Disclaimer: I do not in ANY way own Inu Yasha or the characters in the story (except for the ones I've made up). This is a fabrication of my imagination so don't be angry if it doesn't follow the storyline that much.
And for those of you who aren't familiar (or only vaguely familiar) with the anime or the manga, here is a brief summary of the story. Kagome is a 15-year old girl who lives in modern day Tokyo. On her 15th birthday, she is pulled through the Bone-eater's well by a demon and travels back in time to Japan's Sengoku Jidai (or age of warring states) about 500 or so years ago. It is here that she meets Inu-Yasha, a half-demon (or hanyou) who tried to steal a powerful jewel, the Shikon no Tama, in order to become a full demon. However, the priestess who guarded the jewel, Kikyou, used an arrow to trap Inu Yasha magically before she herself died from fatal injuries. She had the jewel cremated with her, and now Kagome, who is the re-incarnation of Kikyou, has brought the jewel back to the Sengoku Jidai 50 years later, and releases Inu Yasha from the entrapment spell. Not long after this the jewel is shattered, and Inu Yasha is forced to pair up with Kagome (against his will) in order to collect the shards. This story takes place after Inu Yasha and Kagome have met Miroku (a monk), Sango (a youkai hunter), and Shippo (a fox demon). They are all searching for the Shikon shards so they can complete the jewel before the evil Naraku does.
"Kagomeeeee… I'm tired. Can we stop for tonight?" whined the little kitsune as he held on tightly onto Kagome's arm. "And I'm really hungry… did you bring anymore of your yummy noodles?"
Kagome let out a slight giggle as she stopped and placed her tiny companion onto the ground. "I don't see why we can't stop for a little while… does anyone object?"
"I think it would be a good idea as well" chimed Miroku, "besides, I think Sango is tired from carrying around her boomerang all day."
It was true, her boomerang, the Hiraikotsu, was very big and very heavy. It was made out of the bones of demons that she had defeated in the past. But she was strong enough to carry it, her training sought to that. Sango blushed slightly at the sound of her name escaping the monk's lips. Though she'd never admit it she cared deeply for the monk, even when he was being a pervert.
"Well I don't think we should stop," barked Inu Yasha, "we still have a lot of the shards to find and we don't want Naraku getting ahead of us."
Shippo made a face at the hanyou "Nyah, you're nothing but a slave driver."
In an instant the fierce half-demon grabbed the little kitsune and began to pound him over the head "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" He emphasized each word with a hit to the little youkai's head.
"Owwwwwww!!!" squealed Shippo as he desperately tried to escape from Inu Yasha's grasp.
"Inu Yasha! Stop being mean to Shippo-chan… he's tired and so am I. Let's stop for tonight ok?"
Kagome flashed a gentle smile toward him that seemed to melt the icy-cold stare from his eyes. He released the fox tyke without a second thought and sat next to the fire that the monk had already started. Kagome planted herself next to the abrasive half-demon as she began making everyone's dinner, which consisted of ramen noodles and potato chips. Inu Yasha looked over toward his comrades. Sango and Miroku seemed to be arguing again, no doubt over his ever wandering eye and roaming hands. Shippo was curled up contentedly next to Kagome.
Kagome…
He watched her with intense eyes, taking in every part of her form. From the way her hair fell around her face to the way she sat on the ground, nothing escaped Inu Yasha's ever-watchful eyes. And then there was her scent.
So gentle… it feels like… home.
Inu Yasha breathed a sigh of relief at the thought of home. He'd spent most of his life on his own, taking care of himself and ONLY himself. Now he found himself worrying about others… taking care of others… risking his life to save theirs. Especially Kagome. He'd do anything for that girl though he'd never say it out loud. Slowly, but surely, Kagome was breaking down the walls the hanyou had built over the years. He didn't know when it happened but only that it did. And it felt nice to finally be able to trust someone enough again… to feel like he belonged somewhere. The last time he felt like that was when he was a child… with her.
"Inu Yasha…? Earth to Inu Yasha? Are you even listening to me!?"
The dog-demon broke out of his trance and looked wildly at Kagome, "What are you screaming about Kagome?!"
"I was just wondering if you wanted food you jerk! You didn't have to yell at me…"
Tears began to well up in Kagome's eyes and Inu Yasha's heart sank, "Oh no… don't cry. No crying allowed!"
"Then why did you yell at me," sobbed Kagome, "do you really hate me that much?"
Kagome… I could NEVER hate you…
"I never said that did I you stupid girl… I was just…" Inu Yasha's tone dropped and his face grew somber all of a sudden, "I was just thinking about something that's all."
Kagome cocked her head to one side as she watched the hanyou intensely. If he was anything he was confusing that much was for sure. She tried desperately to get Inu Yasha to open up to her, but it always felt as if he didn't trust her.
What in the world is that boy thinking…
By this time Sango and Miroku had stopped their bickering and focused their attention on the half-demon as well. Even the little youkai was listening intently. All eyes were on Inu Yasha, which always made him feel uncomfortable.
"Why are you all staring at me?!" he screamed.
"Come on Inu Yasha, tell us what you were thinking about," prodded Kagome as she inched closer to him, "pleeeeeeeease."
She looked up at him with pleading eyes and nodded her head slowly as if to say to him "come on you can do it." Feh… he thought, why are they so interested all of a sudden. His thoughts were his alone. If he wanted to wallow in his memories then they should let him. What business was it of theirs what he thought of? He crossed his arms defiantly and looked away gruffly.
"Why do you all care anyway?"
Kagome's eyes softened and when she spoke her gentle tone always calmed him, "Because Inu Yasha, we're your friends and we want to know what goes on in that crazy mind of yours. Besides, you NEVER talk about yourself, so now it's your turn."
Kagome seemed almost happy at the prospect of hearing about his past. She inched closer to him until her knees were resting alongside his leg. Her hands lay peacefully on his lap as she eagerly awaited Inu Yasha to break the silence. Inu Yasha looked at Kagome as if she was going to attack him, she'd never been that close to him before. Sure they had hugged in the past but… it wasn't like this. This feeling sent shivers up and down the dog-demon's spine. It was nice. He liked it. And with that he smiled and began to talk.
"Her name… was Akemi."
*~*~*