So this is three, yes? Beautiful. I'm glad those of you who have review like this story. No one is quite as openly excited as some have been of my other fic. Don't all get excited at once. I really love reviewers. Y'all give me something to actually check my e-mail for. Otherwise I go weeks without checking it. Anyway, on with the chapter.
Disclaimer: Do not own Inuyasha and Co. However the plotline is mine. Weee!
"Ready then?"
"I've never done this before."
"Just trust me."
"Inuyasha..."
"Come on, you can't back out now." Kagome was glaring at Inuyasha from across the cushy mat that covered the floor of the dojo. He braced himself as he held a hand blocker, preparing for her to come at him. All she had to do was kick the stupid thing. She stood with her hands on her hips, refusing to attack.
"As much as I would love to stand her with you all evening doing nothing, I have things I should be doing." That smirk of his again. Kagome really needed to wipe that look of his face. Without warning she flew at him, made an awkward kick and fell on her butt. Exactly what she had feared. She sat berating herself for even trying, waiting to hear Inuyasha's laughter at her expense. Suddenly there was a hand in her face. She glanced up to see him gazing down at her evenly, not even the slightest trace of a smile. She took hold and was hoisted to her feet.
"Have another go."
"No thanks. I like staying in an upright position in the presence of incorrigible men." He smiled faintly.
"Quitters never win."
"You and your sayings, I swear." He shrugged then backed up a few steps. He motioned for her to try again.
"This time, don't jump. Just kick. You can learn the jumping part later." When she hesitated, he let out a frustrated growl. "Come on Kagome, you have to trust me. You'll never learn if you don't try." She sighed in defeat before getting an utterly determined look on her face. She took another deep breath balanced her weight onto her left foot like he'd shown her then kicked out at the pad. Her foot reached higher than he had anticipated and he had to raise the blocker. It was a solid kick. He hid a smile and growled at her instead.
"What? Are you trying to kill me?" he shouted. She looked almost fearful for a moment then stood, her fist placed firmly on her right hip. She stared at him with mild irritation evident on her smooth face. When he realized what he'd said he laughed wryly.
"I thought that was the point."
"Yea well, I guess."
Their practicing went on for some time. Kagome managed to learn a few helpful moves, enough to make her feel as though she hadn't wasted her time. Inuyasha had been strict but surprisingly gentle with her. He didn't laugh at her when she fell, not even once. Her pride greatly appreciated that. She was used to being ridiculed for her faults and it was a breath of fresh air to have the opposite. He was proud of how diligent she was once she got started. By the end of their training session she had picked up enough to handle herself.
Upon finishing one final kick and punch combination, Kagome stood breathing heavily. To her surprise she heard applause coming from behind her. She turned to see a lean woman with long brown hair pulled into a high ponytail and brown eyes that were sparkling with obvious amusement. Her smile was inviting but there was an apparent dangerous look about her. This was not a woman you messed with and got away with it.
"You really could be very good. You have graceful control of your body that very view people have." Kagome stared at the woman a moment before being able to nod her thanks. The woman approached them and stuck out her hand. "I'm Sango. I'm Inuyasha's partner in crime." Kagome smiled at the correct assessment of the silver haired man.
"Kagome. Damsel in distress extraordinaire." Both women laughed heartily.
"So you're the one who Inuyasha..." In a blur a hand was over her mouth and Inuyasha stood next to her, fidgeting nervously. Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat and willed her blush to fade. Play it off as exertion, that's it. She pretended to wipe sweat from her brow and averted her eyes. It was more than likely that Inuyasha had told Sango what a dimwit she was for getting followed and how bravely he had saved her or whatever it was that guys said. She decided to jump the ball.
"Yes, I am the idiot girl he saved from herself the other night." Inuyasha visibly looked confused a moment. Hadn't she blushed as if she knew what he'd... Oh. She thought... Right. Relax. Inuyasha removed his hand from Sango's mouth receiving a snarl from his companion. Then when the nervousness in his figure hit her she smiled apologetically and laughed lightly at Kagome's unconscious save.
"He mentioned that, but not in so many words." It was obvious that Sango and Kagome were already on the road to friendship. They chatted as if they'd known each other for years with only minor interjections from him. Inuyasha sighed inwardly with relief. That had been a close one.
"Well it's been nice meeting you. We should talk again." Kagome slipped Sango her card from her purse after writing her home number on it. Sango smiled warmly, very glad to have a female friend for the first time in a long time. Inuyasha noticed with alarm how late it was. He knew Kagome planned to take the train but there was no way he'd let her if there was something he could do about it.
"I'll take you home." Once again with that commanding tone. Kagome tilted her head slightly giving him the well-known "confused puppy" look then laughed and set about getting ready to leave.
"I'm just taking the train... oh. I see. Well I'll be fine. I took the train here."
"But it's really late," Sango piped in. "It'd be safer if you at least let him ride the train with you. That guy is more than likely out again." At the thought of this Kagome shuddered. Which was more important to her right now? Her pride or her safety? Glancing once again at the tall man, fidgeting with anticipation, she let out a low sigh and nodded. No sense in getting attacked when she could easily get home safely. Not to mention the offer was rather endearing,
"I suppose I'll allow you to be my knight in shining armor one more time. But after this, no more," she jokingly scolded. Sango smiled and Inuyasha smirked in reply. The two set off for the station with Sango waving goodbye. Kagome continued to stare at the pavement after Sango was out of view. She felt slightly awkward and almost indignant at his obvious lack of faith in her.
"I've been taking care of myself for a long time now. I'm twenty-five. I don't see how meeting you means that all the demons of the night are going to..."
"Can't you just let someone do something nice for you, or do you only fight me?" Kagome was astounded by his outburst. She stopped walking, noticing he had a bit behind her. The expression on his face was nothing less than pained confusion. He was hurt that she didn't want his help? She took a few steps toward him, mimicking his actions of the other day.
"It's not that I don't appreciate your assistance. I just can't afford to go soft now or I'll never survive." Unexpectedly she felt his hand rest softly on her cheek.
"You won't go soft from someone helping you." Kagome took a few steps back in utter amazement. Inuyasha's amber eyes flashed pain in the night. She held her hand to her cheek as if she'd been slapped, the burning sensation of her skin almost convincing her she had. "I'm too forward. I apologize." He began walking past her but felt a hand on his elbow. He turned to see her blue eyes shining at him. The two stood in earthbound limbo for a few moments, unable to muster the energy or courage to say anything. The silence was broken when Inuyasha had to blow a few errant strands of silver from his eyes. Kagome laughed at the subconscious gesture and they continued on their way as if nothing had happened.
The train bumped along. The motion really was second nature to Kagome now. The car was relatively empty so Kagome sat, Inuyasha plopping down beside her. The electricity between them was nearly visible but they both pretended to ignore it. Kagome shivered slightly when his arm brushed against hers but she simply looked away, knowing he'd noticed. "How embarrassing," she thought. The thing she simply couldn't understand was why he, of all people, made her feel this way. She'd met this man in a train on her way home from work not even knowing his name until long after. They had never even seen one another before and yet Kagome was increasingly sure they had met before. She shook her head, laughing quietly. Inuyasha glanced at her wondering if perhaps she'd gone crazy.
"I was just thinking how odd it is that people believe in soul mates. I mean, come on. How likely is it that of the billions of people on this planet that one is made for you and you're supposed to find this person? You could miss this person like... like two trains passing in the night." She laughed again. She gasped as she realized she'd actually voiced her thoughts. Idiot! She glanced over to see Inuyasha staring at her in mild surprise. So she didn't believe in the feelings. He had them. She must have them too or she wouldn't have been thinking such thoughts or have been able to sense him before. Very suddenly he noticed her heart beat hitch and he felt his do the same. He shifted in his seat to look at her face to face. Their noses were less than a foot from one another.
"I don't know. I suppose it could happen. But I agree with you, it's a pretty stupid idea." Their faces her so close she could once again feel his breath on her face, more specifically on her lips. She had to break the moment or trouble might ensue.
"Glad you agree Lancelot." Inuyasha stared blankly for a moment before throwing back his head and laughing. Her sarcasm was generally lighthearted and it was one of the things he'd come to like about her. Kagome smiled at his mirth, enjoying the sound of his laughter. Nice save if she didn't say so herself.
Man, they were so close there a few times. Sits back and grabs a box of Raisinettes. I wonder what's going to happen next. Is pelted with popcorn. Right. I'll just go write that then... Um, please review, I am ever grateful for my readers. Y'all give me something to live for. sniff Gotta go! Much love.
Disclaimer: Do not own Inuyasha and Co. However the plotline is mine. Weee!
"Ready then?"
"I've never done this before."
"Just trust me."
"Inuyasha..."
"Come on, you can't back out now." Kagome was glaring at Inuyasha from across the cushy mat that covered the floor of the dojo. He braced himself as he held a hand blocker, preparing for her to come at him. All she had to do was kick the stupid thing. She stood with her hands on her hips, refusing to attack.
"As much as I would love to stand her with you all evening doing nothing, I have things I should be doing." That smirk of his again. Kagome really needed to wipe that look of his face. Without warning she flew at him, made an awkward kick and fell on her butt. Exactly what she had feared. She sat berating herself for even trying, waiting to hear Inuyasha's laughter at her expense. Suddenly there was a hand in her face. She glanced up to see him gazing down at her evenly, not even the slightest trace of a smile. She took hold and was hoisted to her feet.
"Have another go."
"No thanks. I like staying in an upright position in the presence of incorrigible men." He smiled faintly.
"Quitters never win."
"You and your sayings, I swear." He shrugged then backed up a few steps. He motioned for her to try again.
"This time, don't jump. Just kick. You can learn the jumping part later." When she hesitated, he let out a frustrated growl. "Come on Kagome, you have to trust me. You'll never learn if you don't try." She sighed in defeat before getting an utterly determined look on her face. She took another deep breath balanced her weight onto her left foot like he'd shown her then kicked out at the pad. Her foot reached higher than he had anticipated and he had to raise the blocker. It was a solid kick. He hid a smile and growled at her instead.
"What? Are you trying to kill me?" he shouted. She looked almost fearful for a moment then stood, her fist placed firmly on her right hip. She stared at him with mild irritation evident on her smooth face. When he realized what he'd said he laughed wryly.
"I thought that was the point."
"Yea well, I guess."
Their practicing went on for some time. Kagome managed to learn a few helpful moves, enough to make her feel as though she hadn't wasted her time. Inuyasha had been strict but surprisingly gentle with her. He didn't laugh at her when she fell, not even once. Her pride greatly appreciated that. She was used to being ridiculed for her faults and it was a breath of fresh air to have the opposite. He was proud of how diligent she was once she got started. By the end of their training session she had picked up enough to handle herself.
Upon finishing one final kick and punch combination, Kagome stood breathing heavily. To her surprise she heard applause coming from behind her. She turned to see a lean woman with long brown hair pulled into a high ponytail and brown eyes that were sparkling with obvious amusement. Her smile was inviting but there was an apparent dangerous look about her. This was not a woman you messed with and got away with it.
"You really could be very good. You have graceful control of your body that very view people have." Kagome stared at the woman a moment before being able to nod her thanks. The woman approached them and stuck out her hand. "I'm Sango. I'm Inuyasha's partner in crime." Kagome smiled at the correct assessment of the silver haired man.
"Kagome. Damsel in distress extraordinaire." Both women laughed heartily.
"So you're the one who Inuyasha..." In a blur a hand was over her mouth and Inuyasha stood next to her, fidgeting nervously. Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat and willed her blush to fade. Play it off as exertion, that's it. She pretended to wipe sweat from her brow and averted her eyes. It was more than likely that Inuyasha had told Sango what a dimwit she was for getting followed and how bravely he had saved her or whatever it was that guys said. She decided to jump the ball.
"Yes, I am the idiot girl he saved from herself the other night." Inuyasha visibly looked confused a moment. Hadn't she blushed as if she knew what he'd... Oh. She thought... Right. Relax. Inuyasha removed his hand from Sango's mouth receiving a snarl from his companion. Then when the nervousness in his figure hit her she smiled apologetically and laughed lightly at Kagome's unconscious save.
"He mentioned that, but not in so many words." It was obvious that Sango and Kagome were already on the road to friendship. They chatted as if they'd known each other for years with only minor interjections from him. Inuyasha sighed inwardly with relief. That had been a close one.
"Well it's been nice meeting you. We should talk again." Kagome slipped Sango her card from her purse after writing her home number on it. Sango smiled warmly, very glad to have a female friend for the first time in a long time. Inuyasha noticed with alarm how late it was. He knew Kagome planned to take the train but there was no way he'd let her if there was something he could do about it.
"I'll take you home." Once again with that commanding tone. Kagome tilted her head slightly giving him the well-known "confused puppy" look then laughed and set about getting ready to leave.
"I'm just taking the train... oh. I see. Well I'll be fine. I took the train here."
"But it's really late," Sango piped in. "It'd be safer if you at least let him ride the train with you. That guy is more than likely out again." At the thought of this Kagome shuddered. Which was more important to her right now? Her pride or her safety? Glancing once again at the tall man, fidgeting with anticipation, she let out a low sigh and nodded. No sense in getting attacked when she could easily get home safely. Not to mention the offer was rather endearing,
"I suppose I'll allow you to be my knight in shining armor one more time. But after this, no more," she jokingly scolded. Sango smiled and Inuyasha smirked in reply. The two set off for the station with Sango waving goodbye. Kagome continued to stare at the pavement after Sango was out of view. She felt slightly awkward and almost indignant at his obvious lack of faith in her.
"I've been taking care of myself for a long time now. I'm twenty-five. I don't see how meeting you means that all the demons of the night are going to..."
"Can't you just let someone do something nice for you, or do you only fight me?" Kagome was astounded by his outburst. She stopped walking, noticing he had a bit behind her. The expression on his face was nothing less than pained confusion. He was hurt that she didn't want his help? She took a few steps toward him, mimicking his actions of the other day.
"It's not that I don't appreciate your assistance. I just can't afford to go soft now or I'll never survive." Unexpectedly she felt his hand rest softly on her cheek.
"You won't go soft from someone helping you." Kagome took a few steps back in utter amazement. Inuyasha's amber eyes flashed pain in the night. She held her hand to her cheek as if she'd been slapped, the burning sensation of her skin almost convincing her she had. "I'm too forward. I apologize." He began walking past her but felt a hand on his elbow. He turned to see her blue eyes shining at him. The two stood in earthbound limbo for a few moments, unable to muster the energy or courage to say anything. The silence was broken when Inuyasha had to blow a few errant strands of silver from his eyes. Kagome laughed at the subconscious gesture and they continued on their way as if nothing had happened.
The train bumped along. The motion really was second nature to Kagome now. The car was relatively empty so Kagome sat, Inuyasha plopping down beside her. The electricity between them was nearly visible but they both pretended to ignore it. Kagome shivered slightly when his arm brushed against hers but she simply looked away, knowing he'd noticed. "How embarrassing," she thought. The thing she simply couldn't understand was why he, of all people, made her feel this way. She'd met this man in a train on her way home from work not even knowing his name until long after. They had never even seen one another before and yet Kagome was increasingly sure they had met before. She shook her head, laughing quietly. Inuyasha glanced at her wondering if perhaps she'd gone crazy.
"I was just thinking how odd it is that people believe in soul mates. I mean, come on. How likely is it that of the billions of people on this planet that one is made for you and you're supposed to find this person? You could miss this person like... like two trains passing in the night." She laughed again. She gasped as she realized she'd actually voiced her thoughts. Idiot! She glanced over to see Inuyasha staring at her in mild surprise. So she didn't believe in the feelings. He had them. She must have them too or she wouldn't have been thinking such thoughts or have been able to sense him before. Very suddenly he noticed her heart beat hitch and he felt his do the same. He shifted in his seat to look at her face to face. Their noses were less than a foot from one another.
"I don't know. I suppose it could happen. But I agree with you, it's a pretty stupid idea." Their faces her so close she could once again feel his breath on her face, more specifically on her lips. She had to break the moment or trouble might ensue.
"Glad you agree Lancelot." Inuyasha stared blankly for a moment before throwing back his head and laughing. Her sarcasm was generally lighthearted and it was one of the things he'd come to like about her. Kagome smiled at his mirth, enjoying the sound of his laughter. Nice save if she didn't say so herself.
Man, they were so close there a few times. Sits back and grabs a box of Raisinettes. I wonder what's going to happen next. Is pelted with popcorn. Right. I'll just go write that then... Um, please review, I am ever grateful for my readers. Y'all give me something to live for. sniff Gotta go! Much love.