Yay! Another chapter for you, my dearest readers! -giggles and beams- I hope you enjoy it!
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Forgotten
Chapter Ten: Perfect
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"Aren't your feet cold?" The look of pure disbelief the hanyou shoots her speaks volumes. Grinning sweetly, Kagome leans over to the side, tilting her head to look at his bare feet surrounded by the snow. "Not even your toes?" Inuyasha just stares at her for a moment before uncrossing his arms and glaring at her.
"Of course not! What the hell is wrong with you?" Glittering fangs flash as he angrily snaps at her, his golden eyes narrowed. "Are you always this annoyin'?" Her question had come seemingly out of nowhere, catching him off guard, which he certainly doesn't like. Besides, he can't help but be frustrated…especially since he doesn't remember if this is a normal occurrence or not. Kagome straightens back up, holding tightly to his red haori still draped over her shoulders; she smiles warmly, her brown eyes strangely soft. Not in a hurt manner…but rather sympathetic.
"I was only curious." She states softly, her gentle gaze locked onto his confused one. In the past she may have gotten upset, even found tears in her eyes, before growing angry. Now, however, she finds herself not mad, or even frustrated, but rather understanding. Knowing how empty she felt without him…she feels…closer to him, somehow, and more aware of how he works. "I don't want you to get sick." She smiles cheerfully, her cheeks flushing as she claps her hands together and gazes steadily at him. Needless to say, he is unnerved by her actions and words.
"Keh!" He scoffs in annoyance before tucking his arms into the sleeves of his undershirt and spinning around. "A little snow ain't gonna hurt me." A low growl echoes in his words, a warning for her to leave him alone. She doesn't listen, and instead stares at his back for a moment, her heart fluttering oddly in her chest as she notices how striking he looks, even from behind, surrounded by the freshly fallen snow.
"I'm glad…" He tenses instantly, his golden eyes widening in surprise. Confused, he turns to glance over his shoulder at her, his eyes quickly narrowing to glare at her, demanding an explanation. They lock eyes for a brief moment, until Kagome suddenly breaks the connection, bowing her head as her own emotions catch her off-guard. Lifting a hand to her eyes, she struggles to fight back the tears. A split second later the hanyou is by her side, his warm hands lifting her face towards his own; tears stream down her cheeks, glittering in the soft moonlight. Growling softly, Inuyasha strokes them away, those deadly claws surprisingly gentle against her skin.
"…Kagome…why are you crying…?" His tone is utterly kind, soft and soothing. She merely gazes at him in shock, surprised…yet not…at this outstandingly tender side of the hanyou. Those stunningly gold eyes of his are worried and concerned, not the least bit annoyed or angry. Fighting back a sniffle, she lifts a hand to wrap her fingers shakily around his own.
"I…I just…don't want anything to…to happen to you…" She manages, her voice trembling with fear. Completely bewildered, and utterly taken aback, Inuyasha can only stare at her, unsure of what to say…of what to do. She's…worried…about him? It's hard to believe…and even harder to understand. He's not used to someone caring…he's still getting used to having Sango, Miroku, and Shippo worrying about him, but Kagome…she's different. Somehow…she's different.
"Stop cryin'…" He nearly stammers, still too perplexed to even think of holding up the stubborn 'I could care less what you think' attitude that he normally carries. "Look, I'm fine…!" Leaning over slightly he places his hands on her shoulders, his claws gently digging into the red cloth keeping her warm, and forces her to look him eyes-to-eye. "Look…I'm right here…I'm not going anywhere…." For a moment they merely gaze into one another's eyes, but then Kagome chokes back a sob and lurches forward. Without even thinking on the action Inuyasha opens his arms, catching her in a warm embrace as she wraps her arms around his waist.
"I…I don't want to lose you again!" Her soft wail slices right through him; numbly he holds her trembling frame against him, his golden eyes staring unseeingly at the landscape surrounding them. "I felt…so…so empty…without you!" It still doesn't make sense. Why should she be so upset? Why should she cry with such emotion…over him? Her sobbing tugs at his heart, guarded as it is, and the scent of her tears burns his sensitive sense of smell. Vaguely his mind registers the fact that he'd do anything to keep her from crying ever again…
"Kagome…" Bowing his head, he wraps his arms tighter around her, holding her close, pressing her delicate form against him. "…I won't let you feel empty again…" Unable to hold back his own emotions, he finds himself nuzzling her neck, greedily inhaling that outstanding scent of hers. "…I promise…" She shudders against him, her hands gripping the back of his shirt desperately. The tears continue to fall, but gradually they begin to slow. It feels so…perfect…to be held like this…by him; she doesn't need to even think on it to know that he, too, feels the same.
"Inu…yasha…" She breathes out his name wistfully, her eyes fluttering shut as she rests her head against his chest, listening, feeling, for the steady promise of his heartbeat. Finding it, and soothed by the warmth his very presence grants her, her trembling finally ceases. A soft smile lights up her pretty features as she sighs in contentment. He holds her a bit closer, needing her as much as she needs him, even though he still doesn't understand why. Yet that really doesn't matter…all that matters now…is that they're together.
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Yawning widely, his sleepy green eyes blinking groggily, Shippo wades through the snow, his entire frame trembling. He's exhausted, and cold; all he wants to do is curl up Kagome's lap, and snuggle against her until he falls asleep. His bushy tail flicks to the side as he gives up walking, and drops down instead on all fours; as quickly as possible, he bounds through the tall snow drifts. True, they are only a foot or two in depth, but they tower over him nonetheless. He isn't exactly the tallest of demons, but then again, he's still only a child.
When he had left the cozy shack the group calls home, it had been daylight out. Once it started snowing, however, he completely lost track of time. He had spent at least an hour playing in the falling ice crystals before he realized how dark it had gotten. Sniffling weakly, he wrinkles his nose and holds back a sneeze. If he doesn't hurry, he's going to catch a cold…if he hasn't already! At long last the cabin comes into view, and he grins childishly at the sight of it.
As soon as he slips inside, he cringes, expecting a disapproving frown from Sango, or a harsh comment from Inuyasha. Only silence greets him. Blinking, he looks around the cabin, curious as to why he hasn't been scolded for coming in so late. The first thing he notices is that only Miroku is there, fast asleep in his bed, lying on his side, his back to the small kitsune. Inuyasha and Kagome must still be out. Grinning slyly, Shippo patters over to where the monk lies; he's happy that the hanyou and miko are spending time together. Goodness knows, they both need it.
"Miroku?" Shippo whispers softly, getting on tip-toe to gently look over the sleeping monk's side. He wants to ask him where Sango went…for she isn't anywhere in sight…and he doesn't see Kirara either; faint worry tugs at his mind, but before he can try to wake the wounded young priest, Shippo finds Sango. Gazing wide-eyed, he blinks a few times before rubbing his green eyes franticly. He cannot possibly be seeing what he believes he's seeing…
Sango…is sleeping…with Miroku! The little kitsune continues to just sit there, staring in astonishment. The pretty demon huntress is indeed curled up with the injured monk, and he has his wounded arm draped contently over her waist, holding her close against him as they share their warmth. Shippo pinches his own arm just to make certain; it stings when he does. Now convinced that what he's seeing is real, the little kitsune darts to the other side of the couple, so that he's closer to Sango. Biting down on his lip, he gazes at them almost longingly. Holding back a whimper, he gently shakes Sango's shoulder. She shifts slightly in her sleep, refusing to wake; he shakes her a bit harder, whispering her name to gain her attention.
"…Hmmm?" She blinks groggily, lifting her head as she hears her name called. "…Shippo…?" Sitting up ever so slightly, she turns so she can see him. Struggling to stay awake, she gazes at him in faint confusion. "What is it…are you alright…?" She doesn't seem to realize that she's been caught sleeping next to Miroku. Shippo gazes at her pleadingly, his green eyes glittering with hidden sorrow.
"…Can I sleep with you, too…?" Sango stares at him for a moment, a bit confused. When she realizes what he's saying, she smiles sleepily and nods. It still doesn't sink in that she should at be even a little embarrassed, in the least, at being caught in such a situation.
"Hai…come here…" Grinning, he quickly scampers into her arms. Just as pleased as the kitsune, Sango lies back down, Shippo already cuddling against her, sleep quickly catching up with him. Stifling a yawn, the young woman cradles the small youth against her as she in turn presses against the one she finds her heart pining after. Still fast asleep, Miroku mutters something inaudible, and shifts ever so slightly, his arm around her waist pulling her a bit closer. Content, she smiles and rests her head against his chest, quickly falling back asleep.
Snuggled in her warm embrace, Shippo gives a happy little thrum, his furry tail wagging gently from side to side. Being held between the two…makes him feel as if he's truly home; when he is curled up with Kagome or even Inuyasha, he gets the same warmth in his chest. It doesn't matter that they aren't his parents, or even siblings. They are still ones he cares deeply for, who he loves with all of his little fox heart. They are his true family now, and being with them makes everything seem…perfect.
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Awww! -giggles happily- I truly enjoyed writing that. It was rather fun! -smiles and bows- And I hope you enjoyed it as well! Please feel free to leave comments! Until next time – Je ne!
P.S. Oh! Little-Brit! Feel free to use my baddie's name for your baddie! -giggles happily and does a spin- I am tickled that you wish to use his name! It is rather evil sounding, no? -beams and gives the peace sign- Thanks for asking beforehand! And your reviews still continue to make my day!