Long Years Past
Chapter 2
If Only for a Moment
It was a gorgeous night. The iridescent full moon surrounded by the brightest stars in a crystalline sky. As if with the vanquishing of Naraku, all other evil had disappeared, if only for the night, leaving the company to rest peacefully.
Shippo slept soundly next to Kirara under a heap of blankets, the only evidence being the rise and fall of the pile as they breathed in and out. Sango was nestled in a sleeping bag next to the fire, as was Miroku, though the monk was positioned as far away from her as he could bear (which was still to close for Sango's taste!) Inu Yasha only half dozed in the tree above, not wanting to be lulled into a false sense of security. He had to constantly remind himself that evil doesn't sleep. Kaugra and Kanna were still out there, as was Sesshomaru. Still, it was nice to know Naraku was finally gone.
Only Kagome remained awake. Her mind was bombarded with questions, making sleep impossible. With Naraku gone and the Shikon Jewel whole, was there any need for her to stay in the feudal era? Should she continue to see Inu Yasha and the others? There seemed to be no clear answer in her mind. Staying for no reason would only contribute to her hectic life back home. But, did she want to leave her friends behind forever?
Not wanting to wake the others, Kagome crept to the top of the hill overlooking Kaeda's village. The perfect place to be alone with her thoughts.
The haynou's ears pricked forward at the sound of movement. He sat up immediately, alerting his eyes to the campfire, only to find (to his great relief) Kagome sneaking over to a nearby hill. His body relaxed as his eyes followed her to where she sat gazing longingly at the stars. The miko looked so alone and vulnerable. Seeing her like this awakened feelings inside Inu Yasha he thought he'd locked away forever. Feelings he hadn't felt in over 50 years...
"Inu Yasha!" Kagome's voice drifted up from the ground.
"Inu Yasha-san, I know you're awake. Come sit with me." she turned to watch the haynou fall softly from the tree.
He tread silently over to her and sat down.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it." Kagome sighed.
"Feh." said Inu Yasha. "I guess so."
"So," Kagome continued, "what are you going to do now that the Sacred Jewel is whole?"
The haynou paused. He hadn't really given this subject a lot of thought lately. On the one hand, he still desired more power. However, after seeing himself transform into a full demon; the loss of control over his actions, and the constant fear that he might hurt Kagome... well, he just wasn't sure anymore.
"I...I don't know." he stammered.
"You don't know?" the surprise was evident in the miko's voice. It was obvious that she thought he still wanted to become a full demon.
"I thought-"
"I know." Inu Yasha finished. "So did I."
Kagome stared at him intently. So if he doesn't want to be a yokai, then what does he want? she wondered inwardly.
"There's just no clear-cut answer anymore." he said. Kagome nodded, understanding his predicament, and turned back to her stargazing.
"What about you?" Inu Yasha continued.
"What about me?" she answered, still gazing at the sky.
"What are your plans for the future?"
"Well, I guess I want to pass entrance exams. They'll be here in like a month, and I still want to get into a good high school. But even with good grades, I don't see how they'll ever let me in with my attendance record." Kagome sighed.
"But with the Jewel whole, you can spend more time at home and studying and stuff, right?" Inu Yasha inquired.
After having done so, he realized what he had said. Kagome spending more time at home would mean her spending less with him. He thought back on everything they had been through, and done together, and he knew he was happiest when she was around. His own heart surprised him, telling him he needed her.
"But you don't have to," he said, trying to save himself.
I sound so selfish he thought.
"I mean, you can just keep doing what you've been doing."
Stupid, stupid, stupid! You know how hard all this crossing over is for her!
The haynou closed his mouth, afraid of what else he might say.
Kagome felt her heart being torn in two. Her heart was begging to stay with Inu Yasha. She had come to terms with her feeling for him a long time ago, and she new she loved him. But what about her friends, her family, her other life? Sometimes she regretted staying in the feudal era, and missing out on all of the things a teenager should be doing. Things like going to the movies, having sleepover, and just having a normal life. She hated missing all of those things, but she never regretted meeting Inu Yasha.
"Hey Inu Yasha, I have an idea!" she exclaimed.
"You could stay with me for awhile!" the miko's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Stay with you?" Inu Yasha questioned.
"Yeah!" she said. "We have a guest house, and you could stay there! That way, I could go to school and still see you every day."
"I guess that would be ok." was his reply. He tried not to sound too enthusiastic.
Kagome noticed this, but she didn't let it phase her.
"Inu Yasha-san, this will work perfectly, I know it!"
"Feh." he said. "I guess it would be nice to get away from all of the demons and everything for awhile."
"Sorta like a vacation." the miko said.
"A what?" he replied.
"Oh, never mind." Kagome's eyes returned skyward.
A few moments of silence was broken by a small gasp from Kagome.
"What, what is it?" Inu Yasha said in alarm.
"Inu Yasha, look at the sky!"
The haynou looked up, and saw a huge shooting star streak across the night sky.
"Kagome, it's just a star."
"No, it's a wishing star!" she said. "Hurry up and make a wish!"
"A wish?" came his puzzled reply.
"You know, a wish, like, something you want, or something you want to happen. If you want it enough, it might just come true."
"Feh. A wishing star..." he muttered under his breath. But inside, his head was spinning. Could wishing on a measly star make your wish come true? I couldn't hurt...
As the star passed overhead, Kagome thought of the one thing she wanted the most in the world, Inu Yasha. But she knew she couldn't force him to love her. His heart had been hardened with fifty years of hate, and all she wanted was to make it all go away...
"So, what did ya wish for?" they both said at the some time.
Kagome blushed. "You first."
"Feh." he said. "If I had wished for anything, I guess it would be answers. I want to know what I should do."
"Yeah." Kagome sighed.
"What about you?" he continued.
Kagome suddenly remembered what she wished for. How could she possibly tell that to Inu Yasha?
"Oh really, it was nothing." she stammered.
"Come on! I told you mine!"
Kagome remained silent.
"Fine then. If you can't tell me, then show me."
Show him? What could I possibly do to show him...
Then, it dawned on her.
Inu Yasha was still staring at Kagome, when she moved toward him. She moved slowly at first, then with more resolve, as if she had to reassure herself of what she was about to do. Then, in one swift motion, she brought her face to his, and kissed him softly.
Oh my god! She's kissing me! What do I do?
But Inu Yasha didn't have time to think, only to react.
Kagome ended the kiss, and pulled away. She was afraid of his reaction. Would he hate her? Would he ever speak to her again? She closed her eyes and the tears came. Tears of pain and anguish. Tears that poured out so many uncertainties she had decided in one moment to let go. She opened her eyes again, and was startled to see Inu Yasha inching toward her, as if to kiss her...
Inu Yasha's heart surprised him. He felt the sudden urge to be with her. He had put so much thought and energy into hiding his feelings before, but now, it seemed as if nothing else mattered. Kagome had put herself out there, and he was not going to be the one to break he heart.
He pulled her into a sweet embrace, hugging her closely and taking care not to squeeze her too tight. He tried to speak, but his mouth just couldn't seem to form any words.
"Inu Yasha, I love you!" Kagome whispered. With that, the tears began to flow again. She just couldn't seem to stop crying.
The haynou was shocked. He wasn't sure how to react. No one had ever told him they loved him, save for his mother. Should he tell her he loved her? Did he love her?
Oh no! She's crying! he thought. What to do, what to do!
He ended the embrace, and cupped her face in his hands, being careful not to scratch her with his claws. He wiped the tears from her face and kissed her gently.
"Inu Yasha, I-"she said again, but he stopped her. He knew he could not bear to hear her say that one more time.
"I know, baby I know" he replied.
Inu Yasha kissed her again, more forcefully this time. Kagome wrapped her arms around him, begging for more, but he just wasn't ready. After a few more moments of bliss, he ended it, and they lay together under the sky.
Kagome didn't want to think about tomorrow. She wanted to stay like this for just a little longer...
But before she could think anything else, fatigue caught up to her, and she fell into peaceful sleep next to Inu Yasha.
Inu Yasha looked down at Kagome, now sleeping quietly in his arms. He couldn't even begin to imagine what had just happened between them.
Best not to think about this until tomorrow. he thought. No sense in ruining a perfect moment.
With that, he wrapped his arms around Kagome and drifted off.
The world was theirs, if only for a moment.
