InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Before The Fall: A Prologue of Sorts ❯ Scene Five (or Kick Starts and Stalls) ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: I do not, have not, nor will I ever own Inuyasha & Co. (sad as that may be), that honor belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Furthermore, I do profess that I am making no money from this, only getting hours of enjoyment.

Kagome watched the couple in front of her talk quietly as they held hands. Sango looked up at Miroku adoringly and he leaned down to kiss her. The girl smiled to herself, slowing her pace to give them more privacy. It was a beautiful night. Barely dusk, the air was warm and soft breezes tousled her loose skirt. People mulled about, grateful the school week was over.

Spring. It was a perfect time to be in love.

It was bittersweet, she decided. Of course she was ecstatic that Sango and Miroku had finally gotten on track but in her heart of hearts, she wanted that for herself. Unfortunately, the one she wanted it with was otherwise occupied. She sighed. To be fair, while she knew he was seeing people, he'd gone out of his way on many occasions to make sure she didn't have to witness it. Kagome supposed she should be grateful.

It didn't mean she was.

Perhaps I should resign myself to the fact that he's never coming `round.

The problem was, as much as she told herself this, she didn't truly believe it. However, she had no intention of pushing it, he certainly wasn't ready. Their friendship was fragile but at least it was working. Still…

Sango calling her name shook her out of her daze. She and Miroku had stopped and turned to look at her, hands still intertwined.

“Sorry. Yes?”

“We just wanted to know if you wanted to go eat before the party…”

“I'm not that hungry, but I'll come along.” She hesitated, thinking twice. “Unless you two want to be alone...” Sango rolled her eyes and grabbed Kagome's hand.

“You're more than welcome. Miroku, get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Ew…”

“I'm truly offended…”

“By which?” the girls said in unison. He blushed and laughed.

“Yo.” Inuyasha called joining the group. Miroku grinned and clapped him on the back. Sango raised a brow and let it pass good-naturedly.

“Just in time! Where are you headed?”

“To the party.” He responded to the monk, but his eyes were on Kagome. “You look good.”

The words were blurted and she could tell that they were instantly regretted but it was awfully sweet - coming from him at least - so she smiled. “Thank you.”

Miroku's eyes darted between them and he came to a quick decision. “We were just on our way to get food, would you like to join us?”

“Uh, sure.” What the hell is wrong with you? Stop looking at her. He still felt shaky and giddy. Things were different today, he'd walked away. He'd stood up for himself…well, not exactly. For Kagome. Sliding another look at her, Kikyo's words ran through his head: Is she more important to you than I am?

Was she?

Miroku retook Sango's hand, pulling her ahead so Kagome and Inuyasha were a few paces behind them. Maybe it was the night or the affection shown by his friends but he had the urge to hold her hand. It's not a big deal. You've done it before... Unaware that of what was going on in his head; Kagome grasped her hands behind her back so he wouldn't feel pressured to emulate the other couple. He was momentarily dejected. “I didn't know you were going to this…”

“I wasn't. Sango forced me out of the room. “

“Why weren't you?”

“I love them both but I feel like a third wheel.” She smiled up at him. “They deserve their alone time…”

“Yeah…” he murmured before she stopped and scrutinized him, arms folded over her chest.

“What is with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You're acting weird, you're staring. And if I didn't know better, I'd say you were blushing.”

“Glad you know better…” He could feel his cheeks heat up.

“Answer me!” she demanded, poking him in the chest.

“You say that a lot.” He countered, stalling. Giving him a mutinous look, her hand formed a small but, in his experience, painful fist. “Okay, okay! I'm just not used to seeing you looking so…girly.”

She tilted her head at him in confusion. He figured telling her that she reminded him of a dog when she did this wouldn't go over well. “Yeah guess you haven't…” she responded finally before smiling. “Let's catch up with them.”

He was somewhat disappointed that she let the issue drop so easily. She didn't want to push a futile subject. However, both were surprised when his hand closed over hers. Inuyasha kept his eyes straight ahead, unwilling to answer her questioning look, unsure of what he'd say if he had to. Kagome smiled and curved her fingers around his, aware of how right it felt but doing her best not to read into it.

Miroku and Sango were waiting near the entrance when they came into view. Exchanging a knowing look they silently agreed not to tease the blushing pair.

“Let's eat.”

Inuyasha toyed with his fork as he tried to keep his eyes off her. Had she always been this attractive? She laughed at something Sango said and he felt his heart leap in his chest. It was ridiculous, she was the same Kagome she'd been the day before. And he still loved Kikyo. But…this felt good.

“Okay I know something's going on, you have ramen in front of you.”

“So?”

“It's still in front of you.” She intoned flatly before bumping his shoulder with his. “What's wrong?”

“Why does something have to be wrong?” he scowled, unable to keep the smile from tugging at his lips at her petulant look.

“Fine. Be that way.” Mind lighting on a new topic, her petulance was replaced with interest. “So where's your girlfriend?”

“My what?”

“Girlfriend. You seem to have a new one every week.”

“I don't…” he responded, stunned. “I mean, I'm not talking to anyone…right now.”

“Why not?” she asked casually, eyes on her food again.

“Kagome, we don't have to talk about this…”

“Why not?” she repeated shrugging. “We're friends, right?”

“Yeah…”

“Kagome we have to go, aren't you meeting Bankotsu at 7?”

“I told him I may be running a little late…”

Inuyasha's head was spinning. Bankotsu…? Before he could think about it, he was pulling her out of her chair, across the room and out the door. Miroku turned from the closing glass doors to his smug girlfriend.

“You planned that didn't you?”

“Working on the fly.”

“Was there a purpose?”

“You should know I always have a purpose.” She replied nodding solemnly. “Dual, in fact. One, so he'd get his head out of his ass and two, payback for his flavors of the week. Consider it a kick start.”

“Let's just hope it doesn't backfire…” he muttered.

“Inuyasha! What are you doing?” Kagome cried, pulling her wrist from his hand.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No…what is this about?” she said softening her tone.

“I thought you said you weren't planning on going to this. You said Sango forced you.”

“She did-”

“Then how are you meeting someone there?”

“Bankotsu called me earlier and asked me to dinner. I told him I'd just promised Sango I'd go to the party so he said he'd meet me there.”

“You're dating him now?” His voice was rough and he was holding himself rigidly.

“No, I wouldn't say that. We just have …a date.”

“You can't go on a date with him Kagome, you don't know him.”

“Isn't that kind of the point? To get to know him?”

“You don't understand - he's only after one thing.”

“No, you don't understand, it's just a date. My date.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Truthfully, I don't see what it has to do with you. I've never interfered with your dates…”

“It's not the same…”

“How!?”

“They weren't trying to get in my pants!”

“Yet they seemed to get there anyway.” She sneered. His jaw ticked in irritation as he tried to calm himself.

“You're not going out with him.”

“Yes I am.”

“I won't let you.”

“Did you really just say that?” Her expression was incredulous, eyes wide and staring. He stared back resolutely. “I have to go; I'm going to be late.”

As she turned to leave, he recaptured her wrist pulling her into him, lowering his mouth to hers. Both were shocked for a moment, Kagome jolting slightly against him but not pulling away. He brushed his lips across hers, soft and tentative, learning the supple curves of her mouth as her eyes fluttered close, body relaxing against his. Reveling in her heady scent and emboldened by the press of her body, he slid his tongue across the sensitive skin just inside her lips, seeking entrance. She granted it with a shuddering sigh, her hand sliding up his arm to lie on his chest. Inuyasha's arm encircled her waist as he savored her, his world pared down to the girl he was holding; her scent, her touch, her taste. It was intoxicating.

Maybe a little too much so.

He wanted to feel her, explore the curves and planes of her body as thoroughly as he did her mouth. The urge was nearly irresistible, tempered only by surprise it caused and the public venue they were in. Reluctantly, he pulled away from her with one last, soft nibble - a gentle scrape of his fang, which elicited a tiny whimper of pleasure from her and caused a riot in him. Looking down at her, his eyes traced her soft parted lips, her rosy cheeks, her long lashes opening slowly to reveal her beautiful, dazed grey eyes…that were rapidly filling with fire.

Before he could register the change, the hand that had rested so lovingly on his chest hauled off and smacked him.

Inuyasha stared at her stunned as she took a step back, glaring at him. Opening his mouth to yell, the words withered at the telltale glistening in her eyes. Shit, what is she crying for?

“Don't cry…” he rasped uselessly.

“I'm crying because I'm angry.” She huffed and swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “How could you do this to me?” At his stupefied look she threw her arms up in frustration.

“I don't understand!” he cried, confused as she was. Pinning him with an inscrutable look, she stepped back toward him.

“Do you love me?” Her voice was calm but held an unmistakable challenge. He couldn't answer nor could he look away. “Hm? Or better yet, do you want to be with me? Am I the only one you want to be with?” She scoffed at his aghast expression. “Exactly. If you don't have the answer any of those questions, you have no business putting your lips to mine.”

As she walked away he wanted to call after her, tell her that he meant it, that he felt something. But her words were ringing in his ears. He'd hurt her and he couldn't say the words to make it right. They both knew that. To do so would insincerely only make things worse. Maybe it was best to give her time alone…

Her words drifted to him as she spoke to Sango “…I'll just meet you guys at there, I'm late as it is…”

Bankotsu…

Miroku approached the seething hanyou cautiously. “That was quite a show. Luckily, I don't think many people saw it.”

“She's going to meet her date.” He growled, fists clenching.

“Does that mean you're not coming to the party?”

“Of course I am,” he replied shooting the man an irritated look. “Someone has to keep an eye on her.”

Watching him stalk away with a bemused expression, he murmured to himself, “A kick start, indeed.”

A/N: Sorry for the wait, I try to update weekly but this was a killer. Thanks for reading and extra thanks to those that reviewed!