Birthday Presents
"Inuyasha, are you sure you can't stay?"
"Yeah. I gotta go help the Babaa with some stuff, and I uh, have to check if we're good to hit the road again the day after tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow evening, when you come back."
"Okay," sighed Kagome a little dejectedly.
"Seeya, K'gome."
Inuyasha jumped into the Well. Kagome stared at the spot where he had stood just a second before a little confusedly. She had come back after meeting her friends to see Inuyasha hard at work, cleaning out the supply room and then not complaining even once as her grandfather bossed him around. He stayed back for some more Ramen, and then told her that he had to go back.
She shook her head and went back into the house.
Souta woke her up the next morning by jumping on her bed and yelling, "Happy Birthday, nee-chan!" Laughing, she bounded downstairs, where she was greeted by her mother and grandfather. They spent all morning together, opening presents, playing old board games, talking, and helping Mrs. Higurashi in the kitchen, where she was cooking up a storm.
Kagome spent a relaxed afternoon with her mother, enjoying the opportunity to just talk without any distractions, and once daylight began fading, Kagome packed the last of the stuff she would need for the road. Her mother gave her a huge bag stuffed with all kinds of food just before she left- more than enough for all her friends on the other side of the Well.
After many hugs and kisses, Kagome jumped into the Well. Once on the other side, she struggled to clamber up with so many bags. She was mildly surprised and annoyed that no one (that is, Inuyasha) was there to help her. Finally succeeding, she made her way to Kaede's hut and to her disbelief, found it empty. Dumping her bags in irritation, she walked towards the woods to see whether she would find anybody there.
When she reached the clearing just before the woods, however, she stood rooted to the spot with delight. The place was illuminated with pretty lanterns, and the beaming faces of Kaede, Sango, Miroku, Shippou and Inuyasha greeted her. Kagome laughed happily at the sight and thanked each one as they warmly wished her a happy birthday. Inuyasha soon lit a small fire, Miroku was sent to get the food and they all sat down to eat Mrs. Higurashi's feast.
After the meal, by the flickering firelight, they all produced presents, adding to Kagome's surprise. She reproached them all gently for taking the trouble and laughed when Miroku said, "Well you did say you wanted a party!"
Kaede gave her some tea, which Kagome gratefully acknowledged. "I'll think of you every time we brew it," she promised. Shippou proudly presented her with a drawing he had made of all them on one of their many adventures and this too she promised to treasure and keep carefully. Miroku gave her a blessing which he had painstakingly written out in beautiful script. "It might also help with the stumbling," he teased. Sango gave Kagome a small knife from her collection and told her that she would teach her how to use it. When everybody looked at Inuyasha expectantly, he muttered, "Later."
Kagome was so happy that her eyes welled up. She thanked each of them over and over again and they all talked until nothing was left of the fire but embers. Kaede got up and said, "I need to get some rest. Kami bless you, child." Kagome hugged the woman she had come to regard as a grandmother and when she turned, she saw that Shippou, Miroku and Sango had also gotten to their feet. With one last 'Happy Birthday', they bid her good night as well.
The look in Inuyasha's eyes told Kagome that it wasn't quite time for her to turn in yet, so she waved to her friends as they made their way back to the huts and rolled her eyes when she heard Miroku say, "Not too late, now. You'll need your energy for the road tomorrow."
As expected, they heard a solid 'thwack' and an all too innocent "But Sango, what do you think I was possibly insinuating?"
Kagome turned to Inuyasha and sighed, "The consummate flirt. He'll never learn."
Inuyasha snorted and then suddenly began twisting the hem of his sleeve, looking hesitant and awkward.
He took two steps towards Kagome and said haltingly, "I... I got you something, too."
"Inuyasha, you know you didn't have to."
"I know. It's...I wanted to."
Kagome smiled brilliantly up at him and he then extracted a small wrapped package from within his voluminous sleeve. She looked at the package and said, "Is this from my time?"
"Yeah. Your mother helped me a little."
"Is that why you were working like such a maniac yesterday? Inuyasha, now I feel bad."
"Keh. It was nothing. Just take it already."
Kagome accepted the parcel and carefully unwrapped it. In it she found a big bar of creamy looking soap.
"You enjoy your damn baths so much, I thought you could use this." said Inuyasha with an unsure look in his eyes.
"Inuyasha, that is so thoughtful! I love it. Really. Thank you so much!"
Kagome then sniffed at it, trying to figure out what kind it was. Her mother was known for trying out differently scented soaps, and if she had helped Inuyasha, she was almost sure that it would be some kind of exotic scent.
"Uh, Inuyasha, is it supposed to be a subtle scent, because I can't smell anything." Kagome said, slightly confused.
"No. I made sure it was unscented."
"Really?" said Kagome, now thoroughly confused. "Why? What am I supposed to smell like, then?"
Inuyasha took another step towards her and then as though it was the most obvious thing in the world, he replied, "You."
Taking in a ragged breath, her heart pounding, all Kagome could manage was an "Oh,"
Leaning in, Inuyasha whispered, "Happy birthday, Kagome," before gently kissing her on the mouth. Deepening the kiss, Kagome wound her arms around his neck and reveled in the most special gift that she had received.