The Day After Tomorrow

AUTHOR: Angelhart
GENRE: romance/hurt/comfort
SETTING: AU post-manga/anime
STORY: continuation
RATING: M
DISCLAIMER: InuYasha ©2000 Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan - Yomiuri TV - Sunrise
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 37

"The day after tomorrow Inuyasha will be at the well again."

As giddy as it had made her feel there was also something about the knowledge that made her uneasy. Now that she was finally able to get see her wish fulfilled, there was also something that could only be best described as doubt. And she wasn't even sure if it had been Shippou's last words that had sprouted that inside of her, or if it had been there from the beginning since… since I came involved with him.

She had been rereading the diary from start to finish last night. And again this morning. Hoping to find something useful to aid her in her decision. But it seemed there was nothing inside of it from that world, beside the hidden sutra's. The first biographic entry had been from a relative, close to her own time line. Nothing helpful besides some humorous events that reminded her of the characteristic of her two friends. The oldest entry what seemed the first original Goshuin of the Higurashi shrine. It looked so beautiful and knowing it was probably the first one ever, made it even more special. It also made her realize that at some point Shippou had placed the book in her ancestors' path. Why then and how was something that was probably irrelevant information, yet it still had her curious.

But what had shocked her more were the words on one of the remaining blank pages at the end. Words that hadn't been there before. But they had been unmistakably there this morning. Appearing in front of her like some invisible inscription being revealed.

You will have to make a choice.

She had been scrolling through the other blank pages to see if there was more, but it were only those words.

In her handwriting.

She recognized it, yet couldn't believe it. She had not written this, had she? She had searched for her old school calligraphy kit and finding the small brush and ink she wrote the sentence down underneath the one in the book.

The strokes, the hesitations when she noticed the similarity… It was exactly the same. Even the smudge at the end at the realization. That it was her handwriting. It was freaky, it was scary and yet it didn't even matter who wrote it or when it was written. It was something she had to deal with now. She had to make a choice.

She called in sick. A leftover migraine from her car accident. Believable, only, she felt guilty still. But it wouldn't just feel right to not show up. For what if… what if she didn't go back? Then she would still have a job in this world.

Kagome laughed at the weird irony of that. When finally, after all these years, having the means to travel back, she would remain here.

But what is left for me here?

Family. Her mother, her brother. But both already knew that even though she had returned home, her heart had always remained in that other world.

No friends like the ones she had left behind.

Love?

She waited until the taxi driver was out of sight. Then she hesitated in the decision to either make her presence known or just climb the fence again. Even though the first option would be the easiest and she was quite sure he had already felt her energy, she chose the last option. Then suddenly realizing that in a skirt it wasn't the most elegant option. Or the most practical one.

Yet she did manage to get on the other side without tearing her outfit. Picking up her bag which she had maneuvered through the bars before her ascend, she made her way towards the lake. It seemed like the best thinking spot. Better than the parks, always crowded. Better than her own home, dark and in the noisy city.

Above her head the beautiful pink was almost gone. Sakura season being over. The trees now providing little shelter from the burning sun. Luckily her chosen thinking spot held the opportunity to cool down. But as she approached the lake, she noticed it being already occupied. She dropped her bag in shock and her body swirled around to provide the courtesy of which apparently he didn't seem to care about, for her eyes got a full-frontal view from the man when he entered shallow water in his approach towards the bank.

"You do know that there is a shower and even a bath in your own home?"

"Yes." There was a chuckle following the answer.

After a few minutes, she realized he made no move to step out of the water. Slowly she turned her head, only to get another eyeful again. Averting her eyes, she pointed her hand towards the white kimono hanging on a branch nearby. On the grass the rest of his outfit, including the fur like boa. "Could you just please-"

He interrupted her sentence with a "no."

Kagome mentally said goodbye to her perfect thinking spot, trying to figure out another location. She couldn't deal with this distraction right now. Not when she was figuring out-

She gave a shriek when a wet hand touched her left shoulder. Clawed fingers surrounding the joint and holding it in a firm grip. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"I called in sick."

He chuckled. "Playing hooky? How immature of you."

"I have more important matters to deal with." Then she realized, he didn't know. Why would he even know? It didn't matter. Would she tell him? Would it matter if she did?

If she did, would he stop her from going…?

The sudden fear that came along with that thought made her turn around. Despite his 'no' he had put on the kimono, but it wasn't tied with an obi, leaving him almost just as naked. But that realization seemed so trivial as she eyed the features of his face. His eyes narrowed and she flinched slightly as the hand disappeared from her shoulder and palmed her cheek.

"You seem troubled, little miko." At her flinch he grinned. "Don't worry, I will not harm you as long as you refrain from disintegrating me."

Then with a softer voice she replied: "I have no intention to."

"Good." The pad of his thumb brushed over her cheek and underneath her chin. "What important matters did you have to discuss with me?"

The fear awoken inside her kept her silent. It had seemed so logical to explain. Wasn't that why she had come here? Hadn't she made up mind already? All these years she sought for a way back to that world. Wasn't it obvious for her to go now that she had the tools to reopen that portal again? What did she come here to do, besides to tell him that she was going back? That it was nice while it lasted, whatever it had been. Why did it even had to be a choice? Was there even a choice to be made? Why did she think it was?

And why was she afraid that he would stop her?

She turned her head away from his touch. "It's nothing."

"Yet it has been important enough to escape your human obligations. Hm."

"Kagome, do you love him?"

"I-"

He kissed her. The touch of his lips soft and gentle. The hand returned underneath her chin again and angled her head for a more intimate connection. And she had not flinched or retracted. Her body leaning in and her mouth opening up.

"It's so hot." She didn't know why she phrased that. Although not even summer, the temperature could have one easily mistaken the season.

He grinned. "Then take it off."

She didn't even reprimand him when the claw of his right index finger cut through her outfit like it was cutting the thin material paper. Starting from her neckline al the way down. Cutting her shirt, her bra, her skirt and even her underwear in one clean cut without even damaging her skin. And then he brought them both down to the grass, her body on top of him and if she was in trance she sat up and removed her shoes and socks and then slowly the shredded articles from her skin in an almost seducing matter.

Would this tell her what she needed to know? Was that the reason why she gave in to this? Or an excuse of what she couldn't tell him in words. A distraction.

She arched her back at the touch of hands and claws on her skin. Her neck, her breasts, her side. A gentle touch, a lover's touch and she threw her head back as she felt a tear trying to escape. A voice in her mind trying to call out to the beast that he had shown before. For it would make it easier.

But the beast didn't show even though it was there behind the yellow eyes. The dark animalistic pupil focused on her the moment she dared to look at him as his hands caressed her face. And she kissed the hand and fingers she had burned to the bone before allowing it the freedom to roam over her body again. A gasp leaving her mouth when those fingers traced a path over her stomach and disappeared into the curls. Precise pressure of tips against the swelling bud they encountered, forcing her hips to arch as his other hand on her rear urged her into alignment.

The soft rocking dance of her hips had made him hard and had lubricated her enough for the entry and she rose up when she noticed how deep the penetration was this time. He pulled her close and she was surprised to have him kiss her. Just as much as she was surprised that he allowed her to have the dominate role this time. Hands then turned her head to give him access to her neck and for a moment she thought he would bite her in some strange, perhaps, demonic ritual of affection. But he didn't.

Fangs raked over her skin, followed by tongue and lips, but its only purpose seemed in making her shiver pleasantly and the danger of it enhancing her excitement. The push of his hips forced her to start the dance of ancient. And in a strange way the thought of Inuyasha's parents came to mind and she could see the same thought flashing in his eyes to. Or perhaps it was her imagination.

Something forbidden. Something unnatural.

And she thought it scared him for there was a change in his eyes before he flipped them over. And for a moment she saw a red flash appear behind the gold. Fangs sharp in threat against her throat, her heart changing in rhythm at the alteration. Fear or thrill? She couldn't tell for it faded just as quickly when lips descended where teeth had raked. Mouth and tongue tracing a path to the dimple of her throat. His hands cupping her breasts, manipulating the curves so he could catch the peaks with his lips.

Her hips pushed against his and he obliged sweetly by pressing into her with every answered thrust. Her fingers roamed through his long hair and he didn't even seem to mind that she pulled at tugs of his teeth on her nipples. And he didn't mind when she pulled him closer and embraced him so tightly when he had pushed her knees up to change the angle and feel.

He raised his head and the motion of his hips slowed down. She closed her eyes at his puzzling gaze. Why was she crying? Why did couldn't she stop those tears from reaching the corners of her eyes. She pressed her lower body against his hips. Don't stop. Please don't stop.

Lips then touched her shoulder again followed by a heavy grunt close to her ear and she could feel him press harder, almost with a strange form of desperation. The slow rolling motion of his hips stopping as he picked up the pace. Then his fingers pressed in between them, both realizing that without it she wouldn't reach that blissful completion. He growled against her almost in frustration for not giving him what he wanted. But his fingers were persistent enough and she throbbed around him right after his own release.

Kagome turned her head and noticed the sun was setting. A burning orange almost hitting the lake, taking the day's heat with it. She tried to get lost in the vision, yet fingers turned her face towards his. Leaning over her almost lovingly his right hand brushed away the moisture from her eyes.

"Will you tell me, miko, what has you troubled?"

She was surprised by the sincerity of his voice. An honest softer side of him that seemed almost out of place. Then the tone changed and he grinned, his pelvis rubbing against her again.

"Or do you just crave oblivion?"

Afraid that she would spill it all, bring that fear to life, she pulled him closer. And with his body entering her again, oblivion couldn't be even further away. In the entrapment of his arms her mind was unable to fight the question that surfaced:

Did she love Inuysha's brother?

A/N: 3 more chapters to go. There will be another update this month and in August there will be a double chapter post of the last chapters 39 and 40.

After this story is finished, I will revise some of the chapters, like I have already done with chapter 1. My writing skill has improved and some chapters could use a 'writing update' as it were ^^ These revisions will not be scheduled. I will post notifications on my tumblr whenever I have revised a chap, in case if anybody is interested in a re-read.

The update schedule for this fic and other fics can be found on my 'Work in Progress' page on tumblr. Please note that blog pages cannot be accessed with the tumblr app. You will have to use a browser.