"Are you angry?" he asked, covering himself with more blanket. Kagome looked up suddenly, and stared into his eyes, which were now covered in slight affection.
"You...ah, never mind," Kagome said, managing a weak smile. She walked over to the bed Kaede had prepared, and pulled down the blanket. Inuyasha's face turned red as she ran her fingers over his chest, situating the bandages. Kagome eyed the small, angular planes in Inuyasha's cheek and chin, and his chest muscles were much stronger. She noticed this when she last clung to him. Now, his chest was grown out, and somewhat bigger.
I can't believe I find this attractive, Kagome thought to herself. A small blush formed on her face, too, and when she was sure the bandages were on straight, she immediately let go. Inuyasha blinked, and smiled up at Kagome. "You're still mad...I can tell." Kagome said nothing, and Inuyasha continued.
"It's about what I said...you know, that I love Kikyo still. But you know, I don't really feel like I do. Not right now, anyways..." Inuyasha murmured in pain, and his head fell to the pillow again. Kagome laid her hand on Inuyasha's, and the affectionate smile reappeared on her face. "Hey...don't move," she whispered. "You'll open your wounds again. That'll be extra work for Kaede, I'm sure."
Inuyasha closed his eyes, and slowly shook his head. "No." Kagome gave him a confused look. She eyed Inuyasha closely, in case he was playing some sort of game.
"What do you mean, 'no'? Inuyasha?" The half-demon opened his eyes, and let out a small, soft laugh. Kagome loved his laugh, for although it was small, it was rich and warm.
"I don't want Kaede to care for me. I want you to," he explained, and at that moment, Inuyasha sat up without pain.
Kagome was surprised, and she placed her hands on her knees. "Hey, you really are sick, aren't you? What did Naraku do to you? You seem...kinder." Inuyasha laughed once again, and leaned closer to Kagome.
"Hey, Kagome, can I lie in your lap?" Kagome didn't know how to react. After a few seconds, she nodded. She giggled as Inuyasha's long, white hair tickled her knees. His dog ears were soft and velvety as they touched her elbow. He stretched his arms, as though he was ready to fall asleep.
"I'm not a bed, you know!" she began to say, but stopped. Inuyasha had a strange look in his eyes, and his voice was quieter.
"I didn't get a chance to do this in front of Kaede and the others," Inuyasha murmured. "Kagome..." With that, he put his arms around Kagome's neck, and pulled her down to kiss him. Kagome was startled, but eventually gave in to the power of the Inuyasha she fell for. She put his arms around his shoulders, being careful not to irritate his injuries.
When Inuyasha finally released Kagome, his eyes filled with sadness. It was as though he wanted to tell her something, but the words wouldn't come. His lips moved seamlessly, but no sound escaped. Kagome watched him, waiting for his words. Inuyasha's arms slipped from Kagome's shoulders into his own lap, and he slowly began to fall asleep.
When Inuyasha awoke, Kaede and the others were still not back. "They must have lost track of time," Kagome whispered, stroking his ears softly. Inuyasha found that Kagome had placed him back in bed, and she had taken her own nap against the wall across the room.
Inuyasha shrugged, and pulled his red cloak back on. Kagome sat up, waving her hands. He grabbed Tetsusaiga, and was about to leave when Kagome ran in front of the door.
"Whoa, whoa! Where do you think you're going? Put that sword down!" Inuyasha shook his head, and gently pushed Kagome out of the way.
"I have to do this, Kagome. Let me go." Kagome shook her head, and choked with tears that unexpectedly came.
"No! You can't go after Naraku again! He'll kill you this time..." Kagome screamed, and slumped against Inuyasha's shoulder to cry. Inuyasha closed his eyes tight, trying to block out the sound of Kagome's sadness. He couldn't stand her tears, but there was no way he could stop her from letting them out.
"Kagome, don't do this. I have to get Naraku...I have a plan. I need to rescue Kikyo." Kagome continued sobbing, and she didn't even try to cease the depression inside of her. Finally, after minutes of hugging Inuyasha, she finally wiped her tears dry and released him. Inuyasha gave her one final smile, and went out the flap of the door onto the road to Naraku's fortress.
Inuyasha reached Naraku's castle late into the night. All of the servants and incarnations were asleep. He crept down the hall, checking every room for the scent of Kikyo and Naraku. Finally, after what seemed like forever of searching, Inuyasha reached Naraku's quarters. He kicked the door down, and saw Kikyo sleeping against the wall in Naraku's arms. Inuyasha growled loudly, and pulled out his sword in raging anger.
Naraku awoke slowly, and Kikyo soon after. He saw Inuyasha, and let out a low, cold laugh. "Inuyasha...back for more, I see?" Inuyasha stood there, his hands gripping Tetsusaiga in cold fury.
"Release Kikyo, you dirty bastard!" Inuyasha shouted. "You've stolen her for your last time!" Naraku stood up, putting up a protective shield around Kikyo.
"Take her, if you think you can. Must I teach half-demons everything?" Naraku ran headlong towards Inuyasha, who jumped out of the way a second before Naraku reached him. Naraku growled with anger, and Inuyasha laughed triumphantly.
"Kikyo! I'll save ya!" Inuyasha shouted, running towards the barrier around her. Kikyo pressed her hands against the inside of the barrier, and stared from Naraku to Inuyasha. Inuyasha stopped when he reached the barrier, and tried pounding it with Tetsusaiga.
"It won't break! Kikyo, you're the only one who can break the barrier! You have to make up your mi-" Inuyasha said, but was interrupted as Naraku pummeled him with miasma once again. Inuyasha cried out in rage, and tried swiping at Naraku with his claws.
Naraku continued to laugh his usual laugh, and eyed Kikyo when Inuyasha crashed into the wall. "Don't listen to the hideous half-breed, my Kikyo," he yelled over the noise. "You saw how I've been treating you for the past few evenings! You must stay with me!"
Kikyo felt heat rise in her chest and neck. Never did she feel so confused. She knew that she must choose between the half-demon she fell in love with fifty years ago, and the half-demon she fell in love with just recently. Kikyo's heart and soul was on fire, and she knew the feeling would not go away unless she chose. She refused to break down. Kikyo refused to cry and clamor like a child in front of her love rivals. Instead, her eyes watered, and she bit her lip to stop the last few tears that lurked inside her.
Naraku glared, and watched coldly as Inuyasha got up, massaging the arm on which he had landed. "Did you see that, Inuyasha? You're rushing my poor Kikyo. It's clear she does not want to be with someone who pushes her so far in such small time. I am her worthier love!" Naraku lunged at Inuyasha again, hoping to attack him while he was still down. However, Inuyasha was much more flexible, and jumped out of the way once more.
Kikyo raised her hand to her mouth, and closed her eyes to hide the horrid image of her love interests fighting. Inuyasha leapt behind Naraku, grabbed his arm, and bent it behind his back. Naraku growled in fury and pain, and grabbed Inuyasha with his free arm and pinned him to the floor. Naraku raised his claws, and cut Inuyasha's waist as he did Kikyo's.
Inuyasha fell just before the sun rose. Naraku raised his fist in the air in victory, and freed Kikyo from her protective barrier. Kikyo ran to Naraku and folded herself in his arms, and stared at Inuyasha's body as he fell to the floor.
She pulled herself free from Naraku only for a moment, examining Inuyasha's crumpled, bloody body. Kikyo's hands flew over him like spiders as she checked for any sign of life. Inuyasha was still breathing, but his breaths were shallow and light, and Kikyo could barely hear or feel them.
Naraku watched Kikyo silently, and stood with fear that Kikyo could still be interested in him. Kikyo placed her hand on Inuyasha's forehead, shook her head, and walked slowly across the room back to Naraku. Tears filled her eyes, and she made no move to gulp them back. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha," she meant to say, but it only came out as a whisper.