InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ His Wish ❯ How I Do Love Thee ( Chapter 7 )

A/N: Hi people! I'm back with more fluff. I hope this chapter turned out well. I was sort of exhausted when I wrote it. Enjoy!

 

Remember: Inuyasha would be suffering from excessive glompage if he were mine.

 

Reminder: Any questions, comments, etc., please send in reviews or e-mail.

 

Chapter 7

How I Do Love Thee

 

Frantically, Kagome rushed into her house, up the stairs, and into her room. She grabbed the first pair of jeans she laid her eyes on, not really caring if they were washed or not. Luckily for her, her mother had just finished all the family's laundry not two hours earlier. Kagome flung open her top dresser drawer and removed a dark blue tee shirt from the pile. Pulling the garment over her head, she didn't notice what the shirt said until she was leaving the room. Kagome was reaching for the doorknob when her reflection in the mirror on the back of the door caught her eye.

 

The picture of a cartoon St. Bernard wearing sunglasses and looking tough adorned the front. The appliqué wasn't bad, but it was the words over the picture that made Kagome pause. `Big Dog Lover?' she groaned mentally. 'Why not staple a “Miss Lonely Hearts” personal ad to my forehead while I'm at it.' A glance at her watch told Kagome that she had no time to search for a different shirt if she wanted to make it to the school office before it closed.

 

She scurried out of her room and back down the stairs. A quick stop at the kitchen to let her mom know where she was going, and then she was out the front door. She had almost passed the Goshinboku when a voice startled her out of her single-mindedness.

 

“You know, that wasn't the nicest way to greet someone who'd crossed time and space to see you.”

 

She wasn't really surprised that he had come here. Shocked by how soon, yes, but not surprised. Slowly, Kagome turned to face the owner of the voice. She covertly crossed her fingers behind her back.

 

There he was. Just like she remembered. Leaning against the sacred tree like he owned it. Arms crossed over his chest in almost stubborn fashion. Long, claw-like nails tapped his upper arm impatiently. His face set in a scowl. Silver-white hair hanging below his waist with wild bangs just barely out of his golden-amber eyes. And the most adorable dog-ears to be found anywhere and anytime on earth.

 

Kagome could only stand and stare. She had no words for how glad she was. First, that he was here at all, and second, that he hadn't changed himself. The silence between the two teenagers grew into long minutes, with both of them just studying the other.

 

`It's so weird to see him in a school uniform,' Kagome thought. `Not that I mind, of course.' Since she had been too emotional at school to properly notice, she took the time now to check him out.

 

The navy blue of the uniform suited him well. Not as complimentary as his usual red ensemble, but just as defining. The red of the fire-rat had shown off his startling hair color, but the dark blue made both hair and eyes glow. The white and gold were in stark contrast with the blue and Kagome was ready to melt.

 

Melting was further encouraged by the cut of the uniform. His normal haori and hakama had been loose and baggy, with drooping sleeves. Very comfortable to be sure, but it had hidden his figure. This new outfit was a tighter fit. Still loose, especially with the top two buttons of the jacket open, but he wasn't swimming in the fabric. She could plainly see how lean he was, and how built. 'And let's not forget that butt.'

 

Her thoughts were broken in upon. “Are you finished looking me over?” His tone was harsh, but the light tint on his nose and his slightly downcast gaze said something else entirely.

 

Kagome tried to catch his eyes, so telling and clear, the most beautiful eyes ever. “Inuyasha.”

 

He glanced up and met her stare with one of his own. She could read his eyes like reading a book. There was fear, hope, giddiness, affection, concern, worry. There was something else too, something Kagome was afraid to name in case she was wrong.

 

“Kagome.” Suddenly, he was right in front of her. She hadn't seen him move at all. She didn't know what to say or do, no ideas except to just stand there drinking in the sight and presence of him. `Maybe I should touch him, just to see if I'm dreaming.'

 

Almost without her consent, Kagome's hand was already reaching up to stroke Inuyasha's cheek. The soft feel of his warm skin under her fingertips jolted her out of her daze. Loosing an inarticulate sob, she threw both of her arms around his neck and held on for dear life. She felt his arms slid about her waist to hold her weight and to just plain hold her.

 

“Kagome, I missed you so much,” Inuyasha whispered into her hair. Kagome turned her face into his hair and drew in a deep breath. The smell of dirt and, oddly enough, shampoo hit her nose. She couldn't help giggling as she remembered where she had smelled that dirty scent before. `He smells like Buyo after he's come in from rolling on the ground.'

 

“Kagome?” he asked, as he bent over so her feet were now on the ground instead of dangling. Then Inuyasha was gently pushing her body back from his, so he could look into her face. That giggle had slightly disturbed him. “Kagome, are you alright?”

 

Kagome pulled back and carefully brushed the tears from her eyes. She didn't know when she'd started crying, but she didn't really care. She giggled again, almost hysterically and with an occasional hiccup. She peeked up at Inuyasha's face and almost melted again at the warm concern that backlit the amber in his eyes. She smiled lightly at the hanyou to show she was all right. At her expression, Inuyasha broke into his own grin and Kagome cleared her throat to give a verbal answer. “Don't worry, Inuyasha. I'm just happy to see you.”

 

He bowed his head down to place his forehead against hers, his smile gradually fading. Closing his eyes, he replied, “Funny, I thought you were angry with me.”

 

Kagome tilted backwards to give him a puzzled look. “Why would you think I was mad at you, Inuyasha?”

 

He sighed, then slowly reopened his eyes. “All those `sits' you said earlier at school. You usually only sit me when I am being rude, chasing Shippou, or have made you mad.”

 

The hurt expression on his face was too much. “God, Inuyasha, I'm so sorry. I was so shocked at seeing you at my school that I didn't even think. I just said it.” Kagome dropped her gaze to her hands, which she'd brought in between their chests to fidget with. She was only vaguely aware that Inuyasha still had his arms loosely around her waist. “I was upset that you've been gone for so long and it didn't seem you had anything to show for all that time. I overreacted. Badly, too. I'm really, really sorry. I hope you can forgive me.” Kagome stopped herself before she said too much. She was waiting so tensely for Inuyasha to push her away, or yell at her, or something along those lines, that she was hardly ready for what he did do.

 

Inuyasha removed one of his hands from Kagome's hip and used it to lift her chin up. Once her gaze was on his face, he leaned forward until he was, once again, only centimeters from her lips. However, instead of taunting her like last time, Inuyasha gave a half-smile at her look of astonishment, slid his eyes shut, and completed the implied gesture.

 

Kagome was shocked. He'd done it! He'd actually kissed her! Well it was more like mouth on top of mouth than kissing, but the schoolgirl planned to remedy that. She lightly puckered her lips to return the kiss and to carry on. She had no experience to date, but when you're in high school, everyone knows the basic mechanics. Therefore, Kagome was able to make the moment more intimate than just lips touching. Soon she found herself wanting to be closer to her hanyou, so she replaced her arms about his neck and pulled him closer.

 

While not really knowing what to expect, but definitely not expecting this, Inuyasha hesitated. But only for a second. With Kagome pulled flush against his body and willing to continue, who was Inuyasha to refuse?

 

The next few minutes passed quickly enough. Various thoughts ran through both of their heads, most mirroring the others.

 

`This is amazing.'

 

`Why didn't I do this sooner?'

 

`OK, just a little sloppy.' (Referring to open-mouthed kisses)

 

`I can't believe she just stuck her tongue in my mouth.'

 

`I can't believe I just stuck my tongue in his mouth. Hey, wait a minute!'

 

`Ha ha. Got you back.' (Bad Inu!)

 

`What does this mean for us now?'

 

This last thought brought Kagome out of her dreamy haze. Pulling back from Inuyasha, who almost let out a whimper at the loss of contact, she cupped his face with her hands. Watching as he blearily opened his eyes, Kagome realized how much she loved this hanyou. `I don't think my heart can hold anymore, I love him so much.' The best way to make room for something more in something already full is to take some out. And since her heart was full of love and she felt the need to share it, this is exactly what Kagome did.

 

“Inuyasha.”

 

“Mm?” He was still disoriented from earlier.

 

“I want to tell you something.” Kagome was very proud that her voice hardly trembled.

 

Inuyasha was naturally curious. What could happen to make this day any better? Or, horrors of horrors, any worse?

 

Kagome stepped away fully from the hanyou, leaving about two feet between them. She suddenly felt very cold and lonely without Inuyasha's arms around her, even if he was in reaching distance. Folding her arms over her chest, Kagome walked to the bench that was set up behind the Goshinboku. She sat on the cool stone and motioned for Inuyasha to sit down next to her.

 

Once the hanyou was seated, Kagome continued, “First, I want to say thank you. You've given me the best birthday present ever.”

 

Inuyasha smirked slightly. “What makes you think you got the whole thing?”

 

“Huh?” Kagome glanced up from staring at her shoes, confusion evident. “What do you mean `the whole thing'?” Inuyasha just waved the question off and asked for her to resume what she was saying.

 

She lightly glared at the hanyou out of the corner of her eye, “Alright, you win, but you will explain yourself later.” Irritated when he just laughed, Kagome returned to her topic at hand. “As I was saying, thank you for being yourself. Not full demon. Not human. Just Inuyasha.” He blushed at the compliment. Kagome smiled. “There's no other way I'd have you. Which leads me to my second point.”

 

Here, she took a deep breath. This would be difficult, not as difficult as it would have been before their little make-out session, but difficult nonetheless. “We've known each other for two years now. About six months after we met, I came to a realization.” Another deep breath. “It was after Juroumaru and Kageroumaru and after I saw you with Kikyo.” Inuyasha flinched lightly, so Kagome took his hand in hers to show him that he'd been long forgiven. “Anyway, while I was home, wondering if I should just return the shards and forget our whole adventure, I passed under the Goshinboku.”

 

Kagome paused to gather her thoughts. Inuyasha gave her fingers a light squeeze, indicating that he was still there for her. She glanced over at him and smiled, a bit sadly he thought. She turned her eyes back to the sacred tree and forged ahead. “What I came to realize that day so long ago, was that I wanted,” she shook her head, “no, I needed to see you again, no matter the pain.” She sifted in her seat. “I discovered that, without me noticing, I had fallen-” Pause. “Fallen-” Close eyes and regain composure. “I had fallen i-in l-love with you.”

 

The silence after she'd revealed her best-kept secret (from Inuyasha at any rate) was unbearable. Kagome was afraid to look over at the hanyou or anything. The fact that his hand was now limp in hers said almost too much.

 

“Really?”

 

His voice was so soft that Kagome wasn't sure he'd actually said anything. But he had. The now firm grip on her fingers told her that he'd heard her, believed her, and accepted her. She risked a glance over to her companion.

 

Inuyasha had his head down, his white hair blocking his face from view. There was no telling what the hanyou was thinking, unless one studied his ears. Both of the fuzzy appendages were trained to the girl on the left of him. They seemed to be quivering with either excitement or strain from being so intently focused. Without even thinking, Kagome extricated her hand from Inuyasha's and reached up to pet his ears.

 

Now Kagome had never owned a dog. But she did have a cat and Buyo loved to have his ears rubbed. He wouldn't allow anyone but Kagome pet his ears. She hoped it was because she gave good ear rubs. Well, she'd find out now.

 

First, she started at the base of Inuyasha's left ear. She massaged the muscles that connected ear to head. When he visibly relaxed, Kagome switched to the right ear. A few moments of right ear tweakage though and her arm was getting tired. Then she had an idea.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

“Hmm?” He was already out of it.

 

“Slid to the end of the bench and lay back into my lap.” The hanyou was more than willing to comply, if it meant more ear rubs. He scooted to the edge of the bench, turned around, and lay back, his legs dangling off the side. Kagome had switched position as well and was now seated cross-legged, facing Inuyasha's back. When the hanyou lay down, his neck hit perfectly at her crossed ankles. Now back to the tweaking.

 

Kagome continued the massage, now with both hands, at the base of the ears. Slowly she moved her fingers up to the thinner skin of the ears. She was no longer massaging so much as smoothing the hair back into place. However, exert the right pressure and presto, one very happy kitty, er, hanyou.

 

After about five minutes, Kagome noticed that Inuyasha's breathing had lengthened and evened out. He was asleep. She smiled tenderly at the snoozing hanyou. She released his ears to stroke his hair and marvel at the boy she was in love with. A year and a half had only strengthened the emotion and Kagome always wondered if anybody else ever felt this strongly. Surely they must or there'd be nothing good in the world.

 

She sighed. `At least I finally told him how I basically feel. It's too complicated to explain all at once and even I don't understand it.' She gazed down fondly as she ran her fingers through his hair.

 

Suddenly, something Inuyasha had said earlier came to her. `He said that I hadn't seen the whole of my present yet. I wonder what he meant by that?' She considered waking him and demanding an explanation, but thought better of it. `I'll let him sleep a bit longer, then ask him.'

 

Nodding to herself, Kagome continued playing with the hair and ears of the hanyou in her lap.

 

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A/N (again): Did you like my fluff? I've never written a scene like that before, so I hope it came out all right. Not too sugary, but not too slapstick (I use the term loosely) either. Let me know. Till next time!