The Quandry

Dawn broke slowly, washing like liquid gold through the open curtains, dispelling the strange shadows cast by the pre-dawn light as Kagome felt her Youki rise comfortingly, washing out to blanket her in security, once more pushing against InuYasha's. Bleary golden eyes and a jaw-cracking yawn met her as the fear of being so oblivious to surrounding dangers faded slowly, her claws extending, fangs puncturing her lip where she had been gnawing it. She grimaced softly, lapping up the blood quickly before the scent could tint the air. An irritated frown caught her attention and she gave an apologetic half smile as she realised she hadn't been fast enough to conceal it from her protector. Softly, she curled deeper into his warmth, relishing the return of her sense of smell... pine, earth and storm-cleared air. This was a smell, she was sure, she would never grow tired of, male, strong and so very InuYasha... she blushed deeply, hoping against hope that he hadn't noticed her pleasure. Even after Izayoi-hime had told her that Inu didn't mind her liking his scent...that way... she couldn't bring herself to truly believe it. He would be revolted... after all, it was hardly as if she were some beautiful demoness. Someone as handsome and kind as InuYasha deserved a perfect mate – strong, beautiful, intelligent... not a filthy abomination which couldn't even write its own name. She berated herself savagely, yet somehow couldn't help but hope. Maybe Izayoi-hime wouldn't laugh if she asked...

InuYasha smiled, fighting the almost overwhelming urge to nuzzle the dainty Hanyou in his lap. She was so soft like this, contented, relaxed, almost dozing as she relished the return of her senses. He smiled softly as pleasure writhed through her Youki as she secretively breathed in his scent, yet frowned as it was almost immediately replaced by self-loathing and fear. He had to find a way to get past her fear of rejection. He breathed deeply in an attempt to calm himself, then blushed himself as her slightly aroused scent hit his nose, very aware that he was invading the privacy of her thoughts, yet unable to resist taking another deep breath. Rosemary and Spring rain... he had never thought of those scents as alluring, but in this onna... with that curious powder-light smell of innocence, and the warm smell of pure power, it was irresistable. He shuddered slightly, struggling to control his reaction as his mind followed a now-familiar path. Lying here, with her in my arms... my scent and hers mingled... dear Kami, that would be bliss. He blushed suddenly, the image of a tiny dark haired Inu with golden eyes scampering through his mind, leaving a scent so clear as to almost be real. Rosemary, Pine and warm earth, pup-smell and joy...Our pup...He started, shocked at how clear the image had been. I really need to talk with 'kaa-san.

It was late morning before Izayoi was disturbed by an insistent rapping on her door. Smiling, she discarded her book and admitted her son, pulling him into a warm embrace before leading him to a seat.

"Well, Inu? I can tell you need to ask me something." InuYasha tensed slightly, a blush rising as Izayoi realised the probable direction of his query, a soft smile flickering over her face before she forced it back to stillness, calming herself to provide the security that her son so obviously needed.

"Um... well...'Kaa-san, I need some advice." She nodded, softly, encouragingly, as her son hesitated again for a long moment, obviously uncomfortable. "It's about 'Gome..." Izayoi smiled, and quietly murmered

"And what do you need to ask that has you in such a turmoil, Inu? There is always a solution, if you seek it, remember." InuYasha nodded, his Youki calming as he breathed his mother's scent deeply. Even with no control over her aura, she had always calmed him. With the relaxation came a burst of confidence, and suddenly it all spilled out.

"Well, you know how she was so embarrassed 'bout liking my scent? She truly hates herself for it. She was likin' it again this mornin'" here he blushed slightly, but persevered, "and suddenly she was scared stiff and hatin' herself. Okaa... I gotta find how ta make her see its ok." Izayoi frowned slightly. She could tell her son was attracted, but how far it went... there was a hint of desperation in his voice that spoke of something far deeper than she had thought.

"Well, Inu, to be honest, I think the only way to remedy that will be giving her time... and maybe showing her that her scent isn't repulsive to you either. Don't overwhelm her Inu, just let her know subtly that you don't see her as a disgusting abomination..." she quickly held up her hand to forstall his indignant objections. "I know none here see her like that, Inu, but as I recall it took you many years to accept as well, and she has the additional issue of her own sire persecuting her for her mixed blood. It will take time, Inu, grant her that." She sighed softly at the picture her son made, ears lying almost flat to his head as he fairly radiated defeat. Something about this... it went deeper than attraction, she was sure. "Tell me, Inu... why are you so desperate to convince her? It is unlike you to be this affected by a girl, no matter how much she piques your interest." InuYasha blushed, fiercely. He had hoped that he wouldn't have to admit this so soon after realising it himself, but... this was his 'Kaa-san, and she would support him, he was sure, even if she didn't approve the match.

"Okaa... she...she's just so... perfect. Even my Youki sees that... It keeps pushing at me, showing me things..." Izayoi tried to keep her rising excitement in check. If this meant what she thought... well, she knew that Tougaou and Mafuyu would share her joy.

"What do you see Inu? Please... tell me." InuYasha looked up, amazed as he saw the joy in her eyes. She knows... and she's happy for me... for us, if I can get past my 'Gome's fear. He sat straighter, looking his mother deep in the eyes, as he said with more conviction than he could ever remember having,

"I saw our pup Okaa... smelt it. I want her as a mate. Forever."

In Tougaou's study, a far less joyous discussion was taking place, as Mafuyu, Sesshoumaru and Tougaou sat, poring over the scrolls laid out. A slight frown graced the two Alpha's faces as the last pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

"Well. This is certainly … a revelation. What happens next?" Tougaou raised an eyebrow.

"It is not often you are unsure of a path, son. I must admit to astonishment." Sesshoumaru's mouth flickered in the ghost of a smile, before returning to its usual stoic mein.

"Do not, Father. Now is not the time. My question stands. You are both aware that the council must be informed of Gekidoku's misdemeanor..." growls cut the room, before being reigned in as he continued "Yet, Kagome's status as a Youkai-Miko would tell against her if she remains untrained. He could use self-defense as an excuse for his actions if her control is not remedied." The other two nodded solemnly, all too aware of the many loopholes in the law. Eventually, Tougaou sighed heavily.

"It seems she must be trained. I am sure the monk Miroku would take on the task, as he holds no bias against hanyou. The question then becomes when we inform the council, and exactly how much we tell them. As it stands, informing them of her abilities may cause a negative reaction based on self-preservation, however withholding the information may result in a backlash if she is forced to use her powers. Mafuyu, you have final say in this, and I shall stand behind your decision." The three DaiYoukai shared a meaningful look, before the two Silver Inu stood, leaving Mafuyu alone to contemplate the intricate puzzle.

A timid tap at the door alerted Izayoi to Kagome's arrival. She brought the girl in gently, taking note of the flat ears, bowed head and barely-noticeable quivering. Her years of dealing with her son stilled and centred her aura unconsciously, calming the little Inu as she took her hands.

"Now, Kagome-chan, what can I do for you? You know that whatever it is I will do my best to help you." Soft brown eyes flickered up momentarily before settling down into her lap again, fingers twisting nervously.

"I...Izayoi-hime, I need your advice. You know how I reacted to InuYasha-sama that day in the dojo..." Izayoi nodded gently, a worried frown flickering over her face. If Kagome had reverted to titles with Inu, she must be scared nearly out of her wits. "Well... I keep reacting like that, and I know you said that he wouldn't mind, but I shouldn't be thinking of him like this... He's so good and kind" she blushed furiously "and handsome... I can't dishonour him like that. He deserves someone worthy, a strong beautiful demoness... not a filthy monster like me." Izayoi drew in a sharp breath. That she could think of herself so poorly...

"A monster? Is that truly how you see yourself Kagome?" the question came out sharp, almost offended, causing Kagome to look up in shock. "You are Inu-Hanyou, Kagome. If you are a monster, then so is my son, because his blood has the same mixture of heritage as yours." A choked cry of denial came from the little Inu, as she shook her head violently, biting her lip so hard a single crimson drop traced the curve of her chin.

"I... I never meant...No. He's no monster... I … I could never... He's NOT!" Izayoi pulled the panicking Hanyou to her, rocking her gently as she cried out the horror of what exactly she had unknowingly implied. Once she had calmed slightly, her horrified denials subsiding into bone-wracking sobs, Izayoi turned her face up, brushing the tears away softly.

"Now do you see, Kagome-chan? No-one here sees you as a monster, least of all my son. Here, you are as you should always have been. Kagome. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less. Believe me, Mafuyu, Tougaou and I see you as our own child, even Sesshoumaru sees you as a pack-sister. As for Inu... well, I have my suspicions. Pay close attention next time you are close to him, ijirashi... I do not believe your attraction is as one-sided as you believe." Astonished bronze eyes met hers, and she smiled softly, conveying all the honesty she could to this tiny disbelieving slip of a girl, who in less than a month had become closer to her family than Youkai they had known for centuries. "Go on, little one, you're going to be late to your lessons... trust what you sense, Kagome. Noone here sees you as a monster, and that you see yourself as such... it is so wrong. You must simply learn to believe it." Her gentle, smiling gaze was rewarded by the faintest flicker of hope in those luminous eyes before the girl bowed deeply and turned to leave, a whispered

"Thank you, Izayoi-hime" echoing in the room as the door shut and tiny bare feet fled down the corridor.

A/N: I'm so so sorry! This chapter was really hard to write, and my course has been taking up nearly all my time since my... appalling module exam results from last term... I even got a warning letter from the uni! *Ulp*. My muse is refusing to cooperate, focussing on far too many variations for me to eloquently follow the one I want to pen... but enough of my excuses. I have a few weeks left until easter, then with any luck I will be free for a few weeks to focus on this before I have to revise for the after easter exams. Bear with me people, I will finish this, even if it takes me a year.