A/N: I felt I needed a bit of a break from "Look What You Did To My Bumper", even if only for just a quick one shot, and this is what came out. This takes place after the final episodes of Inuyasha, but before the final battle with Naraku. Just a little interlude between Inuyasha and Kagome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, any of the characters, or the story line. Just my little interlude idea.
The hot springs are particularly warm tonight, not that I mind. It is getting colder, winter is coming quick. If only I could spend the time enjoying it instead of scrubbing off dried blood, dirt, and grime. I think more of the blood is my own rather than the demons we were fighting. More of Naraku's lackies.
We are coming so close to our goal. The battles are becoming more and more frequent, and the demons are getting harder to handle. Sango is back at camp with a nice wound to her stomach thanks to those demons. Miroku hasn't left her side since she went down. If Inuyasha hadn't been there to catch the demon at the last second, it would have killed Sango.
Shippou tried so hard to help after Sango was hurt. I can't say he didn't, even though it was Inuyasha who did most of the work. At times I forget he is just a little boy until I see him playing with the little soldiers or the top that Miroku carved for him, his mouth still covered in chocolate from a bar that he swiped from my bag when he thought I wasn't looking. The poor little guy has been through so much in his short life, and he's been so brave through it all.
I hear a rustling in the bushes behind me. I turn to see Inuyasha stepping out.
"Are you ok?" he asks me. I nod. "May I?" He waits patiently for my nod. At that, he began to remove his clothes to join me. The battle has been the hardest on him. His beautiful chest is covered with scars. The fire in his eyes has almost gone out, but it comes back when we fight.
I turn away from him and continue to scrub. I don't feel like I'll ever be clean.
I feel him come into the steamy water and start to wash my back. "You missed a spot," he tells me, placing a kiss on my shoulder.
"Are you sure you want to do that, I'm filthy."
"You could be covered in demon blood and I'd still want to kiss you," he says.
"How is she?" I ask. Before I left camp Miroku was at her side, tears running down his face.
He slipped his arms around me. "She will live, she just needs to heal. I feel for the monk. He doesn't want to lose her."
Over the past two years I've watched Sango and Miroku fight, before coming to love one another deeply. Sound familiar?
"I know how he feels. I don't want to lose you either," he whispered. I turned in his arms to rest my head on his shoulder.
"I don't want to lose you either," I say.
"What's going to happen after we defeat Naraku?" He tightened his grip. "Will you stay with me?"
"If I can, if the powers that sent me to you will let me stay with you." I took in his woodsy scent, trying to put it to memory. I honestly don't know what tomorrow will bring. I cherish every moment we have together. Whatever happens, be it good or bad, I'll be there with open arms.
"I love you Kagome," he said.
I'll never leave. Not if I can help it. "I love you too, Inuyasha."
We continued to bathe, taking comfort in each other, through simple touches and kisses.
"We need to get back," he finally told me. "The monk will probably need a break."
"You know he won't leave her," I reply.
"I know. If you were injured, even if you weren't, I wouldn't leave you."
He helped me from the spring and dried me off before we put on our clothes and left for camp.
End
