InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Phoenix Blade: Time Lapse ❯ ...To Forgive, Divine (Lemon) ( Chapter 44 )

Disclaimer: Don't own…don't sue. Tormenting them purely for my own sadistic pleasure. All characters and most situations owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Shogakukan Publishing.

 

A/N: A quiet little chapter after all that `sturm und drang' last week! Pretty much a direct continuation; a `Part II' if you will.

 

Now that Inuyasha and Kagome are nicely settled, time to sort out Miroku and Sango…if I can get Kirara and Shippo to co-operate and leave them alone together long enough that they can have a decent conversation.

 

More lemon content to start off; a reminder that this fic is rated `M' for a very good reason.

 

The Phoenix Blade: Time Lapse

Chapter 44: …To Forgive, Divine

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Inuyasha smirked crookedly at her, then tipped her face up to lightly kiss her chin. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment; when she opened them again, he crouched and offered her his back. Without another word, they flashed into the night.

 

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Sengoku Jidai

As fast as a hanyou can run…

 

In a few moments, they were in front of the hut, the glow of the brazier promising warmth and light. Kagome slid the door open, and they stepped inside, quickly closing the panel to keep the heat. Inuyasha dropped the bundle of clothing on the floor and took the weaponry out of her hands. An intent look darkening his half-hooded eyes, he slowly backed her over to the pallet and supported her as he eased her down. Not taking his eyes from hers, he undid the obi and slid the fire-rat from her shoulders, then began unbuckling the boots and easing them away from her feet, peeling the socks and tossing them. Once her legs were bare, he began running his hands lightly up and down their silky length, smoothing his fire-rat away from her skin, creeping his fingers ever closer to her sex with each stroke. Her breath was coming in short pants, her eyes wide, but she still slid a hand down to stop him, when she realized where his attention was focussed.

 

“Oh…not there…all those…fluids…”

 

Kagome was disarmed by the intensity of his molten look as he moved her hand away and pressed a kiss to the centre of her heat. “Yours…mine…ours…” he whispered, half-drunk on their scent, his breath making her shiver in anticipation. “Tastes so good…” And she found her objections evaporating as his tongue took the place of his fingers, and he quickly reduced her to sobbing cries and inarticulate pleas for more and don't stop.

 

When she was flushed and trembling, her body quaking on the edge of release, he pulled her up to straddle his thighs, having somehow divested himself of his hakama while she was distracted. Tugging her firm, lithe body flush against him, he traced her throat with his tongue as she pressed herself against his hard length. Finding the floor with her toes, she raised herself high enough to slide him deeply inside her, both of them sighing contentedly when they were joined.

 

She made a small noise of surprise when Inuyasha tilted them and spun, and she was suddenly looking down on her hanyou, his silver hair flaring around his body like the wings of a fallen angel, his amber eyes dark and hungry in the brazier's light. He flexed his hips upward while pulling her down firmly, until he was so deep inside her that it made her toes curl and sparks explode behind her eyes.

 

“Just ride me, koishii…ride me…” Inuyasha's voice was husky with desire, making her tremble with anticipation.

 

Bracing her hands on his chest, she rubbed slowly over his nipples, an action that made him buck and groan…and then his hands came up to cup and mould her breasts until she was crying out and gripping his wrists to keep him there while she rode him harder and harder. Just as the tingling coils inside both of them was about to give way, Inuyasha snaked a hand up around the back of her neck and pulled her down for a searing kiss while he rapidly drove himself upwards…and they both froze for a moment when the coil snapped and exploded, muffling their screams of pleasure in each others mouths.

 

Kagome came to collapsed on Inuyasha's chest, panting and sweat-slicked, his strong hands soothing her skin in long, lazy sweeps. Underneath her, his body vibrated from a powerful purr. Slowly, she pushed herself up slightly and blinked dazedly at him. Bright honeyed eyes full of tenderness glowed back, and claws brushed her damp bangs off her forehead before pulling her down for a soft kiss. “I…you…Inuyasha…that…I love you!”

 

He smiled at her gasped, heartfelt declaration and hugged her to him. “I'll never let you go, koishii…ever. No one can take us away from each other, not ever again…I adore you, Kagome.” A long, sweet kiss sealed the declaration, and then Kagome started to squirm a little, since her legs were going to sleep. He grinned. “Let's get comfortable; I don't want to tire you out too much.” As she straightened her legs, he rolled them onto their sides, withdrawing reluctantly from her to reach for the blankets.

 

Settling back down beside her, he drew her into his embrace and cuddled the blankets around her bare shoulders. He inhaled deeply, revelling in their joined scents…now that fucking wolf can't say a damned thing…

 

“Let's hope that we can sleep in tomorrow morning…” Kagome yawned and cuddled into his shoulder.

 

“Keh! Anybody who comes within fifty feet of this hut takes their life in their hands.” He was drifting off himself, barely keeping part of his consciousness on alert, when he heard her soft whisper, her fingers flexing on his chest, tugging at the edge of his bandages.

 

“Inuyasha…you know that you transformed, right?”

 

He tightened his grip. “Wh-what? I did? When? Now? Gods, are you…”

 

Kagome's head came up, and her fingertip stroked his chin. “Back in the well, actually.”

 

Inuyasha was growling agitatedly; Kagome let her power wash lightly over him. He quivered, wide-eyed, ears straight up. She couldn't help but grin. “I discovered that doing this helps you to transform back…don't worry about it, Inuyasha. Your youkai was very gentle; in fact, our auras kind of hugged each other at the same time…”

 

“Exactly what did I miss? You're blushing…”

 

Kagome indeed had coloured at the memory. “You, um, I mean, we did it again inu-style right after the first time…”

 

He let out his breath slowly, and then smiled at her before kissing her gently. “Keh! Sorry I missed it when we did it that way…your energy felt kind of…nice. I prefer that to a `sit', any day!”

 

Kagome's eyes glinted. “Only if you're very, very good, dog-boy…”

 

“Keh! Is that a hint you want me to practise being `good' some more?”

 

“I won't be able to walk tomorrow if we do that again!”

 

“So we have to stay in bed all day…that'd be awful.” He tried to look disdainful of the very idea and failed badly; she rolled her eyes and snuggled closer, sighing. After a few minutes of silence, and he was fairly sure that she had settled into sleep, he carefully disentangled himself and set about restocking the brazier with charcoal, banking it so that the heat would last until morning. He then rid himself of the bandages swathed around his torso; there wasn't a mark on him that indicated he'd ever been injured. Demon blood comes in handy…

 

You're welcome. Thanks for the chance to get to know our mate a whole lot better.

Ack! How did you come out, anyways? I wasn't threatened…

Not sure…must have been the desire to make sure she was thoroughly marked as ours.

Um…explain?

Think about it, hanyou…now she carries all three of our scents. Not even our brother, never mind the wolf, would dare question who she belongs to.

Yeah…uh, thanks…but don't make that a habit!

I personally think I need more practise in using different positions…that face-to-face one is kind of fun…more things to play with.

If Kagome knew we were having this conversation about her, we'd be so dead.

With a huge smile on our face…

 

Inuyasha crept back in beside Kagome, burying his nose in her hair. The girl mumbled something about watching where he put his cold hands before burrowing into his chest, and he allowed himself to relax by degrees, until he felt sleep overtaking his consciousness. That's why he jumped rather badly when warm fingers encircled his most sensitive appendage and began touching him with feather-light strokes. He pulled back to peer down at his mate. “Wench…?”

 

“I like making you purr…” she murmured, her eyes still closed.

 

He smirked. “And I like making you scream.”

 

“Then we'll both get what we like…”

 

“Keh! Thought you wanted to walk tomorrow?”

 

“Shut up and kiss me, dog-boy…”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“Tsk, tsk… you make quite a mess when you lose your temper, Naraku…” Kagura skirted the torn body of the retainer, his sightless eyes fixed on the ceiling. “Blood is so difficult to remove from tatami mats.”

 

“Take out the garbage, Kagura, and hold your tongue.”

 

The wind witch tapped her fan against her chin, eyeing the exposed muscle and bone on the dark hanyou's back, the flap of skin flopping obscenely against the stained silk damask bunched at his waist. “You usually prefer to add things to your body, not subtract them…”

 

“I said hold your tongue!”

 

Biting her lips to hold in the laughter, Kagura flicked her fan and commanded the dead to rise and follow her through the hanging mats. Naraku waited until her aura had cleared the vicinity before cursing thoroughly and violently. He had summoned Kanna to spy on Kikyo…and seen more than he bargained for. The surge of jealousy that tore through his body was almost too much to bear; his heart howled for vengeance on the one who touched the miko he claimed for himself.

 

Boiling with anger over the reactions the situation teased out of him, he had reacted without thinking, and tried to remove the spider mark of the bandit from his skin by slicing it off in an act of self-mutilation. Better I had tried to cut out this treacherous heart, than live with the humiliation of wanting that woman…

 

He had barely replaced his clothing and settled down to sulk beside his bubbling jars, when Kikyo's presence gusted through the palace, setting the room dividers to dancing. Naraku schooled his face into a calm mask, waiting for the witch to make her entrance. He did not have long to contemplate possible reasons for her sudden appearance.

 

The mats parted, and a slender figure garbed in white and red, her long hair sensuously loose around her body, slipped in and glided across the tatami mats towards him. He couldn't help but note the gracefulness of her movements, the alluring sway of her hips…and the malicious sparkle lighting up her eyes.

 

“Good evening, Naraku…did you enjoy my performance? Very kind of you to loan me your creature as a prop…I'm terribly sorry that it won't be returned in the condition in which you sent it. Inuyasha was rather enthusiastic about executing his vow to protect me.”

 

Naraku maintained his relaxed stance with an effort. “You were very convincing, hanging off Inuyasha like that…your `performance' would only have been improved if you had actually died.”

 

“My dear Onigumo…weren't you even the tiniest bit jealous at how the hanyou embraced me?” The dark mirth increased at the tense set of his jaw and the narrowing anger in his red eyes.

 

“Do not toy with me, Kikyo,” he snarled.

 

“But, isn't that what you do to others, Naraku? Twist them, and turn their love for each other into hatred, and then take enjoyment in watching them destroy each other?” She clucked her tongue in pretended dismay, enjoying his discomfiture. “How long did you spy? Did you witness my reincarnation's display?”

 

Naraku's head snapped up, his red eyes intent. “What do you mean?”

 

Kikyo gestured expansively. “My shadow contains enough power to purify you with a mere thought, Naraku. You would do well to remove her threat.”

 

“Giving me advice, Kikyo? How kind…”

 

“Her death will make it easier for me to do with Inuyasha as I wish, and remove all obstacles for you to collect the remaining shards of the Jewel. In all, a winning situation for both of us.” Kikyo regarded Naraku with amused dark eyes, gauging his response.

 

The dark hanyou ground his teeth, and determined to put the confrontation on footing of his own choosing. “Do you think you can simply come and go from my presence as you please, witch?” He gestured towards one of the jars. With a sickening `splat', a deformed, bulging-eyed monster slithered out of the nearest porcelain container and undulated towards the undead miko, who merely raised her eyebrows. A long, tongue-like appendage lashed out and curled around her ankle…and the creature vaporized in a spectacular burst of light. Naraku flinched, shielding his face with his sleeve, then met Kikyo's triumphant eyes.

 

“If you lay even one finger on me, Naraku, this will be your fate. Onigumo's heart will protect me from the touch of your flesh; the corrupted soil of his final resting place will be my shield against death at your hands, or those of your incarnations. Do you understand? So long as you remain a hanyou, you cannot kill me.”

 

“Ah…but as soon as I acquire the rest of the Jewel, and become a full demon, you will join with me, willingly or not, Kikyo.”

 

The undead miko tossed her hair over her shoulder, noting how Naraku couldn't stop his eyes from following the movement

 

“The day you lay hands on the completed Jewel will be your last.”

 

She departed then, leaving him alone with his rather jumbled thoughts, which veered from murderous to salacious and back again with dizzying speed.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

Earlier the same evening, but a coupleofleagues away…

 

“Are you ready, Shippo-kun?”

 

“I guess so, houshi…but you know, I don't mind helping pitch both tents…”

 

“But without Kagome-sama to protect her, I don't feel safe leaving Sango-sama where I can't reach her quickly.”

 

“More like where you can't grope her easily…”

 

“Hush, Shippo-kun. My intentions towards our lovely slayer-sama are entirely honourable.” The kit hardly bothered to muffle his snorts.

 

“Houshi-sama? What are we waiting for?”

 

“Nothing, Sango-sama…Shippo-kun was just perfecting his illusion.”

 

The three had been rejoined by Kirara late in the morning; the fire-cat had transformed to a very tired kitten, and promptly curled up on the pack behind Juhi's saddle. She had even slept through the mid-day meal, made up of rations from the supply she brought, so Shippo saved a bit of the dried meat from his serving for her to nibble when she woke up.

 

They were currently on the outskirts of a prosperous village, which boasted a very comfortable-looking inn, complete with an inviting curl of smoke hovering above its bath-house chimney. Miroku was sure that they would reach Kaede's by the next afternoon, so had proposed they stay the night here and fortify themselves for the final leg of the trip. Kagome had given Sango a string of their remaining silver coins for the especial purpose of paying for lodgings if they came across a decent place to stay, and the slayer had not been hard to convince.

 

They just had to disguise their demonic companions, since without Inuyasha along to glower menacingly, they weren't sure of how their request for shelter would be received. Kirara was easy enough, although somewhat grumpy about her situation. She was tucked into the opening of Miroku's robes, with only her small head and ears poking out, resolutely keeping her scarlet eyes closed. The monk had made sure she couldn't slip further down, and the fire-cat grudgingly admitted that she was comfortable curled against him and forbore using her claws to keep a foothold.

 

The main deception, and the reason why Shippo was practising his illusions, was because Miroku had convinced Sango that they should pose as a married couple. When the slayer had derisively jeered at the idea, he innocently asked if she had a better idea that would explain a monk and an unmarried woman travelling together.

 

Sango couldn't come up with one, and so here they were, Shippo bundled up in the rest of the blanket that had supplied Kagome's `scarf' earlier that day, and doing his best to resemble a cherubic human infant as he snuggled in Sango's arms. Miroku held the reins of both horses, his staff jingling softly as he strode in front, trying to keep a straight face and embody a respectable man of the cloth, searching for equally respectable lodgings for his `wife' and `child'.

 

The Hiraikotsu earned them a few odd looks, but the fact they were on horseback convinced most of their prosperity.

 

The innkeeper himself came to negotiate the price; Sango had trouble keeping her mouth shut while she listened to Miroku pour on the charm, but then was very impressed when the monk not only smoothly talked the man down a few more yen on his `best price', but had the horses' fodder thrown in for free. A young boy came to take Arashi and Juhi; Miroku gallantly helped Sango dismount and shouldered the packs. The slayer cuddled the `baby', but in her nervousness, she squeezed Shippo rather tightly. The kitsune finally had to pinch her fingers from inside the swaddling blanket, a move that startled Sango so badly that she nearly dropped him.

 

“Here you are…best room in the house. I'll have the bath readied; the boy will summon you.” He slid the shoji open and bowed away. Miroku protectively ushered his `family' inside and shut the door firmly before letting Kirara out of his robes. She shook herself thoroughly and settled down for a grooming. He was rather unprepared when Sango's hand connected rather loudly with his cheek; her flashing-eyed visage was only inches from his. “Monk, what are you trying to pull here?”

 

“E-excuse me, Sango-sama…?” His air of honest bafflement must have gained him some relief, because she backed away and stabbed a shaking finger at the object of her scorn. His eyes followed the movement until they fell on a very innocent pile of bedding neatly laid out in the centre of the room. He blinked, and looked closer, but he still didn't quite see what she was so upset about. He prepared for evasive action when he heard the intake of air coming from his left. “Sango-sama, I am looking very hard, but I do not see the reason why my person is being abused.”

 

She actually grabbed his small ponytail and yanked his head down until he was eye-to-eye with her, and able to receive the full benefit of her angry hiss. “Look more closely, monk…there's only one futon!” Ah, so that was the problem…Wincing, he removed her fingers from his hair and stepped away.

 

“You must admit this is a logical assumption on the part of the innkeeper, since we are travelling as a family. I fully intend to sleep against the wall, so you may enjoy the bedding without fear of taint. Excuse me, and I will enquire after our dinner.” The shoji slid shut behind him. There was a long moment of silence.

 

“Sango? You're holding me a little too tightly…”

 

“Oh, sorry, Shippo!” The slayer immediately shifted the kit to the crook of her arm. He grinned up at her.

 

“You were holding me like Hiraikotsu…glad you didn't use me to bop houshi over the head!” She couldn't help but chuckle at that, and finally walked across the room to set the `baby' down in the pile of blankets and then stash her weapon against the wall. A light tap on the doorframe put them all on alert; with a significant glance at the two demons, she glided back to answer the door.

 

A young boy with messy bangs and a short kimono shifted foot to foot; she smiled at him kindly. “Yes?”

 

“The bath is ready for you, sama.” His voice was quick and rushed.

 

“Thank you. Where is the bath-house located?”

 

“At the end of this corridor, you will see the door to the garden; the bath-house is in the corner.” He flashed a brief, shy smile, then scampered off. She watched him go, feeling that familiar tug at her heart…and then saw Miroku appear, pause to say something to the boy, who nodded before disappearing around the corner.

 

Sango waited for the monk to approach, and wondered if perhaps she owed him an apology for her harsh reaction. He spoke first. “Our meals will be a little while yet, so why don't you take advantage of the bath, Sango-sama? The kit, er, baby and I will go once you return.”

 

“Thank you, Miroku-sama…I believe I will. Wait…how will we explain our need for food for Shippo? He's supposedly a little young for solids…”

 

Miroku couldn't help a grin. “Already addressed.”

 

She was instantly suspicious. “And how, exactly, did you accomplish that?”

 

“Told them you were eating for two.” He fled into the room, shutting the door in her face. She had barely started to splutter indignantly when the shoji snapped open, some towels and soap were thrust into her hands, and then the door was firmly closed. Dumbfounded, she stared at the supplies, then at the shoji, and finally forced her feet to move down the corridor. I suppose I could use up all the hot water…but then the `baby' would get cold…

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

They managed a pleasant meal together after the boys returned from their bath; between Sango and Miroku's ample portions, Shippo declared himself full, and even Kirara was purring contentedly. Sango piled all the crockery onto the nesting tables and left them outside in the corridor. She had a look at the wound Juromaru had inflicted on Miroku's arm, and then the three played several rounds of a card game Kagome had taught them.

 

Everything was fine, up to the point of going to bed. Miroku was careful to ask Sango's permission to help her arrange the bedding; the slayer accepted very formally, and the task was accomplished in silence. Shippo hopped right in, and Kirara too. Sango jokingly made a show of tucking them both in, and kissing them goodnight.

 

“Do I get a goodnight story, too?” Shippo asked impishly, making his eyes go very big and pleading. Sango raised her eyebrow; Miroku stepped into the breach.

 

“What kind of story would you like, Shippo-kun?”

 

The kit could hardly believe his good luck. “I dunno…nothing mushy, though. Don't like mushy stuff…”

 

“Hmm…not a love story, then? Well, my fine young kitsune…let's see…” Miroku rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and then launched into a tale of a brave fox-demon warrior and his battle against a pair of evil thunder-demons, complete with sound effects. Shippo's eyes were as big as platters as he sucked up the action; Miroku mentally thanked Kagome for telling him the story of how she and Inuyasha `acquired' Shippo.

 

Just as the story was winding to its climax, Sango rose to her feet and quietly exited the room. When Kirara made to follow, she shook her head and indicated that the fire-cat should stay put. Miroku spun out the grand finale; Shippo was sleepily smug about his alter ego's prowess on the battlefield. Tucking the kit in, Miroku considered the risks of following the slayer; a low dangerous growl raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Gritting his teeth, he whirled on the fire-cat and shoved himself right into her furry face.

 

“I can appreciate your concern for your mistress, Kirara, but your hostile attitude is wearing a bit thin. I care very deeply for Sango-sama and have worked hard to not intentionally hurt her. I wish to speak to her…alone…to see if we can resolve our issues. Kindly stay here to guard Shippo-kun. If she rejects me, then I will bear your scorn with dignity, as Buddha would wish.”

 

Kirara, whose tails were starting to bush out warningly, seemed to sit back and consider this. Finally giving a small nod of the head, she mewed once before jumping back onto the futon and curling up around Shippo. Miroku blinked; he hadn't thought the neko-youkai would give in that easily. Rising to his feet, and tidily adjusting the patterned guest yukata he'd been wearing since his bath, he left his staff next to Sango's Hiraikotsu, which was taking up most of a wall.

 

Slipping through the shoji, he considered where the slayer could have gone within the inn's confines, since she was also attired in a guest yukata, and knew there was only one place she could be, unless she'd been afflicted by a sudden desire for a jug of sake, and he rather doubted that.

 

Expectant mothers must be careful of their diet. He congratulated himself on his sheer brilliance in coming up with that angle to secure more food for their group. On noiseless feet, he ghosted along the corridor to the shoji at the end and vanished through them into the courtyard garden, coming up short at the sight of the slayer.

 

Sango curled up on the veranda, staring pensively at a small artificial landscape, her dark hair loose over her shoulders…when had she removed the tie?... her fingers aimlessly twirling a small branch of some early-flowering tree. Miroku leaned against a handy support post and just watched her, revelling in her inherently graceful beauty. Does she know what she does to me?

 

Sango sighed, then started when she noticed Miroku, darkly handsome in the twilight, smiling softly at her from a safe distance. “Good evening, `husband'…that was a rousing story for the `babe' to go to sleep by.”

 

Miroku's lips twitched. “Thank you, `wife'. He did enjoy it, though.” Since there was nothing to be lost, he approached her and sat down close beside her…not too close, even though they were supposedly a `respectable' married couple, but close enough that he could admire the way the fading light glimmered in her dark eyes, and see the faint pink blush on her cheeks.

 

“Miroku-sama…I wish to apologize for my harsh words and actions earlier.” She was formal, distancing herself from him in spirit, if not in fact.

 

“No offence was taken, my lovely sama.”

 

There was a shared peaceful moment, and then Sango began to rise. “I believe I will retire, then. Good night.” Before she could complete her escape, a hand gripped hers very firmly, and she was restrained. Miroku used the fingertips of his gauntleted hand to lightly touch her soft cheek, smiling at the startled doe-eyes looking back at him.

 

“Not yet, Sango-sama. I wish to talk to you. Please be seated.” He tugged her hand sharply, her knees buckled awkwardly, and her bottom connected with `bump' on the planking. Miroku didn't let go of his hold on her hand, and she ended up sitting very close to him indeed. He stroked the back of the hand that he held captive between both of his for a few moments, until her breathing steadied. He then cupped her smaller one palm-up, and began lightly massaging it with his thumb, tracing out her line of destiny, memorizing the calluses that were as much a part of her as her scars.

 

There was a profound silence, not broken even when he placed an open-mouthed kiss in the centre of her palm, and glanced up to see a look of such longing on the slayer's face that he thought he surely was imagining things…until the walls crashed down behind her eyes, blocking him out.

 

No. Not this time..

 

Deftly switching hands, he used the one he already had captured as leverage and was able to hook her around the waist, grab her other wrist at the same time and tug her against his side. Sango hissed something, and went passively tense, waiting her chance to break free and probably deal some serious damage to his person. Miroku said nothing, and did nothing, just held her firmly, humming a nonsensical tune softly under his breath.

 

“Are you quite done demonstrating your superior strength, monk?” Sango finally gritted out, hackles so far up that she was nearly growling.

 

“I am doing nothing of the sort, sama. I am merely making sure that we do not leave this pleasant location until we are very sure of where we stand with each other.”

 

“There is no we, monk.”

 

“I beg to differ.”

 

“Come again? I'm not bearing your child…”

 

“Actually, you are…remember, my dear `wife'?” He raised his voice a little, making sure that any eavesdroppers didn't hear more than they needed to cause a ruckus. Sango hissed and struggled a bit; he merely tightened his grasp, keeping his hands in very neutral territory.

 

“Let…me…go!” She snarled at him.

 

“Please do not consider biting me, sama,” he whispered into her temple, slightly distracted by the warm, light scent of her hair. “I will not let you go until we come to an understanding. I would like, very much, to know why you have been harsher with me than even Kagome-sama is with Inuyasha over Kikyo-sama since we had the misfortune to meet the mirror-witch.”

 

That brought her to a standstill. “You don't know? Humph…and you're supposed to be so skilled with women…”

 

“I have never pretended to be skilled with women, sama. Gifted with a glib tongue and perhaps some opportunism, but nothing more.”

 

Now she twisted to stare up at him; Miroku tried to look serious, but he couldn't help the small smile lurking at the corners of his lips. Sango searched his face, conflicting emotions spinning through her head, including several thoughts about how strong he really was. The neckline of his yukata had become somewhat disarrayed in their brief hand-to-hand combat, and she had a very clear view of a toned chest and rippling abdominals.

 

“You remain angry with me, and I wish to know why.” His voice was gentle but firm.

 

“I can't stand your womanizing.”

 

“Sango-sama, I have not engaged in any lecherous behaviour for months…particularly since I had the great honour to meet you. I did not take Koharu to her bed, even though that was plainly her wish. I will ask you again; why are you angry with me?”

 

“Since the forest of illusion, when Naraku preyed upon our darkest fear, you haven't even tried to grope me…why?”

 

He arched an eyebrow. “I was trying to be respectful towards you.” Sango blinked rapidly, and her body relaxed slightly as she processed this information. Miroku watched the play of emotion across her sweet face, and gentled his grip on her, but only slightly.

 

“Sango-sama, I need you to listen to me without prejudice, because I only have the courage to say this once. Since I met you, I have struggled with a basic fact of my cursed existence, which is that every day I die a little more as the Vortex grows infinitesimally. In the event that we are unsuccessful in destroying Naraku, it is imperative that I leave a child that can become the instrument of revenge…but I will not ask you to bear that child. I…I care about you far too much to leave you with the dual burden of my impending death as well as that of our offspring.”

 

“So I am to suffer quietly with the knowledge that you might love me, but I must stand aside and watch you give yourself freely to women that you do not care about, simply to create a life to carry on your curse?”

 

It was Miroku's turn to blink. “When you put it that way, I sound rather selfish and amoral, don't I?”

 

Sango arched her eyebrows and pursed her lips, eyeing him. “You are making a rather large amount of assumptions on my behalf, houshi. Why don't you ask me what I want?”

 

Suddenly feeling very much like he was balancing on the edge of a very, very deep precipice, Miroku searched for courage. “Wh-what do you want, Sango-sama?”

 

“I have lost everyone I valued in my life because of Naraku, and you are the same. We understand one another as very few people can; why not turn our tragedy into strength and fight for our future together?” She watched Miroku's jaw tighten, and wished he'd let go of her hand so that she could sooth that tension away. She certainly wasn't entirely prepared for what happened next.

 

Miroku snapped his eyes closed and gritted his teeth hard enough to concern her; there was abruptly a twisting, falling sensation, and Sango found herself pinned underneath his lean, muscled body. The back of her head was cupped by a large hand for protection against the decking, and she was thoroughly kissed. Despite her initial surprise, she readily gave in to him, fisting her free hand in the back of his yukata and pressing him closer.

 

Miroku broke the kiss with a groan, burying his face in her soft tresses, releasing her still-captive wrist to weave his fingers with hers. Sango tugged the yukata away from his shoulder and pressed her lips against the exposed warm skin, intimate contact that made him shiver. “Dearest Sango…in my fondest dreams I am privileged to call you `wife', to hear you call me `husband'…but I cannot, I will not risk giving you a child. I cannot in all conscience ask you to be mine while our enemy is undefeated.”

 

Sango kissed his cheek and nudged at him with her nose; he had spoken the entire impassioned declaration into her hair. “Once again, Miroku, you are not taking my opinion into account. Do you think you can say something like that to me and then just walk blithely away, to bestow your favours on another woman?”

 

He pulled back a little, and smiled crookedly. “I have wanted to tell you for months, but I am at heart a terrible coward.” Leaning in slowly, he kissed the corner of her mouth; Sango's lips silently pleaded to join with his, and with a small amount of hesitation, he acceded to her desire. The kiss was long and deep, soft and yearning as they explored each other's mouths…and achingly bittersweet. They were intensely aware of their bodies' responses to each other, and with only thin fabric between them, it was almost too much to bear. With an anguished moan, Miroku tore himself away from her and backed away, fisting his hands against his forehead.

 

Sango didn't miss a beat; as soon as his warm weight left her, she was up on her knees and behind him, wrapping her arms tightly around his chest, pressing herself against him. He gripped her hands where they clasped in front of him. “What can we do, Sango? …I need an heir, but I do not wish to dishonour you…”

 

“We can fight to defeat Naraku, and then your need for an heir is only that of a husband and father, not to curse an innocent babe. Your father raised you until he died; if you go sowing your seed all over Honshu, your child will never know your love…and will resent you even more than they hate Naraku.”

 

“I had not considered this…” Miroku winced at the epiphany, and experienced a small moment of hatred for himself. Sango hugged him harder and pressed a kiss to the nape of his neck.

 

“We will defeat Naraku, and we will guarantee our future and that of our children.” Her tone brooked no argument.

 

He bowed his dark head over their joined hands. “I-I love you, Sango.” The words slipped out, soft as the evening air.

 

Behind him, the slayer caught her breath, and then hugged him hard enough to crack ribs. “Thank you…Miroku. I love you, too.”

 

He squeezed her hands and turned slightly in her embrace, to regard her out of the corner of his eye. She was prettily flushed, her dark eyes flashing determinedly, her tousled hair tumbling over her shoulders. Her yukata had become somewhat loosened as well; he was treated to a rather lovely view of her cleavage and a length of pale thigh. He twisted further and caught her around the waist, bringing her into his lap where he clasped her close. Sango snuggled against him, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her. She didn't even mind it when his gauntleted hand drifted down to gently caress her behind. They stayed that way for a long time, until the air became markedly chilly.

 

“Miroku…this is just a thought…but Inuyasha and Kagome don't seem too worried about creating a child.”

 

“You are correct, Sango…perhaps hanyous are naturally sterile creatures?”

 

“Nothing we ever studied in my village ever gave that impression…I wonder…”

 

“Wonder what, my love?”

 

“Well…since Kagome's time has so many different medicines…I wonder if they have found a way to delay pregnancy?” Her breath caught at the very wide grin that spread across Miroku's face as he nodded slowly.

 

“I believe you may have struck on something here…I will inquire of the hanyou when we return to Kaede-sama's village.”

 

“Never mind Inuyasha. I'll straight-out ask Kagome…if that's the case, I'm sure she'll procure some for us.” A very passionate kiss took her breath away; she caught hold of his ponytail and kept him in place until they had to come up for air. “I think we should return to the `child'; he's been alone rather a long time…”

 

“Sango, just so we are both clear where we stand…I will give up my quest for an heir if you will be my bride once Naraku is dead.”

 

“Clear as a monastery bell, Miroku. I will hold you to that.” Her chin came up as she said this. The monk leered, twirling a lock of her hair in his fingers.

 

“I would much prefer if you held something else to me…”

 

“The hentai act is a little old…”

 

“It isn't an act, Sango…you don't know what you've committed yourself to.”

 

Her smile was beautiful and bright, and warmed up the vicinity like a torch. “Oh, yes I do, Miroku…yes I do.” She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips; by unspoken accord they stood up, helped tidy each other's clothing, and returned to their room, walking slowly with their fingers entwined. Outside the shoji, Miroku paused and stooped for another kiss before they slid the panel open.

 

Kirara's head shot up from where she was curled with Shippo; she eyed her mistress and the monk with narrowed scarlet intensity. The pair smiled widely at her; it was hard to tell who was more pleased with the outcome of the discussion. The neko-youkai sniffed once, twice, three times in their direction, then executed a furry shrug before ducking her head back down and closing her eyes.

 

The newly-minted couple paused for a moment, looking at the occupied futon. Finally, Sango moved to shift Shippo over to one side, and Kirara grumbled, before re-settling herself daintily. Blushing again, Sango slid under the quilt until she was snuggled up to an unconscious Shippo. Miroku hesitated a moment before taking up the obvious invitation and carefully tucking himself under the quilt behind her. Keeping his gauntleted hand in neutral territory, he sighed contentedly and breathed in the scent of her hair before pressing a light kiss to the soft skin behind her ear. Sango squeezed his fingers lightly, and they soon both fell fast asleep.

 

Kirara popped one eye open as soon as the humans' breathing evened out. She extracted herself from the crowded futon and padded over towards the door, transforming along the way, until she took up a position in front of the panel. Now that she was responsible for two pairs of humans, she wondered if she would ever get any sleep at all…

 

In the early dawn, the neko-youkai was awakened by something burrowing into the fur of her thick ruff. A frowsty fox kit yawned widely, showing off his fangs. “Guess it's down to the two demons, Kirara…these humans of ours…geez!” She rumbled a reply, and nudged him with her nose before settling to watchful alertness. The inn was stirring to life; she detected the sounds of food preparation beginning in the kitchen, and wondered what sort of fish would be on the menu for breakfast this morning. At first, she was somewhat taken aback by the monk's subterfuge to gain larger portions, but when the food was as good as it had been last night, she was not about to complain.

 

Cocking her ears towards at the peacefully snoring contents of the futon, she contemplated the best time to wake them up, and decided to let them stay in their cocoon a little longer. Naraku undoubtedly was brewing up more trouble; best to take the peace and quiet while they could.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Inuyasha's ears twitched, and he was abruptly wide awake as he detected the sounds of footsteps approaching the hut in the dawn stillness. Protectively shielding his sleeping mate, he listened hard, starting to reach for Tetsusaiga. Two pairs of feet, one bare and one in straw sandals, whispering quietly to each other…carrying something that smelled rather appetizing. He arched a dark eyebrow, sniffing intently. Breakfast delivery? Then he grinned. Kaede must have had her suspicions…nosy old hag. Something was set down just outside the door panel with soft admonitions not to spill, and then the footsteps retreated into the distance.

 

Kagome sighed, making a face, and then searched for his warmth. He lay back down beside her and arranged the blankets around her shoulders, running his claws through her glossy hair. She smiled softly, her kiss-swollen lips moving. Dipping his head, he pressed his nose into the crook of her neck and inhaled. Their combined scent was delicious, and all their own. Kagome squirmed a bit from his breath on her skin; he nibbled her ear, and was sleepily batted.

 

“Grmph…some humans need their rest, y'know,” she mumbled, scooting down in the blankets until only her hair was visible, her breath tickling his ribs.

 

“You should be tired…it was all your own idea to do that last round, remember?”

 

“I know…but it was fun, wasn't it?”

 

“No complaints…hey, koishii…are you hungry?”

 

Dark grey eyes peeked up at him; he was reminded of a small animal in its burrow. “Actually… yes, I am. Starving in fact. Why?”

 

“Kaede sent breakfast…should I get the fire going?”

 

“Yes, please…brrrr! Damn, it's cold in here…”

 

“I'll have to make more permanent alterations once we're here for the winter…don't want you getting chilled.”

 

He was rewarded with a cheeky grin. “I'd just have to cuddle with my hanyou…how terrible could that be?” Chuckling, he rolled out of the bedding and paused to pull on his hakama before adding more charcoal and blowing up the contents of the brazier to a crackling flame. Kagome muttered and shifted under the blankets, finally getting them wrapped around her to her satisfaction before she sat up, blinking muzzily, her hair tumbling attractively over her shoulders.

 

Inuyasha leered at her. “I dunno, Kagome…you look pretty delicious…”

 

Kagome flashed him a smirk. “Not bad yourself, dog-boy…but I get cranky without food, and all that exercise last night emptied my tanks…”

 

“I can take a hint…let's see what's on the menu…” He slid open the door, and was confronted by a covered bucket and a kettle, which he quickly retrieved after taking a quick look at the sky. “Rice porridge, I'd guess, and tea.” Heaving the steaming containers next to the brazier, he shut the door and located the bowls and spoons. He scooped out two portions of the thick cereal and handed one to Kagome, who had managed to find a way of freeing both her hands while staying bundled up. Inuyasha poured tea, and sat down next to her on the pallet, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head when she briefly leaned against his shoulder before taking a bite.

 

“Darn…no raisins. Oh! I guess the bag is still up at the Goshinboku…”

 

“We'll get it later. Was there more stuff in there besides medical supplies?”

 

“Uh-huh. Raisins, treats for Shippo, ramen…”

 

“If the ramen's gone, somebody's gonna die…” Kagome reached around to lightly flick his nose; he grinned good-humouredly. They ate in silence for a moment, enjoying being together without distraction or danger. Inuyasha served himself a second bowlful, and dumped another plop into Kagome's as well, ignoring her wry face.

 

“I met Fenik-whatsis last night.” It was said casually enough, but her response was spectacular.

 

Kagome started coughing violently; he thumped her on the back. She looked at him through watering eyes and tried to speak, but he made her drink some tea first. It took a bit, but she could finally talk without choking. “H-how? Wh-where?”

 

“Midoriko was there too; they stopped me from going through the well after you until they interrogated me. Actually, I don't think they'd have let me through if they didn't believe I was telling the truth about what happened…”

 

“They manifested themselves to you? Really?”

 

“Yeah…they're really protective of you.”

 

Kagome chewed her lip as she searched his face. “What does he look like?”

 

It was his turn to be surprised. “You don't know?”

 

“I've only had a quick glimpse of him, once. I hear his voice inside my head, but I don't see him when he talks…same with Midoriko.”

 

“Tall, slender bastard…looks quite a bit like my asshole brother, actually…mixed black and silver hair… funny little tufts of fur on the tips of his ears.”

 

“Does he have any markings?”

 

“Dark purple cheek stripes…and silver eyes.”

 

Inuyasha watched Kagome worry her lip between her teeth, and suddenly realized she knew something, but wasn't telling him. Watching her carefully, he decided to voice the other revelation the sword-demon had imparted. “It was damn odd, but he implied that I'm his father.” Bullseye… Kagome twitched; there was no way she could hide that reaction. He slid his arm around her. “What's up, wench? Is it the truth?”

 

He could almost hear the grinding as she turned her options over in her mind. Finally, she met his eyes. “Yes…but please, Inuyasha, don't ask me for more than that.”

 

“Keh! I don't like mysteries…”

 

“Just know…that I'm always protected by a piece of you, no matter which side of the well I'm on.”

 

“So Totosai was right…”

 

“You can't say anything about this to anyone, Inuyasha. It…it might mess up our mission, somehow…and we can't risk that.”

 

The hanyou looked at her a little oddly, but saw the tension in her face. “Okay, koishii…I don't exactly get it, but…”

 

“Please, koibito…let it drop. You'll get the whole story later, I promise.” Kagome had caught hold of his wrist, pleading eloquently with her expressive grey eyes, and he could deny her nothing when she looked at him with all her soul.

 

“All right, wench. Consider the subject closed…until after Naraku's dead.”

 

“Thank you, anata…I'll make it up to you, honest!” She threw her arms around his neck, and a few half-empty bowls and their contents went flying, but he didn't mind the clean up when her method of thanking him for his cooperation was so very, very sweet…

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

 

 

A/N: Boo-yah! Managed to get the adult `couples' organized…

 

The `spider mark-slicing' bit comes from the manga; in the anime, Naraku's only shown as a shadow behind a screen, the blade makes a nasty sound, and then something plops wetly onto the ground. I always thought he was cutting out the annoying heart…then realized that was impossible, so really had no idea of what he was trying to do until I read the manga. That's when I decided that Kikyo deliberately goading him sexually might be a fun angle to explore in this fic, since Kagura doesn't dare…