Nights in White Satin
Chapter Eleven: Ai no Ame
Written by Sleepwalking Chicken
Written on: September 19, 2004
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After the incident with Sesshoumaru, the journey north became more tame. Several youkai attacked the group, but they were easily defeated by Inuyasha with a simple swing of his sword. His transformation had made him strong, but Kagome had a feeling that even as a hanyou he would have been able to defeat these monsters. But, as they approached the Northern side of Hokkaido, she felt a certain dread filling her again. Surely this holy mountain they had to get to would not just let a man walk up to it, take a wish and leave…
It would be guarded. That much Kagome knew. But by what? By who? Would her companion be able to defeat it? Would they be able to defeat it?
"Oi, Kagome," Inuyasha's voice flooded her senses. She blinked and looked around only to realize Inuyasha was waving a hand in front of her face.
"Huh?"
"Here." He handed her a bowl of food and Kagome stared at it, forgetting that they had set up camp and were currently eating dinner.
"Thank you," Kagome mumbled and smiled shyly at him.
"Feh," he said with a small snort and plopped down next to her, his arms drawing his legs to him as he rested his chin against his knees. His golden eyes reflected the fire that cracked and snapped in the middle of the ring the six of them had made. Kirara, in her large form, snoozed happily on the opposite side of the fire, Shippou snuggled into her warmth and Myouga somewhere on the fire cat, enjoying his own meal.
Sango, on Kagome's left, was already halfway finished with her food and lightly leaning against Miroku, in a way that it was almost impossible to tell that she was indeed doing so. Miroku, who seemed to be the one in the dark about Sango's display of affection, had his eyes closed and his arms crossed over his chest, his empty bowl sitting before him. Kagome smiled lightly at the scene; even though Miroku tried to act nonchalant about it, she knew he enjoyed having Sango close to him.
She glanced at Inuyasha, who wasn't eating his food, and frowned lightly. "Inuyasha, why aren't you eating?" Kagome asked sweetly, her blue eyes shining in concern for her companion.
Inuyasha gently shook his head. "I have no appetite tonight."
"Why not?" Kagome asked, confused with the youkai's behavior.
"I have a bad feeling," he murmured quietly so only she would hear. "Something's coming and I don't like it."
Kagome nodded, having felt the same feeling churning within her; she knew that the youkai was feeling the same thing. And if two people were feeling it… it wasn't just paranoia.
His golden eyes darted to her, their gazes locking for a brief moment and she smiled reassuringly. "It will be fine," she told him gently and finished her food. "Just try to eat."
He picked up his bowl and examined it before he started eating. He slurped the food into his mouth like he did whenever he had ramen and Kagome felt herself relaxing. Her Inuyasha was still the same as always; his body may have changed, but he still had his heart and his soul. That's all that mattered to her.
Her hand moved slowly and gently touched his hair. He paused to stare at her in surprise before returning to eating, not minding the girl's gentle caress. Her fingers ran through his hair tenderly, quietly removing any snags they met. The silky texture of his hair brought Kagome a small comfort.
After dinner and after the dishes were cleaned and stuffed back into Kagome's bulging yellow bag, the traveling party began to set up for the night. Inuyasha stayed near the fire, stoking it with an extra log so it would keep them warm through the night. The youkai didn't dare to sleep while in the wild country; he had to be on full alert in order to protect his friends. Miroku had suggested staying up some nights but the youkai had declined. They had assumed it was out of courtesy, but the real reason was that the youkai didn't trust Kagome's life in anyone else's hands but his own.
Kagome unrolled her sleeping bag and yawned quietly. Slipping off her shoes, she squeezed her way into the small bag. She darted her gaze towards Shippou and opened her arms to him. The kitsune, delighted, scurried towards her and into her open arms. Kagome pulled him into a hug and slipped further into the sleeping bag so that the kitsune would be covered and remain warm while wrapped in her arms.
Kirara mewed happily and trotted over to Sango, who was slipping into a sleeping bag Kagome had given her. Sango hugged her kitten like Kagome had Shippou and began to get ready for dreaming. Miroku positioned himself near Sango against a tree, his ability to sleep sitting up evident as his eyes closed and his whole body relaxed.
Inuyasha watched his companions fall into the realm of sleep. Positive all of them were snoozing, he inaudibly moved towards the schoolgirl and stared down at her sleeping form. He smiled gently and touched her brow, like he often did.
'Sleep well…Kagome…' he thought tenderly, 'I…lo…' He stopped his thoughts and shook his head. It was hard to admit it, even to himself. 'I'll see you in the morning,' he thought with only a hint of sadness. His eyes dropped and he leaned against a tree to the left of Miroku, starting the long night by watching his companions gently snoozing.
The only sound was the gentle breaths of his friends and he felt his head nod.
Before he could stop himself, he was asleep.
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Kagome stirred in her sleep as the birds around her started chirping. She knew that she'd gotten up earlier than normal due to the fact that the sun wasn't shinning her face, like it normally did when she got up.
She was about to go back to sleep when she heard a sniffing above her. She clenched her eyes tighter, and rolled over, trying to block the sound out. Then she felt a nose bump against the backside of her head. With a sigh she decided that Inuyasha wasn't going to let her sleep.
"Inuyasha… would it kill you to let someone sleep," she berated to her pillow and began to sit up. Turning her head she turned to face the youkai.
"You're so weird Inu… ya…" She trailed off when she realized that she was not looking at Inuyasha. She paled. "Uh…"
Blue eyes stared at her, the bright cerulean gaze a shade lighter than her eye color. She blinked rapidly as she tried to adjust to the light and tried to adjust to the fact that this wasn't Inuyasha who was sniffing her.
"Kagome." He smiled brightly.
"Kouga-Kun! What are you doing here?" Kagome asked in amazement, her eyes wide and disbelieving. Kouga was here? How? When? And why did he sniff her?
Her eyes flew towards her companions, but sadly they were still dreaming. She noted how Inuyasha was sleeping as well, and that a couple of wolves were sniffing his feet like their life depended on it. Inuyasha slept on, despite the fact that the canines had begun licking his feet clean.
Kouga growled at them. "Stop that!"
The wolves snapped their heads up, looking guilty before backing away from the inu youkai.
"Kouga-Kun, what are you doing here?" Kagome repeated, her voice taking on a slightly suspicious tone.
"Why, these are my lands, Kagome; surely you would know that," Kouga said proudly. "I am the ruler of the Northern Lands. Now then, what are you doing here?"
"You're one of the Lords?" Kagome asked in amazement and mentally cursed herself for not realizing that the wolf was indeed royalty. She blinked and shook her head. "But, I've been to your home, and it's not up here!"
"The Lords have several homes in different lands," Kouga explained kindly, a proud smile on his face. "The Northern, Western, and Eastern lands are all allies against the Southern lands. Therefore, we have access to the other's lands and have set up bases there."
"That would explain why Sesshoumaru was here," Kagome said mostly to herself.
Kouga scowled. "Lord Sesshoumaru is an ass. I don't much care for him, but without him on our side the Southern lands could dominate."
Kagome shook her head, tired of discussing war. It was all rather dreary, and it was taking away from the real issue at hand. In other words, Kagome felt a little more than uneasy near Kouga while her friends slept on. Especially Inuyasha, who had yet to awaken.
'Shouldn't all this noise wake him up?' Kagome thought, slightly panicking.
"Anyways, my dear, what brings you to these lands?" Kouga asked cheerfully.
Kagome hesitated, unsure whether to tell Kouga about Inuyasha's state. Would Kouga want to fight Inuyasha now that he was a full demon? Would Inuyasha care if she told? What if she put their journey in danger by telling others of it? But this was Kouga… he wouldn't do anything bad, would he?
"Kagome," Kouga said warmly, his eyes sparkling happily. "Did you come up to see me? Now that Naraku's dead, you can become my official woman."
Kagome paled and regretted never telling Kouga she didn't have feelings for him. True, the wolf was her friend and she defended the wolf from Inuyasha whenever the two began to have a fit. But… she'd never told him that she was in love with Inuyasha. She hadn't told Inuyasha either, but that was beside the point, right?
"Kouga-Kun… I didn't come to see you." Kagome quickly back tracked when she saw the crushed look on the wolf's face. "I mean, don't get me wrong. It's great to see you, but we didn't come up to the Northern lands in order to see you. We didn't even know you were up here!"
"Well, then, Kagome, now that you're here and Naraku is dead." Kouga seemed excited, and his eyes reflected it. "You can come back with me and become my woman!"
"Kouga-Kun…" Kagome whispered. 'God, Inuyasha…wake up!'
"Yes Kagome…?" Kouga asked, thrilled.
"Kouga-Kun… I…" But before Kagome could finish a punch came flying at Kouga's face and sent the wolf prince flying. Inuyasha stood, his fist clenched and a deep growl erupting from his throat. As if he'd heard her plea, he'd awaken and was wide awake.
"You fucking bastard, get the hell away from her," he snarled and turned angry eyes towards her. "What the hell are you doing talking to him?"
Kagome sent him a look that was a mixture of relief and anger. "Inuyasha!"
"Feh." He grabbed his sword and released it from its sheath. He charged towards the wolf, who at this time was on his feet, and got ready to swing his sword.
"I see you had to become a demon in order to stand a chance against me," Kouga mocked, a smirk on his lips as he observed the youkai.
"Feh, I'm strong enough to kick your ass, even if I was a human." Inuyasha smirked cockily.
"Inuyasha, no!" Kagome called, fear overwhelming her. She didn't want to be Kouga's woman, but she didn't want to see her friend die by Inuyasha's hand. "Sit!"
Nothing happened.
The color drained from Kagome's face as she watched Inuyasha swing his sword towards Kouga. Without the Shikon shards to assist the wolf, he was slower. However, he was fast enough to dodge the mighty swing from the inu youkai.
'Why didn't it work?' Kagome thought to herself, feeling as if ice cold water had been dumped on her. 'It's always worked… why isn't he in the ground? Oh no! What am I going to do? If they fight one of them will get killed!'
"What's going on, Kagome?" Shippou yawned from his position next to her. He poked his head from under the sleeping bag and stared at the two fighting youkai. "Oh… it's him…" He yawned, seemingly unconcerned with the fact that the two men were fighting each other, both already sporting various wounds.
'Damn… I'll have to bandage him up again… I'm running low, too…' Kagome shook her head. 'But… well… maybe he didn't hear me? It can only activate when he hears it, right?'
"Sit!" she called again.
Still nothing.
Shippou's eyes widened in surprise. "Kagome! Something's wrong with his rosary!"
'I'm aware, Shippou-Chan, thank you!' Kagome thought sarcastically and hopped out of the sleeping bag, trying to make the two fighting demons pay attention to her.
"Inuyasha! Kouga-Kun! Stop, please!" Her voice fell on deaf ears as the two youkai continued to inflict damage on one another. Kagome sighed and stared at the demons. She couldn't run out there, they might inflict unnecessary damage on her, and then they'd get guilty, blame the other and start fighting more furiously. She remembered that scenario all too well. It had happened several months ago.
At any rate, Kagome couldn't just run out there.
And if they couldn't hear her… there was nothing she could do. 'Damn it…'
Kagome watched Inuyasha glow a golden aura again, like he had when he'd faced Sesshoumaru and this time she knew it wasn't a trick of the eyes. She stared at the golden hue that surrounded the youkai as he snarled and dove at the wolf. 'I must protect her…' That same voice came again and she blinked, looking at the demons. Their lips hadn't moved. Who had spoken?
For a split second, it looked as if Inuyasha's fangs and claws were growing, but it was quickly gone. Kouga charged the inu youkai and knocked Tessaiga from his hands, sending the sword flying and landing right next to Kagome. She yelped in surprise, causing the inu youkai to turn concerned eyes towards her. Kouga connected a fist against Inuyasha's cheek and sent the youkai back a few steps and causing the aura to spike.
'What is that…?' Kagome thought to herself with a furrow in her brow.
"Kagome-Chan, what is Kouga doing here?" Kagome snapped her head around to see a very sleepy Sango accompanied by an equally sleepy Miroku. Kirara snuggled up on Sango's shoulder, covering her head under Sango's long hair.
"I woke up and he was there," Kagome quickly explained what had happened while her human friends had been sleeping.
Miroku pursed his lips as he gripped his staff. "Sango, we must stop them, then?"
"No," Kagome waved her hands. "You could get hurt!" She turned back to the fighting demons, Kouga collecting more wounds than the once-hanyou. "Inuyasha! Kouga-Kun! Please stop!"
Inuyasha turned his gaze towards her for a brief moment as he sent a punch to Kouga's head and shook his head. He returned his attention back to the wolf.
'If I stop now, he'll think he's won. I have to teach him. Show him that he can never touch Kagome again…' the hanyou thought with a narrow of his eyes. He kicked the wolf's stomach and sent him flying into a tree. 'I have to show him that Kagome is MINE. No one else's.'
Kagome cringed as he continued to attack the wolf. Swallowing the fear of being hurt herself, she ran forward, her ears ringing and her vision blacking out for a moment as she felt her heart speed up from her running and her fear. She dove forward and grabbed the youkai's hand, clenched into a fist, she gripped it tightly and slammed her eyes shut, trying to keep her calm.
When she reopened it she was looking at confused golden eyes, his other hand around the wolf's neck, holding him off the ground. "Kagome… let go…" he growled, not wanting to hurt her.
"No… stop… Inuyasha, you've won," Kagome whispered feebly and turned her attention towards Kouga, tears in her eyes. "Kouga-Kun… you lost. Please stop fighting…"
Inuyasha's eyes softened when he saw the tears in her eyes, the small liquid droplets falling down her cheeks. He released the wolf and allowed him to drop to the ground. His hands, bloody from his and Kouga's blood, reached out to touch her. He hesitated when he saw the crimson liquid on his fingertips, but with Kagome's reassuring smile, he leaned forward and cupped her cheeks, his thumbs wiping away all evidence of tears.
"Stop crying," he murmured and Kagome nodded, her hands coming up and covering his.
Kouga stared at the two for a long moment before realizing that he was, indeed, out of place in this scenario. He had lost. He felt a pang in his heart at the startling realization that he wouldn't be able to have Kagome to himself. Inuyasha had beaten him.
"Humph, she'd only accept you when you were a full demon," Kouga snarled, causing Inuyasha to whip his face towards the wolf, a growl erupting from his throat. Kouga scoffed and sped off, not wanting to see the disgusting display between the dog turd and the woman he'd lost.
Inuyasha watched him go out of the comer of his eye and after he was positive Kouga wasn't around anymore, allowed himself to collapse to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Inuyasha," Kagome whispered and half helped and half dragged him to a nearby tree. "You're too damn reckless," she berated him.
"F-feh!" he snorted and ignored his wince of pain as Kagome began fiddling with his haori, trying to get at his wounds that Kouga had inflicted him.
"Stop trying to prove yourself to everyone," Kagome whispered feebly as she encased the youkai into a hug. Inuyasha stared straight ahead, not even focusing on anything. "I know that's what you're trying to do. You're trying to show everyone you're strong. But it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, Inuyasha! No matter what happens you will always be Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha blinked. 'I guess… that's what I've been trying to do… but… I had to fight Kouga. She's mine, damn it!'
"Be glad I'm too tired to yell at you, wench," Inuyasha murmured and passed out.
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Clouds rolled across the sky, threatening rain later that day while Kagome was busy watching over Inuyasha. Shippou had found a hot spring and they had moved their camp near it. They had to leave the clearing, for the blood would quickly draw youkai to them like a moth to the flame. Sango and Miroku were currently having some alone time while Kagome watched over a still sleeping Inuyasha. Shippou lounged in a tree above them, his large green eyes hidden behind heavy lids.
She slipped out from behind the bush she had been changing in and revealed a bathing suit. With a small smile she approached the hot spring, dipping her foot into the warm, clear water, the liquid revealing that it would indeed relax her. She smiled and slipped her hair into a bun.
She was about to slip into the hot spring when a sudden force pulled her back. She felt a firm chest and strong, powerful arms wrapped around her and she smiled lightly. "You're mine," he whispered and Kagome wasn't sure why he had the sudden urge to say this. She didn't know why but she also didn't care.
"Yes…" she whispered as her hand touched his and their fingers intertwined. She felt his head rest against her shoulder, his gentle breath caressing her bare neck. She shivered at the gentle touch and smiled lightly at the youkai who held her in his embrace.
He released her and turned on his heel, walking to the nearest tree. Kagome watched him as he walked to the base of a tree and plopped down, leaning against the bark as he watched her. Their eyes met and he raised an eyebrow, silently asking why she wasn't continuing in her trek towards the hot springs.
Kagome gently shook her head before entering the hot springs and beginning her bath. The water was soothing and helped ease her tired and tense muscles. She relaxed against a small natural ledge under the water's surface and lathered her hair with soap. She glanced at the youkai, who continued to watch her, a small look of curiosity in his eyes as he watched the clear soapy liquid become soapsuds.
She smiled gently at him. "Want me to wash your hair, Inuyasha?"
"What…?" he asked in surprise, seemingly caught off guard by the girl's question.
She giggled happily. "Want me to wash your hair, with the soap?" She pointed to the white suds in her hair. "It makes your hair silkier and smooth. And clean, too."
"Are you insulting my hygiene?" he asked with a curious look on his face.
"No, I'm just asking if you'd like me to wash your hair," Kagome said with a roll of her eyes.
He seemed to have a mental debate with himself before nodding slowly. He stood up and shrugged off his outer and inner haori, leaving him with his bare chest exposed before walking towards her. Kagome blushed lightly and moved aside to give him room to step in. He left his hakama on for both of their sakes and entered the soothing water of the hot spring. He tilted his head towards her and blinked.
"Get your hair wet," Kagome assured him and gently touched his shoulders, pushing down and easing him under the water. Small bubbles escaped his mouth when she pushed his head below the surface.
When he emerged he gave her a mock glare. "You could have warned me, wench."
"But, that would have taken the fun out of it."
She smiled shyly and grabbed her shampoo bottle, squeezing a fair amount onto her hand. The man before her had a full head of hair and she decided that he would need a lot of lathering.
Her hands touched his head and began to work the shampoo into the silver mane. His eyes closed in contentment and a loopy smile sprung across his lips. Kagome leaned in close as she massaged his scalp, her head resting on his shoulder similar to what he'd done earlier. "Mine," she whispered.
The youkai nodded faintly, his eyes still closed in surreal bliss. He growled faintly, but it wasn't a menacing growl; it was a friendly appreciative one.
She finished lathering his hair and allowed the youkai to dip his head under water. As his head remained stationary underneath the water's surface, she ran her fingers through his wet tresses. The youkai emerged a short moment later, blinking his eyes clear of all the water and the soap. Their eyes locked and he smiled lightly at her, his way of showing his thanks towards the girl before him.
As they gazed at one another, the heavens above opened up and unveiled rain. The droplets fell to the earth and onto the couple. It felt odd, to be standing in water, warm and soothing, yet being pelted by water droplets that were cold and icy.
The youkai tilted his head back and stared up at the sky, his golden eyes focusing on nothing.
Kagome feebly left the sanctuary of the hot springs and ran to the shelter of a bush where she had hidden her change of clothes and a towel. She felt it best to get changed before everything go soaked. They would get soaked anyway, but at least she could change later.
Inuyasha turned his eyes away in order to give her privacy and emerged from the hot spring as well, shaking himself off like a dog. It didn't do much to get rid of the water that continued to pelt against him, but he was slightly drier. He slipped back on his haori.
"We should head back," Inuyasha said as Kagome approached him. Kagome gently shook her head.
"Let's just stay out here a little longer," Kagome said with a small smile. She held her arms out and tilted her head upwards, capturing droplets of water into her mouth. "Rain is so beautiful. I love the rain!"
Inuyasha watched the girl with a quizzical look on his face as he watched the girl start to spin gently. She smiled brightly at the youkai and held her arms high above her. "Come on, Inuyasha. Rain is a blessing!"
He gently shook his head and chuckled. "You're an odd one, Kagome."
"Maybe, but I have more fun that way," Kagome giggled. Inuyasha watched as she continued to twirl around. She seemed so innocent and carefree just then, untainted by the evils that she had endured throughout the journey the two had taken together. She had faced so many hardships, so much heartbreak, so much pain and suffering, yet after all of it, she was able to smile and laugh. She was able to dance like no one was watching.
'How does she do that…?' He wondered as he gazed at the girl. 'How does she feel so at peace and so free?'
His thoughts came to a screeching halt when he realized something.
Kagome dancing in the rain…
…while wearing a white shirt.
The youkai let out a loud sigh and slipped off his haori before marching towards Kagome. He gripped her shoulder, causing a yip of surprise from the girl before he shoved her into the red article of clothing. The sleeves were too long for her and the hem of the haori reached her knees, but the hanyou didn't seem to care as he began to tie the haori with the long black string that was secured diagonally around his chest the majority of the time. Kagome blushed brightly when she realized why the youkai had taken such actions.
"Sorry…" she whispered, embarrassed and her cheeks flaming red.
"Feh, it's fine. You're fine now," he said with a roll of his eyes. He pulled away but kept his hands resting lightly on her forearm. "Are you ready to go back yet…?"
"Inuyasha…" His golden eyes locked with her blue ones and he felt her fingers touching his rosary. His gaze drifted down to the purple beads, speckled with rain.
"I've been thinking, about today," Kagome continued, her gaze on the rosary. "I yelled out sit." Inuyasha cringed, expecting to fall to the ground. But nothing happened. He blinked in shocked surprise. "I wondered why you didn't slam to the ground. And I think I figured it out. At that time… when I wanted to remove the rosary," Kagome said lightly, still unsure if what she was saying was true or not. "Perhaps the spell was broken because I wanted to release you…?"
Inuyasha pursed his lips in thought. "Maybe…"
Kagome nodded her head and took a deep breath. "Inuyasha…"
Her voice was gentle, and the rain caressed her body lightly. Her grip remained on the rosary and she started to lift.
"Kagome-"
But it was too late, for at that moment, Kagome lifted the rosary high above his head and he felt a tremendous weight lift from his shoulders. The rosary was gone…
"You're free, Inuyasha…" Kagome murmured quietly, her eyes downcast as she blushed lightly. "Free to live… free to fight… free of me…"
"Kagome…"
"Don't say it," she interrupted him. "I removed them because I trust you. I trust you completely and you've proved to me time and again that I can put my life in your hands…"
The two stood in silence for a long time, Kagome raising her head to lock eyes with his.
A small smile graced her lips and she felt her heart speed up as her hands reached out, clenching the fabric of his white under kimono. The material clung to him like a second skin and his muscles rippled beneath. Kagome closed her eyes and inhaled his forest-like scent. The rosary clinked together in her hands as she stood on the tips of her toes and captured his lips to hers.
"I… love you," she whispered softly when she pulled away, her eyes shining brightly and proving that she was indeed telling the truth.
Inuyasha stared at her, shock radiating from his body. He quickly leaned down and kissed her, silencing whatever else she may have had to say. 'My mate…' he thought to himself lightly and felt Kagome's hold on him tighten.
"I… me too," he whispered lightly, his eyes at his feet and a blush on his cheeks.
Kagome watched his reaction. He hadn't said it completely, but he had admitted it. Perhaps something was still holding him back?
His fingers reached out and touched the rosary still in Kagome's hand.
He wrapped it around his wrist and plopped to the ground, ignoring the muddy ground and the pelting rain. "I didn't want you to remove them yet," he admitted. Kagome sat down next to him.
"Why?"
"You…" He looked away. "You said you wanted to stay with me, Kagome. But… how can you choose anything over your family?" He thought of his own, his dead mother and father. "How can you choose me over your family?"
"I'll admit," Kagome said lightly, "It's a very hard decision. But I don't regret it, Inuyasha." She looked at him squarely in the eye. "I want to stay with you. I want to be with you… let me stay… please…" Her voice was pleading.
He lowered his eyes. "But I'll outlive you…"
"I know… and I'm sorry about that," she whispered softly, feeling the beginnings of tears in her eyes. "But I swear that every day we spend together will be the greatest of your life… and… when I'm… gone…" She choked on her words. "You'll have something to look back on."
She'd never thought of that. The fact that his demon blood would cause his youth to go on longer than her own. No matter what happened, she was leaving him behind. She was leaving him alone. A small tear dripped down her already rain drenched face.
She would leave him… and there was nothing she could do…
"I love you, too…" Inuyasha murmured after a long moment.