Chapter Eleven
Confession
Sango walked into Kaede's hut and immediately was greeted with the sound of pealing laughter. Kagome and Rin were hugging each other on th floor in their laughing fit. Sango's confusion was only short lived before she noted Shippo's puffy orange tail furiously swishing through the air; his cries muffled by the tea pot that had trapped him.
Sango coughed to try and stifle her natural reflex to laugh, she rushed forward to try and pry the poor kitsune out.
Kagome sat up straighter and wipe her eyes.
"You should have seen his face! Oh and when he fell!" She erupted again.
Rin held her stomach. "He didn't even see it as he walked right into it!"
The girls continued to cry of laughter. Sango smirked and grunted. "Gosh, you guys are so cruel! Have you even tried helping him?… Man, Shippo, you are really stuck in here good."
Kagome sighed and wiped one last remaining tear. "I really wish you had seen it. It was probably the funniest thing I have ever seen!"
Kagome held the tea pot as Sango pulled. Rin straightened her kimono and began to pick up some of the chaos of the hut.
"Need any help?" She offered her face flushed from laughing.
Sango grunted again in effort. "No, we got it."
"Yeah, thanks though." Kagome chimed in with a grunt.
With a final tug, Shippo came barreling out right into Sango's stomach.
"Ow, owie, owie!" He whined rubbing his small fluffy head.
Sango patted his back. "You'll be okay."
"Anything hurt?" Kagome asked tenderly while putting the ceramic pot down.
"I don't think so," He mumbled miserably.
Rin came over and sat next to him and Sango. She offered him her hand.
"Will you ever forgive us for laughing?"
Shippo pouted and ignored her hand. "Maybe, I don't know." He huffed.
Kagome smiled then pretended to be disappointed. "Oh then who will I get to share all my treats with me now? Since Shippo, wont ever forgive me!"
Shippo's face lit up. "Wait! I will! I was just kidding! You're forgiven!" He bounced into Kagome's lap.
Kagome smiled and kissed the top of his head, "I'm happy for that, but we are really sorry for laughing at you. It's just that you are so cute!"
Shippo blushed then puffed out his chest. "I'm not cute; I'm a fearsome demon!"
Kagome cast the other two a look, they smiled back. "Of course you are! That's what I meant!"
Shippo nodded contently then he looked quickly at Sango. "Wait, when did you get here?"
"Just right before I rescued you from that tea pot. It's the night before my wedding. Miroku cant see me."
Kagome smacked her head dramatically. "Oh how could I have forgotten? Well you don't mind helping me quiz Rin today do you? Sesshomaru picks her up tonight."
Sango shook her head and looked at Rin. "Of course not. Sounds like fun!"
Rin beamed. "Thank you! I will miss you all so much when I leave tonight! At the same time I am very excited to be reunited with my Lord Sesshomaru!"
Kagome nodded. "So what do we say about a bath and then some target practice? Sango I'm sure you have some last tensions you'll probably want to work out before tomorrow?"
Sango nodded eagerly. "Oh you have no idea."
"Can you stop watching me like that, Inuyasha my good man? It is ruining my concentration and I'm trying very hard to unplague my mind before tomorrow."
Inuyasha "keh'd" and sprang down from the Sacred Tree. He stalked over to Miroku, who was sitting cross-legged on the Bone Eater's Well.
"There's no use in that, it'll never happen. You're too corrupt."
Miroku chuckled and resumed his meditation stature. "You forget that I am a monk and strict follower of Buddha's Eight Fold Path. I am well on my way to Nirvana."
Inuyasha snorted. "Didn't think monks could marry."
Miroku sighed and opened his eyes. "You're right, I'm damned. No use is trying to pretend." He mumbled.
The half-demon smirked but said nothing.
"Well, what is it that is on your mind, comrade?"
Inuyasha blushed and shoved his arms in his haori sleeves. "What makes you so sure there's something on my mind?"
Miroku raised an eyebrow. "Give me some credit. I may be damned and corrupt but I'm not a simpleton. I can tell when my closest friend has something troubling him."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. He battled with himself mentally all week if he should talk to Miroku or not. He originally decided that he would. But now? Standing here in front of him, it was hard to open up.
Damn Kagome and making it look so easy to tell people your feelings.
Miroku waited patiently for several minutes but then sighed. "It's alright, Inuyasha. You do not have to tell me anything. I was only offering my advice or opinion if you wished to hear it." He got up and grabbed his golden staff that was leaning against the wooden well. "I'll see you for dinner at Kaede's?"
Inuyasha made a face close to disgust. "Wait. I'll tell you."
Miroku looked genuinely surprised. "I'm honored, I really am-"
"Look, shut it. Don't make this a big deal or anything. And if Kagome finds out I told you, well lets just say Sango isn't going to have a happy honeymoon…" Inuyasha growled.
The monks hands went up defensively. "You have my word. Now tell me what's been troubling you."
"Well, about a week ago…"
Kagome was staring blankly across the lake towards the waterfall. It had been a few minutes but finally Sango snapped her fingers in front of Kagome's vacant face.
"You alright?" She asked with a quirked eyebrow.
Kagome shook her head, a light blush forming. "Oh, yeah. Completely fine!" She squeaked.
Rin looked at her with concern. "You seem strange. What were you thinking about just now?"
"Yeah, what's got you all worked up, Kagome?"
Kagome laughed nervously, and made like she was going to get her shampoo. Both Rin and Sango crossed their arms over their chests, blocking her path out of the hot spring. The priestess looked at them with round eyes.
Oh no, no where to escape to. Should I pretend to be sick? Past out? Think Kagome, think!
"Well? We are waiting for an explanation." Rin said.
"You're not getting out of this hot spring without disclosing everything that is going through your mind right now." Sango added.
Kagome sighed and leaned back against the rocky barrier that separated the hot springs from the lake. "Fine…"
Rin squealed happily and Sango smiled triumphantly.
"It's about Inuyasha, isn't it?" Sango said first. "You had that 'Inuyasha look' on your face."
"Oh I know what you mean! She can be so obvious sometimes!" Rin agreed.
"I wonder if Inuyasha notices it too?" The slayer wondered aloud.
"He must!"
"I'm right here!" Kagome growled.
"Sorry," the other two woman mumbled and leaned back.
"Continue please." Rin added.
"It's not like I even started, but you're right. I was thinking about Inuyasha." Kagome's blush darkened.
Sango whispered a little "I knew it," to Rin, who smiled and nodded.
"About a week ago…"
*flashback*
Kagome ran ahead of a chasing Inuyasha. She laughed breathlessly as she weaved in and out of the foliage by the lake. Her heart pounded as she attempted futilely to out maneuver him. It was only a matter of time before Inuyasha finally decided he wanted to catch her.
She pushed back a branch and stepped into the clearing with the lake and waterfall. Right in front of her Inuyasha stood, arms crossed and smirk on his lips.
"Got'cha." He announced from his spot on the water's edge.
Kagome put her hands up in mock surrender. "And I thought I could get away." She shook her head and strolled over to him; plopping down on her butt.
She patted the space next to her and Inuyasha folded his legs beneath him. "Do you ever sleep?" Kagome asked breaking the small silence.
He snorted. "How can I when you attempt to escape every night?"
She laughed. "Come on, I didn't try last night!"
"You were thinking about it though."
"It's scary how well you know me." She joked.
His eyes sought hers. She marveled how they shined in the moonlight. Her heart raced and she knew she needed a distraction or else she'd jump him.
"Uh, oh so anyways. Sango's getting married next week." Kagome pried her eyes away from him and look out across the lake; she concentrated on the blackness of the other side.
"Keh."
"Rin's leaving soon too. I'll miss her. She has an amazingly pure heart."
"Strange that she ended up with my brother."
"I know, but I think it's good for him. She has already changed him so much. I don't think you and him would have been able to fight together against Naraku if it wasn't for Rin."
Inuyasha shrugged. "Guess we'll never know."
Kagome shrugged too. "Yeah, but still, I'm happy he chose her as his mate."
Inuyasha's head wiped around to Kagome; reflexively she looked up at him. "What do you know about demon mates?"
"No-not much, Rin told me a little. Mates are like spouses?" She sputtered, thrown off by his tone and manner.
"Yeah but its more than that. Mates are for life, you cant leave each other, there just isn't a way to end being someone's mate."
"What if one dies?" Kagome asked curiously, when he didn't answer right away she cringed; why do I have to be so nosey?
"The other soon follows. Sesshomaru must really be intending to mate her, if Rin knows that." Inuyasha's voice was thick with seriousness.
"You sound like having a mate is a death sentence." Kagome commented in a light and joking manner.
He looked away from Kagome and said nothing. She felt a tightness in her chest. Then there was a familiar sensation of stinging in her eyes.
He doesn't want a mate then… how could I have been so stupid to think that I meant something to him… Inuyasha doesn't want to be stuck with me forever.
A tear escaped and Kagome quickly wiped it away. Inuyasha was looking down on her again.
"Why are you crying?"
"I don't know." She mumbled, wiping at her overflowing eyes.
"Why wont you tell me?" He sounded annoyed; that only made her cry harder.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Fine don't tell me." He huffed.
Kagome bit her lip and turned away. Her tears wouldn't subside so she just hugged her knees to her chest and basked in her misery. She wished Inuyasha would take the hint and leave her alone to think.
Did the other day mean anything? The day we fooled Kouga I thought for sure we had made some progress. We've kissed, doesn't that count for anything?
She shivered from the unusally cool summer evening and something heavy fall on her shoulders. She looked up to see Inuyasha standing above, he was missing his outer red haori. She looked down and saw he had draped it around her.
"Why'd you do that?"
"You looked cold." He turned his face away.
Kagome got to her feet also. "You have to stop being so confusing, Inuyasha. If you want to have nothing to do with me, then just leave. Stop giving me false hope. I can't take anymore disappointments."
His thick eyebrows pulled together. "What are you talking about? What makes you say that?"
She sighed and threw up her arms. "Right. Like you don't know? Come on, Inuyasha. You can kiss me but then other times you go missing for days on end and wont tell me where you go. We act close but are we really? I think this is a little one sided and I'd prefer to get out now before I get anymore hurt."
He stared at her with wide eyes. "Huh?"
She snorted angrily. "Forget it. I'm going to bed." She started storming up the bank of the lake toward the village.
Inuyasha was blocking her path in an instant. "I'm serious, 'Gome. What are you talking about?"
Angry and frustrated tears welled up in her eyes. "I love you, damnit. And you don't seem to feel the same. I'm done embarrassing myself tonight, so if you will please move out of my way…." She went to side step him, he mirrored her. "Seriously, move."
He smirked like it was some sort of game. "Nah, I don't think so."
She folded her arms across her chest. A stance she had taught Rin earlier that day. "And why not? Want to make me feel worse about myself?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Stop being dramatic, woman."
She snorted.
His clawed hand reached out to her jaw. "Look, I may be part demon but I'm not completely heartless. I wouldn't do any of this to be mean."
Kagome's eyes softened. She wanted to melt with his rich words on the wind.
Find strength Kagome. He hasn't said it yet.
"I do love you." Even in the dark, Kagome could see the dark blush that stained Inuyasha's cheeks.
"You do?"
He snorted. "It's what I just said, woman."
And everything in Kagome's life aligned. She found her purpose and reason for being. Her heart stammered and skipped. She would have exploded in tears if they weren't already spilling down her porcelain cheeks.
Inuyasha wouldn't ever admit it but the feelings he was experiencing right now were much of the same. Since the day he met her, his demonic side called out for Kagome. To finally have it all out it in open was thrilling, his heart skipped joyfully.
She smiled, nothing could ruin this moment for her. "Then why all the secrets? Where have you been going? Why don't you want the others to see us together?"
Inuyasha scratched the back of his head. "Well, I can't exactly tell you that yet…"
The fire welled up in her eyes. Inuyasha saw and cringed. But like she said, nothing was going to destroy this moment for her. He had his issues but they loved each other, they would get through this.
Doesn't mean he didn't deserve to get punished though…
Kagome forced an easy smile. "Oh, well you don't have to tell me then."
"Really? Wow, thanks 'Gome. I thought for sure, you'd be angry." He looked relieved.
Oh naïve, naïve little Inuyasha.
"You know me, I'm unpredictable that way." She started walking back toward the lake's edge; Inuyasha followed.
"Keh, you got that right. You explode over the weirdest things, sometimes I just don't understand it. I know you're a woman but come on!" He continued, oblivious that he wasn't saying the right thing exactly.
Her lip twitched. "Hey, Inuyasha?"
He smiled down at her, "Yeah?"
She pushed him with all her might and just as she thought he stumbled backwards into the lake, still standing on two feet. But she wasn't done yet.
Just as he looked up confused, Kagome smiled wickedly and pointed a finger at him. "SIT BOY!"
WHAM! Water splashed everywhere as Inuyasha was pulled face first into the cool lake. She smiled triumphantly and turned toward the village once more; fully convinced she would make it this time.
Apparently, Inuyasha wasn't the only one to underestimate people tonight.
"I don't think so, woman!" Arms circled around her waist and pulled her backwards.
Kagome squealed as Inuyasha dunked her under water. She came up sputtering.
"Inuyasha! How dare you! Si-"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, I'm still holding you…"
She grumbled and began to pound him with her fists. "This isn't fair!"
"Fair?" He snorted. "I don't think I deserved a bath just now either!"
"Oh really? You are right! I was totally out of line!" She yelled sarcastically up at him.
"I don't think I like that tone. Maybe you need another dip…"
"Don't you dare!" She threatened.
"You're right, you're getting the waterfall!"
Ten minutes later Kagome lay heaving and shivering on the banks of the lake. Inuyasha was shaking himself dry like a dog beside her. She narrowed her eyes at him.
Inuyasha couldn't help the smirk across his face as he thought of several naughty things about the scantly clad Kagome in wet see-through pajamas. Kagome blushed from his stare and his smile only added to her anger.
"What do you think you're looking at?" She huffed.
He slowly began to stalk over to her. She leaned back as he leaned over her body and ran a claw down her neck.
"Inuyasha?" She whispered looking up into his eyes.
"Are you angry?" His eyes glowed warmly in the moonlight.
She shook her head; Inuyasha smirked.
Kagome reached up a tentative hand and lightly cupped his cheek. He leaned into her hand; a soft rumble echoed through his chest. A bead of water dropped from his inner haori and landed lightly on the skin of her chest. She gasped, extracting herself from the gravitational pull of his golden eyes.
Inuyasha chuckled softly. "I think we should get out of these wet clothes."
Again Kagome nodded simply.
Inuyasha was gone and in a flash returned with his dry outer haori. He held it out to Kagome. He was hesitating. She licked her lips and sat up and finally stood. On wobbly legs she moved to him.
His hand slowly reached out to her and grazed her arm. A claw drew from her shoulder down to her fingertips. She felt a warmth spread through her body and she smiled up at him lovingly. Seeing encouragement, Inuyasha leaned down and placed a kiss to Kagome's lips.
Tenderly, Kagome kissed back. Her hands went to the ties of his inner robe and loosened them up. When the ties were undone she very slowly pulled it out of his pants and slipped it from his arms. Her hands splayed across his warm, inviting skin. Inuyasha pulled back and dropped his dry haori on the ground next to his wet one. Both of his hands held Kagome's face and he kissed the bridge of her nose then her cheek. His kisses trailed down to her neck where he stopped and teased.
Kagome sighed and reached up to touch a furry ear on his head. The rumble returned as his teeth and tongue found her ear. When her breathing hitched, Inuyasha placed one more kiss to her lips and moved back to grab the bottom of her shirt.
Making sure Kagome was alright, he lifted it up and over her head. He discarded it on the ground with his wet shirt. Hesitating once again, he claws traced the edge of her bra. Kagome shivered and goose bumps spread over her chest. She reached behind her and unclasped the article of clothing. Inuyasha was the one to peal it off her damp skin.
Inuyasha made a low whimper and his eyes couldn't help but stray down to her breasts. Kagome blushed furiously and closed her eyes. She felt the familiar weight of his haori on her shoulders. She opened her eyes and Inuyasha had stepped back a few feet and held their wet clothes. She smiled and put her arms through the sleeves and pulled it around her securely.
When she was fully dressed he came closer. "I'll walk you back."
As she took his hand she realized something important.
He is mine.
Why, hello there!
Not sure what to say really. Hope you enjoy, talk to you next time? Hehe
hugsLovingMyKitsune
