Drunken Demon
A cardinal, fluttering its wings, hopped onto Kagome's windowsill and began singing in high, shrill notes. Inside, Inuyasha's ears twitched lightly as the sound of the cardinal's song drifted over to him. He stirred, preparing to throw something at the window- anything to make that dreadful racket stop. But with a suppressed groan, he sank back into the bed, clutching his forehead. What the hell was wrong with him? He couldn't remember most of what had happened after he had taken a drink from that water bottle. No memory, and a headache that hurt like hell. It felt like Miroku had hit him with his staff. The pain was intense. Well, if he got some more rest, maybe the headache would be gone by the time he woke up. It sounded like a smart plan to him. His eyes closed, and he started to nod off. A second later:
"What the hell?" Inuyasha bolted up, immediately regretting it when the pain in his head intensified greatly. A bed? Since when had his world had a bed? He winced. It didn't. He opened an eye slowly, and swallowed nervously. This looked like Kagome's room. He swallowed again. This was Kagome's room. He panicked. What was going on? How had he ended up in here? The last thing he recalled, he had been in the living room. Or, so he thought. Perhaps that water really was tainted- but if not, then why couldn't he remember anything? He stiffened as he felt something tighten around his arm. Already horrified at the situation he was in, he figured that things couldn't possibly get worse. Unfortunately, he was wrong. Inuyasha looked down to find Kagome snuggled up warmly against him, her head resting on his arm. His golden eyes shone with fear. Who put Kagome there?
He glanced at her worriedly. How would she react to find him there? But he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She looked so peaceful. "Feh," he snorted. He was starting to become too soft. It simply wouldn't do. A sweet scent caught his attention, and he sniffed at the air curiously. That smelled very nice. Pretty, in fact. Where was it coming from? Kagome? Hmm. He peered at her carefully. It was coming from Kagome. She smelled pretty. Why didn't he tell her? And then, out of nowhere, there came an odd, sinking feeling that he had told her. He scratched his head.
"I must be going crazy," Inuyasha muttered to himself. He tried to move his arm, but Kagome protested sleepily and hugged his arm even tighter. He scowled. Great. This was exactly what he wanted to happen, he thought sarcastically to himself. "Kagome," he whispered, poking her gently. She didn't move, so he tried again. "Kagome, wake up." All of a sudden, her arm came out of nowhere and smacked him in the face as she stirred sleepily.
"Ow! Hey!" he shouted, startled. His shouting was what woke her up. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. After a while, she seemed to realize that she wasn't alone, and turned to face Inuyasha. "Huh?"
The place where she hit him had left a red mark on his face. "You know, you should watch where you're aiming that thing!" he grumbled.
Kagome looked bewildered. "Eh?" she said, obviously very confused.
"Your hand! Didn't you feel it collide with my face?" Inuyasha asked, irritated slightly.
Kagome smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that, Inuyasha."
"It's okay," he muttered. He suddenly glanced at her, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at her. "How come you don't seem surprised to find me here?" he asked.
An expression, though he couldn't tell what it was, crossed over Kagome's face. "You mean you don't remember?" Kagome asked, looking at him strangely.
He shook his head. "I can remember bits and pieces, but I'm drawing a blank on everything else that happened yesterday."
Kagome seemed to pause thoughtfully. "Oh. Well, you passed out yesterday from drinking too much of my Grandpa's alcohol. So I carried you here and- I guess I fell asleep." She avoided making eye contact with him, so Inuyasha knew she was lying. But he couldn't tell about what. Wait a minute.
"You mean that wasn't water that I drank?" he asked, surprised.
Kagome blinked. "Of course not. It was alcohol. If it was water, wouldn't it have said so on the tag?"
Inuyasha groaned. "That's what I thought. But I thought it was some fancy name that your world had given it." He shook his head. "That explains a lot." When Kagome didn't respond, he glanced over at her. She looked upset.
"Kagome, are you all right?" he immediately inquired.
She appeared startled at her voice, snapping out of her daze. "Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine."
He scowled. "Don't lie to me, Kagome. I know you better than that." Honestly, didn't she think that he could tell when she was lying to him? Pain was written all over her face, as much as she tried to hide it. "Well?" he asked expectantly after a few moments.
"I said it was nothing," she replied.
"Well, I don't believe you."
"Maybe it's none of your business!" she snapped.
"It is if you're upset!" he snapped back.
"I don't need your pity!"
"It's not pity, it's concern!" Inuyasha retorted. It should have been nothing, this little fight. After all, they argued all the time, why should this time be different? But he had the distinct feeling that there was something vital that he was missing, something that he should have remembered. He was certain that Kagome knew something that he didn't, and that it was what had set her off.
"Well, I don't need your concern!" Kagome shouted.
"Fine!" Inuyasha snapped. He got up to leave, but started having second thoughts about his decision after a wave of nausea and dizziness hit him. He flopped back onto the bed, exhausted. Kagome's worried face loomed over his.
"Inuyasha, are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He turned his gaze away, though. He suddenly felt her move to sit beside him. Inuyasha heard Kagome sigh.
"I'm sorry about what I said, Inuyasha. I didn't mean it."
"It's no big deal," Inuyasha replied. In all actuality, he had been stung by her words. What could have caused her to say such things?
"Mmm," Kagome sighed absentmindedly.
"Say, Kagome. Can I ask you a question?" Inuyasha quipped. He could sense the way she stiffened, and her hesitation to respond was evident.
"Sure," she finally replied.
"What's wrong? You know that you can tell me what's bothering you," he said. "You don't have to be afraid of me teasing you or something, if that's what you're worried about."
"No, that's not it," Kagome replied distractedly. She was probably thinking about how she could get away without telling him anything.
"Then why won't you tell me?" Inuyasha turned and faced her, staring up at her from his resting position. Stupid alcohol. It had weakened him greatly.
"It's not important," Kagome hastily answered.
Before Inuyasha could say anything, Mrs. Hiragashi's voice drifted up from the kitchen. "Kagome! You'll be late for school! Hurry up!"
"Ack! School! I almost forgot!" Kagome exclaimed. Inuyasha watched her curiously as she gathered her things together and hastily stuffed them into her backpack. "I didn't even finish my homework," he heard her mutter. Was that his fault? She had probably been taking care of him all night long.
"Will you get into trouble for that, Kagome?" he inquired in concern. She looked up, seemingly surprised that he had heard her.
"Oh! It's no big deal, really. I'll just do it during lunch!" Kagome replied. Inuyasha watched as she flung open her closet and grabbed a new school uniform. He noted that she actually was wearing her school uniform- only it was wrinkled. Had she fallen asleep wearing it? That meant- she'd even been taking care of him since she came home from school! He was surprised, but had no time to ask her questions.
"I have to go to school now, Inuyasha. Take care, okay? And try to get some rest before we go back to the feudal era. Bye!" Kagome said, leaving the room with haste.
"Stay here? Yeah, right," Inuyasha snorted. There was no way in hell he was going to stay here! He was going to get some answers from Kagome, whether she liked it or not. And he knew just who to turn to. Kaede. He leapt up from the bed, ignoring the heavy thudding in his head, trying to summon enough strength to return home.
Mrs. Hiragashi entered the room a minute later to wash the laundry, when she noticed something amiss. A light breeze fluttered into Kagome's room, entering from an open window. Shrugging, she closed the window, unaware of the departing figure outside.
