Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Just borrowing their characters. Ok?
A/N: I'm so sorry I've taken so long, friends. I've had the flu from hell! High fever, chills, killer cough, nausea, head and body aches~ the whole bit! I've been writing this slowly over the past week, but today is the first day I have been able to sit and type at the keyboard for any length of time. Now I'm tired and am heading back to the couch.
Oh, one more thing: A helpful reviewer, The Angel Lilith, reminded me of my pet peeve ~ people using Japanese words and phrases without translating them. I guess I thought that the ones I used were general enough that most people would know what they meant or would be able to take them out of context, but maybe not. So, here is a short glossary, which should cover the words I have used so far. If I miss one, please feel free to ask in a review or e-mail me.
Hai ~ a word of agreement or acknowledgement, like yes.
Baka ~ stupid, idiot
Nani? ~ what?
Ok, thanks for reading and reviewing. I will try to write more tonight, but as I said, I'm pretty beat. I have been printing out other people's stories and reading them in bed, so thanks so much to some of you for the great entertainment!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Gods, what a day!" Kagome was rushing home from school. She was running really late, like three hours late, and she knew Inuyasha would be livid. After all, he had agreed to let her stay an extra day without even arguing, and she had promised faithfully to return just as soon as classes let out.
But, as her luck would have it, she had needed a lab partner, and Houjo volunteered. After class, he wanted to talk to her about the prom. She had told him finally to ask someone else, that she didn't want him waiting for her. She told him to find another date; someone who deserved his attentions. His answer? "But I don't want to go with anyone else." Aaaaaaaagh! She told him to find someone else anyway, but he persisted, "If you change your mind, let me know. I will still wait for you."
She sighed. In other circumstances, he would be perfect. Handsome, kind, considerate, athletic, intelligent. Knew how to compliment a girl. But her heart wouldn't listen. And what Sango had said about that was true. "We don't choose who we love, our heart does." Wouldn't it just be her luck that her perverse heart would choose an arrogant hanyou from 4 centuries back who had a thing for an animated corpse?
After she had finally gotten rid of Houjo, her friends had grabbed her and wanted to discuss mirrored disco balls and silver streamers with her. And she had to pretend she cared. So now she was running very, very late, and would have hell to pay.
"Who's depraved idea was it to put this many steps up to our shrine?" she wondered, puffing at the top. She headed for the house to grab some supplies.
In truth, Inuyasha had been so wrapped up in his work that he had completely forgotten about the time. He was finished painting the house, and had started to work on the temple. When his nose caught Kagome's scent, he was still in the jumpsuit, painting away. Souta was "helping" him again.
He panicked! "Oh, HELL! She's gonna catch me!"
Mrs. Higurashi, who was in the gift shop at the time, came out and pushed Inuysha toward the back of the house. When he was safely out of sight, she called out, "Kagome, honey, could you come here a minute?"
'Oh, no! I gotta hurry!' She went running toward her mother. "Hai, Mom!"
"Honey, can you help these people in the gift shop? They want to know about those Shikon no Tama key chains, and I really need to make a phone call before five. Besides," she winked, "you're the expert on that subject."
"Mom, I told Inuyasha I would be there right after class! I'm already late, and you know how he gets!"
She glanced toward the house, fighting to keep from smiling, "I'm sure Inuyasha won't mind if you take a few extra minutes. That's a good girl."
Kagome sighed, "Ok, Mom, but would you please put some extra Ramen and chocolate into my pack? I'm gonna need it."
She went to help the people at the counter, and it turned out that they wanted to ask more than a few questions. She found herself giving a heavily edited account of the Jewel's history. By the time she finished, they were so impressed that they all wanted to buy replicas of the Jewel, and she sold nearly all of them. One man commented on how vividly she told the story, "almost as if she had been there."
"Oh, Miss, this one is chipped. May I have another one?"
She had to stop herself from gaping at the damaged keychain, as it looked so much like the jewel she currently wore under her blouse. She took it from the lady and said, "Of course! Please accept my apology. I didn't mean to sell you defective merchandise!"
She gave the woman another perfectly formed trinket, and stuffed the broken one into her jacket pocket, thinking they would have to send it back to the manufacturer later.
When the tourists finally left, she ran into the house to get her pack. Her mother handed it to her, smiling. "I packed the items you requested, as well as some other food and some warm pjs, and some dry clothes in water proof bags. And your sleeping bag, of course. And you will keep your jacket on today, young lady! It's chilly here, so it might be very cold there!"
"Hai, Mama!" She hugged her mom. "Thank you! I'll see you soon!" She ran toward the well house, but stopped suddenly. "Oh, that's right! I almost forgot!"
She dashed up to her room, grabbed a dress hanging on a hanger wrapped in plastic, rolled it up, and stuck it in her pack.. The end of the hangar stuck out, but she decided it would have to do.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When she emerged from the well in the Feudal Era, she wasn't surprised to see Inuyasha there waiting for her. She was surprised at the lack of ire he displayed at her tardiness, though. He wasn't angry, just grumpy.
"Took you long enough!"
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha! I tried, but people kept grabbing me and wanting me to do stuff for them." She didn't mention Houjo. "And then my mom needed my help in the souvenir shop. She packed extra Ramen for you." She held out a few packets as a peace offering. And braced herself for a verbal assault.
He took the offering, "Ok. Just don't be late again."
Her eyes popped and she stepped back. 'Huh? That was way too easy!' Finally, she noticed that he was acting very flustered. Had she just caught him doing something he didn't want her to know about? But what? And he was adjusting his clothes. She frowned. Something was definitely weird here. He hadn't bitten off her head for being very, very late. Any other time, that would have warranted at least half an hour's ranting and a few chocolate bars.
It finally occurred to her that he must have been with Kikyo. Of course. That would explain his disheveled clothing, his unkempt hair. And why he wasn't so upset that she was late. He had probably caught her scent when she came through the well and rushed to find her so she wouldn't suspect anything. Sighing, she turned away and began to walk toward the village.
Inuyasha was a little perplexed at her sudden attitude. For all his heightened hanyou senses, he couldn't hear her thoughts. She had long ago learned not speak her thoughts out loud when he was near. She seemed suddenly sad, and he couldn't think why.
"Oi, wench! What's wrong with you?"
She sighed and said cheerfully, "Nothing, Inuyasha. I'm just tired."
"You're lying. I can smell it."
"Damn your sense of smell." She muttered.
He heard her reply, of course, but didn't know how to respond to it, so they walked the rest of the way to the village in silence.
They smelled Kaede's hut before they reached it. Delicious aromas wafted through the air, and though Inuyasha picked them up first, he was too busy trying to figure out what was wrong with Kagome to let it register. When Kagome said, "Yum!" appreciatively, he looked up and saw that she seemed to have broken out of her melancholy.
Sango heard their approach and came out of the hut, but couldn't beat little Shippou, who raced past her and flung himself into Kagome's arms. "Kagome! You're back!"
Kagome hugged the little kitsune. "Yes, I'm back, and don't even ask. Of course I brought something for you. Just let me get inside, ok?"
Sango smiled and said, "Did you bring it?"
Kagome nodded and pointed to the bag sticking out of the top of the pack. Inuyasha eyed it curiously, and started to grab it, "Bring what? Is it food?" But she quickly pulled it out of his reach. Again he took a swipe at it, but she raised her eyebrows and gave him a meaningful look. Rather than kiss the ground, he backed off.
She turned back to Sango. "I'll show it to you after dinner, ok?"
After dinner, Kaede sent the boys out for more firewood so Kagome could change into her gown and model it in peace. When she emerged from the back room, her three remaining companions showered her with compliments. Shippou exclaimed, "Wow, Kagome, you look just like a princess from those books you read me!"
Kagome blushed and spun, carefully avoiding the fire, to flare the skirt for them. It was a lovely dress. She had looked halfheartedly all day, not really caring if she found a gown or not. But then she saw this one, and knew immediately that it was right. The rosy copper color was so unusual ~ like nothing they had seen all day. The bead-embellished bodice fit her perfectly, as if it had been made just for her. The draped neckline stretched across her breast into thin straps that fell off shoulder. Layer upon layer of tulle and some filmy iridescent material made up the full skirt, and if the light was behind her, one could just make out the shadow of her shapely legs.
Even if she hadn't loved it at first sight, her friends didn't give her a choice. They had the clerk wrap it for Kagome while she changed back into her day clothes.
She tried to escape into the back room to change again before the guys made it back, but had no such luck. Just as she reached the doorway, they entered the hut with a collective gasp. Miroku, without a second thought as to his projected lifespan if he were to act on impulse, instantly crossed the room to Kagome. He dropped to his knee, seized her hands in his and declared, "Kagome, you are indeed a Goddess! Would you bear my ..."
He never knew what or who hit him, as two simultaneous whacks hit him squarely on the back of his head and he lost consciousness. Sango, wiping off her weapon, glanced over at him and remarked, "He'll wake up when he realizes his robes are on fire." On second thought, though, she hooked her hands under his armpits and dragged him away from the flames while Shippou beat out his singed clothing with a broom. Luckily, the broom didn't catch fire. Not so luckily, the monk's legs were going to suffer some serious bruising as a result of Shippou's efforts.
Inuyasha, on the other hand, could do little but stare. Well, that and deliver a fairly serious blow to the back of a pervert's skull. His chest felt tight and his breath caught in his throat. Among the thoughts tumbling around his befuddled brain were, "So that's a promdress! Wow!" and , "The pervert's right; she is a goddess," and, "She is NOT going to wear that dress if she's going with Hoho! I'll kill him first!" and finally, "I absolutely have to convince her to take me!"
Kagome noticed his shell-shocked expression. "What's wrong, Inuyasha?"
He faulted and crossed his arms, turning away. "Why would anything be wrong? You're not planning on wearing that thing around here, are you? How are we supposed to get any shards if you're tripping over your skirt the whole time?" He knew immediately that was the wrong thing to say, but he just couldn't stop it from tumbling out of his mouth. Already he could smell her tears, and heard the swish of the curtain that divided the two rooms. He wanted to go and apologize, but he couldn't make his feet move.
Kagome dashed her hand across her eyes. What did she expect? Did she think he would say something nice? Did she imagine he would give her a compliment? That look in his eyes as he watched her model ~ she must have been crazy to think it had held anything special for her. He was obviously bored, thinking of something ~ or more likely, someone ~ else.
She slipped the dress off and angrily threw it to the ground, before sinking to her knees and covering her face with her hands. Why, why, why did she have to care so much what he thought? Why did she crave his approval? Why should she care what he thought of her in this stupid gown? She hadn't seriously considered taking him to the dumb prom, had she? Ok, maybe she had fantasies of the two of them dancing together, like she had with Houjo. Maybe she had played out the whole scene, replacing Houjo with that infuriating hanyou. Especially after he had asked her to take him. Why had he done that?
He had apologized to her, and had given her flowers, asking her to forgive him for being a jerk. He must have still been trying to make it up to her, so she would go back and help him find the jewel. That's what it always came down to; that stupid jewel.
She heard the curtain sweep aside, and Sango enter. Her friend knelt beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. "I don't understand him, either, Kagome. But he didn't really mean it. I saw the look in his eyes." Kagome didn't share her theories on that. She just continued to sob.
Eventually, Sango got up and retrieved the abused garment. She hung it back on it's hanger and brushed it off before covering it with it's garment bag and hanging it on a peg on the wall. She led gently laid Kagome's clothes in her lap and helped her to get changed back into them. Kagome said, "Thank you. I'm ok." and walked over to a basin of cold water to splash some on her face. She sniffed once more before remerging into the main room.
Inuyasha was gone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The hanyou was perched in a tree outside the hut, gazing at the moon, and deep in thought and recrimination, as he rubbed the spot where Sango's weapon had connected with the back of his head. He wasn't upset with Sango ~ he felt he definitely deserved that. And a few dozen "Sit!s" from Kagome. Why couldn't he have told her how pretty she looked? Pretty didn't even begin to cover it. She was so beautiful, twirling in the firelight. Why couldn't he have said something like that? Maybe then she would consider taking him to her dance.
But no, he had to say something mean and sound like the world's biggest jerk, again! He couldn't help it. He just opened his mouth and things like that just came pouring out. Sometimes he thought he should have Kaede sew it shut. Or maybe she could put a spell on him so he couldn't talk. He was pretty sure he had blown any chance of Kagome even considering taking him to her prom. She might never even speak to him again.
And now he was stuck out here in the cold. He hated the cold. Most people thought it didn't affect him, but that was only because he refused to show weakness. He hated it. Usually when he had to sleep out in the cold these days, it was because they were camping, and he could at least watch her sleep. But now she was in the hut by the fire and he was alone, out in the cold. Because he had to be a jerk.
Just before sleep finally overtook him, he could have sworn he heard a familiar laughter echo throughout the valley. He began to dream. He was wearing that suit Kagome's mom called a "tuxedo," and Kagome was wearing her lovely dress. The danced just like she had danced with...that guy, and this time, it was Inuyasha who took her chin and got to taste her soft, sweet lips. And it was Inuyasha whom she kissed back so hungrily, so passionately. He woke with a start and cursed himself for his brainlessness. He was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen now.
But he couldn't give up. He had to make it up to her. He had to apologize to her, and make her change her mind.
Because if he didn't, she would go with Hoho, and would kiss him again. And she'd be very angry when Inuyasha killed her date.
He jumped down from the tree and crept back into the hut, careful not to wake the sleeping friends around the fire. Crouching down next to Kagome, he watched her face to make sure she was sleeping. Her breathing was soft and even, and she looked serene but for the tear tracks still marking her smooth, pale skin. Unable to help himself, he reached out with the back of his index finger, and stroked her cheek. "I'm sorry Kagome. I'm such a jerk. You looked beautiful in your dress. Please don't hate me."
Kagome moaned softly at the contact. Miroku, finally regaining consciousness, witnessed the little scene with a small smile tugging at his lips. But he never said a word as the hanyou settled himself at her feet, curling up on the bottom part of her sleeping bag. Not risking a chuckle that would surely be heard by the half demon, he merely smiled and closed his eyes again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
By the time morning came, Inuyasha was trying to figure out how to get Kagome to go home so he could work. He didn't know how much money it would cost to take her to dinner, but he wanted to earn as much as possible so she could have anything she wanted. Plus, Souta had said something about a cur-sage, or something like that. Some kind of flower thing that she could wear on her dress. Of course, all of this depended on whether she ever spoke to him again, let alone let him go to her dance.
Hmmm.... Flowers worked once; maybe they would again. But he had already given her sakura blossoms. There were beautiful flowers in her mother's garden, and lots of them. Surely she wouldn't miss just a few. After all, he had helped to plant them.
He bounded off and hopped through the well. In the space of just a few minutes, he had carefully cut a few stems that were just about the color of her dress, and then returned to his own era. Approaching the hut, he could hear sounds of someone inside stirring to life.
Shippou smelled his approach and came out the door, eyeing him with disapproval. "You think flowers are going to work again? You are such a moron!" He held out a small parcel, and said contemptuously, "I'm only doing this because I hate seeing Kagome sad."
Inuyasha reached for the offering, and saw that the little kitsune was sacrificing some of his precious chocolate stash. "Uh, thanks."
"Go on, she's not awake yet." The little fox demon turned and bounded back into the hut.
As the hanyou entered the hut, he saw that everyone save for Kaede, who had gone gathering herbs, was still asleep. Even Shippou, once he completed his mission, had returned to the warmth of Kagome's side. He opened one eye at Inuyasha's approach and watched him carefully arrange the flowers and chocolate on the pillow next to the slumbering girl. Nodding with satisfaction, the kitsune again closed his eye and returned to dreamland.
"Someday," the hanyou muttered, "It's gonna be me where you are. And I'm kicking you out!"
Without bothering to open even the one eye, Shippou snorted in a sleepy, bored voice, "As if!" and stuck his tongue out. And flaunting his position even further, he burrowed down closer to the girls warm body, wiggling his tail at the hanyou as he did it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome's eyelashes fluttered open as the scent of something sweet and flowery floated through the air. Sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she looked back at the gifts on her pillow, then up at the hanyou staring at her with a gaze that was at once hopeful and proud. Closing her eyes again, she heard words flood her mind; words he had spoken to her while she was sleeping. "I'm sorry Kagome. I'm such a jerk. You looked beautiful in your dress. Please don't hate me."
"Thank you, Inuyasha. I don't hate you." She rummaged through her pack, and went on, "You can't really help who you are, can you? And I can't expect you to be anyone else, or I wouldn't be a very good friend. So, thank you for the gifts, but they really weren't necessary." When she had found her clean clothes, some soap, a bottle of water, and her toothbrush, she bundled them into her towel. She carefully scooped up the flowers and took a small pot off Kaede's workbench, and added them to her pile. Then, she shrugged into her jacket, picked up her gathered things, and without another word exited the hut.
Inuyasha gaped after her. How did she know what he had said to her last night? He had been certain she was asleep!
He knew he shouldn't follow her, since she was obviously going to bathe, but he didn't like how that little exchange had gone. It was cold, somehow. Not like the last time they had made up. Last time, he got to hug her. He got to watch her dance first. She told him his gift would be precious to her. This time, she just left. And she was still sad.
He just couldn't leave it alone. He darted out the door and down the path after her. She was walking slowly, so he easily caught up. But he didn't know what to say, so he just walked quietly beside her.
It was Kagome who finally broke the silence. "What is it, Inuyasha?"
He wanted to say, "You didn't hug me." But what he did say was, "You're still mad."
"No, I'm not, really." She said dully. 'Just...disappointed.' She added to herself.
He was getting desperate. The prom was coming up this weekend, and he had to get her to take him. He HAD to say the right thing, for once. "Look, I really am sorry. You know me better than anyone, and you know how I am. I don't always say what I mean. I might say something stupid like, "I hope you're not planning to wear that thing around here," when I really mean, "You look really wonderful in that dress."
She stopped and stared at him. Did he just give her a fairly direct compliment? No way! But that is what it sounded like. "Uh, thank you?" She started walking again.
So far so good. He knew it was probably too soon, but he was running out of time. "So, that's what you're going to wear to your prom?"
"Yes..."
"And you're going to go with that ... Hoho guy?"
She didn't bother to correct him. "I don't know..."
"Kagome ..."
"No."
"But..."
"No, Inuyasha."
"Why not?"
"Why do you want to go so badly?"
"Just ... because."
"Oh, well, in that case..."
He looked at her hopefully.
"No."
By this time, they were at the river's edge. Kagome bent down to fill the little pot with water, and then put the flowers in the pot. She set it on a flat rock, along with her clothes, and then looked pointedly at her companion. He knew she wanted him to leave, but he wasn't done yet.
"Why won't you take me? You haven't answered that other guy yet, so you must not want to go with him. Please?"
What was up with him? He never begs for anything, except maybe more Ramen or chocolate. He wouldn't give her any clues, so she would have to dissuade him some other way. She sat down on the rock and sighed. "Inuyasha, you would hate it. There will be a huge crowd of people, all trying to move in a very small space. And loud music. Very loud music."
"So! I can live with that for one night." He crossed his arms and looked intently at her. No one could outstubborn THIS demon.
Another sigh, "You would have to wear shoes. All night. And this suit with a tight collar and another collar called a tie on top of that."
"Keh!"
"You could not take Tetsusiaga. You would have to leave it here. Or at least at my house."
"Kagomeeeeee! I don't care! Please! Why don't you want me to go with you? Why can't I be part of your special night?"
She just blinked at him. He's feeling...left out? That's what this is all about? Before she could tell him that she didn't want to take someone who thought she was ugly, stupid, useless, and putrid to the most important dance of her young life, that she could not spend the evening dancing with someone who wanted her to be someone else, he spoke again.
In desperation, he blurted out, "Kagome, please! I have been working so hard for this! I wanted it to be a surprise for you. Your mom fixed your father's tuxedo to fit me, and taught me how to eat the right way so I wouldn't embarrass you at a nice restaurant, and she and your brother have been teaching me how to dance."
Kagome cut in, "My mom and Souta... taught you how to dance?" she asked, warily.
"Yeah! Like this!" he jumped up and started to hum the Macarena music as he wiggled his backside and extended his arms out in front of him.
She watched in amazement, trying so hard to keep from laughing that she nearly choked, tears spilling out of her eyes. "Uh, Inuyasha?" (arms crossed, hands on shoulders; wiggle wiggle) He was concentrating too hard to hear her. "Inuyasha?"
(Both hands behind his head; wiggle wiggle) "Yeah?"
She tried, but found she couldn't speak. She could not, could NOT laugh at him! He was trying so hard. But he was so cute! Where was her camera when she needed it?
(Hands on hips; wiggle wiggle) Kagome was sure she would never be able to watch him in tough-guy mode ever again without remembering this little scene. (Jump and turn)
When he turned, he was facing her and saw the tears rolling down her cheeks. He stopped and rushed over to her. "What's wrong, Kagome? Did I do it wrong?"
"No, no! I'm just so...touched that you worked so hard to learn to dance for me."
He flushed, "Keh!"
"Uh, Inuyasha? Did Mom and Souta teach you any other dances?"
"Oh, yeah, lots! But that one is the most fun!"
"Ok. Good." Mom is going to have some serious explaining to do!
He grinned at her. She seemed to have cheered up considerably. Maybe he was actually getting somewhere! "I even have money to take you out to dinner! I have been working at the Shrine every day since last Friday, painting and sweeping and gardening! See!" He reached into the front of his kimono and whipped out a handful of money, displaying it for her approval. He didn't notice that something else fluttered to the ground.
When Kagome didn't say anything, he looked up to see absolute shock on her pretty face. Her gaze shifted from his face, down to the money he held, and back to his face. She knitted her brow in confusion and finally spoke, "You did all that just to ... to take me to my prom? But why? Why would you do that? Inuyasha, I'm not Kikyou. I'm the inferior copy, remember? I'm the ugly, useless one. I'm the one who's scent turns your stomach."
There was that damn knife again, twisting in his heart. His words were once again coming back to haunt him. Pushing aside her pile of clothes, he sat down next to her. In a low, choked whisper he said, "I know you're not Kikyou. I've told you over and over, you're nothing like her! And I never meant all those other things. I didn't think you cared that I said them."
"They hurt. A lot."
"I didn't mean them. Actually, the truth would be much closer to the exact opposite of those things. You're... you're the best friend I've ever had. Kikyou was the first to accept and love me other than my mom, but we never had time to develop anything beyond that. I hate that I had a part in what happened to her, and I need to make it right. But... I won't do what she wants me to do. I won't go with her into hell. I don't want her to go there, either. I want her to be at peace. But ... but I feel like I have something to live for now. Ever since..."
Abruptly, Miroku came running up the path toward them, chest heaving, out of breath. "Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" He glanced apologetically at Kagome, but then returned his attention to the hanyou. Between gasps, he rasped, "Kikyou!" gasp! "She's very" gasp! "very badly" gasp! "injured!" gasp! "She's dying!" gasp! "Wants to" gasp! "see you before" gasp! "she goes onto..."
Kagome couldn't help interjecting, "Miroku, she's already dead. How can she die again?" It didn't matter. She knew he would run to her, no matter what the problem was, even if it were just a cut on her finger.
Miroku glanced helplessly at her and shrugged, trying to catch his breath. Inuyasha was waiting impatiently, "Where is she?"
Finally, he was able to speak in full sentences, "I'll show you. That way." The monk indicated the direction of the path. "Not far from the village. Kaede thought she was too injured to move, so she's still where we found her."
Inuyasha grunted, "Let's go." He bent down to pull the monk onto his back so they could make better time. Just as Miroku reached up to grasp the back of the hanyou's outer coat, Inuyasha remembered something and straightened again, leaving the monk sprawled out on the ground underneath him. He looked down and muttered, "Sorry," before stepping over the body and walking over to face Kagome.
He couldn't read her face. She had gotten good at that ~ probably from years of watching him. Her inscrutable mask was almost perfect now. And he hated it. He much preferred to be able to read the emotion that pooled in the depths of her beautiful eyes. His hand reached up to touch her face, and his golden eyes pleaded with her. "Kagome, I have to go. I have to see her with my own eyes and know she's at peace, and help her if I can. I promise I will be back soon. Please understand."
She nodded. "Of course you have to go. I'll see you when you return." She smiled at him, cheerfully if unconvincingly, "Now, get out of her and let me bathe."
"Come with me?"
The temptation was enormous. But she knew it wasn't the right thing to do. "No. You need to be there for her. I would only be in the way." She pushed him toward their waiting friend.
He gave her one last searching look to make sure she meant it. Then he turned and, taking Miroku fully onto his back this time, leapt into the air.
"Just please don't go with her, ok?" she called after him.
Kagome just sat there for awhile, staring at the speck the two men became in the sky. Her head was spinning, still trying to register all he had told her. He had certainly done a lot to try to go to her dance with her. He had worked to earn money to take her to dinner! And learned table manners, something she never would have believed if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. And he was starting to say some very sweet things to her before they were interrupted. She shook her head and tried to push down the petty feelings of annoyance she felt at Kikyou for once again, interrupting a private, tender moment between herself and Inuyasha. After all, she was mortally wounded. Hmmmm... Could a corpse be mortally wounded?
But he can't have been spending his days with Kikyou, as she had suspected, if he had been busy working for her mom. No wonder he wasn't angry when she was late, or when she wanted to stay home an extra day!
She finally got up to go to the river to wash up. She decided it was too cold for a full bath, but she could wash her hands and face.
He had said she was the best friend he had ever had. And he didn't really think she was ugly, or useless, or any of those other things. 'That's something, right?' She considered, imagining him again in her father's tuxedo. "Mmmmmmm. Maybe... After all, he never learned to do the Macarena for Kikyou!" She giggled at the memory. Maybe he really did care about her just for being herself."
She was reaching for her soap when her eye caught something red on the ground. She bent over to pick it up, and saw to her immense surprise, the photograph of herself sleeping on Inuyasha's shoulder. The one she had been searching for. How did it get here?
She frowned in concentration. It must have come out of Inuyasha's kimono when he reached in for the money. That's right! She remembered something else floating to the ground, but had been too surprised by what he was saying and the sight of the money to pay attention to it. But why did he have it, and when had he taken it from her room? She tried to remember the last time she had seen it on her mirror. She couldn't remember, but her heart did a little flutter at the thought of him wanting the picture, and of him keeping it with him all the time.
Suddenly, it clicked. 'No, that can't be right! Could it be...? Didn't she look at that photo for the last time just before she left for her date to the last dance...with Houjo?'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok, we're finally getting somewhere, right? I mean, can any pair possibly have been more clueless? So now they can finally hook up and go to the prom and live happily ever after, right?
Hehehehe! Don't you believe it! Coming in the next chapter ~ Will Kikyou really take the big dirt, er, clay nap before making good on her threat, or is this all just part of her plot? Will Kagome finally figure out what had Inuyasha so depressed and hostile, and why he wants to be her prom date? And what about Miroku? I mean, how many more concussions can that poor monk take before permanent brain damage finally sets in? Or has that already happened?
My sincerest apologies to Logan for the Macarena scene. I just couldn't resist. Must be the Niquil!
Ok, you know my mantra! Please leave feedback, please leave feedback! It's good for my ego, inspires me to want to write more, and sometimes gives me great ideas. Thank you!
A/N: I'm so sorry I've taken so long, friends. I've had the flu from hell! High fever, chills, killer cough, nausea, head and body aches~ the whole bit! I've been writing this slowly over the past week, but today is the first day I have been able to sit and type at the keyboard for any length of time. Now I'm tired and am heading back to the couch.
Oh, one more thing: A helpful reviewer, The Angel Lilith, reminded me of my pet peeve ~ people using Japanese words and phrases without translating them. I guess I thought that the ones I used were general enough that most people would know what they meant or would be able to take them out of context, but maybe not. So, here is a short glossary, which should cover the words I have used so far. If I miss one, please feel free to ask in a review or e-mail me.
Hai ~ a word of agreement or acknowledgement, like yes.
Baka ~ stupid, idiot
Nani? ~ what?
Ok, thanks for reading and reviewing. I will try to write more tonight, but as I said, I'm pretty beat. I have been printing out other people's stories and reading them in bed, so thanks so much to some of you for the great entertainment!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Gods, what a day!" Kagome was rushing home from school. She was running really late, like three hours late, and she knew Inuyasha would be livid. After all, he had agreed to let her stay an extra day without even arguing, and she had promised faithfully to return just as soon as classes let out.
But, as her luck would have it, she had needed a lab partner, and Houjo volunteered. After class, he wanted to talk to her about the prom. She had told him finally to ask someone else, that she didn't want him waiting for her. She told him to find another date; someone who deserved his attentions. His answer? "But I don't want to go with anyone else." Aaaaaaaagh! She told him to find someone else anyway, but he persisted, "If you change your mind, let me know. I will still wait for you."
She sighed. In other circumstances, he would be perfect. Handsome, kind, considerate, athletic, intelligent. Knew how to compliment a girl. But her heart wouldn't listen. And what Sango had said about that was true. "We don't choose who we love, our heart does." Wouldn't it just be her luck that her perverse heart would choose an arrogant hanyou from 4 centuries back who had a thing for an animated corpse?
After she had finally gotten rid of Houjo, her friends had grabbed her and wanted to discuss mirrored disco balls and silver streamers with her. And she had to pretend she cared. So now she was running very, very late, and would have hell to pay.
"Who's depraved idea was it to put this many steps up to our shrine?" she wondered, puffing at the top. She headed for the house to grab some supplies.
In truth, Inuyasha had been so wrapped up in his work that he had completely forgotten about the time. He was finished painting the house, and had started to work on the temple. When his nose caught Kagome's scent, he was still in the jumpsuit, painting away. Souta was "helping" him again.
He panicked! "Oh, HELL! She's gonna catch me!"
Mrs. Higurashi, who was in the gift shop at the time, came out and pushed Inuysha toward the back of the house. When he was safely out of sight, she called out, "Kagome, honey, could you come here a minute?"
'Oh, no! I gotta hurry!' She went running toward her mother. "Hai, Mom!"
"Honey, can you help these people in the gift shop? They want to know about those Shikon no Tama key chains, and I really need to make a phone call before five. Besides," she winked, "you're the expert on that subject."
"Mom, I told Inuyasha I would be there right after class! I'm already late, and you know how he gets!"
She glanced toward the house, fighting to keep from smiling, "I'm sure Inuyasha won't mind if you take a few extra minutes. That's a good girl."
Kagome sighed, "Ok, Mom, but would you please put some extra Ramen and chocolate into my pack? I'm gonna need it."
She went to help the people at the counter, and it turned out that they wanted to ask more than a few questions. She found herself giving a heavily edited account of the Jewel's history. By the time she finished, they were so impressed that they all wanted to buy replicas of the Jewel, and she sold nearly all of them. One man commented on how vividly she told the story, "almost as if she had been there."
"Oh, Miss, this one is chipped. May I have another one?"
She had to stop herself from gaping at the damaged keychain, as it looked so much like the jewel she currently wore under her blouse. She took it from the lady and said, "Of course! Please accept my apology. I didn't mean to sell you defective merchandise!"
She gave the woman another perfectly formed trinket, and stuffed the broken one into her jacket pocket, thinking they would have to send it back to the manufacturer later.
When the tourists finally left, she ran into the house to get her pack. Her mother handed it to her, smiling. "I packed the items you requested, as well as some other food and some warm pjs, and some dry clothes in water proof bags. And your sleeping bag, of course. And you will keep your jacket on today, young lady! It's chilly here, so it might be very cold there!"
"Hai, Mama!" She hugged her mom. "Thank you! I'll see you soon!" She ran toward the well house, but stopped suddenly. "Oh, that's right! I almost forgot!"
She dashed up to her room, grabbed a dress hanging on a hanger wrapped in plastic, rolled it up, and stuck it in her pack.. The end of the hangar stuck out, but she decided it would have to do.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When she emerged from the well in the Feudal Era, she wasn't surprised to see Inuyasha there waiting for her. She was surprised at the lack of ire he displayed at her tardiness, though. He wasn't angry, just grumpy.
"Took you long enough!"
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha! I tried, but people kept grabbing me and wanting me to do stuff for them." She didn't mention Houjo. "And then my mom needed my help in the souvenir shop. She packed extra Ramen for you." She held out a few packets as a peace offering. And braced herself for a verbal assault.
He took the offering, "Ok. Just don't be late again."
Her eyes popped and she stepped back. 'Huh? That was way too easy!' Finally, she noticed that he was acting very flustered. Had she just caught him doing something he didn't want her to know about? But what? And he was adjusting his clothes. She frowned. Something was definitely weird here. He hadn't bitten off her head for being very, very late. Any other time, that would have warranted at least half an hour's ranting and a few chocolate bars.
It finally occurred to her that he must have been with Kikyo. Of course. That would explain his disheveled clothing, his unkempt hair. And why he wasn't so upset that she was late. He had probably caught her scent when she came through the well and rushed to find her so she wouldn't suspect anything. Sighing, she turned away and began to walk toward the village.
Inuyasha was a little perplexed at her sudden attitude. For all his heightened hanyou senses, he couldn't hear her thoughts. She had long ago learned not speak her thoughts out loud when he was near. She seemed suddenly sad, and he couldn't think why.
"Oi, wench! What's wrong with you?"
She sighed and said cheerfully, "Nothing, Inuyasha. I'm just tired."
"You're lying. I can smell it."
"Damn your sense of smell." She muttered.
He heard her reply, of course, but didn't know how to respond to it, so they walked the rest of the way to the village in silence.
They smelled Kaede's hut before they reached it. Delicious aromas wafted through the air, and though Inuyasha picked them up first, he was too busy trying to figure out what was wrong with Kagome to let it register. When Kagome said, "Yum!" appreciatively, he looked up and saw that she seemed to have broken out of her melancholy.
Sango heard their approach and came out of the hut, but couldn't beat little Shippou, who raced past her and flung himself into Kagome's arms. "Kagome! You're back!"
Kagome hugged the little kitsune. "Yes, I'm back, and don't even ask. Of course I brought something for you. Just let me get inside, ok?"
Sango smiled and said, "Did you bring it?"
Kagome nodded and pointed to the bag sticking out of the top of the pack. Inuyasha eyed it curiously, and started to grab it, "Bring what? Is it food?" But she quickly pulled it out of his reach. Again he took a swipe at it, but she raised her eyebrows and gave him a meaningful look. Rather than kiss the ground, he backed off.
She turned back to Sango. "I'll show it to you after dinner, ok?"
After dinner, Kaede sent the boys out for more firewood so Kagome could change into her gown and model it in peace. When she emerged from the back room, her three remaining companions showered her with compliments. Shippou exclaimed, "Wow, Kagome, you look just like a princess from those books you read me!"
Kagome blushed and spun, carefully avoiding the fire, to flare the skirt for them. It was a lovely dress. She had looked halfheartedly all day, not really caring if she found a gown or not. But then she saw this one, and knew immediately that it was right. The rosy copper color was so unusual ~ like nothing they had seen all day. The bead-embellished bodice fit her perfectly, as if it had been made just for her. The draped neckline stretched across her breast into thin straps that fell off shoulder. Layer upon layer of tulle and some filmy iridescent material made up the full skirt, and if the light was behind her, one could just make out the shadow of her shapely legs.
Even if she hadn't loved it at first sight, her friends didn't give her a choice. They had the clerk wrap it for Kagome while she changed back into her day clothes.
She tried to escape into the back room to change again before the guys made it back, but had no such luck. Just as she reached the doorway, they entered the hut with a collective gasp. Miroku, without a second thought as to his projected lifespan if he were to act on impulse, instantly crossed the room to Kagome. He dropped to his knee, seized her hands in his and declared, "Kagome, you are indeed a Goddess! Would you bear my ..."
He never knew what or who hit him, as two simultaneous whacks hit him squarely on the back of his head and he lost consciousness. Sango, wiping off her weapon, glanced over at him and remarked, "He'll wake up when he realizes his robes are on fire." On second thought, though, she hooked her hands under his armpits and dragged him away from the flames while Shippou beat out his singed clothing with a broom. Luckily, the broom didn't catch fire. Not so luckily, the monk's legs were going to suffer some serious bruising as a result of Shippou's efforts.
Inuyasha, on the other hand, could do little but stare. Well, that and deliver a fairly serious blow to the back of a pervert's skull. His chest felt tight and his breath caught in his throat. Among the thoughts tumbling around his befuddled brain were, "So that's a promdress! Wow!" and , "The pervert's right; she is a goddess," and, "She is NOT going to wear that dress if she's going with Hoho! I'll kill him first!" and finally, "I absolutely have to convince her to take me!"
Kagome noticed his shell-shocked expression. "What's wrong, Inuyasha?"
He faulted and crossed his arms, turning away. "Why would anything be wrong? You're not planning on wearing that thing around here, are you? How are we supposed to get any shards if you're tripping over your skirt the whole time?" He knew immediately that was the wrong thing to say, but he just couldn't stop it from tumbling out of his mouth. Already he could smell her tears, and heard the swish of the curtain that divided the two rooms. He wanted to go and apologize, but he couldn't make his feet move.
Kagome dashed her hand across her eyes. What did she expect? Did she think he would say something nice? Did she imagine he would give her a compliment? That look in his eyes as he watched her model ~ she must have been crazy to think it had held anything special for her. He was obviously bored, thinking of something ~ or more likely, someone ~ else.
She slipped the dress off and angrily threw it to the ground, before sinking to her knees and covering her face with her hands. Why, why, why did she have to care so much what he thought? Why did she crave his approval? Why should she care what he thought of her in this stupid gown? She hadn't seriously considered taking him to the dumb prom, had she? Ok, maybe she had fantasies of the two of them dancing together, like she had with Houjo. Maybe she had played out the whole scene, replacing Houjo with that infuriating hanyou. Especially after he had asked her to take him. Why had he done that?
He had apologized to her, and had given her flowers, asking her to forgive him for being a jerk. He must have still been trying to make it up to her, so she would go back and help him find the jewel. That's what it always came down to; that stupid jewel.
She heard the curtain sweep aside, and Sango enter. Her friend knelt beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. "I don't understand him, either, Kagome. But he didn't really mean it. I saw the look in his eyes." Kagome didn't share her theories on that. She just continued to sob.
Eventually, Sango got up and retrieved the abused garment. She hung it back on it's hanger and brushed it off before covering it with it's garment bag and hanging it on a peg on the wall. She led gently laid Kagome's clothes in her lap and helped her to get changed back into them. Kagome said, "Thank you. I'm ok." and walked over to a basin of cold water to splash some on her face. She sniffed once more before remerging into the main room.
Inuyasha was gone.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The hanyou was perched in a tree outside the hut, gazing at the moon, and deep in thought and recrimination, as he rubbed the spot where Sango's weapon had connected with the back of his head. He wasn't upset with Sango ~ he felt he definitely deserved that. And a few dozen "Sit!s" from Kagome. Why couldn't he have told her how pretty she looked? Pretty didn't even begin to cover it. She was so beautiful, twirling in the firelight. Why couldn't he have said something like that? Maybe then she would consider taking him to her dance.
But no, he had to say something mean and sound like the world's biggest jerk, again! He couldn't help it. He just opened his mouth and things like that just came pouring out. Sometimes he thought he should have Kaede sew it shut. Or maybe she could put a spell on him so he couldn't talk. He was pretty sure he had blown any chance of Kagome even considering taking him to her prom. She might never even speak to him again.
And now he was stuck out here in the cold. He hated the cold. Most people thought it didn't affect him, but that was only because he refused to show weakness. He hated it. Usually when he had to sleep out in the cold these days, it was because they were camping, and he could at least watch her sleep. But now she was in the hut by the fire and he was alone, out in the cold. Because he had to be a jerk.
Just before sleep finally overtook him, he could have sworn he heard a familiar laughter echo throughout the valley. He began to dream. He was wearing that suit Kagome's mom called a "tuxedo," and Kagome was wearing her lovely dress. The danced just like she had danced with...that guy, and this time, it was Inuyasha who took her chin and got to taste her soft, sweet lips. And it was Inuyasha whom she kissed back so hungrily, so passionately. He woke with a start and cursed himself for his brainlessness. He was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen now.
But he couldn't give up. He had to make it up to her. He had to apologize to her, and make her change her mind.
Because if he didn't, she would go with Hoho, and would kiss him again. And she'd be very angry when Inuyasha killed her date.
He jumped down from the tree and crept back into the hut, careful not to wake the sleeping friends around the fire. Crouching down next to Kagome, he watched her face to make sure she was sleeping. Her breathing was soft and even, and she looked serene but for the tear tracks still marking her smooth, pale skin. Unable to help himself, he reached out with the back of his index finger, and stroked her cheek. "I'm sorry Kagome. I'm such a jerk. You looked beautiful in your dress. Please don't hate me."
Kagome moaned softly at the contact. Miroku, finally regaining consciousness, witnessed the little scene with a small smile tugging at his lips. But he never said a word as the hanyou settled himself at her feet, curling up on the bottom part of her sleeping bag. Not risking a chuckle that would surely be heard by the half demon, he merely smiled and closed his eyes again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
By the time morning came, Inuyasha was trying to figure out how to get Kagome to go home so he could work. He didn't know how much money it would cost to take her to dinner, but he wanted to earn as much as possible so she could have anything she wanted. Plus, Souta had said something about a cur-sage, or something like that. Some kind of flower thing that she could wear on her dress. Of course, all of this depended on whether she ever spoke to him again, let alone let him go to her dance.
Hmmm.... Flowers worked once; maybe they would again. But he had already given her sakura blossoms. There were beautiful flowers in her mother's garden, and lots of them. Surely she wouldn't miss just a few. After all, he had helped to plant them.
He bounded off and hopped through the well. In the space of just a few minutes, he had carefully cut a few stems that were just about the color of her dress, and then returned to his own era. Approaching the hut, he could hear sounds of someone inside stirring to life.
Shippou smelled his approach and came out the door, eyeing him with disapproval. "You think flowers are going to work again? You are such a moron!" He held out a small parcel, and said contemptuously, "I'm only doing this because I hate seeing Kagome sad."
Inuyasha reached for the offering, and saw that the little kitsune was sacrificing some of his precious chocolate stash. "Uh, thanks."
"Go on, she's not awake yet." The little fox demon turned and bounded back into the hut.
As the hanyou entered the hut, he saw that everyone save for Kaede, who had gone gathering herbs, was still asleep. Even Shippou, once he completed his mission, had returned to the warmth of Kagome's side. He opened one eye at Inuyasha's approach and watched him carefully arrange the flowers and chocolate on the pillow next to the slumbering girl. Nodding with satisfaction, the kitsune again closed his eye and returned to dreamland.
"Someday," the hanyou muttered, "It's gonna be me where you are. And I'm kicking you out!"
Without bothering to open even the one eye, Shippou snorted in a sleepy, bored voice, "As if!" and stuck his tongue out. And flaunting his position even further, he burrowed down closer to the girls warm body, wiggling his tail at the hanyou as he did it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome's eyelashes fluttered open as the scent of something sweet and flowery floated through the air. Sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she looked back at the gifts on her pillow, then up at the hanyou staring at her with a gaze that was at once hopeful and proud. Closing her eyes again, she heard words flood her mind; words he had spoken to her while she was sleeping. "I'm sorry Kagome. I'm such a jerk. You looked beautiful in your dress. Please don't hate me."
"Thank you, Inuyasha. I don't hate you." She rummaged through her pack, and went on, "You can't really help who you are, can you? And I can't expect you to be anyone else, or I wouldn't be a very good friend. So, thank you for the gifts, but they really weren't necessary." When she had found her clean clothes, some soap, a bottle of water, and her toothbrush, she bundled them into her towel. She carefully scooped up the flowers and took a small pot off Kaede's workbench, and added them to her pile. Then, she shrugged into her jacket, picked up her gathered things, and without another word exited the hut.
Inuyasha gaped after her. How did she know what he had said to her last night? He had been certain she was asleep!
He knew he shouldn't follow her, since she was obviously going to bathe, but he didn't like how that little exchange had gone. It was cold, somehow. Not like the last time they had made up. Last time, he got to hug her. He got to watch her dance first. She told him his gift would be precious to her. This time, she just left. And she was still sad.
He just couldn't leave it alone. He darted out the door and down the path after her. She was walking slowly, so he easily caught up. But he didn't know what to say, so he just walked quietly beside her.
It was Kagome who finally broke the silence. "What is it, Inuyasha?"
He wanted to say, "You didn't hug me." But what he did say was, "You're still mad."
"No, I'm not, really." She said dully. 'Just...disappointed.' She added to herself.
He was getting desperate. The prom was coming up this weekend, and he had to get her to take him. He HAD to say the right thing, for once. "Look, I really am sorry. You know me better than anyone, and you know how I am. I don't always say what I mean. I might say something stupid like, "I hope you're not planning to wear that thing around here," when I really mean, "You look really wonderful in that dress."
She stopped and stared at him. Did he just give her a fairly direct compliment? No way! But that is what it sounded like. "Uh, thank you?" She started walking again.
So far so good. He knew it was probably too soon, but he was running out of time. "So, that's what you're going to wear to your prom?"
"Yes..."
"And you're going to go with that ... Hoho guy?"
She didn't bother to correct him. "I don't know..."
"Kagome ..."
"No."
"But..."
"No, Inuyasha."
"Why not?"
"Why do you want to go so badly?"
"Just ... because."
"Oh, well, in that case..."
He looked at her hopefully.
"No."
By this time, they were at the river's edge. Kagome bent down to fill the little pot with water, and then put the flowers in the pot. She set it on a flat rock, along with her clothes, and then looked pointedly at her companion. He knew she wanted him to leave, but he wasn't done yet.
"Why won't you take me? You haven't answered that other guy yet, so you must not want to go with him. Please?"
What was up with him? He never begs for anything, except maybe more Ramen or chocolate. He wouldn't give her any clues, so she would have to dissuade him some other way. She sat down on the rock and sighed. "Inuyasha, you would hate it. There will be a huge crowd of people, all trying to move in a very small space. And loud music. Very loud music."
"So! I can live with that for one night." He crossed his arms and looked intently at her. No one could outstubborn THIS demon.
Another sigh, "You would have to wear shoes. All night. And this suit with a tight collar and another collar called a tie on top of that."
"Keh!"
"You could not take Tetsusiaga. You would have to leave it here. Or at least at my house."
"Kagomeeeeee! I don't care! Please! Why don't you want me to go with you? Why can't I be part of your special night?"
She just blinked at him. He's feeling...left out? That's what this is all about? Before she could tell him that she didn't want to take someone who thought she was ugly, stupid, useless, and putrid to the most important dance of her young life, that she could not spend the evening dancing with someone who wanted her to be someone else, he spoke again.
In desperation, he blurted out, "Kagome, please! I have been working so hard for this! I wanted it to be a surprise for you. Your mom fixed your father's tuxedo to fit me, and taught me how to eat the right way so I wouldn't embarrass you at a nice restaurant, and she and your brother have been teaching me how to dance."
Kagome cut in, "My mom and Souta... taught you how to dance?" she asked, warily.
"Yeah! Like this!" he jumped up and started to hum the Macarena music as he wiggled his backside and extended his arms out in front of him.
She watched in amazement, trying so hard to keep from laughing that she nearly choked, tears spilling out of her eyes. "Uh, Inuyasha?" (arms crossed, hands on shoulders; wiggle wiggle) He was concentrating too hard to hear her. "Inuyasha?"
(Both hands behind his head; wiggle wiggle) "Yeah?"
She tried, but found she couldn't speak. She could not, could NOT laugh at him! He was trying so hard. But he was so cute! Where was her camera when she needed it?
(Hands on hips; wiggle wiggle) Kagome was sure she would never be able to watch him in tough-guy mode ever again without remembering this little scene. (Jump and turn)
When he turned, he was facing her and saw the tears rolling down her cheeks. He stopped and rushed over to her. "What's wrong, Kagome? Did I do it wrong?"
"No, no! I'm just so...touched that you worked so hard to learn to dance for me."
He flushed, "Keh!"
"Uh, Inuyasha? Did Mom and Souta teach you any other dances?"
"Oh, yeah, lots! But that one is the most fun!"
"Ok. Good." Mom is going to have some serious explaining to do!
He grinned at her. She seemed to have cheered up considerably. Maybe he was actually getting somewhere! "I even have money to take you out to dinner! I have been working at the Shrine every day since last Friday, painting and sweeping and gardening! See!" He reached into the front of his kimono and whipped out a handful of money, displaying it for her approval. He didn't notice that something else fluttered to the ground.
When Kagome didn't say anything, he looked up to see absolute shock on her pretty face. Her gaze shifted from his face, down to the money he held, and back to his face. She knitted her brow in confusion and finally spoke, "You did all that just to ... to take me to my prom? But why? Why would you do that? Inuyasha, I'm not Kikyou. I'm the inferior copy, remember? I'm the ugly, useless one. I'm the one who's scent turns your stomach."
There was that damn knife again, twisting in his heart. His words were once again coming back to haunt him. Pushing aside her pile of clothes, he sat down next to her. In a low, choked whisper he said, "I know you're not Kikyou. I've told you over and over, you're nothing like her! And I never meant all those other things. I didn't think you cared that I said them."
"They hurt. A lot."
"I didn't mean them. Actually, the truth would be much closer to the exact opposite of those things. You're... you're the best friend I've ever had. Kikyou was the first to accept and love me other than my mom, but we never had time to develop anything beyond that. I hate that I had a part in what happened to her, and I need to make it right. But... I won't do what she wants me to do. I won't go with her into hell. I don't want her to go there, either. I want her to be at peace. But ... but I feel like I have something to live for now. Ever since..."
Abruptly, Miroku came running up the path toward them, chest heaving, out of breath. "Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" He glanced apologetically at Kagome, but then returned his attention to the hanyou. Between gasps, he rasped, "Kikyou!" gasp! "She's very" gasp! "very badly" gasp! "injured!" gasp! "She's dying!" gasp! "Wants to" gasp! "see you before" gasp! "she goes onto..."
Kagome couldn't help interjecting, "Miroku, she's already dead. How can she die again?" It didn't matter. She knew he would run to her, no matter what the problem was, even if it were just a cut on her finger.
Miroku glanced helplessly at her and shrugged, trying to catch his breath. Inuyasha was waiting impatiently, "Where is she?"
Finally, he was able to speak in full sentences, "I'll show you. That way." The monk indicated the direction of the path. "Not far from the village. Kaede thought she was too injured to move, so she's still where we found her."
Inuyasha grunted, "Let's go." He bent down to pull the monk onto his back so they could make better time. Just as Miroku reached up to grasp the back of the hanyou's outer coat, Inuyasha remembered something and straightened again, leaving the monk sprawled out on the ground underneath him. He looked down and muttered, "Sorry," before stepping over the body and walking over to face Kagome.
He couldn't read her face. She had gotten good at that ~ probably from years of watching him. Her inscrutable mask was almost perfect now. And he hated it. He much preferred to be able to read the emotion that pooled in the depths of her beautiful eyes. His hand reached up to touch her face, and his golden eyes pleaded with her. "Kagome, I have to go. I have to see her with my own eyes and know she's at peace, and help her if I can. I promise I will be back soon. Please understand."
She nodded. "Of course you have to go. I'll see you when you return." She smiled at him, cheerfully if unconvincingly, "Now, get out of her and let me bathe."
"Come with me?"
The temptation was enormous. But she knew it wasn't the right thing to do. "No. You need to be there for her. I would only be in the way." She pushed him toward their waiting friend.
He gave her one last searching look to make sure she meant it. Then he turned and, taking Miroku fully onto his back this time, leapt into the air.
"Just please don't go with her, ok?" she called after him.
Kagome just sat there for awhile, staring at the speck the two men became in the sky. Her head was spinning, still trying to register all he had told her. He had certainly done a lot to try to go to her dance with her. He had worked to earn money to take her to dinner! And learned table manners, something she never would have believed if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes. And he was starting to say some very sweet things to her before they were interrupted. She shook her head and tried to push down the petty feelings of annoyance she felt at Kikyou for once again, interrupting a private, tender moment between herself and Inuyasha. After all, she was mortally wounded. Hmmmm... Could a corpse be mortally wounded?
But he can't have been spending his days with Kikyou, as she had suspected, if he had been busy working for her mom. No wonder he wasn't angry when she was late, or when she wanted to stay home an extra day!
She finally got up to go to the river to wash up. She decided it was too cold for a full bath, but she could wash her hands and face.
He had said she was the best friend he had ever had. And he didn't really think she was ugly, or useless, or any of those other things. 'That's something, right?' She considered, imagining him again in her father's tuxedo. "Mmmmmmm. Maybe... After all, he never learned to do the Macarena for Kikyou!" She giggled at the memory. Maybe he really did care about her just for being herself."
She was reaching for her soap when her eye caught something red on the ground. She bent over to pick it up, and saw to her immense surprise, the photograph of herself sleeping on Inuyasha's shoulder. The one she had been searching for. How did it get here?
She frowned in concentration. It must have come out of Inuyasha's kimono when he reached in for the money. That's right! She remembered something else floating to the ground, but had been too surprised by what he was saying and the sight of the money to pay attention to it. But why did he have it, and when had he taken it from her room? She tried to remember the last time she had seen it on her mirror. She couldn't remember, but her heart did a little flutter at the thought of him wanting the picture, and of him keeping it with him all the time.
Suddenly, it clicked. 'No, that can't be right! Could it be...? Didn't she look at that photo for the last time just before she left for her date to the last dance...with Houjo?'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok, we're finally getting somewhere, right? I mean, can any pair possibly have been more clueless? So now they can finally hook up and go to the prom and live happily ever after, right?
Hehehehe! Don't you believe it! Coming in the next chapter ~ Will Kikyou really take the big dirt, er, clay nap before making good on her threat, or is this all just part of her plot? Will Kagome finally figure out what had Inuyasha so depressed and hostile, and why he wants to be her prom date? And what about Miroku? I mean, how many more concussions can that poor monk take before permanent brain damage finally sets in? Or has that already happened?
My sincerest apologies to Logan for the Macarena scene. I just couldn't resist. Must be the Niquil!
Ok, you know my mantra! Please leave feedback, please leave feedback! It's good for my ego, inspires me to want to write more, and sometimes gives me great ideas. Thank you!