Growing Up
By Sarga

Written June to November 2008
Posted November 7, 2008

Description: Naraku defeated, Kagome realizes that half-demon Inuyasha will always remain the boy she met, timelessly unageing. Kagome must choose between letting him go and staying by his side. Can he forgive her if she goes? Can she forgive herself if she stays?

Chapter 2 – Confrontations

"Inuyasha!" Kagome, impatient with his avoidance of her, snapped at him in an effort to draw him from his perch on the guard tower above.

Growling his displeasure, Inuyasha jumped down, knowing full well the inevitable course of action should he not cooperate – a swift journey to the ground followed by several seconds of immobility.

"Get on with it, wench," Inuyasha muttered, crouching low to the ground in preparation to spring back up as soon as her disruption was at an end.

Eye twitching in annoyance, Kagome had to remind herself not to let his childish attitude disrupt her for once. She had a mission to complete and by golly she would complete it!

Taking a deep, cleansing breath, Kagome tried to calm herself.

"Inuyasha," she breathed out as calmly as possible.

Inuyasha stared back blankly.

"We have to talk," Kagome began, motioning for him to follow her out of the village.

Standing tall, Inuyasha narrowed his eyes as he crossed his arms defiantly across his chest.

"Nuh-uh, wench. I'm not falling for that. The only times you wanna talk I either end up eating dirt or rescuing some human from a pissed off demon. Not happenin'!" His emphatic gestures made Kagome forget her oath to remain calm. "No way am I answering the beck and call of some weak human wench!" He should have known better than to anger the woman who controlled a subjugation spell.

Eyes widening a fraction as his subduer drew in a breath, Inuyasha decided to fall to the ground of his own accord before she activated the spell.

The extra half inch didn't do much to soften the impact.

. . . . . . . . . .

Three times Kagome had approached Inuyasha and three times they had ended up separated; twice by 'sit' commands and once by a legitimate call for him to defend the village. Sango was about ready to bust and Kagome knew deep down that Inuyasha wouldn't change his outlook in the weeks to come. In resignation, she prepared herself to make the most of these last few days with her friends.

Sango, the only one who knew of Kagome's plans, made a subtle effort to get Inuyasha and her to spend more time together in romantic settings. Unfortunately, between the gaggle of children showing up at random intervals and Miroku's oblivious insinuations making things a little too awkward for Inuyasha (because, honestly, Kagome would not have minded), the attempts seemed to make him more surly than if he had been left alone.

Finally the day of Sango's delivery came and Kagome, true to her word, used all of her knowledge to their advantage. It wasn't a easy delivery by modern standards, but the child and mother were both alive and well, something that not all births could boast in that era. For three days, Kagome basked in the glow of the new addition to her surrogate family drinking in as much of their love as she could. On the fourth day she was resolute. It was the day Kagome was determined to confront Inuyasha about her feelings. She refused to leave without at least telling him that much.

Even before she opened her mouth Kagome knew Inuyasha was in a black mood, but for what, she was unsure.

"What is it, wench?" Inuyasha grunted distractedly, eyes scanning the tree-line as they walked the outside perimeter of the demon-slayer's fence.

"Wench, huh?" Kagome muttered, knowing this attempt would probably be as fruitless as all the others. Inuyasha's sharp ears caught her words and he turned sharply to her, eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Yeah, wench, I said 'wench'. What of it?" Inuyasha was challenging her and Kagome was so frustrated she was almost willing to forget her purpose and sit him... but not quite.

"Kami, Inuyasha would you shut up and listen for once?!"

Inuyasha was surprised, his eyes widening slightly before narrowing dangerously. Kagome was frustrated but not so frustrated that she was willing to sit him. He wasn't one to knowingly provoke her, but he also wasn't one to take it lying down...

Seeing that Inuyasha was willing to give her uninterrupted time to speak, Kagome lost some of her anger, leaving just enough in her to stave off the anxiety that might have been present otherwise.

"I'm leaving, Inuyasha," Kagome began, trying to be bluntly honest, her heart hammering unpleasantly in her chest.

"Feh, you have been here a long time wench. Go then." Inuyasha looked unperturbed and Kagome knew it wasn't because he didn't care, it was because he thought she was coming back.

"No Inuyasha, I'm leaving. As in 'not coming back'. I... You can't give me what I need Inuyasha, and it's killing me, so I have to go."

"Wha..." Inuyasha looked like he had the wind knocked out of him as he almost physically staggered under the weight of her statement. Then he did what he was known best for – Inuyasha got angry.

"Like hell I'm going to let you go through alone, bitch! You go back and I'm fucking going with you until you decide to make sense!"

"You're so damned childish! Would you just contemplate growing up for two minutes?!"

Kagome panted lightly, shaking with the exertion of not fleeing like a scared rabbit. Here she was laying it on the line and he had the gall to be... well, himself. She wasn't sure which was worse, his immediate childish temper tantrum or that look he was getting as if some great enlightenment was dawning on him.

"Grow up, huh..." Inuyasha muttered under his breath before stalking toward her with a foreign light in his eyes. Pushing her up against the demon slayer's fence he brought his face next to hers, his nose nuzzling her cheek as he inhaled her scent, eyes dark and distinctly not childlike. "And just what is it you think you 'need', Kagome?" the words were whispered, a taunt of sorts – he had obviously figured that out, but was offering her one last chance to back away.

Kagome dove right ahead.

Speaking without words, Kagome boldly captured his lips with her own, her eyes watching hesitantly as his own first widened, then drooped heavy lidded as he responded in kind. His half-closed eyes burned their gaze into her very being and Kagome was on fire. There was no hesitance, no doubt that he saw her and her alone. Allowing her eyes to drift shut, Kagome wrapped her arms around Inuyasha's neck.

Satisfied growls pulsed through Inuyasha's body and into her own, the woman in his arms gasping as he pushed further toward her, the sensations overwhelming for both parties. Only in her wildest dreams had Kagome even hoped that he would be willing and able to love her like she craved, like she absolutely needed. She was so dazed, she barely even noticed as he leaned them both away from the wall, wrapped his arms around her and jumped into the sheltered tree-line, but not before she heard the distinct snicker of the peeping toms from one of the above guard towers.

'Let them laugh,' Kagome dismissed them with a sigh. She was finally where she belonged.

. . . . . . . . . .

Kagome awoke the next morning feeling slightly sore but none the worse for wear. She was sure she would have scars from the bite and scratch marks he had left behind, but otherwise she was fine. More than fine, really. Kagome felt marvellous! Rolling on her side, Kagome sighed as she felt the protective cloth of the fire rat beneath her and she wrapped an arm around a distinctly smug half-demon.

"Who's childish now?" Inuyasha teased.

Kagome felt her heart drop in a decidedly unpleasant way at the combination of his cocky words and entirely too righteous demeanour. Sitting up, she tried to calm her suddenly-heavy heart as she searched for her clothing – groaning at the sight of her skirt (ripped in an unwearable fashion) hanging from the low branch of a nearby tree. Glancing around, she noticed all of her things scattered in a very obvious manner, nothing hidden, nothing lying on the ground. Almost as if he had done it on purpose...

"Um... Inuyasha?"

"Yeah, wench?"

"What am I supposed to wear?" Kagome was definitely not going to go back naked and she was pretty sure he wasn't going to let her stay in the forest alone, even for the length of time it would take for him to go to the hut and get her a change of clothing.

"You're sittin' on it." Again Inuyasha was entirely too smug, his whole manner screaming 'I told ya so'.

"Ah," Kagome turned almost as red as the haori she was supposed to wear – she had worn it once, when she had been rescued from that evil sage in Togenkyo, she could do it again... even if it meant the guards would see her half naked walking out of the forest after having spent the night alone with Inuyasha...

Kagome turned even redder as Inuyasha shifted, already pulling on his own clothing nearby.

Tying the arms around herself in a makeshift belt, Kagome took deep breaths to try to calm down and blend a little less seamlessly with her new clothing – lobster-red was not a healthy skin colour.

Pausing to gather her courage to confront the village guards, resolved not to be embarrassed about what should have happened a long time ago, Kagome missed the twinkle in Inuyasha's eyes right before he pounced. With a squeal, Kagome found herself suddenly in the air as Inuyasha leaped unseen through the forest and over the village wall. Only a blur to the human eye, Inuyasha rocketed forward until they were in 'their' hut. Kagome giggled softly as she was placed once again on her feet. Seeing her smile, Inuyasha blushed lightly.

"Keh, like hell I was gonna let that wimpy wolf see you now!"

Kagome lost her smile, confusion marring her features.

"Wha...?"

"I could smell the fucker nearby. This time I'm going to end him for good. There's no way he's ever gonna touch you again. You're mine!" Inuyasha looked like a spoiled child with a new toy and Kagome was speechless as she watched him reach for his haori – which she was wearing.

Tight-lipped and still mute, Kagome wrenched the tied arms apart and proffered the protective clothing with slightly shaking hands. He gave an appreciative smirk at her naked form before donning her offering.

"Don't worry, Kagome. If I know that stinking wolf, it'll be over before it starts." Inuyasha mistook her trembling limbs as fear, not what it actually was – anger. "Stay put, wench, I'll be back soon."

With a light kiss on her forehead, Inuyasha headed back to the wall, jumping over it as easily as he had to get in.

Kagome was left fuming and naked. Moving to her pack, Kagome hauled out the only things she absolutely needed to bring back with her – clothing and her camera. Nestling her camera safely in the pocket of her fresh sweater, Kagome wrote a quick note for Sango reading:

"Sango,

I told Inuyasha what I needed from him in order for me to stay and he proved to me just how truly he can't give it. Tell him why when he calms down, he wouldn't listen to me.

I'm sorry I had to leave this way, but it's for the better... it has to be...

Tell Miroku 'thanks' for his help with my training.

Keep Shippo safe.

I love you all and I'll miss you so much.

Have a long and happy life.

All my love,

Kagome"

Kagome couldn't help the tears that had formed as she signed her name, feeling the loss already. But she knew with all her heart that she had to leave. Inuyasha had taken everything she had to offer and it still wasn't enough to keep him from being so immature. Instead, he was gone on some pissing match with her as a metre-stick. Kagome was getting angrier the more she thought about it.

Slipping out of the door in the early morning light, Kagome placed the note just inside the door of Sango and Miroku's hut, using a small rock to hold it in place. Motioning to Kirara who had been roused by her intrusion, she watched as the fire-cat plodded soundlessly toward her second mistress and jumped to her shoulder. Making her way toward the gate, Kagome nodded at the guard and he looked a little confused before allowing her to pass. Whispering her need to Kirara, Kagome watched the fire-cat transform one final time before she mounted.

With sure feet Kirara took to the air, leading Kagome on the last journey she would ever take in the feudal era.

. . . . . . . . . .

Two days after Kagome's departure, Inuyasha returned in the pre-dawn morning, several large bruises and a nasty cut that looked like it was partially healed adorned his face. Knowing Inuyasha and Koga, it had been much, much worse when it had happened.

Attempting to scent out Kagome, Inuyasha was startled to find that her scent was cold, meaning she was nowhere to be found. Thinking little of the absence, only that she was overdue for a visit home, he went to their shared hut and frowned at the large yellow pack that lay in haphazardly in its usual spot. Even when she was angry Kagome always brought that monstrosity with her to bring back supplies. Inuyasha knew she would be angry, but she must have been furious...

Resigning himself to some much-needed rest, Inuyasha decided to lie down and chase after her when he had healed a little more. She could use a few days to cool off anyway. Instead of a quiet nap and a warm welcome, however, Inuyasha was torn out of his sleep by a ripping feeling at his ear. Jolting awake at the painful sensation, Inuyasha swiped at the offender gnawing ferociously at his ear.

"What the hell are you doing, brat!" Inuyasha growled in warning as the fox-demon child made a running leap from where he had been thrown at the wall.

"You made her leave!" Shippo accused angrily, his fury greater than any time Inuyasha had ever seen it.

"Fuck you, Shippo. The wolf had it commin', so there's no way this is my fault!" Standing defiantly, Inuyasha was prepared to teach the twerp a lesson until he saw just how haggard the youth looked. "What do you mean, she left?" He demanded in a small voice, knowing he wouldn't like the answer.

"She's gone. Forever. Said she couldn't stay any more. You made her leave, I just know it!" The child launched an attack that was momentarily undefended as the message sank in. Inuyasha began to realize that maybe things were not going to go back to normal with a couple of 'sit's and a warm bath. Had she left him like she said she would, even after they had...?

"When?" Inuyasha demanded, his stance changing as he allowed the child to latch onto his arm.

"Day before yesterday, you're too late to stop her, she's gone..." at that the child collapsed in a heap of tears, no longer looking for vengeance.

Hearing the commotion, Miroku, in an attempt to allow his wife to sleep as long as possible, made the journey to the neighbouring hut to quiet things down.

"Inuyasha," the monk caught the attention of the half-demon just as he was about to pummel the living daylights out of the prone demon child. "Perhaps you would like to reconsider your course of action. It is never fitting to kill the bearer of bad news."

Inuyasha ignored the child on the floor before stomping past Miroku out of the hut. Miroku followed, leaving the whimpering kit inside. This was a conversation they had to have. Inuyasha was not going to take the news lightly.

"Walk with me, Inuyasha. I feel the need for some fresh forest air on this good morning." Miroku inwardly hoped they would be far enough away for Inuyasha's indignant yells to not wake Sango or the children. When they had left through the very gate that Kagome had stood in front of two mornings earlier, Miroku began the arduous task of breaking the news to Inuyasha.

"I understand Kagome spoke with you before you left, ne?"

Inwardly, Inuyasha cringed. 'Spoke...! Just what did the wench say before she left?' Outwardly, he was as gruff as ever. "Keh, what of it?"

"And you just let her go?"

"Let her... Fuck no, I told her to fucking stay."

Miroku looked appraisingly at Inuyasha.

"And did you phrase it quite so elegantly, then?"

Inuyasha mumbled some choice words under his breath. Was the monk trying to be obtuse?

"Look, she was mad because I had to get rid of the stinking wolf now that we're..." Inuyasha didn't know how to express what had happened between them so he changed approaches mid-sentence. "...I had to get rid of him once and for all. He ain't gonna get his stinking hands on my Kagome ever again."

Miroku didn't miss Inuyasha's abrupt change of course and he was left to contemplate the meaning of Kagome's departure. On the one hand Inuyasha was positive Kagome would come back. On the other, he and Sango were quite sure she wouldn't. Whatever had happened between the pair had been interpreted entirely differently by both of them. Changing his approach, Miroku tried an indirect query after a few moments of walking in silence.

"So, tell me, Inuyasha, are we to expect any quarter-demons running around any time soon?"

Not so indirect after all.

By the silence where he expected shouts and pummelling, Miroku knew he had hit the mark, much to his own shock. Turning to his silent friend Miroku found Inuyasha agape with a look of abject horror.

"I didn't... She seemed... Kami, what if she is? And I just let her go home..." Inuyasha tensed as his senses were on high alert, scanning for danger in the vicinity even though he knew Kagome was far beyond the reach of any nearby threats. "I have to go after her now!"

"Inuyasha, wait! I don't think..."

But the monk was too late. Inuyasha was already headed toward the well on a two day trek that could only end in misery.

Inuyasha made good time, barely taking time to drink from the rivers he passed, not taking any time to sleep at all. The journey that normally took two days of hard travelling on foot took Inuyasha a little over twenty-four hours.

Arriving at the clearing, Inuyasha bolted to the edge of the well and vaulted over, his hand grazing rice paper adorning its edge...

Inuyasha hit solid ground.

. . . . . . . . . .

Kagome stood at the edge of the well, caressing the wood she would no longer see from this side. Taking a deep breath, she began the chant that would help funnel her power toward sealing the well. It had to be done on both sides to be permanent. Both sides would protect each other, like two halves of a sphere around one time-portal.

Even as she spoke the enchantments Kagome's arms were shaking. Who would have thought leaving would be so hard?

Petting Kirara gently as she slept on her shoulder, Kagome finished her incantation and placed the rice-paper seals that would begin the process of closing the portal between times. A final whisper of holy words and the seals virtually disappeared, a faint shimmering the only indication that they were there. When the magic was done on both sides, the paper would reappear and even destroying it would not break the seal.

Kagome kissed Kirara on the forehead and walked softly toward the Goshinboku, placing her on one of the lower branches so that she could be safe while she slept.

Turning back toward the well, Kagome steeled her resolve. She could do this. She had to do this. Inuyasha had made it perfectly clear by his actions that he would always be a child – and she needed an adult for a companion.

Kagome knew she would never see things from this side again, so she took a long look around before closing her eyes. Leaning shaky hands on the edge of the well, eyes still closed, Kagome took a deep breath and pitched forward in a free-fall to a new life.

No one was there to catch her.

. . . . . . . . . .

To Be Continued...

. . . . . . . . . .

Please read and review!

~Sarga