Chapter 6: Realization

Inuyame woke up and looked out of the window, smiling. She had dreamt of Kovu. She yawned and sat up in bed then slipped her feet into her slippers. Once she was out of the shower and into her school clothes she went downstairs. "Morning mom, morning dad, morning Taro." She said, giving each person in turn a kiss on the head.

"Well you sure are in a good mood." Inuyasha said, giving her a strange look.

Inuyame shrugged and sat down at the breakfast table. She started humming as she began eating, a smile on her face the whole time.

"Hmm, loving, smiling, humming…" Kagome's face lit up with realization. "It must be a boy!"

"What? No. You're crazy." Inuyame said while her cheeks heated up from embarrassment.

"A boy huh?" Inuyasha said. "And who might this boy be?" He leaned in closer.

"No one! Mom doesn't know what she's talking about." Inuyame said. "I gotta go to school." She said quickly and grabbed her bag and ran out the door.

"What was that all about?" Inuyasha asked, dumbstruck.

"It's definitely a boy that's on her mind." Kagome said and smiled knowingly.

"Hmph." Inuyasha grunted.

*Meanwhile*

Inuyame ran up to the tree where her friends were waiting. "Hey guys I'm here sorry I'm late!" She said.

"Hey Inuyame!" They all said in greeting.

"Inuyame, why is your face red?" Sanoku said and walked closer to Inuyame and inspected her face.

"Wha-what? My face isn't red!" Inuyame said. "Come on guys or we're going to be late for school!" She said and turned on her heel before she started running in the direction of the school.

"Inuyame! Wait up!" Shirara yelled as the rest of the gang took off after her.

'That was close.' Inuyame thought to herself as she ran. 'It's bad enough that my mom knows, I don't want them to find out too.'

When the group finally got to the school, it was time to go to class so Inuyame was saved from having to explain anything. As she walked to archery, her mind went over and over how she felt about Kovu. Did she really love him? Was love when you dreamt about a person at night and thought about them first thing in the morning? Was love when the mere thought of a person enough to bring a smile to your face and a blush to your cheeks? She didn't know, all she knew was she had strong feelings for Kovu, she just hadn't decided what they were yet. As she walked through the door she saw the familiar black ponytail of someone sitting in her seat, again.

"Ahem." She coughed as she walked up behind him.

"Oh! Sorry, is this your seat?" Kovu said as he stood up, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. But I could've sworn I told you that yesterday." Inuyame said, trying hard not to smile.

"Really? Huh, must've slipped my mind." He said and smirked, moving to the side to Inuyame could set her stuff down.

"Well, I guess I can forgive you then." She said as she turned to face him. Her breath was once again taken away as she looked into his deep blue eyes. There was something there, though she couldn't decide what, that drew her in, some sort of deep, dark secret that no one knew about.

"Hm, yes, well, thank you." Kovu said and broke the connection. Inuyame blinked and looked away as well. 'What just happened?' she asked herself.

'What the hell was that?' Kovu thought to himself. 'It felt as though, for a moment, we connected. As if our souls touched.'

"So um, I guess we better start practicing." Inuyame said as she unhooked her bow from her backpack and grabbed an arrow out of her quiver.

"Ye-yeah, I guess so." Kovu said. 'Did I just stutter? Me? Who always knows what to say? Who is this girl and what spell has she put on me?'

"Here goes." Inuyame whispered to herself as she nocked an arrow. She aimed at the target, focused her energy, closed her eyes, and let go.

"Woah." Kovu gasped to himself as the arrow hit a direct bullseye. "Impressive." He said to her. "I've been practicing since you taught me. Let's see how I do."

"Be my guest." Inuyame said as she moved off to the side.

'Alright now, not too good.' Kovu said to himself. He lifted his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming slightly off to the side. He let go and smiled as the arrow hit the second outermost ring, right where he'd been aiming.

"Nice shot!" Inuyame said and clapped a little bit. She smiled wide and Kovu's heart fluttered.

"Ha, thanks." He said and combed his hand through his hair nervously.

They both jumped a little as the bell rang. "Hey, umm, I don't really have anyone to eat lunch with so, would you like to sit with me?" Kovu asked quietly, so much so that Inuyame had to strain to hear him.

"Oh, umm, sure." Inuyame said, a blush slowly creeping across her cheeks. "I'll just let my friends know." She said and did a small wave before running off to find the others.

Kovu smiled as he watched her leave. "She sure is something." He said to himself.

Meanwhile

"Hey guys! Hey wait up!" She called as she saw her friends standing outside the cafeteria.

"What is it Inuyame?" Sanoku asked.

"I uh, umm, er, that is, well…" Inuyame stuttered.

"Just spit it out already!" Shirara persisted.

"I can't eat lunch with you guys today!" Inuyame blurted.

"Okay. Why?" Mirokusan asked.

"Well, uh, Kovu asked me to eat lunch with him." She said, trying hard to keep back a smile as her face turned bright red.

"What?! When did this happen?! Why didn't you tell us sooner?!" Shirara and Sanoku practically yelled.

"Ahh! Soorry! It just happened during last class so I told you as soon as I found you." She said.

"Ohmigosh that is so sweet! I'm so happy for you!" Shirara said and hugged Inuyame.

"Me too!" Sanoku said and joined in.

"Women." Mirokusan said and put his face in his hands. "Well if you ladies are done I would like to get some lunch for I am starved." He said and made a sweeping motion with his hand towards the lunchroom.

"Alright alright, we get the hint. C'mon Shirara, let's go." Sanoku said and grabbed Shirara's arm, tugging her towards the cafeteria.

"Alright I'm coming. But I want full details girl! You better call me tonight!" Shirara called as she disappeared.

"Hey." Came the husky sound of a male voice right next to her ear.

Inuyame jumped and gasped as she spun around. "You startled me!" She accused as she playfully poked a finger into Kovu's chest.

"Woah hey, sorry love." Kovu said as he innocently put his hands up in mock surrender.

Inuyame blushed when he called her "love". "Well, let's get going to lunch then." She said and turned on her heel. Kovu followed close behind.

The two of them got their trays of food and sat down. "So, how are you today?"

Inuyame looked up, surprised. "Umm, today I'm great."

"Meaning yesterday you weren't so great?" Kovu asked as he put his head on his hand, intrigued.

"Oh, no that's not what I meant. I'm just feeling happy today." Inuyame said and blushed after she realized what she had just said.

"Hmm, is there any, special, reason for that?" Kovu asked as he reached his hand across the table and lightly brushed the top of Inuyame's hand.

She drew in a quick breath and flipped her hand so her palm was facing up. "Ma-maybe." She stuttered and looked away.

"Uh huh. Well, I'm especially happy today too." Kovu said and grinned widely at her as he slipped his hand into hers and held on to it.

"R-really? Wh-what for?" Inuyame asked, her voice trembling. Her stomach felt like it was full of butterflies.

"Hmm, I'd have to say it's because of you." Kovu said, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Me?" Inuyame asked, stunned. Sure she had figured that's what he was going to say but actually hearing him say it was a different thing entirely.

"Yes, you. I don't know why but I'm drawn to you, Inuyame. I find that I can't stop thinking about you even when you're not with me. There's just something about you." Kovu said earnestly as he looked into Inuyame's eyes.

"I, I don't know what to say. But I feel the same way about you." Inuyame said, her face turning scarlet.

"You don't have to be embarrassed, it's a perfectly natural feeling." Kovu said as he grabbed both of Inuyame's hands in his own.

"I, I know. It's just, I've never felt this way about anyone before." Inuyame said quietly, so quietly so that Kovu had to lean forward and strain his ears to hear it.

When he realized what she had said, his face lit up and he smiled. "I'm really glad to hear you say that. I've never felt this about anyone either."

"Really? So I'm the first girl you've…liked?" Inuyame asked hesitantly.

"Er, yeah. Yeah, that's right." Kovu said and pulled his hands back and pulled his phone out of his pocket and answered it. "Hello? Yeah. Yeah okay. Alright I'll be right there." He hung up the phone and looked at Inuyame. "I have to go, I'm really sorry. See you tomorrow?" He asked.

"Yeah. Yeah definitely. See you tomorrow." Inuyame said and pasted a smile onto her face. Kovu smiled and walked away. As his back disappeared around the corner, Inuyame's smile faded. She sighed, "I miss him already."