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Of Pride and Honor
Chapter Twenty Five: Mama Okita
Kagome woke with a start. Her body shivered involuntarily. The first thing she noticed was the darkness that still shrouded their room. It was likely sometime after midnight, although it was nearly impossible to tell. She took a shuddering breath between her lips. It'd been a long while since she'd dreamed of Inuyasha. The episodic flashes of pain and verbal abuse had sent her spiraling down a never ending rabbit hole. It was easy to blame Takeda for the issue but she knew that these flashbacks were more deeply rooted than that.
Her hand twitched. An ebbing pain in her wrist throbbed dully from where she'd lain on it. The ghost of a previous injury whispered in the back of her mind. The image of a thick and clawed hand clamped around her wrist replayed in her dreams over and over again. The crushing pain that followed that memory still ebbed in her consciousness. She'd been lucky. Her fingers curled inward towards her palm. Those injuries she'd sustained could've easily ended her fighting career. A few could have even killed her. Her lips dipped downwards at the thought.
A part of her knew that there was a slight risk of those old night terrors returning when she came here. She'd known it, but she'd chosen to ignore it. She'd tried to forget for as long as she could. Now that they were beginning to settle into their new lives, she found herself reliving those terrors every night. The relentless barrage didn't make facing those memories any easier. She'd spent a year working through those emotions just to bury them. Now she'd have to face that reality head on.
Okita shifted beside her. His arms tightened their hold over her as he lifted his head, "You awake?" His voice was still fogged with sleep. Kagome nestled herself further into his warmth. She heard the strong beating of his heart against her ear. It was soothing in its own way. It served as a primal reminder that she wasn't facing this alone.
"Barely," She cracked a small smile. She didn't want to worry him needlessly. He already stressed himself enough over the Takeda incident. She'd talk to him later, when the fear no longer had her trembling in the middle of the night. The pair paused at a brilliant flash of light. In the two seconds that followed the floor shook violently from a mighty roll of thunder. Kagome blinked. When had it started to rain?
Her husband leaned his cheek atop the crown of her head. She sighed deeply, taking comfort in his scent. It was earthy with a small hint of pine. It reminded her of the woods that surrounded her family's home. It was something familiar yet comforting.
"Liar." Kagome heard him mumble into her hair. She didn't speak, allowing him to continue. "You were crying."
Her hands brushed under her eyes. A dampness coated the pads of her fingers. So she had. The young woman curled into her husband's embrace. She tucked her head at the space above his heart and took a few shuttering breaths.
Okita didn't push her for more. He was curious. He desperately wanted to know. She knew that. It was in the way he treated her and in how he viciously protected her. But unlike Takeshi or Inuyasha, he never pushed her. He never tried to force her into something that would make her uncomfortable—especially not in regards to her history.
He deserved to hear the truth.
She just wasn't ready to face it herself.
Kagome felt his hands work soothing circles against her scalp. She never knew quite how he did it. No matter what, his touch always seemed to be the calming effect she needed. Her eyes began to close once more. She felt the heat of his breath upon her ear.
"Tell me when you want to." His lips pressed against her softly. A splash of warmth went across her face.
Kagome sighed, "Soon." She fought back against the sleep that blurred her vision. "I want to, just…" Her mind began to slip. Damn it. His body was so warm and comforting next to her own. The massage, his presence and the familiar scent combined into an irresistible sleeping agent.
Kagome ran her hand along the hardened line of his shoulder, "A little longer. That's all I need." The shaking hadn't fully receded. Okita must've noticed as well. His callused hand grabbed at hers gently. She felt him hold it close to his heart and beside her head. She leaned into him, "Soon." One day she'd be ready to face that past. It would only be a matter of time before she found the courage to tackle the flashbacks. All she needed right now was Okita's support.
Her husband smiled against her ear, "Don't push it. Just get some rest." She couldn't fight against the sound of his voice. In moments like these she felt so small; so vulnerable. But Okita did not scorn her for that weakness. He cherished it and she knew that he wanted to see more of it. Not because he wanted some sort of power over her, but because it'd serve as proof of the absolute faith she had in him as her husband.
Kagome slowly drifted asleep. Soon, she'd be able to face that past. For now she'd just take comfort in Okita's arms. She fell asleep without issue. The terrors did not visit her a second time. When next she woke it was to the sound of heavy rain pelting the roof of their home.
Kagome cracked her eyes open. The grey overcast made it nearly impossible to tell the time. Heavy footsteps outside their door caused Okita to rouse. He lifted his head from her neck and glared at the shoji screen.
"What?" His voice was even more groggy than last night.
"Come to the Common Room. Kondou-san has an announcement." There was a brief pause. "You too Kagome." It was Hijikata. The Commander's tone was clipped. She rubbed her hand at her eyes. She had a feeling that she knew what this was about.
He padded away without another word. Okita groaned, pressing his face into her neck again.
"Looks like we can't sleep in." She felt his hands roam along the side of her body sensually. She knew exactly what he meant by that. Kagome turned in his arms.
"Hey none of that now," She took the lobe of his ear between her teeth teasingly. "I'm not ready for crying babies just yet." She bit down a little harder. "Sex virtually stops after babies too, you know. No privacy."
Okita stiffened. His expression soured as he digested that information.
Kagome lowered her voice, "Eighteen years of tip-toeing around the kids." Her hands sought the bared flesh of his shoulders. She pulled him close to her as she continued, "Interruptions, crying and maybe a few unannounced walk-ins."
"Okay, I get your point." His hands dropped away from her body. "But as soon as this passes I won't hold back." He flashed her a heated grin. Kagome drew back. She smiled up at her husband.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." They both stood and set to work on preparing for the day. Okita cast her an odd glance when he'd noticed what she'd chosen to wear
"No yukata today?" His eyes surveyed her white kosode and green hakamas.
Kagome shook her head, "Kondou-san invited me to visit the Training Room this morning for observation." She gestured towards her outfit. "This is just in case."
His lips pulled into a slow smile, "Now this will be fun." He took her hand and led her down the corridor to the Common Room. The young woman spoke nothing more as they greeted the others that were already waiting for them.
"Oh come on, you've seen how she fights!" Nagakura grinned widely at her. "She'll be fine!
Kagome took her usual spot beside Okita. He flashed her a confident smirk before jumping into the conversation.
"It's just observation today, isn't it?" All eyes turned towards them. "Not a whole lot of harm in that." She felt his palm drop on top of her head. "Except she's a visual learner so be careful of what you show her. She'll steal it."
"Hey!" Kagome tried to protest. "Don't make me sound so awful!" Her husband only smiled wider. She narrowed her eyes at him in a silent warning. If he thought no sex was bad, soon she'd give him something else that he'd dread even worse if he didn't cut it out.
Okita dropped his hand away. He threw a placating glance in her direction, clearly understanding the nonverbal threat in her glare.
Hijikata clicked his tongue at their interaction. Displeasure was written plainly across his face. It wasn't as if she were trying to skirt his authority, but both Sanan and now Kondou had offered her the invitation. Who was she to refuse?
Kagome settled her gaze upon the Commander, "I understand your concerns Hijikata-san." She chose to broach the subject carefully. "I do not wish to cause any issues if it can be avoided. Which is why I think being on observation today would be a good start. Ultimately you have the final say in this matter." She rolled the ball back into his court.
The other captains turned to stare at him imploringly. Okita pinned him with a sharp glare from beside her. They'd made it clear that they wished to see her more involved in training. Now it was just up to Hijikata to decide.
The man sighed, "You guys aren't gonna let this go?"
Her husband grinned, "Never." His arm wound around her shoulders. "It'd be a waste to just let her talent go to shit." Harada, Nagakura and Heisuke voiced their agreement with that sentiment. Kagome offered a polite smile.
"I appreciate you allowing me to do this." It would be best if she did not provoke him unless necessary. The man was right to feel concerned about allowing her into the Training Room. Anything could happen. Plus with guys like Takeda roaming around, who's to say they wouldn't challenge her to a fight as a way to eke out some form of revenge? She needed to be on her toes.
"So what, we gonna sit here all day or are we gonna get this started?" Okita stood, holding out his palm for her to take. She gratefully accepted, coming to stand beside her husband. Kagome followed after him as he led her down the open air corridors towards a room at the far side of the Yagi House. He dropped his voice so that only she would hear, "We do the training on this side in the morning. Today it's myself and Shin holding lessons. Tomorrow it'll be Sano-san and Heisuke. Hajime-kun's got the day after them. Takeda doesn't officially hold training but he might slip in from time to time." His lips pressed into a thin line.
Kagome nodded, "So you teach your divisions together?"
His expression lightened as he shot her a playful grin, "You'll see. Just sit by Kondou-san and Hajime-kun for now. They'll fill you in on the rest." Okita took her to a spot on the far side of the room. As expected both Kondou and Saito filtered in. They each took a seat on either side of her. Okita grinned at her one last time before trotting off onto the main floor. She had a feeling that things were going to be rather interesting.
The men from Okita's division filed in. They jostled with each other, playfully arguing about who was the strongest amongst their ranks. Her husband smirked sharply. It appeared that, that was all the fuel he needed. A group of familiar faces appeared amongst the sea of men. Okita's newest recruits were in the crowd. Maeda was given a wide berth in comparison to the rest. The boy's natural bloodlust stood out amongst his peers. Hayato was close to him and Hideyoshi hung out at the far side of their group. Daichi and Michio brought up the rear.
The men gave a brief pause as they'd spotted her. Daichi paled then pursed his lips intently. He didn't seem as agitated as before, so perhaps this was a good sign.
Saito glanced between them. A silent question wrote itself across the furrow of his brow.
Kagome smiled placatingly, "I helped Souji train the new recruits." That was all the explanation he needed. The other captain refocused his attention on the fight that was brewing.
"Alright you idiots, knock it off!" Okita bellowed. Nagakura stepped beside him as his men filed in as well. "We're gonna be doing shit a bit different." She watched as Daichi shifted uncomfortably. Kagome remained observant. Was Okita going to turn this into a free for all style fight?
The captain gestured towards Maeda, "You up front." The teen obliged without complaint. He then pointed towards Hideyoshi, "You too old man." His lip curled back in a half-snarl but said nothing. There was one thing she'd learned about Hideyoshi early on. He despised authority. He only listened to Okita because he'd proven his strength against him. The older man still preferred to follow his own method of doing things as much as he could.
"We're doing two-on-two matches this time." She watched as his eyes surveyed the group. "Ono and Daichi, you two pair off." Okita gestured to the last of the new recruits. "You're with me, Michio." The rest of the men paired off. The low thrum of excited chatter filled the Training Room.
Kagome tapped her chin, "I wonder if he's trying to get them used to each other." Saito shot her a curious look.
"What do you mean?" He glanced between her and the new recruits.
The young woman continued, "Well the guys usually grouped up with the people they're used to. Ono-san and Fujiwara-san would spar together while Michio-san and Daichi-san paired off. I usually fought as a team with Maeda-kun."
Saito watched with keen interest, "So you believe he's trying to foster more cohesiveness?"
She nodded once more, "Yes, in a manner of speaking. The guys won't always be able to fight together the way they'd want. So Souji's probably trying to get them acclimated with fighting alongside others."
They didn't get the chance to discuss her theory any further. Okita raised his hand and called for each pair to square off. He and Michio faced Maeda and Hideyoshi. By the wide grin upon his lips, she knew that he was enjoying himself.
"Begin!" Nagakura called from beside them. The man could hardly step out of the way in time to avoid Okita's blade. "Hey, watch where you're aiming that!" The Captain growled at her husband.
Okita's grin grew sharper, "Then don't get in the way!" The heavy clang of metal resounded in the Training Room. Her eyes remained focused on her loved one's match. He kept his movements quick and precise; guarding his vitals while striking out the moment his opponents got too close. Michio followed his lead. Unlike Daichi, he had no issue keeping his composure under stress.
"They are well matched." Saito intoned once more. His gaze narrowed on Maeda's form. "But they need stronger defenses."
Kagome smiled, "You're right about that. Maeda-kun and I are speed fighters. We don't have the strength to fight back against most enemies." They observed as the teen was pushed back by Okita's rough swing. "So we use our speed and offensive strategies as our first line of defense. Maeda-kun is much sharper on the first strike than I am though." As soon as the words left her lips, the boy shot forward and tried to strike out at Okita's neck. The man parried the attack in a single arc of his blade, knocking him back into the ground.
"Gotta do better than that, baby-face." There was an air of excitement that cackled around him. "Come at me with everything you've got."
Kondou laughed from her other side, "Souji's a lot more fired up today." She blinked. Was he really? He was typically pretty boisterous when fighting.
Harada joined in their conversation from Saito's opposing side, "That's because he's got his lady watching him. He can't make himself look bad in front of her."
Kagome wrung her hands in her lap. That wasn't the case, was it? He always had a flair for the excessive in sparring matches. The only time he ever held back was when he was facing her. Even then it wasn't by much. She felt her face heat beneath the others' pointed stares.
"It's not like he'd go easy on them either way." Heisuke added. The young man stretched his arms above his head. "He's just more riled up than normal."
They fell silent as the fights progressed. As expected Okita and Michio had the advantage over Maeda and Hideyoshi. Both men worked well together, using each other's strengths to block and attack as a cohesive unit. Maeda and Hideyoshi attempted to work together however they were vastly out-maneuvered.
"Match point!" Nagakura called.
Okita sheathed his blade. His eyes surveyed the men around them, "You can't get comfortable! Start changing up who you train with. The next time you're on that field you don't know who's gonna be next to you." The man dismissed his division with a quick wave of his hand. Most of the men dispersed but Maeda approached her.
"Do you intend to join us?" His tone was light, peering at her with the slightest hint of hope.
She shook her head, "I'm just on observation today." Kagome then gestured for him to come closer. Maeda sank to his knees in front of her. His expression set. "When you fight with Ono-san and Fujiwara-san try adapting your moves to their style. They can't predict you as easily as you can them. It'll be easier that way.
Maeda nodded, "Understood." He took to his feet, offering her a polite bow in return. "Thank you." The teen returned to Hayato's side. They briefly engaged in conversation before disappearing in the throng of men.
The captains looked at her oddly.
"What?" She cocked her head to the side. Had she done something strange? They weren't able to answer. At that moment Okita strolled up to her. A proud smile split his lips as he pushed himself between her and Saito. The other man shifted away without complaint.
"So," The man drawled. "Think you can handle something like that?"
Kagome smirked, "Like I hadn't already." A page in training approached them. The young man, whom she did not recognize, offered a wet towel to Okita. The man gratefully accepted, slinging it around his neck. She reached up and massaged the towel against his sweat-dampened flesh. Okita cast her a warm look.
"Can't have you getting sick." She added for good measure. He smiled, allowing her to do as she pleased. They watched as Nagakura did the same with his division. The men were excited, chattering along as they fought amongst each other. Her eyes focused on a person approaching them quickly. Okita stiffened beneath her fingers. He squared his shoulders as he met the other male's gaze.
"That's a hell of a shiner you got." Her husband grinned sharply. Takeda came to a stop in front of them. The captain's eye was nearly swollen shut. The skin had turned a dark shade of purple. His casual sneer was interrupted by the image his damaged eye made.
"Hmph." Takeda snorted. He tilted his chin in the air, "It will heal soon." His one good eye slid towards her. Kagome did not retract her hands from Okita, nor did she cower behind him. She met Takeda's eyes in a silent challenge.
"Do you intend to fight?" The question had taken her off guard
Okita answered before she had the chance, "What, you can't cut it against the guys so you wanna challenge her?" Kagome didn't take offense to the comment. It wasn't directed at her, but rather was meant as an attack on Takeda's pride. The other captains were watching the exchange with sharp looks. He was outnumbered and knew it.
"I was merely curious." Takeda backed away from the subject. He threw a scathing look in her direction before stomping away. She pursed her lips. That man was going to be trouble. He was brazen enough to slip into the Yagi House and confront her. What was to stop him from trying to enter their quarters when Okita was working? She'd have to be on guard.
Her husband took her hand, "You feel like going out today?" The sideways smile playing on his lips softened her expression. She smiled back at him widely. He was trying to distract her.
"Sounds good to me!" She responded. He led her back to their quarters. His hand felt warm against her own; thick and callused but soothing all the same. He released her just long enough to wrap his arms around her waist the second they closed the shoji screen behind them.
Kagome felt the heat of his breath upon her neck. A pleasurable shiver ran down her spine. As much as she wanted to take this further, she still another another few days before it'd be safe. His hands shifted to pull at the collar of her kosode.
"Feeling frisky?" She couldn't help but tease him. Okita didn't answer with his words. He merely placed his teeth at the junction of her neck and bit down on her lightly in protest.
"I'll take that as a yes." Kagome laughed. She allowed him to remove the clothing from her. His arms locked around her waist a second time. She didn't fight against the heat rising in her face.
Okita lowered his hands. She blinked in confusion. That was it? He stepped away from her.
"We'll save the best for later." He grinned coyly.
Kagome scowled. She jutted a finger in his direction, "You're evil." The young woman didn't wait for a response. She moved behind the shoji that hid her tansu chest. She donned a simple, coral colored yukata and green obi. With deft fingers, she tied up her hair with the kogai kanzashi her husband had gifted her. When next she'd stepped out, Okita was leaning against the wall and the smile upon his lips warmed.
"Hey," He drew her into his arms. She tipped her head, brushing her lips against his. "Have I ever told you that I love you?" There was a spark of mirth in his eyes.
She pressed her lips to his again, "Once or twice I think." Kagome wound her arms around his neck, drawing him closer to her. "But I like hearing it."
He dipped his head, "I love you." She kissed him once more.
"Love you too," Her mouth quirked into a tiny smile. "Always will." It was the words he needed to hear the most. Just as she needed his support, she knew that he needed hers as well. She laced their fingers together, "Let's get going."
The sun was blazing down with all of its fury. Shippou wiped the back of his hand over his brow. Damn summer heat. In the thirty five years he'd lived in this town, he'd never quite gotten used to the excessive shifts in weather. Summer was always particularly hot.
The young man paused.
Between the vast sea of nameless faces, a man stood out. The hard lines of a perfectly angled jaw and the narrow slit of cat-like eyes drew odd glances from the crowd. Even when hiding behind the guise of a human that one always stood out amongst the rest. The fox rose to his full height. Great, just what he needed. An unexpected visitor.
The man peered down at him as he came to a stop. Pale lips pressed into a thin line and a delicate brow arched in a wordless question. They both knew what this was about.
Shippou scowled. He jutted his thumb towards a small shack away from his restaurant. It wouldn't do to have bystanders eavesdropping on their conversation. His visitor didn't respond. He merely turned on the ball of his foot and glided noiselessly into the tiny edifice.
Damn did he hate that man. The time that separated them hadn't quite been enough to temper his frustration. The young man followed after him, sliding the bar and locking the door behind them. Shippou looked back in time to see black hair shifting into a light shade of silver and hazel eyes lightening to a stark shade of gold. This was not going to be pleasant.
"Your report." His demand was curt.
Shippou shrugged his shoulders, "Nice to see you too Sesshoumaru. It's only been twenty years." His playful tone gave way to scorn. Unlike his companion, he maintained his human guise as a precaution.
The inu youkai didn't bat a lash. Sesshoumaru drew a single, glass-like claw through his hair.
"Speak quickly. I cannot stay for long." The older male's voice brooked no dissent. Of course he couldn't. He never could. Their circumstances aside, that man had little to no respect for anyone else's time besides his own.
Shippou's glare turned fierce, "Like you've ever had time." The meaning of his words was not lost on Sesshoumaru. The slight twitch of a silver brow told him that much. The fox pushed on, "Tell me, did you only show up here because you wanted to or because you sensed something was off?" The scent of magic had permeated through a small portion of Kyoto. Okita's frequent patrols were drawing attention to themselves. Until the power of the well receded from their scent, both he and Kagome would become walking targets.
Sesshoumaru's jaw clenched in response, "That is none of your concern. Now, I'll ask once more. What do you have to report?" Right, the whole reason why he was forced to move here in the first place. Not because the culture was intriguing in any way. Which, granted, it truly was to him. But that wasn't the case here. His mission had been a simple one: Keep an eye on the humans. Monitor their political shifts and report any possible threats to the upper chain of command as soon as possible. Youkai no longer had the ability to roam freely like they once did. So avoiding all possible conflicts were a necessity in this new day and age. With that said, Kagome was going to be a real head scratcher in this set up.
His shoulders stiffened. Not like he could hide her forever.
"I found Kagome."
The faint flicker of surprise flashed in the youkai's golden eyes before it was replaced with a cool stoicism.
"Are you certain?" His hand dropped to his side.
Shippou nodded, "Yeah, there's no mistaking it." A small smile tugged at his lips. "She's married too. The guy's a bit rough but he's good for her. She was smiling last I saw her." His heart warmed at the memory. He'd never seen her smile so brightly in the time that he knew her. Okita had done an amazing job of pulling her out of her shell. He wanted her to stay like that too. If that meant keeping Okita safe and not involving himself in their lives, then that was fine by him.
Sesshoumaru didn't acknowledge his observation. The older male closed his eyes, "Have you spoken to her?"
The fox snorted, "No. Why would I? She's happy isn't she? I ain't gonna go bustin' in on that." There was no way for certain to know how much trauma she'd experienced. He wasn't going to risk drudging up those awful memories. For now he'd keep watch from afar. It was in both of their best interests.
"Fool." Sesshoumaru's voice cut through him sharply. "You cannot run from this. If you do not speak with her then I will."
Shippou's eyes narrowed into thin slits. His human façade slipped as his fox fire curled around his hand. The blue flames spread violently with his rising temper.
"Don't you dare." He'd barely managed to ground out. "She ain't here for you. She's here for him." He would not allow anyone to fuck up that happiness she fought to obtain. This war had nothing to do with her. If he could help it, he'd keep it that way.
Sesshoumaru's expression remained still, "That is not my concern. The miko must be updated on these circumstances if you expect her to survive." He hardly blinked as he delivered his statement. "Knowledge is our advantage. Do not permit your petty emotions to interfere with your duty."
Shippou's teeth gnashed together. It wasn't like he didn't know that. The humans were always on the verge of war. Even more than that, others were beginning to take advantage of the turmoil for their own gains. Kagome's power had the ability to shift the tides in their favor if they so chose. He breathed deeply through his nose, "Fine, I'll do it. But only because I don't want her to be taken by surprise." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Now about my request. Did you find anything out?"
The inu youkai met his gaze, "Yes." There was a brief pause. "The other girl you were searching for has been located."
Shippou stiffened. There'd been an incident between his wife's clan and that of a rival. The tension wasn't too violent as of yet. However a few months ago a girl briefly came into contact with their rival and disappeared afterwards. She'd held many connections and was a dear friend to his wife. He couldn't very well allow her to remain missing. Especially not under these circumstances.
"Where is she?"
Sesshoumaru combed his hand through his hair, "She's been taken hostage."
Shippou felt the air rush out of his lungs. Hostage? He collected himself, "By who?" A sharp wave of protectiveness went through him. If there was one thing he couldn't stand then it was violence against women. He'd seen enough of it in his lifetime. He wasn't about to bear witness to anymore. Not if he could do something about it.
"Kazama." His tone remained stoic. "He has no intention of releasing her."
The fox clicked his tongue. Great. This was about to get real messy if that bastard was involved. His lips pressed into a thin line. From one issue to the next, it looked as if they couldn't catch a break. Kazama certainly enjoyed making a nuisance out of himself as well.
Sesshoumaru gracefully shifted back into his human disguise. The man pierced him with an intense glare, "Do you understand? Politics alone will not settle this matter." He stepped closer. "Inform the miko immediately. She too may become a target."
With that he left as quickly as he came. Shippou was left standing in the shadow of the tiny shack. Sesshoumaru was right. This wasn't just about politics anymore. With one girl taken hostage and Kagome's power resurfacing, it'd just be a matter of time before Kazama took matters into his own hands.
"Damn it!" He slammed his curled fist against the wall. It shook and trembled, nearly tumbling beneath his strength. Why? Why did things always end up like this? Wasn't it his job to protect them? Where had he gone wrong?
The fox straightened his back. He closed his eyes. He couldn't focus on that right now. What he needed was a plan. The young man stepped out onto the street. He'd perform his own investigation. Once he had the answers he needed he'd speak to Okita once more. If the man was serious about protecting Kagome then he needed to be informed. Both of their history and the danger that lurked so near.
His shadow shifted and curled in the dusk. Like hell he'd let this opportunity slip past him. He had one more chance to make this right. He wasn't about to fuck that up.
Kagome trailed her fingers along the hilt of her wakizashi. In the weeks that'd passed she'd spent a great deal more time in the Training Room with Okita and his recruits. Every morning was spent splitting her time between chores and attending her husband's training sessions with his division.
She'd tentatively began practicing with them and even held a few lessons alongside Okita. Hijikata was reluctant but otherwise did not issue a complaint. The other men didn't seem too bothered by her presence either. At least not that she could tell. Daichi typically kept his distance but he would offer her a respectful greeting when they crossed paths.
Today was no different. She used a towel to dry the dampness that'd soaked her neck. A heavy breath escaped her lips.
"Tired?" Okita came to a stop at her side. The young woman shook her head negatively. Not really. The only thing she felt was the slight numbing sensation in her fingers from his attack. He was a tough opponent to beat.
The pair paused as some of the others' chatter filtered over them.
"Isn't she cute?" A group of men gathered towards the center of the Training Room. "She's tough but sweet. Look!" He lifted his bandaged hand. "She even helped me wrap it up after practice the other day!" This sort of talk wasn't unusual. They spent much of their free time either complimenting her or congratulating her husband for 'finding such a wonderful woman'. It was embarrassing to say the least. She had no idea if they were being serious or simply teasing her either.
Kagome flushed. It wasn't that huge of a deal. What was she supposed to do? Let the poor man suffer without aid? Okita's arm wrapped around her shoulders. He tugged her into his side as he listened enthusiastically. That man was going to be the death of her.
"Okita-chan!" They called out their newest nickname for her. It'd changed roughly three times by now. First it was Okita-san but they quickly decided that it was too similar to her husband's title. So they changed it to Kagome-san. A few of the men felt uncomfortable using her first name thus they settled on Okita-chan. It would seem as if they were having a difficult time figuring out what exactly to call her. She didn't mind so much. As long as it wasn't anything weird, it didn't matter.
"How'd you learn to do this sort of thing? Was your dad a doctor?" They pushed forward with their questions.
She waved her hands, "Oh no, nothing of the sort. I thought I mentioned before that I used to live on a shrine." Her eyes darted back to her husband for help. The proud grin stretched across his lips denoted Okita's pleasure at the compliments they were showering her with. Her face grew warmer yet. He was enjoying this entirely too much. His expression was that of a warlord who'd just learned that he'd inherited the world. Definitely not befitting a man whose wife was the one receiving all the compliments. Most of the rank-and-file soldiers still didn't quite grasp how he'd 'managed to snag her'. She shook her head. These guys were something else.
"Yeah but come on, you're too good at this." The man raised his hand up. "Definitely the work of a pro!"
She laughed. It wasn't as if she'd wanted to learn how to bandage wounds. It was only out of necessity that she ever picked it up in the first place. Still, she was grateful that those hard lessons served a higher purpose than just for her old travels. If those skills could help now then that was all she needed.
"Okita-chan, are you gonna teach today?" Suddenly all eyes were on her. The eagerness in their expressions left her speechless. Kagome looked to her husband once more. What was she supposed to say? She'd love to help but would that be stepping on his toes as the Division's leader?
The man curled his lips back in a slight smirk, "What, I'm not good enough for you?" His men cast him baleful looks in response. Thankfully Okita didn't seem too put off by the request. He appeared more interested in getting a rise out of his recruits. A habit that she was sure he would never fully break away from.
"Captain, you're good at what you do but…" They trailed off. She knew exactly what they were trying to say.
Kagome lifted her finger to prod his cheek playfully, "But you're a bit of a brute." She finished for them. She couldn't stop herself from taking the chance to tease him. It was as they said. Turn about is fair play. Her husband gently took her hand within his and pulled it away.
"Can't expect your enemies to go easy on you." His tone was soft, an indication that he'd directed his answer to her. Emerald eyes snapped to the rest of his division, "Bitch all you like about my methods but out there, there's no second chances." The sharpness in his voice cut through the atmosphere. That time he'd directed his response to his soldiers. He was right. There weren't second chances on the battle field.
Kagome wasn't a fool. She knew how dangerous his job was. Everyday that he walked the streets of Kyoto he could become a target. A part of her knew that. She knew why he fought so viciously. It was kill or be killed in this society. The political turmoil would only grow worse from here on out. So his reasoning was sound. If he wanted his men to survive then she knew that he couldn't go easy on them. That was the real reason he'd been crowned with the title of the Shinsengumi's toughest instructor. Not because his words were harsh, but because he modeled his training sessions after real battles. Nothing was held back.
Maeda interrupted the conversation, "If you wouldn't mind." His eyes drifted from her to Okita tentatively. "We'd appreciate her proctoring the next lesson with you." He lifted his dominant sword arm. "I still need to correct my stance. With our similar styles…" The teen was cut off by her husband's deep sigh.
"I get it, no need for long winded explanations." He dropped his voice so that only she could hear. "It's up to you, love." Okita never had an issue with her helping. He took a great amount of pride in her skills and often worked to help her improve. This wasn't any different. Although perhaps his ego had been partially wounded by his men's outright rejection of his training methods.
Kagome smiled, "Sure, this time we'll teach by sparring." Realization lit up his features. His lips pulled back into a wide grin as he followed her onto the floor. Unlike before, she'd chosen to teach by demonstration. Okita was larger, stronger and nearly as fast as her. His superior fighting prowess would serve as the proof she'd need to showcase her own abilities.
The division was rapt with attention. The demonstration went without a hitch. She kept focused on her speed attacks and pushing Okita back on defense. It was a short lesson overall but his group appeared appreciative all the same.
"Don't let your enemy put you on guard." She surveyed the men as they'd splintered off into their separate groups. "Keep the upper hand as much as you can. The second they knock you off balance is the second you lose."
A sharp hiss resounded from the back of the room. She rushed towards the source without thinking. Okita trailed after her. His stride was slow by comparison. His lips were pressed thin and his brows furrowed. They came upon a pair huddled near the corner of the room. A young man, perhaps only a few years older than herself, clutched his hand and writhed in pain. Her eyes narrowed at the sight. There didn't appear to be any blood so perhaps it was a nerve that'd been damaged?
"Let me see." The young woman sank to her knees beside him. He held it out, his fingers still curled tightly into his palm with the pain. Kagome gently pried them back. She peered at the damage and sucked a breath between her lips.
The skin of his palm was bruised a deep shade of purple. It'd stretched from the inside of his thumb across the entire space of his palm; as if he'd been gripping something too tight. Had he been holding the hilt of his sword in his palm when he was struck? Okita gave a low whistle.
"Here," The young woman took his hand. "We need to bandage this. Souji," She looked to him imploringly. She couldn't very well leave his subordinate suffering. Her husband rolled his shoulders and shrugged.
"Hey kid!" He turned his head to one of the pages. "Go grab the medical supplies." The teen rushed away. Moments later he was back at her side, handing over the requested items.
"Thank you." Kagome smiled at the boy. His face turned red but he moved away to allow her the space she needed to work. She cringed at the sight. She could only imagine how painful it was. The discoloration stretched across the entirety of his inner palm. Even if blood hadn't been drawn, it wouldn't make his suffering any less severe.
"This will hurt a bit." She warned him. He didn't say anything. His teeth gnashed together as she wrapped the bandages over his hand. "One more." She tied the final section, tightening it as she did. Her patient grunted in pain. His fingers flexed as he withdrew his hand.
"You should probably avoid using it for the next few days." Azure eyes narrowed at the injured appendage. "If it's causing you that much pain then you could have broken something. Make sure to see a doctor to be safe."
The man lifted his head, "Thank you." Through the pain he offered her a genuine smile. Kagome returned it with one of her own.
She stood to her feet. Her eyes scanned the atmosphere of the room. A part of her worried that her intervention would have caused an issue. Instead it seemed to have the opposite effect.
"Isn't she the sweetest?" The men chattered amongst themselves. "Man, I sure wish I had a wife that amazing."
"You don't even have a wife!" Someone shot back.
"All the more reason why I'm jealous!" The first one returned. "She's kinda got 'mom' vibes, doesn't she?"
Kagome's face flushed in embarrassment. Did she not exist right now?! Mom vibes? This was treading some very odd territory. She shot her husband a sharp look.
"What? It's true." Okita didn't help the situation. He leaned in close and whispered so that only she would hear, "Most of them already think you're pregnant."
Like that was supposed to make her feel better?! She glared at him again. No way. She was not going to let him have any more fun with this.
"You know Okita-chan is a cute name and all but I think Mama suits her better." The men continued. Wait, were they really going to be changing her name again? Oh boy, this was not how she expected her day to go.
Kagome roughly pushed at Okita's shoulders, "Fix this!" She bit out in a harsh whisper. Much to her dismay the man dug his heels into the floor and refused to move.
"Fix what? They're just having fun." The twinkle of mirth in his eyes did little to settle her nerves. He was doing this on purpose! Her expression set into a dark scowl.
"That's it!" The man from before continued. "Mama Okita! It suits her perfectly, don't you think?"
Oh dear gods.
No. No it did not suit her perfectly. She was far from being an actual mother. Even less so to a division of fully-grown men!
"Captain, what do you think?"
Okita smirked at her slyly, "Call me Papa Okita and we've got a deal." The frowns that reflected from the others forced Kagome to stifle her laughter. Served him right. Enabling all this just to get a kick.
Her husband scowled, "What? You can't have a Mama without a Papa." His grin turned sharp. "I'm in on this too, you know."
She spied Hayato burying his face in his hands. Hideyoshi looked ready to leave at a moment's notice. She felt a small twinge of pity for them. Okita wasn't about to let this go. His men started it and now they'd have to live with it
"Not happening!" A brave soul cried out from the far end of the room.
Her husband glared in the direction that the shout originated from, "Say that to my face!" His grin grew sharper.
The rest of the training session had been spent with Okita and his division bickering playfully amongst each other. By the end of it, it was decided that they would be forced to call him 'Papa Okita' if they kept calling her 'Mama Okita'. Unfortunately for him, none of the men abided by that rule. They kept with her new nickname and refused her husband's altogether.
The men filtered out of the room in a mixture of grumbling and laughter. She stuck near Okita as they left. His hand curled around hers gently. The young woman smiled to herself.
"You're evil." Kagome announced as the last of them left
He cast a wide grin at her, "What? They're just showing you how much they care."
She begged to differ. They were teasing her which was in a whole other category.
Kagome tried pulling him along with her as she marched towards the exit, "Yeah yeah. Let's go. I'll deal with this later." She threw a dark look at him. Her husband merely rolled his shoulders and smiled wider. He was enjoying this entirely too much. "Hopefully this will blow over soon."
A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Somehow, that just felt like wishful thinking. If Okita grin was anything to go by, then she knew that this would become a new normal. Just her luck.
Her new nickname hadn't gone away. In fact it'd spread across the compound like wildfire. Okita's Division had started with it first. Save for the newest recruits, they'd grown accustomed to calling her 'Mama Okita'. Kagome wanted to bury her face into her hands. The only mothering experience she'd had was with Shippou. Even that had been brief. She loved kids and children in general, but that didn't make her parent material. At least not yet and most definitely not to a group of adult men.
Hijikata was oddly quiet on the matter. He didn't say a word besides casting the occasional glare whenever he'd hear it. The other Captains weren't quite so subtle in their mirth. Nagakura, Harada and Heisuke all laughed loudly. They'd teased Okita mercilessly for several weeks.
The months that'd passed from summer through the first wave of winter, all had remained calm save for the occasional teasing. She and Okita had settled into a new routine with one another. Life as they knew it had become peaceful to a degree. New Year's came and went. They hadn't the time to celebrate as they'd wished but if she knew anything, then she knew that her husband wasn't the type to allow such a memorable occasion go without some sort of celebration. Albeit a tad late.
Kagome held her hands to her lips. She breathed deeply over the digits to warm them against the frigid temperatures. Snow fell against the ground in thick patches. Her eyes squinted against the white that reflected over everything. The guys hadn't been lying when they said that Kyoto winters were tough. It was freezing!
"Come on," Okita came to stand beside her. His hand wrapped around hers tightly, as if to protect it from the cold. "We should hurry before it gets dark." The sideways smile across his lips caused her own to quirk upwards. She followed after him.
"What'd Hijikata-san say?" Kagome interlaced their fingers together. Her husband snorted through his nose.
"The usual. Nothing to worry about." The slight uptick in his grin caused her brows to furrow. Now that did not sound good.
"Souji," Her tone was clipped with a warning.
Okita pulled her along a little faster, "Oh it looks like some of the festivities are still going on. Let's go!" He tugged her into the thick of the crowd. The sounds of festival music filtered over the chatter. Why did it feel like they were running away from something? A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Perhaps Hijikata hadn't given them explicit permission to leave the compound. It was Okita's day off so it would stand to reason that the Commander would want him close by just in case. Kagome tightened her grip over his hand. Hopefully he wouldn't get into trouble for this.
"We should get you a jacket." The man mumbled to himself. "Your clothes aren't exactly going to be thick enough for this weather." Emerald eyes scanned her shivering form. He shot her a warm smile before releasing her hand. Kagome looked at him curiously. What was he doing? He gripped the collar of his red haori and pulled it from his shoulders. Without a word, he draped it over her form. "Just use that for now. We'll get you a jacket first so don't feel too guilty. I should've got you a few earlier." His tone dipped with a slight disappointment.
She shook her head, "I can't. It's too cold for you to go without it!" Kagome tried to give it back to him. However his arms wrapped securely around her shoulders and held it in place.
"Not happening. Just sit back and let me deal with this." Her husband dipped his head and pressed his lips against hers. She sighed against him. This man was too much. How could she possibly say no to that? The pair wandered through the streets. They came upon a small textile shop. Okita opened the door and allowed her inside first before closing it behind him.
"You in here old man?" The ronin surveyed the silent shop. All the customers bustling about the streets had yet to enter the establishment, which left them alone to look around without interruption. He led her towards the other haori. They were separated by gender. So she shifted to glance through the array of fabrics and colors. She didn't want anything too flashy. It had to be sturdy; capable of lasting through the winter.
An older man stepped into view. His eyes twinkled as he caught sight of them standing together, "Ah you must be the boy's wife. He's spoken quite highly of you." Kagome looked between him and Okita curiously. Did he know him?
Her husband smiled, "Kagome this is old man Kimura. I've known him since around the time I first came down to Kyoto a few years back."
Realization flashed across her face. She offered a polite bow, "It's a pleasure to meet you Kimura-san." The gentlemen laughed kindly at her greeting.
"No need for such formalities. So tell me, what brings you in today?" His eyes scanned Okita's haori upon her shoulders. "In need of warmer clothing?"
Her face flushed. He'd figured them out so quickly but she supposed wearing Okita's jacket would do that. She nodded again, "Yes, please."
The man stepped towards the display. His hand moved towards an ivory-colored haori decorated in pale camellia blossoms. His smile turned warm, "This would do quite well. It's heavy enough for the winter and isn't overstated." Okita wordlessly took his coat back and allowed her to try the new one on. It was heavy on her shoulders but not as much as her husband's. She looked at him, turning partially to give him a better view. It certainly looked nice but was it too expensive?
Okita gave her an appreciative once over, "Looks good to me." His gaze shifted towards the shopkeeper. "Think we can look at a couple of heavier kimonos too? She's only got summer yukata right now." The other man's smile brightened.
"Of course, right this way!"
Kagome was led through the shop. She'd tried on several lined kimonos and a few lighter fabrics to be safe. At the end she'd settled on a single green houmongi with a gentle mist design and the haori he'd pointed out to her earlier. Her brows knit nervously as Okita passed the money over to Kimura. Did they have enough to safely afford these outings? She loved the fact that he was so willing to help her out, but she often feared that his joy of giving her gifts went too far.
"Souji," The young woman broached the subject as they left Kimura's shop. "Should we really be spending this much? We still only just got settled…" He cut her off neatly with a kiss. His mouth was warm in contrast to the winter's frigid chill. She sighed against him. He was hopeless.
"Let me worry about that." His lips quirked upwards in a sly smirk. "You just sit back and enjoy yourself. You supported my ass too damn much on the other side. Now it's my turn."
Kagome knew what he meant. His pride as a provider in their tiny family depended on his ability to support her. She'd known that his helplessness in her era had eaten away at him for some time. When he'd originally bought her, her clothing she'd known that he'd done more than just gift her something she could use. He'd given himself some of his confidence back. Her smile warmed. If this was what it took to make him happy then she wouldn't complain… too much. She'd just let him have his fun and keep an eye out to ensure he didn't get too overzealous. He had that bad habit every now and then.
They walked through the town, enjoying the sight of the children playing through the streets and parents running to catch up to them. Okita leaned down to her.
"You feel like making one of our own?" His tone was teasing. The flicker of mirth in his eyes reflected brightly.
Kagome shrugged, "When you feel ready to change diapers and cut sex then we'll probably think about it." It was meant to be a joke but Okita paled considerably. She didn't think he feared diapers so it could only mean one thing.
"You threaten that a lot." His brows dipped downward in a sharp furrow.
She leaned into his side as his arm pulled her closer to him, "Because it's the truth. When kids come there's no privacy. We can't have separate rooms for any potential children here and I'm not keen on exposing a little one to that sort of thing."
He mulled over her words, tapping his chin thoughtfully in the process.
"That's the only reason?" His tone was curious—as if prodding to see if there was more to her objection to the notion. It wasn't as if she hadn't thought about it. However she was still not quite ready for that responsibility.
The young woman rolled her shoulders in a small shrug, "I think there's still a few things I want to adjust to first. Plus I haven't really had that urge yet, you know?" Her smile widened. "Why force it anyways? Let's just enjoy the privacy we have now because once kids get here it'll become a thing of the past."
Okita grinned back at her, "Sounds good to me." He pressed his lips against the shell of her ear. "I'm not in any rush." It was a gentle reassurance. Most of his division was probably already ragging on him for her lack of pregnancy. It was common for women to provide an heir shortly after marriage. Since Okita was neither a noble nor owned property of his own outside the Shinsengumi, he didn't fit the typical mold for a Samurai. An heir was on a low rung of their priority list. It simply wasn't something they wanted to deal with at the moment so they wouldn't.
They'd spent the rest of the day milling about the town. It was a rare treat that they got to spend so much time away from the others. Okita's days off were sparse. Even when he did get one, he was typically busy helping the others in daily chores. It was a busy lifestyle that only a few had the grit to withstand. She was satisfied though. As long as he was near her then that was all that she needed.
They returned to the compound at dusk. Hijikata's looming shadow stood waiting for them at the entrance. An unenthused scowl marred his features.
"You're late, Souji." His tone was harsh like the winter's chill. A shiver went down her spine at the harshness in his voice. "I thought I told you that it was your turn to keep an eye on them today." She didn't quite know what exactly he meant by 'them'. Her best guess was the creatures she'd sensed night after night with their elevated bloodlust.
Kagome looked between him and Okita. An edging of nervousness sank in her stomach. What exactly transpired between the two? Had her husband skipped out on some of his duties to make this mini-date happen? A slight twinge of guilt ate at her. As if sensing her train of thought, Okita placed himself between her and Hijikata protectively. His shoulders blocked her view of the man's expression.
"We'll talk about this later." His tone was biting. She'd rarely heard him use it save for the few times Takeda drew near. The man was smart enough to keep his distance from her since the day she'd struck him but that didn't stop him from interacting with Okita. Her husband continued, "I already did what you asked me to."
She heard Hijikata's deep sigh of resignation, "Fine, but you're not getting off easy tonight. I want a full report at dawn."
"Understood." Okita's voice was a petulant drawl—much like a child that'd been commanded to clean their room. He took her hand and pulled her through the compound. Kagome flashed the Commander an apologetic look as she passed. She didn't get to see his response as they made their way swiftly to their shared quarters. Her husband led her inside before closing the door behind him.
He sank into their futon. His body nearly going limp, "Damn, I was hoping he wouldn't bring that shit up." The ronin pinched the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb.
Kagome went to his side. Her hands worked at the muscles of his back and shoulders soothingly. She didn't speak. Empty platitudes weren't going to help him at the moment. What he needed was someone to confide to. The young woman rested her cheek against the space between his shoulder blades. She kept her hands moving in circular motions; working out the stress beneath her touch. He visibly relaxed.
"Sorry," His tone dropped. "I didn't want you to have to hear that." He closed his eyes. Okita took a breath through his nose as if to calm himself. "Hijikata-san was busting my ass earlier. I'm on guard duty tonight so I didn't want him making a huge fuss about this."
Kagome waited for him to continue. She wouldn't push him.
"I'm keeping watch tonight so you'll have to stay on guard." His hand moved to envelop hers in its warmth. She felt herself relax at the touch. His hands were thick, the skin like leather against her own. He spoke once more, "I don't want you to get involved but there's something you should know." Okita cocked his head over his shoulder to meet his eyes. "If you sense anything amiss, find me immediately. I mean it. I'd rather you let me know then try to deal with it on your own."
She swallowed, "It's about those things right?" She had no word to describe what they truly were. They felt like youkai but not at the same time. They were something else. Something vastly different than what she'd grown accustomed to. Judging by Okita's expression, she knew that they were dangerous.
His face became grim. He nodded only once, "Yeah. Just promise me that you'll find me first." He met her eyes fiercely.
Kagome paused for a moment. She'd never seen him this serious. The only other time that came close was back in Edo when she'd told him about the fight she'd gotten into with the street thugs. This was different from then. There was an edge of desperation in his voice that she couldn't ignore. She held his hand more firmly, "Of course." Her brows furrowed, "Where can I find you tonight?" She wasn't trying to pry but she needed to know where to look just in case.
He placed his chin atop the back of his free hand. Okita's eyes swiveled towards their shoji screen and away from her, "The Nambu House. Don't let yourself get caught by anyone else if you have to look for me, alright?"
She wrapped her arms around his middle, "Alright. Now let's take some time to relax. You need it." She pressed her lips against the back of his neck playfully. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"I think I know how we can do that." He shifted, placing one arm around her shoulders and the other beneath her knees. He carried her easily to her futon where he laid her upon their sheets. A flicker of warmth flashed in his eyes.
"Hey," Okita began, trailing his lips down the length of her neck. "I love you."
Kagome tilted her head, permitting him access. She sighed against the heat of his breath, "Love you too."
The next time Kagome woke her thighs were sore, slick and bruised. She cringed as she rolled to her side. She wouldn't be leaving bed any time soon given how difficult it was just to get comfortable. The faint rush of wind echoed outside of their darkened room. Her eyes drifted closed. Why had she woken up again?
Her back went straight. Azure eyes snapped open as she turned her head towards the sliding door that separated their room from the Inner Courtyard. A pulse of bloodlust brushed against her senses. It was close. Kagome sat up. White sheets pooled around her waist as she listened closely.
The wild rush of wind blocked her ability to hear. That was fine. There was one other thing she could do. She closed her eyes and focused her senses. Kagome spread her reiki through the Inner Courtyard. It was a technique she'd learned long ago. She'd never forgotten how to use it, but she wasn't quite as sharp with it as she used to be. The pulse of three signatures pushed back against her. All of which had a sharp sting of bloodlust. She bit into her bottom lip. They'd never wandered this close. They were always relegated to the far side of the compound by the Nambu House, just as Okita always said. Her hands twitched against the cloth of their sheets. She had to tell him.
Kagome silently stood. She threw on a simple homoungi and haori over herself. Once secure, she slipped outside unnoticed. Hijikata would throw a fit if he caught her wandering the compound without an escort. She kept to the shadows, avoiding any place she felt that the others might be. Her eyes shifted towards the Maekawa House. So far, so good. Her thighs burned as she scurried across the courtyard. He was near. She could feel Okita's presence just around the corner. The feeling of bloodlust grew stronger as she drew close. She chewed on her bottom lip. She'd just sneak over, let him know and then rush back. It was better than letting those things go free.
"Souji?" Her voice came in a harsh whisper. She leaned around the corner and spotted him glancing around cautiously. Emerald eyes snapped to her sharply. His mouth opened in slight surprise before it snapped shut. He rushed over to her, his arms circling around her waist protectively.
"What happened?" Concern seeped through his expression.
Kagome collected herself as she met his eyes, "Three escaped." Her hands trembled as she recounted what she'd sensed to him. "They'd slipped through the Inner Courtyard and are probably out of the compound by now."
His eyes narrowed into thin slits, "Are you sure?"
She nodded, "Yes." That was all she needed to say. Her husband rushed her back to their quarters. He took her back to their futon where he laid her upon the sheets.
"Get some rest. I'll deal with everything else." Okita ran his hand through her hair. It was an affectionate gesture meant to calm her frayed nerves. She sighed against his touch.
"Be safe." As soon as the words left her lips, he'd ran back out into the fray. She only hoped that everything went well. She had no idea what kind of creatures he was up against. Only that their bloodlust rivaled that of a youkai. Her hands clenched. Kagome laid awake. She waited, her breath bated with anticipation of his return. Nothing else mattered at the moment. All she wanted was her husband to be safe.
A/n: Welp, another one down! Next up, Chizuru! XD She'll be officially introduced in the next chapter so we'll get to see how her presence begins to change things for everyone. ;)
Now as mentioned before, we actually will be getting into Inuyasha's psyche. He's got a plethora of issues and none of which he truly knows how to handle positively. It'll be a few chapters yet before we get to him but I do want to delve into his past before Kikyou, the things he's experienced and how that's led him down the life he's lived thus far.
Currently I'm setting up some important pieces to future plot points and I want to work on Kagome's development more within the next few chapters. She's a bit more difficult to ease out of her shell but she's getting there. So we're getting through to the official meat of the story now. XD
(It's only taken almost two years, twenty five chapters and over two hundred and fifty thousand words… lol. I think I have a problem).
Anyways thanks so much guys! I hope you enjoyed this one as much as the last~! 3