Kagome sank deeper into the massive tub in their suite. The water was nearly boiling. Steam filled the room. It wasn't quite enough to stop the tremors that shook her hands and chilled her bones. The evening news echoed from the television. Inuyasha sat with his back against the tub as he poured over her guide book. Tetsusaiga rested across his lap.

"It could be a demon trapped in a scroll. The village of salamander women?" Inuyasha mused.

"M-maybe." She pulled her legs against her chest. Why hadn't she sensed the inhuman spirit? It was distinctly malevolent. Maybe my powers really ARE fading. I used to be able to sense jewel shards from miles away! Now I can't even sense a demon in the same room!

"It could not leave its shrine either." Her husband flipped the page. Adrenaline raced through her blood when she remembered the voice, the darkness. All those times they had saved other women from being at the mercy of a people-eater. Was this what it felt like? She hadn't been this afraid of the Thunder Brothers! What will I do if we can't fight side-by-side anymore? How would Inuyasha react? How can I just leave the fighting to my friends? What if they need my powers but they are gone? People could get hurt and it would be all my fault. Kikyo wanted to settle down and become a normal woman. I do not want to change our relationship.

"Inuyasha!" The distress in her voice made him turn. Without hesitation, he pulled her out of the tub. His arms crushed against her bare back to protect her against his chest. She gripped his shirt.

"You're really scared." The softness to his voice made her flinch. Inuyasha's warmth and his strength surrounded her as he curved around his body around her. She didn't want to be afraid. She wanted to be his partner. "I'm not going to let that thing hurt you. We're a team, remember?"

"I should have been able to sense it, but I didn't!"

"Don't kick yourself for that! I didn't sense it either." A kiss to the crown of her head helped. "The thing popped out of nowhere. No aura, no scent, no sounds. It is only another demon looking for a meal." Inuyasha doesn't lie. The warm, woodsy scent of her husband kept panic at bay. The ghost-spirit had surprised him too.

"Am I losing my powers?" The real repercussions were beginning to show. Without her spiritual powers, she could not be Inuyasha's partner in battle. She couldn't charge into a castle beside him to banish a demon. She was no warrior or monk. Without her sight or a bow-and-arrow she was a liability. Inuyasha could not focus on protecting her with a charging demon! The arms around her tightened.

"You think I AM losing my powers, don't you?"

"I don't know! Your powers are acting funny."

"So I'm the only one in the group who can't fight anymore? How is that fair? Sango can fight. Miroku can banish demons. Even Shippo is getting better at his transformations! I don't want to be the only one left out."

"I love you, Kagome, even if you can't be a priestess anymore. You would love me if I was human, wouldn't you?"

"Of course I would, but it's not fair!" Kagome closed her eyes. She could sense Inuyasha's warm, red aura. He was the only demonic presence in the area. She could sense how much he loved her, how distraught he was that she was upset. At least I still have this sense, unless it disappears too! It was insanity that a married miko should have to lose her powers. Izanagi and Izanami had sex. If sex was sinful or wrong, why did the stories have the gods mating?

"Maybe there's a reason, you know?"

"Like what? It's insanity!"

"We could have babies." Inuyasha's voice spoke quietly but his tone screamed embarrassment. She felt her face flush and it wasn't because of her bath! The sound of her husband's breathing superseded her complaints. He cleared his throat but didn't continue. Babies?! How many babies? The awkwardness was different than their conversation in her garden. This wasn't Inuyasha freaking out about marriage. He's talking about babies!

"D-do you want your robe?"

"That sounds nice." She kept her face averted. Her arms slipped through the sleeves of her robes. There was a faint buzzing sensation in her head when she drained the bath. It was too embarrassing to look at herself in the mirror. Inuyasha had long disappeared to the living room. Her hands slipped when she went to apply toothpaste to her brush. Then she remembered that Inuyasha would still want dinner and he hated to eat alone. Are we going to talk about babies? A real conversation? I don't even know what I want! I'm only eighteen.

Sango and Miroku wanted a family. The former taijiya blushed whenever they discussed the subject but it was in the works. Her friend was in her twenties, a fully grown woman in the Feudal Era. Miroku glowed brighter than Sango when the subject of families came up. Neither of them had doubts about their future. It would be cool to have babies at the same time so they could be the same age. But I'm not ready. Inuyasha's DEFINITELY not ready.

Maybe he is ready to talk about it?

Kagome was still freaking out when she went into the bedroom to dress. She heard things clattering in the living room – concerning, but classic Inuyasha. Pulling on a fresh skirt and blouse, she found Inuyasha crouched on the sofa. His ears flickered in her direction while the channels blazed past. The news was reporting a story about a break-in at a local house. Inuyasha glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

CRACK.

The black plastic snapped in Inuyasha's hand. He dropped it on the table when it sparked briefly. She saw him panic. Sad, colorful buttons popped off the remote onto the coffee table. He winced.

"It's ok, Inuyasha. Television remotes are pretty cheap!"

"Y-yeah?"

"Totally! It's not a big deal." Kagome waved her hands with a smile. She wandered over to the hotel phone where a short menu was posted. Inuyasha had slumped down onto the cushions. I forget how strong he is, sometimes. Poor guy! Her hand paused before dialing. Ordering room service meant there would be more time in the room, alone. Inuyasha was as nervous as a wet cat. It might be better to give him time to process his feelings. Heck, I need more time!

"Would you rather go to the dining room? We have not been there!"

Ten minutes later she sat across from him at a wooden table in the bright dining room. Her husband stared at his thick, paper menu without blinking. She sighed when the waitress came by a second time to ask for their drink order. Inuyasha completely ignored her so she asked for hot tea. The menu was fairly comprehensive. Seafood, steak, pasta, sushi! The chef could even produce an excellent pizza. Kagome watched a group at a nearby table having a party. An older couple seemed to be celebrating an anniversary at a table close to the exposed kitchen. The staff seemed busy enough carrying large metal serving trays to-and-fro bearing heavy-looking foods.

"Would you like to share some yakitori? Tempura? Udon! You like tempura on udon."

Inuyasha didn't answer. When the waitress returned she ordered yakitori and a side of onigiri. She shook her head at the waitress when she tried to take back the menus. It was easier to let Inuyasha avoid her by pretending to read the menu. Knowing him, the word 'baby' had slipped out of his mouth without thinking. Now he was processing what he had said. She couldn't begin to picture Inuyasha with a real baby. The guy couldn't even pay attention when Sango talked about kids! He constantly zoned out of group conversations that didn't interest him. Her husband only emerged from his cocoon when the food arrived. The menu made a sound when it slapped onto the table. She tried to smile at him but he pulled his plate close and proceeded to gnaw on his impaled chicken. The complete lack of table manners made her smile. He doesn't feel self-conscious in front of me, just my family. That's something!

Kagome silently pulled apart her own rice ball. A baby might be nice. In a couple of years. When I finish with school and we're settled and our house feels like home. It felt weird to give herself permission to imagine Inuyasha's baby. Their baby! It no longer qualified her as a creepy, obsessed stalker. Feeding a baby, washing a little laughing baby, Inuyasha playing with a pudgy baby in the floor. Oh, no! What if he treats it like Buyo? He'd better not!

A masculine burp ruined her silence. She glared at him over the table. He blinked.

"Sorry?"

"You have to be nicer to Buyo!"

"What? The cat?"

"You can't swing him by his arms. It's not good for his posture."

"We're talking about the cat?" Her irritation intensified. "Yeah, fine, I promise! I'll be nice to him." His shoulders relaxed when she nodded. Mama would appreciate Inuyasha being kinder. Inuyasha ruffled his tail and made him scratch at the furniture for revenge.

"Good." She smiled at him from under her lashes. As intended, he looked totally baffled, but it was cute. The yakitori was seasoned well and totally satisfied her slight hunger. Unlike Inuyasha, she couldn't consume an entire breakfast and TWO beef bowls at lunch and entire chicken for dinner. He seemed calmer with a full belly. When their bill was satisfied she grabbed his fingers and led him up the stairs. The forgotten television was still reporting a re-run of the news. The broken plastic shards from the remote were dumped into the bin. The staff would likely be able to supply a replacement in the morning. Inuyasha sank onto a kitchen stool and pretended to read one of her magazines. The headline of the article was entitled 'Already In Your Wardrobe!' and there was zero chance he cared about matching summer and fall clothing styles.

"It's been a long day, ne? I'm going to get changed for bed. Thank you for dinner." He's not ready…

Tidying the bath took several minutes. Adorning a pair of simple blue pajamas and brushing her hair and finding her mouthwash left her exhausted and ready for a night's rest. Inuyasha was sitting in the floor by 'her' side. She crawled into the bed and pulled the sheets up.

"Could I have some water?" The desire was sudden.

"Hold on!" The query was simple. Inuyasha seemed happy to bound off to the kitchen. She smiled at him gratefully as she sipped. With a happy sigh she fell back onto the bed and worked on getting settled. Her husband returned to his place on the floor. His clawed hand figured out how to turn off the bedside lamp by turning the control knob. The dimness helped her relax.

"Aren't you tired?"

"Keh. I'd rather keep watch."

"That's a good plan." She rolled onto her side and tweaked his ear. Knowing that there was a malevolent creature in the area, having a guardian during the night ensured their safety. They could figure out what to do about the castle tomorrow. Police would be called when they saw the damage in the main tower! Thousands were already invested in the excavation and the upkeep. It was a national treasure!


Matsumoto Castle sparkled in the early morning sunlight. Its reflection in the water was picture perfect. Families and photographers were already in the moon-viewing room. Couples were lingering in the romantic gardens blossoming with cherry blossoms. Pink blooms floated in the free air. Fish darting out of the moat to eat bugs. Glorious white birds descended from the sky to play on the water. Visitors were already lining up to buy tickets to tour the interior. Performers twirled on the red bridge and kids played with wooden samurai swords. Actors had been hired to entertain some of the guests with period clothing and faux battles.

Kagome stepped closer to her fire-red hanyou who certainly looked the part of a cos-player. Tetsusaiga completed his usual attire. Barefoot on the sidewalk because he had refused to wear sandals when battling a demon! It looked especially preposterous beside her sensible navy skirt and gray sweater.

"Where's the hole!"

A mother shuffled away from them with a scared look. Inuyasha growled in frustration. She purchased two day tickets for the castle and led him across the bridge. Girls giggled at her enthusiastic boyfriend. He stared in disbelief at the looming structures, fully reformed. The Tetsusaiga's distinctive attack had been magically repaired overnight or perhaps it had been an illusion? Inuyasha glared at the crossed-wooden window he had destroyed. There was a flash as some kid ran past an adjoining window with his mother.

"At least no one called the police." The last thing they needed was to attract attention. They wouldn't be able to explain Inuyasha's ears or his claws to an extensive police investigation. The Higurashi Shrine certainly didn't need that level of media coverage! A manhunt to explain what had happened to the famous Matsumoto Castle. Everyone in the country would be watching.

"Dammit!" Kagome hurried to stop him before he could leap at the castle. Too many families and strolling couples were evaluating the beautiful sculpted walking path, the grounds, the water. She smiled at a nearby older couple distracted from admiring the colorful shrubbery.

"That bastard. It's hiding, Kagome!"

"We'll figure this out. Come on." She grabbed his palm and pulled. Inuyasha chose to follow. The long, straight path was pale compared to the manicured grass. The greenery practically shined in the sunlight, a completely different perspective than the previous day. Despite knowing that the castle and perhaps the grounds itself were possessed, she found herself relaxing. This place really is beautiful! They must pay a fortune in landscaping costs to maintain the grounds. Our shrine is small, so we tend it ourselves, but this place goes on! They passed two girls dressed in formal kimono. Assuming that Inuyasha was also role-playing, they stopped to bow. He buzzed past them without noticing. They looked so offended!

The pervasive sound of the wadaiko drum echoed over the grounds. On the main path to the castle, a group of musicians were beginning to play for the guests. Kagome pursed her lips but let Inuyasha drag her away from the main structure to tour the Honmaru Gardens. Despite her desire to join the party, she knew it was better to let Inuyasha follow his lead and say nothing about visiting the little shop. If the castle itself was possessed by some horrible spirit, there might be signs away from the main keep. A scroll, a gravestone, a pit hidden in the cherry blossom orchard – Miroku had shown her some of the signs of a dark spirit.

"Hey, oi!" Inuyasha stopped suddenly. She ran into his back. His eyes were wide when a group of students passed by then. They waved politely and giggled at his expression. She bowed respectfully at the teacher and the adults. Their clothing and their varying skin colors suggested they were an international school trip. A dark-skinned girl wearing thick braids down her back looked back over her shoulder before whispering with her friend, an icy blond wearing a checkered skirt.

The locals do not travel much in the Feudal Era. No wonder he looks so shocked!

"They must be from America. See?" She pointed at the shirt of one of the boys, a striped flag. "The castle attracts visitors from all over the world. The entire area generates revenue from tourists who come to see the festivals!"

Inuyasha blinked wildly.

"Come, silly." Distracted from his search, they followed the group at a safe distance. A pale boy with short red hair and spots on his face trailed behind the others. Another girl with dyed purple hair pushed back her cap to fluff out her long locks. She could hear the teacher yelling things over the group but she didn't understand all of her words. Occasional pronouns and titles she interpreted from television. American? British? They watched the group until the teacher called for them to go inside. Inuyasha shook his head in frustration and stormed down the path.

Birds chased each other in the branches overhead. The mid-morning cloudiness was beginning to reveal a beautiful temperate day. Kagome took several pictures while her husband was distracted. Face-down on the grass, he continued to investigate for clandestine scents. A couple across the grounds were holding hands and whispering to one another. She clasped her hands together when the man dropped to one knee. It was easy to figure out that he was proposing from the girl's reaction. The sounds of sniffing interrupted her romantic cloud.

"Why are you making that noise? What's wrong?"

"Look! Isn't that sweet?" She gestured at the couple. Her husband rose to his feet and hid his hands inside his sleeves. The girl was practically crying when her boyfriend slipped a ring onto her finger. The diamond glinted in the sun and reflected light in their direction.

"An adamant stone?"

"It's an engagement ring! He proposed!" Proposing during a date at a beautiful castle was a thoughtful idea. She beamed with pride at the guy wearing a dress shirt and tie. The girl twirled in her pretty pink floral dress.

"Isn't that piece of adamant really small?"

"It's a diamond ring. It's a symbol of their engagement!" Happiness flared in her chest when she saw how perfect the couple looked. Newly engaged, they were wandering down the path, hand-in-hand.

"So the guy asks the girl directly, with an adamant offering, not her family? That is how they contract the marriage?" The direction of the question reminded her that Inuyasha was unfamiliar with the Western tradition of exchanging wedding rings. They weren't practical anyhow. No one in their era would understand the importance. Inuyasha would destroy his the first time he punched a demon!

"I don't want a ring, Inuyasha. I love the way you proposed." Her smile soothed the Catherine wheels spinning in his eyes. "Mama said that you talked to her before our dinner under the Goshinboku. She thought it was really sweet."

"What? I did not!"

"You were sitting in the kitchen, asking her to make a special dinner?" She grinned at Inuyasha's ambushed expression. Her mother had completely ratted him out, post-proposal. Inuyasha was pretty obvious when he was trying to be smooth. His ears rotated under his cap while he tried to avoid eye contact with her. Seriously, abasket with home cooked goodies inside!Romantic gestures weren't exactly natural to her guy. The way he had tripped over the picnic blanket. Inuyasha barely understood when Miroku proposed to Sango! Of course he needed advice.

"She knew?"

Sweet, oblivious Inuyasha! He was legitimately embarrassed!

"My mother is pretty insightful." Love flared so strongly in her chest that she could barely contain herself. Inuyasha was blushing under his cap. He thought our engagement surprised my mother! After asking her what age girls married in my era! Flowers of moe filled the space between them. Seriously, did he think she would not recognize her own mother's cooking? Her family had been gathered in the living room way past Souta's bedtime. Mama had been prepared with decanted sake magically waiting in the kitchen. Inuyasha lifted his eyes questioningly.

"What? Why are you smiling?"

Kagome held onto his fingers while they walked the perimeter of the outer moat. Knowing how loud displays terrified him, she contained her outburst. His wildness was adorable. Fish played in the water. The water mirrored a rainbow against the stones. Strolling around together was pretty romantic! They were getting along and having a nice time hunting for the demon. It was a beautiful day.

"Hey, do you want to take my picture?"

"Y-yeah. How?"

Kagome pulled the camera out of her purse. She showed him how to lift the plastic lens to his face. When his clawed finger rested on the black button, she posed in front of a bush. He held the little rectangle up to his face. The metallic click went off.

"That's awesome, Inuyasha!"

"That's it?"

"Yeah! Cool, right?" Youthful excitement overtook her guy. He held the camera up to his face and pointed the camera at various objects. The nearby geese, the sky, her shoes! The pictures probably wouldn't look great in the final edition of their photo album but it was sweet! Most modern technology was deemed irrelevant or irritating. Cars, phones, socks, hot water...all despised! It was good to watch him get excited over something. When the lens swung in her direction she struck a pose. There was another metal click.

"Can we have one together, like before?" Kagome joined him. She adjusted his wrist before leaning into his side. His eyes were bright when the camera took another picture. She took possession of the camera and rolled the textured wheel to set the next picture. Hopefully the last photograph developed well. Her cute husband wanted to take couple pictures like they were dating in junior high!

"Will you put these in your picture book?"

"Hmm? My school album?" There was an album by her bed. It was an odd collection of photos from school, shots of Souta, random events in her family's history. "Inuyasha, we're going to have our own picture book! Mama is going to put together all of the photos from the wedding. When we go home, we can get these pictures developed too. Mama will probably frame one of the best for the hallway. You can have a picture for your wallet!"

"To carry around?"

"Grandpa has tons of pictures in his wallet!" The proud grandfather liked to show pictures of his family at antique conventions. The worst photos were the baby shots. All of Grandpa's friends liked to make subtle jokes about her panda outfit at Christmas parties. Grandpa had better not show Inuyasha the panda outfit! "We can have pictures in our house, too. It's nice to frame family photos."

There was an extra bounce in his step when they continued down the path. Something as simple as carrying my picture makes him happy?

Inuyasha was pulling her down the path. People were gathering in a line to experience the tea ceremony. Her husband dragged her past the crowd, signaling his complete disinterest. But I like tea parties! Perhaps she could convince him to bring her back for the cherry blossom viewing and the corridor of light? Gardeners were already stringing lights through the trees. By nightfall, the grounds would be lit like a fairy tale land. So romantic!

Their second tour of the castle was crowded and uneventful. Children pushed past Inuyasha to touch the glass displays. Parents snapped photos of the old-fashioned architecture. There was a small incident with a pair dressed like ninjas. They quickly identified the garish red outfit and samurai sword and assumed the hanyou would want to play-fight. The teenage boys ran off in fright when Inuyasha scowled.

"They just asked if we wanted a picture!"

"Why would I want a picture with those guys?"

The castle was different in the afternoon sun. Inuyasha had already inspected the storage room from the previous night. Creepily, there was no edge in the floor to indicate a physical trap door. Kagome stayed close to her growling husband while they peered at the interior details with intent. The lack of modern heating meant that there was a permanent chill to the interior, not unusual in its own right. None of the tour guides or volunteers seemed to have any stories of missing children or maidens. The room smelled like dust and stale air. Inuyasha crouched onto all fours to check under the furniture for loose boards again.

"It must be a spirit. Naraku made an entire castle disappear. So it must be connected to the grounds?" Bells rang outside. The cell phone in Kagome's purse indicated that the castle would soon be closed to visitors. She also noticed the envelope icon blinking in the top corner. A message contained a photo from her friends. It was the group photo from the reception. Human Inuyasha looked very cute in the center. She quickly typed out a reply. How adorable! People in the hall were being ushered to leave the grounds until the landmark reopened for the festival. "Inuyasha, I think we should leave. The castle is closing."

"That bastard threatened you!"

"There's nothing we can do about that now. Ghosts don't attack during the day. The castle will reopen in a few hours. There's a shrine down the road. Maybe there's a priest that knows something!" She scrambled in her purse to find the correct brochure. "Fukashi Shrine is within walking distance. It's dedicated to Tenjin and Takeminekata. There is also the Kasamori Inari Shrine with the white fox guardians! Tsukiizumi Shrine has a famous spring. There is a tree with a guardian spirit. Ooh, please!"

Inuyasha exhaled but held his breath about spending the afternoon touring shrines and temples. While he didn't care about seeking blessings from the local kami, Kagome certainly did. How she expected them to bless the marriage between a shrine maiden and a dog demon, he couldn't fathom. Beautiful dark lashes fluttered at him. Soft, pink lips pouted. Conversations with Miroku suddenly became relevant. Refusing to stare at more old, dumb displays and ancient buildings would save his afternoon but ruin their evening. The ridiculous, embarrassing antics the monk performed for women made slightly more sense.

"Fuck," he whispered.

"Please, can we go?" The sweet way she clasped her hands had him.

"There might be clues." The submission earned a sparkling smile. The leap of celebration caused bouncing. Good bouncing. Recollections of the pale skin underneath her gray sweater made him daydream.

"Let's go, Inuyasha. This way!"