Inuyasha hurried after Kagome as she navigated through the train station. Plainly decorated gray walls displayed signs and arrows. The hotel had assisted in sending the rest of their belongings with a courier. The luggage in his left contained his robe of the fire-rat. The luggage in his right contained Kagome's clothes. His bride carried her purse and their papers in her hands. Her beauty in the morning light made his chest swell with pride.
My wife.
A uniformed man spoke with Kagome. The girl looked to confirm his pursuit. The platform was starkly gray and metallic. Walls rose to his shoulders. Clear barriers like windows prevented those waiting from stepping onto the metal tracks that carried the passengers. Inuyasha huffed but was grateful for the structure's openness to the free air. A large machine with blue paint splashed on the front waited. Half-doors swung open to permit other passengers to enter.
"Come, Inuyasha!" Kagome stepped into the queue. Inuyasha drew close and ducked his head. The interior of the metal cart was filled with rows of seats covered in rich blue fabric. His assured wife walked down the aisle with no qualms. Keeping his questions and concerns to himself, he managed the luggage and joined her at the end. She pushed the suitcases behind the seats and gestured for him to take the seat by the window. The chairs were large and wide.
"This is so exciting!" Kagome plopped next to him. Her exuberance eased his anxiety. The smaller metal cart that had taken them to the station had smelled noxious. Inside the large metal cart, cold air swirled inside the cabin. The scents of other strange humans caught his attention. Families, children, single men - the other passengers had chosen their place at the front of the train.
"An adventure, just the two of us!" Kagome squeezed his hand. His other hand squeezed Tetsusaiga. The blade across his lap promised safety. The window showed the metal teeth underneath which supported the train. It seemed unlikely that the great beast could move as swiftly as advertised but he had seen a similar device before during Kagome's exams.
"First class tickets!" The words burst forth with excitement.
"What does that mean?"
"The best seats, the best travel. See these pamphlets?" Kagome unzipped her purse and fanned out several colorful papers. One from the middle was plucked. It was the same informational advertisement Inuyasha had been shown previously.
"The mountain inn. So what?"
"It's the best in the area! It's five stars. It has an on-site gardens and private access to the walking paths. Spa treatments," Kagome pointed at the inside of the pamphlet. "They have open-air baths and private onsen!"
A second pamphlet was expanded to illustrate her words. A beautiful mountain background showing lush green foliage promised, to his nose, clean air. A natural wooden structure showed a balcony in a room with a large wooden tub and wooden floors. A plush couch with colored cushions and seats. The money they had spent to treat Miroku's master to his last feast would be nothing compared to their visit. Inuyasha felt guilty at the expense Kagome's family had undertaken to treat him.
The doors of the train closed. Inuyasha squeezed his bride's hand as the metal device moved forward slowly at first but eagerly picked up pace. The tracks outside moved in a blur as they entered into the open air.
"They have an on-site gourmet chef. 'Seasonal fish, tofu and tea for breakfast or lobster for dinner'!" Kagome seemed nonplussed by the speed of the train. Inuyasha exhaled through his nose and focused on her lap rather than the dizzying images outside. At least the food at the inn was guaranteed to be traditional food rather than the sickeningly spicy curry he'd tasted.
"That sounds good."
"Doesn't that look sooo romantic?" Kagome raised the arm divider and cuddled against him. The private outdoor onsen looked warm and inviting. It was located in a private suite rather than a communal area outside. "The inn is very exclusive. They only have ten rooms! It's a very old inn with tatami mats and traditional decor. Mama must have wanted you to feel at home."
"There's an onsen in our rooms?" Kagome's finger landed on the page. Underneath the bandanna she had tied protectively over his head, his ears perked.
"Just for us?"
"Each room has a private onsen." Kagome's cheeks blushed when she met his gaze. The prospect of openly joining a naked Kagome in an onsen made him wish for a shorter journey. He had seen her in a hot springs before, briefly, by accident, but never by invitation. The beauty of her pale skin with a rosy flush warmed him.
"There's museums and restaurants and the castle itself. Isn't it beautiful?" Kagome forced her attention back to the little papers. Advertisements for sprawling gardens, mazes, bars, clothing shops and more were promised in Kagome's lap. Her fingers stroked the slick pages thoughtfully. Silence passed between them for a little while.
"Kagome," he urged softly. When her beautiful blue eyes lifted, love surged in his chest. For a moment, he felt it so strongly it stole his words. The goodness of her, the kindness she showed others, the love she freely gave to others. For that and more she deserved every kindness he could possibly spare.
"I'm - I'm glad we're married."
"Oh, Inuyasha!" Kagome kissed him briefly. Their relative solitude at the end of the train saved them from the eyes of others. Her gratitude for his affection never ceased to amaze him.
Kagome ducked into his side and rested her head on his shoulder. Inuyasha leaned back against the plush seat to enjoy their togetherness. Her sweet scent covered his clothes as the landscape whipped past the window. Their hands linked together on his thigh.
An announcement was made over the air regarding their next stop. Kagome's head lifted lazily. In a hurry, he grabbed their luggage and rushed after her. There was a mad dash through another series of stale hallways to reach another track. Another metal cart with seats covered in white upholstery waited for them. Again they chose seats toward the back to store their luggage. Kagome promised that this train would be the last before their destination. She briefly tried to explain the different lines and their colors but it went over his head.
A woman with a cart passed selling food. They shared a bag of chips. It was a new experience to share her bottle of water, to put his mouth where hers had been. It helped to pass the time while the train left the dense cities in favor of green lands and forests. More natural landscapes greeted their eyes. Some of the features he recognized from his era. The humans of Kagome's time had improved their engineering to change the land. Fields of livestock and agriculture persisted. Large machines tilled the land rather than men.
"It's a fifteen minute walk to the city. Come on!" Kagome waited on the edge of her seat as the train approached another large station. It slowed to a stop and Kagome bounded into the aisle. He followed her onto the platform and through the station. Outside the streets were crowded but Kagome had a map. After several minutes of concentrated study she raised her hand to hail a cab. A metal car pulled up.
Streets went past as they left the smelly station towards a less crowded section of the village. Kagome squealed with excitement when the little cab stopped on a gravel path. Greenery surrounded a building nestled by forestation. A pale building with unlit lanterns waited outside. Kagome paid the cab driver while he inhaled the fresh air. The building was built from wood rather than metal. It was as large as a palace in his era but nowhere as tall as Kagome's school. They walked under a red gate to reach the entrance.
Inuyasha waited patiently while Kagome introduced them to the staff. A female matron bowed to them politely. Their luggage was taken by a servant.
The interior of the building was laid with rich dark wood. Expensive bastards.
Inuyasha noted the traditional features of the building. Thick tatami mats smelled sweet on the floor. There was a stage in the large serving room for the guests' entertainment as they ate. The noise of a large kitchen interested him. Metal pans moving, meat roasting, the sweetness of fruits and other unknown things. An enormous glass wall stopped his feet. Lit from behind, fish darted around one another. The large aquarium hosted fish he had never seen before.
"Come on, silly." Giggles. Inuyasha followed Kagome up the staircase where a large light hung to illuminate their path. Enormous glass windows showed him lush trees. He glared at the cost of them. Completely impractical. As if those would survive a storm in the rainy seasons!
The matron in traditional garb withdrew a long key from her sleeves and unlocked their room. Inuyasha allowed Kagome to enter first. They both set their shoes in the designated place before examining the main room. As promised, it was furnished with rick dark furniture. A bamboo shelf hosted various books detailing the area. It did not take Kagome very long to find the toilet and the ofuro in a separate room. Lined with pale stones and a clear panel for light, Kagome swooned.
Shoji doors revealed the bedroom. The bed featured a wooden base and soft pale sheets. A wooden decoration on the wall behind gave Inuyasha ideas for their own home. A simple black wicker chair with a matching pale cushion filled the corner. A pair of glass doors, trusting idiots, let to a white patio. A stone bath was open to the fresh air. The fresh, clean tatami mats underneath smelled sweet and recently replaced.
A small white kitchen featured pale electric lights overhead. A vase featured pink flowers. Also available to the white patio, the kitchen featured basics such as fruits and water in the fridge. Inuyasha investigated the swan-necked pipe above the sink and its ability to draw water. If I could bring water into our house, Kagome would love me forever. How do they force the water to a second level? I saw no collection for rain on the roof.
"Lunch would be kind, thank you." Kagome bowed to the matron at the door. She found him in the kitchen playing with the handles. Her arms wrapped around his stomach.
"They're going to bring lunch to our rooms. Are you hungry?"
Inuyasha's hand pulled on the handle again. Clear water poured into the metal basin. The ability to pull fresh water from the river and magically heat would please his wife. Even Totosai had not invented a way to pull water from the river even if he could prepare the water. Humans and their metal.
Kagome's yawn pulled him from his thoughts. He remembered that his wife was human, entirely human. His hour of sleep had been enough to revive his energy but humans needed solid blocks of time to be invigorated. Inuyasha turned off the water. Kagome's mood was good but her eyes read exhaustion.
I should have noticed.
The couch in the main room was plush. Kagome sank into it and wrapped her arms around a colorful cushion. Her shoulder pressed into the upholstery as she closed her eyes. Inuyasha extracted her purse from her shoulders and placed it on the bedroom shelf. Vaguely he remembered Kagome's promise to her mother. The little metal square inside blazed with light as he opened it.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha kneeled on the floor.
"Hmm-mm." The girl yawned. With one hand she pressed a series of buttons before connecting the metal to her ear. The ringing sound ended when a facsimile of her mother's voice answered the call. Inuyasha patted Kagome's knee while she confirmed their safe arrival to the hotel. Inuyasha was safe, she promised. The train was safe.
Kagome swore her love to her mother before closing the device. It rested in her lap while her dark head sagged against the couch.
Inuyasha answered the door when their lunch arrived. An assortment of items were delivered to the kitchen on his say. His napping wife took no notice of their passing when they closed the door behind them. It was a chore to rouse her. Inuyasha carried her to the dining area to sample the salmon and light soups. The food was good and warm and lightly seasoned. When it seemed she was done Inuyasha carried her to the lush bed. The clean sheets made a crisp sound as he drew them back.
"Sleep, Kagome." The girl snuggled into her lush pillow. Inuyasha kissed her forehead. Warm and safe, she slept. The weeks of planning, the organization, the worry about cost, the building of their house and her family's attention were over. Their late night and the journey had taken the last of his human bride's reserves.
Inuyasha enjoyed what remained of the lunch on the patio. The large outdoor bath was made from multivariate woods. There was a chair set and table for his use. The swirl of fresh air helped him to think. When the salmon and the soup and the bread were diminished he returned the plates to their tray. When the servants of the inn returned, they took the dishes away. The freshly brewed tea was soothing. Inuyasha brought a cup into the bedroom. The flooring was soft when he rested his back against the bed. Kagome's soft breathing filled the quiet room.
The evening was crisp and clear when they exited the inn. Within walking distance of their lodgings were numerous restaurants. Kagome pulled him by the hand down the little villages' roads. There were fewer cars here and most chose to walk. Matsumoto Castle was farther still but she had woken hungry and adventuresome.
It was a beautiful little town. There were endless little shops and places to explore. Lanterns and modern lights alike lit the path.
"Where do you want to eat? There's so many!"
"Wherever you want, wench. Where are we going?"
"Anywhere we want! Oh look!" Kagome paused outside of closed shop. Books and books and books lined the shelves inside. It was only for a moment before her feet pushed onwards. Beautiful little gardens were available to the public. Other couples strolled through the manicured beauty.
A brightly lit restaurant with advertisements of fresh fish and meat was chosen. Kagome brought them inside. The menu had several pages to peruse. They took their time and ordered appetizers. The barman was excused in favor of hot tea. It didn't surprise her when Inuyasha chose steak for his main course. She giggled and helped him order without pepper. The arrangement on the table was very pretty.
Inuyasha adores steak. I knew this place was the right choice!
Kagome enjoyed her own portion of seafood and rice. The serving sizes were as large as the prices listed on the menu. Inuyasha's devotion to eating undistracted remained true. She let him enjoy his meal in silence with only a few growls. While the quality of the meat couldn't match his wedding meal, it seemed that any variant of steak pleased him.
When the bill came due, the waiter left the bill on Inuyasha's side. When she reached for the receipt, Inuyasha moved it out of reach. In disbelief, she watched him draw a wallet from his pocket.
"Inuyasha, I can - "
"I can pay." Inuyasha frowned at the numbers on the page. She watched as he put too much yen in the billfold. The waiter noticed too but said nothing. He returned with the remainder and Inuyasha added the change to his wallet.
"Where did you get a wallet?"
"Every man has a wallet."
Kagome bit her lip at his obvious pride. So that's what Grandpa gave Inuyasha. A wallet and a speech about men in this era, I suppose. It was unusual to watch his hands handle money. In their travels, it was Miroku who handled their coin. The monk was the best at bartering. Sango might pay for their wayside tea but Miroku argued over the price for their purchases. Inuyasha distanced himself from the humans in the towns they visited.
"Thank you for dinner." Kagome squeezed his hand on the table. If Inuyasha wants to learn how to handle money, I'll let him.
Inuyasha opened the door for her to enter the night air. She held his hand to stay close through the busy streets. The streets were smaller than Tokyo. Kagome beamed at the white-haired boy examining the store fronts. Dressed in his blue jeans and white t-shirt, he looked like any other human boy on a date. An abnormally beautiful boy with white hair and golden eyes. She let him lead her across the street.
"Kagome, is this frozen cream?"
"Hmm?" The glass store front had decals of animated cones. Cold wafted from the interior. Families sat inside on metal stools.
"Oh, ice cream!"
"Do you want some?"
Kagome led the way inside. She noted the high-school age girls sitting by the counter. Both stopped their conversation to judge her. Inuyasha concentrated as he sniffed at the glass display. A dozen variations of flavored ice cream were written on cards listed in the window. The grandmother behind the counter happily gave Inuyasha a sample of the vanilla and the chocolate mint. Kagome quietly ordered strawberry with chocolate icing. She let Inuyasha see her add sprinkles to her cup.
"Your boyfriend is quite particular!"
"He's my husband." Kagome heard the girls whisper.
"Truly? What a handsome couple." The gray-haired woman definitely noted their age but stayed silent. Inuyasha finally straightened and confidently ordered the peanut butter. It was cute to watch his ears beat against the bandanna in excitement as he accepted his cup. Kagome handed over the payment and thanked the woman. The bells rung on the door as they exited. Inuyasha took a cautious first sample.
There was a small bench nearby under a green tree with wide branches. Inuyasha's hip pressed against hers. Their date was going well. Her hanyou was completely focused on not piercing the little cup. When he turned to sniff at her cup, she offered him her spoon. His mouth closed over the pink plastic. In deep thought, he shook his head.
"You don't like strawberry?"
"This is better." Inuyasha's opinion was absolute. He used his own spoon to point at his cup filled with pale cream and brown.
Kagome giggled.
"We should take some back to the village." Inuyasha noted with confidence.
"A picnic with ice cream. That's a wonderful idea. Shippo, Miroku, Sango - what flavors, do you think? Shippo likes anything sweet. Chocolate for Miroku. Vanilla for Kaede." Pride surged in her that Inuyasha wanted to be kind to their friends. Their absence had been dearly missed from their wedding. They would have to remember to be especially kind to their dear friends. To share with them what they had missed.
The girls from the shop exited into the street. A surge of annoyance rose in her breast when they noticed Inuyasha and made an obvious remark. Whether they were gossiping about Inuyasha's strangeness or their married age, it made her want to correct them. Inuyasha noticed and looked to the girls.
"What are they saying? If they say one word - "
"They're idiots." Inuyasha's head lowered to his cup. "They think you're too young to be married. They think my hair is interesting."
"What else?"
"What do you mean, what else?"
"I mean, what else?"
"If we weren't married, they would ask me to 'hang out'. Stupid girls." Inuyasha huffed and ignored her incredulity. In his sandals, jeans, shirt and bandanna he did look rather cool. The white hair completed the picture of a rebellious teenage boy. A very different reaction to how he was normally received in the Feudal Era.
They just see a good-looking guy.
"They think you're cool, Inuyasha."
"It's decently warm out here. They should mind their business."
"No! They think you're stylish. Interesting."
"You dressed me. I don't care about the clothes." The compliment went completely over her poor husband's head. The remainder of his ice cream he gathered in his cup for a final mouthful. The girls gave a final shrug before continuing down the road. Kagome studied her poor lover.
"Inuyasha, do you think you're handsome?"
"What kind of a question is that? Keh!" Inuyasha took her empty ice cream cup. He got off the bench and tossed the trash into a public can.
"Inuyasha!" Her hands caught his clothes.
"Look, you love me, alright? That's enough for me. I don't care what those girls think."
Kagome gave him no choice when she pulled him into the nearby gardens behind the little shop. A small fountain bubbled with water. In summer, it was probably an attraction for the ice cream shop. Inuyasha could see well in the darkness but she needed help to avoid the roots. Away from the busy street, she kissed him.
"Kagome!"
"You're very good-looking. My friends have said as much. That's why they flirted with you. Putting their arms through yours?" The way her friends had hung on his arms had been harmless. As the first husband of their group, they had a distinct curiosity about him.
"That wasn't flirting!"
Kagome kissed him again. The need to assure him, possessiveness, love - her breath caught in her throat when he kissed her back. She signed against his lips. The sense of belonging she always felt when she was near him called. Kagome dropped her purse to the ground to push her hands through his hair. That Inuyasha saw himself as anything less than what he was broke her heart.
Her back met the hard bark of a tree. Through his shirt, she could feel the pace of his heart. Inuyasha's breath was rough. In his eyes, she could see the memory of their kissing in the woods.
"Not here," she pleaded.
Inuyasha nodded. In short order she found her purse and clambered onto his back. Trusting the hanyou's sense of direction she focused on kissing his neck. Her hand slipped into the collar of his shirt. His legs weakened for a moment. On the roof of some poor shop, Inuyasha paused. The hands on her legs tightened.
"Kagome!"
Her hands grasped his shoulders. Inuyasha's sandals in her hands caught the wind and flailed against her shoulder. The desk clerk welcomed them politely but he was ignored. Up the stairs Inuyasha carried her to their suite. Her hands fumbled in her purse to find the key while hands rested on her waist.
"Heey!" Kagome nearly lost it when Inuyasha bit her ear.
The metal key was found and she heard a satisfying click as the tumblers moved. Inuyasha pushed the door open. When the door was shut and the key secured, Inuyasha kissed her. The taste of him made her moan. The dull ache that had been previously satisfied roared to life and became a thriving fire. Her breaths were shorter.
Kagome's head fell to the side as his mouth devoured her neck. Strong hands confidently cupped her bottom through her skirt. Her hand had the sense to unbutton her top before Inuyasha remembered. The white fabric slid to the floor. Kisses rained down to the curves of her bra.
Inuyasha easily lifted her into his arms. The luxurious bed cushioned her fall as she laughed. Her sound died when Inuyasha kissed her. Between her legs his weight rested as he worshipped at her neck. Her hands caught the fabric on his back and pulled it free. Knowing he would be unable to unclasp the hooks with his claws, Kagome arched her back. Her bra sailing through the air distracted him from the puzzle of his jeans.
"I've got you." Kagome sat up. The noticeable bulge stressed the waistline but the button came free. As carefully as she could, she parted the zipper. Inuyasha's eyes admired her torso as he slid free of his clothes in one motion. His mouth kissed a fire to her belly while she whimpered. The zipper on her skirt caught. Inuyasha cursed at the thing.
"Oi, don't break it!"
"Fuck!" Inuyasha tugged on the fragile arm. The metal easily tore from the zipper. Kagome touched his face before he could rend her skirt in two. With care, she pushed the headless zipper down. Inuyasha wasted no time removing her skirt. Her hips bucked when he kissed the edge of her underwear. Calloused fingers slipped under the clinging fabric on her hips. His breath warmed her in interesting ways.
Impatient, Inuyasha pulled the fabric free. For a moment, he wanted to meet the urgency in Kagome's gloriously loving eyes. Her thighs helpfully parted to claim him. The thick smell of her lust drove him to the ends of madness. Remembering his previous failures, he ignored the protesting hardness between his legs.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome's hips bucked when his mouth brushed her lower lips.
His dangerous hands held her thighs in place while his tongue explored. Her wetness increased as he continued to worship her. The hands grasping the futon at her hips held on for dear life. Her voice was full of need, wordlessly commanding him to continue, telling him what pleased her most. One of the hands left the bed to touch her breast. The sight made him moan.
"Fuck!" Kagome's body tightened. The clenching of her thighs told him. He marveled at her responsiveness as her scent clouded his judgment. The beauty under him was flushed from her breasts to her cheeks.
"Kagome? Did you - ?"
"Yes!" The heaving of her breasts called him. In a flash, he kissed the rose-colored centers. Her nails scratched at his shoulders.
"Inuyasha!"
Remembering her guidance, Inuyasha found the entrance to her wet heat. The sensitive head of his erection entered her swiftly. The tightness made it impossible to think. Inuyasha thrust against her firmly. For leverage, his hands grasped the sheets. Another stroke made Kagome cry his name. The bounce of her breasts made him thrust again just to witness.
"Kagome?"
"You're so...you're so...!" Her words were lost when he thrust again. She pressed her hips toward him. Bending over her, he settled on finding the proper rhythm. When Kagome's sounds endlessly merged together, he focused on the heated flesh gripping him. It became his battle to prolong the raw joy. The smell of their sex filled his senses. Even the quiet sounds she made were audible to his ears in this form. The sensory overload was almost too much.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Whimpers.
"I need...oh! I need..." Kagome's words dragged him from his reverie. Since her eyes were closed he took a guess. His hands couldn't resist her soft hips. His hips thrust harder and she keened. Her back arched and her passage contracted wildly around his shaft. The force of her orgasm squeezed him possessively in bursts. His rougher voice joined her cry as he felt himself spill inside her.
Inuyasha collapsed on the bed. The breathless, sated beauty beside him looked like a celestial maiden. Dark hair haloed her face. Heaving breasts bare, nipples hardened to the air. Bright blue eyes studied the ceiling. A smile warmed her perfect lips.
