Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. That great honor goes to the amazing Rumiko Takahashi and her wonderful mind.
A/N: Hello everyone! I'm sure you all heard about "Super Storm/Hurricane Sandy" this month. Both New Jersey and New York got pounded by it, and I, living in New Jersey, got hit pretty hard, too. Getting internet has been pretty tough where I live, and I'm sorry that I've been so delayed. I had this chapter ready way before the hurricane, but I got caught up with shopping for supplies and whatnot that I didn't have the time to upload it and I lost my chance to. Thankfully, everything is getting back to normal, including the internet and my time for writing :)
It's been very stressful these passed few weeks and to those of you reading this who live on the east coast and were affected by Sandy, I hope that you're doing much better and that you're healthy and safe. Hopefully we don't get hit by anything too hard for a while.
So, without further delay, here's Chapter 12. Enjoy!
Inuyasha's P.O.V
I walked into my house with a bright smile on my face. Okay, so what if I am happy about seeing Higurashi tomorrow? It's not a crime to be happy that you're going out to a movie with a friend. Yes, a friend; nothing more, nothing less . . .
"Are you ready for today's adventure?" Myoga's voice broke through my thoughts, which was actually a good thing . . . For once.
"Yes," I said with a sigh as I dropped my bag near the front door. I looked to my kitchen counter and searched it carefully for the small spec, but he wasn't there. "Myoga? Where are you?" I asked, searching carefully around any other surfaces. The cat wasn't even here today.
"Oh, down here," He said, however when I looked down, I still couldn't find him. As far as I could see, he wasn't near my feet or in that general area.
"Could you be a little more specific?" I asked sarcastically, bending down to enhance my view.
"On your bag," Myoga answered, and once I grabbed my bag, he was right there, standing at the top. Suddenly, a frightening realization hit me. W-Was he there the entire day?
"Uh, Myoga, how long have you been there?"
"Long enough," He answered, and I could almost hear his amusement. "You know, I thought it was really adorable how much your voice shook when you were talking to her. It was such a shame that she was as nervous as you were, or she would have had a good laugh." I felt my face heat up at his comment and I frowned.
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath as I picked the flea up. However, my stomach couldn't help but flutter at the fact that she might have been nervous, too. "She was nervous?"
"Well, let me put it this way: I couldn't tell whose heart was beating faster, yours or hers. I'm surprised that you two haven't told each other how you really feel."
"We do not feel anything for each other, flea. We are just friends!"
"I don't know why you're spending your time trying to convince me when it's you who needs convincing," I gritted my teeth as my anger rose.
"I'm convinced plenty of the truth, it's you who needs to change your crazy accusation!"
"Accusation is such a harsh word. Think of it more as an . . . Observation."
"Well then, I suggest you get your sense checked because you're absolutely wrong."
"Fine, fine, fine, enough of your blabber. Let's get going." If it weren't for the fact that he'd probably find a way to return, I'd flick this flea into next week.
I walked out of the house and into the backyard, my head still reeling about Myoga's 'observations'. She was nervous, too? How come? . . . Does she like me, too? Idiot, you don't like her! How many times do you have to convince yourself! Hell, what's the point? I can't even deny it anymore. I've got feelings for Kagome, again. Dammit, I'm stuck in a rut. A big, deep, horrible rut that I just can't climb out of.
I hadn't even realized that I'd gotten up the tree until it was time to jump off. I sighed as my thoughts and feelings spun around my head while I looked at the ground that would no longer be the same once I reached the bottom.
"So, where're we going today?"
"Same as always, of course."
"You know what I mean. What am I going to be seeing today?"
"Something very important, I promise."
"My mind is spinning from the details."
"Well, if you must know, it's the day that you realized that you were attracted to Kagome."
"Oh . . . Oh, hey, wait a second, that means - "
"Yeah, it's also the day you got your first kiss."
"Myoga, I don't think this is a good idea. Why don't we pick something else, like maybe a nice talk between the two of us. A very decent talk with no sexual attraction whatsoever."
"I thought you might say that, which is why I brought this!" Suddenly, my vision became blurred by a bothersome powder that Myoga had thrown in my eyes. I could feel the rough particles as I tried to see through them. I felt my stomach drop as I lost balance while trying to rub the pesky powder from my eyes. I shut my eyes and waited until I felt the air freeze. Once everything was somewhat stable, I rubbed my eyes frantically. It wasn't long before I felt the rough ground collide my body. I sat up and blinked, my eyes trying their best to adjust themselves to the new scenery.
"What the hell did you throw in my eyes?" I asked angrily as I rubbed out the last bit of the coarse powder.
"It was just a bit of sand, Inuyasha. There's no need to act like such a baby."
"Sand?! That stuff hurts, y'know!"
"Quiet, you fool! Your past self is bound to come out here any second." Although I was quite angry, I couldn't deny what was most important at the moment. Unfortunately, my eyes were still having trouble focusing on my surroundings, so I felt around for the bushes. Once I felt the vegetation, I dove in and settled quietly in the same viewing spot I'd become accustomed to.
"You know," I whispered, picking at my right eye to try to focus. "We wouldn't be in this problem if you hadn't thrown sand in my eye."
"Well, I wouldn't have thrown sand in your eye if you'd just jumped." I grumbled at his response as my eyes began to focus better.
"Where did you even get the sand, anyways?"
"Shh, here they come." I watched as two teenagers made their way onto the scene. Unlike the younger versions I was so used to seeing, these two were simply walking to the swing, just like in the memory where Kagome had said that she had a crush on someone else. They looked about the same age - still fourteen. The sexual tension was still radiating from the both of them. It was almost ridiculous how attracted we were to each other a few years ago. It's almost as ridiculous as the fact that we were repulsed by one another only a month ago. I can hardly remember what it felt like to hate Kagome.
As I watched them drift to the tree, it was then that I took notice of the swing and it's condition. It looked pretty new, to be honest. I remembered that I had restored sometime in maybe the 4th grade with Kagome's help, of course. It was still in solid condition, and just as sturdy as ever, considering all the tugging and pushing it's been through.
The two walked by the swing and sat down against the tree. Suddenly, the feel became quite awkward. It was quiet between them, just as I remembered, and it was because of Kagome's next question that would change things completely between the two of them.
"Have you ever been kissed?" The fourteen year old asked in a small voice, playing with the grass in front of her as she did so. The fourteen year old boy was evidently shocked by the question. Obviously not, I thought to myself as I smiled. Not yet, at least.
"Of course I have," He answered confidently with a grin on his face. "Haven't you?"
"No . . ." She answered quietly, not looking up.
"What's with the question anyways?" The boy asked, now worried about the girl beside him and not his ego.
"Well, it's just that everyone's talking about getting kissed and bragging about it like it's a life accomplishment."
"Trust me, it's not a big deal," The boy comforted, speaking from absolutely no experience whatsoever. "Would you jump from a bridge if everyone else was?"
"Probably," She responded with a smile as she finally looked up. "I mean, it's sounds stupid now, but enough persuasion can get you to do anything."
"Persuasion?" A bubble of jealousy appeared within the boy, I remembered. "Is someone persuading you to kiss them?"
"What? No, idiot. I'm just saying that people will do anything if others are doing it, and it can get to the best of us."
"Oh, I see what you mean. That's a pretty sharp explanation you got there."
"Well, I am smarter than you, so of course it would be sharp to you." The younger Inuyasha's mouth dropped open at her response to his compliment, and she had to hide the smile that was forcing its way onto her face.
"Excuse me? You're not smarter than me."
"I believe I am,"
"Well, your beliefs are wrong,"
"You can't say that my beliefs are wrong - they're my beliefs!"
"If they're about me I can!" She laughed lightheartedly at the argument and at Inuyasha's upset face. One thing she loved more than anything was to push my buttons. Some things never change, I see, I thought to myself as I continued watching.
The girl's laughter had subsided and she looked back down with a sigh.
"There is one thing I do believe about you." She said truthfully, a blush appearing on her face.
"Oh yeah? What's that?" The boy asked, thinking that it was probably another insult by the way that he responded.
"That you'd help me out if I ever needed something." Kagome answered, her face growing more red by the second.
"Her heart's going a million miles an hour." Myoga whispered to me, and my stomach did a flip.
"Yeah, I know." I whispered back, watching the scene with almost enthusiasm and nostalgia. As repressed as this memory may be, there's no way that I couldn't cherish it in the back of my mind.
"Of course I would," The boy answered sincerely, and I could tell that he was confused from the constant changes in the mood.
"So, I need a something," The girl whispered, not daring to look up.
"What is it, Kagome?" The boy asked, somewhat worried about why his best friend was acting so weird today. Luckily, I wasn't too dense when I was fourteen. At least I caught on faster than most.
"Well, I was wondering if maybe you could . . ." She faltered, but continued quickly afterwards. "I mean, you know, since you're my best friend and I trust you, I was just wondering if maybe we could - I mean, it wouldn't mean anything, I just -"
"Kagome," The boy said firmly, which made his best friend's head turn up. He gave her a confused smile. "Spit it out, will ya?"
" . . . Can you kiss me?" The boy's eyes widened and his face went red.
"Oh, uh, I - "
"Oh, just forget I said anything!" Kagome said, turning away from her friend, completely embarrassed by the situation. I remembered the feeling that came over me at that moment. The feelings washed over me like a summer wave of nostalgia. Although it hadn't been my fault and I hadn't done anything wrong, I still couldn't help but feel guilty for my reaction, but what did she expect me to do? Dive in for the idea right away? I'd only had a few crushes here and there, but never did I think that I'd kiss any of those girls.
The difference between those girls and Kagome, though, was that I trusted her and I did love her very much. Hell, I'd probably be struggling with it too, eventually. So, why not? It seemed like a sure thing - we both get a kiss and stay great friends with no feelings added to the mix. Or so I thought.
"C-Close your eyes," The boy stuttered out, hoping that his new-found confidence wouldn't burn out as he was leaning in.
"What?" Kagome asked in a shocked tone as she turned to face her friend. One look into those brown orbs and his stomach did a flip. He frowned at the feeling and looked away from her.
"If we're going to do this, you have to close you eyes," He forced out, still looking away from his best friend. He hoped he wasn't getting sick at a time like this.
"Why?" She asked, apparently not liking the idea of a closed-eyed kiss.
"It makes it more special, I guess. Just trust me." She watched him as she bit her lip, her face still red from the predicament. I expected that she was having second thoughts. Her eyes fluttered shut and she waited, no pucker or anything, which was something that I found pretty damn adorable as I watched the scene. You can't fake innocence like that. The idea made my stomach flutter and I found myself wondering if she was still the same. She probably is still the same.
The boy looked over to his best friend and felt his stomach churn once more. He began having second thoughts, but as he watched his friend just waiting for him to kiss her, a strange pull fell upon him. He felt less nervous suddenly, like kissing her wasn't so bad - like he wanted to kiss her.
It was a strange feeling when he met her lips. He couldn't compare it to anything he'd ever felt with his lips. Her lips were soft against his own and the sensations that ran through him made him feel content. He liked the feeling of a kiss, far more than he thought he would. Kagome's lips fit with his perfectly and he loved it, however, before he could get to addicted to the feeling, Kagome pulled away abruptly from the kiss. He opened his eyes and blinked before pulling back as well, his stomach still doing little cartwheels. There was a brief silence between them that was broken when Inuyasha made the first move to talk.
"So, how was it?" He asked, wondering if she had felt an ounce of what he had felt.
"I don't know. I don't have much to compare it to now, do I?" She said with a smile, putting a finger to her lips. "How was it for you?"
"Um," He didn't know what to say. He couldn't tell her about what he'd felt, it'd freak her out, but as he thought about the feelings that ran through his body and were still clear in his mind, he was at a loss of words. "It was good, I suppose," He said finally, although he knew that he was under exaggerating. "Not bad for your first time."
"Well, thank you," She said with a smile. He smiled back weakly as his stomach flipped once more. "Glad that's over with." She added, the words making his heart drop. Truth be told, he wanted to kiss her again, but he pushed down the feeling and instead laughed.
"Yeah, definitely."
My head pounded suddenly and I clutched my head and shut my eyes. When I reopened them, I was on the same ground I'd been on before, but I was back in my time. I looked at the tree, where only a few seconds ago, I'd gotten my first kiss, and I sighed heavily.
"Well, that was interesting." Myoga's voice broke through again, but all I could do was nod as he spoke.
"I think I'm going to take a nap," I said after a short pause. "Think about some things, sort the project out maybe."
"Oh, alright then." Myoga said shortly, being one of the few times that he let me do anything, ever. "Well, I'm gonna hop off. I'll see you when I see you."
"Yeah, see you." I said automatically, not paying much attention to anything else. I got up and dusted myself off before walking back towards my house. It was still pretty early, I don't even think Kagome is out of school yet. Even so, I didn't really want to see her. That memory left me with . . . Conflicting feelings.
As I laid back into my bed, I kept thinking about the feelings I'd felt after I'd kissed her all those years ago. They seemed to hit me tenfold as I watched it happen in front of me again, which makes sense of course. But those feelings, that kiss, my first kiss . . . I couldn't get enough of that feeling.
Before I drifted off into my nap, the last thoughts that crossed my mind were the feeling of Kagome's lips and when or if I would be able to feel them pressed against my own.
(Questions? Comments? I love hearing from the reviewers!)
