InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Infatuation ❯ Getting Back to Here ( Chapter 24 )

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Infatuation

By Lizzie Welling

Rated M/R for strong language and violence

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AU InuYasha fan fiction

 

Disclaimer: Don't own InuYasha. Never have, never will. All other quoted songs, excerpts, etc. are cited and attributed to their respective owners.

 

A/N: Hi all! Guess who updated quickly? Haha, I know, it's a miracle, right? Please enjoy!

 

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Chapter 24: Getting Back to Here

 

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Two months after the defeat of Naraku

HQ Infirmary

 

“So how ya feelin'?” InuYasha asked, stepping into Kagome's Infirmary room bearing a box of donuts and leaning casually against the doorframe.

 

“Fine!” Kagome quickly sat up, stashing the trashy celebrity gossip magazine she was devouring under one of the Infirmary blankets. The miko normally never read that crap, but when confined to a bed with nothing much to do but sleep, eat tasteless hospital food and no mindless TV to speak of, she had to rely on the kindness of her visitors to keep her brain entertained. (Rin had brought her the tabloid when she and Shippo dropped in for a visit yesterday.)

 

`Kami, damn he looks good. Forget those donuts, I might eat him. That tight black tank shows just how rock hard his chest and abs are, not to mention his powerful arms. And those jeans! It should be against regulation for him to wear those in HQ. A girl could get distracted on the job!'

 

When InuYasha gave her a weird look, Kagome began to panic, realizing she had been caught spacing out and ogling. Smoothing out some wrinkles in her Infirmary-issued pajamas and the sheets, Kagome fought to hide her blush when she saw his smirk.

`I've been stuck in this prison too long.'

 

She shook her head, trying to clear out any more rampant drooling thoughts. When he cocked an eyebrow in response, Kagome's hands went flying, patting her face for drool, then her hair for anything wrong with her appearance.

 

“Ick, I've got nasty hospital bed hair, don't I?” Kagome groaned, her fingers getting stuck in a big clump of her hair.

 

“Keh, you've looked worse.”

 

“Gee, you sure know how to compliment a girl,” Kagome muttered irritably. Spying the box in his hands, she reached out and made a swipe for the donuts. When he playfully dodged her attempt, Kagome threw a styrofoam cup at his head. “Hand those over, dog-boy. The food in here gets exponentially worse the longer you stay here, and I've been a captive for two weeks now. That means I've been eating absolute crap. I'm dying for some real carbs!”

 

InuYasha laughed, opening the box and setting it on her lap. Kagome dove in, taking a bite out of the first cream-filled, chocolate concoction she could touch. She groaned in delight.

 

“Say, do we know when I'm getting out of here?” she asked with her mouth full.

 

“Not sure, maybe another day or two, just to make sure everything's healed up OK,” InuYasha said, reaching over to wipe away a smudge of chocolate on the corner of her mouth.

 

Blushing, Kagome muttered a thank you and continued eating a little more gracefully.

 

“So how are things at the estate? How's Sango doing? And has there been any change in Souta?”

 

InuYasha frowned slightly, sighing. “Wench, you ask me the same thing every day when I come to visit.”

 

“I know I do,” Kagome said quietly, dropping the second donut back in the box. She shut the lid and put the box on her side table. “I was just hoping...”

 

“I know you were,” he said softly, sliding her carefully into his arms. “But there's no change. For either of them. Sango still won't leave her room and your brother still hasn't woken up.”

 

Kagome gulped, nodding. “You would think having this dumb thing back would tilt the scales back in our favor,” she muttered, fingering the completed Shikon no Tama where it rested, silently dangling above her heart.

 

“Keh, the damn thing is just trouble,” InuYasha muttered.

 

“Yeah, well, my mom told me it's a part of me. It's now my burden to protect and control and all that bull. So I'm stuck with it.”

 

They lay cuddled together for a few moments of silence.

 

“So, you really got to see your mom?” InuYasha asked quietly.

 

“Yeah. It was absolutely wonderful, getting to see her again. It was like she was really there, wherever I was. I could hear her voice, I could touch her, feel her hugs and comforting caresses. I could even smell that old perfume of camomile and lavender she always used to wear,” Kagome smiled. “I felt safe and like everything was going to be OK, ya know? But at the same time, it was awful, because I knew at any moment she was going away again. I knew it was only temporary. But I still got to see her one last time. That's something, right?”

 

Kagome looked up at InuYasha, tears in her eyes from remembering her impromptu meeting with her mother in the Beyond, and realized her inu-hanyou had tears in his eyes.

 

“InuYasha...” she reached up and gently cupped his cheek.

 

“I'm fine. You're lucky, ya know. That you got the chance to see her again. I wish I could get a moment with my mom,” he whispered gruffly.

 

“I wish you could, too.”

 

“Keh,” he replied gruffly, swiping at his eyes. “Where'd you put those damn donuts I brought? All this fucking sharing and shit has made me hungry.”

 

Kagome laughed and reached over InuYasha, grabbing the box and sitting it in his lap. The miko pulled one out and offered it to InuYasha. He took a big bite, chocolate and cream ending up on the corner of his mouth.

 

“Fuck, that's good,” he sighed, licking his chops. “Now I know why you're always bitchin' at me to bring you some.”

 

“You got some right here, dog-boy,” Kagome giggled, pointing to his chin.

 

When he wiggled his brows, Kagome leaned over and licked the chocolate off his chin herself, darting her tongue out quickly. As she leaned back, InuYasha grabbed her, bringing her lips to his. The kiss started slowly, just gently feeling each other's lips. Then Kagome pressed for more, coaxing InuYasha's mouth open. He gladly complied, pulling her body so she sat astride him. Her fingers wound their way into his hair at the base of his skull, slowly massaging a sensitive spot there as his tongue found it's way into her mouth. InuYasha's hands crept up the edge of her pajama top, resting momentarily on the bare skin at the small of her back. He began to run his claws up and down her back, and then suddenly broke away, panting.

 

“No bra?” he growled sexily.

 

“Kind of no point when I'm laying around all day in these icky pj's,” Kagome gasped, out of breath, as InuYasha's mouth attached itself to the spot behind her ear.

 

He growled again, rolling them over and moving his hands under her top around to the front, running his claws over her stomach and ribcage. His hands would travel upwards to reach the curve of the underside of her breast, then slide torturously back down to her stomach. Then, he'd begin the path again. Meanwhile, InuYasha's mouth was placing kisses all alongside her neck and down to her collarbone. Kagome was in heaven. She grabbed him by his silver forelocks and brought his lips to hers.

 

“You know how much I like it when you get aggressive, baby,” InuYasha growled in her ear, causing Kagome to shiver.

 

“Then you better touch, me dammit,” she growled back in frustration.

 

InuYasha chuckled, then kissed her long and hard. He brought one clawed hand up slowly, trailing from her stomach to ribcage. He paused again at the underside of her breast.

 

“Oh, kami, InuYasha, I--”

 

“Ms. Higurashi, how are you feeling today?”

 

InuYasha and Kagome sprung apart as the doctor stepped into the room. Kagome, flushing red, quickly righted her shirt. InuYasha turned to face out the window, adjusting himself. The doctor looked irritated.

 

“Ms. Higurashi! This is the Infirmary, not your personal bedroom! You are recovering from multiple serious injuries that required several surgeries! You are not cleared for this kind of <i>activity</i> yet!” Dr. Kenji Hakkaido scolded angrily.

 

Kagome wanted to hide under the Infirmary blankets. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. The lead doctor on her case, one of the most respected surgeons in Japan--flown in by HQ just for her, did not just catch her and her boyfriend getting hot and heavy.

 

`Kami, Kaede is going to murder me! Is it possible to die from mortification? `Cause I think I just might!'

 

When Kagome nor InuYasha made no response, Dr. Hakkaido made is way over to the miko's bedside and began his examination. He would pause every so often and make notes on the chart. After about five minutes of poking and prodding, he stepped back, making more detailed notes on the chart.

 

“So what's the verdict, doc?” Kagome asked.

 

Dr. Hakkaido raised an eyebrow, entirely too reminiscent of Sesshomaru for Kagome's liking, and took of his glasses, cleaning them.

 

“Your x-rays and scarring have shown rapid healing, as we suspected would happen with the completed Shikon back in your possession. The surgeries have all healed completely and seamlessly. Your vitals are good and strong. I say you have a clean bill of health.”

 

“Yes!” Kagome hooted, fist in the air. “Does that mean I'm getting out of here?”

 

“I'm recommending your release for today. I think it's clear you're more than ready to go,” Dr. Hakkaido snorted.

 

Kagome blushed, shooting a dirty look at InuYasha. The inu-hanyou was conveniently still looking out the window.

 

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Taisho Estate

 

Miroku stood in the doorway of Sango's bedroom, observing his Slayer as she sat curled in a window seat. Today she wore another of her brother Kohaku's T-shirts, judging by the way it fit her frame. `Little Women' lay unopened on her lap as she stared out the bay window. The monk often found her like this since they came home from Headquarters two months ago, since they buried Kohaku's remains.

 

“Sango?” he called softly, stepping into the room and cautiously approaching her as one would a skittish animal.

 

Sango had become jumpy, startled by the smallest things, easily angered and quick to cry. He never knew what sort of mood he would find her in and hated setting her off. They had made so much progress toward starting a relationship before the final battle with Naraku, despite the obstacles her emotional trauma from her being raped had thrown in their way.

 

But now, after Kohaku's death, Miroku hardly knew where he stood with Sango anymore. She seemed to shy away from him once again, and avoid him as much as possible. Sango spent most of her time alone, never seeking him out when she was upset or needing comfort. When he happened upon her crying, Miroku usually had to coax her into an embrace, into allowing him to console her.

 

Sango looked up at the sound of his voice, her eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights. Once she realized it was Miroku, she leaned back a little in the seat, bringing the book and her knees up to her chest.

 

“Hi, Miroku,” she said quietly.

 

“Do you mind if I join you?” he asked gently, gesturing to the spot beside her.

 

She shook her head and continued to watch him silently.

 

“How are you today, my dear?”

 

Sango shrugged.

 

“That good, eh?” Miroku gestured to her book. “How far have you gotten this time?”

 

“Hmm?” She glanced down. “Oh. I Haven't really started yet. Been mostly...thinking.”

 

“About?” Miroku prompted gently.

 

Sango remained silent, turning away from the monk to look out the window. She pressed her lips together and titled her chin up, attempting to stem the flow of tears she felt welling up.

 

“Sango, you need to talk about these things,” Miroku began, placing a hand on hers.

 

“No, I don't!” She jerked away from him, curling further into herself and the window seat. “What's the point? It's the same thing over and over again. Kohaku's dead. It's my fault. End of story.”

 

“Oh, Sango. Is that what you've been thinking this whole time?” Miroku looked pained. “Kohaku taking his own life is not your fault. Not in any way.”

 

“How do you figure that?” Sango shouted. “I'm... I was his sister. His guardian after our parents died. I was supposed to protect him! But I failed. I let that psychopath take him and torture him, butcher him and turn him into a monster! My little brother felt he had no other choice, no way out. I couldn't save him. I was supposed to save him!”

 

Sango broke down sobbing, burying her tear-stained face in her hands. Despite her weak protests, Miroku pulled her into his lap and embraced her, allowing Sango to cry onto his chest.

 

“You did all you could,” he whispered. “You fought hard to protect him. You defeated Naraku. But in the end, you could have done nothing to stop Kohaku's fatal choice. You were a loving sister who did her best.”

 

“But it wasn't enough,” Sango sobbed.

 

Miroku held her tightly as she cried, relieved that she was finally letting some of this emotion out.

 

“I just have this hole, in my chest. And I feel like it's going to consume me whole. Some days I don't even want to wake up. I just feel so awful and I miss my brother so badly,” Sango whispered tearfully.

 

“I know, sweetheart. I know you do. And I'm so sorry you feel this way, and that you have to go through this. But I'm here. I'm not going to let you go through this alone,” Miroku said fiercely, kissing her forehead.

 

Sango gripped the monk tightly as she cried harder.

 

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Tokyo business district

 

“For the love of-- Rin! Watch out!” Ayame shouted, ducking a fireball. “Kouga! I thought you said you had that skeez-bag!”

 

Rin was pushed to the ground by Sesshomaru, who rolled them into a protective crouch. Kouga got blasted by the rogue dragon youkai currently causing mayhem on a construction site of a new building in the business district. The terrified crew cowered inside their bulldozers, cranes and trucks, peering out the windows to watch the fight. The fight had been ongoing for a little under an hour. The four of them could have ended things five minutes in, but things had been slow around HQ.

 

Ayame ran and leapt off the bed of a truck, whipping her chain around her head like a cowgirl and lassoed the rogue like a steer. She jumped on his back and forced him to the ground, wrapping the chain's slack tightly around his snout, effectively cutting off the fireballs. The rogue fought back, rearing his head and throwing Ayame off.

 

Kouga leapt on, wrestling to keep the chain secured so the rogue would remained tied. Sesshomaru, tiring of the chicanery, stepped in with Tokijin. He quickly severed its head.

 

“Ewww,” Rin cried in disgust, holding her nose. “What is that?”

 

“Dragon's blood has a distinct odor,” Sesshomaru said in disdain, frowning as he cleaned his sword.

 

“Distinct odor, as in it reeks like a mother. Whoa-whee,” Ayame complained, extracting her chain from the corpse. “That is just plain nas-ty.”

 

“I hate dragon rogues. They always singe my clothing,” Kouga grumbled, scowling at the smoldering black spots on his soft brown leather jacket.

 

“Babe, I'd be more concerned he didn't burn off anything important,” Ayame snickered.

 

“What?!” Kouga shrieked, cupping his crotch protectively and turning in circles to look at his tail. When he realized everything was still there, he turned and glared at Ayame. “What the hell are you on about, woman?”

 

Ayame bust out laughing, grabbing on to Rin to steady herself. The smallest Slayer was hiding some giggles behind her hand as well.

 

“You are so easy!” Ayame laughed, taking off.

 

“Come back here!” Kouga shouted, chasing after Ayame.

 

“You think we should tell them it's safe to come out?” Rin asked Sesshomaru, pointing to the construction crew still hiding inside their wrecking equipment.

 

“Hn.”

 

Rin glanced back at the shrieking Ayame and screaming Kouga. They were running all over the metal beams and concrete slabs, diving and darting around the concrete jungle like it was a game.

 

Sesshomaru was surrounded by idiots.

 

“Who would you rather deal with?” Rin asked sweetly.

 

“Just leave them all,” Sesshomaru deadpanned.

 

Rin shrugged, threading her arm through her taiyoukai's. “Sounds good to me.”

 

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Taisho Estate

 

Shippo sat at Souta's bedside, reading from `Peter Pan.' Pausing on the page, his sensitive hearing picked up Sango's cries and Miroku's soothing tones from down the hall. The little kit looked down at his friend and wondered if anything happy was ever going to happen to him or his new friends ever again.

 

Determined to keep the routine Kagome had started, the kit had decided that though he felt he couldn't do much to help, but he could do this. He could continue to read aloud to Souta, in Kagome's place, in hopes of getting through to Souta and waking him up from his coma.

 

“ `I say, Peter, can you really fly?' Instead of troubling to answer him Peter flew around the room, taking the mantelpiece on the way.

 

`How topping!' said John and Michael.

`How sweet!' cried Wendy.

`Yes, I'm sweet, oh, I am sweet!' said Peter, forgetting his manners again.

It looked delightfully easy, and they tried it first from the floor and then from the beds, but they always went down instead of up.

`I say, how do you do it?' asked John, rubbing his knee. He was quite a practical boy.

`You just think lovely wonderful thoughts,' Peter explained, `and they lift you up in the air.' (1)

Shippo paused in confusion, glancing up at the heart monitor.

 

`I could have sworn... Nah, I'm imagining things. I didn't speed up. Just wishful thinking...'

 

Shippo went back to reading. Then, he heard it again. Tossing the book down, Shippo grabbed Souta's hand in his own.

 

“Souta? Souta, can you hear me?”

 

The heart monitor showed Souta's heart rate increase, as if responding to Shippo's voice.

 

 

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A/N: (1) Quoted excerpt from Chapter 3: “Come Away, Come Away!” of `Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie.

 

Special thanks to reviewers: <b>Angelblaze2006,AzureFlames, bettyboo2008,Esha Napoleon,BoredGirl17,DesMM,SilverStarWing, cupecakemonster95, bearsammi2011, Ledophole, TiffanyM, and Koigokoro_inu_kag. </b>

 

So I've given up trying to predict how many chapters are left. This story has a life of its own. I was thinking there would be this chapter and an epilogue left, but now I've got planned out at least another chapter or so before the epilogue. Sometimes my brain just gets crazy with those plot bunnies and plot twists. Heehee. (Please don't kill me!) But hey, at least this was a quick update, right? =D

 

Please review! I thrive on hearing your thoughts and comments.

 

Thanks,

Lizzie