#inu-pockylypse

[kstewdeux]

@sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy

InuPrompt 2022: Any Ship Day (11.12.22)

Song Inspiration: Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

Summary: Where Inuyasha goes when he goes full demon.

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Weep for yourself, my man You'll never be what is in your heart Weep, little lion man You're not as brave as you were at the start

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This was getting remarkably old. Truly it was. After everything they’d been through, after everything they’d done, Inuyasha was still the same old stubborn ‘go it alone’ bastard that he was when they first met.

Or, at least, that is the way everyone interpreted Inuyasha’s weird reaction to Kikyo being kidnapped. Again. The way he sat all rigid and declared that he’d do it himself. Miroku laid into him. Sango joined in and Shippo placed the ‘what makes you think you’re so special’ cherry on top.

Kagome made a face but knew calling a duck a duck wasn’t going to do Inuyasha any favors. Of course, all of them had a bone to pick with Naraku. Everyone wanted to defeat him. They all wanted revenge of some kind. What their friends didn’t understand, though, was that Inuyasha wasn’t planning on going alone for some selfish glory related reason.

After all the loss that poor man had suffered, Kagome understood that he simply couldn’t handle more death and he was terrified of being alone. Kagome had been sure of that from the moment they’d beaten the Thunder Brothers and he’d come crying after them. The panic and desperation that’d been in his face? Can’t really argue against the evidence. 

In any case, Inuyasha wanted to go alone not because Inuyasha felt invincible or because he wanted glory. He wanted to protect his friends. The only thing of worth he possessed. And he’d die for that cause if need be. Which was irritating and terrifying.  Inuyasha’s willingness to take every blow and fight against insurmountable obstacles alone was extremely troubling. But that’s what he’d gotten into his mind needed to happen. 

Despite the fact that, ya know, facing Naraku on his own should not happen. Talk about suicidal plans.

“Look, we all know what happened between you and Kikyo,” Kagome tried a different more direct approach as she crouched down to get on his eye level, “But you don’t have to run around trying to fix everything behind our backs.”

Inuyasha bristled even as he saw Kagome subtly cringed upon realizing what she’d implied. She should’ve known better than to even hint at betrayal. If anything, he’d proven time and time again that he was loyal. That they could trust him. All of which had been at expense of his own sanity. Half the time he felt like he was ripping himself into pieces trying to balance both and, up until now, he’d been doing a pretty damn good job. If they didn’t trust him…

He watched her in the split second it took his rage to bubble over. The silent plea for forgiveness in her eyes. Like she was trying to impart how deeply she trusted him in every area save one.

And she didn’t even need to worry about that one but that was an issue he couldn’t address quite yet. Why put a bigger target on her back? It was hard enough trying to protect her as is.

“I don’t sneak around, okay?” Inuyasha snapped defensively and Kagome wilted as he continued, “I have never ‘snuck’ in my life.”

“Inuyasha, I-“

There was a collective eye roll from the others that got Inuyasha’s heckles up more and he was very ready to go scorched earth to prove that he, in fact, was trying to protect them. That nothing about Naraku was safe and victory sure as hell wasn’t guaranteed. That ‘saving Kikyo’ – a woman who had done none of them favors – was an extremely dangerous and stupid way for anyone but him to die. That he’d be damned before anyone he loved died over her. For that matter, none of them were allowed to die period. Before he could launch into his full offensive, however, Miroku noticed something in the near distance and then the topic of whether Inuyasha was selfish or not was forgotten.

“It’s soul collectors…”

Letting out a relieved yet miserable sigh that was missed by literally everyone, Inuyasha felt a little grateful that he could rip this particular bandaid off early and without a fight. They’d go. Save Kikyo. And then he wouldn’t have to think about her for a while. He’d have a chance to catch his breath and recharge from the emotional drain.

And, to be honest, as much as it scared him, he was glad he wasn’t going in alone.

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Rate yourself and rake yourself Take all the courage you have left And waste it on fixing all the problems That you made in your own head

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Awkwardly coming to a full stop and launching upwards to get a better vantage point, Inuyasha stared at the flames which had burst into existence before his very eyes.

What on earth happened here? Where had this village come from? Why hadn’t he smelled the smoke on the way in? And why was it so dark? Up until now, it’s been day and all he’d seen while he was-

Wait, what had he been doing before he came upon this veritable funeral pyre? Whatever it had been felt important. Couldn’t tell you what it’d been but it was important. Had he been alone? That too didn’t sit right.

Where was he?

Inuyasha took in a shuddering breath and tried to stay calm. Any efforts to collect himself, however, were unfortunately shot to hell before they’d even had a chance to be successful.

“That’s him! That’s the one who attacked us! Inuyasha!”

For a brief moment, Inuyasha forgot how to breathe as he glanced around the burning village in sheer panic and despair. Everything leading up to this moment had turned to static and, for whatever reason, his mind came to the seemingly bizarre conclusion that he’d been sent back fifty years. Either that or he was in his full demon form and this was just one of those dreams, ya know?

Letting out a choked breath, Inuyasha found he didn’t like either option. Usually his dreams weren’t quite this vivid or detailed. Maybe…maybe he had gone full demon and this was the aftermath of a time he couldn’t remember. That would explain why he was confused.

After all, this couldn’t be fifty years ago. A part of him knew that was wrong. Despite other things missing, he very distinctly remembered being sealed to a tree with zero casualties. He’d been very careful to do as little damage as possible. Aside from the betrayal by Kikyo, the men and women of the village had shown him more kindness and acceptance than he’d ever known. They hadn’t been in on Kikyo’s plot to string him along. They’d been every bit as convinced that she loved him as he’d believed up until a few hours ago.

Jumping a fair distance away from what remained of the angry villagers, Inuyasha took a few seconds to look more closely but the more he looked around, the more he was terrified. Had he gone full demon? After all, this place was completely unfamiliar but that didn’t bring the relief he so desperately sought. How could it? Everyone was yelling his name and that he’d done this but he-

Taking in a panicked gasp of air, Inuyasha tried his best to keep from screaming as his eyes locked into the lifeless stare of a dead mother who was still cradling her equally lifeless baby. He knew her face.

He took an involuntary step back and his heel cracked a skull he hadn’t registered was there. A development which did nothing to calm his nerves.

He knew her. This wasn’t his village but that was one of his villagers. She’d…she’d let him hold…

That’d been the first baby he’d...

One hand flew up to his mouth despite himself as he tried to make sense of this all. Her body was mutilated. Throat ripped straight out, and claw marks ran alongside her face. And the baby…

The face - the little one which had smiled at him without fear -was gone.

Tearing his eyes away, Inuyasha bit his hand, trembling, mustering everything he had inside to stop the panicked scream that wanted to escape. It occurred to him, however distantly, that he needed to explain. A part of him hoped that would make a difference. That someone would admit they’d gotten the wrong demon. So, he lowered his hand and tried to steel himself for an argument that would go nowhere.

“Wasn’t me…” he tried to yell back over the din as he took a few more steps back but his voice wouldn’t come. His breath wouldn’t come. Even his heart struggled to keep beating. S-someone else must’ve done this and he was the scapegoat. That was the only thing that made sense.

A light weight suddenly settled into his palm. Wavering amber looked down at the the completed Sacred Jewel and his worst fear was realized.

This was the village.

This had been him.

His full demon form had taken over. Which would explain the odd memory of being shot and feeling betrayed without any real point of reference. The villagers had defended themselves.

But that couldn’t-

He wasn’t a monster. He hadn’t become one. This was not one of the times...

“It can’t be,” he managed hoarsely as his heart struggled to beat and he tried to make sense of it all. But none of it made sense. Never would he have done all of this and he sure as hell did not go full demon. All his life he’d made sure to never kill anyone who wasn’t trying to kill him first because he would never give the assholes who’d made his life hell the satisfaction by becoming what they-

Point being, all of this bullshit wasn’t right. It simply didn’t make-

“INUYASHA!” was the only warning his shellshocked mind got before an arrow collided solidly with his chest and he was flung backward. Despite a part of his mind recognizing that this couldn’t logically be real, the arrow embedded in his flesh sure as hell felt real. The heat from the flames were suffocating and oppressive. And that was Kikyo…

Which...he’d been looking for her, hadn’t he? Why had he been looking for her? Not that it mattered. No amount of trying to explain or defend himself was going to save his sorry ass.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try to convince her that this wasn’t what it looked like though. Especially because realization dawned and why none of this made sense suddenly made a whole lot of sense.

This wasn’t real. None of this was real. It must be an illusion of some kind.

But why would he be in an illusion?

For a brief second, his eyes once again glanced at the corpses littering the world around him and tried to remember how to breathe.

Why did it feel so real?

Being thrown back fifty years and landing in a situation made of nightmare fuel could only mean he was full demon right now. In the real world where there were real consequences. This, right here, was what he feared most in the world but…but he wasn’t a monster. He wasn’t.

He just needed to wake up. He needed to get out before he went insane. There had to be a trigger. A key of some kind. He just needed to play along. That’s all.

His whole body flinched as the mother’s vacant eyes once again locked with his own.

A trigger...

Amber eyes widened as a memory or thought fought to the forefront of his mind. That must be it.

“Kikyo, wait, it was all just a trap!” Inuyasha tried to fight against what the illusion clearly wanted him to do, “Kikyo don’t do it!”

But his words did nothing. Had no effect. She wasn’t even listening. Just advancing as more and more corpses appeared all around them. The flesh around their wounds bubbling and popping like bacon on a frying pan. 

“Is this hell?” Inuyasha breathed as he looked down and saw the bloodstains on his hands. That made a modicum of sense. This was the only village he’d ever attacked and maybe he did cause all of this damage but just never knew. This was his punishment. To be confronted with the reality of what he’d done. Of what he was. A monster even his own mother couldn’t love.

He'd killed them. He killed them all.

“I never meant…” Inuyasha tried to say but the apology simply wouldn’t leave his lips.

This had to be hell. Question being, how the hell did he get here and how the hell could he get out?

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But it was not your fault but mine And it was your heart on the line I really fucked it up this time Didn't I, my dear?

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“No,” Inuyasha breathed as he stumbled forward and then leapt the distance into the pit hoping his senses were wrong. Miroku was fine. Sango was fine. Shippo was fine. He’d saved them all so why-

Pushing her onto her side was his first mistake. The second was checking for a pulse that wasn’t there. Oxygen whooshed from his lungs and his body gently recoiled like he’d been hit. No sound got over the heartbeat pounding in his ears. 

Her eyes...

There was nothing there. Nothing left. 

Empty...

A scream rose from the core of his being and poured out with such ferocity, it was impossible to stop or contain. He tried though. One hand clapped across his mouth. He sank to his knees. Unable and unwilling to tear his eyes away from her broken body. She’d died. Alone. In this miserable ravine which was cold and damp and barren.

Please let this be hell. Just part of the illusion. Maybe he was still there...

Please…

“The roots,” Miroku mumbled – his voice numb and dissociated, “Maybe…maybe she fell. In the illusion. Maybe she fell.”

Breathing heavily, Inuyasha glanced over at the monk with large, horrified eyes before whipping his eyes toward Sango who was staring blankly at the body while shielding Shippo in her chest.

Please let this be hell…

“N-no,” Inuyasha finally managed – his voice mostly gone after the scream he’d made. Clumsily, sluggishly he stumbled forward before cradling the corpse in his arms, “N-no. T-this is j-just another i-illusion. That’s…that’s all. No. No.”

“Inuyasha, it…I’m sorry but this is real. She is-“ Sango tried – her voice eerily calm and mechanical – but her words fell on deaf ears. Up he went with the body hanging limply in his arms. The limbs laying stiffly and at irregular angles.

But what killed the little he had left was seeing Kikyo standing there with the bottle of shards in hand.

“Y-you did t-this?” Inuyasha breathed as his legs gave out and he crumpled to the ground, “Please. Please t-tell me y-you didn’t. L-lie if you gotta.”

“Why is it that I feel you’re unhappy to know I’m well?” Kikyo taunted and Inuyasha let out a faint cry in response. His arms cradling the corpse a little closer like he could protect the soul that was no longer in its vessel.

“W-why?”

“What do you plan on doing about it? Will you kill me?” Kikyo crooned as she inspected the bottle of shards and Inuyasha found whatever strength he had left fled for the hills. Everything he had left in him evaporated. It was all he could do to simply kneel there and clutch at the cold body in his arms. Maybe…maybe once upon a time he would’ve been able to bounce back and immediately avenge his fallen…his…

A whine escaped him, and he pressed two trembling lips against Kagome’s clammy forehead. This was all his fault. She was gone because he wasn’t strong enough. Even now he was failing her. Unable to let her go so he could avenge her death. Kagome would never know how much he loved her. And he did love her. He did. Just because he…he never planned on saying anything didn’t change that. Maybe that was why this happened. Why he always wanted to do everything on his own. Everyone he loved died because of who he was. Just by existing he damned them to death.

A few tears streamed down Inuyasha’s cheeks, and he softly sobbed into Kagome’s blood-soaked hair while Kikyo continued taunting him. Each word entering one ear and pouring out the other. All his mind was capable of doing was taking in the little details of her face. Trying to find a smidgeon of that scent which had always made him feel invincible. But it was wrong. Everything was wrong. The slackness of her face – eyes wide and mouth open in a silent scream – made it almost impossible to remember how it'd looked in life. The scent of death quickly replacing that of her life in his mind.

“I’m sorry,” he finally managed to mumble – not even realizing there was an arrow pointed at him. Even if he had seen it coming, he would have welcomed it. He wanted it. Wherever Kagome went, he wanted to follow. He couldn’t do this without her. Any of it. Even taking in air was hard.

He needed…

He needed…

He…

“HIRAIKOTSU!”

Inuyasha breath caught several times as he watched his fiends do what he could not. It was literally all he could do just to watch. Kikyo had managed to do what hundreds before her could not.

She broke him. For a reason he’d never understand and never know. With Kagome’s death avenged, Inuyasha rocked the corpse slowly and continued sobbing until he’d cried all his tears.

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Tremble for yourself, my man You know that you have seen this all before Tremble, little lion man You'll never settle any of your score

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They said the body should be burned. They were going to burn her. With fire. Which…which made sense. It did. It’d only been a day and she was already rotting. They said…

Inuyasha curled his knees tighter against his chest and buried his face. A part of him hoping beyond hope that maybe Sesshomaru would show his brother some pity for once. Just a little bit of mercy. But how would he know to even come here? Wasn’t like they talked literally ever, and the bastard wouldn’t care even if he did know. No one knew how much Kagome had meant to him so, even supposing Sesshomaru cared on some level, why would Sesshomaru think for one second that his little brother needed this miracle? Why would anyone?

“Inuyasha, you must let me do her rites,” Miroku’s tired voice whispered as a hand rested on his shoulder, “We need to burn-“

“No,” the half-demon sniffled as he shook with negative emotions, “Not yet. Please.”

“Sesshomaru isn’t coming,” Miroku sighed bluntly – his voice cracking and betraying how he’d been crying himself, “There is nothing we can do other than give her a proper burial. Before Naraku finds a way to use-“

“M-maybe Urasue had a sister?” Inuyasha managed to squeak out before feeling infinitely more miserable when that awful suggestion bubbled over his lips. Why would he want that? Hadn’t he caused her enough pain? No one deserved that. Especially someone who had been kind and loving and beautiful and-

“Kagome wouldn’t want that,” Miroku chided in a very hard tone, “You must accept what has happened.”

“Who said?” Inuyasha clipped back – half joking and half deadly serious. It was honestly a miracle his mind hadn’t fractured completely. That he wasn’t running around as a full demon murdering everyone in sight.

For the first time in his life, imagining that existence didn’t terrify him. In fact, being completely unaware and blank sounded absolutely wonderful.

Inuyasha pulled his knees tighter against his chest and sniffled loudly.

“T-tomorrow. J-just give it ‘till tomorrow,” Inuyasha pleaded amidst growing sobs, “Maybe...maybe she’ll wake up. He could c-come. H-he could.”

“Inuyasha, she isn’t going to wake up,” Miroku sighed heavily before kneeling down and forcing Inuyasha’s chin up, “We are all hurting. We are all grieving. But we must be strong. That is what she would have-“

“She’d want to see her f-family again,” Inuyasha whimpered angrily as he ripped his head away, “T-to smile a-and l-laugh a-and have a pulse. I n-need to give h-her a c-chance.”

“Inuyasha, he isn’t-“

“You should have just let me go alone, dammit,” Inuyasha spat hatefully before firmly planting his face back into his knees and shaking with negative emotion, “This is why I wanted to go alone. This. She’s gone. She shouldn’t be g-gone. Should be me. It should’ve been me.”

Lips parting in newfound understanding, Miroku found himself quite lost for words. But one thing he did know was that Inuyasha should not be left alone.

“Tomorrow then,” Miroku acquiesced gently before running a sleeve beneath his weeping nose and settling against the wall. Wrapping one arm around his friend, Miroku guided Inuyasha so the man leaned on him for support. A gesture which Inuyasha shockingly allowed.

“I’m sorry,” the monk whispered as he gently rubbed his friend’s arm, “I’m so very sorry.”

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Your grace is wasted in your face Your boldness stands alone among the wreck Now learn from your mother or else Spend your days biting your own neck

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The next year was a blur. Miroku and Sango had decided to continue the quest best they could. Shippo had gone with them. Inuyasha was allowing himself to wither away as he sat religiously next to Kagome’s grave to ‘protect’ it. Staring ahead with blank matted amber. While he would drink and eat if someone handed it to him, he never sought out sustenance for himself. Hadn’t bathed in god knows how long. Hardly ever slept and when he did, he was restless. Plagued by nightmares of the corpse when he found it.

But it didn’t matter. None of it mattered. There was so much he should’ve said or done differently. So much time wasted. Things should’ve been different. Maybe…maybe if he’d just said something this wouldn’t’ve happened. Maybe if he’d killed that cold undead bitch instead of trying to protect her….

Why had he tried to protect her? She’d been very blunt about how she felt but he thought-

“Inuyasha. I will take over the watch if ye wish to rest,” Kaede offered kindly and sluggishly Inuyasha raised his face to look up at her. A moment passed then two and Inuyasha slowly shook his head before taking his former position.

At first, the elderly miko had avoided him for fear that he blamed her or the sight of her would hurt rather than help. But her behavior was not due to her condoning what her sister had done. If anything, it made her resent her sister for managing to screw her little sister yet again. The first death was so avoidable. So avoidable. Using the jewel has been such a foolhardy and idiotic plan in hindsight. Why did Kikyo want Inuyasha to change anyway? If Kikyo had truly loved Inuyasha or even thought it through beyond desperation, she would have realized she was going to bring doom upon their heads. Inuyasha had enemies as did Kikyo. With them both powerless…

Well, let us just say that would have been a very short lived marriage.

Still, despite all the pain, she was grateful to have a sibling again. Even if Inuyasha did not reciprocate the feeling, she claimed him anyway and loved him as any sister should.

“Ye need to rest,” Kaede insisted with a sad little sigh, “Please. We are all concerned for ye.”

“Why?” Inuyasha muttered numbly – his amber eyes glanced at the small grave and his posture deflating impossibly more, “M’okay.”

“That is not true,” Kaede huffed before kneeling down and forcing Inuyasha to make eye contact, “Kagome was a sweet child who loved ye. We all miss her smiles dearly but she would not want ye to die.”

“Why does what she’d want matter? She’s not here,” Inuyasha mumbled in a dissociated tone as he gently lifted his face out of her wizened hands and kept his face averted, “She can’t want anything.”

“Inuyasha…”

He shook his head and started playing absently with his hands.

“M’fine Kaede. M’fine,” he offered in clear dismissal as his largely vacant eyes stared at the dirt, “M’not tired. M’not-“

Inuyasha made a face which betrayed more emotion than it had in months. 

“M’not...”

His nose twitched a few times as he frowned and cocked his head to the side in confusion.

Blood…

He smelled blood…

Her blood...

“K-Kagome?” he mumbled as his eyes both went out of focus and focused on what was actually happening around him. The two images blending together in a confusing swirl. Vaguely, very vaguely, he could piece together where he was and what they’d been doing. 

Naraku. They were inside Naraku, right? And...

Shit, everything beyond that was a freaking blur. Didn’t help nothing that the ground was spinning beneath him and it was all he could do to stay upright. A bloodied palm pressed against his forehead as he streched out his senses as far as they’d go. Focusing on what always brought him back and steadied him. A heartbeat. A voice. A scent. The fact that Kagome was very much alive. Letting out a grunt, the sight of her lifeless body once again blossomed in his mind’s eye.

And that was all the motivation he needed to break (mostly) free of Magatsuhi’s grasp.

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But it was not your fault but mine And it was your heart on the line I really fucked it up this time Didn't I, my dear?

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It was years before Inuyasha finally got up the nerve to broach the subject of what had actually happened with Kikyo all that time ago. Before he finally admitted what had been happening his head while he was trapped as a full demon within Naraku’s body. For so long, he’d been terrified of so much as mentioning Kikyo’s name in his new wife’s presence. Terrified that she’d remember all those times he’d gotten her hurt or almost killed and leave him forever. Terrified that she’d die – for real this time – and never know how much he’d loved her. How much he’d always loved her. That she wouldn’t believe him even if he did say as much.

But the conversation did come up. Naturally. Kinda.

“When you’re a full demon,” Kagome hummed curiously one night as they were snuggled up beneath the covers on a warm summer night, “Do you realize what’s happening?”

Inuyasha inhaled deeply and let out a controlled exhale.

“No,” he began slowly, “Its like I’m…I’m asleep. So I, um, dream. I guess.”

“Nice dreams I hope,” Kagome offered affectionately and Inuyasha groaned.

“No,” he offered softly as he stared up at the ceiling with haunted eyes, “Never nice.”

Kagome propped herself up and looked down at her husband with concern. It was blatantly obvious that whatever ‘dreams’ he had weren’t your run of the mill nightmares.

“What?” Inuyasha laughed in a way that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “I’m fine. Don’t look at me like that.”

“What types of things do you dream? You know. When you’re like that,” Kagome asked wearily as she stroked his cheek. Against his will, a few tears began welling in the corners of his eyes as image after image of her broken body flashed before his mind’s eye.

“You die,” he managed barely above a whisper - his throat growing tight as a tear slid down his cheek, “You d-die m-most of the time.”

“You kill me?” Kagome breathed as her eyes grew wide. Inuyasha sniffled lightly as he rolled onto his side and buried his face in the sheet so he didn’t have to see her reaction.

“N-no. S’just usually my fault...”

[sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy]

Another Day. Another Inuyasha Themed Plot Bunny with a Super Lame Video to get your attention. Huzzah.

November InuPrompts Here

More plot bunnies Here & Here

PLOT BUNNIES - DIRECTION:

The group bickers over which way is best. Turns out none of them are best and all routes chosen are unpassable.

PLOT BUNNIES - HEADCANON

Inuyasha’s got 99 problems but pain ain’t one. In his half-demon form, Inuyasha literally cannot feel pain. Oh, his body still knows he’s been injured and he cannot escape the inevitable side effects that accompany blood loss/poisoning but that’s not pain.

Like the domesticated dog, Inuyasha is color blind. Specifically red-green colorblind because why not? He might not see any color at all. Maybe it’s only blue-yellow. Up to you. Run with it.

As a human, Inuyasha needs glasses which is why he feels blind. For inspiration on how that might look, see this Tiktok.

Gramps has a doctor friend who manufactures evidence of Kagome’s illness so child protective services or truancy court won’t get involved. The friend is like Fox Moulder from X-files and desperately wants to believe demons are out there.

A fully grown Shippo works for the school board and constantly has to brush Kagome’s absences under the rug.

Hojo knows exactly who and what Inuyasha is due to his family’s meticulous organization and record keeping habits. That’s why he keeps asking Kagome out even though she clearly isn’t interested. He wants to ask her point blank when they’re alone.

In his advanced age, Sesshomaru is the one who purchased and bequeathed the Higurashi shrine because his daughter eventually finds her way there and he wants to make up for his shitty parenting or, really, the lack of parenting.

Gramps does have spiritual powers. He just holds back and acts a fool so no one believes Kagome does.

Inuyasha loves cats but has never been stable enough to have a pet. In the course of his life post-quest eventually ends up the male equivalent of a cat lady because he wants to make up for lost time. “Inuyasha, please, we don’t need another…” *Inuyasha emerges from the cat pile* “DON’T TELL ME HOW TO LIVE MY LIFE WOMAN”

There is a demon version of the Men in Black who swoop in every time Inuyasha & Kagome have a modern day misadventure.

Inuyasha doesn’t curse - much - because his mother was very clear. Murder okay. Cursing bad.

Mama Higurashi & Gramps know exactly what happens in the quest thanks to some old records. The entire time they knew and that’s why they’re okay with their teenage girl hopping through the well.

The school friend who wrote the Ode to Joy ripoff about the Sacred Jewel is one of the group’s descendants.

[sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy]

ALMOST TIME FOR THE NOVEMBER INUPROMPTS SEE BELOW FOR SOME PLOT BUNNIES TO HELP YOU ALONG!

PROMPTS:

REMEMBER tag @sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy or use hashtags #novinuprompt22 or #inu-pockylypse to get a reblog.

PLOT BUNNIES - DIRECTION:

After his mother’s demise, a small Inuyasha tries to figure out where to go from here.

Kagome wants to go home. Inuyasha leads the group in the entirely wrong direction on purpose and fools no one.

Sango gently tries to teach Kagome about North, East, South and West after an embarrassing blunder.

Miroku realizes he’s found his “true North” in Sango but still goes astray. Mainly because he doesn’t want to have Sango lose another person she loves. Shes suffered enough. And, I mean, that ass though.

Kikyo struggles with her new existence and gets lost in the process.

An old man asks a traveling Inuyasha for directions in the most annoying way possible. Trying to make Kagome proud, even though he likely would never see her again, Inuyasha tries. God, he tries but the old man is senile.

PLOT BUNNIES - SACRIFICE:

During the three year separation, Inuyasha happens upon an opportunity to perform a true act of kindness but it’s not without sacrifice. Perhaps he must give something he has left of Kagome. Maybe he misses that third day. Maybe he gets brutally tortured.

During the three year separation, the well opens for Inuyasha but he’s sent to the wrong point in time. Rather than stay, he returns to his era rather than complicate her life. Maybe Kagome has no idea who he is. Maybe she’s moved on. Maybe it’s a fever dream.

Miroku gives up his food for his wife/kids during a harsh famine but pretends he’s already eaten his fill.

Sota reflects on the loss of his sister after a particularly difficult moment in his life. He misses her so much it hurts and there are times he’s so angry. 500 years in the past Kagome is drawn to the well. A terrible feeling and a fleeting moment of regret as she worries about the family she left behind to be with the man she loves.

PLOT BUNNIES - CHILDHOOD:

The Japanese children’s game of “Kagome Kagome”.

The greatest lesson a parent ever taught their now orphaned child was…

After his wife dies in childbirth, a grieving father parentifies his young daughter and leaves the care of Kohaku primarily to her.

It was slow work but little Inuyasha manages to take his mother’s corpse to a pretty place and bury her with all the respect she deserves.

Tiny Miroku gets confused and bored at the brothels Mushin keeps dragging him to. Mushin tries to condition Miroku into being a pervert so the boy feels more comfortable fulfilling his obligation to create an heir who might defeat Naraku. Because obviously, Miroku is a lost cause and he grows up being told as much.

PLOT BUNNIES - MENTAL HEALTH:

Miroku tries to balance living life with the bloodthirsty jaws of a seemingly inescapable death.

Sango’s suicidal behavior.

Inuyasha and all the *gestures at everything*

Literally the wear on everyone’s mental well being from constant battles, horrifying backstories and juggling romance. Let them have a moment of peace and take a mental health day.

Mushin & his alcoholism. Although addiction is not technically classified as a mental illness, it is a mental disorder that often occurs in tandem with mental illness. Think about it. Canonically, Mushin was brought to the temple by Miroku’s father to care for his son. Logically, this would mean that Miroku’s father trusted Mushin. They were likely friends. Very, very good friends. Why else would Mushin agree to a lifetime commitment and de facto adoption of a child? Mushin probably watched his best friend die but never had the opportunity to grieve due to child rearing. Mushin had to have assumed he would watch the boy he raised/love would also die. Had Mushin lost all hope? Afraid to teach a young child that he was likely to survive? Join us next time for Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairytale had some messed up yet largely unspoken implications.

PLOT BUNNIES - WISH:

The jewel never grants your true wish. Inuyasha worries after Kagome admits she wished on the well to see him again. After all, the jewel literally wanted to trap her soul inside it forever and logically, the jewel’s magic probably got infused inside the well after it disappeared. #neveragain

Kagome buys some new exercise clothes on the cheap (haha get it? Because Wish?). This goes about how you’d expect.

A young Sango learns about Midoriko and asks the remnants of the legendary miko to grant a wish after her Mother dies.

Watch the 10th Kingdom intro.

The group randomly stumbles onto a lucky coin and find a lot of their secret wishes come true whenever they’re in possession of it.

Miroku isn’t seeking out the jewel to defeat Naraku . He’s hoping wishing on the jewel will mean he’ll live.

[sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy]

SEE BELOW THE SHIT VIDEO FOR [ANY SHIP DAY] PLOT BUNNIES FOR NOV. INUPROMPTS! ALMOST TIME!

List of Prompts Here

*note of explanation: the animals came with our building when sold in the early 1980s. I do not promote big game hunting.

PLOT BUNNIES - ANY SHIP DAY - LGBTQ+

Bankotsu x Jakotsu (Band of Seven). After years together as friends, Bankotsu and Jakotsu came to a silent understanding that their love is more than brotherly. However, Renkotsu, being a homophobic twat, finds out and from that moment, plots to overthrow their fearless leader. Against all odds, their love lives longer than Renkotsu’s traitorous ass.

Ginta x Hakakku (Koga’s Crew).  It's a time-honored queer tradition to yearn for one’s most intimate friends. Thankfully, this time the feeling is mutual, but the pair are too socially inept to actually get things moving and too insecure to recognize that they both want the same thing. Upon realizing what’s happening, Koga intervenes because this is getting too awkward. Just kiss already. We’ve got people to kill.

Miroku x Sango (Asexual). After a lifetime to hiding through overcompensation, Miroku is exposed as an ace when a magic spell renders everyone “normal” horny as hell while he’s too paralyzed by the new feelings of lust to react. It is then and only then that Miroku realizes he thinks of sex differently than everyone else but he does romantically love Sango so he’ll be damned before she gets hurt.

Kikyo x Inuyasha (Aromance or Demiromance). Kikyo had never been interested in pursuing a romantic relationship. In fact, she was a little repulsed by the idea. In essence, she loved Inuyasha the same way someone loves their best friend. You don't need to be attracted to someone to have feelings for them.

PLOT BUNNIES - ANY SHIP DAY - Inuyasha x Kikyo

After returning early, Kikyo accidentally spies a rather sweet moment between Inuyasha & Kaede and thanks the stars that she found such a man.

The problem being out of touch with humanity is that there are a marked lack of social skills others take for granted. After a humorous misunderstanding, the two agree that they need to be more direct with one another. Neither are good at picking up on unspoken cues.

It's colder than a witch's tit out there but duty calls. Much to Inuyasha's surprise and delight, Kikyo asks him to go with her on a multi-day exorcism.

PLOT BUNNIES - ANY SHIP DAY - Inuyasha x Kagome

When Sota interrupts what should have been their first ever normal kiss, Inuyasha is beyond annoyed. And a little insecure truth be told. Maybe he misread the situation. Kagome corrects that line of thinking later.

Inuyasha tries to defend his actions when Kagome gets upset over leaving their daughter essentially orphaned. One of them should have stayed but Inuyasha doesn't feel like he had a choice. #neveragain

Small prank war gets out of hand.

Heart melting, Kagome listens as Inuyasha discusses all the things he'd going to do when he becomes a father.

Inuyasha worries that he isn’t being a good husband so he decides he needs to be sweet and affectionate. He knows not how.

PLOT BUNNIES - ANY SHIP DAY - Kagome x Koga

After Inuyasha leaves with Kikyo, Kagome discovers the well has closed off with the completion of their quest. Locked away from her family and the only one of her friends without a path forward, Kagome begins to look forward to Koga's visits.

During a heated battle, Kagome and Koga get separated from the rest of the InuTaichi (in a way that prevents them from being found easily) and/or trapped away somehow. Unexpected feelings develop.

True love's kiss is needed to break the spell. Inuyasha tries. Miroku tries. Hell, even Shippo and Sango try. But when Koga tries...

PLOT BUNNIES - ANY SHIP DAY - Miroku x Sango

The new Lord of Takeda castle told Sango that if things ever go wrong with Miroku, he'll still be waiting and willing to do anything he can to help her. Miroku steams over this but walks a little taller knowing Sango did, in fact, pick him. That Takeda bastard is going to have to wait a long ass time until Miroku is dead and gone. The nerve.

Sango realizes that Miroku's seemingly endless flirtations are just a coping mechanism. He's known since he was young that he was going to die young and horribly at that. So, up until now, Miroku’s approach has been to live fast and loose. Sango changes her tactics and starts talking like their future is guaranteed in order to make him feel more confident & secure.

Miroku has trouble looking Inuyasha in the eye after drunk Sango made it clear Inuyasha was her backup option. Despite this, there is an almost constant stream of awkward glances. Sango is very confused by Miroku's standoffish and insecure behavior. Kagome remembers vaguely what happened and keeps glancing daggers. Inuyasha wants people to stop staring at him.

Romance is a little hard to manage when you've got newborn twins but, by god, Miroku is going to try whether his wife wants it or not. Spoiler alert, she does not want. At least, not right now.

PLOT BUNNIES - ANY SHIP DAY - General

Feeling rather brotherly, Inuyasha tries to set up Kaede with a nice old merchant riding out the winter in their village. Tries being the operative word.

Omg they were roommates.

[kstewdeux]

@sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy​

November InuPrompts 2022: Direction (11.07.22)

Summary: Inuyasha gets lost in the modern era.

Sometimes taking a wrong turn will take you to the right place. Sometimes, though, taking a wrong turn takes you to the wrong place. Sometimes one wrong turn will lead to multiple wrong places.

The atmospheric humidity mingled with the smog that permeated every corner of this wretched world made it hard to breathe. As if the suffocating and relentless stampedes of nameless faces didn’t do a good enough job stealing the air from his lungs. A thick film of grim clung to his skin. The bottoms of his feet were black and sticky. He was tired. He was hungry. He was gross.

And, worst of all, he was lost.

All he’d wanted to do was make sure Kagome got home safe. That’s all he’d wanted but the crowds slowed him down and the doors to the train closed faster than he could reach them. With this many people, he couldn’t very well run after her so he’d waited for the next train which logically would take him to the same place Kagome went. From there, he could follow her scent.

Except…there was no scent. Not at any of the stations and when the train announcer said “last stop” Inuyasha realized he’d royally screwed up. So he’d done the next logical thing and hopped on a different train. Which took him a completely different way from where he came. The next two train rides had similar results. Now he didn’t know up from down much less if he’d been at this particular station before. Going above ground wouldn’t help. He could barely track Kagome here unless she was in danger. Her scent was barely detectable above the pollution and when he sniffed too ardently here, his head started spinning. Shit, one time he’d nearly passed out from the effort.

Which meant that running around above ground until he found the shrine would probably get him more lost. Five hundred years had changed the topography and any landmarks he knew like the back of his hand simply weren’t there anymore.

Confronted with the fact he was hosed, Inuyasha sank down into a bench and dropped his face into his hands. This, right here, is why Kagome’s mother told him not to use these damn machines. But did he listen? Was that a joke? Of course, he didn’t. He never listened to anyone. Life was just a compilation of him trying to outrun the consequences of his own actions.

Like carrying a sword around in crowded public spaces. That had been another warning he’d ignored too for obvious reasons.

Inuyasha took a moment to cast a worried glance down at the sword on his hip. Carrying around a sword - even though he knew it was necessary - was against the law. This was an “issue” because he had no identification and therefore no permit meaning he’d very likely be detained. Couldn’t murder his way out of that situation which was his normal go-to when his life was in danger. Not here. Sniffling lightly, Inuyasha raised his head just enough to glance at the officers around him. A few were already starring at him. One had their phone out and was taking pictures.

The one taking pictures suddenly began moving towards him and Inuyasha’s stomach dropped. This, among many other valid reasons, was why Ms. Higurashi had insisted he’d learn how to use a phone and memorize the phone number that would get him to Kagome in the event something did happen. In case he got in trouble.

“Excuse me sir,” the youngish looking officer began with a somewhat shy grin, “May I ask who your cosplay is?”

Inuyasha blinked a few times before running his sleeve beneath his nose and sitting up.

“Sorry?”

“The character? Who are you dressed up as?” the guard repeated, “I have a bet going with my friend. Kenshin Himura or a member of the Hakkenden.”

Opening then closing his mouth, Inuyasha was more confused than ever and already extremely frazzled, couldn’t think of a good answer quick enough. So he took the easy route.

“F-first one,” he muttered with a miserable sigh, “The first one.”

The man’s grin widened before his eyes glanced up at Inuyasha’s long hair.

“It think it’s your hair that threw it off for him. And the pants. Next time you do it, just wear some more comfortable sandals so you don’t wind up barefoot and maybe splurge for a good red wig. Black-“

Inuyasha’s eyes went wide and his hand flew to his hair to check for himself.

Oooohhh. This was bad. This was so bad. Not only was it too soon for this but he was lost in the middle of nowhere. Trapped in conversation with someone who could totally arrest him if they wanted. In essence, he’d have no way to fight back were something to happen and also it meant he’d been lost for hours. Literally all day. Which was much longer than he’d previously thought.

“…but I mean your costume is super authentic. I’m very impressed. Really-“

“Thanks. I guess,” Inuyasha interrupted softly before swallowing the bitter pill that he needed to actually ask for and accept help, “Look. I think I’m lost and I need to find the Higuarshi shrine? Do you know where that is?“

The man made a face and laughed softly.

“Ah, so you came from out of town. Don’t feel bad. I know my girlfriend gets turned around every time she visits,” the guard hummed in amused sympathy before raising his hand and pointing, “Go up the stairs and it’s four or five blocks to the left. Or the next stop should drop you off a block away. To the right. I walk by every day on the way to work.”

Blinking a few more times, Inuyasha felt both immensely relieved and also very stupid.

“Don’t feel bad. At all. Like I said, it’s super easy to get turned around,” the man offered kindly before biting his lip and swaying slightly, “So...quick question. Where’d you get your costume? Did you make it or-”

“M-my father gave it to me. It’s old,” Inuyasha offered lamely after an excruciatingly long pause accentuated by an overly long emphasis on the word ‘or’.

“Lucky. No wonder it’s good quality,” the man acknowledged with no lack of jealously, “Probably too expensive to alter then?”

Inuyasha nodded for lack of anything better to say.

“Makes sense. Makes sense. Well scratch what I said about the pants. I hope you had fun at Comic Market, I’m supposed to be going tomorrow,” the man laughed softly, “Who are you going as? Maybe I’ll see you around the convention cent-“

“I-I’m not going,” Inuyasha cut the man off as he got to his feet and offered a quick appreciative bow, “I gotta get home. So, um, thanks.”

“You’re very welcome. Us Cosplayers have to stick together, no?” the man hummed and Inuyasha offered him a timid smile before quickly and awkwardly making his way towards the stairs.

About thirty or so minutes later, an extremely worried Kagome was pacing by the shrine stairs as she had been doing since the sun went down. Sota had seen Inuyasha here earlier. The group back home said he hadn’t come back. The moon…who knew that the moon cycles were different here anyway?! She’d never paid enough attention to realize and she’d bet her life on the fact that Inuyasha hadn’t paid attention either. Probably stuck atop a building all alone or maybe he’d gotten hurt. And it wasn’t like she could track him without an aura. Couldn’t get the police involved. All she could do is wait and hope-

A soft cry escaped her when she saw a very frightened and human Inuyasha appear on the street corner. The faint neon lights illuminating the subtle shaking body. Without further thought on the matter she broke into a run down the stairs.

“INUYASHA?!” Kagome managed to yell - her voice cracking and hoarse as she ran as fast as her legs could carry her. The way he jumped then absolutely melted in relief broke her heart. The way he stumbled then held her tightly when she collided with him made her love him more.

“Next time you go somewhere take me with you,” Inuyasha breathed hoarsely  as he pulled back and gently took her chin in his hand - his thumb gently stroking her cheek, “Do not leave me behind. Can you promise me that?”

“Technically, I didn’t know you were even-” Kagome began before Inuyasha dipped down and captured her lips to cut whatever argument she had off. Before she could properly respond, he’d pulled back and was once again giving her a very stern look.

“No leaving me alone. Ever. Got it?” he repeated his earlier demand before smirking when she simply stared at him like a doe in the headlights. So, he dipped forward again and hummed happily when this time she responded. Maybe it was because he was human that he needed this type of reassurance and felt brave enough to seek it out. Maybe getting lost in a strange world was just this final straw that made him stop trying to fight how he felt. 

“Are you going to leave me behind again?” Inuyasha panted lightly when he pulled back again and tried to read her shell-shocked expression. When she didn’t answer imediately, he dipped right back down with all the passion he normally kept locked away.

Mainly, this was happening because he’d been scared shitless and kissing her made him feel better. After all, he’d wanted to kiss her for a long, long time now. Since basically forever truth be told. Almost getting lost forever in a dark dirty hole put some things in perspective. Life, for the most part, sucked but it sucked less when you weren’t alone. When you asked for things like help and tokens of affection.

Not that he’d asked but he figured kissing her like he’d wanted might make her eager to agree with his demand. After all, anyone with a brain knew she loved him. Letting her know he returned that favor in a very blunt non-verbal way would get what he wanted. No more being alone. No more being afraid. No more being left behind.

Worked like a charm too. Mid-kiss, she nodded. Which was a win he needed after a day like today.

“Now that that’s settled,” he hummed hoarsely when he found the strength and will to pull back - grinning down at a very flushed and still confused looking woman with all the love and affection he normally held back, “Let’s get the fuck inside.”

And so it was that several wrong turns led Inuyasha to the right place. Lead him a lot of other places too but what mattered was eventually he got to where he belonged.

[sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy]

Just in case you're feeling stuck or need inspiration. Not a challenge.

HOLIDAY:

December 4th is Inuyasha’s birthday per the expert level @officialkagome calculations on the subject.

In the modern era, demons are responsible for Christmas with one certain elderly half-demon as their mascot. Mainly because “Ms. Claus” can hide them all from detection with her own special gifts.

A Christmas Carol. Inuyasha has been a total ass recently and the fates decide to show him that he needs to make some changes or else life is going to totally suck.

Gift of the Magi. The basic plot of the original is a young husband and wife who long to give each other meaningful Christmas presents. The couple is constrained by their meagre budget, so each gives up something they treasure in order to afford a gift for the other. Roll with it.

It’s A Wonderful Life. Inuyasha incurs a rather heinous injury after an emotionally devastating day. Beaten down in every way, he plays with the idea of giving up. Random ass spirit thing shows him all the good he’s done and what the world would be without him.

AU mixed with Canon. Inuyasha was a woefully mediocre high school student who made a wish upon the Northern (Christmas) Star after an especially brutal day. He wants his life to be different. He wants to be special. He wants to be the best at something, anything. Wakes up in the feudal era as the most powerful half-demon and realizes things could always be worse.

Post-canon. After a few years of living in the feudal era, Kagome realizes that she’s lost track. She doesn’t know holidays or even when her birthday is anymore. Her little depressed sighs don’t fall beneath her husband’s notice and Inuyasha decides to do something special much to Kagome’s utter shock.

While waiting for Kagome, Inuyasha gets mistaken for Santa by a young child and has to use context clues to navigate the situation.

Inuyasha receives a present and malfunctions. What’s the catch? There’s gotta be a catch.

Post-canon. Inuyasha receives a cat as a gift from his wife. Rejoices.

Miroku is introduced to classical holiday music and is moved to tears.

WINTER:

Canon Universe. In the aftermath of a snow storm, Inuyasha and the gang happen upon old ruins of a fortress. Something about how familiar it feels disturbs Inuyasha who fails to recognize it as the place he was born until he comes upon something which reminds him of his mother. The snow. A full moon. The room. The smells.

One fine winter day, the group disappears one by one while those remaining search for them. Turns out they’re being shrunk and wrapped as presents for a young demon baby to play with. Kagome somehow manages to convince everyone they need to find replacements while the others just want to GTFO.

It’s getting cold out here so put on all the clothes. I am getting so cold. I’m gunna put more clothes on.

While Miroku & Sango take the break to visit Mushin, Inuyasha nearly drowns and freezes to death after making a terrible life decision. In his instinct driven state, his body seeks safety. He gains awareness in Kagome’s bed with no sign of the girl in question. Too cold to move Inuyasha simply passes out again only to wake up curled in Kagome’s arms.

Kagome notices that Inuyasha is (poorly) putting on a brave face as they travel in the snow. Turns out half-demons do get cold. Shocking.

Inuyasha discovers hot chocolate. Completely unrelated, Inuyasha learns “pop pop fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is” and that modern medicine’s solution is you can’t suffer if you’re unconscious.

Rain rain go away. Turn to ice another day. We want to go and slay. Come again a warmer day.

Inuyasha tries to be subtle on a cold night and very “casually” offers to hold the woman of his dreams while she sleeps. Hits jackpot.

Sango is cold. Miroku scams to remedy this.

The group huddles around a fire with Miroku generously pouring sake in an attempt to keep everyone warm. Inuyasha is a lightweight and decides to prove he’s fireproof. He is not.

The cold reminds Shippo of warm nights snuggling with his parents. He is sad.

Inuyasha catches a cold. Kagome & the others try to make him the medicinal soup from hell.

RANDOM:

After a feast held in the group’s honor because hot damn can Miroku lie, Kagome goes searching for a missing Inuyasha only to discover the man can play an instrument beautifully. Weirdly they have an “ancient” version of it in the shrine storage shed. Maybe he’d want it?

After another big fight over Kikyo, Inuyasha makes a wish that one thing in his life would be simple. When Kagome gets amnesia while the two are on a solo mission, Inuyasha uses his surprisingly through knowledge to convince her they were a couple and does everything “right”. Sure he feels guilty and this will eventually ruin his life but the sweet taste of pure joy is a high worth risking everything.

For the love of god someone do an Inuyasha AU fanfic of this:

[kstewdeux]

@sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy

InuPrompt 2022: Headcanon (11.13.22)

Summary: Gramps has a doctor friend helping keep Kagome’s absences under wraps.

Inhaling deeply, Gramps watched as the elevator doors slip open while a growing sense of dread filled his gut. While he usually had the energy for these visits, it was getting harder and harder to avoid the truth. Especially from a man he had known since childhood. They’d bonded over their mutual beliefs so long ago. No one believed in legends anymore. The existence of the supernatural chalked up to make believe. It had been a common ground. A boy who had been taught about the history of the world and a boy who just desperately wanted to believe in such things. They’d both pursued different career paths. Gramps carried on the tradition of his house while the latter became a doctor but they still met on a nearly weekly basis.

Stepping onto the elevator, Gramps slowly turned and faced the door. The topic of the interview and mask incident would undoubtedly come up. A little girl thanking a dog earred man. The obviously false explanation that a sewage leak was to blame. In a way, Gramps was grateful the truth had been cleanly swept under the rug. But…the shrine had been involved.

Sure enough, when the doors opened once more, the small balding man with his turtle like appearance was already waiting.

“Come. I have found something new,” the man whispered excitedly as he continued glanced around to make sure they were alone, “You’re going to love it.”

“Hiro. Always a pleasure,” Gramps offered with a weary half-smile as he followed his friend through the empty halls.

“It’s quite extraordinary. The x-ray showed the tibia broken at three points,” the elderly doctor began with a nervous energy as he stopped and fumbled with his keys, “Yet one week later no sign of previous injury. None at all. The bone healed in less than a week. He said it was a mistake but I know what I saw and have the evidence to prove it.

“Do you now?” Gramps sighed before sighing heavily when the door opened and the dreaded conspiracy board was exposed, “I take it that-“

“That’s not all,” the man continued excitedly while locking the door, “I recently had another patient come in who had hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy. That’s fifty confirmed cases right here in Tokyo. There are supposedly only 300 confirmed cases world wide yet I’ve seen fifteen patients in the last year alone. No relation to each other. At least not one they’d disclosed. Last one came in yesterday.”

“Is that so?” Gramps mumbled in a bored tone as he took a seat, “A blessing and a curse to not feel pain. I wish I had that-“

“Ah see but you wouldn’t. Usually it is quite degenerative. Takes it toll. Pain is the body’s warning sign. These individuals came to me for broken bones. Common injuries and much more severe ones as well. A deflated lung in this most recent case. She’d come in for shortness of breath,” his friend explained excitedly, “I documented it. Her lung was actively healing itself and I have the live footage of the scan to prove it. And another patient came in Wednesday with face tattoos that clearly weren’t tattoos. Smooth and flawless and the color...”

“Fascinating,” Gramps interrupted with what he hoped was a genuine smile, “Now-”

“Wait. Wait. I thought you’d find this interesting as well. One of the nurses on the pediatric unit told me about a haunting,” the man enthused as he moved to the board and pointed to a blue pin on the sprawling map of Tokyo, “Window blown out. Multiple accidents. Coma patient nearly thrown from the window. And best of all...”

The pause for dramatic effect made Gramps eye twitch. That was until he noticed very troubling photos among the clippings pinned to the board and his heart absolutely sank.

“Photographs of a mysterious man clinging to the hospital wall. Jumping from building to building. Rushing into a blazing fire and emerging without injury,” the man finished triumphantly before pointing to a nearby apartment complex, “Same description that was given by that little girl who said she was plucked from the air. Clear irrefutable evidence of demons among us.”

Scratching his nose, Gramp’s mind scrambled to find a way to dismiss these allegations that were actually probably spot on. Yes, a talk with Inuyasha definitely was in order. Surely, Hiro was not the only person who had such photographs and not the only one trying to get to the truth of the matter. Heaven help the boy if the conspiracy magazines started investigating.

“Have you shown these things to anyone else?” he decided on and his friend’s excited face fell.

“Well. No,” the doctor mumbled as he wrung his wizened hands and visibly deflated, “The photos are blurry and the witness wouldn’t go on record. But you see what I’m saying, don’t you?”

For a moment, the briefest of moments, Gramps desperately wanted to admit everything. His friend looked so defeated and miserable as he pushed the board back into his office. It was the shuddering sigh as the door clicked closed that did him in.

“You’re here for another note, right?” his friend mumbled as he crossed to the kitchen counter to grab his pen, “What is the excuse this time?”

A minute passed then two as his friend waited patiently - clearly disappointed that his old friend who used to be very interested suddenly acted like he dreaded meeting with him at all. It wasn’t a secret that this...hobby wasn’t widely shared amongst his other friends and acquaintances. In fact, Gramps was fairly certain he was the only person who knew the board and Hiro’s belief that something was out there.

“Kagome...”

Gramps warred with himself for a moment before saying to hell with it.

“Kagome is a priestess in the feudal era fighting demons alongside the demon you see in those photographs,” Gramps finally offered and immediately regretted saying anything at all. The reaction wasn’t what he expected. Namely, there wasn’t one. His friend stood stock still. Blinking slowly like he hadn’t heard anything at all. The silence grew so heavy and tense that Gramps almost took it back and claimed it was a joke. But, thankfully, Hiro beat him to the punch.

“Can...can I meet him?”

The question posed was soft and unsure. Like he was expecting to be told this was a joke.

“Kagome should be returning in the next few days. I will ask when they come as they normally come together,” Gramps offered before blowing out his cheeks, “I trust you with this Hiro. I trust you like I’ve trusted you my whole life. So when I beg you not to repeat this. To not have any of this anywhere in writing...”

“No. No of course not,” the doctor breathed as his lips twitched upwards like he was finally getting over his shock, “I would never betray you. Never put your family in danger. I just want to see for myself. That’s all.”

A second’s pause.

“So I take it Kagome doesn’t have agoraphobia? I did think it was odd,” he teased happily as he shrugged his shoulders and readied his pen, “What excuse are we making up this time then?”

“Arthritis. Severe,” Gramps offered with a warm smile, “And probably something that would explain bruises. The feudal era has its dangers.”

“I imagine it does,” the friend laughed once as he tapped the pen against his lips, “Well, if she ever does need medical treatment, please know I am always available and can be discreet. Heaven knows there must be some injuries that...can’t be explained?”

The giddy grin at that comment had Gramps laughing once himself.

“You will call me. No matter what they decide, won’t you?” his friend asked after a moment as he jotted something down and ripped the prescription pad off, “I understand if he doesn’t want to be identified.”

“I will let you know old friend,” Gramps promised before his lips twitched upwards, “Maybe he can even help you understand some things that will help you with your...less than human patients.”

“I would like that very much,” Hiro hummed happily before sighing happily and moving to a cabinet, “This news calls for a drink. Do you have time?”

Gramps did indeed and the meeting was eventually arranged. Funny thing was, shortly after the meeting, Hiro looked up when a knock at his apartment window caught his attention.

There he was. The demon who had proved definitively that the crazy old doctor wasn’t all that crazy after all. In one graceful move, the boy swooped inside once the window was opened and looked around as he dusted his hands.

“You’re pretty easy to track. You know that, huh?” Inuyasha asked casually before making a face and laughing once, “I want to see the shit you’ve got on demons here while I got time.”

Nodding slowly, Hiro tried to steel himself for the inevitable. To be told he was a crazy old man and that everything - other than this boy - that he’d put together was just his own imagination.

“I h-have the board,” Hiro offered before clarifying when Inuyasha simply looked confused, “Records I mentioned. If you wish to see.”

Smiling, Inuyasha nodded once and leaned casually up against the wall. The man would never know how huge it was that Inuyasha had not only sought him out but that he actually felt comfortable in his presence. But to the half-demon, if Kagome’s grandfather trusted this man with secrets like this, Inuyasha trusted he could trust this old man as well.

“So...” Hiro breathed as he pulled the board into the tight living room and cleared his throat, “I’m not sure if these...”

“You’ve gotta be shitting me,” Inuyasha laughed as he moved closer and plucked up one picture, “That little shit’s still around?”

“Wh-”

A photo was flashed of a middle aged man with brilliant green eyes and a sly grin.

“I mean, you wouldn’t be able to tell. I only know from…well I’m not sure actually,” Inuyasha laughed once as he wrinkled his nose and scoffed, “But where the fuck has he been? That would’ve been nice to know.”

“Mr. Nakamura?” Hiro offered quietly - deciding to ignore the cursing in favor of learning more, “He works for some civil department I believe. Has a wife. A teenage daughter. They sometimes come in.”

Inuyasha snorted and continued glancing over the board.

“What did this dumbass do to get on your board?”

“Nothing really except his eye color changes often. Brown. Green. Sometimes blue. Thought it was odd so…,” the doctor admitted before realizing that Inuyasha knew who that man was which meant, “So Mr. Nakamura is a demon?”

“Yeah, he’s a kid now,” Inuyasha made a face and amended, “Then I guess. Fox demon, ya know? Shapeshifter but he had a thing for humans so I wouldn’t be surprised if the daughter’s only half.”

As Inuyasha confirmed a few more of the photos were probably demons and gave a truthful account of suspicious events on the board, the man went from being relieved he wasn’t insane to wondering how he could be a better doctor for those living in hiding.

“Tell me something. Since I apparently have multiple demon patients, is there anything I should know? Things to avoid?” Hiro asked as he wrung his hands, “Your...Kagome’s grandfather tells me you both are injured frequently.”

Inuyasha nodded absently before letting out a heavy sigh. A long pause followed while the half-demon moved to the other side of the very full and very large easel.

“Pain. I don’t really feel pain,” the half-demon admitted before clearing his throat and plucking up a different picture, “I mean, I do but I don’t. More...more cold. Dizzy. Hard to breathe. Hard to move. Like I know I’m hurt but I can’t necessarily feel the injury if that makes sense.”

Hiro did not think that made sense but he took mental note of it nonetheless.

“I mean, I’ve been hurt when I’m human so I know what pain feels like and it’s not that,” Inuyasha finished lamely before cocking his head to the side and adding, “And healing. It’s fast. Like bones. Bones fully heal in like a day so you’ve got to be quick in setting it or you’ll have to break it again. That’s probably why that guy came to you for pictures. The one you said. To make sure he set it right.”

“A day?”

Inuyasha nodded absently before slowly pinning the photos back on the board. Every so often he paused and opened his mouth like he wanted to speak but didn’t.

“Ya know, I was afraid all the demons were dead. That all my friends were...” the boy finally admitted in a strange tone before his eyes once again found the photo of the grown up yet transformed Shippo, “Well some must be but some aren’t. He’s not. Good…good to know.”

Smiling softly, Hiro had to agree. All these things were very good things to…

“Wait, did you say you turn human? Fascinating. Tell me more.”

Over the next few months, Inuyasha’s visits surprisingly became quite regular. To the point where Hiro stopped locking his window in the hopes that Inuyasha would simply let himself in to pin a new finding on the increasingly full board while he was away. That the boy would have new insight into demon physiology. New advice. It certainly was helping with his practice with absolutely fantastic results. A more aggressive regime and quicker action seemed to do the trick most of the time resulting in much happier patients. As a result, each month he found himself busier. Each new patient marvelously different in their own way. Despite having no specialty in the matter, twenty eight of the fifty individuals with that rare disease that blocked pain now had him as his PCP. It was absolutely wonderful.

And then Inuyasha’s visits stopped without warning. Months turned to a year and Hiro began questioning his own sanity. Perhaps there had never been a strange half-demon man who was interested in what he had to say. He truly was as crazy as everyone had always said. His old friend still talked about his granddaughter and the man but doubt creeped in. Perhaps it was just out of pity.

The board was disassembled. Pictures and clippings and ‘evidence’ thrown in trash bags. Absently discarded never to be seen again.

Life continued on until one day something changed. Specifically, it was an appointment for Mr. Nakamura’s annual. The man that Hiro’s ‘imaginary’ friend thought he knew. To say the old man was dreading this appointment would be the understatement of the century.

So it was, with a heavy sigh, wizened knuckles rapped at the door before turning the handle.

“Inuyasha apologizes for missing his appointments,” the green eyed, red haired man chuckled as his nine tails lazily swayed behind him. As the old man stared at the demon in all his glory casually perched atop the examination table, he couldn’t help but gape.

“He sent you did he?” Hiro breathed in awe and the far too amused fox demon nodded.

“You came highly recommended,” Shippo chuckled, “ I doubt you’ve had a human patient in years. Well, okay, maybe you’ve had one or two.”

Letting out a relieved laugh, Hiro smiled and closed the door behind him.

[kstewdeux]

@sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy

InuPrompt 2022: Wish (11.11.22)

Summary: Kagome orders some cheap exercise clothes from the predecessor of Wish and learns some things.

“Why do I gotta be here? Why not use Sango?” Inuyasha huffed irritably as he shifted his weight. This whole thing was so utterly embarrassing. It wasn’t like he was an expert in fashion. Besides, whatever opinion he ultimately gave would be taken as an insult somehow. That woman could interpret everything he said to everyone else so easily but when it came to herself, Kagome might as well as have been blind. She could be so stupid. So willfully ignorant.

“You’re the one having to carry me around all the time,” Kagome called back - the sound of ripping plastic and the scent of chemicals erupting followed. Inuyasha gagged and had to repress his shudder.

“The hell are you doing back there?” he snapped irritably, “If that’s the clothes, I already say no. Cloth shouldn’t smell like that.”

“Well, sometimes synthetic fabric smells like gasoline at first. It goes away so keep an open mind,” Kagome called back, “I just thought that it would be better to wear something more practical and I’m tired of chaffing.”

Inuyasha laughed softly at that. He’d been wondering since the beginning how that stiff fabric and obscene skirt was working out for her. Far as he could tell it didn’t breathe and he’d seen the evidence of irritation himself. Still, if she wanted something more comfortable, he would’ve found her something instead of her ordering stuff from a magazine. Especially if he had known the magazine crap smelled like death. She probably thought that he’d get her something tacky but more likely, he would’ve scoured the earth to find a fire rat robe so they could match.

See, now that would’ve been cute and serve many purposes. Mainly, it would show the world that she was his and he was hers. That they were a unit in many interpretations of the word. Even if her understanding kept getting lost in translation.

Inuyasha smiled to himself and hummed. What a weird thought. Matching. But weirder still, the idea of matching with her made him very, very happy. Especially if they had kids one day. They could all match. Hell, if the kid didn’t have ears like him, they could use a bow to…

His smile faded and he quickly locked those images away where they couldn’t hurt him.

“If you wanted new clothes, I could’ve found you some,” Inuyasha huffed in frustration as he cricked his neck, “Still might. Ain’t no way chemicals are better for your skin.”

“They were so cheap they were basically free,” Kagome called back - her voice muffled by what Inuyasha assumed was a top, “Now I want you to think about how great this would work in battle. Able to move better. Probably run faster. Less me losing focus trying to keep my skirt from flying up.”

Snickering softly, Inuyasha had to admit he’d enjoyed that view often enough to know exactly what she meant.

“So you’re trying to be more modest?” Inuyasha offered with no lack of amusement, “If you are so concerned-“

“Well that too,” Kagome offered and Inuyasha made a face, “And villagers won’t be whispering about whether I’m a floozy.”

Inuyasha snickered at the strange term. He didn’t have to know the word to understand what she meant. Good little girls didn’t wear skirts that didn’t even go below the fingertips. Never accidentally showed off their beautiful, flat, flawless stomachs. Especially didn’t let men grab their bare thighs.

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose.

“So you’re covering up then is the idea,” he stated more than asked - disappointed at the implication that he wouldn’t be granted his favorite privilege anymore. Still didn’t explain-

“Again, why am I the one who has to cast judgment? This is a girl thing,” Inuyasha sighed heavily, “I’m sure whatever it is will be…”

Kagome began coming out and Inuyasha’s brain flatlined.

“Well Sango is a little more traditional. She already doesn’t approve of the outfit I normally wear and I don’t trust that she’d give me an honest opinion,” Kagome continued as she began smoothing out some of the wrinkles, “She’d just shoot it down.”

Inuyasha was not proud of the noise he made when Kagome fully emerged from behind the silk screen. Something between a moan and a whine. His knees turned to jelly and he promptly sank to his butt while the woman in question looked at him like he was insane.

That is, until her eyes widened in understanding and her face erupted in flames.

“They’re for exercising,” she blurted before blushing harder when she realized Inuyasha’s dilated amber eyes were focused on a very specific part of her anatomy, “Are you even listening to me?”

Inuyasha nodded absently while his chest heaved. Thank god the monk wasn’t here. Gouging a friend’s eyes out wasn’t something Inuyasha particularly fancied doing but if Kagome was going to wear something like that, Inuyasha was going to make damn sure he was the only man allowed to see her in all her glory.

God, how long had he wanted this? Permission, arguably, to look at her with next to nothing on. An acknowledgement that he had the right. Honestly, it’d gotten to the point where he believed she’d never catch the hints he’d dropped. There were only so many ways to interpret ‘I need you’. Only so many ways to demonstrate that he could be a good provider in every way. Making her medicine. Taking every blow meant for her in battle. Following her to a world that smelled like ass and going out of his way to impress her family. Doing everything they asked and helping them with whatever they needed. Sure, he royally screwed up where Kikyo was concerned but he hadn’t left Kagome once since he declared he’d chosen her. Not once!

But still, somehow, she hadn’t seemed to catch what he was throwing at her.

Until now.

Inuyasha let out another pleased moan as his heart melted. She knew. She finally knew.

Wish granted.

“I mean I know it’s tight,” Kagome mumbled as she quickly began moving backwards towards the screen, “But when it’s just us, I thought it’d be more practical than what I normally wear. The leggings…”

Blinking a few times, Inuyasha’s foggy gaze lowered to the shapely legs that were fully covered. Those he could definitely do without. He liked being able to touch her skin. Gave him a weird comfort in the midst of their day to day struggles. Made him believe, if just for a moment, that she really did trust him.

Kagome turned away from him and Inuyasha immediately changed his opinion. She could wear those all day and he’d never get tired of looking.

“People wear stuff like this all the time in my era,” the miko muttered miserably as she disappeared and Inuyasha let out a soft huff of frustration, “I just thought destroying these would be better than my uniform. I’ve gone through sixteen of them and they’re so expensive.”

Inuyasha would like to say he was listening or that he cared about the cost but the image of Kagome wearing what amounted to a skin tight suit was burned into his mind.

“Looks nice,” Inuyasha called out - wincing when his voice changed in pitch mid-word. That hadn’t happened since he was…well younger and growing. Although, technically something in him was growing at the moment so maybe that had something to do with it. But what did she expect? That top was completely transparent and…

Inuyasha let out another muffled moan and closed his eyes to revisit the memory.

A face peeked around the edge of the screen and she gave him a curious look.

“I have some others. Things I ordered. Maybe they’d be better?” she admitted slowly and eyes flying open, Inuyasha immediately perked up with almost childlike enthusiasm.

“Yeah. Yeah let’s see those,” Inuyasha breathed - his voice still doing whatever the hell it was doing. The innocent face he put on was both precious and disturbing. Since when did she give him a reaction like this?

Figuring this little fashion show would do wonders to her self esteem, Kagome unpackaged another top and squeezed it over her head. Size medium her butt. This tank top was basically a bra and exposed fat rolls that probably didn’t even exist. Heinous was too kind a word and the color was nothing like what had been advertised on the website. What was supposed to be emerald green was a strange combination of neon green vomit and mop water. There were no words to describe how utterly disgusting this color was and no way in hell she was exposing Inuyasha’s HD vision to this. For all she knew, those amber orbs could bubble and start melting out of their sockets from seeing something so hideous.

Squinting her eyes, Kagome pulled the fabric forward and found the pièce de résistance. A weird watermarkish pattern that looked like a kawaii sheep with anatomically correct squid tentacles. What was that?

“You can’t see this one,” she called out as she began trying to tug it over her head only to quickly begin wondering how she’d even gotten the stupid top from hell on. Somehow, someway this stupid piece of cheap nylon had fused itself to her skin or something. Much to her horror and relief, upon almost tripping over her book bag with the shirt over her face, a single claw was there. Effortlessly cutting through the fabric to help rid her of her veritable prison. It was so tightly on there, though, Kagome would’ve sworn she heard the vacuum seal pop.

As relieved as she was to be free, though, that second that poor excuse for fabric hit the ground, his lips were on hers. Which brought with them a whole new type of panic. His fingertips exploring every inch of her torso they could until they finally delved into her hair to keep her in place.

“Those are for me,” Inuyasha laughed almost playfully against her lips before his hands reached down to hoist her legs over his hips, “Only for me.”

As he quickly maneuvered so that her back hit the wall, Kagome’s eyes widened as her mind started to race. Especially when, after he secured her, his hands slid up to pin her wrists above her head. Yeah…this was moving way too fast and far too soon. There was still…well a skyscraper high tower of mess they needed to clear up before, well, any of this. And this wouldn’t and didn’t mean anything to him. He clearly had made some presumption or, you know, was just male and instinct driven.

Inuyasha’s lips began tracing her jaw before moving down her neck and she lost her train of thought.

“S-stop,” she finally managed in between little whimpers and moans. His reaction was immediate. Panting heavily against her skin, Inuyasha froze and went rigid.

Scared of him. She was scared of him.

“W-what?”

“I said stop,” she repeated. Inuyasha’s breathing hitched a few times before he took a step back and gently placed her feet back on the floor. His face, however, remained hidden in her hair. She could feel his breath coming out in fast uneven puffs. Ticking her hair and skin as he tried to get ahold of his reaction.

“I didn’t…” he tried - his voice cracking wildly as he pushed his nose closer and a strange whine worked it way out, “I just thought that y-you…”

Without further warning, he turned and hurried out of the room. It was then and only then that Kagome registered something wet sliding from her hair into her cheek. Running the odd clear liquid between her fingertips, she was far too frazzled to immediately recognize it but when she did, you had better bet she was throwing on the nearest shirt so she could chase after him.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t gone far and she nearly tripped over his body which was planted firmly just outside the door.

He caught her. Of course. But her life flashed before her eyes on the unexpected way down.

“Stupid,” he chided hoarsely as he quickly took a moment to wipe at his face, “Why’d you go and do that?”

There was a double question there. Kagome knew it. Inuyasha knew it. The remanent of the poorly made garment even a child couldn’t fit into knew it.

“You shouldn’t be out here,” Inuyasha huffed as he grabbed her arm and moved to roughly yank her inside, “That shirt is almost see through and-“

“I didn’t want you to go,” she offered sheepishly as he forced her to sit and then slammed the door shut.

“Well I’m here,” Inuyasha snapped much harsher than he intended before plopping down in front of her and glaring, “Happy n-“

His anger faded quicker than Kagome could blink as his eyes lingered on her throat.

“Now?” he finished lamely. A look of misery, longing and shame adorning his features. Furrowing her brow, Kagome made to speak before realizing what he was probably looking at.

A hickey. He had been rather…attentive.

Moving her hand to cover the bruise she knew was there, she was surprised when he reached up to gently grab her wrist- staring at the spot with the oddest expression.

“Don’t. Please,” he requested with a shuddering sigh, “Just don’t.”

“I mean, I’m going to have to cover it up if it is what I think it is,” Kagome mumbled in confusion before shaking her head and getting to the point, “Inuyasha, all I meant was that…we, um, can’t be doing…that.”

Nodding stiffly, Inuyasha averted his eyes and tucked his hands into his sleeves.

“Fine. That’s…that’s fine,” he agreed barely above a whisper before glancing at the futon and adding, “Y-you should get some sleep.”

“Inuyasha, what I’m trying to say-“

“You’re really useless when you don’t sleep,” he added a little desperately as his body curled into itself like a dog anticipating being hit by a newspaper, “And…and I don’t want to have to carry you everywhere. You’ve got two legs, ya know? And-“

“Inuyasha. Will you look at me?”

“No,” he huffed as he stared at his right knee, “Go to bed.”

“Inuyasha. Look at me,” she ordered firmly as her hand reached up to try to force his chin, “Look. At. Me.”

“No.”

With him not looking, he completely missed the split second decision that played out behind her eyes. The realization then pleased understanding.

What he did not miss was her suddenly straddling him and wrapping her arms around his neck. Stunned, confused and more than a little hurt, Inuyasha lifted his head only to find his lips being captured in a way that heated his cooling blood.

“I’ll only wear them for you,” she breathed before nudging his chin up so she could attack his throat, “If that’s what you want.”

Nodding absently, Inuyasha was too busy trying to breathe in a dignified fashion to worry about anything else. For so long, he’d assumed trying to start anything with her was a suicide mission. That Kikyo and his general jackassery had ruined any chance he might’ve had. But this…

This seemed to prove otherwise. Mostly. It was within the realm of possibility that she didn’t actually want him. That she was just trying to comfort him or something equally bizarre. She’d kissed him like that before after all. When he was injured and needing to be saved. Maybe he was turning and he didn’t even know.

When she hit a particularly sensitive spot, his back arched and a soft whimper passed over his lips.

“Now. I think we need a talk,” Kagome cooed as her fingertips moved to stroke his hypersensitive ears. It sounded like a proposition from his dreams but given everything, he didn’t really want this to end. The world liked to play cruel jokes on him. Give him hope then snatch it away. If he went along, if he agreed, he’d set himself up for more heartbreak and honestly, he didn’t think he could handle any more.

She pulled away. Clenching his eyes shut, Inuyasha tried to mentally brace himself for impact. After all, what she’d just done wasn’t like her at all. None of this was like her at all. Maybe he’d found himself in the arms of a succubus which overrode his judgment and gave him ideas he wouldn’t normally entertain. That made more sense than what was happening.

“T-talk?” he managed after a few moments before pulling her closer and resting his nose against the nape of her neck. The last thing he wanted was for her to say that he’d ruined everything. That her kissing him was just to soften the incoming blow. He could tell by scent alone that she’d been scared of him and he really didn’t want to hear her say those words out loud. To tell him she was leaving or that she didn’t trust him anymore or that...

“Well…for one thing, you were right. These clothes aren’t the best. I think this stupid shirt ripped,” Kagome admitted as she trailed her fingertips up and down his back, “And the seam of my leggings popped already.“

Letting out a soft groan, Inuyasha didn’t move and tried to hold onto his fairytale for a few seconds longer. At least right now, until she told him otherwise, he could pretend that everything was fine. That maybe she even loved him. But why would she after all the crap he pulled? Like just now. Talk about making presumptions. Even if she did love him, she probably thought he only wanted her because he was turned on. Lust was different than love. Yeah, sure, there’d been both but she wouldn’t know that and she was obsessed with Kikyo. It would take a miracle for her to figure out he would choose her in a heartbeat if things were easier.

But Naraku liked to play with his food. Had already killed one woman. Killed thousands others in ever more creative ways. Played on insecurities and, more importantly, doubt. And Kikyo, well, her opinion on whether he should die or not changed from one second to the next. Was completely unpredictable and he had promised to avenge her. To protect her…

And he’d already screwed up so hard where that was involved. He’d made too many mistakes and…

“But mainly I want you to talk because I love you,” Kagome finished softly as she gave his trembling body a light squeeze.

For the longest moment, Inuyasha’s breathing hitched as he waited for her to correct herself. To realize what she’d said and take it back.

But she didn’t. Quite the contrary. She pulled him closer and whispered the sentiment again. Unsure what was happening, Inuyasha slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and gently nuzzled her throat. A tense contradictory peace began flowing through his veins making it easier to breathe and making his muscles relax.

“I love you too,” Inuyasha offered hesitantly. Kagome hummed and pressed a kiss against his cheek.

It was almost beyond belief.

Maybe, just maybe, something in his life was simple for once. Easy for once. For the longest, he’d assumed any confession he made would be met with a long list of everything he’d done wrong. Being told that he was mistaken and have to live the rest of his life trying to prove he wasn’t. Have to fight like hell and bend himself out of shape to gain her trust. But there was no fight. No accusations. Just love. Beautiful unconditional love.

A lingering tear slid down his cheek. He held her closer and pressed a single chaste kiss against her neck.

“I…I’ll talk but...” Inuyasha trailed off into a breathy chuckle. A faint blush blooming across his nose.

“But I want to see the rest of that shit on you first,” Inuyasha mumbled after a long period of him breathing in her scent to calm his frazzled nerves, “And then we’re burning them all.”

“Deal,” Kagome agreed and Inuyasha felt the broken pieces of his heart begin to sew themselves back together.

And so, in between sessions of making up for lost time, they did just that.

[kstewdeux]

@sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy

InuPrompt 2022: Childhood (11.09.22)

Summary: A parent will die for their child, but they better fight like hell to live. A parent needs to be there, so dying needs to be a last resort.

“I don’t want to go,” a small pudgy toddler whined as he reluctantly followed his mother, “I scared.”

“Why are you scared Inuyasha?” the elegant woman laughed softly as they continued walking towards the great hall, “There is nothing to be frightened of. Grandmother loves you very much.”

Izayoi paused and smiled over her shoulder at her anxious little baby. More and more recently, his senses were developing and, as a result, he was always nervous. Excessively clingy and distrusting of strangers. Got picky about food and was having trouble sleeping amidst a new barrage of noise. Started overhearing things he shouldn’t and didn’t have the sense not to repeat it. That last one had gotten him in trouble recently. Not with her. Never with her. But people talked about the ‘half-breed’ and he was starting to realize what that ‘meant’. Which he rightfully thought was a rude thing to say and so he told one random villager that wasn’t nice to say. Needless to say that escalated. Thus the cakes today. Izayoi was forever grateful that her mother had taken her in and accepted her grandson without prejudice. Very doting and loving and willing to give him every sweet thing she could find. Especially when he was sad or felt alone.

In any case, Myoga said the best thing to do at this stage was reassure the newly paranoid child and make him feel safe. He could hear most everything. Smell things human noses simply couldn’t. But he was little and couldn’t understand what his senses were telling him.

“You know, Grandmother told me she’s gotten some of those cakes you liked,” she sing songed before her smiled faded somewhat at his faint whimper.

“There’s a monster in the bushes. I scared of monsters,” Inuyasha whined as he anxiously played with his hands. The little ears atop his head going absolutely haywire and spazzing out in time with his frazzled nerves. Twitching every which way and flattening against his skull only to pop up once more.

“I promise there are no monsters in the Grand Hall,” Izayoi murmured affectionately as she turned and looked down into the big amber eyes staring up at her out of a cherub face, “Just Grandmother and cakes.”

“Not in the hall. In the bushes. I scared of monsters,” Inuyasha repeated as his tiny chest began to heave, “In the bushes. Right there. A monster’s in the bushes.”

Clearing her throat to cover her desire to laugh, Izayoi knelt down and gave her son a reassuring albeit somewhat amused smile.

“I promise there are no monsters in the bushes,” Izayoi murmured affectionately, “The guards keep us very safe here.”

Big watery eyes wavered before glancing over at the bushes that lined the edges of the fortress walls.

“It’s in the bushes,” Inuyasha mumbled with a whine, “Mother.”

“Inuyasha,” Izayoi parroted back playfully before her smile abruptly dropped as something occurred to her. Slowly, she raised her head and glanced over the bushes that seemed to worry him. In the light of the sun at high noon, she had a very clear view of them. Nothing seemed amiss.

But Inuyasha definitely took after his father and with that came senses he was too young to truly understand. Instincts that were screaming at him in an unknown language and he had no interpreter to help him. Maybe Inuyasha wasn’t just being paranoid this time.

“Do you feel something in the bushes?” Izayoi tried to give him words, “Or is there something smelly in the bushes?”

Inuyasha gave a cute little yet worrisome nod and pushed on the side of his face. The side facing the now very questionable bushes.

“Mother will send a guard to investigate, okay?” Izayoi promised before holding out her arms and gesturing for him to come to her. Plucking him up, she cradled her baby against her chest and began walking at a slightly faster pace. It was awkward work in her heavy kimono and with his four year old lanky body but if something was about to happen, she did not want to lose sight of him in the fray. Worst case scenario, Inuyasha would calm with the proximity and hopefully go down for his nap after lunch.

She dearly missed the days when he would nap. Anymore his energy seemed endless and while he was well behaved he was all boy. Nearly giving her a heart attack the other day when she found him trying to walk the edge of the roof. How he got up there in the first place she couldn’t figure out until she asked him point blank and he launched up there in one jump.

At least now he was sweet and eager to please. When he reached adolescence…

“I have you baby,” Izayoi cooed when Inuyasha whined and tried to become one with her body, “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

Tiny claws gently scratched at the fabric nearest to him as he tightly closed his eyes and tried to ignore the squelching ringing into his sensitive ears. The pressure was growing strong and the trees were moaning under the weight of something big. Mother could promise him all she wanted but he knew there were monsters. He knew.

“I am terribly sorry to bother you. Could you have some of your men check the bushes over there?” Izayoi asked sweetly as they came upon a young guard, “I-“

A chill ran down her spine even before her small son whined and pressed his hands tightly over his ears. Whipping her head towards the tall fortress walls, she gave her instinct to run less than a second’s thought before she took off and fled the area as quickly as heavy fabric and sandals would allow. The sandals were the first to go - kicked off unceremoniously the second she heard a loud creak in near distance. It didn’t take long for the uppermost layers of silk to go too. Not once did she drop her now sobbing son. Not once did she stop whispering reassurances to her son who never doubted his mother’s words. She was right here. She would protect him. There was nothing to fear.

She ran. She ran like hell itself was on her heels. Bursting into the garden with her son cradled against her chest and making a beeline for the furthest corner of the grounds. Past the other lords and ladies who, at first, seemed rather disgusted and annoyed but who quickly realized with no lack of panic that she must be running from something her demon son sensed.

They didn’t have long to speculate.

Rising above the high wooden walls was a colossal and nameless beast with glaring red eyes. What once had been a man already clutched in its fist. Blood dripped from its fangs that were gnawing lazily at the head like a dog would chew on a bone while demonic eyes casually glanced around. Sluggishly dropping his present prey, the ogre lazily shopped for a juicier morsel among the fools who were too shocked stupid to save their own skins.

A woman screamed and then came the scramble.

“Don’t look back baby. Don’t,” Izayoi instructed breathlessly as she continued her mad dash - doing her best to ignore the mighty roar which shook the dust off the shingles, “Mother has you. You’ll be okay. Safe. I promise.”

But the ground shook and she missed her step. Tumbled to the ground while holding her son protectively in her arms.

And those wide amber eyes set in a toddler’s face saw. Watched as men, women and children were unceremoniously scooped up then devoured whole by that great hoofed beast. The main castle cracking and splintering as the creature crawled to get every last bit of meat it could find.

A demon. Inuyasha had never actually seen one before but why everyone was so terrified of him suddenly made a whole lot of sense.

Two strong arms scooped him up once more and words could not describe the relief he felt when his face was pressed into his mother’s chest.

“It will be okay,” Izayoi whispered with tears streaming down her face while her feet carried them both as fast as they could go, “Your father made a safe place for us. Long before you were born. It’s just-“

It was a breach of trust for the ground to jump up and throw you off your feet but the guttural clacking growl as the creature moved towards the lone survivors was much more terrifying than flying through the air. Hearing something snap and hearing his mother’s muffled cry of pain hurt far more than grass burns.

But she never loosened her hold in their flight or their tumble. Not until their bodies came to a stop and then she helped him to his feet.

“Look at me. Only at me. I l-love you. S-so much,” a pale and somewhat green Izayoi ordered between shuddering sighs and a watery smile - one trembling hand reaching up to stroke her baby’s cheek best she could with the ground violently shaking beneath them, “I need you to r-run. S-so f-fast. T-To the large stone j-just over there. There’s a s-small s-square stone, a-alright? Push i-it aside and go through. Don’t l-look back. Mother will be r-right behind you. P-p-promise.”

Jaw trembling, Inuyasha nodded jerkily and took off as fast as his tiny feet could carry him. Stumbling as the ground rolled beneath him and feeling like his tiny feet were moving on thin air. The last image he had of his mother was her on her side. Both hands pressing over her mouth with her eyes clenched tightly shut. A giant clawed hand reaching down to pluck her off the ground.

As he slid back the stone, he’d glanced back against her orders. Saw the inevitable and knew there was nothing he could do. He was too little. Too weak.

But, as he slid into the bunker and bawled, he never once heard his mother scream. He waited for it, even tensed in anticipation, because he should have. With his enhanced senses, he should have. That part never made sense.

There were many things he never understood in the years that followed. Inuyasha would never understand why he’d just believed her and never forgave himself for leaving her behind. For not going back. Why hadn’t she run? If she was hurt, he would have helped her. He would have but instead, she gave up. Lied to him. Left him alone in a world that hated him. Why had she sent him away? There could’ve been time. They both could have made it. It made no sense. None.

And then, one day when he had someone of his own to protect, he suddenly understood.

[kstewdeux]

@sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy

November InuPrompt 2022: Sacrifice (11.08.22)

Summary: Sacrifice is an attribute that's often associated with being a good parent. Choosing something doesn't mean there will be no drawbacks or sacrifices even if the choice is made willingly. After a feral child is found, Koga makes his choice and is willing to risk it all.

Letting out a shuddering sigh, Koga knelt and gently gestured for his betas to stand down. Turns out, their wolf companions weren’t mistaken. There was a human in the den tucked away in the deepest part of the forest. But it wasn’t what he’d initially thought. All the evidence suggested…

“Where is mother?” the tiny child - no older than four - whimpered in the common tongue, “I listened. I stayed.”

All the oxygen in Koga’s lungs whooshed out in one breath and, for once, he was lost for words. He’d heard stories…well, he’d heard one story of a human child taken in by wolves of old. A bedtime story that he’d assumed was no more true than the story of the goblin who’d eaten bad little wolves for not finishing their supper. The little boy had been raised. It sounded so fantastical. Impossible even. Especially considering that the wolf tribes had regularly ate humans at the time. The moral behind that story wasn’t entirely clear. Other than that wolves and humans could never mix. The story ended with the child being recaptured by humans. Away from its family. Humans had no loyalty because the boy didn’t recognize his family when he got older and when seen again was a hunter set on the destruction of those who had raised him.

Koga huffed and shook his head. Human or not, it shouldn’t be possible for a human to make the sounds necessary to speak this way. Somewhere, somehow she must have some wolf blood in her. Still, distant heritage or not, it wasn’t unheard of for human children to be raised by wolves. And, as such, Koga really did not want to have to explain to this child that her mother, her siblings and her grandparents were dead. Their skinned corpses discovered just short of the tree line a fair distance away.

“Why did your mother leave you behind?” Koga asked instead - slowly and gently as he hesitantly slunk forward on all fours, “Are you-“

The ebony hair girl bristled and let out a rather impressive tiny growl. Gravely and forced but very much a fearsome sound. Koga had to bite his lip so he didn’t grin at the very endearing posturing.

“BACK. AWAY. FROM. DEN!” the girl snapped as she crouched and bared her teeth, “BACK!”

“Okay. Okay,” Koga acquiesced as he pushed himself back and held up his hands, “Why are you alone?”

“Mother will be back,” the girl hissed as she remained crouched and low to the ground, “I am a good girl and I stay here!”

“I know,” Koga soothed before sighing heavily and shaking his head, “I know you are. And your mother would be very proud. But…”

Cursing silently, Koga glanced behind him to his two dearest friends who seemed just as lost and just as sad to come across such a thing.

“Your mother is dead. As a fellow wolf, your place is with the pack. We have come to fetch you,” Koga offered lamely and the girl simply blinked. Clearing his throat, the poor older male groaned at the implication that perhaps she wasn’t quite as fluent as he’d thought.

“Ah hell. Um, you-“

“Mother said to stay here. She is not dead,” the girl finally interrupted as a few tears started streaming down her little cheeks, “She is not.”

“Boss, do you think it’d help if we got the corpse?” Ginta whispered anxiously before yelping when Hakkaku whacked him upside the head.

“No. It would not be helpful to get the corpse,” Koga huffed over his shoulder - sending a nod of approval to the other less idiotic idiot who’d acted appropriately to such an inappropriate comment.

Blowing out his cheeks, Koga once again made to move closer and this time the little girl simply sank back onto her heels. Tiny lip quivering and a sob working it’s way up her throat.

“Come now little one. No harm will come to you,” Koga tried - his voice soft and hopefully reassuring, “I swear no harm will come.”

The little frightened toddler didn’t put up a fuss when she was gently yet firmly pulled out of the hole that had been her home. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. Her tiny chest shuddering from both fear and grief.

“How do you think she got in there?” Ginta asked nervously as Koga began walking - not running - towards the Eastern mountain, “Do you really think they adopted her?”

“You heard her speak,” Koga countered with a glare, “That’s the only evidence I need.”

“What are we going to do though?” Hakkaku asked before sighing and shaking his head, “We could always drop her off with-“

“I am not dropping a wolf off to be raised by a mutt,” Koga snapped a little harsher than he intended and the toddler flinched in his arms. Huffing, Koga shook his head and continued in a calm, even tone, “We will-“

“Sister would take good care of her boss,” Ginta pointed out, “I mean, what’re you going to do? Pawn her off on-“

“Last we heard, Kagome left. No one has seen her. Even if she were here, I’d still claim this little one,” Koga cut off that line of thinking before adjusting his hold, “She was willing to fight for her pack. Was loyal to her pack. She’s got good instincts for a human. She belongs with her kind.”

“Boss we love you and we’d follow you anywhere, you know that, but you really need to rethink the whole loyalty thing. Lots of people and demons are loyal but you can’t claim them all,” Ginta chided before cringing and falling back before he could get injured again, “I’m just saying.”

Hakkaku seemed to agree to an extent but stayed silent. Save one comment.

“Ayame won’t take you if you’ve got her,” the less annoying of the two - today anyway - commented, “This human would be the eldest. A human could hurt your standing. You’d face challenges to your authority. It would be better to drop her off with the humans.”

For a long moment, the caravan continued in silence.

“She is a child of wolves. She will be raised by wolves,” Koga finally managed definitively, “Anyone who challenges that will be dealt with. I’ll kick their ass myself.”

“Boss, she’s human though,” Hakkaku argued gently, “And I know you loved Sister but this tiny one will not replace her.”

“I’m not tryin’ to-“

“And she could get hurt. Pups play rough. You know that,” Hakkaku continued a little more confidently, “She will never fit-“

“So I need to kick your ass is what you’re saying?” Koga clipped before looking down at the toddler who had cried herself to sleep, “She’s mine now. Deal with it.”

“Okay. So how are you gunna deal with it?” Hakkaku tried a different angle, “Do you even know anything about raising pups much less human babies?”

“Can you just shut up already?” Koga huffed, “It’s done.”

For the briefest of moments, there was silence and then Hakkaku continued his efforts to change this outcome.

“Ayame is supposed to be here by the next full moon. You really want to draw this line in the sand?” Hakkaku continued, “What if she won’t take you?”

“Fine by me. I don’t even remember making that stupid promise in the first place,” Koga bluffed even as his heart sank, “It is my duty as alpha to care for the orphans. This pup is no different.”

“Except she’s human,” Hakkaku pushed knowing full well that’d he be getting an ass beating the second Koga’s arms were empty.

“Then you’ll have to actually be useful for once and make sure she’s protected when I’m not around,” Koga hissed, “And if you fail, I’ll kill you. Sound like a deal?”

When his betas fell back, knowing that their arguments would fall on deaf and increasingly more violence prone ears, Koga sighed and looked down at the tiny child. It was clear she’d been loved. Well fed. Was well kempt although her hair could definitely use some work. Her education wasn’t lacking. She could speak well and clearly. Was obedient. Clearly had been taught to listen well to her elders. Told to hide when danger was nearby. Yes, despite the difference in their species, this child was loved. It would be downright disrespectful to abandon her after all the effort that had been put in. Cruel even considering humans weren’t exactly the understanding or generous type. Like that Rin girl who had found herself a demon guardian. Although rumor had it that relationship ended in quite a disturbing way.

“Ayame would make a good mother,” Koga finally commented confidently, “She’s gentle. Kind.”

“Yes boss,” his betas mumbled in unison even though they exchanged worried looks. Nodding at their answer, Koga tried to stop his heart beating out of his chest and to ignore the gnawing anxiety in his gut. They were right in so many ways. When it came to child rearing, he didn’t know shit about shit. And Ayame did not ask to become a mother - much less to become a mother to a human child. This would be a massive undertaking. A huge strain on them both were she to accept it. They’d need to teach her how to speak properly. Give her lessons of all kinds including how to speak in a way non-wolves would understand. As an alpha’s child, adopted or not, there’d be other areas she’d need to be schooled in. Matters of politics and leadership and battle know how. Things that she wasn’t naturally equipped to handle. Not to mention the trauma the poor child undoubtedly had which would need to be addressed. Did he have the patience for this? Was he ready for this type of commitment? And what would happen if he had his own pups one day? Could he balance both or would it be easier with a little experience under his belt?

But it was the right thing to do. Turning a child raised by wolves over to humans would lead to nothing but misery and death. She’d be labeled an imbecile. Left out to starve. No one would take her in and god forbid someone saw them. She’d be stoned to death. Presumed to be some demon spawn or a curse of some kind.

It was the right thing to do.

The toddler cooed in her sleep and snuggled closer. In that moment, Koga felt his heart absolutely melt and any doubt he had melted with it.

This was what he would do. For all the things his hands had held, the best by far was this precious child. From this moment forward, she was his.

And he was hers.

May the elders help anyone who even thought to harm a hair on her head. He’d kill anyone who tried to take her away. The unexpected ferocity of his love nearly made him stumble. It seemed impossibly sudden and strange but apparently that’s just how he fell in love of all kinds it would seem. Immediately and irreversibly in love. One day, yes, he’d probably need to let her go if that was in her best interest or what she wanted but until then…

“Ayame will love you too,” Koga whispered affectionately, “Or else I just won’t have her. How about that little one?”

The question as to Ayame’s reaction came much sooner than expected. She arrived early and ahead of her clan.

Not because she was eager to wed the man who’d promised she would be his so long ago but more to set down some boundaries. Have a private heart to heart about a few things. About what she’d tolerate and what she wouldn’t . It had actually taken quite a bit of convincing to get the elders to agree after he’d been a bit of a dick about Kagome. A lot was riding on this whole thing. Uniting the lands. Being solidified definitively as the leader of all the wolf tribes. Those who survived would be moving here and he was potentially risking everything by taking this child in. Without Ayame accepting him as her husband, the whole thing fell apart. She was the key and she knew it.

But the risks were what they were. The decision had been made and nothing could change his mind. He’d take whatever happened in stride. He always did.

So when Ayame did arrive, she found herself facing a man who, for once, seemed afraid upon seeing her. Who’s breath shuddered as he finished his explanation with one hand resting protectively against his child’s head. He used language the child clearly didn’t understand but the child seemed to have understood the situation to a degree. Tiny arms wormed around her adoptive father’s leg. Her eyes wavered as she took in the woman who was clearly making her father nervous. A mixed look of dread and hope. Yes, the little girl clearly understood that her father wanted this woman to like her but was frightened of the reaction he’d get.

Koga was afraid of this woman.

A woman who, after years of being low key insulted had entirely given up on loving the man or being loved herself, was actually seeing someone truly worthwhile. Someone with actual potential. What had become something they were going into out of duty, now seemed like it could be built on more. That there was more to him. After that whole little speech, it was laughable to think she’d might turn him away. Koga was not the only one who valued loyalty after all - which was the thing about him that really turned her off. He gave a lot of lip service to that word for a man who chased around a human girl and brushed off his promises. That being said, Koga was much more serious about this particular decision. Much less flippant.

She could work with this man. Live with this man. In her heart, she knew if she accepted this girl - which why wouldn’t she - Koga would never stray. He would be loyal to her despite all the concerns on that front.

This strange development could work out for the better. Funny how life goes.

After an uncomfortable pause, Ayame opened her mouth and Koga’s nostrils flared in panic.

“I wanna be clear. She comes with me,” he interrupted shakily before shifting to block the child from her view, “You want me, you’ll get her. No negotiation on that point. A-accept that or…or leave.”

Ayame smiled as he finished with a faint ‘it’s your call’ and nodded her acceptance to his condition. Her heart melted behind the kind eyes which lowered to gaze upon the child she was clearly ready to call her own. This reaction was everything Koga hoped it would be and in that moment, Koga found himself actually falling for the young girl whose advances he’d once spurned. What was once born out of duty and resignation, now seemed an excellent choice. 

Ayame was a good woman. More so than he could ever ask for and far more than he deserved.

“You are so pretty,” Ayame cooed in the common tongue so the child clinging to Koga’s leg would understand - immediately kneeling down to eye level as soon as Koga finished his explanation. Plucking the signature flower for her crimson locks, the wolf demoness held it out with a small affectionate smile, “For you. I hope one day you will call me mother.”

“Mother is gone,” the child mumbled defensively even though she reached out and snatched up the flower.

“Of course. Forgive me. I’m sorry for your loss. It’s obvious your Mother loved you very much,” Ayame acknowledged without skipping a beat, “Why wouldn’t she? You are a very good girl.”

It was kind of funny, given all his mutt insults in the past, but in the decades that followed, all the half-demon wolf children that were born were doted on by two very protective yet very affectionate grandparents. For that matter, all the grandchildren and children that came afterwards were treated as equal to their human counterpart. There was love and joy in the family which ruled over the wolf demon tribe. Loyalty to blood was as close to a family motto as they had and no one ever questioned whether that little girl was blood. Blood, sweat and tears had gone into her raising. She was the alpha’s daughter. Their eldest daughter. There was no clearer truth than that.

__________________

Listen to my heart

Can't you hear it sing

Telling me to give you everything

Seasons may change

Winter to spring

But I love you

Until the end of time

Come what may

Come what may

I will love you

Until my dying day

— Come What May(Moulin Rouge)

[kstewdeux]

@sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy

InuPrompt 2022: Mental Health (11.10.22)

Summary: After Kagome’s death, a villager pushes a struggling Inuyasha too far. Rewind Universe.

Song Credit: Joker by Dax

Clumsily sliding down the wooden wall, Inuyasha buried his face in his hands and pulled his knees up to his chest. It’d been a year since he’d been behind four walls and, of course, he had his friends to thank for it. They’d saved this godforsaken place so long ago now and the Lord upon finding him wandering the forest had insisted he come be a guest. The man himself had been very sympathetic and offered sincere apologies for the loss of ‘such great warriors’.

That didn’t mean there weren’t whispers once he’d arrived. No one said anything publicly, of course, because the Lord had announced very forcefully that this half-breed was a guest in their home and was entitled to anything he requested. To be honest, it hadn’t even been that memorable a battle. The weird old lady exorcist had been involved at this one. Maybe. Everything ran together anymore so it was hard to remember anything with any amount of clarity.

But he’d been given a room. Cooked food. Which was a gift Inuyasha never thought he’d be given again. This neither hindered or helped his tears. What he wouldn’t give to never be confronted with memories again. This, right here, was why he stayed in the mountains and forests. There was next to nothing to trigger pleasant memories out there. No one who would say their names out loud. No landmarks or buildings he’d seen before. Nothing to give him hope that he might catch a lingering scent. No reminders of comforts he missed.

It was easier to accept they were gone when he wasn’t confronted with reminders that they’d lived.

Distantly, he heard someone slide open the door and come in. The smell suggested food had been brought. Beef and rice and a root vegetable of some sort. Lightly spiced. He’d probably been a jackass about the spice last time…

And they remembered.

“I heard,” a deep male voice slurred slightly and Inuyasha was hit with an undertone. Sake. A considerable amount if the stench was any indication.

“I said I heard,” the man repeated and Inuyasha sluggishly raised his head. The large obese man smirked in his direction before picking up a cup and the sake to pour himself a glass.

“Shame about your village. My condolences,” the man hummed knowingly and what little color that remained in Inuyasha’s sickly visage vanished.

“W-What?”

“Oh. You didn’t know? It’s gone. Torn to the ground. Villagers slaughtered. Nothing really left,” the man offered with a evil sounding chuckle before taking a long sip. Smacking his lips, the man lowered the cup and swirled what little remained, “One of our merchants said the survivors asked after you. Asked why you abandoned them. Shame.”

The double meaning behind that last word wasn’t lost on an already broken Inuyasha.

“I-I don’t…I don’t u-understand,” Inuyasha managed and the man shrugged casually before taking another swig.

“Well, I think you’d agree that,” the man paused to let out a burp that grated against Inuyasha’s nerves, “Excuse me. I think you’d agree the circumstances were suspicious. I wanted to know who my father paid. Looked into a few things. Background. You know.”

When a shell shocked Inuyasha simply gaped at him in horror, the drunken man rolled his eyes.

“Point being. Everyone’s dead. No thanks to you. My condolences,” the man snorted and sagging, Inuyasha let out a barely audible whine.

What the literal shit.

“W-when d-did-“ Inuyasha tried - fighting against the urge to devolve into hysterics but doing a piss poor job at looking sane. For a brief second, Inuyasha was absolutely convinced the man seemed to enjoy whatever was happening but the pleased expression was gone far too fast. It wasn’t clear. Nothing was clear.

“Can’t really say. Not too long ago,” the man offered with a disinterested hum before picking up the bottle to once again fill his cup to its brim, “You know, the Lord of this Castle might say you are honorable but you forsake your home. Your comrades in arms. And now you’ve come here again. I don’t like it. Very convenient if you ask me.”

For the life of him, Inuyasha could not understand why this man felt the need to torture him like this. By all accounts, it didn’t make sense. What on earth had he done…

“Little half-breed, you may have my father fooled but I see through you,” the man commented as his dark eyes focused on the putrid liquid clearly clouding his judgment, “You should leave. We don’t need your help.”

Clumsily getting to his feet, it was all Inuyasha could do to not break down. To keep from showing this man the tears that threatened to stream down his cheeks. Every movement was painful to the point it clouded his mind and as he swayed, Inuyasha almost missed the taunt that left the man’s lips.

“One thing. Tell me before you go. Strange how only you survived, isn’t it? True, the others seemed quite stupid. Especially that whore. Which idiot fell first?” the man taunted after another long drink. Inuyasha went rigid and closed his eyes in attempt to control his reaction. After all, he’d been invited into a good man’s house. Treated well and with more kindness than he deserved. Just because the son was a jackass didn’t mean he had to punish the lord for showing a little mercy. He was better than this man gave him credit for and he didn’t want to cause problems. In a way, being given permission to leave was actually a relief. He could go back to being alone with his thoughts. Could just disappear and fade away into nothingness.

Still…

“D-don’t call h-her a whore. Please,” Inuyasha mumbled faintly as his chest began to heave, “She-“

“Oh. How sweet. Did you love the little bitch half-breed?” the man snickered - his sadistic grin widened when Inuyasha flinched, “I bet she went down easy like she did in life.”

Letting out a controlled breath, Inuyasha didn’t have the energy or strength to dignify that question with an answer. All he needed to do was leave. Kagome would want him to turn the other cheek. To not get angry. Just leave quietly and calmly. That’s all he wanted and needed to do.

His claws, however, dug into his palm as his anger flared to life. Something built inside of him. Taking advantage of the lack of brain power and emptiness the half-demon had these days. A feeling that only grew when the man swaggered to block the way out and sneered.

“I am curious though,” the man continued cruelly, “Did her blood taste good on your tongue?”

Inuyasha barely repressed the impulse to rip the man’s tongue out for even suggesting he’d killed her. That he’d eat her. Of all the disgusting things he’d been accused of, that was among the worst yet Inuyasha told himself that Kagome would want him to be the better man. He was better than this asshole. Never in a million years would he torture someone like this. All he’d wanted to do was help people. He wanted to be a hero. And, for a while, he had been one. Still…still could be. Eventually. When every heart beat stopped hurting. Kagome would want…

“L-let me p-pass,” Inuyasha managed hoarsely – his body trembling as negative emotions and power began flooding his veins. The man snorted but did move aside.

“I only ask because I remember that whore being a chubby girl,” the man chuckled drunkenly – a smug grin on his lips as Inuyasha stumbled forward, “A lot of good meat on her-“

A hand closed around his throat before he could finish that thought.

“I told you not to call her a whore,” Inuyasha growled angrily – faint purple lines blossoming on his cheeks as something raw and dangerous flashed behind his amber eyes, “She was good. Kind.”

Something about the man’s blunt fingernails clawing at his skin gave Inuyasha a feral satisfaction and he tightened his grip.

“You should’ve known better,” Inuyasha chuckled darkly as his eyes bled red. Two large brown eyes widened in terror as the portly man upped his efforts to break free.

“Torture the half-breed was your idea, huh?” Inuyasha scoffed as his aura flared hotter, “Kick a man while he’s down? What about that screams success?”

The jerky shake in the negative was the man’s desperate response. His lips and face turning blotchy and blue. The strength behind his fingers growing fainter with each scratch.

“You’re smart enough to know I loved her and you still came. Tell me something. How did you think was going to end?”Inuyasha hissed dangerously as he tightened his grip to the point he heard bone start to crack, “Because I think they call that a bad decision.”

Without further warning and with one hard thrust, Inuyasha released the man. Across the room. Through the wall. Onto the grass outside where he remained. Unmoving.

It was only after he heard a few people scream that Inuyasha came back to himself and realized what he’d done. What his actions meant. What he was.

That was a turning point in Inuyasha’s already miserable life. That and his subsequent investigation into the man’s claims that the village he’d once called home had been attacked.

Well, to call it an attack was unfair. A massacre seemed like a better word. The damage maybe a week old at most. Far too recent to match up with the story he’d been fed. Still…

Naraku had been very thorough. Melted remnants of wooden structures. Acid riddled bones on the ground. Lingering clouds of miasma that burned his skin was he walked around to search for survivors.

The bastard had said there were survivors…

But every villager Inuyasha had known was accounted for. Most had fallen in family units. Child sized skeletons in arms of their parents. Dogs. Cats. Farm animals. Maybe that asshole he’d straight up murdered just made the survivor part up to add some extra punch to his cruel game. Or maybe his sources were wrong. Maybe… maybe that story had been planted. The whole encounter an elaborate set up. Naraku wasn’t above-

“No. Please no.”

A whine escaped him and he fell to his knees upon finding a partially disintegrated body Inuyasha imagined had been spared with him in mind. Half of her face was gone. Most of her elderly body. What remained was being eaten away with maggots and flies. The bow in her mottled hand, however, was perfectly intact. A bout of panic hit him a few moments after he realized Naraku had done this to hurt him. That bastard knew what love was and knew what would hurt his victims most.

“No. No,” Inuyasha breathed as he clumsily got to his feet and stumbled towards the Sacred Tree. The graves. He’d hidden them relatively well. With leaves and logs and…

But those things might’ve been moved. Kaede might’ve cleaned them up not knowing those graves been hidden for good reason. After that battle, it wasn’t like he talked to the old hag for her to know. Best case scenario, she didn’t even know there were graves there at all. Just lived life assuming her little group of children would come home eventually. Never knew they were gone. Under the weight of his grief and self-loathing, Inuyasha stumbled but forced his feet to keep moving forward.

Inuyasha refused to breathe until the welcome sight of the graves as he’d left them came into view. The graves, at least, had been spared.

Face crumpling in pain, Inuyasha collapsed to his knees and wrapped his arms around his stomach. In that moment, staring at what was left of the good times in his life, everything crashed down on him at once. That he was a failure. A monster. An evil cockroach who should’ve just been drowned at birth. Everything he ever touched turn to ash. Everyone he ever loved was dead and gone. And it was his fault. Everything was his fault.

He screamed.

That night was the first night he’d tried to end his pain. It seemed a fitting enough location. There was enough evidence that he was every bit the monster he’d always been accused of being. Killed a man in cold blood over a lame insult. An insult someone else probably fed him or maybe that bastard was being controlled. That man could’ve been innocent and he’d just killed him. Left people who’d shown him kindness undefended. Let his friends die.

Kagome would be ashamed of him. Hate him. And she’d be right.

But the first attempt didn’t work. Oh, he tried and tried again but life, it would seem, refused to give up its hold. So it was a defeated, bloodied and empty Inuyasha who trudged into the mountains after burying the villagers with dignity. A man who could barely think. Barely hear. Barely feel. A man who was barely a man anymore.

Because it was his fault. It was all his fault.

[sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy]

NOW THAT THAT'S OVER…THERE WILL BE MORE PLOT BUNNIES TO COME AT ENTIRELY RANDOM INTERVALS! I HAVE NO TIME OR ENERGY TO WRITE THEM ALL SO I MIGHT AS WELL TOSS THE BALL UP FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS IDEAS.

Existing Plot Bunnies | ONE | TWO | THREE

Also, I have a phone mount.

[sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy]

*waves* Ellow! *ahem* sorry... 😅

I just saw your post for the INUPROMPS, and well, I'm new to this and...erm, please don't laugh, but... uh, I have a question!?

Are theses the listed promps we go by? Can we make up our own for those days(or is it week?). I wanna try and participate this year...so um...*bows* HEEELLLLLP! UH, please & thank you *bows again* *waves again*

Aw. @enchantedink-ag I would never laugh at someone asking a question! Especially when they're new! The last think I want is for someone to feel like they can't ask questions.

The plot bunnies are only examples that someone could use as a launch point if they're feeling stuck. The bunnies are by no means what you must use for the day/week of the prompts. There are no requirements for the InuPrompts other than do a thing or don't. You can do them on the week suggested or you can pump them out on a day in November of your liking.

If you want a reblog, please make sure to tag @sometimes-icanstillhear-sitboy or use the tag #novinuprompt22 and/or #inu-pockylypse.

Hope this helps!