Chapter Seventeen

Awakening

Kagome had dreamed of Inuyasha many times since the moment she first saw him that night at the disco.

He was the most interesting and striking person she had ever met in her life, and she found it very hard to stop thinking about him. She had never met anyone like him before.

At first, she couldn't understand why her heart started pounding in her chest. Her whole body trembled when she saw his dark eyes fixed on her, and her hands were sweating as she watched him come closer and closer.

Days later she found a reasonable enough explanation after a talk with Eri and Ayumi. It had been a crush, although what she felt at that moment was nothing like what her friends described as the first time they had noticed a guy.

What she experienced was very different... much more intense, almost as if it had been planned by fate.

Despite only being able to see him once a month her feelings for Inuyasha hadn't stopped growing, evolving at a speed that Kagome didn't think was normal.

Nothing about Inuyasha was normal. Her scientific mind had been trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for weeks, but it simply didn't exist.

Her heart skipped a beat every time she heard his husky voice on the other end of the phone, and during their first dinner together it had taken her great effort to look away from his lips.

Why did she feel that way? She had always wanted to have a relationship as special as the one her parents had, and it was as if Inuyasha was the answer to all her questions.

Although he seemed to be a cold and distant person, Kagome was slowly discovering what was hidden inside him. Inuyasha had a big heart and was the opposite of what she had imagined the day they met.

And, for some strange reason, he had noticed someone as normal as her.

Kagome still remembered the pleasant warming sensation that had coursed through her veins when she had kissed him at the foot of the shrine steps.

Though it had only been for a second, the reaction of her body when their lips met had taken her breath away.

And ever since that day she had been longing to repeat that kiss and find out if she felt the same way again.

Those terrifying red eyes had only appeared in her dreams a couple of times since the attack, turning them into horrible nightmares.

The rest of the nights Kagome had been able to sleep peacefully and rest, waking up energised and eager to talk to Inuyasha.

Every morning she felt his scent and presence around her as if he were actually in her room.

Kagome shook her head that day when she woke up. Inuyasha wasn't even in the same city, but she still had the feeling that he was very close.

The memories of the Forbidden Forest haunted her for hours, tormenting her with dark images until Inuyasha appeared outside her door.

All her fears vanished when she saw him again.

His very presence gave her warmth and security as if nothing bad could happen to her if he was close.

Kagome was surprised to see him hesitate when she invited him into her home.

Her first impression of Inuyasha was far from the truth. He wasn't the flirty guy she had thought he was.

And she was even more shocked when he confessed that she was the first girl he had ever kissed.

It seemed like a lie, but his grey eyes were sincere.

Kagome felt her breath hitch as Inuyasha lowered his head to seek her lips. The goodbye kiss after their first date had been so quick, but this one was slow and she could enjoy it.

All her skin prickled at the feel of his mouth against hers, and she couldn't help but brush his lower lip with her tongue.

Something inside her needed to hold him closer, to kiss him deeper.

The tip of her fingers burned while they caressed his neck as he continued to kiss her like she was a water fountain in the middle of the desert.

Kagome gasped as their tongues brushed for the first time, remembering everything Sango had told her about her kisses with Miroku and how they stole her breath away.

She felt her head spinning. She was completely lost and all she could think about was the pleasant sensation of his lips and his warm breath against her skin.

Just when she thought her heart was about to explode, Inuyasha broke the kiss and brought their foreheads together, looking down into her eyes.

It was at that very moment that Kagome knew. As she watched the sparkle in his eyes, the flush in his cheeks and his thick black eyebrows, she realised that what seemed almost impossible had happened.

She was completely in love with Inuyasha.

She felt like being swallowed up by the earth when he furrowed his brow and sniffed the air, noting the scent of hot oil.

Kagome blushed and ran into the kitchen to save their dinner, sharing it with him as they talked about her upcoming graduation and Shippo's antics when Inuyasha was present.

After putting the dishes in the sink, she glanced over her shoulder and felt her heart shrink at the sight of Inuyasha sitting on the sofa, contemplating his surroundings with a shy look on his face.

Kagome didn't want him to leave yet. It had been a month since she'd last been able to be with him, and a couple of hours wasn't enough time.

Just the thought of being alone again sent shivers down her spine.

So she made some tea and sat down next to Inuyasha, enjoying his company for a little longer. After setting the empty mug on the coffee table, she rested her head on his chest and let herself be enveloped by his warmth.

Kagome felt great when Inuyasha was close. Happy. Protected. Complete.

Her heart took over and spoke for her.

"Can you stay with me for a while? I don't want to be alone."

Kagome bit her lower lip nervously, thinking that it wasn't a good idea to ask that. She didn't want Inuyasha to think badly of her or get the wrong idea.

Although, now that she knew the two of them had shared their first kiss, he probably didn't expect anything else to happen between them.

His chin brushed against her hair as he turned his head to the right, gazing out the temple courtyard through the window. As soon as she heard his deep voice, she calmed down again.

"Okay. I'll stay until you fall asleep."

One of his arms wrapped around her and left his hand on her waist.

Kagome smiled, closing her eyes and resting her cheek against his chest.

His heartbeat was so soothing.

Something was tickling her nose.

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, grunting softly. She didn't want to wake up yet, she was too comfortable and warm to move.

She took a slow intake of breath, instantly recognising the smell that filled her nostrils.

It was a manly scent with a hint of nature that reminded her of autumn leaves after a day of rain.

Inuyasha.

She could hear him breathing deeply, and felt the movement of his chest beneath her head. He had fallen asleep too.

Knowing that Inuyasha had stayed with her made her heart beat faster. She was not alone, and she had slept better than ever.

Kagome smiled, lifting the hand she had on his chest until she caught a lock of his hair. Just as soft as she remembered.

Moving it down again, something strange scratched the tip of her little finger and Kagome wrinkled her nose.

She opened one of her eyes, blinking a few times to focus her vision.

Sunlight streamed through the window and she could hear birds chirping in the trees around the house.

One of Inuyasha's hands was next to hers, but his nails were so long and sharp that she had scratched herself as she brushed against them.

It looked more like a claw than a hand.

Kagome frowned, turning her head up slightly. He had his chin resting on the crown of her head, so all she could see was his blue shirt and the curve of his neck.

Her brow furrowed even more at the sight of his hair colour.

It was... white? Silver?

Kagome blinked again in confusion.

Was she still dreaming?

She lifted her head a little more, trying to see his face, and held her breath.

Her eyes widened like saucers and her heart raced, completely terrified.

She was leaning against the demon that had bitten her in the forest.

It looked like Inuyasha. In fact, it was almost the same except for the colour of his hair and nails.

Had he transformed into that yōkai during the night? Or had it been him all along?

Kagome gasped, sitting up with a jolt and collapsing on the other side of the sofa. All the blood drained from her face as she saw the two furry ears perched on top of his head.

She glanced back at his face and saw him open his eyes slowly, searching her with his gaze.

"What...?"

Kagome shrieked as his golden eyes fell upon her.

There was no longer any doubt. That thing was the demon that attacked her, and now it was inside her house.

Inuyasha jumped to his feet at the sound of her scream and she did the same, running to the kitchen with her heart in her throat.

She needed to find something she could defend herself with or she would die in a matter of seconds.

Without thinking, she opened the cutlery drawer and grabbed the largest knife inside.

Turning around, she saw that Inuyasha was staring down at his hands with a pained expression on his face. His eyes flew to the window and she heard him snort.

"Fuck," he snarled under his breath, clenching his fists and looking back at her.

Kagome raised the knife, putting it between them menacingly.

"Kagome..."

She clenched her fingers around the handle to stop her hand from trembling.

"Don't come near me, you monster!"

The demon tensed, raising both hands very slowly.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

His tone of voice was the same one Inuyasha had. Kagome watched him for a moment, realising how much the two of them were alike.

Her bottom lip began to tremble. Inuyasha and the yōkai who bit her were the same person.

How had she not noticed that day in the forest?

Something hot was falling down her cheeks. Kagome wiped her face with her free hand, unable to remember when she had started crying.

"It was you all along. You attacked me... How could you do that to me, Inuyasha?" she asked in low voice, sniffling to hold back the tears.

Kagome saw both of his white ears flatten against his head and heard him sigh.

"I didn't..."

"You tried to eat me!"

His face hardened and he dropped his hands, leaving them on either side of his body.

"What are you talking about, wench? I don't feed on humans!"

She shook her head.

Her mind could not accept that Inuyasha was the yōkai she feared so much. It couldn't be true.

"You almost killed me, Inuyasha!"

The demon twisted his lips, taking a step towards her.

"I didn't mean to..."

Kagome gritted her teeth, gripping the knife tighter.

"Leave!"

Inuyasha froze.

"What?"

"Get out of my house!"

"Wait a moment. I can explain everything."

She took a step closer and gasped as she saw the knife begin to glow, but she held it tighter.

"What's going on?" she asked in a whisper, lowering her gaze to her right hand which was emitting the same pink light as the knife.

Inuyasha stepped back, his eyes fixed on the sharp blade.

"You have powers, Kagome. And you could kill me if you attack me with it."

"What?"

"One of your ancestors was a priestess, and so are you. Put the knife down," he added, frowning again.

"So you can finish what you started that day? I won't let you kill me!"

"I'm not going to hurt you, for fuck's sake!"

Kagome stifled a sob and brought her hand to her shoulder.

"You already have."

Inuyasha sniffled, clenching his fists.

"It will never happen again. You have my word."

She looked away, avoiding his sad eyes.

"Just go."

"But..."

"Go away, Inuyasha. And don't ever come back."

Kagome felt her heart breaking as she said those words and she couldn't stop crying, but she didn't care. Inuyasha had betrayed her trust in the worst possible way.

He took a step back, cringing as if she had slapped him in the face.

"You won't let me explain?"

Kagome tensed at the memory of the other demon.

"Can all yōkai leave the forest?"

Inuyasha looked down, crossing his arms and shaking his head.

"No. I'm the only one who can."

At least she had that consolation left, though she knew she would never feel safe again.

"Go away."

"Kagome..."

"I never want to see you again. Get out of here, you monster!" she shouted, her voice filled with rage.

She took another step towards him, swinging the knife in his direction.

Inuyasha sighed and turned his back to her.

"All right. I won't bother you again."

Kagome stiffened when he disappeared at full speed. Peeking out into the hallway, she saw that he had left the front door open.

Still trembling, she took slow steps forward and looked out into the courtyard.

It was very early and there was no one in the shrine, a gentle breeze was rustling the branches of the trees and the sun had just risen behind the mountains.

And there was no sign of Inuyasha.

Kagome closed the door and the light in her hand disappeared. She dropped the knife to the ground and held her hands to her face, choking back tears.

If this was a nightmare, she was taking too long to wake up.

Inuyasha jumped into the first tree he saw and didn't stop running until he reached the fence that separated his forest from the human city.

Everything had gone to shit.

The plan was to wait for her to fall asleep and get out of her house, but he had felt so relaxed being around Kagome that he had fallen completely asleep and hadn't noticed that it was already dawn.

It was the first time in his life that he had slept so soundly and for so many hours.

And now, thanks to his stupid carelessness, Kagome knew who he really was.

Her reaction had been more or less what Inuyasha had expected, though that hadn't made her words hurt any less.

Monster. Just what the yōkai told him.

He was a damned hybrid, a monster that shouldn't exist.

Knowing that Kagome also saw him that way made him feel a stabbing pain in his chest. She hadn't even let him try to explain what had happened that morning in the forest, though Inuyasha himself didn't know how to define what had happened to him.

His demon side had taken over as he detected her scent so close, sinking his fangs into her to mark her as his mate before she could move away.

Neither Inuyasha nor Sesshomaru knew that could happen. In truth, no one knew what happened if your mate was human. The only one who had been through something like that before was their father.

And Inuyasha was half-human, which made the whole thing even harder to understand.

He climbed the fence in a single leap, gritting his teeth as he felt the pain that came from breaking through the magical shield.

Inuyasha gasped as he landed on a tree branch, relaxing his muscles and looking around to check that he was alone.

He let his hair down with a hand, his long mane falling over his shoulders.

He was alone again and would be forever.

Inuyasha blinked several times as his eyes stung.

He had never cried before and that wouldn't be the first time. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths until the stinging was gone.

He felt sad and his chest ached more and more at the thought of Kagome as if his heart was breaking.

She had rejected him. His destined mate wanted nothing to do with him.

Inuyasha clenched his jaw, letting himself fall through the branches until he reached the ground.

He needed to distract himself, and there was nothing better for that than a fight.

Or maybe spend some time with Shippo.

Inuyasha ran through the forest, letting fate decide. He would head towards the Taisho palace and he would not stop unless some yōkai dared to defy him.

He felt his body tremble and, as he looked down at his hands, saw that his fingernails were growing longer.

He was so mad and hurt that he was transforming into a yōkai.

Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks, letting the anger wash over him completely and override any other feelings.

He looked to the right and smirked as he saw two moon yōkai watching him grimly, feeling his long fangs grow until they were over his lips.

Shippo would have to wait. He needed to fight now, and those two demons were very powerful.

But no more than him.