InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Centre ❯ Turn of Tide ( Chapter 50 )

Chapter 50: Turn of Tide

 

Miroku gave a sigh of relief as the miko beside him started showing signs of waking up. The spell was already broken so he didn't have to hold anything up anymore. That left him to take care of Kagome, who was looking worse for wear more than anything else.

“Wake me up sometime next week,” she murmured.

“Tell that to your mate, not me,” he teased. “His ego is going to be the size of Russia now. He probably won't even acknowledge our help!”

Kagome gave a light chuckle, wincing as the movement caused her already throbbing head to pound like a hammer to her temples.

“If he dares, I'll make him sleep on the couch for a week.”

“That isn't a threat. The couch is in the living room and we all know what happened there last time.”

A long silence followed, the only sound being the occasional shifting of the building and a soft ticking of a distant clock.

“Pervert,” Kagome mumbled finally.

“That I am, Mistress Miko, that I am,” he replied proudly. “And Sango loves me all the same.”

“Against my better judgment, let me tell you,” the demon slayer said, dropping Hiraikotsu at her fiancée's feet. Miroku nearly jumped three feet in the air at the loud clatter. Kagome moaned, shielding her painful head from the loud noise.

“How….when…..you…..where…..?” Miroku stuttered.

“Oh stop looking like I caught you in the closet with the babysitter,” Sango said, plopping herself down next to him and leaning close in exhaustion. A large demon cat sat down upon its haunches in front of them.

“Sango…sweetie….who is that?” Miroku asked, somewhat frightened by the large demon eyeing him.

“Oh, sorry, that's Kirara. She's the family cat.”

“The family cat…” Miroku repeated. “What the hell does the family dog look like?” he mused.

“We just have the cat,” Sango said with a smile. “No worries.”

“So that's why you were flying,” Kagome commented. “That must be nice.”

“Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru can fly too. You should get your mate to take you for a ride sometime.”

“Maybe after I feel less….run over.”

“KAGOME!!!” a familiar shout came.

“Looks like the knight in shining armor has arrived,” Kagome said with a sigh. “I'd run up and kiss him, but I don't think I can move. My head hurts too much.”

“I'll second that,” Miroku said, wrapping his arms around Sango and burying his head in her neck. “Although there is no way in hell I'm kissing him, no matter what he does.”

“Hey, I'm not exactly feeling peachy either ya know!” she protested.

“Dammit bitch, why didn't you answer me?” Inuyasha demanded, passing by Kirara without a second thought. The demon cat delicately reached out a paw and ran it down his leg, reminding him of his oversight. The dog demon sighed and ran claws through her long fur, scratching in all the right places by her ears.

“Because it hurts too much to talk,” Kagome protested. Warmth immediately filled her senses and she felt herself carefully lifted into strong arms.

“Why didn't you just tell me?” Inuyasha asked as he carried her out of the parking garage.

“Because this way your emotions would be real. I didn't want to give Naraku any reason to suspect.”

“So you weren't kidding when you said you weren't going to be in danger.”

“Well…I wasn't counting on him being able to absorb miko energies. If we had been bonded, I probably wouldn't be alive right now.”

“So I'm good for something either than sex?” he teased. Unclenching her eyes, Kagome gave him a brilliant smile that almost caused him to trip.

“I'll tell you some other time when your ego is less inflated,” she said quietly.

“Keh!” he scoffed, annoyed to not get more praise. “I don't know what you're worried about. I had Naraku all tied up and in comes Mr. High and Mighty Asshole, tells me to go fetch my mate, he'll take care of the rest. Not a word of thanks to any of us. I came to get you. Then I'm gonna kick his ungrateful ass.”

Kagome just smiled, laying her head against his chest to listen to the steady beating of his heart.

Back in the garage Sango and Miroku exchanged knowing looks.

“Sure, he grabs her, but what about us?” Miroku asked.

“Who cares? I just never want to see another flying insect in my life.”

 

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“What?” Kagome asked as she lay slumped in her mate's arms. Inuyasha was sitting on someone's expensive office couch as the entire building was in turmoil. No one had known Naraku was right here, controlling things all along…or that the old miko had been gone for years. No one really knew when Naraku replaced her and Naraku wasn't volunteering information.

Then again, it was probably rather difficult to talk while bound in multiple layers of demon and miko power. Not that the other council members weren't exploring that. No one had ever heard of such a thing.

Then again, it wasn't like mikos mated to hanyous on a regular basis.

“The asshole took over,” he replied softly, conscious of the fact her head was still throbbing.

“You're telling me your brother just waltzed in and took over the High Councilor position?”

“That's the abridged version, yes.”

“But-”

“I haven't a clue how he did it,” Inuyasha replied before she could ask. “I'm sure we can ask at the council hearing in a few minutes.”

Kagome gave a low groan in his arms.

“We just saved their butts. I don't want to face their idiotic complaints.”

“If they dare insult you, I'll beat the shit out of them.”

“Inuyasha? Kagome?” Rin asked from the doorway. “They're ready for you now.”

“What about Sango and Miroku?” Kagome asked, suddenly remembering they'd left the two back in the garage.

“Kirara brought them up. Sango had to see the doctor anyway. Those damn bugs pack quite a punch.”

“Time to face the bastards,” Inuyasha snarled lightly, still carrying his exhausted mate into the audience chamber until they were next to Miroku and Sango, standing before the council. For once, she didn't protest being held.

The audience chamber was the same one she'd been demoted in, its dark curtains a fresh reminder that most lectures in this room did not end in her favor. Kagome suppressed the urge to ask her mate to take her far away from here, far from the glares, stares and pitying looks.

All the same councilors looked down from their elevated seats save for the High Councilor chair which was currently occupied by none other than Sesshoumaru. The position suited him. There he was lord of all, the most powerful one when it came to decisions. Somehow, that thought didn't really comfort Kagome. And she could feel the low growl in Inuyasha's chest. He certainly wasn't pleased with this little outcome either.

“Put the miko down,” Sesshoumaru ordered. “We aren't going to attack her.”

Inuyasha did not reply, but his hold upon her tightened ever so slightly.

“Forgive my mate, lords and ladies, but I'm really not capable of standing right now,” Kagome replied diplomatically.

Rin appeared from behind Sesshoumaru's chair and whispered something in his ear to which the demon lord gave a brief nod of understanding. That did not, however, remove the cold look from his eyes.

“Very well,” he said, his voice barely above his normal tone, yet somehow it filled the room with power. “Stand forth and accept the charges.”

“Charges?!” Inuyasha bellowed. “Listen here you fucking asshole! She'll not-”

Kagome placed a hand over his mouth and gave him a gentle look, pleading with him to be quiet. Annoyed, Inuyasha growled in compliance as his ears dropped defensively.

“If there will be no more interruptions? Very well, Kagome, Novice Miko, you are hereby charged with the destruction of government property, direct violation of government orders, aiding an unlicensed monk, and temporarily giving a hanyou enough power to become a full fledged demon. All of these fall under the council laws, doctrines 67 through 323. How do you plead?”

“Of all the fucking-” Inuyasha began, only to have his mate cut him off again.

“Guilty.”

A tense silence filled the room. Across the room Kaede looked slightly worried and cast a glance up at Rin who was standing by Sesshoumaru's chair, an unreadable expression upon her face. Just what was the council doing?

“Seeing as this is in direct violation of the council laws, you cannot go unpunished,” Sesshoumaru said calmly.

“Funny coming from you, asshole. You're the High Council member without even having a mate!” Inuyasha snarled. “Even with only half demon blood, I have more right to be up there right now than you do now!”

“That will be handled shortly,” Sesshoumaru replied, not rising to his brother's bait. “The council agreed upon a fitting punishment for your crimes. First, Kaede shall be reinstated as Head Miko. Obviously this was a result of lack of management. Second, Kagome, your novice status is revoked. You've missed several days of classes and the training has been found to be unbeneficial to you anyway. No sense in wasting money. Third, your new duties will be assigned to you and your mate. Obviously the two of you separated is rather dangerous.”

“Huh?” Inuyasha said. “What the hell is he talking about?”

“Oh this is rich,” Miroku said, not to far from him. “Inuyasha, I think I do have to admit your brother is pure genius sometimes.”

“What the fuck?”

“Shh, just listen,” Kagome said softly.

“Your new job, should you accept,” Sesshoumaru said with a tone of voice that suggested they would accept, whether they liked it or not. “Will be to lead the team that will be charged with the task of keeping Naraku bound. One day he will figure out how to break those bonds. When that day comes, I expect you to have a new way of keeping him bound…or have left capable people in your place.”

“You mean after all this we still have to see the damn fucker?”

“We accept,” Kagome said, ignoring her mate's growls and glares.

“Excellent. Now, for the matter of my mate,” Sesshoumaru said, bringing the council attention back upon himself. “Kaede, if you would read the council findings?”

The older miko slowly hobbled forward, coming to stand before the council. In her hand was a rolled scroll document bound tightly in red ribbon. She carefully sliced the binding and unrolled the delicate document.

“Lord Totousai sends his greetings and congratulations to the council,” she began.

“News sure does travel fast in the demon world,” Miroku exclaimed.

“Did you forget they have these things called phones now?” Inuyasha commented.

“And Fed Ex,” Sango replied.

“Lord Totousai lives three blocks from here,” Kagome said with a smile. “He's the council's metallurgist and genealogist.”

“No wonder Sesshoumaru never could get my name erased from the books,” Inuyasha said with a smirk.

“May I continue?” Kaede asked and all four blushed, nodding at their superior. This was hardly the time for a peanut gallery.

“On the matter of dog demons, I can say there is no record of any other than Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. The late lord came from a long line of only children and the last female dog demon every reported was Lord Sesshoumaru's late mother. The last known unrelated dog demon died over three centuries ago and left no known offspring. I'm afraid Lord Sesshoumaru is the last of the dog demons.”

The chamber was filled with a deep, thoughtful silence. Kaede quietly rolled the scroll back up and hobbled back to her place, gratefully sitting down as her old bones creaked.

“That's it?” Inuyasha asked, breaking the silence. “You're gonna try to get out of the whole mate thing by claiming you are the last? That's bullshit!”

“I don't recall claiming anything of the sort,” Sesshoumaru replied haughtily. “That was not read for your benefit.”

Kagome's eyes immediately flicked to Rin whose face was now a mirror of shock.

“My intended is right behind me. Any objections to that? Not that I'll listen, of course,” Sesshoumaru finished. A light thump was heard behind him and all heads turned.

Rin had fainted.

 

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“My brother is such an asshole,” Inuyasha said, replacing the warm compress upon Kagome's head. She smiled up at him and gratefully accepted the water and pain killers he offered.

“Don't worry about it. Naraku's locked up, we're all still alive if a bit worn out and Rin is happy….I think.”

“I did enjoy the look on his face when she yelled at him for assuming she would accept. Who knew she would have such power over the asshole?”

“Inuyasha, can you promise me something?” Kagome asked lightly.

“What?”

“If we ever have kids, please, please clean up your language.”

“Keh!”

“Hey sis!” Souta called from the doorway. “Gramps is on the phone. I think mom told him about the whole mating business. He wants to know when to plan the wedding.”

“W-w-wedding?” Inuyasha asked, his face paling.

“What? We're already mates, bound for life. What're you afraid of? Don't tell me you want out now,” she said with a frown. Inuyasha looked completely panicked.

“No…never that, but a wedding. That means…you have…to…you know….admit your feelings and shit in front of people. That shit is scary!”

“Let me get this straight. You'll risk pain and death challenging the most dangerous demon on earth…but you're afraid of a little wedding?”

“Weddings are never little,” he pointed out. “People say little, then find all these random people they feel they HAVE to invite because of some small, trifle thing they did ages ago. And the guys have to wear these suits that just-”

Kagome effectively cut her mate off with a light kiss, running her tongue along his lips until he complied and began to relax. Soon he was leaning into her lap, melting against her as she ran her fingers along his scalp.

“How about Mom, Gramps, Souta, Sango, Miroku, Sesshoumaru and Rin?”

“How about you, me and a justice of the peace?”

“How about you sleep on the couch?”

“How about I tie you to the bed until you agree? No way am I spouting shit with my brother around.”

“Ok, so we convince Rin to leave Sesshoumaru at home…and hold everyone under an oath of silence.” She began stroking his ears ever so slightly which produced a light purr in response.

“Damn….silly…thing…weddings….” ; he grumbled.

“We could do a double with Miroku and Sango. Then both you guys can be miserable together.”

Inuyasha didn't reply. He'd fallen asleep.

“I need a bigger bed,” Kagome said aloud, curling herself around her hanyou mate.

Shippou stood at the doorway with Souta watching the couple somehow fit themselves on the twin bed, oblivious to everything except each other.

“I guess this means I should tell Gramps to call back,” Souta whispered.

“I give it 2 weeks, she'll be pregnant,” Shippou replied.

“Eww, I don't want to think about things like that!”

“It's a fact of life!” the baby fox demon replied.

“Dude, you're like 4. Don't lecture me on that stuff. It's just plain weird.”

Shippou cast one last look at the couple before letting Souta close the door, leaving the sleeping pair in privacy.

“Think we should wake them and tell them they have work tomorrow?”

“Nah, let them sleep until dinner. Life always keeps going, but let them have a few more moments without worrying about that.”

“So what's for dinner?” Shippou asked.

“Uhhh….ramen?”

“You'll never get a mate if you can't cook.”

“Hey! I'm not even out of high school!” Souta protested. “Gramps would kill me!”

 

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And that is the end…whew. Like a year after I began this story. Wow. Someone suggested I do some one shots with these characters later on (following the story). That's not such a bad idea, so keep an eye out for those.

Anyway, I didn't have many people with questions (I guess I tied up as many ends as possible). Here are the ones I did have:

Kagura….hmm, well she, like Naraku, is still around. Under strict observation mind you. Someone begged I not kill her…so I let her live. I could tie up her loose end in a one shot sometime.

Sango's infertility. Well, I didn't want to go into details, but basically she get pregnant. Beyond that, I'm not going to go into it. That wasn't a huge part of the story, just a side part. Not all things in life are explained. I'll leave that to be her own damn business.

Miroku's air rip. Well, that will have to be resolved won't it? Naraku isn't dead, thus it's still there. That leaves it open for another one shot, doesn't it?

 

If there are anymore questions, leave them in a review. In the meantime, keep an eye out for other stuff I'll begin posting. I'm very busy though so posting will be slow…sorry. I also have a new pet, a cute baby sugar glider. She gets a lot of my attention now (sheepish grin). No boyfriend to take my attention…I was bored! Yeah, why do I get the feeling I'll turn into one of those little old spinster ladies with like a million pets?

 

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I was especially amused to have some reviews where there wasn't actually a comment….that was too funny. Good luck to my fellow authors and thanks to all who have been reading this for the past year.

 

Whew…I think I am beginning to understand how manga authors feel at the end of a popular series. No wonder Rumiko Takahashi is still writing. Can you imagine the threats if she stopped????