Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Enter the Wolf's Den
By: wolf demoness
Chapter Two: Back From the Dance
Legend:
'……' thoughts
"……" speech
"Hey Kagome, don't you want to dance?" one of the girls Kagome paled around with at school asked her.
"Oh, yeah I do. It's just," Kagome sighed deeply, "I guess I'm just not in the mood."
"Not in the mood!" another of the girls exclaimed, sitting down at the same table as Kagome and the others. They were all in prom wear, hair finely coifed, just enough make-up to make a statement, but not enough to appear slutty or loose. In other words they were the epitome of youthful female beauty.
"Yeah, Kagome, what's up with you? You've been out of it all night. It's not your back again, is it?"
"My back?" Kagome asked confused. "Oh, yeah! My back! Oh, no it's not that. My back is fine."
"Is it the Gout then?"
"Yeah, shouldn't you be wearing orthopedic shoes?"
"No!" Kagome shouted, causing several people in the room to turn and look. Kagome laughed nervously and waved at the crowd, which soon grew disinterested and turned back to the dance floor. "I'm fine, really I am. I've been feeling much better lately."
"Ohhh, I get it. It's that guy again isn't it?" Kagome began to blush. "I knew it!"
"You need to get over him, Kagome."
"Yeah, he's bad news."
"Why don't you go dance with Houjo, Kagome?"
"Yeah," she sighed, "I will it's just that I guess I feel bad. I had a fight with Inuyasha before I left and I said some things that I probably shouldn't have."
"What were you fighting about?"
"Oh, it was so stupid. I was leaving for the dance and he told me that I couldn't go and I…"
"He what?!" one of the girls at the table shrieked.
"Who does he think he is?"
"Yeah, how dare he try to tell you what you can and can't do."
"But you guys," Kagome interrupted, "I think I might have really crossed a line."
"Whatever, you're better off without him."
"Yeah, Kagome. We're gonna get you out on the dance floor and you're gonna forget all about what's-his-name. Where's Houjo?" Kagome's friends wrestled her out onto the dance floor and into the arms of the school's most popular boy. And after a few dances she did begin to feel better. Houjo was sweet and kind, asking her if she needed to rest and promising to bring more remedies by her house to help her get well. He brought her punch and even offered to walk her home at the end of the night. All in all it was a magical evening. And after those few brief moments she didn't think of the silver haired half-demon for the rest of the night.
******
Kagome opened the door to her house and walked into the living room after saying goodnight to Houjo. She was happy and worn out from dancing, but it was a good kind of tiredness, the kind that comes from having fun all night with great friends and good people. "Kagome is that you?" Her mother called from her place in the living room.
"Yes, Mom." Kagome flopped down on the couch a big smile on her face.
"How was the dance dear?"
"Oh, it was great! I had a terrific time."
"That's good, dear." Kagome's mother smiled down at her. "Are you staying the night or will you go off with your friends again tonight." "Off with your friends," was code for down the well to the feudal era. Kagome's mother was just a little uncomfortable with her baby girl time traveling down a musty old well to fight demons in the past. But what's a mother to do when her daughter's so set on doing what she will? She just tried to smile and act as if everything was normal; not worrying her daughter with the suspicions from the community and from the school that were impinging upon the family because of Kagome's absences. As long as her daughter was happy and safe she was happy. And from what Kagome had told her and what she'd seen with her own eyes that boy, Inuyasha, was an able and diligent protector.
"I think I'll stay the night, maybe tomorrow too. No one expects me back for a few days, so I can stay here."
"Wonderful, we'll go shopping tomorrow. You could use some new clothes and I'm sure your friends would like some new medicines to refill your first aid kit."
Kagome got up from the couch and hugged her mother; "You're the best, Mom." She stood and stretched her back. "Ohh, I'm going to bed. Goodnight mom."
"Goodnight dear."
******
On the third day after she'd left Kagome returned to the feudal era. Fully expecting to see a glaring hanyou when she clambered over the well's edge, Kagome was surprised to find herself alone. There was no sight of Inuyasha or the others. Gathering her things, Kagome started toward the village. As she approached she heard a shout, "Kagome!" and a small Kitsune jumped into her arms causing her to drop several bags of food and bandages.
"Shippo!" she cuddles the small fox demon to her chest.
"Kagome, I missed you. Why did you have to go?" The little fox looked up at her wagging his fluffy brown tail.
"I promised some friends I go to a dance at my school with them," Kagome said patting Shippo's head. "Didn't Inuyasha tell you?"
"No, he just said you had something important to do and left." Shippo jumped down from Kagome's arms and walked with her toward Kaede's hut.
"He left?" Kagome asked. "You haven't seen him at all?" The little fox shook his head and Kagome began to worry that maybe she had hurt Inuyasha's feelings after all.
As the two approached the hut greetings rang out to the girl from Miroku and Sango. Quickly they ran up to relieve her of her burdens and ask about her time spent in her era. Sango was very excited to hear Kagome describe a dance in the future. She even managed to get Kagome to draw a picture of the dress she wore to the function on some parchment Kaede gave to them. The two girls fell deep into conversation about the school's dance after having chased an over stimulated Miroku away, who had listened in when Kagome had described the clothing she and her friends wore to the event. Apparently the thought of "spaghetti straps" and mid-thigh length dresses was too much for the young monk.
Kaede, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo were all gathering around for the evening meal when Inuyasha walked into the hut. The hanyou looked different. His defiant posture was gone; he didn't exude anger, or seem ready to smite anything unfortunate enough to be caught in his path. His entire demeanor was subdued and he was quiet. He didn't say anything to Kagome when he saw her, no remarks about her absence or the reason she left. "Will thee join us, Inuyasha?" Kaede asked.
"Thank you," the hanyou said and took the proffered bowl.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked. Amber eyes looked up to meet the young girl's brown. Kagome blushed and looked down, "…uh, never mind." They all went back to eating the meal the priestess had prepared. When they finished Inuyasha helped Kaede clean up after them, much to the shock of the gathered humans. The priestess herself was only mildly surprised. The others simply did not understand the young demon as she did. There was a bond between the young demon lord and the old woman that the assembled others neither sensed nor understood. When the two finished the dishes Inuyasha left to retire back into the forest where he passed the night doing whatever it is half demons do in the long hours before the morning light.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome called out behind him when they were outside the hut.
"Kagome." Inuyasha turned to face the young girl.
"I wanted to apologize," she said as she came to stand in front of the half demon. "I shouldn't have said those things to you."
"It's okay, Kagome."
"No, it's not. I shouldn't have done that," she persisted. She dropped her gaze to the ground in shame only looking up when Inuyasha gave her a warm embrace. "I'm sorry. Please, forgive me."
"You're forgiven." The hanyou replied. 'Besides it's nothing I haven't heard before, nothing that I didn't need to hear. I almost forgot,' he thought. Pulling back slightly the demon looked at the dejected human girl. "On one condition." The human girl met the demon's gaze. "Just don't start crying on me, okay? You know I hate that." He smiled down at her, white fangs glittering in the moonlight. The girl laughed and dived deeper into the demon's embrace.
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A/N: First off I want to thank Letta and digi-girl and her muses for reviewing. Thanks for the encouragement guys! As a Happy New Year gift to anyone who's reading this I've posted the third chapter so enjoy. Happy New Year everyone!