Chapter 19

Hitomi

I couldn't keep my eyes off of the many demons in the group. Other than InuYasha, they all seemed so…cold, especially that Lord Sesshomaru. I still didn't know everything that was going on with my daughter, but I knew I wouldn't like it when I finally heard it.

I was completely confused as to what had happened between my daughter and InuYasha. I always thought they would end up together, married with kids. I had no idea who this Mattaki person was, and I wasn't any closer to finding out.

InuYasha acted like he was scared of something, and he continued to send me glances when he thought I wasn't looking. That just made me feel as if he had done something wrong and that was the reason he and Kagome never got together. Kagome tensed anytime I asked and just said that she would tell me when we arrived at her and Mattaki's home.

Mattaki was another thing I was unsure of. He seemed too distant from Kagome for my liking. We have been traveling for a whole day and they hardly seemed to associate with one another. It was almost as if he kept to himself, right along with his oldest son. I wasn't sure I was too happy to know that he was my daughter's husband.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Souta asked, still looking around in awe. He was enjoying being in this era, and I wasn't sure how. We weren't made to live in this time and age.

"I have so many questions, but no one will answer them." I replied, looking down at him. I couldn't help but silently beg Souta not to get used to this place. We wouldn't be staying.

"They told you they would answer your questions later. Just be patient." He soothed, making me sigh.

"I'm worried about Kagome and her…mate." I whispered, finally getting Souta's full attention.

"He seems pretty cool." Souta defended.

"You only think that because he's a demon. But you know how your sister is. You know she is a very affectionate person, and he has hardly even talked to her. I honestly wonder if their marriage is for a political reason?" I asked, still keeping my voice low.

"Hitomi?" InuYasha called, moving to stand beside me. I looked up at him and could see he was very tense.

"What can I do for you, InuYasha?" I asked, wondering what was wrong with him. I'd never seen him look so nervous before.

"I heard what you said about Pops–"

"You could hear that?" I squeaked. I could have sworn I was whispering.

"Yea. So could he. We're demons. Our hearing is much better than you think." InuYasha confirmed while pointing ahead of us.

I looked to see Mattaki even tenser than InuYasha. His shoulders were raised up and his hands were clenched into tight fists, so much so that his own claws were digging into his hands. It appears he heard everything, and was not happy, which just caused me to swallow in fear.

"Look. Pops is a very respectable demon, and he is also inu yokai. As you know, inus are very affectionate creatures, and he is no different. He is just holding back out of respect for you. You don't know him, and he doesn't want to make you uncomfortable by being all over your daughter." InuYasha explained, making me look back to the tense demon in front of me.

"While I can understand that, I would rather see him making my daughter happy than him holding back." I replied, looking up at InuYasha.

"And I am sure he is glad to hear that." InuYasha stated, making my eyes shoot back to the demon we were talking about. He seemed much more relaxed now than he was before, and I knew he had heard me once again. Walking with demons was something I was going to have to get used to.

"I just want my daughter happy, and if he can do that, then I won't complain." I retorted, smiling slightly as Mattaki gave a nod of his head towards me. He definitely was honorable, I would give him that.

"Something approaches." Lord Sesshomaru cut in, lifting his nose to the air. Instantly, Rin ran over to my side while Miroku, Sango, and InuYasha formed a circle around the three of us. Kagome ran to Mattaki's side, who gave her a look full of worry before lifting his own nose to the air.

"I can feel it, and it is close, but it is as if it is not here." Mattaki warned, looking around. He reached behind him, drawing his very large sword and holding it at the ready. I instantly noticed that Lord Sesshomaru and InuYasha also had their weapons drawn. They were preparing for a battle.

A high-pitched scream hurt all of our ears for a moment and my heart stopped. Kagome was being held in the air by some kind of tentacle that had shot up from the ground. To my horror, the impact had knocked the bow from Kagome's hands, leaving her defenseless.

"Kagome!" Mattaki's voice boomed as he took in the sight of Kagome struggling to get free.

"Get them off the ground!" Kagome ordered before her eyes suddenly turned pink.

I didn't get a chance to see what happened next because I was suddenly flying through the air. Just as I thought I was dead, I was set gently in a tree before InuYasha jumped down and grabbed Souta and Rin. Sango and Miroku were now on a very large cat with fire on her paws. What happened to the kitten they had?

"Pops, get out of there! Kagome can handle herself!" InuYasha yelled.

Suddenly, more tentacles came bursting from the ground, forcing Mattaki and Sesshomaru into the air, a cloud under both their feet. They began cutting at the tentacles, causing whatever it was to scream in pain.

I had heard Kagome's stories of her adventures in the past, but this was unreal. I had never expected to see demons, and here I was, surrounded in a world where they were everywhere. I honestly didn't know if this was something I could get used to.

Just as quickly as it started, a bright pink light shot out, instantly causing the tentacles to turn to ash. Another scream could be heard and I couldn't stop the gasp from escaping my throat. Kagome was now freefalling to the ground and there was no way InuYasha could get to her in time.

Suddenly, a white ball of light engulfed her, and the next thing I knew, she was on the ground with Mattaki standing over her. His large hand was on her cheek as he nuzzled into her face. It looked as if he was checking over every inch of her, and I knew then that he cared deeply for my daughter. I had been worried for nothing.

Mattaki

"What did I tell you about scaring me?" I growled, my eyes completely red at this point. I buried my face in her hair and just breathed in her scent.

"I'm okay, Mattaki. I was more worried about my reiki than that demon." She admitted, making me pull back from her slightly.

Just the other day, Kanna had returned the last bit of Kagome's reiki. Kanna had mentioned that she was glad to have it gone because she had struggled to keep it locked in her mirror the entire time, thus telling us just how powerful my little miko was.

"How did you handle it?" I asked, placing Sounga back into its sheath, my eyes never leaving hers.

"It was fine. I was just worried because it was the first time I needed to use it like that." She said, leaning into me. I wrapped both of my arms around her and held her as close as I could. She somehow always manages to worry me.

I should know by now that she could take care of herself, but I would never get used to seeing my mate battle. It was something I would have to work on because we will have to go against Naraku eventually. When that happens, she will be doing quite a bit of fighting.

"Kagome, are you okay?!" Hitomi asked, running up to us. I released Kagome and let her mother search her over, just as I had done a moment before.

What Hitomi said had really angered me. As if I would ever go into a political marriage again. Kagome was my life and will forever remain so. I would have to find a way to thank InuYasha for stepping in. He really showed just how much he has matured lately.

"I'm fine, Mom. How about you and Souta?" Kagome replied, bending over to grab her bow.

"We're fine."

"What was that thing?!" Souta yelled excitedly. "And how did it die?!"

"That was a demon. He attacked me because I have the jewel shards. And I killed him." Kagome answered with a shrug of her shoulders.

"She will explain more when we reach my shiro." I interrupted, turning to Sesshomaru. "Call Ah-Un. We need to get them back fast. That was a close enough call."

After a curt nod, Sesshomaru flared out his aura, calling the gentle beast. I turned back to Kagome, looking over her one last time, pleased to see she wasn't hurt. Just as I finished that, a loud roar could be heard before Ah-Un crashed into the ground beside us.

"Really, Ah-Un? Do you have to show off?" Rin giggled, petting her friend. Hitomi stared at the dragon with wide eyes while Souta just about jumped for joy. For a boy who was very close to being considered an adult, he certainly was excitable.

"Can I pet him?" He asked, looking towards Kagome.

"You'll be his best friend if you do." Kagome laughed. Souta took the opportunity to pet the very happy dragon, causing a few of us to laugh.

"I assume you want us to ride him?" Hitomi asked, fear in her eyes.

"Yes. We will arrive at my home by tonight if we fly. You, your son, and InuYasha will ride Ah-Un. Miroku and Sango have Kirara and Rin and Kagome have Sesshomaru and myself." I answered, trying to somewhat comfort the older woman.

"Don't worry, Mom. Ah-Un will keep you safe." Kagome soothed.

Hitomi nodded and, without giving her a chance to object, I gently picked her up and placed her on the back of the dragon. She let out a small 'eep' that resembled Kagome's quite well before she settled into the saddle. Souta needed no help and jumped right on the back of the dragon, InuYasha following behind him.

"Let us return to my home." I ordered, watching as Ah-Un took off right alongside Kirara.

I grabbed Kagome in my arms and formed my cloud. It didn't take long before we were flying alongside the others. Unable to help myself, I buried my face into Kagome's hair. Seeing her being attacked by that demon had scared me. Plus, refraining from touching her as I had been had taken its toll.

"Are you okay, Mattaki?" Kagome asked as I kissed her neck gently.

"I am now." I whispered, moving my lips up to her cheek before going back down again.

"What has gotten into you? You go from not touching me to being unable to keep your hands off of me." She teased as I placed my hands on her stomach and pulled her against my chest. She leaned her head back on my shoulder and looked up at me, her blue eyes catching mine.

"I had been trying to be respectful of your mother, but I find I no longer can." I admitted as she placed her hands over mine.

"Good. I didn't like you pulling away from me." She scolded, making me smile at her.

"If you two are done, you should probably explain things to your ma, Kagome." InuYasha interrupted, making my mate blush.

"I guess I can. What do you want to know first, Mom?"

"Everything." Hitomi answered, making me chuckle. She was in for a long story.

It took a few hours to answer all of Hitomi's questions. A few ended with InuYasha being slapped by a very angry mother, but she finally finished just as we arrived at my home. I had to say, I was glad to see it. A good sleep in a soft bed was long overdue. Kagome had never once set foot into my rooms, and now that we were mated, I would have to give her a tour of them. After dinner of course, because I planned on giving her a personal tour of said rooms.

"This is your home?" Hitomi asked, shocked.

"Indeed." I replied as I began lowering my cloud to the ground. It didn't take long before everyone followed my lead. As I made my way inside, I ordered for three new rooms to be made up and dinner to be started.

Kagome wanted to give her mother and brother a tour of our home and I agreed, giving her some alone time with her family. I could use a bath anyway. Giving her a quick kiss, I watched as she ran off with her mother and brother, talking excitedly.

With a chuckle, I turned to my rooms and made my way to the hot spring. I dropped my armor and clothes and just about ran in. It had been a while since I have actually been able to enjoy a good soak. Most baths while traveling were quick and to the point.

I situated myself and leaned back, thinking on the events of the past few weeks. When I first returned to this world, I had never expected any of this to happen. Most of all, I never thought I would find my soulmate. But I did, and she was perfect.

Now we just needed to get rid of this Naraku so that we could enjoy our lives. I have yet to even meet the spider in all the time I have been back. Instead, he goes through Kikyou and Izayoi to strike at us. He is a coward and nothing more.

The fact that he refuses to show himself tells me everything I needed to know. He is weak and an easy opponent and chooses to fight through others instead. When I finally get my hands on the spider, I will make sure he suffers. He was interrupting my life with Kagome.

"Mattaki?" Kagome called, making me jump slightly. I hadn't even realized she had come in here.

"That was quick. Did you finish your tour already?" I asked, leaning up in the spring slightly. I watched as Kagome looked around the room before looking towards me.

"You've been in here for an hour." She giggled.

"Have I?" I scoffed, not surprised that I had lost track of time.

"I hope you don't mind me just walking in. The servant said I could." She whispered, blushing slightly.

"Will you join me?" I asked, holding out a hand towards her. She nodded before slowly taking off her clothes.

I could feel that something was bothering her, and I hated having her upset. I just wanted to hold her and erase whatever it was that was bothering her so much. I didn't move my hand until hers finally found mine.

When her delicate fingers touched my skin, I swiftly pulled her into my lap and buried my face into her hair. We sat in silence for a few moments, giving her the time she needed to tell me. When I pulled back slightly, she turned her face into my neck and I could feel her tears.

"Mom told me my grandfather died two years ago. I never even got to say goodbye." She whispered.

I didn't say anything. Instead, I just held her, giving her my silent support. While he may have died a while ago, Kagome just found out. All of this was new to her, and it was going to take some time for her to grieve.

While she gently cried, I softly bathed her, washing away the day and leaving her skin soft. After I rinsed her off, I quickly stood from the spring and made my way out, my precious bundle in my hands. I grabbed a towel and dried her off before setting her down on the ground.

She watched me as I dried myself, looking lost the entire time. When I finished, I swept her back up in my arms and carried her to the bed. I laid both of us down and pulled my mate to my chest, letting her cry everything out.

From the hectic last few days we had, it didn't take long before she fell into a peaceful sleep. She snuggled deeper into my chest and I tightened my arms around her, loving the feel of her pressed against me.

I hated knowing she had lost someone important to her and I wished I could fix it, but I couldn't. Death was inevitable, and it was something we were all going to have to live with. But while our friends died, I would hold her and protect her. I would make sure she always got her smile back on her face.

-sSs-

Just a little filler chapter. I lost my muse for a few days so that's why it's been a while since I have posted. It also explains why this chapter kind of sucks. The rest will be so much better!

Shout-outs:

Thedizzleman, CrazyGryl: Thank-you both for favoriting this story. I will try and keep it interesting for you.

Sarahlyon: Thank-you for following this story. I am glad you like it.

RedDrake323: Yep, they won't play a big part in the story, but they will stay in the feudal era. I'm glad you liked my lemon.

Slvrphoenx: Yea, from now on, Kagome will have a backbone. Now that she can feel how Mattaki feels, she can't argue it anymore. Lol.

Jj(Guest): I've been thinking about how I want the mother to play out in this story. I have two options to choose to from, but I still have time to decide.

DarkAngel8605: Having two new people will be interesting, especially as they adjust to not having what they normally would.

LADY SILVERFOX: Yes ma'am. Lol

I do not own InuYasha.