9/4/03

By Cynic X

I do not own Inuyasha, and am making no money off any of my stories, this one or my other Inuyasha story…(I forgot to put the disclaimer in that one.) I'm only a poor college student, really –shows empty pockets- Now that the boring formalities are done…on with the story!

Chapter 3: Awakening

Inuyasha awake from his slumber with a scream. One moment he had been running through the forest in the rain, and the next minute he had woken up in some strange living room, lying on a couch. For some reason his eyes weren't working properly as he tired to look around the room. Everything was a blur. Deciding that it was best to get the hell out of here, he tried to stand up as best as he could when a searing pain shot through him. His hand immediately went to his side where he was shot, only to find that someone had bandaged his wounds. Clumsily making his way towards the entrance to the room, he was startled when someone came running into the room at full speed. He looked up to where the figure was standing, and all of a sudden, all hell broke loose.

He wasn't sure if it was the strain that was being placed on his body from exhaustion, or if it was a side effect from the injections he had been given, but suddenly his ears felt like they had cotton in them. Then, as fast as he lost his hearing, it all came back to him with startling clarity. He could hear the rain hitting the sides of the house, a car speeding down the street from around the corner, a mother yelling at her child a block away, but most importantly, the sound of a heart beating with fear from the figure in front of him. He tried to look up at the figure, but his eyes refused to work properly and focus, suddenly felt like their magnification was turned up a hundred times. He was jolted back as he looked around him, and suddenly went pale when he saw a newspaper on a table in another room and was able to make out the lines of type.

"You should really lay back down." The voice said as it cautiously took a step towards him. Inuyasha flinched in pain, not used to hearing a human voice so loud.

"Come on, I'll help you." The voice was definitely female, and it was only after the shock of the assault of his sense of hearing and vision that Inuyasha realized that he could smell her. Of course she smelled good, like strawberries and vanilla, but he could actually "smell" her; and she smelled like fear.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and immediately drew back from the touch.

"Please, I don't want to hurt you."

It was starting…first it was superhuman speed and agility, now his senses had heightened. Inuyasha just wondered what would happen next. Too shocked by what happened to his body in the last few moments, Inuyasha gave in, and let the girl lead him back to his position on the couch.

"Here you go." She said with a smile as he laid down. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to drink?"

Inuyasha was only noticing that the girl was dressed in a towel, and averted his eyes as a blush grew on his face. Kagome's towel had fallen off her head in her run down the stairs, and now her black hair cascaded around her shoulders. Inuyasha also noted that she also had startling green eyes. Inuyasha couldn't remember the last time he was this close to a female before. It had been so long since he was outside the lab.

"Hello? Did you hear me?" The girl asked as she waved her hand in front of his violet eyes.

Inuyasha, not sure if his voiced worked, shook his head. He hadn't used his voice in months, and wasn't sure if he could anymore.

"No, you didn't hear me, or no you don't want food?" The girl asked.

Inuyasha, acting on reflex moved his lips in response to the girl, and a barely audible "no" came out.

"No, you don't want food?" the girl asked.

Inuyasha, startled at the fact that his voice was usable, shook his head.

"Well when you make up your mind, let me know. I'm going to go upstairs and get dressed." With that, the girl stood from her kneeling position besides the couch, and walked towards the exit of the room when she suddenly stopped and turned.

"Oh, My names Kagome by the way. When you feel better, you can tell me yours." She said with a smile, as she turned and left the room.

Inuyasha couldn't understand why this person was being so nice to him. But considering his current situation, its not like he had any choices. He heard footsteps on the stairs, and a door closed. Content that no one was going to try killing him, slumber over took him once again and he feel into oblivion.

…..

When Inuyasha woke he wasn't onslaught by sights and sounds like he was before. Somehow his body had adjusted to his newfound abilities. He realized that his sense of smell as also heightened when he was met with an inviting sent. His stomach growled in response to the proposition of food. He hadn't realized he was this hungry, and decided to take Kagome up on her offer of food. Inuyasha stood, and after gaining his balance, used his new sense of smell to follow the aroma of food to the kitchen. He saw Kagome standing by the counter and she turned around when she heard him enter.

"Hi" She said with a smile. "I thought you might be hungry, so I made us some ramen and sandwiches. Just sit down, and help yourself, I'm almost done with the sandwiches."

Inuyasha turned to the table and sat at one of the chairs. Shakily, he reached over and got a bowl, and carefully poured some of the ramen into it. His stomach having won, he grabbing a pair of chopsticks, and he dug in, devouring the soup in minutes. Kagome brought the plate of the sandwiches over to the table and sat down.

"Wow, didn't think my cooking was this good." She said happily as she saws his empty bowl. "Here, try one. They're simple, but I like 'em." She said as she grabbed a plate and pilled it with sandwich halves.

Inuyasha, dumb struck at her kindness started eating the sandwiches, deep in thought. After swallowing a mouthful, he put his sandwich down.

"…Inuyasha…" He said, barely above a whisper.

Kagome, who had been happily munching her meal, stopped mid bite, eyes wide, turned to face him.

"Did you just say something?" She asked in bewilderment.

"Inuyasha…my name is Inuyasha." He said softly.

"Nice to met you Inuyasha. Now I don't' have to keep calling you "that guy"." Kagome said with a smile, offering him her hand.

Inuyasha just stared at her outstretched palm, his sandwich half wavering in midair.

"Umm…it's called a hand shake." Kagome said confused as she moved her hand to get his attention.

"Yeah, I know." Inuyasha said, barely brushing her hand, and then withdrawing his back as if her touched fire.

'Weird' Kagome thought, but brushed it off as bad manners.

They ate lunch in a pleasant silence. When they were finished Kagome got up to take care of the dishes.

"Hey, Inuyasha, if you want, I know your still a little dirty and stuff, but your more than welcome to use the bathroom. I could look through my brother's old clothes and try to find you something that would fit."

"Alright" He said, in agreement. The idea of a nice warm shower appealed to him. It would give him a chance to wash the mud out of his long hair.

"Showers upstairs and on the left. There should be towels on the counter, and soap and stuff in the shower." Kagome said as she dried her hands.

"Thanks" Inuyasha said.

"No problem." She replied with a smile.

Inuyasha made his way to the stairs and found the shower easily. Kagome was a nice girl, he thought to himself, but I have to get out of here as soon as possible. They'll be looking for me, and I don't want to drag her into this mess. With that, he went and washed himself up and put on the old sweatpants and t-shirt Kagome had left for him outside the bathroom door. Feeling a thousand times better than before, he decided to look for Kagome and see what she was up to.

He found her in the living room reading a book, and she put it down when he walked into the room.

"Hi." He said, as he walked over and sat down on a chair.

"You have such nice hair." Kagome commented.

Inuyasha blushed, not used to such compliments, as he ran his hand through his long black hair with embarrassment.

"uh…thanks."

"So what were you doing out in such horrible weather?"

Inuyasha, not wanting to tell her the truth, lied.

"I was out for a run."

"Liar."

Inuyasha's head snapped to attention.

"What" he asked.

"You weren't out for a run." Kagome stated. "It looked like you had the shit kicked out of you, and you were shot. That doesn't happen when you go out for a run, unless by some slim chance you were attached and robbed."

"I don't' want to talk about." Inuyasha stated with a growl.

"Fine. If you wanna talk about it, I'm here to listen." Kagome stated as she got up. "I'm going to bed. Long day and all. There is a pillow and a blanket on the couch. Tomorrow, I can go get one of the spare rooms ready and you could sleep there from now on."

"I'm sorry." Inuyasha said. "Its…its just a sensitive subject."

"It's alright. You have your secrets." She said with a smile. "Everyone is entitled to their privacy. Have a goodnight Inuyasha. Sweet Dreams."

"Night Kagome."

She left, and Inuyasha laid down on the couch. It was nice having someone to talk to, even though he didn't do much of the talking. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was welcome somewhere.

"Kagome" he said he name one last time before falling asleep.

End Chapter 3…