"Here… Let me help you with that." Kagome's words were gentle and comforting as her fingers fumbled with the metal clasp of the "hoodie".
They stood in the foyer of the Higurashi house, he wasn't in his fire rat, no Kagome and her mother had retired his garment to a closet in the room he now occupied. Looking to the small mirror hanging on the wall he saw someone he didn't recognize. Silver locks pulled back with a small black band, outer garment a familiar red, pants a rough, blue fabric, metallic eyes looked sleep deprived and worn.
Inuyasha felt a wave of panic fall over him, his mind swirling in thoughts. It had been two weeks since his permanent move to Kagome's era and everything was alarming, clustered, and different. Sure he'd dabbled in this world a few times but now it was forever. They were still on the same "planet" as Kagome had once explained but it felt so crowded and loud now. The bark of his favorite tree had felt the same but he didn't hear the noise of clear skies and birds, now it was mechanic monsters and the sky smelt burnt and dirty.
A small hand rested against his chest, "Inuyasha?" Kagome's forehead was creasing with a line of worry. The question was unspoken but he knew what she was asking.
"Yea, I'm alright." He wrapped an arm lazily around her waist pulling her to him. His lips pressing to her bangs.
He held them there taking a long moment to breath her in. His nerves subsided, this was worth it, being here with her was better than being without.
"Come on we're going to miss the train." She helped him dawn a pair of black shoes, by far the weirdest garment the ladies of the household had forced him to wear. But he had to admit there was a cloud comfort quality to the "shoes".
"Don't forget your pack you two!" Mrs. Higurashi caught them at the steps of the shrine, "Have a good time." She said with a smile, hugging her daughter.
Inuyasha had given up trying to take in every detail of the world around him after their first few outings. He felt grateful for the cap buffering the noise of the busy streets. Kagome had refused to tell him where this trip was taking them only saying that, "They deserved a break."
The metal train was crowded with people something that inherently made him on edge, but Kagome stayed glued to his side. As the sun slowly continued its climb the train became less and less crowded. Eventually Kagome was able to coax him into taking a seat with her. Looking out the window he noticed that the buildings were reseeding and the scenery became cascades of green as Kagome dosed against his shoulder.
A "bing" overhead had her stirring, "Train to pull into Yufuin Station. Next Stop Yufuin Station."
"That's us." Kagome said with a yawn.
Inuyasha looked at his best friend and felt torn between smiling and kicking himself in the rear. "A hot spring? Really Kagome? If you wanted a bath you can just do that at home." He cocked an eye brow at her chuckling.
To Kagome's credit she held her head high even as she turned a lovely shade of pink. "You looked like you need some time out of the city." She said with an air of indigence.
Inuyasha took a deep breath, she was right. The air was clear and the large expanse behind the hot spring building was full of trees and mountains, it made him feel at easy. He looked at her and with a crooked grin. "Alright wench, you win."