Kagome grunted and cursed as she scrambled from the well, lugging her heavy yellow backpack. Letting it hit the ground with a thud, she looked about and her temper further deepened when she saw no sign of Inuyasha. He hadn't come to get her like he usually did and hadn't camped out by the well either. Furious, she hefted her bag onto her back and began the trek back to the village.
It took some time to make her way through the forest, weighed down by books, toiletries, and assorted items. By the time she reached the village edge, she was greeted by a crowd. Everyone seemed to be out, chattering to each other in a mix of fascination and wariness.
"Hey everyone!" Kagome greeted. "What's going on?"
"Oh! Inuyasha just returned, Lady Kagome" one of the local girls explained. "And he's brought a rather pretty Demon with him."
Eyes widening, Kagome felt her blood boil to max. Inuyasha had done what?! Here she was, struggling back, with Ninja food just for him and he was off with some…some harlot! Utterly furious, Kagome dropped her bag and began stomping toward where most of the gawking appeared to be happening.
That selfish bastard was about to get the sitting of a lifetime!
Turning a corner, noting Sango and Miroku emptying saddlebags from Kilala and a huge Demon beast, her insides churned when she saw Inuyasha, arms wrapped about a petite slender form and nuzzling their neck affectionately. Blind rage engulfed her and opening her mouth, she howled one thing.
"SIT BOY!"
X.x.X-I-N-U-Y-A-S-H-A/A-T-E-M-X.x.X
"No…no…no!" Inuyasha croaked, fighting against the beads. The minute he was free, he clambered up, eyes darting over Atem. "Oh Kami!" Blood had already soaked his white Hakama, face scrunched up in agony and breathing rapid.
Lurching back, amber eyes snapping toward a horrified Kagome, Inuyasha's eyes bled red and blue, jagged stripes appearing on his cheeks and canines lengthening to deadlier points, a ripping snarl sending birds fleeing from the trees.
"Inuyasha!"
Head turning at the call, gaze locking on a wary Miroku and Sango, Inuyasha snarled.
"She's not worth it!" Sango cried out, reaching for Hiraikotsu and ready to use it if necessary. "Think of Atem…he needs to get to Kaede!"
"Listen to Sango, my friend," Miroku urged. "Your mate is injured…he needs you."
Eyes flickering, Inuyasha gasped when he regained control and darting toward Atem, he gathered him up and took off at full speed toward Kaede's hut. Shaking, Kagome barely noticed Sango stomping toward her, but she certainly felt it when the girl struck her across the face.
"You vicious bitch! Have you any idea what you've done?!" Sango howled in fury. "Atem is a male submissive! They can carry demon young! You just killed his and Inuyasha's unborn pup!"
"W-What?! Mate…Pup…what the hell is going on?!" Kagome croaked, hand on her throbbing cheek, colour draining. "N-No…That's…no! I…Ahh!" Hands grabbing, she tried to get her hair free from Sango's sudden grip, grunting when the girl shook her violently.
"You will remove those beads the moment Atem is resting…no excuses Kagome…or I will kill you."
Looking into Sango's eyes, Kagome knew she told the truth.
X.x.X-I-N-U-Y-A-S-H-A/A-T-E-M-X.x.X
"KAEDE!" Inuyasha bellowed, landing ungracefully, and rushing into her home, startling her where she sat.
"Inuyasha! What has gotten into ye…I…" One good eye catching sight of the unfamiliar demon in the youth's arms and immediately accessing his condition, Kaede was up as fast as her old bones would allow. "Over on the futon…What happened?"
"Kagome sat me and I…I…we were holding each other…this is my fault!"
Horror filled Kaede. That wretched girl! They had warned her time and time again she was abusing the beads and now, a demon submissive was losing a pup! She didn't need to ask who the father was. Inuyasha's behaviour said enough.
When the Jackal demon groaned pitifully, the elderly Miko quickly began gathering what she needed. Ordering Inuyasha to remove his Hakama and Fundoshi, she winced at the amount of blood.
"I'm here, Atem," Inuyasha whispered softly, kissing Atem's sweaty cheek. "I'm right here."
"H-Hurts," Atem whined.
The stench of death was hard to miss, making Inuyasha's stomach twist. They had literally just found out he was pupped and now…Heart breaking at every whimper from his mate, Inuyasha did all he could to comfort him while Kaede worked.
It felt as if hours passed before Kaede sat back, exhausted. Atem was sleeping, his pain relieved for the moment. "He's stable now Inuyasha."
"Yeah…but our pup is gone," Inuyasha said dully.
"One of them."
Head snapping up, Inuyasha set confused eyes on Kaede. "One of them? What are you talking about?"
"It would appear ye were expecting twin pups…sadly one has passed on…but the other is strong."
The relief ripped through Inuyasha with such force, he almost fainted. They had lost a pup, but still had one remaining and though it hurt, it wasn't hopeless. Hand pressing to Atem's bruised abdomen, he pushed his Yōkai to reach out and laughed when the unmistakable feel of life flooded his senses.
"Oh Kami, there they are…Pure…They're a pure Yōkai…Like their mother."
"Aye, probably why this one survived," Kaede concurred, dipping her hands into a bowl of hot water. "The one ye lost was a Hanyō and couldn't withstand the damage at such a fragile stage."
Nodding in understanding, Inuyasha bent and kissed his slumbering mate before getting to his feet. He stopped at a tug on his Hakama and looked down to find Atem's sleepy gaze locked on his.
"I decide," Atem croaked in exhaustion. "You understand me Inuyasha…I decide that human bitch's fate…. for the death of one of our pups, it's my right!"
Amber eyes fierce, Inuyasha nodded. "You'll have it. Now rest, love…I'll be back in a while."
Hand growing slack, Atem gave in to what his body needed and was asleep again within seconds. With Kaede watching over him, Inuyasha headed out, one destination in mind.
Kagome sat where Inuyasha had left her. Her cheek had already bruised from Sango's strike and by her pallor, the girl was clearly terrified. Once, Inuyasha would have hated to see her like that, but now, nothing but hatred filled his gut.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku cried out, the first to see him. "How is Atem?"
At first, Inuyasha didn't answer. Continuing toward Kagome, he crouched down and set ice cold eyes on her. "So…Your tantrums really went too far this time, huh Kagome?"
"Inuyasha! I didn't mean to! Just listen!"
"NO!" Inuyasha exploded, rage rippling over his frame, his iron will the only thing keeping his Yōkai in check. "Now it's my turn to speak and for once, you will listen! So! While you were gone, I learned my old man had organised an arranged marriage before I was born. Bound by a whole lot of bullshit I'm not getting into now, I had to go through with the wedding, and I don't regret it. First mating's amongst Yōkai, especially ones that are compatible, will almost always end in pregnancy and my mate and I had barely a moment to be overjoyed before you SAT US!"
"H-He's a Demon," Kagome argued piteously. "It wouldn't hurt."
"Stupid bitch!" Sango hissed, lunging forward, only for Inuyasha to raise a hand to stop her.
"Yes Kagome, it takes a lot to hurt Demons, but we can be hurt." Inuyasha scoffed. "What…You think you sitting me all those times did nothing? You've broken my bones, Kagome…bruised me…even caused internal bleeding. So, what do you think would happen to an unborn pup?"
"Oh, Inuyasha, no," Miroku croaked, hand flying to his mouth.
Cornered, Kagome looked between them all. Would none of them defend her? It was an accident!
"Answer me, Kagome!" Inuyasha snapped. "What would happen, if you sit a pregnant demon?!"
"You did what?!"
Startled, Kagome looked up to where Shippō sat on the back of the demon beast she didn't recognise. His little face was snow white, green eyes wide with horror. "Shippō…It's…I didn't mean to! Inuyasha was a jerk!"
"How, Kagome?!" Shippō bit out. "You say that a lot, but a lot of times lately, you do it for no reason! And I'm…I'm really sick because of you! Because you wouldn't let me eat raw meat like I'm supposed to! So, I haven't been growing right! Mama's helping me!" Hand slapping over his mouth, Shippō flushed.
"He's not your mama!" Kagome spluttered.
"Atem adopted him, so yes he is," Inuyasha corrected. "Don't worry squirt, you call him mama all you want…he'll be delighted."
Tears welling, Shippō lowered his hand and sniffled. "Is…Is the pup dead, Inuyasha?"
"Atem miscarried one of them, he was carrying twins."
"Oh Inuyasha!" Sango sobbed. "I'm so sorry and so happy at the same time!"
"How is Atem?" Miroku asked.
"Resting, Kaede is watching over him. As for Kagome," Inuyasha's smile was positively feral. "Atem called dibs."
"Y-You can't!" Kagome yelped, scrambling back. "You can't just let a Demon hurt me!"
"The hell I can't," Inuyasha snarled. "You took a life, yours is forfeit and that would be the case even for humans! Miroku, tie her up."
"Happy to."
Kagome shrieked in fury and fear, but no one came to her aid no matter how much she howled. Was Inuyasha serious? Would he really hand her over to some pureblood Demon?!
X.x.X-I-N-U-Y-A-S-H-A/A-T-E-M-X.x.X
Atem woke to a small body shuddering against his own. Blinking away sleep, he glanced down and smiled sleepily. Shippō trembled, barely stifled sobs escaping him and crooning gently, the Jackal demon ran a clawed hand along his back.
"What's wrong little one?"
Head snapping up, Shippō gasped and clambered up, nuzzling into Atem's cheeks. "You're awake! You're finally awake!"
"Was I out that long?" Atem asked in surprise.
"Almost twenty-four hours."
Head snapping around at the slightly familiar voice, Atem set his gaze on an elderly human and recognised her immediately as the one who had helped him. "Inuyasha called you Kaede."
"Aye," Kaede smiled warmly. "And ye are Atem. How are ye feeling?"
"Much better," Atem said, once he moved around a bit. "At least physically. The rest will take time to come to terms with."
"Inuyasha left Kagome tied up outside the Village," Shippō told him firmly.
"Aye and she hasn't shut up since he did." Kaede groaned. "The wretched girl has some scream on her."
"Where is Inuyasha?"
"Gone hunting for you and Shippō. I told him you'd be quite hungry upon waking."
Now that he thought about it, his stomach was cramping fiercely from hunger. Looking about, he noted someone had brought in his satchel and rooting about, Atem pulled on fresh clothing and re-braided his hair. Feeling more like himself, he gathered up Shippō, thanked Kaede and stepped out, just as Inuyasha arrived with a full grown adult boar slung across his shoulders.
"Oh, thank Kami!" Inuyasha intoned at the sight of him. "You were asleep for so long; I was getting worried. How do you feel?"
"Mostly hungry," Atem responded with a chuckle.
"Well then it's a good thing I took down this ridiculously big pig!"
Together, the trio took it outside of the prying eyes of the villagers and enjoyed the succulent meat that hadn't cooled yet. They were down to bones before any of them had their fill.
"Much better," Atem sighed happily, smiling up at his mate. "So, where's the human bitch?"
Grinning, Inuyasha scooped up a groggy Shippō, intent on dropping him with Sango and Miroku while he and Atem dealt with Kagome.
Honestly, they could have found her from her screams alone. Hoarse now, Kagome still refused to be quiet, but the minute she saw Inuyasha and Atem, she went deathly still, silence finally falling.
Atem looked her up and down, his red eyes frigid even as heated rage roiled in his gut. "First things first Miko, remove the beads."
"I can't do that!" Kagome croaked, words shaking.
"It wasn't a request!" Atem barked. "Remove the beads, or I will rip out your spine with my bare claws!"
Skin bleeding to grey, horrified, Kagome nodded. Crouching down, Inuyasha reached out and untied her bonds. Hesitantly, the girl grasped the beads and with a single tug, the string snapped, the beads vanishing in a burst of pink light.
Inuyasha sighed with relief. He was finally free! Straightening up, he kissed Atem sweetly, a hand pressed to his belly and relishing the feel of their remaining pup. Basking in the warmth, Atem drank it in for a moment, before facing Kagome again.
"You killed my pup," he told her bluntly.
"It was an accident!"
"You meant to harm Inuyasha, and our pup ended up collateral damage!" Atem spat. "Do not pander the nonsense it was an accident, when you shouldn't have used those beads in the first place!"
"You can't kill me, you can't!" Kagome whimpered, tears welling and sliding down her cheeks.
"Oh," Atem grinned. "I don't intend to kill you. That would let you off much too easy." Eyes bleeding solid black, Atem moved his hand and from nothing he produced a gigantic ink coloured scythe. "See, I am a Jackal Demon, and we possess power over the dead and of the realm of the dead. I could kill you, or I could send you somewhere, where you will be ripped apart and stitched back together, only to do it again and again and again until you begged for actual death."
She lost her bladder in that moment, the ground growing wet beneath her. Her heart pounded with such ferocity, Kagome feared it would burst and with a malicious grin, Inuyasha watching from behind him, Atem cut the scythe through the air. A rip appeared, the screams of tortured souls leaking free, and Kagome screamed when she was immediately sucked toward that gaping void. Fingers biting into the earth, she felt her nails rip away, blood spilling, but it was no use. Ripped forward, she was tossed through the seam, engulfed by a hellish nightmare, her screams cut off when the void slammed closed.
Inuyasha stood a moment, astounded by Atem's power, and incredibly impressed. Calmly, Atem called his scythe back and with the adrenaline slipping free, the tears finally came. Pulling him into his arms, Inuyasha hushed him gently, even as his own tears fell, weeping for the pup they had lost and relieved for the one that still held on.