InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A deal with a demon ❯ Chapter 33

He sat himself down in the plush chair, waiting for her to arrive. The room was white, lacking color. It looked clean. Sterile.

He took a deep breath, regretting it instantly. It smelled of bleach and medical supplies. At times, Kagome would come home from her rounds at the hospital reeking like death. For his sake she would shower and change back into her normal clothes before entering the house, but the smell would sometimes linger on her, if the day had been particularly hard.

Even still, when the scent as so strong it was enough to make his head spin, he welcomed it.

It meant she was home.

Besides, she immediately made her way to her bathroom for a shower. It seemed she was as eager to scrub her day away as he was.

His ear swiveled to the door; the impeding footsteps set his teeth on edge. The louder they became, the closer she was.

“Oh, Inuyasha. Im sorry to have made you wait.” She said, her tone cool. Funny, she didn't seem sorry at all.

“Feh. Its fine.”

Really, it was. The less time he had to spend with her, the better.

“You see, they are giving me more time to walk the grounds.”

“Really?” That was interesting. She was making progress. She could go home soon.

He could be let off the hook soon!

He could, right?

Fuck, this was so confusing. The guilt. He had never really felt anything like this before. He-

“And if I agree to this, I may even be able to see more than the outside grounds.”

“That's nice.” He tried to manage a smile.

“Your mind seems to be elsewhere.”

“Its just been a long day.”

“Yes, I imagine so. Working at such a menial position. I don't know how you can stand it. When you own the company-“

“Half. My brother owns the other.”

“But still an owner. You should have immediately been put to the CEO position like you belong.”

“Who says I belong anywhere.”

“It's the position you were born into.”

“Feh. Who the fuck cares about that. Ive never cared about position.” He watched as Kikyo raised her eyebrows in feigned shock. “Besides, I can understand why they wanted to test me. Its not like I had any interest in running the company before.”

“They should have just thanked their luck that you finally wanted to and embraced it. Its degrading to have you-”

“Lets change the subject.” He said, his tone gruff. Kikyo gave a side ways smile.

“I can think of something to pass the time.”

~.~

Left. Right.

Left. Right.

One foot in front of the other.

He hated coming home.

He loved it.

He hated to leave.

As he walked through the door way, he could hear her humming an odd tune. The house smelled clean and fresh. Like flowers. Everything about her had that scent. Wild flowers. Before he had known it, his room, the house, even his own scent mingled with it. Unknowingly, Kagome clung to him.

“Is that you Inuyasha?” Her sweet voice called out. She was in the kitchen, her back to him, washing dishes.

“Keh. Its me wench.”

He could practically see her frown.

“Whats with you, asking if its me? Do you know anyone else who just walks through the door to our house?”

“Eh? No?” She looked over her shoulder at him.

“Aside from that, its not really safe. You should lock the doors.”

“Roger that.” Kagome muttered, absent mindedly raising her hand in a salute.

She really was something.

And he- he was able to have these little moments with her, acting silly and dismissive, taking her presence for granted. Like he had any right to.

She gave a sigh and walked over to the couch, plopping down comfortably. Inuyasha sat beside her, not wanting to say anything, not daring to disturb the peace.

Well. Whatever peace there was. She was munching away at an apple, the noise the only thing breaking the silence. She looked so pure and happy. And he.. he felt so dirty. After coming from Kikyo, he felt ashamed and unfit to take part in her ease and happiness. How could he ever deserve to be next to someone so unspoiled?

She lazily laid her legs over him, ending his contemplation. He reluctantly drew his eyes up to meet hers.

“So, how was work?” She asked with a smile.

~.~

“I was thinking of this one for the bridesmaid colors.” Aoi said, pointing to the color pallet in the magazine. Kagome was sitting in the coffee shop, enjoying the idle chatter of her friends. Since marrying Inuyasha, she was able to see more of them, cultivate the friendships she had since public school and college. Before, she would never have been able to have idle chatter, let alone participate in the planning of a wedding.

“Oh, that's really nice.” Kagome said. “And how many are there?”

“Well it you and Sango, Ayame and then his little sister will also be in the party.”

“A western wedding is always so fun.” Ayame said.

“I don't know, I do like the traditional ceremonies.” Sango interjected.

“That's because you're a stickler for tradition.” Aoi smiled. “What about you Kagome? What kind of wedding would you like to have?”

“M-Me?” She stuttered. Most of her friends did not know she was married. Let alone to a high profile demon.

“Of course she would prefer the traditional one. She grew up at a shrine!”

“Oh that's right!”

“Gods, can you picture Kagome even getting married? I mean, shes hardly dated!”

“Are you still seeing Hojo? He was so cute back in high school.”

“Wouldn't it be great if Kagome and Hojo got married?!”

“It would be just like a romance movie. High school sweet hearts reconnect after so long.”

“It would”

“Im not marrying Hojo.” Kagome said sternly.

“No? But why not?!”

“She has to experience the field more, Ayame.” Aoi said. “She needs to see other guys before she settles down.”

Kagome took a deep breath. Ayame and Aoi were good friends, that was true. But not good enough that she was going to share with them her personal… sexual life.

Yes, she was a virgin.

She wore the white hood at the wedding.

She got ridiculed by Inuyasha.

She was achingly aware of her virginity everyday.

But it didn't mean she was inexperienced. She had dated… a bit. Sure, the relationships had not lasted long. But it didn't mean they didn't progress. Gods, how old fashioned did her friends think she was?! She imagined that in their eyes, she had done little more than kiss. She wasn't in any rush to let them know that she wasn't quite as innocent as they thought, but it didn't stop her from feeling irritated. It was as if they pitied her.

And really, there was no reason to. She was a normal woman, who had been a normal girl, with normal hormones and emotions. If she had had the time to cultivate some of those relationships… No doubt she would be in the same positions as her friends.

Now she felt like it was something that couldn't just be given away. At this point, it couldn't be with some guy she had just met, or went on a few dates with.

Gods, she didn't want it to be with Hojo either. He was sweet. So sweet it was almost sickening. But she didn't feel the same way that he did.

And he did not mind.

He was convinced that if she waited, he could make her fall for him. No matter how many times Kagome asked to break it off, he still came to work, left things at her house. Invited himself over for important events.

And worse, she loved Hojo as a friend. She did not want to lose him from her life. She felt trapped.

Just like so many situations in her life. Kagome wondered when she would finally, finally feel free.

“Geez, I just cant get the image of Hojo and Kagome marrying out of my head. A traditional wedding at her shrine. Her Grandfather… It would be too much!” Aoi exclaimed.

“I don't know,” Kagome said, “I think western weddings are nice too.” She said, desperately trying to shift the focus of the conversation. “I think it doesn't really matter as long as your marrying the person you love.”

Sango took a deep breath, trying her best to bite her tongue.

“Why would you get married for any other reason? Ayame asked, perplexed.

“Im going to get another cup.” Kagome said, breaking away from the conversation. This was such an awkward situation. Her friends didn't know about her marriage. Or the reasons for it. She was afraid they would judge her. She was afraid they would think she was a gold digger. She was afraid to carry that title for the rest of her life.

“Kagome, your making it obvious.”

“What do you mean?”

Sango gave her a knowing look.

“You cant be so touchy about the subject. Besides, I thought that you and Inuyasha were getting along now?”

“We are!...We…. I think that's part of the problem.” Kagome anxiously started to fidget with her hair. “I think Im starting to… to…”

“To?”

“To like him.”

“What?” Sango said, shocked. “Say that one more time.”

“No, I don't know if I can.” Kagome said covering her face in embarrassment. “But I think I do.”

“Hah! Gods Kagome.” Sango shook her head. “Well, is it such a bad thing to be in love with your husband?” She asked sympathetically.

“Your- Your WHAT?” Aoi screeched.

~.~

“And you live… here…?”

“Did you pick the house out, or is it a family home?”

“It was an older house… we remodeled…”

She felt awful. She wanted more than anything to hide under a rock. She bit her lip, wondering if she would be better off making new friends.

“I still cant believe you're married.” Ayame said with a sigh. “I cant believe you didn't invite us.”

The doorknob turned.

Kagome held her breath.

~.~

Inuyasha had known that there was company before he even set foot near their property. He could pick up the smell of strangers mixed with those of Kagome from a mile away.

“Inuyasha!” Her voice seemed high and stressed. He was sure that she was concealing it well to the humans. But to him with his keen hearing, he had to hold back the urge to wince.

“Let me introduce my friends Ayame and Aoi. Guys, this is my husband, Inuyasha.”

Ah, so the wench wanted him to play the part, did he? He gave a smile and nodded to the woman before him.

They were pretty. In the days before Kagome, he would have wasted no time to make a move. But all he could think now was, they don't hold a candle to Kagome.

“Kagome didn't mention that she was married.” Ayame said.

“Or to a demon.” Aoi said, her voice laced with venom. “Is that the reason why?”

Prejudice. Even today it crept its way back up. Years ago demons were feared. Eventually that fear turned to respect.

Of course it wasn't universal. There was still people who thought that demons and humans should not mix.

Apparently this bitch was one of them.

Inuyasha walked over to Kagome and pulled her close, causing her to take a sharp intake of breath. Had he not been a demon, he would not have noticed it. She sounded nervous and excited.

He was glad to have his demon hearing.

“Well, Kagome hasn't mentioned you, so I guess were even.” Inuyasha said as he tightened his grip around Kagomes hip.

“So how long have you been married?” Ayame asked. “Sorry, this is just such a shock.”

“A little over a year.”

“Did you celebrate?”

Kagome looked up at Inuyasha.

“We-We haven't been able to yet. Ive been so busy with school and Inuyasha has been busy with work. Were waiting for the right time to go on a trip.”

Well, that wasn't a lie. Not totally.

Inuyasha had offered for them to go somewhere to celebrate their `anniversary' but Kagome had turned him down, claiming that she was overwhelmed with school.

To be honest, she was fearful of a repeat of their honeymoon.

Or worse, that it would go too well.

“Were thinking of going somewhere warm. But its up to her.” He said nonchalantly.

“How did you meet?” Aoi asked. “I wasn't aware that you had any demon friendships, Kagome.”

“Our families are old friends.” Kagome said with a laugh. Inuyasha heard it in her voice. She felt cornered.

“Well, I don't mean to be rude, but is there some way we could do this third degree thing another time? We both have busy schedules tomorrow, and I haven't been able to see my wife all day.” He emphasized the word for Aoi.

He emphasized the word for himself.

“Sorry Kagome! We didn't realize-“ ayame said apologetically.

“We can always come back another day.” Aoi looked at Inuyasha. “we will definitely be back.”

~.~

Kagome smiled as her friends walked out the door, all the while aware that a certain hanyou was absent mindedly stroking her hip.

She let out a deep sigh of relief as they left.

“Sorry about that.” Kagome apologized, daring to look him in the eyes.

“Feh, don't worry about it. Its not like it's the first or last time we'll have to do this.”

“Y-Yeah.” Kagome said, biting her lip. Had he always been so close? “Um, Im going to take a shower then go to bed. Im tired.” She explained.

“Alright.” He immediately felt the loss when she walked away. Being so near to her, the pride that his demon felt.., damn. He needed a shower himself. Preferably an ice cold one.

~.~

It had been just what she needed. The heat of the shower had relaxed her, taking away the stress of the day. She stepped into her pajamas, her tiny blue shorts pink top, ready to sink into her bed and finally sleep.

First, she had to untangle her mass of hair.

Kagome sat in front of the vanity, carefully running he brush through her thick locks, when suddenly, the room went black.

To add to the stress of the day, there was a power outage.

Could anything go right today!?

She stood up, feeling her way to the door, making her way down the hall.

She took a deep breath before knocking.

“Inuyasha? Can I come in?”