Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of its characters, and I never will…so leave me alone to wallow in my misery and despair!
OtakuGirlEmi: Konnichiwa and Hajimemashite! (Hello and how are you) Did you all like chapter 3? You must have if you're sitting there reading this. I've decided to add more Japanese to my story. So I hope nobody minds. Anyway, I've had this chapter planned since chapter 1, but it got pushed back because of Darkmoon. (Sorry DM, I still love ya) Surprisingly this chapter is the longest one yet. Thought it may not feel like it since it since it's kinda chopped up. So read and enjoy as OtakuGirlEmi proudly presents…DESISIONS, DECISIONS CHAPTER 4! …After the RR…
Reviewer Responses:
darkmoonfang: I'm so happy that you liked chapter 3! Although you might want to see a doctor about the giddiness. (Just kidding)
Emotionlessgirl: I'm very glad that you thought chapter 3 was funny! I always try to work in humor.
Fanficluv7Inu: You need not wait any longer! I have finally updated! And you are completely right, don't get ANY girl mad! girl power pose (…yes I have a girl power pose….what's wrong with that…what do you mean I'm insane?)
aku doujou I'm glad you liked it. And, yes, Darkmoon is quite a spoiled baby.
Chapter 4: Sunset and Sunrise
"Baka! Will you hold still? How am I supposed to help you when you keep fidgeting!" yelled Kagome as she tried to wrap a bandage around Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Well, sorry! But it's not like I begged you to poke and prod and fuss over me!" replied an angry hanyou.
"I'm not poking, prodding, or fussing over you! I am trying to be nice and BANDAGE YOUR WOUNDS," Kagome yelled, frustrated and sick of Inuyasha's complaints. "IF YOU WOULD JUST SIT!"
Inuyasha yelped in surprise as his subduction beads were activated and he smacked face-down into the ground. He raised his head and spit out a mouthful of dirt. "What was that f-?"
Kagome interrupted his sentence as she bust out laughing. She bent down next to the angry half-demon and said. "I'm" –laugh- "really sorry"-laugh- "Inuyasha." She managed to stop giggling and continued. "I didn't mean to S-I-T you. It came out accidentally." Inuyasha continued to glare at her, his way of pouting. "I'm really, really sorry. Is there some way to make it up to you?"
"Well," said Inuyasha, pulling himself up to sit next to her. You can stay with me for forever, he thought. "You can give me extra Ramen for dinner."
Kagome smiled. "It's a done deal…as long as you let me finish bandaging your wounds." Inuyasha opened his mouth to protest, but Kagome cut him off. "No complaining! You got hurt and you need proper medical care!" though Inuyahsa snorted in disbelief at her comment, he said nothing as Kagome finished wrapping his cut shoulder.
They look so perfect together, Sango thought as she looked on from her place near the fire, cooking lunch. "Aren't they perfect together?" Sango jumped out of her skin as her own thought was voiced. She turned and met eyes with none other than Miroku.
"What do you want?" she asked, not even trying to disguise her annoyance. Lately, she wanted nothing to do with the monk. It's just because he's so damn annoying, she tried to assure herself. But deep down, her real thoughts concerning Miroku were very different. Sango knew this, but she couldn't bring herself to think of that after she had had her little brother yanked away from her. No, she thought, I don't deserve friends or happiness: I'm just not meant to have it. As soon as the jewel is safe and the decision is made I'll leave Kagome, Inuyasha, Shippo, and...Him, she thought sadly.
She was jerked out of her thoughts by a very familiar hand, planted firmly on her butt. "Hentai!" she screamed as she slapped the monk across the face and stomped off.
"Owww..." sighed Miroku as he watched the beautiful Demon Exterminator go.
He looked up as Kagome sat down next to him, having finished bandaging the stubborn hanyou. "What's wrong Miroku? Groping Sango again?" she smirked at his cherry red cheek.
Miroku ignored her question as he lowered his hand from his cheek and placed it on the ground. "I do believe that something is bothering Sango." He said.
Kagome looked annoyed. "Well, duh! She just lost the only living family member she had. Can't ya be a little bit for sensitive, Miroku?"
"I'm trying, honestly." He replied as he started to snake his hand closer to Kagome.
Inuyahsa looked over at Miroku from across the fire, his usual glare in place. "The only thing you seem to be trying to do is grope Sango more."
"Come now, Inuyasha, try to be fair." Just a little farther, he thought as his hand edged closer to Kagome's backside. So close…almost there……yes!
Kagome blushed and yelped as Miroku's hand made contact with her butt. "MIROKU, YOU PERVERT!" she screamed as she smacked him on the other cheek. "How many times do I have to tell you to quit doing that?"
"Um…" Miroku replied as he rubbed his newly-christened cheek as he watched Kagome walk over to Inuyasha. At least she didn't knock me out, he thought happily.
"MIROKU, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF KAGOME?" yelled Inuyasha as he stomped over to the monk.
Oh crap, thought Miroku as he frantically stood up and turned to run. "Inuyasha, be reasonable, pl-" But Miroku was silenced as Inuyahsa pounced and knocked him out.
Oh Sango, I miss you. Please come back, he thought before everything went black.
(A/N: No Mirokus were harmed in the writing of this chapter. Well, actually, one was…anyway, don't worry about our favorite monk. He was okay. For being a lecherous leech he's pretty tough.)
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"We should split up."
"What?" replied a confused Kagome to Sango's sudden comment. "What do you mean split up Sango?"
The group was gathered around the fire eating dinner as the sun set. Miroku had regained consciousness, but was staying as far away from Inuyasha as possible, nursing several purple bruises. Sango had returned to the group about an hour after she had stomped off, but she hadn't said a word since she returned. Kagome had asked Sango if they could talk, but so far no opportunity had arisen.
"Well, as we saw today, more and more demons are going to come running to the jewel since it's one shard away from being finished." Sango explained, looking around at the rest of the gang, her face expressionless. (As it always seemed to be after the final battle.)
"Eah, o wat?" asked Inuyahsa through a mouthful of Ramen. At the group's quizzical expressions he swallowed and repeated. "Yeah, so what? We've faced demons before."
Sango continued. "Yes, but we were stronger then." She gestured to her and Miroku's still healing broken legs, ribs, and arms. "Miroku and I can't even fight. Today when Darkmoon attacked, all we could do was watch. If another demon attacks, we would be more hindrance than help. We're sitting ducks."
Kagome knew she was right, but she still didn't understand. "So why do you want to split up?"
"Well, if you and Inuyasha took the jewel with you to find Koga, we could head to Kaede's without worrying about being attacked."
Inuyasha looked smug. "So you're afraid of some little demons. Sango? I never would have expected you of cowardice."
A brief trace on annoyance crossed the demon exterminator's face before she replied calmly. "No, Inuyasha, I'm not afraid. But this way saves time." At Inuyasha's unconvinced face she sighed in exasperation and explained further. "If it's just you and Kagome, you can carry her and go much faster than if you had us tagging along. You could find Koga and be back to the village in a matter of days." You two would also have time alone and maybe one of you stubborn mules could tell the other that you're in love with them, Sango thought smirking inwardly. "If we all went together, we would have to go to the village first, then leave to find Koga. It could take weeks. If Shippo, Miroku, Kirara, and I headed to the village, we could take our time and heal. That way, when more demons come looking for the jewel at Kaede's, it can be guarded by all of us, fully healed."
Everyone sat in silence for a few minutes, considering Sango's suggestion. She is right, thought Kagome. This way would save time and everyone else would be safer. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if one of them was killed in battle because we dragged them along, knowing that they weren't ready to fight. Kagome blushed slightly as she thought, plus I would be alone with Inuyasha. Maybe I could finally tell him…
"I'm in!" Kagome said happily.
Well, Kagome thinks it's a good idea. And it would certainly be easier than draggin the furball, the injured pervert, and silent Sango along. We could have to jewel finally complete in less than a week, thought Inuyasha excitedly. And, I could finally tell Kagome without any interruptions, he added silently, eyeing Shippo. And finally get away from the damn furry baby.
"Fine, I don't care." Inuyasha said as he returned his attention to the bowel of Ramen in his hand.
Meanwhile Miroku was having a different train if thought going around his head. Me and Sango, alone! (Well, except for Kirara and Shippo, but I'm sure we could shove them off somewhere) It's a dream come true! I'm sure a couple days alone would convince Sango how perfect we are together. And there will be no Inuyahsa to beat me up!
"Yes, my dear Sango! I agree!" cried a very joyful (almost to the point of tears) Miroku.
Even little Shippo contemplated the idea seriously. (Or as serious as a young fox demon can) Yay, Shippo thought, I could get away from mean Inuyasha. And I bet Miroku and Sango would be fun to spy on!
Once everyone had agreed on Sango's idea they finished supper and prepared for bed. They had decided to set out the next day at dawn, Inuyahsa and Kagome looking for Koga, who held the last jewel shard, and Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippo heading to Kaede's village to heal.
"I'll take the watch tonight, Inuyasha." Sango said to the sleepy hanyou.
"Feh, whatever." He replied as he jumped up to the nearest tree, his favorite place to sleep.
"Good night, ladies!" remarked Miroku cheerfully as he grabbed Sango's butt. A few seconds later he walked away, rubbing his red cheek.
Kagome leaned over and whispered in Sango's ear so no one could hear. "Sango, can we talk in a few minutes?"
Sango nodded and said. "Wait until the boys are asleep, we don't want them hearing us, and then I'll meet you under that tree." She gestured to a tall tree near the camp, but away from Inuyasha's tree.
"Ok." Kagome said as she walked over to her sleeping bag and pretended to fall asleep.
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Ten minutes later Kagome and Sango sat leaning against the tree, munching on some candy from Kagome's backpack. "This feels like a sleepover." Kagome said, shoving sticks of Pocky into her mouth happily.
"What's a sleepover?" asked Sango.
"Well, it's a ritual in my time where girls who are friends get together at somebody's house, stay up late, talk, eat junk food and have fun," replied Kagome.
Sango nodded, a rare smile crossed her face and her hollow eyes warmed. Kagome felt very happy to see that smile.
It's seems so long since she's acted normal, lately she's been so sad and quiet. It almost feels like I lost the real Sango in the battle with Naraku. I don't blame her for being so down, of course, she just lost her brother. Anyone would be traumatized after that, Kagome thought sadly, remembering how hollow and empty Sango's face had looked after the battle. It had broken Kagome's heart to see her best friend look so sad. She never talked about it, I wonder if she's still in shock. Kagome thought sadly. Sango is very good at hiding emotion when she wants to. But, I'm not going to bring up Kohaku now; she's actually happy right now. And besides, I have many other pressing matters to discuss with her. Such as someone named Miroku.
"Sango?" Kagome asked. Her friend looked up from digging into the gummy worm bag. (A/N: I know that Japanese people probably don't eat gummy bears, but besides Pocky, I don't know any other Japan snack food. So please forgive me!)
"Do you love Miroku?"
Sango choked on the gummy worm in her mouth. Kagome quickly slapped her back and helped her get a drink of water. After taking several large gulps she was able to talk. "Well….uumm...I-I think he's a good friend...and..." Sango stammered.
Kagome knew she was lying. She could tell by the rare blush that was creeping up Sango's face. She's not getting off that easy, Kagome thought evilly.
"Okay, you think he's a good friend, but I think you like him more than that."
Sango's face was glowing bright red. She was opening and closing her mouth like a fish, but no sound was coming out. She seemed unable to decide on a suitable excuse. She finally closed her mouth and her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Yes, I love him."
Kagome squealed in giddiness and hugged her friend, giggling. She finally admitted it, Kagome thought happily as she smiled at Sango, who was currently the brightest shade of red Kagome had ever seen and was staring at the ground. "Oh Sango, I'm so happy for you!"
Sango finally looked up from the ground. "Well, there's not a lot to be happy about." She said, her voice suddenly becoming brisk and (was Kagome imagining it?) slightly irritated. "After all, Miroku certainly has no clue and doesn't return my feelings. You've seen all the girls he's hit on; he doesn't even consider me for a second."
Kagome cut in. "But why all the groping then?"
"He does the same thing to you and every other girl on the planet. Even if that counts for something, he doesn't take anything he says or does to me seriously."
Kagome disagreed. "Sango, you don't see how Miroku looks at you sometimes. He looks at you with such, loving, but sad eyes. Like he thinks he could never have you. He loves you."
Sango shook her head, unwilling to let herself believe what Kagome was saying.
The raven-haired girl shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. Kagome, not wanting to upset her friend, decided it may be best to let the subject go.
Sango grabbed another handful of gummy worms and tossed them, one-by-one, into her mouth. "So, Kagome," she said in between bites. "It's my turn to ask a question." Kagome looked at Sango, ready to answer.
"Do you love Inuyasha?"
Kagome's reaction almost mirrored Sango's as she stuttered and blushed, but she carefully chewed her food so as to not choke. She took her time swallowing, and then replied, "Well, of course I can't love him, it would be wrong because he still loves Kikyo." She added under her breath, slightly hopeful, "I think."
After what she did to me, there is no way I'm letting her get away with that as an answer, Sango thought, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Come on, Kagome. Tell the truth. That wasn't even an answer." Sango said as she shrugged her shoulders. "Besides, who cares about Kikyo?"
Kagome stared into the fire, her eyes looked glazed and for a moment Sango didn't think she would respond. But, as she still gazed into the fire, she whispered.
"Yes, I love Inuyasha."
She looked up at Sango, a fearful look in her eyes, as if she had just said something bad. "I love him so much. I never want to leave his side." Sango watched, shocked, as Kagome's eyes filled with tears. "But-" she was cut off as great shuddering sobs wracked her small form.
Sango leaned over and hugged her friend protectively. Poor Kagome, she thought as she said. "It's okay Kagome. It's okay that you love him."
Kagome took a large gulp of air between sobs and looked up at the Demon Exterminator; large tears left marks on her green collar as they fell down her cheeks. "N-no it isn't!" she wailed. "He-he still loves Kikyo! He doesn't even realize that I love him! He doesn't care! You see how he always yells at me and argues. He doesn't like me at all. And he's always going off with that-that" she tried to find the right word. "KIKYO!"
She stopped talking as she started to violently sob again. Sango took this moment to offer words of comfort to her distraught friend. "Kagome, it's okay, it really is." The young miko looked up at her, disbelieving. "Inuyahsa is a complete and utter baka, but I think he loves you as much as you love him. He's saved you numerous times, gotten jealous around Koga, hugged you, shed tears for you, and even kissed you! (A/N: This is referring to the kiss in the 2nd movie. I don't know if they ever kiss in the series because I haven't seen every episode yet.) What more proof do you need?"
Kagome had stopped sobbing and opened her mouth to protest. Sango cut her off. "Yes, he has gone off and hugged, kissed, and talked to Kikyo. But some of it was against his will. For goodness sake Kagome, she tried to drag him to hell with her!" she paused to look down at Kagome, who was looking down at the ground, blushing with a sheepish expression on her face. Sango continued. "I also think that more than anything, Inuyahsa feeling guilt towards Kikyo. He feels like he killed her and now she can't rest in peace because of him. He also used to love her. But that was before she was raised to life from earth and bones and tuned into one of the undead. I honestly think that any feelings he had toward Kikyo are gone. They've been replaced with love for you."
Kagome stopped staring at the ground to look up at Sango, an uncertain, hopeful look in her eyes. "But I am Kikyo's reincarnation. Maybe he really does love her and is mistaking me for her." She said.
Sango shook her head slightly. "Kagome, you may be Kikyo's reincarnation. But that does not make you her. You have your own spirit and soul that Kikyo does not. You look and sometimes act like her, but you are your own person inside." Kagome smiled slightly. "Inuyasha sees that. He loves you, not Kikyo."
"You really think?" Kagome asked, hesitant to believe what Sango was saying. He might love me, she thought excitedly. Me! Not Kikyo. Maybe Sango's right.
"Of course I do. And I think that he'll tell you himself when you two are alone during the next few days."
Kagome blushed. "Really?"
"Yep, I bet by the time I see you again, you and Inuyasha will finally be a couple."
Kagome was finally back to her normal self and asked, grinning evilly, "What about you and Miroku?"
Sango shook her head in a no-nonsense way. "Yeah, right. I'm sure he'll confess his undying love to me and then swear off hitting on other girls. Like that's ever gonna happen."
"You never know." Kagome suggested hopefully. "You guys will be almost alone, after all."
Sango smiled sheepishly at her. "Maybe…" she said. "Maybe."
The two girls moved onto other subjects, everything they could think of was discussed as the moon rose high in the sky. It was after midnight by the time the two girls finally returned to their beds and fell asleep. A small seed of hope was forming in both their hearts. And both of them couldn't help but be excited about the split tomorrow.
However, unknown to the sleeping miko and demon exterminator, a certain someone had heard their conversation and was laying in his bed blushing, amazed and happy at what he had just heard.
(A/N: I feel so evil writing that without saying who the eavesdropper is. But it makes it more interesting in the long run...Who do you think it is?)
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The next day dawn rose bright and early. The sky shone clear in the morning light as Kagome was gently shook awake. "Kagome? Kagome, it's time to wake up. We have to leave." A familiar voice whispered in her ear.
The young miko opened her eyes blearily and looked up to see Inuyasha leaning over her, only held above her by his strong muscular arm. He was staring at her, a kind look in his eyes. Having him nearly on top of her made Kagome blush. Inuyasha's face was flushed too, but Kagome figured it must be from the humid morning air. She lazily smiled up at the hanyou, not moving from her spot, as she replied. "Good morning Inuyasha. Today is going to be a good day, I think." Kagome was seized by a sudden urge and seemed to enter a trance, hardly in control of her own body as she did the boldest thing she had ever done.
Even so slowly, so as to not startle the hanyou to move, she raised her head to lessen the already small gap between their faces. A small smile crossed her uncertain face as she noticed Inuyahsa blush brightly and avert his eyes from hers. "Inuyasha," she whispered so quietly that he could barley hear her. His eyes widened at her tone and he glanced down at Kagome. What is she doing, Inuyasha wondered. The curious hanyou felt a sudden fear: a terror that had never gripped him before. Kagome's eyes were half closed and she was blushing. He had never seen her actlike this before.
As the sun began to rise, splashing the sky with vibrant shades of pink and orange, Kagome slowly closed her eyes and moved her head a few inches, closing the gap between them. Her head swirled and she couldn't believe what she was doing, but she wanted to do very badly.
All of her thoughts were silenced as her lips met his.
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Raging waves of electricity and heat ricocheted through Inuyasha's body. He had suddenly lost all ability to think: his mind had gone blank. He couldn't breathe, as his breath had been driven out of his body the moment she had looked up at him. An unexplainable happiness welled up from deep inside him as he gently kissed her back and moved his free arm to cup her chin in his clawed hand. He could feel his face heat up more than it had ever done before, but he didn't care about that. Inuyasha was only aware of the raven-haired girl that was currently kissing him.
"Wow, Sango, Miroku, come look at this!" an excited voice yelled. "Inuyasha and Kagome are finally kissing!"
Kagome suddenly fell backward against the ground, breaking her connection to Inuyasha's lips, blushing brightly. Inuyasha quickly jumped off of Kagome, trying to look innocent. Both of them looked to find the source of the voice. Standing a few feet away, a very excited Shippo suddenly looked crestfallen. "Aaww. Why'd you guys stop? It was just getting good." Next to the small kistune stood a shocked and blushing Sango and Miroku, who was doubled over in laughter.
Inuyasha managed to regain his voice, though his face was still crimson. "What the hell do you think you're doin' spying on people!" he yelled, his voice cracking slightly.
Miroku replied between laughs. "We weren't spying Inuyasha. You two started kisseing in the middle of camp, what were we supposed to do?" his face suddenly became serious. "Inuyasha, you should have stroked her hair, ladies like that. And Kagome, you should probably pull him on top of you next time."
Kagome, looking severely harassed, stood up and yelled angrily. "Miroku will you please shut up! I was half asleep; I didn't realize what was happening!" I hope they believe my lie, she thought. Kagome had known full well what she had been doing and she had enjoyed every minute of it. She couldn't help but hope that Inuyasha had enjoyed it too.
'Y-yeah. Kagome was the one that started it!" cried Inuyasha.
A smirk appeared on Sango's face. "But, Inuyasha, it looked like you kissed her back. With a bit of a smile of your face, no less. I think that the kiss was mutual and completely meant. It appears that perhaps you both share some feelings toward each other. What do you guys think?" she asked Miroku and Shippo. Both of them nodded their heads.
Kagome wanted to punch Sango. Why I oughta tell Miroku her little secret. I refuse to tell Inuyasha that I love him in front of everybody. But, Kagome thought as she glanced at the hanyou uncertainly, I don't want to reject him completely in case Sango was right. "So-so maybe I meant it. But what's the big deal?" Kagome asked, trying to sound unconcerned. (It wasn't working, as her voice seemed to be a little higher than normal)
Inuyasha piped up, looking at the ground and shuffling his feet nervously. "Yeah, so what if we kissed? You grope Sango all the time. And surely a kiss is more innocent than that. Besides, I really do think Kagome was half asleep."
Miroku, Sango, and Shippo couldn't find anything to say to Kagome and Inuyasha's agreement. They had never expected the two stubborn mules to actually admit enjoying the kiss. All three of them shrugged and walked away, preparing to split up.
Kagome looked at Inuyasha, still blushing. She felt like he deserved some sort of explanation, maybe she should tell him now. "Inuyasha I-"
He cut her off as he made eye contact with her for the first time in the last 3 minutes. "It's okay Kagome. Maybe we'll talk about it later. We need to get ready to leave." He walked then off, in search of something to do.
Kagome's head was spinning as she rolled up her sleeping bag. He didn't reject me. He even said we might talk about it later! She thought excitedly, maybe Sango was right!
Maybe Inuyasha loves me!
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OtakuGirlEmi: YAY! Chapter 4 is finished, boy was that a long chapter. 8 and 1/2 pages. Though it looks a lot shorter posted. I promise the next chapter will finally have Sango/Miroku romance. It was supposed to take place in this chapter, but I got sidetracked. Anyways, I hope you all liked chapter 4. PLEASE REVIEW! See you in chapter 5!