Can you guys actually believe you're finally seeing chapter 20? Well, you are! I haven't had my computer because it broke down during the summer and this chapter was deleted. Since then I've been trying to get it back the way it was. Plus I have a job that takes up a lot of my time...and maybe a potential first boyfriend. So, yeah, you can see why I've been so crazy. But anyways, I'm so sorry about the wait. I know the last chapter was left on a pretty suspenseful note, so I expect some hostility. Once again, I apologise for taking so long.
Thank you animedorkette for being the first reviewer for this chapter, and InuyashaLover12, you were my 700th reviewer!
The Captured Princess
By: Sanci J
Chapter 20: The Magical Hot Spring: Part 2
"What took you so long, wench?" Inuyasha repeated, though humor showed within his deep, golden eyes. He swiftly swung himself off of the boulder and landed next to her.
Kagome gasped when he popped up right next to her so suddenly and reacted angrily. "Inuyasha! Don't scare me like that!" she said, her hand pressed against her heart. 'He must be in a good mood,' she thought and eyed him curiously.
He smirked and walked on ahead, further away from the spring.
"You-!" Kagome started, and then noticed he was ignoring her. She ran, forgetting she was still wearing the thin, white kimono over her clothes. She grabbed his red shirt and pulled him to a stop. "Hey, I'm talking to you! Its rude to ignore when someone's still talking to you!"
Inuyasha turned to face her. His expression was serious, but a smirk threatened to show. "I do it all the time," he said.
Kagome groaned in exasperation. "What is wrong with you? Don't you know how to treat others?"
He smirked, looking devilish once again. "I would, but I agreed to keep a distance away from you. That is…for now."
Kagome's cheeks heated up. 'Oh my… What is his game?'
Inuyasha exhaled. "So, what did you find out back there?"
Kagome's eyes widened. 'Is he actually taking my advice?' Then Prince Hojo's face forced itself into her line of thinking and she growled out loud before she could stop herself.
Inuyasha heard her growl and watched her. He mentally wondered why she was wearing that clean kimono over such dirty clothes. He wondered what she was thinking that made her upset. But it wasn't his problem. Just as long as she wasn't in any danger.
"What I was supposed to," she said, and kept walking towards the camp.
Inuyasha walked alongside her. "You might as well tell me, because I don't feel like dealing with this later!" he growled in frustration.
Kagome kept walking, her jaw clenched. 'So this is his way of dealing with me before throwing me to the side? That baka!' She glared forwards. "I'm only supposed to tell my future love. I can't tell anyone until I find him, so please, just drop it." Kagome hated the words that she had spoken, only because the words were meant for Prince Hojo's ears. Why Prince Hojo? Why did he have to be the one? Tears pricked her eyelids and she made sure Inuyasha wouldn't be able to tell.
Inuyasha didn't respond, and an uncomfortable silence ensued. So her future mate obviously wasn't him. Not that he thought he would be, or even wanted to be.
He lifted an eyebrow at her stiff form practically stalking back to the camp. 'What is wrong with her?' Well, at least the time alone had given him room to think. Apparently taking a short break as the leader of the bandits proved to be in his favor. His mind was relaxed for the first time in...well, a long time. His mind had strategized what type of action he would take within the next few weeks, although it might drag out into months. Concerning the upcoming war, of course.
He sighed and breathed in the scent of honeysuckle and felt like a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Now that he knew how to approach the war with the Eastern Lands, he could concentrate on other things. One being, Kagome.
He almost laughed when she stumbled over a root and lost her stiff composure for the moment. He didn't understand her. Why did she try to act so tough? Didn't she know he saw right through her? Hmm...It was only one of the many intriguing things about her.
After reddening at the snort of humor from behind her, Kagome ran towards the ever familiar wagon. She passed by a little girl and waved. "Hello!" she smiled at the little girl.
The little girls' eyes widened and she put her chubby hand out in front of her. "Lady, please stop before you-"
Kagome hit a huge block that knocked the breath out of her. She caught her breath on impact, and a small flash of pain began in her right arm. After quickly regaining her balance, she rubbed the side of her face stupidly with a groan. "Owww... That really hurt." 'Kami! I am such a clutz... Just perfect. I hope Inuyasha didn't see that. I'm so embarrassed!' She blushed and turned towards the little girl.
She wasn't there.
"Mister! Mister! That lady got hurt!" a childish voice said frantically, pointing at Kagome.
"I see that."
At the sound of the persons voice, Kagome caught her breath. Darn. Why did Inuyasha have to see that? How much more mortification did she have to live through?
She was so embarrassed she couldn't even lift her gaze from the dirt to look at him. She quickly picked herself back up, her right arm still throbbing. 'I cannot let him see that I got injured from such a ruse.' She breathed deeply and forced a smile.
Inuyasha had to keep himself in check from laughing at her antics. A grin broke through, though, and he felt her dark glare.
"Don't you laugh at me!" She groaned in irritation and really felt like smacking him. "You are such a rogue. No manners at all! Any gentleman would have offered his arm, worried for my well-being... Ugh! You drive me to the brink of insanity! You will never get a wife if you keep acting so selfishly," she scolded, and stopped. 'I sounded just like my mother. Oh, Kami!'
"Keh, you are a weak wench. It doesn't take a scholar to know how to walk right," he snickered, folding his muscular arms over his chest.
"For your information, I know how to walk Inuyasha," Kagome smarted.
Inuyasha saw her impatience. "So, what happened at the hot spring? Did the damn thing even work? You never said anything!"
Kagome's cool gaze hit him. "As a matter of fact, it did." She turned away and walked towards the wagon she knew Rin was waiting in. 'I don't want to think about my situation with Hojo, because I don't want it to be real. And Inuyasha? He'll make it all worse.'
"Well, wench, who was it?" he growled and stalked after her.
Kagome climbed up onto the wagon and sighed. "No one."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. Could it be...? But wouldn't she have told him if it were true? He reached out and grabbed her wrist, turning her abruptly around. "Who the hell is it? If you're going to tell me something, tell me all of it."
Kagome wouldn't look him in the eyes. "No."
He was only minimal inches away from her face. He was still standing on the side of the wagon with his hand gripping her wrist. He felt a weird tingling feeling envelope his arm, and it annoyed him. "I order you to say something."
Kagome's gaze then clashed with his. "Oh, you want to know, eh? Well, its someone who is the total opposite of you. He's exactly what I want in a husband. Kind, gentle, well-mannered... " she spat out, "and other gentlemanly attributes."
Inuyasha pulled her closer, their noses so close to touching and heard Kagome's small gasp. "You're right. That is the exact opposite of me," he spoke softly, "but from the way you act around me... You want me and I know you won't be able to hide it much longer."
"You know nothing of...what I want..." Kagome felt like she couldn't breathe. Why? Why was this happening to her? Could her feelings for this selfish rogue be getting stronger by the minute? She pulled back from his arms. 'Inuyasha, he is deceitful and disparaging. How could my desperation for love have wavered so? I cannot stand him, yet I like him.' She blanched.'No, I will not admit it ever again. It is so disgraceful.' "You lie through your teeth. You are nothing I want in a man, you hear me?" she shot out.
"How about a test, then," he said, his golden eyes darkening in that way.
"I-Inuyasha, no-" she coughed until he let go. Her face was bright pink. "I refuse to let you take any of those liberties with me!"
He burst out with a chuckle. "Little wench, you didn't even know what I was going to do."
Her head steamed at the term "little wench". "You're just overcome with jealousy," she said lightly. "If you ended up wed into royalty, I'd laugh to my your attitude towards women the way it is, noneintheir right mind would marry you."
He scoffed. "You know nothing, wench. Women are vying everyday just to spend the night in my tent. So you are wrong."
Kagome's face reddened at the thought. But she wasn't finished yet. "I see no proof."
He rolled his eyes and looked at her. "Silence, woman. By the time you're done with your lecture, the food will be cold."
Kagome's stomach lightly rumbled, reminding her that it needed too. Putting off an argument didn't seem too bad right now. "Fine. I agree just this once. But I'll have to meet you there."
"Feh."
"Oh, and Inuyasha?" She looked at him with an adoring smile. "If you call me wench one more time, I'll see to it that you will regret the day you came to this world," she said, heavy with malice. Then her tempo changed to a cheerful one. "Yes?" She didn't even look back, but went through the curtain where she saw Rin. The girl was sewing some garments from what Kagome could tell.
Rin looked up and broke into a full-blown smile. "Kagome! I knew you were back! I'm so excited to see you." she said and flung herself at Kagome's body.
They hugged and Kagome momentarily forgot about Hojo. "I missed you Rin." She looked at what Rin was making. "So what are you sewing this time?"
"Oh no, I forgot!" Rin let Kagome go and immediately hid the garments. "They're for the dancing tonight in celebration of the Magical Hot Spring and its ending."
"Well, how come I can't see it then?" Kagome asked, sitting down on the comfy mat strewn with quilted blankets.
"Because the one I'm still working on is yours."
Kagome gaped. "Rin, you don't need to do that. I do have clothing in my suitcase, you know. Don't put yourself through that."
Rin smiled, shaking her head. "That's why I was going to keep it a secret. I chose to make this for you, and I just know you'll love it. I used all my best material on our outfits for tonight."
"Why go through all that trouble when we're going to be sitting around?" Kagome said. 'Rin. So honest, kind, and such a good friend, and she makes me miss Sango even more.'
"You're so funny, Kagome. But we'll only be sitting a little bit of the time. There's dancing too, didn't I already tell you?" Rin replied innocently.
"I'm not sure." Kagome felt like she would collapse any second. 'Dancing? As in, gypsy dancing? I don't know what that is!'
"We'll, don't get too worried Kagome, because I'll be the main performer." 'Maybe I should wait to tell Kagome that she is going to dance with me...'
Kagome let out some pent up air. "Oh, that's wonderful! I'll be cheering for you."
Rin looked at her like she was crazy. "We don't cheer or clap during or after a performance like those who are not gypsies. We just watch, mesmerized by the dancer and the firelight. We show our respect for the dancer by giving them our attention, although sometimes congrats are appreciated afterward in private," Rin informed.
"Sounds so enchanting," Kagome said.
"It is."
Kagome's stomach growled again, and she rubbed it, embarrassed. "Sorry about that. I haven't eaten for awhile."
Rin grinned. "Then I won't keep you. We can talk later tonight after the dancing is over. Right now, I need to finish up our clothes and you need to eat."
Kagome groaned. "Do you know what we're having to eat?"
"I will tell you in a moment." Rin paused.
Kagome blinked.
"It's stuffed cabbage rolls, baked chicken and white rice, and Gran's infamous vegetable soup served with bread."
Kagome's eyes were wide. "Did you already know that?" she asked, worried she might eat all of their food.
Rin grinned mischievously, showing her white teeth. "Just call it intuition."
Kagome smiled and left the tent, but first peeking to see if Inuyasha was still there. He wasn't and she felt little relief for some odd reason. She felt her heart race slow down from the vibrant beats before and knew this wasn't good. Yes, she had admitted that she did like him, but thinking about it growing into anything more made her stomach feel a little queasy.
She walked towards the scent of the hot food, thanking Kami for leading her to these kind gypsies. She barely noticed where she was headed, for she was so famished. After passing by a few more gypsy tents, she saw a wide open grassland filled with most of the clan. They were laughing, talking amongst themselves happily, some sitting on fallen tree logs and others just standing around content with their surroundings.
She had to wonder how anyone could have judged these people so wrongly, including her family. 'Mother...Father...Souta... I wonder what you are doing right this second?' The thought of them made her happiness die down and she forced herself to think of her future adventures. She could move around the continents and learn about other cultures, meeting new friends. She had so much time she didn't even know where to begin on her journey.
She smiled at the prospect of a happy future and looked ahead only to see Kaede spooning out that infamous vegetable soup of hers into clay bowls, handing them out one by one. "Hello Gran, is this bowl for moi?"
Gran looked puzzled. "What do ye mean?"
Kagome's throat tightened, all humor gone. 'Oh no... If Gran finds out that I accidentally spoke some French, she'll know who I am...part of royalty. I have to do something!' Kagome quickly tasted some of Gran's soup and burned her tongue. "Ow!" she said, and spit it on the ground, her eyes watering. That had really hurt!
Kaede handed her a small cup of water. "Are you alright, dear? I was about to tell ye that the soup was still hot from the fire."
Kagome felt like she had no taste on her tongue anymore. "Ow bwe awight," she said and drank the sweet cooling substance down. Back at the castle she never thought about how privilidged she was to have warm food where it wouldn't burn her mouth. She remembered how unselfish she thought she was back there, so safe and protected. So boring.
Gran smiled softly. "Do not worry about what will happen back at the Hot Spring young Kagome. All will turn out for the best. Just eat yer food, thanking Kami for our provisions and life." Kaede gave out two bowls of soup. "We are a very grateful clan. We could have been attacked by bandits countless times, but he is protecting us. Do not lose yer faith during yer life's journey Kagome. It is vital that ye know that."
Kagome was silent for a moment before an uncertain smile formed. "Thank you for the advice Gran. I will keep those words close to me," she spoke softly and moved down the line, picking up stuffed cabbage rolls, baked chicken and white rice. Just the smell of it made her want to eat it all in one bite. She looked around for a place to sit and felt just a little bit alone standing there.
Her brown eyes scanned her surroundings for a familiar face. 'Where did Inuyasha go?' She zoned in on a deserted spot just beneath a sakura tree where its petals had long ago fallen. There was a root sticking out thick enough for her to sit on and place her food next to her, so she hurried around other gypsies to the tree.
As she set her food down gently on the large root, she heard a faint rustling sound and glanced above her. A smile adorned her face when she saw Inuyasha's red kimono up on the tree and she giggled softly to herself. 'He's so cute, hiding up there! Does he know I know he's up there?' she thought and stood up. "Inuyasha, did you already get your food?"
There was more rustling, but louder. "Feh. I'm not a weakling like you. Just because I'm hungry doesn't mean I have to eat right now," he said gruffly.
Kagome rolled her eyes. How could she know what he meant in only knowing him for such a short time? She left her food there and went to retrieve him some.
Inuyasha watched her walk off with mixed thoughts. He knew she was getting him something to eat, but why? Wasn't she just angry at him a few minutes ago?
He shook his head and watched her laughing with a woman gypsy and a little child. Why did women have so many different personalities? Sure, he was pretty hungry, but his hunger was angled more towards her. That, he didn't understand. Kagome was a human, and she was his captured slave, so by right he could do anything to her he wanted and she couldn't do anything about it. But the fact that she treated him without respect made him want to tame her. Eventually, she would want him to herself, just like the others he had tamed.
Women were all greedy that wanted all or nothing.
His unhuman-like ears twitched at the thought and his golden eyes pierced her as she came towards him.
Kagome felt his gaze on her and stifled a shiver as she returned to the tree. "Here is your food, oh gracious one."
Inuyasha growled. "Should I have stolen it then?"
"No," ,he said in an annoyed tone. "If you're going to eat this, then come down here and sit. You cannot eat in a tree; it's not proper."
Inuyasha growled for the second time and muttered something incoherent.
"Fine then," she said haughtily. "It's just going to sit here until an animal comes to eat it." Picking up her own chopsticks, she focused on the stuffed cabbages.
There was complete silence after that and Kagome kept eating the tasty meal, ignoring the being above her. 'He'll come down, won't he? I'm not trying to be cruel, I just want him to...' She stopped herself. 'Do I even want to finish that sentence?'
Next to her, Inuyasha dropped down with a swift and quiet motion, but it made her swallow her food down the wrong way and she started coughing. "What are you doing?" he asked with an annoyed expression.
She kept coughing, trying to gesture that she hadn't chewed all of her food before she swallowed. 'Inuyasha!' she thought. She tried to swallow to stop the coughing and eventually slowed into ragged breathing. "I accidentally swallowed some food when I wasn't planning on it," she croaked out and flushed in embarrassment."I apologize."
She couldn't tell if Inuyasha was stunned at what she had said because he was so quiet. Was he repulsed by her behavior?
A loud grunt killed the silence, effectively breaking the tension.
"You're so stubborn. Just eat it already," she said with a roll of her eyes.
He sat down, and surprisingly, picked up his chopsticks. There was a deadly silence between them as they ate, Kagome wondering why he had listened to her. Well, it was either her repulsing behavior...or her apology. She surmised it had shocked the breath out of him.
By the time Kagome finished her food, her stomach finally sated, she saw Kaede coming towards her along with a trail of the young women. Kaede's eyes met hers and Kagome stood up swiftly. "I will be back." She followed Kaede and the other women, giving Inuyasha one backwards glance with a sigh.
Turning her thoughts towards the Hot Spring, she worried about what would happen. From what she gathered, Prince Hojo was to be her true love. How could that be when she cared about Inuyasha more than him? She reminded herself that she doesn't have to do this if she doesn't want to. But she wanted to. Just like any young woman, she wanted to know whom she would end up with. She did want to do this. These thoughts twirled as she stepped over rocks onto green grass. The sound of the spring was refreshing, peaceful as usual.
Kaede stopped walking and the young women gathered around her, including Kagome. "If ye left your kimonos with me, come and retrieve them." The women who left theirs with Kaede retrieved them. "Although most of ye already know the procedure, I will repeat it. In this ending of the Hot Spring tradition, ye will find the spot ye accompanied earlier and dress only in the kimono. Any other clothing must be removed in order for it to work. Then ye will bathe beneath the place where the water falls. If anything seemingly out of ordinary occurs thereafter, call for me and I will assist ye."
Kagome nodded and immediately walked away from the group to the place she had knelt before. Once there, she removed the kimono and began to remove her dress when she felt uncomfortable. 'I feel like I'm being watched...' She lowered herself behind a tree and quickly stripped down, pulling the white kimono on as fast as she possibly could. She hurried into the warm spring, the heat giving her skin bumps as she pulled her way through to the place where the water fell. 'I still feel different. Is someone watching me, or am I paranoid?' she thought and held the ball of her jeweled necklace in the palm of her hand.
She shivered at the heat of the water the deeper she got and held her breath as she positioned herself under the falling water, the light cloth sticking to her very skin. 'I feel so naked and vulnerable like this.' As she took a breath, a sense of peace washed over her as sure as the water falling onto her.
She felt herself smile and welcome the water hitting her face just as a different feeling abruptly hit her. 'Could it be?' Her eyes opened and she saw the water right in front of her face.
A meshed picture of different colors, dark colors were in the water. Her eyes grew bigger and she looked at the other falling water around her, but only that part was colored like so. It was then that she noticed the water wasn't falling on her anymore. She was under it, but it was falling around her. 'This is a miracle. Oh Kami.' Kagome giggled at the sight and watched the colors as they moved into a form. "What is that?" the colors stopped moving and the picture stared back at her.
"What!" Were her eyes betraying her? She was supposed to see the person she would love more than anything, but the picture wasn't clear. There was a shadow of the man, so she still didn't know who he was. Just a stupid shadow! Her eyelids watered from being so dry. "Why can't I see my future husband? What is wrong with this? Is my future going to be difficult?" She already knew the answer, but why? She stared at the clouded figure until she noticed him holding something in his grasp. What was it?
Kagome felt a burning heat against her chest and looked down. The jeweled necklace. It was glowing pink. She palmed it and looked back up at what the shadowed person was holding. 'He's holding the jewel. I know it. But why is he holding it? Do I give it to him in the future?' Her thoughts which had just been so sure of things a minute ago changed. Who was this man? Was it Prince Hojo's crown that she saw? Would they meet again and fall in love, which would somehow result in him having possession of the necklace?
She felt an ominous chill and the picture disappeared from the water. Wrapping the kimono as much around her body as it could go, she watched the water swirl into a black darkness and she gasped. 'What does all this mean? I do not understand this,' she thought in a panic.
She shook her head. Maybe she was seeing things? She couldn't be insane, she just wanted to know what was happening to her? "I cannot do this." She trudged through the water, away from the falling water. The next thing she knew, she was falling underneath the air in the water. Her hands groped around her, searching for air, a surface. She had barely caught a breath. 'Where is the surface? How did I fall under the water?' There was only water around her.
When a hand grabbed her around the waist, she felt choked up with tears as she let out the little bit of air she had left. 'Thank you, whoever you are,' she thought without thinking wholly.
It felt like forever before she could breathe. But when the chilly air touched her this time, she welcomed it. When her eyes opened, everything was blurry.
"Wench, get up."
"What?" she groaned, blinking and shivering. It didn't help that little rocks were spearing her backside...
Inuyasha looked down at her. "What's wrong with you? Try drowning yourself somewhere where there's deeper water than that. Or are you just a gangling, clumsy girl?"
"Silence, Inuyasha." Kaede glared at him.
Kagome sat up, her eyes gathering tears from fear. Couldn't Inuyasha refrain from being cruel for a minute? "I did not try to drown myself Inuyasha." She slowed her breathing. "I-I don't even know really what happened. I saw the darkness and I got scared so I started to come back to shore, but I went under the water. I do not remember why!" Kagome said and Inuyasha turned serious.
"Do not worry about it, my dear. Ye probably tripped on a rock. It has happened before." No one noticed how pale Kaede's face had gotten.
The other women began to gather, all either blushing happily, talking and laughing, or following quietly.
Kagome's throat tightened amidst the light atmosphere. "Wha-What about the things I saw? After I saw the person, there was darkness around me. It was so-"
"Kagome, we will talk later about what ye saw. Right now we must head back. The preparations for the close of this eventful day must begin as soon as possible." Kaede brushed some hair behind Kagome's ear and smiled lightly. "There isn't a thing to worry about." She patted her hand and turned to Inuyasha. "Make sure she gets back to camp soon," she said and lead the other women away.
Kagome slowly sat up, trying to recall everything that happened. Then she turned to Inuyasha in confusion. "What are you doing here? Only women are allowed to be here, you pervert!" She looked at him in disgust.
"Be quiet. That wasn't why I was here," he grumbled, trying to keep from glancing at how her white kimono stuck to her skin.
Kagome felt the breeze and shivered. She glanced down and saw what little she was wearing and shrieked.
"Ah! What the hell is your problem?" Inuyasha growled with a wince.
"Look away! Inuyasha, I'm barely clothed, you pervert!" She shrieked some more, running to her clothes. She looked back and found him watching her with a small smirk across his face. "I said to close your eyes!" She picked up her clothes and hid behind them. 'Why, oh why did he have to see me like this? I am so embarrassed! This is horrible!' She looked at him now, the clothes covering certain parts of her, her face feeling like the hottest thing alive.
'Damn,' Inuyasha inwardly groaned. Seeing Kagome in such a state made him feel like he was on fire. His muscles tightened involuntarily and he felt beads of sweat gathering on his skin. She was right. She was barely clothed. He hadn't noticed in the beginning, but now that he thought about it... There were many things he could think of that he could do with her, but now wasn't the time. "Damnit." he mumbled. He knew if he didn't do something now, his emotions would reign over his mind.
Kagome tried to control her blushing face behind the tree so he couldn't see how affected she was by him. After taking deep breaths, she felt her once heated face cool down enough to be seen by him. 'Wait, what's he doing over there?' she thought, hearing nothing but silence. 'He's too quiet.' She peaked her head around the tree, ignoring her chilled body and squinted.
What she saw was Inuyasha removing his shirt!
A sense of fear and dread made her lose her breath.
What would he do to her? Would he...?
No, he couldn't. He wasn't that crude. She heard footsteps on the grass and grew taut. No...how could he? A million thoughts raced through her head.
"C'mere, Kagome," a certain husky voice said.
Kagome felt the catch of her breath so much that it was heart-stopping. She couldn't believe it. He said her name-and the way it curled off his tongue, so exquisite! She told herself to ignore the feeling, it was just his ego speaking. "What, Inuyasha?" she tried to sounded annoyed as she daringly moved out from behind the tree, but still holding the clothing to her with a death grip.
It wasn't some daydream. Inuyasha had removed his shirt, and the only thing covering his muscled body were his pants. She couldn't help but stare at his broad shoulders, so big and tough. Her gaze strayed downward, sparing a glance at his big arms, and then at his tight stomach, which rippled with effect, making her realize what she was doing and she blushed a bright red. Her dark eyes darted back up and caught Inuyasha's molten gaze, a shiver of expectation trilling through her. He knew how she had looked at him.
"Come here," he repeated, his voice having taken on a different tone that Kagome could never forget.
'Inuyasha...' Kagome felt like she could faint from so many wonderful feelings. But she had to think clearly. "Inuyasha, we have to get back to camp as Gran said."
He moved towards her with a playful smirk, and she wondered what had gotten into him. He picked her up, suddenly, and threw her into the air. She shrieked in surprise right before she tumbled beneath the surface of the hot spring.
With a short and quiet chuckle, Inuyasha jumped in the water next to where she landed. When he came up he didn't see her and something in him tightened involuntarily. 'Where the hell is she?' Before he could decide what to do, he felt himself being pushed underwater. Even beneath the water, he could hear Kagome's laughter. "You deserved that for peeking on me," he heard her yell at him.
He came up and reached out to grab her, but she anticipated his reaction and swam away from him as fast as she could.
"You can't get away from me," he said.
Kagome looked behind her and saw him rapidly catching up to her. Anxiousness coiled its way through her and she knew she couldn't let him reach her.
He was so close. One more push and he would have her.
Kagome was getting tired fast. 'Oh no!' she thought and then he grabbed her legs. She let out a little squeal before he dunked her. Her hands grabbed for anything and started when she felt something furry. 'What is that?' She lost her grip and let go before her head popped out of the water. She looked right at Inuyasha, who surprisingly looked...happy. She smiled and used her legs to walk underwater around him in circles with a giggle.
After the fourth time, he grabbed her by the waist, stopping her. He felt her small gasp as he pulled her against his chest.
What was he doing? She was practically plastered to him and he acted as if it were nothing! "I suppose you aren't very angry anymore," Kagome blurted, her face as red as it could be. Though thoroughly embarrassed, she liked the feeling of being in his arms and briefly reveled in it.
"Not really."
"We cannot be here too much longer, you know." Her blush grew considerably.
"We can stay as long as we want to," he grumbled.
She sighed and he held her tighter in the bath water. Kagome watched the steam rising like a thick fog and felt content. 'My feelings..they're growing towards Inuyasha. I want to be with him like this. I enjoy being close to him. Enjoy it.' She turned around in his arms and placed her head on his bare chest, only minimal heat in her cheeks. 'I don't want to think about the future yet.'
"You're quiet, Inuyasha," said Kagome. She was still blushing, what with his hard chest pressed against her. She was surprised she could even form a sentence with him so close!
"Well, I'm thinking," he said in a gruff voice against her cool hair.
"About what?"
He was silent for awhile before he spoke. "An upcoming war with the Eastern Kingdom."
Kagome stiffened as he knew she would.
"It's inevitable. We will war with them soon." He felt Kagome pull away from him and he let her go.
Kagome all of a sudden felt chilly without Inuyasha's body heat and started walking to the side of the spring. "We should be going. Rin and Gran will be expecting us." She darted behind a tree and changed while Inuyasha put his shirt over his head.
The walk back to camp was filled with an uncomfortable silence. Kagome ran ahead of him when she saw Rin.
"Kagome! How did it go?" she asked.
"It was fine." Her thoughts were still clouded. "So, when do you have to perform?"
Kaede watched Kagome and Rin walk away, and then her gaze darted to Inuyasha, who had a dark look in his eyes. 'My dear Kagome. Do ye know what path ye are choosing?' Kaede's eyes were pained and she went into her tent to rest before the feasting.
Kagome looked into the glass once again at her reflection. She couldn't believe how different she looked since she was at the palace. Her hair was a little longer, her lips redder and her skin was not the pale white it had once been. Her hair had been silky and full of shine, and now it was unruly with messy curls with a completely dull look about it. She looked into her brown eyes and saw a strong-willed person who had seen many stressing things at her young age. Her eyes weren't sparkling in content and innocence anymore. When had that changed?
Rin stopped dressing when she saw Kagome staring at herself with so much intent. "What is the matter Kagome?"
Kagome looked away from the mirror. "Nothing of importance, really. I'm just thinking about the future and what it will bring."
Rin frowned and continued dressing. "Now do not worry about what you look like. By the time the feast begins, we will dazzle everyone with our beauty."
Kagome laughed. "I can very well picture that."
Rin smiled a little. 'Kagome, I know you are worried. But you don't need to be. You have friends who will stay by your side.' "Come here and change into the outfit I made you. I am quite sure you will love it." Rin's voice was excited as she rummaged in her wooden chest. "I have it. Now close your eyes; I don't want you to see it until I'm ready."
Kagome smiled and closed her eyes. "Are you almost ready?"
Rin held it up in front of her. "Yes."
She opened her eyes to see a dark green dress, trimmed with gold cloth and sparkles along the sides. it was long on one side and brought up a little past the knee on the other side. Kagome's jaw went slack. "Oh my...Rin!" Kagome felt teary as she touched the silky fabric.
"You like it?" Rin asked.
"Do I like it?" she repeated. "It's simply wonderful! So beautiful." She loved the expensive feel of the material. "Thank you Rin. Thank you so much."
"Well, don't just stare at it. Put it on. We have only moments before I must dance."
"Alright, alright." Kagome changed her clothes quickly, sighing at the softness floating against her skin. She borrowed Rin's comb to soften her tangled hair and used some of Rin's boldly colored bracelets for her wrists and placed two of them on her left ankle. Since Kagome had left her accessories at the bandit camp, she didn't have any of her perfumes or powders with her. She had to borrow Rin's powder, which Rin was sure to explain that she only wore it when she had to do a dance.
After the quick preparations, Kagome once again looked into the glass. She was amazed at the transformation. She had gone from an innocent, content adolescent to an unruly-haired, harsh-faced young woman who had faced the real world. When had such a change taken place? She guessed it was when she had first met Inuyasha. How ironic that he had shown her what was really happening out in her Kingdom and the others. She couldn't forget Inuyasha was still a demon. He may look human, but she couldn't be decieved. Kagome cringed. 'Yet I have developed feelings for him. How could I be so easily swayed by him? Does he have secret demon powers I do not know of?'
"What are you looking for?" Rin asked with a wierd look. "It's time for me to go out, so you have to find somewhere to watch from. Promise you'll tell me how well I did?" Rin pleaded in her long crimson colored dress. The dress shined magnificently against her toned skin, with gold cloth on the sides. She had the same shaded shawl that was sheer. Her hair was let loose, long and dark around her, but safely tucked as to not cover her face. Around her neck lay the heirloom-ed golden necklaces that each dancer wore during their act. Her wrists were donned with her most precious bracelets of mostly bronze, and the gold ones were fake because they were of less to pay for.
"Do not worry. I know you will do wonderfully!" Kagome laughed and attempted to leave the tent, but was selfconscious. What would Inuyasha think when he saw her in gypsy clothes? She felt herself blush, thinking of all the bare skin that showed up to her knee on the one side. 'Will seeing so much skin make him dislike me?' She almost laughed at the impulsive thought. 'Like Inuyasha would dislike me for that. I cannot understand his barbaric behavior...' She cautiously walked into the darkness around the side of Rin's tent where a fire had already been started. A cool breeze gave her bare skin goosebumps as her sandal-less feet walked on the dirt. She felt nervous as she sat down in the back, farthest away from the fire and the others she didn't know.
As other conversations about how other dances compared to Rin's left her confused, her mind reoccured what had happened earlier. She didn't want to think about what had happened after they ate their lunch at the hot spring. Who was the shadowed person? Was it really Prince Hojo? She groaned, putting her head in her hands. There were too many thoughts swarming in her head. She didn't want to think about this anymore; all it was doing was depressing her spirits and it made her feel sick to her stomach. 'Think of something comforting,' she thought and immediately the image of her mother popped in her mind. Sighing, she remembered how worried her mother was for her. What was she doing this moment? They were probably having another dull meal like before she had left them. A tug of homesickness had her feeling forlorn and sad. She mentally wished to be all safe and snug in her room until she thought of her newfound friens. Rin, Ayame, Mikara, Kaede, Miroku...and Inuyasha. Though they didn't know it, they each meant something to her.
Her chest swelled as she thought about what Inuyasha and she had done earlier. Her face turned a deep red and she was thankful for the darkness surrounding her. Oh Kami, but what had she done? She had let Inuyasha see her in barely anything, and even let him touch her as if they were married! She could be so foolish sometimes... She knew it was best to keep within a certain distance of him. Which reminded her. He had told her he would keep his distance, but he failed. "That demon rogue... All he wants to do is...use me for his satisfaction." Anger filled her voice at the realization.
The abrupt silence made Kagome lose her concentration and she looked up. Rin was standing next to the flames, the bright light reflecting off of her face. Her gaze was intent as she began her dance. Rin's movements enchanted all who watched, her arms and legs flowing smoothly as if she were only walking. Such graceful swan-like moves fascinated Kagome, and she barely breathed so as not to interrupt her. 'Rin, you didn't need to worry. You're dancing wonderfully!' Kagome thought with a happy smile. It occurred to her that Rin put everything into her dancing, her emotions, whether it be excitement, fear or sadness. Kagome felt sensational feelings that Rin's movements brought on. The dance almost made Kagome wonder if Rin was in love with someone, because she danced as a seductress. Or was it just a romantic mood Rin was in?
Rin felt like she was floating. Maybe it was her psychic abilities messing with her again. They seemed to be doing it a lot lately. Ah, well... She kept on dancing as if she were dancing for her sweet love, lightly twirling, her body bending, her bracelets jangling through the silence. She found herself dancing towards Kagome, whose eyeballs widened, as if knowing what would happen. 'Kagome, my dear friend, you need to dance and be free.' She grabbed Kagome's hand before she could move away and pulled her into a weaving dance.
Kagome held on to Rin and tensed up as the numbers of eyes on her multiplied. She abruptly followed Rin's movements and surprisingly felt free and without stress. Her body had taken on a new life and she loved it. Her eyes became half-lidded and she felt-no, she knew his dark gaze was on her. She was breathless, and knew she was intentionally goading him. What was happening to her? She felt herself wanting him even though she knew she couldn't have him. Someone like her couldn't keep feeling such threatening feelings like this. They would definitely haunt her, but she felt this mysterious air, this feeling that it didn't matter. Purposefully, she avoided looking anywhere near him, and she wondered, could he tell?
Rin knew Kagome was thinking about Inuyasha, but she didn't dwell on it in order to give Kagome her privacy. As the dance ended, Rin felt a new presence and fought the urge to look. Her eyes narrowed involuntarily, but she was careful not to let anyone notice as she and Kagome hugged. "I hope you aren't too upset that I forced you to dance with me," she said.
Kagome couldn't stop smiling. "I am not angry with you."
Rin laughed at Kagome's cheery tone. "I guess not."
"It truly is a wonderful thing," Kagome said with a wistful sigh, watching the crowd of people smile as they went to their tents.
"Dancing? Or falling in love?" Rin teased.
Kagome blushed. "Dancing, you ninny!" she whispered, glancing around until she caught Inuyasha's golden-eyed stare as he was leaning against a tree in the back.
"Speak of the forbidden devil," Rin said with twinkles in her eyes. "I will see you again tomorrow. Our evening meals will be taken to our sleeping areas this night. Good-night Kagome." Rin disappeared into the dark before Kagome could answer.
'She left me alone with him on purpose!'
Hidden within the darkness, a tall figure watched as that girl walked away from the firelight. He hadn't come to be enchanted by a woman, but for business purposes. His cold eyes remembered watching the woman's slow dance, her passionate movements as if he had known her for half of his life.
Shocked he was how a human wench could catch his eye. Yes, this dark-haired woman had a few dark secrets, he knew. After all, he could smell all her unbidden feelings as she had danced in such a ruthless manner.
For once, something interesting plagued his mind. He would find out more about this woman if it killed him.
Kagome didn't know what to say to him. After dancing so openly, how could she face him? Oh Kami, all she had done this day was shame herself!
"Why the hell were you doing that dancing with her?" Inuyasha growled under his breath. He stepped closer, half of his face in the remaining firelight. His eyes glowed.
Kagome licked her suddenly dry lips and swallowed. "W-Well, I did it because I felt like it."
"You shouldn't have."
Kagome really didn't like him telling her what she should do. Her temper flared. "Does it really matter? I only danced!"
"Other men were looking at you, dammit!" he snarled. His thoughts strayed back when he had seen her blushing in the water, her lightly tanned skin bare to the eyes.
Kagome was caught off guard. So...Inuyasha was jealous? Something seemed to brighten inside her. She grinned wickedly at his tense look. "That upsets you?"
"Of course not. You're mine, remember?" The words flowed out of his mouth smoothly.
She ignored her pattering heartbeat. "You are so jealous!" she laughed and pointed at him.
"Damn you wench, I'm not," Inuyasha growled again and with one slight tug, she was within the shelter of his arms. Damn, how was it that he couldn't resist touching her for very long? Kami, why couldn't she just tell him the truth about her feelings so they could get on with things? 'She must fear the thought of being bedded', he thought and then grinned. 'Conquering this one will be fun, and then I can move on.'
Though she reveled in the feel and smell of him around her, she couldn't let it go. "You told me you'd keep your distance Inuyasha, and you haven't even made it past a day."
Inuyasha stiffened. "You mean you haven't, little wench," he said it softly and gently rubbed the sides of her waist.
"Inuyasha!" She blushed redder than ever before at his casual touch. Her heart thumped harder than ever. Out at night in the darkness alone with a man. A demonic bandit, nontheless! Her parents would be horrified; it was so scandalous! Shivers ran down her spine. "You're insufferable!"
His eyes weren't humorous though as he lowered his head closer to hers.
Kagome started to mentally panic and her breathing was fast. She was feeling light-headed as if she were in a dream and not in real life. Her hands pushed against his hard chest in a panicky protest. "Inuy-"
His milky eyes bored into hers after a lingering look at her lips. "You shouldn't have danced like that."
"I wasn't even looking at you!" she gasped, looking away from those bright eyes, her face beet-red as his head moved closer.
His gruff voice pulled her closer. "Don't deny it. You've wanted this."
Kagome knew it was true, but she couldn't.
But it was only a kiss. It couldn't be that big of a deal. She couldn't... "I-Inuyasha..."
Ta-da! All finished! I didn't expect it would take nearly so long to update. So you know I'm not dead, at least... I do hope this chapter cured you of your neverending waiting period. This story wasn't even on hiatus! Can ya believe it? Oh yeah, and if there is something you don't understand, you can e-mail me or write to me at my forum on fanfiction, or the other one in my bio.
sapphirepink: Don't worry. The whole crown thing is just another mystery like the ribbon. It will be revealed later on. Thanks!
Kiala: In response to your question, yes, Inuyasha and Kouga have met, but it was before Inuyasha and Kouga met Kagome. I can see how waiting so long for an update makes you forget. Sorry about that...
InuyashaRules: Thanks for the compliment! I actually didn't get the idea for this story from Final Fantasy. I've sever seen it, to tell you the truth. Is it all that similar? Thanks again!
XxDemonic-PrincessxX: Oh my! You must have really liked it if you just kept on reading! And yes, Kaede did alter the image Kagome saw. Thanks so much for reading!
JuliaStillWater: -throws you a cookie and many more- Lol. It is fun, playing with their emotions like I have. Hopefully you appreciated this chapter also.
Sangi: Oh, I did notice the names are similar. Is that your real name? It's my real name, but that is so wierd! Thanks for reviewing!
Thanks for your reviews: animedorkette, bluerelic, gossa, angel-tears-16, RogueSummersLover, Overobsessy, peoplekityo, whiteviper111, lady-joker, wicca-magick, xx hidden kitten xx, PixiePam, Animekitty07, MaiaLourdes, ..., Linwe lossehelin, Lisa, blackair99, Aurora Dark, DragonRose13, cool-chick-rae, T, meeks the mononoke, Cesia and Chi, PoorxlilxHanyou, Toyalover, . .Known, sarah, someone, winterslegend, anonymous, DarkWolves Faith, Flame-sama, Snow Lepord, InuAndKagForEva2, babegalanime, The Forgotten Child, Captain Stu, Ark-Rake, chibiNeko192, Ozomi, Ammiers, Kagome1015, helen13, sunnygurl1379, Inu-chan's luver, Imperial Angel, Keri-Hemora, Jace3, hAllOwEen, Usagi-Shippo-kitten, wh00t, Sailorinuyasha, kagome1312, XSoul SeekerX, Ryukoji, ladyrinremix, psycho-on-parole, Anvesha, Animegulzrule, Hatori-12889, SoranoDarkHorse, silveryuki06, pheonix-tabuutz, futare baka kikyou, mizushoubai, shikukana, snowy-cherry, MoonbeamWeaver, Anastasia Glass, Ally Inu, Anonymous, Susan, ARandomKid, Lacas10, karen, kakineko, kingleby, Inu-Time, nania, Doggie Lover, Unseen Moon, Nightmare800, Brandi, Inu'sHardCoreBitchThatLovesRamen, YumiDarkness, god, dreamer1010, lil-angel-fairy, ebayrose, shadow-miko09, Selina, inu-love, MichikoTsunaga, Raine, Cherrysinger, Crimson-Blossom, Kagome Freak, Rikeshia-the-xweetok, blondieotaku, WriterOfDragons
That seriously took me forever to go through! Lol. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you next time!
Love ya,
Sanci