InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Light ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

"Kagome, wake up". She could hear Sango calling softly to her, as the darkness began to recede. Light and noise began to fill her senses again.

"Wh… what happened?" she asked, as she realized she'd been slumped over in a chair at the back of the bar, and quickly righted herself.

"You fainted" Sango's concern was clearly etched in her features, and in the soft tone of her voice.

"I did?" Kagome couldn't believe it. How embarrassing!! Seeing the concern in Sango's eyes, she quickly smiled and attempted to reassure her friend. "I'm fine. It just… it just got really hot," she added, hoping this would pacify her friend.

Sango looked at her, a little disbelieving, but reluctant to comment further at the moment. "Well I'm glad you're okay" Sango replied with a warm smile.

"Yes, as are we" Miroku added as he walked into Kagome's line of vision. Kagome smiled at him.

"You seem to always be on the verge of collapsing when we meet", he said with a little laugh as Kagome turned a deep shade of red.

"Ah, well… yes…well, thanks for helping me up" she added, more embarrassed then she'd ever been in her whole life.

"Oh, don't thank me" Miroku added with a sly grin, "My friend Inu Yasha has fast reflexes".

"Inu…Yasha?" Kagome asked, still a little confused, and then she remembered.

"Yeah, Inu Yasha wench" She heard someone scowl behind her, as she turned her head and noticed the young man seated next to her, but a little behind her, for the first time. His silvery white hair was left long and loose, and pushed back over his shoulders. Only two forelocks hung in the front, framing his face. His eyes, she felt like she knew those eyes, that deep golden amber was unusual to say the least, almost…like gold. Did she know him? Had they met before? She couldn't shake the feeling that she should be able to place him somehow. Kagome could do nothing but stare at him, unable to say anything, when Sango finally cut in.

"Hey Kagome, I'll get you something cold to drink okay? That should help you feel better".

Kagome nodded dumbly at her friend, barely noticing as she and Miroku walked away. Then she was left alone, alone with this white haired, golden-eyed mystery. This person that seemed so familiar to her somehow. Something about him tugged at her heartstrings, like she should know who he was… that she should remember…

"What are you looking at wench?" Inu Yasha asked gruffly as her crossed his arms over his chest after noticing that she still hadn't been able to turn her gaze away from him. He looked, momentarily, like a pouty 12-year-old child. A stark contrast to his true nature, with his red button up shirt that hung un-tucked over his loose black dress pants, framing the well toned physique beneath, his hair framing his sharp features and his sensual mouth. Oh yeah, talk about easy on the eyes.

"I…I'm…sorry" she managed to stutter as she quickly looked away, a hint of red coloring her cheeks.

"hmpf" Inu Yasha couldn't help his gruff attitude.

"What is this girl doing to me?" He wondered to himself as he gazed at her from the corner of his eye, "I can't believe it's her. But who is she, and why does she keep popping up in my life?" Inu Yasha's eyebrows furrowed together as he attempted to solve the great mystery that had been so conveniently dropped in his lap. "And why…why do I feel the need to be close to her?"

Kagome watched the young man from the corner of her eye. "Who is he? He seems so familiar. It feels like I should know, but I just can't put my finger on it".

Kagome wasn't sure if there was a connection between the two or not, maybe it was his unique coloring, but something about him triggered faint memories of her dreams. "Look at his hair, and those eyes! That's a bit unusual. Is he a punker?"

Kagome laughed quietly to herself, "He almost reminds me of that shadow man. If only I knew what he looked like. I've never had a good look at him." She sighed quietly. "Get a grip Kagome!" She berated herself, "This guy doesn't have pointy ears!… Does he?" Kagome wondered as she strained to turn her head ever so slightly in a non-conspicuous manner so she could get a better look at the grumbling man beside her. No luck there of course.

"What!?" Inu Yasha snapped as he noticed Kagome trying to peer at the top of his head without getting caught. "Does she know?" His mind raced in panic at the thought. "Nah, she couldn't. There's no way".

The quick look of pained feelings that swept across the girls face made him wince inside. He didn't mean to snap at her, he just couldn't take her silent scrutiny any longer.

"S...sorry" she managed to mumble, "I… I just"

"You just what?" Inu Yasha asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"I just thought you looked like someone I knew" she finished quickly.

Inu Yasha gave her his intelligent `keh' as a response. Not really knowing how else to respond to her. This girl was driving him insane inside.

"Kagome" Sango called out as she quickly approached her friend, Miroku at her side. "Here, drink this". She quickly thrust a glass of brown looking liquid into her hand.

"Wh…what is it?" she asked, eyeing the drink with a little uncertainty.

"Don't worry, you'll like it" Sango replied confidently. "Its tea, with a kick" she gave Kagome a wink.

~~~~~~~~~~

About 4 special teas later, and at the next bar, Kagome was feeling great! Sure everything was starting to get a little fuzzy around the edges and she had to occasionally close one eye to see straight, but she was feeling way too good to care.

Kagome giggled as she pulled on Inu Yasha left forelock. Again!

"Cut that out wench!" he snapped at her.

"Come on Inu" she pleaded in a drunkenly sweet voice. "Just one dance" she smiled sweetly up at him, fluttering her eye lashes in an attempt at innocence.

"No" he replied and crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head to look in the other direction so he wouldn't have to see those big sparkly eyes pleading with him. He didn't want to admit it, but she was wearing him down, and he hated it. How could one little girl reduce him down to the quivering pile of an emotional mess he was right at that moment. "Gods I hate her" he growled unconvincingly to himself.

"I don't dance," he finally added in hopes that she would stop bothering him about it.

Kagome gave him a thoughtful look. "Then what do you do?" She asked innocently.

Inu Yasha turned to look at her. "I run". Even he was surprised at his answer.

"Run?" Kagome blinked, clearly confused by what he meant, and with all the alcohol fuzzing her brain over, it was even more difficult trying to figure out what his cryptic responses were supposed to mean. "You mean like for a track team or something?"

"Keh. No you stupid wench".

Kagome tried not to wince at his obvious new nickname for her.

"I don't run for some jerks. I run for me. Out in the woods".

"Oh, but that's so dangerous!" Kagome looked up, wide eyed at him, concern written on her face.

"Why would she be worried about me?" Inu Yasha briefly wondered. "It's not dangerous for me girl. Besides, I hate being indoors".

"Oh." Kagome wasn't sure what more to say. "Why?"

"Because you can't see the stars" was Inu Yasha's quiet, yet honest response.

"Why the hell am I telling her this?" he briefly wondered.

"Cause you like her" A voice from somewhere in his head rang out.

"Shut up! No, I don't!" The voice hushed itself back into silence as Inu Yasha silently congratulated himself.

"Now leave me alone wench," he snapped again as he looked away. Upset that he had revealed so much and spoken so honestly with this girl and not understanding why it seemed so easy.

The loud music and throngs of moving, dancing bodies were starting to give him a headache. He just wanted to get out, but he couldn't leave Kagome like this, she was practically falling over her feet. Especially since he had finally deduced that the asshole Miroku had taken off on him with Sango.

"I aint no freaking babysitter" he grumbled under his breath. He turned back to find Kagome, deciding that it was time to leave, and that he would just have to take her home, only to discover her missing.

"Now where the hell did she get too?" He began to scan the overcrowded dance floor. It seemed like a likely place for her to sneak off too. Then he spotted her as an angry growl began to rumble low in his chest when he noticed her dancing very closely, too closely, with some punk kid that smelled a little suspiciously from what he was able to pick up in the crowded bar. Inu Yasha's eyes flashed blood red.

~~~~~~~~~~

"My, my Kagome" the young, devilishly good looking man responded, "You sure do know how to dance" he finished with a mischievous smirk as he ran his fingertips lightly down her arms.

Kagome giggled, starring up into his dark chestnut eyes. Her gaze akin to that of a child who had just been told they could ransack a candy store. "He smells nice" she thought to herself. "Like chocolate". She giggled again, enjoying the feeling of just allowing herself to be so free and open with someone for a change. "Geez, maybe I should drink more often" she thought light heartedly.

"Kagome?" the young man asked, calling her out of her musings.

"Yes Kouga?" she looked up into his warm brown eyes, as a smile spread across her face.

"Why don't we get out of…" Kouga's statement was abruptly cut off as he was violently ripped away from the object of his attention.

"Get the hell away from her!" Inu Yasha yelled at the slimy wolf as he pulled Kagome behind him, taking up a protective stance in front of her.

"Huh?…Inu Yasha?" he could hear Kagome calling out behind him. Not taking his eyes off the wolf however, Inu Yasha growled low in his chest. Too low for anyone but a demon to hear.

***You stay away from her, you got me?***

Kouga quickly replied in the same, demon rumbling manner. ***Who the hell do you think you are, dog turd? This is my woman, take a hike and find your own.***

"Like hell she is!" Inu Yasha yelled out to the confusion of everyone watching, including Kagome, who had only witnessed the two young men glare at each other. They had not being privy to the silent communication that had been going on between the two, so they were all caught off guard by Inu Yasha's outburst, as his fist came flying right into Kouga's face.

Unable to move quickly enough due to the mass of people surrounding him on the dance floor who were intent on watching the unfolding spectacle like a pack of hyena's, Kouga had no choice but to take the hit square in the jaw. He crashed backwards into the crowd behind him just as cries of `fight, fight, fight' erupted from the crowd.

At the same moment, the bars security guards were attempting to make their way to the fighting group, as they had been alerted by one of the waitresses that something was about to happen.

"Hey you guys!" One of the security officers called out, trying to push his way through the crowd, "Stop right there!" But it was too late. Kouga, Inu Yasha and Kagome were gone.

~~~~~~~~~

"Put me down!" Kagome yelled at Inu Yasha, who was currently carrying her slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He had grabbed her just before the security guards had come barging in, causing Kouga and Inu Yasha to temporarily post pone their fight. But not before both demons swore that they would pick up where they had left off at another time.

"Not a chance wench" Inu Yasha snapped at the struggling woman.

"Put me down!" She screamed again, this time giving him a good jab in the stomach with her knee for good measure. She seemed particularly good at that move.

"Umpf" Inu Yasha grunted as he grabbed at his stomach.

"Stupid bitch!" he yelled, as he dropped her to her feet, "What the hell are you doing!?" He glared at her as she stood wobbling before him.

"I told you to put me down!" she yelled back at him, straining her neck to lock eyes with him. "I AM capable of walking you know!"

"Keh. Could have fooled me" His gruff words, however, were surprisingly not as hostile as he had intended them to be, as warmth began to seep into his voice. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the woman who had, since the moment he first met her, torn open a well of feelings he had securely closed away inside himself. He was still angry at her for that, but he couldn't bring himself to rant at her in her current condition. It was too…too pathetic, and yet, kind of cute.

"I can too walk, you big jerk" she pointedly replied as she turned her back to him and took a couple of shaky steps before collapsing to the ground. She was saved from the hard and embarrassing impact, however, when two strong arms caught her under the arms.

A husky voice, filled with amusement breathed heavily into her ear. "I told you so".

Kagome's breath caught in her throat as an involuntary shiver ran down her spine from where Inu Yasha's breath tickled her ear. His deep, husky voice, sent little ripples of electricity throughout her body, causing her toes to curl in overwhelming sensations.

Inu Yasha quickly placed an arm under her knee and the other behind her back, as he picked her up bridal style and walked her over to his car, that had been parked down the street from the bar.

Kagome gave a tiny squeak at the abrupt movement as she suddenly found herself in Inu Yasha's strong arms. "I…can walk," she said quietly under her breath, her words lacking her earlier conviction as she stared bewildered up into his impassive face.

Inu Yasha looked down at her briefly from the corner of his eye, "Yeah, whatever". He continued walking to his black, newly painted corvette.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey girl, don't pass out on me!" Inu Yasha barked at Kagome, who had almost immediately passed out the second he had placed her in the passenger seat of his car.

Kagome gave a shaky groan. One that spoke of upset stomachs.

"And don't you dare get sick on my leather seats!" He continued to gripe, keeping a constant eye on the unstable girl, ready to stop the car at a moments notice if need be.

He watched her lean her head to the passenger side window, her eyes closed, as she attempted to snuggle up into a tight ball, as best she could, with the constricting seatbelt strapped around her. Inu Yasha gave a sigh of relief as he watched her completely pass out.

"Well, at least she's not going to get sick now" he thought.

~~~~~~~~~~

Inu Yasha grabbed Kagome's apartment keys from her purse before taking her out of the car. Cradling her in his arms, he made his way into the building, gently carrying the girl like she was the most precious most fragile being in the world. Able to break at the smallest disturbance.

Unlocking the door to her apartment, key tucked firmly in the hand that supported her back, Inu Yasha easily steered himself through the small one bedroom apartment to Kagome's bedroom. Upon being assaulted with the strong confinement of her scent in her bedroom, Inu Yasha paused momentarily to compose himself, careful not to take in deep breaths of the saturated air around him.

He quickly threw back her red and white blanket and lay her on her soft white sheets. Feeling a little reluctant to undress her, he settled for removing her shoes and then covered her with the blanket, leaving her dressed beneath the covers.

Kagome stirred briefly as the cocoon of warmth surrounded her, whimpering only slightly at the loss of Inu Yasha's touch, as she snuggled herself into her pillow, turning to lay on her side.

Inu Yasha sat down on the bed beside her, simply taking in the peaceful contours of her face. He had been in a flux of emotions since he had seen her tonight and hadn't had a chance to understand anything of what he had been feeling yet.

"Who are you?" he quietly asked under his breath. "I feel like I'm suppose to know for some reason". He scrunched his eyebrows in thought, attempting to solve the mystery.

A stray strand of hair had fallen against her face and would begin tickling her nose soon as each deep, heavy breath she took, brought the stray hair closer to her mouth and nose. Inu Yasha reached out a hand to tuck the stray hair behind her ear, mindful of his sharp claws, hidden beneath the spell, against her delicate pale skin.

"Boy, would Miroku have a hay day if he could see me now" he amusedly thought to himself. "She looks so peaceful and beautiful laying there. Who would have thought this spitfire of woman could look so like an Angel?"

Without realizing what he was doing, Inu Yasha leaned down and kissed her sweetly on the forehead. Just as his lips grazed the softness of her skin, a surge of electricity shot through his body for the briefest of moments, at the same moment his mind was assaulted with a vision of…a campfire?

Yes, it was dark, in the woods. A fire was burning. And there, lying next to the fire was a body, huddled in blankets, keeping warm. Dark hair pooled around the blankets, hiding the face.

Suddenly everything was burning, the trees, the sky. The air was clogged with smoke. Screaming filled his ears, curdling his blood.

"What the?" Inu Yasha shook his head to let go of the vision.

"What the hell was that?" he wondered to himself, looking down at the sleeping girl.

Was there a connection somehow? Between this young girl and the odd visions he had been having? The vivid dreams that had been plaguing him for as long as he could remember?

"Keh. Impossible. She's just a stupid girl". But not even he could seem to convince himself.