"Promises Promises"
By Pixie
Disclaimer: blah blah blah….disclaimed!
Author's Commentary: Well well well…Since I've gotten complaints about Inu-Yasha and Kagome getting together too fast, I decided to throw in yet another chapter to mix things up a bit. You all seem to like Mir/San and Sessh/Rin, so I'll leave those guys alone. My reasoning for the fast get-together is this: It was Kikyo's plan for Inu-Yasha to be with Kagome. So, he's sorta forcing himself to feel for Kagome. And Kagome…hey she's got the hottest guy within miles and he's acting interested in her. Who wouldn't get all fluttery? But now my dear reviewers, thanks to you and your thoughtful comments, change is in the air yet again….
Chapter 18
Inu-Yasha was mystified. What on earth was Kikyo doing with Naraku? How dare she?! Who did she think she was? Inu-Yasha growled and began walking back towards the castle. The enemy demons had begun their retreat and no doubt Naraku was with them.
Inu-Yasha thought of Kikyo and his blood boiled. He would show her! Her stupid plan would fail. He glanced back at Kagome who was staring at him, and suddenly Inu-Yasha felt he had to get even with Kikyo. He grabbed Kagome, yanked her in towards him and pressed his lips to hers in a quick kiss.
This will show you Kikyo!
Then he pushed a bewildered Kagome back and stormed back to the castle.
Kagome blinked and looked back at Rin, who shrugged in response. Kagome blushed and tried to follow Inu-Yasha, but found she could not keep up and so she simply walked behind, vowing to catch up with him later and smack him for what he did.
Inu-Yasha stared around the castle. Never had he noticed before how many girls there really were around this place. And all the girls that were eyeing him with interest. Thanks to Kikyo's plan, he'd never even looked at these girls before. But now that her plan was shot…Inu-Yasha could have any girl he wanted. He went down and sat with the girls, who all seemed very surprised as Inu-Yasha had been pretending they didn't exist for the time they'd been here. Inu-Yasha couldn't remember now, how much time it had been. Between battles and sleepless nights over his decision, it seemed Kagome and the other girls had been here his whole life.
Kagome…
Inu-Yasha hadn't even realized it, but if he wanted to, he could have Kagome now and not have to kill her. For a brief moment, his heart gave a leap of happiness, but then he caught the cerulean gaze of a young wolf demon. Kouga raised at eyebrow as Inu-Yasha's eyes caught his, and Inu-Yasha figured out the message.
"Pick one of these girls…" Kouga seemed to be saying. "And only one of them." Inu-Yasha knew in his heart that he was really no better than Kikyo for agreeing with her plan in the first place. Kagome deserved a better person, someone like Kouga, like his brother or like Miroku…well, maybe not Miroku so much, but she at least deserved someone who wasn't him. Who wasn't Inu-Yasha.
And so Inu-Yasha turned his attention to all the bright eyed, fair skinned maidens around him and began to sort them into ones who would annoy him and ones who would remain quiet and meek and avoid him for the rest of his life.
Its funny…when I think of the girl I would want for my wife, I never thought of a girl like Kagome. It was always more like Kikyo…more quiet and reserved, and staying out of my way. But I mis-judged Kikyo completely…I won't make that mistake again.
And so Inu-Yasha turned his full attention to the girls around him.
Kagome hurried into the castle dragging Rin behind her to go find Inu-Yasha. She had to know what that kiss meant! She walked in and was immediately stopped by Kouga.
"Kagome!" Kagome smiled politely and tried to move around Kouga but he blocked her off. "Er Kagome, I was wondering if you'd like to take a walk with me?" The wolf youkai linked his arm with Kagome's and dragged her back out the door while Rin stood helpless.
"Kouga-kun I really kind of…." Kagome sighed. There was no point in trying to argue with Kouga. He slipped them into the castle garden and Kagome turned slightly pink, noticing it was a very romantic place.
Kouga turned and nearly gasped as he saw Inu-Yasha and some red-head walking arm and arm through the garden. Quickly he ripped a yellow rose off of the bush behind him and stuck it in Kagome's face before she turned to see Inu-Yasha.
Inu-Yasha glared furiously at Kouga, but then remembered he was not good enough for Kagome and dragged the red-head away.
Kagome blushed a little bit more and accepted the flower. She remembered how Inu-Yasha had showed up at her house with flowers before and smiled at the memory. She continued to walk arm and arm with Kouga, though she made several attempts to remove her arm, Kouga did not seem to want to give her up. So Kagome sighed and the walk continued, as Kouga could not think of anything else to do with Kagome.
Kouga turned down a small path and noticed at the very end, Inu-Yasha and the red-head. If he didn't act fast, Kagome would see them too. The wolf demon did the only thing that came to mind. He spun Kagome towards him and in one swift motion, leaned in and kissed her.
Author's Commentary: Ooh…sorry readers to leave it there! Is this the end of our darling hanyou and perky school girl as a couple forever? I'm not saying, but I wouldn't bet your last Shikon Shard on it. This chapter is for everyone who said Inu-Yasha and Kagome were falling for each other too fast.