Chapter Thirty

Miroku

The lights in the temple courtyard had just come on when Kagome stepped out of her house. She looked up and a nervous smile spread across her face when she found no moon in the sky.

Her steps were slow until she reached the stone staircase, and her heartbeat quickened as she recognised the figure waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.

Inuyasha wore his long black hair tied in a high ponytail, just like every new moon night they had spent together. But there was something quite different in him.

With each step, Kagome noticed that there was a warmth in his grey eyes that she hadn't seen before.

The day they had met they had seemed cold to her as if he wanted to keep his distance. And she had felt the same way during their first date.

The afternoon he had come to see her after her encounter with the demons they had been full of sadness. But that night his eyes never left hers, and the small smile he gave her when she stopped beside him was completely sincere.

And Kagome knew she was smiling too.

"Hi."

"Hello, Kagome," Inuyasha murmured, taking a step towards her.

He leaned in and Kagome closed her eyes as their lips made contact.

That greeting lasted longer than expected. His arms curled around her waist and the closeness forced her to lift her chin higher, an opportunity he took to deepen the kiss. Kagome pulled away a few inches as she ran out of breath, staring into his grey eyes.

Yes, his gaze was much warmer than the last time she had seen him as a human.

Her eyes stung as she remembered his pained expression when she had kicked him out of her house after discovering he was a half-demon.

He had comforted her, stayed with her so she wouldn't be alone... and she had thrown him out in return.

Inuyasha frowned, holding her face in his hands.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm... I'm so sorry, Inuyasha," Kagome whispered, blinking back tears. "I was so cruel to you."

She saw the exact moment when he understood what she meant. His eyes lost their sparkle and Inuyasha took a step back, shaking his head.

"I deserved it."

Kagome grabbed his right hand and squeezed it.

"No."

"Yes," he insisted, avoiding her gaze. "But that doesn't matter now."

He laced their fingers together and began to walk, gently tugging her to come with him.

"I suppose not," Kagome admitted with a sigh.

That night he was wearing a short-sleeved shirt the same red as his suit and dark trousers. She looked away when Inuyasha glanced sideways at her, smoothing out the wrinkles in her black dress.

When she looked back up at him, she saw that he was watching her just as she had a minute before, sweeping his gaze over her body and pausing for a moment on her legs. Kagome felt her cheeks flush.

Would he like her dress?

Inuyasha clicked his tongue impatiently as he reached the first corner, looking around.

"Where are your friends?"

"I'm meeting them near Ayase Park," Kagome laughed softly at the look of confusion on his face and pointed to one of the streets that could be seen from there. "It's about a kilometre away, very close to the disco."

He nodded and let go of her hand. They crossed the street and headed down the avenue, walking very close to each other.

Kagome could feel the tension emanating from his body like waves.

"Relax, Inuyasha," she murmured, brushing the back of his hand with her fingers.

"That's easy to say," he grunted. "They don't hate you."

"They don't hate you either."

Inuyasha arched an eyebrow in her direction.

"Sango just worries about me," Kagome added, snorting softly.

She knew her friend had been rather rude to Inuyasha, but that was just the way she was. And she hoped that her attitude would change as she got to know him better.

"Kagome!"

Miroku's shout startled her. Her three friends were standing by the door of a building and he was waving his hand with a huge grin on his face.

Kagome ran to them and Miroku wrapped her in a big hug. It had been almost three months since she had seen him.

"As beautiful as ever!" he added as he lifted her into the air.

Kagome was laughing out loud when something pushed her down. As she opened her eyes, she saw that Inuyasha had wrapped an arm around her in a rather possessive manner, pulling her away from Miroku, and was glaring at her friend with all his might.

"Hey!" Sango moved to Miroku's side and folded her arms with a scowl.

Kagome pushed him until she managed to move Inuyasha away and shoot a glare at him.

"Inuyasha!"

His eyes left Miroku to focus on her.

"He was touching you!" he replied in an irritated tone.

"He's my friend!"

Inuyasha averted his gaze and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Keh."

"Inuyasha. Apologise."

He was ignoring her so Kagome grabbed his chin with a hand and forced him to look her in the eye. Inuyasha let out a long snort, turning his head to where her three friends stood.

"I'm sorry," he growled through his teeth.

Miroku smiled again and shrugged.

"So you're Inuyasha, right? My name is Miroku."

He held out a hand as Kagome walked over to greet her female friends. Inuyasha shook it and Miroku grabbed his hand, pulling him close until their faces were only a short distance apart. His smile was gone.

"Sango has told me what you are, and I won't let you hurt Kagome. I will be watching you."

Inuyasha stared into his blue eyes and pursed his lips.

That simple human dared to threaten him?

"Fine."

Miroku released him as soon as Kagome turned towards them, smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Shall we go?"

They both nodded and she waited until she had Inuyasha at her side, entwining her arm with his and watching his face with concern.

"What did he say to you?"

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose.

"Nothing."

She could tell he was lying, but Kagome decided to let it go. After waiting in line for about half an hour, they finally made it into the club.

It was early and the disco was still not as crowded as on other nights.

Kagome bumped her shoulder into Inuyasha's arm to get his attention.

"Do you want something to drink? My treat."

He pondered for a moment, reaching into his pocket to count the notes he had.

"A beer."

Kagome smiled at him and approached the bar, Sara and Sango behind her. Inuyasha leaned his back against the wall, sighing and looking up at the ceiling covered in lights.

Miroku leaned next to him with his arms crossed.

"So you're only human one night a month, then."

A deep growl echoed in Inuyasha's chest.

"Shut up."

He gasped as he suddenly felt strong energy next to him and glanced at the human. He had raised his index finger and just above the tip hovered a small ball of purple light.

"I have monk ancestors, demon. And I have inherited their powers."

Inuyasha swallowed, watching him as he closed his hand and the light disappeared. He looked around worriedly, but it seemed no humans had noticed anything unusual.

"Like Kagome," he murmured under his breath.

Miroku's eyes widened like saucers.

"What?"

Inuyasha bit his tongue, rolling his eyes. If Kagome hadn't told him, surely she wouldn't like to find out that her friend knew her secret because of him.

"Does she have powers too?" Miroku insisted, punching his arm.

Inuyasha moved to the side, away from him, and nodded with a furrowed brow.

"Since when?"

He hated remembering that damned day. He would always feel guilty for hurting Kagome and being the cause of her tears.

"She found out when... when I attacked her," he admitted in a whisper.

Miroku came closer again and Inuyasha heard him sigh.

"Sara says you saved her life."

After his nod, the human patted his shoulder again.

"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, Inuyasha... but I still don't trust you."

Inuyasha gave him a sidelong glance.

"The feeling is mutual."

Kagome appeared in his field of vision, offering him a bottle. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sango doing the same with Miroku and Sara laughing as she pointed to the centre of the dance floor.

He accepted the beer and Kagome moved to his side, resting her head on his shoulder.

Her touch instantly relaxed him.

"Have you been back here since that day?" she asked, lifting her head until she could look him in the eye.

"Once," he admitted, tilting his chin. "And you?"

"No."

Inuyasha didn't have time to ask why. Sara clung to his free arm, dazzling him with her big smile.

"How are you, Inuyasha?"

Kagome smiled at the sight of them talking and looked at Miroku. Inuyasha sighed through his nose and turned his attention to her friend.

"Good."

Sara twisted a finger through the strands of her hair, curling it nervously.

"I have a few questions and I'd like to talk to you someday. Is that alright?"

She held up a hand as she saw Inuyasha's face darken.

"Kagome can be there too," she added, pointing at her with her gaze.

Inuyasha ran his tongue over his teeth after taking a swig of beer and nodded.

"Okay."

"How about tomorrow afternoon? See you at the shrine?"

That girl was never going to give up. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and nodded again, which made her smile grow bigger. Sara released him and walked over to Kagome after giving him an affectionate pinch on the cheek.

She was looking at Inuyasha, who kept rubbing his cheek grimly, with a confused expression.

"Your sweetheart is a guy of few words."

Kagome blushed and took a long sip of her gin and tonic.

"Don't call him that," she complained, combing her bangs with her fingers. As she spoke again her voice was softer, almost protective. "It's really hard for him to open up and trust another person."

"I'll have to win him over then," Sara commented, wiggling her eyebrows.

Kagome rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but laugh. Her friend had accepted Inuyasha from the first moment and she would be eternally grateful for that.

Suddenly, Sara gasped and threw her arms up in the air.

"I love this song!" she shouted, pushing Sango and Miroku onto the dance floor as she ignored their complaints.

Kagome took three steps towards Inuyasha and traced his forearm with her fingers. When she looked up, his eyes were piercing hers mercilessly.

Surely he knew what she was going to tell him. She took the empty beer from his hands and set it on one of the tables next to her glass.

"Are you coming to dance?"

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, the grey of his irises darkening.

"No way."

"Just one song," Kagome asked, blinking as she stroked his other arm. "Please?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes but let himself be led by her as she took both of his hands and tugged gently.

Kagome took him to one side of the dance floor, avoiding the centre where her friends were so he wouldn't feel too uncomfortable.

"Thank you," she left a quick kiss on his lips and lifted his right hand, placing it on the side of her waist. "Put your hand here and the other here," she murmured, placing his other hand on her back.

Inuyasha followed her instructions and she saw a tiny blush on his cheeks as she placed her hands around his shoulders.

"Like this?" he asked softly, squeezing her waist with his fingers.

Kagome nodded, ignoring the leap her heart had just taken. His woody scent enveloped her and she struggled not to fall into his arms and steal another kiss from him.

"Now we just have to move a little to the music. It's not that hard, is it?" she joked as they began to sway around.

Inuyasha pointed to the people closest to them with his chin.

"They're not dancing like us."

"Never mind," she replied, shrugging one of her shoulders and resting her cheek against his chest. "You smell nice."

Inuyasha relaxed his posture and she felt his nose nuzzling her hair.

"So do you."

His voice was so deep that Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Even when you're human?" she felt his chin move as he nodded. "And what do I smell like?"

Being half dog demon, his nose would probably detect a lot more scents than the human ones.

The two were slow dancing, following the rhythm of the music, until she heard Inuyasha's throat clearing.

"Freedom," that word surprised her so much that she lifted her head and looked him in the eye, resting both hands on his chest as they continued to move around the room. "Your scent reminds me of the flowers that grow in my meadow, though it is much more intense."

She knew she was blushing, though she didn't try to hide it. For someone like Inuyasha, freedom had the scent of wild nature.

She had often imagined the vast meadow he described, where he spent so many hours lying there counting stars and enjoying the sounds of the forest. It was his favourite place, and for him to say that she smelled the same made her heart race.

Inuyasha was too sweet, and the worst part was that he didn't realise it.

"I'd like to see it someday," she whispered, resting her forehead on his shoulder and sighing.

"Kagome," she wrapped her arms around his neck again, tangling her fingers in his long ponytail. "I want you to come with me to the forest."

Her muscles froze. Inuyasha noticed and stroked her back with his hands until she relaxed against him again.

"This brings back bad memories," she confessed in a shaky voice.

He had said the same thing to her the day they met, and they both knew how that had ended. As if he could read her thoughts, one of his hands moved up to the curve of her neck and covered her white, crescent-shaped scar.

"Do you trust me?" Kagome met his gaze and nodded. Inuyasha lifted her chin, pulling their faces closer until their breaths mingled. "No one and nothing can hurt you. I will not allow it."

His grey eyes stared down at her, reflecting the coloured disco lights, and she saw a promise written in them.

Kagome swallowed, wiping the sweat from her hands on the bottom of her dress.

Entering the forest again would stir up all her memories, and she didn't like the idea of having to endure those horrible nightmares filled with bloodthirsty demons again.

His thumb stroked her cheek, stopping the train of negative thoughts.

"I won't leave you alone, Kagome."

She smiled.

"I know."

And it was true. Inuyasha had shown her that he was truly sorry, and she trusted him completely now.

"Will you come with me, then?" he asked, cocking his head as he still looked down at her.

"Will you tell me about the blood pact?"

Inuyasha gave her a mysterious smile.

"Better than that," he lowered his head until his lips brushed against her ear. "I'll show it to you."

Kagome held her breath as he pressed them against her neck. She let out a shaky breath and nodded.

"Okay, Inuyasha. I will go back into the forest with you."

"You don't need to be afraid," he assured her, taking hold of her waist again. "I will protect you."

The surge of feelings Kagome felt was so strong it overwhelmed her. It was the second time Inuyasha had promised to protect her, and the intensity of his gaze confirmed that he meant every word.

"Inuyasha," he raised an eyebrow at the sound of his name and Kagome took a deep breath, trying to summon up all the courage she had inside her. "Can I tell you something?"

Inuyasha pressed their foreheads together, looking into her eyes. The people closest to them kept staring at them, though Kagome didn't care.

There was only him.

She ran her hands down his arms, sighing at the feel of his muscles, and placed them on top of his own.

"I tried to deny it at first, but it doesn't make sense anymore," Kagome looked down at his lips, chewing on hers and admitting her big secret in a whisper. "I'm in love with you."

At his silence, she decided it was best to explain herself. She knew no one had ever said anything like that to him before.

"Do you know what that means?" she asked, holding his gaze without blinking. "I love you, Inuyasha."

He didn't say anything for a few seconds that seemed like an eternity. He simply stopped moving, petrified as he stared at her with wide eyes. Just as embarrassment was about to take hold of her and make her run away, his left hand tangled in her hair and the other moved to her lower back, holding her close so she couldn't move away.

His lips crashed against hers, claiming her kisses with such intensity that it took her breath away. Kagome felt herself grow dizzy and was grateful he was holding her in his arms.

Inuyasha pulled away just enough to speak, murmuring the words against her lips.

"You were born to meet me," she opened her eyes wide and saw a golden glow in his. "And I was born to be with you. I know that now."

Hearing that was better than any confession she'd ever dreamed of. She sighed and closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead, resting her head on his shoulder and smiling as his arms wrapped around her again.

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

Inuyasha nodded and resumed their dance, moving around the disco.

Kagome felt so happy she didn't want to talk. It was enough for her to be like that, cuddled against him and listening to his pounding heart.

She knew now that he was affected by being near her as well.

Inuyasha growled a curse under his breath when someone tapped her shoulder.

"Sorry to interrupt," Miroku said, his smile saying the opposite. "Kagome, my dear. May I have a dance?"

She shot Inuyasha a warning look before he could complain and saw him bite the inside of his cheek to contain himself.

"Sure."

Kagome took Miroku's hand and walked away with him, looking back at Inuyasha. He read the words 'be nice' on her lips and rolled his eyes, nodding.

He was always nice to the stupid humans. Or at least he tried to be.

Sara appeared at his side and tugged on his arm, leading him to the corner where there were several high tables. Sango was sitting at one of them, taking small sips from her bottle absentmindedly.

After sitting down with her, Sara pushed a freshly opened beer towards him and rested her chin on her hand, looking up at him with interest.

"Hey, Inuyasha... Why don't you tell us something about yourself?"

He shrugged, taking a sip and savouring the frothy human beverage. He was liking it more and more.

"Do you have any brothers?"

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose, setting it aside and crossing his arms on the table.

"One."

Sango raised both eyebrows.

"And what's his name?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"Sesshomaru."

He had reached for the beer to take another swig, though it didn't touch his lips when he saw the human's reaction. Sara had gone pale and Sango's brow had furrowed more than ever.

He pushed the bottle away and looked between the two of them.

"What?"

Sara blinked.

"Nothing."

She and Sango exchanged a meaningful glance and looked back at Inuyasha with an innocent expression. He frowned, annoyed.

What weren't they telling him?

"Nothing? That look wasn't nothing."

"Never mind," Sara said, waving a hand to play it down and gasping when she saw that her friend was still glaring at him. "Sango!"

She jumped slightly at her shriek and gave her a cold look.

"What!"

"You have to give Inuyasha a chance," Sara replied, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow.

Sango clicked her tongue, leaning back in her chair.

"I'm trying," she grunted angrily, narrowing her eyes. "But I don't trust him."

Inuyasha's lips curved into a smirk.

"You and your boyfriend are the same."

Sango's expression relaxed.

"He's told you the same thing, hasn't he?" she nodded to herself without waiting for his answer. "The truth is we're very much alike in that way. We both protect the people we care about."

His face hardened and his gaze turned cold.

"So do I."

Sango watched him silently, searching for something in his gaze. Once she found it, she nodded again and stood up.

"I'm glad to hear it," she said, smiling and surprising Inuyasha so much that he jumped back, startled. Sango picked up the two empty bottles and stepped back. "I'll get some more beer."

Inuyasha looked at Sara, who was trying to hold in her laughter without much success.

"That means she likes you," she murmured, shrugging as she chuckled softly.

Inuyasha snorted, furrowing his brow and searching for Kagome among all the humans on the dance floor.

It didn't take him long to locate her. She was still dancing with Miroku, though they were talking and she seemed very interested in what he was saying.

"You humans are too complicated."

Sara's musical giggle brought him out of his thoughts and he looked back up at her.

"Oh, Inuyasha..." she was shaking her head as she pushed her bangs back from her forehead. She smiled, letting out a long sigh. "You haven't seen anything yet, trust me."