Author's Notes: Inuyasha and the gang had been through a lot of battles so now it's time to do some relaxing. But Kagome can't seem to get something very important off her mind so much that it scares her… This episode promises to be very fluffy and romantic, but I will keep true to the characters. This chapter wasn't originally a song fic but when I pictured the scenes, it just came to mind so I added in the song to set the mood. The title of the song, and the chapter, is Eyes On Me and it's from the Final Fantasy 7 soundtrack. I may even make a music video for Inuyasha to it.
Eyes On MeAs soon as Kagome and the others returned to Kaede's village, they proceeded to tell the aged miko of their success and Naraku's downfall. Upon hearing of Kagome's injury to her arm, Kaede checked it and was surprised when it appeared to be a normal, yet ghastly, scratch mark. No sign of Sesshoumaru's poison was left. She also re-bandaged it to prevent infecting. Afterwards, she had immediately insisted that a festival be held in recognition of their victory and rushed to finalize the details.
Of course, Inuyasha wasn't interesting in the slightest. If it didn't involve fighting a demon, what was the point?
By dusk, the entire town was decorated and lit up with paper lanterns. The villagers all made a big bonfire in the village square and came out dressed up and ready to celebrate.
Sango and Miroku went to find Inuyasha to ask him to join in the festivities. Sango wore a light purple kimono with blue plants and reeds embroidered on it. Miroku wore his ceremonial monk's robe and for once, hadn't grabbed Sango's butt yet, but the night was still young.
As they approached the hanyou, he crossed his arms from his perch upon Goshinboku, far from all the commotion of the village, and pouted. "I know what you're gonna ask and the answer is no. I don't want to go."
"But it's in our honor. You have to go." Sango said.
"Are you afraid you'll have to dance or something?" The priest wondered.
Looking uncomfortable, Inuyasha looked to the side. "No, that's not it. It's just I don't feel like I belong surrounded by so many humans." He admitted.
Several older looking kids began throwing rocks at a young Inuyasha. He was dressed in a forest green robe with gold trimmings and was planning to go and join his mother at the festival.
"Go away half breed!"
"Yeah! Monsters like you can't go to the party!"
They threw more rocks and pushed Inuyasha down to the floor, getting mud all over his beautiful robe. "So, do yourself a favor and get out of here!"
Miroku sighed, "Well, we can't force you. It's too bad, though. Sango and I picked out a nice robe for you to wear too."
The two began to turn around and leave when Inuyasha's ears picked up Sango whisperering. "Poor Kagome, and she was so looking forward to it, too."
Miroku nodded and whispered back. "Have you seen her yet?"
The taijiya shook her head. "No, but the kimono the village made for her is stunning! I'm sure she'll look beautiful."
"H-hang on a sec!" Inuyasha jumped down and avoided the two's curious glances by staring at the ground. "I guess I could do for a little bit." He muttered.
"Hai, hai." Miroku wrapped one arm around Inuyasha's shoulders.
"If that's what you want." Sango wrapped her arm around Inuyasha from the other side and the two began ushering him away.
The hanyou couldn't help but think they planned this from the beginning, but if it was for Kagome, then it was worth it.
Mere minutes later, Sango and Miroku had Inuyasha dressed in a midnight blue robe with light blue trimmings. Sango helped comb Inuyasha's unruly hair and to be quite honest, he looked very handsome. (But we already knew that, didn't we!?)
"Ready?" Miroku asked, pushing aside the straw door drop that covered the doorway.
When Inuyasha stepped through and looked around, a group of the village girls stepped out of a neighboring hut, giggling and admiring another girl in their mists. Once they saw Inuyasha, they immediately hushed but the smiles remained plastered to their faces.
Behind the confused hanyou, Miroku winked and nodded and they girls parted, revealing a very beautiful Kagome. She saw Inuyasha and immediately blushed.
Inuyasha had his mouth opened in shock, but couldn't help the blush that bombarded his cheeks. In all their years of battle, not once had Inuyasha seen Kagome so extravagantly dressed. She wore a sky blue kimono with silver trimmings and embroidered peonies. His favorite. She had a flower pinned behind her right ear and she wore that smelling water from her world, but it wasn't too much to hurt his nose. In fact, he was almost positive she'd put on so little, she knew only he'd be able to pick it up. Sango had done her make up earlier that day and Inuyasha, the Great and Mighty Hanyou, was at a loss for words.
Miroku cleared his throat and broke the silence. "Well, shall we go?"
Sango tightened her hand into a fist as he gave her bum a few quick gropes and grabbed his ear, proceeding to drag him away. "Yeah, we don't want to miss the party."
"Ow! Ow! Ow!"
The girls bowed respectfully to Kagome and Inuyasha and followed the two to the nearby bonfire.
At first, neither said anything. They were both blushing profusely though. Then Kagome said, "I…I'm glad you came. This festival is all thanks to you, anyway. You defeated him and you deserve the credit."
Inuyasha shook his head. "We all fought Naraku and we all won because we were there for each other. Besides, we wouldn't have been able to succeed without you either. You've gotten really strong."
Kagome smiled. This was very different from the Inuyasha that was always putting her down for being a weak human.
Inuyasha smiled back. "You look really beautiful."
Kagome blushed a deeper red and looked down at the ground in embarrassment. "You too." She paused. "You look really handsome I mean."
Then the hanyou remembered something. This was Kagome's first festival in his time. He'd get to be her guide and show her the beauty of it and teach her how things were different. Suddenly excited, he grabbed her hand and said, "Come on! Let's go!"
Caught off guard by his reaction, Kagome could only nod as he led her to the bonfire. Turning around to face her, Inuyasha clasped both her hands in his. "Would you like me to show you how they danced at my village?" Just because the children didn't let him participate, Inuyasha had still climbed up onto the roofs and watched from afar, learning all he could about his mother's people.
Kagome smiled broadly and nodded. Never before had the hanyou ever revealed any of the customs or traditions from the village of his birth. Kagome felt closer to him and felt her heart start to race.
You never sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
You never said my words
Wishing they would be heard
As Inuyasha began showing Kagome how the girls danced, versus the boys, she couldn't help but be amazed how a body could be so jagged and hard in battle, could turn so graceful. Inuyasha smiled at her whenever she messed up and laughed as he had to do it again, feeling strange to be dancing both parts. He's opened up to me a little more; he isn't the same introvert he was when I first came here. Is it because of me? Would he have changed if I was never here?
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real? Or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar
Kagome's heart and body were preoccupied with what the hanyou was showing her, happy that she was learning more about him, but in the back of her mind, her soul was going into panic. I don't want any of this to end. It seems I have everything I ever wanted. Inuyasha's alive and here with me, along with Sango and Miroku and everyone else I've met here. And Naraku's gone. He can't hurt anyone anymore. But what's next? What will happen to me?
My last night here for you
Same old songs just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no…
After they danced, Inuyasha and Kagome sat down to eat, plenty of food being brought to them in platters upon platters. Inuyasha of course being able to eat it all if not more. Everyone was happy and having fun. Kagome took this time to look around at everyone. Sango and Miroku say next to each other, both talking and laughing and enjoying each other's presence. She glanced at Inuyasha and was surprised when she saw he was looking at her. Their eyes locked for a few moments, then Kagome got shy and looked away. Shippo was surrounded by a group of children telling stories of their adventures and of Naraku's downfall. He used the crayons Kagome brought him and drew pictures to illustrate everything. The kids all loved it.
"So then Kagome was blown back and I turned into my mighty form and caught her!" There was a picture of Kagome on top of Shippo's pink balloon illusion.
"Nani!? What are you talking about?!" Inuyasha choked on his food. "You were cowering away somewhere! I was the one who caught her!" Inuyasha got up from his place and began chasing Shippo around the fire. Kagome giggled and watched the two chase each other around. I wonder if he's ever noticed how much time I spend staring at him. I know Miroku and Sango have caught me before, but Inuyasha seems to be oblivious to it. Is it because he doesn't really care about me the same way?
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you?
Inuyasha's lost so much because of Naraku, and yet he continues living so carefree. I wish I could be like that. With finding the shards and school, I have so many responsibilities; I don't seem to find time for myself anymore. Kagome thought.
Inuyasha finally caught up with Shippo and pulled him up by his tail.
"Ahh! Kagome! Help me!" The kitsune cried out.
"Inuyasha! Osuwari!" The miko shouted.
Inuyasha's face plummeted to the ground and his hand released the tail. Shippo ran off with the rest of the children laughing at the poor hanyou, who was just barely peeling his face off of the floor.
Kagome suddenly felt very guilty and ran to his side. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to, it's just that…"
"It's okay. I'm alright." Inuyasha got up and brushed himself off. "I'm used to it." Even on a night like tonight, she can't help embarrassing me, can she? He thought.
Darling so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Kagome got up and stared at the ground in guilt as Inuyasha went back to his place and began stuffing his mouth with food. He probably hates me even more now…
Shall I be the one for you?
Who pinches you softly but sure…
If a frown is showin' then
I will know that you are now dreamin'
Deciding that she'd had enough fun, Kagome retreated to the shrine high above the village, overlooking everything. The night was chilly, but the wind was a welcomed feeling. Kagome felt so cold and empty inside, but she couldn't understand why. Everything was solved, but why did she feel like she'd just lost her best friend? Like she was more alone now than before?
Is it because now she felt that the others didn't need her? Sango and Miroku were going to give Kohaku a proper burial at Sango's village tomorrow and all Kagome needed to do was get the last two shards from Kouga and the Shikon no Tama would be complete. She still had her five shards and the one Sango had given her from Kohaku, but she told Kaede to wait on fusing them with the rest of the jewel until they had the last two pieces.
As Kagome walked around behind the shrine, she saw the gravestone of Kikyou. Since the ashes weren't there anymore, it was more of a memorial now. To the best miko the village had ever known. Kagome knew she was no replacement for the beloved priestess, but she always pushed herself to be better, maybe hoping to surpass her predecessor?
Kaede and herself had determined that although Kagome was Kikyou's reincarnation, she was not her direct descendant and that left Kagome curious. Would she see her descendant like she saw Houjo-kun's descendant, and if she did, would she even recognize her?
"Finally, I found you." A voice said quietly from behind her.
Kagome didn't have to turn around to know it was Inuyasha. "I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't done that."
"Don't worry, I kinda deserved it anyway." He admitted. His anger towards the girl had vanished as quickly as it had spawned and he had been looking for her ever since. Surprised that he hadn't found her at the party, he had proceeded to look for her elsewhere. "What brings you here?"
Kagome stared down at the ground. "I'm not really sure."
Inuyasha walked besides her and looked down at Kikyou's grave as well. "She can rest in peace now, for her murderer is gone."
Kagome nodded. "It's been a long journey hasn't it?" She still refused to look up and stare into his eyes.
"Three years…"
"And all because of me." She said. Before Inuyasha could protest the comment, she continued. "I know it was an accident, but since I started it, I'll have to finish it." She suddenly felt the urge to cry and fell to her knees, covering her face from Inuyasha's concerned look.
"What's wrong?" He knelt besides her, unsure what caused the unexplained breakdown.
Kagome wasn't sure, but a fist of fear wrapped around her heart and refused to let go, then it dawn on her. "Finish it… Everything I've worked towards has finished except for the jewel and when that's done, what will happen? Where will I go?"
Inuyasha's eyes widened and he suddenly understood everything. She had grown so used to this world that she didn't want to leave, but to be honest, no one knew what would happen after the jewel was completed. Sango and Miroku hadn't been after the shards in the first place. They were after Naraku and now that was over and done with they could go on with their lives. It went back to him and Kagome, just like it had started off. A full circle had brought them back to the beginning.
But unlike when they had first met, Inuyasha didn't hate the girl before him. Didn't loathe her or want to get rid of her for the sake of the jewel or his dream. He had grown so used to her; he couldn't image life without her. He wasn't sure if it was love because he thought he'd once loved Kikyou, but this feeling was different than that. He'd once told Kagome that he needed her. That he wanted her by his side forever. But could he really get what he wanted?
Wrapping his arms around Kagome, Inuyasha pulled her into his chest and squeezed as much as he dared, bringing a gasp from the crying girl. "Don't go." He said in a choked voice. "When this is all over, don't go back. I want you to stay with me. If you leave, I'll be alone again and I don't want that."
Kagome felt the tears continue to fall down her cheeks but she stopped hiccupping and began listening intently to his heartbeat. It was going so quickly she knew everything he said was true. He felt the same way she did. She didn't want to leave, but was that all or was there more to it?
So let me come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
"You know, what? I don't think I've ever thanked you for saving my life. You've done nothing but protect me while I tried to fight by your side and risked your life countless times for mine. I don't know what I can do to repay you." Kagome said into his haori. The scent he carried with him always soothed her. Made her feel at peace.
"How could I do anything less?" The hanyou replied. "You've saved my life too and if anything were to happen to you…" He stopped. He didn't even want to imagine it. "I don't know what I'd do."
Kagome gasped again. Inuyasha was openly admitting that he never wanted to see her hurt and would protect her always. The admission was more than Kagome could ever hope for, but she couldn't help but admit to herself that she dreamed of being more to him. More than a shard detector and more than a friend…
And stay there as I whisper
How I loved your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you?
Kagome felt Inuyasha's body shake once and for a second could've sworn she heard him sob. Was he that afraid of loosing her? If so, then maybe Kagome's dreams weren't far from reality. Maybe she could make her dreams come true. Inuyasha's heart seemed one step closer to her own and it made Kagome happy inside.
She hugged him back, silently comforting him without letting him know she knew he was crying. It was a side of him she knew he didn't let show often and she wouldn't take advantage of him by making a big deal of it. Even though, for her, it was a big deal. Inuyasha didn't cry for just anyone, yet he cried for her. For Kagome. A mere human girl who finally came to terms that she loved him and only hoped he felt the same way.
Darling so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is.
"I'm here, Inuyasha. And I'm not going anywhere as long as I can help it." Kagome pulled away and smiled.
Inuyasha wiped his tears away and looked up with the most endearing look she'd ever seen him with. He looked so young and helpless- like a child.
How can I let you know?
I'm more than the
dress and the voice?
Just reach me out and then
You will know that you are not dreaming…
"See! I told you I could find them!" Shippo's voice announced from behind them.
Both shouted in surprised and jumped to their feet, faces beet red at the sight of ten or so children staring at them with huge smiles on their faces.
"Look! Inu-oniichan's outfit matches Kagome-sama's!" One little girl pointed out.
Inuyasha gasped and looked back and forth between his robe and Kagome's kimono, veins popping out of his forehead as his hand tightened into a fist. "Miroku…"
"When you are guys going to have babies!?" Another asked.
"NANI!?" Both teens exclaimed.
"Can we play with them when you do!?"
"Are they going to have dog ears!?"
"How many are you going to have?"
The questions kept coming and the commotion was hectic. Kagome looked over and saw Inuyasha, though he was holding up Shippo by the collar demanded to know what exactly the kitsune had been telling the neighborhood children, she noticed his face was just as red as hers. Was he just as embarrassed?
Darling so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Kagome smiled. Maybe she wouldn't be here forever, but for now, she'd enjoy everything she could. Her friends and her life here in the past. Maybe something would happen… Kagome didn't know what the future held, but she'd enjoy the present as much as she dared.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku exclaimed upon he and Sango finding Inuyasha beating the crap out of poor Shippo. "What's going on here!?"
Looking up at the perverted monk, Inuyasha ground his teeth and pointed accusingly at Miroku. "That's what I'd like to know! What's with matching me and Kagome together, huh!?"
Besides Miroku, Sango stuttered. "Uh well, we thought you'd look cute together! And you do!"
"Very cute!"
"Inu-oniichan always looks cute!"
The children began laughing and pointing at the embarrassed couple.
"So you were behind it too!?" Inuyasha shouted to Sango.
Both adults looked at each other and said, "Uh oh." Then took off down the stairs away from the shrine.
"Come back here, I'm not finished with you yet!" Inuyasha began chasing after them, followed by all the children and Shippo.
Kagome only smiled and began walking slowly behind.
Shall I be the one for you?
Who pinches you softly but sure…
If a frown is showing then
I will know that you are now dreaming…
I may not have originally belonged here, but my heart is more here than in my world and I think it's because the people I love are here. I want to be with them and I want to grow old with them here in this time. I just hope that the gods smile down on me and grant my wish…
Author's notes: Fluffy or no? I thought I added some fluff and some drama with a hint of comedy, but you decide. There was some foreshadowing, but I let you pick it out. The next chapter is in the works, but I guess I'll let the reviewers decide how fast I come out with it. Until then!
