Disclaimer: I don't own jack!

Of Butterfly Wings

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Proud

Kagome awoke to the now familiar scent of rubbing alcohol and fresh blood. Her brows furrowed as she tried to make sense of the world around her.

"Finally awake, are you?" Recovery Girl commented.

She glanced towards the older woman, "Are the matches still going on?"

She hoped that she hadn't missed Touya's fight yet. She really wanted to see him in the finals.

The nurse gave an exasperated sigh, "Really child, you should be more focused on yourself. It's much too soon for you to be running about." Recovery Girl gestured towards her side, "That young man sealed your wound for you and I was able to heal what I could. You shouldn't be lifting anything heavy or running around for the next week. Do you understand me?"

Kagome gave a faint nod of her head.

"Thanks for all your help today," She slid her feet off of the makeshift bed. She paused as she took notice of the familiar gym coat that'd slid down to her waist. A small smile formed at the corners of her lips.

He'd been here.

"He stopped by before and after the last match, you know. I had to shoo him out of here so he could be present for the awards ceremony." The older woman shifted on her heel, "I'm sure that you can make it there before the end of the ceremony if you're careful."

Kagome slid her arms through the sleeves of his jacket. As expected it was much too large for herself and the sleeves fell several inches past the tips of her fingers.

"Thanks again!" She called out to the nurse, taking off down the hallway and towards the stadium.

"No running!" The older woman yelled after her.

Kagome paid her warning little heed.

She'd made a promise to Touya and she had every intention of keeping it.

Kagome fought her way through the thick crowd of her peers onto the field. She'd spotted Sango and Kanna sharing the third place platform together. The two of them looked tense as their gazes darted between Touya who stood at the highest platform between them and Kikyou who was on the furthest side. Kagome paused as she took note of her sister's face. Half of it was covered in gauze and bandages. She spotted burn marks peeking through the wrappings. It was evident that the battle had been much more intense than Kikyou had been expecting. Not that it really mattered to her. She'd made her choice and now had to live with the consequences of her actions.

Kagome then pushed her way to the front of the crowd.

By now the cameras had taken notice of her return, zooming in on her and causing an echo of cheers to ring out through the crowd. Kagome felt her face flame in embarrassment. She hadn't meant to take the attention off of the victors.

Kagome made her way towards the podium. Touya quickly reached his hand out to hers, pulling her up beside him without a moment's hesitation.

She could barely blink before she felt his arms wrap around her shoulders and pull her into his chest. Kagome curled her own around his middle. The soft cooing from the crowd was enough to make her face burn all over again, but she had something more important to do.

Kagome drew back.

She opened her hand towards Midnight, silently asking her for the medal. The woman smiled at her as she handed it over.

Kagome turned to face her significant other once more.

"This victory belongs to you, Touya." Kagome stated, she lifted her hand and carefully slid the gold medal over his neck. Her smile turned soft, "I'm proud of you."

His expression scrunched together. She knew that if he'd had the ability to cry then he would have. All the emotions he must've felt in that final battle had taken their toll on him.

Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck that time as she pulled him into her embrace. She felt his forehead rest against her shoulder as he held her for all of his worth—only taking heed of the area where her injury was.

Kagome felt her smile soften ever so slightly.

In all of his life, had anyone ever said those words to Touya? He never told her much about his family life and Fuyumi wasn't keen on discussing it either. However she could tell that it must've been difficult on them both. Touya's issues with his quirk and his burns were proof of the horrors he faced at home.

Kagome pressed her palm to the back of his head as his shoulders began to shake.

Come what may, she wanted him to know how she felt. She wanted him to know that there were still people in this world who thought he was amazing. Herself, Fuyumi, Natsuo and Shouto. They were just a few but she wanted him to see it.

"You know, we still have a bet to settle." She tangled her hand in his hair, "I believe that you said that you would choose the date this time?"

She heard him give a small snort of laughter.

"I'll figure that out later." Touya lifted his head. She hardly had a chance to register what he'd said before she felt his lips upon her own. Kagome paid the crowd's cheering no heed as she returned his kiss in full.

Midnight quickly ushered the end of the ceremony while everyone began to file out of the stadium.

Kagome hardly paid her twin any mind as Kikyou slunk off of the platform next to them and wedged her way into the crowd.

She really didn't want to go home tonight and face her family. Not her mother nor her sister for that matter. She was certain that their mother would find a way to make the night a living hell if she did.

When they eventually drew back, Kagome locked her arms around his neck and met his gaze.

"Can I stay with you tonight?" Her voice sounded quiet even to herself.

The microphones had been removed for this portion so none of the crowd heard her request.

Touya's face had gone a stark shade of red.

His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "But my family will be there."

She blinked in confusion before her brain fully processed how her question might have come across.

Kagome stumbled over her words, "I mean after everything that's happened today I just didn't want to go home to, well, that. I didn't mean, well, you know."

She hoped she didn't have to elaborate further.

Touya nodded his head but his face still remained a deep shade of red.

She did have to admit that it was nice to know that he wouldn't have denied her if she'd honestly asked, but the privacy situation would be one that would have to resolve much later.

Her face flamed in embarrassment, "Do you mind if I ask Fuyumi if I can crash in her room tonight?"

He kept his arm around her as he led her away from the victor's podium.

"I'll message her. I'm sure they were watching the whole thing so they're probably expecting you over tonight anyways." His face remained flush and his hands felt unusually hot to the touch.

She really did need to think things through before opening her mouth.

Kagome linked her arm through his as she fell into step beside him.

"I meant what I said earlier though. I am proud of you." She leaned her cheek against his shoulder as she felt his hand clasp around her own.

He didn't say it but she could tell that he was happy.

That was more than enough for her.