Part Thirteen : Hold you in my Arms
Inuyasha gingerly raised his hands to cup Kagome's cheeks. She seemed to be coming around now. Maybe all she needed to do was let his words really sink in. He pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers, listening as she drew in a very sharp breath.
"Kagome, look into my eyes," he pleaded, blinking back the massive wave of tears which threatened to escape his eyes.
She was silent except for a few sniffles. She let him hold her as he did, and let him gently brush away her tears with his thumbs. A moment passed before she began to shake her head reluctantly.
"I... Inuyasha, I can't," she whispered, her voice nearly breaking.
He could feel his body grow cold and he was sure that his heart skipped a few beats. The usual thought of why she might reject him crossed his mind.
"Is it because I'm a hanyou, Kagome?"
"Oh kami, no, Inuyasha," she cried. grasping his haori with her hands, "I can't because it's just too dark!"
"Too... dark?"
He laughed, relieved at the response. She could not look into his eyes because it was too dark, not because she did not love him. It was as if a huge weight had just lifted itself off of his heart. Now, perhaps, they could finally be together.
"I just want to hold you in my arms forever," he said softly, pressing her against his body.
She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around him. He also closed his eyes, inhaling her scent deeply. Her body shuddered as she held him tightly. He smiled softly. Knowingly. She did not have to repeat her words from before. He already knew how much she loved him.
"Aishiteru, Kagome."
"Ai-"
A hiccup cut her off, and she laughed shortly at herself.
"Aishiteru, my beloved ainoko."
Kagome was not sure why she had called him "half breed". It was a sore spot for him, but that was the best way that she could think of to assure him that it did not matter. She did not care what was in his blood, and how different from her that made him. More than anything she wanted him to never, as far as love went, feel the pain of rejection because he was a hanyou ever again. It was a pain that she did not, and never could, understand, but she knew that it was not what he deserved.
"Inuyasha..."
"Ka-Kagome?"
"Yeah, Inuyasha?" She pulled away and looked up into his eyes. "What is it?"
"When we complete the jewel I want to be the one who makes the wish on it, but not to become a full fledged demon," he breathed, brushing her temple with his lips.
She shivered as his breath caressed her ears with each word he spoke. She raised her hands tenderly to his cheek, leaning up to him. Sparks of electricity danced about her spine as their lips touched and his fangs softly rubbed against her skin.
'Inuyasha, if only moments like this could last an eternity...' she thought as her eyes slid shut.
She had never experienced a moment so perfect before.