Chapter 6: Moonlit Meeting
Lady Kagome stormed through the palace. She ran past all of the lords and ladies that moved aside with awe and gasped at her poor behavior. She didn't care. Let them think what they want, she cried to herself. Her legs burned by the time she reached her room, and without preamble she collapsed onto the floor cushions, her chest heaving from running, and from the fresh tears that threatened to fall…
She had just been told by her uncle that her marriage to that horrid man, whatever his name, was going to take place in less than three days. He was on his way to the palace to make the final negotiations, and of course, to say his vows to seal the deal. She bowed her head, watching the liquid spots spread like ink through her white kimono.
A knock on the door made her head shoot up.
"What is it?"
"My Lady, please…let me in." It was Kaede.
Kagome was torn. She knew that Kaede only meant well by looking out for her, but could she really bear the chip of responsibility at a time like this? She shook her head, both in answer to herself and Kaede.
"Please," Kaede repeated.
"No, leave me be." She didn't mean to sound so harsh, but Kagome knew her words had stung when she heard the old woman shuffle away without a reply or rebuke.
She felt horrible. She was to marry a man solely as a bargain bonus for her uncle's few hundred extra warriors, and now she had pushed away her only friend and confidant because she was too weak to shoulder the duty that comes with the title "lady".
Suddenly, an image of the demon man flitted across her mind. Her head came up, and her tears seemed to vanish with the sight of his face. Somehow, this demon made her feel special, and she knew that whenever they were together, he made her feel like she could do anything. When she was here, at the palace, she only felt useless and ignored, a pretty ornament that sat at her uncle's side.
Kagome got up slowly, smoothing the folds in her skirt, and running her hands through her hair, pushing it behind her ears.
She stared out at the sky that grew increasingly darker. She had to go to him tonight, to bring him food, and to check his wounds. The thought of him waiting for her in the hut sent a chill down her spine. She felt a twinge of anticipation at meeting him again. She wasn't afraid of being caught, or of finding him gone. Somehow, she just knew he would wait for her.
She went to the cook's room and gathered what few pieces of food she could find, and also recovered some scraps of ribbon and sheets from the linen room. Hoisting her pack onto her shoulders, and throwing a cloak around her for the chilly night air, she slipped out of the palace, just barely missing the shift in guards, and blended into the forest.
---I---
Inuyasha sat on top of the roof of the abandoned hut, his legs crossed with his arms folded into his huge red sleeves. He'd spent most of the morning getting himself dressed, finding it very difficult to stretch his arms, but once he was up and moving, he felt better by the minute. He'd gone to a nearby stream and caught a few fish for his breakfast, glad that he was able to be independent and care for himself. After taking a sweep of the area, and finding that the palace was only a few miles away, he found a high tree with many leaves and rested there, watching the castle from afar.
He had hoped to catch a glimpse of Kaede, but she never came outside. He'd slept away his afternoon, and upon awakening to a sunset, he'd hurried back to the hut, the girl's promise still in his thoughts. She would be back again tonight.
And so, he sat, waiting for her return. His stomach felt hollow and strange, and not simply due to his lack of food. He felt almost giddy when her face came into his thoughts. It made him want to smile, something he almost never did. A part of him that he would never admit to was excited at the prospect of seeing her again. He huffed and tried to think of other things, but the sound of a twig snapping made him jump up, his senses on full alert.
He sniffed the air, testing it. It was a sweet scent, like a combination of flowers, spice, and something he couldn't describe, but the underlying layer was decidedly human. His lip turned upward at the realization. She was here.
Just as he discovered this, she walked out of the forest into the clearing, throwing off her cloak to reveal her face. Her skin seemed to glow in the moonlight, and her hair shone with hints of blue. Her quick brown eyes scanned the area, and when they landed on him sitting atop the hut, his heart seemed to stutter, and he had to fight to stop a blush from rising to his cheeks.
Her eyes grew wide. "Oh! How did you get up there?" she called up, a slow smile forming on her lips.
He let a cocky grin slide onto his face. "Like this."
He jumped up and spread his arms, using his sleeves like parachutes, floating to the ground with the grace of a bird. He landed just a few feet in front of her, his feet making no noise when they made contact with the ground. She was looking at him in amazement, her hands clasped to her chest in surprise.
"That was…incredible," she breathed.
He felt slightly unnerved by her admiration, but at the same time, elated by it. He merely shrugged. "It's not that hard."
She laughed, giving him a chance to enjoy the beautiful sound it made. "Well, I certainly couldn't do it."
He folded his arms, and as he did so, he hit his wound, sending a streak of pain through his body. He bent over slightly, his eyes closed with the sting of it, and immediately her hand was on his shoulder.
"Is it hurting again?"
"I hit it with my arm. It's nothing."
"No, it's not. Let me take a look at it."
He looked at her, wanting to take her in his arms and hug her tightly. No one had ever taken the time to care about him, to see whether or not he was hurt, or if he needed help. She was so caring…but the demon part of him rebelled against the charity of her actions.
He stood up straight, the pain only growing worse. "See? I'm fine."
The look of sadness that flickered across her eyes was unmistakable. "Oh…" she whispered. She clutched the straps of her pack, the light in her eyes dimming as she turned her head down.
He took a step forward. What had he done? And then it hit him. If I'm recovered, there's no need for her to help me anymore…to see me anymore…I'll have to go back to the palace, and leave her…
As if reading his mind, she looked up at him, a gaze of helplessness. "If you are all right now, does that mean I can't see you again?"
He felt like such a fool. Could he really risk his pride? It was like he was split into two people, one an arrogant demon with honor and dignity, and the other a human one, who needed love and companionship. How could he decide? He looked into her hazel eyes, and the answer lay in the hope he saw in those orbs.
"I lied."
He turned away so as not to see her reaction. She was quiet for some time, and because he hated awkward silences, he went on.
"I'm not fine. You happy? It hurts like hell, and every time I walk my bandages move, and that only makes it worse. And when—
But he was cut short at the feel of her hands on his folded arms. His head whirled to face her, and a lump formed in his throat. She was so close, he could see the traces of purple and blue in her eyes, and her smell seemed to envelope him like a warm blanket.
She was smiling, that insufferable smile that made him want to run and hide and stay there forever all at once.
"I'm glad." She said, and gave his arm a squeeze as she spoke.
He could hardly stand it, being so close to her, feeling the warmth of her hands. He turned away and frowned, confused by his swirling emotions and only succeeded in muttering, "Keh!"
She laughed once again and released his arms. "Come on then. Let's take a look at that wound."
He watched her walk into the hut with a feeling he couldn't name. He felt light and airy, like he did when he soared through the trees. Even if he had to stay injured for the rest of his life, he would do it if only to be with her, to see her smiling face and to hear her musical laughter. He followed Kaede into the hut, grateful and humble for the first time in his life.
AN: Are you angry at my long delay? Please don't be. I'm very happy with this chapter, and don't worry, there's plenty more to come. Thank you for reading, minna. Please review, neh?
&Niiroke&
