This edited screenshot motivational poster is dedicated to all of my InuAya-shipping friends, fellow artists, fans, and brethren. So, sit back, relax, and soak in that InuAya goodness, strength, beauty, and awesomeness. Do keep in mind that I am also basing this on my own headcanon for my most beloved OTP from Inuyasha.
Throughout my life watching and re-watching Inuyasha episodes 73, 83, and 155, especially in terms of Inuyasha’s and Ayame’s flashback moments, I had this question that I have been keeping on my chest for years. What if Inuyasha ended up being the one to save Ayame from the “Birds of Paradise” all while mustering up the courage to fight against the demons he was running away from ever since he was a child? I am sure that Inuyasha would have gotten Ayame’s approval, acceptance, and unconditional love and Ayame would have felt more protected, loved, and safe under Inuyasha’s hands. Most of all, a wonderful relationship between the dog hanyou and the she-wolf youkai would have been blossoming and flourishing to full maturity, therefore sealing their fates as a couple who will end up growing old together with no forms of animosity, no impending Karmic relationships, and a shining example of true unconditional love without any partner being controlling or domineering.
I could imagine the scenario with the young 7-year-old Inuyasha trying to fend himself from the demons who have been chasing him. All of the sudden, he heard a young girl’s voice in a tree, as she was being pursued by the Birds of Paradise. Not wanting to hesitate any longer, young Inuyasha charged to the Birds of Paradise and slashed them with his own claws and gave them a punch, a kick and a lift or two. Inuyasha inspected the tree and saw the young 4-year-old Ayame who was in awe of his strength and courage. Ayame then jumped out of the tree to tackle Inuyasha in a joyous hug, as she was very grateful to have been rescued by him. She even touched his ears just to be playful with him, which made Inuyasha blush a bit.
The rest of their day together was spent with going to the river to catch some fish, go running in the forest, and having something to eat together with the fish they caught. As they closely approached each other, Inuyasha complimented Ayame for her prettiness and kindness and Ayame complimented Inuyasha for his strength, courage, and how adorable he was. Night fell, as Ayame had to go back to the northern mountains to be with her grandfather. Inuyasha then proudly stated to Ayame that he will always be strong for her, as he playfully flexed his bicep and gave her an enthusiastic smile to prove that to her. In return, Ayame gave Inuyasha a little peck on the cheek, as she joyfully ran home to the northern mountains. This action made Inuyasha blush with glee, as his cheeks turned red as a tomato.
In order to prove his love to Ayame, Inuyasha even told his mother, Izayoi, that he was old and strong enough to venture on his own to the northern mountains. Knowing this, Izayoi respected her beloved son’s decision and bade farewell to him. As Inuyasha travelled to the northern mountains and was reunited with Ayame, she was overjoyed to see him one more time. It was not only her who was full of positivity about Inuyasha’s return but also her grandfather and his fellow comrades, as they all saw so much strength, courage, determination, and power in someone who still young such as Inuyasha. Therefore, he was easily branded as the perfect husband material for Ayame.
Inuyasha’s days growing up with the Northern Yoro Tribe were full of excitement, as he learned how to hunt, wrestle, grapple, box, use his prodigious strength to lift heavy objects and protect their village from harm, used his claws like the formidable weapons that they were, and he became a lot more warlike. Ayame not only cheered for Inuyasha and gave him a lot of moral support but also joined him in his battles, thus strengthening their bond. It also helped that Inuyasha grew more popular with Kouga’s side of the tribe, the Panther Devas, Bankotsu and the Band of Seven, and even Sesshoumaru because of how formidable Inuyasha grew up to be and how he managed to end up together with Ayame.
It was true that young Inuyasha’s and young Ayame’s relationship continued to flourish while they were still young children, which would eventually be at its peak when they reached their tween or teen years, but Inuyasha and Ayame also had some connections they were happy to call as good friends.
Inuyasha had a frenemy relationship with his older brother Sesshoumaru, Kouga, and Bankotsu, considering the many times these young boys would compete against each other, but easily considered Shuran, Hakkaku, and Ginta as his best friends. On top of that, Kouga’s side of the tribe learned to respect Inuyasha for his amazing combat skills and the rest of the Band of Seven cold not wait to battle him when he came of age.
As for Ayame, she had a nice, playful stoic older brother, fun-loving little sister relationship with Sesshoumaru, a playful rivalry with Kouga and Bankotsu, considered Kagura, Toran, Sango, and Kagome as good friends who enjoy competing with each other, a solid friendship with Shuran, Hakkaku, and Ginta, and easily considered Ayumi, Karan, and Shunran as best friends for life.
All in all, Sesshoumaru, Kouga, Shuran, Bankotsu, Hakkaku, Ginta, Toran, Karan, and Shunran have always been supportive of Inuyasha’s and Ayame’s relationship when they were children and it would come off as no surprise that they would continue to show their support of how strong Inuyasha’s and Ayame’s bond as couple has always been.
I hope you all enjoyed this, considering the time I took to reflect on how I would see Inuyasha’s and Ayame’s relationhsip grow starting out as children and eventually grow into their formative years. Feedback is much appreciated, and take care, everybody.
Inuyasha, Ayame, and the screenshots from “Shiori’s Family and Inuyasha’s Feelings” and “The Female Wolf-Demon and the Lunar Rainbow Promise” from Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Sunrise.
