Chapter 11 Sleep Over
Inuyasha noticed, with great irk, that Kagome and Michael were holding hands, looking very comfortable with each other, as they came through the door and walked back into the living room. "Well demon," Michael said, "It seems my Kay here has her heart and mind set to return with you to your own time."
"Of course she has, she knows where she belongs," he said, just hoping to annoy Michael. "He may be holding her hand now, but soon enough he won't be able to get anywhere near her," he consoled himself.
"Inuyasha, please don't start, and Michael, his name is Inuyasha, not 'demon.' Please stop being rude to him."
Michael didn't respond, but smiled at her, happily. She felt like a playground monitor, sending warring five-year-olds to separate corners. "Jeez. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep the peace between those two. The sooner we leave, the better."
"I'm going to shower, then pack, then sleep," Kagome announced. "Inuyasha, we can leave first thing in the morning."
He didn't argue with her about leaving sooner. He knew she was beyond tired.
"Michael, did Clo, come home?"
"No, You should call her cell and check-in."
"Do you think she'll hate me?" Kagome asked frowning.
"I think you should call her."
Kagome sighed, and turned to walk into her bedroom. "Michael, Inuyasha, can you two play-nice while I shower and call Chloe?" she turned and asked.
"On my word of honor love, I won't hurt your dem–Inuyasha, unless I have your blessing."
"And you, Inuyasha? Can you be civil to him for five minutes?"
"Hhmph! I'm counting down, so you better be quick, wench."
Michael raised an eyebrow and shot Inuyasha a quick, dangerous look. He turned back to Kagome and gave her his sweetest smile. "Go on love, call her, gives us a chance to become chums."
It was Kagome's time to raise her eyebrows. She snorted and gave Michael a parting shot before closing the door to her room, "I'll buy that when hell freezes!"
She walked into her room and flopped down on her back on her bed. She sighed again, allowing her tired mind and body to momentarily enjoy the wonderful feeling of a soft, warm bed. She rolled over on her stomach and dialed Chloe's number. Out in the living room, Inuyasha remained seated on the sofa. Michael walked slowly over to an armchair, and, never taking his eyes off Inuyasha and keeping his posture stiff, sat down.
"I thought I told you to watch your filthy mouth, "Michael said in a low, threatening voice.
"What the hell are you yapping about now?" Inuyasha replied.
"Your manners, FRIEND, are lacking. Kagome is a woman, a wonderful woman who you are not fit to be in the same universe with. Not a wench. Not any crude name you may think you can abuse her with. You WILL treat her with respect, you will not upset her. If you do, you will be coming nowhere near her, do you understand me, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha shot him a dirty look. "What Kagome and I say, or do when we're together is none of your business." He had added the word "do" just for the pleasure of implying something that might upset the man. "Ha! Let him think about that for a while!"
He knew that Michael had no hold on Kagome once they left this time, had heard him say it. "He's just blowing hot-air now, trying to act like he's in control because he knows she's leaving him and it's what she wants!"
"Everything that concerns Kagome is my business," he replied. "Don't fool yourself for an instant to make sure I won't do everything in my power--and I have a lot--to protect her."
"I was protecting her years before you even met her, so back off!"
"That may be true, but she's not now, and never has been your first priority, has she?"
Michael had stunned him, hit a nerve. How could he answer that? Kagome was his friend, his comrade-in-battle along with Sango, Miroku and even Shippo. He would have, and had, put his life on the line to protect any of them, especially Kagome. But was she his "first priority?"
"She can't be my first priority, it's not possible. Getting the jewel back and whole, defeating Naraku once and for all, Kikyo . . . .Hell, I don't even know what I want anymore, just what I have to do. But what do I feel for Kagome? Where does she fit? She is from another time, another world. Even if I wanted her to come first, how could she?
Michael waited, as Inuyasha took in his words and weighed them. Then he continued:
"Know this: Kagome IS my first priority. There is no question about it. Her happiness, her health, her safety. That means whatever it takes, whatever she needs, wants, I'm here to ensure it. It gives me no delight to leave her alone with you. You know by now I could stop her from going with you as easily as I can raise my hand. I won't stand in her way because this is what she wants now, but make no mistake about who protects her."
For once, Inuyasha was speechless. He wished he was back home. He needed time to think about this, all of it. He was suddenly feeling the need to run, far and long.
Kagome opened the door to her room, wearing a fluffy, white terry robe. Her wet hair hung in sleek, dark waves down her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat of the shower. She tossed her head to one side, and began toweling her hair dry, as she smiled down at the two men.
Inuyasha glanced at her sideways, careful not to let her or Michael notice him watching. "Gods! Why does she have to be so damn beautiful?" Freshly showered, clean from make-up and smelling now only of her soap and own sweet scent, he found her amazing. "She has no idea how she looks right now, and she's even more-beautiful because of it."
"Well! This must be some kind of a miracle," Kagome looked up from her hair- drying ritual and said. "Are you two actually getting along and having a quiet conversation?"
"We're fine here, aren't we Inuyasha?" Michael responded.
"We're not fighting," was all Inuyasha was willing to say. This seemed to be enough to please Kagome greatly. She gave a happy smile that made her already-glowing face light up even more.
"Michael, I spoke with Chloe. Brad doesn't know what happened to him and neither does Chloe. The doctors think Brad had some kind of 'angina attack' brought on by stress and drinking. It happened right after I left. They took him to the hospital and said he needs to rest and stay away from alcohol, but he should be fine. What's more, Chloe said he had some kind of dream–an angel came to him and told him he needed to treat her better, he swears he's going to reform."
"Well, then, maybe he's better-off for your stunt," Michael said. "He must have quite a stubborn unconscious to turn what you did to him into a visit from an angel. Honestly love, you're gonna give all a bad name."
Kagome gave a small laugh at this.
"I'm really glad he's going to be okay. I guess I'm lucky that he doesn't remember, I just feel bad lying to Chloe, not telling her what happened, admitting what I did."
"Do you think she'd believe you even if you told her the truth?" Inuyasha asked, breaking in to the conversation.
"No, I don't. She'd tell me I was crazy, and that it was just a sick fantasy on my part that I had anything to do with it because I don't like Brad."
"Then don't tell her," he stated. "At least she feels bad when she lies. I wonder, is her conscious bothering her about the things she's not telling, me?"
"What did you tell her about the band?" Michael asked.
"I explained that I was sick with hepatitis, and that Inuyasha and I were going to take a road-trip to visit some of my old friends who live in the country where I can rest and recover. Mika's sister can play keyboards, and Chloe can take lead vocals until I get better. She said she'll come home tomorrow to see me before I leave, she's staying with Brad tonight at the hospital."
"I'm impressed love, you think quickly."
"I guess after years of lying to friends at school about where I kept disappearing to, I'm used to making-up cover stories. I'm just a little nervous that it's become second-nature for me!" "And now I've had a whole conversation with one of my best-friends that was a lie. Real nice."
Inuyasha seemed to read her mind and said, "Yeah Kagome, you lie good."
The comment produced the desired effect of making her look flustered and hot-cheeked.
"Well," she said, glaring at Inuyasha, "I need to pack." Kagome turned and went into her bedroom and was a little surprised to see Inuyasha standing at her door, looking in.
"Inuyasha?"
"I'll keep you company while you pack. The air out there smells bad."
Kagome knew this was a not-so-subtle way of complaining about Michael. Inuyasha had kept his promise, he didn't start a fight while she showered and talked to Chloe. Maybe he had earned a break. Michael could be a little intense, she knew. There were times he seemed able to read her thoughts, her very soul. It could be unsettling.
"Fine," she said, "have a seat," pointing to her bed, "but this is going to take a while. I haven't packed for the Feudal Era for a long time, and I want to make sure I don't forget anything."
Kagome turned to her closet and brought out not the yellow backpack he expected, but a jumbo-sized duffle bag, almost four-feet long.
"Your not planning on bringing that are you," Inuyasha asked, staring incredulously at the huge, canvas bag.
"Yes, Inuyasha, I am. If I'm going to be living away from my time for awhile, I intend to be a lot better prepared for it that I was back then."
Kagome shuddered to think how breezy she had been about leaving her own time when she was young–back then she would throw in a few ramen packets and treats for Shippo, a couple apples, a handful of bandages, a single change of clothes, and then load the pack down with schoolbooks and paper. Facing the past now, she was damn-well going to be ready for any possibility. She wasn't going to change her routines any more than she had to either, so that meant her largest duffle-bag, it still had the "AA Airlines" tag on the handle from her trip to America last summer. That all seemed so far away now. . . .
"Hmmph!" he grunted. "You did fine before with your old pack. Besides, I'm not carrying that thing for you."
"I wouldn't dream of asking you to, Prince Charming," she answered sarcastically.
He didn't know who "prince charming" was, but Kagome often made little jokes and comments that only she seemed to get. Sometime later he would make her tell him what she meant.
Kagome turned and stared digging through drawers, under her bed, in her closet, compiling a vast mound of clothes and shoes. There were many colors and styles to the odd-looking assortment of garments. She walked back and forth to her adjoining bathroom, throwing piles of all kinds of toiletries and funny-smelling bottles on the bed with the clothes.
"Are you trying to attract attention and suspicion to us?!" he said, aggravated that she was continuing to add to the pile. "Your school uniform was bad enough, but at least people got used to that. What's all this anyway?"
"Inuyasha, none of your business. I'll bring what I want to bring, and if that means I decide to take ten prom gowns and a tiara, I will. Now, be quiet and let me concentrate!"
"Fine woman, but you used to be practical."
"I mean it Inuyasha, be quiet or go back out there with Michael. Maybe you two could watch a good movie on TV together."
"Hhmph!"
He turned his head away from her, to the little night-stand by her bed. "Who's this?" he said, looking a picture of a man's face in a silver frame. The picture was black-and-white, but it was obvious the man in the picture had very light hair, curly, and cut very close to his head. His hairline was receding in the front, suggesting the man would loose his hair as he aged. He was youthful-looking, younger than Michael but older than Kagome, "maybe 21 or 22," he guessed. His eyes looked dark. His nose was small, and somewhat upturned, but what Inuyasha noticed most was the man's smile, it was crooked, smug-looking. There was something familiar about this man. . .
"Who's this?" he said, taking the photo in his hand and holding it forward to Kagome.
"That's Paul, Chloe's cousin," Kagome answered, not looking at him.
"That's Paul, Kagome's fiancée," Michael said, leaning casually in the doorway.
"Michael--" she began to say something, obviously surprised to hear him speaking now.
"What does that mean?" Inuyasha asked him, cutting Kagome off.
"Didn't she tell you? That's the man our lovely Kay has agreed to marry."
Inuyasha felt the floor drop. He closed his eyes, willing the sensation that room was spinning round him to stop.
"Is this true, Kagome?" he asked, trying to keep his voice level.
Kagome gave an exasperated sigh. "I met Paul last summer. He lives in America. I was there for a study-abroad program. I was already living with Chloe here, and she set it up for him to show me around a little while I was there. He's a medical student too, so we have a lot in common."
"Is it true?" He asked again.
The look on his face was so serious, his voice sounded so sad, Kagome felt guilty, She could tell this was hurting him, and a question tugged at the back of her mind, "Why, why does he look so upset?"
"Yes," she answered in a low, steady voice. "He asked me to marry him last Christmas. He came to visit Chloe and we. . . ." she broke off, looking down at the ground. "We're not rushing into anything. He wants to finish his residency and I just started my second term, so, it'll be a year or two before. . . . before we're married."
Michael walked over to the bed. "Paulie here's going to be a urologist, do you know what kind of special man it takes do that, Inuyasha?"
Kagome glared at him, her temper flaring. "Michael, cut it out. I'm tired of you always putting him down. There's nothing wrong with urology."
"If you don't mind sticking your finger up mens' asses to feel prostrates, then no, there's nothing wrong with it at all."
Inuyasha shook his head and gave a bitter laugh. THIS is the man she's chosen? I thought Michael was the one she wanted. I've been trying to accept that, but now I've got to think about her with HIM?" He felt a pain in his chest, it was growing, threatening to choke him.
"The fact of the matter Inuyasha, is that Paul is a pompous-ass, even worse than you, which is quite a feat. If I had met you a little sooner Kay, you wouldn't be promised to him, that much we both know."
"Okay Michael, THAT'S ENOUGH! The only pompous ass I see right now is you! Now get OUT!" She picked up a perfume bottle and threw it at him, barely missing the side of his head.
"Okay, okay, love!" he said, laughing at her and looking happy and satisfied. "Just one question, if you don't mind?"
"WHAT?!" Kagome glared.
"If you are properly engaged to him, why don't you wear that little ring he gave you, you know, the one that's supposed to proclaim you as taken to the world?"
Kagome flushed, hot and angry. "I will wear his ring when both of us are ready to announce that we're engaged. We both have other commitments now, you know that," she said coldly.
"But the way it looks to me love, Paulie-boy is ready. It's you who wants to wait. You've not properly agreed to his proposal, you've only promised him to later consider making a promise to him ."
Kagome didn't answer him. That sounded so dumb, but yes, it was true. She had his ring, kept it in her drawer. When Paul surprised her with it last Christmas, she was truly happy. But, somehow, wearing it just didn't feel right, not yet. She told Paul she was waiting to wear it and, even though he wasn't happy about that decision, didn't press her. Why was Michael bringing this up now, and in front of Inuyasha? Did he have to press all her buttons, expose her every vulnerability?
Inuyasha listened grimly. Somehow, he knew that Michael was giving him more information about Kagome's current life than she would have ever volunteered. What he didn't understand was why? This was private information between the two of them. Why was Michael letting him know? He had to admit, he did feel better, knowing that Kagome's decision to marry wasn't finalized yet. Still, in the month that had passed since he had seen her, "four damn weeks is all--" she had changed so much, was involved with a man–two men–who were a huge part of her life. A life that he was an outsider to.
"The question is not how does she fit into my life now. The question is, do I have any part in hers?"
He realized the irony of the situation–He actually understood how Michael was feeling now, could even sympathize with him. Not that long ago he was Kagome's protector, and although that was all he was, her protector and friend, he hated thinking about her returning to her own time, a life that included the threat of other males taking her away. "Michael is my replacement. Paul is Hojo's." Inuyasha smiled bitterly.
As if on cue, the phone rang. Kagome picked up and heard Paul's voice:
"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday KA-GO-ME, Happy birthday to you!"
He sang terribly, off-tune in a scratchy baritone. "Oh God, what time is it in the states? Four, five-o' clock in the morning? He stayed up to sing that me." She knew he was being sweet, wanting to call her to wish her a happy birthday. Still, she couldn't help feeling impatient.
"Can you hold on a minute? My roommate and a friend are in here, and I want to get some privacy."
"Sure honey," he said, "But every minute costs money, you know, so don't take too long." She rolled her eyes at the phone, and then turned to Michael and Inuyasha.
"You two can leave and close the door now," she said, but it wasn't a suggestion, it was a demand.
"Oh come on Kay, Michael teased, deliberately raising his voice, "Why don't you let Inuyasha and I say hello to whoever it is?"
"Sssh!" she hissed. "GET OUT, both of you!" She covered the phone with her hand and stage-whispered this last command.
Michael turned to leave, but not before saying something to Inuyasha, again making his voice much-louder than necessary: "I don't know what she's so touchy about. After all, if a grown woman wants to entertain two men in her bedroom that's her business!" He grinned wickedly at her, bowed, and left.
Inuyasha remained on the bed, his eyes locked on hers. Kagome waited, furious, and still holding her hand over the receiver.
"Inuyasha, will you give me a minute, please," she said in a low, sweet voice. She changed her tone and actually gave him a little pleading smile. It was Michael she was really upset with now, not him.
Inuyasha shrugged and asked "Why?"
"Because this is Paul. I need to tell him I'm not going to be able to see him this summer like we planned, and I want to be alone when I do this."
She knew going back to the past with Inuyasha meant withdrawing from all her classes this term, and that meant she wouldn't qualify for a place in the summer internship program in Austin, where Paul was. She knew what her decision to go with Inuyasha was going to mean to her future, and had felt some regret, but she wasn't going to change her mind.
"Alright Kagome," he said, surprisingly understanding, "I'll wait outside for you."
He appreciated her honesty and thought about her situation. No, she hadn't volunteered much to him about her life. Most of what he knew he had learned by over-hearing her conversations and what Michael had just forced her to reveal.
"How much about your own life have you shared willingly with her? How much about your past with Kikyo did you want to tell her? You didn't even want her to know when you met with Kikyo; you didn't want to let her in at all." He chastised himself, remembering all the times Kagome had acted hurt, angry, when she knew he was keeping things from her.
He understood her much better now, both Kagome's–the one who used to get angry with him in the past and the one who frustrated him so much in the present. He stood up and as he turned to leave, glanced back at her pale, tense form, still clutching the phone tightly in her hand. He felt a sudden twinge of caring and sympathy for the young woman. "You're trying to live a lot of separate lives Kagome and I think you were doing that even before I came back. You need rest. Rest and a chance to get away from these pressures." He decided that if possible, he would find a way to get her to rest-up a little when they returned to his time.
After several minutes passed, Kagome came out of her room looking drawn.
Michael walked over, and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Kay? He didn't take the news very well, did he?"
Kagome nodded. When she had told Paul her cover story about having hepatitis, he wanted to schedule the first flight over. (He was going to use the money to buy a new, flat-screen television set, he wanted her to know, but he was willing to do this for her. Maybe she could pay him back later.)
Kagome had tried to tell him nicely not to come, that she had made plans to go visit old friends. Paul happily volunteered to go with her to the country. She never dreamed he would want to take time off his residency even if he could. When he insisted, she was cornered and finally had to say,
"I don't want you to come, Paul."
She had confused him, hurt him. He accused her of lying about being sick just to avoid him, and of course, he was right, but not for the reasons he thought. There was no way she could tell him the truth:
"I'm going to take a trip back in time, to fight some nasty demons and search for the pieces of a magical jewel. Oh yeah, I am a priestess with powers that were given to me so I can fulfill my destiny. Sorry Paul. . . ." He would be here on the first overnight flight, trying to get her committed and researching the right medical cocktail to treat her psychotic break.
She really had no other choice. "I just need some time, Paul," she finally had to say. "I need to get away and think."
"But you won't be away by yourself; you'll be with your friends, right?" He asked, sounding hurt and betrayed. He didn't ask if there was someone else in her life, his meaning was clear.
"I need some time away from school, from all the pressures in my life. I'm not asking for forever, just for a while. Can you trust me, give me some space?" Honestly, she wasn't sure what answer she was hoping for when she asked the question.
He agreed to wait, for awhile, but she could tell he doubted her sincerity in every way.
"Ah Kay, what's done is done, no use shedding more tears tonight, especially over Paulie," Michael tried to make it sound consoling, but it was more like cajoling.
"Michael?"
"Yes, I want to fix a late dinner for us. While I do that, will you take this shopping list and pick up the rest of the things I need to take with me?" She handed him a list and a folded stack of bills from her purse.
"Are you trying to get rid of me too, now?" he asked playfully.
"I am trying, "she said, "To find a way to get you to stop helping me with Paul." She reached up and tugged a handful of his wavy, soft-brown hair. She was not mad at him. His teasing did help; she could get so damn heavy, so serious. Michael knew how to make her laugh, lift her mood with one irresistible grin.
"Alright, love. Just like a woman to send a man to do her shopping."
She gave him a parting smile and said "thanks!" as he walked through the door.
Inuyasha had been watching her, watching them, during this latest exchange. He sat sulkily on the couch. "She didn't even look at me, while he was here," he thought. "She used to be so–
Devoted to you? It bothers you now that you don't hold her attention every minute. Hell, she's just had a fight with a man she's going to marry and another man is making her feel better. She's not thinking about you at all."
Inuyasha was wrong. She knew he was there. After she got off the phone with Paul she was miserable. More than anything, she wanted to give into her first impulse, to run to him, ask him to hold her, comfort her again like he had earlier. She couldn't do that with Michael present, so she made herself deliberately aloof. "I know I might seem unfriendly if I just ignore him, but if I look at him, I may not be able to help myself. I want him to hold me again, just hold me. He probably won't even notice if I don't look at him now. . . ."
But now Michael was gone and her excuse for keeping her distance with him, so there was no way to keep cold-shouldering him without seeming rude. She had to talk to him, act normal.
"Hey Inuyasha, you want to go into the kitchen with me while I cook dinner?" She tried to make the question sound light.
Inuyasha stood up and turned sideways, looking away from her, up to the ceiling. "Is someone talking to me? Sorry, I must have imagined it. I know when Michael's around, Kagome isn't able to talk to or even see anyone else."
Uh-oh. Hanyou sarcasm. He had noticed her little routine. Now she felt she really couldn't take it if he was angry with her too. She had made so many mistakes, a record number, and in just one afternoon.
"Oh Inuyasha!" she said, almost crying. She ran over to the startled hanyou and wrapped her arms around him, not saying anything, just holding on to him, tight.
"Hmmph! Get a hold of yourself stupid girl! I was just joking!" He tried to make it sound gruff, but he was so surprised when she hugged him instead of hitting him, he was thrown completely off-guard. "Oh Kagome, maybe you're grown-up now, but you still need to be taken care of, don't you?" He allowed himself to let one arm lightly touch her waist. Kagome held fast, and although her silent tears had stopped flowing, she was giving herself time to compose herself, hoping to rid her face of the humiliating blush she knew was there from feeling so weak.
Feeling her heart beat so close to his, surrounded again by her wonderful scent and the rhythm of her breathing, Inuyasha smiled. He was in no hurry for her to let go.
Michael came back as she was putting dinner on the table. The human woman, angel, and half-demon ate a modest meal of pad tai and salad. They enjoyed a quiet, almost disturbingly normal meal together.
Kagome then got to work gathering her food and medical supplies to put in the bag along with, as far as Inuyasha could tell, everything she owned. She hadn't been in medical school very long, and didn't know too much about diagnosis and treatment protocols yet, but she knew a lot more than she did at fifteen. She packed antibiotic pills that she had left-over from her own previous sinus infection, ointments, bee and snake bite emergency treatment, water purifying tablets, alcohol wipes, ace bandages, and a pharmacy's worth of other supplies. She also packed her CPR training manual, even though she had been certified and recertified as a summer lifeguard for years. When she was done packing, she looked like a sleepwalker.
Michael came up behind her and put his arms around his waist. "Time for bed love, you've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow."
Inuyasha didn't know what bothered him more, watching that man constantly paw her, or the fact that after touching her, she carried no scent from him, only her own. It was eerie. Everything has a scent, why not him? Hmph! I'm half-human, half-more than he is, damn ghost.
Watching them, he instinctively gave a low growl. "Can't you keep your damn hands off her?!"
"No. I really can't. Besides, Kay doesn't mind. We're close, very close." Michael was grinning as he continued to hold Kagome's waist from behind, enjoying Inuyasha's aggravation.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Honestly, enough is enough. I'm tired of this macho-crap. I want you two to give it a rest." she said, her tone clearly conveying she was tired and serious. "You're right. We all need sleep." She deftly moved out of Michael's embrace. "Inuyasha, I know it's not the most comfortable couch, but you're welcome to sleep there. There really aren't any trees around here where you can sleep without been seen."
"He sleeps in trees?!" Michael asked in a scandalized voice. "Does he lift his leg and--"
"Michael, SHUT UP!" Kagome said, turning to give a look that said "stop or die."
Inuyasha chose to ignore him this time, happy that Kagome was standing up for him again and had moved out of his arms.
"The couch smells like a slaughtered cow," he said, wrinkling his nose. "I'll just sleep on the floor of your room."
"I don't think so, "Michael replied.
"And I don't care what you think," Inuyasha responded.
"Your bedroom's gonna be crowded then, love, because if he's bunking with you, I'll be doing the same."
Kagome shook her head and gave a tired sigh. She hadn't expected a problem with the sleeping arrangements. They all just needed to go to bed, she didn't care where. The last thing any of them needed now was another full- blown argument.
"Look," Kagome said. "I'll get bedding for Inuyasha to sleep on the floor in here. Michael, go to your room." She smiled a little, aware of the fact that she just sounded like his mother.
He grinned back at her. "I love it when you take control!"
"Good, then go to sleep!"
She went into her room and came out with a pile of pink and white comforters, blankets, and pillows.
"Here Inuyasha," she said, unceremoniously dumping the pile on the living room floor. "I hope you'll be comfortable. Now goodnight, both of you." Kagome turned to go into her own room.
"Kay–"Michael called.
"Yes?"
"Sweet dreams love." "You too," she said with a thin, weary smile, "Both of you."
She closed the door behind her, feeling strangely happy and content. She shook her head at herself as she undressed and quickly slipped on a night tee. "After all that's happened in one day, I'm feeling happy now? Yes, I am. I am happy. Two of the people I love the most are with right here, right now. I never thought I'd see Inuyasha again, let alone have him sleeping in my living room."
With her eyes and mind getting fuzzy, Kagome finally turned off her bedside light and went to sleep. As she gave into the whirl of dream images taking over her consciousness, a part of her knew she had not felt so happy, so peaceful in a very long time.
Inuyasha noticed, with great irk, that Kagome and Michael were holding hands, looking very comfortable with each other, as they came through the door and walked back into the living room. "Well demon," Michael said, "It seems my Kay here has her heart and mind set to return with you to your own time."
"Of course she has, she knows where she belongs," he said, just hoping to annoy Michael. "He may be holding her hand now, but soon enough he won't be able to get anywhere near her," he consoled himself.
"Inuyasha, please don't start, and Michael, his name is Inuyasha, not 'demon.' Please stop being rude to him."
Michael didn't respond, but smiled at her, happily. She felt like a playground monitor, sending warring five-year-olds to separate corners. "Jeez. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep the peace between those two. The sooner we leave, the better."
"I'm going to shower, then pack, then sleep," Kagome announced. "Inuyasha, we can leave first thing in the morning."
He didn't argue with her about leaving sooner. He knew she was beyond tired.
"Michael, did Clo, come home?"
"No, You should call her cell and check-in."
"Do you think she'll hate me?" Kagome asked frowning.
"I think you should call her."
Kagome sighed, and turned to walk into her bedroom. "Michael, Inuyasha, can you two play-nice while I shower and call Chloe?" she turned and asked.
"On my word of honor love, I won't hurt your dem–Inuyasha, unless I have your blessing."
"And you, Inuyasha? Can you be civil to him for five minutes?"
"Hhmph! I'm counting down, so you better be quick, wench."
Michael raised an eyebrow and shot Inuyasha a quick, dangerous look. He turned back to Kagome and gave her his sweetest smile. "Go on love, call her, gives us a chance to become chums."
It was Kagome's time to raise her eyebrows. She snorted and gave Michael a parting shot before closing the door to her room, "I'll buy that when hell freezes!"
She walked into her room and flopped down on her back on her bed. She sighed again, allowing her tired mind and body to momentarily enjoy the wonderful feeling of a soft, warm bed. She rolled over on her stomach and dialed Chloe's number. Out in the living room, Inuyasha remained seated on the sofa. Michael walked slowly over to an armchair, and, never taking his eyes off Inuyasha and keeping his posture stiff, sat down.
"I thought I told you to watch your filthy mouth, "Michael said in a low, threatening voice.
"What the hell are you yapping about now?" Inuyasha replied.
"Your manners, FRIEND, are lacking. Kagome is a woman, a wonderful woman who you are not fit to be in the same universe with. Not a wench. Not any crude name you may think you can abuse her with. You WILL treat her with respect, you will not upset her. If you do, you will be coming nowhere near her, do you understand me, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha shot him a dirty look. "What Kagome and I say, or do when we're together is none of your business." He had added the word "do" just for the pleasure of implying something that might upset the man. "Ha! Let him think about that for a while!"
He knew that Michael had no hold on Kagome once they left this time, had heard him say it. "He's just blowing hot-air now, trying to act like he's in control because he knows she's leaving him and it's what she wants!"
"Everything that concerns Kagome is my business," he replied. "Don't fool yourself for an instant to make sure I won't do everything in my power--and I have a lot--to protect her."
"I was protecting her years before you even met her, so back off!"
"That may be true, but she's not now, and never has been your first priority, has she?"
Michael had stunned him, hit a nerve. How could he answer that? Kagome was his friend, his comrade-in-battle along with Sango, Miroku and even Shippo. He would have, and had, put his life on the line to protect any of them, especially Kagome. But was she his "first priority?"
"She can't be my first priority, it's not possible. Getting the jewel back and whole, defeating Naraku once and for all, Kikyo . . . .Hell, I don't even know what I want anymore, just what I have to do. But what do I feel for Kagome? Where does she fit? She is from another time, another world. Even if I wanted her to come first, how could she?
Michael waited, as Inuyasha took in his words and weighed them. Then he continued:
"Know this: Kagome IS my first priority. There is no question about it. Her happiness, her health, her safety. That means whatever it takes, whatever she needs, wants, I'm here to ensure it. It gives me no delight to leave her alone with you. You know by now I could stop her from going with you as easily as I can raise my hand. I won't stand in her way because this is what she wants now, but make no mistake about who protects her."
For once, Inuyasha was speechless. He wished he was back home. He needed time to think about this, all of it. He was suddenly feeling the need to run, far and long.
Kagome opened the door to her room, wearing a fluffy, white terry robe. Her wet hair hung in sleek, dark waves down her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat of the shower. She tossed her head to one side, and began toweling her hair dry, as she smiled down at the two men.
Inuyasha glanced at her sideways, careful not to let her or Michael notice him watching. "Gods! Why does she have to be so damn beautiful?" Freshly showered, clean from make-up and smelling now only of her soap and own sweet scent, he found her amazing. "She has no idea how she looks right now, and she's even more-beautiful because of it."
"Well! This must be some kind of a miracle," Kagome looked up from her hair- drying ritual and said. "Are you two actually getting along and having a quiet conversation?"
"We're fine here, aren't we Inuyasha?" Michael responded.
"We're not fighting," was all Inuyasha was willing to say. This seemed to be enough to please Kagome greatly. She gave a happy smile that made her already-glowing face light up even more.
"Michael, I spoke with Chloe. Brad doesn't know what happened to him and neither does Chloe. The doctors think Brad had some kind of 'angina attack' brought on by stress and drinking. It happened right after I left. They took him to the hospital and said he needs to rest and stay away from alcohol, but he should be fine. What's more, Chloe said he had some kind of dream–an angel came to him and told him he needed to treat her better, he swears he's going to reform."
"Well, then, maybe he's better-off for your stunt," Michael said. "He must have quite a stubborn unconscious to turn what you did to him into a visit from an angel. Honestly love, you're gonna give all a bad name."
Kagome gave a small laugh at this.
"I'm really glad he's going to be okay. I guess I'm lucky that he doesn't remember, I just feel bad lying to Chloe, not telling her what happened, admitting what I did."
"Do you think she'd believe you even if you told her the truth?" Inuyasha asked, breaking in to the conversation.
"No, I don't. She'd tell me I was crazy, and that it was just a sick fantasy on my part that I had anything to do with it because I don't like Brad."
"Then don't tell her," he stated. "At least she feels bad when she lies. I wonder, is her conscious bothering her about the things she's not telling, me?"
"What did you tell her about the band?" Michael asked.
"I explained that I was sick with hepatitis, and that Inuyasha and I were going to take a road-trip to visit some of my old friends who live in the country where I can rest and recover. Mika's sister can play keyboards, and Chloe can take lead vocals until I get better. She said she'll come home tomorrow to see me before I leave, she's staying with Brad tonight at the hospital."
"I'm impressed love, you think quickly."
"I guess after years of lying to friends at school about where I kept disappearing to, I'm used to making-up cover stories. I'm just a little nervous that it's become second-nature for me!" "And now I've had a whole conversation with one of my best-friends that was a lie. Real nice."
Inuyasha seemed to read her mind and said, "Yeah Kagome, you lie good."
The comment produced the desired effect of making her look flustered and hot-cheeked.
"Well," she said, glaring at Inuyasha, "I need to pack." Kagome turned and went into her bedroom and was a little surprised to see Inuyasha standing at her door, looking in.
"Inuyasha?"
"I'll keep you company while you pack. The air out there smells bad."
Kagome knew this was a not-so-subtle way of complaining about Michael. Inuyasha had kept his promise, he didn't start a fight while she showered and talked to Chloe. Maybe he had earned a break. Michael could be a little intense, she knew. There were times he seemed able to read her thoughts, her very soul. It could be unsettling.
"Fine," she said, "have a seat," pointing to her bed, "but this is going to take a while. I haven't packed for the Feudal Era for a long time, and I want to make sure I don't forget anything."
Kagome turned to her closet and brought out not the yellow backpack he expected, but a jumbo-sized duffle bag, almost four-feet long.
"Your not planning on bringing that are you," Inuyasha asked, staring incredulously at the huge, canvas bag.
"Yes, Inuyasha, I am. If I'm going to be living away from my time for awhile, I intend to be a lot better prepared for it that I was back then."
Kagome shuddered to think how breezy she had been about leaving her own time when she was young–back then she would throw in a few ramen packets and treats for Shippo, a couple apples, a handful of bandages, a single change of clothes, and then load the pack down with schoolbooks and paper. Facing the past now, she was damn-well going to be ready for any possibility. She wasn't going to change her routines any more than she had to either, so that meant her largest duffle-bag, it still had the "AA Airlines" tag on the handle from her trip to America last summer. That all seemed so far away now. . . .
"Hmmph!" he grunted. "You did fine before with your old pack. Besides, I'm not carrying that thing for you."
"I wouldn't dream of asking you to, Prince Charming," she answered sarcastically.
He didn't know who "prince charming" was, but Kagome often made little jokes and comments that only she seemed to get. Sometime later he would make her tell him what she meant.
Kagome turned and stared digging through drawers, under her bed, in her closet, compiling a vast mound of clothes and shoes. There were many colors and styles to the odd-looking assortment of garments. She walked back and forth to her adjoining bathroom, throwing piles of all kinds of toiletries and funny-smelling bottles on the bed with the clothes.
"Are you trying to attract attention and suspicion to us?!" he said, aggravated that she was continuing to add to the pile. "Your school uniform was bad enough, but at least people got used to that. What's all this anyway?"
"Inuyasha, none of your business. I'll bring what I want to bring, and if that means I decide to take ten prom gowns and a tiara, I will. Now, be quiet and let me concentrate!"
"Fine woman, but you used to be practical."
"I mean it Inuyasha, be quiet or go back out there with Michael. Maybe you two could watch a good movie on TV together."
"Hhmph!"
He turned his head away from her, to the little night-stand by her bed. "Who's this?" he said, looking a picture of a man's face in a silver frame. The picture was black-and-white, but it was obvious the man in the picture had very light hair, curly, and cut very close to his head. His hairline was receding in the front, suggesting the man would loose his hair as he aged. He was youthful-looking, younger than Michael but older than Kagome, "maybe 21 or 22," he guessed. His eyes looked dark. His nose was small, and somewhat upturned, but what Inuyasha noticed most was the man's smile, it was crooked, smug-looking. There was something familiar about this man. . .
"Who's this?" he said, taking the photo in his hand and holding it forward to Kagome.
"That's Paul, Chloe's cousin," Kagome answered, not looking at him.
"That's Paul, Kagome's fiancée," Michael said, leaning casually in the doorway.
"Michael--" she began to say something, obviously surprised to hear him speaking now.
"What does that mean?" Inuyasha asked him, cutting Kagome off.
"Didn't she tell you? That's the man our lovely Kay has agreed to marry."
Inuyasha felt the floor drop. He closed his eyes, willing the sensation that room was spinning round him to stop.
"Is this true, Kagome?" he asked, trying to keep his voice level.
Kagome gave an exasperated sigh. "I met Paul last summer. He lives in America. I was there for a study-abroad program. I was already living with Chloe here, and she set it up for him to show me around a little while I was there. He's a medical student too, so we have a lot in common."
"Is it true?" He asked again.
The look on his face was so serious, his voice sounded so sad, Kagome felt guilty, She could tell this was hurting him, and a question tugged at the back of her mind, "Why, why does he look so upset?"
"Yes," she answered in a low, steady voice. "He asked me to marry him last Christmas. He came to visit Chloe and we. . . ." she broke off, looking down at the ground. "We're not rushing into anything. He wants to finish his residency and I just started my second term, so, it'll be a year or two before. . . . before we're married."
Michael walked over to the bed. "Paulie here's going to be a urologist, do you know what kind of special man it takes do that, Inuyasha?"
Kagome glared at him, her temper flaring. "Michael, cut it out. I'm tired of you always putting him down. There's nothing wrong with urology."
"If you don't mind sticking your finger up mens' asses to feel prostrates, then no, there's nothing wrong with it at all."
Inuyasha shook his head and gave a bitter laugh. THIS is the man she's chosen? I thought Michael was the one she wanted. I've been trying to accept that, but now I've got to think about her with HIM?" He felt a pain in his chest, it was growing, threatening to choke him.
"The fact of the matter Inuyasha, is that Paul is a pompous-ass, even worse than you, which is quite a feat. If I had met you a little sooner Kay, you wouldn't be promised to him, that much we both know."
"Okay Michael, THAT'S ENOUGH! The only pompous ass I see right now is you! Now get OUT!" She picked up a perfume bottle and threw it at him, barely missing the side of his head.
"Okay, okay, love!" he said, laughing at her and looking happy and satisfied. "Just one question, if you don't mind?"
"WHAT?!" Kagome glared.
"If you are properly engaged to him, why don't you wear that little ring he gave you, you know, the one that's supposed to proclaim you as taken to the world?"
Kagome flushed, hot and angry. "I will wear his ring when both of us are ready to announce that we're engaged. We both have other commitments now, you know that," she said coldly.
"But the way it looks to me love, Paulie-boy is ready. It's you who wants to wait. You've not properly agreed to his proposal, you've only promised him to later consider making a promise to him ."
Kagome didn't answer him. That sounded so dumb, but yes, it was true. She had his ring, kept it in her drawer. When Paul surprised her with it last Christmas, she was truly happy. But, somehow, wearing it just didn't feel right, not yet. She told Paul she was waiting to wear it and, even though he wasn't happy about that decision, didn't press her. Why was Michael bringing this up now, and in front of Inuyasha? Did he have to press all her buttons, expose her every vulnerability?
Inuyasha listened grimly. Somehow, he knew that Michael was giving him more information about Kagome's current life than she would have ever volunteered. What he didn't understand was why? This was private information between the two of them. Why was Michael letting him know? He had to admit, he did feel better, knowing that Kagome's decision to marry wasn't finalized yet. Still, in the month that had passed since he had seen her, "four damn weeks is all--" she had changed so much, was involved with a man–two men–who were a huge part of her life. A life that he was an outsider to.
"The question is not how does she fit into my life now. The question is, do I have any part in hers?"
He realized the irony of the situation–He actually understood how Michael was feeling now, could even sympathize with him. Not that long ago he was Kagome's protector, and although that was all he was, her protector and friend, he hated thinking about her returning to her own time, a life that included the threat of other males taking her away. "Michael is my replacement. Paul is Hojo's." Inuyasha smiled bitterly.
As if on cue, the phone rang. Kagome picked up and heard Paul's voice:
"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday KA-GO-ME, Happy birthday to you!"
He sang terribly, off-tune in a scratchy baritone. "Oh God, what time is it in the states? Four, five-o' clock in the morning? He stayed up to sing that me." She knew he was being sweet, wanting to call her to wish her a happy birthday. Still, she couldn't help feeling impatient.
"Can you hold on a minute? My roommate and a friend are in here, and I want to get some privacy."
"Sure honey," he said, "But every minute costs money, you know, so don't take too long." She rolled her eyes at the phone, and then turned to Michael and Inuyasha.
"You two can leave and close the door now," she said, but it wasn't a suggestion, it was a demand.
"Oh come on Kay, Michael teased, deliberately raising his voice, "Why don't you let Inuyasha and I say hello to whoever it is?"
"Sssh!" she hissed. "GET OUT, both of you!" She covered the phone with her hand and stage-whispered this last command.
Michael turned to leave, but not before saying something to Inuyasha, again making his voice much-louder than necessary: "I don't know what she's so touchy about. After all, if a grown woman wants to entertain two men in her bedroom that's her business!" He grinned wickedly at her, bowed, and left.
Inuyasha remained on the bed, his eyes locked on hers. Kagome waited, furious, and still holding her hand over the receiver.
"Inuyasha, will you give me a minute, please," she said in a low, sweet voice. She changed her tone and actually gave him a little pleading smile. It was Michael she was really upset with now, not him.
Inuyasha shrugged and asked "Why?"
"Because this is Paul. I need to tell him I'm not going to be able to see him this summer like we planned, and I want to be alone when I do this."
She knew going back to the past with Inuyasha meant withdrawing from all her classes this term, and that meant she wouldn't qualify for a place in the summer internship program in Austin, where Paul was. She knew what her decision to go with Inuyasha was going to mean to her future, and had felt some regret, but she wasn't going to change her mind.
"Alright Kagome," he said, surprisingly understanding, "I'll wait outside for you."
He appreciated her honesty and thought about her situation. No, she hadn't volunteered much to him about her life. Most of what he knew he had learned by over-hearing her conversations and what Michael had just forced her to reveal.
"How much about your own life have you shared willingly with her? How much about your past with Kikyo did you want to tell her? You didn't even want her to know when you met with Kikyo; you didn't want to let her in at all." He chastised himself, remembering all the times Kagome had acted hurt, angry, when she knew he was keeping things from her.
He understood her much better now, both Kagome's–the one who used to get angry with him in the past and the one who frustrated him so much in the present. He stood up and as he turned to leave, glanced back at her pale, tense form, still clutching the phone tightly in her hand. He felt a sudden twinge of caring and sympathy for the young woman. "You're trying to live a lot of separate lives Kagome and I think you were doing that even before I came back. You need rest. Rest and a chance to get away from these pressures." He decided that if possible, he would find a way to get her to rest-up a little when they returned to his time.
After several minutes passed, Kagome came out of her room looking drawn.
Michael walked over, and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Kay? He didn't take the news very well, did he?"
Kagome nodded. When she had told Paul her cover story about having hepatitis, he wanted to schedule the first flight over. (He was going to use the money to buy a new, flat-screen television set, he wanted her to know, but he was willing to do this for her. Maybe she could pay him back later.)
Kagome had tried to tell him nicely not to come, that she had made plans to go visit old friends. Paul happily volunteered to go with her to the country. She never dreamed he would want to take time off his residency even if he could. When he insisted, she was cornered and finally had to say,
"I don't want you to come, Paul."
She had confused him, hurt him. He accused her of lying about being sick just to avoid him, and of course, he was right, but not for the reasons he thought. There was no way she could tell him the truth:
"I'm going to take a trip back in time, to fight some nasty demons and search for the pieces of a magical jewel. Oh yeah, I am a priestess with powers that were given to me so I can fulfill my destiny. Sorry Paul. . . ." He would be here on the first overnight flight, trying to get her committed and researching the right medical cocktail to treat her psychotic break.
She really had no other choice. "I just need some time, Paul," she finally had to say. "I need to get away and think."
"But you won't be away by yourself; you'll be with your friends, right?" He asked, sounding hurt and betrayed. He didn't ask if there was someone else in her life, his meaning was clear.
"I need some time away from school, from all the pressures in my life. I'm not asking for forever, just for a while. Can you trust me, give me some space?" Honestly, she wasn't sure what answer she was hoping for when she asked the question.
He agreed to wait, for awhile, but she could tell he doubted her sincerity in every way.
"Ah Kay, what's done is done, no use shedding more tears tonight, especially over Paulie," Michael tried to make it sound consoling, but it was more like cajoling.
"Michael?"
"Yes, I want to fix a late dinner for us. While I do that, will you take this shopping list and pick up the rest of the things I need to take with me?" She handed him a list and a folded stack of bills from her purse.
"Are you trying to get rid of me too, now?" he asked playfully.
"I am trying, "she said, "To find a way to get you to stop helping me with Paul." She reached up and tugged a handful of his wavy, soft-brown hair. She was not mad at him. His teasing did help; she could get so damn heavy, so serious. Michael knew how to make her laugh, lift her mood with one irresistible grin.
"Alright, love. Just like a woman to send a man to do her shopping."
She gave him a parting smile and said "thanks!" as he walked through the door.
Inuyasha had been watching her, watching them, during this latest exchange. He sat sulkily on the couch. "She didn't even look at me, while he was here," he thought. "She used to be so–
Devoted to you? It bothers you now that you don't hold her attention every minute. Hell, she's just had a fight with a man she's going to marry and another man is making her feel better. She's not thinking about you at all."
Inuyasha was wrong. She knew he was there. After she got off the phone with Paul she was miserable. More than anything, she wanted to give into her first impulse, to run to him, ask him to hold her, comfort her again like he had earlier. She couldn't do that with Michael present, so she made herself deliberately aloof. "I know I might seem unfriendly if I just ignore him, but if I look at him, I may not be able to help myself. I want him to hold me again, just hold me. He probably won't even notice if I don't look at him now. . . ."
But now Michael was gone and her excuse for keeping her distance with him, so there was no way to keep cold-shouldering him without seeming rude. She had to talk to him, act normal.
"Hey Inuyasha, you want to go into the kitchen with me while I cook dinner?" She tried to make the question sound light.
Inuyasha stood up and turned sideways, looking away from her, up to the ceiling. "Is someone talking to me? Sorry, I must have imagined it. I know when Michael's around, Kagome isn't able to talk to or even see anyone else."
Uh-oh. Hanyou sarcasm. He had noticed her little routine. Now she felt she really couldn't take it if he was angry with her too. She had made so many mistakes, a record number, and in just one afternoon.
"Oh Inuyasha!" she said, almost crying. She ran over to the startled hanyou and wrapped her arms around him, not saying anything, just holding on to him, tight.
"Hmmph! Get a hold of yourself stupid girl! I was just joking!" He tried to make it sound gruff, but he was so surprised when she hugged him instead of hitting him, he was thrown completely off-guard. "Oh Kagome, maybe you're grown-up now, but you still need to be taken care of, don't you?" He allowed himself to let one arm lightly touch her waist. Kagome held fast, and although her silent tears had stopped flowing, she was giving herself time to compose herself, hoping to rid her face of the humiliating blush she knew was there from feeling so weak.
Feeling her heart beat so close to his, surrounded again by her wonderful scent and the rhythm of her breathing, Inuyasha smiled. He was in no hurry for her to let go.
Michael came back as she was putting dinner on the table. The human woman, angel, and half-demon ate a modest meal of pad tai and salad. They enjoyed a quiet, almost disturbingly normal meal together.
Kagome then got to work gathering her food and medical supplies to put in the bag along with, as far as Inuyasha could tell, everything she owned. She hadn't been in medical school very long, and didn't know too much about diagnosis and treatment protocols yet, but she knew a lot more than she did at fifteen. She packed antibiotic pills that she had left-over from her own previous sinus infection, ointments, bee and snake bite emergency treatment, water purifying tablets, alcohol wipes, ace bandages, and a pharmacy's worth of other supplies. She also packed her CPR training manual, even though she had been certified and recertified as a summer lifeguard for years. When she was done packing, she looked like a sleepwalker.
Michael came up behind her and put his arms around his waist. "Time for bed love, you've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow."
Inuyasha didn't know what bothered him more, watching that man constantly paw her, or the fact that after touching her, she carried no scent from him, only her own. It was eerie. Everything has a scent, why not him? Hmph! I'm half-human, half-more than he is, damn ghost.
Watching them, he instinctively gave a low growl. "Can't you keep your damn hands off her?!"
"No. I really can't. Besides, Kay doesn't mind. We're close, very close." Michael was grinning as he continued to hold Kagome's waist from behind, enjoying Inuyasha's aggravation.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Honestly, enough is enough. I'm tired of this macho-crap. I want you two to give it a rest." she said, her tone clearly conveying she was tired and serious. "You're right. We all need sleep." She deftly moved out of Michael's embrace. "Inuyasha, I know it's not the most comfortable couch, but you're welcome to sleep there. There really aren't any trees around here where you can sleep without been seen."
"He sleeps in trees?!" Michael asked in a scandalized voice. "Does he lift his leg and--"
"Michael, SHUT UP!" Kagome said, turning to give a look that said "stop or die."
Inuyasha chose to ignore him this time, happy that Kagome was standing up for him again and had moved out of his arms.
"The couch smells like a slaughtered cow," he said, wrinkling his nose. "I'll just sleep on the floor of your room."
"I don't think so, "Michael replied.
"And I don't care what you think," Inuyasha responded.
"Your bedroom's gonna be crowded then, love, because if he's bunking with you, I'll be doing the same."
Kagome shook her head and gave a tired sigh. She hadn't expected a problem with the sleeping arrangements. They all just needed to go to bed, she didn't care where. The last thing any of them needed now was another full- blown argument.
"Look," Kagome said. "I'll get bedding for Inuyasha to sleep on the floor in here. Michael, go to your room." She smiled a little, aware of the fact that she just sounded like his mother.
He grinned back at her. "I love it when you take control!"
"Good, then go to sleep!"
She went into her room and came out with a pile of pink and white comforters, blankets, and pillows.
"Here Inuyasha," she said, unceremoniously dumping the pile on the living room floor. "I hope you'll be comfortable. Now goodnight, both of you." Kagome turned to go into her own room.
"Kay–"Michael called.
"Yes?"
"Sweet dreams love." "You too," she said with a thin, weary smile, "Both of you."
She closed the door behind her, feeling strangely happy and content. She shook her head at herself as she undressed and quickly slipped on a night tee. "After all that's happened in one day, I'm feeling happy now? Yes, I am. I am happy. Two of the people I love the most are with right here, right now. I never thought I'd see Inuyasha again, let alone have him sleeping in my living room."
With her eyes and mind getting fuzzy, Kagome finally turned off her bedside light and went to sleep. As she gave into the whirl of dream images taking over her consciousness, a part of her knew she had not felt so happy, so peaceful in a very long time.