AU: Nothing to say today.
Disclaimer: Takahashi Rumiko is the proud genius.
Chapter fourteen
The ride home was pleasant.
Kagome felt embarrassed for the most part for breaking down in front of him the way she did. There was no helping it. The topic of her late father always managed to tug at her tear ducts. Despite it being an unusual question to ask on a second date, Kagome was grateful to him. She felt lighter—less burdened. On the drive back home, InuYasha quietly held the girls hand, his thumb idly drawing small circles on the back of her hand. After her breakdown and uncontrollable laughter, InuYasha had managed to calm her down with his snide remarks and small distractions. He amber eyes reflected such worry that she felt guilty for everything. To think at one point in their encounters, she hated his entire existence—it made her laugh again.
"To think I once hated your guts, you made me think you were such an asshole," Kagome grinned, glancing up at the silver haired male who kept his piercing eyes on the road. InuYasha scoffed and brought her hand to his lips, playfully nipping at the soft flesh before replying.
"I'm still an asshole—just nicer to you, I fixed up your junk of a car, didn't I?"
"That you did, thank you again. She runs so smoothly now," pausing for a minute, something occurred to her," Hey—You have one more question left. I'll answer but be warned, anything about family at this point will just be sobbing again."
"Heh, you are an ugly crier— "He teased, pulling into the Aigyou driveway. Kagome glared as she smacked his shoulder, retrieving a chuckle and low growl," Hey! Hey. I'm only half joking. I'll just save that question for next time."
Releasing her hand, InuYasha reached over into the glove compartment to pull out another vile of the purple substance he kept hidden for emergencies. Sitting back, his ears twitched at the sound of his companions skipped heartbeat, a brow arching as he glanced over. Without a second to react, Kagome had reached over and snatched it from his hand, holding it away from his reach with a serious expression lingering on her features. Her eyes glossing over as she soon averted her gaze over to the vile that glowed.
This is what Naraku is after…?
A purple substance that has the capability to change someone's appearance in a blink of an eye. Of course, that's what she came to conclude with simply seeing InuYasha's transformation. To think he hid his lineage so well—all because of hate. Gripping the vile, she had half a mind to toss it out the window and was about to before InuYasha cleared his throat and narrowed his gaze while leaning against his seat. Kagome blinked and smiled innocently, placing the vile down from sight.
"What do you think you're doing? I can't go in there looking like this. Your family would probably attack me again."
"But… You're… I don't understand why you can't just stay like this. Your natural state, there's nothing wrong with it. Half-demon or human, you're fine just the way you are. You're far from disgus— "
"Don't say it."
Kagome hesitated speaking another word as she caught a glimpse of the desperation and hatred flaring behind those golden glowing hues. This wasn't a battle she was going to win anytime soon, but she would be more than happy to attempt a win at the war. With a sigh, the female nodded and placed the vile back into his hand. Pausing a brief second, she glanced up at the twitching dog ears on top his head, a soft blush faint on her cheeks. InuYasha unscrewed the cap off and was about to chug the disgusting crap until Kagome leaned forward close to him, her chest meeting his gaze. He stiffened and dropped his hand to his lap with vile still clasped. Eyes widened and soon a shiver spiraled down his spine, causing his shoulders to roll delightedly, a soft grunt leaving his lips.
Thin pinna rolling between thumb and index, gently tugging and caressing the adorable appendages that twitched in her hands and made her squeak happily, "they're so cute… let me get this out of my system and then you can change back!"
InuYasha shivered and placed the vile in one of the cup holders, hands coming up to grip at her waist while his face nuzzled into her chest and inhaled her addictive scent. A low growl erupted from his throat, claws piercing fabric to gently graze against her smooth flesh. The incoherent voice within him growling out and crying something he couldn't understand. It barked at him, making him want to commit sins that he was sure Kagome wouldn't approve of… at least not now. Calmly breathing her scent, he tried his best to control the urge to taste every inch of her flesh until it began to be unbearable. With a slight push, InuYasha pulled away, his eyes narrowing with embarrassed discomfort. His date sat back with large eyes, batting her long lashes at him in some confusion while her head tilted. He glanced away and scoffed irritated.
"Get off me...! Look, don't touch unless you ask! Jesus woman, I ain't a fucking toy," He snapped.
"I couldn't help it! They're cute!"
"I—cute!? Goddammit!"
Flustered, the male rolled his eyes and glanced at the purple substance before moving his eyes towards her. She really didn't mind his appearance, did she? It was hard for him to comprehend why anyone like her would be so interested in his tainted existence but nonetheless he couldn't drink it now that he thought about it. The last time he took a shot of purple substance, Miroku asked if he realized he was screaming. He couldn't let Kagome see that. Defeat clearly on his frown, InuYasha ruffled his bangs and simply rolled his eyes as she sat still. Checking his watch, he spoke up.
"Listen Higurashi, get your ass inside the house and I'll call you tomorrow. I promised to have you home before midnight and it's five minutes till."
A soft smile spread along her lips at the sentiment and responsibility. Nodding a bit, she did as she was told, closing the passenger door behind her and making her way to the front door. Waving goodbye, Kagome closed the door behind her and leaned against it with a goofy grin.
"Man… that kid is good," Haku muttered from the couch with a sleeping Rin against his shoulder. Looking over at the clock on the wall, he seemed rather pleased. Punctuality won bonus points with him.
"kagome."
Straightening her posture, the girl cleared her throat and narrowed her gaze towards the fine cloth that draped over the table and their lap. She focused on his hands; slender and long, constantly drumming against the table with irritated intentions. The night after their date, Kagome had received a phone call from her step-father who insisted on meeting up the next day. Turns out her mother had spilled the beans about her recent date with InuYasha… of course she didn't hold it against her, her mother had always been a cute gossip when she was excited about something. She was grateful he sent a car to pick her up. Honestly, she couldn't imagine handling another car ride with him. Sitting across from her with practiced etiquette, eyes scanning over menu items. He was waiting for any specific information regarding the purple substance—he was going to be pissed either way that she didn't know much about it. Combing back her bangs, she rose her gaze up to his piercing maroon and stared for a brief second before smiling sweetly.
"Yes, Naraku?"
"Don't play cute with me, child. Do you have any information for me?" his eyes teared away from the menu long enough to watch any change in her demeanor or expression. To his discontent, she stayed neutral with a smile that he hated. Eyes narrowed once more as Kagome continued to seem unafraid of their meeting. This would not do. Turning the menu over, Kagome glanced over the items and looked up once the waiter came by, with a smile she asked for water, only to have Naraku dismiss the service for a while longer.
"I asked you a question, girl. Now I expect an answer,"
"I couldn't figure out more than what he knew or was willing to share," she responded, eyes darkening with noticeable hate flickering behind russet irises," A purple liquid that—I'm honestly not sure what it does and I don't know why a human would even want with it to begin with."
She lied.
With a chuckle, he placed down the menu and leaned forward slightly," You don't expect me to believe that you're not curious as to why a human is related to a demon. I know you're not an idiot, I raised you not to be."
"Excuse my harshness, but my late father and mother raised me, you came in when it was convenient."
"Excuse you."
Kagome tensed and gripped at her knee, what did she just say? It spilled out like word vomit, her anger and hatred had been festering far too long in the pit of her soul that suppose it was bubbling out of her. Fear began mixing in with the concoction inside her and Naraku took notice of the mistake that swirled in her mind. Yet she still held a soft smile on her lips despite the split seconds that she exposed her thoughts with slight noticeable fear. His fingers entangled with each other, resting his chin against them as he watched her with some content and amusement.
"I see that bite is beginning to come out again. Here I thought that I had subdued that horrid beast when you were fifteen. I suppose it's time I reacquainted myself with this rebellious personality of yours—don't you agree, love?"
His voice was teasing, almost taunting as he gave a toothy grin which caused a disgusted shiver to strike down and make her nauseous from the flooding memories of her fifteenth year. It was the beginning of beatings and conditioning…
"I will make an attempt to teach you manners once more, but my priority is the purple substance. If this is what you call information, it's a poor retrieval of it. You will see the younger Takahashi and grab me a sample. May whatever God you believe in help you if you don't."
She felt the taunting of tears itch at the corner of her eyes. Refusing to show anymore weakness, she held herself high and stared him directly on. Something inside her ignited with the determination of rising against her oppressor. She was tired of being beaten and abused, unable to make decisions and control her life the way she wanted. Even if that meant her death… she'd die trying and made sure her family would be safe from his evil.
Exhaustion was her motivator. As selfish as that seemed.
"Now, how 'bout let's skip brunch. Go get in the car, I'm tired of waiting."
A penny for your thoughts.