InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Coming of Age ❯ 7 ( Chapter 7 )

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Coming of Age
By: Demonsaya

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7

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It wasn't that she wasn't grateful for them saving her. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It wasn't their fault Kouga couldn't see. Or was it that he could, he just didn't want to, so he ignored it? She'd been nothing but loyal to the wolf prince, yet he pretended that she simply didn't exist, treated her like she was nothing.

Ayame stared into the dying embers, silent tears rolling down her face. She didn't blame Kagome for Kouga's blindness. She simply wasn't good enough for him. It was that simple. Her lower lip trembled a bit, upon remembering the news that the man she'd loved had joined forces with Naraku.

She had taken it calmly as she could, forcing her breaths to remain steady. However, afterwards, when everyone had gone to sleep, she had remained at the fireside, as she was tonight, staring into the flames, and crying.

“Oi.”

She stiffened, quickly wiping the tears from her face. Slowly, she turned, glancing at the hanyou who was leaning with his back against the tree, his mate snuggled in his arms. “Sorry, did I wake you?” She put on her best smile, trying to pretend nothing was wrong.

Inuyasha glanced away. “You don't have to fake bein' alright for our sakes. We all know how it feels to be betrayed.” He muttered, pupils glowing slightly in the firelight.

A soft sigh escaped her and she smiled honestly. Since she had begun traveling with them, she'd quickly learned why Kagome had chosen Inuyasha. Beneath the hard exterior was a kind heart, one that loved Kagome more than any other creature on earth, that treasured every one of his friends. One that wanted nothing more than to see his friends happy.

Kouga was never like that.

He was a spoiled prince, who'd gotten his way every day of his life. He'd never had to earn friends, they'd been granted the day he was born, since he was in the position to demand friendship from anyone. In a position to demand a woman to become his mate.

Perhaps that was what had drawn Kouga to Kagome. Kagome was taken, a challenge, she loved someone else.

Her eyes saddened slightly and she rested her chin on her hands. “I'm not alright, but I will be. What's important right now is destroying Naraku and purifying the jewel, ne?” She worried her lower lip, and frowned slightly.

“I'm inclined to agree.”

Ayameglanced towards the older Inuyoukai, who's charge was sleeping, curled up in the furry pelt that was over his shoulder. She had thought he'd been asleep. He was laying against the tree behind him, his eyes closed, his face relaxed.

Inuyasha nodded. “Me too. But Kouga's going to be a pain in the ass. He has too many shikon shards as it is.” Worriedly he glanced towards his sleeping mate and friends. “Knowing my bitch, she wont want to hurt Kouga. She did consider him a friend, after all...”

Sesshoumaru arched an eyebrow at his brother. “Are you strategizing, hanyou?”

Ayame smiled faintly as Inuyasha glared at his brother. Said hanyou crossed his arms, leaning back against a tree. “At least the odds are a bit better than they used to be. Four fully grown demons, three humans, two pups and a toad...The pups can stay with the toad and your dragonette...”

The female wolf demon chewed on her lip carefully. “I'll deal with Kouga.” She said softly. “I'll see if I can get a wolf to contact the tribe and tell them what's happened, just in case I have to bring back his corpse...”

Inuyasha glanced sympathetically towards the girl. “Are you sure you'll be able to do that if you have to?” He asked quietly, his gaze moving towards Kagome. “I don't think I could, when faced with such a situation. I think I would die myself before I could kill her.”

Ayame smiled sadly. “No, I'm not, but it's something I have to do. If I can talk him back, I have to try...but if I can't and I die trying, kill him. The Kouga I knew would never want to be the way he is now.” She returned her eyes to the dying embers and took a deep breath. “What's our next move?”

The hanyou sighed softly, closing his eyes. “Kagome's fine on supplies, but...since things have changed since we've returned, I think she and I should go back to her world.” He took an unsteady breath. “Just in case something happens here, I want to give her the opportunity to say goodbye.”

Three pairs demon eyes moved towards the girl who slept snuggled against the hanyou's chest, seemingly uncaring to the world outside her dreams.

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Kagome returned to the waking world slowly. It didn't help that she was snuggled against something warm and comfortable, or that something was shading her face from the sun. But her body told her that it was time to wake, so she did so. Beneath her cheek was the coarse red fabric of Inuyasha's haori, his hands were beneath her hind end, supporting her as he walked. His soft hair tickled her face and arms slightly. She smiled and tightened her grip on him.

Inuyasha smiled faintly, patting her hand. “Good morning.” He said softly, carefully hiding the fact that he had zero sleep last night.

She kissed the nape of his neck lightly, then straightened, looking around. Sango and Miroku rode on Kirara's back, Shippou sleeping on Sango's lap. Sesshoumaru was walking towards their left, a sleeping Rin riding on the back of his dragonette, Jaken glancing back and forth in a paranoid manner.

Ayame walked to their rear, her expression nervous.

Kagome frowned a bit, glancing down at Inuyasha, who seemed drawn a bit thin himself. “Did something happen?” She asked softly.

“We're heading back to the village for a bit.” He said softly. “I thought you'd like to visit your family before we go fight Naraku...” He felt her stiffen and glanced back towards her. There was an expression of tense understanding on her face and she tightened her hold on his neck.

Quietly, she rested her cheek against his shoulder, closing her eyes tightly. This was it. It would be over soon. She hugged his neck tighter and took a shuddering breath. “Thanks.”

He lowered his eyes to the ground in front of him, his face serious. Once or twice over the past few days, he'd caught a scent that had spurred him into bringing them all back to the village to begin with. Kouga's scent.

At first, he'd thought it was simply coincidence. Just some lingering scent of him from when he ran off.

But the scent wasn't fading.

It was just far enough away to tell him that Kouga was trying not to get noticed, that he was tracking them, hunting them.

He had to get Kagome out of danger for at least a little while. Besides, he knew that once they returned, the shit would officially hit the fan. He felt his mate tighten her grip around his neck and glanced back at her, finding a mildly tense expression on her face.

“Jyaki...” She explained, her voice tight. “Shikon shards, too.” Her face saddened and she rested her cheek against the hanyou's shoulder. “Do you really think we'll be able to pull Kouga back?” She asked softly, staring into the trees.

He shrugged. “I don't know. Wolf is too much use alive rather than dead though, so we have to try. Besides...” His voice lowered so only she could hear him. “No matter what we think, Ayame is going to probably kill herself trying.”

Kagome hugged his neck tighter, biting her lip. “I hope it doesn't come to that...”

“Ditto...” The hanyou agreed.

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“Tadaima!” Kagome called, walking into the oddly quiet house. She set down her pack and headed towards the kitchen, expecting to find her mother there. Instead, the kitchen was empty, and there was a note taped to the kitchen door.

It was written plainly in her mother's hand writing and the words caused Kagome's insides to go a little cold. “Hojou's causing trouble...” She echoed the words, biting her lip lightly. She felt a clawed hand wrap around hers and held it tightly as she could, like he was her lifeline. “Inuyasha, could you go get changed and grab the hat? I have to call Ayumi and find out what's going on...”

“Are you sure?” He asked softly, lifting her chin to meet her eyes. He saw hard determination in them and a small smile turned up the corners of his mouth. Without a word, he leaned down and softly kissed her, then released her, walking towards the stairs.

Kagome grabbed the phone and quickly dialed her friends cell phone. It rang twice and a tired sounding young man answered. Kagome arched an eyebrow. “Um, is Ayumi there?” She asked evenly.

“She's sleeping...” A pause. “May I ask who's calling.”

“I'm Kagome Higurashi.”

Another pregnant pause. “Just a second.”

Kagome waited patiently, until her friend's weary voice came across the phone line. “Ayumi-chan? I just got home, what's going on?” She knew there was an insistent quality to her voice, which would convey the rest of her message of 'what the hell is that little bastard doing now?!'

“Oh...” The voice sounded a bit more awake. She spoke to whoever her companion was, asking him to make her a cup of coffee, then returned to the phone. “Hojou's been spreading some pretty nasty rumors around school. About you and Inuyasha. We went to the shrine, but-”

“We?” Kagome arched an eyebrow.

A hesitation. “My boyfriend and I...went to the shrine, and I filled your mother in. She got all grim looking, and said she could handle most of it, but the rest was on you. He's...” She hesitated. “He's been saying that he's had sex with you and that you weren't a virgin at the time. That you were a slut, and that Inuyasha raped you, but you were too blind to see who you really love.”

Kagome's hand tightened into a fist. “Which I assume he believes to be himself.” There was a hum of confirmation from her friend. She nodded, then tightened her hand into a fist. “Okay. I'll let you get back to your man, I'll be at school tomorrow, at least I know how they'll be acting.” She said goodbye, and after her friend responded in kind, she hung up the phone, her blood on fire from her anger.

She walked upstairs steadily, reaching her room and dug through her closet, barely hearing Inuyasha's concerned questions. She turned towards him, holding a simple blue sun dress in her hands. “I thought so before, but now I know for certain.” She began to change quickly. “Hojou is a complete ass.” She said evenly, pulling the dress over her head and flipping her hair from the collar.

Inuyasha pulled the red button down over the white t-shirt and sighed, shaking his head. “What did he do?” He asked evenly.

“Oh, he's just saying that I'm a slut and you're a rapist.” She said, managing to put a huge amount of fake cheerfulness into her voice.

“WHAT?!” Inuyasha snarled, turning towards her, his face livid.

She gently rested her hands on his arms, looking up at him. “Inuyasha, it's going to be fine. As long as we, and those important know it's not the truth, what Hojou says doesn't matter. He may have had a week to spread these rumors, but we can fix everything in a few days.”

“How?”

She smiled, looping her arm through his and grabbing her purse. “Well, we can always have you make an appearance at my school to come pick me up...” She bounced up a bit, kissing his cheek, and rested her head on his shoulder. “Just remember to keep Tetsusaiga hidden in a gym bag or something...” She teased lightly, smiling at him.

He slipped his arm around her shoulders and guided her from the small house, pausing only to snatch the hat and let her lock up. “I'll see what I can do, but your mother will probably have to help.” He frowned deeply.

Kagome paused, looking towards him. “You've matured, Inuyasha.” She said smiling slightly.

“Hm?”

She turned towards him at the top of the stairs, tilting her head to the side. “I still remember when you refused to admit that you might need help, when you...” She smiled, looking at the place on his neck where his mark on her was reflected onto him. “When you pushed everyone away.”

His face softened imperceptibly. He moved his free hand to cup her face and lift it to where he could gaze upon it. He searched her eyes and found the pain that still lingered on from when he would push her away. “You mean when I pushed you away?” He whispered, his eyes saddening a bit and he caressed her cheek with his thumb. He watched as her eyes darkened slightly and quickly pulled her to his chest.

He had so much to make up for. So many times when he'd left her, abandoned her, went to Kikyou instead of her. Times when he refused to friendship, her support, her love. And then, suddenly...

She became everything to him. Everything he'd ever needed, wanted, longed for. She became that force that was always there, that reached down and lifted him up when he felt like he would drown in his own guilt, his own sorrow. The girl he argued with because she would fight back, that in the end, he only pushed away because the harder he pushed, the harder she fought against him, trying to stay beside him.

“Saying sorry isn't going to be enough...” He said idly, hugging her closer to him, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Sorry would never be enough...death wouldn't be punishment enough for putting that pain behind your eyes.” He miserably clung to her, wanting to take her pain away, but not knowing how. “Why...why did you agree to be my mate, even though I've done so much to make you cry?”

Kagome felt tears gather in her eyes and a small smile turned up the corner of her lips. “Because I love you, and love means forgiveness...” She whispered. “Besides, I did equally as much to hurt you back...”

He squeezed his eyes shut and nodded, knowing that would be her answer. Slowly, he pushed her a short distance away from himself and gave her a small timid smile. “Kagome, may I have the pleasure of escorting you to dinner?” He asked softly, offering her his arm.

Kagome giggled softly and nodded, looping her arm through his as they set off down the stairs, her eyes shining, their brief earlier shadows gone for now.

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When they returned, Kagome's mother was sitting in the kitchen, holding a tea cup, which the scent of alcohol was wafting from. Once Kagome was safely tucked away into her bed, Inuyasha walked downstairs and joined her, sitting across from her, his face serious.

“It's good to see you've both returned uninjured.” Her mother said softly, sipping the liquid and letting it burn down her throat.

He nodded. “We're going after Naraku after this visit...I thought Kagome should have some time to finally relax, but it looks like that's not going to happen.” He fixed her with a serious gaze. “What's this creep Hojo trying to do?”

The woman's face softened and she saw the determined look on the boy's face and sighed softly, remembering her husband wearing a similar look when her father had tried to contest their marriage. She lowered her eyes. Strange thoughts. “He's gone to administration, saying that she isn't home sick, that she's off whoring herself around Tokyo.”

Inuyasha went rigid. He knew enough about Kagome's time and her schooling, that days off were frowned upon, and she missed far more school days than others in the past two years. If the administrators decided to side with Hojo, and the student body already believed him, then Kagome's life here would be completely destroyed, and it was likely that her families reputation would be ruined as well. He looked at the top of the table, his face serious. He couldn't really think of what to do to help her.

“Her grandfather thinks the only way to save the family is for her to marry Hojo, since he's the 'only one who'll have her with that reputation'. I disagreed with him...but he's talking about arranging a marriage with the Hojo clan...” She saw the displeasure on the hanyou's face and her lips turned into a sad smile. “I think...you should take her though the well and keep her there for good, Inuyasha.” She said softly.

Inuyasha stared at the tabletop, frowning deeply. “I think...I have an alternative solution.” He said softly, then looked at the older woman. “I've been meaning to do something special for Kagome anyways.” He played with the ring Kagome had bought for him and lifted his gaze, fixing the older woman with it.

It was the right thing to do. Kagome had been generous to him. More generous than he felt he deserved, and he had to pay her back for her love and kindness. She had given him a mark to show human women that he was hers, but he had no visual claim in this time, and that proved a danger to Kagome. He chewed his lips, uncertain of how to tell the girl's mother his idea.

He'd been quiet for over a minute. It was starting to make the older woman nervous. “Inuyasha?” She asked softly, leaning towards him. “What is your plan?”

“I'll marry Kagome.” He said firmly, his face completely serious. “I'll be the first to admit that she deserves better than me, but she took me as I am. I will protect her, and I will protect her reputation. She's a good woman, a great woman, and she doesn't deserve to be slandered like this.”

The woman saw his serious expression and sucked in a soft breath. There was something in his eyes. Something familiar. A fierceness, a caring that went deeper than just trust and friendship. This boy honestly loved her daughter. She smiled a bit, finding that the boy who was once so obstinate and cold was now the opposites, his soul practically burning with a need to protect her daughter. “You know we'll have to keep it between us until the day you decide to do the deed.”

He nodded. “Kagome said...marraige doesn't work the same here as in my time. In my time, two people just have a little ceremony, and they're married by a local priest or priestess...”

The older woman nodded. “Don't worry, I'll go to the court house and handle the paper work. Ayumi's boyfriend works there and should be able to help. Tomorrow, while she's at school, I'll take you looking for a ring. Take your time, find the right one.”

He nodded, and stood. “I'm going upstairs.” He said evenly.

She nodded. “Goodnight, Inuyasha.”

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Kagome walked alongside Inuyasha to school the next day, his ears neatly hidden under the ball cap, his eyes darting back and forth. She could feel the rigidity of his muscles and glanced up at him in concern. “Inuyasha?” She asked softly, about half-way there.

“School is going to be rough today.” He said evenly, glancing at her from the corner of his eyes. “And we're being followed.”

Discreetly, Kagome glanced behind her, finding Hojo standing back there with a group of his guy friends laughing and joking. His eyes were focused on them, an unnerving expression on his face. “Ick, Hojo...” She muttered, returning her eyes to her mate, finding him grinding his teeth together. She reached up and lightly squeezed the mark in a soothing manner. “Don't worry, he knows better than to touch me at school.”

He ground his teeth firmer and nodded. “I know, Kagome. Doesn't mean I can't imagine disemboweling him for what he's said about you.” He heard her light giggle and glanced towards her. “You know, one good swipe down his belly.”

She fought the urge to grin, knowing he was fighting the urge to actually do it, and wasn't just imagining it. She wrapped her arm around his waist, hugging him a bit, smiling up at him. “Have I told you today that I love you?”

He paused, looking down at her and smiled gently. “I think you just did.” He said softly, cupping her face and drawing her up into a tender kiss.

It was interrupted by the group of boys behind them bumping purposefully into them rather than doing what decent people do when two lovers are kissing in the middle of the damn sidewalk and going around. There were ice-cold whispers of 'slut' and 'whore'. It took a great deal of pressure on Inuyasha's mark to keep the hanyou from slashing each of the boys bellies.

“Don't, Inuyasha. That's what they want. They want us to get angry, they want us to hit them first.” She said soothingly as they approached the school. She ignored the lusty looks the boys were giving her and the cold looks the girls were giving her and turned towards her hanyou, gently brushing his hair out of his face. “Wish me luck...” She said softly.

He shook his head, smiling. “You wont need it, Kagome.” He said softly, then pulled her tight against his chest, hugging her passionately. “If any of them touch you, I really will disembowel them.” He whispered against her ear. Slowly, he set her away from him, looking her deep in her eyes. “I'll pick you up after school.” He said softly, caressing her cheek lightly.

She smiled, nodding, and stepped out of his arms. “I'll see you then.” She said, squeezing his hands as she released them and moved towards the school, refusing to let the looks other students were giving her.

“Who's that, your latest trick?” Hojo sneered as she entered through the main door of the school.

She blinked, looking towards him. “Why no, Hojo. He's my fiancee. You seem to have confused me with yourself. Excuse me.” Without another word, she gracefully moved down the hallway, towards her classroom.

Hojo was still scratching his head, wondering what went wrong when the bell rang, signaling the beginning of the day.

However, despite Kagome's fighter attitude, she was getting worn by the time lunch rolled around. It was a great relief when Ayumi, Eri, and Yuka grabbed her when lunch bell rang, dragging her up to the roof. They all sat down and Kagome flopped backwards, staring up at the lightly clouded sky. “Kill me...” She muttered.

Eri and Yuka began immediately questioning her about the rumors that were being spread about her. “Oh, god, Kagome, is it TRUE?! You had sex with Hojo?! We thought you'd be a virgin forever!”

Kagome snorted. “I never had sex with that little wienie.” She grumbled. “I'm not that kind of girl.” She pulled out a piece of broiled fish and popped it into her mouth, closing her eyes. She could tell her hanyou had made that. There was something he did to fish that gave it a very distinctive flavor.

“Have you heard the rumors?!” Eri and Yuka exclaimed, then shot accusing looks at Ayumi. “You told her?”

“Do you like watching that power-hungry limp-dick slandering our friends good name?!” Ayumi snapped, her eyes narrowing. Even Kagome looked at her in shock at her language. “What? Is it wrong for me to use foul language once in awhile?!”

Kagome laughed softly. “Ayumi, you sound like Inuyasha when you talk like that.”

The girl turned towards her and laughed softly. “I'm afraid it's one of the bad habits I picked up from my boyfriend. He said he learned it from a father-figure of his, and he tries to curb it in front of me, but he slips sometimes.”

All three laughed at her slight sheepish expression. “So,” Kagome sat up, looking at them all perfectly seriously. “Since I know about the rumors already, let's get started rectifying this little problem with the Limp-Dicked Hojo-kun.” She looked at them, her face serious. “I need for you three to start spreading rumors too. But these will have a much greater ring of truth to them.”

They nodded, smiling brightly.

And so Kagome implemented her part of the great plan. Part which she'd discussed that morning with her mate.

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It was the third store they'd been to, and still Inuyasha hadn't been able to find a ring that 'suited' Kagome. Mrs. Higurashi was on the verge of going insane from the wait. He was looking at the rings in the display cases, but none of them seemed unique, extraordinary.

Like his mate.

Finally, the older woman came up, frowning. “What's the matter, Inuyasha?” She asked, somewhat impatient. “You've been looking for nearly two hours...”

He blinked, looking towards her. “You told me to take my time...”

She sighed, nodding. “I know, but...Inuyasha, Kagome loves simple, elegant. She loves YOU, and anything you bring her, she'll adore, because you bought it for her.” She put her hands on his shoulders and gave him a light shake. “You KNOW that.”

He nodded. “I know. But I have to find one that's perfect.” He said evenly. He looked at the cases. “These...they're all replicas. I don't want to give Kagome a replica. She's special, unique. I want her to have something that tells her that I see that.”

A predatory smirk crossed the sales woman's face. “Well, sir, I may have just the right thing...” She took them and led them into the back room, revealing a small case of extraordinary jewelery, all with outrageous prices. Mrs. Higurashi felt the strain on her pocket book and winced slightly.

Inuyasha looked at them all with a critical eye.

The woman smirked, convinced she'd managed to snag some love sick fool who would be eating out of her palm. “Now this is a 3 karat heart diamond ring, the perfect gift for your girlfriend. It has no imperfections in-”

He took it out of her hand and held it up to the light, frowning deeply. The stone was, for lack of a better word, perfect. It was pure, and crystal clear. But something about it was bugging him.

She took his expression as interest. “The band is 24 Karat gold-”

He put it down. “The setting sucks.” He said bluntly. “The stone isn't even set properly, it moves just a bit when I turn it like...” He adjusted it, and the gem shifted a bit. “This is shitty worksmanship.” He said bluntly.

Mrs. Higurashi stared at him in pure shock.

The saleswoman wasn't any better off.

He looked in the case and saw they were trying to sell it for about 340 million yen. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head, looking at the other gems in the case.

While he was looking, something in another case in the back room caught his eye. He froze, fixating on it. The saleswoman was hesitantly trying to pitch another sale at him and he moved around her, towards the case in the back. He practically held his breath as he stood over the case, staring at the most flawless, beautiful ring he'd ever seen. He couldn't read the English written on the display, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from that ring.

It was the symbol of balance, a perfect circle of red and blue, the two colors divided by a peculiar flaw in the gem, creating the look of a yin yang. On either side was a 1 Karat diamond solitaire. “How much is this one?” He breathed, staring at the stone in amazement.

The saleswoman clucked in disapproval. “1.8 million yen. We had to drop the price because no one wanted a stone with a flaw.” She huffed, glaring at the boy. “Really, though, it's horribly inappropriate for a wedding band-”

“Bring it out.” He demanded softly.

The woman saw the stricken look on his face and frowned, then pulled the ring from the case. Mrs. Higurashi saw the look as well, walking towards him and peering at the ring as it was handed to him. “Oh, my...” She gasped. It certainly was unique, it's cut flawless, it's setting beautiful. It was something her daughter would have picked herself. She eyed the hanyou with an appraising gaze, then smiled. Her daughter chose well.

“Ma'am, would you please explain to him that white diamonds are the symbol of love, not this monstrosity!” The woman whispered.

Mrs. Higurashi shook her head. “You could never understand, miss.” She said softly, smiling a bit. “But these two have never really been particularly mainstream.”

He turned, the ring tight in his grasp. “Tell me about this ring.” He demanded evenly.

The woman huffed, and began a very irritated speech. “The diamond was mined in Africa. At first, they thought the red and blue had bled together completely, but when the stone was cut, they discovered it made a yin yang. Original price was set at 7 hundred million yen. The ring didn't sell because no one wanted a stone that didn't have an IF rating, and so the price dropped quickly to what it is now, and when it still didn't sell, it was moved back here.” She snapped, scowling.

He looked at it, and nodded. “I want this one.” He said evenly. He looked towards Mrs. Higurashi and blinked innocently. “It's not too much?”

The older woman smiled, shaking her head. “For a ring like that, I'm willing to pay a little extra.”

oooooooooooooooooooooo

Kagome was feeling much better by the end of the day. Boys were still looking at her like a side of meat, but when their girlfriends caught them they were soundly chastised, followed by a quick message of if her fiancee catches you, he'll castrate you himself.

At first, the rumor spreading seemed to be stagnating, till Ayumi, in a moment of brilliance, said that Kagome's fiancee was very possessive, and a little violent, and would NEVER let another boy lay a hand on her. All the complete truth. However, that well placed rumor had made a bunch of the girls much more accepting of the other rumors. And that was all that mattered. The girls were the more vicious rumor spreaders.

With the girls on her side, Hojo's stories didn't hold much water.

So when the bell rang, and she began cleaning up, the other girls in the class were asking her all manner of questions about her 'fiancee'. It didn't bother her like it used to. After all, she and Inuyasha hadn't had a real fight since the night he'd asked her to be his mate. Sure, sometimes they would disagree on some things, but usually he was very careful about what he said to her.

“What's he look like?” One of the girls asked.

Ayumi giggled. “The word uber-babe comes to mind. Didn't you see him this morning?”

“Oh, no way!” She squealed. “I thought that was just a friend of hers! He's GORGEOUS! That hair, those eyes!”

“That butt.” Another girl sighed, leaning on her broom, sending all the girl's into fits of laughter.

“Oh, oh!” Another one piped up, grinning. “Have you two...ya know...”

Kagome blushed faintly, looking at the ground as she swept. “Yes, but not until he proposed.” In a manner of speaking.

They all sighed. “How romantic...he actually waited for you to be ready...”

She smiled, deciding not to tell them how not romantic his proposal really was. “Yeah, not every guy would do that...” She paused, frowning at the floor. “I didn't used to think that there would be a guy who wouldn't. Then all this stuff with Hojo started, and I found out that a friend of mine was planning on forcing me...” She shook her head, frowning.

Everyone gasped, looking at her in pity. “Hojo is such a creep!” One girl said, putting her hands on her hips.

“Yeah!”

Kagome just shrugged. “I have Inuyasha to look after me.”
“Inuyasha? Is that his name?”

She winced. “Yeah. Kinda weird. But it kinda suits him.” Really, really suits him. “If he ever found out that Hojo or anyone else laid a finger on me, he'd probably ritualistically disembowel them.” She said, chuckling faintly, trying to make it look like a joke. She was really only joking about the ritualistic part. There was no doubt in her mind that if Hojo touched her in any way, the police would find little pieces of him all over the school the next morning.

Very little pieces of him.

“How big is he?”

Kagome blushed at the sudden change of topic. “Um...” She considered for a moment, then held her fingers apart aways, blushing. “About that long...and...” She held her thumb and middle finger in a ring, leaving a little space at the tips. “That big around.”

All the girls stared in shock. That put him at about 9 ¾ inches in length and 2 inches of girth. “BIG!”

She laughed softly. “Hm. Was kind of uncomfortable that first time. Neither of us had any experience...” She blushed, lowering her gaze. “But he's a very fast learner...” She said, looking intently at the floor. “And we both enjoy the practice.”

There was some serious hooting and cat calls.

She giggled, blushing a bit and did a mock curtsy. Suddenly, the door flew open and a very angry Hojo flew into the room, walked towards her and grabbed her by her upper arms, slamming her into the wall.

“You SLUT!” He shouted.

She winced, seeing stars at the initial blow. She ground her teeth together, refusing to cry out in pain. “I told you this morning, Hojo, I'm not a slut. You are...”

He raised his hand, hitting her hard across the face.

She had braced herself, and it didn't hurt as bad as some of the wounds she'd taken in Sengoku Jidai, so she bit her tongue.

“What the hell did you do that your grandfather stopped arranging our marriage with my family!”

She looked at him directly in the eye and gave a small half-grin. “I told them that I would never marry a coward who has to spread rumors about a girl just because she wont let him fuck her.”

He glared at her, his eyes holding murder. The rest of the room was silent. “You little bitch-”

“Better to be Inuyasha's bitch than yours...” She breathed, smiling victoriously. Maybe she should let Inuyasha disembowel the little creep.

The boy raised his hand and would have hit her, but a strong hand wrapped around his wrist and he was tossed back away from her. Hojo looked up and found Inuyasha standing over him, wearing a cold expression on his face, that swore murder, pain, suffering, but not the sweet release of death.

“Are you okay, Kagome?” He asked, not taking his eyes off his prey. His hands were fisted so tight to keep from killing the boy that his blood was dripping to the floor.

Kagome took a steadying breath, finding her knight in shining armor had saved her yet again. She saw everyone around the room staring at Inuyasha in worry. They knew he had a violent streak, and they were scared that Inuyasha really would kill him. “I'm okay, sweetheart.” She said evenly, brushing her hair from her face. “I'm made of tough stuff, remember?”

He flicked his eyes towards her and saw the red hand mark on her face and he dropped to his knees, grabbing Hojo's collar and jerking him to his feet. He leaned towards Hojo, putting his lips near his ear. “I want you to listen hard, little boy, and listen good...” He whispered in a dangerous tone. “If you ever strike Kagome again, if you ever touch her, unless you steady her on the stairs, if you ever harm her, or her reputation ever again...I. Will. Kill. You.” He said evenly, then set him away, carefully straightening the boy's uniform, his eyes showing every kind of hell he could possibly put the boy through. “Now get out of my sight before you really piss me off...”

Hojo turned and ran out of the room.

Inuyasha was startled by the sound of applause breaking out in the room. He blinked, looking around and found his mate staring at him with a sweet smile on her face and all the girls that were cleaning had dropped their cleaning implements and were clapping furiously. He felt a slight blush creeping over his cheeks and turned towards his mate, catching her chin and examining the bruise. He bit back a low growl and lightly touched it with his hand, watching her wince a bit. “We should get ice on that...” He said evenly.

She smiled, shaking her head. “I'll be fine. Hojo hits like a girl.”

There was some laughter around the room, and even Inuyasha gave her a small smirk. “I don't care if it felt like a fly landing on you, Kagome.” He said, smiling. “Come on, I'll walk you home.” He paused for a moment, digging into his pocket. “Oh, and Ayumi.” He turned towards her, handing her a small card. “I thought you'd like to come, bring your boyfriend or whatever.” He said, then guided his mate from the room.

“What did you invite Ayumi-chan to?” Kagome asked, bouncing down the stairs lightly, her lips turned up in a peaceful smile as she walked slightly ahead of him.

Inuyasha hesitated, uncertain of how she would take it. He knew she loved him, but this would be something they did in her time. He didn't want her to be ashamed of him. He didn't want her to hate the ring. He didn't want her to hate...

“Inuyasha?” She looked at him from the bottom of the steps, a confused expression on her face. Lately, Inuyasha was very attentive, and he didn't often leave her hanging when she asked him a question. Yet, he was standing up at the top of the stairs wearing a strange expression, one that could almost be called fear, an anxiety that she'd never seen on his face. She stood very still, watching him closely.

He took an unsteady breath, looking down at the concerned face of his mate. He hadn't discussed his plan with her yet, and she was the one who had to consent. “T-to...” He blushed, looking intently at the ground. “Our wedding.” He said softly.

She wasn't sure she'd heard him right. Slowly, she moved up the stairs, staring at him through wide eyes, her breaths rushing in and out of her. “Did...did you just say what I...” She saw him nod a bit, refusing to look at her. Her heart surged in her chest and she ran the rest of the way up the stairs and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, Inuyasha!” She whispered, pressing her face against his chest. “I love you!”

He relaxed almost immediately, embracing her tightly. “I wasn't sure if you'd be happy or pissed that I went behind your back about this...” He said softly. He smoothed her hair and nosed the mark, breathing easier.

She pulled back, shaking her head. “You've made me very happy.” She said softly, then pressed herself onto her tiptoes and kissed his lips gently. Without another word, they walked from the school, his arm tightly around her shoulders, hers tightly around his waist.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

Things weren't supposed to have gone this way. It was supposed to be simple to get Kagome into bed, and into his family. After all, his ancient ancestor, Akitoki Hojo had married a girl named Kagome as well. He'd done everything he could think to win the girl's heart, and yet everything had failed, so he'd gone to even more drastic lengths, making himself the only guy in her peer group who would have her, yet she still managed to hold the heart of that creep Inuyasha.

It didn't make any sense.

After all, Hojo had showered her with gifts, pined over her health, taken her on multiple dates, visited her at her house. What had this other boy possibly done that was better than that?

“She's just a shallow bitch.” He grumbled. He was the best looking boy at school, but evidentially when a more attractive piece of meat comes along, she was off chasing them. “Not that I think that creep Inuyasha is more attractive than me...” He muttered. “He just has more unusual features.”

Speaking of the devil himself, there was the bastard, with Hojo's girl, holding each other so tight, it looked like they were practically glued together.

They were talking in low voices, whispering what were probably words of endearment towards each other. Just a moment later, the wind kicked up, catching the bill of the boy's ball cap and blowing it clear off his head.

Hojo stared in completely horrified shock.

It was a monster.

“Inuyasha! Your ears!” Kagome exclaimed in worry, chasing after the hat, catching it and rushing back. The boy had his hands over top the fuzzy triangles, his long, rather sharp looking nails. Claws, Hojo realized.

Suddenly, everything made sense. The boy was a monster and had put Kagome into some kind of contract, or under a spell, where she HAD to love him! (AN: Ahem, Kuno anyone?) Perhaps she was possessed by him, and her innocence spoiled by his evil! This brought a whole new plan to the boy's mind. Kagome was part of a shrine family! They had to deal with evil entities all the time!

These thoughts brought a whole new dimension of how to win Kagome from the evil monster to his mind. Quickly, he rushed off to the library to do some research.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

Kagome and Inuyasha stood in front of the Justice of the Peace, with her mother and brother behind them. Inuyasha was wearing a button down red t-shirt and a black 'noose', with black trousers, while Kagome wore a simple white summer dress. They spoke their vows, not hearing Ayumi and her boyfriend sneak in at the back of the room.

It was a small ceremony, very simple, held in a room at the court house. The paperwork was already filled out, this was just formality, but it was worth it, when Kagome laid eyes on the ring Inuyasha had picked for her tears welled in her eyes and she barely waited for the justice to say he may kiss the bride before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately on the lips.

Everyone applauded, and the pair blushed, realizing there were others still in the room. Ayumi and her boyfriend, who seemed oddly familiar, although they couldn't place where they knew him from, came up and shook both their hands, congratulating them.

Inuyasha hugged his new wife close to his side, feeling her happiness radiating off of her body. It wasn't something he'd really wanted to do all that much, and he'd been anxious all day prior to it, but it was well worth the effort. If things worked out according to plan, he and Kagome would have the next 48 hours to themselves, to do everything they could think of.

Unfortunately for Inuyasha and Kagome, bad luck seemed to hit them in spades immediately after something good happened. This was no exception. As they walked out of the courthouse, Kagome laughing, him chuckling softly, the hanyou felt something reach out and hold him perfectly still.

He turned and found Ayumi's boyfriend was holding his upper arm tightly, his eyes focused on something at the base of the long staircase.

About twenty odd people holding seals, standing in a half-circle. They were chanting softly under their breath and Inuyasha noticed they were calling up a purification spell. In which case, he'd be spending the next few days either dead, or human. Behind them stood Hojo, wearing a wide smirk.

“Ah, it must have been fate the other day when the wind kicked your hat off your head...” The boy gloated, walking forward, into the circle of people and up the stairs. He moved up the stairs until he stood in front of Inuyasha, and tilted his head to the side. “No wonder you have such 'unique' features. You're not even natural. You're an abomination...” He glanced towards Kagome, and smiled. “Don't worry, Kagome, you'll be free from his evil soon...” He reached up and snatched the ball-cap off of Inuyasha's head, freeing his ears for the world to see.

The hanyou flinched as it clipped his ears, fighting the urge of giving the human the lightest push down the stairs in hope of breaking his fragile neck. Kagome's fingers were laced tightly through his, and she gave his hand a comforting squeeze.

“You're assuming that it's a spell?” Kagome asked softly, looking at Hojo in irritation. “That I'm so weak that I don't know my own mind? My own heart?!”

Hojo smiled peacefully at her. “You don't know what you're saying, Higurashi-san...” He said mildly. “This demon possessed your spirit, and is forcing you to do it's will. It's the only possible reason you could love something so disgusting...so vile...”

Inuyasha felt his hands fisting, and Kagome's hand soothed him. He'd neglected to bring Tetsusaiga, since it wouldn't be aloud inside the courthouse, so he had to rely on Kagome's touch to keep his inner demon at bay. He could feel his mate's ire rising and rested his hand lightly on the mark on her shoulder, moving her behind him. “Stay behind me, Koishii...” He said softly, worried that there would be some kind of backlash towards her mark if they finished the spell. Where the hell was Miroku when you needed him?!

“Hai...” She agreed, reaching to her neck, and clutching their single shikon shard, which was glowing from the purification spell. It seemed that it's power was increasing, trying to talk to her, telling her what she needed to do. She didn't notice that she'd begun softly chanting something as well.

“When you're finally free, Kagome, we can be together, you'll be mine, just as it should be.” Hojo smiled, reaching towards her, oblivious to the waves of power coming off the hanyou's mate.

“I'm not yours Hojo...” She said, opening her eyes and yet she didn't see the world around her. Instead, she saw a priestess she'd seen sometimes in her dreams, standing next to a great fire cat, her demon lover behind her, a circle of priests holding seals casting a spell of purification. “What are you telling me, Midoriko...?” She whispered aloud.

Inuyasha glanced at her, seeing the bright glow behind her pupils, seeing the shikon shard glowing brightly between her small fingers. “Kagome?!” He cried out to her, turning all of his attention towards his mate. He saw Ayumi's boyfriend guiding them all closer towards her, and the moment he rested his hand lightly on her mark, a barrier flew up around their small group, bright white, blinding himself, and probably everyone else in the area.

She could feel the spell battering the outside of the barrier and she felt herself growing weaker. The tremendous amount of energy it took to cast it was draining her quickly, and her connection with the jewel and Midoriko was weakening. “Help me...” She whimpered, crying out to the long dead priestess. Slowly, her eyes closed and she slumped against her mate, the barrier falling around them.

They were no longer on the steps of the courthouse. They were now inside Kagome's living room, and Kagome was slumped, unconscious against Inuyasha's chest. The hanyou clutched Kagome tightly, mentally checking Kagome over for wounds. There was nothing he could find. Her face was very pale however, and her heartbeat just a little slow for his liking. Gently he shook her, hoping the movement would wake her from her sleep. “Kagome!” He cried, shaking her a little more roughly. “Kagome!”

Ayumi looked towards her boyfriend, who came forward and put a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. “Lay her on the couch, Inuyasha...”

Inuyasha did so numbly, looking at her face and smoothing her hair back. “Nothing like this has ever happened before...” He said, looking at her mother and brother, who were holding each other worried.

The boy walked into the kitchen and filled a bowl with water and grabbed a wash rag. “I know, but it wont be the last time, believe me. The energy from the purification spell strengthened the purity of the shard, increasing her connection with it, hence her connection with Midoriko.” He put the rag into the cool water and rested it against her forehead. “Don't worry, it's not fatal.”

Inuyasha examined the boy, looking at him with mistrust. “How do you know so much about the shards?”

“Because it's me, Shippou, dip shit.” The boy grumbled, gesturing for Ayumi to come over. “Hey, gorgeous, could you bring me my bag?”

The hanyou stared at Shippou in shock, trying to understand why the boy, who now was very obviously the child they knew in Sengoku Jidai, looked like a human in his early twenties. “Shippou?” He asked, unsteadily. “You smelled familiar...but...how?”

“I got older. Grew up, so to speak. Met Ayumi last summer, and when she found out about you, I revealed my little secret to her.” He held up a pendant he wore around his neck. “It was something that youkai started doing a few hundred years ago. It became safer to hide among the humans.” He glanced towards Kagome's mother and brother. “Don't worry, she's going to be alright, you might want to go make some tea, though. This could take awhile.”

It took longer than awhile.

Inuyasha paced the entire time, while Shippou rested cool cloths on the feverish girl's head. He had drawn what Ayumi had called a 'power circle' on the floor and set candles around it, lighting every other one. Each hour a different one was lit, and the one opposite it was put out.

Kagome's mother got tired of waiting around and took Inuyasha's ring out to get an engraving that matched the symbol on Shippou's necklace. Souta had worriedly retreated to his room, turning on some rather dark angsty teen music. Ayumi simply knelt beside her boyfriend, providing him with silent support, and turning the page of his thick book when requested.

After almost six hours of steady work, Shippou stopped, slumping to the floor. “I've done all I can, the rest is on you, Inuyasha. You're her mate, you've got a connection with her that the rest of us don't.” A teasing look covered the kitsune's face. “Although you should probably establish that connection in the privacy of her room.”

Inuyasha looked at Shippou, a serious expression on his face and nodded, scooping up his mate. “Where did you learn that?” He asked evenly.

Shippou paused, looking him dead in the face. “You and Kaede taught me.” He said bluntly, then stood up, helping Ayumi stand. “Go, we'll clean this up. Try to use your mark to raise her energy, she's still pretty low.”

Without another word, the hanyou whisked his bride up the stairs and slammed the door behind him, stripping her down to her underwear, and practically tearing his own clothing off. He lay her against the bed and slid under her covers behind her, wrapping his arms tightly around her exhausted form and placing his lips against the mark.

She had saved him, she'd almost killed herself trying to save him. He held her tightly, still feeling the fear that had choked him when she'd collapsed in his arms, how faint her pulse had been, how still she was, how slow her breathing was. Now, her pulse was stronger, and her breathing was more steady, less erratic.

Even now he didn't know what all had happened, he'd heard her faint whisper to Midoriko, and then her plea of help seconds before the barrier fell. Even Shippou's brief, rather hurried explanation hadn't done much to ease his confusion or his anxiety. Only one thing would soothe him now, but he couldn't make her do that when she was so tired...

Unless...

His eyes narrowed slightly and he reached down her body, setting himself to work.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

Kagome's eyes had opened shortly after the orgasm her beloved hanyou had brought her to and she blinked sleepily, trying to figure out where she was. The first thing she noticed was that she felt exhausted, like she'd run a triathlon by herself. Her limbs felt like lead weights, and there was something resting gently between her legs, obviously it was whatever had caused the warm tingling sensation only moments before. A warm tongue was lightly bathing the mark on her shoulder, which oddly enough, was causing her strength to return. Slowly, lethargically, she turned her head to see white hair and puppy ears, the top of her new husbands head.

Evidentially he felt her move, because he lifted his lips from the mark and met her gaze, a deep worry in his eyes. Also, there was something she'd never really thought she'd see in his eyes, and if she dared put a name to the emotion, it was love. “Inuyasha...” She whispered hoarsely.

He removed his hand from between her legs and shifted so he was leaning over her, looking down into her eyes. “Are you alright?” He asked, caressing her cheek gently.

Her heart melted and she leaned into his hand. “Not sure yet...” She admitted. “But could you lay with me for awhile?” She saw his eyes close and he lay down beside her, gathering her tightly against his chest. She looked at the ring on her finger and tried to summon back the memories of what happened to make her so tired, and she remembered leaving the courthouse and finding Hojo standing there, and a lot of people, trying to purify Inuyasha. Their words had caused something to happen inside the Shikon no Tama, and Midoriko had told her how to save them, and escape at the same time.

'one shard...is special. It is the piece that is closest to the center of Midoriko's heart. An attack, while normally less powerful, infused with the power of that shikon shard...will destroy Naraku.'

Kagome looked at the shard nestled between her breasts and realized what Kikyou had meant and knew that if Midoriko's 'intentions' were still inside this shard, if this piece contained the largest piece of her soul, then it would be even more sensitive to purity, and far less sensitive to evil intentions. It also explained why her desire to protect Inuyasha from possible purification had struck a chord with the long dead miko, and she'd assisted her in saving him. She turned towards Inuyasha and smiled. “It seems every woman who's ever been connected with this jewel has had a demon lover.” She said softly, smiling.

Inuyasha looked towards her, confused. “Huh?”

“I saw Midoriko cast the barrier I used only moments before I used it myself.” She said softly, lifting the jewel and looking at it intently. “The image I saw was her, Kirara, and a man with pointed ears and stripes on his face. If I hadn't known better, I would have sworn it was your brother, Inuyasha.” She laughed softly.

His eyes widened and he sat abruptly. “You mean to tell me that Midoriko was a demon's mate, but she still exterminated them?!” He saw her smiling at him in a rather patronizing manner.

“Midoriko, Kikyou, and I.” She pointed out. “Perhaps Kikyou wasn't your mate yet, but she still fell in love with you, and so did I. Perhaps it has to do with balance. Perhaps that's why every person who's come in direct contact with Midoriko's soul has fell in love with something they've been killing all along. I don't think Midoriko's intentions were to ever kill all the demons, but to get rid of the destructive ones. The ones that kill humans for sport.”

The hanyou hugged her close and rested his face against his shoulder. If Kagome was right, if she was telling the truth, then this would change everything. It would change the strategy of the final battle, as well as everything else. He lifted his face and sat up. His plans for having a romantic getaway for a few days was blown up due to harsh reality, so all that was left was to...

“What do you think we should do?”

Kagome smiled warmly. “Thank you.”

oooooooooooooooooooooo