Convergence

“Kagome can we go outside?” he asked. She agreed. He jumped up into the tree with her in his arms. He buried his face in her neck and breathed in her scent. He was relieved to be away from the other sights and smells. When he relaxed, he noticed that Kagome smelled different, but in a pleasing way. It took him a moment to realize what it meant.

“InuYasha, what was wrong today, besides Hojo being there?” she asked. “And don’t say nothing, because I could tell.”

“I don’t like those girls.” he told her.

“Why not?” she asked.

“They all smell so strong, it made me sick and one of them wanted Hojo and another me.” he told her, hoping she wouldn’t get mad at him.

“Which one?” she asked.

“Which one what?” he replied.

“Don’t play dumb dog boy. Which one wanted you?” she asked.

“The one with the shortest hair. I think you called her Eri.” he said.

“I’ll kill her.” Kagome said.

InuYasha laughed. “Do I need to get you a subduing necklace?” he teased.

“That’s not funny. She is supposed to be my friend.” Kagome said. “But I guess I can’t blame her. You are pretty cute.”

“Keh.” he scoffed. “I’m not cute.”

“Sexy then.” she said, raising her eyebrow at him.

“That’s more like it.” He growled, kissing her neck. It reminded him that he had something to tell her. “Kagome?”

“Nani?” she asked.

“I don’t want to upset you, but I have something to tell you.” he said.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I know we haven’t talked about it, but you are having my pup.” he told her. “You can sit me if you want, just let me get us down, so you don’t fall too.”

“You mean I’m pregnant?” she asked. He nodded. “And you are sure?”

“The night I marked you was a full moon. I didn’t know it then, but the full moon is the only night I can conceive a hanyou pup.” He told her. “I’m sorry.”

“InuYasha, do you not want this with me?” she asked.

“I just thought it would be later, after Naraku was gone, but now that it has happened I realize that I do want us to have a pup.” He told her. “To be a family. Are you upset?”

“Why would I be?” she asked. “It is sooner than I had expected, but I knew there was a chance this could happen when we were together. I love you and I am happy to be having your baby.”

“Here.” he said handing her a small box. “Happy birthday.”

Kagome opened it and unfolded the cloth. Inside was a pendant on a fine gold chain. It was a heart shaped amber stone, exactly the color of InuYasha’s eyes. “It’s beautiful.” she said.

“It was my mother’s.” he told her.

Kagome looked at it again. She was sure it had been a gift to his mother, from his father. She hugged him “Thank you, for trusting me with this. I know how much it must mean to you.”

He kissed her. He knew she would understand. That she would know how special his gift had been.

“I’ll go and tell mama, and then I’ll call you, and you can come up to my room.” she said.

“Your room?” he asked. He had been sleeping in the sacred tree, when he was able to sleep at all, without her.

She smiled. “You don’t want to?” she asked.

“Did I say that wench?” he growled and he started kissing her neck.

Kagome laughed and pulled away. “The sooner you help me down, the sooner we can pick this up in my room.” she told him.

With that he jumped down. Kagome gave him a quick kiss and went inside. Her mother was doing the dished from the party. She turned to face Kagome. “Is there something the matter?” Asami asked.

“Mama, InuYasha and I are going to have a baby.” Kagome told her.

“A baby? Are you sure that’s what you want? Does InuYasha?” she asked. “Is he really ready to be a father?”

“Mama, we didn’t plan this, but we talked about it and we both want this baby very much. He may be rough sometimes, but he has a good heart. I think he’ll be a wonderful father.” Kagome said close to tears. “He may not be able to say how he feels but he shows his love in other ways. I hope you will come to accept this and be happy for us.”

Asami hugged her. “I’m sorry. Of course I can dear. It has just been a lot to take in only a few days, but you and InuYasha better bring my grandchild to visit often.”

“Thank you.” Kagome said. “Goodnight mama.”

“Goodnight dear.” Asami replied.

Kagome went upstairs and was met at her door by InuYasha. He pulled her inside and wrapped his arms around her, in a hug. She heard the door shut behind her. In his arms she felt everything else slip away.”Did you mean it?” he asked.

“What?” she replied.

“All that stuff you said to your mother?” he told her. She nodded.

She went to speak and he captured her lips with his own. He moved to nuzzle her neck and growled softly. “Too long.” he murmured, against her ear. He picked her up and laid her on the bed.

“Wait.” she said putting her hands out to stop him. Kagome stood up. She pushed his haori and undershirt off. She pulled her own shirt off over her head and unzipped her skirt letting it fall to the floor. Kagome put her arms around his neck. “Now, where were we?”

He kissed her and leaned into her, pushing her onto the bed. She giggled and he growled. Kagome was surprised with his almost painful tenderness. Instead of simply cutting off her under garments as he usually did, he took the time to remove them. She could tell how much he wanted her but that he was denying himself to show her how much he loved her, since the words would not come.

After, they laid facing each other. He gently pushed the hair off her face. “Why me?’ he asked so softly that she barely heard.

“Why not you?” she replied. “I know you can’t see it, but there are so many wonderful things about you, and as hard as you try to hide them, you can’t hide them from me.”

“Keh.” he said, not trusting himself to speak.

“InuYasha, whenever you are ready to stop hiding, I’ll be here waiting.” she told him. “Until then, know that I love you.” She kissed him softly.

Say it, Baka. She knows. I don’t need to say it. You know she loves you, but you still like to hear it. He argued with himself. She sees you, really sees you, and loves you with all your faults. How many people have done that? I will tell her, one day...

He looked at her and noticed that she was asleep. “I will tell you.” he whispered. He kissed her lightly on the forehead.

“InuYasha.” she mumbled. “Don’t leave.”

He held her more tightly. “Never.” he whispered.

Kagome woke the next morning and found herself looking into two sparkling amber pools. “About time you woke up.” InuYasha teased.

“You could have gotten up.” Kagome replied.

“Keh.” he grunted.

Kagome rolled her eyes. She was happy to have found him still beside her. She got out of bed and walked to her closet. She heard a low, familiar growl coming from InuYasha. She turned to find him staring at her. Faster than she would have thought possible, he came to her and pulled her into his arms. He started kissing her neck and shoulder. She gasped as one hand made its way down her back and cupped her bottom.

“InuYasha stop.” she said weakly. “We have to get dressed. I need to go to the store before we leave.”

He whined softly. “Mine.” he growled.

“I guess we can do without Ramen for a while.” she said in reply.

He stopped kissing her and groaned. “Get dressed wench.” he told her.

Kagome laughed. She put on her robe and took her clothes down the hall to the shower. When she went downstairs, InuYasha was sitting at the table eating.

“Good morning dear.” Asami said. “I was just about to leave. InuYasha has the money for your supplies, and you might consider getting some vitamins as well.”

“Thank you mama.” Kagome replied. Her mother hugged her and left.

They went to the store and bought plenty of ramen, pocky for Shippou, some more medical supplies, and vitamins for Kagome. Kagome packed her bag and they went to the well.

“InuYasha, when are we going to tell the others?” she asked. He shrugged. “I liked waking up beside you and if they knew, you could sleep beside me all the time.”

“Shippou knows.” he offered.

“All right.” she sighed. “We won’t say anything yet.”

They made it back to the village and InuYasha took the bag to Kaede’s hut, and Kagome went to find Sango, Miroku and Shippou.

“Oi, Kaede.” InuYasha called.

Kaede came shuffling in. “I see ye have returned.” she said.

“I want you to teach Kagome how to make a barrier, to protect herself.” he told her.

“May I ask ye why?” Kaede said.

“Listen you old hag, how I want to protect my mate and my pup is my business.” he shouted. “Will you do it or not?”

“InuYasha ye have made her your mate?” Kaede asked. “And she is with child?”

“What’s it to you baba?” he asked. “Will you do it?”

“Certainly InuYasha. I will speak to her now. I think it is a wise decision considering her condition.” Kaede said. “Have you spoken to her of what other demons will expect from her?” He shook his head. “Would ye like me to tell her?” He shrugged.

“Kagome welcome back.” Sango said.

“Where is InuYasha?” Miroku asked.

“He took my bag to Kaede’s.” Kagome told them.

Kagome watched as Kaede approached. “Kagome can I have a word with ye?” she asked.

Kagome nodded and followed th elderly Miko. “What is it Kaede?” Kagome asked.

“InuYasha has asked me to teach you to use your spiritual powers to call up a barrier.” Kaede said. “I think it is wise considering your condition.”

“He told you?” she asked.

Kaede nodded. “There are also some things ye must know.” she started. “Ye know that there are many differences in this time and ye own.”

“Of course.” Kagome offered.

“Women in this time are expected to act differently.” Kaede told her. Kagome nodded. “Now that ye have a mate, you are a reflection of him. Youkai males expect and even more strict sense of obedience than human males. If you were to question InuYasha in front of another youkai he would be forced to discipline you or fight for you.”

“Discipline?” Kagome asked.

“They would expect him to beat ye.” Kaede said.

“He would never.” Kagome replied.

“Of course not.” Kaede agreed. “He would have to fight to prove himself worthy of a mate he cannot control.”

“He already has to fight enough on my account.” Kagome said. “Is there anything else?”

“Perhaps ye should consider changing your dress.” Kaede suggested. “InuYasha would never tell ye, but he hates that others may look upon so much of ye.”

Kagome had never really considered how out of place she looked here. “When can we start my training?” she asked.

“If ye are ready, we can begin today.” Kaede replied.

Kagome nodded. “Let me stop by your hut first.” Kagome said.

“I will meet ye near the well.” Kaede told her.

Kagome went inside and opened her bag. She had packed on of her favorite spring dresses, thinking that she might get a chance to wear it for InuYasha. She changed clothes and went to meet Kaede.

InuYasha was up in the Goshinboku. He turned to watch, when he smelled Kagome coming. She stepped out of the trees and his breath caught in his throat. She was wearing something he had never seen her wear before.

Kagome stepped into the sun. A pleasant breeze was blowing across the meadow. She remembered why this dress was her favorite as the wind spread it out around her. She started towards Kaede but stopped when she noticed InuYasha was coming. The dress was a pale blue. It had short sleeves and fell just below her knees. She had always liked that it complemented her figure without being revealing.

“Kagome.” InuYasha said softly.

“Do you like it?” she asked. He nodded. “Kaede said I should consider dressing a little more like the women here. Is this okay?”

“It’s perfect.” he whispered pulling her into a kiss.

He watched her as she went to Kaede. She was still showing a little more than was proper, but not so much so that others would comment about it. He watched her sit cross legged in the grass, eyes closed in meditation. He wondered how long it would take for her to learn what she needed to know to protect herself. He was thinking about that when a familiar scent assaulted him. Damn it. He raced to Kagome’s side.

“InuYasha.” she said. “There are shards coming. At least four of them.”

“It’s that filthy wolf.” he growled.

Kouga appeared out of the cloud of dust and wind that had appeared before them. “Hello dog shit. Move so I can greet my woman.” Kouga said.

“She’s not your fucking woman.” InuYasha growled. ”She’s mine.”

Kouga laughed. “Surely not. Kagome tell him he’s kidding himself.” He tried to look around InuYasha to see her.

Kagome said nothing. InuYasha turned to her. “Why aren’t you saying anything?” he asked.

“Do you want me too?” she replied.

“What did you do to Kagome mutt face? Why is she asking for your permission to speak to me?” Kouga said.

Kaede must have really explained things to her. “Go ahead.” he told her, stepping aside.

“Kouga, InuYasha and I are...” she started.

“He marked you.” Kouga yelled. “Kagome I’ll kill him for forcing himself on you.”

InuYasha drew Tetsusaiga but Kagome stepped between them. Kouga couldn’t take his eyes off the glowing sword. “Kouga, he didn’t force me. I love him.” she said softly. “You should leave. I won’t stop him from doing what he feels he must to protect me and our pup.”

“Your pup?” Kouga asked. “And why the hell is sword glowing like that? It looks like it holds the power of a miko.”

“It does.” InuYasha said.

“How?” Kouga asked. “Surely it couldn’t happen between her and a mutt face like you.”

InuYasha put his sword away. “I don’t have any problem killing you, but Kagome wouldn’t like it so get out of here.” he said.

“Very well.” Kouga said. “Here I came to give you these.” he held out two shards to her. “I’m keeping the other two I found until you need them. If dog turd doesn’t take care of you, come find me and my tribe will protect you. That is one lucky mutt. I only hope he realizes it.” With that Kouga left.

“Kagome what did Kaede tell you?” he asked.

“She just explained that it was important for me not to question you in front of others, especially youkai.” she told him. “She told me what they would expect you to do if I did.”

“Kagome I wouldn’t.” he started.

“I know, but if I can make things easier for us I will.” she interrupted. “But don’t get carried away. When we’re alone it is a whole different story. If you try and take advantage of the situation, when we’re alone I’ll say it so many times you won’t be able to get up for a week.”

InuYasha winced. He knew she was serious in her threat. He decided to change the subject. “Did Kaede say how long it would take you to learn to create a barrier?” he asked.

“Not too long, since I only have to make it large enough for myself.” she replied. “Now are you going to tell me about your sword and why I have a better sense of smell?” Kagome was shocked by InuYasha’s explanation. “Are you sure?”

“Myoga said that was what he thought it was and Kouga recognized it too.” InuYasha said. “Now get back to work.”

“I was going to take a break and spend some time alone with you but not now.” she said. “Maybe next time you won’t be in such a hurry to stop talking to me.” She turned and walked away.