Chapter 9
Inuyasha was almost there. He could see it now. The tree, his tree. It wasn't just any tree, this tree was special to him, when he was little it was always the tree he went to, to help him feel better or to clear his head. Now it was also the place where Inuyasha bent his knee to Kikyo and asked her that special question. It was a symbol of balance and happiness for him, no other tree could take a greater place in his heart than this tree. He loved the way it seemed to always be in bloom, with its swaying branches and its glowing petals. The scent of cherry blossoms helped calm him down and gave him serenity. It was just when he reached it when what he saw disrupted that serenity.
What he saw shocked him. There was Kagome, falling from the very top of the tree. 'No! If she falls from that height she'll die!" he used his demon powers and quickly leapt to the tree, catching Kagome just in time, and landing on a low branch. "What were you?" he noticed that Kagome's eyes were closed her breathing heavy. 'Did she faint? Is that why she fell? But wh…could she have received another memory?' he was confused, so many possibilities running through his head. "Oh Kagome, I hope you'll be ok." He knew that he was just talking to himself but he couldn't help it. 'What if she doesn't wake up? What'll I do? Don't do this to me Kagome! I need you!' that's when he realized, he did need her. He had always needed her, he just never realized it. 'Is that why I was guilty of yelling at Kagome? Is that why I have the desire to hold her hand and the absurd desire to taste and feel her beautiful lips, and run my fingers through her hair? Is it possible that I…that I love her?' he looked down at the sleeping girl. She shifted in her sleep and snuggled closer into Inuyasha's chest, a smile on her lips. Inuyasha smiled, 'I guess I do love her I never thought that I would be like this. With that, her turned around and walked back to the castle.
"Darling, what are you doing with that-that thing?" he noticed a hint of ice in Kikyo's voice. Yes, he had realized that he loved Kagome, but he also realized that he still loved Kikyo and couldn't let her go. He just couldn't ignore all the times they shared, all the times that they had been there for each other. His heart beat equally for both of them. "I'm just carrying Kagome up to her room, it seems like she has fainted." Kikyo grumbled, "I bet that she's just faking it." Inuyasha just barely caught it, even with his dog demon ears. Inuyasha smiled, "How about this Kikyo, once I get her to her bed, I'll come down and we can do some talking together. Will that make you smile?" Kikyo fake thought for a second (not that Inuyasha could tell), "Hmm, OK!" she said cheerily, with a disgusting amount of sugar. Inuyasha smiled and then went to put Kagome into her bed.
Once he reached her bedroom, he set her down and after looking at her for a split second, and softly brushing a few hairs out of her face, walked away to Kikyo.
It was one very tense dinner. You could tell that Miroku had met Sango just by looking at the telltale red mark on his cheek. He was nervously laughing at nothing. Inuyasha was staring at Kikyo then at the staircase where Kagome's room was at then back to Kikyo. Kikyo was glaring at Sango and the staircase with daggers of ice. And Sango was glaring spears and swords at both Kikyo and Miroku. That's when Kagome showed up only slightly disheveled. Inuyasha immediately stood up, "Kagome, are you sure that you should up?" "Yeah, don't bother yourself Inuyasha, I'll be fine." Inuyasha smiled, 'that's partly why I love you Kagome, no matter what, no matter how scared or hurt you are, you always put on a strong and smiling face.' Kikyo's daggers of ice turned to flaming arrows of malice and death. Kagome ignored her. "Do Sango, are you enjoying your stay?" "Yes I am very much. Thanks, I didn't know that you were a guest here." "Actually I am staying here for the time being, well at least until I get my memory back." "Your memory?" Sango asked inquiringly. "Yeah, I lost it so until I remember who my family is from and where I guess I might have to intrude on Inuyasha's hospitality. Oh yes, speaking of that, I trust that you all know each other?" "Yes I did." "I'm glad, at least that means that Inuyasha isn't as terrible of a host as he seems." "Hey! I'll have you know that I'm an excellent," he grumbled. "Oh yeah, while we're on the subject. When will the Prince of the Middle Kingdom arrive?" "In two days." "Really? That's so far away. Well I guess I'll just have to wait. At least I have Sango right? Ooh, that reminds me, what should we do tomorrow?" "Well I brought my hiraikotsu, a huge boomerang made of demon bones, that I can practice with." "Great, I can practice with my bow and arrows as well. Hey Inuyasha, why don't we have a little competition tomorrow. We can try to beat each other and we can let the head maid Kaede pick a prize for the winners and a punishment for the losers."Inuyasha thought about it for a few seconds and nodded his head, "sure, besides every one of us here has a weapon so why not?" "Great!" We're going to have so much fun!" For the rest of dinner Sango and Kagome were busy chatting about plans and preparations for the competition.
I know, why can't he just Kagome, but I can't be that quick. Maybe I should make his choice agonizingly S L O W. I know that you would love that wouldn't you.