Thanks to all those who've reviewed…this story's gotten off to a great start reader-wise and I hope it stays that way.
Disclaimer: Sorry I forgot to say it earlier, but I do not own Inuyasha or anything in affiliation, except for perhaps a few episodes/movies, nor will I own any part of it at any point in my life, much less for the duration of this fanfic.
Kagome came-to with her friends gathered in a circle around her, staring at her with wide-eyed wonder and curiosity. What, had they never seen her unconscious before? She was sure they were worried, but what was with the bewildered look plastered on all their faces?
She propped herself up on her elbows. She felt…different somehow. Everything just seemed more intense than usual.
"Why are all of you looking at me like that?" she demanded. "Is there something wrong?" She sat up the rest of the way and looked at her friends anxiously, wanting to know what had them so startled.
She absentmindedly went to scratch an annoying itch on her arm, but somehow managed to cut herself. "Oh!" She looked at the place in question to find a small trickle of blood leaking out. "How'd I manage that?"
No one was quite sure how to explain everything to Kagome, so Inuyasha being the blunt one, said it straight up, hoping she'd catch it. "You just used too much force with your claws, is all. You'll have to learn to be more careful."
"What do you mean cla-" she broke off mid-word as she brought her hand to her face and examined it. She did indeed have long, sharp, thick, claw-like nails jutting out from her fingertips. "What the…what happened to my nails?"
"Your nails aren't the only things that changed, Kagome," Sango informed her. She gave her ear a tug, hoping Kagome would get the idea. It took her a moment before she cautiously lifted her hands to the top of her head, feeling around for anything out of the ordinary. When she didn't find a furry little appendage on her head or anything of the sort, she breathed a sigh of relief, but was also still confused. She ran her hands to where her normal little human ears had been, but found herself touching what she could only think of as a pointed elf-like ear. At least those wouldn't stick out as bad when she had to go back home. It was as if the thought of home made her snap out of her semi-calm state.
Kagome suddenly jumped up staring at her outstretched, newly clawed hands. "Wha- what's happened to me?" she asked quietly, before adding more desperately while looking up at her friends, "What else has changed?" Miroku was gawking quite obviously, his eyes switching between her legs and chest; Inuyasha was as well, but much less noticeably since he did have some decency, unlike the lecherous monk. Sango on the other hand looked like she couldn't decide between a look of shock or one of pure horror at what she saw.
Kagome looked down to determine what all the fuss was about; it seemed to her that her transformation had made her mature somewhat and grow slightly taller, making her already short skirt reveal even more leg and her top shorter and tighter; her already indecent appearance by the standards of the Feudal Era, was twice as bad now. She blushed a deep shade of pink and hurriedly and as modestly as possible sunk to the ground near Sango and as far away from the guys as she could without possibly offending them.
After a brief and slightly awkward pause Inuyasha commanded, "Wench, you are definitely not wearing that uniform anymore." He had managed to hit Miroku over the head to end his staring sometime during his demand.
His comment only made Kagome blush harder and become more self-conscious about her new appearance that she had yet to see. "No argument there," she muttered.
Inuyasha removed his haori and tossed it in her direction. "Here. Wear this until we get you something else."
Kagome slipped on the garment gratefully, but it didn't do much to cover her legs. It was a good thing the villagers gave her those kimonos for her birthday, she was going to need some more modest clothing. She didn't need two reasons to stick out. Kagome took a deep, calming breath so as not to let the situation get the best of her. She put up a rather stable exterior, but on the inside her mind was racing and in full panic mode.
"So, what else has changed?"
Miroku regained his composure and with a crooked smile started off smoothly, "Well, Kagome, if I da-"
"Besides that," she quickly interrupted, fearing what direction that was headed in.
"Well, your eyes are a beautiful emerald green, if that's any consolation," Sango answered, trying her best to stay upbeat. "and your hair has a nice blue sheen to it. Other than that and what's already been covered, you've just…matured slightly."
"Oh, is that all?" That's when she lost it. "What's happened to me? What the hell am I? How am I supposed to explain this to my mother?" The last thought drove her to tears and she took off running to Kaede's hut.
Inuyasha understood that it was a lot for the girl to handle. Hell it was a huge shock to the rest of them too, but he couldn't help but wonder, "Is she that repulsed by me?" Inuyasha didn't realize he'd whispered that out loud. All the monk and the demon-slayer did to acknowledge it was share a knowing and somewhat sad look.
~*~One Hell of a Surprise~*~
Kagome got to the hut way faster than she thought she should have. "Oh yeah, I guess my abilities have changed now too." She fell to her knees in the middle of the hut, sobbing about how quickly the day had changed.
She cried for a good twenty minutes before she finally calmed down and decided that bawling about it solved nothing. "I wonder where Kaede-sama is…" Kagome thought to herself. Kaede had wandered off somewhere after the presents had all been opened. Kagome had assumed she was tired and came back to her hut, but a quick look around proved it to be untrue.
Kagome walked over to all of her presents, picked out one of the simpler kimonos she'd gotten earlier that day, and stepped into the back room to change. She slipped off her old, virtuously useless school uniform and put on the kimono. She'd only worn a traditional kimono a few times in her life, so it felt strange for her to be wearing one; she was also pretty self-conscious, since she had no idea what she looked like in it, especially with her new appearance.
Kagome sped to the outskirts of the village, not wanting any of the villagers to see her until they figured out what was going on, before slowing back down to a walk again. She saw her friends sitting right where she'd left them half an hour ago. Inuyasha was the first to notice her approaching, but soon they were all looking in her direction, mouths slightly agape. They couldn't believe how much the dark green kimono with silver vine designs and obi accentuated her new physique.
"Wow, Kagome. You look gorgeous," Sango complimented her, causing her to blush before she took up her previous spot next to her on the ground.
Shippo came up to her and gave her a once over with his nose. "You definitely smell different," he commented while plopping down next to her, "but you're still my mama." He smiled up at her and her heart melted.
"Thanks Shippo. That means a lot to me." She looked up at Inuyasha who was no longer looking at her. "So, Inuyasha…can you tell me exactly what I've become?"
He glanced at her briefly from the corner of his eye, but returned his gaze to whatever far off object that had supposedly captured his attention. "Yeah, you're an inu-hanyou…just like me."
Kagome's ears instinctively twitched in response to the sadness dripping from his voice. 'On no,' she thought to herself, 'he doesn't like me this way.'
"This is a most strange development, Lady Kagome," Miroku piped in. "We all felt a strange presence just before your change, but I've determined that it was your aura—your new aura," he amended, "swirling out of you that we felt. In other words, I don't believe an external force is responsible for your transformation."
Kagome glanced off in the direction of the well, longing for its refuge. "I think it's best I go home and talk to my mother. Maybe she can tell me why this has happened." She looked at Inuyasha, wishing she could ask him to come with her; it would be so much easier if he did, but she just couldn't ask. She bit her lip, not even thinking about the possibility that she had acquired fangs, effectively cutting her lip. She mentally cursed and sucked the offended flesh into her mouth, more mindful of her sharpened teeth this time around. Maybe she needed some time away from everyone anyway. "I'll be back as soon as I can." She took off toward the well without a second glance. She had no idea how this had happened, or if her mother would be any help, but she hoped she would.
~*~One Hell of a Surprise~*~
"Inuyasha, you should go with her. It would be easier for her to face her mother if you did," Sango advised him.
"Why because I'm a hanyou?" he asked bitterly.
"Well, having someone to relate to would certainly help, but mainly it's because she could really use a friend right now."
"It doesn't matter. If she wanted me to come then she would've asked me."
"Don't be so stupid, Inuyasha," Miroku admonished him wisely. "Kagome, obviously wanted you to accompany her, but with the way you spoke to her earlier she didn't think you'd want to."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that when she asked you what she had transformed into, you responded so solemnly, as if it sickened you that she too is an half-demon."
"She's the one who's sickened by it!" he harshly defended. "You saw how she reacted earlier! She's repulsed by the very idea. Why should she want me coming along with her when I'm just a dirty hanyou, too?"
"Inuyasha, you're such an idiot."
Inuyasha whacked Shippo on the head. "Stay out of it runt!"
Sango came to his rescue, "I have to agree with Shippo. You're being stubborn, as usual. If Kagome found you repulsive, for that matter if any of us did, why would be still be hanging around you?"
"The jewel shards and Naraku," was his lame comeback
"There's more to it that that and deep down you know it. You're the only one that tries to hide behind those pitiful excuses. If that were all we were here for, we wouldn't have to be friendly towards you, but we are because we are your friends. Now go after Kagome if you care about her at all…unless of course you're just in it for the jewel shards." Miroku knew he'd hit a sensitive spot with that one and hoped it would compel Inuyasha to follow Kagome. "Come on Sango, let's go back to Kaede's and inform her of the recent developments."
As Miroku, Sango, and Shippo walked off towards the village, Inuyasha hmmphed loud enough for them to hear and crossed his arms obstinately. Once they were out of sight and earshot, however, he bounded off towards the well and leapt inside.
~*~One Hell of a Surprise~*~
The others arrived back at Kaede's empty hut, where she was making tea.
"Do you think he went?" Shippo asked innocently
Miroku ruffled his head. "Undoubtedly."
"He is rather predictable, you know," Sango added with a knowing smile.
Kaede had no idea what had happened this time, but from the conversation it was obvious Inuyasha was being his usual dense self. The three adults settled down with tea, so Sango and Miroku could fill Kaede in on what she'd missed while Shippou drew pictures in the corner.