Chapter Two

Goodbye, My Love

(WARNING: Fluff in this chapter. Before Warned.)

"Sis, when are you gonna be back?" Souta asked Kagome one Saturday afternoon. Since she and the gang killed Naraku a month ago, things had gotten back to normal. She was able to go to school and see her friends every day like before, and she traveled to the Feudal Era every weekend and the days she got off.

"Souta, I'll be back come Monday. You'll hardly notice I was gone," Kagome reassured her little brother. She zipped her bookbag and kissed Souta softly on the cheek. He blushed and hugged her leg. Kagome smiled sweetly at him.

"I'm going, Mom," Kagome called when she got downstairs. Her grandfather was reading the newspaper on his favorite chair in the living room. He waved to her, then got back to his story. Mrs. Higurashi came out of the kitchen, her spoon still in hand like a victory trophy.

"Oh, Kagome dear. Before I forget; Hojo called earlier while you were in a shower. He wanted to know if you would like to go to see that new movie with him, then have a bite to eat afterwards. He seems really nice, don't you think?"

"Mom, if he comes by, tell him I had other plans already. Tell him I said I was sorry," Kagome said as she kissed her mother on the cheek. It wasn't like she was disappointed to turn Hojo down. It wasn't like he was her boyfriend or anything. If anyone were to be her boyfriend, she'd want it to be Inuyasha.

The thought made her blush. As Kagome went down the well, she smiled at the thought of Inuyasha waiting for her to come back. Seeing his gorgeous amber eyes light up as she climbed out of the well always made her feel right at home. Finally, she felt her feet finally find ground and she climbed out of the well.

"So, you're finally back, huh? Took ya long enough," came a familiar annoyed voice. Kagome looked up at the tree next to her and saw Inuyasha sitting on a branch. He jumped down, making the girl step back a bit. She noticed his fuzzy ears pick up when their eyes met.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Inuyasha asked, raising an eyebrow. Kagome looked down, suddenly feeling self-conscious about wearing the short-sleeved blue SHAM shirt and the low-rise jeans.

"It's too much?" Kagome asked awkwardly.

"No, it's just. I. like that on you. It looked nice," Inuyasha mumbled shyly. Kagome looked at him and noticed his face turning slightly pink.

"Aha!" She announced. "You're blushing!" Inuyasha growled as they walked down the hill.

"I'm not blushing! The sun's in my face!" He yelled. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Whatever!"

The two made it down to the village below the hills. They made it into old Kaede's house, where the old woman was busy making tea. Kagome was a little surprised to see her in the house all by herself.

"Hi, Old Kaede. Where is everyone?" Kagome asked as she and Inuyasha sat down beside her. Kaede sighed a smiled, making all of the wrinkled on her face lighten up and dance.

"Hello, Child. I suspect that ye had a pleasant trip back home?" Old Kaede raised an eyebrow. "While ye were gone, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo all made a trip to a neighboring village, about two days away from here. Inuyasha wanted to stay here to make sure that you got here safely."

"Oh, do you know when everyone'll be back?" Kagome asked, surprised.

"Well, it wouldn't take this long to slay the demons that are in the village. I'd say about tomorrow or the day after they should get home," Inuyasha replied. Kagome nodded understandingly.

The two spent the day helping some of the villagers rebuild their homes and doing odd jobs like that, because a herd of demons came and attacked them about two days ago. By the time they were done, it was early evening.

After dinner, Kagome went to the river nearby. It was so beautiful with the fireflies glowing around her and the breeze gently lifting her hair up. Unknown to her, Inuyasha was standing right on the hill behind her.

Gods, Kagome is so beautiful, Inuyasha thought. He loved Kagome with all his heart, but was just too stubborn to admit it. How would he ever tell her the truth? Besides, she probably loved some other guy, like that Hojo guy or that wimpy wolf, Kouga.

"Well, I guess it's to be expected," he said aloud. "Why would she choose a dirty half-breed over all human or all demon?"

"Inuyasha?"

The hanyou jumped at the sound of his name. He turned around, and Kagome was standing there, looking at him with a quizzical look on her face. Inuyasha blushed and went down to the girl.

"Were you spying on me?" Kagome asked slyly.

"No, I was just making sure no demons would try to take you away, and then I'd have to come after them, kick their ass, and save your hide as well. It is spring, anyway, so you need to be extra careful."

"Spring? What's so special about spring?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha gulped, ignoring the loud thundering in his chest.

"Um..well.. spring is, spring is.. um.. Springisdemonmatingseason."

Kagome's eyes widened, as she understood what Inuyasha meant. She had overheard him having a conversation with Miroku about mating season for demons. She didn't think he would ever have that talk again.

"Oh." Kagome searched for something to say. "It's really pretty out."

"Yeah, it reminds me of you."

"N-nani?" Kagome asked, surprised. Her heart began to pick up pace as she felt her face get hot.

"I mean, it reminds me of you because you're both so pretty."

Oh, Kami, Kagome thought. Did he just call me pretty? Oh, I think this demon-mating thing had really made Inuyasha lose it.

"Kagome?"

"Y-yeah?" She asked, finally snapped back to attention.

"Kagome, I... I uh, wanna ask you something really important. Close your eyes. Trust me, it's nothing stupid." Kagome turned pink, but closed her eyes. After a moment, she felt soft lips press against her own. Kagome opened her eyes a little bit, and saw Inuyasha's own eyes look into her green-bluish ones. She kissed Inuyasha a little harder, feeling his arms wrap around her waist. Kagome locked her arms around the hanyou's neck, when she felt his tongue poke at her own. With a slight moan, Kagome opened her mouth and let Inuyasha's rough tongue explore her own mouth and wrestle with her tongue. After a moment in heaven, the two released each other, breathing in air their lungs had been begging for.

"Inuyasha...?" Kagome asked in a shaky breath. Inuyasha took her hand into his own.

"Kagome, I... I've loved you for much a long time now. You were always by my side when I needed you and you were always looking after me. You put up with me treating you like a piece of shit, but I promise that if I can have your love, I will treat you like you deserve to be treated. Ashitaru Kagome, so much."

"Oh, Inuyasha!" Kagome threw herself into his arms. Tears fell down her face as she cried into his chest.

"Kagome, don't cry." Inuyasha whispered in her ear, calming down her harsh sobs. She hiccupped.

"I'm not crying because I'm sad. I love you too Inuyasha, always have and always will. I guess (sob) I was just too shy to ever tell you how I really feel about you." Kagome stopped crying and got up, wiping her face. She got up on her knees and cupped an ear between her hands.

"So, it's demon-mating season, huh? Does that mean that demons like you get extra horny or something?" Kagome asked slyly. Inuyasha smirked at her. He picked her up bridal style, and they went to an abandoned shed in the village together, shutting the door behind them.

(Use your imagination to figure out what happens next.)

Two Days Later

"Hello, Old Kaede," Miroku said cheerfully. Sango and Shippo came walking in behind them.

"Hello Sango, Miroku, and Shippo. I presume ye trip went well," she said kindly. Sango nodded.

"Indeed. We took care of the demons in a few minutes, but we stayed because Sango and I found this amazing hot spring inn and the innkeeper gave us a little too much sake to drink, and we forgot that Kirara and Shippo were in the room meant for Sango, and she stayed mostly in my room...." Miroku was cut off from his amazing tale when Sango clasped her hands over Miroku's mouth.

"Miroku, not in front of Shippo and Kirara," she hissed. Old Kaede nodded and gave off a small chuckle.

"So, I guess you two are a couple now, am I correct?" Kaede asked. Sango blushed and nodded. Kaede continued. "I'm glad that ye two are together now."

"Oh, by the way, where are Kagome and Inuyasha? We haven't seen them yet, though there was an oddly strange...noise ... coming... from...." Miroku trailed off dumbly, realizing he had answered his own question. At that moment, Inuyasha and Kagome came in the hut.

"Hey, guys," Kagome said cheerfully. "Isn't this a wonderful day today?" Miroku, Sango, and Old Kaede looked at the couple suspiciously.

"Hey, why do you guys look like that?"

"So, I guess you heard its demon mating season, huh Kagome?" Sango joked. Kagome turned red.

"Once again, the mighty Inuyasha has proven that he is great in many ways, both on and off the battlefield. You just couldn't resist huh my good man?" Miroku patted d Inuyasha on the back. Inuyasha growled.

"Shuddup. You're not one to talk, Miroku. At least I wasn't drunk when I did it." Now it was Miroku and Sango's turns to blush. The five of them laughed together.

"Umm, Kagome. Can I see you outside for a moment?" Inuyasha asked his mate.

"Oh, sure Inuyasha." They stepped outside, and made their way to the well.

"So, what is it my love?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha's face expression got suddenly sad.

"Kagome, I want you... to go home." The smile was now gone from her face. She suddenly got serious.

"Wh-what? What do you mean Inuyasha?"

"I want you to go home and never come back." Kagome's heart tore in half at that exact moment.

"Oh, I get it. It was just a one-night stand, huh Inuyasha? I let you take my virginity and this is how you act? I love you, and I want to always be by your side."

"Kagome, those two nights together were magical, but I made a mistake. I'm sorry, Kagome, but this is the only way I can save you from the pain and harm. I enjoyed your body, Kagome, but I never want to see you ever again."

Inuyasha kissed Kagome one last time on the lips, feeling the salty tears escape her eyes. Inuyasha hugged the girl one final time, then pushed her down the well.

"Goodbye, my love." Inuyasha spoke, tears falling down his own face. "This is the only way to protect her. I will do anything to save her, even if that means to hurt her."