CHAPTER 13. TOUCHED
Heizel eyes start opening with a slow movement. Their vision is a little bit blurry but the images begin to make sense and the shape of objects and a person sitting on a chair are more clear. However the images of this place do not belong to the last moment fixed on Inuyasha's mind. It is like he is still dreaming and this is not really happening, because what he saw for the last time was Kikyo's running towards him, screaming out his name. He does not remember being in this place, or in this bed, what is he doing in here? He tries to get up, but the pain of his wound brings him back to reality.
Damn it! It hurts.
Of course it does. Do you think being hit by Bankotsu'sword was going to leave you unharmed?
Miroku! I'm glad to see you are all right man. Where the hell are we?
I actually thought I was not going to make it if you hadn't come back for me Inuyasha.
Miroku gets up from the chair and opens a wooden window, the sun light is strong and enters the room striking Inuyasha's face. Miroku is looking outside admiring the beautiful view of the green pasture and the peace that brings him.
We are in the countryside. We traveled for some hours and we finally made it outside the city. I thought it would be better for us to be far from Naraku's surroundings for now. At least it would be more difficult for them to find us here.
Was I sleeping this whole time?
Well, do you mean did you pass out after Bankotsu's attack and never came back? Sure. We thought you were gonna die. Kikyo was so worried about you. She kept blaming herself. I told her it wasn't her fault that you were so stupid and got hit by him. I convinced her it would be better if we hide in the country, I told her I knew someone who could save you. When we came here, we took you to my grandfather and as I promised her, he did save you. You had a fever and that made you talk a lot in your sleep. She was by your side most of the time. I had to drag her out this room and convinced her you were getting better. I think she likes you. Miroku smiled after saying this.
Inuyasha couldn't stop thinking about Kikyo being by his side taking care of him. He felt guilty she had actually blamed herself for what happened to him and he was also upset that he had been almost in a coma that he had not been there to see and feel all her attentions.
Where is she now?
The day is bright, so full of life, the breeze of spring brings different smells of flowers and laughter is heard among the sound of a waterfall. Kikyo, Kaede and Sango are playing and swimming in a waterfall they had found while looking for Kaede's new pet. Since they came to Miroku's grandfather cabin Kaede had fell in love with a raccoon that had lost his mother. She committed herself to take care of him, but the little creature always found his way to get lost.
Oh this is great! I haven't felt this relaxed in a while! Sango said while swimming backwards.
I know. Coming here was a really good idea. Don't you think Kaede? Asked Kikyo.
What's wrong Kaede? Why do you look sad?
I hope we can find Suki. What if he got lost and I'll never see him again?
Don't worry Kaede. We'll find him. I'm sure he'll find his way back, he's very smart and he loves you. Kikyo said with tenderness on her voice.
Hey girls!
Miroku? Sango asked with embarrassment on her face.
What the hell! Can't you see we are not wearing anything! Get the hell out of here!
Sango yelled at him.
Is that Inuyasha? Kikyo asked with a happy look on her face as she came out from hiding under the water exposing her nude figure that was only covered by her wet hair.
Inuyasha felt his face totally red when he saw her coming out of the water like that, but he couldn't stop looking at her either.
Inuyasha suddenly realized that Miroku was also looking at her, looking at Sango and Kikyo. He couldn't allow him to look at Kikyo, he thought. He turned around and grabbed Miroku by the arm.
Come on, let's go. We'll wait for them at the cabin.
But we can join them! Inuyasha! Miroku said while being dragged by Inuyasha. How can you be so strong after being almost dead?
I can't believe they came here! This must have been Miroku's idea. Sango said looking very upset. Kikyo?
Uh? Yeah, you are right, we should go back.
Sango looked at Kikyo with a confused look on her face. But I didn't say that.
Come on Kaede, let's get our clothes back. I'm sure we'll find Suki in our way back to the cabin.
Miroku and Inuyasha got first to the cabin and were welcomed by Miroku's grandfather who was waiting for them with some food he had brought from a near village with Kohaku's help. Him and a lady friend of his put together a table to eat dinner under the stars and listen to nature. They used to this every now and then when they were alone, now they would be able to share it with a bunch of kids.
Kikyo, Sango and Kaede came an hour later after finally finding Suki. Kaede was really happy, she was showing and telling Kohaku what they had done during the day.
Well, well girls, did you enjoy your little trip this afternoon? Miroku asked with a grin on his face.
We were enjoying it until you came to sneak on us. Sango said while stepping on Miroku's foot.
Inuyasha was looking at Kikyo while she was smiling at Sango and Miroku's encounter. She felt someone was looking at her and she realized it was Inuyasha. He was wearing a sling and he looked much better. She felt so happy she could see him standing there like nothing had happened, just looking at her. He was actually staring at her. She felt a little embarrassed and wanted to say something to him. They were so many things she wanted to tell him. When he was injured she talked to him, she knew he wasn't listening, she knew those words were only to herself but she needed to tell him that since she met him she had felt different, she never needed anybody before, she never the need to see anybody the way she wanted to see him, to touch him, to feel his touch. All these thoughts were making feel so vulnerable and she wasn't supposed to be vulnerable.
Hey
Inuyasha said to her.
Hey, you are ok. You got up. I should've imagined you would wake up today, your fever was gone this morning and you seemed so calm in your sleep.
Inuyasha got closer to her since he saw she had chosen to stand at a distance from him. He didn't want to be away from her though. He wanted to hold her and thank her for everything she had done for him.
Yeah, I heard you didn't get much sleep because you were taking care of me.
Um, it was actually Miroku's grandfather that took great care of you. He saved your life. She got closer to him and couldn't help to touch the sling he had on his arm. How are you feeling?
She was so close to him that he could smell her hair.
Better. My side is killing me but I'll survive, my shoulder is pretty messed up too but I think it will get better if I don't overdo it.
I'm sorry. You said I needed to leave and I didn't listen to you.
Inuyasha saw the guilt and couldn't stand that she would blame herself for what happened. He put his hand on her cheek.
This is not your fault. I was actually glad to see that you had made it out of the house. I wanted to defeat Bankotsu so bad because I wanted to go and help you and then I saw you and I got distracted. I caused this to myself.
Kikyo was touched that Inuyasha did not want her to feel guilty.
Kikyo, come to the table sister.
Kikyo glanced at Kaede and then moved to the table. Inuyasha followed her and all of them sat around the table enjoying the food Miroku's grandfather had brought for them. After finishing dinner everybody went to their room.
It was actually two cabins. Miroku's grandfather had a big cabin since he lived there, later he had built a smaller one through the years, he thought his daughter could come with their children and stayed there, but Miroku's mother died at a very young age and Miroku was her only child. That is why he was so happy to see Miroku after being away for a long time since he moved to the city. Miroku and Inuyasha were sleeping in the small cabin. Kikyo, Kaede and Sango stayed in the big cabin with Miroku's grandfather. Kikyo was sitting on her bed brushing her hair, Kaede was already sleeping and Sango was reading a magazine.
This seems so normal. Kikyo said.
What? Sango asked her.
Us being here. This place seems untouched by all the madness that surrounds the city. I feel like it was such a long time ago when I fought Naraku's men. But that is not the reality. Naraku is still out there, killing, controlling and spreading his wickedness.
I know Kikyo, but we really need the time to plan what will do next. We almost died back there. Defeating Naraku is almost impossible. At least try for tonight not to worry about the future. This place is so beautiful it would be a crime not to enjoy it. Anyways, I'm pretty tired, I need my beauty sleep. Sango said while putting away her magazine and turning off the lamp that was near her bed.
I'll try. Kikyo said. Good night Sango.
Kikyo was almost falling asleep when suddenly she had this weird feeling. She looked at the window and saw the trees moving. She felt the urged to get up from her bed and look outside. When she was standing by the window she saw Inuyasha outside, he was sitting on the table they had eaten before just looking at the sky.
Inuyasha couldn't sleep that night, he did not know if it was because he was still feeling pain or because he had been sleeping so much that he just wanted to be awake. Even though he was not sleepy he couldn't stand Miroku's snorring and he decided to go outside. The sky was filled with stars and the wind brought a sense of peace to him. that he had not felt in a long time.
It's such a beautiful night, right?
Inuyasha turned back and saw Kikyo standing behind the table. She was wearing a short gown, but was covering herself with a pink robe.
It is, he said. You can't sleep either?
She walked around the table and sat next to him. I guess not. She looked up and closed her eyes for a moment. You can't see the stars like this in the city. They seem so small, but here it's like you can almost touch them.
Inuyasha stood up and offered his hand to Kikyo.
Want to see something even more beautiful?
Now? Kikyo asked with hesitation about what Inuyasha just asked her.
Yeah, now. Don't you trust me? He said with a smile on his face.
She took his hand and got up. I do trust you Inuyasha.
Then let's go.
They walked for a while and got a little deep into the forest. Inuyasha was still holding Kikyo's hand and she felt safe with him. Even though she didn't understand where they were going. She was thinking she should have changed her slippers because her feet were killing her.
How high are we? She asked him.
High enough. He said. We can see the sunrise from this spot, we'll just have to wait a few hours.
She looked at him with a disapproving look on her face. A few hours?
You said you trust me. I just wanted to show you something amazing, and to see the sunrise from here will take your breath away. He said as he sat on a rock.
Mmm…I do trust you. It's just that I didn't expect you to be so….she wanted to say romantic, at least she thought his gesture seemed romantic because he didn't seem to be the type to contemplate sunrise and starry nights, but she couldn't say that to his face.
So what?
Nature lover? She smiled while saying this, she couldn't believe she had just said that.
Inuyasha also smiled at her comment. She thought he looked so sexy when he smiled.
I actually grew up in the country. My mother loved it and so do I. Inuyasha said.
I haven't been in the country in a long time. She said as she leaned against a tree. My father used to take us on vacation to the countryside. Sometimes he would choose places where he could fish, he loved to fish. Me, on the other side, I loved to go to places where they had horses. I learned to ride horses since I was little, so I really have a passion for them, they're so free and strong.
Inuyasha was listening to every word Kikyo was saying and saw her body was shivering, she was trying to hide it but the robe that she was wearing was not helping the cold that was much stronger at this altitude. Inuyasha stood up and got closer to her.
You are cold. He said as he starting rubbing her arms so she could feel warmth.
She didn't say anything and just stood there looking into his eyes and letting him trying to make her warmer. He kept rubbing her arms but his movements got slower and he just held her in his arms. He touched her face with his hand and got closer to her face, they were so close, just an inch away from each other, she wasn't cold anymore and she could feel the heat coming from Inuyasha's body. He lowered his face and their foreheads were touching, Kikyo felt her heart was beating so fast, she thought Inuyasha might hear it because she felt it would come out from her body. She felt Inuyasha's hands on her face and how he was looking at her. He closed his eyes and his lips started touching Kikyo's. His touch was very delicate as if he was asking her for permission, he felt how she was also kissing him back softly and then his kiss became more aggressive, their breathing became faster, his hands went from her face to her waist, he pulled her closer to him and their kiss became more passionate, she was also holding him tight that she didn't realize when she unconsciously touched his wound making him break the kiss for a second, I'm sorry , she said with concern for him, her hands were on Inuyasha's chest and she could also feel his heart beating so fast, she was going to say something, but he did not give her a chance as he started kissing her again. She welcomed the kiss and could taste his tongue in her mouth; he pressed his body against her and the tree that was behind her was the only thing that would impede her from falling as she felt her legs weakened. Inuyasha started kissing her neck, and she couldn't control how good it felt that she moaned when he did it, he untied her robe, threw it down and caressed her figure. He wanted to do more to her and he felt she would let him do anything to her at that moment. For that reason he just stopped.
He could also hardly breathe and with great difficulty he stepped away from her and said
I don't want to take advantage of you.
You are not. Kikyo said with a confused and sad look on her face.
He picked up the robe and put it around her.
Kikyo, what I feel for you, he thought his next words very carefully, I had never felt like this for anybody before. For that reason I don't want to us to rush into anything.
Kikyo felt her heartbeat was getting faster again when she heard those words. She didn't know what to say. What was he saying? Was he falling for her as she had for him? Because she knew at that moment she was in love with him, but was afraid to say it out loud. She got closer to him and said
I have never felt like this before Inuyasha, she smiled a little bit, I think it's nice of you to think like that about us too.
She couldn't help herself, got closer to him and hugged him. He hugged her back, never releasing her from his embrace and they stayed like that for quite a while.