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Chapter 12: Away From Me
Kagome sighed. Taking off her dried-blood stained green and white school uniform, she carelessly tossed the garments aside and slowly stepped into the warm bath that awaited her. "Mmm.." she inhaled some of the steamy air that had surrounded the room as she leaned backwards against the back of the tub.
The eyelashes of her soft, dreamy caramel orbs batted gently against one another whilst she steadily recollected all of the events of that day. It had happened so fast, like a freight train smacking as hard as it possibly could directly into her life, without warning, without care, without any regards as to the damage it inflicted.. and it pressured her still. She slipped a finger into the water and drew softly in a slow circular motion as the steam continued to rise all around her.
flashback
Two figures abruptly emerged from the depths of the well, the last bit of purple enchantment slowly fading away below them into darkness once more. Kagome lifted her head and gazed into the face of the man cradling her body so protectively in his arms. "InuYasha," her voice was a gentle and quiet whisper, "you didn't have to carry me, you know. I could have managed to return home on my own just fine."
The hanyou gave her a smug smirk then glanced forward once again. "You think that, eh? ....well, let's just say that I'm not too fond of the idea of you falling flat on your face from exhaustion.. because then I'd get this big ole' lecture from Shippou about how I should be more responsible and whatnot." He glanced at her once more, now taking the time to look into her new eyes. Her eyes seemed to hypnotize him in a way that nothing else could. He softly whispered in the darkness of the room surrounding the well, "....they're nice, your new looks.... I think they're growing on me."
Kagome's golden orbs seemed to sparkle, and she flashed him a loving, grateful smile. InuYasha smiled back ever so slightly in return, lifting one finger to gently caress her cheek with his knuckle.
After a moment or so, Kagome whispered once more. "I think I can stand now."
"You sure?"
She nodded, still smiling. "M-hm."
"Alright then. Have it your way." InuYasha slowly set her down upon her own two feet and would not let her move until he was satisfied that she was steady. He placed a hand upon her back. "I want to see you walk to the steps and back on your own before we go any further," his voice firm in a type of command, 'don't even think about arguing with me' kind of tone.
Kagome sighed. When would he learn to trust her judgment? She reluctantly took a few paces forward and walked towards the steps that led up from the well. Her eyes closed, her white ears tucked back, and a confident smile on her face, she now turned and began to walk back towards the man clad in red.
"See, InuYasha," she stated in a mock-scolding type of voice, "I told you that I could-" her words were abruptly cut off as her left foot unexpectedly failed her. Kagome's body wobbled then went forward, her eyes opening immediately in shock. Here she was about to plummet to the cold, hard ground below.... She was caught in the strong arms of InuYasha.
It took her a moment to register that he had caught her. Kagome slowly lifted her head from his chest. Their eyes met then locked onto one another then- she gazing endlessly at him, he gazing just as intently right back. It was in that silent moment that Kagome knew. She knew that he would always be there for her, not just to catch her when she fell but for so much more.
"..InuYasha.." the word was like a kiss. "InuYasha.." the word became a kiss.
end flashback
Kagome smiled softly to herself. Perhaps not all of the day had been a completely terrible experience. She wished that that moment could have lasted forever- simply staying in InuYasha's hold, feeling as his lips caressed her own in that passionate kiss for an eternity. The young hanyou maiden sighed to herself then lifted an arm onto the tub's side to prop her head up. But, then again, all things must draw to an end eventually.
flashback
A small gasp coming from the top of the stairs and the entrance to the well's shrine sent the couple flinging out of their moment in paradise and back into reality.
"InuYasha? And my sister? Kissing?! ....well, about time you two finally-"
"Sota!" Kagome's shrill voice rang out in a non-too-happy cry.
Sota gasped once more. As InuYasha turned around to face the small boy, Kagome's full body came into view. There Kagome was. It was his sister, it was her same face, same clothes though heavily stained in blood (he had seen her clothing at a much more horrid state than that), but her ears.. and her fangs.. and her yellow eyes.
"Ka.. Kagome you.... You look just like InuYasha"
It took a moment for her to realize and finally understand the meaning behind her brother's actions. For a moment, she had actually forgotten about her new appearances.
Heh.. I guess that's what being with InuYasha does to me. When I'm with him, nothing else seems to matter as much, and I can forget and just be myself. Kagome thought quietly to herself.
"Oh.. yeah.. the ears." She briefly touched and tweaked one of the soft dog ears that adorned her head then slowly glanced down in a somewhat ashamed manner.
InuYasha looked down and gazed into Kagome's face. A thin frown of guilt grazed upon his lips. He knew that this would not be the last time she would gaze down at the dirt beneath her, as if she belonged there. She was only feeling the pain at a minute level. He had felt those hardships all of his life; he knew what it was she would have to face.
And then suddenly, Kagome lifted her eyes, that same old happy smile washing all over her. She laughed a bit while gazing into her brother's face.
"Hmm.. nothing gets past you does it, Sota?"
The small boy gave a small smile, scratching the back of his head. "Heh heh. Guess you're right." Sota opened up the mini shrine's doors all the way, allowing the sunlight to fully enter the room.
"Um.. well.." Sota began as he turned around somewhat from the shrine and the well, "you two should come up to the house now. Dinner's ready.... and Mom and Grandpa are waiting." He began to walk away from the couple, towards the house.
Kagome gave a small sigh, How am I going to explain THIS one? then began to walk towards her home as well. She was suddenly halted by a hand clasping her own. "Hm?" she briefly glanced down then gazed upward again, "InuYasha?"
He was silent and seemed as though he did not want to move. His bangs created a small veil over his eyes in the warm sunlight coming down upon them, preventing Kagome from reading his facial features.
"InuYasha?" she repeated a bit softer this time.
He held onto her hand tighter. "Whatever happens.." his voice was low yet surprisingly gentle, "..just know that.... I'm right here." He turned and gazed into her eyes. "Kagome"
The white haired maiden smiled then nodded, "Mm" and the two began to make their way up the stairs together.
At the dinner table all was quiet. The family sat: Kagome's mother and grandfather at either end of the table, Kagome and InuYasha next to one another, and Sota sitting opposite of them. They each ate their meal silently with their chopsticks, all too afraid to speak just exactly what it was that rested on their mind. The only noise besides the occasional sipping of tea and crunching of a few pickles was the steady ticking of a small clock that rested in the room.
Finally, Kagome's mother broke the silence. She looked up hopefully with a smile, "Would anyone care for some dessert? I just baked a pie this afternoon." Famous for her meals, but even more famous for her perfected desserts, no one could resist Mrs. Higurashi's offer. She smiled, scooting her chair back before getting up to fix everyone a slice.
Sota sat up in his chair and smiled happily towards Kagome. "Hey, sis! Guess what?"
"Hm?" Kagome looked up at him as she took a final bite from her rice bowl and finished her meal.
"At recess this boy, Kuro from my science class, we all dared him to eat a bug, and you know what?"
"What?" Kagome couldn't help but smile at the excitement she saw in her brother's eyes.
"He ATE it!"
She laughed a bit, sweatdroping. "And you are telling this to me right after I just finished dinner because WHY?"
"Oh, no reason.." Sota said. He sat back down in his chair, a smug smirk written all over his face due to the expression of his sister.
Kagome's mother set down a small plate in front of her son. "Now, now Sota. Don't tease your sister like that.... especially after she's just gotten back from such a big journey."
It was then that she gave Kagome a look, followed shortly by everyone else at the table except for InuYasha. They began to scrutinize the details of her new appearance as if she had the world's biggest mole upon her face. The table suddenly became very silent once again.
Kagome gazed down at her pie, fork in hand. She eyed the pie as if it were the most fascinating thing imaginable. She could feel their eyes, their deep stares wandering along her new features questioningly, and she had to focus all of her attention and energy on one solitary thing to try to avoid thinking about her (already) discriminating future.
As the family continued to gaze in upon her, Kagome could feel her skin begin to perspire, her heartbeat quicken, and her breath becoming more heavy by the second. The worst part about it all was due to Kagome's new sensitive hearing; she could now hear herself breathing deeper and feel her pulse run like a raging storm. Her grip on her fork tightened drastically. She gave an almost inaudible whimper as she closed her eyes and tucked her white ears back against her silver locks in both frustration and embarrassment.
InuYasha's ears perked up at the small whimper coming from his side. He immediately stopped from wolfing down his own pie slice to glance towards Kagome. The hanyou maiden's eyes were closed together, and her ears were tucked back flat against her head. The expression upon her face said it all. He knew that look, and oh.. how he knew it so well. It was the look of humiliation, sadness, and helplessness.
A painful feeling shot through his heart as he gazed into her lovely face. Both sadness and anger overwhelmed him, the anger eating away and taking predominance over the remorse. The hanyou's hand quickly balled up into a mighty fist. He stood up from his seat, the chair making a loud moan as it quickly skidded back against the floor. "No," he glared towards all at the table save for Kagome. "I might have had to suffer, I might have to deal with a brother who thinks me weak, but under NO circumstance will Kagome have to go through any of that bullsh!t due to the way she looks.." his eyes lowered briefly, "..especially not because of me."
"Inu..Yasha?" Kagome glanced up at him with a questioning look of her own.
The hanyou's golden orbs lifted, immediately glaring once more towards the company present. He growled softly as he continued, "Just because she's hanyou now doesn't mean that she's any different.... She doesn't have a dmned handicap or anything, and I won't take anyone looking at her like that!" InuYasha pointed back towards the silver haired maiden. "Kagome is the most honest, loyal, beautiful, caring, smart, and kindest person I know. By no means does she deserve this!"
"InuYasha" Kagome's voice demanded his attention as she stood from the table. The hanyou turned around from where he stood. However, to everyone's dismay, he was met with anything but a cheerful look from the maiden.
SMACK
The hanyou's eyes widened in shock, as did the others at the table.... except for Kagome, who glared at him with a most displeased expression.
InuYasha managed to regain his balance from the unexpected blow, placing a hand upon his now throbbing cheek before looking back at Kagome with anx expression of bewilderment. "K-Kagome?" he started, confusion and hurt in his voice.
"InuYasha, they are my family.. and.. and even though they're quirky at times.... it gives you no reason to yell at them!" Water began to gather in her eyes as Kagome's hurtful gaze began to develop into a sad expression. "We're all trying to adjust to this.." her eyes met the ground "and I don't blame them for what they've done.... After all.... I'm a.. a bit different now."
As quickly as the pained tone had come, it went. InuYasha let a small growl escape him. He took a footstep or two towards the silver haired maiden then gripped her shoulders, giving her a small shake so that she was now looking at him firmly with her golden orbs. "Kagome. This is all bullsh!t!! I've seen this a million times before. Just because they're your family, doesn't mean that you can let them walk all over you like that! You have to take a stand."
She quickly slapped his hands away from her shoulders, growling back at him with the same inferno. "And just because your brother hates your hanyou guts, doesn't automatically mean that my family's the same way!! I know what you're trying to do, InuYasha, you're trying to help me.. but right now, I don't need it."
"What you NEED is a reality check!" the hanyou snapped back, clenching a fist, getting angrier and angrier by the moment. "I saw you just then.. I SAW the look in your eyes! You were hurt, now just admit it, Dmmit!!"
Kagome glared hatefully. "InuYasha.... SIT!!"
The prayer beads dangling from the hanyou's neck gave that all too familiar gleam, and but a moment later, InuYasha's face met that of the kitchen floor. Kagome seized her opportunity. She fled from the room as quickly as possible, tears streaming from her yellow eyes.
end flashback
Kagome sighed once more. She was glad that she had decided to take the bath; it was already beginning to calm her mind and spirit. Leaning back once more, she closed her eyes and inhaled more steam. "And so ends the first day of my.. hanyou life. I wonder what tomorrow will bring? ....hm?"
She glanced upwards at the ceiling. Though it was brief and somewhat muffled, her new dog ears were just able to pick up the faint sound of something touching the roof. She listened intently for a few more seconds, but no other sounds were rendered.
"Hm. It was just the wind, I guess." And with that, she returned to relaxing in the warm bath once again.
InuYasha glanced out into space. Sitting upon the rooftop just above the room Kagome was in, he quietly guarded over her. One wrist rested atop of a propped up knee while his other hand rested upon the opposite outstretched leg.
The hanyou's mind raced, several images from the occurrences of that day flashing in his mind's eye. He sighed and shifted his weight upon the roof into another more comfortable position. He closed his eyes, ears tucking back almost automatically against his mane of silvery- white hair.
"Why?" was the only murmur that managed to part from his lips. "Why does everything always have to mess up?"
He sighed then glanced upwards towards the stars and heavens above. "At least.." he started then paused for a few seconds, "....as long as Kagome's alive and well.. that's all I could hope for."
Two stars, a pair that were so close together that they almost appeared as one, seemed to suddenly sparkle and light up, catching his attention. A faint smile came across his lips. "All's not lost, though..... I'll find a way to return Kagome back to normal.... I'll use the Sacred Jewel." The smile slowly faded until a frown had fully taken its place. "..even if it means giving up my chances of ever becoming a full fledged demon."
His right hand clenched together into a fist. "I'll do it for you, ....Kagome.
Chapter 12: Away From Me
Kagome sighed. Taking off her dried-blood stained green and white school uniform, she carelessly tossed the garments aside and slowly stepped into the warm bath that awaited her. "Mmm.." she inhaled some of the steamy air that had surrounded the room as she leaned backwards against the back of the tub.
The eyelashes of her soft, dreamy caramel orbs batted gently against one another whilst she steadily recollected all of the events of that day. It had happened so fast, like a freight train smacking as hard as it possibly could directly into her life, without warning, without care, without any regards as to the damage it inflicted.. and it pressured her still. She slipped a finger into the water and drew softly in a slow circular motion as the steam continued to rise all around her.
flashback
Two figures abruptly emerged from the depths of the well, the last bit of purple enchantment slowly fading away below them into darkness once more. Kagome lifted her head and gazed into the face of the man cradling her body so protectively in his arms. "InuYasha," her voice was a gentle and quiet whisper, "you didn't have to carry me, you know. I could have managed to return home on my own just fine."
The hanyou gave her a smug smirk then glanced forward once again. "You think that, eh? ....well, let's just say that I'm not too fond of the idea of you falling flat on your face from exhaustion.. because then I'd get this big ole' lecture from Shippou about how I should be more responsible and whatnot." He glanced at her once more, now taking the time to look into her new eyes. Her eyes seemed to hypnotize him in a way that nothing else could. He softly whispered in the darkness of the room surrounding the well, "....they're nice, your new looks.... I think they're growing on me."
Kagome's golden orbs seemed to sparkle, and she flashed him a loving, grateful smile. InuYasha smiled back ever so slightly in return, lifting one finger to gently caress her cheek with his knuckle.
After a moment or so, Kagome whispered once more. "I think I can stand now."
"You sure?"
She nodded, still smiling. "M-hm."
"Alright then. Have it your way." InuYasha slowly set her down upon her own two feet and would not let her move until he was satisfied that she was steady. He placed a hand upon her back. "I want to see you walk to the steps and back on your own before we go any further," his voice firm in a type of command, 'don't even think about arguing with me' kind of tone.
Kagome sighed. When would he learn to trust her judgment? She reluctantly took a few paces forward and walked towards the steps that led up from the well. Her eyes closed, her white ears tucked back, and a confident smile on her face, she now turned and began to walk back towards the man clad in red.
"See, InuYasha," she stated in a mock-scolding type of voice, "I told you that I could-" her words were abruptly cut off as her left foot unexpectedly failed her. Kagome's body wobbled then went forward, her eyes opening immediately in shock. Here she was about to plummet to the cold, hard ground below.... She was caught in the strong arms of InuYasha.
It took her a moment to register that he had caught her. Kagome slowly lifted her head from his chest. Their eyes met then locked onto one another then- she gazing endlessly at him, he gazing just as intently right back. It was in that silent moment that Kagome knew. She knew that he would always be there for her, not just to catch her when she fell but for so much more.
"..InuYasha.." the word was like a kiss. "InuYasha.." the word became a kiss.
end flashback
Kagome smiled softly to herself. Perhaps not all of the day had been a completely terrible experience. She wished that that moment could have lasted forever- simply staying in InuYasha's hold, feeling as his lips caressed her own in that passionate kiss for an eternity. The young hanyou maiden sighed to herself then lifted an arm onto the tub's side to prop her head up. But, then again, all things must draw to an end eventually.
flashback
A small gasp coming from the top of the stairs and the entrance to the well's shrine sent the couple flinging out of their moment in paradise and back into reality.
"InuYasha? And my sister? Kissing?! ....well, about time you two finally-"
"Sota!" Kagome's shrill voice rang out in a non-too-happy cry.
Sota gasped once more. As InuYasha turned around to face the small boy, Kagome's full body came into view. There Kagome was. It was his sister, it was her same face, same clothes though heavily stained in blood (he had seen her clothing at a much more horrid state than that), but her ears.. and her fangs.. and her yellow eyes.
"Ka.. Kagome you.... You look just like InuYasha"
It took a moment for her to realize and finally understand the meaning behind her brother's actions. For a moment, she had actually forgotten about her new appearances.
Heh.. I guess that's what being with InuYasha does to me. When I'm with him, nothing else seems to matter as much, and I can forget and just be myself. Kagome thought quietly to herself.
"Oh.. yeah.. the ears." She briefly touched and tweaked one of the soft dog ears that adorned her head then slowly glanced down in a somewhat ashamed manner.
InuYasha looked down and gazed into Kagome's face. A thin frown of guilt grazed upon his lips. He knew that this would not be the last time she would gaze down at the dirt beneath her, as if she belonged there. She was only feeling the pain at a minute level. He had felt those hardships all of his life; he knew what it was she would have to face.
And then suddenly, Kagome lifted her eyes, that same old happy smile washing all over her. She laughed a bit while gazing into her brother's face.
"Hmm.. nothing gets past you does it, Sota?"
The small boy gave a small smile, scratching the back of his head. "Heh heh. Guess you're right." Sota opened up the mini shrine's doors all the way, allowing the sunlight to fully enter the room.
"Um.. well.." Sota began as he turned around somewhat from the shrine and the well, "you two should come up to the house now. Dinner's ready.... and Mom and Grandpa are waiting." He began to walk away from the couple, towards the house.
Kagome gave a small sigh, How am I going to explain THIS one? then began to walk towards her home as well. She was suddenly halted by a hand clasping her own. "Hm?" she briefly glanced down then gazed upward again, "InuYasha?"
He was silent and seemed as though he did not want to move. His bangs created a small veil over his eyes in the warm sunlight coming down upon them, preventing Kagome from reading his facial features.
"InuYasha?" she repeated a bit softer this time.
He held onto her hand tighter. "Whatever happens.." his voice was low yet surprisingly gentle, "..just know that.... I'm right here." He turned and gazed into her eyes. "Kagome"
The white haired maiden smiled then nodded, "Mm" and the two began to make their way up the stairs together.
At the dinner table all was quiet. The family sat: Kagome's mother and grandfather at either end of the table, Kagome and InuYasha next to one another, and Sota sitting opposite of them. They each ate their meal silently with their chopsticks, all too afraid to speak just exactly what it was that rested on their mind. The only noise besides the occasional sipping of tea and crunching of a few pickles was the steady ticking of a small clock that rested in the room.
Finally, Kagome's mother broke the silence. She looked up hopefully with a smile, "Would anyone care for some dessert? I just baked a pie this afternoon." Famous for her meals, but even more famous for her perfected desserts, no one could resist Mrs. Higurashi's offer. She smiled, scooting her chair back before getting up to fix everyone a slice.
Sota sat up in his chair and smiled happily towards Kagome. "Hey, sis! Guess what?"
"Hm?" Kagome looked up at him as she took a final bite from her rice bowl and finished her meal.
"At recess this boy, Kuro from my science class, we all dared him to eat a bug, and you know what?"
"What?" Kagome couldn't help but smile at the excitement she saw in her brother's eyes.
"He ATE it!"
She laughed a bit, sweatdroping. "And you are telling this to me right after I just finished dinner because WHY?"
"Oh, no reason.." Sota said. He sat back down in his chair, a smug smirk written all over his face due to the expression of his sister.
Kagome's mother set down a small plate in front of her son. "Now, now Sota. Don't tease your sister like that.... especially after she's just gotten back from such a big journey."
It was then that she gave Kagome a look, followed shortly by everyone else at the table except for InuYasha. They began to scrutinize the details of her new appearance as if she had the world's biggest mole upon her face. The table suddenly became very silent once again.
Kagome gazed down at her pie, fork in hand. She eyed the pie as if it were the most fascinating thing imaginable. She could feel their eyes, their deep stares wandering along her new features questioningly, and she had to focus all of her attention and energy on one solitary thing to try to avoid thinking about her (already) discriminating future.
As the family continued to gaze in upon her, Kagome could feel her skin begin to perspire, her heartbeat quicken, and her breath becoming more heavy by the second. The worst part about it all was due to Kagome's new sensitive hearing; she could now hear herself breathing deeper and feel her pulse run like a raging storm. Her grip on her fork tightened drastically. She gave an almost inaudible whimper as she closed her eyes and tucked her white ears back against her silver locks in both frustration and embarrassment.
InuYasha's ears perked up at the small whimper coming from his side. He immediately stopped from wolfing down his own pie slice to glance towards Kagome. The hanyou maiden's eyes were closed together, and her ears were tucked back flat against her head. The expression upon her face said it all. He knew that look, and oh.. how he knew it so well. It was the look of humiliation, sadness, and helplessness.
A painful feeling shot through his heart as he gazed into her lovely face. Both sadness and anger overwhelmed him, the anger eating away and taking predominance over the remorse. The hanyou's hand quickly balled up into a mighty fist. He stood up from his seat, the chair making a loud moan as it quickly skidded back against the floor. "No," he glared towards all at the table save for Kagome. "I might have had to suffer, I might have to deal with a brother who thinks me weak, but under NO circumstance will Kagome have to go through any of that bullsh!t due to the way she looks.." his eyes lowered briefly, "..especially not because of me."
"Inu..Yasha?" Kagome glanced up at him with a questioning look of her own.
The hanyou's golden orbs lifted, immediately glaring once more towards the company present. He growled softly as he continued, "Just because she's hanyou now doesn't mean that she's any different.... She doesn't have a dmned handicap or anything, and I won't take anyone looking at her like that!" InuYasha pointed back towards the silver haired maiden. "Kagome is the most honest, loyal, beautiful, caring, smart, and kindest person I know. By no means does she deserve this!"
"InuYasha" Kagome's voice demanded his attention as she stood from the table. The hanyou turned around from where he stood. However, to everyone's dismay, he was met with anything but a cheerful look from the maiden.
SMACK
The hanyou's eyes widened in shock, as did the others at the table.... except for Kagome, who glared at him with a most displeased expression.
InuYasha managed to regain his balance from the unexpected blow, placing a hand upon his now throbbing cheek before looking back at Kagome with anx expression of bewilderment. "K-Kagome?" he started, confusion and hurt in his voice.
"InuYasha, they are my family.. and.. and even though they're quirky at times.... it gives you no reason to yell at them!" Water began to gather in her eyes as Kagome's hurtful gaze began to develop into a sad expression. "We're all trying to adjust to this.." her eyes met the ground "and I don't blame them for what they've done.... After all.... I'm a.. a bit different now."
As quickly as the pained tone had come, it went. InuYasha let a small growl escape him. He took a footstep or two towards the silver haired maiden then gripped her shoulders, giving her a small shake so that she was now looking at him firmly with her golden orbs. "Kagome. This is all bullsh!t!! I've seen this a million times before. Just because they're your family, doesn't mean that you can let them walk all over you like that! You have to take a stand."
She quickly slapped his hands away from her shoulders, growling back at him with the same inferno. "And just because your brother hates your hanyou guts, doesn't automatically mean that my family's the same way!! I know what you're trying to do, InuYasha, you're trying to help me.. but right now, I don't need it."
"What you NEED is a reality check!" the hanyou snapped back, clenching a fist, getting angrier and angrier by the moment. "I saw you just then.. I SAW the look in your eyes! You were hurt, now just admit it, Dmmit!!"
Kagome glared hatefully. "InuYasha.... SIT!!"
The prayer beads dangling from the hanyou's neck gave that all too familiar gleam, and but a moment later, InuYasha's face met that of the kitchen floor. Kagome seized her opportunity. She fled from the room as quickly as possible, tears streaming from her yellow eyes.
end flashback
Kagome sighed once more. She was glad that she had decided to take the bath; it was already beginning to calm her mind and spirit. Leaning back once more, she closed her eyes and inhaled more steam. "And so ends the first day of my.. hanyou life. I wonder what tomorrow will bring? ....hm?"
She glanced upwards at the ceiling. Though it was brief and somewhat muffled, her new dog ears were just able to pick up the faint sound of something touching the roof. She listened intently for a few more seconds, but no other sounds were rendered.
"Hm. It was just the wind, I guess." And with that, she returned to relaxing in the warm bath once again.
InuYasha glanced out into space. Sitting upon the rooftop just above the room Kagome was in, he quietly guarded over her. One wrist rested atop of a propped up knee while his other hand rested upon the opposite outstretched leg.
The hanyou's mind raced, several images from the occurrences of that day flashing in his mind's eye. He sighed and shifted his weight upon the roof into another more comfortable position. He closed his eyes, ears tucking back almost automatically against his mane of silvery- white hair.
"Why?" was the only murmur that managed to part from his lips. "Why does everything always have to mess up?"
He sighed then glanced upwards towards the stars and heavens above. "At least.." he started then paused for a few seconds, "....as long as Kagome's alive and well.. that's all I could hope for."
Two stars, a pair that were so close together that they almost appeared as one, seemed to suddenly sparkle and light up, catching his attention. A faint smile came across his lips. "All's not lost, though..... I'll find a way to return Kagome back to normal.... I'll use the Sacred Jewel." The smile slowly faded until a frown had fully taken its place. "..even if it means giving up my chances of ever becoming a full fledged demon."
His right hand clenched together into a fist. "I'll do it for you, ....Kagome.