Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. sniffle
Chapter TwoWhen You Give
When Kagome woke up the next morning, she had no idea where she was. Then she looked around her and saw that she was on the roof of Kaede's hut. The night before came flooding back.
She had fallen asleep with Inuyasha holding her, the fireworks exploding above them. It had been perfect…romantic, almost…but Inuyasha wasn't there anymore. Kagome sighed, remembering what would have to be done that day.
She just wished she didn't have to. I don't have to. Kagome argued with herself. If that Kikyo hadn't…she trailed off. No, Kikyo did the right thing. You can't blame her for your duties.
Kagome heaved herself off the roof and landed with a thud on the ground below. She was about to lift up the flap to go into Kaede's hut when Shippo ran up to her.
"No, Kagome, don't go in there!" He pleaded. "Kaede told me to tell everyone that tried to go in that Miroku is in there."
Kagome smiled at the little kitsune and moved to once again lift up the flap. "I don't see why—"
"…with Sango." Shippo finished.
Kagome slowly turned bright red and quickly dropped the flap like it was contaminated. "I've got to get out of here." She said, and ran off, much to young Shippo's confusion.
She quickly made her way to the forest, hoping to forget about Sango and Miroku. Still, it was romantic in a way. One of their last nights all together, and the two of them finally hooked up. She felt a soft smile play on her lips. They were perfect for each other.
She soon found herself among the trees. Their shade was soothing and the walk would give her time to think. To think about what she had to do.
To tell the truth, she had gotten tired of this double life. In one life she was your average schoolgirl with friends, a blossoming love life, and trouble with schoolwork. In the other, she was a heroine of sorts who was literally ahead of her time. It was getting hard to balance.
In the beginning, she had though she would be able to live like that. Sure, it was hard. But wasn't surviving constant demon attacks harder? She wasn't so sure anymore.
She continued her walk through the trees, enjoying the shade and thinking things over. For the past few days, her heart had been heavy, weighed down by her decision. Still, she knew it was right. She just wished it felt that way.
"Kagome?" Kagome looked up to see Inuyasha staring down at her from a tree. "What are you doing here?" He asked. Kagome felt her heart sink lower at the sight of him. "I don't know." She said, lowering her eyes to the ground.
There was a thud as Inuyasha landed in front of her. "What do you mean you don't know?" He asked. Kagome looked up to see his face close to hers and felt the heat in her cheeks rise. She remembered just at that moment what had happened last night.
Flustered, she hid her cheeks with her hands. Why was she so embarrassed? It had just been a pleasant moment, one she would treasure later. Later…Kagome pushed the word out of her head, not wanting to think about the future.
"You're sure acting strange today." Inuyasha commented. "Are you sick?" Kagome nodded her head. "Yeah. Yes, I don't feel well." She said. It was true. Her head was killing her.
"Come on, I'll take you back to the village." Inuyasha offered. When Kagome hesitated, he gave her a gentle push on her back. She started moving forward, and was aware that Inuyasha was just behind her. She could feel his quizzical eyes on her back.
She knew he could sense something. She knew that he knew something was wrong. I can't do this, she thought, holding her head in one hand. I can't do this. I'll just…A shot of blinding pain suddenly spread throughout her head. She slowly went to her knees, holding her head. "Oww…" She moaned, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Kagome, what's wrong?" Inuyasha asked, bounding forward. He squatted next to her. "Is it your head?"
Kagome managed to nod. Inuyasha glanced around, searching for help, but no one else was nearby. In a quick sweep, he picked her up in his arms and jumped into the treetops, leaping from tree to tree.
As they neared the village, Kagome felt the pain in her head begin to fade. As Inuyasha's feet touched the village soil, it faded to a dull, but painful throbbing in her temple.
"Lady Kagome!" The villagers cried, seeing her in pain. "I'm okay now, Inuyasha." She insisted, and he let her to her feet.
Kaede came forward, through the crowd of anxious villagers. "What happened, Inuyasha?" She asked, pulling Kagome gently toward her by the elbow so that she could examine her.
"I don't know." Inuyasha shrugged. "Ask her." Kagome pushed Kaede away. "I'm fine, Lady Kaede. I just have a little headache."
"A little headache!" Inuyasha said, incredulous. "You collapsed in the forest! I had to carry you back!"
"Inuyasha…" Kaede said warningly. She turned to Kagome. "I think it would be best if ye lay down for a while." Kagome sighed and nodded. Maybe it would be for the best.
So Kaede brought her to the hut. Sango and Miroku had left long ago, a villager told them. Someone had seen them down by the lake. Kagome felt herself relax the minute she climbed into her sleeping bag. It always made her feel like a little bit of home was with her in the Feudal Era.
"Now, you get some rest, Kagome." Kaede advised. "We'll all be just fine without you." She moved to leave, but stopped halfway to the door. "Inuyasha, you stay and keep an eye on Kagome. We'll be just fine without you also." Then she left.
"Feh." Inuyasha snorted, leaning casually against one wall, his arms in his sleeves. "Hey, Inuyasha?" Kagome said. "You don't have to stay here."
"What if I want to?" He snapped. Kagome held back a smile. "I'm fine. I'm just going to take a nap. You don't need to watch me." She insisted gently.
Inuyasha peered at her. "Are you sure you're not just going to sneak off?" He asked. Kagome looked up at him from under lowered brows. "Inuyasha, that's what you do."
Remembering something, she fumbled for something in her pocket. "What is it?" Inuyasha asked. In answer, Kagome pulled the complete Shikon Jewel from her skirt.
Inuyasha didn't get it for a second. He stared at it in confusion. Only when Kagome gestured for him to take it did he understand.
"What!" He shouted. Kagome pushed it toward him. "I'm giving it to you, Inuyasha. This is the reason you stayed with me, right? I want you to have it." Inuyasha shook his head. "Well, yes, at the beginning. But…what about the wish you were going to make?"
"My wish is to give it to you." Kagome insisted. "Take it." Hesitantly, Inuyasha prodded the jewel with one finger, then grabbed it quickly.
Inuyasha heaved a sigh and went to squat next to Kagome. "You're sure about this?" He asked, peering at her face. Kagome nodded, a little uncomfortable under Inuyasha's gaze.
Inuyasha nodded, but still didn't withdraw. If anything, he kept getting closer. Kagome tucked her chin in and snuggled down into her sleeping bag, uncomfortable.
That was when it happened. Inuyasha leaned forward a little farther and his lips made contact with her forehead. For a split second he closed his eyes, then he pushed backward on his heels and leaped out of the hut.
Kagome didn't call after him. She was too shocked. Of course, it had only been a little peck on the forehead, but it had been Inuyasha giving it to her. Inuyasha, who she cared for. Inuyasha, who was forever choosing between her and his past love. Inuyasha, who she had never expected to show her a sign of affection other than worry.
Now she really couldn't fall asleep, and her head was hurting more than ever. But she was sure that her head didn't hurt right where Inuyasha's lips had touched her.
Meanwhile, Inuyasha had bounded off into the treetops. He sat in one, contemplating what he had done. Why had he done it? He knew why.
She had just looked so cute there, snuggled in her sleeping bag, or whatever she called it. And he knew she was in pain, and there was no way he could help her. It was different when she was carried off by a demon, or hurt by one. He could rescue her. He could do something about it. Of course he worried, but in the end he could try and save her.
If she was sick, there was nothing he could do. Nothing he could do to protect her. He had just wanted her to feel better, and that was the only thing he could think of.
Still, he felt as though he were betraying Kikyo. As though she would come storming up to him any minute and tell him he was breaking her heart.
Back in Kaede's hut, Kagome was practically giddy. Inuyasha had kissed her. She fingered the spot for the 100th time. How many times had she wished that would happen? And now it had. She had to tell him. He must feel the same way.
She had to tell him how she felt about him. Before she left forever.
Kagome felt her heart break a little right then. She would be leaving him and never seeing him again. Still, it was her decision. She had to.
It was too hard balancing two lives, and she was being disrespectful to her family by not spending time with them when they had given her so much. She had to do her duty by serving the family shrine as a miko. And she had to stop lying to her friends, who had stuck by her and always done what they thought was best for her.
She tried to ignore the other part of her mind that was telling her why she should stay here. With Inuyasha.
Suddenly, the roof of Kaede's hut caved in on her, throwing splinters of wood everywhere. Kagome looked up and saw a snake-like demon towering above her, looking ready to strike.
Still in the trees, Inuyasha heard a scream. "Kagome." He said, dashing off towards the village.
A/N: Aaahh! Cliffhanger! Sorry, it was irresistible. Inuyasha kissed Kagome! OMG! Lol. Okay, that chapter took so long to write. I kept getting writer's block. Yeesh. I don't think this chapter is as good as the last one, so please review and tell me your honest opinion! At least I kinda know what's going to happen. Heh heh. Poor characters. This story is turning out really angsty. It was originally meant to be pure romance/drama, but I like it this way. Please read and review! That's what makes me write more!
