InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ All That Time Allows ❯ Goshinboku no Shita ni ( Chapter 11 )

All that Time Allows

By mishi

 

Chapter 11

Goshinboku no Shita ni

(Beneath the Sacred Tree)

 

There were far more people there than the yard could hold. It was a good thing that it was spring, because the house would never have worked. Grandpa made sure that long tables had been set in reasonable places and sectioned off a place for food to be served. He had seen to it that a small stage and sound system had been set up for karaoke.

 

Inuyasha sat with Kagome at a small table to the side of the stage. The table had been placed in such a way that they could see the stage and the crowd around them. Within the first hour of the party, Inuyasha had met enough relatives and friends to make his head pound. He knew that the smile he was faking wouldn't last to the end of the party. It was hard enough for him to fight the urge to tell people to stop staring at him. Crowds were not something he had ever had the chance to get used to. Unfortunately, it looked like he was going to have to do it to fit in Kagome's life. He tried searching the crowd for a comforting face, but the people around he were not his friends and family. Those he did feel close to were too busy to sit still, or stuck in the Feudal Era. He did manage to find Yuka, Erri, and Ayumi in the crowd. However, he was going out of his way to avoid them. All they managed to do when he got close to them was whisper and giggle.

 

Kagome could feel Inuyasha fidgeting beside her. She was doing her best to focus on the older couple standing next to her. She didn't have to look at Inuyasha to know that he had turned way in the middle of the conversation. His anxiety was making it hard for her to remain her usual perky self. It was such a relief to her when the couple walked way without questioning him about how rude he was being. She turned her head to see him staring off into the swarm of bodies.

 

Before she knew it, she was looking right through him and staring off into the crowd. She had always loved parties in the past. The more people the better, but now she found herself wishing she could be somewhere else. Truthfully, she had been avoiding her friends more and more as she became closer to Inuyasha. As she sat there watching everyone around her, she was bothered that she didn't have anything in common with them anymore.

 

`I don't listen to music anymore, or watch tv. I miss talking to Sango. I miss taking care of Shippo. I even miss Miroku's perverted ways. I guess I have made more of a home for myself in the Feudal Era than I thought. I don't feel like I belong in this time anymore. It might be possible for that to change since Inuyasha seems to be adjusting so well to living here, but I could never be that close to my friends again. Like it or not, I am not like them anymore.'

 

If finally occurred to Inuyasha that the couple had left the table. He was relieved to find that the voices beside him had stopped. However, his relief faded when he caught the far off look in Kagome's eyes. He wanted to ask her what she was thinking so hard about, but there was too much noise for him to keep his voice at an intimate level. The fact that he could see the tiredness in her face was making it all the more difficult to tolerate. Without warning, he grabbed her wrist and stood to lead her way from all the people.

 

He walked until his ears were not longer overcome by the music and voices. “Why are you so sad?” He nuzzled against her neck.

 

Her eyes were closed as she let her body rest against him, “I'm home sick.”

 

He stopped what he was doing, because the comment had really thrown him. “This is your home.”

 

“I don't belong here anymore. I'm not saying that I want to leave and never come back, but all my friends are back in the Feudal Era.”

 

She opened her eyes. They had ended up in front of Goshinboku. There was a warm soothing breeze coming from the tree's branches. “Isn't it funny how we always end up here?”

 

He looked up, realizing for the first time where he had led them. He looked at the tree for a long moment, and in reply nodded.

 

It was a great comfort for her to simply be there standing in front of it. The tree had become their guardian. It seemed to be the one thing that had shared the entirety of both of their lives. They had loved ones in both times, they had history in both times, but this tree shared it all with them. It had always been with them both regardless of what time they were in.

 

“Inuyasha, I want to change our plans a bit. I know that Grandpa wants us to be married in the shrine, but I want to be married here under Goshinboku. I want us to stand here when we make our vows before God and everyone that we love.”

 

He knew she expected an immediate response, but he couldn't give it to her. This tree held a great deal of sadness for him. Mercifully, the happiness he felt when he was with her made all of it seem unreal. It was almost as if it had all happened to someone else and not him. He snuggled his face in the thick of her hair then said, “Your mother told me her story involving this tree. She also told me that she found you standing here crying one day. You made the decision to be with me in front of this tree didn't you?”

 

“Yes, I thought you had chosen Kikyou over me. I didn't know how much I loved you until that day.”

 

“You made you choice here. This is the place, then.”

 

****

 

A month had passed with Inuyasha being in modern day Tokyo. To Kagome it felt like longer. They had survived her near death, family, friends, and shopping for clothes. She liked him being in her world. Less than a week had passed since the night she told him that she felt homesick, but now she was starting to fear the thought of him going back. She couldn't make up her mind about it. The last few nights she had had several nightmares about Kikyou taking Inuyasha from her. She was unsure about returning to a place where she could lose him. Her family had grown close to Inuyasha over the last month. It would be hard for them all if he had to lose his life to Kikyou, or anyone else.

 

She watched him from the back steps as he chased Souta around the yard. She could tell that Souta was more at ease when he was with Inuyasha. It had been so long since he had a father around him. Having Inuyasha to look up to gave him confidence.

 

Mama came up behind her on the porch, “They are great together aren't they? He will make a wonderful father one day.”

 

“Maybe, if time will let us be together long enough,” her voice was distant. She had promised that she could accept it all, but she had not honestly thought about it. She didn't want to lose him. She knew that when the time came she would fight with everything she had to keep him alive and with her. She turned and buried her face in her mother's chest. She was trying not to cry.

 

Mama wrapped her arms around her and stroked her hair. “What's wrong? Are you starting to have doubts about Inuyasha?

 

“No, I am just scared. It's a long story.”

 

They went inside and Kagome told her mother about the promise she had made. How he would have to give up his life if it came to that. There was always the chance that Kikyou would die before taking Inuyasha way from her, but it was a small chance.

 

“Kagome, I believe that you and Inuyasha were meant for each other. I don't know why it had to be this way, but I don't think that your souls will be separated that easily. God has taken too much effort to put the two of you together just separate you.” She took Kagome's hand and gave it a light squeeze.

 

“Thank you, mama.”

 

“Now go get you bother, and your husband. I will get Grandpa. I believe it is time to have dinner.”

 

****

 

Inuyasha was setting in the tub blowing at the suds as Kagome set on her knees beside the tub. It wasn't a good idea to be there while Grandpa was in the house, but everyone was asleep. Not to mention, she wanted to see Inuyasha all wet and sudsy. It was bad and she knew it, but she couldn't help herself. Her hormones were encouraging her to reckless.

 

It would figure that the day the stitches came out, she would start her period. The doctor had been amazed that the wound and the bruised ribs had healed so fast. He had even taken a second look at his records to make sure that he had the proper information. Once again, he had been dumbfounded and overly apologetic.

 

She knew the power that was coming from Inuyasha's body had a lot to do with the healing. That power was always present. There were moments that she would touch him and feel it calling her body to it. It was most noticeable when she was aroused, because her body would feed it with her power. If they touched and were not careful things got strange. It was growing more intense each time they felt it, so they had been trying to flirt as little as possible.

 

“Are you sure that you want to try this tomorrow?” she asked as she poured the shampoo into her hand. She put down the bottle and rubbed her hands together before putting it in his hair.

 

“We need to know before it gets any closer to the wedding. If I can't get them through the well, we have a lot to change about the stories that you have told about my family,” he said as he gave into the need to close his eyes. Her fingers scratching his head felt so good he almost lost track of what he was saying. “If with you in heat again, it might do be best if I keep busy.”

 

“You haven't had a problem so far.”

 

“You have been at school during the day, and I have been spending a lot of time with Souta.” He bent is head back, “ahhh.”

 

“I guess you like this?”

 

He thumped his foot against the side of the tub sending water splashing as he did it. It made them both laugh.

 

“Hey, be careful. You are getting water all over, dog boy.” She shook her head, “I can't believe that you just did that.”

 

“It made you laugh. I gotta remember to do that again.”

 

“I'm surprised that you did it considering you are so sensitive about being called a dog.” She started rubbing his ears to make sure they were clean also.

 

“It doesn't bother me much anymore. I don't know why. It just doesn't.” he sighed again, “You really don't want to do that much longer. It's making me horny.”

 

“Ok, he likes having his ears rubbed,” she said in a sarcastic tone and let go of his ears. “I'll note that for future reference.”

 

“I should make you get in here with me,” he teased, while turning to fold his arms on the side of the tub. The look on his face made her lower body tingle. He had always had a sweet innocent look to him, even when he was grumpy. It made her heart break on more than one occasion, but for the first time he looked amazingly sensual to her. He honestly looked seductive. “Would you get mad if I pulled you in here with me?”

 

Her eyes were closed, but she heard the water move as he lifted himself up to rub his cheek against hers. “Don't you even think about pulling me into that tub,” she warned. Her breath was shaky, and she didn't try to hide it. He knew that she liked what he was doing, or he wouldn't be doing it.

 

It did make him lower himself down into the tub. “You're no fun.”

 

“You can finish by yourself. I'm going to our room.” She stood up and tried not to fall over her own limbs while making her escape.

 

“Did I make you mad?”

 

“No, I just think it would be better if you finished by yourself.” She started walking towards the door. She felt stupid for resisting him. Her hand was on the door knob when she stopped to ask, “Were you trying to seduce me, or was that look something natural?”

 

“I was trying to seduce you, but I guess it didn't work.”

 

“Oh, you know it worked.” She turned to face him before leaving, “Give me that look again some other time. I will show you how well it works.”