#should not have mentioned shikon

[authorautumnbanks]

One Night (22)

Kagome stifles a yawn behind her hand as she gets out of the car. The moving truck is already here, and the cleaning company came out spent so much time last night packing as much as she could.

"Wow!" Shippo exclaims. "Is this our new house?"

Kagome's lips twitch. Shippo is dressed like a mini Satoru with his black baggy pants and white top.

"Yep, this is the new place. Remember, you can pick out any room except the master bedroom." Satoru cradles Koushi in his arm and motions for them to follow him into the house. "I'll stick around long enough for them to be done unloading the furniture, and then I'll need to head to my first mission. I'll help unload the rest when I get home."

Shippo runs into the house and stops. "Papa!"

"Yeah?"

"Give me my brother. We have to pick out our room."

Satoru chuckles. "You don't have to share a room with Koushi. You have four to choose from." He squats and holds Koushi out to Shippo. Koushi giggles and grabs a hold of Shippo's shirt as Shippo takes off in search of a room to pick out. Satoru stands and looks over at her. "Wanna check out our room?"

"Is that all you want to do?"

Satoru bites his bottom lip and steps closer to her. "Wouldn't mind checking you out." He grabs her hips and then slides his hands around to squeeze her ass. "This dress is amazing on you."

Of course he likes it, he bought it. Kagome leans forward. She wants to kiss him.

"Gojo-san! Where would you like this?" One of the movers asks.

Satoru scrunches his nose and drops his hands. "Oh, that? Goes in the master bedroom. This way." He reaches for her hand. "Did you talk to Ito?" He asks as they go up the stairs.

"Uh, yeah, I spoke to her yesterday. She's going to send me some pieces to choose from. You really don't have a preference for the decor?"

"Nah. All you."

Desire swirls in her gut. She wants to do something for him. Kagome glances at their interlocked hands. But what? She needs to brainstorm with Ayumi for ideas.

"So, this will help me how?" Kagome stares at the tripod and the remote in her hand. Ayumi laughs, much to Kagome's embarrassment. This whole thing is embarrassing, and she should have never mentioned to Ayumi she wanted to do something for Satoru.

Damn her and her big mouth.

"So, you can take as many sexy pictures as you want and send them to him." Ayumi takes the small remote from her hands. "Or you could make a video." She waggles her eyebrows. The pink sweater dress and black boots make Ayumi look far more innocent than she is. The color complements her, really brings a glow to her skin and eyes.

A video?

Kagome's eyes widen. "To send to him?" She palms her face. Her whole body feels like it is on fire. Why does the thought of sending Satoru a video feel more intimate than what they've already done? "Ayumi, what if he..."

"What if he what?"

"Doesn't find it appealing," Kagome says lamely. Insecurity rears its head. She knows Satoru wants her. He's not shy about it, but this feels... Kagome blows out a breath. "I feel silly." She smooths her hands down her sides. The soft fabric of the black wool knitted turtleneck dress brings her a little comfort. Partly because Satoru ordered the dress for her.

"You're overthinking it, Kagome. Look, I haven't really spent any time with you two, together, but based on his actions, and the way he didn't even glance at us at the table, he is smitten with you." Ayumi squeezes Kagome's shoulder. "You have two kids together."

Kagome frowns and then sighs.

"What's wrong?"

"I..." Kagome presses her lips together. "I haven't been truthful." She meets Ayumi's gaze. "You remember back in middle school, when I was sick all the time?"

Ayumi nods as she clasps her hands together. "Yes."

"I got pulled into the past." She watches Ayumi's reaction. There is none. "By a demon. Not a curse. And there was a jewel, the Shikon, that I was tasked with putting back together. Those years I disappeared. I was in the past with InuYasha."

Ayumi blinks. "So... did you cheat on InuYasha?"

"No. Shippo is a demon, too. I adopted him. I wasn't lying about Satoru and Koushi. It really was a one-night stand and now it's..."

Ayumi stares at her for a moment and then at the remote in her hand. "Kagome, I think he would love it if you sent him pictures or a video."

Huh?

"How did you get that from my story?"

Ayumi waves a hand in the air. "Easily. You're telling me that your now boyfriend immediately proposed a relationship with you once you two reconnected and he adopted a demon child?" She takes a step back and motions to the room. "I think InuYasha did a number on you. On your self-esteem. I mean, look at this place. It's incredible."

The house is amazing, and she still can't believe Satoru was able to get them moved in so quickly. Though the large windows give her pause. If she gives Satoru any more massages, she may need to put up a barrier around them to protect the rest of the room. Last thing she wants is a bunch of shattered glass on the floor.

"You're right," she admits. "I know you're a window for the sorcerers, but you're taking this really well."

"Ah, well, I have seen InuYasha without a bandana over his head. And his nails were really sharp."

Kagome wrinkles her nose. "I thought back then you would have thought me insane." She smiles. "But I guess that's why you never told me you could see curses." It's nice being able to tell Ayumi the truth after all these years.

This time Ayumi rolls her eyes. "Yeah, the moment you tell someone, they put you in the hospital. Though I can't imagine fighting a curse or a demon." She sighs and then looks at the tripod. "Well?"

Kagome flushes. Her cheeks are burning up. "I like the idea of a video."

"Do you have toys?"

Kagome shakes her head. "No, should I?"

"Oh, dear." Ayumi looks at her watch. "How much time do we have left?"

"About an hour until the kids are back. Satoru won't be home until tonight."

Ayumi nods. "We'll have to hurry. Maybe your mom would want to babysit longer? Unless you send him the video when the kids go to bed? I'm just throwing suggestions out." She tosses the remote onto the bed.

If Mom and Syouma take the kids tonight, then it's nearly a guarantee that Satoru will disrupt the power grid again. And they will have some time tomorrow when the kids are out shopping with their grandparents.

"I'll send it to him tonight when his missions are winding down."

Ayumi laughs. "Are we going to lose you next summer?"

Lose her next summer? Oh!

"If Satoru had his way, then yes." Kagome blows out a breath.

"You don't want anymore?" Ayumi glances over her shoulder as they make their way down the stairs.

"I'm pregnant." The admission takes her by surprise. It's the first time she's said the words out loud since Sesshomaru dropped the bombshell on her. "It's really early and you're the first person I've told...so don't say anything."

Ayumi trips and catches herself. "Kagome! Wow! I don't even...wow, he wasted no time."

She laughs. "Honestly, I don't know if anything would have stopped him. I was on birth control, and we used a condom with Koushi."

"I've heard he's the strongest. Not sure if that means anything." Ayumi shrugs. "Still, wow! And you think he wouldn't like a video from you?" She snorts. "If I ever see InuYasha again, I'll give him a talking to."

Kagome keeps her thoughts to herself. Not because she cares about Ayumi giving InuYasha a piece of her mind, but because thinking about InuYasha brings up visions of Satoru and how crazed he looked after he got done kicking InuYasha's ass.

It's that damn feral gleam in his eyes that does her in every time and exactly why she's pregnant again.

They head to the garage at Ayumi's insistence and head to Rose, a place that sounds like the name of a flower shop.

"You'll have to get a rose too, trust me."

Kagome nods her head, not trusting her voice to be any more than a squeak. When they pull into the parking lot, her stomach is a ball of knots. She sucks in a breath and gives herself a pep talk. Satoru will like it. He wanted some bindings anyway.

"Ready?"

Kagome clears her throat. "Sure?"

Ayumi laughs. "He'll love it." She looks Kagome over. "Do you have lingerie?"

"No," Kagome sighs. "We'll have to move fast since we are pressed for time. I'll die if Syouma sees the bags." The store is surprisingly upscale. Maybe it's because she's never been in a sex store before, but she was expecting something a little seedier or grunge-like. The chandelier and the soft lights, combined with the classical music playing on the speakers, nearly convinces Kagome she is at a spa. The lady offers them a flute of champagne and hands them a booklet.

Kagome turns the champagne down but takes the booklet like her life depends on it. She flips through the pages with eyebrows raised.

"Now, that doesn't cover everything we have, but it is a good starting place." The lady leans over. "Is there something you wanted to try or just browsing?"

"Uhh... bondage for him," Kagome manages to say with a straight face. "Some toys to put on a show and lingerie." Mentally, she gives herself a pat on the back. Now that the idea of a video has nestled into her mind, teasing Satoru like he teases her, outweighs any feelings of looking silly.

Satoru isn't InuYasha.

"We need all the help we can get," Ayumi says. "And we don't have much time."

"Oh, I see." The lady eyes Kagome and circles her. "Meet me by the dressing room in 20. I know just the perfect sets for you."

Ayumi grabs Kagome's hand and pulls her along. She ends up with far too many toys than she ever thought possible and a small closet worth of lingerie sets.

Where the heck is she going to hide all of this? Kagome stares at the bags. Does it really matter if Satoru finds them? She closes the trunk and slides into the driver's seat. No, it doesn't matter, but... she'll hide the cock rings. Those can be a surprise.

Satoru crosses his legs and looks out the window. This last mission is far out in the countryside. This sucks. He's missing dinner and bedtime. One part of him hopes Kagome is still awake when he gets home, but the other part of him wishes she would get her rest. The old man and Kagome's mom are taking the kids out shopping tomorrow and he still hasn't decided if he and Kagome should go somewhere or spend the time at home.

He bites the inside of his cheek to stop from grinning. The kids finally have their own rooms.

"Gojo-san, did you hear me?" Ijichi asks from the front seat.

"Nah, I wasn't listening."

Ijichi sniffs. "I was saying that we have received more information regarding the blackouts."

Satoru rolls his eyes. Are they still going on about that? So what? "Yeah, what about it?"

"It actually had a positive effect on the power grid." Ijichi clears his throat. "And it is staying hushed among jujutsu society as to the cause of it because..." he trails off.

"Energizer bunny for the government," Satoru quips. "Yeah, that would be a pain if word spread." More importantly, it would put a bigger target on his children. For a brief moment, he thinks, this is the shit that would have set Suguru off. "You can head home after dropping me off."

He should visit Suguru's grave sometime.

"Are you sure? You aren't going to hit me if I leave, right?"

Satoru huffs. "Might slap you if you don't leave."

"Okay, okay!" Ijichi parks the car. "Please don't forget the veil... I'll do it."

Satoru rolls his eyes behind his blindfold as he gets out of the car. This place is deserted. Not like anyone would be around to see the property damage. The inn is falling apart. There's a hole in the roof and he bets it is moldy inside. The grass is overgrown, and a few vines are growing along the outside of the inn and over the windows.

A shame.

He sees the potential. This place must have been packed before all the negative emotions pooled together and created a curse. Satoru stuffs his hands in his pockets while he waits for Ijichi to finish setting up the veil.

"Gojo-san, please keep the damage to a minimum. There is talk about renovating the inn."

"Yeah, yeah. Now shoo." He lifts his leg and acts as if he is going to kick the door in. Satoru chortles at the panicked expression on Ijichi's face. "Man, you're too easy." Satoru laughs again as he lowers his legs and uses his hand instead to open the door.

Ugh, he knew it. The inside smells like shit.

"Come on," he sing songs. "Ain't got all night." Satoru pauses and then sighs. They always hide. Satoru walks down the corridor. The floor creaks. It would be better to demolish this place and rebuild it, but he's a man of his word, so he won't cause too much property damage.

He finds the curse, a creepy one with three eyes and lashes Mei Mei would kill for. It's round, with sagging skin that hangs down to its feet.

"Too much soaking in the hot spring, huh?" Satoru asks conversationally, not that he expects an answer, with it being such a weak curse and all.

It throws a punch at him and another. The curse jumps back and shivers.

Satoru sighs. No fun. He lifts a finger and shoots a red at it. "Oh well, at least I can go home now." He shrugs and heads back out of the inn. This was honestly a waste of his time. He inhales the fresh air. So much better.

Huh? His phone vibrates. Better not be another last-minute mission.

Kagome: Miss you.

Satoru smiles. His heart beats a little faster. He misses her, too.

Kagome: Are you alone?

He furrows his brows. Is he alone? Why does that matter?

Satoru: Yep, just got done with my last mission for the night.

He cocks his head to the side as he watches the three dots populate and then go away. Maybe she needs him to pick something up on the way home.

Oh, a video.

He clicks on it. Must be a video of the... his nostrils flare. He pulls his blindfold down. Damn near tempted to pull his pants down too. Fuck, he's hard. His eyes don't know what to focus on. The way she's squeezing her tit or the way her hips lift off the bed from the vibrator on her clit.

He sucks in a breath. If he grips the phone any tighter, it will break. The video ends too soon, but her chanting his name plays over and over in his mind.

Kagome: Are you coming?

***

A/N: I think the Satoru appreciation event will probably end up on his birthday and if the Kyoto students want to join, then I can see Jujutsu in general watching the event to see what Shippo can do.

"How many people has Shippo killed in the past?" - Not many as he prefers pranking over killing. But sometimes people/demons overstep.

"Are they going to take a test sometime soon?" - Kagome will probably take it just cause even though she's pretty much accepted it now.

Next update will be Sunday. I'm halfway through the next part for Twisted Desire. Decided to make it three parts so everyone has a POV chapter because I can't write one-shots, apparently. Take care of yourselves! Make sure to get plenty of rest and take your vitamins. Side note, I made a cinnamon roll cake the other day and it was amazing.

[duckingwriting]

Always Hoodie Weather

Day 7 of @flufftober kinda got away from me. Turned into a multi chapter thing. I still got a couple chapters to edit so will reblog with them as I go.

Fandom: InuYasha - A Feudal Fairy Tale Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Higurashi Kagome/Sesshoumaru, InuYasha/Kikyou (InuYasha), Higurashi Kagome & InuYasha, Higurashi Kagome & Kouga, Higurashi Kagome & Kikyou Characters: Higurashi Kagome, Kikyou (InuYasha), Sesshoumaru (InuYasha), InuYasha (InuYasha), Kouga (InuYasha) Additional Tags: Flufftober2024, Modern AU, Kikyou and Kagome are twins Summary: Sesshomaru was only supposed to be visiting his family since his brother was graduating form college. Someone has stollen his hoodie though. And she keeps wearing it.

It's on AO3 and bellow the cut

Sesshomaru blinked his golden eyes slowly as he walked into the kitchen. He was home visiting his father and his father's mate, Izayoi. He did not come home often but sometimes he could not avoid it. And the human woman his father had taken as his mate was always eager to try to include him in everything. She always claimed they were a family. Sesshomaru knew there was blood and marital ties but he was already nearly grown by the time Toga had claimed her as his mate. He had moved out on his own shortly after she had birthed his half-breed half brother. He had as little interaction with them as possible. Granted he had less interaction with his own mother. At the end of the day, despite taking over his father's business successfully, Sesshomaru still sought the man's approval and so when his father used that tone he had no choice but to obey. He joined on the family outings though he was less than approachable. 

But family gatherings did not explain the human woman in their kitchen, wearing the hoodie he had left on the back of a chair. The sleeves were rolled up so her hands were free and it easily engulfed her. She looked up and blinked at him, seeming just as surprised as he was to see him there, then recognition crossed her face.

"Oh! You must be InuYasha's brother!" She was smiling as she came around the counter from where she seemed to have been preparing some popcorn, she held her hand out to him. "I'm Kagome! I'm one of his friends. Kikyo's twin?"

Sesshomarue looked at the offered hand then lifted his gaze back to hers. He was well aware of who Kikyo was. Despite his best efforts it seemed he needed to know about his younger brother's social life. So he was well aware that he was courting a priestess. One training to take over guardianship of the Shikon No Tama at the Higurashi shrine. Sesshomarue continued staring into the blue eyes of the woman who's bright smile faltered under his glare. Friend of InuYasha or not, she should not be in his hoodie.

"Yo! Kagome! What's takin' so damn long?" InuYasha entered the living room. "Oh. Hey, Asshole. Mom said you were going to try and make it in. Wasn't sure you would."

"InuYasha," Kagome sighed and rolled her eyes at her friend. "Be nice."

"Father suggested time off would be good." Sesshomaru drawled, not mentioning that the old demon lord had all but commanded him to take the time off. Had hinted at taking the company back if he didn't do as asked. "Izayoi was concerned that after you graduate college at the end of the upcoming semester we will not be able to get together as-"

"A family." The brother's spoke at the same time, InuYasha rolling his golden eyes. "Yeah she's been a little nuts."

"Your mom loves you." Kagome reached out and smacked the hanyo who grumbled at her after the spike of spiritual power aided her strike.

"Your mom...what are you wearing?" InuYasha turned his gaze on his friend, ready to point out that Mrs. Higurashi had not tried to smother Kikyo or Kagome the way his mother was when he noticed she was wearing a hoodie. One that smelled far too much like his brother.

"I told you I was cold and was going to steal your hoodie." Kagome rolled her eyes at him and returned to the kitchen to finish making the popcorn.

"That's not mine." InuYasha stated firmly.

"What's not yours?" Kikyo asked, sliding beneath InuYasha's arm as he pulled her close. Kagome pointedly looked anywhere but at the two. Sesshomaru noticed that while his brother didn't notice, his future mate did. Her scent spiking slightly with amusement, subtle enough he knew the hanyo's nose would not pick it up. 

"The hoodie Kagome's wearing." InuYasha said making the girl's eyes widen, her head jerking up to look at him in confusion. "It's Sesshomaru's."

"Wha- OH GOD!" Kagome scrambled to get the hoodie unzipped. "I'm so sorry! I thought it was InuYasha's or maybe Kouga's-"

"As if the wolf would wear a hoodie. Freaking furnace."

"Everything InuYasha has said about you made it seem like something you'd never wear. I'm so sorry I'll-"

"Keep it." Sesshomaru inturrupted the fumbling girl. While he was enjoying the flush on her cheeks, the shame in her scent burnt his nose. "I don't need it."

"But-"

"It will smell of human now. I will buy another."

Sesshomaru walked away before she could say anything else. He did not look back to see if she kept his hoodie on or not, far more distracted by the way his inner yoaki stirred at the flush on her cheeks and wondering how far down it went.

[jafndaegur]

For the kids birthday ask!

SessKag and 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 25, 40, or 41. Giving you options just in case some of these numbers have been taken already. Hope you’re having an amazing day!

@sereia1313 thank you so much for joining the birthday bash!!! And thank you for the well wishes 💕✨️ I had so much fun picking which one I wanted for this one. And since umbrellas are part of the staple to the SessKag community—I couldn't help but give my own twist~ Enjoy!

SessKag

Prompt 41: Kisses shared under an umbrella

It’s cold. Kagome noticed her breath huff out in cute little plumes of frigid air. The snow piled high all around her, and she was very lucky to have thought of bringing an umbrella with her back to the feudal era for the winter. The snow thickened and became a little more frozen, the ground turning to slush around her—freezing rain.

She was grateful that at this point in her journey she’d come to memorize the geography of Edo, otherwise she would have been completely lost among the pure white world.

A small twinge in her chest told her that she was not quite over the fact that Inuyasha no longer came to retrieve her whenever she emerged from the well. Not after their big fight, not after Kikyo decided to travel with their group to locate the final shards of the Shikon Jewel. It didn’t hurt as much as it had at first, so she considered that progress. After all, it was the same old narrative she’d perhaps been fighting since day one. Competing for affection against her former incarnation. Now she didn’t have to compete.

In fact, there was a monkey wrench to the whole stupid love triangle that completely rendered it irrelevant.

And that was Sesshomaru.

He had been a constant thorn in Inuyasha’s side, that had been true—although peraps the vice-versa could be said as well—but, time and time again he came to their little groups aid under the guise of one-upping the hanyou. Until, one day, there were no longer any excuses and he began to blantantly show up whenever there was trouble. Particularly whenever Kagome was in trouble.

A small smile wound its way onto her lips. After Kikyo had begun to make herself more and more present, so did the demon lord.

The frozen rain sounded like pelts of stone against the umbrella top.

Where Kikyo made frequent behest of Inuyasha’s attention, so too did Sesshomaru toward Kagome.

It started off as innocent enough requests. Rin was feeling unwell, how should he aid a sick human? Human villages are becoming more necessary to stop in, what should he prepare in advance. Did Kagome truly enjoy reading all that much? And so on.

All these little questions he heaped on daily, never really commenting after receiving an answer. Until one day the demon lord mentioned quite blandly, “You may ask questions of this one as well, miko. As I am interested in you, this one hope’s you are equally intrigued.”

That was about as close to a straight confession she was going to get from him. Kagome couldn’t help but giggle to herself.

“You look insane, laughing in the snow.”

She started, surprise at the sudden sound of Sesshomaru’s voice as he tipped the umbrella upward so he could duck underneath it.

“You’re here,” she said, embarassingly a little breathless.

“This one could sense you meandering aimlessly through the forest instead of going directly to camp.” Sesshomaru added, “You’re lost, are you not?”

“Hardly.” Kagome stuck her tongue out. “I just so happen to be lost in very deep thought, thank you very much.”

He stared very blatantly at her outstretched tongue, and before she could move, he leaned down and kissed it.

The boldness startled her and she covered her mouth with her hand.

Likewise, Sesshomaru seemed suddenly taken aback, gold eyes blown wide and lips pursed shut.

It took Kagome a while to recover. That wasn’t her first kiss, no. She and Inuyasha had plenty of time to familiarize themselves with that in the past. But her first kiss with Sesshomaru, like this—a feather light whisp of soft skin against her tongue—it was almost too much to bear.

“You,” Kagome croaked out. “I was thinking about you.”

“Oh?” Sesshomaru’s generally stoic voice sounded far away, as if he himself was lost.

She nodded slowly. “Yeah. I find you very interesting.”

The way his eye lashses fluttered over his gold eyes reminded Kagome of sunlight flickering between icicles. A hidden beauty of light glittering between an opalscent shimmer. His breath now too fluttered into the air like smoke.

Standing up on her tiptoes, Kagome pressed a soft kiss againt his lips. Sesshomaru followed her lead, all too eager for such gentle kisses shared underneath her umbrella.

[naominotaisho]

Shōsetsu InuYasha:

Translation By: Patches

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Chapter 6: Sakasagami no Yura 1 Should she try to get home as soon as possible, or stay in this era while longer and search for the Shikon no Tama with Inuyasha…? As Kagome struggled with which path she should choose, she greeted yet another new morning in Kaede’s house.  Even if she decided she’d rather go straight home to her own time, it wasn’t like she could just go ahead and do that.  There was no guarantee that even if she jumped into that dry well that she would cross through time the same way as she had when she’d come.   Kagome still had one other problem on top of deciding what she should do from here.

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Something more pressing and urgent.  And that was… a bath.  She really wanted to take one. (I can’t believe it!  They don’t have baths in this era?!)  According to Kaede, there were apparently bath-like structures in the houses of aristocrats and lords, as well as temples, but she didn’t know if they were the same as those in the modern era.  But the houses of normal people had no bathrooms. (Even if she says there’s none, I can’t take it anymore!  I’m covered in blood, I’m covered in mud, and I’m not going to be able to stand staying this way!)  She just wanted a soak in some hot water.  When she was at home, she had nice-smelling bath salts, herb-infused shampoo that made her hair smooth, and body lotion made of olive oil that made her skin soft, but now such things were unattainable luxuries. But she didn’t need any of that right now.  She just wanted some hot water.  That would be enough. When she asked this of Kaede, she briskly replied, “Not possible.”  

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Even so, after some more pestering, she relented. “I suppose it cannot be helped.  While I cannot help you with hot water… well, come with me,” she beckoned. Things seemed to be looking up, but instead she was led to a river.  “This is where the children often bathe themselves in the summer.  However… it is quite cold.” “It… it does look cold."  It was almost the end of autumn now.  On top of that, today had been a cloudless, windy day.  The wind chill was quite low.  Not to mention this place was just a river, so there was nothing to obstruct prying eyes. "Whatever, I’m getting in!"  Kagome had made up her mind.  If she couldn’t get any hot water, cold water was fine.  She didn’t care if it was cold or chilly or if there was a danger of someone seeing her…. "I see, I understand,” Kaede said, assisting her.  First, to the villagers she said, “Kagome-sama is going to be purifying herself.  It is for the sake of strengthening her spiritual power.  If a man were to see her, a terrible punishment from the heavens will befall you,” her face taking on a chillingly eerie expression.

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She also brought out a miko outfit for a change of clothes.  It seemed to have originally been Kikyou’s.  And so that Kagome wouldn’t catch cold once she got out of the river, she started a fire on the bank. “There, Kagome, now all should be well.” “Thank you."  She used the shade of a rock near the shore in place of a changing room and swiftly removed her uniform and undergarments.  With a brisk movement, she jumped completely into the water. "C-c-c-c-cooold!"  She instinctively wanted to jump out of the water due to the chill, but somehow she managed to bear it and submerged herself in the current.  "Brrrrr….."  Her teeth were rattling. "Kagome, do not push yourself and come out,” Kaede called from beside a warm-looking fire on the shore.  But she couldn’t just give in here.  Kagome would bear it with all her might.

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After a while, her body got used to it.  It gave her some time to look around.  The river was full of beautiful, pristine water.  The bright late autumn sunlight streamed straight to the bottom of the clear water, making shining patterns of light on the river bottom.  She could clearly see the rocks on the bottom, along with green water plants swaying as though they were waving, as well as several fish darting amongst the plants. (This is probably the river that runs behind my school.)  But it was hardly possible to imagine this being the same river as the one in her era, as that one had much less water, and it was murky and polluted… Kagome bounced along the bottom of the river on her tiptoes.  The water was deeper here, so she slowly swam around.  Her body that had been soiled by the touch of Mukade Jourou and Shibugarasu felt like it was being purified by the clear water. She suddenly remembered she’d been bitten by Mukade Jourou and looked at her side.  She could still see a faint scar, but it had practically already healed. (I wonder why, given that I was bitten so badly?  Is it really because I’m Kikyou’s reincarnation?)

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Kaede had no doubt anymore that Kagome was Kikyou’s reincarnation.  That’s why she gave Kagome the task of finding the shards of the Shikon no Tama. (But I don’t even believe in myself.  Yeah, I’ve been able to see the light from the Shikon no Tama so far, but I don’t know if I’ll always be able to.)  And then there was… (I’m supposed to join forces with Inuyasha, but he hates me.  And for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with me… something about whatever happened between him and Kikyou in the past…)  There was no way they’d be able to find the Shikon no Tama together if he kept up that attitude. As she was thinking that, Kagome happened to turn her eyes upward and froze with a start.  Inuyasha was on a cliff protruding by the riverbank, staring right in her direction. “S… Sit!!” The moment she said that, Inuyasha instantly struck the riverbank below the cliff with a “Gueh!” that sounded like a squashed frog.

Page 139

“Oh, were you there, Inuyasha?"  Kaede turned her head towards him looking not the least bit surprised as she continued to tend to the fire. "D, dammit, I forgot about the kotodama(1) rosary."  Inuyasha struck the ground with his fist in frustration.  During that time, Kagome hurriedly exited the river and moved to the makeshift changing room in the shadow of the rock. (I can’t believe it!  He’s a peeping tom!)  The blood went to her face as her stomach churned.  "You’re disgusting, sneeking around spying like that!” she complained as she peeked her head out from behind the rock. “Aah?"  Still on his belly, Inuyasha looked at her like he had no idea what she was talking about.  "You thought I was peeping?  Keh, you’re an idiot.” “Wh, what’s so idiotic about it?!” “Hah.  I was just…” But Kaede interrupted him.  “You came to steal the Shikon no Tama shard, I would assume.” Kagome couldn’t believe her ears. (1) “Kotodama” (言霊) means “power of words” and is used to define Inuyasha’s rosary

Page 140

(Eh?  So he didn’t come here to peep?) As if to confirm Kaede’s suspicions, Inuyasha defiantly replied, “You figured that out, Kaede-babaa?” “It is useless.  The Shikon no Tama shard has been entrusted to me for the time being,” she said showing him a peek of the shard kept in a charm bag. “Ahhh, dammit!"  Inuyasha’s face showed full of disappointment. (Wh, what’s up with that!!)  Kagome felt the blood rush to her face further.  She’d already been flushed when she thought he was peeping, but now that it had turned out he’d come to steal the Shikon no Tama shard, for some reason her anger had only multiplied. Kagome quickly put on the miko outfit that Kaede had prepared for her.  She was lucky that her house was a shrine.  She would wear miko garb for the New Year at the request of her grandfather, and for the summer festivals she would wear a yukata.  Because of this, she was able to put on the kimono herself. During this time, she overheard the exchange between Kaede and Inuyasha.

Page 141

“Goodness, I gave you too much credit before.  No sooner had I told you to combine your power and gather the Shikon no Tama shards, and you are already plotting to steal it.” “I wasn’t planning to steal it!” “Oh?"  Kaede didn’t give any indication that she believed him at all. "I just figured it would be safer if I hung onto it.” “I see…” “I ain’t lyin’!  Look, I said I’d hook up with that disgusting woman in order to get the Shikon no Tama back!"  As he said that, Inuyasha turned around as he had noticed Kagome come out from behind the rock, whether by scent or by sound. But when he turned around… "Ah…?!"  Inuyasha’s eyes went wide. "How rude!  Calling me disgusting.  Do you really hate me that much?"  But it didn’t look like he was listening to her.  Inuyasha’s face stiffened and he skittered back from her like a spooked animal.

Page 142

He remained in that position simply staring at Kagome. “What’s with that attitude?!” “Shaddup.” “‘Shaddup’ isn’t an answer!” “Now now, settle down.” When Kaede attempted to get between them a woman holding a child by the hand came rushing in, out of breath.  “Kaede-sama!” “What happened, Ine?” The woman called Ine’s face was pale.  “My daughter back home… Kiyo suddenly collapsed!” “What?  Kiyo?!"  Kaede rose quickly.  It seemed that she wasn’t just a miko, but acted as a doctor as well.  "Kagome, Inuyasha, I shall return to the village ahead of you to see to this matter."  She handed over the charm bag containing the Shikon no Tama fragment to Kagome.  "Now, no more fighting.”

Page 143

With those parting words, she left with Ine. (Ugh, I’ve got a bad feeling being alone together with him…)  Kagome glanced at Inuyasha.  As soon as she did, he turned his nose up and looked off to the sky.  She had a pretty good guess as to why he would behave so blatantly unnaturally. (It’s Kikyou.)  Wearing this miko garb, Kagome had to look even more like Kikyou now.  (But so what!  I seriously don’t get it!)  Ignoring him, she went to the riverbank to wash her uniform and hang it on some branches in lieu of a clothes line.  Through all of this, she could feel Inuyasha’s gaze on her back.  (It’s like he can’t look away from me…) Suddenly, Inuyasha opened his mouth.  “Hey.” “What?” “Take off your clothes.” “Take off…?!”

Page 144

Kagome was speechless.  The blood in her body surged with a shriek, and before she’d realized it she’d hit Inuyasha on the head.  If she could have, she would have gotten some huge rock off the riverbank and smashed it over his head with all her might. “Y, you bitch, what was that for?!” “You’re disgusting!” This time it was Inuyasha to be angered by Kagome’s words.  “Don’t get the wrong idea!  I didn’t say get naked!  I just meant to change back into that weird kimono of yours!” he said, pointing at her sailor uniform. “Hmm.” “What?” “Is it because I look like Kikyou?” she cut right to the chase. “That’s got nothin’ to do with it."  Inuyasha turned and faced away, making a forceful grunt.  He might say it had nothing to do with it, but just looking at him made it obvious that it had everything to do with it. (It’s like he’s still in grade school!)

Page 145

Even Souta probably wouldn’t act this obviously immaturely…  (I guess there’s nothing I can do about it…)  Kagome conceded a little and decided to try some casual conversation.  “Look, if we’re going to have to work together from now on, you can’t just start picking fights over everything…” However… “Keh!"  It didn’t appear that her partner had the slightest interest in making conversation.  "I’m fine with it.  I can collect the Shikon no Tama shards all by myself.” Snap.  Something inside of Kagome snapped audibly.  “Ah, I see.  So you’d be fine without me."  With that, she gathered up her still-wet sailor uniform and shuffled off. "Hn?  Where do you think you’re goin’?” “I’ve made my decision.  I’m going home.  Good bye, Inuyasha.” “Going home… hey!"  Inuyasha stood up impatiently.

Page 146

“What, you can’t stop me."  But even more maddeningly, Inuyasha didn’t actually try to stop her. "Just leave the jewel shard here, then.” (Ugh… this guy would do anything for the jewel, wouldn’t he.)  Dumbfounded, Kagome said, “Oh, this?” and produced the charm bag containing the jewel from her bosom and dangled it in front of Inuyasha’s nose as if to show it off.  And then… “Ah!"  Inuyasha’s face turned greedy. "Sit!” she said with a sharp voice. “Damn you~!” Inuyasha growled with a resentful voice while planted into the ground, but she didn’t care. “I’ll hang on to this."  Kagome kept walking without turning around.  Heading towards the forest with the dry well.

Page 147

2 “This way, Kaede-sama."  Ine led Kaede to her house outside the village.  Kaede remembered how panicked she’d been.  Ine’s daughter Kiyo had been healthy since she was a baby and rarely even caught colds.  What could have happened that would cause her to suddenly collapse…? "She was fine just this morning…” Ine explained as she opened the door.  In the cramped room, Kiyo was lying down with her eyes closed, her face pale. “Let me see…"  Kaede came close to examine her, but took an unexpected breath.  She could tell just with her one eye.  Kiyo had no ordinary condition. (Someone has captured her soul…?!)

Page 148

Someone.  Yes, there was no doubt it was the work of someone evil… “Ine, get down!"  As though prompted by Kaede’s voice, Kiyo’s blank eyes opened.  And not just that, but her body limply hung in the air. "What’s wrong, Kiyo!” Ine called to her daughter in a distraught voice.  But Kiyo gave no response.  Her daughter had always laughed, cried, and made all sorts of faces, but now her face showed no sign of vitality or emotion.  Like she was just a doll…  Like some puppet being manipulated by a puppeteer, Kiyo hung in the air with both arms spread wide. (Uh!)  Kaede was appalled.  She could see many thin strands attached to Kiyo’s arms and legs.  (Are these the threads controlling her?!  No, they are not threads…  They are… strands of hair?!)  They weren’t something that could be seen just by looking carefully.  They would merely vanish and reappear, only faintly visible.

Page 149

But there was no doubt.  It was hair.  Countless long, thin hairs were manipulating Kiyo’s body like puppet strings. A knife was laying discarded on the dirt floor.  It suddenly floated into the air.  She could see that it was being manipulated by strands of hair attached to it, just like Kiyo. The knife flew towards Kiyo.  The fingers on Kiyo’s right hand opened and caught the knife, gripping it firmly. “Oh no!"  Kaede backed off in a panic.  However, Kiyo swung down the knife a moment earlier.  Without any hesitation, she aimed straight for Kaede… 3 She saw the dry well through the grove.  Yesterday she’d been kidnapped by bandits right around here.

Page 150

So as to not have a repeat of that unfortunate event, Kagome carefully gave a look around the area to make sure there was no one else around before approaching the dry well. (I’m going home.  No matter what, I’m going home.)  Her only reservation was having not said a single word to Kaede before leaving this era.  (I didn’t even thank her for taking care of me, and I’m still borrowing these miko clothes from her, so I won’t be able to give them back.) And then of course there was the Shikon no Tama that she’d shattered with her arrow…  (But, there’s nothing I can do about that, right…?)  So long as Inuyasha had that attitude of his, even if Kagome remained in this era it would be impossible to gather the Shikon no Tama shards.  (So there’s no reason for me to stay here any longer…) As if shaking off her doubts, Kagome rushed to the dry well.  She knew it was probably pretty deep, but she had every intention of just jumping right in. But… Peeking inside, Kagome hesitated.  (Bones…!)

Page 151

From the gloom at the bottom of the well, she could see many shining white monsterous bones.  There were still patches of fresh blood in places. Now that she thought of it, Jii-chan had mentioned, “That well is called the ‘Bone-Eater’s Well’ because long ago it was used to dispose of the remains of mononoke."  Kaede had also said the same thing: "The Bone-Eater’s Well is where we dispose of the remains of mononoke."  She had also said, "After a number of days, the corpses disappear to somewhere.” (So these bones are Mukade Jourou’s…)  A chill ran down Kagome’s back.  When she looked closer, there were a lot of similarly-shaped bones.  Small cylindrical bones with sharp pieces resembling elephant tusks protruding from both sides.  They were no doubt the bones of Mukade Jourou’s lower body.  Sections of that centipede part… “No… I don’t want to go in there…"  Kagome’s memory of being caught by that centipede body and almost suffocated resurfaced, and she shakily sank down where she stood.

Page 152

(What do I do…)  If what Kaede said was true and those bones disappeared after a few days, she could probably wait that long and try to leave again.  The thought of having to touch Mukade Jourou’s bones made her sick, not to mention if she jumped in on top of those sharp bones, she’d get impaled and end up with severe injuries, or if she was really unlucky, dead… Flap flap!  The sudden sound of birds wings snapped Kagome back to her senses.  When she turned around, she saw a sparrow had fallen on the ground. “…!"  Kagome gasped.  It was like it had been cut by an incredibly sharp blade.  Its body had been cut in two, and its wings had also been severed, and as though it hadn’t realized what happened to it, was still twitching on the ground. (What happened to it?!)  Probably the work of a new youkai.  (Has another youkai appeared seeking the Shikon no Tama shard?!  Is it watching me from somewhere close by?!)

Page 153

Seized by fear, Kagome stood up.  But when she did, a sharp pain ran along her cheek.  “Ah!"  When she touched it, she found that it was bleeding. She looked around again in astonishment.  Many thin threads were spread along that side.  When the sunlight reflected on them, they looked like a spiderweb for trapping prey. (No, they’re not threads… they’re strands of hair!)  But they couldn’t be ordinary strands of hair.  It was some sort of special hair strong enough to be a weapon…  And when it had touched Kagome’s cheek, it had cut it.  And it wasn’t just her cheek.  When she looked, the sleeves of her miko outfit had also been cut in several places.  The same must have happened to that poor sparrow.  It had unknowingly flown into them and had become a sacrifice to this dreadful trap. (To be capable of this, it has to be a youkai…!)  Vigilantly, she looked around again. "Hmm, so you can see them,” came a voice suddenly.

Page 154

“…!"  She turned around, careful not to touch the hair surrounding her, and saw the owner of the voice.  (A girl?!) She looked maybe two or three years older than Kagome… if she was in the modern era, she’d probably be in high school.  She didn’t look like a youkai, but an ordinary human.  Her hair was cut in a bob style and she wore a red ribbon in her hair as a headband.  She was wearing an oddly sexualized black leather kimono that was open wide in the chest and hardly covered half her thighs.  She had large eyes and white skin, her lips red like cherries.  She could easily be said to be an idol or a model. All of the hairs surrounding her were attached to the fingers of both the girl’s hands.  She was standing atop one of the tightly stretched strands of hair.  It was reminiscient of a spider lying in wait for its prey atop its web. (Unlike Mukade Jourou and Shibugarasu, she looks completely human, but… is she really a youkai, too?) She took her time looking Kagome over, saying, "I’m surprised that you’re able to see my ‘Kushi no Kago’(1).” (1) “Kushi no Kago” literally means “comb cage”, however it’s written with the kanji for “hair cage”.

Page 155

Page 156

“….!” “But just seeing it still does you no good.” “Who are you?” Kagome asked. “Sakasagami no Yura,” she revealed, giving a bewitching smile.  “But you don’t have to remember it.  Since this is the end for you,” she declared calmly as she quickly moved the fingers of her right hand.  The hair surrounding her glistened as if given a life of its own, wriggling around Kagome like some kind of animal.  Her kimono and hakama were becoming damaged. Kagome tried to instinctively cover her face, but Yura’s aim wasn’t Kagome’s body.  A single strand of hair moved quickly and slipped into Kagome’s bosom, taking hold of the charm bag containing the Shikon no Tama shard. “Ah!"  By the time she’d noticed, the charm bag was already in Yura’s hand. "U-fufu…"  As she laughed, she took a peek into the charm bag, but, "Oh my, what happened to my precious Shikon no Tama?”

Page 157

She had a look of astonishment as she scritinized the shard. “G, give that back!” Kagome shouted forcefully. “No way."  Yura calmly returned the shard to the bag, then smirked.  "You may die now.” “Eh…!?”   Yura rushed at Kagome as she drew a small sword from her hip.  Byuu!  The cold flash of the sword passed right in front of Kagome’s eyes.   “Ah!"  Kagome drew back reflexively.  "Eeek!"  But the well was just behind her.  Kagome lost her balance and tipped over the edge of the well, falling inside.  Straight towards the floor littered with Mukade Jourou’s bones.

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4 Although she saw the miko fall into the well, Sakasagami no Yura didn’t really rush.  “You can’t escape!"  To ensure the miko was finished off, she threw her sword into the well.  Naturally there was a strand of hair tied around the sword’s handle.  She could manipulate it better that way than in her hand.  "Now die!” However, something was strange.  She never felt anything hit.  “Hm?!” She retrieved the sword with the strand of hair.  There wasn’t a drop of blood on it. Yura stood on the edge of the well and peered down inside it.  “She’s gone!"  The well was empty.  All she could see was the damp soil on the bottom.

Page 159

(What happened?  Where’d that girl go?)  She had absolutely no clue.  That girl had to have been the reincarnated miko who carried a shard of the Shikon no Tama that Yura had heard about.  Even though she was human, to be able to see Yura’s “Kushi no Kago”, she had to have considerable spiritual power. “Well, none of my business anymore."  Yura shrugged her shoulders.  The Shikon no Tama shard that she’d desired was already in her possession.  So who cared where that miko went anymore.  There was no reason to let it preoccupy her. (All that’s left is that hanyou called Inuyasha.  I’ll have to take his head for myself.)  With a swoosh, Yura gathered all of the hair surrounding her into her hands.  This was starting to become interesting, and Yura began to hum a little song.

Next Chapter >>

[mysticdragon3md3]

A while ago, I posted about realizing that a lot of my favorite personal waifus weren't just "impassive, dead inside" characters, but that they also had to have a self-destructive streak for me to get really attached to them: https://mysticdragon3md3.tumblr.com/post/695972425782919168/pic-reads-shout-out-to-emotionless-women-bound

I've been thinking a lot lately about Kikyo in particular. I think she was the first of this trend of archetypes that I grew really attached to. I didn't even care about shipping her with Inuyasha; I just identified with her. But recently, I've realized that maybe one of the big reasons she caught my eye, was her second life aspect. During her first life, she was the "priestess whose purity would purify the Shikon Jewel". She mentions during the manga or anime, about always being on guard, to not have any intense emotions, especially negative emotions, so her spirit could stay pure and thus purify the Shikon Jewel, merely by her presence. (That's why her indulgence in feeling love for Inuyasha was so dangerous.) But after she is resurrected, during her second life, she mentions that now she is free to both love and hate. And that's been really sticking into my brain lately, even though I hadn't thought about the Inuyasha series in years.

So now I have to consider if this aspect of Kikyo has become more relevant to my current life, or maybe always was pertinent, and I was only aware on a subconscious level of this relatability.

For a lot of my life, I didn't allow myself negative emotions. I didn't enjoy being angry. (Though, I sure did spend a lot of my formative years being sad. O.o?) I didn't enjoy feeling anger or disdain towards people. I wasn't better than anyone. I couldn't stand the malice involved in merely gossiping about others behind their backs. I didn't allow myself to hate others, be angry, and I usually turned that anger and usually blame onto myself. I was the only acceptable target. After all, hating someone, allowing myself to be angry at certain people in my life, felt like an infection in my brain, that would fester and rot my soul from the inside out. I felt too guilty. It felt like an arrogant emotion to have. It made me feel like I was becoming things I didn't like, things that went against my ideals. And I couldn't help feeling too much sympathy for others, to ever make dismissive feelings towards them feel justified. Later, I learned, this was a Defense Mechanism state of mind, so I could tolerate bad situations/relationships that I couldn't escape. Because as soon as I got out of such environments, I could suddenly feel so clearly, how wrong the whole thing was, how much hatred and aggravation I felt, how I wouldn't be wrong to feel that way, and the realization of how much I had suppressed.

In recent years, I've allowed myself to hate things. Bad movies, fictional characters, people in my life that I didn't allow myself to feel anger towards before, etc. I thought it was a bad thing. I felt so guilty about it. There are still old posts on my blog about how I vowed to only post about my positive feelings/experiences in fandom, and keep any negativity off my blog (and only keep to private offline journals). "Fangirl over what I love, not about what I hate." Then much later, my blog had posts about feeling guilty for venting-posting about characters who made me angry. But then YouTube movie reviewers made ranting about bad movies, so much fun. I got too accustomed to and too comfortable with the idea of disliking something and enjoying ranting about it. Maybe it's made my blog a more toxic place. But other people commented to reassure me that even my Akechi Goro hate wasn't really bad. And I realized, "why should I disallow myself my own feelings??????" These were FICTIONAL characters! I keep my hate-posts away from common tags of the characters names. There shouldn't be anything wrong with me having opinions and feelings, including things I DISLIKE. There shouldn't be anything wrong with me disliking specific characters; just like there isn't anything wrong with me liking other characters. Maybe I was afraid of the fandoms, because so many characters I dislike are very popular: Ishida Mitsunari, Oikawa Toru, Tsukishima Kei, Goro Akechi, Bakugou Katsuki, Edelgard von Heresvelg,… But what's so wrong about having an opinion about FICTIONAL characters???? I should be allowed to dislike Akechi and Edelgard! They're not real! Their feelings can't get hurt! (And I take precautions against their fans seeing my character-hate, in respect for their fans' feelings as real life people. That should be sufficient.) My perspectives and interpretations on their series mean something TO ME, even if they've lead me to dislike certain characters. And I should be allowed to have opinions which include disliking things! I shouldn't have to feel guilty for HAVING EMOTIONS…especially a full range of emotions, after my formative years of repressing so many of my emotions.

I'm considering that maybe I'm in a point of my life, similar to Kikyo's second life: where she is allowed to feel whatever emotions she has, instead of repressing "unacceptable" emotions. It sounds like a healthier way to live.

[sixthousandyearsandcounting]

"If it is not to be seen, then it is not be seen. Even to assuage the curiosity of a demon's whims." It was said simply, evenly. With a kind of calm finality that would typically be reserved in the way a demon spoke of killing a human for their indiscretions against demonkind. Yet, in this case, it was reserved for simply putting away curiosity placed in an object he only had a passing interest in. Soon enough, the fox heard her ask how she could aid in appeasing his curiosity. He had put that in a strange way... or had he? Though he didn't show the curiosity of his innermost thoughts, he did let out a chuckle as she told him to answer her questions. Those answers could be easily given, but how much fun would he have just giving information like that away?

Kurama was a rare entity, a silver demon fox born and bred, who had become so infatuated with puzzles and come into enough power that he had been able to take on a human form. Yet holding enough power in his body that any other demon would quake before his very being. Save for others of his caliber, like that dog demon of the Western Lands that he had heard of yet never met. Information about his person should be safely guarded and not be traded away for just anything. But he could not expect this human to simply take him at his word that he would not outright steal the Shikon no Tama. It was her most important task as a Priestess to the Gods.

Simple as that.

"I do not deign to make these answers known to you so easily, as you do not deign to allow me to see the Jewel. Perhaps we could come to an accord? I will remain here for a fortnight. Should I move any closer from this spot to the village, you are free to slaughter me as easily as you would any other run-of-the-mill demon who would try to steal the jewel from you. Then, only then, will I answer the questions you ask of me." The fox's lips curled up into a small smile, and he crossed his arms over his chest again. His eyes had been focused on her face, golden on grey, every moment that he spoke.

"I have my patience. Do you have an equal measure, Priestess?" And there was no further mention of his want to see the Jewel. Only his deal for her and a small smirking smile that spoke naught but mischief. He was teasing her.

| | ►   ?????????​:

“To assess, more accurately. I do not care to steal a thing I know nothing about, and this gem is a mystery to all but you. Though I doubt you will allow me close enough to assess the thing peaceably. And I do not wish to kill a priestess.” He watched her as she glared at him. Her eyes were holy fire, and her expression was deep, nearly unreadable. Nigh unfathomable was the priestess before him, and it gave him pause that he hadn’t thought would be brought upon him on a day such as today. Crossing his arms over his chest, his head tilted aside again in the opposite direction as before.

“I do not assume to appease your curiosity, should you have it.” He shook his head and moved to sit under the tree he had been standing in earlier, legs crossed and his hands resting on his knees. “But if you would deign to appease mine, it would greatly assist in saving my time.” Of course, even strong demons had better things to do than interact with humans all day. Or, at the very least, that’s what other strong demons would have humans think. He didn’t care what she decided to think of him at this moment after his words had finished.

And so, silence reigned between them now as he settled.

It didn’t even seem that he cared about the nearby village, seemed that he was only invested in discovery. No more and no less.

      GREY EYES WATCHED HIM CAREFULLY, taking in his every move and expression as he gracefully sat in front of her. His words were deceptively appeasing, and his mannerism was nonchalant in a way that she assumed was meant to put her at ease. However, Kikyo was never one to be easily soothed, she knew better than to let her guard down in front of him.  ❝You are correct in assuming I would not allow you to see it personally. The jewel was entrusted into my care to be purified, it must not fall into anyone else’s hands, even if merely to be observed.❞ The priestess punctuated her last word with a slight raise of an eyebrow. She did not believe his claims, but was instead wary of his schemes. Whatever they may be.

        ❝AND HOW, PRAY TELL, COULD I AID in “appeasing your curiosity”, as you put it? I hardly believe I can tell you more about the jewel than I suppose you have heard already.❞ Kikyo prompted after a second, her steady cadence revealing nothing of her feelings, her stance as calm and regal as ever. ❝But I believe before any questions are answered you should tell me who you are and why you have come after the jewel. As idle as your life may be, I find it hard to believe anyone would take the tame to come search for an object they know nothing about and have no interest in.❞

[lostinwoods]

The Shikon

- Midoriko made it with her soul and trapped demons in there where she continued fighting with them

-Zero wishes on the jewel, gives up on her powers, creates something even more powerful than the shikon( the rainbow pearls)

Why even bother about Shikon then, why did the rainbow pearls not exist in Inuyasha's timeline. How does the Shikon remain (pink; something only possible if wished by someone who have pure intentions) after Zero, someone with not-so-pure intentions wishes on it.

- The Shikon jewel reaches Sango's village and co-incidentally dthe jewel was discovered.

- The jewel is given to Kikyo for its protection.

-Onigumo's obsession with Kikyo begins

- Inuyasha gets wind of the jewel and chases it.

-InuKik romance begins.

-Onigumo scarifices himself to demons and becomes Naraku.

-InuKik romance ends with Naraku's plot and Inu is sealed to the tree.

-Kikyo dies and the jewel is burned along with her.

- Kagome is born 500 years into the future with the jewel in her body.

- She leaps time and shatters the jewel.

- Naraku causes hostility in the era and the fight for jewel begins.

- The jewel darkens from Naraku's plan of absorbing misery from living beings.

- Naraku is defeated

- The jewel is wished away by Kagome.

The jewel becomes pink (purified) at the end from Kagome's power and pure wish and hence could be wished away by her. Then why was it not wished away the first time. Considering Zero made a pure wish and the jewel remained pink, a selfless wish should make the jewel disappear.

- The 7 rainbow pearls resurface.

Are you guys seeing what I am seeing? How Yashahime made the actual parent anime absolutely useless!

[inukag-archive]

Is it too much to ask for some InuKag fic that treats Kikyo sympathetically? Not in the sense that she has to be portrayed as an innocent angel or that we can never acknowledge her wrongdoings, but I am getting real sick of seeing her being called an abusive bitch.

I would like my recs to be Sessrin free, please and thank you.

Hello and thank you for your patience, @lazy8blog. As you pointed out, it is a bit difficult to find stories (especially based in canon) that are primarily/endgame InuKag, feature Kikyo as an active character (as opposed to just mentioned in passing), and also treat her sympathetically. But after some digging, we were able to put together a list of fics that do just that! We tried to focus mainly on canon-based or canon-divergent stories, but in order to provide you with more reading material, we also included some (amazing!) AUs. We hope you find something you enjoy on this list!

Graveyard Flowers by Kaononaitsuki (M)

I will make your pain eternal, I will make flowers bury you. I will make flowers your graveyard.

--

Five Stages of Grief by @kstewdeux (NR)

No summary provided.

--

If We Fall Anyway by @soliska (T)

What if the shikon jewel didn’t exist and Naraku never came to be? What if Kagome fell down the well anyway and met a gruff, young inu-hanyou. Would they still become friends? What would be their story?

A tale told in snippets.

--

Everything After You by thegirlwho_returned (T)

The jewel is gone. Kikyo has survived. InuYasha must now choose between the life he has promised and the life that he wants. Everything after you is a story about finding love again, even when you thought you couldn’t have it. InuxKag. Alternate ending.

--

Fever Dream by @clearwillow (E)

Four months have passed since Inuyasha got his act together. Naraku's gone. The jewel is gone. Things are supposed to be better, right? Maybe once the long list of things to do are crossed off. Inuyasha and Kagome a whole new mess of problems to deal with in the meantime. She wants to graduate. He wants...well, he wants a lot more than he's saying...

--

Mirror Images by TouchofPixieDust (T)

AU Kagome and Kikyo are two young women unhappy with their lives. One wish turns their lives inside out. Will they ever be able to set things right?

--

Your Lying Smile by @dawnrider (M)

A beautiful day by the river quickly takes a turn, taking control of her life completely out of Kagome's hands. Her "rescuer" becomes something else entirely before she can get a word in edgewise. Feudal-esue AU

--

Enchanted by @akitokihojo (T)

"Too bleak?" He asked.

"Not at all." Kagome answered, their eyes meeting. "There's plenty of beauty in embers."

A thud in his chest, a swelling in his diaphragm. He could feel the thin skin of his lips slowly part as he let her statement hang in the air. The stillness between them was comfortable, as was her stare, and he allowed himself a small moment to stop thinking, to stop trying to figure out what was happening and just relish in the peace he'd found. As the sun hid itself behind the distant mountains in the West, shadows filling the woods, Inuyasha pushed himself to stand.

--

Running to Stand Still by @boflicker (M)

They first met when the world was on fire, or so it felt that summer.

No wait, it was in the jungle; The hitching spot on the side of the train yard. His presence felt so familiar, like she should know his name, could taste the letters like flavors on the tip of her tongue.

Or was it in a time much earlier than that. In another life so different from her own.

--

Kagome’s Fateful Choice by @neutronstarchild (M)

After she realizes that Inuyasha has chosen Kikyo, Kagome returns the Shikon shards to the Sengoku Jidai in the dead of night, and vows she will remain in her time and never return. But there are some choices capable of setting the world on a different, darker path. When Kagome wakes up to an entirely new future, only she, with the help of Kikyo (who is now a fixture in her soul), can undo the tragedies to which her single choice gave birth.

--

Catharsis by lucie (T)

Sometimes moving on means letting go of things you never really had.

Inuyasha dreams and learns a few lessons about love along the way.

What is first love anyway?

--

Monster by @akitokihojo (E)

A murderous demon taints the world with unforgivable crimes, taking out his weakness in secret. Unfortunately for him, it isn't that easy. He thinks he's unstoppable, but his arrogance blinds him to the war blooming before him. Kagome and Inuyasha, both powerful in their own way, and even more so together, step forward to try to put an end to things.

--

Wish For Me by Vesper_ness (M)

Everyone's aware of Kagome's feelings for Inuyasha. What everyone's not aware of is how emotionally invested she is and that the one thing she longs for is Inuyasha's happiness. That wish will be her biggest test of strength. A one-shot on how Kagome deals with Inuyasha's feelings for Kikyou after he goes to see her.

--

Tomorrow’s Destiny by @sassybratt9791 (G)

After the battle with Naraku, Kagome counts the loss of life their adventure cost them. Now burdened with protecting the Shikon Jewel, she comes to a decision that would change the course of their history, and their future. Everyone would get their happy ending. Even if she wasn't a part of it.

--

Picking up the Pieces by @dawnrider and @lemonlushff (E)

Kagome and Inuyasha have both lost their spouses due to different calamities. As the parents of newborns, they now find themselves coming together to raise their children through sheer necessity, and learn to create a new family from the ashes of tragedy.

[abouthoundsandlittlebirds]

Can you speak more to your Kirin and Kagura theory? Was Kagura sent to the future by Kirinmaru to protect her? If so, how does Riku know jack shit and think Rin is the mom? Or, if he’s purposefully lying to Towa about Rin being her mom, why would he do that? All I know is Riku looks hella sus whenever he’s with Towa, and especially when he mentions Rin.

Sorry for the late answer, anon, I was gathering information for your question. Surely I will share with you what I've thought so far, knowing that this is only an incomplete theory and not a certainty about what may happen in the future of Hanyo no Yashahime.

Since this post will be long and may contain spoilers I will add a cut, so keep reading if you don't mind it.

Recently I came across a theory that Osamu Kirin is one of Kirinmaru's offsprings, being this the reason why Kirinmaru could see the future through Osamu's eyes. Actually this kind of power was introduced to InuYasha OG show through Kanna's mirror and Byakuya's flying eyeball, allowing Naraku to see what they were seeing. We get to know about Osamu and Kirinmaru's connected view in episode 23 of Hanyo no Yashahime, where Osamu is looking at the sky at an airport rooftop(?) and saw the comet that comes to Earth every 470/500 years (conflicted translations in the videos I've watched). Shortly after this scene is over, we can see Kirinmaru also watching the same comet, even if it is only shown in the Reiwa period at that moment.

When I've first watched episode 22 and 23 of Hanyo no Yashahime I didn't give a second thought about those events, however now I recognize that they are VERY important to the storytelling. That is why episode 22 ended with the airport scene and episode 23 began with the continuation of this same scene.

There are three important things to notice with the airport event: The first is the connection between Osamu Kirin and Kirinmaru that I've mentioned above (and I am not the best choice to talk further about it, since it is a theory that belongs to another person); Second, Osamu Kirin thought that the comet could be seen by humans at the Reiwa Era, since as pointed out by Sota, the notice of the comet approaching the Earth's atmosphere is being spread through humans; and, the third one is that Osamu Kirin was actually waiting for somebody at the airport, since in the end of episode 22 he shows surprise to see the Higurashi family over there and chooses to make a comunication with Sota in order to catch information about Towa’s wellbeing and to do remarks about the comet instead of following his way.

Now, rewatching episode 15 that is when we first knew about the comet, Riku tells Kagome that every 500 years the comet approaches the Earth atmosphere and drops some fragments. Those fragments if not stopped by a powerful demon and by Meido Zangetsuha technic which is the only attack that can be used to definitively stop it (this note was stated by Jaken in episode 15 and is very important and the reason why InuYasha was kept alive, since he is the only one who can hold Tetsusaiga and summon it), will bring the age of destruction to Earth, the exact same thing that the Spirit of the Tree of Ages (also known as Treekyo) says that is going to happen in episode 4, planned by Sesshomaru and Kirinmaru. The first because he abdicated his title as Lord of the West and the second because he saw an opportunity in it to do as he wanted. We can see it through Sesshomaru's choice in InuYasha OG show and in the reaction of Kirinmaru when the comet appears in the Feudal Era soon after Sesshomaru's daughters were born.

Sesshomaru as the first born of Inu no Taisho was supposed to have heinreted the role of his late father as the ruler of the youkais of the West, that is why Toga left Tenseiga with the hidden power of Meidou Zangetsuha to Sesshomaru, which was the most powerful attack that Inu no Taisho had (perhaps because he believed that InuYasha wouldn’t survive many years with Kirinmaru hunting half-demons). However, Sesshomaru only released this power when Kagura died. In the episode 3 of InuYasha - The Final Act, Totosai says to Sesshomaru that something grew where Sesshomaru's heart was lacking, that is why Tenseiga reacted to his change of heart and was now ready to recieve the Meidou Zangetsuha. However, later on The Final Act, Sesshomaru gave this power to the Tetsusaiga, InuYasha's heinreted sword that the first born couldn't held, meaning that he couldn’t summon this power anymore even if he wanted. Even if Bakusaiga is a powerful weapon, only the Meidou Zangetsuha is able to fully erase the comet’s fragments, like we saw in episode 15 of Hanyo no Yashahime when InuYasha and Sesshomaru fought against it and in episode 22 where Toga and Kirinmaru destroyed it themselves in the past.

If we pay attention to Kirinmaru's reaction after the comet was destroyed in episode 15 we can see that he wasn't worried about the fragment being destroyed, even if it was his role alongside to Sesshomaru to make sure that the peace on the Earth should prevail. Yet, his place in that fight was taken by Sesshomaru and Sesshomaru's place was taken by InuYasha. Yet, in episode 23 the reaction of Kirinmaru about the comet fragment in Reiwa Era is quite the opposite, whatsoever. Kirinmaru seemed to be worried and angry to have to face the comet and he imediately went to InuKimi's place to know if the wheel of time moved and he even tried to gossip about the intentions of Sesshomaru with Akuru's pinwheel.

Knowing that Kirinmaru's intentions seems to face the comet himself, he needs Meidou Zangetsuha to destroy it in Reiwa Era. This seems to be the reason why he was kind of frustrated to know that Zero had broken Tenseiga. Since Tenseiga was the previous host of that technic, his intentions could be to return Meidou Zangetsuha to Sesshomaru's “useless weapon”, which means that he could get rid of InuYasha at least. However, with Tenseiga being broken and the comet approaching even more the Earth’s surface, he will have no choice but to spare InuYasha once more, and fight alonside with him.

By his actions, even if he put aside his plans of getting rid of half-demons, Kirinmaru is afraid of the prophecy of the Shikon no Tama about his death being true. That is why even if he thought that the Yashahimes were weak he still fought against them for a second time and killed Setsuna in the process. His problem with those girls is that they have Inu no Taisho's blood. The two Lords used to be pretty amiable with each other before Toga took a human as the mother of his second child, after being aware of the prophecy that a being that is neither human nor demon would kill Kirinmaru. Taking this action as a sign of treason in their alliance, Kirinmaru made Toga his enemy and would've fought against him if Inu no Taisho wasn't severely wounded as we saw in episode 21. Also, the events of this episode related to Toga's death would explain why Kirinmaru doesn't trust too much on Riku anymore, since his offspring couldn't arrive on time to save his enemy/friend's life. Riku must have sensed it too, because he went to Zero's side and openly betrayed his master in episode 24.

This lack of trust was the reason why Osamu Kirin was created. Kirinmaru needed a trustful subject. He didn’t trust too much in the Four Perils or in his sister. That is why he used Riku to deliver the medicinal herbs to Toga. It could be seen as a meanless job, yet the inefficiency of doing it had consequences. Riku now is no longer the first choice of Kirinmaru to do errands, meaning that he is indeed a pirate washed ashore like it was written in his introduction chart in episode 7.

We actually don’t know the reason or how longer Kirinmaru was sleeping before being waken up by Zero. What we know is that he lost his will to return to sleep when he knew that Sesshomaru had half-demons daughters and that InuYasha was alive and fathered a shi-hanyo. Soon after he knew this, Sesshomaru was introduced in his presence and offered help to kill InuYasha (thanks to him his brother’s life was spared).

If I may speculate over here, then my guess would be that Kirinmaru fell asleep after he heard that Sesshomaru was hunting InuYasha in order to obtain Tetsusaiga or when he learned that InuYasha was sealed by Kikyo’s sacred arrow. Kirinmaru doesn’t seem to be concerned about all the half-demons around, only with those who carries Inu no Taisho’s blood. We actually know that Zero was hunting half-demons, that is why Kirinmaru went to sleep and left the hard work for her to do. Even if Zero has no longer her powers, she could still get rid of half-demons, since Riku stated in episode 15 that Kirinmaru and Toga were the most powerful demons around 500 years ago, meaning that their bloodline is pretty exquisite.

Returning to the theory, after InuYasha and Kagome were sealed in the black pearl, Sesshomaru became the guardian of Izayoi’s tear. As said in episode 15 by Hosenki II, the black pearl is the only (actually easiest) way to go to Inu no Taisho’s resting place. Without it, Kirinmaru wouldn’t be able to reach InuYasha any longer and curiously Kirinmaru allowed Sesshomaru to become the pearl’s guardian.

Temporarily it should be a solved problem, but 4 years after Sesshomaru’s twins were born something may have happened that led Kirinmaru to doubt about his decision, being Yotsume a crucial proof of it.

When we first see Yotsume disguised as Sokyu in episode 1 of Hanyo no Yashahime, he tells Towa about a story that he heard ten years ago about a priestess called Kagome that time-travelled across the bone-eating-well located in Tokyo and alongside a half-demon called InuYasha she hunted demons. It could be a meanless information, if in the next scene we didn’t see a flashback of him in his original form watching Kagome, which seems to be at least 5 years earlier than the backstory he got to know, since that scene happened in the day that Root-Head attacked Kaede’s village, way before Moroha were born. Here then we have a mismatched speach. This means that even if Yotsume was watching Kagome that day, he didn’t know about her ability of time-travelling. So when Kagome were sealed with InuYasha in the black pearl, Kirinmaru didn’t know about her, since they were sealed soon after Moroha was born, meaning it must be more than 14 years ago.

The main question at this moment should be what happened in the four years after Kagome and InuYasha were sealed that led Yotsume to gather information about the origin of InuYasha’s wife. We can speculate as much as we want about it, but the main fact is that probably Osamu Kirin only time-travelled to the future ten years ago. But why? And how?

Whatever the reason for it, it is related to the forest fire that threw appart the twins and Rin becoming Zero’s shield. For four years Kirinmaru held back Zero, stopping her desire to kill Sesshomaru’s daughter. This action could be a proof of faith that Kirinmaru gave to Sesshomaru. Yet, this faith was broken and he decided to not give anymore protection to the twins’ life.

In episode 24 Zero tells Kirinmaru that the rainbow pearls are her tears and she is able to find it wherever and whenever she wants. It is a controversial saying, because in episode 15 she knew that the white and yellow pearls were with Sesshomaru’s daughters, yet she lost track of them inside the barrier that Jaken had casted soon as they were born. So at that time she wasn’t looking for the girls. And even if she could sense the presence of her tears, she was only able to see the girls when she learned how to use the spell of watching people’s dream/sleep, and this happened four years later, that is why when Homura set fire to the forest the twins weren’t inside a protective barrier as we see in episode 14, that was because Sesshomaru became Kirinmaru’s trusted subject and planned against his fellow. But how?

My guess is that this treason is connected to the black pearl. Something that we cannot see in naked eyes changed in the relationship of Kirinmaru and Sesshomaru. The first glimpse of doubt that Kirinmaru had about Sesshomaru was when Sesshomaru sealed InuYasha inside the black pearl. He didn’t doubt about Sesshomaru’s loyalty when he knew that he had half-demons daughters because they weren’t allies back then. They forged this alliance after Kirinmaru woke up and Sesshomaru offered help to kill InuYasha. And as it seems, it took four years for the trust to be broken.

At this time I’ll insert my Kagura theory.

After Sesshomaru sealed InuYasha and Kagome inside the black pearl, I believe he gave Kagura the pearl and told her to keep it safe. Izayoi’s tear was the assurance that his family would be safe. Yet, when he sensed that his family was in danger (probably after the fire in the woods) he sent Kagura to the future (probably to look after Towa and keep her safe over there, since he wasn’t surprised to know that Towa was alive) and decided to hide Setsuna among half-demons.

It is a fact that Sesshomaru’s daughters are half-demons (strong ones, to be honest), so Riku and Zero presumed that their mother is human even if she was underage, taking the close relationship Sesshomaru had with Rin. But if we recall episode 99 from InuYasha OG, Koga, that is a wolf demon and lives in a demon’s tribe, didn’t find it strange that Sesshomaru was travelling with the child Rin (that was 7/8 years old back then), and even took her as a love interest of Sesshomaru, showing that he knew little about humans and human x yokai interaction, quite different from those who knew about human life, like we see in episode 41 of InuYasha OG when Kagome, Sango and InuYasha showed horror about Koharu, a 13 years old girl that wanted to marry an 18 years old Miroku. Also, Kagura just like Riku and Osamu is only a puppet, an offspring created by the essence of a demon and the power of the Shikon no Tama. Even if she is said to be a demon, no one knows what kind of creature would be the children she had, specially with her creator being a half-demon himself.

Also, in episode 4 of Hanyo no Yashahime, after the Yashahimes met the Spirit of the Tree of Ages and killed Root-Head, Treekyo confronted Sesshomaru and said that his daughters denied her request and if he leaves Rin behind, the girl would never wake up again. Then he walks away from her and she says that it is also a way and perhaps the best choice. If we take Treekyo’s request to the Yashahimes we will know that the best choice she speaks of is related to stopping Kirinmaru from doing what he is aiming for. This means that after Sesshomaru knew that Towa, Setsuna and Moroha were fine, he dropped Rin in the backstage of his plan. For ten years (or even more) he worried about Rin in her sleeping state, however just when he found out that the girls were fine he changed his mind, meaning that something that was supposed to happen did not. Indeed Sesshomaru is still being protective over Rin, he even stopped his search for Akuru’s pinwheel in the moment he found it, to save Zero and Rin’s life as a consequence of the first rescue. However when she broke Tenseiga he didn’t think twice to kill her again, but still keeping a cold face that was hard to read.

I personally believe that when Sesshomaru gave his back to Rin and Treekyo at the end of episode 4, his plan changed and he then began his search for Akuru’s pinwheel that until then wasn’t a thing he was doing. We know that the pinwheel is connected to the wheel of time, so Sesshomaru’s intention is to change time or, perhaps, travel across time.

As we’ve seen in InuYasha OG show, only Kagome and InuYasha were able to time travel using the bone-eating-well. Back then Kagome had the Shikon no Tama (jewel and later fragments) and InuYasha had the black pearl. Then, in Hanyo no Yashahime only Towa, Setsuna and Moroha were able to time travel through the Tree of Ages and each one had a rainbow pearl. Taking those facts as an example, it wouldn’t be too impossible if only those possessing some kind of jewel/tear would be able to use this ability. The other possibility would be the pinwheel of Akuru and perhaps this is the way used by Osamu Kirin to arrive in the Reiwa Era.

Considering the concern that Kirinmaru had about the Wheel of Times moving and Sesshomaru’s search, probably Kirinmaru is hiding something related to the past/future from everyone else, except Osamu Kirin. And he is afraid of this hidden secret being revealed.

Taking Naraku’s arc as an example and how Sunrise is repeating some backstories of InuYasha OG into Hanyo no Yashahime, it wouldn’t be weird if later on Osamu Kirin is revealed as the incarnation of Kirinmaru’s heart, just like Akago was Naraku’s heart. This would explain why Kirinmaru isn’t afraid to face the Yashahime as he was when he heard about their existence. Definitively he is afraid of the prophecy, but he isn’t being cautelous while facing the girls. He showed more concern about the Wheel of Time changing than fighting the Yashahimes after being backstabbed by Riku in the place where the Inu no Taisho’s blood would be stronger. If we go back to InuYasha OG show, we will see the same kind of reaction in Naraku. He would confidently fight against InuGroup whenever his heart was far away and avoyd as much as he could a confrontation when Akago and/or Onigumo were near.

Using the information of Yotsume and the timeline drawn so far, the travel of Osamu Kirin would match with the information gathered about Kagome’s backstory, giving Kirinmaru the false hope that the future is a safe place for his heart to be, meaning that Osamu left him when Kirinmaru had a confirmation of Sesshomaru’s betrayal, almost 10 years ago.

Now, if we return to the airport scene where we see Osamu Kirin looking at the sky in episode 22, we notice that he watches an airplane land and then he glances at the comet for a short time. Then he gives his back to the sky and starts walking away, imitating five people close to him that too started to move away from the rooftop, when he notices Sota with his daughter, Mei, a few steps far from him. He shows surprise and go to Sota, starting a conversation about Towa’s absense from school (and showing no concern about it) and ending with the comet out loud observation.

For me it is a proof that he was waiting for someone to arrive over there. My guess would be Kagura. Also, when we see Osamu Kirin in the classroom in episode 4, he tells Towa to pay attention to the lesson, otherwise she will miss the context, and then he tells her to read the sentence in page 23 that says: “I am going to visit Kyoto”.

It could’ve been an Easter Egg, because in episode 23 he is actually waiting someone at the airport that probably is coming from Kyoto, because Kyoto is a prefecture located in the Kansai region, and Kansai according to the research I did is located in the West region of Japan, that in the Hanyo no Yashahime is a land that belongs to Sesshomaru (Lord of the West), meaning that the person/creature that is arriving in that airport is somehow connected to Sesshomaru and seeing that Jaken, Rin, Towa and Setsuna are in the Feudal Era and A-Un wouldn’t fit into a plane, it can only be Kagura.

To finish this theory that is already long enough and explain how Kagura and Osamu Kirin are connected, I must speculate even more and say that this connection happened because neither Kagura nor Osamu knew the backstory of each other and they might have taken interest for each other as an equal (two incarnations/demons). Also, probably the forest that Towa said that she grew up in episode 21 is located in the West, that is why Kagura was in that place and visits Tokyo, because Tokyo is where Kaede’s Village is located in the Feudal Era. My guess would be that using Towa’s age as a guide, she is looking for her daughter in high schools. Osamu Kirin being Towa’s teacher could’ve contacted her and is waiting her at the airport since he was the one that summoned Kagura over there. However, I believe that he is using Towa as a bait.

With Kirinmaru watching everything that Osamu is doing/seeing, he is quite aware of the fact that the comet is arriving in the Reiwa Era and also knew how Towa looked like before meeting her in person. Now, knowing that someone in the Reiwa Era that is not her family (the Higurashi) is looking for her, Kirinmaru is curious enough to see who this person could be since she is probably connected to Sesshomaru and if he can’t use her as a bait to hold Sesshomaru back, then he imagines that she is hiding something that would be useful to him.

As I said before, this is only a theory/speculation that I did using the anime info (and my imagination) to elaborate. All the real events I have tagged the place it came from (the episodes number) and gave them my interpretation. Those events without the official reference tagged should not be taken as a reliable source.

I thank you so much anon for this ask, it made me really happy to be able to share my thoughts with you! Again, sorry for my late answer and be free to say whatever you want, it would be a pleasure to answer you back!

P.S.: Sorry for the typos, I don't use Google Translator and my English ain't that good.

[dahlia-rose-writes]

Okay, I’m nervous cause I honestly don’t know how this will be received, but this is a blurb from a fanfic I’m (slowly) working on.

_____________________

Chicago

In the three months she has been here, Sango was almost certain that she would have gone crazy. That if she hadn’t lived in a time where demons and humans were practically in tandem. It had been by no means harmonious; Sango over herself had made a living of killing demons. Up until she was sixteen, demons —especially the ones with human appearances—were the enemy. There were some exceptions. Her precious companion Kirara had been one.

But a few months into turning sixteen, it all changed one day. The day the sky was alight with soft lilac shooting stars, the day the Shikon jewel broke. After that, she knew little peace. The demons had become stronger and the feeling of something dreadful had been looming over the horizon and when it did, she lost everything.

Her village. Her comrades. Her father.

Everything she had ever known had been ripped away. Most would think her pulling herself from her own grave had been the worst of it. No, if Sango remembered that night too long, she always saw her brother’s crying face, running to her and then being slain by a barrage of arrows.

She would take tasting graveyard soil for the remainder of her life if she could scrub away that memory: Kohaku’s tears, the fear in his voice.

She would never forget it.

“You’ve got that face again,”

Sango blinked, looking up from the book she had been reading. Kagome had used to bring them from her time. It was called manga. Her hostess, Gloria, had been kind enough to let her read some. According to her, guests lost things all the time. But the manga had actually been a gift from a traveling mangaka back in the 1980s.

“Face?”

Gloria smiled, ruby lips turning upwards. “You’re lost in your thoughts. You need to loosen up.”

Her Japanese was more casual than Sango was used to, but it reminded her of Kagome. The time-traveller has spoken similarly, minus the accent. Gloria had been the one to find her when she found herself in the middle of a busy Chicago street. After taking her in, the witch explained as much as she could.

She had told her about vampires, witches, and werewolves. Sango had almost laughed when she told her of their existence. But just months ago, Sango had been talking to Kagome about how excited she was that her friend was pregnant. Hisui had been a little over a year old, he would be close to two when the baby was born.

Sango hoped she would be back by now. KinGyo’s birthday had passed. They were close to four now, not to mention Kohaku would be sixteen soon.

Sango sighed, her heart heavy again.

Maybe she should get out of her head. Thinking about her family made her think about how much she missed them. She also worried deeply for Miroku.

Gloria rasped her knuckles against the bar top, spooking the slayer. She laughed at the glare Sango gave her.

“You need to loosen up,” repeated the witch. She held up a glass. She knew it was whiskey, it was what Gloria had served her the first night they met. It had become a favorite of Sango’s. Especially since Gloria always topped hers off with cherry juice and a spritz of soda water.

But still, her eyes narrowed and she glared at the blonde.

Gloria raised her right hand over her heart. “Hey, it isn’t poisoned or spelled,” she patted her chest twice. “I promise.”

Sango took that with an ounce of faith. Gloria had spelled her drink several times; mostly with calming spells.

Reaching for the glass, Gloria sent her a wink as she raised it. The witch raised her own glass, which Sango hadn’t noticed before. The rims clinked against each other and Sango downed hers. The burn settled into her stomach and she felt the flush in her cheeks.

Gloria shimmed her shoulders, “That hit the spot for me.”

“Same,” she murmured.

“Come on girl,” Gloria moved around the bar, and once she was beside the slayer, she pulled her from her stool. “Let’s dance!”

“Gloria-san—”

“What did I tell you about calling me that?” Glared the witch as she dragged Sango to her feet. With a wave of her hand, music filled the bar.

It was a little past noon. No one really came to Gloria’s in the middle of the day and even then, it was a few patrons. Sango worked as a waitress to help pass the time. Gloria had spelled one of her drinks with a decipher spell. It made it easier to communicate with the customers.

To them, she was a young college student working through the summer while on a study visa. Her English was good but her accent made it clear she was from overseas, at least in the beginning. Magic worked wonders for the demon slayer. She still struggled with some words but she was better at annunciation and grammar. Reading was also a much easier task.

Now her accent wasn’t too noticeable. Gloria figured that with a bit more time, she’d sound like she was from America.

Sango just wanted to go home, but that would be a bit hard. Gloria had said time travel was tricky for witches and the Spirits (the ancestors of witches who had passed but watched over the balance of magic and nature, at least how Gloria described to Sango one night over a bowl of gumbo) they didn’t take kindly to helping just anyone.

Sango had been plucked out of her time for a reason. They hadn’t said, but considering she had been stuck, it meant it hadn’t even revealed her yet.

How fun.

Gloria twirled the woman. When Sango came right back around to face her, she was met with a swat to her forehead.

“Ow,” she grumbled. “Why did you do that?”

“Because even with alcohol in your system, Cab Calloway playing overhead and the importance of fun, you wanna be a downer. Cheer up.”

“Gloria-san…” she trailed off at the glare and then corrected herself. “Gloria-chan, as much as I want to have fun….”

Gloria huffed and pulled away. “Ugh, fine. Since you wanna be a buzzkill, go grab some bottles of top-self scotch from the storage room.”

Sango blinked. “Why?”

Gloria’s eyes shimmered, looking almost like they glowed with the magic the witch possessed.

“Don’t ask, just so as I say,” there was a pause before Gloria added in a softer tone. “please?”

Sango nodded, message received.

This was urgent.

Sango started for the back room, where she would take the stairs down to the cellar (and also close to where she was tinkering with some poisons). Her gut was telling her she would need some vervain gas bombs.

And a blade just to be safe.

[authorautumnbanks]

How To Tame A Sorcerer (34)

Series master list

After leaving Kagome with the students, Gojo heads to the conference room to meet up with the rest of the faculty. He sits behind Mei Mei, who seems the least concerned about the day's events. He wrinkles his nose. Was someone burning something? Mei Mei glances back at him over her shoulder.

"The insects."

The insects? Oh yeah, he forgot that some of the body parts didn't get caught up in his hollow purple. Kind of a waste to burn the remains. In his opinion, they could have learned something about them.

"The scroll about the Shikon jewel was also taken," Ijichi says, pushing his glasses up as he reads through the report. "The curse user is not saying anything about working with…. demons. Based on his reactions, it is clear that he was just a scapegoat and knew nothing about the actual plan or motive." Ijichi keeps his focus on the report.

Either he knows information about the jewel or Ijichi is finding out at the same time as him, that the Jujutsu world had some knowledge about the demons. But why hide it? And to take Sukuna's fingers too… was it to power themselves up?

The lights overhead flicker. No one else seems to notice, too wrapped up in their own misery. The petty side of him wants to tell Yaga, he told him so, but the more sensible side of him realizes that curses and demons working together on such a large scale like this are cause for concern. Too bad the rest of them did not share in Yakeru's opinion that curses were vermin.

"So that giant insect was a demon? Why have we never heard about them until today?" Utahime questions. Worry coats her words and hands as she shifts around. The fabric from her red hakama rustles, breaking up the static atmosphere.

Is it wrong that now he wants to see Gome-chan fighting in a priestess outfit?

Satoru leans back against the wall, crossing his legs. He opens his mouth to make a snide retort. He mentioned these demons to Yaga ages ago and got blown off. Yaga scratches at his neck. Satoru pretends to yawn, stretching his arms up as though the whole thing is laughable. Utahime glares at him.

"They should have all died out. These unregistered and demons attacked the school in order to get the scroll, Sukuna's fingers, and the cursed paintings." Gakuganji drums his fingers on his knee. "There was also that incident with the unfamiliar energy. Kagome-san's technique lacked the residual of cursed energy."

Subtle. Gojo opens his mouth but gets interrupted. He blows out a breath. Goes for the more irritated approach this time.

"It's possible that she can use positive energy offensively," Utahime speaks up. "And if there are more demons still alive, then I think we need her. What is this Shikon jewel and why would some curses need to take the scroll? Sukuna's fingers I can understand."

Gakuganji scowls. His back hunched over even more. "A fairy tale." He wets his lips, the action seems to a lot out of him, and Satoru wonders just what are they trying to hide here.

"That's it? Not even what the fairy tale is about?" Satoru gives a cheshire smile, his arms placed behind his head. Oh, Gakuganji always the high ups lap dog.

"That's all we know - all that was shared. We can't break the seal. But whoever took it must be able to."

"So, they took a scroll. What about this jewel?"

"We've never had it in our possession. Again, it was told to just be a fairy tale."

"Why have something that is just some fable?"

"Because the scroll is a cursed object."

"Enough," Yaga says, his voice leaving no room for argument. "We have demons and unregistered curses to worry about. It's likely that multiple curse users are behind this. Do we have any more information on these demons?"

"Just that they are mindless. And they should have all died out." Gakuganji sighs, his shoulders sag with the weight of his words. "All we have to go off of is footnotes and even those give nothing away."

Yakeru's words float back to him. Demons have been passing themselves off as sorcerers for shits and giggles. What Yakeru failed to mention was just how high on the hierarchy they went. Satoru snorts. It's no wonder the higher-ups are always on his ass. Maybe he should schedule a meeting with them and sniff out the demon or demons himself.

"Alright, so we're going to let the others know?" Satoru says, tilting his head when Mei Mei gives him a puzzled look.

"If word gets out how easily Master Tengen's barrier was bypassed, then we can expect for more attacks. I'd wager that this was an isolated event."

"I agree. This information stays in this room. We need to be careful how we look into this," Yaga says.

"Are we not interrogating Kagome?" Gakuganji asks, his eyes lowered to his clasped hands.

"For saving you and the students from the demons? Sure, have a funny way of expressing your gratitude."

"If she has truly found a way to use reversed cursed energy offensively, then we need to determine the full scope of her abilities. And how she was trained to do so."

"Unnecessary." Personally, he cares little for how they want to discuss Kagome without her there, nor that they believe he would allow for them to interrogate his girl.

Gakuganji twists his lips into a half snarl. As if he would ever fear the old man.

"Satoru can give us a report later. I doubt Kagome-san is going anywhere."

"You're too kind-hearted," Gakuganji retorts.

"We should cancel the rest of the events." Yaga scratches at his beard. He squares his shoulders as he looks around the room for any objection.

"Hold up, why not ask the students if that's what they want to do? I'm sure they want the extra training to get stronger. After all, it isn't just curses that they are fighting against," Satoru says. The room goes silent as his words wash over. Utahime frowns, trying to get her hands to stop shaking. He wonders if it was the curses, the demons, or both that have shaken her up so much.

"The best idea you've had all day," Gakuganji goads.

"A comedian." Satoru stands, stretches as he walks out of the room. The residue smell of burning flesh hits him right on the nose, sadly he's smelled worse. He hums as he switches out the option of a tournament from the box, replacing all the options with baseball instead. Yeah, the students need to get stronger—but they are still kids, and enjoying their childhood is just as important.

He finds everyone waiting around in one of the many empty buildings. With their bandages and sour attitudes, they remind him of a bunch of delinquents posted up. He glances at Megumi, holds back his giggle. They should have dinner sometime with the kids, so he can spill all of Megumi's embarrassing childhood memories.

"Yo, so the rest of the event can either be canceled or we can continue on like normal. The goodwill event is for all of you, and so you get to decide. We understand that today didn't go exactly as planned and that there were some injuries. No one will think less of you if you don't want to continue." Satoru stuffs his hands in his jacket pockets and resists the urge to smile back at Kagome.

Yaga and Gakuganji come up behind him. After a moment of quick discussion, the students prove what Satoru already knew—they want to get stronger, and canceling the event would only lead to them festering in the what-ifs.

"Huh, baseball?" Yuji says, but it comes out more like a question. He holds out the piece of paper. Satoru motions for Kagome to follow him.

"Satoru Gojo!" Yaga shouts, which Satoru just laughs off.

"Toru." Kagome smiles prettily up at him, intertwining her hand with his. "Can we go home now?"

Home. This time he doesn't hold back his smile. Home, repeats in his head, even as he whirls them away back to the apartment. Home keeps ringing in his mind as she pulls him along towards the couch. He wants to – no, he will give her one that they can build together.

[sapphirestarxx]

Customer Service

Find it on AO3

SUMMARY: Customer service is a thankless job, a fact Kagome knows well. Customers can be downright nasty; that’s just to be expected. What she isn’t expecting is for one of those customers to get physical or for a handsome and gruff stranger to swoop in and save her. How can she thank him? ONESHOT.

NSFW. SMUT. Lots of smut at the end. 

This is a birthday fic for @lavendertwilight89!! Her birthday isn’t for another couple days but I thought I would post this early after the terrible day she had yesterday. I hope you love it dear!~

Also, thanks go out to @neutronstarchild for helping me brainstorm some ideas out and to @fawn-eyed-girl and @hnn-wnchstr for being kind enough to beta it.

Tag Wall:  @lavendertwilight89 @hnn-wnchstr @cstormsinukagblog @fawn-eyed-girl @ruddcatha @liz8080 @itzatakahashi @kagometaishostory @neutronstarchild @bluejay785​ @ravisk @dangerouspompadour​ @omgitscharlie​ @arcprz​

***********

Kagome was not having a good day. It had gotten off to a terrible start and showed no signs of improving with the day’s passing.

Her alarm hadn’t gone off, and when her eyes finally opened, she’d only had five minutes to throw on her things before racing out the door, skipping breakfast. She hadn’t gotten very far because her car hadn’t wanted to start and she had fought with it before finally resorting to shocking the engine with her reiki in a last ditch effort. It had appeared to work (much to her surprise) but she had no idea when the effects would wear off or if it would even work again. Not that she had had time to worry about that, because the whole ordeal had made her roughly forty minutes late to work, where she proceeded to receive a lecture on punctuality from her boss, even though she had never been late before. And then, to make matters worse, she had used her entire break trying to call auto places to get her car in. Turns out every nearby place was booked out for the next two weeks because of course they were. So not only had she been unable to schedule an appointment for her car, she hadn’t eaten all day either.

Her car was a mess, her mood was a mess, and her life was a mess. And her store was also a mess. 

Stifling a sigh of frustration, Kagome tucked the wayward strand of black hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear and straightened the apron she was wearing. Just another year… she just had to deal with this job for another year until she finished her Masters in Reiki Manipulation. In the meantime this job was vital for her income. Customer service had never been her first choice but beggars couldn’t be choosers.

She had been working at Shikon Styles for roughly four years, give or take a few months. After the first couple years as an associate, she’d been able to work her way up to manager. With that title came the guaranteed hours, benefits, and most importantly-- better pay. Still not even remotely close to what she felt like she deserved considering everything she had to put up with, but wasn’t that always the case?

She finished cleaning up the mess someone had left behind (because no one seemed to know how to pick up after themselves ), and scanned the store to see if any shoppers appeared to need help. Turning her head towards the entrance of the store she saw another customer enter and her heart stuttered in her chest for a few beats. The person who had just walked in was quite possibly the most attractive man that she, Kagome Higurashi, had ever seen in the entire twenty-five years of her life. 

He was tall with a lean but muscular build, the features of his tanned face chiseled and sharp. The effect was softened slightly by a mane of gleaming silver hair that hung all the way to his no doubt perfect ass, but more intriguing to her were the dog ears atop his head; white and fluffy, and her fingers twitched with the need to touch them. And his eyes . Even all the way across the store, the piercing gold of them was unmistakable. When those gold eyes turned her way, she felt the blood rush to her cheeks in equal parts awareness and embarrassment. She couldn’t have been more obvious about checking him out. She also couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away from his, completely caught in his spell.

His face had been set in a scowl, but at the sight of her blatant staring, the edge of his mouth kicked up, hinting at a smirk. She felt lightheaded for a second, her heart beating faster while butterflies stirred in her stomach. She flushed further, but this time for... other reasons. It was like everything around her had just fallen away and there was only her and him. She wanted to get closer, feeling an almost magnetic pull towards him. It was ridiculous and crazy but she couldn’t seem to help herself.

Her feet started moving his way as she licked her suddenly dry lips in preparation to give some semblance of a greeting, but the sound of one of her employees asking for help over the headset quickly curtailed that plan. 

“Can I have a manager up front please?”

Kagome frowned at the distress in the girl’s voice. Her momentary annoyance was replaced with concern. Normally a bright and cheerful girl, Rin sounded close to tears. The radio picked up the slight sounds of someone raising their voice and once it clicked off, Kagome could actually hear the irate customer from where she stood near the back of the store. Several of the nearby customers were turning their attention towards the source as well. This did not bode well. 

“I’ll be right there,” she responded.

With quick steps Kagome made her way to the registers, mentally preparing herself. With that much yelling, she wasn’t expecting a smooth resolution. As she drew near, she saw that the customer in question had his hands on the counter and was leaning close in a move meant to be intimidating. It was a boar youkai, and she held back a wince; they were not known for their sweet temperament. Rin’s eyes were wide and she had her hands raised in a placating gesture. When she caught sight of Kagome the relief on her face was palpable. Kagome pasted on her customer service smile and came to stand beside the young girl.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“The problem is this bitch won’t give me what I’m asking for! I’m a paying customer, dammit!”

The use of the word bitch had Kagome’s mind screeching to a halt as she stared at him in stunned silence. She'd had lots of customers get nasty before, but few had resorted to actual profanity. Finding her composure again, she attempted a polite expression, even though inside she was seething. How dare this youkai use obscenities, especially at such a sweet girl like Rin! She was one of her best employees and Kagome didn’t care for the way he was trying to bully her.

“There’s no need for such language, sir. I’m the manager here and would like to assist you if possible. What exactly is the issue?”

He scoffed at her rebuke, rolling his eyes, and her blood boiled. Asshole.

“You said you’re the manager?”

“That’s right.”

“Good. Maybe I can actually get some real help from someone competent, who knows how to take care of the customer.”

It was a struggle to keep her fake smile from slipping but she somehow managed. Ugh, she hated this man already. Rin was doing nothing to hide her own expression of displeasure and Kagome couldn’t blame the girl. 

“I’m listening,” she said.

“I’m spending 31,000 yen today but this dumb girl can’t give me any discount. I even have a coupon!! And she tells me you don’t have your gift-with-purchase available anymore and she can’t give me anything in place of it, either! My girlfriend was looking forward to it. You guys never have any left when I come in! This is BULLSHIT!!! I demand SOMETHING!!!”

Ah, profanity again. With more yelling.

“As far as the GWP goes, unfortunately they are only available while supplies last, and if you look closely on the back of the GWP coupon, it says it was only good until the 10th of last month. They tend to only be valid for a week before they end,” Kagome explained with a patience she did not feel.

A month. The man came in a month after it started and expected them to still have any left? She wanted to tell him maybe waiting too long was the reason he was always unable to receive one, but she held her tongue. Instead she reached her hand out for the other coupon he held, already sure of what it was going to say.

“May I see the other coupon, sir?”

He practically threw it at her and she blinked. Okaaaay…this man was seriously getting on her nerves. Feeling like her face was about to crack from the force of faking a pleasant expression, she picked it up and looked at it. Just like that, her customer service persona shattered. Her face went slack in disbelief. She looked up at him and met his angry red eyes.

“Sir...this coupon expired four years ago. On May 2016.”

“So? I’m here now!” He insisted belligerently, his lip curling as a nasty look overtook his face. The tusks on either side of his mouth stood out in sharp relief at his anger.

One thing working in customer service had taught Kagome was the sheer entitlement of some people. It truly baffled her, the things people thought she should do for them. They all thought that an exception should be made for them for whatever reason. You’re not special and the rules do apply to you, she wanted to say to them all.

And honestly, there was a similar public offer currently available on the website, and if he had been nicer maybe she would have mentioned it and taken care of him. But no. He was being a complete asshole so she wasn’t inclined in the slightest to help him in any way. She just wanted him out of her damn store.

“Yes, but the coupon you have is very expired. I’m very sorry but there is nothing I can do for you.”

“That shouldn’t fucking matter! You’re just as useless as that bitch, you damn cunt!!”

Alright, that was it. She was pissed.

“Sir, you need to leave.”

“Excuse me?!” 

“I said you need to leave this store now. We do not tolerate abusive language towards anyone.” There was an edge to her voice now, but she didn’t care anymore. Let him know she was angry. 

“Fine but I’m takin’ all this shit!!” The youkai snatched his haul off the counter after slamming down a few bills and started to stalk towards the doors. A quick glance revealed it wasn’t nearly enough to pay for the items he had grabbed and she rushed after him, cutting him off at the end of the registers. And then her bad day became worse.

“Sir, you still nee--” 

That was as far as she got before he pushed her roughly. She hadn’t been expecting to be physically assaulted and the move caught her off guard. Stumbling backwards, she fell hard on her side. There were gasps from her employees and the other onlookers. What the hell?!

“Out of my way! You want me to pay for them then give me my discount, bitch!!” He spat over her form.

Kagome was so angry she was literally shaking. Her breath was coming in pants and her reiki was beginning to swirl around her in a cloud in response to her strong emotions. If she thought she’d been pissed before, it was nothing compared to the rage that now coursed through her veins. 

“How dare you!!!” Rin was yelling at him while rushing over to her side.

Don’t zap him, don’t zap him, don’t zap him. Kagome chanted it like a mantra in her head, trying to tamp down the urge to fry the asshole with her power. You need the money, so far the only one here at fault is him. Don’t touch him

“You just gonna lay there like the pathetic bitch you are?”

Fuck it.

Pushing herself to her feet, Kagome was prepared to rain down fury on this customer, consequences be damned. Rin helped her up, then gasped, tightening her grip on Kagome’s arm. Kagome looked up to see what had elicited the sound of surprise from her employee. If this asshole had done anything else… Her eyes grew wide, the death glare slipping from her face as shock replaced it.

The hot guy from earlier was there and holding the nasty customer by the throat. It was a testament to his strength how he was able to lift the youkai off the floor with his grip alone. 

“Wh-what do you think you’re doing?” The boar youkai wheezed around the man’s grip on his neck. The merchandise he had been about to make off with lay at his feet in a pile.

 "You need to leave. Now. She's been nothin’ but nice while you've been a total dick. Get the fuck out," he replied in a dangerously low voice.

“I barely touched her.”

“You shouldn’t have touched her at all. Period.”

“Let go of me!”

“Are ya gonna leave?”

“Yes!” 

The sound was pitiful but Kagome couldn’t find it in her to feel sorry for him. She was still shaking slightly from the sheer force of the anger that had gripped her moments earlier. Her temper was now fading, the sight of this man serving justice in her stead somehow calming her down. Perhaps it was petty, but she took great satisfaction at his discomfort. It was what he deserved, in her opinion. Judging by how no one was protesting his treatment, everyone else in the store seemed to feel the same.  

She took a closer look at her savior while his attention was fixed upon the boar youkai. His dog ears twitched in irritation, the scowl back on his handsome face. He was even more attractive up close, the muscles of his biceps and triceps standing out in the red t-shirt he wore as he flexed his grip once more before releasing the customer. 

The boar youkai coughed a bit before glowering at her rescuer. 

“You’re brave for a half-breed, putting your filthy hands on a full-blooded youkai.”

Half-breed? Kagome frowned at the slur, wondering if it was impossible for a kind word to pass the other man’s lips. That must mean this man was a hanyou, and probably an inu youkai if she had to guess, based on the fluffy ears that were still calling her name. She longed to touch them but that would be all kinds of inappropriate.

The inu youkai scoffed at his words, seemingly unbothered by them.  

“Whatever. I could still kick your ass. Wanna find out?”

The boar youkai sputtered in indignation for a few moments before collecting himself, trying and failing to intimidate the hanyou as he puffed his chest out.

“That’s it! I’m going to leave a complaint!”

The hanyou rolled his eyes.

“I don’t give a shit. I don't work here so good fuckin’ luck with that. Now get the fuck outta here."

Walking back to the counter to grab the money he had left by the register, the man then beat a hasty retreat. He deliberately walked over the items he had left piled on the floor and Kagome rolled her eyes at the childish move, just grateful he was finally leaving. Never in all the days and years she worked there had she ever had someone lay hands on her. She would have to call her boss, who had already left for the day, and probably file an incident report about it later. What a pain in the ass.

“You okay?”

Kagome blinked, turning her eyes from the doors, where the man had just exited, back to the hanyou standing in front of her. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of molten amber and her heart rate kicked up again when she found herself swallowed up in his gaze. She cleared her throat in an attempt to find her voice.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Good.”

He turned and began to walk away and for some inexplicable reason Kagome felt her stomach drop at his absence. It was strange. As if fate had presented her with an opportunity that she was letting go to waste. She had no idea why she felt this incredible pull towards him, but the feeling didn’t appear to be mutual. And why would it be? She had literally just met this man. She didn’t even know his name. Why would he stay and chat?? You’re being ridiculous. The thought did nothing to dispel the notion that she had let this chance slip through her fingers.

“Get his number!” Rin whispered in her ear before returning to the registers to ring out the next customer. The show was over and people were ready to resume making their purchases. Rin was happy to gossip about it with all of them and Kagome didn’t have it in her to reprimand her about it. Instead, she chased the unknown man down.

“Wait!”

He stopped, turning to look at her. A dark brow was raised in curiosity. She faltered a bit, her sudden confidence from Rin’s encouragement fading a little. It was hard to read the look that passed over his face but what appeared to be his trademark scowl was taking hold again.

“What?”

His tone was laced with annoyance. Not exactly a promising response. Kagome tried to stay positive by reminding herself that the actual target of his ire had already left the store, so she didn't hold it against him. Much. He was just another customer, one who had stepped in to help her when he'd had no reason to. There had been nothing in it for him. She wasn’t sure why he had, but it didn’t really matter. 

“Um, I wanted to thank you. You didn’t have to step in but you did.”

“Keh. It was nothin’.”

“It wasn’t nothing. You probably saved me in more ways than one.”

“Listen, a thank you is fine. Don’t get all mushy on me. It was no big deal.”

“I would have probably lost my job if you hadn’t intervened. I was about to fry him with my reiki, I was so angry. So thank you. Really,” Kagome insisted.

She wasn't sure why he seemed so determined to brush aside her thanks, but her confession of potential violence seemed to catch his attention. He looked at her with new interest, giving a short laugh and exposing the tip of a fang. Amusement sparked in his eyes.

“Now I’m sorry I did.” 

“I’m not because I would have probably been fired.”

"Eh, don’t mention it.”

He looked a little embarrassed now. It was faint but there was definitely a light flush across his cheekbones. Kagome had to bite back a grin at the sight. Maybe he just wasn’t used to kind words from a stranger? She didn’t have a chance to ponder that too much, though. She wasn’t sure what possessed her, but she found herself speaking before her mind caught up with her mouth. It had to be Rin’s influence.

“I want to repay you somehow! Like...with more than words. What can I do?”

The scowl disappeared and in its place was that hint of a smirk she had glimpsed earlier at his entrance into the store. Her knees went a little weak while her breath caught in her throat. It wasn’t fair for someone to be so incredibly attractive.

“Do ya always ask out your customers?”

“I-I’m not asking you out! I’m just trying to thank you…” Kagome stammered, her cheeks flushing pink. Ugh, she was failing miserably at this. “Like maybe a drink?”

Something shifted in his eyes that she couldn’t quite put her finger on while she waited for his answer. This wasn’t like her at all. She didn’t chase after guys. But she really did want to thank him and if that meant she got to spend more time with him in the process and learn his name then so much the better. It wasn’t like this was going to be a date; it was just a show of appreciation for him saving her ass.

“Your boyfriend won’t mind?” he asked, his scowl deepening.

“I-I don’t have a boyfriend,” Kagome answered, blushing harder.

He considered her words, his expression lightening at that.

“Fine. You can buy me a drink if that means you’ll shut up about thanking me.”

Okay, not the most encouraging response but she would take it. At least he wasn’t scowling at her anymore.

“What’s your name? And your phone number?”

“Inuyasha Taisho. Gimme some paper…” He peered at her name tag and grinned. “Ka-go-me.”

She had no idea why he had said her name in such a drawn out way but she decided right then that she loved it, and she wanted to hear him say it again. And again. God, what was wrong with her? She had met plenty of attractive men before, and her exes had all been pretty good-looking. But none had ever affected her so strongly before.

Retrieving a sticky note from her apron along with a pen, she scrawled her name and number onto it, then held it out to him.

“Here.”

He took it from her, his fingers brushing over hers. A tingle of electricity ran through her at the contact and sent her heart racing. His golden eyes sharpened and it occurred to her then that with his inu youkai senses he could probably pick up on little things like that. She was so obvious.

“Um...I should probably get back to work. Unless you need help with something?”

“Nah, I’m good. I have everything I need.” 

He held up the piece of paper with her name and number, the tilt of his lips turning into a devastating smirk, then walked away to continue shopping. She wondered for a minute if there was a double meaning behind his words or if she was reading too much into it. Shrugging it off, she resumed her managerial duties, continuing to make sure everyone on the sales floor was taken care of. After several minutes she realized she had forgotten to get his number, too, and glanced around. She caught sight of him just as he was leaving and sighed. Chasing him down once was enough; she wasn’t about to do it twice. Oh well. If she didn’t hear back from him then that was that. 

A few minutes later as she was finishing up with another customer she heard her phone chime and glanced at it. It was a text from an unknown number. 

[Hey it’s Inuyasha. Text me the days you’re free.]  

He had texted her! A flood of giddy excitement rushed through her.

“So did you get his number?” 

That was Rin’s coy voice over the headset. Kagome couldn't contain her smile, feeling a sense of triumph. At least something had gone right today.

“I did.”

She could hear Rin cheering loudly all the way from the front of the store.

 *****

 “It’s not a date.” Kagome told her roommate and best friend for the fifth time.

“It sounds like a date,” Sango insisted, sitting on the foot of her bed as Kagome finished up her makeup, sipping her soda. “Look at you. Putting on makeup, dressing up. Going for a drink. With a man you find attractive. We call that a date, Kagome.”

Finishing the swipe of cherry-red across her lips, Kagome capped the tube of lipstick and turned to face her friend. Ok, so maybe Sango had a point. She had definitely dressed a bit more flirty than casual attire called for, wearing a pleated knee-length skirt in green that flared at the hem and a white off-the-shoulder blouse to go with it. Her long hair was hanging free in natural waves, the silky black a stark contrast to her porcelain skin. 

“It’s just a thank you. He basically saved my job,” Kagome mumbled, but even she wasn’t convinced anymore. 

Sango rolled her eyes. 

“Well have fun at your not-date. Maybe it will lead to an actual date.”

"Yeah, yeah. Alright, out of my room. I'm leaving."

Sango laughed and threw her a wink before rising to her feet. 

“I want to hear all about it when you get back home.”

“Sure, sure.”

Kagome grabbed her purse and car keys, slipping out of their apartment. Sango managed to get in one last remark just before the door shut. 

“Let me know if he has any cute friends!”

“Good bye! ”

It had been three days since her encounter with the hanyou at her store, and aside from the rather short texts asking about her availability and figuring out the where and when to meet, there had been no real conversation between them. She had been hesitant to come across as too eager and he hadn’t exactly been forthcoming either. It’s not like it’s an actual date, so it doesn’t matter.

Maybe if she told herself that enough times she would start to believe it. 

She hoped that maybe texting just wasn’t his thing. A lot of guys were like that, after all. Also, he hadn’t exactly struck her as the talkative type, but more so a man of action and gruff words. It was also entirely possible he had just been busy. She had no idea what he did for a living, or anything else about his life, for that matter.

Whispering a quick prayer, Kagome turned the key in the ignition. When her car started, she released a relieved breath, beginning to drive to the bar they had agreed upon. Her car hadn’t given her any problems since that day, but Kagome knew it was only a matter of time. Most of the drive it behaved...until it didn’t. And then, as if her thoughts had summoned everything terrible in the universe, her car shuddered and started making a sound she was pretty sure cars weren’t supposed to make.

It sounded like a cat was dying beneath the hood.

“No, no, nooo! Come onnnnn.” 

The car remained unmoved by her desperate pleading. A glance at the dash revealed every warning light lit up like a Christmas tree and flashing at her. The engine stalled and her car began to slow, despite her frantic pressing of the gas pedal. Admitting defeat, she turned on her blinker and managed to pull over onto the side of the street right before it idled then completely died.

She turned the key again and nothing happened.  

Giving the steering wheel a smack of anger, Kagome then lowered her head to rest upon it for a moment, releasing a scream of all her pent up frustration. She banged on the dashboard some more. Her eyes grew wet with the promise of tears and her throat hurt from the effort of holding them back. Why did everything always seem to go wrong for her? This sucked. She had almost made it there. Well, halfway. Digging her phone out of her purse she typed out a text to Inuyasha.

[I’m so sorry but my car broke down. I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it.]  

Wrapping her arms around the steering wheel, she lowered her head back down and just sat like that for a bit, sniffling. She was allowed to wallow in self pity for a few minutes. Surely she deserved that much. Her phone chimed in her lap and she groaned, unlocking it and looking down at the new message.

[Yeah I can see that. Look up.]

What?

Kagome raised her head and yelped in surprise. Standing in front of her car, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, was Inuyasha. His hands were in his pockets and he looked like he was fighting to keep his expression neutral. With a growing sense of horror she wondered if he had witnessed her mental breakdown. The answer was most likely yes. She groaned again. Way to make a favorable impression, Kagome. Meanwhile he was just as hot as she remembered. As she stared at him confusion mingled with surprise. How…? 

He walked around to the driver’s side and rapped on her window with a knuckle. Sighing, Kagome undid her seatbelt and opened the car door. He moved back as she stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut harder than perhaps necessary. He raised an eyebrow at the excessive force and her bleak expression.

“Having another bad day?”

“It was going fine until my stupid car decided to break down!” Kagome answered darkly, giving one of the wheels a solid kick.

“Kickin’ it ain’t gonna help.”

“Well it’s helping me because it makes me feel better!”

“What’s wrong with it?” Inuyasha asked, grinning at her antics.

“I don’t know! Everything!” She wailed.

“I can take a look at it, if ya want.”

Kagome threw him a sidelong glance.

“How did you find me out here, anyways? Are you some kind of stalker?”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that, to be honest. Inuyasha scoffed, looking offended at the idea.

“Please. I got better things to do than follow ya around.”

“So you’re telling me you just happened to be here?”

“Listen, I live nearby. I was walkin’ to the bar when I heard that god awful screechin’ your car was makin’. Looked over and saw it was you.”

Yeah, he had definitely seen her mental breakdown. Perfect.

“You want me to take a look at it? I’m a mechanic,” he offered.

“What?”

“I can probably fix it for ya.”

“No! Absolutely not. Then I’ll owe you even more.”

He paused a moment, seeming to hesitate before speaking again.

“Just call this a date and we’ll call it even, then.”

A date? All the blood rushed to Kagome’s face as her cheeks reddened. He had managed to make it sound so casual, despite his slight hesitation. Had he thought she would say no? The thought was oddly endearing but did nothing to dispel her nerves. She stammered a little bit before finally managing a response.

“O-okay,” she squeaked.

He graced her with one of his fanged smirks and her heart pounded wildly, trying to escape her ribcage. A thrill of excitement zipped through her and she silently conceded that Sango had been right. He’s actually interested in me, too!

Although she had hoped for it, she hadn’t really been expecting it. His demeanor around her had been less than enthused, after all. But then again, he had come to her rather valiant rescue days earlier. And he had seemed pleased when she had given him her phone number. Maybe the trick was learning to read between the lines with him.  

Inuyasha pulled his phone out and made a quick call. Kagome tried not to be too obvious but it was impossible not to listen in.

“Hey. I need ya to come out here. Her car broke down.”

Inuyasha’s expression darkened before he rolled his eyes in response to whatever the person on the other end of the line said.

“Look, just get the fuck over here with the tow truck, would ya?...I don’t fuckin’ know, Miroku. Ask her yourself.” He made a disgusted sound. “Damn straight, you better.”

He rattled off the street they were at and then hung up the phone.

"It's a shame we won't actually make it to the bar because I could really use a drink right now," Kagome said morosely as they stood there.

Inuyasha barked out a laugh and Kagome found herself taken in at the sound.

"Yeah, it's too bad. Maybe another time."

"Mmm. So who was that on the phone? You sounded close."

"My friend. We work together," he said by way of explanation.

"Surprised you have friends with that surly expression you always wear," she teased.

"You tryin' to pick a fight?"

"No, just stating a fact. Your glare could make small children cry."

"Oh yeah? Well at least I didn’t stare at a mirror so hard that it broke, Miss Misfortune."

“Are you calling me UGLY?”

His ears twitched as he realized how it sounded and she did her best to keep a straight face.

“No, not at all. Just tryin’ to figure out how many black cats you pissed off.”

Kagome gave a mock gasp, feigning offense, and Inuyasha grinned.

“I hope you step on a Lego,” she said, unable to contain her own grin.

“Really? That’s all you got?” He chuckled. “I think your luck has been cursed enough for us both, girlie. Don’t tempt the Lego Gods.”

“Rude!”

They were still trading barbs when a tow truck pulled up to their side of the street in front of where they were standing. They were so engrossed in each other that it wasn't until the man in the truck rolled the window down and spoke that they realized he was there

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he said cheerfully.

Kagome turned her gaze to the newcomer and took in his appearance. He was handsome, with dark brows, high cheekbones, and full lips. His most striking feature, however, were his indigo eyes, brimming with amusement at the display before him. A light breeze floated through his open window and teased the strands of his black hair, currently pulled into a short ponytail. His arm came up to rest on the window sill almost lazily.

"About fuckin' time," Inuyasha greeted him rudely. The other man, presumably the Miroku from his phone call, just shrugged.

"I got here as soon as I could," Miroku replied, unperturbed by Inuyasha’s attitude. 

"Um, hi. Thank you for coming out here on such short notice," Kagome said politely.

At her words his attention turned to her. He blatantly looked her up and down before settling his indigo gaze back upon her face, smiling pleasantly.

“My pleasure; I’m Miroku. You’re the girl?”

“Um...yes...?” The girl? Had Inuyasha been talking about her?

“I can’t believe you agreed to go on a date with this brute here.”

“Hey!” Inuyasha protested. “I don’t want to hear that from a pervert like you.”

"He seems feral but I promise he's house-trained," Miroku went on.

"He doesn’t seem too bad to me, aside from his permanent scowl." Kagome felt compelled to defend him but she couldn't keep the smile off her face at their banter.

“You’re far too lovely for my friend. Are you sure you have the right guy?”

“At least I don’t flirt with anything female,” Inuyasha shot back.

“Please, I only do that to see their faces light up. Meanwhile, you make every woman run away crying. Except for this one, apparently.”

“At least I have standards.”

“Hey! I have standards, too,” Miroku insisted.

“Then you need to raise them.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Miroku agreed amiably. “I’m turning over a new leaf tonight.”

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Inuyasha scoffed.

“So you're clearly off-limits, but do you have any pretty friends?” Miroku pushed on unabashedly, turning his attention back to Kagome.

She giggled and Inuyasha glared. 

“It’s funny because my roommate said the same thing." 

"Same thing?"

"To let her know if Inuyasha had any cute friends,” she explained.

Miroku looked delighted.

“What is this roommate’s number?”

“Don’t you have a job to do?” Inuyasha cut in, rolling his eyes.

“Of course. Can’t keep a lady waiting.” He winked at Kagome and it was her turn to roll her eyes.

Together, Inuyasha and Miroku got her car loaded up. And by ‘together’ it was mostly Miroku doing the work while Inuyasha stood on the sidewalk making disparaging comments about Miroku’s skills. He took it in stride and made some cleverly sharp comments of his own right back. 

“Sorry about the tight squeeze,” Miroku apologized as they all piled into the truck. “This isn’t exactly made for three people.”

“No, it’s totally fine. I appreciate this. Both of you,” Kagome replied.

She was squished against the door with Inuyasha sitting to her right. He had refused to let her sit in the middle lest she be pressed up against ‘that damn flirt.’ She didn’t particularly care, to be honest, but his slight possessiveness warmed her. Or maybe that just was his body heat seeping into her, making her skin tingle in awareness.

The drive passed surprisingly quickly and they arrived at the garage as the sun was starting to dip below the horizon. The place was quiet and Kagome realized it must be after hours for them now, which made sense. She suddenly felt kind of bad about Miroku coming out after what had likely been the end of his shift. 

“Sorry, you were probably about to head home when you came to help me out,” she said, her voice contrite.

He waved her apology off. “It was no big deal.”

“Is that why you bitched to me about it over the phone?” Inuyasha snarked.

“Now now, let’s not split hairs. Dealing with you is different than dealing with a pretty lady.”

Inuyasha snorted.

The two of them got her car set up and then Miroku turned to Inuyasha. “You want me to stay and help?”

“Nah, I can handle it,” Inuyasha replied. “Get out of here.”

“Then on that note, I’ll take my leave. It was nice to meet you, Kagome.” Miroku said, giving her a nod.

“It was nice to meet you, too.”

“So about your roommate’s number...” He let the sentence trail off, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

“I’ll ask her about it. Goodbye!” Kagome said emphatically, but she was giggling.

After Miroku had taken off, her attention returned to the hanyou examining her dumpster fire of a car. He had removed his t-shirt, leaving him in a white wife-beater and a pair of jeans. His back was to her and he was putting his hair up in a bun to keep it out of the way. She watched his motions, observing the way the muscles of his back moved beneath the fabric, the corded strength in his arms as they bunched and flexed. A rush of warmth pulsed through her as he popped the hood of her car.

“Fuck, woman. When’s the last time you got an oil change?”

“Huh?” She looked up, snapped out of her reverie; she must have zoned out for a minute. “Um...I’m not sure, to be honest. Maybe a year or so ago?”

“You fuckin’ serious?”

“What?” She said defensively.

“You need to be gettin’ it changed every 5k miles. Everybody fuckin’ knows that. And that sticker on your windshield? It tells me ya should’ve gotten it done 3k miles ago.”

“I’ve been a little busy to think about things like that!”

He scoffed harshly but said nothing else as he...well she wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing, to be completely honest. She knew next to nothing about cars. The same was obviously not true for him, which was fortunate for her. He leaned over, getting a good look at her car’s inner workings and giving her a good look at his ass. It was perfect, just as she had suspected. 

“You seem more relaxed around me than you were before. I thought you didn’t like me,” he commented as he continued his work.

Kagome’s eyes snapped from his ass to the back of his head, feeling almost guilty about the way she had been checking him out. 

“I thought you didn’t like me ,” she admitted.

He turned around and gave her an incredulous expression.

“Why the fuck would you think that?”

She just looked at him and he sighed.

“Right. I s’pose that’s fair.”

“You seemed so...annoyed when we first met, and I didn’t know if that was because of the customer or me,” she explained.

“Definitely wasn’t ya. Sorry you got that impression.”

“It’s okay.”

“When you insisted you weren’t askin’ me out, I thought...well...”

“What??”

“Because I’m a hanyou.”

“But that doesn’t matter to me. It was because I just didn’t want to seem...forward, I guess. I don’t know, this kind of stuff doesn’t really come easily to me.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re fuckin’ beautiful.”

Kagome blushed furiously and he looked a little embarrassed at his honesty.

“Th-thank you,” she stammered, caught in the spell of his amber eyes. She resisted the urge to bite her lip out of nervousness. “I guess I just don’t tend to think of myself that way.” She gave a slight shrug.

“Well, ya should.”

With that pronouncement he turned back around and resumed his work on her car. His words had warmed her more than sunshine on a cold day. As she watched him work, something else began to warm her. She walked closer to get a better look at what he was doing and to keep her eyes from wandering to places they shouldn’t be.

“Why the fuck didn’t ya get this fixed sooner?” Inuyasha demanded suddenly, raising his eyes to meet hers. “This is a mess.”

She blinked.

“Well...I mean, it’s been giving me problems for a while, but every place is booked out for weeks now. I don’t have the time between work and school to drive far away to an auto place in a car on the verge of breaking down. With my luck it would die in the middle of the highway.”

“You have a point.” He laughed, and she suppressed a shiver at the sound. It washed over her in a wave, husky and rich.

"You know, your customer service is lacking," she teased. "Do you talk to all your customers like this?"

"Sometimes. Miroku usually has to smooth things over," he admitted.

"You could learn a few things from me."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"Not cursing at your customer, for starters."

"But you're not really a customer, are ya?"

"I guess that's true." She smiled.

She didn’t know how much time passed as he worked. The conversation between them was light and fun and didn’t touch on anything too serious. He took parts out of her car, put parts in, occasionally asking her to hand him a specific tool then making fun of her when she didn’t know which one it was. At those moments she would jokingly threaten to zap him with her reiki if he wasn’t careful and he would just chuckle at her empty threats.

The longer he worked on her car the harder it was to keep her mind from straying to less-than-innocent places. There was a fine sheen of sweat coating his arms, making his muscles glisten faintly. Her eyes took in every dip, curve, and swell, her mouth going dry at the sight. The way he was handling himself with confidence and ease spoke of his skill and it was...attractive, to say the least.

“So. A miko?”

Kagome mentally shook herself, trying to fight her growing arousal.

“It seemed like the natural choice; it’s always come so easily to me. It’s like flexing a muscle, an extension of myself. It’s part of who I am. While I could have chosen something else...why would I?”

“Makes sense,” he grunted.

“Did you always want to be a mechanic?”

“Well, I’ve always been good with my hands,” he shrugged.

I’m sure you are, she thought, biting her lip, her eyes inevitably drawn to those hands now. They were large and covered in black grease, tipped in claws. She wondered idly what those claws would feel like tracing the lines of her body and felt heat curl low in her belly.

Inuyasha inhaled, his nose twitching, and jerked upright, nearly hitting his head on the hood of her car. She frowned for a moment, wondering what had caused him to jump. Then realization dawned and she turned tomato red. Oh God. Embarrassment filled her.

Inuyasha was an inu youkai hanyou. He could smell her. His gold eyes practically burned as they turned her way.

She swallowed, fidgeting with her hands, and her cinnamon eyes skittered away from his form, hoping that would help to quell the rising desire in her. A desire for him and his touch. The force of it surprised her; she barely knew him! Despite that, everything with him just came so...naturally. She felt like she had known him forever, and feelings that normally took days and weeks to form had taken mere hours. It was insane, but she couldn't deny it.

She liked him so much it was crazy. 

Silence stretched between them as her mind cast about desperately for something to talk about. Something to divert attention away from the change in her scent and what exactly that meant.

"So, have you taken many dates to your garage?"

"Nah. You're the first lucky lady who's had the honor," Inuyasha replied with a fanged smirk, giving her a long look before turning his focus back to her car. 

Kagome breathed a soft sigh of relief and let out a small laugh at his answer.

"They really missed out. This is so romantic," she joked, gesturing about with a hand for good measure.

"Yeah, sorry." He lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. "This is probably a shitty date, but at least your car will work tomorrow."

"It's not, though," she told him sincerely. "I'm actually really enjoying myself. I have had way worse dates than this. This doesn't even rate on the scale."

And no date has ever had me so ready to be pressed up against the nearest surface with the need to have their hands all over me. Her mind was veering into dangerous territory again. She was completely ready to forget all propriety. Not good.

"You're kiddin'."

"Definitely not."

"Yeah? Then what's the worst date you ever been on?"

"Oh, let's see. There are a few contenders for that spot."

Kagome seized on the question. Talking made it easier to focus on something other than the way his lips would feel against hers. Or the way he might use his fangs to gently nip at the sensitive skin of her neck…

She needed to get a grip, and fast, or he was going to start smelling her again. She hastily tried to tamp down her libido with minimal success.

"There was the time I went on a date with a guy and he got so drunk he kept falling asleep at the bar,” she said, relieved when her voice came out steady and not breathless.

“Shitty, but not that bad.” 

“Oh, it gets worse. So I paid for my tab while he was in the bathroom; I just wanted to get out of there. As I was getting in the cab, he came running out after me, trying to keep me from leaving.”

“Guy obviously couldn’t take a hint.” 

Kagome gave a small laugh. “No. And well, just as I closed the door he projectile vomited all over the cab window.”

Inuyasha laughed so hard he had to stop what he was doing for a minute and Kagome grinned at his obvious amusement. It had been a gross and terrible experience at the time, but it definitely made for a hilarious story now.

“Ok, shit. That’s pretty fuckin’ bad.”

“It was horrifying. Then he texted me the next morning asking about a second date.”

Inuyasha laughed harder and Kagome began to laugh too.

“Needless to say, I said absolutely not.”

“Somethin’ tells me he didn’t take no for an answer,” Inuyasha grinned.

“I ended up blocking him,” Kagome confirmed. “So what about you? What’s your worst date story?”

Inuyasha straightened, surveying the innards of her car and seeming to come to some sort of conclusion. About what, she had no clue but he seemed satisfied, giving a short nod. Then he faced her, the corner of his mouth tilting up.

“I dunno about the worst, but probably the weirdest. I went out with this chick, and after we had dinner she said she just had to pick somethin’ up. We stopped at her twin brother’s place and there was the weirdest vibe goin’ on between them.”

“You don’t think…?” Kagome gasped.

“Fuck, I got no clue but they both basically ignored me and focused on each other ‘til I said I was leavin’.”

Kagome giggled. “Yeah, that’s pretty weird.”

Inuyasha lowered the hood of her car then grabbed a rag and wiped the grease off his hands before tossing it aside into a bin. When he looked her way again he stretched and his shirt rode up, exposing a tantalizing glimpse of his taut stomach. It whet her appetite for more and with a jolt she realized she was staring. She was also more than a little turned on. Even if she hid it well, there was no hiding her scent; Inuyasha would know exactly what kind of shameless thoughts were circling in her head. There would be no shrugging it off a second time.

She wasn’t that type of girl! But something about Inuyasha made her want to be.

“All done a-already?” She stuttered out, her eyes fixed firmly on the floor in front of her now. Her heart was beating faster, making it nearly impossible to keep her breathing even. She cleared her throat.

“Yup. All done. Was a fuckin’ mess but thankfully I know what I’m doin’,” Inuyasha answered.

His feet came into view as she continued to stare at the floor. They stopped right in front of her, but she didn’t need to see his feet to know that. Her awareness of his body so near to hers was a signal all on its own. His aura brushed up against hers and she swallowed nervously, her cheeks warming.

“Y-yeah, for once luck was on my side. Thank you so much,” she said, still looking at the floor.

“You thankin’ the floor?”

She hesitantly raised her eyes to his face and heat flooded through her at his expression. An answering heat burned in his golden orbs while a smirk teased at his lips. He knew. He knew and he was not going to let her off lightly. Not this time. That thought allowed some of her ardor to cool and she scowled. He was standing incredibly close so she pushed against him, her hands lingering on his stomach, noting the ridges of his abs beneath the thin fabric of the wife-beater he wore. He retreated a single step and no more.

“Thank you,” she said again, this time looking into his eyes as she spoke, and his smirk widened. She wanted to be annoyed but that look was giving her butterflies and making her knees weak. Or maybe it was the look in his eyes that made her feel almost hypnotized.

“You hungry?” he asked in a low voice.

“A little,” she replied, unable to look away. But I’m more hungry for you.

“There’s a takeout menu on the fridge in the living space through that door. Go ahead and order whatever ya want.” 

Without breaking eye contact, he pulled his wallet out and removed a card, then reached down to grab one of her hands. Her breath caught as he placed it in her palm then curled her fingers over it, his claws lightly scraping over the skin of her wrist before pulling away. She couldn’t suppress the shiver it caused.

“O-order?”

“What? Ya need help orderin’ food?”

“No! Of course not.”

Kagome tried to muster up a glare but failed miserably. Inuyasha just looked terribly amused and smug. Ugh.

“While you order I’m gonna go take a shower.”

“You need help with that?”

Kagome tried to make it sound like a joke, to play off his previous words, but her voice came out breathless instead. The teasing smirk disappeared from his face and his eyes sharpened as he crowded her space, standing so close his body heat warmed her. Leaning down, he spoke, his breath brushing over her lips.

“If you’re offerin’.” 

Kagome’s eyes widened and she opened her mouth to reply but no sound came out. All the desire she had been trying to keep at bay rushed back, overwhelming her senses for a moment. Her brain short-circuited as lust flooded her, making it impossible to fight.

“I-I wasn’t being serious,” she finally managed. “Your customer service needs work.”

He leaned closer, and she became acutely aware of how little space there was between their lips. 

“That’s not what your scent is tellin’ me.”

He definitely knows. Oh God. Mortification and arousal vied for dominance, arousal winning out. And Kagome suddenly found she didn’t care that he knew anymore. For once, she didn’t want to be a good girl; she just wanted to give in. But still, she couldn’t make the first move.

“What is it telling you?” she whispered, hoping he would.

And he did.

Instead of answering her, he closed the last bit of distance between them and pressed his lips against hers. It started out soft at first and she sighed in bliss, leaning into his kiss while her hands ran up his stomach to rest upon his broad shoulders. His credit card dropped between them onto the floor, forgotten as they kissed. The taste of his mouth sent her head spinning. His hands reached up to cradle her face as their lips moved against each other and she shivered at the delicious heat spreading through her body.

It quickly turned from sweet and hesitant to something more demanding and deliberate. Kagome offered no resistance, opening her lips to him almost reflexively. His tongue dipped into her mouth while she traced the length of his fangs with her own and he growled in approval. At the same time, her hands moved to his head, reaching back and undoing the bun holding his silver hair in place. The silky mass tumbled down his back and she ran her fingers through it as their kisses grew more insistent. Her blood was singing in her veins for his touch and, as if he could read her mind, his hands began to roam her body. They slid from her face to her shoulders, down her back, skimming her waist and coming to a stop on her ass.

His hands cupped her, pulling her flush against him and allowing her to feel the evidence of his own arousal. A soft whimper caught in her throat and she clung to him tighter. He dragged his mouth away from hers, his eyes almost wild, as if surprised at the force of the connection between them. They were both panting as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“It’s telling me you wanted that. And more. Fuck, I want more,” Inuyasha said, his voice husky.

“So do I,” Kagome told him hotly.

“If I kiss ya again, I dunno if I can stop.”

Kagome smiled at him shyly, her cheeks heated with a blush.

“What if I said I didn’t want you to stop?”

She wasn’t the type to have sex on the first date, but whatever was building between them was undeniable. For once, she wanted to throw caution to the wind and indulge herself, and if the bulge she felt in his pants was anything to go by, he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. And this thing between them was more than physical; at least it was for her. She only hoped it was the same for him, too.

“Then I ain’t gonna stop.”

“I-I don’t ever do this, especially not on the first date, but I just feel something so-- so--...”

“I feel it, too.”

That was the only reassurance she needed. Her hands moved across the expanse of his muscled back while his lips captured hers again. She felt like she could get lost in the feel of his mouth over hers, the taste of his breath, the way his fangs nipped at her bottom lip. The need to touch him was strong and she tugged at the wife-beater he wore in silent demand. Breaking the kiss, he smirked at her and removed it in one fluid motion. She stared, transfixed, her eyes charting every ridge and dip of his abs and pecs. 

He was beautiful . 

Before she could lose her courage, she leaned forward and ran her mouth over his skin, pressing kisses over his bare torso while her hands mapped his body. His breathing quickened and he growled, the verberation from the sound tickling her lips as her tongue darted out to lick the sweat from his skin. 

While she explored him, his hands went to work, running down her back in a caress before gripping her ass possessively. He squeezed, relishing the feel, then surprised her by using his grip to effortlessly pick her up. She squealed, instinctively wrapping her legs around his waist and pressing her core right against the hardness of his cock. Gasping at the sensation, a rush of hot arousal raced through her system and left her lightheaded. She barely registered him carrying her until he set her down on the hood of her car as he kissed her. Then his lips trailed from her mouth to her ear, down to her neck, where his fangs played at the sensitive skin there.

“You smell so fuckin’ good,” he said, his breath hot. He inhaled deeply, breathing her in.

Moaning softly, she shifted her hips against him, hoping to ease the ache that was beginning to build at the apex of her thighs. Heat jolted through her core at the intimate contact as he groaned. 

"Clothes...off…" Kagome managed, her mind in a haze.

Inuyasha complied, removing her shirt and tossing it aside. Without wasting any time, he reached behind her to unclasp her bra, his claws lightly brushing against her porcelain skin as he slid the straps from her shoulders. Nervousness gripped her again as her bra fell away and left her bare to his gaze, but excitement quickly replaced it at the hunger in his eyes.

“Fuck, you’re perfect.” 

She held her breath in anticipation for his touch while he stared, drinking her in. The look in his eyes made her feel like a goddess. He didn’t keep her waiting long, his large hands reaching for her and lifting her breasts, savoring their weight as a calloused thumb brushed over each nipple. They pebbled beneath his touch and a soft sigh passed her lips as he repeated the motion before massaging the globes. Then his mouth took the place of his hands and Kagome cried out as he sucked at her nipples, his fangs gently scraping over the sensitive buds. 

As he lavished his attentions on her breasts, her hands buried themselves in his hair, holding his head in place. Unable to help herself, one hand freed itself to stroke along his soft ears and his grip tightened on her in response. She grinned wickedly; they were clearly sensitive. Lightly running her tongue along the edge of one of his furred ears, she gave it a small nip. He growled, the sound rumbling through his chest and sending pleasurable vibrations through her body, making her moan. Liquid heat pooled between her legs.

Slowly, he kissed his way from her breasts all the way down her belly until he reached the waistband of her skirt. He gave it a playful bite while the longing in her grew stronger.

"Inuyasha…" she breathed, his name a plea.

Sliding his hands beneath the green satiny fabric, he ran his palms up her smooth thighs and took hold of her panties. She lifted her hips in consent and he removed them, his claws trailing along her pelvis and the inside of her thighs. A small whimper lodged in Kagome’s throat as the tension inside her built.

Rather than toss them aside like he had her shirt, Inuyasha held them up to his face. The crotch was soaked with her arousal and she watched as he slowly and deliberately dragged his tongue across the wetness, closing his eyes as if savoring the taste. Then he gave her a wicked smirk, locking eyes with her.

It was the hottest and most erotic thing she had ever seen. Lust gripped her, hot and immediate. The pressure was almost unbearable now, she was so fucking turned on. She throbbed with the need to feel that tongue licking and teasing her dripping pussy.

"You taste amazing. But it'll taste even better right here," Inuyasha said, dropping her panties to the floor in favor of spreading her thighs.

"Do it. Taste me," she panted, her fingers curling into fists at her side to keep herself from grabbing his head and pressing him into her.

Then his mouth was on her and oh. Fuck. Her skirt bunched around her waist as his tongue lapped at the juices pouring from her opening, darting in and out and making her breath catch. After teasing her entrance, he gave her pussy a long, slow lick, flicking the tip of his tongue over her clit. Kagome gasped, her thighs tensing, as he spread her folds and licked at her faster, mercilessly tonguing her bundle of nerves. She cried out, her back arching.

“Ah! Ahh! Yes, oh fuck!”

Tracing fast and hard circles around her clit with his tongue, he positioned one of his hands at her opening and slid a finger inside her, being careful of his claws. Her response was instant, her hips bucking up against him to take his finger all the way inside her as she moaned loudly. Yes. God yes. 

Inuyasha gave a growl of approval at her reaction and the vibrations went straight to her clit, enhancing the pleasure. It was pure bliss. His tongue worked her nub furiously as he fingered her, adding a second digit to the first and causing a cry to escape her again. His fingers moved in and out in a quick rhythm, stretching her and making a slurping sound as wetness continued to spill from her. As he continued to devour her hungrily.

Her head fell back as she lost herself to the sensations, feeling the coil of her release wind tighter. The cool metal of the hood of her car against her skin was a stark contrast to the heat of her body as she burned from his touch. She couldn’t believe she was doing this , here, on her car, but she was too far gone to care anymore. Fuck, she was so close .

And then he began to suck on her clit while his tongue and fingers continued to stroke her and Kagome lost all control of herself. Moaning incoherently, uncaring of how loud she was being, she writhed under his mouth. When he gently scraped one of his fangs over her sensitive nub she came apart, her hands grasping for something to anchor her while the ecstasy took her sky high.

“Ah! Ahhh! Inuyashaaa!”

“Delicious,” she heard him say, and thought he might have been licking his fingers of her essence. She wasn’t sure.

The world spun for a minute while she panted, trying to catch her breath. When her eyes refocused she looked up and saw Inuyasha had divested himself of the rest of his clothing and stood in front of her, gloriously naked. He looked like one of those statues of a Greek god, his body chiseled and well-defined with muscle. There was one notable difference between them and him, however, and it was the rather large appendage jutting out from between his legs.

Kagome stared for a second. He was definitely bigger than average, and she wondered for a moment if he would even fit inside her. Her eyes must have given her away because Inuyasha chuckled, pulling her close and kissing her senseless, and any doubt regarding that faded away. 

He was going to the best she ever had: she just knew it. 

As he kissed her, her hands caressed his ears again, rubbing the edges between her fingertips. Inuyasha’s own hands traced patterns up and down her back, one of them breaking away to grab a fistful of her hair. Languid warmth bloomed inside Kagome from the way he was making her feel and she wanted to return the favor.  

“Your turn,” Kagome whispered against his lips.

Holding onto his shoulder to steady herself, her other hand trailed south across his skin. The muscles of his abdomen clenched under her feather-light touch before she reached her target and gripped his cock firmly. Squeezing, she ran her hand along the length of him, the pad of her thumb pressing against his tip and spreading the precum around in soft circles. He hissed out a breath, snarling softly.

“Fuck, your hand feels so good,” he groaned, burying his face in her neck.

Dragging her fingernail gently up the side of his cock as she pumped him, her hand tightened its grip, moving faster. He grunted out his pleasure, thrusting in time with the rhythm of her hand while his tongue rasped over her neck. Her head lolled to the side, allowing him better access as she stroked up and down, her hand giving a twist with each upward motion. His breathing became harsh, coming in pants, and Kagome gave a moan herself at the way his fangs scraped against the column of her throat.

She was already wet for him again.

“Smell amazing...fuck, gotta stop or I’m gonna....”

His voice was thick with desire and the sound sent tingles down her spine. Giving her neck one last nip, he raised his head and, reaching down between them, grabbed her hand in his, stopping her. She looked at him in confusion, uncertainty quelling her own desire, but the look in his gold eyes put any insecurities to bed. They were molten embers that burned for her and made her ache for him. A slow smile spread across his face and her body flushed.

“Why...why did you stop me?”

“I’m not gonna cum in your hand on the first date.”

But I came on yours . The words never made it past her lips as he spread her legs wider and rubbed his cock over her soaked pussy, pressing the head against her clit. She whimpered, falling back against the hood of her car as he repeated the motion before lining himself up at her entrance. She held her breath, waiting, and looked into his eyes. It might have been her imagination, but she thought she saw a hint of red at the edges and it thrilled her.

Then a thought occurred to her.

“W-wait! What about-- about protection?” 

“Not to be weird, but I can smell ya, and you ain’t fertile right now.”

She blinked, absorbing this information, and felt equally aroused and appalled that he could apparently smell every facet of her being.

“You still want this?” His voice was a deep rasp.

“I still want it. I want you,” she answered.

The blunt head of his cock pressed against her and, at her consent, he slowly worked his way inside her until every inch was sheathed within her hot, dripping core. She moaned as sparks of pleasure danced over her skin and he gave an answering groan of his own. He was stretching her to the limit and the feeling was incredible. It made a delicious ache begin to swirl within her, radiating out from where he was buried so deep inside. And he hadn’t even moved yet.

“Ah, God,” he breathed, holding still for a moment as her body adjusted to the size of him. His hands were on either side of her head as his body loomed over her. “Fuck, you’re so tight. You’re not--?”

“--no. But it’s been a while,” Kagome breathed back. “Please, keep going. Don’t stop.”

Inuyasha growled and withdrew before thrusting back into her and she gasped, her breath hitching on another moan. And he didn’t stop, pumping into her hard, while her wet pussy gripped his cock tightly. She shifted her hips up against him with each thrust, trying to take him even deeper. The demanding ache inside of her was building and it needed more. She needed more. The shaft of his cock rubbed against her walls with each urgent movement, pressing against places she hadn’t even known were sensitive until they began to send jolts of ecstasy through her body while he fucked her.

Some distant part of her mind registered that Inuyasha was fucking her on her car. And she didn’t care. She loved it, wanted more, all her inhibitions slipping away. Each fierce thrust was making her breasts bounce wildly, something that didn’t escape his notice. Her back arched into his touch as he brought a hand up to possessively grasp one of her breasts, claws playing with her nipple as he squeezed the flesh.

“Fuck, you feel so good,” he grunted as he pounded into her. “Uhn!! So fucking good!”

She didn’t even realize she was crying out at first, but she couldn’t seem to silence herself either, helpless against the way he was making her feel. Looking into Inuyasha’s face she decided she didn’t want to, anyways, because at each sound of pleasure that fell from her lips his eyes seemed to glow brighter, his breath catching, and his thrusts coming faster.

“Ahh! Ah! Inu-Inuyashaaa! I-- please-- Mmm! Yes!”

The coil of her release was wound so tight she was going to come apart any second. Inuyasha leaned down to scrape his fangs over her exposed neck, his tongue licking away the sting. When he moved his other hand from her thigh to her clit, rubbing in taut circles, the feeling sent her over the edge. She came hard, her legs trembling as she moaned loudly, her whole body shuddering.

“That’s it, Ka-go-me,” he panted at her, still thrusting into her wet, hot core and she whimpered.

Then he withdrew from her and she blinked, in a daze, wondering why he was stopping; he hadn’t reached his own release yet. She never got a chance to ask, his lips claiming hers in a kiss so tender that it belied the intensity of the way he had just been fucking her. Pulling away, his hungry eyes traced the length of her body before he gently picked her up, putting her feet on the ground, and flipped her over so her stomach was now against the hood of her car, her back to him.

Hands spread her thighs and in one swift motion he was buried inside her welcoming heat again. She whined as his cock stretched her, her fingers fisting. God, he made her feel so fucking good. Those strong hands of his held her in place as he began to thrust in and out, one splayed around her waist while the other slid around her front to play with her breasts.

“Ya didn’t think I was stoppin’, did ya?” His breath teased the shell of her ear.

A shudder of need ran through her at the feeling.

“Good...don’t stop!” She managed before the pleasure took her over again.

All she could do was moan his name as he fucked her harder, his cock hitting deep. Filling her up in the most delicious way possible. With each rapid thrust she was pushed up against her car, causing her clit to rub up against it and sending tiny shocks of euphoria through her body that left her gasping. The delicious friction of his cock pistoning inside her, coupled with that, had her crying out again, moving her hips back into him as she keened.

Inuyasha was groaning and grunting behind her and the sound turned her on even more. The noises he was making were almost animalistic and it excited her. Desire shot through her, the evidence of how good she was making him feel intensifying her own arousal, and the coil of her release tightened in response. 

Raising her head, Kagome caught sight of her reflection in the windshield of her car and her eyes widened as she stared. Transfixed, she watched, her breath coming faster. Watched as she was fucked from behind, against her car, by the only man who had ever made her act in such a way. A man who should by all rights be a stranger, but who made her feel like no one ever had before. She had never witnessed anything like it, and a hot, sharp wave of lust pulsed along every nerve-ending before coiling low, right at her core. 

The blissed out look on her face, the almost feral expression on Inuyasha’s... It was such an erotic vision, one she couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away from. More liquid heat pooled between her legs as her arousal and need heightened, the pressure building to unbearable levels.

His rhythm quickened, his breathing turning shallow, and Kagome could tell he was close to his climax. She was close, too. Her heart was a staccato beat in her chest, her breathing ragged, her skin slick with sweat. The slapping sound of skin and their moans, harsh pants, and gasps permeated the air. Reaching behind her, she grabbed onto his perfect ass, rolling her hips back into him, meeting his hard and deep thrusts.

“Inu-Inuyasha--ahh! Ah! Oh fuck, yes!” she cried out.

“Fuck...Kagome, I’m gonna--” Inuyasha grunted, leaning over her to wrap his arms around her as he thrust. Harder. Deeper. Faster. His mouth found her neck again and she threw her head back.

“--do it! I want it!” she said breathily.

His body went rigid behind her as he spilled himself inside her, breathing heavily and groaning from the force of his release. The warm sensation of his cum shooting up inside her combined with everything else sent her over the edge and she came right after, her orgasm almost blinding her in its ferocity. It spread through her like wildfire, strong and immediate, more intensely than she had ever felt before. For a moment, she saw stars and the world fell away. When she came back to herself Inuyasha was smoothing her hair to the side and pressing kisses to her shoulder.

“You good?” he rumbled into her ear.

Kagome smiled, almost laughing at the question. She was completely sated.

“More than good.” 

“Good.”

He pulled out of her, turning her around so that she faced him. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tightly while she waited for her legs to support her again. As the languid heat of her satisfaction began to dissipate, other thoughts took hold again, making her heart beat faster for an entirely different reason.

“Oh, God,” she whispered, suddenly feeling almost horrified. It made no sense after everything they had just done, but her sense of shame was returning along with her good sense.

Inuyasha frowned, his ears flattening.

“What’s wrong?”

Kagome buried her face in his chest as she spoke.

“I--I can’t believe I just… I mean, I know I said I wanted to, and told you not to stop, but--”

“--you regretting it?” His voice was low. 

Kagome didn’t miss the underlying emotion of hurt beneath it. She rushed to explain.

“No! No!! Not at all. I just… I never do this. And I did. On the first date. I just feel something so-- so strongly for you, and I wanted it so much, but-- God, I can’t imagine what you think of me...” 

Inuyasha seemed to relax at her confession, and he had the audacity to laugh. She glared against his chest.

“You said somethin’ like that before everything got heated. Listen, I told ya already. I feel it, too. And besides, I think you’re the hottest, most interesting woman I ever met.”

She raised her head from his chest to cautiously peek at his face. He gave her a fanged smile and she relaxed against him, sighing softly. 

“You mean that?”

“Absolutely. Though your luck is cursed and the way you take care of your car is a crime.” 

“Such sweet words. Keep talking to me like that and I just may believe you,” she teased, smiling back at him now.

“So...would it be weird to ask ya for another, actual date, now?” 

“Not at all.” 

She leaned up to kiss him and he returned it with interest. His mouth on hers, his body pressed against her...it was intoxicating. It was perfect. When they broke apart they were both breathing heavily again.

“Now, what was that about my customer service lacking…?” Inuyasha said, his gold eyes burning for her.

“I changed my mind. Five stars. Glowing reviews,” Kagome replied, her smile turning seductive.

And he proceeded to earn every word of praise.

[the-weaver-of-dreams]

I posted 312 times in 2021

134 posts created (43%)

178 posts reblogged (57%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 1.3 posts.

I added 319 tags in 2021

#ooc - 102 posts

#memes - 73 posts

#dash games - 28 posts

#ask - 23 posts

#kagome - 17 posts

#the inuyasha games - 17 posts

#his master: naraku - 17 posts

#master of illusions: himself - 16 posts

#headcanon - 15 posts

#museguided - 11 posts

Longest Tag: 122 characters

#(( lol he's scared of what may happen if naraku finds out about what byakuya knows about the other's deepest desires xd ))

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Starter for @museguided 

It was that time of the month again. The night of the new moon and the night Naraku chose to separate himself into the numerous parts of demonic flesh to expel the weakest of demons only to keep the strong. As such, it was Byakuya’s job to guard the palace grounds and prevent any of Naraku’s enemies from finding their location.

So there Byakuya was, standing upon his origami crane. The darkness of the moonless concealing him as he flew a few feet from the palace to survey his surroundings. After a few moments, the sounds of someone or something transversing the undergrowth near to where he was caught his ears and caused Byakuya to glance over in that direction. Indigo eyes narrowed, the incarnation silently flying over to get a better look at whatever made the sound.

11 notes • Posted 2021-06-02 00:29:53 GMT

#4

“When the time comes to fufill my role... know that I have no regrets. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for you"

- Independent Byakuya of the Dreams roleplay blog from Inuyasha - 6+ years of roleplay experience - Mun and muse are 18+ - Multiverse/Multiship - Anon/OC/Magic!Anon friendly

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Credit: Promo image made by @windxdancer

11 notes • Posted 2021-04-08 20:58:06 GMT

#3

ooc: Two pictures of Byakuya x Naraku drawn by me. Please do not steal my art or hate on these pictures. This is just my funny crack pairing ^^

12 notes • Posted 2021-08-25 23:04:30 GMT

#2

Starter for @holified

How was it possible he sensed a great evil within Naraku... but a flicker of loneliness as well?

Byakuya frowned, arms crossing within his sleeves as he flew across the skies upon his origami crane. The question had intrigued him ever since his creation when he first sensed the opposing forces within Naraku’s body. Despite the urge to voice his feelings and the inquiry hidden deep within his person however, Byakuya never dared to mention his thoughts to his creator. After all, he knew the consequences of voicing such thoughts.

Byakuya’s thoughts eventually lead him to where he was now in his search for answers. The incarnation only knew of one individual who might know the answers he sought and he had every intention of finding her. Just then, a glimmer of silver caught his gaze just as it vanished into the tree line. Indigo orbs narrowed as he moved to follow it, eventually landing on the forest floor.

There is was, a lone eel like demon clutching a glowing ball of light. It soared above a lone priestess sitting at the base of a large tree before dropping the light into the woman’s chest. So, this was the woman Naraku sought to kill... Kikyo. 

He had found her...

12 notes • Posted 2021-09-07 17:08:28 GMT

#1

@alongcameaspider continued from here

Byakuya frowned slightly as Naraku ignored his words, arms crossed within his sleeves. Well, it wasn’t like the incarnation should expect anything less... after all, Naraku always had a distaste for those types of emotions. As the other finished speaking, Byakuya pulled himself from his thoughts and walked into the room only to stop a few feet in front of his creator.

“Yes. Inuyasha seems to have mastered a technique that cuts into the enemy’s demonic vortex” Byakuya mused, nodding slightly. “I also picked this up for you. Though it was an awful amount of trouble to acquire it” Byakuya pulled a hand from his sleeve to reveal a glittering Shikon jewel shard. 

13 notes • Posted 2021-04-28 03:31:33 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[bakusaigaa]

i know i rag on inuyasha himself but seriously, that guy had such incredible character development and from volume 1 to volume 56 he was a COMPLETELY different person in terms of his strengths and abilities. like he, sesshomaru and sango arguably had some of the best character development in that series. kagome grew so much stronger too, all of the main cast really grew in one way or another in terms of strength and emotion...and you’re telling me after the insane Final Boss showdown that was naraku these weirdos can’t keep their families together? like at that point, they are some of the most powerful and capable individuals in this timeline. it can’t be overstated just how fucking powerful naraku was and that they were able to defeat him, not to mention all the other insanity they dealt with. but all along there was some powerful being that could upset all of them but nobody knew about it until now? what a joke lmao.

the argument for their apparent lack of action is ‘well, something had to happen to them for this new story to take place” and it’s like...no it didn’t? NOTHING had to happen to them at all. new characters and new people in the family tree can exist and have their own stories to tell entirely independent of their parents/grandparents/etc. some things obviously matter like particular abilities inherited from a parent or even personality traits like hahaha, setsuna is so grumpy just like her dad, but other than that stuff who cares? give these new characters a story of their own to tell with the parents as accents along the line rather than catalysts. like this dumbass tree wants the twins and moroha to kill sesshomaru? really? we’re doing this “kick your dad’s ass” thing, again? who is dumb enough to tell anyone to go fight sesshomaru? did we just forget how powerful this guy is? how even more powerful he became? but that’s right, something happened to him. we don’t know what, but it was something. and what about moroha? her father who went from running around with his claws out like a dumbass to sending people into the void with his sword and her mother who basically told the shikon jewel to go fuck itself are just...not around right now lol. because something happened to them.

it really is a shame to see the way things are unfolding because the twins and moroha are actually pretty cool. their parents can be around and an incredibly cool story can still come out of that. bad things can still happen. surprises can still happen. we’re only 4 episodes in so who knows. but honestly even seeing people who don’t give af about sesshomaru (even though they should lol what’s wrong with them) finding all kinds of problems/issues with the show...it’s just a mess. even if my hopes are validated and this sessr*n filth isn’t a thing, the sequel is still full of problems.

[ayuuria]

Yashahime Translation: Real Sound Film Department Interview with Tadokoro Azusa

Please do not repost this translation without my consent! This includes screenshots of any type and amount. If you wish to share this translation, simply link to this post.

For more information regarding the use of my translations, click here.

Tadokoro Azusa, Her Thoughts on the “Inuyasha” World That She Admired. Reading the Script for Episode 1 was “A Very Surreal Feeling.”

“Hanyō no Yashahime”, which depicts the next generation of the anime that is Takahashi Rumiko-sensei’s original work, “Inuyasha”, is currently being broadcasted on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV every Saturday from 17:30 (5:30pm on the 12-hour clock).

The protagonists of this work are three half-demons who carry the blood of a demon and a human, Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha. Towa and Setsuna are Sesshōmaru’s twin daughters. Moroha is the daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome but she grew up without knowing the face of her parents. What exactly happened in the feudal world that was supposed to have become peaceful after the permanent destruction of the Shikon Jewel. The mysteries are slowly being revealed and the story is visibly becoming more exciting.

This time, the Real Sound Film Department interviewed the voice actress who plays Moroha, Tadokoro Azusa.

(There is a video comment at the end of the interview)

When I got the role, I felt like “I had ascended to heaven.”

— Tadokoro-san, you play the role of Inuyasha and Kagome’s daughter, Moroha, and “Inuyasha” is what got you interested in voice acting correct.

Tadokoro Azusa (shortened to Tadokoro from here on): That’s right. It was a work that I loved, so my hands were shaking when they told me about the audition. That there was a new development in “Inuyasha” and that Inuyasha and Kagome had a child really surprised me.

— How did you feel (your) audition went?

Tadokoro: I acted with the intention that I put my all into it, but because I absolutely wanted the part, I felt nervous afterwards. That’s why when I got the part, I couldn’t believe it. I felt like had ascended to heaven.

— We heard that you jumped into a well before, thinking you might be able to go to the feudal era.

Tadokoro: The well was already buried so fortunately I wasn’t injured, but I really went for it (laughs)

— Now, you have time traveled to the modern era via the Tree of Ages’ passageway as Moroha, but were there any scenes that moved you deeply as you were acting?

Tadokoro: I don’t have a specific scene, rather it’s the episode 1 script. After watching the completed anime on screen when I was young, I was deeply moved that I was reading a script that had the lines spoken by characters from “Inuyasha”. I watched (the episode) on air in real time at home and hearing the voices of Inuyasha and the others on TV brought me be back to my younger days. Then hearing my voice afterwards. It was a very surreal feeling.

— Among them, we heard that Sesshōmaru was your favorite character. What was his appeal?

Tadokoro: First, Sesshōmaru has an overwhelmingly pretty face (laughs). At first, he seemed level-headed and hated humans, but after meeting Rin, you could see kindness slowly come through. I get wild ideas that for the few words he speaks, maybe this is what he was thinking? However periodically, he’ll say things clearly like “There’s nothing worth obtaining in exchange for Rin’s life” and I think that’s wonderful.

— Also, you decided to become a voice actress after admiring Yajima Akiko-san who did the voice of Kohaku in “Inuyasha”. Please tell us why you were taken by Yajima-san’s acting of Kohaku.

Tadokoro: Because Kohaku had to go through a lot of painful things, he came across as being absurdly prone to sacrificing himself. With Yajima-san acting as that Kohaku, it was as though there was more sorrow mixed in. It was a voice that made me go “I want to help him!” as I watched.

— Do you have any aspects that were influenced by Yajima-san?

Tadokoro: The biggest reason why I was drawn to Yajima-san’s voice and acting was because even in a normal everyday conversation, you could tell what sort of life that child went through. I thought I wanted to become that kind of a voice actress and when I met her once, I asked “How do you take on a role that has a thought process that you don’t understand?”

— What was her answer?

Tadokoro: “You know, I don’t know myself” is what she said. Because you don’t know, you continue to think about the feelings of the character you play and try to act in the same way. Actually, when Yajima-san played the role of a child from a wealthy family, she apparently stayed in a very expensive hotel for a week (laughs). Not only was I moved from seeing her acknowledge what she didn’t know and attempt to get closer to the role, I thought I should also understand the feelings of the person I’m playing without giving up.

Geeking Out During Recording

— The character you play, Moroha, is very expressive which makes her cute. If there is anything you are careful about while playing Moroha, please tell us.

Tadokoro: Thank you! Because she didn’t have an easy upbringing at all, she’s a very uncouth child. I’m conscious of that liveliness that always seems like it’s about to go off. It’s just that we purposely haven’t been told what’s going to unfold in the future actually, so it’s difficult in that sense. Not to mention Moroha’s emotions are constantly changing, so it’s hard for me to keep up (laughs). She gets interested in all sorts of things which seems hectic.

— However, it seems as though Moroha is the bridge that connects Towa and Setsuna.

Tadokoro: Yes. But in the end, those two are love dovey with each other so it’s sometimes lonely being left out (laughs). Moroha may seem like the type that acts recklessly at first glance, but she’s actually smart and surprisingly the most proficient in battle amongst the three of them. That sort of gap is charming. Plus, she has that sort of adorable idiocy like Inuyasha and Kagome’s cleverness, so I think that’s very powerful!

— Please tell us what you think of Towa who is played by Matsumoto Sara-san.

Tadokoro: While being a half-demon, Towa was separated from Setsuna when they were young and grew up in the modern era that she time travelled to. Furthermore, this time, she returns to the feudal era with Setsuna and Moroha, so I think she’s a complex character whose emotions are heavily swayed. From that Towa, I can feel Sara-san’s true sincerity or rather everything Towa says is what she truly feels without any ill-will which I think is cute.

— How about Setsuna who is played by Komatsu Mikako-san?

Tadokoro: Setsuna’s charm that Komatsu-san plays is her sharp appearance. I can slightly feel that cool face of Sesshōmaru’s after all; on the other hand, she exudes the cuteness of a girl. Through Komatsu-san’s acting, I think it’s wonderful that her cuteness of worrying about Towa, despite everything, comes through.

— What is the atmosphere like during recording?

Tadokoro: The three of us love “Inuyasha”, so we geek out! Since we also don’t know what’s to come, we speculate things on our own like “This might actually end up like that” (laughs).

— Every time an episode is broadcasted, there’s a lot of speculation that rouses social media as well. Please tell us what curious viewers should take note of going forward.

Tadokoro: If there are unexpected developments like “It’s come to that!”, then there will be developments that will make "Inuyasha” fans glad and at ease. The mysteries will slowly be revealed, so please don’t miss each episode.

— Within that, what are points to pay attention to for Moroha?

Tadokoro: Moroha’s past and the environment she grew up in will be revealed in a certain episode, and I think it will be an episode that will make her more endearing.

— Including the numerous roles you had outside of “Hanyō no Yashahime” and your singing career, I’m sure 2020 was a very busy year for you but looking back, how was it?

Tadokoro: With circumstances changing daily from the COVID crisis, I’m truly happy and blessed that I was able to expand my world in a new way. That’s why each job felt even more precious to me. I once again feel that I need to be serious about continuing (work) into next year and the year after that, so I feel pressure. It’s a feeling of “I can’t die out from here!”

— The state of the world was heavily shaken.

Tadokoro: You’re right… it would be great if we could all record together like before.

— Tadokoro-san, you turned 27 back on November 10th. What’s your goal for the new year?

Tadokoro: There’s my self-produced album, ‘Waver’ coming out on January 27th and my current goal is to become able to put into words how I think and feel.

— For example?

Tadokoro: For example, in daily life, to casually doubt something on TV or something a person says like “Is that really right?” or (say) what I was thinking. In a way, I put my current thoughts into songs which I compile into an album.

— You have stated that since the time of your debut you’ve always wanted to try playing a “young male” role, and lately you’ve been able to play a lot of young male roles, including Ryouma from “Kamisama ni Hirowareta Otoko” (By the Grace of Gods). Now once again, are there any roles you would like to try?

Tadokoro: I like foreign dramas, so I’d like to take on the challenge of dubbing a person who appears in a Western film.

— I think fans will look forward to the future development of “Hanyō no Yashahime” and your work.

Tadokoro: I would like everyone to wait while being excited. There are lot more things I want to say about “Hanyō no Yashahime” but it will get more exciting from here on, so please look forward to every episode. And I, Tadokoro Azusa, will keep pushing forward without coming complacent. Fans, please watch over me!

[treekyo]

My personal grievances with Yashahime so far (which may change as the story progresses)

Okay you guys I’m gonna go on a little rant right now... and it’s about...almost everything I’m not personally happy with in Yashahime. Remember, everything is my own opinion, as well as subject to change as the story progresses. (This was written on 1/21/21)

Also everything will go under the cut so you don’t have to read if you don’t want to!

Towa

So honestly, Towa is fine. My main issue is her motivation - or lack thereof.

Her main motivation is to find the Dream Butterfly to regain Setsuna’s memories. Dandy right? Would be, if she was actively pursuing this. The thing is, there’s only 3 instances in the show where she “actively” tries to find the butterfly - when she legitimately goes out to find the mountain it could live on, and when she asks Jyubei twice about any information about the butterfly (one of which ties in to the her looking for it)

And I get it, it’s even a myth within Feudal Japan. But how many times has Towa come across random people whom she bonds with and just....doesn’t ask them anything? Not even a whisper? I get it, she’s currently trying to get money to give to Jyubei to set a bounty for information (and they keep losing money), but it’s always Moroha who is upset about the lack of funds. Towa doesn’t get on her knees and complain that she won’t be able to finance the bounty on the butterfly. Heck, she doesn’t even go “Oh jeeze, another week and I still don’t know anything about the butterfly” She doesn’t even bring up her lack of knowledge - which is frustrating because this is her MAIN MOTIVATION.

The Four Perils and Treekyo

Alright, this one is gonna be a bit shorter, but still nonetheless frustrates me. Treekyo propositioned the girls to destroy the four perils and then Kirinmaru, or to destroy Sesshomaru - to balance the force or whatever. They say “No! We’re not killing our dad/uncle, and we’re not killing these other people just because you say so!” and then they go on there way.

THEY THEN PROCEED TO TAKE ON BOUNTIES FOR ALL FOUR OF THE PERILS AND DON’T EVEN QUESTION IT. Like Tokotsu isn’t as big of a deal since he was already slain before Treekyo asked the girls for their help, and the bounty was for his son. But like...none of them go “Oh wow we’ve been fighting the four perils, just like Treekyo wanted! I still want my bounty money, but this is a bit suspicious” Maaaybe they’ll mention it because two of the perils still live...but...I think it’s been a bit too long for it to have gone unnoticed.

Pacing

Now this one has to do with the actual pacing of the story, which also ties into my problems with Towa’s motivation. 

See, the pacing worked for Inuyasha since their motivations were to find the shards of the shikon jewel - these shards were taken by the “monsters of the week” and needed to be destroyed to regain them. While it was slow, they were actively moving “forward” (or appeared to be moving forward) towards their end goal.

Now in Yashahime, clearly the story’s end goal is a showdown with Kirinmaru. But that’s not the character’s end goal. They currently do not coincide. Now is it probable that the Dream Butterfly was used to keep Setsuna safe from Zero’s Dream Gaze (currently a theory as of right now)? Yeah, more than likely. But the main characters don’t know that. So Towa should still be actively trying to find the butterfly. The “monsters of the week” formula, when not interacting with Towa’s motivation, makes everything feel pointless and “filler”. However; if Moroha was the main character it would work because she’s trying to pay off her debt. Heck, if Setsuna was the main character it would work because she does the slaying mostly because she is told to by the Demon Slayers.

Both Setsuna and Moroha’s motivations - work and debt, work with the “monsters of the week” formula, and the pacing could work. But Towa is the MAIN main character - and she just needs to mention the butterfly in every episode to make it “okay”

Episode 15

Now I’m not gonna get into the actual story here, but I will say having Riku tell the story, with absolutely  no prompting, was a terrible choice. Sure, he was telling us the story, but the previous flashback was told to Towa, to let her know that they knew OF time traveling and wanted more answers. This episode should have been put off for an episode (as well as broken into a two parter), allowed for Jaken to meet the girls, and tell the story of what happened. That way, they know about the comet (and idk, maybe if Towa was more observant she could go “hey that might be coming back in the present era!”), learn about their family. And start to give Moroha the closure she deserves. But of course we can’t have that - we have to make Sesshomaru be considered a villain even though it’s obvious he’s not but w/e - suspense and all.

I just worry with how the writing has been, the characters won’t be as phased as they should be when they know the truth - because we the audience know so “we don’t need their reactions” or whatever their reasoning would be, since we’ve already dwelled on this information.

Closing

And if you’re wondering why I’m still watching Yashahime because of these grievances - it’s because I WANT it to work. And maybe once the entire story is out it won’t be as bad. That’s why I said it’s subject to change. But right now, this is what is weighing on my mind where I can’t fully enjoy this sequel series to one of the first anime’s I ever watched (fourth, to be precise).  I hope things turn out for the better, but if they don’t? I still enjoyed it. And that’s why I keep watching.