InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 8

The journey back to the village was perhaps the longest the group had ever taken. Everyone could feel the uneasiness, however the atmosphere had changed; instead of the tension that seemed to radiate off Kagome's aura since the arrival of their new guest, it seemed to be replaced with one of defeat and despair. And no one but the two mikos knew why.

It was not just the tension that caused the time to drag; it was how they had to travel since Kikyou had joined the group. In the past, the slayer and monk would ride Kirara and Inuyasha would carry Kagome on his back. The first day that the group had gotten prepared to start traveling once breakfast was eaten and the camp cleared, by instinct and routine Inuyasha turned his back and knelt down to offer Kagome a ride. In the moment that she hesitated, it dawned on the hanyou how careless he had been. He immediately stood by and straightened his back, avoiding everyone's harsh and questioning eyes. They would all simply have to walk.

It was at times like these that he realized how fragile humans were. While he was irritated with the slow progress, his muscles tense and begging to leap into the canopy of the trees, it was all his companions could do to keep up with his power walk. In the past, he had never been too concerned about it, because when the slow trot became too much he would simply swoop Kagome off her feet and leave the others to catch up. But now it was a different story. He could hear the pounding of Kagome's heart as he pushed on, he could smell of sweat beading down her skin. Step after step, hill after hill, he could see the exhaustion written all over her. But his miko was tough, she never said a word of complaint.

The others in the group were more used to traveling by foot than Kagome; Sango, although had Kirara, often traveled by foot with her slayer village for extermination jobs, and Miroku had been a traveling monk for years. In her time, Kagome had those metal snakes and boxes she called “trains” and “cars” that transported people far distances. He had to give her credit, she even handled her fatigue with grace. She had become used to riding the dog demons back, so he knew that this extra activity was sure to be wearing on her. Inuyasha quickly decided that if she would not request a break, he would make her take one.

Kikyou, for her part, never seemed to show any signs of exhaustion from endless walking. It was only at night when she began to show any signs of needing to rest, that the life literally drained out of her. She would go off into the woods and wait for her soul collectors to do their bidding; and when this was done, she would return rejuvenated.

He was glad there was only a day's journey left until they reached the old babas hut.

Once the sun started to retreat Inuyasha began to look for a place to set up camp. The day had been a chilly one, and they were all looking forward to the warmth of the fire and food to fill their bellies. Kagome knew she needed to get Sango and Miroku alone; she simply couldn't pull off her plan without their assistance. Besides that, she needed to explain to them why she had to leave- she had to say her goodbyes; there would be no time for it once they reached the well.

“Inu...” She started, noticing the falter in her tone. She cleared her throat to sound more at ease. “Inuyasha, do you think you could catch us something for dinner? We're running low on supplies.”

He was so taken off guard that he knew the shock was written all over his face. Kagome had hardly said two words to him, barely able to glance at him, let alone look in his eyes. And now she spoke for the group, asking him for assistance.

In the past he would have answered with a “Keh” and muttered something about pathetic humans always needing his help to find food, or on a day where he felt like teasing the miko, he would have perhaps put up a fit and made her persuade him to do it. He always loved to get her worked up, watch her cheeks flush with determination. He was so surprised by her request that he simply nodded and took off.

In truth, he didn't mind supplying food; in fact, he rather liked it. He wanted to show her that he could provide for her, take care of her. He always brought back his bounty with pride, taking the time to clean and skin the animal, careful to avoid upsetting the young girl. He was determined to find the best game he could for her. Once the dog demon darted off, the others began to ready camp.

Miroku stood, dusting the dirt off his robes.

“Well, I suppose that leaves the task of fire wood to me. Sango perhaps you would like-“ His perverted thoughts were cut short when he felt a hand grab him.

“No, Miroku, I need to talk with you and Sango.” Kagome looked at him, pleading with her eyes that he sit.

“Of-Of course Kagome. Whatever is the matter?” It was a stupid question, but he was at a loss for words.

“I need to talk to you about something, and I'm going to need everyone's help.”

“Kagome…what's going on?”

~.~

The only time they seemed to relax was when sleep claimed them.

They had once enjoyed sleeping closely, enjoying both the warmth of the fire and safe proximity of one another. Now, they seemed to be sectioned off; Sango, Miroku and Kagome all slept near each other, Shippo burrowed into Kagome's side. Inuyasha found his rest on the branch of a high tree, watching vigilantly over the group-or so they thought. He found his bed high above the rest so he could watch Kagome sleep. She had always been his first priority and before the arrival of Kikyou, he was even able to show it at times.

While he had always valued and treasured those times, knowing in the back of his mind that someday things would change, he had never fathomed that it would be in this way. That he could be so near her physically, but the distance between them enormous. He knew she was hurting, and he was such a low dog that he couldn't even go to comfort her. His undead girlfriend was at the base of his tree, keeping guard over him. Despite sleeping under the stars, with no walls around him, he felt extremely caged in.

So, from his high perch, where normal human eyes could not tell where he directed his gaze, he was able to shower her with the attention she deserved, nowhere near enough to sate his demon. The hanyou had to dig his claws into the branches to stop himself from leaping down, grabbing Kagome and leaving everything else behind. His demon was dying to get lost in her scent, to memorize the curves of her body, to take everything she had to offer. His demon was raging, telling him that she was about to disappear.

Inuyasha watched the rise and fall of Kagome's chest, her steady, even breathing drawing him into an almost trance like state. He smirked; he could always tell when she had endured a long day- she slept in a state of disarray, arms and legs going in every direction, her clothes tangled and pushed up from her movements, showing just enough skin to get the dog demon excited. Yet even in her slumber so aware of the kit snuggled close at her side. She never rolled over on him or even turned her back. She brought him closer to her, filling the hanyou with extreme jealousy. How he wished it was he she was holding so lovingly, arms curled around his side. The fact that anyone got to be so near her luscious curves, pressed against her body made him red with anger.

The dog demon ran his claws through his hair in desperation. Something had happened when he was out hunting their dinner; whatever change had occurred was almost tangible. The meat was eaten in silence, the tea was sipped with downcast eyes. It was as if everyone couldn't wait for the meal to be finished so they could head off to their solitude. He could see the way Kagome's posture had stiffened, how red the foxes eyes were, the anger radiating off of Sango, and the pensive, heavy look on the monks face. He felt like they were all hiding something very important from him, and not only was he on guard, he felt left out. Suddenly his friends no longer included him in their trust circle, and for the first time since Kagome had pulled the arrow from his chest, he truly felt like an outsider. The only one that did not seem effected by this was Kikyou; she was her usual impassive self.

Yes, something had definitely changed. He would have to find a minute alone with Kagome and demand she tell him the truth. He knew he was being selfish, but he couldn't stop. He would have to return with her to her side of the well. He felt as if he let her out of his sight for one minute over there she would tell him she was going to stay.

`When we get to her time, maybe I'll confront her in her bedroom. She always feels at ease there, and…so do I. The whole place is filled with her scent. Maybe we can spend the night…'

He let out of snicker. She wouldn't be able to contain herself if he ever let her know that there was a part of her time that he enjoyed. True, it was noisy, and the smell was overwhelming and he didn't understand much about it, but he liked her home. Her mother was welcoming, her brother a star struck runt, and her grandfather was a happy bother. And, there was always ramen! But, her room was the place he liked best. It smelled of her, in every corner, on every object. In the nights that she would lie in her bed, he would rest his back against the wall, his sword propped against his chest, and wait for her to drift off to sleep. He enjoyed being wrapped in her sweet smell, and being so close to her. The distance from the wall to the bed was almost like sleeping with her.

He remembered when that changed.

One night she had changed into her night clothes, and entered her bedroom. A smile tugged at her lips when she saw the hanyou in his typical pose. He cracked an eye open.

“Why are you staring at me wench?”

Kagome closed the gap between them and giggled. She placed her small, delicate hand on his sword. Inuyasha knit his brows together in confusion.

“You know, when were in my time, theres really no need for you to sleep like this, on full alert. You can out the sword down. We're safe here. You should get comfortable.” She gave him another one of her brilliant, easy smiles. Inuyasha crossed his arms and turned his head.

“Feh, comfort. That's all you humans ever talk about.”

“Who doesn't want to be comfortable?” The young girl asked, raising an eyebrow.

“How do you know this isn't comfortable for me?” He shot back teasingly. “This way, in case anything attacks, I'll be ready for them.” He sent her a crooked grin.

“It can't be comfortable sitting against a wall all night. Seriously, why can't you ever relax!”

“Keh, when have you known me to ever relax?”

He was right, he was always on guard, always alert, always ready to throw himself into the fray. She sighed and gave him a small smile.

“Yeah, your right.” She extended her hand to him, and he eyed it suspiciously. “Come on.”

He arched a brow. “Come on, what?”

“You can sleep in my bed with me.” Inuyasha tried to turn his head to hide his blush. Kagome knew she had one as well, but determination kept her going. He deserved one night of comfort, of rest.

“Why would I want to do that?” Under his breath he muttered “Stupid bitch.”

“Inuyasha, don't make me say it.” Her eyes narrowed dangerously. She was so near him now, her body heat so close. He could hear her heart beating with the excitement of persuasion. He could feel his own quicken with her proximity. She locked her gaze on his amber orbs, gripped his sword, and slowly pulled it away from his body. She placed it gently on the floor and smiled at him.

“Come on.” She smiled again and his breath caught in his throat. He felt nervous and anxious, and his feet were moving on their own. She was leading him to her bed. Did she realize what she was inviting him to do? Could he control himself?

Kagome led him by hand into the bed. She pulled the covers over them and wiggled around to get comfortable. He could see by the blush on her face that she was just as nervous and embarrassed as he was.

“Kagome-“He started, but the quick she shot him made his words die in his throat.

“Inuyasha, when were back in your time, you have to be ready for a fight. You're always looking out of us, always vigilant and aware of danger. But…but when were here, there's no need for it. Were safe in my house. I want you to know what it's like to relax. I want to help you.”

He was quiet for a minute. He had been trying to fight off his demon, his hands clenched into tight fists to resist reaching out and grabbing her. Hearing her pleas, it was all he could take.

“Keh, stupid wench.” He said, snaking a hand over her slim hip and puling her body close. She let out a startled `eep!' His body was pressed against her back, her soft curves fitting perfectly into his hard body. He felt a shiver run down her spine as he brought his lips to her ear as he whispered to her-

“Since it's only you here, and not the entire group, it's easier to protect you if I'm closest to you.”

Kagome laced her fingers into his, stroking his claws lovingly. He was glad for this; if his hands had been free, who knows where they would have roamed.

“You're right. I don't know why this hasn't occurred to us before.” She teased back, her voice soft. He had to suppress a groan. She sounded so seductive. He buried his nose into her hair, becoming intoxicated in the scent that was purely Kagome.

“Go to sleep wench.” The hanyou said, as he pulled her body tighter against his. He waited until he heard the steady breathing of sleep before he moved stray locks of hair out of her face and placed a gentle kiss on her temple. He had had his first blissful night of sleep since he was a child. He fell asleep thinking how right it felt.

Inuyasha groaned at the memory, wishing that he could go back in time and hold her a little closer, let his hands wander a little lower. That wasn't tonight. Tonight he sat on the branch of a tree, alone. Maybe tomorrow when they went to the well he could relive his tortuous dreams and forget about everything that awaited them here. The night air ushered in a gentle breeze, bringing along with it Kagomes scent. He inhaled, closing his eyes, and allowed himself a few minutes of sleep.