Chapter 9

Growing Attraction

Kagome sat at the lord's enormous kitchen table, waiting patiently for then to finish serving breakfast. Taking a small bite of the unknown food, she gave them a grateful smile. She looked across the table at Inuyasha, who was shoveling fistfuls of food into his mouth with one hand. He didn't seem to notice her eyes until Miroku cleared his throat. She turned her head away when his eyes met hers. Food ran down his chin as he stared at her with confusion. What did he do? Shippo jumped up on to the table and kicked the spoon that had been left untouched beside his plate toward him. Inuyasha wiped the bit of crumbs off his face and reached for the spoon. Kagome looked back at him with a slight bit of amusement on her face. He had been taught proper table manners years ago, but had never liked to obey them. After so much time of not having to use them, he had practically forgotten how to use them. It felt awkward to hold the silver piece of metal in between his clawed fingers, but he managed to get some of it into his mouth while the rest went down the front of his kimono. A laugh escaped Shippo's lips and Sango pinched his arm. The fox gulped and got down off the table. Seeing he was really trying, Kagome looked at her bowl for a solution. An idea came into play and she lifted it to her lips while smiling back at him. He understood what she meant and lifted his as well. They acknowledged each other and sipped their meals with fine precision.

Later, they walked through the snowy courtyard together. Kagome placed some bird seed in his hands and he kneeled down to feed the little sparrows that flew around them. She watched him and noticed that the really only cruel thing about the demon, was how he looked. He seemed so sweet … and kind. Noticing he was having some difficulty getting the birds to approach him, she got on her knees beside him and pulled his hands on to the ground. She took some of the seed out of his hands and ran a little trail to his palms. His eyes lit up when a tiny finch pecked along the ground and fluttered into his palm. Seeing he was taken care of, she stood up and lifted her finger to the air. A lark flapped above her and landed on her finger. Inuyasha admired this woman but did not understand her. She wasn't afraid of him and looked at him with kind eyes. Could this girl be …no, she was to pretty. He ignored his thoughts and just watched in awe as she walked over to the large oak tree at the far end of the white field and leaned against it. She knew this demon was kind, but he still was a demon. She was not scared of him, but intimidated. She glanced back and giggled at the sight before her. He was covered with every single of kind of bird. He did not shake them off, but dropped his arms until they left.

Not knowing what came over she reached down and cupped her hands to form a snowball. She got to the appropriate shape and chucked it across the field. It hit him directly in the face and he swore. Rather than yelling at her, he reached down to get his own. Before he had a chance to throw his huge one, another icy blast hit him. He fell to the ground and the snow crashed down on to him. She laughed and made a run for it, hiding behind the wide oak. She snuck around the tree so he could not she her, but he still found her. The war of frost had seemed to last for hours until the cold got the best of her. Her hands were numb and her feet burned. He noticed her `and led the way back inside.

After she changed into a dry, elegant pink kimono, she sat in front of the fire with a book in her lap. Inuyasha sit beside her as she flipped through page after page, just happy to be near her. His servants knew that this acquaintance between the two of them had blossomed into something much more. They could tell by the way they looked at each other. Shippo still hadn't the slightest idea as to what was going on and was frustrated that no one would tell him. Every time he asked, Keade just said she would tell him when he was older.

Miroku gave him a hopeful smile. "Tonight is the night, I can feel it!"

Inuyasha got done bathing himself and looked in the mirror at his hideous form. "I … I don't think I can do this."

"You are running out of options and time my lord." Miroku said from the floor. "You must be enthusiastic, brave."

Inuyasha nodded and shook himself free of the remaining water on his body. "Yes, brave, enthusiastic."

Miroku uttered a few swear words under his breath when water droplets dotted his fur. "The atmosphere will be perfect. Romantic, calming … I have it all arranged. When the time is right, you will confess your feelings to her."

Inuyasha winced as Hachi, his hair dresser, rubbed a towel through his thick hair to get it dry. "Yes, you're right … no, no I can't."

"Nonsense. You care for this girl, don't you?" the bear asked.

Inuyasha growled as Hachi brushed through his hair. "Yes I do, more than anything."

Miroku rolled his eyes. The lord could be so stupid sometimes, though he never said it aloud. "Well, you must tell her."

Hachi stepped back to admire his work. "What do you think Miroku?' asked the raccoon.

The bear tried to find positive words. "Um … he looks so … so"

Inuyasha stared at his reflection in the mirror. "Worse than I did before."

"Not quite the words I was looking for. Uh … may I make some suggestions Hachi?" Miroku asked.

Myoga entered the room with a wide smile plastered on his beak. "Ahem … she awaits you my lord."

Moments later, Kagome walked carefully down the steps. The new kimono she was wearing was a light yellow with little pink roses around the sleeves and ankles. The garment was so fine and lacey that she felt there was nothing on her. Sango had done her hair up into a neat bun and Keade had helped with the earrings. She waited at the foot of the stairs, striating the wrinkles from her clothes.

Inuyasha emerged from his room in his finest blood red kimono with his hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. He looked to Miroku for guidance and the bear only urged him on. He sighed and walked down the steps to meet her. She looked simply stunning. Any other word would have not sufficed. She blushed and looked to him with the same delight. They bowed to each other and she took his arm. The walk to the dining room seemed slow and long, but they both managed.

The dinner was exquisite and peaceful. Gentle music filled the air as they ate. Inuyasha sat across from her and tried his best to eat like a gentleman, with some helpful tips from Miroku. He was puzzled when Kagome got to her feet and ran to him. She tugged on his hands for him to get up and he followed her to the glowing ball room. She put her hand on her shoulder and placed one of his hands on her waist. He swallowed nervously and it suddenly felt too hot for him to breath. He stepped with her as she swayed to the gentle tunes that filled the room. All of his ambitions disappeared when she smiled at him. He twirled her effortlessly around the floor, never taking his eyes off her face. The room grew quiet as if they were the only ones on the room. She beamed at him and he turned a shade of red when she placed her head on his chest. He glanced at their audience in happiness and they gave him two thumbs up. Miroku whispered to a falcon demon and the bird obeyed. It flew around the room, dousing candles with each flap of his wings. Everyone watched as the pair walked out into the moonlight, staring into each other's eyes.

Keade sighed and turned to her yawning son. "Run along Shippo, it's your bed time." She gave him a loving kiss on his cheek. "Sweet dreams darling."

Shippo stumbled to the door and looked over his shoulder at the balcony where Inuyasha and Kagome stood. He smiled and left the room with a "Goodnight." to Sango.