Kagome rubbed her swollen eyes. She blinked a couple of times in an attempt to wake from slumber. Her fingers caressed her scalp before she pushed herself into the sitting position. Her eyesight was blurry at first but then it cleared and she saw nothing but darkness.
'It's still night…I wonder why I woke up—' Her thoughts were interrupted as a bile rose in her throat. Covers were thrown to the side as the young miko raced outside. Her body purged all of its stomach's contents into the ashes of the fire pit. Kagome wiped her mouth, disgusted by the taste and the act itself. It was an annoyance that ranked very low on things to wake her. Silent curse words stung on their way out of Kagome's mouth, her throat burned from the stomach acid. It wasn't until she sat back on her legs that she noticed her hair had collected some remains from last night's dinner.
"Aw man!" she mumbled to herself for a while as she went to get a towel. All the necessities needed to remove the vomit were located in her yellow pack, on the other side of the hut. Moonlight pooled into the small room just enough that Kagome thought she could easily maneuver through. That was until she gently kicked something with her foot.
That something hissed a quiet, "ow," while bolting up. Inuyasha looked to see what had "attacked" him and seeing it was Kagome questioned her, "What was that for?"
Kagome was surprised to hear that his tone wasn't hostile or accusing. His words didn't register in her head; she was too preoccupied with getting caught. There was nothing Kagome wanted to do more than to go to the hot spring, clean herself up, and go back to sleep. Just as Kagome was about to quietly apologize to the waiting hanyou did she remember all of the demons residing in the woods?
'How stupid am I? Thinking about going into the forest alone.' Her thoughts were interrupted for the second time that night, "Did you hear me? I said what was that for?"
This time his tone wasn't so friendly. "Shh, Inuyasha! Do you want to wake the others? Um...could you come with me to the nearest hot spring? I have some unpleasant gunk in my hair that I need to wash out." She didn't make eye contact, afraid that they might give away what she really wanted to say to him. Kagome wasn't sure why she had wanted to keep her regurgitating from Inuyasha.
"As long as ya hurry up. I wanna go back to sleep, and you should too." Inuyasha was glad that they were going to spend some time alone, even if it was just going to the hot spring real quick. Maybe he could apologize without raising his voice at her. Maybe he can finally express his feelings for her. Maybe she will forgive him! Maybe.
He heard her hustle about gathering shampoo and conditioner. She wrapped the two bottles in her towel before going to the door. She turned to Inuyasha and asked, "Ready?" He nodded and walked out the door, she followed behind her. Inuyasha bent down slightly, reading himself for her to get on. Instead she walked by him and said, "I think I'll walk."
Fluffy white ears pinned to their owner's head. Inuyasha was taken quite aback, and although he wouldn't admit it, it hurt him that she would deny a ride. Staying a few widths behind Kagome, Inuyasha resembled a puppy whom had just been scolded. Honey eyes followed the woman as she walked purposefully towards the hot spring. He scowled and then picked her up bridal style.
"This is gonna take to long, and…..you shouldn't be on your feet." Before he allowed Kagome to protest he punched the ground with his feet and was airborne. It was only a matter of seconds before they were at the spring. Inuyasha set Kagome down gently and began walking towards a nearby tree.
Just as Inuyasha was about to bound into the tree he heard a horrible sound. Turning around he saw Kagome kneeling on the ground, pale as the moon, and dry heaving. He was over her in a moment, caressing her back and questioning what happened.
"I think the sudden movements made me sick. I'm alright now Inuyasha, I just would really like a moment to wash myself." Kagome spoke weakly, and her face was masked in a sweaty sheen. Rising took a lot more energy then she expected, and her knees buckled some. Inuyasha took hold of the frail miko and led her to the inviting water.
It wasn't until Kagome had recovered that she looked sideways at Inuyasha. 'You shouldn't be on your feet?' Since when has he cared?' Kagome ignored it for the moment and instructed Inuyasha to lay her on her back. Delicately picking up her soiled hair, Kagome through it in the water. She got it thoroughly wet before reaching for the shampoo bottle.
'Crap! I dropped the bottles, and they are too far for me to reach.'
"Inuyasha, can you hand me the pink bottle?" He was away for only a moment before returning with said bottle. The shampoo was placed in Kagome's outstretched hand.
"Thank you."
Inuyasha sat down beside Kagome and stared at her intently. Noticing this, and feeling uncomfortable in the silence, Kagome said, "yes?"
"Kagome, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I know I hurt you and I hope you can…forgive me." Another pregnant silence followed his simple request. Kagome had stopped lathering in the shampoo, she had stopped breathing, and Inuyasha could have sworn the world went silent. He held in his breath as she began to rinse out her hair. 'Did she hear me? Well, of course she did!' He was about to say her name when she finally spoke.
"Inuyasha…I forgive you." However simple and brief her statement was didn't matter to Inuyasha. It that was enough; he was just happy she replied. Silence followed the rest of her regime. Minutes went by and Inuyasha continued to watch Kagome. Conditioner came and went, and then she wrapped her wet hair in her towel.
Upon noticing her completion Inuyasha offered his hand to Kagome and after studying it for a while, she took it. Warmth shot through his body and had him desiring more. The grip on her hand strengthened and he pulled her small frame into his own larger one. He felt so overwhelmed to have her body against his, he felt as if he could do the impossible. He felt…love? It was unclear whether it was love for Kagome he was feeling or the love of holding someone warm and alive. He did know that he wanted to be the only one to ever hold her like this. He was so endlessly happy that she forgave him that he acted on impulse. Rough lips collided with unsuspecting supple ones.
Kagome didn't realize what was happening until his lips crashed against hers. Her mind played images in her head of his face, her rapists face. Instead of Inuyasha she saw a murderer. She pushed Inuyasha away in horror and nearly fell to the ground. Her breath caught in her throat. She held back the tears that threatened to fall. When she was sure that they would not fall she looked at him. He looked hurt, but not as hurt as Kagome. He was supposed to be her guardian, her rock. Maybe that is why she felt such anger towards him. Because he was supposed to be there for her, to comfort her, to make all the bad go away, but instead he made it all come back.
How cruel life could be. For so long Kagome had dreamt of Inuyasha reciprocating feelings for her. His arms, which used to feel so right, scared and frightened her. So much anger was congested in her tiny body. Why was Inuyasha always too late? Too late to save her family. Too late to understand the love Kagome had for him. It was also clear to Kagome that she could not place the blame on Inuyasha. There was no one to place the blame on. It was then that a lone tear fell down her face. Now that he was ready for love, when would she be able to accept it?
"Inuyasha…I….I'm not ready for what you want. Maybe before all of this, but not now. Especially not now since I'm pregnant. I can forgive you but I don't think that I can do anything but that right now. I need you by my side, but as a friend. I thought you would understand that," she sighed and went to pick up her bottles. She wiped the droplets of water off with her hand before walking back towards the hut. She knew Inuyasha would follow, but she hoped that was all he did.
Of course Inuyasha was furious with himself. As soon as Inuyasha believed he had taken a positive step forward, someone was there to remind him he was already behind fourteen. He cursed himself for being so spontaneous. When he finally feels like he is ready to take a step forward with Kagome, she isn't ready, but it isn't her fault. He had plenty of time to make a move on her before all of this shit happened. Talons threatened to break skin as he cursed himself the rest of the way home.
Kagome walked into the room and lay down beside her brother, just setting the two bottles next to her. She looked at his quiet and serene face before shutting her eyes, wanting to get back to sleep before Inuyasha walked in. She accomplished her goal. When Inuyasha walked into the hut he could hear her distinguished breathing. He looked at where he knew she was laying before slumping against the wall and falling asleep.
The last thought before sleep, 'love will find a way.'
Two updates, one day. –Mel
Updated: 10/27/11