Disclaimer: Just another reminder that I do not own the Inuyasha characters, but all others are my own.
Chapter 10:
The atmosphere at the party that evening was a little strained.
Jonathan had found out about the incident with Inuyasha and Kirsten, and although he had been amused once the circumstances had been explained, he was keeping very close tabs on his wife. Apparently, Kirsten was close to being in heat and Jonathan was taking no chances.
Kagome was barely speaking to Inuyasha and spent her time flirting with the young men at the party. The half-demon steamed inwardly at the sight of her laughing with a group of men who seemed intent on hanging on her every word.
For a few moments, Inuyasha was left to himself. He sat looking into the glass of beer that Tamisé had permitted him and wrinkled his nose at the unfamiliar scent. Well, at least it tasted better than the wine.
"Hi there, handsome."
It was TC. She had a tall, pleasant-looking man with her.
"Hi."
"You haven't met my husband, Jim. Jim, this is Inuyasha, Kirsten's guest from Japan."
Jim stuck his hand out and Inuyasha politely shook it. "So nice to meet you."
"You're married?" Inuyasha stared at TC. Somehow, she hadn't seemed to be the type.
"For the last seven months." TC looked up at her husband and smiled. She seemed so totally different from the warrior woman who had humiliated him. But then, Sango also had a disconcerting habit of exhibiting a stronger personality when she was fighting. Perhaps it was the same with TC.
"So how do you like Canada so far?" asked Jim.
"It's… different. Jon and Kirsty took us to the CN Tower yesterday. I've never been so high up in my entire life!"
Jim laughed and made further small talk until Tayne wandered over to claim Inuyasha.
"There's some other people I'd like you to meet," she said, linking her arm through his.
Tayne quickly introduced him to Thorne, one of Tamisé's top trainers, who would also be working with him. Thorne was married to Alaina, another of the warrior women that Inuyasha had met the day before. He gathered quickly that Alaina and TC were very good friends of Kirsten, and could be relied upon if Inuyasha needed anything.
He was also introduced to several other members of Kirsten's Psi One team. Mario was a heavy-built jovial man, who was a weather witch. Chantal was a telepath, as well as a marksman and worked with Kirsten as her field nurse. Jerry was a telekinetic and an engineer by trade, who often came up with innovative designs for the team's gear and equipment. Inuyasha was told that Gwen, who communicated with animals, was off on another of her globetrotting jaunts. Reis, another telepath, had gone with her.
And then there was Mykan. Inuyasha was told that the quiet, blond-haired man was another alien and a very powerful telepath. He worked as a psychologist in the TDN building, having an office on one of the floors that TDN rented out to other small companies and professionals. Mykan invited Inuyasha to drop by any time to talk. Inuyasha felt comforted by the alien's presence and felt assured that he could speak to this man about anything. Even things he would not admit to himself.
"Where is your mate?" Inuyasha asked Tayne, after the others had drifted off. "Isn't he here tonight?"
"Milan? No. His mother is very ill and he has gone home to be with her."
"Oh. I'm sorry to hear it."
Tayne smiled sadly. "It seems she may pass away soon and Milan wants to spend as much time with her as he can. You'll meet him soon enough. Would you like to dance, Inuyasha? Tamisé has set up music downstairs."
Inuyasha blushed. "I don't dance."
"Ah! Well… that will change, and quickly too. Everyone thinks you're a natural Krull-dancer. If we work on those latent skills of yours, no matter how fast he is, Naraku will have a hard time getting a hold on you."
"Is everyone here a Krull-fighter?"
Tayne laughed. "No. But everyone here is privy to the fact that there are aliens here on Earth. I've scheduled some time tomorrow for you to sit with me, and I will explain about TDN and TDN Rescue and why we aliens are here."
Inuyasha allowed Tayne to lead him downstairs where they found many of the guests dancing. The half-demon resisted Tayne's attempt to draw him out onto the dance floor, preferring instead to watch everyone else.
"It's not that difficult, Inuyasha," said Tayne. "Let me show you. They'll have one of the round dances soon and you should be able to handle that easily. The steps are very simple."
Before he knew it, Tayne had him practising the steps at the sidelines.
"Ah!" Tayne said brightly. "Here's a round dance starting now. Come on."
She led him into the circle formation and grasped his fingers lightly. "Hand on your hip, Inuyasha. That's right. Here we go, start with your right foot – one two three, one two three – that's great! Now circle around me and… back the other way. And forward again – wonderful! See, you can do it."
Inuyasha grinned, delighted to be a part of the group. He had never learned to dance, since half-demons weren't welcome at parties and festivals. He had often watched from the trees, wishing he could be a part of it all, his loneliness eating at him like a cancer. But now… now he was welcomed into a circle of people where he was the center of attention and not the target of derision.
Suddenly, he was overcome by emotions he did not understand. He stumbled out of the dancing circle, a hand across his eyes to try to hold back the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. Inuyasha fled up the stairs and ran until he found a way out of the huge house, ignoring Tayne's concerned calls.
He crossed an expanse of lawn, smelling the creek nearby – the same creek that flowed past Tamisé and Jonathan's homes. But there was another source of water closer than that – an old fountain. Inuyasha sat down on the ledge surrounding the fountain and wept.
Everyone had been so kind to him and to Kagome – and he wasn't used to it. When he was very young, he had cried himself to sleep innumerable nights, wishing that he wasn't a half-demon. Later, he had sometimes cried himself to sleep wishing for the strength to rid himself of those that wanted to hurt him. He had cried with loneliness and with bitterness towards those who had loathed him because he was neither demon nor human. But he had not cried for a very, very long time.
So why the hell am I crying now? Everyone's been nice to me. No one has thrown anything at me or told me that I don't belong here. I danced tonight instead of just watching!
Inuyasha wiped his face clear of tears and snuffled.
"Here you are, dear," said Kirsten.
Before he knew it, Inuyasha had Kirsten on one side and Jonathan on the other. Jonathan put his arm about Inuyasha's shoulders.
"So what's troubling you?" Jonathan said kindly. "Was someone rude?"
Inuyasha shook his head. "Just the opposite, really. I'm not used to it, you know. Before Kagome and the others, I never had friends… well, except maybe for Kikyo. But Kikyo wasn't my friend the way Kagome is."
"That's a tough way to live."
"I didn't know any other way. Everyone's been so nice to me… but I keep waiting for the weapons to come out, for the nasty hurtful words to start."
Jonathan said nothing, but hugged him tight. Kirsten patted his knee. And Inuyasha began to cry again, hating himself for showing so much emotion.
"I'm sorry…"
"Oh, pshaw," Kirsten said.
She handed him a tissue, and the half-demon stared at it.
"Dry your eyes. Wipe your nose," she told him. "With the tissue, Inuyasha, not your sleeve! That's why I gave it to you."
"Do you want to go home now, Yasha?" Jonathan asked. "We don't have to stay if you've had enough. Tam can bring Kagome back later."
Inuyasha shook his head. "If I'm the guest of honour, I guess it would be rude to leave so early, wouldn't it?"
"Alright then." Jonathan hauled him to his feet. "Let's go back in."
Tayne was waiting at the door for them. "Everything all right?"
"Just fine," Jonathan said. "I'm going to get him another beer and then maybe he'd like to dance with some of the girls." He winked at Tayne.
OoOoOo
The next morning, Kagome got up earlier than normal. She felt bad about yesterday and the way she had treated Inuyasha. She dressed quickly, hoping to wake the half-demon and see if he would go for an early morning walk. It would be better to try apologizing without an audience around.
When she stuck her head inside his room, Inuyasha had just awoken. He sat up, yawning and stretching, his silver hair tumbling about his shoulders. As far as Kagome could see, he was wearing nothing at all above the waist at least. She hissed so he would know she was there.
He grinned at her, his eyes still half-closed. "'Morning, Kagome," he whispered. He yawned again and scratched behind one ear.
"Go for a walk?" she asked.
"Mmm. I'll meet you outside in a few minutes."
"Okay."
She withdrew and went downstairs. Kagome leaned against the back door, her heart hammering. Oh, god! Did he have no idea how gorgeous he looked? She'd seen his bare chest before, of course, but on those occasions she was usually patching up some wound. And that – that sensor suit yesterday! If she hadn't been so concerned over his fall…
"Maybe it'll be cooler outside," she muttered, yanking the door open.
While she was waiting, Kagome went over to Kirsten's fledgling garden and examined the plants that were beginning to sprout. Everything looked to be coming along just fine. Thinking about plants was a lot safer than thinking about Inuyasha right now.
"Ready?"
Kagome jumped, hand to her heart. "Geez, Inuyasha! Make some noise will you?"
This morning, he had not bothered with his normal clothes. He had pulled on jeans and a t-shirt instead. Except for the unusual ears, he would have passed as human.
"Your hair needs brushing." God! Was that all she could think of to say?
"Could you do it for me? You always do a much better job of it. I'll need it braided back again today."
"Alright."
"So… are we going?"
Kagome nodded. He held out his hand for hers and grinned when she hesitated.
"Afraid I'll bite?"
"As if. Let's go."
When they reached the fence at the bottom of the property, Inuyasha did not kneel for Kagome to climb on his back. Instead, he scooped her into his arms and jumped the fence. He did not put her down until the creek had been crossed and they were on the path through the park.
They walked westward, the rising sun casting long shadows in front of them. Inuyasha had taken her hand again and was gently rubbing his thumb against her skin. The gentle touch was playing havoc with her insides, but there was no way she'd ask him to stop.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," Kagome said. "I got you in trouble with Jon."
Inuyasha shrugged. "He wasn't really angry. Kirsty was more upset – well, more annoyed anyway. I shouldn't have teased you, but I guess I wanted back at you for the… the bikini."
"Hmmf. My bikini leaves more to the imagination than that sensor suit does."
"I'll be in it again today." He grinned at her. "Planning on dropping by?"
Kagome blushed.
"Ah hah! I thought so."
"Inuyasha…."
He put a finger across her lips. "Don't say it. Why do we do this to each other, Kagome? Why can we never come out and just say what we mean?"
"I guess because once something's said, it can't really be taken back or forgotten. And sometimes it's scary to say what's on your mind, because you don't know how the other person will take it."
He nodded and sighed. "I wish I was more elo…elok…"
"Eloquent?"
"Yeah."
"But you are," Kagome said. "Sometimes you say lots of things to me with just your eyes."
"Really?"
There was that soulful look again, the one that always warmed her right down to her toes. If he touched her now, Kagome was sure she'd melt right into him. The t-shirt he was wearing evoked memories of how he had looked in that sensor suit, and she felt a delicious shiver course through her.
God! Why wouldn't he take her in his arms? Why wouldn't he kiss her again? That first kiss they had shared so long ago had been very sweet, but much too short – and there were times when Kagome felt that Inuyasha did not remember it at all.
Inuyasha moved restlessly. "Someone's coming," he said, with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
If there had been something other than Inuyasha to hit, Kagome would have demolished it with her bare hands.
It turned out that Jonathan and Tamisé were out for a jog and were coming up on them fast.
"'Morning, you two!" Jonathan shouted. "Come with us!"
"I can't run as fast as you and I'm not dressed for it," Kagome said.
"Keh! Come on, woman. Hop on. I can keep up with these two old men with you on my back."
Inuyasha was grinning at the two older men as he knelt so Kagome could climb on his back. She clambered on and felt him heft her into a more comfortable position. Instead of resting her hands on his shoulders, she clasped them loosely about his neck.
"Ready, koibito? Here we go!"
As the half-demon lurched into a run to catch up to the others, Kagome tightened her grip. Had she heard him right? Had he just called her 'sweetheart'? She laid her cheek against his shoulder for a brief moment. Oh, if only it was true!
OoOoOo
"I'll be driving us in this morning," Tamisé told Inuyasha and Kagome. He was sitting at the kitchen table in Jonathan's house, having a plate of bacon and eggs that Kirsten had made while they had been out.
"Why?" Inuyasha asked, looking up from his own plate. He had been considering licking it clean, but at Kirsten's glare, had opted to use his piece of toast instead to get the last bits of egg.
"Well… Kirsty and Jon need a little extra time this morning. They'll come in later."
Inuyasha glanced over at Kirsten who sat quietly eating. At Tamisé's words, she blushed faintly and turned her attention to helping Ryan with his toast. Jonathan's face was completely impassive, but there seemed to be a faint blush there as well.
He became more convinced than ever that Kirsten was in heat. Her scent was still doing funny things to his insides and making him a little jumpy. The scent pervaded the house, and even keeping his window open did not help. His dreams had been filled with vague, half-remembered images and he had awoken in a state of arousal that had been hard to hide from Kagome when she had come to get him.
But part of him had not wanted to hide his arousal at all – and that part of him had wanted to call Kagome to him. When he had come outside to find her bending over the garden, he had had an almost uncontrollable urge to grab her by the hips and push her to her knees. He was not sure what might have happened next, but he had a terrible suspicion that pure instinct would have taken over at that point.
Inuyasha had seen animals mating, but had never seen humans do the same. Well, at least, he thought he hadn't. Miroku's saucy stories made him uncomfortable and he had always stopped the monk before the stories got too…graphic.
Kagome tapped his knee. "Inuyasha? Are you still with us?"
He jumped at the touch. "Ummm, yeah."
"Ready to go, then, lad?" Tamisé asked.
"Okay."
"Did you have enough breakfast?" Kirsten asked.
"I'm fine, thanks."
"Alright. Tam will get you into the sensor suit today and get you started on a few things. I'll be there in a couple of hours."
Inuyasha nodded, then rose to join Tamisé and Kagome.
"Thanks for breakfast, dearest," Tamisé said. "Don't worry about the lad here. I'll take good care of him."
Tamisé shepherded the two teens out the door and motioned them towards the slightly battered van that he liked to drive.
"Just need to say good-bye to Fawn and the children before we go."
Fawn and the children apparently had other ideas and were coming out the front door.
Breanna spied Inuyasha and held her arms out to him, gurgling. Inuyasha grinned and took the infant from her mother. The baby wrapped one pudgy fist in his hair and patted his cheek with the other. He made silly noises at her to get her to give him that charming toothless grin.
From the corner of his eye, Inuyasha watched as Tamisé took his wife in his arms and kissed her as if he would be gone for days instead of hours. Good grief! Had Tamisé squeezed Fawn's backside? He was as bad as Miroku! Well, maybe not – he was married to the woman after all and had a right to touch her as he liked.
Inuyasha unwound Breanna's fingers from his hair and handed the protesting baby back to Fawn. He pretended to eat Breanna's tiny hand, much to her delight, before he wiggled his fingers at her in farewell.
"I didn't know you were good with babies," Kagome said as they got in the van.
Inuyasha shrugged. "I didn't know either. Most parents won't let me near their children. I guess they think I'd eat them or something."
"They're just being stupid," Kagome said. "You'd never do that."
"No. I never would."
