"The Other Wife" by: E. Marie E-mail: Emw712@aol.com

Author's Note: June 30, 2003: Well, I know I've fallen off the fan fiction bandwagon for the past few weeks, but I'm trying hard to jump back on board! Once more, Life has taken the opportunity to teach me in front of a huge audience that It is unfair. Since I already knew this, I just shrugged and went home, to finish this story! My inner child is in a Zen- like state of calm, and she'll stay that way as long as you keep reading and reviewing! Don't mess up the flow of positive chi!

Disclaimer: The Universe may have a petty vendetta against me, but I have a feeling "the man" isn't checking up on me, to make sure I still include a disclaimer at the beginning of every single chapter. Since even "the man" has to earn money for his anime DVDs somehow, I'll say (needlessly) once more that I don't own Inuyasha!

Chapter Ten: And the World Interferes.
I had heard my grandfather use on occasion the phrase "out-of-body experience", a complete detachment from the physical world. He had heard that the souls of people at the verge of death would exit the body but linger nearby, as if the soul were a third party, a witness, an impartial observer..
In the moment the words "marry me" emerged from Inuyasha's lips and entered my ears, my spirit seemed to be pulled from my body by an unimaginable force. Floating against the thatched ceiling of the mildewing bungalow, I felt like laughing, looking at the puzzled countenance of the young girl below. Her body slumped in shock, her aged travel clothes being slowly ruined by the rusty barrel on which she was perched.she was completely unaware that a handsome, wonderful young man was holding her up by her arms, the residue of an answered question lingering on his lips.
'Move, moron!' cried my subconscious mind. 'Isn't this what you've been waiting for? Do something! Smile! Cry! Or, do what you've wanted to do since the moment you first met him: claim those lips as yours! Move, before it's too late!'
While my mind whirled and my body remained frozen, the light faded from Inuyasha's golden eyes and was swiftly replaced by a tinge of red. There was no humor in his face as he released my arms and he rose, turning away from me. Without the support of his strong arms, my body lurched forward, and my conscious mind fell back into my empty form below, just in time to save me from falling face first to the floor. Fear gripped my heart, but all I could do was weakly call out his name. At least that was enough to stop him from leaving the bungalow, and perhaps my life, forever. Standing with his back to me, I saw his muscles flex, drawing taunt, like a wild animal, awaiting an attack.
'By the gods', I thought, clutching my chest. 'Is this even real?'
Standing behind him, I reached a shaking hand toward him, toward that lean, silvery form, the long-awaited moment that I made my full confession looming before my blurred eyes. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, waves of furious energy flowing about his body. As he whirled to face me, knocking my hand aside, I closed my eyes and let the tears flow.
'It was only a joke.he was asking as a folly, that's all.he's infuriated that I could have believed him to be sincere.how ridiculous am I.'
I balled my hands into tiny fists at my side, refusing to open my eyes, so great was my fear that the sight of him leaving me would destroy me. This man was my last hope, my one chance at salvation from a degrading existence, and the connection I felt with him.my destiny.how could I have been so wrong?
After several moments of standing as such, waiting for the bungalow door to slam with the resonance and finality as a volley from a firing squad, the silence in the room was maddening. The offensive odor of chlorine overrode my sense of smell, and Inuyasha's distinct scent, an intoxicating mixture of earth and fresh rain, began to dissipate. Afraid that he had left without my hearing, had vanished in my moment of trepidation and fear, I opened my eyes and was caught by his empty golden gaze. He had remained, even through my silence.and the red gleam had been replaced by something I feared quite more: a lurking sadness.
"Ka-go-me." he growled my name in a low voice, the syllables catching in his throat. Once more the master of my own senses, I tried to speak, but to silence me, he once more drove his fist into the wall. His fury may have died away, but his temper remained. Unwilling to be intimidated, I faced him defiantly, hands on my hips, allowing him to continue.
'This stubborn dog is going to hear my answer, and if he is only toying with my emotions, then let him feel MY anger1' I thought, feeling my characteristic fire rise within me once more.
Collecting himself, fighting that red gleam in that had arisen once more in his eyes, Inuyasha continued.
"Feh, don't try and spare my feelings. You wouldn't be the first to think a bastard son to be unworthy."
Here is words stopped, and my answer began. In that moment I realized Inuyasha feared my rejection, I threw my arms about him, pressing my small form tightly against his tall, wet frame. I knew the crystal pool water lingering on his skin would be more than enough to do in the hideous fabric of my duster, but my heart sang that I would not be traveling anywhere with Lady Yura that day or ere more.
"Yes", I murmured against his skin, enjoying the feel of his strong body in such intimate contact. Looking up, I saw his ears twitch. Courage building within me, I took his chin in my hand and drew his face down to fine, until I was gazing deep within his golden orbs.
"Yes", I said once more, my voice strong with my love, as I boldly closed the distance between us with a kiss. Taken aback by the suddenness of my action, Inuyasha hesitated for a moment before a feral growl rolled from his body to mine. His powerful arms were about me, crushing me tightly to his chest, and his lips took full possession of my own.

Closing Note: Sorry that was a rather brief chapter, but I felt it best to continue in another chapter, to be posted sooner than you might think! "Read and review!" commands my inner child once more. Please feel compelled to obey.