Kagome licked her dry lips, grabbing for the water on her nightstand and sipping it slowly, "you're right."
"Alright then get dressed. I'll be waiting for you in the living room." Bucky climbed from the bed and gathered the plate before making his way through the doorway.
Cerulean eyes blinked in confusion, closing her eyes and allowing her miko to ease her hangover before climbing from the bed and making her way to the closet. She pulled on a dress quickly, disappearing into the bathroom to brush the night before from her mouth and wash her face before making her way into the living room.
Bucky glanced over his shoulder from the sink, drying his hands as he turned, "are you ready?"
Kagome nodded, watching Bucky hold his coat out to hers as he pulled his on, "what's going on?"
"Just come on, we're going to talk." Bucky slung a familiar bag over his shoulder grabbing Kagome's keys off of the table and moving for the door.
The priestess followed silently, her nerves on edge as he locked up her apartment and offered his arm. They walked in silence, Kagome stiffening as she realized the turns he was taking her on was towards the subway.
"Bucky, what are you doing?" she whispered.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head darling, we're going to resolve this once and for all." Bucky paid their fare, guiding her to the train as he slung an arm around her shoulders.
Kagome glanced up at Bucky, his jaw set as he gazed determined ahead. He hadn't looked at her since they left the apartment, and she was silently wondering what he had going through his head.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" she asked, swaying slightly with the rocking of the train.
Bucky's gaze finally found hers, swallowing hard as he shook his head, "not yet."
He offered her his arm again, disembarking off the train and leading her up the stairs to the sidewalk. "This way."
Kagome took his arm again, watching the streets of the city pass as Bucky led her down a familiar street, a large hotel shining in the light.
"No, no you promised no more elaborate hotels when we started dating," Kagome yanked him back slightly, glaring up at him.
"Well, see that's the thing, I don't know if we are or not anymore… so it's not like I'm breaking a promise or anything, am I?"
Kagome's eyes widened, ignoring the stinging in her chest as they entered the hotel. 'I deserved that...'
"Hey there pal, we need a room, preferably 403 if it's available." Bucky dug his money from his wallet, handing over the bills as the man at the desk got his information.
"Thanks, pal."
Kagome mumbled a thank you, following after the brunette as he stepped into the elevator, the brass key clutched in his fist twitching as they rode up in silence and handing the man a tip. The pair were tense as they walked to the room, Bucky swinging it open and stepping to the side to allow her entrance first.
"Alright, now what?" Kagome grumbled, standing in the middle of the room with her arms crossed.
Bucky tossed his bag to the bed, digging out a shirt and a pair of boxers before handing them over, "go and get changed, please."
He was already starting to remove his own clothing as she made her way to the bathroom, folding them and setting them on the chair before making his way to the edge of the bed.
"Are you going to let me in on your plan?" Kagome's voice floated through the room quietly, drawing his gaze up sadly.
"I brought you here because I figured since this is where we started, this is where we should end too, if it comes to that." He stood up, crossing his arms over his chest as he leveled a stare at her, "we're not leaving this room until we figure out if we're leaving together or separately."
Kagome inhaled sharply, wringing her hands together as she shuffled her feet, "I don't want that."
"Then what do you want, baby, because I have been practically killing myself this last week trying to figure out how to get us back on track. Did I move to fast? Was it me?" Bucky dragged his fingers through his hair, inhaling deeply as his agitation with the situation set in.
"No, it's not you; you've been nothing but perfect. I just don't want to see you killed because of me, I can't go through that again!"
"Again?"
Kagome exhaled loudly and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, "sit down, Bucky…"
He complied with her request, watching her carefully as she mulled over something in her head. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and looked up at the wall, her eyes locking on some distant memory.
Flashback
"I don't like this, I should be out there." Kagome wrung her hands together as she paced the shrine floor. She glanced over at the jewel shining in the fire's glow, with how innocently it sat on its pillow it was hard to believe it was one of the most powerful objects.
"Nay child, should the others fall in battle it will be up to ye to finish off Naraku," Kaede cracked open her eye from meditating as she watched the younger priestess pace anxiously.
The hair's on the back of Kagome's neck stood up, cerulean eyes widening as she glanced over at the door, "my barrier is breaking, Lady Kaede."
The old woman grunted as she climbed to her feet, "he's here."
Malicious laughter filled the room with an agonizing weight, settling on the priestesses before screams pierced the air. Kagome turned and swiped the jewel from the pillow, clasping the chain around her neck and tucking it under her haori as she walked forward.
"Sorry, Lady Kagome, would couldn't hold him," Miroku turned to look at her as she emerged.
Placing her hand on his for reassurance, Kagome drew her bow and looked around, huts burned in blazing fashion, Naraku slaughtering villagers as they tried to flee.
"Good, I was wondering how much longer you would hide from me." a tentacle shot forward, turning to dust as it collided with her barrier she had erected around her body.
Kagome turned from Miroku, she hadn't missed his hand tighten around his staff as his violet gaze drew down to the beads on his palm. If he used it now, it would be suicide. "Go and help the villagers."
Naraku chuckled and landed before her, his face twisted in a sadistic smile of pleasure as he watched her closely. "You can't stop me, girl."
Kagome shrugged, she wouldn't let him know how much she silently agreed; even without the jewel he was a lot more powerful than they had anticipated.
She drew the arrow back, eyes narrowing on the half-demon before her as he tilted his head in amusement. Kagome held her breath and released, sprinting after it as it left a trail of energy; Naraku stepped to the side, eyes widening as Kagome sent a fist flying.
It wasn't going to work as long as she needed it to, but even if she could just get this one surprise in… it might be enough. Naraku's head snapped to the side, a burn of miko spreading across his face before wrapping his claws in her haori, "now, it's my turn."
Her barrier went up right before his fist connected with her chest, sending her flying through the air and into one of the burning buildings.
"Kagome!"
The priestess climbed to her feet gingerly, coughing as smoke began filling her lungs. An arm snaked around her waist and lifted her, settling her feet on the ground away from the hut.
"Ya alright?" Inuyasha turned her slightly to face him as she coughed and nodded.
Sango soared above them overhead on Kilala, taking aim with her giant boomerang and letting it fly at him with a cry.
"I'm okay," Kagome confirmed.
He handed her bow and quiver back that flew off her during the hit, both turning to watch as Naraku caught the boomerang and flung it back.
Inuyasha growled and sprang forward to switch it's course, skidding as it caught Kilala around the throat and send her and Sango plummeting to the ground.
Inuyasha jumped up, catching the slayer and setting her down, his amber glare intensifying as the half demon chuckled and stalked forward, "that takes care of two of your little party… hand over the jewel and the girl and I'll spare the rest of you."
"Two?" Kagome mumbled.
"I imagine by now, the monk has noticed his wind tunnel widening, he's likely retreated to a safe distance to wait it out," Naraku smirked, watching the pain fill Sango's face. She bit her lip to keep the tears from falling, keeping her eyes trained on the enemy and not allowing herself to look at the fallen cat to their side.
Kagome drew an arrow, Inuyasha readying Tetsusaiga before raising it above his head, "wind scar!"
Her arrow flew down the middle of the attack in a pink light, "we got him; bastard can't dodge that."
Tentacles shot forward with villagers in hand, creating a human barrier to take the brunt as it shoved him back.
"Gods help us…" Sango hissed angrily.
'No gods here, if there were this carnage wouldn't be happening… we're on our own.' Kagome shook her head; there wasn't time right now to debate if they were real or not. They could do that later.
Sango withdrew her sword, charging forward with Inuyasha as Kagome readied another arrow, shooting it between the pair. Naraku let out a mock sigh, taking Sango's sword in the shoulder and grabbing her arm, he turned them slightly, Kagome's arrow hitting her between the rib bones.
"Sango!" Kagome ran forward, she could feel her healing energy trickling down her hands; she could save her. Tentacles shot forward, slicing through Kagome's flesh as Naraku appeared in front of her with a smile; "I knew you'd come for her."
His claw reached out, Kagome grabbing his wrist and sending her power into the appendage, "you're not going to win."
"Want to bet?" Kagome grunted through the pain, Inuyasha had circled around to the spider's back, grinning.
Kagome closed her eyes, expanding her power from her body in a wave, grunting when Naraku dropped her from the pain. She picked up Sango's discarded sword, waiting for Inuyasha's nod to attack; her eyes and lungs burned from the smoke in the air, a building behind her groaned as it fell to its foundations.
"Inuyasha, are you ready to give up the girl?" Naraku asked, his voice rising to mocking tones as he addressed the dog demon.
A grin spread across his face, mocking him from behind, "even if I said yeah, you think she'd go quiet? That ain't her style."
His silver head bobbed at her, he jumped and tightened his grip on the hilt; Kagome charging forward as the blade in her hands began glowing pink as she slashed across.
"Wind sc—"
Inuyasha turned in the air as Naraku pulled Kagome under the attack, taking the hit from her sword. "Damn it!"
He hit the ground hard, wincing at he impact and stood. "He can't keep this up, he's slowly purifying," Kagome lowered her hands from guarding her head, standing from her crouched position.
"Tell him that," Inuyasha hissed.
The pair turned, confusion and apprehension crossing their faces as they looked for him, "where'd he go?"
Kagome stepped forward, squinting through the flames, ash, and smoke as her hand tightened on the hilt of the sword. She stiffened as his laughter filled the air, growing louder sending chills down her spine. "Can you smell him?"
"I can't smell shit but fire, the bastard really planned it out this time." Inuyasha called back.
His amber gaze swiveled to hers, swearing loudly and sprinting to her. His claws tangled in the back of her haori, tossing her back and taking Naraku's poisoned claws in his chest.
"What a fool, now I'll deal with you." Naraku shook Inuyasha from his hand as he stalked forward.
Anger swirled in the depths of her belly, tears spilling down her cheeks. Naraku paused in his steps as raw energy swirled around the young priestess; gritting his teeth he shot forward, his clawed hand reaching out to grab the jewel that slipped over her clothes. Kagome shoved her power out, her own hand reaching for him.
Naraku screamed at her touch, her eyes bleeding pink as her miko flooded into him before allowing him to drop; his body slowly turning to ash as the purification powers surged through his body.
Kagome collapsed in front of the pile, her hand moving to grip the orb at her neck and tugging it free from her body. 'It's over,' the relief she felt now was short lived. She was supposed to be celebrating with her friends now, but… the jewel shone brightly through her fingers, drawing her attention.
Releasing it she watched it float in the air before drifting back to her, melding into her skin and settling in her side.
End Flashback
Kagome stared at her shaking hands, burying them in her hair as she kept her eyes trained ahead. A waft of smoke from her memory had her shooting to her feet, startling Bucky as he watched her pace nervously.
"I didn't realize… how bad it must have been for you. I can see now why you're so protective," he cleared his throat to dislodge the lump that had formed.
"I can't do that again," she mumbled.
Bucky stood up and gently gripped her arms, bending down to look in her eyes, "relax, you're safe now; no one's coming for you."
He watched her eyes slowly regain focus, the trembling in her body becoming less as she realized where she was.
"Bucky…"
"Right here; I see why you didn't want to tell me now sweetheart, I'm sorry you felt you had to." He pressed a kiss to her forehead softly.
Kagome shook her head, moving to toy with the ends of her hair over her shoulder, "I had to. I wanted you to know about it, about me… I've kept so much from you and it's not right."
"Bucky, I don't want to be without you, I'm scared though." she sniffled and ducked her head, her admittance coming out in a whisper.
Bucky gathered her in his arms, gently moving her to the edge of the bed and kneeling down, "look at me, I'm not dying anytime soon… I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"What if I'm too damaged? What if I can't be enough for you?" Kagome whispered.
Chocolate eyes softened, "what if we get through this together? What if now that I understand you better, I can do more for you to keep you from going to that place again?"
"I can't ask you to do that…" the priestess dashed a hand under her eyes.
"Well, I don't recall you asking. Look at me, do you trust me?" Bucky asked, brushing her hair back from her face.
Kagome blinked twice, confusion filtering through her eyes as her brow furrowed, "of course I do."
"Then I need to know right now, is our run really over because if it is, we can walk out of here as friends." He cupped her cheeks gently, his thumbs brushing the tears under her eyes.
Kagome worried her bottom lip, common sense told her to tell him 'yes' it would hurt less in the long run for her. She would make it back to her time with a broken heart either way; but her heart was screaming at her, she couldn't walk away from him…
"I don't—I don't want to be your friend," she whispered.
"Tell me what you want then, I don't want to get too excited," Bucky explained.
Kagome inhaled softly, "I want to be with you, as long as I can."
Relief washed over the brunette's face, leaning forward to wrap his arms around her tightly.
"I love you… I'm sorry," fresh tears escaped Kagome's eyes as she wrapped her arms around him tightly.
Bucky pressed a kiss to the side of her head, "no more apologies, nothing to be sorry about."
"I missed you," Kagome breathed.
Bucky smiled against her skin, "not as much as I did, god I love you."
He unwound himself from her body, walking over to his bag and rifling through it before making his way back to the woman on the bed as she moved closer into the middle of the bed.
"Will you move back in with me?" she asked softly.
Bucky ruffled the back of his head, looking deep in thought before answering, "on one condition."
Kagome nodded, crossing her legs under her and settling onto the mattress comfortably. Bucky held her engagement ring up between his thumb and index finger, reaching for her hand and brushing his thumb over her knuckles, "will you marry me?"
"Of course I will," Kagome smiled softly, watching him slid the ring back to her knuckle before brushing his lips against it.
Bucky pressed his lips to hers, reluctantly pulling back, "I have to get you to play hooky from work more often… Now, it's still daylight and as much as I would love to keep you in bed all day, we're in the city. Let's get dressed and actually enjoy it this time."
Kagome slid off the bed, reaching for her dress she arrived in gesturing for Bucky to turn around.
"I lost a week with you, have to make it up before I leave for basic," Bucky smirked as he turned his back on her as requested.
Kagome froze as she pulled her undergarments up with the decision of the Army Nurses Corps recruitment slamming into the forefront of her brain, "oh… um… I have something else to tell you…"