Third Time's A Charm- Chapter 13
Inuyasha woke to the hot warmth of golden light on the side of his face. He stirred as awareness flooded his senses; the soothing heat of the new day, the elated sound of bird songs outside, but most prominent the dizzying scent that filled his noise and the even more dizzying feel skin pressed against his. He stilled, going to stone as he felt the gentle rise and fall of Akari's chest next to him. His mind raced.
They hadn't...
They couldn't have...
Fragments and snippets of the previous night rose up around him and he blushed hot crimson. They had. There was a twisting feeling in his chest. Akari had collected her end of the deal. Now what would he do? He was free to leave but...could he?
Inuyasha turned, resolving not to wake her. He needed time to think, alone, without her influence over him. However his retreat was fled when Akari's back caught his eye, gold widening. There, in the back of her porcelain shoulder were a pair of bite marks, underlined by four red claw marks that arced down beneath the cover pulled up over her. She shifted faintly, face contorting into a pained expression, dark silken hair shifting to reveal similar marks farther across.
Self-loathing churned in Inuyasha's stomach as he stared at the proof of his violence. He'd done that! He'd hurt her, and he couldn't even remember it. Inuyasha pressed hands to the side of his head, gritting his teeth. He'd lost control, let his demon sideslip out and he'd harmed her.
Inuyasha jerked himself away from her sleeping form as if afraid the close proximity would result in another violet action upon her person. He moved to where his clothes had been scatted on the floor, blushing with shame. He'd managed to slip on his pants when there was the shifting of sheets behind him and the sound of Akari sitting up.
"Inuyasha?" Her voice was groggy and weak with sleep and he winced.
"Don't say it Akari. I'm sorry. I..I'm leaving." He didn't face her, but he could still feel her surprise and he winced.
Did she think he was a monster now? That he'd stay and abuse her. Could he blame her if she did?
"I see." Her voice was quiet and held fragments of shattered hope in it. "Alright. I'll have some supplies prepared for you. It's a long way to the next village."
His hand curled into a fist. Could she really be so civil after what he'd done? "Stop it, Akari. I didn't--- damnit I'm sorry!"
"If you're so sorry then why are you leaving." Her voice was clipped with annoyance. "Don't apologize for leaving when you don't have to."
"Don't have to!" he spun now, blushed and turned his face away when he found she had not bothered to cover herself. "I can't stay here after what I did to you!"
"What...what you did to me?" Her voice was confused and after a moment she smiled, softly. "Inuyasha I have a feeling we're arguing about two different things." She rose, lifting the blanket with her and draped it around her shoulders and walked towards him.
"Don't!" He flinched away.
"Inuyasha...just what do you think you did?" She asked archly. "Aside from making me think you were about to run off."
"I hurt you."
"Hurt me..." she glanced behind her when he gestured weakly towards her back. Eyes widened and pinked stirred in ivory cheeks and then, to his amazement, she started to laugh.
"Wha...what are you laughing at! This isn't funny, Akari. I hurt you."
"You marked me Inuyasha." She said through peals of laughter then smiled at him with a warmth he didn't think he'd see again. "But I marked you too, so there."
She reached out and pressed a finger to his shoulder and Inuyasha winced in surprise at the sting that resulted. He turned his head, glancing at his own torso. A row of tiny teeth marks were prominent on the upper part of his shoulder. Again his eyes widened and he blushed.
"You..."
"I bit you." She sounded quite pleased with herself, grinning mischievously at him. "Inuyasha you did nothing wrong. In fact..." she cleared her voice "you did very well."
"Akari!"
She laughed then flung herself against his chest, pressing her cheek against the hallow of his throat. A content sigh escaped her and he felt the soft brush of her eyelashes against his bare skin as she closed her eyes.
"I love you, Inuyasha." She pulled back and looked up at him seriously. "But it's up to you to decide if you're willing to accept that or not." She stepped away, clutching the blanket about her shoulders still and yet her stance was one of impossible dignity and strength. "Inuyasha you have paid your end of the bargain and I release you from our agreement. The choices you make from here on will be of your own will." The serious expression disappeared and she smiled. "But please stay for breakfast, at least."
And then she gathered up her clothes and walked out of the hut.
Inuyasha watched her go, then flopped down weakly onto the ground. Relief and former worry filled him again. Before it would have been easy to leave, when he believed he had harmed her. When he believed that she didn't care about him any long, which she'd be happy to see him go. But that option had been shattered. And even worst he could no longer pretend that her affections weren't real; she'd said it and it echoed in his head.
I love you, Inuyasha.
But could he handle it? Could he take a chance another time; a third time? The question blazed in his head, as if burned there and he knew it would not go away until he had summoned up an answer. But he already knew, he couldn't abandon her. For all his turmoil he couldn't just up and leave. But could he accept her loving him?
And then a scream split the air.