A parade of expensive horses was displayed to the castle in the moonlight. Humans cheered when animals in purple-and-gold ornament stepped past with fully adorned soldiers. Inuyasha scoffed at the stupidity but Kagome wanted to see them. She was safe enough hedged between Miroku and the monks. He lingered in the shadows to avoid anymore attention from the residents. The modern era treated him like any other stranger but the residents of Matsumoto knew better.
Where are you, bastard?
The Crow from Kagome's era had been arrogant as hell and cock-sure. He had assumed that Kagome couldn't hurt him, that he could make her his bride. It twisted his mind. If we locked him up in the past, he would remember Kagome in the future. What the hell happened?
Miroku left the parade to join him. The monks were simpletons who believed in mercy and nonviolence but they were honest sorts. Movement on the yagura surprised him. A dark-haired human had joined the lord and his family. The long-haired bastard still had the garb of a nobleman and the face of the human he had consumed. He grimaced when he realized the bastard had that sword. It wasn't uncommon for demons to steal a human's appearance. Naraku had taken a human form many times. It was different when they consumed a human soul in the process. Onigumo had volunteered his soul to possess Kikyo. That idiot had sold his life for his people but it didn't make a difference.
"Inuyasha, wait. If you attack now, he could hurt the lord's family!"
"If I don't go, he could hurt them anyway, Miroku!"
"At least let me start clearing the crowd." Inuyasha paused but he saw the wisdom. Miroku immediately began to talk to the festival participants about the Imperial princess staying at the local inn with a real demon-slayer escort. It was not the ideal approach but few things could distract a crowd from a festival. Men, women and children wanted to see the beautiful princess! At least it reduced the number of children in the crowd. Kagome and the monks joined in the game. A buzz started when someone identified her as the Priestess from Musashi.
Fuck!
"It is her! It's Kagome-sama!" A woman announced loudly. "The Shikon Priestess is here!"
"I heard she summoned a kirin to bless the shogun!"
"Princess, princess!"
Inuyasha left the shadows when the people gathered on the yagura took notice of the shift. Rather than admire the parade and the lord's horses, the participants were gathering around Kagome and the monks. He landed by her side when they began to press in on her. The monks were trying to keep them at bay but they were pacifists. At least they shied away from the appearance of a hanyou. The last thing they needed was another mob.
"It IS the priestess! She always travels with a demon and a monk. Bless my child, priestess!"
Kagome ducked against his chest when one of the callers accused her of ignoring him. A stone flew out of his hand. Inuyasha's shoulder absorbed the impact but how dare that fucker attack her? Miroku held out his hands to appease the crowd but it was growing unruly. Kagome was afraid. The scent of that fear made him angrier. No one is entitled to her blessing. What is wrong with these people? Inuyasha was looking up when a figure rounded the merchant house. Sesshomaru glared from the darkness. His hand lifted to still Tenseiga.
What the hell is Sesshomaru doing here?
The area went dark when the moon disappeared from the sky. The humans panicked in the dark. Some had torches or lanterns but the sudden change was enough to frighten them like cattle. He hauled Kagome onto his back. Miroku followed him before there was a stampede. Even a panicked crowd of humans could kill someone. Without the moon in the sky, the stars were brighter against the dark quilt. Kagome squeezed him.
"Inuyasha, your brother is here!"
"I know, wench. Geez. I saw him before you did." Inuyasha could see but Kagome would be nearly blind. Even torches were dimmer than they should be. He had to pull Miroku behind him through the unnatural darkness. The monks from the temple did have some powers because they were able to light spirit lanterns with reiki. They pushed the magical lanterns up to hover above the crowd. It was still dim. Inuyasha reached Sesshomaru's hiding space before the screech broke the air. A high-pitched wail rang through the night. Kagome clung to him.
If Kagome cannot see, she cannot shoot a bow! The idea of his wife being helpless, human and pregnant churned his gut. Miroku spelled the end of his khakkhara to omit light. It gave Sesshomaru a ghostly appearance. His hand was firm around Tenseiga's handle to stop the sword from freeing itself. Blue light spilled out of the gap between the blade and sheath.
"Tenseiga is reacting to that thing?"
Sesshomaru had no time to respond. There were screams from the deck of Tsukimi Yagura. Inuyasha winced when he felt the dark aura crush the lives of several humans instantly. Several headless bodies tumbled over the border wall onto the ground. The creature who had called himself Amatsu-Mikaboshi brandished a blood sword in the shadows. He flicked the blood free to stain the light wood. It was good that the humans' eyesight was too poor to witness their deaths.
"A demon crow possessed a human body. Normal weapons won't cut the Crow but he's hiding inside that human. Kagome, stay here!" Inuyasha locked her hand with Miroku's. Sesshomaru was already moving towards the castle. Inuyasha was glad that the monks were casting protective spells on the ground to form a magical ring against attacks. He could see the darkness growing around the castle grounds. The so-called Star God was standing alone on the balcony. He yelled at the monks to get those people away from the castle. A terrible song echoed over the grounds.
"Ka-go-me, Ka-go-me, the bird in her bindings - "
"Stop singing, ass!" Inuyasha withdrew Tetsusaiga. He could hear Kagome. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes while the Crow sang the next line. Tenseiga glowed blue. The light from their father's fang had no trouble penetrating the darkness. Now that seemed to piss the bastard off. He stopped mid-tune to frown.
"There are two of you hounds now?"
"I've had enough of you, Amatsu-Mikaboshi." Inuyasha glared. The Crow tilted his head but laughed at being named aloud. He tightened his grip on Tetsusaiga's handle. The bastard had used a kama sutra bowl to make Kagome senseless, then kissed her neck! You will never get hold of Kagome. I'll mount his head on a pike!
"Yet you brought my Red Bird to me, how thoughtful. Do you surrender the girl? I shall be kind."
"Fuck you, Crow!" Inuyasha was ready when the jerk put one foot on the edge of the balcony. He jumped down to the ground. The grass itself coiled and died under his feet. The bastard flipped his sword in one hand with ease. Sesshomaru cut his eyes back to Kagome in the alley. Yes, he wants my wife. "Don't let him scratch you, a'right?"
"I am surprised you survived the Daughters of Mara. Pity, I liked them. They were enemies of so-called enlightenment." The Crow made a dismissive gesture towards the monks. "They would have made short work of fools such as these." In a wave of the sword the lanterns extinguished. The ground underneath rumbled. Sesshomaru merely pushed off into the air to meet the Crow's sword. Tenseiga's light was so bright in the darkness he had to shield his eyes. The Crow's sword filled up with darkness.
Inuyasha knew enough about Sesshomaru's fighting style to move. The blue lightning that could repel most attacks pierced the night and sent strikes into the ground. The monks were ushering people back. The Crow pushed back in the air to avoid another direct attack. Tenseiga was pissed. The Sword of Heaven was never Sesshomaru's first choice, but Bakusaiga lingered in its sheath, and the sword raged. Sesshomaru flipped in the air again to avoid another attack.
"Inuyasha!"
The earth was shaking. Where the layer split showed a tunnel of darkness underneath. He was too late to save an old man who fell down. The poor human was instantly devoured by the oily blackness. He jumped over the gap. Kagome!
"I don't have any arrows!" Kagome had a plain bow in her hands. Miroku and the other monks were trying to put enough magic into the bow to make it effective. He overturned the weapons cart abandoned by the guards. The humans could barely see in the darkness. Knowing his wife, she was bound to cut herself on a broken arrowhead and give herself an infection, the last fucking thing they needed! All of the wooden arrow shafts were melting. The cart was also dissolving from contact with the black oily evil soaking up through the soil. The monks cast a protective mandala to protect the mortals from the poison. It was potent enough to dissolve the supports of a nearby home and send it careening into a newly opened pit. Flashes of blue occasionally cast enough light for the humans to see one another in tinted colors. "That Crow is really fast, even Sesshomaru can't keep up with him! We have to do something. Ugh!"
"The oil is the same as the wound in that flying cat, remember? Can't you purify it?"
"You have to work with Sesshomaru. Tenseiga cannot cut through flesh, remember? Tetsusaiga can chop through his body, then Tenseiga can destroy the spirit Crow hiding inside! Inuyasha, please!" Kagome stomped her foot. Why should I work with Sesshomaru? The Crow is my enemy, not his! As if I would let the bastard take the credit. He opened his mouth to object when the damned girl blinked her eyes. Kagome! Kagome has a baby. She needs me. Nothing else matters.
"Fine if you'll promise to stay here! Don't do anything stupid. Keep Miroku safe." Inuyasha sprinted towards the battle. Shō's human flesh could not be cut by Tenseiga. He waited for another round before he struck. Tetsusaiga was diverted by a pair of black feathered wings sprouting from the Crow's back dripping with that toxic sludge. It took him a moment to identify the bastard's aura on the battlefield where it clashed with Sesshomaru's and his own. It was utter blackness. The lack of any color of light actually gave him the chills.
"Two brothers coming together to defeat the great Yatagarasu, how charming." The Crow laughed over his shoulder.
"Yatagarasu?"
"What a fool you are, kōshitsu. No matter. I will have your daughter." A sweeping wing passed over him. He rolled out of the way when the tip stabbed into the ground where he had been. Sesshomaru took the opportunity to rush forward. This thing wants Kagome and my daughter. Inuyasha swallowed his pride and ducked beneath Sesshomaru's arm to cut off Shō's arm. The oily blackness inside was exposed. Sesshomaru glared at him. Tenseiga was driven deep into the river escaping from the body. The 'great' Yatagarasu screeched. Blue lightning reacted to the residue on the ground like a line of powder, casting an eerie blue glow on the entire landscape. Tenseiga is the healing Sword of Heaven. I cannot believe Sesshomaru undervalues it so much.
"Now I see. You think the Azure Dragon is enough to conquer me? Foolish hounds! I will have my bride." Tenseiga clattered onto the ground. The Crow was definitely wounded. Inuyasha bounded forward to protect Sesshomaru from the right wing before it could scratch him. He had seen what those claws could do to the Byakko. The sound of an arrow made him dodge. Reiki pierced the throat of the Crow; his eyes bulged.
"A spirit arrow," Sesshomaru mused. Rather than a normal wooden arrow charged with reiki, pure energy in the form of an arrow sent the Crow back. He watched Kagome pull the string on her bow flanked by the praying monks. Reiki formed into the shape of an arrow for another attack. The Crow's right wing dissolved. Tenseiga efficiently severed the Crow's left wing until Shō's body kneeled on the remaining earth. Kagome skipped across the landscape to stand behind him with her bow. Inari's Blessing was visible through her freaking kimono! Even fucking Sesshomaru could see it. If he makes one more towards Kagome -
Tenseiga struck before the Crow could move. The blade trapped him before he could rush towards Kagome as smoke. The girl extended her hands. Pure reiki forced the Crow's true form to retract and shrink. The body was gone. Tenseiga's blade impaled his form. Kagome stood over the mass until it was no bigger than the size of a melon. Miroku rushed forward with a pot covered in sutra. Tenseiga pushed the spirit form into the container. More sutra were applied to the container to keep the Crow trapped. It rattled in place before settling down.
"It's over!" Kagome hugged him. He kept his gaze on Sesshomaru. His brother was more interested in Tenseiga's blade. As powerful as their Father's fang was against spiritual foes, the evil acidic tar had taken a toll. Sesshomaru's heirloom was badly damaged. Thank you, Tenseiga.
The manager of Matsumoto Castle, some middleman called Tsuneo, came out to talk with Kagome and the monks. Inuyasha scratched his neck while they waited. Sesshomaru was sharp which meant he had heard the Crow mention the baby. So long as he lets Kagome be, we will have no problem. The manager was grateful for their presence to battle the creature that had killed the poor lord and his family. Inuyasha's ears perked at the promise of a payment. Miroku was a master at the art of playing humble while overcharging castle idiots. Miroku has Sango and those two girls at home. He has to be prepared for the winter or they won't make it.
"Thanks for the assist. That Crow was a lot of trouble. What a pain." He folded his arms behind his head. Sesshomaru looked irritated. Ha, good.
"It was you who needed my assistance, little brother."
"Keh, whatever. I guess we both need to see Totosai. Tetsusaiga could use sharpening and Tenseiga needs work and I'm not going to sit around waiting for that old badger to leave his cave. You really did a number on the Old Man's fang. Hey!" Inuyasha rubbed his head. It throbbed from Sesshomaru's fist. The bastard sucker-punched me! He would have returned the blow if not for Kagome. The sweet girl was excited about going home. Kagome deserved a night's rest in her own home again. She needed to catch up on her schoolwork and see her family. I bet they are worried sick about her. We have been gone for weeks.
Inuyasha was glad when Sesshomaru drifted back towards the forest. Miroku was dealing with logistics. Kagome hugged him around the waist and sighed tiredly into his chest. The light of the moon shone against her little dark head. It was a relief to hold her without impending doom looming over their family.
"Did you see what I did, Inuyasha?"
"You made an arrow with reiki. That's a pretty cool trick. Where did you learn to make spirit arrows?"
"I dunno, it just happened! Miroku was pretty impressed. Maybe it has something to do with Hou Yi. I wonder what else I can do?" Kagome noted the state of him and began to put his clothing right, he allowed it. There were bruises under her eyes from the late hour. The girl is exhausted. I bet if she slows down she passes out.
"Let's go see Miroku about getting a room, a'right? We'll go home in the morning."
Tsuneo granted them a carriage and four horses and a number of luxury goods like bolts of silk and fashion patterns Miroku swore the Princess Shrine Maiden needed but they knew he would pawn at the first chance. Inuyasha wanted to intervene and have the thief put in jail except that he understood. There was a formidable woman with two baby girls depending on Miroku to come home with coin for their first winter. It wasn't like the idiot had a trade of his own, the manager wasn't giving away necessities he couldn't afford. The presence of Kiyohime helped validate the goods at a market outside of town. The princess found it very fun to help the young father upsell the value of the cart to a gullible merchant swayed by her beauty. Inuyasha sighed against the cart.
"How can I refuse the plight of an innocent princess such as yourself? How tragic!"
"Then you will purchase our goods, my kindly lord?"
The merchant blushed. Miroku managed to keep a straight face but the idiot was practically glowing. They were halfway down the road when the monk tossed Kohaku the earnings they had borrowed, and gave him his own share. He tried to refuse it but...Kagome. Women and babies! They need things.
"That was quite fun! The merchant was very glad to buy those goods. How wonderful that everyone is happy." Kiyohime sat side-saddle on Kilala's back.
"You did very well. I could use a trading partner if you would like to reconsider returning home to your grandfather. We could show you our village in Musashi. Inuyasha has a lovely home on a little hill overlooking the forest. What say you?"
"With my engagement proven false, Grandfather will be very worried for my safety. I must return home. Would you be kind enough to escort me to Inuyama?" The princess addressed him. Kagome pinched him so he nodded. As eager as he was to return Kagome home to her mother, it felt very familiar to be on the road again. The only difference now was that he had a home awaiting him. Kagome was already bemoaning the amount of dust that had probably accumulated during their absence. The girl was counting off chores for him on her human fingers!
"What the hell is a - what?"
"That's what you call my physician. You met her at the wedding. Ayumi's mother? Dr Akiyama?" He shrugged. "How do you remember no one from our wedding? You were nice to her. She was very helpful getting Mama to stop drinking!"
"Why do you have to see her? You're not sick." Inuyasha held her back from the group so they could speak privately. Maybe Kagome was hiding something. Big blue eyes studied him somberly. What if she was sick and hiding it? What would he do? "Do you need to go home now? Kohaku can escort the princess - "
"She is my lady doctor? You really don't listen." Kagome rolled her eyes. "She is the one who prescribed my medicine in the first place? I have to go in for a checkup so we know when the baby's due. Do you wanna come?" The invitation sent him reeling. He found a nice cool boulder to sit on while Kagome mocked him for being so fragile. What the hell was he supposed to say to a female physician? "It was just a question, silly dog boy. Geez! Now who's the tough one? I am the one who has to take the baby exam."
"Baby exam?!"
"Oh, Inuyasha. We missed your birthday! I am so sorry. You didn't get to have your party." Kagome was literally tearing up on the road. The others turned back to glare at him but it wasn't his fault! Who cared about her weird human tradition? Kagome's safety mattered way more than some silly white cake! He hurriedly tried to soothe her but it was impossible. The girl was blubbering about tickets and refunds and her little brother. She gripped his coat as if it was world-ending. Then he remembered her mother's dire warning over her daughter's shoulder. Higurashi had demanded very little of her new son-in-law except time.
"Birthdays are mandatory."
Inuyasha twinged with guilt. They had failed to appear at Higurashi's festival; he was bringing her teenage daughter home with child. What was she going to do to him? He could hardly imagine the matron having the same fits of anger as Kagome. Maybe Kagome could break the news to her mother? He had a brief vision of the angry mama bear with massive energy rounding on him in the kitchen while Kagome waved at him cutely.
"How is my daughter going to finish school, Inuyasha?"
"You did what to my sister?!"
"I knew he was a no-good demon, didn't I tell you? Sacred sutra!"
Inuyasha's ear caught the word sit and he flinched reflexively but it wasn't Kagome. Miroku and the others were settling down for a rest and a snack break. He slid down the boulder so Kagome could take his place. She slipped out of her footwear to stretch her bare feet in the grass. A friendly hand sifted through his hair after he sighed. The Higurashi clan had accepted him happily enough as a son but a baby was different. They had only been married six months.
"It'll be okay, Inuyasha."
"What if your family hates me?"
"Are you kidding? Mama loves you like a son, she could never hate you. Souta and I even talk about it. Sometimes we think you're her favorite." Kagome was braiding a piece of his hair idly; it felt nice. "She brags about her son Inuyasha at the konbini on the corner, Souta idolizes you. Grandpa is really good with babies. I remember when we had Souta, he was very sweet. Buyo might get jealous though. A baby just means you are officially a Higurashi. It means you have to stick around."
Inuyasha rested his cheek on Kagome's lap to let her play with his hair. The girl had no doubts in her voice that her family would accept their child. Even his wife seemed to have no issue with carrying his kid, the child of a half-demon, in her body. He listened to her wonder about making announcements to Sango and Kaede and the entire village. Secrets had a way of spreading like wildfire. It would be safer to keep this secret until she was farther along. She briefly teased him again about his birthday present while pressing on his ear.
"Seriously, wench. I don't want anything. Just focus on getting home safely, eh?"
"Whatever you say, dog boy. We are going to throw you a birthday party, you had better like it. The Higurashi family loves birthdays and you're a Higurashi. We had reservations at a restaurant that serves Kobe beef. Do you know what that is? That is the best brand of Wagyu! Doesn't a steak sound wonderful? Ooh! Or maybe a burger." Kagome sighed at the idea of hypothetical beef. Her hand squeezed his arm. "They all bought you presents for your first birthday. Want me to tell you what they are?"
The road to Inuyama was lined with soldiers but they avoided the most contentious groups. Normally he would not think twice about pummeling a few deserving morons but they had Kagome and Kiyohime to consider. It took longer than expected but they found the gates before sunset following Kiso River. He prepared for battle when a contingent of samurai lined the path. Kiyohime stepped into his path when a tall man with brown hair came towards them.
"Princess!"
"Takaya-san." Kiyohime bowed.
"We feared the worst when we heard about the attack on Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine." A wrinkle formed in his nose when he noted her companions. Miroku stepped forward to make introductions but the samurai kept his hand on his sword. Kagome was agitated by something but she wouldn't talk to him. It was at Kiyohime's insistence that they be invited inside. It was interesting to see his cousin wield her influence. Even a princess from a disgraced lineage as beautiful as Kiyohime garnered respect. A formal tea was arranged to honor the return of Kiyohime and the esteemed Priestess of Musashi and the Monk Miroku who helped defeat Naraku. Shippo stayed perched on his shoulder while he sat at the back. Miroku was already making his sales pitch to the samurai. Shippo heard him snort.
"Are babies really expensive?"
"How should I know?"
"Miroku always has money. Do you have any? Maybe we could collect some stuff to sell so we can take care of Kagome." Shippo quivered with excitement. He tolerated the kit holding onto his hair for balance even if it pulled at his scalp. His tails wagged uncontrollably. "I could help. What kind of things does she need? I can use my tricks to setup a perimeter around the house so no one can sneak up on her."
"Oh yeah?"
Inuyasha's ears perked when the princess covered her face with a little cry. The samurai looked uncomfortable. Kagome turned to face him but she was focused on comforting Kiyohime. It took him a moment to catch up on the conversation. Her grandfather, Takahashi Michiru, had passed during her absence. Apparently the man had been more than old, he was ancient and had held on long enough to see his only granddaughter wed. He had been gone and buried more than a fortnight.
"You're not alone, princess! We're here. You have plenty of friends." Kagome soothed.
Inuyasha agreed to stay the night – just the night – so they could comfort his cousin. Unfortunately with Kagome staying in Kiyohime's presence, he and Miroku were relegated to inferior bachelor quarters on the opposite side of the castle from the girls. The residents had no special liking for demons so Shippo and Kilala were with him. The women ran a bath for Miroku and the 'handsome young slayer' but blatantly ignored them in the next room. Bah! What do I care? I only care about taking Kagome home. He drummed his claws on the floor while Shippo talked at him. His ears perked when the kit betrayed Kagome's confidence. The girls always let down their guard around him. Kitsune love to gather secrets.
"Sango thinks your babies will have dog ears."
"What?"
"Kagome and Sango were talking about babies in the hot springs ages ago. They were teasing each other." The kitsune flopped onto his back beside him. The falsetto was close enough to Sango's voice to make him cringe. He admired the runt's skill though. Shippo perked up when he actually complimented his voice. Within a few moments a decent copy of Sango was standing in the room pointing her finger at Kilala. The nekoyoukai resumed kneading his flesh looking for a warm place to lie. The constant purring was enough to make even him drowsy. He settled on his back. The cat stretched both paws forward on his chest.
"A demon slayer guise, eh?"
"It gets me respect when I'm at home. The villagers like Sango. She knows about things." Can't argue with that. Somehow Shippo ended up on his chest too. His fox feet rested on Kilala's head but the little cat didn't mind. He scratched her ears fondly. It was easy enough to close his eyes. The monk was flirting with an attendant outside his room but the girl was too thick to understand him, she discounted him as being strange. The idiot loves women.
