InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Brief Moments ❯ The Real World ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

The Real World

Words to know:

Baka= Stupid, or foolish. Don't use this if you encounter someone who is Japanese. It is quit an insult to them. I had to through that in, because it is not explained to most people when the word is used. I believe that I used bakaro as well. Bakaro is the equivalent of dumb ass. Some will say that it is asshole. Just know that it is a heavy slam if you hear it. There really is not an exact equivalent for the word. It always depends on how it is said, or when it is used. You will find this is true of several Japanese words.

 

Bikuni= this is the title given to a female disciple of Buddhism. It is much like the title of priestess.

 

 

Inu Yasha's half naked body remained motionless as he stared as the battery operated alarm clock. He was lying on his side with Kagome curled up against his bare chest. The last thing in the world he wanted was for that alarm to go off. The hut was still dark. The walls of blanket were keeping the light from them. It would take several more hours for the sun to wake her. Surely, Shippo's tent would have a similar effect on him. The only thing that could disrupt his world would be that alarm. If he was right, it would bring his quiet world to a buzzing halt in a few minutes.

 

He closed his eyes, and tried to forget everything around him. He blocked out everything except her body. It was warm and soft, with a sweet scent, as always. `I want this forever. If I can have this, I would be happy.' He thought as his hand entered her shirt, and found a comfortable spot to rest at the small of her back. The buzz of the alarm sent a horrible realization to the forefront of his mind, `We have to return to the real world.' He wasn't ready for it yet. He tightened his hold on her as she tried to move. `Not yet! Please, not yet.'

 

“Inu Yasha, I have to get the alarm,” Kagome mumbled. She had managed to free one arm, and was now trying to turn over.

 

“I know,” he whispered in defeat. He took a deep breath and let her go.

 

She flipped the switch and returned to her previous position. She could feel his anxiety as plainly as if it were something that was happening in her own mind. She avoided asking if he was ok, and went right to the point. “Why are anxious, Inu Yasha?”

 

“I'm not…,” he didn't know why he was trying to deny it. She could feel everything that he felt, so it was a stupid thing to lie about. “I don't want to let go of you yet. I wanted to hold you a little longer…that's all.”

 

“I don't have to go to school anymore. I could just stop going.”

 

He gently pushed her away and set up. He pressed his hands against his face and slowly moved them up into his hair. He repeated the motion several times. It was like he was trying to wipe some invisible thing off of his face. His words came out sounding agitated, “We've talked about this already. You started this before we decided to be together. You worked hard for it.” Finally, he lowered his hands and turned to face her before finishing, “I want you to be able to go to school. It meant a lot to you in the past.”

 

She sat up to meet his eyes as she spoke, “You want me to be able to go back to my old life…incase I lose you to Kikyo.”

 

She may as well have told him sit. The words hit him just as hard. His throat was closing up, and his words were getting stuck in his throat. The best he could manage was a whisper, “that's…not it.”

 

“Don't lie, you can't do it now. You couldn't do it before…but you really can't do it now.” She leaned towards him and kissed him softly before going on, “I know you don't believe that Naraku can win. I know you'd never let anything happen to me, so there can't be anything else that could separate us.”

 

“I don't know why, but I am terrified that there is something that will separate us. Somewhere there is this thing that will take you from me. You'll leave me, or I will die…or…maybe I will die because you left me. Sorry, I can't help that the fear is there. It would help me if you did this for yourself.”

 

“Fine, I'll get going. I need to take a shower anyway.”

 

“Hold on, I'm walking you to the well,” he said as he grabbed the white half of his kimono top.

 

“Baka,” she grumbled. “I'm sure that I can make it to the well in on piece.”

 

He stood and looked at her grumpy face. Her expression didn't change as he raised his hands to her cheeks, and pressed his palms against them. Her forehead was full of wrinkles. He finally took his thumbs and ran them against her forehead like he was trying to smooth it over. The gesture made her crack a smile.

 

He was talking softly to make the words sound reasonably calm, “Can't I just walk with you? Do I have to have a reason?”

 

“Sorry, I'm being mean,” she whispered as she looked down.

 

He forced her to look up into his eyes, “You're not being mean, you're being me. We really need to get this emotion thing under control. I don't think either of us knows who we are anymore.” He let her go and moved the blanket aside for her to exit.

 

When they were both clear of the blankets, he picked up her backpack and led her to the door.

 

******

 

The young boy slowly made his way up to the small hut. He was determined to keep a respectable distance from the doorway. If the couple inside were engaged in any sort of private moment, well…he did not want to be the one to disturb them. For this reason, he was always careful to say several feet from the little porch. After clearing his throat he called out, “Houshi-sama…bikuni-sama!”

 

Sango was the one how had heard the young boy calling out. Instinctively, she raised her hand to rub her sleepy eyes. Miroku's head rested on her breasts, which was his favorite position to sleep in.

 

“Miroku, Jun is outside,” she said as she tried to pry him loose. The action only made him press his face farther into her chest. “We'll need to answer him, you know.”

 

“Houshi-sama…bikuni-sama?”

 

“Ok…ok, I'm up,” he grumbled as he rolled out of her arms and onto his back. He rubbed at his face and stretched his body.

 

“Will you stop stalling and answer him!” She laughed as she poked at his side.

 

“You answer him,” he teased as he placed his hands behind his head and waited for her to protest.

 

“Why you,” she giggled as climbed on top of him and began tickling. “I'll teach you to disobey me!”

 

The small boy heard all the laughing and rolled his eyes. At least he knew they were awake. “Houshi-sama, will you and bikuni-sama be teaching us today?”

 

“Stop, stop…I have…to…breathe!” Miroku gasped.

 

Sango stopped tickling him, but stayed where she was. She smiled down at him as he tried to catch his breath.

 

He was still fighting the urge to laugh when he answered the boy, “Yes, Jun. We'll be teaching today. Give us time to get ready.”

 

The boy was very happy to hear the news, “Arigatoo gozaimasu! I'll tell everyone to get ready.”

 

“I wish people would stop calling me bikuni-sama. They've never done it before,” she mumbled as she rubbed his chest.

 

“You don't like it? I think it suits you.”

 

“I don't believe in Buddha. How can I be one of his disciples?” She protested.

 

“Maybe you should try,” he looked into her eyes. She seemed so sad that he reached up and touched her face. “Besides, you are my wife. I'm sure they are only assuming that we would share the same faith.”

 

“Does it bother you that I don't share you faith?” She asked as she moved his hands to her breasts.

 

The gesture raised his eyebrows. He looked into her face and answered calmly, “I love how you try to change the subject, and keep me amused at the same time. Honestly, Sango, I want you to be happy. Whatever pleases you pleases me.” He set up and traced her throat with his lips. His hair tickled her skin as he made his way down her chest. She let out a sigh as his lips closed on her nipple.

 

She ran her fingers into his hair as she spoke, “I love how you know exactly what to say.”

 

*****

 

Inu Yasha stood in the shrine with wide eyes. He had no idea what he was doing there. One moment he was horsing around with Souta, the next he was being forced to change clothes.

 

“Why am I in this strange get-up?” Inu Yasha asked as Grandpa whizzed by him.

 

“You are my grandson, aren't you?”

 

“I guess so. What does that have to do with me being in this thing?” He shrugged and pulled at the white top.

 

“It's your duty to take over as priest when I die. It's time to start your training,” Grandpa answered and slapped him on the back.

 

“What about these?” Inu Yasha asked with a cynical edge to his voice, while pointing at his ears.

 

Grandpa grabbed his arm and started pulling him towards the inner shrine. “Don't worry about that now. You have too much to learn.”

 

*****

 

It had taken Kagome two hours to get to school. She still was not used to the long trip. Her middle school had been much closer to home. `I feel exhausted! I guess the long trip is a small price to pay for all the freedom of this school. I really shouldn't complain.' She thought as she made her way through the crowed halls. It was a private school that had done away with the uniforms. She would still be able to fallow her class schedule, so she could limit coming when she needed too. However, she would have to get up incredibly early to get to the school when she did go.

 

Going to a private high school did give her an added sense of achievement. It was good to know that Mama and Grandpa believed in her that much, but she was afraid of letting them down. As things were, Grandpa was happy that she wanted to learn more about being a miko. He was also dying to get his hands on Inu Yasha for training, which she had not warned him about on purpose. She knew that he would only get frustrated and nervous about it anyway. Mama was happy that she was going to continue with school. Together they chose to send her to the private school so she could have more freedom in her studies. Otherwise, she would have had to choose between school and Inu Yasha. She was amazed at how understanding, and how supporting, they were. Most families would have been horrified at seeing Inu Yasha.

 

She was busy making her way up the stairs to the second floor, when a strange thought came into her mind. `I never did get that. Why're they so understanding about this? Inu Yasha is half youkai. I married a youkai. Wouldn't that freak most families?'

 

“Kagome!” Ayumi yelled, while waving her hand high in the air.

 

Erri grabbed Ayumi's arm while Yuka's hand flew over the girl's mouth. Ayumi was in a daze when she finally managed to break free of their death grips. “What are you doing?” She asked.

 

Kagome, who couldn't help but notice, stopped in mid step. She had no doubt that this was going to be a very bad day. She suddenly wanted to be anywhere else but that hallway. Despite her desire to run way, she slowly began walking towards them. She greeted them with a smile and laugher in her voice, “Ohayoo!”

 

Erri and Yuka nervously looked around to see who was watching them. Ayumi stood looking at Kagome. She was still in a daze from what had just happened.

 

Erri finally spoke up, “Kagome, maybe you should lay low for a bit. You know, try not to be so bouncy.”

 

“What are you talking about? Why should I do that?”

 

“Yeah, what are you talking about?” Ayumi questioned.

 

When Erri looked around again to see who was watching, Kagome decided it was time to stop dancing around the problem. She took deep breath let the question fly out of her mouth, “Are you shamed to be seen with me for some reason?”

 

Yuka spoke up for the first time, “Why wouldn't we be? I mean, after that freak show of a wedding. How can you expect us to act like everything if fine?”

 

“There was nothing wrong with my wedding,” Kagome's anger was coming out in her voice.

 

“Really, Kagome, you could have had something private if you were not going to fallow some tradition. I mean, come on…it was total chaos. You should hear some of the stuff our classmates are saying.” Erri informed her.

 

“We are just saying. Why did you go through all the trouble to get into a good school and do something like that? Your reputation is shot. The only thing that could make it worse is for you to be barefoot and pregnant.”

 

Kagome held it all in and said nothing. She pushed the emotion down. Doing this, she knew that Inu Yasha would be getting it all. She had no choice but to use him this way. It was only thing that was keeping her chin up and her eyes clear. She was not going to let them see her cry. Not now, not ever! For years they had both been trying to make her leave the only man she loved. This was her finally statement about her feelings on the subject, and she was going to make that statement with pride.

 

Ayumi stayed where she was as the other girls started to walk way. They turned back and tried to get her to follow them, but she refused to move. The girls looked at each other and turned to leave her with Kagome.

 

“Ayumi, what are you doing? They'll shun you too,” Kagome warned her.

 

Ayumi smiled and responded, “I know, but I don't care.”

 

Kagome was amazed. “Are you sure?”

 

“I got into this school because of my grades. They got in because of money. I wanted to come here to learn, not be become popular. I guess I am more like you.”

 

Kagome couldn't help herself, she had to hug Ayumi.

 

Ayumi laughed as she waited for Kagome to release her. With that same laughter in her voice she remarked, “We've always been friends, Kagome. I don't think that should end just because you married a youkai.”

 

Kagome's eyes went wide. “What? How…?”

 

“I have a way of knowing these things,” she shrugged her shoulders as she talked, “My grandma says I have psychic abilities.”

 

“Have you always known?” Kagome asked as she released her.

 

“After I met him, yeah,” she said gleefully. “I don't think that Miroku is his brother either. Am I right about that?”

 

“Yeah, but they seem like bothers sometimes.” Kagome turned to walk towards the classroom.

 

“Does he have a brother I could meet?” Ayumi asked eagerly.

 

“He's not your type,” she said with a nervous giggle.

 

*****

 

Miroku dipped the brush into the ink and applied it to the small rectangle of paper. Several of the villagers sat in a half circle around him. There was a light breeze blowing through the tree that was giving shade to the group. He tried to keep each lesson short. The meaning of the magical seals would not be much to remember, nor would the kanji on them. However, the Buddhist philosophy would be another matter. He knew that the villagers were capable of understanding. The biggest obstacle would be overcoming the philosophy they already had. He was counting on this group of apprentices. They would take what they had learned home to teach it to those who worked in the fields.

 

He watched in silence as his students worked with their brushes. Watching them gave him a sense of pride that he had never known before. For the first time in his life, he honestly felt like the Buddhist priest that he claimed to be.

 

He looked over at Sango, who was training with several of the men. She was turning them into fighters. He had to feel sorry for them. A workout with Sango guarantied that someone was walking away in pain. She was just as strong as any man. The fact that she carried the boomerang bone was proof of that. The weight of it was enough to give him trouble, but she could carry it with ease.

 

`Damn, what a woman,' he marveled as she watched her kicking and whirling about. `You're more woman than any of us deserves. How can you be so tough and feminine at the same time?'

 

“Houshi-sama, should we practice the next seal now?”

 

“um…oh, yes,” Miroku replied and went to work on the next paper.

 

After finishing the seal, he forced himself to focus on giving the explanation of its use and meaning. It was a difficult task, because his body wanted to pay attention to Sango's amazing physical abilities.

 

*****

 

Even when fighting, Sango could feel it when Miroku's eyes were on her. The knowledge that he was watching made her a tougher opponent to beat. She was not worried about disappointing him, because she knew that he would be enjoying the show. She could always tell by how much he was enjoying her by counting how many time Jun had to request his attention. On most days, she had to worry more about finding the safety point for the men. Miroku always seemed to be amused with whatever she did with her body.

 

Several of the men charged her at once, but they couldn't get anywhere near her. The boomerang bone was instantly swung into their path. Two more men had tried to come up behind her. They found themselves colliding with her feet as whirled around to meet them.

 

Giving Miroku a good show was not the only reason Sango wanted to train the men. There were actually several reasons. First, the villagers were giving them both wages for their teachings. With the supplies that she and Miroku were receiving as payment, Kagome and Inu Yasha would have less to worry about too. There was more than enough to share. Next, there was the fact that it helped her pass the time. With Kagome and Inu Yasha being gone so long, they had not bothered to look for Naraku. She had been fine waiting and enjoying her time with Miroku, but she needed to feel like she was still doing something to honor her family. Her final reason was to rebuild what her family had lost. She was all that was left. As far as she knew, Kohaku was lost forever. Inu Yasha had hope of reviving him, but she could not afford that hope. Someone had to keep alive the work that her fellow villagers had lived and died for.

 

****

 

With everyone focused on their new project, Miroku's eyes could return to their favorite vision. The training had stopped and several of the men were lying on the ground. `I knew that was coming,' He chuckled silently.

 

“Well, that is it for the day,” he announced and climbed to his feet. He waited as they picked up their things and thanked him. However, his attention never strayed from Sango.

 

The men were gathering themselves and leaving. He watched her smile and wave as they left, but the moment they turned their backs that smile was gone. Something about her expression seemed terribly lonely to him. He was far too familiar with that expression. He knew she was thinking about her family. `You need this don't you, Sango?' He thought as he waited for her to turn around. He wanted to run to her. He wanted to pull her out of darkness she kept falling into, but he knew she would not let him. She would be this way until she had a reason to forget the past. `This is your way of regaining what you've lost. If we are both strong and patient, we will continue your heritage here. Maybe then you'll be at peace.'