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Chapter Three: Kasei

It was deep night by the time Inuyasha reached Kaede’s village. No, it would be his village. There was a house here that had his own room in it.

Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara were sprawled out on the floor of the small hut they shared when Kaede’s hut was unavailable. Kirara greeted him with a chirrup, and came bounding over to rub against his legs. The little two-tail had never done that before.

“Inuyasha!” Shippo exclaimed, coming to join Kirara. “Where have you been? We’ve been worried.”

Inuyasha cuffed the kitsune cub affectionately and smiled down at him.

“I’m fine.” Inuyasha said. “I told Miroku that I would be.”

“So where did you go?” Miroku asked sleepily.

“Won’t be telling you that.” Inuyasha grinned. “It’s my secret. How’s Kagome?”

“Kaede said she can go for a walk tomorrow.” Sango answered, sitting up to face him. “Kaede also said that the healing was taking longer because Kagome is depressed. She didn’t understand why you left her.”

Inuyasha could tell that Sango was mad on her friend’s behalf. His mood sobered. He’d hoped this wouldn’t happen.

“I’ll tell her I’m sorry.” Inuyasha said. “But I have one more question. Is the house finished?”

“Oh, Inuyasha!” Shippo yipped. “It’s beautiful. You should see it. My room is the best!”

Miroku chuckled at the little fox demon’s words.

“He’s right.” The monk agreed. “The villagers really outdid themselves. It seems they felt they owed us a debt for protecting them these past two years.”

“Don’t try to play down what you did.” Sango said sternly. “He’s been saving the money we’ve been paid for demon exterminating. He furnished the whole house!”

Now Miroku was a lecher, and a pervert, but he could never be accused of lacking in generosity.

“I told you, Sango,” Miroku said, embarrassed by her announcement. “That money belonged to everyone. It was only right that it be spent on something we all would share.”

“Still,” Sango returned, “it’s practically a castle in there. You outdid yourself too.”

“And why shouldn’t we be comfortable?” Miroku protested. “I think we’ve earned it. Besides, isn’t there something you’ve done too?”

“Show him Kagome’s armor!” Shippo said, jumping up and down in excitement.

Sango blushed as she rose from her pallet. She went to the form standing in the corner and removed the cloth that covered it. It looked like a man’s light infantry armor, but at the same time, it did not. It was lighter, and shaped slightly different from the standard armor. Inuyasha didn’t know what kind of demon had given up his scales, but he certainly had been a red fellow. The chest plates gleamed in the candlelight, and were braided together with black cording. Sango had worked skillfully in creating Kagome’s armor. Arm and thigh protectors were attached by the same black cord.

“Sango, it’s wonderful!” Inuyasha breathed. “Thank you!”

Then he embraced Sango, making her blush furiously. Inuyasha released her before Miroku could speak the protest on his lips. Inuyasha smiled warmly at his friends.

“It’s all in place.” He told them. “The sun is nearly up. I’m going to see Kagome for a little while, then I’m going down to the spring. Give me till mid-morning, and then bring Kagome to the house. I’ll be waiting there. Miroku, take Kagome’s armor to her room and cover it, but be gone before I get there.” His smile turned sly. “This surprise is not only for Kagome.”

Inuyasha left before his friends could ask him any more questions. It was a short walk to Kaede’s hut, and Inuyasha heard the old healer talking quietly with Kagome as he came to the door.

“Kaede,” he called out softly, “may I come in?”

He should have been prepared, he knew Kagome was mad.

“Sit Boy!”

The enchanted beads around his neck immediately jerked him off his feet and planted him face first a few inches into the hard packed dirt.

Ow….

“Inuyasha, ye may come in.” Kaede said, not bothering to hide her snickering.

It spoke much of his brother’s instruction that his features were calm as he brushed the dust out of his robes and entered the hut.

He could see immediately that Kagome was much better than the last time he had seen her. The color was back in her face, but she was wearing a deep scowl.

“Where have you been?” Kagome asked, her voice the tone of displeasure. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going away?”

“I’m sorry, Kagome.” Inuyasha said, and bent to kiss her forehead. It was something else he had learned under Sesshoumaru’s tutelage. If he wanted to show his affection, it was perfectly all right, as long as it was the proper moment. Inuyasha gauged this whole day to be one long moment. His brother may have frowned at that, but Inuyasha believed he would have understood.

Kagome’s jaw hung open, and she was staring at him in shock. The old Inuyasha would have smiled mischievously. Inuyasha’s face was a nonchalant mask as he sat beside her. Before she could direct the thoughts in her head to her tongue, Inuyasha took her hand in his.

“I heard you’re going out today.” Inuyasha said brightly. “I’m really glad to see you well.”

“Are you feeling okay?” Kagome asked suspiciously.

“Of course.” Inuyasha replied. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not going to tell me where you’ve been, are you?” Kagome asked.

“No.” Inuyasha returned. “It doesn’t concern you.”

“It doesn’t concern me?” Kagome said indignantly. “Anything you do concerns me. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” Inuyasha returned calmly. “I’m happy to see you. In fact, I’ve got a surprise for you. I kind of feel bad that I left you for so long.”

“A surprise?” Kagome squealed. “Where is it?”

“You have to wait until your walk.” Inuyasha told her. Seeing Kagome’s crestfallen expression, he added; “It’ll be worth it. I promise.”

He kissed her on the cheek and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before he rose to his feet.

“I need a bath.” Inuyasha said. “You have breakfast so you’re good and strong for your walk.”

He actually winked at Kaede as he strolled by her. He felt so happy inside that he was at the spring in three long bounds. He would forego the pleasure of soaking – he didn’t have the time.

An hour later, dressed only in his youkata, Inuyasha hurried to the site of the new house. What he found made him take a step back. It was hidden in the thick stand of bamboo as if it was a part of the surroundings. The single story structure was lit from within by warm lanternlight, casting a reflection onto the wide porch that encircled the house. The wood and paper doors glowed in welcome as Inuyasha stepped up to enter. He made sure his feet were clean before he went inside.

The rough floor that he had last seen had been sanded, smoothed, and polished to a glossy shine. The lacquered furniture echoed the effect. Though the house was sparsely furnished, it was still posh compared to the empty huts that Inuyasha was used to. A large, low table was set with six places, and there were dim coals in the central firepit. Various ceramic jars held fresh flowers and tree cuttings, and Inuyasha could hear the sound of running water from somewhere inside the house.

Inuyasha found his way to his room and was extremely pleased with what he saw. There was a sleeping pallet, his first bed since he had lived with his mother and her clan. There was a garment pole, and he hung his fire-rat robes reverently on it. He had his own low table and two hassocks on which he and a guest could kneel upon. In one corner was a small shrine with incense sticks waiting to be lit. At once his mind dedicated it to his long dead parents, the Inutaisho, his father, and Izayoi, his mother. Resting upon a red lacquered chest of drawers was a stand for a katana. It was Tetsusaiga’s home when Inuyasha was here. Inuyasha laid his Father’s fang in its place and turned to his preparations.

Inuyasha removed the youkata, and hung it with his fire-rat robes. He then opened the package Sesshoumaru had given him. He put on the feather-light red youkata, and then took the time to groom his hair. He fixed it into a dog-tail style, similar to what his father had worn, but still distinctly his own. His hair was thicker than the Inutaisho’s, and his long sidelocks were not worked into the tail. He donned the hakama, going through the ritual he had of making sure each fold lay perfectly before he added the haori and obi. He was indoors, and so did not don his new boots. That would wait for another time.

He didn’t know that all of his hard edges had been smoothed, and he had taken on a beauty usually ascribed to Sesshoumaru. He held himself with dignity and each step was confident, but no longer cocky. His white hair was shining with the grooming, and his eyes were soft and kind.

Inuyasha peeked into Kagome’s room and was satisfied by the covered form standing in one corner. He went back to his room and opened the wall that led to the outside. The morning air was still cool, and was fragranced by the bamboo grove less than three paces from the edge of the porch.

Inuyasha hadn’t been outside very long when he heard his friends leading Kagome to the house. He stepped into his room, leaving the wall partially open. He knelt on the floor, facing the inner door, and settled his new robes about him, finally folding his hands in his lap. Despite his anticipation, Inuyasha didn’t fidget as he once might have.

At Kagome’s first squeal of delight, Inuyasha’s calm façade cracked into a broad grin. He heard every comment she made as she was shown around her new home. It took a little while, but soon, Kagome was in her room, and was being presented with the gift of her new armor.

“Thank you, Sango.” He heard Kagome say. “That’s very thoughtful of you, and it’s exquisite.” He didn’t see the wistful look on her face.

“I wish Inuyasha would come.” Kagome said. “Doesn’t he want to live here?”

“He does.” Miroku assured her. “I’ll show you his room if you like.”

Inuyasha heard the soft padding footsteps of his friends as they neared his inner door. Stilling his emotions to serenity, he sat expectantly waiting for the door to slide open.

Kagome saw nothing of Inuyasha’s room when Miroku slid the partition aside. She would never find a word that truly described what she felt at that moment. Her expression was unreadable to Inuyasha. Yes, she was clearly astounded, but there was more, and Inuyasha stood, worry invading the look in his eyes.

Kagome thought that perhaps fainting might be the proper thing to do at a time like this. She was actually struck mute by Inuyasha’s appearance. He had been transformed, and it wasn’t just his fine clothing. There was something else different about the hanyou, but Kagome couldn’t grasp what it was.

Inuyasha came to her and caught up her hands. His golden, slitted eyes held hers in an intense stare that she couldn’t break. She saw so much in those exotic eyes, and as far as she was concerned, she never wanted to look away.

“Kagome?” Her name was a question on Inuyasha’s lips.

“Oh Inuyasha!” Kagome cried, flinging her arms around his neck. “You’re beautiful!”

Inuyasha smiled then, a gentle and elated expression settling over his face. He returned her embrace, and looking up, over Kagome’s shoulder, he saw the faces of his other friends.

Miroku was grinning from ear to ear, and nodding his head in approval. Sango’s face was pink from a deep blush, and her eyes were wide. Inuyasha wondered what she was thinking. Shippo was on his knees, his head touching the floor as he bowed. Inuyasha stepped out of Kagome’s embrace and bent to lift Shippo’s chin.

“Get up, Shippo.” Inuyasha said, disturbed by the cub’s reaction. “Why are you bowing to me like that?”

“You’ve become a youkai Lord, haven’t you?” Shippo asked.

Inuyasha chuckled.

“No,” he answered, smiling at the little one, “I am only dressed in new robes. I am still the same Inuyasha.”

But he wasn’t. He knew that.

“No you’re not.” Kagome said, as if again, she’d read his mind. “Inuyasha, you’ve changed.”

“If you say so.” Inuyasha replied. “I hope it is pleasing to you. He drew Kagome to him and kissed her with gentle passion. “I want only to please you.”

“You did this for me?” Kagome asked, a little breathless from his kiss. “Oh, Inuyasha. You didn’t have to change. I love you just the way you are.”

“But I didn’t love me.” Inuyasha said, sadness tingeing the color of his golden eyes a shade darker. “I hurt you, Kagome. I don’t want that to ever happen again. I had to do something.”

“Inuyasha.” Kagome said in a near whisper. “I love you so much!”

“And I love you, Kagome.” Inuyasha said, his throat growing tight. He threw a meaningful glance at Miroku, and the monk understood immediately. He started pulling the partition closed.

“Come, Sango, Shippo.” Miroku invited. “Let’s go look at the rest of the house.”

Inuyasha walked Kagome away from the door, leading her to the small table and hassocks near the south wall. He moved his hassock to sit next to her, and put his arm around her. His hand rested on her wonderfully soft hair.

“Things will be different with me.” Inuyasha promised. “I think I can control the demon within me now.”

“Were you worried that I wouldn’t love you anymore?” Kagome questioned. “Were you worried I’d be afraid of you now?”

“Yes.” Inuyasha admitted. “And yes. I was scared of losing you, Kagome, in more ways than one.”

“I’ve never been afraid of you, Inuyasha.” Kagome returned. “Not of you, or of your demon side. I grew to love you, and that meant all of you, not just the parts that were better than others. You didn’t have to change.”

“Are you angry with me, Kagome?” Inuyasha asked softly.

“Absolutely not.” Kagome replied. “You look wonderful, and you just make me want to be with you more by the way you’re acting.” She giggled. “You’ve never kissed me so much in one day.”

“I’d like to kiss you more.” Inuyasha said as he bent to touch his lips to hers.

Kagome’s lips were soft like her hair, and Inuyasha teased her with his tongue, tracing the outline of her lips and slipping it inside her mouth. She relaxed and parted her teeth for him. She tasted so sweet, just like her scent. Inuyasha’s hands were in her hair, and Kagome made that beautiful, contented sound again. He picked her up and sat her in his lap, her head in the crook of one arm as he cradled her with his kiss. His clawed fingers held her chin gently, not letting her escape from his long kiss.

Kagome felt like her body was melting away, and the only thing she could feel was Inuyasha’s mouth against hers. When he ran a claw lightly along the line of her jaw, she shivered. Inuyasha growled softly in his throat in response. He gazed at her from under hooded eyes, then bent his head to her throat, nuzzling her, nipping at her, and kissing her down her neck, across her collarbone, and down to the bra strap on her shoulder. He then worked his way up to her ear, knowing now that she would respond to this stimulus in nearly the same way he did.

Kagome moaned very softly and squirmed a little in Inuyasha’s lap. She felt him growing hard beneath her. Less than an hour ago, she never would have allowed things to go so far, but now…now she wanted him in the way he wanted her. His beauty was too great for her to deny him, or herself. Shyly, Kagome touched the side of Inuyasha’s face.

He raised his head to look at her with that serious, intent expression in his eyes. He did not speak, but ran a claw along the vee that her blouse made. Kagome responded by removing it. The mood came crashing down on Inuyasha as he gazed upon the raw scars he had left across her perfect flat belly.

There were five wide claw marks that began just under her left breast and ended at her right hip. They were angry, red marks and the sight of them brought bile to Inuyasha’s throat and tears to his eyes. Kagome felt him stiffen, heard his gasp of shock and knew why. She turned her head, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

“I know it looks bad now.” Kagome managed to say. “Kaede gave me a salve that she swears will fade them to almost nothing.”

“Kagome, I am so sorry!” Inuyasha cried out as he trapped her in a desperate hug.

Her touch stilled his grief. Her little fist was under his chin, forcing his head up so that she could look at his eyes.

“I know you’re sorry.” Kagome told him. “You don’t have to keep saying it. I’m okay, and soon I’ll be good as new.”

“No.” Inuyasha protested, a strange glint in his slitted eyes. “I have to make it right. Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” Kagome answered firmly.

Inuyasha calmly folded the sleeves back on his right arm, then without warning, he raised his wrist to his mouth and sank his fangs in. Blood welled up around his lips and dripped slowly down his arm. He took his wrist away from his mouth and held the wound just over Kagome’s lips.

“Drink.” He whispered.

The word “vampire” passed through Kagome’s thoughts, but she did as she was asked. Inuyasha’s blood was warm, sweet, and metallic, but the priestess powers in her allowed her to taste the demon in him as well. It was so powerful! She did not suck at the wound, but simply drank what flowed freely into her mouth. Inuyasha’s healing ability closed up the wound fairly quickly, ceasing the stream of blood.

Kagome could still feel the warmth of Inuyasha’s blood as it worked its way into her system. Suddenly, she felt…different. An uncharacteristically wicked smile slowly spread over her face. Her hand firmly on the back of Inuyasha’s neck, she urged him to another kiss. Inuyasha’s eyes widened when Kagome slipped her tongue into his mouth. They went even wider when she slid her free hand into the opening of his haori. Her hand was cool on his skin, and Inuyasha wondered why he’d never known how much her touch affected him. When she brushed a nipple, he growled with pleasure against her mouth. She smiled, the glint in her eyes somehow brighter now.

It was Kagome who took her mouth away, but only to place it on his neck, tasting him the way he had tasted her. She left a trail of fire across his chest wherever her lips landed. Inuyasha placed a hand on Kagome’s stomach. The deep, partially healed scars were gone. He could not hide the child-like wonder that lit his face. His delighted smile was a true window to his emotions.

“You’re tickling me.” Kagome giggled. She glanced at Inuyasha’s hand. “What…they’re gone? Inuyasha, what’s happened to the scars?”

“My blood can heal sometimes.” Inuyasha told her. “There’s a whole bunch of reasons why most of the time it won’t work. I had my fingers crossed.”

“Inuyasha,” Kagome said in a teasing voice, “you are going to tell me where you learned that.”

“No,” Inuyasha said, the sternness in his tone, insincere, “I’m not. Not yet, anyway.”

Kagome’s eyes narrowed, but the gleam Inuyasha had seen before was back. Before he could react, Kagome rolled out of his lap and shoved him onto his back.

“Kagome, what…” Inuyasha spluttered, trying half-heartedly to sit up.

“Shut up, Inuyasha.” Kagome ordered as she held him down. “If you’re not going to tell me anything, just shut up.”

With that, Kagome took up where she had left off, licking and kissing the trapped hanyou’s neck and shoulders. Inuyasha buried his hands in Kagome’s thick black hair, his head thrown back in pure gratification. Kagome found her way to Inuyasha’s nipples, catching one in her teeth, while she rolled the other gently between her fingers. Inuyasha took in a sharp breath, letting it out as a soft growl. Kagome licked and sucked on his nipples until Inuyasha’s erection was so hard it hurt.

Kagome moved down Inuyasha’s body, her hands and mouth roaming his skin in complete abandon, but she did have a destination in mind. She undid the ties of his hakama, and pushed the sleek material down his hips, exposing his straining member. When she wrapped her cool fingers around his root, Inuyasha’s growl of excitement was low, deep, and long. He folded Kagome into his arms, his kiss demanding and insistent. He noticed that she didn’t let go of him, and pulled away from his kiss. Inuyasha caught her before she put her mouth back on his torso.

“Kagome.” Inuyasha said sternly. “You’re reacting to my blood. Are you sure you want to continue? I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop if this goes on much longer.”

He could see her disappointment.

“Don’t you want this?” Kagome asked. “I thought…”

“Yes!” Inuyasha exclaimed, pulling Kagome to him once more. “I simply wanted to make certain it is you that wants this, not what my demon blood has made you think.”

Kagome took a moment to search her feelings.

“Yes, Inuyasha.” Kagome said at last. “I’m positive. We’ve been together for two years, and I don’t love anyone but you. I’m not a young girl anymore, I’m a woman. My body’s changed, and it’s telling me that I’ve wanted this, long before today.”

Inuyasha answered her with another kiss, and by trying to remove the undergarment she called a bra. He could feel Kagome grin as she finally let go of his member so that she could unhook the mysterious fastening for him. As he undressed her, she did likewise. Inuyasha found it amusing that he was spending almost no time at all in his new clothing.

Her breasts were proud, pale in color, but for the nipples which were tinted like very strong tea. In one deft motion, Inuyasha sat up, and turned Kagome so that she was on her back, looking up at him expectantly. He explored Kagome’s body with his hands first, making his caress so gentle that Kagome hardly knew him. The look on his face was so caring, so full of love, that she almost felt the urge to weep. Almost. Inuyasha began to suckle her gently, erasing any thoughts of tears.

His erection was just out of her reach, so with one hand, Kagome stroked the lean muscles of his flank and back, while the other rested in his hair, now undone from it’s binding. Inuyasha involuntarily rocked his hips forward when that hand began to fondle his ears. He growled again, the sound almost like the purr of a great cat, and he began to trace lazy patterns down Kagome’s belly with his tongue. She was wearing red hakama, and as she had done, he undid the ties, sliding the priestess’ garb off of her body. Kagome hooked a thumb under the band of her panties. Inuyasha smiled at her, and she took them off.

Inuyasha eyed Kagome’s body hungrily – she was so beautiful! He’d never wanted her as badly as he did at that moment, and he pondered Sesshoumaru’s question. “Will she be your mate?”

There was a scent in the air, delicate and musky, guiding Inuyasha’s nose to the black fur between Kagome’s legs. Even as he bent his head to explore further, Kagome nudged and pulled at his legs until each knee was on either side of her head. Inuyasha bucked again when Kagome’s warm, wet tongue touched his balls. Turnabout being fair play, he gently spread open the lips of her womanhood and ran his tongue down the folds within.

Kagome shuddered and gasped, then paid him back by licking the length of his erection, pausing at the head and pushing her tongue into the opening of the tiny slit. It spoke much of Sesshoumaru’s training that Inuyasha did not explode right then. He let his tongue go wild instead, licking and sucking the hard button of her clitoris, and driving it deep into her. Kagome’s head snapped back as if she had no control, and her breathing grew ragged. Inuyasha held his smile. He was driving Kagome to an orgasm so that her first penetration would not be so painful. It didn’t take long to manipulate his lover’s body into a climax. Her drawn out moan was possibly the most endearing thing he’d ever heard, and he changed position so that he could see her face.

Kagome’s head was thrown back, and her spine was arched. Her lips were parted and there was a slight flush in her cheeks. Her eyelids were closed, giving her the expression of pure bliss. Inuyasha thought that she’d never been lovelier. Inuyasha kissed her then, communicating all of his passion and love for her through the contact. Kagome hummed against his mouth, still riding the subsiding waves of the pleasure he’d given her. It was a long moment before Inuyasha broke the kiss, wanting to see his beautiful miko.

“There’s more, isn’t there?” Kagome asked, suddenly innocent in Inuyasha’s eyes.

“Oh yes.” Inuyasha replied, positioning himself over her.

“Not like that, not yet.” Kagome said, sitting up before Inuyasha, who had settled on his knees. “I want to taste you too.”

Again it was a credit to what Inuyasha had learned from his brother that he did not spill his seed. Kagome’s mouth was hot and deliciously wet, her lips soft, and her teeth hard. His eyelids lowered until all that he saw was Kagome’s lips wrapped around his demonhood. Kagome couldn’t take all of him into her mouth, so she closed one small hand around him as well. She slowly began sucking on him, letting her hand become an echo of what her mouth was doing. Kagome had never done something like this, had not even imagined it, but she worked on Inuyasha on instinct. His excited growl was getting louder, and his fingers tightened in her hair.

Kagome sank down on him one more time, then slid off completely. Inuyasha’s eyes snapped open.

“Ready?” Kagome asked, lying back down on the floor.

Inuyasha positioned himself over Kagome once again, and placed his throbbing erection to the lips of her sex. The velvet of her fur met the velvety head of his member, and he shivered. He studied her face intently as he slowly, gently, pushed himself in a little way. He rocked back, then forward again, going slightly farther this time. He repeated his actions, and within a minute or so had sunk in a good way. Suddenly he could smell her blood through the musk that she exuded. There wasn’t a sign of pain anywhere in her expression, or in her voice. Relief came flooding through him, and he ventured deeper, sighing as her warmth enveloped him.

Inuyasha rocked his hips, working Kagome with a lazy rhythm that started out at a languid pace. He held his full weight from her, but was close enough that he could kiss, lick, nip, and nuzzle her. Kagome rocked her hips too, meeting his strokes and urging him to pick up speed. He answered with a soft growl and the quickening of his rhythm. His lover panted beneath him, lost to the pleasure she’d denied herself for so long. Inuyasha was truly her love…

Inuyasha wasn’t going to be able to hold his orgasm back for much longer. He could feel Kagome’s muscles tighten across her belly, and the muscles inside of her begin to twitch. He wasn’t prepared for her orgasm. Her sharp cry of pleasure was his only warning. Kagome’s muscles gripped him so hard he actually saw flashes of white across his vision. The sound he issued then was closer to a howl than the other noises he’d made up until that moment. He gathered Kagome into his arms as if he couldn’t get close enough to her. As she twitched violently around his demonhood, he rolled them over without disengaging so that Kagome sat atop him, feeling him pulse his seed deep within her. She laid her cheek against his and sighed that breathy sound that Inuyasha had come to love.

“That was beautiful.” Kagome whispered. “I never knew I could feel love like that.”

“You’re beautiful.” Inuyasha told her, holding her soft brown eyes with his golden ones. “I’m very happy that you let me love you like that. I hope you’ll let me love you again.”

“What?” Kagome exclaimed with mock severity. “Right now?”

“Anytime you need it, I will love you.” Inuyasha promised. “Anyway you need it.”

Kagome blushed.

“I know you love me.” Kagome returned. “You wouldn’t have done all of this for yourself.”

“That’s true,” Inuyasha admitted, “I probably wouldn’t. However, now that I have, I’m glad I did. I needed to grow up a little.”

“What?” Kagome asked in surprise.

“Don’t pretend not to agree just to spare my ego.” Inuyasha answered. “You know as well as I do that I’m only being honest. Besides, I really needed another way to control my demon blood.

“Look, Kagome,” Inuyasha continued, “I’ve learned so much while I was away, but most of all, I learned that there’s more to learn.”

“But who taught you?!” Kagome shouted.

Inuyasha shook his head and grinned.

“Maybe after the next set of lessons, I’ll tell you.” He teased, hugging her to still her protests. “We won’t get to stay here too often. There’s still shards to find, but I’d like it if you stayed with me whenever we do.”

“Sure,” Kagome agreed, “but can we do it on the sleeping pallet next time? I think I stuck to the floorboards at one point.”

He was walking toward the sleeping area with his precious miko in his arms before he realized she was laughing.

“It was a joke!” Kagome chuckled. “Oh Inuyasha, I love you.”

“I love you, Kagome.” He replied with a warm smile. “I’m sorry it took me so long to say it.”

“Don’t be sorry.” She admonished. “I heard you say it every time you protected me, carried me, cared for me, and looked at me. Just don’t make me wait very long to hear it again.”

“Do you want me to speak, or should I just wag my tail?” Inuyasha asked with a grin.

“Both.” Came the laughing reply.

Inuyasha was going to have to thank Sesshoumaru again for all he had done for the hanyou. He had learned his lessons so well that Kagome took the enchanted beads from around his neck that very evening at dinner. Perversely, she put them around her own neck instead of giving them back to Kaede.

Sango hadn’t spoken much during dinner, but complimented Inuyasha on his clothing, his manners, and things in general. Shippo was still a little awestruck, and wondered why his old bully hadn’t stolen his food. Kagome went off to the hot spring, and took Shippo with her. Sango called out that she would soon follow. Facing Inuyasha squarely, the demon slayer spoke her mind.

“I know where you went to learn.” Sango said out of Miroku’s hearing. “You’ve picked up many of his mannerisms.”

“His?” Inuyasha asked innocently. “I don’t know whom you mean.”

“What made Sesshoumaru help you?” Sango questioned him.

“I couldn’t say.” He replied, compelled to answer her honestly now. “I don’t need to ask you to keep it to yourself for a while longer, do I? I’ll tell Kagome eventually, I promise.”

“You’ve made yourself greater.” Sango said. “You should be proud.”

“I am.” The hanyou said softly.

Satisfied, Sango followed Kagome to the hot springs, leaving Inuyasha alone in the house with Miroku. The monk came into the common room wearing his customary smirking grin.

“I never imagined that a half-demon could be so vocal.” Miroku said without preamble.

The color rose to Inuyasha’s cheeks despite his effort to quell it.

“Sorry.” He said shortly.

“Didn’t Sango mention how embarrassed she was?” The houshi inquired. “No? Well, I suppose she’d hold her tongue, wouldn’t she?”

“I’ll try to be quieter.” Inuyasha growled.

“Oh no,” Miroku insisted, “please, make as much noise as you like. I think it turned her on.”

“Miroku!” Inuyasha shouted, embarrassed and outraged. “That’s just not right!”

The perverted monk was laughing at Inuyasha’s extreme discomfort.

“I’m kidding.” The houshi chortled. “Sango and Shippo went back to the hut to collect their belongings. They didn’t hear a thing.”

“But you did.” The hanyou remarked sullenly, his ears flat against his head.

“Not as much as I led you to believe.” Miroku confessed, patting Inuyasha’s shoulder. “Besides, listening does nothing for me. It’s also rude, even if someone is howling in the house.”

“I am sorry.” Inuyasha repeated.

“Don’t be.” Miroku returned. “I told you that you deserve love. I told you the truth, and I’m glad you and Kagome have finally settled matters between you. I think you’ll both be much happier now. Whatever you did in the time that you were gone, it has opened up a whole new experience for you.”

“Shippo bows and me and Sango says I’ve made myself greater than I was.” Inuyasha said quietly. “I didn’t want to intimidate my friends. I only wanted to reign in my demon side once and for all. I also wanted to please Kagome.”

“Shippo bows because he respects you.” Miroku offered. “He is only a cub and perhaps he wants a youkai lord to serve.”

“I’m not…” Inuyasha started to say.

“But you carry yourself like one.” Miroku said, cutting off the hanyou. “You speak like one, hold yourself a little in reserve too. Inuyasha, you’re standing straighter, and speaking more eloquently than I thought you able. Sango’s right. You have made yourself into something greater than you once were.”

“Thanks for noticing.” Inuyasha said. “You’d just better not start bowing too. I need friends, not retainers.”

“You have friends.” Miroku assured him. “Even before you knew it or accepted them, you had them.”

The monk patted his shoulder once more, then headed toward his room, leaving Inuyasha to himself.

Inuyasha also retired to his room to wait for Kagome, his head so full of thoughts he almost couldn’t stand it. He knelt before the small shrine that honored his mother and father. Lighting several sticks of incense, he bowed his head.

“Thank you, mother, for teaching me to accept my human side, even if it took me over a hundred years to remember.” Inuyasha said softly. “Father, thank you for leaving me a brother I could learn to love. I finally have a family and that is the only thing I could never have asked for. I never understood what family meant until now.”


The End….