After All This Time

Ch.5 Curious Feeling and Stupid Thoughts

The day after, Kouga was sitting in Inuyasha's study and kept him company as usual. This time he wasn't noisy or touching everything in the vicinity. He sat there calmly without saying a word and occasionally handing scrolls to the half-demon. The experience was enjoyable, a nice change. Albeit Inuyasha doesn't know what brought it on, but he wasn't complaining.

Later on, an hour or two before noon Moroha arrived. She sat next to her father and promised that she had actually completed her studies this time. She was also quiet. A little small talk here and there but nothing more. No bickering, no yelling, no extra noise in general. They were oddly enough getting along with each other.

'How peculiar.' Inuyasha thought as he went to dip his brush in the ink. When he looked down he saw it was empty. His daughter noticed as well and took the block of ink and rubbed it on the stone. Kouga's interests peaked as he made his way over to Moroha.

"Hey, can I try?" The wolf demon asked.

Inuyasha expected another fight to break out and the silence would vanish. Instead, he watched as his daughter agreed and switched spots with him. Moroha did not inform her father about what happened at the pond yesterday. So, no wonder he was puzzled staring at the scene in front of him. Kouga softly moved the ink block, albeit it was too lightly done so it wasn't working.

"You have to grind it a bit harder than that."

Inuyasha was in awe as he watched his daughter guide the wolf demon.

"Like this?"

He could see the ink starting to liquefy and stream down to the side. Kouga looked amazed watching it happen. Moroha congratulated him.

"You both have gotten closer." The black-haired man said catching their attention. The two turned their heads.

"Yeah, this wolf isn't that bad."
"Your kid isn't that bad."

They both spoke at the same time. Inuyasha looked at the two demons in front of him and gave them an endearing smile. He raised his hands extending to their heads and patted their heads. Moroha was a fan of her father's head pats and hugs since it was a usual occurrence, but Kouga was completely caught off guard. The wolf demon could feel his hand lightly messing up his hair. Inuyasha's hand was big and calloused from years of fighting and sword wielding. They were rough, but to Kouga it was the softest and most gentle experience he's ever had. He didn't hate the feeling the half-demon's touch gave him, he just didn't know how to react it.

Kouga caught a glimpse of Inuyasha's face when he said.
"I'm glad your both getting along so well."

Inuyasha's voice sounded sweet and kind, it made the wolf demon want to eat him up. Kouga's face felt a bit warmer than usual and he felt an odd giddy sensation bubbling up. He peered up at him to see a warm, loving smile -the smile he had only seen Inuyasha give to his daughter, late wife, and perhaps his late mother- given to him. The wolf demon was stunned, like the room had suddenly grew brighter. It was as if that smile was intended just for him, but Kouga was sure it was directed at his daughter and he somehow managed to snag a front-row seat.

Inuyasha had taken his hands off their heads and stretched his back. He picked up his brush dipping it in ink and began to swiftly write away. Kouga felt this odd longing for the half-demon to pat his head again. It felt cold without the warmth radiating from his hand.

Moroha had gone on and began to read one of her books that were a part of her studies. Kouga brought his fingers up to the top of his head and lightly touched it.

"I don't..." he mumbled and the rest was spoken in his head. 'Understand.'

He snapped out of his daze and went back to grinding the ink block. His mind still reminiscing the experience.