Drunken Demon


Kagome hummed softly to herself as she pushed her key through the lock, and turned it, unlocking the door to her house. She was feeling rather cheerful today, though nothing interesting had really happened. School was, as usual, boring and stressful at the same time. She really wasn't into the latest gossip, so while her friends sat and chatted away about who was dating whom, she had simply sat there and thought about other things. Like Inuyasha. A blush rose to her cheeks at the very thought. Where had that come from? She shook her head, as if to brush off the thought.  Making sure to lock the door behind her, she made her way into the living room. She glanced up, trying to see what time it was, but the empty patch of wall suspended above her head caused her brows to crease in bewilderment. Huh? Where was the clock? She wrinkled her brows in confusion, but shrugged it off. It was just a dumb clock, after all. Who cared if it was missing? Besides, her mom or Grandpa had probably removed it to clean it or something.

"I have way too much homework today," she muttered. Kagome adjusted her backpack straps and began moving through the hallways. Entering her room, she dropped her heavy backpack onto the ground with a satisfying thud. Stupid school, she winced. It was ridiculous, the amount of homework that teachers assigned students each day. She rubbed her sore shoulders. It took her a few moments to realize there was something odd about her room. She was the shard detector after all; she could just sense these things. Sniffing the air, she narrowed her eyes. Was that Grandpa's alcohol? His room was located on the other side of the hallway- how could she smell it from her room? Had her Grandpa entered her room in one of his drunken days? Oh, Grandpa, she thought, shaking her head. That explained the smell, then. Shrugging, she unzipped her back and removed her books, preparing to study for the tests she was taking tomorrow.

"Heyyyyyyyyy theeeeere, Kaaaag. Ooooome. Kaaaagooooome" A voice broke into the silence. This was followed by a fit of childish laughter.

Kagome yelped and jumped up so fast that she knocked her chair to the ground. "Inuyasha?" she asked, clutching a hand to her heart, which was beating extremely fast. Her look of surprise quickly morphed into an angry scowl.

"What were you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?" she snapped. Kagome hadn't realized that he had been in her room, and he had startled her badly. Inuyasha had been propped up against the wall in her bathroom, so she hadn't seen him when she came in. Inuyasha staggered forward, a dream-like expression transfixed onto his face. He smiled widely at her, his lips twisted into a dopey smile. From the way he kept looking at her, and from his sluggish movements, she could tell that he was acting weird. Something like a warning bell triggered in her mind. Kagome began backing away, her arms wrapped over herself, as if in a defensive position. Every step she took backward, he took forward.

"Are you…feeling all right, Inuyasha?" she asked, trying to remain calm. An exaggerated laugh erupted from his lips.

"I'm fiiiiiiiiine. Hooowww arrrrrreee yooooooooouuuuu?" he gushed. She took several steps backward, only to find the wall pressing defiantly against her back. He kept branching forward, and things were not looking good.

"Don't come any closer!" she shouted, screwing her eyes shut and holding up her hands. She felt a slight vibration tremble in the wall, as he pressed both hands on the sides of her head. He was breathing heavily, and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. Inuyasha had been drinking? How had he managed to get alcohol? Oh. Grandpa, obviously. Inuyasha had probably found her Grandpa's alcohol, and this was what happened. This situation might have been comical, if she wasn't in this position herself. Her eyes were still tightly shut. Wincing, she opened an eye, only to find Inuyasha's golden irises peering back at her innocently. Then his body shook violently, and fell onto her. She blushed, but supported his weight, trying hard not to think about how awkward this position was. She felt him shift suddenly;  it was only several moments later that she realized he was sniffing her! Kagome blushed furiously. "What are you doing?" she snapped.

"You smell preeeeeeeettttttyyyyyyyyy," he replied drunkenly.

"Thanks," she blushed, knowing that he was only saying so because he was drunk. Without warning, his hand reached into his clothes, and he pulled out another bottle of her Grandpa's alcohol. He tipped the bottle to his lips, and chugged down more than half the liquid before Kagome managed to wrestle the bottle away from him. He seemed to wince as she yanked the bottle away from him, as if the haste with which it was done hurt his eyes.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome exclaimed as his body went limp in her arms. "Inuyasha, can you hear me?" she shouted in his ear.

He stirred groggily. "Yessssssssss. Can youuuuuuuuuu hearrrrrrr meeeeeee?" Kagome sighed, and wrapping one of his arms around her neck, she helped him over to her bed after carefully setting the alcohol bottle on her desk. He didn't seem to protest; the alcohol was beginning to make him sleepy. His eyelids flickered softly.

Kagome sighed. "What am I supposed to do now?" She'd never really been in this sort of situation before; her mom always handled Grandpa when he was drunk, so Kagome had never gotten a chance to do anything. She supposed the only thing she could do for Inuyasha now was to let him rest. She moved to leave, not realizing that his eyes had shot opened, as if he knew her intentions. 

"Donnn't go, Kaag- Kagomme- Kagome!" he slurred. He didn't sound as drunk as he had before, Kagome thought with relief. Hopefully he had finally managed some control over his speaking skills. She turned towards him, smiling softly.

"You need your rest now," she replied gently. He twitched, and rolled out of bed, by her side in a flash. His face was inches away from hers, though he wasn't swaying as much as before. "Will you stayyy-stay herrre, Kagome?" he inquired. When she didn't respond, he moved subtly, and rested his head on her shoulder. His rash movements had taken far too much out of him, and he couldn't muster the strength to stand up without leaning on her. There it was, that blush again. She had never blushed so much around him. Probably because he had never been so bold.

"Will you stay here with me, Kagome?" he murmured again wearily. Kagome was surprised to hear that he spoke his words with ease; there lingered no trace of his drunken speech. And yet, she couldn't help but think that he was drunk, even now.

"I'll stay," she replied, playing along. She would wait until he was asleep peacefully, and then she would make her exit, leaving him alone to recover. Sighing at the mess they had gotten into, she led him once more over to her bed. He had taken her hand into his in the process, and even though he had buried himself beneath the covers, his grip upon her fingers would not relinquish. Kagome smiled nervously, trying to pry her fingers away. But he simply would not let go. He only glared at her and closed an eye, keeping the other open to stare at her accusingly. Gradually, the lid began to flicker, and it finally closed, content. Kagome sighed with relief, and embarrassment. Would he remember all of this in the morning? She hoped not; it was embarrassing enough having him exhibiting such tenderness towards her while he was drunk. How could she face him after this if he knew the truth? She sighed after deciding that she wouldn't tell him after he woke up the next morning. It was for the best. But, she couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like if he had really had meant what he said. What would it have been like if he really knew what he was saying? But he was Inuyasha, and probably far too proud to tell her anything anyway. It would have been nice, she thought, not knowing how he really felt about her. She doubted he had feelings for her in the first place. However, she felt for him, and a girl could dream, couldn't she? A melancholy smile rested upon her lips.

"Why do you look so sad?" Inuyasha's voice startled her, and she jerked back again, but he was still holding her hand, so she really couldn't move around too freely.

"Oh, it's nothing," she lied. He didn't look like he believed her.

"I like it when you smile," he remarked softly. His words hurt a lot. She knew he was still drunk.

"Oh," she whispered, suddenly not having the strength to comment further. Kagome, feeling far too uncomfortable at his gaze, tried to pull away. She had to get out of here. And fast. He still wouldn't let go.

"Inuyasha, I have to go now," she whispered, brushing at the tears welling up in her eyes.

"You said you would stay," he replied stubbornly.

 "But you need to get some rest now- and I would only bother you," Kagome said hastily, her brain fumbling for her excuse. 

"You never bother me." Inuyasha tugged gently on her arm, and she obediently followed, confused, anguished, and thrilled by his words. She blushed, hoping that her mother wouldn't come in. After all, who wouldn't get the wrong impression from two people sleeping in the same bed? She definitely didn't intend it in that way. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, snuggling as close as possible to her. It was strange. Strange how right it felt, locked up in his arms. Kagome felt guilty for some reason, feeling that she was taking advantage of this moment. But he wouldn't remember in the morning anyway, so why not enjoy it? Her muscles lost their tension, and she savored the moment; every second was a new memory stored and tucked away.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked, after a few moments.

"Yes, Inuyasha?"

"I'm glad you stayed," he replied, his arms tightening around her.

She smiled weakly, a tear falling gracefully from her eyes. At least he couldn't see it. "I am, too."

Kagome had her face turned away from his, but she had the oddest sensation that he was smiling.

"Kagome." Inuyasha stated. "Look at me." For the second time, she obeyed, and his fingers moved quickly to brush away the single tear. He didn't say anything else. It seemed that there was no need to. His eyes closed then, dead to the world around him, but his gaze never lost its tight reign. Kagome felt her breath stopping in her throat at his innocent expression. Angelic, really.

"Inuyasha?" she whispered.

"Yes?" he replied, keeping his eyes shut.

"Do you still need me to stay with you?"

"I'll always need you to stay with me." Inuyasha murmured his last few words before falling asleep. It was the last thing that she heard before she too, drifted off into a peaceful slumber.