InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Elemental: A Feudal Soap Opera ❯ Chapter Six ( Chapter 6 )

The six companions left Kaede's nearly as soon as Kagome and Inuyasha arrived, all anxious to get it over with. It was quickly approaching the rainy season, and travel would be much easier now, before the forest became drenched. All of them were hoping for continued dry weather, at least until they could retrieve the next batch of shards and regroup.

 

Kagome started the shard hunt in a quiet depression. Twenty-four hours later, and she was back to panicking. They had been trailing the youkai carrying the jewel shard for at least eighteen of those hours, nearly non-stop, and exhaustion combined with mental strain were getting the best of the girl.

 

Inuyasha was apparently feeling it, too, for he was even more anti-social than usual, and she had caught him staring at her several times, an unreadable look on his face. Kagome didn't know what to do. She was terrified that she had destroyed their friendship, and, possibly, even their futures. She couldn't talk it over with him, because if he still didn't remember, then he'd certainly want to know what she was babbling about. On the other hand, if he had remembered, she had no idea what she would say to him. She just couldn't see a way out of this situation with either her heart or her pride intact, and to say she was experiencing a lot of stress was an understatement.

 

In fact, the tension seemed to be getting to everyone. The usual banter they enjoyed on journeys was subdued and seldom, and they had separated as soon as camp was made--Shippou going to nap in Kagome's sleeping bag, Sango going to hunt for their dinner, and Miroku wandering off to who-knows-where, leaving only Kagome and Inuyasha awake in the small clearing. Kagome studiously avoided meeting his eyes, busying herself with setting up around the camp.

 

She heard Inuyasha walking up behind her, but didn't turn around, pretending interest in the contents of her pack.

 

He stood there for a moment, then finally spoke. “I'm going to scout around for stray youkai, and to see if I can find out anything useful about the one we're hunting. You stay here. Miroku and Sango are close by.”

 

She didn't fall apart until she was sure he was gone.

 

***

 

Sango returned from her hunt feeling rather pleased with herself. In very little time, she had managed to snare a brace of fowl that would make a decent meal for their little group. They swung from her hand as she approached the clearing where they had decided to set up camp for the evening. She smiled, thinking of Miroku's face when he saw them. Thinks he can out-hunt me, does he? He can only catch dinner when it happens to be in the home of a rich merchant who requires an exorcist. She chuckled lightly, but her smile disappeared completely when she entered camp.

 

Kagome was sitting on the ground, arms wrapped around her raised knees, sobbing her heart out. Her face was buried in her arms and she was very quiet, as if she didn't want anyone to hear her, but her shoulders were shaking almost violently. “Kagome!” Sango scanned the clearing, but she couldn't see any threat. Where is Inuyasha? He was supposed to be protecting her!

 

Sango dropped the game she had caught, and rushed over to her friend's side. “Kagome, what on earth is the matter? Are you hurt? Were you attacked?”

 

Kagome raised tear filled eyes to look at her, hopelessness and despair evident on her face. She launched herself into her friend's arms and cried harder.

 

Sango began to be truly afraid. She patted Kagome's back as she cried, hoping to calm her enough to find out what had happened. “Shh, Kagome. It's okay. There's nothing here now.” Unfortunately, her words only seemed to make the girl cry more. “Talk to me, Kagome. Are you hurt?” Kagome shook her head, and Sango gave a sigh of relief. “Were you attacked?” Again, she shook her head no. Sango was momentarily stumped, and then the proverbial light bulb went off in her head. Inuyasha. What has the hanyou done now? Sango knew of nothing else that would upset the girl this badly, and it was clear to everyone in the little group that something had been amiss between the two of them for the last few days. But still...I've never seen him upset her this badly. Shoving her curiosity aside for the time being, she continued to try and soothe the girl until her crying spell had abated.

 

When it looked like the storm had passed and Kagome was quietly sniffling into her shoulder, Sango spoke again. “Why don't you tell me about it, Kagome? It can't be that bad, and whatever it is, together we can fix it. Okay?” She hated to see the girl that she had begun to think of as her little sister in such distress. If she could help her, she would.

 

Kagome stared at her hands for a moment, not answering. Finally, though, she seemed to come to a decision. “I would like to talk to you. I need to talk to somebody about it, and you are the only...only person I think I can talk to.” Her voice was unnaturally timid, and that worried Sango almost as much as her next words. “I may have made a very large mistake, you see.”

 

What mistake could you have possible made to upset you this badly, Kagome? Sango bit her lower lip, mind racing, before standing up and pasting a reassuring smile on her face. “Come on,” she said, grabbing Kagome's hand.

 

Kagome looked confused, but she followed her automatically. “Where are we going?”

 

“We're going to find a place to take a bath--and talk--where that pervert and the hanyou won't be spying on us.” She threw a smile over her shoulder at Kagome.

 

Kagome smiled tentatively back.

 

***

 

Shippou popped his head out of the top of Kagome's sleeping bag. He had awakened when she had begun whimpering all over Sango, but he had stayed where he was. The thought of Kagome being so upset frightened him. He had never seen her this way before, and her words confused and alarmed him. After Sango and Kagome had left the clearing, he crawled slowly out of the sleeping bag to sit on top of it, his chubby elbows propped on his knees and a worried frown on his face.

 

***

 

Sango didn't immediately pressure Kagome for an explanation once they got to the hot springs, for which Kagome was grateful. She had made up her mind to confide in the other girl, but she needed the time to decide how to go about it. She didn't think Sango would judge her, but she had never even talked to her friends in her own time about sex, at least not seriously. Sure, they would mention it sometimes, but not without lots of blushing and giggling. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever really had a serious conversation about sex with anyone, not even Mama.

 

Kagome soaked and thought, then soaked and thought some more, appreciating Sango's patience with her. She was terribly embarrassed about crying all over her friend, and didn't want to repeat her performance. Finally, when her skin was beginning to wrinkle like a prune, she decided to stop wasting time, and just get it over with. “Sango,” she began, trying to inject a note of nonchalance into her tone and failing miserably. “Do you know anything about sex?”

 

Sango, who had been about to dunk her head under water, forgot to hold her breath. She came up spluttering and coughing. When she had finally gotten her breath back, she gave Kagome an incredulous look. Kagome blushed, and Sango's look turned considering. “I suppose. I have no...practical knowledge, but I do understand how it works, I guess.” Her eyes searched Kagome's face. “Why do you ask?”

 

Kagome chose her next words carefully. “There are a few things that I don't...I don't understand, and I was hoping that maybe you would, and could tell me.”

 

Sango blushed a little, but gave her a reassuring smile. “I will answer any question you have, if I can.”

 

Kagome cleared her throat and silently stared at the reflected light on the water, biting her lower lip. I can't really think of any way to put this that won't be obvious. Maybe this was a bad idea.

 

“Kagome?” Sango prompted.

 

Kagome stole a glance at her friend. Concern was written all over the other girl's face. This is Sango. I trust her. Kagome steeled her resolve.

 

“I was just wondering,” she said, voice hushed, “If you will get pregnant the first time you have sex.”

 

Sango frowned slightly, and she gave Kagome an odd look. “A girl can get pregnant the first time she has sex, yes.”

 

Kagome had thought so, but she felt the blood drain from her face, anyway. She had, after all, been hoping she was wrong. Sango put a hand on her shoulder to steady her when she swayed. “That doesn't necessarily mean that she will, though,” she said, voice worried. “Why do you ask? Have you...” She hesitated, blushing again, before taking a deep breath and continuing. “What's wrong, Kagome?”

 

Kagome was torn. She didn't think she could deal with all of this alone anymore, but she was scared to tell Sango. Not because it was Sango, but because once she said it out loud to someone, it would start to feel real. That's stupid. Just say it. It's like taking off a band-aid. No use in dragging it out, it only makes it hurt more. Kagome took a deep breath. “Sango, I....” Her voice trailed off.

 

Okay, so I was never good at taking off band-aids, either. She gathered her courage and tried again, turning slightly away from her friend so she wouldn't have to see her face when she figured it out. Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. “Um...Sango,” she said, “Would it work the same if a human girl had sex with a...a hanyou?”

 

***

 

Shippou sat in the empty camp, feeling a little abandoned and a lot worried. Kagome and Sango had been gone for a long time. Should I check on them? He looked around uneasily. Still, he didn't move. Where's Inuyasha, anyway? And Miroku? Shouldn't they be guarding the camp? He resisted the urge to hide in Kagome's sleeping bag, the sounds of approaching night making him nervous. It's getting dark. Sango and Kagome shouldn't be alone. Something rustled in the bushes nearby, and Shippou nearly fell over in fright. Maybe I'll go guard them. He heard another noise, and he was gone, as fast as his little legs could carry him, to the hot springs he could smell nearby.

 

***

 

“Would it work the same if a human girl had sex with a...a hanyou?”

 

Kagome's question rang in Sango's head. For a moment, all she could do is stare at Kagome in wide-eyed shock, mind whirling. Finally, everything seemed to click. Sango took in Kagome's worried face, her eyes still swollen from crying, and she saw red. That son of a bitch. She stood abruptly and began to wade toward the bank, eyes locked on Hiraikotsu. “I'm going to kill Inuyasha.”

 

She heard splashing behind her, but didn't stop until Kagome grabbed her by the arm. “No!” Kagome sounded alarmed. “No, Sango. It's not like that.” That gave Sango pause, but the rage she was feeling was slow to recede. She looked at the other girl from the corner of her eye. Kagome was blushing madly, and Sango realized how hard this discussion was for her. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but didn't turn around, Kagome's hand still on her arm. “Then why don't you tell me what it is like, Kagome,” she said evenly. And then I might still kill Inuyasha.

 

Kagome's voice was so low when she answered that Sango had to strain to hear her. “He doesn't know.”

 

“What?” Sango began to have the feeling that they were having two different conversations. “What do you mean he doesn't know?”

 

Kagome dropped Sango's arm. “He doesn't know that we made...that we had sex.”

 

Sango was thunderstruck. She turned to face her friend fully. Kagome was staring at the water, still blushing profusely. Sango shook her head, trying to clear the confusion the other girl had caused. “How,” she began, pinching the bridge of her nose, “How can you have sex with a man without his knowledge?” Kagome reddened even more, and Sango was compelled to ask, “Kagome, are you sure you understand what sex is?”

 

“Yes, I'm sure,” Kagome said quietly, and then the dam burst. The story she poured out to Sango shocked the other girl to the core, but she was very careful to hide her reaction. She could see Kagome's shame and remorse quite clearly, and she didn't want to add to it. When she told Sango that Inuyasha had mistaken her for Kikyo, Sango winced in sympathy, knowing how much that must have hurt her. She had trouble believing that her friend had taken it so far as to actually give her innocence to the hanyou without his knowledge, and felt an unexpected twinge of pity for Inuyasha. I know he cares for Kagome...we all know it...even if he does still love Kikyo. This is going to kill him. In fact, she had a suspicion that he was going to be as hurt when he found out as Kagome was now. Still, Kagome was obviously eaten up with guilt, so she did not voice her thoughts. When Kagome was through with the tale, Sango felt nearly as emotionally drained as Kagome looked. She had no idea what to say to the other girl. It's certainly a mess. Kagome, what on earth were you thinking? She took another look at her friend. Her eyes were downcast, and she seemed to be waiting for something. Sango cocked her head in bewilderment before understanding dawned.

 

She thinks you're going to judge her. Say something. But Sango still didn't know what to say. She had no solution for her, but she could still offer her comfort. Big sisters were supposed to be good at that, after all. She put her arms around the other girl, hugging her gently. “We all make mistakes,” she told her in a soft voice. “But mistakes made out of love are the easiest to fix. It will all work out, you'll see.”

 

“Do you really think so?” Kagome's voice was muffled by Sango's shoulder.

 

Sango really had no idea if it would work out or not. Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship had always been rather volatile, and the reactions of either were unpredictable. She didn't say this, though. Instead, she hurried to reassure her. “Of course.” She hugged her tighter. “We are sisters, are we not? Would I lie to my little sister?” I hope I'm not lying. Sango felt her own twinge of guilt, but pushed it aside.

 

Kagome lifted her head and smiled at her. “Thank you, Sango.” She hugged her back, then let her go. “I know I don't tell you often enough, but you really are a good friend.”

 

Sango smiled warmly. “You are too, Kagome.” Her smile slipped away, and she became serious again. “You know you need to tell Inuyasha.”

 

Kagome shook her head almost violently. “I can't, Sango. Don't ask me to. He'll hate me, I know he will. I would rather just leave than have him hate me.”

 

Sango rolled her eyes. As if. She shot Kagome a look, and made her voice firm. “You can't just run away, Kagome, and you have to tell Inuyasha. From what you've told me, he thinks he may have hurt you. You can't let him keep thinking that. He deserves to know what really happened. Besides, you know as well as I do that he could never hate you.”

 

Kagome ignored her last statement, and Sango knew she didn't believe her. “I already told him he didn't hurt me. Just let it go. He'll forget it, and so can I.”

 

Sango began to feel exasperated. “You know better than that. He may seem slow, but I've noticed that you can't fool him for long. Besides,” she said, hating to bring it up again, but knowing it had to be done, “What if you are carrying his child?”

 

Kagome's face blanched white, and Sango knew she had hit a nerve. “I...I'll tell him, but not yet, okay?” She turned pleading eyes to Sango. “Please. Promise me you won't tell.”

 

“It's not my secret to tell, Kagome, but I do think you should tell him.” She would have said more, but Kagome cut her off.

 

“I'll tell him. I swear. Just let me do it my way, okay? Give me a day or two to figure out what to say. I have to go home again in a couple of days, anyway. I'll tell him before I go, and that way he'll have a couple of days to cool off before he sees me again. All right? Promise me you won't say anything to anyone until then.”

 

“Fine, I promise, but I still don't think this plan is wise.”

 

“You can tell me you told me so if it all backfires in my face,” Kagome said, a tiny hint of humor back in her voice now that Sango had given her a reprieve, but Sango could still hear the underlying tension.

 

Oh Kagome, I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

***

 

Shippou crawled out of the bush he had been hiding in and hurried back to the campsite, shocked at all the revelations he had received while listening to Sango and Kagome. Talk about too much information. He hadn't heard everything, just something about “sex”, “Inuyasha”, and “child”, but those three words together in a conversation were enough to guarantee that he'd be traumatized for life. He made a quick vow to never listen in on an adult conversation again...right before slamming into the legs of an annoyed hanyou.

 

Shippou found his feet dangling in the air after Inuyasha picked him up by the back of the neck. “What are you running from, runt?”

 

***

 

-to be continued-