Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha. (sigh)
The Ring
By
Moonlit Showers
Chapter 2: Kagome's Musings
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Golden eyes shifted to regard her as Kagome came back to her room half an hour later. She blinked her chocolate brown eyes in surprise; he was in the exact same position she had left him in, leaning against her bed cross-legged, with his sword resting on his shoulder. What was he, some kind of statue?
"Have you been there the whole time?" she asked curiously.
As she continued to stare at him in puzzlement, Inuyasha rose to his feet with a grunt and bent a little, offering his back to her. Recognizing the gesture for what it was, she quickly assumed her usual position atop his back, his claws reaching up to secure her as he answered her original question.
"Keh, you've wasted enough time, there's jewel shards to find."
Kagome rolled her eyes at the typical Inuyasha non-answer and held on tight as he leapt out the window and into the forbidden well.
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Kagome smiled as she tightened her grip on Inuyasha's shoulders, the wind rushing through their hair as they bounded toward Kaede's village. No longer did Inuyasha's muscles hold the tenseness they once had in the days preceding the final battle. The shadows of combat were wiped away; leaving in its place peace, contentment, and the knowledge that Naraku was dead. For good.
The final battle had taken a toll on everyone. Kagome had to run back to her time for extra medical supplies more than once. Luckily, there was no lasting damage on anyone. Miroku's wind tunnel had finally disappeared, Sango had her brother back alive and without a jewel shard, and Kikyo could finally rest in peace knowing she was avenged.
It seemed almost too good to be true, which was why there was a slight consequence. Sometime during the battle, Naraku managed to get his slimy tentacles on the entire jewel and in a last ditch effort, Kagome fired the arrow destined to purify Naraku once and for all.
Ironically, if the arrow had been one of Kagome's normal shots, it wouldn't have been fatal. Fortunately or unfortunately, she caused history to repeat itself as her arrow stuck the completed jewel, shattering it once again. The accompanying blast of purification from the jewel was what ultimately killed Naraku, as he was no match for the awesome power of the Shikon no Tama. He was consumed, but the weary victors of the war were left with the daunting task of piecing the jewel back together again.
Kagome allowed her head against Inuyasha's back as he rushed through the forest. For all of the work still ahead of them, she couldn't help but be glad. Naraku had inadvertently given Kagome an excuse to stay in the past with Inuyasha, and time to try to figure out their confusing relationship.
There was no doubt that Kagome loved him. Ever since that day by the well, the day she had accepted the fact that Inuyasha loved Kikyo, but still asked if she could stay by his side anyway. From that moment on, she knew that her heart could hold no other but the courageous, beautiful, golden-hearted jerk of a half-demon. Whether by fate or design, she and Inuyasha were inexplicably tied together, and nothing was going to keep her away from him. Besides, she thought to herself, glancing at his twitching puppy ears, I couldn't possibly leave someone with such cute ears.
Watching his silver hair fly in the breeze, she couldn't help but let out a slight sigh. The problem was that she had no idea how Inuyasha felt for her. Oh, she knew he cared about her; he's risked his life for her time and time again with barely a thought. Those weren't the actions of an acquaintance. But was it the caring of a close friend? Or something more?
Kagome frowned at her hopeful thoughts. Inuyasha didn't love her. He loved and still loves Kikyo. He was never quite the same after she died, becoming more tense and serious. He was no longer as willing to chase Shippo for his ramen or berate Miroku for his perverted-ness. When Naraku was defeated, he admittedly seemed to be in a much better mindset, but he still distanced himself from her. Whenever he and Kagome were left alone together, he would always find some reason to leave, preferring to be on his own than submit himself to Kagome's company.
Even on shard hunts, a time which Kagome had been sure that they could spend alone together due to the fact that Miroku and Sango had chosen to settle down and start a family, as their main goal of defeating Naraku had been fulfilled, had not worked out quite as she planned. Instead, when he and Kagome headed out on the first shard hunt after the last battle, Inuyasha immediately invited Shippo and Kirara to come along. Now Kagome loved the little kit and cat, but she couldn't help but be frustrated with Inuyasha's tactics.
Kagome started to grow a bit depressed. Maybe she was holding on to false hope. Inuyasha would never get over Kikyo, and even if he did, she'd always be seen as the replacement. Forever second best and never good enough. Inuyasha's stunt with the ring had caused her mind to be filled with unrealistic fantasies that needed to be suppressed soon or risk her heart breaking even more. That's right, she thought determinedly, Inuyasha does not love me. He will never love me. But we will always be friends. That's enough.
Her musings were abruptly cut off as Inuyasha landed in front of Kaede's hut and started yelling for Shippo and Kirara to hurry up and get out so they could "get moving."
Kagome rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Jerk."
Inuyasha's golden eyes pierced hers, igniting her anger and taking her breath away at the same time, "What did you say, wench?"
Kagome glared at him and then sighed, "Nothing, nevermind."
He twitched his ears in confusion and crossed his arms sullenly, as if trying to show that even though he was confused, he wouldn't admit it, "Keh, whatever, wench."
Kagome rubbed the bridge of her nose absently, trying to ward off a headache. This was going to be a long trip.
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A/N: 'Ello all. Yes, I've decided to continue this little story, so I hope you enjoy it. Sorry this chapter was kind of short but I had to get all the description out, and description writing is not my strong suit. Please review and tell me what you think! Thank you
