Part Nine : Because I Love You
Kagome drew in a sharp breath as the 'stream' came into view. It was like a picture-perfect landscape. A beautiful waterfall. She wanted to hug Inuyasha, even more so than the clinging she was doing on her back. Only, she didn't want him to crash to the ground.
"Oh, Inuyasha... it's beautiful..." she breathed in his ear, at least she attempted to. It was difficult since his ears were different from human ones. But they were so cute. "Inuyasha, did you plan this?"
She was sure she could see a smile on his face, then a faint blush came to accompany it. At least, she was sure that's what she could see. She might have been wrong.
"I... not really," he hesitated his answer. "But I'm really glad you like it, Kagome."
"Of course I do. It's beautiful!" she exclaimed.
He blushed deeper, and this time she was sure of it. He was looking down, watching where he was landing. She wanted to kiss him, he looked so cute. But how could she? His thoughts were ever constant on Kikyo, weren't they? She sighed in defeat, pushing those thoughts away.
'I shouldn't push him... It just might scare him away...' she told herself, resting her chin on his shoulder as she gazed at the view before her. "Inuyasha, I'm glad that you brought me here, today."
It was also refreshing to see him un-obsessed with hunting down the jewel shards. For once, perhaps he was showing her pure affection. She hoped that was the truth. If she had no reason to doubt his affections, then there was no reason to hesitate telling him.
"Inu... Inuyasha..." She'd made up her mind. She had to, now. If she didn't tell him now, then when?
"Yeah? What is it, Kagome?"
"Could you land for a minute? I know we're almost there, but I have something I really need to tell you, now."
"Huh? Oh, okay, yeah..." he sounded confused as he softly landed on the ground. They were silent a moment. He was still supporting her on his back.
"Uhm... Inuyasha, could you please let me down?"
"Oh, yeah, of course." He reluctantly helped her down. Having Kagome on his back was fun. She always seemed so amazed by the world from that viewpoint. She could see an endless world. Once she'd even said that it made her feel free. 'I wish I could always share that feeling with you, Kagome...'
She grasped his upper arm and forced him to face her. "Inuyasha, why did you kiss me this morning?"
"I..." He blushed, deeply, and refused to meet her gaze. Unfortunately she was determined to know and manuevered herself so she was once again able to look hi min the eyes. "Kagome, I don't want to talk about it..."
"Inuyasha, I want to know!"
"Why?" he snapped, feeling nervous. "Why Kagome? Why do you want to know!"
"Because!" she lamely replied.
"Because why?"
In the back of their minds they understood what a pointless and childish fight this was, but they didn't care. Both were too stubborn to give. Even if he had just kissed her cheek... Kagome wanted to know why; Inuyasha, unsure, refused to tell her out of fear that she would get angry.
"Please tell me, Inuyasha!"
"Why do you want to know!" He got in her face, litterally.
She gasped in shock, but didn't give up any ground. He was so close, and breathing just as heavily as she was.
"Because... I love you..." she breathed, leaning in to her own surprise.
Their lips met, and Inuyasha's eyes widened, but he didn't move. Instead he placed a hand to her cheek to steady himself as his eyes slowly closed. Kagome was silent, her eyes closed as well. There was so much they wanted to say to one another; there was no use for words now, was there?
They stood like that for a while longer; Inuyasha's arms wrapped around Kagome's waist and her arms wrapped around his neck as they shared a long, sweet kiss.