InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Confessions of a Broken Heart ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 9 )

****Though not described in detail, this story does deal with rape so be warned if that sort of topic bothers you****

 

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Author's Notes: To answer a common question, there will be no lemons in this story. For my reasons you can go to my profile page, where I explain it in detail. There will be plenty of romance and fluff though, so I hope that can be good enough. Thanks!

 

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Title: Confessions of a Broken Heart

 

Author: dolphingirl0113

 

Chapter: Eight

 

Rating: PG-13 (rated for violence, language, and implied sexual situations)

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

 

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The sun began its daily rise over the curtains, slowly lighting the bedroom, and outside the birds were chirping, announcing the beginning of the day. Lying in a secure ball on the bed, Kagome slowly blinked awake, unfolding her body and stretching like a cat, arching her back…but stopping suddenly when her figure came into contact with something solid behind her. At first her instinct was to scream and scramble up in panic, but then she remembered the events of the previous night, and couldn't help but smile softly to herself.

 

Never in a million years had she dreamed it possible that Inuyasha would kiss her like that…somehow she doubted even he had known he could kiss like that, because when he'd finally lifted his head (and that had only been because they both needed air) he'd had such a dazed expression she had burst out laughing. That had caused him to smile too, that beautiful, serene smile of his, and that was how they'd left it, falling asleep soon after, spooned against one another and comforted by each other's presence. Kagome doubted he had ever slept so close to someone in his entire life, save for his mother, perhaps, and she felt her heart swell with joy knowing he trusted her so much as to put his sleeping form in her care.

 

He was currently lying exactly where he'd fallen asleep, not looking like he'd moved even an inch, with her back spooned carefully against his front, his strong arms wrapped protectively, albeit loosely, around her waist. Kagome blushed as she admitted to herself that she liked the feeling…she had never felt so safe and secure.

 

Turning slightly she noticed that their hair was mixed together, and noted sleepily that the result was something akin to a unique flavor of ice cream. Giggling at the random thought, Kagome felt her body shake, and the small movement was enough to cause the sleeping hanyou to stir, blushing when he opened his eyes and met her gaze…though to her relief he didn't pull away.

 

“Good morning,” she whispered shyly, unsure of what else she was supposed to say, not exactly having had much experience sleeping with a man who wasn't family sleeping in her bed. Even though it had been a chaste experience, she still felt like something had changed in their relationship, and it wasn't just because of the kiss. It ran deeper then that, she was sure of it.

 

It was strange that she felt so self-conscious, really, because they'd been through far more embarrassing and personal experiences in the past three years then she cared to count, including the few times Inuyasha had accidentally seen her naked, bare for all the world to see and yet, now, with something so simple, she felt like they'd gone back to being strangers once more…but then, she supposed when it came to this aspect of living, they were. It was a grey area they'd always avoided at all costs…she shook her head to keep from thinking of a certain woman who would ruin the moment entirely.

 

“Good morning,” he finally replied, his voice thick and gruff with sleep, and Kagome decided she liked how it sounded, especially since their bodies were still touching, which meant the vibrations from his chest tickled her own body slightly. She hesitantly traced a finger along his cheek, and happily decided that she could wake up this way every morning.

 

“Did you sleep well?” She inquired, knowing it was a stupid thing to say the moment the question left her lips.

 

“Yes,” he replied simply, not finding the question at all silly, or at least, not acting like he did. His eyes turned serious. “But I need to ask you something, Kagome…and I need you to listen to me and give me an honest answer, okay?”

 

That set her on edge, because she had a feeling she knew what was coming next, but Kagome found herself nodding anyway. “Alright…what is it?”

 

He swallowed. “Why haven't you filed that, um…that report thing? I mean, I know I don't understand much about your time or your customs, but I also know I'm capable of connecting the dots when necessary, and it's obvious to me that if your rapist, this Ted Wilkins, doesn't want you filing something called a police report, then it's obviously what you need to do.” His eyes turned innocent. “Even that man on the television said something about it, and you once told me things on the television were important, right?”

 

Silence passed between them, though Kagome couldn't help but smile at his innocent remarks and the simple way in which he'd summarized his thoughts. Sometimes, she decided, it was a good thing he didn't have a firm understanding of all the things in her time…that meant he had a very basic and honest opinion of what should happen.

 

Without meaning to, she found herself starting to fiddle with her hair as she replied, choosing her words carefully since she didn't want to end up in another argument. “I've been planning to file the report all along, Inuyasha…honest. You have to believe me. But I…I just needed to get stronger mentally first, you know? Do you understand what I mean?”

 

The hanyou cocked his head, or at least tried, since his head was still resting against the pillow, and was obviously trying to understand…though she could tell he wasn't getting it the moment he started speaking again. “No, Kagome, I don't understand. If it's something you need to do, then you just need to go do it…why would you wait? Unless,” An idea seemed to pop into his head, “Unless the fact is that you have to fight him! Is that it? Because if that's the case, I can do it for you!”

 

He seemed so excited at the prospect of just wiping away all her problems with one swing of his sword, and Kagome was touched to know her happiness meant that much to him, but she shook her head. “Unfortunately, Inuyasha, this is nothing like that. Well…actually, I guess it sort of is, but it's a very different kind of fight.”

 

He furrowed his brow. “Now I'm really confused.”

 

She sighed and put a hand to his cheek, feeling his warm skin against her palm, and forced him to look directly into her eyes. “I'll try and explain everything as best as I can, okay? But you need to promise to listen, just like I listened to you. Deal?”

 

He watched her carefully before finally nodding, agreeing to be the listener. “Okay.”

 

She took a deep breath. “When you file a police report, you help the people of my time, called police officers, catch criminals. In this case the criminal is the man who raped me. That's their job as police officers: to catch all sorts of criminals, who are basically men who break the law. Do you understand so far?” He nodded, and she continued. “Okay, so what I'll do eventually is go down to the police station and file a report or, basically, describe everything that happened the night I was raped. Then someone at the police station will take what I say, put it in a file, and use it to try and catch Ted Wilkins…the man who raped me.”

 

“Ted Wilkins…” Inuyasha spat the name as though it were filth in his mouth, and Kagome sighed.

 

“They aren't sure he's the one yet, Inuyasha.”

 

“But the television said so…”

 

“Yet there's the problem that I never saw his face…only his eyes. Though,” she looked away with a slight shiver, “His eyes do seem very familiar. Still, I can't be sure until I file the report and the police are able to gather more evidence.”

 

“Evidence?”

 

She waved her hand as though to sweep the comment away. “Never mind that, it's not important right now. What I want to tell you is that the reason I haven't filed a report yet is because I haven't been ready. To file the report means that eventually I will have to face my rapist, whoever he is, either because I'll be needed to identify him, or because I'll see him in court. After all, there will most definitely be a trial, and I will for sure be a witness. I guess I just…wasn't ready for that kind of commitment yet.”

 

He looked at her carefully. “And now you are?”

 

“I don't know, Inuyasha…” Her voice came out sounding exhausted, and she felt all the strain of the previous few weeks returning in full force, her body feeling fifty pounds heavier.

 

Inuyasha reached over and took her shoulders and took her shoulders in his hands gently, turning her so that she was lying completely on her side and gazing directly into his face. His amber eyes were intense as he spoke, and the force of his words caused her to feel trapped…in a good way.

 

“You can't avoid this forever, Kagome,” he said simply, his voice firm but gentle. “Eventually you have to face this man, whoever he is, just like eventually we will all have to face Naraku in a final battle. We all know that when that day comes, the battle will be bloody and horrible, but we prepare for it nonetheless, because it has to be done if we have any hope of sending him into hell, where he belongs.” His eyes gentled. “The same goes for you. You will never be able to put all of this behind you until you've filed this report and the man who raped you is caught. Do you understand?”

 

Blinking several times, trying to clear her mind, Kagome wondered if she'd been imagining the kindness in his voice. Inuyasha had never spoken to her like that before. It was like he…like he actually cared. She remembered the kiss, and that combined with the current tender moment caused her to feel warm all over as she nodded. “Yes Inuyasha, I understand.”

 

“Good,” the hanyou instantly reverted back to his old self and leapt off the bed with one burst of sudden energy, looking excited. “Then get up. Today you're going to file that police report.”

 

“But…”

 

“No buts Kagome,” he waggled a finger at her sternly. “I'm going with you to make sure you do this.” He took her hand and pulled her up and to her feet, using his arms to secure her in a tender embrace. “Please Kagome,” he whispered into her hair, “If nothing else, then do this for me. I just want to see you happy again.”

 

Her heart absolutely melted at the honesty behind his words, and Kagome found herself nodding despite her better judgment, burying her head in his chest as he smiled and held her tighter. She couldn't believe he was being so open with his feelings. Had…had last night changed him this much?

 

Wait.

 

Last night…

 

They hadn't even mentioned the kiss since they'd woken up. Why was that? Was he avoiding the topic? She frowned slightly, though he couldn't see it since her cheek was still to his chest. He had seemed happy when he'd woken up…not troubled or upset, like he usually acted when he felt he'd done something wrong. Surely if he wanted to avoid the subject all together he would have acted more uncomfortable, right?

 

She worried her lip.

 

Should she ask him about the kiss? Would he even answer her if she did?

 

Kagome opened her mouth to say something, but hesitated, suddenly unsure about whether or not she wanted to open up that particular can of worms so early in the morning. Unfortunately, that particular can of worms was enough to ruin the pleasure she'd been taking in the tender moment, as well as her overall good mood, as it took the form of a specific person; a woman with a tragic but beautiful face and dark mysterious eyes that cut into your very soul.

 

Kikyou…

 

Kagome sighed, feeling suddenly out of place in the arms of the man she loved so much. It was frustrating that he was the only man she'd ever wanted to hold her this way and yet, now that he was, all she could do was think about the other woman in his life. She wanted him to love her and be with her forever.

 

Damn it all, why did she have to be so considerate? Why did she have to remind herself of the fact that she didn't belong to him, because another woman already did? Why did she have to dredge up the depressing reality that another woman had lay claim to his heart fifty years before they'd met, and five hundred years before she'd even been born? And, she reminded herself, to add insult to injury, they even shared the same soul. It just wasn't fair.

 

“Kagome?” Inuyasha could smell her sudden discomfort, and pulled away just far enough to see her face and the cloud that had settled in her eyes. “What's wrong?”

 

She wanted to burst into tears at the honest, open, and caring question, but instead Kagome did her best to smile as she shook her head. She didn't need to bother him with such morbid realities right then, when he finally seemed so happy for once. She was determined to just enjoy the moment, and whatever time she had left with him before he was gone forever…gone to hell with Kikyou…leaving her all alone.

 

“Nothing,” she finally replied cheerily, surprising herself at the fact that she actually sounded very convincing. “It's nothing.”

 

But Inuyasha didn't look like he believed her. He opened his mouth to say something more, but was distracted when the sudden smell of bacon and eggs wafted up the stairs, drawing his attention toward the door, his stomach growling. “Come on, Kagome! Your mom's making breakfast!” And like a little school boy, he pulled her down the stairs by the hand, throwing her into a chair next to him, which scared the wits out of Kagome's poor grandfather, who was sitting and drinking his tea while reading the newspaper.

 

Thanks to the fact that Inuyasha's actions had caused the old man to jump a mile in the air, the front page looked more like soggy syrup as the brown tea caused the letters to run, and Kagome found herself giggling absentmindedly, though she looked away as though she hadn't seen a thing the moment her grandfather sent her a death glare over the plate of eggs Mrs. Higurashi placed before him.

 

After breakfast, and a lot of time stalling in the bathroom, Kagome finally emerged for the day, though she was still not happy about the fact that she was being taken, under protest, to the police station. Inuyasha noticed with a frown that she ad reverted back to the sweatpants, sweatshirt, and ponytail attire she's worn the first day after her rape, and raised an eyebrow suspiciously. “You were in there for nearly two hours just to put on that?”

 

Kagome acted as if nothing was wrong, looking down to inspect herself innocently. “What…I don't look nice?”

 

“Keh, don't play games with me wench. Why did you take so long? It takes you less time to get dressed for school!” Kagome ignored his insult and walked right by without responding, which only infuriated the hanyou more. He snorted and followed her, not done with his lecture, but deciding to at least wait until her mother and grandfather were absent before he truly gave her a piece of his mind.

 

Kagome knew what he was planning, but didn't care. In truth, she felt safer in the baggy outfit, so she'd decided, in the end after several changes, that if she was going to have to face the police and deal with her rape, she'd prefer to be comfortable and not have to worry about the fact that she was wearing anything that would attract the wayward eyes of men.

 

In this way alone Kagome felt that she would never be able to quite revert back to the way she'd once been. She would probably never again be able to convince herself to wear a pair of low-riding jeans, or those super short skirts her mother had always hated because they revealed her underwear if she bent over even the slightest bit. But was that such a bad thing? After all, she could have worse habits she'd want to cling to after such a traumatic experience, right?

 

Besides, she did feel more confident now, she noticed as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. Her step was much lighter, and her smile was more cheerful and genuine as she waved at random people she passed by. Granted, she was still cautious, and Kagome found herself glancing suspiciously at her surroundings every now and then, making sure Inuyasha was beside her and also checking to see that they weren't being followed.

 

Unfortunately Inuyasha, with his sharp eyes, noticed this and frowned. “I'm here, you know,” He grumbled beside her. “You don't have to keep turning around like you think you're going to be jumped any second.”

 

Kagome blushed and felt guilty as she heard the faint strain of hurt in his voice, knowing he was hoping she'd have more confidence in him then that. So, to reassure him, she took his arm and though he stiffened slightly on instinct at first, though he didn't push her away, and Kagome frowned. “I guess some things haven't changed,” she mumbled.

 

He gave her a puzzled look. “What do you mean? What things?” She just shook her head and sighed, which caused his frown to deepen, and he turned his head so he was looking directly into her eyes. At least…as directly as he could while still walking in a straight line and making sure he didn't run into anything. “What things, Kagome?”

 

“It's nothing, Inuyasha.”

 

“That's a lie, and you know it.”

 

“Would you just let it go, please?”

 

“No!” He snapped. “Not until you tell me what you meant!”

 

She glared at him then. “If you don't know already, then there is no point in me telling you.”

 

Her voice was cold and withdrawn, just like it always was whenever she was jealous because she'd seen him with Kikyou, or whenever he was insensitive about something, or…oh. He frowned, understanding dawning. She was referring to the kiss…though for the life of him he couldn't figure out exactly what aspect of it had her so upset.

 

Had he done something wrong? Had he been a bad kisser? Heaven forbid that, he thought with a horrified blush. What the hell was wrong? “Kagome, are you upset that I kissed you?”

 

She blinked at his blunt question, and stopped dead in her tracks, whirling to face him. At that moment she wanted to do two things: whack him over the head and run away crying. In the end, though, she settled for a third choice, and started yelling and gesturing wildly with her hands. “No, you baka! You honestly think I didn't want you to kiss me?”

 

He blushed. “You actually wanted the kiss, then?”

 

Normally she would have been embarrassed to admit such a thing, but in this case all she could do was focus on her frustration at his apparent stupidity. Good lord, as if she didn't give the man enough clues about her feelings for him. She stayed by his side even when he promised himself to another woman, she defended him, and she even let him insult her to her face at all hours of the day! What other proof did he need?

 

“You're hopeless, you know that?” She whirled on her heel and started walking away again, this time leaving him in the dust.

 

Inuyasha's first reaction was to get angry, but he tried to school himself against it, knowing that if he did it would only result in his face connecting with the cement. So instead he walked slowly behind her for several minutes before speeding up to reach her side, pinching the bridge of his nose and praying silently as he did so: please God let me say the right thing for once.

 

He grabbed her arm and slowed her down, pulling her off to the side of the street so they weren't quite as obvious while they had their little conversation. “Kagome, look, I'm not very good at this sort of thing…and I never have been good with handling my emotions. Nor have I been exactly what you would call a social creature.”

 

She rolled her eyes, but tried to remain patient. “I know that, Inuyasha...”

 

He saw that she was still annoyed, and hastily tried to get to the point of what he was trying to say. “But you changed all that,” he managed to stammer out quickly, and she froze in the act of starting to walk away again, turning back to look at him with wide eyes. He felt a new found confidence as he took that as a good sign, and even smiled slightly as he noticed the people passing by grinning in their direction, assuming they were just a couple having a `cute' argument. Keh, as if arguments between he and Kagome could ever be called cute.

 

“What do you mean, Inuyasha?” Kagome finally asked hesitantly, clearly not wanting to misinterpret his words for something else.

 

He blushed and gulped, trying to find the courage to say what he wanted to say. “Exactly that, Kagome. You've made me feel like I can trust people again…or maybe even for the first time in my life. I feel comfortable around you, knowing I can just be myself and you're okay with that…knowing that you accept me for who I am, as a hanyou.” He said the last word softly so that no one would hear, and felt encouraged when Kagome gave him a soft smile.

 

“Inuyasha…”

 

“Look Kagome, I can't promise you that I'll change over night, but…” He took one of her hands. “Please give me time to get used to everything, and understand that there are some habits that are very hard to break. Know that I don't act this way because I don't like you, or because I think you're stupid or ugly or, well, anything else that you as a woman could manage to think of…just know that right now it's still a natural reaction for me to pull away when people start to get too close. Do you understand?”

 

For a moment Kagome just stared, but then her smile broadened into a pure ray of sunshine, and it was the happiest moment of his life when she spoke. “Yes, Inuyasha; I understand.”

 

At that moment the hanyou felt like he had just jumped a mile-long canyon and swam through an ocean to come out still standing on the other side. It was a wonderful feeling, and as they started walking again he couldn't resist slipping an arm around her waist protectively, his stern expression back in place but his eyes still remaining soft.

 

And as for Kagome, well, she had never felt happier. The cloud that had descended on her spirit earlier that morning, and then again when he'd stiffened as she'd taken his arm, had vanished, leaving nothing but sunshine and blue skies in its wake.

 

No, he hadn't exactly just come right out and said that he loved her, or even told her whether or not he'd enjoyed the kiss, but at the same time he'd made the effort to convey some aspect of his feelings and she, knowing how hard that was for him, decided that was enough…for now. Eventually, she knew, she'd need more to go on then just assumptions on her part, but for now it was enough.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

The Tokyo Police headquarters was a two story tall building with a large, domed front entrance built out of solid brick and outlined in white trim. Windows poked out everywhere, revealing, in some cases, men and women pacing back and forth, having conversations, or even typing away at computers. Police cars were parked everywhere, and uniformed officers could be seen walking too and fro in every direction, carrying coffee out to their patrol units or meeting up with their partners and heading through the main doors of the building. It wasn't at all like Kagome had imagined, with prisoners being led everywhere…but then again, she thought with a mental smack to the head, the Tokyo prison was in a different place entirely, as was the courthouse.

 

Unfortunately, the picturesque scene outside complete with trimmed grass lawns and trees was misleading, because the instant she and Inuyasha entered the building it was like they were overwhelmed in a massive wave of chaos. Everywhere Kagome looked there were people hurriedly moving through the foyer carrying all kinds of folders, files, briefcases, and coffee cups. Some were dressed in suits, others in police uniforms, and others still in casual attire, either checking their watches, talking on cell phones, or filling out forms.

 

Thankfully the main desk was rather obvious in the center of the large room, making it obvious to Kagome where she needed to go. As she approached she looked around, noticing the windowed offices in the surrounding area, inside which Kagome could see men and women who must have been detectives or high ranking officers working on cases. Stairs led to a second floor, but what was up there she could only guess as the stairwell turned before going up, and there were no signs.

 

Deciding the man sitting behind the main desk was her best chance to accomplish anything, she walked up with a very protective Inuyasha at her side, though she subtly removed his arm from her waist as she smiled. “Good morning.”

 

The man gave her a smile. “Good morning, ma'am.” His hair was chocolate brown, and cut short in a typical Ken doll look. Unfortunately his hair was so thick that it seemed like too much for his rather lean face, which appeared even smaller behind a pair of large, thick rimmed black glasses, and Kagome couldn't help but giggle, liking him instantly. He looked like `Where's Waldo'.

 

“Could you tell me what papers I need to fill out in order to file a police report?” She inquired kindly, hoping he wasn't offended that she had laughed at him.

 

He didn't seem to notice, instead smiling patiently. “What kind of report exactly do you want to file?”

 

“There's more then one?”

 

He nodded indulgently. “Yes, ma'am, many kinds for different kinds of crimes.”

 

“Oh,” she looked away for a moment, not exactly wanting to tell every person she met about what had happened to her. She'd thought she could just file the damn thing and be done with it. “Um…could that just remain confidential?”

 

The clerk, who she had dubbed Waldo since he had no name tag, smiled again and she relaxed. “Of course, ma'am, but just keep in mind the fact that you will eventually have to tell someone since filing a report means you are willing to subject yourself to questioning by a detective.”

 

Kagome nodded. “I understand.”

 

“Very well; you'll just have to fill out this form here,” He reached behind him and pulled out a pink piece of paper from a folder, “Return it to me, and I'll put you on a list to see one of our detectives, alright?”

 

“Thank you very much,” Kagome accepted the paper, along with a clipboard and pencil.

 

“Not a problem; just give this back to me when you're finished and I'll be sure to put you on the list, although you should know that it could be a while before someone can see you.”

 

Kagome froze. “Exactly how long are we talking about?”

 

Waldo seemed to pause for a moment and think before replying. “Well, you're about the tenth person here today so far, and since it is a Saturday several of the detectives are off, so I'd say about an hour and a half at most.”

 

Kagome could have choked. An hour and a half! She'd thought she could be done with this in thirty minutes! “Thanks,” she managed to mumble, turning around and finding a seat to fill out the form. After all, since she was there, she might as well go through the whole process. It wasn't like she had anything better to do on a Saturday.

 

With a sigh she crossed her leg and balanced the clipboard on her knee to write, Inuyasha peering over her shoulder as she did so. He raised an eyebrow curiously. “What's an S.S.N.?”

 

“A social security number.”

 

“Oh,” he acted like he knew exactly what that was, and she found it cute. “What's the point in having one of those?”

 

She shrugged and answered patiently as she continued to write. “Everyone has one. It's a way of identifying people.”

 

“Keh,” Inuyasha crossed his arms. “That's what names are for.”

 

Kagome just smiled to herself. She was glad he had come.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

After nearly an hour of waiting, and then the subsequent three hour interview with a detective whose ego was larger then the country of Japan, Kagome was ready to go home. She was not only exhausted, but the fact that she'd been forced to relive every detail of the night she was raped had been harder then she'd expected. Now she just wanted to get her mind off the subject entirely.

 

They were walking back to her house, and Inuyasha had once more put his arm around her waist. It was as though, after their little talk, he had decided it was perfectly normal to walk in such an intimate, possessive way…not that Kagome was complaining. But what bothered her was that he hadn't said a word, and she could tell that something was bothering him. She suspected it had something to do with the fact that he'd also been forced to hear all the minute details of that night.

 

“Inuyasha?” She looked up at him in concern.

 

“What?” He continued to stare straight ahead.

 

“Um, are you okay?” She touched his arm gently. “You've been awfully quiet.”

 

He sighed, and for a moment she thought he wouldn't answer, but then he turned to her and she was struck by the pain in his eyes. “I'm sorry you were so alone that night, Kagome.”

 

She blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”

 

He looked back towards the sidewalk once more. “I mean there was no one to protect you.”

 

Kagome could hear the underlying regret in his voice and knew that it was more the fact that he had not been there to protect her that bothered him. She squeezed his arm affectionately and leaned into his body, his arm tightening around her waist in response. “It's okay, Inuyasha…I'm trying to put all that behind me now. Like you said, now we can all move on because hopefully the police can find the man and put him in jail for what he's done.”

 

But…”

 

Kagome put a finger to his lips. “No buts, Inuyasha. It's over.” She surprised herself at the finality in her voice. “The fact that it happened is something that no one, not even you, can change. The only thing any of us can do now is move on, and you're helping me to do just that.” She gave him a beaming smile, and as she did so thought about the irony in the fact that she was giving him the comfort when, normally, she would have expected it to be the other way around.

 

He smiled. “Thanks, Kagome.”

 

“I have an idea!” She suddenly announced, her tone completely changing, and he gave her a curious look. “Lets go back to your era for a while, and put all this aside for the time being, okay? I've done all I can to help catch the rapist, I'm finally caught up in school, and frankly I could really use a change of pace. What do you say?”

 

Inuyasha brightened instantly at the idea. He'd wanted to return to his time for a while, but hadn't said anything because he knew Kagome hadn't been ready to come back with him, and the thought of leaving her was not an option. “I say okay, lets go!” And without warning he scooped her up into his arms and sped down the sidewalk to the shrine, startling several people on the way…including Kagome.

 

“Wait! Inuyasha, just hold on a second! I have to tell my mother what I'm doing, and I have to get my backpack ready, and…Inuyasha, would you stop? You can't just…”

 

But he wasn't listening, and before Kagome could do anything he was in the well house and jumping through time, the usual pink colors surrounding them. The sun suddenly appeared overhead, followed by the smell of fresh air, and Kagome knew they were now officially five hundred years in the past…back in the Feudal Era.

 

Unfortunately, once the hanyou set her down outside the well, she whirled on him in a rage. “What did you do that for? Now my mother doesn't know where I've gone, and I don't have any of my things!”

 

Inuyasha tensed and crossed his arms, staring back at her, all the tenderness of their previous moments together forgotten. “You said you wanted to come back, wench! Stop being so indecisive!”

 

She stomped her foot to accent her point. “Maybe if you had actually stopped to listen for a minute, I wouldn't seem so indecisive! Now I have to go back!”

 

“No! You can't go back! You said you were staying her for a while!”

 

“I have to get my stuff!”

 

“Keh, stop being so selfish and stupid, Kagome! You'll survive without all your things, after all, it's not like you need dozens of outfits!”

 

“Inuyasha!”

 

He recognized that tone, and instantly felt his body tense, his eyes going wary as he put up his hands in protest. “Don't even…” But he didn't even get to finish his sentence.

 

“SIT!!!!”

 

Kagome was breathing hard from the exertion of the argument, her hands balled into fists at her sides as she ignored the insults and glares she was receiving from the grounded hanyou. All the pleasant feelings were gone, and it was all his fault…insufferable baka!

 

But as she moved to step around the fallen hanyou and return through the well to get her things, she felt a hand close over her wrist, and whirled around to assume a defensive stance. “What the…?”

 

She found herself staring at Sango, who was looking frantic. “Kagome, we have to talk!” She groaned…what more could fate possibly have in store for her that day?