Chapter 6: New Moon
Back at the cabin, everyone was quiet. Miroku cleaned up the kitchen and everyone else receded into their respective bedrooms, closing the doors behind them.
Kagome lay with her arm across her forehead. She mentally beat herself up for picking a fight with Inuyasha. He was being nice to her and she had sabotaged it. She knew she had to apologize, but didn't know how. She lay on her side and a tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away with her palm and looked down with wide eyes. Oh, no, I'm falling for him. She thought.
In the hallway, Inuyasha paced back and forth between his door and Kagome's. Sango's door swung open and even his demon speed couldn't get him back in his room before she saw him. The girl in the ponytail smirked at him then went out into the kitchen to give him privacy.
Inuyasha glowered at the wooden door. He "kehed" and the blush faded. His feet and arms felt like stone. He knew he had to knock or she was gonna catch him hovering in the hallway. What had gotten into her anyway? He'd actually been nice to her for an extended period of time.
Other than the low murmur of the couple's voices in the living room, the place was silent. He pressed his ear to the door. Was she sleeping? Out of habit, he sniffed the air. He could barely tell, but she was crying.
Because of me?
Evening was approaching. His most vulnerable night was tonight, but maybe if he showed Kagome, maybe she wouldn't be so mad at him...
Miroku tossed wood into the fire pit in the backyard. Sango sat comfortably beside him, leaning on his shoulder, their fingers interlaced, her right arm draped around his shoulders. "Here are the marshmallows!" Kagome chimed as she trotted over to them.
Kagome's marshmallow caught fire and she blew it out. "That's not roasting." Sango teased. "I don't care. It cooks faster." She said, shoving the end of the stick in her mouth. Inuyasha appeared in that moment and saw the three sitting around the fire. Dammit, he internally cursed. She's with those two. Kagome turned to look at him and he started to dart back to the cabin.
"Wait, Inuyasha…?" She called and jogged over to him. "Leave me alone. I thought you guys weren't out here. I wanted to be alone." He snapped. "Your hair, it's black." "Yeah, too late for me to hide it now. It happens once a month. Half demons lose their powers on one night." He said gruffly. "Hide it? You can trust me. We've spent a lot of time together and been through a lot already. I mean, you've got more people to trust now." She said softly, looking a little hurt. "I haven't trusted anyone. That's just how I've lived til now." He remarked, crossing his arms. He was slowly inching his way back to the cabin. He was a little hunched over, too. He was scowling and she could see he wanted to disappear. She didn't want him to go.
She held out a roasted marshmallow on a stick for him and smiled, "It's a peace offering." He plucked the overly sweet and charcoaled puff and popped it in his mouth. "Come join us." She invited. He stared at her pensively. "Only for the marshmallows." He finally accepted before following her to the campfire. She hung back, swinging on her heels, and looped her arm around his, then let go once they sat down.
"Who is that?" Sango asked as she stood up, taking a defensive pose. "It's Inuyasha, apparently he had something to share with us." Kagome explained with a gentle smile. "Glad to see you two made up."Miroku teased. The two blushed and looked the opposite way from each other.
Sango changed the subject, "anyway, let's tell scary stories." "Since the warring states era, countless witnesses have seen what they call 'the mothman,'" the always-human male began. "He appears just as a shadow or something lurking at the corner of your eye….at first." He paused for dramatic effect.
"Then, you can hear the shrieks in the night and fluttering of wings. No one thinks twice about a moth hovering around a light. Then, the moths blanket the windows and you find them in your house at every turn. You see its reflection behind you in the mirror, just a dark figure. You shower, thinking you can shake it off as your imagination and you see the wing looming on the other side of the shower curtain. You hear it breathing raggedly.
Then, you're driving or walking down the street and you can hear it. Something is following you in ALL directions. It screams and moves faster than an animal. It's hunting you." The girls sat wide eyed and clung to each other. Miroku scooped Sango into his arms and ran a hand back through her pony tail, "It jumps in front of you, spreading its enormous wings. You pray it's an angel, but then you see its glowing red eyes and humanoid shape. Its mouth gapes open, revealing fangs."
"Is this a mothman or a vampire?" Inuyasha interrupted, annoyed. "It is the mothman. Dracula at least has mercy and tries to make you feel bliss as he drains you. This moth will cocoon you and melt you." Miroku explained in a low voice. Kagome's small hand reached up to grip the cuff of Inuyasha's shirt. He placed his arm around her protectively. She scooted closer to him and leaned in. "It has taken down five men, a bridge, and several lives. The most recent story occurred last year." Just then, a moth flitted between Kagome and Sango. The girls screamed at the top of their lungs.
"Stupid, Miroku!" Inuaysha scolded as he covered his ears; they were ringing now, but he was glad in this moment to be merely a human. His friend only laughed heartily. His fiancée playfully slapped and pushed her lover. He slid off the tree trunk he was using as a seat and landed softly on his bum in the dirt.
"That's enough storytelling for one night." Inuyasha demanded. "Aw, c'mon, it's all good fun." Kagome soothed.
"My grandfather has told me so many stories. The most insidious one is about a terrible demon that wreaked havoc on a small village and the lives of anyone who crossed his path because he was greedy and jealous. He wanted nothing more than to defile the beautiful priestess who guarded the village and the Shikon no Tama."
"Shikon no tama?" Her three companions breathed. "It was sought after by many humans and demons alike. It is said it can grant the wish of anyone who posses it," she fondled the pink geode she wore. "The priestess was only human and wanted to use the jewel for her own desires, but the demon disguised himself as her lover and attacked her, stealing the jewel. Thinking she was betrayed, she pinned her lover to a tree with an arrow. But, her lover had only fallen asleep under a spell. However, she perished. Her remains were cremated along with the jewel. She took it with her to the otherside. The demon still roams, searching for it." She finished with a sniffle.
"It wasn't scary at all." Inuyasha remarked. "Betrayal, having all of the bonds you shared with your loved ones ruined by one evil creature's selfishness, and a demon lusting after you is scary." Kagome defended with a huff. "It's terrifying and tragic." The other female supported. "Feh, whatever. It's just fairytales." The hanyou-currently-human dismissed. "Every story stems from some kind of truth." Miroku interjected.
A cool breeze made Kagome shiver. She was wearing black tights, a blue velvet skirt, and a black long sleeve turtleneck. She hugged herself and leaned closer to the fire. Miroku threw on a few more pieces. Sango sat with arms outstretched, palms facing the blaze. Inuyasha unbuttoned his red shirt and placed it around Kagome's shoulders. He had on a fitted, long-sleeved white shirt underneath. She cuddled up next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. He leaned his head on hers. The glow of the fire hid that they were blushing.
The cozy group watched as the fire died down, turning to embers, until the last spark went out and only smoke remained. Their eyes adjusted to the darkness and thousands of stars shone above them in the clear night sky. They sat for a little while longer looking up, then finally went in when they couldn't take the damp chill any longer.
Kagome drifted right to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Her eyes flew open and she awoke with a gasp from a nightmare. She was trembling, heart pounding, sweat on her brow. She fumbled for the light. She cursed the stories they'd told earlier. She turned on the light in the hallway and the bathroom.
She flicked the bathroom light off and darted to the hallway, bumping right into Inuyasha and she opened her mouth to scream. He put a hand over her mouth and shushed her, his other hand cradling her head. "It's just me." He assured. Her heart was racing from being startled and from his proximity. He was shirtless. The dim lighting shaded his perfectly sculpted chest and abs just right. His sweatpants hung off his hips, revealing the nice V shaped muscles practically pointing to….She forced her gaze up, her eyes traced his biceps as she met his deep, indigo eyes. He let her go and she inhaled sharply, resting a hand on her chest. "You're scared cuz of those damn stories," he said, annoyed. "Turning on every damn light woke me up." "Sorry." She whispered, looking down at her feet.
"You want me to stay with you?" He offered. She bit her bottom lip and lowered her head, so her bangs covered her eyes. "Okay." She accepted. She watched him through her hair, still standing in the hallway. He then walked over to a dresser and pulled out a white undershirt. He slipped it on and walked towards her. "I'm gonna turn off the lights out there." He told her. She stepped out of his way and back to her room.
The blankets were peeled back from where she had been sleeping. She knelt on one knee and slid onto the mattress. He came in behind her. He turned on a small bedside lamp. She scooted over to let him in. She lay down and he turned off the light. Their backs were pressed to each other. She drifted off to sleep fast.
She was alone in the forest, being chased. She looked around in all directions, the sky and leaves spinning around her as she ran. She fell and a dark figure loomed over her about to grab her. She opened her mouth to call out, but no sound came. The dark figure stood over her, an arm outstretched, slowly reaching for her. Finally, she cried out for Inuyasha.
"Kagome! it's just a dream." Came his voice as she felt him shaking her into reality. She sat up, her breathing was ragged, and her heart was pounding again. She looked around the unfamiliar room. The dim light cast shadows and a yellow glow. She gasped again when she saw Inuyasha, forgetting momentarily that he was human.
"I'm going to kill Miroku and Sango for their folktales." He cursed. She laughed a little, embarrassed. He wrapped an arm around her. She was still shaking. She had trouble shaking off the dream. "It was so real." She breathed. She leaned in, clinging to him and realized he was still shirtless. She moved to pull away, but he held her close.
She pressed her ear to his chest. "You're safe," he assured. "I'll protect you." She felt her heart beat quicken and thump a little harder in her chest. She could hear his was steady and he seemed so cool….
He turned off the light and continued to hold her, following her movements as she slumped back down to sleep. His strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her and holding her tightly. He tucked her head under his chin. She sighed contentedly. He was so warm. Her arms were folded up to her chest and she clung to his forearms crossed over her. She drifted off to sleep soundly this time.
She felt Inuyasha stir, a soft groan escaping him. The sun beamed in from the window overhead. As carefully as he could, he slid his arm out from under her and he was gone. She heard the door softly click, but it didn't close. She frowned at the loss of contact and hugged herself.
"You slept with Kagome?" Miroku asked in the hallway. "Oh, grow up, Miroku. We just slept. It's no big deal. In fact, I wouldn't have had to if you hadn't told that scary story last night." He said gruffly as he pushed passed him.
Kagome listened, her heart sinking slightly. A wave of disappointment came over her. She buried her head in the blanket. She knew that he was just comforting her as a friend. Still, it hurt to hear that it meant something more to her aloud. The way he held her last night, though, she thought was more than friendship. Maybe it's cuz he was human he felt cuddly. She thought bitterly.
She heard Inuyasha come back in. She didn't want him to know she heard, so she pretended to be asleep. He lay back down next to her, placing his hand on her head. Does he think I'm like a cat or a pillow? She mentally berated. Still, she welcomed any contact with him. She pouted her lips and furrowed her brow, narrowing her eyes at the wall. Her eyes grew heavy again (after all, she'd slept horribly half the night) and she gave into slumber.
Inuyasha sat up watching the TV on low. Now that his powers returned since the moonless night was over, he could enjoy a movie without waking Kagome. He was engrossed in the show when her arm fell over his waist as Kagome turned over in her sleep.
His muscles tensed momentarily before he relaxed into the new position. He cursed under his breath at the blush he felt creeping into his cheeks. He'd had a girlfriend before, why was this woman having this affect on him?
He felt his pulse quicken and he tried to focus back on the movie. He cursed again when he'd realized he'd missed an important part. "Inuyasha…" she breathed in her sleep. Is she dreaming about me? He thought.
He looked down at Kagome's sleeping form, her arm strewn across his lap. She was running away with this trip and he was just as lost and alone in the world. But, with her, he felt he belonged somewhere. She quelled his wandering soul. She kept his inner demons at bay. But, he wouldn't admit that out loud.
There was a light knock on the door and Inuyasha turned a deep shade of red, trying to peel Kagome's arm off his lap without waking her. He rolled out from under her and onto the floor. Sango opened the door and motioned for him to get out of the room. He followed her into her room. As soon as the door shut, she let him have it.
"Listen, you," she began with a serious almost threatening tone. She pointed a finger at him, other hand on her hip, and continued, "what do you think you're doing with Kagome?" "Nothin.' We're just friends. Relax, would you?" He defended. "You better not hurt her." She verbally pushed. "Of course not. All I've done is protect her." He argued. His ears shifted back and forth. This was embarrassing. He tried not to flatten them and hunch over like a pup in trouble. He did turn his face to the side and looked at her from the corner of his eye. He crossed his arms.
"Are you even considering her feelings?" She pressed. "Of course I am! She understands." He insisted, facing her now. "Does she, though?" She asked. He slunk back and shut his mouth. A sweat droplet rolled down the side of his face. "My heart aches for Kagome." She said in a hushed tone. "I'm outta here!" He shouted and quickly went out and into his own room.
In the shower, as the water washed over him, thoughts of his ex girlfriend involuntarily flooded his mind. They were painful memories. A couple of her kissing him pushed their way through. His chest ached. "Damn memories." He cursed as he hit his fist lightly on the wall.
Meanwhile, Kagome lined the windowsill with seashells. She'd picked them up from the beaches they'd strolled along. Setting them out grounded her. Traveling from place to place was freeing, but her heart wanted roots. When they went to a new place, she scooped them up and placed them out. She had started adding sea glass to the mix. She contemplated leaving them at the cabin this time.
-o-o-o-o-TO BE CONTINUED-o-o-o-o-
