InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Soul Affinity ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer:  I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.  I do not make any money from the writing and posting of this story.


Chapter Three

Kagome stared at the ceiling of her room, simply reveling in the blissful awesomeness that was her bed.  It felt divine.  She never knew things as mundane as ordinary pillows, cotton sheets, and pillow top mattresses would ever have the ability to inspire awe within her.  There were many modern conveniences that had that effect upon her nowadays, but her bed held the number one spot for most awe inspiring modern convenience.  Ah well, there was nothing wrong with being thankful for the things that one used to take for granted.  Bubble baths ran a close second to her bed.

It was already morning, the sun shining brightly, and even though she knew Inuyasha was not in the room, having likely not even slept at all, she did not feel compelled to get up yet.  She smiled faintly, thinking he was casing the parameter of the shrine grounds, scanning for threats.  With a groan, she curled up further beneath her warm cocoon, deciding that getting up was overrated.  She was simply far too comfortable.  

As always, when Kagome was granted a modicum of peace and quiet, her mind wandered all over the damn place.  Naturally, her thoughts were turned back to the half demon child, Shiori, and her strange words to her that day on the beach.

“As Inuyasha has always protected you, so you shall also protect him.”

Kagome repressed the urge to sigh at the hanyou girl’s cryptic sounding declaration.  ‘Yes, I know Inuyasha protects me, tell me something I don’t know.  Oh wait…you just did.  I’m supposed to protect him too, huh?  Cute.’ she thought sarcastically. The miko was still feeling a bit dizzy from whatever just happened and she dazedly rubbed the area over her heart, wondering at the strange hum of foreign energy that had so easily and painlessly become…a part of her.  Although she was mildly annoyed to not have been consulted beforehand, something deep inside assured her that this new…presence…meant her no harm in the slightest.   

Once the transfer of whatever had been conferred to Kagome was complete, the barrier that covered them both began to gently recede and shrink until it covered only Shiori, blanketing her within a pearlescent aura of shimmering energy.  Kagome sighed, her shoulders slouching as she fidgeted with the hem of her green uniform skirt.

“Shiori…I don’t understand what you mean about me protecting Inuyasha.   Protect him from what?  And what happened just now?”  She furrowed her brow in confusion as she pointed at her chest.  “Was it you,” and then gestured vaguely at the barrier that now only covered the hanyou, “that did this?”

The lavender haired hanyou smiled gently and looked straight up through the top of the delicate looking barrier, though Kagome now knew better than to assume said barrier was anything less than near invincible.  “This is a gift from my father.  I can now protect my mother, on my own.  Thanks to the selflessness of Inuyasha, we are now free.”

The child turned her penetrating gaze at the young miko again.  Kagome wished she could figure out what the deal was and why this kid seemed to have something important to say to her.  Kagome clarified,  “Inuyasha is not ruled by his demon blood alone.  His human heart is compassionate and he proved that today because he forgot all about strengthening his sword when you were in danger.  His only thought was to protect you, an innocent.”  Kagome glanced again back at where her friends stood  with Shiori’s mother.  They grimly surveyed the utter devastation to the village.  Kagome ached for the little girl and her mother.  Where would they go?  What would they do?  Inuyasha stood off to the side, his arms crossed and hidden within the sleeves of his fire rat robe.  He was looking out to sea.  “Shiori…wouldn’t you rather be speaking with Inuyasha?  I am…I did nothing…” she stammered.

“He’s that way because of you, don’t you know?”  The words were lightly spoken as she ignored Kagome’s question, clearly the sentiment of a child who sees things only in black and white.  Kagome sighed, touched by the little girl’s observation.  They fell into silence, each seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

Kagome had to remind herself not to stare in wonder at the child sitting next to her.  Though diminutive, Shiori possessed a startling ethereal beauty, made more breathtaking by her humanity.  Kagome had to wonder if her father had been a daiyoukai like Inuyasha’s father…but then she was totally confused by the horror that had been her grandfather.  Surely Tsukuyomaru hadn’t looked anything like that…Kagome shuddered.

Inuyasha was also a hanyou, and a very good looking one at that…she would even daresay he was gorgeous.  It was clear that he possessed the best of both of his parents in the looks department.  Kagome made an educated guess that he’d inherited certain distinctive Japanese characteristics in his facial features from his mother…traits Sesshomaru did not have being full youkai.  Kagome found Inuyasha’s unique appearance very pleasing.  Perhaps it was only the most powerful youkai who could mate with humans and produce such fair offspring as Inuyasha and Shiori.  She inwardly snorted when she thought of Shiori’s grandfather, who had definitely NOT been what Kagome would call attractive in any way.  In fact, he’d been downright terrifying and the miko had to wonder how a child as precious and delicate as Shiori could POSSIBLY be related to such a monster.  

Though Kagome readily recognized that it was Taigokumaru’s evil and wicked heart that made him so frightening, not his outward appearance, ugly and scary as it was.  And perhaps, Taigokumaru had possessed the ability to transform into a fair humanoid form…and simply chose not to?  Perhaps he loathed the notion of even LOOKING like the humans he so hated?  Even though it was only the most powerful of youkai who could assume a humanoid form at will.   She had no clue but it was certainly a fascinating subject to ponder.   Kagome was never one to judge a person on their looks or differences.  Indeed, the hanyou Jeninji was a prime example.  His looks were what most people would call monstrous and frightening.  His heart however, was gentle and kind.  He was selfless and giving.  Kagome had never feared Jeninji.   Kagome was pulled from her musing about the many mysteries surrounding the physiology, physical attributes, and makeup of youkai and hanyou when Shiori turned her luminous violet gaze to Kagome.

“Inuyasha’s sword.  It was made from a fang.”  Her little voice piped up.

Kagome couldn’t help thinking of Sesshomaru and his penchant for asking questions in the form of statements.  Much the same way this child just did.  

“Yes.  It was made from a fang belonging to his father, a powerful inuyoukai and ruler of the Western Domain.  He died long ago.”

The little girl hummed softly with childlike surety and confidence.  “So his father gave him a gift too!  Now that his sword has absorbed the youki of all of the past protectors, he can break through any barrier…even that of your enemy.”  She looked immensely pleased.  Kagome couldn’t be sure, but Shiori’s aura seemed to radiate fierce hope.

Kagome looked away, pierced by the hanyou child’s enigmatic stare.  She spotted a flash of red and silver along with her other friends far down the beach.  No matter what, Kagome’s eyes were always drawn to Inuyasha.  “I sure hope so.”  She murmured softly.

“My grandfather…hated my father and called him weak for choosing my mother for a mate.  He called me half human filth.  Yet he used my power to protect our tribe.”  Her face fell, etched with the vulnerability of suffering acute rejection.  “He wanted my demonic abilities but hated the part of me that was human.”   The little girl’s face hardened.  “My grandfather has paid for his crime.”

“Oh, Shiori…” Kagome murmured, pulling the little hanyou close in a comforting hug.  “Always remember how much your father loved you and your mother.  That is what matters.  It wasn’t just Inuyasha that saved you.  Your father protected you today, and I believe he will always do so.”

The child nodded, smiling wanly, her violet eyes glittering with unshed tears.  “And you, miko…always remember to trust…” Shiori placed her small delicate clawed hand over Kagome’s heart, “what is in here.  It’s a safe place and will never lie to you.”

Kagome smiled gently down at the little girl, moved by her unshakable faith.  Shiori continued.

“I’ll bet Inuyasha has felt alone a lot.  Hanyous are hated by demons and feared by humans.  There is nowhere for hanyous to find rest.  There is nowhere hanyous are welcome.  But Inuyahsa’s father has never abandoned him.”  She gestured to the shimmering purplish aura that danced lovingly around her.  “See?  My father’s gift is alive.  Inuyasha’s father’s gift to him lives, too.”  She looked up at Kagome again, willing her to understand.  “You can show him that, you know.  Because of you, he has a place he can rest.”

Kagome gawked stupidly at the girl.  Now this was just getting odd.  While Shiori’s words sent chills down her spine with the subtle hint of authority that her little musical voice carried, Kagome found herself even more confused.  She offered a lame smile, the mention of Inuyasha’s father making her somewhat uncomfortable for reasons she couldn’t at that moment identify.  She was well aware of Tetsusaiga’s willingness to only transform if its wielder used it to protect humans, that wielder being Inuyasha.  She was also aware of the fact that the Fang rejected any youkai lacking human blood from wielding it.  She knew the spirit behind which Tetsusaiga was forged.  This was nothing new.  Not that she wished to argue with a child, but Kagome was pretty sure Inuyasha did not see her as the means that he was able to rest.  All of them, Sango, Miroku, Shippo…they all had their reasons for wanting revenge on Naraku.  Kagome was helping to fix her blunder in shattering the Shikon no Tama and assisting in the recovery of the shards.  If anything, she was one of the main sources of STRESS for Inuyasha…not rest.  She rubbed her forehead wearily.  “Um, you also said I will protect him.  I’m afraid I don’t understand, Shiori.”

The child sighed, much the same way Shippo would when he was told it was time for bed when he was in no way tired.  Her hand was still pressed against Kagome’s heart.  Her eyes spoke of infinite confidence in the strangely attired priestess.  

“When you doubt, go in here…and trust.”

Kagome heaved a lazy sigh as she picked apart the memory of that day with Shiori and her mother.  She’d been laying awake for a while but could not find the motivation to get up.   Trust.  I am trusting!  Why would the kid feel the need to tell me to do that?  And why the heck am I trying so hard to analyze everything that little girl said to me?  I know she seemed all mysterious and whatnot, but that doesn’t make the kid some wise and all knowing sage, for kami’s sake!  Perhaps she had merely been intrigued by the fact that she was hanyou…like Inuyasha…and she did seem to nail several things with startling insight and clarity.  Kagome snuggled deeper into the covers, finally rolling to her back and opening her eyes.

She yawned and flopped to her side, still burrowed beneath the comforter.  Tossing the heavy blanket aside, she noticed Tetsusaiga lying on her desk and stretched with a grimace as the bright sunlight was shafted rudely into her room across her bed.  ‘I suppose it’s time to get up.’ she thought grumpily.  Inuyasha was undoubtedly downstairs already doing his part to devour what remained of the impressive store of ramen in the Higurashi pantry.  He’d made an admirable start the night before when they’d first arrived, but had been emphatically cut off at his seventh cup by Kagome, much to his irritation.  He’d argued that he’d gone a whole week without any so she was being unreasonable to deny him an eighth cup.   After calmly placing her hand on his middle, she’d countered that his belly was bloated like an overfed puppy.  He’d not appreciated the comparison one bit but had wisely selected to not argue.

When they’d arrived through the well, all had been quiet in the Higurashi household, everyone having already retired for the night.  She touched her neck with a shiver of awareness as she paused at the top of the stairs, remembering last night.  After they had come inside, and while Kagome was preparing him some shrimp flavored ramen in the darkened kitchen, she’d tensed in surprise to feel him directly behind her, hugging her tightly with his arms wrapped around her stomach, burying his nose against the side of her neck.  A low growl vibrated throughout his body and she’d instantly relaxed in his hold and automatically bared her neck to him as she leaned her head against his shoulder.  After nosing around her neck for a few minutes and inhaling the scent of her hair, Inuyasha had simply said ‘Thank you, Kagome…and I don’t mean just for the ramen’ in his quiet rumble, before releasing her to sit down and slurp down the first of several helpings of his favorite food.

Kagome shuffled downstairs, still touching her neck with a faint smile.  She took in the familiar comforting scents of her home and family.  She smiled softly at the sight of Inuyasha at the family table, several empty ramen cups already stacked next to him.  He fit right in with her family.  They accepted him unquestionably.  He may have always complained about taking her home, putting up a fuss every time she had to go back…but she knew that over time he’d come to care for her family and genuinely enjoyed being with them.  She suspected he derived a sense of normalcy…even belonging…that he’d never before known.  Kagome was proud that he felt comfortable enough in her home to let down his guard.  

She smiled wryly, stepping up behind her hanyou companion as he noisily slurped down his favorite food, shoveling an obscene glob of noodles into his mouth with his chopsticks.  She knelt next to him and eyed him with distinct disapproval.  Her mother sipped her tea as she leaned against the counter, reading the paper.  She glanced up and smiled warmly at her daughter.

“Good morning, dear.  Did you sleep well?”

Flashing her mother a grin, Kagome nodded.  “I didn’t want to get up.  Best sleep I’ve had in ages.”  She nudged Inuyasha’s shoulder with her own shoulder, smirking when he nudged back.

“Oi, wench…I don’t even wanna hear it.  Your mother said I could have as much as I want.”  He tilted the cup back, sucking down the dregs with obvious relish, shooting Kagome a smug, victorious smirk as he grabbed another steaming full cup, tucking into it immediately.

“I didn’t say anything!”  Kagome protested.

He mumbled unintelligibly in retort, too engaged in gorging himself to worry about being understood.

Kagome eyed the several empty ramen cups decorated with a cartoonish dragon gaily leaping through a sea of endless processed, freeze dried noodles and then looked dubiously at the several more steaming cups still waiting for him but not long for the world at the rate the hanyou was putting the stuff away.  She briefly wondered just WHAT those brightly colored bits were that floated benignly among the steaming noodly goodness…but then thought it best not to inquire further.  

“Mama, he’ll just keep eating until he explodes.”

“Keh! “

“Nonsense, Kagome.  Look how happy he is.”  Mrs. Higurashi beamed as she surveyed the half dog demon decimating her supply of Happy Dragon Noodle Boy Ramen cups (shrimp flavor!).

Inuyasha sniffed arrogantly looking sideways at Kagome.  “Feh!  At least SOMEONE doesn’t want me to starve.”

“Your stomach is still stuffed from the five gallons of ramen you inhaled last night.”  Kagome informed him dryly.

Mrs. Higurashi folded her paper and walked over to Inuyasha, a gleam in her eyes that made the hanyou instantly suspicious.  He suddenly knew why Kagome’s mother had been so willing to feed him his favorite food in quantities she’d never before sanctioned.  She wanted to keep him busy so she could take advantage of him in his moment of gluttony.  He suppressed a sigh as the woman stood behind him and began to rub his ears, humming happily.

“What is it with you females and my damn ears?”  he grumbled as he snatched another cup of steaming noodles.  He looked into the cup of heavenly goodness lovingly and sighed before resuming the noisy, greedy slurping.  His right leg suddenly twitched.

They both replied in unison, Kagome making her voice sound sing song and ridiculous.  “Because they are SO KAWAII!”  Mrs. Higurashi giggled as she stroked the silky white furry tips and glanced at Kagome who snorted in amusement when she noticed the leg twitching.  Now THERE is a weapon I can use one of these days…  

Inuyasha growled uncharitably but surprisingly made no effort to extract himself from the relentless ear rubbing, doing a passable job remaining stoic despite the reflexive twitches of his right leg.   Kagome got up to make herself some toast and tossed tender glances his way, shocked with how docile he was in spite of the fact that her mother was currently petting him…like a dog.  She swallowed a giggle when a thought crossed her mind, especially in light of his involuntary response.    Domesticated?  Inuyasha?  NEVER!  

She turned her back to hide her amusement and spied the plate of food on the counter and realized she must have totally slept through breakfast.  Oh well, she wasn’t surprised she’d needed to catch up on sleep.  Good thing it was Saturday and she didn’t have to deal with being torn on whether or not to go to school.  She yawned indulgently.

“I saved you some breakfast, Kagome.  Go ahead and eat up.  Sota is already gone to soccer practice and Ji-chan is working in the shrine today.”  Mrs. Higurashi finally released Inuyasha from the ear rubbing indignity, having apparently gotten her fill of the velvety appendages and gently patted his shoulder affectionately.  Inuyasha simply continued to stuff himself with the ambrosia of the Happy Dragon Boy.  “Will you two be returning to the past today?”

Kagome sat down next to Inuyasha with the plate of food.  She frowned when he snatched a link of sausage from her plate with his chopsticks, popping it in his mouth.  “Yeah, I wish we could stay longer.   But I needed to restock on supplies.  Medical items too.  Plus we need to get back on the hunt.”  To Inuyasha she snapped irritably, “Do you mind?  You’ve already eaten your weight in ramen.  There can’t possibly be anymore room in your stomach.”

He shrugged carelessly, helping himself to another sausage link.  “Still hungry.”

“He’s had breakfast too.” Mrs. Higurashi declared with great satisfaction.

Kagome’s jaw dropped in disbelief.  “You’ve had breakfast AND all that ramen….on TOP of the ridiculous amount you ate last night??  I swear you are a bottomless pit.  Hands off my breakfast.”  She huffed and scooted away from him, bringing her plate with her, attempting to shield it from plunder.  She glanced at her mother.  “We’ll have to make a run to the store before we go back, though…if the trash compactor here can even walk.”  She tried to poke Inuyasha with her chopsticks when he went to steal the rest of her sausage but found he was too fast.

“No need, dear.  I went to the store yesterday and picked up the usual items…and no, I didn’t forget the strawberry pocky.”  The older woman removed her apron, and hung it up on the back of the door to the pantry.  “I’ve stacked it all in here, even the band aids, anti-bacterial ointments, and gauze.  Just take what you need.”  It never ceased to amaze Kagome how her mother just…knew.

“Thanks, Mama…Shippo will be very happy about that pocky.”

Inuyasha adopted an extremely bored and irritated expression, finally giving up on swiping any more of Kagome’s breakfast when she reached for his ears in a shrewd offensive move.  He ducked out of her reach with surprising agility considering his glutted condition and stood up, rubbing his bloated stomach.  “Do what you gotta do to gear up, wench.  We need to get movin’.”

Having given Kagome her orders, Inuyasha headed for the stairs, undoubtedly to retrieve Tetsusaiga.  A thunderous belch could be heard just before the door to her room slammed closed.

Kagome looked at her mother and rolled her eyes.  Mrs. Higurashi giggled, amused with the obvious chemistry developing between her daughter and the hanyou from the past she had come to love as if he were one of her own children.  She hadn’t missed how much closer Kagome had seated herself to Inuyasha when she arrived to the table.  The display of pretending to fight over food also did not escape her notice.  Those two were flirting…and they didn’t even realize it.

“He’s such a pig.”  Kagome groaned, though she wasn’t really all that annoyed by his crude behavior.  He’d never claimed to be anything other than what he was, and Kagome didn’t want him to start now.

Her mother grinned at her and smoothed her daughter’s bangs from her forehead, peering at her with motherly affection.  “He’s male, dear.  Disgusting noises come naturally...especially when food is involved.”

Kagome snorted and took her plate to the sink, rinsing it and stowing it in the dishwasher.  “Well, I suppose I should be glad that it’s so simple to please him.  I swear, Mama…I don’t understand how he isn’t sick to death of ramen by now.”  She began to gather all the empty containers, stacking them neatly to go in the recycling bin.  Her eyes widened when she counted them.  Sheesh.  Ten cups AND breakfast.  Talk about thermonuclear metabolism.

“Well, I suppose it’s probably comforting to him.  Perhaps some part of him associates ramen with security.  While something like ramen is just a cheap convenience food that you and I have always taken for granted, to Inuyasha, when you first gave it to him, it was a fantastic and wonderful novelty.  Whether the novelty has worn off or not…it’s still ramen.”  Mrs. Higurashi casually poured some more hot water over her tea from the kettle on the stove and glanced carefully at Kagome.  “And he associates ramen with you, Kagome.”

Kagome widened her eyes at her mother’s words, considering.  Shiori’s cryptic words came back to her.  The more she thought about what the child had said, the more she became certain that she should simply stop worrying about what it could all mean.  The kid had said to trust, didn’t she?  Well, Kagome certainly hadn’t been doing that with all of her brooding and sighing and worrying.  Her mother’s surprisingly insightful observation struck a deeply hidden chord within her and Kagome smiled a genuine, happy smile.  Trust.  She could do that.

“I suppose…there is more than one way to protect.”  She murmured.  She touched her neck again and bit her lip, remembering the way he’d shown her his appreciation for her last night with the hug and the words of thanks.

Mrs. Higurashi cocked her head curiously, and lifted one brow in amusement at the goofy smile that suddenly lit up her daughter’s face.  “Protect what, dear?”

Kagome shook her head and hugged her wise and wonderful mother.  “It’s nothing, Mama.  You always know the right thing to say.  And thank you so much for going to the store.  I need to get dressed and pack before Inuyasha starts bellowing.”

The elder Higurashi squeezed her daughter in return and then held her at arm’s length, looking at her with obvious pride.  “It is my joy and privilege, daughter.  While not on the front lines, I consider myself honored to assist in whatever way I can in your quest.  You have an important destiny and I am so very proud of you.”

Kagome swallowed a lump in her throat and hugged her mother again fiercely, blinking back tears.  “You help more than you know, Mama.”

Mrs. Higurashi had difficulty holding back her own tears, after all, it wasn’t easy letting her only daughter cross over a magical time portal so she could face off against every conceivable danger in the dark ages of Japan.  But Kagome had an able protector in Inuyasha, and the fact that he was by her side set Mrs. Higurashi’s heart at peace.  He would take care of her.  He always did.  And she had strong faith that the light would always overcome the darkness.  She pulled away with a mock scowl at Kagome, pushing her gently toward the stairs.  She wiped her eyes as she turned to the sink, looking out the window at Goshinboku.  

“If I want to spoil Inuyasha with ramen when he’s in my kitchen, then that’s my prerogative.  As far as I’m concerned, he can have all he wants.”

They arrived back in the Feudal Era later that morning and Kagome was a bit surprised that Inuyasha was even able leap out of the well after having consumed such an astonishing volume of food in the past day.  They would run out of ramen in very short order if he continued to eat at that rate…and she’d brought a couple weeks worth for all of them!  She would just have to be a bit more creative in keeping him from having more than he should.  Honestly, it wasn’t supposed to be a main food staple!  It was just for when catching fish or hunting game was not practical.

Apparently, Inuyasha cared very little that ramen was in fact far inferior in nutrition to the wild game and fish they normally ate.  Kagome sometimes wished she’d never introduced him to the damnable noodles.  Ramen wasn’t very healthy and she was starting to feel guilty for being the one responsible for getting Inuyasha addicted to it.  She also wondered if the manufacturers of Happy Dragon Noodle Boy Ramen had considered the possibility that one of their many preservatives or flavor enhancing components was in fact canine crack.

They stopped by Kaede’s to replenish her waning supply of aspirin for her sore joints and to bring her up to speed on their plans.  The elderly miko was very grateful for the pain reliever.

“I thank ye, young Kagome.  These medicinal herbs are truly a blessing to this old woman.”  

Kagome smiled affectionately at her mentor and adoptive grandmother.  “I’m just glad that it gives you some relief from your arthritis.  My Ji-chan couldn’t do without the stuff!  Plus it’s good for your heart.”

Kaede immediately noticed the familiar way the young girl from the future sat much nearer to Inuyasha than she normally did…and even more noticeable was how Inuyasha seemed completely at ease with their proximity.  To observe the two of them subtly over tea confirmed in the elder miko’s mind that a change was taking place with Inuyasha and Kagome.  Their auras no longer seemed to clash as violently in a continual battle of wills and subconscious mutual attraction.

Kaede smirked slyly to herself as she refreshed Kagome’s tea.  Indeed…neither Kagome or Inuyasha realized it, but it would seem that the two just might be giving up the fight when it came to ignoring how perfectly they complimented one another.

“Indeed they do give me much relief, Kagome.  I have never found any other herb as potent.  They make me feel fifteen years younger while under their affects!”  Kaede chuckled as she rested her hands upon her expansive middle.  Her one good eye was keen and bright, moving back and forth between the two travelers.

Inuyasha scoffed under his breath but was secretly glad the old woman was feeling well.  He would never voice it aloud, but Kikyo’s younger sister had become very dear to him in the time since Kagome had released him from the fifty year enchanted slumber.  She accepted him for what he was and that meant more to Inuyasha than probably anything.  “Too bad those nasty tasting pills don’t do anything for your looks, Kaede-baba.”

Kagome scowled at him and pinched him hard in the side, earning her a yelp that sounded comically like a scolded puppy.  “Bitch!  What gives?!”  he complained.

“My temper if you don’t learn some proper respect!” she hissed and looked apologetically back at Kaede who was chuckling in amusement.

“Worry ye not about Inuyasha’s terrible manners, Kagome.  This old woman knows it is merely a cover to hide his true affections,” the old miko taunted in a mock affectionate tone of voice, causing Kagome to giggle. Her words were really referring to the hanyou’s behavior toward Kagome, but she voiced no such thing.

“Oi!”

The old miko was snickering behind her hand when she lurched to her feet and turned to a storage shelf to retrieve a bowl of freshly scrubbed radishes.  Once settled before the fire pit, Kaede began to deftly chop the oddly shaped roots, presumably for a meal.  Inuyasha was still sputtering in sullen embarrassment, peppering his displeasure with a few choice words.

“Keh!  Think what you want, old hag.”  He muttered, turning his head in outright rejection of the entire conversation, sticking his nose in the air.  Kagome nudged him with her shoulder, giggling when he nearly lost his balance.

“So tell me, where are the others?  I take it ye will be leaving soon?”

Kagome huffed when the hanyou snatched a radish.  “Yes, this was just a quick trip to restock.  We should be heading back to the old slayer’s village before it gets much later.  Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Kirara stayed to rest and repair Sango’s weapon.”

“Myoga-sama had been looking for ye, Inuyasha.  Something about your most recent endeavor to strengthen Tetsusaiga.”

Inuyasha’s ears swiveled forward in interest and his face perked from its previous sulk.  “When’d he come by?  We need to talk to the old coot anyway.”

Kagome glanced quizzically at Inuyasha.  “We do?”

Kaede tapped her chin in thought, as if trying to recall her conversation with the ancient flea.  “I believe he left some two days ago, but he did say he would be back shortly to await your return.”

Inuyasha’s eyes widened at Kagome’s question.  In all honesty, he’d wanted to talk to the old flea about Tetsusaiga’s recent behavior and how it might relate to Kagome and felt a bit guilty for not mentioning it to her yet.

“Feh!  Just wanna ask him some things about Tetsusaiga.”  His cheeks darkened in a blush and he scowled.  “You say the old fart wants to see me anyway about it so he better have some answers for me, too!”

Kagome raised her brows in surprise at his gruff tone, but just as quickly brushed it off, rolling her eyes.  “Whatever…hopefully he’ll be along soon.  I suppose this means we are staying here tonight.”  Her mood brightened a bit at that possibility.  She looked forward to a chance to visit with Kaede a bit more and pick her brain regarding priestess matters.

“Unless he shows up in the next hour…I’d say yeah.”  He settled himself against the wall in his usual stance of relaxed alertness, his sword nestled against his chest.  He closed his eyes for the most part except for a tiny slits so he could stare at Kagome’s bare legs without getting caught.  He would never tire of the sight of those shapely, toned, smooth, endlessly long limbs.  Being born in a time period where males were only permitted glimpses of the female form when too young to care about such things or on their wedding nights, it was no surprise that Inuyasha was quite captivated by Kagome’s style of attire.  It was small wonder that he managed to keep from drooling at any given time.  Like now.  Mentally slapping himself, he forced his gaze away from the object of his desire and glared at the opposite wall.

As it turned out, Myoga the flea had been waiting near the well for Inuyasha’s return from Kagome’s time.  Kagome settled next to Kaede to help her chop herbs and vegetables for a stew the old miko was preparing.  The two prattled on for a while about different spells and herbs useful for priestesses of the Warring States period.  Kagome seized every opportunity she could to learn from the wise old woman.  She found the craft of healing fascinating and Kaede was pleased with how easily Kagome caught on and memorized things that had taken her months, if not years to learn.  Kaede was also extremely thankful that the young girl possessed such a sharp mind and a keen desire to hone her discipline and ability to control her gifts as a priestess;  not just for her own betterment…but for her safety and that of those around her.  The elderly miko still believed that the young woman was for the most part unaware of the magnitude of raw devastating power she possessed as the Shikon no Miko.  Learning control was paramount.

Inuyasha suddenly released an irritated growl.  Kagome looked up at him in question from the herbs she’d been sorting, grinning in amusement when he slapped himself on the side of his neck.

“Myoga!  Glad you caught up with us!”  she crawled over on her knees to plop down next to the hanyou and peered down at the tiny flattened youkai gasping for breath on Inuyasha’s palm.

“I wish I could return the sentiment, Lady Kagome.  Oh, the toils this old one must endure just to obtain a decent meal!”  the flea moaned theatrically, looking up at his lord accusingly.

Inuyasha’s eye twitched.  He squeezed the poor flea unmercifully between his thumb and forefinger with a bland expression on his face.  Myoga yelped.  “Forgive me, my Lord Inuyasha!  It’s just your blood is the very best I have ever had the pleasure of sampling.  Even better than your father’s …and that is saying something as his was quite delectable.”  The hanyou flicked him across the room.

“Keh!  What’s this about Tetsusaiga, Myoga-jiji?”

The ancient youkai glared at the young half demon as he bounced back to where he’d originally been perched when his snack had been so rudely interrupted.  “I do believe compensation for information given is in order my lord.  After all, for one such as myself, who has throughout the centuries ever only been one of your family’s most loyal servants, such a paltry thing as a small fraction of your blood would hardly be missed by one as powerful as you.  Then again,” the flea turned a crafty bug eye to Kagome, who eeped in surprise, “perhaps the Lady Kagome would be willing to part with a small measure—“

Myoga suddenly found himself held directly in front of one suddenly irate, red-rimmed golden eye…dangling by one of his little flea legs between deadly canine claws.  

“Take one drop of Kagome’s blood and you die, flea.  In fact, if you even TOUCH her you will die.”  He growled through clenched teeth, his voice carrying a tone of dire warning that she’d never heard from him when he’d addressed the old flea.  Kagome gulped at the sudden possessiveness and rage that flared in Inuyasha’s aura.  He’d never reacted that way to Myoga’s wheedling her for a sip of her blood.  Before she knew what was happening, she felt a swarm of butterflies in her belly and a fearsome blush creep up her neck.  She bit her lip and stole a glance at the hanyou and scooted closer to him, laying a gentle hand upon his shoulder.  He instantly calmed his savage growl, relaxing at her touch.  Kaede merely smirked knowingly from where she silently continued her chores.  The old miko always found she learned much more by listening and watching.

Myoga wore a similar amused smirk as the elderly priestess as he was held aloft in the death grip of his master.  Well well…it seems I am finally bearing witness to the evidence of young Inuyasha’s budding attachment to the Lady Kagome.  His father would be extremely pleased with his choice.’ He thought to himself with glee.  His voice was however ingratiating.  “Of course, my lord, how silly of me to even think such a thing.  I would never lay so much as a lowly antennae on the Lady Kagome.”

Kagome peered at the flea with a sardonic expression, placing her hands on her hips.  “You have before.”

Myoga quickly back pedaled, sweating and starting to get nervous at the murderous glare Inuyasha was leveling at him.  “Ehehehe! Too true too true, my lady!  But that was then and this is now…and as such Lord Inuyasha’s faithful vassal will from henceforth honor his wishes to no longer seek out your delicious blood.”  The flea looked momentarily saddened by this thought but very quickly shot a placating glance up at the dog demon.

“Will you just get to the damn point and stop begging?  You’re not getting any of MY blood either and that’s final!”  Inuyasha bellowed impatiently, causing both Kagome and Myoga jump in nervousness.  Kagome glanced at the sulking though duly admonished flea and winced.  This wasn’t going to get them anywhere.  From out of nowhere, she quite suddenly had a flash of inspiration.  Such ‘lightbulb moments’ would ordinarily be cause for wary and suspicious concern, considering Kagome’s propensity for getting herself in trouble, but in this situation, she felt a bit of…creativity was in order.  Kagome bit her lip shyly and leaned her weight forward, placing her hands on the tatami, moving ever closer to the dog demon.  Her glossy black hair tumbled provocatively from her shoulder and spilled onto his arm.

Inuyasha’s ears gave away his keen interest in her actions, even though he was still glowering at the flea.  She fought down her smirk and batted her lashes coyly.  She had no idea what possessed her to act this way again, in what she’d only yesterday decried as ‘slutty’ behavior, at least in her own mind anyway.  But a very compelling voice in her head urged her that her current course of action was nothing other than totally appropriate, and before she knew it, her body was acting as if purely on instinct.  ‘Trust.  I need to trust.’  She smoothly in one graceful motion laid her head on his shoulder, pressing herself against his arm as she tucked her legs beneath her.  She made sure her neck was bared and her eyes were averted submissively.

“Inuyasha…I think you should let Myoga have a drink.  After all, he does frequently have useful information and is always willing to share it with us.  As you are honorable, I know you would never withhold a reward from someone who deserves it,” she cooed softly, tracing her slender finger lightly along the sleeve of his fire rat robe.

The hut was silent, all the occupants shocked into stillness for a split second, except for Kaede, who continued with her activities of preparing a meal, completely unruffled by the proceedings taking place in her home.  Inuyasha was momentarily paralyzed with terror, his human emotions short circuiting in confusion and wonder.  He could not believe what had just happened.  She had gone from innocent sweet little maiden to seductive enticing little minx with no warning whatsoever!  He, of course, had a very rapid and eager response to her teasing little display, and was obscenely grateful that his hakama hid the evidence.  He gulped and let out a tiny almost nonexistent whimper, not trusting his voice to form words.  

Once her scent registered in his brain however, his youkai knew EXACTLY what to do.  Quite suddenly rattling a low growl, he seemed to snap out of his stupor.  He leaned down and rasped his tongue over her throat then nipped her collarbone in gentle reprimand.  She let out a breathy squeak but did not pull away, instead pressing closer to him.  His youkai rumbled his approval of the spike in her scent and the way she made more of her neck available to him.  No matter how enticing she was or how seductive her actions, he still sensed a current of defiance that both puzzled and excited him.  He grinned against her neck and decided to educate her on her minor infraction.  Although, it was clear the girl knew exactly how to get her way…   

Kaede clearing her throat rather loudly seemed to jolt the hanyou from the musings of his wayward youkai.

Inuyasha jerked away from Kagome’s neck looking like a cornered rat.  The hanyou’s sudden movement made Kagome yelp and fall back on her bottom with an inelegant grunt.  He shot panicked looks at Kaede and Myoga both, daring either of them to say a word about what just happened.  The flea still dangled patiently from between his pinched claw tips.  Baring his teeth in a frightening display of pique with all present, the hanyou smashed Myoga down on his shoulder, right where the flea had been perched to begin with.  Avoiding Kagome’s eyes he gritted out sullenly to the hungry and highly entertained flea, “Make it quick, parasite.”

If he noticed the amusement of the elder miko or the greedy jubilation of the ancient youkai who wasted no time in partaking of his favorite half demon blood, Inuyasha gave no indication.  Instead, he did all he could to make a show of ignoring Kagome even though every part of his body was howling in awareness of her.

Kagome, for her part, was still reeling from the way Inuyasha made her senses tumble into overload.  Part of her was pleased with how he gave in to her wishes to let Myoga have a bit of his blood, yet the sensible, SANE part of her was screeching in outrage that she would behave like a complete hussy to Inuyasha in a not so subtle ploy to get him to…give in to her wishes to let Myoga have a bit of his blood.  She stifled a groan but could do nothing about the furious blush that made her ears burn.  She could feel Kaede looking at her but was too mortified to turn and face her.  Gaaaahhhh I cannot believe I just did that!  Kami, Inuyasha is FURIOUS with me…I just know it…omigod omigod…

Whatever outraged embarrassed screeching her inner good girl wished to share with her inner vixen was summarily silenced by the calm, soothing assurance of the mantra she’d decided to cling to.  Trust.  I can trust…and it will be ok.  She instantly relaxed and smoothed her skirt calmly.

In no time at all, Myoga was five times his original size and quite happy and sated.  He tumbled lethargically into a glutted heap on the tatami right next to Kaede.  “Ah thank you, my lord.  I do believe after such a magnificent feast, I could easily succumb to a nap.”

Whatever mortification Inuyasha was suffering moments ago was instantly forgotten.  He had a flea to squish.  “Why, you lazy, worthless—“the rest of his epithet was swallowed up in a loud feral growl.

The flea youkai squealed womanishly, hiding behind a rather sedate Kaede.  “Perhaps I’ll indulge in a much needed repose at a later time…” the flea stammered.  Kaede grunted in hearty agreement, obviously struggling to hold in her laughter.

Inuyasha tried to leap up and pounce over Kaede onto the bloated bug but Kagome gave him a pointed look, pushing back on his chest gently.  It was almost comical how quickly his demeanor changed at her touch.  He huffed and crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall.  Myoga sighed in relief.

“Now, Lord Inuyasha, I remember the reason I needed to speak with you.  I had been wondering if you’d noticed anything different with Tetsusaiga.  But after…visiting with you and the Lady Kagome…I will hazard to guess that you have been rather too busy...”  He said this last part as if to himself, obviously terribly amused.

“What in the HELLS are you talking about?  I swear, Myoga, I am about two seconds from—“

“Let him talk, Inuyasha…”  Kagome said quietly.  She too was interested to hear whether or not the flea possessed any information on the sword that may shed some light on her own questions.   Inuyasha growled as the now stuffed and sated Myoga went into lecture mode.

“Well, we all know that you have successfully infused the Tetsusaiga with more than enough power to blast through any barrier, including Naraku’s.  While the method used to obtain this ability happened differently than I expected, the end result was the same.  I was positive that the only way to achieve this was to kill the youkai protector of the Hyakki Bat Tribe’s barrier and let Tetsusaiga soak up the youkai’s blood.”  The flea glared at the half demon to make sure he was listening.

“I already know all this!”  Inuyasha snarled, interested in hearing more, despite his irritation.

Myoga continued, unfazed by Inuyasha’s foul temper.  “The little half demon girl was a definite hitch in the original plan to slay the youkai protector of the barrier for obvious reasons.”

“There was no way I was gonna kill that kid, you old fart.”  the hanyou interrupted.

“Of course not, my lord, which brings me to my point.”

“Oh really?  And here I thought I was gonna die of old age before that happened.”

Myoga chose to ignore the dog demon’s snide comments.  “When Tetsusaiga was commissioned of Totosai, your father’s fang was used to empower it with his will and the very essence of his great power.  As you know, his purpose for the sword was to protect your human mother.  As such, the true heir of the sword would always be any child conceived of his union with her.”

“The little girl Shiori spoke to me about Inuyasha’s father’s ‘gift’ to him.  I assumed she was just talking about the sword itself.”  Kagome spoke up.

Inuyasha turned his attention to the teenage girl finally, though he was still flushed.  “You never told me what you and that kid were talking about that day.”  

Kagome fidgeted, blushing a bit.  “Well…I..I didn’t really know if it was important.  Not much of what she told me made sense.  I figured she just wanted to encourage me or…tell me to take care of you, seeing as how she was a hanyou too…which she did…sorta…”  She looked away, her face on fire.

“So Shiori spoke of a gift Inuyasha’s father wished to confer upon him?  This is remarkable!  What is the gift?”  Myoga bounced excitedly, though the action was somewhat clumsy in his overfed state.

Inuyasha glared at her.  “What the hell!  Why would you know about this before me?”  he shouted.

“I don’t know, you baka!  She didn’t make any sense to me, telling me ‘as Inuyasha protects you, so you shall also protect him’ or some gibberish like that!  Stop yelling at me!”  she mimicked the girl’s childish voice sarcastically while quoting her and her heart sped up because she knew it was all about to come out via Myoga and Inuyasha interrogating her and she wasn’t sure she was ready.

Myoga stroked his chin as if deep in thought.  “Protect Inuyasha?  Like with a barrier?”

“Keh!  As if Kagome could protect me!  She screams for help if she finds a tiny bug in her sleeping bag.”  The dog demon mocked smugly.  

Kagome looked like she may sit him for that.  Her eye twitched.

“Inuyaaaashaaaa….”  She growled out his name warningly but remarkably was able to refrain from shouting out the dreaded word.

She leveled the hanyou a warning glare and was about to give in to her temper in the usual way.  When she saw how he winced slightly as if bracing like a dog who was used to frequent beatings, her anger instantly went out of her.   She released a shaky breath and closed her eyes.  She placed her hand over her heart, her expression softening but her eyes remaining closed, her head bowed.  ‘Trust.’ “ I don’t know what this gift is, any more than I know how I’m supposed to protect you, but I do know that your father never abandoned you, Inuyasha…and you are not alone now.  Nor will you ever be.”

Inuyasha’s smugness evaporated as his skin prickled in gooseflesh.  The tone of her voice had turned so soothing…a sound that instantly cooled the fires of his troubled spirit.  He stared at her for a moment, forgetting they had an audience.  He swallowed hard and quickly looked away, his face pinched in a scowl of nervous irritation.  Teasing her was no fun if she was just gonna do that.  “Keh.”

The now contemplative dog demon glanced at Myoga.  “I guess you could say Tetsusaiga’s been acting a bit off lately…but only around Kagome.”

“Off in what way, Lord Inuyasha?”  the flea prompted.

Inuyasha shrugged carelessly.  “It’s pulsed a few times…yesterday it did it when Kagome fainted.”

Kagome stiffened at this.  That was when I had that vision of…Koga…

“Yeah…maybe it’s…talking to you somehow.”  He mocked, standing up, suddenly uncomfortable with sitting.  He began to pace slowly.  Kaede glanced up at him placidly as she quietly continued her work, her one good eye bright with interest.

Myoga clapped his hands together once in resignation.  “Well, all I’d wanted to know is if you’d had any luck on any particularly strong barriers since your confrontation with the bat tribe.  It would appear there is far more going on with Tetsusaiga…and it would also appear the answers lie only with you and with the Lady Kagome.”

Kaede finally broke her silence.  “Aye.  This old woman agrees with ye, Myoga-sama.”

Inuyasha snorted rudely and swiftly exited the hut, but not before shooting Kagome an intense and questioning look.

As it turned out, not much else was said regarding Tetsusaiga.  Myoga had nothing of import to offer and Kagome had to restrain Inuyasha again from flattening to flea for getting a free meal under false pretenses.  

They said their quick goodbyes to Kaede and were soon on the road back to the old slayer’s village.  They managed to avoid the topic that both wanted most to speak about, but were too nervous to bring up.  Kagome found that small gestures of touch did the most to speak to Inuyasha.  A brush of her hand to his hand, a soft lingering touch to his bicep as they walked side by side.  After they had been on the road for a few hours and he was carrying her on his back, running at top speed, she noticed how tense and confused he seemed.  The emotions radiated off of him and she wordlessly leaned closer to him, and nuzzled his neck.  When the tension immediately went out of him she knew that he appreciated the gesture.

But it was only expected in this era that things couldn’t stay peaceful for long.  

Kagome tensed, her hands squeezing his shoulders.  “Inuyasha…I sense the presence of two jewel shards.”  Her eyes dropped close and she prayed for calm.  “And they are moving in fast.”

A/N --  Dang, a cliffie.  I really couldn’t go on any longer with this chapter.  It’s already so long lol.  But I already have a big chunk of the next chapter written.   I hope you all enjoyed the fluff and the comedy.  I dunno how I got on the ramen tangent, but its fun in any case.  Oh and I totally made up the silly brand name of the ramen Mrs. Higurashi buys.  I know it’s stupid but I couldn’t stop myself.

I want to thank all of you who have reviewed this story.  Keep letting me know what you think.  I realize that it may seem a bit meandering, but I do have a point, I promise lol. Also, if you haven’t familiarized yourself with manga 214-218, this story is probably going to not make much sense.





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