InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ame ❯ Chapter 1

 

 

Kagome strode through the gathering darkness, jaw clenched. She could never recall feeling this upset before. It had not been an easy day. They had fought a particularly nasty demon (luckily escaping with only a few scrapes), their lead on a jewel shard had proved unfounded, and she was having a difficult time studying for next week's math exam. When Inuyasha started yelling at her about lord-knows-what, she decided that she had had just about enough. She needed to get back to her own time! She felt slightly guilty about leaving without a word, but the need for…normalcy was too great. Without a backward glance, she jumped into the well.

Rain.

Kagome climbed out of the well and peered at the now dark sky. A raindrop splashed on her cheek, causing her to smile. She closed her eyes, enjoying the cool wetness against her skin. She always loved the rain. It seemed to wash away all that was wrong with the world. She slowly inhaled the fresh scent that was the rain mingling with the soil She felt her mood lift as the rain streamed down her face. A delicious feeling of abandonment engulfed her body as she let her backpack slide to the ground. She opened her eyes, wiping away the water that clung to her lashes. The rain was now coming down in sheets. A soft sigh escaped her lips. Funny how some rain could make things seem better again….

Inuyasha glanced around furtively as he approached the well. He could not stand it if anyone witnessed him giving in to his weakness. “Kagome” he whispered. A small flush came to his cheeks. Kagome had the ability to rattle him like no other. Frankly, the effect she had on him scared him, and he tried to mask it by lashing out at her, which usually ignited Kagome's temper. He had snapped at her again that evening, but instead of yelling at him or `sitting' him, she had given him a dark look and disappeared down the well. Everyone had chided him for his behavior towards Kagome, and although he grumbled, he knew they were right. He had to apologize to her. `I just hope she forgives me,' he thought, as he entered the well.

He felt the familiar lightness in his stomach as he was transported through time, then…wetness? He leapt out of the well, growling darkly in his throat. It was raining heavily in Kagome's time. Wonderful. He was blinking furiously to rid his eyes of water when he spotted it. Kagome's backpack lay next to the well. Puzzled and a little worried, he began to search for the backpack's owner. He soon came upon her shoes, filled with rainwater. His confusion rising, he continued his search…and found her strange clothes. He sniffed at them, wrinkling his nose. He didn't smell blood or anything unusual. What had happened to her? He opened his mouth to call her name, and then stopped, his eyes dilating in shock.

Dancing.

She was twirling about like some wild thing, a small smile fixed on her lips. Wisps of her hair clung to her face. The rain freely lashed her skin, giving it a faint pink hue. Color rushed to Inuyasha's cheeks as he took in her attire. She was clad in mere scraps of cloth, dammit! Why was she doing this? Suddenly she laughed, a sound that struck Inuyasha down to his very bones. She was so enchanting when she was happy. Why couldn't he tell her this instead of constantly upsetting her? He sighed in frustration. As if she heard him (it was quite impossible for her human ears to hear such a small sound through the downpour), she stopped dancing and opened her eyes, looking directly at him.

Kagome looked at the boy staring at her, his face almost as red as her clothes. He had come for her. Sighing softly, she walked slowly towards him. Inuyasha's face became even redder, causing her to briefly wrinkle her brow in confusion. She was unaware of the picture she presented in her wet underclothes. She presently stood before him. Looking at the ground, she whispered: “Please, don't take me back just now.”

“I didn't come to take you back.”

“You didn't?”

Inuyasha shook his head. “No, I …what are you doing?”

“Doing?” Kagome echoed, thoroughly confused. If he hadn't come to drag her back to the feudal era, why had he come?

“In the rain, like that,” Inuyasha muttered, his face positively flaming.

“Oh!” Kagome's face colored in turn. She crossed her arms over her torso and turned away from him. She raised her face towards the sky. The rain was slackening. “When I was a little girl, I would always dance in the rain. Sometimes my dad would dance with me. He would hold my hand…” She closed her eyes briefly, smiling at the memory. “I was so happy then.” She raised her hands, letting the raindrops run down her fingers.” The rain, it reminds me of him.”

“Mother didn't like me to be in the rain. She always worried that I would fall ill.”

Kagome whirled around in surprise at Inuyasha's voice. He never talked about his mother! Inuyasha had similarly turned away from her, and was staring at the sky. Kagome's face softened as she stared at his back. Inuyasha tried so hard to act tough; she sometimes forgot his all-too-human half.

“ Dad worried too, but I never listened,” Kagome replied with a small laugh. “He eventually gave in.”

“You are a stubborn one,” Inuyasha said to the sky. But she was also kind and gentle. He had hurt her, and he had to make things right. He turned to face her once more, and felt heat rise to his cheeks. The rain had slowed to a fine drizzle, and drops of water beaded on her skin. “Kagome, I…I'm…” don't screw this up!

“It's all right, “ she cut in, smiling up at him.

“No, it's not,” he replied. “ I really must…dammit wench! Must you wear that thing!!” he exclaimed. She was driving him to distraction!

Kagome laughed. “There's the Inuyasha I know!” She reached up, and to his surprise, gently smoothed his hair off his face. “You were starting to freak me out!”

Inuyasha looked down at Kagome tenderly. He felt an overwhelming rush of emotion towards her, and for once, he did not try to deny it. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, he drew Kagome into his arm and brushed his lips against hers. “Inuyasha,” Kagome sighed softly against his lips. A million thoughts tumbled around in her head, but for once, she let her mind to go blissfully blank, allowing herself to be swept away by Inuyasha's kiss.

When the pair broke apart, the rain had completely stopped. For long moments they stared into each other's eyes, their faces as red as beets. Finally Kagome spoke. “I think you should go now,” she whispered. “ I'll walk you.”

They walked in silence. Inuyasha bowed his head. He could not stand this! What was she thinking? She was being so distant! He shot furtive glances at her, but her face was a mask. When they reached the well, Inuyasha was about to jump in when Kagome's hand grabbed his. “What?” he snapped. Smiling a little, she pressed her lips against his, and then drew his lower lip into her mouth. She lightly dragged her teeth across it.

“I'll see you tomorrow,” she breathed, then picking up her sodden backpack, walked away. As Inuyasha watched her retreating back, shock stamped across his face, Kagome lightly touched her flaming face. `I can't believe I did that,' she thought, grinning like a fool. She definitely felt better now! Now where was her skirt?

Sango and Miroku looked up as Inuyasha entered Kaede's hut. “Where's the old woman and the brat?” he snapped, glaring at Miroku's intrigued expression.

“They're assisting a sick villager,” Sango replied, giving Miroku a look of her own.

“My, Inuyasha, you're wet!” Miroku exclaimed cheerfully, ignoring Sango.

“ It was raining,” he muttered, eyes to the floor. Without another glance at his friends, he exited the hut.

“ What transpired between them, I wonder?” Miroku smiled broadly at the demon hunter.

“ Judging by his face, something big,” Sango murmured, “Something really big.”