Chapter Text
"Well, this is a surprise," Inuyasha said while lounging comfortably against a wall, watching as Kagome worked on a remedy. She looked up to see what he meant when Kaede approached the hut and then quickly stood to greet her.
"Kaede! What can we do for you?" Kagome asked curiously with slight concern seeping into her voice. Their home was a little far from the village, and it must be a difficult journey for someone of her age unless it was important.
"Calm yourself!" The elder said with a jovial smile. "Everything is fine, I promise. I just had a messenger from another village and thought it would interest the two of you," Both looked at her, waiting patiently for her to continue. "I received word that demons are plaguing this village. It seems they hadn't had problems for quite a long time. The messenger told me that years ago, they had a similar problem, but a priestess traveled through... Accompanied by a strange young boy."
Both perked up as they quickly figured out where this was going. Inuyasha had joined them now from curiosity. Kaede nodded at them in confirmation. "The village was given a powerful barrier by way of talismans. Only recently, the barrier suddenly disappeared. Thus, the demons have returned."
"But Kaede, what made the demons so interested in this village in the first place? Especially now that the jewel is gone? Something must have affected the barrier but there has to be something drawing them to it," Kagome spoke up, which made Inuyasha look at her surprised, then back to Kaede. It was an astute question that he hadn't thought of.
"Very good question, Kagome! That is what I need you two to help figure out."
"So you want us to go investigate this village?" Inuyasha chimed in this time. Again, Kaede nodded.
"That is precisely what I am asking." Kagome looked at her husband.
"Are you okay with this?"
"Well, yeah, of course! Why wouldn't I be?" She turned back to Kaede, donning a determined look in her eyes.
"Okay! We'll leave first thing in the morning!"
"Wonderful! I'll let the messenger know right away!" With that, the priestess left to make her way back to the village.
"Hey," Inuyasha got his wife's attention, his eyes full of concern, and his brow furrowed. Kagome had already gone back to her previous work, so he took a seat beside her. "What was that earlier?"
"What do you mean?" She stole a nervous glance at him as she ground herbs into a powder. He frowned and put a hand on her wrist to stop its movement.
"You know exactly what! Why did you ask if I was okay with it?" A sudden realization came that he hoped was wrong. "Don't tell me you think this would bother me because it involves Kikyo?" His voice was soft and full of worry for her. Kagome felt so full of shame that she couldn't meet his eyes. "You know that's ridiculous don't you?"
"Yeah, I know but there's still a small part of me, the insecure girl from back then, who feels this prickly jealous feeling. I hate that it still happens sometimes and I try hard to shove it down, but I can't help it."
"It's true that I loved Kikyo," Inuyasha felt like his heart could break just from the pained look in her eyes. He brushed some loose strands of her thick, black tresses behind her ear. "But things happened the way they should have. I'm supposed to be with you. I married Kagome, not Kikyo! I hate that you still doubt that!"
"I know. I'm sorry. Sometimes I still get compared to her so it gets hard," Her voice trembled a bit. Inuyasha couldn't help but embrace her. She took solace in his arms, being covered like a security blanket by the long sleeves of his haori and the earthy tones of his scent. He let out a breath into her hair.
"Don't apologize! Just trust me, okay?" She put on a teary-eyed smile and nodded.
"Yeah, you're right. The sun will be setting soon. We should eat dinner and prepare for the trip since we're leaving early tomorrow," Inuyasha agreed and went out hunting for some of the local game in the wooded area around their home.
While he did that, Kagome prepared the rice and vegetables and then packed her satchel of anything else they might need, specifically small jars she kept her medicinal herbs in. As she worked it helped to keep her mind off of her own, admittedly silly but still intrusive, thoughts.
_____________
The sun was rising, painting the scenery around them in beautiful hues of gold, orange, and purple as the light touched the grass and trees on the outskirts of the village. "Thank you for seeing seeing us off, Kaede. We'll see you soon so don't worry, okay?" Kagome told the old woman, who nodded sagely.
"Aye, child. I appreciate both of you for doing this. I will pray for your safe travels," Kaede replied. After more goodbyes and quick bows, Inuyasha wordlessly bent down and Kagome climbed onto his back without hesitation and they were off.
"Kaede said it would take several days to get there so be prepared to sleep on the ground for a while," Inuyasha commented. She made a small nodding motion.
"Yeah, I know," was all Kagome responded with. He noted how quiet she had been since last night, which worried him.
"Are you okay?" He called out over his shoulder as he ran. It took her several seconds to respond as she seemed to be lost in thought, only being brought back by his voice and realizing he was waiting for a reply.
"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Her voice seemed off and kind of distant. He felt her sigh against the skin of his neck. "I'm just tired, that's all." Inuyasha sent an anxious glance her way but didn't say anything else until they stopped for lunch.
Both of them ate the rice balls Kagome had packed in silence. "I really am fine. You don't have to keep looking at me like that." Inuyasha knew his wife better than anyone, almost better than himself even, so he knew the difference between when she said that but secretly hid her real feelings.
"That doesn't stop me from worrying. You've been acting weird all morning," He hesitated, picking his words carefully. "You're not still feeling like you were last night, are you?" Kagome had been in the middle of chewing when he saw her hesitate for just a millisecond before continuing.
"No. I know you meant what you said." Inuyasha grunted in mild frustration.
"That wasn't an answer!" He exclaimed but she ignored him in favor of finishing her food then standing to dust herself off and pick up her bag and weapons.
"We should keep moving if we want to make good time. Let's go." Inuyasha could tell he wouldn't get anything out of her right now. He'd have to be patient but it wasn't exactly something he was known for. He heaved a heavy sigh before also getting up.
"Alright, fine." She resumed her position on his back and he started running. His arms looped under her legs securely, and her arms snaked around his neck, but then she laid her head against his shoulder. Maybe she was telling the truth and she was tired.
Inuyasha shook his head. 'No.' He silently told himself. 'I know my wife. I just have to bide my time until she's ready to tell me.' He pushed himself forward, picking up the pace as anxiety threatened to spread through his chest.