Blurry trees whizzed by as InuYasha ran. His heart beat a staccato against his ribcage as he pushed himself to go faster. His thoughts were a jumble of images and echoing words.
Kikyo laughing.
Kagome giggling as he slurped noodles.
Kikyo leaning her head on his shoulder at the opera.
Kagome standing on the stairs swathed in shimmering black, her head held high.
He and Kikyo kissing at the Eiffle Tower when he had proposed.
Kagome standing at his bedroom door with an armful of white roses.
He came to a screeching halt in front of a huge tree. Why had he come here? He stood at the base of the Goshinboku. He placed a trembling hand on the trunk. When he was younger he had always come here to think. Actually he had always been up in the top branches where the shrine keepers couldn't see him. He knew that they wouldn't take kindly to a wretched half-demon being close to their sacred tree. Wretched half-demon. He laughed to himself. Maybe Kikyo was right all those years ago. Maybe I am just a loser. He shook himself and jumped up to his old hide out. The broad branch provided enough space for him to lie back against the tree and was high enough so that no one could see him unless they were really looking. Lost in thought his mind wandered back to Kagome. I hope she isn't upset that I just left.
Kagome waved to her friends. "Thanks for the ride! I had a wonderful time!"
"Bye Kagome!" Sango called from the car window. She and Miroku had driven Kagome home since Sango was the one who had hijacked her earlier that day.
Miroku waved too and said, "Do me a favor Kagome please? Don't mention any of this to InuYasha. I don't think he'd like it if people were just telling his secrets out everywhere."
"I won't. And thanks for telling me." With a last wave Kagome watched Miroku's tail lights disappear over the hill. She turned toward the steps with a sigh. How am I going to make it up all those stairs in this ridiculous dress? She picked up her bag of stuff in one hand and gathered her long skirt in the other. Here goes nothing.
InuYasha clasped his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. He pictured Kagome in her midnight black dress. She was so beautiful. She kind of looks like Kikyo. He snarled into thin air. No! She looks nothing like her. Kikyo's beauty always felt cold to him. Kagome was a bolt of sunshine. She just sparkled. He smiled to himself. Suddenly he heard a sharp clicking sound. He sat up and looked around. He couldn't sense any demons nearby. What was that sound? He looked down to the ground. Kagome. What is she doing here?
Kagome had made it up the stairs; her high heels clicking loudly against the stone walkway. She let herself inside and flipped on the houselights. She dumped her bag on the living room couch. She'd deal with it later. Instead of going upstairs she found herself walking back out to the courtyard. She leaned against the sacred tree tiredly. After a minute she plopped down on the cold stones with no regard for her dress. She began removing her shoes and rubbed her feet. Last time I wear those for awhile.
Her mind went back to her conversation with Miroku and Sango. I kind of look like her. She is beautiful. I can see why InuYasha loved her. Her heart constricted a little. "Poor InuYasha." Her spoken words echoed, breaking the silence. She leaned back against the tree and sighed. She knew that she should go inside but the night was so beautiful. She looked up into a sky full of gleaming stars. "I'll go inside very soon. I want to just sit here and enjoy the stars." She said to herself. She closed her eyes. I'm so tired. Tonight was a big night for me. I hope Inu no Tashio and Izayoi liked me. I did get an invitation to come visit anytime. And Izayoi did invite me to her garden party. Golden eyes floated into her mind as she thought of the wonderful flowers in Izayoi's garden. Kagome smiled to herself. She imagined InuYasha walking with her down those stone paths. She drifted off to sleep with images of a certain silver haired hanyou holding bouquets of flowers.
InuYasha was shocked. Kagome is the shrine keeper? He sniffed the air but couldn't make out any other scents belonging to the house. She must live alone. Where are the other shrine keepers? Wasn't there a whole family of them? Unable to stop himself, he jumped off his branch, landing gently a few feet from Kagome. She didn't stir. She's going to catch cold sitting here. He gently picked her up and started walking toward the house.
Kagome felt herself being lifted into the air. She felt warm strong arms surround her and she sighed in contentment. Surprisingly she wasn't afraid. Her eyes opened slightly to see who was carrying her so gently. Chocolate met gold as she stared into the impassive face of InuYasha. The very guy she had been dreaming of! At once her face burned a bright red and she started struggling. "Let me go!" He dropped her unceremoniously on the ground. "Owww." She rubbed her bruised elbow which had banged a loose stone. "What are you doing here? Why are you carrying me?"
InuYasha bristled at her accusing tone. "What am I doing here? I'm not the one sleeping outside in a flimsy dress! Silly wench!" He raked a claw through his hair. "See if I ever do you a favor again!"
"I'm sorry." Kagome's face burned even redder. She looked at the ground as she tried to get up gracefully. "I was just startled. You are the last person I expected to be here at my house." InuYasha just grumbled. She timidly put a hand on his forearm. "Would you like to come in?" Taking his silence as a yes she turned toward the house.