Chapter 3
Getting To Know You
Of
Realizing Love
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"Okay, so how'd he ask you again?"
Kagome sighed for the third time after having to repeat what he had said to her. "I told you Sango. He just asked if I'd like to go for a walk with him," Kagome replied. "Nothing more," she added twisting her body with a long elegant—yet casual, but classy—dress—that went down to her knee's at least—twittered and twirled with the movement she made, the sparkles along the bodice glimmering in the afternoon sun.
"It's not about what he asks, Kagome, it's about how he asks," Sango replied sensibly. "He could simply say 'Hey babe, you and me let's walk,'—which signifies he's interested—or 'Hey, I hope you don't mind but I was wondering if you'd like to join me for a walk?'—which signifies a casual outing between two people. Understand?" she asked. Seeing her friend nod she continued. "So how'd he asked? Come on let's hear it. It's not everyday my little girl get asked out on a date, you know."
"Not a date," Kagome corrected her friend sternly—despite the warm smile—while she stole a ruby red licorice from the package Sango had brought them both to share. She turned herself back towards the mirror holding the dress against her as a stick of red licorice hung from her mouth. She remembered the other day while the mirror amazingly materialized into the patients' lounge where they were re-united and had become mutual friends.
"Sorry . . . it's just, I thought you were her, and . . ." he told her, feeling foolish and humiliated.
"It's okay I understand," she had replied. To ease the tension she struck up another conversation while she returned the card she had given him to see that it was indeed her and not who he had mistaken her for. "So . . . what's your name?"
". . . It's InuYasha," he had replied nervously looking around the room. And then he's asked her "Look, I'm sorry again for mistaking you for someone else, I really thought you were her, I mean you're almost exactly alike . . . anyway, I was wondering . . . if you'd like to go for a walk." He'd rambled a bit, which made her laugh, yet made her nervous at the same time. It wasn't everyday she was asked out, especially by a cute guy . . . oh Sango would be pleased . . . even if, you know, it wasn't a date,
As she thought of it now, her reaction seemed stupid and pitiful, but his quick response was quite entertaining something she couldn't help but laugh at, which she knew and regretfully only made him even more humiliated.
"I'm not hitting on you or anything I mean I would just I-"
Feeling sorry, she'd accepted his request to walk with him, which made him smile in the end. After all she had yelled at him the other day hadn't she? The least she could do was accept it.
"Great!" he replied, with a smile, which she knew was forced due to the humiliation he had caused himself. They had made their plans to go out the following day—Monday after school—where'd they meet at the receptionist desk on his floor.
"Earth to Kagome . . . hullo?" Sango sung. "Kagome!" she threw a chuck of licorice at her, startling her from her reverie as she remembered the long, silver hair that hung to his waist, and adorable puppy eyes the shade of molten lava.
"Huh? Oh! What about this one then?" Kagome asked—startled from her trance—throwing the black dress aside and grabbing a long sleeved, blue top and placing it against her torso while staring at her friend through the reflection of the mirror.
"Jeeze Kagome!" Sango huffed, exasperated. "Why won't you tell me what the heck he said, for goodness sake's?" Sango cried, jumping from the bed and rummaging through her friends closet, layered with mounds of clothes.
Laughing at her friends' exasperation, Kagome, finally, re-told her reunion with InuYasha, while holding different ensembles of clothes Sango threw at her.
"Okay, you're so going on a date!" Sango couldn't help but squeal, her hazel eyes playful as she returned to Kagome's bed. She sat against the wall on the delicate pink spread of Kagome's bed, her socked feet curled tightly beneath her, while she happily chewed on yet another red licorice.
"I told you Sango it's not a date," Kagome repeated through a smile while adding an exaggerated sigh after throwing the plain white shirt aside.
"Look at you!" Sango cried pointing an accusing finger towards her. "You're totally into this guy and you barely know his name!"
"I am not and it's just for a walk that's it," Kagome argued, holding a long plain purple dress to her body. "What on earth should I wear?!"
"Yeah, a walk . . . sure," Sango drawled sarcastically, rising to her feet again and settling her hand on a hanger from within the bottomless closet, grabbing its garb and handing it to Kagome. "Here, try this one."
"Thanks," she replied, holding the top. "I don't know . . . it's sort of low don't you think, and what if it's cold?" Scrunching her nose at the low, flowered pink top, glimmering with silver sequins, she angled herself from different sides deciphering on her decision.
"Need I remind you of that it's Spring? And it's calling for at least thirty degrees out there tomorrow," Sango drawled rolling her eyes, while throwing a white sweater at her. "This'll due incase it does get cold," she offered, throwing a sweater at her, "which in won't," she added.
Kagome rolled her eyes, mooching her lips slightly in a model pose. "And what do I wear for bottoms?" she asked, beginning to agree with the outfit on her.
"Those new jeans you bought at Azeri's. They're pretty slamming'," Sango replied holding a pair of stylish jeans in the air for admiring. "Wear that silver and black belt, a silver chain and a little pink makeup, and you'll look fine!" Sango consulted, sitting back down on Kagome's soft bed.
"Why pink?" Kagome whined, undressing from her school uniform and slipping her arms through the sleeve holes in her shirt, followed by her head.
"Because, it will complement the outfit and you . . . duh! Have I taught you nothing over our years of friendship?" Sango exaggerated, again, throwing a chunk of licorice at her. "Besides you look sexy in pink . . . its perfect for this time of year on you when you're still slightly pale."
"You're picking those up," Kagome replied, fastening her new jeans on her hips, revealing a thin line of her stomach below her sequined shirt. "Sango? Your sure this isn't to low right? I mean it's not a date—"
"You're just totally into him . . ." she interrupted, flipping a page of her magazine—which she had grabbed from the nightstand next to Kagome's bed.
"Or anything," she continued, eyeing her friend whom pretended not to notice. "It's just a walk and nothing more," she lament, twisting her hips to look at her back, remembering the once was when she was dating . . .
His brown locks that folded over memorizing blue eyes . . . a narrow nose set centered between his eyes above a gorgeous white smile . . . dainty and luscious pink lips that spelled out her name countless times due to his constant worry for her health and happiness which rang sweetly in her ears. She remembered the countless girls that envied her—including a certain girl only a year younger then her, whom was surely, prettier and skinnier, fuller and maybe even smarter—because they too whished a man like she had at the time, that kissed her so perfectly . . . sending off a sensation that nothing could go wrong . . . that everything was perfect while being in his strong, built, muscular arms . . .
"You're thinking of that Hojo guy aren't you?" Sango demanded, glaring at her through the mirrors' reflection.
At the sound of Sango's voice, Kagome jumped hastily as being broken again from her reverie. "Was not," she lied, clearing her throat, intent on avoiding the knowing hazel eyes that spooked her sometimes, while she hurriedly and busily brushed the length of her raven-black hair, with her fingers, freeing it from the grasps of her shirts' collar.
"Were too," Sango replied her face contorted with anger. "Kagome, I've told you several times. There is no need to long for that . . . that . . . bastard Hojo anymore. He dumped you for a girl that is younger then you whom he cheated with before hand behind your back. Like hello?! Yeah, sure he's good-looking but it's all an act, a con to get girls in bed with him until he drops them like a sac of potatoes once he's done with them," she wailed, however seeing her friend nearly in tears she cooled her features and dragged Kagome to her bed in essence to calm her. "Kagome, you have to move on, he's so not worth it, and dropping you for that . . . slut . . . please," she huffed, rolling her eyes. "You're worth it, you know that . . . and you deserve the best guy in the world . . . and if I find him I'll pas him on . . . only I will after I get my own . . ." she giggled with a playful wink, smiling as she got Kagome to let out a half-hearted giggle.
"Oh I'm sorry, Sango, its just I get so caught up in these things . . . and we were . . ."
"Don't make me slap you, I swear I will . . . now dry those tears . . . if one mores shed on that son of a bitch . . ." she warned, corking a smile in the corner of her lips, turning her face in a mischievous glare.
"All right, all right," Kagome laughed, taking a tissue from the nightstand and wiping her tears and giving her nose a quick blow. "Let's get to work."
"On what? Studying or more important things such as . . ."
"How's it going up here girls'?" a voice asked a near silent whisper at the door of Kagome's room.
"Momma?! We were just . . ." she bit her lip nervously opening her mouth to let the lie slip out. However, she bit her tongue instead. She could never lie to her mother no matter how hard she tried.
"Girls . . ." she sighed slightly disappointed after seeing the amount of clothes on the floor and the lack of books that should have been sprawled between them. "What did I tell you two? And Kagome . . . you need to work on your history . . . those marks have got to come up, or it will affect your future and we know how important that is, do we not?"
"Yes Momma," Kagome replied, guilt settling heavily on her shoulders. "Sorry, we'll get to work right now . . ."
"I should hope so . . . however, I came to offer a snack, anybody want any cookies and milk?" her mother offered, an encouraging smile popping onto her thin lips.
Kagome nodded noticing for the first time the dark bags under her mothers eyes. "Lack of sleep," she thought instantly, "With what's been going on around here lately, Momma's nearly overworked herself to the bone . . ."
"Yes please," Sango nodded with a pleasant smile, her anger of their later conversation swept cleanly away from her face.
"Kagome?" her mother asked expectant of a response.
"Oh . . . yes please Momma," Kagome replied, dashing her thoughts away.
"All right then, I'll be back up in a moment," her mother replied, with a faint withering smile as she closed the door.
"So—"
"And girls?" her mother opened the door. "Start studying, please?"
"Yes Momma . . ." Kagome drawled, rolling her eyes to Sango while her mother closed the door. "So . . . want to do each others nails?" she gestured to her to Sango, pulling a pale tinge of pink from her nightstand drawer.
"You bet," Sango replied, a wide grin spreading like an eagle over her face.
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Sucking in a deep breath of the sweet spring air, he admired the view beyond the hospital doors' from beneath his shielded eyes. Pedestrians ambled slowly on the sidewalk dressed lightly due to the hot weather the brilliant sun radiated, cooled with the light breeze the Earth had to offer.
"Finally, I'm out of that damn hospital," he thought stretching his arms in relaxation. "For the time being . . ." he added to himself. He had been surprised in the beginning when the nurse had agreed in allowing him out.
"Doctor Ayamé, is it okay if I go out for a walk?"
"Sure as long as you have a guardian, and follow some rules," she eyed him yet continued to show him her generous smile.
"Kagome, she was going to go with me, is that okay?"
"Higurashi? Of course, she's rather trust worthy," Ayamé agreed. "Only I'll need to talk over something's with her first, then we'll see."
"Talk to me about what?" Kagome asked, coming up from behind Doctor Ayamé.
Recognizing her pure voice, he turned to see Kagome dressed in jeans and a pink—with a design of sequins on its front—shirt. He could feel his eyes widen upon her arrival, while he watched her hair bounce lightly around her shoulders with every step, her hips swaying—ever so gently—in an elegant walk. He felt his heart pound harder against his ribcage, when she smiled at him as her chocolate eyes—outlined in a light layer of pink, he noticed—landed on him as she strode in his direction with a light bounce in her step. "She's gorgeous . . ." he couldn't help himself but think.
"Ah . . .!" Ayamé replied, turning to face Kagome herself. "Pleasant meeting you again, I see you have become acquainted with InuYasha—our finest patient," Ayamé couldn't help but add with a raised eyebrow.
Kagome smiled at the doctor, letting out a little laugh, she eyed InuYasha catching his stare. She blushed and turned back to Doctor Ayamé. "I presume, InuYasha and I are indeed allowed to go out for a few hours?"
"Yes, however, you must, by all means, return by sundown," Ayamé told them both sternly. "And . . . incase something should happen or if I need InuYasha to come back here, I need you, Kagome, to wear this . . ."Ayamé added handing her a small, thick pager. "It's hard to miss this thing, despite its size—it makes quite a noise."
"Anything else?" Kagome asked, excepting the small piece of machinery and attaching it to her hip. "As long as you stay close and are—and stay—safe—and not pull anything ridiculous—you are welcome to take InuYasha out for a walk as many times as you please—between eight am and eight pm, any questions?"
"None," Kagome replied, nodding her thanks to the Ayamé. "Ready to go InuYasha?" she gestured to him, taking hold of the handles.
He nodded as a reply unable to speak as she pushed him carefully out of the doors of the hospital.
"Are you okay?" a voice asked while a face peered over his shoulder.
"Yeah," InuYasha croaked, shaken out of his reverie, turning to look at the alluring brown-eyed girl. "It's just been a while since I've been outside."
She let out a giggle, continuing to push him in a steady pace away from the hospital. "All right then," she murmured, looking for no reply.
He sighed, leaning comfortably in his chair, watching the unseen world go by. Children laughed, playing happily in the sand, while their nearby parents watched from the park bench, unharmed by disastrous thoughts, as they read contentedly a book or chatted with another parent.
He watched, to his right, the trees sway in the warm wind, lustrous petals from nearby Cherry Blossom trees falling, encircling around their bodies in a delightful harmony.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked curiously, looking for a clue of some sort.
She flashed him a smile, her delicate flowered pink top enlightening her eyes. "You'll see," she whispered as her reply.
He groaned, curling his lips in a pout while her joyous laugh ringed through his ears.
"Don't you look cute?" she couldn't help but express her amusement while trying to hide the brilliant smile, widening on her face.
"Shut up . . ." he growled, his pout only creasing on his features.
She laughed again.
"Her laugh is beautiful . . ." he thought, drinking her melodic voice. They continued on in silence as they headed deeper into the park while admiring the peace the world let on. He turned to look at her at times when she didn't notice, her luscious black hair, and chocolate brown eyes; he already thought she looked amazing, the colors complementing her skin and body. "Fool . . . you'll never have a chance with her. She's way out of your league," and he knew the voice was right.
"Here we are," Kagome said finally after a while, slowing the chair to a sluggish stop.
Taken by surprise, he couldn't help but stutter. "It-its-"
"Beautiful isn't it?" Kagome replied expectantly, with a lit giggle in her voice. "A picture from a book almost, even?"
"E-exactly," he agreed, nodding in agreement.
Admiring the crystal blue water, he watched a light breeze ripple its skin, moaning lazily at its effort. The pond licked the curves of its mouth, various colors of lily pads twirling in a fluent and memorizing motion as cattails swayed in time with the lilies. A delicate willow tree bowed to the brilliant and powerful sun, which in return bestowed its magnificent radiation. While the succulent leaves of the willow kissed the ponds' surface they provided a generous shade, which the couple slipped underneath grateful for its coolness.
Listening to the soothing sounds of the waterfall at the far end of the pond, centered to the oak bridge, InuYasha opened his eyes to look at Kagome—who sat neatly in the uncut grass, pleasantly gazing at the hidden bows of the willow. "Thank you, by the way, for bringing me here, I mean . . ."
"Oh you're welcome," she replied, brushing her hair behind her ears to reveal her innocent face. "I thought you might like it, I come here often to think as it is, considering no one really comes here."
From the corner of his eyes, he couldn't help but admire her. "She is beautiful . . . like an angel almost . . ." he cringed at the thought, an image of Kikyo flashing into his mind—quick as lightning—reminding him of the painful memory she had left behind embedded in his heart. "You'll never have a chance!" the voice reminded him.
"Something wrong?" Kagome asked, looking at him through her luxuriant eyelashes which caught the light of the sun making her out to look virtuous and divine.
His breath caught in his throat as she looked at him, nearly having the power to sweep him off his feet—or in his case out of his chair. "N-nothing," he replied, sucking in a deep yet, cool breath.
"All right them," she replied unsurely. "So . . . what school do you go to?" she asked, breaking the silence, her voice catching in her throat as she carefully picked a piece of lint off the thigh of her jeans.
"Same as you, Sacred Jewel Academy only I'm in grade twelve," he replied, offering a careless shrug.
"I'm in grade twelve too," she cried defensively, her face twisting into a pout. "I just need to finish a few credits before I can graduate."
"Yeah well at this rate I'm not going to be graduating this year either," he replied, discouragingly.
"Don't worry, there's plenty of time, you'll make it," she returned, encouragingly. "I'm sure of it."
"Kagome . . . I'm stuck in this damn wheelchair. I sit in a hospital bed all day with nothing to do for another however many weeks," he cried, clenching his fist at the thought. "I can barely manage getting myself out of bed—with three doctors helping me—how the hell do you expect me to get to school?"
"True . . . I'm sorry," she replied. "InuYasha?"
"Yes?" he replied, unrecognizing her tone.
"If you don't mind me asking . . . how did you get-I mean . . . become- . . . I mean- get stuck . . . in that . . . in . . . umm . . . a wheelchair?" she rambled. "If you don't mind me asking, I mean . . . you don't really have to tell me if you don't want too, I wouldn't mind it, I was just wondering because I was curious . . . and-"
"She's cute when she's nervous," he chucked. "Are you always like this when you're nervous?"
"Unfortunately . . . yes," she sighed, giving a nervous smile while hiding her eyes beneath her long black bangs.
"This was bound to come up sooner or later," he sighed taking his time in answering. "I might as well get this over now, rather then later . . ." He forced out a chuckle. "It was a stupid reason . . ." he began.
"Nothing is stupid if it's for a reason," Kagome encouraged, placing her hand gently and encouragingly—yet nervously—on InuYasha's knee.
He smiled touched by her words. "Well, I hit something . . ." he continued. "A dog, or a sign, I don't know, I can't honestly remember. But when I hit it—not that I meant to or anything—I swerved to miss it—proven by forensics, apparently—" he added. "And in the meantime, I flipped my car."
"Whoa . . . you must have been going quite fast," Kagome commented resting her elbow on the arm rest.
"I guess so . . . I tried to stop though . . ." he added, feeling the shame of his accident.
"Why were you so upset then?"
Hesitating, he bit his lip. " . . . My girlfriend broke up with me—ex-girlfriend . . ." he corrected himself, "for some jerk."
She was silent for a moment, thinking. "Not to be critical, I'm on your side, but don't you think that that'd be a silly reason to get angry about? Considering, it's her loss?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"As far as I know, despite your short temper and hot headed side," Kagome reasoned, "You are a passionate guy with a lot of feeling and sensitivity."
"And you've gathered that in the past two days that we've seen each other?" he questioned cocking his head to the side while glancing at her through a raised eyebrow.
"I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think you were a nice guy," she replied shrugging. "So, in my opinion, I think it would be her loss; not so much as yours; because she's giving up the chance to be with you longer."
He smiled encouraged, again, by her words. "Only, I dated her for three years, and the way she did it . . ."
"How she did what?" she asked, her chocolate eyes darkening with confusion.
"Broke up with me," he breathed, clenching his fist into his lap. "She asked me to meet her at her locker and when I got there, she was . . . sucking faces with that bastard Naraku, that's how."
"Ouch . . .! I'm so sorry," she offered her hand, squeezing his own tightly, comfortingly.
He was silent tasting his own misery. The sky grew darker the sun slowly declining from its daily pose. "I thought she loved me . . ." he muttered sadly, blinking to hide his tears.
"Hey, listen, it's going to be okay, like I said before it's her loss," Kagome repeated encouragingly. "And one day, I promise she's going to be crawling right back here begging for you back, I promise you," she added.
"Really?" he looked at her, his eyes wide and hopeful. She knew how he felt for she too was broken hearted some time ago, but in his position she pitied him and his agonizing pain.
"Yes," she choked reversing what Sango had told her, "and if not there are plenty of girls out there then just her you just need to see it," Kagome encouraged, giving his hand another gentle squeeze.
"I guess so . . ."
They were silent; waiting for something more to say. Searching Kagome pointed to his chair. "So because of this accident, you're stuck in that?" she questioned, averting his thoughts to the chair. "Is it permanent? Do you know?"
"Fuck . . . It better not be," he growled. "I mean, I hope not." He apologized cringing at his vulgar words. "The doctors aren't even sure; all they know is that I fractured my lower spine, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down," he admitted sadly. "They want me to rest so I can heal, but its taking so long . . . I don't know how much longer I can take it . . . and I- I only hope that this will . . . this will . . ."
"Hey . . . hey . . . look, you can't give up hope . . . whatever happens it will be for the best, all right? I promise," she cooed.
"Kagome . . . you've known me for two days . . . and it's like you've known me for my whole life. Making all these promises and . . ."
"Because I believe everything happens for the best," she interrupted sweetly, gently to assure him. "Sure it might be a curse in the beginning but later it might be a gift." she added, beginning to stand before rubbing flakes of grass from her jeans. "It's getting dark we better get going."
He nodded in agreement, half listening as she quickly—yet steadily—pushed back onto the empty path, remembering her encouraging, words. "Don't give up hope . . ." he thought, he squeezed his eyes, and sent out a prayer, he only wished that she was right.
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"Right on time," Doctor Ayamé told them, as they walked past the automatic doors of the hospital into the receptionist area. "And, look at that, you're even an hour early!"
"Well it started getting dark so I thought I should bring him back. I didn't want to have to take the subway home completely in the dark," Kagome told the doctor, slowing to a stop in front of the fire-haired woman.
"Good thinking, however I'm a little short handed, would you mind escorting him to his room for me please? I have a bit of work to do here, and then I'll help him into his bed, all right InuYasha?" her purple eyes gleaming with a hopeful tinge.
He nodded in response as Kagome turned him towards the elevators. "'Course I will . . . I'll see you later Doctor Ayamé," she said in reply, as they stepped into the elevator.
The ride was quick once he was in the elevator. InuYasha could feel himself rise from his chair then fall quickly, a rock dropping thump heavily in the pit of his stomach while gravity pushed against them, as the elevator stopped at his floor. Kagome slowly pushed him out of the boxed machine and down the plain corridor, in the direction of his room.
"Here we are," Kagome announced, taking her hands off the handles of his chair and moving to face him. "I hope you enjoyed yourself."
"I did, thank you," he replied, nodding in agreement, lending her a smile. "God she really is beautiful," he told himself a third time that night admiring her from where she sat her legs drooped over the sides of his thin, white polyester sheeted bed. Her long hair dangled just below her shoulders, the ends finishing off with an outward curl.
"Well then . . . I'll see you around?" Kagome asked, wringing her hands into her lap. "What else should I say? He doesn't expecting me to kiss him right? Was it really a date? What would Sango do?!"
"I hope so," he thought to himself. "Maybe," he replied with a casual shrug.
"Say something, Dumb ass! Don't just let her leave!" a voice insulted.
". . . Err . . . umm, thanks again for today, by the way, I . . . I really appreciated you getting me outside and all . . . and showing me that spot . . ." he added, nervously scratching the back of his neck, avoiding her eyes.
"Oh not a problem," she replied. "Maybe we can do it again sometime . . . if you'd like I mean, you don't have too." She thought, "Can I say that? Or was he supposed to? It's been so long since I've been on a date! It's not a date! Oh, I don't care just please say yes!"
"I'd love-" he stopped himself. "You can't say that . . .! She'll think you're a fucking sap!" the voice yelled. "-I mean, sure sounds good to me? How about . . . ?" he paused, pretending to be thinking as if wondering if he had something planned all ready. "Is tomorrow too early . . .?"
"What about after school tomorrow?" Kagome suggested her voice small and squeaky, as she waited for his response. "Why'd I suggest that? He's going to assume I'm too eager! Sango would slap me, if she were here!"
"I have nothing planned so . . . sure, sounds good to me," he replied casually. "Hell yeah!"
"Yes!" she gave an inward shout. "Good, I'll see you tomorrow then?" she returned. "Oh come on girl, you just clarified that!"
"Yep," he nodded, all ready excited. "Don't let her go yet! Tell her something . . . ANYTHING! Fuck! Tell her she's beautiful you damn fool! Tell her!" he shouted at himself.
"Okay bye!" she waved practically skipping her way on out the door. "Wait 'til I tell Sango!"
"Tell her, you fool!" the voice bellowed.
Before he knew it, InuYasha grabbed her wrist, "Kagome, wait!" Spinning her by his sudden movement she yelped in surprise, slipping on the heel of her shoe. His eyes widened as she fell, suspended by his arm onto his lap, her feet draped over the arm rest. She squirmed slightly, looking at him, wide-eyed. "Oh InuYasha I'm so sorry. You scared me!" she rambled.
He groaned inwardly, however not in pain. "She looks so much like her . . ." He willed her to touch his face, to feel her satiny skin against his cheek, to brush his lips over her own refined ones, to have her brush her fingers through his hair . . .
Kagome starred in horror at where she sat, rambling in utter terror. "Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Here, I'll get off you—"
He grabbed her wrist as she squirmed to get out of his lap. She stopped fidgeting, ensnared into his gaze as he stared, enthralled by her chocolate eyes up close. "You look beautiful today," he whispered moving his other hand to her face, controlled by the lust he suddenly had for her. "Kiss her . . ."
"Thank you," Kagome mumbled before swallowing a thick lump in her throat while her gaze dropped from his amber eyes to his lips. "I can't help myself," she found herself, thinking as slowly the space between them, shorted. "I want to kiss him . . ."
Her eyes fluttered closed as they leaned to kiss. She inhaled a deep breath ready to take the plunge, as he moved his face to nuzzle her cheek. She sighed in pleasure as her heart skipped a beat, dancing with the blossoming moment. He moved his lips, whispering her name against her cheek. "Kagome . . ."
"Inu . . ." she mumbled, opening her mouth, she welcomed him into her arms. Grabbing his hair she turned him to face her, tortured by the wait. She soothed his cheek, brushing her hands ever so lightly.
Their lips touched gently; both hearts reaching out to one another. Strived by passion, he grabbed Kagome's waist hooking his finger into the loop of her jeans pushing her closer into him. He nibbled her lip, teasing her, demanding her lips to open to him. She did, allowing him access with a heartfelt sigh until a knock at the door brought them both to reality forced the two to break apart.
InuYasha glanced at the door to where the disturbance had come from and was able to make out—despite his foggy eyes—the form of his teacher whom was dressed formally in a pair of pale brown khaki's and a white t-shirt beneath a coal black dress coat with an amusingly smile sprawled on his plumb lips with a brow raised. Surprised, his eyes widened. "Mr. Jinenji!" he sputtered.
Scrambling out of InuYasha's lap as he stammered uncontrollably—shocked by his teachers' appearance at his door—Kagome's cheeks transformed into a brilliant red as she hurriedly said, "See you tomorrow, InuYasha . . ." gesturing to him as she made her way to the door. ". . . Mr. Jinenji-Sir . . ." she acknowledged, bowing her head to avoid his amused blue eyes as she left without another word or a glance.
"Greetings InuYasha," he said finally, his taunting smile not once faltering.
"Kagome . . ." "Hello, Mr. Jinenji . . ." InuYasha replied nervously biting his lip. "Why's he here? How'd he know?"
"I see you've made yourself quite at home here in the hospital," he grinned, referring to the scene he had happened to walk in too.
His cheeks tinged with red. "I'm sorry, Sir, I-"
"No need to apologize, InuYasha; when matters such as this come too love, there is never a need to apologize. If you did, you'd simply be regretting for instance that kiss with young Kagome, wouldn't we?" he smiled, moving elegantly to the window.
Puzzled InuYasha looked at his dark-skinned teacher. "How'd you know her-"
"As you know I am a teacher . . . one who educates students in multiple classes, one being both yours and young Kagome English class . . ." he replied casually with a bemused smile.
"Right . . . I forgot about that . . ." InuYasha reminded himself, cringing at how quickly he had forgotten. "Of course you forgot; you're that stupid that you could!" the voice yelled at him.
"Such a beautiful view, don't you think? You can nearly see the school from here . . . and oh! The park and the sunset look delightful from here, don't you think?" he grinned, much like a kid admiring a toy store window.
"No I don't know . . . I've never been able to look, you pathetic old man!" he thought enraged. Guiltily he cooled his features, replying instead, "I've never been able to look . . . considering my condition, Sir."
"Ah yes . . . and how must you be?" Mr. Jinenji asked turning away from the window and sitting himself coolly in a lumpy chair, intently gazing at him.
"Well as you can see I am in a wheelchair . . ." he retorted, speaking the obvious. "What the hell is he here for?"
"So I see . . . and what is it that the doctors suggest?" he asked, his eyes shining as he did.
"I've fractured my lower spine in a car accident after hitting something," he admitted, twirling his thumbs in his laps. "So I need to stay here and heal, until 'further notice'," he mocked one of the nurses who had told him.
"Hmm yes . . . I read that in the paper, however they didn't much say what you hit . . . oh well," he shrugged. He glanced around the room.
"Why what did the papers say?" InuYasha asked, starring at his teacher with a hard, questioning face.
"Nothing much, it was such a little article, claiming that a boy, in grade twelve attending Sacred Jewel Academy was in a—hold on I have the article here," he interrupted, fishing out his wallet from his back pocket and handing the small piece of news print to him. "You can keep it, I have another at home. But for now we must talk about your education."
"Yes, Sir . . . thank you" InuYasha nodded, putting the piece of print aside, waiting for his teacher to go on.
Mr. Jinenji took his time in putting his thoughts together; in the meantime he glanced around the room. "Rather plain in here don't you think?" he asked referring to the completely white walls.
"Yes . . . umm . . . Sir, my education . . . you were saying something about it?" InuYasha spoke. "What is it you're here for?"
"Hmm . . .? Ah yes!" he replied, the dazed glint leaving his eyes. "I wanted to speak to you about your last semester here, or much more, there at Sacred Jewel Academy."
"Sir, I'm in a wheelchair I can't necessarily do anything about my schooling," InuYasha retorted. "Fuck this guys an idiot sometimes . . ."
"That's not so much as a problem, InuYasha, as long as you can find the time to do your work here," he suggested rising, to his feet and strolling grandly to the window, his darkly tanned skin catching the light of the sun.
"Just to let you know, you have been my only visitor since the time I've been here, I don't have people that I can just reach into my pocket and get them to help me just like that," he snapped his fingers for emphasis, while his lips curled back in a sneer.
"You're much brighter then that InuYasha. I'm sure you can think of someone who could help you, or much less tutor you. Although, in the meantime," Mr. Jinenji paused to cough gently into his hand, "you must make contact with you teachers and ask for an assignment that they can give you as a final grade. As for my class, I have to decided that you must write another story, using the terms much like that in the beginning of the year; however, this time it requires an unlimited amount of pages—but must be over fifty pages—written with realization including a detailed moral, irony, poetry, suspense and imagery. While using the proper settings you must have the reader be the character, possessed to read the book and live the life as the character, do you understand?"
"No," InuYasha replied simply. "You want me to write a novel as my final project, where the character must realize something? What the heck is that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see in time," Mr. Jinenji replied simply. "Are there anymore questions?"
"Yeah . . . when's it due?" InuYasha snorted, his head beginning to ache from the sudden news.
"Two weeks before school ends . . . in about eight week's time," he replied, lifting his coal-black jacket sleeve revealing a cheep gold watch that stood out from his authentic brown skin. "Speaking of which I must leave, I have an outing with that lovely Lady Megumi, at a quarter past eight. I'll stop by sometime soon InuYasha, to see how you're doing then," he stood walking swiftly to the door, passing InuYasha with a pat on his shoulder. "Also keep up the good work you may just be able to graduate, if you put your mind to it—which I'm sure you will anyway. Ciao!" he replied hurriedly, leaving InuYasha with only his thoughts.
InuYasha simply shrugged, shaking his head to relieve himself of the awkward throbbing in his temple. Turning to face himself at the window, he remembered Mr. Jinenji's words. "Such a beautiful view . . . you can nearly see the school from here . . . and oh! The park and the sunset look delightful from here don't you think?" Gripping the handles of his armrest tight, he thought, "That's it I've had it! I'm going to look out that fucking window!" Determined to do so, he moved his chair as close as he could to the window ledge, much like a child reaching for a cookie jar. Pressing the brakes carefully into place, like the Dr. Ryoumi had showed him, to insure that it wouldn't roll he lifted himself with his arms, balanced using the arm rests. "I'm alt heavier then I thought . . ." he thought cringing by the sudden weight he put on his arms. "I can almost . . . see . . . it . . . almost . . . !"
"Mr. Izayoi!"
Startled, he dropped back into his chair and turned enough to see the fire-headed doctor, Dr. Ayamé, peer into the room three doctors in tow. "What in the world do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her face stern and harsh as she pushed him back towards the bed, the three male doctors, leaning in to do their duty.
"I was— . . . nothing . . . I wasn't do anything," he replied, casting his eyes downwards. "Idiot, she won't believe you . . . no one will."
"You could easily hurt yourself if your arms had not been strong enough," she told him, her face crossed. "Next time you do something so careless like that, you won't have arms to use."
"Yes ma'am," he replied, nodding after being placed in his, surprisingly, comfortable in his thin bed, adjusted to a sleeping position.
"Good now get some rest, Kagome tells me you're going back out for a walk tomorrow. So you'll need you're rest." She patted his arm, gently, her violet eyes soft and firm, tucking the covers close to his neck, like a mother would her own child. With a whisper of pleasant dreams, she turned off the light and shut the door, leaving him to his thoughts.
Grunting he twisted his body enough to just make out the waxy moon that stared down at him, smiling. "I hope she got home all right . . ." he thought, remembering Kagome's fear of having to walk home completely in the dark. He groaned suddenly, thinking of departing. His eyes fluttered close as his heart did a quick flip in his chest while he remembered Kagome's hungry fingers that needed through his silver hair, the feel of her supple hand fumbling over his cheek meant as a tender caress, the kiss they shared—though had been an accident at the time—had been right; had felt right. He pictured her in his lap again staring at him with her big chocolate-brown eyes gazing at him enchanted with his own, her hair curled out around her face, a genuine smile on her lips . . .
"Kagome . . ." he thought, as sleep took hold of his body, coaxing him into a gentle slumber. It had been days since he could properly rest, and now, with her kiss on his lips, and her touch against his arms, he could finally sleep in peace; a small hint of a grin on his tender mouth.
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Ciao—Italian for "bye" (pronounced 'Chow')
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's certainly I believe it's the longest chapter I've written for this story, along with the best—mind you the prologue and this chapter have to be my most favorite of this story for now. Also, I do want to deeply apologize—again—for taking so long; besides having to live between two houses (one not having a computer) I have been sick, and to tired to do anything—again I'm very sorry. So I apologize to all my reader's, for having this chapter take so damn long, I am trying my best believe me I am, not to mention the writers block, I mostly have the whole story planed out I just have to tie it together . . .
So anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review, they always make my day no matter what you think.
I want to thank my only reviewer so far, which is:
purple-Kagome-lover
I dedicate this chapter to you, since you are the only one to keep this story going . . . thanks so much!
And finally,
I do not own any rights to InuYasha or the characters associated in it. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi; however, I do offer my thanks for making characters for people like me and other Fan-Fiction writers for us to 'play' with.
Soulless Lover