InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Duck ❯ Grown Closer, Torn Apart PARTII ( Chapter 3 )

Hello again, people! I want to thank everyone for all of the wonderful reviews; it feels so good to know that people like this fan fic.

 

Anyways, I think I might want to up the rating because of this chapter. No, there is not a lemon. And most likely there won't be a lemon. I just think that parts of this chapter/story may be a bit too strong for the youngins' to read. I don't know. How about you guys decide?

 

Do you think I should up the rating? (PLEASE ANSWER)

 

Otherwise, it will stay TEEN for now.

 

Please Enjoy!

 

DISCLAIMER: Why the hell do I even have to put this here?

 

Chapter Three: Grown Closer, Torn Apart (PART TWO)

 

(Inuyasha's POV)

 

Kaede can't be dead! What's that thing that Kagome always checks for on the wrist? The… the pulf? No, the pulp… No, that's not right either… Damn it all to hell!

 

I looked down at Kaede's body below me. Had it been true what she had told me? Had Kagome been lied to? And what the hell does Sesshomaru have to do with any of it? What… What did she mean when she said that Kagome would die if I didn't love her?

 

I reached down for Kaede's wrist and felt for the wrist bone. When I felt it, I moved a bit more over and felt for… the… GOD! WHAT IS IT?! I'm checking for whatever it is, the heartbeat, I guess would be another word for it. I could feel something beating beneath the skin, though it was quite faint. No wonder I couldn't hear her heart beating.

 

I rushed outside the hut, hoping that the look on my face was a good enough explanation for them, for I was at a loss for words. Both because Kaede was on the verge of death, and because of what she told me. Everyone looked at me, with the same expression of a mixture of worry and shock. I opened the flap of the hut to let them all in. When they were inside, I began to explain.

 

"She's still alive. Her heartbeat is very faint, though." I said, my voice very soft.

 

I watched as Kagome looked at Kaede's weak form. Her face was still shining from tears, as was mine, probably, and her eyes were red and puffy. But her blue-black hair still was shining in the afternoon light, and her face still looked pretty -no- beautiful, under her tears. I wanted to touch her, to comfort her. But she was holding Shippo in her arms, and he was crying, and was unable to look at Kaede. Besides, I couldn't move. I was still in shock.

 

I managed to tear my eyes away from the beautiful goddess in front of me, to Sango and Miroku. Miroku was holding Sango in his arms, burying his face in her hair and saying nonsense to her. Though his eyes were still full of tears, he still had his calm and collected face. He pulled away from her and stood in the middle of the room.

 

"One of us should watch over her during the night." He said. Which translated to: 'Inuyasha and Kagome, you two take care of her. We'll take Shippo for the night.'

 

Kagome said, "Inuyasha and I will take care of her."

 

What'd I tell ya?

 

Her attention turned to Shippo, "Are you okay to stay with Miroku and Sango?" The kit looked up at her and nodded. She smiled, stood up and gave him to Sango. The couple and Shippo left the hut, leaving Kagome and I alone with Kaede. It was Kagome who spoke first.

 

"God… I can't… I mean, so soon?" She folded her arms around herself. I walked over and wrapped my arms around her, comfortingly.

 

"I-I know… She was talking one moment and completely silent the next…" When I thought about what she had told me, my arms tightened around Kagome. She leaned into my arms, turning slightly so that she could face me. I felt my ears flatten awkwardly against my head as she stared at me. She lowered her head and buried her face into my chest.

 

I blushed. Once again, for the millionth time this month.

 

One of my hands that was on her waist moved so I could gently press on the back of her head and into my chest. I lowered my face to her hair and nuzzled it slightly.

 

"It's gonna be okay, Kagome." I whispered. I didn't even believe myself. Kaede had just said that Kagome was in serious danger. I felt a lump rise in my throat. I really didn't want to lose Kagome. I held her tightly to me. She sighed and looked up at me, her honey brown eyes filled with admiration. I smiled; God she was so beautiful. Her eyes were so perfect, so was her nose, the way her cheekbones were positioned, and her perfect smile.

 

Her lips…

 

I found myself descending toward her lips, wanting to capture them with mine. To taste them… To feel them… My hands were now placed on either side of her face. Her perfect eyes were closed now, her hands had moved from my waist to my chest, gently resting there. And then, finally, my lips met hers.

 

She sighed beneath me, her hands gripping the front of my haori. I pulled her even closer to me as one of my hands moved to her waist. My other hand was gently touching the soft skin of her cheek. She shyly began to kiss me back, I smiled. One of her hands began to move from my chest to my neck.

 

Somehow, I knew where it was going.

 

Her hand moved up my neck, my cheek, onto my temple, and into my hair. And then she touched my ear…

 

Cold water washed over me. I woke up with a start. Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kagome were standing over me. Miroku, who had had the bucket of water, spoke.

 

"Are you okay, Inuyasha?" He asked. They all were standing over me with a worried expression on their face, Miroku's slightly amused.

 

"Keh." I said.

 

"Well, he must be." Miroku said, he went on, "I think when Kaede went into a coma, you fainted, Inuyasha."

 

"But I don't remember passing out." I protested, bitterly. I was angry with him. He had interrupted one of the best dreams of my entire life and now I'll probably never have it again. Damnit.

 

"Not many people do remember passing out when they actually do, Inuyasha." I heard Kagome's sweet voice say. I blushed and I couldn't look at her in the eye. That dream had seemed so real.

 

"Keh, what're you frettn' about me for? Isn't it Kaede you should be worried about?" I asked sourly, annoyed that everybody was finding it amusing that I'd fainted. I stood up a little quickly; I stumbled and almost fell over, had Kagome not caught me. I still couldn't look at her. Gods… the dream…

 

Miroku said, "We've already looked her over. It was when we had decided that she was in a coma that we finally noticed you."

 

I snorted, "I'm flattered."

 

Kagome laughed, "Come on now, Inuyasha. I was the one that pointed you out." I finally looked up at her. She was exactly as I remembered her in my dream. Her face was slightly tear streaked, but her eyes weren't red and puffy anymore. She was smiling. I mentally bit my lip looking at her. She… I loved her…

 

She was looking at me strangely and it wasn't until she said, "Um, Inuyasha? Are you okay?" That I came out of my trance.

 

I responded with a "Keh" and left the hut. God, I was so embarrassed. Fainting… That's what women did. I grumbled as I walked into the forest. And that dream… Oh my God… I closed my eyes, trying to remember what it felt like.

 

To have her hands gripping the front of my haori, and to feel her lips against mine. I clawed a tree next to me, digging my claws into the hard bark, growling the entire time. It was enough to set me on fire. I wanted to yell, to howl into the depths of the forest. But the others would hear.

 

'Or probably not even notice…' I thought bitterly. I snorted. But then again… I was a half demon. Who would want to notice? I whined. I thought again that I couldn't be with Kagome and that I couldn't live up to her expectations. That made me really want to scream, to yell at the Gods for giving me such a curse.

 

My heart ached with such pain that I had actually hunched over and let out a low howl. I heard someone's footsteps behind me.

 

"Inuyasha!"

 

It was Kagome. My heart just wrenched painfully and I howled lowly again. She put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed it slightly, "Are you alright?" She asked.

 

"Just dandy." I said, sarcastically.

 

"Inuyasha…" Her voice was slightly annoyed, but her touch was gentle as she put her hand on the side of my face. She smiled weakly and hugged me. Her arms wrapped around my torso and she leaned her head on my neck. We were both kneeling on the ground.

 

"Kagome…" I said. One single tear traveled down my face as I held onto her for dear life.

 

I don't want to lose you…

 

Gods, how I wanted to say that to her. But I just couldn't muster up the courage. I could only hold onto her. She sighed, and pulled away from me. I managed to stifle the whine that built up in my chest. My ears drooped and I looked away from her. She put her hand on my face again, making me look at her.

 

I love you, Kagome…

 

"Inuyasha… A-are you okay?" Her face was filled with concern. She was biting her lip and I could see that she was on the verge of tears.

 

I let another tear fall on my cheek. She gasped, "Inuyasha! Will you answer me? Please?" She pushed on my shoulder slightly, "Are you okay?"

 

I looked at her, my eyes filled with sadness, "No." I put my hand on her cheek; she leaned into my touch, "Kagome I…" I shook my head. Why was this so hard? She wrapped both of her hands around my wrist.

 

She smiled, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

 

I shook my head, "No… No, it's not like that… It's just… I can't figure out how to word it…" I sobbed in frustration, "You know I'm terrible at saying what I mean." I took her hands and put them together. I shook my head again, "You know what?" I said, putting both of her hands in her lap and looking back up her, "Why don't I just show you?"

 

And then…

 

I did it. I kissed her. I put my hands on her face. My lips were barely touching hers. Gods… They were so soft. It was like… kissing a snowflake. And the feelings that began to rise up inside me… I couldn't begin to describe them. But as soon as our lips touched, I knew… Gods, did I know. I knew that this was the woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, the woman that I wanted to have kids with, and that she was the woman, the only woman for me.

 

It felt… wonderful.

 

But as soon as our kiss began… It ended. When I pulled away, Kagome's eyes were closed and as they opened that… that feeling began to well up inside me again. I felt like I was going to explode with all of the happiness.

 

"That," I said, "is what I wanted to tell you, Kagome."

 

Without waiting for her reaction, I did the only thing that came to mind…

 

I fled.

 

_________________________________________

 

 

 

I sighed as I stared at the house that I built for Kagome. I'd spent the entire month building it. It was more like a cabin, and it was built in a clearing… Actually, the same clearing where Kagome and I had wrestled, where she had scratched my ears until I had fallen asleep, that same clearing where Kagome had said she'd stay here… I'd told her that I'd take care of where she'd live, and well, here you go.

 

I'd chosen this clearing because, in that single night, Kagome and I had become closer than we'd ever had in our entire time knowing each other. I'd also chosen this clearing because there was a dock and you could see the sunset perfectly from there. There was a nice front yard in front of the cabin, beyond the porch.

 

I still can't believe I built it though. Well, when you think about it; yeah, I could. Because… Because…

 

"I love her." I said silently to myself. But then I raised my head, and I admitted it to the world, "BECAUSE I LOVE HER!" I had shouted it so loudly, that the birds in the trees fled in fear. My head dropped and I whined.

 

I'd kissed her last night. I'd told her how I felt about her. How I loved her. I hadn't been back to the village since then. I didn't want to see her reaction. I didn't want the rejection. I just wanted to tell her…

 

But I needed to show her this, show her the home that I had built her. But what about what I told her?

 

Maybe… Maybe I could act like nothing had happened. Then maybe she'll think that she dreamed it or something… Imagined it. Maybe that would work. I nodded to myself and bounded off toward the forest, going to get Kagome.

 

I don't want to lose you…

 

I love you, Kagome…

 

(In the Village)

 

I breathed in heavily through my nose, trying to sniff out Kagome. Trying to smell for that heavenly lavender and mint scent. It was near Sango and Miroku's hut. A smell of food came from it.

 

Breakfast…

 

I didn't want to interrupt them, and I wanted to find Kagome alone. I didn't want a big interrogation from Miroku and Sango. So, I decided to come back later. I walked away, back into the forest, but then…

 

"Inuyasha!" My heart lit up with so much joy I thought I'd die for a moment. I turned to see Kagome, smiling brightly, she was running to me. When she reached me, she launched herself into my arms. "I was so worried!" She exclaimed. She pulled away, to look me in the eyes.

 

"Keh, you shouldn't worry about me." I said, looking down at her. I smiled and jerked my head toward the forest, "C'mon, I want to show you something."

 

She lifted an eyebrow, "What is it?"

 

"It's a surprise." I said simply.

 

She nodded and I led her into the forest. God, I was so excited. It's just the thought of 'She's going to LIVE here' excited me.

 

I don't want to lose you…

 

I love you, Kagome…

_____________________________________________________

 

When we were approaching the clearing, I jumped in front of her suddenly, "Okay, close your eyes."

 

She lifted an eyebrow, "Why?"

 

I glared at her, annoyed, "It's a surprise, remember?"

 

She rolled her eyes, "Fine."

 

I covered her eyes with my hands, "Just in case you peek."

 

"You don't trust me?" She asked, innocently.

 

"Well, in other situations, yes. In this situation, no. Because when there's a surprise involved with you, you tend to cheat the purpose."

 

"I do not!" She protested.

 

"Oh, really? What about that time that Shippo wanted to show you one of his latest 'creations', as he calls them, and he told you not to peek? Or that other time when-"

 

"Alright, alright, fine. I peek. I get it." She said, clearly annoyed. I chuckled and continued walking with my hands covering her eyes.

 

We approached the side of the house. We walked around to the front of it and I waited until we were about ten yards away from it before I spoke, "Kagome, do you remember when you said you'd stay here?"

 

"Yes, but unfortunately I don't have a place of my own yet." She said, sarcastically.

 

I started to remove my hands, "And remember… remember when I said I'd take care of it?"

 

I heard her take a deep breath, "U-Uh huh…"

 

I completely removed my hands, "Well, I did."

 

Her hands slapped over her mouth, her eyes were wide in shock, "Oh my God." Her hands were so tightly over her mouth that I could barely hear her. I took one of her wrists down from her mouth, leading her with my right hand.

 

"C'mon. Come see the inside." I smiled at her stunned nod.

 

We stepped onto the porch, and I let her pause and look around. I had built some chairs, four of them, to sit out here. There was a rather large one where I had etched Kagome's name into it, and then there was a smaller one, I had etched in the name 'Shippo'. Kagome smiled as she smoothed her fingers over this chair. On the other two chairs I had etched in 'A Loved One'.

 

"Inuyasha…" She whispered when she turned to me. I was leaning against the door frame smiling at her. I felt my face grow hot under her warm gaze. I dropped it and opened the door to the entrance.

 

"C'mon inside." I said, a bit more gruffly than I needed to. She walked inside the cabin and waited for me to come in with her. I stepped in and walked into the center of the room. This room was the kitchen and living room. I had put a rather large table over in the corner with ten cushions to sit on around it. Over on the right side of the wall, somehow, I had managed to build a fireplace. In the sort of middle of the room, there was a fire pit, for cooking things. And over on the north wall, I had made some counter-like things from Kagome's time. There was a washtub on one of the counters and a rag, hanging over the edge of it; for washing dishes or baths for Shippo, I decided.

 

Over on the west side of the cabin, was a sort of… nook, where there were three doors. These doors led to the bedrooms. The larger, more grand looking door led to Kagome's room. The other two were average looking, and they led into slightly smaller bedrooms. Kagome and I walked to the nook.

 

"Well, the door in the middle is your bedroom," I said, "and the other two are for guests. And if Shippo wants to stay with you, he can choose whichever one that he wants."

 

She sort of… hugged my arm and leaned her head onto my shoulder, "Inuyasha… This… This is the nicest thing…" She buried her face into my shoulder, I blushed. She was laughing a little, "Remind me to give you Ramen and ear rubs for the rest of your life."

 

That got me laughing a little, "No, you don't have to. I mean, Kagome… You've just done so many things for all of us. I just thought that… Well, I should repay you a little."

 

"A little?! Building me a beautiful cabin in the woods, is 'a little'?!" She asked, looking up at me with wide, surprised eyes.

 

I nodded, "Well, when you put it that way…" I said cockily. She laughed. Yet again, that… that feeling came up in me again. She made me so happy… I don't ever think I've been this happy before. I smiled down at her. She smiled back.

 

I opened the door to her bedroom. There were three windows. One above the headboard of the bed, the other two on each side of the room. Over in the right hand corner of the room, was a desk that I had built for Kagome to do that… 'homework' stuff that she did. It wasn't exactly the fanciest desk, but I was pretty proud of my handiwork.

 

"Okay," I said, once we'd explored the whole house and Kagome and I had settled down in the kitchen for some tea, "I know the house sort of looks plain now, but, I figured that if you'd want to go to your time to get some bed sheets and stuff, then it'd probably look a little better."

 

She nodded while taking a sip of her tea, "Yeah. But we should probably go this afternoon, if we want to get this house decorated today." Her expression turned thoughtful, "Inuyasha..." She put her tea cup down and came over to me. I was leaning on one of the counters. She practically tackled me when she threw herself into me, "This is just… amazing…"

 

I put my tea cup on the counter and wrapped my arms around her, "Kagome… With all of the good things you've done for us… You deserve so much more than an old cabin in the woods… You deserve a palace; made entirely of gold…You do too many things for me, Kagome. I just… I just wanted to do something nice for you; after all of the insults I've given you, after all of the pain I've caused you… I just… wanted to show you that I'm not all bad."

 

She looked up at me suddenly, her expression very serious, "Stop… Stop right there."

 

My ears flattened in worry, "What?"

 

Her eyes filled with tears… Oh God… Did-did I make her mad? "Don't ever say that. Don't you ever believe that." She said, her embrace on me tightening.

 

"S-Say what?" I asked nervously. What is she trying to tell me? Does she hate me?

 

"Don't ever call yourself a bad person."

 

Whew.

 

"Don't let anyone make you believe that." She smiled slightly, "You may be stubborn," My eyes narrowed a little. She must have noticed, because she laughed a little, "Yes, you may be stubborn, but you always manage to do what's right. Even if you do it grudgingly, you still do the right thing."

 

"Well… Yeah, I guess…" I said as I blushed. She was right.

 

"But how you've managed not to kill Kouga after all this time will always be a mystery to me." I could feel her smile into my chest. I laughed out loud.

 

"How do you know he's not already dead? How do you know I haven't killed him in his sleep?" I asked, even though this was completely not true.

 

She looked up at me, smiling smugly, "You wouldn't have the patience to do that."

 

I laughed again, "You know me well, Kagome."

 

___________________________________________________

 

 

 

We were walking toward the well, talking and laughing. There were awkward silences between us, we'd just be staring at each other and then look away quickly. No doubt that both of us were blushing. God, we keep doing that. It's getting old, honestly. I mean, we really shouldn't be embarrassed around each other, right? We're supposed to be friends, right? Then why all the embarrassment? I shall tell you.

 

This is what Kagome calls "Friends with Benefits".

 

Hmmm… But what if she doesn't think so? What if it's just the heat that's making her face so red? And the reason that she's turning her head away from me is because I'm half-demon and that she can't stand to look at me?

 

Oh yeah, Inuyasha. That's exactly what that is. What was all of that 'don't ever let anyone tell you you're a bad person' bit, then? Acting?

 

But then… That may be true. I bet after I kissed her last night she had to go brush her teeth… Or worse…

 

Would she have vomited? Am I that bad of a kisser? No, no… That can't be right.

 

I was torn out of my thoughts when Kagome let out a yelp. I turned to see her on the ground, her foot stuck in a tree root. She was grumbling trying to get up. But her foot was still caught.

 

"Wait, Kagome! Your foot!" I said, urgently.

 

She yelled and hit the ground again. She looked up at me, her face as red as my haori. But then her attention turned to her foot. I bent down and loosened it at bit to where she could pull it out. She smiled at me as she got up, and nearly fell down again, but I caught her.

 

"Shit!" She whispered bitterly.

 

My attraction for her grew greatly the moment that word slipped off of her lips.

 

Her hands slapped over her mouth and her eyes were wide in shock. Much like she had done this morning. I smirked at her.

 

"I like it when you curse, Kagome." I said, smugly.

 

"Oh, shut up." Her face was still red when I'd let her go. But then her expression turned… It was odd, I couldn't really describe it. It was like… wonder or something. "That was the first time I've cursed in my entire life."

 

My eyes widened, "No."

 

She nodded and laughed a little, "I hang out with you too much."

 

I sighed dramatically and put my arm around her shoulders as I led her to the well, "I know," I said, "I have that effect on people."

 

She laughed.

 

________________________________________________

 

 

 

After we'd traveled through times, I picked Kagome up and jumped out of the well. I set her down gently and she smiled up at me.

 

We were about halfway to the front door of Kagome's house, when Kagome nearly got tackled by a large, fluffy, white dog. It was panting happily, and barking at her. It looked at me for a second and then its attention turned back to Kagome. It began to bark at her again.

 

Now, I'm not sure if many people know this, but I can understand what this dog is saying. Right now, he's saying that he's hungry and that Kagome is really pretty and that he would hope that she would feed him. In a really stupid way, I might add.

 

Needless to say, this got a rise out of me.

 

There is a language that is uniquely a dog demons'. This language is simply called 'Inu'. It consists of mainly a series of yips and howls over growls. So, naturally, I mean by instinct, I began to scold this dog for talking to Kagome so… freshly. Of course, I didn't exactly refer to Kagome as Kagome, if you get what I mean.

 

I referred to her as my 'mate'.

 

The dog growled back at me and called me a very rude name, according to demons. Especially to dog demons.

 

Kagome had watched all this with fascination. She was still looking at me when I turned to her.

 

"What was that?" She asked, smirking slightly. I looked at her quizzically. "You can actually understand dogs?"

 

"Uh, well, Kagome, if you haven't noticed, I am part dog demon." I said.

 

"Do all demons have their own specific language?" She asked.

 

I shrugged, "I know that dog demons do. And I think cat demons do, too. But I do know that wolves have their own language." I nodded to her, "You've heard Kouga commanding his tribe."

 

She laughed a little, "Yeah… C'mon, let's go inside. I'm sure Souta will be happy to see you."

 

I grunted, "Yeah… Great…"

 

_____________________________________________

 

 

The moment I walked through the door, I was attacked by Ms. Higurashi. She'd gotten me in a near death-grip hug.

 

"Inuyasha! It's been a while!" Her grip on me tightened. I, on the other hand, was having a very hard time breathing.

 

"Mom! I think you're hurting him!" Kagome said, slightly amused. Ms. Higurashi let go of me with a 'Sorry' and walked into the kitchen. I met Kagome's gaze with a look of thanks.

 

I couldn't exactly form a sentence, since I couldn't breathe and all.

 

Kagome and I walked into the kitchen, where Kagome's mother had put on some Ramen. Souta was over in the living room. He was playing that thing called… 'Video games'. I took a seat the kitchen table. Kagome's gradfather, who was sitting across from me, looked up from the paper he was reading. He gave me a short nod, and I returned it, and he continued his reading.

 

"Inuyasha?" My ears perked up and I looked over to see Kagome standing over me with some chopsticks and a bowl of Ramen, "Would you like some Ramen?"

 

I was hoping the look on my face was enough.

 

She laughed and handed me the chopsticks. The bowl was still steaming when she handed it to me. Kagome's mother joined Kagome and I at the table with two more bowls of Ramen.

 

"Souta, come on! It's lunchtime!" Said Ms. Higurashi. She smiled at Kagome and handed her a bowl of Ramen, too. "So, Kagome… Inuyasha, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"

 

Kagome was about to respond when she was interrupted by Souta.

 

"Inuyasha!" He shouted, excitedly. His face lit up when he saw me. The look he had on his face reminded me a lot of Shippo. Souta had gotten a little older in the past four years. He was a bit taller, and his hair was longer and messier. But his bright blue eyes hadn't changed a bit. I gave him a smile as he wedged himself between me and Kagome.

 

Kagome gave him a little glare, "As I was saying," She started bitterly, but then her eyes turned thoughtful, as if trying to figure out how to word the next part of her sentence, "I have news." She paused, "I'm-"

 

"Am I going to be an uncle?" Souta blurted.

 

Several things happened at the same time.

 

Kagome paled. Kagome's mother cracked the mug that she was holding. Kagome's grandfather began hitting me with his paper shouting, "HOW DARE YOU VIOLATE MY GRAND-DAUGHTER?! HOW DARE YOU?!" I began to choke on the Ramen that I was wolfing down.

 

"STOP!" Kagome shouted.

 

And everyone did. It was Ms. Higurashi that broke the silence that followed.

 

"K-Kagome, you-you're not pregnant, are you?" She asked, her voice cracking slightly.

 

"No! That wasn't what I was going to say at all!" Ms. Higurashi and Kagome's grandfather looked at her, "I'm not pregnant, mother."

 

"You're not?"

 

"No!" She said, slightly angry. "I was going to say that I'm going to live in the Feudal Era."

 

"With Inuyasha?" Ms. Higurashi asked. My ears perked up and I looked at Kagome. She looked back at me and then to her mother.

 

"I don't know." She looked defeated. Why? Did she want me to live with her? I looked at Ms. Higurashi and then back at Kagome.

 

"Kagome?" I said. Souta moved from my right side to my left side, so that I could be next to Kagome. I scooted over to her.

 

"Why?" Asked Kagome's mother.

 

"Why what?" Kagome said.

 

"Why do you want to live in the Feudal Era?" She repeated. Kagome stared at her mother for a moment. And then…

 

And then…

 

Kagome smiled. She began to tell her mother about the cabin I'd built her. She described everything in complete detail. How she had memorized everything about the house, was beyond me. But when she had begun her explanation, her eyes lit up with something that I'd never seen before. Something beyond pure joy, something beyond admiration. Something like… Something like…

 

Like… Love.

 

It made me feel so good inside. Maybe there was hope for me after all. Maybe Kagome could be with me. Maybe, just maybe…

 

She loved me.

 

I thought about this as I tried really hard to avoid Ms. Higurashi's thoughtful looks toward me as I ate my Ramen.

 

I don't want to lose you…

 

I love you, Kagome…

 

_____________________________________________________________