Sorry that I haven't updated in a while. I had finals to deal with, but now they are over and the story can get going again. I also don't own any of the characters in this story even though I wish I did.
Everyone started to awake at dawn. Keade made them break feast before they left. Keade also wanted to talk to Kagome alone before they left to find Naraku.
"Kagome child, you will have to take care of yourself. Also, you should continue your meditation. It will become accentual for your health."
"I'll remember that Keade, thank you. Keade, can I ask you something, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"Of course child, you can ask me anything."
"Was Kikyo able to reach this kind of power." Kagome was worried that Keade wouldn't answer the question. Keade thought for a moment before she answered.
"Kagome, Kikyo had the power inside of her, but unlike you, she was never able to reach it. She wasn't as intoned to her heart as you are or as open to your powers as you are. Kikyo wanted to be a normal person more than anything and hated her powers that made her different. She had a good heart, don't get me wrong, she saved a lot of people, but she wanted to be like other females and not have to worry about her powers or the jewel that you now hunt. Ye on the other hand are not so worried about being a normal female or what people think about you, that is why ye will be able to do great things. Now, I believe it is time for you to go before Inuyasha drags you out of here."
"Keade, thank you, you have given me lots to think about." Kagome got up from the mat in Keade's hut and started towards the door when she stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Keade, your wrong about one thing, I only care what people think about me when I care about them, like you." Keade smiled at the girl and gave her a nod of understanding. Kagome then turned back around and went out to meet her waiting traveling companions.
"What did that old hag have to say that was so important to make us wait?" Inuyasha had thought that they would be able to go right after they ate, but Keade wanted to speak with Kagome and they were loosing good time.
"Calm down Inuyasha, she just wanted to give a couple of good pointers to help me control my powers. We can leave now Mr. Grumpy." All she got was a 'Feh' as Inuyasha turned around and started walking into the woods. Shippo jumped on Kagome's shoulder as she began to walk with the rest of the group. Sango and Shippo were giggling at Inuyasha's new nickname while Miroku had enough self-restraint to just smirk at Inuyasha. Soon, Sango and Shippo were able to stop their giggling.
"What's with Inuyasha, he's been grumpier than usual today." Shippo said in a low voice so Kagome could only hear.
"Don't worry about him Shippo, he will calm down later in the day hopefully. Just stay out of his way and try not to aggravate him any further." Kagome said in the same low voice Shippo was using so Inuyasha couldn't hear them. Shippo just nodded and planned to stay at Kagome's side just in case. He knew that Inuyasha wouldn't be able to touch him while Kagome was there.
Inuyasha's mind
I cant' believe she said I was 'Mr. Grumpy.' What was that all about? The only reason I'm mad is because yesterday was going so good, and now we have to go back out because Naraku attacked the village. I can't wait till I am able to rip Naraku limb from limb.
Out of Inuyasha's Mind
Inuyasha let out a growl that he was holding in. Kagome was a little worried about this. She knew that he was working himself up about something and it didn't do anybody any good to have him worked up. Kagome handed Shippo over to Sango and told everybody to give her and Inuyasha some space. They complied and slowed down their walk so they were a few feet behind Inuyasha and Kagome. "Inuyasha, are you ok."
That brought Inuyasha out of his thoughts. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you keep asking me that?" His voice was harsher than he meant it to be and Kagome flinch at his tone. Inuyasha mentally kicked himself for that. He got control over himself before he was able to talk to Kagome in a softer voice. "Sorry Kagome, I didn't mean to yell at you like that. I was just thinking how Naraku sent Kagura so close to the village. He never did that before and it makes me angry that he started to do it now. Like he's taunting us or something. I can't wait until I'm able to destroy him." Kagome just let out a little sigh and shook her head with a little smile. "What are you grinning at wench?"
"You. Everyone has been worried about you because of your fowl mood and you were in that fowl mood because you were worried about everybody."
"Who said I was worried about anybody?"
"Inuyasha, you may be able to hide your emotions from people, but you can't hide them from me. I know you too well to know that you worry about everybody. Even little Shippo who gets on your nerves." Kagome said in a teasing tone while grabbing onto his arm. This made Inuyasha blush a little, but Kagome didn't let go. Damn, either she doesn't know what she's doing to me or she knows and doesn't care. She's a stupid wench either way. They walked like that for a while letting Inuyasha able to get his blushing under control. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo right behind them, watching Kagome calm down Inuyasha.
"It seems that Lady Kagome was able to calm down Inuyasha a lot quicker than usual." Miroku said with a smile on his face at the nice seen that was before them.
"Yes, it seems that they admitting their feelings for each other has Inuyasha easier to calm down by Kagome. Both also seem a lot more happier than before also." Sango said with happiness for her friend. She was also hoping that they would be able to get a break soon. They had been moving fast since they left Keade's village and was already two villages over because of Inuyasha's hurry.
"Inuyasha, do you think we could take a break now. We've been moving for a while and I would like to meditate before we eat." Inuyasha looked down at Kagome. He knew that he was pushing them all hard and had made good timing so far. Plus he wanted to keep Kagome happy. Her sent was always so nice and calming when she was this way and he wanted to keep the peace for as long as possible. Kagome was looking up at him with pleading eye and Inuyasha knew that he was going to cave.
"Feh, you guy can rest if you need to. I will go and hunt some food down." Inuyasha noticed the sudden spike in her sent that let him know that she was very happy with his answer, that and the way she hugged him and thanked him. In the end, he felt better giving this one to Kagome rather than having a fight that he was going to loose. Everyone started setting up camp in a clearing while Inuyasha went out hunting. Kagome sat herself under a tree that provided some shade before she started meditating. She concentrated on her emotions and got really far with it by the time Inuyasha got back with the two hares he caught and cleaned. Kagome got up and went over to the rest of the group to help cook the hares.
"That was a fast meditation lady Kagome, are you sure you don't need more time. I'm sure we could cook these hares without you if need be."
"I'm ok Miroku, thank you. I don't need a lot of time for every meditation, and besides, I like to cook." With that, Kagome took out her cooking supplies and started cooking over the fire that Shippo made with his foxfire. Everyone watched as Kagome cooked the food with grace and ease. Inuyasha had never really noticed how serene she looked while she cooked.
I wonder what it would be like for her to just be cooking for me, in our own house, with our pups.
Wow, when did that come from, we just told each other how we felt yesterday. I haven't even asked her to be my mate yet and I thinking about houses and pups and everything that goes with it. I defiantly need to keep my thoughts in check or I might do something that we both will regret.
Inuyasha was brought out of his thoughts by Kagome telling them that their lunch was ready and was glad for the distraction from his dangerous thoughts. He took the meat that was handed to him and bit into it. He was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the meat. It was the best he had ever had and was surprised that Kagome was able to make it so good.
"Wow Kagome, this is very good. How did you make it so good." Shippo said in between bites.
" Shippo, you shouldn't talk with food in your mouth, and it's a family recipe that I wanted to try. I'm glad that you like it."
"How come you never cooked like this for us before wench?" Inuyasha said before taking another bite of the meat.
"I don't know. I just thought of the recipe know and I thought that it would be nice to fix."
"Kagome, did your mother teach you how to make it or somebody else in your family?" Sango asked curiously. Kagome told her many times that whenever there was a big gathering of her family, the females would all help with the preparations of the food and it sounded nice to Sango.
"No, my grandmother taught me how to cook when I lived with her." Everybody was looking at her with question stare. Kagome noticed this and started to explain. "When I was twelve, my parents and I weren't getting along to well. We were always arguing because I wanted to go out more with my friends than learn the way of our family line. So one day I had enough and ran away from my house."
"What! You could have gotten hurt in that city with you so young." Inuyasha wasn't pleased at all by the thought of Kagome being in that city of hers alone. He saw how dangerous it could be for someone small.
"That is the way my grandmother felt when I ended on her doorstep. My parents weren't as worried because they knew I could take care of myself, they just didn't know were I would go or do on my own. Anyways, my grandmother told my parents that I would be staying with her for a month or two." This time Sango was the one to interrupt Kagome.
"And your parents just let you stay with your grandmother without any argument? That sounds very unusual to me Kagome."
"In other circumstances, yes, but my grandmother is the head of the family. Whatever she says is the law; it has always been that way. That was part of the reason I went to her, I knew she would have the best answer for what I should do. The other is that she is my favorite relative next to my immediate family. Anyways, I stayed at my grandmother's house for two months and my grandmother taught me how to cook. It became very relaxing to me and I am very good at it." Kagome had a nice smile on her face while she was eating the last of her food. It was nice thinking about the time she spent with her grandmother. It was a hard time and she was working hard for most of the time, but it provided her the time she needed to get her thoughts straight enough to go back home and work things out with her parents. Everybody else seemed to be stunned at how casually Kagome told everyone what happened. They never thought that Kagome would run away from anything that caused her problems. They saw her as somebody that faced things head on. Everybody was finishing their food while thinking this. Kagome started to clean the area so they could get moving again soon.
Inuyasha's Mind
I can't believe that Kagome would run away from her parents, or that they would fight. Kagome's family always seemed so close that it is unthinkable of what they could be fighting about. I'll ask Kagome this later when we set up camp for the night. I want to figure this out so I know not to make the same mistake when me and Kagome have our own pups, whenever that may be.
Out of Inuyasha's Mind
With this new resolve, Inuyasha started to help get the camp together so they could get started sooner and so he could talk to Kagome sooner. The group was on their way in no time and walked until night fell without finding any sign of Kagura or Naraku. Inuyasha said that he was going to hunt down some food for them to eat. He wanted some more of Kagome's special cooking and some time to think on how he was going to ask Kagome about what she said earlier about her family. Mean while Kagome decided that a nice dip in the hot springs they passed earlier would relax her muscles from the walking that day.
"Sango, do you want to come with me to the hot springs that we came to earlier. I think we could both use a dip." Kagome wanted to talk to Sango for a while. They hadn't done it in two days, and for them that was a long time.
"I'm sorry Kagome, I'm just too tired to do it tonight. I was planning to take a quick dip before we left in the morning. Do you think you could wait until then?" It took Kagome a moment to think about it. Sango really did look tired and she doubt that she could keep her eyes open for much long, but Kagome really needed to sock away the tension in her legs and a quick bath wasn't going to do it.
"I think I will just take my bath tonight. I need to relax my muscles and a quick dip won't do it."
"Kagome, are you sure, I mean I could come with you if you can't wait that long to take a bath."
"Don't worry Sango, I'll be ok. You can barely keep your eyes open anyway and I don't want you to drown because of me. Go to sleep, I think I can manage taking a bath by myself." Kagome said with a smile before turning toward the hot springs. Inuyasha came back to the camp sight to find Sango already half a sleep, Miroku meditating, and Shippo eating some candy from Kagome's time. But there wasn't a Kagome in sight and her sent was somewhat faint, like she hadn't been there for a while. Inuyasha dropped the fish he caught by the fire before he turned back to his group.
"Sango, were did Kagome go? She was supposed to stay here at camp with the rest of you." Sango sat up from her futan before answering the angry Inuyasha.
"She went off to the hot springs to relax. She thought that you wouldn't mind since she wouldn't be that far away."
"That stupid wench." Inuyasha went after Kagome's sent to go and yell at her. She knows better than to go off by herself. No matter how strong she was, a demon, or worst, Naraku, still could hurt her. He was running faster after her sent. Meanwhile Sango looked over at Miroku who was looking at where Inuyasha disappeared before turning back to Sango.
"Do you think I shouldn't of told him where she went?" She had a worried look on her face while looking at Miroku. Miroku got up and knelt down by Sango to comfort her.
"Don't worry dear Sango, Inuyasha wouldn't do anything to rash with Kagome." That helped Sango a little bit.
"Plus, Kagome still has the rosary beads to 'sit' the baka if he gets out of line." Shippo said with laughter in his eyes at the thought of that. Sango gave a little giggle before getting up and going towards the fish that Inuyasha dropped off towards the fire.
"Let's get these fished cooked so we can start eating. I'm sure Inuyasha and Kagome wouldn't mind if we started without them." Both of the guys nodded their heads for the thought of food entering their mouths. With that, Sango got some of Kagome's cooking supplies from her bag and started cooking the fish.
Kagome was lying in the hot springs letting the hot water relax her tired muscles. She was vaguely aware of her surroundings when she started to sense Inuyasha coming toward her. She let out a sigh, but didn't make a move to cover herself.
Aren't you going to cover yourself up before Inuyasha gets here?
No, I think I will give him something to look at. Plus, me being like this will keep him from yelling at me once he realizes what state I'm in.
You mean naked in a hot spring. Kagome, do you think that's wise.
It may not be wise, but it will keep me from having a headache or getting to mad at him.
I have a feeling that this is going to be very interesting. I will leave you to your love now.
Just then Inuyasha jumped over some bushes that hid the hot springs. "Kagome what do you…."? He stopped when he realized the seen in front of him.
"Inuyasha, you ok? You seem a little flushed." Kagome had turned around but had her chest to the rocks so she was covered. She had a smile on her face with the reaction that Inuyasha was having.
"Get dressed wench. We need to head back towards the camp." Inuyasha had managed to tear his eyes away from the heavenly scene that was in front of him. The steam was rising around Kagome's smooth, creamy skin. Her long, raven hair falling around her, and her beautiful face somewhat flushed from the steam. He was restraining himself from tearing off his clothes and joining her. He wasn't expecting what he heard next.
"No. I want to stay in the hot springs a little later."
"What! What do you mean by NO! You better get up and get dressed or…" Inuyasha had turned around to yell at her but was stopped by the look she was giving her. It was an amused, lustful look that had him responding in ways that he wasn't expecting. Luckily him pants prevented Kagome from noticing, for now.
"Or you'll what Inuyasha, come in and get me yourself. I doubt that." Kagome turned around to rest her back on the rocks. "Anyways, I need to relax a little more. My muscles are still a little sore from all of the walking. I plan on getting out before dinner is ready." It took a while before Inuyasha could trust his voice.
"Kagome, you could be in danger if you stay out of here alone. I know that you have gotten a lot stronger, but I just want to make sure that you are safe."
"And I know that the way for me to be really safe is if I was with somebody from our little pack right?" Kagome looked over her shoulder to see Inuyasha nodding. "Then you can stay with me to make sure that I'm safe." Kagome said with a smile.
"WHAT! You really want me to stay with you?" Inuyasha couldn't believe that Kagome was saying this. Usually he would have been 'sat' the matter he came upon her. But no, he was having a conversation with her when he'd rather be making love to her. Kami, help me please.
"Sure, why wouldn't I? I trust you more than anybody else that I know. Plus Sango is half asleep, Miroku is a pervert, so that's a major no, and Shippo is not in the mood to take a bath, or leaving the light of the fire. So that means that you can stay with me, or I can stay out here alone. It's your chose; I really don't mind you watching me relax. You could join me if you wish. Makes no difference to me." Kagome turned back around and sunk a little lower in the water. "The water really feels good too." Kagome didn't even bother to turn around to look at Inuyasha. She knew that he was going to stay, she just wasn't sure if her was going to join her or not. Kagome heard some clothes rustling behind her. I guess that answers my question. Kagome had a smile on her face and her eyes clothes. She could feel Inuyasha slide into the hot springs next to her. Kagome opened one of her eyes to see Inuyasha sitting next to her with his eyes hidden by his bangs. He looked glorious to her. His slightly tanned skin went very well with him. She could see his muscles by the moon reflecting off of the water. He was toned, but wasn't bulky. The bottom half of him was hidden by the water, but she could still enjoy the upper half of the show. Kagome reluctantly moved her eyes away from his features and turned towards the shy. "The stars look very nice tonight. I was admiring them before you came. They look so much brighter tonight for some reason." Inuyasha also looked into the shy. He knew that Kagome was trying to calm him down about the situation, although he was the one who got into the hot springs with her.
"Yeah, it does look nice. I didn't notice till now." Kagome spared him a glance and saw that he was staring to relax. "Kagome, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, you can ask me anything." Kagome looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile. That gave Inuyasha the courage to ask.
"Remember when you told us about that time you went to stay with you grandmother over a fight you had with your parents?" Kagome gave him a nod. "What was that fight about? It seems that you and your mother are really tight with each other and I can't really see you and her in that kind of argument." Kagome smiled at him and then looked up at the shy.
"It was over a guy that liked me a lot. He asked to have my hand in marriage when I came of age. He was the same age as me and he came from a family that, like me, had a long line of great spiritual powers. My mother and father thought it was a good idea to accept his offer without my consent. They just thought that because we were friends that I wouldn't mind being married to him." Kagome paused and looked over at Inuyasha. She expected him to interrupt her by now, but he was just looking at her in amazement. Guess he was going to say something after she was done. "We fought about it for months on end until I couldn't take it and went to my grandmother's house. At first she was mad that I came without my parents permission, but once I told her what was going on, she was madder at my parents than at me. She talked, or yelled at them for trying to marry me off to somebody that I didn't love that way. She ordered that I should have the freedom to choose my own husband, whoever it may be." She looked at Inuyasha again. He seemed to have regained his voice enough to take his queue and speak.
"I think I like your grandmother too." He said with a smirk and laughter in his eyes. Kagome let out a laugh that rang through the area.
"Yeah, I think she did that because I had enough courage to defy my parents and then come to her to issue an order to see about my fate." Inuyasha looked a little confused. "You see, in families that have a long line of great power, like mine, our parents can accept a marriage proposal for us and make us go through it. Grandma was impressed that I wanted to follow my own path like she did when her parents tried to force her into a marriage that she didn't want. I also got some more points with her because I came to her when the whole family is afraid of her, including me." Inuyasha just looked at her before putting a smirk on his face. His eyes changed as well. Kagome could see admiration, love and lust. She remembered that they were both in the hot springs with no clothes on. She blushed and looked down at the water. Inuyasha didn't miss this and scooted closer to her. Kagome made no move away from him but looked back at him. "Inuyasha…" Inuyasha's lips on her interrupted her. It started out soft, but then it became a deep passionate kiss. Inuyasha held Kagome while Kagome slipped her arms around his neck. She let a moan escape her lips. A cough from behind them made them separate and look behind. Kagome had gone lower in the water so she wouldn't be totally exposed. Behind them stood a blushing Miroku, Sango, and Shippo.
"What do you want?" Growled a very irritated Inuyasha. He looked at Kagome blushing redder than his shirt and then turned back toward the group. "Better yet, leave." They complied with Inuyasha's demand. Once Kagome was sure that they were gone, she got up and got a towel from a near by rock. She threw another towel toward Inuyasha. He caught it easily and put it around his waste. They both looked away when they dried themselves off and got dress. It was the fastest either one of them got dressed. They headed back to the campsite in silence. Each in their own, different thought about what happened.
I can't believe that I was interrupted again with Kagome and put on public display. One of these days, me and Kagome are not going to be interrupted. Because Kami, she had tasted so good. And that was only a little of what she taste like, I want more.
I can't believe that I allowed things to go that far. I would of probable let things go a lot farther, because it felt so gooood. That kiss, our bodies pressed against each other. Hopefully we could get a time of not getting interrupted.
Then they both had a thought that made them stop and blush: We were both aroused!
Kagome took a couple of good breaths and got control of herself enough to talk without a shaky voice. She turned to Inuyasha and said, "Let go and get this over with. Knowing Miroku, he will have a lot to say that could get him unconscious." Inuyasha smirked at this and got the same control over his blushing although they both knew they were anything but over what transpired in the hot springs. When they got to the campsite, Kagome could already see that Miroku was going to say something perverted. "Not a word Miroku."
"What ever do you mean, Lady Kagome, I wasn't going to say a thing. I was just going to ask if you enjoyed your bath." Miroku said with a pervert grin of his. That got him three bumps on his head and an 'idiot' from Shippo.
"I believe the fish is ready." Sango said with a little blush on her face when she looked at Inuyasha and Kagome. They all grabbed a peace of fish while Miroku was out cold. Inuyasha was planning on taking the fish if Miroku didn't become to by the time he finished his fish.
When everybody was done eating and Miroku was still knocked out, everyone was beginning to go to bed. Sango spread her futan near the fire but away from Miroku and his wandering hand. Kagome got into her sleeping bag and Shippo went into next to her. Inuyasha went into a tree right above her. Inuyasha thought that her and Shippo made a nice picture. They all thought of Shippo as Kagome's pup, and Inuyasha wanted to make pups of his own with Kagome. Sango saw the way Inuyasha was looking while Shippo and Kagome got ready for sleep. Sango just smiled and started to go to sleep. "Good night Kagome, Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kilala."
"Night everybody." Said a very sleepy Shippo.
"Feh"
Kagome rolled her eyes at Inuyasha before she responded. "Good night everyone. Night Inuyasha."
"Night Kagome" Kagome turned her head to look at Inuyasha. They both looked into each other's eyes before Kagome turned back around. Inuyasha smirked and went off into a peaceful sleep with dreams of Kagome.
I know you guys wanted lemons, but I guess you will have to wait a little while longer. Heheheheh
