Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

The More Things Change	By : inumom Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > InuYasha/Kagome Views: 2401 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
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Disclaimer: They�re not mine. If they were, Inu wouldn�t make such an ass of himself at every opportunity (lol)!

4. Problems

It was impossible to determine exactly what--if anything--Myouga had told the group gathered in the old miko�s hut. From the odd looks they received upon their arrival, it seemed likely that they were at least a bit suspicious of recent events, but that could just be due to a lingering curiosity about the vicious fight early that morning.
Kagome dropped to the floor, digging through her overstuffed bag with a single-minded intensity until she retrieved a bar of imported chocolate she had brought from her secret stash. Handing the candy to the fox youkai kit who had planted himself firmly in her lap, she sent the child off to play. It was entirely possible that the conversation would be taking a turn into areas inappropriate for the kit�s ears, and she was reluctant to be the one to destroy his sweet innocence.
Once the child had gone, Inuyasha sat down on the floor next to the young miko, pulling her unceremoniously into his lap. Surprised beyond words, she sat frozen while he encircled her waist with his arms, his left hand finding its way under the bottom edge of the sweater she wore to rest with the palm flat against the soft skin of her stomach.
*Mine.*
Kagome stared around the room, trying to determine if anyone else had heard the soft declaration. When it became apparent to her that no one else had heard, she allowed herself to relax back against the hard muscles of his toned chest oblivious to the incredulous stares of the others. She had no clue about the meaning of the gesture, but couldn�t quite shake the feeling that it was somehow significant. She was, however, absolutely certain that there was no intention of harming her in any way inherent in the admittedly pleasant gesture.
She would, she decided, have to ask him about it in detail later on.
Looking around the group, she sensed her companion�s sudden reluctance to speak. With a brief glance back over her shoulder for his approval, she began, �You all understand how people--humans, that is--usually start to mature physically at around twelve or thirteen years, right? From what we�ve found out, it�s a little different process for youkai. They grow really fast until they reach pretty much their full adult size and strength, then seem to stop aging for as long as a couple of centuries. Then, after however long a time is required--I think it�s different for every kind of youkai--they go into something called �seijuku,� meaning that they start to mature physically: they develop their full range of adult abilities and get ready to take a mate. That,� she said, fixing the lecherous monk with a glare that dared him to make a sleazy comment, �Is what�s going on here.�
Sango nodded slowly. �I�d heard that some kinds of youkai had delayed processes of maturation--that�s why most of the youkai my village were forced to destroy were still relatively young. We would have rather not had to do such a thing, but they were dangerous, killing people and destroying their property.�
Miroku finally thought of something to say that wasn�t a snide remark. �But surely the process will be less intense in a hanyou.�
�Perhaps not.� At the quiet declaration, all eyes turned to the old miko stirring a pot of stew over the fire. After a brief pause, she continued, �We know nothing about how hanyous mature--no more than a handful have ever lived past infancy, and most of those have been hunted down long before they reached even the appearance of adulthood. We have heard hints of what is involved in the maturity process in youkai, and we all know how difficult it can be in human children. It seems as though we must be prepared for a long, difficult time of it.�
The hanyou breathed a sigh of relief--at least they weren�t going to banish him from the village. �I don�t want to cause any trouble,� he murmured. �If it seems that I�m becoming dangerous to any of you or to the village itself, you know what you have to do. I�m leaving it in your hands, Sango.�
Understanding the grave responsibility being placed on her slender shoulders, the taijiya nodded.

*

After the meeting broke up, Kagome dragged the hanyou away from the miko�s home for an explanation. �What the hell was that all about? What were you asking Sango to do, anyway?�
He refused to meet her eyes. �I won�t risk the safety of the only people who ever gave a damn about me. If things develop to the point where my presence is a danger to any of you, I want Sango to protect you, no matter what it takes.�
Suddenly understanding his meaning, she threw her arms around his neck. �Don�t even think about things like that! I�ll never let it happen!�
He wisely said nothing, concerned about the possibility of harming this fragile creature clinging to him in such an enticing way above all else. After a long, wonderful moment of breathing in her scent and holding her softness against him he released her.
She looked up at him, not entirely certain if she really wanted to know the answer to the question burning through her. �What was that all about? The way you were holding me in there, I mean?�
He reddened suddenly. He hadn�t really thought about it, but her desire to be protected from Kouga�s unwanted advances had somehow combined with the possessiveness he felt for an unmated female under his protection and his growing affection--or was it something more?--for the young miko and caused him to initiate the very beginnings of the mating ritual. He turned away, muttering something she couldn�t quite hear.
�What was that?�
He turned back to her, face flaming with his embarrassment. �It was the beginning of an intention mark, okay? I didn�t even realize that I was doing it! This,� he snarled, �Is why I want you away from me until this is over!�
�Why?� He turned away again--he never could stand to see her cry.
�You said you wanted Kouga to leave you alone. You had no mark other than the protection mark I told you about before. I didn�t even realize I was doing it.� He shook his head miserably. �Go home, before I push you into a mating I�m not ready for and you don�t want.�
It would have been easy enough to follow his instructions, but there was some small core of a nagging worry that wouldn�t let her move. �What happens if I do what you say? How will it affect you?�
He shrugged, trying to look unconcerned and failing miserably. �It�ll probably be like every time you leave, only more so. I�ll most likely either disappear into the forest for a while or I�ll hang around here making a pain in the ass of myself with the others. It might,� he added without turning around, �Be best if you seal the well from the other side so I can�t follow you.�
�If you�re sending me away, why would you follow?�
His voice was small. �I might not be able to stop myself. There�s a sort of connection between us--as the pressures build, I�ll probably be driven to find you since you bear my scent. I don�t know what would happen if I found you, but inuyoukai mate for life: if we mated, even by accident, you would be stuck with me for the rest of your days.�

She watched in something like horror as he sank to his knees, trembling with the emotions being forced to the surface. Sinking to the ground next to him, she wrapped him in soft arms. �Does it hurt?�
Her scent was soothing, easing his torment fractionally. �Not exactly like getting stabbed, but gods, yes!�
As far as she was concerned, that settled matters. �Let me help.�
Wrenching himself from her grasp, he stood shakily. �You can�t,� he groaned, turning toward the forest a short distance away.
�Where are you going?�
�I don�t know,� he muttered. �I�ll come back when I can.�
All she could do was watch him disappear into the darkening forest through the tears streaming down her face.
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The More Things Change