The Colors of Emotions
Chapter 22
Sealing Magic
-Previous Scene-
The next few moments were nothing that the miko or hanyou expected. The jewel shard around Kagome's neck flashed blue. The light blinded Inuyasha for a moment and lost his focus on the world around him. Kagome shrieked and her body lurched backwards on instinct. The young miko lost her balance and was soon toppling to the hard ground below.
----------------------
Inuyasha's senses snapped into gear the moment he heard Kagome scream. With his demon reflexes, he twisted off the branch in a flash and dove after Kagome's falling figure. Because of his heavier weight and god- like speed, he caught her form in mid-air.
He landed gracefully on the ground carrying Kagome bridal style. He was in such a state of shock all he could do was cling to Kagome and assure himself she was there. He flopped onto the ground Indian style and cradled her shaking form in his lap. He was still recovering from what had just happened. 'I said I'd never let her fall.' He again felt that guilt wash over him in a wave. 'I shouldn't have put her out on the limb. I should've let her lean against the trunk. I never even considered that she would fall. I was being so careful; I had my eyes on her the whole time, well, until that light blinded me. What the hell just happened? Why did the jewel shard glow? What if I hadn't gotten to Kagome in time? She would've.would've.' Inuyasha immediately banished that thought from his mind. He wouldn't dwell on it. He had caught her, and she was safe.
Kagome had recovered from the shock of falling some time ago. She took in the support Inuyasha offered and relaxed in his hold. His grip tightened and she realized she was supporting him as much as he was supporting her. She gave him a real scare when she fell. But in his arms, she was once again reassured that he wouldn't let her get hurt.
She let her mind wonder to why she had fallen in the first place. 'I was getting angry. I didn't think it was enough to attack. But I didn't attack. The energy felt as if it were being sucked out of me, like I was being drained. But what would absorb my energy? What could've.' Kagome maneuvered her head against Inuyasha's chest to eye the jewel shard around her neck. It was faintly glowing blue.
'Wait, the jewel absorbed my energy? But that doesn't make sense. How come it never absorbed my energy when I attacked before?' Realization washed over Kagome. 'I didn't have the jewel shard when I first got my power.' Conclusions formed one after another in Kagome's head. 'So the jewel stops my attack by absorbing the energy before it builds up! I won't attack anybody! The jewel will catch me if I become too emotional!' A euphoric feeling of relief filled Kagome. She had a seal. Just like Inuyasha had Tetsusaiga as a seal for his demon blood, she had one for her demon magic. A smile graced Kagome's delicate features.
Inuyasha tucked her even tighter against him. The two sat in silence for some time before Inuyasha found his voice again. He had gotten over the shock enough to ask, "What just happened."
Kagome could've laughed at how relieved she felt. But apparently Inuyasha was not quite so calm yet. She looked up at Inuyasha. He nearly fell backwards when he saw her smiling and as happy as ever when their gazes met. She would just have to assure his pride and her faith in him. "I was clumsy and fell. You, being the amazing guy you are, caught me. Thank you for saving my life yet again Inuyasha."
Inuyasha was still shocked. How could she be so calm? But he took in her words and smiled. 'An amazing guy? Hold up, what's going on here?' "Why are you so happy all of a sudden?"
"Inuyasha, I think all of my problems are solved!"
* * * * * *
"Geez, he is so fast!" Sango commented from atop Kirara. Miroku sat behind her with a few bumps on his head from trying to cop a feel. Shippou was sitting in the back. The three rode on the flying fire cat as they flew over the treetops. Kirara knew the general direction in which Inuyasha had gone, and even from high up, she could pick up his scent trail.
It hadn't taken them long to pull themselves together and chase after the angry hanyou and distressed miko. Sango and Miroku both knew that Inuyasha was on the edge of his temper. The hanyou would just have to calm down and let Kagome rest before he pressured her for answers. Kirara knew that they were close and began to drop down to the ground.
After the two humans and small kitsune had gotten off of the fire cat, Kirara returned to her small form and jumped onto Sango's shoulder with a small 'mew'.
"Shippou, can you follow their scents from here?" Sango asked. Kirara was tired, and they could go on foot from here.
"Yep." The kitsune squeaked, and he puffed his chest out with pride, glad that he could help.
"So I guess we head off." Miroku stated as the small group of travelers continued to seek out their friends.
* * * * *
"What the heck are you rambling on about? And what the heck was that with the jewel shard?"
"Inuyasha, you know how you have Tetsusaiga?"
Inuyasha gave Kagome a look that basically said 'you're an idiot.' But Kagome ignored him and rephrased. "No, I mean, Tetsusaiga is like a seal for your demon blood."
"I know. But how is that relevant to why you suddenly became all bouncy?"
Kagome frowned at him. "The jewel shard is a seal for me. It stops me from attacking by absorbing my mixed demon and miko magic when it builds up."
"Have you lost your mind? How do you know that?"
"I was getting angry in the tree and-"
Inuyasha cut her off. "I warned you Kagome! Why didn't you listen?! Was that was the jewel was blue?! It absorbed your anger?!"
"Stop yelling at me!" Kagome flung her body sideways so that one leg went on each side of him. She could face him directly that way. She didn't feel so childish as she did when she was cradled against him, and she steadied herself by grasping his waist.
"I'm not yelling! I am trying to get my point across. You almost attacked! What if you had died this time, huh? You haven't restored your energy and you won't listen to me! " The hanyou continued.
"But if I'm right, then I won't attack anymore! You won't have to keep an eye on me and make sure I'm following the 'rules'!"
"Well you aren't sure! And if you're so safe, how come you just fell out of a damn tree?!"
* * * * *
Shippou didn't have to track anymore because Inuyasha's and Kagome's voices were loud enough that even Sango and Miroku could hear.
"What are they yelling about?" Sango asked annoyed. "Inuyasha has Kagome really worked up."
"We're almost there. I just hope they aren't too mad." Miroku pushed aside a few branches and gawked at the sight that met him. "Or maybe they aren't mad at all." He finished. Sango, Kirara, and Shippou followed him, and they all stopped abruptly. Sango took in the sight, blushed, and covered Shippou's eyes.
Inuyasha was sitting on the ground with Kagome straddling him. Kagome's arms were on Inuyasha's waist, and Inuyasha's were wrapped around Kagome. Their faces were inches away, and Kagome was barley clothed in Inuyasha's haori. It had fallen slightly open at the top and just enough skin shown to keep Miroku's interest.
Kagome and Inuyasha looked up at their friends with questioning gazes. They didn't understand their weird behavior. Then it clicked. Inuyasha and Kagome sprang from each other in a flash with heated blushes on their cheeks. The same thoughts ran through their heads, 'they thought that.they thought we were.that.how did we get like that anyway?'
Inuyasha followed Miroku's gaze and found it rested on Kagome's slightly revealed chest. He growled at the monk, and Miroku took the hint. Kagome looked down and with a squeak tightened the haori.
Trying to save some pride, Inuyasha angrily snapped, "Let's get back to camp. We're gonna head back to Kaede's. Kagome needs to discuss some things with her." He glanced at Kagome who gave him an appreciative nod. Kirara had regained most of her strength, and transformed. Sango climbed on along with Shippou and Miroku. Noticing her friend's hesitancy to go on Inuyasha's back, the demon exterminator offered, "Kagome, how about you ride with me. Miroku, you can walk back with Inuyasha." She forcefully pushed him off, and Miroku landed on the ground face first. Shippou, who had been on the monk's shoulder, rolled onto the ground.
Kagome smiled at Sango. She felt a little awkward and embarrassed to get too close to Inuyasha right now. Sango grasped Kagome hand and helped the younger girl onto Kirara's back. Kagome had lost most of her regained energy to the jewel and yelling at Inuyasha, so she acknowledged that she needed to rest. A ride on Kirara would calm her nerves a bit.
Miroku and Shippou were grumbling as they started walking into the woods. Inuyasha followed at a much slower pace. As Kirara leaped into the air, he noticed a slight nervousness on Kagome's face. Falling out of a tree seemed to make her a little unsure of heights. Inuyasha watched until he could no longer make out Kirara's shape.
He easily caught up to Miroku and Shippou, and they three males continued through the forest.
Miroku broke the silence. "So what exactly happened with you and Lady Kagome?" There was a mischievous glint in the monk's eyes.
"We weren't doing anything that would keep your attention, you pervert." Inuyasha mumbled.
"We heard you fighting. What is wrong with Lady Kagome?"
"She is so difficult, Miroku! She won't listen to me, and she is so damn confusing. One minute she's happy. Then she is pissed. Then she is crying!"
"Ah, it seems you have discovered the mystery that is women."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I can assure you Inuyasha, that no puzzle or riddle is harder to figure out as a woman is. As a man, you never know what they're feeling or how they will react to something."
"How would you know about women? You grab 'em whenever you get the chance!"
"I am merely showing my.appreciation for the female body."
Shippou decided to jump into the conversation. "A lot of times, Kagome says you don't understand her and won't listen to her. Maybe women just want to be respected and treated kindly. They want you to love their personality, not just their body." Shippou again showed that he had knowledge beyond his years.
Both Miroku and Inuyasha gave Shippou a questioning look. "You're insane Shippou. You're too young to understand anything yet." Miroku stated. (What a great example of men's intelligence. Hee Hee. ^_^ )
The divided groups continued back to camp.
Chapter 22
Sealing Magic
-Previous Scene-
The next few moments were nothing that the miko or hanyou expected. The jewel shard around Kagome's neck flashed blue. The light blinded Inuyasha for a moment and lost his focus on the world around him. Kagome shrieked and her body lurched backwards on instinct. The young miko lost her balance and was soon toppling to the hard ground below.
----------------------
Inuyasha's senses snapped into gear the moment he heard Kagome scream. With his demon reflexes, he twisted off the branch in a flash and dove after Kagome's falling figure. Because of his heavier weight and god- like speed, he caught her form in mid-air.
He landed gracefully on the ground carrying Kagome bridal style. He was in such a state of shock all he could do was cling to Kagome and assure himself she was there. He flopped onto the ground Indian style and cradled her shaking form in his lap. He was still recovering from what had just happened. 'I said I'd never let her fall.' He again felt that guilt wash over him in a wave. 'I shouldn't have put her out on the limb. I should've let her lean against the trunk. I never even considered that she would fall. I was being so careful; I had my eyes on her the whole time, well, until that light blinded me. What the hell just happened? Why did the jewel shard glow? What if I hadn't gotten to Kagome in time? She would've.would've.' Inuyasha immediately banished that thought from his mind. He wouldn't dwell on it. He had caught her, and she was safe.
Kagome had recovered from the shock of falling some time ago. She took in the support Inuyasha offered and relaxed in his hold. His grip tightened and she realized she was supporting him as much as he was supporting her. She gave him a real scare when she fell. But in his arms, she was once again reassured that he wouldn't let her get hurt.
She let her mind wonder to why she had fallen in the first place. 'I was getting angry. I didn't think it was enough to attack. But I didn't attack. The energy felt as if it were being sucked out of me, like I was being drained. But what would absorb my energy? What could've.' Kagome maneuvered her head against Inuyasha's chest to eye the jewel shard around her neck. It was faintly glowing blue.
'Wait, the jewel absorbed my energy? But that doesn't make sense. How come it never absorbed my energy when I attacked before?' Realization washed over Kagome. 'I didn't have the jewel shard when I first got my power.' Conclusions formed one after another in Kagome's head. 'So the jewel stops my attack by absorbing the energy before it builds up! I won't attack anybody! The jewel will catch me if I become too emotional!' A euphoric feeling of relief filled Kagome. She had a seal. Just like Inuyasha had Tetsusaiga as a seal for his demon blood, she had one for her demon magic. A smile graced Kagome's delicate features.
Inuyasha tucked her even tighter against him. The two sat in silence for some time before Inuyasha found his voice again. He had gotten over the shock enough to ask, "What just happened."
Kagome could've laughed at how relieved she felt. But apparently Inuyasha was not quite so calm yet. She looked up at Inuyasha. He nearly fell backwards when he saw her smiling and as happy as ever when their gazes met. She would just have to assure his pride and her faith in him. "I was clumsy and fell. You, being the amazing guy you are, caught me. Thank you for saving my life yet again Inuyasha."
Inuyasha was still shocked. How could she be so calm? But he took in her words and smiled. 'An amazing guy? Hold up, what's going on here?' "Why are you so happy all of a sudden?"
"Inuyasha, I think all of my problems are solved!"
* * * * * *
"Geez, he is so fast!" Sango commented from atop Kirara. Miroku sat behind her with a few bumps on his head from trying to cop a feel. Shippou was sitting in the back. The three rode on the flying fire cat as they flew over the treetops. Kirara knew the general direction in which Inuyasha had gone, and even from high up, she could pick up his scent trail.
It hadn't taken them long to pull themselves together and chase after the angry hanyou and distressed miko. Sango and Miroku both knew that Inuyasha was on the edge of his temper. The hanyou would just have to calm down and let Kagome rest before he pressured her for answers. Kirara knew that they were close and began to drop down to the ground.
After the two humans and small kitsune had gotten off of the fire cat, Kirara returned to her small form and jumped onto Sango's shoulder with a small 'mew'.
"Shippou, can you follow their scents from here?" Sango asked. Kirara was tired, and they could go on foot from here.
"Yep." The kitsune squeaked, and he puffed his chest out with pride, glad that he could help.
"So I guess we head off." Miroku stated as the small group of travelers continued to seek out their friends.
* * * * *
"What the heck are you rambling on about? And what the heck was that with the jewel shard?"
"Inuyasha, you know how you have Tetsusaiga?"
Inuyasha gave Kagome a look that basically said 'you're an idiot.' But Kagome ignored him and rephrased. "No, I mean, Tetsusaiga is like a seal for your demon blood."
"I know. But how is that relevant to why you suddenly became all bouncy?"
Kagome frowned at him. "The jewel shard is a seal for me. It stops me from attacking by absorbing my mixed demon and miko magic when it builds up."
"Have you lost your mind? How do you know that?"
"I was getting angry in the tree and-"
Inuyasha cut her off. "I warned you Kagome! Why didn't you listen?! Was that was the jewel was blue?! It absorbed your anger?!"
"Stop yelling at me!" Kagome flung her body sideways so that one leg went on each side of him. She could face him directly that way. She didn't feel so childish as she did when she was cradled against him, and she steadied herself by grasping his waist.
"I'm not yelling! I am trying to get my point across. You almost attacked! What if you had died this time, huh? You haven't restored your energy and you won't listen to me! " The hanyou continued.
"But if I'm right, then I won't attack anymore! You won't have to keep an eye on me and make sure I'm following the 'rules'!"
"Well you aren't sure! And if you're so safe, how come you just fell out of a damn tree?!"
* * * * *
Shippou didn't have to track anymore because Inuyasha's and Kagome's voices were loud enough that even Sango and Miroku could hear.
"What are they yelling about?" Sango asked annoyed. "Inuyasha has Kagome really worked up."
"We're almost there. I just hope they aren't too mad." Miroku pushed aside a few branches and gawked at the sight that met him. "Or maybe they aren't mad at all." He finished. Sango, Kirara, and Shippou followed him, and they all stopped abruptly. Sango took in the sight, blushed, and covered Shippou's eyes.
Inuyasha was sitting on the ground with Kagome straddling him. Kagome's arms were on Inuyasha's waist, and Inuyasha's were wrapped around Kagome. Their faces were inches away, and Kagome was barley clothed in Inuyasha's haori. It had fallen slightly open at the top and just enough skin shown to keep Miroku's interest.
Kagome and Inuyasha looked up at their friends with questioning gazes. They didn't understand their weird behavior. Then it clicked. Inuyasha and Kagome sprang from each other in a flash with heated blushes on their cheeks. The same thoughts ran through their heads, 'they thought that.they thought we were.that.how did we get like that anyway?'
Inuyasha followed Miroku's gaze and found it rested on Kagome's slightly revealed chest. He growled at the monk, and Miroku took the hint. Kagome looked down and with a squeak tightened the haori.
Trying to save some pride, Inuyasha angrily snapped, "Let's get back to camp. We're gonna head back to Kaede's. Kagome needs to discuss some things with her." He glanced at Kagome who gave him an appreciative nod. Kirara had regained most of her strength, and transformed. Sango climbed on along with Shippou and Miroku. Noticing her friend's hesitancy to go on Inuyasha's back, the demon exterminator offered, "Kagome, how about you ride with me. Miroku, you can walk back with Inuyasha." She forcefully pushed him off, and Miroku landed on the ground face first. Shippou, who had been on the monk's shoulder, rolled onto the ground.
Kagome smiled at Sango. She felt a little awkward and embarrassed to get too close to Inuyasha right now. Sango grasped Kagome hand and helped the younger girl onto Kirara's back. Kagome had lost most of her regained energy to the jewel and yelling at Inuyasha, so she acknowledged that she needed to rest. A ride on Kirara would calm her nerves a bit.
Miroku and Shippou were grumbling as they started walking into the woods. Inuyasha followed at a much slower pace. As Kirara leaped into the air, he noticed a slight nervousness on Kagome's face. Falling out of a tree seemed to make her a little unsure of heights. Inuyasha watched until he could no longer make out Kirara's shape.
He easily caught up to Miroku and Shippou, and they three males continued through the forest.
Miroku broke the silence. "So what exactly happened with you and Lady Kagome?" There was a mischievous glint in the monk's eyes.
"We weren't doing anything that would keep your attention, you pervert." Inuyasha mumbled.
"We heard you fighting. What is wrong with Lady Kagome?"
"She is so difficult, Miroku! She won't listen to me, and she is so damn confusing. One minute she's happy. Then she is pissed. Then she is crying!"
"Ah, it seems you have discovered the mystery that is women."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I can assure you Inuyasha, that no puzzle or riddle is harder to figure out as a woman is. As a man, you never know what they're feeling or how they will react to something."
"How would you know about women? You grab 'em whenever you get the chance!"
"I am merely showing my.appreciation for the female body."
Shippou decided to jump into the conversation. "A lot of times, Kagome says you don't understand her and won't listen to her. Maybe women just want to be respected and treated kindly. They want you to love their personality, not just their body." Shippou again showed that he had knowledge beyond his years.
Both Miroku and Inuyasha gave Shippou a questioning look. "You're insane Shippou. You're too young to understand anything yet." Miroku stated. (What a great example of men's intelligence. Hee Hee. ^_^ )
The divided groups continued back to camp.