Kagome hoisted her schoolbag higher as she stepped over the gifts littering her doorstep. Inuyasha had respected her wishes and given her a three-day break in her world to study for her first test. She stretched her back. The remnants of breakfast were scarred into the pot over the fireplace. Kagome found a similar status in the bedroom. Inuyasha had not touched their futon. A layer of dust coated the shelves.
I leave for three days and he resorts to being a bachelor!
"Kagome, Kagome!" Rin was bursting with happiness on the path. An armful of expensive-looking purple fabric filled her arms. "Can you help me with my kimono? Sesshomaru-sama came to visit. I invited him to my ceremony – please can he attend?"
"Maybe. What beautiful fabric!" Kagome was allowed to stroke the silk. It was of similar quality to her own white kimono; Sango had done a beautiful job of constructing the raw material into an outfit. She vaguely wondered if Sesshomaru's gift would also be impossible to tear? It didn't really matter. Rin was practically floating on the air. They would have to take Sesshomaru's attendance into consideration. The local Coming of Age ceremony was generally reserved for the child and the same-sex relatives but this was a unique conundrum. They were only waiting for Kaede to determine an auspicious day.
Kagome left Rin with Sango to arrange for alterations. She followed the tug on her spirit to the field where Inuyasha and Miroku were helping the kids clean the empty barrels from the winter storage. The girls with damp cloths abandoned their posts to run towards her. In the Feudal Era, even small children had a role to play. Cleaning barrels only required basic manual coordination.
"Kagome-sama!"
"Princess, Princess!"
"The doggy said a bad word!" The four-year-old pointed. Inuyasha hoisted another soaking barrel from the depths and turned it over on the grass. The girls squealed when Inuyasha kissed her on the cheek.
Kagome entertained the younger children during their break. It was fun to tell them stories about the Doggie Prince just to see Inuyasha suck in his breath and cut his eyes at her. Several dirty pickling barrels were rinsed out by dipping them in the water and pouring them out. Miroku would lead the children to scrub the insides until the wood was dark and smooth.
"Oi, get your own little monkeys," Inuyasha splashed water on the grass. He rolled up his sleeves to pick up the slack. The children had great fun defending their namesake – they were not monkeys! They told her all about their siblings and parents and mean older brothers who pulled their hair. Each of their families had recently left a present at their doorstep for the beloved Princess Shrine Maiden. Mai's mother wanted to pay her respects at the house personally! She let curious hands tug at her hair and clothing. Kagome was engaged in an important game of Patty Cake when Inuyasha sank next to her. He blushed to his ears when she recited the full verse. Miroku learned the song quickly.
"You will have to learn more games, Miroku." Kagome beamed.
"Then I am your fervent pupil, my lady." She showed him the hand movements again. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and flopped backwards. Mai took the opportunity to pile plucked grass on his stomach. It was sweet to watch the human's violet eyes light up with hope. How many playmates could a little boy have at a country temple? Next was Omochio Tsukimasho. In a stroke of genius, Kagome forced Inuyasha to run to the house. Using only a length of braided rope she showed the girls how to play Snake. The older girls could manage a few jumps. They all wanted the strong Doggie Prince on their team when she told them about Tug of War. Inuyasha smirked.
Inuyasha walked her home after returning the barrels. The girls waved goodbye to them both. Together they gathered the offerings outside her door to stack against the wall. He only shrugged when she questioned him about the goods. The small shrine had been installed in its place but the doors hung empty. She wandered closer to admire the craftsmanship of the ornate doors.
"I think I did well on my test," she interrupted. Inuyasha looked up. "Your training helped me. I need to make more flash cards for the next section. Souta is a really good artist. We should do something to reward him. Would you like to go to the zoo this weekend? Ueno has pandas!"
"Whatever you want." Kagome watched him feign interest but he relaxed his muscles. She sank next to him. The comfortable silence pressed down on them both. Her head dipped to rest on his shoulder. Three days away from Inuyasha! His clenched hand relaxed to hold hers.
"How is your family?"
"Mama is leading a neighborhood collection for clothes to donate to the shelter. I helped Souta with his math homework. Grandpa is building a little shrine for his Nobunaga sword. He visits it every day," Kagome giggled. The old man practically cried every time he looked at it. When Buyo had started to nuzzle the treasure, Grandpa had yelled loud enough to scare the postman! "My friends called to see how we were doing. It sounds like they're doing well in college."
"Do you wish you were with them?"
"College sounds fun, but living in a dorm together would be hard. I would much rather be here. Did you miss me?" There was no greater indication that she was home than Inuyasha's scent. He didn't respond verbally but she felt a clawed hand touch her head. A kiss!
"I have a surprise for you." Kagome nearly collided with his jaw. The half-demon made her cover her eyes while he led her outside. The uneven terrain told her they were avoiding the soft turned soil of the garden. Her stomach churned. What if it's something gross and boyish? Inuyasha can be so immature sometimes. Whatever it might be, he seems proud of it. "Well, what do you think?"
In the grand old tree behind their land, Inuyasha had secured rope to the extending branch. Kagome clapped her hands together. He barked at her not to jump when she tested the swing. He watched her suspiciously when she extended her legs at the peak of the parabola. You could practically see the entire village. Inuyasha lost his tension when she stopped kicking her legs to simply enjoy the wind.
"I guess you really do love me, dog boy."
"Keh." Her husband avoided her gaze but he was proud.
Together they walked down to the shrine to greet Kaede. Miroku and Sango reclined on the steps together. Barrier training! Kagome joined Granny Kaede sitting seiza on the grass and assumed a prayer pose. It took concentration but together they were able to raise a wall against the others' sight. Next she tried to form a barrier around her bow to deflect Miroku's wooden stick. It clattered to the ground.
"Clumsy," Inuyasha scoffed. Clawed hands pushed her hips into position. Kagome flushed under Miroku's innocent gaze. "A bird could knock you over the way yer standing! Stance is important. Hips square. Don't let some idiot intimidate you."
"Inuyasha is right, Kagome. Stand tall. Push him back," Sango called. It was intimidating to have Miroku charge at her! Inuyasha stayed behind her when the monk sprinted forward. What was once a hoe but was now a pole came at her legs. Inuyasha easily knocked the faux stave out of her opponent's hands. Miroku rolled his eyes.
"But I don't want to hurt Miroku – he is my friend!"
"Picture someone else: a bandit, a demon, Kouga...what?" Inuyasha grinned. "Works for me."
Kagome inhaled when Miroku sprinted at her again. She visualized a dome of protection around her bow. Her legs buckled nervously when Miroku drove the stave forward, the bow fell. Kagome shielded her face against her shoulder with her hands stretched out defensively. No blow came.
"Miroku!" Sango raced to the bottom of the shrine steps. She helped the man to a sitting position.
"See? Kagome did it! Next time, don't flinch. You sent him packing," Inuyasha laughed. His large, clawed hands put her hips in position. Kagome was relieved when Miroku smiled at her. Her enthusiastic half-demon squared her shoulders. "Your barrier is pretty strong if it can repel Miroku. I knew the monk was a pervert! Just hold your ground. Imagine a bandit or a wolf, thunder demon, panther demon, monk, giant moth, evil incarnation, crazed half-demon, miko, some moon bitch - "
"I get it!" Kagome fumed.
"...you get kidnapped a lot," he finished.
Kaede merely shook her head when Kagome chased Inuyasha across the field. He mocked her human legs when she could not catch him. Sango giggled into her fist when he quickly learned that she could. They were too involved in their bickering to notice the onlookers on the sidelines. The shrine maiden was wrestling the half-demon! The pair came apart quickly when their audience coughed loudly.
"Totosai." Inuyasha came forward. The old badger huffed and tapped his hammer on the ground. Tetsusaiga sang.
"I told you they were married!" Myouga sat on his shoulder.
"Better sharpen your sword then. No doubt you will need it." The badger sighed. Inuyasha offered him the blade. He blinked in surprise at the exchange. In his palm rested a seashell. "Myouga found the compact in the field years ago. It seemed worthy to save."
"Lip stain?"
"It belonged to my mother. I lost it over fifty years ago. Here." Kagome cupped her palms to catch it. The soft material inside had hardened from age but it was a beautiful keepsake. "If you want it."
"We can give it a home in our shrine." Using his dead mother's lipstick seemed a bit strange, but it meant something to him. Totosai had wandered off to grip about the state of Inuyasha's fang. Myouga transferred to her shoulder to ask the status of her training. When he asked after Inuyasha's progress, she smiled. No doubt in the days she had been gone, her sweet husband had worked in the little workbooks secreted in the loose board in their brand new dish cupboard scuffed by demon claws. Basic math and reading assignments marked with red ink in the margins and wobbly black characters.
I can't tell him that I know – what if he destroyed them? Inuyasha doesn't want me to know my mother is training him. Kagome smiled at his suspicion. There was a clear mumble about 'creepy'. It is an entirely different number system, different math, different characters!
"What have you done to my sword?"
"Eh, stop that - there is nothing wrong with it!" Inuyasha slammed his fist on Totosai's head. The transformed blade made another sad, eerie sound that reminded Kagome of a metallic underwater whale call.
"What is going on with you, runt?"
Kagome watched Inuyasha dance around Totosai's question. He loudly dismissed any accusations that anything had changed, despite how everything had changed. Her husband stalked off with his sword. She followed him through the town, bowing politely when people called. Inuyasha didn't stop until he sat at the base of the Goshinboku rather than in its limbs. It soothed her when his scowl lessened. Kagome flounced down beside him with her arms around her knees. Together they watched a pair of sparrows engaged in a mating dance high in the trees. The noisy, plain male made noise while he chased his bride.
"I wonder how they choose?"
"She probably waited for him to build a good nest. Women are like that," Inuyasha scoffed. The corner of his mouth went up. "You know, 'what pretty cushions, Inuyasha, can we get them?' Stuff like that."
"I thought you liked shopping with me!"
"For food, yeah. Did your mom get anymore ramen or those little canned fish? We are almost out." Hopeful golden eyes turned their full intensity on her. Kagome quickly calculated how much ramen had been in their storeroom before she left. An unsupervised Inuyasha with access to unlimited ramen? It was a good thing their bank account was still well in the green. She had assumed he would have gone to Jinenji's mother or Kaede for a warm meal. Inuyasha nudged her back. They immediately made plans to visit the market together in the morning. It would give her family a chance to see him.
The fireflies came out at twilight to dance around the tree.
They waited until Miroku was no longer committed to sitting at the bedside of Ikki who was recovering from a wound. Many of the villagers liked the comfort of having a resident monk to teach them about spiritualism and Buddha and confide their secrets. Inuyasha was restless when Miroku showed up that afternoon in good spirits. The baby was kicking! Kagome served him tea while they discussed pooling together gifts for after the birth: baby napkins and swaddling clothes and extra food for Sango's recovery.
"The baby could be here in September. There is still time to take another job before the roads turn snowy. An autumn baby – how sweet!" Kagome clapped her hands together. The girl ventured outside to collect the flowers. Inuyasha bristled.
"Yes, my friend?" There was a long silence while the half-demon considered whether to voice his thoughts. Years of experience taught Miroku to silently enjoy his complex tea. Kagome was an excellent cook. Prodding Inuyasha would accomplish nothing.
"So what is the guy's role?"
"As a father? There is not much I can do for the child yet except support my wife. Lately I have been helping her with the household duties. We both want to be cautious. I suppose that is normal with a first child."
Kagome's smile shone like sunshine when she returned. They cleared the cups away. Miroku settled into his place at the household shrine to announce the invitation to the ancestors. The child's toy in the shape of a bear was enshrine in the cupboard after many prayers for her father. Inuyasha squirmed while Miroku called out for the spirit of the fearsome Dog General, Lord of the West, Spirit of the Sky. They offered food and remembrance given their lack of physical memoirs. He turned to Inuyasha for the offerings to his mother. The lovely silver hairpin and seashell clasp were placed on the prayer shelf. Inuyasha cleared his throat before setting the brilliant golden flowers down but he declined the offer to say anything; Kagome squeezed his fingers.
The flickering little candle reflected on the interior of the cabinet. Kagome took an extra moment to offer a prayer for her father. Before she left to assume her duties at the shrine she rubbed Inuyasha's ear proudly.
"Meet me at the Well?"
The legendary shrine maiden bounced through the doorway on the path to the village. Inuyasha watched her leave. Miroku gently extinguished the candle with the elegant metal snuffer. He barely listened to the monk's instructions to close the doors after sundown. Kagome's black hair glimmered in the early sunlight. Some women on the path stopped her. How could she emanate happiness from her spirit so warmly?
"Ready to start tracking this boar demon? There is a rumor it has been rooting through Jinenji's new fields with tusks as long as its body. It might be difficult to pacify if it is the spirit of an abused animal. We should be respectful of its suffering."
"Yeah, I guess." Inuyasha considered the shrine briefly before following the monk outside. They found Jinenji clearing stones out of his new land with his mother's help. There was a definitive scent of pig in the earth. Miroku engaged in polite conversation with the pair while he searched through the scent trails. It took careful consideration but he chose to go north. They found prints in dried clay as large as a bull's. Inuyasha bounded ahead of the human to avoid the bramble. The enormous boar covered in thick black hair charged him. Fire bellowed from between its tusks.
Inuyasha distracted the beast while Miroku caught up. His physical attacks had limited effects on the spirit being. Some of the local brush caught on fire; Inuyasha stamped out the ashes before the whole forest went up. Several sutra purified the angry beast with scars on its side. Someone had pierced its belly with weapons without the courtesy of a swift, honorable death. Together they dragged the creature to an existing pit to act as its grave. Sutra were applied to help ease the animal's pain.
Miroku and Sango invited them to dinner but he declined. The area surrounding the Well was alive with wind from the east. Inuyasha sat with his back to the aged wood to watch for his beautiful wife. Knowing Kagome's propensity to dawdle, he closed his eyes. The fresh smell of the forest helped him relax after the quarrel with the boar. It irritated him that the final blow had not been his own! What would Kagome say when he recalled his great battle? I distracted the pig demon while Miroku did the real work?
Inuyasha grew impatient. Where is she?
The bandits sitting around the fire toasted one another on their good fortune. Kagome comforted Rin. The girl's incessant calls for Sesshomaru had annoyed their captors enough to silence her with a rag. They were tied to a post outside the main circle but a guard watched them. The brute was carving a piece of fruit with a knife while he sulked.
"I am sure Kaede will be fine," she whispered. Rin stared back at her with soulful brown eyes. The elder miko had been knocked unconscious and left in the bushes beyond the shrine. The ropes tied around their wrists were too tight to wriggle free. Kagome cringed when the leader leered in her direction again. The man had purposefully let his hands slip when holding her on the horse!
Pervert.
The kaiken was heavy in her sleeve but she couldn't draw it. The guard was too close.
"We will collect a heavy bounty for the Musashi priestess and her novice. A plan well executed! Tomorrow we ride hard so if you fall out of your saddle we will leave you in the dirt. No one touches the women!"
They were too far from the fire to benefit from the heat. Rin curled against her side; she told the girl to get some sleep. When the guards switched, she noted the signs of intoxication. He was less suspicious than the first. Kagome was prepared to draw her little blade until she heard some of the men rouse. There was a lone samurai camping in the woods with magnificent armor for the taking! The leader commanded them to retrieve it. Of the dozen men at the camp, half ran into the forest.
Now's our chance!
It was easier for Rin to cut through her bonds. Together they hid behind the bandit's horses while they waited for the guard to move. It was some distance to reach the trees but they would be seen. Kagome did not know enough about horses to steal one – neither she nor Rin had ever ridden a horse solo. Kagome covered Rin's mouth when she sensed the monstrous aura in the trees.
The attack came too quickly for the men to defend themselves. Crude blades were halved before they could pierce Sesshomaru's space. Several lost hands or forearms. The leader crashed into the embers of the fire. The demon lord paused to understand their position. In a foolish attempt to stab Sesshomaru in the back, a man rushed forward. Kagome shielded Rin's vision. Claws struck out without turning to take the man's eye.
"Human coward." Sesshomaru flicked his bloody fingers clean. While all of the bandits were severely wounded, Kagome was proud to note that they were all alive. At least for the interim. The leader flinched when Sesshomaru hovered over him. Six men groaned and sobbed over their grievous wounds. The leader looked appropriately terrified of the ruthless demon lord pointing a sword at his face. In the darkness he looked unearthly, unforgiving.
"Whose bounty?" Sesshomaru asked softly.
"H-here," the human offered. A sheaf of paper was offered. Kagome took the parchment from his unbroken hand. There was a significant monetary reward being offered for the delivery of the young Princess Shrine Maiden of Musashi. The contract promised land, women and mon for her unharmed presentation at the gates of a daimyo whose name she did not recognize. Kagome kicked his leg for good measure.
"You jerk! Why did you kidnap Rin too? It does not say anything about her!"
"This Sesshomaru will permit you to live under one condition: run home to this pathetic human lord. There will be no more attempts to kidnap these females. Violate these orders and you will lose more than a hand." Tenseiga was replaced in its sheath. The human cradled his shattered hand to his chest when he crawled away. Kagome knew he would keep his promise, if only for Rin's sake.
"Sesshomaru-sama, you saved us!"
"Are you going to follow him to the lord?"
"Jaken will escort you to the village. This Sesshomaru will discourage anymore foolish challenges." The demon only softened his demeanor when Rin came forward to thank him. Try as he might, she knew he cared about the girl. Kagome was focused on keeping her expression neutral; Sesshomaru's eyes darted behind her before she could sense the blade.
"What wickedness is this?" The vengeful bandit held the broken hilt. Kagome ducked under Sesshomaru's arm. She heard the man's body hit the ground. Kagome pulled her kimono down over her shoulder but Rin could only find smooth skin; the steel had not pierced her back or penetrated her kimono.
Thank you, Sakuya-hime!
Kagome promised herself that she would say a prayer of thanks at the shrine to the volcano kami. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes suspiciously until she told him the kimono was a wedding gift. She extended her sleeve for his examination. The dog demon's claws did not pierce the quietly protective fabric, although he mercifully did not test its resistance to poison. Kagome's heart raced when his hand closed around her wrist. Despite knowing how much pressure he could exert, her pitiful human bones did not snap.
Sesshomaru frowned.
"I-it's nothing, really!" Kagome waved her free hand. As if, Kagome! He knows special armor when he sees it. The dog demon glowered. "It was a wedding gift from someone in my home village. We have lots of things there that we do not have here." She did not like the interested glint in his eyes. Kagome threw up her arms when he threw a knife at her head!
"Hey y-you...you!"
"Kagome has magic clothing?"
"Hnn, indeed. The fabric has bonded to her reiki. There is a barrier on the kimono. She must have an unusual benefactor." Sesshomaru studied her. Kagome stomped her foot to discourage any attempts to steal her kimono for little Rin. His eyes lit up with evil glee when he turned. Sakuya-hime gave me this kimono. I will not let him steal it! Let him trek up the mountain and fight the Rat.
Kagome was steering AhUn down the path while listening to Jaken jabber when she sensed youki. She paused until it came nearer. Rin took the reins so she could embrace her husband. He growled into her hair.
"Idiot! You are like a toddler. Every time I turn around, you wander off!"
Rin giggled but Kagome forgave him. Inuyasha took the reins while the girl clambered onto AhUn. The two-headed dragon followed him easily through the bramble. Somehow the teenager easily fell asleep on its saddle. Jaken brayed but made sure she was safe. Kagome described their adventure with the sorry bandits and Sesshomaru's violent rescue. When they stopped for water, she happily soothed her dry throat. Inuyasha peered at the bounty for the young Princess Shrine Maiden of Musashi although she denied the likeness. I look nothing like that!
"Sesshomaru is going to follow him home. Not exactly a cute puppy turning up on your doorstep! They are in for a rough surprise." Kagome folded her hands in her lap. The moonlight glancing off the water was almost romantic! If only Jaken would quit mumbling about weak mortals. "My kimono protected me. I guess that makes sense. The Robe came from the realm of Sakuya-hime too."
"I should be the one to punish him – this is an insult to your honor! They hurt Kaede. Rin is going to be your sister. Don't you care that they kidnapped you? This guy probably wants to make you his wife!"
"Of course I care that they hurt my friends! But there's no sense staying mad about it. Whatever punishment Sesshomaru enacts will be harsh...like really harsh, so I doubt he will try it again. Sesshomaru will send a message that our village is doubly protected. Like a pair of komainu." Kagome tweaked his ear to tease him. Inuyasha calmed down when she kissed his cheek. Physical comfort was a great way to remind him that she was safe. He might grumble and huff and deny it but he leaned into her touch. Sweet kisses silenced him.
Poor Inuyasha must have been so worried!
"It'll be hours before we reach home. You should get some sleep. You look exhausted." Inuyasha said bluntly.
"Dinner! We missed dinner with my mother. I bet she is worried. We should go home early in the morning to see them. I am so sorry, Inuyasha. Mama was going to serve homemade burgers. I bet they were good," she mourned. A fresh juicy burger sounded wonderful. Her own belly rumbled with hunger. Her mother was making a point to serve her husband different dishes every week to see what he liked.
They were greeted warmly at the village in the morning. Sango wanted to charge after the daimyo herself until they could talk her down. Kaede was suffering a headache but no other effects; she was grateful that the men had chosen not to rob the shrine of its artifacts as well as their priestess. Inuyasha took Miroku to task over his nickname.
"You cannot blame me for her fame! Kagome is a legend in her own right. Every merchant knows about the beautiful, young priestess of Musashi who purified the Jewel and tamed the fearsome half-demon Inuyasha, slayer of Naraku. You should be honored!" Miroku rolled out of the door before Inuyasha could reach him.
"Giving Kagome a title raises her price when he bargains with another village," Sango sighed. They heard the men's battle when stacked firewood rolled free. Chickens squawked in fear. Kagome waited until Inuyasha yelled to command him to sit. Hopefully an early breakfast with her mother could calm his need to blame someone. Perhaps she could even convince him to allow a quiet day in her era. The Feudal Era was lovely but she desperately wanted a real bath to wash away her evening.
Mama welcomed them home! Kagome left Inuyasha to her care while she skipped upstairs for a bath. Buyo was napping on the stairs so she stopped to skritch his belly. The annoyed feline left her with several shallow scratches. The bathroom door shut hard while she prepared for a long soak. Kagome settled into the porcelain filled with generous bubbles. It almost made the past twenty-four hours seem like someone else's life.
I hope Sesshomaru-sama returns in time for Rin's ceremony - that girl exists to please him. I can see why she adores him. Anytime she calls, he comes. Whenever he is around, her little face lights up! And the way he dotes on her. What an extraordinary friendship.
