InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Drenched, Frozen, Warmed ❯ The Ride Home ( Chapter 3 )

Drenched, Frozen, Warmed

By: Lilin's Gal

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, blah, blah, blah…

Inu Yasha get stranded in the wild. What ever shall become of them?

A/N: Sorry people but the story I started writing wasn't what was in my head. The first chapter has been added to and the second one has been completely re-written. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed.

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Deciding to get out of the barren wasteland as soon as possible, Kagome once again climbed onto Inu Yasha's back as he raced at his full speed. This was a wholly different experience from any other trip they'd made. Kagome's body was suddenly attentive to the way her body molded to his, the way he moved beneath her fingertips. The ease with which he carried her, his ability to accommodate her body astounded her.

On the other hand, Inu Yasha was in a constant state of torture. The way her body moved as he ran reminded hi too much of the night before. Her scent tempted him at all times and the way her arms where wrapped around him, just brought too many possible scenarios to mind.

Towards sundown they reached the edge of a small forest. Quickly scouting for a suitable clearing, Inu Yasha used the last of his energy to gently drop Kagome to the ground before he slipped down next to her. Resting briefly on his knees, he swayed for a second before he fell forward to the ground.

"Inu Yasha!" Kagome yelled, panicking, thinking he was close to death. Calming down when she noticed the steady rise and fall of his body, she brushed his hair away from his face.

"Inu Yasha?" she called softly this time. His body shuddered as he took a deep breath. Not opening his eyes he replied quietly, "Just give me half an hour."

"Of course…" she watched him for a moment more and then went about setting up camp/ she gathered some branches from and abandoned tree near by and started a fire. She then headed off to see if she find some fresh water. At least it's not too dark out yet. I really want to have some food for Inu Yasha when he wakes up. He did do all of the work today. Returning to the clearing, Kagome stole a quick glance at him, and then started to boil the water.

An hour after they originally reached the clearing, she found herself kneeling over Inu Yasha's still form, a bowl of ramen in her hands, debating whether to wake him. Deciding he needed the energy providing food, she set the bowl down and gently nudged his shoulder.

"Inu Yasha?" she whispered, relieved when his ears swiveled in her direction and his nose started to twitch. Pushing himself up on one arm, he looked around groggily before sitting up entirely and grabbing the bowl. I can't believe I fell asleep. I should have been watching over her. Looking around he was surprised to see the fire, which got him to thinking about how she made the ramen.

"You shouldn't have gone into the woods by yourself."

"I've done it plenty of times before."

"Just don't do it again." Watching as she grumbled, but nodded, he knew he'd have to keep a closer eye on her than usual. He heard her stomach growl and his eyes snapped up. "Have you eaten yet, woman?"

Casting her eyes to the side, she refused to look at him. "You need the food more than I do, you're using a lot more energy than me."

Yah and if she's passed out form hunger it going to make thing so much easier for me. "Is there anymore food in the pack?"

Still looking to the side, she shook her head. Taking two more bites of the food, he shoved the remaining into her hands. "Eat."

They spent the rest of the evening in silence, watching the fire blaze. Eventually getting drowsy, Kagome laid out her sleeping bag and was asleep the minute her eyes closed. Inu Yasha was across the fire leaning against a tree. Every few minutes his eyes would droop and eventually would shut. After the fifth or sixth time he growled at himself in annoyance. This wont do. Her scent is still strong and something could attack during the night. But I have got to get some sleep tonight…"

He knew what he had to do, but there was a large chance it could make the whole situation between the two of them even more tangled. Deciding to deal with it in the morning, he crossed the campsite and laid down next to her. Making sure she was still asleep, he pulled her against his body and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

Waking up periodically throughout the night, he was on constant alert that there might be another demon in the clearing with them. But each time he would bury his face into her soft, dark hair and take comfort that she was resting silently in his arms. What in the world did I do to deserve to have her? But, as much as I liver her, I'm not looking forward to our little `talk' once we get back to the village. Or having Sango and the monk find out about this. Well, not so much Sango, I know Kagome will be tasteful. But if that monk ever found out I would never hear the end of it.

Just before dawn Inu Yasha rose and pulled away from Kagome. He re-arranged her sleeping bad and laid her down in the same position she had fallen asleep in. Still laying next to her, he watched the steady rise and fall of her chest and the way her eyes moved under her lips. He sat up after a few minutes, deciding that they need to get moving. He ran his fingertips over her eyelids before gently calling her name. "Kagome, it's time to get going."

A few sleep muddled words escaped her lips before she finally opened her eyes. Waking up to Inu Yasha's gentle touch was enough to surprise Kagome, but the caring look on his face was enough to take her breath away. Shyly she smiled up at him, glad that today he wasn't pushing her away. I wonder what happened to change his mood? Deciding to just go with the flow, she sat up and lightly laid a hand on his knee. "How long do you think until we make it back to the village?"

"Late afternoon, early evening perhaps?" he replied, turning away slightly. "We'll leave when your ready."

"Well the sooner we leave, the sooner we'll get back and have a great big meal," she proclaimed cheerfully. Her smile grew even wider when he turned back and matched hers.

"Alright thin, you gather your things and I'll make sure the fire's out." They're trip through the woods was much more comfortable, not just because of the cooler temperatures, but because of a dissipated tension between the two of them. But as the day progressed and they neared the village, Kagome started to get nervous. What's going to happen? Are we going to talk right away, or is he going to try and ignore the issue? Either way she was determined to get a bath and a good meal before anything happened.

The sun was just touching the horizon when Inu Yasha spotted the first house of the village. Sighing in relief, he bound through the rice fields and family gardens, ignoring the looks of the farmers. Finally Inu Yasha reached Kaede's door step and let Kagome off his back. They both walked into the cool hut, glad to be home.