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to be with you
Chapter 2 – complete
By Jamethiel1 and Nakame
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A thought hit her, and she bit her lip, wondering if it was a bad idea to bring it up. "Um.. Inuyasha? Two of the jewel shards.. should still be with Kouga.."
Inuyasha looked at her at that comment and growled at the thought of that wolf youkai, "Aren't you that mangy wolf's women now, Kagome?" he spoke rather scornfully. "He says you're his woman," Inuyasha then turned around, "Forget it. Come on, Kagome, let's go see what weak wolf has to say." Inuyasha kneeled down so she could get on his back for faster travel.
She sighed inwardly at his growl and statement, knowing he was going to have such a response. Couldn't he and Kouga just get along for once? "I'm not 'his woman' and you know it, Inuyasha. I don't know why you let him get you so worked up," she spoke, though climbed upon his back, brushing aside his silver mane of hair. "And I don't want you fighting with him! Let me talk to him," she instructed, tone suggesting she would have no argument.
Inuyasha ran to the mountains, jumping along the tops of trees to reach their destination. When they were there, he let Kagome off his back and turned to her, "You go in there and I'll stay out here, okay?" he spoke, then explained, "So I won't fight him." He continued in a calm voice, Oh yeah, if you get the last jewel shards I'll always be here to protect you, Kagome," he smiled, "Now go get the shards and tell him that Inuyasha didn't come by; I'll hide my scent." He then vanishes somewhere in the forest, leaving Kagome alone.
She blinked in surprise, astonished that Inuyasha had actually agreed. And that he'd let her go in there alone! "Um.. okay.." she agreed, smiling slightly. Her heart warmed with his next statement, hoping he meant he would protect her and not the shards, but interpreting it how she liked. With the last she nodded, and started walking, searching for the wolf demon who was convinced he was in love with her. She shook her head slightly and sighed.
When Kouga scented Kagome nearby, he quickly ran out to meet her. "Yo, Kagome!" he greeted, grabbing Kagome's hand in the process, "What are you doing here? Finally decided to drop the mutt?"
Kagome attempted to free her hand without seeming rude. She sighed though smiled, "His name's Inuyasha, and no I didn't 'drop' him. I just came here to ask you something-"
"So that mangy dog's not here?" he asked, interrupting her.
She fidgeted at the question, not wanting to lie to him. But she had already promised Inuyasha as to what she would say. "It's just me," she spoke dishonestly, hoping she was an okay liar. "Um.. Kouga?" she said hesitantly, unsure how to bring up the subject of the jewel shards. So she decided to be blunt, probably a tactic learned from a certain hanyou, "I know they're yours and everything.. but we.. er, I really need your jewel shards.."
"If you need them that much, kiss me and I'll give them to you," he answered with a sly smile.
Eyes widening, she opened her mouth to answer, but no sound came out. She wasn't sure how she felt about that statement. Whether she should laugh or slap him.. Her eyes darted around for a moment, wondering if Inuyasha was near and had heard. Probably not, or else he would already have been out with Tetsusaiga drawn. "I.. uh.. there's no other way you'll give me the shards?" she asked, voice rather small. "I mean.. I like you and all Kouga, but not like that..." She gulped, nervous and a little agitated.
"I was just playing; you don't have to," he snickered, "but why do you need the shards, Kagome?"
That was rather cruel of him, Kagome mused as she realized he wasn't really serious. Inuyasha would have killed them both if she had agreed to those terms. Now she tried desperately to think of a good reason without having to tell him the complete truth. He would never give her the shards if he knew it was so Inuyasha could become a youkai. "Well.. I.. I'm the one that shattered the jewel in the first place, so I'm responsible for getting all the shards back," she explained. "I've been working so hard to collect them all, and you have some of the remaining few. It would make my life so much easier if the Shikon no Tama was complete again.." she spoke, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes. "So, won't you give me your shards, please?" She tried not to ruin the act by laughing.
"Well, okay," Kouga replied with barely a pause, and took out the shards that was in his legs, giving them to her. "Oh, and, Kagome, Inuyasha is here, I can smell him. So go on."
Looking down at the two shards in her hand, Kagome smiled. She hadn't really expected him to give them to her so easily, but she was really happy that he had. Kagome jumped slightly at his statement, flushing as she realized her lie had been found out. But a smile overtook her face again as she formed a fist around the shards and dashed forward, giving the wolf youkai a friendly and grateful hug. "Thanks, Kouga!" she said, glad he understood, and withdrew. "Bye!" she called, and moved to find Inuyasha.
Kouga smiled and waved, before vanishing at a run, though without his trademark whirlwind of speed. Inuyasha came out of hiding, stepping in front of Kagome. "So, did you get them, Kagome?" he asked.
Kagome held up the two shards, beaming. "Of course!" she said, glad Inuyasha didn't seem to have seen her hug Kouga. "You doubted me? I told you I'd get them," she said, rather proudly.
"What did you do to get them?" he questioned, raising a single brow, though his voice sounded rather peaceful.
"Ah.. heh, heh.." she answered at first, sounding nervous. Then she patted Inuyasha's shoulder and smiled, laughing quietly, "I just asked him for them and explained that I was responsible for collecting them. That's all!"
"Okay. So is that all of them?" he asked, though if he sounded excited or nervous she couldn't tell.
"I don't know.." She reached around her neck and revealed the rest of the jewel, holding her breath as she removed it and placed it in her palm. She pressed the two shards into its fracture, and shut her eyes as a light shown brightly, blinding her a moment. Then it faded, and she looked down at her palm. "I.. don't believe it.." she said breathlessly, for in her hand laid the complete Shikon no Tama. They had been journeying so long, and they had finally found all the pieces.. it was finally over. Well.. except for Inuyasha's wish. Choking down her emotion at that, she held the jewel out to him. "Well, here you go.. as promised.." she managed to say cheerfully, though she wasn't feeling exactly that.
Inuyasha took it with perhaps the same amount of awe she had. It was finished. "Okay.. I wish to become a yo-" he cut himself off, seeming to think of something. He handed it to Kagome then, "You make your own wish, I'm not going to be a full demon. So you wish for yourself, think about it, Kagome." He smiled, and glanced away from her a moment.
"Y-you're not?!" she exclaimed, eyes widening as he handed the Shikon no Tama back to her. But he had always said he was going to become a youkai. And she had never though of what she would want from the jewel, she had always promised it to Inuyasha. The only thing she wanted.. was to be with him forever.. She knew that was impossible how things were now. Inuyasha was a hanyou from the feudal era, he despised being human, and he would never fit in her world. She.. well, she wouldn't live near as long as Inuyasha, him being half demon. "A-alright.." she spoke, nervous though determined. She knew what she was doing to wish for. Shutting her eyes tightly, she hoped it was the right choice, for she doubted she'd get a second chance. "I wish.. I wish to become a hanyou.."
Inuyasha looked up expectantly at her, shock on his face. He watched as she changed, wondering what she would look like, wondering if this decision meant what he thought it did.
The change was an incredible feeling. She felt power surge through her, unlike those of a miko, and knew now how Inuyasha must feel. And why he felt weak as a human. She watched her hands in fascination, seeing her nails sharpen, grow longer. Then she closed her eyes, and awaited the rest of the transformation. When she finally felt it was complete, she opened her eyes again, and felt her heart clench. I guess I wasn't too specific.. she thought, blinking back tears. With her now more sensitive nose, though it would never match that of Inuyasha's, she could tell she was a neko hanyou. Funny.. that's how Shippou had drawn me that once.. She couldn't see herself, but two cat-like ears now rested atop her head, black as the rest of her hair. Her eyes were now a green color, instead of their usual brown. All in all, her outward appearance hadn't changed all that much. But.. she was a cat hanyou! Would.. would Inuyasha still like her? She found she couldn't raise her eyes to meet him, didn't want to see a look of disgust on his face. So she lowered her gaze to the ground, afraid she had made a terrible decision.
Inuyasha ran up to her once she had fully changed. "Wow, Kagome," he spoke breathlessly. He pulled her into a hug, "You're a cat hanyou; you look beautiful." Inuyasha smiled as he released her, "Let me see if you have fangs," he said as he checks, "Yep, you're a cat demon alright." He smiles again as he says mostly to himself, "A cat hanyou and a dog hanyou, this will be pretty funny." He continues calmly to her, "But that's okay, Kagome. Do you like your hanyou form?"
Feeling Inuyasha embrace her, which was the last thing she had been expecting, she flushed slightly and looked up, dazed. "R-Really?" she asked hopefully, smile gracing her lips. He thought she was beautiful? He didn't mind.. he liked her this way. A giddy feeling overcame her, and she hugged Inuyasha back tightly before releasing him, laughing lightly as he inspected her fangs. "I like this form.." she spoke carefully, trying to figure it out as she answered. "I feel.. stronger for one. But mainly, I'm just glad 'cause I can be with you.." She looked at him a moment, then carefully looked away, still with a flush upon her cheeks. She sighed in contentment, just enjoying what went on around them. "I.. these senses are amazing.. what I can hear.. smell.."
"Touch," he completed for her, and as he kissed her lips lightly. Then he backed away with a smile still on his face. "Let's see how far you can run and jump," he challenged, not giving her a chance to respond to the kiss. "Ready? Go!" and he dashed away through the trees.
Kagome's heart fluttered wildly as he kissed her, and she smiled when he suggested a race, nodding breathlessly. She felt she could run to the edges of the earth just now. There was a nagging thought in the back of her mind what about Kikyo..? but she shoved it aside for now. She raced after Inuyasha, amazed at the speed she was running, leaping.
Inuyasha stopped after a while, turning to Kagome. "What about your family?" he questioned, "Let's go back to your time and show them, Kagome."
When Inuyasha stopped, Kagome halted as well, looking at him curiously. Her family!? Her breath caught. She hadn't even thought of them.. now.. now she would never get to see them again, being a hanyou. And, even if she could.. she would outlive them.. watch them die. Kagome fought tears and she nodded and followed Inuyasha as he started toward the well. Emotions fought within her, love and longing for Inuyasha, an ugly jealousy and despair about Kikyo, and an overwhelming depression when she thought of her family. It was all too confusing. "Um.. Inuyasha? What if.. what if they don't like my choice? I mean, I can't stay there anymore.. I chose to stay here with you. How can I tell them that?"
He looked over to her, an unreadable expression on his face. "I'll be there with you," was his only reply, as he continued on to the well.
She nodded, smiling wearily. "Let's go then," she said, and leapt into the well once they had arrive. Appearing at the bottom the well in her own era, she for a moment thought she was deaf, then realized that she had actually, miraculously, returned to her human form. How did this happen? What did this mean? For one, she wouldn't be able to show her family what she looked like as a hanyou, but perhaps that was a good thing. Another.. she was back, a human in her own time. If she wanted.. if she wanted she could stay here like nothing had ever happened.
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End of Chapter 2
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{ Next chapter coming soon ^^ The next chapter of "he loves her, he loves her not" should be up soon as well! }