#utnl

[lostinfantasyworlds]

Baby I'm yours And I'll be yours ✨Until the stars fall from the sky✨

InuKag wedding from the final chapter of Under the Northern Lights!

Taglist below the cut (let me know if you'd like to be added/removed)

@aelianadawn-deactivated20210806 @alisanangel @anisaanisa @alysssa-inukag @bluehawaiicat @born-for-eachother @deactivated2431545484 @fawn-eyed-girl @goshinote @gruviyasharuto @inussunflower @kawaiichan67 @kazeinori @keks-creations @ladyaerilla @littlepumkinseed @littleredwritinghat @liz8080 @malditamigs @neutronstarchild @purplemys @redflamesofpassion @redwingedangel002​ @rocioanime4 @sailorlolo @sangoslays @sunsetskys @superpixie42 @theinuyashareader @themusicalshoo @zukkosbaby

[lostinfantasyworlds]

Chapter 16 of Under the Northern Lights is now live on AO3!

I can’t believe this is the last time I’m going to make a tumblr post about a new chapter of UTNL 🥺😭excuse me while I cry...again

I made a separate post with all of my many thoughts and feelings, and still somehow managed to ramble on in the author’s notes🤦🏻‍♀️😂, so all I’m going to say here is: 

Thank you so very much for all of the support, and I hope you enjoy the ridiculously fluffy sap fest that is the final chapter of Under the Northern Lights   ❤️❤️❤️

Chapter 16 Summary: A series of snapshots highlighting some of the most significant and joyous moments in Inuyasha and Kagome’s lives together.

Story Summary: Kagome Higurashi has her dream job, working as a photographer for the internationally well-known Yugen magazine. Her job whisks her all around the world, leaving her feeling lonely sometimes but mostly just incredibly grateful to be doing what she loves. When she gets assigned to Alaska for a month to photograph a series of celestial events, she runs into Inuyasha, a half-demon who lives on his own in the middle of nowhere. A mutual attraction draws them to each other, but Kagome’s time there is limited. Will giving in to their desire lead to love or heartbreak?

Rating: E

Read Chapter 16: Until the Stars Fall From the Sky on AO3

Tagging (let me know if you want on or off!): @aelianadawn-deactivated20210806 @alisanangel @anisaanisa @alysssa-inukag @bluehawaiicat @born-for-eachother  @deactivated2431545484 @fawn-eyed-girl @goshinote @gruviyasharuto @inussunflower @kawaiichan67 @kazeinori @keks-creations @ladyaerilla @littlepumkinseed @littleredwritinghat @liz8080 @malditamigs @neutronstarchild @purplemys @redflamesofpassion @redwingedangel002​ @rocioanime4 @sailorlolo @sangoslays @sunsetskys @superpixie42 @theinuyashareader @themusicalshoo @zukkosbaby

[lostinfantasyworlds]

Hello dear!!! Can you tell me about any of the WIPs that you have not been asked about yet?

🃏Dealer's Choice!🃏

Hi @neutronstarchild!!! Thank you so so much for asking!! 💕There is actually only one WIP that hasn't been asked about yet (you all are too kind 🥺😭 ❤️), and that would be the UTNL PWP New Year's Eve oneshot!

For anyone who has read Under the Northern Lights, this fits into the timeline of the epilogue. (**Spoilers ahead if you haven’t read**)There is a line where Inuyasha and Kagome both assume that Moroha was conceived on New Year’s Eve night, so I decided to expand that into its own oneshot, because apparently I didn’t write enough porn into that story already 😂

Here’s some details:

Inuyasha and Kagome have been separated for almost a week due to conflicting work assignments

Kagome arrives home in a tizzy because her flight was delayed, meaning they have to rush to make it to Yugen’s NYE/anniversary party, where she is supposed to give a speech

Kagome’s scent is extra appealing to Inuyasha that night for whatever reason (*ahem* prime baby-making time), and he really wants to welcome his wife home the right way...but they sadly don’t have time

Sexual tension builds and builds throughout the party, until they’re finally able to leave....and we all know what happens then

There are several references/similarities to the “Dessert” chapter of UTNL (minus the ending lol)

I’ve got pretty much all of it written (currently around 7.5k), but I’ve been trying to push myself with the smut writing, and have lots of editing to do, so at this point I probably won’t end up posting it until NYE rolls around again at the end of 2022.

Until then, I have a semi-rough snippet to share! Below the cut because it’s a bit filthy (although the full version is much filthier😏)

Thanks again, Neutron!! ❤️

Full list of WIPs here

Making sure that Inuyasha (and no one else) was watching her, Kagome extracted the straw from her frozen daiquiri and set about removing the excess slush by seductively running the flat of her tongue up the length of it. Ending with a slight flick for theatricality’s sake, she then inserted half of the straw into her mouth before slowly pulling it out, keeping her cheeks hollowed in the way she would if it were his cock she was sucking. She maintained searing eye contact the entire time, watching him closely to see if she was succeeding in further riling him up.

He had a good poker face, she’d give him that. 

It was only because she knew her husband so well that she was able to detect the telltale tensing of his jaw, the bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed hard, and the way his pupils had blown out wide enough to almost completely cover his amber irises. Otherwise, he appeared perfectly calm and collected as he finished the last sip of his drink and set the empty glass back on the bar, keeping their gazes locked and a slight smirk on his lips but saying nothing. 

Kagome frowned when he pushed his stool back from the bar and stood up, starting to wonder if she had actually had the desired effect on him after all. 

“Where are you going?”

“Bathroom,” Inuyasha replied shortly as he walked around the back of her bar stool.

Kagome’s pouting was cut short when she felt the heat of his large hand through the fabric of her dress at the small of her back. Leaning over so that his lips hovered right above her ear, he let his hot breath fan across it for a moment before giving her cartilage a playful nip that was just hard enough to make her jump a little.

“Either we get outta here real soon…”

Oh god, he was doing that sexy rumbly thing with his voice that was totally unfair.

“...Or I’m takin’ you out on the balcony, bending you over the railing, and not giving a shit if anyone sees us fuck. Your choice.”

Inuyasha punctuated his statement by briefly tracing the inner shell of her ear with his tongue, causing a delightful shiver to ripple down her spine that set her heart racing. He pressed the pads of his fingers into her lower back before standing up straight and walking away, leaving her with an ache between her thighs that was almost unbearable now. She crossed her legs a little tighter and bit her lip, trying and failing to contain the heat rising within her.

Damn, he was good.  

Before rounding the corner, he glanced back over his shoulder to flash her a cocky smirk, well aware of exactly what he had just done to her. 

Kagome realized then that she probably should have thought twice before teasing him so much, considering that he always seemed to win these little public games she started. Maybe she’d had a little too much to drink, but for a moment she genuinely considered following him to the bathroom and sucking him off in one of the stalls. Not being too keen on the idea of one of their coworkers potentially finding her on her knees in a public bathroom, however, made that plan a no go. 

Maybe she’d just actually take him up on his offer to bend her over the balcony, because fuck if that didn’t sound incredibly hot at the moment. She absentmindedly toyed with her straw as she stared out the window at the spot in question, wondering if it was possible to get away with it without getting caught. 

Midnight was starting to seem much too far away…

[lostinfantasyworlds]

Under the Northern Lights updates!

Here’s my typical (and probably last 😭) progress update about UTNL, since it’s been about 3 weeks since I posted the last chapter.

I’ve been working on the epilogue almost every day! Along with the two drawings that go along with it, which I am SO excited to share 😁. 

In addition to that, I’ve been going back through the earlier chapters, and have been doing some actual editing. Since I know some people like to wait until a story is completed before binge-reading, and/or just in case anyone ever felt like rereading, I figured I’d go through the whole story again and tighten everything up. 

Nothing will change about the plot whatsoever, I just will be working on making the flow smoother and taking out really unnecessary inner monologue/backstory that is already shown in other ways. When I first started writing this story, I had only been writing for a few months, so I wasn’t even aware of the most basic writing advice such as ‘show, don’t tell,’ let alone all of the nuances of flow/syntax that I think I’ve improved on over time.

Like...I already know I have a tendency to be wordy/over explain, but when rereading those first few chapters I was like omfg Taryn...you don’t need to write that he balled his hands into fists, growled, and that he’s feeling angry...I think they get it 🤦🏻‍♀️ 😂. Hahaha but it’s okay, we’re all improving as we go along!

As an example, I just finished going through Chapter One and I trimmed almost 600 words while also improving the general flow, as well as occasionally tweaking the dialogue just a bit to make it more in character (now that I have the entire rest of the story written to cement those versions of Inuyasha and Kagome...which was not the case at the time I started). 

It definitely will still have plenty of room to be improved further, but I had to stop somewhere for now due to time constraints. Also, my writing style I’ve established does like to dive deep into the character’s thoughts and feelings, so I didn’t want to take too much of that away.

ANYWHO

Because I’m doing all of that at once, it’s going to take a bit to wrap everything up. Ideally, I’d love to be able to post the final chapter and artwork by next weekend, but we’ll see how things go with work/life always getting in the way. 

Until then...

I put a few bullet points with teasers for the epilogue under the cut!

I said in the A/N for chapter 15 that the epilogue takes place sometime in their future...but what I meant is that it actually spans several points in their future. There are 4.5 different scenes that all take place at different times...(Yes, I am being excessive as always, but I love a good thorough happy ending hahaha, plus each of those scenes just popped into my head at various points throughout the last year, I couldn’t help it 😂)

It also takes place across multiple locations...I think 4 total?

Several new (but familiar 😉) characters will make an appearance, or at least be referenced in some way

Both Kagome and Inuyasha cry....possibly more than once....(all in a good way!) 👀

[lostinfantasyworlds]

Chapter 13 of Under the Northern Lights is now live on AO3!

FINALLY. HERE IT IS. MY FAVORITE THING I’VE EVER WRITTEN.

I have neurotically put my all into every last word of this chapter...like it is batshit crazy the number of hours that went into this. You don’t even want to know. Also, the number of times that I made myself cry while envisioning/writing this chapter is...kind of embarrassing. 

(Is it normal to be this emotionally invested in your own story? Oh well...)

My ego aside...this chapter is really heavy on the pain. I did not hold back, so even though much of it is on the bittersweet side, please be prepared to have your heart ripped out.

Seriously though...if you’re emotionally invested in this story in any capacity, I would recommend reading this chapter alone...or at least somewhere you don’t mind crying in front of others.

Enjoy 😈🖤

Chapter 13 Summary: Inuyasha and Kagome share one last meaningful night together and realize just how deep their feelings for each other go, only making it that much harder when it comes time to say goodbye.

Story Summary: Kagome Higurashi has her dream job, working as a photographer for the internationally well-known Yugen magazine. Her job whisks her all around the world, leaving her feeling lonely sometimes but mostly just incredibly grateful to be doing what she loves. When she gets assigned to Alaska for a month to photograph a series of celestial events, she runs into Inuyasha, a half-demon who lives on his own in the middle of nowhere. A mutual attraction draws them to each other, but Kagome’s time there is limited. Will giving in to their desire lead to love or heartbreak?

Rating: E

Read Chapter 13: The Last Time on AO3

Tagging (let me know if you want on or off!): @aelianadawn-deactivated20210806 @alisanangel @anisaanisa @alysssa-inukag @bluehawaiicat @born-for-eachother  @deactivated2431545484 @fawn-eyed-girl @goshinote @gruviyasharuto @inussunflower @kawaiichan67 @keks-creations @ladyaerilla @littlepumkinseed @littleredwritinghat @liz8080 @malditamigs @neutronstarchild @purplemys @redflamesofpassion @rocioanime4 @sailorlolo @sangoslays @sunsetskys @superpixie42 @theinuyashareader @themusicalshoo @zukkosbaby​

[lostinfantasyworlds]

I’m SO excited to share that the epilogue of UTNL is thisclose to being done!! It will be posted at some point this week, just have to comb through a couple more times for the final final edits.

Just as a warning…this is the most self-indulgent sapfest of an ending I could have possibly written. Like I actually got concerned that it was wayy too much, and that I was going to have to separate at least one of the scenes into a separate follow-up oneshot. Especially because it’s not technically necessary, narratively speaking, for all of the 4.5 scenes to be in this one epilogue. 😆

Also…speaking of how excessive I am, it ended up being 14k words somehow…like wtf how does this happen every time?? 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

But I figure it’s not a published novel that anyone’s paying for, so if I want to be extra af and over-indulge with too many emotional scenes, then I can do what I want and just have to hope that others will enjoy it too 😂

So watch for the final chapter of Under the Northern Lights at some point this week!! 😁🥰 As far as the drawings, I think they’re close enough to being done that I will post “rough” versions on AO3 along with the chapter. Then I’ll work on polishing the final details and wait a couple weeks before posting on tumblr, since they include spoilers.

Cant wait to share this last chapter with you all, even though I’m going to be so sad that it’s over 😭 ❤️

[lostinfantasyworlds]

Finally am able to take (part of) a night off from never-ending work to relax. I sadly didn’t finish chapter 14 of UTNL the other day before the soul-crushing hellscape that is my job required my attention again😒. BUT I just submitted a project so I can take it a little easier while working from home the rest of the week! That means back to working on getting that chapter finished 😎

In the meantime, since it has now been over a month since I posted chapter 13 and that kinda makes me want to cry, I’ve included a tiny, very angsty preview of Chapter 14: The Aftermath under the cut!

Inuyasha had never paid much attention to his surroundings before. After more than two years of living in Alaska, he was used to the northern lights, the twinkling stars, the glittering snow.

But now he lived in the aftermath of Kagome, whose penchant for finding the beauty in everything had swept across his world like a paintbrush, coloring in the parts that had previously been gray.

And now he couldn’t help but notice a bit of the beauty in everything, too.

The way the moonlight would illuminate the icicles that hung from otherwise barren tree branches. The saturated greens and purples of the aurora undulating across the night sky. The majesty of the occasional wildlife that wandered through his property. Everything around him seemed to sparkle with previously unnoticed color, made more beautiful by the woman who had forever redefined that word in his eyes.

It was practically impossible not to be aware of all those little things now, and every single time he paused to admire something that caught his eye, a sharp pang would echo through the hole she had left in his heart.

[lostinfantasyworlds]

What was the Inspiration for Under the Northern Lights?

Ahhhh thank you so much for this question @ruddcatha!!!! ❤️

Put under a cut because I ramble a little, and also included a sample of my own photography!

So I had the idea back in February, when there was tons of snow on the ground. All I remember was looking out my upstairs bathroom window at my backyard covered in snow, and just being hit with this whole ass story idea out of nowhere😂.

It always means SO much to me when people have left comments on UTNL about the imagery, because that's really been such a key element for me. That story has come to me in images, and has played out like a movie in my head. I imagine, vividly, every scene practically on a shot-by-shot basis, thinking of what the lighting would be like, what the music would sound like, how the shot would be framed, etc.

So pretty much what happened is that when I was looking at my snowy backyard, I just had this overwhelming image/feeling come to me of that beautiful, peaceful, almost otherworldly feeling you get when looking out at an expanse of glittering moonlit snow. And I basically just wanted to try and capture that feeling in a story...with InuKag. 

And then there are just soo many aspects of that story that are inspired by my own life. Kagome is a photographer, because I am a photographer on the side/work for a photographer. I've also always had an interest in night photography ever since I was young, and have messed around with it over time. I’m nowhere near as good as Kagome is in this story hahaha, but here’s a sampling of some of my night photography over the years from my various travels (the top two are from the Berkshires in MA, the bottom left is a self-timer shot from my honeymoon in Mexico, and the bottom right are from Acadia National Park in ME)

 And I mentioned this in the author’s notes, but Yugen Magazine is a concept I came up with back in college for my Editorial Design class, and it fit in perfectly with the basic idea of her being a photographer that travels around all the time, so I also got to indulge in that idea as well. 

The other inspiration was actually just...angst 😆. I really wanted to explore that bittersweet 'I'm so in love with you but I know I have to let you go' type of angst because it’s my absolute favorite to read/write. So I wanted a story that would let me dig deep into that, while still eventually arriving at a happy ending. 

All of that combined into the idea of Inuyasha and Kagome falling in love in a beautiful winter wonderland, having to say a heartwrenching goodbye, and then finding a way back to each other.

SERIOUSLY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS QUESTION ❤️. I could talk about UTNL endlessly hahahaha so I appreciate the opportunity to indulge!