Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha, even though I'd like to. I hug'em and love'em and lock'em away some place no one else could have'em. Hehehe. Just kidding, he's too great to hide from the world.
The Rain
Chapter 2
Kagome woke to voices downstairs. Inu Yasha's warmth had left her and she felt so alone and cold. She tried to determine who the voices belonged to. One of course she knew right away was Inu Yasha's. The other was familiar, a male's voice and very soft spoken. She pulled herself out of bed with a great deal of effort. 'I might as well get this day over with. It's going to be a living hell, but I have to do it for mama, gramps and Sota.' She drug herself down the stairs and into the entryway.
"Look fella, I told you. Kagome's not taking visitors. She's not feeling well." Inu Yasha stood on the entry step, Sota's baseball cap covering his ears. He blocked her view of the visitor, so she crept slowly along the wall bracing herself against it every few feet.
"But I'm sure she'll want to see me. Please, can't you at least tell her I'm here?"
"I've already told you-" Inu Yasha stopped when he caught Kagome's scent. He turned revealing Hojo to Kagome. "You shouldn't be up." The concern in his eyes was enough to melt her heart. She took a few unsteady steps towards him and he caught her gently, his arms immediately going around her waist. "You should be in bed. I hope we didn't wake you."
"No, I needed to get up. There's so much I have to do."
"I took care of a lot of it yesterday, while you slept."
'Who is this guy? And why is he taking care of Kagome? And why is she hugging him like that?' "Um, Kagome, I brought you some things from my mother's shop. She sends her respects. It's such a terrible tragedy what happened. I'm sorry."
Kagome released Inu Yasha long enough to take the basket of items from Hojo with one hand. She struggled with it for a moment, for it was somewhat heavy, until Inu Yasha took it from her. "Thank you, Hojo, and thank your mom for me too. You've both been so kind to our family."
"Kagome, you know if you ever need anything…"
"Thank you, Hojo, but I'll be fine now that Inu Yasha is here." She laid her head on his shoulder. The young hanyou, instinctively wrapped his arms around her.
The young man's face dropped as he saw this show of affection. 'So, that's why she always blew me off, because of him.' "We'll be here for the service tomorrow. What time will it be?"
"Three o'clock." Inu Yasha responded to Hojo's disappointment.
'He's even taking care of her family's arrangements.' "We'll be here." He bowed and left with a broken heart.
Kagome barely noticed Hojo leave. She was finding extreme contentment in Inu Yasha's arms. "So, you took care of all those things, Inu Yasha?"
"Mostly, except the uh…newspaper…man said I needed something called a credit card."
Kagome smiled for first time in nearly two days. It was strange to hear Inu Yasha say the modern words. "Don't worry. I think I can handle that."
They moved to the kitchen where Inu Yasha gave her the paper he'd written everything down on. "I didn't want to forget anything."
She examined the paper. He had indeed written everything down. Not a square inch had space remaining. Some things were common sense and really didn't need to be relayed, but others were important. In some cases it seemed he hadn't really understood what the person was talking about so he wrote things out verbatim. She gave him a small smile. "You did very good. Thank you." She squeezed his hand warmly.
He blushed slightly. "I just want to help."
She climbed into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Believe me, you have." She gave him a soft sweet kiss on the lips, making his heart skip a beat. She buried her face in his neck and he wrapped her once again in his warmth. "Your just being here is helping." For a long time neither moved. Finally, Kagome resigned herself to make the final call, using the credit card her mother had given her for emergencies. That done Kagome looked at the four walls again. "I have to do something about the shrine."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I can't very well abandon it. A lot of people depend on this place." She thought about it for a long moment. "I think I know." She flipped through her mom's phone book until she came to a name. A distant cousin that had entered the priesthood not so long ago, it was her only hope. She picked up the phone and began to dial.
"Hi, Suling. Thing is Kagome Higurashi. Good you remember me. Oh, you did. Well thank you. You'll be coming then. Good, I need to ask a favor of you. Tomorrow then. Bye."
"Who's this Suling guy? Can he be trusted to watch over the shrine?"
"He's my father's brother's son. I haven't seen him in years. Not since I was a child. He's our best hope. And I think he'll do just fine taking care of the place. At least, it'll be family."
"What about the well? Do you want to tell him about it?"
"I don't see why not. It's not as if he could follow us through." Inu Yasha nodded, that made sense. And if for some reason they needed to come back here. This side would still be protected. Kagome stretched. "I need a bath. I feel so drained."
"You're still tired. Come on." He helped her up and headed upstairs. She laid down while he started her a bath, just as he'd seen Sota do. After the tub was filled, he gently woke her and guided her to the bathroom. He blushed as she gently patted his cheek and informed him she could handle this part on her own. So while Kagome bathed, he made a quick trip to the past.
Miroku had secured three black kimonos each was very fine, one of which belonged to the village headman. "I think this one will do." Inu Yasha held the dark kimono against him. It was slightly short, but it seemed to be a better fit than the other two.
"How is Kagome doing, Inu Yasha?" Sango stroked Kirara, seeking comfort in her.
Inu Yasha sighed. "She's getting better, I think. She's taking this pretty hard and I don't blame her. It's hard on me and they weren't even my family."
"So, is Kagome gonna come back or is she too sad?" Shippo was clinging to Inu Yasha's leg.
"Yes, Shippo she's coming back. When this is all over with, she wants to come stay with me…uh, I mean, us."
Miroku's eyes narrowed. "Inu Yasha, is there something you're not telling us?"
Inu Yasha swallowed hard and he felt his cheeks burn. 'What the heck, they're gonna know soon enough anyways.' "Kagome and I are together."
Sango's face lit up. "You mean together, together?"
"Yeah."
Miroku frowned. "Inu Yasha, you must be careful. Kagome is likely very vulnerable right now."
"Don't worry. I meant every word of what I said to her."
"And what exactly did you say?"
Inu Yasha's blush deepened. "I told her I loved her, there are you happy now?"
"I know I am!" Shippo bounced up and down at his feet.
Inu Yasha glanced out the door. It was already late afternoon. Kagome was probably already through with her bath. "I have to go, it's getting late. Thank the headman for his kimono." With that he was gone, leaving his friends to mull over what he'd said.
"Miroku, what did you mean by all that?"
"It's obvious Kagome must have told him her feelings and Inu Yasha responded in kind, but what if Kagome is just clinging to him because she doesn't have anyone else."
Sango nearly laughed. "You're out of your mind monk. Those two have been in love for a long time. I think it just took this situation for them to finally open up. I'm happy for them and you should be too."
Kagome wrapped herself in the warm fuzzy towel. 'I can't believe I fell asleep in there.' She dried her hair with a second towel and opened the bathroom door. Inu Yasha was coming up the stairs, a black kimono slung over one arm. She smiled as he blushed slightly.
"Are you feeling any better?"
"Yes, but I'm glad you're back. I don't think I like being here by myself. I start hearing things." She hugged him.
"Don't worry. I'm here now." He slipped his arms around her, careful not to dislodge the towel. 'She smells like heaven. Her scent is so sweet. What I am saying? She's in mourning. How can I think about her like that at a time like this? But how can I help it, she's so soft and warm and smells so good.' He leaned down to kiss her brow, but she leaned up and met his mouth. The kiss was nothing like that morning, this time she lingered there lips slightly parted, waiting, waiting for him. He couldn't bare it any longer. He pulled her even closer and tangled his fingers in her damp hair. The kiss was deep and passionate, all his emotions exploding at once. Finally after a very long moment they drew away, both gasping for air.
Kagome looked down at herself, still draped in a towel and dripping all over the hall. "I'd better put something on. We'll probably start receiving visitors soon."
Inu Yasha nodded as he reluctantly released her. While Kagome dressed, he found an appropriate place to hang the black kimono. He dusted it of and gave it a good look over to make sure it was clean. Then he went down to the kitchen. They hadn't really eaten anything all day. He'd managed to catch a small snack at Kaede's but he was sure Kagome hadn't eaten anything at all. After shuffling through cabinets and cupboards, he found one particular cabinet that was cold, inside he found several boxes made up for lunches. He set two of them out and frowned at them. 'Kagome's mom must've made them. Kagome hasn't been in any state to cook. I wonder if it'll bother her to eat them?' About that moment Kagome appeared in the door. She wore navy blue pants and a black blouse. She looked at the boxed lunches and frowned. "Kagome, if it's too hard I can find something else."
"No, I think I would enjoy my mom's cooking right about now." She sat down and slowly began to eat. Inu Yasha ate too, but his attention was full focused on his companion. Each bite seemed to bring her pain. She looked so frail and vulnerable all he wanted to do was hold her. After she was done, she stared at the empty box for a long time. "My mom was a good cook, wasn't she?" He nodded, not sure what he could say. There was a knock at the door. "Here we go."
Inu Yasha took her in his arms one last time while they were alone and held her tight for a moment. "Kagome, if you need to rest, just let me know. I'll get rid of these people for you."
Kagome sighed. "No, that would be rude. And the last thing my mother would want is for me to be rude. Just stay with me, okay?"
He kissed her hair. "I promise." After setting their dishes in the sink, they went to let in the endless stream of visitors. After a while, Kagome sat down on the entry step and allow the visitor to come and pay their respects. They would say they were sorry for her loss and present gifts. Inu Yasha would take them and place them in the living room for the following day. There would be a proper service tomorrow, but this always happened the evening before. It was a long time before the flow slowed and finally stopped.
It was very late when the last group of visitors left. Inu Yasha knelt beside his exhausted Kagome. "You need to get some rest. Tomorrow will be even worse." He stroked her cheek gently.
"I think I can handle it as long as you're here." Kagome wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, her body relaxing for the first time in hours. She felt him begin to stroke her hair. She reveled in it, until it suddenly stopped. Someone cleared their throat nearby. Kagome groaned softly, but prepared herself for another visitor. But when she opened her eyes, she was glad at the sight. "Yuka, Erie, Ayumi you came. Thank you."
"We've been here for some time, but we wanted to wait till all the old folk were gone." Erie explained.
"We're really sorry to here what happened. It was all over the news." Yuka expressed sadly.
Ayumi couldn't speak she had tears running down her face. She dashed forward, wrapping her arms around Kagome's waist and burying her face in her lap. "Oh, Kagome, it's so terrible." Kagome stroked the girl's slightly curly hair and sighed.
"It's all right, Ayumi. Everything will be all right." Kagome exchanged a look with Inu Yasha and then turned back to her other two friends. "Will you be here tomorrow?"
"Yes, of course." They responded in unison. "We want to help."
"Could we, Kagome? Surely you could use some help cleaning up or sweeping the porch or…" Ayumi looked up from her position and caught a glimpse of Inu Yasha's golden eyes. "Uh, who…"
"Forgive me, my manners aren't what they used to be. This is Inu Yasha my-"
"Boyfriend, of course! How could I forget!" Ayumi's face lit up as she released Kagome to offer an awkward bow.
Yuka snickered. "Way to go Kagome! He's a hunk!"
"No wonder you kept blowing Hojo off. He never stood a chance." Erie said flatly.
The three girls were eyeing Inu Yasha so hard that he began to blush. "All right, you vultures that's enough. Leave Inu Yasha alone." She muffled a yawn that drew a concerned look from all. "If you really want to help then stop by early in the morning. I'm too beat to do any work right now."
"Okay, we'll be here in the morning. You go get some rest." Yuka ushered her two companions out the door as they called back their good-nights.
"Good night." Kagome muffled another yawn. As soon as the door slid shut, Inu Yasha scooped her in his arms and carted her upstairs, flipping out the lights along the way. She changed into her sleeping gown in the bathroom as she prepared for bed. Inu Yasha then tucked her under the covers and laid down next to her, this time without even needing to be asked. Kagome rolled towards him. She found such comfort in his scent, in his warmth, and in the soft way he kissed her brow. Suddenly a thought occurred to her, that hadn't until that very moment.
"Inu Yasha?"
"Mmm?"
"Does this mean you don't have feelings for Kikyo any more?"
He stiffened slightly. 'The monk warned me about this. I'll have to be very careful how I say this.' "I care about Kikyo's safety, but I don't love her. Not anymore. I love you and only you, Kagome."
She lifted her face so she could see into his eyes, great pools of amber in the dim moonlight. "But you still care about her?"
"The way I care about Miroku or Sango, not the way that I care about you." His eyes held no lie and she smiled. She relaxed into him. She could accept that. Inu Yasha's heart was much bigger than he cared to let on, and he couldn't simply stop caring for a person he once loved. Yes, she could accept that. After all he did say he didn't love her.
She sighed contentedly and snuggled closer to him. "I love you, Inu Yasha."
His arms tightened around her and a soft kiss was placed in her hair. "And I love you."
Sleep overcame Kagome before she knew it and she was pulled into deep dreams. For the first time in days she really dreamed….
Her mother and grandfather clapping and Sota jumping about like a maniac as Kagome donned her mother's wedding dress. "I'm so glad Kagome. He's such a nice young man. You have our blessings." Her mother kissed her cheek.
"Yes, it'll be nice to have him as a proper member of the family." Her grandfather smiled broadly.
"Yeah, sis, he's so cool." Sota bounced up and down with Buyo on his back.
"Thank you, it means so much to me that you approve." Kagome began to cry, she was so happy.
A soft voice woke her from the dream. 'Had it really been a dream? They'd all seemed so real.'
"Kagome, are you all right?" He stroked away the hot tears from her cheeks. She'd been crying in her sleep for a while now, and he was becoming very concerned. To his relief she at last opened her eyes and looked up at him. The look in them was not one of sadness though it was one of lingering joy.
"I'm okay, I promise." She pressed a soft kiss on the underside of his jaw. Her family had given her their blessings and she would cherish that dream as dearly as though it were a memory. She smiled at him, his silver hair glowing in the early morning light. He dipped his head and she met him half way for a better kiss. It was warm and loving, and it made her skin tingle. Inu Yasha cupped her head as he deepened the kiss. They were interrupted by a knock downstairs.
Kagome sighed softly. "That's probably my friends."
Inu Yasha rose slowly, reluctant to leave the warmth of her embrace. "I'll go tend to them. You get dressed." He paused in the door and looked back, a curious look in his eye. "Who is this Hojo guy anyway?"
Kagome grinned. "No one you have to worry about. He asked me out a few times, but he's rather plain and not very interesting." She smiled as she set her feet on the floor. "He's nothing like you."
Jealousy flickered in his eyes. 'That's why he'd smelled of jealousy and why he'd been so insistent to see her yesterday. Why had Kagome never mentioned him?' Inu Yasha mused over the idea as he went to let in Kagome's friends. Perhaps her friends would tell him more.
"Hi!" They all chimed as he opened the door. Yuka's eyes locked on the top of his head as he slipped on Sota's cap.
"Kagome is getting dressed." He said gruffly. These girls were nothing like Kagome. They seemed flaky and even a bit on the air-head side.
"That's okay. We can start without her."
"Yeah, we know what to do."
Kagome's home was invaded by the three girls as they each took a room and began their cleaning spree. Inu Yasha watched in amazement as the girls pulled out cleaning supplies from places he'd never have thought to look. Then there came the smell of the cleaners and the noise of the vacuum cleaner that nearly overpowered his sensitive nose and ears. By the time Kagome arrived downstairs, Inu Yasha was bent over on the steps hands covering his ears through the cap. She stopped and sat down next to him for a moment, stroking his back warmly.
The other girls stopped temporarily to say good morning and ask Kagome where things went. The house itself was really clean to begin with her mother always kept the place spotless. But Kagome helped to dish out chores. She had Inu Yasha help move the heavy sitting table from the center of the room to a spot near the wall. Erie began to fill the table immediately with all the gifts. Ayumi was in the kitchen. She'd washed the dishes left from the night before and had even started breakfast. Yuka put away the vacuum and began to sweep the hall and entry way. She straightened the coats and shoes in the entry as well, but Kagome suggested they move the coats and shoes to the hall closet.
While Kagome was occupied with Yuka, Inu Yasha took the opportunity to press Erie about Hojo.
Hojo lovers be ware, there may be a bit of Hojo slamming in the next chapter. Please remember to R&R. I'll try to be nice, I promise. evil grin