All's Fair in Love and War

Chapter Twenty Seven

Anything In the World

Inu Yasha felt her words from the bottom of his heart. He felt like he understood everything she said completely. After all he had been through, being able to eat dinner was a huge luxury. He bet no one else thought that. But he did. Having friends, eating food once in a while, being with his Kagome, that was all he needed. That was all he got. And he was happy.

Kagome giggled and cupped her hands over her mouth as the bubbly girlish laugh escaped her lips, still slightly pink from faded lip stick. As she propped her head up in her cupped hands she let out a sigh and looked upwards toward the sky. Sometimes I think we're just put here to be completely and utterly confused. he started, and then cleared his throat as he stuttered. He looked towards her and their eyes locked. I'm not human. she said, her eyes widening in curiousity as she eyed him.

You said it would defeat the purpose of being human if we could not feel those things. I am not human. he said his voice flickering like a dying light.

Are you really Inu Yasha? she asked rhetorically. Your ears aren't human, your claws and fangs aren't human, and your eyes aren't normal either, but you are a half breed. And I know that means that half of you is human. No difference though. she said, dismissing the matter.

Well, if you were a full human or full demon, you would still have to go through the same thing all us normal humans go through. she said and exaggerated the word normal to prove that she was kidding. It almost stung him a llittle though, coming from her. Though, according to her, she was no normal human. He'd have to ask her about that later.

But. I'm ... I don't know what I am. I'm different Kagome. I'm not human and I'm not demon either, I'm ... He couldn't find words to phrase his sentence. He stuttered and murmured until he eventually came to a stop.

It's not so bad being different you know? she said. Because then you get to meet a lot of other different people. That's not to say that everyone is the same though. I mean, I suppose the easiest way to explain this would be ... Okay look, lets pretend that all humans are the color blue, and all demons are the color red, right? Well, if you mix them together, you get purple. And even though it's a mixture of both colors, purple isn't red, and it isn't blue. It's its own color. Youre your own person Inu Yasha, and there's not a single person out there like you. You're lucky. She finished firmly and left no oppurtunity for argument on Inu Yasha's part. Lucky like me. Smiled and reached her hand out towards him, stroking his bangs backwards so that the tips touched his flat ears. When she pulled away, the hair fell messily upon his forehead.

She then pulled a strand of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear as she pulled the comforter closer to her and inched nearer to Inu Yasha. She was close enough, but far enough; close enough to him to hear his soft heartbeat, but far enough from him where no part of her was touching him. And he shivered in a rush of merriment as she inched nearer. He lifted his own hand to his chest so that he could feel her warm breath on his fingers. She closed her eyes and exhaled heavily out of her mouth.

The moment of comfortable silence lingered between the two. Neither knew how long. Time loses its importance when people are happy as Inu Yasha was in that moment. Inu Yasha put his head down on the large shared pillow and closed his eyes. They did not stay closed though. He opened them every once in a while to look at Kagome's tired face.

What would you choose? he finally asked, once the question came to his slow and tired mind.

she said sleepily and curled inwards more. Her knee bumped his leg and he shook.

If you had to be handicapped? What would you choose? he repeated for his exhausted friend.

Me? I'd be mentally retarded. she said. He cracked a small laugh.

Mentally retarded! he snickered, half way amused at her comment. Why in the hells would you want to be that?Well, I know how bad it sounds, but if I was like that it wouldn't be so bad. I mean sure, people would make fun of you and you would never really be able to live a normal life, but just think of how good it would be! she said, sounding almost excited.

Kagome. No offense or anything, but I don't think that that sounds so fun. I mean, you'd never be able to really live. he said.

Plenty of people who aren't mentally challenged don't really live either. she said.

She had a point. Perfect example? His father. No offense to him, but binge drinking and watching bad daytime television is no way of living.

Even if someone were made fun of, and different and completely incapable of anything, then they wouldn't have to go through that pain because they wouldn't understand. They wouldn't be expected to do anything. They could just sit there and be content and they wouldn't really care. she said. Just think of being five years old our whole life: free of responsibilities and stress and ... homework. It sounds quite fun to me.

Personally, Inu Yasha really wouldn't want to be five for the rest of his life. He thought that perhaps he would like to be fifteen for the rest of his life. Away from his father during the day, let free to chat with Kagome, Miroku, and Sango and go to her house every once in a while for her mother's delicious cooking.

Five was not a good year for him. His mother died. His mother, the only person he trusted and loved in the entire world. The only one that showed him the same love and trust. His abuse started. His whole life, it had only been neglect. He had no distant memories of hugs from his father. Not one. He never seemed to remember a time when his father seemed proud. Nothing was ever good enough for him. He remembered him smiling at the child once, but by now, he had forgotten what that was for. The abuse started off slowly.

Of course it started slowly. At first its just a spank, a push, a small painless cuff on the hand. When he was little, there were no razors, no hunger, no red blood on the floor, spilling from his body. There were no icy hateful stares, no broken glass laying on the floor from a drunken rage. Not that he remembered.

He moved from the only house he had known and he was not able to have a decent conversation with his father, nor was he able to murmur anything other than 'hi' after the strange disappearence of his mother.

You realize that that completely contradicts everything else you just said. he told her.

Hm, you're right. she said, not really minding. But if someone were mentally retarded they could still feel, they just wouldn't be sad as often as some one who was completely aware. she told him. There is a difference. You know what people say, 'Ignorance is bliss.' Right?Um, sure, but ... Augh, I'll just ask a question. He thought for a moment before asking If you could have one thing in the world right now, what would it be?Well ... I'd ... she thought for a second, before answering. I'd want to know your answer to that same question. She paused before adding, I'd also want to see you smile.

He blushed then applied his normal awkward smile, but not because he chose to. She looked at him and laughed. Come on Inu Yasha! You look more scared than happy! she chided.

Well, I - I am happy! What do I look like? Is there something wrong with my smile? he asked and scowled at her, his pink cheeks hidden by the dark night for the most part.

No. you just don't look happy. she said and grinned for no real reason You look embarrassed, that's what you look like.' He sighed and rolled his eyes.

Can't you just answer the question? he asked and made a pouting face which Kagome inwardly flushed over.

I already did, now it's your turn. she said and poked a playful finger at his chest..

That answer doesn't count. he huffed. You have to tell me another one.Fine, just ... give me some time or something. she said. Now tell me yours!If I could have anything in the world right now? Well, I would just want what I have. I mean, I have you and Shippou, and that tree at school. And then there's Sango and Miroku and my sketchbook. He paused. My sketchbook which is getting quite full. I'd ask for a new sketchbook. he said.

You know what else I'd ask for? she asked rhetorically. she said before he could reply. With that she closed her eyes and pulled herself into a slightly curled ball. He watched and listened as her breathing became slower and he even heard the heart inside of her chest slow it's pace. Rolling over, he looked up at the sky and sighed, just happy he could be here, right now.

Come to think of it, should he have the chance to get anything in the world right now, he'd wish for a clock to stop time, so he could stay here forever. Then he would never have to feel another of his father's beatings, he wouldn't have to stay up until the wee hours of the morning nursing wounds or doing homework. He would just lay here forever, with Kagome and his book by his side, and Shippou only a minute away, safe and sound in Kagome's bed, dreaming. He mused on the subject in a daze. He imagined what life would be like had not had a father like his. Hm, maybe he would have more friends? Maybe he'd be less afraid and like himself more? Would he still look the same? Hm ...

he said softly. No response. She only continued her small breaths. She breathed very quietly, he realized. She was sleeping, he supposed. She really was tired.

He curled his legs in and his knees hit hers. Slowly, as if moving too fast would wake her, he inched forward, her forehead pressed against his, and tenatively put an inconfident hand on her neck. He was so close. So near. Kagome felt so soft and warm on his hand, like that single touch upon her neck sent warm fire through his veins. He felt alive and real, yet unreal at the same time. She didn't feel like the person he regarded her as. Some how in sleep, she was just this small creature, just a small Kagome. It had been a long time since he had been so near to another human and he couldn't deny that he enjoyed this guilty pleasure. He just couldn't shake the feeling, no matter how chaste the actions, hat he was taking advantage of her, though.

He held his breath and didn't move after that becuse he was afraid the slightest movement would wake the dreaming girl. He did not stare at her face, oh heavens, of course not at her face, but instead his attention focused towards the shingles on the roof under her chin. His hand tingled and his heart was pounding in his chest, gushing his blood faster and faster.

He lay this near to her for only a moment though. Just for a small moment. And then he let her go. He pulled away and she smiled in her sleep and pulled the blanket in towards her, sighing.

Good night Kagome. Sleep tight. He pulled the blanket back over her body and turned away from her. She curled herself into a tighter circle and let out another high pitched breath.

Nighty night Inu Yasha. she mumbled.

Inu Yasha turned pink.

Author's Notes (Read them, they're important.)

Why This Chapter is Late: Well Katrina, the bitch of a hurricane, came and knnocked down my internet connection. Gr. So I had no computer for a long time. I'm so sorry but this is the first chance I have had to update this story. (Or any oher story for that matter.)

This story is getting WAY too squishy. Don't get confused. Everybody needs a hug sometimes right? And Inu Yasha really hasn't had a good hug in a long time.

Not much has happened in the life of an Inu Kun except some asshole actually had the nerve to review me and tell me not to read my OWN story. Like, what the fuck? They said it was the worst story they had ever read, and didn't even bother to sign in. Oh well, they did read every chapter. :shrug:

And Moovache brought up a point I thought I should clear up. The sorceress they referred to (Um, I think it was Kieuseru they were talkin about. But he's a guy. And I never said he was a sorceror.) did NOT recognize Inu Yasha. No, he did not know who he was, and Kagome only knows who he is because she went to the carnival thing ten years ago, last time it was in Japan and liked the magic show. And what I meant when somewhere it said sh can't heal him or save him, I was really kind of saying that in the end, she can help him, but the tragedies Inu Yasha struggles through are his own to get over.

Next Chapter? Photographic Memory

(Mmm, let's dwell on the past for a while.)