InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing Swords ❯ Sunlight, Salutations, and Soap Bubbles ( Chapter 2 )

Crossing Swords

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters of the manga. That privilege goes to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm just borrowing them for my own evil devices.

 

 

Chapter Two: Sunlight, Salutations, and Soap Bubbles

 

 

The princess's bedchambers took on a purple-gray glow as the sun rose behind the thick drapes. Kagome opened her eyes and smiled, feeling safe and comfortable in the cocoon of her blankets. Stretching, she flinched at the throbbing ache in her lower body and frowned when she realized she couldn't move. Reaching for the edge of the comforter, Kagome saw the remains of the silk cord used the previous night to secure her arms to the bed. She went rigid upon noticing that the warmth surrounding her was not from her familiar bed linens but from the body that lay curled behind her, a muscled arm draped possessively over her waist.

 

Memories come flooding back to her; his reassuring words, his gentle actions, the way he paused when he felt he caused her pain. Reaching up to her left shoulder, Kagome probed the bite mark she knew was there, surprised to find that it didn't hurt nor did her fingers come away bloody. Kagome eased herself onto her other side while still in the demon's embrace, so that see could have her first look at her new mate and in all likelihood, the father of her first child.

 

Kagome couldn't help but draw in a breath at the sight of the man sleeping beside her. He couldn't be more than a one winter maybe two older than her, his features soft and relaxed in sleep. His hair was long, thick and a vibrant silver, shorter pieces falling to his shoulders framed his face and blended with unruly bangs. Heavy black eyebrows rested on closed eyelids accented with long dark lashes. His nose and chin were strong and masculine and his cheeks were just beginning to show the narrowness they would take on as he matured. Shifting her gaze upward, Kagome came upon the dog ears she felt the night before when her hands were finally free from their bonds. The fuzzy white ears were dropped slightly in sleep and nestled down amongst the wild silver locks. She couldn't resist, her fingers itched to touch those ears again. Almost against her will, her hand drifted up and her fingers caressed the closest appendage, rubbing the tip between her fingers. The ears flicked away but she was insistent, continually folding the delicate skin over and under her fingers. A deep growl started low in his chest and continued to grow louder the longer she rubbed his ears.

 

So enthralled by the sound the demon was making, Kagome failed to notice his eyes open and focus on her. When she finally did look back to his face, she found herself captivated by his eyes, eyes the color of liquid sunlight, yellows, golds, oranges and ambers swirling in their depths. Kagome realized then that she had the ability to speak back drew back slightly.

 

“Ummm…hi…good morning. Who…I mean what's your name?”

 

Inuyasha chuckled. “I guess introductions would be good. I'm Inuyasha, son of the Inu no Taisho and before you continue; I know that you are Princess Kagome Higurashi, heiress of the High King of the Eastern Lands.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened. “The Inu no Taisho? But I thought his son was much older and already had a mate?”

 

“You mean the bastard. Yeah, he has a mate, somehow, and he's the one that attends all the meetings since he runs a share of the Western Lands on his own. I'm much younger and as you've probably figured out from the ears, a hanyou.”

 

“Your mother is human?”

 

Inuyasha's face darkened. “Was human. She died when I was small. She refused to alter herself to gain any demon abilities and fell ill. I don't think she would have allowed this half assed scheme of my father's to actually happen.”

 

Kagome bowed her head. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you angry.”

 

Sighing, Inuyasha raised himself to a sitting position and pulled Kagome to rest in his lap, her back against his chest. Well aware that they were still nude, he pulled up the comforter and allowed her to wrap it around both of them to ward off the morning chill.

 

“I'm not angry. Both of us got pushed into this because of the choices our parents made and we don't know anything about each other. I'm short tempered, moody, stubborn, and I stick my foot in my mouth a lot, which is why my father doesn't allow me to attend political meetings. I've also been called arrogant and foul mouthed which I know is true. One thing you must believe is I will never, never, raise a hand to you if we were to get into an argument. I know what humans have said about demons and I have seen human men be far more abusive to their females than a demon would ever dream of being. Demons protect and care for their mates. Inu youkai are extremely possessive of what's considered theirs and I'm no different as a hanyou. Males are considered dominant and the female is expected to submit to their mate, but females have the last say involving issues with pups or the household.”

 

Kagome smiled a bit when Inuyasha referred to their children as `pups'. The submissive thing nagged at her a bit though.

 

“As your mate, I have to submit to whatever you tell me?”

 

There was a hint of unease in her voice and the hanyou didn't miss it.

 

“To an extent. When I tell you to do something, it will be for your safety as well as the safety of the pup you're most likely carrying. You'll be expected to attend political functions with me and while many males don't care to hear their females' opinions on political matters, I'd welcome yours.”

 

“Why? Because I'm the daughter of the man who wants to start the war with the demons? Are you thinking that maybe I'd have some inside information on what his plans are?” Kagome replied with a huff.

 

Inuyasha tucked her head under his chin and gave another chuckle. “I see jumping to conclusions and a short temper are a problem of yours. The reason I'd value your ideas and opinions is because I've seen you at the rallies and I've heard you argue with what your father has said. Plus, I was one of the demons you gave the kitsune child to.”

 

Kagome turned to look at him. “The little boy? Is he alright? What happened to him?”

 

“The runt is fine. His name is Shippou and I'm his guardian now. He lives with me in my house on the grounds near the main Western castle.”

 

Inuyasha gave a cursory glance at the drapes and turned back to the princess in his arms.

 

“It's only just past sunrise. Do you want to try and sleep some more or do you want to bathe and get ready to meet with your parents.”

 

Kagome stretched her legs and winced again. “I won't be able to go back to sleep, I'm too sore now that I'm thinking about it.” She blushed. “Plus, Prince Houjou is supposed to arrive this morning so that I may be presented to him as his betrothed.” Kagome wrinkled up her face at the thought.

 

“Well you won't have to marry him now, but this is going to be more difficult than I originally thought. Hobo's lands boarder our northern most territories and there have been fights breaking out there between some of the human men and the smaller demons in the area. I had hoped to have more time for the news to spread.”

 

“I would have found a way out of the engagement anyway. The Prince is a coward, hiding behind his father and my father so he doesn't have to think for himself.”

 

“Why were you going to marry him if you didn't get along?”

 

“My father wanted the alliance with the northern borders and their king was hesitant. I became a sort of `prize' if they agreed to help with the war. If Prince Houjou married me and he were to lose some of his lands in the north, it wouldn't matter since he would take over my father's kingdom.”

 

“Wait, aren't you next in line for the throne?” Inuyasha questioned. It wouldn't be good if there was a way to overthrow Kagome as the next in line to rule the high kingdom of the humans.

 

“Until my father decides to leave the kingdom in the hands of a son-in-law that will uphold his ideals and the war he so desperately wants,” Kagome replied scowling. “He seems to forget sometimes that the laws of the Eastern Lands cannot be changed on a whim and the throne goes to the first born child of the land regardless of gender.”

With that last comment, she eased herself out of Inuyasha's lap only to gasp when she tried to stand. Inuyasha moved to the edge of the bed, reaching out to catch the girl's hips before she could fall. He draped his legs over the side of the bed and turned Kagome to face him.

 

“What's wrong?”

 

Kagome blushed hotly at the realization that she was completely naked and standing in front of a total stranger. Okay, so I know him more intimately than any one, but still he only saw me at night and I haven't seen him…oh Gods, he's naked, too! If I look down… Drawing in a breath, Kagome closed her eyes to avoid the sudden overwhelming temptation to really look at the hanyou.

 

“Princess?”

 

“I'm okay, just really sore. I've never been with anyone before and my legs feel…overworked.”

 

Inuyasha smirked. “You can look at me you know, we are mated now.”

 

Kagome felt her blush intensify, but opened her eyes so stormy blue met molten gold. “I…we…I still don't know you. And you don't know me. How can you be so comfortable with all of this?”

 

Inuyasha sighed and let go of the girl long enough to grab his haori and drape it over her shoulders. He waited until she wrapped it around herself before continuing.

 

“To tell the truth, I'm not comfortable. I want nothing more than to run right now and not face any of this but I can't, we can't. What's done is done and I chose to follow the orders my father gave. The hard part isn't talking to you but it will be talking to your father. You have to decide what to tell him. You can tell him the truth; that the youngest son of the Inu no Tashio came into your room last night, tied you up, and took your innocence without your permission or you can decide to put up a united front with the demons and say that the mating was intentional. I leave that up to you. I would have no honor left if I forced you to lie.”

 

With those words, the hanyou got up and headed towards the bath chambers. Try as she might, Kagome couldn't help but watch the muscles coil and stretch from calf to shoulder as he walked. She snapped herself out of her daze with a blink.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

“You said you couldn't get back to sleep, so I figured we might as well take a bath and talk some more. I know you have questions.”

 

Kagome could feel the stickiness on her inner thighs and grimaced.

 

“A bath would be good…wait, you mean bathe together!”

 

Inuyasha didn't bother to turn around as he opened the drapes in the bath to let in the morning light.

 

“Yes, together. Trust me, princess, I've seen all of you even if it was dark and if you want, I'll get in first so you don't have to look.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Ten minutes later found both of them at opposite ends of the sunken stone tub. Kagome was trying desperately to not stare at the naked half-demon in front of her that was busy sniffing at the soaps and oils adorning the sides of the tub. At his request, she hadn't added any fragrance or soap to the warm water, so it was hard to focus on what was not hidden beneath. She was thankful for the natural hot spring that ran beneath the palace and heated her bath. The minerals made it at least a little murky. She looked up and had to suppress a giggle when Inuyasha wrinkled his nose and sneezed after sniffing a deep purple vial.

 

“Oi, princess, do you have anything that doesn't stink of flowers?”

 

“I am a girl, Inuyasha. I like to smell nice. And you did pick the violet scented oil; it's one of the strongest ones.”

 

His ears drooped slightly. “Yeah, well dog demons don't need to smell `pretty'.”

 

Smiling, Kagome reached behind her and pulled out a pale green colored bottle. She was feeling more comfortable around her new mate. He hadn't stared at her, groped her, or made any sort of lecherous comments when she got in the bath. He really is just like me, bonded to a complete stranger and trying to make the best of it. She eyed his ears again and got an idea.

 

“Come over here, please, Inuyasha.”

 

His eyebrow cocked. “What are you up to, princess?”

 

“Nothing! Your hair is really long and I thought you might like some help washing it. That way you can relax and tell me more about what's going to happen next. You know, where we are going to live, what's going to happen if I'm not pregnant right away, are we going to have to do that again soon, how can you tell if I am pregnant, what's going to happen to the baby…er…pup?”

 

Inuyasha held up his hands, laughing. “One thing at a time, princess!” He rose up a bit out of the chest deep water and drifted towards Kagome. She couldn't help the flush that crept up her cheeks at the sight of his well sculpted torso. How can he be so young, but so strong? I wonder if he's seen many battles. A mark on his upper left chest, over his heart, caught Kagome's eye. When he got close enough, she could make it out as the kanji for her name written in a sort of shimmering silver-blue.

 

“Inuyasha, why is my name on your chest?”

 

“That's part of the bonding ritual. Kagome, remember when I told you that I would take some of your blood and I would be bonded to you; I would have no other for the rest of my life?” She nodded. She knew this was important if Inuyasha decided to use her name.

 

“Well, to show that I was taken and could have no other; I was branded by your aura, that's why the color, that's what color your aura glows.” He held out his forearm, the one she bit, and she could see the kanji for mate there in the same strange color.

 

“I would be the only one marked like this if you hadn't bit down. You would have the bite scar and a small kanji for mate in black on the left side of your neck; black to show that you have no soul union to me, just blood. But look down at yourself, Kagome.”

 

She did as Inuyasha requested and gasped. How did I not see this when I woke up? On the upper swell of her left breast was the kanji for `Inuyasha', but done in a glittering red-gold. She looked at the hanyou with wide eyes, her hand drifting up to the left side of her neck.

 

“That's the color of my aura, Kagome. It tells demons and humans that know demon rites and customs that you formed not only a blood union but a soul union with me; our lives are one in the same. The mark for mate is the same color and a bit larger than it would be with only an exchange of blood. The bite I gave you will heal, but scar faintly, just like the one you gave me. I could have drawn the blood from anywhere, but considering what we have to be doing when it's drawn, the neck is just easier. Those scars will leave our individual scents on each other.”

 

Inuyasha traced the mark at her heart with a clawed finger then rested his warm hands on her shoulders. His eyes met hers.

 

“Why? Why did you complete the ritual? You could have been rid of me. You could have had me killed and been free. You could have had me chained up with a sealing spell and gone on and married and had a life. I know there are ways that human woman have to rid themselves of unwanted children, you didn't have to bind yourself to me. So, why?”

 

Kagome stared back with the same intensity. “I did it because you had no chance to fall in love on your own and find a mate. I might have been losing my virginity, but there would have been a man that would still have taken me for a wife once he found out how it happened. You, you wouldn't have had a chance to find a new mate. You told me what you were going to do, you prepared me for the marking, and you let me feel pleasure. You didn't have to do any of that. And I could never hurt a child, especially my own. You knew that when you saw me with the kit.”

 

Inuyasha opened his mouth but Kagome placed her fingers to his lips.

 

“No, you didn't have to. At first I thought you were still going to just take your pleasure and leave. I know that's what many men do, even with their wives, and since you were doing this as a duty, you had no reason to care how I felt. But you did. I was thankful. I am thankful. We are in this together now, no matter what happens. I will stand by you.”

 

The hanyou gave a small smile. “Thank you, Kagome.” He drew away slightly and turned his back to her. “Now you said something about scrubbing my hair? It's not flowery is it?”

 

She laughed; glad the serious mood was broken for the time being. She hoped the rest of the questions she wanted answered before they left her chambers were a little lighter hearted.

 

“It's mint scented and not too strong. You'll still smell like a manly hanyou.”

 

“Feh.”

 

Inuyasha sat back and allowed his mate to begin her ministrations on his hair. He needed to think of exactly how he was going to answer all of her questions and the questions her family was sure to have. Then there was telling her that he planned on taking her into the Western Lands to live and to give birth to their pup under the protection of his father.

 

Inuyasha's eyes drifted closed and a low rumble began deep in his chest as Kagome massaged the lightly scented soap into his silver mane. Normally he wasn't fond of people touching him so much but she was his mate and they both had to make an effort since they were going to be bound together for a very long time. No one was really sure how long hanyou's lived for since so few of them made it to adulthood. While most of the demons in the Western Lands weren't outwardly aggressive towards humans, most would not consider breeding with one. Inuyasha's father had been an exception and he had to fight and win several challenges to his power in order to prove that taking a human as a mate did not make him weak. He was jolted out of his thoughts when Kagome giggled.

 

“Oi, princess what's so amusing?”

 

“It's nothing, really, Inuyasha. I just didn't know that dog demons could purr,” she replied with a smile.

 

Inuyasha snorted and splashed water over his shoulder.

 

“Inu youkai and inu hanyou don't purr. It's a contented growl. The inu youkai language is mostly made up of different growls, barks, and yips signifying different specific objects, emotions, or the status within a pack.”

 

Kagome stopped rubbing momentarily. “So if you make that growl, than it means that you're content?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Will you answer the questions I had then?” Kagome asked, unable to keep the anticipation out of her voice.

 

“Let me rinse, princess, then I'll return the favor for you while I talk.”

 

With that, Inuyasha dunked his head under the warm water and ran his fingers through the strands to make sure all the soap was out. Without surfacing or opening his eyes, Inuyasha reached out for Kagome, grabbing her just below her breasts and switching their places. He could hear her squeals clearly even with his ears flat to his head when he broke the surface.

 

“So which bottle should I use?”

 

“You, you… you could have given me some warning before doing that!” she grumbled.

 

“Ahh, but I might have seen more of you naked if I had looked while you were moving and you wouldn't want that now would you?” Inuyasha reasoned.

 

Kagome sputtered for a moment and then settled back. He's right. He did it that way so I couldn't yell at him for peeking or risk peeking at him myself and I still end up being angry because he didn't tell me he wanted me to move. I need to get over this. How am I going to get dressed in front of him?!

 

“It's the pale purple bottle, please.”

 

Carefully opening the cork away from his nose, Inuyasha took a delicate sniff before pouring the thick liquid into in palms. Lavender and honey. He began at the nape of her neck and carefully moved his fingers up, alternating between the pads and his claws. As he worked, Kagome's head began to drop forward and her shoulder's relaxed.

 

“Now I know why you wanted to answer my questions while doing this, I can't think” she murmured.

 

“You've figured me out. If I can keep you relaxed, then you won't make me answer any uncomfortable questions. Hold your breath, princess, and I'll rinse your hair.” He dunked her under and rinsed out Kagome's ebony hair the same way he had done his own and then pulled her back to rest against his chest. His claws began tracing little circles over her stomach and ribs as he thought.

 

“You wanted to know how I would know you were pupped…pregnant. I'll be able to smell it. Everything and everyone has a unique scent and because I'll be around you so much, everything about your scent will become familiar to me. I won't know for a few weeks though, probably not long before you would start getting pregnancy sickness. As for us having to mate again…”

 

Inuyasha trailed off when he felt Kagome stiffen. He dragged his hands up her arms to her shoulders and began to knead the muscles gently. “Princess, I'm not going to lie to you. We are going to mate again, tonight and tomorrow night for sure, maybe the night after. Right now you're in heat…ummm…you're fertile, and I… we… need to take advantage of it. My seed is most potent around the time of the full moon and I've been waiting until your cycle matched closely with mine.”

 

“Waiting until your cycle matched mine…you mean you've been following me?” Kagome squeaked.

 

“Easy, princess, your cycle isn't exactly regular and I had to be sure. And yes, I've been following you. I wasn't going to bind myself to you if what you've been doing at the rallies was just for show. If you were really cruel and hated demons within the castle walls, this whole damn thing would have been pointless. The demons your father's men have captured in the past have all escaped within seven days of capture and all said you had a hand in it.”

 

“He tortured them” Kagome whispered. “He chained them with blessed chains and ofudas. He starved them but never asked them any questions. My own father. I just don't understand.”

 

“He thought he was protecting you and your little brother…and before you ask, yes, we know about him, we wouldn't have been doing our jobs if we didn't. King Higurashi used to have a treaty with my father, they even met a few times, but in the past five years things changed. He began to fear and loathe demons and said they were to blame for the problems with his own lands. He stopped all trade and negotiations between humans and demons and the East and the West became separated. There was even talk of building a great wall to divide the country like on the mainland.”

 

“It's not all fathers' fault, though. His advisors have been saying that the youkai have been plotting a revolution. That they were no longer happy with the divisions of lands and that they wanted something from the humans, some jewel that doesn't exist anymore,” Kagome replied.

 

Inuyasha began to move his hands up and down Kagome's bare back. “I don't know anything about any jewel; the only one I can think of is a legend that's over a hundred years old. I won't say the youkai are happy with the division of land, especially not being able to venture into the human cities, but I've heard nothing of a revolution. My father won't allow that blood shed. That's why he came up with this crazy scheme in the first place. He thought at this point it was the only way to get a meeting with your father. King Higurashi has turned down every one of our requests.”

 

The hanyou shifted his hands to Kagome's hips and stood, stepping out if the bath and pulling Kagome with him. He grabbed a thick bath linen from one of the stone benches lining the walls and wrapped her in it, rubbing her arms and back briskly to help her dry. When he stopped, Kagome risked a glance behind. She watched as Inuyasha grabbed himself a linen and dried off his chest and legs before wrapping it snuggly around his waist. When he turned and saw her staring, he smirked.

 

“Enjoy the view, princess?”

 

Kagome flushed. “I'm sorry…I…I didn't mean to…” she stammered.

 

“It's okay,” Inuyasha replied, pulling the princess into a hug. “It's just another part of getting used to each other. Come on, let's get dressed while we talk. I don't want anyone coming by and wondering why they can't get into your room.”

 

“It's okay,” Kagome said, leading them back into her chambers. “Usually only my person maid, Ayume, comes up here early in the morning to bring my breakfast. Father is too busy to eat with the family and Souta hates to get up early. I just eat on the balcony.”

 

She headed for the large cherry wood wardrobe tucked in the corner by the mirrored bureau. Inuyasha missed seeing it the night before. Kagome pulled out a cream colored shift and a pale pink silk yukata and laid them on the bed. While Inuyasha pulled on his hakama, she selected a heavier silk outer kimono whose body was white, then darkened to pink and finally red on the ends of the sleeves and hem. Inuyasha stopped her before she could grab on obi.

 

“Here. I brought this one for you. It bears the name and symbol of the house of Inu.”

Kagome took the obi and looked at it. It was red and would match her kimono well. On the front was a massive dog demon, in full form, bearing its fangs and the kanji for inu next to it, all done in white.

 

“Thank you.” She managed to get dressed without feeling too uncomfortable, even when Inuyasha came behind her to help tie the obi at her waist. She thought about leaving her hair down but decided to put it in a bun to show off the mate mark. She didn't want her father, or Inuyasha for that matter, to think she was ashamed of it. Taking her comb, Kagome climbed onto her bed and sat behind her mate.

 

“I'll comb, you talk. You still haven't told me about where we're going to live. Am I correct in assuming that it will be in the Western Lands?”

 

Inuyasha gave a snort of surprise. “Ummm, yeah. My father thought it would be safer since you would be having a hanyou pup to have it in the demon territory. I don't want you to feel separated from your family though. Your mother and brother are welcome there anytime and your father so long as he doesn't start shit.” He found it hard to concentrate as Kagome gently untangled his silver mane.

 

“How can I be having a half demon pup if you're a half demon? Wouldn't it be a quarter demon?”

 

“No. Youkai blood is very dominant. It will allow itself to be diluted to half but no less. My father is the most powerful youkai alive and I inherited that blood from him. There also times that a half demon's blood will overwhelm them and they will turn full demon. I have almost no control then and I hope you never have to see that.”

 

Inuyasha was interrupted by a knock on the door. His ears swiveled forward and he inhaled deeply. “Whoever it is, they're female and fairly young.”

 

Kagome rose and made to answer. “I told you it's probably Ayume with breakfast. How do you undo the soundproofing spell?”

 

“Just pick up the jet stone,” Inuyasha replied, also getting up.

 

Kagome grabbed the stone and palmed it before sliding the shoji open. A tall girl with brown hair down to her waist pulled into a low ponytail and magenta eyes swept into the room. She wore a simple two tone pink kimono with a green skirt tying it shut at the waist.

 

“Kagome, I to come in earlier and couldn't. Is something wrong with the door?” she asked, as she slid it shut. At that moment she caught sight of Inuyasha. Kagome clamped her hand over the girl's mouth before she could say anything, at the same time dropping the jet stone back into it previous place.

 

“Inuyasha, the spell! Quickly!”

He uttered the incantation and the stones flashed signifying that once again the room was soundproof. Kagome released her friend and stepped aside to stand next to Inuyasha.

 

The girl narrowed her eyes. “Kagome what the hell is going on? Why is there a demon in your room and why in Kami's name are you siding with him?”

 

“Inuyasha, this is Sango. Sango, this is my mate, Inuyasha, son of the Inu no Tashio. Sango was hired by my father because she is a youkai exterminator.”