InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dream a Little Dream of Me ❯ Inexplicable Fusions ( Chapter 14 )

A/N:

 

ArtemisMoon: Thanks a lot for the suggestions. I had initially tried to make the transition between the dream and reality a bit jarring, to give it more of the perspective of what Kagome was going through, but maybe I did a little too good and got everyone confused, ne? So I'll try to go back and do something about it. Heck, I haven't even reread any of these chapters or edited any of them, I just spit them out on paper and post em - maybe I should try a bit more editing first. *sweatdrops* And I'm not sure what happened with the formatting, but I went through and reposted everything (somehow a chapter was missing!) and everything should be aok now. Mediaminer is just a bit messed up I think. Oh well. And glad to see that you're back! I actually had your story “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back” on my favorites for a while, but I thought you disappeared after not updating it since October! To anyone else reading this: I highly suggest you read Of Weapons and Men - it is absolutely hilarious!

 

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Disclaimer: I'm moving. Didn't notice Inuyasha in any of the boxes, so I guess he's not mine. Go figure.

 

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Chapter 14: Inexplicable Fusions

 

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Last time:

 

“Midoriko was not the only one released from the Shikon no Tama.”

 

~ ~ ~

 

Inuyasha stared at the undead miko in front of him, astonished at the words coming out of her mouth. Could she really be dying again? Is it true she doesn't hate me anymore - doesn't hate Kagome anymore? Is it possible Midoriko could be inhabiting her body? Does Kikyou have two souls right now? These thoughts spun through his head but he pulled at the last one. “Kikyou, who else was released from the Shikon no Tama?” he asked hesitantly, afraid he knew the answer.

 

“The mutant - the conglomerate of demons I was locked into battle with for what seemed eons,” she replied, her eyes suddenly sharp, her face fierce.

 

“I?” questioned Inuyasha, confused on Kikyou's reference to herself.

 

She shook her head, as if to clear it, and then smiled wistfully at him. “Hai, like I said earlier, Midoriko's soul now resides within me, and it takes a concentrated effort to keep this consciousness at the forefront. After my talk with you tonite Midoriko will be the one you talk with nearly all the time, if not always. I must make sure to conserve my energy so that this body can last until we finish our task.”

 

“You mentioned that earlier - what is this `task''?”

 

Kikyou looked at him like he'd suddenly grown a hole in his head. “To get rid of that bastard demon of course,” she stated matter of factly, surprised he'd even had to ask her.

 

“And how do you do that?” he snapped at her. He did not take well to feeling stupid.

 

She studied him with such a penetrating stare he suddenly felt like his very soul was naked to her. “That is where you and your mate come in,” she said, straightening up and her gaze returning to normal, “and something I must talk to the both of you about.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes burned against his eyelids - he didn't like where she was going with this. No sooner had he opened his mouth to speak when Kikyou cut him off. “Inuyasha, as I explained before I no longer carry any hate in my life. This is not a time for such petty things. Even if I desired to rekindle my hatred the other soul with me would not allow it - there are more pressing matters at hand. Meet me tomorrow,” she said, not permitting for any doubt, “I will find the two of you in my sister's village.” Her eyes turned sad as she watched him and Inuyasha thought he saw a flicker of regret pass through those once-bright orbs.

 

“Kikyou,” he began, placing one hesitant hand on her arm, “if I do not get to see you again,” emphasizing speaking with her soul as opposed to Midoriko's,” then…goodbye.” She looked up at him in amazement as he gave her a brief, very light hug. When he released her she would no longer look him in the eye, but turned away. “Hai Inuyasha…goodbye,” she whispered, knowing he would catch it. Then squaring her shoulders she stood tall and walked into the forest, leaving Inuyasha alone to stew in his own thoughts.

 

Kikyou, what on earth do you need Kagome and I for in this? Midoriko was strong enough to capture the demon inside the Shikon no Tama, so why does she need help now that they're both out? And why must Kagome be dragged into this - hasn't she gone through enough already? I promise to protect her and we only get pulled into more and more shit! “Kuso!” he yelled. Enough of this, thinking about it wouldn't get him anywhere, so now to go find his mate.

 

Coming upon the village his nose was assaulted with Kagome's scent, heralding that she was somewhere outdoors. Another breeze passed and it hit him - the vague smell of saltiness; she had been crying earlier. Kuso, every time I go off to see Kikyou - but it's supposed to be different now that we're mates!

 

Inuyasha approached Kaede's hut and found her sitting on the front step, knees pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped securely around them, and with her chin resting on her knees, her hair falling into her face and obscuring her eyes. In short, Kagome's typical `I'm thinking about something not entirely pleasant' stance. Almost as transparent as Inuyasha's `I'm pissed off, my ego's hurt, and I don't want to talk' stance with his arms folded and usually accompanied by a “keh.”

 

When she finally became aware of his presence, Kagome tilted her head until she could see him and twisted her lips up in greeting. His heart stopped to see her smile and he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief even though he noticed it was laced with a hint of sadness and worry.

 

They stayed motionless, looking at each other until Kagome stood and began to walk toward the forest. Inuyasha was stunned that Kagome would leave him without saying a word, but then he felt a tug on his hand and spun as he was being dragged behind her. He quickly caught up and they walked in companionable silence. Or so Inuyasha thought at first. If there was one thing Kagome wasn't, it was quiet - she was only like this when something was really wrong.

 

He squeezed her hand, pulling her to a stop and turned her until he held her face in his other hand. “What is it, koi?”

 

He expected her to be her usual dodgy self and look around the forest floor while trying to avoid his question. He was unprepared when she looked him dead in the eye and asked the last thing he expected to hear. “Are you disgusted by me?”

 

“What?” he yelled. Bringing his voice back down to a normal decibel level he said, “Of course I'm not disgusted by you! If I was, why would I have just called you koi and be holding you like this?” he rubbed his thumb across her cheek for added emphasis.

 

“Because you're sadistic?”

 

He glared at her and she managed a slight laugh.

 

“Inuyasha,” she sighed, “I just don't want you to feel like you're obligated to be with me. I -“

 

She was cut off as a pair of warm lips swallowed her next words. Although the kiss was brief, Kagome felt her heart racing -Inuyasha could feel it too, judging by the smug look on his face.

 

“It would be work to not love you Kagome. How could something so easy and natural be an obligation?”

 

The confusion and doubt still lingered in her eyes, but Inuyasha was seeing the brightness start to restore itself.

 

“So you don't mind that I was…touched by Naraku?” she asked hesitantly.

 

Inuyasha groaned and rolled his head back. “Is that what this is about? Who told you? You shouldn't have to know that yet. It was that damn monk wasn't it? He's dead when I get back to the hut!”

 

Kagome stilled his tirade with a hand on his lips. “I'm glad to know.” She giggled as he kissed the fingers pressed up against his mouth. “Well, I guess that clears up that part,” she said.

 

“That part? There's more?” Inuyasha redirected his attention from her fingers back onto her face, noting immediately that her eyes were clouding over.

 

“The thing is…I…you…why didn't you mark me?” Tears were shining in her eyes as she asked what had been on her mind all day.

 

“Why didn't I do what?” he asked, confused as the dickens.

 

“You took me as your mate, took me physically - well, tried at least - “she blushed, “- but you didn't give me your mating mark. Why?!” she cried out, the tears pouring over.

 

Inuyasha steadied her with a hand on each shoulder. “Kagome, I still have no idea what you're talking about! Is this some sort of future thing?”

 

“No - you baka!” she screamed. “I'm talking about your youkai mating mark - the thing that shows you want me as a mate and not just a concubine!” Kagome ripped her face away from his hand, turning slightly away from him. Inuyasha raised both trembling hands to her face, forcibly turning her back to him, even though he felt all his energy had been drained from him by her words. He spoke barely above a whisper, his voice still retaining its fierceness.

 

“I wouldn't make you my concubine, Kagome. Never, I could never do that to you! I love you and you are my mate - you are just going to have to trust that!”

 

She stood quietly as his words sank in.

 

“There is no such thing as a youkai mating mark,” he continued. “Scent is enough to show the beast side of any youkai who belongs to who. So I really have no idea what you're talking about.”

 

Kagome reached out at Inuyasha, clasped her hands behind his back, and pulled herself to him, burying her face in his chest. She was desperate to believe everything he was telling her, but she was still so confused by the power of her dream.

 

“I told the others about my dream - everything. Kaede thinks there is special significance to what happened and that maybe it was more of a vision than a dream.” She snuggled in a bit closer to him, not yet ready to see his reaction.

 

“You marked me there and explained that it would be better if I scarred before we had sex,” she was glad her face was buried in his haori to hide the burning shade of red she must be, “since the mating would make me able to heal myself more quickly. But the marking itself was so…so…”

 

She pulled back until she could see his face, and when he saw the passion in her eyes it was all he could do to keep himself from coming down on her in a crushing, all-consuming kiss. Instead he contented himself placing nibbling bites all over her face, working his way from her cheek down until he was at her neck. “Explain it to me,” he exhaled between kisses, and the combination of his warm breath caressing her bare skin, coupled with the location he was focusing on - ironic considering the topic - made her shiver in delight.

 

“The mark goes right there, where you're kissing me right now,” she mumbled, trying everything she could to keep her mind focused and not become a ball of putty.

 

“Right here, huh?” he replied, pulling back enough to rake one clawed finger across the delicate skin, sending yet another chill up Kagome's spine.

 

“Yes,” she whispered as his lips reclaimed their previous spot. One hand stayed on his back while the other climbed to wrap itself in his silken mane. Dang, she realized, I need more focus power!

 

“The mark was to symbolize a lifelong commitment and served as a sort of pre-bond to the actual mating. I know that after mating I would at least have some of your healing powers, I'm not sure about anything else. In the dream you told me that the woman will sometimes mark the man too, but that I didn't need to worry about it since I was ningen and you were essentially my master and all. Besides, you'd said it might offend my sensibilities - and in the dream I think you were right, although now I wouldn't particularly mind.”

 

Inuyasha's tongue stilled in its trek across her shoulder as he remembered something. “Earlier you said `scar,' it had to be done before the actual mating so it had a better chance of leaving a scar. What exactly is this mark?”

 

Kagome lowered her head to his level and caught her eyes with his. “A bite,” she said, pointing. “You bit me right here and then lapped up my blood.”

 

Inuyasha had to squelch the growl that threatened to escape his throat. Normally the thought of hurting Kagome or of seeing her blood would do anything but entice him - after all, he had seen her bloody on multiple occasions and the sight had done nothing of the sort. But now the thought was making his own blood boil and he wanted nothing more than to feed his youkai within and taste his bitch. First he had to know something though…

 

“Kagome, you're not just doing this because of the dream, are you? I mean, you keep referring to it like it was more real than this life, and like I was something really amazing there. But I'm just me, fucking hanyou who says things wrong and hurts you, and this is what you're stuck with - not some fantasy. Just because we tried to mate before you had this dream doesn't mean you have to stick with it if you want something different now.”

 

Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. Did he really mean that? But she went from incredulous to mad in an instant. “Well guess what, baka? I'm not giving up so easily! I'm in love with you and I'm going to stick with you and we will figure this out. I don't care how long it takes - I will not abandon you. The only way I will back down is if you tell me right now that it's too much for you and you don't want to deal with it and would prefer to find another mate, although I must warn you - now that I have you (well, kind of) I will not give up without a fight. It's taken me too long to get this far. So what is it Inuyasha; what do you want to do?”

 

He looked down at her and realized that even if he had wanted to change his mind to save her pain, there was no way he could do that now. Her anger and possessiveness had made her gorgeous: her skin was flushed, her eyes were wide, her hair was strewn around her head and fell wildly down her back and her deep, panting breaths brought attention to her slightly parted lips…he was falling in love with her all over again. She just claimed him against all odds, against time, against the fates themselves that segregated their auras for some reason - how could he back down from that and not do the same? Especially when she deserved so much more.

 

He reached out a hand and grabbed her behind her neck, crushing his lips against hers. He let flow into that kiss all of his pain, anger, frustration, and finally all of his love as he whispered promises in Kagome's ear of how they would get through this. “Because no matter what I'll protect you.” He smiled against her skin, that gorgeous, throbbing skin next to her pulse point, the place that meant so much to her in her dream and called out to him now. He began to lightly nip at the area again, gauging her reaction to what he was contemplating doing.

 

“Should I, Kagome?”

 

She fisted her hands in his hair, both in nervousness and eager anticipation, but nodded her assent, shivering as she felt his tongue dart out and graze the sensitive skin.

 

He vaguely wondered if this would actually hurt much, but seeing as how she was the one who breached the topic - and judging by the look in her eyes when she spoke of it - he gathered she wouldn't care too much. His courage mustered, his youkai screaming to be released, and he brushed his tongue over her one more time before suddenly clamping his fangs down on her shoulder and relishing the feeling of her jumping beneath him.

 

It stings, was his only coherent thought and his body almost betrayed him and pulled back, but the additional taste of her blood was too delicious, the feel of her body against his too precious. Regardless, Inuyasha had to hold still a minute and let his reeling senses get used to the needle-like sensations that her blood caused to run all over his tongue. Sensing his hesitation, Kagome asked, “Are you alright? What's wrong?”

 

Finally releasing his fangs from her skin he replied, “Nothing's wrong, your blood just burns me a little bit; must be your miko powers.” Kagome knotted her hands in his hair, worried about the effect of her energy on him, but stilled when he sucked up the first drops of blood that dripped from her wound. “You taste so good, koi,” he whispered against her skin and resumed lapping up the delicious red liquid that was now gushing from her, causing her to shudder under his attentions.

 

They didn't notice anything other than each other as the night wore on.

 

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Kagome woke many hours later, nestled in the warmth of Inuyasha's arms. She rubbed her eyes groggily with one hand, noticing her other was stuck on something. Following the path of her arm she found that the missing hand was not only entangled in Inuyasha's haori, but had somehow found its way inside and was curved slightly around his back, pressed up against his smooth skin. At the same moment she noticed two golden eyes gazing at her, and realizing he must've been awake for a while - if he'd even slept at all - she `yip'd in embarrassment and quickly withdrew her hand.

 

When he didn't even snicker at her reaction she shyly glanced back up at him and noticed the serious demeanor he held. “We have something to do today, Kagome,” he said. She just nodded and casually began to stroke his hair in her effort to encourage him to go on.

 

“You may not like it, but we need to meet with Kikyou today...” Kagome's hand stilled momentarily but then she continued, still listening. “…Well sort of Kikyou, but not really anymore…”

 

Kagome shot him a questioning glance, wondering what the heck he could mean by a `sort of Kikyou.'

 

“Ok, ok, I'll start over.” He took a breath to calm his nerves. Kagome wasn't taking this bad, not yet at least, so he needed to explain it well.

 

“Kikyou made a wish on the Shikon no Tama. You know the rule, the wish must be perfectly pure and unselfish, and the only thing Kikyou could do that fit that was to wish for your soul back.” Kagome audibly gasped but didn't say a word, wanting to hear what more he would say.

 

“The Shikon fused with Kikyou's body, as did Midoriko's soul. Kikyou's soul hasn't been completely transferred to you yet, because without the soul Kikyou's body disintegrates (which it's kind of doing anyhow) and Midoriko has no place to stay in. Thing is, Midoriko apparently needs you and I to take care of some problem she has. Wouldn't say what the problem was, wanted you to be there as well, so Kikyou said she'd find us today in Kaede's village.”

 

Inuyasha swore he could see the wheels turning in Kagome's mind as she contemplated all he'd just told her. Then suddenly she turned to him with one of her ridiculously bright smiles and said, “I guess we better get a move on then, huh? Did she say what time today?”

 

He shook his head, stunned at how well she took the news, but his shock soon turned to a smirk. He sure had picked himself one hell of a mate.

 

Quickly he got up, righting Kagome at the same time with his hold on her waist. Then he turned in front of her and crouched, signaling for her to get on his back. With a flash they were off toward Kaede's village, just as they saw the sun rising.

 

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The two now sat in front of Kikyou, Midoriko, whatever it was appropriate to call her now. She had come a mere 15 minutes after Kagome and Inuyasha arrived in the village, and they had the sense that she did not have much time to spare. The others in the group, Miroku, Sango, Kaede, Shippo, and even Kirara had wanted to stay, but had been shooed away, still only going willingly after Kikyou had said she would call them to join the three soon. After that the three sat in Kaede's hut, and Kagome and Inuyasha waited in silence for the undead miko to speak.

 

“Didn't you ever wonder why this was called the Jewel of Four Souls?” she began suddenly. “Depending on how you count it, only 2 souls (or a multitude more if you count each individual demon that combined to make up my enemy) made up the Shikon no Tama. So why four? Because Baratu - that is the vile hanyou's name -and I could not finish it ourselves. The problem would not fade until two more souls intervened.

 

“The Shikon no Tama bonded you to each other through your adventures, but it also bonded you to me. The combination of your two souls is the only suitable one that can rise to the challenge I must place before you. Why else would the Shikon stay dormant in Kagome's body the first 15 years of her life? Mistress Centipede could not have come through that well at just any time she so wished. In fact, did you never find it strange that she was able to travel through the well at all? She had no shards, for the complete jewel still resided deep within your body, Kagome. The Tama itself called out to her and allowed her through, allowed you to meet Inuyasha and start your journey.

 

“Kagome, your bond with Inuyasha is special, and it has no relation to Kikyou. You weren't her first reincarnation, you know. The soul that once was Kikyou's has traveled many places and has seen many things. Through those other lives and experiences it has changed, maturing and gaining new understandings on how and why to live. Your soul is older and wiser Kagome - and it is no longer the same one that was housed inside Kikyou. That is one reason why the change in her was so drastic after Urasue transferred part of your soul back to her - her body did not recognize it because it had changed so much, and it was a bit of a shock.

 

“Most importantly, you have learned when to hold on and when to let go, and also that love is the most important thing in the world. Nothing else compares to its healing powers - just look at the hanyou next to you. You see the power in it and not the weakness. That is why I know you and Inuyasha will be the ones able to succeed where others could not.”

 

“What do you mean, succeed? And who else has tried? And just what the hell is it we're supposed to do?!” Inuyasha didn't like suspense either.

 

Kikyou, demeanor calm as ever, continued. “I need you to track down and kill Baratu.”

 

“WHAT?!” both Inuyasha and Kagome yelled at the same time. “Why do you need us? Why can't you…” Kagome began.

 

Kikyou, who was becoming more Midoriko-like with every passing moment, shushed her with a wave of her hands. “Obviously the hanyou and I were at a stalemate. Otherwise I would have simply killed him instead of entrapping both of us inside the jewel that has caused so many other problems. No, I was not strong enough on my own.”

 

“But…Midoriko…” Kagome tried the new name, hesitating when she still saw Kikyou's body sitting in front of her, “you were the strongest miko who ever lived. How can we do anything that you could not?”

 

“You are right in that I was the strongest miko. Yet things change. You by yourself are not stronger than I was in my prime, but I am not asking you to be that strong alone. No, you need someone else.” She looked pointedly at Inuyasha, who balked and swallowed hard.

 

“What do you mean?” he asked. “Of course I'll protect Kagome and help her in anything. I've been doing it all along anyhow, so why would I stop now?”

 

“Yes, that's what I'm counting on, but there is more to it than that,” Midoriko said cryptically. “Have you figured out yet why you were unable to couple?”

 

Inuyasha folded his arms with a “keh” while Kagome turned red on every visible part of her body. “How…how did you know about that?”

 

“I've been living in the spirit world for countless centuries now, dear. I've was equipped with senses beyond that of a normal human, or even a normal miko, and much of that stayed with me, and I can sense it now as I sit with the two of you. More than that, my consciousness was imbedded in every part of the Shikon no Tama and I know everything that has happened with any of its carriers. I have been with you both since the very beginning of this journey, and have watched you in many different ways.”

 

“Okay, Okay. Kind of creepy, but fine,” interjected Inuyasha, and effectively changing the subject. He had some odd feeling he didn't want to know yet. “So how are we supposed to help you?”

 

“To destroy Baratu you must combine your powers, your auras. Actually, that's not even as much to destroy him as to just find him.”

 

“What do you mean…find him?” asked Inuyasha cautiously.

 

“As I mentioned earlier, he was released from the Shikon no Tama just as I was, for us to resolve our battle here, in a world where there would be enough powerful pure hearts to aid the battle. However, just as my soul was deposited in Kikyou's body, Baratu's soul was deposited in the body of another demon. I cannot sense his aura, because it is only radiating that of the body he is inhabiting. That is why it is so necessary to have both miko and youkai combined - only then can we track him down.

 

“Despite his aura being overridden by the host body, there will still underneath everything, be a faint but unmistakable scent and energy that can only be his. However, just one by itself could be chalked up to coincidence or merely his influence. You can each detect one of those qualities, but have separate consciences. In order for this information to meld you two must also meld: there must be a bit of miko in the youkai and a bit of youkai in the miko. This has never been done before, and I am sorry but I do not know how to tell you to do it. Fully mating would be the best option, it is the deepest link that can be forged between two people and the auras fully meld, but you obviously cannot do that.”

 

“Excuse me, Miss Midoriko…or Kikyou…I'm not even sure what to call you?” asked Kagome.

 

“Either will do. It is not the name that holds my identity,” she answered stoically.

 

“Um…okay. I know we cannot complete the mating ritual and that you seem to know all about that, so do you happen to know why our energies are attacking each other? I mean, why in the world are my miko powers flaring out against someone I love more than anything?”

 

“Your powers think they are protecting you, Kagome.”

 

“Protecting me? Protecting me from what?” She wasn't sure she'd ever been more confused in her life.

 

“From the advances of a youkai. Do you think this is a common thing? It is rare enough for a youkai and a normal human to mate, let alone a youkai and a miko - whose job it is to heal and to protect, to hunt down rogue youkai. With miko being exclusively female, they have had a precarious position over the years, mostly traveling alone while tracking down dangerous youkai. How often did one of these miko get cornered by a youkai who decided he wanted to `punish' the little miko with a bit of pleasure for himself?” Midoriko shuddered slightly at the thought. “Rape is never a pretty thing, and if it ever happened in any of these cases if the miko was left alive she would probably lose sanity and/or all of her miko powers. That is why the energy manifests itself in a way that protects against this very thing, and it attacks any youkai who gets within the miko's core.”

 

“But how could that really help since the attack against Inuyasha also drained me. I was unconscious for longer than he was, so that wouldn't really protect me if I was in some remote location.”

 

“Of course, there may be multiple reasons for that. First of all, the miko powers may have been able to sense if others were in a reasonable distance, or even sent out an energy reading to the nearest miko. More than that, I believe, even in its rush to protect you from the `ravaging youkai,' I think your powers sensed your love, sense of security, and desire to protect the one with you. It responded to that and spent a good amount of energy deliberately holding itself back and using caution. From the stories I heard when I was a young girl myself, the youkai who attacked mikos were far worse off. Some never woke up; others were found laying in pieces covering a two ri radius. It only took a few times before the youkai got the message and stopped that form of attack.” She paused for a moment, looking carefully back and forth between the hanyou and miko seated in front of her, their fingers interlocked. She knew they'd be able to do it.

 

“This is something you'll have to figure out on your own. Seems you are on the right track though,” she smiled, arching an eyebrow at Kagome.

 

“Wha…what do you mean?” She sputtered.

 

“It's barely there, so small that even I can scarcely notice it. You, Inuyasha, are slightly tinged with a miko's aura.”

 

“WHAT?!” came a collective yell from just outside the door.

 

Midoriko shook her head and chuckled humorously. “You may all come in now,” she announced.

 

The room suddenly became a whirlwind of chaos as everyone rushed in at once, Kaede curiously eying the woman who once was her sister, Miroku rushing over to pat Inuyasha on the back and elbow him joshingly in the ribs, receiving a smack on the head, Sango and Shippo rushing over to Kagome to see how she was doing, Kirara just waltzing in lazily, shaking her head at the crazy love that was her adoptive family.

 

Shippo's wail suddenly cut through the din as the pitch of his voice rose. “Kagome, are you hurt? Why do you smell like blood?!” He was scrabbling at the collar of her shirt, trying to get a glimpse of her wound. His tiny hands brushed against it in his commotion, causing Kagome to draw in a sharp breath, effectively stopping the prying digits.

 

He was even more surprised as Inuyasha raised from his place on the ground sitting next to Kagome and growled directly into the young kits face. “Back Off!” he yelled, watching Shippo scramble behind Kagome into Sango's arms.

 

Kagome put her hand on Inuyasha's bicep to calm him and he immediately took his former sitting position with a huff.

 

Kaede turned to him. “Do ye Inuyasha know why Kagome has a wound and smells of blood?”

 

No one expected the two in question to turn bright red. Inuyasha just crossed his arms while Kagome fidgeted with the tie of her sailor shirt. “You would do well to tell them. I have a feeling this may be tied to that slight miko essence I can sense in you Inuyasha.”

 

Kaede tilted her head at her sister's words. “Kikyou, I have been studying Inuyasha since I walked into this room, after hearing your words the first time. I can in no way detect anything in him other than the same youkai and human auras he has had for the last 50 some odd years.”

 

“I wouldn't expect you to be able to see it yet, sister. I only am able to do so because of my long exposure to the spirit world, and because I have been waiting for centuries to see something like this. Now please, you two, tell us of the wound.”

 

After another “Keh” from Inuyasha, Kagome realized she was the one who would have to explain everything. “Inuyasha marked me,” she whispered, hoping those words were self-explanatory. From the questioning gazes she saw around the room, obviously they were not.

 

“It was something from my dream,” she continued on, still fiddling with her hands in her lap and not looking up. “I thought it was part of this world too, but it's not. It's a mating symbol for youkai. I felt so strongly about it that Inuyasha did it for me. He bit me right here,” she raised her hand and laid it softly on the spot Shippo had been sniffing at, “and then licked up the blood that dripped out of the puncture marks.” At the memory of the even she turned an even deeper shade of red and could not keep her eyes from wandering over to Inuyasha's silent form.

 

Miroku, unfortunately, correctly interpreted her look. “Why my friend!” he started, motioning to Inuyasha, “who would know you could be so romantic! And who knew a bit could be so sensual. Would you care to try that my beloved Sango?” His eyes wandered over to the taijiya by his side, but before he could move any further he was hit upside the head by a forceful hand. He knew he should be used to this by now, and though the hits weren't as hard now that he and Sango were to be married, he couldn't keep the silly grin from plastering itself on his face.

 

“So is it possible the blood held enough of Kagome's energy to transfer some essence without assaulting him?”

 

“That would explain why her blood stung a little.” Everyone was surprised to hear Inuyasha speak, who for all purposes looked like he was still sulking. Kagome grabbed one of his hands in hers. With his arms unraveled from his chest he looked a bit less petulant.

 

“Kaede, perhaps you were right when you said my dream had some prophetic powers to it. Maybe it was my powers trying to reach out to me, to give me some kind of hint. Perhaps it understands the urgency of needing to track down Baratu, if nothing else. But whatever it is, we will not give up.” She determinedly squeezed the hand gripped in her own, smiling when he returned the gesture. “Is there anything else Midoriko?”

 

“No, that is enough for the moment. Now I just wish to speak with my sister.”

 

Before Kagome could even move to stand up, Inuyasha had one arm snaked around her shoulders and the other moving beneath her knees as he stood, and in one smooth motion picked her up with him.

 

“We'll just be going then. We've got work to do,” he announced with a snicker she could feel in his chest and a mischievous glint only she could see in his eye. She didn't even get a word of thanx or goodbye out before they were out the door.

 

~ ~ ~

 

Ri - a unit of measure for distance.

 

Kuso - shit

 

~ ~ ~

 

A/N:

 

To clear up any other confusion there may be:

 

This is now the normal, canon Sengoku Jidai we all know and love from the manga and anime. There may be small differences here and there, because hey - this is fanfic and I'm the author and I get to do what I want! Yippee!! So if you're worried about any differences I'm putting in just lemme know. If it's something I can change for ya, I will, but some things may just have to lay the way they are. Hope you guys are enjoying!