ok...nuthin to say so I'll just get on with it,...R&R plz!
Disclaimer: It's mine! All mine! Mwa ha ha ha...(Nah, just the plot of this one is mine...)
Chapter 9: Awakenings
Sango lead Inuyasha to stand above the top of Kagome's head, and instructed him to kneel. She resumed her place, and knelt with the others. Holding out her hands, Inuyasha clasped one firmly in his own and she gave it a gentle squeeze. Miroku took Sango's other hand, then Keade's. Keade finished the circle when she held Inuyasha's other hand. "Now," Sango spoke softly, "we must begin to pray. Clear your mind of all other wishes or worries. Do not stop praying or break the circle once we have started. I am uncertian how long this will take, or if it will even work at all." The slayer gave Inuyasha an apologetic look, then bowed her head. "Let us begin."
The temple became silent, all the sounds of the village fading away as each concentrated on merging their souls with prayer. None noticed when a woman came in to light fresh incence. The sun fell below the horizon, and another woman entered to set oil lamps around the temple. Still they prayed.
Inuyasha, praying fervently, desperately clinging to this last shred of hope, willed the strength of his love into each silent word, pushing his thoughts towards the heavens. Behind his closed lids, he felt a tingling sensation, then he noticed a glimmer of light. He opened his eyes, continuing his prayer. The Shikon no Tama was emiting a pure, white light, almost blinding in it's intensity. He gently squeezed Sango's hand. He saw her nod.
The light grew, then with a final burst of blinding light, the jewel melted into the wound in Kagomes chest. She gasped in a sudden breath of air, then another. The young miko's eyes slowly fluttered open.
Confused, Kagome looked to each of her friends, then finally she settled her gaze on Inuyasha. He was smiling down at her. "Welcome back," he said, wonder filling his voice.
"How...?" Kagome's voice was scratchy, so the single word sounded like a whisper.
"Don't speak, Kagome." Sango suggested. Kagome's questioning eyes sought out those of her teary eyed friend. "Just rest. There will be time for explanations later." The slayer leaned over to kiss her friend on the cheek. Sango stood and led the others out of the temple, leaving Inuyasha alone with Kagome.
When Kagome again tried to speak, Inuyasha just took her hand and squeezed gently. Stretching out beside her, he pulled Kagome close. "Just sleep, Kagome. I'm exhausted."
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Kagome slowly drifted back from the depths of slumber. Had it all been a dream? Did I really die? Am I dead now? Sounds from the village began to filter through her fog leaden mind.
"Whydid you make me sleep so long, Granny Keade?" she heard Shippo ask. "I missed out on EVERYTHING!"
I'm alive! Kagome smiled as she tried to pry open her dry eyes.
Behind her, Inuyasha growled sleepily, pulling her tighter against him. "If we pretend to be asleep, do you think the brat will go away and leave us alone?"
Kagome giggled. "No. And we aren't going to try. Now get up. I have a lot of questions that need answers." Kagome poked his ribs with her elbow to give him a little extra motivation.
Flopping onto his back, he sighed dramatically. "I'd kinda hoped you had forgotten about all of that."
"Oh sure, cuz I die and get brought back to life every other day! I can see how something like that would slip my mind!" She gave him a hard poke in the ribs with her elbow, to which he replied by tickling hers. Kagome laughed uncontrollably, twisting frantically to try and get away.
Inuyasha rolled on top of her, all joking now forgotten. "Kagome...I,"
Kagome brushed the hair away from his eyes. "Inuyasha, you don't have to say anything. I understand." She smiled sweetly at him.
"Kagome, I lost you...I...I have never been so frightened of anything in my whole life! I was ready to go into seclusion, abandon everything that ever held any meaning to me. Because I lost you, the only thing that mattered, REALLY mattered in my life. You taught me how to live again, accepted me for who I was. Without you...I was nothing..."
"But you didn't lose me," she said through her tears. Never before had Inuyasha said these things to her. She knew he cared for her, deeply, but he had never before this told her how deeply. "You just misplaced me for a little while," she laughed.
Inuyasha's lips quirked in that little smirk of his, "Yeah, well, from now on, I'm gonna tie you so close to me you won't be able to blink without me knowing!" He slowly lowered his head until his lips met hers. He took his time, kissing her gently, reaquainting himself with the taste of her, the softness of her. Niether noticed the two people enter the temple, nor did they hear the young kitsune exclaim, "Yuk" before Keade dragged him back out.
Kagome leaned back, looking deeply into Inuyasha's eyes. "I love you," she whispered.
Inuyasha leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm never letting you go again."
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There ya go...read & review! good or bad, I can take it! Will try to post more soon!
