Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha.
Author's Note: Thank you all so much for the reviews. It's nice to be appreciated, and I'll do my best not to disappoint you. Also, when this story ends, it's going to be the first in a series of stories about Kikyou and Inuyasha's developing relationship and things that happen throughout the animated series. So there'll be plenty more Side by Side even when this part is over. Keep reviewing and let me know your comments, questions and concerns!
No. Kagome's voice echoed like a stone at the bottom of a well inside her mind. No. No. Inuyasha, how could you? Although Kagome was a very innocent girl for her age, it didn't take a genius to figure out what Kikyou and Inuyasha had just done.
The hanyou was laying down on his Fire Rat Cloak completely nude, his backside visible to Kagome. Curled up in his arms was- a choking anger filled the girls lungs- Kikyou. She was wrapped up in part of the cloak, snuggling with Inuyasha. Her eyes were closed and she looked like she was sleeping. Inuyasha, however, was tracing a clawed finger over her almost-uncovered breasts.
Kagome was blushing so furiously that she could feel her ears burning. Her heart filled with rage for Inuyasha and hatred for Kikyou. The schoolgirl wanted to just stalk off and jump down the well, but she couldn't stop standing there and fuming.
Inuyasha suddenly rolled over onto his back. Seeing his naked member for the first time made Kagome gasp. Thank goodness he doesn't know I'm here watching him, she thought, and hid further behind the bush she was crouching under. Her heart was beating incredibly fast.
The hanyou crossed his arms behind his head and looked up at the stars. "Kikyou," he said aloud, almost lazily. It wasn't as though he was trying to wake her, but more like he was thinking out loud. Kagome stared at his nude figure, riveted.
"What would have happened if I would have become human for you?" He almost whispered. Kagome gasped silently.
"Would we be watching our children have children now? Would we become old like Kaede is now?" He chuckled softly. "Of course we would have. And I would have loved every damn minute of it," he finished bitterly. The night was so still that Kagome could hear every word he was saying. Every word felt as though it was sticking pins into her heart.
Why do I feel this way? Kagome thought. I mean, it's not like he's my boyfriend or anything. Well, her other side argued, he's the closest thing to a boyfriend I have. And I just saw him naked with Kikyou!
Her fury returning, Kagome angrily wiped the tears that were running down her face. She stopped her movements, however, when Kikyou stirred. "Inuyasha," the miko said quietly.
He hurriedly turned to her. "Do you want to go again?" He asked excitedly, causing Kagome to wince.
"We can't stay here like this, Inuyasha." Kikyou stood, letting his cloak fall like a puddle to the ground. She began to pull on her discarded clothing.
"Why not?" The hanyou asked angrily, also rising. "It's not near morning yet, and Kagome was angry with me, and so is everyone else, so why not stay here a little bit longer?"
This seemed to anger Kikyou. "So, as I suspected before, what that girl thinks means more to you than what I think?"
Ha! Go Kagome! The girl thought.
Inuyasha sighed. "Kikyou… It was a wonderful night. The best night of my life. I know that we both have our separate journeys to fulfill, and I don't want you to just walk away and think that I hate you. I already told you that was ridiculous."
Kikyou looked in the direction Kagome was standing. I hope she didn't see me, the girl thought, ducking down.
"Inuyasha," the miko continued smoothly. "I must go. But I will see you again soon."
The half-demon grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes. He had just made love to her, but he could not make himself do anything but become lost in those sad orbs. He wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to lay her cold body down and warm her, but he did not. He finally looked down. "I'll see you again soon, I hope," he sighed. "Kikyou…" He murmured as she disappeared into the trees. Tying his drawstring together, Inuyasha looked around.
Kagome was standing before him.
"Inuyasha," she just said blankly. She looked a mess and had been crying.
"Ka-Kagome?" The hanyou was shocked.
Silence.
"Are you okay?" What did she see, damn it, what did she see?
"How could you?" Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"How could I what?" He asked stupidly. She had to have seen, or at least seen them naked. From there she surely could have figured out what had transpired.
"I saw you laying next to her naked, you idiot!" She screamed. He jumped back, shaking.
"I'm sorry, Kagome," he softened. "I never meant to hurt you."
She turned on her heel, as though to run. Inuyasha grabbed her arm as he had grabbed Kikyou's. "I don't want this to change anything between us, Kagome," he said, pulling her close to him.
"What is there between us?" She whispered, outraged. "It's not like you're my boyfriend or anything.
Ignoring her remarks, Inuyasha was consumed by her red face and swollen eyes. Her lively scent, and the rage and sorrow emanating from her pores. He felt guilty. Not that he regretted what he had just done with Kikyou, but because he had never wanted to hurt the schoolgirl. He looked down at her softly, the same way he had looked at Kagome before when he had been remembering Kikyou, and Kagome had freaked out. Earlier, she would have given anything to trade places with Kikyou, although she'd never admit it. But now, she just wanted to be as far away from the hanyou as possible.
"Let go of me!" Kagome raised her voice. "I hate you!"
Hauling off, she slapped him across the face as hard as she could. "What the hell do you think you're doing! I'm going home now, and when I come back here, you'd better be groveling!" With that, Kagome ran off, one could only guess, to the well.
Inuyasha stood in the rising sun, holding his cheek where Kagome slapped him. Why'd she get so mad? He wondered.
Kikyou continued down the river in her craft. "I will see you again soon, Inuyasha. My Inuyasha."
Author's Note: Hope you liked it! I'm going to start work on my next Side by Side very soon, so please keep a lookout for it!