InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Realization ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 20 )

Kagome stared down at the blank piece of paper before her. She had spent most of the day catching up on her homework, putting off her paper for her Music Appreciation class till last. And now with the moment finally here, her mind was a big blank. She had no idea how to put her thoughts into words on paper. Kagome's look turned thoughtful as her mind wondered to think of the events of the past few days. She recalled the quite walk she took with Inuyasha to the well. They way he gently kissed her goodnight before leaping from sight into the well. And the way that she stood there, with her hand touching her lips, before finally turning to walk back into her home. She had willed herself to go to sleep that night but it never came and so when dawn started creeping it's way through her window she got up and started breakfast for the family. School had been the same as always, she almost felt like she had never gone anywhere and that everything had been a dream till she got home and found Inuyasha waiting for her.

"How was school?" He asked, standing up to greet her.

"It was fine." She replied smiling at him. "Been here long?"

"No, I waited till I thought you were home." They started walking towards Kagome's house.

"That's good. You haven't come to get me have you? I still have till tomorrow, you know." She reminded him, she had lots of homework to do.

"No. I didn't come her to bring you back. Actually, I came to tell you that you could stay the whole five days, like you wanted." Inuyasha stated as he opened the sliding door for them. He looked up at Kagome, who stood rock still where she was.

"Did you just say that I could stay longer?" Had she heard him correctly, Kagome thought.

"Yes." Inuyasha laughed at the disbelieving look on her face. "I'm not saying that I like it but we haven't found any clues as to where Naraku might be hidden, there is no reason why you can't go to school while I look for more clues. Besides it'll give Sango and Miroku a break as well. They complain almost as much as you do."

"You're serious?" Kagome said a smile playing at her lips.

"Yes. Now come inside and please fix me some Ramen, I'm starving."

And so was the rest of the day. Kagome gave Inuyasha some Ramen, only one bowel because it would spoil his dinner. When Kagome told him they were having steak he shut up his complaints about nothing being able to spoil his dinner. Inuyasha had watched her with interest as she and her mother prepared the family meal. Inuyasha actually ate like a gentleman and interesting conversation was to be had all around the table. Kagome could tell by the look on his face that he didn't want to leave, even if it had been his idea, but she understood and was thankful that he was putting her feelings first.

"You'll be here tomorrow for dinner, right?" She asked as he turned to look at her, they were standing right in front of the well.

"I would love to." He admitted, blushing ever so slightly.

Kagome smiled at him and then took a step forward and gave him a warm hug and a tender kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow." She whispered into his hear before turning away.

And now here she sat, on the fifth day, thinking about the past four. They had been wonderful, she went to school and when she came home Inuyasha was waiting for her. He didn't stay long because he knew that she needed to do her studies but he always stayed and had dinner with them. You couldn't really tell by looking at him that anything had changed between them, but Kagome knew better. He was less aggressive, kinder really. He didn't hide behind his wall of nasty comments, at least not while they had been here with her family, the true test would be in front of everyone who knew Inuyasha as she did. She couldn't help the rush of excitement she got when she thought about seeing how he would react in front of their friends. She just hoped that what she got and what she hoped for weren't too far apart from one another.

"What are you thinking about?" Came a voice from behind her.

Kagome jumped and a let out a shout of surprise. "You scared me, Inuyasha." She said, smiling, standing up from her desk.

"I saw." He said, returning her smile and climbed into the room. "You haven't answered my question?" He gently took her hand in his.

Blushing Kagome said, "I was thinking about you." Gesturing towards her desk, "I'm supposed to be writing a paper on the Beauty and the Beast movie we watched but so far nothing. And so my mind started to think over the past few days and you and how things might be different when I return."

"Different?" He asked, brushing a piece of hair behind her shoulders.

Kagome shuddered at the warm sensation the simple gesture caused. "That's different, for one." She smiled. "You have always acted a little different here than when we are in your time. And lately, even here, you've been less tense about things. I'm just wondering how things are going to be when I return."

"I see. Well Miroku is already harassing me about what happened because I seem different to them as well. Sango had the most amazed look on her face when I informed them that you would be staying longer like you had originally wanted. Do you know she actually asked me if I was feeling well? Didn't know what to say so I just huffed and walked away." Inuyasha said, and they both laughed.

Things may turn out all right after all, Kagome thought.

"So? Are you ready to go?" Inuyasha said, clapping his hands together and looking around for her bag.

"No, not yet." Kagome said, "I haven't even packed yet. I still need to write this paper before I can go back."

"But you said that you weren't coming up with anything. So lets go." Inuyasha said starting to get excited.

"I will return today, but just not right now." She said soothingly.

"Kagome." Inuyasha's face turned serious. "I have been waiting, patiently I might add, for this day to come and for your return. Would you please come home with me?"

Kagome felt warmth throughout her whole body at his words. It took her a moment before she truest her voice enough to respond. "I will, in just a little while, I promise." Kagome took his other hand in hers. "You've gone this long, just a little longer, please." She laid it on thick, even batted her eyes at him.

Inuyasha felt himself give in, even though he really didn't want to. He just wanted her to come home where she belonged. Sure he had taken this trip better than the rest but it still had been hard on him. Especially with Sango and Miroku giving him looks and then discussing amongst themselves what could have happened. But when Kagome's warm hands squeezed his he found himself saying, "Just a little while longer."

A gleeful laugh found it's way out of Kagome and she threw her arms around him. "I won't be long, you'll see." She said hugging him tightly.

"I take it that I can't stay?" He said, hugging her back. Loving the closeness of her and the smell of her, jasmine is a wonderful smell.

"I won't get anything done with you here." She laughed pulling back but not away.

"You weren't getting anything done when I got here." He complained but he had a smile on his face.

"That's true, but I can do this. And it's the last thing that I need to get done before I pack up my stuff and come back." She leaned in and kissed him, in between kisses she said, "I will make sure to bring extra Ramen for you."

"Extra Ramen that's for me or do I have to share?" Inuyasha whispered when Kagome stopped.

"Just for you." She sighed; Inuyasha leaned in and kissed her again.

"I should go then." Kiss.

"The sooner I'll be done." Kiss.

Inuyasha shook his head, coming to his senses. "Do your work." He commanded, then grabbed her head with both his hands and he kissed her real hard before turning to go back out through the window.

Kagome stood staring at the closed window, wondering how the hell she was going to get anything done now. Yet, with a determined look on her face she sat back down at her desk and wrote:

Dear Diary,

I never realized till now how much a movie could impact your life. Sure when I watched "Shindler's List" I felt the pain and agony of what happened to the Jewish community. I saw a small group who, through the kindness of others, were able to overcome the harshness that had been dealt to them. I've never appreciated anything other than the sympathy, empathy, joy, sadness, and laughter that I got from a movie. I guess I never considered that a movie could change my life. Make me view things differently than I had before. Make me see and understand myself in a new way. And never have I seen it happen to another till now.

A simple assignment of watch a cartoon and do a paper on what I think has changed my life and the life of my best friend. It started out simple enough. As a family we got together for a night of movie and popcorn. My friend has never seen a movie before and I was excited about what he would think. So the movie started and all was well, the graphics were enough to impress my friend and catch his interest, as well as the rest of the people in the room. The curse was placed on the beast and then we see Belle for the first time. Belle and her first song, that is. And I must confess the look of shock and surprise on my friends face nearly had me in tears. I am laughing so hard now just thinking about it. I guess I forgot to mention that it was a musical. Besides that though it was a wonderful night of seeing a movie through the eyes of someone who's never seen one before. All the ooh's and aww's were enough to make everyone stop watching the movie and watch him watch the movie.

It was during this enjoyment that the first signs of "Is this your life?" started to come into play. My friend started the whole thing when he said that Gaston reminded him of another friend of mine. A person who also can't take a hint that I am not interested in him, but like Belle, instead of telling them where to get off, as we apparently should, we find it easier to simply be nice to them and endure not only their company but any advances. I know that I don't have to tell you that those were fighting words. Never have I given Gaston's twin any signs that I was interested in any form of a relationship with him, in fact, I made it clear that my feelings were elsewhere. Am I to blame if he wants to win my heart over any way? Is it necessary to be mean to such a person? A person, who despite everything, is actually not such a bad person.

We didn't get much of a chance to discuss it when my mother hushed us and told us to watch the movie. As it was, my little brother was all in our mouths so I couldn't say what I really wanted to anyway. So on with the show, as I hear they say in showbiz. I have to say that I was still a little ticked at my friend. He's hardly nice to anyone and has the nerve to tell me that I'm too nice. I was hardly paying attention to the movie anymore. But I had seen it before so it's not like I was really missing anything and it had only been on for less than twenty minutes anyway. The gall of him to think I just endure people I don't like because it's easier that way.

I had been so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't notice the change in my friend immediately. I guess I should have when he didn't have us rolling on the floor with laughter as the dinner dishes did their song and dance. I tried to ask him if everything was all right, he said yes, when I asked him if it was the movie he called me stupid and told me to pay attention to the movie and do my homework. I was a little hurt by this but decided that I was right and the movie was in fact bothering him but decided it would be best to leave him alone.

So when the movie came to the part where Belle goes into the one room she was forbidden to go and the beast yells at her to get out that my friend too decided it was time to leave. I was shocked. I couldn't believe that he was simply going to get up and leave without a word. He wasn't going to get away with that so I jumped over the couch and ran after him. He was going to leave through the kitchen but I stopped him. No, that would say that I was able to keep my friend from leaving but that wasn't the case. We had a tug of war at the door till my mother came in and broke it up and told us to step outside and get some fresh air.

He finally, after trying to get me to go back in so he could go home, told me how he felt that he was the beast. That he treated me like the beast. I was amazed that he was able to think such a thing. Sure I saw some of the similarities in character, he can be as commanding and as demanding as the beast, but to say that he was the beast, I couldn't see it. He asked me if I thought he was a bad person. He knew that he wouldn't have let the old lady in, the one from the beginning of the movie, and that he too would have the curse put on him. I tried to convince him, and think that I did, that he was not the beast. The beast was a spoiled brat, rich and probably used to having his way since he was a small child. He was known for his cruel heart and the enchantress was testing him and he failed. I told him that he had not had such a luxury; his parents had died when he was just a child and he was left to fend for himself. Just because he had a rough manner did not mean he was like everyone who seemed them same. He seemed to believe me, I hope so.

All the rest is pointless, Diary. All I want to talk about now is that Inuyasha said that he loved me. I know that you might wonder who Inuyasha is; well he's my friend. My best friend actually, and I guess I don't use his name because I want to keep it all to myself. He is someone that not many people will ever get a chance to meet and know the way that I do. He's my well-kept secret and I prefer to keep him that way. Granted I said that I love you first but he said it back. I have never felt happier in my life. It's not because loves me back and things have seemed different between us. Nicer. More comfortable and relaxed. I'm happier than I have ever been in my life because I told him that I loved him. No matter what happens now I know that he knows that I love him. That I was able to find it within myself, despite being afraid of what he might say or think, to tell him how I truly felt. To let him know what I hope he always knew or at least suspected.

And just thinking about this makes me blush, but, Diary, he kissed me. He gave me my first kiss and it was wonderful. It wasn't like I thought a kiss would be, cold, wet lips touching my nerve-dried lips. It was a kiss that made my whole body tremble from the contact. It was warm and sweet, so very sweet that I knew for sure that what I said was the truth. That I loved him. More than that, that I am in love with him. Would always be, and if in the end things don't work out for us I shall love him still. Thinking about how much I love him makes me miss his company and he was just here. I told him that I needed to get some work done and would see him in a little while. He kissed me then too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I never appreciated that Disney movies could do such things to people. To make it possible for them to see something in themselves that makes it possible for them to open up to someone that they care about. I appreciate the opportunity this movie gave me to let my feelings be known and feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because I had been keeping it to myself. Keeping it locked away in my heart.

I'm just remembering that we were supposed to consider a song from the movie. Well I would have to say that Angela Landsbury's "Beauty and the Beast" is it. I think it not only fits the movie but it also fits Inuyasha and me. It was unexpected, that I would find myself in love with him. He was rough in his manners and his talk but yet he could be so gentle and sweet. It didn't happen often but it was stunning in its emotions. Love is a tale as old as time, and it is a song, a rhyme. It's amazing how we are worlds apart in character and personality but we go together so beautifully. We are each other's opposites and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Kagome's thoughts were pulled from her writing when she heard a strange noise downstairs.

"What was that?" Kagome whispered to herself listening. She was alone, her family gone for the weekend. It couldn't have been one of the animals as they were gone too. Thinking it was her imagination she turned back around in her seat, she was about to pick her pencil back up again when she heard it again.

Slowly and as quietly as possible Kagome rose from her desk and walked to her bedroom door, opening it. With her ears listening for even the smallest sound she slowly made her way to the staircase peering down them. Not seeing or hearing anything Kagome slowly walked down them, cringing when they creaked under her weight.

Kagome walked into the kitchen but didn't see anything, she almost laughed at her own silliness till she heard it again. The living room. Kagome felt the hairs on the back of her neck start to rise as she walked towards to doorway that lead from the kitchen to the living room.

Kagome stood there, looking around but saw nothing out of place. With a hesitant step she walked into the room. It happened so quickly that the only thing Kagome knew was one minute she was standing there and the next she had a hand clamped over her mouth and nose and an arm lifting her up from the floor at her waist, holding her against an unrelenting chest.

"What do we have here?" The intruder questioned. Laughing at his good luck. "I wasn't expecting you."

Kagome, unable to speak and barely able to breath tried to worm her way out of his hold. OH MY GOD! INUYASHA! Kagome screamed in her mind. Kagome knew she had to do something, anything to get herself away from him and to the well. If she could just make it to the well. Kagome lifted her right foot high into the air and then kicked down and back as hard as she could into her assailant's knee. Instantly the grip on her loosened and she soon felt floor under her feet. By no means out of the woods yet, Kagome turned around and kicked him hard in his other knee, bringing him to his knees before her. And then she did something that she never thought she would have to use; she kicked him where the sun don't shine. Hard! And took off running back into the kitchen.

Apparently this man was not going to be bested by a girl, for he was on her in a flash. Kagome had barely made it into the kitchen when she felt the sharp yank of her hair being pulled at the back of her neck.

"That hurt, you little bitch." He said pulling her head all the way back before shoving her into the kitchen table, knocking one of the chairs over.

Pain! Kagome felt nothing but the pain and then she felt the rush of adrenaline as she used to table for support and moved towards the drawer that held the kitchen knives.

"Where do you think your going? I'm blocking both doors." He taunted and threw back his head in laughter.

Kagome saw this as her chance and moved as fast as she could to the draw, opening it, and grabbing the biggest, sharpest knife they had. She turned around, pointing it at him. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" She screamed.

"My, my, what a big knife you have. The better to cut me with?" He laughed again and then reached out to grab her wrist, but Kagome was quicker, she jumped back and slashed out at him. He screamed in pain and moved to the left to lean on the kitchen counter and Kagome saw it as her opening to get to the door and to the well and took off running.

Kagome ran to the back door and flung it open and ran like a bat out of hell to the shed. When she heard running steps behind her she willed her legs to go faster. It's just a little more, she promised them. Kagome ran up the three steps that lead to the well but it was opening the sliding door that cost her too much time. She took one step inside and then went flying down the rest as her intruder tackled her to the ground.

"I've got you." He breathed into her hair. "I told you there was no where to go." Kagome was lying on her stomach, with him on top of her.

But Kagome didn't hear him. She heard nothing actually, but the beating of her own heart and the burning pain that was sweeping through her chest with each breath she took. She felt the weight of the man lift off of her and she was thankful for it, thinking that maybe it would take away this awful pain she felt, but it didn't. In fact, the pain only seemed to get worse. And when she felt wetness on her shirt she lifted herself up on her elbows, her eyes blurring at the pain the movement caused and looked to see the handle of the knife she had been running with sticking out from her chest, her shirt was covered in her own blood.

Kagome felt more pain as the man kicked her in her side causing her to roll over onto her back.

"Stabbed yourself, huh?" He asked his voice showed no sign of concern. "Didn't your mother tell you to never run with a knife in your hand? You could fall down and this could happen."

The only thing Kagome heard was his laughter. Laughter! She was lying there, barely able to breath, probably dying and he was laughing at her. Laughing like he was enjoying the sight before him. Hatred at the man filled Kagome. She felt herself grow even hotter. And when the man moved to walk towards her Kagome saw nothing but red. He was actually going to attack her again? Never.

"This won't hurt one bit." He said, smiling as he squatted next to her and yanked the knife from her chest.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH" Kagome screamed with all her might and with what strength she had left she lifted her hands to his face and then there was a brilliant, explosive flash of pink light.