Chapter Eight
Kagome and Inuyasha sat in his car in front of the steps leading up to the Sunset Shrine. "Are
we going to get out of the car, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.
"You didn't tell me you grew up at a shrine," Inuyasha said.
"I didn't think it mattered," she said shrugging one delicate shoulder. "Are you nervous?"
"Of course I'm nervous,"he said. "I'm a demon about to have lunch at a shrine."
"Oh, so it's the shrine your worried about, not meeting my family?"
"It's both," Inuyasha grumbled looking away. "Aren't you going to offer to run away with me?"
"It'll be fine, Inuyasha," she assured him. "They'll love you, just like I do." She reached for the door handle but Inuyasha grabbed her arm.
"What did you just say?"
"Everything will be fine," she repeated.
"After that."
"My family will love you..."
"After that."
She smiled, "We should go." She pulled away from him and got out of the car. "Aren't you coming?"
"Kagome, say it again," Inuyasha demanded getting out of the car and walking around to her.
"It again," she said smiling even wider. "Come on." She took his hand and led him up the steps. As they reached the top of the steps Inuyasha drew her to a stop. "What is it, Inuyasha?" she looked up at him her gaze questioning. He didn't say anything just brought a hand up to cup her cheek. His lips were hovering just above her's when they heard a shout.
"Kagome, get out of the way! I'll protect you." They both looked up to see an elderly man, clutching a sutra in one hand and a fist-full of purification salts in the other.
"Oh, no," Kagome muttered before turning to the man. "Grandpa," she started. But the man rushed past her and leapt for Inuyasha. Kagome inserted herself between them intercepting the sutra with her face. She grabbed her grandfather by the wrists. "Grandpa, stop!" her voice was muffled as she spoke through the sutra.
"Don't be afraid," he proclaimed trying to free his hands. "And where is your young man? He should be protecting you from this foul demon."
"Grandpa, this is my young man!"
"I—what?" he stopped struggling.
"This is Inuyasha, the guy I'm bringing to lunch," Kagome explained releasing him cautiously.
"Ah...well, it was an honest mistake," the old man said fixing his robes fussily. "I should have been warned. Come into the house then." He walked away muttering about demons and his family line.
"You didn't have to do that," Inuyasha said, turning her so he could peel the sutra off. "The old man doesn't have a speck of spirtual power."
"I know," Kagome sighed. "But it would just upset him to realize that. Come on." She took his hand again and led him into the house. Her mother and teenage brother were waiting in the hall. Kagome preformed the introductions and smiled when her mother ignored Inuyasha's outstretched hand and pulled him into a hug instead. Then she gasped when her mother released Inuyasha and reached up to fondle his ears. "Mom!" Kagome hissed horrified. "I haven't even done that yet."
"Oops," her mother said sheepishly removing her hands.
"It's fine," Inuyasha said chuckling. He turned to Kagome, "I take this to mean you've been eyeing my ears?" He smirked. "I know their cute and all—"
"Shut up," Kagome said covering her red face. "Go into the living room with Souta while I help Mama with lunch."
"Go—what?" He glanced at Souta apprehensively. "But..."
"Go," she made a shooing motion with her hands. "We'll call when lunch is ready." Inuyasha sighed and turned, shoulders hunched, to follow Souta. "You'd think he was going to his deathbed," Kagome said rolling her eyes.
"Well, you can't blame him for being nervous, dear," her mother said taking Kagome's arm as they entered the kitchen. "I do like your young man, though. He's very cute."
"Yes, he is," Kagome agreed. She sat down at the table and watched as her mom checked the food on the stove humming. "Mom,"
"Yes, dear?"
"Before I leave today can I—um...I want to get something from Dad's things."
Her mother stilled before turning. "Oh, Kagome. Are you sure? You haven't known him very long."
"I'm as sure as I'm ever gonna be Mama. I think Dad would have really liked him." Kagome smiled.
"Who are you kidding?" her mom asked smiling. "He would've hated anyone who tried to take his little girl away." They both laughed. "But he'd have let you go, as long as you were happy."
"I am happy, Mama. I really am."
88
"So..." Souta sat on the couch staring at an uncomfortable Inuyasha who was seated in an armchair across from him.
"So..." Inuyasha echoed.
"Since Grandpa isn't quite...all there and my dad is gone, I'm the one who has to make sure your right for Kagome."
"Okay," Inuyasha said cautiously. "How do you do that?"
"Um," Souta looked confused. "So, your Youkai, right?"
"Half."
"What's the other half?"
"Martian," Inuyasha said sarcastically. "What do you think?" He sighed, "I'm half Inu-Youkai, half human."
"So...your like a dog then."
"You're gonna want to watch what you say about that," Inuyasha warned.
"It's not necessarily a bad thing," Souta said. "Kagome likes dogs. She prefers cats, but she's pretty fond of dogs too." Inuyasha glared at him. "...And dogs are loyal. That's not a bad quality." They were silent while Souta thought. "Do you have a job?" He asked finally. "Because Dad wouldn't approve of trust fund baby type. How would you take care of Kagome once you'd blown through all the money?"
"My father owns a multi-billion dollar corporation, which I own stock in. And I do have trust fund, but I also work for the company and collect a paycheck."
"Hmm, okay." Souta sat back satisfied.
"Is the interview over?" Inuyasha asked.
"For the most part, I'll get back to you on the results. As for the last thing, I have a rule. No one is allowed to date my sister, unless they can beat my high score in Alien Annihilator."
Inuyasha raised one brow, "Seriously?"
"I need to be sure that in the event of an alien invasion you can protect Kagome better than I can. Otherwise, why should I hand her over to you?"
"Understandable," Inuyasha agreed. Then he smirked, "bring it on, kid. I'll kick your ass in no time."
88
When Kagome came to get Souta and Inuyasha for lunch, she found them sitting on the floor swapping insults as they annihilated alien scum. She smiled at the picture they made, then unplugged the game when they wouldn't get up. It was clear to see he'd won Souta over. And anyone who made Kagome happy had Mama on their side. Grandpa tried to hold out but when Inuyasha happily discussed ancient legends and artifacts with him during lunch, he softened. Before they left for the day Grampa grumbled but told Kagome, "I'm sure you can do better, but he's alright."
"He's got my approval," Souta said gravely. "But if you ever hurt her," he turned to Inuyasha, "I'll have to hurt you."
"You're welcome to try, kid," Inuyasha replied scoffing. Mama hugged them both and sent them on their way both with their own leftovers. "I like your family," Inuyasha said as they made their way down the shrine steps.
"They liked you too," Kagome replied. "I told you everything would be fine. My family is much less scary than yours."
"Hey, no one in my family tried to attack you."
"True," Kagome agreed. "But I still think they were less scary."
"Nor did anyone threaten to hurt you."
"Only because your mother is too civilized for that."
"It's more likely, that she'll warn me off hurting you." The ride back to Kagome's was a pleasant one. "I probably won't be able to see you for a while," Inuyasha said before Kagome left the car. "Things have gotten busy at work and they're making me actually come in to the office. So, I'll see you Wednesday.
"Okay," Kagome said. "Come around seven for dinner."
"Alright," he kissed her. "It better be delicious."
"My food always is." She kissed him again before getting out of the car.
He waved goodbye and pulled out his cell, speed dialing Miroku. "Hey Roku, what are you doing Tuesday, around lunchtime?"
"I have a lunch date with Sango," Miroku answered. "Why?"
"That's good. I need your help with something. Help from both of you. I'll buy lunch."
"I have to check with Sango, but it sounds good to me."
"I'm sure she'll agree. Call me later and we'll set up a meeting place."
"Will do."
88
On Tuesday Inuyasha took an extra hour for lunch and left the office to meet Sango and Miroku at the most expensive jewelery store in the city. When he arrived Sango was waiting outside. "Hey," he called jogging over.
"Hey," Sango replied. "Fancy place," She commented. "What's the occasion?"
"I'm buying a ring, for Kagome. I thought it'd be nice to get your and Miroku's opinion."
"A ring?" Sango said delighted. "Miroku told me you were seeing someone new, but isn't this kind of fast?"
Inuyasha shrugged, "When you know, you know. Let's go in, Miroku can meet us inside." He held the door open and followed Sango in. Sango gazed around in awe and Inuyasha shook his head when an attendant started over.
"Do you have any idea what kind of ring you're looking for?"
"Well, She likes green so, I was thinking emeralds. Nothing big or flashy, she's more a simple classy kind of girl," he answered.
"Hmm, I like her already," Sango said. "I'm going to check out this case over here." Sango walked away and Inuyasha wandered over to another case. He glanced in the case and, thinking the rings too gaudy, moved on quickly. "Inuyasha," Sango called, "Come look at this."
"Coming San," He walked over and Sango pointed out a ring with a square cut emerald surround by diamonds with small clusters of diamonds on either side. "That's—hold on," His phone rang and he turned away as he answered it. "Hey Kik, what's up?"
"Hello lover," Kikyo replied. "Did you forget tomorrow is your birthday?"
"Of course not," He said with a laugh. "I was starting to wonder if you did though."
"Like I'd ever do that. We should go out for dinner to celebrate."
"I've already got plans for most of the day, Kik. Lunch with my parents and dinner with friends."
"Ugh," Kikyo let out an annoyed sigh. "This is a problem Inuyasha," she said. "Everyone has a claim to you before me."
"I'm sorry Kikyo, but if you'd have said something earlier I would've left time for you."
"I shouldn't have to make an appointment to spend time with you, Inuyasha," she sighed again. "How about breakfast, or are you too busy for that too?"
"Breakfast is great. It's the most important meal of the day you know."
Kikyo laughed, "Whatever. Do you want to come over tonight? Then you'll already be here for breakfast."
"Wish I could," Inuyasha answered. " But I'm working at the office this week. I'll be there pretty late."
"Alright," she pouted. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Bye." He hung up and turned back to Sango. "That's a nice one. Great, actually." He motioned to one of the attendants. "Let's have this one put aside and we'll look at some more."
"Inuyasha, are you still talking to Kikyo?" Sango asked.
"Obviously," he said absently as he studied the other rings.
"Inuyasha, how can you buy an engagement ring for one woman while you make a date with another?"
"I don't want to talk about it, Sango," Inuyasha said in a warning tone. "You wouldn't understand."
"What is there to understand, Inuyasha? This isn't something you can pass off as a Youkai thing. There is never a good reason to two-time someone. I can't help you pick out an engagement ring and I can't in good conscience watch you marry someone you have no intention of being faithful to." She turned to walk away.
"Sango," Inuyasha growled grabbing her arm. Something in his voice made her freeze. "Kagome is my mate. When a Youkai, or Hanyou meets their mate, they get married. That's all there is to it."
"But Inuya—"she stopped when his hand tightened painfully on her arm.
"I said that Kagome is my mate. And if you do anything, anything to jeopardize my relationship with her, you're going to regret it."
"Inuyasha," Sango turned toward him and froze when she saw that the whites of his eyes were bleeding red. "I understand," she said quickly. "I understand."
"Good," Inuyasha released her. "Look there's Miroku," he gave his friend a wave then wandered off.
"Hey," Miroku said slinging an arm around Sango's shoulder. "Fancy place, huh?"
"Yeah," Sango replied faintly. "Miroku, do you ever forget that Inuyasha's not...just human?"
"Not really," Miroku said with a laugh. "I mean, look at him."
"That's not what I meant," Sango sighed. "I mean...never mind. Let's look at the rings."
"O-okay," Miroku said a little confused.
They browsed for a while and pulled out a few other rings. But, in the long run, Inuyasha chose the ring that had first caught Sango's eye. He also picked up a diamond bracelet for Kikyo. "That was great guys thanks," Inuyasha said after making his purchases. "You have a great eye, Sango."
"Yeah, thanks," Sango muttered. She was still upset with Inuyasha's decision to marry Kagome while still seeing Kikyo, but she'd resolved to keep her opinion to herself.
"So where should we go for lunch? How about—hold that thought," he said as his phone rang. "Hello, what's up Sessh?" He listened for a minute. "Okay, I'll be right there." He hung up and turned to Sango and Miroku, "I'll have to take a rain check on lunch. But it's still on me." He pulled out his wallet and handed Miroku a credit card. "Go anywhere you'd like, but don't go crazy."
"Of course not," Miroku said taking the card as though it were something precious. "Thanks. Let's go," he said to Sango under his breath, "before he changes his mind. See you later, yash." He took Sango's arm and led her away quickly. Inuyasha laughed at the two and then headed back to the office.