Shinobu watched with no lack of amusement as Kagome went stiff, eyes widening, as she sucked in a breath through her teeth. In the distance he could see the sandy haired youth jogging his way toward them, joy and puppy like enthusiasm bubbling over more than a boiling pot of water, Shinobu had to bite his tongue when the enthusiastic boy stumbled with his exuberance at seeing his current companion.
Returning his gaze to Kagome he arched a brow as her pleading blue eyes met his, practically begging him to hide her.
And where would you hide Kagome? Obviously this puppy's already caught whiff of you. He couldn't decide whether to laugh or frown at the irony of the thought.
Besides this encounter holds far too much potential for amusement.
"I hate you." She mumbled with no real heat when she realized he would be of little help too her.
"I love you too Kagome." He marveled slightly at the pink kissing her cheeks, the fluttering her lashes did- like little black butterflies- and the way she missed her step as she turned to greet the boy.
And he ignored the way his heart twisted oddly, the loud thumping in his chest, and the gymnastics his stomach was currently doing.
I meant it only as a joke.
"Hello Hojo." She said pleasantly enough, though he noted that her tone and her posture completely lacked any… anything that was distinctly Kagome. There was no bouncing with an over abundance of energy, no overwhelming happiness or excitement she generally seemed to express regardless of who she was greeting.
She was polite he couldn't fault her for that, but it was beyond odd how utterly reserved she was.
"Higurashi it is good to see you! Might I say you are looking well today!" Whatever sobering bug Kagome was suffering from seemed not to have infected the puppy like boy.
Perhaps it is the boy's overly innocent persona she finds off putting. He studied the two as they interacted.
No. That s not it. The more he talked the more withdrawn she became, though the boy seemed not to notice as he attempted to coerce her into joining him on a date. And he wasn't feeling jealous when the boy asked her. And he wasn't feeling immense relief when she declined his invitation.
He broke from his thoughts when an overwhelming sorrow and a feeling of immense isolation slowly began seeping into her aura, the sharp broken edges of her soul flaring out with unease as the conversation continued.
I see I think I understand.
In many ways Kagome has grown to far surpass most if not all of her classmates the things she does, the things she sees, how many would turn to madness bearing witness to such atrocities?
She feels alone among people her own age, outcaste.
This simply will not do.
Manipulating his own aura he wrapped her soul in his aura projecting warmth, understanding, friendship, and love. Startled the tiny wonder looked up at him, and he hoped she could read the promise in his eyes.
I am here Kagome.
I know.
I understand
And as long as I am here you will never be alone.
She knew in an instant what he was projecting and why, rewarding him with a brilliant smile the sent his heart thrumming to a beat of its own.