Chapter Nine
Always Something...
Kagome laid awake for a long time after Kaede's snoring began. She was feeling fidgety and couldn't keep her heart from accelerating rapidly every time she so much as thought about Inuyasha. She sighed for the millionth time and pushed the covers off herself. She slipped on a pair of flip flops and quietly exited the hut wearing her pajamas.
Her heart went wild when she thought of how Inuyasha might be watching her right now. Of course, he would be. Inuyasha always watched over her as she slept, there wouldn't be a way for her to escape if she tried. She kept her eyes focused on the moonlit path in front of her feet. She had a destination in mind and so far the pain hadn't settled in. Thank God for Inuyasha as a distraction…
She blushed and crossed her arms over her chest as she trekked the familiar, worn route. The night was completely lifeless. Kagome rounded the bend in the path and held her breath as she got her first look of the Bone Eater's Well since the day she discovered it would no longer let her time travel through it.
There was the slightest feeling of relief as she saw it and didn't feel the immediate need to run far away. She felt quite the opposite actually, her feet began to move at a faster pace and she nearly sprinted the rest of the way toward the wooden well.
Kagome dropped to her knees when she reached it; the damp grass cool against her bare knees. Her pale hand traced the lip slowly before the other hand joined it and she pulled herself forward to peer inside. The night was gracious enough to make the bottom invisible to her weak, human eyes. She sat back and rolled onto her butt, leaning her back against the well.
Her eyes closed and a tear dropped. She smiled ruefully and wiped it away. Suddenly, she felt cold so she brought her knees up to her chest and hugged them. Her forehead leaned against her bare knees.
"I'm so stupid." Kagome whispered.
"Keh, not stupid. Maybe just sadistic."
Kagome looked up and pouted her lips at Inuyasha. "I thought it had been long enough. I guess I was wrong."
"You're only human." He dropped down next to her and crossed his arms and legs; Kagome leaned against him.
"How are they doing?"
"Good. They miss you. Souta is doing good in school."
"That's good and mama? Gramps?"
"She is drawing a lot. Gramps is doing better."
"I never knew Mama drew."
"She's pretty good at it."
"I'd like to see her drawings."
"I'll bring some back for you."
"Thank you."
"Keh."
Kagome rested her chin on his shoulder and looked up at him. Inuyasha turned his head and looked down at her. She smiled and he matched hers. She heaved a sigh; he stood up and held out a hand to her.
"Where are we going?"
"To bed. You're tired."
She shook her head childishly. "No, I want to stay here."
"You want to sleep outside? You hate-"
"I know, I'm crazy. But can we please sleep here? At the Well tonight?"
He thought about it briefly, not that there was ever anything he would deny Kagome, and nodded. Inuyasha sat back down, leaning against the well. He pulled Kagome in front of him and she leaned against his chest. His arms circled her and she tilted her head back. Inuyasha pressed a kissed to her lips.
Kagome adjusted herself more comfortably in his lap and closed her eyes. She felt happy again and safe. 'It's amazing that even being here can be tolerable when he's here with me.'
Sleep was finally just settling in; there was a gust of wind and a high pitch childish laugh.
"Kagome!" Ayame yelled appearing in front of the two with Kouga.
Kouga wrapped his arms around Ayame's waist and pulled her close to him.
"Ayame, Kouga? What are you guys doing here?"
"We are on our way out actually." Ayame smiled beautifully.
Inuyasha snorted. "Good, I'll be glad to have the wolf-stink gone."
Kagome elbowed him. "You're leaving?"
Kouga nodded. "We are heading back to the Northern Domain, my mate has a lot to do." He smiled sort of ruefully at Kagome.
"Mate! Congratulations!" Kagome smiled happily.
"Thanks! So anyways, I just wanted to thank you for all your trouble again."
"Oh really, it wasn't any problem."
Ayame's eyes looked unusually glossy. "I-I'm going to mi-miss you." Her voice was broken.
Kagome's eyes widened. "Oh, don't cry Ayame. We can keep in touch!"
Ayame nodded and wiped her eyes. "Of course! I'm being so silly, I'll visit you and Sango all the time!"
Inuyasha blanched behind her.
"Oh-Oh, yes. We'd like that very much." Kagome stuttered.
"Good! And we'll totally be here for Sango's wedding! I couldn't miss it for anything!" Ayame chirped.
"Of course…"
Kouga tugged at Ayame. "It's time for us to be going, Ayame." He whispered into her ear.
His mate nodded. "Right, well thanks again! See you soon!" They disappeared in a gust of wind.
Kagome was shell-shocked. "They are coming to visit… often…"
"Great." Inuyasha grumbled pulling Kagome closer and nuzzling her neck.
She shivered lightly as his nose trailed from her base to just behind her ear. Her arms hugged his and soon the calming presence of Inuyasha lead Kagome into an easy sleep.
She awoke the next morning to the sound of birds and the rustling of trees. She opened her sleepy eyes and spied the beautiful and familiar clearing. A bee drifted past her face and landed on a nearby meadow flower.
Inuyasha shifted a little behind her and she looked back. He smirked and kissed her nose. She smiled and angled her face up for a kiss. He was leaning down to met her request when Shippo's shrill voice came into the clearing. The lovers sighed.
"Kagome! Sango's going to kill Miroku!" Shippo squealed jumping into her lap.
"What are you talk'n bout runt?" Inuyasha asked annoyed.
"Sango was having tea with Kaede when Miroku comes in followed by a woman wearing a cloak. She said she wanted to see you but Miroku was refusing to let her wander by herself so he suggested that she stay with him and Sango. Sango got so mad but Miroku was firm about it!"
"Someone wanted to see me? What was her name?" Kagome asked confused.
"I don't know, Kaede told me this after they left to find you. I was playing with Kami in the village when it all happened."
"Do you know where they are now?" Kagome asked.
Shippo put a finger to his chin. "I don't know really. Probably somewhere in the village." He shrugged and then smiled up at Kagome.
She brushed her fingers through his fiery bangs and then began to stand up. "Come on Inuyasha lets go find out who wants to see me."
They trio walked back into the village and headed straight for Kaede's hut. When they arrived Miroku was sitting sipping a cup of tea; a fresh hand print burning red on his cheek.
"You were looking for me?" Kagome asked putting Shippo down; Inuyasha went and sat on her futon.
"Ah, yes, Sango and a visitor are down at the hot springs right now. I would renew my offer as an escort but Sango has already answered for you." He smiled and then cringed in pain.
"Lecher." Inuyasha mumbled audibly.
"Come on, Kagome! Let's go meet this person!" Shippo shrieked already grabbing her bathing supplies.
Kagome shook her head. "Who is it exactly?" She asked Miroku, ignoring Shippo.
His violet eyes twinkled. "That is the mystery."
Kagome trudged through the forest toward the hot springs with Shippo skipping in front of her. Inuyasha unwillingly let her go even though he was worried that no one knew who this mystery woman was that wanted to see Kagome.
The mist from the springs could be seen through the brush, Shippo shrieked and ran ahead to the sounds of feminine laughter and splashes of water.
"Shippo!" A slightly familiar sounding female voice called as Shippo dived out of sight into the hot springs.
Kagome pushed back the bushes and was in shock.
"Rin!" Shippo squeaked already naked and jumping into her arms.
"Rin?" Kagome breathed taking in the sight of the young woman in front of her.
"Hey Kagome," Sango greeted.
"Lady Kagome!" Rin smiled, hugging Shippo to her chest. "I'm so glad you found me! Sesshomaru didn't think I could find you by myself but I did!"
"What are you doing here?" Kagome asked feeling overwhelmed.
Rin's appearance had changed so drastically since the last time she had seen her. In fact Kagome was wracking her brain trying to remember the last time she had seen the child, who now wasn't so child-like.
"You promised Lord Sesshomaru that you would teach me how to be a woman." She smiled again, her face still innocent.
"I guess I did, didn't I?" Kagome set down her stuff and joined the other in the hot springs.
"I'm supposed to stay here until Lord Sesshomaru gets back. He had a mission or something to take care of."
"Where are you going to stay?"
"With you, of course!"
"Or with me." Sango offered seeing Kagome's face.
Rin played with her wet hair. "Don't be silly, you are about to get married. Besides, Kagome already promised to do this for me. Lord Sesshomaru said she would be the one to take care of me and teach me everything I need to know."
"What exactly will I be teaching you again?" Kagome asked sheepishly, her conversation with Sesshomaru was several months, one tragedy and great scheme ago…
"Well, some funny things have been happening to me. Like, see how much I've grown? I've gotten so tall that Lord Sesshomaru had to order all new kimono for me. And then I got sick and I started to bleed-"
"Oh I remember now!" Kagome interrupted. 'Oh God, what have I gotten myself into?'
Rin looked down at her blossoming body and then back up at Kagome. "Am I going to be okay?"
Sango was looking embarrassed. Kagome nodded instinctively, then felt unsure where to begin.
"Of course, every female goes through these… things…"
"But the blood-"
"Completely normal, in fact, I'll be happy to tell you all about that later. How about we wash up and then eat. After lunch, I'll start teaching you the things I promised Lord Sesshomaru."
Rin looked very pleased. "That sounds excellent."
While Rin talked of her last couple months animatedly, Kagome mulled over the situation before her.
'Ayame just left, and now Rin? What will Inuyasha think? And why would Sesshomaru leave Rin all by herself? How am I supposed to teach Rin? What am I supposed to teach her exactly?'
Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose and slipped further down into the water, letting it emerge her completely.
Hello, hello!
Surprise! I'm back! Well sort of! I'm really shooting to have another update this weekend but as always, no promises!
I wanted to make a quick note about a few things. 1. Shippo is still small and child-like as he was in the TV series just for the purpose that I don't want to have to deal with writing about two awkward teens... 2. Kagome and Inuyasha haven't mated yet or talked about it. 3. I profoundly apologize for the lame title of this chapter; I'm going off little sleep (story of my life) and the creative juices just ain't flow'n... but I have thought up titles for future titles... which doesn't help now... so yeah...
If you have further questions, please ask! I love reviewers times a million! So enjoy and...
hugsLovingMyKitsune
