InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Highschool Hanyous and Miko Memories ❯ Sleepovers and Midnight talks ( Chapter 3 )

 

Catching the poor girl before she hit the floor, I smelled the pain and self disgust in her scent. She's really not having a good day; this is the second time I know of that she's been unconscious. Holding her carefully, I ignored my bother's baffled snort and carried her to the living room couch. Arranging her on there as comfortably as I could, I grabbed my jacket from where it had fallen to the floor and covered her with it. Glaring silently at my brother, I jerked my head to the door and stormed out, seething.

As soon as the Taiyoukai deemed me ready to accept his presence, Sesshomaru glided out of the room, Jaken on his heels. Snarling at him, I spoke low. “You will never address her as such again, and I demand an apology for her. That was completely uncalled for, and you say that I have no manners!”

“Are you calm?” Sesshomaru's voice was cold, which just pissed me off more.

“No brother I am not! You insulted and threatened my guest! I bite my tongue often enough for your guests, you can at least return the favor!”

“She has Naraku's scent on her, she is not a guest in my home!” Came the biting reply, and I noticed Jaken dart off for Sessomaru's wing. Coward.

“That's `cause he fucking raped her! Maybe if you used that brain of yours you'd have recognized the blatant hurt and fear in her scent! She passed out earlier, and you aren't helping none!” I got into my brother's face, something I rarely did for fear of having my nose sliced off, and snarled. “Stay the fuck away from her.”

Spinning, I stomped back into the room to sit at her side, brushing a few tears from her cheek. “That went well, didn't it?” I asked her still figure. As I looked down at her prone form, I felt all the anger leaving me, instead filling me up with a urge to protect. “He didn't even flinch when Sango came in the door with her Hirakosu one day, and you have him insulting you right off the bat. If anything, I'll keep you around to piss him off.” I gave a dry chuckle, which stopped as she whimpered and curled into a ball underneath my coat.

She clutched at it with white fingers, whimpering and sobbing quietly in her sleep as she battled her nightmares. Tears steadily streamed down her face as she fought, eyes screwed shut against her unseen vision. “N-no, please.” She sobbed, “stop.” She gave an anguished yell that I'm sure all the occupants of the house heard, youkai ears or not. “Don't hurt me.”

“Hey girl.” I spoke softly, kneeling down to cradle her face between my hands. “No one's going to hurt you while I'm around.” I whimpered to her in Inu out of pure instinct. `Calm, mate be calm. Mate safe.' I continued to talk to her in both human and Inu, sighing as her body relaxed and her breathing eased. “Sleep Kagome, you're safe.” I murmured, feeling this undeniable urge to cradle her and comfort her. Like she was my mate.

Giving in, I picked her up, working her into a bridal carry without loosing my jacket.

“Am I going to get that back?” I teased when she brought it to her face. Carrying her carefully to my bedroom, I placed her on the bed, easing the covers around her and stepping back. “Guess there isn't going to be much studying done anyhow.” As I turned to leave, because I didn't want her or my bastard brother getting the wrong idea, she started up again.

I had thought that my scent would be enough to calm her, but I was wrong. Moving as softly as possible, I shut the door and the lights off before slipping into the bed beside her. She literally glued herself to my side, huddling closer than before, clenching my shirt in her fists like I was going to leave. Putting both arms around her, I snuggled against her, feeling something right fall into place.

We lay for about four hours before she woke again, and in that time I didn't close my eyes once. I just lay beside her and studied her, raking my claws through her hair leisurely and up and down her back. Her scent was so thoroughly soaked into my sheets and pillows I never wanted to wash them again. She can keep the jacket too, next time I wore it it'll smell like her.

As her breathing increased, and her body began to wriggle in the pre wakeful stretching, I steeled myself for her earlier reaction. She had been afraid, and rightly so. Fuck, I shouldn't have stayed. I was contemplating how to detangle our legs when her eyes opened.

At first, only the fog of sleep remained, which quickly burned away to fear, which I flinched away from. Then, relief and calm washed into her scent, and she pulled herself closer. “Kagome? You ok?” I asked, unsure of how to react. Hug her closer or just stay still?

Luckily, I didn't have to decide because she pulled away of her own accord. Turning slightly red, she looked away, up at the ceiling. “Thank you for staying.” She mumbled, and I gave her a nod and smile in return.

“No biggie. Come on wench, I'm hungry.” She gave a weak laugh and sat up. She put a hand to her head as the blood rushed to it, and I say the dizzy look before it faded. She took a careful step forward before she staggered into my arms.

“This is kind of embarrassing. You have to keep catching me.” She giggled weakly, staring up at me with big brown eyes.

“It's alright. Got nothing better to do.” Moving around, I offered my back. “Up ya go girl, I'm not caring you around in my arms. And you can't walk very well it seems.” Hesitantly, she grasped my shoulders. Hosting her up, I grasped her thighs to hold her in place. “I had Rin call your aunt, she knows your staying here for the night.” I started for the stairs, taking them all at once to land at the second floor landing. She gave a little gasp, and held me tighter, but no fear tainted her scent. Only excitement and trust. “You can either stay in my quarters, or a room can be made up for you.”

“But where will you sleep?” She clutched me a little closer, and something akin to embarrassment entered her scent.

“On the couch, in the room or in the living room. Doesn't matter.” I jumped down to the first floor, shushing her so I could listen. Sesshomaru was still in his study with Rin and the toad, and there was no one else in the house. “Really Kagome, it doesn't matter to me.”

“But it's your room.” She slid of my back to stumble to my side.

“And it's my house.” Kagome gave a yelp and dove into my arms, hiding and digging away from Sesshomaru. Turning to him slowly, I gathered Kagome closer. Snarling warningly, I took a few steps back, trying to figure out a way to get her to safety before I ripped him to shreds.

“Calm your snarling brother, I mean no harm.” Sesshomaru stepped out of the hallway and closer to us. He stopped as Kagome's fear scent spiked, sending the girl a confused glance.

“I'm warning you Sesshomaru, one more step and you won't like what happens.” I growled, trying to detangle Kagome from my shirt and push her behind me.

“Again brother, I mean no harm. To you or your friend.”

“What exactly do you want Sesshomaru?” I couldn't get Kagome to let go, and I didn't blame her. Facing Sesshomaru on a good day was scary, and Kagome hadn't been having a very good day.

“To apologize.” He said, losing some of his coldness. He was watching Kagome with a look of confirmed suspicion. “What I said earlier wasn't justified. Nor honorable.” He stepped closer, stopping not five feet away. “Kagome Higurashi, you have my sincerest apologizes for my hasty words, along with any discomfort I have caused. Now that I am aware fully of the situation, it will not happen again. You and your family,” this came out a little stressed, and I knew who he was thinking about, “are welcome in my home, and have my protection.” He bowed, something I never saw him do to anyone less than a youkai, turned on his heel, and left.

“What the fuck just happened?” I muttered, helping Kagome into the kitchen. “That youkai bastard never apologizes for anything. That'd be admitting he was wrong.” I looked down at the trembling girl. “He's gone, you're safe.” I whispered, picking her up to place her on the counter. Clumsily, I started to wipe away her tears, careful of my claws that rasped against her skin. “I guess your staying in my room after all.”

“Did he mean Kikyo?” She stammered, catching my hand to hold it against her cheek.

“Your family thing? No, I don't think even he could fake that much indifference.” I smiled at her, stroking her cheek with my thumb. She finally wound down after about fifteen minutes, and didn't release me for a second. Not that I was complaining or anything.

“Alright, do you like ramen?” I said, handing her a damp cloth. “We've got any kind imaginable and you're more than welcome to it. If not, I think I can make you something else up.” I was lying, I couldn't cook worth crap.

“Beef Ramen?” She chirped, smiling up at me.

“Beef Ramen it is.” I opened my personal cupboard, stocked up with stacks upon stacks of instant ramen cups, and grabbed two beef. Popping them into the microwave, we had ramen in seconds. “Here ya go.” I grabbed a pair of chopsticks and jumped up beside her.

Eating in silence, I showed restraint in my normal gulping, eating at her pace. Frankly, I was still trying to figure out what had prompted Sesshomaru's change of heart. “Must have been Rin.” I muttered, poking absently at the rest of the noodles.

“Whose Rin? You mentioned her before.” Kagome had finished and was looking around the kitchen.

“She's my brother's mate. What do you want?” I was getting fidgety. I didn't play the part of good host very often, and I didn't want to scare her any worse than she already was.

“Um…a drink would be nice. Where do you keep your cups?” She made to jump down, but I was faster.

“Stay up there wench, I'll get it.” I stalked to the refrigerator to grab two cans of coke. “I'm sorry for my brother, I didn't think he'd be that big of an ass.” I popped her can for her and handed it to her. She smiled at me, in a way that sent little shivers down my spine.

“I've heard worse.” She said, taking a careful sip and looking down at the floor. “How-why-”

“He could smell it on you.” I whispered back, finishing off my own drink in seconds. “It's faint, but still there. Kikyo smells like Naraku even more.” I threw my empty can into the trash can and stepped in front of her so we could see eye to eye. “I didn't smell it on you at first, mostly because of your natural scent.” I blushed, but continued. “Your natural scent overwhelms a lot of things.” Mostly just me. “Don't worry, it'll be ok. It'll go away eventually.”

“Can-em-I mean, I want to change, but-” She flushed, and looked down at her rumbled clothing.

“You're about Rin's size, and if she doesn't have anything-which I doubt is the case, her closet's the size of my room- you can borrow some of my old clothes. For tonight of course.” I hastened to explain, forcing the thought of her in my shirt, which would be too long for her and would maybe hit mid thigh, from my brain. The old red one would look really sexy…

“Oh, thanks. Hey Inuyasha,” I turned around to let her climb onto my back. “thanks for taking care of me. I don't mean to be a pain or anything.”

“You're not a pain. Just don't get used to the whole nice thing, I don't do it often.” I grasped her thighs softly, keeping her in place. “So, back to bed or would you like to do something else?”

“It's-“ pause, “11:30. what can we possibly do at this late at night?”

“I didn't say leave the house.” I huffed back, going to stand out on the second story balcony. Her reaction from my jump made my pride swell, along with other things. “Or we could go for a run.”

“I'm not very athletic, I wouldn't be able to keep up.” She rested her chin on my shoulder. The innocent action made me shiver, and yet again I had to pull my mind out of the gutter.

“I didn't mean you run. I run and you just ride.” I pulled her a little closer. “I won't drop you, and I won't go too fast, promise.”

“Alright.” She shivered and clung a little closer. “Can we get a coat or something first? It looks like it's snowing.” It was, I could smell it on the air. Heading back to my room, I let her down long enough to grab my coat and then we went out my third story window. She gave a short screech as we fell, but I shortened it by jumping instead to the oak beside my window.

“Easy!” I said, shaking my head to clear the ringing. “Not so loud!” I grumbled, jostling her a bit to catch her attention.

“Sorry, but you scared me!” She snapped back. “A little warning would be nice.”

“Alright, next time I'll warn you.” I didn't like to scare the poor girl, who was shaking slightly. “Promise.”

“Are we in a tree? It's not safe up here!” She clung closer to me, shaking slightly more.

“I said I wouldn't drop you.”

“Still too high.” She mumbled, pushing her face between my shoulder blades.

I caught on immediately, and gave a small smirk. She was afraid of heights. I'll have to remember that. “Warning.” I said, dropping to the ground gracefully and holding her tighter to me.

“Jerk!” She gasped, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing. If I hadn't been hanyou I wouldn't be able to breath.

“What? I gave you a warning. Now, where would you like to go Kagome?” I was giddy, reminded of the first time that my own father had taken me for a run on his back. That of course, had been years ago and I had been quite a bit smaller than Kagome was now.

“I don't know!” She squirmed, intent on either getting a better position or torturing me to death, I was sure it was one of the two.

“Hmm, I think I'll take you to the beach house. It's not so far away. You'll like the ocean.” I spun on my heels, jumping over the gates and dodging scampering guards. Sesshomaru'll yell at me later for that.

Snow and trees turned to one solid grey blur as I leapt and ran, pushing myself to my top limit. No fear remained in her scent, just surprise and excitement. Whooping, I took up into the trees, using them to take me faster and higher. She clung to me, squeezing with her arms and legs as she squealed and laughed in my ears.

Before going to the beach, I decided to take her up to my secret spot, where I went when everything else decided to kick my ass royally. Miroku and Sango didn't even know about it. As I ran, I concentrated on feeling the heat of her body pressed against my back, the feel of her legs and arms tightening and releasing as we fell through the air. I could hear her heartbeat over the sound of my footsteps, and it reminded me of a bird's, fast and soft all at once.

Stopping a few feet away from the ridge, I let her slide down, a small spike of confusion in her scent. “I won't let you fall, I promise.” I took her arm, made sure the coat was still firmly wrapped around her, and lead her to the edge. “Alright, look out.”

You could see the whole town from here. A fierce, dark skyline dotted with yellow and orange lights cut into the sky. The coast, the waves crashing rough and gray against the shore, stretched out at out feet. Standing at the edge, I could hear the rush of the highways and dull roar of the city. Behind us was an untouched wilderness that my family had owned for generations. Even the docks looked romantic from up here, without the slightest smell of fish to overwhelm me with.

“Do you like it?” I was nervous about showing any one this. But Kagome seemed so much different from just `anyone.'

“It's so beautiful, I should bring my sketch book up here. Look at the lights! And the ocean! Inuyasha it's wonderful!” She laughed, the first time I had ever heard such a free sound, the notes all falling through the air. “How did you find this place?”

“My dad used to give me rides like that. He brought me up here, before he died. Told me that whatever happened, I'd never feel alone. I didn't understand back then, but every time I come up here, I can still feel him, holding me on his shoulders as we pointed at what we saw. During the summer bats live down in the caves. He brought me out when I was five, and we watched this huge swarm of small black specks cover the sky! When it gets warmer, I can show you.” My voice dropped an octave. “I've never shown anyone before.”

A moment of silence, and for a frightening second, I thought she was going to laugh at me. Idiot! You sounded like such a freakin' pansy! That's it; you are never going to say anything to her ever again!

Then, she was hugging me, again. I held my arms out from my side, looking down at the top of her head, uncertain of how to respond. As I was getting my courage up to hug her back, she whispered into my shirt “Thank you.”

I was baffled. Sure, it meant the world to me, my hiding place, but why was she so emotional about it? It wasn't like I gave her a ring or some dumb shit like that. “What do ya mean wench?” Nervousness and confusion made my voice sharper than I had meant it to be, but I reassured her by wrapping my arms around her shoulders. There was no way I was letting the chance to hold her get away.

“It's just, no one's ever wanted to share something like that with me. I've never had anyone close. When my mom…” Her voice broke, and I suddenly wondered about that. She had mentioned something earlier, about living with her cousin and aunt, but why? That hadn't really crossed my mind.

“It's alright `Gome, you don't have to say anything.” Even though I was dying to know, I had hated it myself when strangers had poked their noses into still gaping wounds. What had hurt her so much? First the Naraku thing, who I was going to rip to shreds the moment I laid eyes on him, and then her family.

“No, I want to.” A deep sigh and she burrowed closer, for comfort and warmth. “My mom was in a car accident. It just happened. I was talking to her on the cell phone and then I heard her scream and this big crunch, like when you smash a pop can with your heel you know? The phone must have fallen to the floor boards, because I could hear smaller crashes and breaking glass too. I couldn't stop yelling into the phone. My brother was in the car too. They were driving back from a soccer game. I didn't go. They wanted me to, but I got out of it by telling her I had homework. I lied, I went to the mall to see one of my friends. Now I can't see either of them.”

“Kamis.”

“After a few minutes, I finally found another phone and called the police. It took me an hour -a goddamn hour!- to finally get a hold of someone who knew anything. By then my friends had ditched me and I had to call Jii-chan to come and pick me up.” A strong scent of tears hit the air, and I shuddered as the hot liquid burned into my skin. Why was she so trusting? Why did she feel the need to tell me? Not that I didn't like it, as much as you could when a small fragile girl broke down in your arms, but why? What was so special about me?

“When we made it to the hospital, I nearly died again. Souta's left leg had been crushed, and they had to amputate it so he would live. I'd never get to see him play soccer again…” She started to cry again, and for more then ten minutes she couldn't speak a coherent word. Finally, her sobs sputtered down to hiccups. “An-d m-my mom. Sh-she never woke up!”

How could the Kamis hurt someone so pure? What had she ever done to deserve this pain? I wanted to kill someone! “Kagome…” I pressed my lips to her hair, knowing nothing I could say would make this better, make the pain go away.

“Jii-chan couldn't take care of both me and Souta, and the hospital bills, so I volunteered to come back here. Aunt Kaede had always been nice to me, even if Kikyo…” There was no need to finish that sentence. Kikyo was Kikyo, there was no other way to describe it. “I still visit Mama on the weekends, and talk to her, even if she can't talk back. The doctors say she might not ever wake up, but Jii-chan doesn't care. He says it's up to the Kamis if she lives or dies, and they let her live. If you can call a coma living.”

Wait a second, I thought she was dead! But she was right, there wasn't much of a difference. Coma or dead, neither could hold you when you cried or make you soup when you were sick. No more lullabies at night, or someone to chase away the darkness. “I know Kagome, I know. I miss my mother too.” A single question was still bothering me, dancing in the back of my head. Where was her father?

I refused to ask it though, so we stood, a single black dot on the cliff, looking down at the big bad world. One I vowed to protect her from until I drew my last breath.

Finally, the cold got too much for Kagome to stand and she asked to go back. I nodded, feeling nothing but warmth. “Hey Kagome?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.” She didn't need to be told what for, as she nodded off against my shoulder. Holding her bridal style to protect her from the cold, I tucked her head more firmly beneath my chin.

Kagome was drifting towards sleep as I stepped through the front door, not wanting to bother her as she did look really beautiful and happy as she slept, a smile just touching the corners of her lips.

Hell, when did I get so soft?

Sesshomaru was standing next to my door with Rin, who held clothes for the girl resting against my chest. His usually stoic gold eyes softened minutely as they took me in, and it took me a few moments to register how I appeared.

Before we could start into one another, Rin stepped between us. “Hush, she's sleeping. Here Inuyasha,” She placed the clothes on Kagome's stomach. “I tried to find her some things she would like. But if not, send her to our room.”

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, but kept his comments to himself. “Goodnight you two.” I said, keeping my voice to a low rumble. “Sess, thanks, for understanding.”

“It surprises me that you were right, but I guess even your entitled your one moment. She is your date for the dinner?” I nodded, and he sighed. “It's a formal, so please dress nicely. Your other two friends are coming also?”

“Yeah, If you don't mind, I'm going to bed.” I paced around them, nodding to Rin as I passed. Wow, maybe I should yell at him more often.

Swinging the door shut with my foot, I carefully dropped her onto the bed and looked down at her. “Hey. Kagome!” I hissed, poking her in the side. “Wake up! You wanted to change, so get your ass up!” Oh, that might not be a very nice way to wake her, and as her eyes opened into narrow slits, I had a flash of me laying somewhere dark and bleeding.

“Didn't mean nothing by it.” I muttered, looking away. Stupid mouth.

She continued to stare at me, and then stared some more. Getting uncomfortable, I growled at her, “What?”

“Clothes? That is what you woke me up for right?” She was amused at my embarrassment! “Is there somewhere I can change?”

“Bathroom's that way.” I pointed, falling to the side to lay on my back. Listening to her move around, I waited until she closed the door to change myself, setting the alarm so we could wake up for school tomorrow, not that I wanted to go but she might. Again, I was going fucking soft.

There was something about her, a kind of déjà vu. But I could swear that I'd never seen her before. Nor have I heard about her. Still, she pushed me to protect her with my life, like I could do battle with youkai just to see her safe and smiling.

“Hey, Inuyasha?

I sat up, ashamed that she had snuck up so easily. The pajamas that Rin had loaned her were silk, and she seemed slightly uncomfortable wearing the high end green fabric. A button up shirt with short sleeves, and short little girl boxers, I had to roll over onto my stomach to hide my growing embarrassment.

Of course, I could tell she was admiring my choice in sleeping material, one pair of devil red boxers and no shirt. I had seen her checking me out in the basket ball game and I wanted to see if I got the same reaction twice. “Yeah Kagome?” I was beaming on the inside when she turned another shade of pink and her eyes darted back up to mine. I really really wanted to say `You can touch my abs if ya want, they are real.' However, I didn't think that would go over all that well.

“Where are you sleeping again?” Again more pink. Really, does she pass out if she gets too embarrassed?

“Right, I was just leaving.” Having managed to get the traitorous part of my body under control, I bounded off the bed and towards the door. “I'll be down the hall if you need anything; it's the door by the stairs.”

“Oh.” Was that disappointment I heard? Did she want me to stay in here? Don't push your luck Inu, getting slapped at two in the morning isn't on the top ten list of things I want to happen.

“Good night.” With nothing better to say, I grabbed the door knob.

“Will you sleep beside me?” Her blurted question caused me to jump and stare back at her. She wouldn't look me in the eye as she asked, turning a bright vibrant pink. “I don't want to be alone. And you,” All at once, she looked up, and whatever was in those chocolate pools burned a hole straight through to my soul. “You keep the nightmares away.”

Nodding, I let her pull me towards the bed. I didn't have the courage or the words to tell her, but she did too.