He asked himself for the dozenth time why they were walking the way back to the hotel when a train would've been faster. This was sure cheaper, but he was paying the price by more exercise than when practicing Kempo.
She didn't say one word as they left the area they spent at least two hours in. It unnerved him a little at the utter even, emotionless, totally Kikyou-like look on her face. She seemed to not care that Kagome's entire world was turned upside down, but he knew better. This was all Kalie and no Kalie / Kagome mix right here.
This was the girl who seeped in her emotions instead of letting them known to the world.
He could understand her reasoning for keeping so quiet. An outburst in the middle of public was not a good idea. He wondered if that's why she bit out she wanted to trek back. Maybe she needed the walk to burn some anger.
Walking turned out to be a mildly good idea. At least it gave her legs something to do when she badly wanted to pace in the library in agitation. The hands jammed into her jeans saved from being painful fists by sticking thumbs through the belt loops. Nails dug into her skin, but the brisk pace she set for them kept a small lid on the overflow of so many bad emotions.
Her mind was oddly blank except for two things. Higurashi En and Higurashi Kyojaku. Brown narrowed on the sidewalk in a near death glare.
What would they be like? Their names oddly fit for what she knew of them so far by reading the interviews. She tried to picture their faces but couldn't. It would've been simpler to have a mental idea to direct everything at before meeting them.
It would make despising them easier.
It was mildly amusing that Kagome didn't really hold grudges, stay angry long, or truly hate much - besides Naraku. This was mostly her with Kagome's surprise, disbelief, and sadness mixed in. She would hate for the poor half of her soul because it seemed unable to since Kikyou took that when they split.
It was not a good idea to visit the pair, even though looking them up in the phone book would be effortless. Part of her wanted to do so today and get it over with, but she was so disgusted she didn't want to look at her great nephew and niece. Thinking about what she would try to say without bitching them out or talking spitefully only made her angry all over again.
Her stomach growled for food, but she cruelly ignored it. Now was not the time for anything in her body to go awry or start making its presence known, since she was more apt to be mean and let it affect her - it would be one nice distraction from anger at least.
She didn't care if the walls of her gut started dining on themselves before they got back or if it pained her; she craved the anger radiating from her with an aura all its own. Some small part of her mind - Kagome's rational maybe? - whispered that she was acting a little too much like Kikyou in holding onto her anger, but she turned a deaf ear to that.
He kept watching her out of the corner of his eye. The explosion when she got a chance was going to be huge. He expected either tears, screaming, both, physical and / or verbal violence. She surely wasn't taking this very good, even if it had nothing to do with Kalie specifically. Maybe he would get lucky and she would silently fume for a while before Kagome would take over and maybe whisper it was in the past and there was no making up for it.
That was, unless this WAS Kagome's doing.
He felt Inuyasha's panic and subdueness kick in and fought it. Now was a good time to be fully Inaki and act more caring than his counterpart. It was an eerie, uneasy feeling he kept getting from Inuyasha; like a cold finger slowly rubbing its way up his spine and making his skin bump.
He waved to the front desk clerk that called out a hello as they entered. He gave a smile to offset the girl and keep eyes off of K's behavior. Words of concern might just set her off and he really WOULD be fearful if that was the case!
He kept a subtle, watchful eye on her in the elevator. She still didn't say a word and he was anxious to say something. But it was like risking petting a dog you knew could and WOULD bite you at any second.
'Nice analogy.' He resisted a smirk.
She seemed a little more passive though. He hoped being in surroundings that were her home away from home for a time would screw with whatever was going on in her head and dislodge some of it.
She was the one to open the door to their room and close it. She didn't bang it like he expected. He still didn't know what to do or say - some comfort and voice of reason HE was - so dumbly watched her walk around zabuton recently added to sit on a low eating table like what his family had and stare out the window.
The silence was going to start getting annoying and the buzzing in his ears from it was grating his nerves. Her actions were affecting him a little and he couldn't have that. He needed to keep a level head. He stared at long, Kagome-like tresses for what seemed an eternity before commands to move his legs kicked in and he walked to see her and hopefully jog her from this.
He blinked at the slight furrow to her brow; the redness of her eyes; the tears streaming that came faster than he ever saw anyone cry. He slowly kneeled, body attuned to any shift she'd make. He remained inches away, brown keeping avid watch of her face, resolved to touch her when she needed it. He didn't want to force anything and make her think something not needed, so she had to make the first move.
She stared at nothing, gaze fixed on some point from open shoji. The chill did nothing to her skin; she couldn't feel it right now...even with the emotions swirling inside. She could see him in her peripheral vision, but this seemed like the same time when she told him about her family after much mental berating. It seemed so long ago that she acted so secretive to Inaki, but time rewound itself and placed different instances for her to suffer through.
It took all of one second after butt made contact with table - she could care less if she was sitting on their dining furniture - and a simple question of why for the waterworks to start.
Why...why would the latest Higurashi do such a disgraceful thing; why couldn't Souta have willed the shrine to his children; why was her house torn down...
Why did Souta have to die?
She didn't have the mental energy to calculate his age, nor could she remember the exact month he was born. She knew how many years younger he was than Kagome, but couldn't take much more right now.
'I wish...I could've seen him once more. Even as an old man with bad hearing and sight. Maybe he would've known it was me without needing to tell. It's not fair - Kagome didn't even get to see Souta for weeks when she was in the Sengoku.' Her brow creased a little further, division between halves blurring. 'I...didn't even get to say goodbye...'
That did it. She slouched over, features crumpling, hands covering face. Unconsciously, she leaned to Inaki and was thankful when arms wound around her as she lost the will to remain upright.
He gingerly pulled her off the top and onto his lap, letting her curl against him and bury her face in his neck. Her sobs ate at his heart, pitiful rambling stoking Inuyasha's need for vengeance.
A hand rose and stroked through hair. He didn't say a word when her fist rose and beat on his thigh in frustration, still verbally venting. He knew a bruise would form later, but it was forgivable.
He was amazed after some time she was still crying with the same intensity as she started. Was it possible for one person to have this many tears; this much heartache? She held it in more than he thought and more successful than he ever could with anything of this magnitude. He respected her for everything she did and didn't do since they left the library now. The trials of her predicament were harder on her than he thought.
It seemed someone opened up a Pandora's Box of despair that was also the proverbial black hole. There was only so much horror one person could take before it burst at the seams. Coming now seemed like the worst idea in the world if THIS was what Kagome needed her to see.
'Why did the shikon put us so far into the future? If I had to feel this from Kagome's emotions, I would've rather not known. Why did I suggest coming? I knew nothing would be the same...but I also didn't know it would be this different. Midoriko-sama...why...why did you take away everything I ever loved??'
Though the shikon's magic was now dispersed, somewhere deep in her own conscious produced an answer as if Midoriko was trying to say it herself.
Watery eyes peeked open as the full impact of it washed over her. 'I'm not Kagome anymore. I'm Kalie Himmen. I'm no more Kagome or Kikyou than Kagome was Kikyou, or Kikyou is myself. It's not right for me to abandon my entire life for my reincarnate because she didn't live as long as Souta. She lived a full life regardless of age and didn't try to fight to stay alive, even with a serious wound.'
It was easy to forget who she really was at times with the blending of souls. She was one person with two extra sets of emotions and memories besides her own. With all the excitement and knowledge of Kagome as a person, she often lost herself in that persona since she figured it better than herself.
There wasn't an easy explanation without delving into the philosophical and depth of unknown after death. Kagome was her emotional twin - a living entity and essentially her, but still different. Kagome was alive in her head, simply lacking a separate body, so it seemed right to call her a twin. After all, what are most twins but one egg divided from itself in the womb? Same looks, same voice, even same thoughts in theory, but different personalities.
Knowing this and reiterating it helped to distance her from the issue of Kagome's life. This was why she needed to do this trip and see so many painful things. 'So I can finally live my own life...'
He stared at the crown of her head when shoulders stopped heaving, ramblings quieted, and tears appeared abated. He waited with somewhat held breath, pondering what she'd do next. Was it time for her to blow up or was she asleep? He speared the wall a dry glance at that, but shrugged it off. She needed rest anyway.
She slowly shifted and met his eyes, a hand inching up to wipe her face. She imagined she was quite the mess right now. Brown stared at brown for what seemed forever before she gently scooted away and stood.
He startled as she turned her back to him. "Where are you going?" He shot to his feet and took a step in preparation to follow.
"To blow my nose and wash my face." She quietly answered, heading for the very tiny toilet room. She pulled the door back and flicked the wall light on. "I imagine I don't look very good right now. Oh gods I don't. Ugh."
He dumbly stood as she shut the door behind and the sound of running water met his ears. "What the fuck?" He mumbled.
Had she lost her mind??
Only moments ago, K was fiercely sobbing against him and even beating him - in a way - in her sorrow. Now she showed no emotional traces of ever crying. Her voice was steady, if not a little monotone, and her shoulders set normally.
She leaned on the little sink, careful not to break hinges connecting it to the wall, and stared at her reflection in the relatively small mirror.
"I am not you anymore." She murmured, solemnly looking at brown. "You changed my eyes and hair when we were at odds and I don't know how to change them back, but I don't blame you for that. I understand your pain, but you can't make me feel the same depth I just went through anymore. I may have your attributes and powers, but those were still mine to begin with. I just didn't know they were." She stepped back and leaned against the opposite wall, dull eyes drifting to tile. "I am not you, nor am I Kikyou. I am a byproduct of you both. I know you understand me Kagome, so please make this easy on me wherever you are. If you are still inside me somewhere, please hear my words. I will finish finding out what happened to your family, but then I am going to live my own life with Inaki. The fact that we were predestined to meet and fall in love I don't care about. He loves me for me and that's all I keep in mind."
No voice appeared in her head, no extra set of emotions reared. She was truly one person now and although she was mildly relieved at having her own life, it didn't make finding herself easier. The catch twenty-two would always go round and round in her mind. 'I will still find ways to keep myself though.'
The door finally opened and he rushed to it. "What were you doing in there? I didn't hear water run for very long. Are you okay? You should lie down for a while and get some rest. Just say the word and I'll pull out a futon for you and set it up."
A smile rose at his concern, but her head shook. "I'm not that tired, but even if I was, I don't want to sleep. I don't want to review her life right now in my dreams."
Lips closed from saying something else as he studied her features again. Something seemed to change about her and this was familiar. "Are you okay?"
She looked to the open window again, a little wistful. "I'll survive. I have so far, haven't I?"
The behavior was too Kalie-minus-Kagome-like that he moved before thinking. A hand gripped her chin and directed her to face him and answer him straight out. "You are not going to pull away from me. I won't allow it and you're not going to argue with me on this. I don't want you handling this by yourself and one good cry is not going to help you get over it all."
Brown dulled, though she didn't resist his hold. "I know that. I won't be entirely Kalie and push you away, but I can't be more Kagome than myself. I...I just got a little mixed up in who I was recently. I just thought to myself I will never be and don't want to be Kagome. Her life is too sad now." A sardonic grin crossed her face. "And here I thought SHE had the better life."
He let her go, but still held her attention. "Why do you say that? Are you saying the only reason you accepted Kagome was because of the supposed glamour of her life? YOU had a lot going for you as it was."
"You'd think that because you aren't me." She bitterly answered, sinking to the floor in cross-legged position. He followed, intently watching her. "To be born with only hate and love the fuel behind your soul - no matter who your family is - is no way to live. Kikyou had nothing and I 'inherited' that. I grew up Kalie, but it's never easy to get out of who my soul is."
"You're not going to go all Kagome on me and do the whole I'm-Kagome-not-Kikyou, are you?"
She gave a halfhearted glare. "You're not kept out of this with Inuyasha being the rest of YOUR soul. You have the same issues I do, but your life here was more solid than mine. That's why you fought him so venomously and so long. Kagome had a loving family, the rest of my emotions, a perfect love - basically everything I lacked. I thought accepting her would be what I needed, but that's not the case." She sighed and looked to tatami. "Kagome is only known to me and you. Her life and any trace of it is dead here - even the Higurashi she is related to are not like her. Now I'm the one with any kind of a family, friendship, jobs, security, love life, and dreams of the future. This trip showed me that, even if it was hard."
A hand reached out and took hers, giving a small squeeze. "So, what do you want to do now? Wasn't this mostly Kagome's unknown prodding to get you to come here? If you're resolved to be more Kalie than Kagome, do we have a reason for staying?"
She nodded, idly looking around the room and stopping at his eyes. "Yes. I need to know why and where. I want details from En and Kyojaku on why they sold the shrine and where...where the graves are. I have to see everything to be able to put it behind me. The big pieces of Kagome's life must be put to rest before I can find my own path." She suddenly grinned and took her hand back. "Sound familiar?"
He smirked very Inuyasha-like. "Just remember, you said it not me."
She snorted. "Then you know why I have to do this. It's just as painful as Inuyasha trying to get over Kikyou. The severity of the actions he took no matter what they did to him or others had to be done to move on inside."
"I understand perfectly, so we won't leave until you get some loose ends tied up." He pulled her against him, seeing as how she looked a little hunched over. "So when do you want to go visit those ungrateful little relatives of Kagome?"
Lips twitched through a yawn. She fought to keep eyes open and looked at the tokonoma. "Not now. I don't feel like it."
He twisted to look at her. A chuckle escaped. "No wonder - you're about ready to fall asleep. You never listen to me you know. Still want that futon?"
"No...you'll do..."
He snorted, head shaking. "So, when ARE we going then?" Silence answered and he twisted again. Soft, even breathing sounded and he sighed. A quick look around found him in the middle of the room with no way to scoot back and even lean against a wall without waking her. "Tomorrow it is I guess."
-------------------------------------------------
Sunlight met her eyes without mercy and they squeezed shut as she rolled over. Blindly, a hand grabbed covers and pulled them over her head.
She stayed in blissful dark and warmth, curled up and able to go back to sleep if her mind wished it enough. But something was wrong with the situation she was in and with wrinkled brows; she gradually shifted and stuck her head into the light.
When the hell did she get the futon out?!
She looked around the room and found it empty and devoid of Inaki. The toilet room was visible, so he wasn't in there.
She stared at closed shoji window until everything yesterday came back and she sunk against pillows with a sigh. So it wasn't one of Kagome's dreams coming to her as they did every night. 'Rats.' She humorouslessly snorted and sat up with a groan. A quick stretch, back scratch, and yawn before she stood and yelped at the chill of tatami. For a second, the covers looked real inviting, but the mystery of Inaki's whereabouts was more pressing.
"He better not have gone out to eat without me." She grumbled, finger combing her hair to some semblance of normal.
Would he be in the furo? It was likely, but she didn't see any of his stuff disturbed. Wandering the halls didn't sound as fun with her stomach nearly empty from ignoring it yesterday and skipping dinner. She had no desire right now to go traipsing around the vicinity in her pajamas, but would need a bath before putting clothes on.
She stopped short in the hall and looked to herself, eyes widening.
She was in her pajamas!
A blush stained her face and embarrassment followed. 'Why that little rat - when the hell did he take my clothes off?! I don't sleep THAT deeply.' She grumbled, vowing to take out her annoyance on the person responsible, even if it was incredibly nice of him. Undressing her and dressing her in sleepwear, setting the futon up and putting her in it...all without one hentai thought.
She frowned, all but sulking as arms crossed when she continued on. 'I just HAD to miss out on an opportunity like that. Damn it...it would've been nice to wake up to him feeling me up.'
As brazen and odd as that statement was, it was true. Sex with Inaki was better than almost anything she could think of and she definitely would lie to herself to think she didn't want it whenever a chance presented itself. Not to mention Inaki doing all that was extremely romantic and most frustration and irritation evaporated at that notion.
She smiled and headed for the front desk area in hopes that someone would've noticed her wayward boyfriend somewhere. It was kind of hard to miss someone with as long and gorgeous of hair that Inaki possessed. No way would he do a full Inaki and put it in a braid anymore - Inuyasha's influence wasn't to the point of Kagome's, but it was still there.
He looked SO much better with his hair wild like human Inuyasha's used to be and her insides quaked on a normal basis when he directed a certain look her way...hair falling just so over his back...
Her head quickly swished to dislodge those kinds of thoughts. They were a long way before this trip could be for fun yet. Besides, she just had sex with him a few nights ago! 'Gods, who's the Miroku-sama wannabe here??'
When she inquired about his location, or if he was even in the lobby recently, she only got a pointed finger. Following its general direction found that beautiful head of hair and she gave a quick bow of thanks before heading to it. Why Inaki was sitting outside on a cold morning like this was beyond her, since it looked like it was going to rain - no wait, snow - anytime now. It was cold enough for it, or enough to make everything an icy mess at least.
She smiled and tried to pull the doors open as quietly as possible. It would be good enough to put off visiting the Higurashi family for a little longer if she got to play in snow. That would be the highlight of the trip so far and a blessed happiness amongst melancholy.
It was amazing he hadn't heard her yet, or just figuring she was some random customer, as she softly padded right behind him. She looked to the morning sun, finding it at the tale end of a sunrise and admired the view for a second.
Brown finally looked to the top of pitch, resisting to ruffle his hair in adoration. "You know, I now give you more credit than I normally did."
He jumped and whirled around, nearly knocking her over with an errant arm. "I thought you were asleep! What're you doing up so early??"
A brow rose. "What do you mean? I've probably been asleep for over ten hours by now. Besides, the sun woke me up again. I didn't see you so I went on a hunt." Foot lightly nudged him for making her search. "Thanks for the exercise by the way, but what're you doing outside? You'll get sick and that's ALL we need."
He snorted and stood, brushing his rear off. She noted he was still in pajamas too and momentarily pouted that she missed him changing. 'Damn it Unsei-sama! You're against me here, aren't you?'
"I'm fine; getting sick in cold weather is an old wife's tale anyway." He stepped around for the door and held it open. "Why don't you go get a bath and we can get some breakfast." He spied a clock on the wall and smirked. "Or maybe lunch by the time you get done."
"Hey!" She slapped arm and gave a quick look to the outside when something tickled her aura in weak traces. "Picking on me when I'm not fully awake to give a good retort...hidoi!"
"Yea whatever. Get your kicks in on me later - let's get going."
"Chotto. I have a question."
"Wha - " He turned to ask, but she was no longer next to him. He blinked and waited as she talked to the desk clerk, confusion mounting when a happy look crossed his girlfriend's face. He blinked as she nearly skipped back, totally offset by such different behavior than what he expected from duties looming over them. "What was THAT all about?"
She beamed and continued to the room. "Oh...nothing much. I just wanted to know what the weather was going to do today is all."
He blinked, making to look out the front door, but they passed too far for that. "Why? You already know it's winter here and colder than Florida will ever be...what more do you need?"
She merely smiled and didn't answer, plans swirling in her head. She marveled at how her powers developed so far and what they reacted to in Kagome's old hometown. It was a given that a lot of magic used to occur in this country, but it shouldn't have saturated into the atmosphere. But who knew what could happen since the Heisei.
'Yea...' Her good mood dimmed at thought of the shrine and its replacement. 'No kidding.'
-----
She made sure to take a little extra time washing and soaking. She indulged in the heat, knowing she'd need it a bit. Childish excitement was practically making her shake in anticipation. She hoped Inaki hadn't noticed; she wanted to be the first to tell him - as silly as that sounded.
She was ecstatic to hear a pretty big snowstorm was supposed to hit within the next few hours and was warned to stay inside. She took in the warning, but still asked what stands or restaurants would be open for lunch. Of course a business wouldn't close simply because it was slow for one day.
"You know...if I weren't such a patient and nice person I would've been able to head back, get dressed, come back, and still be waiting for you to get out of there. Remind me not to take you to an onsen while we're here."
She stuck her tongue out at him and tightened the robe on the yukata. "I am not going to take responsibility for desiring a good soak in steamy hot water. Besides, there's a method to my madness."
"Then please share with the class. What're you taking so much time for?"
She smiled and smothered a giggle. "You'll see soon enough."
He shut the door to their room and gave an odd look. She was acting totally out of character for them going to see Kagome's relatives. K was not capable of distancing herself from ALL of Kagome's emotions, as was indication of that yesterday. She was too acquainted with them and they were too incorporated, not to mention precious, to be discarded like this. All he could do was be left in the dark and trust her on whatever was going on in her head, since she wasn't going to share.
He pulled hair out from under sweater and made for pants. He stopped upon catching a distinct, but quiet sigh and almost growling from K. He finished zipping up jeans and turned to her. "Is there a problem?" He asked, ready to go check her forehead for fever. Delirium would explain her behavior at least.
Lips pressed together as she had the audacity to blush now that his attention was hers. It was funny that she did so now when they both stripped and got dressed in plain sight of the other.
Both grin and pout warred for dominance as she tried to stick with one mood swing. "I realized this morning you changed my clothes and stuck me in the futon while I was asleep." Arms crossed as she looked to the wall, face heating up more. "I hate it when I miss chances like that."
His lips twitched in confused amusement, but until she made perfect sense, he was still a little clueless. Sure he could theorize all he wanted, but never hypothesize a woman's thoughts.
He headed over and stopped in front of her. "Meaning?"
She grinned self-consciously, but got to admire the snugness of his sweater with him being so close. Lips pressed together as she gave him a good raking, knowing he was looking. "Do I have to explain myself? Can't you just get it from that?"
Brown rolled. Looks like she'd need a little prodding. Arms pulled her to him, fully aware she was in only a long-sleeved shirt and underwear. That did nothing to keep him from being turned on, but he forced some of it down and stuck his hand under her shirt to touch flesh. "In all my years of dating, I know that women are complicated creatures. If I try to guess your thoughts, I'll be here all day."
Hmm, being here all day didn't sound horrible. The snow was looking less and less inviting, but she could give a rat's ass about frozen water right now.
"Well...I was just thinking that I always miss...good opportunities... I just HAD to sleep through you...changing my clothes." She breathed, trying to keep her mind from collapsing.
He wolfishly grinned and nuzzled her neck. "Well you're relatively clothed now. Would you like me to rehash everything?"
A harsh swallow bobbed her throat as she seriously considered it. Her body burned already at mere mention of what he would do to her. "I - " She gasped when his hand delicately moved over her underwear and squeezed. Thoughts flew from her head as skin became hypersensitive and the thought that he was fully clothed didn't escape her.
Was it right to do this to her while she was under such obligation to her past self? She had relatives to talk to and graves to visit. Yet, she seemed pretty much okay. Maybe she really was going to be more Kalie than Kagome. It would certainly help her deal if she kept the two things separate.
So he felt no shame when fingers skipped to her front and delved between cotton. His blood boiled and finding how ready she was and it was a fight not to throw her to the floor.
She whimpered and clutched sweater, eyes closing in bliss. His fingers were sweet torture and she forgot the reason they were even getting dressed. She should've attacked him the second he disrobed from the yukata - which made him extremely sexy at the time too. How she was able to withstand THAT sight was amazing.
She attacked his lips and he returned with equal speed and hunger. He toyed with her, turning them both on and delaying the inevitable. His hand moved in a mockery of what he wanted to do, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
She pulled away and moved to suck on his neck, but part of his sweater got in the way. Utterly frustrated, she glared and reared back, gripping fabric with little thought to tearing it. "Off. Now."
He smirked, but wordlessly complied, letting the bulky object flop on the floor. Hands ran over his torso, firing his senses.
He pulled at the hem of her shirt, pulling it above her bra and bunching it near her collarbone. He freed a breast from its confines and lavished it with his tongue, getting a few gasps. His fingers continued almost separate from everything else, as needy as his own body was.
Who pulled the other to the floor was unknown. Somehow, they ended up on their knees, her rear facing him. Such a nice little posterior he always had to admire under some kind of clothing. Now given this opportunity, he entered her, hands gripping hips and watched.
A hand clasped over her mouth when she cried out, not wanting people to think she was being attacked...not in a bad way at least. She wasn't really a vixen, but it was hard not to be aggressive when he turned her on this bad.
They moved together after he raised the pace. He would've liked to look at her, but the curve of the small of her back was pretty enticing and a hand ran over it almost reverently.
This was the first time they were in this position and the angle and depth at which he took her was too much. She cried out his name, losing the battle at keeping it down, nails digging against tatami.
What was it with a girl crying out their lover's name? He found it so tantalizing and it only served to spur him on. It wasn't long before he followed her over the edge and grasped her waist to the point of leaving bruises.
It took some effort and careful maneuvering, but he managed to sit on his haunches and have her resting over him, still joined. He didn't want to disengage so shortly after, but they could not remain like that. "Now I need another bath." She mumbled, grinning.
Hands traced over mildly sweaty skin, getting a few shivers. He nipped her shoulder in annoyance. "And take too long again? Don't think so. Deal with it for today and get one tonight."
No more was said for quite some time until a sudden chill of winter temperatures reminded her exactly WHY they were getting dressed in the first place. Embarrassment rose and she mildly felt like an idiot, but it was easy to brush off in the afterglow. "A - ano...we should get dressed."
"Cold?"
Embarrassment inched up. "Actually...I wanted to go outside for a bit and...um..." Her stomach gave the barest spurts of a growl. "I'm kinda hungry."
His head dropped to her shoulder, body shaking in a laugh. "I shouldn't be surprised; you haven't eaten in over twelve hours. I'm surprised you even had enough energy for sex."
She smirked and slowly leaned away, savoring the feeling of them parting, though it made her feel empty. She turned to kiss him, trying to keep eyes off his lap. "You'd be amazed where my reserves come from."
"Is that an invitation?"
She hadn't meant that as an innuendo, but her stomach saved her from another round. She didn't have a problem going again, but the beast needed to be sated. She swatted him and grabbed his sweater to throw at him. "Not now it isn't. We've let enough time pass by so things should be okay now."
He grabbed jeans and boxers before heading to the sink to clean off a bit. "What do you mean by that?"
She took that chance to sneak a peek outside while he was distracted and brown widened. The streets were blanketed in a film of snow; how wide she didn't know, but that was enough for her.
"You'll see in a bit."
-----
"Ja jan!"
"Why didn't you tell me about this??"
"Surprise."
Brown rolled, but he smiled and carefully made his way down steps. "I see - you just wanted me to try and break my neck on this didn't you?"
She tsked and grabbed railing. "Take all the romance out of it. You're no fun." She pulled him in the direction to the station. "I know of this park that Kagome used to go to. It's city-protected so it'll still be there."
He followed and they arrived at Chuo Park after a small pit stop for lunch. By then the snow was almost four inches deep and still falling. It was going to be pretty heavy from what he heard and there wasn't enough of a wind to make it stick.
At least it was powder snow. If it was humid enough to make it stick, it would melt and be all icy.
Not to mention she would pelt him with enough snowballs to soak his clothes.
He wouldn't put K above that right now, now after looking at the enthralled expression on her face. She put the plans on hold to play in the snow, which didn't seem like her, but he could see why. Who knew if they'd be able to do this again while they were here?
They walked around for a while, taking in the area. It was like a wonderland and it seemed deserted. The distance sound of trains zooming around and the few cars daring to drive in this, though not visible by now, made it seem like the real world and this place separated with an invisible wall. The noises weren't unwelcome and added to the majesty of everything.
She could stay like this all day. It filled her heart to see this spectacle for the first time, even if her hair accumulated enough snow to soak it. She should've bought a cap instead of just earmuffs, but her head was warm enough with the mop on her head.
"It's so gorgeous. I wish we could stay like this for the rest of the day."
Arms went around her and pulled her against him. "That'd be nice, but I'm not risking frostbite."
"Che, you're no fun. Come on, Inuyasha used to be able to stand such freezing temperatures, why can't the mighty Inaki?"
"I'm not dignifying that with a response."
She giggled and took off in a jog just to hear the snow crunch underfoot. She headed off the trail, ignoring looks of the few natives who were out enjoying this. She could hear Inaki's footsteps behind as he fought to catch up but she paid him no mind.
When was the last time she acted so immaturely?
She stopped at a pond and took time to catch her breath. She turned to apologize for taking off without word and found Inaki nowhere in sight. She sighed, breath fogging. "The baka must've slipped. Why didn't he tell me? I would've stopped and helped him up." She shrugged and turned to watch snow fall on ice. He would catch up, since her prints were visible and not likely to be covered up that fast.
She was so content; there was no other way to explain it. She felt like a cd that got stuck on a scratch and kept repeating, but couldn't help it. It was SO beautiful out here...
Crunching sounded behind her and she grinned. "What the hell did you fall for? If I can keep my balance, I know YOU can. Some martial artist you - "
Inaki, wherever he was, was not here, though she wished he was. Her heart thumped and a little bit of fear entered her at the man suddenly standing in front of her. She shivered a little as the cold suddenly caught up with her...or was that foreboding? People who run off by themselves in horror movies - especially stupid females - always got raped or killed.
She could defend herself. She could run as far as she could and scream her lungs out until Inaki came. She didn't want him to fight, but maybe knowing she wasn't alone might do the trick. She took an unconscious step back and tried to think positive. Maybe the man was a native on a stroll just like she was, only alone. Or maybe his girlfriend or wife ran off like she did and he was trying to find her.
Boy what a stretch...
Teeth bit her lip as she tried not to show any emotion. He was studying her with eyes akin to curiosity and almost recognition. She blinked, a little confused. Perhaps he thought she looked like someone he knew?
'Okay, enough with the Kagome-Kikyou look-alike comments.' She inanely joked.
"Ano...sumimasen. Can I help you?" She asked, trying to be brave. She used as polite Japanese as she knew; offending a man taller and stronger-looking than her wasn't a smart thing.
The man was silent, but with her words, stepped forward as if she invited him to come closer. He still raked her over with those same emotions and with the fear wearing off; she took time to do the same...a little indignant that he would be so rude.
If he was undressing her with his eyes, she was going to sock him one, native or not!
He looked almost middle age, but there was an inner light in his eyes. She startled at how beautiful an emerald they were. Didn't Japanese normally have brown or black? Course, they could be contacts - youth in this century seemed more unruly like kids back home. 'Don't YOU sound like an obaasan now?'
She couldn't discount the hair either. The person was a redhead, even down to his eyebrows. Unless he dyed those as well, which really was no point, it wasn't a dye job. If it was, it was one damn good dye.
Teeth bit her lip for a while, taking a step back when the man kept approaching too close for her comfort. Unease rose again, bad thoughts coming back. Fists clenched as she tried to stand strong, borrowing a little of Kagome's strength. "Excuse me. Do you speak Japanese? What about English? I know a few other languages if you like, but please stop walking to me. I'm sorry, but you're making me uncomfortable and - "
She gasped as foot made connection with a patch of ice; probably from walking all the way back to the pond. She barely remembered falling, before being saved from a lump on her rear. The hand encircling her wrist was strong, but not bruising. She was steadied, still not getting one word from the stranger, before hauled into an embrace that shocked her too much to react.
There was the barest trace of a sigh over the wind. It sounded like happiness and her anger sparked. 'What the hell??' She struggled and was released almost immediately.
"What do you think you're doing?? If you think I'm that easy, you've got another thing coming!"
"Please forgive my impudence... I couldn't help myself when I found out."
She blinked, something tickling her brain. "Are? I'm sorry, but we've never met before. If I remind you of someone or look like someone you know, I'm sorry but I'm from America. This is my first time visiting Tokyo."
There was no visible response, save for a pair of soft eyes looking at her. "Sou ka? I see - you've been there all this time. What made you want to visit? You don't look Japanese."
The gaijin treatment again? It was getting a little old.
His other questions made her confused though and she couldn't hold back. "I'm here for personal reasons. I just got here two days ago."
"I thought so. It explains everything."
He seemed in his own little world and she decided enough was enough. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to go look for my boyfriend. I'll leave you now." He snatched her wrist when she passed and she instantly tensed, but he did nothing else. Silence permeated for a bit. She jerked from the hold and spun to face him. "I don't know who you are, but I WILL call the police on you. They'll take my side over yours, even if I'm gaijin."
Hands held up in defense. "Again I apologize. I just wanted to ask you for a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"Tell that baka I said hello when you find him."
Her head tilted, shoulders slumping. She was so thoroughly lost; there was no way to find her way to getting even remotely back on track. Hands clenched at wasting time with some person who obviously was a few brain cells short of sanity. She whirled around and started away, but was unable to resist the anger needing to be released. She whirled back to give him a piece of her mind and was bewildered at finding herself the only person around.
She turned in a circle, but there weren't even footprints telling of the man's exit. She looked to snow and traced those of his entrance, seeing them stop after only a few feet. That wasn't right - she heard him approach, but had to admit upon thinking back she didn't hear him until he was close enough to speak to.
What was going on??
Hands clutched at her head when it shook in confusion. She sunk to the ground, letting snow soak her jeans. 'What was that all about? Was I dreaming? Am I getting sick?' Hand touched forehead. 'No...I'm okay. Shit, I thought I was done with all these delusions!'
Was she losing her mind?? Could the stress be getting too much? It was a lot to take in just two days after all. Everything since she made the announcement to Inaki came at rapid pace.
Footsteps sounded, but the aura was familiar and she didn't bother looking around.
"Why the hell did you take off like that?? It took me forever to find you! I had to ask directions from some weirdo about where you took off. Dumb ass annoyed me and I don't know why. Not like we ever met before." He crouched down and grabbed an arm. "Are you okay? What're you doing on the ground? You'll catch cold if you let the snow melt on you anymore."
She stared at the pond, mind in mild turmoil. "I think we're done here. Let's go back to the hotel."
I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner...so if these are not 100 correct...please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page to learn from, a dictionary, and a few months experience to work with.
Translations: En-Yen/Japanese currency Kyojaku-feebleness/weakness/imbecility Tokonoma-Alcove Furo-A literal BATH room Onsen-Hot springs
Yukata-Light kimono for summer or around the house Ja jan-Ta da Chuo Park-In the Shinjuku district of Tokyo
&.& &.&The final plot is playing out. I can't believe I'm almost finished with this thing! oO; It's been a very long road, full of emotion, writer's block, ideas, responsibility, and commitment. I'm very grateful, happy, excited, and absolutely LOVE every review that has come my way - even the not-so-good ones. That makes them no less important if someone didn't exactly like something; it's their opinion and I'm glad to have it. This commentary will deal with some explanations to the most recent chapters concerning Kalie/Kags/Kikyou and Inaki/IY. Some people were getting confused so I will try and do a little more explanation than in this chapter (though I did try for reiteration). It's easy to get blur the lines, but hopefully some of this chapter will help.
A-Kagome/Kalie/Kikyou: (numbers apply for B)
1-This is pretty much review if you take out the trio and make it only Kagome and Kikyou. The way I see it, Kikyou is the original soul. Kagome is the reincarnation of Kikyou (hence their looks almost the same), but being reborn as she was, she has her own memories and emotions. When Kagome was killed, the divided soul was stuck in Kalie's body at her birth - mostly from IY's wish - and she also has her own emotions and memories, except she didn't feel all of them because she was not in full possession of the soul. I didn't purposely pick which soul got used first.
2-The whole IY/Kagome and IY/Kikyou merging is a small ponder of mine. Even though Kikyou and Kagome are the same soul, they don't have the exact physical looks. Kagome's hair is wilder, she's a little shorter (from a diagram I saw in an art book in a bookstore), not as developed (even though I think Kikyou is supposed to be older by a bit - don't quote me), her temperament is twice as fiery, and she's way more expressive/emotional. Other than the shikon, it's kind of strange that she was allowed to go back, since Kikyou hated IY upon her death. One would think the two would've realized things wouldn't have worked out the way they thought and separated. Since Kagome is a little 'rougher' version and has some of IY's personality quirks (like the temper lol), it made sense to me that their souls exchanged a bit as a beacon to guide the other back. Except, a soul is a clean slate at its birth, which is why Kagome didn't know of Kikyou's life until told and fell in love with IY all over again.
3-As for Kalie...I did give her different characteristics like eye and hair color, but she had pretty much Kagome's body and the hair was a dark enough brown that it was sometimes mistaken for black. Kalie accepted Kagome because she thought there was a better world awaiting her. The only thing Kalie got out of the deal was a full set of emotions, Kagome's memories, and resurrection of Kikyou's memories. Neither Kagome nor Kalie totally fathomed the amount of changing a hundred years brings. Sometimes it's not much, others it's a huge jump in progress - whatever it may be. This trip showed Kalie that she didn't gain as much as she thought.
B-Inaki/IY:
1-The first paragraph of the souls pretty much fits Inaki, so there isn't much to go into for him.
2-Inaki is a lot more laid back and almost opposite IY for one reason - family. I think if IY was able to grow up in the same loving environment as Inaki, he would've had some definite changes. Even being hanyou, the lack of sunshine-ness would be gone. If anyone needs a comparison...just think of IY as he was in the VERY beginning episodes as opposed to what he is in episode 160. He's twice as sociable, more amiable, etc. Even friends flipped his attitude around - imagine what his parents could've done. I also wanted a very stable life to change things around and make it more original (poor IY could use a break), plus it set the style for Inaki as it did with Kalie and gave a small glimpse into their decisions (like anyone could see THAT though lol).
3-Yes I know I gave Inaki IY's human form, but I did tweak it with the braid to throw a few people off, the hair length in the beginning, and the condition of his hair. IY's hair is really coarse and looks pretty thick, but that's just cause it's probably never met a brush. lol The main changes are personality and lifestyle, which made everyone think that I made Kags the guy and IY the woman. :) I used the human form (and stuck with it in the story's reality) to give people the biggest red flag the size of a house.
There won't be another commentary, as I envision ending it at the 75 as planned...or around that. The remainder are going to be some pretty mild twists that I think some people can see, maybe not. I AM going to do a small epilogue five years into the future to close things out, since I do have one big lose end at the last section to this chapter (any guesses who it is? ::grins:: ). I added this mystery man on the spur of the moment, but it gives the story more flavor and takes it in an ENTIRELY different direction than I thought possible. That and I had a thought of the shrine being there and Kalie going back in time to save Kagome and keep her life from ever happening, but that would've been too cheesy...and to get around that, I destroyed the shrine. XD tee hee I'll put a small thanks and whatnot at the end of the epilogue with a few final words.
Just as the sun sets on each day, so too much this story end. &.& &.&