Thanks for your patience all. Life has been crazy but I'm working towards getting back on track with updating.
Someone reviewed the name of Sango's demon companion is "kirara" and that is correct of you watch the Japanese version. In English, it translates to "kelala". I try to keep the language the same as closely as possible unless I don't know the English translation of the word. (Inuyasha's white undershirt for example) It drives me nuts when writes switch back and forth between words like miko/priestess or demon/youkai etc.
Please let me know if you have any further questions!
Kagome eased in consciousness, feeling the warmth of the fur against her bare skin, the masculine, forestry scent of Inuyasha around her as- wait a minute, bare skin? Kagome slid her eyes open to confirm two things: she was completely unclothed, and her husband was not with her.
"Inuyasha?" She called out hesitantly, insecurity beginning to creep in after everything that had been seen and done between them in the last several hours.
He didn't answer, and Kagome fought the rising sense of panic, searching around her for her clothing. The only thing in sight was Inuyasha's red Haori. She climbed out of the warm nest of furs and slid the red robe around her body, tying it in the now familiar motion. The sunlight was blinding as she stepped towards the entrance, using her hand to block the strong beams from hitting her face.
He was there, working on what looked like a fire and food for breakfast. Clad in his usual clothes besides the red robe she was wearing.
"Inuyasha?" She called hesitantly again, trying to swallow what she realistically knew was a silly fear. His head jerked up and his smoldering golden gaze met her blue before trailing down her body, taking in that s he was wearing his clothing, again.
"Kagome." He rose to his full height as he said her name, his deep baritone sending shivers down her spine. He strode towards her, taking her face in one hand and kissing her soundly, wrapping the other around her back and pulling her closer. Instantly all her fears melted away at the scent and feel of him all around her, and she kissed him back.
"Hey," she managed to say when they broke apart. He grinned at her and tweaked her nose with his.
"Hey yourself. I thought you would sleep for a while longer." He nodded towards his pile of supplies. "I got stuff for breakfast. Would you make that tea?" He looked so hopeful and cute that happiness bubbled up in Kagome's chest. She beamed back and nodded, letting go of his Kosodo, which she had fisted in her hands, and made her way to the fire he had just started.
"Did you want rabbit meat with rice or a stew this morning?" She tossed over her shoulder to him, examining the ingredients he had brought her. When he didn't answer she shifted her body to face him and found him gazing at her. "Inuyasha?"
"You were right, I do like seeing you in my clothes." His face split into a cocky grin and Kagome had to resist the urge to roll her eyes.
"My face is up here mister." She scolded as his eyes once again traveled away from her face. At her words his eyes jerked back up to her face and his cheeks reddened at having been caught. Kagome giggled as he tossed his head away, emitting a loud "Keh!"
"By the way, have you seen my clothes? I couldn't find them."
"Hmm. I think I saw them in the cave. Do you want me to go get them?" He smirked at her "-not that you need them, the way you keep wearing my clothes everywhere." It was Kagome's turn to blush. She quickly spun around to face the meal, deciding on meat with rice instead of taking the time to make a stew. She ignored Inuyasha's low chuckling as it faded away towards the cave, setting the smaller pot for tea among the coals to warm up.
Just as the tea began to steam, a bundle of clothes dropped next to Kagome and she felt a clawed hand trail along a lock of her long hair before Inuyasha plopped down by the fire. Kagome began to pour the tea as she gestured for Inuyasha to dish out the food. Her mind wandered as they ate their meal, keeping unusually silent as she pondered how to bring up going back to the village to Inuyasha…
"We should go back to the village." The ex priestess blinked in surprise when Inuyasha suddenly spoke. "We should?"
"Yeah," He looked glum, setting his bowl down even though he hadn't finished his food. "Don't want them thinking I've murdered you or something." Kagome immediately set her bowl down and reached for his hand, taking it in her own.
"They won't think that. Sango and Miroku know you now. But you're right, we should go back and explain to them what happened." Kagome released his hand and stood, gathering her clothes and striding into the cave to change. She redid her hair and let it cascade in waves down her back, then stepped back out with Inuyasha's robe over her arm. He redonned the robe, then knelt down so she could climb on. She did, and suddenly they were flying through the forest, Kagome shrieking in delight once she relaxed against Inuyasha. When he tensed and began to slow down, Kagome knew they were close to the village.
His adorable ears were flat against his skull when Kagome slid off his back. Kagome reached and gently took one of the appendages between her fingers, rubbing the soft fur for a moment in an attempt to get him to relax.
"It's ok Inuyasha." She let go of his ear when he tensed, instead lacing her arm with his like a proper wife would and smiling brightly at him. He didn't relax, but his ears no longer were pinned back.
There were very few signs of life as the couple approached the village. A few women near the well, some of them with bandages. Sango and Miroku were nowhere in sight, Kaede was not to be found. The women near the well cringed and flinched away in fear when they saw Inuyasha, and his ears flattened against his skull again. Kagome ignored the woman and marched confidentially towards Kaede's hut. The murmur of male voices could be heard, and the closer the got the more dejected and upset Inuyasha looked.
"-killed her yet?"
"-You don't know that!"
"-He's a demon!"
"What if he comes back?!"
"Please, don't stop on our account." The entire company of protesting male villagers, as well as Sango, Miroku and a tired looking Kaede all stopped dead in their speech at Kagome's deadly calm words. She had released Inuyasha's arm to cross her arms over her chest and was glaring fiercely at the male villagers looking sheepish.
"Kagome!" Young Shippo leaped from behind the slayer and monk, where he had been playing with Kelala, into Kagome's arms. "I missed you!" Kagome hugged him back, ruffling his fur gently.
"I missed you too. Now would someone like to explain to me what's going on here?" Sango shot a glare towards the eight village men in the room.
"We were arguing over how likely it was that Inuyasha had murdered you. Seeing as you're standing here, I'd say Miroku and I were right."
"There wasn't the slightest chance of my being hurt." Kagome declared. "He's my husband. He's not dangerous as long as I remain with him." One of the men, an older man with silver hair and a goatee scoffed loudly. "As if we could take your word for it. You've thrown yourself at a half demon!" At his words, Inuyasha snarled, stepping forward and sliding next to Kagome. The man paled at the sight of his fangs.
"Say what you want about me. But don't you dare say one word about Kagome or I'll rip you to pieces!" His voice was deep and threatening, enough to make everyone in the room realize he was very serious.
"That is enough!" Kaede rose to her feet with the help of Miroku to lean on, frowning at the haggle of people before her.
"Ye came to me with your concerns about young Kagome's safety. As ye can see, she is perfectly unharmed. Let there be no more fighting. We have other pressing concerns- such as repairs that need to be made. I bid ye all a good day." The men shuffled out slowly, throwing a variety of looks from curious to scathing at the mixed couple before exiting completely. Kaede sighed in relief at their exit and settled herself back by a pile of herbs she had been preparing before the villagers had arrived. Kagome wrapped her free arm around Inuyasha's and squeezed gently. Shippo leaped out of her other arm as Sango approached Kagome and hugged her.
"I'm glad the wound wasn't too serious, does it need any further treatment while you're here?" Kagome blushed profusely, shooting a shy look at her partner next to her, who was refusing to catch her eye. Kagome shook her head when she saw Sango's bewildered expression.
"Ah, no It's just fine. No further treatment needed."
"I'm glad." It was Sango's turn to blush as Miroku slid closer and placed a hand on her back. "Well, this is not how I planned on asking you, but there was another reason I was coming to see you… Miroku and I were wondering if you would join us for our wedding? Inuyasha, you're invited too of course." Said half demon looked startled when they said his name. Kagome, however, was beaming. "Oh I would love to! As long as Inuyasha is fine with it I mean." Inuyasha caught Miroku's eye and the monk raised an eyebrow at his new friend, clearing saying 'good luck saying no' and causing Inuyasha to stifle a groan. Good luck indeed.
-0-
Inuyasha was decidedly uncomfortable following his young wife around the village as she explored. Kaede had clearly warmed up to the idea of them trading at the village, as she'd suggested the four of them explore the wares for sale. The sunrise village was fairly large in size compared to some of their neighbors around the forest. Many of the villages specialized in their own wares and frequently had merchants travel between the villages collecting various goods. Inuyasha had collected many sets of goods through some of these merchants who tried and failed to cut through the forest. He'd found everything from rolls of silk to strange colored rocks ranging in various sizes. Kagome and Sango were happily wandering from merchant to merchant, talking about Sango's upcoming wedding. They were far enough away that Miroku, who was steadily going from examining a ware or two to ogling Sango's backside, couldn't hear them, yet Inuyasha could pick up the conversation as if they were right next to him. Sango began describing her wedding kimono as they approached a merchant selling colorful clothing, while Kagome longingly eyed the merchant's wares. Inuyasha's eyes wandered over his mate's form, taking on how thin and small she looked in the reformed kimono she had resized. Inuyasha really didn't think much about clothes beyond the white kosodo he wore underneath his fire rat as his own clothing was self repairing and self cleaning. Kagome had never complained, but now Inuyasha found himself picturing Kagome in the bright, colorful robes and he found he liked that image very much. The clothing the village had given her was a very simple robe, much more practical than the fancy, colorful pieces in front of them. Yet the image of Kagome in his fire rat robe refused to leave him, and as Kagome brushed her fingers over a red kimono similar in color to his robe, he decided new clothes were definitely needed for her.
His staring must have attracted Miroku's attention as the monk took a break from ogling his own future wife.
"Inuyasha, if you continue to stare in such a way Kagome may very well burn to pieces from the weight of your lecherous gaze." Inuyasha rolled his eyes, tearing them away from his wife's form to glare at the monk. He'd learned very quickly how lecherous the monk was.
"Nothing doing." He snarked back. It was Miroku's turn to roll his eyes. "Come come now Inuyasha. There's nothing wrong with appreciating the masterpiece that is the female form!" Inuyasha's mind flashed instantly back to the previous night with Kagome, his mate, the memory of her skin against his and his definant appreciation of her form. He pushed the image away before a blush could form and scoffed at the monk.
"I was just thinking she needed some new clothes." He finally admitted, somehow more embarrassed to admit that then the fact he'd been ogling his own wife.
"Kagome?" Miroku questioned, turning his attention back to the women and understanding what Inuyasha meant when he saw how ill fitting the kimono she was wearing was.
"I see. This is where I can certainly help you my friend, as an expert of the female form I can absolutely say- hey!" Miroku balked as the girls moved on to another merchant and Inuyasha began to follow, leaving Miroku behind without a word.
"Do you wish for my help or not?" The monk said gruffly as he caught up with the half demon. Inuyasha had one ear tuned towards Kagome, listening to her conversation with Sango as they gushed over some sort of jewelry, and the other barely tuned towards the monk. Didn't Kagome mention something about jewelry as courting gifts? He listened to the girls talk as Miroku spent several minutes explaining the importance of clothing in relation to the female form. As much as Inuyasha hated to admit it, he did need the monk's help. He sighed loudly as the girls wandered away and he was left listening to the lech talk about feminine assets.
-0-
"Tell me again how you managed to woo Sango? As far as I'm concerned you just talked to her until she gave in." Inuyasha's deadpan earned him an eye roll from Miroku, following with a fierce glare on his "student".
"Women want to be wooed. They want expensive and beautiful and big. Emphasis on the "big'". The monk wiggled his eyebrows at his companion. Inuyasha wasn't completely sure where he was going with this, but he wasn't sure he wanted to at the monk's suggestive tone.
"Kagome isn't like that." he hissed, crossing his arms and hiding his hands on his sleeves.
"You're completely wrong Inuyasha. EVERY woman is like that. Trust me." Inuyasha's confidence was beginning to falter at Miroku's confident tone. What if Kagome was the type to want those things? Normally when he attempted to trade, it was for simple things like white kosodos and vegetables, not richly colored robes and jewelry.
"Are you even listening to me?" Inuyasha started and flicked an ear in discomfort at being caught ignoring the annoying monk.
"I'll listen when you're being useful." The half demon retorted.
"Inuyasha I'm hurt, I'm an expert on the subject of women, mark my words!" Inuyasha snorted in derision and decided he'd heard enough, ditching the monk in search of his wife and her friend. His reception to the village was a lot better than he was expecting. So far he wasn't being met with anger, though a few people shot him a glare now and then. Thanks to his nose, it was easy to find them just as they approached a merchant dealing in colorful pottery. He caught the back end of their conversation, realizing Kagome was detailing the events of the day before and how he had healed her.
"-he healed me Sango. Somehow transferred his energy to me and the wound just knit itself together!" Sango was staring at Kagome as she spoke, looking dumbfounded.
"I've never heard of that happening before. How on earth did he-?" Kagome could only shake her head. "I have no idea, but he did." The conversation trailed off a little as the merchant began eagerly showing off his wares- but something wasn't quite right.
It was subtle, very subtle, but the scent and aura of a demon was unmistakable. He hurried to Kagome's side, ignoring her squeak of surprise when he appeared so suddenly.
"Inuyasha? Where's Miroku?" The half demon shrugged, more interested in the demon. "Ditched him for being lecherous." Sango's face immediately twisted in anger and she left, snarling something about idiot monks under her breath. Inuyasha was really starting to like her.
"Ah-" Kagome was surprised by Sango's sudden departure, but she recovered quickly and linked her arm with Inuyasha's, gesturing with her free hand towards the pottery.
"Sango and I were just browsing." She was oblivious to the shopkeeper's alarmed look at their linked arms, while Inuyasha was busy searching for a trail on the demon's scent. It wasn't very strong- some sort of vermin?
"Not anymore you aren't." The merchant huffed, glaring at their connected arms. "I don't sell my wares to demon filth." Inuyasha only shrugged as Kagome gasped in shock, only half paying attention. "Take care of the demon yourself then." THAT caught both their attention.
"Demon?" Kagome squeaked.
"Yup, I can smell it right around here. Let's go Kagome." He tugged her arm just as Kagome opened her mouth to scold him.
All three of them froze as a hissing wafted through the air. Inuyasha took a deep breath, inhaling through his nose. He tugged Kagome's arm again to bring her closer to his side.
"Stay back Kagome. It's dangerous." At his words, the merchant scampered out of his stall and behind the half demon- deciding he liked his chances better with Inuyasha. Said half demon let go of Kagome and stepped closer, inhaling deeply again.
"It's a snake." He determined when the scent finally registered. He heard Kagome squeak in alarm and ignored it for once, focusing instead on the pottery around him to determine where the demon was. The hissing grew slightly lower as he approached, much too low for Kagome and the merchant to hear. Just as he approached a good sized water jug, the snake shot it's head out of the jar, hissing and spitting. It was definitely a demon, with fangs far larger than a normal snake, piercing red eyes and a row of strange, spine like feathers that ran in a ridge down the middle of its head. It hissed and spat as Inuyasha was working on how to safely kill it, considering he had someone to protect- someone who was highly susceptible to venom should she or anyone else be bitten.
"Stay back Kagome. It's venomous." He never took his eyes off the snake, instead raising his voice to ensure his mate heard him.
-0-
A normal man would clench his fists together during a fight, but not Inuyasha, Kagome noticed. He flexed his fingers, hands open and claws prepared to strike. A human man would pull his body tight, preparing to give and receive blows. Not her half demon. His body was loose, open, ready to spring if necessary. He never took his eyes off the demon, waiting for it to make the first move. It was terrifying to look at, even more so with its exaggerated demonic features, and Kagome hated all snakes- demonic or not.
"Be careful." She called out meekly even though she knew he was far from overwhelmed. He scoffed at her suggestion.
"It's just a baby, shouldn't be too hard." Kagome blanched at his words and wrapped her arms around herself. That was just a baby?! What did the adults look like?!
The snake had enough of Inuyasha meeting Its predatory gaze and lunged with fangs extended, only to be caught mere inches from Inuyasha's face when he jerked to the side. His face looked more annoyed than angry or focused. He brought his other hand up to snare the snake behind the head while it continued to hiss and spit for being outwitted, twisting its body and head as though it would magically break free of Inuyasha's hold.
It was then Kagome noticed it was deathly quiet around them, that most of the villagers had fled-including the merchant who had been cowering behind Kagome.
"What do we do with it?" She whispered meekly, not daring to edge closer to see the snake even though she knew she was safe around her husband.
"We kill it and figure out how the hell it snuck into this village without any of us sensing it."
"What about-" Kagome made a gesture towards the snake with her hands, bringing them close together and then widening them apart.
"Parents?" Inuyasha guessed. He shrugged "they're usually on their own once they hatch, so I don't think we need to worry there. They'll just need to be careful and watch for the babies. This one must have been pretty desperate to wander into a big village like that. Still, don't go wandering anywhere without me for a while; just in case."
"Inuyasha! Kagome!" Sango and Miroku came rushing from around the jeweler's stand, Sango in her full slayer uniform. She looked dejected when she caught sight of the baby snake Inuysha held.
"The merchant said the snake was enormous!" She moaned, sticking the end of the boomerang into the ground. She gestured towards the snake. "I can take it from here at least Inuyasha, I'll put it down humanely and harvest what I can for anti venom and parts." Inuyasha shrugged and handed the snake over to Sango, who gestured for Miroku to carry her boomerang and disappeared back into the village with the snake. He heard Kagome sigh loudly in relief when the snake was gone.
"It's just a baby." He reassured her. Kagome scrunched her nose up. "It's not that… I just really hate snakes." Inuyasha stared at her with an incredulous look on his face. "Ten foot demon or a bunch of spiders and you're raring to go, but a tiny snake scares you?"
"Hey the spiders were scary too! You never did tell me how the fight with them went. I guess we have been a little distracted though." A blushed formed over her cheeks at those words. Inuyasha only shrugged. "They put up a fight but they're no match for me. Only took so long 'cause I had to make sure none of them escaped. We shouldn't have any more problems with them now." Kagome visibly relaxed. "Well thank the kami for that."
"Kami ain't got nothin to do with it woman, that was all me." Kagome had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. "Of course it was, my big strong demon." She leaned up to peck him on the cheek.
"Come on, we should catch up with Sango and Miroku." She took his hand and tugged, but Inuyasha released her hand. "You go ahead, I just wanna do a quick sweep and make sure there ain't anymore around." Kagome had looked ready to protest, but quickly changed her mind when she realized what he meant, nodding her head once and making her way back towards Kaede's hut. Inuyasha watched her go and then put his nose to work, slowly walking from stall to stall and trying to get a whiff of the demon; see if he could figure out where it came from.
A few of the villagers were beginning to return to their stalls now that the danger was gone. Most of them ignored him, but an elder woman near one of the clothing stall Kagome had been ogling earlier called him over with a wave.
"Hey, you with the silver hair, this way." Inuyasha's ears twitched in surprise at being addressed in a somewhat nicer manner. But he did what she said and approached.
"You're the one who found that snake." She wasn't asking, merely stating a fact. She was a tiny thing with long silver hair in a braid, all of 4'9" and holding a cane in front of her.
"Yeah, that was me." Inuyasha was really starting to wonder where this was going, and hoping it didn't mean getting kicked out.
"None of the superstitious bastards here will accept what you've done, but my papa was saved by a demon once. Some kind of water god, and he never got the chance to thank him, so I figure I ought to pay it forward." She swept her arms towards her clothing. "This whole nosy village has been talking about you and that pretty priestess. Nice girl, she is. Made me a good mixture for my aching knees. Go on and pick something out for her. I noticed she was wearing practically scraps." The woman gave him a long look and it took everything he had not to flinch.
"Not that it's your business old lady, but she was given nothing but rags when she left her home and villagers ain't exactly keen to trade with a half demon." He crossed his arms and scowled a little, to which the old woman rolled her eyes.
"Pick something for that woman of yours or I will ya whippersnapper." She waved her cane towards the clothing. "Personally I think she would look radiant in a deep blue. Or maybe red. The only thing I have in red is too small for her though, I'd go with this if I were you." She showed him a deep blue robe that had a matching obi in a lighter blue with a flower design. Clearly, she understood he had no sense of fashion just by looking at him. Inuyasha assessed the kimono and decided he liked the idea of her in the deep blue as well.
"Would this be nice enough for a wedding?" The seamstress was already removing the robe and folding it nicely in a box. "Of course. My robes are top quality. Beautiful, and will last a long time." She pushed the box in his hands and waved a finger at him. "I normally don't do business with demons, but seeing as you're a nice youngin' and all, I can afford an exception. You come see me for some clothes for that woman of yours when you're ready, ya hear?" Inuyasha found himself nodding, not really sure how he had gotten here in the last ten minutes or so. The seamstress shooed him away and ordered him to find his wife, so he did. She was easy to find, back at Kaede's listening to Sango explain the uses of the snake she had harvested, looking a little green in the face the more Sango explained. When he entered with the box, all eyes turned to him and reacted to his prize.
"What have we got here, Inuyasha?" The monk grinned and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, baiting the half demon to flick the back of his head as he went back and plopped the box in his stunned wife's lap.
"Inuyasha? What's this?" She questioned, running her fingers over the box.
"You're supposed to open it and find out woman." He huffed, secretly nervous about what she would think.
She did as he instructed, gasping loudly and gaping at the stunning kimono she pulled out of the box.
"Inuyasha this is beautiful!" Even Miroku looked surprised at the beautiful kimono.
"Should be good for that pervert's wedding, yeah? If Sango hasn't killed him by then anyways." She gave him a glare that was in no way angry and stood up to hold the robe against her form, stunned to see it was a perfect size for her. "Inuyasha where did this come from?"
"Secret woman, I'll tell you another time. You gonna try it on or stare at it forever?" She blushed and slid behind a screen to change, emerging only a minute later looking like a high born noblewoman.
"Kagome you look beautiful!" Sango was smiling so widely her face had dimples. Miroku said nothing, deciding a perverted comment to irritate Inuyasha wasn't worth the smack.
"Aye child, you look beautiful." Kaede remarked with a rare smile as Shippo leaped into Kagome's arms, touching the soft sleeve with his hand.
"You look like a princess Kagome!" Inuyasha stuffed his hands in his sleeves, deciding the old seamstress was right and that his mate did look radiant in the blue.
"She is." He commented, causing several pairs of eyes to whip in his direction.
"What did you say?"
"She is a princess, technically." Inuyasha casually said with a shrug of his shoulders, acting like they were discussing the weather.
"Mother… She was a princess. That makes you one too, only in name though obviously. Seeing as I ain't got no lands." He was met with stunned silence.
"Well, you live in the forest, so she can be the princess of the forest!" Shippo broke the silence and received a hug from Kagome for his kind words.
"Inuyasha, I had no idea you were a prince." Kagome was blushing now, realizing just how little she knew about her husband.
"Not really, didn't inherit much from mother aside from that. Supposedly have lands from my old man out west, but if I don't claim them that bastard Sesshomaru has to deal with it and that's worth more than the land." He was grinning now, his fangs showing and Kagome had an inkling he knew it made him more attractive.
"What's he like, your brother?" She asked, carefully settling on the wooden floor, so not to wrinkle her new robe.
"Wait, Inuyasha has a brother?!" Sango's jaw was practically on the floor, she was so surprised. Miroku was wisely keeping his mouth shut, though it looked like it was taking a good chunk of his effort to do so.
"Half brother." Inuyasha corrected automatically. "He's a full demon and a total asshole to boot. The less I see of his high and mighty ass, the better." Kagome opened her mouth to remark, but was interrupted by Shippo yawning loudly.
"Looks like It's bedtime for all of us." Sango remarked, smiling as Shippo curled up in Kagome's arms. She handed the kit to Sango to tuck in, before taking the hand Inuyasha offered her and letting him haul her to her feet. Sango and Miroku began to prepare their bed as Kaede pulled out a spare futon for Kagome. They all took turns changing into sleeping robes (except for a certain half demon) and settled on their futons. Inuyasha declined one, intending to sleep against the wall and on alert. Kagome settled her futon near him, and he reached out to touch her cheek gently as a "good night" before Kaede raked the coals apart and darkened the room considerably. Kagome barely had to whisper "goodnight Inuyasha" for her half demon to hear.
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