InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Decisions of the Heart ❯ Yearning Hearts and Sneaky Friends ( Chapter 19 )

Decisions of the Heart

Chapter Nineteen:

Yearning Hearts and Sneaky Friends

I'm on a roll here! I just type chapter 18 and I got a spark of inspiration for chapter 19. Hope you didn't dislike the last chapter too much.

Disclaimer: Why should I say what you already know?

***

Everything was growing steadily worse. Kagome and Inuyasha now refused to interact. Kagome, because she a hurt and afraid that he would come a tell her what her dream had predicted(that he hated her). And Inuyasha because he couldn't figure out how to act around her after his most recent outburst.

As they were shard hunting, a long, difficult, but usual task, it started to rain. Not just rain, downpour. Buckets and buckets of freezing cold water upturned and sprayed down on their heads. Then, the REALLY heavy rain started. Kagome often slipped on the mud and it got clogged up in her bike tires, and she knew Inuyasha wouldn't get it for her, so she just shoved it along. Shippo was curled up in her basket, trying to prevent the rain slapping him, Kirara snuggling to up to his warmth.

Inuyasha trudged farther ahead, arms crossed in the sleeves of his bright red kimono, ignoring the mud that squelched under his feet. He wanted badly to go and aid Kagome, but he was slightly ashamed and embarrassed and was unsure if she was irate with him, or not.

Even farther apart, were Miroku and Sango. She cuddled into his deep purple robes, trying to hide from the rain as he whispered things to her that made her face heat up. That made Kagome recall how they had actually got together. Yesterday, as Sango had been searching for Miroku, he found her and confessed his feelings and Sango told him how she felt, and of course, he had asked to her be his girlfriend. It was so sweet, but she couldn't help but feel a small twinge of jealousy.

She sighed as the wind brushed heavily against her short skirt, chilling her legs. Shivering, wishing that she had put on jeans, a sweater, and thick, warm jacket, Kagome trudged on. Usually, she would have pestered Inuyasha to stop, but now she was unsure how he would react to her. ~It's like he blames me for getting rid of Kikyo~ she thought sadly, light tears mingling with the rain. Shippo peeked up from his little seat in the basket, Kirara mewing next to him. Kagome patted their heads fondly. How she had grown to love that little kitsune and the fire neko.

"Look!" Sango cried excitedly. "A village!" And sure enough, one loomed ahead. Kagome smiled wearily.

***

"What's wrong?" she asked, as she striped herself of her kimono, gently lying her Hiraikotsu on top of them.

"Nothing," Kagome lied, slipping into the hot spring beside her best friend. The rain had ceased, though it left the air foggy, cold, and clingy, they decided it would be best for them to bathe in the bubbling pool.

"Kagome, it's been worrying you all day, what's the matter?"

"I think Inuyasha hates me," she murmured, barely audible to the Demon Slayer's ears.

"Why! What happened!" she barked sternly. "Spill it." So, she went into a long, detailed explanation of what had occurred the other night.

"I'm sure he was grieving over the loss of Kikyo, and he just snapped, that's all. He wouldn't have gave Kikyo up if he hated you," Sango replied knowingly.

"Yeah, you're right." Dampening her hair in the water, letting the grimy residue slide off, she smiled at her friend.

"Thanks."

"That's what I'm here for." The smile was returned.

"So, do you think there is a small chance that Inuyasha feels the same way I do?"

"You mean, do you think that he loves you?" Kagome's face reddened, but she nodded shyly.

"OF COURSE!"

"Sssssh!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Sango whispered. "You don't see how he acts when you leave. Moping around, sighing every too seconds, snapping at everyone within a twenty foot radius, ears drooping, hanging around the well. He basically acts like a lovesick puppy." Kagome giggled, along with Sango, feeling her face burn.

"So, you think. . ."

"Hai." She nodded fiercely. "And the sooner BOTH of you admit that, the better."

"Oh no Sango-chan! I couldn't!" She clutched her cheeks in embarrassment.

"Yeah you could. Think about it. All the kissing, and the hugs, and the `I love yous`"

"How did you know that's what I want?"

"You can see it in your eyes Kagome, and his. Plus, I'm an expert. I've got Miroku."

"Yeah, you've only been with him for two days!" She sweat-dropped.

"Just trust me."

"Sango-chan. . ." How she had been able to permanently wipe the blush off her face, to this day, she still didn't know.

~*~

* WHACK *

"NO!"

* WHACK *

"NO!"

* WHACK *

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"Honestly, Inuyasha. How could a single piece of advice harm you?" Miroku pulled back his staff, and looked him, with a meaningful look in his deep blue eyes.

"I don't need your help. I ain't got no `love problems'," he quoted directly from the monk, trying to rub the hard, pink lump that had sprouted from his hair.

"At least apologize to Kagome-sama, if nothing else."

"I AIN'T GOT NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR!" he yelled, shielding his sore spot just in cause Miroku decided to start a fresh round.

"You hurt her that night," he pressed, completely ignoring him. "It's not her fault that you sent Kikyo away. You did it for her right?" Inuyasha avoided his gaze.

"Yeah, I guess so."

"And you blew it up in her face."

"Maybe."

"Then my point is well proven. She must be confused, and since you have obviously chosen her over Kikyo, you must go tell her."

"W-WHAT?" Inuyasha yelled. "I don't know what you're getting at. I made Kikyo leave cause she was getting dangerous, it has nothing to do with Kagome." * WHACK * "You know what! That's really starting to get on my nerves!"

"Good."

~*~

It was early. The air was still moist and the sky was a watery gray, rays of the sun breaking through the clouds. Kagome just loved the way it smelled after the rain. Earthy. Wet. Fresh. She inhaled deeply again and stretched, as she pushed her bike along.

They were pretty much in the same positions as before. Inuyasha leading the way, Kagome, Shippo, and Kirara in the middle, Sango and Miroku following up the rear. Suddenly, her body went rigid. That tingly, pounding sensation filled her with dread.

"A jewel shard!"

"And the scent of a demon," Inuyasha rumbled, hand on his sheathe.

There it was, looming before them.

They had never seen the likes before. It was transparent, its form weakly surrounded by a faint, bluish, glowing line. It was shaped somewhat like a giant yeti, and they could see the thin outlines of his mouth and teeny, beady eyes. The demon stood at least ten feet tall, and its roar, loud and thick, was like the pounding of heavy rain against the roof.

"What the hell is that?"

"A rain demon. They usually stay in the clouds, but yesterday's rain must've driven it out!"

"Who gives a damn?" He tugged the Tetsusaiga from his sheathe, and leapt up into the air, bringing his sword down on the head of the beast. But it just went through, and with a booming, echoing growl, reminding them of a clap of thunder, Inuyasha was tugged into its body.

"INUYASHA!" Kagome cried. He struggled, but some thick, invisible ropes, seemed to have bound him in a spot.

"Kirara!" Sango cried, the neko youkai jumped from its position in the basket, and as furious flames engulfed her, she grew. Sango hopped up on her and with muscles quivering in anticipation, Kirara sprung into the air.

"HIRAIKOTSU!" She sent her giant boomerang flying towards the demon. It sliced through it, but it quickly absorbed the attack, sending her oversized weapon to the ground. Opening it's mouth, a vacuum, which imitated Miroku's Kazaana, began to suck her and Kirara into itself.

"NO! SANGO!" But they, too, like Inuyasha were suspended inside of the beast, invisible ropes binding them. ~Where's the jewel shard?~ Kagome thought quickly. ~I know it's there, but it keeps moving~

"SHIPPO! Transform into a bow!" He put his little leaf on his head while she turned to Miroku.

"Can I borrow your staff?" He nodded, throwing it to her. Stretching out the whimpering kitsune, Kagome put in his staff.

"Maybe if our holy powers combine. . ." Eyes narrowing in frustration, body tense, she focused as she never had before. "GO!" She sent the staff hurdling towards the spot where the jewel seemed to have stayed for the moment.

The "arrow" hit the shard, and with a tremendous, screeching roar, its form was diminished to a rush of water. Inuyasha, Sango, and Kirara thudded to the ground, sputtering, coughing up water.

"Inuyasha, are you OK?" Kagome asked, hugging his wet form.

"Kagome," he whispered shakily, and blacked out.

~*~

"Miroku, do you think they'll be OK?" Kagome asked. They were back in the village. A mini Kirara sat in a corner, under a blanket, curled up with Shippo. She was helping to dry off Sango and Miroku did the same with Inuyasha, to avoid any INTERESTING situations. (-_-`)

"Hai. We'll have to keep them dry, to prevent them from catching colds, and make sure they eat plenty, to keep up their strength," the monk answered, casting her a smile. She relaxed, as she laid Sango under some big blankets.

Once they were finished with their tasks, they switched places. Miroku by Sango's side, Kagome by Inuyasha's. When she was sure everyone was asleep, she began to talk to him.

"I'm sorry, Inuyasha," she mumbled, lightly brushing a loose, sweaty lock of hair from his face. "Please get better soon." Suddenly, his chest began to vibrate. At first, with horror, she had thought he was growling at her, but, as she put a hesitant palm against his chest she realized he was. . .

"Purring?" She took her hand away and it stopped, then put her hand back and it began again. Kagome smiled. "He knows me even when he's sleeping." Getting more sure of herself, she scratched the fluff of his ears. The purring increased and an almost lazy smile came over his face. She snuggled up against him. "Good night, Inuyasha."

* * *

He awoke with something-or should I say someone-small and soft at his side. He realized the scent.

"Kagome." He took her hand, which was currently laying on his chest, and squeezed with his own. "I'll tell you soon." With that, sleep overtook him once more.

~*~

Inuyasha had left her again when she woke, but she still had the warm, lingering feeling of his presence. Part of her hoped, wished, that that night could have lasted forever. It seemed like he had forgiven her, and she could admire his face, without him accusing her of staring, he didn't yell, and she could cuddle up against him without protests.

"This secret is burning me up inside," she whispered to deaf ears. Everyone was outside, doing what, was a mystery to her. "I have to tell him soon, no matter what the consequences." That night that she and Sango had that little discussion lit, like a candle, in her head. "But then, maybe he does feel the same way, and we can be together." A small smile crossed her face.

"I have to tell him soon, now it hurts for me to look at him, without him knowing how I feel." Kagome brought her knees up to her chin and sighed deeply. "Please, let him feel the same way. I don't think I can stand one more heartbreak."

~*~

"Kagome, it's hard for me to look at you anymore. You always think I hate you, but I don't. How could I?" Inuyasha had finally admitted it to himself that he had deep feelings for Kagome, but rejection always out shadowed anything else, and that included him admitting how he felt.

"If you could just find it in your heart to at least still like me as a friend after I. . ." He swallowed hard. "I can't do it. What if she turns out to be just like Kikyo?"

"How am I ever gonna say anything to her? I get all nervous around her and that never happened before," he mumbled. "And I get all sweaty, and. . . What if she already knows! ACK!" He was so absorbed in his thoughts, that he didn't realize someone spying on him.

~*~

Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara met in a green valley a long way off from Inuyasha's.

"So, what did you hear?" Miroku asked greedily, rubbing his hands together.

"Why are you so nosy?" Sango snapped.

"My dear Sango. Haven't you noticed how depressed and distant our friends have been? It's obviously love. Don't you want them to be happy like us?" The intense look he gave her made her blush.

"Of course I do! It's just that this feels so dirty."

"Anyway, Shippo, what did you get from Kagome?"

"Nasty stuff. All she was talking about was the fact she was upset because Inuyasha still doesn't know how she feels about him. What about you?"

"Same here with Inuyasha. What we need is a well devised plan."

"Yeah. We just need to get them alone, and maybe it'll set off from there."

"Perfect. But how?" Sango shrugged.

"I guess I hadn't thought that far, yet."

"Hey, I know! We can SAY we're going to the market in the village, since Kagome-sama loves studying and Inuyasha doesn't really like that kinda thing--"

"They'll both stay in the hut! ALONE!"

"But we can really spy on them!"

"And rub it in when they kiss!"

"YEAH!" So the plan was made. Operation Get Together was in progress!

~*THIS IS THE LONGEST CHAPTER I EVER WROTE! Nine pages! I guess I got carried away. Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for all of your reviews! 144. I still can't believe it! Anyways, I'm going to be finishing up my next two stories and I'm going to start another one. I'll give you sneak peaks on the last chapter, which may be two or three away. I'M REALLY GOING TO MISS WRITING THIS! Later Days!*~