Okay, so here's another chapter! I hardly slept at all, but I've managed to get a hold of writing again. Thanks so much for the reviews and likes.
Let's do this!
Rumiko Takahashi owns all of Inuyasha.
For the next week, Inuyasha made a habit of going out hunting with Kagome since their date. He enjoyed the thrill that came with the chase, and she enjoyed his company. It was a bit of a win-win situation for them both. She had his attention, and he had his fun.
Things were working out well for them. In fact, Inuyasha was in a much better mood than before. Despite having that smidgen of desire for Kagome racing through him, he could put it aside almost always, and instead entertained himself while out with her. It was better than being cooped up inside the house with nothing to look at but the walls and pictures which only made him ache.
Inuyasha was already planning their next hunt for the day. He wanted to try his hand at catching a few fish as well as a boar or deer; he wasn't yet sure of which he desired most for dinner. So he intended on starting it first with a trip to the river. There, he and Kagome would see who could catch the most fish. Then they would seek out the other creatures and end their day atop that hill.
Excitement pulsed through him, his appetite nearly feverish.
Unfortunately, some of Kagome's day had been consumed by work, so while she continued tending to patients with Kaede, Inuyasha decided to police the village. It bored him quickly. He found it somewhat strange that demons never came to bother the people there. His last recollection of a past now long gone was of demons constantly attacking humans for their flesh and the like. Why did they stop coming?
Suddenly, he remembered the sacred jewel and his curiosity got the best of him. He went to the small shrine where the jewel had once been held in. Kikyou used to guard it, making sure no demon or man, including him, could take hold of its power and destroy the world. He remembered wanting the damned thing so he could become a full fledged demon since no one ever bothered to accept him as himself, half demon that he was.
He didn't feel any kind of pressure to be someone he was not when he was with Kagome, and it gave him another reason to like her. She appeared to appreciate his company whenever he offered it, never once telling him to give her solitude or leave her be.
It was rather surreal being next to her sometimes. Kikyou used to call him a half demon to annoy him, but Kagome never even mentioned his issue. He remembered how discriminatory practices used to be enacted whenever he was near; how his mother used to have to hide him or his ears because no one liked a demon. He was an abomination, after all; something which should never have been.
Yet, for Kagome, this did not seem to matter to her. In fact, for the world he now lived in, this idea didn't seem to be an issue mulled over very much. Kaede's village even allowed Shippo and Kirara to roam free, without worrying if they'd enact any kind of horrors.
It was a strange world he lived in. But better, he supposed.
The shrine was decrepit, now nothing more than an ancient heirloom of the past. Webs covered the bar which once held the sacred necklace, but it was barren. As he suspected, the jewel was gone. But where had they placed it? He could not feel its presence, and if demons chose not to destroy Kaede's village, then it must have been because the thing was forever destroyed.
He thought he would feel disappointment, but instead he felt nothing. His desires had changed at some point in his life, and even though he could not recall what had transpired in the past five decades, perhaps his soul did. That's why it still felt something for Kagome even though the mind it inhabited was wiped clean.
He returned to his home and sat on his stoop, waiting for his wife-he was growing rather accustomed to this moniker-to come home. Because he was hungry. Of course.
Villagers walked along the winding road, working on their menial tasks. Some children aided their parents with work which ranged from gardening to harvesting. Some would pass by Inuyasha's home and wave to him. He waved back out of a sense of politeness, but didn't really care for them so much as he did for the woman sitting only a few meter's away. He could see her black hair blanketing her shoulders; the waves falling to her waist like water down a stream. Her skin was like alabaster, a sheen rivaling the snow during a winter storm. He could see her tending to a young man. He laid on the floor as she placed her hand over his back. A light poured out from her hands, an image all too familiar to a demon often attacked by priests and priestesses.
The man must have suffered from some form of possession, having been intoxicated by a miasma. Kagome didn't seem to mind that she was dealing with such a tainted being, and in that moment Inuyasha could actually comprehend how powerful of a priestess she was. If she could cleanse a man's soul, what other power lay within her hands?
His gaze never wavered from her form. She must have been attuned to him somehow, because she looked up, and her eyes met his. A small, shy curve met her lips and the breath from Inuyasha was sucked out of him. She was too beautiful. Annoyingly so.
Her eyes asked him a question as clear as day: Are you alright?
He sucked his teeth, knowing well that no, he was not alright. Here he sat, waiting for a woman he was slowly beginning to crave. Or had it come slowly? He didn't remember a moment for the past two weeks that didn't have him pining after her in some fashion. At first, he simply wanted her around to tend to his wounds, then to feed him. And after that for play. But now... Well, now he wanted her for reasons he could not name, lest a blush forge itself onto his skin.
But why did it annoy him? She was his wife, after all. He was supposed to feel something for her. It was romantic, in a way, even though he was the least romantic person in the world. His body knew who she was to him and sometimes he wanted to accept it. Hell, with the past few days of fun, he was already starting to accept it.
Yet he remained hesitant.
Why? Was it because he was afraid to give into her, or was something inside of him still hoping against hope that this was all some illusion, and he would one day wake up and find himself close to Kikyou?
No. It wasn't that. He hardly thought of her; the image of Kagome constantly bombarding him.
What could it be? He wondered if it was because he did not know how to deal with any women in the romantic sense. Friendship, he was somewhat accustomed to, but the whole aspect of moving forward frightened him. Could it be as simple as that? Despite his age, he was a green boy.
She must have noticed the war that plagued him because she watched him, a frown now covering her face. She stood up and turned to Kaede, mouthing something Inuyasha could not hear. Then she began to walk to him, her gait smooth and inviting. He met her half way, running toward her.
The tilt to her lips showed concern. "Are you hungry, Inuyasha?"
He scratched his ear, the action impulsive. "I guess. Was just thinking."
She cocked her head, the motion sweet. "About what?"
She was beautiful. Her rounded eyes could seer into his soul. Her lashes tickled her cheek, a shadow forming with each blink. Her skin was pale, like the sliver of the moon, her fingers moved like silk. And her lips...
He dreamt of those lips.
"You," he blurted. His cheeks enflamed, embarrassment filling his frame. Sometimes he felt as though he were in the wrong body. The one he inhabited was way too eccentric and debased.
She quirked her brow. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No," he hastened to reply. "Not that. I'm just... Just waiting for you to finish," he lamely murmured. He couldn't very well tell her he thought about her skin; the feel of it, the texture whenever it graced his mane. Or how he would wake from dreams, whilst recalling images of her naked body near him, close to him, doing things. Scandalous things. Which should not have shocked him; he was a strong, potent half demon, after all, and she gave him so much material to work with during that last steam bath she took. But still... He was a virgin, as far as he could recall, and he'd never been this heated before.
But he knew that could not be true. Marriage to this woman had to have included sessions of rather animalistic activities. Right? Unless, she intended to be committed toward the priesthood and abstained from sex.
Fucking sucks if that's true.
He couldn't imagine ever agreeing to such a thing, but the possibility was there. They had no children after eight years of knowing each other. Surely, that meant something.
She spoke, shaking him from his reverie.
"I'll be done as soon as I finish with him. The man was possessed so he's got a bit of demonic residue, but I should be done fairly quickly. Why?"
He shrugged. "Hungry."
The sound she made when she chuckled freely made something branch within him. He thought it may have been affection. Oh, who was he kidding? Of course it was. When she wasn't irritated with him, she was the sweetest woman he had ever met. She cooked for him every day, stood by him whenever he allowed, and garnered his attention daily. And even when she was irritated, something about her face, the way it would scrunch up and contort, made him feel...something. He couldn't quite name it.
"I have very little patience," he muttered. With himself and the world.
She rolled her eyes. "You won't die," she said and then she patted his stomach, the motion shocking him to his core. Outwardly, he remained unflinching. Inside, he felt as though his pants were becoming way too tight.
This lady has no idea what she does to me.
Or did she? He looked into her eyes, trying to see if it showed any indication of whether she knew what she was doing and how it effected him- but nothing was there, except humor.
She patted him again and said, "I think our past meals have been doing you some good."
"Oh?" he croaked, while an image plagued him.
Suddenly, he remembered how lascivious she looked when she attempted to touch him nearly a week and a half ago. Kagome was flushed, lips red as she bit one side of it. Her hand was reaching down toward his groin, with the intent of doing something naughty. He simply knew it. How could he have forgotten that face?
Lud, he wanted to groan.
We definitely used to do it.
In that instant, he wanted her.
He really, really wanted her, with an intensity which nearly floored him. But he didn't know what to do or how to even begin such a thing. He was a socially inept half breed. How the hell would he woo her? Did he even have to?
Stupid questions.
"You've been gaining weight."
At that, he sobered and his nether-regions shrank. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?"
She shrugged. "Just that you've been eating a lot."
"Well, it ain't my fault," he snapped. "You've been cooking a feast every night."
"Only because you asked me to."
"Well, maybe you should stop."
She arched a brow, crossing her arms to her chest. "Oh, really now? How about we go back to soup? Sound good?"
He grimaced. "No, mam'." Then he pointed at her, his finger inches from her face. "You're my wife, so you've got to feed me good."
Kagome choked on whatever she wished to say next, and Inuyasha found himself smiling with triumph. He understood now why he liked to see Kagome irritated. He simply loved the faces she made.
"Yeah," he continued, needling her further. If he was going to be frustrated because of her, she deserved to be teased, at the least. "And as my wife, you should be home preparing for our hunt tonight. A wife's duties are at home, ay?"
Kagome's face turned nearly purple. Her mouth opened and closed like a blowfish, and Inuyasha wondered what would happen if he flicked her cheek with his finger. Would it pop?
She whirled around and muttered words he could not comprehend, stomping her way back to Kaede's home.
"Make sure you hurry up!" Inuyasha called out. "Need me some food, pronto!"
She let out a sound that resembled a horse's neigh and Inuyasha couldn't help himself. He laughed and he laughed.
She should have told him to sit, that would've taught him not to play games with Kagome.
But she knew she could not do it. Already her irritation was slipping away. One reason being because he had called her his wife without hesitation, which warmed her to the bone. Secondly, she knew he was only teasing her so that she would hurry with her tasks and focus on him. He was restless, she knew it. He'd always been an active person, finding something to do every day. Staying in this normal village, where demons never seemed to roam- because of her husband's presence and the fear he struck in many- had to make him feel somewhat agitated.
While she tended to the man who lay before her, she thought about ways to make Inuyasha feel more at home. He truly enjoyed their hunts in the evening, but it was only because it allowed him to spread his legs and venture out of the village. She wanted him to enjoy being here.
Yet she knew this would be futile. Despite his memory lapse, he knew, in his soul, that he was meant to do greater things than live a normal life within a village.
Perhaps she should have told him that he worked with Miroku, slaying demons elsewhere, not simply here. He would probably ask this soon, and Kagome didn't know what she'd tell him when he did.
Most likely, she'd tell him the truth. He deserved it even though fear struck her very core with the thought of him leaving her again.
Here, he was safe. Out there... Well, look what happened.
She remembered another way to make him feel at home and she reddened immediately. Surely, he would not accept such a thing. Inuyasha had been a virgin when she met him, so he probably didn't even think about that kind of stuff with his current mindset.
More's the pity.
When she was finished with the man, she woke him up and he felt fairly weak. Kaede had him taken to a nearby hut to rest his weary soul.
She walked home then, intent on playing Inuyasha's teasing game. It allowed for him to get riled up, and she loved it when that happened. After all, that's how they fell in love.
When they were younger, their relationship first planted, the two would bicker incessantly, neither of them knowing that the passion which was expended during banters and fights, would lead to wonderful things in bed.
Kagome sighed, missing the feel and touch of her husband. She had not lay with him in over a fortnight, and the thought of it saddened her deeply. They were the type to make love constantly, nearly every day. She yearned for the warmth of his embrace, the touch of his fingers along the curves of her body. She missed the heat of him and the way he could always engulf her core with sensual bliss and fulfillment.
The sky was dark, filled with heavy clouds, threatening to pour. She hurried home, disappointed that today's hunt would have to be canceled. Inuyasha would feel the same way. Luckily, she had procured some food the night before. They would settle for some fish for the day. Inuyasha liked that.
Inuyasha glowered at the sky darkening above him while he sat by his window at home. The clouds were heavy, with black and grey hues covering the sun. It was going to rain and it was going to rain long. He could sniff out the storm and its intensity irked him.
Now he would have to stay indoors. Kagome would never want to go outside during this weather, and neither did he.
He raked his fingers through his hair, grazing the scar on his head. The thing was nearly gone, almost as if it never was. Yet its damage could not be mended.
Damn it, he didn't want to stay inside. What the hell would he do, enclosed within this confined space? He would be alone, with Kagome. She would be near him and she would put a tiny bit of salve onto his head, and massage him into a puddle, until that puddle hardened into rock.
And to make matters worst, tonight was the night of the New Moon. For one whole night, he would be a human; weak and pathetic. He couldn't let Kagome see him in that state, nor could he remain at home. He had to find a place to hide and keep himself safe.
Inuyasha smelled Kagome enter the house. He was far too aware of her presence, listening to her every movement as she walked from one room to the other. He could hear her change into clothes, the ruffle and a toss making his ear twitch. Finally, she approached his and she slid the door to the right.
She was wearing one of his shirts again, the material covering her all the way to her knees. While he stared at her long legs, she waved at him.
"Hello, Inuyasha!" she said with a smile that nearly took his breath away.
He blinked. How could she be so happy to see him? It touched him in more ways than one.
"Sup," he muttered.
She entered the room and he saw her feet, bare and white, as they moved across his floor. She sat herself across from him and said, "So how are you?"
He narrowed his eyes, suspicion filling his gut. She seemed too perky.
"What's it to ya?"
She shrugged. "Just asking. Did you do anything after our little talk?"
He turned back to the window. Rain already began to fall. He sighed. "Was waitin' on ya to arrive, but it's raining now. Looks like we can't go hunting."
Kagome nodded. "I know. Sorry about that. But it's not so bad. We can head out tomorrow."
He saw her from the corner of his eyes. She was flattening the shirt over her crossed knees so he wouldn't be able to see what was underneath. A tragedy of sorts.
"You got anything planned for the night?"
"Nope. Just wanted to spend some time with you."
Who knew such a small statement could make him feel so many things at once? Confusion, heartache, longing; they all fit in together within his head and caused a sigh to escape his lips. He had to be honest with himself; he was glad she wanted his company, for he desired hers just as much.
He turned away from his window and sought her gaze. "So what do we do now? What did you used to do with me before the...the..." He waved his hand in a circle, at a loss for words.
"Fall?" she suggested.
"Sure, I'll go with that."
"Well, we..." Kagome paused and let out a soft, but nervous chuckle. It sounded more like a heavy breath and red suffused her skin. Inuyasha shot out his hand because he definitely knew where her mind was and he simply could not handle it.
"Forget I asked."
Kagome laughed, this time sincere. "We didn't just do that, Inuyasha. We also spoke."
"About what?"
"Anything we were thinking of. Our day."
How average. But this would work. If they could have a normal conversation without him feeling stiff, then he wouldn't have to leave, just yet, to cool himself off in the rain. "I see. Well, if that's the case, I've got a few things to say."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
"Yeah. I went to that old shrine where the Shikon jewel used to be. What happened to it?"
She arched a brow. "Thinking of becoming a full demon?"
Inuyasha waved his hand. "Nah. Not necessary."
Kagome genuinely looked stunned by this admission and he knew in that instant that she knew everything about his desire for the shikon jewel. Of course she did. She knew everything about him.
"I'm just curious about it," he told her. He wanted that expression to go away because it was loaded with information he didn't know if he wanted to know just yet. If such a confession could make her look that way, what had he done to earn it?
"What happened to it?"
Kagome shrugged. "I wished it away."
Inuyasha's jaw dropped. "Eh? What does that mean?"
"The Shikon jewel could grant a wish. I wished for it to be destroyed. Now it's gone."
"I...see..."
"Disappointed?"
"I don't know." He paused to ponder this for a moment. "I should be, right? I mean, I wanted to use it once."
She rested her elbows on her thighs and touched the floor, the brief action taking up his attention in an instant. "You didn't care for it after a while."
She spread her fingers, and her nails grazed the wood.
"Why?"
She found a lone piece of wood to pick on and attempted to break it off. "Because you had no reason to use it."
The piece would not budge. "Why?" he insisted.
She gave up this task and her hands balled into a fist. It was then that he realized she was somewhat tense from this inquisition. Her body was stiff, unmoving, and her eyes remained transfixed to the ground. What brought this on?
"For the same reason, I suppose, you don't need it now."
He felt himself leaning toward her, as if drawn. "And what reason is that?" he asked with baited breath.
She didn't miss a beat. "You're accepted here."
Inuyasha could feel some kind of constriction build in his throat, and his vision took on a strange view, as everything became blurry. He could feel his throat close and he was immediately horrified by what this meant. Was he really on the verge of tears? How pathetic. He hadn't cried in years.
Kagome watched Inuyasha as he battled with his emotions, until he could take it no longer. He turned himself away from her so she wouldn't see the moisture building, and he focused his gaze on the sky. It was nearly black, as the sun attempted to fall under the horizon. Which reminded him. The New Moon. It was going to change him soon.
"Shit," he blurted out.
Kagome gave him an odd look. He didn't blame her. His curse was completely random.
"Is something wrong, Inuyasha?"
"I forgot something."
"What is it?"
He fought for words, but when none came, he simply came to his feet. Finally, he said, "I gotta go. I have to..."
He walked past her, and ambled toward the door but before he was able to leave, Kagome said from behind him, "You're safe."
He froze. Then he turned to find her merely inches away from him. He hadn't noticed her stand. She came to him slowly, almost as if he were some wild animal she wished to tame.
"You're safe," she said again, her tone soft and reassuring.
But he shook his head, because he wasn't safe. He would never be safe when the moon was at its darkest, and the night was filled with evil.
"I have to go, Kagome."
She took a step forward, slow and cautious. "It's the new moon, right?"
He could not speak but he lent her an affirmation with a curt nod.
"Don't worry, Inuyasha. I usually set up a barrier to keep us safe during the day."
He believed her, but old habits died hard and he felt compelled to run out of the house and find shelter. He would change at any moment and he didn't want to be near her when it happened. He didn't want her to see him so weak.
But she didn't seem to care, so she continued talking. "I know that you like to run during this cycle, but you don't have to. You haven't had to do so in ages."
"It's not safe," he croaked.
She stretched out her hand and he stared at it, not knowing what to do with it. Still, it remained high and when he did nothing, she gently latched onto his arm and tugged him into the room.
"You don't have to run," she told him. Her voice was a gentle caress and he found himself walking in.
Her eyes remained set on his. "If you don't feel comfortable changing in front of me, I can leave, but please don't leave. Please."
Though a part of him raged at himself to run away from her, another part accepted her request. She was looking at him. Not only that, she was seeing him, and he felt as though she could see right through him, into his thoughts. Into his fears. That gaze told him that she didn't care about what happened to him during this cycle. Still-and this shocked him even more-she wanted him to remain with her. Weak and pathetic, he would be. But it simply did not matter.
Stunned, he followed her until she brought him to the center of the room. When she knelt, he knelt, until they sat together, quiet.
The sun was already below the horizon and he could feel the change stir within him. He bowed his head, feeling both unsure of himself and emotionally distraught. Yet he had enough courage to open up and say, "It's happening, Kagome. Can I have a moment?"
She did not hesitate, giving him the space he so desperately needed.
When she left the room, the change began to happen, wasting no time.
One moment, he was part demon; the next, he was completely human.
A human who was now in pain.
Kagome knew that the change took merely a few seconds to happen, but she gave Inuyasha an extra minute to grow accustomed to his surroundings. She remembered how he used to like leaving everyone to find safety while he was human. But when she was able to learn how to create pure shields, Inuyasha had no reason to ever hide again. And neither did she.
When she entered the room again, Inuyasha was lying on the floor. His hair was like the night, long and black. His dog ears were gone, as well as his claws.
His eyes were closed, his face a mask of anguish. She knew immediately that his human side was in pain. The wound was small, but for a human it would hurt immensely. Half breed Inuyasha could take the pain in a way that would make him feel as though he didn't have it. But human Inuyasha was unable to suppress such things.
Thank God she kept a bottle of salve inside his room. She picked it up from his desk and came to him. She fell on her knees as Inuyasha cringed, and clasped his head to his hands.
"Inuyasha."
Her voice was urgent and he could hear it through the pain.
"Salve," he managed to rasp, and she quickly poured it onto her hand. In an instant he could feel her gentle hands work their magic, kneading into his tender flesh.
As soon as the pain came, it went away, like the calm that reigned after a storm.
He found himself looking up at her while she moved her fingers down his dark tresses. Her lips formed a tight line. On occasion, she would grind her teeth, as if holding back a pain she herself could not release. Worry etched her brows and he wanted so much to turn that frown up.
He didn't want her to be afraid for him, he realized. He wanted her to be happy. So very happy.
But how could he make her happy? He didn't even know how to make himself happy. He'd always walked through life alone and cautious, never learning to trust a soul. But he could trust Kagome, he knew. In that moment, he could trust her with anything. She did not judge him. Like she was doing now, she only sought to embrace him and all that he was. Like he was now.
He found himself reaching for her face. He felt her sharp inhale when he touched her cheek and she looked down at him, suddenly appearing to him somewhat shy yet beautiful. She bit her lip and her eyes blinked, once. Twice. He moved his fingers along her jaw-line, then reached behind her neck, only to push it down ever so slightly.
He was going to kiss her.
She was going to kiss him.
He found, in that moment, that the darkest hour did not have to keep him in hiding. Nor did it need to instill with him a sense of fear.
In the night, at least for now, it could give rise to something beautiful.
Something had changed in Inuyasha. Yes, he was no longer clutching his head in pain and his breathing had settled. But something else had changed. Or maybe it was the storm outside, making this room become electrified, emitting a gentle hum.
When he touched her, she nearly dropped the bottle which she held on her left hand. She laid it to rest immediately, and let him move his fingers along her face, only to clasp it from behind and move her closer and closer to him, until their lips were only a hairs-breath away.
She was going to kiss him.
And she wanted this with every fiber of her being.
Suddenly, a loud crash of thunder rattled them. With a squeal, Kagome cowered against Inuyasha's chest. He laughed, though the sound came out hoarse and a little strained.
"Scared of a bit of thunder? Thought we didn't have anything to worry about?"
At his quip, she knew the moment was gone.
She lifted her head, though her face was flushed from embarrassment. More than that, it was red because she was also disappointed. She so wanted to kiss Inuyasha. It had been too long and she desired his lips more than anything. It could always take the pain and confusion away from her mind. It could do wonders.
God, why'd it have to thunder! We were so close.
Frustrated, she moved away from Inuyasha to let him sit up. He raked his fingers through his hair, and he let out an audible sigh. One which sounded somewhat relieved. It ticked Kagome off, just a smidgen, and she felt something inside of her snap. All of her pent up desires rose to the fore. But she could tame it. Well, that wasn't true. She couldn't exactly tame it, but she could mollify it.
She leaned in to him before he could move away and surprised Inuyasha with a kiss to his cheek. He jumped away from her in shock and shrieked, "W-what'd you do that for?"
Kagome shrugged. No regrets. "Felt like it."
"How would you like it if I did whatever I felt like doing?"
She cocked her head to the side and gave him a strange look. "What do you feel like doing?"
He sputtered uncontrollably because he wanted to do everything and anything to her. He could feel the sting of her lips on his cheeks and he thought that it was the most wonderful sting he could ever feel, but then he stopped grumbling when he saw a twinkle in her eyes. She was only teasing him. He stopped and glared at her. Then he said, "Shut up, idiot."
Kagome grinned still feeling his skin against her lips. This would do for now.
With a clap, she stood up and said, "Time to make dinner! Care to help?"
Inuyasha crossed his arms, mutinously. "I don't know. I don't really feel like it."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Come on, Inuyasha. I'll give you some fish to cook in the fire, while I focus on the rice."
He paused only to make it seem as though he were mulling this over, but he was really trying to get a hold of himself. He was about to kiss her. Holy shit! What was happening to him?
"Fine," he mumbled and she hopped away, her gait lively and merry.
He couldn't help himself.
Despite his inner turmoil, he smiled.
Cooking the fish was a pretty simple process. Kagome had already seasoned the meat, and all Inuyasha had to do was watch the food as it sizzled in the blaze. He was in the living room while Kagome was in the preparation room, cleaning some rice. He looked at the fire, seeing the flesh burn off until it turned into a nice shade of brown. He managed to cook three fish before Kagome returned with a hot pot on hand.
They sat, he on one side of the fire, and she on the other. They focused on their tasks, doing so in silence. Inuyasha appreciated the fact that Kagome trusted him with the food. Throughout the past few days, he was able to watch her cook fish. He liked to think that he got a handle on it and prided himself on not burning the food despite the fact that he sometimes caught himself staring into the flames, watching it engulf the logs it consumed. He could imagine himself in that blaze remembering how Kagome made him feel.
When they were both done, Kagome served Inuyasha a bowl of rice and he gave her a plate of fish. He waited for her to take the first bite, and when she did she released a moan.
His cock twitched.
"You like it?" he said, though his voice sharpened at the end.
She nodded with her mouth still full. "You're a pro."
He blushed, feeling proud. Odd that she could make him feel this way so easily.
When they were finished, Inuyasha decided to help Kagome with the dishes. She told him that wasn't necassary but he insisted that he help since he caused half the mess. With a smile, she let him clean the dishes. It was a rare sight, indeed, having Inuyasha do this since he hated to in the past. When they were done with that, he then said that they should clean the main room because it had some ashes on the floor. Kagome gave Inuyasha a wet cloth and he zoomed throughout the room, cleaning it as well as he could. He took on the task with a sense of seriousness and did not stop until he thought the place was spot clean.
Kagome was able to relax by the fire and waited for him to finish. While she waited, she thought about the kiss he attempted and wondered if he cleaned only to distract himself from what he'd done. She knew this was the case and stymied the feeling of dejection she experienced. No, she would not stay sad. She had to remain positive. After all, he was the one who attempted to kiss her. Progress! This was progress.
She found herself yawning as a wave of drowsiness overpowered her. When Inuyasha finished his chores, she crawled toward him and said, "I think I caught the itis."
He eyed her somewhat warily. "What's that?"
"It's that sleepy feeling you get after you eat."
"Ah."
"You don't feel it?"
"Nah." He was insanely alert, thanks to her presence. Already, she was beginning to lean against him and his breath stopped short.
She yawned again. "Mind if I lay on your lap?"
Inuyasha stared at her. Had he heard her correctly? "I don't think that would..."
She looked at his eyes, their intensity stabbing him into submission. "Fine."
She rested her head on his lap and Inuyasha focused on his breathing. When he perfected this, he then focused on the hard-on that wished to spring forth from his pants. For a second, he thought he could settle the war inside, straining to take her here and now. But then Kagome grabbed onto his hand and laid it on her head.
"Do what I do," she told him. She motioned the rubbing technique she used on him and he did so, making sure his nails didn't scratch her. He didn't think he was breathing. He couldn't very well focus. His mind was on her hair, the soft texture feeling to him like a cloud. He tried to be delicate with her while feeling completely flustered.
Kagome moaned.
Inuyasha stopped everything.
He could not breathe.
He could not think.
He could only remember the feeling that came over him when he wanted to kiss her, and how it washed over him now.
She picked up his hand again and continued the motion. "Don't stop. Please."
He felt himself continue, though he did it from a far away place, as if he were no longer a part of his body.
This kept on for some time, until Inuyasha realized that Kagome had fallen asleep. He felt trapped, having her on his lap. But when he saw her face, peaceful and angelic, he knew he couldn't move her away from him. He let her stay there, allowing himself to enjoy her body touching his.
She was warm. So warm, yet unbelievably light. He could lift her, if he wanted. Place her on his lap so she would wrap her legs around his waist, and he would hold her so close he could breathe her in.
Though he was reluctant to attempt to kiss her once more, he imagined himself leaning down for a kiss, with her gaze focused solely on him and him alone.
He wanted to be all that she could see. Odd feeling, that. He had never been noticed by anyone before. Not really. Not unless they wanted something from him. Yet now that he had her attention, he found that he didn't need another soul to fill that void. She managed to do so all on her own.
He didn't move from where he was until she woke about twenty minutes later. She sat up with a yawn and gave him a sheepish smile.
"Sorry," she said, her voice soft.
He didn't say anything, instead looking out the window. Rain continued to pour, but it appeared to be dying out. Soon the sky would clear. Then the sun would rise and he would be back to normal again. Normal and in control.
"It's getting late," he told her. "Are you gonna set up that barrier?"
She nodded with an "mhmm." Then she closed her eyes. Her body began to radiate, cherry blossom hues sprouting from where she sat. They reached out and more, until they covered the hut with a glow. The color disappeared but he could feel its power buzzing through him.
"How are you feeling?"
He smiled shyly. "Okay. Pretty weak."
"No reason to think that. You're the strongest man I know."
He looked at her, unable to take his gaze away. She was busy once again fitting the shirt over her knees, and the corner of his lips curved.
It was his time to feel tired, his body weakened by his physical and emotional burdens and he rested his head on his cot.
"Are you going to bed?"
He shook his head though she could not see. "Just thinking."
She waited for him to continue.
"I usually hide out when this happens. The outside world isn't very safe for humans."
"You'd be surprised. Things have changed."
"I noticed that. Demons don't really come here, do they?"
"Not often. They're pretty afraid of you."
He grunted. "With reason."
"Of course."
There was something about the way she looked at him that made him feel like a giant; as if she knew everything he was capable of and more and simply believed in him. He'd never expected to experience such a thing from another person, having to gain all his self worth on his own.
She could boost it with a smile. With a word.
He watched her until he couldn't hold what he wanted to ask. "Why did you marry me, Kagome?"
"I told you why," she said softly. "Love."
"You really learned to love a guy like me?" What kind of history did they have to make her fall in love with so stubborn a half breed as he?
"How could I not have?" she told him with an impish look. "You're the most stubborn and obnoxious being in the world."
He scowled. "Shut up."
Then she moved close to him, sitting next to his body. "You're also the most charming, sweetest, strongest person I know. You were made to be loved by me."
He had no words for such a statement, lost in the beauty of what it meant.
Kagome understood his need for silence. She patted his shoulder, then sounded like she intended to leave, but she remained close by.
And she kissed his cheek again.
Inuyasha didn't move.
Maybe it was because of the quiet rain pelting against the window. Or maybe it was because of the fire, cackling throughout the night.
Maybe it was because of the darkened hour which allowed him to succumb to his more base needs in a profound way.
Whatever the reason, he remained there, unflinching. Accepting her kiss for what it was.
A kiss toward her beloved.
Edit: for some reason, this website did not accept my edits, and this chapter was rife with mistakes. I hope it's good now. Any who, stay tuned for the next chapter! I'm excited just as much as the rest of you.