InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dr. Miko ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

AN: Looks like 7 pages is my lucky number… I know I said I'd update tomorrow but because I love you all so much, I'll just put it up now and get moving on the next chapter. Sound good? Ok, well, read on.

~~0.o~~byrd

Chapter 9:

Kagome's head was spinning. The stray dog she had taken in only weeks ago, the canine she had brought into her home, trusted with her younger pup, and welcomed into her small family, was not who he had presented himself to be at all. The true nature of the beast slowly began to reveal himself as she stared at his form next to her on the couch. He shied away from her gaze, fidgeting and lashing his tail too and fro. She had a million questions, but none of them seemed able to reach her lips, and so they remained in silence.

Sesshoumaru had taken his leave shortly after the grotesque discussion of their mating, which Kagome was exceptionally grateful for, and Shippou had fallen asleep over an hour ago; leaving her and Inuyasha alone and drowning in apprehension. She couldn't find the words to ask him what it all meant. Was it all some huge joke she was not in on? Was he really a demon- a cursed demon? Was she, and Shippou, in danger? The questions rolled over and over in her mind; crashing behind her eyes and making them throb with the beginnings of a migraine. What she really needed to do now was sleep. She needed to forget everything that had just happened, take a Perkeset… or four, and sleep until late into Sunday afternoon. She shifted on the cushion, startling the great white canine at her side, making him jump and let out the tiniest yelp. He turned to face her, golden eyes sparkling with emotion and ears laid back in shame. All in all, it was a most pathetic sight and Kagome sighed, reaching out a timid hand to lay across his head. He arched up into her touch, letting his eyes close briefly as he concentrated on the feeling of her hand as it softly scratched behind his left ear.

"Inuyasha," she said in a low, unsure voice, "please tell me what is going on." His trance broke when he registered the words she had spoken. She wanted, no, deserved to know the truth, but he was sure it was the last thing she really needed to hear.

"Kagome, I don't know quite how to tell you this… I want to, but I know things will change after I tell you."

"Things already have, Inuyasha."

"I know." He lowered his head out of range of her hand, lifting somber golden pools to her sapphire eyes. "I am as my brother says, a demon. I am an inu youkai from the royal family of the West. I was about five years old when my parents were killed and our palace burned to the ground. My brother and I were the only survivors, traveling incognito all over Japan. Sesshoumaru became obsessed with thoughts of vengeance and restoring our family to the throne by any means he could conjure."

"I guess that explains his weird aura."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, in the club, I was a little tipsy, I think, and I closed my eyes, but I could still see what was going on. I saw everyone's aura, or energy… I'm not quite sure, but when I turned to Sesshoumaru, his was the brightest, swirling chaotically and overpowering anything near him."

"That sounds like him." There was another long pause.

"So, were you and Sesshoumaru ever close, being each other's only family left?

"Yes… and no. We traveled together and got along better than we did tonight, but we were never close. You see, Sesshoumaru is the first-born heir of the first wife of our father, while I am an illegitimate son of the great Inutashio and one of his mistresses. According to him, I was only useful as a minion, a lowly servant to help him achieve his goal; he never really cared about me, or whether I lived or died, only that I helped and did not interfere with his plans." Kagome flinched at his last remark. Visions of a young child with snow-white hair floated behind her closed eyes. He looked longingly up at the taller figure before him, reaching out his arms as if wanting to be held or hugged, the other barely registering his presence. She had to concentrate on holding in her tears as the young boy lowered his arms and head, and the image faded.

"How? How could he be so cold so callused towards you? You were only a boy!" Her anger flared at the thought.

"I dunno. I guess he thought he was doing what was best for me, or he didn't know how to show his affection. Either way, I don't really want to talk about it." There was silence, thick enough to slice through with a knife.

"So, where do we go from here?" It was an honest question, straight from her heart and one she really didn't know how to answer.

"I suppose I should leave," he answered, his entire being defeated. He stood on his canine legs, so powerful yet shaking with the force of his emotions. Suddenly, he was no longer able to move, his body pinned back to the sofa. Kagome wept with force into his mane of white fur, her arms clinging to his strong neck. He felt his eyes misting over and struggled to keep in the tears stinging his bloodshot vision. `How could she be embracing me like this, she knows who and what I am, she knows the disgrace I have brought to my family…' Then it hit him, like a ton of bricks; `she knows, but she doesn't care.'

"Let's just go to bed, k? We'll figure this out in the morning."

~~0.o~~

Sunday morning, birds singing, coffee brewing, and three faces all staring blankly around the dining room of the small Higurashi apartment, intent not to make any eye contact with the others. Kagome hid behind her newspaper, reading the comics as if it were an in-depth article about the war. Shippou played with his bowl of Cheerios, stirring them around with his nose before lapping up the milk. And Inuyasha, terrified of what the other two might be thinking, stared intently at the wall opposite the woman he had come to know as his pack mate and friend. His heart ached at the thought of being turned away from the one place he had come to call home over the past month, but decided that if it came down to it, he would be fine, he would survive and go on living as he always did, though it burned to admit it. The pressure built steadily with each passing moment, and he came closer and closer to his breaking point. Finally, his walls came crashing down and the full flood of his anxiety came spewing forth.

"Damnit! Damnit! Damnit! Aren't you going to say something? Anything? Yell at me, kick me out, tell me to eat dog food, I don't care, just do SOMETHING!" He panted from the force of his outburst.

"Really, Inuyasha, how many times have I asked you not to yell at the table? Now stop your barking and eat your breakfast, your eggs are getting cold." His eyes twitched in true anime fashion as he fell out of his chair.

"Then… you don't hate me?"

"How could I? You never told me who you really were, but it is also true that I never asked. I took you in to our home not because I pitied your past, but because I saw how you were living at that moment, as you were and knew I could help. I know you are more than able to fend for yourself and if you're not happy, you are free to leave, but I will never be the one to force you out. You are as much a part of this family as Shippou and myself." Her words struck a chord deep within the canine. He finally belonged somewhere, and with someone. "Now eat your eggs before I smash your face in them."

"Hey, I thought you said you didn't hate me!"

"I don't, but that doesn't mean I'm not pissed off. I can't believe you never said anything!"

"Feh, you're such a brat when things don't go your wayyyyy…" His sentence came to a screeching halt as his chair suddenly tipped back. He tried to grab on to the table but with out opposable thumbs, his teeth only snagged in the tablecloth. As he tumbled, the breakfast he had been neglecting fell with him, landing plate down over his face on the soft rug. A foreboding growl burbled up from deep in his chest, gaining intensity when joined with Kagome's tinkling laughter. "Now you're gonna get it!" He was up in a flash, chasing a still laughing girl around and around the table, Shippou barking madly at his heels. All in all, it was a pleasant morning at the Higurashi home.

Inuyasha sulked on the bathroom floor. His attempts to capture Kagome had only ended with more egg on his face; literally. After her laughter had died down, she had gotten him into the bathtub and washed him from head to toe with some flowery smelling shampoo. He thought the torture had finally ended, but she had only smiled and said "Rinse and Repeat." Now she was in the shower, singing loudly to herself and dancing around behind the curtain. With the window behind her, Inuyasha could watch her every move in silhouette, though he had to force himself not to watch, less he need to get in with her for a cold shower. `What a tempting thought…' he had to immediately shake the images out of his head before they began to affect his body. "Too late."

"What'd you say Inuyasha?"

"Feh, nothing. Quit eves dropping."

"Awww, is someone still upset about his little bath?" She pulled the curtain aside so that just her face was visible. "Stop whining and go make sure Shippou's ready. I've gotta get out anyway."

"What, modest all of a sudden?" He cocked his head, smirking enough so that one fang was visible.

"Umm, since you used to be a man, I don't know how comfortable I am with the whole naked thing." She pulled the towel off the bar next to the shower and began drying her legs, giving him quite a show without even realizing it. Inuyasha gulped rather loudly but couldn't force his eyes away.

"Whatever, I haven't been human for 400 years, and probably won't be again, ever." His voice trailed off and he finally looked away.

"But, Inuyasha, what about mmmph phmmmp mmmhmmph?"

"What Shippou, honey?" Inuyasha glared down at the puppy under his large paw, shaking his head in a stern manner. All he needed was for the little twerp to tell his last remaining secret and blow the whole thing.

"Nothing Mama."

The day was half gone before they finally left the house. Kagome unlocked her 4 Runner and opened the passenger door for both dogs to jump in, though they were still fighting over who got to ride shotgun. "Com on you two, we're gonna be late, why don't you both sit up front, you'd both fit."

"Yea, but I like to stretch out and I don't need this little runt taking up all the room," he said pushing the puppy out of the way.

"Whatever, you're the one that takes up all the room with your big butt!" The puppy side stepped the larger dog's attack and jumped into the car, sticking out his tongue when Inuyasha turned and saw where he had landed.

"Tough break, ol' chap. Guess you'll be watching the sights of our fair city from the back seat." Kagome giggled and opened the back door to let the grumbling inu get in. Kagome got in and they started off. She cranked the music up and both she and Shippou sang along with every song that came on, forcing the poor youkai to stick his head out the window just to drown out the sound of their singing. They danced in their seats and Inuyasha couldn't keep his eyes off of her, try as he may. Her dark raven hair swung back and forth as her head bobbed in time with the rhythm and every so often, he saw her sparkling blue eyes watching him through the rear view mirror. `So, she really does care for me… question is, does she care for her pet, or could she learn to see me as more than I appear?' He shook his head; memories of the night they spent together only mere hours ago burned his mind's eye. He wanted to feel her again, wanted to lavish her with his touches, hold her, smell her, taste her.

"OK, we're here. Remember: no barking, no sniffing other people, no growling," she pointedly looked at Inuyasha, "no trouble making, and most of all, if you have to go to the bathroom, tell me and I'll take you somewhere appropriate or you're cleaning it up yourself." She hooked on both leashes, ignoring the glare she received from the royalty in the back seat. "There's a fine for having a dog without a leash on. Next time you come across $250.00, I'll leave the leash at home."

Sango was waiting for them at their favorite coffee house inside the mall, sipping a cappuccino with Kagura. Walking over, she searched the courtyard for the missing party. She soon spotted her, leaning against a tall table near the counter talking to a group of handsome guys. Her hair was auburn and with the light hitting it, Kagome could see hints of red shining in her perky pigtails. She handed the leashed in her hand to Kagura, who gave her a wry look and started over to greet her friend. Without being seen, Kagome snuck up behind the tall girl and, with an open hand, smacked it quickly across her ass.

"What the FUCK?!" Rin spun around in the blink of an eye, mini skirt ruffling and face flushed, until they locked on the laughing cobalt ones she had come to know and love. "Kag! Gods, I almost had a heart attack. I can't believe you did that!"

"Well, it was handing out there so far, I thought that was what you were waiting for, and for whatever reason, none of these gentleman looked like they were going to help you out. It's a good thing I came along." There was nervous giggling from all around the table. Kagome introduced herself to the four men and then excused herself and her friend.

"Damn girl, you have a good arm, it still stings," Rin whispered as they walked back to the group of now rolling girls on the patio.

"Had a lot of practice," she winked.

Hours later, and a few hundred dollars poorer, Kagome, Sango, Rin and Kagura stopped for an early dinner. As luck would have it, it was still warm enough outside for them to take an outside table at their favorite Italian restaurant. Shippou was immediately in Kagome's lap once they were seated and Inuyasha, thankful to have a rest from being dragged from store to store, curled up under the table, snapping at any feet that tried to rest on his back. As the first round of cocktails arrived, Sango popped the question she had been holding in all afternoon.

"So, Kag… you still haven't said a single word about your big date. Are you going to hold out on your best friends?" All three turned to her with huge, puppy dog eyes. Obviously, the news had spread.

"He, he, he. It was, um…nice." Everyone leaned in closer. "We went to four or five clubs, had a few drinks and a nice dinner, then we went to Fusion. There was some creepy little guy waiting for us at the door and he lead us into the VIP lounge." All the girls oo'ed and ahh'ed.

"Then what?" Rin nudged her leg softly.

"Well, then we had another round of drinks, and…"

"AND…?" Everyone joined in. Sango, Rin, and Kagura were on the edge of their seats, waiting for what they hoped to be the grand finally.

"It's nothing really… just a little kiss." The girls were in an uproar, talking wildly to each other and to Kagome, though she couldn't understand what any one was saying. There was a distinct sound that she did pick up on though; deep, angry growling from under the table. Sango giggled suddenly, quieting the group of boisterous women down.

"Kag, sounds like somebody's jealous," she sang as he foot grazed over Inuyasha's back. He snapped, missing her toes but making a sound loud enough for everyone to guess his intension; though it only made Sango laugh louder. `He's jealous? No, he's not jealous, its probably just the mentioning of his brother,' Kagome thought. Thought the thought was interesting to her. Suddenly, her mind flashed an image of the young, white haired man she had met in the club, Kinu. There had been something so familiar about him, those piercing golden eyes…'

"Uh, earth to Kagome. The date had to be good, you never zone out like that anymore. Not since Kouga…"

"Don't even say his name, alright. I was just thinking, that's all." The conversation made an abrupt turn back to what they had bought that day. As they chatted, Kagome unconsciously slipped off her shoe and ran her bare toes through Inuyasha's silky hair. Both relaxed in the unnoticed gesture and he finally brought his head around and licked her toes. She giggled suddenly, diverting all attention back to her. She scanned the area quickly and found a woman exiting the lady's room with a small piece of her skirt tucked into her panties and pointed it out to everyone. "I did that a few days ago, but luckily I caught it before anyone else did, I hope." Everyone smiled and nodded, obviously relating to the story.

"So, Kagome, when are you going out with Sesshy again?"

"Well, I don't think he's the right guy for me, so I never confirmed a second date."

"Ooo, does that mean he's single again?" Rin asked, licking her lips.

"All I have to say is be careful, honey. That one has claws and fangs." That was quite an understatement, and Kagome knew it, but it got a joust out of the girls.

"If I didn't have the precious one calling me every fifteen minutes, I might take a stab at that one myself." Sango said, scrolling through her list of missed calls on her cell phone. Everyone laughed heartily at that comment; they all knew both Sango and Miroku were completely smitten with each other.

"Whatever, just promise that I get to be maid of honor when you become Mrs. Precious One." Kagome winked across the table and dodged the hand she knew would fly at her.

"Ooo, I want to help pick out the dress, oh, and flowers," Kagura added, holding her folded hands up by her face and staring off dreamily.

"That's all fine and good, but I'm in charge if the bachlorette party!" Sango, Kagome and Kagura looked over at Rin who had the same dreamy look on her face as Kagura had had when thinking of white dresses and expensive bouquets. Kagome shrugged and giggled.

"Everyone's got a talent, guess Rin's is men."

~~0.o~~