DISCLOSURE STATEMENT: This author has no financial or non-financial relation nor do they possess any right to "Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale" franchise. Full ownership of all characters is the sole intellectual property of Rumiko Takahashi.

I May Have Miscalculated

Unsteadily getting to her feet Kagome winced at the high pitched ring in her ears that blocked out everything else. In fact, aside from the ringing she couldn't hear anything despite seeing a terrified looking Inuyasha clearly screaming at her as he rushed to her side. The miko's anxiety only grew when Inuyasha began checking her for injury - mouth moving without sound. The explosion hadn't even been that serious although it had been a little too close for comfort. Whatever demon had been attacking them clearly believed he'd get the upper hand by focusing his energy towards her in order to distract the half-demon. Instead of doing what he'd hoped, when Inuyasha realized the fireball would miss the hanyou quickly finished the demon who regretted all life decisions up until that point as his life swiftly ended. The now very dead demon, however, seemed to have gotten the last laugh.

"Kagome why aren't you talking?" Inuyasha breathed anxiously as he cupped her face and began desperately searching her face, "You...you know who I am right? You...you didn't..."

When she merely stared at him with an expression of slowly dawning horror, Inuyasha had to consciously fight the urge to cry and/or vomit. Of all the worst case scenarios, Kagome disappearing from his life entirely was definitely number one on the list. If she didn't remember him then that...that was almost worse than her dying in a way. Not that her dying was preferable. In no way was her death something he would survive but...but...

Oh god.

"Kagome say something please," Inuyasha pleaded hoarsely as his heart absolutely shattered, "I...I..."

"I don't know what you're saying but I'm okay," Kagome suddenly yelled way, way too loud, "I can't hear you."

Wilting in relief, Inuyasha pulled her into a bone crushing hug and barely managed to stave off the urge to cry. This was okay. He could handle this. So what if she couldn't hear? There were worse things. In fact, that could be a good thing. Now that she couldn't hear him he'd definitely been sat less and she couldn't run away screaming in terror if he admitted things he'd been keeping inside for far too long. Things he'd needed to say but previously avoided saying because in all honesty he was a coward. Saying said things aloud would take some of the weight off his shoulders and give him the opportunity to say the things without any risk. In fact, he could even pretend she did hear him and spend a few days believing that she knew the things without any adverse consequences. Seeing as how that was pretty much the closest he'd ever get to what he'd really wanted, Kagome's loss could actually be his gain in a roundabout way. Maybe he could even use her hearing loss to his advantage. An excuse to hold her a little closer than usual and live out some repressed fantasies. He could work with this. This was, in fact, a gift.

Not that he wanted her to get hurt in any way, shape or form and notwithstanding the tremendous guilt he felt for her loss but he'd be the first to admit what a selfish bastard he, in fact, was.

Exhaling slowly, Inuyasha buried his nose in her hair and hummed.

"I'm sorry you got hurt," he whispered affectionately, "But know..."

Inuyasha let out a steadying breath as he dove off the cliff he'd been perched atop for the greater part of the last year.

"But know I love you no matter what so we'll deal with this together," he finished shakily as he held the woman who made his life worth living a little closer, "Let me take care of you."

"What about I can't hear did you not understand?" Kagome huffed loudly as she returned his embrace and Inuyasha let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. It was endlessly satisfying to say those three little words aloud. A giant weight had been lifted off his heart and for the first time in his life, Inuyasha felt content.

"Just let me hold you woman," he laughed softly before he added mischievously in a song-song tone, "I love you Ka-go-me."

When she merely let out an exasperated groan, Inuyasha squeezed her lightly before pulling back and leaning down so close he could kiss her if he wanted to. Maybe if he did it by accident. Pretended to inspect her ears and 'unintentionally' brushed her cheek? That could work. Or maybe he could have her inadvertently press her lips against his neck. That thought had him letting out a soft moan that Kagome conveniently couldn't hear. Oh the possibilities here were endless and Inuyasha was all for it. She couldn't hate him if she didn't know. He could say all the things without any consequences.

Cupping her face, he gently turned her face to the side and began 'inspecting' her injuries but ultimately chickened out on his little scheme. It was far too early to try something like that. Still...

Swallowing thickly, Inuyasha pushed his luck and leaned as close to her ear as possible.

"I love you," he uttered barely louder than a whisper, "More than anything."

When she didn't react other than a mild flinch and a subtle lean away, Inuyasha smiled softly but quickly masked his expression as he pulled back to gauge her reaction. Kagome still looked annoyed and confused thus, he reasoned, she hadn't heard him.

Kagome, for her part, was annoyed and she was confused. Not because her hearing was severely damaged but because Inuyasha had miscalculated. His proximity had been his downfall. That confession she had heard. It was infuriating that he waited to admit his feelings when he believed she couldn't hear it and it confused her endlessly that all this time he loved her. How long had he been keeping that bombshell a secret? Still, two could play at this game and a part of her wondered what else he might confess if he thought she would never know.

"We should head back," she yelled loudly and Inuyasha nodded looking a little too pleased for her liking.

"You're right. We should," he mouthed and Kagome gave him a withering glare. Kneeling down, Inuyasha sighed contentedly when she climbed on and turned his head to make another admission a little too close to her ear.

"I love feeling you pressed against me," he cooed happily before hooking his hands under her legs and taking off while Kagome played along with a loud 'what?'