InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 28

They took their time walking up the steps to the shrine; the pair knew that nce they opened the doors to Kagomes home, they would have to face her mother. The wrath of her grandfather and the overwhelming excitement of her brother. The hanyous ears were alredy flattened against his head in anticipltion; that runt had a pair of lungs on him.

He took a moment to look down. He had his hands wrapped around the many shopping bags that Kagome made him carry- her much needed supplies. He would never again lecture her about the time it took to gather them, nor about how it weighed them down. He was willing to do whatever it took to keep his woman happy, even if meant emptying out the strange place she called a market.

That, and he missed his damn ramen.

He was beginning to feel nervous. He knew that her family allowed her to travel with him, so that meant they had to have some degree of trust in the hanyou. They knew he would keep her safe and well protected.

But, did they want him for a son in law? Would they… welcome him into their family…?

Would they understand his year absence? Had this time apart killed their hard earned trust in him? Would he be able to convince them that it was a misunderstanding, and that he loved Kagome. Not Kikyo?

What if they were repulsed that she mated a demon? What.. what if they tried to keep her from him…

He felt a growl rise in his chest as his demon cried for release. Just the very idea of separation had him ready to sharpen his claws.

“K-Kagome…”

She looked at him with a bright smile. He felt a tightening in his stomach. Gods, that smile. He missed it. Every time he looked at her, he couldn't get enough. He had to pinch himself to make sure she really was here, that he hadn't lost his mind…

“Inuyaaaasha?” She asked, drawing out his name. The smile never left her face. “Its not like you to zone out. What's the matter?”

“Keh. I was just thinking wench.”

“Don't hurt yourself.” She teased.

He shot her a look and she giggled. Musical. Healing.

She put her petite hand on his arm and gave him an encouraging look.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked.

“Keh. It isn't worth talking about.”

A frown marred her pretty face.

“Well, if you change your mind, I'm all ears.”

Finally, they reached the top. She took a deep breath, as if preparing herself. She looked over at her hanyou and smiled. Whatever happened, they were in this together. For the first time, perhaps in the history of their relationship, they knew exactly how the other felt. This was a beacon of hope for her.

Inuyasha felt less optimistic. He felt as if he was walking into a battle. As Kagome began to open the door, he dropped the bags and grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

“Inuyasha?” She asked.

“Kagome… what… what if they don't approve of me? Of us?”

“Don't be silly. My mom loves you! And Souta worships you. And Gramps… well, I think he might want a traditional wedding. But they accepted you a long time ago.” She said with a smile.

He pulled her to him, wrapping his strong arms around her. He leaned down to breath in the calming scent of her hair.

“But if they don't… I'm not letting them keep you from me.”

“I wont let them either.” She said, her tone serious.

“I mean it. I wont be separated from you again. Before… But now that were mated…. I don't think I would be able to recover.”

She looked up into his amber eyes, so full of uncertainty of the future, filled to the brim with love. She leaned up to kiss him.

It was slow and passionate, and left them wanting more. The dog demon leaned his forhead against hers, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

“Alright. Lets get this over with.”

~.~

He had been right. They had been loud. The runt had jumped on top of him, and her mother had squealed with delight. His grandfather looked him over with suspicious eyes.

Once they had calmed down, he shot Kagome a look indicating that the dreaded conversation should take place. He felt antsy. He had to be ready to grab his woman and head to the well at a moments notice.

“Mama, everyone, sit down. I, we… have some things to tell you.”

“Souta, this would be a good time for you to do your homework.” Mama said to her son, noting the way his face dropped.

“But mom!” She gave him a serious look and he sighed in defeat. “Can Inuyasha come with me?” He asked hopeful.

“Not right now runt. I'll play with you later.”

The boy nodded and ran up the stairs.

“Now, what is going on? Its been quiet some time since I saw you, Inuyasha.”

The hanyou blushed.

“It was my fault mama.” Kagome said. “I assumed that Inuyasha wanted me to leave. I… I didn't even ask him what he wanted. I-“

“It was my fault as much as hers. She wants to take all the blame.” He said, turning his head as he spoke. He didn't want to make eye contact with anyone.

“It doesn't matter.” Mama said. “The past is behind you. The question is what are you going you do moving forward?”

They both looked at each other with guilty eyes.

“Well,” Kagome said, shifting uncomfortably. “That's what we wanted to talk to you about. Inuyasha and I… we…”

“Were mated.” He stated simply.

“M-mated?”

“Yes, Mama.”

“You mean you've had…”

“Its more than that.” Inuyasha said. “Its binding. Once a demon mates, its for life.”

“L-Like marriage…” She stuttered.

“Only permeant. There's no separating once you've mated.”

“I… I see.”

“Mama, please…” Kagome bit her lip. She wasn't sure what she was asking her mother, what silent question she couldn't say out loud.

Her mother had tears welled up in her eyes.

“I'm sorry that Im a hanyou. I know Im not good enough for Kagome, but I promise-“

“What are you talking about?” Mama asked, confused.

“You… you're upset that Im a demon…”

“What gave you that idea?” She said wiping away her tears.

“You… youre crying…” He said hastily.

“Oh, dear. Im not crying because of you. Its just… Kagome is my only daughter. To think such an important event happened… well it would make any mother tearful…”

“Oh mama…”

“Im happy for both of you.” She said with a watery smile. “I have always thought of you as a son, Inuyasha. Now, you really are.” She reached out to stoke his hand reassuringly. “You have always been welcome in our home. Now even more so.” She stood up to hug the dog demon.

Inuyasha had not expected this.

Yelling, cursing, being forced out of the house- that he had expected. The tears too. But tears of joy, not sorrow? He was being welcome with open arms into Kagomes family. He was beside himself. As he reached his arms around to embrace his new mother in law, he was overcome with emotions.

“Of course, your grandfather will want a wedding.” She said. Kagome looked at Inuyasha smirking. He had to give her credit- she knew the old man well.

~.~

At dinner Mama decided to share the news with the rest of the family. Sota was more excited than he had been in a year. Gramps, true to form, mumbled about indecency and the need for a wedding. Kagome and her mother spent their time chatting about details and dates. Inuyasha did not really care what the woman schemed for him. As long as it was with Kagome, he would be happy.

In all honesty, it was more than he was expecting. For the first time, he felt like part of something… part of a family. He looked at the woman who had once again broadened his world, giving color to things that were previously gray. He would never have known this feeling of acceptance if not for her. It was just one of the many things he had to thank her for.

By the time night fell, Kagome dragged her feet up the stairs. Inuyasha felt unsure of what to do next. Should he sleep outside in the trees, or would he be allowed to stay by her side in her room as he had always done?

The answer came from Kagomes mother, when she wished them both a good nights sleep. He followed her up quietly, taking the steps that he had not ascended on in over a year.

He halted. That smell. It was that mans. Jiros. He was right fucking next to Kagomes room. It was only the thin wall that separated them. He ground his teeth with jealous anger. That fucking asshole. His scent was all over the place, mingling with Kagomes. His demon was bubbling to the surface; it wanted to tear him limb from limb.

She looked at him confusedly. “Inuyasha? Whats the matter?”

“That bastards scent is all over the place. It makes me fucking sick.” He said, bringing his sleeve to cover his nose.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Well, that's because Jiro lives here, Inuyasha. Of course his room is going to smell like him.”

“I just don't fucking like it.”

“Well, I didn't like it when Kikyo camped with us, but you didn't hear me complaining.” She instantly bit her tongue.

The words laid heavy in the air.

“Inuyasha, I-“

“No, don't.” He said quietly. “Maybe if you did, we wouldn't have wound up in that mess. How is it that you can be so damn noisy about everything in the world, but when it comes to being honest with me, you calm up?”

His eyes were intent, boring into hers. They had come this far. There was no way he was going to let history repeat itself. If that meant making his bitch confront each and everyone of her issues, time and time again, then that's exactly what he would do.

“I…” She worried her lip; she could feel her nerves tightening. “I'm afraid…”

“Eh?”

“To… say the wrong thing to you. Our relationship… its delicate, like fine glass. If I say the wrong thing… Im afraid you will leave me. Im scared to speak up… because… I feel like- felt like, you would leave me for Kikyo…”

The hanyou pulled the miko into his arms, placing a chaste kiss on the crown of her head.

“Keh. I cant say that I blame you for feeling that way in the past. Im sorry that I made you feel that way.” He said, his tone heavy with guilt. “But I want to know what you have to say, even if I wont like it. Its not going to do us any favors if you bottle things up. Your my mate. Your happiness is my top priority. If you need to say something that's going to make me unhappy to achieve that… then fucking tell me. Damn. Kagome, I cant go through that again. I need you to be honest with me.”

She felt hot tears stream down her cheek. He was right. She had to take the chance and believe that he would stick by her. She tried to speak, but found that words failed her. She nodded her head against him, trying in vain to control her sniffles.

“Damn wench. I hate it when you cry.” He said, nuzzling her neck. The hanyou picked her up, and laid her across the bed. He looked down at her face.

It was beautiful. It was streaked from the salt of her tears, her eyes flushed from crying. Her hair was fanned out under her, as she nibbled her lower lip between her teeth. He leaned down to kiss the side of her face, trailing light kisses up to her ear.

“I have a much better idea on how to spend our night, if your up for it wench.” His breath was hot, sending shivers down her spine.

The demanding kiss that she gave him was all the answer he needed.

~.~

They had woken early, wanting to get to the other side of the well just at sunrise. They knew the village would already be awake, busying themselves with their tasks for the day.

This was a big moment for the pair. After a year, they would finally be on the road together again. They would take up the task of completing the jewel, just as they had done before.

Well, not exactly as they had done.

At first, they hunted the shards for different reasons; Kagome it was out of duty, as she had shattered the precious jewel. For Inuyasha, he sought it to become a full demon. But then, Kikyou had been resurrected and their motives changed. It was no longer duty that kept her there, but her desire to avenge her friends. And he, no longer wishing to rid himself of his human lineage, wanted to get the jewel away from that bastard Naraku.

And when she left…

He wanted the jewel so he could rest. So time could speed up for him, so that way he would be with Kagome once again.

It was different now. The reasons why they sought the jewel before still held true, but their driving reason was each other. They could not live a life peacefully, as husband and wife, until Inuyasha put that damned spider down.

Yes, the change in their relationship made all the difference.

Now, Inuyasha was no longer accompanied by his shard detector. He was with his mate.

Mate.

It echoed in his ears. He liked to say it out loud, just to taste it on his tongue. Kagome was his mate. Not that damned flea bag, not that wimp Hoho, not even Jiro. Him. Inuyasha. The half breed. The dog demon. The hanyou.

She had wanted him.

His demon purred in happiness. His human danced for joy. Every part of him was elated.

Pressing a quick kiss to her lips, he scooped the girl up in his arms, her enormous bag slung over his shoulder, and jumped into the well.

He noted how Kagome took a deep breath of the clean air, and smiled. He knew that there was a lot she loved about her time, but he was aware that she thought of this place as home too. He couldn't put his finger on it, but for some reason, it moved him.

Once their feet landed on the soft grass, Inuyasha found that he was not ready to release her. Once they got to the village, he would have to share her with the others. While he was looking forward to resuming their journey, he was less eager about the lack of privacy they would have. He was already trying to come up with ways to get his bitch alone.

“This is probably the only moment of quiet were going to get for a while.” Kagome said.

“Feh, don't remind me.”

She giggled at his attitude. It was so… Inuyasha. She looked up at him with adoring eyes.

“I think-“

They froze. It was what Kagome saw, and Inuyasha smelled that had the hair on the back of their necks standing up straight.

“K-Kikyos soul collectors.” She stammered out.

Inuyasha pushed her behind him, withdrawing his sword from the hilt.

They whirled and cut through the air, making their way dangerously close.

As one got too close for comfort, the dog demon sliced through it, ready to take on the next.

It was her heart wrenching cry that made him pause.

“K-Kagome! What is it?” He demanded.

“The one you just killed. It… it had… Th…that's Shippos ribbon…”

~.~

A/N:

I just wanted to thank you all for the positive reviews! It definitely keeps me motivated to finish this story up! Every time I get a notification that someone has posted something, I rush to read it. It absolutely makes my day!

As for last chapter… it was hard to say good bye to Jiro. He was a fun character to write! To have people like a character that I created, so much so that they rooted for him over Inuyasha… I'm honored! And to hear that my story makes people happy, that they wait for an update… its surreal! Im glad everyone is enjoying it! Thanks again!!