Hello, everyone!
Here is another chapter! Am I already forgiven?=(
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Once again, Inuyasha doesn't belong to me!
Chapter 7 - Counseling with Kaede
The old lady was praying when he arrived and quickly looked up at the hanyou's presence.
- What's the matter, Inuyasha? Shouldn't you be with Kagome?
- She's not alone. Miroku and Sango are with her. In fact, she's the reason why I came…
- I see… - she giggled. – I suppose you wouldn't be worried about an old lady like me…
- Keh… I knew from the start that you were safe…
- So, Inuyasha… what do you want to talk about? – said Kaede after sitting down on a bench.
- …
- So it's something complicated, difficult…
- I … I… don't know where to start…
- The beginning, perhaps. It would be the wisest choice…
- I realized something… when Kagome was attacked…
- What was it? – Kaede suspected, but said nothing.
- It's been happening for a while, now. But this time, it was bigger…
- Bigger?
- I was afraid… afraid I'd have lost her… when she didn't wake up for all those days, I was certain that all had ended… I couldn't stand seeing her lay there, defenseless and passed out. And then she woke up… and all was alright, again… She was smiling, and walking, and talking and…
- Saying your name, I must add.
Inuyasha went red.
- My name?
- Yes. Oh, come on, Inuyasha! Don't tell me you came here just to tell me that you found out to be in love with her! It's been pretty obvious now.
- I… I know that myself!
- So what is the problem? Are you afraid to tell her?
- … It's not that simple, you know?
- Why? What is stopping you?
- …
- You've told me this far… Are you backing away now?
- No, it's just… - Inuyasha didn't knew how to express the storm in his heart.
- What the heck would change if I told her? – he blurted out suddenly. – It's not like she would want to be with me, anyway…
- How can you be so sure that nothing would happen?
- Well… well… well, look at me! What am I? – he shouted, much to the old lady's surprise. – She has guys like Akitoki… or Houjo…
- Or Kouga…
- Yeah, that one too… - he mumbled, before going on. – They all have a place, where they could stand. Akitoki and Houjo are both human… both are perfect for her… even Kouga has potential to become her mate, 'cause he's a full youkai. Me? What am I? What do I have to give her?
Kaede stood silent, for a few moments. Then she said:
- Inuyasha?
- What?
- Have you ever wondered why Kagome keeps coming back to this Era? Why isn't she in her Era with that guy, Houjo?
Inuyasha stared at the ground. He could feel the intense gaze of the old lady upon him.
- No, not really…
- And have you ever thought why, since that Akitoki appeared, she has never mentioned staying with him? Or even Kouga since, as you say, he is a full fledged demon? He could protect her better, as you may think so…
- True…
- So I wonder, - she said, while slowly getting up – why does that girl keeps coming back to us, keeps protecting us and keeps getting hurt for us? Or should I say… keeps getting hurt for you and keeps protecting you…
She slowly started to walk away, while Inuyasha's brain worked to process that last question.
"Why indeed?" he thought "Kagome keeps coming back, bringing food and medicine. And when the fight starts, she's one of the firsts that wants to protect everyone! She keeps protecting and saving me… Is it possible that… "
- Does she love me? – he blurted out, loud enough. Kaede stopped, smirking.
- Why don't you ask her that? – she said, turning around.
- I can't ask her if she loves me! That's…
- Oh, well…
- Wait! – he shouted – How do I… how do I… ask her to be with me…
Kaede smiled because Inuyasha couldn't get redder.
- Is that what you want? What you really want?
He nodded.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
- You do know that it'll mean taking care of her forever. She'll be your mate…
Nod
- You have to be there in good and bad times…
Nod Nod
- You have to care and tend to her…
Nod Nod
- You have to protect and treasure her qualities…
Nod Nod
- … and her flaws, like the mood-swings and ferocious temper.
Inuyasha stared. Then he half nodded.
- Very well, then. The only thing left, now that you have admitted it to yourself, is to ask her!
- How do I do that?
- Just be honest and tell her how you feel…
Inuyasha stared a little while at her, as if meditating her words.
- Thanks Kaede. You've been a big help…
The old lady smiled, a little deviously before saying:
- Just be sure to be careful… after all, Kagome is still young…
- Huh?
- We don't want little Inuyashas running around just yet…
Inuyasha turned red while imagining little ones, like himself, running around him. And he got even redder when he thought about how those mini Inuyashas were made…
- KAEDE ! – he shouted, while the old lady hurriedly went down the steps from the shrine.
Well, once again, tell me what you think!
See you next chapter!