Chapter Twelve
Inuyasha's Secret
Kikyou rested his head on her lap and tried to wake him with poor effort. It was not until he decided to groan that she knew he was all right.
"There you are, traveler." She said softly.
He looked up to her, his gray eyes gazing at her. They widened upon realizing who was holding him and he jumped up, wobbling slightly, forcing himself to grab the tree.
"Kikyou!" He spoke out in a familiar tone, hiding his face behind a large, red sleeve.
Kikyou looked at him confused then gasped. She looked him over once more as she rose to her feet, her bow sliding off of her arm and onto the forest floor.
"Inu…yasha?" She placed one hand out to him but he turned away. "That is you, is it not, Inuyasha?"
He kept quiet and grumbled.
"Yeah…it's me." He looked to her, his sleeve down from his face and his black hair shimmering in the lantern light.
She placed her right hand nervously on his cheek and felt the warmth of his flesh against her palm. He closed his eyes and rested a hand on hers, pressing it against his face. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her.
"Inuyasha…what has happened to you?"
He pressed his head lightly against Kikyou's and smelt the sweet smell of bellflowers. He loved her smell; it was calming, just like her voice. He stroked her head and took a deep breath.
"I am a half-demon…that is what happened." He could tell by her silence that she was listening and her stroking his hair comforted him. "Every time there is a new moon, I turn human. It is not the best part of my bloodline but I have to live with it. I know it is different…but I don't want to live like this forever."
Kikyou listened to his heartbeat for a moment. She waited until he stroked her hair before speaking.
"Have you…ever thought of becoming full human?" She asked softly.
He raised his head quickly, as if shocked at the thought, and then looked up at the starry sky. His gray eyes shimmered in the dancing light of the flames and he took in a deep breath.
"No…not really. I always wanted to be a full demon so I could prove, once and for all, that I am not a stupid,"
Kikyou pressed her lips against his, silencing him. His eyes were wide with surprise at her actions but did not complain. He closed his eyes and returned her kiss. When the two pulled apart, something. Inuyasha gazed into her eyes and continued to hold her close, not wanting to let go for anything in the world.
"Kikyou…I have a question if you will." He said calmly, his voice filled with a strange tenderness that she had never heard throughout the time of her being with him.
"Ask…you do not need to ask to speak to me." She said softly as she placed her hands on his chest.
"The jewel…it can make me full demon…so it can also," his eyes grew soft and warm and sent chills through Kikyou's body, "make me full human…right?"
Kikyou's eyes widened and filled with confusion. Inuyasha scratched the back of his head and laughed.
"It's just a thought. You know…curious and stuff." He said with a smile.
Kikyou nodded and gave him a smile.
"I understand." She stepped to one side and showed him the food and tea she had brought for him.
"Wow! I'm starving!" He said with a hunger-filled grin as he dove down to the basket and began to stuff his face.
Kikyou sat near him and laughed lightly at his fast motions. He grabbed a bowl of rice and began to scoop it up. Rice stuck to his face and Kikyou could not help but laugh. He looked up from the bowl and cocked his head to the side.
"What's wrong?" He looked at her as she pointed to him but he did not understand until she cleaned off his face with her gi sleeve. "Oh! Sorry."
He continued to consume the food like a locust does the plants in the fields. Kikyou watched in amused amazement as he finished the food and began to gulp down the tea.
"Why did you not eat when you were at my hut?" She said with a smile.
"E'ause I usn't ungrien." He said with a mouthful of tea and rolls.
Kikyou giggled softly and watched him finish off the last of the food and tea and smiled when he fell onto his back holding his stomach.
"I shall go now, Inuyasha." She said as she stood up.
He sat up abruptly and got to his feet.
"Are you sure?"
"It is late and time is not,"
"Please…stay with me until the sun rises. I want you to be with me when I turn back."
Kikyou looked at him then to the sky. Parts of her wanted to stay with Inuyasha, yearning to be near him as long as possible. Then, there was another part of her, a part of her she had been forced to make. As a priestess, she was not to be involved with relationships, and, her love for Inuyasha and how she had shown this on almost public display was against her teachings. She clenched her fist and closed her eyes, preparing to give her answer to Inuyasha and hope he would take it all right when he wrapped his arms around her from behind and held her, taking her by surprise.
Her body melted in his warm arms, she found she could not leave him as long as he insisted. She slowly placed her hands over his and relaxed in his hold. He rested his head over her shoulder and let his black hair fall over hers. Kikyou placed her right hand on his right cheek and held his face to her. He was very warm and the cool summer night air felt wonderful. Inuyasha slid his head back some and edged his mouth to her ear.
"I love you, Kikyou." He whispered.
Her eyes widened for a moment then closed again.
"How can you love me? I am a miko…you, are a demon…there is little to no hope for us to be together." She said sadly.
"I love you for who you are…not what you are." He turned her to face him and looked deep into her eyes. "You treated me like I was normal. Not some filthy half-breed or a traitorous demon. You showed me kindness and love that I never knew could be shown to someone like me…that is why I love you, Kikyou. That is why."
She stood in silence for a moment and Inuyasha pulled her close. She did not know how much time had passed but the dark night was becoming brighter and her lantern was not to blame. She looked up to Inuyasha as the sun rose over the eastern horizon. The rays of light hit his black hair and slowly restored him to normal. His silvery hair reappeared and his ears were once again upon his head and twitching. He looked down at her and she watched the dark gray turn into a golden yellow once more.
"Inuyasha…" She whispered.
He gave a small smile and leaned in, kissing her gently. She returned his kiss but pulled away and gathered her things. He watched her and his heart grew heavy.
"I must go now, Inuyasha, I have much work that must be done today." She stated, blowing out the lantern.
"I understand."
She gave him a smile and rushed off toward the village. He watched her vanish and then hopped into his tree as the morning light woke up the villagers. He watched the small form that was Kikyou dash across and up the stairs and into the village, only to vanish behind a row of houses.
He sat there for a moment and smiled.
"I know what I need to do…thanks to you…Kikyou."
