Before I Die
By: Goijh
Author's note:
Concerning the lemon- It is not going to be coming up for a little while people. Inuyasha still needs to tell Kagome that he loves her. Before he does that though he wants to prove that he loves her for being Kagome, not Kikyo's reincarnation. Remember Kikyo is dead, but he hasn't told Kagome that yet. In fact, Inuyasha is the only one that knows that Kikyo is dead. But the truth shoud be coming out soon. As well as our hanyou's confession. Don't worry!
And I was wondering if anyone was interested in review responses...? *tear* I haven't gotten nearly as many reviews as I had last time, but still...At least I have some right? *fails miserably at trying to look at the bright side of things and instead cries for a little while.*
lol! Sorry, just feeling self pitiful today...I'm chocolate deprived. But if anyone wants to have some review responses then just drop a review and I'll write some up.
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==================================================================== Chapter Nine ___________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================
Shippo anxiously paced the width of Kaede's hut. Miroku leaned against a wall nearby, calmly sipping the stew that the elderly miko had made for their supper. His serene indigo eyes watched the kistune with a cross between amusement and similar worry.
At the moment Shippo reminded the houshi of Inuyasha while he waited for Kagome to return from her time.
That reminded Miroku of why he was as feeling the same anxiety as Shippo.
Kagome and Inuyasha had left that morning to deliver the young woman to the well so that she could go home. Kiarara and Shippo had been able to confirm that the two had in fact made it there by the use of their youkai noses. But Inuyasha was no where to de found.
Normally Inuyasha would wait impatiently in the Goshinboku Tree while Kagome was in her time, but at the moment no one knew where he was. Shippo's kitsune nose, slightly more effective than the fire cat's. but still paling in comparison to Inuyasha's dog like senses, had detected an all too familiar scent.
The scent of earth and bones.
Of a decayed corpse.
Kikyo.
Upon hearing that information, everyone in the group had exchanged meaningful glances. It was beyond anyone's doubt that Inuyasha had stumbled upon the undead miko somewhere along the process of dropping Kagome off and returning to Kaede's to wait for the others to join him. It was anyone's guess that the hanyou had staid true to his predictable nature and taken off after the undead miko.
Miroku's brow furrowed into a frown. The monk only hoped that Kagome had already been gone. Shippo shared this wishful thinking. They both knew that had Kagome seen Kikyo then the chances of her returning again were relatively slim. There was only so much pain that a young woman's heart could endure.
Inuyasha had already caused the reincarnation more heartbreak than Miroku thought was possibly for anyone to take. And yet Kagome always came back to him and forgave him.
The day when she would finally have enough and leave for good was only just around the corner. The hanyou was going to be in for an unpleasant surprise when it finally came.
Shippo ceased his relentless pacing as he turned for a moment to face the door of the hut. The blanket keeping the cold from coming in and providing some semblence of privacy was pulled aside as the most beautiful woman Miroku had ever seen stepped into the small shelter.
Sango lowed Hiraikotsu from her shoulder as she sat against the wall opposite of the houshi. The taijiya knew better than to get too close to the pervert. She wasn't going to give him the chance to grope her again today. He was still sporting a bump from earlier when he had been 'assisting' her with an inspection of the stew.
Or rather an inspection of her ass.
"Its getting late." Sango finally said softly, breaking the heavy silence in the room. Miroku only nodded. Shippo sighed in aggravation and resumed his pacing.
A kitten sized Kiarara jumped down from Sango's shoulder where she had been perched and went over to the kit, rubbing against his legs in an attempt to coax him into sitting. The pup hesistated for a minute, torn between his impatient figeting and the comfort of rest. He finally gave into the latter as he let loose a yawn large enough to show all his fangs and probably a clear view down his throat. Sensing that she had won, Kiarara morphed into her larger form and curled into a nearby corner. Shippo was not long in joining her, cuddling himself up into her warm fur and tucking himself in with his tail.
The demon exterminator and monk watched for a moment as the kitsune's eyes got heavier and heavier, drooping lower and lower until, finally, he drifted to sleep.
Sango smiled gently. Seeing her smile, Miroku mimicked her expression, more from her herself doing it than at how cute the little youkai looked curled up with the firecat.
"So. Do you think that he really..." Sango's voice trailed off as her honey brown eyes turned to the monk for reassurance.
Miroku knew that she wanted the truth from him. And he also knew that even if he wanted to, he couldn't lie to his lady Sango. Quietly he nodded in confirmation to her thoughts, perferring not to voice his opinion aloud for fear that doing so would destroy the possibility that it wasn't true.
"I can't believe him." Sango scowled as fire flashed in her eyes. "That clay bitch only wants to kill him. He should know that Kagome loves him, and yet every time that woman comes around he runs after her like a pathetic puppy." Her expression darkened at the thought. "I almost hope that Kagome doesn't forgive him this time. He doesn't deserve it."
Once again Miroku found himself nodding in agreement. "But Lady Kagome is too kind hearted for that." He added in a smooth seductive voice. Sango's head snapped up abruptly at the sound but her expression did nothing to betray the delightful shivers that went down her spine when he spoke.
"Let's just hope that Kagome-sama does not return before Inuyasha does. I would not want for her to find out about this unless she has too." He continued, painfully oblivious to the affect his voice was having on the woman across from him.
Sango averted her eyes to the ground. This time she was the one who nodded. She hated keeping things from Kagome, who was like a little sister to her. But she knew that this was one of those things that could only do harm. The miko would be better off not knowing.
Miroku watched Sango. He knew that it hurt her to keep secrets from her friend, but admired her for her strength and courage. He knew that life had been overly cruel to her, yet she strived not to let it show, pushing forward each day with renewed vigor. Working hard to as she helped to complete the Shikon no Tama and destroy Naraku.
The taijiya yawned and stretched her arms out in almost a feline manner. Miroku smirked at her, though the facial lacked its usual pervertedness.
"Tired?" he teased. Sango only nodded.
Standing gracefully and taking a moment to straighten his monk robes, Miroku crossed the hut to retrieve the blankets that Kaede stored for their use. He grabbed two of them and then returned, passing one to Sango before he kneeled again and began to set up his bedding.
"Arigatou houshi-sama." Sango thanked him in a quiet voice as she laid down upon the heavy blanket, pulling up one of the edges to cover her body. Miroku soon stretched out very close to her, pulling his own blanket over him to ward off the night's chill air.
"Good night Lady Sango." He returned, allowing his eyes to close with a lecherous grin on his face as his hand found something warm.
"Houshi-sama?" Sango queried a little too sweetly. Miroku tensed in preparation from the blow from Hiraikotsu which was right next to the demon exterminator.
"I would advise you to remove your hand immediately, houshi-sama, and then find your way to other side of the hut. I'm tired and feeling merciful but if you don't immediately comply you shall find yourself intimately acquainted with hiraikotsu."
Miroku's hand never moved faster.
Hurriedly moving his makeshift bed several meters away from the tempting woman and her butt, Miroku settled himself down once again. Finally he dared to breath a sigh of relief. Sango had not hit him like she normally did.
Maybe he was growing on her?
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Inuyasha stirred as light hit his eyes.
His subconciousness registered that the tree branch beneath him was thicker than the usual ones that he slept on. It was softer too.
Sensing that it was safe, the hanyou tried to roll over to keep the light from disturbing the peaceful, deep sleep that he was longing to go back to. Something warm and soft blocked his way though. Grumbling about how everything was out to make him miserable and prevent him from getting any rest, Inuyasha cracked open a golden eye to see what was keeping him from his intended goal of rolling onto his side.
At first everything was blurry as sleep refused to leave his eyes. All he could make out was a big black blob and some peach and white. Then there was some green too.
Slowly the fuzzy blob began to take a more solid form as it transformed into Kagome. Half asleep the hanyou thought nothing of it except, 'So that's why it smells better than other trees.'
Then he closed his eyes again and pulled Kagome closer like she was a giant teddy bear. His silver locks splayed on the bed, mingling with her raven tresses as he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck.
Blissful sleep began to return once more.
Just as he was about to fall back into the desired dream state, amber flashed as his eyes snapped open.
'KAGOME!'
Pulling his arms away as if he had been burned, Inuyasha jumped off the edge of the bed, falling onto the floor and hitting his head with a thud muffled by the carpet. Cursing under his breath he adjusted his body into a kneeling posistion.
Hesitantly he peeked over the edge of the bed. Blinking a couple times to make sure that he had seen right.
Blink.
Blink. Blink.
Yep it was Kagome alright. He had spent the night in Kagome's bed.
With her in it.
A smile only ever seen on the likes of Miroku spread across his face.
'Bad Inuyasha. Bad!' He mentally scolded himself as his eyes began to rove over the sleeping form of Kagome. His mind only chuckled evilly back at him.
Golden eyes traced the barely concealed curves of the girl in front of him, slowly taking in the sight bit by bit as his sleep fogged mind started to sort through the last night's events leading up to the mornings somewhat too good to be true awakening.
Inuyasha's eyes slowly moved down the miko's neck and over her steadily rising and falling chest. He was very pleased with himself that he didn't linger unduly on her breasts before continuing down to her flat stomach.
He finally remembered. The kiss. The embrace. Carrying the young woman to her bed.
He smiled.
HER inviting HIM to sleep in her bed.
His eyes were halted in their greedy search by the blanket still pulled partially over Kagome's hips. Inuyasha wanted to growl at the obstruction in his line of sight but couldn't deny that the miko looked so peaceful when she slept. He didn't want to wake her up.
The previous night's events still fresh in his mind, warming his blood and assuring him he wouldn't be called a pervert when she awoke, Inuyasha climbed back onto the mattress. His arms slid possessively around Kagome and pulled her close as he buried his nose in her hair, memorizing the scent once again, that was only her.
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Kagome was bathed in sunlight.
She was sitting under a sakura tree, basking in the beauty of its blossoms. There was a noise behind her and she snapped around to see who was there.
She knew who it was even before she saw him.
"Inuyasha..."
The hanyou crept closer, his pace slow but confident. Finally he sat next to her, cautiously lowering himself to the ground.
Together, in silence they watched as the wind rustled the hanging branches of the tree, whisking gentle flowers away on unknown adventures.
Then, Inuyasha had kissed her.
Silver locks had moved on the edge of her vision. Curious as to what he was doing, Kagome had turned to question the inu youkai.
And his lips had fallen upon hers in the most gentle, yet passionate, kiss that the miko could ever imagine.
"I love you Kagome." He whispered as he pulled away, just enough to stare into her eyes.
She could get lost in his gorgeous golden eyes.
"I love you too Inuyasha." She whispered in return.
Then they began to move closer once again, the fire that now burned in the hanyou's eyes sending chills of anticipation down Kagome's spine.
Their lips were just about to lock in the most passionate confession of their love when suddenly Kagome snapped her head to the side.
Beep beep beep...
The miko whirled around with wide eyes, searching franticly for the creator of such a loud obtrusive noise.
Beep beep beep.
Inuyasha's ears flinched at every sound. Mild alarm was visible in the now lust free eyes as he joined Kagome in her desperate search.
Beep beep beep.
Thinking that the annoying noise was coming from beyond a tree further away, Kagome tried to move but she couldn't. She struggled in the fierce embrace of whatever was holding her, but the invisble arms held tight.
"Inuyasha!" She cried out, turning her head as much as she could to seek out her protector.
The hanyou was on the edge of the clearing...but he was...fading away?
Slowly an awful inky blackness was absorbing the area where the two had just sat. One by one that branches of the sakura fell victim to its boundless dark as it seeped closer and closer like a plague.
Beep beep beep.
Inuyasha was almost completely faded now. Kagome could see through him as if he were a ghost in a child's movie. Panicing she increased the fury of her struggles.
Beep beep beep.
"Dammit Kagome! Stop flailing and wake up so you can turn this damn thing off!" An unearthly voice that sounded suspiciously familiar echoed throught the air as the remainder of the clearing succumbed to the greedy night.
Beep beep beep.
Cursing mentally Kagome opened her eyes and looked around. She frowned at the loss of her dream. It had been such a good one too. She and Inuyasha had finally professed their love and were about to....
Her eyes fell on the subject of her fantasies.
"Inuyasah!?"
The hanyou in question flinched at the shrill sound of her voice. His ears were flattened against his head as much as they could be and even so his hands were gripping them painfully. His entire face was screwed up in a grimace.
Beep beep beep.
"Dammit woman turn that thing off or I'll kill it!" He roared, paying no heed to the miko's obvious confusion. Seeing the claws on his head flex threateningly, Kagome hesitated no longer before diving over his body to hit the off button on her clock.
Not really noticing that she was sprawled out on Inuyasha's lap, or that he sudden movement had flipped up her uniform skirt, Kagome turned an inquiring gaze to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha's golden eyes were wide with surprise and a modest blush stained his cheeks as he sat there frozen. He looked for all the world like a deer caught in the headlights and didn't know what to do. Except that something in his eyes suggested that he was enjoying something.
Following his steady gaze, Kagome slowly peered over her shoulder to see what he was so interested in. She was almost afraid to look.
There it was.
Her skirt flipped halfway up her back, the blanket tangled around her legs.
Baring her THONG!
With a shriek of outrage mixed with embarressment, Kagome flew back, rolling off of the bed and taking the blanket with her. Unfortunately, the shocked Inuyasha was sitting on the blanket as well and was not expecting it to suddenly jump out from underneath him. The result sent him tumbling as well, landing on top of a wide eyed miko.
Inuyasha bit his tongue to resist the urge to smirk.
He could feel that he was all but pressed against her body, resting between her legs.
Not that he minded. (^_^)
Kagome's face was glowing interesting shades of red as she tried to think of something to say. First she had been interrupted in the middle of a fantasy about Inuyasha, then she had awoken to find that she had 'slept' with him, THEN she had somehow managed to sprawl herself across him - looking for all the world like she wanted him to SPANK her, and NOW she was laying on the floor beneath him, with him between her legs, tangled in her blankets.
"Mom! Kagome's doing something with Inuyasha!" She heard a little voice cry from her doorway.
Great.
And now, due to all the noise they had made, Souta had walked in on them in a compromising posistion.
Inuyasha watched bemusedly as the emotions flickered rapdily across Kagome face, almost too fast for him to follow. But he had watched her so long it wasn't hard to figure out what she was thinking.
And she didn't look to disappointed.
But then her younger brother had walked into the room and shouted to her mother. Inuyasha was no Miroku but even he knew that you never wanted to get caught by a girl's parents. And if you were, you ran. Kagome seemed to be thinking along the same lines as panic became the dominant emotion on her face.
The smirk couldn't be held back as she began to squirm futilely to get out from underneath him. Damn that felt good!
"Kagome, " He whispered huskily as he leaned forward, unsure of where he got the courage to say what he was about to. "If you want me to get off of you, I would suggest you stop moving like that."
As if to give proof of what he was saying, Inuyasha rocked his hips just a little bit and something deliciously hard rubbed into Kagome's thigh.
The hanyou had no idea it was possible for a human to turn that shade of red.
Chuckling so low that only Kagome would hear, Inuyasha slowly stood to his feet. When he was up he held down a hand for the paralyzed Kagome to take. She only continued to stare at him in shock.
'Well at least I where baggy pants.' he thought, glad that all she could do was feel proof and not see it. That might shock her even more. "You can move now wench." He spat out, knowing that that would knock her out of her stupor and make her forget the awkwarness of the moment.
It worked.
"You jerk!" She yelled as her mouth miraculously began to work again and she jumped to her feet. Her hands firmly clasped the bottom of skirt, making sure that it would stay down.
"Sit!" She yelled, her embarressment turning to anger at his blatant disrespect.
Nothing happened.
The mortification returned as Inuyasha's smirk grew. She had forgotten that she had taken the rosary off.
In a flash her tirade of insults and the tempest of her fury died down. She was left standing in silence as Inuyasha continued to grin like a madman down at her.
"Oops. Habit." She mumbled with an embarressed shrug and nervous smile. She knew how pathetic that sounded, but frankly she had no idea what else to say.
Inuyasha laughed.
It wasn't his normal, 'I'm happy because I'm about to kill you' laugh, nor was it 'You're so pathetic' laugh. Instead it was almost musical. A sound of actual mirth. Kagome's downcast eyes lifted in surprise.
Inuyasha was actually laughing!
Seeing Kagome staring at him strangely, Inuyasha cut short the proof of his amusement. They stood in awkward silence.
Suddenly the door, closed as Souta had run downstairs to retrieve his mother, flung open as the boy entered, dragging a bewildered woman behind him.
"See!" He yelled not bothering to hide the triumphant tone in his voice as he turned to face them. "I told you so!"
Kagome was suddenly aware of just how she and her room looked. Her alarm clock had fallen on the floor. The mattress was askew. Blankets were lying in a tangled heap on the floor, looking like someone, or rather SOMEONES, had had a good roll around in them. Her own clothes were wrinkled and disheveled, looking for all the world like she had just haphazardly thrown them on. Her hair was a mess.
Sheepishly she glanced at Inuyasha. His appearence mirrored her own. Excpet he was not looking so guilty or blushing profusely.
Kagome's nervous smile returned.
"Morning mom." She squeaked, fully expecting hell to break loose.
Her eyes squeeezed shut and she tensed, turning her head slightly to the side as she awaited the barrel of loud angry words to get thrown at her.
Silence.
Opening her eyes, her brow creasing in confusion, Kagome turned to look at her mother.
Mrs. Higurashi was just smiling.
Souta gaped in surprise as his mother turned on her heel and walked out the room. Nothing was said until the older woman reached the stairs.
"Kagome I would get a move on it. You have school in an hour."
Silence.
Souta slowly followed his mother, feet dragging in obvious disappointment. By not getting his sister in trouble, he had failed in his duties as a younger brother. His head hung in something akin to shame as he departed for the kitchen.
Silence.
Kagome turned her wide sapphire eyes to Inuyasha, searching for an answer. Golden orbs stared calmly down at her, almost as emotionless as a certain taiyoukai's. Slowly Inuyasha leaned into the frizen girl, making sure to hide all his amusement.
His lips were only centimeters from her own. He could hear her breathing deeply.
He leaned in closer until his mouth just barely carressed her own. K agome's eyes shut as she awaited him.
Amusement finally burst through his barricade and danced freely in his amber depths.
"School." he whispered.
That was all he needed to say.
As if a dangerous red button had just been put, Kagome leapt back and started racing back and forth across her room almost as fast as a demon. Her blankets were thrown unceremoniously upon her bed and random drawerers were thrown open. Various items were retrieved.
The inu was beginning to get dizzy as he watched the patterless movements of the human blur.
The last he saw of Kagome was a glimps of her hair as she slammed the door the bathroom shut. Running water could be heard and Inuyasha knew somehow that the tornado was over.
Carefully, as if he was afraid that at any minute Kagome would appear and cut his nose off as she raced by, Inuyasha vacated the room in favor for the kitchen. He could smell something delicious coming from the room. The tantalizing aroma was all but grabbing him by the olfactory senses and pulling him down there.
The intoxicating scent got stronger and stronger, mesmerizing him with each step closer he took. By the time the hanyou reached the kitchen he was too far gone to notice the murderous glare of a certain old man on his back. Or even the worshipping one of a young boy and the thrilled glances of a female.
All he saw was the bowl of beef flavored ramen on the end of the table.
Descending upon the bowl like a vulture, Inuyasha commenced devouring it until all the remained was a spotless white bowl, glistening like crystal in the lamplight.
His stomach urged him to belch his appreciation, but Inuyasha had better manners than that.
Instead he growled his ode to the chef.
Ramen was such a wonderful thing.
Suddenly the tornado swept through the kitchen, knocking away the grandfather who had been about to attack the defenseless little hanyou with ofudas, and snatching something that looked like a plate and orange juice from the table.
The plates were thrown halplessly in the sink and a kiss was planted on Mrs. Higurashi's cheek as Kagome grabbed a bag from the counter and ran out the door.
Inuyasha blinked a couple times, coming off his ramen high.
Had Kagome actually been there? He sniffed the air a couple times. Yep! She had.
The hanyou turned and left out the door on Kagome's heels, narrowly avoiding a dangerous encounter with a crazy old bat and his demon wards. The geezer in question looked like he was about to cry as he watched his prey escape him for the second time that morning.
It was after all a cruel world where only the strong survive. He would just have to work harder next time.
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Kagome slowed her pace as soon as she left the house. She had glanced at the clock during her brief visit to the kitchen and seen that she had plenty of time to kill. For once she was going to be on time to school!
Suddenly she felt jewel shards approaching.
A ton of them.
Whirling around, expecting the worst, the miko realized that she didn't have her bow. Well of course she didn't. She would never have thought that she would need them here.
Inuyasha ran up to where she had stopped before the exit of the shrine. The shards were coming from him? She could see a faint glow eminating from a fold in his haori. She wanted to slap herself in the head. Off course the shards were coming from him! She had given them to him!
Seeing that she had stopped and was waiting for him, Inuyasha slowed his gait to a walk. He added in a cocky swagger just for kicks and giggles. Kagome didn't really seem to notice. She was staring at his haori instead.
The swagger was lost.
Inuyasha reached her, but said nothing. Kagome continued to stare pointedly at his haori. What was she looking at?
The lightblubs lit up over their heads at the same time.
"Here Kagome, you should hold onto these." Inuyasha said, reaching into his firerat to retrieve the shards.
"Thanks." She said as she held out her hand. The silver chain the she had fastened them on was still intact. Inuyasha didn't put the shards in her hand though. Instead he held them by the chain and looked expecantly at her.
Kagome stood there for a moment, confused as to his intentions, but quickly caught on. Her mouth making a silent, 'o' she turned so that he could put the necklace on her. With deliberate slowness, Inuyasha stepped closer as he lowered the chain in front of her. Kagome lifted an arm to move her charcoal hair out of his way, and Inuyasha savored the pale neck revealed to him. Still moving at a snail's pace, he purposely fumbled with the clasps a bit.
Kagome couldn't help it. She was getting impatient. She needed to leave soon or else she would be late. Knowing that moving away now would injure the hanyou's pride, she instead brought her hands to cover his own. Deftly she helped him go through the motions to secure the chain until the necklace hung around his neck without support.
She glanced down at it. It looked like it was always belonged their.
She went to take a step forward, to continue on her way, but strong arms held her in check. Inuyasha pulled her close to him and held her there. He could feel the miko relax in his arms and he smiled. Now that he had finally kissed her, and knew that she loved him, all he wanted to do was hold her.
Be with her.
But he wasn't ready to tell her that he loved her yet. Not when she was awake anyways.
A sad smile crossed his face, but because her back was to him, Kagome didn't see.
Finally, knowing that school was important to her, and the he couldn't go with her, Inuyasha released the young woman. For a moment she didn't move, desiring nothing more than to stay in his arms. But eventually she did.
Kagome took two steps foward before she turned on her heel and hurried back. Inuyasha didn't have a chance to register what was happening as Kagome threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then she feld the premises.
But not before he saw the vivid blush coloring her cheeks.
Inuyasha absently raised a hand to his cheek, carressing the skin where her lips had touched.
He loved how easily he could make her blush.
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There you go people! And remember to REVIEW!!!!
Please?
~Goijh
By: Goijh
Author's note:
Concerning the lemon- It is not going to be coming up for a little while people. Inuyasha still needs to tell Kagome that he loves her. Before he does that though he wants to prove that he loves her for being Kagome, not Kikyo's reincarnation. Remember Kikyo is dead, but he hasn't told Kagome that yet. In fact, Inuyasha is the only one that knows that Kikyo is dead. But the truth shoud be coming out soon. As well as our hanyou's confession. Don't worry!
And I was wondering if anyone was interested in review responses...? *tear* I haven't gotten nearly as many reviews as I had last time, but still...At least I have some right? *fails miserably at trying to look at the bright side of things and instead cries for a little while.*
lol! Sorry, just feeling self pitiful today...I'm chocolate deprived. But if anyone wants to have some review responses then just drop a review and I'll write some up.
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==================================================================== Chapter Nine ___________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================
Shippo anxiously paced the width of Kaede's hut. Miroku leaned against a wall nearby, calmly sipping the stew that the elderly miko had made for their supper. His serene indigo eyes watched the kistune with a cross between amusement and similar worry.
At the moment Shippo reminded the houshi of Inuyasha while he waited for Kagome to return from her time.
That reminded Miroku of why he was as feeling the same anxiety as Shippo.
Kagome and Inuyasha had left that morning to deliver the young woman to the well so that she could go home. Kiarara and Shippo had been able to confirm that the two had in fact made it there by the use of their youkai noses. But Inuyasha was no where to de found.
Normally Inuyasha would wait impatiently in the Goshinboku Tree while Kagome was in her time, but at the moment no one knew where he was. Shippo's kitsune nose, slightly more effective than the fire cat's. but still paling in comparison to Inuyasha's dog like senses, had detected an all too familiar scent.
The scent of earth and bones.
Of a decayed corpse.
Kikyo.
Upon hearing that information, everyone in the group had exchanged meaningful glances. It was beyond anyone's doubt that Inuyasha had stumbled upon the undead miko somewhere along the process of dropping Kagome off and returning to Kaede's to wait for the others to join him. It was anyone's guess that the hanyou had staid true to his predictable nature and taken off after the undead miko.
Miroku's brow furrowed into a frown. The monk only hoped that Kagome had already been gone. Shippo shared this wishful thinking. They both knew that had Kagome seen Kikyo then the chances of her returning again were relatively slim. There was only so much pain that a young woman's heart could endure.
Inuyasha had already caused the reincarnation more heartbreak than Miroku thought was possibly for anyone to take. And yet Kagome always came back to him and forgave him.
The day when she would finally have enough and leave for good was only just around the corner. The hanyou was going to be in for an unpleasant surprise when it finally came.
Shippo ceased his relentless pacing as he turned for a moment to face the door of the hut. The blanket keeping the cold from coming in and providing some semblence of privacy was pulled aside as the most beautiful woman Miroku had ever seen stepped into the small shelter.
Sango lowed Hiraikotsu from her shoulder as she sat against the wall opposite of the houshi. The taijiya knew better than to get too close to the pervert. She wasn't going to give him the chance to grope her again today. He was still sporting a bump from earlier when he had been 'assisting' her with an inspection of the stew.
Or rather an inspection of her ass.
"Its getting late." Sango finally said softly, breaking the heavy silence in the room. Miroku only nodded. Shippo sighed in aggravation and resumed his pacing.
A kitten sized Kiarara jumped down from Sango's shoulder where she had been perched and went over to the kit, rubbing against his legs in an attempt to coax him into sitting. The pup hesistated for a minute, torn between his impatient figeting and the comfort of rest. He finally gave into the latter as he let loose a yawn large enough to show all his fangs and probably a clear view down his throat. Sensing that she had won, Kiarara morphed into her larger form and curled into a nearby corner. Shippo was not long in joining her, cuddling himself up into her warm fur and tucking himself in with his tail.
The demon exterminator and monk watched for a moment as the kitsune's eyes got heavier and heavier, drooping lower and lower until, finally, he drifted to sleep.
Sango smiled gently. Seeing her smile, Miroku mimicked her expression, more from her herself doing it than at how cute the little youkai looked curled up with the firecat.
"So. Do you think that he really..." Sango's voice trailed off as her honey brown eyes turned to the monk for reassurance.
Miroku knew that she wanted the truth from him. And he also knew that even if he wanted to, he couldn't lie to his lady Sango. Quietly he nodded in confirmation to her thoughts, perferring not to voice his opinion aloud for fear that doing so would destroy the possibility that it wasn't true.
"I can't believe him." Sango scowled as fire flashed in her eyes. "That clay bitch only wants to kill him. He should know that Kagome loves him, and yet every time that woman comes around he runs after her like a pathetic puppy." Her expression darkened at the thought. "I almost hope that Kagome doesn't forgive him this time. He doesn't deserve it."
Once again Miroku found himself nodding in agreement. "But Lady Kagome is too kind hearted for that." He added in a smooth seductive voice. Sango's head snapped up abruptly at the sound but her expression did nothing to betray the delightful shivers that went down her spine when he spoke.
"Let's just hope that Kagome-sama does not return before Inuyasha does. I would not want for her to find out about this unless she has too." He continued, painfully oblivious to the affect his voice was having on the woman across from him.
Sango averted her eyes to the ground. This time she was the one who nodded. She hated keeping things from Kagome, who was like a little sister to her. But she knew that this was one of those things that could only do harm. The miko would be better off not knowing.
Miroku watched Sango. He knew that it hurt her to keep secrets from her friend, but admired her for her strength and courage. He knew that life had been overly cruel to her, yet she strived not to let it show, pushing forward each day with renewed vigor. Working hard to as she helped to complete the Shikon no Tama and destroy Naraku.
The taijiya yawned and stretched her arms out in almost a feline manner. Miroku smirked at her, though the facial lacked its usual pervertedness.
"Tired?" he teased. Sango only nodded.
Standing gracefully and taking a moment to straighten his monk robes, Miroku crossed the hut to retrieve the blankets that Kaede stored for their use. He grabbed two of them and then returned, passing one to Sango before he kneeled again and began to set up his bedding.
"Arigatou houshi-sama." Sango thanked him in a quiet voice as she laid down upon the heavy blanket, pulling up one of the edges to cover her body. Miroku soon stretched out very close to her, pulling his own blanket over him to ward off the night's chill air.
"Good night Lady Sango." He returned, allowing his eyes to close with a lecherous grin on his face as his hand found something warm.
"Houshi-sama?" Sango queried a little too sweetly. Miroku tensed in preparation from the blow from Hiraikotsu which was right next to the demon exterminator.
"I would advise you to remove your hand immediately, houshi-sama, and then find your way to other side of the hut. I'm tired and feeling merciful but if you don't immediately comply you shall find yourself intimately acquainted with hiraikotsu."
Miroku's hand never moved faster.
Hurriedly moving his makeshift bed several meters away from the tempting woman and her butt, Miroku settled himself down once again. Finally he dared to breath a sigh of relief. Sango had not hit him like she normally did.
Maybe he was growing on her?
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Inuyasha stirred as light hit his eyes.
His subconciousness registered that the tree branch beneath him was thicker than the usual ones that he slept on. It was softer too.
Sensing that it was safe, the hanyou tried to roll over to keep the light from disturbing the peaceful, deep sleep that he was longing to go back to. Something warm and soft blocked his way though. Grumbling about how everything was out to make him miserable and prevent him from getting any rest, Inuyasha cracked open a golden eye to see what was keeping him from his intended goal of rolling onto his side.
At first everything was blurry as sleep refused to leave his eyes. All he could make out was a big black blob and some peach and white. Then there was some green too.
Slowly the fuzzy blob began to take a more solid form as it transformed into Kagome. Half asleep the hanyou thought nothing of it except, 'So that's why it smells better than other trees.'
Then he closed his eyes again and pulled Kagome closer like she was a giant teddy bear. His silver locks splayed on the bed, mingling with her raven tresses as he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck.
Blissful sleep began to return once more.
Just as he was about to fall back into the desired dream state, amber flashed as his eyes snapped open.
'KAGOME!'
Pulling his arms away as if he had been burned, Inuyasha jumped off the edge of the bed, falling onto the floor and hitting his head with a thud muffled by the carpet. Cursing under his breath he adjusted his body into a kneeling posistion.
Hesitantly he peeked over the edge of the bed. Blinking a couple times to make sure that he had seen right.
Blink.
Blink. Blink.
Yep it was Kagome alright. He had spent the night in Kagome's bed.
With her in it.
A smile only ever seen on the likes of Miroku spread across his face.
'Bad Inuyasha. Bad!' He mentally scolded himself as his eyes began to rove over the sleeping form of Kagome. His mind only chuckled evilly back at him.
Golden eyes traced the barely concealed curves of the girl in front of him, slowly taking in the sight bit by bit as his sleep fogged mind started to sort through the last night's events leading up to the mornings somewhat too good to be true awakening.
Inuyasha's eyes slowly moved down the miko's neck and over her steadily rising and falling chest. He was very pleased with himself that he didn't linger unduly on her breasts before continuing down to her flat stomach.
He finally remembered. The kiss. The embrace. Carrying the young woman to her bed.
He smiled.
HER inviting HIM to sleep in her bed.
His eyes were halted in their greedy search by the blanket still pulled partially over Kagome's hips. Inuyasha wanted to growl at the obstruction in his line of sight but couldn't deny that the miko looked so peaceful when she slept. He didn't want to wake her up.
The previous night's events still fresh in his mind, warming his blood and assuring him he wouldn't be called a pervert when she awoke, Inuyasha climbed back onto the mattress. His arms slid possessively around Kagome and pulled her close as he buried his nose in her hair, memorizing the scent once again, that was only her.
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Kagome was bathed in sunlight.
She was sitting under a sakura tree, basking in the beauty of its blossoms. There was a noise behind her and she snapped around to see who was there.
She knew who it was even before she saw him.
"Inuyasha..."
The hanyou crept closer, his pace slow but confident. Finally he sat next to her, cautiously lowering himself to the ground.
Together, in silence they watched as the wind rustled the hanging branches of the tree, whisking gentle flowers away on unknown adventures.
Then, Inuyasha had kissed her.
Silver locks had moved on the edge of her vision. Curious as to what he was doing, Kagome had turned to question the inu youkai.
And his lips had fallen upon hers in the most gentle, yet passionate, kiss that the miko could ever imagine.
"I love you Kagome." He whispered as he pulled away, just enough to stare into her eyes.
She could get lost in his gorgeous golden eyes.
"I love you too Inuyasha." She whispered in return.
Then they began to move closer once again, the fire that now burned in the hanyou's eyes sending chills of anticipation down Kagome's spine.
Their lips were just about to lock in the most passionate confession of their love when suddenly Kagome snapped her head to the side.
Beep beep beep...
The miko whirled around with wide eyes, searching franticly for the creator of such a loud obtrusive noise.
Beep beep beep.
Inuyasha's ears flinched at every sound. Mild alarm was visible in the now lust free eyes as he joined Kagome in her desperate search.
Beep beep beep.
Thinking that the annoying noise was coming from beyond a tree further away, Kagome tried to move but she couldn't. She struggled in the fierce embrace of whatever was holding her, but the invisble arms held tight.
"Inuyasha!" She cried out, turning her head as much as she could to seek out her protector.
The hanyou was on the edge of the clearing...but he was...fading away?
Slowly an awful inky blackness was absorbing the area where the two had just sat. One by one that branches of the sakura fell victim to its boundless dark as it seeped closer and closer like a plague.
Beep beep beep.
Inuyasha was almost completely faded now. Kagome could see through him as if he were a ghost in a child's movie. Panicing she increased the fury of her struggles.
Beep beep beep.
"Dammit Kagome! Stop flailing and wake up so you can turn this damn thing off!" An unearthly voice that sounded suspiciously familiar echoed throught the air as the remainder of the clearing succumbed to the greedy night.
Beep beep beep.
Cursing mentally Kagome opened her eyes and looked around. She frowned at the loss of her dream. It had been such a good one too. She and Inuyasha had finally professed their love and were about to....
Her eyes fell on the subject of her fantasies.
"Inuyasah!?"
The hanyou in question flinched at the shrill sound of her voice. His ears were flattened against his head as much as they could be and even so his hands were gripping them painfully. His entire face was screwed up in a grimace.
Beep beep beep.
"Dammit woman turn that thing off or I'll kill it!" He roared, paying no heed to the miko's obvious confusion. Seeing the claws on his head flex threateningly, Kagome hesitated no longer before diving over his body to hit the off button on her clock.
Not really noticing that she was sprawled out on Inuyasha's lap, or that he sudden movement had flipped up her uniform skirt, Kagome turned an inquiring gaze to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha's golden eyes were wide with surprise and a modest blush stained his cheeks as he sat there frozen. He looked for all the world like a deer caught in the headlights and didn't know what to do. Except that something in his eyes suggested that he was enjoying something.
Following his steady gaze, Kagome slowly peered over her shoulder to see what he was so interested in. She was almost afraid to look.
There it was.
Her skirt flipped halfway up her back, the blanket tangled around her legs.
Baring her THONG!
With a shriek of outrage mixed with embarressment, Kagome flew back, rolling off of the bed and taking the blanket with her. Unfortunately, the shocked Inuyasha was sitting on the blanket as well and was not expecting it to suddenly jump out from underneath him. The result sent him tumbling as well, landing on top of a wide eyed miko.
Inuyasha bit his tongue to resist the urge to smirk.
He could feel that he was all but pressed against her body, resting between her legs.
Not that he minded. (^_^)
Kagome's face was glowing interesting shades of red as she tried to think of something to say. First she had been interrupted in the middle of a fantasy about Inuyasha, then she had awoken to find that she had 'slept' with him, THEN she had somehow managed to sprawl herself across him - looking for all the world like she wanted him to SPANK her, and NOW she was laying on the floor beneath him, with him between her legs, tangled in her blankets.
"Mom! Kagome's doing something with Inuyasha!" She heard a little voice cry from her doorway.
Great.
And now, due to all the noise they had made, Souta had walked in on them in a compromising posistion.
Inuyasha watched bemusedly as the emotions flickered rapdily across Kagome face, almost too fast for him to follow. But he had watched her so long it wasn't hard to figure out what she was thinking.
And she didn't look to disappointed.
But then her younger brother had walked into the room and shouted to her mother. Inuyasha was no Miroku but even he knew that you never wanted to get caught by a girl's parents. And if you were, you ran. Kagome seemed to be thinking along the same lines as panic became the dominant emotion on her face.
The smirk couldn't be held back as she began to squirm futilely to get out from underneath him. Damn that felt good!
"Kagome, " He whispered huskily as he leaned forward, unsure of where he got the courage to say what he was about to. "If you want me to get off of you, I would suggest you stop moving like that."
As if to give proof of what he was saying, Inuyasha rocked his hips just a little bit and something deliciously hard rubbed into Kagome's thigh.
The hanyou had no idea it was possible for a human to turn that shade of red.
Chuckling so low that only Kagome would hear, Inuyasha slowly stood to his feet. When he was up he held down a hand for the paralyzed Kagome to take. She only continued to stare at him in shock.
'Well at least I where baggy pants.' he thought, glad that all she could do was feel proof and not see it. That might shock her even more. "You can move now wench." He spat out, knowing that that would knock her out of her stupor and make her forget the awkwarness of the moment.
It worked.
"You jerk!" She yelled as her mouth miraculously began to work again and she jumped to her feet. Her hands firmly clasped the bottom of skirt, making sure that it would stay down.
"Sit!" She yelled, her embarressment turning to anger at his blatant disrespect.
Nothing happened.
The mortification returned as Inuyasha's smirk grew. She had forgotten that she had taken the rosary off.
In a flash her tirade of insults and the tempest of her fury died down. She was left standing in silence as Inuyasha continued to grin like a madman down at her.
"Oops. Habit." She mumbled with an embarressed shrug and nervous smile. She knew how pathetic that sounded, but frankly she had no idea what else to say.
Inuyasha laughed.
It wasn't his normal, 'I'm happy because I'm about to kill you' laugh, nor was it 'You're so pathetic' laugh. Instead it was almost musical. A sound of actual mirth. Kagome's downcast eyes lifted in surprise.
Inuyasha was actually laughing!
Seeing Kagome staring at him strangely, Inuyasha cut short the proof of his amusement. They stood in awkward silence.
Suddenly the door, closed as Souta had run downstairs to retrieve his mother, flung open as the boy entered, dragging a bewildered woman behind him.
"See!" He yelled not bothering to hide the triumphant tone in his voice as he turned to face them. "I told you so!"
Kagome was suddenly aware of just how she and her room looked. Her alarm clock had fallen on the floor. The mattress was askew. Blankets were lying in a tangled heap on the floor, looking like someone, or rather SOMEONES, had had a good roll around in them. Her own clothes were wrinkled and disheveled, looking for all the world like she had just haphazardly thrown them on. Her hair was a mess.
Sheepishly she glanced at Inuyasha. His appearence mirrored her own. Excpet he was not looking so guilty or blushing profusely.
Kagome's nervous smile returned.
"Morning mom." She squeaked, fully expecting hell to break loose.
Her eyes squeeezed shut and she tensed, turning her head slightly to the side as she awaited the barrel of loud angry words to get thrown at her.
Silence.
Opening her eyes, her brow creasing in confusion, Kagome turned to look at her mother.
Mrs. Higurashi was just smiling.
Souta gaped in surprise as his mother turned on her heel and walked out the room. Nothing was said until the older woman reached the stairs.
"Kagome I would get a move on it. You have school in an hour."
Silence.
Souta slowly followed his mother, feet dragging in obvious disappointment. By not getting his sister in trouble, he had failed in his duties as a younger brother. His head hung in something akin to shame as he departed for the kitchen.
Silence.
Kagome turned her wide sapphire eyes to Inuyasha, searching for an answer. Golden orbs stared calmly down at her, almost as emotionless as a certain taiyoukai's. Slowly Inuyasha leaned into the frizen girl, making sure to hide all his amusement.
His lips were only centimeters from her own. He could hear her breathing deeply.
He leaned in closer until his mouth just barely carressed her own. K agome's eyes shut as she awaited him.
Amusement finally burst through his barricade and danced freely in his amber depths.
"School." he whispered.
That was all he needed to say.
As if a dangerous red button had just been put, Kagome leapt back and started racing back and forth across her room almost as fast as a demon. Her blankets were thrown unceremoniously upon her bed and random drawerers were thrown open. Various items were retrieved.
The inu was beginning to get dizzy as he watched the patterless movements of the human blur.
The last he saw of Kagome was a glimps of her hair as she slammed the door the bathroom shut. Running water could be heard and Inuyasha knew somehow that the tornado was over.
Carefully, as if he was afraid that at any minute Kagome would appear and cut his nose off as she raced by, Inuyasha vacated the room in favor for the kitchen. He could smell something delicious coming from the room. The tantalizing aroma was all but grabbing him by the olfactory senses and pulling him down there.
The intoxicating scent got stronger and stronger, mesmerizing him with each step closer he took. By the time the hanyou reached the kitchen he was too far gone to notice the murderous glare of a certain old man on his back. Or even the worshipping one of a young boy and the thrilled glances of a female.
All he saw was the bowl of beef flavored ramen on the end of the table.
Descending upon the bowl like a vulture, Inuyasha commenced devouring it until all the remained was a spotless white bowl, glistening like crystal in the lamplight.
His stomach urged him to belch his appreciation, but Inuyasha had better manners than that.
Instead he growled his ode to the chef.
Ramen was such a wonderful thing.
Suddenly the tornado swept through the kitchen, knocking away the grandfather who had been about to attack the defenseless little hanyou with ofudas, and snatching something that looked like a plate and orange juice from the table.
The plates were thrown halplessly in the sink and a kiss was planted on Mrs. Higurashi's cheek as Kagome grabbed a bag from the counter and ran out the door.
Inuyasha blinked a couple times, coming off his ramen high.
Had Kagome actually been there? He sniffed the air a couple times. Yep! She had.
The hanyou turned and left out the door on Kagome's heels, narrowly avoiding a dangerous encounter with a crazy old bat and his demon wards. The geezer in question looked like he was about to cry as he watched his prey escape him for the second time that morning.
It was after all a cruel world where only the strong survive. He would just have to work harder next time.
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Kagome slowed her pace as soon as she left the house. She had glanced at the clock during her brief visit to the kitchen and seen that she had plenty of time to kill. For once she was going to be on time to school!
Suddenly she felt jewel shards approaching.
A ton of them.
Whirling around, expecting the worst, the miko realized that she didn't have her bow. Well of course she didn't. She would never have thought that she would need them here.
Inuyasha ran up to where she had stopped before the exit of the shrine. The shards were coming from him? She could see a faint glow eminating from a fold in his haori. She wanted to slap herself in the head. Off course the shards were coming from him! She had given them to him!
Seeing that she had stopped and was waiting for him, Inuyasha slowed his gait to a walk. He added in a cocky swagger just for kicks and giggles. Kagome didn't really seem to notice. She was staring at his haori instead.
The swagger was lost.
Inuyasha reached her, but said nothing. Kagome continued to stare pointedly at his haori. What was she looking at?
The lightblubs lit up over their heads at the same time.
"Here Kagome, you should hold onto these." Inuyasha said, reaching into his firerat to retrieve the shards.
"Thanks." She said as she held out her hand. The silver chain the she had fastened them on was still intact. Inuyasha didn't put the shards in her hand though. Instead he held them by the chain and looked expecantly at her.
Kagome stood there for a moment, confused as to his intentions, but quickly caught on. Her mouth making a silent, 'o' she turned so that he could put the necklace on her. With deliberate slowness, Inuyasha stepped closer as he lowered the chain in front of her. Kagome lifted an arm to move her charcoal hair out of his way, and Inuyasha savored the pale neck revealed to him. Still moving at a snail's pace, he purposely fumbled with the clasps a bit.
Kagome couldn't help it. She was getting impatient. She needed to leave soon or else she would be late. Knowing that moving away now would injure the hanyou's pride, she instead brought her hands to cover his own. Deftly she helped him go through the motions to secure the chain until the necklace hung around his neck without support.
She glanced down at it. It looked like it was always belonged their.
She went to take a step forward, to continue on her way, but strong arms held her in check. Inuyasha pulled her close to him and held her there. He could feel the miko relax in his arms and he smiled. Now that he had finally kissed her, and knew that she loved him, all he wanted to do was hold her.
Be with her.
But he wasn't ready to tell her that he loved her yet. Not when she was awake anyways.
A sad smile crossed his face, but because her back was to him, Kagome didn't see.
Finally, knowing that school was important to her, and the he couldn't go with her, Inuyasha released the young woman. For a moment she didn't move, desiring nothing more than to stay in his arms. But eventually she did.
Kagome took two steps foward before she turned on her heel and hurried back. Inuyasha didn't have a chance to register what was happening as Kagome threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then she feld the premises.
But not before he saw the vivid blush coloring her cheeks.
Inuyasha absently raised a hand to his cheek, carressing the skin where her lips had touched.
He loved how easily he could make her blush.
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There you go people! And remember to REVIEW!!!!
Please?
~Goijh