InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Intended Mate ❯ chapter eight ( Chapter 8 )

Spoilers for some of the end of the Inuyasha animation in the last author's note. You are being warned.

Thanks again to all the reviewers and people who read my stuff. Thank you!! I hope you enjoy the next chapter. Not too much action again, but you get a date in the city, a lead to their quest, and a talk with an undead miko. I'm being cryptic on purpose.

 

Inugrrrl, thanks again! I hope you enjoy. Same for you, Zabchan!

Tosuko Higurashi, your words are a blessing as well.

Andrea Moon Dog, where do I begin! You're becoming one of my favorite people here.

 

I apologize if I forget some names, but I wanted to get this out before I go to bed. Yes, I am a wimp and I like sleep. But I just saw some Yash episodes, so I was inspired to put this out. I'll be doing some Nakago chapters to give people a chance on my fic there, but just let me know what you think in the meantime!!

Reviews are great, reviews are your friend.

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own the series of Inuyasha, manga or animation, but does claim to be Inu.

 

“Intended Mate” chapter eight

 

Inuyasha followed Kagome around the kitchen, the bathroom, the living room and the shrine storage rooms. It touched her he was on the prowl to protect her constantly, but perhaps he was overdoing it.

 

Kagome stopped walking, letting Inuyasha crash into her back. His arms went around her instantly and his lips were at her mating mark.

 

“Are you okay, Kagome?” he asked for the hundredth time that day. Kagome shivered as his teeth grazed the mark. They had a job to do and it could take all day.

 

“I'm fine, unless dust bunnies start biting my ankles,” she rolled her eyes. Inuyasha snuffed in confusion, hands on her flat stomach.

 

“Dust bunnies? Huh?” he tilted his head to the side and Kagome giggled, patting his hands.

 

“Come on, Inuyasha, we have to go shopping. And I want you to get dressed for it.”

 

Inuyasha snuffed in indignation. “What's wrong with me looking this way?”

He gestured to his standard red hakama and haori. Kagome giggled.

 

“Not many people outside of a shrine wear something like that! Please, for me?” Kagome wriggled back against him and she felt his exhale of arousal.

 

“Oh okay…but I'm not wearing anything that belongs to your Jii-chan!” he wailed. Kagome turned around in his arms and kissed the tip of his nose.

 

“Thank you,” she smiled. Inuyasha's eyes still crinkled in worry.

 

“We'll get back before the sun sets too, right?” The new moon was tonight and he would be human once more. Kagome nodded.

 

“We don't have much time, so hurry it up,” she urged. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and looked irate at having to leave the room she vacated for a minute. But he left the room and went upstairs to change.

 

* * * *

 

“I'm done…” an embarrassed hanyou muttered, walking slowly. Kagome looked up and blushed, touching her hands to her reddened cheeks.

 

“Mama, you did a great job,” she commented. Mrs. Higurashi nodded, content. Since Jii-chan was not of the same body shape as Inuyasha, Kagome's mother had gone looking for old clothing of her late husbands.

 

Inuyasha's bare feet were encased in tight dress shoes. Long black slacks clung to him, showing off the muscles of his taut thighs. A simple blue t-shirt clung to his chest and biceps, finishing a casual look. Inuyasha fingered a lock of his long white hair, sighing.

 

“You'll have to wear a hat again,” Kagome urged. Inuyasha sighed in self-pity.

 

“It pinches my ears, Kagome,” he stated, said ears laying flat on his head. Mrs. Higurashi giggled and went to Souta's room to find a spare cap for the hanyou to wear. Kagome laughed and went behind her mate to tie his long hair back into a low ponytail.

 

“You look so handsome,” she confessed, trying to cheer his mood. The corners of his lips quirked, so she knew she had succeeded. She would be damned if she was going to wear her usual school uniform on this shopping date and Inuyasha was glad to see a change. Her breasts swelled in a tight sweater and her skirt was a lot longer than the usual green one she wore.. Inuyasha was a little sorry he wouldn't be graced with the appearance of her thighs in public as per usual, but the longer garment looked good on her he felt. Her feet were encased in sandals and her hair was loose.

She looked like a woman who was loved, and his heart thudded to know that was true because she was with him. He suddenly didn't mind at being forced to dress up for their outing.

 

“Thanks…you look great,” he murmured, blushing. Kagome giggled, playing with the end of his ponytail as Mrs. Higurashi returned.

 

“Souta said you should borrow this one,” she offered. Inuyasha looked at it and sighed. It was black, but had two annoying looking yellow chicks on the front of the bill, along with a choice phrase.

 

“What the fuck does `Piyo Piyo' mean?” he asked, eyebrow raised. Kagome laughed as they made their way out of the door.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha had to admit, walking in a huge city with towering huts and the annoying pressing smell of so many humans surrounding him had its perks. Kagome hugging his arm and leaning against him was one. All the pitiful stares she received by lesser men than he for seeing their attachment and knowing they wouldn't speak one word, let alone touch, the sweetness that was his mate was another. A few growls and glares helped complete their decision and Inuyasha was content to let Kagome lead him around from store to store.

 

First they went to a store housing hundreds of types of shampoo. The different scents and smells left his nose aching for an hour after they left with a few purchases Kagome seemed thrilled over. He just offered her his arm and let her pull them to the next store. Some camping supplies that secretly impressed him. Candy for Shippou and finally the food court. Inuyasha's mouth slavered and he took several samples from each restaurant, greedily munching his finds. Kagome giggled, cradling their packages.

 

Inuyasha licked his palm then licked her neck. Kagome shuddered in pleasure and Inuyasha smiled. “Thanks for bringing me here!” he crowed. Kagome leaned up and pressed her lips to his, and pushed the bags into his arms.

 

“I knew it, I'm just your pack mule.”

 

Kagome pulled him out of the food court. “One more shop here, Inuyasha! Then we can go home,” she promised. Inuyasha grimaced.

 

“Your old man's shoes hurt,” he commented. Kagome hummed, leading him along, then stopped him suddenly.

 

“I want to pick out rings, Inuyasha,” she blushed, happy at finding what she was looking for. Inuyasha shook his head.

 

“I don't get it,” he said. Kagome had him set the bags down and called a saleswoman over.

 

“Well mate, think of this as my mating custom,” she said, eyes downcast looking for the perfect design. Inuyasha flushed and his ears twitched under his cap.

 

“Oh…I get it..okay, Kagome, I'll wear rings with you,” he said. She smiled brightly and picked up a gold band. The saleswoman watched expectantly as she slid it onto his fourth finger.

 

“It pinches,” Inuyasha noticed.

 

“Perhaps a slimmer band,” the saleswoman said helpfully. Kagome chose a different style and tried it on. Inuyasha finally settled on the twentieth ring that didn't' feel so bad, and that looked partly good and he knew Kagome liked.

 

“This is good, Kagome,” he said helpfully. Her brilliant smile warmed him.

 

“Now you have to help me,” she commanded, holding her left hand out. Inuyasha gritted his teeth and tried a ring onto what he hoped was the appropriate finger. She didn't complain, so maybe he had been paying better attention than he thought. She giggled and admired the band.

 

“No, another one, Inuyasha,” she suggested. Inuyasha sighed and began the process of pleasing his mate with her human's custom.

 

When they walked hand in hand out of the jewelry store, golden bands shining on their fingers, he was sure it was all worth it. Kagome exuded happiness. Funny how a simple band of metal would make her hum at his side, but if it helped.

 

Kagome hugged his arm as Inuyasha lugged their bags back to the shrine. When they came up the steps and she stopped him by the Sacred Tree for a lingering kiss, he was sure it was well worth it.

 

* * * *

 

“Feh….” Inuyasha sneezed, angling his flashlight around wildly. “Kagome! Where the heck are you? I can't smell you!”

 

A thud from around the corner barely registered to his rounded human ears and he jerked towards the sound.

 

“I'm over here! Don't worry, you won't get lost. I do this all the time you know,” she meant being human and Inuyasha sighed, carefully feeling around for her.

 

“These damn rooms are dusty as hell,” he complained as he bumped into his mate kneeling down looking in a box. She started, frowning up at him, and pulled him to kneel next to her.

 

“I don't know, I got a feeling from something in here….” She murmured, rummaging around. Dust motes swam up in their faces and Inuyasha coughed harshly,

 

“Achoo!” he sneezed, batting at the air with his haori sleeves, back in his old outfit again. “Dammit! That tickles!” He pushed his long black hair out of his face and reached to help her.

“Hurry up, I want to get back in your house.”

 

“Stop rushing me, or you won't be tickled where you like,” she murmured, concentrating on the box's contents. Inuyasha smiled alittle, dark eyes shining.

 

“Okay, if you put it that way,” he grinned. She swatted his arm and finally sat back, cradling a dusty scroll to her chest.

 

“I think this is it….” She said, carefully opening the parchment. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.

 

“What Miroku was going on about?” A nod from his mate.

 

“Funny, I can't get it to open…” she murmured. Energy crackled at her fingertips and Kagome shrieked.

 

“Kagome! Get rid of it!” Inuyasha barked, and swatted the scroll to the ground.

 

“You don't know how old that was!” she wailed.

 

“I'll but your Jii-chan a new one!” Inuyasha snapped. He picked Kagome up and put her behind him as the scroll levitated, glowing in energy.

 

“What in the…” Kagome started. Inuyasha growled and shook his head, his hand flying for Tetsusaiga's hilt.

 

“Too much….too much pain….” The scroll unrolled. An ink painting of a mournful priest met their gaze. That an ancient scroll was floating, and glowing didn't seem to faze the two at this point. When the drawing's painted mouth parted and formed the words was when shivers swept through the couple.

 

“What's too much pain?” Kagome's teeth chattered in fear. Inuyasha snarled, keeping her behind him.

 

“This power….it's too much…for too long…I don't want it anymore,” the priest's eyes were mournful and painful. Kagome's priestess' eyes could see a familiar glow in the center of the flaking parchment, centered in the ink drawing's chest.

 

“Inuyasha, there's a shard…” she whispered, not daring to believe. The last shard, the last piece to the whole puzzle was right in front of her lover's face. And he couldn't see it.

 

“Where? Where??” he commanded. Kagome pointed over his shoulder.

 

The painting wailed and the drawing covered its head with it's wide sleeves.

“Please just take it! End my suffering….”

 

“I'll end it, old man, just hold still!” Inuyasha commanded, loosening Tetsusaiga. Kagome put her hand over his and moved around her mate. She knelt before the floating scroll, meeting the painting's eyes. His pleaded until she reached forward, a purifying energy enclosed with her hands.

 

She simply plucked the shard out of the scroll and the parchment promptly deteriorated into ashes. She held the last sliver of a broken jewel carefully between her fingers. It glinted innocently at her, as if ignorant of being a cause to the last few weeks journey and trek up a mountain. She shook her head and carefully closed it in her palm.

 

“Kagome! Did you see that? The scroll…Kagome, are you alright?” Her mate's familiar hands clapped down onto her shoulders, jarring her out of her trance.

 

“I'm fine, Inuyasha… but I think Miroku was accurate when he said to look here,” she said. Inuyasha helped her up and they hurried across the shrine courtyard under the stars back into the safety of the Higurashi house.

 

* * * *

 

“Ne, Kagome, are you asleep?” Inuyasha asked. Kagome shifted at his side and wrapped an arm around his bare waist.

 

“I was, but now I'm not,” she groused sleepily. Inuyasha sniffed her carefully, happy to feel some of his senses growing stronger as dawn wound nearer. He rolled over and kissed Kagome's neck, bare muscles tensing under her hands.

 

“It's almost dawn, mate. Did you get enough rest?” he asked quietly. Kagome yawned against his shoulder loudly and rubbed his back.

 

“Alittle….I was too tired to sleep much,” she confessed, eyes dizzy from exhaustion. In the gray pre light of dawn, she could make out the jar she had housed the last Shikon shard in on her desk. She had attempted to surround it with a purifying shield. She must have been more successful at her attempt than she'd thought for Inuyasha even human didn't go near it, saying it bugged the hell out of him.

 

As the light began to grow stronger in the sun's rise, Kagome watched her lover's hair slowly lighten to white, and his claws lengthen back. His eyes once dark glowed golden again as they lay in each others arm, watching the other. Between them, energy thrummed in Kagome's belly. She gasped and Inuyasha's hands were instantly there, rubbing gently.

 

“Heh, is that the little guy? Hey, say hello to your old man,” he crooned. Kagome swatted his hands, grimacing.

 

“I'm not that pregnant yet!” she growled. “It cant' hear you yet.”

 

Inuyasha laughed and just cuddled her closer, kissing her shoulder. “Heh, I dunno,” he teased. Kagome smiled and pressed closer against his bare form.

 

“Stop it, Inuyasha, you said you just wanted to sleep,” she gasped as he pressed closer. Inuyasha smiled, his hands slow and deliberate in arousing his mate.

 

“I did want to sleep…naked and close… but now I think it's time to wake up,” he said, his eyes shining literally. Kagome pressed a hand against his chest and pushed him back.

 

“Wah, Kagome, come on….” He pouted. He froze when Kagome pressed him on his back and straddled his hips.

 

“It's my turn to lead, mate,” she commanded, capturing his wrists and pressing them on the mattress above his head. Inuyasha purred and shifted his hips, hardening against her. He could easily break out of her hold, but he liked it when Kagome took charge. It was thrilling she wanted him as much as he wanted her and that seemed to be more often with her body's scent becoming even more delicious.

 

He purred and groaned as she rubbed against his length, teasing him. Kagome leaned down and nipped at his lips in a kiss, hearing him sigh in anticipation. Lifting her hips, she took him inside in one firm thrust.

 

* * * *

 

Later that day, the couple finally took their leave of the modern era and returned to the well house, laden down with supplies. Mrs. Higurashi and Souta saw them off cheerfully, though Jii-chan just glowered sternly. He didn't look so stern when Kagome kissed his cheek and embarrassed him. Inuyasha laughed and took her hand, jumping with her into the well back to the feudal era.

 

Rushing light swept them along time's current until both landed on their feet in the bottom of the well once more. Inuyasha lifted Kagome in his arms, bag and all, and merely leaped out in one bound.

 

“Kagome, we're going to have to be serious this time in finding Naraku…” Inuyasha said quietly. Kagome looked at him soberly, squeezing his hand.

 

“We will, Inuyasha….we'll find him finally and defeat him.” For days now, Kagome could feel her powers amplifying. `If it's all this `closeness' to Inuyasha, then the priests and monks are missing out on this natural energizer” Kagome thought wryly as they walked along to Kaede's village. Kagome had no doubt how the outcome of the battle would go, as she had seen her lover defeat youkai and humans more professed in battle than he and he had taken down name legends all. While he was protecting what he loved, he could not fail and Kagome was sure of their success.

 

“Kagome!” Shippou called, darting forward towards them through the tall grass. Kagome laughed and knelt down.

 

“Shippou! Have you been well?” she asked gently, hugging him. Shippou hugged her shoulder.

 

“Kaede's been very nice! And Miroku and Sango got back last night,” he added helpfully. Kagome set Shippou down as Inuyasha nodded.

 

“Good, we can start earlier than I thought,” he said. Shippou smiled in determination.

 

“Good, I say let's get this over with and finally get that guy!”

 

Inuyasha laughed and patted his head. “That's the spirit, runt!”

 

Kagome looked out at the forest suddenly, her heart chilling.

 

Inuyasha, turning from waving to Miroku and Sango, felt his mate's pause. “Kagome! Are you okay?” he asked, worry in his eyes. Kagome shook her head and pressed a hand against his chest.

 

“I'm fine! I just felt cold….” Cold as clay…

 

“Well if it isn't the happy newlyweds,” Miroku greeted as he and his lover approached. Kagome smiled and made her way forward to her friends.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha walked alone in the forest bearing his name surrounding Kaede's village after supper. The others had been astounded to see Kagome show off what they had found in her grandfather's own storage house. Miroku vowed he had no idea a previous vision the other week was hinting at her time, though he thought it was strange that at the time, he had warned Kagome to look in her family's shrine.

 

“Either way, we can start the last steps to this path,” Inuyasha thought seriously as he walked along content in the quiet evening's darkness, hands tucked into his wide sleeves. He needed a few moments to think to himself of all that was going on, and hopefully what the future would bring.

 

Kagome was finally his, and she was carrying his pup. They had the last piece to the whole damn puzzle and were going to hopefully find Naraku and his minions soon for battle. And this time, evil would not stand to get up and sneak away for many other pointless errands. They would all die at the Inu-tachi's hands and then life would go on and it would go on well. Especially for himself and Kagome.

 

“I will protect her. I have to protect her and the pup.” Inuyasha was seriously having doubts whether Kagome should see battle again with Naraku or not. Dangerous or not, perhaps she had to be there. Her miko abilities had saved his hide more than once or twice and he knew he would be in pain fighting while she was stashed hiding. He needed her to be near, even if it would be a dangerous path.

 

It didn't mean he had to like her being near battle. Inuyasha walked along the familiar paths through the forest, lost in thought until sparks of ghostly light caught his eye. Spirits? Trailing spirits? Feeling his stomach knot in stupid anxiety and hoping it wasn't who he knew it was, he foolishly kept walking nightmarish steps closer and closer.

 

A slim figure in red and white miko robes stood waiting, spirits swarming in and around her, caressing her false revived beauty. The flesh she encased was not real, nor alive and the smell always bugged Inuyasha. She smelled of clay, of worms, of something far gone and that should be left gone instead of upright and walking around in the world of the living.

 

“Inuyasha,” Kikyo greeted solemnly. Inuyasha stood stock still, brows furrowing in pain. I loved you once, Kikyou…but not any more.

 

“Kikyou.” He said. “Why are you near here?”

 

The face to his past smiled painfully and falsely, holding her bow to her side. “I have come to see you. You don't come to see me anymore.”

 

Inuyasha shook his head, not wanting to fall for old feelings or tricks. No matter how his heart beat hot for his Kagome and their unborn pup now, for a few small moments….his heart bled feeling Kikyou's love turn to betrayal in front of his face, her screams of promised death ringing in his healing soul.

 

“No, Kikyou. And there is a reason for it.” He tried to stay calm and solemn. He would not fall for the past that wouldn't come no matter how much he had once wished for it. His heart bled some more when Kikyou genuinely looked anguished, put out from something she could no longer reach even though she still existed in the world after her death.

 

“Is it because of my reincarnation? She seemed close to you…” she began. Inuyasha's heart panged sharply, hot blood pounding to his cheeks in a blush. If she were youkai, she would have said it was the smell of himself over Kagome's lithe body.

 

“Ka-go-me. Kikyou, she's mine and I no longer belong to you. I never did!” he said painfully. “You….you shot your arrow and…”

 

Kikyou looked mortally upset. “I did not know at the time that it was not you…that it was…. Inuyasha, why do you forget me and go to another?”

 

“Because she loves me and I need her,” Inuyasha ground out slowly. “When I am with her, I am healed. I need her, Kikyou.”

 

Kikyou walked closer, hand outstretched imploringly. “So you are allowed to forget me? Go to another? My own reincarnation yet…”

 

Inuyasha growled lowly at her.

 

“Inuyasha, understand that I need you as much. I need you to fulfill what we started…and I wont' be here long,” she confessed.

 

Inuyasha nodded. “You smell far gone,” he added. “You aren't long for this world of the living.”

 

“That's why I need to take you with me….You promised you would go to Hell with me so I wouldn't be alone,” she commanded, eyes flashing sharply. Inuyasha felt his soul wrenching as if by sheer will alone, she would rip it from his unwilling flesh and take it with her to the afterlife.

 

Inuyasha's subjugation beads thudded coolly around his neck and he inhaled sharply. Thank god for those annoying beads placed there by Kagome's soft hands! He felt his link to her intensify and he frowned, shaking his head at his past love.

 

“I will not fulfill an empty promise to you, Kikyou, for I don't belong to you! Everything is for Kagome and our pup,” he vowed. His vows must have worked their way in strength for Kikyou winced at his words as if they were physical wounds to her false body. She clasped a hand over her chest, staggering.

 

“So you will go live with her? You won't die with me as you had given your WORD to??” she hissed.

 

Inuyasha stood stoically, his face unmoving. So a tip from his annoying pain in the ass brother was helping. Don't show you care for something you do not. And this whole argument was beneath the hanyou now, for he had no reason to fulfill what was said in eager want for forgiveness.

 

“I am sorry I foolishly threw my word out to you,” he said softly, pain starting to fill his eyes, then he hardened his expression once more. “But I do not owe you anything anymore. You should rest in peace, Kikyou, and that is what I will hope for you.” He stood there, watching as Kikyou shook her head in pain, and turn her back, walking off into the darkness of the forest, her spirits trailing around her like a banner.

 

Inuyasha stood there alone, listening to the cicadas chirping against his pain, and he knelt down, heart clenched hard as a stone in his chest. He gasped loudly, hand pressed against his chest, fingers digging into his haori. How mere words could make him hurt so much physically….. Hanyou, hanyou, his memory called up and he shook his head, tears filling his eyes.

 

His heart still hurt until he heard familiar footsteps nearing him. His nose smelled it was his mate and he stilled. Soft hands pressed against his back, and turned his face to her. Inuyasha looked sadly at her, tears streaming down his cheeks. Kagome looked at him, softly, pain in her eyes. She kissed his eyelids tenderly and pressed his face to her breast.

 

Finally Inuyasha let his emotions unleash fully again and he held onto his mate tightly, sobbing. Kagome murmured soft nothings of love and threaded her slender fingers through his hair softly, letting him show his pain.

 

“Kagome…Kagome… I…I didn't'…go to her….I swear…” he hiccupped, tears blurring his eyes. Her fuku top was soaked. He hoped she wouldn't be angry for that.

Her fingers traced his cheeks and she looked down at him sadly.

 

“I know, my Inuyasha….” Her heart had felt no betrayal from him. Only wrenching sadness and pain. “Cry, anata….. just cry as much as you need…..”

 

`I'm here for you,' the unspoken words seared through Inuyasha's heart and he held onto her, lying in her lap. His soft cries of pain hurt Kagome but she held him to her and let him do what was needed to heal again. They had time for now.

 

“I told her I wouldn't go to hell with her,” Inuyasha stammered, eyes wet in tears after a few more long minutes of his bodys shaking in tears. His hands clung to Kagome's back. “I did give her my word, but I belong to you now! I told her that and it hurt so much…..”

 

Kagome hugged his neck, pressing his face against her stomach. Her heart felt glad at that admonition, but she had time to rejoice later. “I know you won't, Inuyasha… I love you too much to let her take you away,” she confessed. Inuyasha laughed shakily in her lap, the vibrations shaking both of them.

 

“I need you, Kagome… You make me loved and needed,” he wiped his eyes. Inuyasha was surprised when her hands titled his face up.

 

“Kagome?”

 

“Inuyasha, thank you…..” her eyes filled with tears this time. Inuyasha looked anguished and knelt up to hug her better.

 

“There is no one for me but you now. No one,” he vowed. Kagome sank against him gladly. With time, tears were dried and their lips pressed together softly. Inuyasha and Kagome took time to hold onto each other in the darkness of the forest, kissing softly. Their hearts healed and pounded contently in their bond. This was love and it was real and it was now. The past could only stay where it was and no longer haunt them.

 

Much later, Inuyasha carried Kagome back to Kaede's hut, laid both of them down on a futon, and went to sleep. Kaede raised her eyebrow and Kagome smiled over Inuyasha's head, before she yawned and too drifted off.

 

End for now.

 

~~~~~~~~~

Ten points if you name the earlier manga/anime that `Piyo Piyo' is from. It's also a Rumiko Takahashi!

The purchasing of rings, even cheap ones, were totally the end of Fushigi Yuugi's fault. Tamahome and Miaka exchanged trinket rings before the last battle and married themselves.

I'm near the end of the whole Inuyasha series, and saw some hints that Kikyou was in fact not killed by Naraku's new body.( If you haven't seen that much farther, sorry, didn't you see my warning above? I'm much farther than what they've shown on Cartoon Network ) I've said Inuyasha has sorted his feelings for Kikyou, hence being with Kagome. However, I thought she should make an appearance. Things of the heart, for that clay priestess, are never sorted. She was cheated of her life because of that Ratbastard Naraku, and even knowing it wasn't Inuyasha who cut her down, it is hard to overcome those feelings of betrayal.

 

And seeing her old boyfriend with another woman, even her reincarnation, has to hurt. I myself do not like Kikyou one bit when she was revived, but I can understand her to a degree. I guess I'm getting a knack for that.

 

Penpaninu 9/14/05