Wow, that took longer than expected, but finally here it is. Hope you like it!
Chapter 10.
She still didn't feel good, good. But having his attention almost 24/7 had surely helped a lot. She still cried herself to sleep sometimes, and couldn't stop going all gloomy and depressed when she saw something that remembered her about her father but Inuyasha had been very understanding and patient with her. It was almost as if nothing had ever happened between them. Almost. There were still some loose ends that Kagome knew would have to be fixed. Her relationship with Hojo being one of them. And then there was also his relationship with her… Kagome didn't like to think about it, because whenever she did a wave of questions and insecurities hit her full force, and she didn't like that.
She didn't like doubting Inuyasha's intentions to be with her, she didn't want to believe that he was playing the good friend because she was now half orphan. Because whenever she started to go down that path she could feel her cousin laughing at her for being so foolish. And she hated it. But she couldn't bring herself to ask him. She had tried several times over the past few weeks, believed her, she tried, but every time she thought she had gathered the courage to speak her questions she chickened out and ended up asking any other trivial question instead.
She had somehow stopped trying after he stop disappearing with the excuse to go to classes, being content with having his full attention then. She knew he wasn't going there, and even grieving her father she couldn't stop worrying with the thoughts that may be he was with her in the time he left her alone. And it was that same line of thoughts which had stopped her from prying in whatever he was keeping from her.
After two weeks she was feeling brave enough to go out to the world again, even more having him to cover her back. She knew that as much as she wanted to stay in bed all day and cry she couldn't afford it, not with her family's position on the line. That was another thing that she couldn't tell him either, afraid that she was still a second line priority for him. How could she discussed with him her worries over the competition for the place as the main miko of her clan when her number one rival what his… his… gosh! It was impossible even think the word for her! He knew there was something bothering her, though, he didn't try to pry on it either; he instead had assured her that he was there for her to help her with anything she needed. Still those words did little to lessen her worries. She wasn't stupid. She knew why her cousin had always been jealous of her, the real reason why she had always wanted to take him from her.
While she did really loved Inuyasha (whether it was as a friend or something else, she wasn't sure to admit it just yet) Kikyo had always seen him as an opportunity to get want she wanted. And that was the same reason why she hated her so much. She never actually believed that Kagome befriended him out of the pure intentions of her heart. She had told her in repetitive occasions that she knew she was using him to gain the favor of the Taisho clan, which at the same time mean gain the favor of all the youkai factions. She had never actually thought about it until the moment Kikyo had brought it up. And though it wasn't her intention at the time, now she really, desperately needed that support, and she was scared that she had lost it over her cousin.
Still Kagome didn't want to fix her relationship with him because of that. And she certainly didn't want him to think of it as that, so she had another reason not to talk about the matter with him. But she really wanted to leave all those thoughts for any other time. She didn't want to ruin the good mood with which she had gotten up today. Today was one of those rare days where she actually felt happy and had something to look forward to. Something that she had learnt to appreciate more and more lately.
Last night had been one of those nights. One in which she couldn't keep the sorrow at bay by herself, and had needed him to comfort her in his special way… she had felt bad to start crying out of nowhere when they were having a good time watching a movie in her room, sprawled on the floor eating popcorn, when something in the movie made her think of her father, a sweet happy kind of memory that lead her to a succession of other hypothetical situations in her life where her father would not be because he was dead now, the pain stung specially hard when she thought about how she had been laughing just then as if her father hadn't just passed away a month ago.
Inuyasha had started fussing over her the moment he had first smelled her tears demanding her to tell him what was wrong. When she finally managed to let out a pitiful excuse of an explanation between sobs he had done what it seemed to be their routine lately. He tried to hush her, pulling her head to rest over his chest while he rubbed her back trying to calm her, while letting off that soft purring on his chest, just letting her cry without actually saying anything. He knew there was nothing he could say that could stop the pain of losing a father, so instead of trying to minimize it with useless words he helped her through it.
When she told him that she didn't want to feel that way anymore, that she couldn't take the pain any longer, he had taken his cue to act on and had pulled her to sit on his lap to nuzzle her neck and bit her softly. The effect was almost immediate as always, the rush of her feelings leaving her being replaced by a warm, cozy feeling inside of her, his words in her mind promising it would be better making her feel at peace. She had calmed down after that, and she started to feel ashamed for literally having ask him to bit her and shut down her feelings.
She had noticed how he had been trying to avoid doing it lately. As if afraid that she would reprimand him for doing it or that he may been hurting her. Thought, he had keep a pattern as well, he would give in every two or three days, may be that was why he had done it without hesitation this time, that night marked exactly the third day. She had notice how he had been coming closer to her from behind at school when she was by herself, only to turn back again and spring far from her the next second. She found it weir but didn't comment on it. That was yet another thing that they had to talk about. But something she wasn't ready to do just yet. He had been so sweet with her after that too. When she apologized for forcing him to put up with her emotional swings and ruining the movie for them, and told him that he didn't need to suffer with her, he had almost looked mad and hurt to hear her saying that.
–"I promised I wouldn't let you alone, and I'm planning on keeping my word. I'm not bother at all, Kagome. I'm happy to do what it takes to make you happy" he had told her and she wondered whether or not he realized what he had just said, but decided not to point it out, again afraid that he would take it back and leave her for real.
They had spent the rest of the night there in her bedroom floor trying to end up the movie, which at least for her was a lost battle from the start, as comfortable as she was with her back resting on his chest and the warm of both his body and his youki wrapped around her, she had fallen sleep before she even realized it. She woke up on her bed, and found him sitting by her desk, and she noticed that he had gone to his house to get change as he was now wearing their school uniform again.
–"I was just about to wake you up, if you sleep in we are going to be late… again…" she stirred on the bed lazily rubbing her eyes before sitting up and throw her legs out of the sheets
-"you went to you house last night?" she asked walking to him and tugging at his red tie.
-"around dawn, to get change and the car, I'm sure you wouldn't want me to get you to school on my back wearing a skirt." He smirked and she tugged his tie playfully. She knew that he knew she like it when he took her on piggyback rides, but after the time where he decided to show her how far he could jump while she was wearing a skirt… well let just said that it didn't go well for him after showing several of their classmates the color of her panties.
-"Yeah, well thought." She said. "I'm gonna get ready now. So why don't you go and knock on the door and pretend that you haven't been here almost the whole night again?" she suggested, which gained her another smirk from him
–"sure your mother would love to know that." he mocked her.
–"I wouldn't be surprise to hear she already does." she countered.
–"well, let's not discover that today. I'll be down, hurry." He told her as he stood up "Someone's coming" he murmured in her ear and rushed out of her window. Soon after he left she hear the knock on her door and saw her mother's face appeared from behind it.
-"morning, honey" she greeted her
-"morning mom"
–"I'm happy to see you're up, I was afraid you might have over slept, it's getting late."
–"no, I was about to get a quick shower right now" she informed.
–"okay, but hurry, or you won't have time to eat breakfast." She urged her.
–"sure." Kagome answered while she collected all she needed for her shower.
–"I'll be down. Is Inuyasha coming for you today as well?" Keiko asked with a knowing smile and Kagome felt her checks grow a little hot.
–"I guess" she lied and shrugged. Her mother left her with another smile and Kagome felt that she did actually knew something.
Their trip to their school had been… eventful… she actually didn't mean to bring the Kikyo topic up that way, but when she was ready to ask him where they would be spending that night she suddenly remembered his words from earlier that year "I have Kikyo now…" he had told her, what if he had already made arrangements with her for tonight? That would destroy her, she had been looking forward for this night for the past week, hoping that now that they somehow managed to solve things out they would go back to their normal routine. And to be honest with herself, she had to admit that she had not been able to sleep peacefully every moonless night since she decided to go on her trip, always waking up several times during the night thinking whether or not he was safe. She had been assuming that since he actually very much spent his nights in her bedroom couch (because you know, it would be completely weird for them to keep on sleeping in the same bed every night… unless she was crying and in need of support, which hadn't been the case as of lately) tonight wasn't going to be the exception.
But she couldn't let go of her insecurities, not when his words rang in her ears every time she try to act as before, simply asking where they would stay instead of with whom he would stay… so before she even realized what she was doing she had asked, which had led to a rather unexpected confession on his part but all the same welcome, and a completely embarrassing declaration from her part as well. Being honest she had managed the topic quiet well… yeah right… at least she hadn't told him that she was afraid to lose the competence for the position as the head miko because he was dating her, ugh even thinking it felt wrong. Now though she felt a little more sure about him, she had doubted he actually felt something for her cousin, but the way he had told her that he rather risked Kikyo's life than hurting her set a whole new set of scenarios in her head as to what was the real reason for him to put up with this clearly false relationship he had with her.
She had been so deep in her thoughts that hadn't notice when Sango had gotten to their classroom and started talking until she was swinging her hand in front of her face to gain her attention.
- "uh… sorry, what were you saying?" She asked apologetically.
- "I was asking where was everyone... are you okay, Kagome?"
- "Inuyasha and the others already went to buy us something for lunch." She informed her, as she had been called to the principal's office moments before the class finished and wasn't aware of their plans for lunch.
-"oh, great, hope they bought something good this time, I'm hungry."
-"if I were you I wouldn't have high hopes…"Kagome said. "So what was that about? What did the principal want this time?
-"My father called" Sango shrugged "he was pissed that I didn't answer my phone and had to call to the school to reach me…." She said sheepishly. "But don't change the topic, is something wrong? You seemed lost in thought" she asked again while taking seat beside her.
-"I was just thinking… something…"she ended up saying
-"something, huh? Does it has something to do with certain golden-gazed, half redeemed Inu youkai friend?" Sango asked suggestively, though she was more open now to forgive and forget Inuyasha's transgressions than before, Sango still held some resentment towards their friend, and she sure could keep grudges for quite a long time.
-"may be." Was all she got as an answer.
-"oh, come on, you seriously won't tell me what is this that you two have now?" she complained and Kagome just shrugged and let out a smirk to the exaggerated huff she let out. She was ready to verbally express her disappointment when Rin came into the room, eyes fixed on her cellphone and a silly grin on her face.
- "oh… hello you two" she greeted them and went to hid her cell behind her back, a light pink coloring her checks.
-"hi" was all Kagome could say because Sango had already charge against her friend.
-"so… Rin, are you going to tell us any time soon who is it that you keep on texting?" she asked narrowing her eyes. Rin only averted her eyes and got redder but didn't answer her question.
-"come on, Sango. Let her be." Kagome tried to save her friend the trouble.
-"I have let her be for almost two years now, Kagome. I've been patient."
-"two years?" Kagome asked incuriously. "You have been texting with this mysterious guy for two years?" now she understood why Sango had been pushy with her.
-"and she had yet to tell something about him" Sango added.
-"I'm sorry, guys. I really want to tell you, but I promised that I won't say a word until we are sure what we want this to be. I promised him. Please don't be mad at me." Rin voice was rather imploring. The girl had an all too sweet personality, and if there was something that she hated was to disappoint or have others mad at her.
-"why is it so important to keep it a secret, though? Is he a kind of gang member or something your family won't approve?" Sango pressed. "Or is it that he is ashamed of you and that's the reason he made you promised not to tell anyone?" she added suspicion and fury laced in her voice. Rin shuddered a little at her last question and avert her eyes once more. "That's it, isn't it? He doesn't want anyone to know because he is ashamed of you" Sango said this time not hiding her concern and irritation.
-"it's not as simple as that" Rin defended. "Please don't misunderstand"
-"You deserve better than that! You shouldn't keep up with a bastard that doesn't appreciate what has in front of him!" Sango exploded and Rin seemed to wish she could made herself as little as possible to hide from her.
-"Stop it, Sango" Kagome intervened taking her from her arm and tugging her to sit again "Rin is right, we don't know their circumstances, we can't judge. Don't make her feel more uncomfortable than what she must be already."
-"but… she deserves better, you know she does." Sango protested "and how can we call ourselves her friends if we let her be with someone that makes her feel less than worthy?"
-"we don't know that." she said "does he makes you feel that way, Rin." She just shook her head. "See. She says he doesn't"
-"she would say anything to protect him, she has been doing it for almost two years now." Sango said crossing her arms over her chest.
-"as I said, we don't know that. All I know is that he makes her happy, if the look on her face whenever she receives his messages is any indication." Kagome defended. "and if he does do something other than cherish her, then Rin knows that we are here covering her back, ready to kick his ass to the next galaxy for hurting her." She added before Sango could continue with her protests.
-"fine. I let it be, for now." She huffed. "But be sure that his won't be the only ass kicked if it turns out I was right about it" she knew those were empty threats but nodded her acceptance. Rin smile and murmured a thank you on her way to her desk, relief washing through her face when it was clear that Sango wasn't gonna keep pushing the matter. Sometimes she could get overprotective with them, but Kagome knew she meant well. That was the way for Sango to show she care for them, but sometimes she could go over the limits, and as much as she was also concerned with her friend's wellbeing, she could also related with her, having herself many complicated things in her hands, that she couldn't share with others so freely.
After a while, Kagome's mind started to wander to other important matters. Like the fact that she still had to talk with Hojo. She had made up her mind a few weeks ago and decided that she couldn't keep lying to him about her true feelings nor she could continue in this relationship, but she was yet to talk with him about her decision, partly because she didn't feel prepared to face him and partly because he had been absent from school several days on the last couple of weeks, which was in fact a relief for her. Her cousin had been absent too, as she had been call on a mission in a neighboring town that had a problem with an old seal that apparently had gone undone. Originally the two of them were supposed to go together with their great aunt Kaede, because they were the candidates to take over her position and needed as much in site training as possible. But due to her circumstances she had been granted the opportunity to pass on it, for what she was immensely grateful because she always hated those trips with her.
- "lunch break is going to be over soon." She absently mentioned, and she heard Sango hummed her agreement besides her. "I… was wondering if you knew…"Kagome started and Sango lifted her head from her cell to look at her instead. "Uhm…no it's nothing…" she chickened out, again, as all the other times when she had tried to bring that specific topic out. She was still dealing with the zaps she got whenever she got skin to skin contact with others, especially if those others were males, youkais or humans alike, and had been dying to ask Sango if she knew something about this biting thing Inuyasha had been doing just to see if it had something to do with it, which she was almost certain it did as they started at the exact same time, but always found trouble with sharing it, afraid of her friend's reactions, and ashamed that she couldn't figure it out herself, she was supposed to know about that, she was sure she had learnt something about youkai customs during her training, their were a necessity as the knowledge help them to determine their relationship status and other things, which often saved them a lot of problems. But as lazily as she had been that time thinking she probably wouldn't need it because she didn't want to became a full time miko anyways, all the information that she seek to remember escaped her now. Then again she could have asked him too, but that somehow felt even more awkward. She saw Sango getting irritated with every second that passed.
-"spit it" she hissed narrowing her eyes, and Kagome realized the grave mistake she had just done, tempting her patience like this minutes after what happened with Rin. She confirmed the gravity of her mistake when she saw out of the corned of her eye how said girl had turned back to watched them her face showing her concern.
-"it was nothing, really. It's something silly… you remember what night it's today, right?" Sango nodded but didn't stop looking at her with suspicious eyes "well, I basically asked Inuyasha if he was going to stay with her tonight, and he made a rather unexpected declaration, and I was wondering if you somehow knew something about it" she lied, partially as what she told her was true but not what she originally meant to ask.
-"and what was this unexpected declaration?" she asked, clearly buying her lie.
-"umm, he said he had never spent a moonless night with her… he hadn't spent any night with her actually" she added just because having him specifically adding that piece of information had been especially gratifying for her.
-"he did? After all he told you last time? And you believed him?" Kagome nodded "well, he better be saying the truth then, because I'm afraid I have no way of saying if he is, he never came to us those nights even when offered to make him company"
-"I think he is saying the truth" Rin intervened then "I heard from his brother that his father had made his duty to make him company on those nights despite of his constants complains" both girls looked at her in awe at her comment and not exactly for what she had said but from whom she had said she heard it from. Realizing in that exact moment what they might have heard, Rin's checks became red for the second time that afternoon and rushed to add "he didn't tell me directly, I overheard him when he was excusing his father from a meeting he had with mine one day."
-"I'll take what I can get" Kagome commented, not completely convinced about her last explanation but not wanting to call upon her lies either.
-"does this mean that he is staying at your place tonight, then?" Sango asked quickly forgetting about Rin's slip. Kagome nodded. "I would ask if Miroku and I could tag alone, but I know better that to get in your way…" she said mockingly winking at her.
-"it's not how you think it is" she said trying not to sound too disappointed.
-"girl, you are the only one that doesn't see it the way it really is."
-"we still haven't solve the Hojo-Kikyo problem… not that I would ask that out of him…" Kagome added with a sigh.
- "then you should. Inuyasha owed you that much after all that he's done." Kagome would argued about it a little more have not been for their other friends coming in the classroom with their lunch boxes at the exact moment, effectively interrupting their conversation, everyone but one…
-"where's Inuyasha? I thought you guys were going out to buy this stuff together?" Kagome asked to no one in particular.
-"uhm… he was…"Miroku was the one to answer "he kind of got caught up with something on our way back" he said rubbing his neck. Sango narrowed her eyes at him, a silent indication for him to continue explaining. He sighed obviously hoping not being the one giving explanations.
-"Kikyo is back" Koga simply stated "she kindly requested a word with him" he finished. Three pair of eyes were now fixed in Kagome, and she had to fight a smile on her face to hide her irritation.
-"I see. Then we should start eating then. Knowing her it's going to take a while for him to come back" Kagome shook the topic off and reach for a lunch box to start eating. Just in that moment her cellphone rang. She got a text from him… "I got caught with Kikyo. I'll be back as soon as I can. Start eating… yours in the one with the extra veggies. Eat. It. All." she let out a relieved sigh, and was incapable to stop the real smile that grace her face this time by reading his message. Things were going to be good. She intentionally left her phone unlocked on her desk for her best friend to read the message.
Inuyasha walked ahead in rushed steps waiting this to be over as soon as possible, with Kikyo following suit. He wasn't expecting to see her today, he thought that she would be out of town for another couple of days at least.
-"you don't seem too pleased to see me, Inuyasha. Am I, by any chance, interrupting something for you?" Kikyo asked as soon as they got to a stop somewhere behind the school building, far from prying ears and eyes.
-"Yeah, my lunch time" he told her and she just rolled her eyes "it's not like if you can blame me, right? You came out of nowhere screaming my name." he spat "weren't you supposed to be out of town for another two days?"
-"I didn't scream" she corrected him. "And we finished things earlier than planned so we came back before. It's only natural that I came here looking for you first, as tonight is the new moon."
-"so what?"
- "you know what I mean. As per request for your father I came to offer my assistance in case you need it, of course."
-"and as I've told you every other time you offered, I don't want nor I need your assistance." He told her. He really didn't understand why she keep on offering when he hadn't accepted a single time over the past two years. He didn't understand why his father asked her to start with.
-"am I to assume that you are staying in your place, then?" she continue nonchalantly.
-"why you need to know?"
-"in case you haven't noticed, I usually place a protective spell around your house every new moon." She say running his fingers through her long black tresses.
-"you what? Why would you do that?" he asked incredulously
-"your father." She simply stated as it was the most obvious answer in the world. Which in fact it was. There was no other reason for her to be interested in his well being. "So, are you going to stay there or not?" she pressed.
-"I'm not" he told her and she narrowed her eyes, effectively showing all the emotions that she had been masking behind her nonchalant attitude.
-"don't tell you are going to be with her!" she hissed.
-"none of your business. Now if that was all you wanted to tell me, then I'm leaving." He said turning on his heels to go back to his friends, more precisely back to Kagome. He was actually concerned that she would get the wrong idea about him leaving with Kikyo. And that's why he had purposely written who he was with in his message. They were just starting to fall back in track, he didn't wish for things to get messed up about nothing again.
-"Inuyasha" Kikyo stopped him. "Have you forgotten the reason why you got away from her in the first place?" he had to turn back to face her at that "or have you change your mind already?" she continue when she was sure she had caught his attention. "You told me you were scare that your instincts were going to force you to make her your mate and kill her in the proses, have you suddenly forgotten that you are risking her life every moment you are with her?"
-"I was wrong. Kikyo. I've been with her all this time and nothing had happened. I have better control now, and I don't see the necessity to keep her away, not when there is no need to and much less now that she needs me." He tried to sound collected, not waiting her to see that her comments had actually hit the mark.
-"so what now? Now that you think you are capable to control yourself and you are going back to her, where does that leave me?" she demanded trepidation in her voice. "Now that I'm of no use for you, you are simply going to discard me?"
-"I never meant to use you, Kikyo and you know it. I'm really grateful with you for the support you give me during my transition and all those months after that. But you and me know that all this relationship thing was not my idea, it was you the one who went around telling everyone that we were something, and I never actually gave my word for it"
-"and you never actually denied things either" she hissed "you agreed with this when you let everyone believe it was true, I told you that I would help you protect her and in exchange I just asked you to be by my side at least until the selection was over"
-"no Kikyo that is the thing. You didn't actually say that. You acted like you actually were worried about me, as if you actually were interested in me and not in the benefit that being with me would give you. You made me believe for a moment that I could actually feel something for you, and that's why I let you go on with the lie. But you showed me your true colors, and I don't want to be acting out whatever this between us is, and more importantly I don't want to keep hurting Kagome with this."
-"you are making a mistake, Inuyasha. You may not want to believe it now, but you are going to end up doing what you feared and then I will not be there to help you." She finished and turned her back at him.
He sighed and run his hand through his bangs and down his face, trying to shake the tension that was cramping his muscles. Kikyo's words had certainly hit a nerve. One that had been constantly exposed since the beginning. He didn't need her to remember him something that hadn't escaped his mind, not once since he heard his father's words. It was a fear that was dangerously hanging over his head ready to hit him whenever he lower his guard. But he was sure he had things under control for now. His youkai blood had been at ease the last few weeks, as strange as that was, and he had not once feel the pressure in his chest and head that announced his sudden transformations. Besides what could possibly go wrong that night? He was going to be human, there was nothing to be worried about.
Part of him was relieved to have had this conversation, though. It was not the way he had wished to end his… whatever it was he had with her, but he was glad that it was finally over. Ever since he and Kagome came back in good terms he had been feeling bad for somehow continue to be tied to Kikyo, at least that's how Kagome was perceiving things, and that made him feel like a disloyal person, and he found that he didn't like the feeling at all. He wanted to completely be there for her, and he knew that having Kikyo in the shadows somehow prevent him from doing just that. But now he was free, and he felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Now there were just one thing he would very much like to take out of the way, sadly it was not his decision to make.
Kagome hadn't mentioned it, and he would be damned if he was the first to bring it out, especially because there were only friends, and he was planning on continue keeping it that way (because he didn't have any other option), and it wouldn't be fair of him to ask her to break up with her boyfriend just because it killed him and made him want to tear the bastard to pieces just to think that she wasn't completely and only his. He knew that, and he was fighting with himself to remember that and don't do anything stupid. Whenever he heard someone mention his name to her, he kept repeating to himself that they were only friends, and that he didn't have the right to kill anybody over that, even when they (Miroku to be more specific) just brought the topic out to bother him out of his mind.
When he got back to his classroom it was almost time for lunch break to end, so he had to literally gulp down his food to finish on time. He was surprised when nobody, not even Sango, commented on his delay, but had found his answer when he saw Kagome smiling his way. She had received the text, and as always had been able to understand his intentions behind it, she must likely had showed it to Sango and had gotten to talk her way into the rest.
Once school was over they made their way back to her house. He had prepared a bag with his stuff beforehand that morning when he came to get changed, so that he didn't had to come over latter, not wanting to risk encountering his father. This time he didn't hide for kagome's mother. He enter the house his school bag in one shoulder and an extra one with his change of clothes in his hand. Kagome had told him that she would do the talking to convince her mother. She was sure it wouldn't be any problem, as it was something they were allowed to do before. But he wanted to be the one to ask permission this time. Because he knew that, as much as Kagome had repeated to him that her parents never knew the reasons why they had grown apart over that past months, her mother was actually very aware of the reasons. He didn't want to get in her bad side, more than he probably already was, having heard from his own mother how concerned Keiko was for her daughter for she had been looking depressed and didn't act like herself since she got back from her trip. The knowing glances Keiko and her late husband threw his way whenever they encountered each other served to let him know that they knew he was the reason behind their daughter's state, that and the fact that they heard the rumors of his presumably serious relationship with Kikyo.
He was incredibly nervous when he faced her mother. Afraid that she would turn him down just for the pleasure of making him suffer. He would understand if she did. After all that wouldn't be enough for him to even start to pay what he had put Kagome through all those months. Having him over for breakfast was one thing, but he was going to ask her now to let him stay the night... and he doubted that she would go easy on him with that.
-"mom" Kagome had started when her mother just stood there watching him and his bags in the entrance of their home. "Are you gonna let us in sometime soon?" she asked uncertainty clearly in her voice.
-"have I missed something, young lady?" the old Higurashi asked eying intently to Inuyasha and his bags.
-"mom…" Kagome tried again but was interrupted by Inuyasha's hand over her shoulder. "Inuyasha?" she asked turning to give him a questioning look.
-"Keiko, I know I have no right to ask this from you, but, I would like to ask for your forgiveness for the way in which I have been treating Kagome lately. I know I haven't been the best of friends to her and I certainly didn't act like one when she decided to take her trip. I have already asked for her forgiveness and for some reason out of my understanding she had given it to me. But I know that my actions hadn't just affected her, but you as her mother as well. So I dare to ask you to forgive me, and allow me to stand by her side again. I promise I would do better this time."
-"Inuyasha" Kagome murmured, a knot forming in her throat by hearing Inuyasha's words. During very long and charged seconds Keiko Higurashi stood there just watching them without saying a word, and every one of them Inuyasha felt his heart sink more and more. Was it too late for him to hope for her forgiveness and acceptance? The look on her face told him that maybe it was.
-"I was wondering when would you come talk to me" she finally said amusement clear in her voice. "It certainly took you long enough, young boy. Come on in, now. There is nothing for me to forgive, you have pay off your debts to my daughter this past weeks, showing that you are a real friend to her as you have been there for her when she has needed you the most, and for that I'm eternally grateful." She said while pulling him into a motherly embrace. He felt his heart go light with her words, such a wonderful woman she was, with a big heart just as his daughter "just promise me you won't do something like that again. Push her away without a valid explanation I mean" she add her tone serious.
-"I promise" he said and he felt bad about it, because deep down he knew that he was in no position to make such a promise, the possibility of him doing just that to keep her safe always around the corner. "Thank you."
-"no, thank you to you, Inuyasha."
-"does this mean that you don't have a problem with him staying the night?" Kagome had to ask. "You know, since tonight is the new moon"
-"of course I don't, honey." She said with a smile and turned to go back inside "it not as if he hadn't been staying here every night for the last month anyways" she murmured with a giggle so low that only Inuyasha's keen ears could hear her. She turned just in time to see his shocked and embarrassed expression and smiled more openly "Dinner it almost ready, come down in ten to eat, okay?" she added before disappearing completely into the kitchen.
-"okay, mom" Kagome said making her way up the stairs. "Inuyasha…? Hey, what's wrong?" she asked when she saw the pale expression on his face.
-"uh, nothing. I just… it was too simple, don't you think?" he asked climbing the steps that separated him from her.
-"told you mom wouldn't take it against you. You were the only one that didn't believe it"
-"no, I mean… she does know I've been staying here, and she hasn't done a thing…" he told her in whispers on their way to her room. Kagome turned to see him eyes wide in surprise.
-"I don't think she does…she would have said something…" she did said something, it was only that you didn't hear her… Inuyasha thought, but decided to keep it to himself, that had been her intention after all, she knew he was going to be the only one to hear her whispers. So he decided to take for what it was, a warning for him to behave.
-"yeah, you must be right… I'm just surprise. a really good kind of surprise." He ended up telling her. Kagome just turned to smile at him over her shoulder while making her way through her bedroom, throwing her bag on her desk and then plopping herself on her bed. Inuyasha followed suit, wanting to rest his tensed muscles. "It almost time" he announced, feeling the pulses in his body announcing him that his change was rapidly approaching. Kagome lifted herself and moved to sit with her legs crossed on her bed. Sighing he did the same so that there were facing each other. He still didn't understand her fascination to watch him turn from hanyou to human, and the other way around. But he had learnt through the years that she didn't like missing the exact moment when it happened. He had forgot to tell her once and she didn't stop complaining about it for the whole night. That day she had forced him to wake her up at dawn so that she could at least see him turning back, and when he refused saying that it was something stupid she had gone to the kitchen and prepared for herself a big cup of black coffee to make sure she would stay awake the whole night if necessary. That had made the trick, and he had ended up accepting and waking her up as she wanted.
-"how long now?" she asked looking back over her shoulder out of her window. The oranges, purples and soft pinks of the last trays of sun coloring the sky, quickly announcing the arriving of the moonless night.
-"not long…"he confirmed "I could feel my senses turning off one by one" she returned her gaze to him and smiled again, and reached for his hands. He facilitated the task for her lifting them and intertwined his finger with hers. "I still don't know why you get all excited about it…"he murmured. "It's just me becoming human. There is nothing to be excited about" she rolled her eyes at him as she had all the other time he had told her the same, but as every other time she didn't tell him the reason. Just stood there watching him with that smile on her face and the emotion shining in her eyes. "It's happening" he announced and close his eyes, letting the pulsations that rob him of his powers wash over him, he took a big breath the moment he felt the tingling sensation of his ears repositioning themselves on both sides of his head, and his fangs and claws reducing to normal human ones. He wait it out when the pulsations became a one big wave that dragged all his youki to his core just to fade as if nothing happen, in that exact moment Kagome let out a surprised yelp and he opened his eyes in alarm "what happened?"
-"did you not feel that?" she asked
-"feel what? Are you okay? Did I hurt you or something?" he asked concern clear in his voice while he reached for her face to examine her, he didn't know what he was looking for, a cut? Fuck, now he couldn't smell if there was blood or if she was in pain…. She stopped his hands from his inspection on her neck and gave him an apologetically smile.
-"I'm okay, I'm not hurt. Sorry if I scared you" she reassured him.
-"then what was that for? it didn't sound like nothing"
-"you seriously didn't feel anything out of the ordinary?" he denied with his head exasperated. "Uh… well…I kind of feel a pull just then and it surprised me, it never happened before. Maybe it was just my imagination… sorry." She repeated and got up from the bed, leaving a very confused now human Inuyasha sitting there dumbfounded watching her every movement. He then narrowed his eyes at her. She was hiding something. "Let's go, mom said ten minutes. It has probably been more than that already."
-"this is not staying like this, wench." He warned her. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this sooner or later." She looked at him as if she didn't know what he meant and then turned to leave her room without saying a word, thankful that for now he was not able to read the emotions that were running through her being deprived from his superhuman sense of smell. She continue her way to the kitchen without looking back, knowing without needed the aid of her powers and his youki to know that he was close behind.
The dinner passed without major incidents. As always her mother made a fuss over his human appearance and how good he looked no matter which form he was. Sota made her the favor to keep him busy the rest of the time, so she had time to herself and her musings. What she felt back there had been new, and not at all pleasant. The moment the remains of his energy were gathering in that final pulse the youki that had been wrapped like a second skin around her all the previous days was pulled from her as well. She had completely forgot about it, being so constantly exposed to his youki as she had been, she was so used to it that she hadn't even realized that the warm sensation of his youki wasn't only coming from his but was on her as well. And that was something that had never happened before. Sure they had always been hanging around the other for most of their lives but never had Kagome carried on her person remains of his youki for most than a few minutes after they part ways, her own aura purifying it as soon as the source was gone. And sure that hasn't been the case today, and sure they had probably spending much more time together now than before but still, that doesn't explain the reason why she had felt that. It was as if it had been pulled from within her and let her expose the second he turned human.
But what had concerned her the most was the empty feeling that followed once it was took away from her, that was the one that actually provoked her to yelp in surprise. She didn't know what to think, and somehow she felt like she should had notice that something was happening the moment it started, she was a miko, for goodness sake! She was supposed to be trained to identify this type of situations! But she hadn't felt any different. That's a lie, and you know it, Kagome. She told to herself. Those zaps were not coming out of nowhere. It was his youki rejecting others and not my sacred aura… she had considered the idea once, but soon discarded, not wanting to entertain other kind of thoughts she was not ready to face now, afraid to get her hopes up for nothing. Because she was a miko, and she did received training in that specific topic, though she had never paid much attention to it...and then again all her learning had never applied to him, it was all about the customs of full blooded youkais. And until last year she thought the he was an exception to the rule thanks to his human blood. Could it be that he had chosen me…? I mean, the biting thing he had been doing… that must be how his youki got inside me without me noticing… that's the only explanation, right? Did he do it on purpose? Why he didn't say anything? Is he afraid I may reject him?... all those questions were running in kagome's head, when her mother called her name bringing her back to reality.
-"what's wrong, Kagome, you almost haven't touch you food? Are you feeling sick?" fuck… she had been spacing out… she saw out of the corner of her eye how Inuyasha was giving her the look. If he was suspicious before now he was sure that something was the matter.
-"I'm okay, just thinking about all the homework and study I have to do to catch up…" she lied. She heard him murmured a sure under his breath and she had to throw her leg to the side to kick him, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut. If her mother believed her or not she didn't comment on it, just nodded and went back to eat.
She tried to delay the inevitable as much as she could. She offered to help her mom to wash the dishes and then help Sota with his English homework. But then he had politely remember her that they had homework on their own that they needed to finish for the next day and she knew that he was done of her avoiding him for the night. She sighed and said goodnight to her family and walked back to her room with him hot on her heels.
-"so are you going to explain to me what's going on or would I have to take it out from you?" he said as soon as the door was closed.
-"told you it's nothing." She said taking out her books from her bad and accommodating herself on the floor in from of the low table they used to work.
-"bullshit, and you know it" he went and kneeled in besides her hooking his fingers under her chin to make her look him in the eyes. "What is it?"
-"fine, I tell you" she told him pushing his hand away from her face. "When you turned human some of your energy that was on me got sucked as well, and the pull surprised me. It was the first time it ever happen so I didn't expect it" she tried to be as honest as she could without going to deep in her suspicions. "But don't worry it didn't hurt or anything, I bet it was because we had been together almost 24/7 for the past month. I've been exposed to your energy for so long that some of it linger on me." She tried to reassure him when she saw the panicked expression on his face.
-"you sure is only that?" he let out in a gruff whisper. She nodded. He had no other option but to believe her. Inside his head his thoughts were running wild. What she had just told him sound too dangerously similar to the description his father told him… "…the youki infuse inside them…" was the only phrase that ringed in his mind over and over and over again when the words your youki, and was on me and got sucked came out of her mouth all together, in a single phrase… it couldn't be the case, right? I mean, he hadn't... they hadn't done anything, gosh, he didn't even dare to think of kissing her afraid that something as little as that could provoke something like that to happen!
He tried to shake off the horrible thoughts. And she tried to look less concerned with her own. In the end the atmosphere was tense and ominous. Not able to take it any longer, she was the one to break the silence with the first thing that crossed her mind.
-"I'm going to talk with Hojo" she started and Inuyasha tense a little more besides her. "Tomorrow. I'll end things with him."
-"why are you telling me this?" he asked and she tried not to look offended or mad
-"just because…" she shrugged "I don't want to continue being with someone I don't love" she let out scribbling her answers on her notebook. You'll do well in doing the same she thought.
-"Kikyo and I end up things today…" he let and averted his eyes when she lifted her head and turned to see him. "I also didn't want to be with someone I don't love." Stupid human emotions… he cursed himself. She couldn't stop it she threw herself to him with so much force that she ended up pushing him to the floor laying on his back with her on top of him. "you seemed too happy to hear that I just had a break up."
-"can you blame me?" he denied with his head. He propped himself to a sitting position taking her along with him. "I sorry" he said, though, he wasn't actually sure for what he was apologizing for this time.
-"you don't have to be" she told him while she caressed his face. She was so close to him, thanks to her previous outburst she had ended somehow sitting on his lap each of her legs one on each side of his thighs, allowing a so much more intimate position between their bodies, so much close than what their had ever allowed themselves before. Her face was a breath away from his, unknowingly he had locked his arms around her pressing her more to himself, and she locked hers around his neck, burying her small fingers on his now black tresses. She was so close he could feel her all enveloping him in her warmth. None of them was sure who gave in first, and certainly didn't care, all they were aware of was the feeling of their lips moving against the other, tongues mingling and teeth nipping. When they finally let go of the other was only because of the lack of air. And still they remained there, their foreheads touching, eyes locked and a silly but satisfied smile on their faces.