InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Claiming ❯ So Far... ( Prologue )

Disclaimer: Yep, you got it once again. The gang below is SOOO not mine. Unfortunately… Rumiko Takahashi's got them in her hands, lucky woman…

A/N: If you've read my other story, this one is a lot more, um, how do I say, in-DEPTH. The other one had a lot of angst in it, but a good ending with about an overall rating of PG-13. This one, however, is going to range from PG to R, maybe a NC-17 thrown in somewhere… Just a warning… Hope you all like it, and let me know what you think, pretty, pretty please! ENJOY!

The Claiming

By inukagluver, a.k.a, INU-KAGLOVER

PROLOGUE: So far…

She's 18 now. As the gang wanders through the next village, an evil aura begins to make itself known. Naraku's up ahead and they all know it. This is it, the final run-in. For 3 years they've been searching. Fighting demons along the way, growing stronger with every step they take together. Now is the final showdown.

Kagome's miko powers have only grown greater over time. Inuyasha has become stronger, more adept at handling his Tetsusaiga. Miroku and Sango finally gave in to their feelings, having become lovers not long ago, and plan to wed after Naraku's defeat. Shippo has only grown a little, considering that he's a demon. He has come to think of Kagome as his mother more and more, and even considers Inuyasha a surrogate father. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha have come to a truce of a sort. No longer needing to kill the other, but not becoming fast companions either. A certain respect for the other has grown between them. Inuyasha has told Kikyo that he no longer wishes to remain with her. He will watch out for her still, but will no longer care for her in a loving manner. Kouga still has not given up on Kagome, even though she has told him over and over again that she would never, could never be his mate. She cares for him, but does not love him. Inuyasha and she have grown much closer over the last three years, though neither has spoken of their love for the other out loud. Pride and arrogance on his part, doubt and insecurity on hers. Thoughts of Kikyo still plague her mind, even though she knows that Inuyasha has told Kikyo that he no longer cares for her in that way.

Inuyasha has only grown more protective of Kagome over time. He goes wherever she goes, and is always there by her side. His outward actions toward her long ago convinced Miroku, Sango, Kaede, Shippo, and the rest that he loves Kagome. Yet he still refuses to voice his affection out loud.

Inuyasha and Kagome now pass the nights in the trees together, sleeping in each other's arms. He began keeping her with him over a year ago when he had nearly lost her to a demon in the middle of the night. A large crow demon had swooped down on the camp a few hours after everyone had turned in for the night. It had made a dive straight for Kagome, seeking the Shikon shards. Inuyasha was awakened by the screech the demon made as it flew directly at Kagome. Knowing he wouldn't be quick enough to make it to her in time from the top of the Goshinboku, he had called out to his friends on the ground. Sango had awoken first, quickly grabbing her weapon and launching it at the bird. It cut through the demon, but not before the crow had sliced through Sango's kimono on her right shoulder with its poisoned claws. With a cry for the monk, she had collapsed to the ground. Inuyasha had arrived a fraction too late to save Sango. Miroku, upon hearing Sango's cry for him, had raced over to her, gathering her weakened form to his chest. Calling for Kirara, he had carried Sango over to the hell-cat, and once on top, had flown to Kaede. Inuyasha had gathered a frightened Kagome and Shippo to him, and taken off after the couple. Kaede had been able to heal Sango, but it had taken over a week for the poison to work its way out of her body. Throughout the entire ordeal, the monk had never left her side, bathing her feverish face in cool cloths and simply holding her during the nights to soothe her cries. His presence alone had seemed to calm Sango. From the moment Sango regained consciousness, Miroku had rarely let her out of his sight. He became her protector, and she his. During battle they always stood side-to-side, back-to-back. And it wasn't long after that he confessed his true feelings for her, asking her to be the mother of his child, the only mother and wife that he could ever hope and wish for. She, of course, had longed secretly for the monk for months, and accepted without a second's hesitation.

After that night, Inuyasha now carries Kagome up to a tree branch with him and holds her throughout the night. This way he knows she is safe, and he's able to sleep better with her in his arms, though he would never say so. If there are no trees, she still sleeps in his arms, but on the ground in the sleeping bag that she always brings with her. Sango and Miroku also share the same sleeping bag, with Kirara and Shippo curled together nearby. Besides having Kagome sleep with him through the night, they travel together, side by side always, her perched upon his back. She makes him stronger, and lends him her strength whenever he is in need. He cannot fight a battle well if she is not there. Without realizing it, both of their spirits and souls have become entwined. Neither one can live without the other, cannot function. If one were to die, the other, too, would quickly follow the other to the afterlife. But neither he nor she is aware of this.

They only know that without the other nearby, they are not complete. They begin to lose strength, physically and emotionally. Through time, this bond has only become stronger. Not a weakness, but, a strength.

On the night before the final battle, Inuyasha knows that he must go in with a pure mind and heart. He also knows that he must tell Kagome of his feelings for her, in case something should go horribly wrong. He pulls her deep into the forest, where they will not be disturbed.

A/N: K, so this was more of a lead-up to the actual story. From here on out, the rating's going to go up. I already have most of the next chapter done, just tweaking the fine points. Please let me know what you think of this, reviews would definitely help me get the next chapters out quickly!! Blackmail…gotta love it!