A Bride's Request and Bridesmaid's Honor
Chapter8
Inuyasha awoke to Kagome's scent filling his senses. It was very close to intoxicating, and made his memory swim. She had never smelled this good when they were little. Snuggling closer, Inuyasha buried his nose into her lovely lustrous raven locks. (A/N: sorry I couldn't resist! I've always wanted to say that) He was trying to place the smell when his mind started working…..something wasn't quite right….. but what was it? Removing his nose from Kagome's hair Inuyasha paused to let his mind figure out what was wrong. After a moment he thought, what was Kagome's hair doing in his bed? Wait a sec! Kagome's hair wasn't the only thing in bed with him, gulping heavily Inuyasha realized that the person curled up with their back pressed against his chest was Kagome. Kagome was the person whose waist he was clutching and the person who was using his other arm as a pillow. Removing his horror filled gaze from Kagome's peacefully sleeping face he looked around.
What was he doing in Kagome's room! What was he doing, more importantly, in her bed! "Oh SHIT!" Inuyasha thought beginning to panic. How's he get there! He didn't sleep with her did he? Oh no no no no no! This was bad! How did he get here?
Memories of last night suddenly came flittering back and Inuyasha slowly calmed down. Memories of comforting Kagome after her ex boyfriend Naraku had phone. She had asked him not to leave her alone for the night so he had agreed to spend the night. Breathing heavily to calm his rapidly beating heart Inuyasha, slowly tried to de-tangle himself from Kagome. Maybe if he was really quite he could get out of this awkward, AWKWARD position before she woke up. Knowing how emotionally distraught she had been last night, Inuyasha guessed that she probably wouldn't even remember asking him to stay and hold her. It had been easy enough to remove his first arm which had been wrapped around her slim waist, but just as his luck would have it, as he finally managed to wiggle his other arm out from beneath Kagome's head she murmured his name and rolled over so her face was now pressed up against his chest her arms between them in loose fists.
Inuyasha blinked twice hearing her utter his name and slowly turned beet red, stuttering incoherent words. Glancing around frantically, eyes wide with embarrassment, Inuyasha searched for a way out. His eyes fell on the clock and swore; it was already 6:10!
However the second the word was out of his mouth he regretted it though, looking down at Kagome he heard her grumble and eyebrows come together. He watched in dread as Kagome's eye's flickered and then slowly opened.
Somewhere outside her dream Kagome heard someone who sounded a lot like Inuyasha swear. "I don't wanna get up yet though," she thought sleepily. "It's so nice and comfy here. Comfy and warm. Feeling her pillow tense, Kagome's eyes flickered open; since when did her pillow tense? The first thing she saw was white. White? But her bedspread was yellow? What was going on? Eyebrows knitting together Kagome followed the white up only to discover it was a t-shirt. Eyes trailing up she looked up past the white shirt, past a neck, past a mouth, past a nose, only to meet a pair of golden eyes.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kagome screamed instinctively pushing a firm muscular chest as far away from her as possible. Of course the result was that person went tumbling off the bed whipping the covers off her and along with him.
"What the hell was that for wench!" Inuyasha roared
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kagome screamed again realizing she was wearing nothing but her pyjamas! "Inuyasha what in the world were you doing in my bed!"
"Will you stop screaming already!" Inuyasha bellowed clutching his ears in agony. "I think you've ruptured both my eardrums!"
"You! Here!" Kagome said finding herself only able to speak one word at a time. "Bed! Me!"
"Only because you asked me to," Inuyasha said grimacing as he threw the covers back at her. Only slightly mollified by her shocked dumfounded look, Inuyasha forced himself to stand up massaging his lower back. Walking gingerly to the door he pulled it open and paused in the door way. "Look," he said calmly not bothering to look over his shoulder. "I didn't do anything last night except sleep next to you, on my honour. I'd rather chop my own hand off before touching a woman when I knew she didn't want me, so don't worry you're still……." he paused to search for the right word blushing at his own thoughts, "intact." Knowing she'd remember everything in a moment or too, after her mind started to process properly Inuyasha decided he didn't need to say anything more, she'd already be feeling bad enough when he saw her next, no need to embarrass her further, so he closed the door behind him with a soft click.
Retreating back to him room, Inuyasha hurriedly dressed and threw all his items back into his suitcase. Carrying it to the doorway, he whipped out his cell and phoned Jinenji, informing him that they would be ready shortly and to come pick them up. Walking back to Kagome's room he rapped the door with the back of his hand, "Kagome," he said loudly through the door. "Jinenji's going to be here in about fifteen minutes so you better make sure you're ready to go!" He paused waiting for a response, when none came he slowly rapped on the door again and said, "Kagome?" When no response was forthcoming yet again, Inuyasha tentatively opened the room. There was Kagome sitting motionless on her bed in the exact same position he had left her looking down at the sheets he had thrown at her. His throat tightened and he immediately wondered just what he had said this time? Mentally flipping through their conversation the only thing he could think of was that he had called her wench.
"Ahhhh damn it," Inuyasha thought. "Don't tell me she's this upset because I called her wench?"
"Look Kagome," he said walking over and sitting on the end of the bed. "I really didn't mean to call you wench if that's what you're so upset about. It just kinda slipped out."
A small giggle slipped out of Kagome's mouth, and Inuyasha dreaded what was coming next; she only giggled like that when she was about to cry. "Damn it! Now she was going to cry!"
"I'm not upset about that Inuyasha. I'm upset about how I treated you," Kagome said her voice breaking.
"It's fine," Inuyasha said hurriedly noticing a slight glimmer at the corner's of her eyes. He tried to joke it off. "I really deserved that, come on you've never worried about my feelings before! So please don't cry Kagome. Please don't."
"But you didn't deserve that," Kagome replied softly tears starting to leak out. "You were so…kind last night, and then I threw it back in your face. Not to mention I accused you of…."
"Don't cry about it Kagome!" Inuyasha yelped. "I already said I was over it. So please stop crying, I'm not worth crying over." Pulling her over he wrapped an arm gently around her shoulders and leaned his head on the top of hers. "You've already cried enough over me."
"I'm just really sorry," Kagome said softly drying her tears, comforted by his arm around her shoulders. Blushing she admitted on, "I- I've just never woken up next to……a man before."
Inuyasha paused for a moment shocked, she was twenty-five and hadn't…….well it did make sense, she had only had four boyfriends…..and she'd only gone out with each a couple of times…..so it did make sense. But twenty-five! "Well," Inuyasha said blushing. "You're lucky I've got so much self control, I don't know if all guys would have that sort of willpower sleeping next to a beautiful woman. You should….be careful."
Looking up at him Kagome smiled. "Thank you," she said. "I feel a lot better now."
"Good," Inuyasha replied deciding it was a good time to change the subject. "So I don't know if you heard me but Jinenji's going to be here real soon so make sure you've got everything put together at the front door ready to go. If we miss the flight again because of you I won't be so forgiving."
Kagome nodded and gently slipped out from under his arm and stood up, "I'll go make us some coffee and some breakfast. What do you feel like?"
"Nope," Inuyasha said, "we don't have time for that. We can get all of that on the plane."
"What!" Kagome exclaimed. "Just how soon is Jinenji getting here! I still have to have a shower!"
"Uhhhhh in about ten minutes," Inuyasha replied. "No time to take a shower here, you'll have to wait until Sango's if you want a shower, or you can take one on the plane. That's what I'm doing; there should be enough water for two quick showers. You're welcome to use the shower first if you want."
"That would be wonderful thanks," Kagome said. "So I'll just take my suitcase on the plane with me instead of stowing it."
"Ok," Inuyasha replied. "How much other cr- stuff do you have? I saw lots of boxes, do you want to take those too. It'll be a lot cheaper to take them on my plane than ship them. I've got the room so that wouldn't be a problem."
"I think ten, maybe twelve," Kagome said. "The furniture's staying here for now, to help the house sell. Kagura's doing all that stuff for me. Nothing in those boxes are breakable but I need to take Sango and Miroku's presents on the plane with me; they're extremely fragile."
"Same here," Inuyasha replied. "That shouldn't be a problem. It might be a little squishy in the limo because not all of the boxes will fit in the trunk, but I think we'll manage."
"Great," Kagome replied smiling broadly. "This will save me a bundle, I appreciate it."
Inuyasha mentally high-fived himself for Kagome's sudden change in mood. "It's nothing really. So why don't you get dressed and I'll….well I'll ummm…well I'll find something to do."
Inuyasha walked out of Kagome's room allowing her her privacy and spotting the boxes in the living room decided to move them to the front door. By the time Kagome emerged from her room, dressed in a yellow sun-dress, light blue sweater and her hair piled loosely on top of her head with a few wisps framing either side of her face, Inuyasha had moved the majority of the boxes to the door and was sweating heavily.
"What the hell did you pack in these things to make them so heavy," Inuyasha grunted placing the third last box down.
"Ahhhh!" Kagome shrieked dashing over to the boxes and running around the boxes praying he had been careful with the one with all her art.
"If you're looking for the ones marked fragile I left them till the end," Inuyasha said slightly annoyed.
"Oh good," Kagome said sighing. "It's very fragile and I forgot to ask if I could take it on the plane with me."
"I don't think the planes going to be able to take off," Inuyasha retorted. "Those boxes are bloody heavy!"
"Are they really?" Kagome asked. "Kagura and I never tried lifting them."
"Try lifting one," Inuyasha said carefully picking up one of the boxes marked fragile and carefully placed it down.
Kagome knelt down and attempted to pick on of the already moved boxes up and managed to lift it a full three inches before she had to drop it and in doing so lost her balance and fell on her rear. "Oh my gosh Inuyasha!" she exclaimed as he helped her up. "You're lucky you didn't break your back! You must be really strong!" Without waiting for an invitation she promptly reached up and felt his upper arm.
At her shocked expression Inuyasha could help showing off a little more and flexed his muscle. "I work out four times a week," he said proudly.
Kagome couldn't speak she was so shocked, but come to think of it his chest was rock solid and he managed to lift her up no problem. Looking up Kagome's surprised eyes met with his and he smiled at her childish amazement. It then dawned on him that he was quite a bit taller than her when she wasn't wearing high heels. She normally came up to his nose but standing there not even two feet in front of him without heels he realized that she only came up to the bottom of his chin! Inuyasha wondered what it would be like to kiss her, and was just about to look away when a knock sounded on the door startling them both.
"That must be Jinenji," Inuyasha said moving quickly to open the door. He was right, and promptly began to move the boxes out to the limo leaving Jinenji and Kagome to struggle with another.
Ten minutes later Kagome and Inuyasha sat squished together in the back seat of the limo feeling very much like sardines in a can because of all the boxes in the backseat with them.
"So you said I can have the first shower?" Kagome asked.
"Yeah, as long as you're fast. I swear if you take to long, I'll come in and haul your butt out myself got that?" he demanded. "Naked or not; I need a shower it's not an option."
"You wouldn't dare," Kagome growled.
"I would, and I will. So unless you want me barging in I'd make sure you're out very quickly, got that?" Inuyasha demanded.
"Gotcha," Kagome said reluctantly. Looking up at the roof and all the boxes she went on in a lighter tone. "Wow it really is crowded in here isn't it."
"You've got that right," Inuyasha grunted. There was a moment of silence before Inuyasha went on, "so what'd you get Miroku and Sango?"
Kagome grinned, and said with mock surprise, "Why Inuyasha! That's a secret!"
"Why?" Inuyasha asked curiously. "Is that some sort of wedding mumbo-jumbo like the groom not being allowed to see the bride in the dress before they get married?"
"No," Kagome grinned. "I just want it to be a surprise! All I'll say is that Sango's going to feel like a princess!"
"Hmmph," Inuyasha said crossing his arms and glaring out of the window. The sun was just beginning to peek up past the horizon, and they were one of the few cars out on the road. "We sure are making good time."
"Mhmmm," Kagome said. What were you supposed to say in a situation like this? Wincing Kagome still couldn't believe she and Inuyasha had slept together. And she was still scared now that Naraku was out of jail. She was half expecting him to come and try and stop her from leaving, by high-jacking the plane or blowing up the airport or heaven's knows what else. Naraku…….even thinking of him name made her shudder. Closing her eyes she tried to block out the memories that had all been reawaken by the news. Softly under her breath she began to sing, "black eyes I don't need 'em, blue tears give me freedom, black eyes are behind me blue tears will never find me now."
"What with you and that song?" Inuyasha asked. "You were singing it last night too when I found you in the kitchen."
"What!" Kagome said surprised, blushing when she realized that he had been listening. Looking out the window she tried to think of a way to phrase what she wanted to say. "Whenever I was sad after……….Naraku I used to listen to it as a reminder of sorts that things were going to….get better and all the stuff he did to me was over."
"So that's what you were thinking about just now?" Inuyasha asked.
"Yeah," Kagome said.
There was a moment of silence before Inuyasha said, "did you ever see a psychologist?"
"Yeah," Kagome said. "But mostly it was Sango and Kaede, that helped me through it."
"Kaede?" Inuyasha said incredulously. "That old had of a doctor Sango goes to?"
"She is not an old hag!" Kagome said indignantly.
"Is too!"
"She is not! She's only 70!" Kagome protested.
"That's old to me," Inuyasha replied.
"Hnnn," Kagome said sulkily. "I'll have you know Kaede is someone that I would trust with my life. She was my doctor as I was growing up and even after she retired we kept in touch. So I would appreciate it if you wouldn't insult her in my presence."
"Touchy, touchy," Inuyasha grumbled. "Jineji are we almost at the airport?"
"We're only a few minutes away sir," Jineji replied calmly.
"Good," Inuyasha said flopping back against the seat. "So," he said drawing the "o" sound out. "Just who else is invited to this wedding?"
"Umm well Kouga and Ayame, Kaeda, Kohaku of course, some of Miroku's friends, and that's all the people I know. Can you think of any others?" Kagome said ticking names of her fingers.
"Not really," Inuyasha said. "I don't really know any of Miroku and Sango's friends."
"Why not? Don't you go to their Christmas party?" Kagome asked.
"Which party?" Inuyasha asked and for a second Kagome was afraid he had no clue about the annual Christmas party her friends threw.
"The one they throw every Christmas Eve," Kagome said.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Inuyasha said. "I'm always so busy I rarely get to see them. I've been…..unavailable, for the past couple of parties."
"Oh," Kagome said. "Who do you celebrate with then? I don't mean to be nosy or anything but Sesshomaru never really struck me as the family type of guy."
"He isn't," Inuyasha said. "This Christmas I spent Christmas Eve in the office."
"Inuyasha you didn't!" Kagome exclaimed horrified. "Why would you work when you were invited to your friend's Christmas party!"
"Because I'm not the party sort," Inuyasha mumbled.
"What are you talking about, everything you've told made me thing you loved to go out partying."
"I do," Inuyasha said sullenly. "But not to parties like Miroku and Sango's where everyone is either married, engaged or been going out for six months."
"Why not go alone then," Kagome said remembering all too well how Inuyasha had confessed he was a one-night-stand-kinda-guy. "You don't always have to have a date."
"But you see if I don't have a date then I have to mingle," Inuyasha grumbled almost inaudibly.
"And what's wrong with that!" Kagome exclaimed.
"I'm not very good at making small talk," Inuyasha said sullenly.
Kagome blinked and then began to giggle. "Yes you're right," Kagome said trying vainly to reign in her giggles for fear of making Inuyasha angry. "People skills are something you are defiantly lacking."
"Damn it stop giggling woman," Inuyasha said. "It's not funny!"
"Don't you call me woman!" Kagome said. "I wasn't laughing at you! I was lacking at your lack of people skills. And do you see what I'm talking about! I haven't even insulted you and you've gotten all defensive. You need to stop thinking that everyone's going to hate you."
"Easy for you to say," Inuyasha said. "You've got a way with people."
"And so could you if you would let down all these emotional walls you've got built up," Kagome replied. "No one likes a self centred jackass, but if you'd let them Inuyasha I saw last night come out a little more often…" she trailed off.
"I almost wasn't going to come to the wedding you know?" Inuyasha said after a moment of pondering what she had just said.
"You mean you'd miss your only friends wedding because you didn't want to mingle?" Kagome asked
"I certainly thought about it, but I figured I'd survive," Inuyasha said. "My last wedding was pretty horrible."
"Well you just stick with me at the party and I'll…."Kagome trailed off in embarrassment at her offer. What was she thinking he probably go off dancing with one of Sango's other friends, not stay behind and chat with her. "I mean if you need someone to talk with or give you pointers I'll be around."
Inuyasha flashed a curious look her way, and almost replied that he'd like that when they arrived at the airport.
Both Inuyasha and Kagome then climbed out of the limo as it pulled to a halt beside Inuyasha's private plane. Between the two of them they personally moves Kagome's breakable boxes into the plane, and then returned for their suitcases. Leaving the other boxes to the men there Inuyasha and Kagome boarded the plane.
Once seated Nina came up with a menu and asked what they would like for breakfast.
"I'll have three waffles with peanut butter and syrup," Inuyasha replied asked perusing the menu with a coffee, two cream, two sugar."
"And for you miss?" Nina asked turning to Kagome.
"I think I'll pass, thank you though," Kagome said for the first time remembering that she would most likely get airsick. "That's weird," Kagome thought. "Normally I dwell on it and dread boarding, but this time it hardly even crossed my mind." Now that she thought about it the more she began to realize that she should take her shower now before she got airsick.
"Inuyasha," she said standing up turning to where he sat hidden by a large unfurled newspaper in front of his face. "I think I'll take my shower now, while they're all loading the boxes. I'd hate to get sick in your shower before you get one."
"Good plan," Inuyasha said, he had completely forgotten about her tendency of getting airsick as well. But it looked like she had forgotten it as well, which made his mind begin to wonder if maybe a part of the reason she got so airsick was because she dwelled on it. Maybe….just maybe if…..well he'd try and see if his hypothesis would prove correct. As Kagome unzipped her suitcase and grabbed her shampoo and other various bottles and make-up Inuyasha said, "make sure you don't use up all the hot water."
"I won't I promise," Kagome said. "I plan on getting out of there as fast as possible before I get airsick."
"Great," Inuyasha replied turning back to his newspaper. Noticing she hadn't moved Inuyasha looked back up, "yes?"
"Ummm," Kagome said blushing. "Where is the shower?"
"Ask Nina, she'll show you. There should be an extra towel in there too, but if not ask Nina for one," he replied.
"Okay," Kagome said taking off in the direction of the rear of the plane where the stewardess was busy preparing Inuyasha's breakfast. "Hi Nina, I was just wondering where the shower was."
"Oh, the bathroom's just behind that door on your left," Nina replied turning away from the batter she was mixing.
"Oh wow!" Kagome said. "You're making the waffles from scratch?"
"Mhmm," Nina replied. "Inuyasha doesn't like regular airplane food, so we make everything gourmet. There should be enough batter for another waffle or so if you'd like one when you're finished."
"You have no idea how tempting that sounds Nina," Kagome replied. "But knowing my traitorous stomach I better not."
Nina just smiled in response. "I hope you feel better this flight."
"I doubt it," Kagome said opening the door. "I'm always sick like that when I get on planes."
"Well have a nice shower, would you like some coffee when you get out?" Nina asked.
"Would you happen to have any tea?" Kagome asked hopefully.
"Yes we have Earl Grey, green tea and some chamomile I believe," Nina replied.
"Green tea would be lovely," Kagome said.
"I'll have a pot ready for you," Nina said.
"Thank you," Kagome said closing the door. Turning around she gasped in delight, the bathroom before her eyes was gorgeous and not the dinky airplane kind she had been expecting! Stepping out of her sun-dress Kagome hopped in the shower and quickly washed and shampooed her hair. Stepping out of the shower after squeezing the remaining water out of her long hair Kagome reached over and grabbed the fluffy white towel hanging on a hook. After wrapping the towel around her Kagome looked around for a hair-blow-dryer but couldn't find one. She had assumed Inuyasha would have one with that long white hair of his. "Nina?" Kagome called through the door. "Is there a blow-dryer?"
"No," Nina replied. "We're not allowed one on board."
"Oh," Kagome said somewhat disheartened; then realizing how petty she sounded shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. "Oh well."
By the time it occurred to Kagome that they were air bound she had finished doing her make-up and combing out her hair. Kagome emerged wearing the same yellow sun-dress she had been wearing before and a towel wrapped around her hair.
"You done?" Inuyasha asked as she sat down.
"Yep," Kagome replied taking in the empty and syrupy plate in front of him smiled. "You polished those off fast."
"What?" Inuyasha said confused looking over the top newspaper at her. And then noticed her gaze on his plate. "Oh the waffles, yeah I was hungry." Yawning Inuyasha folded his paper up and stood up stretching. "Well I'm off to take a shower."
"Okay," Kagome said.
"You should eat something," Inuyasha said. "If your going to throw up as much as you did yesterday I would think it would be better to at least throw up food."
"I'll have some tea or something," Kagome said reassuringly.
"I meant something solid. Why don't you have a waffle or something, you need to keep your energy up," Inuyasha said.
"But I-" Kagome protested.
"Ah! No buts! I'm the one in charge here, and if I recall you saying when I was in your car yesterday 'my car, my rules'. Well my plane my rules," Inuyasha said smugly. "And," he said grinning evilly, "if you don't I'll kick you out."
"That's not fair!" Kagome said. "I'm really not hungry!"
"My rules," Inuyasha said walking off to take his shower.
"Pig," Kagome said under her breath flopping back against the seat.
"He only means the best," Nina said placing a mug of tea in front of her.
"I know," Kagome said sighing. "I just don't like being bossed around like I'm a kid."
Nina grinned and asked, "would you like a waffle? I don't mean to brag but I do make a really good waffle? Or if you don't want a waffle I could bring you something else, maybe something lighter like a fruit salad?"
"A waffle sounds great," Kagome said. "And maybe a small bit a fruit salad ."
"Coming up," Nina said.
Walking into the bathroom Inuyasha was immediately greeted with Kagome's scent hovering in the air. It wasn't overpowering, quite the opposite, it was there subtly floating around. Sniffing cautiously, Inuyasha tried once again to place that elusive scent. He was positive it was a flower, at least he thought it was…snorting Inuyasha took him clothes off trying to force himself to ignore the smell. But stepping into the shower without noticing it was next to impossible. It was stronger in there then it had been outside. "must have been her shampoo," Inuyasha thought. Sniffing again, Inuyasha closed it eyes. It really was a pretty scent and it suited Kagome perfectly. He had never liked heavy floral scents that other girls he had known wore. Wrinkling his nose in distaste of the memory of the heavy rose scent on girl he had once known, he had to commend Kagome on her taste. Come to think of it Kagome probably didn't even realize how good she smelled.
Sniffing again, Inuyasha realized that this was a scent he could enjoy filling his senses. Closing his eyes Inuyasha let the hot water pound his muscles, easing away the tension. He should probably wash his hair too, now that he thought of it. Reaching for his shampoo Inuyasha's hand fell on a small bottle. Looking down at the bottle in his hand, Inuyasha looked curiously at the small light-purple tinted glass bottle in his hand. The bottle was quite beautiful and he wondered where she had picked it up. They would make nice gifts, and the hue of purple was quite pretty. Placing it back down carefully Inuyasha grabbed his own shampoo and began to wash his hair all the while looking at the bottle. It practically screamed Kagome and now that he thought about it she had a lot of little glass things like that in her house: the plates that they had eaten off last night, the potpourri bowl that was in her room and lots of other little knickknacks. He'd have to ask her where she bought it all.
Rinsing out the suds, Inuyasha admired the faint purple of the bottle. Normally he wasn't a big fan of purple, he much preferred red…but for some reason that hue reminded him of the lilac bush that had grown outside his house as a child….LILAC! That was it! That was Kagome's scent that had been nagging him! It was lilac!
Grinning triumphantly, Inuyasha turned the shower off and shook off. Grabbing the towel he dried the rest of himself off and then threw on his clothes, a red t-shirt that accented his well toned chest nicely and a pair of loose fitting jeans, and stepped out of the bathroom. But he couldn't let her see how happy he was about discovering her to think of it why was he so happy. It was just a bloody scent! Damn it why'd this always happen to him!
"Kagome!" he barked. "You left your shampoo in the shower!"
"Oh!" Kagome said her mouth full of waffle. Taking a swig of tea to clear her mouth she said, "sorry, I forgot."
"I'm sure you did," Inuyasha said plopping himself down and shaking his head and spraying her with water droplets in revenge.
"Hey!" Kagome screamed. "Don't do that! What's wrong with you! You're acting like a dog! Stop it you're getting water everywhere!"
"Good," Inuyasha replied. Time to put his plan into action, he had to keep her mind occupied with things other then how she was going to be airsick.
"Putting the last morsel of waffle in her mouth, Kagome licked the syrup off her lips in a way that made Inuyasha want to kiss her fiercely.
Looking sadly at a lone wet lock that had escaped her towel head wrap, Kagome sighed. "I assumed you'd have a blow-dryer on board, with your long hair. I have no idea what to do with my hair…"
"Why don't you braid it or something?" Inuyasha asked. "Or just let it dry naturally, that's what I normally do."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha replied cautiously. "What's wrong with that?"
"Normally I don't have the time, because since my hair's so long it takes forever to dry on its own," Kagome said.
"Well we've got a whole slight a head of us you'll have plenty of time. Plus do you realise who you're talking to. My hair's even longer than yours!"
Kagome grinned, "it is isn't it!"
"How was the waffle?" Nina asked coming over to pick up Kagome's empty plate.
"Delicious, thank you Nina," Kagome said eying the blond-haired woman's French braids with envy.
"Would you like another cup of tea?" Nina asked.
"That would be lovely," Kagome replied biting her lip as Nina walked away. "Nina!" she called out.
"Yes?" Nina asked.
"Would you….um teach me how to french braid?" Kagome asked blushing in embarrassment.
"Sure," Nina replied and then looked over at Inuyasha. "As long as Inuyasha doesn't need anything."
"If you grab me another cup of coffee, I'll be great," Inuyasha said inwardly grinning. HaHA! Perfect! Looking at how complicated those braids look Kagome would be occupied for a while! And while she was occupied he could read the rest of the newspaper.
Nina returned with a comb and a small mirror, and sat down on the plush carpet close by. "Sorry," she apologized I always have to sit cross-legged when I french braid. "Weird habit."
"That's okay," Kagome grinned climbing out of her seat and sitting cross-legged across from Nina. "You can do whatever else you like if I can manage to French braid my own hair after this."
"Okay, first place your thumbs above and slightly behind your ears. Draw them slightly back and upward, gathering hair that meets at your crown into a ponytail." Nina said doing each step with her own hair as she said so. She then proceeded to outline the basic steps of how to French braid. By the time she had finished Kagome had what could pass for a decent French braid running down the middle of her neck. Looking enviously at Nina's perfectly even and neat French braid and then back at her own lopsided disgrace, Kagome sighed.
"I guess I'll have to practise," Kagome said.
"Don't worry it'll become more natural the more you do it," Nina said. "Now here I'll braid your hair so it'll look neat and that way you'll have nice crimped hair tomorrow."
"Thank you," Kagome said gratefully turning around and letting Nina briskly braid her hair.
"There you go," Nina said securing the end with a elastic.
"Thank you Nina," Kagome said looking in the small round mirror.
"No problem," Nina said standing up and dusting off her navy blue pencil skirt.
"What do you think Inuyasha?" Kagome said twirling around so her could see.
"Hmmm?" Inuyasha looking over his almost finished newspaper. "Looks good."
"Doesn't it!" Kagome said happily sitting down. Looking over at him Kagome noticed he still hadn't touched his hair and it was still as messy as before. "As interesting as that newspaper is, you should brush your hair or you'll never get those tangles out."
"Brush?" Inuyasha asked curiously. "I don't use one very often. If I'm going out maybe but most of the time I don't."
"What!" Kagome exclaimed. She very easily brushed her hair five times a day! "I'm surprised you don't have dreads by now if you don't ever brush it!"
"Uhhh sure," Inuyasha said reading the last line of the article and placing it aside. Without asking for permission Kagome felt his hair while he was distracted. "Hey!" Inuyasha yelled snatching his hair back.
"It's so soft!" Kagome exclaimed quite shocked. "I don't believe it! What shampoo do you use?"
"Uhhhh shampoo? Not a clue," Inuyasha replied honestly.
"Damn," Kagome muttered and then looked hopefully at him. "May I touch it again?" she asked."
"Hell no!" Inuyasha said holding his hair out of her reach. "Keep your hands off my hair!"
"Come on Inuyasha please," Kagome begged. "I could practise my French braiding on you!"
"No chance," Inuyasha replied. "I'm not letting my hair get crimped.
"Can I at least brush it?" Kagome asked hopefully turning her puppy eyes on him. "Pleeeeeeeeease, I'm bored!"
At the word 'bored' Inuyasha looked at her, she was bored uh oh! Debating the two options: a airsick Kagome or having his hair brushed. He realized that he much preferred the second. "Fine," he grunted. "The things I do for you."
"Yay!" Kagome said clapping her hands together. "Come sit here on the carpet."
"Whatever," Inuyasha replied obliging her. Kagome took her brush and sat down behind him.
Suddenly feeling shy Kagome tentatively reached out and took a lock of his hair and gently began to run the brush through it. His hair was still slightly damp and she could see his tense muscles beneath his shirt. Gently running her fingers through it Kagome let it cascade back into place. Tightening her grip on the brush she began to make long firm brush strokes starting from the top of his head to the very bottom of his waste long white hair. His hair had always fascinated her when she had been little, and to this day she had never met another person apart from Sesshomaru that had white hair naturally.
Making a sound of contentment, Inuyasha's closed his eyes. He had no idea letting someone else brush his hair could feel so good. The intimacy of such a small task was a surprise, how was it that such a simple thing could bring so much serenity? Come to think of the only other people who were/had been allowed near his hair, his mother and his hairdresser. He'd been afraid to let anyone else near it after a one-night-fling had offered to cut it claiming he would look even sexier with a buzz cut. Inuyasha shuddered and the brushing stopped.
"I'm sorry," Kagome said.
"Don't stop," Inuyasha said almost sleepily cutting her off. "It feels good."
"Oh, are you sure? I can stop if you want…"
"No, I was shuddering because I remembered how a fling once wanted to give me a buzz cut," Inuyasha replied not opening his eyes. He heard Kagome giggle and grinned wryly. "I know; terrible thought isn't it."
"Yes," Kagome managed to laugh out. "I'm sorry I don't mean to laugh but even just the idea of you with a buzz cut it's…..outrageous!"
"You wouldn't cut my hair then if I went to sleep?" Inuyasha asked.
"Of course not, I like your hair just the way it is!" Kagome said resuming her brush strokes as if to prove her point.
"Good," Inuyasha said gruffly. Silence came back but not the unsure kind that had been there before. This silence was one composed of serenity and the realization that words were not necessary.
Inuyasha's head nodded forward, and it was then that he realized just how tired he was. He had only gotten a few hours of sleep last night….and this felt so good.
Kagome watched as Inuyasha became more and more sleepy, when his head tilted forward she realized that she was in danger of him falling asleep. Reflecting on how little sleep both of them had gotten last night Kagome couldn't believe he hadn't conked out the second they stepped on the plane. He had been so good to her last night…..he really had. She thought back to what he had said that morning; hadn't he said something about being all tense? He had! Gently taking his hair Kagome placed it over one of his shoulders revealing the most gorgeous male back she had ever seen! Not that she had seen many of course! But even if she had, she was sure Inuyasha's would have surpassed all the others….Blushing at her own thoughts Kagome reached out both hands and placed them firmly on both shoulders and began massaging them.
Inuyasha had almost succumbed to the sleepiness he had been feeling when suddenly his hair flipped over his left shoulder. Wondering just what Kagome was up to now he couldn't have been more surprised when she began to give him a massage then if a bomb had suddenly exploded right next to him.
Eyes flying open Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at her in surprised and then narrowed in distrust. "Just what the hell are you doing?" he demanded.
Kagome's hands flew off his shoulders like she had been burned. "I- I remembered how you said you were tense so I thought I'd give you a massage. After moving all of those boxes for me I figured I'd save you of having to go to a masseuse."
There was a silence and Inuyasha's emotions raged. What was she trying to do? Seduce him! Because if it was then she was doing a damn good job. A small growl escaped him and he saw Kagome scoot back.
"I'm sorry," she said hurriedly. "I didn't realise that...never mind."
Inuyasha's mouth twitched and he debated yelling at her but then decided against it. Yelling would definitely spoil the atmosphere, and if he yelled at her they'd likely end up in a big argument, and he didn't want that. And it had felt pretty good... "just because you startled me doesn't mean I don't like it," he finally said turning his back to her. "I don't care what you do, I just don't like being surprised is all."
"Oh," Kagome said and scooted closer to him yet further than she had been before.
"I'm not going to bite you," Inuyasha said grumpily.
Kagome's eyes opened very large at that statement and then laughed, shaking her head at her own insucurity. "Of course, I never thought you would," she said and scooted back to her former place. Gently placing her hands on his shoulders again and began to lightly massage them "Is this ok?"
"Feels great," Inuyasha replied. He couldn't remember if anyone had ever voluntarily given him a massage before. If he had wanted one he had just taken the day off and gone to the spa. And even though he hated to admit it the simple gesture had touched him; it had been really sweet of her to worry about his shoulders. Closing his eyes once again Inuyasha breathed out as Kagome's talented hands relieved the tension in his shoulders that he hadn't even realized was there. Sitting up straight as Kagome ran her fingers firmly down his spine, he shivered. Kagome giggled, and Inuyasha looked back at her. "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing," Kagome replied trying to hide her smile.
The second he turned his head away though and hunched back over at the way she was massaging his shoulders again she did it again. "Okay, cut it out, the first time was funny now it's just getting weird," he said.
"But you look so cute when you do that!" she protested.
"You're doing it on purpose though," Inuyasha said. "You like having power over me, even if I'm doing it involuntarily."
"No," Kagome said making him arch his back once more. "I just think you look cute, like a cat."
"I'm no cat," Inuyasha said.
"Well of course," Kagome said reassuringly. Seeing the look Inuyasha gave her she sighed in defeat and raised her hands. "Oh alright, I promise I won't do it any more."
"Thank you," Inuyasha said.
Kagome sat there massaging his shoulder until her hands felt sore, but it was a good hurt. Being able to spend time like this with Inuyasha was as close to heaven as she had ever felt. And after the wedding she would probably never see him again. Looking at him sorrowfully, Kagome's eyes softened as she realised that he was dozing off again. Smiling even though she felt like crying Kagome wished that the wedding would never be over. But realizing just how selfish she was being forced those thoughts to the back of her mind. Sango deserved Miroku, and for her to wish for anything else was horrible. She just wished that maybe someday she could have the same. Resting her hands on his shoulders Kagome leaned forward and laid her cheek against his back savouring everything about the moment, from the warth of his back to the slight scent of soap and and cheap shampoo. Closing her eyes Kagome let her eyes flutter close and inhaled the scent that she loved too much.
Inuyasha felt her stop and lay her head against him, eyes fluttering open as he heard Kagome sigh, he looked over his shoulder. She looked like an angel there, with her eyes closed like that and that slight smile on her lips. Reaching his hand up he grasped hers and said softly. "You tired too?"
"Mhmmm," Kagome said. "I think we're both exhausted. Neither of us got very much sleep last night."
"No," Inuyasha said and let go of her hand and turned around to help her to her feet. "Come on, I'll put your chair down and you can sleep."
"You're going to sleep too?" Kagome asked.
"You betcha," Inuyasha replied and helped her sit down and then pressed a button on the arm chair allowing it to lower itself down till he deemed it sleep worthy.
"Thank you," Kagome said. "Wake me up when we get there."
"I will," Inuyasha said and then grinned. "And this time I won't make the mistake of leaning over you again."
Kagome grinned and closed her eyes. "Good," she said and breathed deeply.
Turning around Inuyasha signalled Nina over and asked her to bring two blankets. She nodded and gave him a conspiratal wink. Returning promtly she handed Inuyasha a two blankets and two pillows.
Inuyasha smiled his thanks, and she walked off. Walking back to Kagome he realised she was already asleep. "Man," he thought. "When she's tired she's tired." Lifting her neck up Inuyasha placed the fluffy white pillow under her head and then drapped the blanket over her. Returning to his seat he placed the pillow down and then tucked himself in and turning on his side allowed himself to sleep.
Two hours later Kagome awoke feeling rested if not slightly ill. Shaking her bangs out of eyes she sat up slowly. That had been a good nap. Looking down at her watch Kagome calculated that they had approximately half an hour left before they landed. Covering her mouth as she yawned Kagome looked over and saw Inuyasha sleeping peacefully. Kagome tried to ignore the feeling of queeziness that was building, but finally she reacognized the symptoms of about to throw-up and dashed to the bathroom where she immediately threw up.
Moaning in self misery Kagome reflected on how she was lucky this trip. She hadn't started to feel ill until half an hour before the flight was over. This had to be some sort of world record for her! Even as she threw up again, Kagome still felt happy about the change in events.
"And just think," she thought to herself. "You'll never have to fly again to visit Sango because you'll be living driving distance away!"
Sitting back from the toliet and flushing the offending smell down Kagome wondered if Inuyasha had something to do with this? Maybe he had put somesort of motion sickness drug in her tea, or maybe the tea itself had been the answer. "Or maybe," her heart said, "you were so distracted by Inuyasha that you never had time to think about getting sick." Shaking her head violantly Kagome wished she hadn't thought of the last one it was too unnerving, she much prefered to think it was some sort of drug or the tea. Her thoughts were cut off by a furthur batch of retching. "Oh god," Kagome thought miserably. "I hope I don't wake Inuyasha up."
Inuyasha awoke to the sounds of Kagome throwing up. Wrinkling his nose, he sat up and wondered groggily what was going on. Once the foggs of sleep cleared he bolted up and rushed to the bathroom. "Kagome!" he said.
Turning to him Kagome's eyes filled with tears, "Oh my gosh," she said beginning to cry. "I did wake you up. I didn't want to. I didn't want you to wake up to this."
"I could say the same thing for you," Inuyasha said. "I had hoped if I kept you occupied with this to do you wouldn't get sick but I fell asleep. Damn, I wish I had woken up before you did."
"Oh Inuyasha," Kagome said. "There's nothing you could have done, don't blame yourself. It's my own fault for getting so airsick."
"I'll go grab you some water," Inuyasha said after a moment.
"Thank you," Kagome said as he walked out of the bathroom and to the fridge in the back of the plane. Grabbing a bottle of water it poured it out into a glass and brought it back where he promtly handed it to her.
"Arigato," she whispered taking a large gulp. Smiling in a vain attempt to lighten the mood, Kagome said, "well atleast we'll be landing soon."
"Yes," Inuyasha replied. "It won't be very long. Think you can make it?"
"I think so," Kagome replied.
Inuyasha looked around in dismay, what could he do? There had to be something he could do!
"Talk to me," Kagome said pleadingly. "Distract me from my misery."
"Uhhhhhh," Inuyasha said scratching behind his ear. "What about?"
"Anything," Kagome said pausing to think. "Tell me stories about back when we were children."
"Okay," Inuyasha said trying to think of funny things that had happened when they were kids. Finally he found a memory worthy of remembering. "Do you remember the time our families went on a picnic together?" Kagome shook her head. "Oh come on! We went down to that river and the two of us discovered a blackberry bush! We almost made ourselves sick we ate so many. And then you decided it would be fun to draw on each other with the juice."
"Oh I remember that!" Kagome exclaimed excitedly. "Yes, I remember I chased after you trying to let me draw on your shirt because I was wearing red and I wanted to draw on white cloth."
"I remember my mother just smiling when we returned both stained in the juice," Inuyasha said.
"Mhmmm," Kagome said. "And our mothers made us go swim in the river where Sesshomaru was trying to fish in peace and he got annoyed at us and just left because we had scared all the fish away."
"Yeah," Inuyasha said. "That's one of the few memories I remember were Sesshomaru actually got mad."
"Is he still the same impassive person I knew?" Kagome asked.
"Yep," Inuyasha said sitting down close to her so she didn't have to crane her neck to look at him. "And do you remember thanksgiving at my house that year...um grade 3 I think. When Sesshomaru, your brother and I all sat by ourselves at the "kids" table."
"Ummm I think so," Kagome replied grinning. "Was that the one where your mom allowed us to have some coca-cola before supper?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha said glaring at her. "Thaaaaat one. You burped so loud I think the pictures rattled!"
"And then your mother barged in and demanded that you apologize for your rudeness," Kagome said giggling. "And you just looked at her as if she was insane and told her that I was the one who had burped. She didn't believe you though and told you to stop lying!"
"And then you fessed up and my mother didn't believe you. She thought you were just agreeing with me to get me out of trouble," Inuyasha finished. "She never thought that such a small girl could make such a loud burp!"
Kagome didn't reply, she just smiled. "I just had a flashback of that Easter when all the chocolate was melting all over the grass because it was so warm and when you tripped you got covered in chocolate." She paused looking at him. "Do you remember the Easter candy hunts we used to do?" she asked finally.
Inuyasha grinned. "Who could forget!" he said looking up. "Our parents combined put together a pretty awesome candy hunt. I always woke up early and laid in bed waiting for them to tell me it was okay to get up. I remember thinking that it took forever, first they had to wake up, then they had to phone your parents to make sure that they were ready. Then they had to get the video camera ready."
"Yeah," Kagome said. "Same here, and then they'd let us go to the front door where we had to wait until they saw each other and nodded. Then they'd say "okay on your marks get ready, get set...GO!" and we'd dash off to get as many eggs as we could. You were always so competitive, I remember laughing the time you pushed me over to get to a pile of mini-eggs and your mother made you sit out for a whole minute as punishment."
"Feh!" he said turning away but not before Kagome caught the quirk of a grin. "That was stupid."
"Our mother's were always such good friends," Kagome said thoughtfully. "I had forgotten just how close...until now. They did almost everything together, and tried for us to be the same way. Kinda like me and Sango, only..." Kagome shoulders drooped.
"Only what?" Inuyasha said.
"Oh it's nothing," Kagome said smiling and shaking her head.
But that didn't fool Inuyasha. "Liar," he said.
"Excuse me!" Kagome exclaimed indignantly.
"You heard me," Inuyasha said looking at her. "I called you a liar. You wouldn't get all sad over nothing."
"Yes I..." Kagome trailed off only to throw up moments later. When the retching had subsided she sat back on her ankles and sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you." Taking a deep breath before continuing Kagome closed her eyes. "Sango's going to be married and pregnant long before I find a guy to settle down with."
"And that's a problem why?" Inuyasha asked raising one eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be happy for her?"
"That's exactly it! I should be! I should be overjoyed at her fortune but you see..." Kagome said slowly. "When we were little I told her about my mother and your mother and how close they'd been, and Sango and I promised we'd do the exact same thing: get married together, be pregnant together, raise our children together, celebrate the holidays the way I did as a child." Tears started to fall and Kagome savagely wiped them away. "We'll never be able to do that now."
"You can still live next to each other though," Inuyasha said. "You're buying a house here now aren't you?"
"Yeah," Kagome said.
"And Miroku and Sango are house hunting for a larger house at the moment," Inuyasha said. "So buy two houses in some developing neighbourhood in the country and you'll be able to live side by side."
Smiling at him Kagome said, "you know you can actually be quite smart when you want to be."
"Well what did you think!" Inuyasha said. "That I was stupid?"
"Well nooooo," Kagome replied. "I just never thought something that logical could come out of your mouth."
"So it's a good suggestion is what you're trying to say," Inuyasha said.
"Yeah," Kagome said. "I'll have to bring it up with Sango sometime though. Only problem is, I don't have a lot of spare money right now to go blowing on a house. If I'm going to open my own store I'm going to need every penny."
"You're opening your own store!" Inuyasha said.
"Yep, it's always been a dream of mine," she admitted. "When Sango told me about the wedding I nearly had a heart attack. I had absolutely no clue they were getting married until two weeks before, and that made me sad. I realised I had been so self-absorbed in my own life, I hardly ever saw Sango anymore. When Sango told me about..." she trailed off. "Oh this secret is unbelievably hard to keep, but Sango's kill me if I tell. Anyways, when Sango told me a secret I knew I had to move back or miss out on everything."
"Wow pretty big changes," Inuyasha said. "So what happens if your store doesn't work out? You got some sort of back-up plan?"
"Not really," Kagome admitted and turned to throw up again. "Are we almost there yet?" she asked extremely pale.
Inuyasha looked down at his watch. "Not much more than ten minutes. So, you've decided to open your own store, what kind of store?"
"I don't really know what I'll be selling yet, mostly art I think but I might branch off into house hold accessories like plates, glasses, bottles, who knows. I don't even know what I want to call it yet. So far I've come up with a couple of ideas I like but none that strike me as perfect."
"Names such as?" Inuyasha prompted.
"Well," Kagome said blushing. "I know they might sound a little feminine but I've always liked Unending Dreams, Token of Water, Reflected Light and Crystal Memories."
"Interesting," Inuyasha said and was about to ask her if she had ever thought about opening a business with the person who made all the glass, like the purple glass shampoo bottle when the pilot's voice came on over the intercom.
"Sir," the pilot said. "We will be landing in approximately five minutes. If you and Ms. Higurashi would kindly return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts that would be appreciated."
"Damn," Inuyasha said and looked at Kagome. "Think you can make it five minutes without throwing up?"
"I don't know," Kagome said. "Do you have a bucket or something just in case?
"Yeah," Inuyasha said standing. "I'll have Nina find something, just a second. Just hang tight till I get back."
"Kay," Kagome said watching him walk out. It had been weird remembering all of those things. She had gone so long trying not to think of her family she had begun to forget all those special memories. She resolved to ask Inuyasha if she could get copies of those videos his parents had always taken. Inuyasha returned then with a large empty 4L ice-cream bucket and knelt down to help her to her feet. "Okay slowly now, take it easy."
"Yes mother," Kagome said grinning as he put one hand on her waist and the other on her shoulder to support her. She tried to ignore the blush that was spreading across her face, how where he touched her seemed to be on fire and the rapid beating of her heart. Taking tiny baby-steps Inuyasha lead Kagome to her chair where he helped her to sit down. "I can sit down on my own," she complained. "I'm not invalid!"
"Feh," Inuyasha said without the usual harshness or indifference.
Kagome turned her red face away from him to look out the window at the runway which was now visible.
Inuyasha noticed her blush and told himself quite firmly that she was just unwell just passed it off as being sick and nothing to concern himself over. He however had no such excuse for the blush across his face. Sitting down he buckled his seatbelt and turned to watch the approaching runway as well.
Neither of them spoke until the plane had landed and as Kagome took shaky steps to the front of the plane she stopped to say thank you to Nina for all her help and then putting most of her weight on the rail slowly descended the steps to the ground. The moment her foot touched the pavement she felt like falling to her knees and kissing the ground. She stumbled slightly and was surprised when a strong arm held her steady. Looking behind her she saw Inuyasha one arm holding her presents to Sango smiling. "Sorry," she apologized. "It'll take me a while to regain my legs and strength."
"I remember," Inuyasha replied and helped her to the taxi that was waiting.
"No limo this time?" she asked jokingly.
"Nah," Inuyasha replied. "To much fuss. I'm just going to go grab your other fragile parcels. Is it okay if I just tell the workers to ship the other heavy stuff to..." he trailed off unsure of where she wanted them.
"Ship them to Sango's," Kagome said. "She'll let me store my junk in her garage...well at least I think she will."
"Okay," Inuyasha replied shutting the door after placing the box next to Kagome. He returned a few minutes later and climbed in with one fluid motion.
After giving directions to the taxi driver, Inuyasha turned to her. "You starting to feel better now that you're on land?"
"A little," Kagome said which wasn't an outright lie. "I'm looking forward to seeing Sango," she said letting her shoulders sag. "I'm glad I got some sleep because I think she had plans to go and see Ayame about her wedding dress and Miroku's suit.
"Are you serious?" Inuyasha groaned. "That's about the last thing I want to go do right now. I'll have to go too won't I being the best man and all."
"Hey hey hey!" Kagome said poking him. "I have to go too, so no complaining. I'm actually kind of excited."
"Why," Inuyasha said. "Just watch, knowing Ayame, Miroku and mine's suits will be all done and ready. She's going to have to try on dress after dress and then she'll settle on one only to say it needs a few alterations. And because Miroku's not allowed to see the dress he'll go for a drink probably with Kouga because Ayame won't want us fighting anywhere near her precious dresses, leaving poor me to evaluate each and every single dress you try on. I already know my destiny, and it sucks."
"Awwwww," Kagome said sticking her bottom lip out. "Poor poor Inuyasha."
"Feh!"
"Don't you 'feh' me mister!" Kagome said poking his arm once more. "You're opinion is important in this matter."
"Not really," Inuyasha said and then he mumbled. "Maybe we should have missed our flight."
"You'll be free to go have a drink after we've chosen the dress," Kagome reassured him. "I'll convince Sango to let to you before we start planning our hair and jewellery and all that stuff."
"Promise?" Inuyasha asked hopefully. "You won't make me pour over magazines full of the backs of women's heads like Rin did?"
"Promise," Kagome said eyes crinkling.
"Well then I think this might actually be close to bearable," Inuyasha said. "I tried to get out of it at Rin's wedding claiming I was colour blind but Sesshomaru called my bluff and made me stay."
Kagome giggled. "So how many days is it now until the wedding?"
Inuyasha slowly began to tick off days on his hands. "Holy shit," he said finally. "We've only got like four days before the actual wedding!"
"What!" Kagome exclaimed bolting upright. "Are you serious! We've only got four days! That can NOT be right!"
"It is," Inuyasha said staring at the four fingers left remaining. "Crap! I have to organize a bachelor's party!"
"And I have to organize a bridal shower!" Kagome said putting her head in her hands. "Damn it when am I going to do THAT?"
"Do we have stuff planned tomorrow?" Inuyasha asked.
"Yeah, dancing lessons," Kagome replied.
"Anything the next day?" Inuyasha asked.
"I don't think so, okay I'll throw the bridal shower that day then in the afternoon and that way we can throw our bachelor and bachelorette parties the next night so our hang-overs won't get in the way of the wedding rehearsal," Kagome said really quickly.
"Wait you lost me," Inuyasha said. "Say that again."
"Okay today is day one, and the wedding is on day six. Today we have dress fittings, day two we've got dancing lessons, day three we don't have anything and that's when I'll throw the bridal shower preferably during the afternoon. Day five is when we'll go our separate ways to throw Sango and Miroku their bachelorette and bachelor parties. Then day five is the wedding rehearsal, I have no clue how long that's going to take and then day six: the wedding."
"Crap that's confusing," Inuyasha complained. "Okay once more."
"Alright Day 1 AKA today - dress fittings. Day 2 - Dancing lessons. Day 3 - Bridal shower. Day 4 - You throw Miroku his bachelor party and I throw Sango her bachelorette party. Day 5 - wedding rehearsal. Day 6 - wedding. Got that?" Kagome asked.
"Yeah I think so," Inuyasha replied slowly. "So what day is the day we give Sango and Miroku their presents?"
"We're in luck with that one," Kagome went on rubbing her temples. "Sango and Miroku aren't accepting wedding gifts from anyone. Instead their asking people to donate to some charity they chose instead."
"Well that's a good idea," Inuyasha said. "So instead of people buying them stuff they don't want they've asked them to donate the money they would have spent to a charity?"
"Yeah," Kagome said. "It's nice of them isn't it?"
"Yeah," Inuyasha replied weakly. There was a moment of silence while they both allowed their adrenalin to subside before Inuyasha said. "But you and I got them gifts...when will we give those to them?"
"We're going out for supper tomorrow night just the four of us. I'm going to leave my present wrapped at Sango and Miroku's place and when we get home they can unwrap it then."
"Good plan," Inuyasha said. "I was just wondering what to do with mine. It's pretty big." He went on as way of explanation. "And heavy."
Looking at him Kagome thought sadly six days until the wedding...and six days until you walk out of my life. Shaking her head she smiled and giggled at the blush spreading across his cheeks.
Looking over at Kagome who was giggling Inuyasha decided now was as good a time as any to ask. If there was any hope for them to be friends after the wedding he needed to know now..."Kagome?"
"Yeah?" she said trying to hide her amusement.
"Look there's something I need to ask you," he said slowly.
"Yes?"
"I know I was a jerk and everything to you when we were little. That trip back through memory lane on the plane made me remember all the horrible things I did to you and I know you said that we'd promise to put the past behind us, but I can't," Inuyasha said trailing off.
Kagome's throat tightened and she suddenly felt claustrophobic. Was he going to say that everything had been a lie, or that he couldn't keep up some sort of act any longer? "Why not," she finally managed to croak out.
"Because every time I remember stuff like that I also remember how I made you become anorexic," Inuyasha said.
"Inuyasha," Kagome began but Inuyasha cut her off.
"I don't apologize often but that is something my conscience won't let me ignore. So I'm asking for your forgiveness. Can you possibly forgive me for the hell I put you through? I know you said you'd be able to put it behind you until after the wedding but...if you can't then just tell me. Don't lie just to put my conscience at ease, I need an honest answer."
Kagome gulped, and her breath caught in her throat as Inuyasha turned his golden eyes to her own. Kagome had only seen his eyes this intense once before: the night he had agreed to her plan after Miroku had told him all about her issues. Her shoulders began to shake and she took a shuddering, shaky breath. "I think I already had," Kagome said very slowly surprised to find what she was saying was the truth. Somehow without realising it, she had forgiven him, something she thought would never happen.
Looking at Inuyasha as he breathed out heavily Kagome realised that he had been holding his breath. Brushing her bangs out of her eyes she waited to see how he reacted. He didn't say anything. Even when they stepped out of the taxi upon arriving at Miroku and Sango's and carried their bags in not a word escaped his lips. Shutting the door with a wave to the taxi Kagome called out to Sango that they were there, but no one answered.
Walking through the kitchen Kagome noticed a note on the table. picking it up she read
Dear Kagome or Inuyasha or whoever's reading this,
Miroku and I have just walked down to Kaede's for a while. We're leaving right now and if you guys want to meet us down here when you get there that's great and if you just want to stay there and relax that's fine too. Kagome I think you already know why I'm heading there. I told Miroku about...well you know what. We decided to go talk to Kaede about it, she'll know. Kagome you know the way, won't bother giving directions. See you when we do, hope the flight back wasn't too rough.
Sango
Looking at Inuyasha who was sitting on the couch Kagome walked over to him. "They've gone over to Kaede's," she said softly feeling somehow that words were inappropriate. "I'm going to head down. You want to come?" Inuyasha looked at her with his golden eyes that were as captivating as diamonds in the sunlight to her and Kagome was confused by the depth of emotion raging behind them. "Inuyasha?" she asked as he stood. Crossing to her, before Kagome could blink he embraced her encasing her in his strong arms. "Inuyasha?" she whispered terrified. "What are you doing. Are you alright?"
"Sorry," he muttered letting her go. "I just can't believe that you'd forgive me."
"Inuyasha," Kagome said lost for words.
"It's nothing," he said turning away. "So where'd you say Miroku and Sango were?
"Kaede's," Kagome said softly regretting the way he retreated back to his former self and shunned the emotions that made him human.
"You up to it?" Inuyasha asked not meeting her eyes.
"Yeah," Kagome said.
"Let's go then," Inuyasha said gruffly opening the door for her.
To be continued...
Author's Note: well there you go my lovely readers whom I adore. Another lengthy, fluff filled chapter! That was the LONGEST chapterI EVER wrote! 32 pages! Wohooo for me!Hope you all liked and well if not...please no flames! I know you all want them together but it's not yet! I promise it will happen! But not yet so please don't give up... Well onto brighter and happier topics after the nice turnout of reviews i got last chapter i decided to do another poll. This time its for the name of Kagome's store.
a) Unending Dreams
b) Token of Water
c) Reflected Light
d) Crystal Memories
e) The Shikon no Tama (I'm not sure of this one just because it's so overdone...but anyways)
So yeah that's about it please review!
Tara: I appreciate the offer. (Gives a big bug) It's really nice of you to offer to let me talk about what happened. Sometimes I still get pretty upset and so if I remember the next time I might e-mail you. I told my therapist about my story when I first started and she said it was a good idea to write this fic as a form of therapy. To tell you the truth I never expected these kind of results when I started. I hadn't even really thought of posting it on thinking that no one...well I have no clue what I was thinking but I decided to on a whim and well here it is...my number one review receiving story. I guess real life adds something to it. It was nice to hear all the kind reviews everyone sent in and well I'm just blabbing now. I hope you like the new chapter and thank you once again for extending your help to me. (sniffs) Oh man I'm close to tears! I better go before I start bawling. Lol.