Chapter Thirty-Four

The First Shot

Kagome listened intently to everything the little demon told her. Shippo was sitting on her lap, staring at her with his striking green eyes as he talked non-stop.

Tears almost came to her eyes with the story of the day he lost his parents.

Inuyasha was still leaning against one of the cave walls and she heard him sigh.

"Enough, Shippo," he growled, approaching them with his arms crossed. "It's almost time to eat and Kagome will be hungry."

He jumped to his feet, walking to the exit of the cave and glancing sideways at Kagome.

"I'll get fish for you!"

She smiled as she watched Shippo leap out, losing himself in the meadow flowers as he ran in the direction of the river.

Inuyasha rested his hand on the stone wall and peered around the cave. His white ears twitched atop his head as a gentle breeze ruffled his long white hair.

"I'm going to get some firewood and fruit," he announced, rolling up his shirt sleeves without taking his eyes off the trees. "I'll be back soon."

A bead of sweat trickled down Kagome's back.

"Are you going to leave me here alone?"

He stepped toward her and placed a hand on her cheek, looking into her eyes.

"I'll be very close," he murmured seriously. "If any yōkai enter the meadow, I will hear them."

Kagome swallowed, blushing at the intensity of his gaze.

"Okay," she agreed in a whisper, stepping back and breaking the contact.

"I won't be long."

Inuyasha disappeared at full speed, running to the line of trees. She let out a long sigh, gazing out at the esplanade where flowers of all colours and sizes grew.

It looked like a little paradise hidden in a forest filled with bloodthirsty creatures.

She turned and walked around the cave, which was bigger than she had imagined. In the centre were stones forming a circle with ash inside where Inuyasha was going to light a fire. On some of the walls were claw marks that Kagome chose to ignore.

She walked over to the only corner where there were objects. A small wooden shelf gathered Inuyasha's belongings in an unorganized fashion.

Kagome smiled as she touched the wood, suspecting that he had built it himself. Human clothes, glasses and plates, and on the top shelf were several books.

And they were all from the human world.

She frowned as she picked up the first one, reading the title. A Tokyo guidebook.

The next one explained the history of the city over the past two hundred years and was quite thick.

Kagome blushed as she saw the title of the next book. She opened it, flipping through the pages, and her eyes grew wide as she saw what it was about.

It explained in detail how to woo a woman and be intimate with her.

She slammed the book shut as she heard footsteps and looked up just as Inuyasha re-entered the cave.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her by the bookshelf and his face lost its colour when he noticed the book in her hands.

Kagome cleared her throat, trying to break the tension that was building in the air.

"I didn't know you had human books."

She looked back down at the book and Inuyasha snarled, crossing the cave in a single bound.

"No! Give me that."

Before she could react, he snatched it out of her hands and threw it with all his might.

Kagome gasped as she heard the sound of water. It had fallen into the river.

"Inuyasha!"

He dodged her gaze, returning to where he had dropped a large number of branches and logs of wood and carrying them to the centre.

He sat down in front of the fire pit, getting everything ready to light it without speaking to her. Kagome pursed her lips at his blush and approached him with slow steps, crouching down beside him.

"Inuyasha, look at me."

He scratched at a white stone with his sharp nails, causing sparks to fly, and lit the fire within seconds. He ran a hand through his hair, snorting loudly, and fixed his golden eyes on her.

"Why did you have that book?"

Inuyasha grimaced, averting his gaze. He picked up a small stick and stirred the logs, stoking the fire.

"You can tell me anything," she insisted quietly, placing a hand on his knee.

He covered his face with his hands, letting out a small grunt of frustration. When he lowered them back to his lap, his blush was gone.

"When you gave me another chance, I..." Kagome took one of his hands, tracing circles over his knuckles as he liked to help him calm down. Inuyasha relaxed his posture instantly. "I wanted to learn a few things in case you eventually agreed to be my mate."

He glanced at her and his brow furrowed at the look of disbelief on her face.

"I don't know anything, Kagome!" he hissed angrily, clenching his free hand. "And I didn't want to risk doing something wrong."

She leaned her cheek against his shoulder and bit the inside of her cheek.

It was hard to believe that a half-demon as powerful as he was would feel so insecure.

"Was I really your first kiss?"

She had always thought Inuyasha had lied to her that day, though she had noticed as she kissed him that he was as inexperienced as she was.

Inuyasha bowed his head, nodding once, and her heartbeat quickened.

"All my first times will be with you, Kagome," he murmured through his teeth, taking her hand carefully and tracing the lines of her palm with his nails. "If you want."

A shiver ran down her spine. Those claws had killed many demons, but they moved delicately over her skin.

"It might be a little awkward the first time," she admitted, letting out a nervous chuckle and shrugging. "But I don't care."

Inuyasha looked at her again and pulled an apple from his trousers pocket, offering it to her.

"We have all the time in the world, don't we?" Kagome asked, sitting up and taking a bite. "And we both have no idea what it's like to be in a relationship."

Inuyasha watched her for a moment, scratching one of his ears.

"Well, I think you know what you're doing, Kagome," he replied, looking away as he devoured another apple. "I find it hard to believe you didn't have a boyfriend before you met me."

"I hadn't met anyone interesting," she confessed, smiling as a small blush covered the half-demon's cheeks.

Kagome took the last bite of her apple and Inuyasha grabbed both of their cores, tossing them out of the cave.

"I know a book that's better than that one," she added, leaving a caress on his cheek. "I'll buy it and give it to you the next time you come home."

"Keh."

Her smile widened and she grabbed his chin, forcing him to turn his face and look at her.

"Don't worry."

Inuyasha gritted his teeth, but before he could protest again she leaned in and captured his lips in a slow kiss where she wanted to show him she meant it.

All that didn't matter to her. All she wanted was for him to stay in her life so they could be together.

Kagome broke the kiss when she heard Shippo giggling by the cave entrance. Inuyasha shot a hateful glare in his direction.

"Shut up, runt."

The fox sat down next to her, placing the three sticks he had stuck the fish on around the fire to roast.

"Do you like fish, Kagome?"

She nodded.

"Of course," she ruffled his hair with her hand, smiling when he made a face. "Thank you, Shippo."

He leaned back, propping himself up on his hands.

"How long will you be staying?" he asked, looking back up at her.

Kagome chewed on her lower lip and searched Inuyasha's gaze.

They hadn't discussed how long she would be in the forest, but she would have to be back by dinnertime if she didn't want her mother to worry.

"I'll take her back to the human world once we finish eating," Inuyasha replied in a husky voice, rising to pick up three plates.

"But I'll be back soon," she added as she saw Shippo's sad face.

He gave her a big smile. Inuyasha sat back down next to her, passing her one of the plates.

"Are you serious?" he muttered softly to her.

Kagome picked up one of the fish and gave Shippo a sidelong glance. He took a bite without thinking, so she shrugged and mimicked him.

"You were right, Inuyasha," she said after swallowing, remembering all the conversations in which he had assured her that returning to the forest would not be dangerous. "This place isn't so scary when I'm with you."

Inuyasha shook his head, trying to hide his blush.

The three of them finished their meal and walked out into the meadow. Kagome gazed up at the blue sky above and the thousands of sunlit flowers growing in the strange place.

It was as if a giant had uprooted all the trees hundreds of years ago, preventing them from growing back.

"Now I understand why you love this so much," she commented, brushing the back of Inuyasha's hand as she walked beside him. "It's beautiful."

He sighed, sitting down on the grass and tugging at her arm so she did the same.

"Here was the first time I felt free," he confessed, wrinkling his nose as Shippo snuggled into Kagome's lap. "That's why I stayed and made it my home."

They both remained silent as the sun began to lower in the sky, listening to the fox demon's soft snores.

"Shippo, wake up," Inuyasha shook his shoulder half an hour later to wake him. "I have to take Kagome to the city."

He rubbed his eyes, sitting up.

"Can I go with you?"

Inuyasha clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes at Shippo's pleading look.

"Fine."

He yelped with joy and leapt up onto his shoulder. Inuyasha bent his knees, waiting until Kagome circled his neck to run off into the trees.

She closed her eyes, concentrating on the sound of the wind crashing against them as he moved fast. Sooner than she expected, Inuyasha slowed down.

They were already by the fence.

Shippo climbed onto the nearest tree branch.

"Wait here. I'll be right back," Inuyasha grunted, glancing sideways at him.

The fox yōkai nodded and he grabbed Kagome's legs tighter, pulling himself over the fence and landing in one of the trees on the other side.

She felt Inuyasha tense as he jumped, relaxing once they were back in the human world.

"Did that hurt?"

He shook his head, looking down at the beaded necklace hanging around his neck. Inuyasha leapt from tree to tree, checking to make sure there were no hikers nearby, and climbed up the hill that led to her shrine.

He stopped before entering the courtyard, keeping himself hidden behind the trees. Several people were praying at the altar.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," Kagome climbed off his back, holding onto his arm so she wouldn't trip over the roots. "I don't think I'll ever have nightmares again."

He curled an arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his chest and burying his nose in her hair.

"Next time I'll take you to the Taisho Palace and show you the blood pact."

Kagome lifted her head and stared at him with her heart pounding.

That was where his yōkai brother lived.

"Will they allow a human to enter?"

"They'll think you're a half-demon like me," Inuyasha replied, waggling his eyebrows with a mysterious smile on his lips. "Rest well."

He leaned down and kissed her. The everlasting spark rose within her as soon as their lips brushed, coursing through her body and burning every cell of her skin.

The fear she felt vanished and she opened her eyes widened as he pulled away, smiling at him.

"Will you come tomorrow?"

Inuyasha nodded, casting one last glance at the people praying in the temple before turning away.

"Be careful," she whispered, watching him as his figure disappeared into the trees.

Kagome entered her house with a smile, glad she had agreed to enter that gloomy place again.

The demon forest was no longer her enemy.

"Kagome!"

She smiled as she saw her three friends, giving each of them a hug.

"Hi, Yuka," Kagome sat down at her side, hanging her handbag on her chair. "It's good to see you all."

Eri folded her arms on the table and Ayumi walked over to the counter to order their drinks. It had been a while since they had seen each other and they had arranged to have a snack together.

"How's it going at the hospital?" Yuka asked, resting her chin on her hand.

"Great. Sara works on another floor but we see each other a lot," Kagome waited until Ayumi returned to the table and looked around at her three friends. "And you?"

"We're together too," Eri replied with a smile.

"We're learning a lot," said Ayumi, nudging Eri a little. "And Eri has met a very handsome nurse."

She blushed, looking down at the table.

"He asked me out last week," she admitted, twisting her fingers as she spoke. "And we'll see each other tonight."

"Wow," Kagome took her hand and squeezed it to show her support. "I'm so glad all three of you are doing well."

"How about you, Kagome?" Yuka asked, raising her brow. "Are you still seeing Inuyasha?"

Even though they hadn't seen each other in weeks, the three of them had kept asking Kagome about the strange guy she met one night at the disco.

And she never knew what to say. She couldn't tell them the truth and she hated lying, so she avoided the subject as much as possible.

She nodded silently, pulling back when the waitress brought their four milkshakes.

"That guy has to be a sex god," Ayumi muttered once they were alone again, arching an eyebrow. "That night he was eating you up with his eyes."

"Ayumi!" Kagome blushed and clenched her jaw as the three of them giggled. "We've only kissed for now."

She touched her chin with her forefinger.

"I thought he was going to ask you to his flat that night."

"No," Kagome snarled, trying to control her anger. "Inuyasha is not like that. You're mistaken."

She had thought the same thing the day she met him, but it didn't take her long to discover that the mysterious guy wasn't looking for the same thing as the others.

"Well, I recommend you try it, Kagome," Ayumi's voice interrupted her thoughts. Her friend snorted, waving her hand dismissively. "Waiting until marriage like our mothers is too boring."

Kagome narrowed her eyes.

"I was waiting to meet the right person."

"And have you?"

'I think so.'

"I don't want to talk about it anymore," Kagome shook her head, wanting to change the subject.

Ayumi searched her gaze.

"Just one more thing," she whispered with bright eyes. "Will you tell us everything when it happens?"

Kagome couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

"No promises."

"Inuyasha," Kagome tried to smile as she found him sitting on her bed, though she knew she was blushing. "Hello."

Inuyasha sniffed the air with a frown.

"What's wrong with you?"

She rolled her eyes. It was impossible to hide how she felt in front of him.

"It's nothing," she assured him, sitting down beside him and setting her handbag on the mattress. "My friends asked me about you and it made me nervous."

He buried his right hand in her hair, brushing the back of her neck with his nails. Kagome dropped her head to his chest and closed her eyes.

His fingers ran up and down her black hair, scratching gently.

"Do you feel better now?"

Kagome nodded. She would love to stay like that for the rest of the afternoon, receiving Inuyasha's caresses.

She wrapped an arm around his waist and snuggled more against his body.

"If you keep doing that, I'll fall asleep."

Inuyasha's chest vibrated with his laughter.

"I thought I could help you practice your magic today."

Her eyes snapped open.

"In the forest?"

"I think it would be a good idea to try concentrating it on an object," Inuyasha murmured, still stroking her hair and neck. "Like you did that morning with the knife."

She straightened, nibbling on her lower lip nervously.

She hated to think about that day.

"Do you know how to handle a sword?" he asked, his lips twisting downward as she shook her head. "And a shield?"

Kagome shook her head again, dropping her hands to her lap.

"I was pretty good at archery in high school," she murmured under her breath. "I still keep my equipment in the storage room."

Inuyasha's face lit up.

"Arrows," he jumped to his feet, grinning again as he looked at her. "You could defend yourself from afar."

Kagome blinked in confusion as she watched him open the window.

"Take them and meet me at the tree."

Inuyasha disappeared and she stood up with her heart pounding.

She knew that the ancient priestesses could accumulate their power into objects and hurl them at their enemies.

Would she be able to do the same?

"Close your eyes, Kagome."

She obeyed, taking a deep breath. She placed the arrow in the bow and drew the string taut, trying to get her energy flowing towards it.

A minute later she snorted loudly and lowered the bow.

"It's not working," Kagome kicked the ground angrily. "I've been trying for a week now, Inuyasha."

Every afternoon they went to the edge of the demon forest together and she tried to get her energy to accumulate in the arrow before she shot it. And she still hadn't succeeded.

Inuyasha crossed his arms, hiding his hands in the sleeves of his red jacket.

"And we'll keep going until it works," he said hoarsely, pointing to the bow with his gaze.

Kagome gritted her teeth and moved back into position, pointing at the tree trunk in front of her.

"Fear helped you control your powers," Inuyasha whispered in her ear, brushing her waist with his fingers as he gently pushed her to the right until she was in the perfect position to shoot. "Try to remember what you felt when you first saw me in this form."

That was something Kagome tried not to think about. The reaction she had when she saw Inuyasha as a half-demon always made her feel guilty.

She let her mind go blank, concentrating on the energy she had felt inside her body when she thought her life was in danger.

Her hands glowed slightly and she gasped in surprise.

"You're doing great, Kagome."

The pink glow disappeared.

"Again," Inuyasha insisted, squeezing her shoulder.

She breathed in, letting the air out very slowly as she pointed at the tree.

"Focus on the arrow," Inuyasha stepped back as her hands glowed again. "And now shoot."

The light spread to the arrow just as Kagome fired. It crossed the distance separating her from the tree in an instant.

As it stuck in the trunk, a small burst of light surrounded the area where it had hit for several seconds, disappearing without a trace.

"If it had been a yōkai, it'd be dead by now," Inuyasha added with a big grin, wrapping his arms around her.

Kagome sighed in relief, leaning against his chest as they both stared at the tree.

"It's not so scary now, is it?" he asked softly, releasing her.

"No," she admitted as she slung the bow over her right shoulder. "But it's still very dangerous."

"Now you have me, and your powers," a smug smile spread across Inuyasha's face. He took a step closer and cupped her chin, staring down at her with his golden eyes. "No one will ever touch you again, Kagome. I assure you."