InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unbreak My Heart ❯ Mamotte Ageru ( Chapter 11 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all related characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi… *

note: rated PG-13, R in some parts for adult situations and suggestive sexual content (lemon/lime/fluff) Please respect this rating.

Special thanks goes to my beta reader Lynda!! *

by: Angelstars*
email: angtanuk@yahoo.co.uk
beta reader: nekochan (614) *


So sorry about the delay in getting this chapter out! - Many thanks and glomps to all my faithful readers and reviewers! I love you all, and now I've finally got to my happy ending! Enjoy!!

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Unbreak My Heart

10 - Mamotte Ageru (I'll protect you)

-- last chapter…

A small smile crept upon his lips when he touched his fingers to her lips to still anything else she was going to say.

"Ursai" he hushed her playfully.

Kagome felt her heart skip a beat the moment his fingers made contact with her skin. She swallowed nervously feeling the heated blush rise upon her cheeks before lowering her head slightly in a vain attempt to hide her face.

Gently, he stroked a loose hair away from her face and cupped her chin, lifting her face to meet his eyes. A small sleepy smile appeared on her lips as she whispered a tiny "Gomen"

"Go to sleep, Kagome. It's my turn to watch over you now."


-- continuation…


Kagome was woken abruptly from her short-lived slumber, by a howling scream coming from the other end of the small hut.

She picked herself up from Inuyasha's chest, yawning as her head moved toward the hanyou's unfazed slumbering face. She smiled slightly, shaking her head knowingly before diverting her eyes toward the door.

The wailing kit was in hysterical sobs by the time Sango had gotten to him.

"Shippo…" The taijiya reached out and picked the small Kitsune into a reassuring hold.

Shippo looked up at Sango through teary eyes, "I want Kagome…O-okaa-chan…!" He sniffled and hiccupped as he rubbed his stinging orbs.

"Hai," Sango smiled and rubbed between his ears.

Sango entered the room quietly, carrying the sobbing Kitsune to her chest. Miroku and Kirara following her closely.

"Kagome-chan?" she whispered, gaining the attention of the young miko.

"Chikuso" Kagome cursed under her breath, her checks stinging bright red.

"Are you okay, Kagome-chan?" Sango asked the highly flushed girl.

Kagome meekly nodded, sitting up slightly. "Hai, Sango-chan…"

"K-kagome!" Shippo wailed once again, interrupting the embarrassing moment.

Any uncomfortable feelings Kagome had were now replaced with that of concern. "Shippo-chan, what's wrong?" she asked, getting up to reach for the distraught cub.

The baby youkai struggled in Sango's arms before bounding out of the tight hold, and into the open arms of Kagome. "I-I thought, you had left me…" He continued to sob into his surrogate mothers chest. "Y-you left me…and Inuyasha's heart had stopped!"

"Oh, Shippo" Kagome soothed him, bringing him closer into her already tight embrace.


"Oi, brat! Didn't know you cared that much?!" Inuyasha added, his narrowed eyes burning into the back of the cubs head.

"Inuyasha?!" Sango and Miroku voiced in unison, as Kagome and Shippo turned their heads in his general direction.

Inuyasha sat on the futon clutching his wounded chest, with his usual arrogant smile plastered all over his face.

"I-Inuyasha?" Shippo's eyes lit up as he jumped out of Kagome's arms and landed on top of the Inu-hanyou's head.

Inuyasha growled in annoyance and grabbed the fox cub's tail, pulling him off his head with a yank. "Was the little baby worried?" he teased, flicking the Kitsune's nose with his thumb and forefinger.

"You jerk!" Shippo wailed struggling to free himself of the mocking hanyou's grasp. "Kagome! Inuyasha's being mean to me!!!"

Sango and Miroku smiled as Kagome sighed, the usual scene finishing with Kagome grabbing Shippo from Inuyasha and giving the hanyou a dry, but warning look. While, Inuyasha, knowing all-to-well, she would say the `word' (even though he was in a pretty bad condition), was giving her his own dirty look.

--

With Inuyasha finally awake and things looking pretty much peaceful between him and the Kitsune, Kagome could finally have some time to herself. "Mou, now I can go home at last!" She sighed, resting her tired arms on her legs.

"Kagome-sama, will you be gone long?" Miroku asked, helping Kagome chuck her large backpack down the well.

Kagome shook her head and blew a small strand of hair out of her eyes, "No, I'll be back by daybreak" she answered him, with a huge smile.

"See you then, Kagome-sama." He nodded and bowed slightly, leaning on his staff.

"Ja!" Kagome waved as she jumped down into the old well's depths.

"Tadaima!* Mama? Souta? Jii-chan?" Kagome bellowed, as she walked in through the front door of the shrine. (*I'm Home!)

"Kagome!" Three voices could be heard, followed by a stampede of feet running toward her.

"Heh…" Kagome backed away from her families' pursuance and excitement. "I-I'm pleased to see you guys too" She smiled, a sweat drop running down her face when three sets of eyes made contact with her own.

"Kagome, where have you been?" her mother demanded.

"Gomen, mama" she answered waving her hands in defence. "Inuyasha got hurt, and I couldn't leave him…" she continued, her voice lowering slightly.

"Inu-no-oniichan? Is he alright?" Souta asked with genuine concern.

"Hai, Souta, he's fine now." Kagome nodded with a small smile.

"Kagome, we were worried about you!" Jii-chan added, tears streaming down his face with relief.

"Grandfather is right, we've been frantic with worry." Kagome's mother sighed, reaching out to embrace her daughter.

"Gomen" Kagome whispered, clutching her mother's waist before inhaling her soothing presence.

It was great to be back home, even better now that the shrine was perfectly safe from being torn down by the council. Kagome was happy to stay in her mothers hold for the rest of the day, but she had come home for a reason. Plus, she had promised to be back in Sengoku Jidai by daybreak.

"Mama?" Kagome asked, pulling away from her mother's loving embrace.

"Nani?"

"I have something important to ask of you." Kagome confidently stated.

"Oh?" her mother's own surprised, but curious response replied.

--

"Damn bitch…running away, without even telling me!" Inuyasha grumbled under his breath for the 100th time that day.

Sango kneeled in front of the brooding hanyou, while the Kitsune and two-tailed cat, on either side, watched on silently. "Inuyasha, Kagome-chan needed to go home for something. Don't worry about it, she didn't want to wake you is all."

"Keh!" came the stubborn hanyou's reply, as he shifted his body up from the floor.

"Inuyasha, where are you going?" Shippo asked, instantly making haste to block the Inu-hanyou's path. "You're still too weak to move!" he added, bringing up another bad point.

"Outta my way, brat!" Inuyasha growled slightly.

"Shippo is right, Inuyasha," came another voice from behind the kit.

"Shut up, Miroku! Can't I go outside to fucking piss now?!" Inuyasha grunted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Very well, Inuyasha." Miroku moved to the side, allowing Inuyasha to pass. "Kirara will go with you," he added, just as Inuyasha left the hut.

With a small "Mew" Kirara agreed and followed the hanyou out into the woods.

"Kuso!" Inuyasha growled, baring his fangs as he clutched onto his chest. He was still in pain and it hurt to move. Trekking through the forest was not a good idea, but Kagome had pissed off down the well, and without saying anything! And that was something Inuyasha hated, not to mention, apart of him worried that she may not come back.

"Stupid wench" he mumbled, his thoughts scattering as he neared the edge of the forest. He looked down at the small cat, "Don't give me that look!" he snorted, causing the small fire-cat to twist her head in confusion.

As he entered the clearing of over growth he spotted her near the god tree. She lay under it, her eyes closed with a contented looking smile upon her dainty lips, obviously oblivious to his presence.

Kagome lay under the god tree keeping her gaze up. She loved watching the leaves and branches of the great tree sway with the fresh breeze overhead; it was always peaceful when the forest rested.

'Shippo-chan, thank you so much for everything you've done. I only hope this makes up for what you've done to help.'

*before…

"You…want to do what?" Kagome's mother and Grandfather chimed at once.

"Mama, Jii-chan, this really is important to me" Kagome retorted with a long sigh.

"Kagome, think about what you'd be taking on" her mother replied, keeping a firm set of eyes upon her daughters. "Is this really what you want?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

"Hai, mama." Kagome nodded confidently, "I've thought a lot about this for the past few days." She continued evenly.

Kagome's mother smiled, nodding with small reassurance. She would back Kagome's decision and be there for her as much as she could, after all, it was a mother's job to see her only daughter happy and it was her only wish.

"Well, I say the whole thing is unthinkable!" Jii-chan barked from across the room. "But… if Kagome wants to do this, then you have my blessing…" he finished, watching his only granddaughter's eyes light up with acceptance.

"Arigatou!" Kagome squeaked, giving her grandfather and mother a joint bear hug.

*present…

She smiled and momentarily closed her eyes, allowing the wind and sun to caress her face, when a shadow above her jolted her out of her reverie. Her eyes soon focused upon a rather irate looking face of a pissed off hanyou. He frowned down at her waiting for her to speak up.

Kagome sighed before picking herself up into a sitting position. "What are you doing here?" She narrowed her eyes. " In five words or less" she quickly added with a smug smile.

Inuyasha snorted before answering, "Out-for-a-walk…bitch. " His own grin smugly curled upon his lips.

Kagome giggled before hitching herself up off the ground. "You should be resting." She eyed his bandaged wounds before poking him in the ribs.

"Keh," came his reply as he leaned up against her slightly. "Don't touch me, wench! It hurts still!" He pouted miserably.

"Soooo, what's the real reason?" Kagome slyly asked the pouting boy.

"Feh," Inuyasha snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "I was going to drag your ass back home, that's what!"

Kagome's eyes widened slightly as her lips curled into a small smile.

Inuyasha's face never faulted until Kagome shifted to stand in front of him and rested her small hands upon his chest, mindful of his wounds.

"Oh, so that's how it is, ne?" she whispered, bringing herself up onto tiptoes to lean in and kiss him softly upon his lips.

Inuyasha froze at first, his whole body numbing at the sensation of her touch. As she started to push away from him, he soon managed to regain some movement and pulled her back into his chest. Their lips met once again, hungrily at first and then more gently as they both relaxed into each others hold.

For what seemed like hours, they both finally pulled away, their heavy breathing and matching blushes left the reminder of what had just occurred.

"Eh…" Inuyasha twitched nervously under Kagome's blushing gaze, "N-nani?"

Kagome shook her head. "Hn, nothing," she replied lowering her gaze. "I have something important to tell everyone, lets get back."

`I wonder what he'll say?' she thought just as she went to retrieve her bag.

Inuyasha watched her with curious eyes as she pulled away and picked up her backpack. "Ready?" she asked with a smile. He nodded and called for Kirara to follow, the fire-cat had hidden itself in the bushes while Inuyasha and Kagome spoke.

"Kirara?" Kagome puzzled.

"That damn monk insisted she came with me." Inuyasha snorted.

"Miroku-sama was worried about you. Be nice!" She playfully berated him, and reached out to hold onto his hand.

"Keh!" came the hanyou's reply as he gripped onto her hand in return.

---

Meanwhile, three sets of eyes watched and followed the newly discovered couple from a distance.

"Psst, Kirara." One voice whispered, bringing about the fire-cats attention. The small cat mewed happily, instantly recognising the person whom had spoken and turned to greet them. She purred at the feet of Sango happily, while Miroku and an overly keen Kit bounced up and down upon his shoulder followed her out of the bush.

"I told you! I told you!" Shippo boasted happily with childlike excitement.

"Quiet!" Miroku and Sango hushed the small cub.

"Let's get back before they do!" He squealed with delight while Kirara formed into her larger state and bounded off ahead of the slow moving couple below.

Kagome and Inuyasha entered the hut moments after the gumi had gotten back. Inuyasha eyed them up at how suspiciously innocent they all seemed to be looking. He never trusted them when they all gleamed with happiness and smiled so damn smugly!

Kagome kneeled in front of her companions and took Shippo into her arms, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"Minna," she started, silently hoping they would take her news better than her family had at first. "I-I have something to tell all of you."

"Kagome-chan, what is it?" Sango asked the fidgeting girl in front of her.

"Take your time, Kagome-sama. We are all here for you, and happy with whatever you have to confide with us." Miroku added, gaining the attention of the hanyou, who narrowed his eyes and growled under his breath.

"Ano…" Kagome looked up from the kit. "Its more…its more about what happened the day Inuyasha was attacked. The same day I was meant to leave here for good, but came back…"

*Flashback*

"Shippo-how-why-what-" she stammered with awe.

"Kagome! I have to tell you something important!" He deemed helping the girl up from the ground effortlessly.

"Kagome, you have to go back through the well." He nodded at her confused gaze, "before you say you can't, you have to!"

Kagome gaped up at him, "Shippo…"

"Don't talk, just listen." He interrupted putting his hands upon her shoulders keeping eye contact seriously. "You have to go back. Don't worry about the shrine I've sorted it. That's all you need to know about that at the moment. What's more important is that you go back through the well!"

Kagome shook her head and diverted her gaze, "Shippo-kun, I can't."

Shippo brought his hand to her chin and cupped it gently, bringing her gaze back to his face. "Please" his serious tone of voice clenched at her heart.

"I-I don't understand…" She replied, her own voice raspy under his intense look.

"Kagome, something bad happened after you left. You have to go back, please!" He beseeched her, dropping to his knees. "Listen, I've thought about this for over 500 years…I'm mated-married I have no kin, but I-my mate and I have spoken about this day. To give up my life for you and Inuyasha, I would go the distance for both of you."

"Shippo, what are you trying to tell me?" She asked, feeling the familiar burning sensation in the corner of her eyes.

Shippo took a long breath and sighed hunching his shoulders solemnly, "After you left, things changed. Inuyasha-he never came back. I stayed with Sango and Miroku for a while before I was strong enough to search for him." It was his turn to divert his eyes; " Rumours of his death seemed to follow me around for months. I never believed it though-but a part of me knew I'd never find him alive…he was never the same without you, Kagome. He was weak and pathetic to give up just like that!"

"Shippo…please don't tell me anymore. Please." Kagome sobbed

He looked up at her long and hard, "No, I have to tell you! You have to go back, go back and change what has and will happen if you don't go back right now!" He pushed down on her shoulders, forcing her attention, "Kagome, don't you understand? I'm giving up my life now for Inuyasha, for you and for me! I've said goodbye to my mate-she…she said she understood…" He lowered his voice just above a whisper, "you have to do this…"

Kagome shook her head the tears now freely escaped her eyes. "But-but how can I change what's already happened? What about the shrine? I can't go back! I can't destroy what life you've got with your wife!"

"Kagome. I'll be alright once you go back…" He flashed her a weak smile. "I-- my mate and I won't even know of this life. Besides…I know I'll meet her again, someday."

"Shippo, I will never forget this. For everything you've done today, for everything you've given up."

He flashed her a fanged grin and pinched her cheek, "I got to do something to help my friends and family. I just want you and Inuyasha back."

Kagome smiled and nodded, "What about the shrine? Mama will be worried…she-"

A clawed finger hushed her words as it was brought to her lips, "I told you, I've sorted it. The shrine won't be knocked down. You just have to remember one thing before you go. Sign Inuyasha's deeds over to me as your next of kin and I'll do the rest when the time comes to save the shrine form the councils plans."

Kagome's eyes widened, "Nani?"

The Kitsune-youkai chuckled, before seriously looking her in the eye. "Be careful, there's a massive demon waiting for you and the Shikon no Tama on the other side."

Kagome nodded, "Hai"

Shippo leaned over her and kissed her forehead "O'negai shimasu," he whispered into her ear before gently pushing her away from him.


*End flashback*

"Hm, so it was Shippo who informed you of the situation back here." Miroku gathered his thoughts.

"Hai" Kagome replied diverting her gaze upon the startled Kitsune in her arms. "Shippo-chan?" she asked the quiet kit. The small cub had gone stiff in her arms as she unfolded the truth of what happened in her time to bring her back.

Shippo gulped and closed his small eyes, "I-I saved you all?" he whispered.

"Hai, Shippo-chan and I-we are all very proud of you!" Kagome gave him a reassuring squeeze.

The small kit looked up at his surrounding friends, Sango and Miroku had matching smiles on their faces. Kagome was also shinning her best smile, while Inuyasha's face held little or no expression. "I-Inuyasha?" he stuttered with a small voice. A small part of him wishing the stubborn hanyou would give away his true feelings once in a while; Inuyasha's reaction was what the fox-cub wanted to know.

'Gods that dog is such a…a… ` His thoughts were interrupted when Inuyasha popped the Kit upside the head.

"You called me WEAK and PATHETIC?!" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, "Bastard!" he growled, cracking his knuckles once again.

"Itai!" Shippo yelped while rubbing his bruised and swollen head.

"Inuyasha!" The group of friends all bellowed in unison.

"There's just one other question I want to know," came a small voice from atop of Kirara.

"Myouga-jiji?" Inuyasha and Kagome questioned together, watching the small flea-demon jump off the fire-cat's head and land on Inuyasha's nose.

"Inuyasha-sama! I'm pleased to see you've regained your health, this Myouga was worried!" he greeted happily.

"Keh,"

"What did you want to Know, Myouga-jiichan?" Kagome's curiosity got the better of her.

"I believe Myouga-sama is referring to as why Inuyasha was so easily taken down." Miroku cut in, causing Inuyasha to whip his head around thus sending the flea flying.

"Nani?!" The unsuspecting hanyou gulped.

"Exactly that, Inuyasha." The monk repeated, "Why where you dead set on giving in so easily?"

Inuyasha's shoulders hunched slightly as he gripped his chest and sat on the floor cross-legged. "Its none of your business, houshi!" he snapped in defence. "Even if I told you the reason, I still wouldn't expect you to understand"

"I'm hurt, Inuyasha. I understand how you thought you'd never see Kagome-sama again, " the monk replied, the sting in his voice making it obvious Inuyasha hit a soft spot.

Inuyasha's eyes widened, "That has nothing to do with it!"

"Inuyasha…" Kagome smiled and reached out to lay her hand upon his shoulder. The hanyou looked up from Miroku and gazed into Kagome's eyes, content on her understanding.

"Ano, I have something else to discuss with you all…" Kagome broke the silence.


---

Kagome and Inuyasha stood at the old well waiting for the Kitsune to stop jittering; Kagome lovingly smiled and picked the youngster up into her arms. "Relax, Shippo-chan." She helped soothe the kits anxiety.

"H-hai, Okaa-chan" he replied, still biting on his small clawed fingers.

"Ja-ne! See you guys in a week or so!" Kagome waved after Sango, Miroku and Kirara as she, Inuyasha and the kit departed down the well.

Inuyasha and Kagome, being well acclimatised to the wells magic, did not notice what the small kit felt. He gasped and gripped onto Kagome when he became somewhat light headed. Kagome hit the ground with a small thump, where as Inuyasha gracefully halted beside her. "Shippo-chan, we're here" She looked down at the cringing cub in her arms.

Shippo's death grip soon adjusted and loosened as he opened his tightly shut eyes.

Kagome smiled once again and allowed Inuyasha to pick both her and the small fox-demon out of the well. Shippo's eyes widened the moment Inuyasha opened the sliding doors of the well-house.

"Sugoi!" He awed, his small eyes fixating on the surrounding buildings of the Higurashi's shrine.

"Owh! What's that?" He asked as they passed the entrance of the shrine over looking the street. "Oh! Oh! What's that, Kagome?" He asked again and again, Kagome giggled and pinched the Kits ear.

"Well, looks like I've got a lot of questions to answer. Lets go inside and meet my family first?"

"Keh, listen brat! You better behave yourself or else!" Inuyasha cut to the chase folding his arms over his chest. "If you're going to be a part of Kagome's family there are some rules to follow."

"Mou, Inuyasha!" Kagome playfully nudged the hanyou.

Shippo smiled up at Kagome and Inuyasha; finally he had a family once again.

'Shippo Higurashi has a nice ring to it' he happily thought to himself, leaving his surrogate parents fight it out.

Meanwhile, a pair of eyes watched on at the scene from atop of a neighbouring tree. The tall Kitsune-demon smiled watching what only could be described as the first day of the rest of his life, a more than admiring smile held upon his lips.

"OK?" came a soft female voice from beside him.

"Hai," Shippo smiled down at his mate. "I am."

Souten smiled and took a hold of his arm and pulled him into a loving embrace. "Forever," she whispered into his ear.

"Forever…" he smiled into her hair closing his eyes.

"INUYASHA! OSWARI!" was the last of Kagome's words he heard as both he and his mate left the newly made family to their lives.



-- Shout outs and Epilogue to follow!

Coming soon - Epilogue - kazokumochi (Family Man)

Once again massive hugs and kisses to all my readers and reviewers! I hope you liked the ending, it took me a while to write this, I kept on changing it, but I got there in the end! Happy endings are better than all the angst I stuck in here ^_^ I told you it would all work out! (Oh, if any of you are confused as to who Souten is, Shippo's mate, she is actually introduced in the later series. She is the sister of the Thunder Brothers lol she falls for Shippo BIG time; it was such a kawaii episode! I loved it so much!! It was a Hate to Love scenario *heh*).

Author Note: Thank you Michi for pointing out my mistake with Inyasha's forest translation!!! ^.^ you know, I didn't catch that, I'm so happy you did and told me!!! *Eeps* also a quick note to Angel150, Thank you, 0_o you were the first person (on ff.net) to give me constructive criticism on this here fic, my grammar and spelling are my downfall; its something I just can't get my head around (even though I passed my English exams with distinctions and B's 0_o;) If you're still serious about the beta offer, I'd love for you to ^_^ I have another fic already planned out (Inuyasha) but won't be writing it until near the Easter break!! Let me know if ya interested still ^_~

To Angela, I hope you enjoyed and feel better now I FINALLY updated. *Glomps*


NC-17 version now available: - http:// www. mediaminer.org/ fanfic/ view_st.php? id=31941
(the gaps are needed so it shows)

- Does anyone else have problems with ff.net deleting chapters??? Chp 5 and 6 have been deleted 6 times already!! It's annoying - !