My apologies about the quality of the pic. I had to take it with my camera phone as my scanner had left to scanner heaven. … All the little details unfortunately didn't get captured with it. In any event on with the story….
He didn't want to leave Shippo alone to deal with Kouga. And he almost didn't jump into the well. But there was a reason why Shippo interfered and Inuyasha knew that those two held some sort of understanding that he didn't have with the kitsune. That grated on his nerves a lot, more so because he knew he could never form that particular bond with Shippo. It had happened while he went after the demon that attacked Kagome and deepened when he would return to her time. So, he did what he could and jumped into the well. The moment the familiar pattern of lights came to greet him, he felt a weight begin to lift from his chest. Just being near her did it to him.
He surfaced in her time and the scent of the boy hit him between the eyes. Jealously began to give anger life within him. He went up to the shrine doors but did not open them. He could clearly see, the boy stop and shake his head. Well, he thought, there's no surprise he can't even make up his mind on which way to go.
The boy continued to stand there, then turned and faced him full on. Inuyasha instinctively placed his hand on the door to push it open and confront this interloper, but stopped himself a moment before the door actually opened. There was no way the boy could know he was actually there. Hojo stood there and then apparently making up his mind continued on to Kagome's house.
If the boy could not have known he was there, why had he stopped? Did he sense Inuyasha's presence? Only holy men or other demons or hanyos should be able to do that. Was he able to somehow know when his rival was around, like Inuyasha himself can detect the scent of Kouga, before anyone else even other demons can? This was not good news. Then again, if he was being honest with himself, he couldn't really be considered a rival. He had been out of Kagome's life for over a year, at least in her eyes it would appear to be the case. Still, if the instincts did in fact exist in that boy, then maybe Kagome still held affection for him? He gave a small huff that was all pacified male ego. She must still think of him often enough to make that boy question his place in her life. He was feeling better by the moment.
He stayed where he was, deciding to wait until the boy left to see Kagome. He had no idea on how she would take his presence again after so long and had no desire to kiss concrete with that boy around. He didn't have to wait very long to see her. She and the boy were walking out of her house. They apparently were heading out to one of those confusing gatherings she used to talk about. As she came nearer to the shrine, his heart began to beat faster. He never realized how much he really missed her until then. When her steps slowed just the tiniest bit, he fought the strong urge to show himself. It was incredibly difficult to do it, but he manages it. She hesitated near the doors; she half turned as if to come to him. The boy drew her attention away by asking her if everything was all right.
Shit! Inuyasha cursed himself. He realized why she stopped. He watched helpless as her breathing quickens and small beads of perspiration began to slowly form on her face. She came closer to the doors and actually had her hand on it when the boy placed his hand on her shoulder. Inuyasha had pulled back and had his hand covering the jewel fragment in his haori. He could smell her and it was making him dizzy. He wanted so badly to touch her again. To hug her and breathe deeply of her. His eyes squinted with the suppressed desire. He was afraid they would hear his breathing; it was so loud to his own ears. But the door never opened and when he finally came to himself, he saw they had gone. He took some time to gather himself and then made his way quickly to the Higurashi house.
He had always entered by way of Kagome's window. But when he tried it he found it locked. A constricting pain in the general vicinity of his heart began. He jumped to the window next to it, and carefully lowered his head to see who was in the room. Good, he could see its occupant clearly. Stretching out a clawed hand he tapped as gently as he could on the window. Sota jumped from his chair and hit the floor. He turned uncertain eyes to the window and was shocked to see Inuyasha hanging outside of it. He hadn't heard from him in months. Sota got up off the floor and hesitated before opening it. Inuyasha glided in and landed with an almost soundless thump.
I know this is really crappy of me to post such a short chapter. But I still haven't been able to iron out the details of the reunion. I've only been happy with it up to here. I will however post the remaining tomorrow; my hamster and I are in sad need of coffee right now. So consider this an interlude….