"They're beautiful." Mama agreed. Her own nails were polished to a sheen, then painted with a clear base. She liked to keep things as simple as possible. It was Sango's day after all. "You'll be a lovely bride." She said, wrinkling her nose a little. "When can we wash this mud off?"
"The instructions said after fifteen minutes." Kagome answered. "You're probably good now as long as it's dry."
"It's so dry I can barely move my face." Mama laughed, although it was difficult with such a stiff face. "I think I'll just go rinse this off." She stood up and disappeared into the bathroom.
Sango sighed heavily, admiring her nails again.
"Is something wrong?" Kagome asked. Sango shook her head.
"No. I mean, not really."
Kagome looked unconvinced. "Care to elaborate?"
"It's just nerves I guess. Do you think Miroku and I are rushing things?"
"Are you kidding me?" Kagome had to fight not to snort back a laugh. "You and Miroku have been engaged for a year! How is this rushing things?"
"No, I mean, do you think I'll regret ditching our big wedding?" Sango corrected. "I mean, this was just an out of the blue idea I had."
"Did you want a big wedding?" Kagome asked, feeling the mud on her face stiffen. Sango shook her head emphatically. "Then why are you worried?"
"I just feel like, I dont' know... if getting married is going to change things for Miroku and I- is this how we want to start off?"
Kagome shook her head. "Look, marriage is nothing but a legal document. It doesn't change anything unless you let it." Kagome took Sango's hands in her own. "Do you love Miroku?" She asked. Sango nodded. "Then that's all that matters. Don't stress over a peice of paper."
Sango smiled sheepishly. "You're right. I'm being silly."
"No, you've got a right to feel that way. Having doubts is normal. Even I had doubts about my relationship with Inuyasha. In the end though, you've just got to do what feels right for you and Miroku. Just relax and let Mama and I take care of everything."
"Kagome's right. We've got everything covered. All you and Miroku have to do is show up." Mama piped in as she re entered the room, blotting gently at her face with a towel.
"You know I love you two right? I don't know what I'd do without you." Sango gushed. She felt tears welling in her eyes and frantically fanned the dampness with her hands.
"That's what family is for dear." Mama said with a soft smile.
"Thanks. I think I'm going to wash this mask off now." Sango said, before disappearing through the door.
Asami sat down next to Kagome, her smile brightening. "What?" Kagome asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering when you became so wise?" Mama sighed.
"I can't take all of the credit." Kagome admitted. "You set an excellent example."
00
"Are they dead?" Sota asked as he eyed the two men passed out on the veranda.
"No, but they sure smell like it." Kohaku said as he bent over for a better look.
"What do you think we should do? Everyone'll be up soon." Sota wondered.
"Well, there's nothing for it." Kohaku said with a nod. "We have to wake them up. You wan't the girls and Mama to find them like this?"
Sota didn't look so sure. "I guess not."
Kohaku knealt over one of the sleeping men and nudged him none-to-gently with his foot. "Hey dummy! WAKE UP!" He hissed.
Miroku jerked awake, smacking Inuyasha square in the jaw. The hanyo jumped up ready for a fight, but immediatly regretted it.
"What the hell?" he growled, doing is best to give Sota and the other kid a dirty look through squinty eyes. His mouth felt like sand paper, and his body felt stiff.
"Did you have to be so loud?" Miroku yelped, rubbing his face, then brushing his hair out of his eyes.
Sota and Kohaku laughed. "Serves you right for getting drunk the night before your wedding!" Sota teased.
"Being hung over is a bitch, ain't it?" Kohaku laughed, offering his soon to be brother in law a hand up. "You're lucky we found you first. Because if the girls had found you, a hangover would be the least of your worries."
"Kagome and Mom are gunna kill you when they find out." Sota chortled.
"I am not hung over!" Inuyasha answered adamantly. "And they ain't gunna find out. I just need some coffee and I'll be fine." He decided, heading for the kitchen.
"I'll second that." Miroku groaned, following close behind.
"Wooh! And a shower. You smell like cheap sake." Sota waved his hand in front of his nose.
"And how would you know what cheap sakes smells like?" Inuyasha asked, cutting the boy a suspicious glare over his shoulder. Sota chuckled, scratching his head nervously.
"Let us worry about the coffee while you two get cleaned up." Kohaku offered.
"Thanks Kohaku. I really appreciate that." Miroku said as he detoured toward the bathroom, Inuyasha not far behind.
"Don't thank us yet." Kohaku muttered as he and Sota high tailed it to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee.
"Gods Miroku! You wreak!" they heard Inuyasha yowl from down the hall, and they laughed, shaking their heads in amusement.
00
Somehow the rest of the day went off without a hitch. After a shower and a few cups of coffee, both Inuyasha and Miroku were good as new.
Asami was the first one awake after that. She showed up dressed and ready to start the day. She whipped up a hearty breakfast, and as soon as they were done eating she put them to work putting up lanterns along the path to the meadow.
Much to Sota and Kohaku's relief she allowed them to loiter in the kitchen for a while before giving them their own jobs moving the table and chairs down the trail to the site of the ceremony.
Sango was up next, followed by Kagome, who had only been delayed because she decided to nurse Aiko before having her own breakfast.
At some point Miroku's uncle Mushin had shown up. Much to Sango's relief he was sober and ready to preform his duty as officiate. He made a big speech about behind honored to preform his favorite nephew's wedding, then nonchalantly asked where they kept the ceremonial sake.
Sango had then threatened that if he even had a drop of alchohol that she would personally break the jar over his head, to which the old monk had chuckled nervously and promised that he would remain dry until after the wedding.
After cleaning up the dishes, the three women got to work arranging flowers for the alter, and a bouquet for Sango, plus a little basket of petals for Aiko to 'carry'. When that was all finished, they got busy cooking for the after party. Before anyone knew it, afternoon had crept up on them.
Kagome chuckled to herself as she tried to wriggled Aiko into her infant sized kimono. The pup was more interested in playing than cooperating, and Kagome, although amused, was starting to feel a bit of frustration.
"Let's get you dressed in your pretty kimono! It's almost time for Aunti Sango's wedding! " Kagome said, trying for the third time to get Aiko to hold still long enough to get her arms in the sleeves and keep them there before she tied it shut.
"You look beautiful." Inuyasha hummed in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Kagome smiled at her mate's compliment. She'd spent quite some time getting her kimono on, and was glad that her efforts hadn't been in vain. Her under kimono was a lovely shade of magenta made to compliment the soft pink of the outer kimono decorated with delicate Sakura branches blossoming in spring, cinched at the waist by a pink obi.
Kagome turned in his grasp and appraised her husband. He too had changed for the occation. He wore a dark blue hakama and over coat tied with a black obi , and cream kosode underneath. Kagome found that she liked the way he looked dressed up in traditional clothes. It reminded her of when he'd worn his robe of the fire rat.
"You look pretty good yourself." She answered, before turning back around to finish dressing Aiko.
"Pup giving you trouble?" He asked.
"Not really, she's just wiggly. Mind giving me a hand? " She asked, smiling at her husband appreciatively. "Look who it is Aiko! It's Papa!" She cooed excitedly as Inuyasha released his hold on her and turned his attention to the baby.
Aiko burbled happily, kicking her little arms and legs with excitement at seeing her father.
Inuyasha made a few soft sounds that sounded suspiciously like dog noises, and suddenly Aiko was still, looking up at him expectantly with her large innocent eyes.
"What did you just do there?" Kagome asked in amazement, earning a blush from her mate. She managed to get both of Aiko's arms into their prospective sleeves without any trouble. "Will you hold her up so I can tie the bow in the back?" She added off handedly.
Inuyasha lifted Aiko up in the air, nuzzling her little nose with his own. "I told her to hold still." He answered with a shrug.
"In the Inu language you told me about?" She asked. Aiko mewled impatiently, kicking her little legs. Inuyasha growled lightly and snuffled her belly, making the baby coo happily.
"Yeah. She's pretty good at it." He said, kissing Aiko on the top of her head as he handed her back to Kagome.
"Could I learn?" Kagome asked, putting the baby to her shoulder. Inuyasha quirked a dark brow as he considered her question.
"Maybe some of it." He said with a shrug.
"You'll teach me?" Kagome sounded excited.
"I guess I could try. I haven't had to teach anyone before."
"Then how did Aiko learn?"
"She was born knowing, I just encouraged it." Inuyasha groused, rolling his eyes.
"Oh." Kagome sounded a little dejected, and Inuyasha's ears drooped guiltily. He made a soft woofing sound, and Aiko turned to look up at him curiously. "What does that mean?"
"Pup." He answered, repeating the noise. Kagome smiled and did her best imitation. Aiko turned her head and looked up expectantly, making her own little sound in response.
"Pretty good." Inuyasha chuckled.
"What did she say?"
"Mama."
Kagome beamed. "That's right baby!" She praised, repeating the sound for 'pup'. Aiko gave her a wide toothless smile that made Kagome's heart overflow with motherly pride.
"I think you're getting the hang of it." Inuyasha chuckled, kissing Kagome's forehead. "It's almost time for the ceremony. Do we have everything?"
Kagome nodded. "You ready to carry the flower girl down the isle?" She asked, handing the baby back to him as she slipped her shoes on her feet. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"I think I can handle it."
"Kagome! We're about to start! Are you three ready?" Mama called form outside.
"We're coming Mama! Just a moment!" She answered. "Lets go." She added, giving Inuyasha a quick kiss on the mouth before heading out the door.
00
Sango looked lovely in her white sleeveless dress and lace veil. She was the picture perfect bride, and Asami couldn't have been more proud. "You look absolutely beautiful." she said, kissing Sango on the cheek.
"Thank you Mama. I'm a little nervous." She admitted, adjusting her veil for the umpteenth time.
"Just breath dear. " Asami coached, gently taking Sango's hands in her own. "You'll do just fine. We're all here for you."
"That's right Sango!" Kagome chimed in encouragingly.
"Yeah sis!" Kohaku echoed.
Sango smiled brightly, and nodded her head in understanding. With her blood and adopted family there by her side, she felt more love than she'd ever felt, and if gave her courage.
The sun was just setting behind the tress, and the lanterns that lit the path to the meadow glowed, giving off a warm magical light.
"Alright, it's time!" Kagome said as they heard the music start up. She offered a big smile and a thumbs up before linking arms with Kohaku and heading down the path. A moment later Inuyasha carried the flower girl, followed finally by Asami and the bride.
The meadow of purity had an unearthly glow to it at this time of evening, reflecting the warm pinks and oranges of the approaching sunset. The walk down the path to the alter where Miroku waited was surprisingly quick, and before Sango knew it, Mama Higurashi was lifting her veil to kiss her forehead before giving her away.
Miroku looked like he was in shock with his mouth wide open at the sight of her, and Sango giggled as she took her place at the alter beside him.
The ceremony was short and sweet, just as Sango had always imagined it. Mushin blended the old traditions seamlessly with the new ones, and after their final drink of the ceremonial sake, and a sweet kiss, Sango and Miroku were pronounced Mister and Missus Takahara.
Sango looked out at her family as they cheered for her and Miroku, and smiled broadly. She felt like a balloon was expanding in her chest, making her feel like she was nothing but air.
"Let's celebrate!" Kohaku cheered, throwing his arms in the air as he led everyone back to the house.
The rest of the night, Sango hadn't left Miroku's side. They ate and drank and danced until they couldn't any more. Miroku looked at her with his bedroom eyes, and Sango felt her knees go weak.
"Are you ready to call it a night?" He asked, his voice sent shivers of pleasure down her back.
"Whenever you are." She answered breathlessly.
Miroku smiled and nodded his head, then grabbed a glass cup and a spoon from the table, clanking the two together noisily. Everyone stopped their happy chatter and looked at him expectantly.
"I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for making this possible. I know it was short notice, but because of you it was absolutely perfect. You're the most amazing bunch of people, and I'm happy to call every single one of you my family!" He said raising his glass. Everyone cheered and raised their glasses in kind. "Now, it's getting late, and I think my wife and I will be heading to bed!"
Mushin wistled a cat call, and Mrs Higurashi cheered encouragingly. They all teasingly wished the new couple luck conceiving their first child as they disappeared into the darkened house toward the bridal room.
It was going to be a fun night if Miroku had anything to say about it.
