Chapter 11
Kagome wasn't sure how long she'd been sleeping… the last thing she remembered was trying to convince Inuyasha that she was well enough to walk. As could be expected, he refused to let her and his stubborn silence let her know to give up asking. And from the way her body hurt all over, she was actually grateful for his obstinacy.
As she simply lay there flat on her back, her mind registered the noise of early morning birdsong and the quiet, yet continuous sound of flowing water. Blinking slowly, her eyes opened to a gray sky softening in anticipation of the approaching sun. She turned her face and noticed how light blue and gray heavens blended into the yellow light skimming the eastern horizon. It was a beautiful morning, but her body protested further when she moved again, wanting to take in her surroundings.
Kagome cringed as she sat up, the simple act taking much more effort than she wished. The action also set off a dull pain throbbing in her side. Fingering the material covering her she noticed that she was wearing her white pajama shirt. Lifting it up from her side, she rubbed her hand along the bandage wrapped around her torso, feeling the warmth from the wrap around her stomach. Her legs felt warm too, warmer than usual when she wore her uniform skirt, a skirt now replaced by her pajama pants.
I don't remember changing… Kagome's eyes went wide for a second, and the sobering effect of a blushing heat blazed across her skin at the prospect of Inuyasha changing her clothes...
Where is he? Where's Inuyasha? Glancing around, she found no trace of him. Kagome took a deep breath and looked around a little more wanting to make more sense of things. She noted she was sitting on her sleeping bag. The whole thing was unzipped and serving as a mattress for her and the badly injured Kou, someone she'd only just now realized was lying a few feet away. From the look of it, he was sleeping soundly, his injuries already cleaned and covered with modern bandages from her bag. He slept face up with one arm leisurely draped over his soiled blue shirt. Her eyes squinted at something that didn't equate and she tried to figure out what it was. Even though there were no rips or cut marks in Kou's shirt the whole front of it was soaked through with blood…
A noise coming from the ridge of rocks just beside the river cut through her pondering. She turned and was greeted with the sunlit figure of the one she'd been looking for earlier. Kagome couldn't fend off the prickling flush that fanned across her skin.
His hair was dripping wet, its shade closer to dark steal than silver, and in his hands he carried both his robe and undercoat, each soaked through and heavy with water. Just then he flung the beige shirt over his shoulder and wrung out some water from the fire-rat coat. When he lifted his eyes, he noticed Kagome was awake and watching him. He felt a little embarrassed from the attention and turned his eyes away, deciding to wring out his undercoat. Once done, he glanced up through his wet fringe. He lifted an eyebrow as he noticed Kagome's eyes hadn't moved from his form.
Clearing his throat to regain composure, he took just one jump and landed in a crouch in front of her. His gold eyes were set in a serious stare. He looked into her eyes for a short while as if trying to decide something. Kagome pulled back under his inspection.
"You're still tired," Inuyasha determined. "Stop staring and go back to sleep," he told her and sat down, his wet clothes still bunched up in his hands. "We'll be here until he wakes up to talk," he said with a nod in Kou's direction.
Kagome's brow creased at Inuyasha's demand. But to her disadvantage she was unable to hold back the yawn that proved his point, allowing Inuyasha to smirk at his assessment.
"Okay," she agreed, "I'll sleep, but there's just one thing…" She looked really embarrassed, her shy eyes shifting quickly to her lap. "You, um…" she fingered her shirt and fell silent.
It took Inuyasha a second before it dawned on him why she was embarrassed. Soon his face was ablaze, matching the shade of crimson Kagome wore.
"I- I did it without really looking…" he dropped his clothes in his lap and waved his hands defensively, hoping to stave off any "sit" commands. He looked away for a second before cringing at the memory. "I had to," he admitted, his voice low. Kagome could feel the emotion he tried to keep hidden but it was evident in the timbre of his voice. "I couldn't stand smelling your blood. Your clothes were soaked in it."
"It's fine," she assured in a whisper. She was past the embarrassment and understood his motivation, but her gaze was still downward.
Inuyasha sneaked a glance at her and noticed her cheeks were still flushed, brushed occasionally by the fluttering fringe of dark lashes hiding her brown eyes from his view. His heart felt bruised as he thought about her injury. The mere idea of her wounded and bleeding made him sick with worry… and regret.
I'm selfish. I shouldn't have dragged her here with me.
Kagome cleared her throat, shaking Inuyasha from his thoughts, and looked up again, meeting his golden gaze instantly. Her being hurt was eating away at him, she could tell. The look in his eyes told her the truth of it no matter how much he tried to hide it. "I'm alright, Inuyasha. Thank you," she touched her bandaged side and smiled, "you patched me up too."
Nodding, Inuyasha tried to pass if off as nothing, but felt his despair lighten from her words. "It took a few stitches, but you'll live," he said with unconvincing nonchalance. "Does it hurt?"
"Not really, it just aches a little," she admitted, smiling weakly. Kagome decided to shift to another subject with a question. "Where were you just now?" Settling back down on her left side, carefully curling an arm under her head, Kagome waited for a reply. When she didn't get one immediately, she prodded, eyebrows knit in a frown. "Well, are you going to tell me?"
Inuyasha turned his head and said nothing. His brow furrowed as he felt Kagome's expectant eyes on his face. He knew she wasn't going to go to sleep until he answered her.
"I was at the river." It was a simple, true answer, and it should have sufficed. Yet he knew Kagome. She'd want more information, of course. He was about to give in but paused when he saw her eyes still on him. "Go to sleep already."
He was headstrong, as usual. Kagome sulked but gave up with a sigh and rolled on her back.
A moment or so passed before Inuyasha got up, convinced that Kagome would stay asleep, and thankfully she hadn't completely rested enough from the other night.
The half-demon glanced back just to make sure and her eyes were closed, her chest rising in soft steady breaths of sleep.
The next two hours of sleep that claimed the time traveler were restless. She knew she wasn't benefiting from it and eventually found the strength to open her eyes, albeit slowly with haze laden thoughts still lingered on what Inuyasha could possibly be hiding from her. When she awoke completely she saw him sitting, shoulders slumped forward with his bare back facing her. His coat and undercoat were draped on some sticks stuck in the ground, hanging to dry beside a low burning fire.
Inuyasha had heard the faint sounds of Kagome's stirring, but his ears really zeroed in on the acceleration of her heartbeat. At that second he knew she saw him and he stiffened before getting up to yank his beige shirt off it its stick.
Kagome's eyes were fixed, unmoving the moment she noticed something on his back. They were faded but still present. She wanted to get a better look, but before she could the half-demon had slid his shirt on covering it.
Immediately an image flashed before her mind's eye. It was of Inuyasha covering her, pressing her securely against his chest as his body served as a wall between her and her attackers. She could feel his warmth against where her cheek was pressed against his chest. His accelerated heartbeat in that moment of battle seemed to match the speed at which hers beat now… but the result of that battle was what elicited such a response from her.
Even though his back was covered now, what marked his shirt bore evidence to Kagome's fear. As she sat up there was a dull, constricting ache in her chest, compelling her misting eyes to remain fixed to her friend's frame. His body had become more still as she got up and stepped toward him. He heard her breath hitch as realization hit her, and he grimaced and squeezed his eyes shut.
The fibers of his beige undercoat were stained a faint crimson, cuts fraying the material all across its surface. Each slash marked the piercing of a blade, and there were many.
"Inuyasha," Kagome's voice was thick, breaking the silence, and she swallowed. Stepping ever closer, she tried speaking again. "Inuyasha, let me see."
"I'm fine," Inuyasha said quickly, the rigidity of his body belying the statement. When Kagome reached him, she lifted a hesitant hand and touched the collar of his torn shirt.
"Please…" Kagome paused, waiting a few seconds for a word of protest, and when none came she slowly slid the shirt down off his back. There long scars marred the surface, evidence of the fresh wounds visible by the pink, puckered lines standing out against his tan skin. Tracing a gentle finger along one of the more ragged scars, Kagome bit her quivering lip and closed her eyes.
"You-," she took a deep breath to steady her trembling voice. "You always get hurt protecting me… don't you?" Placing a hand on his shoulder, her body felt heavy, weighed down. She rested her forehead against his back.
"I'm fine," he repeated, a little softer this time. He placed his hand on Kagome's as he felt the brush of her wet lashes against his back.
"I know you heal fast," she whispered. "But…" she felt the inside of her chest constrict again and she pulled in another deep breath, hoping to fight against the sobs building. Kagome let the breath out through her nose. "Apologize," she ordered suddenly.
"What?" Inuyasha asked, taken by surprise.
"You heard me. Tell me you're sorry," she said, sniffling.
Turning around, Inuyasha looked at her like she'd lost her mind. Taking his shirt from her hand, he looked her in the eyes. "Why should I? I could say it but I'd be lying…"
After a second of glaring at him, her eyes and nose red from crying, Kagome relented.
"You should still tell me when you get hurt. Especially if it's on my account," she told him, looking away.
Inuyasha caught a flash of guilt shade her eyes and crease her brow. He placed a hand on her wet cheek and rubbed away the tears there. The gentle action moved her gaze back to him. The message in his eyes did nothing to still her heart from its pounding.
"I'd do the same thing over again. Protecting you isn't anything new for me."
Kagome's eyes welled up again, but she closed them before more tears could spill. She simply sniffled and looped her arms around his neck, and he returned the hug. He was careful not to press on her wound as he pulled her close, settling his cheek on top of her head.
"Sorry you had to get used to protecting me…" she whispered with a light laugh.
He pulled his hand from her back and lightly touched her side. "If adding your wounds to mine would keep you safe, I'd do it." Kagome placed her hand over his, pressing it lightly against her cut. The warmth of his palm seemed to soothe the throbbing there. She pulled her head away far enough to look up at his face and immediately found herself, yet again, overwhelmed by the depth of the eyes looking down on her, the sincerity there equally warm and soothing. As if by instinct, she tipped her chin up and waited for Inuyasha to follow. It didn't take long for Kagome to feel the warmth of his lips as he leaned down, hovering a breath away from her own. Anticipation made her heart thrum like a hummingbird.
A rustling sound stirred them from their world, the kiss interrupted as they both looked toward the sleeping bag. Kou was sitting up, looking back and forth between them and the ground in front of him all the while rubbing his arm. His cheeks were rosy.
"I seem to have the worst timing," the young man declared, abashed at catching the two in another intimate moment akin to when he first met (more like attacked) them.
Kagome became conscious of the position she and Inuyasha were in, especially with Inuyasha's shirtless state. Her blush from earlier had returned full force.
Inuyasha simply frowned at the disruption, put his shirt on, and made his way to the yellow backpack. With little searching, he found a bottle of water and a granola bar and threw them to the bandaged human, the latter cringing in silent pain as he caught them.
"Drink, eat. After that, I've got questions..." Inuyasha walked over to check on his red coat, adding over his shoulder, his tone low and borderline threatening. "You better have answers."
Kou gulped nervously and staring down at what he had in his hands didn't help him any. He looked a bit perplexed and horrified. He wasn't sure what to do with the bottle and small snack, or what they even were for that matter.
Kagome smiled at the baffled young man, figuring that she help him out and explain a few things herself.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha called. When she looked up, the half-demon sighed before continuing, "You're dumb for worrying."
The soft edge in his voice diluted the insult, and the young priestess understood immediately; he was apologizing.
Kagome said nothing but smiled, and turned enough to smile in return. It was a short lived exchange since he caught Kou watching them again. The annoyed half-demon had only to narrow his eyes just a little to make the other young man squirm and look away.
….
It took a few minutes to tell Kou her story, but the latter took a longer time to process it.
"So, you are not from our time?" Kou admitted in awe, shakily lifting the water bottle to his lips to take another drink. "What have I gotten myself into?" he whispered to himself. Inuyasha heard what escaped Kagome's ears and rolled his eyes, adjusting his dry fire-rat coat around his shoulders.
"From what I gathered, your life was pretty crazy a long time before we came around."
Kagome and Kou looked up as Inuyasha came to join them.
"I guess you are right," Kou relented with a quiet sigh. "I didn't know that our village headmaster was a demon in disguise. Or that my family was indebted to such a fiend."
Inuyasha snorted as he remembered the snake demon from last night. Though the demon was easily taken care of, the greatest threat came from the humans that it had under its control though. And how easily a demon could infiltrate their village and take over their minds was what truly disturbed him. If Naraku was already dead then Inuyasha and his friends could see to it that more of these other evil demons stopped bleeding their way among the humans.
Another reason that bastard Naraku needs to die. Inuyasha cursed silently.
"Were you aware that the other guards were being used as puppets before last night?" Kagome asked, trying to make sense of what happened the other night.
"No, not until I came across the bones of all the demons everyone had been bringing in. There I found a large snakeskin among the remains, some of which I began to recognize as too small for belonging to demons…" Kou's breathing became shallow as he shivered through the memory, looking at palms in a quiet, helpless nature. "I'm almost sure now that my parents must lie in that shallow pit."
Kagome placed a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder, and Kou continued to stare at his hands with unfocused eyes. Inuyasha closed his and tried to control his hands from shaking. If he hadn't killed that snake demon last night he'd be tempted to hunt it down now.
"Of course power was the issue… the snake wanted to be able to gain land and defeat anyone who'd desire it for their own. But it seemed desperate," Kagome pieced together.
"There was mention of another threat as well."
"It must be Naraku." Kagome stated. Her stomach turned at the idea of the one they hunted. His influence both scared demons into hiding or brought out the desperate ones who hungered for power.
"They might be trying to snatch up any bit of power they can to protect them from this Naraku." Kou shrugged. He wasn't sure who the demon was, but what he gathered from the grave expressions on the others' faces meant that Naraku must be terrible.
"Don't think humans are safe in the Western Lands, but nothin' new about that." Inuyasha grew silent as his thoughts fell to his mother and what she had gone through, even at the hands of other humans… He was done with what he had set to do, and now he and Kagome needed to leave. His eyes went to their new friend. "We're not staying much longer, and who knows when we'll be back, so you can't count on us saving you again. Just be careful who you trust from now on."
"I understand," Kou nodded. "And I thank both of you, Inuyasha and Lady Kagome. I owe both of you my life and much more. I've learned many things these last few days. I know some demons aren't all bad, and some even get along well with humans. You two appear to have quite the connection."
At Kou's words, Inuyasha and Kagome looked at each other at the exact same time, only to look away, both their faces a shade of crimson.
"Well…" Kagome started, finding her reserve of words empty.
"Uh…" Inuyasha articulated and scratched his head, his eyes downward and avoiding anyone's gaze.
Kou smiled to himself. "Well, if you've got all your information, I should be on my way."
Kagome recovered and found herself able to form words again. "Where are you going now?" she asked.
"Back home… I'm going to fix the place up, and honor my parents with a memorial there." His lips shaped around a sad, small smile as he started to stand up.
"Will you be okay?" Kagome asked.
"Learning the truth about my parents saddens me, but… I think I'll be alright after some time. Out of this misfortune comes a bright spot. I met you two, and am fortunate to count you friends."
Inuyasha didn't say anything when their friend got up, the human seemingly refreshed and ready to start on his own way.
"Take care of yourself, Kou," Kagome got up and gave him a hug.
"You, as well, lady Kagome." Kou then turned to Inuyasha who'd gone to put out the fire. Lifting a hand in parting, he received a similar farewell from the half-demon.
"Come on. We should get moving."
"Alright," she answered, more than ready to see her other friends and possibly go back home for some R&R.
Spreading the dying embers the fire pit, the half-demon felt a sense of liberation come over him. He'd done what he came to do in the Western Lands… He paid proper respect to the woman who gave him life, but in the process became closer to the one who'd helped him find that life again. He glanced back at Kagome and found the girl fussing with the zipper of her sleeping bag. A smile found its way to his face.
....
Shippo swung his little legs from where he sat on the fence near Kaedae's garden, the picture of a carefree child. The elderly priestess was busy digging up some herbs and the little kit sat nearby keeping her company. The wise old woman had a feeling that these healing plants would be needed once Inuyasha and Kagome came back. The other half of their group had arrived earlier that morning, informing her that the two had left them and headed to the Western Lands sometime ago. Knowing the reputation of Inuyasha's homeland, and noted the half-demon's propensity for finding trouble, she gathered the best herbs she could to fight off infection of any kind.
"When did ye say Kagome and Inuyasha were to be expected?"
"Don't remember, but it should be soon. I made a deal with Inuyasha and I want to jump on it when I get the chance. Inuyasha might want to take it back when he realizes that I haven't forgotten about it."
"What sort of deal was this?" the old priestess asked, smiling at the kit's amusement.
"I get to eat his portion of the ninja food, and for a whole week! Even those noodles he loves so much will be mine!" Shippo rubbed his little hands together, getting even more excited as he thought about it. He could practically taste it!
"Surely, that is not the only reason ye want Kagome and Inuyasha to be back." Kaedae said with face turned from the kit as she continued on in the garden. It was a slight scolding tone she used, but Shippo also heard the worry shadowing it.
"It's not. I hope they'll come back okay… and that you don't have to use that stuff you're picking," the kit said, his little legs slowing down in their kick.
"Me too, child." Kaedae got up and wiped her forehead with the back of her dirty hand. Lifting her head she used squinted to focus on something in the distance.
Shippo followed the priestess' action. He looked past his red hair with green eyes that hoped to see familiar figures appear near the western horizon. The kit missed his friends, and even though all he usually did was fight with Inuyasha, he missed the comfort of having his family together. All this reflection Sango had done concerning her slayer family only increased his apprehension of losing the one he had now.
Come on, Inuyasha and Kagome… hurry back.
…
AN: Hi everyone! Sorry, for the long wait… The holidays have been rather busy for me. I hope you all have been well =). So... what did you think of this chapter? For some reason it was rather tough to get out (probably because I didn't have time to just sit and write like I hoped to). Anyhoo, reviews are wonderful, my friends =). It's always great to hear from you!
Take care and have a great rest of the new year!
~The Honorable Gucci
