A/N: Wow, I'm on a roll! I just uploaded a one-shot yesterday…and started another today! grin This story takes place right after the last scene of the second Inuyasha movie, Castle Beyond The Looking Glass. OMG, after watching the kiss scene a million times, I just HAD to do the movie justice by writing a fic on it.
I was glad that some of you like my first ever Inu fic! Thanks goes out to all who reviewed and to iLoVUiNuYaShA for putting me on her favourite author list, means a lot to me! And to AnimeFreakSlayerKiria Kare for putting me on their alert list. I really appreciate it :D
Disclaimer: Last time I checked, I was still Jiwe, the poor author who has $0 left, due to a crazy shopping trip. This means that I cannot be Rumiko Takahashi. You do the math.
O yeah… almost forgot.
WARNING: If you have not yet watched the movie, please note the following will contain spoilers. Proceed at your own risk!
When The Stars Stop Shining: Part 1
Underneath the mid-afternoon sun, the Inu-quartet walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. It seemed Miroku's gone a bit too far this time; Sango's face was still flushed a bright red, although one may have trouble deciding if she was feeling anger or embarrassment…or both for that matter. Normally, Inuyasha and Kagome would whisper among themselves, shaking their heads and thinking "when will he ever learn?" but today was rather…abnormal; the monk's actions even led to an argument between them as well.
Let's recap.
Flashback (AN: I cannot be taking the credit for this part, as it entirely happened in the movie)
After triumphing yet in another exhausting fight, our heroes are feeling much refreshed and content.
"It feels wonderful!" exclaims Kagome. With a start, Miroku remembers something he been meaning to do.
"Oh! That's right!" Without hesitation, he rushes in front of Sango. "Sango, us too!" To Sango's horror, he puckered his lips and started to lean towards her. Within a second, Sango's face becomes second cousin to a red cherry tomato.
"AHHHHH!" Startled, Kagome and Inuyasha stops and looks back.
Just in time to see Sango's hand connecting with Miroku's cheek.
"What are you doing all of a sudden!" Thoroughly embarrassed, Sango's covers her mouth with her other hand.
"What…do you mean?" The monk replies weakly, "I just thought we should follow Kagome-sama's example and…"
Immediately, the said girl's face becomes identical to Sango's, if not, redder.
"AHHHHHHHH! I don't know what you're talking about! I don't remember anything!" The poor girl covers desperately covers her ears, trying to block out this insane conversation they were having. Not wanting to get left out, Inuyasha replies "I-I-I-I didn't do it because I wanted to!"
Smart, Inuyasha.
Kagome momentarily forgot to be embarrassed and glared at the hanyou.
"Er…"
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by that?"
"N-nothing really!" You'd think he'd stop there…but..."Besides, you just did that without asking--"
"Inuyasha!" All action was ceased at once. The said hanyou had a fleeting thought: 'Perhaps she wouldn't?'
"OSUWARI!" Shippo sighed dramatically.
"Inuyasha. Grow up."
Yes. Now back to the present…
Our favourite hanyou was trying his best to put on an arrogant face and look unfazed even though he was cringing in nervousness inside. He'd rather fight off demons any day than to have Kagome be mad at him. And she was mad alright. Inuyasha knew it was the worst kind too, judging by the silent treatment and her frightening calm exterior. He risked a glance at her but turned away instantly when he saw fire evident in her chocolate brown eyes.
'Keh! Be mad all you want. I'm ain't apologizing! It was YOU who…who…' As expected, he couldn't think of a good reason…but he decided to blame Kagome just the same… 'Anyways it was YOU! And that damn houshi!' You know good ol' Inuyasha; getting him to admit he was wrong is impossible-r than the impossible.
The only ones at ease were the kitsune Shippo and the double tailed Kirara, who brought up the rear of the group. The oh-so-wise Shippo finally decided he had better do them all a favour and put an end to this complicated situation.
'Can't believe grown ups are even more un-mature than me, and I'm just an innocent kid!' The kitsune kit puffed up his chest and cleared his throat. Annoyed when no one paid him any attention, he tried again.
"Ahhhh-EM!" Kagome stopped, which effectively halted the entire group.
"Yes Shippo-chan?" Delighted that he was noticed, the young fox demon hopped onto his rightful (in his opinion) place on the schoolgirl's shoulder.
"Kagome! We've been walking a long time and uh, it's gonna get dark soon, see?" He gestured towards the setting sun, "so um, don't you think we should start looking for a camp spot?" Shippo mentally gave himself a pat on the back for coming up with such a good excuse.
Kagome smiled warmly, making Inuyasha stare in disbelief. How can her mood change so quickly? He could never figure the girl out.
"That's a great idea Shippo-chan. The sooner we get settled in-" Her scowl returned at this point, "-the faster I can go to sleep so I can stop looking at a certain white-haired SOMEONE."
Well. That explained her sudden flash of good mood. She couldn't wait to get away from him. Inuyasha grimaced but only replied with a stubborn "Keh!".
"I agree Kagome-chan. I can't wait to get away from a perverted Hoshi and his perverted mind!" At least Inuyasha isn't the only one.
"Now now, Sango…" But the only response he got was the two girls stomping to the direction of a clutter of trees, leaving the two men sighing in their wake. Both of them had the same thought in their minds.
'Women.'
o.0
"C'mon Sango-chan!" Kagome called. Her foul mood dissipated at the thought of a bath, in a hot spring no less! They were luck to have one so close to their camp.
"Wait for me Kagome-chan!" The two girls giggled as they hurried to their destination. Inuyasha and Miroku were once again, left by themselves. The hanyou felt a strange sense of abandonment and the monk…well, you might have a good guess at what he's planning.
o.0
The taijya and the miko felt the warm mist (AN: theoretically, there should be warm mist…well, correct me if I'm wrong) first before the hot spring itself actually came into view. Giving an excited squeal, Kagome began to unbutton (AN: have no knowledge on Japanese school uniforms ) her green fuku. Too caught up in the thought of jumping into the warm water, Kagome failed to acknowledge the slight rustling in the bushes. However, Sango did not.
"Not so fast Kagome-chan." The brunette her companion a knowing look before advancing soundlessly to the place where the rustling came from. She plunged her hand in the shrubbery and out came a yelping intruder; he never had a chance.
"Ho.Shi.Sa.Ma."
Crap. This just proves his prayers are never answered… He chuckled nervously.
"Sango dear! Fancy seeing you here!" When worst comes to worst, a little innocence won't hurt, although he was anything BUT innocent…
A raised eyebrow along with a cynical expression was all he got.
"I-I can explain! I was looking for my ofuda charms…I…dropped them somewhere around here while I was taking a walk, honest! By the way Sango dear, you look fabulous, have you done something to you hair?"
"Flattery won't get you anywhere hoshi-sama."
"Well in that case…" Miroku turned to his last option: run. Unfortunately, for him, Sango's a smart girl. He found her oh-so-faithful Hiraikotsu crashing down on his head before he even took a step.
"Owww…"
Kagome regarded this little scene of cough affection with a sweat drop and some shaking of her head as if to say "tsk tsk tsk". She almost felt sorry for Miroku…until she remembered the reason Sango hit him. Kagome decided Sango was more worth her sympathy.
'At least Inuyasha isn't such a peeping tom.' Kagome scowled at herself immediately following that thought. She shook her head, determined not to let the silver haired hanyou plague her thoughts.
"Kagome-chan?" Kagome looked up to see Sango looking at her with a curious expression. Kagome realized her face was still in a scowl. She brightened immediately and decided to change the subject.
"Miroku gone?" Sango's face darkened momentarily before she brightened again.
"Never mind about him- the hot springs awaits!" The two girls undressed without uneasiness; knowing for sure there were no wandering eyes around this time.
o.0
The peeved hoshi was still rubbing the assaulted place on his head when he arrived back at camp; a formidable open space where the trees seemed to have avoided growing on. He noticed that Inuyasha, out of habit, was situated high up in the branches of an ancient oak bordering the clearing. The kitsune kit was full of energy, hopping around near the camp fire, eyes intently following something on the ground either imaginary or was too miniscule for anyone for the monk to see. Shrugging to himself, Miroku made himself comfortable near the fire as it was becoming rather chilly. He welcomed the silence, but was surprised when Inuyasha hopped down from his tree and spoke to him.
"Oi, Miroku. Got kicked out early today?" He smirked as the monk grumbled.
"I was so close! Kagome-sama was just starting to undress…why do I always have the misfortune to get discovered before I actually get to-"
"What the hell! You were peeking-- you SAW---!" Inuyasha's amber orbs flashed with anger. "You bastard!" Then came the inevitable second blow to Miroku's already suffering head.
'Today's really not my day…' Rubbing yet another aching spot, the unholy one sighed. "Inuyasha. I didn't see. I was close."
"Oh." The hanyou shifted his body into his trademark position- sitting with his feet cross legged and his hands hidden inside his long haori sleeves, feeling not an ounce of remorse. By now the monk eyed his "friend" suspiciously.
"Don't tell me you've come to me for help?"
"Advice, not help!" The hanyou snapped indignantly. Taking that as a yes, Miroku started to grin wickedly.
"Could it be that the all mighty Inuyasha, son of the powerful western demon lord and wielder of Tetsusaiga…has decided to consult women advice from the infamous charming, witty me-"
"Who is a GIT. Cut the crap, I'm being serious!" Still with a hint of that mad grin on his lips, Miroku nodded.
"Go on." Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably. He had never asked for help, um, advice before in his life… but Kagome was really beginning to bother him. The things that girl does to him…Inuyasha glared accusingly at Miroku.
"Because of your perverted self…Kagome's still mad at me. But I just don't get the damn reason why! What I said- they weren't even offensive! I've done much worse 'n she forgave me in an instant-!" Miroku interjected with a loud sigh, followed by some shaking of the head in disbelief.
"What kind of shit res-"
"Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha. I must say I am thoroughly disappointed in your very obvious display of ineptness towards women-"
"Well I'd rather be inept then be an expert like you and get accused of perverted-ness by girls all day. Sometimes I think you like the pain. " Inuyasha retorted dryly.
"Hey…no need to get personal. As I was saying, I thought you had long figured out by now why Kagome-sama was mad," he paused for dramatic effect, "Inuyasha my friend, insulting a woman about their kiss is the utmost, worst way to offend them, much less get them to hate you for the rest of your life."
"Kagome's gonna hate-"
"Kagome-sama kissed you out of desperation to save you from becoming a violent, bloodthirsty demon- a terrible fate I might add," The monk's expression turned sly, "And if I'm not mistaken, you returned the favour with just as enthusiasm." Inuyasha shifted uneasily and made an effort to keep his gaze focused on the merrily crackling fire.
"Later this afternoon, you denied that fact and made a statement which made it seem Kagome-sama forced you into the kiss-"
"I was embarrassed-!" With the way Miroku was taking things, it made it seem as if Inuyasha had committed a terrible crime.
"Embarrassed as you were, those were the wrong things to say to a girl who gave it her all to save you-" Miroku gasped in mock horror "-even with the possibility that she sacrificed her first kiss!"
"Her first-"
"Inuyasha I should punish you for Kagome-sama-!"
"Shut up! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be in this whole damn mess!" Inuyasha yelled and turned his back to the hoshi.
'Kagome…' Considering the monk's words were true, how the hell did he hurt Kagome that much without even realizing it? No wonder she was so pissed. Either way, he now understood the fragile hearts of women, or rather, Kagome for that matter. But on the downside, Inuyasha felt really crummy, now that he knew it was all his fault…
Miroku cleared his throat.
"You know, from my many years of expertise, flowers are a man's best friend when it comes to winning forgiveness from a lady." Unbeknownst to Inuyasha, the unholy one's expression turned sly. "But I'm sure Kagome-sama would like it just the same if you kis-" Within a fraction of a second, Inuyasha had spun around and with one fluid motion, and gave his perverted friend a good hearty whack.
You know what they say; the third time's the charm.
"Get your mind out of the gutter." Inuyasha smirked. "And at least I GOT a kiss. Man, the way you attempted that kiss was pathetic." He watched with great amusement as Miroku struggled to come up with a response. Inuyasha tuned out the spluttering of the monk as his train of thought returned to the matter at hand. He would apologize when Kagome returned (even if it killed him). Kagome would forgive him (even if it killed her). And all would be well.
At least, he hoped.
o.0
AN: That's all for the first part folks! This was originally going to be a one- shot, but somehow I made things really long...Anways, stay tuned for the second and last part of "When the stars stop shining" (I have a reason for that cheesy title…you'll see in the second part). Hopefully, I'll upload it by tmr if I finish typing and proofreading everything. Now…
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