Work Text:
There were few moments in his life that appeared almost magical to him, too good to be true in a hanyou’s time, a picture perfect scene where he couldn’t believe he was really here, where she had returned to him. But as he stepped out of the forest and into the small clearing where their home sat, Inuyasha realized now was one of those times.
She sat on the covered porch, her small feet swinging as the faint melody she hummed drifted across the breeze, where she absentmindedly rubbed her slightly swollen belly. His wife, gods how he loved to call her that, even after all these years, had her face tilted upwards, her skin glowing as she basked in its warmth and beside her, curled up with her dog eared head in her lap, lay their eight year old child.
Moroha was taking her afternoon nap and it seemed Kagome had taken that moment to rest also, though she wasn’t feeling the fatigue yet that came with their first born’s arrival. Clutching the tree beside him, Inuyasha had to remind himself that once more, this was real , this was his life. The life of a half demon who met her with nothing but the clothes on his back and in that enchanting moment, he was the luckiest bastard to walk this earth, the gods blessing him a thousand times over.
Grounding himself, he allowed a rare smile to cross his lips as he silently stepped towards, her brown eyes darting towards it. Brown eyes he was undeniably obsessed with and would cut a hole into the underworld to keep them on himself, eyes filled with so much love and kindness that it almost made him nauseous. Almost.
She gave him that breathtaking smile, one that undoubtedly felt like the oxygen in his lungs was swept away, only to be filled with her warmth and courage and unconditional love. He was getting soft in his years, but if it was her, and only her, he would do anything, be anything, to keep her at his side for the rest of their existence.
“How long has she been asleep?”
Eyes darted to twitching ears nestled in black hair that matched her mother’s. Careful to not wake her, he scooped her up and nestled her tiny body in his arms before leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to his wife’s lips.
“Not long, but she asked to play with Hisui later on.” Slipping a hand in his as he lifted her to her feet, her giggle musical to his ears. “Something about searching for a marked bug?”
Nodding, he brushed a stray lock of hair behind her shoulder, admiring how she left the wild waves hanging down her back today, wondering if she would let him braid it later this evening. It was a pastime they had come to enjoy, once the world had quieted down and they were together in the stillness, his claws running through her growing strands. Eventually, he began braiding them, noticing that she enjoyed the attention and sensations, but that it made it easier for her to deal with in their era and the lack of hygiene products.
Cupping her face, he bent down to give her another kiss because he felt like it and could do it anytime he pleased, slipping his tongue inside. Smirking at the quiet whimper that left her when he pulled away, he smirked and glanced down at their kid, who was now staring at them with wide eyes.
“Do ya hafta do that with me so close? Gross.” She made a face, her tiny nose scrunching up and Kagome’s eyes lit up with amusement as Moroha sat up.
“Oi, when you get older, ya ain’t gonna be saying stuff like that. You’ll find someone to love and kiss all the time.” He chuckled, using his claws to tickle her, their home filling with laughter as he carried her inside, his wife following close behind.
“I’m never gonna grow up and love anybody, but the two of you.” She stated too proudly, crossing her arms over her chest, mimicking a position he had used so many times in life. His tantrums had never lasted long though, especially when his future born miko put him in his place. Shaking his head, he gave her a knowing smile.
“You say that now sweetheart, but things change and life happens. Besides, won’t you love your little brother or sister when they arrive?” His miko spoke, her movements indicating the beginnings of dinner and Inuyasha heard the humor in her tone, the both of them used to their daughter’s antics. Actions that also reminded him of a certain kit who was supposed to be coming over for dinner before heading out in the morning to return to his training.
As if his thoughts made Shippo magically appear, bounding into their hut and into Kagome. Swiftly snagging him by his vest before he could cause her to drop the basket of vegetables she was holding or even worse, hurt their unborn pup, Inuyasha simply glared at him, silently reminding him of a conversation they’ve had before.
Ignoring Shippo’s embarrassment as the scent wafted across his nose, he set both kids down on the ground and knelt before them, holding them in place. Ear twitching, he knew she would be listening nearby, Inuyasha having expressed his instincts to discipline and teach the young about Kagome’s safety.
“I’ve told you both this before and I’m going to continue to repeat it until it’s drilled into your skulls. What’s the rule when you see her?” He arched his brow, hiding his irritation and fear. The two of them didn’t need to know his fear of Kagome or their unborn getting hurt.
“Don’t leap or jump at Mama when she has somethin’ in her hands,” they replied in unison, and he nodded, waving them off. It would take a while for it to stick in their brains, but he knew they were excited to see her, Shippo especially. Rising to his feet, he watched them chase after each other and into the yard, soft footsteps approaching from behind him.
Careful of his weight as white clad arms wrapped around his waist, he leaned into her, soaking in her affection.
“You’re a great father.” Lips pressed at the spot in between in shoulder blades and he nodded again, his wife always knowing what to say. Turning, so her belly was encased by their bodies, he questioned if she needed help with dinner and smiled when she pointed towards the large rice pot.
The evening was too warm, even for him. Having pulled back his long hair hours ago to keep the heavy mass from his sweaty neck, he ran his fingers down her braid as he felt her gently squeeze the other. He could hear the rapid heartbeat of their child, tilting his head to hear the comforting sound over the others of their village. Ear flicking, he picked two sets of footsteps coming from ahead of them and nudged her in the direction of their friends.
“Kagome! Are you out for a walk as well?” Sango smiled, her own hands cradling her very large belly and it was then Inuyasha noticed how swollen her feet were. He didn’t know how women did it, the whole childbirth thing, and still be willing to repeat it again, swollen bodies and everything.
“Yeah, we decided an evening walk would be nice before heading home. Especially since I was cooped up in Kaede’s hut all afternoon sorting herbs.”
Keeping one ear on their conversation, he sorted through the sounds around them, trying to locate their kids when the faint stench of tears filled his nose. Gently placing Kagome’s hands on her belly, he darted towards the rice fields, ignoring the call of his name. His daughter’s cries echoed from the trees and he rushed towards her, shocked to see the group of children surrounded by two white snakes.
Snarling when one darted forward to sink its fangs into Gyokuto’s ankle, feeling the body disintegrate underneath his claws. It was paper? A distant memory of Kagome appeared in the back of his mind, but he couldn’t focus on it when another cry filled the air. The other one had managed to latch onto Moroha’s calf and he roared, the clearing going still.
He disposed of the second snake with a swipe of his hand, and picked the crying girl up, inspecting her leg. Yelling and footsteps were nearing, Kagome, their friends and a few other parents arriving in search of their children as he found no injury. Wrenching her body to his chest, he simply held her, kneeling down to check each of the others, relieved no one was injured.
“Inuyasha! What happened?” Kagome panted, her chest heaving as she pressed a hand to her side and he nodded at the kids, giving them a gentle shove towards their parents. Eyes locked with Miroku’s as he rose, Inuyasha saw them harden in understanding. Something was after the children. Handing a still weeping Moroha to his wife, he murmured for them to give a second and sniffed the area.
Sorting through the dissipating stench of fear, he growled when he found a lack of anything else. Those paper snakes held no scent, no trace of where they came from and he couldn’t feel any remaining energy.
“Mommy!” Kin’u tugged on Sango’s kimono, everyone’s attention on the girl. “We were playing and these two snakes found us. One tried to hurt sister and Moro, but Uncle Doggy stopped them.”
“Why them?” Kagome breathed, her arms tightening. Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha had an idea, the same memory filling his mind from before. Kagome had been attacked in a similar manner by a shikigami on their shard hunt, and it was only later they found Tsubaki had placed a curse on her using the jewel shards. Though, this time the snake was not able to make it back to its owner.
“They are the only two of this group with spiritual energy.” Miroku’s words cut through his thoughts like the Tessaiga, a silence falling over them. Even the children seemed to understand the severity of the situation. “I think it might be best if we discuss this with Kaede? I’m sure we can pitch in and help her prepare dinner.”
“Rin also has spiritual power.” Kagome breathed, Moroha’s whimpers quieting down as she snuggled closer into her neck. Placing his hand on her back, he knew their child, much like him, needed that physical contact to feel grounded, though she was in one of the safest places she could be, Kagome’s arms.
“She’s with Sesshomaru. I caught their scent when I checked on the perimeter this afternoon. We both know he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.” He reassured her, inhaling her scent as they made their way towards the old hag’s, surrounding himself with her aura. Inspecting all of the children once more, satisfied as each found their way into a set of arms, he ran his fingers down her braid in a comforting manner once more. He wouldn’t sleep tonight, or the next few, until this threat was taken care of, but for right now, Inuyasha needed her. He also needed to remind them that this was not the first time they have dealt with paper snakes, though he was sure the memory was fresh in everyone’s mind.
Three days passed with nothing. Absolutely no sign of any enemy, no sign of danger, and no sign of children playing outside of their parent’s sights. Once word had spread through the village of an unknown enemy targeting children, though Kaede had left out the spiritual aspect of it, the adults banded together.
It was still in the hottest days of the summer, so any work wasn’t necessarily needed, but it would soon be harvesting season and Inuyasha couldn’t see them still keeping their children from spending time out in the fields. His own included.
Moroha was old enough and certainly showing demon strength to help him, and they had decided this would be the first year he would teach her about harvesting while Kagome focused on preparing for the winter with Kaede. However, in the last few days, she was doing anything but that.
He had always known his miko was powerful, even when Magatsuhi sealed her strength in the jewel, but since she had returned to him almost seven years ago, she was growing steadily more powerful. She was even able to easily form a barrier while she stood outside of it, something even Miroku and Kaede struggled with in all their years of training.
Leaning back against the wall as Moroha and Hisui played less than a foot away from him, he turned his attention back on the conversation at hand, the quiet sounds of night surrounding them.
“Don’t overdo yourself Kagome. Even I can hear your heavy breathing from here and I am not hanyou.” The old woman chided, pausing in her sorting to eye Kagome. Sniffing, he found no sickness or hard strain on her energy, and slightly relaxed, trusting her to stop when she pushed herself too far.
“I still can’t see anything!” Kagome groaned, the bright pink glow fading around her.
“It seems this is not the same thing as before with Tsubaki.” Sango sighed, taking comfort in cleaning her Hiraikotsu. He noticed the tightness in her actions, the demon slayer armor altered to take in her pregnant belly, but still all the same in protecting her. Inuyasha knew that without a doubt, she would be participating in this fight, heavily expecting or not. Kagome would do the same.
Though she wasn’t as far along, as could keep fighting at a distance with her bow and arrow, it was a constant argument that seemed to be popping up between them. It was only the last time that they both figured out just how scared the other one was, the threat looming over their family growing every day. He wished he could just find the witch and kill her before anything else happened, but every search he and the monk did always came up empty handed.
Even Sesshomaru was being more apprehensive, if you could call it that, but even Inuyasha could see the overprotectiveness of Rin, the daiyoukai still remaining in the vicinity as Rin sat beside Kaede in the hut. Reaching out with his youkai, Inuyasha felt his brother in the far off distance, his aura moving about in a circle, as if he was pacing, and he smirked, finding humor in his actions.
Before he could mention anything about it, a dark power stretched across the hut, all noise dying down as his power rose to the surface. Whatever was after the children was here. Ready to draw his fang, he wished Sesshomaru was closer, in case they needed him to help after all, but he knew his brother would be here in a second to protect Rin and Kagome, his wife having secured a soft spot in his icy heart.
“Mama.” Moroha called out and glancing her way, he froze, fear filling his body. Moroha’s normally golden brown eyes, a perfect mix of his and Kagome’s, were now void of any emotion, a red glow appearing in them. A sense of deja vu filled him, and plucked Hisui from her side before she could do any damage, moving the kid behind him as everyone slowly rose to their feet.
He knew there was nothing he could do, a sense of helplessness in his bones, while she was under the spell. Silently cursed as he was unable to draw Tessaiga without destroying anything, Inuyasha reluctantly backed away from his kid and slowly moved towards his wife, the hut filling with an awful stench of fear and warning. But it was the growing dark power that had his attention, the energy overwhelming his daughter as she struggled internally to keep herself.
“Sweetheart, I know you can hear me.” Kagome spoke low, and he knew she was seeing a similar version of herself in this state, “Keep fighting it. We’re not going to let anyone hurt you.”
“Stupid miko.” Moroha’s voice wasn’t her own, a sinister one replacing it and Inuyasha had to repress his shudder. This wasn’t the same thing, the evil felt more than he remembered. Whoever was on the other end was more powerful than Tsubaki and dead set on getting what they wanted. “I needed a way to get to you, to get to the great and powerful Shikon Miko who destroyed Naraku and the Jewel of Four Souls. Though I didn’t expect your daughter to be a willing victim.”
“She isn’t yours!” Kagome roared, her fists clenching. It took everything in him to not run out and find the witch, but the way his wife’s emotions were all over the place, her aura spiking with the overpowering rise of anger, he knew he needed to remain at her side.
“For now. Follow, and we shall be face to face to decide the fate of your little village, miko.” Blinking at the turn of events, Inuyasha met her eyes, finding strength in Kagome’s as he intertwined their fingers. They would do this together, as they also did everything. Unsurprised when Miroku and Sango left the children with Kaede as they followed them, Kagome snapping her fingers in the air. Glancing back at the hut, afraid of not keeping his gaze on Moroha, he saw a solid pink barrier surrounding the building and smirked, pride filling him for a moment.
No one spoke, tension rising between the group as they trekked into the forest, only stopping when the clearing of the Bone Eater’s Well came into view. It was there he noticed the woman with features similar to Tsubaki standing in the middle, her back to the forest behind her. Her power surrounded his daughter, though it was if she held none of her own, her aura invisible to him. She held no scent, or rather a lack of, since she was obviously still alive.
Sesshomaru’s approach to his right caused him to look away, only giving him a nod when their eyes met, an understanding between the two of them. This bitch would not be leaving here alive.
A soft cry from Kagome had him whirling to see the woman draw her power from her, Moroha’s body crumpling in front of them. Rushing to her side, he wanted nothing more than to hold her sleeping form, desperately searching for any sign of injury, but didn’t move when his wife placed her hands on their daughter’s head. Feeling the hum of her power rise, he watched in fascination as Kagome pulled the curse from Moroha’s body, her hand guiding it to forma red ball of light as it left her body.
He stared as her pure light snuffed away the energy, crushing the ball beneath her fingers as if were nothing more than sand. Sniffing, he found no remaining evil, only Moroha’s gentle breathing and let out a sigh of relief, but froze when Kagome’s power didn’t dissipate, her anger morphing into fury.
Nodding towards his brother, he gestured him close, his gaze never leaving Kagome’s form as she moved to meet the witch head on.
“She’s fine, sleeping, but keep her close.”
Sesshomaru grunted in agreement, kneeling to scoop her up in his arms, his mokomoko covering his form and moving to add a layer of protection around his daughter. His older brother would never admit it, but he loved Kagome and Moroha and would protect themas if his life depended on it. Funny how life changes you that way. Shaking any other distractions from his mind, he withdrew his fang, baring his teeth at the threat before them.
“Who are you?” Kagome called out, Inuyasha moving to her side when the woman glided forward, as if she were simply headed to afternoon tea. He could see her clearly, the half moon giving her a glow as she stopped before them, yet still far enough away he could send the windscar through her flesh.
She appeared dainty, no taller than Kagome, and her body seemed weak, her form swaying slightly in the moonlight. Her ink black hair hung down her back, the hairstyle similar to how Kagome wore hers, but without the paper holding, as if she were impersonating a miko. However what caught Inuyasha’s attention was the odd color of her eyes, a gray so white, her irises blended in. He wondered if she was blind, the color reminding him of Kanna’s hair.
“Why, you haven’t heard of me?” Her voice grated on his ear, the sound too high pitched. “My friends, if I had any, call me Yamauba.” Kagome didn’t respond, her power washing over them waves, creating a protective layer across his friends and family. Her eyes dulled, as if she was searching for something far away and Inuyasha stepped closer, ready to protect her as she looked through what he assumed was this witch’s soul.
“Yamauba was a witch who lived in the mountains and threatened the lives of men.” Miroku stepped forward, clutching his staff in front of him. “You are not her.”
“Ah, but you see, I am she. I simply have had my fill of men and their oh so tragic horrors that I searched for a power to satisfy me even more than them.” She waved him off, smirking. “It was then I learned that untrained spiritual powers gave me everything I needed.”
“You-you devoured children ?” Kagome looked horrified as she came back into herself, her voice rising until she was nearly screaming at her, “You took the souls of untrained children for yourself? and for what? Power ? Too stay beautiful and young like Tsubaki?!”
“Do not put me in the same category as that stupid woman!” She shrieked, Kagome’s words clearly hitting a sensitive spot and Inuyasha couldn’t hold back his grin. He would criticize and belittle this woman, something he was good at from years of practice on Sesshomaru and Koga, until she was so distracted with him and taken down a peg, Kagome could blast her into the next life. He briefly wondered if she was related to former dark miko, this witch’s feelings apparent at being compared to her.
“Why not? You both wanted the same thing, though I’m sure you’re gonna need a whole lot more power than you have to become attractive enough for even a orge to look at you.” A soft snicker from his side at him grinning, but he couldn’t look at her, continuing on with his antics as he watched Yamauba get angrier. “Even with their shitty standards, I doubt you’ll be enough to get them hard.”
“I refuse to lower myself to the likes of demons.” Her body trembled, anger pouring off of her in waves and he laughed, enjoying this way too much.
“It seems we are too good for the likes of her, little brother.” Sesshomaru added in his comment that he could hear Sango’s laughter from behind him. “Though she would just sully our father’s line even worse than you could ever.”
Rolling his eyes at his brother’s teasing, knowing they were past the hatred and desire to kill one another now, Inuyasha only eyed the witch.
“It seems she couldn’t even succeed with humans if she stopped hunting down grown men.” Miroku goaded, his indigo eye bright in the moon’s reflection. His comment must have set her off, because one second they were goading her and the next a large snake appeared, heading straight for them, only to be blocked by Kagome’s barrier, the shikigami disintegrating immediately. She had her arrow notched, ready to fire, as she held her head up high, eyes glittering dangerously and he knew she was the most powerful one here, even more than his brother.
“I will have your power, Miko, and your daughter’s.” Yamauba snarled, fists clenched before her, “Then I will make you watch as I behead your beloved’s and destroy this little village you call home before I eat your soul.” She muttered a spell, a column of red energy rising from the ground beside her and he heard his brother grunt, feeling a similar power seeping from the ground, inside Kagome’s barrier. Realization at her intended plan, Inuyasha watched as his wife fired her arrow at the witch, shattering the power before it could complete its journey.
“I won’t let you lay a finger on my daughter.” She waved her hand, gathering the power that threatened Moroha and crushed it in his palm, much like she did before. How she had known to do all of these things, he wasn’t sure, but he knew his family was safe with her if he should ever not be there. Kagome’s love for her family and friends was something to be feared if you were not one of them.
“Wife, how do you want to do this?” Inuyasha spoke low, returning his gaze to the witch, knowing this was something they were both going to have to do together.
“She isn’t going to stop until she has what she wants. I’m going to have to take her power.”
“Take her power? Like make her a normal human? You can do that?” Kagome nodded and his mind reeled at the thought. She was powerful enough to do something he thought only the gods could do?
“When I searched her soul, I saw all the despair she caused, all the things she did to innocent beings.” She whispered, her knuckles white as they clenched her bow, “Even before she set herself on this journey, while she remained on the mountain. I will give her a chance to redeem herself, something only a god should be able to do, but I will not allow her to harm you or anyone I love. Her life is deemed by the gods, but she will not stop until she has my soul and I refuse to let anyone take that away from me again.” Fuck, his wife had never been hotter.
Ignoring the semi hard on, he nodded again, waiting for her to continue as she and the witch stared at each other head on.
“I can’t do what I need to do inside the barrier, but I will keep it up. She is probably going to keep sending her shikigami our way, but I know my strong, powerful hanyou will protect me.” Damn, was she trying to give him a raging boner in the middle of a battle? Snarling at her praise, the wench knew exactly what her words were doing, and he tried his best to school his features, not wanting to give Miroku and Sesshomaru ammunition for teasing.
Before he could come up with some smartass remark, Yamauba sent more snakes in their direction, Kagome’s arrows flying in each direction. He waited, sword ready in his hand, as she pushed back the barrier, keeping everyone else safe behind them. Inuyasha nodded at Miroku, who now stood before Sango and Sesshomaru, another line of defense for Moroha. If they both fell, which he doubted whole heartedly, their friends would protect his daughter as her own.
“Oh, so now you want to come out and fight me? Finally, some fun. I was getting quite bored playing with your daughter.” The witch cackled, her hands weaving another spell and Inuyasha braced himself. The ground shook underneath them and he snatched her arm before she could fall over, keeping them both steady. A snake demon, a real one this time, not some paper puppet, emerged from the ground behind Yamabua, its fangs longer than his brother’s in full dog form.
“I want to know one thing first.” Kagome’s voice did nothing to mask her animosity, bright pink swirls of power appearing along her arms. Before they were mated, and their souls intertwined together, her power would’ve burned his skin, but Inuyasha only found he felt her love under his touch. Pushing away his desire to get back in it, he reluctantly let go once the ground stopped moving, putting himself in between the snake and her. He would have her back, just as she would have his. “How did you manage to put a blood curse on my daughter?”
“I would’ve thought a powerful woman like you would know that?” When she received no response, she waved her hand, as if she was bored , Inuyasha scoffed. “Once my pet bit her, I had the blood. I didn’t need it to return to me because the snake was a part of me. Something my distant cousin Tsubaki never seemed to learn.”
“So you are related to her.” He rolled his eyes, growling when the demon slithered a little closer.
“That stupid woman teamed up with Naraku for the jewel, something I never needed. She met her demise anyways. It was shortly after his defeat that I began focusing my attention on children. I even tried to capture one while you were so focused on your little girl.”
Ear flicking at his wife’s gasp, his own anger rose.
“Onii-san, is Rin alright?”
“She is fine, little sister. Your barrier and the old woman’s arrow took care of it.”
This witch also went after Rin and into the village? He had had enough of her antics. It was time to put this to an end. Taking her conversation with his brother as a distraction, Yamauba ordered her snake to attack, its fangs snapping dangerously close to him. Eagerly waiting for a fight, Inuyasha leapt into the air, blasting a chunk of skin from its body with his wind scar.
Keeping an ear trained on Kagome, he felt her power rise and fall with every arrow she sent, the witch using her own power to block them or the snake’s tail to thwart them. It was then he noticed the demon was able to regenerate its flesh almost immediately and a snarl escaped his throat. This wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought and he needed to combine his attack with his wife’s arrow to take care of the damn thing.
Landing beside her, he assessed her, noticing she had formed a smaller barrier around her midsection, protecting their unborn baby while she fought with her bow. Quickly counting the remaining her quiver, he grimaced at the lack of arrows she had left.
“We gotta combine our attack for the snake, ‘Gome. Otherwise, I'll keep coming back. Send an arrow at it and I'll send it into the medio before it can regenerate.” He ordered, gripping Tessaiga with both hands, the midnight sky appearing on his blade. She nodded, turning her attention towards the demon, firing a quick arrow towards its heart and he watched the snake burst into pieces, flesh spreading across the field.
Raising his sword, he opened a portal, smirking as most the pieces fell into hell, the witch’s screams piercing his ears.
“You killed my most precious pet!” Tears ran down her face as her expression morphed into pure madness, the witch’s power now fully rising. Something was happening, he could feel it, and when Moroha’s faint whimpers of his name came from behind him, he found himself wrapped in Kagome’s barrier, with her still on the outside.
“Go to her, Inuyasha,” she commanded, her eyes trained on the wailing woman, Kagome’s final arrow notched in her bow.
“Don’t you dare die on me, wife,” he grunted, Inuyasha’s heart torn between leaving her and running towards his daughter’s cries. He had no doubt that she would do whatever it took to protect herself and their family, but dammit, he was supposed to remain by her side. He had promised her in his vows that when they got married and fuck anyone who got in his way.
Golden eyed never leaving her, he backed up until he was beside his friends, his brother slipping Moroha into his arms.
“Papa, is Mama going to be okay?” She whispered, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Swallowing, he wanted to tell her yes, he wanted to reassure his daughter that the love of his life was perfectly capable of protecting them, but he found he couldn’t form the words.
“Pup, your mother is going to be fine.” Sesshomaru’s comfort momentarily shocked him, but he still couldn’t focus on anything but Kagome. The field was now silent, the only sound was the pounding of his heart in his ears, Inuyasha’s hands trembling as he continued to clutch his girl.
He could do nothing but watch as Yamauba sent a blast of power at Kagome, who fired her final arrow at the last moment, the clearing filled with light. As it faded, he snarled when he saw the witch unharmed. His gut churned at the realization that she was now out of arrows and he was safely behind her barrier. Swallowing back the nausea, he waited to see what she would do, her plan of removing the witch’s power something she needed to accomplish on her own.
He saw the smile on Yamauba’s face, her realization of the situation, but when he searched Kagome’s aura’s he found her calm and powerful, her anger still in the front of her mind, but in complete control. It was as if she was preparing to unleash something new from within her. When another wave of power was sent towards her, Kagome simply raised her bow, blocking it from connecting with her and it was then he heard the harsh snap of wood breaking.
Ear flicking at Miroku’s gasp, Inuyasha gaped when her Mount Auzuza bow fell to the ground in two pieces, the wood glowing a bright red as it had absorbed the curse that was sent her way. Assessing the witch’s power, he found her aura shuddering and weak, all her previous attempts at destroying Kagome affecting her greatly.
With trembling hands, Yamauba pulled a small item from her garment, the blue orb no bigger than her hand glowing brightly as she weaved a new spell. The orb rose high in the air and suddenly a horde of demons flew out, filling the night sky with hundreds of them. Depositing Moroha back into his brother’s arms, he took off towards Kagome with his adamant fang ready to blow them to pieces, only to slide to stop when he was less than two feet from her.
He watched in amazement as his wife, his powerful, brilliant and gorgeous wife, used her power to create a bow and arrow out of pure spiritual energy, aiming straight above her. She released the arrow, and the whole sky burst into a blinding pink light, Inuyasha squinting as each demon was obliterated into dust. Blinking rapidly as he finally grasped that she had just decimated them with a simple arrow, finally understanding just how much power his tiny miko had within her.
“She has grown more powerful.” Miroku stated, pride in his voice and Inuyasha heard Sango mutter her agreement. Sesshomaru joined his side, Moroha silent in his arms as she watched her mama.
“Little brother, Kagome is…” Inuyasha focused on her, peering closer.
“Pissed.” He could feel her anger rising once more, overpowering all of her other emotions. Yeah, she was powerful, magnificent, the other half of his soul, but his wife was beyond pissed now and he knew better than to get in her way. Inuyasha had grown used to her loud anger, where she yelled and sometimes cursed out loud, but he learned it was more hurt, irritation, and fear than anything. It was the silent anger that actually terrified him.
He had only seen her this angry a handful at times, most of them directed at him when he was being downright an asshole, but this one was new. She was silently seething, her body tense with untapped fury and he could practically see it coming off of her in waves, pink swirls coating her body that would burn any to the touch. Her aura was so strong, causing the strands of her hair to lift from her back, her body almost rising with the influx of emotion.
She had told him that the gods would be the ones to decide the outcome of her life, but he knew there was no way this witch was leaving with any of her powers if Kagome had anything to do with it.
“Mama’s very angry.” Moroha whispered.
“She’s strong, and she’s going to be okay. Stay with Uncle Fluffy.” Inuyasha tweaked her nose, gently shoving his brother to fall back and ignoring the look he gave him. While he was sure Kagome’s barrier would protect them, he wasn’t so sure about the increasing spiritual energy and his full demon brother in the same vicinity.
“Kagome?” He moved as close as he could to her, without leaving the barrier, his desire to not be turned into a human strong.
“I’m alright, I promise. It’s time to take care of this and get home. I have plans for us later, my half demon.” She sent him a wicked smirk, mirroring their favorite kit and he chuckled, knowing that look, he would fall into a pile of goo at her feet. His wife was something and he would never get enough of it. She faced the witch once more, his smile falling from his lips as he bared his fangs.
“You killed innocent children,” she stated, stalking forward, speaking slowly with each step, reminding him of an Inu hunting her prey.
“You went after Rin and Gyokoto.”
“They were just bystanders.”
“You tried to hurt me.” She snarled, bright pink snuffing out red, Kagome’s power surrounded the witch, blanketing hers.
“And your point?”
“You will no longer be allowed to use your power for evil.”
“If you kill me, you are no better than I, dark miko,” the witch baited.
“It is not up to me to decide that fate and I would never harm innocents for beauty and power.” Kagome was now a foot away from her, and he held his breath, clutching his fang, his body tense. If she so much as laid a finger on his wife, he would slice off her hand and plunge his sword through her gut, gods decreeing her fate be damned.
“It is my right.”
“You tried to kill my daughter.” Kagome’s tone never rose, staying steady as she voiced the witch’s evildoings aloud.
“Your daughter was simply in the way of what I wanted.”
“That was your final mistake.”
Thrusting her hand forward, he watched in fascination as Kagome pulled a glowing light from the witch’s body, a white orb no bigger than a rock from the river in her palm. He was shocked to see red and black strands circling the light, as if it was trying to snuff out the power. Yamauba’s body sank to her knees, her eyes void of any life, reminding him of the clay walkers Urasue’s apprentice had created during the shard hunt to get revenge.
Waiting to see what she would do next, he found his friends mirroring his actions, looks of shock and awe on their faces. She cupped her hand together, covering the orb and twisted, the red and black pulling away from the white. Kagome whispered a silent prayer and allowed the orb to reenter the witch’s body, her eyes brightening as what he assumed her soul gave her life again.
“Wha-how did you…?” He could hear her muttering, her skin now a sunken gray beneath matching eyes.
“I took your power from you, as I will not take your life. You have been given the chance to redeem yourself Yamabua.” Kagome spoke, her words clear, as she held the swirling red and black power in her hands. Her own power surrounded her hand in a bright pink, snuffing out the light and it crumbled into her hand, falling to the dirt and disappearing into the earth. “If you ever try to harm my daughter again, I will send my husband after you.”
The witch nodded silently, a hint of anger in her dull eyes, only for Kagome to lean forward, gripping a handful of her robe and bringing her face close.
“And if you ever return to this land, I will have my brother, the Lord of the West, take care of you. Do you understand?”
Yamauba nodded again, fear clear in her body. Kagome released her and she stood quickly, running from them and into the forest on shaky legs. All of Kagome’s anger dissipated, her enticing scent now clouded with exhaustion and he leapt from her falling barrier to catch her as she sank to her knees.
“Kagome!”
“Mama!” Pulling her into his lap, she simply smiled up at him with tired eyes as their daughter jumped from Sesshomaru’s arms and ran towards them, Kagome holding her arms open for her. He had the most important people in his life in his arms, the last few days wearing on him.
Was this how their life was going to be? People always seeking them for revenge or power? Would his life ever be boring?
Feeling the rest of them approach, he gathered them up in his arms, Kagome bridal style, while Moroha clung to his back.
“Onii-san, Rin is truly alright? She wasn’t bitten?”
“No, Little Sister. You saved her as you did your own pup tonight.”
Inuyasha smirked when Sesshomaru brushed Kagome’s bangs back from her face, his icy heart thawing with every action. Who knew his wife and brother would form a bond, healing his own with Sesshomaru’s? “But did you have to tell her that I will be going after her? I’m not a puppy.”
“But you are a inu youkai.” Miroku joked as his hand landed softly on the daiyoukai’s shoulder, Inuyasha snickering, earning him a glare. Kagome simply shrugged, giving him a cheeky smile.
“Humans.” Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, giving them a nod as a squawking came from the forest line, the toad appearing before them. “Do not say a word, Jaken.” Inuyasha held back his laughter as his brother simply walked away, trusting them to watch over Rin until he returned next time.
“I can hear you thinking.”
Her voice broke through his thoughts, his memory playing out before him of the night before as the morning sun began to rise to the east. The group had decided that today they would all be spending it at home, resting and recovering from the battle, especially his wife and daughter. Placing a quick kiss to her cheek to let her know he heard her, he propped himself up on his arm, his gaze on Moroha.
“I think we need to start training her to protect herself,” he whispered, almost afraid to admit that he can’t always be there to protect either of them.
“I was thinking the same thing. She would have been out of harm’s way if she could have stopped the shikigami.”
“You couldn’t either back then. Maybe it’s just what happens.” He sighed, exhaustion settling in his bones. Being a father was one thing, and fighting demons was another, but both with a daughter who held spiritual and demonic power within her? This was something brand new. “Speaking of, I wonder if she knew how we defeated Tsubaki or if it was just a coincidence?”
“I’m not sure. She didn’t seem to know my name, or yours, just kept calling me Miko.”
“You're more powerful than any miko I've ever come across. What you did back there was incredible, wife.”
“Thank you. I was just so angry at her for what she did, for the things she said. She hurt Moro, Inuyasha! I couldn’t let her get away with it.”
“And you didn’t. You left her life to fate or whatever and knowing that, along with the threat of Sesshomaru, I doubt she’ll return.” He smirked at her soft laughter, the threat more funny to them now more than anything. For attempting to hurt Rin alone, but with adding Moroha and Kagome into the mix, Inuyasha doubted Sesshomaru’s would hesitate to take her head. “Remind me though, to never make you that mad ever again.”
“The only way you could do that is if you hurt our children and I know you would never do that.” She smiled, snuggling closer to him, her arms tightening around their little girl. He waited until she drifted off into a light doze before running his fingers through her hair, the action calming both of them.
Kagome was right. He would never do anything to hurt their children, or any innocent human being. The image of her draped in her power, stalking the witch before executing her punishment, seared in his mind. He may never make her that mad ever again, but gods help the first boy to make Moroha cry. He would have an angry hanyou after him while to most that was scary enough, but he would also have a powerful miko behind him and that was downright terrifying.
Head falling to the futon, Inuyasha pulled his girls closer, his fire rat protecting them all as he drifted off to sleep, the rapid heartbeat of their unborn pup soothing to his ears.