Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bane of Existence/Love of A Lifetime ❯ Chapter Seven ( Chapter 7 )

Yusuke and Kurama both wanted to know Kagome's story so much they nearly felt desperate and when she skirted their questions - albeit gracefully - they were frustrated at first. After their second attempt in cajoling her to speak, they sensed her unease and could smell the salt of unshed tears. The combination sent a bolt of pain into their hearts and they knew that she would only tell them her story when she was ready to. For now, the pain in her heart was still to raw.

 

Conceding to the fact that they would learn no more of what truly pained her this night, they let their inquisitions go and settled for idle chit-chat and playful banter. After their pizza was ordered, and subsequently devoured, the four adjourned to the living room once more and Kagome flipped on the television. After finding something that would appease Shippou for the time being, she turned to the couch with the kit in her arms and found that the unoccupied space there was between the two youkai. <i>They did that on purpose, the sneaks.</i>

 

Sighing softly, Kagome took up the spot in the center of the couch and settled Shippou into her lap. He cuddled up against her warmth and sighed contentedly when she began running nimble fingers through his tail. “Momma,” the kit started, rubbing his sleepy eyes with a small fist “are we going back tomorrow?”

 

The young miko sighed yet again - she seemed to be doing that more and more as of late - and answered. “Well, I suppose we should though I don't know if I am ready to face him so soon. It doesn't really matter though; the shards need to be found and it is my duty to fix my mistake.”

 

Kagome knew that their constant mentioning of things Yusuke and Kurama knew nothing of was piquing their curiosity to unknown levels but she didn't think she could speak of anything concerning her travels. She was mentally and emotionally exhausted from everything she was forced to endure in the Warring States era and she was unbelievably grateful when the two took the hint and let the issue drop.<i> Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will tell them everything, just not tonight.</i>

 

Her kit seemed to accept her answer but was also undeniably tense in her arms. She nudged him gently with her hand and spoke softly. “Sweetie, what's bothering you so much? You've never been this agitated before; not even on the battlefield.”

 

He couldn't help feeling the way he did but he knew he couldn't hide anything from Kagome, even if he tried. She knew him almost better than his biological parents did. “I'm sorry momma. I just don't want to see you hurt by him anymore. I hate seeing you cry and I'm not big enough to make him stop.”

 

She couldn't help the small, sad smile that curved her lips and she hugged him tightly before settling him once more against her stomach. “I know Shippou, but I have to go back. I have put up with him for four years already. I am not about to let him chase me off.”

 

The kit sprang up from his comfortable position snuggled against her warmth only to fist her shirt tightly in his hands, forcing her to look at him. “Please, let's not go back right away. I know what you have to do but he is too mean to you. You know he will have Kikyou there with him. Let her play his shard detector and we can stay here.”

 

Lightly grasping his tiny hands in her own, Kagome ran soothing circles across his knuckles with her soft fingertips. “You know I can't do that sweetie. Miroku's life is on the line if nothing else and I am not about to abandon his fate to someone who couldn't care less if he lived or died. We have to go back.”

 

Seeing the forming tears in his eyes forced some of her own to well in her blue orbs and spill down her cheeks. She hated seeing him this way and it only ever happened when Inuyasha had been extremely cruel to her; he never really even cried when the hanyou managed to hit him. Kagome wrapped her arms around the softly sobbing kit and began slowing rocking him, humming a gentle lullaby to help him sleep. Once his soft snores met her ears, she stood from the couch.

 

“I am going to go put Shippou to sleep for the night, and then I'll get the two of you settled; unless you are planning on leaving yet tonight?” At seeing both shake their heads in the negative she smiled softly and went upstairs. Going in to her mother's room, she pulled down the bedding and settled her kit against a pillow. Once he was tucked in, she kissed his forehead and went back down the stairs.

 

Walking in to the living room yet again Kagome smiled at the boys when their attention snapped to her before speaking. “I plan to sleep in my mom's room with Shippou. He can't seem to sleep unless he is with me.” Her smile widened as she thought back to one of their return trips home. Seeing the questioning looks she was receiving, she chose to indulge them.

 

Settling back on the couch, she spoke softly. “I used to think that Inuyasha and I were the only ones who could travel between eras up until a year ago when Shippou hid in my backpack. After that, he has made it a point to come home with me every time. He told me he couldn't sleep unless he could smell me; he said I smelled like warmth and home to him.” Another fond smile curled her lips.

 

“A few months back, Shippou was sick with a type of stomach flu and I tried telling him that maybe it would be better for him not to come with me. He argued with me until I relented and when we got here, I had him tucked into my bed so I could run some errands for my mom.

 

When I came home a few hours later, I found my mom upstairs in my room sitting on my bed. When I asked her what was going on, she told me that Shippou had gotten sick and wasn't able to make it to the bathroom in time so she had to wash all my bedding. I asked her where he was and she only smiled and pointed to a corner of my room where my backpack was. I always keep my sleeping bag in there for our trips and he had pulled it out and was curled up around it.

 

He looked so cute lying in the corner like that. After my mom left the room I went and shook him awake. When I asked him what had happened, he burst into tears. I told him I knew that he had gotten sick and it wasn't anything to be upset about; that the sheets were all clean and he could go back to sleep; that made him cry even harder. After he had calmed down, he told me that the problem was that the sheets were clean; they didn't smell like me anymore and he couldn't sleep. Hence, the sleeping bag. I made it a point from then on to only wash one thing from my bed at a time so that my scent was always on something.”

 

She felt a little silly after telling a story as inane and pointless as that but when she looked at both guys she was rather shocked to find smiles on both their faces. Taking it as a good sign, she smiled again; a true smile. “Since I am sleeping in my mom's room with Shippou, the two of you are welcome to crash where you want to. There is the couch down here and Souta and my rooms upstairs. It doesn't matter to me where you sleep. Souta only has a full sized bed in his room but mine has a queen if that matters.”

 

Kagome stood from the couch and they both followed suit. Motioning them upstairs with her, she led them first to her brother's room - which was littered with clothing and video games - and then to hers. Stepping inside her door, she walked to the middle of the room to let them both in. “I suppose if it would make you feel better you could both stay here since you kind of know me but you will have to deal with my bed smelling like me. The choice is yours.”

 

The young miko had long ago given up the theme of pink everything and her room had undergone quite a change. With the help of her mother, she had painted the walls a soft blue and the ceiling a deep sapphire. Her pink ruffled comforter and sheets had been exchanged for ones of dark blue with images of stars and moons. Her first trip home since redecorating, Kagome found that her mother had hand painted moons in silver and stars in gold across the expanse of her ceiling. It made her feel as though she was sleeping under the sky.

 

While listening to her story, Yusuke and Kurama had found their hearts warming. They could sympathize with the kit and found it remarkable that Kagome would put so much into the safety and comfort of a child that wasn't truly her own. When she began talking about sleeping arrangements they were both more than happy at hearing her own room would be open for their stay; though they were sure they would either have to fight for it or share it.

 

Once she had led them upstairs, she had shown them to her brother's room and then to her own. When they walked in their sensitive noses were instantly assaulted by her sweet smell wrapping around them. Both silently approved of her room, knowing they would be forced to share it, though the thought really didn't bother them; they were well aware they would probably have to share her as well.

 

With Youko purring in his mind, Kurama spoke. “I think we would both rather bed down here if you don't mind. We don't yet know your family and I don't think either of us would be comfortable elsewhere.” <i><b>Good show Red. If you had insisted to sleep somewhere else, I would have made sure you didn't get any sleep. I can't wait to lie in her bed and have that delicious smell everywhere. You could always ask her to stay with us.</i></b>

 

<i>Youko please, I can smell it well enough without you adding to it and I am definitely not asking her that. I guess this means we will be sharing a bed with Yusuke for I am sure he won't want to miss the opportunity either.</i>

 

Yusuke smirked knowing full well that Youko was most likely preparing to season Kurama's mind with some rather <i>kinky</i> thoughts. Not that either one would have a hard time conjuring up images of the beautiful miko on their own; especially being subjected to her smell for the entirety of the night. “Thanks Kagome. Are you sure we aren't kicking you out of your room?”

 

The priestess just smiled and shook her head. “Nope you guys are fine. Shippou is already asleep in mom's room and if I don't get there with him soon, I am sure he will wake up. There are extra blankets and pillows in the closet just outside my door in the hallway if you need them. Goodnight.” Closing the door behind her slightly, she made her way back to her kit and left the Spirit Detectives to their own devices.