InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Incomplete ❯ Chapter 25 ( Chapter 25 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Their laughter reached him from below, offering a painful reminder of happier times. They'd been reminiscing around the campfire for hours, sharing their favourite jokes and stories. Every so often Shippo took the opportunity to show off some of his newly acquired fox magic. Kagome would laugh and clap her hands with delight while Miroku and Sango looked on wearing matching expression of contentment.
 
In some ways it was like nothing had changed, but everything had. Watching them all together, especially Sango and Miroku and the casual way the monk's arm rested across her shoulders, made him realize it even more - he'd become the outsider. They carried on in their celebrations without him and he had no one to blame for it but himself.
 
Eventually Kagome and Sango determined that a bath was in order and disappeared down the familiar path to the hot spring. Miroku waited until they were barely out of earshot before calling him down from his tree.
 
"Are you finished sulking?"
 
He tsk'd and moodily took a seat next to the fire.
 
"I don't understand it Inuyasha. You spent weeks moping around because Kagome was gone and now that she's back you haven't said more than a few words to her."
 
He bit back a childish retort and fingered the hilt of his Tetsusaiga. Miroku didn't understand. None of them did. They hadn't seen what he had on the battlefield today.
 
Sesshomaru had protected her.
 
His cruel, selfish, human hating half brother cared for Kagome.
 
It was ridiculous. He would've laughed in the face of anyone who'd suggested it to him before today. But on that battlefield he'd sensed overwhelming panic and fear in those brief seconds before Naraku struck. Those feelings were too strong for any human but it wasn't until he saw his brother move to protect her, swiftly cutting down all extensions of Naraku's body, that he realized their source.
 
He couldn't wrap his mind around it. When had things changed between them? How long had this been going on?
 
Long enough it seemed, judging by the way Sesshomaru had followed them to the village. Nothing but the promise of defeating Naraku could've made him come within 50 feet of a human village before today. He stayed out of sight but scent told him he wasn't far and that part only irked him more.
 
Inuyasha swallowed the thick lump that'd formed in his throat and wondered if Sesshomaru's feelings weren't one-sided. Was it possible that Kagome cared for him too?
 
He couldn't stomach the notion. It was one thing if he lost her, but to know that he'd lost her to his own brother was beyond anything... Even the thought of them together made his stomach turn. Was she blind? Didn't she see the kind of man he was?
 
Or maybe she had a thing for dangerous, selfish animals. She'd fallen in love with him after all, when he was nothing more than a savage hanyou out for blood.
 
"You should talk to her," Miroku prodded, not content to let him stew in silence.
 
That was exactly the wrong thing to do. It was too easy to channel everything he was feeling into anger. He knew himself well enough to realize that he wouldn't be able to keep from saying something harsh if given the chance. He just wasn't that strong. Especially not tonight when every emotion raging inside of him was volatile.
 
"Leave it alone," he muttered in response.
 
Miroku sighed heavily, his impatience and frustration apparent. Inuyasha ignored him and focused on the brilliant light of the fire.
 
They'd spent countless nights out under the stars, sleeping around campfires just like this one. When the others went to bed, she used to rest her head against his shoulder and talk quietly with him about everything and nothing. He'd lived for those moments, especially how the light, trusting pressure of her head on his shoulder made him feel important.
 
For years Kagome had been his alone and now that she wasn't he didn't know how to handle it.
 
Should he give up and let Sesshomaru have her? Or should he fight for what was his?
 
He frowned and dug his fist into his thigh.
 
Maybe there was still time...
 
oOo
 
The relaxing heat of the hot spring's steamy waters felt like a tiny slice of Heaven. Letting out a sigh of contentment, Kagome slipped down low beneath the water's surface and grinned at her friend.
 
"Do you have any idea how long it's been since I was in a real outdoor hot spring?"
 
Sango laughed and dribbled a handful of warm water down her arms. "I can imagine!"
 
Silence settled between them, both knowing what needed to be said but neither wanting to broach the topic. The symphony of night time insects filled the void, distracting them both for a little while.
 
"We've all missed you here," Sango said eventually.
 
The implication behind her cautious look filled in the words she'd neglected to say - especially Inuyasha.
 
Kagome smiled glumly, "I've missed you guys, too."
 
"Why not stay here with us? Shippo asks about you all the time. And I know Kaede could use an extra hand..."
 
She nibbled at her bottom lip and studied the nearby foliage, hoping Sango would change the subject.
 
"I guess I just don't understand it, Kagome. Why are you so set on staying with Sesshomaru? Is it because of Inuyasha? "
 
She shook her head, "No, that's not it. Rin needs another girl in her life. Sesshomaru and Jaken aren't exactly the mothering type."
 
Sango fixed her with a calculating look that said plain and clear she wasn't buying it. Kagome sunk lower beneath the water's surface and hoped the heat would hide the blush of embarrassment on her cheeks.
 
"You like him..." the demon slayer breathed, her dark eyes widening in shock.
 
Damn Sango and her perceptiveness. This wasn't what she wanted. Or maybe it was. She'd known from the start where this hot spring chat of theirs would lead. It was where all their hot spring chats eventually led - to boys and the subject of love.
 
Maybe she'd been hoping for the opportunity to finally talk to someone about what she was feeling and the confusing games Sesshomaru was playing with her. At the palace she couldn't talk to a single soul, but Sango was different.
 
Feeling her resolve crumble, she sighed in defeat and looked guiltily at her friend.
 
"How long as this been going on?" she asked, moving to sit next to her.
 
"I dunno... A few weeks maybe? I don't even know if there is something going on. One minute he's kissing me and the next he's ignoring me... I just don't get it!"
 
Sango stared thoughtfully at the water, considering her words.
 
"Wait, did you say he kissed you?"
 
Kagome's blush deepened to a darker shade of red. "Well, yeah... but it was only once!"
 
The demon slayer's face lifted into a look of surprise and bemusement. "Wow... I didn't expect that from Sesshomaru."
 
"Yeah, neither did I," she laughed, remembering the sudden way he'd grabbed her in the onsen. Her body tingled beneath the water's surface as the tiny fire in the bit of her belly was re-kindled back to life.
 
"So how was it?" Sango's mischievous look met hers and she ducked her head.
 
"Really, really good," she whispered, feeling a fresh blush redden her cheeks.
 
The demon slayer grinned and mouthed "Miroku, too" behind her hand. They simultaneously broke into a fit of girlish giggles before relaxing once more into the water.
 
"Why don't you try telling him how you feel?"
 
She shrugged indifferently. The thought had occurred to her before and she'd laughed it off just as quickly. Tell Sesshomaru that she was falling in love with him? Right. Her ego wasn't ready for that kind of crushing blow just yet.
 
Once the words were out of her mouth there'd be no taking them back. At least what they had now, as confusing and convoluted as it was, let them work and live together in the same space without too much awkwardness. Their tenuous relationship survived on a cautious truce where true feelings were hidden and suppositions were standard practice. Why couldn't things just continue down that same path? At least for a little while...maybe just until she was ready to return to her own time for good.
 
"So what are you going to do about Inuyasha?"
 
That was her other big problem. Sango's question was the exact same one she'd been asking herself since they'd arrived. What was she going to tell him, if anything at all? How was she going to react when he finally decided to start speaking to her again?
 
She sighed in defeat, offering her friend the only answer she could muster, "I don't know."
 
oOo
 
Morning came too early the next day and brought with it more confusion. Inuyasha had disappeared at some point during the night without a word to anyone. She wanted to believe that he was out catching fish for them to eat with breakfast but she knew him better than that. They all did.
 
The air around the campfire felt heavy as a result, with everyone staring quietly into their bowls of rice and waiting. The communal feeling of dread was palpable. It wouldn't take much to get him riled up and Sesshomaru knew how to push all the right buttons.
 
"There you are, Inuyasha!"
 
At Shippo's sudden shout her head snapped round to watch the hanyou in question casually stroll towards them. No bruises, no blood, no holes through his chest or missing limbs... She breathed a quiet sigh of relief but it didn't last. He brushed by her without so much as a glance and took a seat next to the fire. Where exactly had he been if not out picking fights with Sesshomaru?
 
"Where were you?" she asked, holding out a bowl of rice to him. He considered it a moment before taking it from her hand with a muttered, "Thanks."
 
Without another word he dove into breakfast, content to keep his gaze on bowl. Annoyed, she stared at him long and hard. The longer she stared the more frequent the agitated flicks of his ears became until he suddenly slammed his bowl into the ground and turned on her with a loud, "WHAT?"
 
She felt stupid now for worrying about him. She felt even stupider for caring about his feelings at all. Setting aside her bowl she got up without a word and headed into the forest to find Sesshomaru. He wouldn't be far. The sooner they could leave the better. Unfortunately it was Inuyasha who caught up with her first.
 
"Kagome, wait!"
 
In a flash of red he dropped down from the tree branches above and blocked her path. The glare she aimed his way made him flinch but he stubbornly stayed his ground.
 
"I didn't mean it."
 
She lifted a cynical eyebrow, a clever trick she'd learned from Sesshomaru. When he did it it had the power to reduce anyone in his employ into a quivering, prostrating mess but it wasn't quite as effective on Inuyasha. He only stumbled over his words, which was par for the course when he was upset about something.
 
"I just... It's not...
 
The hanyou groaned in frustration and paced a few steps back and forth. Crying out he slammed his fist into the nearest tree trunk with an audible crack. She winced in sympathy and caught his pained grimace through the shower of autumn dyed leaves that fell around them. The pain wasn't physical though. It had another source entirely.
 
"I won't lose you to him!" he shouted, turning on her. "I won't let it happen!"
 
Taking a careful step forward, she held his gaze and made certain to keep her voice calm.
"What are you talking about?"
 
He blinked at her in surprise but it quickly turned to anger.
 
"Don't lie to me!" he shouted, "I saw what happened on the battlefield yesterday."
 
"And what was that exactly?"
 
He scoffed and leaned back against the tree he'd brutalized with his fist. There was blood on his knuckles from the bark. It was only a few minor scrapes but she couldn't stop herself from wanting to help. It was instinct at this point, completely ingrained in her after so much time spent fighting by his side.
 
"You're bleeding."
 
He "tsk'd" and crossed his arms in front of his chest to hide the blood from view.
 
"Inuyasha, look... I don't know what you think you saw, but there's nothing going on between me and Sesshomaru."
 
Liar.
 
Liar. Liar. Liar.
 
Her mind repeated the vile word to her, over and over again. But what else could she tell him? With the exception of her racing heart and a secret kiss there was nothing tangible between her and Sesshomaru that she could slap an easy label on. None of it made any sense to her, so how could she expect him to understand it?
 
In any case, her words seemed to be the answer he'd been looking for. With a sudden exhale he visibly relaxed and flashed her a tentative smile.
 
"Good. He's dangerous, Kagome. I don't trust him and you shouldn't either."
 
She nodded hesitantly, somewhat mystified. Now that she knew Sesshomaru better it was like they were talking about two entirely different people. There was the Sesshomaru she knew - intelligent, strong, and passionate - and then there was the demon Inuyasha loathed for being cruel, underhanded, and merciless. How could one man possibly have so many different facets to his character?
 
Walking side by side they made their way back to the village and their friends. When they reached the edge of the tree line Inuyasha slowed to a stop and discretely took her hand.
 
"Will you stay?"
 
The earnestness of his gaze caught her off guard and she hesitated. The others seemed to be watching them, their faces hopeful and eager. He wasn't just speaking for himself. Kikyo had left, Naraku was dead and the jewel was safe. Everything that'd felt so complicated before suddenly wasn't anymore. If she wanted to she could spend the rest of her days at Inuyasha's side.
 
That's what his eyes promised her. It was everything she'd dreamed of and had he spoken those words a few months ago she would have leapt at the chance. But things were different now, she was different, and it wasn't so cut and dry.
 
What about Rin? She'd come to care for her too, as much as any of the others. Even Jaken held a special spot in her heart when she could tolerate him. And then there was Sesshomaru...
 
The Lord of the West chose that moment to make his appearance. He hovered on the periphery of their group, perhaps out of respect to Inuyasha's leadership over his pack, but more likely because he couldn't tolerate the stench of human so early in the morning. His gaze lingered on the spot where her hand was joined with Inuyasha's before he turned his attention to the horizon and coolly announced that it was time to leave.
 
"Like hell," Inuyasha growled, putting himself between them.
 
"Inuyasha..." She gave him a sharp look and ducked under his arm. Her heart may be undecided but her feet knew where they wanted to go.
 
"So you come when he calls like some well trained pet?"
 
His harsh words made her stop in her tracks. She turned on him, already feeling her temper beginning to rise.
 
"It's not like that!"
 
"Then how is it like Kagome? Because that's sure as hell what it looks like to me."
 
"That's none of your business," she fired back, conscious of the stunned looks the rest of their circle was giving them.
 
He seemed to appreciate that answer even less and directed a dark look at Sesshomaru.
 
"You can't have her."
 
The taiyoukai sniffed dismissively.
"Kagome, Sesshomaru doesn't care about anyone but himself," he protested, taking her by the wrist. "If you go with him now he'll just be using you to get to me!"
 
That garnered him a steely-eyed glare from the taiyoukai in question.
 
"You don't know what you're talking about," she snapped, pulling her hand away.
 
"I know that you don't belong with him, Kagome. You belong here, where your friends are."
You belong with me, was what he meant to say.
 
Offering the others an apologetic bow, she quickly gathered up her things.
 
"I've gotta go... I'll be back once I figure out what to do with the Sacred Jewel," she promised, avoiding their eyes.
 
"Kagome!"
 
She ignored Inuyasha's protests and focused on the rest of their group. They were all wearing identical expressions of confusion. It was hard to leave them again, especially after her talk with Sango the night before. She needed her friends now more than ever, but she needed to figure some things out first - like what to do with the Sacred Jewel.
 
"Take care of yourself, Kagome." Miroku's warm voice cut easily through the tension in the air. He got to his feet and Sango joined him with an arm wrapped around his waist.
 
"Promise you won't take long, okay?"
 
She nodded, smiling at her two old friends, "I promise."
 
Feeling defeated, she quietly made her way to Sesshomaru's side. Inuyasha made a sound of disgust and shoved his arms into the sleeves of his haori before turning his back. It felt wrong to leave things this way, but what else could she do?
 
She hazarded a glance at Sesshomaru before taking hold of his fur ruff. He kept his gaze on the horizon looking completely unbothered by it all. She would have believed the facade too were it not for the tense clenching and unclenching of his jaw. Why did they both insist on being so impossible to figure out?
 
He waited until she'd muttered a quick goodbye to her friends before rising into the early morning light. Fighting back tears, she watched their faces grow smaller and smaller until they were nothing more than a blur among the trees. Inuyasha didn't even turn his head once to watch her go.
 
Author's Note: A new chapter for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoyed it :)