#maybe Sesshomaru and Koga don’t have exes for a reason you know

[inukag]

I think calling sesshomaru a racist is a bit of a stretch. Yes that applies to koga but I’d say sesshomaru is classist not racist

Calling people of a certain race “vile creatures” is, in fact, racist.

“But he changed! He developed compassion for humans!” he learned that there’s some humans & hanyo that he can tolerate/respect, and he cares for Rin, but he still sees human lives in general as worthless even at the very end of the series.

(Mind you Rin had already spent some time in that village at that point and Kaede took care of her. The thought that she might care about Kaede and the other people in the village doesn’t even cross his mind so even his care for Rin doesn’t extend very far)

But you’re right he’s classist too, and generally completely incompatible with someone like Kagome Higurashi.

[petri808]

I’ve Been Waiting

@inuvember Day 28 Free Day, final Inuvember posting

He smelled it instantly, a scent so alluring and provocative he had to find its source…  And that’s when he saw her near the bar having a conversation with another man, but not just any man, no from the whiff of it, a yokai.  Inuyasha growls under his breath, “Koga…”  Does she have any idea who she’s talking to?  Nowadays it’s difficult to distinguish the creatures from any other human thanks to the cloaking spells.  He hides in the shadows of the nightclubs many seated areas, watching carefully for any sign or hints, should he make a move?  Why was her scent so attractive to him?  No other woman had turned his attention save one, many, many years ago and this one’s essence was laced with hints of florals and spicier, headier fragrances driving his senses a little mad with lust.  No fashion model by today’s standards, but beautiful nonetheless, with dark, slightly wavy hair and a curvy yet trim figure.  

It becomes obvious the longer he watches, that this girl is just being polite to the other man, friendly, but not flirtatious; they definitely didn’t come here together.  Koga for his part was trying his hardest to gain her trust and affections, he’d move closer, she’d take a step back.  He’d reach out and stroke her arm, she’s kindly brush it away.  Inuyasha grins, ‘loser wolf runt…’  But the true test for this girl and his ultimate decision; will she detect his aura, for only an intended mate is born with that ability.  Releasing his glamor in a brief, 5 second pulse; he watches and waits.  She stops talking for a moment as if something caught her attention, then continues in her conversation.  He turns it off again, but longer, 30 seconds.  Now her head swivels and looks through the crowd of clubgoers; she had felt him for sure.  Inuyasha grins again.             

Shaking off that strange sensation, the girl takes a sip of her drink and he sees her eyes scanning the room; is she looking for a way out?  Could the girl be tired of the conversation and advances?  Maybe more interested in the buzzing feeling she had just felt?  She puts the now empty glass on the counter and shifts her purse on her shoulder shaking her head.  He wishes the music wasn’t so damn loud to hear what they were saying.  Koga again tries to take her hand but this time she pushes it away with more force; it’s time to act.

Letting out a low, reverberating growl, Koga’s ears twitch and his body language stiffens just a tad.  He heard the rival male loud and clear but chooses to ignore it; the prize in his mind was too great to just walk away from.  Koga grabs the girls arm, this time with the intention of getting her out of the club.  ‘What the fuck does that punk think he’s doing!’  She’s about the scream when another male quickly walks up and seizes Koga’s hand, forcefully removing it from her arm, before pushing her behind him.  “No means no Koga,” the man with the silvery mane growls.  “The girls not interested in you.”

“And what make you think she’d prefer you, Inuyasha?”  the first male growls back.  “I saw this one first!”

Inuyasha smirks, “I just know.  Now, do you really wanna challenge me, you lowly mutt or must I remind you where your place is?”

Koga turns his head and crosses his arms, “Tch, no.”

“Then get the hell out of my face.”

Watching the wolf yokai skulk away, Inuyasha beams.  In the old days, this would have easily led to a physical confrontation but with age comes maturity and when his brother Sesshomaru was killed in a battle a few years ago, he was forced to continue the line of Inu no Taisho’s; from father to son, brother to brother.  Despite only being half yokai, his strength and fighting abilities gained him much respect from their underground world, and he swiftly made sure those around him stayed that way; as long as they behaved, he would leave them alone.

Someone taps his shoulder lightly, “Excuse me?” the meek voice brings him back to the reason he was standing there in the first place; turning to look at the girl.  “Um, thank you for fending that guy off.”

“It was no trouble, miss?”

“Kagome.”  Her eyes fall on his unusually golden hued orbits, drift over the long white hair running down his back.  He was taller by maybe a foot, lean and toned with an athletic body.  Maybe a couple years older, she thinks to herself, ‘definitely handsome…’  

He smiles, mesmerizing her further, “Would you like another drink Kagome?”  When she nods, Inuyasha orders from the bartender, then leads her to a booth to sit down where a waitress brings it to them.  She sips the colorful elixir as she watches the stranger.  “That guy won’t be bothering you ever again.”

“That’s good…”    

“What brought you to the club tonight?”

“I was supposed to meet my friend, but she ditched me for a guy.  I keep telling her to leave that pervert alone, but eh,” she shrugs her shoulders, “what are you gonna do when you’re so smitten over a guy.”

“Doesn’t sound like you like him very much.”

“He’s actually a nice guy, and I don’t think he’d ever cheat on her, but it doesn’t stop him from checking out other girls.  Anyways,” she takes the last gulp of her drink, “I guess I’ll just go home.  Thank you again Mr?”

“Inuyasha.”

“Thank you Inuyasha.”  Kagome stands up and scoots out of the booth, but the moment her back is to him he releases the glamor spell.  She stops dead in her tracks, that strange feeling had returned and stronger than before.  Wherever it was coming from was so close her hair stands on end like currents of energy are flooding her system.  He turns the spell back on, but the sensation lingers.  Slowly she turns around, “I-Is that you?” she stammers.  “Are you doing that?”

“You felt that huh?” he grins.  “That means something very special.”

“Special?”

“There’s only one person in this world who can sense my aura, and that person is meant to be my mate.”

She drops back into the booth staring at the stranger like he’s gone crazy.  What the hell is he talking about, mate?  I mean, who uses that word anymore?  Okay sure, the pull she had felt from him was undeniable, almost as if she couldn’t resist it.  But life doesn’t work this way, right?  Humans were free to chose whom they wish to settle down with, not some mystical force of nature.  As far as this girl was concerned, no one would tell her what she was or what she could or couldn’t do!  “I beg your pardon?  Am I supposed to fall into your arms and tell you I’m all yours?!  Sorry buddy but I don’t care what that feeling was, I don’t know you, and I don’t let anyone control me.”

‘Oh, this chick is feisty!’  “Think what you will Kagome, you can’t deny the attraction, but fine, let’s start over and get better acquainted.”

“What are you anyway?”

Inuyasha leans forward with his hands propping up his chin boring into her big brown eyes, “Do you really wanna know?”

His piercing amber gaze stuns her momentarily, Kagome pauses and blinks her eyes, does she?  ‘God, his eyes are so stunning…’  “Y-yeah…” she stammers out from her stupor.

He takes her hand, “Then dance with me.”

“Huh?” tilting her head in confusion.  “You, wanna dance, now?”

“Why not?” he grins and pulls her from the booth.  “It’s one way to get to know one another.”  

“But my purse…” she grabs it from the chair.  

Chuckling, “Come on Kagome.” He leads her towards the bar.

Once they reach it, he waves over another male with orange, brownish colored hair.  “Shippo, could she leave her purse back here while we dance.” Inuyasha takes the bag and sets it on the counter.

“Sure Yash.” The man places it near the register.  “I’ll keep an eye on it.  Hey, you know, she looks a lot like your ex.”

Kagome’s eyebrow raises, and he can just tell she didn’t like the sound of that.  “Keh, mind your business runt.” He snaps at the man behind the counter.  “She’s nothing like her and that’s ancient history.”

Pulling Kagome away before Shippo can make any other comments, Inuyasha walks her to the dance floor, but if he thinks she’s just gonna let a remark like that one slide he had another thing coming.  “So…” as they settle into the slower song that’s playing, she allows him to lead for now and even smiles sweetly, but the tone in her voice grows sarcastic.  “…Who’s your ex?  What happened to the ‘I’m meant to be your mate,’ this is something special bullshit?” she batts her eyes at him.  “Or is that a line you use on all the girls?”    

There is a rumble in his chest that she swears could have been a growl he was trying to suppress, and the grip on her waist tightens.  “I’ve never used it on any girl before and the ex, Shippo is talking about was a very, very long time ago.”

“Oh really?  How long ago?”  

“Look, wench, I don’t wanna talk about it.”

‘Wench?!’  Again, she smiles, but through the honeyed disdain dripping from her words, it’s clear she’s not gonna drop it.  “But why?  She’s an ex, right?  Nothing I need to worry about.  It’s not like you’re gonna ditch me for her at any moment, or would you?”

This was not how he had envisioned the night progressing.  First off, she hadn’t easily succumbed to his force regardless of how strongly she had been attracted to it, and now the dance meant to help them relax, was ruined by his friend’s big mouth.  The songs pace shifts into a faster one but he’s not in the mood to continue.  He knows she’s the one he has been waiting all these years for, but how is he going to turn this around?  Inuyasha sighs, so much for the dancing…  “She’s dead.” He states bluntly, “Happy now?” and walks away from the dance floor leaving the stunned girl behind.  

Kagome can’t even move as she watches him sulk back to the bar and plop onto a stool.  She hadn’t meant to piss him off, hell she didn’t even understand what made her so irritated in the first place.  What did it matter if this man had an ex-girlfriend, she’s had her share of ex’s, but she just couldn’t stop the jealous feelings from bubbling to the surface.  ‘Damn, I feel like such a witch!’  The agony sinking in her heart for inflicting that kind of pain on the man, someone whose only been nice to her up till now, only grows when she sees him knock back a double shot and hang his head.  She needs to do something about it, she can’t, leave him like that…

“Inuyasha?”  she puts her hand on his arm, “I-I’m so sorry…” and leans her cheek on his back.  “I don’t know what came over me…” her voice barely a whisper.  She can feel the muscles of his back twitch against her skin as he exhales deeply.  “Please forgive me, Inuyasha, just the mention of an ex made me so jealous, and I can’t even explain why.”

He puts his hand over hers and lets out a deep breath, “I’m not angry at you, Kagome…  It just, brought back feelings I’d rather stay buried along with her.”  Swiveling the chair to face her he can see the moisture in her eyes.  Cupping her cheek, “Shippo was right, you do look like her.” His eyes grow teary, “she was supposed to be my mate, but was killed by another person who was also in love with her.”  

A few tears trickle down Kagome’s cheek, she can’t even imagine what it would be like to be in love with someone only to have them ripped away like that.  “That’s, so sad…” Inuyasha wipes away the liquid.  “I don’t think I could survive after something like that...”

He smiles, “It wasn’t easy…  Friends like Shippo here helped me through it, and a prophecy, I guess you could call it.”

“Prophecy?”

“I was told, that another would come along eventually…” he chuckles lightly, “though I didn’t realize it would take this long.”

“How long did you have to wait?”

“I, can’t talk about this anymore, in public…”  Before she can respond he turns and flags his friend down, “Shippo, I need to use your office.”

“Hey, no funny business in there!”

“It’s not for that!” Inuyasha yells back, “I just need to tell her the truth…”

“Oh…” the other man’s eyes widen, “You’re serious about this one?!”

“Keh, when am I not serious?”

“Good point.  Well you know where it is,” Shippo walks away waving his hand, “it’s unlocked.”

Through the kitchen in the back of the establishment, is the owner’s office; a small space with a desk and love seat, along with other typical office furniture.  As soon as the walk in, Kagome is a little surprised at the number of toys strewn around the room.  Inuyasha notices her roaming eyes and laughs, “Yeah, I guess you could say, Shippo is still a big kid at heart.”  He sits her down on the love seat that has a beautiful pelt throw blanket.

“This is gorgeous…” she runs her hands over it.  “And so soft.”

“It was his fathers.”

Inuyasha settles next to her, “Alright I promised to tell you what I really am.”  Kagome changes her attention from the pelt to the man sitting next to her but for the first time since they’ve met he appears nervous.  Hoping to relax him, she smiles sweetly, her eyes soften, and she takes hold of his hand to stop it’s fidgeting.  “It’s been a long time since I’ve told a human this, but, I’m an inu hanyo.”

Her eyes widen from the confession.  ‘Dog Demon?!’  “Yo-you’re a dog demon?”

“Well, half demon…” he turns off the glamor again and her hand flies up to her mouth.  Sitting before her, a few features change right in front of her eyes.  He’s still the silver haired, golden eyed man she met, but instead of human ears, fluffy canine ones appear on his head.  She stares at the hand she is holding; the nails are claw like now, and his teeth… his incisors are longer, they look like fangs!  The electric sensation has returned, and her heart starts to beat faster.  Most people’s reactions would be shock; and he had braced himself for the worst one, which was fear, but he definitely didn’t expect the one that came from this girl; giggles!

“Oh my God, those are so adorable!” she squeals and reaches up to rub his ears, “and soft!” giggling even more.  “You are definitely cuter like this!” she remarks as she rubs little circles on the fluffy appendages.  Normally Inuyasha absolutely hated when anyone touched his ears, but this girl was another story.  It wasn’t just the fact that he was attracted to her, and apparently, she to him, but the way she was massaging them was so… arousing.  His eyes begin rolling back and his slightly closed lids flutter the longer she fondles and plays with them.  Her heart soars as sensual rumbling noises resonate from the man, almost like a purring sound.  If he had his way, he’d let her keep going for as long as she wanted to, but he needed to continue.

He gently stops her hands and brings them back to her lap.  “That feels…  really good…” he stifles the groan that wanted to accentuate that point, “but I need to tell you more.”

“Okay…” she settles down.  

“How old do you think I am, Kagome?”

“Hmm.  Maybe a couple years older than me… like 25.”

“I’m almost 700 years old.”

Her jaw drops.  “B-but you look so young!”

“We age, very, very slowly.”

“Are there others like you?”

“There are other hanyo’s and yokai’s around.  Shippo, the owner of this place, he’s a fox yokai.  That guy earlier, he’s a wolf yokai.”

“Wow…  How do you guys survive for so long, I mean like how do you not go crazy as the world around you keep’s changing, and you don’t?”

“Oh,” he sinks against the couches backing, “everyone has their ways of coping.”

Feeling more comfortable, Kagome leans against Inuyasha who happily puts his arm around her shoulder.  “I can barely imagine it…”

Exhale, “Remember the ex I told you about?”  She simply nods, “She died 500 years ago.”

“Wait!” she looks up at him, “that means you waited…”

He nods and smiles, “500 years for you, that’s what kept me going.”

“Wow…”

A silence develops, as Kagome processes what she’s been told so far.  He’s not lying to her, that she can sense, and there’s no denying the physical attraction…  This stranger…  Her mental faculties are telling her fairytales aren’t real.  Prophecies, mystical auras, fate and destiny…  This is the 21st century!  And yet every fiber of her being is screaming for his touch, crying out that it’s real, it’s all real…  She reaches out to caress his face.  Damn her rational mind, her body wants this more than anything she has ever craved before.  “I don’t wanna fight this pull…” her voice grows wispy, “…I don’t understand it…” breathing out, “…but…  it just feels right…”  

He leans into her hand, “I know it’s sudden… and crazy…” his tone growing raspier, “…and we don’t even know each other, but I promise…” taking her hand, he moves it to plant a kiss on the back of her knuckles, “you were meant for me Kagome and I was meant for you.”  The brush of his lips against her skin was enough to make it all clear to her, maybe soulmates really do exist.

“Inuyasha…”  She pulls his face to hers locking onto his lips and tumbling them backwards against the sofa.  The kisses deepen, hot and moist his tongue invades the confines of her mouth as soft moans tremble from within, sending her core burning with desire.  He trails, nibbling caresses along her jaw and neck, letting his canines scrape lightly against her creamy skin, she shudders from the decadence of electric sensations running along her spine….

“Hey, I thought I said no funny business!”

Kagome shrieks from the surprise intrusion but Inuyasha just growls.  “Damn it Shippo!  You could’a knocked or something!”

“It’s my office Yash, Plus, with your ears you should’a heard me coming!”

The hanyo growls again ready to snap, but Kagome places her hand on his chest.  “Let’s just go, please?”

He looks down at the girl beneath him, her big brown eyes still full of passion.  Sigh, “my driver is out back waiting.”  Helping her to her feet, he levels his gaze at his friend.  “You are such a dick!”

But the fox yokai just laughs, “I learned from the master.  Now just take the girl home will ya, you can do whatever the hell you want when you get there.”

“I swear, your damn mouth is…”

“Come on, Inuyasha…” Kagome tugs at his arm, “let’s just go.”

“It was nice meeting you Kagome.”  Shippo smiles.  “I’m sure I’ll see you again.”

“Like wise…” she waves, pulling her hanyo out of the office.  “So, where’s your car?”

“Outback…” still irritated with his friend, he continues to grumble, “he can be so…”

She stops Inuyasha just before he can open the backdoor and pushes him against it, “You’re killing the mood…”  Peering up at the man, “Now is that what you want?”  

Sigh, “No.”

“Good…” gripping onto the front of his waistband, “…because I’d like to continue what we started…”

Inuyasha blinks hard, ‘Wow!’  He picks her up and rushes out the door, practically shoving her into the backseat as she giggles the whole way.  “Home.” He shouts at his driver.    

~~~xx~~~

As the last box is taped shut, she surveys the room for the final time, she’s gonna miss this apartment.  So proud she was the day she signed the rental agreement because it was the first place she could afford on her own, that it held a bit of nostalgia.  One of the movers he had hired for her takes the box to load into the moving van.  ‘That’s everything…’  He had promised to sweep her off her feet, and that he had, so smoothly that only six months after meeting, she was moving in with him with a wedding already in the works.  

“Ready to go?”  A pair of arms weave around her waist, and Inuyasha kisses the top of her head.  

She sighs and tilts her head to look up.  “I believe so, I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything.”

“Are you sure babe, I don’t want you to feel like I’m forcing you…”

“No,” she turns around and cups his cheek, “This is what I want to do.”

“I’ll always take care of you, that’s a promise.  You’ll never want for anything ever again.”

“I know,” she smiles and rubs the little bump on her tummy….

Note- A longer version with smut (what happens at his home) will be available soon on my AO3 page. 

[lonestorm]

The Inugami - Chapter 7

Summary: When Kagome Higurashi moved to the bad side of Chicago to help with her grandfather’s restaurant, she expected chaos. Being thrown into a fake gang, caught in the middle of a drug war and grudge that stretches centuries back in time, befriending a grumpy half demon along with a ragtag bunch of three other misfits… wasn’t exactly what she had in mind. High school AU. Inukag. Rating: T (some language)

Pairings: Inukag, Mirsan

Chapters: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6

Shorts: 1. Sesshomaru

**Also on ff.net here.

Within the next two months, Inuyasha had grown to an almost delusional level of paranoia from Naraku’s threats.

For one, he walked each of the Inugami home now (scandalizing Shippo’s foster parents with his barging in and starting a rather heated argument with Sango’s father), checking all of their houses for Spiders, and personally installing locks on windows that had none. (Including Miroku’s fortress of a Buddhist monastery. Honestly, an army couldn't break through that thing.)

What was more, Inuyasha would not let her out of his sight. In the hallway of school, he was no more than an inch away at all times, often putting his arm around her and snarling at any Spider that came close. He walked her home or to work as always, but at her restaurant shifts, he would stay at the counter, order some food, and finish his homework while she worked. He’d then take her to his house to train, or straight to her house, where he’d bid goodbye to her family, pretend to leave, and then crawl up to sleep on the small balcony outside her window. Kagome had insisted that this was extremely unnecessary, but he’d not listened to a word.

An entirely new problem had arisen as well, and it left Kagome especially bewildered and disoriented. For a while, she figured she was going crazy, and finally broke down to Sango during study hall.

“Something is wrong with me,” Kagome had groaned, dropping her head into her homework. “I keep seeing pink, glowing light and feeling this sixth sort of sense when some Spiders walk by. Am I finally losing it?”

Sango, much to her relief, didn’t freak out and took her seriously, only bearing a light frown. “Well, I remember Naraku saying you had some sort of spiritual powers, and you did breathe in some Jewel. While it didn’t have the addictive and usual effects… maybe you can sense it now? Because if it’s only some Spiders you get the feeling from, perhaps it’s because they carry Shikon Jewel-a drug with demon energies. If you had spiritual Shinto powers, you could likely sense youkai energy after being exposed to it.”

“This is sounding extremely Blue Exorcist slash Noragami-ish.”

“Anime has nothing to do with it. Maybe you should make Inuyasha dig through the pockets of the next person you see with the pink light?”

Though the idea sounded barbaric, she’d asked him to do so later, and found a small package of drugs in the gang member’s inside pocket. According to Inuyasha, this ability apparently made her “a little Jewel detector,” and he’d added asking her which Spiders to raid to their daily paranoia routine.

This had been his routine ever since they woke up the day after the first fight against Naraku. She remembered, with great warmth in her chest every time, how she’d woken up to his hands squeezing her shoulders, voice deep and husky with sleep. “Wake up, Kagome. I hear your mom making breakfast.”

At this she’d only snuggled into him more and made an incoherent response; during the night, somehow he’d shifted to hold her to his chest rather than the other way around, as they’d began.

“I have to leave,” he went on, whispering.

“Why?” she’d grumbled, unwilling to lose her heated pillow.

“Do you want your mom to find me here? Just because we’re not… like that...” she could almost hear his blush. “Doesn’t mean even a mom as chill as yours won’t jump to the worst conclusion, or be cool with a guy in their daughter’s bed.”

She’d winced. “Kay.”

“Just wanted to let you know… you know. Didn’t wanna be that jerk who leaves and doesn’t say anything. Em. I mean. If that matters to you or…”

Finally, she’d cracked her eyes open, and found a smile at his nervous expression. His white hair and ears had returned. She’d found satisfaction in how the haircut looked equally as good with his black hair and human ears as it did now. “It does. Thank you for waking me. That was thoughtful of you.”

His ‘keh’ had sounded more like watery ‘kuh’. “See you later, Kagome. I’ll stop by the restaurant later… if you’ll be there.”

“Yeah, I will.”

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Keep watching your back, and remember the maneuvers for escaping grip-”

“Yes, Inuyasha.”

“And one hit to the throat can really just bring one crashing down.”

“I know.”

“They just took some more Jewel, so they’ll be stronger and you need to be super careful--just run if you can-”

“Inuyasha,” she’d sighed in exasperation. “I know, okay? It’s about time you went home and tried to make nice with your brother.”

“More like join in the ritual of pretending each other doesn’t exist,” Inuyasha had muttered. “Yeah, okay. And… thanks. For… you know.”

“Yeah, I do.”

From then on, she could tell he’d afterwards felt very embarrassed about all the emotion he’d revealed on that night. She never brought it up to him again, knowing about his fragile human state, and honestly… she didn’t think of him as weaker because of it or something. It had been strange; while knowing how he feels was a bit easier, it had also been… not him. As a half demon, perhaps he was more closed off, and she had to be patient with what he was willing to tell. But that was just how Inuyasha was, and she loved him for it.

They’d also not spoken of that one ‘yeah I almost kissed you’ time. Kagome didn’t know how she felt about that. It would be awkward to talk about, but part of her… really needed to know why the hell he’d been about to kiss her. Or these confusing notions swirling in her hormonal, dumb teenage mind could get far too imaginative. And she really couldn’t afford to get hormonally imaginative about Inuyasha, her best guy friend that she spent most of every day with.

Yes, she told herself she couldn’t afford to. Especially at times like this, when the restaurant was practically empty for the night, Inuyasha was gently frowning and looking down at his English homework, and Kagome couldn’t help but find herself watching the twitch of his ears, the thoughts swirling behind golden eyes, large, scarred hands twirling a pencil. She’d finally admitted to herself that he was attractive… hella attractive… Okay, that she was attracted to him… hella attracted-but that meant nothing! She was a teenage girl that was allowed to have hormones that were separate from her romantic desires.

Without completely thinking about it, Kagome picked up a few homemade, chocolate chip cookies, poured some milk, and put them in front of Inuyasha. He blinked a few times, and then shot a timid smile. “Thanks, Kagome.”

“No problem.” Stifling a yawn, she moved to grab a broom when Inuyasha caught her wrist.

“Hey,” he said, and his voice was softer than usual, like it was every time she got him alone. “You’re looking pretty tired. You don’t wanna be all worn out before our training tonight. Gimme the apron and broom and siddown for a while.”

“N-nah, I’m okay…”

“It wasn’t a question.” Before she could protest, he snatched away her broom and made his way around the counter while putting in his demon-hearing specialized earbuds for music while he worked. Knowing he couldn't be swayed, she gave him her apron with a sigh and headed to the kitchen to pick up her backpack; she’d been avoiding her English and math homework, and she wanted it done to have a free weekend.

Her mother was in the back, loading the dishwasher. “Hi, Mama. Need help?” she asked when she’d gathered her things.

“No, I’m fine here, sweetie.” Her mother closed the washer and began the next load. Kagome leaned up against the sink beside her. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to make Inuyasha all salty by making you work more.” Her mother gave a wink.

Kagome looked away. “Oh, don’t worry about him. He can’t go getting whatever he wants by throwing little tantrums.”

“I suppose. And I doubt I could get him angry like that other boy, Koga.”

Reminded, Kagome gave a grimace. “Ugh, I don’t get why those two can’t just get along. They could be friends if they tried!”

At this, her mother let out a laugh. “Oh sweetheart, really? You don’t know why they don’t get along?”

Letting out a huff, she offered a weak shrug. “Well, I guess they’re both kinda like alpha males. That’s probably it.”

“Perhaps a little,” her mother admitted. “But the main reason is so simple. Inuyasha is jealous, of course. He’s that type of boy.”

“Jealous?” Kagome frowned. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Inuyasha is easily as powerful as Koga, even if he’s only half. Inuyasha’s father was a king among demons, so the half doesn’t really matter… I guess he could be angry about Koga calling him a ‘mutt’ or ‘halfbreed’ all the time.”

“Not jealous about power,” her mother scoffed. “About you.”

Kagome blinked, and then shakily pointed to herself. “M-me? What does it have to do with…me?”

“Considering how Koga asked to marry you,” her mother giggled, “I assume he rather fancies you.”

Kagome flushed. “W-well that may be, but he’s not really my type.”

“I can see that. But Inuyasha still doesn’t like competition for you. He reacts most violently when it seems as if Koga is threatening to take you away for his own. It’s a simple concept.”

Comprehension dawned on her: Mother thinks Inuyasha is into me.

“Whoa, whoa!” Kagome squeaked, waving her hands frantically. “No, it’s not like… no! Trust me, there’s no chance he actually… he’s in love with his ex-girlfriend! It’s nothing like that!”

As she said it, the ugly little monster that had been growing around her heart decided to speak up. It’s true. He could never care about you as he cares for her. He’s going to ditch you as soon as he gets Kikyo back. He won’t need you as a friend anymore, or anything else you truly desire to be with him. Why waste his time with you when he could have her? She’s more beautiful, desirable-

Her mother’s teasing voice brought her back to reality. “Well, I certainly don’t see him devotedly protecting her, taking care of her, spending all his time with her-”

“That’s because she’s trapped in a bad situation and he can only help from the sidelines! I’m trying to help him… get her back…” she trailed off, the nausea swirling in the pit of her stomach. Right. She’d help him get Kikyo back… and then Inuyasha would have no more use for her.

That’s right, the monster encouraged. Wouldn’t it just be easier if Kikyo wasn’t in the picture? She doesn’t deserve his love anyway-

Kagome put a halt to her mind right there. I can’t believe I thought something like that! I’m the terrible, undeserving one, for thinking such horrible things!

“-gome? Kagome, are you alright, dear?”

Slowly, she nodded.

The world seemed to right itself as her mother wrapped her in a hug. “I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to upset you. I remember how hard it is to be in love.”

“M-me? In… huh?”

“Well, do you deny that you’re in love with him? Inuyasha?”

Her face felt especially hot at the mere idea that she was discussing this with her mother. She opened her mouth to outright deny such a silly notion, but found that words would not come out. Why wouldn’t they? It was a simple thing to say. I’m not in love with him.

Yet, thinking such a thing only sounded like someone hiding on a cloudless, summer day, covering their eyes and screaming that the sun didn’t exist.

So instead, her heart clenched, she looked down, and remained silent.

Mother may have said something, but Kagome was too consumed in her mind that was overwhelmed with a tsunami of acceptance. She had always been open to love, but perhaps her subconscious had been protecting her in denial, because…

Loving him would be internal suicide.

Yet, now it was flooding her, all the pent up longing and joy that splintered her bones. Flashes of his smile, laugh, the safety of his arms, the admittance that she never wanted to wake up and see another on the other side of the bed-

“I’m screwed,” she sighed to her mother.

“I don’t think so,” her mother said, kissing the top of her head and giving a last smile. With a dizzy head and a groan, she swung her backpack over her shoulder and gloomily slumping back. She was hit with it all again when she saw him, white bangs held back by his red bandana that had been made into a sweatband. Inuyasha was leaning down, focused on getting every last crumb into the dustpan. Trying to push her rising emotions downward, Kagome took a determined seat in his vacated spot, where she took out her worksheet.

Indeed, frustration took place of her uncertainty and internal shrieks; everyone else in class had gotten the assignment done within the class, but Kagome had needed to look several words up in her dictionary app. She was perfectly fluent in modern English, but this old English stuff was absolute gibberish, especially when put into a poem and asked to be interpreted.

Muttering words under her breath that too much time around Inuyasha had taught her, she pulled up google translate… “What the world is Eeahmbeek pentahmeeter?”

Inuyasha looked up at her and set his broom aside. “What?”

“Exactly! What! What? What is this?!”

“Chill out, spaz,” he told her, walking around the counter to stand behind her. “What’s the problem?”

“Shakespeare is the problem, Inuyasha. I speak English, but not… this!”

Squinting at the paper, instead of laughing at her, he frowned in something that looked almost close to sympathy. “Oh, yeah. I remember being totally confused when I was learning English. It took a cram crash death threat course from Sesshomarpoo for me to get this stuff… want help?”

She blinked up at him. “Oh. Sure, I guess…”

“Here, this is pronounced ‘iambic pentameter,’” he told her patiently, pointing at the two words in the instructions she’d scribbled down in her notebook above her assigned poem. “It’s the type of rhythm of a sonnet, which is the name of this kind of poem. A line goes like ‘ba-BOOM, ba-BOOM, ba-BOOM, ba-BOOM.’ Like a heartbeat. The structure, like the teacher was asking about here, is fourteen lines, four stanzas. This one has two quatrains, or groupings of four, and two triplets, which are groups of three lines. Sometimes they have different amounts in the stanzas. Like, in his eighteenth, it has three quatrains and one double at the bottom. The So long as men can breathe and eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

“Oh,” she said quietly, impressed with his memory over such things that she didn’t think he’d care about. “Thank you… so I guess I’m also confused on some of these words and references… what is a…” She squinted at the page. “Plaeets? Leerey? And Orpheus? Encompass? Ecstasy?”

“Firstly, it’s called a lyre.” She shot him a glare at his exasperated tone, but he ignored her. Why did I have to fall in love with such an asshole? “It’s an instrument, like those little harps you see cherubs carry in paintings. Plaits are braids. Orpheus is a character in Greek mythology that played such beautiful music that it opened the gates of the underworld itself to try to bring his wife back to life. Encompass basically means to contain, or encircle. Ecstasy is a really intense, good feeling, and also a name of a drug, so if someone asks if you want some, you should say no despite the first definition.”

The weight of all the homework confusion lifted from her shoulders. “I see. Thank you very much, Inuyasha. It’s sweet of you to explain. You sure know a lot about literature, for a half-demon hoodlum.”

“W-well don’t go gettin’ used to it.” Oh, it was so easy to make him blush. “An’ I’m not a hoodlum! For your info, spaz, I’m very cultured.”

“Well, if you’re so cultured, maybe you could show me what this iambic pentameter means?”

Eyes alit with the challenge, he swept up the paper. “Listen close to the rhythm, padawan. I’m gonna show you how a badass reads Shakespeare.” He cleared his throat and read out in a flowing, mesmerizing voice,

“If I should think of love, I’d think of you

If I should think of love

I’d think of you, your arms uplifted,

Tying your hair in plaits above,

The lyre shape of your arms and shoulders,

The soft curve of your winding head.

No melody is sweeter, nor could Orpheus

So have bewitched. I think of this,

And all my universe becomes perfection.

But were you in my arms, dear love,

The happiness would take my breath away,

No thought could match that ecstasy,

No song encompass it, no other worlds.

If I should think of love, I’d think of you.”

He ended in a ringing silence where she stared at him without any air entering or exiting for much longer than was healthy. Yes, she understood iambic pentameter now. How the words moved like waves, and when read by someone you were in love with, they washed into you, cleaning out any thought that could be bad and wrapping around you-

“Kagome? You with me, dorkface?”

Shaking her head so that her short hair fell into her eyes annoyingly, she coughed. “Y-yes! Yes, thank you. I understand now.”

“Good. ‘Cause if you tell anyone else in the universe that I read that cheesy-ass poem, I will piss on your shoujo manga collection that you didn’t think I knew about.”

“Creative as ever, Inuyasha. I won’t tell.”

After giving (or an attempt of) a stern nod, he returned to sweeping with intense concentration.

Some silver hair fell into his face, and she thought dreamily of tucking it back and kissing those golden eyes closed.

Damn, she thought with a sigh. So, so screwed.

Once she’d finished her homework, her mother released her to her defense lesson with Inuyasha for the night. The ride was peaceful and warm as ever, easier now that neither of them had to tie hair up. It still brushed across her cheeks like feathers.

Once they were in the little gym in his house, he told her as she began her stretches, “I’d like a shower from when that soup got dumped on me earlier. Would you mind waiting for a bit?”

“Go ahead,” she told him gently. At least he was asking, this time. “I’ll do some warm ups.”

“Good idea. I’ll be out soon.”

The door closed behind him, and she ventured to the punching bag where she began to wrap her wrists and hands with fabric. Inuyasha insisted it was essential: “If you don’t have that on, you’ll bust your knuckles and hurt your wrists with the impact. Wraps or nothing at all.”

She’d only run through one sequence of hits that he’d taught her before the door eased open and she turned to see Sesshomaru enter. Kagome raised her eyebrows in surprise, but merely offered him a wave and a “Good evening, Sesshomaru-sama.” He’d always subtly seemed to appreciate the ‘sama’, and it was essential to stay on that guy’s good side.

He offered a nod. “Higurashi-san.” Then, he eyed her fists and bag, the area around her. “I admit, I’ve become… curious, as to Inuyasha’s teaching methods. I haven’t heard any gun firing in our small range.”

Eyes narrowing in confusion, she stammered, “W-well of course not! That would be illegal, and��� firing range? Wouldn’t that scare the rest of the building, on top of being illegal?”

“Certainly it’s illegal,” the chief of police said, waving an airy hand. “I’ve lived far too long to agree to not be able to practice with weapons in my own home. This room is extremely soundproof. Only a demon could truly hear anything happening, and everyone in this building is a human.”

“O-oh. Okay. Um, well I don’t want to do anything illegal-”

“If you’re joining the fight to end Naraku’s reign, then by simple logic, you will need to learn how to shoot a gun if you’re even going to be slightly useful,” Sesshomaru cut her off. “My brother not teaching you is unacceptable.”

“Uh.” Kagome scratched the back of her head. “Won’t you… arrest me?”

“Certainly not, foolish human,” he snapped, striding forward. “I’m the one suggesting it, am I not? And no one would believe you if you told them anyway, so I am unconcerned as to my own reputation. Now get to that midpoint so that you don’t shoot my stupid brother when he returns and prepare a firm stance.”

She gave the argument a last try, though she hurried to the center line like he asked. Usually, she’d put up more of a fight, but this was Sesshomaru, and she’d be a liar if she didn’t say he was terrifying. “Sesshomaru-sama, I r-really don’t think… Inuyasha told me he didn’t want me learning. He’s taught me a lot with hand to hand and other weapons, and he protects me well when I can’t do it myself.”

“Clearly he does not think you are capable of taking care of yourself. I simply think you must be forced to learn even if that is the case-”

“H-he knows I can! That’s not his point; he’s not being disrespectful-”

“Stand firm and take this.”

Knowing now that it was unavoidable, Kagome sighed and took the foam ear plugs and police handgun that he was holding out. It was heavy, dark, smelled like it had been freshly oiled.

“Hold it up towards those targets, straight. Are you right handed?” His voice was muffled from her plugs, but still easily understandable.

“Yes.”

“Then bend your left arm slightly so that you can take the recoil.” He stood to her right, not close and hands clasped behind him. “Put your left hand on the bottom to hold it up and straight. Yes, like that. Now keep that hand away from the top back; it’ll spring backwards and hit you.”

“Okay… like this?”

“Yes. Now widen your feet and prepare for the gun to recoil up and backward. Line up the center of the target with the notch in the back of the gun and the sight in the end of the barrel. It should be centered and flush with the top of the notch in your perspective, and that pointing at where you want to shoot. Do you understand?”

She gulped, and lined up the sights as he’d instructed. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now pull the trigger.”

She breathed in, and as she breathed out, she squeezed.

Kagome squeaked as the shot sounded and the gun jumped up and back. The bullet tore through the outside of the second circle. She didn’t know how she felt about it… part of her was afraid that she could create such an effect. Another part felt empowered. She peered up at Sesshomaru, who gave a nod. “That wasn’t terrible.”

Well, that was about as close to a compliment that he would ever give. “Um, thanks.”

“Try again.”

She did. And he’d told her to try until she could get that black bullseye three times in a row. Eventually, she lowered her shaking arms for a break, at which point she asked hesitantly, “Sesshomaru-sama? May I ask you something?”

His eyes were dull. “Can I stop you?”

Sighing, she continued anyway. “Why do you act like you hate Inuyasha so much?”

Kagome didn’t really expect an answer, but as she raised the gun again to try another shot, he told her, “Because I hate him.”

Bang. She scoffed. “No, you don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t have offered him a home. You wouldn’t have shown interest in his life and friends. You wouldn’t have come to save him on the New Moon. You wouldn’t have gotten mad at him for not contacting you when he was going after Naraku, because you would’ve been satisfied with getting a shot in at the end. You wouldn’t be teaching me this, because you and I both know you only want me to learn so that I can protect him if I need to and you’re not there.”

His golden eyes flashed, outlined by the shocking magenta, and she wondered in fright for a moment if she’d gone too far. But after a weighted silence, he muttered, “I never would have thought my brother could be interested in such a nosy and perceptive woman.”

“Hey!” she protested, but he seemed most indifferent to her indignancy.

“What is my relationship with my brother to you, human girl?” Oh dear, back to species instead of last name.

“I think it upsets him,” Kagome said. “He seemed more depressed and angry about your argument than Naraku getting away, that night of the New Moon. I think… deep down, he’s always wanted your approval. For you to be proud of him and be his family.”

Sesshomaru’s nose wrinkled slightly. “I share no concern for familial bonds and other human emotions. I am a demon-”

“I think that the idea that humans and demons have different emotional capacities is, excuse me, complete bullshit,” Kagome told him simply. “It’s a stereotype that humans and demons have been taught since childhood, so that they feel they must live up to the standard of being more or less emotional. At first, I thought there must be a difference because Inuyasha seemed more vulnerable on his human nights. Then I realized I knew other demons that had emotions just as strong as any human…”

Kagome gave a shrug, and shot the gun again before she went on, “I think all evidence points to Inuyasha being under a sort of placebo effect on New Moons. He thinks humans are more emotional, so that’s how he acts. He thinks demons are less, so when he’s back to half, he acts less emotional. If you think you’re supposed to be feeling a certain way, eventually you convince yourself that you are, right? I think you, Sesshomaru-sama, are under a lifelong placebo effect, a delusion that because you’re a demon, you can’t feel like we can and are therefore above our petty emotions.”

His eyebrows had grown rather high on his forehead. “You are philosophical, for a whelp. I’m afraid I disagree.”

“The truth doesn’t require you to agree,” Kagome said lightly. “Doesn’t stop it from being true. In any case, my point is, after living so long, it must get tiring to just go through life without companionship, just focusing on vengeance and different jobs. You have the chance to have family, but you’re throwing it all away for some meaningless pride. Towards the end of your life, you’re going to regret all the lost time you could have shown your brother you cared about him, and had a relationship with him. That kind of pride is only for people too afraid to open up and show vulnerability to the ones they care for. I don’t take you for a coward, Sesshomaru-sama. Even if you don’t give a damn about a simple human’s opinion, this dumb human has it all figured out, and she’s gonna tell it to you anyway; show you love him before it’s too late.”

Too bold! she scolded herself in fear as she swallowed. Did you entirely forget who you were talking to?!

Indeed, his eyes were burning holes right through her, and Kagome realized that the last time she’d felt this terrified, she’d been under Naraku’s sword.

“I could break your neck,” Sesshomaru told her quietly in a way that made her shiver and take several steps away, “with the flick of a finger. You dare presume to tell me how to live?”

“Y-you won’t,” Kagome managed, trying to hold her chin high. “And I presume to merely advise, because Inuyasha deserves better, the family he always wanted.”

“If he wants a family,” Sesshomaru said stiffly, “human, and if you care for him enough to speak down to a pure-blooded demon from the line of the most powerful demon king, then why not bear him one yourself rather than lecturing me?”

She choked on air, and stood up straight with cheeks blazing. “Excuse me?”

The doors flew open, and relief flooded through her at the sight of Inuyasha’s enraged face. His blazing eyes landed on the gun in her hand, and he stormed towards them. “Sesshomaru! What the hell are you doing with my- with Kagome?”

“Teaching her what you should have a long time ago,” Sesshomaru said stiffly. He snatched the gun back from her hands. “I’d advise you in the future to also better teach your bitch to keep her mouth shut and nose out of others’ business.”

“What the fuck did you call her, you bastard?!”

“You’re the bastard.” And with a last look of malice, Sesshomaru swept through the doors and slammed them behind him.

“What an asshat,” Inuyasha snarled as Kagome regretfully removed her earplugs and tossed them over by her bag. She was surprised by Inuyasha grabbing her upper arms. Firm, but gentle at the same time. He was examining every inch of her anxiously. “Did he hurt you? What did he say to you? I heard shots… was he really making you…?”

“He didn’t hurt me,” sighed Kagome, hugging herself. “I mean, he did tell me he could snap my neck with a finger-”

“He WHAT-?!”

“I tried to talk to him about some stuff that he doesn’t want to talk about. He got mad. I’m fine. And yes, he taught me how to shoot.”

“That gives him no right to try to intimidate you! And I said I didn’t want you to have to a gun!”

“I’m fine, Inuyasha. A few harsh words isn’t about to scare me, and neither is learning to use a gun.” Going for her trump card, she reached out and took his hand. “Let’s drop it, okay?”

He was just staring down at their hands. The perfect distraction… and a definite bonus for me. So warm…

Demonstrating impressive self restraint (for him), Inuyasha let out a shaky breath. “Fine. I’ll tear him up about it later. And I won’t leave you alone anymore, where he can mess with you. Let’s do a quick run.”

Kagome had improved exponentially in running since he’d paced her more reasonably, and luckily, today they didn’t go too long; just because she was better at it didn’t mean she liked it.

After more repetitive maneuvers, strength training, and practicing on the bags, Inuyasha finally wiped the sweat from his brow and told her, “Alright. Wanna try some sparring?”

The concept both excited her and was feared by her; she nodded anyway. They stood, face to face, on the mat, before he said, “Okay, you come at me first. Get some hits in.”

“You’re gonna annihilate me.”

“No shit! Now come at me, pipsqueak.”

Despite how Kagome knew he was hundreds of years (literally) out of her combat league, hearing him say that was sweet music; an actual invitation to attack him!

Kagome breathed out, and then ran, feinting a punch at his face before dropping low to trip. He ducked her fist and jumped with ease, sliding behind her, where she shoved her elbow. The damn boy always seemed to be able to slip away, and when he got bored of that, he’d simply block her attacks with a hand, keeping up with her like he could do it in his sleep.

It wasn’t long before she was completely wiped, at which she lowered her fists, groaned, and slumped to the floor. Kagome lay, spread eagle, on the mat, eyes closed and breaths heavy.

Following her lead, Inuyasha flopped down opposite her, head right beside hers so that when she looked over, she could see his smirking face upside-down.

Putting the back of her hand over her eyes, she panted, “Why do you have to be so good at this stuff?”

“Because I’ve had to fight people off from killing me since I was about eight,” Inuyasha said snidely.

“So maybe it’s not because I’m a total failure?” Kagome tried hopefully, turning her face to him.

He copied her position, upside down amber eyes piercing through her. “Maybe.” When she pouted, he rolled his eyes. “Kagome, you’ve been training almost every day for over five months now. You’re good.”

“Thanks,” she said, and surely the heat in her cheeks was from the exercise rather than the praise. “Only because I have a good teacher.”

Instead of using that comment to boost his ego further, Inuyasha was instead quiet for a moment before saying, “You really think so?”

“Think so what?”

“That I’m a good teacher.”

“Of course.” She folded her hands on her stomach. “You’ve gotten me this far without wanting to completely murder you, haven’t you? Why do you ask?”

“Well.” He hesitated, and then let words fall out, “I-I was thinking… I’ve never totally wanted to be anything… career wise. But… You know the college you’re going to?”

Kagome frowned. “Um, yeah. I kinda chose it because I know it.” She’d gotten accepted to a college not too far. Though she’d originally figured she wanted to be a nurse, lately, she’d come to enjoy-well, enjoy wasn’t quite the word, but feel fulfilled in-solving their mystery of Naraku’s crimes, and the defense training was thrilling… Kagome had written down that she would go for a criminal justice major. (She hadn’t told Inuyasha, wanting to avoid the accusations of how wanting to be a cop would make her in league with his brother. As if he didn’t know that Kagome didn’t really like Sesshomaru in the first place.)

For once, Inuyasha ignored her sarcasm. “Well, I didn’t say anything, but… I got accepted to the same school. And I was thinking about starting a business in teaching people defense.”

She sat up and gaped at him. “Inuyasha, that’s amazing! Congratulations! That’s a great idea! I think that’s perfect for you.”

His cheeks were pink. “Th-thanks. W-well… you’d be good at it too…” With a small huff, he sat up as well and looked away from her. Then he glanced back, and away again. Like a puppy that was not-so-subtly asking for food.

Narrowing her eyes, she tilted her head. “Are you… possibly asking me to be a business partner?”

“I didn’t say that,” he scoffed.

“Didn’t deny it, either.”

“And you didn’t answer, either.”

Kagome felt her eyes grow hazy as she set her face in her hands. “You know… wouldn’t it be cool if all of us opened a dojo sort of place? Miroku and Sango are good at fighting too, and Shippo is learning… we could call the company The Inugami.”

For a moment, his eyes brightened. “That’s… a good idea, actually.”

“We could even have it in Chicago--I’m sure many people here want to learn how to protect themselves.”

“Yeah! And we can have classes for different martial arts…”

“And basic self defense, maybe run some weapons-handling classes…”

The night spiralled away into wakeful dreaming.