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Chapter Eight
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Inuyasha jumped up into tree outside of Kagome's room with ease, landing gracefully on a thick branch close to her window. Stealthily he slipped inside, landing on the carpet without a sound. Kagome's arms still clung to his back, the shock of his unexpected piggy back wearing off as he gently slid her off of his back.
Inuyasha turned around to face her. Her cheeks were still flushed with ebbing anger from the arguement about the ladder and her chest was rising heavily as she caught her breath. Her eyes darted up to meet his and narrowed menacingly when she saw the amusement dancing his amber orbs.
"Jerk." She muttered pushing past him and walking to her door.
Inuyasha mentally let out a sigh of relief. They were acting like nothing had happened.
Like Kikyo had never shown up.
Like Kagome had never removed the rosary or tried to run away from him.
Like their tender moment at the bottom of the well had never happened.
Like he had never been scared and hurt, thinking that he would never see her again.
Like Kagome had never told him that she loved him...
He wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved.
"Uh..Inuyasha?"
The hanyou almost jumped in surprise as Kagome's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Whirling around, he turned to face her. Kagome was just standing in front of the door, one hand on her hip, her right foot tapping on the ground impatiently. Her eyebrows were raised as if to say, "Well?"
Inuyasha couldn't help but smirk. He could almost hear Kagome's heart speed up as one of his fangs protruded dangerously from the corner of his mouth. The smirk grew.
"Well?" She demanded, her tone not betraying the weakness in her legs as she gestured pointlessly with her hands. The smirk on Inuyasha's face was not his normally smug one. It was dark and dangerous. Her eyes widened a little as the smirk grew bigger once again.
He looked REALLY sexy!
A blush made itslef known on Kagome's face. Turning quickly she began to walk out of the door before Inuyasha could see it.
"It's almost lunch time already Inuyasha!" She called over her shoulder as she hurried away. "I'm going down to the kitchen to see if anyone's home and to start some ramen."
The words had no sooner reached his ears before Inuyasha was treading on Kagome's heels, his mouth already watering in anticipation as visions of ramen noodles danced in his head ("...as visions of sugarplums danced in their heads..." - Night before Christmas! ^_^;).
Kagome's mother was at work. Her brother was at school.
Her grandfather...was sitting at the kitchen table creating demon wards.
'Great...' Kagome though wryly as she glanced anxiously over her shoulder at Inuyasha. Having his dog like senses, the inu had already known that the old man was home. He shuddered inwardly. Only ramen and Kagome could get him anywhere near the old man. Though the wards didn't really work, they stung a little when they made contact with his skin.
'Kinda like an annoying little pest.' Inuyasha thought as he and Kagome entered the room. The old man's head immediately shot up and his eyes locked with the demon's. A shrill shriek of something relating to, "Demon! Be gone from here!" caused the hanyou to wince in pain as bits of paper with haphazard spells on them were flung at him.
'An annoying little pest the needs to be SWATTED!' Inuyasha's mind screamed as he glared at Kagome's grandfather, ripping the offending wards off of almost every part of his body.
Luckily for the old man he was Kagome's grandfather. If he wasn't...
Inuyasha's claws flexed suggestively by his sides.
The thought of what he would do was almost TOO tempting.
"Jichan! Stop it!" Kagome cried as she frantically tore anything that looked like it could be thrown or related to demon exorcism away from the frail elderly figure. Her grandfather didn't heed her words though as he continued to fling more and more at Inuyasha from Kami knows where.
It looked like it was snowing in the Higurashi kitchen.
Finally the miko succeeded in relieving Jiichan of anything that could prove harmful to any living thing, evil or not. The old fart looked like he was going to cry. A child deprived of his favorite play things.
Inuyasha couldn't resist the opportunity.
"Hey old man!" He taunted, waving a few wards like they were toilet paper. "Didn't you figure it out by now that these can't hurt me?"
The grandfather looked crestfallen.
For a moment anyways, until his senile mind came up with an excuse and his jaw hit the floor.
"You're an evil apparition! That's it! I should've known!" He yelled excitedly, pointing a finger quite rudely at the bewildered hanyou. "These wards, passed down through many generations, of course would have no affect on you! You need an entirely different ofuda to subdue an apparition!"
With those words of revelation, Jichan fled the kitchen faster than possible for a man half his age, in search of new 'toys'.
Inuyasha's left eye twitched.
The slamming of a distant door was heard as Kagome's grandfather left the house, most likely running to the shrine itself to gather the supplies needed to exorcise the evil apparition in his kitchen.
Kagome's sapphire eyes looked up at Inuyasha. Apology was swimming everywhere in their depths, almost managing to completely shield the also visible amusement from the hanyou as he returned her gaze. Almost.
Inuyasha plopped himself down on the floor in front of the low table. Crossing his arms so that his hands were hidden in his the sleeves of his haori, he turned his head away so that he would not have to see the miko's mirth at his expense.
"Feh!"
Kagome laughed but refrained from saying anything as she gathered everything that she would need to make the instant noodles. Setting the water on the stove to boil she peeked at Inuyasha out of the corner of her eye.
He was still sitting there, making a point of the fact that he did not appreciate her lack of sympathy after he was brutally attacked by jichan by refusing to look at her. Kagome knew that he wasn't really angry though, his posture was too relaxed. Sighng internally she turned to dump the noodles into the bubbling water before shifting so that her back leaned against the counter and she could study Inuyasha completely. She didn't have to worry about him catching her at the moment because she knew his pride wouldn't allow him to look at her until she had offered at materialistic sign of repentence.
In other words he was going to be upset until she feed him ramen.
A slow smile found its way to Kagome's face.
Her eyes roved over him, greedily taking in his boyish features and muscular, lean body hidden under the bulks of his hakama and haori. His silver hair splayed carelessy across his back and Kagome had the urge to run her fingers through it, to test whether or not it was really as soft as it looked.
Her gentle smile faded into a perplexed frown as he thoughts continued.
Before she had leapt into the well she had finally managed, in a moment of desperation and as a way a farewell, to confess to the hanyou exactly how she felt about him. As of yet though, he had said nothing about it. Kagome was unsure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Had he even heard her?
Kagome's eyes became unfocused as she lost herself in her thoughts. The scent of her sadness premeated the air but she failed to notice as Inuyasha turned his inquisitive golden gaze to her. The miko's blind stare remained on Inuyasha.
She was almost positive that he had in fact heard her. After all, he had come through the well after her right? But how had he managed to do that? And what about Kikyo? He loved her didn't he? But then Inuyasha had followed her through the well. He had held her close to him and asked her...No. Made her promise, not to leave him.
Did that mean he loved her too?
A pleasant scent drifted to her nose, startling Kagome from her reverie. The frown turned into a bit of an 'o' as Kagome realized the smell was the finished ramen. Her eyes focused to find Inuyasha's own amber orbs watching her curiously. A fierce blush lit up her cheeks when she realized that she had been staring at him for almost 10 minutes.
Whirling so that he would not see the interesting shades of red that he face was inventing, Kagome turned off the burner and began to strain the noodles. As she kept her back carefully turned to Inuyasha, she didn't see the relief spread over his face when the scent of her depression was replaced with her signature cheerfullness. She didn't even get to see the glazed look come into his eyes when he saw the ramen noodles sliding from the pot into a bowl as she got his serving ready.
Kagome brought the food over to the table, cleverly positioning the pot of remaining noodles closer to Inuyasha then to herself so the he would be able to reach it more easily and the risk of him making a mess was reduced. The ate their lunch in silence, neither paying much attention to the other: Inuyasha absorbed in his noodles, and Kagome contemplating what disease her grandfather had made this time and how she would survive the humiliation of it was something as gross as last time.
Inuyasha happily slurped down ramen until suddenly - All the noodles were gone! His eyes widened in shock before narrowing suspiciously as they scanned the room for whomever had stolen his precious pasta. He sniffed the air. There was no one in there except for him and Kagome. Fortunately the grandfather had not returned and his scent was no where on the shrine grounds anymore.
Nope it was just him and Kagome.
Wait!
The suspicious eyes fell on the girl across the table from him who was currently rising to put her dishes in the sink. Had she eaten all of his ramen?
Though the thought was entertaining for a moment, and Inuyasha desperately wished it was true, he was forced to accept the fact that Kagome was not guilty. She couldn't eat that fast even in her wildest dreams. Inuyasha's face fell.
The nummy ramen had just...disappeared.
He patted his full stomach and a smile covered his face.
It had disappeared into his tummy!
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*Goijh bows in apology repeatedly* Gomen. gomen. I know that the above is VERY out of character for Inuyasha...(Or is it?)...But I'm home from school today and very bored so I just had to add that! Gomen!
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Kagome returned to the table to relieve Inuyasha of his spotless dishes as well, plopping them unceremoniously into the sink before turning to face him.
"Well. I'm going to go into my room and study for my tests..."She began a little uncertainly. "I don't really know what you can do. If you want I can put on a movie or something for you." She offered with a smile.
Inuyasha's pulse leapt a little knowing that the smile was directed solely at him. In an uncharacteristic manner, he remained quiet and just shook his head.
Kagome looked at him for a moment, confused. What could Inuyasha want to do? (sounds kind of like Blue's Clues!) "Well...Then what do you want to do Inuyasha?" She asked, failing to notice just how her innocent question sounded to the hanyou.
A million appealing images popped into Inuyasha's head of just WHAT he would like to do. ^_~. Tactfully he refrained from mentioning any of them though. Some of the scenario's he was coming up with could even make him blush!
"Feh. I don't know anything about your time." Inuyasha responded, forcing some irritation into his voice. Kagome seemed unaffected by it though. "I'll just come up and watch you." The hanyou said, stating it as if it were the obvious solution rather than just asking permission.
Kagome blushed a little again at how he phrased his decision. Inuyasha noticed, and then recalled his words, and if one looked closely, a suspicious spot of pink lurked on his own cheeks. Unwilling to let Kagome know that he was embarressed by his own choice of words as well though, Inuyasha resorted to scowling instead.
"Well are we going wench or not?"
Kagome bristled. Her mouth opened to 'sit' Inuyasha but snapped shut quickly when she realized that the rosary was no longer around his neck. For a second she was about to ask, "How?" But then she remembered. She had taken it off herself.
'Baka.' Her mind scolded her.
Kagome merely turned on her heal and went up to her room. Inuyasha followed, his eyes enjoying the sway of her hips as she climbed to stairs.
Kagome opened the door to her room and immediately went over to her desk. Without hesitating or even looking back she pulled a book down and opened it. As soon as the pages rested where they were supposed to be, she was lost to the world, completely absorbed in a study fever.
Inuyasha slowly walked through the door. He had never really entered her room this way, he always came through the window. Surprisingly he liked this way more. It made him feel more invited and wanted.
A small smile threatened to overcome his face.
Looking around as if he had never been in the room before, Inuyasha took in all the surroundings before moving to sit of Kagome's bed. He bounced slighlty with the rebound of his own force on the springs of the mattress but paid no attention as he shifted to get more comfortable.
Kagome's bed was nothing like the futon's that he sometimes slept on in his era, though he perferred trees. He scooted backwards until he was backed up against the headboard. Laying the Tetsusaiga at his side he leaned his head back to rest against the wall, turning his eyes slightly so that he could observe Kagome.
The miko was worrying her lower lip as she concentrated on whatever was in the book in front of her. A strand of hair slipped from over her shoulder to rest in her line of sight. Inuyasha's eyes followed, entranced, as one of Kagome hands came up roboticly to push it back behind her ear. Inuyasha's hand itched to try the same thing with her hair.
Kagome and Inuyasha seemed not to notice as the time flew by. The miko lost in her studies, and Inuyasha, lost in her. When Kagome finally finished her last book and looked up, the sun was setting. Her gaze immediately turned to fall on Inuyasha, surprised that he had been so quiet and calm for so long. His eyes steadily met her own, causing a shiver of something delightful the run down her spine when she saw the forgeign emotion in them. She hadn't seen that look in his eyes since he had 'tickle- tortured' her.
She still wasn't sure what it was.
Inuyasha slowly stood and walked over to her. Kagome drew in a breath as she watched him come closer and closer. When he was less than five inches away from her, he kneeled on the floor so that his eyes were level with her own. His golden orbs averted themselves from her curious stare and moved to something else.
Her hair.
One of his hands reached up, the claws on them retracting as a precaution. It made its way closer and closer to the side of her face, until it rested on Kagome's raven tresses. Absently Inuyasha stroked the silken locks as his eyes slowly moved back to meet her own. Vaguely Kagome was aware that she was holding her breath as she became lost in his swirling amber depths.
"Inuyasha...?" She asked, her voice coming out as barely a whisper. The tone she used sounded more hungry than curious. Hungry for Inuyasha's touch. Hungry for...
Kagome's eyes widened as he suddenly realized what the look in Inuyasha's eyes was.
It was lust.
His hand slowly moved away from her hair. He brushed back a stray wisp of hair, his eyes focusing in concentration as he carefully tucked it behind her human ear. His finger tips lingered on the warm flesh of her lobe before moving to come to her cheek.
Inuyasha's eyes once again met Kagome's own, this time the desire in them was coupled with something more...gentle.
'Ahh great.' Kagome's mind whispered, only doing so because she had no idea what else to think. 'Another unidentified emotion for me to figure out.'
The pads of Inuyasha's calloused fingers traced an invisible line down Kagome's cheek. The faint touch made Kagome shiver dilghtfully once again, and they left desire in their wake. Kagome felt the familiar pooling of heat in her belly that she always felt whenever it came to Inuyasha. She watched, captivated, as Inuyasha's nostrils flared ever so slightly as he drew in her scent. It was almost like he could smell the change in her.
The lust in his eyes became magnified once again.
The hanyou's eyes dropped to Kagome's pink lips. Her tongue darted out to moisten them as he did so. Inuyasha gulped in anticitpation at the teasing gesture, though he doubted that Kagome knew what that did to him.
Slowly his face moved closer to hers. He watched her from half hooded eyes for any sign of hesitation. He could see his own desire reflected in Kagome's sapphire depths before her eyes fluttered shut, her thick lashes resting on her cheeks. Inuyasha could feel a triumphant yelp echo through him as he leaned closer and closer.
The slow pace was torturous. He could feel her hot breath on his skin and it taunted him, invited him. A tingling went through him as he thought of her soft pink lips crushed against his own.
'Only a little further.'
"Inuyasha! I didn't know you were hear!"
A loud, happy voice snapped the couple apart like a jolt of lightning. Kagome jumped and almost tipped over in her chair in surprise. Inuyasha, startled to the point of using his demonic abilities, leapt to the opposited side of the room, his claws ready to attack the intruder.
Souta seemed not to notice though as he stood in the doorway looking estatic to see his hero. Both Inuyasha and Kagome visibly relaxed when they saw it was only him, but simultaneously blushed when they remembered what they were about to do when he had walked in.
Neither could look at the other.
Again Souta didn't notice.
Throwing a quick glance over to his sister, the boy remained oblivious to the scarlet blush on her cheeks. "Hey sis! Mom said dinner is ready and to come on down."
Then his attention quickly snapped back to the warrior dog demon standing before him. "Hey Inuyasha! When dinner's done will you play video games with me? PLease?" The boy begged with puppy dog eyes that could rival Inuyasha's own.
The hanyou fervrently agreed, eager to do anything in order to avoid Kagome for a moment. Without thinking he picked up the boy and rushed out the door and down the stairs to the kitchen, using some of his youkai speed to help him on his way.
Souta's squeal of delight was the last thing that Kagome heard before they were out of her sight. She waited a moment before heading down the stairs herself. Giving her flaming cheeks a chance to cool. She had completely forgotten that, with the passing of the day into evening, her mother and brother would arrive at home.
Standing a little more shakily than she would ever admit, she walked towards the door. Her fingers trailed over her lips as she paused at the top of the stairs.
Maybe Inuyasha did love her.
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Dinner was eaten quickly, everyone at the table oblivious to the tension between the two young adults. Souta babbled on endlessly, supplying everyone with more than enough converastion as he filled his hero in on his latest conquests in the video game world and demanded to know some of Inuyasha's from the feudal era.
Pleased that someone was showing an interst in his prowress, Inuyasha jumped at the oppotunity to tell the younger boy about his own victories and battles. Souta listened, mouth hanging slightly open in astonishment as he continued to stare at the hanyou with something akin to reverence.
Before anyone was ready dinner was over and it was time to clean up. Jiichan was about to try to nail Inuyasha with more wards, but a threatening glare from his granddaughter had him vacating the premises, most likely fleeing to his room to cry about how today's generation had no respect for their elders. Mrs. Higurashi dutifully began picking up after the evening meal and Souta literally dragged Inuyasha up the flight of stairs, locking the Inu in his bedroom to play video games and continue swapping manly stories of conquest. Before Kagome knew it she was left all alone at the low table.
Slowly standing she made her way back to her room quietly. She smiled in the dim light of the hallway as she recalled Inuyasha during the dinner. She had no idea that he could be such an entertaining story teller. She made a mental note to ask him to tell her more about the battles he took place in when she was gone. It seemed that he liked to talk about them.
Sighing Kagome closed her door and went over to sit in front of her window. The city lights blocked out most of the stars, but a few were still visible. She found herself longing to return to the feudal era so that she gaze upon the unhindered brilliance of the night sky.
To think that she had almost given that up because of Kikyo.
She stared sadly at the few dim stars visible to her eyes.
She would have gladly given that up to make Inuyasha happy. Her thoughts wandered over the days events.
But it seemed that Inuyasha was happy with her.
The miko contined to stare at the stars in the nighttime sky for a while longer, paying no heed to the passing time. She didn't notice as Inuyasha slipped quietly into her room and sat down on her bed, contentedly observing her from the other side of the room.
Finally Kagome turned around. She jumped a little in surprise to see Inuyasha sitting on the edge of her bed, regarding her almost warmly.
"Inuyasha. I didn't hear you when you came in here." She said for the sake of breaking the silence. She could've sworn that the corners of Inuyasha's mouth turned up for a moment in an actual smile. She blinked and looked again.
It was his usual smug smirk.
"Well, you humans never seem to notice anything unless its right in front of you." He teased, his tone light so that she wouldn't take his words seriously.
Kagome blushed as she thought of how Inuyasha had been RIGHT in front of her just an hour or so ago.
'I definately noticed YOU when you were right in front of me.' She thought.
"Oh really?" Inuyasha asked, his voice smugger than it should have been. Kagome's eyes snapped up to meet his own, something akin to horror in them as she realized what she had just done.
She had just said THAT aloud.
The blushed deepened. Damn she was doing a lot of that lately. Blushing that is.
Inuyasha's eyes held onto her own as he stood and crossed the room with a brisk pace so that he was standing right in front of her. Kagome wanted nothing more than to look away but her eyes were caught in his own, unable to free themselves from his web.
Inuyasha's hands went to either side of her arms, trapping them against her sides as he leaned foward until his mouth was next to her ear. Kagome nose was all but buried in his silver locks. She couldn't resist taking in a deep breath of his musky, pine scent. Inuyasha heard this and he smirked. He knew that he would never have had the courage to do this yesterday....But now that they were alone, and he knew that she loved him.
"Do you notice me now?" He whispered in a low, seductive tone. He didn't wait for her resonse as his tongue darted out to lick her earlobe.
Kagome gasped in pleasant surprise. She could only nod dumbly in response to his question.
Inuyasha felt her nod and could smell her arousal growing. Masculine pride welled up in his as he lowered his head so that his tongue could dart out and tast her neck. He could feel the shudder that traveled through the girl's body, limp in his arms.
"I notice you all the time." He whispered in that sexy voice. His tongue darted out again, this time lingering on her skin as he traced a trail up to her jawline, gently brushing her hair out of the way.
Heat pooled in Kagome's belly for the second time that day she her eyes met his own once again. Both of their gazes were filled with lust. Kagome sucked in a breath of air when she saw that gentler emotion lurking in Inuyasha's eyes.
She still wasn't sure what it was.
Inuyasha leaned forward, tilting his head a little so that his lips were just centimeters from her own. Kagome's breath was already coming heavier with just the suspense. Inuyasha's hands trailed down her arms as they moved to rest on her waist, freeing her limbs. But he didn't move any closer to her, instead waiting for her to close the gap between them.
Without a second thought, Kagome threw her arms around the hanyou's neck and crushed her mouth passionately against his own. With that one kiss she knew that he no longer loved Kikyo. Kagome was the only one on his mind at that moment.
Inuyasha yelped happily against her lips as Kagome pressed her body into his. He growled appreciatively at the feel of her curves pressed against his form, the sound escaping him similiar to a cat's contented purr.
Questioningly he nibbled Kagome's lower lip, asking for entrance into her mouth. She was only to glad to comply. Franticly their tongues dueled for dominance, all the while searching the other's mouth. Kagome could feel that she was out of breath, but at the moment oxygen was just too overrated. Inuyasha was the only thing that she needed.
Unfortunately the kiss had to be broken. Simulateously they both reluctantly pulled back, both panting as they tried to regain their breath and calm their racing hearts. Finally gaining control of herself, Kagome leaned her head against Inuyasha's shoulder. She could hear his heart beating just as fast as hers was and she smiled as he arms snaked all the way around her, pulling her closer to him.
Neither said a word.
They just stood there for a moment, standing in the middle of Kagome's room holding eachother, reveling in the other's warmth.
The moment was broken when Kagome let out a big yawn. Inuyasha pulled away from her just enough so that he could look down. The need for sleep clouded her eyes, but Kagome still managed to blush a little when she met his gaze. Inuyasha smiled gently down at her, a real smile.
Carefully he lifted her up, bridal style. Slyly he adjusted his hand holding her legs to that it was a little bit up her skirt, grasping her upper thigh. Either Kagome was too tired to notice, or she didn't mind. Inuyasha walked as slowly as possible, delaying the moment that he would have to put her down, to Kagome's bed. He allowed her to support herself by wrapping her arms firmly around his neck once again as he pulled down the blankets enough so that she could slide in. Then he lowered her down onto the mattress.
Kagome's sapphire eyes searched his own amber ones for something as Inuyasha pulled his arms away from her. Her own did not leave his neck. He continued to smile gently at her. Kagome felt safer and warmer than she had in months with him right there.
"Inuyasha, where are you sleeping?" She whispered, hoping that he would catch her hint so that she wouldn't actually have to state what she was thinking.
His brows furrowed in confusion at her innocent question. He opened his mouth to say, "On the branch outside your window." when he snapped it back shut, his eyes widening as he caught on.
That cocky smirk returned full force as he nodded to show that he understood the question.
Gracefully slipping in the bed beside her, Inuyasha pulled the covers up over their adjacent forms. Kagome turned onto her side to face him and inched closer. Shyly she she snaked one arm over his chest and rested her head in the crook of his arm. Her small body spooned against him.
Inuyasha had never felt more complete.
He caught his breath as one of her silken legs entwined itself with his own. He could feel her skin against his as one of her movements hitched up the right leg of his hakama. He could feel the blood rushing to a certain appendage and silently began to pray to every god that he had ever heard of that he wouldn't get a hard on in Kagome's bed.
At least not while she awake.
Fortunately Kagome ceased her suirming as she finally found a comfortable position. Inuyasha turned his head to face hers and looked into her eyes for a moment.
"G'night Inuyasha." She whispered as she strectched forward a little so the her lips could just barely brush his own. Then she nuzzled her head into crook of his arm once again and closed her eyes.
Within minutes she was asleep.
"G'night koi." Inuyasha whispered once he was positive that she was still asleep. "Ashiteru..."
Kagome smiled in her dreams.
Soon Inuyasha too closed his eyes and drifted into the best night's sleep that he had ever known.
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Inuyasha jumped up into tree outside of Kagome's room with ease, landing gracefully on a thick branch close to her window. Stealthily he slipped inside, landing on the carpet without a sound. Kagome's arms still clung to his back, the shock of his unexpected piggy back wearing off as he gently slid her off of his back.
Inuyasha turned around to face her. Her cheeks were still flushed with ebbing anger from the arguement about the ladder and her chest was rising heavily as she caught her breath. Her eyes darted up to meet his and narrowed menacingly when she saw the amusement dancing his amber orbs.
"Jerk." She muttered pushing past him and walking to her door.
Inuyasha mentally let out a sigh of relief. They were acting like nothing had happened.
Like Kikyo had never shown up.
Like Kagome had never removed the rosary or tried to run away from him.
Like their tender moment at the bottom of the well had never happened.
Like he had never been scared and hurt, thinking that he would never see her again.
Like Kagome had never told him that she loved him...
He wasn't sure if he was disappointed or relieved.
"Uh..Inuyasha?"
The hanyou almost jumped in surprise as Kagome's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Whirling around, he turned to face her. Kagome was just standing in front of the door, one hand on her hip, her right foot tapping on the ground impatiently. Her eyebrows were raised as if to say, "Well?"
Inuyasha couldn't help but smirk. He could almost hear Kagome's heart speed up as one of his fangs protruded dangerously from the corner of his mouth. The smirk grew.
"Well?" She demanded, her tone not betraying the weakness in her legs as she gestured pointlessly with her hands. The smirk on Inuyasha's face was not his normally smug one. It was dark and dangerous. Her eyes widened a little as the smirk grew bigger once again.
He looked REALLY sexy!
A blush made itslef known on Kagome's face. Turning quickly she began to walk out of the door before Inuyasha could see it.
"It's almost lunch time already Inuyasha!" She called over her shoulder as she hurried away. "I'm going down to the kitchen to see if anyone's home and to start some ramen."
The words had no sooner reached his ears before Inuyasha was treading on Kagome's heels, his mouth already watering in anticipation as visions of ramen noodles danced in his head ("...as visions of sugarplums danced in their heads..." - Night before Christmas! ^_^;).
Kagome's mother was at work. Her brother was at school.
Her grandfather...was sitting at the kitchen table creating demon wards.
'Great...' Kagome though wryly as she glanced anxiously over her shoulder at Inuyasha. Having his dog like senses, the inu had already known that the old man was home. He shuddered inwardly. Only ramen and Kagome could get him anywhere near the old man. Though the wards didn't really work, they stung a little when they made contact with his skin.
'Kinda like an annoying little pest.' Inuyasha thought as he and Kagome entered the room. The old man's head immediately shot up and his eyes locked with the demon's. A shrill shriek of something relating to, "Demon! Be gone from here!" caused the hanyou to wince in pain as bits of paper with haphazard spells on them were flung at him.
'An annoying little pest the needs to be SWATTED!' Inuyasha's mind screamed as he glared at Kagome's grandfather, ripping the offending wards off of almost every part of his body.
Luckily for the old man he was Kagome's grandfather. If he wasn't...
Inuyasha's claws flexed suggestively by his sides.
The thought of what he would do was almost TOO tempting.
"Jichan! Stop it!" Kagome cried as she frantically tore anything that looked like it could be thrown or related to demon exorcism away from the frail elderly figure. Her grandfather didn't heed her words though as he continued to fling more and more at Inuyasha from Kami knows where.
It looked like it was snowing in the Higurashi kitchen.
Finally the miko succeeded in relieving Jiichan of anything that could prove harmful to any living thing, evil or not. The old fart looked like he was going to cry. A child deprived of his favorite play things.
Inuyasha couldn't resist the opportunity.
"Hey old man!" He taunted, waving a few wards like they were toilet paper. "Didn't you figure it out by now that these can't hurt me?"
The grandfather looked crestfallen.
For a moment anyways, until his senile mind came up with an excuse and his jaw hit the floor.
"You're an evil apparition! That's it! I should've known!" He yelled excitedly, pointing a finger quite rudely at the bewildered hanyou. "These wards, passed down through many generations, of course would have no affect on you! You need an entirely different ofuda to subdue an apparition!"
With those words of revelation, Jichan fled the kitchen faster than possible for a man half his age, in search of new 'toys'.
Inuyasha's left eye twitched.
The slamming of a distant door was heard as Kagome's grandfather left the house, most likely running to the shrine itself to gather the supplies needed to exorcise the evil apparition in his kitchen.
Kagome's sapphire eyes looked up at Inuyasha. Apology was swimming everywhere in their depths, almost managing to completely shield the also visible amusement from the hanyou as he returned her gaze. Almost.
Inuyasha plopped himself down on the floor in front of the low table. Crossing his arms so that his hands were hidden in his the sleeves of his haori, he turned his head away so that he would not have to see the miko's mirth at his expense.
"Feh!"
Kagome laughed but refrained from saying anything as she gathered everything that she would need to make the instant noodles. Setting the water on the stove to boil she peeked at Inuyasha out of the corner of her eye.
He was still sitting there, making a point of the fact that he did not appreciate her lack of sympathy after he was brutally attacked by jichan by refusing to look at her. Kagome knew that he wasn't really angry though, his posture was too relaxed. Sighng internally she turned to dump the noodles into the bubbling water before shifting so that her back leaned against the counter and she could study Inuyasha completely. She didn't have to worry about him catching her at the moment because she knew his pride wouldn't allow him to look at her until she had offered at materialistic sign of repentence.
In other words he was going to be upset until she feed him ramen.
A slow smile found its way to Kagome's face.
Her eyes roved over him, greedily taking in his boyish features and muscular, lean body hidden under the bulks of his hakama and haori. His silver hair splayed carelessy across his back and Kagome had the urge to run her fingers through it, to test whether or not it was really as soft as it looked.
Her gentle smile faded into a perplexed frown as he thoughts continued.
Before she had leapt into the well she had finally managed, in a moment of desperation and as a way a farewell, to confess to the hanyou exactly how she felt about him. As of yet though, he had said nothing about it. Kagome was unsure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Had he even heard her?
Kagome's eyes became unfocused as she lost herself in her thoughts. The scent of her sadness premeated the air but she failed to notice as Inuyasha turned his inquisitive golden gaze to her. The miko's blind stare remained on Inuyasha.
She was almost positive that he had in fact heard her. After all, he had come through the well after her right? But how had he managed to do that? And what about Kikyo? He loved her didn't he? But then Inuyasha had followed her through the well. He had held her close to him and asked her...No. Made her promise, not to leave him.
Did that mean he loved her too?
A pleasant scent drifted to her nose, startling Kagome from her reverie. The frown turned into a bit of an 'o' as Kagome realized the smell was the finished ramen. Her eyes focused to find Inuyasha's own amber orbs watching her curiously. A fierce blush lit up her cheeks when she realized that she had been staring at him for almost 10 minutes.
Whirling so that he would not see the interesting shades of red that he face was inventing, Kagome turned off the burner and began to strain the noodles. As she kept her back carefully turned to Inuyasha, she didn't see the relief spread over his face when the scent of her depression was replaced with her signature cheerfullness. She didn't even get to see the glazed look come into his eyes when he saw the ramen noodles sliding from the pot into a bowl as she got his serving ready.
Kagome brought the food over to the table, cleverly positioning the pot of remaining noodles closer to Inuyasha then to herself so the he would be able to reach it more easily and the risk of him making a mess was reduced. The ate their lunch in silence, neither paying much attention to the other: Inuyasha absorbed in his noodles, and Kagome contemplating what disease her grandfather had made this time and how she would survive the humiliation of it was something as gross as last time.
Inuyasha happily slurped down ramen until suddenly - All the noodles were gone! His eyes widened in shock before narrowing suspiciously as they scanned the room for whomever had stolen his precious pasta. He sniffed the air. There was no one in there except for him and Kagome. Fortunately the grandfather had not returned and his scent was no where on the shrine grounds anymore.
Nope it was just him and Kagome.
Wait!
The suspicious eyes fell on the girl across the table from him who was currently rising to put her dishes in the sink. Had she eaten all of his ramen?
Though the thought was entertaining for a moment, and Inuyasha desperately wished it was true, he was forced to accept the fact that Kagome was not guilty. She couldn't eat that fast even in her wildest dreams. Inuyasha's face fell.
The nummy ramen had just...disappeared.
He patted his full stomach and a smile covered his face.
It had disappeared into his tummy!
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*Goijh bows in apology repeatedly* Gomen. gomen. I know that the above is VERY out of character for Inuyasha...(Or is it?)...But I'm home from school today and very bored so I just had to add that! Gomen!
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Kagome returned to the table to relieve Inuyasha of his spotless dishes as well, plopping them unceremoniously into the sink before turning to face him.
"Well. I'm going to go into my room and study for my tests..."She began a little uncertainly. "I don't really know what you can do. If you want I can put on a movie or something for you." She offered with a smile.
Inuyasha's pulse leapt a little knowing that the smile was directed solely at him. In an uncharacteristic manner, he remained quiet and just shook his head.
Kagome looked at him for a moment, confused. What could Inuyasha want to do? (sounds kind of like Blue's Clues!) "Well...Then what do you want to do Inuyasha?" She asked, failing to notice just how her innocent question sounded to the hanyou.
A million appealing images popped into Inuyasha's head of just WHAT he would like to do. ^_~. Tactfully he refrained from mentioning any of them though. Some of the scenario's he was coming up with could even make him blush!
"Feh. I don't know anything about your time." Inuyasha responded, forcing some irritation into his voice. Kagome seemed unaffected by it though. "I'll just come up and watch you." The hanyou said, stating it as if it were the obvious solution rather than just asking permission.
Kagome blushed a little again at how he phrased his decision. Inuyasha noticed, and then recalled his words, and if one looked closely, a suspicious spot of pink lurked on his own cheeks. Unwilling to let Kagome know that he was embarressed by his own choice of words as well though, Inuyasha resorted to scowling instead.
"Well are we going wench or not?"
Kagome bristled. Her mouth opened to 'sit' Inuyasha but snapped shut quickly when she realized that the rosary was no longer around his neck. For a second she was about to ask, "How?" But then she remembered. She had taken it off herself.
'Baka.' Her mind scolded her.
Kagome merely turned on her heal and went up to her room. Inuyasha followed, his eyes enjoying the sway of her hips as she climbed to stairs.
Kagome opened the door to her room and immediately went over to her desk. Without hesitating or even looking back she pulled a book down and opened it. As soon as the pages rested where they were supposed to be, she was lost to the world, completely absorbed in a study fever.
Inuyasha slowly walked through the door. He had never really entered her room this way, he always came through the window. Surprisingly he liked this way more. It made him feel more invited and wanted.
A small smile threatened to overcome his face.
Looking around as if he had never been in the room before, Inuyasha took in all the surroundings before moving to sit of Kagome's bed. He bounced slighlty with the rebound of his own force on the springs of the mattress but paid no attention as he shifted to get more comfortable.
Kagome's bed was nothing like the futon's that he sometimes slept on in his era, though he perferred trees. He scooted backwards until he was backed up against the headboard. Laying the Tetsusaiga at his side he leaned his head back to rest against the wall, turning his eyes slightly so that he could observe Kagome.
The miko was worrying her lower lip as she concentrated on whatever was in the book in front of her. A strand of hair slipped from over her shoulder to rest in her line of sight. Inuyasha's eyes followed, entranced, as one of Kagome hands came up roboticly to push it back behind her ear. Inuyasha's hand itched to try the same thing with her hair.
Kagome and Inuyasha seemed not to notice as the time flew by. The miko lost in her studies, and Inuyasha, lost in her. When Kagome finally finished her last book and looked up, the sun was setting. Her gaze immediately turned to fall on Inuyasha, surprised that he had been so quiet and calm for so long. His eyes steadily met her own, causing a shiver of something delightful the run down her spine when she saw the forgeign emotion in them. She hadn't seen that look in his eyes since he had 'tickle- tortured' her.
She still wasn't sure what it was.
Inuyasha slowly stood and walked over to her. Kagome drew in a breath as she watched him come closer and closer. When he was less than five inches away from her, he kneeled on the floor so that his eyes were level with her own. His golden orbs averted themselves from her curious stare and moved to something else.
Her hair.
One of his hands reached up, the claws on them retracting as a precaution. It made its way closer and closer to the side of her face, until it rested on Kagome's raven tresses. Absently Inuyasha stroked the silken locks as his eyes slowly moved back to meet her own. Vaguely Kagome was aware that she was holding her breath as she became lost in his swirling amber depths.
"Inuyasha...?" She asked, her voice coming out as barely a whisper. The tone she used sounded more hungry than curious. Hungry for Inuyasha's touch. Hungry for...
Kagome's eyes widened as he suddenly realized what the look in Inuyasha's eyes was.
It was lust.
His hand slowly moved away from her hair. He brushed back a stray wisp of hair, his eyes focusing in concentration as he carefully tucked it behind her human ear. His finger tips lingered on the warm flesh of her lobe before moving to come to her cheek.
Inuyasha's eyes once again met Kagome's own, this time the desire in them was coupled with something more...gentle.
'Ahh great.' Kagome's mind whispered, only doing so because she had no idea what else to think. 'Another unidentified emotion for me to figure out.'
The pads of Inuyasha's calloused fingers traced an invisible line down Kagome's cheek. The faint touch made Kagome shiver dilghtfully once again, and they left desire in their wake. Kagome felt the familiar pooling of heat in her belly that she always felt whenever it came to Inuyasha. She watched, captivated, as Inuyasha's nostrils flared ever so slightly as he drew in her scent. It was almost like he could smell the change in her.
The lust in his eyes became magnified once again.
The hanyou's eyes dropped to Kagome's pink lips. Her tongue darted out to moisten them as he did so. Inuyasha gulped in anticitpation at the teasing gesture, though he doubted that Kagome knew what that did to him.
Slowly his face moved closer to hers. He watched her from half hooded eyes for any sign of hesitation. He could see his own desire reflected in Kagome's sapphire depths before her eyes fluttered shut, her thick lashes resting on her cheeks. Inuyasha could feel a triumphant yelp echo through him as he leaned closer and closer.
The slow pace was torturous. He could feel her hot breath on his skin and it taunted him, invited him. A tingling went through him as he thought of her soft pink lips crushed against his own.
'Only a little further.'
"Inuyasha! I didn't know you were hear!"
A loud, happy voice snapped the couple apart like a jolt of lightning. Kagome jumped and almost tipped over in her chair in surprise. Inuyasha, startled to the point of using his demonic abilities, leapt to the opposited side of the room, his claws ready to attack the intruder.
Souta seemed not to notice though as he stood in the doorway looking estatic to see his hero. Both Inuyasha and Kagome visibly relaxed when they saw it was only him, but simultaneously blushed when they remembered what they were about to do when he had walked in.
Neither could look at the other.
Again Souta didn't notice.
Throwing a quick glance over to his sister, the boy remained oblivious to the scarlet blush on her cheeks. "Hey sis! Mom said dinner is ready and to come on down."
Then his attention quickly snapped back to the warrior dog demon standing before him. "Hey Inuyasha! When dinner's done will you play video games with me? PLease?" The boy begged with puppy dog eyes that could rival Inuyasha's own.
The hanyou fervrently agreed, eager to do anything in order to avoid Kagome for a moment. Without thinking he picked up the boy and rushed out the door and down the stairs to the kitchen, using some of his youkai speed to help him on his way.
Souta's squeal of delight was the last thing that Kagome heard before they were out of her sight. She waited a moment before heading down the stairs herself. Giving her flaming cheeks a chance to cool. She had completely forgotten that, with the passing of the day into evening, her mother and brother would arrive at home.
Standing a little more shakily than she would ever admit, she walked towards the door. Her fingers trailed over her lips as she paused at the top of the stairs.
Maybe Inuyasha did love her.
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Dinner was eaten quickly, everyone at the table oblivious to the tension between the two young adults. Souta babbled on endlessly, supplying everyone with more than enough converastion as he filled his hero in on his latest conquests in the video game world and demanded to know some of Inuyasha's from the feudal era.
Pleased that someone was showing an interst in his prowress, Inuyasha jumped at the oppotunity to tell the younger boy about his own victories and battles. Souta listened, mouth hanging slightly open in astonishment as he continued to stare at the hanyou with something akin to reverence.
Before anyone was ready dinner was over and it was time to clean up. Jiichan was about to try to nail Inuyasha with more wards, but a threatening glare from his granddaughter had him vacating the premises, most likely fleeing to his room to cry about how today's generation had no respect for their elders. Mrs. Higurashi dutifully began picking up after the evening meal and Souta literally dragged Inuyasha up the flight of stairs, locking the Inu in his bedroom to play video games and continue swapping manly stories of conquest. Before Kagome knew it she was left all alone at the low table.
Slowly standing she made her way back to her room quietly. She smiled in the dim light of the hallway as she recalled Inuyasha during the dinner. She had no idea that he could be such an entertaining story teller. She made a mental note to ask him to tell her more about the battles he took place in when she was gone. It seemed that he liked to talk about them.
Sighing Kagome closed her door and went over to sit in front of her window. The city lights blocked out most of the stars, but a few were still visible. She found herself longing to return to the feudal era so that she gaze upon the unhindered brilliance of the night sky.
To think that she had almost given that up because of Kikyo.
She stared sadly at the few dim stars visible to her eyes.
She would have gladly given that up to make Inuyasha happy. Her thoughts wandered over the days events.
But it seemed that Inuyasha was happy with her.
The miko contined to stare at the stars in the nighttime sky for a while longer, paying no heed to the passing time. She didn't notice as Inuyasha slipped quietly into her room and sat down on her bed, contentedly observing her from the other side of the room.
Finally Kagome turned around. She jumped a little in surprise to see Inuyasha sitting on the edge of her bed, regarding her almost warmly.
"Inuyasha. I didn't hear you when you came in here." She said for the sake of breaking the silence. She could've sworn that the corners of Inuyasha's mouth turned up for a moment in an actual smile. She blinked and looked again.
It was his usual smug smirk.
"Well, you humans never seem to notice anything unless its right in front of you." He teased, his tone light so that she wouldn't take his words seriously.
Kagome blushed as she thought of how Inuyasha had been RIGHT in front of her just an hour or so ago.
'I definately noticed YOU when you were right in front of me.' She thought.
"Oh really?" Inuyasha asked, his voice smugger than it should have been. Kagome's eyes snapped up to meet his own, something akin to horror in them as she realized what she had just done.
She had just said THAT aloud.
The blushed deepened. Damn she was doing a lot of that lately. Blushing that is.
Inuyasha's eyes held onto her own as he stood and crossed the room with a brisk pace so that he was standing right in front of her. Kagome wanted nothing more than to look away but her eyes were caught in his own, unable to free themselves from his web.
Inuyasha's hands went to either side of her arms, trapping them against her sides as he leaned foward until his mouth was next to her ear. Kagome nose was all but buried in his silver locks. She couldn't resist taking in a deep breath of his musky, pine scent. Inuyasha heard this and he smirked. He knew that he would never have had the courage to do this yesterday....But now that they were alone, and he knew that she loved him.
"Do you notice me now?" He whispered in a low, seductive tone. He didn't wait for her resonse as his tongue darted out to lick her earlobe.
Kagome gasped in pleasant surprise. She could only nod dumbly in response to his question.
Inuyasha felt her nod and could smell her arousal growing. Masculine pride welled up in his as he lowered his head so that his tongue could dart out and tast her neck. He could feel the shudder that traveled through the girl's body, limp in his arms.
"I notice you all the time." He whispered in that sexy voice. His tongue darted out again, this time lingering on her skin as he traced a trail up to her jawline, gently brushing her hair out of the way.
Heat pooled in Kagome's belly for the second time that day she her eyes met his own once again. Both of their gazes were filled with lust. Kagome sucked in a breath of air when she saw that gentler emotion lurking in Inuyasha's eyes.
She still wasn't sure what it was.
Inuyasha leaned forward, tilting his head a little so that his lips were just centimeters from her own. Kagome's breath was already coming heavier with just the suspense. Inuyasha's hands trailed down her arms as they moved to rest on her waist, freeing her limbs. But he didn't move any closer to her, instead waiting for her to close the gap between them.
Without a second thought, Kagome threw her arms around the hanyou's neck and crushed her mouth passionately against his own. With that one kiss she knew that he no longer loved Kikyo. Kagome was the only one on his mind at that moment.
Inuyasha yelped happily against her lips as Kagome pressed her body into his. He growled appreciatively at the feel of her curves pressed against his form, the sound escaping him similiar to a cat's contented purr.
Questioningly he nibbled Kagome's lower lip, asking for entrance into her mouth. She was only to glad to comply. Franticly their tongues dueled for dominance, all the while searching the other's mouth. Kagome could feel that she was out of breath, but at the moment oxygen was just too overrated. Inuyasha was the only thing that she needed.
Unfortunately the kiss had to be broken. Simulateously they both reluctantly pulled back, both panting as they tried to regain their breath and calm their racing hearts. Finally gaining control of herself, Kagome leaned her head against Inuyasha's shoulder. She could hear his heart beating just as fast as hers was and she smiled as he arms snaked all the way around her, pulling her closer to him.
Neither said a word.
They just stood there for a moment, standing in the middle of Kagome's room holding eachother, reveling in the other's warmth.
The moment was broken when Kagome let out a big yawn. Inuyasha pulled away from her just enough so that he could look down. The need for sleep clouded her eyes, but Kagome still managed to blush a little when she met his gaze. Inuyasha smiled gently down at her, a real smile.
Carefully he lifted her up, bridal style. Slyly he adjusted his hand holding her legs to that it was a little bit up her skirt, grasping her upper thigh. Either Kagome was too tired to notice, or she didn't mind. Inuyasha walked as slowly as possible, delaying the moment that he would have to put her down, to Kagome's bed. He allowed her to support herself by wrapping her arms firmly around his neck once again as he pulled down the blankets enough so that she could slide in. Then he lowered her down onto the mattress.
Kagome's sapphire eyes searched his own amber ones for something as Inuyasha pulled his arms away from her. Her own did not leave his neck. He continued to smile gently at her. Kagome felt safer and warmer than she had in months with him right there.
"Inuyasha, where are you sleeping?" She whispered, hoping that he would catch her hint so that she wouldn't actually have to state what she was thinking.
His brows furrowed in confusion at her innocent question. He opened his mouth to say, "On the branch outside your window." when he snapped it back shut, his eyes widening as he caught on.
That cocky smirk returned full force as he nodded to show that he understood the question.
Gracefully slipping in the bed beside her, Inuyasha pulled the covers up over their adjacent forms. Kagome turned onto her side to face him and inched closer. Shyly she she snaked one arm over his chest and rested her head in the crook of his arm. Her small body spooned against him.
Inuyasha had never felt more complete.
He caught his breath as one of her silken legs entwined itself with his own. He could feel her skin against his as one of her movements hitched up the right leg of his hakama. He could feel the blood rushing to a certain appendage and silently began to pray to every god that he had ever heard of that he wouldn't get a hard on in Kagome's bed.
At least not while she awake.
Fortunately Kagome ceased her suirming as she finally found a comfortable position. Inuyasha turned his head to face hers and looked into her eyes for a moment.
"G'night Inuyasha." She whispered as she strectched forward a little so the her lips could just barely brush his own. Then she nuzzled her head into crook of his arm once again and closed her eyes.
Within minutes she was asleep.
"G'night koi." Inuyasha whispered once he was positive that she was still asleep. "Ashiteru..."
Kagome smiled in her dreams.
Soon Inuyasha too closed his eyes and drifted into the best night's sleep that he had ever known.
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