The Mayu Flower

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from InuYasha.

Chapter 3: Growing Affections

"Yeah right!"

"I'm telling you, they HAD to make her go into the basement with only a candle. That's what makes it dramatic!"

"Or just to add to the cheesiness of the whole film."

"How can you say that? It was fantastic!"

"My cat chewing its foot would be more interesting!"

At the last comment, Kinuto burst out laughing. "Man is it hard to win an arguement with you, Kagome!" he said after his laughing had subsided.

Kagome huffed playfully and crossed her arms. "That's what I get from hanging around with a stubborn-headed guy like you for two days," she commented back, but with an apparent grin on her face. The two of them walked down the theatre hall while munching on the last of the popcorn.

After Kagome and Kinuto had gone on a walk in the park on the day of her return, their time together had continued. Over the course of the weekend they had gone rollerblading and ate ice cream during a shopping trip. They had just come out of watching a movie, agruing about it.

"So, where to next?" Kinuto asked after gulping down the remainder of his drink and tossing it away into a trash bin.

"Hm...how about the park lake? I love going there after a movie, it's nice and peaceful," Kagome suggested, eyes sparkling as she thought of the steady waters. She had spent a good many days there, usually after she had come back from the Feudal Era and needed some time alone. Kinuto agreed to it and they slowly began to make there way to the park.

For a good while they walked in silence, until Kinuto cleared his throat. Something had been bothering his mind for a couple days and he could no longer help but ask. "Kagome, I was just wondering, have you seen that friend of yours lately?"

At first Kagome didn't know who he meant, but soon realized he had been referring to InuYasha. She couldn't help but smile, his slight jealousy was all but too obvious in her eyes. "Actually no, I haven't seen him since that day he said that...I mean when he..." she trailed off.

"Ah," was all Kinuto said. They walked along a little more in slightly uncomfortable silence before Kinuto broke it once more. "Listen, I know he shouldn't have said...what he did, but don't you miss him at all? Sometimes you seem to stare into space with this sad look on your face and, well, I don't know...you just seem to be remembering something sad."

Kagome didn't answer right away. She stared at the ground, angry with herself for knowing that Kinuto was right. "Well...I...I do miss him, very much really, but I...I just don't know if I can face him. We've gone through some tough times before and it turned out okay but this...I just don't know. He's such a great big jerk, but I can't help but feel like I'm abandoning him."

It was now Kinuto's turn to stare at the ground. Suddenly his face grew very red. "I want to help you, Kagome. Even if you never see this guy again or you make up with him, I'll be there for you. I'll lend you a hand when you need it, that is, if you want it," he whispered.

Kagome also grew pink in the cheeks as she glanced back up at Kinuto with a small silent gasp. Her surprise slowly faded and turned into a warm smile. She looked back down at the ground. "Thanks, Kinuto." Astonishing herself as well as her friend, Kagome slipped her hand into Kinuto's. He gladly accepted it, curling his fingers around her cold ones to warm them. They continued their way to the park lake in comfortable silence.

When they arrived at the lake shore, evening had already rolled in. The sky was threatening to grow into a pleasant dark blue and the moon had already started to bold. The water was peaceful and flowing along in slight ripples. Here and there a bird called and took flight.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Kagome said with a calm smile. She watched the calm of the lake with sparkling eyes.

"I can see why you come here," Kinuto commented with a smile to match hers.

The two of them remained silent, drinking in the peaceful song of the lake shore. They found a bench near by and sat down on it, continuing to watch the rippling waters and the darkening sky. Kagome was terribly thankful for the moments of peace, she didn't have to think about InuYasha or Kikyou or the Sacred Jewel and Kinuto sat here beside her. She suddenly realized that as they had sat there in deep thought, Kagome had leaned her head against Kinuto's shoulder as she used to with InuYasha. Yet Kinuto didn't seem to mind, in fact he seemed pleased with his grin.

"Thanks Kagome..." he suddenly whispered.

"For what?" Kagome said dreamily, her mind still at peace.

"For being my friend. When I'm with you, I feel so calm and relaxed. You help me forget what happened...last year."

Kagome frowned slightly at this. He had told her a couple of days ago about what had happened. Two years ago, his sister and mother had been diagnosed with cancer. They had lived for only a year until their deaths last year. Kinuto had been mortified enough by this sudden loss and even more so when he had realized he was now left with his uncaring step father. He said his step father was a horrible man who didn't care if Kinuto slept under a cardboard box in the alley or at the bottom of the lake. He treated him horribly, but not so unkindly that it would arouse the authorities. Kinuto spent as much time away from home as possible, but it was no use. He would always have the terrible memory of his passed sister and mother hanging over his head.

Kinuto stayed quiet for a moment before speaking up. "Kagome, what would you say if I asked if you'd like to get some lunch with me tomorrow during school? I usually go to WacDonalds with my friends, but they can't come tomorrow. I could sure use the company."

Kagome felt a small smile form on her face. She could help him...he needed a friend, and so did she. Besides, he was a pretty decent guy to be around. She couldn't even count the number of times he had made her burst out laughing. "That'd be great! I'm always going to WacDonalds myself," she answered.

Kinuto smiled broadly. "Great! Well it's getting late. Do you want me to take you home now?"

"Sure, that'd be nice," she replied, reddening a bit. She couldn't help but see the similarity of Kinuto's and InuYasha's overprotectiveness for her.

They slowly made their way back to the theatre parking lot. Once seated and buckled in, Kinuto started it with a roar of satisfaction from the engine. He brought it out onto the road and started for Kagome's home. A pang of jealousy hit him off guard as he remembered how softly Kagome had spoken about that guy. He knew that Kagome still loved this guy even though he had burned her and he knew that it was not his place to get between them, yet he could not help himself. He just loved to be with Kagome. She let him forget all the worries in his life and simply let him be himself.

Soon, he pulled his car to a stop infront of the Higurashi grounds. They climbed out of the car and walked quietly to the doors. Kinuto opened them and walked with Kagome up the path. He glanced at the old shrine as well as the sacred tree, as if curious about them. Pushing them out of his mind, he continued to walk her to her door. Once there, he turned back to her.

"I'll see you tomorrow at WacDonalds at around noon then," he said, nodding to her.

"Yeah, see you then. Bye," she replied with a small smile before passing through her door. Kinuto watched after her for a moment, waiting until he heard the click of her door before turning and walking back to his car.

The following day, Monday, Kagome struggled through the morning, desperately trying to catch up with her classes. When the lunch bell finally rang, she sighed with relief and was the first one out of the doors. Yuka, Eri and Ayumi were fairly suspicious as to where she was going, but she had disappeared from view before they could even ask. Soon Kagome was slowing her pace as she neared the fast food restaurant. She entered and began to sweep her eyes over the other people to find Kinuto.

"Kagome, over here!" a voice called out. She looked to the farthest booth and saw the familiar face of Kinuto waving to her. A renewed smile broke free on her face as she joined him. "Glad you could make it in one piece," he joked with a small chuckle. Kagome couldn't help but giggle. "You already know what you want to order?"

Kagome nodded. They waited until a waiter came by and ordered their food. Once it had been brought back, they slowly began to eat while talking about anything that came to their minds. At the moment, that was Kinuto's hobbies.

"Well, I've told you before that I love to skateboard, and I go horse-back riding during the summer with one of my friends. His uncle owns a few out in the plains and he invites me there. What else...oh, well you are going to think this is kind of cheesy, especially for a guy, but I love to paint."

"What's so bad about that? It's pretty cool that you paint! Most guys are too proud and think that painting is for girls or something," she answered while popping a french fry into her mouth.

Kinuto beamed with a slightly red face. "Thanks, Kagome. You shouldtell that to my art teacher, he seems to think I'm a piece of scum," helet out a heart-felt laugh. He then stole one of her fries (since he had already eaten all of his already) and crammed it into his mouth.

Noticing one of her fries had been deliberatley stolen, she blinked. "H-hey!" As he seemed to chew and swallow, the teen there was no hope of saving her poor, defenseless frie. "Still hungry, I see?" A laugh slunk up her throat, and she put her fries in the middle of the table with a sigh. "Help yourself."

Kinuto grinned happily and stole a few more of her fries. "Thanks, Kagome!"

They spent the rest of the time talking about books, movies, anything they could think of. By the time it was time to leave, both wore grins that reached their eyes. Of course, Kagome said she would pay and reached for her wallet, but Kinuto, being the gentleman that he was, kept insisting that he should pay. By the time they agreed to split it half-way, they had only five minutes left to return to school.

"Thanks for lunch, Kinuto. I'll see you around, bye!" Kagome said with a small wave. Kinuto said goodbye as well and began walking down the sidewalk towards his own school. Kagome did the same.

The rest of the school day slid by slowly, yet Kagome's good mood remained. By the time she had left the school, she was barely aware that she would have ten hours of homework that night. Walking alongside her were her three friends. They gossiped about school and whatnot, yet Kagome barely paid attention.

"Hey there, Kagome," came a sudden voice. All four of them turned around. Yuka, Eri and Ayumi immediately grinned giddilly as they stared at Kinuto. Kagome simply smiled.

"Hello, Kinuto," she said. "These are my friends, Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi." Kinuto greeted each of them in turn.

"Uh...excuse us for one second," Yuka said and the three of them pulled Kagome away to a corner.

"Kagome! Who is this guy? Are you going out with him?" Eri asked.

"What? N-I mean ye- I mean, what?" Kagome stammered. She blinked a few times and gulped.

"What about that other guy? The rude obnoxious one?" Yuka demanded.

Sadness immediately crept up upon Kagome, but she managed to keep it off of her face. "He...I..." she started but then sighed. "Sorry I have to go. I'll probably tell you later." The three gawked at her and began whispered feverishly. She ignored them and returned to Kinuto. "So what are you doing around here?"

"Just walking by. Mind if I walk with you to your house? It'd be better than going back home," he asked with a grin. Kagome smiled and nodded. She said goodbye to her friends, who were still staring openly at her, and the two of them began walking to her house.

They walked mostly in silence, simply enjoying each other's company. Soon, the Higurashi grounds stood right beside them. "Do you mind if I get a closer look at that tree?" he asked. Kagome hesitated only for a moment before nodding. They climbed the steps and drew closer to the sacred tree. Kagome gazed at the hole where the arrow that had pierced InuYasha in the bark. Suddenly the sorrow flowed back to her. All the memories, all the pain.

Kagome suddenly felt cold. 'I have to return to the Feudal Era. If not for InuYasha, at least for Sango, Miroku, and Shippou. They've done nothing wrong and I still have to help them collect the shards. We have to free Kohaku from Naraku and get rid of Miroku's Wind Tunnel. I don't deserve to be here safe and sound while they are there in danger. I'll just have to live with InuYasha thinking I'm nothing but a symbol of Kikyou.' she thought slowly. It felt odd to think of herself that way, even when there was still pain in her heart from what InuYasha had said. Tears started to threat to come out but she pushed them back as best she could.

Kinuto was about to ask her what was wrong as he saw the sadness creep up on her face when he realized that she was looking at the sacred tree, tears gently rolling down her pink cheeks. All of a sudden she let the tears flow out on their own and collapsed to her knees. Immediately Kinuto bent down beside her. He circled his arms around her shoulders and brought her back up to a standing position.

He let her cry out her tears for a few moments. When he saw them lessen, he finally spoke. "Kagome? Are you all right?" he asked softly.

She didn't answer right away. Lifting her head slightly, she looked at Kinuto with sad eyes. "Kinuto...I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I can face him...he was always there for me, it always seemed like he cared for me as much as breathing. There was always a doubt, but it was small and now...now it's the only thing there is. I loved him...I loved him so much that I could barely breathe. Kinuto..." She broke down in sobs once more, not daring to look at the sacred tree. Kinuto opened his arms and welcomed her into his embrace. He let her lean her head on his shoulder and weep out her sorrows. His own arms were around her, pouring as much warmth into her as he could manage.

"It'll be all right, Kagome. If he doesn't accept you the way you want him to... I will," he whispered into her hair, drinking in the moment.

At his words, Kagome let out a small gasp. The tears on her cheeks froze in their trails as she looked up at him. His eyes were gentle, like the way InuYasha used to look at her. He wore no smile, just simple and complete committment. To her, only to her. "Kinuto..." she whispered. She spoke no more as he pulled her back into a strong and warm embrace.

"Please don't cry, Kagome. Everything will be all right," he whispered again.

Little did the two of them know that from the shadows of the crack between the shrine doors, a pair of golden eyes watched.

"Kagome, I'm sorry. I should have come for your earlier, I shouldn't have let you think that stupid mistake was true. You don't deserve that," InuYasha muttered to himself, the darkness of the well below him as he stood on its edge. Without another moment to loose, the hanyou had leaped into that pitch-black darkness and travelled into the other era. In what seemed like no time, he landed again on the ground and saw the jump through time was successful as he spotted the roof above the well instead of sky. In one leap he jumped up and out of the well. Climbing the stairs quickly, he was ready to thrust open the doors and hurry to Kagome's room when his sensitive dog ears twitched with the sounds of voices. Peering out the crack of the door, he spotted Kagome and a boy he did not recognize talking. He smelled Kagome's tears and immediately felt angry, thinking it had been the boy who had upset her. Instead, his eyes widened as he saw them embrace in a warm and caring hug. His breath caught in his throat, unwilling to go out or in.

InuYasha backed away from the door, strange emotions bubbling and churning inside him. His hands shook in shock and his mouth was partly open in unspoken surprise. Part of him felt betrayed yet knowing that Kagome had every right to do that, after he had let her think he thought she was worthless. Part of him also felt as if he should rush out and tear the boy away from her and pull Kagome away into the Feudal Era right away. This boy seemed to truly love her, it was clear enough in his voice and soft actions. Anger bubbled up inside him and he had to fight to keep it under control.

But then again...it hadn't been the boy's fault. Kagome had thought InuYasha no longer cared for her and had left only to fall in love with another...coldness swept over him. He lowered his eyes so his bangs hid his golden eyes. Without a word, he silenced his thoughts and turned back to the well and jumped in.


Sorry this one is so short. Xx I tried to write it quickly. Oh and I give some credit to my good friend Kelli (xxsleeplessdreamerxx on who helped me a bit on this chapter. Next one will hopefully be up soon. Please review!