InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forgotten Hope ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five

Inuyasha watched the horizon as the sun rose. Kagome was still asleep in the back seat, Buyo in her lap. Miroku slept lightly in the passenger seat, his head leaning against the window.

What his uncle had said had indeed bothered him. His theory was valid, but what if it was true? He didn't want Kagome to be on Naraku's hit list.

Kagome awoke to the sound of Inuyasha sighing. She felt sore all over. Sleeping in a car was really not healthy for her. "Inuyasha?" she called, sitting up despite her muscle's protests.

"Yeah?" he replied, glancing in the rearview mirror.

"Where are we?"

Inuyasha glanced around and shrugged. "Hell if I know."

"That's real comforting," Kagome replied sarcastically.

Inuyasha smiled. "Whatever. We'll be stopping soon for breakfast."

"Good, I'm starving."

"Whatever. Go back to sleep."

"I can't go back to sleep now."

"You can try."

Kagome put her nose up in the air and huffed. "You're so domineering."

"No I'm not. I'm just sensible."

"Sensible my ass."

"I had no idea your ass was sensible," Inuyasha said jokingly.

"Mou, I don't believe you. You're way too happy about this whole mess."

"I'm not happy about it." Inuyasha turned sober. "You lost a father, Kagome. It shouldn't have happened. My father promised your family protection, and we failed."

"It was no one's fault. No one knew Naraku was going to attack us."

Inuyasha sighed and shook his head. "Don't you wonder, Kagome? About why Naraku attacked your father?"

Kagome looked down at her lap and her eyes moistened with tears. "My father had something that Naraku wanted."

"Do you know anything else?"

"No. That's all."

"My father offered your family protection," Inuyasha continued. "And I will see to my very last breath that you will get it Kagome. Your mother and Souta are out of my hands now, but I can still protect you."

"Will Mama and Souta be safe?" Kagome asked quietly.

"Yes," Inuyasha said confidently. "It isn't them Naraku wants."

"He wants me?"

Inuyasha nodded.

"But why?"

"The same reason he was after your father."

"But Papa- I don't know what he was guarding!"

"I know Kagome."

"Then why-"

"Like I said, you were offered protection. You will get it. You need not worry of anything else Kagome."

"But if Naraku is after me-"

"Than I will worry about it. Your safety and well being is my responsibility now Kagome. Don't worry about it."

"But Inuyasha," her voice became very quiet. "I don't want anyone else I love to die."

"I won't die."

"You can't guarantee that!"

"I'm too stubborn to die Kagome. You know that. And besides, I could never rest at peace if you were still in harm's way."

"That doesn't comfort me!"

"Uh, guys?" Miroku's voice broke through Inuyasha and Kagome's bickering.

"Miroku!" gasped Kagome. "How long have you been listening?"

Miroku smiled sheepishly. "Don't worry. I don't have anyone to tell."

"Tell what? There's nothing to tell!" yelled Inuyasha.

"So you keep saying Inuyasha. You know sixteen isn't that young. I'm sure Kagome would be more than willing-"

Miroku was caught off with a fist down his throat. "You perverted LECH!" yelled Inuyasha.

The car swerved violently and Inuyasha quickly put his hands back on the steering wheel. "What are you talking about?" Kagome asked Miroku, confused.

"You tell her," Inuyasha growled dangerously. "And I'll see to it you'll never have your own children."

"When you're older," Miroku told Kagome quickly.

Kagome sighed and slouched against the back seat. "Mou, you guys are always saying that. I'm a big girl now, ya know?"

"I'm sure Inuyasha knows," Miroku whispered for Inuyasha's ears alone.

The hanyou growled and shot him a glare. "Let's stop at the next town!" announced Kagome, her face glued to the window.

"Sure," replied Inuyasha, relieved that the earlier conversation was over. As soon as he got his hands on Miroku though . . . he was so dead.

^_^

Inuyasha slowly pulled the car to a stop and stepped out. Kagome was quick to follow him. "Don't go far Kagome," warned Inuyasha as she started towards the grocery store.

"Mou, Inuyasha, don't be so overbearing."

"I'm not being overbearing," the hanyou argued.

"I'm hungry," whined Kagome.

"I didn't say you couldn't go. I said don't go far."

"What's your definition of far?"

Inuyasha reached out and locked his fingers with Kagome's. "You can't go any farther than that," he said, holding their arms up.

"Arms distance?" whined Kagome. "You might as well said `don't leave my side.'"

"Don't leave my side," replied Inuyasha, pulling her towards the grocery store.

Kagome made a very good human growl but didn't argue with Inuyasha. Miroku trailed the pair with a smile on his face. This adventure was sure to be entertaining.

As soon as the trio entered the grocery store, all eyes turned towards them. Inuyasha growled low in his throat. "What are you looking at?" he barked.

Kagome sighed and pulled Inuyasha towards the food. "You need to eat," she began, "You're cranky when you're hungry."

"And sleepy," added Miroku.

Kagome nodded and than glanced back at Inuyasha. "I think Miroku should drive for the rest of the day. Inuyasha, you can sleep in the back seat."

He was about to argue but was stopped short when his nose picked up a fire cat youkai. As far as he had seen, this town was human. What would a youkai be doing amongst them?

Too bad Kagome took his silence to agreement. "Good, that's settled then. What would you like to eat, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha wasn't paying attention. With a sigh, Kagome shook her head and pulled him towards the donuts. "Chocolate or glazed?" Kagome asked Miroku.

"Chocolate, most definitely chocolate."

"Okay. Miroku, you go grab drinks and snacks for the rest of today."

"Of course Lady Kagome."

"Hey, Inuyasha," said Kagome as soon as Miroku had left.

"Hmm?" he snapped out of his trance.

"Is something wrong?"

He thought for a second before shaking his head. "No, I'm just distracted."

Kagome looked doubtful but shrugged her shoulders. "Come on, the sooner we pay for these the sooner we can be on our way."

Miroku returned and Kagome had him pay for the food while she cleaned out the car and made the backseat comfortable enough for Inuyasha to sleep. "I don't need to sleep, wench," complained Inuyasha, leaning against the car.

"You may not need it Inuyasha, but you're getting it. You're too grumpy when you don't get enough. You'll have everyone in a bad mood."

"I don't care."

"But I do. You want me in a bad mood Inuyasha?" Kagome raised an eyebrow.

Inuyasha glared at her through the corner of his eyes and stuck his nose in the air. "Like I care."

Kagome smiled and planted a kiss on Inuyasha's cheek. Inuyasha immediately blushed but didn't move. Kagome beamed at the look on his face. There was such a perfect blend of embarrassment and beatitude in the hanyou's eyes that Kagome knees' almost crumpled. "Now lay down," ordered Kagome, pointing to the back seat.

Inuyasha was too stunned to object and climbed into the back seat. Kagome shut the car door behind him and got into the passenger seat. Miroku returned a moment later with food and Kagome dug in heartily. When she remembered to turn around and offer Inuyasha something to eat the hanyou was already asleep. "Are we ready to get on the road then?" Miroku asked Kagome.

Kagome's eye's widened when she realized something. "Hold on a second, Miroku. I need to get something out of my suitcase."

Miroku stepped out of the car and watched Kagome as she moved to the trunk and lifted the lid.

"Kagome!!" yelled Shippou as he launched out of the trunk and onto the unsuspecting girl.

"What the hell?" said Miroku, walking over to Kagome.

Kagome looked down at the little kitsune in her arms with a mixture of surprise and shock. "What's all the yelling about?" asked Inuyasha, getting out of the car and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Shippou!"

Shippou winced at the sound of his name. Inuyasha sounded pissed. "Uh, surprise?"

Stunned, Kagome shut the lid of the trunk and sat Shippou on top of it. "How did you get in there?" she asked quietly.

"Dai helped me," replied Shippou.

"Dai?" repeated Inuyasha. "Why did she help you?"

Shippou shrugged his shoulders while looking down at his feet. "She said something about it being safer with you guys than at the mansion."

"And how would she know something like that?" asked Miroku.

"I don't know," admitted the baby kitsune. "But wouldn't it make sense that she inherited the sight from your mother?"

Inuyasha was silent for a moment as he considered Shippou's words. That would explain numerous things that happened around Dai. "It's a possibility," acknowledged Inuyasha, "But what would make her think that it was safer for you to be here and not there?"

Kagome sighed and shook her head. "This isn't getting us anywhere."

"Yes," agreed Miroku. "Let's start driving and we can discuss this all in the car."

"Oh, just a minute," replied Kagome, remembering why she had opened the trunk in the first place. Shippou quickly jumped out of her way and onto Miroku's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" asked Miroku.

"Oh, I just need . . ." Kagome trailed off as she dug through her suitcase until she found what she was looking for. With the blink of an eye she stuck in her purse and started back towards the store. "I need to go to the bathroom now, just wait for me here."

"You're not allowed to be out of arm's distance," replied Inuyasha, following Kagome.

"You can't come into the bathroom with me!" Kagome sounded offended.

"I'll stand outside and wait for you," said the Inuhanyou.

Kagome looked ready to continue arguing but kept her mouth shut and slipped into the bathroom, leaving Inuyasha behind. Inside there were two stalls, one being occupied.

Without a thought, Kagome walked into the end stall locking it behind her. When she was done, Kagome let herself out of the stall and came into contact with the woman who had occupied the other stall. She was as tall as Kagome, with long black hair that was held back in a pony. Beside the sink, where the woman was washing her hands, sat a very peculiar looking cat.

"Wow," said Kagome, walking up to the sink, "What a beautiful cat!"

The woman looked surprised to see Kagome but hid the reaction quickly, washing the soap off her hands and looking for the hand dryer. "Thank you," replied the woman.

"What's her name?" asked Kagome as she turned on the taps and began to wash her hands.

"Kirara."

"What a pretty name. I'm Kagome, but the way."

The woman smiled politely and nodded in greeting. "I am Sango. It was nice to meet you." With the parting gesture, Sango picked up Kirara and left, leaving Kagome dumbfounded.

"Well, she sure seemed to be in a hurry," Kagome muttered under her breath, drying her hands before turning back to the mirror to fix her hair.

Inuyasha looked distracted again when Kagome left the bathroom. He was standing right where she had left him. He watched the retreating figure of the woman named Sango as she left the store and headed out to the parking lot. "What's wrong, Inuyasha?" asked Kagome when he didn't notice her appearance.

"That woman," he replied, snapping out of his daze. "She had a fire-cat youkai with her. She looks familiar but I can't place her."

"Kirara's a fire-cat youkai?"

"You know the cat's name?" asked Inuyasha, scowling at her.

"Don't you take that tone with me," replied Kagome, poking Inuyasha in the chest. "I was making polite conversation while I washed my hands."

"You're exasperating," said Inuyasha, shaking his head.

"And you're overbearing, so we're even."

"Mou, I'm not overbearing."

Kagome snorted before she started back towards the car. "You are and you know it."

Miroku shook his head at their argument when the pair returned to the car. "Come on, you two. There's no reason to fight."

"Stay out of this, Houshi," warned Inuyasha before turning back to Kagome.

"Listen here, wench-"

"Wench! Why you-"

"Enough!" bellowed Miroku, stepping between the two and pushing them apart. "You two can flirt with each other in the car. Let's just get on the road."

Shippou sniggered when both Inuyasha and Kagome blushed. Miroku sighed and closed the trunk, leaving Kagome and Inuyasha staring at their feet. Without a word, Kagome and Inuyasha climbed into the car, Inuyasha sitting in the passenger seat and Kagome in the back with Shippou and Buyo. "Did you buy something for Buyo?" Kagome asked Miroku when the cat went for her donut.

"His cat food should be somewhere in the bag," said Miroku.

After digging around Kagome found Buyo's food. "Ah . . . Miroku?"

"What?"

"Could you pull over so Buyo can eat?"

Inuyasha growled and turned back to Kagome. "We already wasted enough time getting snacks."

"Yeah," admitted Kagome. "But I don't want to smell like cat food."

Inuyasha growled again before nodding at Miroku to pull over.

^_~

Kagome leaned against the car as she watched Buyo eat his meal. Just when she though her cat was full, he would start eating all over again. Inuyasha stood beside her, glaring holes into Buyo. Why oh why did I let her take her stupid cat with us?

Shippou sat on the roof of the car between Inuyasha and Kagome, his legs hanging over the side. "Where are we going?" he asked, glancing over at Kagome.

"Don't know," she replied, a hint of frustration interlacing with her tone as she watched Buyo.

"Oh, okay." Shippou glanced at Kagome and than Inuyasha. You could practically cut the tension between the two with a knife. "Right, I'm going to go talk to Miroku," he muttered, jumping off the roof and running to the driver's side.

Miroku watched the pair with interest as Shippou joined him. "What's their problem?" asked the kitsune, looking back.

"Inuyasha is tired and Kagome is PMSing. Not good combinations."

"Oh," replied Shippou, trying to cover up the fact he didn't know what Miroku was saying.

As if he just realized what he said, Miroku looked down at Shippou and muttered a `I'll tell you when you're older' deal.

"Yes, he's done!" shouted Kagome, clapping her hands.

"'Bout time!" growled Inuyasha, picking up the oversized cat and placing him back in the car.

Miroku watched as Kagome and Inuyasha got back into the car. Looking up at the sky and then back down at the car, he said a quick prayer before slipping into the driver's seat and handing Shippou to Kagome. It was going to be one long ride.

^_^

Ai sat at the dining room table, watching her daughter wearily. Inutashio sat to her left at the head of the table. Dai sat at Inutashio's left with Rin beside her and Sesshomaru across from Rin. "Alright," began Ai, eyeing Dai. "Tell us where Shippou-chan is now and you won't get in trouble."

Dai looked over at Inutashio before meeting the eyes of her mother. `Gone.'

"Gone?" repeated Ai, stunned.

`Left with Niichan.'

"What do you mean?" interrupted Inutashio.

Dai sighed and glanced at Sesshomaru. He knew what she was talking about, why didn't he explain? He just didn't want to get in trouble. `Shippou went with Inuyasha!' There was no doubt how frustrated Dai was becoming.

"Why?" asked Ai.

`Safer.'

"Safer? What danger is there here?"

No sooner than the words left Ai's mouth there was a large explosion. "What the hell?" cursed Sesshomaru, knocking over his chair as he stood up. Before he or anyone else could reach the door, however, the fire reached the dining room and everything went dark.

^_^

"What we need," began Inuyasha, "Is a heavy rock to keep the gas pedal down."

Kagome observed the process of ditching the car with distant curiosity. Sure she had seen it done a million times in the movies, but never in real life. They were in the woods, a few miles from the train station. Inuyasha had chosen an area where cliffs overlooked a small lake. The plan was to make the car go over the cliffs and sink to the bottom of the lake. She had no idea why Miroku couldn't simply suck the car up in his wind tunnel.

Shippou sat on top of the suitcases beside Kagome while Buyo lay in her lap. Miroku stood beside Inuyasha, studying the car. "Seems a shame to let this car go to waste," Miroku sighed, regretfully picking up a small boulder off the ground and placing it on the gas pedal.

Inuyasha released the emergency brake and took the keys out of the ignition before watching the car start to roll off the cliff. "Do you think it will explode?" Shippou asked Kagome.

"Doubt it," she sighed.

The car dropped off the cliff and into the water with a loud splash. Miroku and Inuyasha watched the car until it sunk beneath the water. "Cool," said Miroku.

"Yeah, cool," agreed Inuyasha.

"Men," muttered Kagome, standing up and slinging her backpack on. "Let's get going," she announced, picking up Buyo.

Inuyasha and Miroku glanced at each other before grabbing their bags and following after Kagome.

^_^

"Wait a moment," Inuyasha called to halt just before they left the safety of the forest.

"What is it?" asked Kagome, looking back at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha knelt on the ground and started digging around in his bag before he found the manila folder he was looking for. "Here it is!" he announced.

"What's that?" asked Kagome, walking over to Inuyasha and kneeling beside him.

"These are our secret identities," replied the hanyou, opening the folder.

"Huh?"

Inuyasha sighed before looking up at Kagome. "They're self-explanatory. Here, take this," he replied, handing Kagome a small envelope that had been in the folder.

She opened it without question, taking out the passport, driver's license and the other documents inside. On each of them was a picture of her. She could feel a tinge of magic run through her hands before it dissipated. She read off the information on her driver's license. "Keiko Sensho, age 18, weight 103 IBS. height 5'2 . . . this is a fake license."

"Well duh," replied Inuyasha, handing a similar envelope to Miroku and opening his own.

"Kaemon Sensho, age 23, weight 145, height 6'0, spouse Keiko . . . holy shit," finished Inuyasha.

"Repeat that," said Miroku, eyeing him wearily.

"Inuyasha," began Kagome, "Why does my personal information have Kaemon Sensho listed as my husband?"

Inuyasha went beat red before answering. "This has got to be screwed up," muttered Inuyasha, fishing into the manila folder again. He pulled out the last little envelope. He quickly opened it but all that fell out was anything but helpful. "Fuck."

"Inuyasha?" said Kagome, before looking down to see what had fallen out of the envelope. "Oh . . ."

Lying there in the ground was two golden wedding bands. "Well," observed Miroku, picking up the wedding bands and giving one to Inuyasha and one to Kagome. "Guess we know what that means."

Inuyasha just stared dumbly at the wedding band before sitting back on the ground. Kagome was in a similar state of mind. "Well?" asked Shippou. "What are you two waiting for? A written invitation? Put the rings on."

"I don't understand," began Inuyasha. "These things shouldn't have said . . ."

"Well it doesn't matter now," replied Miroku. "Hurry up and put on your ring so we can get moving."

Inuyasha, still in a state of shock, slipped the wedding band onto his ring finger before pocketing his new identification and standing up. Kagome didn't move and only continued to stare at the ring. "Come on, Kagome," prodded Inuyasha. "We need to start moving again. Put the ring on and let's go."

"I can't," replied Kagome, pouting.

"Why not?" asked Inuyasha.

"Because it wouldn't be right."

"What do you think this is?" asked Miroku, holding up the fake ID.

"That's different," argued Kagome. "I can't just put on a wedding ring and have it mean nothing!"

"What were the Kamis thinking when they invented PMS?" Inuyasha asked under his breath.

"Well what do you want us to do?" asked Miroku.

"You're a monk," replied Kagome. "You can make that ring mean something."

Miroku shook his head before replying. "I was only ordained last month, Kagome."

"I don't care!"

Inuyasha sighed before shaking his head. "Alright Miroku. You heard Kagome. Go ahead and marry us." When Kagome bent down to set her backpack on the ground, Inuyasha took advantage of her distraction to explain to Miroku. "Do it for her peace of mind," he whispered for Miroku's ears alone.

Miroku coughed on air and almost fainted from shock. "Are you serious?"

"He better be serious," muttered Kagome, standing up and placing her hands on her hips. "That's the only way I'm wearing that wedding band."

"So you're both agreeing to this?" Miroku repeated, eyeing Inuyasha.

"Yes!" barked Inuyasha. Wait, what the hell am I thinking?

"Do it Miroku!" yelled Kagome, too angry to truly realize what she was saying.

Shippou stood by silently, watching with something akin to amazement and horror. "Alright," Miroku conceded. "Give me your wedding bands."

Inuyasha and Kagome handed the rings to Miroku who then handed them to Shippou. "You're ring bearer Shippou," he explained before turning back to Kagome and Inuyasha. "Well . . . here goes nothing."

He spoke the service quickly and quietly, his eyes flickering from Inuyasha to Kagome the entire. "The rings," he said at the end.

Inuyasha took Kagome's ring from Shippou and placed it on Kagome's ring finger. Kagome did the same with Inuyasha and then turned back to Miroku impatiently. "Well, Houshi?"

Miroku sighed before announcing the last words of the sermon. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

It was at that moment Kagome's anger faded and she realized what was really happening. She was marrying Inuyasha! What the hell was she thinking? But then again, now was the part when she was supposed to kiss Inuyasha, and at the moment, the idea was very appealing.

Inuyasha leaned forward and gave Kagome a chaste kiss on the lips, locking his arms around her waist. Kagome slumped against the hanyou and returned the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Miroku nudged Shippou away from them. "Let's give them a minute," he said, picking up the kitsune and walking past the couple.

Inuyasha barely noticed when he deepened the kiss, running his tongue along Kagome's lips before she opened her mouth to let him in. Kagome only tightened her hold on him, one hand reaching to scratch Inuyasha's ears.

Reluctantly, Inuyasha broke away from the kiss to look down at the girl in his arms. Her lips were bruised and her breathing was coming rapidly. Kagome's eyes were focused on his lips and Inuyasha had to resist the urge to bend down and kiss her again. "Kagome?" he whispered when she didn't say anything.

"Inuyasha?" she replied, looking confused. "Did we really just get married?"

Inuyasha nodded.

"Wow," she continued in a daze. "That was my first kiss."

Before Inuyasha could reply, Kagome fainted.

^_^

"Let me get this straight," Miroku repeated for the fourth time. "All you did was kiss her?"

Inuyasha nodded, studying Kagome's face intently. "Well," Miroku continued, "Either you're a very good kisser or the emotional trauma of the last few days finally caught up with her. Take your pick."

"That was her first kiss," Inuyasha said absently, taking Kagome's hand.

"I'm not surprised," replied Miroku. "We all lived sheltered lives in the shadows of the Mansion. And Kagome lived there since she was born. But then, so have you . . . was that your first kiss as well Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha blushed and snorted. "That's none of your business."

Miroku chuckled before patting Inuyasha on the back. "What's wrong with Kagome?" asked Shippou.

"Nothing," replied Miroku, still smiling. "She's just worn out is all."

"Are we going to miss our train?"

"I wouldn't think so. I'll go scout up ahead and buy our tickets. Inuyasha, why don't you stay here and try to rouse Kagome? Come Shippou." Miroku didn't wait for the Inuhanyou to answer.

^_^

"What's your motive?" asked Shippou when Inuyasha was out of hearing distance.

"No motive, just playing matchmaker," replied Miroku.

"Matchmaker? They just got married for crying out loud! Don't ya think you're a little late?"

Miroku snorted. "The ceremony was for Kagome's peace of mind. It would never hold up in court. For one thing, there was no marriage license. Second, there was no witness other than you and Kagome's cat, which would also never hold up in court."

"But she believes it," argued Shippou. "Isn't that enough?"

Miroku paused a moment before crossing the street towards the train station. "Honestly, Shippou, I don't know. I suppose that in Kami's eyes, they are indeed married."

Shippou sighed. "Why do I get the feeling things are only going to get more complicated?"

Miroku chuckled while getting in line at the ticket booth. "Speaking of complicated, what will your alias be?"

"Oh? You mean I get a new name as well?" asked Shippou, excited.

"Why of course."

"Could I be Kagome's son?"

"That would mean you're Inuyasha's son as well."

Shippou thought about it for a moment before sighing. "Fine. Then my name is Kai Sensho."

"Kai?"

"It was the only thing I could think of."

Shippou's nose twitched when he caught the scent of a fire cat youkai. Miroku had lost interest in the conversation and intently studied the backside of the woman in front of him. "I would like a one-way ticket to Ogimi, please," said the woman.

"You'll have to be in the car reserved for pets, miss," replied the ticket booth man, eyeing the cat.

"Very well," she replied, handing him the money and accepting her ticket.

"Train leaves in an hour Miss."

The woman nodded and walked off towards the lounge. Miroku watched her go before addressing the ticket booth man. "I would like four tickets to Ogimi, and my friend has a cat with her, so we'll need to be in the car reserved for pets."

4

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