Chapter Twenty-One

Return

Inuyasha did not stop until he jumped over the fence and was back in his forest. He pounded his fist against a tree trunk, furious with himself.

He had fallen asleep in Kagome's room again, and this time she had discovered him.

Why did he relax so much when that human was around?

Inuyasha shook his head, jumping down to the ground.

Now that Kagome knew, he would never be able to visit her at night again. He made fists, lifting his chin and staring at the damp forest around him.

That had been the last time he would ever approach the human girl.

He felt so angry that his whole body began to tremble. His fingernails grew even longer, as did his fangs, and his gaze turned red.

Inuyasha let his yōkai side take over, embracing semi-consciousness and forgetting Kagome's face.

Kagome pushed the sheets aside and stood up, approaching the window with slow steps. She closed it and sighed, gazing out at the temple courtyard and the staircase.

Had it been a dream?

She turned and paused at the spot where she had seen Inuyasha sitting, crouching down and watching the wooden floor intently.

Kagome reached out and caught a strand of hair, lifting it for a closer look. It was silver, almost white, and much longer than her own.

A shaky breath escaped her lips.

It hadn't been a dream. Inuyasha had really been there.

Why?

She stood up again and reached for the phone on her bedside table, dialling the number of one of her best friends. It was still very early, but Kagome knew she would be awake by now.

After three rings she heard her voice and that alone put her mind at ease.

"Kagome? Are you okay?"

"Yes. Sorry for calling you so early, Sara."

"No problem, I'm making breakfast. Are you nervous about today being your first day?"

"I wasn't really calling you for that."

Kagome bit her lower lip, not sure how to tell her what had just happened. It was dangerous to talk about the forest and what was hidden within it over the phone.

"What's wrong, Kagome?" her friend asked in a worried voice.

"When I woke up... Inuyasha was here."

Sara gasped.

"In your room?"

"Yes. He was asleep, leaning against the wall. As soon as I woke up, he noticed and left."

Her friend sighed.

"Are you sure it wasn't one of your dreams?"

"No, Sara. I found one of his hairs right where he was sitting. He really was here."

"That's... that's very strange. What was he doing there?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Kagome replied, sniffling and sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Did he say anything to you?"

"No. Once he saw me awake, he jumped out the window and disappeared."

Kagome heard her friend taking a deep breath and letting the air out slowly.

"I have a theory, but I don't know if you want to hear it."

"I'm all ears, Sara."

A pause.

"I think he just misses you."

Kagome let out a snort of disbelief.

"Really, Kagome. If he wanted to hurt you... he had the perfect opportunity when he came into your room. But Inuyasha didn't touch you, did he? And he fell asleep. A killer doesn't take a nap next to his victim."

"You're right about that," she admitted quietly. "I don't think he came here to attack me. Besides... I stopped having nightmares in the middle of the night today, and I suspect it was when he came through the window."

"Do you think it's related?"

Kagome flopped down on the mattress, closing her eyes.

"The nightmares came back right after my fight with Inuyasha. What if he was sneaking into my room every night before that day? It's only natural that he stopped coming after that, don't you think?"

"Yes, probably. And how can Inuyasha influence your dreams?"

"I have no idea, but this is all too much of a coincidence. I've been thinking about it, and I'm pretty sure that when I didn't dream about demons it was because he was here. I rested almost as well today as I did the night we both fell asleep on the sofa."

Kagome remembered clearly the sense of tranquillity and peace she had felt while sleeping against his chest. There was too long a silence and she began to fidget.

"Do you think I'm crazy? Sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind," she asked anxiously.

"No, you're not crazy," Sara assured her in a gentle voice. "You only have one way to find out if what you're saying is true."

"And what is it?"

"Ask him."

Kagome froze and shook her head.

"I can't go back in there."

"You don't have to," Sara replied. "Remember what I told you the other day? I was able to talk to Sesshomaru from outside."

"That was almost crazier than what I did. I still can't believe you went up there by yourself again."

"I knew he wouldn't hurt me," she said, and Kagome imagined her rolling her eyes. "I think they can sense our presence as well as we can sense theirs. What I still don't understand is why I can only sense him."

"And maybe what I feel when I look at those trees is Inuyasha's presence," Kagome added in a whisper.

"Probably."

She sighed again.

"I think... I think I'm going to do that. I need to understand what's going on."

Sara let out a nervous giggle.

"Great! Remember to stay on the other side and everything will be fine. Do you want me to go with you?"

"No," Kagome replied. "He's the only one who can get out, and he doesn't seem to want to hurt me. I won't be in danger."

"Still... be careful. And don't be late, your shift starts at ten," Sara reminded her.

"I'll be there. Shall we meet at the cafeteria later for lunch?"

"Sure, Kagome. And I expect you to tell me all about it."

"I will. See you later, Sara."

"See you."

Kagome hung up the call and set the phone down on the mattress.

The screen showed it was almost seven o'clock. She had plenty of time to get dressed, get close to the border of the demon forest and make it to the hospital in time.

As she lifted her hands she saw that they were shaking. Kagome took a couple of deep breaths and stood up, picking out the clothes she would wear to the hospital and locking herself in the bathroom.

With any luck, the hot water would help her calm her nerves.

Inuyasha reached a small stream and plunged his hands into the water, watching the current wash away the blood.

He had just fought a yōkai bear and had emerged victorious without so much as a scratch.

In the reflection of the water, he saw that his shirt was torn and covered in dark stains. His eyes were still red and his blue irises seemed to glow in the gloom of the forest.

He was still in his full demon form.

Inuyasha looked at the two marks on his cheeks for a moment before sitting back up and shaking his claws.

He felt a little calmer now and knew that it wouldn't be long before he was back in his half-demon form. But he liked too much the feeling of power and invulnerability that coursed through his body when he transformed.

And he also liked to stop thinking, even if it was just for a little while.

Inuyasha opened and closed one of his claws. The best option was to find another opponent before his body returned to normal.

He leapt onto a tree branch, scowling and sniffing the air for the scent of a yōkai.

His eyes widened when he detected something very different. A familiar sweet smell, though he couldn't remember the source.

Inuyasha climbed up to the highest branch, sniffing in all directions again.

The red in his eyeballs cleared and his irises turned back to golden when he recognised the strange scent.

Kagome was close. He could smell her scent, and he could sense her presence as well.

She was nearing the border between the two worlds.

Inuyasha blinked and his eyes went completely white again. He was too nervous to feel it, but the horizontal stripes on his cheeks disappeared and his claws and fangs returned to their normal size.

What the hell was Kagome doing back in the forest? Had she gone mad?

Inuyasha leapt to the nearest tree and rested a hand on the trunk, closing his eyes and concentrating on the presence he felt growing closer.

He opened them again and dropped to the ground, running at full speed through the trees and dodging a snake yōkai that hissed at the sight of him.

He knew exactly where she was, and he planned to stop her before she set foot in his territory.

It took him only a few minutes to reach the end of the forest. Inuyasha paused at one of the last trees, trying to see something through the leaves.

Kagome was walking along the dirt path, her eyes fixed on the forest.

Rather, she seemed to be looking him in the eye as if she knew where he was hiding.

Inuyasha gritted his teeth, leaning his back against the trunk and standing completely still.

She continued down the path until she reached the end of the metal fence.

His whole body tensed as he saw her approach the first poster sign, but Kagome didn't take another step.

She looked around, her gaze returning to the tree where he stood, and he heard her whisper.

"Inuyasha?"

He sighed through his nose. It had been weeks since he'd heard her say his name and until that moment he hadn't realised how much he missed it.

Inuyasha crouched down to sit on the branch and continued to watch her.

He saw her sigh and clench her fists, looking back up at the tree.

"I know you're there, Inuyasha. I can... I can feel it."

That surprised him.

Could she feel his presence too?

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, remembering all the times he had watched her as Kagome stared at the demon forest with curious eyes. It almost always seemed like she was looking at the area where he was hiding, though back then he thought it was just a coincidence.

Well, he was wrong. For some strange reason, that human was also able to notice the presence of her demon mate.

Kagome twisted her lips downward, cocking her head.

"Well, I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is your presence, but I think it is."

Inuyasha smirked. Humans were smarter than the demons gave them credit for.

"I just want to talk. Please."

He let out a long sigh and looked down, tugging at his bottom lip with his teeth. He got the impression that she wasn't going to leave until he agreed, so he held onto the branch with his arm and jumped to the ground.

Kagome's brown eyes widened as she saw him appear in the undergrowth.

"Inu... Inuyasha?"

Yes, it was him, though he didn't look very good. He was wearing the same black shirt as when she had discovered him in her room, but the front was ripped and stained with a dark liquid.

Was it blood?

He had several rather deep scratches on his chest. Was he injured?

Kagome put a hand to her lips, trying to keep her voice from trembling.

He was so different and yet so much like the Inuyasha of her memories. Even if the colour of his eyes was different, his gaze was still the same. His brow furrowed and he stared at her, his fists clenched.

Kagome glanced up for a moment at the two furry ears atop his head. They kept twitching as if he was making sure no one was around.

"Are you alright?"

His face hardened.

"Keh. This is nothing, I'll be as good as new in an hour," he grunted, covering his wounds with a hand.

Kagome swallowed as she saw how long his nails were.

"What happened to you?"

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose.

"What did you come here for? This place is dangerous for you, Kagome."

She gasped as she heard the demon say her name. His voice was deep and low, just as she remembered.

"I'm not going into the forest."

"Good. Then turn around and go back the way you came," he replied, snorting and pointing to the path she had come from.

Kagome shook her head, folding her arms.

"I want you to answer some questions."

His golden eyes narrowed.

"I do not take orders, human."

Kagome took a step back.

"What?"

"You heard me."

They may have looked a lot alike physically, but their personalities were completely different. This Inuyasha was cold and distant, nothing like the one she had met in the city.

"Why are you talking to me like that?"

Inuyasha blinked a few times and sighed.

"Go away, and don't ever come back here."

She pursed her lips.

"No."

He ran his tongue over one of his fangs, taking a few steps forward until he was only a metre away.

"Do you want me to make you do it?" he asked, arching an eyebrow as he flashed one of his claws at her.

She lifted her chin, looking him in the eye.

"I'm not afraid of you, Inuyasha. I know you won't hurt me."

The demon's eyes widened, but he hid his surprise instantly. He averted his gaze, clicking his tongue.

"Then you're more foolish than I thought. I am not the only monster that dwells among these trees, human."

Kagome couldn't help but smile. Try as he might to deny it, Inuyasha had no intention of attacking her. They were completely alone and he could easily kill her, but he seemed uninterested in getting any closer.

"But you are the only one who can get out of the forest, aren't you?"

Inuyasha glared at her again, piercing her with the coldness of his gaze.

"You said so yourself that morning," she added in a whisper.

Kagome sighed at his nod and relaxed her posture, squaring her shoulders.

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm not a full demon."

Kagome frowned in confusion.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm a half-demon," he murmured, pointing to his ears. "But that doesn't mean I'm not dangerous," he added quietly, taking a step back.

She gasped as she understood what he meant.

"You're half human and half demon?"

Inuyasha nodded again with a serious expression.

"I've answered your questions. Go, now."

Kagome chewed on her lower lip nervously. She still had too many unresolved questions to leave.

"Why were you in my room, Inuyasha?"

He winced, taking another step back.

"Had you come to kill me?" Kagome insisted, feeling her heartbeat quicken.

Inuyasha shook his head, lowering his gaze to the ground.

"No."

"So?"

"I just... wanted to make sure you were all right," the demon murmured, turning his back to her.

"Wait!" she shouted, taking another step into the forest.

Inuyasha turned his head, hissing in her direction.

"Not another step," he growled darkly.

Kagome nodded, looking both ways.

She was right at the poster signs nailed to the ground. She hadn't even crossed the border yet.

"What's keeping the yōkai from leaving this forest?"

"There is a magical barrier. Anyone who tries to break through it will be reduced to ashes," the demon commented, folding his arms and hiding his claws from view.

"And you can get out because you're not a demon. At least, not entirely."

Inuyasha didn't reply, though he didn't need to. Kagome placed a hand on her neck, feeling tears well up in her eyes as she remembered that morning in the forest.

"Why did you bite me, Inuyasha?"

He sniffled, shaking his head.

"I lost control, but it won't ever happen again. I won't hurt you again."

The same thing he had told her when she woke up and found out who he really was. Kagome sighed, trying to understand.

"Did you want to kill me?" she asked softly, not sure if she wanted to know the answer.

Inuyasha hesitated, which meant her suspicions were true.

"That was my idea at first, but when I met you, I... changed my mind," he admitted in a whisper, avoiding her gaze.

Her brow furrowed in confusion.

"You wanted to kill me before you met me?"

"I was watching you from the trees," Inuyasha replied, kicking a small branch on the ground. "And I thought the easiest thing to do was to finish you off. Humans are weak and stupid, or so I thought before I met you," he added, looking into her eyes for a second. "I've never killed one, and I never will. You can rest assured."

Kagome pressed her hands to her cheeks and wiped her tears away.

"So you really wanted to kill me..."

"You don't understand, Kagome."

"Then explain it to me."

"It's complicated."

"You told me there was an explanation for everything. So here I am, Inuyasha. I'm willing to listen to you," she said, holding out her arms.

Inuyasha took a deep breath and let the air out very slowly.

"Demons like me always have a destined mate and most spend their lives searching for them in this forest. I didn't count on it because I am not a full yōkai, but then... I smelled you."

"You smelled me?" she repeated, surprised.

"I had been told that a mate's scent is very easy to recognise, and they were right."

Kagome gasped.

"Am I your mate?"

He nodded, clenching his jaw.

"I couldn't accept it at first. There was no way that you, a mere human... " he shook his head angrily. "That's why I decided to finish you off. I preferred to be alone than to have a mate of your kind. I had discovered not long before that I could leave this forest when I was in my human form, so I followed you that night when you were with your friends."

Kagome blanched. The night of the disco.

"Were you going to kill us all?" she asked in a shaky voice.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"No. My plan was to convince you to come here with me, but it didn't work out. And then, when I finally got you into the forest... I didn't want to do it."

Before she could reply, Inuyasha turned around again.

"I intend to keep my word, Kagome. The monsters won't bother you again," he muttered, jumping and losing himself in the leaves of a tree.

She held out a hand.

"No! Wait, Inuyasha!"

No one answered. She only heard a bird singing nearby.

"Inuyasha! Come back, please!"

Silence.

Kagome wiped her tears with the back of her hand, waiting.

The calling from inside the forest grew fainter and fainter until the feeling faded.

Inuyasha had moved too far away for her to feel his presence.