Just like last year, we will do Inukag week during the month of June, more precisely on June 12th-18th or 13th-19th (TBD)! We still have prompts leftover from previous years but we want to give you the opportunity to send fresh new ideas.
Before the end of the week (April 3rd), please send us any ideas you have for prompts that we can use for the event! We will then make a poll so you can vote for your favorite ones.
Also please check our prompt page to see which ones we already used!
Just like last year, we will do Inukag week during the month of June, more precisely on June 12th-18th or 13th-19th (TBD)! We still have prompts leftover from previous years but we want to give you the opportunity to send fresh new ideas.
Before the end of the week (April 3rd), please send us any ideas you have for prompts that we can use for the event! We will then make a poll so you can vote for your favorite ones.
Also please check our prompt page to see which ones we already used!
Hello, Inuyasha and Yashahime fans! It is time to vote again!
Our Inuyasha Redraw theme for May - June is Family.
We wanted to honor all of the different families in the series with their own redraw theme. We found such a large variety of different scenes we just couldn’t choose, so it would be a great help if you guys choose your favorite ones!
VOTE HERE! THE POLL WILL CLOSE ON MAY 6 AT 12 PM PST.
Also, since once again June is the time forInukag Week,we are reserving all the InuKag goodies for June so we can all celebrate this wonderful couple (and now parents!) together!
Also, we are in the middle of the InuMothers Festival hosted by @daiyokaiden! Feel free to tag us with your lovely redraws as well.
I know I’m a little late to the event, but I wanted to do something for InuKag Week. Yes, I realize this is more a reflection for InuYasha but I’m going with it! Just so happy to have some inspiration haha. Obviously, I went with his two halves reflected at each other. Two halves that make his whole, the two separate energies at war with one another; yet co-exist in him. His Ying and Yang
In which we get a little glimpse into Inuyasha’s history. 200-ish words.
Inuyasha was 16 when he got his nipples pierced.
If you asked him why he would usually say fuck off, he didn’t need a reason, he just liked the look of them. But that wasn’t entirely true. Living in a beach town meant long, hot summers, and spending a lot of time surrounded by crowds if he wanted to avoid the stifling heat of his A/C-less room in the group home and go enjoy the water.
He knew people stared - didn’t matter if he went to beaches more popular with demons, or ones with throngs of humans. They all stared at his ears. So he decided to give them something else to stare at instead. He’d buy (or steal) the most obnoxious and gaudy jewelry he could, making sure anyone whose attention was caught by his ears would quickly focus on the sparkly baubles pierced through his chest instead. Or better yet, they’d see the glittery disco balls or swinging gold chains and never notice his ears at all.
In the five or so years since the original piercing, his attitude towards his ears, and body in general, had changed to be more quietly accepting. He kept the piercings, but felt less desperate to seek attention with massive jewelry.
However- in the milliseconds before tiny baby teeth closed around his areola, Inuyasha made the horrible realization that his piercing was still drawing the wrong kind of attention.
Toru was hungry, and as far as he was concerned all visible nipples were fair game.
Imagining Inuyasha with obnoxiously glittery nipple piercings has given me such life.
Holy smokes how is it already SUNDAY JUNE 12TH!? It was a Tuesday in May yesterday T-T
Thankfully, since my Domestic @inukag-week contribution was a deleted chapter, it just needed cleaned up and is ready for your viewing pleasure. Not sure if any other days this week will be on time, but I’m going to bask in this moment of being on time for something while you enjoy the approx 800 word chapter that lives between parts 6 & 7 (so note this does include spoilers if you haven’t read Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover)
Day One: Domestic
Inuyasha groaned into his pillow. He’d worked a week of double shifts and finally had a day off, so to say he was unhappy to hear his phone going off at 9am was an understatement. He looked at his obscenely bright screen and, seeing Kagome’s name and picture, slid his thumb to accept the call.
“Oh good you’re awake!” Kagome’s voice came blasting through the speaker before Inuyasha had even opened his mouth.
“No I’m not. The hell do you want?”
“Umm..” her voice trailed off and for a second he wondered if the call had disconnected. “I need some help.”
There’s a whole lot more to being a superhero than punching baddies. There’s a whole lot more to being a parent than changing diapers. At least Inuyasha and Kagome have each other.
Part One of Three written for @inukag-week based on three of this weeks prompts!
Day One: Domestic
Summary: Inuyasha is getting married, and that’s just not something he ever thought would happen. After Kagome finally returns through the well 3 years after defeating Naraku and the jewel, they are put on a fast track to Happy Ever After. He’s happy, he really is! So what is this rain cloud hovering in his sunny skies?
There was an empty hut not too far away from Sango and Miroku’s house, one that had once been occupied by a little old man determined to keep his independence for as long as humanly possible.
But his eyesight was going and his son put his foot down, and so the little hut now stood there full of nothing but dust and memories.
A week after Kagome came back, the village decided she and Inuyasha could have it since they would be getting married, after all, and it was going to waste anyway.
Kagome had been thrilled.
She had not been excited about the wait to get a new one built and was more than happy to take over care of the abandoned one.
“Don’t you want something bigger?” He’d asked her after looking it over, taking note of how cramped it already felt.
“No, it’s perfect! And it’s ours! I already love it. Don’t you?”
She gripped his sleeve and looked up at him with big blue doe eyes, and though a heavy mantle of nervousness had settled on his shoulders, he gulped down the butterflies scratching and screaming up his throat and nodded in agreement.
She’d squealed and wrapped her arms around him, and he’d caught her easily, relishing how good and right and warm she felt against him.
But then he looked over her shoulder at the corner under a window, one she’d just got done exclaiming was the perfect place to put the futon, at least in summer, and the nerves came back.
He thought he’d have more time to get used to her being back before they’d be sequestered so completely alone with no risk of someone coming to find them, thought he’d have more opportunity to just be with her and smell her and hear her voice and watch her face as it moved animatedly through all her emotions as she told him stories or yelled at him in frustration or maybe even stole a kiss here and there.
After a year of tip toeing around each other, three solid years apart, and then a week reunited… this was all happening so fast.
Despite his fears, every day he helped her clean the place up, trying to hide how watching her do such domestic things as sweep old floor boards after he’d replaced them or washed the cobwebs off the walls or cleaned and stacked the dishes they’d had handed down to them made him choke up and feel soft.
But damn she just looked so much like a wife. Like his wife, the wife he’d never ever thought he would have.
And she kept smiling at him with such sparkling happiness and excitement that it certainly rubbed off, and he couldn’t deny that he was happy she was here, happy she was his, happy that he would spend every day of the rest of their lives with her, but he was also frightened.
So very, very frightened.
There was a place on the roof that leaked like a stream when it rained, and the day’s task included ripping that spot out and repairing it so they would stay dry in inclement weather.
The sun bore down from above and sweat dripped from his brow, but he ignored it and worked diligently to make this ramshackle hut a proper home for the woman who’d given up unimaginable comfort and luxury to proudly live with a Hanyo.
He could hear Kagome puttering around inside, filling the storage chest and rearranging the cups and bowls and opening and closing the door mat and sweeping again and again and again, nervous little gestures that belied the subtle uptick of her pulse.
Tomorrow was the day, the day they would officially become husband and wife, and she was finally getting a case of the nerves that had been plaguing him since he’d agreed to make this house their home.
“Inuyasha!” He heard her call, and he slid from the roof to land gracefully in front of her. Her eyes trailed down his shirtless form, and her pulse sped up again, a tantalizing tendril of interest threading through her scent that made his eyes widen. “Here,” she said breathlessly, handing him a cup of water and turning away with burning cheeks to try and catch her breath.
“Th-thanks.” He choked out, quickly gulping down much needed hydration as his skin prickled and his hands trembled.
“I’m… really excited about tomorrow.” She said quietly, and when he looked at her again, the setting sun had set her hair aglow like it was spun from threads of pure gold.
“Y-yeah?”
“Mhm. I’ve been dreaming of this since… since forever. I’m so happy to be your wife.”
His heart cracked and splintered as his secret fears reared up and brandished their claws against his soul.
He did not deserve her.
But then he knew that already.
Hedid want her, though, no matter how else he felt, and he simply would not entertain any true alternatives to moving into this hut with her and making her his.
“Yeah, me too.” He said, and he truly meant it from the depths of his being.
She smiled and it made her shine brighter than any star he’d ever seen, and then she leaned up and brushed her lips against his, the first kiss they’d been able to sneak since the jewel had tried to consume her.
She still tasted better than anything he’d ever tasted before.
“Come on, let’s get back to Kaede’s before she sends Miroku over. He’d harass us for the rest of our lives if he had to fetch us on the night before we get married.”
“Damn pervert.” He groused, but he let her take his hand and pull him along.
Well, technically six of them will be drabbles, but one of them is actually a deleted scene (Domestic). I might not get them all ready by next week, but I’ll post what I have day by day here then add a new chapter (or two) to AO3 once everything is done.
For now enjoy this sneak peek at Domestic!
To say Inuyasha was unhappy to hear his phone going off at 9am was an understatement. He looked at his obscenely bright screen and, seeing Kagome’s name and picture, slid his thumb to accept the call.
“Oh good you’re awake!” Kagome’s voice came blasting through the speaker before Inuyasha had even opened his mouth.
“No I’m not. The hell do you want?”
“Umm..” her voice trailed off and for a second he wondered if the call had disconnected. “I need some help.”
Here we are at the end of this fluffy little piece! I can’t post the entirety of this chapter here because it does get quite spicy. (Smut warning!)
Summary: Inuyasha is getting married, and that’s just not something he ever thought would happen. After Kagome finally returns through the well 3 years after defeating Naraku and the jewel, they are put on a fast track to Happy Ever After. He’s happy, he really is! So what is this rain cloud hovering in his sunny skies?
Inuyasha sucked in what he hoped was a discreet breath as Kagome’s hand rested on his knee while Sango and Miroku regaled them with some tale or other about the twins latest shenanigans.
He tried to listen, he did, but all he could hear were the quiet, sultry words Kagome had whispered to him just that very morning in that very hut as that very hand had trailed up his thigh and closed tightly around-
“Inuyasha, everything alright my friend?” Miroku asked, and Inuyasha squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head to rid himself of the entirely too distracting visions he’d been entertaining.
“Uh… what?”
“I’ve just never seen you so… not present.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Kagome giggled and he whipped his head over to glare at her, his expression falling immediately flat as she smirked, a wicked light glinting deep within her eye.
He gulped and cleared his throat, scratching at the back of his head before turning back to Miroku, ignoring the dawning look of perversion on his face.
“I meant nothing by it at all, I assure you.” He said a little too placidly, and Sango looked shrewdly between all three of them.
“Miroku. Behave yourself. I want them to invite us over for dinner more than just this once!”
Summary: Inuyasha is getting married, and that’s just not something he ever thought would happen. After Kagome finally returns through the well 3 years after defeating Naraku and the jewel, they are put on a fast track to Happy Ever After. He’s happy, he really is! So what is this rain cloud hovering in his sunny skies?
Inuyasha watched Kagome comb her hair in front of the fire in their hut, wearing nothing but the water from her bath and his loosely hanging fire rat.
His heart rate picked up and his lungs squeezed, the sheer power of the atmosphere between them baring down on him until it threatened to crush him flat.
She was achingly beautiful, and he still couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that she was there, with him, so free and open and trusting…
And he couldn’t… Do anything about it.
‘Dammit.’
He could feel it, another night of failure, another night where she would snuggle in next to him in bed and he would hold her in his arms and his palms would sweat and his heart would race and he’d be so gripped by fear that she would once more fall asleep as his wife in name only.
Because even though he was free touch her, free to hold her, free to tease her and taste her and takeher…
He was frozen.
He couldn’t… he couldn’t…
He couldn’t.
His face burned in shame and he tore his eyes away from her, glaring at the floor of their home and willing it to open and swallow him whole.
He felt her touch against his cheek and he looked up into her face so soft and warm with a depth of love and understanding that took his breath away.
And made his stomach burn like Sesshomaru’s poison claw had been inside it again.
He did not deserve this woman’s mercy and kindness, yet she continued to lavish him with it every opportunity she had.
“Ready for bed, Husband?” She whispered, and once again hearing her so proudly claim him as hers like that made everything seem so magical, like all the shit and shadows he’d walked through in life had truly been worth it, had just been stumbling blocks on his road straight to her, so he let her grab his hand and pull him to his feet. He followed her silently to their futon and watched her lay down, and then he slid in to the bed behind her, rolling on top of her, hovering over her, tracing every line and curve and lash on her face with his eyes.
He could feel the warm softness of her body beneath his, and he would be lying if he said it didn’t make his blood run hot, but just as soon as the fire rushed through his veins, the ice followed, and she could alwaystell.
He could smell her lust, her desire, her hope, and he could smell when her own burning need cooled in the face of his hesitancy.
But he never smelled her disappointment, and for that he would never be able to accurately voice his gratitude.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, laying down fully on top of her and hiding his face in the crook of her neck. He felt her arms wrap around his shoulders, felt her chest vibrate as she chuckled softly, felt her hands find one of his ears and scratch at the base.
“But I should be ready. this is… this is bullshit. This is weakness. This is failure, Kagome. I’m failing as a husband already!”
“Stop that.” She said sternly, pushing him off of her until he rolled over on his back, and then she propped herself up on his shoulder and glared down into his face. “Don’t say those things Inuyasha. They aren’t true. We’ve only been married for a couple of weeks, and before that… did we really have time to just be together? Without any world saving nonsense or baggage from the past to settle?”
He blinked, his previous thoughts from the week they prepared their hut re-emerging from the depths of his self loathing.
No, they hadn’t.
“We were kind of chucked into the deep end of all of this, weren’t we? And maybe… maybe I made it worse by insisting we live here instead of taking the time to build a new home. I’m… sorry if-“
“No, don’t. You’ve done nothing wrong, Kagome. I could have… I could said something…”
“We’re you worried about this before?”
He swallowed down the knot of jumbled words and denials and excuses, even a few stray insults from latter days of much worse habits, and shook his head yes.
It was the best he could do, but it was enough.
She bit her lip and looked over at the wall, and fear of losing her sped through his soul so cold and fast he wanted to scream.
But she didn’t look mad or hurt or betrayed.
“Inuyasha have you… have you ever done… anything physical… with anyone?”
“No!” He exploded, sitting up and facing her with a dark, stormy scowl. “Why the hell would you think-“
“Inuyasha stop. I’m not asking because I’m jealous or suspicious, no matter what I love you more than anything.” She explained, his heart faltering at her easy declaration, “I just… tell me please. Have you ever been with anyone?”
“Who the hell besides you do you even think would want to be with me, Kagome?” He asked her, and he saw the light in her eyes sharpen.
“…Kikyo?”
“No.No. We are not dragging her into this. This is between me’n you Kagome, she ain’t got nothin’-“
“Please Inuyasha, humor me for a second!” She cried, grabbing his hand and staring into his eyes imploringly. “I promise I’m not trying to trap you, but right now, I need you to answer me. I need you to talk to your wife so we can solve a problem. Please?”
His spine was ramrod straight with angry, frustrated tension, giggling ghosts of the past sneaking in to rehaunt him with all his mistakes and blunders and mess ups.
But she looked so earnest and smelled so honest that he sighed and tilted his head back to look at their ceiling.
“No. Aside from the one kiss when she was… dying, and the one kiss when she was trying to drag me to hell… Kikyo and I… never did anything else.”
“Okay,” she said, and she’d spoken true, she wasn’t mad. “And we’ve only kissed a few times before you get overwhelmed. Inuyasha, are you under the impression that it’s all or nothing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you think that if we’re together, we have to go all the way to sex?”
He felt his face light on fire, and his palms were sweating, and he wanted to rip his hand away from hers and cross his arms in his sleeves.
“Uh… y-yeah? Ain’t that the point? Ain’t that what married people do?”
“Sometimes, yes,” she replied, scooting closer and laying her head on his shoulder. “But sometimes no. Sometimes… you work up to it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we can be intimate in an endless number of ways, Inuyasha. It doesn’t have to be sex right away.”
“It… it doesn’t?”
“No. And plenty of people can’t just go from nothing to everything. I’m not surprised at all to hear you need to go slow. To be honest… I like the sound of that better, too.”
“You do?!”
She never failed to knock him over and blow up all the things he’d ever believed, about himself, about the world, about people.
It was hard not to imagine fate creating this woman for him specifically sometimes.
“Yeah. I do. Inuyasha… can I kiss you?”
“You… want to kiss me right now?”
“Yes. I want to kiss you. More than once. But that’s all I want to do, and then I want you to hold me while we sleep, okay?”
His eyes fell to her lips, and all his thoughts scattered to the winds in favor of her scent and the memory of her taste.
“Okay,” he said absently, leaning into her and pressing his mouth to hers.
One kiss.
Two.
Three soft kisses before her hand settled against his jaw and her tongue darted out.
Clumsily he opened his mouth and let her inside, and she took her time getting to know his fangs, sliding her tongue against his, and sighing in pure contentment.
She’d been utterly starving for some kind of closeness and connection from him, and he wanted to maim himself for letting things get this far before hashing this all out, but his mind was clouding and all he could see or smell or taste or feel was her.
And she was delicious.
She pulled away and he tried to follow, a new hunger stirring deep in his belly, but she placed a soft hand on his mouth to stop him and touched her forehead to his with a breathy giggle.
“Okay. I think that’s enough.”
“It is?”
“Just for tonight. Now I’m tired.”
“Oh shit, it’s late. Come on, lay back down.”
It was hard to miss how giddy she seemed, how her soul seemed to thrum happily and excitedly around her as she snuggled into his arms and yawned.
“Goodnight husband.” She whispered, and though technically they weren’t physically man and wife yet, he couldn’t deny they were now a far sight closer.
It made him hopeful instead of fearful, and he noticed he felt cheated out of more kissing time with her.
He thought of tomorrow night, and the night after that one, and for the first time he didn’t want to hide.
Sitting in a small chair across the desk from the judge, Kagome couldn’t keep herself from crying as Inuyasha signed the adoption papers.
Inuyasha had taken to fatherhood - official or not - like a fish to water. That is to say some days it seemed like he was being chased by a shark; but generally he seemed well adapted. At this moment though, he seemed less like a fish and more like a rainbow mantis shrimp: a beautiful, unexpected something she never thought she’d see in her life.
Kagome sharply shook her head, dislodging the dopey aquatic metaphors and silently vowing no more soothing 3am Toru wake-ups with Blue Planet.
She took a few discrete deep breaths to try and regain her composure- not the easiest thing to do given how emotionally overwhelmed and physically exhausted she was. Toru had managed to catch a nasty virus just days before the final adoption hearing, meaning he was sleeping even less than usual and Kagome and Inuyasha barely at all. She was a little ashamed to admit it, but in the back of Kagome’s mind she’d been terrified that living a hellish week of screaming, snotting, sleepless toddler life would make Inuyasha change his mind. But he’d still gotten up that morning, fed Toru breakfast, and chugged his lukewarm coffee without complaint. He’d even worn a suit to the courthouse.
Now, with the final stamps stamped and signatures signed, they were on their way home for their first Official family nap time.
Summary:Post-cannon one shot for @inukag-week. InuYasha had a little girl, and she was going to be the most precious being in the entire world.
A/N:Holy macaroni and rice, I actually finished my InuKag Week piece and I finished it early, so I thought I’d give you all a head start on being able to read it as well!
Miroku told him before that childbirth was one of the world’s greatest wonders. InuYasha couldn’t wait to punt that bozo across the village for even saying that. A wonder of life? The most curious thing to it was that anyone who went through it could live past it. And no one was happier than InuYasha to have a wife like Kagome who was living past it.
InuYasha knew about tradition, that to a man labor was meant to remain a “wonder of the world”, but tradition had never been Kagome and his style. Two years ago, she left her family to be with him. On the other side of the Bone Eater’s Well, Kagome’s mother was doubtlessly minding her day without realizing that the two were having this baby. He owed it to her to be there for Kagome, right? It was a loose justification, but good an excuse as any to leave Miroku, Shippo, and the kids in the dust after what was probably a nasty contraction on Kagome’s end. She’d never made a sound like that before–it almost scared the shit out of him–and he panicked, flying past the door and scooping up her hand so tightly. Kaede, Sango, and Rin tried kicking him out. As if they’d ever gotten him to listen once his mind was made up. So the half-demon stayed, perched beside his priestess. He held her hand and dabbed a cold compress across her face every now and again. The whole time, he thought he’d vomit. He kind of still wanted to. Everything was loud, there were so many scents, and his own home felt like a cramped den. He had a rotten time–couldn’t stand feeling so useless while Kagome endured wave after wave of incomprehensible pain. But it was over now, and crying was the only sound he processed.
They hadn’t spoken a word to each other since those cries began, and yet, somehow, InuYasha and Kagome managed to tell each other that their life as two was officially and entirely over. After placing the compress back into the bucket behind him, InuYasha’s hand traced up the side of Kagome’s face, until his fingers split by her ear. He brushed the side of her forehead with the pad of his thumb, trying his best to smile down at her. It was probably just sweat, but Kagome was glowing. The half-demon could’ve stayed like that, once Kagome’s hand held his in place, forever.
“InuYasha, come and bring your daughter to Kagome,” Kaede said. The half-demon’s mind scrambled, trying to get on track. There really were three of them which meant he couldn’t only focus on Kagome. Her lips curved up at him as he turned away, and InuYasha quickly squatted down to dip his hands into a boiling bucket of water Rin poured.
“My daughter…” InuYasha trailed, time lurching oddly in response to this second realization. InuYasha had a little girl, and she was going to be the most precious being in the entire world. He thought he was moving slowly toward the old hag, but no sooner was he faced with a swaddled newborn than he was able to mentally say his child’s name for the first time. It was Moroha. He and Kagome agreed that regardless of who Kaede would hand off to them, it’d fit.
Kaede placed her into the half-demon’s arms like it was nothing. And he guessed she was always putting babies into people’s arms. For InuYasha though… he’d never held someone quite as small as his daughter. She was magnificent, a red flush overtaking every scrunched up feature on her face. Screaming, she was screaming so loudly but he didn’t mind it. Moroha stopped once InuYasha began walking anyway, her tiny brown eyes blinking up at him curiously. “That’s it, your old man’s got you,” InuYasha told her, crossing the hut to kneel by Kagome, “and your mama’s right here.”
“Oh, Moroha,” Kagome whispered, arms already outstretched. InuYasha placed Moroha there gently, and when he could see his wife and child together–it made him blink, a lot. The fire’s warmth must’ve finally made it over to them, too, since he could finally feel it. InuYasha watched Kagome guide Moroha to her breast, she latched on eagerly and he couldn’t stop a small chuckle from escaping. Being born must’ve worked up an appetite.
InuYasha watched her for a few moments, taking note of the fine black hair on her head and the funny way it dried from when Kaede washed her. It swirled up, kind of like it was in a very tall ponytail. His eyes traveled higher until they locked with Kagome’s. Their entire story seemed to play in the tears lining her eyes. It was getting hard to ignore the stinging in his own. He wondered if Kagome could see what he did: The time he dropped her off of his back when he thought she was useless, the moment the Sacred Jewel shattered, finding a home in her without even realizing it, falling in love with her, her staying by his side, the day he nearly lost her forever, and the three years he really had.
“InuYasha,” Kagome said, shifting Moroha to her other breast.
“I know,” he replied, reaching out to smooth a stray hair of Kagome’s before lowering his hand to Moroha’s head. It was hard to believe that InuYasha used to live alone or that he spent any amount of time obsessing over power and magic jewels instead of a moment like this one.
Moroha cooed, her fingers curling and uncurling themselves in the air. He brushed his thumb lightly across his baby girl’s hair, mindful of his claws. She blinked over at him as she continued with her first meal, and InuYasha swore he caught the faintest trace of amber mixing with the brown there. It only made sense for his traits to make appearances since she was apart of her parents’ story, too. Although Moroha didn’t understand any of it–wasn’t sure how much she’d care to hear when she got older–it was there. Kagome and InuYasha would always be there.
Kagome shifted their baby to rest in only one arm. “InuYasha, you’re crying,” she pointed out before pulling the sleeve of her sleeping robe over her hand to wipe at the tears.
“Didn’t even notice,” the half-demon confessed. His hands searched past the robe; he wanted to hold his wife’s hand–he wanted to pull both of them to him.
InuYasha’s past had never seemed so unreachable, but gazing over at his own daughter made it impossible to stop remembering. There were slurs, rocks, fights, and beds made in hollowed trees. Then there was finding Kikyo and losing her, the pain from her arrow, his own demon power, and Naraku.
Moroha’s hands flapped while her fingers kept opening and closing. InuYasha intertwined one hand with Kagome’s while offering his index finger to Moroha. She grabbed it, and he knew. He knew how every bad part of his life was worth enduring since it led to Kagome, but that he’d only live it over and over and over again for her: Moroha.
-X-
A/N:If Sunrise Studios gets to make no damn sense for two whole seasons of an InuYasha next generation spin off series then I can take some creative liberties and let InuYasha hang out with Kagome while she’s working hard to give birth to their child. Needless to say, this has like negative two ties to the Yashahime narrative, lol. I took Moroha with me to my own ever after where InuYasha and Kagome live very boring lives in Kaede’s Village. I began writing this piece back in November after a YouTuber I watched put out a video for the birth of her children. It made me wonder how I’d write Moroha’s birth. I listened to a lot of “Chopin - Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2” while writing this piece; hopefully you guys enjoy this submission for InuKag Week!
Summary: Kagome and Inuyasha both think the other is playing mind games because they’re both insecure idiots.
Disclaimer: Here is me yet again not necessarily following the intent of the prompt but alas I have run out of time. This was originally written for Valentine’s Day and has just been sitting in drafts. tbh I’m not sure if I just did some variant of this for Valentine’s Day. No idea what I’m doing with my life.
Tapping her lips anxiously with the tips of her joined fingertips, Kagome looked down at the empty box of chocolates she’d purchased for Shippo with concern written all over her face. The thief had ignored the very nice safe gummy candies she’d purchased. Ignored the handwritten cards. All the thief cared about was the box of chocolates with a cute little white dog holding an ‘I love you’ written on the lid. As awkward as the situation could be for reasons other than Inuyasha’s potentially imminent demise, there was the issue of Inuyasha’s potentially imminent demise. Surely though, surely Inuyasha wasn’t allergic to chocolate like domesticated dogs. He’d be fine probably. Totallyfine.
But…there was no Inuyasha to be seen. If the chocolate didmake him ill, he most likely was hiding so no one would see because god forbid someone help. Of all the things he did, the refusal to let anyone help him was quite possibly the mostannoying.
“Inuyasha left on a perimeter run,” Miroku suddenly offered after the slayer asked where the half-demon had gone. Both of them completely oblivious to the issue at hand. Kagome winced and cringed before tapping her fingertips together. In theory, justintheory, Inuyasha was somewhere having the same reaction domesticated dogs did when exposed to chocolate. Alternatively, he was hiding from her wrath upon having realized those chocolates weren’t for him. Either way, she needed to find him and coax him back.
“Which way did he go?” Kagome sighed wearily – lowering her hands and glancing anxiously around the tree line. That would be his move. To hide because he didn’t feel well. Not wanting to show weakness or be babied. Probably scared because since when did he get sick with anything. In all honesty, she should’ve just given the little treats to everyone when she first got back but, like an idiot, she decided to wait until Valentine’s Day to hand them out. What did it even matter? Wasn’t like the feudal era honored Valentine’s Day or any Western tradition. It…
A small momentary flash of red in her periphery and a flare of Inuyasha’s aura had Kagome’s head whipping to her left.
“I’ll be right back,” she muttered to the others as she quickly turned and started heading towards where the half-demon had to be hiding. It probably would have behooved her to have brought some water or a barf bag but she didn’t want to panic unnecessarily. She just…needed to check and make sure she hadn’t inadvertently poisoned the poor man. Could be she was being paranoid over nothing. Inuyasha was a man after all and not a dog so it actually was entirely unlikely that he shared allergies with the average domesticated pet. Still, rational or not, she still worried and she still wanted to make sure he hadn’t…
Looking up into the tree branches, the first thought Kagome had upon seeing his visibly deflated form was that her worst fears had been realized but given that he didn’t look all that green, she was still going to be optimistic and assume that his drooping ears were because he thought she was coming to yell at him for eating the chocolates. Given the weary side-eyed glare he sent down at her, that seemed to be the logical option. What a relief.
“There you…”
“Thanks for being a friend?” Inuyasha’s interrupted acidly as he glared down at her from his perch, “Thanks for being a friend? Are you serious?”
Furrowing her brow, Kagome opened then closed her mouth a few times as she tried to figure out what exactly she’d done to elicit such an angry reaction. Inuyasha thankfully seemed to realize he’d missed a crucial piece of evidence.
“Thecard idiot,” Inuyasha huffed as he held up the offending piece of pastel pink paper Kagome hadn’t realized was missing, “The card you wrote for me.Thanks for being my friend. This is a joke, right?”
Swallowing thickly, Kagome’s mind raced a mile a minute to figure out what was offensive and immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion.
“A-are we not friends?” she tried in an extremely hurt tone before her stomach absolutely dropped at his reply.
“Are we not friends?” Inuyasha mocked acidly from atop his branch - his amber eyes reflecting hurt and confusion, “You’re fuckingwith me, right? That isn’t…isn’t…”
Trailing off, Inuyasha appeared to have realized something. For the longest moment, there was a tense silence between the two. Unbeknownst to the other, both of the teenagers were having trouble breathing for a very similar reason.
“Wait,why…areyou here?” Inuyasha finally mumbled - his tone softer and more afraid than she’d ever heard it before. It was hard to tell from this angle but she could have sworn the wind wasn’t strong enough to be rippling his clothing like that. Was he shaking?
That wasn’t good.
“Well, so, you might eaten something that will make you sick,” Kagome admitted nervously - her heart in her throat and her nerves frazzled. It took a moment for her to remember why she’d come searching for him in the first place, “Are you feeling okay?”
“Why get me something that’d make me sick?” Inuyasha asked hoarsely - his face turning to stare at her although he made no effort to move from his safe haven. Something visibly broke behind those two expressive amber eyes as his face paled then turned a little green.
Oh boy.
“Well they weren’t for you. I got you something else,” Kagome clarified hesitantly and judging by how he appeared to be fighting off nausea, she believed she had her answer.
“So did you eat them?” Kagome tried to confirm and looking even more green, Inuyasha nodded once. His gaze distant and horrified like he was going into shock.
“W-why’d you bring them?” Inuyasha asked distractedly - his voice strained and confused, “If they’re poison, if they could killme, why bring them at all?”
“Well, in my time, there’s a, uh, holiday where you give people you care about gifts. Candy. Chocolates. So I brought each of you candybut, um, dogs can’t eat chocolate. It’s toxic for them and I worried that giving you chocolate might make you sick so I got yousomething else,” Kagome attempted to explain - feeling even more miserable and awkward when Inuyasha looked even more shell-shocked.
“Y-you think I’m a dog?”
A second passed before he added in a somewhat disassociated voice, “N-no. No they had to be for me. The…the box had a white dog on it and said…it said …”
Inuyasha’s knees slowly began curling up until they hugged his chest, “You’re just messing with me, huh? Trying to be funny?”
Kagome cringed but was now more concerned than ever. Something was visibly wrong with Inuyasha. He looked a hair away from puking and a cold sweat was visible on his temple. Not to mention he was clearlygoing into shock.
“Okay. So first off, obviouslyIdon’t think you are a dog. You are a man. But just like I can’t jump out of trees because I’d break my neck, I was worried that you couldn’t eat chocolate because of how you were built,” Kagome pointed out - deciding to focus on the most important issue first, “I’m really sorry I brought something like that. I’ll be more careful in the future, okay? Why don’t you come down and have the nice, safe gummy candies I got for you?”
Inuyasha simply gaped down at her like she’d grown a second head - his green facade turning blotchy as his chest began heaving.
One second passed then two and then…
“WHATTHEHELL?!” Inuyasha spat as he rolled off the branch and landed to stand over her, “WHAT DID I DO?!“
Startling slightly at this development, Kagome’s own temper flared to life - as a defense mechanism or something else she wasn’t sure.
“What are you even talking about?!” Kagome hissed back – completely baffled and hurt, “You’re not even making sense.”
“AM I A JOKETO YOU?! JUST SOME HALF-BREED YOU CAN TOSS ASIDE WHEN BEING MORETHAN FRIENDS FINALLY GROSSES YOU OUT?!” Inuyasha bellowed - hurt and heartbreak written all over his face, “AT LEAST HAVE THE BALLS TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU’RE LEAVING ME INSTEAD OF WRITING PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE NOTES AND…”
“IWOULDNEVERCALL YOU A HALF….wait did you say more than friends?” Kagome abruptly changed her tone – her sapphire eyes growing wide and large as what he was so upset finally hit home, “What exactly do you think is happening?”
“Youtellme,” Inuyasha challenged hatefully as he once again held up the pastel pink notecard, “Because I thought we were doing fine.”
“Okay. I did too but by fine, you mean…we were fine being morethan friends? You thought we were morethan friends?” Kagome tried to get some clarification and Inuyasha crumpled up the note in his palm.
“Are you freakingkiddingme?!”
Kagome narrowed her eyes and scowled, “Am I kidding? What about you?! You neversaid anything about us being together. The only thing you’ve made clear is that you chose Kikyo.”
For the first time, Inuyasha seemed to realize his mistake. His face once again turning green as set he set and reset his jaw. A thousand emotions raced behind his expressive eyes - everything from relief to horror to heartbreak.
And then finally the emotion he seemed to land on was determination. Maybe. Honestly it was hard to tell.
“When?When did I say that?” Inuyasha huffed defensively, “Because last I checked I was very clear about how I felt about you.”
“Icompletely agree,” Kagome hissed and amber eyes widened in weary surprise at her adamant response, “So you don’t get to stand there and yell at me when all you’ve done is make me feel second best. You don’t get to…”
“The hell are you even talking about?! I straight up told you I loved you! I’ve never said that to anyoneelseever. Not even Kikyo. What more do you wantfrom me?” Inuyasha interrupted with a frustrated groan – his hands shooting up like they were going to strangle her, “And all this time you…this isn’t funnydammit. Whatever you’re doing stopit.”
Kagome huffed and rolled her eyes.
“Stopwhat?! Inuyasha, you have never told me…”
“Isaidstop!” he interrupted harshly as he literally trembled from holding some negative emotion back, “Enough! Your joke isn’t funny. I don’t…I…”
Kagome groaned softly as Inuyasha kept struggling to find the words he wanted - her mind trying and failing to turn over. If anyone was playing some cruel game, it was him.
“I’mnot trying to trick you,” she finally sighed heavily - deciding to address the first issue, “I would never do that.”
The distrust and unease behind his eyes honestly made her feel a little ill. They needed to get on the same page and quickly. There had been more miscommunication than she’d realized.
“Ilegitimately thought we were only friends. That you were my best friend,” she continued when Inuyasha seemed more focused on staying calm, “But you said you love Kikyo. That you chose her. I neverthoughtwe were together.”
After a long painful moment, the gravity of the situation hit home and Inuyasha’s heart shattered behind his eyes.
“Wait.Wait. No. No, I told you,” he argued weakly, “I did. I-I told you and…and you…you…”
Closing his eyes when Kagome merely looked confused, InuYasha attempted to collect himself before trying again.
“I thought that…that I was clear,” he began hoarsely, “And that you…you lovedme.”
Wincing, Kagome didn’t like how his voice cracked but she also didn’t like the idea that all those times he’d run off to Kikyo he had done so under the impression he was actually in a relationship with her. If these past few months were what being in a relationship with him would be like, Kagome suddenly wasn’t sure this was what she wanted.
“I have only ever thought we were friends,” Kagome confirmed awkwardly. For the longest time, Inuyasha remained silent with his eyes closed and his breathing somewhat unsteady - something so out of character Kagome began to get very concerned. There was, of course, still the issue of him eating chocolate and maybe, just maybe she was being a butt about this conversation but…but if anyone should be hurt by the number of times he’d hurt her it was her. How was one supposed to interpret almost getting murdered by someone (more than once) and having the man you love defend said person instead of taking your side? How else was she supposed to interpret him sending her home time and time again because he very explicitly told her he picked Kikyo? And all the times he ran off to see her? And all those times he’d thought…
“I-Itold you though,” he repeated a little desperately - his voice shaking, “We were inside the tree, ya know, after you shot me and…had left. Isn’t thatwhat made you come back? B-because you loved me back?”
Blinking rapidly, all Kagome could think was that Inuyasha was teasing her. Lying to her because, no, that was not correct.
“You didn’t say you loved me. You said you neededme…”
For a brief almost imperceptible moment, Inuyasha recoiled like she’d slapped him.
“Stopteasingme. This isn’t funny,” Inuyasha finally managed to choke out, “I-I know what I said. Don’t stand and lie to…”
Mind racing to capture the memory, Inuyasha simply trailed off while focusing on breathing regularly.
“You said you were scared to come back. Said that’s why you left and I said, very clearly, ‘I l-love you. Haven’t you realized…’”
Kagome sighed heavily as he froze then went rigid while those amber eyes betrayed his internal screaming.
“…that yet…oh shit,” Inuyasha breathed as his mouth fell partially open.
“Your words were ‘I need you beside me,’” Kagome corrected awkwardly - internally screaming herself when Inuyasha suddenly folded his arms tightly across his chest and clenched his eyes tightly shut.
A shuddering breath soon followed.
“Tell me what you need me to do,” Inuyasha offered desperately - his eyes still closed like he was unwilling or unable to look at her, “J-Just tell me what you want me to do. I…look I’ve never…I don’t know how to fix this so tellme.”
There was something in his tone that had Kagome’s stomach churning and her anger began to fade as a result. That…that almost sounded like how he talked to Kikyo. He looked afraid and desperate and some other unidentified negative emotion. This…
“What are you wanting to fix?” Kagome finally asked - slowly and deliberately since there was a lot of miscommunication happening without her realizing, “What do youwant?”
Pursing his lips to let out a controlled breath in an unexpected showing of frazzled nerves, Inuyasha finally opened his eyes and squared his shoulders.
“I want….I want us to be together,” Inuyasha managed much more confidently than he felt, “For you to give me a chance and…and, if you won’t, I want you to be nice to me still. I don’t wanna be afraid of you.”
Blinking rapidly, the next question and answer Kagome had for those first two statements flew the coop. This was new. Since when was Inuyasha direct like this? Honest like this?
“Afraid of me?” Kagome breathed in mild horror, “Why would you be scared of me?”
Swallowing thickly, amber eyes wavered slight then closed as he tried to pick his next words very carefully.
“Notafraidbut…but until now, you’ve been nice. To me, ya know?” he began slowly - clearly trying to make sure he was explaining everything correctly, “I don’t want that to go away.”
Kagome felt her heart crack as Inuyasha licked his lips and clenched his eyes tighter shut like he was anticipating being hit.
“B-but I see nowthat I haven’t…I haven’t been clear,” he continued shakily, “I thought I knew what I was doing with you but…but it wasn’t what I thought and I need…how we are, in…in whateverway, to continue. Friends. Being together. Doesn’t matter. I just…I needyou beside me. If that’s okay.”
Kagome did notlike this version of Inuyasha. Scared and unsure. Lost. Desperateeven. There was something disturbingly familiar about it that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Kagome promised then and Inuyasha visibly wilted in relief.
“Good. That’s…that’s good,” he breathed before clearing his throat and addressing his next concern, “Ya know, I can change. Be different. I can. Just give me a…”
“Stop. Inuyasha stop” Kagome pleaded softly as she took a step forward and reached up to cup his cheek. A gesture he leaned into with a shaky sigh. For a moment, he rubbed his cheek against her palm before biting his lip and trying to get out what he needed to say.
“I don’t know how to…I don’t know things,” he mumbled, “I really thought…”
Her thumb gently stroked his cheek and he seemed to lose his train of thought. Humming, Inuyasha leaned into her touch and whatever tension he’d been holding melted away. Which was weird but it’d been a really weird day.
“That feels nice. I like it,” he admitted softly as he cracked one eye open to gauge her reaction. Despite that being the oddest thing Inuyasha has ever said to her, Kagome smiled sadly and decided not to make it that big an issue.
“I like when you talk to me,” she offered and Inuyasha nodded once in understanding before placing his hand over hers.
“I’ll work on that,” he promised before swallowing thickly and asking hopefully, “So…so you’re gunna give me a chance?”
“Of course,” Kagome laughed softly as she ran her thumb over his cheek again earning a content hum, “I love you.”
“Thought so,” he breathed in relief before turning his face to bury his nose in her palm, “You scared the shit outta me woman.”
A moment passed then two.
“My stomach does hurt,” he admitted with a groan as he pulled back and cringed.
“I don’t know if I can fixit but I can make it better,” Kagome cooed happily and Inuyasha nodded once in understanding before looking like he was going to seriously regret whatever he planned on saying next.
“I’d like that too but…but before we, uh, do anything, I want you to know that…that I don’t even understand why I’m like how I am with Kikyo,” he offered wearily, “That scares me. She’s hurt you and…and I let it happen and I still go and I don’t know why. But, for the record, I’ve…I’ve been trying to…”
“Well we’ve got time to figure everything out,” Kagome interrupted before smiling reassuringly, “I’m not going anywhere in the meantime.”
“I’m not either,” he mumbled earnestly, “I’m going to do better okay?” he insisted with a determined nod, “I just won’t go to her,” he let out a shuddering sigh, “I won’t. This can’t happen again.”
“Whether you go or not, it won’t,” Kagome hummed affectionately before looking off to the side and asking a question he was fairly certain he’d already answered, “What do you want?”
His sore stomach churned. Didn’t they just clear the air so to speak? Had she been fucking with him this entire time? Had he misunderstood the-
“Wha-“
“Imean, what have you been wanting to do since you thought we were together?” Kagome interrupted curiously as she took his hand and began leading his mildly relieved yet rattled form back towards camp, “Seems to me like you’ve been holding back.”
Wrinkling his nose in confusion, Inuyasha chewed the inside of his cheek while giving this clarified question some serious thought.
“I held back to protect you,” Inuyasha offered shakily, “It’s too dangerous to let people know. To be open about things. People’ll call you a dark miko. Kikyo’ll be back on her bullshit trying to kill you faster than I can blink. Naraku too. Nobody’s gotta know.”
“Oh they’re going to know. Now what do you want?” Kagome corrected earning a bemused groan.
“I’m fine with how things have be-“
“Well I’m not. Can I tell you what I want?” Kagome hummed and Inuyasha nodded once, “I want kissesandcuddlesandhandholding.”
Inuyasha blushed at her wish list which seemed wildly inappropriate. As if they needed another reason for people to stare at them.
“Idon’t want you to do thatinpublic,” Inuyasha mumbled as he gave her hand a light squeeze, “But I w-won’t stop you if you do it when it’s just us.”
“What about around our friends?”
Inuyasha’s blush deepened even though he muttered a faint ‘guess that’d be okay.’ After a long moment, Inuyasha let out a soft sigh and cleared his throat.
“At night. I want to hold you at night.“
Kagome paused mid-step and blushed furiously. Inuyasha immediately backpedaled.
“I-I know what you’re thinking. S’not for th-,” he amended quickly, “For that. I just…I…”
Kagome turned to face him - her hand still in his. Swallowing thickly, Inuyasha thought hard about expressing his concerns. His woman said she wanted words and he’d said he’d try…
“Sleeping…sleeping is hard. Ya know, for me. I think it’d help knowing you’re safe. That I’m right there to p-protect you,” he finished lamely - visibly uncomfortable with what was happening, “That’s all. We don’t gotta….”
“I’d like that actually,” she hummed and Inuyasha let out a shaky relieved sigh.
“Really?” he asked as a slow grin began blooming over his face and a weird flicker of hope flashed across his face, “That’d really be okay?”
With a coy smile, Kagome nodded before moving closer. As her eyes met his and she came so close that her hips nearly cradled his, a shuddering breath left his lips and his nostrils flared in anticipation.
“More than okay,” she breathed before leaning forward and pressing her lips against his.
How long they kissed or what the rest of the world was doing, Inuyasha would neverremember. But the memory of her molded against him, the feel of her lips and the love she managed to express in that largely innocent moment stayed with him for the rest of his life.
That and the unfortunate knowledge that chocolate, while tasty, would make him puke. Thankfully Kagome understood not everything was about her.
Summary: Inuyasha has parenting skills and while he’s no expert, it confuses the shit out of his friends.
Sighing shakily, Inuyasha stared down at the small nakedterrified girl as he sheathed his sword. Those two watery blue eyes staring up at him with such relief. Hopefully that meant she knew him but given that it’d taken an agonizing few hours to track the asshole who kidnapped her down and when he found her she was this fucking thing so Inuyasha didn’t have high expectations. Or anyexpectations actually. Children were notoriously unpredictable and stupid. Magically engineered children that were once adults Inuyasha imagined were moreso.
Still, despite the unpredictableness and terror inherent in the situation, Inuyasha had to admit that this child was the cutest one he’d ever seen. With that admission, another darker and infinitely more painful thought followed. That of a small little girl with his face, Kagome’s coloring…
Maybe even some dog ears. Or not.
Biting his lip, Inuyasha pushed that dream away, cleared his throat and got down to business. There was a frightened child here who needed him to protect her.
“Hey,” he started softly as he knelt down to get on her eye level, “Do you know who I am?”
A slow head shake as tiny fingers wormed their way into her mouth. Despite his heart hurting, Inuyasha smiled with his lips tightly closed and tried to look reassuring. It would probably be best if he hid his fangs for the moment. He was sure the whole situation was confusing and scary enough as it was.
“I want my mommy,” the tiny Kagome mumbled miserably - big fat tears welling in her eyes, “I wanna go home.”
Sighing, Inuyasha momentarily had a flashback to when he was small and alone just after his mother died. Standing there confused and lost when he was thrown out of the only home he’d ever know without explanation or warning. Yes, he was a little older but not by much. Nine or ten at most. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out how someone could look at such a miserable tiny face and feel anything other pity. Want to do anything other than be kind.
Cringing, Inuyasha then felt rather guilty. He knew how. Kids were annoying and pushed boundaries Kids were loud and messy and time consuming and stupid and meanas hell. They didn’t listen. They were constantly putting themselves in danger. Had no concept of mercy or empathy. Selfish cruel little bastards who tried to get away with anythingthey could and seemed to enjoyganging up on others. Above allthings brats were a liability and a burden he absolutely…couldn’t afford. One of many.
Despite their downsides, kids were, well, kidsand they deservedto be kids. And yet he was anything butkind to Shippo. Beat the kid on the regular and didn’t exactly do much to make him feel safe. He needed to do better. In somany ways. It was a wonder why anyone kept him around. If someone new came in acting like he’d been, he’d personally kick them to the curb. His continued inclusion in the group was a testament to his friends’ character and capacity for love.
“I know. I’ll take you to her,” Inuyasha offered quietly as he held his hands out, “Can I hold you?”
The little nod tugged at his heartstrings and he sighed when her little pudgy arms reached out. Scooping her up, Inuyasha balanced her on his hip and waited for the others to finally show up. Basic training in childcare he might’ve been given but, to be honest, his seven or eight year old self hadn’t exactly been the best student for those lessons that weren’t really age appropriate. Those lessons had never made sense to him anyway and most of it had gone right over his head but he’d played along because it seemed to make his mother happy. She’d probably wanted a girl and got saddled with him instead so she made do. Swaddling dolls and changing their fake diapers. Making her vile medicine to spoon feed to a doll who couldn’t even take it. Taught him how to cook and, once he ‘mastered’ that then how to prepare food so the fake ass doll baby didn’t choke. It had been a humiliatingandcringeworthy tradition but it only lasted a few years because, well, mother died.
He wished he would’ve been less of a little shit about things like that. Towards the end, when he’d act out, she cry and looking back the fact he made her cry so often made him nostalgically cringe. Any woman crying still made him cringe and feel a little sick. Was it because the last thing he remembered of Mother was her crying? Maybebut…but…
But, come on now, in all fairness, there hadn’t been a point to learning things he’d never use given the inevitable trajectory of his life. Bad things were coming. Everyone had made that fact very, very clear. Half-demons didn’t get families or babies or anything that would have made that knowledge useful. Well, okay, except now but who in their right mind would think a fifteen year old girl would magically become a baby?
Regardless, even with his limited knowledge on the matter, Inuyasha still felt ill equipped to handle a toddler on his own and even though Sango wasn’t a mother, she was indeed a female which, in his mind, meant she’d inherently know what to do.
A little chunky cheek suddenly pressed against his shoulder and before he could catch himself, Inuyasha tilted his head so his chin rested atop her hair. Hopefully this could be undone soon so he didn’t have to explain to Kagome’s mother why her fifteen year old daughter had somehow gotten impossibly younger. Injured he could explain. Shit, even death he could probably explain. But this? He didn’t even know where to begin. ‘I found her like this’ was a piss poor explanation and the only one he could really give.
Tiny fingers began combing absently playing with his hair and Inuyasha hummed affectionately before he could stop himself. It struck him as odd how natural this unnatural situation felt. How natural it felt holding a tiny life in his arms. How his normal level of protectiveness felt exponentially fiercer. How warm and soothing it was. Maybe kids weren’t allbad.
“Where Mommy go?” Kagome suddenly asked - her voice concerned and small.
“She’s back home,” Inuyasha soothed as he began to absently sway, “We’ve gotta wait for our friends, okay, and then I’ll take you to her.”
Another tiny nod and Inuyasha felt his heart burst. Which was a problem. A huge problem. Since when did he want kids?
“You’re okay,” Inuyasha hummed wearily as he continued swaying and looking around the sky for some sign that those idiots were actually on their way, “It’s all gunna be just fine. You’ll see.”
Groaning softly when that earned him another adorable nod, Inuyasha buried his nose in her ebony locks and closed his eyes. Even when she was tiny and helpless, Kagome still had a way of calming him down and helping him focus. Besides, his life hadn’t changed too much with this hopefully temporary development. His job was still to protect and care for her after all. Only difference was that she was a baby right now and usually she was a grown ass woman.
Humming, Inuyasha raised his hand to press against her back and gave her little body a light squeeze. An underhanded part of his mind began to drift towards most dangerous territory. Impossible dreams of what his future could theoretically be, you know, if Kagome didn’t leave and a whole slew of other things that would need to happen. But she didn’t want that. Their kisses went nowhere. Him saying he needed her didn’t change anything. And she’d made it clear she was going back once the jewel was complete. Even if she had caught feelings, his existence was too messy. He’d made too many mistakes. There was the whole Kikyo debacle he didn’t understand and couldn’t explain even if he wanted to.
But for this brief, his mind could pretend that things were different and harsh truths didn’t exist. Almost like she was picking up on his upset, a tiny jaw trembled and sniffles began.
“Shhh. No crying. Brave girls don’t cry,” Inuyasha soothed softly as his sensitive ears picked up the sounds of their friends, “And you’re my brave girl, huh? So brave. So good.”
This did nothingto quell the tiny miserable whimpers. Inuyasha sighed.
“You’re okay. I promise I won’t let anything like this happen again,” the frazzled half-demon whispered affectionately as he pressed his lips against her tiny temple and tried to impart how sincere he was being, “I’m righthere. You don’t everneed to be scared. I’m going to get you back to your mommy and…and it’ll be good. You’ll see. It’s going to all be okay.”
That last part was more for him than for her. While he didfully intend on bringing her back to the modern era, if - for whateverreason - that wasn’t possible he was already coming up with a contingency plan. True, it would be weirdandheartbreakingsince he had hoped for a different long term future with the miko but he could figure out how to raise a child and not fuck them up too badly. He was fully capable - in theory - of being a father and it definitely helped that he did love her unconditionally already. Sure, it was a different typeof love but that…that couldchange. He could overcome that mental block. He could. And he knew somethings. Had it in him to be gentle and patient and kind. But hopefully none of that would be an issue because…because…
Theyhadto change her back. He was going to lose his damn mind if they couldn’t. It’d be bad. That’s all he could say about that.
Pressing his lips against her temple once more, Inuyasha let out a weary sigh before straightening up and composing himself just in time for their friends to arrive.
Definitely. They could definitelychange her back.
“Look. See?” Inuyasha offered gently - pointing and trying to coax the tiny Kagome into looking as Kilala landed an arguably weirddistance away, “There they are. Those are our friends. They’re reallynice. You’ll like them.”
As Kagome buried her face and her tiny fists tightly gripped his firerat in lieu of complying, Inuyasha took a steadying breath and waited for their friends to approach. Right now he just needed to stay calm and breathe. Explain what happened in a steady even tone. Something which he was fullycapable of doing. Totally capable of handling this situation with dignity and grace.
“Oh no,” Sango breathed - still maintaining her distance but seeming to realize what had occurred, “How is this possible?”
“I found her like this,” Inuyasha began slowly - one clawed hand gently stroking the little girl’s head and offering the tiny baby a reassuring smile, “But she’s nothurt. You’re okay, aren’t you?”
While tiny Kagome nodded, the monk, slayer and kit exchanged a concerned look.
“Well why don’tItake her?” Sango offered awkwardly after a long moment - approaching with her hands outstretched and a kind smile, “I lovebabies and I’m sure you’re not exactly comfortable with…”
Despite how that exactidea had crossed his mind mere minutes before, a possessive growl escaped him as he clutched the toddler protectively and took an instinctive step back. Sango froze. Miroku literally startled. Shippo’s jaw dropped. Worst of all, Kagome let out a pathetic whimper before bursting into tears.
And more shockingly still, Inuyasha immediately went into a very parental comforting mode while visibly cursing himself for losing control.
“Hey.Hey. I’m sorry,” he breathed as he moved to cradle Kagome against his chest and began swaying lightly, “I’m sorry. It’s okay baby. You’re okay.”
Slowly looking over her shoulder, Sango seemingly tried to confirm that she hadn’t lost her mind and when the monk nodded once in disbelief, she turned back.
“You can, um, keep her until we get her home. That’s fine,” the uneasy slayer offered and petting the toddler’s hair, Inuyasha glanced up to give his friend a withering glare.
“What did you expect me to do, huh? Leaveher here?” Inuyasha huffed as he continued to sway and comfort the tiny baby in his arms, “Give me some credit. I’d never do that.”
It was shocking that Inuyasha was handling the situation so well. Mumbling little sweet reassurances, cuddling her close and swaying in a smooth even rhythm. Soon, Kagome’s cries became whimpers and then she was snuggling up - her tiny fists clutching the fire rat like a lifeline.
And then, once he seemed sure that Kagome was calm enough, the half-demon let out a controlled breath and met the slayer’s shell shocked gaze.
“She needs clothes. And diapers. Whatever we have will have to do. She can’t keep running around naked,” he pointed out in a calm, non-accusatory tone, “I’d like if we got some toys to keep her busy too but-”
“I-I can play with her,” Shippo offered hesitantly and Inuyasha nodded once in approval - looking at the little boy with what his friends dared to think was affection. After that uncomfortablelook, Inuyasha whispered something to Kagome who nodded. Peeling the Velcro baby off and setting her down, Inuyasha gave a light yet reassuring push on her back and after a single look towards her makeshift father figure, she stumbled forward towards Shippo who immediatelystarted amusing her.
What the hellwas happening? This couldn’t possiblybe their friend and given that Kagome had been altered…
Miroku seemed to be the only one willing to test that theory.
“Tell us about Kagome’s village,” he asked - narrowing his eyes as he gauge the half-demon’s reaction. It was typical by all accounts although the hurt and worry threw the monk for a loop.
“Seriously?” Inuyasha huffed before cringing and glancing down at the toddler who thankfully didn’t react negatively to his tone. Huffing in frustration, Inuyasha looked back up at the monk with a disgusted glare, “What the hellwould that even prove, huh? You ever seena car? A train? Tell me about cellphones. ’Course it’s me, you stupidmotherfu…”
“It’s him,” Miroku interrupted casually before yawning and glancing around, “It’s getting late. Shall we set up camp?”
Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha set then reset his jaw.
“Like I said, she needs clothes. And diapers. Probably milk. We need to find a village,” Inuyasha countered before letting out a self-depricating groan and looking down at his chest. Mumbling to himself about being an idiot, in less than a minute, he’d shrugged off the topmost part of the firerat robe and had managed to create an overly large yet effective dress.Inspecting his handiwork and working on making sure the makeshift string belt was secure, Inuyasha huffed and shook his head,“Well that’s oneproblemsolved. But we still need to find a village. With an inn. She’s too little to be out here.”
Once again exchanging a concerned glance with the noticeably less shocked monk, Sango cleared her throat before hesitantly voicing her agreement.
“There was a small village just below the mountain,” she offered as she pointed in the direction, “We can probably make it there before sundown.”
Scooping his tiny ward back up and placing her on his hip, Inuyasha kissed her temple quickly without thinking before heading in that direction.
“I think he’s broken,” Shippo whispered as he jumped on the slayer’s shoulder, “This is weird, right?”
“Heard that!”
“I stand by what I said!” Shippo called back - unafraid that Inuyasha might retaliate. Predictably Inuyasha merely scoffed but didn’t circle back to whack him upside the head.
Night had fallen by the time they reached the village and thankfully, there was a room. And very sympathetic villagers who provided what the tiny girl needed. The garment has clearly been heavily abused by a child - or children - at one point and the cloth diaper was makeshift but Inuyasha took great care in dressing his ward and even took the time to tie her hair up into an awkward half-ponytail.
Once everyone was settled and fed, Inuyasha continued surprising them by crawling onto the futon and spooning the baby against his chest - humming a foreign melody until he was certain she was asleep.
While two of his friends felt like their mind was melting, Miroku managed to do the thinking for them. Inuyasha did indeed seem to know what to do which meant he’d observed or experienced such care at some point. Had taken mental notes that only someone who wanted a child would care to take notice of. It didn’t take a genius to realize what Inuyasha wanted more than anything was normalcy. That was entirely the reason he’d been willing to give up everything for Kikyo. Without a second thought by the sounds of it.
With a sad yet proud little smile, Miroku saw the makings of a caring, doting father in his anger prone and emotionally constipated friend.
And hoped that one day, Inuyasha would get that chance.
Years later, after far too much pain, that prayer was answered and not one friend doubted Inuyasha’s ability to be a good father. In fact, during those few days before Kagome randomly popped back into her usual form, even Sango began taking mental notes of her own. Inuyasha - for all his faults - understood the parenting assignment. Had clearly seen what to do and what not to do during his unnaturally long life. After being given the ultimate gift, his friends noticed the newborn phase didn’t seem to phase him. He knew how to burp a baby and was an expert at diaper changing. Was never frustrated when the baby woke him and Kagome up in the middle of the night. This arguably dense man also seemed to instinctively know what cries meant what and even knew how to swaddle his baby justright.
But the question of how this socially inept man knew these things always lingered. By all accounts, it made no sense. While one could chalk it up to the man watching others perform these actions, there was something about his practiced hand that left his friends wondering.
“How do you know what to do? You know far too much,” Miroku asked curiously one fine afternoon after Inuyasha had finished changing his newborn girl and gently rocked her in his arms until she feel asleep. When Inuyasha merely looked confused, the monk elaborated, “About infants. You seem to know what to do. I was never so confident in my actions nor as skilled.”
Inuyasha’s content smile faded.
“Mother showed me. You know, with dolls. Awkward as shit and pointless. And what I don’t know I just…thought about what I’ve seen. And what…what I wanted when I was little,” the half-demon mumbled sadly before making a face and cocking his head, “I remember Mother saying nobodyhelped her. Not with anything and she thought…somehow she knew…”
A soft disbelieving laugh as something seemed to click in his mind. Meanwhile, Miroku tried and failed to envision how such lessons were demonstrated. Those conversations must have been awkward - not to mention not child appropriate- and she must have known what Inuyasha’s life would be like. The obstacles against him ever using that information must have seemed insurmountable. And yet she took the time…
“Sheknew one day I’d have a family and I’d need to know what to do. She knew…”
Letting out a soft disbelieving laugh, Inuyasha once again made a face and shook his head to clear it before his thoughtful smile faded. His expressive amber eyes wavering as a clearly devastating thought entered his mind, “But she knew she….wouldn’t be there. You know, I always thought she…she just…”
Jaw trembling, Inuyasha swallowed thickly and a single tear steamed down his cheek that he quickly wiped away. To his credit, Miroku didn’t tease the man for this rare showing of emotion.
“She cried a lot towards the end and I just…I thought it was because she knew there wasn’t any hope for me. That she believed my life would always suck and she felt bad about it but that wasn’t what she thought, was it?” Inuyasha managed thickly - talking more to himself than the monk who remained silent, “She knew it wouldn’t always be that way and she wanted to see it. Didn’t want to go. Maybe…maybe that’s why…she was sad…”
Seeming to remember he had an audience and was being ‘weak’, Inuyasha glanced at the monk in mild horror before quickly composing himself. Shaking himself and his face falling stoic, one passing by would never have suspected this man had just made a very emotional breakthrough. That being said, Inuyasha’s sudden shift and attempt to cover up his enlightening yet painful realization was marred by the lingering water lurking in the corners of his eyes.
“Awkward as shit though,” Inuyasha mumbled in his usual sarcastic tone as he cracked his neck and looked back down at his own little girl, “Was a stupid thing to teach a kid.”
Miroku bit his lip as a companionable silence fell over them but it was Inuyasha’s subtly shuddering breaths that made it clear Inuyasha was still very much ruminating over the fact that his mother had had hope for his future after all. So much so that she tried to prepare him best she could under the circumstances. This very clearly was not what the half-demon had believed until a few moments ago.
“If It’s any consolation, you make an excellent father. She would be very proud of you,” Miroku offered hesitantly. A few moments went by and Inuyasha’s face crumpled ever so.
“You really think so?”
Miroku nodded once as he reached up to squeeze his friend’s shoulder and another unexpected tear slid down Inuyasha’s cheek.
Summary: One man’s guilt trip causes his wife to feel insecure.
Sighing heavily, Kagome blushed and tried her best not to cry when, upon disrobing, Inuyasha’s face contorted in disgust and he immediately left the hut. After the first night, he couldn’t even stand to be in the same room with her when she was in the nude and…
Well,despitethe fact that he was affectionate and constantly seeking out excuses to hold her during the day…
It just…
When it came to him fulfilling “husbandly duties”, he was not only uninterested but utterly opposed to the idea. The sight of her clearly grossed him out. He found her ugly. Undesirable. Hated the sight of her. Where that left their relationship, Kagome didn’t…
She didn’t…
A choked sob escaped her as she sank to her knees and buried her face in her hands. Ears ringing, eyes bogged down with tears, she didn’t notice the half-demon who immediately burst back into the hut and slid to a halt in front of her.
“What’s wrong?” came a soft terrified whisper as his much stronger hands effortlessly forced her hands down and away. In response, she clenched her eyes shut - oblivious to the tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Kagome,please, tell me what’s wrong. I can’t fix what I don’t know,“ he breathed shakily as two fingers hooked her chin and tried to force her to look at him, "Please.”
“W-why don’t you w-want me?” she sobbed miserably before whining and pulling her hands back up to her face, “I-I don’t…”
“Seriously?That’swhy you’re crying? Of courseI want you,” Inuyasha sighed exasperatedly as he tried and failed to pull her stubborn form into his lap, “Don’t be…”
“You w-won’t even l-look at m-me,” Kagome continued to convulsively cry, “A-and I…”
Giving up on moving her, Inuyasha instead knelt and dragged her trembling form into his chest.
“S'not you,” he promised thickly as he buried his nose in her hair and held her tighter, “I…”
Huffing in frustration, with himself or her it wasn’t quite clear, Inuyasha firmly pressed his lips to her temple before running the tip of his nose against her skin.
“S’just…s'not you, okay?” he repeated lamely before sighing heavily and letting out a soft groan. A moment later, he made a soft noise - like something had clicked - and he pushed her away before quickly pulling her robes off her shoulders - an action that startled and worried his wife.
“J-just watch,” he instructed firmly - his eyes trying to communicate something she didn’t understand. Taking a shuddering breath, Inuyasha reached over to her shoulder with trembling fingertips before running them over the four deep groves he’d left behind so long ago. A second later he moved his hand to grip her bicep - lifting his thumb and revealing a small puckered blemish. Releasing her, he then ran his finger tips down her chest to the largest puckered mark where the jewel popped out - his hand resting on her waist as his thumb gently stroked the scar.
“Like I said. S'not you. There are a lot more than just these. Even if you can’t see them,” he promised sadly - his face a mixture of longing and despair, “I-I…seeing what I’ve done…what I put you through…I can’t…I could hurtyou again. Soeasily.”
Wiping away a few tears, Kagome wantedto believe him but…
“B-but the first night you…”
“I didn’t noticethem,” he admitted shamefully - dropping his hand and pulling her into his chest again, “Or I didn’t care. I dunno. But after I…”
“S-so what now?” Kagome asked tearfully and she felt Inuyasha flinch in response to her words.
“You stay safe,” he offered hoarsely - reaching up to tuck her head securely under his chin, “S'not bad to…to notdo that, huh? We never did before and…and I still loved you. Somuch. And you still loved me too, right? I’m just trying-“
"I w-want to though,” she tried to explain - her voice cracking and her nose sniffling loudly, “I…I don’t want to live the rest of m-my life w-with someone who d-doesn’t want to touchm-me o-or…”
Inuyasha whined and held her so tightly it was somewhat hard to breathe.
“Pleasedon’t go,” he pleaded - his entire being trembling and his breath coming out in short panicked bursts, “I’m sorry. Whatever I did, I’m sorry.”
Trying to push back proved impossible as Inuyasha refused to let her move an inch.
“M'not going to…”
“Please. I just don’t want to hurt you,” Inuyasha continued to plead - once again pressing a very firm kiss atop her head, “I love you. Somuch. I c-can’t go back to…to….just please…”
Sniffling loudly, Kagome was torn between being hurt and wanting to comfort the incredibly insecure man holding her in a vice grip. On the one hand, though, she technically did imply that she’d leave him - if not now maybe someday - which was not what she meant. After all, nothing on this green earth could keep her away from him but that didn’t mean she wanted to spend the rest of her life wondering why she wasn’t good enough. If he hadn’t wanted her, trulydidn’t want her, she…
Honestly, she didn’t know what she’d’ve done but that was beside the point. The problem was that Inuyasha didwant her but he was traumatized upon seeing the very visible evidence that once upon a time, when he had no control over his body, he had hurt her. Bad enough to leave a multitude of both visible and apparently invisiblescars. All of which he saw with high definition humans could never hope to achieve.
“You are the most…most beautifulthing I’ve ever seen,” he offered with no lack of desperation - giving her another tight squeeze for good measure, “Believe me. I j-just don’t…what if I lose control? Hurt you again?”
“I…”
“But i-if you really need t-that, -maybe if…if you wore the firerat?” he interrupted awkwardly - his adam’s apple bobbing as he tried to control his emotions and overcome his fear of abandonment, “Should protect you and…and I wouldn’t-“
"Can I talk?” Kagome sighed heavily and she felt Inuyasha flinch. Wilting, he released her and sat back on his heels, his expressive amber eyes screaming defeat and self-loathing. As she tried to think of the right thing to say, she watched him set his jaw to keep it from trembling and square his shoulders like he was bracing for impact. Probably because he was expecting her to hit him in some way - whether it be emotionally or physically.
"I love you and I will neverleave you,“ Kagome started - clearing her throat to move some of the phlegm away from her vocal chords, "I want you to know that…that I forgive you for hurting me those times but…”
Inuyasha’s set jaw twitched and his amber eyes betrayed how he was screaming internally. She shifted in her seat and cleared her throat again.
“But I want you to love me,” she tried lamely before holding a hand up when he immediately tried to speak, “In every way. Let me finish.”
Amber eyes watering slightly, Inuyasha nodded curtly and let out a shuddering breath.
“These scars? They are evidence of how much you love me,” Kagome offered and blinking once, Inuyasha furrowed his brow in confusion so she elaborated, “These are proof that you will protect me at all costs. Of a time where you knew you were out of control and with the limited control you did have, you tried to force me away from you. Because you and I both knew I wasn’t going to leave willingly.”
Not seemingly entirely convinced, Inuyasha merely nodded weakly and waited for her to continue.
“Iknow hurting me is your worst fear,” Kagome sighed as she reached out and cupped his cheek - smiling softly when he leaned into her touch, “Because of that, I know you would neverhurt me. Especially…”
“I could though,” he interrupted - turning his face to nuzzle her palm with a faint whine, “Without meaning to. Doing that…I…something could happen. My fangs and…and claws…”
“I think the fact you’re afraid to hurt me will make you careful enough notto,” Kagome countered - her voice still hoarse from her ugly cry - and Inuyasha’s face crumpled.
“I don’t wantto take that risk,” he whispered miserably, “You don’t understand how..how muchthat scares me. And what about babies? In your time it might be different but here…here it’s…it’s dangerous. I could loseyou.”
Leaning forward to kiss his cheek, Kagome tried to impart her trust and love but instead of feeling more assured, he looked even closer to crying himself.
“Do you even knowhow much you mean to me?” he breathed miserably, “What would I do without you? I just…doing that?Nothingis worth losing you.”
While his words were endearing and touching, they were also annoying. Given how his life had gone thus far, his fears were understandable, sure, but Kagome knew her saying that everything would be fine would fall flat. There was no predicting the future and Inuyasha, for all his aggressive demands that others stay positive, tended to be pessimistic when it came to himself. That, however, was mostly a self-esteem issue.
“If it really scares you that much, there are other things we could do. Less risky things,” Kagome finally offered and reaching up to rub at his eye, Inuyasha sighed heavily as he waited for her to explain, “If you wanted.”
A long moment of silence followed before curiosity - and frankly repressed lust for his half-naked wife - got the better of him. Despite his fears, not touching her or being touched byher was slowly driving him crazy. Yes, every time he saw the scars it killed whatever confidence he built over time but underneath all the demonic traits and trauma, he was still very much a man who wanted his wife.
“Like what?“
"Lay down and I’ll show you,” Kagome offered - her puffy, blotchy face attempting to be coy. Blushing heavily, Inuyasha chewed his lip for a second before cautiously complying. There was something hypnotizing about his wife in the nude - a fact he’d stubbornly ignored in the name of protecting her - but with her entirely in control, maybe whatever she had in mind would…
Any rational thought fled his mind as Kagome set about demonstrating things he never knew were an option. Her mouth and hands making him forget that he had anything to be afraid of. In no time at all, whatever fears he had were officially wiped from his mind and so it was dawn found two utterly sated and nude individuals sprawled out over the futon.
That was, until amber eyes blinked open and landed squarely on a splattering of bruises on his wife’s neck. For a brief moment, regret and panic flooded his system - especially when his eyes instinctively darted to the parallel scars on her shoulder before he realized exactly how she got those little marks.
And where he’d seen something likethem before.
Worry melting away, a small smirk played on his lips as he reached out and drug his wife closer - secretly proud that he’d managed to give his wife love bites and even better than that? He now felt a little more confident. Love bites were nothing and, in fact, proved his fangs weren’t an issue. The skin hadn’t broken and what was left behind was something even human men left behind.
His soft smile faded as he dipped forward to press a light kiss atop his slumbering wife’s temple and reached up to trace the scars on her arm. As much as the prospect of doing this more both excited him, the thought of children chilled his blood. He wasn’t lying or exaggerating when he said it was dangerous. Women died all the time in childbirth and pregnancy itself was a crapshoot.
Thenagain, Sango had managed to survive having twins and one extraordinarily fat baby boy. Without anyproblems. It couldbe okay and, worst case, if it wasn’t…
Well, there wasalways Sesshomaru.
Wrinkling his nose, Inuyasha sighed heavily and rolled his eyes at himself. Maybe he needed to just take a page out of Kagome’s book and see the good in everything. Have a positive attitude towards life and assume that everything would work out. After all…
How often does someone fall five hundred years into the past just to be with you? That had to be a sign everything was going to be easy from now on, didn’t it? Surely, surelythe gods wouldn’t be cruel enough to play one final joke and take her before her time.
“Good morning,” Kagome mumbled and focusing back, Inuyasha saw two warm blue eyes blinking sluggishly at him. In that moment, he knew, beyond any doubt, that everything was going to be okay.
Allhehad to do was not fuck up the best thing to ever happen to him. Which he had, admittedly, been doing by being the one thing he hated above all others.
Acoward.
“I think I can make it a better one,” he offered then - a heated smirk making an excited smile bloom on his wife’s lips. Sure enough, after a few quick movements, he made it the best morning Kagome had had since falling back into his life.
Summary: Inuyasha probably needs therapy for trauma. Alas there aren’t therapists in the feudal era so cuddles are substituted for Xanax.
Two years in and it was still surreal that Inuyasha not only never slept sitting up but he would actually get annoyed - in his sleep no less - when she wormed out of his hot water bottle body’s hold. This sleeping arrangement was greatfor winter, don’t get her wrong, but in the summer, absolutely not.
And, quite unfortunately, summer was in fullswing right now. During the day, you could actually see the heat waves dancing over the ground and if walking around nude had been an option, Kagome would’ve done just that.
Except, you know, social norms said that was a big ‘no no’ and a very jealous half-demon she was lucky enough to call her husband would drop dead of a stroke were that to happen.
In any case, tonight like so many others, Kagome had moved to sit by the door to get some air and almost immediately Inuyasha began to shift and groan. A part of her felt bad - especially when he began letting out soft whines and rubbing his face along the futon. The muscles on his bare back twitching beneath his sweat glistened skin.
Then, out of nowhere, he startled awake with a panicked gasp.
“No.”
The whisper was hoarse and despairing before he rolled onto his stomach while his hands shot up to press against his neck. Watching his ribs expanded with his audible shuddering breaths, Kagome was already scrambling to stand when, without warning, he went rigid then limp. Both ears swiveling in her direction as he propped up on one elbow and began to glance around.
When those disbelieving amber eyes finally landed on her small figure half-kneeling by the doorframe, his heart absolutely melted behind his eyes and a relieved half-smile graced his lips.
It was a look she’d never witnessed before and just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.
“Don’tscare me like that,” he chuckled warmly as he reached up to rub the crust out of his eyes, “You can’t just leave.”
“I didn’t leave you. I’m still in the house,” Kagome teased as she settled back to sit on her ankles. Something dark and deep danced across his face that he wasn’t quick enough to hide.
“I know that stupid,” he offered tiredly as he slowly sat up and stretched his arms above his head, “Just saying you can’t leave me without sayingsomething.”
“Again,didn’t leave you. Very much here,” Kagome snickered before noticing the way he closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh of what could only be relief.
“I mean, don’t go places at night. Scares me when you’re not here,” Inuyasha mumbled with a faint blush before inhaling sharply and quickly amending, “I mean, shit, you used to get kidnapped constantly and you can be a real idiot. Get hurt falling over a twig or something.”
For the first time in the past two years, Inuyasha appeared to be admitting - in a clearly unintentional way - that being away from her had been hard. That there was a very heartbreaking reason he was so hell bent on keeping her in his arms at night. Not once had he actually said anything more about their separation - other than a flippant ‘knew you’d come back’. Sango had hinted that Inuyasha had struggled to stay positive at times and had straight up disappeared for a month after the well closed but Inuyasha denied he had any problems with their rude separation. That he only disappeared to let people know Naraku had been defeated and the jewel was gone. Who he told he’d never say but that was his story and he stuck to it. Looking back, the reason he probably denied having a hard time was because, by all accounts, Kagome seemed to have carried on with her life and coped with the loss extremely well. She’d graduated from high school. Maintained the life she should’ve had. Meanwhile, Inuyasha…
Inuyasha tried the well every three days and put his life on hold waiting for her to come back. Miroku once mentioned that Inuyasha refused to go on exorcisms that would take longer than an afternoon. Speculated why that had been - something which had earned the poor monk and bump on the backside of his head.
In short, Inuyasha wanted her to believe he’d been fine when things went down. No different than when he insisted he was fine when a literal acid covered hand had pierced his internal organs. While some might chalk that up to him truly having supernatural healing abilities and being emotionally constipated, what it came down to was that he didn’t want people to worry about him and most certainly didn’t want their pity.
“You go on exorcisms without me. All the time. What makes nighttime so different?”Kagome asked slowly as she got to her feet and made her way back over. Inuyasha’s moon illuminated blush deepened and he averted his eyes.
“It’s dark.”
“Okay but you can still see in the….”
“Yeah but……it’s just…when I lost you it was dark,” he interrupted awkwardly- his entire body shying away from her gaze, “In the jewel I mean. Was, ya know, dark.”
As much as she wanted to comfort him, Kagome bit her tongue and waited to see if he was going to continue.
“Dream about it. A lot,” he offered barely above a whisper - clawed elegant fingers gesturing towards his temple, “I’ll wake up and…and get all confused. Think you’re still gone and you being here is the dream. If you’re here…”
Calloused fingers gently rubbed his sternum as he let out a heavy reluctant sigh and sagged.
“If I can feel you, that…that doesn’t happen.”
Kagome’s heart cracked with such ferocity it was within the realm of possibilities that Inuyasha could hear it.
“Oh Inu…”
“But I’m not stupid. I know you don’t like me holding you when it’s like this,” he interrupted with a heavy sigh as he scratched the back of his neck, “It’s hot and shit but m’gunna think of something, okay? Make it better ‘cause I…”
Pausing, Inuyasha tried to figure out a way to put what he needed into words looking more miserable by the second.
“I just can’t do this anymore, ya know?” he attempted with a tired weary sigh while his fingers returned to absently rubbing at his chest, “I need you to be here or else I just…I just can’tokay?”
Heart aching, the urge to hold him and make all the bad memories go away was almost overwhelming.
“Come here.”
Sighing, he shook his head.
“M’okay and you’re not,” he mumbled before laying back down and adjusting himself under the thin sheet, “Imma figure something out. You’ll see.”
“Fine. I’ll come to you then,” Kagome huffed playfully as she crawled over the floorboards and leaned down to nuzzle his jaw - earning herself a happy little hum. She was rewarded in another way as well. He didn’t say those words often and when he did, it made her heart sing.
“Love you,” he sighed contentedly, “Hope you know…”
Inuyasha’s breath caught when she placed a sensual kiss against his throat and moved her fingers to gently stroke his chest. Arching his neck slightly to give her better access, Kagome pulled back just enough to see his lips parting and a look of bliss wash over his face.
“I’m never going anywhere ever again,” she soothed as she dipped her mouth back and relishing in the way his body began to writhe.
“G-good,” he managed in between soft whimpers and light pants - a muffled moan escaping when her fingers slid down his torso and lightly caressed his bare stomach.
“Fans would be nice. Or maybe a cold bath before bed,” she breathed against the skin where his human ear would be. Half-listening, Inuyasha nodded absently while his hand fisted in the blanket. Kagome’s fingers moved further south and his face contorted in ecstasy. Wiithout further warning, Inuyasha gracefully and effortlessly twisted and pounced.
Time passed much like one might expect for a young married couple until they were both panting for breath and sweatier then they had been…
Albeitmuch more indifferent towards the suffocating humidity and uncomfortable heat. And this time Kagome had no complaints when Inuyasha gently gathered her into his arms and molded his body against hers.
“Love you,” came a masculine mumble as his lips gently caressed her shoulder, “Always.”
“I know.”
A tired snicker and weak nuzzle comprised his affectionate reprimand before his breathing evened out and the arm holding her in place went slack.
For the record, after some trial and error, Inuyasha did figure out how to keep his wife comfortable enough to stay in his arms.
Although…it was kinda weird that she never complained about being too hot ever again.
Summary: A limited yet calculated body snatching incident.
Disclaimer: Here I am. Continuing on my trend of choosing the most random and incorrect interpretation of the prompt.
Letting out a shuddering breath, Inuyasha took an involuntary step back - his entire body trembling as the world crashed down on him. In the span of thirty seconds, Inuyasha made it through the first four stages of grief then circled back to experience all four at once. Well, save one. Kinda. There was no doubt in his mind that what was just admitted wasn’t true although part of his mind was desperately praying this was a cruel joke.
Because surely, surely the powers had better things to do than continue to find increasingly devastating ways to punish him for existing and execute the people who dare love him.
It would’ve been better for everyone if that arrow in his heart stillpinned his corpse to that tree. Better yet, he wished that at least one of the people who’d tried to kill him over the years had been successful. He’d even take being held prisoner and someone inflicting excruciating never ending torture at this point. Having a limb amputated. Getting his eyes gouged out or being mutilated in any number of ways. Anything other than this.
“W-why?”
The woman who had stolen Kagome’s face sighed and held her hands up in surrender. She arrived mere minutes before announcing that there had been a ‘complication that needed addressing’. Inuyasha immediately knew something was wrong - his miko would never talk so formally- and was just about to start his interrogation when Kikyo made that unnecessary by admitting, out loud, that she was inhabiting Kagome’s body. The second that sound hit his ears his heart withered up and died. Yet again he was the reason Kagome got hurt. A catalyst for unimaginable suffering. He might as well have killed her himself…
A painful sounding gasp for air escaped him as he struggled to cope with the latest and most horrific thing that had ever happened in the history of shitty things. Every part of his being spasmed and despite his best efforts, his mind was splintering.
“Inuyasha-“
Trailing off when the half-demon furiously shook his head and seemed to be struggling to breathe, the formerly undead miko glanced anxiously around at the rest of the motley crew who seemed eager to kill her yet reluctant to do so.
“I-is she alive?” Inuyasha finally managed to choke out - his face pale and a cold sweat breaking out over his forehead, “O-or…”
“She is inhabiting my body. I did not put her there,” Kikyo offered slowly - feeling rather strange to use a voice that did not belong to her, “Please understand. She must not be allowed to come near us. I cannot control-“
“Andwhyisthat?”
This time it was the slayer who asked the question and the almost tangible venom chilled Kikyo’s borrowed blood.
“Our soul wants to reunite and become whole once more. It has always been this way,” she replied in as calm a tone as she could muster, “My hatred and determination allowed me to resist the urge. The unfinished business I held in what was lest in my heart enough to keep my soul-“
Inuyasha flinched and she amended.
“To keep the piece ofKagome’ssoul within my vessel. However, Kagome has no darkness in her heart. That purity-“
“She does,” Inuyasha managed to get out - just loud enough for the others to hear - as one hand reached up to dig into scalp, “B-because of me. This i-is my fault.”
“If true, then she has a chance,” Kikyo offered awkwardly yet in a seemingly reassuring manner, “But Inuyasha, anyone with eyes knows she loves you. I doubt that love tainted her in-“
“No. No,” Inuyasha breathed painfully before shaking his head and looking desperately into the trees, “I n-need to find her. I gotta go. I s-should g-go.”
“I agree,” Kikyo offered before blushing and absently pulling at the obscenely short skirt, “But be warned. What you find may not be what you expect. That existence is strange.”
“If she c-can save me, I c-can save her,” Inuyasha breathed infinitely less confident than he felt as he began clumsily walking forward, “I n-need you guys to watch her body, o-okay?”
As his friends nodded, Inuyasha took off - his mind filled with static and panic frankly clouding his judgment.
This was all his fault. All his fault.
There weren’t words adequate to describe the sheer panic and despair coursing through Inuyasha’s veins as he raced through the trees. The cherry on top was naturally the all too familiar crushing guilt. The knowing that whatever was happening was entirely his fault. Kagome was dying and/or dead because he didn’t have the balls to end things with his cold undead bitch of an ex. His actions hadn’t been noble. If anything, his mindless devotion was straight up suicidalandpatheticallysad.
And now Kagome was the one paying the ultimate price for his failures. Probably, no definitely, alone and believing he wouldn’t even know it wasn’t her. Or worse, that he did know and went along with Kikyo’s sadistic plan because of aforementioned mindless devotion.
Sure, before now, abandoning Kikyo wasn’t even an option. Never once crossed his mind. They had a history and he had loved her. It wasn’t her fault that she was brought back in such an unnatural way and he thought there might be still time to save her. And…well, okay, so he hoped they could get back together. But that last bit was only for a little while and then, once the trauma subsided, he slowly realized that who he wanted to be with was Kagome. Which came with its own issues. Did he only like Kagome because she was Kikyo’s reincarnation? Should he take a chance on someone who was definitely going to leave - whether by choice or grand design? Was he really that pathetic that he fell for any woman who was nice to him? So many questions. Very few answers.
But one thing was certain. Clearer than ever even. He loved Kagome. He loved her. Whatever he thought he’d had with Kikyo paled in comparison. He’d come off relatively unscathed from how things ended with Kikyo. Traumatized, yes, and shamefully pathetic but he could still function. He was still largely okay. Could breathe.
If he lost Kagome…
Just thinking about that possibility made his heart start skipping beats and stole the oxygen straight from his lungs. The second Kagome died, he’d follow soon after. One way or another.
Catching the fading scent of graveyard soil, Inuyasha instantly changed direction and increased his speed. His heart pounding faster than his feet were hitting the ground.
The stupid bitch probably wasn’t even taking on souls so he’d have more time to find her and undo what had been done. Every second away from her made it infinitely more possible she’d die without ever even knowing…
She probably thought he was in on this. That he’d wanted this. That he…
“Kagome!?” Inuyasha screamed desperately as he slid to a halt and glanced around the open clearing that reeked of graveyard soil. She was just here. He’d been so close but she left. She left…
“KAGOME?! Come back! I knowits you! Please come back to me! Please.Please?!”
Honestly? She should’ve seen this coming. Kikyo had had issues with her since the moment that cold undead bitch woke up in a false body. Up until now, Kagome had refrained from calling Kikyo names or being anything other than hurt by the situation but now? Look, it was one thing to try to kill her. Murder attempts and manipulated tactics she could handle. Those types of things were so commonplace that they almost were predictable at this point. But somehow switching bodies with her? Yeah. No. Too far Kikyo. Too far.
To be honest, Kagome didn’t even know what hurt her the most. That her consciousness had been rudely torn from her body or the fact that two days gone by without Inuyasha noticing. Their friends too seemed completely oblivious. Either Kikyo was the best actress in the world (doubtful) or her friends didn’t know her at all or, worst of all, they didn’t care.
What made all of this so much more mind boggling was that they were maybe a week out from the waterfall incident when she’d saved Kikyo on that fateful day. Stuffed to the brim with miasma, Kikyo would have crumpled into ash without that intervention. And Inuyasha…Inuyasha had actually stayed…
Maybethat was the straw that broke Kikyo’s back. Inuyasha didn’t go to her. A sign that he’d actually moved on. Reality was that he was just trying to be overly nice because she maybe might have said she hated him and that impulsive outburst had hurt. It has just kinda slipped out after an emotional rollercoaster of a day. Kagome barely remembered saying it at all but she must have given Inuyasha’s behavior.
In any case, there were still some things in the newly undead miko’s control. Refusing to take in souls for one. While Kikyo might not have had a problem eating someone’s life force, it bothered Kagome immensely. After all, she was literally a reincarnation and the logical consequence of devouring a soul would be ending a chain of reincarnation. She couldn’t do it. Not today. Not ever.
And, of course, she could go wherever she wanted with speed her normal body could never match. She’d learned very quickly and very painfully what happened if she got too close to her former body. Even from relatively far away, Kikyo pulled on some invisible leash and tried to rip the soul piece straight out of her chest.
She ran. As far and as fast as she could because if she was going to go out, she was going out on her ownterms.
“There are only so many ways to tell the truth. This was notmy doing,” a very annoyed and aloof Kikyo sighed in her reincarnation’s voice, “What would I gain by doing so?”
“Oh let’s see, shall we? Second chance with Inuyasha? Destroy us from the inside? Oh, just to be evil?” Sango snapped bitterly - glancing up from sharpening her sword with a hateful glare, “Why should we believe anythingyou have to say?”
“If that is true, why would I inform you for the transference? There has been no deceit and I have not onceattempted to leave,” Kikyo huffed exasperatedly, “Much has changed. If youdo not believe me, that is yourissue.”
As the slayer continued letting out every bad thought she’d ever had where Kikyo was concerned, Miroku and Kaede sat together. Each of them deep in thought. It had been two days since a very panicked and heartbroken Inuyasha had rushed after Kagome. An action that should’ve garnered a negative and extreme reaction from the long dead Kikyo who honestly had been very cooperative. Given her rampaging and questionable decision making since her rebirth, this behavior did lend credence to her assertion that this was not her fault and her admission that she’d forgiven Inuyasha. Was willing to let him live with her reincarnation and would seek to hurt him no longer. ‘Twas the waterfall incident that changed her outlook. Allegedly, of course.
But the question still lingered. How was this possible?
“Did ye have any encounters with Naraku? Or one of his incarnations, perhaps?” Kaede finally spoke and somewhat startled by the calm tone, Kikyo glanced up at her sister.
“Not that I recall. That does not mean I have ruled him out as a suspect,” Kikyo offered quietly, “In fact, he is my primary one. Kagome will most likely allow my body to die whereas I am much more vulnerable in a mortal form. The miasma he exposed me to would have disintegrated human flesh.”
“True. And I doubt he would have expected you to admit outright you were not Kagome,” Miroku offered thoughtfully - his jaw setting then resetting, “There is also the added benefit that having to resolve this issue would cause a delay in our mission.”
Kikyo nodded once before looking down at the hands in her lap.
“Onigumo was in love with you,” Kaede commented with a bemused sigh as she got to her feet in a very elderly style, “Perhaps the second chance he wanted was to live with you as man and wife.”
Kikyo made a face that could only be described as disgust. Sango and Miroku exchanged a strange glance at the unexpected showing of emotion. Kikyo was notoriously stoic but this was a very visceral reaction. Maybe, just maybe, being in a clay body repressed her natural state of being. What that meant for Kagome they had no clue…
“That will neverhappen.”
“Then why did you team up with him before?” Sango snapped - still very much wanting to believe that Kikyo was the ultimate mastermind behind this horrible turn of events and disliking any suggestion that she was mistaken.
“Arrogance? Rage? Bitterness? Hatred?” Kikyo offered before sighing heavily and pushing the wild hair away from her face, “I could no more explain my state of mind than control the sun. That existence is strange…”
“And what about Inuyasha?” Sango challenged again - holding her sword out by the hilt as though daring the undead priestess to say the wrong thing, “What about him?”
“Inuyasha deserves…” Kikyo began before cutting herself off short and averting her eyes, “A great deal. Kagome…Kagome is worthy of him and therefore I am content.”
Scoffing in disgust, Sango lolled her head to give a skeptical glare at Miroku who seemed both unsure and yet hopeful.
“Worthyof him?” Kaede repeated.
Kikyo nodded - her eyes downcast while she played with her hands.
“Yes. Kagome loves him. Unconditionally. I would call that worthy,” she offered quietly, “And Inuyasha loves her, even if he refuses to acknowledge it. If I had not admitted outright that I was not my reincarnation, I have full faith that he would have realized quite quickly that something was wrong.”
Making a face, the undead priestess laughed softly, “His faith in his friends is also awe-inspiring. There was no doubt behind his agreement when you offered to protect this body.”
Sango huffed.
“Wewouldneverbetray him,” she spat acidly, “Unlike somepeople we know.”
A sad smile and a nod of agreement.
“I am aware.”
A tense silence permeated the hut.
“There has to be some way to undo this. A key of some kind,” Miroku sighed heavily as he got to his feet and brushed himself off, “Perhaps Mushin will know more.”
“You want us to travelwith her?” Sango scoffed in disbelief, “Are you insane?”
Giving the slayer a patient look, Miroku adjusted the beads around his wrist and raised an eyebrow in silent challenge.
“Do you have any betterideas?”
“No but-”
“Then to Mushin’s temple we go.”
Kagura had to admit that Naraku’s latest plot was surprisingly fool proof. Playing into Inuyasha’s indecisiveness where the two mikos were involved, it would undoubtedly delay the group while also getting rid of the biggest threat to Naraku’s existence. Part of what made Kagome so formidable was the lack of darkness in her heart - save one infinitesimal stain - and Kikyo seemed to survive every attack thrown at her. By switching their consciousness, one or both would be destroyed. Inuyasha picks Kikyo? Kagome is eradicated from the world and the clay body is no more. Better yet, the misfit group of mercenaries become divided and broken since his friends’ would never forgive him. Those bastards on their own comprised much less of a threat individually and Naraku’s victory would be sealed. Inuyasha picks Kagome? Kikyo is eradicated from the world and the clay body is no more. Inuyasha is devastated and likely will drive everyone away out of guilt. Kagome’s soul would have been tainted by the exposure to evil and as a result, would become a less formidable opponent.
In short, Naraku comes out victorious on his side quest to punish the undead miko for not returning his creepy, disturbing feelings for her. After all, who wouldn’t want to be with Naraku? Other than every woman in all of existence.
That all being said, Kagura had to admit that the switching of bodies was an impressive feat. First of its kind even. And with all the terms and conditions tagged on top of it? After everything Naraku had done to date, this might very well be his masterpiece.
Assuming, of course, that Inuyasha actually made a decision. Based on his track record and from what the wind sorceress knew of the parties involved, a satisfying victory seemed highly unlikely. If she had to guess, Kagome would end up starving herself to death and Kikyo would live to see another day before the half-demon had any say in the matter.
Not that it actually mattered. No matter whichway this went, Naraku won.
“Why are you here?” came a familiar voice with all the familiar acid but there was something different about those familiar eyes that hit something deep inside of the half-demon. It was the damnedest thing. Normally whenever he met with Kikyo, he felt hollow. Numb even. The echo of love he had once felt growing more faint with each meeting.
Butthese eyes? For the first time in the past four days, he could breathe again and relief washed over him in waves.
“I came for you.”
A condescending scoff.
“Hate to break it to ya but-”
“Iknow who you are, Kagome. I’m not an idiot,” Inuyasha snapped a little desperately, “I’ve been looking for you everywhere! I came to bring youhome.”
That clay body went rigid as she slowly turned to face him.
“You know-“
“I promised I wouldn’t leave you again, didn’t I?” Inuyasha tried – his voice shaking as he uncharacteristically rubbed at his upper arm, “So…”
“Ican’t go back,” Kagome interrupted bluntly before a little anger and bitterness seeped into her voice, “Your little girlfriend tries to take my soul anytime I go near her.”
”Then I’ll stay with you,” Inuyasha countered – his eyes betraying his internal screaming, “I will. We can figure this out together. Just listen-“
“Why should I listen to anything you have to say? Haven’t you gotten what you wanted?” Kagome hissed acidly and with a very pronounced flinch, the anguish in Inuyasha’s gaze increased ten fold. The situation was escalating quickly and in the worst possible way. Maybe this was what Kikyo meant by her cryptic warning.
“No.Never. I-I-“
“From the day I met you, you’ve been her dog. Hers. Going on and on about how much you loved her. You always talked down to me. Insulted me. Told me I’d never compare to the great murderousbitch! She tried to kill me and you fucking stood there and did nothing! Don’t tell me this isn’t what you wanted!” Kagome snarled angrily and fighting against the urge to react with anger, Inuyasha’s eyebrows shot straight into his bangs at the accusation. And her language. Opening his mouth to respond but couldn’t find the oxygen to form words. Instead, he simply shook his head as he swallowed repeatedly and his mouth moved in an effort to find his voice.
“I w-want you. I n-needyou,” he finally managed - his voice strangely high pitched and faint, “Don’t you k-know that? I’d n-never wantthis.”
Setting her jaw, Kagome gave him a withering glare that made him feel very small and fragile.
“J-just let me stay,” he added barely above a whisper as he took a hesitant yet involuntary step forward, “I-I can’t-“
“Why would I let some half-breedhang around, huh?” Kagome snapped and Inuyasha flinched at the insult but took another step forward.
“Y-you go. I-I’ll follow. No m-matter how long-“
“Don’t waste your breath. I’m not your problem anymore. I’m not waiting around to…to eat people just to live another day,” Kagome spat hatefully - feeling more alive seeing him in painthan she had in the past two days.
“You’re really not taking in souls?” Inuyasha breathed anxiously – fear blossoming behind his eyes, “But…but you’ll die.”
“Alreadydead.Thanks for noticing,” Kagome snapped before spinning on her heel and preparing to march off. It was strange how the only emotions she could feel anymore were negative ones she usually ignored. Every ounce of hate, bitterness, rage, or depression coming out to play. There wasn’t even any pity for the broken looking man standing in front of her. No love or affection or anything she normally felt.
And when she fought against the negativity…
Just emptiness…
“Stop.Please?” Inuyasha managed to choke out when Kagome turned to leave – his feet moving on their own accord with his hand outstretched, “I-I…I won’t make you take in souls. I won’t. But don’t leave me.”
Kagome paused and tried to take a calming breath only to be reminded she didn’t breatheanymore.
“I have no-“
“I-I can’t do this without you,” he interrupted miserably as he continued stumbling forward, “We can fix this and…and…”
“Oh-ho you can do this without me. Have your pretty little body snatcher find the jewel-“
It was that comment that bubbled his pain and rage to the point where words finallyandthankfullycame.
“JUST SHUT UP!” Inuyasha screamed –every bit of pain he’d managed to stomp down making the sound chilling, “DON’T YOU GET IT?!DAMMITI NEED YOU! YOU’RE EVERYTHING TO ME! FROM SUN UP TO SUN DOWN, ALL I THINK ABOUT IS YOU ANYMORE! I FUCKING LOVE YOU! YOU HEAR ME?! I LOVE…”
Mere seconds after Inuyasha verbalized his love, several things happened in quick succession. The remaining souls burst free. Kagome crumpled to her knees. Numerous cracks appeared and the clay vessel began crumpling to ash.
“No.No!NO!”
No amount of screams, however ardent, could stop the horrifying sight. There wasn’t even time to properly react although there was plenty of anguish behind the two pairs of eyes.
A choked strangled sound escaped him as he shakily made his way over to the pile where the false body had once been before kneeling down and mindlessly collecting the ash into his hands. The dust cascaded through his fingers like water through a sieve.
“C-come b-back,” Inuyasha managed in between great heaving sobs – the sounds of his heart shattering making the world around him go still, “P-Please. I…I…I’ll f-f-fix t-this…I-I can’t…”
The rain pooled in small puddles around his body but Inuyasha didn’t have the desire to move. So, he remained where he’d been for the last two days – laying on his side in a fetal position unwilling to leave the last place Kagome had been. Moving would mean he had decided to keep living and, at the moment, he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Seemed like anytime he got involved in someone’s life they came off worse for it. Mother. Kikyo…
Kagome…
A choked sob escaped him as his legs drew up and he pressed his clasped hands against his chest. There was hardly anything in between them anymore and he knew it, but he didn’t dare confirm that fact visually. He’d had such dreams and hopes for the future. Plans even. Not that he ever told her what he wanted. Up until the moment she left this world, Kagome thought he loved Kikyo. If he had one regret, it was that he never…
Maybe it was the fact that he’d admitted he loved her out loud that killed her. Based on his experience, that logic followed. Every god damn time he loved someone they wound up dead. Usually, it was his fault too. Mother got sick but no one gave her medicine because she’d birthed a half-breed. Kikyo got murdered in some convolved plot because how dare she love him. Kagome…
A painful sounding whine escaped him as he turned his face onto the ground where she’d once stood. With devastating ease, he could almost hear her voice telling him it was okay. Smell her comforting scent. Feel her hands brushing the hair away from his face.
Amber eyes sluggishly blinked open upon the realization that someone was petting his face and talking to him above the torrential rain.
“F-fuckoff Kikyo,” Inuyasha managed to choke out as he rolled away from the face that should’ve belonged to the woman he loved, “Y-you w-won. L-leave me a-alone…”
A heavily sigh before the most unwanted action in the world occurred. The bitch straight up laid down next to him and wrapped her arms around his chest.
“G-getoff me,” Inuyasha half-sobbed – rolling again and lashing out with his foot. A foot that blindly and thankfully missed its target. It was then and only then that Inuyasha heard an awkward cough which brought his mind to a screeching halt.
Hazy amber eyes blinked away the rain and tears as they searched the girl’s face for some sign that all hope wasn’t lost. Was it fucked up that he didn’t even care that Kikyo would be gone if Kagome was back in her body? That was fucked up, right? Unfortunately, Inuyasha didn’t have the energy to sort through that strange reaction or even what he was seeing.
Because it was very clearly Kagome behind those mournful sapphire eyes – the love and affection and sympathy allher.
A heart wrenching sob tinged with hope and longing escaped at the sight.
“‘Gome?” Inuyasha whined miserably – his hands pressing together tightly just over his heart, “C-can’t b-be…”
“Then question me until you’re sure ,” the woman murmured – her hand reaching out to gently stroke his cheek. The feel of her skin was heavenly, and any will Inuyasha had to push those fingers away was vanquished. If it was her, a small part of him hoped she’d mistake the tears running down his cheeks for rain.
Slowly shaking his head, Inuyasha leaned into her touch and tried to find the will to keep living. Maybe he was already dead and this was the afterlife where she had been waiting for him…
But her waiting for him meant that she hadn’t died hating him. In the end, she hated him and had every right to feel that way. This wasn’t real. Couldn’t be real.
A pathetic whine lodged in his throat.
“I’m sorry for what I said, okay?” the most soothing voice offered quietly - her hand gently pushing his damp bangs off his face before returning to gently stroke his cheek, “I’m so sorry. I love you so, so much. You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. Don’t you believe one thing I said. You understand?”
Jaw trembling, Inuyasha sluggishly shook his head. This had to be a trick. Kagome was gone because he had been too weak. Because he had failed her in every possible way. On everyfront.
Why wouldn’t a heart stop beating when you wanted it to?
“I l-loved h-her,” he whispered brokenly– his voice hoarse and despairing, “And s-she hated me.”
It was a strange statement to make given the circumstance but it was the only thing he could think to say.
“No. No I have never hated you,” the painful voice whispered, “I love you. So much.”
Watery amber yes opened slowly - agony and grief swirling in their depths.
“Y-you can’t be h-her. S’gone. I-I c-can’t…” he countered miserably - his face crumpling as he looked at her face but refused to meet her eyes.
“I know it seems that way but why don’t I tell you some things that might help?” Kagome offered before running the back of her hand across his cheek. Inuyasha’s face crumpled as he gave a single weak, jerky nod.
“One time you stole a ball off the court during gym class…”
Inuyasha let out a strange sob as he finally raised his gaze to meet hers. Recognition and hope hesitantly appearing behind his eyes.
“Went to the roof and stomped the poor inanimate object to death,” she continued and Inuyasha’s heaving chest faltered, “And once you blew a hole in our kitchen.”
She paused and gave him a strained yet playful smile. A strangled half-smile began playing with his lips.
“Mama told me later the cockroach lived. You didn’t even hitit.”
For the briefest of moments, Inuyasha remained curled in the mud before he weakly scooted forward and pressed his forehead against her damp black hair.
“M’sorry,” he half-sobbed as he dipped forward to press a trembling, desperate kiss atop her temple, “M’sosorry.M’sorry.”
“Shhhh. I’m okay. It’s okay,” she promised as she wrapped one arm around his back and tried to pull him closer – an action he complied with by scooting down and pressing his nose into her chest, “We need to get out of the rain, alright? Can you stand?”
A weak nod and a soft whine was his reply, yet he made no effort to move.
Kagome didn’t make him.
As the rain continued to pour down around them, Inuyasha remained curled up with his head tucked securely under her chin. Her arms held him securely in place while their friends watched on from beneath an umbrella. Of all the scenarios in which they’d wanted Inuyasha to choose their friend, Inuyasha not having a choice never occurred to them. Weirder still, it wasn’t grief for the loss of Kikyothey were witnessing. Over the past year, they had seen what that looked like and while it hadn’t been pretty, it hadn’t been like this. Seeing him this broken over losing Kagome had never even been in the realm of possibilities.
Yet here he was. Broken. Sobbing uncontrollably in both relief and despair. Curled up in a tight little ball within the arms of the woman he very clearly loved more than life itself.
“You’re okay,” Kagome whispered as she gave his trembling body a light squeeze followed by a kiss to his temple, “It’ll be okay.”
The afterlife was a strange place. Dark. Quiet. Yet every once in a while, glimpses of what you left behind on earth would appear. So it was that Kikyo watched the small white orb hovering over her palms. Watched the relief and love playing out on Inuyasha’s face as he buried his nose in her reincarnation’s hair before they settled down for the night. In all the pictures she’d been given over the past several years, he seemed much more open and affectionate than he had been. Happier than he’d ever been yet there was still sadness lingering just below the surface. Regret blooming behind his eyes when he’d tuck strands of hair behind his love’s ear.
Kikyo prayed that regret was not for hersake.
Now that she wasn’t in a vessel which corrupted her soul, it was easier to remember the good times and the love she’d felt for him. The desire to see him happy resurfacing. And he still, on occasion, mourned for her and took the time to rebury the pitiful amount of dust he’d clutched in his palm – even though he would’ve been within his right not to do so. Naraku never once acknowledged his involvement and took that secret to his grave. There had been speculation. In those final moments as a white light burst from within her, Kikyo had tried to explain what she believed was happening but it was drowned out by panicked screams…
Naraku had placed a bet, achieved what he believed was a victory and ultimately was defeated because there was no fury like a man who almost lost everything.On some level, Inuyasha knew what happened was entirely Naraku’s fault and it was his mission in life to prevent anything from happening to his love ever again. His friends though? Especially the slayer…
Hopefully, she could address any misunderstanding in the afterlife or someone else could do that for her. There were a surprising number of people here that had nothing but good things to say about the half-demon and his motley crew. People who were waiting to be reincarnated with those they left behind. A mother and father with brilliant green eyes and foxy grins. They’d told her of the hope to be made an intact family once more. A man and a woman whose features blended together to create the man she once loved. They spoke of wanting to make apologies and visit with their son. A entire throng of people moving en masse led by a strong middle aged man who was unusually kind. They wanted to move on as a unit and were missing three pieces. A strangely dressed, disturbingly young man who she’d met but once. Who had made a comment about how much she resembled his daughter and asked a little too knowingly if they’d ever had the chance to meet. Kikyo never gave him an answer.
There were men, women and children from across time in this place. All with various types of unfinished business. All waiting…watching…
Several individuals she’d encountered asked why she waited. Was she was waiting for someone? A lover? A friend? Who wasit that she wanted to be tied to in her new life? So much so that she resisted the pull that the soul felt in anticipation of being reborn.
“My sister,” she would supply with a sad little smile - her hand absently rubbing her chest, “I’m waiting for my sister.”
The wish to be reborn and given a second chance to be with her sister was ultimately granted. A modern day miko was gifted a feisty little brother. Although it had not been her unfinished business when the time came around, being reunited with Inuyasha was the icing on the cake….
And in Kagome, Inuyasha found happiness.
Knowing that end result was more than enough to soothe whatever unfinished business might have still lingered on.
Summary: Some demons make Inuyasha have an existential crisis which screws up his plans.
Disclaimer: I misunderstood the assignment but it’s too late now.
“Would ya look ah that! Bastard really is domesticated! Look how he came runnin’ when she called!” the spindly ogre cackled and his companions cackled with him, “It gets bettah! He’s got a collar!”
Nostrils flaring, Inuyasha tried his best not to let these weak bastards into his head. They had very clearly drugged Kagome who was groaning in a corner and the bottle of jewel shards was being tossed between the ugliest ogre’s hands. Besides, it wasn’t like they were saying things that weren’t true. No point getting offended.
“I’ll give you one more chance to hand over those shards,” Inuyasha growled out - his hand over his sword and the cackles only grew louder in response, “We can do this the easy way or you can go down hard.”
“Nah. Don’t think so,” a greenish goblin snickered as he held up his palm and the ogre tossed the bottle over, “We ain’t scared of you lil’ half-breed. Heard all about yaso go ahead. Pull out that little sword of yours. Seewhat happens.”
For the first time, Inuyasha had some concerns about the situation and saw the need to tread carefully. If they really had heard of him, if they really knew what he could do, they might’ve taken precautions. Traps even. Maybe Kagome…
“My bitch is gunna kick all your asses,” a third puss-riddled ogre mocked gleefully, “Got a big sword ‘cause he ain’t got no claws. You touch his woman and you’ll be sorry.”
Another demon joined in the general mocking grunts which consisted of variations of the same three points.
Nodding to himself, Inuyasha had to admit her assessment -although not accurately portrayed - was fair but it also left out how thoroughlyhe was going to destroy these evil gremlins. They didn’t actuallyknow what he could do. They were assuminghe’d swing his average sized sword around and hope to hit something.
He smirked.
“Oh-go! Doggy got bite! I like it,” the first and arguably biggest ogre taunted before looking at the drugged miko and gesturing for her to get up, “Come get your bitch girlie. Put him in his place!”
“That does it,” Inuyasha huffed as straightened up and cracked his knuckles, “You chose the hard way.”
“Ohplease. You’re so domestic I bet if she said ‘sit boy’ down you’d go,” the first ugly bastard cackled and Inuyasha’s barely perceptible wince was very unfortunately noticed.
“Hit a nerve there, huh, half-breed? I bet she uses that collar to…”
Whatever disturbingly astute observation the demon was about to make was cut off short by five expert claws and a good amount of panicked screams. Was he soaked in blood? Yes. Did Inuyasha care that he exacted vengeance? Yes but only because it was satisfying and he enjoyed doing it.
“Stupid bastards. What do you know?” Inuyasha sniffed hatefully as he wiped the gelatinous blood off his face with one hand and flicked it onto the floor. Sadly, Inuyasha would admit they knew quite a lot given the small amount of time they’d known of his existence. Pretty much pinned down their dynamic for one. Servant and master. Kagome called all the shots and they both knew it. That putrid ogre was right in other ways too. All she had to say was sit and he’d grovel at her feet without a choice in the matter and…
Letting out a shuddering sigh, Inuyasha rolled his shoulders and turned to collect the irritating woman. A woman who honestly wasn’t all that irritating. Truth be told, he liked when someone else was in control. She fed him and took care of his injuries and controlled the schedule. Sure…there were elements of their relationship that would make outside observers think he was a pet but…
Clearing his throat, Inuyasha tried to dismiss that thought as quickly as it came. Kagome did not see him as a pet and if she did, she had very strange ideas about what people did with pets. Yeah, people…people lovedon their pets but they weren’t in love with them. Not that Kagome was inlove with him or anything but she didfind him attractive if her scent was any indication. One thing he did know was that most people did not want to fuck their dogs.
Or did they? They… didn’t, right? No. No they didn’t. He was being stupid. Letting those assholes get inside his head.
Wrinkling his nose at the highly disturbing thought, Inuyasha knelt down and scooped up the clearly drugged miko. That was the thing. He didn’t used to be domesticated. Even before mother had died, he’d held his own and only held back because he was a good son - something that he was secretly very proud of being. Point being, it didn’t matter that his mother had been human. He was strong and arguably one of the most powerful demons alive today. He lived on his own most of his life. Ate mud and tree bark and anything he could get his hands on when times got rough. He slept outside in the rain. Killed more than a few humans and demons in his day. When it came to survival, he could run circles around those whiny bastards.
But…he didn’t like it. Those years of survival felt shameful to the point where he never mentioned it and he’d be the first to admit the lifestyle was miserable. He liked that Kagome took care of him and loved on him. He liked that she brought him treats and cleaned up his injuries. Sleeping indoors by a fire was heavenly. Taking baths regularly made all the difference in the world. Those times she brushed his hair nearly made him purr and holding her against him was the best part of his day. It was just…truth was that he liked…
Beingdomesticated.
Inuyasha’s ears wilted as he walked towards a small clearing where he could better inspect her for injury.
Even if there were conditions, being with people was better than a being alone. Sure, “bad” behavior was punished but that wasn’t just a petthing. Humans got punished for doing bad things too. Like going to see Kikyo. Eating what he shouldn’t. Speaking his mind. All of those could earn him a sit or some very disappointed glares but, by that same token, Miroku couldn’t grope women without getting slapped. If you wanted to live in society, there were rules. Living by rules was literally the golden rule.
That was just how things were.
“Hey. I’m gunna set you down, alright?” Inuyasha whispered quietly - earning a soft groan as Kagome tried to melt into his hold, “It’s okay. I’m right here. I just gotta check you out. Make sure you’re not hurt.”
A weak nod and a tired sigh. The examination started easily enough. Kagome was so wiped by whatever they did that she didn’t fight to preserve her modesty - despite the fact that they’d both seen what each had to offer - and so the inspection went by relatively quickly. Now came the hard part. Getting her to form words. Inuyasha could tell by scent alone that she hadn’t been poisoned, merely doped, but how the substance was introduced was still a mystery. Drinking seemed most likely since there wasn’t an injection point and no residue on her clothes but how did they managed to force such a thing down her throat?
“They called you domestic,” Kagome mumbled drunkenly as her eyes fluttered but failed to open, “‘Cause I called for you. S’weird.”
“They just mean I stay with humans. That’s all,” Inuyasha soothed while gently stroking her hair - figuring a half-truth was better than no truth, “Its way more weird for you to bring that up. Now. What did they give you?”
“Hm?”
Inuyasha smiled at the way she wiggled to give him better access and leaned into his touch.
“You like that, huh?”
A faint nod and content sigh. Letting out a shuddering sigh, Inuyasha continued gently running his fingers through her hair - his eyes glazing over for a moment as he allowed himself to dream.
“Did they make you drink anything?” he asked finally as he sat down crossed legged and gently pulled her head into his lap, “Water? Tea?”
Licking her lips, Kagome made a face that he supposed signaled that she didn’t remember. He ran the back of his fingers down her flushed cheek and any anxiety in her expression melted away into bliss.
“Made a lot of dog puns,” Kagome slurred randomly - rolling onto her side and burying her face into his knee, “Uncool.”
“Yeah, yeah but I need you to try and remember what they gave you,” Inuyasha laughed softly- his claws playing with tendrils of her hair, “Anythingat all that you can remember.”
“Fuzzy. Tied me down,” she offered as she curled her arm around his leg and amber eyes flicked towards the rope burns with a scowl, “Wine maybe? Bitter grape juice taste.”
“Okay. That’s good. Anything else?” he asked quietly before realizing that the miko had passed out and he was now trapped. There had been very few times she’d fallen asleep on him and the experience had always been one he cherished. There was something about someone trusting you enough to be that vulnerable. I mean, sure, she was drunk but she’d fallen asleep on him plenty of times when she wasn’t…
Her fingers twitched across his thigh and Inuyasha let out a content hum. Here was the thing. Yeah, maybe she saw him as her pet or even a friend but he’d rather live like this than spend another second alone. In fact, he probably wouldn’t even survive if he was forced back into that lifestyle. In only good ways, Kagome had broken him.
And he loved her for that.
The woman in question suddenly reached up to tug on his sleeve and began trying to inch worm her way up his lap.
“What’re you trying to do?” Inuyasha snickered which made the miko pout.
“I want cuddles.”
At the extremely random and unusual statement, Inuyasha snorted but didn’t otherwise react. Her pout deepened.
“Inuyasha…”
Inuyasha didn’t miss a beat as he smirked and teased back.
“Kagome…”
“I’ll give you kisses,” she mumbled tiredly as she once again tugged on his sleeve. Any amusement Inuyasha found in the situation evaporated.
“You don’t have to do that,” Inuyasha muttered as rested his chin in his palm and glared into the distance, “You’re drunk. Just rest.”
“But I wanna give you kisses,” she whined - her nose diving into his hip making him jump in surprise. He hadn’t even realized she’d gotten that high up and were she in right mind, she’d be mortified.
“W-what else did they say to you, h-huh?” the poor half-demon desperately tried to change the subject and adjust certain parts of him out of the line of fire, “They got f-friends? Plans? A-anything?”
Burying her nose into the much safer ground that was his thigh, Kagome groaned and rolled onto her stomach. Both arms moving to wrap around his waist as she failed to answer his half-assessed questions. Instead…
“Love you,” she breathed as her muscles began to relax. Despite knowing she’d forget - or perhaps becauseshe would- Inuyasha took a deep calming breath and decided to repeat the sentiment. One set of claws lightly massaging her scalp while he rested his chin in his free hand.
“Love you too woman. Love you too.”
‘Twas Shippo who put the pieces together a few days later after Kagome gave Sango a run down of what she could remember while the girls bathed. Inuyasha had been acting a little more subdued than normal. A little more cooperative. Avoided talking to Kagome if he could help it despite the miko going out of her way to get him alone. All of these things were subtle, naturally, and fell beneath almost everyone’s notice but after Inuyasha didn’t take the opportunity to knock him upside the head over a well-timed insult, Shippo knew something was wrong.
Being domesticated was the ultimate insult a demon could throw at another demon. Period. It was probably something Inuyasha had to overcome given that he was raised by humans during his formative years and very likely must have taken him a few years to get into the demon swing of things. That being said, Inuyasha tried very hard to make everyone forget he even had a human half and it wasn’t a secret that he hated that part of himself. Most of the time anyway. Sure, there were times when he didn’t seem to mind mentions of it and once or twice, he’d actually cited his humanity as the reason he never gave up…
After insulting humanity by calling them greedy, selfish bastards but that was beside the point.
That whole…thing wasn’t what bothered Shippo though. What bothered him was that Inuyasha must have heard the insults and made some kind of warped decision about the his life. He was leaning into the idea that he was just a servant or a pet or something which was so insane  Shippo had a hard time believing this was real life. Since when did Inuyasha actually take insults so seriously?
Unless, of course, something else had happened on that fateful day and Inuyasha stupidly decided to give up for some unfathomable reason. Anyone with eyes could tell he loved Kagome. The only rational conclusion that Shippo could imagine was that Inuyasha realized he was domesticated and being domesticated meant he couldn’t return to his former life of roughing it. Because of that, he didn’t want to risk getting rejected. Maybe?
So it was that the little fox kit sauntered over – hands clasped behind his back.
“Ya know, demons call me domesticated too but I don’t care,” Shippo offered casually and Inuyasha immediately reacted. Setting his jaw, the half-demon gave the little demon a withering glare and rolled his eyes.
“What made you bring that up?” Inuyasha huffed knowingly, “Spying again, are we?”
“You’d only know that’s where I got it from if you were spying and heard Kagome talking,” Shippo pointed out and amber eyes narrowed while a faint blush bloomed across his nose.
“What’s your point?”
“I think they’re jealous. The demons who say that,” Shippo continued – lifting one tiny hand to inspect his nails, “We can go anywhere we want. Do anything we want. No consequences.”
Wrinkling his nose, Inuyasha scoffed and shook his head.
“Where’d you get that…”
“I’m serious. Even when Papa was alive, I couldn’t go into villages. Couldn’t go near humans,” the little kit continued, “It was dangerous. Now we get paid by humans. Fed by humans. Housed by humans. All the time. It’s a much easier life.”
“And the demons who say that are…jealous of that?”
“Whowouldn’t want an easier life?”
Chewing the inside of his lip, Inuyasha considered this point of view before wilting and shaking his head.
“There are some things that are still off the table,” Inuyasha mumbled quietly as his eyes subconsciously flicked towards the miko, “Things we can’t do.”
Knowing full well where Inuyasha was going, Shippo rolled his eyes and folded his tiny arms across his chest.
“Tell that to every human girl I’ve courted. Didn’t stop me,” Shippo hummed knowingly, “The only person stopping you from that is you.”
Realizing that Shippo knew exactly what he was talking about, Inuyasha shifted his weight and cleared his throat.
“She…She said she loved me,” the half-demon admitted and Shippo’s little eyebrows shot up into his bangs. Was Inuyasha confidinginhim? Of allpeople?
Aside from this mind blowing turn of events, the world suddenly made sense again. Inuyasha was afraid to rock the boat because he thought Kagome might have meant it and he didn’t want her to change her mind. Or he was avoiding her so she couldn’t say it again. Insecure and stupid as ever, this grown ass man was trying to…
Whatwas he doing? By all accounts, this didn’t make sense and no amount of mental gymnastics seemed to line up with any theory. It’d be one thing if Inuyasha was acting like he normally did after something even mildly romantic happened. Not acknowledging it and pretending it didn’t happen was his go to move. But this time, he was being just plain weird. Could be that he was acknowledging what happened in his own way. Being a ‘good boy’ thinking that would let Kagome know he reciprocated her feelings without having to say it outright. That might be what was happening. His avoidance of Kagome could be his attempt to avoid voicing feelings because god knows this poor man was not good at that.
Or maybe-
Maybe Inuyasha hadn’t realized how ‘domesticated’ he’d become and that was his problem. It was an open secret that Inuyasha had been orphaned and abandoned when he was about five. Had lived in constant survival mode with no stability. That he’d jumped at the chance to throw his strength away and live a normal life. Without a second thought by the sound of things. A lot of his unseemly behavior could be characterized as a trauma response. That explanation didn’t hold water though since the crux of the matter seemed to be Kagome’s love.
Whatwashappeninghere?
Shippo cleared his throat.
“What did you say? To her? What did you say to her?”
Inuyasha’s blush grew darker and he shrugged. Although Shippo was the last person he’d ever consider, there was only one verbal demon in their group that might understand where he was coming from. It didn’t matter if she loved him or not. While nice to hear, being with her wasn’t worth the risk for so many reasons.
First off, the whole Kikyo thing was very much still a thing which meant Kagome could get fed up with him over a situation he prayed every day would just end. After almost a year of uncomfortable encounters and daily fear, he was tired. He was so tired of having to keep track of someone who wasn’t even around. He was tired of subjecting himself to insults and injuries from someone who supposedly loved him at one point. He was tired of having to go and having to stay true to his word where the salvation of the undead miko was involved. But he had nothing to offer anyone except his strength, honor and loyalty. And her rebirth was his fault. If he hadn’t said her name…
Anyway.Movingon.
The second reason his feelings was moot was because he’d fucked up. There were so many agonizing moments burned into his skull that left him internally screaming whenever they raised their ugly heads. Proclaiming he’d chosen Kikyo all those months ago and defending the zombie woman when she did very clearly bad -arguably evil - things. Like almost killing Kagome. Several times in fact. Despite this, there his dumbass always went running after Kikyo and putting everyone’s lives at risk. An insane impulse and a deranged one seeing as how it was increasingly more obvious that Kikyo didn’t care what happened. Hate and love seemed related but the opposite of love wasn’t hate. It was indifference and everything anymore pointed to Kikyo being indifferent towards him. But there was no way out. He was ruining his own life for someone who didn’t care whether he lived or died.
Well. She wasn’t alwaysindifferent.She did love hurting him and, at first, he lived in some fantasy world where Kikyo could do no wrong. Even if she was completely honest about what had happened. Example after example of how shitty and delusional he’d been played out every night before bed. Like asking Kagome if Kikyo hurt her that fateful day with the creepy vines. That had to be the most intentionally ignorant thing he’d ever done. Kagome had vine shaped welts on her neck and legs. Kikyo straight up admitted she’d tried to kill her competition. And whatdidhe do after hearing the confession and seeing the evidence?
‘DiD sHe HuRt YoU?’
What a joke…
Those damning strikes aside, the problem with Kagome was that she was from five hundred years in the future. It was inevitable that the well would close and she’d be on the other side. The slayer and the monk would have an obscene number of babies while rebuilding the demon slayer’s village. Kaede was old as shit and would die any day now. Shippo had the fox demon temple and wasn’t going to stick around just to be Inuyasha’s plus one. Which meant he’d be alone all over again and after living a life of luxury, his chances of survival were slim to none. He’d been domesticated without even realizing it’d happened and now he was screwed.
“She didn’t really mean it,” Inuyasha sighed then, “Was the booze talk-“
“I bet you…” Shippo quickly looked around searching for something enticing before seemingly giving up, “I bet you all my candy that if you went up and told her you loved her…Or even just say that she was pretty or something overly nice, she’d say it again.”
Inuyasha snorted.
“You’re full of shit.”
A second passed then two.
“Fine then.”
Inuyasha’s eyes widened as he realized what was going to happen a second too late.
“Imma tell her,” Shippo blurted before turning on his tail and running as fast as he could towards the miko. A miko who turned to the sight of a very amused kit and a horrified half-demon scrambling after him.
“What are you two doing?”
“Inuyasha said he loves-” Shippo started before a large clawed hand slapped across his mouth. Fairly certain that she understood what that word was supposed to be and not able to think of a single other reason Inuyasha would be this panicked, Kagome smiled. She might’ve been high as balls a few days ago but she’d been fairly certain she’d heard the half-demon confess something that sounded quite a lot like ‘I love you.’ These past several days she’d tried to look for signs that he’d said something of that nature. Tried to create situations that would allow him a private moment to get his thoughts together. Which…had kind of had the effect she wanted? Inuyasha had been unusually pleasant since the kidnapping incident and more than once, she’d caught him looking at her with a warm melting look that he quickly masked upon his gaze being discovered. The only weird thing was that he’d been avoiding her. And that he’d apparently turned to Shippo to voice his concerns? Had confessing his love broken him somehow?
“Inuyasha… loves…what?”
“Ramen. I love ramen. Makesome,” Inuyasha blurted before rushing off with the restrained kit in tow. Much to Inuyasha’s sheer panic, Kagome followed behind.
“Go away bitch!”
“No,” Kagome hummed – purposefully ignoring the insult and continuing to follow after Inuyasha’s uncharacteristically clumsy form.
“This doesn’t involveyou!”
“I think it does,” she countered knowingly and Inuyasha went rigid. Slowly, so slowly he turned to face her with the bemused kit still captured against his stomach.
“Doesn’t…”
“I think I might’ve just heard what you love. So why don’t you let Shippo go so you and I can talk,” she offered sweetly and Inuyasha looked like he hoped someone would kill him.
“No.”
Kagome wrinkled her nose and gave the terrified half-demon an affectionate yet stern look, “Yes.”
An awkwardly long period of time passed before Shippo has enough of the awkwardness and bit Inuyasha’s fingers with all his tiny might.
“OH YOU LITTLESHIT!” Inuyasha hissed as he shook his bleeding hand and tried to get the kit to release , “THE HELLISWRONG WITH YOU!?”
Letting go, Shippo wiped the blood off his mouth before gracefully landing and scurrying away before Inuyasha could catch him. That wasn’t to say that Inuyasha remained standing before Kagome ike a man at an executioner’s block nor did he use the excellent opportunity to chase the kit as a reason to return to camp.
Nope. He turned tail and ran like a fugitive who just escaped from jail. Tried being the operative word because, as the ogre had guessed so accurately, all it took was one ‘sit boy’ to bring him down.
“Why are you running?”
Pushing himself up onto all fours, Inuyasha desperately fought against the spell in his terror induced desire to not have this conversation. For so many reasons. She knew. And he knew she knew and…and…
Fuck. She knew.
“Go away.”
“But I have a secret,” Kagome hummed and with a heavy sigh, Inuyasha seemingly gave up on escaping and allowed the spell to slam him to the ground. With irritating levels of casualness, Kagome sauntered up to where Inuyasha lay face down in the dirt trying to steel himself against the incoming bad news. She knelt down and gently scratched the base of one ear, “Can I tell you?”
“N-no.”
“I’m going to tell you anyway,” Kagome informed him and despite the positivity in her tone, Inuyasha flinched. Letting out a weary sigh at the reaction, the miko cleared her throat and went ahead, “I love you. Do with that what you will.”
The world around them went still and quiet. Even the crickets forgot to chirp and the birds refrained from singing. Or, at least, that’s how Inuyasha with his normally heightened senses perceived existence to be. All he could hear was Kagome’s steady heart rate which proved she wasn’t lying. All he could feel was her fingers gently stroking his ear.
“I wasn’t that drunk,” she added suddenly for good measure, “I know you love me too. Don’t deny it.”
A second went by then two before Inuyasha made the most miserable sound she had ever heard in her life before he used the second.
“Doesn’t matter.”
As Inuyasha pulled his arms and legs up with his forehead still planted on the ground, Kagome’s eyelids fluttered slightly at the unexpected response.
“Wha-“
“It.Doesn’t.Matter.”
“What are you talking about? Of course it does,” Kagome teased and Inuyasha’s hands balled into fists that he curled around his neck.
“No. It doesn’t.”
“I disa-“
“Don’t you get it? They’ll kill you. Dead. Gone. You think I go to Kikyo ‘cause I’m that pathetic?” Inuyasha snapped hoarsely, “You think t-that I just forgot the times you’ve k-kissed me? That I d-didn’t want-“
Paling slightly at his ardent explanation, Kagome’s mind caught up just in time to interrupt his outburst.
“Inu-“
“No. Just shut up and g-go.”
“Why don’t you want to talk about this?”
“Do you not understand what ‘go’ means?”
“We need to talk about this.”
“No.”
“Well I’m going to stay right-“
“I’m not s-strong enough, okay? I’m not so drop it,” he finally mumbled – his voice thick and hoarse while his chest shuddered, “I u-used to be but not anymore. Those b-bastards were right. I’m weak now. I c-can’t go back.”
Biting her cheek, Kagome rolled her eyes.
“That’s not tru-“
“Ididn’t think you’d remember it!” he hissed almost hatefully, “Forget what I said. Didn’t mean shit.”
Kagome sighed heavily and tried a different tactic that didn’t go as planned.
“Inuyasha, you are plentystrong-“
The half-demon uncharacteristically whined and shook his head.
“No I’m not! I c-can’t lose you. I can’t go back t-to how thing used to be f-for me,” he offered barely above a whisper – the arms curled around his head tightening, “S-so it doesn’t matter. I c-can’t…”
Sighing heavily at this defeatist attitude, Kagome did the only logical thing she could think to do. She laid down next to him and tried to coax him to look at her.
“Youaren’t going to lose me,” she reassured him – her fingers gently rubbing his downy ear. Inuyasha shivered slightly at the touch.
“The well could c-close. Naraku w-wants us all dead. Kikyo nearly m-murdered you,” he listed off the various points he was trying to make in between heaving breaths, “What’ll happen if she finds out, huh? If Naraku finds out…”
“Youand our friends will prevent anything from happening. You won’t be doing the whole protection thing alone. Besides, I’m way stronger than I used to be. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself,” Kagome whispered and finally, finally he turned his head to look at her. Those expressive amber eyes wavered before he plopped onto his side and suddenly pulled her into his chest. With her head tucked securely under his chin, she could feel the fierce pounding of his heart and see his adam’s apple bob as he swallowed to control his emotions.
“D-don’t tell anyone I cried,” he instructed hoarsely and making a face, Kagome had to admit she wouldn’t’ve known had he not told her. Nodding slowly, Kagome draped one arm over his waist and gave him a light squeeze.
“Y-you gotta promise me that…that if it gets too dangerous, you won’t fight for this,” he continued shakily – his arms pulling her impossibly closer, “You go home and forget me, okay?”
If she gave him the response he clearly wanted, it would be a lie. Even if she did promise now, she was self-aware enough to know that she’d break that promise. Inuyasha chuckled softly almost like he was reading her mind.
“F-fine. Don’t die. Don’t leave. Can you promise that?” he amended with weary amusement and to that, Kagome nodded her consent to those terms. A long painful moment went by as Inuyasha buried his nose in her hair and clearly tried to get ahold of himself.
“Good,” he breathed as he gave her body a light squeeze and stretched his arm out under her neck, “This…this wasn’t how I wanted this to go, ya know?”
“You didn’t want me to know ever so I imagine not,” Kagome cooed and Inuyasha chuckled softly at being called out.
“Went about how I thought it’d go though,” he admitted with a long defeated exhale, “You were gunna figure it out eventually.”
“So…you’re saying you knew I’d win you over…”
“I’m your dog. You know I’ll roll over for ya,” Inuyasha muttered playfully before stretching out and leaning his cheek atop her forehead.
Kagome cringed at the poor joke but didn’t comment. Several deep inhales and a knee forcing its way in between her legs later, Inuyasha let out a little hum before his breathing officially evened out.
“Wanna do this more. S’nice,” he cooed happily - completely oblivious to the three pairs of eyes glancing out from behind a bush courtesy of his congested nose and the blood still pounding in his ears. Maybe Shippo was right. Being domesticated definitely had its perks. Right now, he had everything he’d ever wanted in life. A home. Friends. A future. A real future where he could live a normal extremely boring life. A wife and kids and maybe even a garden.
Letting out a tired groan, Inuyasha pressed his torso against the warm inviting body in his arms as his mind began to drift. Being tangled up in her arms was the weirdest thing. Sure, being near her usually calmed him and made him happy but being laying here with her literally made every fear he had melt out of him. For once, everything seemed right in the world. For once, he felt…safe.
And being safe made him extremely tired for some reason. Like he’d never had a proper rest and desperately needed one. Weird. Accurate but weird.
“Thought we weren’t letting people know we’re a couple,” Kagome teased as she snuggled closer and she could almost envision the way his lips twitched upwards.
“Who said that?”
“Youdid,” Kagome huffed – no real irritation underlying her tone, “Literally just now.”
Inuyasha let out a contented yawn and she felt his muscles fully relax. His hand going slack as he strangely seemed to be dozing off.
“S’not what I said wo-“
“In all fairness, that is not, in fact, the point Inuyasha conveyed,” a far too amused male voice offered as Miroku made the very dangerous decision to make his presence (and the fact he’d been spying) known. The reaction was immediate and Miroku had exactly five seconds to run away while cackling madly. Those five seconds were a gift really. Inuyasha was groggy thus making his usual instant response time delayed. After a good hard bump was delivered, the half-demon returned with a deep blush and a foul mood.
“The monk is getting us a room,” Inuyasha announced gruffly as he reached down and pulled a semi-embarrassed Kagome to her feet, “Anyone says shit and they deal with me.”
“There isn’t a village-“ the slayer began hesistantly before biting her lip and shying away from Inuyasha’s irate glare.
“He’s gunna find one,” Inuyasha snarled before seeming to realize what he was implying given the uncomfortable reactions he was receiving from everyone. Of all the asinine things to think. Like he’d actually risk doing that. Mainly this punishment was demanded because he was tired and wanted to sleep undisturbed indoors with Kagome in his arms. What had started as a despairing thought was now one he was very willing to accept. Since he was domesticated whether he liked it or not, he was going to lean into that hard. Unless absolutely necessary, there was gunna be no more making do with uncomfortable situations or acting put out for stopping at inns. Food better be good and cooked and plentiful if at all possible at all times. Everyone could bathe whenever they needed to do so. It wasn’t lazy. It was glorious and a privilege he’d been ignoring far too long.
Also a happy wife meant a happy life and the second the quest was over, he was gunna wife the shit out of his miko. Until then, he was hellbent on making Kagome the hap-hap-happiest woman this side of the well and fully intended on riding the luxury train alongside her.
Sango was the first to speak after his announcement.
“Uh…a room? As in one?”
Setting his jaw, Inuyasha gave the slayer a withering glare.
“We, as a group, will be staying at an inn. For everyone to sleep in. What the hell is wrong with you? Bunch of perverts,”he huffed before making a face and casting a somewhat approving look at Kagome’s red face.
There was something in her scent that had his little male heart swelling with pride. Her thoughts had gone the same place as the others and she was clearly embarrassed but there was an undertone that told him she wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to whatever it was she was thinking. In fact, she smelled a little thrilled at herideas.
He smirked at his woman which only made her scent flare that much hotter.
Hello again to our dear friends. It’s time for chapter two of the @inukag-week adventure! The ethereal @witchygirl99 passed the baton to me, picking up where we left off (with a phone call). So please please check out:
There’s a whole lot more to being a superhero than punching baddies. There’s a whole lot more to being a parent than changing diapers. At least Inuyasha and Kagome have each other.
