"Higurashi" by Jezunya
Chapter 7
All standard disclaimers still apply.. I have no claim whatsoever to Inuyasha and am not making money off this.
It's so unfair.. Our other computer died. Just like that. It was barely even a year old, and it just had a brain fart and went belly-up on us. And, of course, that was the computer with all my writing on it. Yes, the almost-finished chapters of 'Forget Me Nots,' TAA, 'A Child,' etc. Luckily, I had most (if not all) of them printed out on paper, so here I am, retyping this entire thing. -_- grr, stupid computer..
Anyway, on a happier note – major fluff in this chapter!! ^__^ Plus it's an extra-long one, to make up for the long wait ^_~
Enjoy!
** ** ** ** **
Kagome sat up, coughing and dusting herself off after they hit the bottom of the well. She looked around dazedly. It was so quiet here compared to the other side…
She froze, her head snapping back to stare up at the wooden ceiling visible through the opening at the top of the well.
"C'mon, Kagome" Inuyasha sighed from beside her, standing and pulling her up with him.
"Why.." She choked on her words, but tried again. "Why are we… here..?" Her eyes came down to stare at him instead, a look of horror on her face.
"We had to get away from those samurai," Inuyasha said carefully, feeling his hackles rise as she started to get closer and closer to tears. She was almost hyperventilating as she looked again up at the well-shrine above them. "Come on, we have to get out of here. There's no point just sitting in the bottom of the well…" he said finally, squeezing her hands in what he hoped would be a comforting gesture.
"I… I don't want to," Kagome shook her head, closing her eyes tight as a little moisture gathered in the corners. "I can't… I can't! I can't go out there! I can't, Inuyasha, I can't!"
"Kagome! Calm down!" Inuyasha commanded, more than a little worried by her hysterics. He shook her shoulders, more roughly perhaps than he had meant to, but it had the desired effect nonetheless and she quieted and looked up at him watery eyes. "It's ok," he soothed, gently squeezing her shoulders, "I'll be right here with you, I promise."
"But… But…"
"Shh," Inuyasha hugged her, muffling her protests in his chest. Kagome just closed her eyes and fisted her hands in his haori, not saying anything as she felt his legs tense before he leapt up, carrying them both out of the well.
She pulled away slightly when they touched down in the well-house, keeping her gaze on her hands on his chest rather than looking around at the familiar wooden building. "Inuyasha…" she said softly, "Please… I just want to go home…"
Inuyasha shook his head, one hand coming up to cover her smaller one. As much as he liked hearing her call their time 'home'… "We can't go back yet. There's no telling how long those samurai will hang around."
Kagome frowned but nodded. Finally she looked up from their joined hands resting on his chest, eager for something to take her mind off their surroundings. "Why are you so worried about it?" she asked, looking up into his face. "From their auras I would think they were all human… they wouldn't have been a problem for you."
Inuyasha swallowed and looked away. "It's, uh… I just didn't want to deal with them right now, okay?"
Kagome gave his a quizzical look as he dropped her hand and turned away. She followed automatically after him as he climbed up the short staircase to the door. As he was just beginning to open the door, she spoke again, sounding almost like she was talking to herself. "They said they were sent by a Lord Higurashi." She saw his shoulders tense, his hands clenching on the wooden door frame. "And they said something about a princess. Do you know what they were talking about?" She watched him slowly drop his hands from the door, his back tense and taught.
"No-" He stopped and sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. There was really no point in keeping the truth from her. "Yeah," he said at last. "Come on, we've got a lot to talk about…"
***
"Halt!!" the captain burst out of the trees, unsheathing his sword as he went. He ran straight to the well, completely ignoring the three still standing in the middle of the clearing as he peered down at the bottom. He swore under his breath. "They're gone - this must be the magic well, then." He turned sharply, pointing into the trees at one of the archers surrounding them. "You! Drop your bow and get out here!" One of the arrows disappeared form sight and a young armored soldier emerged from the brush. "Jump in," the captain ordered, indicating the well with his helmeted head as he sheathed his sword.
The soldier gave him a confused look. "Sir?"
"Jump in. As soon as you're in the other world, grab the princess as get back here. Now go!"
Sango and Miroku exchanged dubious looks as the soldier bowed to his superior and did as he was told. To their knowledge, only Kagome and Inuyasha could pass through the well…
"Sir?" The soldier's voice came up from the bottom of the well and the captain looked down over the edge at him.
"What are you doing?" he barked. "You're supposed to go to the other world!"
"Sir, there's no way through. It's just an ordinary well."
The captain looked like he was about to blow up at the man, when Miroku spoke up from behind him. "My Lord," he called, getting the man's attention. He gave a short, polite bow when he looked around at him. "I'm afraid there is no way for you to pass through this well."
The samurai rounded on him, glaring, his hand already going to the hilt of his sword. "And what do you know of this, monk? I saw that blasted demon leap in there with the hime-sama, and now they're gone! And you say there's no way to get through?"
Miroku nodded, his polite smile somewhat forced, and shifted his weight, gripping his staff a little firmer. "Yes, they can travel to the other side, but no one else. It's just the way the magic of the well works."
The captain glowered at him a moment, before straightening with an air of ruffled superiority. "Fine then. If we cannot get through, then we'll just have to wait for them to come to us. You will house us in your village," he said sternly to Miroku, then to his soldiers, "Move out!" Sango began to sputter angrily as a dozen or so samurai emerged from the trees and began making their way toward the village, their commander leading the way. Miroku put a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Leave it be, Sango. There is nothing we can do about it, for now," he said soothingly. He looked down at Shippou, standing between them on the ground. "Why don't you run ahead to warn Kaede-sama of their approach, ne?" The kit nodded and bounded off into the brush.
"And stay out of sight!" Sango called after him, muttering, "I don't think these samurai would be very nice to any youkai they caught.."
***
"Kagome!"
They had just emerged from the well house when they were mobbed by a flock of teenage girls. "What the h-?" was all Inuyasha managed to get out before the girls surrounded Kagome and pushed him away to the far edges of their group. He watched in a strange kind of awe as they squealed and laughed happily, the three closest to her hugging her tightly.
"Where have you been all this time? We've been so worried!" one girl cried, grabbing at her arms.
"Yuka… Eri… Ayumi…" Kagome said dazedly. She couldn't believe it… She was really here with her friends! She thought she'd never see them again, but now..!
"When you disappeared after.. y'know.. we thought, maybe, you had also…" Yuka left it hanging, not needing nor wanting to finish the thought.
"Oh, Yuka-chan," Kagome gasped, her eyes filling with tears. It had been so long since she'd seen them! She hugged them, and the four of them laughed and cried together while the rest looked on happily.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Women.
He looked away, crossing his arms irritably, and tried to ignore the prickling on the back of his at the sight of Kagome's tears. She was just happy to finally see her friends again, after all. Hmph. She's never that happy to see me, he grumbled, before his conscience kicked in with a little reminder. There had been that one time when he'd tried to seal her in her own ti- in the future. She'd been crying as she hugged him after she'd managed to make it back through the well. Not to mention all the times she'd cried for him when he'd been hurt or even nearly killed in battle…
He laid his ears back at a particularly shrill squeal from the girls, growling under his breath. They were acting like she'd died or something for cryin' out loud… He winced at his own thoughts as his eyes fell on the house, now standing empty and unused. Right, he still had to talk to Kagome about the whole 'family' thing. Not to mention…
He reached inside his haori and gingerly removed the small velvet box, holding it hidden in the palm of his hand. As soon as these girls left, he'd have Kagome alone, and then… He allowed himself a small smile, his eyes softening as his gaze trailed over her, surrounded by her friends and smiling joyously. Then, she'd be all his.
A low, barely audible creaking sound reached his ears then. His gaze snapped down to stare alarmed at the box in his hand. With an almost comical little 'bing,' the top snapped up and open on its own. Dismayed, he clapped it closed again. As soon as he let go, however, the straining noise came again, and the top popped up a second later. "Shit…" he muttered, again closing the box. The clasp must've broken sometime when they were fighting that black sphynx thing, or when he'd gone to see Higurashi… He scowled. Of course, all he could offer Kagome was a broken box and a ring for a custom he didn't even understand and so would probably screw up half-way through. What did she expect from a worthless half-breed? Quickly, trying to push such thoughts from his mind, he tucked the box back into his haori, the heavy folds of fabric keeping it pressed closed.
He was just sliding down the wall of the well house to sit dejectedly at its base when a demanding, feminine voice cut through his thoughts.
"Who are you?"
Inuyasha blinked and looked up to find that one of the girls on the outer edge of the group had finally noticed him and the rest had now fallen silent, all staring down at him. "Um…" He could feel his face reddening as he tried to come up with a suitable answer.
Kagome, however, got there first, pulling away from her friends to come stand by him. "Minna," she smiled, pulling him to his feet again, "this is my good friend Inuyasha. I've been staying with him and some other friends out of town for the last couple months." She smiled widely at them all and Inuyasha couldn't help feeling a bit impressed by her quick explanation. Kagome's three friends marched over, their faces set determinedly, and pulled her off to the side in a tight little cluster.
"You've been staying with him?" Ayumi hissed.
Kagome's face immediately flamed. "Not like that!" she gasped.
"Like what, Kagome?" Yuka asked, smiling slyly. "Funny how your mind immediately jumped to that…"
"Stop it, you guys. Get you minds out of the gutter, we're just friends." She didn't see Inuyasha frown behind her. He could, after all, hear them just fine. Just friends, huh? Not for long…
"Wait, wait, wait! Is this that violent two-timer you were always talking about?" Eri cut in. Inuyasha blinked and started to puff up indignantly. "I can't believe you're giving him another chance!"
"It's not like that!" Kagome whispered heatedly, shaking her head. "He's not a two-timer anymore. And besides, we were never really a couple anyway…" she added softly, looking down at the ground. Her friends blinked several times, then all started talking at once.
"You mean you're not going out with him?" Yuka asked, finally managing to be heard over the other two.
Kagome nodded. "We're just friends," she repeated.
"But you like him, don't you?" Ayumi whispered.
Kagome blushed, but couldn't help nodding once.
"But he's not interested?" Yuka asked, sounding grim.
"Well, I don't think… Not like that, anyway…" Although he did kiss me… But I still shouldn't just assume… I mean, it was just a kiss… She felt her heart sink a little at the thought. It had been her first kiss, from the only boy she ever really wanted to kiss her. But maybe, to Inuyasha, a kiss was just a kiss and it didn't really mean anything…
"So you're not a couple?" Yuka asked after a long moment of silence, folding her arms and frowning. When Kagome remained silent, she shook her head in exasperation. "Look, Kagome, you can do two things: try to get his attention or just forget about him-"
"And go out with Hojo!" Ayumi piped up, her eyes already going starry. "You two make such a cute couple! You should have seen him while you were gone - he was so worried and kept coming to look for you. It's love for sure!"
Kagome jerked her head up to stare at her friend in near-horror, then heard a rather loud growling coming from behind them as Inuyasha apparently decided that enough was enough.
"Oi!" he yelled, stomping up to them and grabbing Kagome's arm. "Kagome and I have a lot to talk about, so you lot can just piss off and leave us alone!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome hissed, yanking her arm out of his grasp. "Don't be rude!"
"You're telling me not to be rude! They're the ones talking about me and trying to get you to go to that hobo guy!" he snapped back, glaring furiously.
"It's Hojo!" Kagome yelled, stamping her foot. "And besides, I'm not going out with him, so stop acting like some jealous, immature kid and grow up!"
Inuyasha opened his mouth to retort with his usual 'I'm not jealous!' line, but then closed it with a snap, seeing as he was jealous. Hell, he'd be ready to rip apart any guy who so much as looked at her! Of course he was jealous!
Kagome continued to glare, awaiting his usual response, but then blinked and slowly let her face relax into a look of bemusement when he remained silent. "Inuyasha?" she asked hesitantly. He wasn't going to fight with her? He wasn't even denying her 'jealous' remark..
"Let's just go," Inuyasha ground out, clenching his fists tightly. He knew they were all expecting a full out battle over this, but that would just have to wait 'til later after they'd talked. Call him a kid, would she? He tried no to growl as he spoke, "We need to talk. Now."
Kagome sighed but nodded, giving in. "Alright," she turned to address her friends, smiling apologetically. "Gomen, minna, but Inuyasha's right, we really do need to talk.. privately."
Inuyasha went to sit by the well house again, waiting semi-patiently as all the girls moved forward to one by one hug Kagome, tell her how glad they were to see her (alive), bid their farewells, and finally move out of the shrine and down to the street below.
"Sorry about that," Kagome said, walking back over to Inuyasha after she had finished waving off all of her departing friends. He just 'Keh'ed and looked away. Kagome smiled and came to sit next to him, leaning back against the door if the well shrine, "I guess I didn't really realize how much I missed them," she said softly, folding her arms over her legs and looking up at the huge Go Shinboku standing over them.
Inuyasha snorted again. "You never miss me that much," he said sulkily. Then he slammed his jaws shut as he realized that, yes, he had just said that out loud.
Beside him, Kagome blinked and turned her head to regard him with a rather neutral expression. He just stared at his lap, refusing to meet her gaze, his face matching the color of his kimono, the muscles in his jaw jumping with the tension. She looked down at her knees, drawn up to her chest, her fingers tracing random designs on the ground beside her. "Who says I don't miss you?" she asked softly, without looking up at him. She felt Inuyasha tense even more, if that were possible. "If anything, when I leave, I miss you most of all." Almost unconsciously, she leaned over and laid her head on his shoulder.
Inuyasha was having a hard time breathing now, and he was suddenly very aware of the feel of the velvet box lying against his chest. "I.. I miss you too," he said tightly. Change one little word, and there wa what he really wanted to say right then. He just didn't know if he could do it..
"We should probably go inside, it's getting late," Kagome said after a few moments, smiling shyly at him and starting to get up. Alarms went off in Inuyasha's head as she pulled away, something inside him screaming not to let her go. He lurched forward onto his knees, grappling for Kagome's hand before she could get away.
Kagome turned to look back at him in mild alarm at the sudden tug on her hand. He stared up at her with his mouth hanging open a little, a look of almost horror or fear on his face. "Inuyasha? What is it?" she asked tentatively, frowning a little as she turned to face him completely. She glanced around them quickly, wary that he might have sensed some danger nearby.
Inuyasha swallowed hard and looked down, his thumb rubbing absently against the skin of her small hand. "Just… I just wanted to ask you… If… um…" He fumbled with his haori, finally managing to grab the velvet box. It was now or never! "Iwantyoutomarryme!" he blurted, keeping his eyes shut tight and shoving the box out between them. After a tense moment or two, the top of the box popped open, revealing the glittering ring within.
Kagome held his hand almost painfully tight, as if it were her only hold on reality. She could've sworn he'd said… but she must've misheard… he couldn't possibly… but the ring… but he couldn't mean..!
Almost with a will of its own, her hand came up to haltingly reach for the ring. Her index finger traced over it, taking in the gentle curves of the gold band, the precise cuts of the diamond. Where on earth had he gotten something so perfect..?
Inuyasha hazarded a peek when he heard what sounded unmistakably like a sniffle. He half-relaxed. She hadn't gotten angry or offended, which had definitely been one of his greatest fears about asking her. Theirs was a very special friendship, built through over a year and a half of shared blood, tears, and hardship. An unfortunate accident of fate had tied them together; their stubbornness and seemingly incompatible personalities had given them conflict, something more interesting to do than watch the road pass beneath their feet; countless battles, trials, friends, and foes had hardened their resolve and their loyalty to one another; all in all, it was a pretty set-in-stone relationship. Nothing could ever possibly change what they had.
Except maybe this.
And that, in a nut-shell, was what he feared: one of them, himself in this case, would seek to pursue a deeper relationship, but the other, Kagome, would not want anything more than the strong yet simple friendship they already had. He would never be able to face her again, knowing that she knew of his feelings for her and yet did not return them. He'd come a long way from the suspicious, tough boy he'd been – tried to be – before he'd met Kagome, but knowing somebody knew such a deep, intimate fact about him was more than a little awkward.. Not to mention how it must make Kagome feel to know that was how he thought of her…
And he just sat there, watching Kagome stare at the ring, waiting for her to explode, or to try to come up with some excuse, some pathetic way to let him down easy when he'd just taken his heart out and laid it at her feet. Only she didn't…
…No, instead she started crying.
So, naturally, he panicked.
***
Jikkou arrived at the bottom of the Shrine stairs, his face as stoic as ever. They were back, at last, so they could begin to set things in motion now. Soon enough, he'd have the girl right where they needed her. Allowing himself only the briefest of grim smiles, he mounted the steps and began making his way up the long marble staircase.
He heard voices ahead of him as he neared the top, both growing louder and angrier by the instant. He frowned when he was able to recognize them.
"Why the hell are you crying?! You're not supposed to be sad!"
"I not sad!"
"Then why in the fucking hells are you crying?!"
"I'm not!"
"Yes you are!!"
"Then it's because I'm happy!"
"Happy?! People don't just burst into tears when they're happy!"
"You're such an idiot! You don't understand anything!"
"I understand stuff just fine! You just don't make any sense!"
Jikkou crested the top of the staircase to find the two youths faced off across the courtyard, screaming at each other at the top of their lungs. He quirked an eyebrow, already not liking this argument. They continued on, however, his presence going unnoticed.
"It makes perfect sense, you dolt! You just asked me to marry you, so of course I'm going to be happy!"
"Then WHY DID YOU START CRYING?!!"
"I was crying because I was happy! It's not that difficult a concept!" Before he could reply again, Kagome let out a frustrated growl and whirled to stomp away toward the house. "Oh, and since you're so interested in knowing," she threw over her shoulder, "my answer is YES!"
Inuyasha had opened his mouth to yell back, but suddenly all that came out was a funny little squeak. "Y-yes?" he stammered, his anger instantly disappearing like a wisp of smoke. Then, he just looked confused. "Yes what?"
Kagome threw her hands up, just short of screaming her frustration to the heavens, while behind her, Inuyasha's face slowly lit with understanding. He blinked, let out a surprised, "Oh!" and bounded after her as she stalked away.
"Kagome, wait–" he cried, reaching for her arm.
Jikkou cleared his throat loudly just before they touched, snapping their attention over to him. They both blushed brightly, Kagome looking embarrassed and mortified that he had witnessed all that, while Inuyasha glared suspiciously at the intruder. He stepped in front of Kagome protectively, a low, menacing growl already building in his chest. There was something about this guy that he just didn't like..
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded harshly, ignoring Kagome's reproachful, "Inuyasha!" from behind him.
Jikkou just raised an eyebrow at him coolly, his face changing from expressionless to slight annoyance. "I am here to see Miss Higurashi. I have no business with you, dog," with that he looked straight at Kagome, effectively ignoring the sputtering half-demon between them. "I am glad to see that you are well. I believe I have some good news for you," he said, shifting his weight and gesturing for them to move to the house.
Kagome nodded but glanced nervously at the house. "Don't suppose we could talk out here?" she asked imploringly.
Inuyasha growled and stepped between them again. "How 'bout we don't talk at all?" he growled, then turned to advance on Jikkou. "I wanna know who the hell you are and why you think you can just come walking in here like it's your territory–"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome hissed, slapping his shoulder. "Stop being so rude! Jikkou-san works for my family! He's here to help!"
"Works for your family? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
"It means, dog," Jikkou cut in coolly, "that I have important business to discuss with Miss Higurashi, which does not involve you in any way."
Kagome sighed as the two men continued to glare at each other, frowning at the derogatory name Jikkou kept calling Inuyasha. "Jikkou-san manages my family's money, Inuyasha," she said, still frowning at the businessman. "He was in charge of everything when they… died…" She dropped her gaze, the empty, lonely feeling returning.
"Which is precisely what I have come to speak with you about," Jikkou said, straightening to his full height. "Now if we could, I would like to sit somewhere so that we can discuss the matter seriously."
Frowning curiously now, Kagome nodded and let him walk ahead of them to the house. Once Jikkou had turned his back to them, Kagome reached over and caught Inuyasha's hand in her own. He glanced at her in surprise and she gave him a small smile in return. He seemed to understand her anxiety of returning to her family's house and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as they walked.
***
They sat in the living room, Kagome and Inuyasha sitting close together on one sofa and Jikkou sitting across from them. He gave the white-haired boy a disapproving glare as he set his brief case on the coffee table between them but didn't comment any more. He began, snapping his briefcase open and pulling out a few documents to refer to as he spoke, "I have good news, as I said, involving your inheritance."
"My inheritance?" Kagome asked, leaning forward. "I thought you said there wasn't anything left.."
Jikkou nodded, studying the papers in his hands. "Yes.. Your grandfather's money all went to debts, and Yuuko had little to give, anyway. It was not a substantial loss," he shrugged, looking up at her.
Kagome frowned. "But..?"
"But," Jikkou echoed, shuffling the files, "Keiichi left you everything."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Dad.. He left me..? Wait, what do you mean 'everything'?"
He held the papers out for her to see. She took them and her eyes widened further. Jikkou smiled slightly. "I mean everything."
Kagome ran her fingers down the paper in awe. It was a legal document, listing all of her father's worldly possessions, from money to the Shrine itself. And he had left it all to her.
"He was quite wealthy, even when he and I first became friends." Jikkou met Kagome's startled gaze and smiled a little, "Yes, your dad and I were the best of friends. I was the only one he trusted his money with, among other things…" Kagome frowned and looked back down at the papers, getting an odd feeling from the look he gave her. Had Dad known about the well being a portal to the past? ..Did Jikkou know?
"What.. does this all mean?" Kagome asked slowly, thumbing through the papers. The list just seemed to go on and on and on.. "I mean, I just don't understand everything that's happening," she continued, putting a hand to her forehead. She slapped the paper files for emphasis, "This. You. The house – I mean, how is it in such good condition? It certainly doesn't look like it's been standing empty for a few months!"
Jikkou smiled coolly at her distress/excitement. "Everything belongs to you now. Your grandfather gave the Shrine to Keiichi when he decided that he was getting too old to have to be responsible for it, and Keiichi put the Shrine in as part of your inheritance. Technically, it's been yours ever since he died. Yuuko and your grandpa were just temporarily holding it for you until you were old enough to take over. And, for the last few months," he added, "I have been doing the same. Keiichi named me the legal guardian should anything ever happen so that he, Yuuko, or his father could not take care of you and your brother." He paused, letting Kagome take it all in, before continuing. "As for the state of the house, I've had a cleaning squad coming in twice a week to keep the house and Shrine in order. Now that you've returned from your stay with your.. friends," he said, shooting a narrow look at Inuyasha, who scowled and growled softly, "I suppose that can be discontinued. I assume you will be living here?"
Kagome nodded a bit numbly, not really noticing how Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably beside her. "How come I've never met you before all this happened, if you were my dad's best friend?" she asked absently, slowly shuffling through the papers some more.
Jikkou shrugged. "Keiichi's father never liked me and I didn't know Yuuko very well, so after Keiichi died, it became a strictly business relationship. However, now that I'm your 'legal guardian,'" he added, his lips curving up a little at the term, seeing how the dog was already acting as her guardian, "you will be seeing quite a bit more of me." He chuckled as both youths looked up at him sharply, Kagome with a surprised and questioning look, and the dog with an almost murderous snarl. "No, I won't be coming to live with you, if that's what you're thinking," he said, and they both visibly relaxed. "However, since I am now your guardian, here is where you can reach me," he continued, leaning forward to hand her another sheaf of paper. Kagome glanced over it as he spoke, "My address, phone number, cell number, email, etc, etc, etc. I've already cleared your absences with your school and there's a compilation of the work you missed along with the books you'll need on the kitchen table. I think you're going to be quite busy with that," he said, turning a rather meaningful glare on Inuyasha, who just offered an obscene gesture and continued peering over Kagome's shoulder at the small stack of papers. Kagome absently slapped his hand down.
"Wow," was all she could think to say. Letting out a loud breath, she straightened the stack of papers in her lap and sat back to look at Jikkou evenly. "Well, this is.. a lot to take in, I guess."
Jikkou nodded sympathetically and stood slowly, bending to close and pick up his briefcase. "I understand. This is all very sudden.." He trailed off as he stepped toward the door. "I'm afraid I need to be going now, but if you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
"Alright.. But it's not like I'm going to be alone here," she smiled, tilting her head toward Inuyasha.
Jikkou's eyes narrowed. "Yes.. Of course," he said, his lip curling a little as he looked at the dog demon. Inuyasha bared his fangs, growling and glaring acidly. "Well," Jikkou cleared his throat and nodded curtly to Kagome, "Goodbye for now."
"Bye," Kagome called softly as he stepped out and closed the front door behind him. Once he was gone, Kagome relaxed back onto the sofa, letting out a long, tired breath. That guy always made her feel so uncomfortable, though she couldn't say why..
Inuyasha shifted beside her, head bent over the paper files Jikkou had given her, brows furrowed in concentration. She watched him expressionlessly for a few moments as he obviously struggled with the words on the page, before speaking softly, "It's just a list of all the stuff my dad left me, Inuyasha. It's not important."
He looked up at her, then quickly looked away. "Keh. Course it's not," he mumbled, folding his arms and closing his eyes in his classic 'I-don't-care-about-anything-or-anyone' pose. Kagome just sighed and sat back on the couch, also looking away. A gentle sort of silence settled around them.
"So.." Kagome said softly, breaking the silence. "About what you said earlier…"
"Yeah..?" Inuyasha asked warily, his voice equally low.
"I…" Kagome trailed off, shaking her head. Taking a deep breath, she turned to sit sideways on the couch, facing him. "You… You did mean it.. right?"
He nodded, staring back. "Yeah.."
"Really?" Kagome asked again, her voice hitching. "You – You're serious?"
"Baka," he frowned, "of course I'm serious! You think I would joke about something like thi-?" Suddenly Kagome's arms were around his neck, hugging him like she never wanted to let go. "Ka.. Kagome?" he asked softly, trembling hands resting lightly on her back, half-returning the embrace.
Then she started to cry. Again.
"Damnit, Kagome!" he growled, pulling away and holding her out at arm's length. "Would you quit crying already?!"
"I can't help it!" she protested, rubbing one eye with the knuckles of her fist. "I'm just so happy!" And then she was hugging him again.
Inuyasha growled half-heartedly and just leaned back on the couch cushions, wrapping his arms around her as well. All this crying.. Keh! Woman.. he thought resting his chin on the top of Kagome's head. But.. if it meant she was happy, then maybe he didn't really mind… Absently, he tilted his face down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead, before returning his chin to its previous resting place. As long as she was happy…
Kagome pulled back slowly to look up at his face in wonderment. He just blinked down at her, following as her gaze traveled over his face, before coming to rest on his mouth. One soft hand slowly rose, slim fingers reaching out to trace his lips. He let her, closing his eyes as she explored his face. And then Kagome leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, kissing him softly. Inuyasha sucked in a breath and immediately responded, kissing back strongly. He felt Kagome smile against his lips and she was grinning up at him when they had to break after a minute.
"Kagome.." he breathed, staring at her with his mouth still open a little.
She giggled and leaned up to give him another quick kiss on the lips. "Yeah?" she smiled.
He could only stare, stunned. "That was.. wow…"
Kagome giggled again and snuggled back into his chest. Suddenly she gasped and pulled back to stare down at him. "You're.. You're purring!!" she exclaimed, gaping down at him.
Inuyasha's face immediately flushed, and he folded his arms across his chest sulkily, trying to ignore her embarrassing discovery. "Am not.." he protested lamely.
"Yeah, you are," Kagome said, wiggling under his folded arms to rest her ear against his chest again. He was indeed purring, a deep, rumbling noise that seemed to vibrate from his torso to echo all through his chest and throat. She closed her eyes, smiling to herself. It was the first time she had heard it – been close enough to hear it – and she already loved it. The sound so perfectly suited him – rough and wild, yet gentle. Her Inuyasha. She smiled again.
"Ne, Inuyasha.." Kagome said suddenly, pulling away one more time to look at him expectantly. "Don't you have something to give me?" Inuyasha blinked a few times, before realizing what she meant.
"Right!" He fished around in his haori for a few moments, before triumphantly pulling out the little velvet box. "Okay.." he muttered to himself, climbing off the couch to kneel in front of her, trying to remember everything Souta had said he should do. This had to be absolutely perfect!
Just when he thought he had it right, Kagome made a face and grabbed his hands to pull him back up off his knees. "Oh, get up!" she said, tugging him up beside her. "It's so weird seeing you kneel like that.."
"Right.." he said nervously, sitting back on the couch next to her. After a moment or two he asked quietly, "So, now what?"
Kagome smiled at him, her knees curled up to her chest, showing her own excitement. "You're supposed to give me the ring."
"Okay…" He removed his thumb, which had been holding the top down, letting the box spring open on its own again. Kagome held out her left hand to him. He just stared.
Kagome smiled. She figured he didn't really know how to do the whole exchanging of rings; somebody must have helped him get the ring and instructed him on how to propose, but explained the rest. "This one," she said, wiggling her fourth finger up and down.
"Um.. 'kay…" Awkwardly, he levered the ring out of its tight little slot in the bottom of the box and lifted it toward Kagome's hand. "This one?" he clarified again, gently holding her hand and touching the finger she had indicated. Kagome nodded. Swallowing hard, Inuyasha gently slipped the golden band over the tip of her finger, sliding it all the way down 'til it fit snuggly but not too tightly. Kagome's breath began to hitch in her throat as he just held her hand in both of his, staring enchanted down at the glittering charm. He felt a lump forming in his throat. He looked up into Kagome's face and she grinned back at him, her eyes already beginning to glisten with tears.
"Don't you dare start crying again," he laughed softly, leaning forward to brush the moisture from her eyes. Kagome just laughed and turned her face into his touch, her eyes closing happily. Her hand came up to grip his, both laughing giddily now, so Inuyasha decided to switch from wiping to kissing her tears away. Kagome drew a soft breath and almost immediately moved her head to catch his lips with hers.
The kiss was slow and leisurely, if a bit awkward. They parted after a few seconds, staring at each other breathlessly.
Inuyasha swallowed loudly. "Kagome…" She kissed him again, softly, before he could finish. His hands found her waist, strong arms holding her to him gently but firmly. After several more moments, she pulled back, only to snuggle her head under his chin, curling into his chest. She sighed softly, smiling happily.
"Kagome.." Inuyasha whispered, stroking her hair with one hand.
"I want to stay like this forever," she murmured, her small hands grasping his haori lightly.
He smiled, running his fingers through her soft tresses. "Me too. I…" he trailed off, staring up at the white speckled ceiling, now growing dark with evening shadows. "I…"
"I love you."
His heart was suddenly in his throat. She sounded half asleep already, her words coming out in a little smiling sigh, but he knew she would never say anything like that, no matter how drowsy she might be, unless… Unless she really meant it.
"I love you too," he whispered, placing a light kiss on her temple and hugging her tight. Her arms momentarily tightened around his torso, showing she had heard him, even as her breathing deepened and evened out as she slowly fell asleep. Smiling gently down at her, he kissed the top of her head and climbed up from the couch, holding her cradled protectively against his chest.
He couldn't hold back a triumphant smirk as he carried her upstairs to tuck her into bed.
***
Meisai sighed as she sat out on the front porch of Kaede's hut, watching the world darken into night. Stupid samurai, coming and messing things up. She wanted to use that as an excuse to go home, but somehow she knew Marudashi would never buy that. I almost had her, and everything.. But then that stupid dog-demon had to show up, plus Higurashi sent his men to screw with things! She sighed again, half-growling, and slumped down against the wall in exasperation. My life sucks..
She looked up sharply as she was suddenly aware of a presence coming towards her. The man was tall, lean, his silver hair floating around him as he walked, his fine kimono billowing in the evening winds. Meisai paled, beginning to tremble in fright.
He stopped at the step up to the porch, glaring coldly at her through narrowed golden eyes. "You… What purpose has a kitsune here in a human village?" he asked softly.
"Ah, um…" Meisai could feel herself shaking all over. He.. He knows!!
He shook his head, his silver mane waving with the movement, and turned toward the hut once more. "This is the place where my brother resides, is it not?"
"Your.. your brother?" she asked. She knew what he was talking about, but her mouth just didn't want to form the words.
"Aa. I must speak with Inuyasha.. and his little wench," he murmured, stepping up onto the porch and over to the doorway, pushing aside the reed curtain. Sesshoumaru stopped dead just inside the doorway, the curtain falling forgotten back into place behind him, staring at the scene. Humans, a whole band of them, not just Inuyasha's usual crew, were filling the floor space of the elderly miko's house. His eyes narrowed dangerously. They were samurai, completely armed and ready, and they bore an emblem that he recognized all too well.
Their leader stood, facing him warily. "What business have you here, demon?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed further, smoldering golden slits. "Perhaps I should ask that of you, warrior of Higurashi," he responded coolly. His face hardened, glaring coldly as he straightened to stand at his full height, an awesome, intimidating figure. "Come, we will return to your lord's estate," he ordered, turning, daring anyone to disagree with him. The samurai slowly rose at a signal from their captain and filed out onto the porch. Sesshoumaru paused before following them, looking back at Kaede, where she sat by the fire, stirring their evening meal in a pot over the fire. "Tell my brother that I must speak with him – it is rather important – and I will return shortly."
"He is not here, Sesshoumaru," she answered, "nor Kagome. They had to escape through the Bone Eater's well when they were attacked by those warriors."
"I see," Sesshoumaru replied, before turning and making his way out of the hut to where Higurashi's soldiers were all climbing onto their horses, watching him somewhat fearfully. "Come, your lord has quite a bit of explaining to do," he said, the winds already beginning to swirl around him as he transformed for their journey.
** ** ** ** **
Finally.. Done..! Wahahaha!!!! XD
Heheh, Genshi's in trouble.. ^_^ Sesshoumaru is gonna give him the butt-kicking of his life ^__^ Anyway, hope you all like the unbelievably LONG Inu/Kag fluff scene. I had so much fun writing that! And of course, I must warn you, they may be engaged now, but the road is anything but smooth ahead. Keep in mind Marudashi's little "I'll take care of Inuyasha" at the end of Ch 6 ^_~
Review please!! ^__^
Waha!! I live in the "warm" South (USA) and we're having a SNOW DAY TODAY!! ALL SCHOOL CANCELED!! YEAH!!! ^___^
Aa – Yes (masculine – not used by females)
Gomen – sorry
Minna – everyone