Hey it's me again! I know I've been neglecting this story but I will return to normal once-a-week updates. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any characters belonging to Rumiko Takahashi. I do own the plot though.
Chapter 6: Blossoming Iris
The years rolled by so fast for the half-demon. As he watched Kagome grow from a child into a young woman; a preteen, Akio said, Inuyasha was there; always watching her. At every birthday party, at every social gathering and even when she started public elementary and junior high school; he was there; secretly hiding and keeping a close eye on her. Kagome would somehow sense where he was; since she often looked over her shoulder and stare at the place where he was hidden. She would often smile and turn back and continued what she was doing. Inuyasha knew she wasn't mad and had figured out that being around him for so long; the preteen could easily feel his presence.
Now at thirteen, Kagome had grown taller; her glossy black hair all the way to her hips. Her brown eyes continued to sparkle; her smile even more lovely and heartwarming. Inuyasha also noticed that she had been developing in her chest and hip areas; although he tended not to look for too long. She was gorgeous and also very vivacious.
Over the years; Kagome and Inuyasha had continued a very valuable and untouchable relationship as brother and sister. Simple hugs and pecks on the cheeks were normal for them. But lately ever since puberty had touched the female; Kagome had been feeling other…uncertain and scary feelings deep in her gut.
Now, as she sat on her bigger bed; Kagome had called over her best friend to have a girl's night; a sleepover since it was the weekend. She had met Sango Hidaka in elementary school and the two have been inseparable ever since.
A few knocks on her door and a girl's head peeked in. "Hello?"
Kagome only smiled. "Hey, Sango. Come on in."
Sango Hidaka smiled as well and shut the door behind her. She had her slick brown hair in a ponytail as her eyes the color of mahogany shone brightly. She was a bit taller and had more muscle; taking martial arts since she was four. She set her overnight bag at the foot of the gargantuan bed and literally bounced onto it beside Kagome.
Lately, the thirteen year old Higurashi heir has been deep in thought. Perhaps seeing so many couples together…happy, content and loving, has made Kagome think of similar fantasies. Having seen many cute couples holding hands; whispering in their ears, seeing them smile at their love…the girl had been feeling…alone and empty. She shook her head.
'I am never lonely! I have dad, Kaede, Sango…Inuyasha. Yes, he has always been here for me; watching over me. All my life I have seen him as a brother but…why do I feel…something else when I look at him? My heart speeds up whenever his eyes look straight at me! What is this feeling exactly?!'
"…Hello? Earth to Kagome! Are you in there?" Said girl saw Sango waving her hand in front of her face. "Oh thank god! I thought you spaced out."
Kagome giggled and grabbed a pillow; hugging it to her chest. "I did. But I'm okay now."
Sango looked doubtful but didn't say anything. "You've been doing that a lot lately. What's going on, Kaggie?"
"Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind right now, you know; exams and homework."
Sango grabbed her own pillow and held it on her lap. "Are you sure? Because you're never this worried about what goes on in school. You've been a straight A student since the first grade."
"Really, I mean junior high is nothing compared to elementary school. I just…life is just getting harder."
"That's what happens when you grow up." Sango could tell something else was bothering her friend and it wasn't school. She grabbed her bag and got out a few candy bars. "Chocolate for you thoughts?" She tossed a bar over which Kagome caught.
"Thanks." Kagome unwrapped it, took a small bite and looked out her bedroom window. The sky was quickly darkening into night; a night with a chance of rain and thunder.
"Kagome…" Said girl looked over to Sango; who looked really concerned. "What's going on with you? You're usually a chatterbox but you've been silent the past few weeks." After swallowing the rich dark chocolate of her treat, Sango brought up a point. "You know, whenever you're with Inuyasha, you have this…I don't know what to call it…you've just been, staring at him with this…"
Kagome looked over and sighed. "I don't know Sango. You know that I've looked up to him as an older brother for the past nine years." She got up and looked out her window; her forehead resting against the cool glass. " But lately I've… been feeling…something else and it's scaring me."
Sango remained in her spot. This was something new and she listened intently as her best friend. "What is it?"
Kagome shook her head. "I shouldn't be feeling this, Sango! I mean, he's like a brother to me and I shouldn't be even thinking it! Am I wrong to feel to this way? I mean, it's like…it's like I'm…"
"Falling for him?" Sango guessed.
Kagome tensed. "Maybe…I don't know." She turned around; her back now leaning against the glass. "Why though?"
Sango shook her head. "Only you can figure that out Kagome, and no one else."
'Is that what it is? Am I really falling for my bodyguard? I mean, sure we've done everything together. I can tell when he's near, I can feel him watching over me…protecting me. I don't know what to think.'
"Come on, Kaggie!" She snapped out of her thoughts and looked to see Sango with movies spread across her bed. "Let's start this party!"
"Yeah! Popcorn, ice cream and all the soda we can drink!" Both girls cheered and started the sleepover.
First for the next few hours they gossiped. They did each other's hair while Sango went on about her crush, a boy in their grade, Miroku Tenaha. Kagome could definitely see Sango blushing through the whole thing and only laughed.
A knock sounded just when Kagome finished Sango's high braid. "Miss Kagome, Miss Sango…" Kaede's voice sounded.
"What is it, Granny Kaede?" After all these years Kagome still called her that. The old woman didn't mind though.
"Dinner is about ready."
"Is Dad home?" Her father was busy all day with something that included the financial status of the company and hasn't seen him since that morning.
"Aye he's here. He will be joining ye."
With that, the girls followed Kaede down to the dining room; where indeed Akio was and Inuyasha too. He was right beside the door.
"Ah, there's pipsqueaks one and two." Inuyasha often joked about how short they were. It was funny was hell, though.
"Hey!!" Both girls shouted. "Let's get him, Sango!" Sango agreed and both launched at the bodyguard; each grabbing an arm.
"Ah, attack of the killer pipsqueaks!!" As much as they tried, they were no match for his natural strength. He would just usually whirl them around until they grew dizzy.
"Okay, Kagome that's enough. Sango, you too." Akio sat at his place; quite entertained himself but any more twirling and the girls would have flown off like helicopters with how fast Inuyasha was going.
Kagome was dizzy as she was finally set down and wobbled to her seat. "That never gets old. "
"Yeah that was fun!" Sango held her head as she tried to see straight and sat down beside her best friend.
As Inuyasha sat on Kagome's other side; he noticed that Kagome was in deep thought. Usually she chattered up a storm come dinner time but she was quiet and seldom talked. Her eyes usually sneaked a peek at him too and smelt something different. It was kind of…alluring. As she hit puberty, her scent changed to a soothing lavender and heavenly cherry blossom scent; which often he had to calm himself and not stare at her for too long. She had also started her time of the month; which he avoided at all costs. He has never taken an interest in females before; but why was his senses going haywire when he smelt her?!
'This is so wrong! I'm supposed to be guarding her; not checking her out! A bodyguard is forbidden to even think about…that! I'm no damn pedophile! Besides, Akio-san would kill me if he even knew! Why is this happening to me!?' His fist clenched underneath the table as he continued to eat.
The next night, the bright half moon shone above the garden; bathing it in pure white light as a solemn figure sat. Kagome sat with her knees tucked into her chest; her arms resting on her knees. She could see the stars all around her; sparkling beside the moon. Her thoughts drifted once more.
'The moon…' She felt a slight chill in the air; causing her to shiver. 'Just the color reminds me of Inuyasha. How his hair shines in the sunlight and glows so pure and beautiful in the moonlight. And his exotic golden eyes…those eyes that I have known since I was five; still pierce me even now. I can see everything in them; from his sorrow to his happiness. I know he won't ever hurt me. I know that I love him as a brother…but is true that I might be…falling for him?'
She held one of her irises and felt the soft, cool petals. Every time she picked an iris Inuyasha would always put it in her hair. It was one of the few ways to show he really cared about her. 'I know he cares for me already.' She set the flower down 'But what if, maybe someday, these feelings I have now…will they continue to grow and manifest in me?' Maybe she was praying too hard. 'He's only my bodyguard! He would never look at me that way…right?'
"Why must this be so hard?" She whispered to herself. She set her head down on her arms; unaware of the oncoming presence.
"Kagome?" She looked up to see Inuyasha coming up and sitting right beside her. "Couldn't sleep either?"
She shook her head. "I have a lot on my mind so I came out here to think."
"Yeah. I figured you'd be here." His gaze turned to the moon ahead. He then saw the blue iris between them and picked it up to put it in her hair.
"You like doing that." She giggled; while the butterflies were fluttering widely in her stomach at his delicate touch.
"Can't help it." He pulled back. "I said you looked prettier with it in your hair the first time and I still think you look even more as you grow older."
She nudged him while she laughed. "Yeah, I remember that. It seems like a long time ago; doesn't it?"
"Nine years…man I still can't believe you're thirteen." He could hardly believe that this was the tiny creature he was hired to protect nine years ago. He watched her blossom into a young woman before his eyes. Before he knew it she would be an adult. With a growing desire for her, it's going to be difficult to keep that hidden and forbidden desire to himself; especially from her.
"Time goes by really fast." She continued to gaze up at the moon while she sat with him.
Many times they've been here at night for the past years and just talked and bonded. They had a special bond that couldn't be broken by anybody or anything. It was impenetrable even. She knew him and he knew her; inside and out.
Inuyasha didn't know when exactly he thought of her as more than a sister. Maybe it was when she hit puberty; when her scent changed. Or maybe when she was developing in more ways than one. He's been with her for so long that it was hard to think of anyone else besides her. One thing was certain: he was definitely falling for his charge.
'She is growing more beautiful every day; in her appearance and her mind. She loves to experience life to the fullest every day. Her eyes sparkle like the stars and her smile outshines even the moon. What has she done to me?! She had me since day one! But now it seems to be growing rather quickly!'
'It's like the more I think about him, the harder it is for me to think of anything else! Why must he be so…handsome? Not to mention his cute puppy ears and those muscles…! Ah!' She slapped her forehead. 'Sango's right! I am falling for him and fast!'
Inuyasha watched while she made funny faces and slapping her forehead. "Are you okay, little Iris?"
The nickname he gave her from day one always managed to make her smile and came back from mentally torturing herself. "Yeah, I'm okay. Don't mind me." She chuckled nervously.
Both just continued to sit and watch the moon and hearing the natural night life around them. The wind whispered around them; loose locks of hair fluttering every other way. Neither knew not to break this comfortable silence. Although they managed to sneak peeks at the other while the other wasn't looking. Each admired the other; memorized certain features unique to them. Although their thoughts were similar, neither of them knew that once Kagome got older, their secret and manifesting desires for each other would be revealed in due time…when it would be impossible to hide them any longer.
I know, a short chapter. And yes, Kagome is getting older! The next chapter is when things start rolling; which many of you are waiting for! Catch ya next week!
Ja Ne for now!