Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, Bleach, or any of the anime/manga characters.
Warnings: Language
Orihime
Kagome pulled back slightly, face bright red.
"I think I can get used to this," she panted, her pains and exhaustion temporarily forgotten, replaced by the tingling sensation coursing through her from her lips.
"I aim to please," Ichigo responded, grinning from ear to ear and almost as bright red as her.
Smiling, she leaned back in, letting her mind get clouded once more.
Suddenly, the sound of the hospital room's door opening infiltrated her mind, and she quickly pulled away, turning.
Standing in the doorway was Orihime.
Kagome instantly felt guilt wash over her in place of the warmth that had previously filled her. She met Orihime's eyes, seeing the horror in shock in her brown orbs.
"Umm… I thought I might be able to help them heal faster," she said, her voice thick as she indicated the unconscious people on the beds.
If it weren't for the fact that she'd seen that look and could feel her emotions, Kagome would've sworn the cheerful smile on the girl's face was sincere.
"Thank you. That… That'd be great," Kagome said, forcing her own smile.
"I should get out of your hair," Ichigo said, seeming to sense the tension in the room.
"Thanks for the help, Ichigo," Kagome said, smiling sincerely at him.
He gave a nod, gently squeezing her hand before vanishing from the room.
"Soten Kisshun, I reject!" Orihime called, pointing.
Instantly, her hairpins flashed with a golden light. And then, a golden half-oval took form over Kagome's mother.
Kagome watched in fascination as her mother's injuries began to vanish. It was as though whatever had happened to her was reversing itself, the dried blood vanishing as though it'd never been there.
"Do you want me to heal that woman, too?" Orihime asked, referring to Kagura while staying focused on the healing.
"I don't know if she even needs healing, but it couldn't hurt," Kagome sighed, taking her seat once again. "Thank you. For helping them."
"It's no problem!" Orihime responded, bucket-loads of false cheer in her voice.
Kagome bit back what she wanted to say.
She began an inner battle of epic proportions. After half a minute of watching the girl's false smile, it became too much.
The fact that she knew it was fake, combined with the unbelievably crappy night she was having and what she'd felt when Orihime had first healed her finally became too much.
"Orihime, I like you. You seem like a really nice person. But I'm going to slap you if you don't stop pretending."
"Pretending?" the girl responded, feigning ignorance.
It was what pushed Kagome over the top.
"Look," the miko snapped, "I've had a really, really horrific day. I felt your aura when you healed me last time. You knew exactly what I was talking about when I apologized."
"I don't-"
"I know you might hate me, even if you won't admit it," Kagome practically growled. "And I even know why you feel that way."
Orihime's false smile vanished, tears beginning to form.
"I'm sorry. I really am," Kagome sighed. "But it'd be unfair to you if I didn't get this out in the open. It'd be unfair to you for me to date Ichigo without clearing the air, because if I'm going to be around, I'd much rather honesty."
"Honesty about what?" Orihime asked, finishing healing Kagome's mother and moving the oval over to Souta next.
"I'd rather you openly hate me than pretend to like me," Kagome sighed, glaring at the floor.
"I can't hate anyone," Orihime stated. "It's not in me."
"Yeah. I used to think the exact same thing," Kagome sighed.
Orihime's eyes widened, and she locked gazes with the miko.
"What?"
"I know exactly what it's like to be where you're at. I wouldn't wish it on anyone."
A/N:
Kind of a short one this time 'round, but I had to split the scene into two sections because I'm not entirely sure how I want to handle it past this point. Hope you're enjoying, and will leave your thoughts. Especially, as always, on the Kagome/Ichigo interaction. See you next time!