InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I'm Sorry ❯ Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own, didn't create, but I sure do love it.

Author's Note: Well, I finally managed to post 10 chapters, and it seems that people like what I'm writing. My replies to my kind reviewers are at the end of the chapter. Thanks.

 

Chapter 11

 

After leaving Kagome to her studying, Inuyasha went back to his room and changed out of the modern clothes, and back into his usual bright red outfit. After that, he lounged back in the window, thinking about all the changes that had happened over the last few days; they were coming so fast, he couldn't really get comfortable with any of them.

 

`I'm not sure how I feel about all of this, especially being pack leader…I wonder what everyone else is going to think when I tell them, although Kagome seems to be accepting it. In fact, I think she's actually happy about it. `Course she was the one who figured out that we had responsibilities to Shippo first, and really, that's what started me thinking about the whole `pack' thing.'

 

Staring out the window a while longer, he sighed to himself, `I'm still not sure how to treat Shippo, but I think that I'll concentrate on teaching him to fight and hunt. At least I know how to do those things, anyways. Hmm, Sango must have taught sometimes, in her village, maybe she knows some good tricks; I'll ask her when we get back. For now, I think I'll see if I can remember how those ronin I used to spy on would practice using their swords, that's how I first learned. Maybe if I try to work through that stuff while I'm still here, I can be ready to teach the runt when we get back.'

 

With that, he leaped down from the window, landing lightly outside the house. Turning away, he headed to the far end of the shrine grounds, where he had seen a group of trees surrounding an open area, the purpose of which he had no idea.

 

As he walked, he scanned the shrine, looking for any signs of danger or any observers. Seeing no problems, when he reached his destination, he unsheathed Tetsusaiga, but kept it in its untransformed state. Slowly, forcing himself to remember exactly what he had done years earlier, when he first taught himself to use a sword, he began repeating the practice patterns as carefully as he could.

 

After about a half-hour, he felt that he had the patterns almost perfect, and so he began speeding up, until he was going through the exercises as a blur of red and silver. Even as he repeated them, again and again, he tried to think about any other ways of learning and teaching that he could use.

 

Finally, he remembered a conversation between Miroku and Sango that he had overheard a couple of months before. They had been talking about the battle with Jarumaru, and Sango had said that she liked going back over old fights in her head, trying to see where she could have done things differently, when Miroku had mentioned that he had been taught to refight battles, without an opponent, because it helped to show him details about the fight that he had forgotten, and that he found it a good way to practice when he didn't have a sparring partner…of course, that was when his hand started to wander towards Sango's backside, and she had hit him and walked off. But, still…maybe he could try refighting some of the old fights to see if he could figure out things he could teach Shippo.

 

Sliding to a stop, Inuyasha sheathed Tetsusaiga and closed his eyes and tried to remember some of his fights when he hadn't had a sword, or chose not to use it. Finally, he nodded and taking a deep breath, he picked a fight he had once had with a neko youkai and began replaying it again.

 

Clumsily at first, but slowly becoming more graceful and smooth, Inuyasha repeated each strike, dodge, and leap, just as it had occurred, almost five years before, not counting the fifty years he had been sealed to the tree by Kikyo's arrow. When he had finished the fight, he thought about how he could show Shippo how to use his fangs and claws first, and then a knife and sword, to fight against different sized opponents.

 

Nodding, Inuyasha began the fight again, this time he paused frequently, as he tried to adapt his actions to ones that Shippo could achieve. Once he had finished adapting the battle, he repeated again and again, faster each time, because he wanted to be able to show Shippo precisely what to do.

 

After two hours of this, Inuyasha had adapted four of his battles from his youth into, he hoped, useful training fights for Shippo. Deciding that he had enough to at least start at training the kitsune, he started going over some of his more recent battles, including two of his fights with Koga and all three of his fights with his brother. As he refought Koga, he remembered how fast he was, with two Shikon shards embedded in his legs, and he consciously tried to push his own speed up as much as he could, trying not so much to match Koga's speed, but rather to see if he could anticipate his moves. As he whirled, faster and faster, he didn't notice the old man watching him from outside the main shrine office.

 

Wrapped up in his memories of old battles, Inuyasha was brought back to the present by Kagome's scent coming closer.

 

“What…?” Spinning around, he saw her walking towards him, carrying a pitcher and some cups.

 

“Hi. You look like you've been busy. Would you like something cold to drink?” she asked, holding the pitcher up and ready to pour into a cup.

 

Sheathing Tetsusaiga, he pushed his hair out of his eyes and nodded, “Yeah, that sounds good.” Accepting a cup of lemonade, he sniffed at it carefully, took a cautious sip, his eyes widening at the surprising taste. Deciding that he liked it, he took another, longer drink and said, “This is good! What's it called?”

 

Kagome smiled at him and said, “It's called lemonade. I like it a lot when it's hot, or when I'm really thirsty.” Seeing that his cup was almost empty, she held out the pitcher again, and asked, “Would you like some more?”

 

Hastily swallowing the rest of the drink, Inuyasha held out the cup. “Yes, it's really good! It does a good job of easing my thirst.” When she had finished filling his cup, he went on. “Umm, is there any way to bring this `lemonade' through the well? I know you bring fruit juice back for Shippo, but I think everyone would like this stuff.”

 

Kagome shrugged and said, “I could bring back some powdered lemonade, that's how I bring the fruit juice, in powdered form. Sure, I'll pick some up before we go. Anyways, mama just told me that it's almost time for dinner, so if you're hungry, let's go in and get washed up, so we can eat.”

 

Inuyasha nodded, and started walking back to the house alongside the young girl. After a moment, Inuyasha asked “Speaking of going back, how soon will you be ready to go back?”

 

Kagome started nervously, “Umm, I really would like to stay until Tuesday evening. I have three tests that I need to take in the morning, and then I'll be ready to go. If that's okay?” As she spoke, she was hoping that she wouldn't have to fight him over the two days in school.

 

Inuyasha just looked at her and then asked, “Tuesday? That's two more days, right?” Seeing her nod, he went on, “Sure, that shouldn't be a problem, but…” he paused, looking at her very seriously, “I want to spend some of that time getting ready to deal with the runt, okay?”

 

Shocked at his agreement, she said, “Okay, I mean, that's one of the reasons I wanted you to stay here, remember?”

 

Taking her seat at the dining table, Inuyasha beside her, she thought `This is sooo weird, Inuyasha never lets me stay here without a fight! Usually I have to `sit' him at least once before he'd even consider letting me stay two extra days! And he wants to `get ready to deal with the runt' before we go back. It's like I'm seeing a side of him that has been buried deep inside. I wonder if it has to do with his realizing that he's a pack leader?' As she pondered the changes that she was seeing in her friend, she was enjoying the baked fish and stir-fried vegetables that her mother had prepared, but not paying particular attention to the conversation at the table. Sota brought her back by saying loudly, “Kagome! Kagome! Did you hear me?”

 

“What? Sorry, Sota. I was thinking about some other stuff. What did you say?” Kagome asked, shaking her head to clear it of her speculations.

 

Sighing loudly, and very dramatically, Sota said, “I want to go to the big park, you know the one with the bike ramps and stuff, and mom said it's okay, as long as you come along with me. So, do you have your homework done yet? And would you please come with me? I really want to try out some of stunts Jiro showed me yesterday? Please?”

 

Kagome looked at her brother's eager face, thought about her homework, most of which was done, and how little time she actually spent with her baby brother, and said “Sure, Sota. After dinner, okay?”

 

Practically bouncing out of his seat, Sota shouted “Thanks, Kagome! Hey, Inu no nii-chan, would you like to come too? I could show you some really cool tricks on my bike! Please?!”

 

Inuyasha hid a smile at Sota's happiness, and simply grunted “Keh.”

 

Giggling at Sota's look of confusion, Kagome said, “That means `Yes' Sota.” Turning back to her dinner, Kagome finished up quickly and started helping her mother with the dishes. Sota dashed up the stairs, calling for Inuyasha to “Please, come see my stuff,” back over his shoulder.

 

After seeing Sota put on his biking gear, Inuyasha grabbed a change of modern clothes and went into the bathroom to wash up before putting on the clean clothes. Once he was finished, he knocked on Kagome's door and asked, “Kagome, can I come in?” Having been `sit' before because he didn't wait for her to answer, he was careful to make sure it was okay, before he entered.

 

“Come on in, I'm almost ready to go.” At this, he opened the door and stepped in. Kagome was sitting on her bed, putting on her shoes. She was dressed in a different skirt, a longer one than what she normally wore, and of a light blue color, instead of her usual green. She had on a white, short-sleeved top, embroidered with tiny butterflies along the edges.

 

He froze, looking at her, it was like he was seeing her for the first time. `She…she's pretty! Really, really pretty! How could I not have seen this before? Arrgh! What's wrong with me? It's not like I haven't seen her before! Why should her wearing different clothes make such a difference?' “Umm, so, where are we going, anyways? Back to the park we were at this morning?”

 

Shaking her head, she said, “No, this park is actually quite a bit bigger, and in a different direction. It's also a little farther away. Not much, but a little bit.” Jumping to her feet, she said. “Okay, I'm ready to go.” Picking up her purse from her dressing table, she put a book from the stack on her desk inside, and swung it over her shoulder. Smiling at Inuyasha, she led the way out of her room and down to where Sota was waiting, standing next to his bicycle.

 

Looking at the older teens, Sota opened his mouth to make a comment about how nice Kagome was dressed, and ask her what the occasion was, but decided not to, since she was doing him a favor, and well…he really liked Inuyasha, and maybe if Inuyasha liked Kagome, he might stay around longer. All he said instead was, “Hi, you guys. Let's go.”

 

Together, the three of them started down the shrine steps, with Sota struggling to keep the bike under control. Without any warning, Inuyasha picked up the bike and carried it down to the street. Handing it back to Sota, Inuyasha asked, “Which way, now?”

 

Kagome pointed down the street, and said “This way, it's a couple of blocks past my school. It'll take 15 or 20 minutes to get there, and then once in the park, we have to go to the area set up for bikes and skateboards.”

 

Sota put on his bike helmet and hopped on his bike, and said, “I want to ride there, but mom said I had to stay close to you, so I'm just going to ride slow and circle around you guys, okay?”

 

Inuyasha acknowledged Sota with a simple “Feh.”

 

Kagome said “Okay, Sota,” and reached over and took Inuyasha's hand in hers, and began walking down the street, oddly at peace, as she resolutely put all of her concerns aside, determined to enjoy the rest of the day with Inuyasha.

 

As they approached Kagome's middle school, Inuyasha broke the peaceful silence. “So, what kind of `tests' do you have to take this week?”

 

“Tests?” she repeated, puzzled at his interest. “Well, I missed a Math test and an English test while I was gone, and I have a Biology test to take as well. The Math and English tests shouldn't be too hard, since both of them cover material I've been studying all along. Unfortunately, the Biology test is about stuff that I haven't seen before…”

 

Interrupting, Inuyasha asked “What kind of stuff, I thought that you had that `Biology' book with you, didn't you?”

 

“It's on insects, and their internal structure,” she shook her head, “and while I was out, the teacher jumped to an entirely different section of the text, so none of the stuff I was studying will be of any help.” Shrugging her shoulders, she went on, “Anyways, I'll just have to study tonight and tomorrow night and hope for the best. One thing though, we have to start dissecting on Tuesday, and knowing how squeamish most of my classmates are, that's not going to be a lot of fun.”

 

“Hey, Kagome, you're squeamish, you scream whenever you have to pick a worm up in garden. I bet you pass out if you have to dissect worms and bugs.” Sota said laughing, as he caught up with them once more.

 

Inuyasha barked a sharp laugh, and said, “Kagome is soft-hearted, but she'll do what ever she has to do. Anyways, what kind of word is that? Squeamish? It doesn't mean anything, does it?” He looked back and forth between Sota and Kagome before going on, “Besides, after having to pull shards out of youkai eyeballs, brains and steaming guts, I don't think she's going to have any problems with a little worm.”

 

Kagome grimaced at his description, but agreed, saying “Ick. But, I really don't think dissection is going to be too hard. It's got to be better than pulling out shards, or patching you guys up after some of the fights.”

 

Turning left after passing the school, they kept going until the street ended at the entrance to a large, wooded park.

 

“Kagome, can I ride ahead and see if I can find Jiro and the others? I promise I won't start on any stunts until you guys get there, but I want to find my friends.” Sota asked eagerly.

 

“Go ahead, but be careful, okay,” she said, her last words spoken to the back of his head as he sped off into the park.

 

Kagome laughed at the sight of her brother speeding off on his bike, and even Inuyasha smiled a little.

 

A few minutes later, Kagome and Inuyasha found a place to sit on a bench overlooking the collection of ramps, quarter- and half-pipes and other obstacles that were being used by about a dozen boys and girls, ranging in age from 7 to 15. The two of them sat down and relaxed, just watching Sota and the others riding their bikes, and performing (or at least trying to) a huge variety of jumps and stunts.

 

After a few minutes, Kagome spoke up. “Inuyasha, may I ask you something?”

 

“Huh? What is it,” he responded, still watching the antics below them.

 

“Before dinner, I saw you working out. I've never seen you do anything like that before, I mean, I've seen you fight all the time, but I've never seen you practicing. Is it that you normally do it in private, or what?”

 

He finally turned his amber gaze on her, and slowly answered. “No, I really don't do anything like that, not really. It's just that…I was trying to figure out how to teach Shippo, and I was trying something I heard Miroku and Sango talking about.” He paused, staring at Kagome thoughtfully, “I guess you could say I was fighting some battles over again, only this time I was trying to break them down so that I could show the runt how to do it. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be.”

 

“Why, Inuyasha? You're one of the best fighters in the Sengoku Jidai, why would it be hard to show Shippo how to fight?”

 

Startled he asked, “You, you think I'm a good fighter?”

 

Kagome looked at him and said, “Inuyasha, I've seen you fight monsters that were not only huge in size, but huge in power. You always find a way to defeat them. You're very strong, Inuyasha, one of the strongest people I've every seen. But, you know what? That's not what really counts. What matter's is that you don't give up, you never quit, and always, always protect your friends.”

 

Kagome reached up and cupped his blushing cheek in her hand. “I didn't mean to embarrass you, but it's the truth. My god, Inuyasha, you've beaten Sesshomaru, THREE TIMES!! You utterly destroyed Ryukotsusei in single combat; Menomaru, Princess Kaguya and who knows how many others that you've fought and defeated. You can act like a real stubborn jerk sometimes, but,” she shrugged “hey, I'm just as stubborn, sometimes.”

 

Lifting his hand, he covered hers, pressing her hand to his cheek. “Kagome…” Unsure of what he wanted to say, of even how he was feeling, he finally just sat there, looking into her eyes in silence.

 

Kagome smiled gently at the hanyou sitting next to her, until she heard a voice call out her name, “Higurashi-san! How are you?”

 

`Noooo! Why now? Why can't he just give me a break!?' Moaning softly, she leaned forward and laid her head against Inuyasha's chest, and loosely wrapped her arms around him.

 

“Kagome? Are you okay?” Inuyasha asked her, a bit worried.

 

“I'm okay, Inuyasha. I am just not in the mood to deal with Hojo tonight.” Sighing, she sat up, unwrapped her arms from around him, and turned to face the approaching Hojo.

 

Politely, she said “Good evening, Hojo. What brings you to the park tonight?”

 

“I like to use the trails to go jogging; these are exceptionally nice. If you don't mind my asking, why are you here, it's quite a ways from the shrine, isn't it?” Looking at Inuyasha curiously, he hoped that whoever this boy was, he wasn't a close friend of hers. Unfortunately, from what he had seen as he was walking up, he probably was.

 

Sighing again, she bit the bullet. “Inuyasha, may I introduce a boy from my school; Hojo-san. Hojo, this is my very good friend, Inuyasha, he is staying with my family for a few days.” Hoping, that by keeping the introduction as short as was politely possible, Hojo would take the hint and leave them alone, Kagome held her breath, waiting.

 

Looking disappointed, and a little bit sad, Hojo smiled and said, “Well, I'm glad that you felt up to getting some fresh air. I expect that I'll see you at school tomorrow. Good night.” Nodding politely, Hojo left.

 

Turning back to face Inuyasha, she smiled at him and said, “Thank you, I appreciate your letting me deal with him, I was worried that you might hurt him.”

 

“Feh. I recognized his scent from the other day. I figured that you still wanted to deal with him yourself, so…I just let you do it. Besides, if he didn't respond to a gentle hint from you, I'd get my chance to `persuade' him my way.” He grinned widely, showing his fangs to her, in a way he almost never did, and thought to himself, `Besides, she keeps on saying that her time is more peaceful, and that the women here are… `liberated'? I guess that means that I'm supposed to let her deal with her own problems…but I want to do that. I want to be the one who takes care of her! Still, I must have done something right for her to be smiling like that.'

 

“Anyways, getting back to teaching Shippo, why don't you try showing him how you fight, using the things that you were practicing earlier, and just…see how it goes?” Kagome suggested. “That's what I'm going to do. I may make mistakes, but at least it'll be a start.”

 

Inuyasha looked at the girl sitting next to him, and slowly nodded his head. “Okay, I'll try it and see what happens. And I think I'll talk to Sango, too; maybe she'll be able to help? Feh! I hate asking anyone for…” Turning his face away, he went on, “It's hard for me to…”

 

Kagome smiled and finished for him. “You don't like asking for help; I know that you think is a sign of weakness, but it really isn't. It's a sign of wisdom when you admit that other people can do things that help you.”

 

Inuyasha just shrugged and said nothing.

 

Realizing that he was uncomfortable, Kagome dropped the subject, and leaned back on the bench and watched Sota and his friends ride their bikes in silence. The two of them sat watching for another hour, just enjoying the evening, until the group of riders split up and headed for their homes.

 

Sota rode his bike up to them and asked, somewhat breathlessly, if they were ready to go home.

 

Kagome and Inuyasha stood up, and Inuyasha said, “Fine,” while Kagome simply smiled at her brother.

 

The walk back to the shrine was quiet and the silence wasn't broken until the shrine steps were in view.

 

“Kagome, when are you going back?” Sota suddenly asked his sister.

 

“Hmm? Oh, not until Tuesday evening, why?” Kagome replied.

 

“Well, it's just that you still owe me a story, that's all. And I wanted to be sure that I got hear it before you left, cause the last one you told was great!!” Sota explained excitedly.

 

Kagome laughed, and said, “Fair enough. If I can, I'll tell you the story tonight; if not, tomorrow night for sure.”

 

With that, the three of them climbed the steps and went inside for the night.

 

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Author's Note: I'd like to thank everyone who so kindly reviewed the first 10 chapters of my story. Sirei: Yes, I loved `Present Time' very much, and took inspiration from there for some of my story. As for Kagome, she may only be 16, but for the last year she has put her life on the line to find and purify the Shikon shards and to help people who are in need…you can't do that without gaining some maturity and an adult perspective. w_j: Thanks, and I'll try to update regularly. Davi Man: Thank you, I will. Anonymous: Thank you, I've know some truly caring and compassionate women and they are my models for Kagome. Stephanie: Shippo is seldom shown as other than a background character or a reason to slam Inuyasha to the ground…I think there's more to him than that. I do have some other story ideas, but they'll have to wait a while. InuYashasLoveLorn: Thanks, I'll try. parvatilotus: Thank you for the kind words, I like a story that isn't too dark, so that's what I was trying for. Irish leprechaun: Thank you. Kagome is Shippo's `mommy' in every way that counts. It was her choice. nymphminxgoddess: I'm glad that you like it and I'll try to update regularly. palikani: I have every intention of finishing this (hopefully it won't take me too long). My wife says I'm an incurable optimist, so I always think the glass is half full, never half empty. InuYashasLoveLorn: Thanks again for the kind words. wolf of raven: Thank you, I'll try. Notofnone:  I'm glad you liked it, and even happier that you wrote a review. Thanks. parvatilotus: I'm glad I made your day and helped you smile. Thanks. Davi Man: Thank you. Let's face it, a mugger or even a group of muggers are pretty much inconsequential to Inuyasha, and even Kagome wouldn't be worried about them… just what her mama might say. TimeShifter: Thanks. They will talk about being `mates' later. Neither is really ready for that step…yet. InuYashasLoveLorn: Humor is essential to maintaining sanity in a world that is as chaotic as the Sengoku Jidai…Miroku and Shippo help a lot in that sense. palikani: Thanks again, I'll update as often as I can. Angel8818: Glad that you like the title as well as the story. I'll update soon.