InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Emergence ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 21 )

~ * ~

Kagome stood beside her hanyou with tears glistening in her eyes as Kaede preformed the ceremony blessing the union of the last taijiya and the hentai monk. She was overjoyed for her friends, who were finally getting the happiness they so richly deserved.

InuYasha glanced at his mate and couldn’t help but think of how beautiful she looked in the fading light. The salt of her tears drew his attention and he was only mildly comforted by the small smile that graced her lips.

The young miko was shocked, but pleasantly so, as her hanyou mate slipped his hand into her own. It was an uncharacteristic display of affection considering that most of the village was there to witness it, and it touched her. She squeezed his hand gently and with the other she dabbed away the few tears slipping down her cheeks.

While normally a wedding wouldn’t be quite as grand an affair in such a small village, this situation was unique. Miroku and Sango were included with herself and InuYasha as the village protectors and as such were considered the reason for the youkai free prosperity of their lands. On top of that, Kagome had brought with her a veritable feast from the other side of the well. All dishes prepared by herself and her mother as a token of friendship and thanks to the couple.

In light of the plentiful amount of food and drink, the entire village was more than happy to have cause to celebrate. A cheer went up from the crowd as the ceremony was completed.

Kagome hurried over to her two friends. “Congratulations! I am so happy for you both.”

“Thank you Kagome.” Sango replied. “I fear I owe much to both you and InuYasha. Without either of you I would not be where I am now.”

Kagome shook her head.“There’s no need to thank us. It’s just good to see you both so happy.” Tears again filled the miko’s eyes and in a rare openly emotional display the two women hugged each other. “I’m sorry.” Kagome sniffed as she pulled away. “It was a lovely wedding and a beautiful beginning to a new life shared together.”

“Thank you Kagome. We too are glad that you were able to be here to share it with us.” Miroku offered. “Now I believe there is much celebration to be had before we retire to our new home to celebrate privately.”

Sango blushed deeply and Kagome giggled

“Keh, once a pervert always a pervert.” InuYasha snorted.

~ * ~

Since the newly wedded couple was likely to want a few days alone, more no doubt if Miroku had any say in the matter, InuYasha and Kagome returned to her era. They would return in a week’s time and the group would set out in hopes of finding the final shard.

InuYasha held his mate closely as she slept. To his eyes she had been more beautiful than even Sango, whom Kagome had on several occasions proclaimed to be the most beautiful bride she had ever seen. Her tears at the ceremony itself still bothered him. While on one hand he knew that they were meant to be tears of joy for her friends, he couldn’t help but wonder if maybe there wasn’t more to it than that.

Marriage was a distinctly human custom, and while he understood its purpose, he had never really considered that it might have a place in his life. After all the proclaiming of a few words could never compare to the bonding mates shared and he had come upon many human men who did not remain faithful even after taking such vows.

It had come to his attention that human women in particular seemed to place value on the custom of proclaiming before witnesses that they were pledged to their man and he to her, and he knew for a fact that Sango had adamantly refused to lay with the bouzo before they were properly married.

The hanyou looked at his sleeping mate and brushed a hair back out of her face. A soft sigh escaped her and she snuggled more deeply into his embrace.

His thoughts centered again on his miko, and he was forced to wonder if perhaps Kagome wanted a wedding as well. She would no doubt be the most beautiful bride any had ever laid eyes on, but he knew that she would never ask him even if she wanted to get married. Kagome was simply happy to be his; in whatever way he would have her. Why that was he would never understand, but was grateful in any case.

It was only a few hours before dawn when he reached his decision. He would ask her mother. The elder female Higurashi had more than proven herself as someone he could come to without fear and speak of things that were hard for him to talk about or admit. Satisfied with his plans, he let sleep take him.

~ * ~

Kagome was out on the shrine grounds aiding her grandfather. InuYasha slipped silently into the kitchen where her mother was preparing lunch.

The older woman jumped when she turned only to find the young hanyou standing there behind her. She laughed lightly. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.”

“Sorry.” InuYasha offered.

Asami shook her head, dismissing his apology as unnecessary. “There’s no need to apologize.” She wiped her hands on a small towel tucked into her apron. “You look troubled. Was there something you needed to talk to me about?”

InuYasha nodded and sat at the table. Asami joined him and waited patiently for him to speak. She knew well by now that he would tell her when he was ready and that pressuring him would only make him uncomfortable.

“Kagome cried when Sango and the bouzo got married.” He told her.

“I’m sure that she was just happy for them. I myself have cried at every wedding I have ever attended.” Asami offered.

“I think... Do you think?.. Damn it.” InuYasha growled suddenly. His eyes flashed toward her mother who was still smiling pleasantly. “Sorry.” He muttered. “Maybe this was a stupid idea.”

Now Asami was beginning to think that she knew exactly what the young man before her way trying to say and she hoped that she was correct. What mother doesn’t dream of seeing her daughter get married and up to this point she had no reason to hope it would happen, but now...

“I think that Kagome is just happy that you are with her.” Asami said. “And that she would be happy even if you and she were never to get married, but I also think that she would appreciate it if you at least asked her.” Now she would not force them to get married, especially after hearing what their mating meant, but she didn’t figure that it could hurt to give the young hanyou something to think about. “Though I would also say that in this era Kagome in large part still appears available, to the human men at least. We both know that she’s not and that she is in no way interested in being with anyone else...”

InuYasha growled a little. He hadn’t thought of that at all. The last thing he needed was some human man trying to take his Kagome from him, especially with all the time they were spending in her time. InuYasha rose from his seat and headed for the door.

Asami stopped him. “Where are you going?”

“To ask her.” He replied.

“If I might... It’s a tradition that the man presents a ring, a symbol of his commitment to the woman when asking for her hand.” Asami explained. “Even though I understand that nothing could be greater than the bond you already share with my daughter, I ask you to consider that such a moment would be one she is likely to remember for the rest of her life.”

InuYasha frowned. He wasn’t like the monk. Smooth and beautiful words didn’t come easily to him, even now when he was much more open with his feelings than he had been in the past. Sure sometimes he got it right, but that was usually by accident, when he didn’t have time to think about what he was saying. He also wasn’t sure where to get her a ring, even if he did have the money for it. Why did everything have to be so complicated? He took a deep breath.

“What do I do?” InuYasha asked reminding himself that for Kagome, it would be worth it, no matter what was required of him.

Asami smiled. “First I’ll arrange a time for Kagome to be busy and we will go together and select a ring. The rest should be easy. My daughter loves you, so you only need to be yourself.”

~ * ~

It took a couple of days and some help from the other members of the family, jii-chan in particular seemed to be more than willing to assist him, but Asami finally managed to make time for them to go find a ring for Kagome. Their time was limited and InuYasha had taken all of it to pick one he deemed worthy of her.

They returned to the shrine and just minutes later Kagome and her grandfather returned, only to have Asami announce that Souta was staying at a friend’s house and that she and jii-chan were making a short trip to a shrine in a neighboring city to speak with the priest who was an old friend of the family.

If Kagome suspected anything, then she was hiding it well as she hugged her mother and grandfather goodbye and wished them a safe trip. InuYasha forced himself not to blush as Asami winked at him and offered a knowing smile.

They went inside and Kagome made him ramen for dinner. After which she suggested that they go up to her room, and as much as InuYasha wanted to do that, he was determined to take advantage of the chance Asami had given him.

“Aren’t you coming?” Kagome asked with a small pout.

“Come outside with me.” InuYasha said.

Kagome cocked her head and studied his face for a moment. There was something he wasn’t saying and his tone told her that it was important. “Okay.”

InuYasha took her hand and led her to the Goshinboku. It seemed a fitting place, since it was where they first met and she had set him free. He was thankful that Kagome knew him so well, as she stood beside him, content to wait silently until he was ready.

Kagome looked at her hanyou as he turned to her. He lifted her left-hand which was still held in his and pulled the ring from his pocket. She thought her heart would stop and she momentarily forgot to breathe.

“We’re mates, but I was thinking... I want to make you happy.” InuYasha said quietly. “You want to get married?”

Kagome finally managed draw a breath. “Is that the only reason you’re doing this? To make me happy? Because you should know that I’m just happy being with you.”

“I knew I would fuck this up.” InuYasha grumbled. “I do want you to be happy, but that ain’t the only reason.”

“Do you want to marry me?” Kagome questioned softly.

“Yes.” InuYasha replied honestly. “I want everyone to know that we belong together, to each other. You are my mate, but I would be honored if you would become my wife as well. Do you want to marry me?”

Kagome smiled and opened her hand, holding it out for him to slip on the ring. His second attempt at a proposal had been much better than the first. “I would love to.”

InuYasha smiled as he slipped the ring on her finger. As soon as it was done his mate threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. Definitely worth it. He closed his arms around her and kissed her back. This time he knew for certain that her tears were happy ones.

Kagome pulled away and admired her ring. It was white gold with a single heart shaped diamond in the center that was flanked on each side by three small round red stones inlaid into the band.

“You like it right?” InuYasha asked. “If not you can go pick any one you want.”

Kagome shook her head and smiled at him. “It’s perfect. I love it and I love you.”

“Good.” he smirked. “Now I believe you wanted to go up to your room.”

Kagome blushed prettily. “So I did.”

~ * ~

Much to InuYasha’s dismay he didn’t get to spend much time with his mate over the next few days. It seemed that both his mate and her mother were equally anxious to see them married, and since they were leaving to look for shards once again, Kagome had many things to pick out, so that her mother could make all the arrangements while they were gone.

As he sat in the Goshinboku, InuYasha figured that he should probably just be grateful that Kagome didn’t feel it necessary for him to participate in all the planning.

When they left to return trough the well, Kagome had selected everything she wanted and armed with his credit card her mother promised to have a date set and plans made when they next returned in two weeks.

~ * ~

After several minutes of hearing his mate joyfully relate having been asked to become his wife to the slayer, the small group set out to seek the final shard. InuYasha found himself wondering how long Miroku and Sango would continue to travel with them and how long his own mate would be content to put off settling down and having a normal life.

Naraku, the bastard, was dead and gone, and while Kikyou still roamed the earth, he had given her revenge and Kagome had given her peace. He was no longer conflicted. For the first time he knew clearly what he wanted his life to be, and traveling all over Japan looking for the last shard of a jewel that had caused him and so many others more grief than good, wasn’t a part of it.

That’s not even mentioning that he was missing out on what his mate called quality time, which amounted to time they spent alone together and most often led to their mutual pleasure and gratification. He was sure that the monk if not Sango would be missing that too. Sure they could sneak off occasionally for a quick coupling, but he much preferred being able to take his time to pleasure his mate, and himself properly.

While it was true that he enjoyed the forest and the freedom to run, InuYasha had always dreamed of having a home and a family, more so than he desired become a full demon. In fact it was that dream that was the crux of his reasoning for his wish on the sacred jewel, but he no longer needed to the jewel. He had all he had ever wanted and while it was the jewel that had brought Kagome to him, he had no need for the cursed item now.

He wasn't even sure why they were searching for the last shard anymore. Surely with Kagome having the rest the last shard would eventually come to them. The young hanyou supposed it had something to with closure; the need to put an end to the Shikon no Tama and all the havoc it had caused since it's creation. That, and he knew that his mate felt compelled to repair the damage she had done. So they would continue to search, but he would be grateful for the day when the jewel was completed, even though it would likely bring about the time for a difficult decision.

~ * ~

“You work fast don’t you bouzo.” InuYasha said to the monk who was currently sitting a short distance away, waiting for the girls to return from their bath.

“What do you mean?” Miroku questioned genuinely confused.

“She ain’t told you yet?” InuYasha wondered out loud. “Maybe I shouldn’t say nothing then. Forget about it.”

Now Miroku was quite astute when it came to matters not concerning women’s behinds and as he went over InuYasha’s words once again, his heart clenched with anticipation. “You certainly can’t expect me to simply forget about it...”

“I guess maybe she don’t know yet...” InuYasha began. “I noticed a couple of days ago, but it took me a while to figure out what it meant.”

“Noticed what already?” Miroku nearly shouted. He apologized quickly knowing that if he angered the hanyou he would learn nothing. “Forgive me...”

InuYasha snorted. “The change in her scent. I guess I can only pray that Sango will keep the kid from turning out to be a pervert like you.”

“Surely you jest InuYasha.” Miroku said disbelieving, but entirely hopeful at the same time. “We have only been as man and wife for just more than a half cycle of the moon.”

InuYasha shrugged. “I could be wrong I guess.”

“But you do not think that you are mistaken?” Miroku prompted. The hanyou gave him a pointed look. “Have you spoken of this to Kagome?”

“Keh, nope.” InuYasha replied. Twin triangles flicked in the direction of the spring. “They’re coming.”

It was less than a minutes later when Miroku too could hear the laughing feminine voices of his wife and Kagome. The two stepped out of the trees and after returning the bathing items to Kagome’s bag both took seats by their respective mates.

Kagome leaned her head against InuYasha’s shoulder and smiled as he turned his head briefly to nuzzle her hair before resuming his watch of the rabbit roasting over the fire. InuYasha still wasn’t openly affectionate with her when in the past, even when they were only in the company of Miroku and Sango and she doubted that he would ever be, but she loved how he always made sure to acknowledge in some way that her gestures were welcome and appreciated.

By the time dinner was finished both women had noticed the unusual way the monk was behaving; His covert glances at his wife and the strange smile he was wearing were more than obvious, even if he had been trying to be discreet. When it came time to sleep and he had yet to even attempt to grope his taijiya wife or convince her to take a short walk with him, Sango could hold her tongue no longer.

“All right, what is it?” She demanded.

“Whatever do you mean my darling Sango?” Miroku asked in reply, that soft smile again on his lips and a certain unfamiliar light in his eyes.

“You’re acting so strangely.” Sango offered in explanations. “Kagome tell me you noticed it as well.”

“Sango’s right. You have been acting weird.” Kagome said. “You keep looking at her all funny and smiling. Honestly it’s kind of creeping me out. I mean you haven’t tried anything perverted all night. Something is definitely going on.”

Sango looked to a suspiciously quiet InuYasha. The hanyou in turn snorted and turned away from her gaze, making it all too obvious that he knew what was going on. Her eyes met Kagome’s and the young miko nodded once, sharply.

Before she could even attempt to pry it out of InuYasha he leaned over and told her what she wanted to know, realizing that there was no way he could get out of telling her. He flattened his ears down against his head as his mate squealed excitedly, causing Sango to look at her and wonder if the world had gone mad while they were at the spring.

Kagome jumped to her feet and hurried over to Sango hugging her. “This is so exciting.” She cried. “Of course I knew it could happen, but I never expected... Not so soon. A baby! Congratulations!”

“A what? Kagome what are you talking about?” Sango asked.

Kagome scooted back and looked at her confused friend. “You didn’t know... Then how?” Her eyes fell on her mate.

“I smelled it on her a couple of days ago.” InuYasha admitted grudgingly. “I thought the bouzo already knew. I don’t know how long a woman has to be pupped before she knows.”

Sango who still hadn’t quite absorbed the conversation going on around her put a hand to her stomach. “A baby?” She looked to her husband. “I-I-I am with child? So soon?”

“If our hanyou friend’s nose is to be trusted.” Miroku said gently. “Tell me this pleases you my darling Sango.”

Finally the taijiya smiled.