Hello again! I am glad I have some time to post yet another chapter. School has been in the way, so I am excited that a three day weekend is here! Have fun reading and I would appreciate any feedback.
Chapter 26- Painful Promises
Once back at the hut, things went quite smoothly. Inuyasha was on his best behavior, and even suggested ideas to add to the announcements. Miroku on the other hand was having some particular trouble controlling his actions, especially when Sango was hunched over some parchment, her curvy backside taunting the monk. He just could not catch a break.
Shippo sat off to the side, sprawled out on his stomach, observing the entire scene. Kilala sat near him, purring contently. The kit watched bemusedly as his parents along with Miroku and Sango tried to put their heads together to create a decent wedding announcement. He would never understand adults, really. They spent all this time agonizing over how what to write and how to write it. In Shippo's opinion they were putting too much thought into it. But what did he know? He was still a kid.
"All right, how does this sound?" Sango said aloud after finishing with a flourish. She picked up the aged paper and cleared her throat, requiring everyone's attention. When the chatter had ceased, she took a small breath before beginning.
Your presence is here by requested at the conjoining of two couples.
A ceremony will be held in order to bond together Inuyasha and Kagome
Miroku the monk and Sango of the demon slayers.
The ceremony will be held in two months time in the Inuyasha forest beneath the Goshinboku.
We would greatly appreciate your attendance at this blessed event. Hope to see you in the near future.
Sango finished reading and looked up hopefully at the group. Miroku was smiling proudly at his soon to be wife. Kagome's eyes were alight and her own smile filled her young face. Inuyasha was smirking, his eyes crinkled in an amused sort of way. He was the first one to say anything.
"It works for me." He said with a shrug. Kagome leaned up against him. "Me too, Sango, I think that it sounds wonderful."
The demon slayer's cheeks reddened and she shuffled the paper from hand to hand self consciously. She turned to look at Miroku.
"What do you think Miroku?" She asked. "Because if it's not good enough we could always forget it and go with someone else's idea." Miroku reached forward, placing his hands on her shoulder firmly.
"Sango, I think it sounds fine. Obviously everyone else does too. It seems like this is the one we have all decided on." He gave her a pleasant smile. After a moment of consideration she allowed a small smile.
"Well ok, as long as everyone has agreed." She concluded shyly. They all did.
"Well then, now that that's settled all we have to do is make more and then send them out." Kagome said brightly.
Everyone slumped. Writing could be tedious work, and no one was ready to jump on that task just yet.
"Come now, you guys. If we all work together, it can be accomplished without too much effort." Kagome urged them.
Inuyasha eyed his mate. He wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her close to him. "Only you could get excited over something as monotonous as writing Kagome." He told her.
The miko frowned slightly. But she could see what he was getting at. The feudal era did not possess pens or pencils that made writing easier. And forget trying to explain the concept of a laptop to them! They still had to write every letter using a brush and ink. And they were not something one could go out and purchase cheaply. In this time, brushes and ink where a luxury that only some could afford, mostly the wealthy. Yes, she could see where that could be tiresome. She herself quite enjoyed writing, but then again she had automatic pencil sharpeners standing by. Whereas here if you ran out of ink or your brush wore out, you were out of luck.
Kagome cupped her chin in her hand as she reflected on what to next. For now the writing was at a halt, until everyone dug up the effort to produce some more announcements. And then there still was the whole tetsaiga issue…. Kagome's eyes widened with sudden realization. She had nearly forgotten about Inuyasha's sword, still stuck in her own era in the hands of a sword collector mo doubt! Well that was an issue she could address!
She stood up determinedly, her midnight hair falling down her back in tumbling waves.
"Inuyasha."
The half demon's ears perked and he turned his head towards his mate.
"There is still the matter of your tetsaiga at hand." She reminded him.
Inuyasha nodded solemnly. If there was one thing that he was serious about, it was his sword. He admitted selling it may not have been the best idea at the time. But it had been for Kagome, and she was worth the loss. Unfortunately he had not anticipated her finding out about it, and now that she had she was hell bent on getting the sword back.
Golden eyes smiled as Inuyasha swelled with pride. His mate was just about as stubborn and determined as he was which made it hard for him to refuse her requests at times. But in the end, she was what made him thankful. And that was all that truly mattered.
The red robed man stood up beside his mate. He gave her a subtle nod that signaled he was ready to embark to her time.
Sango and Miroku followed them out to the well to see them off.
"While you are gone, we will try to get some more announcements finished." Sango promised.
Kagome smiled warmly. "Thank you Sango! That would mean a great deal to me, and I really appreciate it."
The demon slayer smiled while dipping her head in a nod.
Inuyasha approached Miroku. "Keep an eye on the village while we are gone would you?" He told the monk.
Violet eyes flickered. "Consider it done my friend." He confirmed.
Shippo lagged back behind the group. Inuyasha's eyes did a sweeping search until he caught site of the kit. He swept toward the fox, who didn't look up when he approached.
Crouching down to his level Inuyasha tilted Shippo's head where he was met with a pair of somber green irises.
"You know it will only be for a short while, Shippo." He promised.
The fox boy nodded, but his eyes deceived his fake exterior motive. The boy was obviously trying to put on a brave face, and it was not working very effectively.
"But you just got back!" Shippo protested weakly. He had not got a chance to really help with the announcements, seeing as Sango had come up with the idea so quickly. And then the whole matter of his outou's tetsaiga emerged. All of it had left Shippo in a mixture of confusion and doubt. He did not want his papa to leave now. Not when he just returned.
Inuyasha sighed. There was no getting around it. The kid was a part of his life now, as his pup, and Inuyasha found himself becoming increasingly closer to him. The fact that he had to leave his son behind, tugged at his heart strings. It pained him to see his pup in such distress.
Reaching out a clawed hand, he enveloped Shippo in a hug. The kit let out an inward breath as he inhaled his outou's unique scent. Knowing he might not see him for some time, Shippo buried his nose in the soft red fabric, capturing the scent and feel of the crimson robe and silver locks. After he was sure it was permanently etched in his brain, only then did Shippo withdraw his face from the red folds.
Soft lips caressed Shippo's brow as Inuyasha kissed his son's forehead. This gesture seemed to tell him that everything would be all right. He would survive. Barley.
He couldn't help it. As he sniffed hastily, trying to hide his obvious feelings of sorrow. When he was very young, his parents were taken from him and he was left to fend for himself all alone in the cruel world. And now, he had finally regained a family. For the first time since his parents where alive, Shippo genially felt loved and taken care of. To have his new parents leave him made his heart ache. Even though he was twelve years old, much too old to be sniveling like an incompetent child! But it still wasn't fair.
Rushing into Kagome's arms, he allowed her to stroke his hair and whisper words of comfort and reassurance. "I'll miss you." He mumbled.
"Oh Shippo." Kagome breathed, hugging him closer. When he finally pulled away, her hands rested gently on his shoulders.
She stood up; Shippo stepped back a few feet as they readied to make their decent into the well.
"We will be back. You have my word." Inuyasha promised him. His golden eyes penetrated Shippo's and he knew that they would return.
Sango came up and placed her hands on Shippo's head. "Don't worry, we will be fine. Shippo is in good hands."
Kagome smiled. She knew that Miroku and Sango would care for Shippo like their own child. After all, he had become like family to them as well.
The miko placed a foot on the edge of the well, Inuyasha following suite. She turned one last time to look at her friends.
Miroku stood with an arm draped around Sango. The demon slayer had her hands resting gently on Shippo's head, soothing him. Looking at them she cleared the worry that clogged her mind. Everything would be fine.
"Take care! And return safely to us!" Miroku told them.
Kagome nodded. She turned to Inuyasha. He nodded. They interlaced fingers before launching themselves into the bone eater's well. In a flash of brilliant blue light they were gone.
"Well we might as well try to get some more announcements finished." Miroku concluded. Shippo knew he was trying to fill up the awkward silence that had taken place.
"That sounds like a splendid idea Miroku." Sango chimed in. "Shippo, would you like to help?" Her brown eyes filled with a warm kindness blinked at Shippo. The fox nodded.
"Great!" Sango exclaimed. With a sweep of her colorful skirt, she had turned and was on her way back to the village, Miroku's arms linked with her own.
Shippo glanced once more at the well. Seeing no furry ears pop out of it, his heart sank a little. But he turned none the less to follow Miroku and Sango back to the village.
The afternoon sun warmed Shippo's back pleasantly. It made him think of his outo's soothing, rough voice that always seemed to calm him. As he retreated Shippo remembered his papa's promise. He had given Shippo his word that he would return. That thought alone lifted his spirit slightly. The corners of his mouth turned up.
His papa never broke a promise.
Here is the closing of yet another chapter, this one shorter than most- it is leading up to the thickening plot. As always a writer appreciates some reviews, so please feel free to send in your ideas, thoughts, compliments, anything at all. Much obliged