A/N: Well guys! I HOPE YOU"RE HAPPY! Cuz I certainly am lol I love it when I can sit down for days on end and just wright. I mean, I would have preferred not to be surviving through Hurricane Harvey and going to work, but this is the best of a terrible situation. I hope I can maintain a consistent schedule for posting new chapters cuz I'm pretty burnt out on video games now haha
P.S.: This Chapter was heavily inspired by the song 'Jewel' by Ayumi Hamasaki.
P.P.S: Because I am me, I had to find an appropriate person to base Kagome's looks on as I imagine her in my mind. And even though this is a Korean actress I can't find anyone who better exemplifies what I picture her as. She's got the dimples, the long black hair, the undeniable beauty and charm… AND IN A FEW PICTURES SHE HAS BRIGHT BLUE EYES. Just Google 'Shin Min-Ah' and 'Gumiho' and scroll through the pictures and gifs to pick up what I'm throwing down.
P.P.P.S: PLEASE REVIEW! I need them to stay motivated. I'm just like every other writer on here and all we ask for are your thoughts and kudos on our work. It really means a lot.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Chapter Thirteen: Jewel
Upon being trapped by those mesmerizing pools of azure, Inuyasha was instantly aware that the annoying girl before him was his dearly missed friend. Had he not been afflicted that night by the new moon's curse, the thick-headed teen would have recognized her long before then. His nose would have caught her unique scent on the wind, his ears would have known her unmistakable voice, and his eyes would have seen her every detail even in the darkness of night. Damn the curse of the new moon! However, if he hadn't been seeking shelter within the protected territory, Inuyasha would have never come across Kagome at all. He may have gone his entire existence never knowing that she was still alive. He thanked the Gods for the new moon's curse.
It took less than a second for the two to be in each other's arms. Nothing else mattered than being completely sure that this wasn't a cruel dream from which they might wake. Able to use all his strength without the fear of hurting her, Inuyasha pulled Kagome's form into his with extreme gusto and she reciprocated by nearly launching herself at him. The combined momentum of their movements caused the two friends to collapse onto their sides, still locked in a desperate embrace that left Kagome halfway laying atop Inuyasha's torso. She could feel the handle of his sword jabbing into her hip but ignored the discomfort to remain close to him.
Kagome's cheek was firmly pressed into Inuyasha's chest while her hands bunched the fabric of his haori. In turn, Inuyasha had his nose buried into the abundance of Kagome's glossy hair, unable to appreciate the intricacies of her scent due to his meager human nose. Eventually, after the initial astonishment lessened, Kagome and Inuyasha managed to return to comfortable seated positions beside each other. There were tears welling in Kagome's smiling eyes as she tried to memorize the moment, and Inuyasha had to keep check of his masculinity as intense emotions quickly began to swell. Suddenly, they were caught up laughing and rattling off everything that came to mind.
"I can't believe-"
"You've gotten so big! Look at your hair! The last time-"
"I thought I'd never see you again! Kagome, I seriously fuckin' thought you were-"
"Where have you been all this time? In Otou-san's letters he never-"
On and on they rambled incoherently, eager to express every fleeting thought and emotion racing through their excited minds. Eventually the two needed to stop for the sake of catching their breath, but nothing would erase the smiles that stretched from ear to ear. This wasn't a dream. After a few moments of silence Inuyasha chuckled and shook his head in disbelief as he fed another section of wood into the dying fire. Bright flecks of embers danced upwards with the smoke that rose through the opening in the roof.
"I am going to pummel that fuckin' flea… I swear it." It was an off-handed comment meant only for himself since Inuyasha had grown accustomed to thinking out loud, but it caught Kagome's curiosity.
"What flea?" She questioned with a tilt of her head, which was an endearing gesture that reminded Inuyasha of her childhood habits.
"I got this flea Youkai that tags along with me. He's sorta' friend of the family. Well, see he had me convinced that you'd died when Youkai attacked the…" Alas, the awkward and ugly truth reared its unwelcomed head. Kagome's smile faltered as she finished Inuyasha's sentence in her mind, then somberly nodded in understanding. Worried that her feelings were hurt, Inuyasha nervously tried to appease her. "If I had known you were still alive, I'd have come and got you. I swear! I been gettin' real good with Otou-san's fang… I'd have kept you safe if I knew you were still alive."
Though the gesture was sweet, Kagome couldn't allow Inuyasha to carry that sort of guilt. She smiled, albeit sadly, and shook her head before taking his hand in hers. Inuyasha felt his human ears heat up from the intimate contact but would be damned if he ever pulled away from Kagome. Though he didn't consciously realize it, this was the first kind contact another person had ever initiated with him since his mother's death. It was like pouring cool water over an angry burn, soothing the pain that he'd been unable to ease on his own.
"I know you would have come if you knew, so please don't feel guilty. I wouldn't want you to risk your life just for me." Kagome paused as she felt a painful lump rising in her throat, making it difficult to speak without her voice wavering. As she swallowed hard, trying to rid herself of the discomfort, Kagome looked down from Inuyasha's intense gaze. Even without the striking traits of his father Inuyasha was still intimidating, but in a good way. "I-I'm just grateful that you're here now." Try as she might, her voice still quivered from the oncoming sobs that were sure to surface at any moment.
"Kagome," Inuyasha wasn't sure how to react. He wasn't familiar with girls crying and being so vulnerable around him. But it didn't take a genius to know that all Kagome needed was a shoulder to cry on and a moment to let her emotions out. Shifting closer to her, making scraping noises against the dirty floorboards, Inuyasha put his muscular arm around Kagome's shoulders and guided her into his side for support. "I never thought I'd be grateful for the new moon… but I am tonight." He mentioned softly as his cheek leaned against the soft crown of her head. After sniffling her nose, which was followed by a soft laugh, Kagome dried her eyes and looked up at Inuyasha with a grateful smile.
"I almost forgot what you look like as a Ningen…" She mused playfully. "I would have liked to play with your ears again. I remember they were so soft and cute~" When Inuyasha gave a sheepish grumble, Kagome let out a genuine laugh and nudged his side. "Do not act like you never asked me to rub your ears as a child. I remember you fell asleep with your head in my lap many times while I was doing it!"
"I did not!" He retorted defensively, though they both knew the truth. Inuyasha had developed an addiction for having his ears stroked, something started by his mother and perpetuated by Kagome while they were children. Though he wouldn't admit it to her now, Inuyasha also wished he had been in his Hanyou form so he might experience it again.
"So, where have you been? What have you been doing all this time?" Kagome frowned when Inuyasha looked away from her, apparently reluctant to tell the truth about his years of exile. Pressing further, Kagome didn't even think mentioning him would cause such a reaction. "When Sesshoumaru came to visit me, he wouldn't speak of you at all when I asked what had happened." Without warning, Kagome felt her arm being jerked roughly and let out a surprised gasp.
"Sesshoumaru came to see you? Why? What did he do? Did he hurt you?" Inuyasha was frantic as he questioned Kagome over Sesshoumaru's motivations. He was hurt, jealous, and fiercely angry at the idea of his brother being near Kagome at all. Though she partially understood why he reacted in such a way, Kagome refused to be treated like the guilty party.
"You're hurting me, Inuyasha." She stated calmly, giving her arm a tug and pulling free of Inuyasha's grasp. This seemed to ring clear in his mind and the seventeen-year-old instantly looked remorseful. "I'll tell you, but you can't get angry at me over Sesshoumaru's actions. It was almost three years ago, just before the attack on the Palace." Kagome sighed and adjusted her legs to get comfortable, putting some space between herself and Inuyasha.
"You know he's to blame for all that, right? He did nothing to stop your family from being murdered. I don't understand why he would visit you just days before they attacked. What did he say?" Inuyasha couldn't stop himself from asking more questions. He was desperate to understand his brother's enigmatic mind. Kagome shrugged and shook her head, unsure of how to answer him.
"We sat on my balcony and just talked… well… I think I did most of the talking. I told him that Otou-san and I understood why he had to side with the other Taisho. I think it surprised him. He looks a lot like Touga-sama… different from what I remember when we were children. But he asked me to sing for him and he comforted me." As Kagome spoke, she stared into the fire before her. She had to picture the scene in her mind to properly describe what happened. Kagome chose to leave out mention of the kiss, as she wasn't sure how Inuyasha would react to it.
"Keh! That doesn't sound like the same Sesshoumaru that called you insignificant and vowed to crush all Ningen under his foot." Inuyasha huffed as he folded his powerful arms over his chest and looked away just as Kagome turned her eyes back on him. "Otou-san gave me this sword, Tessaiga, and Sesshoumaru told me to use it against you and your family… but I refused. He attacked me and would have killed me if I hadn't run so fast. I've been wandering the Neutral Lands ever since." Inuyasha's tone made it clear that he wouldn't speak further on the topic, which Kagome understood.
"I didn't know those things about Sesshoumaru… I'm sorry he did that to you." A few moments passed before either teen could bring themselves to look up again, but what they saw was mutual understanding and gratitude in each other's eyes. "Thank you, Inuyasha, for being such a loyal friend." Finally, smiles returned to their faces.
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"Kagome! Stop it! Give me the damn basket!" Despite this being their sweet reunion, Inuyasha and Kagome were bound to get into a disagreement eventually.
"NO! I was supposed to return to the Temple as soon as possible. Kisawa-sama will be furious if I'm not back before morning! Let go of the basket!" She argued hotly, pulling back on the heavy basket in a strange game of tug-of-war with Inuyasha.
"It's too dark to even get through the damned forest. AND it's snowing! Just stay with me for the night and tell her you couldn't make the trip back on your own so late! It's the truth!" After giving a hard pull, Inuyasha ripped the basket out of Kagome's hands and easily held it above his head as she tried to take it back. It was somewhat adorable because even when she jumped, her hands barely reached the hoisted basket. Inuyasha bit back a chuckle at his friend's frustration. The pair was a silly sight, standing at the top of a hill in the dark of night as snow fell around them, bickering just as they had done years ago.
"But I… Inuyasha, please. I have to get back." Kagome's arms fell limply at her sides and she seemed to give up the fight. Inuyasha took full advantage of it.
"Look, I got enough money to get us a room at the Inn. You'll get to eat and wash up in the hot springs and sleep in a warm, cozy bed. I'm only here for one night and I want to spend it with you. Who knows when we'll see each other again? Come on, just say yes." Without waiting for her to respond, Inuyasha took Kagome's hand in his to lead her safely down the snow-covered hill. His bare feet stung against the chilly ground, but he managed to ignore it well enough. Kagome gave a reluctant groan as she trudged behind her friend, though she knew deep down that his idea was the better one. Besides, she didn't have the remaining willpower to decline a hot bath and delicious food. Hopefully the joys of this night would be worth the punishment she'd receive the following day.
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"You cannot afford any of our vacant rooms, young man. I suggest you find lodging at one of the other establishments in town." An old man stared down at Kagome and Inuyasha from behind his lifted desk where he managed all the incoming residents and the charges they racked up during their stay, be it for one night or year-round. It was also his duty to deem who could and couldn't rent a room, determined by some set of standards meant to keep out the undesirables. It was understandable that he treated Kagome and Inuyasha so dismissively since they appeared like street urchins instead of paying customers.
"Keh! I got plenty of money." Inuyasha set Kagome's basket down between them to reach for the purse hidden in one of his sleeves. It was heavy with coins scavenged from dead bodies and was more than enough to silence any of the man's qualms. The purse fell open on the desk and Kagome was astonished to see the amount of money Inuyasha possessed. She looked at her friend wide-eyed and open mouthed. There was a smug grin on Inuyasha's face when he noticed her reaction. "We want the best you got to offer. Hot baths and massages, the best food and drink, and your biggest available room. It's just for one night so don't hold back."
The lobby of the inn was bustling with residents and staff going about their nightly routines. Many were dressed in the same blue and white robes as they were coming or going to the hot springs for a relaxing wash before bed. It was a relatively simple establishment, but during these times it was like a palace to those living in the Merchant Town. The old man hopped down from behind his podium and came around to meet Kagome and Inuyasha, bowing and grinning in a way that wasn't exactly genuine.
"Yes sir! There is a suite that I think will meet your refined tastes! Please, let our staff take your personal effects to be kept there while you enjoy all that the Inn has to offer." From behind Kagome and Inuyasha, two servant girls came to take her basket and his sword to the room they would be staying in for the night. Inuyasha was reluctant to part with the Tessaiga, but there was no one there who would have any use for the useless-looking thing.
"Oh, wait." Kagome spoke up and got the attention of the girl carrying her basket away. Inuyasha watched as his friend pulled a long string from around her neck. It'd been hiding the entire time under her kimono and at the end dangled a silver ring. "Keep this safe, please. Thank you." So, it was a special ring? Inuyasha simply shrugged it off. He remembered his mother's collection of jewelry and figured that Kagome had the same affinity for fine things.
The energy of the Inn seemed to pick up as the two friends were ushered towards the back where they passed various halls and rooms being used for whatever practices. The first floor of the Inn was reserved for the washrooms, hot springs, and private pampering sessions for the guests, as well as kitchens and laundry rooms for the staff's use.
"Inuyasha, I suppose I won't see you for a while!" Kagome called out with a nervous laugh as she was led towards a different area than where Inuyasha was being taken. Naturally the washrooms and hot baths were separated to protect the modesty of the two genders. Outside, the hot springs were surrounded by tall wooden walls and each heated pool of water was large enough accommodate around twenty people at a time.
"Enjoy yourself!" He shouted back just before disappearing behind a screen door. Each teenager was brought to the washroom first, where their clothes were taken to be cleaned and pressed. Inuyasha wasn't as familiar with the bathing routine as Kagome was, but thankfully someone was there to help scrub his back and provide special soaps to rinse out his hair. Both he and Kagome spent a good amount of time in the steaming washroom, ridding their bodies of dirt before they were taken outside to the glamorous, naturally occurring hot springs. Even though it was the first snow of winter, the radiating heat prevented the area from chilling everyone to the bone.
With a white towel wrapped around her torso, Kagome stepped outside and paused to observe everything around her. Women and girls of all ages were enjoying themselves in the wonderfully hot waters, sitting in groups chatting with each other and carrying on with their lives as if people weren't dying on the streets just outside the walls that protected them. It felt somewhat bittersweet when Kagome allowed herself to think of such things, but she wouldn't disrespect Inuyasha's generosity by refusing it or making him feel guilty as well.
Step by step, Kagome ventured further and further into the heated waters until her entire body was submerged up to her chin. With her abundance of recently washed hair coiled into a high bun, Kagome kept her head above the water's calm surface as she reclined against a large boulder. She was a stranger and didn't look like she wanted to be bothered, so no one approached her. Happy to have a moment to herself, this was Kagome's chance to go over everything she and Inuyasha had discussed so far. Much of it was weighing heavily on her mind.
There had been a time that she hoped Sesshoumaru would take her as his wife and mate. For years he had remained the epitome of masculinity, security, and romance in her mind. What girl wouldn't think that? He had always treated her with respect and affection. But now she doubted the sincerity of his past words and actions. From the way Inuyasha described his brother and with the damning proof of his allegations, how could she still hold any fondness in her heart for Sesshoumaru? He led the attack on her family's palace, put an end to countless lives, and was at partial fault for the current life in which she was trapped. Even though Kagome and her father had been denounced from the Royal Family, they could have found a way to be together and make a life that was independent and free from servitude and death. Sesshoumaru stole that chance from her. As Kagome sulked in the hot springs, lost in her own world and oblivious to those around her, she lost track of time. If it hadn't been for one of the attendants coming to get her, Kagome might have sat in that water for the remainder of the night reconsidering every interaction and thought regarding Sesshoumaru.
"Before we take you up to your room, we must finish with your hair and give your muscles a thorough massage. Please, follow me." The respectful and submissive girl patiently waited for Kagome to step out of the hot springs before she offered her one if the Inn's provided robes. Kagome did her best to push the troublesome thoughts to the back of her mind for the sake of her remaining time spent with Inuyasha. There wasn't anything to be done about it now.
"Thank you, very much." Kagome mentioned sweetly as she followed the attendant back inside. From there she was lathered in sweet, aromatic oils and given a full-body massage by the experts who worked at the Inn. Her body was in desperate need of it, even though something had occurred earlier that night which eased most of her aches and pains already. Her damp hair was combed and brushed until every knot had been undone, leaving the black tresses with a midnight blue sheen now that all the grease and dirt had been thoroughly removed.
"I will take you to your room now, miss. I believe your companion was brought up already. If you will follow me up these stairs, please." Kagome could only smile and nod dumbly as she trailed behind the older woman. The pampering had lulled the sixteen-year-old into a state of complacency and happiness. Her body felt lighter than air and nothing sounded better than to fall back onto soft pillows and cushions.
When they arrived to the third and final floor, Kagome followed the attendant down a long hallway illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. They stopped at a door on the left and there was an awkward moment when Kagome moved to slide the screen open for herself. She forgot that it wasn't part of her duties that night.
"Thank you, very much." After giving a final bow of gratitude and respect to the older woman, Kagome turned to slip inside the private room that had been reserved for the night. There were beautiful tapestries hanging from the walls, an intricate wooden table upon which to share a meal, a vanity desk and circular mirror, and an open window to look out at the vast expanse of land outside that was blanketed in snow. Her basket was placed to the side of the room, as was Inuyasha's precious sword. Lanterns had been lit in each corner of the room, providing warmth and light for the two that would be sharing the space. At the center was a sight Kagome hoped to never forget.
The futon was massive and plush, covered in beautiful sheets of various colors and pillows of all sizes. It was situated upon a raised platform and was reminiscent to the futon Kagome had slept on while residing at the Western Palace. Laying across it all with one leg bent and the other stretched out lazily was Inuyasha. But he appeared in a way that Kagome almost didn't recognize. Without his red haori and hakama, he looked like any other man. However, there were outstanding characteristics that made him distinctly unique. It was those aspects of him that Kagome admired the most. His endless amount of black hair had been treated the same way hers had, and he was obviously in a similar state of relaxation after the hot springs and massage treatment.
The blue and white robe provided to him fit loosely on Inuyasha's frame and Kagome could see portions of his bare chest through the opening above his waist. There was also a great view of his naked, muscular thigh as it peeked out from beneath the folds. The boy she played with as a child had grown up, and Kagome was strangely excited by that. A familiar sensation was taking hold in the pit of Kagome's stomach. It was an electrifying feeling that reminded her of the night Sesshoumaru came to visit. Kagome smiled when she noticed Inuyasha taking in her appearance as well and wondered what he thought of her.
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"I want grilled fish and chicken, extra servings of rice, a whole bunch of sautéed pork with that brown sauce on the side… umm… bring up some steamed green stuff I guess. And fruit! I want only the sweetest fruit for Kagome. Also, don't forget to bring a jug of sake and some tea." Inuyasha rattled off whatever came to mind as a dutiful attendant took his order. Inuyasha hadn't required as much time to get clean and relaxed as Kagome did, so he was brought to the suite first to wait for her. Servants lit the lanterns for him, brought up his and Kagome's cleaned clothes, and saw to all his demands before dispersing to prepare the meal he ordered.
With the time left Inuyasha got to work arranging pillows on the futon in a comfortable array, just keeping busy until Kagome was brought up to their suite. For some reason he felt oddly nervous about sharing a futon with her for an entire night. What did this mean? Did it actually mean anything? Was he expecting something to happen that she most likely didn't want? Inuyasha wasn't well versed in the ways of courtship or seduction, and without the inherited instincts of his Youkai blood, he was relying on best guesses of what might please Kagome. With nothing left to distract him, Inuyasha decided it was best to just lay down and enjoy the softness of a futon while it was available. The following nights would be nothing more than a thick enough tree branch to sleep on. As he stared up at the plain ceiling above him, Inuyasha gave some thought to Kagome's description of Sesshoumaru's strange behavior. What had caused the Tai-Youkai to act so recklessly? It didn't make sense.
Inuyasha was brought out of his thoughts when he heard soft voices outside the screen door. He could see vague shadows playing against the thin material, backlit by the lanterns in the hall. Then the door slid open and Kagome stepped into their room. At the sight of her, Inuyasha was left without words. Stripped of the dirt and stress of her daily life, and reduced to her most natural self, Kagome was breathtaking. Her delicate feet were bare, exposing a few inches of naked ankles and calves which were perfectly formed from what he could see. The thin robe fit tight around her womanly hips, cinched at the narrow of her waist by a thin sash. The folds that rested over her matured chest allowed enough of a view that enticed Inuyasha to want to see more of what was hidden underneath. Kagome had grown into everything Inuyasha never knew existed. She couldn't be the same chicken-legged girl he used to play with. Her face was proof that it was, for no one else had the same hidden dimples in their cheeks or the striking color of eyes that Kagome possessed. Her beauty was effortless and needed no enhancement, not that Inuyasha thought it was possible. Upon noticing her smile, Inuyasha returned a playful grin of his own and sat up from his laid-back position.
"Didn't think they'd get all that dirt out of your hair. You clean up good." His words might have upset someone less familiar with his personality, but Kagome simply laughed and took the masked compliment. She crossed the floor to examine the room and get a better look out the window. There wasn't enough bravery in her to join Inuyasha on the futon just yet.
"They must have scrubbed at you for a long time to get rid of the stench… I can actually breathe around you now." Firing back with a cheeky comment of her own, Kagome didn't have to look back to know Inuyasha was rolling his eyes and smirking to himself. Just as Inuyasha opened his mouth to respond, a knock at their door stopped him. The delicious smells of cooked food wafted into the room, catching both Inuyasha and Kagome's rapt attention.
"Come in!" He barked with a raised voice. The screen slid open and in came four attendants, their trays filled with massive plates of food and drink. They shuffled about, efficiently transferring the plates and cups onto the short dining table all while Inuyasha and Kagome watched with watering mouths.
"Will that be all, sir?" The last staff member to leave paused outside the room before shutting the screen. Inuyasha and Kagome were already knelt at the table, their attention focused primarily on sampling each steaming dish.
"Yeah! Don't disturb us for the rest of the night." Inuyasha snapped irritably, ready to be done with the pesky attendants. He was reminded of his childhood and how annoying the servants of the Palace could be. Once the door was shut, Kagome and Inuyasha spared each other an excited smile before digging into their delicious feast. They weren't interested in conversation, offering only words of what tasted good and needed to be sampled next. Kagome had forgotten just how much she missed the taste of pork and how delicious it was when combined with rice and savory sauces. She paid no mind to the table manners that had once been beaten into her, and Inuyasha did the same. They ate like animals that had been starved to the brink of death.
"Try this." Inuyasha's mouth was stuffed with food as spoke. He poured himself and Kagome small servings of sake. Neither had tried it before but they knew of its intoxicating qualities.
"Kanpai!" Kagome cheered before she and Inuyasha tossed the bitter liquid past their lips in a single motion. There was instant regret as it burned her chest and made his eyes water.
"Fuck! That's gross!" Inuyasha cursed in disgust as he chugged his cup filled with the better-tasting tea. Kagome did the same, unable to speak until she had washed the alcoholic taste from her mouth.
"How do men stand that? I remember Otou-san drinking it at every meal!" She gasped and decided to take a few more bites of food. Her stomach still burned, and it needed to be settled. After a while, the two began to feel stuffed from the amount of food they had consumed. Sluggish and bored, their attention was brought back to the sake.
"Let's try it again… maybe it tastes better a second time?" Inuyasha offered his reasoning as he poured two more servings of the hot liquor. With a shrug of her shoulders, Kagome went along with her friend and they downed the beverage a second time. Now that they knew what to expect, the experience was far less jarring. Though it was still distastefully bitter, both Inuyasha and Kagome conceded that it at least made them feel warm.
"Okay, I think I could get used to it." Kagome mumbled against the lip of her sake cup just before she tipped it back again. It was her fourth helping and she was already feeling the effects. With the other hand propping her up against the floor, Kagome felt her head beginning to swim and wondered how Inuyasha was faring. "Are you okay?" She spoke slowly, as if the words were difficult to find, and giggled at the sight of Inuyasha.
"I never felt this way before… but I like it." The teenaged boy was propping his chin up with his palm while his elbow sat on the edge of the table, though it looked as if he might fall backwards at any moment. There was a goofy smile curling at his lips that made Kagome laugh even more.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome leaned in towards her drunk friend, staring hard at him until he finally turned his face towards her.
"Huh?" Inuyasha's half-lidded eyes lazily watched Kagome, and he remained unresponsive as she randomly decided to tap his nose with her forefinger. It was a gentle touch, and something that amused Kagome to no end from the way she couldn't stop laughing. "You're drunk~" Inuyasha teased her playfully, letting out a loud guffaw as she drunkenly fell backwards when her hand slipped from under her.
"As are you!" She retorted from her spot on the floor, still grinning like an idiot. Another round of boisterous laughter erupted between the two giddy teenagers. It was like nothing else beyond that room existed, and the problems of tomorrow would never come. Inuyasha felt at ease in Kagome's company, and as his inhibitions lowered he felt drawn to her in other ways. Kagome was experiencing similar longings and had forgotten all her misgivings about Sesshoumaru when Inuyasha was near her. Eventually the two found themselves laid across the plush futon, all but one lantern extinguished, leaving them in a comfortably dim light.
"What are you doing?" Inuyasha questioned lazily as he watched Kagome's arms arc and sway in the air, casting fuzzy shadows against the wall as the lantern shed its flickering light against them. He was resting on his back with one leg bent, and Kagome was laying perpendicular to him with her head cushioned atop his stomach. They were both recovered from the sake and had taken turns freshening up in the small washroom down the hall.
"I don't know… I just like the way it looks." She answered softly and let her arms fall back to her sides with a content sigh. A quiet minute passed between them. Inuyasha turned his face to look out the window, making sure that the night sky was still pitch black. He hoped it would stay that way for the rest of his life. It wasn't until Kagome asked him a question that he looked back at her. "Did you ever make up that story you promised me?" Grinning to herself, Kagome felt Inuyasha's stomach muscles tense under her head.
"You actually remember that?" He was shocked that Kagome would recall such a minor thing but felt pleased that she had. She gave a click of her tongue and gently swatted Inuyasha's side with the back of her hand.
"You don't remember? It was the last promise you made to me. Bad Inuyasha." Although they were clearly tired, there was a renewed energy building between the two friends as their playful antics resumed. Inuyasha shifted his hip roughly, which caused Kagome's head to bounce against him.
"I just needed to convince you to come back. I never actually made up any stories like you did." Not satisfied with that answer, Kagome decided to push him further. She rolled over onto her side to face Inuyasha, scooching up so that she could rest her folded arms across his stomach in a comfortable position. Her chin was balanced atop her wrist and Kagome gazed into Inuyasha's expressive eyes from across his firm chest.
"Can you make one up now? Just for me?" She requested sweetly, cuddling closer to her companion. Inuyasha had never been confronted with such a compelling demand and was defenseless against those eyes; it was like staring directly into the evening sky. How could anyone say no to her? Inuyasha didn't fight the urge to place his hand on her forearm. He wanted to feel the softness of her skin beneath his fingers. After a minute or so of quiet contemplation, the Hanyou-turned-Ningen finally came up with something.
"There's this kid… he just turned thirteen-years-old and had to run away from home after a fight with his Nii-san. His parents are dead and there's nowhere that he belongs. So, he makes a home in the dangerous lands that have no claim. They are wild and thrilling… and very lonely. Every day he slays bigger and stronger Youkai that want him dead. His Otou-san's sword gives him strength, but there are times that he comes close to death. Every night he finds the tallest tree and sleeps high above the ground so that no Youkai can reach him. The stars are so close that he can almost reach them. He spends years out there getting stronger and stronger, but he's forgotten what he's fighting for. He believes that the girl he loves is dead. The world seems an empty and meaningless place without her in it, but he continues to fight. What a dumbass, right?"
Inuyasha's voice had never sounded so mature and somber to Kagome before. As she quietly listened to his heartbreaking tale, watching the emotions play across his face despite his best attempts to hide them, Kagome imagined how terrible the past years must have been for her friend. Her heart physically ached for Inuyasha and she wanted to take away his pain and replace it with something good. Tears stung Kagome's eyes before she felt a hot trail slide down her cheek.
"No… Inuyasha." She whispered sadly, before finding a stronger voice. "He's brave, and kind, and very strong." Inuyasha picked his head up to look down at her, his face expressing an unrecognized emotion. Kagome brought her hand forward to rest it on the swell of his pectoral and she gave him a desperate, pleading look. "He's incredible and finally found the girl." Her words had a strange effect on Inuyasha. Though he couldn't form a verbal reply, he needed to respond to Kagome in some way. In one fluid motion, Inuyasha was sitting up with Kagome supported in a powerful embrace. One arm snaked around her slim waist to hold their bodies together, while the other hand gently cradled the back of Kagome's head. Dull Ningen fingers laced through the soft fibers of her hair, relishing in how silken they felt against his calloused palm. The kiss happened swiftly and naturally, like they had rehearsed it a thousand times before. As Kagome tilted her head into Inuyasha's hand, her eyes drifted shut and mouth became plaint against his lips. Though one arm was trapped between their bodies, the other automatically locked around his neck, pulling Inuyasha closer into the shared embrace.
"Kagome, I…" Inuyasha whispered huskily into the small space between them once the kiss ended. Each was breathing harder than usual and he could see a hunger in her eyes that only fueled his own. But, was this right? Even if they were of marriageable ages, was it right to take this further and create something that would be rejected by everyone? What if she became pregnant with his child? How could he provide for them in an increasingly hostile world? It felt crueler to risk that possibility for a single night of passion. Kagome saw the conflict play across Inuyasha's face and knew what was plaguing his mind.
"Inuyasha," Pressing her forehead against his, Kagome shut her eyes and allowed her hand to find his cheek. He opened his mouth to say something. "Ssh… don't speak." She whispered quietly, running the pad of her thumb across his bottom lip. Despite all the reasons screaming at her that this was a bad idea, Kagome willfully chose to ignore them. She had so few opportunities for happiness that this moment was worth every risk in the world to her. Inuyasha followed Kagome's example and shut his eyes, relishing in her gentle touch and the feel of her body against his. "Don't think of tomorrow… only tonight."
OoOoOoO~~~OoOoOoO
LEMON BEGINS HERE
OoOoOoO~~~OoOoOoO
With permission granted for the both of them to act recklessly, Inuyasha and Kagome continued with what felt good and right in the moment. In the dull lantern's glow, two childhood friends consummated a love that they didn't fully understand. It wasn't a platonic kind of love, but it wasn't romantic either. It was something in between. Kagome's hands bravely reached down to untie the knot holding her robe shut, all while engaging in a much more desperate kiss with Inuyasha. They were reluctant to part, even as they rose to their knees to peel the clothes away from their bodies. The room was wonderfully warm already, making it a comfortable transition for their naked bodies.
Facing each other on their knees, their robes forgotten by the wayside, Kagome and Inuyasha took the opportunity to admire their lover's form. Though the lantern was behind him, creating a silhouette, and Kagome could vaguely see the healed injuries that Inuyasha had incurred throughout his years of solitude. He was an impressive man, built to perfection for fighting, and yet all she saw were the times that he had come close to death. A pained expression crossed Kagome's face as she reached out to touch a particularly gnarly scar on his sternum. A larger hand came to rest atop hers, pressing Kagome's entire palm against the raised scar that held her attention. And the other gently lifted her chin so that they could meet each other's eyes again.
"It's alright. I'm still here." Inuyasha spoke with a reassuring voice, and Kagome allowed herself to smile in acceptance. It was then that she noticed his eyes roving across her body, and modesty quickly set in. It was an automatic reaction, pulling her arms in to cover her intimate areas, but Inuyasha would not let her complete the motion. "Please, let me see…" He urged gently and leaned in to give Kagome's flushed cheek a tender kiss. It seemed to calm her down, and reluctantly Kagome allowed Inuyasha to pull her hands away.
She was entirely woman and unequivocally designed to excite every dormant desire inside Inuyasha. Her breasts, while still humble and developing, were enticingly pert and begging to be fondled. Inuyasha's eyes followed down the lithe expansion of Kagome's waist, which dipped and curved in all the right places, until he found the dark nest of hair at the apex of her toned thighs. Even without his Hanyou sense of smell, Inuyasha could detect a sweet tang in the air that drove him wild with need. Since the two of them were utterly inexperienced in the ways of love making, it was a very awkward moment when they were at a loss for what came next. Did she get on top? Was he supposed to take her from behind? Kagome had once heard the guards make mention about the utility of a woman's mouth. Though Kagome had felt sexual urges before, she had never explored them on her own. Biting her lip nervously, she glanced down at Inuyasha's engorged member between them. It twitched slightly, and she saw a clear bead of liquid forming at its tip.
"What… what do I do?" She asked in a timid voice, hoping Inuyasha would lead the way. With his manhood at stake, Inuyasha decided to do just that.
"Lay on your back." He instructed and grinned playfully as Kagome did as she was told. Her dark hair fanned out beneath her and she wasn't quite sure what to do with her hands. It was obvious that Kagome was still nervous. "You're beautiful, Kagome." Inuyasha realized that he never made mention of it and felt his heart race at the look of unbridled happiness on her sweet face. They spent some time lying beside each other, exploring each other's body and perfecting their kiss. When Kagome's hand 'accidentally' brushed against Inuyasha's hardened length, his body gave an involuntary shudder and a hot groan stirred a deep desire within her. Likewise, the moment Inuyasha discovered that his fingers could illicit tantalizing mewls and moans from Kagome, he refused to stop.
Higher and higher her voice climbed as his thumb rolled over her sensitive bud, sending licks of fire and electricity through her entire body. Inuyasha watched with manly pride as Kagome writhed and whimpered beside him, grasping the sheets and making exquisite expressions. There was a slick substance building between her folds that coated Inuyasha's fingers, making it easy for him to thrust a digit into her virginal passage and sending her over the edge in a glorious display when he curled it against a certain bundle of nerves inside.
"Oh! Inuyasha! Ngh-Aah!" There was a burst of liquids that spilled out as Kagome reeled from her first orgasm, gasping and twitching as Inuyasha slowly extracted his hand. Her heart was racing, there was a thin sheen of sweat on her nubile body, and a euphoric expression on her face. "Amazing! I never knew…" Unable to finish the statement, Kagome just smiled and opened her lapis eyes to meet Inuyasha's gaze. He had a cocky grin on his face, and already Kagome knew that he'd be incorrigible going forward.
"Liked that, did ya?" He asked playfully and chuckled at her sheepish reaction. Inuyasha laid down next to her again and explored her neck with his mouth as she continued to recover from the orgasm. His slick fingers trailed up the gentle plains of Kagome's body, tracing the underside of each small breast and swirling around both pert nipples. The involuntary gasp and jump of her chest told him that Kagome was enjoying the teasing attention, so he took it further. Inuyasha placed chaste kisses down Kagome's neck, across her collar bone, then between her breasts before he took one of the pink buds between his lips. Creating a firm vacuum with his mouth, he sucked and rolled Kagome's nipple below his tongue in the only way that felt natural to him. Her soft and pliant skin felt like silk against his own, and the way she lifted her back from the bedding encouraged Inuyasha to keep going.
Kagome never expected that such pleasure could be derived from her nipples alone. All her inhibitions quickly fell away as she fisted her hand in his dark locks and spread her legs in a wordless plea for more treatment down there. Her mouth remained open as lilting cries for more escaped her, and it was music to Inuyasha's ears. He made sure to give her other nipple the same treatment and after five minutes of wonderful torture, both were ready to move onto the next part. Something in their biology as sexually reproductive beings told them what to do.
"Are you ready?" He had to be certain that she wanted this. That there would be no regrets of this night spent together. Kagome simply nodded, her expression was more mature than Inuyasha had ever seen on her, and she lifted her knees apart as an indication for him to continue. Needing no further signals, the enthusiastic teen moved to kneel between her spread thighs and took a few seconds to admire the erotic sight laid out before him. Kagome's face was flushed, her chest heaved with heavy breaths, and there was a delectable scent permeating the air around her. It was heady, but indescribably tantalizing even to his dull human sense of smell. His erection was becoming painful now and Inuyasha could not hold himself back any longer. Neither knew what to expect nor how they would react.
With a gentle hold on her waist, Inuyasha tugged Kagome's body close to his so that her hips were practically resting atop his thighs. She complied with his direction and stared between their bodies as he began guiding his length into her weeping slit. As the rounded tip found its home, Kagome felt an unfamiliar pressure beginning to build. With a nervous furrow of her brow, she held back a hiss of pain when a sharp heat spread throughout her insides. As Inuyasha slowly pushed into her, there was resistance, and for a moment Kagome worried that he wouldn't properly fit inside her.
Upon looking up at her lover's face, Kagome realized how wonderful of an experience this was for Inuyasha. His eyes were shut and there was a determined expression on his handsome face that was mixed with elation. He had satisfied himself many times in the past years, but none of those could compare to the feeling of being inside Kagome. Inuyasha felt her barrier resist him and waited only a few moments before thrusting past it until he was embedded all the way to the hilt. The cry that Kagome let out was not like before, and Inuyasha finally looked down to see extreme discomfort written across her face.
"Kagome? What's wrong?" He asked worriedly and leaned down to hover over her, causing a shift between them and another whimper to arise.
"Don't move!" She begged helplessly, eyes shut tightly, and teeth gritted. She had never been educated on what to expect during her first sexual encounter, but Kagome wished someone had at least mentioned how painful it would be. Guilt and shame flooded Inuyasha as he realized that he was causing her such agony.
"Kagome, I'm so sorry… I-I don't know what to do." He stuttered nervously, cupping her face in a tender expression of remorse. Kagome opened her eyes to look up at him and saw the honest guilt he was feeling. This would just be something they'd have to power through. With a stiff shake of her head Kagome took a shallow breath and blinked away her tears.
"Go slowly… very slowly." She pleaded softly, hoping Inuyasha had enough restraint in him to do so. With a slow pull of his hips, Kagome felt Inuyasha's length rubbing against her, aggravating the area where her barrier had been. Neither of them detected the presence of blood, but with each gentle thrust the pain began to lessen more and more. Kagome's whimpers of pain became tentative moans of pleasure, and it soothed whatever fears Inuyasha had about causing irreparable harm to her. "Faster… Inuyasha." She beckoned breathlessly as her muscles relaxed and desire returned. Kagome began to enjoy the rock of their bodies, the flutter of excitement and pleasure each time he brushed certain parts inside of her and was soon crying out in ecstasy.
Once given the go-ahead to proceed at will, Inuyasha's body followed what felt natural. His strong arms were positioned on either side of Kagome's shoulders and as her legs came to wrap around his sculpted waist, it allowed greater ease of access to her sweet center. Groans and growls coming from him fanned Kagome's excitement, and she was soon addicted to those erotic sounds Inuyasha could make.
"Ugh… Mmmmm-fuck! Kagome, I'm gonna…" Inuyasha felt his orgasm coming at him like an unstoppable force. Watching the writhing vixen beneath him take his entire manhood nearly pushed him over the edge. Kagome's small hands grasped Inuyasha's powerful forearms as hot moans were forced out of her each time their bodies crashed into each other. The sound of their skin slapping and juices mixing was strangely exciting, and soon Inuyasha was howling his release as he gave one final thrust into Kagome's core.
"Yes! AH-haah!" Inuyasha shuddered as waves of ecstasy bombarded him relentlessly, and all Kagome could do was gasp for air as her own body recovered from the primal experience. As the adrenaline in their systems began to drift away, both Kagome and Inuyasha realized how exhausted they were. They remained joined like that, panting and gasping for air, until the last wave of his orgasm passed. After carefully pulling out of her, Inuyasha sat back on his heels and watched as his white essence seeped out of her swollen entrance, finding that it was mixed with a hint of blood. "You bled… is that normal?" He asked between breaths, pushing back the dark hair that clung to his sweaty face and neck.
"I hope so..." Kagome didn't sound all that concerned as she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. There was a weary smile curling on her full lips. "Liked that, did ya?" She said playfully and earned a teasing smack on the side of her thigh.
OoOoOoO~~~OoOoOoO
LEMON ENDS HERE
OoOoOoO~~~OoOoOoO
In the dead of night, after all the Inn had gone to sleep, one soul remained awake. Kagome lay naked beneath layers of fine silk, but all she felt was the warmth of Inuyasha's body beside her. He had fallen asleep some time ago, resting on his back with one knee bent; it must be his favored position. His arm was stretched out under her shoulder, and she found a comfortable position with her cheek resting against his chest. The one lantern was still lit, but it wasn't so bright to keep Inuyasha from succumbing to his exhaustion. Kagome however couldn't bring herself to fall asleep just yet. She had too much on her mind, and she wanted the chance to memorize his handsome face before morning came and ruined everything.
"Shine bright morning light, now in the air the spring is coming… Sweet blowing wind singing down the hills and valleys… Keep your eyes on me, now we're on the edge of Hell… Dear my love, sweet morning light… Wait for me you've gone much farther… too far…"
It'd been some time since Kagome had last thought up a song of her own, mostly due to a lack of inspiration to fuel such fanciful things. But as she watched Inuyasha's sleeping face, listened to his even breathes, and took in his manly scent, Kagome couldn't stop the words from coming out. Kagome never thought her soft singing would rouse Inuyasha from his slumber. Inuyasha cracked open his bleary eyes and licked his dry lips, then looked over at Kagome with a sleepy expression.
"Did you say something?" His voice was raspy, and Kagome discovered another thing that further endeared her to him. Smiling sweetly, she shook her head and leaned in to give his lips a chaste kiss. This seemed to wake Inuyasha up even more than her gentling singing, and he smiled while stretching his arms and legs. "Have you slept at all?"
"No, but it's alright. I was busy doing other things." She giggled at his confused expression. Now that he was awake, Inuyasha was glad to hold his lover close, to feel her skin against his. He craned his neck to give her pale shoulder a kiss, then trailed more kisses along her neck. Kagome's stomach fluttered at the sensation.
"Come with me." He whispered softly. "We can leave this town together. I'll keep you safe and we'll start a life all our own in the Neutral Lands." It was a beautiful idea, and one that Kagome wished could be a reality. Inuyasha pulled back when Kagome didn't give him a reply and looked at her with pleading eyes. "I can't go back out there knowing that you're alive and stuck serving that woman who beats you. I know that there's still a war going on, but we can run away from it. I'll protect you. I promise." The words were like music to Kagome's ears, and for a moment she allowed herself to entertain the romantic ideas he described. Sadly, Kagome knew she couldn't go with him.
"I want nothing more than to run away with you, Inuyasha." She softly whispered back, her eyes still closed as she basked in the romance of his offer. When Kagome opened her eyes, she gazed directly into Inuyasha's. "But I belong at the Kanpeki Temple. I could never leave Shiori alone in that terrible place. She's not strong like you are, Inuyasha." Kagome saw the onset of disappointment and anger filtering into Inuyasha's expression, and to sooth it she pulled him in for another kiss. Though he was reluctant, Inuyasha couldn't resist Kagome longer than a few seconds before he submitted to her.
"When will we be together again? I never know which exact night the new moon with occur and you never know when you'll be sent out." The frustration in Inuyasha's voice was evident, and it weakened Kagome's resolve to keep denying him what they both wanted. It was enough to bring tears back to her eyes, but the smile that Kagome gave to Inuyasha was what pushed them from their ducts. The sight of Kagome's tears almost inspired a few of his own. With a gentility he never possessed before, Inuyasha kissed Kagome's tears from her dimpled cheeks. How he would miss her smile.
"How about I make you a promise this time, hm?" Her voice wavered, catching Inuyasha's attention and causing his heart to break. "When this war is over, I will come find you. We will find a perfect home for us. I promise that this won't be our last time together. Do we have a deal?" Kagome waited for Inuyasha to respond, but he did so in a way she wasn't expecting.
"You said something like that to Sesshoumaru before you left… even gave him that ragged old doll to hold onto. How can you make the same promise to me?" Though Inuyasha was only half-teasing, as he wasn't foolish enough to hold her to the promise of a twelve-year-old girl, but Kagome still detected a sense of sadness in his voice. Deciding to play along, she grinned and sat up on her elbows with one of the silk blankets protecting her modesty.
"Feeling left out, Inuyasha?" His unamused expression made Kagome let out a genuine laugh. "Fine. Stay right there." Underestimating how sore her body would be after losing her virginity, Kagome instantly regretted rising to her feet in such a sudden motion. Her naked body was chilled by the winter night and the young woman quickly padded over to the basket in the corner of the room. Watching her walk away was quite the sight for Inuyasha, who greatly enjoyed the view of her supple rear bouncing with each step. Kagome rushed back to the futon clutching something in her hand and Inuyasha welcomed her with open arms to shroud her in warm blankets.
"What's that?" he asked curiously as Kagome burrowed against him. When her icy toes caressed his foot, Inuyasha hissed and made a greater attempt at warming her smaller body. "Are you made of ice?" He muttered, which Kagome chose to ignore.
"This ring belonged to my Oka-san." Kagome held up the string that looped through the band, allowing Inuyasha to observe it in the lantern's glow. He reached out to hold the ring in his palm, noticing its delicate craftsmanship. "Otou-san gave it to her when they were wed… so it is very special to me." Kagome looked back over her shoulder at Inuyasha, who nodded in humble understanding. Then, a smile pulled at the edge of her mouth. "It's means much more to me than some doll. You have to take very good care of it because I WILL come back to retrieve it once the war is over."
Inuyasha knew the deeper meaning behind Kagome's words and understood the gravity of trust and love that she was placing in his hands. Kagome watched him slip the thin string around his neck, then admired the way her mother's ring looked while resting against his chest. The two leaned in for another kiss, desperate to collect as many of them as possible before the sun rose over the horizon.
Updated 4.8.19