I started Black And Purple Don't Mix right before this chapter... This is where my self-inflicted stress stems from.
Enjoy!
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Auburn Strands and Red Threads #7
Her first thought had been about the weather.
The sun was in the sky, but she did not see it anywhere despite it being pleasantly warm. The sky had been a marvelous deep blue and void of clouds. There was a breeze that occasionally blew, dancing through her hair and swirling it in lazy loops that would tickle her cheeks. Every now and then she would giggle at how light and worry-free she felt, which would cause amused coffee brown eyes to look down at her.
"There you go again," he would murmur softly, gently nudging her with his arm.
She, in return, would squeeze the toned, calloused hand holding hers and look up at him, leaning into his side. "Sorry, Kurosaki-kun."
He laughed, a pleasant rumble from his throat. "Can call me Ichigo when we're alone." He paused. "Call me Ichigo all the time."
She blushed. She wanted to respond to him, but she knew it was not something that was meant to be denied. The fact that things like this were 'matter-of-fact' to him made her love him even more.
They had been walking in the park for the past fifteen minutes, hand in hand, when something up ahead caught her eye. She did not know what she was looking at right away because there was nothing there. About five yards in front of them, she could feel a presence coming their way. She stared intently and pondered more as the distance between them and that presence grew smaller and smaller. The anticipation was building inside of her, causing her heart to beat rapidly. They were so close now, she could feel that presence in front of her. She held her breath, realizing it was moving beside her.
There was the hint of warm breath near her ear, clouded by a silver and crimson blur.
She gasped, stopping in her tracks, turning around. "What?"
The figure, now a good ten feet away, stopped. It was a person with silver hair wearing a red shihakushō.
"That's my name," a disembodied voice stated firmly. The figure turned to her, golden eyes piercing her very being. She took half a step closer to him.
"Inu-!"
Orihime's eyes flew open. She stared at the ceiling, her breathing shallow and frequent. Her body burned and swarms of adrenaline began to ebb away the longer she stayed awake. Her head throbbed without feeling pain, but a subtle heaviness weighed over her. Taking a deep breath, Orihime closed her eyes and allowed herself to calm down.
Just a dream.
She had a hard time wrapping her mind around the concept. She hadn't even known when she fell asleep last night, and, now, she forcibly woke herself up from a very peculiar dream. She turned on her side, lifting the blankets so that it came up to her nose.
What had she been dreaming about exactly? It was so clear a few seconds ago, but now she hadn't the slightest idea. By the pounding of her heart, it was either very good or very bad. She sighed, looking at her desk. She could think about this all morning, but if she stayed in bed any longer, she'd be late for school and the will to get up was draining quickly.
"I'm up," she yawned to herself, making no further movement. She curled into herself, but something felt off about her bed. It was sinking more to the left than usual, and if she allowed her imagination to have its way, she was sure she felt a presence behind her.
Her body stiffened, heart picking up once again. It was all in her mind, most things she thought or felt typically were, but she's never experienced her body making her physically feel things that weren't there. Slowly, she looked over her shoulder and nearly jumped out of bed until she recognized the strawberry blond hair. Her eyes widened slightly as she sat up and looked at the shinigami still dressed in her Soul Reaper attire.
"Rangiku?" she squeaked.
The woman next to her was tucked comfortably beneath the blankets with her hair spilled all over the pillows. The fact that Orihime hadn't noticed this sooner amazed her, but she supposed Rangiku wasn't a Soul Reaper for nothing.
Orihime sat in her position, staring at the wall above the sleeping woman every now and again, for the better part of five minutes before carefully getting out of bed. She was conflicted between two options but ultimately decided that if Rangiku had managed to go to sleep before waking her up, then it was best to let her rest until later.
"Pardon me." Orihime bowed to the sleeping woman before creeping to the bathroom.
The daily morning routine went smoother than she had thought. Rangiku had not woken up—or at least gotten out of bed—despite the few noisy times Orihime slipped in being sneaky. By the time she was dressed for school, she began to worry. She checked to see if Rangiku was breathing; everything seemed to be in order. Orihime left out a box of cereal on the counter before she crept to the front door.
"Good morning."
Orihime jumped, turning back towards the hallway. The older woman was standing in the hall, rubbing her eyes. "M-morning, Rangiku."
Rangiku stared at Orihime blankly, examining her. "Wait a minute!" she exclaimed, bringing her hands to her hips. "Were you about to leave me here without so much as a 'hello'?" She made squeaking sounds as she tried to find her words. "I thought we were friends!"
Orihime bit her lip, mind swarming with varying levels of guilt. "W-well, we are. You were sleeping so soundly that I-"
"I was sleeping soundly?" She pointed at herself, raising an arched eyebrow. "You're one to talk! I arrived here last night and tried to wake you up, but you wouldn't budge! I eventually gave up." She stretched, groaning. "I didn't expect to sleep for as long as I did, but it looks like that can't be helped."
"I'm sorry... I've never slept like that before. Well...I don't think I have."
"No use worrying over that now." Rangiku frowned. "There's something more important that we need to discuss."
"I-is that so?"
Rangiku walked over to Orihime, staring her down. Orihime fidgeted; she's never seen her look so serious. Rangiku huffed, jutting one hip out slightly as a hand rested on it. "Don't act so coy, Orihime, you know what I mean."
"I...I do?"
Rangiku nodded, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, they were bright with tears. Orihime's eyes widened, confusion and concern stumbling over each other. Rangiku leaned forward, her hands balled to her chest.
"You can explain to me how it's possible that you haven't visited even once!"
"E-eh? Visited you?"
"Don't 'eh' me! It's been months, and I haven't seen even a glimpse of you in the Soul Society! Do you know how long I've waited?!"
Orihime's eyes began to water, no good reason attached other than Rangiku's theatrics, and her hands started flailing around on their own. "I-I'm so sorry! I really don't have a way to get there on my own, and even if I did I wouldn't know where to look. Oh, but these are just excuses, aren't they? I'm sorry! I'll visit more—I promise!"
"Don't make promises like that now!" She pulled Orihime into a hug. "You adorable little redhead, you're going to make my job all that much harder!"
She struggled for air against the woman's chest. "Job?"
"Hey," she pulled Orihime at arm's length, "why are you dressed?"
"I have...school."
"School?" One finely defined eyebrow lowered. "What is that?"
"A place...where we learn and-"
"What?! That's still a thing in this world? I thought that was a place you humans went to as summer hobbies."
Orihime giggled. "You could look at it in that way, too." She glanced at the time. "Um, sorry, but I really have to be going. Will you... Um, do want to come back after school?"
"What? You mean you're seriously going to leave me here?"
"But I...don't have much of a choice."
Rangiku shook her head disapprovingly. "How about another idea?"
"Like...?"
o0o0o
Orihime held her bag in front of her, a nervous habit. She looked to the side every few seconds, not sure what to make of the situation. "Are you sure this is okay?"
"Of course it is. We had no other choice."
Rangiku had switched into a gigai, equipped with a school uniform, and was now accompanying Orihime to school. Orihime was glad to have her, and this wasn't a huge problem, but she did worry over whether or not Rangiku would actually be able to attend her school. There had to be...paper work of some sort that needed to be done first.
"Say, Rangiku? Why did you come all the way to see me anyway? I'm glad you're here, but I had no time to get my apartment ready or anything."
Rangiku tousled her hair, mulling over her words. "About that, Orihime. I'm actually-"
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
The two had just arrived on the school grounds when they heard that familiar yell. They looked up into the building to find Ichigo and Rukia gaping at them from a window.
Both women waved, smiling radiantly."Morning!"
o0o0o
As soon as Orihime and Rangiku entered the building, they were whisked away to the roof where a surprisingly steamed Ichigo and a dumbfounded Rukia cornered them.
"Explain this!" Ichigo demanded.
"Nice to see you too, Ichigo." Rangiku pouted, crossing her arms.
"Don't give me that! And what the hell is up with that uniform?!"
"Don't you like it?" She flattened out her shirt, which wasn't much of an effort seeing how her cleavage left only the bottom buttons buttoned. "I hear the men in this world are into this sort of thing."
"This is a school!"
"Ichigo, calm down," Rukia scolded. She turned to Rangiku. "What are you doing here, Lieutenant Matsumoto?"
"So formal." She waved her hand. "We're going to be classmates for a little while, Rukia, so lighten uuup. Besides, I'm here on official business."
"Official business?" Ichigo questioned. "What's going on?"
"Sorry, but this is strictly between me and Orihime."
Orihime looked at her, alarmed. "Me?"
He hadn't gotten much sleep last night, but he was learning to get used to that. He actually hadn't been sleeping well for a week, and it had to be a coincidence that it was a week since he saw that...girl.
Right.
But he thought the idea of getting used to his habits changing would imply that a part of him was actually starting to like the way things were turning out which, he decided, was not true. He wished he could sleep instead of staying up and thinking about the same thing—the same person.
If he had to be perfectly honest with himself, if it would slow down his process of going crazy, he had to admit he couldn't get that girl out of his mind. He knew he had a problem before, but that was because she had something he wanted. Now, she had something he wanted because he let her have it.
When he saw her a week ago, he had actually been scared for the briefest of moments, and it was for very stupid reasons. He was afraid she'd think he was a creep for showing up at her house at night. He was also concerned over why she seemed to just be getting home at that time of night. Maybe in her time, being out when the sun had just gone down wasn't such a big deal, especially not when they had metal trees that shine lights, but he wasn't from that time, and his mind raced at all the possible dangers she could have encountered.
None of this made sense to him, of course.
He shouldn't care.
Now, it was a new day, and he was spending it poorly. He had been sitting in a tree close to Kaede's hut and every now and then he heard the others call out to him in hopes that he would come. They didn't sound overly worried, so he never answered or came down. He was feeling a bit dejected, and he didn't know how to act around them. His chest felt heavy, and if he were to move, he'd most likely head in the opposite direction.
To her.
He groaned at even acknowledging the thought. "I'm not going back."
He stared at the sky for several inattentive minutes before shaking his head fiercely and jumping down from the branch. He didn't know what to do with himself, and it was aggravating him unlike anything he's ever experienced.
o0o0o
"You know," Sango said, polishing her weapon as the usual group sat around Kaede's hut, "things have been kind of slow for us lately."
"I have noticed this as well," Kaede agreed, arranging herbs for future remedies. "I have enjoyed the company of all of you, but hardly have I seen any of ye off to find the jewel shards."
"That's not completely our fault," Shippo exclaimed from Kagome's lap. "Inuyasha has been acting strange, and we can't go off by ourselves. Without him, we're as good as dead."
"Thanks for your trust and support, Shippo." Sango exaggerated her tone of sarcasm.
"He does have a point," Miroku concurred. "Inuyasha has been very distant lately. I wonder why that is."
Everyone turned to Kagome. It took her a while to realize what was going on, and when she did, her face immediately flushed.
"Why are you all looking at me?!"
"Well, whenever he's in a bad mood, it's always a safe bet to put you at the top of the list," Miroku said.
"Well, it can't be me this time." She looked at her hands that were petting Shippo, a bit embarrassed and grief stricken. "Other than the occasional search, I actually haven't seen much of him either."
"Ah." Miroku crossed his arms, shutting his eyes with some unknown knowledge. "So, it's like that."
"Like what?"
"Is it not obvious? Inuyasha is a growing young man, so he must have some internal conflicts about these new emotions in his life."
"What are you trying to say?" Sango scoffed. "That he's distancing himself from us because he has big boy feelings he can't deal with?"
"Close, my fair Sango. It is not us he's trying to distance himself from. It is Kagome."
Kagome pointed to herself. "Me?"
"Why her?" Sango pushed.
"Well, women are very complicated creatures, and Inuyasha has not the necessary skills to deal with them."
"Hold on," Sango said indignantly. "First off, what do you know about women, and what makes you so sure that Inuyasha's problem is something so ridiculous as that?"
He shrugged. "What else could it be? His feelings for Kagome must be building inside of him, and there's no way he'd turn to any of us for help. And this has been going on for, what, a week or so? Maybe longer?" He shook his head conclusively. "No, I'd say it's only a matter of time before he bottles up his desires so much that he'll take it out on any one of us."
The doorway was blocked of light. Inuyasha stood there, face grim, and scanned the faces looking up at him.
"Inuyasha," Kagome started.
"You." He growled as he stormed over to Miroku, grabbing him by the collar. "You're coming with me."
"Wh-what?!" The monk's face drained of color. "N-no, it's not me you want!"
"Shut up." Inuyasha began dragging him from the hut.
"Inuyasha, wait! Think this through! Sango! Kagome!" He tried to grab hold of them as he passed. "Don't let him take me like this!"
The women and Shippo watched in awe as the two left. There was not much they could think under the circumstances, and with Miroku's wise words echoing in their minds so clearly, they had rather not think too hard in this situation.
"Who wants tea?" Kaede offered.
o0o0o
This, of course, was a spur of the moment decision. If he had not come at such a time, this would not be happening. He was about to walk into the hut when he happened to hear Miroku describe his current state almost perfectly. It was a relief at first, but then he became incredibly desperate. If he thought anyone could help him, he hated to admit it could very well be Miroku.
"Inuyasha," the shaken monk said, "we can talk about this, you know? I-I wouldn't want you doing something we'd both regret."
The half-demon huffed, releasing the man forcefully. "Why do you talk so damn much?"
"Listen, I don't know what this is about, but-"
"Shut up, will ya?! Just let me think for a change!"
Miroku fell silent. For a moment, he was inclined to think Inuyasha was too harsh just now, but his voice cracked ever so slightly, and his eyes were ablaze with turmoil. "Inuyasha," he said cautiously, "what is this about?"
Inuyasha appeared as though he was going to yell again but stopped, searching the ground. "I...I don't really know, alright? I just... I have this..." He huffed, turning to face the other way with one hand thrust into his hair. "How much do you really know about women?"
At this, Miroku could only stare lamely. If he was anybody else, he would be able to make a good guess on what this was about, but this was Inuyasha. A question like this made no sense coming from him. "What...do I know?" He regained his composure, trying to answer honestly. "Well, I would like to think that I have a very vast knowledge, but that depends on what you are really trying to ask me."
There was silence.
"What..." Inuyasha tried again. "If a girl says she wants to cook for you, what does that mean?"
"It... Well, it means she wants to cook for you, does it not?"
He huffed, turning towards him, tripping over his words. "Yes, but if she asks you, personally, to come to her house so she can cook for you, is that all there is to it? She's not...tryin' to poison you or somethin'?"
Miroku's eyes widened. Suddenly, he knew he was right all along. There was a problem with Inuyasha, and it really did concern Kagome. He would have never guessed Kagome would want to cook for him privately, but he supposed girls in her time did things a bit differently.
This was serious.
"Listen closely, Inuyasha." Miroku gestured for him to come forward, index finger pointing in the air for emphasize. "Now that I understand the situation, I can help you without fail. In a case like this, said girl obviously wants you to eat what she made, and this is the most important aspect of it all: She will prepare the food herself; she will put all her heart and soul into it, meaning that, in a sense, when you eat this meal, you are consuming her affections as well."
The half-demon frowned, head in a whirl. He thought something was different about the offer, but not something like this. He wasn't ready for this. "What... What if I refuse to go?"
The monk righted himself, slashing the air with his hand. "Shameful! You have already agreed to go!"
"Wrong!" Inuyasha chopped the air with his hand, landing on his other palm. "She never gave me a chance to reply! She invited me then ran inside before I could say anything!"
"WHAT?! Then you have to go! Obviously, there's no reason for you to actually say yes. The two of you are at a level where things like this are naturally understood."
"Y...you think?" He thought that over. Were they really at such a point? She did save him on more than one occasion, but she was starting to be a problem. She was a problem, but...now he was the reason she was a problem.
"I know," the monk confirmed his thoughts."Now that you understand, you must go." He paused. "When is this supposed to happen?"
"Last week."
"Right, last week." He paused again, jamming his staff into the ground, eyes widened comically. "Last week?! You forgot?! How long have you known about this?"
"Since...last week."
"And you're just now getting advice?! Inuyasha, you have to make this up to her!"
"What for? I already missed it, didn't I? It's not like I planned to go in the first place."
Miroku said nothing long enough for his high from all the excitement to pass. "So, what did you come to me for?"
Inuyasha thought he had an answer; he felt like he had a good answer for that not so long ago, but now that he had a chance to say it out loud, he had no idea. Everything he was doing lately...made absolutely no sense after the fact. "This is all just...coming out of nowhere."
"You are telling me you honestly didn't see this coming?" Miroku asked.
Inuyasha looked at him incredulously. "What? Being invited to dinner? Of course not! I... I mean, it's not that I didn't want to go..."
"Then go. Even if you missed it, go anyway. The least you can do is apologize, and she may even cook for you again if you're nice enough. The two of you will be alone, and you'll have a home cooked meal with all the delicious foods from Kagome's time."
Inuyasha's head snapped in his direction. "How did you know it was in Kagome's time?"
Miroku studied Inuyasha's face. The half-demon was blushing a deep shade of red, glaring at him but looking like a bashful child. Had he really thought there was another way to interpret all of this?
Miroku smiled, patting his comrade on the back. "Inuyasha, it is quite obvious."
The day had been different, to put it honestly.
Rangiku had definitely made an impression by introducing herself as Orihime's cousin who would be staying with her for a while. Everyone believed her, and Orihime had no idea why. They didn't look alike. She supposed they had a few things in common, like, maybe, food preference and weird habits, but that was about it.
"So," Orihime said as they made their way home after stopping at the market, "you never did tell me how your official Soul Reaper business relates to me."
"It's nothing major. I just have to watch over you for a while, that's all."
Orihime swung her bag lightly, picking her words as best she could. "Is this...because of what I did?"
Rangiku could have answered in that upbeat, no worries tone she had, but Orihime had sounded frightened. She sighed, running her hand through her hair, "Honestly, I don't know what all the fuss is about. You must have had your reasons, and it's not like Soul Society Law has been explained to you. Personally, I don't think it should apply to you."
"Am I...going to be executed?"
Rangiku looked at the auburn girl, shocked. Orihime was looking at the ground, eyes void of emotion. Had she truly believed that? Orihime, the girl who could turn any situation into something positive? What was she not getting? Why was this girl being so hard on herself? Rangiku frowned, shaking her head.
"My, you think the worst!" She grabbed the girl's hands, nearly causing Orihime to drop the bags. "I won't let anything bad happen to you, so you shouldn't say crazy things."
Orihime smiled, feeling foolish. "R-right."
o0o0o
For dinner, Orihime made a roast with corn, carrots, and green beans as sides. With the help of Rangiku, they were able to make Dirt Cake. That had a very impulsive choice because Rangiku had wanted to try "the most chocolate tasting thing that could be made within the next few minutes."
"Are you sure you don't want to come along?" Orihime asked as they finished packing up the food. "I don't want you getting in trouble at my expense."
"Don't be silly. You've planned these dinners way before I came along, so I'm not going to intrude. Besides, there's so much to do in this world! I'll walk you there and hopefully be back before midnight."
"Then...are you sure I should take all the food? Kisuke has a pretty big appetite."
"It's fine, it's fine." Rangiku grabbed the cake. "Let's go, let's go. Your man awaits!"
"My...what?"
o0o0o
When they arrived at Kisuke's house, it had been eerily quiet. They had rung the doorbell twice, and in the back of Orihime's mind, she wondered when the other residents of the house would return.
"Maybe...he's not in?" Orihime said.
"Well, that's rude." Rangiku pouted. "You come here almost every night, so the least he can do is wait by the door until you get here."
"Maybe he-"
Rangiku began banging on the door. "Open up! You're not going to make this girl come all the way out here for nothing!"
"Ra-Rangiku! There's no need for that!"
"No need?!" She continued to bang. "Orihime, you cooked for this man! The least he can do is eat!"
"B-but-!"
The door opened swiftly, and much to their surprise, Kisuke stood on the other side, his face mirroring theirs. His eyes were fixed on Orihime and hers on his.
"You came," he awed, voice barely audible.
"I did," she squeaked, not used to the full on attention he was giving her.
"Was there ever any doubt?!" Rangiku shoved the bowl in his arms. "I take my job seriously, thank you very much."
He looked at her, still stuck in disbelief. He glanced at Orihime once more, and turned back to the Soul Reaper, smiling. "Yes. Thank you."
"Take care of her!" She turned on her heels. "If anything happens to her while I'm gone, I'm hanging it over your head!"
They watched her go, simply because she was shouting threats the whole way. Orihime found it amusing.
"Um," she turned to Kisuke, "I didn't... I mean... You still wanted me to come...didn't you?"
His eyes snapped to her. "Yes, yes, of course. It's been a while since I last saw you, and I thought... Considering the circumstances, I didn't think you'd show." He smiled, turning quickly in hopes she didn't see. "Come in, come in!"
She followed, not fully understanding how he was feeling.
"You know," he said once they were in the living room, "I must admit that I wasn't able to finish last week's supper. I feel bad taking more food from you."
She placed the food on the table. "Was it...not good?"
"No, no, that's not it at all. Like I said, I didn't think you'd come, so I was trying to make it last. There's not much left, actually." He paused to stare at her. "It's very good stew, Orihime."
She smiled. "Thank you."
Silence fell between them. There were things they both felt they had to talk about.
Kisuke was the first to cave. "How are you holding up? It's been a week since I last saw you."
Orihime bowed her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how to face you after that night, and I thought for sure I was going to be taken away." She looked up at him. "I guess...I was waiting for that, and I didn't want you to see anymore of...all of this."
He tried to smile. "But you came back tonight."
"I... Well, I..." She bit her lip, trying to think. "It's hard to explain, but I felt...sad not seeing you." She laughed awkwardly. "I know it's a little hard to believe, but I think I've gotten attached to you for some reason." Her brows furrowed, cheeks flushed. "I-I hope that doesn't sound as creepy as it does. I don't mean anything weird by it."
Kisuke smiled genuinely and the joy reached his eyes. "No, I understand. Believe it or not, I'm attached to you, too." He laughed, brushing hair away from his eyes. "But you've been okay?"
"I'm fine." She pushed hair behind her ear. "Rangiku is here to watch me, and I don't feel like I'm in danger. I'm just...anxious."
"Nothing's going to happen to you." He was quick to say this. "I won't let it."
She grinned at her lap. "Rangiku said the same thing. I'm not...afraid of whatever happens to me. If I'm to be executed-"
"That's not going to happen," he said firmly. "And you shouldn't accept that so easily. You didn't do anything wrong."
"I did kill him, Kisuke."
"That's not what they're punishing you for. What they're punishing you for shouldn't even be taken to such extremes."
"So...execution is a possibility?"
He hesitated. "Look," he said softly, "trust me when I say I'll protect you no matter what, alright?"
She accepted his words, but she just didn't know why. He seemed willing to risk a lot for her. Even a week ago, he had gotten so defensive over her, and that added to the numbing of her emotions. Sure, they had gotten closer with these dinners, but was that all it took to get devotion like this? She wanted to ask him, but she didn't know how. If she was thinking too much about it, she had no way to justify her way of thinking.
"How is that boy?" Kisuke asked.
She looked up. "Inuyasha?"
"Inu-what-cha?"
She blushed, pushing at her bangs, nearly laughing when she said, "That's his name."
"Oh." He smiled. "He told you his name, did he? When's the next time you'll see him?"
"I-I'm not sure. I...I think I invited him to dinner, but-"
"You invited him to dinner?" he grinned. "Tonight? I thought you were afraid of him."
"W-well...yes, I mean, I asked last week... Dinner, I mean..."
"What he say? What he say?"
She fiddled her fingers, looking up at Kisuke through her eyelashes. "I ran away before he could answer."
He laughed, a full-hearted deep belly laugh. She laughed, too—at first surprised but then it was hard not to.
They spent the next hour talking. At first, it was about her dinner date and then it strayed into many different topics, but neither of them noticed. It was good to get back to this care free aspect of life—surprisingly easy, as well. Both had expected the other to feel awkward, maybe even to start avoiding, but that didn't happen. They were both grateful for that.
Kisuke looked at the time. It was going on eight o'clock, and he figured she had to go now before it got too dark. He didn't want her to go, but there was someone close to her that would love to hear she's planned a date for herself—not to mention the Soul Society was probably monitoring how much time she was spending at his place.
"Are you sure you don't want more food than what you took?" Orihime asked as they walked to the door.
He rubbed the top of her head. "Don't be so sweet. Besides, you'll might need the leftovers."
She reddened, pouting. "I told you already. He's not going to show up after a week."
He laughed, opening the door for her. "Maybe not, but he'll feel welcome if he does stop by. He's probably not used to pretty girls like you asking him out so he's working up the courage."
"I didn't ask him out," she mumbled.
"Orihime," he called as she turned away.
She turned back. "Ye-?" She thought she lost her footing because she was definitely falling, but then she landed on something firm—firm yet soothing in a way that didn't click with her right away. She realized it was a chest, Kisuke's chest. He was hugging her.
"I'm so glad you're alright," he whispered.
She froze, more in her mind than in her body. There was definitely something between them that she did not understand, but in time she supposed she would. For now, whatever it was, it filled her with much the same emotion that her brother used to give her. Warmth, security, love. She only wished her hands weren't full so she could hug him back.
o0o0o
She made it home shortly after the streetlights came on. It was an amazing feat considering her mind had been so preoccupied that she couldn't even remember walking there.
She set the food down, searching for her keys. As she was about to let herself in, there was a thump behind her—right behind her. She turned before her fears could tell her to do anything else and locked eyes with the crouching figure on her apartment railing.
She exhaled, trying her best to keep her voice steady, "Inuyasha."
Things weren't going his way, so the fact that he felt like life had thrown him another curve only made him feel stupid because this was normal now. If things started making sense and fell into place then that would be the time to panic. Still, when he left his time, he was under the impression that he would have time to stand outside her door and think this through a bit more. She would either be inside or not home yet.
She was not supposed to be outside.
No.
She wasn't allowed to be outside.
It's like she knew when to mess up his plans. And that was the other thing—why couldn't he detect her scent?!
So, he had no choice but to say something.
He responded, looking at the ground then back to her, with a simple, "Hey." Thought better of his words and added, "What's for dinner?"