Here is chapter 24 for your reading and imagining pleasure. Just a quick warning, there is a slight lemon near the end, so if your uncomfortable with that then do not read. I say slight, because it's not completely full on- obviously. But for those who are questioning the reality of a lemon chapter, your day will come. I am planning that for after the wedding.
Chapter 24- The Endless Night
Try as he might Shippo could not will himself to stay awake, and found his eyelids becoming droopy. He rubbed them in a useless attempt to stay alert. The room was pleasantly warm and glowed with the fires embers. Shippo's stomach was full and satisfied and he longed to slip into the sweet succumb of slumber.
A large yawn escaped his lips. Not going unnoticed by Inuyasha who gave him that parental look that clearly said: "Someone needs to be asleep." The hanyou stood up from his usual against the wall and approached the sleepy fox.
Stooping down to his level his amber eyes stared into the bottle green sleepy eyes of his charge.
"Shouldn't you be asleep by now?" He asked him. The question sounded to Shippo like an order that elders used to trick kids by disguising it in the form of a question so as not to get the kid all riled up about being told what to do. But Shippo was no fool in that sense. But he still tried the age old approach that most youngsters did. He protested.
"But I'm not even tired! And it's not that late!" Shippo wanted to stay up a little longer, despite his body's need for sleep. He wanted to see what everyone was talking about, to be a part of the conversation.
Inuyasha gave him 'the look' witch immediately silenced the protesting child.
"Nothing doing. You've had a very rough day, and you need your sleep. I won't have you exhausted tomorrow due to you not receiving the proper rest." The voice had a note of rough finality in it, daring Shippo to argue further, and the fox sensed this and was smart enough not to push his otou any further. But that still didn't mean that he couldn't tease.
"But you get to stay up later! And you fought that terrible demon! That must have taken a lot out of you! Aren't you exhausted?" Shippo blinked up at Inuyasha, a cheeky smile plastered on his face when he saw the hanyou's face harden at his mischievous tone.
Inuyasha smirked and crossed an arm over his chest. Boy that brat had a lot of nerve! Two could play this game! An almost evil chuckle sprang from his throat.
"Oh I'm never too tired to deal with cheeky brats, especially if I have to deliver my own personal message to get the point across." Inuyasha stated while flexing his hand pointedly, a knowing look in his eyes as he stared at Shippo, who stiffened.
Oh no, that was not happening again. Inuyasha's hand had gotten quite the workout across Shippo's behind. The boy had enough pain in his rear in order to avoid provoking 'the hand of doom' he fearfully called it. He did not want to irritate the hand's wrath twice in the same day, and cause his poor bottom more distress. And so the mischievous fox obeyed his father and begrudgingly went to sleep. Inuyasha smirked victoriously. If nothing else, the threat had helped to get him to obey.
Shippo retired to his futon, taking care to lie on his stomach, not caring to feel the lingering sting in his rear. A blanket was drawn up over his body and came to rest on his chin. The fox turned on his side to stare at two molten eyes. Inuyasha gently ruffled the kits hair.
A stubborn pout played on the child's face. "But what are you going to do while I'm asleep?" He asked in a voice that seemed to demand a satisfactory answer as to what would be going on while the boy slept. He didn't want to miss out on anything worth seeing.
Inuyasha patted the boy's back gently. "Why I'll be watching over you of course." He said with a little smirk, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Shippo had not expected this, and his young face flushed. "Oh" Was all he mumbled.
Inuyasha's eyes danced with laughter at the kids antics. What did he think? That the whole village was going to hold a grand festival just as soon as he fell asleep?
He chuckled softly. "Silly pup. You won't be missing out on anything exciting."
Shippo seemed to finally come to the realization that nothing amazing or spectacular would occur should he close his eyes. He lay back down against the cushiony bed. The futon was extremely comfy and warm too. Shippo felt his eyelids droop further. When he could no longer keep them open, his world entered a sleepy darkness. His senses were starting to fade, but not before he heard a faint whisper.
"I love you my pup."
But before Shippo could mutter that he loved him too, he was asleep.
Inuyasha smiled fondly at the sound asleep fox demon. He heard someone quietly approach and turned to see Kagome. Giving his mate a tender kiss, he draped an arm around her as she sat down next to him.
Kagome stroked Shippo's bangs gently. Despite what he had been through that day, the boy had a peaceful smile on his face as he slumbered away. Kagome sighed contently before turning to look at Inuyasha.
"So. What exactly did you two discuss?" She asked him.
Inuyasha looked at her, knowing that this time she would expect a reasonable answer.
Inuyasha sighed. I talked to him about how reckless he had been today, worrying everyone, and putting himself and Kilala in danger."
Kagome nodded. "I expected that to occur. Anything else?"
Another sigh. "I spanked him."
Inuyasha expected a gasp. He expected her to chastise him or yell at him for being violent towards Shippo. What he was not expecting was exactly what she said.
"Well he did disobey. He deliberately went out somewhere he knew he was not aloud, and he was gone for more time then he knew was allotted. He needed to know his actions as well as the consequences that come with them. I think you did the right thing."
Inuyasha gaped at his mate in disbelief. "Since when are you ok with me hitting him? When I used to bob him on the head I would get sat all the time."
Kagome smirked. "For one, you hitting him on the head was you losing your temper and resorting to useless violence. Two- Shippo was a small child then who was testing his boundaries with you and three: I believe that when punishing a child one must never do it out of anger. That is a senseless way that will only cause the child permanent damage not just physically but possibly mentally. I know now that you will control your temper before ever laying a hand on Shippo."
Inuyasha was speechless. Here was this woman who had complete trust in faith in him not to lose his head and beat the pants off of a cheeky fox when he was misbehaving.
"Woman, you are amazing you are." He breathed.
Her smirk widened. "Besides if you ever did strike a hand to Shippo in pure rage, you know what would happen." She said coyly, while twirling his rosary around a finger.
Inuyasha nodded. It had been a long time since she had released the s- word on him. He was thankful he had done nothing yet to cause her to.
Kagome got up from her sitting position and floated across the hut and out the door. Inuyasha took it as his signal to follow her. Once outside he trapped her against the hut's wall.
Leaning in close he whispered "Well then I better not do anything that would rouse you."
Kagome had no time to respond to his dirty remark as Inuyasha slammed his mouth to hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned into his mouth- enticing him. He grabbed her body roughly and pressed it against his pelvic region.
Kagome giggled "I see you have missed me."
Inuyasha's response was to take her hand and place it on the bulge in his pants. He grinned wickedly.
"Oh yea, I've missed you."
Kagome sighed and leaned into him. "Well then I guess we will just have to start planning this wedding, seeing as you are having an extremely hard time keeping yourself under control."
Inuyasha nodded his fangs glittering in the moonlit.
Kagome looked him in the eyes. "Did you notice Sango's ring?"
Inuyasha smirked. "The monk finally got the guts to ask her huh?"
Kagome nodded.
Inuyasha chuckled to himself. "I bet it was because Sango kept ogling your ring, and the monk realized he had no time left and had to make a move or risk her losing interest."
Kagome gasped her face flushing. "Inuyasha!" She chastised him.
The dog eared man just shrugged his shoulders. "What? He had to do it sometime. Otherwise who knows? Sango could just….
"Leave?" Kagome finished for him.
He nodded.
Kagome shook her head, disagreeing with him. "No. Those two belong with each other; I don't think they could be with anyone else."
Inuyasha smirked at her optimistic answer. "Kind of like you and I?" He asked.
She blushed at his attempt at being romantic.
"Yea, like that." She replied before hugging him. When the broke the embraced she continued.
"So… I was thinking if it's all right with Miroku and Sango, maybe we could have a double wedding?" She risked a glance at her mate, wondering what he would say.
Inuyasha wore a pondering expression. He put a hand to his chin, and scrunched his eyebrows together, preoccupied with Kagome's proposal.
Finally he answered. "Yea I guess that would be all right."
Kagome's face brightened. She kissed him. "Great! Now all we have to do is prepare the guest list, find suitable attire for everyone, find a priest, prepare the food, and get the flowers…
As Kagome rattled on and on, Inuyasha realized that Miya had been right. Kagome had always wanted a traditional wedding. While a wedding in the feudal era didn't necessarily scream traditional, it was good enough. But dam she could talk! I wonder if she'd figured out that he wasn't listening?
"Inuyasha."
Hell she looks hot!
Inuyasha?"
I would take her right here, if everyone was not five feet away. Dam I'm horny! And hungry, I wonder if she will cook me some ramen….
"INUYASHA!!"
The half demon snapped out of his naughty thoughts to see Kagome starring at him, her eyes narrowed.
"Did you say something Kagome?"
The girl looked thunderstruck. "Did you hear a single word said?"
"Umm yea something about food and uhhh food?" Inuyasha concluded lamely.
Kagome sighed, rubbing her temples to try and force down the fast approaching migraine. Also resisting the urge to scream her lungs out, she took a deep breath.
"We first have to prepare a guest list, so decide whom you would like to invite." She said.
Inuyasha snorted and crossed his arms. "There is no one I would like to invite, and besides I don't know a whole lot of people who would come anyway."
Kagome arched a brow. "What about your brother?"
Inuyasha nearly fell over. "Are you insane?! I wouldn't invite that bastard; he might decapitate you or worse!"
Kagome sighed once more. "You're being over dramatic. Sesshomaru seems to have changed over the years. He cares for Rin, which shows he had compassion. And he did help us with Naraku. I think that you should at least try. What is the worst that could happen?"
Inuyasha scoffed looking skeptical. So Kagome tried a different approach.
"Hey, it's not like he is going to take tetsaiga, he has his own sword."
Inuyasha visibly paled. Kagome squinted at him in concern.
"Are you feeling well?" She asked.
"Umm yea I- I'm fine." Inuyasha stammered.
That was odd. Inuyasha never stammered. Kagome glanced at his waist. It was then that she put two and two together. She had wondered why Inuyasha chose to fought the vampire wolf demon using only his claws. And why he had paled so suddenly when she mentioned tetsaiga. She could not believe she did not notice sooner!
"Inuyasha." She said slowly. "Where is your tetsaiga?"
Inuyasha looked anywhere but in her eyes.
"Inuyasha….
For the first time since she had known him, Kagome saw Inuyasha sweat under pressure. He never caves! What is going on?!
Finally he spoke. His voice was so low, Kagome had to strain her ears and lean in closer in order to hear.
"UmmIkindofsolditinordertobuyyouyourring."
Kagome shook her head.
"Sorry, I didn't hear you, speak up please."
Inuyasha took a deep breath, preparing himself.
"I sold the tetsaiga to a jeweler in your time in order to buy you that ring." He said, waving a hand at the glittering band on her finger.
There was a heavy silence. It was so thick and defining; Inuyasha thought that he would drown in it. He wished Kagome would say something, anything, but her face held an unreadable expression. When he thought he would die in the unbearable silence, she spoke.
"Y- You did that for me?"
He nodded solemnly.
And then she was there in a blur, hugging him tightly. And crying… he could smell the salt radiating from her. He placed his arms around her back and held her close for a moment.
"Why are you crying?" He asked softly.
From within his kimono, came her muffled reply. "Because that is the most thoughtful thing that anyone has ever done for me. You gave up your prized possession, just so I could have a ring. Why?" She asked, peering up at him.
He took her chin in his hands and after kissing her he answered. "Because you are worth it."
Kagome froze. He had given up his treasured sword that suppressed his demon nature as well as protected those he loved. All for her. It had saved her so many times. Suddenly she reared back and landed a solid punch to his arm.
"Oi! What the hell was that for?!" He spat.
Kagome huffed. "For giving up your only source of protection. Idiot! What if that demon had been too much for you? What if your demon nature resurfaced?!"
Inuyasha crossed his arms in a huff and mumbled to himself.
Kagome's eyes narrowed. "What was that?"
"I said I wouldn't let that happen!" Inuyasha ground out.
Kagome did not look convinced. "But what if it did?"
Inuyasha scowled. "Well then I would have you to protect me… from myself."
Kagome's eyes softened. She drew closer to him.
"I know that you would never let me lose control." He assured her.
Kagome placed her hands on his chest. Leaning up, she pressed her forehead against his.
"All things aside, I'm glad that you did it anyway." She told him.
Inuyasha smirked. "Woman. You confuse the hell out of me."
Kagome smiled. "Good, I like to keep it that way."
Inuyasha looked taken aback, so she grabbed his hand.
"Now what to do about that tetsaiga of yours." She thought out loud.
Inuyasha's mind twanged with a fraction of doubt. He had sold his sword to the jeweler in Kagome's time. The man had mentioned the name of the shop. What was it? Urikimo? Romiku? Rumiko's! That was it!
"Keh, the man said the name was Rumiko." He told Kagome.
The woman had a finger on her chin, her eyes thoughtful. Rumiko? Hmmm, this would take some careful planning and thought. Inuyasha needed his sword back, but how to get it?
"Maybe we could return to my time and strike a bargain with the man." Kagome suggested.
Inuyasha raised a brow in cynical amusement. "And say what? I already struck a deal with the man, a sword for the ring. I don't think he would go back on it Kagome."
Kagome huffed and crossed her arms in exasperation. "Well I don't see you coming up with any bright ideas!"
Inuyasha chuckled at her little outburst, which only fed her fury more.
"What?!"
He just drew close to her slipping a hand in her shirt, running his claws across her stomach. "Nothing. Did you know that your temper turns me on?"
Blood rose to Kagome's cheeks, making her face boil.
"No." Was her mumbled reply. But he could see her shiver and lean in to his touch.
Then Inuyasha did something very unlike him. He gently pushed her away. Kagome gasped at his unusual behavior. She watched as he circled her, every now and then brushing very close. A whoosh of warm breath on her neck. A nibble to an ear lobe, but nothing else. The motions were quick and deliberate. He never strayed to close, just enough to leave her tingling and yearning for more.
Kagome growled, realizing what he was up to. "Teaser." She hissed at him.
Inuyasha's eyes danced with mirth. "Yea? And what are you going to do about it?" He challenged her.
Brown eyes flared up at the prospect of a challenge. She smiled at him. "Just you wait and see."
Inuyasha was skeptical at her promise, but he let it drop anyway. Kagome came and laced her fingers with his.
"Now how to get your sword back, I think I have an idea, but first we explain the wedding situation to Miroku and Sango." Kagome announced.
Inuyasha grumbled but followed her back into the hut all the same.
"I think that's a fantastic idea Kagome!" Sango exclaimed to the miko after the idea had been proposed to the other couple.
"Great!" Kagome gushed.
Miroku nodded sagely. "The idea of a double wedding can save funds in the long run, and this way we won't have to worry about spending extra money on futile things."
Sango's eyebrows rose at her fiancée's extremely positive agreement to a double wedding.
"Probably glad that he doesn't have to pay for it all by himself." Mumbled the demon slayer.
Miroku turned toward her. "What was that Sango my love?" He chirped in an annoyingly happy way.
"Nothing." Replied Sango.
But Miroku was not entirely satisfied. He leaned in and began kissing her neck in earnest, despite her immense blushing.
"Are you sure?" He asked her in a whisper. Sango shivered. Dam it! How did the monk do this to her. He had this affect on her, and he knew it! With one single action he had made her completely unable to function, and that disturbed Sango greatly.
With great difficulty she managed to nod. Miroku smiled, knowing he had won their little argument for now. And by argument he meant seeing who could cause the other to become a puddle of mush first. Miroku one, Sango zip
"I know that this must be extremely fascinating for you two, but we have a bigger problem on our hands right now." Inuyasha replied, interrupting the couples canoodling.
Miroku and Sango stopped their "argument" and turned to look at the half demon.
"Before we host this wedding, there is one important thing that must be recovered first." Inuyasha continued on, building up the curiosity of his captive audience.
I wonder what it could be? Sango thought to herself. I do hope Inuyasha hasn't gone off and done something sadistic and rash like claim that he must find some concealed treasure of some sort before he is to be wed. Dear gods that would be a doozey of a journey! I don't think I could handle one of those at the moment!
Miroku's thoughts on the other hand were a little different. Inuyasha you sly dog! So he wants to obtain some "items" before his wedding night, well I think I might know someone who could be of service. I never knew that Inuyasha would turn out to be such a kinky guy. Well you learn something new every day I suppose!
Inuyasha however was staring at his audience's faces and he found it quite unnerving. Sango looked like she might faint, and Miroku had his signature perverted grin slapped on his face.
The demi man growled. "Get your mind out of the gutter monk! I'm not talking about those kinds of items!"
Miroku immediately sharpened up and feigned a look of innocence. Inuyasha sighed, trying to get a hold on his patience. Kagome's gentle smile of encouragement was what really urged him to go on.
"I need to recover the tetsiaga.' He said at last.
It was as if all amusement had vanished from the room. Both Miroku and Sango turned to look at him, serious expressions on their faces.
Sango was the first to speak. "Are you telling me you lost the tetsiaga?"
Inuyasha reddened. "No! I just…. traded it is all." But when he saw the suspicious expressions he rushed on.
"Look! I bargained with a man who sells precious jewels and I got him to trade the tetsiaga for Kagome's ring." Inuyasha blushed again; having to admit out loud that he traded his most prized possession for a ring was entirely different then just saying it to Kagome.
Sango had gone all misty eyed and was murmuring about how romantic and noble that was of Inuyasha. Miroku had a look of complete disbelief on his face. Then out of nowhere Sango's expression hardened and she gave Miroku a slap to the shoulder.
"Ow! Sango, what did I do?" Miroku said, while grazing his shoulder, a look of confusion crossed his features. He had absolutely no clue as to what he could have possibly done. He hadn't done anything perverted in the last few hours. So what could she be hitting him for?
"How come you never did that?!" She had her hands on her hips, and expectant look in her eyes.
Miroku recovered from the blow to his ego before replying. "Well please forgive me Sango for not slicing off my right hand in order to present you with an engagement ring. But seeing at the time there was a hole in my hand, it made it extremely difficult to not die in the process." Miroku raised a brow at Sango, waiting for her rebuttal.
But Sango had gone all watery eyed again, and this time she threw herself into Miroku's arms.
"Oh Miroku you're right! I was being selfish and foolhardy! I'm sorry!" She cried into his shoulder as he stroked her head comfortingly and murmured sweet nothings in her ear.
"Geeze, what is up with everyone today? Is it that time of the month or something?" Inuyasha blurted out, ruining the moment. Kagome slapped his arm for a second time that night.
"Gah! What is up with you woman, and your slapping today?!" He questioned Kagome, with a frown.
"Your ruined their moment." Kagome said simply while gesturing at Miroku and Sango.
Inuyasha crossed his arms in a scowl. "Well forgive me for being such an insensitive jerk." He spat sarcastically.
A cute smile formed on Kagome's lips when she caught site of his expression. Wrapping her arms around him she kissed his nose. "That's ok. You're my insensitive jerk." She told him, pleased to see him blush. He wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her from the ground. Placing a kiss on her forehead he smirked at her.
"And you're my impertinent wench." He shot back, his smirk widening at the flare in her eyes and the rosy tint in her cheeks.
"Hey insensitive jerk and impertinent wench!" Miroku called out teasingly, making both said people jump and blush further.
"What do you say we continue our chat in the morning, when we are all better rested?" Offered the monk.
Everyone agreed that going to bed was the best idea. The dying fire cast a shadowy light upon the walls of the hut as its occupants went about their nightly rituals.
Miroku and Sango climbed into their futon. The monk held her close to him in a protective and loving embrace. Sango sighed contently, happy to be with her man and snuggled closer. Soon peaceful breathing could be heard coming from the two humans across the way. That sound signaled that they had settled into sleeps lovely embrace.
Inuyasha had settled into his own futon, his amber eyes flicking across the room as he watched Kagome flutter back and forth. Hi ears twitched impatiently as he waited for his mate to finish her routine. The minutes seemed to drag by at a snail's pace for the hanyou. He observed Kagome tidy up the dishes from supper, brush her teeth, stoke the fire, and check on Shippo.
Finally the impatient half demon could stand it no longer. When Kagome was close enough he reached out an arm and snatched her swiftly from the ground and onto the futon, where she promptly landed on top of him. Not that Inuyasha didn't mind, Kagome just happened to be in the middle of undressing when he had grabbed her, and was now lying on top of him without a shirt on. Her bountiful breasts seemed to tantalize him from their safe perches in her bra.
Inuyasha smirked. He could fix that. And in one swift slash of his claws, he had slashed the strap that held Kagome's bra together. With a sinful smile Inuyasha watched as her breasts came sliding down in an avalanche of smooth skin to hang above him. Kagome blushed a split second before growling lowly at her mate.
"Inuyasha that was my favorite bra!" She hissed, no eyeing the shredded black ribbons warily.
The dog eared man just reached up to stroke her breasts, not noticing the seething look his mate was giving him.
"I prefer to do without those bra contraptions. It's much more fun in the long run. Besides bras get in the way of important things." He stated matter of factly.
Kagome was skeptical and still a bit ticked at him for ruining her bra. But despite that she humored him.
"And what prey tell is so important that you had to ruin my bra?" She asked him, her hands on her hips.
Inuyasha's eyes flashed with excitement as he leaned up towards her. His fangs grazed her nipples, nipping and biting at the tender flesh. He heard Kagome stiffen and suppress a moan. It would not sit well to awaken their friends and be found in such an intimate not to mention embarrassing situation! His tongue slithered out and gently licked her nipple, tasting her skin.
Whatever Kagome had been planning to say was lost in that one solitary action. Inuyasha had left her speechless. He may not have had to utter a single syllable, but in Kagome's case Inuyasha's mouth did all the talking in a matter of speaking.
Kagome grinned down at the teething half demon before descending upon him. Her mouth tackled his in a courageous, sensual battle to see who would emerge the victor. Inuyasha won, not to Kagome's surprise. His lips dominated hers as tongue and fang overpowered her mouth in a rough dominance.
Inuyasha switched tactics and began to plant heated kisses all along Kagome's chest, burying his nose with in her crevice. He smiled when he heard Kagome gasp. His own smirk formed as he felt the intense heat build in his groin. After a few more moments of prolonged pleasure, Kagome rolled off of him, her brow glistening.
Inuyasha turned to her, his eyes all aglow. "So do you still think me shredding your bra was a bad idea?"
Kagome did not answer, and Inuyasha knew he had won. She snuggled closer to his warmth. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, cradling her to him.
Then in a daring move, Kagome leaned over and planted her lips on his. Giving it everything she had as she explored his warm lips with her own. She sucked his bottom lip, teasing him mercilessly. Inuyasha's eyes widened as he felt her passion through the kiss. Yes, his lady had a way of getting back at him in her own personal form of revenge. But Inuyasha relished the way she took charge; it excited him like nothing else had! He pulled her close, feeling her hot skin against him. His claws dug into her bare back, pricking her skin in a way that tortured Kagome to no end.
Mean while from across the hut, in a small side chamber, Kaede laid stock still on her futon. Based on the current position of her friends, and the way they were carrying on, the old priestess concluded to herself that it was going to be a hell of a long night!
Long chapter, this one. I was trying to find a decent way to end it, I hope you enjoyed it. Keep tuning in for I will be updating as soon as possible. Inuyasha still has to somehow get his tetsaiga back. That will be interesting! Who will come to the wedding? Imagine Sesshomaru, that would be a site to see! I'm also thinking of adding other familiar characters to that future chapter. Please send in any ideas or questions you may have with your review. Thank you for supporting my story once again.