InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nigousan ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Nigousan

 

Disclaimer: I own no one on the Inuyasha cast or crew. Those rights and responsibilities go to Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ media. But I will take a certain puppy eared hanyou off her hands if he gets too rambunctious.

 

Chapter 3

 

“Tell, me again how you convinced me to let you drive?” Kagome asked, gripping the car door and praying that it was a bag they just ran over and not some little old lady.

 

“My stunning wit and irresistible charm,” Souta replied with a grin. The sixteen year old was thankful to be out of the shrine on a Saturday so he didn't have to unpack all the “novelties” that their grandfather tried to pass off to tourists.

 

Kagome closed her eyes as the boy zipped through a yellow light. “No, that's what you tell yourself before you get shot down by girl. Again.”

 

“Bitch.”

 

“Desperate.”

 

“That's hitting below the belt, sis.”

 

“At least you know it's getting some action.” Kagome glanced over at the young man. They looked a lot a like, but Souta had the light brown eyes and brown-black shared by their mother and aunt. Only Kagome got the blue eyes and pure blue-black hair of their father. “Seriously, why drive me?”

 

Souta sighed. “Because you don't have a car. Because you'll be halfway across town and not around for me to harass anymore. What if you have a late night at the shrine? I know you won't call Inuyasha or Kikyou, so you'll need a ride. And before you open your mouth, I won't let you ride a bus late at night.”

 

She shut her mouth. Much as she wanted to argue, her little brother had a point. When the hell did he grow up so much?

 

“Thanks…but don't think this gets you out of helping me unpack.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kikyou idly tapped the end of her photo pen against her custom pine desk. It was close to ten in the morning and her niece would be moving in right about now. Inuyasha and Kagome would have several hours alone while the girl unpacked and Inuyasha showed her the house and grounds. It wasn't that she didn't trust Inuyasha; she just wanted to be there whenever Kagome was. But that wouldn't be feasible. Kikyou didn't make it as high up as she was in the fashion world by taking days off.

 

When she first chose Kagome to be Inuyasha's nigousan, it was because of how much the girl resembled her. It looked as though Kagome was more her child than her sister's. Kagome even had a sharp wit and could be extremely driven…if and when she felt like it. Kikyou originally thought that if Inuyasha had a mistress who reminded him of his wife, then he would always have Kikyou on his mind. Now, she wasn't so sure. What if he liked the younger version of her better? She hadn't let herself go by any means, no one ever guessed she was forty, but Kagome had that spark of youth, that bit of recklessness that Kikyou never had, even when she was younger.

 

At first, she'd done everything possible to ensure Inuyasha and Kagome never had a meeting where it was only the two of them. She rearranged meetings, shifted deadlines, and generally drove her staff to the limits, just so she could see how her niece and her husband interacted together. Then, unexpectedly, Lord Sesshomaru stepped in. Both she and Inuyasha were chastised by a lengthy lecture about the importance of Inuyasha's demon side associating Kagome as an individual and not as part of Kikyou's family. Kikyou started to ignore the demon lord, thinking that Kagome asserted enough individuality on her own, until he warned that Inuyasha's demon side could kill the girl the first time he took her to bed. All because Kagome's scent wasn't familiar to the hanyou's baser instincts. It wasn't a case of differing personalities or tastes, but a matter of scent and instinct. The very things that Kikyou never wanted Inuyasha to discuss with her. She simply wanted Inuyasha all to herself, the way a normal husband and wife were together. The moment she found a man that met or exceeded her expectations for this point in her life, he had to be half something that she simply couldn't tolerate. She could kiss him as a hanyou, but only lightly. Touching him was simple. That gorgeous golden body was the same in human form as the one he wore all the time. But Kikyou couldn't let him touch her. No matter how careful, how gentle, she could admit (at least to herself) that his claws frightened her. They made her think of an animal and that she was doing something illegal by being with someone who was half-man, half-beast. But he was kind, funny, intelligent, argumentative, wealthy in his own right, and independent, and those were qualities the fashion executive admired.

 

With a sigh, Kikyou began to mark the newest set of proofs. There was nothing she could do about it now. Her only consolation was that she managed to get Inuyasha's promise that he would only bed Kagome when his demon side absolutely demanded it. It wasn't fair to her that she could only be with her husband one night a month and Kagome could be with him whenever the need arose. It wasn't her fault she fell in love with a hanyou. But Kikyou would be damned if her niece got to indulge in her husband more than she did.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Whoa, sis, this place is seriously tricked out.”

 

“Souta don't talk like that, it makes you sound like a bad 80's rerun,” Kagome muttered while staring at her new home.

 

At first she thought it was a ranch style house, done in warm weather beiges, and that was fine. The view was amazing. There was a vast amount of open land, trees, and a clear lake complete with waterfowl. But as the siblings got closer, Kagome realized that the house was built up a small, but steep, incline. The hill was part of the building itself, so they would never have to worry about it giving way and losing a part of the main structure. The addition was mostly glass windows, with a small deck on the second story. Breathtaking was the only term Kagome could think to accurately describe it.

 

“Damn, do female demons take male mistresses?” Souta asked with wide eyes.

 

Kagome ignored her brother, focusing instead on the elaborate landscaping decorating the lawn. The front yard was dotted with small ornamental trees that looked like they would produce some sort of fruit later in the year. The area under the windows was in full bloom as was the walk leading to the front door. The heady fragrance of lily of the valley sprang up from either side of the walk, while tulips in shades of purple ranging from the palest lilac to nearly black, reared up over a bundle of matching pansies. Bone colored window boxes burst with bright wildflower assortments, while tiger lilies had their own dens in what looked like homemade troughs at the corners of the house. Kagome loved it. She knew that Kikyou preferred the more dignified and demure long-stemmed roses, but give Kagome a common backyard assortment of snapdragons and carnations and she was a happy camper.

 

Kagome was bent over a clump of the fragrant lily of the valley when a low chuckle sounded behind her. Spinning, she clasped a hand to her chest.

 

“Christ, you scared the shit outta me!”

 

Inuyasha laughed full out, amber eyes twinkling, before he caught the teen in a warm embrace.

 

“It's nice to see someone appreciates my gardening.”

 

She felt her cheeks heat as she returned the hug; the female side of her noting how strong and firm his upper body was while pressed against her in a simple cotton tee shit. Pulling back, Kagome struggled to gain control of her blush.

 

“You did all this?”

 

At his nod, she continued. “I love flowers, I usually kill them if I try to grow them myself but - hey, your hair!”

 

When Kagome pulled back, several pieces of silver hair caught on her watch, drawing a long ponytail forward over Inuyasha's shoulder. A ponytail that shouldn't have been there.

 

“It was cut short a week ago, so how did you do it? It's not extensions is it?”

 

Once again, the hanyou laughed and Kagome felt the sound low in her belly. How could Kikyou not desire Inuyasha like this? How could she be attracted to him? It had to be a crush, nothing more. Who wouldn't have a crush on someone as hot as Inuyasha Inoue?

 

“No, it's not extensions. I'm a hanyou and we tend to mend faster than normal. That includes haircuts, though it's not as long as it was. That will take about another week.”

 

“You mean if you want short hair as a human, you have to cut it every month?”

 

“Pretty much. Leave it to me to marry a woman who likes her men more clean cut.”

 

Reaching out, Inuyasha ran his fingers through the mass of unruly curls on top Kagome's head. With her hair so short, the waves had tightened and she had to deal with uneven curls and some ringlets now. She felt her blush return as his claws delicately scraped over her scalp.

 

“We really need to work on that blush, Kagome.”

 

Before she could come up with a retort, Souta made his way over to them.

 

“Hey Yasha, how's it going? You like Kagome's new style? She pitched a major fit when she found out she had to cut it.”

 

“Souta, you rodent, don't you have something better to do?”

 

The boy shrugged. “Nope.”

 

“Then find something…” Kagome growled, trying to dart forward and grab her brother around the neck. She forgot that Inuyasha still had a grip on her hair and she only made it two steps before the pulling became painful.

 

“What did Souta mean by `you had to cut it'?”

 

“Nothing really.”

 

A well-arched brow rose and the fingers in Kagome's hair tightened their grip.

 

“Did I mention I can smell it when you lie?”

 

Kagome squirmed. “I'm not lying, not exactly.”

 

“What, exactly, do you mean, Kagome? Or do I need to ask Souta for the story?”

 

She shook her head, no easy feat with the grip Inuyasha had on her.

 

“It was thought that I wasn't able to keep my hair clean enough when it was long. It was suggested that before I move in it be cut short so it didn't cause you any problems.”

 

The hanyou frowned. “Why would that be a problem? My hair has always been long, it's a trait of all higher power youkai.”

 

“I don't know, but Mama thought it sounded reasonable, too, so she scheduled me to have it cut as soon as possible.”

 

“Who suggested it?”

 

“That doesn't matter, what's done is done, and I'm getting used to it. It was immature of me to throw a fit over a hair cut.”

 

Inuyasha let go of the teen's hair and gripped her chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look into his beautiful eyes.

 

“Kagome, you are to be my nigousan. I won't have anyone making you uncomfortable, especially without reason.”

 

Trying to lower her head, Kagome whispered her answer. “It was Aunt Kikyou.”

 

She waited for the outburst, the denials, but they never came. Inuyasha's grip on her chin never wavered, but he became very still. Kagome was certain he was furious with her.

 

“I'm sorry, I wasn't planning on saying anything, and I wouldn't have if Souta would have kept his big mouth shut. It's my fault and I understand that you're mad at me - “

 

His fingers stilled her mouth. “I'm not mad at you, Kagome, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm not sure why Kikyou would tell you something like that, not when she's kept the majority of her perfumes and detergents. Maybe she feels it will be different when I am more demon than hanyou. Kikyou never really liked to discuss demon traditions or abilities.”

 

A smiled moved under his fingers. “I asked her that, too. Inuyasha, will I get to wear fragrances again?”

 

The hanyou looked into those bright blue eyes, so unsure of her new place, and had to smile. Kagome would take things as they were presented to her, very unlike his wife. Kikyou had made compromises; the most significant being Kagome, but some things the woman insisted she needed to make her feel complete. At least she got rid of the more musky fragrances that caused him to do little more than go into sneezing fits. And the bed linens, mustn't forget those. She liked the smell of her detergent and softener, but it drove Inuyasha to tears if he had to spend eight hours in close contact with it. The linens and towels she compromised on…well, except the guest linens, but he had little contact with those.

 

“Give me some time first, Kagome. My demon side still has some trouble recognizing Kikyou's natural scent; it's more comfortable when she wears fragrance. I think after next month's full moon you should be fine. I do want to help you pick any scents out, though. Just to be sure.”

 

He was rewarded with a genuine smile.

 

“Don't worry, I don't like strong fragrances.”

 

“Don't listen to her, Yasha,” a muffled voice commented from the bed of the truck. Walking around the vehicle, they met with a pile of plastic tubs and suitcases. Souta hauled the one odd cardboard box forward.

 

“This box is packed with all that girly smelly stuff.”

 

The pink stain once again rose over Kagome's cheeks. She looked like a kid who got caught with the last box of cookies.

 

“It isn't for me, I swear. It's even labeled `Eri'. A girl from college wants all of it. She even offered to pay me for it since there's so much hardly used.”

 

Souta's eye lit up. “Eri's coming over?”

 

Kagome laughed, feeling much lighter. “Yes, rodent, but she'll be coming here, not to the shrine.” She looked at Inuyasha. “That is, if I'm allowed to have people over? I'm still not sure how all this works.”

 

“It's your home now, too, Kagome. We'll have to work something out if your friends want to come and go during the day since I work from home, but treat this place as your own.” He picked up a box and nodded towards the house.

 

“Now, let's get you settled in.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome, still damp from her shower, sprawled out on her new bed. The room, no, the suite, was amazing. Not only did it have a bedroom and ensuite bath but a sitting room and a small office space. Everything was done in shades of blue, her latest favorite color. The walls were divided, the top half a very pale blue, the bottom a deep blue, dark rather than bright. The molding was stained cherry as were the floorboards. The dark wood was repeated in the bedroom set. The bed itself was huge. King sized with four thick columns rising to almost touch the ceiling, matching cherry head and footboards with wrought iron detailing. It was more than Kagome ever imagined.

 

“You feeling better?”

Mumbling, she stretched, flexing her toes. “This room is incredible. Have I thanked you yet?”

 

“Only about a dozen times.” Inuyasha replied, coming to sit beside her on the bed. She noticed he didn't have to use the nifty matching step stool at the foot of the high set frame. “What are you wearing?”

 

“Sweats?”

 

“It looks like those things could walk away on their own.” He exclaimed, and then tugged on the front of her tee shirt. “And no bra with a white shirt.”

 

Her infuriating blush came back full force. “Should you even be paying attention to my breasts? I hate wearing a bra when I lounge around. I used to toss it off the moment I stepped in to my room at the shrine. And for your information, these are my favorite grubbies. Since all I have left is unpacking and dinner is delivered and waiting for Aunt Kikyou, I see no point in dressing up.”

 

Inuyasha's eyebrow rose. “Those gray pants can't belong to you, they're huge! Not to mention are you sure you have your feet through the right holes?”

 

Kagome rose up on her elbows. “They were in a box in the attic, so I think they were my dad's. I don't know if anyone told you, but I went to private schools all my life and practically lived in uniforms. College was the first time I wore street clothes and I didn't have to dress up often there.”

 

“And this is definitely not dressing up. Well, I guess that settles it. Either I'll have to take you clothes shopping or Kikyou will. You'll need formal clothes and shoes, too. Sesshomaru is always forcing me to go to Consulate assemblies and balls.”

 

She grimaced at the thought of heels. “I can't go Monday. I have my last set of appointments at the clinic recommended to me by Lord Sesshomaru.”

 

He nodded. “I'll be going with you. There are some parts I have to be there for. We can go out to lunch afterwards and I can show you around the area. How are you handling the birth control injections?”

 

“Ugh, they make me sick. I puke for two days straight after getting one and it doesn't help that the nurse shows up every week. She mentioned something about possibly upping the dosage this time. I never thought it would be so different preventing demon pregnancies than human ones.”

 

“Demon sperm is determined. It can live in the body twice as long as human sperm, though condoms will work most of the time. But if there is an accident and it's during a time that the demon would be inclined to breed, the woman usually ends up pregnant. That's why we use shots. Kikyou gets a normal, human version injected once a month. The nurse has to go to her office half the time to give it to her,” Inuyasha explained.

 

Seeing her distant expression, Inuyasha gave her the choice he wasn't sure he was willing to offer. He liked this girl, but he wouldn't hold her to being his mistress if it would make her miserable.

 

“Kagome, if you want to back out, you need to tell me now. There is a back up. I don't know who she is, she was picked by Sesshomaru, but I've apparently been around her about as much as I've been around you. If you can't be my nigousan, she'll move in right away and take your place. You have a choice, you always have.”

 

She looked at his face, looked into his eyes, and was surprised to see apprehension and a bit of fear. Before she could answer him, a voice came from the door to the sitting room.

 

“Kagome, are you thinking of backing out after you made a promise, not only to Inuyasha and myself, but to your mother as well.”

 

Kikyou was home.