A/N: Hopefully you readers had peaceful All Saints’ Day and Happy Halloween. ( ( ^ o ^ ) )
I have cried and screamed here like crazy today, because the news of the Yashahime English dub cast! They are all back; Richard, Kira, Kirby, Kelly, Jillian and David!!! I’m just so happy right now, you have no idea! I have been waiting those news so much! ♡ Ehem… I try to calm down now. ^^’ So, this chapter became a little long one, also very fluffy and syrupy sweet. Just warning! Hopefully no one will fall asleep, while reading. Oh, and thank you so much for reblogging chapters! :) Enjoy of reading!
Chapter 3 - A dear Memory
Kagome stares at the sky, feeling the coolness of the bench underneath her. One memory has been really hidden for a long time, but now Kagome decides to give it permission to come out. She sighs and clears her mind of everything else. Maybe it would make me feel better this time? Or then it just kills me… Kagome thinks and closes her eyes.
*****
The day began to turn into an evening at the well of a bone eater. Kagome squeezed the familiar wooden edges of the well with white knuckles. She had to get somewhere to calm down, this place was important to her and just right for it. Sango asked earlier about her well-being and Kagome did know well, why she was worried about her.
She was lucky to have Sango as a friend, with whom she was able to clear up her thoughts, like Sango did too with Kagome. Inuyasha and Miroku were certainly not the easiest travel partners. However, Kagome had not been able to give the correct answers to her questions. She felt somewhat restless and went through her distressing thoughts with herself.
Inuyasha was going to kiss me in my room back then and said he would protect me, but… I guess even then he was only thinking of Ki - Kagome couldn’t continue her thought to the end, feeling like even the mere thought was still hurting.
“And when I come back here just for a moment, we just get into a stupid fight with each other. As always… Even that tells it, right? No, there’s nothing else between us! It wasn’t even two-timing before, because there hasn’t been anything like that, right? Damn… If only I could talk about this with mom, she could -”
Suddenly she felt like she wasn’t alone anymore, but too late, when someone was already behind her. She startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Are you trying to drop me…? She thought as she turned to swing that hand away, but she stumbled and was going to fall into the well.
Kagome instinctively closed her eyes, waiting to fall into the glow of the well, moving to her own time. Or worse, she would just flop to the bottom of the well, among to the bones of the demons. At the last moment she felt arms around her and someone pulling her up from the well. But Kagome did recognize those someone’s hands. Amazed golden-yellow eyes stared at her, while she realized that she was face to face with very familiar hanyō.
“Inu-Yasha…” she said in fright.
Their faces changed color in a redder direction, as they noticed how close they were each other and Inuyasha still holding on her for some reason. Why he won’t let go…?Or maybe it’s a good thing… Kagome thought, she was somehow feeling weird. She didn’t know how well her numb feet would carry, if Inuyasha would let go of her.
Kagome didn’t seem to be happy to see me here, but… Why I wouldn’t want to let go of her yet? Inuyasha who was unable to move, thought.
“Oi… Are you okay?” Inuyasha asked softly.
“I’m… I’m just fine!” a little bit panicky Kagome responded with shrill voice, struggling away from Inuyasha’s grip. No no no, that tone is already too much!
No, don’t go yet… Uhh. Inuyasha thought a little disappointedly.
Kagome slammed into the ground to lean against the well, blinking her eyes. My heart beats like crazy, because of fright… Or for some other reason? Oh, shut up now, brains! Kagome said in her mind. She pulled feet against her chest and buried half of her face behind arms, suddenly feeling how the color flee from her face. Ooh no, did I speak out loud before?? How long has Inuyasha been watching, did he hear me? Damn snooper!
Inuyasha also sat down on the ground next to Kagome. Strange feeling… Where does this disappointment come from? Well, I prevented Kagome from escaping home! He thought contentedly.
“Were you going home? Keh, you shouldn’t jump like that, head first! It can hurt if you just hit the bottom!” Inuyasha grinned, Kagome felt how a gust of anger wanted to come out and she had no time to stop it.
“You crazy, you almost scared me to death! Do you have to sneak around like that??” she turned to Inuyasha, spat the words from her mouth with anger in her eyes, but then she was little startled too by her own outburst.
Inuyasha rushed closer to Kagome, after surviving of the fright she caused.
“You were going back home, right?! Well, I’m sorry that I saved Miss sourpuss from falling! Should I just have given you a boost, huh??” Inuyasha barked back.
They looked at each other in anger and their bangs mixed together. Does she look - sad? Inuyasha noticed, when their gazes were reconciling.
He’s so… Too close! Kagome swallowed her anger, shook her head and backed away from him.
Damn it… Why this always happens? Situations just explode in our hands, just like that. Even if I wanted something completely different… Inuyasha thought.
“I wasn’t running away, what do you think of me?” Kagome glared him. Yes, I know… Sometimes I have gone without telling him, but Inuyasha was the one, who in most cases caused it.
“I just miss home sometimes, even now when I really should be there”, she said with an apologetic tone in her voice.
“Here I’m just able to be a bit closer to home, even for a moment”, Kagome said, while she stroked scar on her knee with her fingertips.
When Kagome has hurt her knee? Why she hadn’t shown it to me? Inuyasha looked at her wondering. The “weathervane” seems to have subsided for a moment, but doesn’t she like to be here anymore…? He worried.
“Homesickness, huh? Everyone always misses you back here”, Inuyasha said knowing really well, who misses the most.
“Hm, really?” Kagome looked at Inuyasha, who nodded with a smile.
“Thank you, you’re kind when you say that”, Kagome smiled and found herself feeling a little lighter.
Inuyasha often managed to annoy her, but also occasionally cheer her up.
“Keh, just saying…” Inuyasha mumbled while he chewed a straw, feeling how his cheeks heated up.
A moment of silence descended between them. Inuyasha cleared his throat and scratched head with a fingernail. He wondered, how to formulate his question and then just asked directly - to her horror.
“Kagome… About what, or rather, about who were you talking about recently, alone?”
Kagome blushed harshly, suddenly she just wanted to jump into the well and disappear for a moment.
“Wha… You - or no one else - should have been hearing my private stuff, you stupid!” Kagome snapped, struggling with controlling her anger. Why Inuyasha is always challenging me, at the worst moment…
Inuyasha was frightened, deciding to shut up. Why the hell do I never learn?! After all, that woman goes angry from zero to a hundred in seconds… She will probably tell me to sit, unless I won’t shut my snout in time.
If only I had a nose as good as Inuyasha’s, I would have smelled him from afar… Kagome thought and snorted frustrated. Then she surprised herself with her courage. I guess there’s nothing to lose, just my face.
“You know, about us”, she said like it wouldn’t be a big deal.
“Eh-h…” Inuyasha heard enough to realize it, but he never thought Kagome would admit it to him like that. Why I had to ask… But I thought for a moment, that she would have someone else…
Kagome felt how Inuyasha solidify beside her. Before he got even whole word said, she continued to burble nervously.
“Just that there’s nothing… Uh… You’re just terribly kind, when you take care and protect me, as you do for everyone else around you too, because that’s how you act. And you mean a lot to me, but… There seems to be nothing else between us, right? I mean, if there was anything else, things would be quite different then, I think? Surely, we wouldn’t be tearing off heads from each other like this, but instead… Uh… Mmh…” Kagome tried to sound light, but was terribly afraid that it didn’t work out very well.
Just a badly escaped thought… How wrong I formulated all that, help! And I almost forgot to breathe… Kagome thought in horror, feeling suddenly weak. She forced herself to shut up and buried her glowing red face in the palms of her hands.
But instead tearing off what? Inuyasha became curious, but he knew he would not dare to ask. He was like a statue, not daring to look at Kagome or barely breathe. Nothing else? Have I just imagined everything…? He tried to deal about things he had just heard, but violent heartbeats and too fast galloping thoughts made it difficult. Luckily, I’m not in my human form now… He thought, then hearing Kagome continuing.
“We’re just good friends, aren’t we?” Even though I love you more than anything, I just can’t say that to you… Kagome finally huffed, though the rest only in her mind. She would have just liked to clog her mouth to avoid further humiliation.
Her mouth or no other part of her body obeyed of her commands at that moment. Kagome did not dare to look at Inuyasha at all, fearing too much of his reaction. She just had to get clarity to all of this, or she would have gone nuts. Yet remorse struck into Kagome, like a cold stone and the situation began to embarrass her badly.
Why did I answered absolutely anything, what on earth did I do?? How can I ever look Inuyasha in the eye again? What if he talks to others about this, how that silly woman might have imagined there was something between us? What if I just drag him into my own time for a moment and try to shut his mouth about the whole thing? Soon he’s probably just bursting out laughing… Kagome didn’t know what to do, her cheeks almost burned her hands and panic was growing inside her.
Inuyasha was in his thoughts, while he leaned his head against the edge of the well and stared at the sky. His hands were hidden in the sleeves of the kimono. What exactly did she mean?Her heart is pounding so fast… Where did all this come from now? Did she wish, that there would be - something else? Or is it just me, who hopes that Kagome hopes, that there is something else? Inuyasha sighed, his head was getting more and more confused. Damn, you’re important to me, even more! I wish I could only dare…
“I guess so? You’re my best friend, I think…” Inuyasha said very cautiously.
Though he was regretting it right away and slapped his forehead with his hand. My mouth is always open on the wrong moment, damn it… Really, there isn’t man enough in me to admit my feelings, but to swing the sword is at any time?!
Best friend. Kagome was startled by her own disappointment, which she felt hitting into bottom of her stomach. Though she had imagined the worst she could expect to happen.
“I thought so, maybe it’s best like that… I have to go -” Kagome stated and tried to get up quickly to leave, tears were too close to fall from her eyes. What else did I even imagine…
“Oi, just wait! Don’t go -“ You’re really not running away from me! Inuyasha said and acted quickly.
She couldn’t get up, when Inuyasha captured her in his embrace. Please, Kagome. Stay for a moment…
“Inuyasha, what are you…! Let me go!” Kagome miserably wanted as far away from him as she could, but Inuyasha did not loosen his grip.
She tried to struggle away from Inuyasha, as if she had the strength against his powers. But she just had to get away. Becoming rejected seems to hurt more and more… Damn these feelings!
“Calm down, woman! Stop raging!” Inuyasha was a little surprised by Kagome’s powers, even though she had no chance against him.
“Let go, did you hear me, you idiot!” Kagome shouted wildly.
“Just listen for a moment -“
“I don’t want to hear! Let me go! Inuyasha, si -”
“Kagome, NO!” Inuyasha exclaimed and covered her mouth with his hand in distress, feeling how the pearl necklace was already tightening menacingly around his neck.
“Don’t say that word! I want to talk to you, we have to talk or I’ll burst!” Inuyasha shouted, despair hearing in his voice.
Kagome just totally frozed. Did Inuyasha just block the sit-command?! Inuyasha seemed to be shocked about what happened.
“I’m sorry, Kagome… I’ll never try to block that again, I promise, but I couldn’t do anything else… Don’t say it now, please! Just don’t say the word…” Inuyasha was slurring breathlessly and when Kagome shook her head as saying no, he slowly took his hand off assuming she would at least bite him.
However, Kagome had calmed down a bit. No matter how chaotic the situation was, she noticed how good it felt to be in near him. I haven’t figured out until now how I’ve missed, that someone would keep me close. That he would keep close…
She turned to look at Inuyasha, who was pale with his head down, looking unwell. Kagome began to worry as she felt, that Inuyasha was shaking.
Inuyasha tried to calm down himself, which was not easy, as he went through a horror scenario in his head. What would have happened, if the command had been fulfilled with Kagome near me? She could have -
“Inuyasha?” Kagome said touching his arm and he raised his head.
“Hey, I-I’ll stay, don’t worry”, Kagome said quietly and although Inuyasha saw concern on her face, for some strange reason, it just reassured him.
“Kagome, do you realize this could have ended really bad way??” Inuyasha asked, grabbing her tightly by the shoulders, his eyes looking scared.
“I would have crushed you under me, if the command had been fulfilled. I really didn’t know, if I had time enough, but I had to try to stop you…” Inuyasha said before he went silent and let his hands fall down.
Inuyasha… Oh dear, what was I causing just now! Kagome felt, how cold shivers passed through her. He must have used all his powers to stop the command being fulfilled…
“I’m so sorry… I-I didn’t understand at all -” Kagome’s eyes filled with tears as she finally understood the seriousness of the situation.
Inuyasha just shook his head and pulled that sobbing girl into a firm hug.
“I don’t know what I would have done if you had -” he said but couldn’t end his sentence.
“Inuyasha, I guess you just saved my life, thank you…” Kagome whispered.
Inuyasha felt Kagome’s warm breath on his neck. He embed his face in her hair, knowing that Kagome’s scent was something he would never forget.
Kagome didn’t know how long their hug had lasted, but she felt it calmed them both. Not knowing what Inuyasha still wanted to talk about, Kagome just was not sure, if she was able to hear what he had on his heart. But she could not leave, because that was the right place, where she had to be now.
Why couldn’t this have happened before, how good it feels to be like this… Inuyasha thought with his eyes closed, Kagome in his embrace. After a while, Kagome moved a little further and examined Inuyasha with her gaze.
“Are you okay?” He seems to be somehow himself again, I’m so glad… Kagome thought, when Inuyasha nodded in response.
“You?” he asked, noticing Kagome’s slightly pale face.
“I’m, but… Can I stay here, for a moment?” Kagome wanted to make sure, because she had just recently tried madly to go away from him.
Inuyasha was surprised, but he felt mere joy inside and the red color on his face might had revealed it to Kagome as well.
“Keh, as if I even would let you leave…” Inuyasha said without looking her in the eyes. You can stay as long as you want…
Kagome was relieved by the answer, making her feel more at ease. She decided to take a better position and touched Inuyasha’s hand as she took support from him.
“D-damn, you’re ice cold! Stupid, you should have said that you are freezing”, Inuyasha said, took off his red kimono and swing it around Kagome.
“No need to look at me like that. I do well without it, unlike you”, Inuyasha said as he placed kimono over Kagome, so that it also formed a hood on her head.
“Better?” he made sure, looking at her for a moment. That suits you well…
“T-thanks, I didn’t notice how chilly air already is”, Kagome said gratefully, but would not have wanted Inuyasha to get cold either. So warm, his warmth…
“I don’t want you to get sick. We don’t have time for that now”, Inuyasha said, took Kagome’s shaking hands between his and rubbed them to warm them up.
Kagome couldn’t do else than stare at their hands, feeling how the heat spread from the kimono and Inuyasha’s hands to her own body. Do best friends do - this? She thought and felt, how her heart was pounding faster.
“Kagome, it’s probably time for us to talk, about everything”, Inuyasha said after a silent moment, waking her up from her thoughts and releasing, reluctantly though, her hands.
Kagome knew that, what the end result would be, it remained to be seen later. After all, I can’t help it how I feel. The brain - or heart, let’s do this.
“All right”, she said and hid now her warm hands under the kimono, trying to stay calm.
Inuyasha was thinking hard and tried to put his word right. He didn’t want to ruin this, but he knew he could do it all too well. Just don’t back down now, man! Inuyasha encouraged himself. The ears on top of this head sank a few inches down, as did his gaze.
“Kagome, I want to apologize for what stupid things I have ever done along our way. Even now and before at the village I just made you angry, I guess I always say the wrong things or things wrong. And I guess sometimes I was blind to see, what was happening around me. However, sometimes you haven’t treated me so kindly either. I mean, I think I have suffered a few sit-commands, even when I have been certainly innocent…” Inuyasha said.
Wow, he really started… Kagome was puzzled by Inuyasha’s flood of speech. She agreed but was still silent.
“On the other hand, when you think about it… In those situations, it may have been slightly my own fault too…” he muttered and grope his hair nervously with his hand.
Kagome listened and stroked the kimono in her hands. She was little amazed as he behaved like that. Who are you and where have you hidden my grumpy friend? She couldn’t help but think. At least you can’t be Shippo, his fluffy tail would have exposed him a long time ago.
“But… That one time, I felt like I had done something really bad, when you said you hated me. It felt… Damn it, it felt like a knife blow to the back!” he sighed. Or rather to the heart…
“And I would never want you to feel that way about me. It seems like - somehow I can’t forget it”, Inuyasha remembered the words Kagome said at the time, and they still seemed to cut deep.
Kagome looked up. It feels miserable to see him like that… Inuyasha must have seriously thought about these things, as they still bother him.
Inuyasha fell silent, but when he noticed Kagome’s staring, he looked at her.
“What now, did I say something strange?” he asked, seeming to soon lose his self-control.
Kagome shook her head quickly and continued reassuringly.
“No, you didn’t, I just got little sad about your words. I really didn’t know you were still thinking about the past like that. Oh and - I forgive you”, Kagome said smiling and put her hand on Inuyasha’s hand.
“I’m sorry, Inuyasha”, she continued, looking into his eyes and really meaning it.
“I don’t hate you. I wouldn’t even be able to do it, no matter how mean you were to me. And no, thankfully, you’re no longer as mean towards me, as you were in the early days”, Kagome continued quickly, when she noticed, that Inuyasha was preparing to rise to defend himself.
“I just couldn’t imagine that we would be here like this, after you tried to kill me and take the Shikon jewel”, she said, but smiling.
I’m not that mean anymore, am I? Inuyasha thought and was ready to throw his protest, but seeing how Kagome smiled to him, he couldn’t help but melt into smile himself too. She doesn’t hate me, how hearing it can feel so liberating…
“Hey, I wasn’t really trying to… Look who’s talking, I’ve been a few times the target of your arrows, remember?” Inuyasha said and raised his finger in front of Kagome’s nose.
Kagome touched gently Inuyasha’s cheek, making him look at her little confused.
“But I didn’t seem to be my real self in those situations, right?” Kagome looked at him, smiling sideways.
Inuyasha didn’t found no more defensive words and lowered his hand. Kagome knew him somehow all too well already, which he felt kind of strange, but in a good way.
“I didn’t know you then. You were a bit like an enemy, in your strange clothes. All I had was confused, betrayed feeling when you woke me up from the curse. All that bad what had happened, it felt like, it had just happened day before or something. I didn’t know about anything else. The villagers were immediately bugging me as well…” Inuyasha muttered. And I didn’t know yet, that I want to get to know you thoroughly…
“I understand. And it didn’t take long time, when on the second moment you tried to block the well with the stone, so I wouldn’t get back home anymore. And on the second, you forcibly pushed me to the well and blocked it, so I wouldn’t be able to return anymore. Because you wanted to protect me, right? And now… The well always seems to bring us together somehow”, Kagome said smiling.
While looking into Inuyasha’s eyes, she surprised herself wondering, how much she likes them. Especially when his gaze is as calm as it is now, even gentle. Often when she had only seen those eyes flashing like lightning, from anger or something else. I just want you to be happy… Kagome lowered shyly her gaze, as she awoke from her thoughts.
“When I said that thing to you, I was just so upset back then, for too many reasons. And I couldn’t stop myself, so I just threw all my bad stuff towards your face. It was wrong and I guess, I hated more myself a little. I stayed because I wanted to, it was my own choice and you let me stay. I just - couldn’t imagine how much it would… Forget it, it doesn’t matter anymore. Maybe at times I felt like you tolerated my presence, just because I was able to see the Shikon shards. To be honest, I was afraid I had made a mistake by staying - just for a little while. Not really knowing at all, what I’m to you and -“ Kagome explained.
Inuyasha listened intently, until he felt that he had to interrupt her. He suddenly grabbed Kagome by the hand, and it made her to look up at him.
“Ka-gome, even though at times you can be really reckless, intractable and insanely challenging… And… And even sometimes it may seem like we’re almost just strangling each other, I still don’t want to lose you because of any silly quarrel. Do you even understand, how much I care about you?” he said very seriously. And how damn hard it has been to admit it…
“Eh, I…” What exactly is going on here? Kagome thought, feeling like her heart would have forget a few beats. I care about you too, but…
“And no, it definitely wasn’t a mistake that you stayed. You haven’t been with me just because you see the Shikon shards, you’re with me because… I wouldn’t have survived this far without you by my side, you have to know that. Also considering others; Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, you are very important to them too - a friend”, Inuyasha looked Kagome’s hand in his as he spoke, and she listened quietly.
“Though, the worst thing about this trip has been almost losing you, more than once. To see, how you have got been hurt… It’s been hard, especially if I haven’t been able to help in any way”, Inuyasha continued more gently and Kagome noticed, that he was going through different emotional states.
“Especially when I saw you three; you, Sango and Miroku lifeless, as Shippo told me that none of you were no longer breathing… And hear that awful silence, when I didn’t hear your heartbeats anymore. I remembered how you once taught us how to find a pulse in a hand or neck. I couldn’t even try it, because I already knew, it wouldn’t be found no longer from any of you…
I felt like I had lost the reason to continue our journey. I also felt like I was gradually being left alone again in my own little, beneath me friable world and that was my own fault. I have often wondered, how I would ever be able to return to your time, carry your lifeless body and face your grief-stricken family…” Inuyasha spoke quietly and was silent for a moment.
Kagome watched him with teary eyes. Inuyasha really cares, he does take care of us - all the time… She thought, when he continued.
“I have seen it in my nightmares, felted that heavy guilt and it has slowly torn me into pieces. Hearing Koga’s words over and over again, what he said when he realized, that you had been in great danger because of me. How cold your hands were, how your before so red as cherry blossoms cheeks were so pale… How he would never have let that happen to you. The truth is, that because of me you’ve been in danger so often, that it’s a miracle that you’re still here. And I’m so grateful, that you are”, Inuyasha said and wiped Kagome’s tears from her cheeks. My miracle…
“But we got you all back, thanks to Myoga flea, who removed the miasma. And I do hope, that we are together all the way and beyond. I will protect you with my life, as I promised. So, I forgive you”, Inuyasha stopped speaking and looked into her eyes, squeezing Kagome’s hand gently in his hand.
“Thank you, Inuyasha…” Kagome nodded slowly to him, thinking about everything she had just heard.
Inuyasha just realized to release Kagome’s hand and acted, like he was going to scratch his ear. When she didn’t say anything for a moment, Inuyasha began to be a little impatient.
“Well, are you even a little happy now?” Inuyasha asked and his eyes twinkled of the enthusiasm he felt.
“Hm?” Kagome gave him a questioning look.
“Well, when I talked to you like this before, told you about my feelings and thoughts… You once said, that it makes you happy and that - I’m not alone…” Dang it, what’s with the face? Did I just make you sadder…? Inuyasha thought as he looked at her concerned.
She smiled at Inuyasha a little, nodding, for she was happy to hear Inuyasha’s thoughts. They had had far too little time to talk to each other in private. Kagome just felt like all the emotions were somehow knotted together inside her, not being able to distinguish those from each other properly anymore.
Hmph. Something here is still not right, woman! Inuyasha thought and looked at her with suspicion. You’re too quiet, you’re never speechless… At least not for this long.
Kagome considered for a long time, whether she would dare to ask, what had been on her mind for a while. Well, once we’re now opening up our thoughts… She sighed deeply and determined to dare.
“Inuyasha…” Kagome started and felt, how the painful piece already rose to her throat.
Inuyasha’s expression brightened for a moment, but then very suddenly changed to another, seeing Kagome’s face as she continued. Why does she look like that…? Did I do something wrong?
“I guess you still see only Kikyo in me, like before… Do you see her when I sometimes dress like miko? You couldn’t even look at me then… And do I smell like her and just because of that, you think - that you care about me? I know, I’m useless now, because my powers are gone, but… I have tried to say in a million times, that I’m Kag -” Kagome finally cried out with a voice, that wasn’t recognizable when it cracked, no matter how she tried to sound convincing.
This can’t be true… How I haven’t noticed this before, that she still thinks…! Inuyasha thought in shock and shook his head as he listened to her.
“Just hear me now and well!” Inuyasha interrupted, grabbed tightly from her upper arms and forced her to look himself in the eyes.
Kagome looked broken and it hurt Inuyasha like hell. It’s my fault, that you are still feeling like that… He growled in his mind.
“When I look at you, what I see is just yourself, whatever you are wearing”, he replied firmly.
“You never, ever have to think about such things again!” Inuyasha said but began to feel hopeless. How in the world will I convince you? At first, I did see the features of Kikyo, but soon I learned to see you only as your own self and it’s just a good thing.
“Kagome, you have your own heart to take care of and that belongs only to you. And you smell only and alone just from yourself - damn good, do you understand, Ka-go-me?” Inuyasha said softly, smiling encouragingly and meaning every word.
He relaxed his grip, hoping that Kagome would finally believe him.
She tried to calm down, as her heart pounded in her chest so hard, that she was already little bit afraid for it. Damn good? He likes my scent… Kagome felt blushing completely. Does it feel like this, when you’re happy as can be? When you just want to scream for joy?
The fear inside her seemed to fade away. The times had been very demanding no matter in which time she was, so she didn’t properly remember, when was the last time, that she had felt as good as now. She couldn’t help but think, how adorable Inuyasha looked right now, how beautifully he spoke to her. A tear fell on Kagome’s cheek before he had time to stop it. Inuyasha noticed it and took the tear on his finger.
“Hey, no more these, okay? I have seen those small pearls of yours so very often, aren’t they ever gonna stop hurting you?” Inuyasha asked little sadly.
Kagome landed now completely near to Inuyasha, pressing her ear against his chest. Inuyasha’s breathing was blocked for a short moment, but he soon gave in to the familiar feeling of joy. He puts his arms around Kagome. It feels so good, when Kagome is close like this… Does she feel the same…?
“They don’t always hurt. Sometimes it’s the opposite, like now”, she explained closing her eyes.
She heard Inuyasha’s heartbeat, which was unusually agitated, but he still seemed calm on the outside. Maybe it’s some hanyōthing… Kagome thought as Inuyasha stroked her hair, like his mother had sometimes done to calm him down.
“I bet my head as a pledge, that you’ve cried a lot less in your own time”, Inuyasha muttered. You’ve cried too many times because of me…
“Inuyasha… I’ve felted here, in your time, more than I have ever felt before anywhere - with you”, Kagome confessed, to herself too.
Inuyasha’s heart was beating faster than ever before, he couldn’t calm it down. Is this the right mood, of what Kagome has been talking about? At least that’s how it feels I think… Now. Or never. He thought, gathering courage. And I will sharpen my nails on everyone, who dares to spy on us! Inuyasha thought, glancing around them, not noticing others nearby. Be a man, do it!
“Kagome - I can’t say if there was something between us…” Keh, is there even any ambiguity in it… Inuyasha paused and continued slowly.
“But I hope you don’t mind, when I make sure, that there’s definitely something between us…”
Kagome rose carefully from Inuyasha’s embrace and looked at him without believing her ears.
“You, what…?” she asked, even there really wasn’t nothing ambiguous in Inuyasha’s deep gaze, with which he shackled her.
Inuyasha pulled Kagome gently a little closer to him. He wants to kiss me - still… She thought, knowing her answer, and met Inuyasha’s lips with her own. And I want to kiss him.
Inuyasha was afraid, that soon he would wake up from a dream, the best dream ever. Dear Kagome, my Kagome… He couldn’t believe, that he had finally dared to show his feelings again like this. And even less, how Kagome responded to those.
“Inuyasha, I…” Kagome began and retreating from him a little, she lowered her head shyly as thoughts crisscrossed in her mind.
“Your answer might be ‘I don’t mind’, right?” Inuyasha asked happily, looking at her with his head slightly tilted.
Kagome smiled and her answer could be seen from her face, even miles away.
“But oh no, more than just my best friend, that sadly wasn’t enough for that yet…” Inuyasha said hoarsely, looking into her eyes.
They are - sparkling! He smiled happily, as he slid his hand into nape of Kagome’s neck, caressing it and pulling her into another kiss.
Inuyasha’s touch was driving Kagome crazy. I’ve never been kissed like this before… She felt that kind of sensation in bottom of her stomach, that made her want to get more closer to him.
Kagome wrapped gently her arms around Inuyasha’s neck, and he didn’t resist at all, but pulled her closer to himself.
As the kiss became more demanding, Kagome felt Inuyasha’s sharp fang touching her tongue, making her draw breath a little.
“Sorry -” Inuyasha said, as smiling Kagome shook her head silencing him, continuing the kiss. I try to be careful, I don’t want to bite you unintentionally…
Neither of them had not felt such a feeling before, neither would not want to stop. Not now, when the other was finally there - near, for each other.
But Inuyasha had to do so. He looked at Kagome while stroking her back.
“When your family… Eh… Interrupted us last time, at your home…” he tried to speak.
“Yes?” Kagome asked, she had cursed that moment in her mind so many times.
“I hoped so much back then, that Sota wouldn’t have appeared at the door of your room. Because I didn’t have no idea, how would I ever dare to do that again”, Inuyasha continued.
“It’s good that you dared now, and I didn’t mind at all”, Kagome said as a smile spread across her face.
I never want to forget this moment, you… Kagome said in her mind, resting her forehead against his.
“Are you going back home?” Inuyasha asked quietly.
Are you crazy, after a kiss like that? Kagome thought.
“Not yet, but tomorrow I have to go back. I only came to pick up my schoolbook, which I forgot last time, but time goes by so fast on this side… But I’ll be right back, as soon as entrance exams are over. We have things like Naraku and Shikon jewel to take care of, so we still have a long way to go. By the way, we should probably return to others, they may already be worried”, Kagome said. Though I would have liked to stay right here, even forever… She thought and wanted to remember everything from that moment.
“Yeah, we should go back. But I just want to say, you will get your powers back, I’m sure of it. Don’t worry about that, okay?” Inuyasha said to her.
“I really hope so. Inuyasha, would we still keep this as a secret?” she proposed.
Inuyasha nodded, as thinking the same thing. Although it might probably be somewhat difficult to hide my feelings anymore, after now when I have already revealed those…
“It’s agreed then”, Inuyasha replied, agilely rising from the ground and holding Kagome still in his arms.
“Do you want a ride?” he asked, kissing her one more time.
Kagome nodded with a smile, when Inuyasha gently lowered her to the ground and she jumped on his back. Feeling the warmth of Inuyasha against herself and the cool breeze on her face, as they ran through the forest towards the village, she felt a good feeling that totally filled her; happiness.
*****
Kagome opens her eyes and gets up to sit on the bench, slightly trembling. She is surprised, how the memories feel still fresh, even after those years.
A tear drops down from her cheek to her lap, but she finds herself smiling. I was so happy back then.Inuyasha not only wanted to protect me, he felt something much more towards me. But how was it supposed to end like that…
However, since that evening, as their gazes met, they both felt a longing close to each other. When they passed each other, their hands could only touch for a few seconds, but that was enough to make their hearts pound faster. On a few rare times, Inuyasha had unexpectedly hugged her, when they were hidden from the gaze of others, for even a tiny moment. Those little things, how big they were in those moments…
Kagome wakes up from her thoughts to look up at a bird, which rises on its wings from a branch of an old tree.
“I miss you, Inuyasha, wherever you are”, she puts her arms around her and whispers to the morning.
…To be continued…
A/N: That’s was it, hopefully you liked! On next week I’ll take a nap on a surgery table, so I’m not sure when I’ll be able to post chapter 4. But hopefully everything goes fine and that day will come sooner or later! Again, Kagome and Inuyasha shared their memories, each in their own minds, in their own time. That’s why there are perspectives on both points of view in the memory part. Just for clarification, why it’s like that. Take care and please, leave a word or two, what did you like about this chapter! Thank you for reading. ♡
Here’s the second chapter, it’s all yours! :) Hope you like it! Oh, you really should listen Inuyasha soundtracks, when you are reading this story. Those are so good!
Chapter 2 - Memories from somewhere far away
Kagome cannot help it, sometimes she just has to let her memories to be heard, no matter how painful it is. At one point, she realized she had to try to learn to cherish her memories. They did not stay in her mind just for fun. How could I ever forget? Every place is reminiscent of Inuyasha, even the market where we went together… Kagome had to avoid that place too for some time. It has been difficult for her to protect herself from crushing memories, but gradually it succeeded. Until now, when Kagome’s mind fills up for a long time with questions, to which she has not dared to think of answers.
Has Inuyasha forgotten me, went on in his life? Did he ever think, that our time together might be coming to an end? Is everyone alright there? Did Sango and Miroku get married? Shippo and Kirara, how I would love to hug you both now. I miss you; I miss you all so terribly! Sota misses you too, Inuyasha, but he doesn’t say it out loud, because he’s afraid that he would hurt me… Kagome just sees it from him every now and then and when she hugs him wordlessly, Sota understands.
Suddenly, memories - good and more painful ones - makes a return to Kagome’s mind, as if someone had opened the huge gate, that protected them. Kagome has tried to push certain memories, especially those which were like one big monster, somewhere very far from her mind. But now they seem like to suffocate her, unless she will release them. She can’t help but give up.
Kagome remembers the moment, when after surviving the attack of the centipede demon, she got up from the well and ended up in the woods. Thinking that she had found the Holy Tree and her home yard, but then she saw a boy, Inuyasha, nailed to the tree with an arrow. She remembers rubbing his dog’s ears, totally unable to resist the temptation. Such ears… Those doesn’t belong to a human. She remembers thinking, waking up from her thoughts only, when the villagers shot them with arrows.
Suddenly Kagome does wince and almost drops her tea mug. She now realizes that she actually instinctively protected Inuyasha from the arrows of the villagers, by throwing herself in front of him, without even considering that she could be hit by herself. I could have jumped to the ground for being safe or something, but for some reason I didn’t do it… She wonders.
“Thanks for that, you were just trying to kill me,” Kagome says sadly.
But Inuyasha took very good care of me too… Kagome is thinking and smiles a little for her memories. When this got sick at the Feudal era and she returned home, Inuyasha followed her. He prepared medicine for her using his mother’s prescription and kept watch at night, that Kagome was able to sleep. And he didn’t even get a jealousy attack, even though Hojo was here… Maybe he was more focused on thinking about ways to get me in better shape.
Inuyasha often called her an idiot, and yet at times he behaved like one, however, he remained by her side in such moments, helping to the best of his ability. Like she was doing same for Inuyasha, there was no doubt about it.
In Kagome’s mind is now a very distant memory, of how Inuyasha was not at first allowing her to go back to her own time, when she wanted to and tried to block (or destroy) the well with a large rock. Kagome became enraged and repeatedly used the sit -command on Inuyasha, so that he tumbled to the ground and the heavily stone striked to his back. Later, a mask demon attacked Kagome and Sota, but Inuyasha rescued them by destroying the demon. However, Inuyasha was really offended about what happened with the stone and rudely refused to help them, before apologizing. As dawn came, before Kagome left for school, she vowed Inuyasha to go his own time and so he did - for a moment.
When Kagome came home from school, she found Inuyasha from her room, who was sitting on the bed while Buyo was sleeping next to him. At first Kagome was angry, because she knew how impossible it was to study while he was around. Inuyasha got bored insanely fast, if he didn’t come up with anything to do, and Kagome didn’t always have time to keep him company. Fortunately, Sota helped her sometimes with that, but now he was not home yet.
“You! Why are you here? I’m not coming back yet, you know -” Kagome asked, dropping her backpack from her shoulder to the floor.
Soon, however, she saw that he was not okay. Inuyasha sat unanswered with his ears down, holding his side while his face distorted in pain.
“Inuyasha, what’s wrong with you?” Kagome asked, sat down next to Inuyasha, while concern swept over her when seeing him like this.
“Back”, grumpy hanyō growled, looking accusingly at Kagome. I hope I didn’t come here for nothing… What if she doesn’t want to help? Inuyasha thought somehow worried.
“Oh no - still? It seems to get a bad hit then…” Kagome muttered nervously, feeling a small sting of guilt. Somehow, it’s weird… Inuyasha often gets worse hits with demons, as those wounds healed very quickly. But now one stone cause such terrible pain? She wondered, without daring to inquire about the matter any further.
“Why didn’t you show it to Kaede? She would surely have found the right herbs for your pains -”
“As if I would show anything to that old hag! Hngh… Stop nagging and do something!” Inuyasha groaned in pain.
“Well, once you ask so kindly…” Kagome said in a sarcastic tone, sighing deeply.
“Take off your clothes”, Kagome ordered.
“Shirts, I mean”, she clarified quickly, seeing Inuyasha’s look.
Inuyasha then nodded quickly and put his Tessaiga sword from his lap to the floor, to lean on the bedside table. He turned his back and began to carefully take off his kimono. To his surprise, he felt Kagome helping him, her noticing that every move seemed to hurt him.
“Thanks…” Inuyasha said quietly. Damn, even just this feels painful…
After Inuyasha got his shirt off too, Kagome saw many big bruises on his pale back, but some of them were already healing. However, the sight gripped Kagome’s stomach kind of nasty way, because Inuyasha’s back was looking as if this had gotten beated badly.
“I’m sorry…” Kagome said quietly, touching his back lightly with her fingertips.
“Well now you sounded more, like you really meant it too. Last time you didn’t really convince me”, Inuyasha muttered and shuddered slightly, when he felt her gently touch on his back.
“Hey, do you even realize, that you were going to break the well permanently?!” this made Kagome flicker angrily and crossing her arms.
“How did you imagine me getting back to my own time without the well, huh? Here, back into my own life?? It’s little bit hard to apologize anything after that! Fine, I’m not making you sit under a stone or anything else anymore, but you can’t assume -”
“Okay okay, I understood!” Inuyasha interrupted, turning around and nailing his golden-yellow gaze at Kagome.
“Maybe I overreacted just a little bit, but what else should I do, when you always leave at the wrong time! We have to look for Shikon shards, but you seem to always have something hell more important here -“
“I would probably have stayed there for the rest of my life, if the well had broken!” Kagome tries to make him see, how serious the situation was.
“It doesn’t sound so bad though…” Inuyasha muttered, no longer looking at her. Damn, what I’m saying?!
“What…?” Kagome stared at him for a moment wondering, if she had heard wrong.
“It wouldn’t have broken down so badly”, Inuyasha said now louder.
It was as if you had said something completely different… Kagome was still wondering in her mind.
“Inuyasha, I also have to go to school here or I’ll get kicked out from there! My future depends on it, it’s very important to me. When will you understand that?” Kagome huffed, shaking her head slowly.
Seeing Kagome’s face like that, Inuyasha understood not to be so stubborn, if he wanted help from her now.
“Maybe I’ll try it now”, Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders and turns his back again to Kagome, leaving her there with open mouth for a moment. As long as you don’t kick me out, but help me…
“I don’t know if massaging would help or would it only make it worse…” Kagome did wonder out loud, while she also decided to let the dust settle and focus on caring his back.
“Try”, Inuyasha decided on her behalf.
“Lay down, it’s easier that way”, Kagome instructed, and he obeyed lowering his head on Kagome’s pillow.
“You say right away if it hurts too much, is that clear?” Kagome adjured and Inuyasha mumbled approvingly, while Buyo took a new sleeping place next to his feet.
She moved closer to him, moving Inuyasha’s long, silver-white hair aside and gently pressed his back searching painful spots. The bruises gave a good clue about those, but it was also easy to find those because of the noises, he made. At least his shoulders are little tight, no wonder though... Kagome noticed as she used more force.
How can it feel so… Kagome’s hands, her sweet scent in this soft… I guess I’ve never been able to relax like this before… Inuyasha was thinking somewhat sleepy.
“Does this relieve any of your pain?” Kagome asked after a moment.
“Mm-mh…” was the only answer Inuyasha, who had closed his eyes, gave her.
Did he fall asleep? He at least seems to trust me a little bit more now… Kagome thought, and couldn’t help but smile. Inuyasha seemed to relax moment by moment, making Kagome’s job easier. I didn’t want to cause you such a pain like this, but why you have to be so stubborn… Otherwise, I would now be wondering by the remains of the well, how to get back home. Kagome thought, then getting an idea. Hmm, would I dare try that to him… Yes, it might really help!
“Inuyasha, I’ll be right back. Just wait here, quietly.”
“Mm…” answer came from the pillow again.
I guess he’s somehow awake. Kagome smiled, then headed to the bathroom. She took a mint green tube from the mirror cabinet and returned to her room. Kagome carefully sat back next to Inuyasha and opened the tube. Buyo woke up fast like a flash and its horrified look told, what that thought about the smell. The cat jumped to the floor and found safer place from Kagome’s chair. At the same time, Inuyasha woke up too.
“What the hell stinks so strongly?! It burns my eyes!” he rose suddenly to sit, stared at her with narrowed eyes wondering, what she was doing.
“I’ll put you a cold gel, it will relieve the pain. But its effect may seem a little strange to you at first, I just warn you”, Kagome gently let Inuyasha smell the open tube and his reaction was reminiscent of Buyo’s reaction, which couldn’t stand the smell of menthol either.
“You’re trying to poison me with that stuff, just admit it!” Inuyasha argued holding his nose and retreated next to the wall on the bed, kicking with his feet. Just when I was about to trust her…!
“This isn’t poison, you fool. Just watch…” Kagome said and put some gel on her own hand, while Inuyasha was about to attack to stop her.
Crazy woman… How dare you put that anywhere near your skin?! Inuyasha thought, glancing eyes wide at Kagome, then stared fixedly at her hand, as if waiting for the skin to corrode.
They both just waited for a moment and while still nothing significant happened to her hand, Inuyasha pondered his options. He moved back to Kagome’s side and pushed his hand to her.
“On your own risk, woman,” he said, while Kagome just nodded smiling, applied gel to a small area on his hand and waited for the gel’s and Inuyasha’s reaction.
Inuyasha stared at his hand, tapping his knee with his fingernails. With an impatient nature of his, he was already asking, what they were actually waiting for. Until…
“Gaaah! What…! What…? It feels - cold… No, burning?!” Inuyasha was panicky for a moment, until he somehow restrained himself and sniffed his hand, then he was about to taste it too.
“No! You can’t do that!” Kagome grabbed his hand at the last minute, trying to pull it out of Inuyasha’s reach, but accidentally pulling the whole patient closer to herself.
Clearly not… Inuyasha thought looking at their hands and then Kagome, while his tongue was already out of his mouth just a little bit.
“You really shouldn’t put that thing in your mouth, it would hardly even taste good…” Kagome said, then released Inuyasha’s hand in a quick motion and retreated a little further away from him, while her cheeks flushed.
How can he look sometimes so… And why I’m blushing?? My thoughts are wandering far too much now… That’s Inuyasha, wake up woman! Kagome thought and felt how her hands was getting sweaty. She closed her eyes tightly for a tiny moment.
“Just trust me now. Turn around”, Kagome ordered again to avoid Inuyasha’s gaze.
What just - happened? Inuyasha thought, when Kagome’s look somehow disturbed him. He nodded slowly and turned his back somewhat reluctantly. He grabbed Kagome’s pillow in his arms feeling a little excited and gave her a permission to apply that substance called gel, to his back.
Kagome continued her work again and Inuyasha was remaining silent. I really hope this helps you… She thought watching the bruises, while cold gel cooled her fingertips.
It was secretly fun for Kagome to follow, how Inuyasha was squirming and twisting, when he tried to understand what he was feeling in his body at that moment, as the gold gel began to seem to gradually show reactions here and there on his skin.
This feels somehow different than before. As if her touch would burn… But it doesn’t hurt, but quite the opposite. Funny feeling… Inuyasha thought, staring at the cork board hanging on the wall in front of him.
“It’s ready”, Kagome snorted as she closed the tube.
Oh… Already now? Inuyasha found himself thinking.
“Such a strange poison… That - actually helps”, he said after a moment looking relieved, when he peeked over his shoulder.
For some reason Kagome felt blushing again. She felt good while she helped, and the fact that Inuyasha took help from her, she felt like the direction was right.
“You’re welcome… Still, don’t mess with it too much now. Give it some time to heal”, Kagome advised as she got out of the bed, while Inuyasha was wearing his light shirt.
“Keh, let’s hope then there won’t be any surprises on the way home. You wouldn’t - come along already?” Inuyasha suggested from the windowsill, after grabbing his Tessaiga from the floor, though he already knows her answer.
“Not yet, I have to pack and -“
“Well, as long as you will return soon!”
Kagome watched, how Inuyasha leaped into the invisible. And he’s gone again… Well, let’s hurry up then!
She decided to take a bath and then pack her yellow backpack. The backpack became a little too heavy from schoolbooks and other necessities, as usual. Kagome said quickly goodbyes to her grandfather and mother before stepping out the door, then colliding with Sota.
“Bye then, Sota,” Kagome said to him, without stopping her way.
“Sister, isn’t there too much stuff? Are you leaving again?” the boy asked, when he saw her weighing a backpack.
“A girl can’t travel by empty-handed. You never know, what you’ll need there”, she justified.
“Okay, by the way I already saw -“
*CRASH*
“…Inuyasha”, Sota ended his sentence after Inuyasha interrupted him, as if he would have fallen from the sky.
“What are you doing there??” Kagome breathes in fright, as the silver head crashes on her backpack.
“Dumb head…” Inuyasha said, grabbed Kagome’s backpack on his shoulder and headed for the shrine.
“Let’s go already!” Inuyasha said bustling, but stopped abruptly his way and turned to stare at Kagome.
“Oi - you didn’t happen to pack that poison -“
“Oh that, I have it”, Kagome smiled at him, patted her backpack, knowing her travel company was talking about the cold gel and Inuyasha also nodded with a smile.
At least he waited, but here…? He really carries my backpack… His back also seems to be much better. Kagome thought contentedly, following him to a new adventure, forgetting everything else for a moment.
He finally started to trust me, even just a little… She thinks while lifting her tea mug to her lips, remembering how difficult the start was with Inuyasha, but how she decided not to give up on him. No matter what. How she was able to do that, she does not know even herself. How long a human can miss someone? The rest of this life, or is it possible to get used to it somehow? At least I’m not used to it yet, if I ever will… Kagome stares at the bottom of an empty mug in her thoughts.
Kagome wonders, how her nerves burned with Inuyasha’s overflowing jealousy because of Koga, however, usually enduring it somehow during their clashes.
It was kind of sweet to be jealous of me, but… Did he take me as for granted? It just felt like it at times… He immediately ran to Kikyo, if he got her scent somewhere nearby. As I turned like into air to him.Until she didn’t show up for a while. Or did I just imagine it?But even Koga noticed it and that too, how I felt when Inuyasha did that… And Inuyasha also just wondered, why I was so tense somehow after those times.
I couldn’t help it… And when someone showed some signs of interest in me, he got pissed, even though I did nothing. As if I were just his property. You - you selfish…! Urgh… I’m not some rag doll to play with, just when he or anyone else wants! But he couldn’t help it either. That’s just the way he is; always trying to save everyone, even if it’s impossible… Kagome thinks feeling little bit sad and how her pulse is rising, but then calming herself down.
Eventually, something just snapped in her head and she could not help, but explode right into Inuyasha’s face, that he can’t take her for granted. And that he always disappeared into his own little world, when he heard about Kikyo. Inuyasha did not notice any signs of danger in the air, as he said wrong things at that moment and angry Kagome used the sit command on him several times. But saying it out loud seemed to purify the air - at least for a brief moment.
However, even before that, Kagome’s heart went totally broken, when she found Inuyasha and Kikyo together in the forest, knowing Inuyasha had made his choice - and it was not Kagome. When he was ready to say goodbye for good, to focus on protecting Kikyo. However, she was not ready to hear it yet, so she went back to her own time. Kagome then realized, why she couldn’t just let it be; would return Shikon’s shards and return home, permanently. She finally realized, that she loves Inuyasha.
I didn’t meet him by chance. I couldn’t have abandoned him, no matter how many knife blows my own heart would have felt… Kagome wonders, until she suddenly covers her mouth with her hand and collapses into an almost silent cry. Why does the heart remember this same pain so well even now, over and over again? Is that why it feels, like my heart is little bit tilted? It just hasn’t forgotten yet…
Kagome lowers an empty mug to the ground and lies down on a bench. She crosses her hands on her stomach, trying to calm down. It’s all gone by now and behind, has been already a long time. It would finally be a good time, to forget all the bad… She looks at the tops of the tree and tries to get her thoughts in a more positive direction.
…To be continued…
So, now you have second chapter. Kagome and Inuyasha shared their memories, each in their own minds, in their own time. That’s why there are perspectives on both points of view in the memory part. Just for clarification, why it’s like that. :) Have a great week!
This is my very first Inuyasha fanfic, so please, be nice! ^^ I discovered Inuyasha in March-April 2020 and I fell in love with it completely. If you can find any mistakes etc. from my fanfic, please, be kind and tell me, so I can fix those! My English skills are not as good as I would like them to be, so sorry about that! I just don’t have anyone, who could read through and check my texts for me. But hopefully you readers get my point from it and can follow the story! Wonderful Rumiko Takahashi owns the characters/story, whose life I continued with my own, special color pen. Enjoy!
When Your Heart Makes a Wish
Old, hidden well. It is waiting, hearing the wish of the heart. Remembering. When there is only memories left. Those memories, that only someone special can share with you. Regardless of time or place. Another wish has been made too, hesitantly. Without daring to hope for, what the heart wants most. But that’s enough. The well is not alone - someone is running towards it. Fast, like it is about life or death. Opens the doors, runs down the stairs, stops and jumps without hesitating at all. Wishing…
“I need to see him. Please, let me go to him!”
The light flow glows from the depths of the well. But something is not right there. That old well knows the wishes, without knowing theirs destiny.
Chapter 1 - After all these years
Kagome is enchanted while she is looking at the night sky at her home yard on temple square. Wondering, how the stars are shining so brightly there. They had never appeared like this in her time before, because the light pollution too skillfully concealing its beauty. But now they shine as if the lights of the whole city had gone out.
“A shooting star… Second one, and third!” a young woman breathes in enchantment.
Stars are falling above her, like little diamonds. The sight is so dumbfounded, that Kagome does not even notice to make a wish. But the sight also makes her remember, how she loved falling asleep under the stars. If only I could share this sight… With him. She finds herself thinking.
Suddenly she hears it; the voice she heard coming from the sanctuary building, was so familiar, that it could not be mistaken. She had not heard it in years. Kagome runs as fast as she can, her long black hair fluttering and hearing how blood rushed in her ears. She opens the doors with hurry, runs down the stairs and jumps into the embrace of the old well. Kagome falls, but unexpectedly into someone’s arms at the bottom of the well. After surviving of the fright, Kagome bursts into a wide smile.
“Inuyasha, you got here! How this is possible??”, Kagome’s happy voice echoes from the walls of the well.
She drops down from Inuyasha’s arms and snaps herself around his neck, hugging firmly. Inuyasha hesitates for a little moment, then hugs back gently, until he hugs her harder than ever before. Kagome is very surprised, but at the same time rejoices, when Inuyasha hugs her so. You really are here… I can’t believe this! Kagome feels overwhelmed with happiness.
“I guess, you also missed me for a little bit?”, she asks, gently touching the other soft silver-white dog ear above Inuyasha’s head.
“Kagome…”, he only gets answered quietly.
“I-is everything alright?”, Kagome asks, when he is pretty quiet, just hugging her.
“I wanted to see you. You smell nice, I don’t want to let go of you…”, Inuyasha slurs into Kagome’s hair, sounding like he is half asleep.
“Then don’t…”, Kagome responds happily.
“Hey… I would like to be like this with you, no matter how long, but let’s go up. I want to show you something!”, Kagome says after a while, remembering the starry sky.
“No, I didn’t come to stay. I decided… I made my choice; I’m going to protect Kikyo. I choose hell, as she hopes for our destiny. I owe my life to her…”, Inuyasha says coldly.
Kagome blinks her eyes in disbelief and rips herself away from the hug. Something is not right…Kagome wonders.
“What on earth are you telling me? But she’s not -”, Kagome asks, examining Inuyasha’s calm face, him suddenly interrupting her.
“You stay here. I’m not going to see you again. Sorry…”, he mutters.
Kagome begins to get anxious without understanding, what Inuyasha is talking about. He still wants to follow Kikyo, even after everything we have gone through together? But Kikyo’s soul found peace years ago, she’s not in hell. What has happened in his time, while I have been here? She wonders feverishly, unable to stop the tears from coming anymore.
“I have missed you for years down to my heart roots, and now when you are finally here, you are only abandoning me, huh?!”, Inuyasha’s glazed gaze becomes frustrated as she looks at the upset woman.
“Stop that whining! I also needed these -”, Inuyasha says and shows a small glass jar in his hand, Shikon shards inside of it.
Kagome instinctively tries out the pocket of her green skirt, which really is empty.
“You scamp, did you hug me like that, just to get the Shikon shards from me?!”, she yells furiously at him, until she realizes something.
Wait a minute - Shikon jewel was intact and destroyed, then why did I still have those shards?Kagome is now even more confused.
“No, I didn’t… I really meant what I said, when I hugged you. I need to say goodbye to you, I don’t want to hurt you anymore. But I really don’t want you to hate me…”, Inuyasha speaks again, but softer, the expression on his face turning softer too.
“No… You can’t go, you don’t belong there!”, Kagome sticks in horror at Inuyasha’s red kimono, shaking this.
“How can you choose Kikyo? S-she tried to kill you - and me too! Don’t you care at all??”, she cries, like there is no end to her tears.
“Kikyo would never have done that to you, why are you fabricating such lies? This is already hard enough…”, Inuyasha replies little bit angrily.
He doesn’t believe me… Why can’t you believe me?! Kagome feels like she can’t breathe.
“It’s not love, if you take your beloved one with you to hell! You need to live, Inuyasha! You have friends here, who really care about you! And I… I love you!”, she tries to talk, but it is getting more difficult to do, so she buries her face in Inuyasha’s kimono, sobbing.
“S-stop it already! I had to choose! She needs me, my life belongs to her… You’ll be safe here - from me too!”, Inuyasha shouts, when his eyes and voice are now full of pain now, while his tears are falling from his cheeks into Kagome’s hair.
Inuyasha seems struggling to get his words said. He pushes the opposing Kagome further away from himself. Inuyasha begins to tremble slightly, while his hands are clenching into fists. Kagome is looking at him feeling a little fear in her, that a half demon would turn into a full demon at any moment. To her horror, his tears are turning red, blood.
Tears of blood, has the Flower Prince demon come back to life? Are you under his spell? Kagome wonders in panic, when she remembers the creepy encounter with the demon and how Inuyasha almost ended up following Kikyo through his sleep to the afterlife. She tries to wipe the blood off from Inuyasha’s face with the sleeves of her shirt, but the tears of blood won’t stop coming.
“We need you too here, you idiot! I won’t let her take you away! Don’t do this, please!”, Kagome begs, she didn’t want to lose Inuyasha again.
Inuyasha finally calms down. His long, silver-white hair is starting to turn black and his golden yellow eyes brown, as he becomes human. Like his fangs, long nails and dog ears disappearing as well. Inuyasha pushes shocked Kagome to her knees to the ground, takes off his kimono and swings it around Kagome, kneeling in front of her.
“Let it protect you, I failed at it. I hope you can forgive me someday. Goodbye, my beloved Kagome…”, he smiles sadly at Kagome while touching her cheek, gets up closing his eyes and disappears into the flames.
”INUYASHAA!”, Kagome screams his name in her distress, as much she is capable from crying, but in vain.
She feels how the flames are burning her too in a horrible way, she had never felt before. Kagome hears Kikyo’s laughter, the wicked one she had heard once before. In panic, Kagome beats the ground at the bottom of the well so violently, that the skin comes off her hands and blood begins to flow. She doesn’t care, she just lost Inuyasha again. And she will never see him again.
Kagome does not even realize, what forces make herself climb up the ladder up the well and the stairs of the sanctuary up to the empty home yard. She stops in the middle of the yard looking at the night sky, which is now completely black - starless. Tears well up in her eyes again. She is trudging to the Holy Tree and leans against it, like she would be praying for help from it in her pain. While she touches the bark of the tree, the blood of both of them sticks to it from her hands. Kagome sinks on the ground at the base of the tree, with her arms around her, closing her eyes. Hearing Inuyasha’s voice, his goodbyes echoing in her ears.
You said you will always be with me, Inuyasha… But I can’t feel you anymore.
The stars in Kagome’s sky had disappeared.
A New Day
Kagome wakes up in her own bed sweaty, gasping for breath and crying. Buyo the cat rolls off from her stomach to the floor, habitually jumps back and wraps himself around to the end of the bed, next to her feet. It has slept every night next to Kagome since her returning back home, as if he would be guardinging her sleep.
It was just a dream, a good, bad dream… Kagome thinks and feels somehow angry. She has seen very oppressive dreams of another time again recently, but this dream was definitely the one of the worst for a long time. Kagome gets up to sit on the edge of the bed, trying to calm herself down. She had not cried in her sleep for a long time either, probably for a couple of years. It is a disgusting way for her to wake up, but that was what had started to happen, when the well closed permanently.
“Happy birthday to you…”, Kagome mutters, wipes away the tears and starts to examine her hands.
She would not have been surprised, even if she had seen wounds in them. It was as real as a dream can be, like her hands were really on fire because of the pain. Suddenly Kagome startled while remembering a moment, when Inuyasha held her hand in the same room and almost kissed her.
“Where did that come from…?”, she wonders.
The longing that creeps into her mind, seems to grow into a big tsunami after a long time, which would drown her in an instant moment, if she gave the power to it. Kagome closes her eyes tightly for a moment and notices, that she is shaking. She glances at the alarm clock. It’s only five in the morning, but I know I won’t get any sleep now, even I would try. Kagome thinks.
Judging by the silence her mother, grandfather and little brother Sota are still in deep sleep. She gets up gently on her trembling legs and wears a warm, long pink coat. The cold open air greets her, as she opens the window of her room. Kagome’s gaze hits the dusty traces on the windowsill. She has not wanted to clean them out, although she has seriously considered it in her weak moments. However, she wants to keep at least something - a small piece of him. That guest with dusty toes, won’t come to visit us anymore… Without her notice, Kagome’s shoulders fall slightly lower.
She closes the window and decides to already make her bed. Then she goes quietly into the bathroom and stops in front of the mirror. Black fluffy hair seemed desperately need a tamer. Hair tresses can be seen here and there, sticking to her sweaty skin. Somewhat sad, crying-smeared blue eyes are looking back in the mirror. The sight makes Kagome feel even more miserable.
This will definitely be one of those days, when I should have just stayed under warm cover. Fortunately, these days have been really rare, then before… Kagome wonders. She washes her face with as cold water as possible and looks at her reflection in the mirror again.How on earth do I get the corners of my mouth turned up today, with tape maybe? She sighs deeply.
“Happy face, Kagome. Happy thoughts… Birthday. It’s something happy, isn’t it?”, she sees her reflection smiling and tries to trick herself into a better mood.
Everything’s fine, right? A smile will reach my eyes too, hopefully later. Kagome dries her face and decides to go down to the kitchen to make some tea. I could go enjoy it outdoors, fresh air would definitely do good for me… As the water boils, Kagome picks up her shoes from the hallway and thinks about her dream. Why are my dreams so real again, so damn distressing?
It has been three years since she returned home, permanently to her own time. The early days had been awful for her, like downright hell. It felt like the longing became more physical day by day. And even though she had felt many kinds of pain during her life, she had not even been able to prepare for such like it was. Like a poisonous miasma had left to gnaw in her veins.
She could not properly accept, that Inuyasha would no longer come to meet her, would lean against the doorstep of the sanctuary and greet her in his typical, sometimes rough way. With a smile, which had almost begun to take Kagome out of her feet, without her noticing. That dangerous thought of losing him, almost paralyzed her for a very long time. She could suddenly fall to her knees on the ground in the middle of the chores, without getting up by herself. Kagome wanted to yell his name, but in the end could no longer do so either. Somehow, she felt as if there were no longer stars in her night sky, only darkness remaining.
Dreams made sure, she would not forget Inuyasha even while sleeping. Thanks to her subconscious, where the memories also seemed to have etched. Nightmares turned into sleep paralysis in the worst of times. Sometimes Kagome saw Naraku beside her planning to suffocate her with a pillow, when on other nights Kikyo was threatening her life with an arrow, while Kagome was unable to defend herself in any way. She began to learn to wake herself from those, but the nightmares continued through the night and she just had to endure them.
Kagome has felt as if part of her had stayed at another time. She wondered if she would ever get it back, or if she would feel this way even decades from now. Family, friends, and a focus on school helped her go on with her life, as normally as she could. Still, something held Kagome in its grip and did not let her forget, even if it had been easier. She just was not feeling like herself anymore. She had to try to get her life back on track. To be brisk, to survive even somehow. Kagome began to push aside her memories of the past from her mind; of her friends - almost everything. She was unable to look at her suffering loved ones anymore, who were constantly terribly worried about her well-being. She really did not want to worry them indefinitely. Kagome prayed for strength from his father, both for herself and her loved ones, so that they could cope with her in those difficult times.
Kagome grabs her favorite tea mug from the closet’s shelf. She adds some honey to the tea and mixes it, while Buyo appears next to her and pushes gently her feet.
“Good morning, my chubby one. You better stay inside, it’s still pretty chilly outside”, Kagome squats to rub Buyo’s ears, sinking into her thoughts as the memory of happy Inuyasha playing on the floor with the cat surprises her.
“Just the person I was waiting for! Oi, Kagome!”
Kagome’s heart misses a beat. What - his voice… She shakes her head desperately, trying to get her thoughts back on track.Gosh…He did it again, sneaked into my thoughts, like stealth…
“Do you miss him too?”, Kagome asks from Buyo, who just stares at her, then winking his right eye.
Kagome gets up on her feet, slips the shoes to her feet and takes the tea mug with her. She steps out the door and inhales the peppermint-smelling steam, which is rising from her mug. The sun has already risen, the home yard is quiet except for the birds singing.
“Seems to be way too beautiful day coming, compared to my mood. On days like this, it should just pouring rain like crazy, with big water drops. And frogs…”, Kagome murmurs and closes the door behind her.
She wonders, if she really dares to be in such silence with her thoughts alone right now. Kagome nods, as if encouraging herself, and walks slowly forward across the home yard, as if only her feet were deciding where to go. She pauses for a moment her way and glances at the sanctuary, still clearly remembering her nightmare. Kagome now remembers after a long time that painful moment, when Inuyasha disappeared back into the well after their return. She had felt an almost similar wave of pain back then, when she realized, that the well would probably no longer work in either direction, because the Shikon jewel was destroyed, as she felt in her nightmare when Inuyasha disappeared into the flames.
So much was left unsaid… The swish of the leaves of the great Holy Tree, awakens her from her deep thoughts, while a little whirlwind sweeps Kagome’s hair on her face. She sits on a bench next to a tree, pulls her coat’s hood over her head and focuses on her tea, before it would be cold. Or at least she tries her best.
…To be continued…
Thank you for reading! This was just the beginning of their story. Leave a review, what’s on your mind. Thank you and stay safe! :) -Sinjata
Wonderful fan art by my lovely friend @audrieberrie who I commissioned these two pieces for her to do. Please give her a follow and support her art! Her twitter here!
❤❤❤
Kagome ran her fingers across the silky, smooth fabrics displayed on the rack, a large range of colors spreading across the large room for miles. She could get lost in here honestly, but being locked in a store filled with gorgeous dresses didn’t sound too bad. There was just way too many options to choose from, and since Kagome had no idea what kind of dress she even wanted it made shopping more difficult.
“Kagome, what about this one?” Sango’s voice called out from beside her. She was rummaging through another rack filled with yellow and orange dresses.
“You sure orange looks good on me?” Kagome asked with a wrinkled nose, “I know it’s the color of the season, but it doesn’t work on me.”
Her friend rolled her eyes and lifted the gown from the hook, carefully laying it over her forearm so it doesn’t wrinkle or touch the ground. “I think you look hot in any color, so at least try it on please? We’ve gone to four stores with no luck!”
Kagome blushed with embarrassment, “Sorry Sango, I probably should have decided what color and style I wanted before asking you to come with me.”
A gentle hand patted her shoulder in reassurance, “Babe, it’s okay. Inuyasha asked you last second, and you’ve had too much going on to even think about dresses. I just want you to understand that you look good in everything.”
A little smile appeared on Kagome’s face, “Thanks. I think I’m just nervous.”
Sango snorted as she continued to search for more dresses. “Meeting the family of your future boyfriend sounds terrifying, I get it.”
“It’s not just that!” Kagome whined, completely brushing off the boyfriend comment, “I-I wanna make sure I don’t mess anything up.”
As her best friend picked up another dress, this time in auburn, Sango blew out a raspberry in response. “You won’t mess up anything. You’re going to do as we planned, and tell him after the wedding!”
Kagome looked up to the ceiling and groaned, the bright lights burning her eyes weren’t enough to distract her from her own misery. “Do I have to?”
Sango laughed from behind her, “You decided last night that you were confessing like this, not me! But I know you can do it.”
Her slender fingers gripped the hook of a blue dress, it was shorter compared to the rest that she had chosen, but it was very pretty and yet still wedding appropriate.
“Ooooo, I like that one a lot!” Her best friend praised, “I think that one would look so good on you!”
Nodding, she walked over to Sango and motioned over to the fitting rooms. “Let me try these on before we take the entire store with us.”
They giggled as they headed over to the changing rooms with their arms filled with different dresses. Kagome should have been more specific, but what Sango said was true; she had no time to daydream about a dress when so much happened in such little time.
The day after Kei showed up at her apartment again, Kagome had filled up the paperwork for the restraining order and dropped it off at the police department. She was told that he was released earlier that day, and although it made her very uneasy she was sure she would never see him ever again.
If the restraining order doesn’t hold him off, then Inuyasha’s threat to his life certainly will.
Nervously she explained what happened to her mother, Sango, and Miroku and they all roughly reacted in the same way. Except, Sango wanted to rip out Kei’s throat from how angry she was, and Kagome knew she was very capable of doing so.
Inuyasha never strayed too far away from Kagome after that either, having called in sick to work the first two days of the week so she wasn’t alone in her apartment herself. While she worked on her computer, he would nap on her couch or watch tv. Having him over really did help her calm down, and Buyo didn’t seem to mind either. They both shared the couch while they napped, and Inuyasha loved playing with her cat.
He stayed the night as well. Inuyasha would gather his clothes from his home quicker than Kagome could register his speed and he would be tucked into his temporary bed immediately after. They would cook together, eat together, and watch tv together until it was time for them to catch some sleep.
Even though it was just two days, it felt a lot longer, and Kagome couldn’t help but wonder if that was what her life would be like if they were to get together.
The idea made her heart swell up.
Another thing that didn’t help was that he was a lot more flustered around her like he didn’t know what to do sometimes. She had no idea what could have caused this shift in dynamic but it made her nervous and hyper-aware of how much he blushed around her. It was endearing, and it made her giddy to see just how much she could make him blush without any effort.
Something had shifted between them again, and she didn’t know what caused it, but she wasn’t going to complain about it. This shift could make confessing to him easier, however, the fear of messing it all up still hung up high above her head.
“You know,” Kagome started as hung the dresses neatly on the hook. “I don’t even know how I’m going to bring it up to him.”
Sango closed the door and sat down on the bench inside the room while Kagome began to change. “It doesn’t have to be something grandiose. I feel like that’s the complete opposite of what you two are anyway.”
Kagome laughed loudly as she fiddled with the orange dress. “What’s that supposed to mean!”
Sango hung her head back to catch her breath from laughing too, “You guys are complete messes! I think if either of you decided to do something romantic, it would turn into a disaster. But in a cute way!”
Nodding her head in agreement, Kagome couldn’t stop the giggles from bubbling out of her throat. Once the dress was on she took a look at her reflection and started laughing again. “I look like a basketball.”
The dress looked so cute on the hanger, the skirt was a bit poofy, but still flattering around her waist. However, it was so orange, that Kagome couldn’t think of anything else to compare it to.
Her friend grinned at her and snorted, “At least it fits the narrative! If he shoots his shot he scores?”
“That was terrible, Sango!” Kagome complained while she took off the dress. “You’re letting Miroku influence you.”
Sango watched as she hung the orange gown on another hook before grabbing at the auburn one and sliding it over her body. It landed above her ankles, made of satin and it bunched at the chest.
“I really like that one, and no I don’t!” Her friend wailed. “That was just a poorly thought-out joke.”
Kagome twirled in the dress and smiled at her reflection, “This is way better than the flat-out orange color, and it’s super soft.” She skipped over to the bench where she sat and lifted the fabric in her hands. “Touch it.”
Sango ran her fingers across the satin and shivered from the smooth touch on her fingertips, “You should buy this one even if you don’t choose it for the wedding.”
“You think so?” She asked giddily, immediately imagining herself wearing it on a night out with Inuyasha.
A vision also flashed in her head about him taking it off of her, and she flushed a deep shade of red at the lewd thought. As quickly as it came into her mind it disappeared, and she was left with a tingling feeling in her abdomen.
“I know so.” Sango winked, completely ignoring how intensely her friend was blushing. She didn’t need to think too hard about what her friend could possibly be thinking.
“Okay, it’ll go in the ‘maybe’ pile.” Kagome squeaked as she slid back over to the hooks to try on another dress.
As she continued to put on different styles, nothing else had hit her as crazy as the auburn dress. The ones they had chosen were all beautiful, but they were either too casual, or too fancy, and Kagome wanted something nice in between.
“Last one.” She announced while unhooking the blue dress in her hand. “Let’s hope I picked a good one.”
The color was close to a dusty blue, except one shade darker. with a slit on the side. The dress’s length was above the ankle, and ruched on the right side above the leg slit. It was made of polyester with an off-the-shoulder design and it was beautiful. Kagome had made sure to ask if leg slits were allowed for the occasion, and as soon as he confirmed that they were; flushed cheeks and all, she happily made her way to the shops to begin her search.
“You look hot.” Sango complimented, completely stunned. “This is the best of the bunch.”
Kagome looked back at her reflection at different angles, making sure the dress wasn’t inappropriate or the slit was too high up for a wedding’s standards and fixed around the sleeves at her shoulders until they were at a perfect spot. She looked different, mature, and sexy, and yet she still felt poised and glamorous.
“I think we found it.” She confirmed breathily, “I really like this one.”
Sango beamed up at her best friend and squealed happily. “You’re going to knock Inuyasha out as soon as he sees you.”
“S-Sango!” Kagome blushed, “Don’t say things like that.”
She scoffed and pulled her friend into a hug, “I only ever say the truth!”
Kagome took a quick photo of herself in the blue dress before changing back into her clothes and bunching them together with the silk, auburn gown. “Now that we’re done, let’s get some lunch. I’m about to keel over.”
Sango placed the rejected dresses onto the go-back rack and followed her friend. “Let’s head to the diner. You found your dress, and you’re going to confess to him? This calls for a celebration.”
_____
Today was the day and Inuyasha wanted to pretend he died in his apartment and never come back out.
Sesshomaru has been blowing up his phone all damn day which didn’t help his mood or his nerves.
‘I’m aware that you refused to be the best man, but you should still come early.’ He could hear Sesshomaru’s voice practically echoing in his brain.
“I’ll show up when I feel like it.” Inuyasha grumbled to himself, “Stupid Sesshomaru.”
He continued to fix up his tie in the mirror and groan in frustration at how annoying it was to fix this tie. Inuyasha was never that great at dressing up in a suit, he actually hated it, and it made him miserable. Today, he had no choice but to wear one. What makes things worse, is he has to wear a suit and regalia showing off that he’s the son of a general.
“I’m so close to ripping this thing off!“ He growled, “How do they wear this every day.”
There was a reason Inuyasha works at a mechanic shop and not his father’s business besides rebelling against his dad and not following the plan. No, he also refuses to work in the Taisho company because he hates wearing suits.
His stomach was growling but he was too nervous to grab a snack from his kitchen. Sesshomaru wasn’t the only problem he was dealing with today, nor was he the main reason why he wished today would end already. Inuyasha was feeling the fluttering in his stomach and the tightening in his chest because he could hear Kagome getting ready and it was driving him insane.
She woke up earlier than she usually does on Saturdays and heard her cleaning around the house and cooking breakfast. It wasn’t until around two hours ago that he heard her go into the shower and give him another concert. She was singing along to a shuffled playlist of pop hits and took around an hour in there doing things and he was trying not to imagine her doing them.
He was failing.
Now, he could hear her humming along as she did her hair and make-up, the tune of her song sounded cheerful. Inuyasha knew they needed to leave soon because the ceremony starts in two hours and he has to be there to greet the guests along with the rest of his family.
Inuyasha sighed, extremely frustrated from everything that was happening all at once as he finished getting dressed. Thankfully his brother and fiancé chose to have a modern wedding instead of a traditional youkai ceremony. Those weddings require everyone to wear the traditional dress decorated with regalia that was too clunky for their own good. He didn’t particularly care about small details in clothing, but at least the only flashy part of his suit was his family’s inu-youkai crest and the gold buttons adorning his suit.
The worst part was the gold sash he needed to wear over his jacket, the sash that showed everyone he was part of the Taisho family and matched one of the colors of his father’s kimono. Inuyasha didn’t particularly care about showing off his family name, but today he had no choice but to participate in the matter.
Inuyasha could hear a specific click-clack sound coming from Kagome’s apartment, and he suspected that she was dressed. He swallowed his anxiety, grabbed his wallet and keys, and headed out of the door.
“Now or never.” He told himself anxiously.
After locking his door, he immediately went to knock on hers and hoped that she was almost ready to go. Unfortunately, they had a deadline to meet, and he wanted to brief her on his family and on who may be coming.
The light pitter-patter of her feet had his heartbeat racing in anticipation, he wanted to see her and he also wanted her to walk slower to her door. He had no idea what he was going to see when she greeted him, and he had no idea how he was going to react.
The door unlatched and slowly swung open which did nothing for his heart.
“Okay, I promise I’m almost ready!” Kagome’s voice rang. “My hair isn’t cooperating!”
He didn’t hear her entirely, his ears were too busy ringing loudly while his heart was thumping so roughly in his chest it could break out. Inuyasha didn’t give a shit if she was making them run late, she could do anything right now and he wouldn’t mind it.
The dress she was wearing would make any man fall onto his knees and beg for her attention, something Inuyasha was considering doing right now. It wrapped around her body like a glove, perfectly accentuating her figure. The hair framing her face made her look like a goddess, and the ebony waves cascading around her looked similar to a halo.
Honestly, Inuyasha thought he was staring at an angel.
“Inuyasha?” She asked him softly, “A-are you okay?”
He noticed how pink her cheeks looked and he wanted to ravish her until she was pink all over. “You look incredible.” He says, voice tight with want.
Her cheeks turn red and she laughs breathily, “T-hank you.” Kagome clears her throat, “Want to come inside? I’ll be ready in five.”
Inuyasha swears he looks like a fumbling idiot as he nods at her with his mouth parted and follows her in, his eyes scoring through the back of her silhouette and shamefully falling on the plush of her ass.
“Oh, man.” He whimpers pathetically under his breath.
He sat down on her couch and laid his head back on the cushion in disbelief. “How am I going to survive this?” He murmured to himself.
Kagome is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, and he already knew that, but seeing her in that dress sealed the deal. How can a half-breed like him manage to find someone as incredible as Kagome and be lucky enough to fall for her?
He knew he needed to tell her how he felt, he can’t mess this up. There are only so many chances that the universe gives you before it gives up and shows you that you ruined your opportunity.
Her heels clicked on the hardwood floor at the same tempo as his heart and he immediately looked over at her. An embarrassing sound erupted from the back of his throat as he watched her walk toward him with a beaming smile.
“Okay, I’m ready!” She cheerfully announced, “ I have the essentials in my bag and the wedding gift is packed up too.”
Inuyasha scoffed in an attempt to shield his feelings. “Ya didn’t have’ta get ‘em anythin’.”
Kagome rolled her eyes at him as she fished for her keys, “Technically, you paid for it because you didn’t want me to pay.”
Inuyasha stood up from the couch with a heavy sigh. “Tch. Of course, I did. The fuck am I gonna let ya pay for the gift when I asked you to be my date.”
She walked over to him and patted his shoulder, the light touch from her hand sending tingles down his arm. “Thank you, Inuyasha. You didn’t have to pay for it, but I knew you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Bah.” The half-demon replied, “S’nothin’.”
Kagome bit her lip to suppress her smile as she turned around to pick up a box wrapped in glitter paper. “Okay, let’s head out before your brother has your head.”
Inuyasha stepped in front of her and took the gift from her hands. “Fuck my brother, I’m more worried about you walking down the stairs carryin’ this box.”
He walked towards the door in haste and Kagome finally had a chance to ogle him when he wasn’t looking. She was never the type to drool over men in suits, but Inuyasha looked so handsome that she wished she could just stare at him all day. The suit was pretty simple, besides the gold buttons here and there, and it just fit him so right. She wanted to run her hands all over him and kiss him senselessly.
If her confession goes right tonight, maybe she will.
Besides how he looked in the suit, he had his hair up in a ponytail. It was a pretty rare sight to see him in since he usually wears his hair down unless he’s out on a run. Seeing him in a ponytail just made her want to tackle him down and have her way with him.
“Kagome, relax.” She breathed. “You’re about to meet his family, you can imagine kissing him later.”
Letting out a gust of air she quickly followed him and locked the door, leaving Buyo with an endless amount of cat food and an entire house to sleep in.
“So, what’s your brother’s fiancé’s name again?” Kagome asked as she carefully descended the stairs.
“Her name is Kagura, and she can be a little intimidating when ya first meet her. I didn’t feel that way, but apparently, a lot of people do.” He explained.
Kagome nodded, anxiety creeping into her stomach. “Nice.” She simply replied. “I’m sure 99% of this party will be filled with intimidating youkai.”
“Tch. They’re nothin’ to worry about Kagome, don’t worry.” He scoffed, “As long as Rin likes ya, nothin’ else matters.”
Kagome met Inuyasha at the bottom of the stairs before walking at the same pace to his truck. “Rin is your brother’s daughter?”
He nodded, “Yeah. If ya like Rin and she likes you, Sesshomaru immediately thinks yer worth somethin’. I swear, she made him into a softie.”
“Oh, that’s so cute!” She cooed.
“He’s still a huge asshole.” He grumbled. “You’ll understand when ya meet him.”
Kagome nervously laughed as she opened the door and climbed into the passenger’s seat. “Well, what about your parents?”
The car started smoothly as soon as he turned the key, and Inuyasha began to back out of the lot. “Nothin’ much to say from what ya already know. My dad’s a big guy but he’s got a soft spot for humans since ya know, he married my mom.” He paused, “And my mom’s the best person in the world, so there’s nothin’ more to say.”
Kagome smiled at his comment about his mother, making sure not to mention how adorable it was. Inuyasha struggles to express his feelings about people, and he normally describes others in the most simple way possible. However when it comes to his parents, specifically his mother, he doesn’t hold back about how much he appreciates her.
“Is it okay to say I’m nervous?” Kagome asked with a shaky voice.
As Inuyasha pulled into the highway, he snorted in disagreement. “I get ya, but seriously. There’s nothin’ to worry about. Stick with me and you’ll be fine.”
She wasn’t going to leave his side regardless, crush her damned, so she wasn’t going to disagree with him there.
“Okay,” She closed her eyes. “Anyone else I need to know about specifically?”
“Sesshomaru’s mom is uh… interestin’. She may or may not come to talk to ya. Then there’s Myoga and Totosai, they’re close with my dad. Besides them, there isn’t anyone else I can tell ya that matters much.”
The highway spread out for miles as it filled up with cars trying to get to their destinations before the evening traffic. Seeing everyone drive around allowed Kagome to relax a bit.
“This will be fun.” She replied as she played with the ends of her hair.
While he kept his eyes on the road and left hand on the wheel, he lifted his other hand and grabbed hers, the tresses of her immediately falling out of her grip as they intertwined their fingers.
He held her firmly as their hands landed on the soft cushioning of her thigh, “I’m never leavin’ yer side, the whole night, so just enjoy yourself.”
Kagome squeezed his hand and he squeezed back, it was warm and comforting, and their fingers fit perfectly together like it was meant to be. She flushed madly at the contact, and when she gazed over at him, his cheeks were tinted in red as well.
His hand was so warm, just like him, and the heat spread into her body and made a permanent home in her chest.
‘Oh.’ She immediately realized. ‘I never thought I’d feel like this again.’
He made her heart pound so quickly, and every time he smiled at her or laughed she swears she feels it skipping a few beats. Even if he knew of her feelings, he wouldn’t know just how deeply she felt for him.
The venue wasn’t very far from their complex, the distance being an hour at most, and after the conversation about his family they didn’t let go of each other’s hand the entire ride. They would fiddle around each other’s fingers here and there, but neither of them initiated a time where they wanted to let go. While they drove they continued to talk about Inuyasha’s parents, which in turn had Kagome telling him more about hers. Eventually, there was no conversation at all; just the two of them singing along to the songs that came on the radio completely out of tune while they danced in their seats.
“I think… we’re here.” Inuyasha alerted her as he turned into the humongous driveway that led up a small hill.
“Wow, your brother went all out for this,” Kagome commented in awe. The venue looked gorgeous from outside the driveway. It was a mansion, small in size compared to others but with a lot of lands. Made of white and grey brick and tall columns with balconies in between. Beautiful gardens surrounded the area, along with a few lakes and green pastures filled with trees.
“Leave it to him to be as extravagant as ever.” He grumbled as he parked his car on an empty square lot. “Kagura definitely had a huge say in choosing this place too.”
They climbed out of the truck in comfortable silence, the both of them missing the warmth from their hands, and walked over towards the grand entrance. The sun was still out, but it will begin to set a little after the ceremony is over. All of the birds were singing above them in the trees, the ducks and squirrels were walking along the ground, and the crickets were making sure that they could be heard. Nature was a big part of this venue, and Kagome absolutely loved it.
“I can’t deny that they don’t have good taste.” Kagome smiled, “I would definitely have a wedding here if I could afford it.”
Inuyasha’s ears flicked at her comment, taking note of what she said and storing it into the part of his brain where he doesn’t forget things. He may look like a fool for paying attention so closely to that, but he won’t be one if everything plays out in his favor.
He opened the main door and let Kagome walk in front of him first, both of them reacting in surprise at just how big this place looked from the inside. The entryway itself was elegantly decorated with flowers along with a portrait of the newlyweds and a little girl. There was a small table with a photo album open, each page containing black and white pictures that were both taken professionally or by the couple themselves. There were empty spaces left beside each page for guests to write a message if they choose to.
Immediately Kagome went to sign the album and wrote a simple congratulations to the happy couple, and begrudgingly; Inuyasha signed his name beside hers.
“Guess we should go find my parents.” The half-demon announced nervously.
“Y-yeah, I guess we should.” Kagome nodded and stepped backward, yelling as she accidentally bumped into someone working staff who was setting the last touches around the venue.
Inuyasha pulled her into him by her waist at hearing her distress before she could lose her balance and make the poor stranger fall to the ground.
“Oí, are you alright?” He asked her gruffly.
“I am so, so sorry!” She apologized to the man, completely ignoring the half-demon that was holding her in his arms.
The man smiled at her and apologized as well, even though it was her fault she was so clumsy and accepted her sincere apology. As soon as he walked away, she sighed in relief and turned back around to stare right into frustrated golden eyes.
“W-what?“ Kagome asked breathlessly.
“I asked ya if you were alright.” He said again, his hold on her waist not loosening for a second.
“I’m fine.” She blushed, finally noticing how her hand splayed delicately on his chest. “I-I’m clumsy.”
His eyes flickered to her lips before meeting her eyes again. “I know.”
“I’ll be more careful.” She whispered. Was it suddenly hotter in this room?
“Ya better, or else I gotta keep ya glued to me the whole night.”
“T-hat doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” She breathed.
“Yeah?” He smirked at her hungrily, with a little fang poking out of his mouth.
The way he was looking at her made her legs wobble.
“Inuyasha!” A loud, booming male voice echoed in the doorway, immediately snapping the pair out of a spell.
The half-demon sighed and dropped his head, the sound of his parents calling his name completely ruining the moment.
Kagome furrowed her brow and did not move from his hold, “Who’s-?”
“The two people yelling my name so loudly it echoes around the whole building? That would be my parents.” He chuckled embarrassedly.
A squeak escaped her throat as she noticed a couple excitedly walking over to them, a man who looked exactly like Inuyasha and a short human woman. What’s worse, Inuyasha’s arm was still tightly wrapped around her middle, and whether or not he was being of it she didn’t think he would let her go.
“Um?” She hesitated, the anxious tone in her voice causing her neighbor to look back at her. “S-shouldn’t you let me go?”
His ears flicked; which Kagome found very cute, and he immediately dropped his arm from her waist. She could still feel the warmth of his body on hers as she tried to stop her cheeks from turning a deep shade of red.
However, his hand didn’t stray far from hers as they brushed each other periodically.
“My sweet boy, how are you?” His mother greeted loudly. The overly sweet implications of his mother’s words had Inuyasha’s face heating up.
“I’m fine, ma.” He answered her fatly.
“Inuyasha, try sounding a little happier when talking to your mother.” His father chastised,
“Sorry, ma.” He apologized.
Kagome couldn’t help but giggle at the scene in front of her. He reminded her of a child being scolded, and it was adorable.
His mother’s gaze landed on her immediately, and the resemblance he had to her was uncanny. Kagome had no idea which parent Inuyasha resembles most because when she looked at them individually it was like looking in a mirror.
“You must be Kagome!” She exclaimed happily, heeled feet quickly clicking over to drag Kagome into a tight hug.
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Taisho.” Kagome smiled into her neck as she hugged the woman back.
“Oh please, call me Izayoi.” His mother quickly replied. She stepped away from the hug and motioned over to his father. “This is my husband, Toga.”
He was very tall and very big, almost intimidating; but his kind auburn eyes stopped her from feeling any nerves. “Kagome, it’s nice to finally meet the girl my son keeps talking about.”
Kagome heard Inuyasha choke from somewhere behind him and it took everything in her not to fall into a fit of giggles.
“I would hope he tells you guys good things?” She asked shyly.
“Oh yes, he’s always-“
“Alright, now, we got the introductions outta the way.” Inuyasha suddenly said, completely cutting off his father while Toga only coyly smirked at him. “When the hell are we gonna get started with this weddin’?“
“Wow Inuyasha, you’re suddenly so invested in your brother’s wedding,” Toga said with a grin.
He glared at his dad and mumbled something incoherent for the human ear to hear clearly, but the look his father gave him made Inuyasha regret whatever it is he had said at the moment.
Before Kagome could say anything to stir away from the awkwardness, little footsteps scurried from down the hall, and a little girl who didn’t look more than four years old appeared in a baby pink dress. “Uncle!” She happily squealed.
Inuyasha bent down and caught the happy girl in his arms, lifting her up with ease and twirling her around while she giggled happily. “Rin! How are ya doin’ runt?”
“Good!” She replied loudly, her chest heaving to catch some air. “I’m papa’s flower girl!”
“The flower girl huh?” Inuyasha asked her, “You have the most important job of the day.”
Rin giggled, “You think so?”
“Does yer uncle ever lie to ya?” He stared at her with a smirk.
Rin thought for a moment and cocked her little head to the side, clearly digging around for an answer. “Sometimes.” She replied.
Inuyasha’s ears flattened in a reaction that made both Rin and Kagome laugh outwardly. The little girl heard her and turned her attention to Kagome, “Hi! I’m Rin! What’s your name?”
“My name is Kagome,” She smiled at her, “I think your dress is very pretty.”
Rin blushed and hid in Inuyasha’s chest from the compliment. “Thank you. You look pretty too!”
Sweet compliments from children always get Kagome worked up, and she did her best to calm her emotions. “Thank you, are you excited for your dad?”
Rin nodded and wiggled in Inuyasha’s arms, “Papa’s happy with my new mama, and she makes me happy too.”
Before Kagome could respond, another pair of footsteps echoed into the entrance. They were poised, almost hard to hear from how light each step was. Once the person came through the corridor Kagome immediately knew it was Sesshomaru. Tall, stoic, another copy of his father, except he had a crescent moon on his forehead; something Inuyasha and his father lacked.
“Rin.” Sesshomaru beckoned, still and cold. “Kagura would like to speak with you.”
“Okay!” Rin wiggled around in her uncle’s arms, similar to a little worm, and thankfully Inuyasha’s strength allowed her to touch the ground stability instead of falling out of his arms and injuring herself. She ran towards the middle of the mansion before turning and waving at everyone she left behind. “Bye!”
Inuyasha waved at her until she ran out of view before his face fell into a scowl. “You know, you should talk to ‘er like she’s yer daughter. Don’t ya think?”
Sesshomaru stood a few feet in front of his brother with an emotionless face. “Hello to you too, brother.”
Kagome stood awkwardly beside Izayoi and Toga, the lovely couple rolling their eyes as they watched the two men in front of them. Really, it was as if Toga split himself into two pieces and created clones. The differences they all had was minimal, regardless of some of the obvious physical differences. Inuyasha’s the only one with fluffy ears, Sesshomaru has a crescent moon and red stripes on his cheeks, while their father’s cheeks stripes are blue. And although Inuyasha looked uncanny to his father, he also had his mother’s beautiful features. It made her wonder what Sesshomaru’s mother looked like.
His sharp gaze landed on hers and Kagome had an instant urge to straighten her back and stand stock still. “This woman must be Kagome. Thank you for accompanying my little brother as his date.”
“N-no thank you needed!” She nervously replied, “Thank you for having me, and congratulations.”
He simply nodded at her before turning his attention back to the rest of the family. Kagome guessed that was as far as their conversation was going to go for the rest of the evening.
She listened quietly as he explained the gameplay now that everyone was here. As she understood, they would greet the guests as they trickled in, and ten minutes before the ceremony begins, they close the doors and go to their places. Rin would start the ceremony with the flowers and rings, Toga and Izayoi would walk down the aisle, followed by Sesshomaru and his mother, and Inuyasha would find his seat alongside Kagome where the ceremony will be taking place. It was a pretty simple task that she knew Inuyasha definitely didn’t want to do but was going to be forced to do anyway.
After the quick briefing, Kagome was dragged forward by Izayoi’s awaiting hand to learn more about each other, leaving Inuyasha alone with Sesshomaru.
“You actually found a date, good job little brother.” Sesshomaru chuckled.
“Only cause ya wouldn’t shut up about it.” Inuyasha defended.
“I know that’s not the only reason why.”
Sesshomaru was looking at him with this cocky look on his face and it took everything in him not to sock him in the face. “What are you sayin’?”
His older brother shrugged, “Easy. You like her.”
Inuyasha tried to hide his blush and failed, “Keep yer voice down will ya!”
The inu daiyokai let out a breathy snort, “She’s too busy talking to your mother to hear us.”
Inuyasha groaned in embarrassment and frustration, knowing his mom was probably asking Kagome a bunch of questions that he couldn’t interrupt. “I… haven’t told her yet.”
Sesshomaru made a noise and rolled his eyes at the obvious statement. “Not that I particularly care about what you do with your life Inuyasha, but if a woman chooses you when you act like a rabid animal most of the time, I would suggest making a move before somebody else beats you to it.”
The half-demon crossed his arms over his chest and huffed, “What do you know.”
“I’m getting married. I know enough.” Sesshomaru chuckled before walking away, “Just listen to me for once, little brother.” He said before he disappeared into the main room.
The half-demon continued to argue with no one in particular as he stood alone to sulk. He knows what he needs to do but he doesn’t know when to do it! He’s still reeling at the fact that Kagome’s feelings are mutual, which is something he didn’t think would be possible. She’s leagues above him, and could choose anyone else, and yet she picked him.
Her cackling laugh took him out of his stupor, the way she was doubled over from something his dad said made his body tingle. She was comfortable with his parents already, and the realization already had his head swimming with ideas and scenarios.
Kagome accepts him for his flaws, his strengths, and weaknesses, and doesn’t view him differently just because of his blood. She cares about him and has taken time to learn about his past, his likes and dislikes. Her heart is made of gold and yet it’s still permeable; allowing for empathy and her kindness for others to shine through. She was everything; the sky, the ground, the ocean, his morning coffee, his favorite show, the sunlight that peaks through the blinds when he least expects it.
“I have to tell her.” He whispered to himself, his voice wavering with every word. “Tonight. I have to tell her tonight.”
While he walked over to his parents and Kagome, the wedding guests had already begun to show up. To nobody’s surprise, they were all demons; coworkers from their father’s company, friends, and important close acquaintances. Inuyasha kept his greetings short, allowing for his parents to do all of the sweet-talking. In the frenzy, he caught Kagome standing still as she leaned on the door in a fit of nerves.
“You feelin’ alright?” He asked her, chuckling when she jumped at his sudden words.
Kagome slid a piece of ebony hair behind her head and laughed shakily. “Yeah, just nervous. Your parents are great, seriously, I didn’t expect them to take to me so kindly.”
“Mmm, sounds like there was a ‘but’ in there that ya didn’t say.” He pursed his lips.
She laughed, “Yeah, there is.” A pause. “I don’t want to mess up.”
He furrowed his brow at her in question, “Kagome, there’s nothing that you can mess up.”
She released a shaky breath and pulled her head to the side to look at him, “And if there is?”
He shrugged. “Then fuck it, I’ll mess up with you. If you fall, I fall.” He leaned close to her, his warm breath tickling the skin on her neck. “But, ya won’t mess up. Yer incredible as you are.”
A flush appeared on her face and neck, coloring the skin so beautifully it made Inuyasha’s mouth water. “I-I am?”
He growled at her, low and non-threatening, and something about the sound made her body grow with need. “Woman quit doubting yerself.”
She swallowed down the urge to press herself closer to him and rolled her hands into fists. “Okay, I get it.” She giggled, “Thank you.”
They fell into a comfortable silence as more guests walked through the doors, the time was ticking closer to the beginning of the ceremony, and any stragglers were going to have to wait until the end for them to be let inside the doors.
Toga and Izayoi took their leave to prepare for their entrance, leaving Kagome and Inuyasha to greet the remaining few that made it just in time. With a few minutes to spare, they closed the doors and walked to the ballroom where two empty seats were waiting to be sat on. It felt a little overwhelming to walk down the aisle with so many eyes staring at them, but Inuyasha had grabbed Kagome by the hand as he led them to their assigned seats, and the idea to turn on her tail and run immediately disappeared from her mind.
The ballroom was huge, which was a lot to say because the mansion itself was gigantic. With raised ceilings and a giant window that showed the yard, this room looked like it could store hundreds of people. Kagome could spot a gazebo in the garden beside the lake, and it made the scenery behind the altar magical. The sun was starting to set, making the room bask in a warm golden glow. The light leaking in made the red roses even more beautiful, and it mixed in well with the white and gold drapery.
Kagome never let go of Inuyasha’s hand, and he never made a move to release hers as the music started. One by one, Inuyasha’s family poured into the room, with Rin happily adorning the ground with red petals as her grandparents happily followed behind her. After Toga and Izayoi found their seats beside Rin, it was Sesshomaru’s turn to walk out into the aisle; and the woman he was walking with was his mother. Their resemblance was also uncanny, and it made Kagome wonder just how strong youkai genes were.
Sesshomaru helped his mother to her seat before standing at the altar, he looked nervous; even though it was a little hard to tell. However, Kagome couldn’t think about that for too long because the music’s pace changed, signaling that the bride was about to make her appearance.
Everyone stood, including Inuyasha and Kagome; and the guests erupted in low gasps as Kagura appeared at the doorway. She was stunning, as gorgeous as was expected to be while walking down in her white gown. The dress adorned her figure beautifully, and the only color that popped was the red that tinted her lips.
Sesshomaru looked like he was too stunned for words.
The ceremony went by quickly, with the newlywed couple exchanging their vows and sealing their promise with a kiss. It felt magical, and the feeling that was left in the air was joyful and carefree.
Afterward, the guests were moved to another room where the reception would be held and it was just as grand and gorgeous as the ballroom. There was a door that led to the backyard, where the gazebo was located, and another bar. Inside the room is where all of the tables were located for the guests, room to dance, and a platform for Sesshomaru and Kagura to sit.
Kagome and Inuyasha sat at the same table as his parents and his niece, and during the couple’s first dance Inuyasha slid his arm over Kagome’s chair, she could feel the warmth from his body radiating towards her back and it was making her skin prickle in goosebumps.
At first, she was tense, a complete nervous wreck knowing that he technically had his arm around her shoulders. She decided to take a quick peach over at him and noticed that he was just as stiff as she was, except his cheeks were flushed a pretty shade of pink, and Kagome couldn’t help but giggle from how cute he looked.
To his surprise, she leaned into him to feel a little closer and had to bite her lip to keep herself from laughing at how his body jumped in reaction to her movement.
Inuyasha stared down at her with a half-grin on his face, “Whatcha laughin’ at?”
Kagome looked up at him with a doe-eyed look and smiled. “Oh, nothing.” Just for the fun of it, she crossed her leg over the other, giving Inuyasha a perfect view of her thick thighs under the dim lighting.
She was going to be the end of him.
He groaned under his breath and hung his head pathetically, “Yer not playin’ fair.”
Shrugging like she was innocent, Kagome snuggled into his side and sighed comfortably. She could feel his heart thumping loudly by her ear like a drum. Knowing it was she who was making him react this way was selfish and indulgent; because Inuyasha is handsome and untouchable. It was unreal that a man like him could fall for her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Slowly, as if to keep her on her toes, Inuyasha slithered his left hand over Kagome’s thigh, letting it rest comfortably on the soft plush on her skin. He heard her squeak in surprise and felt her skin heat up from underneath his palm, and a cocky smirk played on his lips.
“Two can play at that game.” He whispered in her ear. She was flushed red, the heat coming off of her was addictive. He wanted to tilt her, grab her chin and kiss her mindlessly, but he had no choice but to simmer down those urges.
He can’t make out with her at his brother’s wedding, sitting beside his parents.
So they sat like this as an unbelievable tension built up between them, thick enough to cut through it with a knife, and did nothing about it. While Sesshomaru and Kagura shared their first dance, Kagome and Inuyasha were trying not to explode from within their seats.
After the dance and some speeches, both of which Inuyasha did not partake in; the mood in the ballroom lifted to something more lively. A mixture of different conversations was brewing around the giant room as the waiters and waitresses bustled around bringing everyone their dinners.
Kagome had moved away a bit, now sitting comfortably in her seat instead of leaning on Inuyasha’s body, but his hand was still heavy on her thigh. She could feel it on her like a deadweight. His hand was so big compared to hers, and as it covered the soft skin of her thigh her thoughts were becoming dangerously risky.
The kind smile Izayoi shot her had those ideas melting away, the feeling of suddenly getting caught doing something bad making her push them out of her system.
“Kagome, you look absolutely beautiful tonight, doesn’t she, dear?” His mother motioned over to her son who was listening intently.
“Y-eah.” Inuyasha choked out, not expecting his mother to put him on the spot.
“Inuyasha, come on, I know you can do better than that.” Toga chuckled.
He wanted the ground to swallow him up.
“You-“ Inuyasha coughed, “You look beautiful.” His cheeks were so red, it would make his hoodie look brown in comparison.
Kagome laughed nervously and smiled, waving her hand at no one in particular. “Thank you, that’s very sweet of you both.” She managed to say without choking from nerves.
The waiter comes to their table and places plates of salads in front of everyone with a friendly smile, the salads look somewhat appetizing which is saying something because Kagome doesn’t normally choose a salad as a starter dish. Inuyasha snorts when he looks at her expression, which was probably one of half disgust.
“So Kagome, Inuyasha tells me you’re a writer?” Izayoi asks with interest. Toga doesn’t speak, instead, his eyes flicker between the two young neighbors.
Kagome smiles, “I work for a publishing company as one of their lead editors. It’s definitely a huge step from what I used to do, even though the work is nonstop.”
Toga fills Izayoai’s cup with more water from the tall glass on the table, “Big book fan I guess?” He decides to ask.
Her eyes lit up and Inuyasha’s heart pangs in reaction, “Yes! I’ve always loved to read and write, it was a huge stress reliever and a passion of mine as a kid.” She took a sip of her water and laughed. “Although I can’t say the same about math.”
His parents laugh along with her and he can’t help but grin, a feeling of comfort washes over him as he begins to think that this might be his new normal if he puts his big boy pants on and asks her out.
Izayoi bends over to whisper in her ear, “Inuyasha was the smartest with math and science but english was where he struggled most.”
“Ma, I heard ya,” Inuyasha pouted at her while pointing at his ears.
His mother scoffed and tried to play it off, “And you heard me tell Kagome that you are my big smart, sweet boy.”
Toga coughed in an attempt to suppress a laugh, his eyes glued to Inuyasha’s face. “Izayoi, beloved, you’re smothering him.”
She smacked his chest lightly and he chuckled, going back to quietly eating his plate of salad with mild interest. Kagome glanced over at Inuyasha and grinned, wondering if his cheeks were going to stay that shade of flushed pink for the rest of the night.
“I am not, and if I was, I’m his mother. I’m allowed to smother him.” She stated matter of factly.
The waiter arrives with the second helping of food, this time it’s the main course, which was definitely the kind of dinner Kagome could get behind. As they ate, they continued to keep the conversation going with one another. To Inuyasha’s dismay, his mother brought up the story of when he played so roughly as a kid he broke his fang so badly that it grew back crooked. He had to go ahead and break it off again just so it could grow out straighter.
“He was a playful child, and Toga didn’t help his injuries when he would play roughly with Inuyasha as well.”
Toga laughed breathily, “My son was born with my strong, youkai blood. Of course, I had to show him how to win in any fight.” He nodded over at Inuyasha, “Isn’t that right son?”
Before Inuyasha could answer, Izayoi patted her husband’s shoulder, shaking her head in response to his words. “Keep thinking that, honey.” Air released from her nose as she laughed, and Toga followed suit.
“Inuyasha!” A tiny voice bellowed, “Totosai wants to have a word with you.”
Kagome couldn’t find the source of the voice, as there was no one around them at the time. It wasn’t until Inuyasha looked down at the table and groaned at what appeared to be a small, flea youkai.
“Myoga, what do you two want from me now?” The half-demon grumbled.
“A word.” The flea repeated in a serious tone.
Toga raised his brow, grinning at the flea like he knew what the conversation would be about. “You speak so mysteriously, Myoga.”
Myoga laughed as he bounced onto Inuyasha’s shoulder. “Ay master, it seems to be a very important conversation.”
Inuyasha stared at his father and father with a look that screamed help me, which both of his parents innocently ignored. He then looked over at Kagome with pleading, apologetic eyes. “I promised ya I wouldn’t leave ya.”
Kagome flashed him a bright, beautiful smile and patted his arm, “I think your parents will keep me safe, go see what they need from you.”
He groaned in defeat and stood up like a child being disciplined and walked away from the table, making sure to look back at Kagome just once with one last attempt at being rescued by the girl.
“He’s so dramatic,” Izayoi laughed, “But Sesshomaru has him beat by a few points.” She glanced over at Toga for his opinion and he half-grinned at her.
“My oldest definitely taught Inuyasha the dramatics growing up,” he explained to Kagome. “They got away with a lot as children.”
Izayoi smacked his arm playfully, her smile never leaving her face. “That’s because you were easy on them,” she lulled her head over at Kagome and rolled her eyes. “I was a bad parent.”
Kagome giggled as she pictured two small boys causing trouble with their father, and Izayoi with her hands on her hips yelling at the three of them. “I bet there was never a dull day.”
“Dull? With a home full of demons? Ha!” Toga laughed. “Even when Sesshomaru was with his mother, Inuyasha would keep the both of us on our feet.”
Time passed as they continued their conversation, long enough that Rin came over after she returned from twirling around on the dance floor to tell everyone at the table little stories. Kagome had to clutch her stomach as she doubled over from laughter after Rin explained how she convinced Sesshomaru to buy shorts with bananas on them and then begged him to show Kagura after their first date.
It was safe to say that the entire table was the loudest of the bunch due to all of their laughter.
Kagome wiped her eyes and leaned over to Izayoi, “I’m going to go to the bathroom, do you need to go too?”
Izayoi sniffled and waved her hand as she tried to get her breathing back to normal, “I’m fine dear, go ahead. Maybe my son will finally return to the table by the time you come back.”
Kagome snorted, “I doubt it. I have no idea where he could have gone.”
“With Totosoi and Myoga, he could have gone anywhere,” Toga added with a grin. “He shouldn’t be long now”
After a quick trip to the restroom, Kagome wandered back into the ballroom where the reception was being held. She scored around the giant room looking for white, fluffy ears but was pleasantly surprised to see him seated back at the table with his parents.
When she got closer, however, she noticed his flushed cheeks and grumpy expression, “Inuyasha? What happened to you?”
He looked at her with blurred vision and grinned at her, it was boyish and very attractive, “I was challenged.”
She blinked, clearly confused, and looked over towards his mother and father, “What?”
Toga chuckled, “Koga bet he could drink more than he can and he fell for it.”
Kagome heaved a breath and shook her head, “Wow, that sounds familiar.” She sat down beside him and grinned, “You get challenged to drink offs a lot don’t you?”
He squinted his golden eyes and pointed at her, “I never back off from a challenge.”
Izayoi rolled her eyes and laughed, “Just like his father.”
While Inuyasha did his best to sober up, Kagome handed him little pieces of bread rolls that were left on the table while he sipped on water. As he ate, the conversation continued until the music started playing loudly in the ballroom. There was an announcement to call everyone over to the dance floor, where Izayoi excitedly pulled Toga and Rin up from their seats to get everyone moving.
Meanwhile, Inuyasha had perched his head on Kagome’s shoulder, finally feeling a bit better than before although the buzz was still lingering in his system.
Kagome hummed as she watched Sesshomaru and Kagura spin Rin around on the dance floor, “Inuyasha, do you feel better?”
He stared up at her from where his head lay on her shoulder, taking note of how her ebony waves fell around her face and the lighting shined on her skin. “Do you wanna go outside?”
Taken back from the sudden question she gazed down at him and raised her brow, “Okay, but why? Do you need some fresh air?”
The concern in her voice made his heart jump, and he wondered again how he got so lucky to have someone like her in his life. “Somethin’ like that.”
He moved from her shoulder and stood him from his chair, gradually stretching his back after being in the same position for a while. Kagome stood up soon after, making sure to adjust her dress and smooth it out of any wrinkles.
Inuyasha took her small hand into his, a heated blush spread all over his face that could easily be mistaken for the alcohol in his system, but Kagome knew better than that. In silence they walked past the dancing wedding guests and passed through the open double doors, the back garden was quieter and way more peaceful compared to the inside. The outdoor bar had a few patrons surrounding it as they waited for their drinks, and a few people were standing around the garden keeping light conversation. The pair of neighbors trudged past everyone on the patio as Inuyasha directed them towards the empty gazebo above the lake.
Kagome’s heart was pounding the closer they got to their destination, this was the first time they were going to be alone since they arrived at the wedding, and her head was ringing on high alert. She remembers what she had told Sango she would do, tonight she would tell Inuyasha her feelings and pray she was right about him liking her back. Now that she had her chance to confess to him, she wanted to turn her tail and run in the other direction. It’s been a while now since she’s accepted her feelings for him, but it took Kei’s second close call a few days ago that had her make up her mind about coming clean. But confessing is scary, and if she’s wrong, she fears her friendship with Inuyasha will be ruined for good.
Inuyasha wasn’t doing too well either, his senses were incredibly sensitive and completely focused on Kagome and what she was doing. He was definitely tipsy, no thanks to Koga and his persistent attempt of being better than Inuyasha at everything; the half-demon always fell for his crazy ideas just to prove the wolf wrong. He could hear her rapid heartbeat, not that he was any better, and her skin was flushed and heated. The alcohol in his system wasn’t helping him at all, because all he wanted to do was bring her over to him and kiss her.
They settled inside the gazebo and leaned over the wooden railing that overlooked the lake. The sun had officially set a while ago, now they were left with the songs of the crickets and the buzzing wings of the little bugs around them. The ducks and other little critters were fast asleep and away from all of the noise, and to make up for the lack of sunlight; there were string lights hanging around the patio and the gazebo. It lit up the area in a comforting, warm glow.
Too bad it wasn’t enough to comfort the two nervous neighbors that stood underneath it.
“You know,” Kagome broke the silence, “I’ve been meaning to ask since I returned from the bathroom. Who’s Koga?”
Inuyasha growled at the name and hung his head low, “A wolf demon and the most annoyin’ guy I’ve ever met.” He looked over at Kagome and smirked, “More annoyin’ than my brother.”
Kagome’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as a smile appeared on her face, “Wow, worse than Sesshomaru? I’ve gotta meet him.”
The half-demon growled again, “Hell no. Absolutely not.”
The sound did something to her again and she tried her best to shove that feeling down and away. “Why not?” The tone in her voice was curious, but also playful.
“‘Cause then he’s gonna challenge me again but it’ll be about you.” He answered simply, his golden gaze piercing through her, “And yer not some object that I gotta play for to win. I ain’t gonna treat ya like that either.”
Her breath hitched at his answer, and she knew he heard it because his ear flicked in her direction. “Y-you’ve never treated me that way.” She coughed, “But I appreciate your sentiment.”
“Yer too important for me to fall for somethin’ that stupid,” he added. “Koga wouldn’t understand that though.”
Kagome propped her chin over her hand and raised an eyebrow, “Why wouldn’t he? It’s not like it’s rocket science, a woman shouldn’t be treated like a thing, and if you refuse, then you refuse.”
Inuyasha turned around and leaned his back over the railing, leaving both of his arms to hang loosely while the banister supported his elbows. He had an answer for her, and in his tipsy state, he felt braver to tell her now than to hold it back for later, “‘Cause yer beautiful and he’s a fuckin’ youkai.”
She flushed dark red, the color spreading down her neck and chest. “R-really?”
“Yeah! He’s dumb, just like all of ‘em! Ya see somethin’ ya like, and ya gotta fight bare tooth and arms for it to claim it as yer own.” He sighed as he stared up to the ceiling, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, “I used ta hate bein’ half-human, but now, I’m fuckin’ glad I am. My mom gave me a brain that actually works.”
He was rambling and going off-topic and yet Kagome was still reeling over him calling her beautiful, the comment coming from him meaning more to her than she can admit. “I-I like you as a half-demon, too.”
A slow song came on through the speakers, and the music coming from the inside of the reception also played loudly in the back garden. It rang through their ears like a buzz as it echoed around them, the music was steady compared to their thumping hearts. They shared a look, nervous and intense, the tension between them so thick it was suffocating.
‘Fuck it.’ Inuyasha thought to himself before standing up from the railing and reaching out his hand. He said nothing as he looked into her eyes, the yellow lights above them reflecting off them like stars.
Kagome met his eyes before she looked down to his clawed hand and slowly reached for it, a gasp escaping her lips as he pulled her into him. While one hand was intertwined with hers, another snaked around her waist and stayed there like a heavyweight. Once it clicked into her head that he wanted to dance with her, she let her free hand rest over his right shoulder, and they began to spin.
It was slow and gradual, but on beat with the music that reverberated around them. It was awkward at first as they tried their best to find their fitting, Inuyasha wasn’t the best dancer and Kagome was too busy in the clouds to focus on which foot moved in what direction. It felt like they were the only two people in the world as they stared into each other’s eyes and swiveled around in circles.
The song continued on, long and slow, and the silence was beginning to set into the both of them and start an inner panic.
Kagome cleared her throat before she spoke, “You really think I’m beautiful?”
Inuyasha chuckled and a little fang poked out which made Kagome’s insides twist, “I wasn’t lyin’ earlier when my mom asked me about ya, and I wasn’t lyin’ now.”
“Oh,” she squeaked, “T-hank you.”
She was blushing prettily, the next questing coming out of his mouth before he could stop himself. “Do ya actually like me as a half-demon?” His tone was nervous, and the look in his eyes told her he was nervous about her answer.
“Of course I do,” Kagome tilted her head, “I wouldn’t want you to be any other way.” She smiled shyly, suddenly finding interest in his tie. “I told you I liked your ears when we first met, and again at the diner, and I’ll keep reminding you that I like them until you get it through your big head.”
Inuyasha laughed loudly, his smile enough to wipe away her nerves, “A big head and dog ears? Wow, Kagome, you sure have good taste.”
Kagome rolled her eyes at him and smirked, “Don’t make me take it back.”
He spun her quickly and abruptly which made a frantic scream leave her mouth, eventually, it was followed by laughter. “Ya can’t take it back now! Too bad for you, but my ego’s inflated.”
She smacked his chest while giggling madly, “Now we know where it’s stored,” she pushed his forehead back with her finger and smirked, “I guess it can’t be helped.”
They continued to spin in rhythm, finally coming to a synchronized movement as their bodies fit along together to the music.
“Also, this is totally irrelevant to our topic about your head, but I love your parents.” Kagome informed him, “They’re so cute together.”
Inuyasha hummed, “They definitely like you too,” he spun her randomly, causing a bubbling giggle from her, “But my mom also likes everybody, it’s my dad that you gotta convince.”
Kagome’s arms snaked around his neck once she was done being spun around, humming in understanding, “Well, does your dad like me?”
His hands held her at the waist before he could stop himself, and he thought about how perfect her body molded with his. “He hasn’t told ya a bad dad joke yet, so it’s hard to say,” he smirked.
“Oh man,” she replied with defeat, “I guess I have to try harder.”
Silence fell between them again while they danced, the tension was high, and their nerves were beginning to tear their bodies apart. It wasn’t until a few seconds later that Kagome realized the music had changed to something more upbeat and fun, and once Inuyasha picked up the vibrations from the bass of the music, he stopped them both
The bar was fairly crowded with more people than expected for a Saturday night, but if it meant good business and extra cash for the employees Inuyasha wasn’t complaining.
A couple of hours have passed since the elevator situation that had happened earlier with Kagome, and Inuyasha needed a drink after all that had happened. As soon as Kagome was cleared to go back home since the medics concluded that she didn’t need to go to the hospital, he walked her over and she didn’t appear for the rest of the day. They exchanged knocks on their shared wall here and there, but after a while, she stopped, and Inuyasha assumed she fell asleep. She needed it after the day she had, and he wasn’t worried about anything being wrong with her since he could hear her tossing around in her room.
The painters that were contracted to paint the stairs were able to finish their work once the emergency personnel left because there was a second elevator still in service, and the fresh paint had completely dried by dusk.
It had just been their luck to have gotten on the troublesome lift, instead of the one that was actually working perfectly. The half-demon couldn’t say that he minded being trapped in the elevator with Kagome though; after all, he was able to finally ask her to be his wedding date and getting to hold her so close was just a bonus.
Besides his terribly long day that was another reason why he had decided to call Shippo to meet him at their favorite bar. He wanted to update the fox kit on everything that happened, and also celebrate the fact that he finally asked her after dodging the idea for so long.
“You asked her to be your date in the most unromantic way possible!” Shippo laughed, “How could you mess up that badly?”
“I kept holdin’ it off!” Inuyasha growled, “Kept bein’ a fuckin’ bitch about asking her, but after seeing how she was acting when we were stuck it was the first thing that came to mind to get her to think about somethin’ else.”
He leaned back on the chair and sighed. “Well, that and also ‘cause I figured that if it was meant to happen, she would be my date no matter what.”
“And yet you asked her when you were stuck in a hot elevator for two hours!” The fox demon laughed.
“I didn’t think too hard about it before I did it!” Inuyasha defended.
“You don’t think too hard in general.” Shippo teased. He ducked his head in quick reaction to the clawed fist that came swinging at him and couldn’t help his loud belly laugh from escaping his lips.
“Yer lucky I like ya enough not to do anything too crazy to ya.” The half-demon grumbled before taking another swig of his beer.
Shippo smirked, “You don’t like me as much as you like Kagome.”
Inuyasha’s cheeks turned pink, and he chugged the beer down in a haste decision to stall his reply. He placed the cup down and waved at the bartender to ask for another beer before meeting the eyes of his smug-looking coworker. “I-I can’t deny that.”
“Uh-huh.” Shippo took a sip of his beer, “I’m cuter than her though.”
Inuyasha snorted at him, “Not by a long shot.”
“Oh come on, the tail adds a few cute points to me. The girls think so, anyway.” He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned proudly.
“That’s ‘cause they wanna touch it, come on runt, get with the program,” Inuyasha smirked before taking down half of the contents in the cup.
Shippo shrugged, “Oh no! Cute girls dig my fox tail, whatever shall I do?” He acted out dramatically, “I’m gonna take that opportunity every time I can.”
“Attention whore,” the half-demon laughed. “I haven’t even let Kagome touch my ears yet, and she wants to touch them real bad.”
“You’re fucking up every opportunity that comes to you!” The fox kit exclaimed. “A cute girl moves next door and you don’t do anything about it even though you have the biggest fucking crush on her, she wants to touch your ears, she’s funny, and a bunch of other things you’ve told me about; and yet you do nothing!”
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at him before taking down another cup full of beer and asking for his, fifth? sixth?; refill the night and scowled. He hated it when Shippo was right; which happened a lot, because that meant he was going to have to think about reasons in order to defend himself.
Unfortunately, he didn’t really have much to defend. Inuyasha was just a huge scaredy-cat when it came to a woman named Kagome.
“I don’t know if she likes me back.” He replied pathetically.
“You have to be joking.” Shippo quickly responded. “That girl’s crazy for you.”
The bartender placed a new cup of beer in front of the half-demon, who immediately took a giant gulp of the liquid into his mouth. “I don’t know that for sure.”
Shippo groaned, “You do know you’re just being stupid!” He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Did what happened between you two today suddenly evaporate from your big head?”
Inuyasha flushed and looked away, “N-no.” He cleared his throat, “Of course not.”
“Good. Then we both know you two almost, and should have; kissed after sharing that insanely intense eye contact you raved on to me about.”
“That doesn’t mean anythin’!”
“Inuyasha, of course, it does!”
The half-demon asked for another beer, finally feeling the buzz started to hit him after his seventh round. “Yer tellin’ me the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met likes me back?”
Shippo nodded at his friend, “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
“Bah.” Inuyasha scoffed, “She could have anyone. Why me?”
“Because apparently, she has a thing for grumpy half-demons.” The fox kit grinned. “You told me you would go for the next girl who drives you nuts, and you found her, but you haven’t made a move.”
The beer was really starting to take effect on him, and now on his tenth cup, the potency of the beverage was strong enough to get him going. If he kept going he would be totally fucked.
He hasn’t felt this way in a long time.
Shippo’s decision to start playing matchmaker wasn’t helping at all.
“She deserves someone else.” The alcohol spoke for him.
Shippo wanted to slam Inuyasha’s head on the table and yell some sense into him, the only thing holding him back from doing it was Inuyasha’s strength and the fact that they were in a crowded bar. He knew where this self-doubt was coming from, and he needed to squash it down once and for all. “Dude is this about… Kikyo?”
The question stunned him, leaving silence to be Shippo’s answer.
“You can’t let what happened between you guys ruin this chance for you.” Shippo quickly stared up at the ceiling and sighed, “You’re a cocky ass dude when you’re not drinking, you know. You told me the same thing you told her; that you wouldn’t hesitate to ask out the girl that makes you crazy. But, you keep hesitating.”
“You’re right.” Inuyasha groaned. “I hate it when you’re right.”
“I’m always right.” The fox kit laughed.
Another snort left the half-demon’s nose, “Nah. But I’ll give ya a pass tonight.”
A brief silence fell between the two demons as Inuyasha finished another beer.
“So, are you gonna tell her?” Shippo pondered.
Inuyasha nodded. “Yeah. I’m gonna tell her.”
_______
It was late, and Kagome was still recovering from the eventful morning she had with Inuyasha. Getting stuck in an elevator was not part of her to-do list today, and as soon as she stepped inside her home, she threw the to-do list aside for tomorrow and fell asleep.
She deserved it.
On top of being trapped in a lift, she had gotten trapped with Inuyasha, and that fact alone had her heart racing and her stomach fluttering with butterflies. Whatever was going on between them inside of that elevator car was intense, and it’s been on her mind all day long.
They had almost shared a kiss. However, getting interrupted by fire rescue had ruined their moment, and all it left Kagome with was a lot of questions without any answers.
The idea that Inuyasha liked her back was scary enough; adding that he likes her and wants to kiss her makes her brain turn into putty and her legs into jelly. The way he was looking at her, holding her close, and comforting her; there was clearly something happening between them and she didn’t know how to handle it.
She wanted to tell Sango, but she was busy at the moment with a project, so girl talk would have to be postponed until they were both available.
“Buyo, do you think Inuyasha likes me back?” Kagome asked her lazy cat.
Meow.
“That answer doesn’t help me at all!” She groaned and fell back onto her couch. “I don’t know if he likes me back, or if it was the lack of air we had that got to his head!”
Buyo flicked his tail and rolled onto his back, clearly not understanding the situation but wanting tummy rubs.
Kagome pouted as she rubbed her cat’s belly, trying to think of reasonable answers to her own questions. “I’m too scared to tell him, Buyo. What if I confess, and everything gets weird?“ She sighed "Then it’s just more heartbreak and awkward fumbling around each other.”
She rested her head on the back of the couch and sighed defeatedly. “Then our whole dynamic is ruined because of one stupid confession.”
A loud sound outside of her door startled her and her cat, the feline darting off the couch and into her bedroom for safety. Kagome stood up and let out a shaky breath. Inuyasha wasn’t home yet, so she would have to check this out for herself. She tiptoed to her umbrella rack and grabbed onto the heaviest of the bunch before making her way to the front door.
She looked through the peephole and didn’t see anyone, which only made the hairs behind her neck stand on end. Her heartbeat was drumming in her ears, but she did her best to listen past it as she pressed her ear to her door to listen for any other sounds.
At first, she could only hear breathing, and she almost made a run for it to her phone to call Inuyasha, Sango, or Miroku to come to check out who the heck was standing outside of her door in the middle of the night.
However, that was before she heard the familiar sound of grumbling, and then her name was said by Inuyasha’s voice.
“Oh thank God,” she sighed in relief. The umbrella in her hand went slack in her grip, “I don’t need this thing anymore.”
She placed the umbrella back into the rack before opening her door to find her neighbor leaning on the side of the wall with his eyes shut.
“Inuyasha?” She asked him softly.
“Oh, hey Kagome!” He slurred at her.
Her eyes shot open in surprise, “Oh my gosh, are you drunk?!”
“Nah, I don’t get drunk, remember?” He laughed. “How come there are two of you? You never told me you have a sister!”
“Oh my god.” She laughed. “Where are your keys? Let’s get you inside.”
Inuyasha shrugged dramatically before leaning back on the wall. “I don’t know where they are, ‘Gome.”
“That’s not good, Yash.” She sighed. “Okay, do you want to come inside my apartment until you’re better?”
“No.” Inuyasha pouted. “I am better right now, you should be asleep.” His speech was so slurred, and yet somehow she understood him.
“You’re clearly very drunk, and you can’t stand outside. I know you’re a half-demon and all but it’s late.”
He rolled his head to the side and stared at her intently. “I’m very drunk, and yer very pretty.”
Kagome flushed at his sincere compliment, “W-what does that have to do with you coming inside my apartment?”
If he wasn’t drunk she would run into her room and scream into her pillow.
Inuyasha half grinned, “S’cause a pretty girl is askin’ me to come inside her home.” He moved a little closer to her, a smirk clear on his face, “That pretty girl bein’ you.”
If he wasn’t so drunk right now she would slam the girl in his face and forget everything that he said because what the hell does he mean by this?
“T-hank you. Now come on, let’s get you on the couch.” Gently, she took his hand into hers and led him into her living room. As soon as they both passed the door she quickly closed it and locked it. If anything happened, Inuyasha would be way too drunk to help out, and with her ex still out there knowing where she lived Kagome didn’t want to take any chances.
Still holding hands she leaned closer to him and checked out if anything was amiss. He looked fine, with no hints of any injury or a scuffle on his face, he just looked drunk and it was kind of cute.
“Do you want any water?” Kagome offered him kindly. “Or food? I can make us a little snack.”
He gazed at her intensely, his golden eyes never moving away from her face. They were glossed over and hazy, and yet they still held unspoken desires inside them.
Suddenly he pulled her closer to him with their intertwined hands, her chest bumping into his chiseled body, and he wrapped his arms around her back to keep her close. “Kagome.”
She squeaked in embarrassment, “Y-yes, Inuyasha?”
“You…” He breathed her in, the sweet scent of vanilla overtaking his senses like a drug. “Smell nice.”
Her brown eyes never left his golden gaze, “I do?”
The way he was staring into her had her feeling dizzy as if he was looking at something mesmerizing; like the moon and the stars, except he was staring into her chocolate brown eyes.
He leaned in closer, his warm breath that smelled like alcohol fanned over her face before it lingered over her lips. The look in his eyes told her that he was eager and nervous as if he was psyching himself up to confidently make his next move. Although his eyes held a look of uncertainty and nerves, the grip of his arms around her waist told a complete story. Inuyasha didn’t want to let go of her, no, it felt like he could stand here forever with Kagome securely in his arms.
Inuyasha was content with breathing in her scent forever if that’s what he was allowed to do.
“Yeah.” His breath lingered on her lips, “I could get drunk off of it.”
She shook her head and giggled, “You’re already drunk.”
He chuckled, the sound of her laugh ringing in his ears like little bells. “I guess it’s workin’ then.”
The grip on her waist didn’t loosen as he shifted one hand to hold her lower back while the other came up to brush some hair out of her face. “Kagome?”
“Yes?” She replied breathily. “What is it?”
“Can I…?” He slowly leaned in with half-lidded eyes, and Kagome quickly followed his lead.
She closed her eyes and held her breath as she waited for his mouth to crash into hers.
The moment never came.
Kagome heard him whine, it sounded similar to a dog and felt his lips peck at the tip of her nose. “Not yet.” He sighed shakily. “Not when I’m like this. Not yet.”
“B-but-!” She protested.
Inuyasha pulled her into a hug, it was comforting and warm, but she could feel him shaking against her and she didn’t know why.
She quickly realized she was shaking too.
“Y-you need to lay down, Yash.” Kagome reminded him as she laid her head comfortably onto his chest. “A-and leep, you’re drunk.”
He nodded and backed away from her, both of them missing the heat that their bodies had provided. Kagome led him to the couch, just in case he bumped into it before registering that he needed to lay down on it: and let him sit back.
“Sit tight. I’m grabbing you a blanket and a pillow.” She smiled before walking away from him with wobbly legs.
‘What was that?!’ She thought to herself in panic. It had only been one day, and yet it felt like so much had happened that it could have been months. Two almost-kisses in one day had her stomach flipping around in circles, and after this encounter, Kagome had her answer.
Inuyasha likes her back, there’s no more doubting that part of her dilemma. He looked at her like she was the one who put the stars in the sky, and she’s never had anyone look at her that way before in her entire life.
“Not the time, Kagome.” She told herself, shaking her head a few times to get her back on the task at hand. She needed to focus on getting him comfortable for bed, she can think about feelings later, right now she has a handsome, drunk half-demon in her living room who needs to go to sleep as soon as possible.
She can freak out after she puts the drunk hanyou to bed.
In a flash, she took one of the pillows from her bed, and the extra blanket out of her closet and sped walked towards her couch, where Inuyasha was now laying on. Before she could fully cover him, she decided to remove his shoes and leave them by the door so he didn’t ruin her furniture or sleep uncomfortably.
“Knowing how you’re half-demon, I don’t think I need to give you a lot of support since I’m sure you won’t throw up on furniture.” She told him, although it seemed like she was just talking to herself at this point. “But here’s one of my pillows.”
Kagome went to lift his head and slid the fluffy sack underneath, giving him enough comfort so he doesn’t have to wake up with any neck discomfort.
“Mmm.” She heard him mumble, “Smells like you.”
She blushed again, bright and red while covering him up with her fluffy blanket. Thankfully it was long enough to fit over his entire body and wide enough so he doesn’t have to choose a side and stick to it so the blanket doesn’t move around.
When she got closer to his chest, she snuggled him under the blanket and smiled at how cute he looked. He reminded her of a child being tucked into bed and she couldn’t help the little giggle that left her throat.
Once she was done fixing up whatever she saw as unfit, she went to go turn off the lights so he could sleep without any disturbances. However, when she turned back around to check on him one more time, she met his golden gaze staring right at her with a serious expression.
“Inuyasha?” She asked softly, “Is everything okay?”
He didn’t move from his position on the bed, only his eyes could be seen slowly gazing at her from her feet before meeting her eyes. “Beautiful.”
Her face heated up drastically, and she thanked heaven that the living room lights were off. “I-, what?”
“So beautiful.” He repeated it slower this time, a yawn escaping his lips before closing his eyes to succumb to sleep.
“Are you… talking about me?” She whispered, mostly to herself. Inuyasha was now fast asleep, and too far deep into dreamland to give her a response. She wasn’t sure what she should do with this newfound information, knowing that Inuyasha didn’t just want to kiss her; he also thought she was beautiful.
It explains everything she had been denying for the last few weeks.
Leaving the sleeping half-demon on her couch, she trotted over to her bathroom to finish getting ready for bed. When she met her own reflection she gaped at how red she looked. “Oh, god, what do I do?” Her voice shuddered, “He didn’t even confess to me and I’m already like this?”
The idea of a confession was making the temperature rise in the room, and the tips of her ears turned red. Part of her wanted it to happen, she wanted a confession, she wanted to kiss him and seal the deal and start anew with Inuyasha. The other part, however; was terrified of what could happen if they did.
She didn’t want a repeat of her past where she loved and lost and was left a broken version of herself. They were friends and she was happy with that, what if confessing to him ruined everything they already had? Kagome knew Inuyasha was not her ex, not in the slightest bit; but she couldn’t stop worrying and overthinking.
Relationships are a beautiful thing, especially when done right. There’s a bond created between two people, where trust is built and honesty is expected; where love and friendship grow simultaneously, and a language only understood between lovers is created. Happiness grows around you and your person, and support and love blossoms like fresh flowers. Kagome wanted to be the person who watered Inuyasha’s garden, and she wanted him to do it in return. Together they could grow an entire field of beautiful, healthy flowers to take along with them forever.
That scares her.
She released a shaky breath into the glass which fogged up her reflection and hung her head. “I need to sleep. I can think after some proper sleep.”
In her own comforting silence she brushed her teeth and washed her face, and although she was working quietly in the bathroom; the voice in her head was wondering about the man in her living room. Her thoughts lingered on how handsome he is, his humor, his rough demeanor, and his charm. Inuyasha wasn’t the typical boy next door type; his grumpiness had something to do with it, but he was dreamy and kind and he always found a way to sneak into her thoughts.
She groaned in frustration and dragged her body out of the bathroom as she walked over to her bed. “Scoot over Buyo, I need plenty of room to sleep these feelings off.”
Her cat didn’t move, as expected; so she slithered under her comforter and lifted her cuddly cat from the middle of the bed and into her arms. He mewled at her, probably complaining about being moved from his spot, before snuggling into her chest and falling back asleep.
Kagome closed her eyes and sighed into her pillow, “I’ll figure this out soon. I just need to sleep.” The light snoring of her cat beside her and thoughts of white fluffy ears pulled her into sleep.
She slept like a baby, that’s how she could describe her period of rest. With Buyo by her side, she was out in a flash, which she found funny because she figured she would be up all night thinking about what happened.
Although when she woke up to the sound of her confused neighbor talking to himself loudly and strutting around her apartment, what he said to her returned to her head like an ongoing movie. Normally it’s the warm sun bleating down on her face that wakes her up, yet today it’s her half-demon neighbor.
Wiping her eyes and the drool off of her face, she languidly moved to get out of her bed. Buyo didn’t follow after her, deciding to walk a few steps and snuggle into the side of the bed where she had been sleeping.
Anxiety was creeping up inside of her, making her skin prick and her hairs stand on end at the thought of seeing Inuyasha. She hadn’t processed anything! And now she has to talk to him and pretend like nothing happened last night.
“Inuyasha?” Kagome asked groggily. “Why are you pacing around in my house when you should be asleep on the couch?”
Wide golden eyes met her deep brown, and a line wrinkled up on his forehead. “Why am I on your couch in the first place!”
Inuyasha was concerned, confused, and nervous. He went out with Shippo last night to celebrate the fact that he finally told Kagome about the wedding, and about the elevator incident, and once he drank past his limit he couldn’t remember a thing! All he can remember is that Kagome was the only thing on his damn mind the whole night.
It wasn’t helping him at all that she was very cute when she was still half asleep, or the fact that her pajama set was a tank top and frilly, little shorts. Seeing her like this felt domestic and it was making his stomach tighten up in knots.
The current image he had of her was sizzling his brain and sending him into a frenzy. He’s feeling like a high school boy seeing a girl for the first time, and he wants to run out the door and slam his head against the wall.
He really, really likes those pajamas on her.
A lot.
“You came home insanely drunk, and you couldn’t find your keys. I’m not leaving you outside like a dog, so I moved you to the couch.” Kagome simply answered him, the calm tone in her voice being the total opposite of how she actually felt.
Inuyasha glared at her at the dog bit, and Kagome couldn’t help but giggle at the realization of her words.
“Sorry,” she laughed; “That wasn’t on purpose!”
“Uh-huh. Sure.” He chuckled. “I just- I can’t believe I did that.”
She smiled at him and leaned against the wall, “Inuyasha, you didn’t do anything.” she lied. “You could barely stand, and you j needed to rest. My couch saved your life.”
Inuyasha snorted and rolled his eyes, “Yer actin’ like I was dyin’.”
“Yeah, dying to go to sleep.” She corrected him, “It’s okay, you slept like a baby. I wouldn’t have let you come inside if I didn’t want to.”
He hung his head defeatedly. “And yer sure I didn’t do anythin’ funny?”
“Does this face look like a face of a liar to you?” She lied to him again.
“You were fine! Now, do you want pancakes or something? I can make some.” Kagome didn’t know how she was doing this so well without him catching onto her. On the inside, she was anxious as hell over what happened yesterday and she hasn’t had any time to process it yet. Although it isn’t confirmed by him, he unofficially feels the same way about her too; and she doesn’t know how to handle this.
She wants to tell him, so badly, but she’s afraid and she needs time to think. If he likes her back, why hasn’t he said anything? Is she just looking too far into it? Mutual attraction can exist without any feelings being thrown into the middle, and Inuyasha could simply be attracted to her and nothing more. What if she’s wrong and she gets rejected, and then their entire dynamic is ruined because she opened her mouth?
Kagome was so worried that the same questions keep repeating in her head.
However, with Inuyasha in her apartment she also didn’t want to be alone just yet. Making pancakes sounded like a good idea, and she wanted to do it for the both of them.
Inuyasha grumbled, “If ya say so, then I’ll believe ya.” His stomach made a noise of complaint, and he back at her with a sincere look on his face. “Apparently I’m hungry as hell, so pancakes sound good ta me.”
She happily trotted over to her kitchen, practically skipping giddily. “Are chocolate chip pancakes okay?”
Inuyasha laughed at her question and followed her, trying and failing to not stare at her butt as she walked away from him. “What is up with you can chocolate?” he grinned.
She spun around on her heel with a pan in her hand and leaned back on the counter. “Chocolate is the best and it makes most things taste better.” Kagome spun back around and began to grab the ingredients needed to make their breakfast, as well as eggs to cook on the side.
“Yer lucky I don’t react to chocolate the way real dogs do.” He joked.
Kagome gasped and turned her head in his direction, “You’re only saying that because I was freaking out when you pretended to choke on the chocolate I made you when we first met!”
Inuyasha’s laugh was loud and addictive and Kagome wanted to drown in the sound. “Ya can’t blame me, it was funny as hell at the time!”
“Keywords at the time and no it wasn’t!” She giggled, “I thought I poisoned you!”
“It woulda been worth it! Those chocolates were good!” he admitted.
“Well, because of that I added extra chips to the batter.” She stated matter of factly.
Inuyasha watched her flip the pancake with ease, a stack of ready to eat cakes were already piling up on the plate besides her. As he watched her cook, he had to remind himself not to come up from behind her and wrap his arms around her middle.
They aren’t together, and as friends; that would be weird and uncomfortable.
All he wanted to do was tuck his chin on her shoulder and pull her back into him while she made breakfast. His senses would be full of her scent, the noises she makes, and the feeling of her body against his. Inuyasha wanted to be smothered in everything Kagome could give him, and he would live his life happily.
“By the way, how do you like your eggs?” Her voice was soft and distant as she asked him since she was focused on the task at hand.
“Sunny side up.” He answered simply, his eyes hungrily eyeing the woman in front of him.
‘I’m actin’ like a fuckin’ animal.’ He chastised himself. ‘She just looks so fuckin’ cute in those damn shorts.’
“Sunny side up it is!” She happily cheered. The pancakes were finished, and now she was focused on making their eggs so they can sit at the table and eat.
“How do ya like yours?” He asked curiously.
“Scrambled. They’re easier to eat that way, and my mom makes really good scrambled eggs.” She placed Inuyasha’s eggs on his plate before cracking another two into the pan, “So I do my best to make them like she does.”
The half-demon nodded, “Believe me, I understand trying to copy your moms cookin’. I try every night and fail every time.” He chuckled, “I don’t have the magic touch that my ma has.”
“Aww,” Kagome pouted cutely, “That’s so sweet!”
“Keh! Don’t make it weird, Kagome!” He grumbled in embarrassment.
She laughed loudly, “Okay then, that’s not sweet.” she smiled.
Kagome set the plates on the little kitchen island and motioned Inuyasha to sit down on the chairs before realizing that neither of them had anything to drink. “Oh shit, I never made coffee!”
Inuyasha watched her as she stood up from her seat and he immediately scooted over and pushed her back down. “You’ve done enough, I’ll make it. You eat.”
“But, Inuyasha-“
“Inuyasha nothin’, you made us breakfast. It ain’t much but I’ll make us coffee.” He walked over to her coffee pot and started pouring the grounds into the machine. “If it makes ya feel better, my coffee is pretty good.”
Kagome munched on her pancake and smiled at him, “I’ll be the judge of that.” She teased him after swallowing.
He was still dressed in the t shirt and jeans from the night before, but during his sleep the clothes were disheveled and wrinkled up. With his back towards her, she could selfishly watch him and not get caught, especially since she couldn’t help but ogle his back and arms.
It was amazing that all he did was lift up a coffee pot to fill it with water, and his arm flexing from the movement could turn her into jelly.
As the coffee pot started brewing, Inuyasha proudly sat back down by the island and began to start his breakfast. After taking one bite of the pancakes and eggs, his eyes went wide and he nodded his head approvingly.
“This is so good,” he said as he munched.
Kagome laughed at the sight in front of her, “Don’t talk with your mouth full!”
“Can’t help it,” he smirked. “Too good.”
His cheeks were full and round, reminding her of a chipmunk, “Where are your manners?” she joked.
“Manners shmanners!” He defended himself, “Those are for wussy’s.”
“Ah, then am I a wussy too Inuyasha?” she asked him in a smooth tone.
He squinted his eyes at her as he swallowed another portion, “You don’t count.”
The coffee pot beeped, signaling that it was finished brewing and it was ready to serve. Inuyasha got up in a flash before Kagome could hop off her seat and fished two mugs out of her cupboard. “How do ya like yer coffee?”
She swallowed before answering, “Cream and two sugars please. I can’t stand drinking it black.”
He snorted but didn’t answer, instead he worked on her cup first before pouring the rest into his mug and taking both mugs back over to the kitchen island. As he watched Kagome take a sip of her coffee, he noticed how she scrunched up and shivered before releasing a satisfied moan.
“The hell was that?” He asked her concerned.
She smiled shyly, “I was a little cold… the coffee warmed me up.”
“Want my hoodie? I took it off this mornin’ after wakin’ up and feelin’ like I was in an oven.”
Kagome gasped, “Oh my gosh, no! It’s okay, I don’t need it.”
He stood up again, his plate now cleared of any food, and headed towards the couch. “Too late.”
“Inuyashaaa.” Kagome whined, “It’s your jacket!”
The half-demon rolled his eyes and handed her the large, red hoodie. “And now yer borrowing it. Put it on before you become an ice cube.”
She huffed in frustration but listened to him anyway, the large hoodie practically drowned her body and hid it away. “There, happy now?”
Inuyasha coughed and fought off a blush, “Keh.”
He grabbed his plate and washed it in the sink, ignoring Kagome’s protests that she would clean it, and that he doesn’t have to, and washed his mug as well.
“Thanks for breakfast Kagome.” He grinned at her, “I gotta get goin’. I need ta call Shippo.” He grumbled.
Kagome nodded and hopped off her chair, the red hoodie now bunching up over her thighs and smothering her completely. Inuyasha loved how she looked in it, and considered letting her keep it.
It was selfish of him, and self indulgent; but having her wear his clothing felt like he was making a stand and telling other guys to fuck off about coming near her.
He also likes how she looks in his clothes, and seeing her dressed in his hoodie only made him want her even more.
‘Damn inuyoukai instincts, I blame you for this.’
“Are you sure you’re okay? You were so gone last night, I have no idea how you look so normal today.” She balled up the excess sleeves in her over hands and held the fabric in her fists.
Inuyasha blushed harder, his cheeks betraying him instantly, and looked away from her. “Half-demon, remember?”
Kagome rolled her eyes and laughed breathily, “Oh duh! Silly me.”
She skipped over to her front door, the hem of her shorts and hoodie riding up a little over her upper thigh, and Inuyasha immediately looked away from her; the image instantly burned into his brain forever. He followed after her and stepped outside as soon as the door was wide open.
“Thanks again for breakfast.” He said sheepishly.
She leaned on the door and grinned, “Don’t forget, I saved your life too!”
He rolled his eyes as he walked over to his door and unlocked it, “And for saving me from sleeping outside all night with all of the bugs,” he teased her.
Kagome scrunched up her nose and shivered, “You’re welcome, now go clean up, you smell like beer!”
“Fuck off!” The half-demon laughed boisterously, the sound echoing beautifully throughout the parking lot and creating a warmth to spread throughout Kagome’s body.
She had it bad.
‘I’m so screwed.’
______
It had been a few days since Inuyasha turned up to her apartment at midnight after drinking too many beers, and she hadn’t been able to tell Sango anything. Kagome’s been allowing herself to process everything that has happened between them, and she didn’t understand how she could be so oblivious to the truth.
When she wasn’t distracted by her job, she was thinking about Inuyasha, and about the possibility of telling him how she feels. Pros and cons lists were made up in her head, fake scenarios that were of good and bad endings replayed constantly, and she also daydreamed about being able to do girlfriend things for Inuyasha.
It was now Thursday, five days since the elevator incident that allowed her to wake up and see that his feelings were mutual.
Well, unofficially mutual. He hasn’t outright told her yet.
“Buyo!” She groaned, “What do I do!”
Meow.
“He doesn’t know I like him, and vice versa… what if I ruin everything because I looked too deeply into this!”
Meow.
“You don’t know that!” She argued with her cat.
He purred in response.
“God, I’m going to ruin everything!” She took a throw pillow from her couch and screamed into it, the sound coming out muffled and miserable.
Her cell phone vibrated on the coffee table and she dived for it, immediately seeing Sango’s silly photo ID pop up on her screen. She slid the green button to the side and lifted her phone up to her ear.
“Finally!” Kagome answered dramatically.
“Finally? No ‘hey Sango how’s it going?’ No, ‘How’s Miroku treating you?’” Sango replied.
Kagome rolled her eyes, “You act like we weren’t texting five minutes ago.”
“It’s the thought that counts, Kagome!”
She giggled before falling backwards onto the couch cushions. “Drama queen.”
“That’s your title, babe.” Her friend teased her, “I’m the drama princess.”
Kagome waved her hand up and down to no one in particular and scoffed, “I beg to differ.”
“It’s okay, Miroku is the most dramatic of the three of us. He takes the throne.”
The girls agreed, giggling with each other like school girls.
“Okay, so I don’t have enough time, but I can do five minutes before I have to run back to what I was doing. What did you want to talk about that was too important for texts? I’ve been waiting all week!”
“Put me before your job and then this wouldn’t happen!” Kagome laughed, not serious at all whatsoever.
“I’ll do it when you do!” Sango giggled, “Now out with it!”
Kagome released a shuddering breath and shut her eyes, “I think Inuyasha likes me.”
There was a pause on the line before Sango bursted out laughing on the other end. “Oh, you don’t say?!”
“Sango, I’m serious!” She whined.
Sango continued to laugh on the other end and Kagome considered hanging up on her.
“Babe, you two act like two kids with crushes on each other. Miroku and I already knew about this!”
“Oh no, is it obvious?” She asked embarrassedly.
“To everyone else except you two!”Sango explained. “It’s like you both have foggy glasses on and you can’t see what’s happening in front of you.”
“Wonderful example.” Kagome deadpanned. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Tell him!”
“No!” She defended, “What if he doesn’t like me and I ruin everything!”
“He does like you!” Sango fought back, “He’s like a lost puppy without you, no pun intended.”
Kagome failed to fight back her smile and sighed. “I also… don’t know if I’m ready.”
“That’s a different story.” Her friend replied, “But I understand.”
Kagome fiddled with the pocket of Inuyasha’s hoodie and groaned. “I want to be ready though.”
“That’s up to you. Do you want my advice?”
She pouted, “Always.”
“I say, go for it. I know it’s scary. Kei fucked you over, so badly, but not every guy is Kei. Just like how not every guy is Inuyasha.” She sighed, “It’s okay to be nervous to try again, but you deserve another love story with someone who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated. With love, loyalty, understanding, reassurance, and everything in between.”
Her eyes welled up with tears, but she held them back from falling. “What if it breaks apart again?”
“Then it wasn’t meant to be. But you don’t know unless you try.”
There it is again, the same words of wisdom that Inuyasha told her back at the diner. Was he talking about her at the time? Has Kagome really been that dense that she didn’t notice it?
“It scares me.”
“And that’s okay. You don’t have to tell him right now, do it when you feel ready. You’ll know when you do.”
“And you’re sure he likes me back?”
“He looks at you like you’re the only living thing in the world. So yes, I do.”
“We do!” Shouted Miroku from far away.
“Ignore him, he’s eavesdropping.”
Kagome laughed. “He’s painting your nails right now isn’t he?”
“As I look over files? Yes, of course.” Sango laughed. “By the way, where’s Inuyasha? If you’re talking to me about this so easily, he can’t be home right?“
Kagome shook her head, “Nope, I think he’s at work. Sometimes he comes back a few hours later. I hear him unlock his door pretty late sometimes.”
>em>“Ah, well, I managed to halt my meeting at a good time then.” She laughed, “Sadly, I have to let you go. My boss can’t wait forever.”
Kagome smiled and snuggled into the pillow, “I appreciate your advice. I’ll think it over.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” A pause, “Bye Kagome, we love you. Call Miroku if you need anything!”
“Bye, I love you guys too.” She grinned into the phone, “Good luck on your meeting.”
“Thanks, I’ll need it.”
The call was over as quickly as it happened, and Kagome was left alone with her thoughts once again.
“I won’t know unless I try.” She told herself, “But what if I’m too scared to try?”
She laid back and groaned in frustration, on one hand; telling Inuyasha and possibly going out sounded like a dream. On the other, telling him and trying again sounded terrifying.
The idea of falling in love again just to watch it break, burn, and end seemed like something a masochist would do. Giving yourself to a person, letting them learn your creases and your ends, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and show your weaknesses was a heavy task, and if done right it would turn out beautiful.
Falling in love was like watching flowers bloom in a meadow where they were once buds. With enough water, sunshine, and care the flowers will blossom into big and bright bouquets that litter the land and spread across endlessly. It was beautiful, it was magical, and it was effortless.
However, flowers can die without the proper care, and left to dry up and lose their color. A flower never fully recovers from that, and some leaves wither away and fall off, crumbling and weakening on the floor.
Kei left her withered, and she hasn’t been able to recover from that. Her leaves are dry, her stem is weakened, and her petals are brittle and discolored. Even with her own love and care, she could only salvage so much. The trauma of her past relationship was almost too strong and heavy to manage fixing.
However, she recovered what she could, and Kagome was still a beautiful flower that deserves another chance of water, sunshine, and love.
She just needed to be ready to receive it.
A knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts, and immediately she perked up, hoping it was her favorite half-demon at the door.
“Coming!” She called out giddily.
She skipped over and looked through the peephole, and her smile dropped into a horrified frown.
It was her ex boyfriend.
And Inuyasha wasn’t home.
“Kei, leave right now!” She shouted desperately.
“Open the door!” He yelled angrily.
“In your dreams you asshole!” Her heart was racing in her chest, threatening to rip out of her body and land on her feet.
“Why won’t you take me back?!” He yelled. “I did so much for you. I lost friends for you, gave up going to a college out of state for you, and came back home to you every night. What more did you want from me!” His voice was loud and gruff, and she could hear him so clearly it was as if he was right beside her.
To her own surprise, Kagome laughed in reaction, loud and obnoxious. “You ruined me Kei!” She yelled through the door.
“Why won’t I take you back? Besides cheating on me, you gaslit me, manipulated me into thinking everything was my fault. You didn’t lose any friends! Those were all girls you fucked that I called you out on!”
She gasped for breath but kept going, “I supported you to move but you chose not to, not me! I didn’t force you to stay here! And you came home every night smelling like another girls perfume and sex. So don’t you dare turn this back on me Kei.”
There was silence on the other side of the door, it was brief, and it felt long and torturous. Kagome wondered if he was still there, or if he had ignored her and walked away.
The hard bangs on her door proved otherwise.
“Fuck you!” Kei yelled, “You sucked in bed, you didn’t listen to me ever, you complained about everything I did and you were so fucking annoying and insecure. Why do you think I fucking cheated on you?”
Tears welled up in her eyes but she decided to let them fall, allowing herself to confront the problem head on like she had when she left him.
His words hurt, but she knew they weren’t true. He was doing it again, gaslighting her and running the same routine he did when she dated him.
“I did everything for you and you never appreciated me. You stayed with me and fucked other girls because I was dumb enough to let you walk over me and use me. I learned from that Kei, and I know what I deserve!”
"Shut up!” He yelled, “You don’t know shit!“
Kagome was so over this, and she grabbed her phone from her pocket and went to dial 9-1-1. “I deserve someone who treats me the opposite of what you did to me, Kei.”
He laughed darkly, and she shivered when she heard it. “Oh yeah, and who the fuck is gonna love you that way when you’re such an awful girlfriend?”
Her voice wavered, but she held onto it strongly. “I already found someone who will. He’s proved it to me one too many times, not that you deserve to know that.”
“He’s gonna do you like I did, Kagome; and you’re gonna be left fucked up all over again.”
“Shut the hell up and tell me how you found my address. I’m over this conversation!” She screamed.
Kei laughed again, leaned his head closer to the door.
“If you didn’t want me to find out where you lived, maybe you should have told your friends about what a big and bad boyfriend I was.”
Her heart dropped and she gasped, the realization dawning on her that one of her friends from high school unknowingly told Kei. They never came to know what happened between them because, well, she was too preoccupied trying to heal that she never found the time. Only Sango and Miroku knew, besides her family, and as she healed, she never felt the urge to vent to her friends about the details of her failed relationship.
However, she did tell them that they broke up, and gave them her new address when she moved into this complex.
Kagome had no idea that Kei would escalate to these levels, and that’s why the urgency to explain to her friends wilted away as the months went by.
“I-I’m calling the police.” She yelled at him through the door.
“I’m getting out of here. I don’t want you back.” Kei replied darkly.
“Good riddance!” She screamed at him as she dialed emergency services.
"Inuyasha pulled up into the parking lot and sighed deeply, absolutely exhausted from how long his day was. All he wanted to do now was take a shower, eat, and see Kagome before he went to bed. He had no other plans, and he hoped they would stay that way.
Seeing Kagome’s ex run down his building’s stairs was not on his list, but knocking his teeth out was immediately added to it.
He climbed out of his truck and slammed the door, suppressing a smirk when he watched the fucker jump from the sound. “Oí, what the fuck did I say the last time I saw you?”
Kei stopped in his tracks and grinned at him, fake confidence leaking off of him like oil. “I believe I told you to fuck off.”
Inuyasha slowly walked over to him and grinned at him before knocking his fist right into his face. “Nah, I told ya I’d kick yer fuckin’ ass!”
Kei’s hands flew to his face as an attempt to shield off another hit and yelled in pain. “Fuck you, bro!”
Inuyasha hit him again in the gut before socking his jaw from the side, “Is that all you know to say? Some tough guy you are!”
Kei tried hitting back, but Inuyasha was faster than him, and it only proved to Kei that he was no match against the half-demon. “You’re fucking doing this over some girl who sucks in bed?!”
Inuyasha’s vision went red, instantly hitting him straight in the nose, a loud crack echoing in his ears.
He wasn’t hitting him hard enough to kill him, no; he was holding back a lot of strength.
Inuyasha could kill him if he chose to, but he won’t.
Kei’s pained yelp reverberated in the parking lot as he fell backwards on the gravel. “She’s not even worth it!”
“She’s worth more than you’ll ever know, but you were too fucking stupid to see that.” Inuyasha answered him darkly. “Get the hell outta here before I kill ya.”
“You won’t!” Kei argued back, his voice wavering.
Inuyasha chuckled, “You ever show yer damn face here and come near her, I will make sure you won’t be able to walk ever again.”
His ears picked up the sound of sirens and he looked back out at the entrance of the complex and groaned. His knuckles had some of Kei’s blood on them, and the asshole’s face was already swelling from the punches.
Inuyasha was so fucked.
“Inuyasha!” He heard Kagome yell, his attention immediately turning over towards the girl running towards him dressed in his hoodie.
“Are you alright?!” Inuyasha yelled, meeting her halfway across the parking lot. “Did he touch you?”
He was trying his best not to lose his shit, and if it weren’t for the girl beside him, he would have caused more damage.
Kagome ran into his arms and shook her head in his chest, “No, no, I didn’t open the door.”
He pulled her tightly into his body and kissed her forehead, “That’s my girl.”
She wrapped her arms around him and started crying, releasing all of the pent of fear and frustration that she was holding back from a few minutes ago. While she cried, Inuyasha held her firmly; running soothing circles on her back as he watched two police cars roll into the vicinity.
The sound of the sirens had drawn attention to them as their neighbors peaked out through their front doors, watching them from the safety of their homes.
Kagome giggled into his shirt, and Inuyasha looked down at her with his eyebrows raised. “The hell ya laughin’ at?’
She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of his hoodie and stared at him with tear stained cheeks, “It hasn’t even been a week and we’ve already made the police come here twice.”
“Keh,” Inuyasha scoffed. “We make this place more interestin’.”
She laughed again and pulled away, instantly regretting her decision. However, as two officers handled her ex, the other two came over to talk to the neighbors about what happened.
“Are you Ms. Kagome Higurashi?” The female officer asked.
Kagome nodded, “Yes I’m the one who made the call.”
The officer took note of her answer before looking at the man beside her, “And who are you?”
“Inuyasha Taisho.” He answered simply.
“H-he’s my friend.” Kagome added.
“Alright, and may I ask why the man in custody has a bloodied face?“
Before Inuyasha could answer, Kagome jumped in ahead of him. “Inuyasha was defending me. My ex can be aggressive, a-and this is the second time he’s shown up to my apartment without permission.”
The male officer raised his eyebrow at her, “Without permission?”
“I-I never gave him my address. He found it on his own.” Her voice shook in reply.
The officers nodded in understanding, “We’re going to have to ask you some more questions, are you alright with that?”
Inuyasha held Kagome’s hand firmly, silently telling her that he’s here for her.
“Yes, that’s fine.” She agreed.
It took an hour after Kei was placed in custody and the first pair of officers drove away, but Kagome and Inuyasha were questioned along with their neighbors. Their neighbors defended the pair, not denying that they heard when Kei arrived at her apartment the first two times and confirming what Inuyasha and Kagome had said during both incidents. They continued to praise Inuyasha and Kagome; informing the officers that they were good people, and that besides this situation, nothing ever out of the ordinary was done by either of them.
Inuyasha was left with a warning, however it wasn’t officially written down by the officers, so it was as if the beating never happened.
They convinced Kagome to write up a restraining order on Kei, and she agreed, saying that she would fill it out and return it to the department by the end of the week.
Once the officers were gone and everyone in the complex was back inside their apartments, Inuyasha let Kagome and Buyo stay over at his unit for the night. If it were any other instance, he would be a flushed mess right now. However, Kagome was shaken up and processing what happened, and she was cuddling up with her cat on his couch while he made her tea.
“Thank you, Inuyasha.” Kagome said in a small voice.
The half-demon sighed in frustration as he sat down beside her, “I didn’t hold my word to protect you. I don’t deserve any praise.”
She turned towards him, laying a hand on his chest to signal that she was about to speak. “Don’t say that, please. You’ve already done so much. You were at work, and I didn’t open the door. I’m okay.”
He balled his hands into fists as he battled internally with himself, “If I had been here-“
“You are here, now. A-nd you held him off in time for the police to arrive. I was too afraid to go outside and stall him… I didn’t come out until I heard him yelp out.”
The half-demon smirked, “I fucked his face up.”
Kagome rolled her eyes, “He deserved it.”
She laid her head on his chest and released a breath through her nose. “I need to make some calls.”
“You don’t want’a hold off until tomorrow?” He asked her softly.
She shook her head, “I’ve held off enough. However… I’ll tell Sango and Miroku tomorrow. She’s stressed enough as it is.”
Inuyasha nodded and wrapped his arm around her waist, effectively pulling her closer to him to comfort her. Buyo laid comfortably on her lap as he dozed off into deep sleep.
Eventually Kagome started to call her friends, investigating which one of them was the one who told her ex where she lived; and instantly forgiving them because it wasn’t their fault. They didn’t know about how bad he was, and she never told them.
While Inuyasha quietly listened to the girl speak to her friends on a four way call, he wished he could take all of this away from her so she never had to suffer from it in the first place. Kagome was reliving her trauma as she retold her story, answering questions, and even wiping away from tears that formed in her eyes.
She never deserved this.
As the call began to dwindle off into happier territory, it was already two in the morning, and Buyo had moved from Kagome’s lap and onto a separate couch cushion where he stretched out comfortably and twitched in his sleep.
The girl beside him wasn’t any better as she yawned and giggled sleepily on the phone. Her eyes were growing heavy, and her voice was slurring from exhaustion. After a few more minutes of talking, the call ended, and Kagome placed her phone on the table besides the couch.
“How’d it go?” He asked her softly.
She yawned and snuggled into his chest, too tired to blush from their closeness. “Ayumi did it, and she cried to me, and I had to tell her it wasn’t her fault.”
“Hm.” He agreed, “You have good friends.”
She smiled, and laid her hand back onto his chest. “I also have a great neighbor.”
He chuckled, “Is that all I am?” He teased, “Not even your friend?”
Kagome shook her head, “More than a friend.” She admitted before falling asleep, her exhaustion now effectively hitting her.
“Oh, shit.” The half-demon whispered to himself.
All Inuyasha could do was hold the woman in his arms as he internally freaked out, making sure he didn’t wake her as he came to the realization of her words.
It was a beautiful, bright, Saturday morning and Inuyasha was in a grouchy mood.
His older brother had called him again to ask if there had been any progress in the wedding date situation, and his answer only led to becoming the butt of the joke as usual. Inuyasha didn’t need a damn date for Sesshomaru’s wedding, no one except his parents gave a shit about him, so why would that change just because he brought a date?
However, another reason Inuyasha was so grouchy after that phone call was because he already had someone in mind, but he was too much of a wimp to ask her. Kagome would be the perfect person to bring to his brother’s wedding. She’s charismatic, funny, fucking beautiful, and she grounds him. Whenever she’s around him he tends to forget about things he should be worried about.
He knew he could ask her, and he knows that she’d probably agree to go, but the idea of asking her made his insides twist and tighten because she’s Kagome and he likes her.
She drives him crazy and he can’t get her out of his head.
The idea of having her on his arm, introducing her to his family, and watching her talk to a bunch of demons he didn’t even talk to sounded crazy. Demons love to gossip; they’re bored and powerful and have nothing better to do, so the minute he shows up with Kagome it’ll start a wave of rumors.
Inuyasha wasn’t against Kagome going with him because of those rumors though, no, he’d sulk about how he wished they were true. What also stops him from asking her to go with him is that he worries it’ll put her in an uncomfortable position. She’s a human, and he’s half-demon, that’s enough ammunition for everyone at that wedding to make comments under their breath.
He was used to it. Kagome, however, didn’t deserve to have such things said about her when they don’t even know her.
Instead of allowing himself to be grouchy in the confines of his home, Inuyasha decided to go out for a run to let out his frustration. After hanging up on his brother he quickly changed into his athletic wear, fished his keys, drank some water, and headed for the door.
It was horrendously early, around 6:30 in the morning, and he idly wondered why he could hear the girl next door padding around her apartment at this time on a weekend. He figured he’d ask her later because he’s always curious about what she’s up to. However, even he knew that teasing her when the sun was just starting to rise was a terrible idea. Kagome isn’t a morning person.
The high-pitched shriek followed by his name made the half-demon change his plans though.
He could hear her footsteps speeding towards the direction of her front door, but he was faster than her, and in a blink of an eye he was already in front of her apartment just in time to see the door swing open in a frenzy.
“Inu-!” She bumped into his chest with a muffled grunt and rubbed her nose.
“What is it? Why are ya screamin’? Is someone in there?” He managed to say as he pulled her away from her doorway and into his arms. He was listening for anything abnormal, a sign for him to walk in there and clobber whoever it was that was inside her home. But Inuyasha was awake before she was, and he would have heard someone enter her home. Inuyasha has Kagome’s walking pattern already wedged into his memory, and until now there had been no signs of someone else besides her in the apartment.
“There’s a spider! A big one, and it’s so gross! Please get rid of it!” She squirmed in his arms from the memory of being face to face with the arachnid.
“A spider…” Inuyasha heaved a sigh, dropping his head on top of hers in relief. He slowly inhaled her scent and visibly relaxed, the ideas swarming in his head of an intruder quickly leaving his mind.
Kagome stiffened upon realizing how close they were and let out a whimper. “Inuyasha?”
He didn’t move from over her and simply grunted. “Where is it?”
She squirmed again in disgust. “In my bathroom.”
He let go of her and took note of just how cute she looked in her pajamas and tousled hair. “Alright, scaredy-cat, show me where it is.”
She huffed in reply and quickly turned back around into her home, her handsome neighbor following close behind her. When she got to the bathroom she immediately stopped by the entryway and pointed to her shower curtain and whimpered again. “It’s on my curtain. Be careful, I’m not sure if it’s dangerous or not.”
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and snickered. “If it’s venomous, I’ll just be out of commission for a few days. I’d be more worried if you got bit by a spider.”
He walked towards the shower and inspected the area, looking for the eight-legged creature in haste. He listened closely for movement of little legs and continued his search.
Kagome gasped and it made his ear twitch in reaction to the sound. “Ew! I see it! Above you!”
Quickly he looked up and made eye contact with a black spider that looked smaller than his hand and reached for it. He could hear Kagome squealing from behind him as he ran from her bathroom towards the balcony and down the stairs.
He reappeared as fast as he left to wash his hands in her bathroom sink, and he watched Kagome from the reflection of her mirror as she hugged herself and looked around the bathroom for any more small intruders.
“Kagome, the spiders gone.” He deadpanned.
He noticed how she shivered and it made Inuyasha chuckle, “You can take your long ass showers in peace now.”
“I really hate bugs.” She sighed. “Thank you for helping me out.”
He patted her head and laughed. “If I didn’t, I knew you wouldn’t step foot in here. And we both know how much ya love to fuckin’ shower and bathe.”
She crossed her arms and leaned back against the bathroom wall. “If you hadn’t gotten rid of it then I would have to use your shower every day until we managed to find it. I bet you’d get sick of me from how much I’d use your bathroom.”
‘It wouldn’t bother me at all actually.’ He thought to himself.
He tried to bite back images of Kagome using his shower and failed miserably. The sound of clothing coming off and hitting the floor, the image of her using his soap, shampoo, and conditioner to wash her body and hair, the mixture of their scents wafting in his home, and the idea of her smelling like him had him losing his mind. He rolled his hand into a fist and made sure his claws punctured his skin to pull him out of his head.
“You’d have’ta pay half for my water bill.” He replied in a strained tone.
She giggled. “You okay there?”
He blushed and looked away from her. “Y-yeah. Just got somethin’ in my throat.”
“Want any water?” She offered him kindly.
He shook his head and made his way out of her bathroom. “Nah, I’m good. I was actually goin’ to go out for a run when someone screamed bloody murder on my way out.”
She stammered. “You saw how big that thing was!”
He laughed. “It was smaller than yer hand, Kagome.”
She pouted at him and looked away. “That’s still big.” She muttered.
“What are ya doin’ up so early on Saturday anyway?” He asked.
“I have to go to the office really quick while it’s open for cleaning. I had no time to pick up these documents, and I need them desperately for an assignment.” She sighed. “Not that I want to go anywhere this early on the weekend.”
He barked a laugh. “Get that shit done so you can go back to sleep.”
She gently pushed him out of her room and giggled. “Then go on your run so I can take my shower!”
He was only slightly relaxing his weight onto her arms as she pushed him towards her front door, the sound of Kagome’s straining to move him forward making the situation a lot funnier.
“Wow Kagome, you’re so strong.” He teased.
“You-” wheeze, “are-“ gasp, “so heavy!” She exclaimed. Miraculously, she managed to leave him at the entryway and panted after letting him go.
“Maybe after my run, I’ll be a few pounds lighter and we can try that again.” He half grinned.
“Absolutely not.” She panted. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to freshen up from that workout.”
“Have fun bein’ responsible.” He told her before walking down the steps.
“Have fun on your run!” She yelled back before shutting her door and heading straight to her spider-free bathroom.
______
The journey to her office was as boring and uneventful as any other day. Since Kagome worked from home, she was rarely ever at her building. There were moments where she did miss her coworkers, but being able to sit in her pajamas, eat whenever she wanted, and do work on her bed or couch was a better deal than being surrounded by people in office chairs. Coming back to pick up work documents hit her with a little bit of nostalgia, but since no one was there except for the cleaning crew, she didn’t have a reason to stay longer for a conversation.
By the time she had returned to her complex, it was almost 7:30 in the morning. Kagome had treated herself to some coffee and a quick breakfast on the way home from a drive-through cafe, and now that her tummy was satisfied for the time being, she was going to crawl into her bed and go back to sleep.
As she walked to her specific building she became fully aware of the work trucks and groups of people around the stairs. They were painters, dressed up in their uniforms with bits of splattered paint staining the fabric and they were currently working on her set of stairs.
“Oh, great.” She groaned. “I have to use the elevator.”
She made a quick turn around and headed straight towards the area where their elevators were located and sighed. It wasn’t that their elevators were bad, no, it’s that their elevators were awful. After going on them for the first time when she, Sango, and Miroku were moving her stuff into her home they all agreed they would never take the elevators ever again. Kagome had no idea that, for a complex as nice as hers, the elevators would be so badly maintained. They shook and creaked with every move they made and the sound alone gave her the heebie-jeebies.
However, today, she had no choice. She decided that as soon as she gets home she was not going back downstairs for the rest of the day.
She clicked the button and waited patiently for the lift to come down from the third floor; the elevators were apparently moving even slower than usual.
She heard footsteps approach her from behind and turned back to see Inuyasha jogging towards her.
“Yo!” He greeted, “How’d it go?”
He was glistening in sweat, his hair was now picked up into a ponytail; something he didn’t have on this morning, and his arms and chest looked bigger and sculpted in his muscle tank top.
She swallowed her drool and remembered that she needed to say words to him. “O-oh, it was nothing! I was in and out pretty quickly. I was able to get some breakfast on the way back too.”
He wiped the sweat from his brow and fixed his hair, the muscles of his arms flexing with every single move.
“Sounds good. Still sleepy?” He asked her.
Kagome lifted her hand to her face and shook her head. “So tired! I’d be in bed by now if the stairs weren’t wet with paint.”
The half-demon chuckled. “Did ya forget that they were gonna restore all the stairs today?”
She peaked at him through her fingers. “When did they say that they were going to do that?”
“On Monday, when they sent an email to everyone.” He smirked at her, “You didn’t read it did ya?”
She looked up towards the ceiling and sighed dramatically. “I was too busy with work to read that email. I totally forgot about it.”
The elevators finally dinged and the doors flung open slowly, finally allowing the two neighbors to enter the lift.
“You know, at least we live on the second floor,” Inuyasha added.
“That’s true. The faster these doors close, the faster we can get home.” ‘And I can sleep,’ She thought.
Maybe she’ll dream about post-workout Inuyasha holding the dream version of her in his arms.
It wasn’t a crime to dream about your attractive neighbor anyway, and she would indulge herself in any way she saw fit.
The doors rolled closed, confining Inuyasha and Kagome inside it as it slowly started moving up to the above floors. However, the groans and creaks the elevator usually did sounded a bit more dramatic, and it wasn’t until it started shaking a little more aggressively that it had Kagome held onto the rails in a panic and Inuyasha’s ears on alert.
“Um-“ The elevator shook again before coming to a full stop. Kagome waited for the doors to slide open, but that moment never came, and it only made her breathing shorten and her heartbeat race.
“Are we stuck?” She shakily asked her half-demon neighbor.
With his ears still standing up at attention, he held onto the wall and nodded. “Yeah, we’re stuck. I think we’re close to the second floor, but not by much.”
“Oh, great. Cool.” She whimpered in fear.
“Kagome?” He asked her in concern.
“We’re stuck inside this thing and it’s so small! We’re inside a box! There’s nowhere to go, how are we-“
“Kagome. Breathe.”
“H-how are we going to get out?” She whimpered.
Inuyasha slowly walked towards her and pulled her into his arms. She was so tense, he could feel and hear her heart beating rapidly against her chest, her breathing was shallow and she was clinging onto his shirt for dear life.
“Kagome, listen to me. It’s going to be fine.” He held her tighter to him.
“It is?” She wiped her eyes.
“Yeah, it is. I’m here, and I ain’t gonna let anythin’ happen to ya.”
Kagome nodded and dove into his chest for comfort. He was doing his best right now, and she appreciated him for that. He was stuck inside this elevator with her too, and he was trying to be calm for the both of them. Having him holding her so closely helped her relax a little bit more, and once she wasn’t shaking against him so much, she pulled away slightly.
If they were in different circumstances, Kagome would laugh about how something she dreamed of came true. However, she was too busy panicking to think about how his arms were wrapped around her, so she’ll have to freak out about it later.
“We should… hit the emergency button.” She decided. Very slowly, she trudged towards the side panel and clicked on the red button to alert the firefighters. The alarm echoed throughout the small compartment as it rang endlessly. Kagome was holding her breath in anticipation that someone, anyone, would pick up on the other end.
“Hello?”
“Oh thank God.” Kagome shuddered under her breath. “Hi! We’re stuck in the elevator, can you help us?”
“Is this the Sunrise Apartment complex? If so, what building?”
Kagome was holding onto the railing with a hard grip, her knuckles were stark white. “Yes, Sunrise Apartments! Building 3!”
There was static on the other end before the dispatcher on the other side of the line replied.
“Emergency services and an elevator technician are coming shortly. Sit tight, and if you need anything else please hit the button again.”
“O-okay!” She stuttered before the line went dead. There was no more static, just the slight ringing of the bell to alert them that there is an emergency to fill up the space in the air.
Kagome hated elevators, which was another reason why she only went on them when it was necessary. Even if she had to climb 120 flights of stairs she would do it before climbing an elevator. Being stuck in an elevator was one of her biggest nightmares, and yet here she is, waiting for rescue to come and take her out of this box.
“Kagome.” Inuyasha’s voice pulled her out of her meltdown. “Come back here.”
She whipped her attention back to her neighbor, who was now sitting on the floor with his back against the steel walls. He had his arms wide open for her to come back and crawl into, and an unreadable look in his golden eyes. Without saying a word Kagome crouched down on her knees and slowly crawled over to him until she was settled next to him.
His arm wrapped tightly around her middle while she lay against his chest and clung to his tank top. “Didn’t know you weren’t a fan of elevators.”
Kagome sighed and played with the fabric of his shirt. “I never have. And now that I’m forced to get on one, I’m stuck in it.”
Inuyasha let out a puff of air and squeezed her middle to try to comfort her. “Least you’re not alone.”
She hummed in appreciation and nuzzled into his chest. “And at least it’s with you.”
They both blushed a deep shade of red and fought inwardly to calm themselves down.
It was quiet between them and Inuyasha focused on Kagome’s heart rate while she focused on steadying her breathing. There was a clear indication that she was still nervous; she was shaking against him and wouldn’t move a muscle, and all he wanted to do was break the doors apart and pull her out.
However, that may place her in more danger, and he wasn’t going to put her at risk. He wasn’t a technician or a firefighter; he didn’t know exactly where they were stuck, they could be hanging between both levels for all he knew. Although it sounded like a good plan, he wasn’t going to go through with it.
He wanted to give her something to think about while they were stuck in here, something that would distract her from the situation at hand. Begrudgingly, he remembered the conversation he had earlier with his brother, which is what made him go on a run and meet back up with Kagome who he was now trapped in this elevator with.
He figured if it was fate at this point, there was no point in avoiding it forever. If she said no, then he’ll stick to his original plan and take Shippo, but if she says yes…
“Listen, this is going to sound very random given the situation that we’re in now.” He started shakily. He was so nervous he was going to explode.
Kagome listened to him intently, the wavering in his voice making her give him her full attention.
“Don’t give me an answer until we get outta here, alright?“ He started strongly, “B-but I was wonderin’ if ya wanted to come with me to my brother’s weddin’… as my date.”
Kagome flushed at his offer and looked down at her hand to hide her face from him. “Why ask me this now?”
He grumbled and shifted his gaze away from her, “I’ve been meanin’ to ask ya but I didn’t know if you’d go with me.” He held her tighter. “B-but you’re only thinkin’ about this elevator right now, and I wanted to see if this would let ya think of somethin’ else.”
Kagome raised her head, her eyebrows shooting up at him. “So, this is just to distract me?”
“No!” He quickly argued back. “I genuinely want to go with ya! But don’t give me an answer until we get outta here.” He reminded her.
It was silent for a few seconds and Inuyasha wondered if he had totally messed everything up between the two of them.
If this blows up in his face, he can forget ever telling her about how he feels about her.
“Okay,” Kagome answered honestly. “I-I’ll give you my answer once we’re rescued.”
His cheeks tinged pink. “Cool. Yeah, exactly, tell me after.”
Kagome laughed nervously but chose not to reply to him, instead she laid her head back on his chest and tried to relax her breathing. Not only was she stuck in this elevator, but the man she had feelings for asked her to be his date to his brother’s wedding.
That means she would meet his family, and their friends and they would go dressed up to the nines.
As friends.
She had to remind herself that it would be as friends. Until she gathered her wits to confess to him, that’s all they would ever be to each other. Part of her was content with this because a life without Inuyasha sounds miserable to her now, but the other part wants more with him.
She was in a dilemma.
It was silent between them for a few minutes as the two neighbors drowned in the thoughts swarming inside their heads.
Inuyasha was mentally hitting himself for asking her to be his date in a situation like this. He could have asked her in a normal way, but he took too damn long and jumped the gun without properly thinking it through.
All he wanted was to get her to stop panicking over their current predicament, and it seemed like a good idea at the time. It would kill two birds with one stone; ask Kagome to be his date, and get her to think about something else.
It made sense to him in his head, but now he wished he could go back in time and think of saying something else.
He picked up the faintest sound of sirens coming closer to their location and he sighed in relief. “I hear ‘em comin’.” He squeezed her.
“Oh good.” She managed to say. It was difficult to talk, even with Inuyasha’s arm wrapped around her to keep her safe. Logically, she was aware that they were going to be okay. The freak accidents that were flashing in her mind about the chain snapping and then crashing into the ground was just her imagination. This elevator can hold their weight, and they’re not moving around in a way that will make their lift come down.
Being against Inuyasha like this helped a smidge. He really wasn’t letting her go at all. The grip he had on her didn’t falter, and if anything, he was squeezing her closer and closer into his body. He might not even know he was doing it, but Kagome noticed the movement.
She definitely wasn’t complaining.
Her thoughts were swirling between being stuck in an elevator, and also being squished against Inuyasha’s body. He was firm, strong, and muscular; he really took good care of himself, and yet he was also soft and comfortable. She could fall asleep on his chest if she wanted to, and it wouldn’t bother her at all.
He was insanely hot, and all Kagome wanted to do was run her hands against his body and feel him.
She squeezed her eyes shut to try to push away her sinful thoughts.
“Hello! It’s the fire department and the technician! Are you guys alright?” A loud voice echoed from the outside of the cell.
Kagome’s breath hitched at the sound. She looked up at Inuyasha and smiled happily. “Yes! We’re okay!” She yelled back.
“Alright, that’s good! We’re gonna work on getting you out of here, so sit tight, everything is fine!”
Inuyasha sighed in relief and stared up at the ceiling, noticing his reflection staring back at him. It was a mirror, and he took note of how he and Kagome looked while sitting beside each other. She was resting on him, her chest slowly rising and falling while her handheld onto his shirt. His arm was around her, hand resting between her stomach and the top of her thigh. They were so close to each other, and he became hyper-aware of how her body felt on his.
He coughed and flushed at the images playing in his head.
This was not the time.
“Are you okay?” She asked in a tiny voice.
The half-demon chuckled. “I should be askin’ you that.”
She shrugged against him and blew air out of her nose. “If you’re gonna take care of me, then I’m gonna take care of you.”
He rolled his head to the side and smirked. “And just how do you plan to takin’ care of me, Ms. Higurashi?”
She lightly smacked his chest and scoffed. “I take it back, you can suffer.”
He laughed loudly and it echoed throughout the elevator, the down drowning out the alarm for just a second. “That’s harsh, Kagome. And in my time of need?”
She giggled at him, and in turn, she felt his chest vibrate in appreciation of the sound. “You’ll survive.”
It got quiet between them again, but it felt comfortable and quiet, so quiet that he heard the girl loudly yawn against him.
“Wanna take a nap?” He asked her with a smirk on his face.
She shook her head. “If I nap, then I won’t know if anything’s happening.”
“You don’t have’ta worry about that. I told ya already, I ain’t lettin’ anything happen to ya.” He grumbled as he stared at the double doors.
She sighed. “Alright, then. I trust you.”
She tried to snuggle back into his chest and find a comfortable position to lay in, but with the way they were sitting, she couldn’t find a way to rest. She huffed and grumbled in frustration and sighed defeatedly.
“Ain’t comfortable enough for ya?” He teased her.
“I just… I can’t find-“
“Wanna sit on my lap?”
It shouldn’t have made her blush, it should have been a question that made her angry at the mere implication. However, the question had the opposite effect on her.
“A-are you sure?” She stuttered.
“Y-yeah. Just- you need’ta sleep. Yer tired. Come on.” He flushed as he effortlessly lifted her from the ground and onto his thighs, the girl before him fitting comfortably into his lap. He positioned her on her side, with her legs pointed towards his left, and her left arm resting between his torso and her body.
She was so warm and small compared to him, and he immediately wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. Her head rested between the crook of his neck, and she sighed against him, her right hand still clutching his shirt tightly in her grasp.
“Thanks,” Kagome said in a small voice.
“Bah.” Inuyasha was looking up at the ceiling again while staring at their positions in their reflection, a blush painted all over his face at their close proximity.
Before he knew it she was asleep in his arms, the movement of her chest rising and falling becoming a pattern for him to pay attention to. Her head fit perfectly in the space between his neck as she slept against him, the warm breath coming from her parted lips tickling his exposed skin.
Inuyasha wondered if this is what it would be like if he just told her. He’s already admitted to himself that he misses being so close to someone special, and if it was Kagome, he would be the happiest half-demon alive. He was so close to admitting his feelings at the diner last week, but if he can’t even ask her to be his date to the wedding, how is he going to ask her to be his girlfriend?
He choked at the idea of introducing Kagome as his girlfriend and it made the girl in his arms stir. “Fuck.” He whispered as he watched her settle back in his arms. “Can’t wake ya up yet. You won’t be too happy if I did.”
The vice-like grip she had on his shirt went slack, and now her hand rested limply on his chest. As he watched her sleep, he couldn’t help but get tired as well. Inuyasha rarely slept, as a half-demon, he never needed as much rest as a regular human does, but he felt comfortable with Kagome; so comfortable that he could sleep.
Creeeeeaaaak.
Inuyasha’s ears picked up the sound and jolted awake, his arms still wrapped snugly around the sleeping girl before him. “What the fuck?”
He didn’t want to wake her up, but he had no idea how long he had been out, nor what the progress was with their current situation. It was starting to get a little warm in the elevator, but not enough to make anyone pass out. He heaved a sigh and raised his head towards the roof of the elevator. “What’s going on?!”
There was a brief moment of silence, but the half-demon knew there were people on the other side of the lift, he could hear them talking and doing work.
“The technician is trying to lift up the elevator somewhat, so we can try to get the doors open and pull you out! The entire system’s down, so it’s taking longer than we all would like!”
Perfect. Just perfect. He was glad Kagome was sleeping.
“How long has it been since ya got here?!” He yelled back.
He felt Kagome move again, and she heard her moan in protest to the noise he was making in the elevator.
“About an hour! The tech’s telling us he’s made progress in restarting the lifting mechanism, so it shouldn’t be too long now!” The voice echoed.
He wanted to tell them to hurry up, but that would be no use since they were already doing their best. He would have to settle for their word and take it as it is. “Alright!”
“Hm?” Kagome’s voice squeaked against his chest. “Inu…yasha?”
He grunted in response while she fought to wake up, her eyes blinking against the lighting of the elevator. She looked adorable like this, with her nose scrunched up in confusion and fatigue.
“Are we still…?” Her voice was laced with exhaustion.
“Trapped in the elevator? Yeah, we are.”
Her eyes shot open like saucers and he realized he fucked up. He could have delivered the news to her a little better than that.
“B-but, they told me while you were sleepin’ that we’re close to gettin’ out of here!” Inuyasha quickly added. “It won’t be long, I swear.”
Kagome nodded and tried to compose herself a little, the news of being freed calming her. There was no other thing for them to do except sit here and wait, no matter how badly she wanted to rip those doors open and climb out of the lift itself.
As she came to her senses, another thought occurred to her, and she looked down to see that she was indeed snuggled into Inuyasha’s lap. If this were a cartoon, steam would come out of her ears from how flustered she was. They were in a predicament, and Kagome knew he only offered her his lap because she was in need of sleep; especially after panicking when the elevator stopped moving, but she couldn’t stop the heat from rising in her body and making her cheeks turn red.
“Um, I can move?” She asked him shyly.
Inuyasha blushed and looked away from her. “N-no, it’s fine. If it helps you feel safer, I don’t mind ya on my lap.” He felt hot, and he was aware that the raven-haired beauty on his lap was part of the reason why.
Sweat dripped down the side of his face and Kagome swiped it away reflexively, immediately pulling her hand back once she realized what she had done. “S-sorry! I just saw-“ She stuttered, “And you look so red! A-are you okay? Are you hot? Overheating? I can get off!”
His grip around her tightened when she started moving off of his lap, his chest rumbling in a low vibration. “Fuck no, stay here.”
“But, you’re heating up,” Kagome mentioned in concern.
He half grinned at her and laughed at the seriousness of the situation. “So are you. Your skin is hot, and you’re just as sweaty as I am right now.”
Kagome nervously laughed. “That’s definitely not attractive.”
Inuyasha laughed along with her. “Who cares? It’s just me.”
She looked into his eyes before quickly breaking eye contact and staring at his chest. “B-but what if I care if it is you?”
He raised his brow at her, “What do you mean? It shouldn’t. I don’t care if ya look like this, look at me, I probably looked fucked up right now.”
The girl above him giggled. “I guess we’re both hot messes right now.”
Inuyasha looked up at her with a serious face. “Wow, seriously?”
She hid her face into his chest and laughed. “Hey, I tried my best!” She paused and wiped away some sweat from her forehead. “It really is hot though.”
“I think the AC’s broken.” Inuyasha groaned. “It’s only goin’ to get worse until they get us out of here.”
“Oh man,” Kagome shuddered. “I’m getting really hot.” She began to remove the top four buttons of her shirt and sighed in the momentary relief that she felt.
Inuyasha watched her unbutton her top and blushed. “W-what are you doin’?”
Kagome pulled back from him and looked away, completely forgetting to tell him that she was about to do that. “Sorry! I forgot to ask you, and I needed to remove the buttons. It’s so hot.” She cried.
He wanted to bang his head against the wall because , of course, , that was the logical thing for her to do in a situation like this. She’s wearing a button-up blouse, they were about to hit the hour and a half mark of being stuck in here, and it was hot as fuck.
If he wasn’t in a muscle tank he would have done the same thing.
“I-it’s okay.” He shyly reassured her. “You need to do this for yourself, you’re fuckin’ overheating.”
“Okay.” She breathed. “I trust you.”
He didn’t need to hear her say that to know that she did, but it felt good to hear those words come from her regardless.
In intense silence, Kagome continued to unbutton her blouse, the relief from removing the shirt hitting her immediately. The air inside the elevator was warm no matter what, but removing this extra layer of fabric was enough to help Kagome feel less claustrophobic and heated.
She placed the blouse beside Inuyasha’s legs and sighed. She was too nervous to look at the half-demon, especially since she was wearing nothing but a bralette, and hid her face back into his chest. “I feel better.”
Inuyasha stiffened while she relaxed into him, the feeling of her bare skin burning his. “I’m glad. I wish I had water to give ya.”
She awkwardly shrugged in his arms, “As soon as we’re free I’m drinking an entire gallon of water.”
He laughed. “I believe ya, fuck it, I’ll drink one too.” He could feel her laughing against him and he couldn’t suppress his grin. It felt good knowing she was relaxing more and more while they waited in here, especially compared to the full-blown panic she had when this all started.
The elevator creaked again and Kagome gasped, her arms flying around Inuyasha’s neck in reaction. “What’s happening?”
He wrapped both of his arms around her torso tightly and listened for any signs of danger. So far, nothing sounded like it was snapping apart, instead, the sound was similar to an engine boosting back into power.
The elevator shook before moving upwards, the sudden movement making Kagome’s grip around his neck tighten from fear. “Are we moving?” She asked, her voice muffled in his neck.
“Seems like it. The engines back on.” He answered her calmly.
“The tech got it to move! We should be able to force open the doors now!” The male’s voice was louder and closer, confirming with the pair of neighbors that the lift did indeed move closer to the second floor.
Inuyasha felt Kagome’s chest rising and falling against his, and he was made aware of her current appearance. Her skin against his was making him tingle, and he could feel the swell of her breasts against him, and he forced himself to not think any further.
‘Sesshomaru in underwear, Sesshomaru in underwear, Sesshomaru in underwear’, he repeated like a mantra.
Suddenly, Kagome pulled away from him and smiled prettily. “Um… I’m going to get dressed before they see me like this.”
Inuyasha growled at her words, the thought alone making him want to get in front of her and shield her from other eyes.
He looked away as she put on her blouse, but his excellent vision was not helping as he could still see her from his peripheral and he had to repeat his mantra all over again
He’s positive he’s never going to be able to get that image out of his head.
“You can look now.”
When Inuyasha turned back he made direct eye contact with Kagome, and he heard her breath hitch in reaction. His arm went back around her waist while she sat comfortably on his lap, and he noticed that she had one hand on his chest while the other played with the nape of his hair.
Brown eyes hovered towards his lips, and his gold eyes followed close behind.
“Inuyasha.” She breathed, her eyes moving back to stare into his.
“What is it?” He asked huskily.
Her gaze shifted towards his mouth again, and if she didn’t tell him what was on her mind he was just going to devour her lips and kiss her senselessly.
“Can I-“
They were interrupted by the sound of metal banging and creaking from behind them, making Kagome jump and launch herself under Inuyasha’s chin. It was loud, and terrifying, and it just interrupted whatever the hell was going to happen between the two of them.
The doors were forced open, revealing a team of firefighters standing on the other side in their uniforms.
They couldn’t have waited five more minutes?
“Are you guys alright?!” The voice that had been speaking to them for the last few hours asked.
“Yeah, it’s just hot as hell in here,” Inuyasha complained.
The forced opening of the doors revealed half of the brick wall of the shaft, meaning the elevator was still not completely at level with the second floor. The top half, however, had the sunlight peering in and a group of people clad in yellow.
“When the system’s power shut off, so did the AC, let’s get you guys out of here and check out your vitals.” Another fireman spoke.
Inuyasha shifted Kagome in his arms and stood up from the ground with ease, suppressing a grin when the girl let out a little startled yelp from the sudden movement. He slowly walked over to the entryway and lifted her into the arms of the fireman, and as soon as she was out of the lift, Inuyasha pushed himself out of the car with ease.
“Where are we going?” Kagome asked in a little voice.
The man carrying her made his way down the stairs, white paint staining the soles of his boots. “Paramedics are gonna check you out real quick, you two have been stuck in there for almost two hours. It’s just protocol.”
Kagome nodded before trying to move her head to catch a glimpse of white fluffy ears. “And Inuyasha?”
“Right behind ya.” He called out to her while he descended the steps.
She sighed in relief and laid her head on the fireman’s chest, she was so tired, but the light breeze was already making her feel a bit better compared to the still, stiff air from inside the lift. Her body felt a little heavy, and she was super thirsty. The arms of the fireman were comfortable thanks to his padded suit, which allowed her to relax comfortably until they reached the ambulance.
Once they arrived they sat her down on the back ledge of the truck and the paramedics began to check on her. They poked and prodded her, and asked her a bunch of questions about how she felt and her medical history. She was given an IV to help aid her dehydrated body, took down her blood pressure, and did a bunch of other things.
When the paramedic’s partner came to check on Inuyasha, he quickly thanked him and denied his sustenance. “I’m fine, focus on her.” He told him gruffly.
He stood a bit off to the side until they were done hovering over her, and as he watched her he noticed how tired she looked. They may have been stuck in there for two hours, but for Kagome, it may have felt longer. Like a dog looking for its owner, Inuyasha quickly walked over to the raven-haired girl and flushed when she leaned forward to lay her head on his chest.
“How are ya feelin’?” He asked her gently.
Kagome shrugged, a sound that came off as a little hum leaving her throat. “Like a weak little worm.”
He chuckled at her words and took a long strand of her hair into his hand and began to play with it. “That’s a new one.”
She shivered from the tickling sensation she felt as his fingers touched her ebony locks. “Just call me worm Kagome.” She chuckled.
He scrunched his face and laughed breathily. “That one kinda sucked.”
Kagome meekly shrugged, “I have an IV in my vein, I tried my best.”
They went silent again, the only sound surrounding them being the engines of the emergency vehicles running and the voices of the people around them. The half-demon focused on Kagome’s breathing while he played with her hair, the weight of her head on his chest reminding him of just how comfortable she felt being around him.
“By the way,” She started again, her voice still small, “My answer is yes.”
His hands stopped moving, the waves in her hair now only moving from the light breeze. “Really?”
She giggled and slid her head upwards, leaving her chin to rest snuggly on his chest. “Really.”
Pink tinted his cheeks handsomely, a half-grin showing up on his face. “Really, really?”
She snorted. “Really really.”
“Really, really, really?
“Say really one more time and you’re gonna go dateless!” She threatened.
Inuyasha burst out laughing, the sound echoing around the lot. “I have a backup if ya end up taking your answer back.”
“Oh yeah?” She smirked. “Who is it?”
“Shippo.” He smirked back at her.
“No way!” She giggled ferociously, “I bet he would make a fantastic date.”
“Eh.” Inuyasha replied, his fingers still playing with her tresses. “I think you’d make a better one.”
“Hmm.” Kagome hummed in appreciation. “When is the wedding anyway?”
Inuyasha shifted his gaze to the side and laughed nervously. “Next weekend.”
“What!” She yelled in shock. “I need to find a dress in such a short amount of time?!”
He grumbled in embarrassment, the vibrations rumbling in his chest. “You’d look fine in whatever ya end up wearin’.”
Kagome closed her eyes and sighed, the breeze kissing her face wonderfully. “Alright, I can’t deny that.”
“Keh.” He simply responded. “Knew ya wouldn’t.”
They fell back into a comfortable silence, allowing themselves to become surrounded by the noises of the people and the vehicles all around them. While Kagome continued to rest her head against the half-demon chest; allowing for the cold fluid running in her veins to restore her energy, Inuyasha continued to play with her hair and soothe himself to the sound of her heartbeat.
ll, he was able to finally ask her to be his wedding date and getting to hold her so close was just a bonus.
Besides his terribly long day that was another reason why he had decided to call Shippo to meet him at their favorite bar. He wanted to update the fox kit on everything that happened, and also celebrate the fact that he finally asked her after dodging the idea for so long.
The drive to work was easy, stress free, and manageable; the complete opposite of what Inuyasha was feeling right now.
After the wedding he had gone to bed and stared at the ceiling the entire night in complete agony and despair, mentally kicking his own ass until he was black and blue. Inuyasha was given so many chances to do it right, and all he seemed to do was mess it up every time.
He didn’t even tell her anything, he just kissed her and ran away.
Kagome deserved more than that, including a better kiss, and he still couldn’t do either thing right! He was so close to expressing his feelings, grabbing her by the waist to pull her into him, and giving her a kiss that left her ravaged and boneless. He sucks at expressing himself, he’s even worse at talking to others, but he needed to show her how much he wanted her, and then he ruined it with a little peck and a quick escape.
Inuyasha knew she wouldn’t be awake so early in the morning, even with things on her mind she loved to sleep in late, therefore he took advantage of that and ran off to his shop before she woke. He needed to organize his thoughts and give her exactly what she deserved from him.
Besides an explanation.
He wasn’t paying attention to the stack of papers on his desk, copies of receipts and signed documents that were in need of organization. It’s quick work, and Inuyasha normally gets this done within the hour, but he was stalling. He knew that when he got home he had to face the music, whether it was Kagome’s fiery wrath or his attempt to mend what he cracked; it was down to either of them to start the conversation.
His shop wasn’t open on the weekends because he and Shippo had lives to live and they had built loyal clientele that keep the business running. If they came to work on Sunday, it was more operational work, small things that they had no time to finish during the week that needed to be out of the way before Monday rolled back. If he had a choice, he would never come on a Sunday at all, but he was the owner, he needed to be on his game.
Within four hours of sulking and milking time, Inuyasha was done with the bookkeeping portion of his job. He closed up shop and drove to the nearest fast food joint, he wanted a burger and damn it he was going to get himself one.
The car’s radio was playing music on low volume while Inuyasha ate quietly inside of it. He watched the cars of hungry people pull into the drive through to stuff their faces just like he was. It was miserable being alone, and for the first time he couldn’t find any comfort in the solace.
As he ate, one of the songs that he and Kagome had sang to yesterday started to play, and he rolled up the volume just a bit to hear it. His passenger side was empty, even with the memory he had of her singing along to the music couldn’t fill up the void. Her wavy hair cascading down her shoulders, blue dress snugged to her body, dark eyes and a smile that could kill him and resuscitate him all at once; she looked like a dream and he felt like an idiot.
His stomach was full as he continued to drive with no destination, he didn’t want to go home yet because he still needed time to sulk and think. The last thing he wanted to do was lose her, he couldn’t run away forever, and he knew he needed to explain it all once and for all.
In such a short time Kagome had changed so much about his life, seeing her everyday was enough for any shitty day at work instantly had made it better. He doesn’t know when she went from the girl next door who he likes to tease to the girl he can’t stop thinking about, but ever since he came to the realization of his feeling he’s been neither here nor there. Too afraid to speak up, show her what she means to him, eating his own words and looking like a hypocrite instead of taking a chance to be able to call her his
She stays on his mind daily, from morning to night; even on days where he doesn’t go to sleep. Everything she does repeats in his head like a movie, he thinks of her laugh or her smile and he becomes a flustered mess from the safety of his own home. He wants to hold her close, touch her skin, breathe her in and become enraptured with everything that is Kagome.
She is everything, and he’s taken more than enough time to let that truth sink in.
“I cant’t lose her,” he said into his reflection from the rear view mirror, expression serious, “Not when I’m this close.”
He made a right instead of a left like he had originally intended, because that right turn would lead him where he’s destined to be, and the former would just waste more time.
It was a bit of a drive to get home, but he had made up his mind, even if it took hours to get to there, for her he would do it.
____
Inuyasha has been avoiding Kagome all day, and it was starting to get on her very last nerve.
After he had run off to hide from her, she never saw him again. She thought she would see him in the morning, and yet he hadn’t made a sound since the day had started. Kagome had forced herself to change out of her dress and get ready for bed, told herself she would talk to him in the morning, ask him if he was okay, and why did he run after kissing her.
However, her mind had other plans and her fatigue didn’t hit her until it was three in the morning after tossing and turning for hours. Her body and brain were exhausted, she had nothing more left in her to squeeze out, and figuring out Inuyasha would have to wait until tomorrow.
Well, it was now tomorrow, and those ears of his were nowhere in sight. She waited patiently to hear if he was alive in his home, but a sound never came from it, she was only met with silence. Their little knocking technique didn’t work on him either, because every time she knocked on the wall he never knocked back.
Breakfast was made with little to no interest because Kagome wasn’t hungry, she just knew that she needed to eat or else her body would shut down. For hours she cleaned her house to distract herself, waiting for a lifeline if her favorite half-demon decodes to leave his house or return home. Her house was spotless, and she was running out of options. Huffing angrily into her bathroom, she grabbed her favorite set of loungewear and scrubbed her body clean. Paramore blasted loudly while she showered, but this time Kagome was too upset and frustrated to sing along.
If Inuyasha was home right now, he would know he was in deep trouble.
Kagome couldn’t stop the self-doubt from hitting her like a slap to the face. Did he regret kissing her? Is that why he ran away? If he was going to regret it, why do it in the first place? Did he not want her? Was it an impulsive decision that he was disgusted with?
“God, he doesn’t make sense,” she argued in the shower. “If I had just gone with my plan, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Hot water hit her back, an attempt to get to relax her muscles and ease her mind.
It didn’t work.
“Maybe if I told him it would have been worse than this,” her voice echoed in the bathroom.
Finally clean and rid of sweat and grime, Kagome brushed her hair and moisturized her skin, hoping that maybe the hydrating lotion would help her relax.
It didn’t.
It was now the afternoon, she was sitting on her couch trying to read a book with Buyo beside her lap when the jingle of keys took her attention away. Immediately she had two options, either it was Inuyasha, or her friendly elderly neighbor who never seemed to mind when she and the hanyou next door were rowdy late at night. The thing is, Mrs. Bostelo usually leaves early on Sundays to visit her grandchildren and doesn’t return until eight in the evening.
Right now, her clock told her that it was 4:30, and Mrs. Bostelo always arrived to see happy meowing kittens bellowing about her return. Kagome could hear them every time like it was a routine, yet this time she heard nothing.
She did hear a guttural, deep ground come from her door that sounded a lot like Inuyasha.
Swiftly she shut her book closed and tossed it to the side, she hadn’t been reading anything anyway, too distracted by what was going on in her head.
“I’m so scared right now I feel like I’m going to throw up,” she said as she paced around her living room, quickly hyping her self up to run to the door. “But look where fear led me, Buyo. The guy I want is right next door to me and he kissed me and I haven’t seen him all day.”
Her slippers were on her feet before she could process was she was doing, “I need answers, Buyo. I need to tell him! I’ve played this cat and mouse game enough time to count.”
Her keys were in her hands in seconds, if he was about to run inside his apartment, she’d be prepared to lock her door before he shut her out, “I screwed up by not telling him before, but not anymore Buyo. Fear be damned, rejection is inevitable and I deserve to be loved and to love someone back.”
Fists rolled into tight little balls, Kagome heaved out a breath of air and opened her door. There he was, standing right outside her door with a sorrowful look on his face. Ready or not; she was going to talk to him. Tell him how she feels about him, and deal with the painful consequences of rejection later.
“Kagome,” his voice wavered, it sounded breathless and astonished, and it made her body shiver.
She was beautiful, hair still cascading in waves around her face and shoulders while she wore a pair of puffy pants and a tank top.
He’s never wanted her more than right now.
“Can we talk?” She inwardly cringed, sounding angrier than what she actually felt.
Her heart was pounding in her ears. She wants him so much, hopes that he wants her back too. Kagome has her mind made; Inuyasha was her muse, her second chance, the person she wanted to create new memories with. It could turn into something beautiful, filled with trust, and worth the battles and the falls. She wanted to be his second chance too, if he let her, all he needed to do was give her the green light.
He heard Kagome’s breathing increasing and moved closer to her, “I-I was just about to ask you that.” She didn’t say another word, instead she grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward, successfully leading him into her apartment and away from their neighbors. It was silent, the air felt heavy and constrictive; it was like their lungs were being squeezed into a box that kept getting smaller and smaller. Before Kagome could give him a chance to speak, she swallowed her nerves and decided to face the problem head on.
“How do you do something like that and run away, Inuyasha?” She shakily asked, her tone was a whisper yet it screamed like venom. She knew he could hear her, because his ears stood at attention facing her direction, flicking every so often. “Do you regret it? Is that why you ran away?”
Inuyasha’s eyes were locked onto hers while his heart thumped rapidly in his chest, she looked so unsure of herself, the complete opposite of the Kagome he’s gotten to know, and he wanted to grab her shoulders and shake some sense into her.
However, he was the one who made her feel this way, and due to that he hates himself so much right now.
“I don’t regret kissing you.” He finally spoke, his baritone voice becoming the loudest sound in the room, “I can’t regret somethin’ like that.”
“Then why did you run away?” She asked, her voice becoming a little louder then before.
He groaned from his own frustration and stared up at the ceiling for some kind of answer. Inuyasha never wanted to fuck this up, and now he did, and was too scared to work up the courage to talk to her. Rejection was at the peak of the mountain, and he was hanging off it, only holding on by the grip of his fingers.
That grip was beginning to slip one by one.
“I was scared,” his eyes met hers, gold and full of worry, “Scared that I messed up everything we had because I decided to kiss you without even askin’ ya first!”
Kagome looked into his eyes to search for any kind of lie and found nothing, instead, she found a man who was desperate and afraid, just like she was. “I-I’m scared too!” She cried, “Scared that I would mess it all up!”
Slowly the truth was coming out as they uncovered more from each other, there was no other way to do it. They both wanted more with each other, the possibility of blossoming into more tastes so sweet; it was just at the tip of their tongues. One taste and they would both be addicted to it forever.
Inuyasha stared at her wide-eyed, clearly in disbelief, “God Kagome you drive me crazy.”
“What?” She asked breathlessly.
He walked closer to her with enough room to grab her and pull her into him, but also with enough space to stay apart. “You’ve driven me so crazy that none of this was supposed to happen the way that it did!”
She squinted at him in question, her heart threatening to pull itself apart inside her chest. “Are you saying you didn’t want to kiss me the way that you did, or that you didn’t want to kiss me but felt like you had to?”
Inuyasha stared at her wide-eyed, “Yes, well. No? Not like that!”
Kagome pulled herself into a tight hug to protect herself, “Inuyasha, you’re not making any sense right now,” her voice wavered.
“Fuck, Kagome!” He growled out, his patience was wearing thin. Talking about his feelings has never been easy, and confessing to the woman he’s borderline in love with was proven to be even more difficult. But he did this, and he needed to fix it; he didn’t want to see her like this because of him.
She deserved an answer, even if it meant pulling apart the last layer of skin he had to protect himself. He was going to be left vulnerable, but damn it all, he told himself he was going to confess last night at the wedding. Just because it was now the day after didn’t mean he felt any different.
‘Spit it out, you idiot!” He yelled inside of his head. The tension was high inside the living room, not even the sleeping cat on the couch could brighten up the mood. He had made up his mind last night, and confirmed it with himself this morning; and if he had any sense in keeping his word he would do it now.
“When I kissed ya, I even surprised myself, b-but I’ve been wantin’ to kiss you for a long time. Even before I knew what I felt for you.” His voice was shaking, or maybe it was his entire body, but he couldn’t take it back now. The words left his mouth and now it was up to Kagome to give him an answer.
Kagome hugged herself tighter and groaned, his confession made her entire body tighten. He feels the same way about her as she does about him, and it was making her brain short circuit.
“You make me want to pull my hair out!” She bit her bottom lip in order to get ready, it was now or never. “Inuyasha, I like you. I like you so much. I’m so infatuated with you that sometimes I wanted to go outside and scream. To go tell the entire world how much I like you!” Her chest heaved as she panted from how strongly she spoke.
Inuyasha swears he felt his heart stop beating. Everything clicked, her sleepy confession wasn’t something she did just during fatigue, she likes him back, and he wanted to go into the other room and bang his head against the wall. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
Her body was screaming from the number of emotions she’s been flipping through this entire time, “I should ask you the same question!”
His ears flattened and his face dropped, knowing good and well he didn’t tell her earlier out of fear. If he had been as confident as he pretends to be, maybe this wouldn’t have become a giant misunderstanding.
Kagome’s heart panged painfully at the look on his face, apologetic and broken. She didn’t mean to make him feel like it was his fault, she knew of his past, and it wasn’t difficult to figure out why he had been quiet for so long.
The distance between them was killing her, and she gathered herself to move closer to him until their chests bumped. “No, Inuyasha, I’m sorry for yelling at you. I know better, and I understand why you didn’t tell me.”
Inuyasha grumbled, his frustration directed at himself, “S’not yer fault it took this long for me to tell ya.” He hung his head and sighed, “A part of me thought you’d reject me, and I guess that stems from what happened with my ex.”
Kagome nodded, fully understanding what he meant. The story he told her when they ate at the diner never leaving her memory. She laid her forehead on his hard chest and laughed through her nose, she felt the his muscles contracting as she rested on his body, “I’m at fault too.”
Raising her head so her chin rests on his pectorals, she met his piercing gaze. “After what happened with my ex, I was scared about meeting the same fate if I tried again. But then, I met you, and the more my feelings grew for you the more scared I got.”
Inuyasha’s hands immediately went to her waist to feel her closer, both of their confessions were out the window, and a mixture of emotions were cascading around them like a waterfall. He wanted to tell her she didn’t have a reason to apologize because he was scared too. He let his fear of losing her hold him back from this moment, from the truth, and that his past didn’t play such a big role in this as she thinks it has.
He squeezed her sides, whether to feel or to calm his nerves he didn’t know. “Kagome, you shouldn’t take all of the blame when I fumbled around you too. I let fear stop me from comin’ clean to ya.” He paused, releasing a shaky breath. “I didn’t want to lose you.”
She rested her palms onto his chest and pushed her head off of it, allowing them to be face to face, the feeling of closeness and the intimacy was so strong she could taste it. “Remember when you came home drunk after the elevator?”
A quizzical look etched his face, “Yes. I woke up on yer couch and then ya stuffed me with pancakes.”
A smile spread across her cheeks which made Inuyasha’s chest tighten, he hasn’t seen her smile since last night.
“After I helped you inside because I was not letting you sleep on the balcony, you almost kissed me, a-and other stuff…” she clears her throat, “I was never going to tell you because you woke up so afraid thinking that you did something wrong, and you didn’t! Please, don’t think you did. I-I was actually so disappointed when you pulled away because you told me you didn’t want to kiss me in the state you were in.”
Inuyasha was fighting his tongue, he wanted to say something, anything; ask her questions and apologize for almost taking advantage of her when he showed up drunk. However he let her speak, she asked for more time to explain, and he would give her as much as she asked for.
“It made me realize you felt the same way I did. And it scared me because I want you so much, but I couldn’t let go of the fear that tugged at me. Fear that you would reject me because I was broken, or because you didn’t feel the same way.”
He made a move to say something, but she tapped his chest with her finger to signal that she wasn’t done. “After the second incident with Kei, it changed. I told Kei that I had found someone new, someone else that treats me the way I deserved.”
The hands on his chest gripped his shirt desperately as if she was trying to cling to whatever courage she had left. “Inuyasha, I was talking about you.”
“I’m sorry,” his voice cracked. “I didn’t mean to go in and try to kiss you when I was drunk.” His hands snaked from her waist to her cheeks as he cradled her head between them. “When I say you drive me crazy, I mean it in the best way possible.”
Kagome lifted one hand from his chest and flattened it against his, she could instantly feel the size difference and the warmth that spread from it.
His forehead touched hers as he inched closer, the desire to fill in any remaining space so strong it was like the sun’s gravitational pull.
Clearing his throat he steadied himself, everything that happened to them since the beginning had come to this, and he wasn’t going to mess it up any longer. “You’re always in my head, you make me happy, I want to protect you with my life, and fuck it, I want to make you feel like you’re the happiest girl in the world. I didn’t avoid ya because I regretted kissing ya,” he paused and took a breath to steady himself. “I avoided you because I thought I ruined everything I had with you.”
He was breathing hard, golden eyes searching through rich brown as if trying to expel the remainder of his feelings into her soul. “I didn’t want to lose you.”
Kagome flashed him a smile, bright and inviting, “You could never lose me.”
There was a change in the air and it felt refreshing, like some invisible force flicked on a switch and changed the entire lighting of the room. The oxygen they breathed into their lungs felt cleaner, as if the contaminated and heavy particles in their chests had become purified. Each time they inhaled their chests felt lighter and the weight on their shoulders disappeared.
It didn’t matter to either of them that they had baggage, insecurities, or faults; they simply wanted each other with all of the difficult parts included.
“Can I kiss you?” He blurted, raw and guttural, as if his body depended on it, pulling himself impossibly closer to her. “Can I kiss you for all of the times I didn’t, for all of the times I wanted to, and for as much time as you’ll let me?”
She watched in bated breath as he leaned closer to her lips, and Kagome raised herself on her tiptoes, the warmth of her mouth washing over his lips, “You can kiss me forever.”
For a moment it was as if a clock had stopped ticking and the entire planet lay frozen, the only movement being captured was the synchronization of their bodies. Inuyasha’s mouth was on hers within seconds, the rapid speed not giving her enough time to catch her breath. His hands were still latched against the sides of her face like an anchor, yet his fingers now found solace in her hair, entangling themselves in her tresses in order to hold onto reality.
Kagome’s knuckles were stark white as she gripped his shirt hard enough to rip it apart, she was too busy pouring her feelings into their kiss to worry about his clothes, and she knew he wouldn’t give a damn either. Their mouths molded into each other so easily as they fought to stay afloat or risk drowning in each other.
Inuyasha moved his hands from her face and bent down to grab underneath her thighs, the movement causing their mouths to part and a needy whine to escape Kagome’s throat. The absence didn’t last too long because his lips found hers again after lifting her up from the floor. She gasped at the sudden change in position and Inuyasha swallowed it with his mouth, allowing for his tongue to enter and deepen the kiss.
Her legs wrapped around his waist while her arms snaked around his neck and shoulders to pull him closer. Long, silver hair fell through her fingers as she gripped for support and it only made him kiss her harder. She moaned into his mouth which caused his chest to vibrate in a low, satisfied growl that had Kagome’s body heat up and her stomach flutter.
She pulled away first, her lungs desperately clinging for more oxygen as she stared into his eyes. Inuyasha was looking at her like a predator, his auburn gaze so piercing it was like he was staring directly into her soul. He couldn’t get enough of her, and he wanted to keep kissing her lips until they were swollen and red, and until she couldn’t kiss him any longer.
“God, you’re beautiful.” He said as he panted, “I can’t get enough of you.”
He kissed her lips, her chin, jaw, and then down her neck while he walked them into his bedroom. Kagome breathed heavily, her thoughts only on how his lips felt on her skin and Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha. Slender fingers gripped his shoulders to stabilize herself, her body tingling with every brush of his lips on her neck.
She doesn’t know when they reached her bedroom, nor does she expect to feel her back hit the mattress in one smooth, sudden landing. Her hands were still gripping his shirt while he kissed her, the changing in a position not stopping his mouth from exploring every inch of her.
“Inuyasha,” Kagome breathed, whiny and needy, “Kiss me again, please kiss me again.”
The half-demon sucked on her neck, ears flicking at every tiny moan that left her pink mouth. He wanted to devour her entirely, leave marks of his lips all over her body and permanently tattoo them on her skin. Her scent was enticing as always, vanilla and strawberry body wash mixed with her natural scent and he wanted to drown in it.
Lifting his mouth from her neck proved to be a difficult task as he continued to kiss her some more, but as shakey, gentle fingers made their way into his hair and over his ears it made his body jolt to a stop.
Kagome exhaled slowly as she gently stroked his ears, the white fur was as soft as his hair but with a completely different texture. They were as delicate and velvety as she believed them to be, the realization making a happy giggle bubble from her throat.
Inuyasha braced his hands against the mattress and lifted himself up, watching Kagome as she played with his ears. His lips were parted in wonder as he looked at her, paying attention to the flush of her skin and the way her hair haloed around her head. Her mouth was pink and swollen from kissing her, and there was a part of him that wanted to ravage her more until they were painted red. She seemed to be glowing under the light of his lamp, ethereal; like a goddess, and he took a mental picture of how she looked to keep in his memories forever.
Kagome was oblivious to his acute observation until her eyes moved from the fluffy appendages to his auburn gaze. He was looking at her so intensely that she squeaked from embarrassment, immediately dropping her hands and resting them against her hand on the bed. “I-I’m sorry, I should have asked you fir-“
He kissed her again, sloppy and deep, tongue darting into her mouth to taste her more. She moaned into the kiss and he drank it, feeling small hands slither up his forearms and onto his shoulders, resting them there to hold on.
Inuyasha broke away from her lips before resting his forehead on hers, “You can touch my ears whenever ya want to.” He pecked her lips again and again, “Ya never have’ta ask.”
Kagome made a noise of excitement as she cupped his face and kissed him back, “I can’t get enough of you,” her delicate fingers made their journey back up to his ears again.
While she touched his ears, Inuyasha kissed her nose, cheeks, and all over. The endless, soft pecks tickled her skin making Kagome erupt in light, joyous laughter. “You’re tickling me!”
“Get used to it,” he said with a smirk. “I’m gonna kiss ya all over, today, tomorrow, forever, just like ya said.”
His lips met hers again, once, twice, before they moved to her jaw. “You’re going to be worn out by the time you’re done!”
“Kagome, baby,” he risked kissing her lower, above her chest, where the soft skin of her bust poked out of her tank top. She gasped and it sent his body into a frenzy, his lips continuing to leave marks on her body. He didn’t dare move any lower, afraid he’ll be moving too quickly and make her nervous. “I’m just tryin’ to make up for the lost time.”
They kissed for what seemed like hours while nervous hands explored each other’s bodies over the fabric of their clothing. Skin never touched skin besides one clawed hand venturing underneath her top, just enough to feel the heat of her stomach and the contraction of muscles that moved whenever there was a stroke of a finger. The warmth of their bodies washed over them like a wave, the movement of their mouths unfurling all their senses, tasting each other until there was nothing more but a mixture of souls.
“Mmm, Inuyasha.” Kagome called softly, “Come here, please?”
His eyes met hers from the valley of her breasts, barely covered up by the thin fabric of her shirt. Her arms were spread wide open as she invited him into her, and it didn’t take him long to figure out what she wanted.
Inuyasha crawled back into her and rested his head underneath her chin, his arms wrapping around her back to pull her in close while she rested hers around his neck and the back of his head. For a moment, they lay in peaceful silence, allowing themselves to catch their breath while listening to the beating of each other’s hearts.
She snuggled into his hair and smiled, “We have the rest of our lives for you to kiss me. I just wanna stay like this for a little.”
Inuyasha played with the hair that lay against the pillow, being careful not to snip any of the ends off with his claws. A thought came to him then, and he decided to finally put a voice to it. “Remember when Myoga and Totosai called me from the table to talk?”
Kagome hummed in reply, “Yes, but you never explained what happened after.”
The half-demon chuckled, kissing whatever skin he could reach from her neck he could treat to himself. “They came to talk to me about ya, basically fuckin’ giving me pointers on how to ask ya to be my woman.”
Kagome snorted from above him, “And how did that go exactly?”
“It was a waste of my time, clearly. I think if I had done what they told me to do I would be so embarrassed to ever look at ya again.” He kissed her neck more, and a low moan escaped Kagome’s lips, she held him tighter while he continued his attack on her skin.
“I doubt that,” she moaned. “I‘d probably barge into your apartment to talk to you like I did earlier.”
“God, and I’m so glad you did,” he licked her neck and she gasped from the sensation. “Now I can make ya do those sounds forever.”
“And kiss me forever,” Kagome smiled. “Just like I said.”
“Yeah,” he lifted his head and stole another kiss, this time sweet and filled with promises of tomorrow. “Ya can’t take those words back now, Kagome.” She giggled in happiness, the sound was cute and bubbly, “I don’t think I will.”
__________
It was a Wednesday and Kagome felt like she was floating on air. Sunday came and went like a storm, where the clouds that covered the sky finally settled and the sunlight peeked through, warming the land that had once been flooded due to pouring rain. Work could have been extremely stressful for her, but she wouldn’t even care, because as soon as her shift was over and Inuyasha came home they would lounge on the couch and snuggle to their heart’s content.
It felt like it was too good to be true.
On Monday, with enough shoving, Kagome managed to get Inuyasha to go to work with a chaste kiss. He ended up arriving late due to his insatiable need for her, opting to share another passionate kiss instead of getting ready for a day at work. With enough persuasion, she managed to get him out, and he pouted the entire time. While he was gone at work, and she was too distracted by him to focus on her current tasks; there was a moment where she panicked. She was so happy that she was now with Inuyasha, he made her feel like there was a cloud underneath her feet with every step she took. He was all over her like she was his lifeline, and her lips were the only thing that could supply oxygen into his lungs. And yet, she panicked; because she briefly thought that this could end as quickly as it started, and she’d lose him like how she lost herself with Kei, and maybe even more.
However Inuyasha was there to pick her up, remind her where she was and that whatever bump they encountered in their new relationship they would climb it together.
And she cried because damn it, how could she think of her last relationship and what it did to her when she was now with Inuyasha? Someone who cherished her for everything she had and everything she lacked, knew of her baggage and still looked at her like she was the sun. Behind this tough-guy persona was a man who treated her like she was this delicate, beautiful thing who deserved to be protected and adored.
He wasn’t what she was used to, and she needed time to get accustomed to that.
And yet Inuyasha knew that, and that’s why he doesn’t get upset, because she’s trying, and there will be a day where she doesn’t have to doubt herself or her actions. There will be a day where it clicks and she won’t even notice it. Kagome will just continue to live day to day being treated the way she should have always been treated, and eventually, she’ll stop worrying about whether or not she did something to upset him.
Inuyasha will make sure that Kagome never has to doubt anything ever again. He cared deeply for her, the magnetic pull he felt when he first met her had finally found it’s spot against the cool metal. In a sense, he felt like he had found his home, but he knew it was too early to admit something as big as that. It didn’t matter to him if Kagome had to adjust to this sort of treatment. This was another part of healing, and she was human. He lacks patience with everybody, but for Kagome all of that disappears, and all he wants to do is be near her and hold her close. Everything that comes at them, they will handle it together. Now, as his piercing gaze landed on her small frame, he felt his heart thump again. She was captivating him, like a painting he needed to admire, delicate and yet full of a fire that would not be put out. Inuyasha just wanted to come up at her and kiss her for hours, but life was unfair; he can’t stop what’s happening to ravage his her lips.
He chuckled as he walked out of her bathroom dressed in his red hoodie and worn-out jeans, his girlfriend waiting for him patiently at her front door.
“Ready now?” She giggled, “I’m in desperate need of caffeine.”
Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he grabbed his car keys, poking her in the cheeks as she opened the door. “Ya gotta get that coffee addiction checked out babe.”
Kagome smacked his arm and scoffed, “Until my job gives me enough time to sleep, maybe I wouldn’t need so much.”
He laughed and followed her out the door, making sure to close it quickly before Buyo ran out. “Why are we goin’ out anyway? There’s coffee at home.”
She hopped down the stairs in excitement, “It’s a new cafe that just opened in town! They have bear-shaped ice cubes and so many pastries.”
“Bear-shaped ice cubes, huh?” Inuyasha chuckled, “Never thought of that one.” He looked up at the sky and noticed the grey clouds beginning to roll in, and he made a mental note that they needed to make it back home before the rain started.
He held her hand on the quick drive to the coffee shop, it was just a ten-minute drive down the road. The car ride was peaceful as they sang along to the radio, Inuyasha kissing every knuckle on her hand as many times as he could while his other hand held the wheel.
They parked a block down the street because all of the lots were full and they were lucky enough to find a spot not too far from the cafe. They walked hand in hand, updating each other on how work went for the day and what pastries they wanted to try that Kagome would read off the online menu.
“Okay, so the bear ice cubes isn’t the only bear themed item on the menu,” she smiled, “They have waffles, cakes, and rolls that are all shaped like bears!”
Inuyasha raised his brow, “What do they have that isnt bear shaped?”
Kagome laughed and squeezed his hand, “They have a berry tart that’s called ‘berry-nice to meet you.’”
The half-demon chuckled, completely at a loss for words when it came to the places she chose to take them to. “Of course it’s fuckin’ called that.”
A squeal of excitement immediately caught him off guard. “There it is!” she said as skipping along the sidewalk with her boyfriend in tow. The name Kuma Coffee hung off the side of the building, the sign was large enough to see across the street and it had a brown bear cub’s face drawn beside it.
The inside wasn’t as crowded as Inuyasha had expected it to be, thinking maybe he and Kagome had been lucky enough to arrive before the evening rush. They ordered their coffees, a sandwich to share that wasn’t bear shaped, and two pastries each. Kagome made sure they both ordered something different so that they could try more things at once.
The entire cafe was bear themed, and Inuyasha had to give it to them; they really did make it work. And he’s not saying that just because Kagome likes the place so much. The food was good, and so was the coffee and the pastries. He ended up getting the berry tart, and Kagome managed to eat her giant cinnamon roll that was the size of her palm. The fact that it was themed to be a bear’s head made it gigantic, and yet she ate the entire thing without giving up.
Did he help her?
Maybe.
But, it’s a cinnamon roll. He couldn’t help himself.
“So, what did you think?” His girlfriend asked with curiosity.
Inuyasha hummed in deep thought, he made sure to stare at Kagome as he did so, trying not to laugh at how antsy she was getting with every passing second. “You win again, Mrs. Higurashi,” he grinned.
Kagome gasped in delight, “Yes! You liked it!” She danced in her chair while she sipped the remaining contents of her iced coffee, “Next time it’s your turn, take us wherever you want to go.”
He took the last bite of his raspberry tart and shrugged, “I don’t think I know any places besides the bar, babe.”
She smiled, “I know you’re a beer connoisseur and all,” she paused when he started to laugh, “But ya gotta give me something better than that.”
He threw his head back laughing, eyes crinkling shut as his smile grew and her breath hitched. Inuyasha was the most handsome man she’s ever laid her eyes on, and she found him the most attractive when he laughed like this.
Her heart soared from the joy she felt, “What’s so funny?”
“I gotta step up my game, babe.” He grinned, “Or else yer gonna keep winnin’ every time we go out to eat.”
Kagome rested her hand under her chin, smiling coyly, “I didn’t realize this was a competition, Mr. Taisho.”
He smirked at her, “Only if you want it to be, Ms. Higurashi.”
The tension in the air was thick yet playful, their new and fun challenge awakening both of their competitive sides. It’ll be a struggle for Inuyasha, since now he has to find places that Kagome would definitely not know about, but he’s excited to start.
“This will be fun,” she wiggled her brows playfully, “I’ll continue to blow you away with my choices.”
Inuyasha laughed again, “And I’ll find ya a spot that’ll make you eat those words.”
The couple laughed, the atmosphere between them was light and filled with energy. After a few more minutes of talking and sharing little jokes, they decided it was time for them to go back home and become couch potatoes for the rest of the day. With the gloomy weather rolling in, taking a nap on the sofa while the rain poured on the roof sounded like the perfect idea.
However, they were a little too late, and as soon as they stepped outside the rain was already clamping down onto the earth. Their only choice was to wait it out or run to the car, but it was a block away, and they didn’t bring an umbrella.
“Let’s go back inside and wait it out,” Inuyasha declared. “Hopefully it won’t take too long to stop.”
Kagome stood at the edge of the sidewalk, the small, slanted roof above them covering them from the rain. She poked out her hand and let the water drip down her palm, it was cold and yet so inviting.
Water signified cleanliness, purity, and life. Like the flow of water, life changed drastically whether or not it was for one’s own benefit. Kagome thought of this as a sign, another chance to get it right, to love again, and move forward. Her life had changed so much in the last ten months, and the last three had definitely thrown her in for a loop.
She spent eight months healing from her ex, and the remaining three grasping at straws as she figured out her feelings for Inuyasha. Someone who was a complete stranger, who had started out as her neighbor, then a friend, and now her lover. It’s amazing how much can change in such little time, and with what she had experienced in the past, she was so lucky to have found her person in him.
Inuyasha’s addition into her life came unexpectedly, at a time when she was still fragile and learning about herself. He was a friend she needed without knowing it, and as they grew closer, he became the person she wanted to take a chance with. Whenever he came around it was like a new wave of water washed over her, and she didn’t want to talk about her past or think about what her ex had done to her. She wanted to talk about him, learn about him, and grow a new connection from the ground up. The past and the heaviness of it all didn’t carry as much weight as it used to, because here was a person who knew about what she had gone through, and continued to see the value she had.
It took her so long to see her own value during those first eight months, and after meeting Inuyasha, everything had been sealed. She knew she was more than her past, more than her ex, and deserved more than what she was given.
She wanted to grow a garden with Inuyasha, alongside her own garden where she watered her own flowers, and sometimes if she needed help; he would come by and water them too.
Kagome turned around and met his eyes, a childlike smile appeared on her face, one of joy and wonder. “It’s just water, Inuyasha.”
The half-demon watched in disbelief as she stepped out of the safety of the roof and out underneath the pouring rain. She had a smile on her face the whole time as she let the water wash over her, and sloshed her feet out onto the wet pavement.
“Kagome yer gonna get sick! Are ya crazy?!” He called out to her, “What the hell!” He grumbled before running out and meeting her in the rain.
He grabbed her arms and pulled her in, both of their clothes were now absolutely soaked and they both needed to take a shower when they got home. “Kagome-“
She kissed him, successfully cutting him off from whatever it was he was going to say to her. Her hands grasped his cheeks as if he was an anchor, and she was going to fall if she didn’t hold on tight enough. Inuyasha ignored the rain after that, too busy kissing her back to think of anything else besides the taste of her lips and the feeling of her body pressed against his. With one hand on the small of her back and in-between her shoulders he held her closely; as if the rain would sweep her away if he didn’t.
He pulled away from her and grinned, immediately lifting her up and carrying her bridal style before spinning them around once. Kagome’s laughter was loud and infectious, the sound kept him warm from the bitter cold rain.
“This is so fuckin’ cliche,” He rasped at her, the look in his eyes was full of adoration, “I never thought I’d kiss ya in the rain.”
Kagome giggled as she tightened her hold around his neck and shoulders, shrugging in delight. “There’s a first time for everything.”
He kissed her again with the same passion, want, and need as the first time. He kissed her for her strengths, her weaknesses, her beauty, and for everything that was her. Nothing else mattered, not their wet clothes or the freezing harsh rain. Their hair was stuck to their faces and their clothes were so soaked they would need to squeeze them dry when they returned home. Right now though, how they looked wasn’t their concern, too busy wrapping themselves around each other in an attempt to stay grounded.
For the first time, Kagome feels like there’s nothing that can hold her back, not with Inuyasha’s arms wrapped around her so tightly that the fear of falling never came to mind. She finally found the person she’s been looking for, and she wasn’t going to let him go.
What’s past is past, their lessons were learned, and although they both experienced a sorrowful love that fell apart, that didn’t mean it was their end.
It was a rainy day outside of a cafe when they both experienced it begin again.
This is a personal tribute to one of my favorite manga series ever. I’ve been a huge Inuyasha fan since I was a 13 year old… and now that I’m 23 I decided to draw them with all I’ve got! Man, time sure flies. (I’m getting emotional here i’ll stop bye)
It’s been like a million years since I drew Inuyasha fanart but I really wanted to try again and ended up doodling more than I planned so anyway have a nice random family moment.
PLEASE do NOT repost my art anywhere else without my permission. Thank you.
How wholesome and sweet. I love this mini doujin, it’s so warmhearted. A lovely piece, @briizer. <3
I just reblogged this again only this time it got flagged bc of that B.S. “adult content somewhere in your reblog” nonsense. I’m not putting this in the tags, I know the reposting from a deactivated account is dubious, I’m only posting it this way so I don’t lose the art on my blog.
‘C'mon Inuyasha, this way! I can see the kakigori stall! What flavour do you want to try?’
'Whatever, Kagome, you pick.’ Oh no, she’s cute…
Woke up at 3am last night and couldn’t get back to sleep, and saw this cute picture of a girl in a koi yukata. So I had to sketch Kagome in it and give her an excuse to wear it. It’s actually Autumn here in Australia, but Japan will be gearing up for Summer Festivals soon. Kakigori, shaved ice topped with sweet syrup, condensed milk, ice cream or yoghurt, and fruit, is a favourite summertime treat.
I love this so very much, it’s so beautiful! Such lovely expressions you’ve created, @mamabearcatfanart! I love the way you sketch/draw and bring InuYasha and Kagome to life, it’s whimsical! <3
i finally watched the ending of inuyasha and it made me cry like a baby
i’ll have this printed for ACEN (i’ll be at table D08!)
I found this beautiful work of art on art station a few years ago and have saved it as a wallpaper so many times. It’s so expressive and beautifully created. Lovely work of art,@bbbreakfast! <3
If you were following me back in 2019 you might remember this art I drew that was ultimately the inspiration for Making Waves. A couple months ago I started planning to do a redraw of it and I’m so happy I did
This new version I feel fits the actual story more. Kagome’s not super thin. Inuyasha’s expression suits him better. The background even feels like what I was trying to visualize when I started writing the story. They’re a ways away from the public beach, which helps Inuyasha drive home to Kagome that she’s got nothing to worry about.
Oh my goodness, this is so beautifully re-made, @clearwillow! From the details to the exquisite background, to the magnetic expressions-ah! This is exquisite! Love this! <3
Lovely artwork of these two cutie lovebirds! I love InuKag in modern era/clothes and your artwork is so whimsical! Loving the way you’ve expressed Inu’s mischievous bad-boy smirk. :3
Hello, my fabulous friends! I’m so excited to introduce you to chapter two of my fake dating, modern au fic that will wrap up just in time for InuKag Week in June. You can read it on ao3 here. Have a great Sunday!
Warning: I do want to mention the brief subject of suicide and childhood bullying, but not details, just two mentions of a previous attempt.
Summary: Kagome and Inuyasha get to know each other. Inuyasha also learns of Kagome’s not so secret admirer.
Looking at the goofy, but cute selfie on her screen, Kagome couldn’t help but giggle. Inuyasha had sent her a picture of him and his adorable, fluffy dog, Ham, and she wondered if they were secretly related. Ham was shaped like a literal cloud, with the white hair to match and he had a crooked smile that seemed to resemble his owner’s. Saving the pic to her phone, she sent a quick text back and pocketed her cell.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Inuyasha looked over his handiwork as the hot afternoon sun beat on his back. The hut that stood in front of him, that he would be sharing with Kagome, his soon to be wifein a matter of days, was finished after months of hard work. The worst part about it though was that he, and his friends, had been lying to her about it. He was just so excited to give it to her as a wedding gift. Tossing the mallet on the ground, next to the pile of tools the villagers loaned him, he decided to do one more walk through before heading over to Miroku and Sango’s house for dinner.
Leaping onto the porch, he admired the way the front door swung open and close, the metal hinges squeaking only a little at the movement. Their porch, larger than most of the other homes, was covered as it wrapped around to the side, giving Kagome a walkway to her garden that was shielded by the sun. He thought about adding a few pots for her herb making, but figured she could pick which ones she wanted at the next market day.
Running his hand along the wall as he walked through their living room, he pictured tiny frames with their faces hanging all over the place, just the same as her mother’s house in the future. He also wondered if they would stay in this house for years to come, maybe expanding as time went on and their family grew.
When he asked Kagome if she would stay with him forever, he literally meant forever. It had taken her a minute to grasp the age concept once they would be mated, but when she realized she would see her family again, she almost passed out from the shock. He blushed, remembering his embarrassment when she had launched herself at him after she understood, her tears soaking his cloak, but pushed past his own pride to hold her.
Smiling at the small kitchen he had managed to create, after some difficulty explaining to the others, they helped him put it together. He had wanted a small area for her to be able to make her herbs and ailments, along with cooking meals, whether she wanted to stand or sit. A small stool sat nearby, her largest basket sitting atop reminded him to grab the others she had from the small hut nearby he would use for future meat preparing. He imagined Kagome, barefoot and pregnant with his pup, cutting vegetables, sending him one of her breath-taking smiles as he stood over the fire, stirring the rice.
Bending down to make sure the fire pit was deep enough in their floor, he imagined Kagome leaning against him as they stayed warm near the fire throughout the winter months. He would wrap her in his robe, doing his best to make sure she survived the cold temperatures and the harsh winds, their home nestled in the forest and tucked away from the snow as it blew in.
Hearing the birds softly chirping outside brought him back to his task, striding into the dark hall, listening for any air coming through the roof. When he heard none, he turned into the small “bathroom” as Kagome would call it. When he first mentioned this type of room to Miroku, knowing the villagers wouldn’t understand a lick of what he was saying, he had somehow conveyed to his friend that he wanted to be able to have baths in here.
They had built a large tub, big enough for both he and Kagome to sit in it together, Miroku suggesting some inappropriate things throughout the building process. He almost, the idea of knocking Miroku out once too many times, didn’t get it finished in time. While he would still have to fill the large water basin a few times and heat up the water in the living room to use it, but the idea of an indoor hot spring for Kagome was too good to pass up.
Passing a small room used for storage, he leaned against the door frame of the next one, an empty room. Imagining the floor littered with their future children, sleeping on their own futons, he smiled. Hoping she wanted as big of a family as he did, he pictured their children with long hair in a range of shades, from midnight black exactly like their mother to the pure silver of his own.
He could see them sporting gold eyes that mirrored his own and others with large, doe eyed, brown ones that reflected their hearts like the woman he so dearly loved. Remembering how Kagome’s mother tweaked his ears the first time they met, he really hoped it was one of the traits that would be passed along from him. Before Kagome, he never thought he would have the option of having a family, being a half demon and all, but ever since she pulled that arrow from his chest, all of this domesticity suddenly seemed possible for him.
Heading to the one room he was extremely happy to give his future wife and mate, he opened a large wooden door, matching the one to their home but with a small lock on the outside and stepped inside their own private little den. Looking at his prized possession sitting against the far wall of their bedroom, a project that he worked on night and day, he admired the lifted bed, twice the size of the one he remembered Kagome sleeping on in the future. Briefly wondering which surprise she might like best, he hoped it was the bed.
It had taken him a while to figure out how to stuff the linen to make it comfortable, but feathers and hay seemed to do the trick. On the last visit to market day, he had managed to find the perfect cloth for the bed, making it soft as he sat on it. Running in his hand over the bundle of small pillows, he pushed back his growing insecurity about their wedding night.
Closing his eyes, he replayed their last intimate moments and relished the look of Kagome’s flushed cheeks when she came up for air. He had to stop himself from going too far once again, his demon demanding that he go ahead and mate her before the chance of her disappearing again. Ignoring the squeeze of his heart at that final thought, Inuyasha refused to let that thought cross his mind, that Kagome was here to stay with him, forever.
He opened his eyes, his gaze zeroing on the chest he had recovered on the visit to his mother’s former home. During the three year gap, he had forced himself to visit the castle he grew up in, hiding in the shadows as servants passed by, wondering why the hell he was here. Locating a small room with storage, he had found the chest he was currently staring at filled with his mother’s things. The jūnihitoe his mother wore, though only the top layer, a few papers about her previous engagement to Takemaru and a small necklace that he had never seen before.
It sat at the end of their bed and he hoped Kagome would store her things in there as time went on, especially the few things from the future that were left behind from before. Briefly wondering if he should get all her things moved over, he shelved that thought for later on. There were still a few things they needed to get done before the wedding.
He still needed to ask Myoga about the chest and its contents the next time he came into town, probably for the wedding since Kagome wanted to invite every person in their life, including hisbrother. Rolling his eyes at the thought, he smirked, knowing the simple life was something Sesshomaru would never be suited for.
Flicking his ear, he heard footsteps approach and sniffed the air. When Snago’s scent, mingled in with Miroku’s, filled his nose, he sighed thankfully, relieved his secret was still safe for the time being. Closing the bedroom door behind him, he quickly met her on the porch, wondering what she needed.
“Hey, I was wondering if you were out here. Dinner is almost ready and Kagome should be coming back with Kaede soon.” Sango smiled, her hand settling on the swell of her stomach. Hisui had just passed his first birthday when Sango announced she was pregnant again and now she was almost halfway along. An image of Kagome, pregnant in his arms, as they watched the sunset in the Sacred Tree filled his mind.
“Yeah, just actually finished up.” He nodded, crossing his arms over his chest.
“The house looks amazing. She’s really going to love it.”
“Keh, thanks.” He stuttered, refusing to meet her gaze.
“You know, she loves you, even if you are a man of few words, your actions show that you love her too.”
“Sango!” he sputtered, his cheeks matching his firerat as he gaped at her.
“Inuyasha, it’s okay. I understand.” Sango laughed, waving her hand for him to follow as she turned back, heading towards her home. Miroku mentioned having him help add a room to their hut as well, since she was expecting again. He jumped, landing beside her, making sure she didn’t trip over her feet and together they headed into the town they both now called home.
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Holding his wife in his arms, he stared out into the yard, watching his pups play a game of tag with Miroku and Sango’s. Moroha was chasing Hisui, as the twins were running from Mitsuki, their second born. Even the youngest children were joined in, a beautiful mix of hanyou and human playing. The sun was setting across the sky, giving the forest a soft glow, and Shippo was sitting near them, chewing on a piece of tough meat. Sango and Miroku were talking softly nearby, smiling at the same scene.
A soft nudge from Kagome below his chin had him looking down, smiling softly at her pursed lips as she silently asked for a kiss. He chuckled, gently stroking his hand on her swollen belly as he leaned down to give her what she wanted.
“I love you.” he murmured against her lips.
“Love you too.” She sighed against him, her gaze turning back to watch the kids as she slid her hand in his. “You know Inuyasha, I never get tired of this life, especially when I have you.”
