Half and Half
An Inuyasha Fanfic by Elusion
Chapter Five

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Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all characters therein belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Video

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The sun rose in a glorious spectacle of dazzling light and color. Pinks and reds and yellows all melted into the blue of the sky above, like a beautiful watercolor done in paints more vibrant than any on this earth. This awesome scene played out it's everyday role, unnoticed by two snoozing young beings nestled together in a hut, oblivious to the awakening world around them.

When the soothing waves of sleep finally began to ebb from Kagome, her first concious thought was abouy the warmth around her. Usually it was a little chilly in the mornings, but today she felt incredibly warm and comfortable. She sighed in contentment, and snuggled further in her bed. She slowly blinked her eyes, and was a little disappointed that it was already light outside. She was so comfortable, she just wanted to stay where she was for the rest of the day. She rolled over, and bumped into something. She blinked, and realized she was face to chest with Inuyasha.

"Eep!" she said loudly, sitting up. This was not the type of wake up call she had been expecting. She stared at the dog demon in her bed, then looked down at herself. Whew, she was still fully clothed. Immediately after that thought, she felt extremely embarrassed. Of course they hadn't done anything. But why on earth had Inuyasha been in her bed? Sure, they had become close since the battle with Naraku, they had admitted that they loved each other, and had hugged and actually even kissed a few times before, but sleeping in her bed? Since when had Inuyasha even slept lying down like normal people? Everytime she had seen him sleep, he was always sitting in a corner, Tessaiga over his shoulder. She sat there marveling at this when Inuyasha awoke.

He blinked slowly, and sleepily grinned at Kagome. "Good morning, fellow hanyou." he said in a raspy voice, then sat up and stretched like nothing had happenened. Kagome could only stare.

"Why were you sleeping in my bed?!"she finally managed to sputter out.

"Where else was I supposed to sleep?" he asked innocently. She looked around. She hated to admit it, but he was right. There wasn't any other bed.

"Well..." she trailed off. No use arguing with him.

He stood and picked up his sword lying beside the bed. He placed it in his belt.

"It's not like I did anything to you, wench." he couldn't help adding.

"Sit!" she couldn't help replying.

Thud

"Crap. I hoped this thing wouldn't still work" he groaned from the floor as the rosary's magic took effect.

"I guess I kept some of my miko power." she observed. Inuyasha silently wished she could have found a less painful way to find that out, but, not being completely unteachable, he had learned a comment like that would probably just annoy his female companion into another "sit." So, he stood up, grumbling and dusting off his clothes, then sat near the bed.

"So what do you plan on doing today?" he asked. The female hanyou looked out into space thoughtfully.

"Well, you did promise to take me out and teach me how to develop my sense of smell," she said brightly.

Inuyasha paused. Yes, there was that. But, it seemed to him there was something more important to be taken care of.

"What about your family?" he asked seriously.

She froze. Yes, her family needed to know about the change. She hadn't talked to her family since when she and the others had returned from battle. She remembered her mother's tears of relief that her daughter was safe, then the tears of sadness when she told her that she was planning on staying with Inuyasha.

Her mother had cried, knowing she would miss her daughter dearly, but accepted it out of love and desire for her child's happiness. Kagome recalled her last conversation with her mother...

"Do you love him?"

Kagome looked at her mother in surprise. Tears glistened in the older woman's eyes as she awaited the answer. Kagome looked down to her lap, and fiddled with the hem of her skirt nervously.

"I... I do love him, mother... and... and he loves me." she said slowly.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded.

"Then... Go.. Go and be happy with him, okay?"

Kagome looked into her eyes, and saw pure love, radiating out towards her.

"Just make sure you visit me, alright? As often as you can. Please?"

Kagome saw the pleading and worry mixed in with the love.

"Yes. Yes, I will. I promise." she whispered hoarsely, and hugged her mother tight. Tears escaped her tightly squeezed eyes as she embraced her mother.

"And make sure you get properly married before you do anything, okay? And I'm expecting you to bring my grandchildren to visit often, understand?"

Kagome blushed and laughed at the very motherly advice.

"I'm just fifteen, mom. It's not like we'll be getting married right away."

Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "I know. You grew up so fast, you know that? Most mothers at least have until their children are 18 before they have to let them go." She sighed. "I'll miss you, my little girl. My first and only little girl." Her voice grew hoarse. "I... I only wish your father could see you, all grown up, and in love."

Kagome nodded. They sat together like that for a few minutes, in tears, before a voice interrupted them.

"Oi, Kagome!"

Kagome looked up at the sound of her name being called outside by a voice so harsh, and yet so dear. Mrs. Higurashi drew in her breath as she let go of her daughter.

"Remeber, you have to visit, understand?"

Kagome had nodded, then left to find Inuyasha in the yard.

"Ready to go?" he said, his eyes softening ever so slightly, and she quietly said "Yes," then hugged him tightly.

"Hey, Kagome! Kagome? Are you okay?"

Kagome woke back up to the present.

"Yeah." she said softly.

"Are you sure? You're crying."

She felt her cheek, and was surprised to find it wet with tears.

"Yes, I suppose I am." she said.

Inuyasha wasn't sure how to react. Kagome's tears always had that kind of effect on him. He was never sure what to do, only that he wanted them to stop, no matter what. So, he quietly swept her into another hug. She froze at the unexpected embrace, then relaxed in his arms.

"I'll go with you, if you'd like." he said.

She mutely nodded, her face still buried in his clothes. She absently noticed that her tears were making them wet, but breathed in his smell, and was immensely comforted. Her tears dried, and she found resolve that had been buried in her heart.

"Let's go." she said, smiling.

He was relieved that her tears had stopped, so he agreed and they walked together to the well.

"It's a good thing the well still works." Inuyasha said as they climbed out on the other side. He held out his hand to her, and she daintily took it and hopped out. She was too worried to answer him.

"Why am I worried?" she thought to herself. "The worse that could happen is that Grandpa would try to exorcise me." She smiled at this thought, it wasn't like her to be nervous like this. She thought it over. No, she wasn't really worried, it was something else. Homesickness. That was it. She had missed her family. Desperately. It felt good to be back.

She walked more confidently towards the house. Something in her wondered how it could seem so unchanged when everything around her had been thrown topsy turvy. She stepped closer to her door, unsure of what to do. She felt strange, she felt the impulse to ring the doorbell and let her mother come answer the door, but it would make her feel like a stranger in her own house.

She opened the door, and she and Inuyasha slipped in. The front room was empty, but Kagome noticed several extra pairs of shoes next to the door. There was company!

"Uh, Inuyasha, I think we'd better slip up to my room. There's someone-"

"Kagome?"

Kagome's pupils narrowed.

"Oh crap." she whispered. She knew that voice.

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End Chapter Five