Chapter Six:
Long, sleek black locks trailed behind Inuyasha as he silently strolled down the hall to go into the study for a few moments. He was desperately sought refuge in the comfortable room because he needed to sort out his puzzling and distraught thoughts.
"Oi, Inuyasha..."
Kagome is so beautiful... He pondered; an image of her face as it had been moments ago. He had turned and called her by her name and she had looked shocked and her face glowed red in the darkness. A shaky sigh escaped his lips as a warm sensation of pride crept up his neck.
"...Inuya..."
She touched my face..."..sha..."
And she blushed under my gaze... and my touch... He continued before a deep voice caught his attention.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku said, his voice more hard as he waved his hand in front of the hanyou turned human's face. The Lord of the Castle started a bit but merely sent his old friend a glare.
"What the hell do you want?" The young man spat at Miroku, his voice impatient and anxious. He had not wanted to end his train of thought just yet. He swallowed hard as he fought the desire to blush and to tell Miroku what he was feeling... even though it would probably happen in the future anyways. Damn these human emotions...
"How many times must I say your name to get your attention? It was as if you were in a different world, Inuyasha," the lecherous but considerate young man with violet eyes teased, letting out a mock sound of surprise when the cursed hanyou in his human form swatted at him and missed.
"Yeah? Well, maybe I was," the hanyou fired back, crossing his arms in a stubborn way across his chest as he rumbled out a low 'feh'. He narrowed his violet eyes that were a lighter shade of violet than his good friends as the young man pined over him, gauging a reaction. "Why the hell are you starin' at me? Go bother Sango or something!" Inuyasha barked, feeling paranoid and uncomfortable. Miroku could read him like a book and he knew it.
"Even though you act this temperamental normally," The pervert began, his throat cleared and his voice wise, "I think that it is even more potent than usual. Does it have something to do with what transpired between Lady Kagome and yourself outdoors?" he finished, winking at the handsome human young man before him who was currently trapped and speechless.
"No," Inuyasha snapped lamely, unable to hide his feelings. His cheeks stained red of their own accord and he growled, his hands rising to scratch at them. "I hate being human! I hate it! You're all so damned emotional all the time!" He shouted in his own defense as some of his jet-black silk slid over his shoulders to cloak his flushed face.
Miroku chuckled earnestly and patted Inuyasha on the back in a comforting, reassuring gesture. "It's all right to express what you feel, Inuyasha. It's not a weakness," he told the embarrassed young man honestly and then drew away.
Inuyasha looked up and met Miroku's eyes and the torture and embarrassment that had been there moments before vanished. "She wants to love me, Miroku. And... Even though I told you that I would never fall in love with anyone... I..." He trailed off, not sure if he was ready to admit this to Miroku. He was unsure that he should have been telling this to his best friend when he hadn't fully admitted this to himself, but he pressed on. "I want to love her, too," he sighed and then ran a hand through his long black tresses.
"You're well on your way, Inuyasha," Miroku told him reassuringly and then laughed, leaving to go off and find Sango.
I hope you're right, Inuyasha thought as his best friend disappeared from his sight.
Kagome had long since returned in doors and her heart was still fluttering from the encounter with the human turned Inuyasha. His beautiful long black hair and violet eyes were his most stunning features, aside from his strong, stubborn chin and lovely cheek planes- Kami-sama! All of him was gorgeous!
Even his voice had been kinder along with all of his characteristic features. His demeanor had been much more smooth and calm instead of brash and angry. Every thing about him was so different... and yet... still the same...
Kagome... Thank you...Oh Kami-sama... I'm going MAD! Kagome screamed in her mind as her face blushed an inhumane red again. Inuyasha-sama was making her crazy, what with his changed appearance and attitude! It was almost as if it was a dream! In her frustration, the young woman started to repeatedly bang her fists into her pillow as she let out small grunting sounds to get her ire out of her.
"This isn't going to work," she finally sighed aloud, feeling exasperated with herself. It was time to face the facts. She was developing feelings for the human side of Inuyasha. Well, he IS still the same person, only a different species I suppose, Kagome concluded, realizing that it was fickle to only accept a certain part of the Lord of the Castle.
He had been kind, gentle and warm towards her. He had even let her inside his personal bubble to touch his face and stroke his hair... Even though she was confused, Kagome was still pleased that she had been able to share such a tender moment with the mysterious, cursed Inuyasha before they had commenced the telltale arguing that had become the norm.
But then... then he held me in his arms... His hug had been strong, hot and comforting; the young woman had had no desire to leave its sanctity and intimacy. Oh Inuyasha-sama... I want you to hold me again like that, she thought to herself again as she sat up on her bed and ran a hand through her soft raven mane.
More embraces would come, Kagome was sure of it. I think I am starting to finally break through Lord Inuyasha's thick and stubborn barrier that he's created around himself. And what I'm finding behind that barrier... isn't anything bad... The young woman sighed, flopping back onto her pillows. She closed her eyes and yawned luxuriously before she relaxed and started to think about Inuyasha again. Sleep eventually found its way to the girl as she dreamed about peaceful and happy times that she would wait for in time.
Bright, golden rays leaked through the curtains in the pretty young woman's room as the morning tried to make itself known to the sleeping spectacle it had chosen. Kagome moaned and rolled over, sneezing when her face had become buried in a soft, fine fluff that had tickled her nose. Her luminous dark eyes flitted open and her vision was blurry as she fought her eyes to focus on what had gone up her nose.
"Ohayo, Kagome-kasan," came a perky little voice that she could associate with the adorable little kitsune she had found bawling in the forest the previous day. Kagome yawned softly and rubbed at her sleepy eyes with one fist as her other hand went to pet little Shippo who was beside her now.
"When did you crawl into my bed, Shippo-chan?" she asked, another yawn invading her speaking voice. She groaned and sat up, stretching her arms before she settled her attention on the small fox that was staring up at her fondly.
"I woke up really early this morning and I came up with you because I got lonely. I used to sleep with Ma every night," Shippo replied, his voice sounding a bit sad when he mentioned his mother but Kagome instantly took his mind off of the depressing matter.
"Are you hungry?" The fox child's now surrogate mother asked cheerfully, hoping that she could distract his thoughts. Shippo nodded eagerly and dropped the topic all together. The young woman sighed internally and was glad that he didn't dwell on the unhappy things. "Well then, let's go and get some breakfast. I'm starving," Kagome told him and giggled when Shippo leapt off the bed towards the door with enhanced speed.
Miroku sat silently, his gaze focused on an immobile woman who was still sound asleep in her bed. The crack in the door allowed him just enough to see the outline of her hip and her side as she continued to dose. It must have been a hard night for her, he mused, deciding that he would wake her up gently.
He entered the room cautiously and sat beside her on the bed and parted some stray skeins of her long ebony hair out of her face. Sango moaned in response to the soft touch and leaned towards his warmth, completely oblivious to her actions. The young man sighed, his eyes drinking in her serene loveliness and peacefulness as she continued to dream on.
"Sango," he whispered, leaning down to place a soft kiss on her forehead. His lips brushed gently against her temple and at the sweet gesture, dark eyes opened hazily. Sango stared at Miroku, wondering what he was doing in her room and why he was staring at her with such adoration.
"Miroku?" She whispered, her soft and groggy voice filled with confusion. "Why are you in here?"
"I wanted a better view," he replied, his tones just as soft as hers as he leaned down and claimed her lips in a sweet kiss, unable to contain himself anymore. The young woman beneath him gasped and fought him for a moment before she found herself surrendering to the wonderful feeling of his mouth. Sango moaned in sheer bliss as Miroku began to deepen the kiss and her arms found their way around his neck.
"No... I..." she panted, unable to form a coherent thought, wanting to break away, knowing that this was wrong, that he was doing this for the wrong reasons. "Oh Miroku," she sighed and returned his fervor with fueled passion of her own that extended from deep within her heart.
"Sango... You are marvelous," he groaned as his legs crept onto the bed and his body became a cage on top of her, his hand crawling down her torso. The young woman froze at the contact and was immediately turned off. She stopped and growled in anger and frustration as she pushed him away and pulled up her blankets. Miroku looked as confused and derived as ever when she fixed him a look of murder and hurt.
"Is that all you want from me?" Sango demanded, her voice slightly thick with restrained desire and emotion. "Am I just a woman in this castle who will spread her legs for you whenever you feel the urge to be a man? How dare you take advantage of my heart, Miroku," she snapped, a tear sliding down her cheek but she wiped it away.
"Sango... You-"The young man began to say but the woman who was desperately in love with him would hear none of it.
"No. Do not say it. I cannot fight you when you use such reckless passion to drag me in... But..." she trailed and off worried her lip between her teeth for a moment before she tried to explain her endeavor. "I do not want to sleep with you unless I know you love me, Miroku. Unless you really and truly love me. I do not want you to 'pledge' your undying love for me, if I will only find you running off with another woman who comes into your life," she finished, crossing her arms over her body to try and protect herself from his intense gaze.
"Sango... I do love you," Miroku replied, his voice as slick and as smooth as silk but he did not mean the words to the full extent that the young woman wished they would be. Sango merely shook her head.
"Please leave my room," she ordered, her voice now sullen and emotionless. Her darkened, lustful eyes returned to their normal shade of black/brown and he could have sworn that they were tinted with disappointment. Seeing how upset and distraught Sango was at the moment, Miroku decided that it probably would be for the best if he took his leave.
"I will Sango," The young man stated. As he stood up and adjusted his clothing, he sent her a solemn, and slightly depressed look. At his visage, Sango ###### her head to the side, wondering what he was still doing in the room and grew slightly impatient.
What do I say? I know that I love her... but faithfulness has never been a strong suit, the young man thought worriedly before he shook himself from his thoughts. He bowed to the young woman and exited her room, feeling more like a potent jerk and a stingy bastard than ever before. I seem to always disrespect her feelings, Miroku told himself in his mind as he calculated her emotions and actions from the liberty from her lips that he had taken.
Sighing, the young man massaged his temples with his hands, trying to ease the guilt and anxiety that were rising in his chest as he continued to ponder on. Perhaps I should consult Lady Kagome on this matter. She and Sango seem to have... 'Girl talk' a lot... He was brought back down to earth, however, when he nearly plowed into Kagome and Shippo who were on their way to the kitchen. Well, what do you know?
"Miroku-sama, good morning," Kagome said to him cheerfully but her happy gaze turned into a slightly concerned look. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, adjusting Shippo in her arms.
"He looks kinda sad, Kaasan," the kitsune inquired, leaping from the young woman's arms up onto Miroku's shoulder.
"Well, I did want to have a word with you, Kagome, but I see now is not the appropriate time," the young man replied with a soft smile and chuckle as he reached up to pat the little fox boy on the head. He turned so that his eyes were scanning over Shippo who was perched comfortably on his shoulder. "So you view Kagome as your mother now. How fitting," he stated in amusement as he shot his gaze to the young woman who was blushing slightly. "One needs practice in order to be a good mother," he added with wit deep in his tones.
"Yep, and I think she's doing an ok job, Miroku-sama," Shippo chimed in. A low growl emitted from the fox child's stomach and it was now his turn to flush red.
"Oh! That's right! We were just on our way to get breakfast. Want to come along, Miroku-sama?" Kagome asked, reaching out to pick Shippo up again and cradle him in her arms.
"Why not?" Miroku answered shaking his head with a sly smile on his face. My morning couldn't possibly get any worse... he thought before Kagome called to someone down the hall. He turned and followed the direction that the guest in the castle was facing and he cringed and whirled around so he could look elsewhere when he saw the beautiful, feminine figure that was halted there. I was wrong... It is now MUCH worse... he swallowed and broke into a sweat, feeling like a coward. She still looks angry with me...
"Ohayo, Sango-chan! Did you sleep all right last night?" Kagome asked, completely oblivious to the small 'lover's spat' that had occurred a short time before Miroku had nearly bumped into her. Kagome percepted the tension between the two individuals when Sango did not reply to her perky, caring question; the woman's dark eyes were shooting hell pistols in Miroku's general direction. Kagome decided to try and change the subject and keep them separated. It was quite obvious that Sango still needed to cool off from whatever had happened.
Shippo looked between Miroku and Sango for a few moments, puzzled beyond all reason. He could detect a salty, tear smell off of Sango-basan along with deep-rooted anger and other mixed emotions that he didn't know. Being a little kid did often bend the perception of things in scents (especially when a child doesn't know what sex or mating is or what lust is). Realizing that he should probably start sharing his observations with his Kaa-san, he stretched his body up so he could reach her ear. "Okaa-san, Sango-basan smells like she's been crying and Miroku-sama smells ashamed."
"Yes, Shippo-chan," Kagome replied just as softly. "Don't worry. I'll find out what is going on here and I will put it to rights."
"Kagome-chan, I would like to speak with you now, if it's not an inconvenience to you," Sango called, her voice somewhat composed but she still seemed righteously furious.
I definitely need to find out what is going on here. I'm getting goose bumps from the looks that Sango is throwing at Miroku... Doing just that... or finding a temporary solution to the problem, the young woman who was new in the castle, tugged on Miroku's sleeve and started to drag him in the general direction of the kitchen. "We were just going to go and get some breakfast, Sango-chan. Can we talk later, please?"
"Very well. I will be in the bath house," the young woman who was looking rather depressed replied before she spun on her heel and stomped off. Kagome's eyebrows disappeared underneath her raven bangs at her friend's grouchiness and uncharacteristic impatience. She regarded Miroku with narrowed eyes, her mouth set in a determined, slightly stubborn line. "What did you do?" she asked him evenly, watching as he raised his hands in mock defense.
"Must we really discuss it here? After all, there is a child present," The young man stuttered, laughing a bit nervously. "Suddenly I don't want to accompany the both of you to the kitchen..."
"You're lucky that Shippo is here, Miroku-sama, or else..." Kagome trailed off, looking a bit malicious for a moment before she let out a charming and carefree giggle. "I'm just kidding. Once I get Shippo some food we'll discuss it, ok?"
"All right. I'll be in the study," the young man sighed, raking a hand through his hair in frustration as he opened one of the double doors to the study and library and went inside. Kagome worried her lower lip between her teeth as she entered the kitchen with Shippo, her thoughts elsewhere.
There is so much drama in this castle. Miroku and Sango help to cause most of it... but I must admit that Inuyasha-sama and myself are a very large part of it as well, she let out an exasperated breath.
"Kagome-kasan? Are you ok?" Shippo asked his surrogate mother, hearing her fretful sigh and sensing the spike in her emotions.
"Oh, I am fine, Shippo-chan, it's just that there is so much going on in this castle. I have only lived here for a little bit more than three days and it all ready feels like I have been with them forever..." Kagome replied, deciding to elaborate more when Shippo's confusion showed through the narrowing of his eyes and the wrinkling of his little nose. "It's... They're... um... more grown up things... I can't really explain it better than that," she told him furthermore, hoping that he would not ask any more questions.
"Um... ok," the kitsune replied, sensing the slight tension from the young woman who was holding him. "Can we eat now? I'm hungry..."
"Sure," Kagome replied and started to busy herself with preparing the fox boy's food.
That's just about all the noise that I'm going to take, Inuyasha grumbled to himself. He had heard everything that had gone on in the hall from Kagome greeting Miroku to the small mini-fight that happened between the two tense individuals named Sango and Miroku. Feeling slightly antsy, he decided that he would stretch his legs a bit and go on a quick run around the grounds.
He exited his room, pulling the rag that he used as a substitute mask over his head, and trekked down the dark corridor and sniffed the air, finding Miroku's masculine scent emerging from the study. He sighed, wondering why the young man was spending so much time in there as of late. He looked down the hall perpendicular to the one that he was stationed in, noting that Sango had been there a short time ago and had stomped off to the bathhouse. And Kagome... Kagome and the fox brat had gone off to the kitchen...
Damn it... If only she were alone, he thought, mentally booting himself upside the head. Why the hell would I want to be alone with her? He questioned himself, knowing the answer. He groaned. This was inevitable. And he was being an immature fool and not facing his feelings.
What do I do? He raged inwardly. Suddenly, an uncharacteristic idea slapped against him like a wet, wriggling fish. He swallowed, unsure if what he was thinking was a good idea to execute or not. He growled and smacked his hand against his forehead and took in a deep inhale of breath, forcing his chest to bust out. I will not hide in the shadows any longer. If I'm to get Kagome used to my presence... I have to spend time with her... He thought in dismissal and began his walk to the kitchen.
"Slow down Shippo-chan or you'll get some food down your wind pipe," Kagome giggled as she ran her fingers through the kitsune's silky, fiery red hair. The little demon boy only grunted lightly in compliance and did slow his pace but was still eating with a vigor that the young woman was pleased to see. This side of the happy, carefree little youkai was an improvement from the devastated and horrified condition that he had been in the day previous.
Kagome sighed, her eyes drifting to the rafters in the floor above her. She began to ponder the occurrence that had happened between Sango and Miroku, trying to come up with possible answers until her attention was distracted by the opening of the kitchen door. She turned to see Inuyasha standing stiffly with the rag draped over his face. A blush came to her cheeks when she thought of the interaction that she had had with him the night before but quickly squashed it down when he started to draw nearer.
Shippo had long dropped the food that he had been wolfing down and had taken refuge in the young woman's arms, his form trembling slightly from fear. He dug his face into Kagome's chest and felt her arms come around him in a reassuring manner as she patted his back softly.
The vibrating kit in Kagome's arms averted Inuyasha's gaze and he sighed, in guilty conscience, to spite himself. He scratched one of his ears for lack of anything to do as he felt the anxiety flood through his chest again. And I worked up the gull to come here to... He thought angrily before his amber eyes shot to Kagome's shy, serene face.
"Good morning, Inuyasha-sama. Did you come in here for breakfast?" She asked him, seeing how goaded he was looking. He doesn't have to be so nervous around me. I'm not going to bite him... I should be thinking fearful things of him, not the other way around, the young woman told herself, feeling slightly at a loss. She was hoping his demeanor would have been a bit more relaxed because it helped her to keep her composure as well. And he's wearing that dirty, old rag too. He must really be feeling uncomfortable, she finished, shifting Shippo in her arms.
Inuyasha's mouth went dry for a moment before he cleared his throat, feeling an answer come to him as he moistened his lips with his tongue. "No, I..." he started, realizing how foolish and bashful he was sounding. He cleared his throat and started again. "I want you to do something with me. I want us to walk or go in the garden," he told her flatly, seeing that the only way he was going to be able to express his idea was through a command or order. Kagome looked a bit shocked and slightly offended at his brisk and brittle tone he was using but shrugged it off.
"Um, all right. When?" The young woman questioned him. Shippo had stopped shivering in her arms and was now staring in wonder and intent upon the Lord of the castle.
"Now," He spat at her and turned to go. "We're leaving," he added, gesturing to the door. Kagome followed him a few steps but then faltered and realized that she had other things to deal with first.
"Inuyasha-sama, can we plan something later on? I have a few matters I need to take care of now," Kagome told him in a calm voice, hoping that he would understand. He was, after all, asking her on such short notice. Unfortunately, she had forgotten that he wasn't very understanding or patient...
The hanyou Prince whirled around and looked at her crossly for a moment. "What do you mean, 'other matters'. You're coming with me. You said you would," He pressed, slamming his arms over his strong chest defiantly.
"I never said I would. I merely asked you when, Lord Inuyasha," Kagome fired back, her temper rising to the occasion. "Anyways. At the current time, now that Shippo has finished eating, I'm going to the bathhouse where Sango-chan is waiting to talk to me and then I will find Miroku-sama and speak with him," she informed him in a perturbed voice.
Letting out a spoiled and rather exasperated sound, Inuyasha realized that yet again that he had caused another argument and that he could not force Kagome to do what he wanted. He clenched his teeth and dropped his arms to his sides, his hands balling into fists in his fury. "Very well," he forced out, his voice blazing with intense malice. "Forget about it," he barked over his shoulder as he slammed the door to the kitchen closed with a sound 'BANG'.
Shippo flinched and shook his head. "He's cranky, Kagome-kasan. Why do you talk to him?" the little boy asked her as they exited the kitchen. The young woman sighed and hung her head in defeat, feeling very disappointed. He hasn't changed. I thought that he would still have been as sweet and understanding as last night... But I was wrong, she thought as a tear slid down her cheek.
"Shippo-chan, go and keep Miroku-sama company in the study. I am going to the bathhouse," she told him, her voice thick with her emotion as she suppressed her tears of frustration. Smelling the sickly salt that was filling in Kagome's chocolate eyes, Shippo nodded obediently and trotted off to the study like she had asked him.
As she walked to the bathhouse, the young woman couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Her hand rose to her mouth to muffle her soft wails as thick, large tears splashed down her ruddy cheeks. From his room, Inuyasha's eyes softened and his heart contracted with every sob that she let forth as she leaned against the door, his head dropping in regret.
"Oh! Kagome-chan!" Sango exclaimed as she saw her good friend enter the bathhouse. She noticed the trudge in the young woman's step and the puffiness of her eyes as she walked closer and her brow scrunched together in thought. "What is it?" she asked as Kagome slid out of her clothes and into the water.
"It's nothing. It is just pent up frustration," the guest in the castle replied, splashing some of the warm water on her face, sighing as she did so. "I really needed this," she added, sagging against the side of the tub. Silence lapsed between the two young women as they soaked in the depths of the soothing water, neither saying anything for a time before Kagome had to know what had happened earlier.
"Sango-chan?" Kagome asked, her eyes shifting to her friend was wiggling her toes outside of the water.
"Hm?"
"You love Miroku-sama, don't you?" she questioned, hoping that her question wasn't too forward. Sango's cheeks flushed but she nodded bashfully, a slightly depressed look hovering onto her lovely face. "I'm sure he loves you too," she added but continued by saying, "so what seems to be the problem?"
"He loves my body, Kagome. Not me," Sango sighed, leaning her head back as she closed her eyes. She tilted her head up again to see Kagome looking a bit puzzled and decided to tell her more. "When he looks into my eyes, I see passion, lust, adoration... but not love or respect. He sees my breasts and my womanhood... and that is all. I know it is all for when he kisses me... I... I know it is practiced and his emotions are not sincere," Sango finished, her eyes softening and becoming very melancholy.
"Sango-chan..." Kagome whispered, not knowing what else to say. What could you say to a friend who was hopelessly in love with a good man who did not have the right intentions towards her.
"If he beds me once, he will believe he owns me and then he will spend his lust and desires on me until he cannot breath. I know this... and then... he will find another woman and-"The young woman trailed off, with tears in her eyes. She wiped them before they could leave her eyes and she bit down ####### her lower lip. "I'm sorry Kagome-chan... I'm so afraid that another woman will come and he will be unfaithful... I would die... I want to be respected, Kagome-chan. I want him to be loyal and true to me and me only..." she broke off in a sob and buried her face in her hands.
Kagome waded over to her best friend and encircled her arms around her and held her friend close, empathizing with Sango's situation. "Sango-chan... I would feel the same way if I were you. I would want a man's respect also," she thought, an image of Inuyasha glaring at her forming her mind but she dashed it away. "I do not know what else I can do for you but speak to Miroku-sama about his actions." Sango's face lifted from her hands in horror.
"No! Oh please, no Kagome-chan! You needn't get involve in this-"She started to splutter in embarrassment and needless worry but the other young woman pressed a warm hand to her lips, ceasing the flow of words.
"Sango-chan, I will not be going anywhere for a great while. I will speak to Miroku-sama and if he does not at least try to be a better man for your sake, then he does not deserve you," Kagome finished, a soft smile coming to her lips. Sango let out a sigh and sniffled, leaning her head on Kagome's shoulder.
"I hope you are right," the depressed young woman, who was feeling more comforted now that Kagome had spoken with her, breathed and closed her eyes for a few moments, reveling in the safeness of her good's friends arms.
"She... She said that?" Miroku asked, his face white as he raked a hand through his hair. "I know she thinks I am an unfaithful lecher and that she cares for me but..." he sighed and shook his head, resting his head in his hands, feeling guilt swarming around in his insides.
"Miroku-sama," Kagome told him gently, patting him on the back. "She loves you and I am sure that you care a very great deal about her."
"Yes, she is a good woman," he told the young woman honestly, raising his head so that he could look into her face. "Almost too good. I... She is out of my standards... Why I believe that I can give her what she needs, I don't know..."
"You can give her what she needs, Miroku-sama, even if it takes a little changing on your part," Kagome told him, giggling a little bit. "For instance. You could respect her behind and her chest regions for starters. And, you could start forming a solid friendship with her rather than a relationship that is based on carnal desires," she added, seeing a spark of hope shine in his eyes.
"I... I never thought of it that way before," The young man told Kagome, sitting up now. "And... I could earn her trust as well, couldn't I..." He continued, thinking aloud, stroking his chin. Kagome clapped and let out a happy sound.
"See? It's not so hard is it?" She asked him as she stood up and straightened her clothes a bit.
"Hm... Perhaps I should go think of some common topics on which I should converse with her about. Would weather be a good choice?" He asked her, standing as well, taking her hands as they started to leap up and down a little bit.
"Whatever you think would work, Miroku-sama," Kagome replied, and let go of his hands and spun around, flopping onto a sofa in dizziness. She looked up to see the young man over her smiling.
"Thank you, Kagome-sama. You have done so much for me all ready," Miroku told her, mirth and good humor in his voice. "Farewell, I have some business to attend to now," he told her and started to stroll towards the exit of the study.
"Oh, and Miroku-sama," Kagome added, watching as he turned for a moment. "Keep it original and keep it not-lecherous," she finished, laughing at him when he let out a sarcastic sigh and claimed she was taking all the fun out of the whole 'conversational friendship' time.
As Miroku left the study, Kagome felt somewhat lighter at heart. I am available now... maybe I should go and see Inuyasha-sama since he said that he wanted to do something, she thought as she left the study as well and looked around for Shippo. She called his name, wondering where he could have gone because she had placed him out in the hall. She started to search the castle but had no avail at all. Is he outside? She wondered, and started to go towards the door to the outside.
Inuyasha's heart began to pulse in his chest as he felt something animalistic rise from his gut. He needed to take his serum and he needed to get to it quick. Feeling his face start to burn, he pulled his door open swiftly as his vision started to blur red. He blinked and his site returned to normal but he lengthened his strides to get to the outside.
"Shippo-chan?" Kagome called, searching around until she had found him. Feeling relief for a brief moment, she jogged lightly over to where her surrogate son was sitting on a small pedestal, holding something tubular in his hand. Her eyes widened when she realized what it was. "Shippo-chan! Put that back! What are you doing?" she exclaimed, trying to grab the vial from the child's hand but he evaded.
"But it's a pretty container, Kaa-san. Can I keep it?" the kit asked before he was startled by a figure that was slightly hunched over landing directly behind Kagome. The young woman gasped and stumbled forward a step before she turned to see Inuyasha growling behind her.
"What the hell are you doing with that?" he demanded, his eyes bleeding crimson. Kagome's breath quickened as she turned to Shippo and was about to ask for the vial but her action was stopped when the Lord of the castle bounded towards the fox boy. Being exceedingly frightened of Inuyasha and at the speed of which he was advancing towards him, in his haste, Shippo dropped the vial and it plummeted towards the ground.
Down and down the tube fell, almost in slow motion as Kagome perceived it. She winced when the tube shattered against the cement bottom of the pedestal that it had been seated on and wanted to hide when Inuyasha's face was aghast and completely and utterly furious!
Feeling his demon blood course through his veins at a quicker pace, Inuyasha lost all control and whipped his arm around, smashing the pedestal into pieces. He felt a trickle of blood dripping from some cuts that he had gotten from his sudden, rash action but ignored them as he advanced towards the cowering fox child. That brat had gotten in his way many times and this time... This time Inuyasha wasn't going to let him LIVE!
"I'm going to KILL you!" The hanyou who was rapidly transforming roared, ripping the cloth that shielded the now burning scars on his visage, revealing his putrid mass of face. Shippo let out a cry of sheer terror and was too frightened to move as Inuyasha stalked towards him, drooling, his eyes filled with bloodlust.
Kagome, terrified as well, leapt on top of Shippo just as Inuyasha had swung his arm to strike the kitsune boy. The hanyou, who was raging, had managed to stop himself but let out a roar of fury as he pierced the ground beside her. "Stop, Inuyasha!" she cried, hoping that he could hear her.
"He... He destroyed my SERUM!" The angry beast barked, snarling and baring his fangs towards her. Kagome cowered back but realized that his sanity was still in tact.
"He's only a child! He didn't know!" she cried, leaping to Shippo's defense, hoping to gather Inuyasha's scattered rationale. It did not work like she'd hoped for he jumped over her and tried to attack Shippo before she could whirl around. Kagome threw herself over Shippo again and Inuyasha could not stop the blow this time. His sharp claws tore through the flesh of her left shoulder and she screamed in pain, crumpling in a heap at his feet.
"KAGOME-KASAN!" Shippo wailed, not knowing what to do as his surrogate mother's blood flowed from her shoulder.
Inuyasha perceived Kagome's distressed and agonizing cry and he felt warm, fresh blood on his claws. What is going on? What's happening? He wondered, his thoughts becoming fuzzy as he sniffed his claws, retracting in a realization at what he had just done. Why do I recognize this flesh and blood and why do I feel... like I hate myself for being smothered in it?
"Inuyasha!" Miroku cried, bursting out the door to see the awful site of a transformed and out of control Inuyasha and a bleed Kagome. "Oh no... I'm too late! SANGO!" The young man roared, hoping that she could hear him as he went and tried to restrain the beast that was currently at war with himself.
Kagome bit back her sobs as she felt uncontrollable fear build inside her as her blood ran down her shoulder and over her chest. She clasped her hand to the wound and stared in horror at the beast that had been Inuyasha. He had struck her... and she was bleeding terribly because of it. She wanted to vomit at the smell of her coppery blood but found that she could not.
I'm so frightened and I can't control it... I have to get away from him! The young woman thought, tears flooding down her cheeks. She had been frightened when she had seen his first transformation... but now her thoughts were confirmed. I know I said I wouldn't leave... but I have to now! I can't stay here! I'm too scared! I want to go home! She let out a wail and leapt up from the ground, her hand still clutching her bleeding shoulder as she ran into the forest that was across the field. Shippo went to follow her but instinct told him that he couldn't follow her.
"KAGOME!" Miroku roared after her, feeling helpless as he watched her go. This was all too much for her... he thought, shaking his. Sango rushed out the door and saw Kagome's retreating form in the distance.
"KAGOME-CHAN!" Sango shrieked after her best and started to tear after her but Miroku told her to stop. "Why? What do you mean? She could be killed out there!" she exclaimed, anger and worry evident in her voice.
"Help me knock him out for a moment!" Miroku snapped towards Sango in temperance as he fought to strangle the hanyou a bit. Inuyasha wheezed and clawed at the air as his oxygen was slowly released from his lungs and he sagged in a heap on the ground. "Shippo," the young man barked down to the kitsune. "Is there any of the serum left? Can we salvage ANY of it?" he demanded, watching as the demon child jumped at his brisk tone.
Shippo crawled to where the vial had shattered and he nodded. "The whole bottle wasn't broken. There's still some left!" he answered quickly, handing the last inch of the vial bottom that held about seven or eight drops collected in the bottom, minding the jagged top. Miroku snatched it from the child's grasp and dumped the last of the elixir down the unconscious Inuyasha's throat and began to see some of it take effect. The hanyou's claws shrunk slightly but where still elongated and his breathing grew more regular.
"That should be enough to keep him partially sane until tomorrow," Miroku said to Sango who was still looking worriedly towards the forest that Kagome had disappeared into. Miroku then started to rouse Inuyasha whose eyes flitted open. They were a mix of amber and red but they seemed to perceive things clearly.
Inuyasha's nose twitched when he smelled Kagome's blood on his claws and he gasped, his body whirling around when he found that her scent was trailing into the forest. He gulped, leapt up and took off, trailing her scent, feeling guilt in his chest as he fought past the animalistic rushes he was still having.
"I don't think she will return here," Miroku told Sango, his voice quiet. Sango bowed her head and shook it remorsefully. "It would probably be best if she did not return. She will only find that Inuyasha is incapable of opening up to her or caring about her..." he finished, rubbing his hands together nervously. Shippo crawled over and started to cry in Sango's lap and she patted his back softly.
"No, Miroku..." Sango told him, her eyes meeting his. "If he is incapable of caring about her... then why has he gone after her?" she asked him, seeing that he could not reply. "She is starting to soften him and I don't believe he really minds," she added, sighing as she pulled Shippo into her arms.
Shivering from blood loss, Kagome continued to run on until knees buckled beneath her and she rolled to a stop on the cold ground. She couldn't stop the tears of fear and anguish but she did pause for a moment when she heard rustling and whispering in the bushes. Oh no... Youkai! She thought fretfully as she tried to get up but found she didn't have the strength or the will power at the present moment.
Out from the bushes, a blur leapt out and landed before her with a divine grace. Kagome let out a mute sound of surprise as she looked up to see a man as tall as Inuyasha standing before her with eyes of cerulean and a dark bushy tail protruding from his hindquarters. "Well, well, well," he chuckled, his voice husky and deep with amusement. "What a delectable woman we have here," He bent down and got a closer look at her, and reached out to touch her shoulder but she cried out and struggled to move away from him.
"Oh! She's feisty, Koga! How are you going to eat'er?" Another voice chimed in as a second youkai leapt from the bushes, his eyes settling on her hungrily. The man, who was kneeling before her, 'Koga', scoffed and stood again.
"I'm not gonna eat her, you idiot. She's not fat enough," Koga spat at the other youkai and Kagome squirmed in embarrassment and pain. Their eyes were distracted towards her and they knelt down near her again. "And look at her... Her face is too pretty to eat, don't you think?"
"Well..." the youkai named Koga's companion shrugged and nodded after a short time. "I still think that we should eat'er but if you're gonna stare at her-"
Kagome let out a groan as she tried to sit up but then collapsed again as her hand fell from her shoulder and fell to the ground. She started to again weep in pain and clutched the grass with her free hand. Koga and his friend's eyes widened as they realized that the tiny human woman before them was crying.
"K-Koga? W-what do we do now? She's... bawling!" The youkai exclaimed as she struggled back a few steps. "We should go... Yes! Let's go, Koga!"
"What're you talkin' about? She needs to be taken care of. She'll come with us," Koga decided and went to pick Kagome up. She was about to protest and start to scream in an obnoxious manner when the two youkai were startled by a figure who appeared.
"Put her down," the voice commanded and Kagome was both relieved and feeling frightened at hearing it. Inuyasha had come. She turned her head to the best of her ability, her vision now slightly hazy as she looked up to see him standing there, looking not pleased.
"Who the hell are you?" Koga demanded, looking to see that his comrade was getting ready to flee.
"That... That's the cursed prince, Koga! The one that transforms!" The youkai stuttered as he cried and broke off in a run, following his instincts. Koga soon realized what his friend was telling him about and followed in suit, not taking a second glance backwards.
Inuyasha growled after the two fleeing wolf youkai and knelt down next to Kagome, feeling awful and guiltier than he had ever felt before. "Kagome..." he said softly, his voice humble and weak.
Kagome trembled at the sound of his voice and turned her face away so that she couldn't look at him. Please leave me alone, she thought as she stifled a sob. She heard the hanyou sigh and heard the rustle of leaves next to her. She decided that she would spare a look at Inuyasha and saw that his face was deeply sullen and emotional, through all of the scars. And... for a moment, she saw through the scars... almost like they were not there. She saw a young man who was deeply sorry for what he had done. He had come to save her from the dangers of the forest after she had run away to be through with him and the curse.
"Kagome... I... I'm sorry..." he rasped, and closed his eyes. He stood and sighed deeply, and it sounded like it was coming from the depths of his being. He opened his deep amber eyes and the young woman saw remorse and deep feeling in his eyes. He meant every word. "You don't have to keep your promise... not anymore..." he finished, and with a heavy heart, turned to leave, knowing that Kagome was probably the best thing that had ever happened to him, even if she did not care about him.
Kagome's tears came to a stop as she saw him trudge away and the fear that she had been holding left her. He was truly regretful and... he was being understanding. And you are letting me go? She asked herself, feeling slightly confused yet... carefree all the same. "I... Inuyasha," she called after him, her voice small from the pain in her shoulder. "I... I want to..." she told him as he came closer. "Take me back home..."
"Your home?" he asked, his voice deeply emotional as he bent to pick her up. He should have expected this, he lifted her cradle style into his arms, holding her gently against his body, minding her shoulder as she began to walk the opposite way from which he had come.
Kagome could not see much from the blurriness of her vision but she knew that Inuyasha was not going back to the castle. "Inuyasha," she slurred, trying to look into his face. "Aren't you going the wrong way?"
"No, there's a human village a hundred miles this way," he told her curtly, his voice ornery.
"I didn't say I wanted to go to the village. I said I wanted to go home... to the castle," she told him, her voice tired as she sent him a weak smile. Inuyasha's heart thundered in his chest at her kind look and at the amazing words she had spoken, as he could not fight the blush that crawled up his cheeks. With a tentative hand, Kagome reached up and stroked the cursed hanyou's face, being gentle about the scars, feeling him pull away in slight discomfort.
"Doesn't it... frighten you?" He asked her as he started to make his way back to the castle in a gentle trip so he wouldn't disturb her shoulder.
"Does what frighten me?" Kagome asked hazily, as she continued to touch his face softly, realizing that the texture of his face, even with the scars, was rather soft and warm.
"My face... the scars," he elaborated, pulling her tighter against his chest, liking the feeling of her soft body against his own, as he concentrated on giving a comfortable ride back to the castle.
"No..." she answered him, her hand falling into lap as she felt very weak and tired as blackness started to consume her vision. "I don't see the scars... anymore..." she added before unconsciousness took hold over her.
Writer's Corner:
I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry about the late update! I'm have been extremely busy and here is my schedule.
Monday-Friday: school and then Marching band and then homework. Blech!
Saturday: Competition day for Marching Band and it's ALL DAY!
Sunday: Volleyball camp! WOOOO! That's how it's going to be for another ten weeks too, folks!
So, what I've decided is, I'm going to make my chapters exceedingly longer because I can't update as often. Expect a chapter every 2 or 3 weeks at the least. See, this chapter right here, is for the record, the longest chapter I have ever written, scoring at 18 ½ pages and containing 8,461 words. Yes. I worked hard guys! And I apologize about my late updatences (Ha! I invented a new word!). I will make these chapters worthwhile so wait patiently and if you want, you can email me to see how the chapter status is coming in completion.
Thank you and review like always!
Luv
RayJay