Development
InuYasha glanced up at his friend, impressed despite himself.
"Oi, 'Roku. Maybe you aren't as useless as you look." Miroku chuckled softly. He had been around InuYasha long enough to know what the stubborn Hanyou was trying to say.
"Thank you, InuYasha. I hope the modifications will not look too obvious as we construct the building, however even if they are, the planning permission officials will be looking far more closely at your brother's development. Oh... and we've come up with a new proofing system... your racket should be virtually inaudible, even in the next room." InuYasha grinned ferally, willing to let the slight jibe go for the moment... but at the same time, making Miroku apprehensive was one of his all-time favourite things to do. Miroku gulped at the look InuYasha was shooting him, convinced he was in for a world of hurt... maybe not now, but whenever he chose to dish it out...Then he caught the mischief in his friend's eyes, and relaxed, huffing. "Not fair, Inu... You really are frightening when you get that look you know." InuYasha merely grinned wider.
"Hmph, well just be glad I'm not following through on it, houshi. Good work with the plans, you have the approval you need... time for Sango to start earning her keep." He turned, making as if to leave, then looked back over his shoulder briefly. "And don't forget, letch... when you come round to meet 'Gome, none of your perverted shit alright? She won't know how to handle it... and I may just have to make good on some of the threats I offer you." Miroku gulped, hands unconsciously crossing in front of his pelvis as he nodded frantically, almost relieved as his friend turned and left without a further word.
InuYasha was becoming concerned. When he had asked Kagome if she was ready to meet Miroku and Sango, she had said yes... but it was obvious that she was deeply distressed... and trying to conceal it. He growled softly. The thought of his Kagome concealing anything from him, particularly something that would cause her stress, had his Youki on edge. She steadfastly refused to admit anything was wrong, even to his Otou or Mafuyu...and that was odd, he mused. In the near-month that she had spent with him, she had opened up tremendously, showing glimpses of a truly social and outgoing woman beneath the painstakingly raised shields, the centuries-old wariness of the world that all Hanyou carried. He paced his room, brow furrowed as he considered his options. He could always ask to reschedule the meeting, neither of his friends would mind... but equally this could be just what Kagome needed to begin her healing. Eventually, he became aware of his father's Youki coiled around his own, soothing it. He turned to meet the amused gaze of the elder Inu, as he casually propped up the door.
"Well pops? What do I do?" Tougaou smiled, knowing exactly what was causing his son such a dilemma. It had been painfully noticeable how withdrawn Kagome had become the past few days, and any attempt to draw her on it resulted in a look that none in the house could withstand... those ears, laid back flat as her beautiful eyes lost their glow, becoming haunted, refusing to meet anyone's gaze, before she backed away... It was enough to inspire enough guilt to prevent even his elder son making caustic remarks.
"It is simple, son. Make it an informal occasion, introduce her when she is comfortable, then let her leave if it becomes too much. As easy as that. Of course, you will also have to support her, but I would hardly count that a hardship, as neither of you seem to mind the contact." InuYasha blushed slightly at that, but nodded once in agreement with his Otou's plan, resolving to invite Miroku over the next afternoon.
"Houshi..." The warning growl instantly told Miroku that he had gone too far. Kagome had shrunk into InuYasha's lap, whimpering softly as she looked at him wide-eyed. Sango glared at him murderously, fist clenching before her fist hit his head with a resounding thunk. InuYasha barked a laugh at that, looking down at his quivering onna before quietly nuzzling her with his nose and whispering
"Don't worry, 'Gome, t'be honest, with these two, I'd be more worried if the afternoon didn't end with Sango beatin' the bouzo to a pulp. He claims he's got this 'cursed hand' but the only curse he has is not knowing when to keep his trap shut. I mean look at 'em... you'd hardly think they'd bin happily married for over three years would you? Every flippin day they do this, and every flippin day she forgives him. Don't ask me why." Kagome giggled nervously into his neck, then peeked out at the scene, quivering now with suppressed laughter as she watched the strange monk alternate rapidly between begging his wife for forgiveness and running away from her as fast as he could. Eventually, Sango smoothly tripped him, delivering a smooth blow to the top of his head as he went down, then smiled at the two Inu.
"I'm dreadfully sorry, InuYasha, Kagome, for the pervert's behaviour this afternoon. He was warned of the consequences should he step out of line..." she sighed heavily. "Yasha? Can I drag him away from your company? It was a lovely afternoon, and I should like to visit again, however I need to have... words... with my husband." InuYasha nodded, trying desperately to keep his amusement concealed as Sango dragged the prone figure of her husband towards the door. She looked back, once again all smiles. "It was genuinely a pleasure to meet you Kagome, and I look forward to the next time we meet. Call us soon, 'Yasha. Ja Ne." As soon as the door closed behind the two, InuYasha flopped bonelessly back into the chair with a relieved huff. Catching Kagome's surprised glance, he shrugged resignedly.
"Oi, those two. They're my best friends, but Kami do they try my patience sometimes." She relaxed slightly into him, then began to giggle, shocking a laugh from her living cushion, until they were both laughing uncontrollably from the release of so many days of tension.
It was evening before InuYasha noticed something was very wrong. He had expected a normal evening, without the tension that had marred the past few days, however Kagome was fretful, darting glances at him before chewing on her lip. She also seemed to be avoiding him, which was so unlike her – usually if she was stressed, she would instinctively curl against him, seeking comfort from the stronger Inu... but this time... he frowned. If something were serious enough that she was afraid to seek his protection, he should know about it. The first inkling of what may be wrong came at dinner. Kagome and InuYasha were both familiar with the gnawing pangs of true hunger, and so virtually never skipped a meal, however Kagome was very noticeably absent. A little alarmed, InuYasha spread his Youki out over the apartment, searching for her, only to feel a sense of complete panic as he found no trace of her aura. Tamping down his fear furiously, he began to search for her. It was only after he had searched every room twice over that he allowed his fear to develop into full-blown terror. He almost flew to the phone, about to call for aid... again... when a thought struck him. He returned to her room and followed her scent to the window. Looking out, he could just make out a huddled mass sitting on a ledge, almost out of sight, staring up at the waning crescent moon. He once more sent his Youki out, calling to hers, yet... nothing. He smiled wryly, wondering how he was going to handle this. It had been many years before he had finally entrusted Kikyou with the knowledge of his human night, and to this day she, his immediate family and Mafuyu were the only ones to know it. Hell he hadn't even told Miroku, and the man was as close to a best friend as InuYasha had ever had. Eventually he ceded to his instincts, leaping up to the girl and pulling her into his lap, ignoring the panicked squeak and attempts to scramble away from him. He very gently began to rumble, his hand rubbing circles on her back as she began to relax minutely. When she turned fear-dulled brown eyes up to him, the corner of his mouth raised in a crooked attempt at a smile.
"Yeah, it sucks. Bein' Human I mean. I always thank the Kamis that its only one damn night each moon. Dunno how Sango and the bouzo can stand to be like this all the damn time, would drive me insane." He chuckled softly "You coulda told me, 'Gome, you should know by now I won't ever hurt you, sides... you'll be seein' mine in a few more days... and trust me, you won't recognise me." At that, a curious frown creased her brow. "Black hair, Violet eyes... hell even my scent changes. You'll see, at least you don't look like a completely new person. Speaking of, let's get you inside 'k 'Gome? I won't have you catchin' ill" A slight shiver passed through the tiny girl and she nodded fractionally, clinging to his shirt as InuYasha once again found his Youki rising, heightening his senses in an effort to protect his charge, unable and unwilling to restrain his instinct. Something to Protect... his father's lifelong saying rang through his mind, as he once more curled protectively around the onna in his arms, determined to stay alert until the dawn rose and danger passed.
A/N: I'm not happy with this chapter really... but it's done now, covering everything that needs doing. Apologies in advance – updates will be slow this term, as my workload has more or less doubled and I nearly failed last term's exams... *ulp*. I will try to update next weekend, so until then... Thank you all so much for such wonderful reviews, it has been a brilliant morale boost :)