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Once back in the underground caves that they all called home, Sango and Kirara lead Inuyasha and Kagome to the palace kitchen where Kagome noticed a cute little fox demon that looked about the same age as Bunza, cooking nearly every food under the sun of the country.
"Hey Shippo, what's for dinner?" Inuyasha called out to the little fox.
Shippo looked up from the big fish he was cutting and smiled. "Oh, Inuyasha, Sango, Kirara! What did that idiot Koga want?" he asked as he took the sliced up fish remains and began to sprinkle spices on them.
"The usual, our land, but it will be taken care of soon" Sango replied as she patted Kirara on the head, making the neko purr in response.
"Well I'll bet Inuyasha here will scare him away in the end, and sushi is for dinner tonight" the little fox stated replying to The Dog God's previous question.
"I've never had sushi before," Kagome said aloud.
Shippo turned to her, a shocked expression now plaguing his face.
"Did… I say something wrong…?" she trailed off hoping her words did nothing to offend the little demon boy, but he simply smiled and let out a small chuckle.
"Oh no, I'm just surprised, hey you're really pretty, I'll tell you what I'll make you my best sushi for dinner tonight since you've never had any before" Shippo said kindly.
"Oh, thank you I'm-" Kagome started trying to introduce herself, but Shippo cut her off.
"You're Kagome, lady of The Dog God, and the most beautiful woman who has and will ever exist" the little fox squeaked.
The miko blushed heavily at his words. "Uh… um…. Thank you" she stuttered.
"Hey Shippo, you don't think I'm pretty?!" Sango stated, crossing her arms.
Shippo's eyes widened. "Oh I didn't mean it like that Sango, it's just been awhile since I've seen a woman as pretty as Kagome" the little fox said quickly only to flinch when he realized what he just said.
"Well if you ask me, Sango is the most beautiful woman who has and will ever exist" Miroku said upon entering the kitchen with Bunza on his shoulder.
"KAGOME!" the little linx child shouted as he jumped into Kagome's arms, giving her the biggest hug he could muster, after rushing past Sango, who was blushing as red as a tomato.
"Hi Bunza, It's good to see you," Kagome said, giving Bunza a hug back.
"I take it we haven't seen the last of Lord Koga?" Miroku asked seriously, approaching Inuyasha, who sighed heavily.
"No, he promised to finish all of us off and take our land. We'll have a strategy meeting tonight after dinner" The Dog God proclaimed.
"Very well," the monk replied.
"Anyway, Shippo, is there anything we can help with?" Inuyasha questioned turning to the young fox who only shook his head.
"Not from you Inuyasha, with all do respect as The Dog God you can do many things but cooking is not one of them, and as someone who's tried you're cooking even if it was just once, that says something"
"Oh come on, I'm not that bad" Inuyasha insisted with a frown, but Shippo only stared at him skeptically.
"Okay so you passed out when you tried my stew that one time, I can still help!" The Dog God insisted.
"Um, what are we talking about?" Kagome asked, raising an eyebrow as she stilled held Bunza in her arms.
"Oh yeah that, Inuyasha once tried to help Shippo make dinner but he ended up making this really gross stew that made you want to throw up the minute you smelled it and Shippo was stupid enough to try it and was out for at least two hours" Bunza whispered to her.
"Hey, I heard that!" Inuyasha exclaimed, turning to the two.
"Well if Inuyasha here can't help, could I help you Shippo, I'm pretty good when it comes to cooking" Kagome offered.
The little fox thought for a moment before responding "Well anyone is better than Inuyasha, so sure" he said with a smile while ignoring the death glare he was getting from The Dog God.
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Kagome was a great cook to say the least, when the time came for everyone to eat their evening meal, everyone in the castle gathered in the dinning hall and the moment Kagome's stew touched their lips they all felt as if they were eating liquid gold, so much so that hardly anyone touched Shippo's sushi.
"Kagome you're such a great cook, this is delicious" Sango stated as she looked towards Kagome at the head of the table where she and Inuyasha were sitting side by side.
"Yeah, as much as I hate to admit this, you're a better cook than me," Shippo said after taking a bite of his share of sushi. "Inuyasha could learn a thing or two from you that he obviously couldn't learn from me" the little fox then added, making The Dog God frown.
Kagome smiled and blushed at all the compliments she was receiving. "Thank you, I've been cooking for most of my life, but it makes me happy to hear more than just Keade giving me compliments on it" her face then turned into a sad frown, but she tried to hide it.
Upon hearing his wife say this Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her close to him in a comforting embrace, making Kagome let out a soft sigh as she leaned into his shoulder.
"This feels so nice, so this is what it's like to be held by your husband… WAIT! Where the heck did that come from!?" Kagome thought to herself as heat rose once again to her cheeks.
"Sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?" Inuyasha asked, noticing the blush on his wife's cheeks.
"No it's fine I-" the miko started but was cut off by Totosai and his bull approaching them.
"So my lord, this must be lady Kagome, it's nice to meet you dear I am Totosai," the swords smith demon said kindly.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you too," the miko replied politely.
"Well just wanted to tell you that your stew is excellent, my lord you're fortunate to be married to such a great cook" Totosai said bluntly, making The Dog God blush, but then he smiled. "I sure am lucky" he stated looking into Kagome's eyes that reminded the girl of a happy puppy.
"SISTER!" the young miko jumped upon hearing Asagi and the other half demon children rush over to her after they had all finished their meals, and jumped onto her.
"Hi everyone!" Kagome said with a laugh as she hugged Ai and Shion close to her heart while Roku and Dai hugged her from behind and Asagi and Moegi hugged the miko from the sides.
"Your stew was so good!" Ai exclaimed with a big smile on her face.
Kagome smiled back and hugged the little fish girl closer. "I can teach you how to make it some time if you'd like," the Miko offered.
"Can you teach me too?" Moegi questioned eagerly.
"Me too, me too!" Asagi added, raising her hand.
"We'll be your taste testers,'' the twins stated at the same time.
"I want to cook with you too!" Shion exclaimed.
"Guys come on, give Lady Kagome some space, and anyway it's time for all of you to head to bed no that you've all finished eating" a new voice chimed in Kagome then saw a boy about eleven years old with a short black and brown colored ponytail a chained scythe on his side and he wore demon slayer armor like Sango's only his was yellow and black instead of pink.
"Hello my lady, I am Kohaku, Sango's younger brother and the trainer for these little trouble makers," the boy said, nodding his head to the half- demon children around Kagome. "I train them to defend themselves and how to be brave, you name it" Kohaku stated boldly.
"Kohaku here acts tough, but he used to wet this bed all the time until he was about eight-" Sango said, suddenly joining the conversation but was cut off by Kohaku telling her to be quiet with a look of betrayal on his face.
Kagome had to giggle at the sibling bickering going on between Sango and her brother.
After dinner was finished, Kagome went to help Kohaku take Asagi and the other children to bed.
"I'm not tired, why do we even have to sleep?" Ai asked with a yawn as she rubbed her eyes with one of her hands.
Kagome smiled patently as she then took the little half demon girl in her arms.
"Because sleep is healthy, and it gives you energy for when you wake up and it makes you feel so warm and cozy" the miko replied giving little Ai another warm hug to which the little girl took the opportunity to snuggle close to the miko and drift off into a peaceful slumber.
"Wow, how did you do that?" Kohaku questioned astonishingly.
"Do what? asked miko.
"It usually takes forever to get Ai to sleep, and suddenly there she is just falling asleep on your shoulder just from your wise and caring words" the young demon slayer whispered so as not to wake up the little fish girl.
"Sister, will you stay with us until we all fall asleep?" Shion asked in a drowsy voice as he gently tugged at Kagome's sleeve.
"Yeah, please?" Dai begged, grabbing Kagome's other sleeve.
Kagome couldn't help but smile as all five of the other children were looking at her with pleading tired eyes that yearned for sleep and her company. "Of course"
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Inuyasha couldn't believe his eyes, he had just finished helping Shippo clean up after dinner, which The Dog God insisted on, since the little fox wouldn't let him help with the cooking earlier and then went to find Kagome and wish Asagi and the other children goodnight, only to find the most peaceful scene imaginable; in the six children's shared bedroom Asagi, Shion, Moegi, Roku, and Dai were all sleeping around the miko who was fast asleep herself with Ai in her arms as if the little fish girl was her own child.
After a moment of silence The Dog God let out a calm sigh as he then walked over to the children and Kagome and creased the Miko's cheek softly, to which Kagome unconsciously leaned into The Dog God's gentle touch while letting out a relaxed sigh.
"She'd make a great mother," he thought to himself a bit sadly, knowing that all depended if Kagome would ever love him in return…. But he knew very well his chances of that happening were not very likely.
"Kagome, you're so amazing, you're kind, intelligent, gentle, understanding of others, you're beautiful within and out….. That's why…. I love you, I love you so much Kagome….. I only wish…. That you could understand how much I need you and want to protect and cherish you, like a good husband should, I wish I had had the courage to ask you to be with me like a man instead of just kidnapping you, I-" Inuyasha stopped when he turned to look upon Kagome again only to see that she was looking at him with realization and shock written all over her face.
"Inuyasha….." was all she could say in a soft voice. The Dog God couldn't tell if she was just very shocked or just trying not to wake the six sleeping little children around them, perhaps a little bit of each, but either way he knew she had heard everything he had just said….
"I- I- I….. I thought you were asleep…." was all Inuyasha could stutter with blush, as red as his kimono spreading all over his face.
Kagome slowly placed Ai beside Asagi and sat in front of her husband shyly. "Did… you really mean all of that?" she asked bashfully as blush spread to her own cheeks.
"Yes, I did," The Dog God replied immediately. "I won't deny I was afraid, afraid that you would regret me because I was a half demon and I thought you'd be disgusted, even more if I asked for you to be my wife directly. I mean all my life my parents warned me that half demons are hated by both humans and full demons, so assumed you'd hate me too, but I couldn't help it…. Kagome, I love you…. I love you more than anything and anyone in the world….I was just so afraid you'd hate me at first sight because of my half demon blood I-" The Dog God stopped when Kagome placed both of her hands on his cheeks, forcing him to look at her.
"When you first brought me here, I think I did hate you, but after a time I realized you weren't evil, cruel, or even that selfish….. You were lonley…. Just like me…. And I won't deny that what you did to marry me was wrong, because it really was, but after spending time with you and everyone here, I feel more at home than I ever did at the village above…. Maybe I am beginning to fall for you… but I want time, time to understand these feelings before anything else between us happens…." Kagome trialed off nervously.
Inuyasha then gave his wife a tender smile and gently took her hands off of her cheeks and holding them close to his heart, "I understand, I want you to be happy and I one day I hope you'll love me as much as I love you…" he said in a soft voice, that made Kagome blush.
The two were then interrupted when a small knock was heard at the sliding door.
"Come in," Inuyasha called softly so as not too wake the six sleeping children around him and his wife.
Miroku than appeared in the door way next to Sango and a small Kirara.
"My lord everyone is ready for the meeting to start" Sango stated an an almost stuttering voice all while trying her hardest not to look at Miroku…. Which Kagome noticed.
"What on earth happened between those two?" she wondered to herself.
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The meeting consisted of Totosai, his bull, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Myoga, Kohaku, Kagome, and Inuyasha who were both sitting at the head of the table in the dinning hall once more. Looking upon everyone Inuyasha himself began to speak.
"Alright as you all know Lord Koga and his wolf demon tribe want this land and paid us a threatening visit above ground today, he threatend to kill us all down here including the innocent people of the village nearby, I'll be the first to say, we won't let that happen" The Dog God stated determindly clutching his fist for everyone in the room to see, while everyone else nodded their heads in agreement.
"My lord if may make a suggestion, should all of us down here not move to another village?" Myoga offered as he sat on Miroku's shoulder.
"Absoloutly not, we can't leave the human village here to die, becuase Koga will try to take the land weather we down here leave or not, or put up a fight or not"
"My lord you say that, but we can exactly take the humans in the village with us if we do choose to leave" Kohaku pointed out. "This area is far out of reach of most busy ones that makes it less of a danger of being over come by bandits or even worse demons"
"I know, but something needs to be done and fast" Inuyasha proclaimed.
"Lord Inuyasha is right, leaving everyone above to fend for themselves is out of the question, innocent people above and below ground will die if we don't do something and fast so let us think; what can we do?" Miroku questioned everyone.
"Well we know lord Koga won't stand to reason but if we have a war with his tribe the humans above ground will have an even higher risk of being killed" Sango said while Kirara meowed in agreement as she sat on the young demon slayer's shoulder.
"I agree with miss Sango, if we do fight them the fighting itself must be away from the human's village" Totosai stated.
"I…. I think I have an idea….." Kagome trialed off shyly.
All heads instantly turned to her waiting for her to speak. "I um…." she stuttered, her hands shaking as she did so, but she suddenly found her voice again when Inuyasha reasurringly took one of her hands in his own under the table and held it tightly in a comforting way.
"Um… well what if we brought the fight to Lord Koga oursleves, we don't know when he and his tribe will attack and that could honestly be at anytime coming from what we heard during the latest encounter we had today, we have an army of demons so why don't we use them? While the attack is going on we'll most likely have to take down Koga himself, which I can do with one of my sacred arrows, but we'll problely need more exsperanced fighters like Sango, Kohaku, Kirara, and you Inuyasha, since an army of simple demons might not be enough, we should be prepared for any and everything" Kagome stated.
Everyone seated at the table was speechless for almost an entire minute before Inuyasha spoke up.
"Kagome that's genius, and its like you read my mind, I already sent a message to my brother Sesshomaru and his wife Rin they'll be on their way and will most likely be here by morning, we can attack tomorrow night"
"And I can help you purify Lord Koga, Lady Kagome, since I am a monk and if you go with your husband you'll be easily spotted.
"Yeah I'd agree to that if you weren't such a lecher Mirkou" Inuyasha stated flattly.
"Lord Inuyasha, as if I'd do such a thing to a married woman! and I'm already engaged to Sango since earlier this evening, so not to worry, I have no interest in the lady of this estate" Miroku stated, making Sango cry out in an embarressed tone.
"Oh, I knew it!" Kagome cried out. "I knew something happened between you two after dinner!"
"Oh, Miroku…." Sango groaned as the deepest red blush crossed her entire head while she held Kirara close to her face so as to try and hide it.
"Well…. I suppose that's that then?" Kohaku stated awkwardly, while everyone else stared at Sango and Miroku who had a look of embarrassment on his face when he realizedd what he had said.
"Yes, we'll spend this time before tomorrow at sunset getting ready for battle" The Dog God stated ending the meeting.
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That evening while preparing to sleep in her new room Kagome loaded Sango with questions on what happened between her and Miroku, while the demon slayer brushed her hair as the miko herself was wearing a light green sleeping yukata and while Kirara was nessled in her lap.
"Okay so he and I may or may not have been seeing eachother for a while but I didn't want anyone to know yet, but I guess that ship has sailed now…." Sango trailed of embaressed.
"So how did he propose?!" Kagome asked excitedly as Sango continued to brush her hair.
"Well after dinner he pulled me aside while Kirara and the rest of you were cleaning up and leaving to put Asagi and the other children to bed and he took my hands in his own and said; "Sango, I love you and you are the most incredible woman I have and will ever know, will you be my wife?"
Kagome nearly melted. "How beautiful, Sango you're really lucky to have found a man that loves you that much!"
Sango blushed at Kagome's words. "Well he used to be really flirtatious, he was a young monk who lost his father and teacher to a demon attack, Miroku was able to get revenage an kill the demon and his father and Inuyasha's father had already been very good friends and they were on their way here when that all happned, but since the moment I saw him… I was kinda…. Smittened with him…" Sango trailed off quietly as blush rose to her cheeks once again.
"Awww! Wow that's such an amazing love story Sango, I'm so happy for you!" Kagome gushed.
"Well you're lucky too, Lord Inuyasha adores you as if you were a goddess" Sango stated as she started to finish brushing Kagome's hair.
"Well we're taking it slow at the very least," was all the young miko could say as light blush crossed her cheeks. "So this is what girl talk is?" she then asked Sango as she petted Kirara in her lap, making the neko herself purr.
"Yeah I would think so," Sango replied.
"I've never had a friend to do that with" Kagome admitted. "Its so nice to have you and Kirara and here as my friends"
Sango and Kirara smiled at the miko. "We like it too Kagome"
"Well we all should probably get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow" Kagome then said as she got up and walked over to lay in her futon as Sango and Kirara walked over to the sliding door.
"Goodnight my lady" Sango said as Kirara jumped onto the demon slayers shoulder again.
"Goodnight Sango, you too Kirara" Kagome yawned as the two left the room closing the door in their wake after putting out the torch in the room.
As Kagome drifted off to sleep she couldn't get Inuyasha and his loving smile out of her head, it made her feel safe and warm….. And loved…. A love that was different form the love that Keade showed her and in some ways better, but she knew for the time being she had the much needed time to figure that out after they defeated the wolf demon tribe.
FYI This story is on my YouTube Channel; "AuthorETH's FanFiction Reading" and I will continue updating this story on that channel and this site! SEE YOU NEXT TIME!