**********************************
9 days later.
Kagome fell onto her bed limp. Finals were finally over. Now she just had to wait a week for the results to see if she would be eligible to apply to University. College that would be great. She had applied to the American College in Tokyo. There was no attendance policy and she could come back for a week or two and take the finals. They also had an online course program. It was perfect for the every day fulltime shard hunting, time traveling, demon killing woman. Kagome turned over to lie on her back. Things were starting to get good. She jumped up and grabbed her bag. It was time to go back to the Warring Era.
She jumped out of the well to find Inuyasha waiting for her. He gave her a hug, twirling around. When they landed, Kagome noticed Shippou was also hugging her. "Hi guys. Miss me?"
Inuyasha and Shippou nodded. She laughed and they lead her to the village talking about the demon that was near who had shards. Shippou ran ahead and Inuyasha stopped Kagome. "I only told Shippou. This demon that we are about to fight in known for going after the fighters' loved ones. I didn't want to take the chance but I will tell them."
Kagome silenced him with a kiss. "It's ok. Come on, let's go."
After a week and a half of shard hunting.
Kagome hopped out of the well in her time. She yawned. Mornings were always horrible. She ran into the house. "Did it come? Where is it?" She screamed.
Mamma was laughing. "Yes, yes.here it is."
Kagome snatched the envelope from her mother's hands and tore open the letter. Grandpa and Souta had come in behind her sitting down to eat breakfast. Kagome's face fell.
"Kagome? What's wrong? Did Inuyasha yell at you again?" Souta said in between yawns.
Kagome shook her head as she slid to the floor. "I didn't get in."
"What?" Her family said in unison.
Kagome lifted the letter up and read, "Thank you for applying to our school. You have an impressive academic resume. Yet, due to your absenteeism and chronic illnesses we believe at this time, you would be happier pursuing a different school. We wish you the best of luck.blah blah blah." Kagome sniffled wiping her eyes. "All that work.down the drain."
Mamma sat on the floor, hugging Kagome. "Oh sweetie. It is not the end of the world. You can always try again in a year."
Kagome cried into her mother's shirt. "No, this was it. If I didn't go now.I could never go. The battle with Naraku is getting closer and once that begins then.I won't be able to come back here for a long time. I at least have another year so I could have started college at least. But not now."
Mamma stroked her head. "Maybe this is Fate's way of telling you, you are needed elsewhere. College will always be there. Your dad didn't go back until he was 30. And he did just fine."
Souta jumped up. "Hey, Hitomi and I are going to the beach today. Come on, Kagome. Come with us.please. I never get to see you anymore."
Grandpa nodded. "I think that is an excellent idea. Kagome you need to go out more."
Kagome sighed. "Yeah, I do. I'll go." Souta cheered and ran to call Hitomi. Mamma helped Kagome up. "I'm going to go get ready." She said sadness dripping from her lips.
Mamma frowned and watched her daughter make her way up the stairs, starting to cry again.
Inuyasha's eyes snapped open. He was sitting up in his tree. 'Kagome is crying.' He could smell her tears all the way from the well. Shippou, who had snuggled in the crock of Inuyasha's arm, yawned. "I smell tears."
Inuyasha smelled the air again. It was faint but that was due more to the fact it was the day before the new moon. He said to the little kitsue without looking up, "They are Kagome's tears."
Shippou sat up. "What? Why is she crying?"
"She said she was only going for a few minutes to see how she did on some sort of test. She has been gone for 4 hours. Maybe she didn't do that well."
Shippou frowned, plopping down into Inuyasha's arms. Inuyasha grinned. Although he'd never admit it, he liked the little kitsune. Over the years, Shippou had bonded to Inuyasha and Kagome as a youkai child does to his parents. Kagome had taken to the role with ease. Inuyasha it had taken awhile. He still loved to beat up on him but times like this when it was just the two of them he didn't mind Shippou hugging him or sleeping in his arms. It made him feel good. But, right now Kagome's tears were worrying him. He jumped to the well with Shippou in his arms still. At the well, Shippou stood on the rim. "It's not fair that you get to see Kagome no matter what time period she is in. I miss her. I want to see her."
Inuyasha rubbed Shippou's head. "Then, I'll just have to go get her and drag her back here. I'll be back in a couple of days."
"DAYS?!" Inuyasha nodded. "Yes, Kagome may still have those tests. And," Inuyasha looked to the sky, "it will be a new moon tonight. With all the demons we have been encountering lately I think it might be safer to be on her side." Shippou laughed. "Wow, you actually made a valid argument there. And here I thought you just wanted to get all smoochy with Kagome." Inuyasha made a move to hit him, causing Shippou to yelp and fall on the grass. Inuyasha poked Shippou's stomach. "Do make sure the monk doesn't molest any women and Sango doesn't kill him. I'll be back in three days." He jumped into the well. Shippou sat up. He transformed into a balloon and headed back towards the village.
Inuyasha jumped out of the well and moved swiftly to the house. When he entered he only found Mama and Kagome's grandfather sitting at the table, drinking tea. They didn't look happy. Mamma said to him. "Inuyasha? Is anything wrong?"
Inuyasha walked to the table, hands in his kimono. "Yeah. Kagome said she would only be gone for a few minutes and then I smelt her tears. Is she ok?"
Grandpa shook his head. "She didn't make it into the University."
Inuyasha flinched. Kagome had told him how important going to the University had been to her. No wonder she was crying. "Where is she now?"
"At the beach with her brother. She needed some cheering up. Please, sit."
Inuyasha sat down in between them. Mamma smiled. "Inuyasha you look so nervous."
He pointed up. "New moon."
Grandpa nodded, "Oh right. Hanyou's lose their youkai once in a while. You'll look human."
Inuyasha just gave a small growl. Mamma laughed. "Really? Oh so that must be why you came here. Come with me."
Inuyasha obeyed reluctantly. "Why?"
"I think I might have some clothes you could wear. And you should get cleaned up."
Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. "Why?"
Mamma stood akimbo. "Well, if you are going to look human, you might as well really look like one. Plus, that kimono of yours needs cleaning."
Inuyasha followed Mamma up the stairs growling.
Right before sundown..
Kagome opened the door for poor Souta. He had fallen asleep in the sun while Kagome had walked the boardwalks. His back was a bright burning red. He walked like a cowboy with his arms out. Kagome dropped her stuff on the ground. She took off her sun hat and adjusted her bikini top and jean shorts. Kagome stepped up and turned to Souta. "OK, one big step then go into the kitchen and I'll get the medicine from the fridge. Souta just nodded. Kagome quickly grabbed his hands and pulled him up. Souta screamed then waddled to the kitchen.
Inuyasha was cutting herbs for Mamma to put in the Oden. He saw Souta and smiled. Souta didn't smile but nodded. He heard Kagome say from the doorway. "Mamma, Souta fell asleep in the sun."
Souta slowly turned so Inuyasha could see the red all over his back. Mamma gasped. "I'm making Oden, Kagome put some of that ointment on him."
"I am. Hold on."
Souta looked at Inuyasha. He was wearing dark jeans and a button down white shirt that was untucked. He looked good.
His attention was distracted as Kagome walked into the room. Inuyasha's jaw dropped. Kagome was showing so much skin it was so.attractive. He watched her bring in a basket and place it on the table then quickly open the fridge. He noticed two horizontal scars on her bareback. He would have to ask about them later. As she was searching for something she said, "Houja sends his love and that basket. I don't know why he keeps giving me these gifts."
Inuyasha' mood was soured by the mention of the H-word.
"Kagome, be polite. You saved the boy's life, of course he is going to do everything in his power to try and pay you back."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. 'She saved his life. I'll have to ask her about that too.'
"Got it." Kagome stood with a jar in her hand she turned and almost yelled. "Inuyasha. What are you doing here?"
He smiled. "New moon." As if on cue, the sunset and Inuyasha's body vibrated. His hair became black, his claws disappeared and his ear moved to transform into human ones.
Souta's jaw dropped. "That was so cool." He yelled.
Kagome chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it is."
Inuyasha began to chop up the herbs again. Kagome smiled. "Inuyasha, you clean up nice."
Inuyasha's head snapped up. "What do you mean by that?"
Kagome walked over and brought the stool so she sat next to him. She sat on the stool motioning Souta to come near. He hobbled over turning so his back faced her. She opened the jar and started to apply the ointment. She turned to Inuyasha. "It means you look good."
"Oh." Inuyasha's moved to look at Kagome's arm, then neck, the down to her breasts. He quickly turned away, blushing. He was turning into Miroku. He handed the herbs to Mamma and then sat and watched her apply more medicine to poor Souta's back.
"Why didn't you burn like him?"
"I didn't fall asleep on one side for hours. I walked around. OK, Souta. You're done. Go sit in front of the AC and we'll see if it works." Souta complied.
Kagome hopped off the stool. Mamma walked out of the kitchen to their storage ceiling. Kagome was cleaning her hands when she felt a finger touch her back. She yelped and turned to see Inuyasha looking at her stunned.
"Wha?"
Kagome folded her arms. "What? What were you doing?"
Inuyasha gave her a scold and grabbed her by the shoulders. He turned her around so her bare back faced him. "Where did you get these?"
Kagome was about to ask 'get what?' when she left his finger glide along her back. She knew what it was now. "It happened a long time ago." She pushed away from him and put the ointment back in the fridge. Mamma walked back into the room. Kagome walked up to her room. Inuyasha followed. Kagome walked over to her closet searching for some clothes. She placed an outfit on her desk. She looked up to see Inuyasha watching her closely. It looked so weird to see him in modern clothes sitting with his arms and legs crossed. "What?"
Kagome watched him look her up and down. "Is that normal.to wear so little?"
Kagome smiled. "Yes. It's called a bathing suit. People wear this to go swimming. It's made from a special material that doesn't get heavy when wet. Remember I wore one in your time. Hey, where is your kimono?"
"Your mother took it to be cleaned."
"Oh." Kagome sat on the bed with her outfit in her hands. She touched the shirt and sighed. "It's my dad's shirt."
Inuyasha saw the sad look in her eyes. "No, your mom said it belonged to Fei."
Kagome chuckled, looking into Inuyasha's eyes. "Fei was my dad's name."
Inuyasha frowned. "I.I didn't know. Do you want me to take it off?"
Kagome shook her head. "No, dad would have liked you to have it."
Inuyasha smiled back. "Thanks. It feels different but comfortable." He bowed his head. "I'm sorry to hear about the University."
"Who.mamma."
"No, your grandfather told me."
Kagome sighed deeply this time. "Yeah, well, now I can be your shard detector 24/7." A tear fell down her cheek.
"Kagome." Inuyasha said quietly, wiping the tear from her eye. The contact only made more tears fall. Kagome hugged Inuyasha crying into his chest. He was stunned at first but then wrapped his arms around her. He rocked her, remembering his mother soothing him this way. It seemed to help. Her cries stopped but she didn't let go. Without realizing it, Inuyasha rubbed her bare back.
Kagome sat up and got her clothes and walked into the bathroom. Inuyasha was left on the bed confused. A few minutes later Kagome came back into the room wearing a dark blue T-shirt and her khaki shorts. Her hair was up in a loose ponytail. She stood at her window looking outside. Inuyasha stood up beside her. "Kagome?"
She turned to him. He could see the redness around her eyes. She had been crying in the bathroom but with his human senses he couldn't hear or smell it. He frowned. "Your mom told me that you could try again."
Kagome shook her head. "No, we need to start looking for Naraku. He could be anywhere. And he has most of the shards. We have to defeat him."
"Why are you."
Kagome turned to him almost screaming, "Because if I could screw this up then I can screw other things up. If I can't defeat Naraku then I have wasted it all. All the time away from my family and my life. I wouldn't be a failure." She slid down to her knees and cried into her hands.
Inuyasha sat Indian style in front of her. He took her hands away from her face. "You baka. You are not a failure, wrench. Look at all you have done!"
"I shattered the jewel."
"You also have great powers to put it together again. You have made friends along the way. You fought off being possessed. You have killed youkai with your improving archery skills. You even were able to almost kill Narau. Plus, you put up with me. I know I don't make your life easy but I'm glad you are in mine."
Kagome looked at Inuyasha. 'Did he just give me a compliment?' He head was down and he was blushing. "huh?"
Inuyasha dropped Kagome's hands and crossed his own. "You heard me, baka. I'm not repeating myself."
Kagome nodded, smiling. "Ok."
Kagome's mother called them to dinner. They both walked down in silence. Kagome and Inuyasha sat next to each other. Kagome began to smile. She took the chopsticks from Inuyasha's hands. "Hey."
Kagome laughed. "You look human tonight. We are going out." She grabbed a confused Inuyasha's hand. She grabbed some money from her room and a pair of shoes for Inuyasha and herself. They walked down the stairs of the shrine and Kagome lead Inuyasha to the bus stop. She let out a breath and sat on the bench. She smiled, patting the spot next to her. "Come s.here." She said stopping herself form saying the word sit. Inuyasha sat next to her. He grunted. "You almost said the word."
Kagome nodded. "Yep. I almost did. I really should have chosen another word. I guess I wasn't thinking straight with a demon trying to kill me."
"I wouldn't have killed you."
Kagome laughed. "Well, that would have been helpful to know at the time."
Inuyasha looked around. "What is this?"
"We are waiting for the bus to take us to the mall. It's a huge place where people go to shop, socialize, eat, and must have fun. It might be a little overwhelming at first, but you will get used to it quick."
"Why are you taking me?"
Kagome smiled at him. "Because you and I haven't been alone in a long time and I don't think we have ever had fun when we have been alone."
Inuyasha looked to the night sky. "I think we have.we had fun at the New Years festival."
"We did. But, you get weird when there are too many people around. I don't know if people still make you nervous but you are always on guard."
Inuyasha gave her a raised eyebrow. "Do you blame me? Anyone at that festival could have been Naraku or one of his detachments in disguise. I.I haven't cared for many people in my lifetime. But, you guys are my family now. If anything happened to you or the others, I would never be able to forgive myself."
Kagome placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. She gave it a small squeeze. "I can't speak for the others, but I know I feel the same way."
Inuyasha smiled. The bus arrived and Kagome and Inuyasha got onto the very crowded bus. Kagome grabbed one of the hanging holders and Inuyasha did the same. The bus began to move shifting everyone back. Kagome started to fall back but Inuyasha grabbed her. He pulled her close and held her with his hand around her waist. "Can't you go anywhere without falling?" He teased.
Kagome snorted. "Whatever." A few minutes later the bus began to slow. Kagome Nudged Inuyasha who was watching women put makeup on. "This is our stop."
They left the bus and entered the mall. Just as Kagome expected, Inuyasha was stunned with over simulation. Kagome laughed and grabbed Inuyasha's hand. She took him to the food court. "Ok, this is a food court. There are a variety of foods to choose from. So, what smells good?"
Inuyasha nudged her. "You know I can't smell."
Kagome nudged. "Sure you can. Just because it's not a demon sense of smell, doesn't mean you can't smell anything. Come on, close your eyes, take a deep breath and lead the way."
Inuyasha crossed his arms and closed his eyes. His olfactory senses were dragged to the left. It was meat and onions and greasy smells. He opened his eyes and saw what he has smelled. Kagome nodded. "Pretty good. I love this place." Inuyasha smiled. He was happy he chooses a place that Kagome enjoyed. He watched her order and gets the food. He followed her to a table and sat down. She handed him the food. "This is a hamburger, fries and a soda. It's a very American dish."
They ate their meal quickly. Inuyasha smiled. "Could you bring this with you some time back to the feudal era?"
Kagome laughed. "Sure. Ok, let's see what else we could do."
Inuyasha took Kagome's hand. "I want to see around more." Kagome blushed. They walked around talking about the things they saw. After a few hours, they walked outside. They sat on the bench waiting for the bus. "Kagome!"
Kagome turned to see her friends walking towards her. They hugged her. "Kagome, what are you doing here?"
Kagome laughed. "I'm taking my friend around. It's his first time in the city."
All three looked behind Kagome to see Inuyasha giving them a scared look. The girls crowded around him. "He's so cute." "IS this your boyfriend?" Inuyasha backed away and hide behind Kagome the best he could. The three girls began to approach them when Kagome put her hands up. "He's a little shy."
"Hey, do you want to come with us to Insomnia?"
Kagome smiled, looking behind her. "I.We would love to." They all began to walk down the main street to the club. Inuyasha stopped, pulling Kagome back. "What are we doing?"
Kagome smiled, patting his hand. "It's a club. It has a lot of dancing and partying. This is fun."
Inuyasha just nodded and allowed Kagome and the girls to drag him inside. Inuyasha was glad he was a human at that moment. If he had his demon blood he would have gone deaf and blind within seconds. Multicolor lights were rotating around the room and the music was making his body vibrate. Kagome seems to move with the music. She pulled him into the middle of a crowd. She put her hand behind his neck and brought him towards her. Inuyasha blushed. Kagome said into his ear. "Relax. Just move with the music."
She pulled away much to Inuyasha disappointment. He watched the people around him first and then started he sway back and forth. His eyes were wide when he noticed a few of the couples moving together in a very intimate way. He pointed at them and yelled. "Is that normal?"
Kagome turned to look at what Inuyasha was potting at and laughed. "Yeah, it's called grinding. You dance as close as you can with your dance partner."
"Are they mates?"
"No, they don't have to be."
"So, we could do that?"
Kagome blushed. Inuyasha noticed her reaction. "I thought you said it wasn't for mates."
"It's not."
"Then why are you blushing?"
This made Kagome blush even more. "Because, usually people who dance like that really like each other or want something." She finished putting the emphasis on something.
Inuyasha was confused. "What do they want?"
Kagome nervously laughed. "They want sex.to mate with them but without the commitment."
Inuyasha let the information absorb into his head. He nodded to Kagome that he understood. Just when he was about to ask her something else, her friends grabbed her and took her into the cages. Kagome and her friend danced with each other, getting a few hollers from the crowd. Kagome was nervous at first but then loosened up. She began to dance around the pole with her friend. Eri and her hugged each other and twirled each to her. They danced a bit before Kagome left to find Inuyasha. She found him with wide eyes and motionless. Some people were getting more intimate on the dance floor so to point where private body parts could be seen. Kagome quickly pushed through the crowd to get to him. She touched his arm, pulling him towards her. His movement was like lightening. He quickly grabbed her back and kissed her. Kagome was so high on adrenaline from dancing in the cage she kissed right back. Inuyasha brought his hand up, running his fingers through her hair to the back of her neck, deepening their kiss. Kagome's legs felt like jelly. Her body was on fire. It was such a primal animal urge she could feel the heat growing between Inuyasha and herself. Kagome was holding onto Inuyasha's shirt with a death grip. Inuyasha pulled away. "I'm sorry. I didn't. I couldn't help myself."
Kagome swallowed trying to get her voice back. "Is that how you greet all the girls who touch you?"
Inuyasha gave her a sly smile. "I knew it was you."
Kagome nodded, still trying to get the feeling back into her legs.
"Are you ok?"
Kagome nodded, smiling. "Yeah."
Inuyasha laughed. "If I had known this is how to shut you up, I would have done this years ago."
That brought Kagome back very quickly. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Inuyasha shook his head. "Nothing. Do you mind taking your death grip off my shirt."
Kagome looked at her fists still clinging to his shirt. She quickly released him, wiping her hands on her shorts looking at anything but Inuyasha. She noticed him looking down, blushing. She looked in the direction he was looking at and got an eyeful for someone's bare breast and someone's ass. Kagome laughed. "Ok, I think I've seen enough. Let's go upstairs." She pulled Inuyasha with her upstairs. It was quieter and the lounges were painted ruby red with red carpeting. The stool was black leather and overlooked the dance floor. There was a plexiglass wall that cut out some of the noise. There was a bar to the right and few waitresses. Kagome and Inuyasha sat on a couch in a secluded corner. Kagome wiped the sweat from her brow. "So, what do you think?"
Inuyasha leaned against the railing watching the people. "It's overwhelming to say the least. There is so much energy moving around even I can see it in his form." He turned his head to see Kagome fanning herself with a flyer from one of the tables. "Do you come here a lot?"
Kagome laughed. "No. Only once in a while. This is more my friends' thing. They like to come here to meet guys and dance."
Inuyasha pointed to the dance floor. "DO they dance like that?"
"Eri does, but not me. No way. I'm not a wham-bam-thank-you-madam kinda girl."
Inuyasha leaned back on the couch to look at Kagome. "What does that mean?"
Kagome sighed. "It means that I'm not going to be physical with someone just for the sake of being physical. I'm not going to mate with someone unless they are my boyfriend or husband."
Inuyasha smiled. "You were physical with me and I'm neither those things."
Kagome blushed. "You. You surprised me. I wasn't expecting it."
Inuyasha folded his arms. "Neither was I. All that energy was bubbling inside me and I had to release it or I would have gone mad." He looked into Kagome's blushing face. "I'm glad it was you though."
Kagome smiled. "Me too. We better go back down before my friends get worried."
Inuyasha grunted. "DO we have to? I don't like the way this place makes me feel."
Kagome frowned. "Why? What's wrong?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "It makes me feel tingly all over. I feel so aggressive. The need for." He began to blush. ".Physical things are dominant."
Kagome nodded. "I understand. I feel it too."
"You do?"
Kagome took his hand and they started to walk downstairs. "Yeah, all the music and movement. It makes me feel alive and brave. I feel like I could do anything. I could say anything to anyone. It's a great feeling. I'll go tell my friends we're leaving and then you and I can go home."
Inuyasha nodded. "I really would like that."
She nodded. She didn't see Inuyasha follow her a few paces more. He watched her reach her friends. "Hey, guys, we are going to take off. Inuyasha has had enough for one night." Eri laughed. "Yeah, right. I bet you and Inuyasha just want to be alone." Her friends started to sing with the song. "Some sexual healing." Kagome and Inuyasha blushed. Kagome hit one of her friends playfully. "I'll see you later." As Kagome left her friends started dancing with each other singing, "sexual healing" after her. She covered her face to hide the blushing from Inuyasha, who was turned so she couldn't see him blushing too. Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's arm and grabbed him out.
They exited the club and moved to the bus stop. Kagome rubbed her ears, thankful that her blushing was stopped. "The only bad thing about those places is you come out with cotton ears."
Inuyasha folded his arms and waited for the bus. There were the only ones at the bus stop surprisingly. Kagome leaned against Inuyasha's arm and he leaned his head on hers. They both froze realizing how relaxed and easy they had just snuggled together. They were about to move away when Kagome yawned. Inuyasha relaxed and looked at Kagome smiling. "Tired?"
Kagome sighed. "Yeah. It's been a long day."
Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, it has been." He couldn't resist. "What is sexual healing?"
Kagome yelped and sat up looking at him with a beet red face. "What?"
Inuyasha turned leaning his arm against the back of the bench to face Kagome.
Kagome swallowed. "Where did you hear that?"
"Your friends were singing it. What does it mean?"
Kagome wrung her hands, nervously. "Well, you see.some people think that." She looked down at her feet and said quickly, "having sex can heal anything."
Inuyasha laughed. Kagome looked at him. "What?"
Inuyasha shook his head turning to face the street. He leaned back, fooling his arms. "Nothing. It's just that it's fun to make you blush."
Kagome brought her eyebrows together in anger. Inuyasha noticed it. "Oh come on. It's all I have.you can sit me whenever you want."
Kagome sighed. "Yeah, you're right."
The bus came and Kagome and Inuyasha got on finding the bus full of teenage kids, yelling and having a good time. Inuyasha protectively wrapped one arm around Kagome's waist and one hand on the handle. Kagome looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"Just nervous. I'm human remember. I can't protect you like I can when I'm a hanyou.even though I hate being that too."
He felt Kagome touch his cheek. "You don't give yourself enough credit. Plus, I can protect myself, you know." Inuyasha gave her a half- smile. "No really I can."
Inuyasha just shook his head. "Come on, this is our stop." They walked up to the shrine, leaning against each other since neither had any strength. Kagome stopped just before the house and looked at a shrine. "I'll be right back." She left Inuyasha's side and walked to the shrine and lit a candle. She closed her eyes and knelt by the shrine. She lit some incense and two candles. She put her hands together and closed her eyes. Inuyasha sat beside her and watched her silently. Even in his human form he could see the pink glow around her when she used her miko powers. After a few minutes she opened her eyes, letting one tear fall down her face. Inuyasha wiped her cheek. "What are you doing?"
Kagome sniffled, extinguishing the lights. "I was praying to my father and brother."
Inuyasha frowned. "You father and brother? You never talk about them."
Kagome smiled. "They were great. My brother and him died a few years ago in an earthquake. It was hard but we moved on." She looked at Inuyasha. "But you know how that feels, don't you?"
Inuyasha nodded, looking down. "Too many times."
"Did you have anyone after your parents died?"
Inuyasha looked into Kagome's sad eyes. "Not really. I had a few people who helped me out from time to time but nothing like." He stopped putting his hands into fists, closing his eyes tight, trying to hold back tears.
"Kikyo." Kagome finished. She walked over and took Inuyasha's human hands in her own. She forced his hands to relax and unclench. She held them. Inuyasha opened his eyes, letting one tear glisten around his eye but not fall. He looked into Kagome's eyes as she said, "No matter what, Kikyo will always care for you in her own way. But you should know by now that we all care about you too. We are your family.at least we think of you that way."
Inuyasha nodded. "I do."
Kagome smiled. "Good. Time for bed. I'm exhausted."
Inuyasha nodded and followed Kagome back into the house. He sat on the floor while Kagome got into her a tank top and shorts in the bathroom. She came back in tossing her shirt over Inuyasha's head before crawling into bed. Inuyasha grabbed the shirt and looked at Kagome. She giggled and lay on her stomach, her arms dangling over the bed. She looked at Inuyasha. "Why did you kiss me?"
Inuyasha snapped his head up in shock. "I...I told you. There was too much sexual energy and I needed to release it. You were there."
"That was it?" Kagome said, disappointment dripping off her words. It was not lost on Inuyasha. Inuyasha blushed slightly. "Yeah. Why?"
Kagome turned over so she could look at the ceiling so Inuyasha couldn't see the sad look on her face. "Just wondering if it meant something more."
Inuyasha noticed Kagome's change in mood from playful to disappointment. HE leaned against the bed, looking at her back. "Did you want it to mean something more?"
Kagome blushed deep red. She was glad she had turned away from him. "I don't know."
Inuyasha sighed. He knew that when Kagome said I don't know she usually meant yes. He cleared his throat. "Like I said, I was glad it was you. I wouldn't have wanted to kiss someone I had no feelings for."
Kagome turned in bed to see Inuyasha looking right at her. She smiled. "Me too. Just don't make a habit out of it."
Inuyasha laughed. "I'll try." He then grunted. "Oh, and what was Houjo doing at the club?"
Kagome rolled her eyes and lay on her stomach, facing Inuyasha. "He is a good friend. We have known each other for years."
"Your mom said you saved his life."
Kagome looked at Inuyasha. He was curious. He wasn't jealous or mad. He truly wanted to know. She nodded. "Yeah, I did. During an earthquake the building we were living in fell apart. He was trapped under a beam. I helped him out before the building completely collapsed." Kagome swallowed the lump her throat. He motioned to her back. "I got those going back in to find my father and my younger brother."
Inuyasha moved closer and touched the area where her scars were on her back. One on the right side and one close to her spine. "How?" Kagome began to relax as Inuyasha began to rub her back. "Metal debris. It hit me and I blacked out. It doesn't hurt too much anymore. It's been almost 3 years. We moved here shortly after it happened. Then I fell into a well and meet you, Shippou, Sango, and Miroku." Inuyasha nodded. Kagome yawned. "Well, I'm off to dreamland." Kagome said in an afterthought, "Your back is going to hurt in the morning." "No, it won't." "Ok, suit yourself." She no sooner had rested her head on the pillow before she fell asleep. Inuyasha looked up to see Kagome asleep. He sat up to look at Kagome. He brushed a hair from her face gently kissing her forehead. "Kagome?" he whispered.
"Hmm?" She answered in her sleep. He smiled evilly. He had always wanted to try this on her. He prepared for the worst sit of his lifetime she was going to give him for this one but Miroku could say it. "Would you bear my child?" She nodded yes. Inuyasha was stunned. Of course, she was asleep but still Inuyasha's heart skipped a beat when she answered. "Could we adopt Shippou as our child too?" To his surprise she nodded yes again. He asked her if it was ok for him to kill Kouga. When she nodded yes to that one, Inuyasha knew she was unconsciously answering him. He went back to his place on the floor to sleep.
Kagome fell onto her bed limp. Finals were finally over. Now she just had to wait a week for the results to see if she would be eligible to apply to University. College that would be great. She had applied to the American College in Tokyo. There was no attendance policy and she could come back for a week or two and take the finals. They also had an online course program. It was perfect for the every day fulltime shard hunting, time traveling, demon killing woman. Kagome turned over to lie on her back. Things were starting to get good. She jumped up and grabbed her bag. It was time to go back to the Warring Era.
She jumped out of the well to find Inuyasha waiting for her. He gave her a hug, twirling around. When they landed, Kagome noticed Shippou was also hugging her. "Hi guys. Miss me?"
Inuyasha and Shippou nodded. She laughed and they lead her to the village talking about the demon that was near who had shards. Shippou ran ahead and Inuyasha stopped Kagome. "I only told Shippou. This demon that we are about to fight in known for going after the fighters' loved ones. I didn't want to take the chance but I will tell them."
Kagome silenced him with a kiss. "It's ok. Come on, let's go."
After a week and a half of shard hunting.
Kagome hopped out of the well in her time. She yawned. Mornings were always horrible. She ran into the house. "Did it come? Where is it?" She screamed.
Mamma was laughing. "Yes, yes.here it is."
Kagome snatched the envelope from her mother's hands and tore open the letter. Grandpa and Souta had come in behind her sitting down to eat breakfast. Kagome's face fell.
"Kagome? What's wrong? Did Inuyasha yell at you again?" Souta said in between yawns.
Kagome shook her head as she slid to the floor. "I didn't get in."
"What?" Her family said in unison.
Kagome lifted the letter up and read, "Thank you for applying to our school. You have an impressive academic resume. Yet, due to your absenteeism and chronic illnesses we believe at this time, you would be happier pursuing a different school. We wish you the best of luck.blah blah blah." Kagome sniffled wiping her eyes. "All that work.down the drain."
Mamma sat on the floor, hugging Kagome. "Oh sweetie. It is not the end of the world. You can always try again in a year."
Kagome cried into her mother's shirt. "No, this was it. If I didn't go now.I could never go. The battle with Naraku is getting closer and once that begins then.I won't be able to come back here for a long time. I at least have another year so I could have started college at least. But not now."
Mamma stroked her head. "Maybe this is Fate's way of telling you, you are needed elsewhere. College will always be there. Your dad didn't go back until he was 30. And he did just fine."
Souta jumped up. "Hey, Hitomi and I are going to the beach today. Come on, Kagome. Come with us.please. I never get to see you anymore."
Grandpa nodded. "I think that is an excellent idea. Kagome you need to go out more."
Kagome sighed. "Yeah, I do. I'll go." Souta cheered and ran to call Hitomi. Mamma helped Kagome up. "I'm going to go get ready." She said sadness dripping from her lips.
Mamma frowned and watched her daughter make her way up the stairs, starting to cry again.
Inuyasha's eyes snapped open. He was sitting up in his tree. 'Kagome is crying.' He could smell her tears all the way from the well. Shippou, who had snuggled in the crock of Inuyasha's arm, yawned. "I smell tears."
Inuyasha smelled the air again. It was faint but that was due more to the fact it was the day before the new moon. He said to the little kitsue without looking up, "They are Kagome's tears."
Shippou sat up. "What? Why is she crying?"
"She said she was only going for a few minutes to see how she did on some sort of test. She has been gone for 4 hours. Maybe she didn't do that well."
Shippou frowned, plopping down into Inuyasha's arms. Inuyasha grinned. Although he'd never admit it, he liked the little kitsune. Over the years, Shippou had bonded to Inuyasha and Kagome as a youkai child does to his parents. Kagome had taken to the role with ease. Inuyasha it had taken awhile. He still loved to beat up on him but times like this when it was just the two of them he didn't mind Shippou hugging him or sleeping in his arms. It made him feel good. But, right now Kagome's tears were worrying him. He jumped to the well with Shippou in his arms still. At the well, Shippou stood on the rim. "It's not fair that you get to see Kagome no matter what time period she is in. I miss her. I want to see her."
Inuyasha rubbed Shippou's head. "Then, I'll just have to go get her and drag her back here. I'll be back in a couple of days."
"DAYS?!" Inuyasha nodded. "Yes, Kagome may still have those tests. And," Inuyasha looked to the sky, "it will be a new moon tonight. With all the demons we have been encountering lately I think it might be safer to be on her side." Shippou laughed. "Wow, you actually made a valid argument there. And here I thought you just wanted to get all smoochy with Kagome." Inuyasha made a move to hit him, causing Shippou to yelp and fall on the grass. Inuyasha poked Shippou's stomach. "Do make sure the monk doesn't molest any women and Sango doesn't kill him. I'll be back in three days." He jumped into the well. Shippou sat up. He transformed into a balloon and headed back towards the village.
Inuyasha jumped out of the well and moved swiftly to the house. When he entered he only found Mama and Kagome's grandfather sitting at the table, drinking tea. They didn't look happy. Mamma said to him. "Inuyasha? Is anything wrong?"
Inuyasha walked to the table, hands in his kimono. "Yeah. Kagome said she would only be gone for a few minutes and then I smelt her tears. Is she ok?"
Grandpa shook his head. "She didn't make it into the University."
Inuyasha flinched. Kagome had told him how important going to the University had been to her. No wonder she was crying. "Where is she now?"
"At the beach with her brother. She needed some cheering up. Please, sit."
Inuyasha sat down in between them. Mamma smiled. "Inuyasha you look so nervous."
He pointed up. "New moon."
Grandpa nodded, "Oh right. Hanyou's lose their youkai once in a while. You'll look human."
Inuyasha just gave a small growl. Mamma laughed. "Really? Oh so that must be why you came here. Come with me."
Inuyasha obeyed reluctantly. "Why?"
"I think I might have some clothes you could wear. And you should get cleaned up."
Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. "Why?"
Mamma stood akimbo. "Well, if you are going to look human, you might as well really look like one. Plus, that kimono of yours needs cleaning."
Inuyasha followed Mamma up the stairs growling.
Right before sundown..
Kagome opened the door for poor Souta. He had fallen asleep in the sun while Kagome had walked the boardwalks. His back was a bright burning red. He walked like a cowboy with his arms out. Kagome dropped her stuff on the ground. She took off her sun hat and adjusted her bikini top and jean shorts. Kagome stepped up and turned to Souta. "OK, one big step then go into the kitchen and I'll get the medicine from the fridge. Souta just nodded. Kagome quickly grabbed his hands and pulled him up. Souta screamed then waddled to the kitchen.
Inuyasha was cutting herbs for Mamma to put in the Oden. He saw Souta and smiled. Souta didn't smile but nodded. He heard Kagome say from the doorway. "Mamma, Souta fell asleep in the sun."
Souta slowly turned so Inuyasha could see the red all over his back. Mamma gasped. "I'm making Oden, Kagome put some of that ointment on him."
"I am. Hold on."
Souta looked at Inuyasha. He was wearing dark jeans and a button down white shirt that was untucked. He looked good.
His attention was distracted as Kagome walked into the room. Inuyasha's jaw dropped. Kagome was showing so much skin it was so.attractive. He watched her bring in a basket and place it on the table then quickly open the fridge. He noticed two horizontal scars on her bareback. He would have to ask about them later. As she was searching for something she said, "Houja sends his love and that basket. I don't know why he keeps giving me these gifts."
Inuyasha' mood was soured by the mention of the H-word.
"Kagome, be polite. You saved the boy's life, of course he is going to do everything in his power to try and pay you back."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. 'She saved his life. I'll have to ask her about that too.'
"Got it." Kagome stood with a jar in her hand she turned and almost yelled. "Inuyasha. What are you doing here?"
He smiled. "New moon." As if on cue, the sunset and Inuyasha's body vibrated. His hair became black, his claws disappeared and his ear moved to transform into human ones.
Souta's jaw dropped. "That was so cool." He yelled.
Kagome chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it is."
Inuyasha began to chop up the herbs again. Kagome smiled. "Inuyasha, you clean up nice."
Inuyasha's head snapped up. "What do you mean by that?"
Kagome walked over and brought the stool so she sat next to him. She sat on the stool motioning Souta to come near. He hobbled over turning so his back faced her. She opened the jar and started to apply the ointment. She turned to Inuyasha. "It means you look good."
"Oh." Inuyasha's moved to look at Kagome's arm, then neck, the down to her breasts. He quickly turned away, blushing. He was turning into Miroku. He handed the herbs to Mamma and then sat and watched her apply more medicine to poor Souta's back.
"Why didn't you burn like him?"
"I didn't fall asleep on one side for hours. I walked around. OK, Souta. You're done. Go sit in front of the AC and we'll see if it works." Souta complied.
Kagome hopped off the stool. Mamma walked out of the kitchen to their storage ceiling. Kagome was cleaning her hands when she felt a finger touch her back. She yelped and turned to see Inuyasha looking at her stunned.
"Wha?"
Kagome folded her arms. "What? What were you doing?"
Inuyasha gave her a scold and grabbed her by the shoulders. He turned her around so her bare back faced him. "Where did you get these?"
Kagome was about to ask 'get what?' when she left his finger glide along her back. She knew what it was now. "It happened a long time ago." She pushed away from him and put the ointment back in the fridge. Mamma walked back into the room. Kagome walked up to her room. Inuyasha followed. Kagome walked over to her closet searching for some clothes. She placed an outfit on her desk. She looked up to see Inuyasha watching her closely. It looked so weird to see him in modern clothes sitting with his arms and legs crossed. "What?"
Kagome watched him look her up and down. "Is that normal.to wear so little?"
Kagome smiled. "Yes. It's called a bathing suit. People wear this to go swimming. It's made from a special material that doesn't get heavy when wet. Remember I wore one in your time. Hey, where is your kimono?"
"Your mother took it to be cleaned."
"Oh." Kagome sat on the bed with her outfit in her hands. She touched the shirt and sighed. "It's my dad's shirt."
Inuyasha saw the sad look in her eyes. "No, your mom said it belonged to Fei."
Kagome chuckled, looking into Inuyasha's eyes. "Fei was my dad's name."
Inuyasha frowned. "I.I didn't know. Do you want me to take it off?"
Kagome shook her head. "No, dad would have liked you to have it."
Inuyasha smiled back. "Thanks. It feels different but comfortable." He bowed his head. "I'm sorry to hear about the University."
"Who.mamma."
"No, your grandfather told me."
Kagome sighed deeply this time. "Yeah, well, now I can be your shard detector 24/7." A tear fell down her cheek.
"Kagome." Inuyasha said quietly, wiping the tear from her eye. The contact only made more tears fall. Kagome hugged Inuyasha crying into his chest. He was stunned at first but then wrapped his arms around her. He rocked her, remembering his mother soothing him this way. It seemed to help. Her cries stopped but she didn't let go. Without realizing it, Inuyasha rubbed her bare back.
Kagome sat up and got her clothes and walked into the bathroom. Inuyasha was left on the bed confused. A few minutes later Kagome came back into the room wearing a dark blue T-shirt and her khaki shorts. Her hair was up in a loose ponytail. She stood at her window looking outside. Inuyasha stood up beside her. "Kagome?"
She turned to him. He could see the redness around her eyes. She had been crying in the bathroom but with his human senses he couldn't hear or smell it. He frowned. "Your mom told me that you could try again."
Kagome shook her head. "No, we need to start looking for Naraku. He could be anywhere. And he has most of the shards. We have to defeat him."
"Why are you."
Kagome turned to him almost screaming, "Because if I could screw this up then I can screw other things up. If I can't defeat Naraku then I have wasted it all. All the time away from my family and my life. I wouldn't be a failure." She slid down to her knees and cried into her hands.
Inuyasha sat Indian style in front of her. He took her hands away from her face. "You baka. You are not a failure, wrench. Look at all you have done!"
"I shattered the jewel."
"You also have great powers to put it together again. You have made friends along the way. You fought off being possessed. You have killed youkai with your improving archery skills. You even were able to almost kill Narau. Plus, you put up with me. I know I don't make your life easy but I'm glad you are in mine."
Kagome looked at Inuyasha. 'Did he just give me a compliment?' He head was down and he was blushing. "huh?"
Inuyasha dropped Kagome's hands and crossed his own. "You heard me, baka. I'm not repeating myself."
Kagome nodded, smiling. "Ok."
Kagome's mother called them to dinner. They both walked down in silence. Kagome and Inuyasha sat next to each other. Kagome began to smile. She took the chopsticks from Inuyasha's hands. "Hey."
Kagome laughed. "You look human tonight. We are going out." She grabbed a confused Inuyasha's hand. She grabbed some money from her room and a pair of shoes for Inuyasha and herself. They walked down the stairs of the shrine and Kagome lead Inuyasha to the bus stop. She let out a breath and sat on the bench. She smiled, patting the spot next to her. "Come s.here." She said stopping herself form saying the word sit. Inuyasha sat next to her. He grunted. "You almost said the word."
Kagome nodded. "Yep. I almost did. I really should have chosen another word. I guess I wasn't thinking straight with a demon trying to kill me."
"I wouldn't have killed you."
Kagome laughed. "Well, that would have been helpful to know at the time."
Inuyasha looked around. "What is this?"
"We are waiting for the bus to take us to the mall. It's a huge place where people go to shop, socialize, eat, and must have fun. It might be a little overwhelming at first, but you will get used to it quick."
"Why are you taking me?"
Kagome smiled at him. "Because you and I haven't been alone in a long time and I don't think we have ever had fun when we have been alone."
Inuyasha looked to the night sky. "I think we have.we had fun at the New Years festival."
"We did. But, you get weird when there are too many people around. I don't know if people still make you nervous but you are always on guard."
Inuyasha gave her a raised eyebrow. "Do you blame me? Anyone at that festival could have been Naraku or one of his detachments in disguise. I.I haven't cared for many people in my lifetime. But, you guys are my family now. If anything happened to you or the others, I would never be able to forgive myself."
Kagome placed a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. She gave it a small squeeze. "I can't speak for the others, but I know I feel the same way."
Inuyasha smiled. The bus arrived and Kagome and Inuyasha got onto the very crowded bus. Kagome grabbed one of the hanging holders and Inuyasha did the same. The bus began to move shifting everyone back. Kagome started to fall back but Inuyasha grabbed her. He pulled her close and held her with his hand around her waist. "Can't you go anywhere without falling?" He teased.
Kagome snorted. "Whatever." A few minutes later the bus began to slow. Kagome Nudged Inuyasha who was watching women put makeup on. "This is our stop."
They left the bus and entered the mall. Just as Kagome expected, Inuyasha was stunned with over simulation. Kagome laughed and grabbed Inuyasha's hand. She took him to the food court. "Ok, this is a food court. There are a variety of foods to choose from. So, what smells good?"
Inuyasha nudged her. "You know I can't smell."
Kagome nudged. "Sure you can. Just because it's not a demon sense of smell, doesn't mean you can't smell anything. Come on, close your eyes, take a deep breath and lead the way."
Inuyasha crossed his arms and closed his eyes. His olfactory senses were dragged to the left. It was meat and onions and greasy smells. He opened his eyes and saw what he has smelled. Kagome nodded. "Pretty good. I love this place." Inuyasha smiled. He was happy he chooses a place that Kagome enjoyed. He watched her order and gets the food. He followed her to a table and sat down. She handed him the food. "This is a hamburger, fries and a soda. It's a very American dish."
They ate their meal quickly. Inuyasha smiled. "Could you bring this with you some time back to the feudal era?"
Kagome laughed. "Sure. Ok, let's see what else we could do."
Inuyasha took Kagome's hand. "I want to see around more." Kagome blushed. They walked around talking about the things they saw. After a few hours, they walked outside. They sat on the bench waiting for the bus. "Kagome!"
Kagome turned to see her friends walking towards her. They hugged her. "Kagome, what are you doing here?"
Kagome laughed. "I'm taking my friend around. It's his first time in the city."
All three looked behind Kagome to see Inuyasha giving them a scared look. The girls crowded around him. "He's so cute." "IS this your boyfriend?" Inuyasha backed away and hide behind Kagome the best he could. The three girls began to approach them when Kagome put her hands up. "He's a little shy."
"Hey, do you want to come with us to Insomnia?"
Kagome smiled, looking behind her. "I.We would love to." They all began to walk down the main street to the club. Inuyasha stopped, pulling Kagome back. "What are we doing?"
Kagome smiled, patting his hand. "It's a club. It has a lot of dancing and partying. This is fun."
Inuyasha just nodded and allowed Kagome and the girls to drag him inside. Inuyasha was glad he was a human at that moment. If he had his demon blood he would have gone deaf and blind within seconds. Multicolor lights were rotating around the room and the music was making his body vibrate. Kagome seems to move with the music. She pulled him into the middle of a crowd. She put her hand behind his neck and brought him towards her. Inuyasha blushed. Kagome said into his ear. "Relax. Just move with the music."
She pulled away much to Inuyasha disappointment. He watched the people around him first and then started he sway back and forth. His eyes were wide when he noticed a few of the couples moving together in a very intimate way. He pointed at them and yelled. "Is that normal?"
Kagome turned to look at what Inuyasha was potting at and laughed. "Yeah, it's called grinding. You dance as close as you can with your dance partner."
"Are they mates?"
"No, they don't have to be."
"So, we could do that?"
Kagome blushed. Inuyasha noticed her reaction. "I thought you said it wasn't for mates."
"It's not."
"Then why are you blushing?"
This made Kagome blush even more. "Because, usually people who dance like that really like each other or want something." She finished putting the emphasis on something.
Inuyasha was confused. "What do they want?"
Kagome nervously laughed. "They want sex.to mate with them but without the commitment."
Inuyasha let the information absorb into his head. He nodded to Kagome that he understood. Just when he was about to ask her something else, her friends grabbed her and took her into the cages. Kagome and her friend danced with each other, getting a few hollers from the crowd. Kagome was nervous at first but then loosened up. She began to dance around the pole with her friend. Eri and her hugged each other and twirled each to her. They danced a bit before Kagome left to find Inuyasha. She found him with wide eyes and motionless. Some people were getting more intimate on the dance floor so to point where private body parts could be seen. Kagome quickly pushed through the crowd to get to him. She touched his arm, pulling him towards her. His movement was like lightening. He quickly grabbed her back and kissed her. Kagome was so high on adrenaline from dancing in the cage she kissed right back. Inuyasha brought his hand up, running his fingers through her hair to the back of her neck, deepening their kiss. Kagome's legs felt like jelly. Her body was on fire. It was such a primal animal urge she could feel the heat growing between Inuyasha and herself. Kagome was holding onto Inuyasha's shirt with a death grip. Inuyasha pulled away. "I'm sorry. I didn't. I couldn't help myself."
Kagome swallowed trying to get her voice back. "Is that how you greet all the girls who touch you?"
Inuyasha gave her a sly smile. "I knew it was you."
Kagome nodded, still trying to get the feeling back into her legs.
"Are you ok?"
Kagome nodded, smiling. "Yeah."
Inuyasha laughed. "If I had known this is how to shut you up, I would have done this years ago."
That brought Kagome back very quickly. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Inuyasha shook his head. "Nothing. Do you mind taking your death grip off my shirt."
Kagome looked at her fists still clinging to his shirt. She quickly released him, wiping her hands on her shorts looking at anything but Inuyasha. She noticed him looking down, blushing. She looked in the direction he was looking at and got an eyeful for someone's bare breast and someone's ass. Kagome laughed. "Ok, I think I've seen enough. Let's go upstairs." She pulled Inuyasha with her upstairs. It was quieter and the lounges were painted ruby red with red carpeting. The stool was black leather and overlooked the dance floor. There was a plexiglass wall that cut out some of the noise. There was a bar to the right and few waitresses. Kagome and Inuyasha sat on a couch in a secluded corner. Kagome wiped the sweat from her brow. "So, what do you think?"
Inuyasha leaned against the railing watching the people. "It's overwhelming to say the least. There is so much energy moving around even I can see it in his form." He turned his head to see Kagome fanning herself with a flyer from one of the tables. "Do you come here a lot?"
Kagome laughed. "No. Only once in a while. This is more my friends' thing. They like to come here to meet guys and dance."
Inuyasha pointed to the dance floor. "DO they dance like that?"
"Eri does, but not me. No way. I'm not a wham-bam-thank-you-madam kinda girl."
Inuyasha leaned back on the couch to look at Kagome. "What does that mean?"
Kagome sighed. "It means that I'm not going to be physical with someone just for the sake of being physical. I'm not going to mate with someone unless they are my boyfriend or husband."
Inuyasha smiled. "You were physical with me and I'm neither those things."
Kagome blushed. "You. You surprised me. I wasn't expecting it."
Inuyasha folded his arms. "Neither was I. All that energy was bubbling inside me and I had to release it or I would have gone mad." He looked into Kagome's blushing face. "I'm glad it was you though."
Kagome smiled. "Me too. We better go back down before my friends get worried."
Inuyasha grunted. "DO we have to? I don't like the way this place makes me feel."
Kagome frowned. "Why? What's wrong?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "It makes me feel tingly all over. I feel so aggressive. The need for." He began to blush. ".Physical things are dominant."
Kagome nodded. "I understand. I feel it too."
"You do?"
Kagome took his hand and they started to walk downstairs. "Yeah, all the music and movement. It makes me feel alive and brave. I feel like I could do anything. I could say anything to anyone. It's a great feeling. I'll go tell my friends we're leaving and then you and I can go home."
Inuyasha nodded. "I really would like that."
She nodded. She didn't see Inuyasha follow her a few paces more. He watched her reach her friends. "Hey, guys, we are going to take off. Inuyasha has had enough for one night." Eri laughed. "Yeah, right. I bet you and Inuyasha just want to be alone." Her friends started to sing with the song. "Some sexual healing." Kagome and Inuyasha blushed. Kagome hit one of her friends playfully. "I'll see you later." As Kagome left her friends started dancing with each other singing, "sexual healing" after her. She covered her face to hide the blushing from Inuyasha, who was turned so she couldn't see him blushing too. Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's arm and grabbed him out.
They exited the club and moved to the bus stop. Kagome rubbed her ears, thankful that her blushing was stopped. "The only bad thing about those places is you come out with cotton ears."
Inuyasha folded his arms and waited for the bus. There were the only ones at the bus stop surprisingly. Kagome leaned against Inuyasha's arm and he leaned his head on hers. They both froze realizing how relaxed and easy they had just snuggled together. They were about to move away when Kagome yawned. Inuyasha relaxed and looked at Kagome smiling. "Tired?"
Kagome sighed. "Yeah. It's been a long day."
Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, it has been." He couldn't resist. "What is sexual healing?"
Kagome yelped and sat up looking at him with a beet red face. "What?"
Inuyasha turned leaning his arm against the back of the bench to face Kagome.
Kagome swallowed. "Where did you hear that?"
"Your friends were singing it. What does it mean?"
Kagome wrung her hands, nervously. "Well, you see.some people think that." She looked down at her feet and said quickly, "having sex can heal anything."
Inuyasha laughed. Kagome looked at him. "What?"
Inuyasha shook his head turning to face the street. He leaned back, fooling his arms. "Nothing. It's just that it's fun to make you blush."
Kagome brought her eyebrows together in anger. Inuyasha noticed it. "Oh come on. It's all I have.you can sit me whenever you want."
Kagome sighed. "Yeah, you're right."
The bus came and Kagome and Inuyasha got on finding the bus full of teenage kids, yelling and having a good time. Inuyasha protectively wrapped one arm around Kagome's waist and one hand on the handle. Kagome looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"Just nervous. I'm human remember. I can't protect you like I can when I'm a hanyou.even though I hate being that too."
He felt Kagome touch his cheek. "You don't give yourself enough credit. Plus, I can protect myself, you know." Inuyasha gave her a half- smile. "No really I can."
Inuyasha just shook his head. "Come on, this is our stop." They walked up to the shrine, leaning against each other since neither had any strength. Kagome stopped just before the house and looked at a shrine. "I'll be right back." She left Inuyasha's side and walked to the shrine and lit a candle. She closed her eyes and knelt by the shrine. She lit some incense and two candles. She put her hands together and closed her eyes. Inuyasha sat beside her and watched her silently. Even in his human form he could see the pink glow around her when she used her miko powers. After a few minutes she opened her eyes, letting one tear fall down her face. Inuyasha wiped her cheek. "What are you doing?"
Kagome sniffled, extinguishing the lights. "I was praying to my father and brother."
Inuyasha frowned. "You father and brother? You never talk about them."
Kagome smiled. "They were great. My brother and him died a few years ago in an earthquake. It was hard but we moved on." She looked at Inuyasha. "But you know how that feels, don't you?"
Inuyasha nodded, looking down. "Too many times."
"Did you have anyone after your parents died?"
Inuyasha looked into Kagome's sad eyes. "Not really. I had a few people who helped me out from time to time but nothing like." He stopped putting his hands into fists, closing his eyes tight, trying to hold back tears.
"Kikyo." Kagome finished. She walked over and took Inuyasha's human hands in her own. She forced his hands to relax and unclench. She held them. Inuyasha opened his eyes, letting one tear glisten around his eye but not fall. He looked into Kagome's eyes as she said, "No matter what, Kikyo will always care for you in her own way. But you should know by now that we all care about you too. We are your family.at least we think of you that way."
Inuyasha nodded. "I do."
Kagome smiled. "Good. Time for bed. I'm exhausted."
Inuyasha nodded and followed Kagome back into the house. He sat on the floor while Kagome got into her a tank top and shorts in the bathroom. She came back in tossing her shirt over Inuyasha's head before crawling into bed. Inuyasha grabbed the shirt and looked at Kagome. She giggled and lay on her stomach, her arms dangling over the bed. She looked at Inuyasha. "Why did you kiss me?"
Inuyasha snapped his head up in shock. "I...I told you. There was too much sexual energy and I needed to release it. You were there."
"That was it?" Kagome said, disappointment dripping off her words. It was not lost on Inuyasha. Inuyasha blushed slightly. "Yeah. Why?"
Kagome turned over so she could look at the ceiling so Inuyasha couldn't see the sad look on her face. "Just wondering if it meant something more."
Inuyasha noticed Kagome's change in mood from playful to disappointment. HE leaned against the bed, looking at her back. "Did you want it to mean something more?"
Kagome blushed deep red. She was glad she had turned away from him. "I don't know."
Inuyasha sighed. He knew that when Kagome said I don't know she usually meant yes. He cleared his throat. "Like I said, I was glad it was you. I wouldn't have wanted to kiss someone I had no feelings for."
Kagome turned in bed to see Inuyasha looking right at her. She smiled. "Me too. Just don't make a habit out of it."
Inuyasha laughed. "I'll try." He then grunted. "Oh, and what was Houjo doing at the club?"
Kagome rolled her eyes and lay on her stomach, facing Inuyasha. "He is a good friend. We have known each other for years."
"Your mom said you saved his life."
Kagome looked at Inuyasha. He was curious. He wasn't jealous or mad. He truly wanted to know. She nodded. "Yeah, I did. During an earthquake the building we were living in fell apart. He was trapped under a beam. I helped him out before the building completely collapsed." Kagome swallowed the lump her throat. He motioned to her back. "I got those going back in to find my father and my younger brother."
Inuyasha moved closer and touched the area where her scars were on her back. One on the right side and one close to her spine. "How?" Kagome began to relax as Inuyasha began to rub her back. "Metal debris. It hit me and I blacked out. It doesn't hurt too much anymore. It's been almost 3 years. We moved here shortly after it happened. Then I fell into a well and meet you, Shippou, Sango, and Miroku." Inuyasha nodded. Kagome yawned. "Well, I'm off to dreamland." Kagome said in an afterthought, "Your back is going to hurt in the morning." "No, it won't." "Ok, suit yourself." She no sooner had rested her head on the pillow before she fell asleep. Inuyasha looked up to see Kagome asleep. He sat up to look at Kagome. He brushed a hair from her face gently kissing her forehead. "Kagome?" he whispered.
"Hmm?" She answered in her sleep. He smiled evilly. He had always wanted to try this on her. He prepared for the worst sit of his lifetime she was going to give him for this one but Miroku could say it. "Would you bear my child?" She nodded yes. Inuyasha was stunned. Of course, she was asleep but still Inuyasha's heart skipped a beat when she answered. "Could we adopt Shippou as our child too?" To his surprise she nodded yes again. He asked her if it was ok for him to kill Kouga. When she nodded yes to that one, Inuyasha knew she was unconsciously answering him. He went back to his place on the floor to sleep.