InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Infatuation ❯ Tender Moments ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: Back in school for year two of college! Schedule’s a bit hectic, but I will do my best to stick to the promise of updating weekly. Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Special thanks to my wonderful beta, Inukaggrrl06!

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Infatuation

Rated M for strong language
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Chapter 7: Tender Moments
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Recap:

“Whaddya say we head back to HQ?” asked InuYasha.

“Sounds good,” said Ayame as she slipped her chain back through it’s belt loops. “We need to debrief.”

“And check the computers!” Rin added.

“Kags?” Sango asked.

“Shh,” InuYasha whispered. “She’s out like a light.”

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InuYasha stood silently cradling his partner. The others milled about Tsubaki‘s hastily abandoned office, searching through filing cabinets, the mail tray and drawers--or hacking into the computer in Rin’s case--to collect every scrap of information that could possibly pertain to Naraku or the Shikon no Tama.

Sango was bent over a smaller cabinet, flipping through folders. Periodically, the Slayer would pull a few out and set them down on the floor beside her.

InuYasha smirked at the way Miroku’s head would follow the bending motion of Sango’s behind.

‘Keh, stupid lecher.’

Rin hummed a little tune as she dragged a few files and e-mails into the zip-disk file she had brought. Once she was done, she ran a program to swipe all evidence of her snooping, ejected and pocketed the disk, then walked over to the inu-hanyou. The smallest Slayer placed a gentle hand on Kagome’s cheek.

“Poor thing, that power stripping really took it out of her,” she whispered, to avoid disturbing the slumbering miko.

InuYasha merely grunted in response.

“Well, I think we’ve got everything,” Ayame announced, stretching her arms above her head before slinging a bag stuffed with files onto her shoulder. Kouga’s eyes shamelessly trailed over her form.

One irritated glare from Ayame and he quickly directed his gaze elsewhere.

“I believe this will suffice for the present,” said Sesshomaru.

The others nodded in assent. Everyone, aside from InuYasha and Kagome, placed all their files into bags, carting them out of the door and down the hallway.

Once the group reached the stairwell, everyone abruptly stopped. Hundreds of varying jyaki radiated upwards, alerting the Slayers and Hunters to the youkai anticipating a fight below.

“Damnnit!” InuYasha growled.

“We were afraid this would happen if Kagome increased her power to too high a level,” said Rin.

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” Sango announced, taking charge. “InuYasha, you go on ahead with Kagome. There should be a roof exit somewhere. Ayame, you go with them as backup.”

“Hai,” the two agreed, taking off in the opposite direction from the stairwell.

After a speedy discussion, Rin and Sesshomaru descended first, shooting poison bullets and striking out with the poison whip--carefully avoiding hitting the ningen patrons--to clear a path to the outside of the club. Sango and Miroku covered the rear, fighting off rouges with a katana and sutras.

They drew the hostiles outside and away from the innocent bystanders in the club, then circled up back-to-back.

Sango gave the signal, and they all sprang into battle.

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InuYasha and Ayame pounded up staircase after staircase, arriving at the rooftop in mere minutes. A group of 20 or so rouges greeted them, effectively blocking their way out.

“You stinkin’ bastards need to move!” InuYasha shouted.

He and Ayame maneuvered themselves to cover the other. The inu-hanyou moved Kagome to one shoulder, unsheathing Tessaiga, then began swinging away in his usual fashion, striking down opponent after opponent. Ayame whipped out her chain, rounding up rouges like cattle and jerking them over the side of the building.

Once all rouges had been disposed or removed, InuYasha gingerly repositioned Kagome back into his arms, chuckling at how the miko had slept straight through the fight. He shared a quick glance with Ayame, and then the duo took a running leap, roof-hopping back towards Headquarters.

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“Do these idiots ever quit?” Rin grunted as she dropped into a crouch, swinging her leg out to knock a rouge off its feet.

Kouga snorted. “Then we’d be unemployed!”

“Hi-yah!” Sango cried, as she sliced another head off. “We’re almost done!”

Miroku threw a few sutras, burning through youkai flesh and turning the low-class rouges into ashes.

Sesshomaru quickly eliminated any flying threats, touching back down beside his partner to destroy an ugly purple fellow attacking her from behind.

“Thanks!” she shouted, spinning to shoot another youkai over the taiyoukai’s shoulder.

“Hn.”

‘I think he may be starting to like me,’ Rin internally mused as she grinned prettily at Sesshomaru.

The taiyoukai remained emotionless, abruptly turning his head away.

‘Okay, maybe not.’

“I believe all is done here,” Miroku announced after a quick survey of the area.

“Let’s split then,” Kouga responded.

They found their stashed bikes and peeled out, racing out of the district.

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Ever so carefully, InuYasha laid Kagome down upon the infirmary bed. Medical personnel immediately surrounded the unconscious Slayer. The hanyou refused to be removed from his partner’s side, so he took a seat in the vacant chair next to her bed, gently brushing her dark hair out of her face. Kagome leaned into his touch, her face relaxing, and a small smile formed on the inu-hanyou’s lips.

‘She’s like an angel when she’s asleep,’ he mused silently. ‘And a hellion when she’s awake.’ InuYasha fought the urge to chuckle.

“InuYasha,” a deep, womanly voice called.

InuYasha looked up, quickly dropping his hand. “Kaede-baba,” he answered.

Kaede looked mildly annoyed at the name, but ignored it in favor of business.

“You need to head down to the Boardroom. The others are waiting to debrief.”

InuYasha’s eyes trailed down to Kagome.

“She shall be fine, child,” Kaede assured. “A simple rest is all she needs.”

“Keh, I don’t care what she needs,” the hanyou muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets and strolling out the infirmary door.

Kaede smiled. Glancing back briefly to ascertain Kagome was properly being seen to, the elder miko followed behind InuYasha.

A quiet elevator ride and a few hallways later, the pair reached the Boardroom. InuYasha, in his gentlemanly way, stormed through the door and plopped down in a chair, kicking his feet up on a table. Miroku frowned, and pushed them down, earning himself a glare and a growl from the hanyou.

“Thank you, Miroku-san.”

“You’re most welcome, Kaede-sama,” the monk replied, bowing his head.

“So well-manered,” Kaede praised.

Sango and Ayame snorted loudly.

“What is your problem?” Miroku inquired with a raised brow.

“Bite me,” sneezed Sango.

“Bless ya!” replied Ayame. The two began to snicker, and Rin bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Miroku looked thoroughly perplexed. “What?”

“Never ye mind,” Kaede interrupted, shooting the girls a stern look to silence them.

“How’s Kags?” Rin piped up anxiously.

“She will be fine. A good rest is all she needs to replenish her energy,” Kaede assured the youngest Slayer.

“Good, good,” interjected Myogua. “Now, let’s begin.”

Every Slayer and Hunter present, with the obvious exception of Sesshomaru, groaned.

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Three hours later…

“Someone shoot me, please,” Ayame muttered to Rin. “I can’t take another hour of analyzing. Tsubaki is powerless, and we know Naraku can‘t see the shards, and needs them to make himself stronger. Big, freakin’ whoop-de-do. End of discussion.”

“And my program is still searching for a password,” whispered Rin. “There’s nothing to do for now…”

“And why aren’t you two babes paying attention?” Kouga interrupted, leaning in with a wolfish grin.

“We are,” Rin primly insisted.

“Mind your own business, asshole,” Ayame snapped.

“Alright,” Kaede’s voice drifted in. “Tsubaki will be of no major threat to us now. However, since Kagome stripped her of her miko powers, I would not put it past her to want revenge.”

“Great. Add another psychotic, vengeance-seeking woman to the masses,” InuYasha muttered in annoyance.

Three sets of female eyes pinned him with heated glares.

“Keh,” was his intelligent reply, having the grace to appear slightly chagrinned.

“So,” Sango began, “This woman was an old acquaintance of yours, Kaede-sama?”

“Hai, I daresay we studied at the same shrine together.”

“Then why isn’t she a hag too?”

“InuYasha!” Miroku chastised. “What my rude friend means to ask is why has she retained her youth?”

“I know very well exactly what your friend meant, Houshi-sama,” Kaede replied with a laugh. “Surely you must know of her constant contact with shards of the Shikon no Tama while working for Naraku…”

“Immortality,” InuYasha supplied. “The bitch told Kagome she had a deal with Naraku. She found him the shards in exchange for eternal youth.”

“Precisely what I suspected,” Kaede nodded in approval. “However angry she may be, Naraku has lost a very helpful tool, tipping the scales in our favor.”

“Indeed,” agreed Sesshomaru. “Now we must beat him to the chase.”

“Huh?” Ayame asked, confused.

“Right,” Rin piped up. “Find the shards before he does. Beat him at his own game. If we have the shards, then--”

“We can stop him,” Sango interjected.

“Correct,” Myogua agreed. “Which is why our reconnaissance and search missions are of the utmost importance and not to be taken lightly.”

Each Slayer and Hunter nodded dutifully.

“Hai, very seriously,“ Kaede added. “I believe that is all we can discuss until we have more leads. We shall adjourn for now.”

Rin and Ayame fought the urge to shout for joy.

“Rin, you know what you need to do. Search through Tsubaki’s files you pulled from her computer. And try to configure a way to speed your program up.”

“Yes ma’am!” Rin saluted, then dashed out of the room.

“Sesshomaru, please go with her and continue your perusals, including the new material. Rin needs her sleep, so do not let her dabble for more than two hours.”

The taiyoukai looked mildly annoyed, but nodded and followed after the hyper-active Slayer.

Kaede turned to the others, looking tired. She shared a look with Myoga, and sighed.

“I think it would be best if you all bunked here for the night. We may need you at any given moment.”

“But what about Kohaku and Souta?” Sango inquired worriedly.

“You may call to check on them,” Myogua replied.

“But--!”

“No buts young lady, you have a job to do!” Myogua shouted back.

Sango shot to her feet. “Excuse me, but you are NOT my commander! I have two little boys who need care and attention, and a phone call DOES NOT CUT IT!”

“Such insubordination! Why I--!”

“Myoga, please,” Kaede interrupted the flea demon’s tirade.

Sango smirked triumphantly.

“Sango-chan, Myoga is your commander as well now.” At this Sango frowned and Myoga looked smug. “However, he is unaware of your and Kagome’s circumstances, so I will give you leave.”

Sango nodded happily, about facing and making her way to the door.

“But--”

Sango stopped in her tracks.

“Be prepared to be called at a moment’s notice. Miroku will accompany you. Take some of the files and books with you. Get some sleep, then begin going through information to see if there is something new to be uncovered.”

Sango gritted her teeth and nodded glumly as Miroku stepped beside her, grinning broadly.

“Sango-sama shall have my complete protection,” the Monk offered graciously.

Ayame rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t need YOUR protection. She needs protection FROM you.”

Kaede cleared her throat, then continued. “InuYasha shall bring Kagome too you once she has awoken.”

“Won’t she sleep better at home?” Sango asked.

Kaede appeared to take this fact into consideration.

“Kaede-sama, please. Souta will be so upset without her home,” Sango pleaded. “I’ll feel better too,” she mumbled.

Kaede nodded. “Very well. You may use the car to take her home.”

Sango bowed. “Thank you so very much, Kaede-sama.”

Kaede touched Sango gently on the arm. “I understand, my dear.”

Miroku and Sango trudged down the stairs to the garage, while InuYasha silently took the elevator to collect Kagome. The two partners stopped briefly to collect a few of the bags containing the needed case files.

“Sango-sama?” Miroku asked as they reached the stairwell.

“Hai?” Sango replied tiredly.

“You must care for Kagome, your brother and Kagome’s brother very much,” Miroku said.

“I do,” Sango replied quietly. “We’re all each other has left.”

Miroku placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m glad you questioned orders. Myogua is a good demon, do not hold his ignorance of the circumstances against him.”

Sango nodded distractedly, and pulled away

Once they reached the garage, they popped the trunk open and loaded the boxes. Moments later, the elevator dinged and InuYasha stepped out, Kagome in his arms. Wordlessly, Sango slipped into the driver’s seat, Miroku in the passenger’s, and InuYasha carefully slid into the back seat, laying Kagome down so that her head lay in his lap.

Sango started the car, reversed out of the parking spot, and drove out into the streets of Tokyo.

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Souta’s head shot up from its resting place on his forearms when he heard the lock in the door click. He stood up, nudging Kohaku who had fallen asleep on the sofa, and the sleepy tweens made their way over to the door.

InuYasha was the first to step inside, carrying Kagome.

“Nee-chan!” Souta cried, rushing to her side. “What happened? Is she okay?”

“She’s going to be fine, kid,” InuYasha assured him gently. “She just needs to sleep it off.”

“Oh, I see, she overexerted herself again,” Souta realized. “Follow me, I’ll show you where her room is.”

InuYasha trailed after the boy. Once they reached the end of the hallway, they entered a tidy room, neatly decorated in soft blues. Souta pulled back the covers as InuYasha gingerly laid her down. He stepped back, watching the boy carefully tuck in his sister. Souta placed a kiss on her forehead, then they quietly left the bedroom.

“So this is a common occurance?” InuYasha asked, trying to appear casual as he softly shut the door.

“Hai,” Souta replied quietly. “Ever since she first learned of her powers, she’s always pushed herself too far. In training or in battle, it doesn’t matter to her.”

“Huh.”

“She just wants to be stronger, so she can protect everyone.”

“But she is strong. One of the strongest miko I’ve ever seen,” commented InuYasha.

“She doesn’t think it’s enough,” the boy replied sadly.

InuYasha placed a clawed hand on the boy’s shoulder. “She will. I’ll make sure she does.”

Souta smiled. “Thank you! Oh, you’re staying tonight, right? You can have my bed.”

“Keh, I’m not taking your bed, kid.”

“But Kagome-neechan said guests were to--”

“I ain’t no guest. The couch will be fine for me.”

Souta opened his mouth to protest, but after a stern look from the Hunter, thought better of it and nodded.

Suddenly, a large crash rang out from the living room.

InuYasha and the boy came running in, only to find Miroku passed out on the floor. Sango stood there, arms crossed, her face red in anger. Kohaku appeared undecided between laughing hysterically or pummeling the monk sprawled on the carpet.

“Houshi will be sleeping there for the night,” Sango growled out, turning around and stiffly marching down the hallway to her bedroom.

The boys and InuYasha exchanged amused grins.

“Let me get you a blanket and pillow,” Souta offered, stepping over Miroku to go to the hall closet.

“Is he always like that?” Kohaku asked InuYasha, gesturing to the comatose monk.

“Unfortunately. I don’t think he’ll ever learn,” InuYasha muttered, reaching down to grab Miroku’s limp arms and dragging the monk out of the walkway.

“He will soon, or Sango-neechan will give him permanent brain damage,” Kohaku said.

Once Souta returned with the bedding, they threw a blanket over the unconscious Hunter, and made up the couch for InuYasha. The boys then bid inu-hanyou goodnight.

InuYasha leaned back into the pillows, shuffling around, attempting to get comfortable. After about ten minutes of restless tossing and turning, he got frustrated and ripped the sheets off, stuffing them into a ball and chucking them off the couch.

They landed on Miroku’s head. The monk snorted loudly in his sleep, and rolled on to his side.

Ignoring his fellow Hunter, InuYasha crept down the hallway until he reached Kagome’s door. Hesitating momentarily, he stealthily opened the door and slipped inside. InuYasha spotted Kagome curled on her side, and could hear her deep, even breathing. The hanyou dropped down beside the bed, leaning his back against the side.

InuYasha nodded off in a matter of seconds.

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“I want her dead! You hear me! DEAD!” Tsubaki screeched at the two youkai before her. “I don’t care how you do it, just DO IT! That little bitch will pay for what she‘s done to me!”

“What about the brat?” the elder youkai questioned, pointing to the shaking bundle of red fur in the corner. “He still has the shard. I can smell its power.”

“You Thunder Brothers can make do without one shard for now.”

“No!” interrupted the younger brother. “We want the shard or no deal! The brat’s parents are already dead, wasting their lives to protect something so worthless.”

“I’m not worthless!” the little ball of fur shouted. “You killed my parents for this shard, and I’m NOT letting you have it!”

The little ball leapt into action, shouting “Foxfire!” and momentarily blinding the youkai brothers with its blue flame. He jumped from head to head, using Tsubaki as a final spring board and catapulting himself out the door and up a staircase.

“You morons! Don’t stand there with your thumbs up your butts! GET HIM!” Tsubaki roared.

Hiten and Manten furiously took off on their clouds.

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A/N: Thank you for reading! PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW! I update faster when I receive a good number of reviews.

Special Thanks to reviewers InuKagsBabyGurl16, Tricia, KaGoMe115, InuGoddess715, and Inu Girl For Life! I greatly appreciate you all!

Later!
~Lizzie
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