InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Continuing Lessons ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

 

 

Continuing Lessons

 

Chapter 9

 

Kouga's POV

 

I ran; fast and free, feeling the wind in my face I circled my rival and his mate. Kagome should have been mine. I couldn't help but feel the pain of rejection. Kagome didn't choose me. Did I even matter to her at all? I was never much for self pity; it never does any good to feel depressed about something that couldn't have been changed anyway. Mutt-face had her heart first, I guess all this time I had just been deluding myself into thinking that I would have been the chosen one. I have had many fantasies about my woman, well I guess `the woman', since she is not mine to even claim vocally anymore. Those sweet dreams I will always cherish. I tightened my route; the first whispers of dawn were approaching. I still needed answers and I'll be dammed if I was going to leave here without them.

 

Shippo's POV

 

I didn't know what to do, Miroku and Sango were just discussing how odd that scene was, and I don't think they noticed the blood. I didn't want to just come out and state my fears, so I suggested to Sango that we go back to the river and see if Kagome's clothes and bathing things were still down there. Miroku offered to finish up with dinner and Sango and I headed out.

Sango?

I waited for her to acknowledge me, and I stumbled around a few irrelevant questions about Kagome and Inu Yasha. I had noticed the scarring on Kagome's body some time ago, but I was not sure if it was connected to Inu Yasha's mating customs.

Do you think Inu Yasha would purposely hurt Kagome?

Sango looked thoughtful, probably debating what to tell me since she still believed I was a child.

Just tell me Sango, I'm not too young to understand.

Sango smiled at me, and told me about the marks on Kagome's body. Inu Yasha was going off instinct to mark his mate, and the bite marks were to identify his mate to others. Shouting loud and clear that Kagome was claimed and no other entity would have entitlement to her.

I thought about this for awhile, we had gathered Kagome's things and I didn't miss the blush that stained Sango's cheeks as she looked around the area. Of course I was still embarrassed about my spying and would never reveal to Sango that I and Miroku and probably Inu Yasha had watched her intimate moment with Kagome in the river. Going back the scene where Inu Yasha had rushed in and out of camp, I thought maybe he had just bitten her a little too hard, and that's why there was blood running down her arm. Or did he bite her arm? Why would Inu Yasha bite her arm? The whole thing was making my head hurt. We walked in silence back toward the camp. I decided that as her mate, Inu Yasha would not seriously hurt her and that telling the others what I saw would only make them upset and angry or worse. I know Sango would want to go after them, and intruding on Kagome and Inu Yasha's private time was not a good idea; especially with how jealous and territorial Inu Yasha is. The conversation over dinner is relaxed, and I am feeling the tiredness seep into my bones. It has been a very long, strange day. I move over to Kiara and she sniffs me and growls slightly in concern. She can still smell the blood on me, I curl up in between her front paws and she nuzzles me with her muzzle. I try not to think too much about the future, it scares me too much. I am more afraid of being left alone than dying; I have already faced death many times. It is bearable, but being alone, that is something I never want to contemplate.

 

Sango's POV

 

I was worried and distracted, was I the only one that noticed the blood on Kagome's arm? Everything happened so quickly, that I might have been mistaken, but if the marks on Kagome's body were history enough, I knew that Inu Yasha had marked her again, I just didn't know to what extent. I am so afraid for Kagome. I know that she loves Inu Yasha, every side of him. Kagome is unafraid of the beast that lurks within. I unfortunately do not have that luxury. Demon Inu Yasha scares me in a way that not even Naraku can touch. Naraku is evil and dangerous, powerful and manipulative, but all of those things combine do not set ice in my spine in comparison to the dominant rage that is sealed by Inu Yasha's katana.

When Shippo started asking me questions about Kagome and Inu Yasha, I was uncertain how much I should divulge to him. It is not my place after all, to discuss Kagome and Inu Yasha's relationship. I answered Shippo's questions as honestly and vaguely as I could manage. Shippo is a clever little kit, and I'm sure he is a lot older than he says he is. How long have we been traveling together? It must be at least three years by now, and we are all still strangers to each other; so afraid to let anyone into our secret hearts. Finally unloading part of my past to someone has removed a great weight from my soul, but it is only part of the battle. I wish we were all strong enough to come together, and open ourselves completely. Knowing all our secrets will only aid to strengthen our family and give Naraku no openings to exploit us into betrayal.

When Shippo and I finally get back tot the river, I can feel my face heat up. I can't believe I did that. My first instinct was to feel shame, I had sinned, but after speaking with Kagome I decided to follow her advice and let myself be untroubled by the events that took place. I had to start thinking long and hard about what gender I wanted to follow. I remembered Kagome's hands on me; the pleasure she had helped me obtain, and tried to picture a man in her place. I wonder if a man would touch me the same way Kagome did. Unbidden, Miroku's handsome face slipped into my mind and I felt myself grow warm. He was a pervert after all; surely he would know how to please a woman. I must think on this new development more before I make a decision. Maybe talk to Kagome some more and see what she thinks about it. I will be forever grateful to Kagome for freeing at least a little part of my heavy burden. Kagome is the truest person I have ever known, and I know I will give my life to save her.

 

Miroku's POV

 

I can't be certain how long I just stared into the fire. Rolling around my darkest thoughts around my head, I came to the conclusion that I could no longer behave the way I have been. I mean it really has not gotten me any closer to obtaining my goal with the huntress. Not to say that I have not had various bed mates in the length of our travels, and in my habit of still trying to conceive an heir, I have been remarkably unsuccessful. Of course that is no coincidence. I can't remember when it happened, but at some point I had really considered what pain my request would bring. I did not just want an heir, but a family. I want to be a part of something that lasts, not merely dump my burdens onto the next generation. Watch the hurt and anguish on the face of my wife when I tell her that I will not be around to aid in the rearing of our child. I can not continue to be so selfish. I know that I would never ascend to the heavenly plain, I would be cursed in death as I am in life, to be tormented with the guilt that I carry. However, old habits die hard, and I do not think I will rest until I get to sample the slayer.

I have considered all of my previous experiences, the most interesting one of late was the last village we visited. While being so rudely interrupted in seducing the inn keeper's daughter I actually ended up in bed with the innkeeper himself. I don't consider myself in favor of one sex over the other; they are too different to be in comparison. Being with a man is exceedingly different than being with a woman. First and foremost, I don't have to worry about accidentally impregnating a man. I think it was a fair trade, the inn keeper didn't even charge us for the stay, and I got to keep our coin for future use. Inu Yasha gave me a very strange look the following morning then rolled his eyes and muttered something about prevents and whores. I felt a little upset about that, I don't see myself as a whore, there was no coin between myself and the inn keeper; it was simply opportunity and mutual benefit, but it made me do some thinking. I had meditated on my life many times, and Inu Yasha's snide little comment was filed away for later consideration.

What a strange day it had been, the beautiful, erotic sight of Sango and Lady Kagome in the river, Sango's confession, Shippo's confession. I guess it was a day to reveal the soul. Then with Inu Yasha's quick entrance and even quicker exit, I wonder if I was the only one that notice blood dripping off of Kagome's fingers. I thought I should mention it, but I did not want to upset the others, maybe they didn't notice. Feeling the twinge in my shoulder, I know what hell there is to pay for interrupting a youki and his mate. I suppose it was possible that Inu Yasha was a little over zealous with the Kagome at the river, and I can certainly understand why. Sango and Shippo made their way back to camp, and we settled back into a relaxed atmosphere. Shippo nodded off early with Kiara, I believe we should all retire early; we need to head back to Kaede's village soon. Pleasant goodnights were exchanged and I relaxed my body and mind. Tomorrow I will begin down a new path to enlightenment and become someone I can be proud of.