Inuyasha does not belong to me; they are property of Rumiko Takahashi. I claim no ownership on Kagome, Inuyasha, or their respective families. I do however lay claim to this story. Thank you, The Management.



The Truth

Chapter Seven

By: Lazuli

lazulidreamer@yahoo.com



Kagome felt herself getting more annoyed at the image of herself standing before her. How could she tell if it was real or not? It could all be an elaborate trick by Naraku, but as far as she knew, Naraku wasn’t aware of where she came from. She wondered how much he did know about her…

“What are you doing here?” She was surprised at how bitter her voice sounded. Was she really that angry at the situation? She felt Inuyasha get up and move beside her, staring in confusion at the girl standing before them, looking so much like Kagome. The girl just laughed.

“It’s been a few years, but I remember feeling that suspicious. It’s strange being on the other end of the shock…” She looked at Inuyasha.

“And he’s still being boy-stupid, isn’t he? Not admitting anything? Still following around Kikyo like a sick dog?”

Kagome’s eyes widened. What did she mean? Did that mean that…with this future self of hers and Inuyasha were going to be together? Not just for the purpose of the jewel? She nodded slowly over the accusations of Kikyo, and Inuyasha’s stubbornness, and Inuyasha glared at the girl beside him.

“Hey now, Kagome! That’s not fair!” She giggled. “Sure, its fair, Inuyasha. Don’t you want to admit your feelings to Kagome soon? It’s not nice to keep a girl waiting. She might even settle down with Hojo, never going through the well again. Would you like that, Inuyasha?”

His expression turned sullen at the serious voice of the Kagome look- a-like. “No…” He muttered, sounding like he was getting his teeth yanked out to admit such a thing. This was Kagome he was admitting it to, though, and she was from the future…meaning that they did succeed in some way, or at least that he was with Kagome. It was a marvelous thought. He wouldn’t admit that out loud, though.

“Can you explain why you are here again?” The future Kagome’s eyes turned serious. “I know this is going to sound strange, but…we’re simply here to make sure that you get together. I had it happen to me, and the Kagome that came to me said that it happened to her. Apparently, there is some point that you don’t get together, and Inuyasha goes with Kikyo. Naraku wins in that universe, and we can’t let that happen.”

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. “That bastard would never beat me, and I don’t see how me choosing Kikyo would make him win. Kagome understands why I’m protecting her, don’t you, Kagome?”

Kagome nodded slowly. She remembered all too well that heart- wrenching day when Inuyasha told her that he had chosen Kikyo…that was the same time she realized that she had fallen in love with him.

"I... I know that you have a duty to her." She whispered. Her throat felt strange, as if she was trying not to cry. But that was impossible. Why would that be happening? She knew that it was only duty... right? She wasn't jealous or anything. "And that you care for her. Alot." She swallowed, trying to look away from Inuyasha. His gaze on her made her feel uncomfortable and she concentrated on staring at the floor.

Inuyasha, for the most part, was staring at her incredulously, like he couldn't believe that she would even say that. She sounded...hurt. Like she was about to cry. He shot her a nervous look, ears flattening. His mate was giving him an amused look, and his brows drew in as he pouted. What was he supposed to do about it? Heaving a sigh he moved closer to her, grabbing her shoulders firmly to stare into his eyes. He wasn't some young pup anymore, embarrsed by showing affection for Kagome. Except that this Kagome was alot younger than his mate, Kagome.

"Aa, Kagome..." He blinked at her tears as he swore inwardly. "Kagome, it's not what you think. Kikyou--I loved her. Puppy love." He teased slightly, trying to get a smile from her somehow. He was rewarded by a slight smirk from his mate. Not exactly what he what he was aiming for, and he shot her a look so that she would be quiet. "But I don't love her anymore. Kagome, you're the one I protect because I love you. You are my life."

Staring in amazement, Kagome poked at Inuyasha to make sure that he was real, and then tugged at his ears. "Are you feeling okay, Inuyasha?" She inquired. "You usually don't talk so--openly." Her tone was suspcious and she narrowed her eyes at him.

He blinked in surprise and then grinned. "Kagome, I've been mated for seven years. I think I've learned to open up some around you." He tweaked her nose. "How do you think we got children?"

Kagome turned away from him, face flaming. "You... you....osuwari!" She was satisfied to hear the thump but winced at the swearing that emerged from his mouth. Hokori hadn't moved from the other room though. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief and she whapped him upside the head as she knelt next to him.

"You shouldn't swear so much. You have children now." She muttered. "Although that never stopped you around Shippou..." She gave her older self a pleading look. "They aren't as bad mouthed as him, are they?"

The older Kagome shook her head with an amused look and stood up to see the proceedings. "You know, you shouldn't provoke her. She has my temper." She tweaked her mate's ears teasingly, and he growled softly in response, eyes half shut in pleasure as she started to rub the soft triangles of fur. Kagome felt a blush rising to her face because of the obvious intimacy and she slowly backed away, eyes intent on the wooden floor again.

I am not seeing myself rubbing Inuyasha's ears... and him liking it. I am not seeing an older myself with a baby and a little girl in the room next door. Nope, it's a dream brought on by all that's happened. Stress and all. That has to be it. Too many fantasies about Inuyasha at least holding you gently and then seeing another you and him....my head is starting to hurt.

The baby chose that moment to let out an ear piercing wail, and both Inuyasha and the hanyou Kagome flattened their ears as the baby cried. Kagome found herself with a baby in her arms and she stared for a few moments before she rocked in gently, instinctively to calm it down. It quieted in a few moments, snuggling aganist her, nose twitching. Letting out a contented sound it fell asleep aganist her chest.

She carried the baby over carefully to the cradle, her expression soft as she laid the baby down. The baby's nose wrinkled for a moment, tiny hands reaching for the warmth it just left but she settled down soon enough. The two hanyou's had relaxed as soon as quiet reigned again, and Kagome threw her older self an amused look. "What do you do when I'm not here?" She asked with a grin.

***

After both children were laying down, Kagome and Inuyasha had relaxed enough to tell the younger counterpart something of what happened.

"Of course, we can't tell you too much." The hanyou Kagome warned. "You can't know so much about your future, our past... it wouldn't be safe. This now... is safe. You know that you'll get together with Inuyasha... that you have to get together with him."

Kagome blinked at the suddden vehemence in the older woman's voice but she nodded timidly. "I can see that you're happy together... it's just so weird to think that's it's me and Inuyasha..."

Inuyasha cut her off abrutly with a shake of his head. "I remember myself at that time." He grumped. "When all that weird shit was going on." He was promptly hit by both the younger and older Kagome. "Hey! The pups are asleep!" He protested. Kagome glared at him at the same time he mate did. He pouted again but stared straight at Kagome as he finished talking. "I was being sort of nice to you. I mean... that older me showed up... and that hasn't happened yet by us...." He growled slightly. "Catch me doing something stupid like that..." Muttering under his breath he poked a finger into her side. "And don't go making me do that, Kagome!"

Her response was to roll her eyes and pull on his ears. "Baka. If we don't do it, then it never would have happened and this never would have happned and you're going to break down a whole chain of events simply because you think it's stupid?" Her voice came out quietly, but there was no mistaking the anger there.Inuyasha backed away from her, ears drooping, giving the younger part a pleading look.

Kagome just shook her head at him, grinning. "As much as I would like to erase that whole night, I have to admit that there was a valid point made here." She sighed and looked down at her hands. "So you're saying that when I go back home, everything will be fine again? Inuyasha will be the same... maybe a little kinder?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the implications of his bad behavior, but let Kagome finish. "And... I'll treat Inuyasha nicer. Maybe even kiss him." She said impishly. Inuyasha blushed and turned his head away while his mate laughed.

She blinked at them a moment. "I'm sorry I acted so mean but..." She shrugged. "I'm sure you know how I feel." She avoided Inuyasha's gaze and stared straight at her older self. "I'm not going to ask Inuyasha's reaction, because I want him to find out for myself."

Kagome nodded, but her eyes still sparkled with supressed laughter. "I know things will work out." She looked at her pouting mate. "Trust me. He still acts like a baby now, but he does love you very much."

Nodding, Kagome stood up to hug her older self, and then turned to Inuyasha. It was only a few moments before he embraced her in a gentle hug. "Don't give up just because I'm acting like an idiot." He murmured into her ear. He pulled back, grinning at her.

"Um, you guys are sure the well will bring me back to Inuyasha?" She asked uncertaintly. They nodded in unison and she relaxed. "Okay, then...." She wasn't sure that she even wanted to leave, but one look at the loving looks the older versions of her and Inuyasha were giving at eachother was enough to make her uneasy enough to bolt out the door.

***

To be Continued. Aren't I evil? ^_^