Chapter Eleven – Waiting
Kagome finished her crackers before Inuyasha did. She sat with her legs crossed, still thinking intensely over the last night and a few minutes ago.
This is all so confusing, and I had such a good dream, too. What on earth was he dreaming about, though? Inuyasha never acts like that. But still…
She was still speculating over this when he finished. He quietly laid the wrapper at her feet. Kagome didn't even notice until he cleared his throat.
"Yes?" She jerked her head up.
The half-demon focused on the door that was barely hanging onto the hut's wall.
"Are you ready to go wait outside?"
"Uh, yeah."
He nodded and stood up. Kagome followed him to the door and stopped.
"Oh, wait! Here is your kimono."
"No, keep it. It's cold outside."
She blushed faintly but nodded. As he stepped out into the brightly glittering snow, he put out his hand to her.
"What?"
"Well, we aren't going to sit in the snow. I'm not stupid enough to let you get your feet cold."
"So what do you want to do?"
Without saying anything else, he lifted her into his arms and crouched, jumping onto the roof. Kagome sniffed and tried to hold her bag close to her chest.
"Inuyasha, there is snow on the roof as well."
"Yes, but it isn't as thick up here. You can sit on my lap while we wait."
"Inuyasha! I can't do that!"
"Why not?"
She stared back into his face. He looked clueless enough, so she assumed that his intentions were above suspicion.
"Look, if that isn't okay with you, I can always clear a spot for you."
Kagome swallowed and nodded. They could at least talk while they waited. That would ease tension, right?
Inuyasha wiped away the snow in one spot, making sure that it was somewhat dry at least. She didn't seem nervous when she sat, but he couldn't really tell from looking at her face. It was hard to smell Kagome's emotions when they were always so mixed.
They sat on the roof for about five minutes without talking. Kagome couldn't think of anything to say and was wracking her brain for anything that wouldn't sound stupid. And so, they waited…and waited…and waited.
Finally, she couldn't take the silence anymore. So she said the first thing that came to mind.
"What is taking them so long? Do you think that they are eating?"
Inuyasha snorted, "Maybe. I don't know whether they would put their stomachs before us or not, though."
The young girl crossed her arms over her chest. They wouldn't do that…or would they?
"That is an awful rude thing to say about our friends! They would never put food before us!"
"How do you know? For all we know, they might still be asleep!"
Kagome narrowed her eyes, "They wouldn't."
"I bet the runt would."
She stared at him for a moment, a little irritated.
"I can't believe you would think that! They will come for us."
"Hey, don't get irritated with me. You were the one that brought the idea up."
Kagome opened her mouth but then clamped it shut. He had a point. But still, she was a little doubtful about what they were, or more importantly, weren't doing. She was also aggravated with herself for thinking such thoughts. She had a feeling that the reason she was stressed probably had to do with what happened half an hour ago.
"You're right. I'm sorry, Inuyasha."
"No big deal."
Kagome stared at him for a few minutes. His white hair matched the snow.
This is hopeless…
"I hear them," He said after a moment, "They are a ways away, but I can hear them."
"Oh, good!" Kagome smiled.
Inuyasha turned his head to examine her face. She looked happy, but her scent seemed to be tinted by…disappointment? Females were so confusing.
"Kagome…can I…can I ask you something?"
She blinked and turned to look at him. The expression in his eyes didn't look bored anymore, but more like a mixture of nervous and serious.
"Yes. What is it?"
He watched her face intently for a moment, trying to form the words in his head. Was this the wrong time to tell her? They had spent a long time together last night, and a lot had happened. The beginning of the night hadn't been that great, but the ending had been altered his way of thinking severely.
"Kagome…do you have feelings for Koga? Or that Hojo guy?" Sure, it hadn't come out the way he hoped, but at least it was a start.
Kagome stared at him thoughtfully…and a little confused. What kind of question was that? And where exactly was he trying to go with it?
"Koga and Hojo? Um…yes, but not in that way. I mean, I like them both. They are good friends and Koga is nice and all, but I don't like them in a romantic way. Wait, haven't we already established this?"
Inuyasha felt relief flood through his entire body. She didn't want Koga, or even that wimpy 'Hojo'. This was a good thing.
"Kagome, I…I have feel-"
"INUYASHA! KAGOME!"
The young girl jumped in surprise as a trio of voices yelled her and her companion's names. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo? They had come!
