Author: Welcome one and all to my first ever, of all time, Inuyasha fanfic!
I had lots of fun writing this and I hope that you have lots of fun reading
it as well. The one thing that saddens me is that Inuyasha will not ever
be, and isn't mine. :( Really I don't own any of the characters, but I
really really really am hoping for a certain half demon with puppy ears.
(IloveInuyasha)
Inuyasha: Oh sure, you never want me. Only these other stupid people you obsess over! Feh!
Sephiroth: I'm not stupid! *pouts*
Author: *shakes her head* Not again. Sephiroth, get back in your fanfic. Don't make me say it again. And Inuyasha, since when did Sephiroth have dog ears?
Inuyasha: *shrugs* Feh. Wait a minute...............
Author: Sephiroth, I said go home! OR ELSE.
Sephiroth: *eyes go wide* Okay, okay! I'm going! *sticks his tongue out at Inuyasha and disappears*
Author: There. That's better. Now where was I? Ahhh yes. My new fanfiction. Well, all I can ask is that you read my fic, enjoy it, and REVIEW it or Inuyasha will come and wreak havoc upon your world. *ahem*
Inuyasha: *grins* Oooooooo. Havoc. :D
Author: Moving on........
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"Hanyou!" Kagome yelled in frustration. "Get out of that tree and stop spying! Sometimes I think you're worse then Miroku!" Inuyasha simply smirked and glared at her.
"Stupid wench! I wasn't spying! I came to get you, but I didn't want to interrupt your........swim. It's too cold to be in the water anyway. Come on, let's go."
"Oh shut it," Kagome snapped, sick of all his excuses.
"Feh," he shrugged, as if nothing mattered. Kagome shook her head and they walked in silence for awhile. Inuyasha frowned and wondered if anything he ever did would not upset this girl. "Hurry up, wench," he commented over his shoulder, "we need to get going and find more jewel shards before you abandon us for your stupid Krismak."
"It's Christmas," Kagome corrected, "and I have to go home to be with my family. You're supposed to spend it with people that you care about." Inuyasha felt hurt. Didn't she care about him?
Kagome smiled at him. "I'll be checking back in about a week or so and I have presents for you guys before I leave."
"Prezence?" he asked again, hating how interested he sounded.
"You'll see," she smiled.
As they neared Kaede's house, Inuyasha had the sudden urge to tie Kagome to the nearest tree to stop her from leaving. He watched sadly as she dug through her pack and placed some colourful objects on the ground beside it. Didn't she know how much he hated it when she left them? Left him? Of course she didn't, he thought bitterly to himself, all you ever do is insult her and put her down. Why would she want to spend Krismas with you.
Kagome shivered a little at the cool breeze that was starting to blow and glanced up at Inuyasha, who seemed to be deep in thought. He's so cute when he's thinking, she smiled to herself. His smile, on a rare occasion, was even better. Her heart fluttered whenever she was lucky enough to witness it. If Inuyasha ever found out how she truly felt then she was in big trouble. He would probably just mock her and laugh in her face. Kagome sighed. Just being near him sometimes made her knees weak. Oh, how she longed to reach out and touch his long white hair or his soft fuzzy ears. To do so would be welcoming death. She finished unpacking the presents for her friends and grinned as a furry missile came barreling at her. Shippo sniffed excitedly at the colourful packages.
"Are these food?!" he asked eagerly.
"Maybe," Kagome smiled, "but you can't open them until I'm gone." Shippo's face fell and Kagome laughed and hugged him. "I'll bring you some fudge when I come back."
"Fudge? What's that?" Shippo peered up into her face questionably.
"Sweet candy stuff. Like those cookies that I brought you before." Shippo danced around the room in delight and went to jabber to Sango about the good news. Miroku sat in a corner looking quite dejected, no doubt he had just made another advance on Sango and failed miserably, again.
Inuyasha blinked, realizing how long he'd been in thought and strolled over to Kagome acting non-interested when really he was itching with curiosity. "So what's this garbage?" he asked in a bored tone. Kagome knew that he was really intrigued by the glittery packages and smiled at him as he leaned over her. "Oh nothing. Don't worry. I didn't bring anything for you," Kagome teased.
Inuyasha snorted in contempt. "Feh," he muttered at the ground. Seeing his face fall, Kagome put her hand gently on his arm.
"I'm just joking. I would never forget about you Inuyasha." He felt surprised at the comment and a little suspicious when he saw her face going red. Kagome quickly handed him a blue package with little trees all over it and he eyed it warily.
"Um.........what does it do?" he asked carefully, not wanting to hurt her feelings.
"Silly hanyou," she spoke affectionately, "you have to unwrap if first.
"Right. Unwrap.....," he agreed as if he'd known it all along. Inuyasha turned it over and over in his hands, studying it intensely.
"Here," Kagome finally said, when Inuyasha was frustrated enough to chuck the stupid thing at a wall, "I'll help you. Inuyasha felt a shiver go through him as her hands touched his and guided them to rip the paper off what appeared to be a box. His claws easily tore through the paper and he beamed at Kagome, then paused staring at the gift.
"It's a box......"
Kagome laughed and took it from him, opening the top and telling him to look inside. He pulled out a large package of ramen and excitedly tore it open and began devouring it. Kagome stopped him after a minute. "There's more you know."
Inuyasha smiled at her, forgetting himself for a moment and pulled out a piece of paper that had a girl identical to Kagome on it. Kagome blushed. "It's a picture of me, so whenever I go home you'll still be able to see me whenever you want." Inuyasha looked at Kagome and wondered if she knew how much this meant to him.
"Thank-you," he said softly, no hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Shippo came over and started having a hissy fit. "You said we couldn't open our thingies until you went home!" he cried in outrage, "and I wanna open mine!"
Kagome gathered him in her lap and tickled him. "Quit your complaining or you won't get anything," she smiled. Shippo's eyes went wide and he immediately went silent. Instead of risking his chance at getting tasty treats he went over to bother the still sulking Miroku.
Kagome stood and put on her pack, walking over to Sango. "Well, I'm off," she commented brightly and Sango stood up as well and embraced her companionably.
"Don't stay there too long," Sango smiled, "who knows how long I'll be able to survive with these three. Especially when a certain half-demon will be sulking the whole time." Inuyasha shot Sango a dirty look and went outside.
Kagome nodded, "I'll see everyone in a week or so. Maybe less if I'm lucky." After saying her goodbyes to Sango she went and gave Shippo a big bear hug and he clung to her, not wanting her to go yet. Shippo loved Kagome like a mom since his parents had died when he was young and hated it when she left. "Shippo," Kagome whispered softly to him, "I have to go home. Let go now." Shippo sadly released her and Kagome ruffled his hair. "Cheer up. You get to open your presents once I'm gone, remember?" Shippo brightened slightly and pranced off to the pile of gifts, eyeing them carefully.
Last, but not, well, okay, maybe least, was Miroku. Kaede had been gone for a few days now on one of her herb collecting trips and Kagome kind of wished she could find her to say goodbye before she left. Kagome patted Miroku's back and kneeled down beside him. "I'll see you later okay? Try not to piss Sango off too bad while I'm gone." He sniffed sadly and threw his arms around her. Kagome gently pried him off making sure his hands didn't go any lower then her waist.
"Behave yourself," she warned and called a last goodbye as she headed out the door.
She found a very sulky looking Inuyasha waiting for her in a tree outside. A soft snow was beginning to fall and Kagome rubbed her arms, trying to keep the cold out of her school uniform. "Inuyasha. Come down here for a minute," she called to him, getting no response. She hid the hurt that she was feeling. "Come on, Inuyasha. I'm going now. Do you want me to say goodbye or not?"
Still receiving no reply she turned away from him angrily and headed in the direction of the well. Why did he always have to be like this when she was leaving. He had already made her feel guilty about delaying their trip to find more jewel shards, but now he was acting like a spoiled brat.
Inuyasha watched her go and his heart wrenched sadly. Not able to resist himself, he followed Kagome through the trees and dropped down in front of her when she reached the well. "Don't go," he pleaded, blocking her path to the well. She glared at him.
"Oh sure, now you'll talk to me." Inuyasha ignored the venom in her voice and continued to plead her not to go. "Wait one more day, just one more day!" he whined, trying to think of something that would make her not want to leave.
"Oh, grow up!" she snapped, getting frustrated, "you followed me the whole way here just to guilt me into staying and it's not going to work!"
Kagome pushed past him and started for the well again. Inuyasha grabbed onto her arm and pulled her to him. "Don't go! Please!"
"I'll see you in a week," Kagome stated calmly, "now sit boy." Inuyasha crashed head first into the ground and Kagome took that opportunity to jump into the well. Inuyasha rubbed his jaw, feelings deeply hurt, and wished that she would have waited until tomorrow to go. He always hated being alone on the new moon. She knew that as well as he did. And yet she had still left him.
Tonight he would become a weak, pitiful human. All alone. Hanging his head, Inuyasha sat and leaned back against the well, stubbornly, deciding not to move until Kagome returned. Snow drifted down and slowly covered him, but he refused to care. All he wanted was Kagome and if he couldn't have that then he didn't want anything else.
Kagome climbed out of the well, back in her era, and felt guilty for leaving Inuyasha like that. It was the only way to escape though. She ran to the front door, marveling at the thick snow that was falling here as well. After changing into a clean uniform in her room, she went into the kitchen to help her mom with the preparations for Christmas dinner.
"How's Inuyasha?" her mom asked, grinning.
"Oh, he's probably pouting in a tree somewhere because I had to leave him."
Her mom just smiled knowingly. "That boy likes you something fierce. I don't think I'm quite ready for puppy grandchildren though."
Kagome blushed. "Sure mom, sure." Finishing off with stuffing the turkey, Kagome slid it into the preheated oven and began to gather the ingredients for sugar cookies and shortbread. As she mixed and stirred she thought about Inuyasha. Her mom may be way off about his feelings, but she couldn't help but like Inuyasha herself. Christmas wouldn't be the same without him. Maybe if she went back to see if he'd join them.......
Kagome rolled out some dough on the counter she was working on and shook her head. Why would he want to come here? Sota would be overjoyed to see his hero, but Inuyasha most likely preferred his era to hers. Cutting star and tree shapes into the dough she sighed deeply, wishing that for just once she could tell him how she really felt and not have to worry about the consequences. All in good time.
Inuyasha sulked by the well for the rest of the day, staring at the blank whiteness of the snow that covered him. He was soaked completely and didn't care. The mixed emotions inside him tore him apart. Love, anger, frustration, hurt, want, so many things drove him to the conclusion that he needed to see Kagome. Now. How dare she leave him. He should jump through the well and drag that wench back here to do her work like she was supposed to.
He shook his head in defeat and a layer of snow fell to the ground. He looked around, seeing for the first time in awhile. Twilight was just settling over the woods. He shivered, realizing that he was almost completely frozen. If he didn't find warmth soon the result could be fatal. To make matters worse, when he stood he felt a weakness pass through his body. His claws and dog ears shrank into nothing as his hair became black and glossy and his eyes darkened into a deeper brown. No! NO! he thought frantically. His hand raised to his mouth and found his fangs were gone as well. Panic washed over him. Already?! But it wasn't even dark!
I can't even see the moon yet! (AN: Failing to realize that you can't see a "new moon" lol) Irrational thoughts spun through his mind and he knew that his weak human self couldn't withstand the cold much longer. His eyes settled on the well and he peered into it. The bottom was filled with snow, but he knew that if he jumped, Kagome would be on the other side. Making up his mind, he threw himself in.
Kagome proudly packaged all her freshly baked cookies so that they would be ready for the next day and tiredly went to her room and stripped off her clothes. Grabbing two towels from her linen closet, she was unaware of a presence lurking under her window. Kagome went into her bathroom and stepped into the warm, soothing water, letting it flow over her weary body. Showers always felt great after coming back from fighting demons and who knows what else.
Inuyasha weakly pulled himself out of the well and flopped onto the floor beside it. Pushing himself to his feet he slowly made his way through the snow, over to Kagome's window. If took all of his remaining strength to lift himself up onto the window ledge and fall through to the inside. He landed with a crunch, on her floor. "Owwww......," he moaned painfully and managed to shut the window against the cold outside. Inuyasha cocked his head at the sound of running water and breathed in the wonderful scent of Kagome's room. Everything smelled like her.
He hated the way being human took away his senses. His eyes dimmed, his sense of smell was dulled and he couldn't sense a demon if his life depended on it. Laying back on Kagome's bed, he tried to stop his uncontrollable shaking and curled up into a little ball. Inuyasha was so cold that he couldn't feel his body anymore and felt the world spinning as he slipped into unconsciousness.
After finishing her shower, Kagome stepped out onto the bath mat and wrapped a towel around herself while she dried and brushed her hair. Going back into her dark room she quickly put on her pajamas and climbed into bed. When she tried to pull her blankets up, Kagome realized something cold and heavy was weighing them down. Suppressing a scream she quickly switched on her lamp. Relief washed over her when she saw that it was only Inuyasha. Immediately noticing his dark hair, lack of fangs and dog ears, etc. she felt horrible.
Kagome had completely forgotten that tonight was the new moon. Poor Inuyasha. No wonder he hadn't wanted her to leave. Strangely enough he looked peaceful and innocent when he slept. Normally he would stand guard at whichever camp they happened to be at, at the time. She never really saw him sleep. Unable to resist the urge, Kagome ran her fingers through the long silky black hair flowing over her pillow. He was so cold! On closer inspection she noticed that his lips and cheeks were tinged with a purple- blue colour and he was shivering.
Inuyasha stirred under her touch and opened his eyes, looking at her. Embarrassed that Kagome had caught him in her bed he made a visible effort to move and fell to the floor instead. He weakly pushed himself to a sitting position and felt someone behind him holding him up. "Well, you've really done a number on yourself this time," Kagome smiled when he turned his head towards her. He glared at her and hid his relief he was finally with her again. Somehow, Kagome helped take away his fear of being human.
He watched her prop him up and tuck her hair behind her ears. She grabbed a book from her bedside table hoping Inuyasha wouldn't notice how much she had enjoyed holding him and jumped onto her bed to read, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Inuyasha could see an intense look come into her eyes which meant she was in complete focus on something. Hiding a smile, he lay down on the carpeted floor and watched her read. He loved the way she bit her lip when she was deep in thought or the way her hair fell into her face and she absentmindedly kept brushing it back. How he yearned to gently brush away the hair from her face and sample those lips for himself. Prying his eyes away from her, he shivered and sighed.
She would find someone someday that would make her laugh and smile, make her happy. Then what? He'd be out of the picture and be left all alone to find the remaining jewel shards. Truly, he would like to tear anyone who looked at Kagome with more then a vague interest into a thousand tiny shreds. Jealous? Yes. Extremely. Maybe if he told her that he never really means it when he insults her......
He yelped in fear as the room went dark. Kagome giggled. "Sorry Inuyasha. I know you already had a nap, but I'm human and I need sleep." Inuyasha shook his head and then felt silly, realizing she couldn't see him.
"Feh," he smirked, "you know, I'm pretty much human too right now."
Kagome was silent for a moment. "Inuyasha?" she said softly.
"What?" he inquired, worried at the tone of her voice, "you okay?"
"I'm sorry."
Her words quivered as though she was about to cry. "Sorry?" Inuyasha repeated back to her, "for what? Being beautiful?" Kagome didn't even smile and Inuyasha knew something was up.
"I forgot all about the new moon. I shouldn't have just left you alone like that. I mean, look at you. You're colder then the snow outside and your skin's almost blue. Besides, I know how scared you get."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "Hey! I do not!" Kagome didn't argue and he felt like a jerk for yelling.
"Um, Kagome?"
He heard her body shift to face him, but his back was to the bed anyway. He was grateful for that. He didn't want her to see his face right now. "Look. Don't be sorry, okay? I deserve to be alone." He felt a hand on his back and a sad voice spoke from behind him.
"Oh, Inuyasha. No one deserves to be completely alone." Neither of them spoke for a moment as they both struggled with hidden feelings that threatened to expose themselves. Kagome slid her hands to Inuyasha's shoulders and massaged lightly, knowing that, although he would never admit it, he loved it when she did that. She frowned at the coldness she could feel through his clothing and rubbed his back as well, trying to warm him up.
Inuyasha almost melted under Kagome's touch and wished she would stop so he could keep his urge to pounce on her under control. He instantly regretted his last thought when she did stop. "You don't have to sleep on the floor you know," Kagome remarked, shifting under the covers to get comfortable.
"Where else would I sleep?" Inuyasha retorted, shivering from the cold, "are you trying to tell me to leave?"
Kagome smiled. "Well, I was going to let you have part of the bed, but if you'd be happier outside then I guess,"
"No! Wait!" Inuyasha interrupted frantically, "I never said that!" He was grateful for the dark as he felt all the blood rushing to his face. God, I'm an idiot, he thought inwardly. Kagome shifted to the side and yawned as Inuyasha climbed under the covers next to her. Moving closer, she felt his arm and he jerked away, surprised.
"What are you up to under there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Kagome laughed and pressed herself against him.
"You're just so cold. I'm trying to warm you up."
"Oh," he grinned, "no worries then." Inuyasha could feel all the heat radiating off her and suddenly sneezed. He shook his head and Kagome felt his forehead.
"You may be getting sick," she commented with a frown, "no more snow for you."
Kagome laid back down again and enjoying the closeness of his body next to hers, she fell asleep almost instantly. Inuyasha on the other hand was wide awake. After hearing Kagome's breathing become steady and softer he moved closer. Her scent drove him insane as he leaned over her, peering in her face to make sure she was sleeping. Breathing in deeply he shuddered, partially from enjoyment and partially from fear of being caught. A few hours passed by and Inuyasha grew tired of having to fight himself and his feelings and slumped down on the pillow.
He cautiously draped his arm over Kagome's waist, being careful not to wake her and pulled her warm body closer to him. If he hadn't been freezing he wouldn't have dared to touch her. Inuyasha grinned, remembering Kagome's earlier comment about him being like Miroku. He shook his head. "If I were Miroku I'd be doing a lot more then trying to keep warm. That's for sure." Nuzzling into Kagome's neck, Inuyasha drifted off to sleep.
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Author: Well, that was quite the interesting chapter. Was it not? I thought so. Please please please review so I can post post post the next chapter. I have it half finished already, but I'm not posting anything unless five people enjoy and review this story. I mean what's the point in wasting fanfiction's space if no one likes it..... *sniffs sadly* You do like it right?
Sephiroth: I like your story! Don't cry! *pats author's back*
Inuyasha: Yes! Please review! Last time she got really upset and I had to comfort her......... *shudders*
Sephiroth: I don't mind. *grins*
Author: *hugs Sephiroth* Awwww, thanx Sephy. Wait! You aren't supposed to be here!
Sephiroth: *eyes shift back and forth* You don't know that.
Author: I'm very grateful to all my adoring and non-adoring fans and I love you all! Thanx for reading. *whacks Inuyasha with a pole before he can lunge at Sephiroth* Cut it out you two! Don't forget to R & R!!! :D See ya soon.
Inuyasha: Oh sure, you never want me. Only these other stupid people you obsess over! Feh!
Sephiroth: I'm not stupid! *pouts*
Author: *shakes her head* Not again. Sephiroth, get back in your fanfic. Don't make me say it again. And Inuyasha, since when did Sephiroth have dog ears?
Inuyasha: *shrugs* Feh. Wait a minute...............
Author: Sephiroth, I said go home! OR ELSE.
Sephiroth: *eyes go wide* Okay, okay! I'm going! *sticks his tongue out at Inuyasha and disappears*
Author: There. That's better. Now where was I? Ahhh yes. My new fanfiction. Well, all I can ask is that you read my fic, enjoy it, and REVIEW it or Inuyasha will come and wreak havoc upon your world. *ahem*
Inuyasha: *grins* Oooooooo. Havoc. :D
Author: Moving on........
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"Hanyou!" Kagome yelled in frustration. "Get out of that tree and stop spying! Sometimes I think you're worse then Miroku!" Inuyasha simply smirked and glared at her.
"Stupid wench! I wasn't spying! I came to get you, but I didn't want to interrupt your........swim. It's too cold to be in the water anyway. Come on, let's go."
"Oh shut it," Kagome snapped, sick of all his excuses.
"Feh," he shrugged, as if nothing mattered. Kagome shook her head and they walked in silence for awhile. Inuyasha frowned and wondered if anything he ever did would not upset this girl. "Hurry up, wench," he commented over his shoulder, "we need to get going and find more jewel shards before you abandon us for your stupid Krismak."
"It's Christmas," Kagome corrected, "and I have to go home to be with my family. You're supposed to spend it with people that you care about." Inuyasha felt hurt. Didn't she care about him?
Kagome smiled at him. "I'll be checking back in about a week or so and I have presents for you guys before I leave."
"Prezence?" he asked again, hating how interested he sounded.
"You'll see," she smiled.
As they neared Kaede's house, Inuyasha had the sudden urge to tie Kagome to the nearest tree to stop her from leaving. He watched sadly as she dug through her pack and placed some colourful objects on the ground beside it. Didn't she know how much he hated it when she left them? Left him? Of course she didn't, he thought bitterly to himself, all you ever do is insult her and put her down. Why would she want to spend Krismas with you.
Kagome shivered a little at the cool breeze that was starting to blow and glanced up at Inuyasha, who seemed to be deep in thought. He's so cute when he's thinking, she smiled to herself. His smile, on a rare occasion, was even better. Her heart fluttered whenever she was lucky enough to witness it. If Inuyasha ever found out how she truly felt then she was in big trouble. He would probably just mock her and laugh in her face. Kagome sighed. Just being near him sometimes made her knees weak. Oh, how she longed to reach out and touch his long white hair or his soft fuzzy ears. To do so would be welcoming death. She finished unpacking the presents for her friends and grinned as a furry missile came barreling at her. Shippo sniffed excitedly at the colourful packages.
"Are these food?!" he asked eagerly.
"Maybe," Kagome smiled, "but you can't open them until I'm gone." Shippo's face fell and Kagome laughed and hugged him. "I'll bring you some fudge when I come back."
"Fudge? What's that?" Shippo peered up into her face questionably.
"Sweet candy stuff. Like those cookies that I brought you before." Shippo danced around the room in delight and went to jabber to Sango about the good news. Miroku sat in a corner looking quite dejected, no doubt he had just made another advance on Sango and failed miserably, again.
Inuyasha blinked, realizing how long he'd been in thought and strolled over to Kagome acting non-interested when really he was itching with curiosity. "So what's this garbage?" he asked in a bored tone. Kagome knew that he was really intrigued by the glittery packages and smiled at him as he leaned over her. "Oh nothing. Don't worry. I didn't bring anything for you," Kagome teased.
Inuyasha snorted in contempt. "Feh," he muttered at the ground. Seeing his face fall, Kagome put her hand gently on his arm.
"I'm just joking. I would never forget about you Inuyasha." He felt surprised at the comment and a little suspicious when he saw her face going red. Kagome quickly handed him a blue package with little trees all over it and he eyed it warily.
"Um.........what does it do?" he asked carefully, not wanting to hurt her feelings.
"Silly hanyou," she spoke affectionately, "you have to unwrap if first.
"Right. Unwrap.....," he agreed as if he'd known it all along. Inuyasha turned it over and over in his hands, studying it intensely.
"Here," Kagome finally said, when Inuyasha was frustrated enough to chuck the stupid thing at a wall, "I'll help you. Inuyasha felt a shiver go through him as her hands touched his and guided them to rip the paper off what appeared to be a box. His claws easily tore through the paper and he beamed at Kagome, then paused staring at the gift.
"It's a box......"
Kagome laughed and took it from him, opening the top and telling him to look inside. He pulled out a large package of ramen and excitedly tore it open and began devouring it. Kagome stopped him after a minute. "There's more you know."
Inuyasha smiled at her, forgetting himself for a moment and pulled out a piece of paper that had a girl identical to Kagome on it. Kagome blushed. "It's a picture of me, so whenever I go home you'll still be able to see me whenever you want." Inuyasha looked at Kagome and wondered if she knew how much this meant to him.
"Thank-you," he said softly, no hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Shippo came over and started having a hissy fit. "You said we couldn't open our thingies until you went home!" he cried in outrage, "and I wanna open mine!"
Kagome gathered him in her lap and tickled him. "Quit your complaining or you won't get anything," she smiled. Shippo's eyes went wide and he immediately went silent. Instead of risking his chance at getting tasty treats he went over to bother the still sulking Miroku.
Kagome stood and put on her pack, walking over to Sango. "Well, I'm off," she commented brightly and Sango stood up as well and embraced her companionably.
"Don't stay there too long," Sango smiled, "who knows how long I'll be able to survive with these three. Especially when a certain half-demon will be sulking the whole time." Inuyasha shot Sango a dirty look and went outside.
Kagome nodded, "I'll see everyone in a week or so. Maybe less if I'm lucky." After saying her goodbyes to Sango she went and gave Shippo a big bear hug and he clung to her, not wanting her to go yet. Shippo loved Kagome like a mom since his parents had died when he was young and hated it when she left. "Shippo," Kagome whispered softly to him, "I have to go home. Let go now." Shippo sadly released her and Kagome ruffled his hair. "Cheer up. You get to open your presents once I'm gone, remember?" Shippo brightened slightly and pranced off to the pile of gifts, eyeing them carefully.
Last, but not, well, okay, maybe least, was Miroku. Kaede had been gone for a few days now on one of her herb collecting trips and Kagome kind of wished she could find her to say goodbye before she left. Kagome patted Miroku's back and kneeled down beside him. "I'll see you later okay? Try not to piss Sango off too bad while I'm gone." He sniffed sadly and threw his arms around her. Kagome gently pried him off making sure his hands didn't go any lower then her waist.
"Behave yourself," she warned and called a last goodbye as she headed out the door.
She found a very sulky looking Inuyasha waiting for her in a tree outside. A soft snow was beginning to fall and Kagome rubbed her arms, trying to keep the cold out of her school uniform. "Inuyasha. Come down here for a minute," she called to him, getting no response. She hid the hurt that she was feeling. "Come on, Inuyasha. I'm going now. Do you want me to say goodbye or not?"
Still receiving no reply she turned away from him angrily and headed in the direction of the well. Why did he always have to be like this when she was leaving. He had already made her feel guilty about delaying their trip to find more jewel shards, but now he was acting like a spoiled brat.
Inuyasha watched her go and his heart wrenched sadly. Not able to resist himself, he followed Kagome through the trees and dropped down in front of her when she reached the well. "Don't go," he pleaded, blocking her path to the well. She glared at him.
"Oh sure, now you'll talk to me." Inuyasha ignored the venom in her voice and continued to plead her not to go. "Wait one more day, just one more day!" he whined, trying to think of something that would make her not want to leave.
"Oh, grow up!" she snapped, getting frustrated, "you followed me the whole way here just to guilt me into staying and it's not going to work!"
Kagome pushed past him and started for the well again. Inuyasha grabbed onto her arm and pulled her to him. "Don't go! Please!"
"I'll see you in a week," Kagome stated calmly, "now sit boy." Inuyasha crashed head first into the ground and Kagome took that opportunity to jump into the well. Inuyasha rubbed his jaw, feelings deeply hurt, and wished that she would have waited until tomorrow to go. He always hated being alone on the new moon. She knew that as well as he did. And yet she had still left him.
Tonight he would become a weak, pitiful human. All alone. Hanging his head, Inuyasha sat and leaned back against the well, stubbornly, deciding not to move until Kagome returned. Snow drifted down and slowly covered him, but he refused to care. All he wanted was Kagome and if he couldn't have that then he didn't want anything else.
Kagome climbed out of the well, back in her era, and felt guilty for leaving Inuyasha like that. It was the only way to escape though. She ran to the front door, marveling at the thick snow that was falling here as well. After changing into a clean uniform in her room, she went into the kitchen to help her mom with the preparations for Christmas dinner.
"How's Inuyasha?" her mom asked, grinning.
"Oh, he's probably pouting in a tree somewhere because I had to leave him."
Her mom just smiled knowingly. "That boy likes you something fierce. I don't think I'm quite ready for puppy grandchildren though."
Kagome blushed. "Sure mom, sure." Finishing off with stuffing the turkey, Kagome slid it into the preheated oven and began to gather the ingredients for sugar cookies and shortbread. As she mixed and stirred she thought about Inuyasha. Her mom may be way off about his feelings, but she couldn't help but like Inuyasha herself. Christmas wouldn't be the same without him. Maybe if she went back to see if he'd join them.......
Kagome rolled out some dough on the counter she was working on and shook her head. Why would he want to come here? Sota would be overjoyed to see his hero, but Inuyasha most likely preferred his era to hers. Cutting star and tree shapes into the dough she sighed deeply, wishing that for just once she could tell him how she really felt and not have to worry about the consequences. All in good time.
Inuyasha sulked by the well for the rest of the day, staring at the blank whiteness of the snow that covered him. He was soaked completely and didn't care. The mixed emotions inside him tore him apart. Love, anger, frustration, hurt, want, so many things drove him to the conclusion that he needed to see Kagome. Now. How dare she leave him. He should jump through the well and drag that wench back here to do her work like she was supposed to.
He shook his head in defeat and a layer of snow fell to the ground. He looked around, seeing for the first time in awhile. Twilight was just settling over the woods. He shivered, realizing that he was almost completely frozen. If he didn't find warmth soon the result could be fatal. To make matters worse, when he stood he felt a weakness pass through his body. His claws and dog ears shrank into nothing as his hair became black and glossy and his eyes darkened into a deeper brown. No! NO! he thought frantically. His hand raised to his mouth and found his fangs were gone as well. Panic washed over him. Already?! But it wasn't even dark!
I can't even see the moon yet! (AN: Failing to realize that you can't see a "new moon" lol) Irrational thoughts spun through his mind and he knew that his weak human self couldn't withstand the cold much longer. His eyes settled on the well and he peered into it. The bottom was filled with snow, but he knew that if he jumped, Kagome would be on the other side. Making up his mind, he threw himself in.
Kagome proudly packaged all her freshly baked cookies so that they would be ready for the next day and tiredly went to her room and stripped off her clothes. Grabbing two towels from her linen closet, she was unaware of a presence lurking under her window. Kagome went into her bathroom and stepped into the warm, soothing water, letting it flow over her weary body. Showers always felt great after coming back from fighting demons and who knows what else.
Inuyasha weakly pulled himself out of the well and flopped onto the floor beside it. Pushing himself to his feet he slowly made his way through the snow, over to Kagome's window. If took all of his remaining strength to lift himself up onto the window ledge and fall through to the inside. He landed with a crunch, on her floor. "Owwww......," he moaned painfully and managed to shut the window against the cold outside. Inuyasha cocked his head at the sound of running water and breathed in the wonderful scent of Kagome's room. Everything smelled like her.
He hated the way being human took away his senses. His eyes dimmed, his sense of smell was dulled and he couldn't sense a demon if his life depended on it. Laying back on Kagome's bed, he tried to stop his uncontrollable shaking and curled up into a little ball. Inuyasha was so cold that he couldn't feel his body anymore and felt the world spinning as he slipped into unconsciousness.
After finishing her shower, Kagome stepped out onto the bath mat and wrapped a towel around herself while she dried and brushed her hair. Going back into her dark room she quickly put on her pajamas and climbed into bed. When she tried to pull her blankets up, Kagome realized something cold and heavy was weighing them down. Suppressing a scream she quickly switched on her lamp. Relief washed over her when she saw that it was only Inuyasha. Immediately noticing his dark hair, lack of fangs and dog ears, etc. she felt horrible.
Kagome had completely forgotten that tonight was the new moon. Poor Inuyasha. No wonder he hadn't wanted her to leave. Strangely enough he looked peaceful and innocent when he slept. Normally he would stand guard at whichever camp they happened to be at, at the time. She never really saw him sleep. Unable to resist the urge, Kagome ran her fingers through the long silky black hair flowing over her pillow. He was so cold! On closer inspection she noticed that his lips and cheeks were tinged with a purple- blue colour and he was shivering.
Inuyasha stirred under her touch and opened his eyes, looking at her. Embarrassed that Kagome had caught him in her bed he made a visible effort to move and fell to the floor instead. He weakly pushed himself to a sitting position and felt someone behind him holding him up. "Well, you've really done a number on yourself this time," Kagome smiled when he turned his head towards her. He glared at her and hid his relief he was finally with her again. Somehow, Kagome helped take away his fear of being human.
He watched her prop him up and tuck her hair behind her ears. She grabbed a book from her bedside table hoping Inuyasha wouldn't notice how much she had enjoyed holding him and jumped onto her bed to read, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Inuyasha could see an intense look come into her eyes which meant she was in complete focus on something. Hiding a smile, he lay down on the carpeted floor and watched her read. He loved the way she bit her lip when she was deep in thought or the way her hair fell into her face and she absentmindedly kept brushing it back. How he yearned to gently brush away the hair from her face and sample those lips for himself. Prying his eyes away from her, he shivered and sighed.
She would find someone someday that would make her laugh and smile, make her happy. Then what? He'd be out of the picture and be left all alone to find the remaining jewel shards. Truly, he would like to tear anyone who looked at Kagome with more then a vague interest into a thousand tiny shreds. Jealous? Yes. Extremely. Maybe if he told her that he never really means it when he insults her......
He yelped in fear as the room went dark. Kagome giggled. "Sorry Inuyasha. I know you already had a nap, but I'm human and I need sleep." Inuyasha shook his head and then felt silly, realizing she couldn't see him.
"Feh," he smirked, "you know, I'm pretty much human too right now."
Kagome was silent for a moment. "Inuyasha?" she said softly.
"What?" he inquired, worried at the tone of her voice, "you okay?"
"I'm sorry."
Her words quivered as though she was about to cry. "Sorry?" Inuyasha repeated back to her, "for what? Being beautiful?" Kagome didn't even smile and Inuyasha knew something was up.
"I forgot all about the new moon. I shouldn't have just left you alone like that. I mean, look at you. You're colder then the snow outside and your skin's almost blue. Besides, I know how scared you get."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "Hey! I do not!" Kagome didn't argue and he felt like a jerk for yelling.
"Um, Kagome?"
He heard her body shift to face him, but his back was to the bed anyway. He was grateful for that. He didn't want her to see his face right now. "Look. Don't be sorry, okay? I deserve to be alone." He felt a hand on his back and a sad voice spoke from behind him.
"Oh, Inuyasha. No one deserves to be completely alone." Neither of them spoke for a moment as they both struggled with hidden feelings that threatened to expose themselves. Kagome slid her hands to Inuyasha's shoulders and massaged lightly, knowing that, although he would never admit it, he loved it when she did that. She frowned at the coldness she could feel through his clothing and rubbed his back as well, trying to warm him up.
Inuyasha almost melted under Kagome's touch and wished she would stop so he could keep his urge to pounce on her under control. He instantly regretted his last thought when she did stop. "You don't have to sleep on the floor you know," Kagome remarked, shifting under the covers to get comfortable.
"Where else would I sleep?" Inuyasha retorted, shivering from the cold, "are you trying to tell me to leave?"
Kagome smiled. "Well, I was going to let you have part of the bed, but if you'd be happier outside then I guess,"
"No! Wait!" Inuyasha interrupted frantically, "I never said that!" He was grateful for the dark as he felt all the blood rushing to his face. God, I'm an idiot, he thought inwardly. Kagome shifted to the side and yawned as Inuyasha climbed under the covers next to her. Moving closer, she felt his arm and he jerked away, surprised.
"What are you up to under there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Kagome laughed and pressed herself against him.
"You're just so cold. I'm trying to warm you up."
"Oh," he grinned, "no worries then." Inuyasha could feel all the heat radiating off her and suddenly sneezed. He shook his head and Kagome felt his forehead.
"You may be getting sick," she commented with a frown, "no more snow for you."
Kagome laid back down again and enjoying the closeness of his body next to hers, she fell asleep almost instantly. Inuyasha on the other hand was wide awake. After hearing Kagome's breathing become steady and softer he moved closer. Her scent drove him insane as he leaned over her, peering in her face to make sure she was sleeping. Breathing in deeply he shuddered, partially from enjoyment and partially from fear of being caught. A few hours passed by and Inuyasha grew tired of having to fight himself and his feelings and slumped down on the pillow.
He cautiously draped his arm over Kagome's waist, being careful not to wake her and pulled her warm body closer to him. If he hadn't been freezing he wouldn't have dared to touch her. Inuyasha grinned, remembering Kagome's earlier comment about him being like Miroku. He shook his head. "If I were Miroku I'd be doing a lot more then trying to keep warm. That's for sure." Nuzzling into Kagome's neck, Inuyasha drifted off to sleep.
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Author: Well, that was quite the interesting chapter. Was it not? I thought so. Please please please review so I can post post post the next chapter. I have it half finished already, but I'm not posting anything unless five people enjoy and review this story. I mean what's the point in wasting fanfiction's space if no one likes it..... *sniffs sadly* You do like it right?
Sephiroth: I like your story! Don't cry! *pats author's back*
Inuyasha: Yes! Please review! Last time she got really upset and I had to comfort her......... *shudders*
Sephiroth: I don't mind. *grins*
Author: *hugs Sephiroth* Awwww, thanx Sephy. Wait! You aren't supposed to be here!
Sephiroth: *eyes shift back and forth* You don't know that.
Author: I'm very grateful to all my adoring and non-adoring fans and I love you all! Thanx for reading. *whacks Inuyasha with a pole before he can lunge at Sephiroth* Cut it out you two! Don't forget to R & R!!! :D See ya soon.